bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Presencia sindical y prácticas de formación en el empleo. Perspectivas de Quebec
Authors: HASSI Abderrahman , FOUCHER Roland
Published: June 2017

Con datos de una encuesta a 301 pymes de Quebec, se examina la influencia de los sindicatos en la formación en el empleo en estas empresas. Los autores se centran en la inclusión de cláusulas al respecto en convenios colectivos y concluyen que tales cláusulas establecen un marco reglamentario para ciertas medidas de fomento de la formación y el aprendizaje en el lugar de trabajo, lo que pone de relieve la influencia de los sindicatos. Sin embargo, en general la inclusión o ausencia de estas cláusulas no se traduce necesariamente en mayor o menor participación real en este tipo de actividades.
Poly‐ADP ribose polymerase‐14 limits severity of allergic skin disease
Authors: Krishnamurthy Purna , Da‐Silva‐Arnold Sonia , Turner Matthew J. , Travers Jeffrey B. , Kaplan Mark H.
Published: June 2017

Poly‐ADP ribose polymerase‐14 (PARP14 or ARTD8) was initially identified as a transcriptional co‐activator for signal transducer and activator of transcription 6 (Stat6), where the presence of interleukin‐4 (IL‐4) and activated Stat6 induces the enzymatic activity of PARP14 that promotes T helper type 2 differentiation and allergic airway disease. To further our understanding of PARP14 in allergic disease, we studied the function of PARP14 in allergic inflammation of skin using mice that express constitutively active Stat6 in T cells (Stat6VT) and develop spontaneous inflammation of the skin. We mated Stat6VT mice to Parp14−/− mice and observed that approximately 75% of the Stat6VT × Parp14−/− mice develop severe atopic dermatitis (AD)‐like lesions, compared with about 50% of Stat6VT mice, and have increased morbidity compared with Stat6VT mice. Despite this, gene expression in the skin and the cellular infiltrates was only modestly altered by the absence of PARP14. In contrast, we saw significant changes in systemic T‐cell cytokine production. Moreover, adoptive transfer experiments demonstrated that decreases in IL‐4 production reflected a cell intrinsic role for PARP14 in Th2 cytokine control. Hence, our data suggest that although PARP14 has similar effects on T‐cell cytokine production in several allergic disease models, the outcome of those effects is distinct, depending on the target organ of disease.
Thermal phenotyping of stomatal sensitivity in spring barley
Authors: Rischbeck P. , Cardellach P. , Mistele B. , Schmidhalter U.
Published: June 2017

Thermometry and thermography are alternative methods used for measuring stomatal conductivity via transpirative cooling. However, the influence of mixed soil–plant information contained in thermal images compared to thermometric spot measurements on the measurement quality and relationships to agronomic traits remains unclear. To evaluate their respective influence, canopy temperature was measured simultaneously by two infrared thermometers (thermometry), which were oriented oblique to the plant canopy and mounted on a tractor, and a hand‐held, nadir oriented thermal camera (thermography) in irrigated and drought‐stressed spring barley cultivar trials in 2011. Canopy temperatures were separated from soil temperatures and extracted from the thermal images by matching thermal and RGB images. Thermometric measurements conducted at the beginning of shooting during a stable period of high radiation were more closely related to total plant biomass and straw yield at harvest than thermography under both irrigated and drought‐stressed conditions. Taking into account the results of this evaluation, thermometry was used for assessing the agronomic importance of stomatal sensitivity, the earliness of stomatal closure, of spring barley cultivars subjected to different water supply in 2013. In this year, 16 spring barley cultivars were grown under mild drought stress and rainfed conditions. A stomatal sensitivity index was derived relating canopy temperatures of the cultivars grown under rainfed and drought‐stressed conditions to each other. Under rainfed conditions, stomatal sensitivity was negatively related to grain protein yield with a coefficient of determination of R2 = .43. Under increasing terminal drought stress, positive regression slopes of stomatal sensitivity to grain yield, biomass yield and culms/m2 were observed with coefficients of determination amounting to R2 = .22, .31 and .36, respectively. Stomatal sensitivity negatively impacts agricultural production under well‐watered conditions, but maintains productivity under conditions of terminal drought.
Earnings quality and short selling: Evidence from real earnings management in the United States
Authors: Park KoEun
Published: June 2017

Prior research provides evidence consistent with managers using real earnings management (REM) to increase earnings. This study examines whether short sellers exploit the overvaluation of firms employing REM. I find that firms with more REM have higher subsequent short interest. The positive relation between REM and short interest is more pronounced in settings where the costs associated with accrual‐based earnings management are high, such as when a firm has low accounting flexibility or faces greater scrutiny from a high quality auditor. I also find some evidence that short sellers respond to REM more than to other fundamental signals of firm overvaluation. My inferences are robust to the use of propensity score matching. Collectively, my evidence suggests that short sellers not only trade on REM information, but they also trade as if they understand the substitutive nature of alternative earnings management methods. This study provides additional insight into the important role that short sellers play in monitoring managerial operating decisions and overall earnings quality.
MicroRNA‐30e‐5p promotes cell growth by targeting PTPN13 and indicates poor survival and recurrence in lung adenocarcinoma
Authors: Zhuang Li , Shou Tao , Li Ke , Gao Chun‐Lin , Duan Lin‐Can , Fang Li‐Zhou , Zhang Qin‐Yong , Chen Zong‐Ning , Zhang Chao , Yang Shou‐Tao , Li Gao‐Feng
Published: June 2017

Aberrant microRNA expression is involved in the regulation of various cellular processes, such as proliferation and metastasis in multiple diseases including cancers. MicroRNA‐30e‐5p (miR‐30e) was previously reported as an oncogenic or tumour suppressing miRNA in some malignancies, but its function in lung adenocarcinoma (LAC) remains largely undefined. In this study, we found that the expression of miR‐30e was increased in LAC tissues and cell lines, associated with tumour size and represented an independent prognostic factor for overall survival and recurrence of LAC patients. Further functional experiments showed that knockdown of miR‐30e suppressed cell growth while its overexpression promoted growth of LAC cells and xenografts in vitro and in vivo. Mechanistically, PTPN13 was identified as the direct target of miR‐30e in LAC, in which PTPN13 expression was down‐regulated in LAC tissues and showed the inverse correlation with miR‐30e expression. Overexpression of PTPN13 inhibited cell growth and rescued the proliferation‐promoting effect of miR‐30e through inhibition of the EGFR signalling. Altogether, our findings suggest that miR‐30e could function as an oncogene in LAC via targeting PTPN13 and act as a potential therapeutic target for treating LAC.
A novel technique for reference point generation to aid in intraoral scan alignment
Authors: Renne Walter G. , Evans Zachary P. , Mennito Anthony , Ludlow Mark
Published: June 2017

Objective

When using a completely digital workflow on larger prosthetic cases it is often difficult to communicate to the laboratory or chairside Computer Aided Design and Computer Aided Manufacturing system the provisional prosthetic information. The problem arises when common hard tissue data points are limited or non‐existent such as in complete arch cases in which the 3D model of the complete arch provisional restorations must be aligned perfectly with the 3D model of the complete arch preparations. In these instances, soft tissue is not enough to ensure an accurate automatic or manual alignment due to a lack of well‐defined reference points. A new technique is proposed for the proper digital alignment of the 3D virtual model of the provisional prosthetic to the 3D virtual model of the prepared teeth in cases where common and coincident hard tissue data points are limited.

Clinical considerations: A technique is described in which fiducial composite resin dots are temporarily placed on the intraoral keratinized tissue in strategic locations prior to final impressions. These fiducial dots provide coincident and clear 3D data points that when scanned into a digital impression allow superimposition of the 3D models.

Conclusions

Composite resin dots on keratinized tissue were successful at allowing accurate merging of provisional restoration and post‐preparation 3D models for the purpose of using the provisional restorations as a guide for final

CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE

Composite resin dots placed temporarily on attached tissue were successful at allowing accurate merging of the provisional restoration 3D models to the preparation 3D models for the purposes of using the provisional restorations as a guide for final restoration design and manufacturing. In this case, they allowed precise superimposition of the 3D models made in the absence of any other hard tissue reference points, resulting in the fabrication of ideal final restorations.
Evaluation of change in dietitians’ perceived comprehensibility and difficulty of the Patient‐Generated Subjective Global Assessment (PG‐SGA) after a single training in the use of the instrument
Authors: Sealy M. J. , Ottery F. D. , van der Schans C. P. , Roodenburg J. L. N. , Jager‐Wittenaar H.
Published: June 2017

Background

The Patient‐Generated Subjective Global Assessment (PG‐SGA) is an instrument used to assess malnutrition and its risk factors. Some items of the PG‐SGA may be perceived as hard to comprehend or as difficult by healthcare professionals. The present study aimed to determine whether and how dietitians’ perceptions of comprehensibility and difficulty of the PG‐SGA change after a single training in PG‐SGA use.

Methods

In this prospective evaluation study, Dutch PG‐SGA‐naïve dietitians completed a questionnaire regarding perceived comprehensibility and difficulty of the PG‐SGA before (T0) and after (T1) receiving a single training in the use of the instrument. Perceived comprehensibility and difficulty were operationalised by calculating item and scale indices for comprehensibility (I‐CI, S‐CI) and difficulty (I‐DI, S‐DI) at T0 and T1. An item index of 0.78 was considered acceptable, a scale index of 0.80 was considered acceptable and a scale index of 0.90 was considered excellent.

Results

A total of 35 participants completed the questionnaire both at T0 and T1. All item indices related to comprehensibility and difficulty improved, although I‐DI for the items regarding food intake and physical examination remained below 0.78. Scale indices for difficulty and comprehensibility of the PG‐SGA changed significantly (P < 0.001) from not acceptable at T0 (S‐CI = 0.69; S‐DI = 0.57) to excellent for comprehensibility (S‐CI = 0.95) and acceptable for difficulty (S‐DI = 0.86) at T1.

Conclusions

The findings of the present study suggest that significant improvement in PG‐SGA‐naïve dietitians’ perception of comprehensibility and difficulty of the PG‐SGA can be achieved quickly by providing a 1 day of training in the use of the PG‐SGA.
Pontamine fast scarlet 4B bifluorescence and measurements of cellulose microfibril angles
Authors: THOMAS J. , IDRIS N.A. , COLLINGS D.A.
Published: June 2017

Pontamine fast scarlet 4B is a red paper and textiles dye that has recently been introduced as a fluorescent probe for plant cell walls. Pontamine exhibits bifluorescence, or fluorescence dependent on the polarization of the excitation light: Because cellulose is aligned within the cell wall, pontamine‐labelled cell walls exhibit variable fluorescence as the excitation polarization is modulated. Thus, bifluorescence measurements require polarized excitation that can be directly or indirectly modulated. In our confocal microscopy observations of various cellulose samples labelled with pontamine, we modulated excitation polarization either through sample rotation or by the confocal's scanfield rotation function. This variably rotated laser polarizations on Leica confocal microscopes, but not those from other makers. Beginning with samples with directly observable microfibril orientations, such as purified bacterial cellulose, the velamen of orchid roots and the inner S2 layer of radiata pine compression wood, we demonstrate that modelling the variations in pontamine fluorescence with a sine curve can be used to measure the known microfibril angles. We then measured average local microfibril angles in radiata pine samples, and showed similar microfibril angles in compression and normal (opposite) wood. Significantly, bifluorescence measurements might also be used to understand the degree of local cellulose alignment within the cell wall, as opposed to variations in the overall cellulose angle.
Adaptive dynamics of the 5‐HT systems following chronic administration of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors: a meta‐analysis
Authors: Fritze Stefan , Spanagel Rainer , Noori Hamid R.
Published: June 2017

Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) are the most frequently prescribed antidepressants. However, a major concern is their delayed onset of action, which is hypothesized to be associated with the time required for serotonin (5‐HT) autoreceptors to desensitize, which should be reflected by actual neurochemical changes. Numerous in vivo microdialysis studies have been published that report on 5‐HT levels in different brain sites following SSRI administration. Here, we performed a meta‐analysis on dynamic changes of 5‐HT neurotransmission during the course of chronic SSRI treatment. We conducted a meta‐analysis on research articles of 5‐HT neurotransmission measured by in vivo microdialysis in rat brain after subchronic and chronic SSRI administrations. In total, data from 42 microdialysis studies (798 rats) were analyzed. Within the first week of SSRI treatment, extracellular 5‐HT concentrations drop in frontal cortex. Over the next 2 weeks of treatment, a linear increase in extracellular 5‐HT levels up to 350% of prior treatment baseline is evident (n = 269). However, in hippocampus, prefrontal cortex, nucleus accumbens, and ventral tegmental area we found increased 5‐HT levels within the first 3 days of SSRI administration. The time course of 5‐HT dynamics in frontal cortex is in line with the hypothesis that 5‐HT autoreceptors desensitize over 2–3 weeks of SSRI treatment and thereby enhanced extracellular 5‐HT levels ensue. Yet, in other regions we did not find evidence supporting the traditional autoreceptor‐mediated feedback loops hypothesis and thus other neurobiological adaptation mechanisms may also play a role in the delayed onset of SSRI action.

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How Could Nurse Researchers Apply Theory to Generate Knowledge More Efficiently?
Authors: Lor Maichou , Backonja Uba , Lauver Diane R.
Published: June 2017

Background

Reports of nursing research often do not provide adequate information about whether, and how, researchers applied theory when conducting their studies. Unfortunately, the lack of adequate application and explication of theory in research impedes development of knowledge to guide nursing practice.

Objectives

To clarify and exemplify how to apply theory in research.

Methods

First we describe how researchers can apply theory in phases of research. Then we share examples of how three research teams applied one theory to these phases of research in three different studies of preventive behaviors.

Conclusions

Nurse researchers can review and refine ways in which they apply theory in guiding research and writing publications. Scholars can appreciate how one theory can guide researchers in building knowledge about a given condition such as preventive behaviors. Clinicians and researchers can collaborate to apply and examine the usefulness of theory.

Clinical Relevance

If nurses had improved understanding of theory‐guided research, they could better assess, select, and apply theory‐guided interventions in their practices.
Lesions in the Splenium of the Corpus Callosum on MRI in Children: A Review
Authors: Kontzialis Marinos , Soares Bruno P. , Huisman Thierry A.G.M.
Published: June 2017

A wide variety of conditions may involve the splenium of the corpus callosum on magnetic resonance imaging in children. A single cause may present with different patterns of splenial involvement, and multiple diseases may have similar imaging findings. Keeping this limitation in mind, the goal of this text is to assist in the diagnostic process of pediatric neurological diseases that are characterized by prominent involvement of the splenium of the corpus callosum on imaging. The various pathologies will be reviewed and categorized based on etiology, reversibility, and pattern of additional or associated findings. Transient splenial lesions in children are an uncommon radiologic finding of unknown etiology in a long list of conditions that may present with altered consciousness, and it usually carries a favorable prognosis. The discussion continues with the presentation of diseases inflicting irreversible damage on the splenium. Familiarity with the various causes implicated in splenial injury may assist in the formulation of differential diagnosis in the appropriate clinical setting using an easily recognizable imaging finding.
Pharmacological treatment of oro‐facial pain – health technology assessment including a systematic review with network meta‐analysis
Authors: Häggman‐Henrikson B. , Alstergren P. , Davidson T. , Högestätt E. D. , Östlund P. , Tranæus S. , Vitols S. , List T.
Published: June 2017

This health technology assessment evaluated the efficacy of pharmacological treatment in patients with oro‐facial pain. Randomised controlled trials were included if they reported pharmacological treatment in patients ≥18 years with chronic (≥3 months) oro‐facial pain. Patients were divided into subgroups: TMD‐muscle [temporomandibular disorders (TMD) mainly associated with myalgia]; TMD‐joint (TMD mainly associated with temporomandibular joint pain); and burning mouth syndrome (BMS). The primary outcome was pain intensity reduction after pharmacological treatment. The scientific quality of the evidence was rated according to GRADE. An electronic search in PubMed, Cochrane Library, and EMBASE from database inception to 1 March 2017 combined with a handsearch identified 1552 articles. After screening of abstracts, 178 articles were reviewed in full text and 57 studies met the inclusion criteria. After risk of bias assessment, 41 articles remained: 15 studies on 790 patients classified as TMD‐joint, nine on 375 patients classified as TMD‐muscle and 17 on 868 patients with BMS. Of these, eight studies on TMD‐muscle, and five on BMS were included in separate network meta‐analysis. The narrative synthesis suggests that NSAIDs as well as corticosteroid and hyaluronate injections are effective treatments for TMD‐joint pain. The network meta‐analysis showed that clonazepam and capsaicin reduced pain intensity in BMS, and the muscle relaxant cyclobenzaprine, for the TMD‐muscle group. In conclusion, based on a limited number of studies, evidence provided with network meta‐analysis showed that clonazepam and capsaicin are effective in treatment of BMS and that the muscle relaxant cyclobenzaprine has a positive treatment effect for TMD‐muscle pain.
Choosing an optimal input for an intravenous glucose tolerance test to aid parameter identification
Authors: Martin Emma C , Yates James W T , Ogungbenro Kayode , Aarons Leon
Published: June 2017

Objective

The minimal model is used to estimate insulin sensitivity in patients with diabetes, following an intravenous glucose tolerance test (IVGTT). Issues have been reported regarding parameter estimation, including correlation between insulin sensitivity and action parameters. The objective was to reduce these issues, by modifying the input of glucose in the test.

Methods

Data were available for 24 volunteers following an IVGTT and glucose clamp test. Correlation between parameters was explored using likelihood heatmaps. An integrated glucose–insulin model was used to simulate glucose and insulin concentrations following new glucose inputs. The improved input for the test was selected by finding the minimum inverse of the determinant of the Fisher information matrix.

Key findings

When the minimal model was fitted to the IVGTT data, there was clear correlation between the insulin parameters. With the glucose clamp, all parameters were correlated and badly estimated. The modified input, a bolus dose followed by constant infusion, resulted in improvement in parameter estimation and reduction in parameter correlation.

Conclusions

It is possible to reduce the issues with parameter estimation in the minimal model by modifying the glucose input, leading to a simplified test deign and a reduction in the total amount of glucose infused.
A comparative study of hepatitis B virus X protein mutants K130M, V131I and KV130/131MI to investigate their roles in fibrosis, cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma
Authors: Siddiqui Z. I. , Farooqui S. R. , Azam S. A. , Afroz M. , Wajid S. , Parveen S. , Kazim S. N.
Published: June 2017

Hepatitis B virus (HBV) genomic mutations A1762T, G1764A and AG1762/1764TA cause production of HBV X protein (HBx) mutants, namely K130M, V131I and KV130/131MI. These mutations are important biomarkers for the development of cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in chronic HBV patients. This study comparatively analyses the impact of intracellular expression of HBx mutants on HCC cell line Huh7. It was found that expression of KV130/131MI induced: cell proliferation, altered expression of cell cycle regulatory genes in favour of cell proliferation, intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) production and mitochondrial depolarization. KV130/131MI may be directly involved in host cell proliferation and hepatocarcinogenesis via altering expression of cell cycle regulatory genes. KV130/131MI may also play pivotal roles in fibrosis and cirrhosis via inducing ROS production and mitochondrial depolarization. Furthermore, these might be the possible reasons for higher occurrence of AG1762/1764TA as compared to A1762T and G1764A in cirrhosis and HCC patients.
Ambient temperature‐mediated changes in hepatic gene expression of a mammalian herbivore (Neotoma lepida)
Authors: Connors Patrice Kurnath , Malenke Jael R. , Dearing M. Denise
Published: June 2017

Herbivores regularly ingest natural toxins produced by plants as a defence against herbivory. Recent work suggests that compound toxicity is exacerbated at higher ambient temperatures. This phenomenon, known as temperature‐dependent toxicity (TDT), is the likely result of decreased liver function at warmer temperatures; however, the underlying cause ofTDTremains speculative. In the present study, we compared the effects of temperature and dietary plant toxins on differential gene expression in the liver of an herbivorous rodent (Neotoma lepida), using species‐specific microarrays. Expression profiles revealed a greater number of differentially expressed genes at an ambient temperature below the thermal neutral zone forN. lepida(22°C) compared to one within (27°C). Genes and pathways upregulated at 22°C were related to growth and biosynthesis, whereas those upregulated at 27°C were associated with gluconeogenesis, apoptosis and protein misfolding, suggestive of a stressed state for the liver. Additionally, few genes associated with xenobiotic metabolism were induced when woodrats ingested plant toxins compared to nontoxic diets, regardless of temperature. Taken together, the results highlight the important role of ambient temperature on gene expression profiles in the desert woodrat. Temperatures just below the thermal neutral zone might be a favourable state for liver metabolism. Furthermore, the reduction in the number of genes expressed at a temperature within the thermal neutral zone indicates that liver function may be reduced at temperatures that are not typically considered as thermally stressful. Understanding how herbivorous mammals will respond to ambient temperature is imperative to accurately predict the impacts of climate change.
Movements and home ranges of monk seals in the main Hawaiian Islands
Authors: Wilson Kenady , Littnan Charles , Read Andrew J.
Published: June 2017

Hawaiian monk seals (Neomonachus schauinslandi) began recolonizing the main Hawaiian Islands (MHI) roughly 20 yr ago. The species’ abundance is still declining, but the subpopulation in the MHI is increasing by 6.5% per year. This difference may be due to differences in prey availability or habitat quality between the northwest (NWHI) and main Hawaiian Islands, which could be reflected in the movements and behavior of the seals. For example, foraging trip durations may be shorter in areas with higher forage quality. From 2007 to 2014 we deployed GPS phone tags on the islands of Molokai (n = 7), Kauai (n = 6), and Oahu (n = 6) to study movements and dive behavior. Foraging trips typically lasted 0.57 d (IQR: 0.34–0.83) and seals traveled 18 km (IQR: 10.2–30.5) per trip. Seals began benthic dives shortly after entering the water, with most dives to depths of 12–32 m. The median 95% and 50% kernel density isopleths for seals in the MHI were 149.2 km2 and 23.2 km2, respectively. The duration and distance of foraging trips in the MHI were shorter than that observed in other studies from the NWHI, suggesting that foraging habitat is currently better in the MHI.
Rungia sinothailandica sp. nov. (Acanthaceae) from China and Thailand
Authors: Lin Zhe‐Li , Deng Yun‐Fei
Published: June 2017

Rungia sinothailandica (Acanthaceae), a new species from Yunnan, China and Chiang Rai, Thailand is described and illustrated. A colour plate, line drawing and distribution map of R. sinothailandica are provided. Rungia sinothailandica is similar to R. pinpienensis H. S. Lo, but differs in the broadly ovate sterile bracts and obovate‐elliptic fertile bracts, the crispate and tawny bracts margin, the 2‐lobed upper lip of the corolla and puberulent capsule. It is also similar to R. burmanica (C. B. Clarke) B. Hansen, but is easily distinguished by pubescent stems and leaves, the cymbiform‐oblong bracteoles and the 2‐lobed upper lip of corolla.
Impatiens pyrorhiza sp. nov. (Balsaminaceae) from east Himalaya
Authors: Lidén Magnus , Bharali Pankaj
Published: June 2017

Impatiens pyrorhiza sp. nov. from the Tawang and West Kameng districts in northwest Arunachal Pradesh, India, is described and compared with related species. It is similar to I. gamblei from east Nepal and northwest Darjeeling, but differs in for example: a) rhizome extended, orange, much‐branched, b) leaves with numerous teeth, c) petiole base with prominent glands, d) raceme supported by subtending leaf and e) lateral sepals without an apical divergent extended callosity.
OpenSimRoot: widening the scope and application of root architectural models
Authors: Postma Johannes A. , Kuppe Christian , Owen Markus R. , Mellor Nathan , Griffiths Marcus , Bennett Malcolm J. , Lynch Jonathan P. , Watt Michelle
Published: June 2017

OpenSimRoot is an open‐source, functional–structural plant model and mathematical description of root growth and function. We describe OpenSimRoot and its functionality to broaden the benefits of root modeling to the plant science community.

OpenSimRoot is an extended version of SimRoot, established to simulate root system architecture, nutrient acquisition and plant growth. OpenSimRoot has a plugin, modular infrastructure, coupling single plant and crop stands to soil nutrient and water transport models. It estimates the value of root traits for water and nutrient acquisition in environments and plant species.

The flexible OpenSimRoot design allows upscaling from root anatomy to plant community to estimate the following: resource costs of developmental and anatomical traits; trait synergisms; and (interspecies) root competition. OpenSimRoot can model three‐dimensional images from magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and X‐ray computed tomography (CT) of roots in soil. New modules include: soil water‐dependent water uptake and xylem flow; tiller formation; evapotranspiration; simultaneous simulation of mobile solutes; mesh refinement; and root growth plasticity.

OpenSimRoot integrates plant phenotypic data with environmental metadata to support experimental designs and to gain a mechanistic understanding at system scales.
Intravoxel incoherent motion analysis of renal allograft diffusion with clinical and histopathological correlation in pediatric kidney transplant patients: A preliminary cross‐sectional observational study
Authors: Poynton Clare B. , Lee Marsha M. , Li Yi , Laszik Zoltan , Worters Pauline W. , Mackenzie John D. , Courtier Jesse
Published: June 2017

The purpose of this study was to compare IVIM values in pediatric renal transplants with histopathology and clinical management change. Fifteen pediatric renal transplant recipients (mean 15.7±2.9 years) were prospectively scanned on a 3T MR scanner with multi‐b DTI, prior to same‐day transplant biopsy. IVIM maps from 14 subjects were analyzed (one excluded due to motion). Mean values were computed from cortical ROIs and medullary ROIs corresponding to the biopsy site. Subjects were also grouped according to whether or not the biopsy resulted in a change in clinical management. Cortico‐medullary IVIM estimates and histopathologic Banff scores were correlated with KT. Cortico‐medullary IVIM differences between the “change” and “no change” groups was compared with Mann‐Whitney U test. Cortical Dp showed significant moderate negative correlation with Banff t and ci scores (KT=−0.497, P=.035 and KT=−0.46, P=.046) and moderate positive correlation with Banff i score (KT=0.527, P=.028). Cortical Pf showed significant moderate correlation with ci and ct scores (KT=0.489, P=.035 and KT=0.457, P=.043). Tissue diffusivity, Dt, estimated with IVIM was significantly different between the “change” and “no change” groups in medullary ROIs (U=6, P=.021). IVIM analysis has potential as a noninvasive biomarker in assessment of pediatric renal allograft pathology.
No effect of treatment with intravenous ganciclovir on Epstein‐Barr virus viremia demonstrated after pediatric liver transplantation
Authors: Østensen Anniken B. , Sanengen Truls , Holter Ellen , Line Pål‐Dag , Almaas Runar
Published: June 2017

EBV after pediatric LT is a risk factor for PTLD. We wanted to evaluate the effect of intravenous ganciclovir on EBV viremia and to identify risk factors for chronic EBV viremia. All pediatric patients who underwent LT in Norway from 2002 until 2015 were reviewed. Twenty‐two of 38 patients with viremia were treated with intravenous ganciclovir for a median of 22 (21‐38) days. Treated and untreated patients were not different with respect to EBV seroconversion prior to transplantation or age at transplantation, but treated patients had significantly earlier viremia after transplantation (P=.005). There was no difference in the proportion of patients with reduction in virus load in patients treated with ganciclovir compared to untreated patients at 8 weeks. After 1 year, five of 19 patients treated with ganciclovir and six of 14 untreated patients had reduced virus load compared to start of viremia (P=.27). In conclusion, treatment with intravenous ganciclovir did not change the proportion of patients with reduction in EBV load at 8 weeks and 1 year after viremia. Younger age at transplantation, short time from transplantation to viremia, and lack of EBV seroconversion prior to transplantation were significant predictors of chronic EBV viremia.
Beyond hookup culture: Current trends in the study of college student sex and where to next
Authors: Pham Janelle M.
Published: June 2017

A prominent body of sexuality research on college‐enrolled students in the twenty‐first century focuses on “hookup” culture, marked by the prevalence of sexual encounters between students with no expectation for a relationship to develop. This article will review and respond to current themes in the literature on hookup culture on college campuses. I argue that this literature privileges the White, middle‐class heterosexual experience, although less is known about how students who cannot or choose not to participate in this culture experience sexual relationships on college campuses. I place studies of hookup culture in conversation with those attentive to the effects of race, class, gender, and sexuality on access to, and experience of, hookup culture. I conclude with suggestions for future research, to include a renewed interest in sexual relationships forged outside of hookup cultures.
Can inactive blood donors be re‐recruited? A stratified randomised pilot study
Authors: Ou‐Yang J. , He B. , Rong X. , Bei C.‐H.
Published: June 2017

Objective

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of recruitment of inactive donors by telephone call and cell phone short message service (SMS), to assess the causes of donor self‐deferral and to determine the appropriate sample size for a formal study

Background

Blood donor retention is essential for sustaining blood safety and sufficiency.

Methods

We conducted a single‐centre open‐label parallel randomised controlled trial in Guangzhou, China. A total of 1188 inactive donors with the last donation between 2009 and 2013 were enrolled and randomly assigned to two intervention groups (telephone call and SMS groups) and one control group without any intervention. Donors were followed up for 7 months; their responses including donation activities were analysed.

Results

The re‐donation rates among the three groups were statistically significantly different (P = 0.044), particularly between the phone call group and the control group (P = 0.017). Within the phone call group, the re‐donation rate was positively associated with the frequency of prior donation (P = 0.026), and the age of the donors (P = 0.043). Medical issues, time constraints and group donation were the main causes of self‐deferral. The appropriate sample size for each group for a formal study to detect difference between the phone call and SMS groups was estimated to be 1429 participants.

Conclusions

Our findings suggest that active interventions, especially phone call reminders, can increase blood donation. Further studies are required to compare the efficacy and effectiveness between phone call and SMS reminders using a larger sample size.
Household sanitation is associated with lower risk of bacterial and protozoal enteric infections, but not viral infections and diarrhoea, in a cohort study in a low‐income urban neighbourhood in Vellore, India
Authors: Berendes David , Leon Juan , Kirby Amy , Clennon Julie , Raj Suraja , Yakubu Habib , Robb Katharine , Kartikeyan Arun , Hemavathy Priya , Gunasekaran Annai , Roy Sheela , Ghale Ben Chirag , Kumar J. Senthil , Mohan Venkata Raghava , Kang Gagandeep , Moe Christine
Published: June 2017

Objective

This study examined associations between household sanitation and enteric infection – including diarrhoeal‐specific outcomes – in children 0–2 years of age in a low‐income, dense urban neighbourhood.

Methods

As part of the MAL‐ED study, 230 children in a low‐income, urban, Indian neighbourhood provided stool specimens at 14–17 scheduled time points and during diarrhoeal episodes in the first 2 years of life that were analysed for bacterial, parasitic (protozoa and helminths) and viral pathogens. From interviews with caregivers in 100 households, the relationship between the presence (and discharge) of household sanitation facilities and any, pathogen‐specific, and diarrhoea‐specific enteric infection was tested through mixed‐effects Poisson regression models.

Results

Few study households (33%) reported having toilets, most of which (82%) discharged into open drains. Controlling for season and household socio‐economic status, the presence of a household toilet was associated with lower risks of enteric infection (RR: 0.91, 95% CI: 0.79–1.06), bacterial infection (RR: 0.87, 95% CI: 0.75–1.02) and protozoal infection (RR: 0.64, 95% CI: 0.39–1.04), although not statistically significant, but had no association with diarrhoea (RR: 1.00, 95% CI: 0.68–1.45) or viral infections (RR: 1.12, 95% CI: 0.79–1.60). Models also suggested that the relationship between household toilets discharging to drains and enteric infection risk may vary by season.

Conclusions

The presence of a household toilet was associated with lower risk of bacterial and protozoal enteric infections, but not diarrhoea or viral infections, suggesting the health effects of sanitation may be more accurately estimated using outcome measures that account for aetiologic agents.
Sculpting Computational‐Level Models
Authors: Blokpoel Mark
Published: June 2017

In this commentary, I advocate for strict relations between Marr's levels of analysis. Under a strict relationship, each level is exactly implemented by the subordinate level. This yields two benefits. First, it brings consistency for multilevel explanations. Second, similar to how a sculptor chisels away superfluous marble, a modeler can chisel a computational‐level model by applying constraints. By sculpting the model, one restricts the (potentially infinitely large) set of possible algorithmic‐ and implementational‐level theories.
Acquired RhD mosaicism identifies fibrotic transformation of thrombopoietin receptor‐mutated essential thrombocythemia
Authors: Montemayor‐Garcia Celina , Coward Rebecca , Albitar Maher , Udani Rupa , Jain Prachi , Koklanaris Eleftheria , Battiwalla Minoo , Keel Siobán , Klein Harvey G. , Barrett A. John , Ito Sawa
Published: June 2017

BACKGROUND

Acquired copy‐neutral loss of heterozygosity has been described in myeloid malignant progression with an otherwise normal karyotype.

CASE REPORT

A 65‐year‐old woman with MPL‐mutated essential thrombocythemia and progression to myelofibrosis was noted upon routine pretransplant testing to have mixed field reactivity with anti‐D and an historic discrepancy in RhD type. The patient had never received transfusions or transplantation.

RESULTS

Gel immunoagglutination revealed group A red blood cells and a mixed‐field reaction for the D phenotype, with a predominant D‐negative population and a small subset of circulating red blood cells carrying the D antigen. Subsequent genomic microarray single nucleotide polymorphism profiling revealed copy‐neutral loss of heterozygosity of chromosome 1 p36.33‐p34.2, a known molecular mechanism underlying fibrotic progression of MPL‐mutated essential thrombocythemia. The chromosomal region affected by this copy‐neutral loss of heterozygosity encompassed the RHD, RHCE, and MPL genes. We propose a model of chronological molecular events that is supported by RHD zygosity assays in peripheral lymphoid and myeloid‐derived cells.

CONCLUSION

Copy‐neutral loss of heterozygosity events that lead to clonal selection and myeloid malignant progression may also affect the expression of adjacent unrelated genes, including those encoding for blood group antigens. Detection of mixed‐field reactions and investigation of discrepant blood typing results are important for proper transfusion support of these patients and can provide useful surrogate markers of myeloproliferative disease progression.
Medical and economic implications of strategies to prevent alloimmunization in sickle cell disease
Authors: Gehrie Eric A. , Ness Paul M. , Bloch Evan M. , Kacker Seema , Tobian Aaron A. R.
Published: June 2017

BACKGROUND

The pathogenesis of alloimmunization is not well understood, and initiatives that aim to reduce the incidence of alloimmunization are generally expensive and either ineffective or unproven. In this review, we summarize the current medical literature regarding alloimmunization in the sickle cell disease (SCD) population, with a special focus on the financial implications of different approaches to prevent alloimmunization.

STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS

A review of EMBASE and MEDLINE data from January 2006 through January 2016 was conducted to identify articles relating to complications of SCD. The search was specifically designed to capture articles that evaluated the costs of various strategies to prevent alloimmunization and its sequelae.

RESULTS

Currently, there is no proven, inexpensive way to prevent alloimmunization among individuals with SCD. Serologic matching programs are not uniformly successful in preventing alloimmunization, particularly to Rh antigens, because of the high frequency of variant Rh alleles in the SCD population. A genotypic matching program could offer some cost savings compared to a serologic matching program, but the efficacy of gene matching for the prevention of alloimmunization is largely unproven, and large‐scale implementation could be expensive.

CONCLUSIONS

Future reductions in the costs associated with genotype matching could make a large‐scale program economically feasible. Novel techniques to identify patients at highest risk for alloimmunization could improve the cost effectiveness of antigen matching programs. A clinical trial comparing the efficacy of serologic matching to genotype matching would be informative.
The Effectiveness of Corporate Advertising in a Collegiate Fitness Center
Authors: Chen Kuan-Chou , Yu Yang
Published: June 2017

The purpose of this research is to examine the effectiveness of the corporate advertisements in a collegiate fitness center in Hong Kong. In this study, a survey questionnaire was utilized to examine whether participants’ demographic information influenced the consumers’ attitude and purchase intention toward the product. A total of 112 valid samples were collected. The result showed there was a significant difference between genders in product purchase intention. And the research also found that participants’ exercise time can make a significant difference on the attitude and purchase intention toward the products. Compared with non-sport product, the sport related products received higher scores of attitude and purchase intention from participants in the collegiate sport center. There existed some limitations (sample size, time, gender ratio) during the research process. The result indicated there is potential commercial value hidden in the Hong Kong collegiate fitness clubs.
Nonboiling Heat Transfer and Friction of Air/Water Mist Flow in a Square Duct With Orthogonal Ribs
Authors: Huang Yi-Hsuan , Chen Chiao-Hsin , Liu Yao-Hsien
Published: June 2017

Heat transfer of air/water mist flow in a single-side heated vertical duct was experimentally investigated. The mist flow was produced by introducing fine dispersed water droplets into the air stream, and the water–air mass flow ratios were up to 15%. The Reynolds numbers of the air flow were 7900, 16,000, and 24,000. The rib spacing-to-height ratios were 10 and 20 in the current study. Mist flow cooling achieved higher heat transfer rates mainly because of the droplet deposition and liquid film formation on the heated surface. The heat transfer enhancement on the smooth surface by the mist flow was 4–6 times as high as the air flow. On the ribbed surface, a smaller rib spacing of 10 was preferred for air cooling, since the heat transfer enhancement by the flow reattachment was better utilized. However, the rib-induced secondary flow blew away the liquid films on the surface, and the heat transfer enhancement was degraded near the reattachment region for the mist cooling. A larger rib spacing-to-height ratio of 20 thus achieved higher heat transfer because of the liquid film formation beyond the reattachment region. The heat transfer enhancement on the ribbed surface using mist flow was 2.5–3.5 times as high as the air flow. The friction factor of the mist flow was two times as high as the air flow in the ribbed duct.
Transmission Line Modeling of Inclined Compressible Fluid Flows
Authors: Omrani Ala E. , Franchek Matthew A. , Grigoriadis Karolos
Published: June 2017

Compressible fluid flow modeling for inclined lines is a challenging phenomenon due to the nonlinearity of the governing equations and the spatial–temporal dependency of the fluid density. In this paper, the transmission line analytical model is applied to the determination of inclined compressible fluid flow's dynamics. To establish this model, an exact transcendent solution is developed by solving the Navier–Stokes equation in the Laplace domain. A transfer function approximation, allowing the fluid flow transients determination, is recovered from the exact solution using residual calculations. The error resulting from the polynomial fraction approximation of the transfer functions is circumvented through frequency response corrections for the approximation to meet the exact function steady-state behavior. The effect of gravity and fluid compressibility on the fluid flow dynamics as well as the interplay between those two factors are illustrated through the pressure and flow rate's frequency and time responses.
Static and Dynamic Characteristics of Externally Pressurized Porous Gas Journal Bearing With Four Degrees-of-Freedom
Authors: Jiang Shuyun , Lin Shengye , Xu Chundong
Published: June 2017

This paper studies the static and dynamic coefficients of an externally pressurized porous gas journal bearing. The finite difference method is used to solve the Reynolds equation of the bearing to obtain the static load capacity. The linear perturbation method is adopted to derive the perturbation equations considering four degrees-of-freedom (4DOF), namely, the translational movements in x and y directions and the rotational movements around x and y directions. The effects of various parameters on the dynamic behaviors of the journal bearing are studied. These parameters include the bearing number, the supply pressure, the feeding parameter, the length-to-diameter ratio, the porosity parameter, the eccentricity ratio, and tilting angles. Simulated results prove that the proposed method is valid in estimating the static and dynamic characteristics of a porous gas journal bearing with 4DOF.