bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Patients’ willingness to complete written incident report forms in one UK tertiary cancer hospital
Authors: Doherty Carole , Stavropoulou Charitini , Dickinson Lorie
Published: November 2015

This article examines patients’ willingness to complete incident report forms, providing a description of the event or concern. Differing from other studies, its design enabled patients to report incidents when and if they felt this necessary, rather than responding to researchers’ questions. A total of 145 patients receiving treatment for cancer in a UK hospital were invited to participate. Of the 100 patients who agreed to participate, only 13 completed a total of 22 forms. The form’s purpose was not easily understood, often perceived as complaining and patients tended to report relatively trivial matters. Contrary to previous studies, this study found little evidence that incident report forms are the right tool for enabling patients’ proactive involvement in safety improvement. Asking patients to monitor their safety by completing incident report forms may serve to undermine patients’ trust in their clinicians while duplicating resources.
An evaluation of the benefits and challenges of video consulting between general practitioners and residential aged care facilities
Authors: Wade Victoria , Whittaker Frank , Hamlyn Jeremy
Published: November 2015

This research evaluated a project that provided video consultations between general practitioners (GPs) and residential aged care facilities (RACFs), with the aim of enabling faster access to medical care and avoidance of unnecessary hospital transfers. GPs were paid for video consultations at a rate equivalent to existing insurance reimbursement for supporting telehealth services. Evaluation data were gathered by direct observation at the project sites, semi-structured interviews and video call data from the technical network. Three pairs of general practices and RACFs were recruited to the project. 40 video consultations eligible for payment occurred over a 6 month period, three of which were judged to have avoided hospital attendance. The process development and change management aspects of the project required substantially more effort than was anticipated. This was due to problems with RACF technical infrastructure, the need for repeated training and awareness raising in RACFs, the challenge of establishing new clinical procedures, the short length of the project and broader difficulties in the relationships between GPs and RACFs. Video consulting between GPs and RACFs was clinically useful and avoided hospital attendance on a small scale, but further focus on process development is needed to embed this as a routine method of service delivery.
The side effect of egalitarian norms: Reactive group distinctiveness, biological essentialism, and sexual prejudice
Authors: Falomir-Pichastor Juan Manuel , Mugny Gabriel , Berent Jacques
Published: November 2015

In the context of sexual prejudice, in which group distinctiveness motivation is particularly strong for men, three studies tested the hypothesis that egalitarian norms can intensify reactive distinctiveness motives, and then paradoxically increase intergroup differentiation and prejudice. Depending on the studies, the egalitarian norm was experimentally manipulated or induced and kept constant. Group distinctiveness was manipulated through scientific support for the theory that a person’s sexual orientation is determined by biological factors in terms of the extant biological differences (high distinctiveness) versus biological similarities (low distinctiveness) between heterosexual and gay people. Egalitarian norms increased men’s (but not women’s) intergroup differentiation (Study 1) and prejudice (Study 2) when group distinctiveness was low (as compared to high). This pattern was specific to men with high gender self-esteem, and appeared when the biological theory was framed in terms of intergroup differences rather than the uncontrollability of sexual orientation (Study 3).
Ethnic differences in asthma treatment among Swedish adolescents: A multilevel analysis of individual heterogeneity
Authors: Cantarero-Arévalo Lourdes , Perez Vicente Raquel , Juarez Sol Pia , Merlo Juan
Published: November 2015

Aims: Adolescents with immigrant or ethnic minority background suffering from asthma receive on average less appropriate anti-asthmatic medication (AAM) than the majority population. However, those findings are based on analyses of differences between group averages which prevents our understanding of individual heterogeneity around the averages. Taking into account individual socioeconomic factors and medical needs, we performed multilevel analysis in order to evaluate if maternal country of birth (MCOB) accurately identifies adolescents with inappropriate AAM use. Methods: Using the Swedish Medical Birth Register, we identified all singleton children born between 1988 and 1991 who were residing in the country until they turned 17 and had complete information on the study variables. We applied a two-level multilevel logistic regression analysis with 62 MCOBs at the second and 755,894 children at the first level. Adjusting for socioeconomic and medical factors using a risk score, and including the socioeconomic characteristics of the MCOBs, we obtained both measures of association (odds ratio (OR)) and measures of variance (Intra-class correlation (ICC)). Results: Comparing with adolescents born from Swedish mothers, all other children had a lower AAM use, especially those whose mothers were from upper-middle- and low-income countries (OR = 0.47, 95% confidence interval: 0.35–0.61). However, the ICC was low (i.e., ICC ≈ 3%) for both preventive and relief AAM. Conclusions: MCOB was associated to adolescent use of AAM. However, the small ICC indicates that MCOB is an inaccurate categorization for identifying inappropriate use of AAM among Swedish adolescents.
The downside of digital inclusion: Expectations and experiences of privacy and surveillance among marginal Internet users
Authors: Gangadharan Seeta Peña
Published: November 2015

Increasing broadband adoption among members of underserved populations remains a high priority among policymakers, advocates, corporations, and affected communities. But questions about the risks entailed in the flow of personal information are beginning to surface and shine light on the tension between broadband’s benefits and harms. This article examines broadband adoption programs at community-based and public institutions in the United States in order to understand the ways in which privacy and surveillance issues emerge and are engaged in these settings. While adults who enroll in introductory digital literacy classes and access the Internet at public terminals feel optimistic about broadband “opportunities,” they encounter “privacy-poor, surveillance-rich” broadband. Users experience myriad anxieties, while having few meaningful options to meet their concerns.
Processing and characterization of composite cladding through microwave heating on martensitic steel
Authors: Kaushal Sarbjeet , Sirohi Vinay , Gupta Dheeraj , Bhowmick Hiralal , Singh Satnam
Published: November 2015

The composite wear resistant cladding of nickel-based powder matrix and 10% SiC powder as reinforced was developed through microwave hybrid heating on martenisitic stainless steel (SS-420) substrate. The development of the clad has been carried out by using a domestic microwave applicator of frequency 2.45 GHz and 900 W power level. The microstructural and mechanical characterizations of the developed clad were carried out by using scanning electron microscopy, energy dispersive spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, and Vicker’s microhardness analysis. Results revealed that clads of approximately 1.25 mm thickness were developed with significantly low porosity (∼1.10%). The scanning electron microscopic results show that the microstructure of clad exhibits typical cellular-like structure. The metallurgical bonding between clad and substrate surface was obtained with partial dilution. The complex carbides of chromium and silicides of chromium, iron, and nickel phases were identified in the clad region by XRD study, which may enhance the Vicker’s microhardness of the clads significantly. The average Vicker’s microhardness of the developed clad was in the range of 652 ± 90 HV.
The ‘National Decisions’ database (Dec.Nat): Introducing a database on national courts’ interactions with European Law
Authors: Hübner Denise Carolin
Published: November 2015

This article makes a contribution to the empirical study of the European legal order, by introducing the ‘National Decisions’ database maintained by the Association of Councils of States and Supreme Administrative Jurisdictions of the European Union. Containing large-scale information on 27,100 national decisions relating to European law, including cases that do not involve preliminary references, the database allows researchers to get beyond the focus on decisions of the ECJ to get a better understanding of the larger universe of cases where national courts apply European law. This article illustrates how we can use the database to expand on existing scholarship. It focuses on the study of the judicial enforcement of European law through national courts, in particular.
Narrating spaces of inclusion and exclusion in research collaboration – researcher-gatekeeper dialogue
Authors: Lund Ragnhild , Panda Smita Mishra , Dhal Manju Prava
Published: November 2015

This article discusses collaborations among participants in research on Adivasi (indigenous) women in Odisha, India. The focus is on the researcher–gatekeeper dialogue by unravelling spaces of inclusion and exclusion among partners in the research. We give voice to one particular gatekeeper, in an attempt to understand the power gatekeepers and researchers have and can exercise both together and within their own domains. The authors conclude that regardless of how much effort is made to create a level playing field, inequality continues to exist among participants. Hence, it becomes important to understand the role and power of each participant in a research process as well as their contribution to creating spaces of inclusion.
Corporate values
Authors: Bjørge Anne Kari , Whittaker Sunniva
Published: November 2015

Major corporations may as part of their communication strategy present a number of core values in the form of abstract property nouns, for example, integrity. Such nouns are rich in meaning, which gives rise to a corporate discourse associated with their interpretation. Multinational companies tend to use English as a lingua franca (ELF) to formulate these values in order to reach a global workforce, which in some cases may lead to a need for explicitation as a translation strategy to capture any cultural differences. To our knowledge, there is little prior in-depth research on corporate values, taking into account the linguistic material used, nor research into the linguistic expressions designating these as instances of discourse in their own right. The same applies to research into the implications of conveying these expressions by using ELF. On this background, we discuss corporate values from a linguistic perspective, adopting a semantic–pragmatic approach, including cultural factors and the implications of using ELF to convey their meaning. To illustrate our approach, we will present a case study of a Norwegian MNC with subsidiaries in 12 different countries.
Teacher diversity awareness in the context of changing demographics
Authors: Acquah Emmanuel O , Tandon Madhavi , Lempinen Sonia
Published: November 2015

This study examined awareness of and knowledge of how to address increasing linguistic and cultural diversity among 89 teachers in an ethnically and racially diverse school located in Southwest Finland. The empirical evidence suggests that in a school with many years of experience with a diverse student population the levels of awareness and knowledge among teachers are relatively low and teachers themselves expressed the need for much more information, in particular, strategies for meeting the needs of their students. In addition, teachers showed distinct levels of awareness of diversity which successively predicted their knowledge of strategies for addressing diversity in the classroom. Implications for research and teacher education are discussed.
Effect of deadrise angles on hydrodynamic performance of a stepped hull
Authors: Matveev Konstantin I , Bari Ghazi S
Published: November 2015

Stepped planning hulls are commonly used on fast planning boats and water-based aircraft, but numerical means for simulating their hydrodynamics are rather limited. In this study, a panel method involving hydrodynamic sources has been applied for modeling a stepped planning hull and accounting for water surface deformations in the air-ventilated cavity and surrounding water domain. Parametric calculations have been carried out for a selected hull with variable deadrise angles and at two speed regimes. Results are shown for the boat attitude, lift–drag ratio, and drag components. The variations of the wetted surfaces on two bodies of a stepped hull are also presented and related to variations in hydrodynamic characteristics of the hull.
Evaluation of losses in maritime gearboxes
Authors: Godjevac Milinko , Drijver Joost , de Vries Leo , Stapersma Douwe
Published: November 2015

Gearboxes are a necessary part of almost any propulsion train and their percentual losses are usually assumed to be small and constant. However, in low-load and part-load conditions, gearbox losses may be significant. With the current trend of slow steaming, the performance of gearboxes is once again in focus. In order to estimate the performance of maritime gearboxes, an evaluation of losses was done using a thermal network. The analysis was done for a standard double-input single-output maritime gearbox and over the entire range of torque and revolutions per minute. Results indicate that the transmission losses are not negligible in low-load condition; in fact they may as high as 10% of delivered power. Further results show that the maximum temperature in the teeth contact can reach 70 °C but this might be an overestimate. Finally, using the investigated thermal network models, a simplified model of transmission losses is proposed together with the fit coefficients for the torque and revolutions per minute.
The excellent researcher
Authors: Angervall Petra
Published: November 2015

The neo-liberal university not only changes systems of governance but also impacts on how subject positions are valued. These changes justify critical questions on how academics manoeuvre in academia. In this study focus is on the told experiences of 18 researchers who describe how they made an excellent career in academia. The results show that most of the researchers express awareness about a performative culture in terms of how it is affecting their careers and how they should make mindful and rewarding choices. Accordingly, the “excellent researcher” is expected to know how to use specific locations in order to move in a profitable way. Some express that they move as they like, due to their individual competence. The results also illustrate how women more than men express uncertainties and complex self-images that create barriers (mental and physical). Men seem to think less about their conditions than women, and express clear views about where to go and how to move. Women move less distinctly and less collaborative, but also seem less rewarded. Many of the women appear anxious, especially in relation to the boundaries between private- and work-life, which partly could disable them in using their capacity of making distinct choices in their career.
Change in the Face of Resistance
Authors: Collins Joshua C. , Abichandani Yogita
Published: November 2015

The Problem

The Indian economy is one of the fastest growing in the world, but that growth is not accessible to all people. Women who exit the workforce and return face challenges that make staying more difficult. Challenges include poor perception of the likelihood of success, child care, time management, and work–family role balance. As a result, the process of returning to work demotivates many Indian women returnees (IWRs).

The Solution

The purpose of this article was to examine the cultural, social, and economic components of Indian women’s lives that may contribute to difficulties faced when returning to work after time away. We offer suggestions for the field of human resource development (HRD) to facilitate meaningful learning and development in the lives of these women and position hope as motivation for initiating change in the face of resistance.

The Stakeholders

The stakeholders of this issue are IWRs, the HRD professionals who may work with them, their communities, their partners and families, and the organizations that may employ them.
Mobility analysis of parallel mechanisms based on screw theory and mechanism topology
Authors: Wang Liping , Xu Huayang , Guan Liwen
Published: November 2015

A practical method for mobility analysis of mechanisms is presented in this article, which is based on the screw theory and the topology structure of mechanisms. The proposed method can be summarized as one core principle and two key techniques. The core principle is that the series connection of kinematic pairs is equivalent to the superposition of corresponding degrees of freedom, and the parallel connection of kinematic pairs is equivalent to the superposition of corresponding constraints. The first key technique for analyzing the mobility of mechanisms is to correctly identify the series and parallel connection relationship between all kinematic pairs, that is, the mechanism topology structure. Another key technique is transforming the screws and reciprocal screws from local coordinate systems to the global coordinate system. First, the above-mentioned method is presented in theory. Then, several examples are analyzed using it, which validate its effectiveness and universality.
Prediction and control of front-end curvature in hot finish rolling process
Authors: Lee Kyunghun , Han Jinqyu , Park Joonhong , Kim Byungmin , Ko Daecheol
Published: November 2015

The purpose of this study is to predict the front-end curvature in hot strip finishing mills and to prevent it by controlling the rolling conditions. A theoretical model based on the slab method is developed for predicting the front-end curvature by taking into account the entrance angle of the strip, the friction condition and the back tension. To validate the developed theoretical model, the theoretically obtained curvature value is compared with the results of finite element analysis. Consequently, it is shown that the calculation results of the theoretical model are in good agreement with the measured results of the finite element analysis. Furthermore, a curvature control model based on geometrical and mathematical approaches that can reduce the front-end curvature by the control of the roll speed ratio of the upper to lower rolls is proposed. The proposed curvature control model is verified by finite element analysis, and it is shown that the front-end curvature can be reduced considerably using the proposed model. Therefore, it is concluded that the proposed control model for reducing the front-end curvature in a hot strip finishing mill can be used to improve the quality of the rolled product.
International education policy: Its influence on the conception of VET and the VET system in Germany
Authors: Deissinger Thomas
Published: November 2015

Inquiries into vocational education and training (VET) systems are normally characterised by looking at institutions and steering mechanisms. That aside, however, it is culture which underlies both the practice and the theory as well as the policy of VET in various countries. Specific problems arise when it comes to harmonising VET systems through the backdoor. One of the current supranational instruments in this context is the European qualifications framework (EQF) and other related instruments as well as OECD expectations referring to increasing the numbers of higher education graduates. The PISA studies certainly also play their part within these influential streams of international education policy, in so far as they put pressure on school systems to change, depending on the performance of students. The PISA findings are then generalised by rebuking whole education systems as well as pointing to best practice countries like Finland. In contrast to PISA, though, the EQF is not as well-known an instrument outside the world of education, although its long-term impact should not be underestimated as it could result in specific national reform steps beyond the issue of raising the quality of school education. In this respect, its implications may be compared to those deriving from OECD studies rebuking countries once they fail to increase progression to and participation in higher education, since this issue touches the basic architecture of the whole education system and its underlying cultural and pedagogical paradigms.

Since Germany is a typical example of an ‘apprenticeship country’, the paper picks up these immanent matching problems by referring to the German institutional framework of VET, including forms and practices of non-state intervention into the system and, in particular, to the responsibility of non-state institutions such as the social partners, who have specific views on preserving the culture behind the dual system in the context of internationalisation. The paper also touches on other specific issues associated with Europeanisation of VET, i.e. the function of hybrid qualifications, which are quite common in the UK or France, but also in Switzerland with its traditional apprenticeship system. They refer to the dimension of lifelong learning policy in so far as they touch the relationship between VET and higher education, but also the basic question of new progression routes within the education system.
News from the future: A corpus linguistic analysis of future-oriented, unreal and counterfactual news discourse
Authors: Hansen Kenneth Reinecke
Published: November 2015

This article presents a corpus linguistic analysis of the development in future-oriented political journalism in four Danish newspapers in the period 1997–2013 ( N = 2954 full articles = 1,553,038 word tokens). Keyword analysis and concordance analysis are applied within a framework of grammatical-semantic theory of tense and modal verbs and semantic-pragmatic theory of time meaning, modality and speech acts. The results suggest, unexpectedly, that the newspapers – and news reports in particular – seem to have become less future-oriented in the period. At the same time, however, the articles – and particularly news commentary, in itself increasing – might have become slightly more speculative. Thus, the journalists themselves have become the main source of ‘guessing’, that is, predicting and speculating, with the keywords vil ( will) and ville ( would), including unreal and counterfactual speculations in the past tenses.
Mapping Chondrocyte Viability, Matrix Glycosaminoglycan, and Water Content on the Surface of a Bovine Metatarsophalangeal Joint
Authors: Lin Yi-Cheng , Hall Andrew C. , Smith Innes D. M. , Salter Donald M. , Simpson A. Hamish R. W.
Published: November 2015

Objective

The purpose of this study was to determine if there were variations in chondrocyte viability, matrix glycosaminoglycan (GAG), and water content between different areas of the articular surface of a bovine metatarsophalangeal joint, a common and reliable source of articular cartilage for experimental study, which may compromise the validity of using multiple samples from different sites within the joint.

Methods

Nine fresh cadaveric bovine metatarsophalangeal joints were obtained. From each joint, 16 osteochondral explants were taken from 4 facets, yielding a total of 144 cartilage specimens for evaluation of chondrocyte viability, matrix GAG, and water content. A less invasive method for harvesting osteochondral explants and for processing the biopsy for the assessment of chondrocyte viability was developed, which maintained maximal viability within each cartilage explant.

Results

There was no significant difference between the 16 biopsy sites from the different areas of the joint surface with respect to chondrocyte viability, matrix GAG and water content. Pooled data of all samples from each joint established the baseline values of chondrocyte viability to be 89.4% ± 3.8%, 94.4% ± 2.2%, and 77.9% ± 7.8%, in the superficial quarter, central half, and deep quarter (with regard to depth from the articular surface), respectively. The matrix GAG content of bovine articular cartilage was 6.06 ± 0.41 μg/mg cartilage, and the cartilage water content was 72.4% ± 1.5%. There were also no significant differences of these 3 variables between the different joints.

Conclusion

It is thus reasonable to compare biopsies obtained from different sites, as a biopsy from one site would be considered representative of the whole joint.
A patient with typhoid fever, Giardia lamblia gastroenteritis and hepatitis E
Authors: Zhang Qing , Teh Jonathan Guo Xiang , Chan Webber Pak Wo
Published: November 2015

Marked elevation of transaminases is rare in typhoid enteric fever. Co-infections with hepatitis A or E, dengue, or other pathogens should be suspected and investigated. Here we report a case of a 29-year-old Bangladesh man who presented with typhoid, hepatitis E and Giardia lamblia complicated by severely deranged liver enzymes. With early institution of antibiotics and active supportive treatment, the patient clinically recovered. The underlying mechanism of co-infection is still not clear. As clinicians, comprehensive workup for potential pathogens helps expedite diagnosis, especially in patients from endemic areas or patients who deteriorate rapidly. Current diagnostic methods, treatment modalities and preventive measures still need to be improved in the future.
The politics of biblical interpretation: A review essay
Authors: Hughes Aaron W
Published: November 2015

This article reviews four recent books that all purport to deal with politics in ancient Israel. Despite dealing with the Bible, they are all saturated with modern concerns.
Motivation and Its Impact on Organizational Effectiveness in Albanian Businesses
Authors: Shoraj Dritan , Llaci Shyqyri
Published: November 2015

Organizations wish to perform successfully in the market and if possible to have a sustainable economic growth. However, in the current circumstances of globalization and strong competition, technology is advancing at a rapid pace, hence making the market an unsafe environment. The business organizations (BOs) would have to make full use of all resources available. It is already a well-known fact that human resources or organization personnel constitute a key asset for achieving success. Yet, what makes the employees of a BO satisfied or motivated to achieve the planned objectives? In this research, we analyze some of the factors influencing the motivation of employees to enhance their performance. Through empirical and theoretical analysis, the study will identify the relationship between the motivation of employees and organizational effectiveness and finally the increase of BO revenues. The purpose of this study is to analyze the impact produced by the motivation of employees on organizational effectiveness. Personnel motivation will involve criteria such as employees’ bonus, good communication within the working premises, and satisfaction at their job place.
Decoupled evolution of floral traits and climatic preferences in a clade of Neotropical Gesneriaceae
Authors: Serrano-Serrano Martha Liliana , Perret Mathieu , Guignard Maïté , Chautems Alain , Silvestro Daniele , Salamin Nicolas
Published: November 2015

Background

Major factors influencing the phenotypic diversity of a lineage can be recognized by characterizing the extent and mode of trait evolution between related species. Here, we compared the evolutionary dynamics of traits associated with floral morphology and climatic preferences in a clade composed of the generaCodonanthopsis, CodonantheandNematanthus(Gesneriaceae). To test the mode and specific components that lead to phenotypic diversity in this group, we performed a Bayesian phylogenetic analysis of combined nuclear and plastid DNA sequences and modeled the evolution of quantitative traits related to flower shape and size and to climatic preferences. We propose an alternative approach to display graphically the complex dynamics of trait evolution along a phylogenetic tree using a wide range of evolutionary scenarios.

Results

Our results demonstrated heterogeneous trait evolution. Floral shapes displaced into separate regimes selected by the different pollinator types (hummingbirds versus insects), while floral size underwent a clade-specific evolution. Rates of evolution were higher for the clade that is hummingbird pollinated and experienced flower resupination, compared with species pollinated by bees, suggesting a relevant role of plant-pollinator interactions in lowland rainforest. The evolution of temperature preferences is best explained by a model with distinct selective regimes between the Brazilian Atlantic Forest and the other biomes, whereas differentiation along the precipitation axis was characterized by higher rates, compared with temperature, and no regime or clade-specific patterns.

Conclusions

Our study shows different selective regimes and clade-specific patterns in the evolution of morphological and climatic components during the diversification of Neotropical species. Our new graphical visualization tool allows the representation of trait trajectories under parameter-rich models, thus contributing to a better understanding of complex evolutionary dynamics.
Distinct functions of two olfactory marker protein genes derived from teleost-specific whole genome duplication
Authors: Suzuki Hikoyu , Nikaido Masato , Hagino-Yamagishi Kimiko , Okada Norihiro
Published: November 2015

Background

Whole genome duplications (WGDs) have been proposed to have made a significant impact on vertebrate evolution. Two rounds of WGD (1R and 2R) occurred in the common ancestor of Gnathostomata and Cyclostomata, followed by the third-round WGD (3R) in a common ancestor of all modern teleosts. The 3R-derived paralogs are good models for understanding the evolution of genes after WGD, which have the potential to facilitate phenotypic diversification. However, the recent studies of 3R-derived paralogs tend to be based onin silicoanalyses. Here we analyzed the paralogs encoding teleost olfactory marker protein (OMP), which was shown to be specifically expressed in mature olfactory sensory neurons and is expected to be involved in olfactory transduction.

Results

Our genome database search identified twoOMPs (OMP1andOMP2) in teleosts, whereas only one was present in other vertebrates. Phylogenetic and synteny analyses suggested thatOMP1and2were derived from 3R. BothOMPs showed distinct expression patterns in zebrafish;OMP1was expressed in the deep layer of the olfactory epithelium (OE), which is consistent with previous studies of mice and zebrafish, whereasOMP2was sporadically expressed in the superficial layer. Interestingly,OMP2was expressed in a very restricted region of the retina as well as in the OE. In addition, the analysis of transcriptome data of spotted gar, a non-teleost fish, revealed that singleOMPgene was expressed in the eyes.

Conclusion

We found distinct expression patterns of zebrafishOMP1and2at the tissue and cellular level. These differences in expression patterns may be explained by subfunctionalization as the model of molecular evolution. Namely, singleOMPgene was speculated to be originally expressed in the OE and the eyes in the common ancestor of all Osteichthyes (bony fish including tetrapods). Then, twoOMPgene paralogs derived from 3R-WGD reduced and specialized the expression patterns. This study provides a good example for analyzing a functional subdivision of the teleost OE and eyes as revealed by 3R-derived paralogs ofOMPs.
Does inferior vena cava respiratory variability predict fluid responsiveness in spontaneously breathing patients?
Authors: Airapetian Norair , Maizel Julien , Alyamani Ola , Mahjoub Yazine , Lorne Emmanuel , Levrard Melanie , Ammenouche Nacim , Seydi Aziz , Tinturier François , Lobjoie Eric , Dupont Hervé , Slama Michel
Published: November 2015

Introduction

We have almost no information concerning the value of inferior vena cava (IVC) respiratory variations in spontaneously breathing ICU patients (SBP) to predict fluid responsiveness.

Methods

SBP with clinical fluid need were included prospectively in the study. Echocardiography and Doppler ultrasound were used to record the aortic velocity-time integral (VTI), stroke volume (SV), cardiac output (CO) and IVC collapsibility index (cIVC) ((maximum diameter (IVCmax)– minimum diameter (IVCmin))/ IVCmax) at baseline, after a passive leg-raising maneuver (PLR) and after 500 ml of saline infusion.

Results

Fifty-nine patients (30 males and 29 females; 57 ± 18 years-old) were included in the study. Of these, 29 (49 %) were considered to be responders (≥10 % increase in CO after fluid infusion). There were no significant differences between responders and nonresponders at baseline, except for a higher aortic VTI in nonresponders (16 cm vs. 19 cm, p = 0.03). Responders had a lower baseline IVCmin than nonresponders (11 ± 5 mm vs. 14 ± 5 mm, p = 0.04) and more marked IVC variations (cIVC: 35 ± 16 vs. 27 ± 10 %, p = 0.04). Prediction of fluid-responsiveness using cIVC and IVCmax was low (area under the curve for cIVC at baseline 0.62 ± 0.07; 95 %, CI 0.49-0.74 and for IVCmax at baseline 0.62 ± 0.07; 95 % CI 0.49-0.75). In contrast, IVC respiratory variations >42 % in SBP demonstrated a high specificity (97 %) and a positive predictive value (90 %) to predict an increase in CO after fluid infusion.

Conclusions

In SBP with suspected hypovolemia, vena cava size and respiratory variability do not predict fluid responsiveness. In contrast, a cIVC >42 % may predict an increase in CO after fluid infusion.
Complete genome sequence of Paracoccus marcusii phage vB_PmaS-R3 isolated from the South China Sea
Authors: Xu Yongle , Zhang Rui , Jiao Nianzhi
Published: November 2015

Paracoccus spp. are isolated from both terrestrial and aquatic habitats, indicating their ubiquitous existence in the environment. Here we present the first phage isolated from this genus, vB_PmaS-R3, and its complete genome sequence. Paracoccus phage vB_PmaS-R3 is a siphophage isolated from the South China Sea. The genome sequence is 42,093 bp, with a G + C content of 56.36 %. Fifty-two open reading frames were predicted from the genome. The genome can mainly be divided into three regions: genes for DNA metabolism, regulatory genes and structure forming genes. Genes encoding DNA metabolism and structural proteins showed high sequence homology to corresponding genes of Burkholderia phage KL1 and Pseudomonas phage PA73. In addition, four gene transfer agent-like genes were found in the vB_PmaS-R3 genome. A putative L-alanoyl-D-glutamate peptidase was predicted as the endolysin. A MazG gene was found in the vB_PmaS-R3 genome, which indicates genomic adaption to the nutrient-limited marine environment.
Combined Microsatellite Instability, MLH1 Methylation Analysis, and Immunohistochemistry for Lynch Syndrome Screening in Endometrial Cancers From GOG210: An NRG Oncology and Gynecologic Oncology Group Study
Authors: Goodfellow Paul J. , Billingsley Caroline C. , Lankes Heather A. , Ali Shamshad , Cohn David E. , Broaddus Russell J. , Ramirez Nilsa , Pritchard Colin C. , Hampel Heather , Chassen Alexis S. , Simmons Luke V. , Schmidt Amy P. , Gao Feng , Brinton Louise A. , Backes Floor , Landrum Lisa M. , Geller Melissa A. , DiSilvestro Paul A. , Pearl Michael L. , Lele Shashikant B. , Powell Matthew A. , Zaino Richard J. , Mutch David
Published: November 2015

Purpose

The best screening practice for Lynch syndrome (LS) in endometrial cancer (EC) remains unknown. We sought to determine whether tumor microsatellite instability (MSI) typing along with immunohistochemistry (IHC) and MLH1 methylation analysis can help identify women with LS.

Patients and Methods

ECs from GOG210 patients were assessed for MSI, MLH1 methylation, and mismatch repair (MMR) protein expression. Each tumor was classified as having normal MMR, defective MMR associated with MLH1 methylation, or probable MMR mutation (ie, defective MMR but no methylation). Cancer family history and demographic and clinical features were compared for the three groups. Lynch mutation testing was performed for a subset of women.

Results

Analysis of 1,002 ECs suggested possible MMR mutation in 11.8% of tumors. The number of patients with a family history suggestive of LS was highest among women whose tumors were classified as probable MMR mutation (P = .001). Lynch mutations were identified in 41% of patient cases classified as probable mutation (21 of 51 tested). One of the MSH6 Lynch mutations was identified in a patient whose tumor had intact MSH6 expression. Age at diagnosis was younger for mutation carriers than noncarriers (54.3 v 62.3 years; P < .01), with five carriers diagnosed at age > 60 years.

Conclusion

Combined MSI, methylation, and IHC analysis may prove useful in Lynch screening in EC. Twenty-four percent of mutation carriers presented with ECs at age > 60 years, and one carrier had an MSI-positive tumor with no IHC defect. Restricting Lynch testing to women diagnosed at age < 60 years or to women with IHC defects could result in missing a substantial fraction of genetic disease.
IGF-I and IGFBP-2 Stimulate AMPK Activation and Autophagy, Which Are Required for Osteoblast Differentiation
Authors: Xi Gang , Rosen Clifford J. , Clemmons David R.
Published: November 2015

IGF-I/insulin-like growth factor binding protein 2 (IGFBP-2) coordinately stimulate osteoblast differentiation but the mechanisms by which they function have not been determined. AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) is induced during differentiation and AMPK knockout mice have reduced bone mass. IGF-I modulates AMPK in other cell types; therefore, these studies determined whether IGF-I/IGFBP-2 stimulate AMPK activation and the mechanism by which AMPK modulates differentiation. Calvarial osteoblasts and MC-3T3 cells expressed activated AMPK early in differentiation and AMPK inhibitors attenuated differentiation. However, expression of constitutively activated AMPK inhibited differentiation. To resolve this discrepancy we analyzed the time course of AMPK induction. AMPK activation was required early in differentiation (day 3–6) but down-regulation of AMPK after day 9 was also necessary. IGF-I/IGFBP-2 induced AMPK through their respective receptors and blocking-receptor activation blocked AMPK induction. To determine the mechanism by which AMPK functioned we analyzed components of the autophagosome. Activated AMPK stimulated ULK-1 S555 phosphorylation as well as beclin-1 and microtubule-associated protein 1A/1B light-chain phosphatidylethanolamine conjugate (LC3II) induction. Inhibition of AMPK attenuated these changes and direct inhibition of autophagy inhibited differentiation. Conversely, expression of activated AMPK was associated with persistence of these changes beyond day 9 and inhibited differentiation. Blocking AMPK activation after day 9 down-regulated these autophagosome components and rescued differentiation. This allowed induction of mechanistic target of rapamycin and AKT, which suppressed autophagy. The results show that early induction of AMPK in response to IGF-I/IGFBP-2 followed by suppression is required for osteoblast differentiation. AMPK functions through stimulation of autophagy. The findings suggest that these early catabolic changes are important for determining the energy source for osteoblast respiration and down-regulation of these components may be required for induction of glycolysis, which is required during the final anabolic stages of differentiation.
Exposure to the Synthetic Progestin, 17α-Hydroxyprogesterone Caproate During Development Impairs Cognitive Flexibility in Adulthood
Authors: Willing Jari , Wagner Christine K.
Published: November 2015

The synthetic progestin, 17α-hydroxyprogesterone caproate, is increasingly used for the prevention of premature birth in at-risk women, despite little understanding of the potential effects on the developing brain. Rodent models suggest that many regions of the developing brain are sensitive to progestins, including the mesocortical dopamine pathway, a neural circuit important for complex cognitive behaviors later in life. Nuclear progesterone receptor is expressed during perinatal development in dopaminergic cells of the ventral tegmental area that project to the medial prefrontal cortex. Progesterone receptor is also expressed in the subplate and in pyramidal cell layers II/III of medial prefrontal cortex during periods of dopaminergic synaptogenesis. In the present study, exposure to 17α-hydroxyprogesterone caproate during development of the mesocortical dopamine pathway in rats altered dopaminergic innervation of the prelimbic prefrontal cortex and impaired cognitive flexibility with increased perseveration later in life, perhaps to a greater extent in males. These studies provide evidence for developmental neurobehavioral effects of a drug in widespread clinical use and highlight the need for a reevaluation of the benefits and potential outcomes of prophylactic progestin administration for the prevention of premature delivery.
The auxin-inducible degradation (AID) system enables versatile conditional protein depletion in C. elegans
Authors: Zhang Liangyu , Ward Jordan D. , Cheng Ze , Dernburg Abby F.
Published: November 2015

Experimental manipulation of protein abundance in living cells or organisms is an essential strategy for investigation of biological regulatory mechanisms. While powerful techniques for protein expression have been developed in C. elegans, existing tools for conditional disruption of protein function are far more limited. To address this, we have adapted the auxin-inducible degradation (AID) system discovered in plants to enable conditional protein depletion in C. elegans. We report that expression of a modified Arabidopsis TIR1 F-box protein mediates robust auxin-dependent depletion of degron-tagged targets. We document the effectiveness of this system for depletion of nuclear and cytoplasmic proteins in diverse somatic and germline tissues throughout development. Target proteins were depleted in as little as 20-30 minutes, and their expression could be reestablished upon auxin removal. We have engineered strains expressing TIR1 under the control of various promoter and 3' UTR sequences to drive tissue-specific or temporally regulated expression. The degron tag can be efficiently introduced by CRISPR/Cas9-based genome editing. We have harnessed this system to explore the roles of dynamically expressed nuclear hormone receptors in molting, and to analyze meiosis-specific roles for proteins required for germline proliferation. Together, our results demonstrate that the AID system provides a powerful new tool for spatiotemporal regulation and analysis of protein function in a metazoan model organism.
Efficient Dispersion of “Super-Growth” Single-Walled Carbon Nanotubes Using a Copolymer of Naphathalene Diimide and Poly(dimethylsiloxane)
Authors: Hong Liu , Takagaki Yusaku , Yoshikawa Hitoshi , Nakashima Naotoshi
Published: November 2015

The dispersion of carbon nanotubes is a key issue for maximizing their performance in many applications. Here we describe the design and synthesis of an efficient dispersant for the so-called “super-growth” single-walled carbon nanotubes (SG-SWNTs) to provide a stable and homogeneous dispersion in typical organic solvents simply by sonication. The synthesized dispersant is a copolymer composed of a naphthalene diimide and poly(dimethylsiloxane), and the dispersions were characterized using visible absorption, Raman, AFM, and TGA measurements as well as molecular-mechanics simulations. It was found that the copolymer efficiently dissolves the SG-SWNTs in many solvents including methyl ethyl ketone, methyl isobutyl ketone, and toluene that are widely-used solvents in polymer/resin-related industrial areas.
Peptide release promoted by methylated RF2 and ArfA in nonstop translation is achieved by an induced-fit mechanism
Authors: Zeng Fuxing , Jin Hong
Published: November 2015

Here we report that the specificity of peptide release in the ribosome on a nonstop mRNA by ArfA and RF2 is achieved by an induced-fit mechanism. Using RF2 that is methylated on the glutamine of its GGQ motif (RF2m), we show that methylation substantially increases the rate of ArfA/RF2-catalyzed peptide release on a nonstop mRNA that does not occupy the ribosomal A site, but has only a modest effect on kcat by the same proteins on longer nonstop mRNAs occupying the A site of the mRNA channel in the ribosome. Our data suggest that enhancement in the kcat of peptide release by ArfA and RF2 under the cognate decoding condition is the result of favorable conformational changes in the nonstop complex. We demonstrate a shared mechanism between canonical and nonstop termination, supported by similarities in the kinetic mechanisms in antibiotic inhibition and methylation-correlated enhancement in the rate of peptide release. Despite these similarities, our data suggest that nonstop termination differs from canonical pathway in the downstream event of recycling.
High-throughput sequencing of human plasma RNA by using thermostable group II intron reverse transcriptases
Authors: Qin Yidan , Yao Jun , Wu Douglas C. , Nottingham Ryan M. , Mohr Sabine , Hunicke-Smith Scott , Lambowitz Alan M.
Published: November 2015

Next-generation RNA-sequencing (RNA-seq) has revolutionized transcriptome profiling, gene expression analysis, and RNA-based diagnostics. Here, we developed a new RNA-seq method that exploits thermostable group II intron reverse transcriptases (TGIRTs) and used it to profile human plasma RNAs. TGIRTs have higher thermostability, processivity, and fidelity than conventional reverse transcriptases, plus a novel template-switching activity that can efficiently attach RNA-seq adapters to target RNA sequences without RNA ligation. The new TGIRT-seq method enabled construction of RNA-seq libraries from <1 ng of plasma RNA in <5 h. TGIRT-seq of RNA in 1-mL plasma samples from a healthy individual revealed RNA fragments mapping to a diverse population of protein-coding gene and long ncRNAs, which are enriched in intron and antisense sequences, as well as nearly all known classes of small ncRNAs, some of which have never before been seen in plasma. Surprisingly, many of the small ncRNA species were present as full-length transcripts, suggesting that they are protected from plasma RNases in ribonucleoprotein (RNP) complexes and/or exosomes. This TGIRT-seq method is readily adaptable for profiling of whole-cell, exosomal, and miRNAs, and for related procedures, such as HITS-CLIP and ribosome profiling.
US Food and Drug Administration Perspectives on Clinical Mass Spectrometry
Authors: Lathrop Julia Tait , Jeffery Douglas A , Shea Yvonne R , Scholl Peter F , Chan Maria M
Published: November 2015

Mass spectrometry–based in vitro diagnostic devices that measure proteins and peptides are underutilized in clinical practice, and none has been cleared or approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for marketing or for use in clinical trials. One way to increase their utilization is through enhanced interactions between the FDA and the clinical mass spectrometry community to improve the validation and regulatory review of these devices. As a reference point from which to develop these interactions, this article surveys the FDA's regulation of mass spectrometry–based devices, explains how the FDA uses guidance documents and standards in the review process, and describes the FDA's previous outreach to stakeholders. Here we also discuss how further communication and collaboration with the clinical mass spectrometry communities can identify opportunities for the FDA to provide help in the development of mass spectrometry–based devices and enhance their entry into the clinic.