bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A plane strain yield design approach to stability analysis of a column‐reinforced soil foundation under inclined loading
Authors: Arévalos M.A. , Maghous S.
Published: October 2016

The ultimate bearing capacity problem of column‐reinforced foundations under inclined loading is investigated within the framework of static and kinematic approaches of yield design theory. The configuration of a native soft clayey soil reinforced by either a group of purely cohesive columns (lime‐column technique) or a group of purely frictional columns (stone‐column technique) is analyzed under plane strain conditions. First, lower bound estimates are derived for the ultimate bearing capacity by considering statically admissible piecewise linear stress distributions that comply with the local strength conditions of the constitutive materials. The problem is then handled by means of the yield design kinematic approach of limit analysis through the implementation of several failure mechanisms, allowing the formulation of upper bound estimates for the ultimate bearing capacity. A series of finite element limit load solutions obtained from numerical elastoplastic simulations suggests that the predictions derived from the kinematic approach appear to be more accurate than the estimates obtained from the static approach. Comparison with available results obtained in the context of yield design homogenization demonstrates the accuracy of the proposed direct analysis, which may therefore be viewed as complementary approach to homogenization‐based approaches when a small number of columns is involved. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Urinary incontinence in the Netherlands: Prevalence and associated risk factors in adults
Authors: Linde J. Marleen , Nijman Rien J.M. , Trzpis Monika , Broens Paul M.A.
Published: October 2016

Aims

To determine the prevalence and risk factors associated with urinary incontinence (UI) among adults in the Netherlands.

Methods

In this cross‐sectional study, we included 1257 respondents aged ≥ 18 years, who completed the validated Groningen Defecation and Fecal Continence Checklist. UI was defined as any involuntary leakage of urine during the past 6 months.

Results

The prevalence of UI in the total group was 36.8%. Women experienced UI significantly more often than men (49.0% versus 22.6%, respectively, P < 0.001). We found that in both men and women, the prevalence of UI increased with aging (P = 0.003 and P < 0.001, respectively). Remarkably, multivariate analysis revealed that age did not influence UI in men. Men and women aged 18‐39 also experienced UI (17.0% and 36.1%, respectively). We established that diabetes mellitus, fecal incontinence, and constipation were risk factors for UI. In women, obesity, vaginal hysterectomies, and vaginal parturition were also risk factors for UI, as was prostate surgery in men.

Conclusions

The prevalence of UI in the Netherlands is high. Medical practitioners should therefore not underestimate this problem, especially among young people. Because the multivariate analysis revealed that in men age did not correlate significantly with UI, we believe that the risk of experiencing UI increases with age because of diseases that are known to lead to UI and not because of aging as a single factor itself. Finally, this study can be used as a reference for patients living in Western‐Europe.
The association between parental separation during childhood and obesity in adulthood: a Danish twin study
Authors: Petersen J. D. , Kyvik K. O. , Heitmann B. L. , Vámosi M. E.
Published: October 2016

Objective

The purpose of this study was to examine if parental separation during childhood is associated with obesity in adulthood.

Methods

A co‐twin case–control study of 146 adult same‐sexed twin pairs with discordant body mass index (BMI) (i.e. one of the twins should have a BMI of 20–25 kg/m2, and the co‐twin's BMI ≥ 30 kg/m2) was selected from Danish Twin Registry (DTR). In total of 236 eligible twin individuals participated in the study. Childhood parental separation (defined as separation from one of the biological parents, regardless of the reason for separation) for at least one year prior to age 17 was self‐reported. The statistical analysis includes logistic and linear regression models using STATA 13.0.

Results

There were no differences in the odds of developing obesity in adulthood between the twin who stayed with a father and the co‐twin who was separated from him for at least 1 year prior to age 17 [OR = 1.22, 95%CI (0.46–3.34), p = 0.65]. Separation from a mother also showed no differences in the odds for developing obesity [OR = 0.90, 95%CI (0.32–2.46), p = 0.82].

Conclusions

Because of the limited number of discordant twin pairs for childhood parental separation, we cannot provide evidence to suggest that separation from parents in childhood was associated with developing obesity in adulthood. Further studies of pooling discordant twins from several countries should be considered.
Fine‐tuning vascular fate during endothelial–mesenchymal transition
Authors: Xiao Lin , Dudley Andrew C
Published: October 2016

In the heart and other organs, endothelial–mesenchymal transition (EndMT) has emerged as an important developmental process that involves coordinated migration, differentiation, and proliferation of the endothelium. In multiple disease states including cancer angiogenesis and cardiovascular disease, the processes that regulate EndMT are recapitulated, albeit in an uncoordinated and dysregulated manner. Members of the transforming growth factor beta (TGFβ) superfamily are well known to impart cellular plasticity during EndMT by the timely activation (or repression) of transcription factors and miRNAs in addition to epigenetic regulation of gene expression. On the other hand, fibroblast growth factors (FGFs) are reported to augment or oppose TGFβ‐driven EndMT in specific contexts. Here, we have synthesized the currently understood roles of TGFβ and FGF signalling during EndMT and have provided a new, comprehensive paradigm that delineates how an autocrine and paracrine TGFβ/FGF axis coordinates endothelial cell specification and plasticity. We also provide new guidelines and nomenclature that considers factors such as endothelial cell heterogeneity to better define EndMT across different vascular beds. This perspective should therefore help to clarify why TGFβ and FGF can both cooperate with or oppose one another during the complex process of EndMT in both health and disease. Copyright © 2016 Pathological Society of Great Britain and Ireland. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Predicting Self–Confident Behaviour with Implicit and Explicit Self–Esteem Measures
Authors: Krause Sascha , Back Mitja D. , Egloff Boris , Schmukle Stefan C.
Published: October 2016

The present research compared the validity of popular direct and indirect measures of self–esteem in predicting self–confident behaviour in different social situations. In line with behavioural dual–process models, both implicit and explicit self–esteem were hypothesized to be related to appearing self–confident to unacquainted others. A total of 127 participants responded to the Rosenberg Self–Esteem Scale, the Multidimensional Self–Esteem Scale, and an adjective scale for measuring explicit self–esteem (ESE). Participants‘ implicit self–esteem (ISE) was assessed with four indirect measures: the Implicit Association Test (IAT), the name–letter task (NLT), and two variants of an affective priming task, the reaction–time affective priming task (RT–APT) and the error–based affective priming task (EB–APT). Self–confident behaviour was observed in four different social situations: (i) self–introduction to a group; (ii) an ostracism experience; (iii) an interview about the ostracism experience; and (iv) an interview about one's personal life. In general, appearing self–confident to unknown others was independently predicted by ESE and ISE. The indirect measures of self–esteem were, as expected, not correlated, and only the self–esteem APTs—but not the self–esteem IAT or the NLT—predicted self–confident behaviours. It is important to note that in particular the predictive power of the self–esteem EB–APT pertained to all four criteria and was incremental to the ESE measures. Copyright © 2016 European Association of Personality Psychology
Differential proteomic analysis of the metabolic network of the marine sulfate‐reducer Desulfobacterium autotrophicum HRM2
Authors: Dörries Marvin , Wöhlbrand Lars , Rabus Ralf
Published: October 2016

The marine sulfate‐reducing bacterium Desulfobacterium autotrophicum HRM2 belongs to the deltaproteobacterial family Desulfobacteraceae and stands out for its capacity of facultative chemolithoautotrophic growth (next to heterotrophy). Here, proteomics‐driven metabolic reconstruction was based on a combination of 2D‐DIGE, shotgun proteomics, and analysis of the membrane protein enriched fraction applied to eight different substrate adaptation conditions (seven aliphatic compounds plus H2/CO2). In total, 1344 different proteins were identified (∼27% of the 4947 genome‐predicted), from which a complex metabolic network was reconstructed consisting of 136 proteins (124 detected; ∼91%). Peripheral degradation routes for organic substrates feed directly or via the methylmalonyl–CoA pathway into the Wood–Ljungdahl pathway (WLP) for terminal oxidation to CO2. Chemolithoautotrophic growth apparently involves the periplasmic [Ni/Fe/Se]‐containing hydrogenase HysAB (H2 oxidation), the reductively operating WLP (CO2 fixation), and classical gluconeogenesis. Diverse soluble proteins (e.g., Hdr, Etf) probably establish a fine balanced cytoplasmic electron transfer network connecting individual catabolic reactions with the membrane menaquinone pool. In addition, multiple membrane protein complexes (Nqr, Qmo, Qrc, Rnf1, Rnf2, and Tmc) provide ample routes for interacting with the reducing equivalent pool and delivering electrons to dissimilatory sulfate reduction (both localized in the cytoplasm). Overall, this study contributes to the molecular understanding of the habitat‐relevant Desulfobacteraceae.
Determination of differentially regulated proteins upon proteasome inhibition in AML cell lines by the combination of large‐scale and targeted quantitative proteomics
Authors: Matondo Mariette , Marcellin Marlène , Chaoui Karima , Bousquet‐Dubouch Marie‐Pierre , Gonzalez‐de‐Peredo Anne , Monsarrat Bernard , Burlet‐Schiltz Odile
Published: October 2016

The ubiquitin‐proteasome pathway (UPP) plays a critical role in the degradation of proteins implicated in cell cycle control, signal transduction, DNA damage response, apoptosis and immune response. Proteasome inhibitors can inhibit the growth of a broad spectrum of human cancer cells by altering the balance of intracellular proteins. However, the targets of these compounds in acute myeloid leukemia (AML) cells have not been fully characterized. Herein, we combined large‐scale quantitative analysis by SILAC‐MS and targeted quantitative proteomic analysis in order to identify proteins regulated upon proteasome inhibition in two AML cell lines displaying different stages of maturation: immature KG1a cells and mature U937 cells. In‐depth data analysis enabled accurate quantification of more than 7000 proteins in these two cell lines. Several candidates were validated by selected reaction monitoring (SRM) measurements in a large number of samples. Despite the broad range of proteins known to be affected by proteasome inhibition, such as heat shock (HSP) and cell cycle proteins, our analysis identified new differentially regulated proteins, including IL‐32, MORF family mortality factors and apoptosis inducing factor SIVA, a target of p53. It could explain why proteasome inhibitors induce stronger apoptotic responses in immature AML cells.
Chemical Kinetics and Reactive Species in Normal Saline Activated by a Surface Air Discharge
Authors: Liu Zhi Chao , Guo Li , Liu Ding Xin , Rong Ming Zhe , Chen Hai Lan , Kong Michael G.
Published: October 2016

Normal saline is a common biological solution which provides much better living environment for Staphylococcus aureus than deionized water, but the plasma‐activated normal saline is found to have a stronger bactericidal effect than the plasma‐activated deionized water. A model is developed for the explanation, from which various kinds of reactive chlorine/oxy‐chlorine species (RCS), such as HClO, are found to be generated in the plasma‐activated normal saline. The production pathways of RCS are elucidated, in which O3 plays as an important intermediate species. Compared to the plasma‐activated deionized water, the concentrations of reactive oxygen/nitrogen species are lower, but the bactericidal effect is higher, implying that the RCS play a crucial role for the sterilization.
Double phosphorylation‐induced structural changes in the signal‐receiving domain of IκBα in complex with NF‐κB
Authors: Yazdi Samira , Naumann Michael , Stein Matthias
Published: October 2016

Activation of the transcription factor NF‐κB requires degradation of its physiological inhibitor IκBα in order to allow nuclear translocation of NF‐κB. NF‐κB activity links inflammation and carcinogenesis and makes its signaling pathway an important target for therapeutic intervention. The signal‐receiving N‐terminal domain (SRD) of the NF‐κB inhibitor IκBα harbors the sites of post‐translational modifications (Ser32 and 36) directed by the IκB kinase (IKK) complex. The SRD was originally recognized to be highly disordered, but was recently shown to possess stable secondary structural elements. Identifying and characterizing the structural effects that arise from phosphorylation may explain how phosphorylation regulates the IκBα‐NF‐κB protein complex. Therefore, the effect of post‐translational mono‐ and double‐phosphorylation of the serine residues of the SRD was analyzed. The structural modifications of the IκBα‐NF‐κB protein‐protein complex due to mono‐phosphorylation of either Ser32 or Ser36 amino acid residues or simultaneous phosphorylation were investigated by means of molecular dynamics simulations. Mono‐phosphorylation at either Ser32 or Ser36 was not sufficient to induce significant structural changes in the secondary structure of the SRD of IκBα. Double‐phosphorylation yielded an increase in distance between the Cα atoms of these serine residues, indicative of a structural change. Only this two‐fold phosphorylation induced the extended, more stabilized conformation of the degron motif which renders it accessible by the E3 ligase. In summary, these results provide insight into the conformational changes induced in IκBα proteins upon phosphorylation that are vital to their signaling dynamics and enable us to propose a model for the phosphorylation of the SRD. Proteins 2016; 85:17–29. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
A climatology of atmospheric pressure jumps over southeastern Australia
Authors: Davies Laura , Reeder Michael J. , Lane Todd P.
Published: October 2016

Black Saturday provided the first evidence of an atmospheric bore affecting the behaviour of a bushfire. As the bore passed, the fire unexpectedly strengthened. This behaviour highlighted the lack of understanding of how common bores are in the southeastern part of Australia, a region of relatively high bushfire risk. The present study addresses that lack of understanding. Pressure jumps are identified in the 1 min records at four automatic weather stations in southeastern Australia by correlating the pressure time series with a large‐amplitude step function. These jumps are then separated into two classes: bores and frontal pressure jumps. Bores are defined as pressure jumps without a change in relative humidity whereas frontal pressure jumps are defined by jumps with an accompanying decrease in temperature greater than 3 °C. About 15 pressure jumps per station per year are found. Most jumps are found in the spring and summer and fewest in winter. Bores are found most frequently in the early morning and late evening at most stations, whereas frontal pressure jumps are most frequently found in the late afternoon or early evening. Following their passage, frontal pressure jumps are associated with higher 30 min mean wind speeds than bores (9.0 and 6.1 m s−1 respectively), both of which are higher than climatology (4.7 m s−1).
Mass spectrometric fragmentation and photocatalytic transformation of nicotine and cotinine
Authors: Medana Claudio , Santoro Valentina , Bello Federica Dal , Sala Cecilia , Pazzi Marco , Sarro Marco , Calza Paola
Published: October 2016

Rationale

Nicotine and cotinine are, respectively, alkaloids produced mainly by the Solanaceae plant family, especially tobacco, and its most important human metabolite. These compounds are frequently found as contaminants in wastewater or landfill samples and they could be used to evaluate pollution by tobacco use. The aim of this study is to improve the knowledge about possible transformation pathways of nicotine and cotinine. This would help the identification of degradants by using HPLC coupled with a high resolving power mass analyzer (LTQ‐Orbitrap). In addition, we evaluated toxicity on bioluminescent photobacteria to indicate possible relationships between the formation of transformation products and their toxic effects.

Methods

The transformation of nicotine and cotinine and the formation of intermediate products were evaluated adopting titanium dioxide as photocatalyst. The structural identification of photocatalytic transformation products of these two alkaloids was based on LC/multistage MS experiments. High‐resolution MS allowed the elemental composition of these products to be hypothesized. The evolution of toxicity as a function of the irradiation time was also studied using a bioluminescent photobacterium (Vibrio fischeri) test.

Results

Several products were formed and characterized using HPLC/HRMSn. The main photocatalytic pathways involving nicotine and cotinine appear to be hydroxylation, demethylation and oxidation. Nine degradants were formed from nicotine, including cotinine. Seven degradants were generated from cotinine. There is no transformation product in common between the two studied molecules.

Conclusions

The study of photocatalytic degradation allowed us to partially simulate human metabolism and the environmental transformation of the bioactive alkaloid nicotine. We searched for some of the identified transformation products in river water and landfill percolate by solid‐phase extraction and HPLC/HRMS and eventually their presence was confirmed. These new findings could be of interest in further metabolism and environmental pollution studies. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Finite horizon H∞ control for a class of sampled‐data linear quantum systems
Authors: Maalouf Aline I. , Petersen Ian R.
Published: October 2016

In this paper, a finite horizon H∞ control problem is solved for a class of linear quantum systems using a dynamic game approach for the case of sampled‐data measurements. The methodology adopted involves an equivalence between the quantum problem and two auxiliary classical problems. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Ethnic Enclave and Entrepreneurial Financing: Asian Venture Capitalists in Silicon Valley
Authors: Zhang Jing , Wong Poh Kam , Ho Yuen Ping
Published: October 2016

Research summary

We examine the dilemma of ethnic investors in using ethnic network ties to invest by extending the ‘ethnic enclave’ concept to incorporate two dimensions: social network and social status. Our analysis of the first round of venture capital funding in Silicon Valley from 1976 to 2004 shows a higher likelihood of Asian venture capitalists (VCs) investing in Asian‐led ventures than mainstream VCs. In addition, the valuation of their investments in mainstream ventures is higher than those by mainstream VCs in such ventures. In contrast, this premium effect is not observed when mainstream VCs invest in Asian ventures. These asymmetrical findings suggest the premium Asian VCs pay to compete in the mainstream venture market is due to their lower social status rather than their social network disadvantages.

Managerial summary

Do ethnic minority investors behave differently from more mainstream investors? We examine this question by studying the venture capital industry in Silicon Valley over the period 1976 to 2004. We found that Asian venture capitalists (VCs) were more likely to invest in immigrant Asian entrepreneurs than mainstream VCs, and when they did invest in mainstream ventures, they paid higher valuations than mainstream VCs. In contrast, mainstream VCs did not pay higher average valuations compared to Asian VCs when they invested in Asian ventures. We show that two social factors—the ethnic minority VCs' social network ties and their lower social status—could have contributed to such behavioral differences. Copyright © 2016 Strategic Management Society.
Energetic mixing of anti‐SNAP25 on lipid monolayers: degree of saturation of C18 fatty acids
Authors: Gew Lai Ti , Misran Misni
Published: October 2016

In our study, various mixtures of C18 fatty acids with different degrees of saturation in their hydrocarbon chain, namely stearic acid (SA), oleic acid (L1), linoleic acid (L2), and linolenic acid (L3), and a polyclonal antibody, anti‐synaptosome‐associated protein of 25 kDa (SNAP25) (AS25), have been investigated using the Langmuir–Blodgett (LB) technique accompanied by atomic force microscopy (AFM) imaging. The cis‐double bonds in unsaturated lipids (L1, L2, and L3) have kinks in their molecular conformation and thus could not pack as tightly and uniformly as SA. The bends and kinks in the molecular structure may interfere with the packing of the lipid monolayer which will promote fluidity as shown in the analyzed compressibility modulus (Cs−1) data. The negative values of Gibbs free energy of mixing (ΔGmix) of C18 fatty acids/AS25 confirm the spontaneity interaction of AS25 molecules on the monolayers. The amount of AS25 incorporated into the monolayer strongly affected the thermodynamic properties of the lipid monolayers. AFM surface roughness analyses also indicate that AS25 molecules are strongly bounded on the surface membrane as predicted by the obtained energetic data. In comparison to all C18 fatty acids studied, the strongest intermolecular interaction is observed in L1 at the investigated ranges. In particular, at mole ratio of 26:1, the most negative ΔGmix is observed at L1. Thus, we can draw the conclusion that AS25 is best mixed with L1. This L1/AS25 ratio mimicking a half bilayer membrane serves as a very useful reference in preparing fatty‐acid nanoimmunoliposomes as the targeted drug‐delivery vehicles for cancer therapy. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Formation of abnormal dual‐peak profiles in large tilt angle boron implantation
Authors: Zhu Lei , Mai Zhi Hong , Lam Jeffrey
Published: October 2016

Large tilt angle (LTA) implantation has been employed in Si manufacturing processes in many applications, such as lightly doped drain and halo implant. The depth profile of boron ions usually consists of only single peak at incident angle of 0° with respect to the perpendicular of the silicon surface. However, an abnormal dual‐peak profile was observed at LTA (>40°) with incident energy of 160 keV. By using a Monte Carlo method to simulate the ion implant process, it was found that the projected range of boron ions agrees completely with the formation of the first peak position that is shallower in depth, while the cause for the second peak that corresponds with a depth much deeper in the Si substrate was unknown. During the simulation, it was also found that when the tilt angle was increased, the sputtering yields and Si displacements increased significantly, and this phenomenon indicates that during LTA implantation, Si damage may not be negligible anymore. The Si damage effect that was as due to either low Si density or transient Si displacement in the simulation could have led to partial incident boron ions penetrating much deeper into the Si substrate and thus, caused the emergence of the second peak. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Embedding Au Quantum Dots in Rimous Cadmium Sulfide Nanospheres for Enhanced Photocatalytic Hydrogen Evolution
Authors: Kuang Pan‐Yong , Zheng Ping‐Xuan , Liu Zhao‐Qing , Lei Jin‐Long , Wu Hao , Li Nan , Ma Tian‐Yi
Published: October 2016

Rational design and development of new‐generation photocatalysts with high hydrogen evolution activity is recognized as an effective strategy to settle energy crisis. To this regard, hybrid photocatalysts of Au quantum dots embedded in rimous cadmium sulfide nanospheres are synthesized by using a simple hydrothermal process followed by photoreduction. The rimous cadmium sulfide nanospheres with rough surface and irregular fissures greatly strengthen their adhesion and interaction with Au quantum dots, which effectively facilitates the separation, restrains the recombination, and accelerates the consumption of photoinduced electron‐hole pairs. Impressively, the highest photocatalytic activity for hydrogen generation (601.2 μmol h−1 g−1) and organic pollutant degradation (100% degradation in 80 min) is obtained by adjusting the Au mass loading to achieve uniform distribution. This work paves new way to the exploitation of highly efficient metal/semiconductor hybrid photocatalysts for clean energy generation and environment restoration.
EGF-Amphiregulin Interplay in Airway Stem/Progenitor Cells Links the Pathogenesis of Smoking-Induced Lesions in the Human Airway Epithelium
Authors: Zuo Wu-Lin , Yang Jing , Gomi Kazunori , Chao IonWa , Crystal Ronald G. , Shaykhiev Renat
Published: October 2016

The airway epithelium of cigarette smokers undergoes dramatic remodeling with hyperplasia of basal cells (BC) and mucus-producing cells, squamous metaplasia, altered ciliated cell differentiation and decreased junctional barrier integrity, relevant to chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and lung cancer. In this study, we show that epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) ligand amphiregulin (AREG) is induced by smoking in human airway epithelium as a result of epidermal growth factor (EGF)-driven squamous differentiation of airway BC stem/progenitor cells. In turn, AREG induced a unique EGFR activation pattern in human airway BC, distinct from that evoked by EGF, leading to BC- and mucous hyperplasia, altered ciliated cell differentiation and impaired barrier integrity. Further, AREG promoted its own expression and suppressed expression of EGF, establishing an autonomous self-amplifying signaling loop in airway BC relevant for promotion of EGF-independent hyperplastic phenotypes. Thus, EGF-AREG interplay in airway BC stem/progenitor cells is one of the mechanisms that mediates the interconnected pathogenesis of all major smoking-induced lesions in the human airway epithelium.
Free Will and Miracles
Authors: Tognazzini Neal A. ,   Philosophy Documentation Center
Published: October 2016

The Consequence Argument is sound only if no one has a choice about the laws of nature, and one prominent compatibilist reply to the argument—championed by David Lewis (1981)—begins by claiming that there is a sense in which we do have such a choice, and a sense in which we don’t. Lewis then insists that the sense in which we do have such a choice is the only sense required by compatibilism. Peter van Inwagen (2004) has responded that even if Lewis’s distinction between two senses of having a choice about the laws is accepted, compatibilists are still committed to the incredible view that free will requires the ability to perform miracles. In this paper, I offer a reply to van Inwagen on Lewis’s behalf.
Re: Narrow subpubic arch angle is associated with higher risk of persistent occiput posterior position at delivery. T. Ghi, A. Youssef, F. Martelli, F. Bellussi, E. Aiello, G. Pilu, N. Rizzo, T. Frusca, D. Arduini and G. Rizzo. Ultrasound Obstet Gynecol 2016; 48: 511–515.
Authors: Eggebø T. M.
Published: October 2016

Linked Comment: Ultrasound Obstet Gynecol 2016; 48: 511–515
Variation in food availability mediate the impact of density on cannibalism, growth, and survival in larval yellow spotted mountain newts (Neurergus microspilotus): Implications for captive breeding programs
Authors: Vaissi Somaye , Sharifi Mozafar
Published: October 2016

In this study, we examined cannibalistic behavior, growth, metamorphosis, and survival in larval and post‐metamorph endangered yellow spotted mountain newts Neurergus microspilotus hatched and reared in a captive breeding facility. We designed a 2 × 2 factorial experiment, crossing two levels of food with two levels of density including high food/high density, high food/low density, low food/high density, and low food/low density. The level of cannibalistic behavior (including the loss of fore and hind limbs, missing toes, tail, gills, body damage, and whole body consumption) changed as the larvae grew, from a low level during the first 4 weeks, peaking from weeks 7 to 12, and then dropped during weeks 14–52. Both food level and density had a significant effect on cannibalism. The highest frequency of cannibalism was recorded for larvae reared in the low food/high density and lowest in high food/low density treatments. Growth, percent of larval metamorphosed, and survival were all highest in the high food/low density and lowest in low food/high density treatment. Food level had a significant effect on growth, metamorphosis, and survival. However, the two levels of density did not influence growth and metamorphosis but showed a significant effect on survival. Similarly, combined effects of food level and density showed significant effects on growth, metamorphosis, and survival over time. Information obtained from current experiment could improve productivity of captive breeding facilities to ensure the release of adequate numbers of individuals for reintroduction programs. Zoo Biol. 35:513–521, 2016. © 2016 The Authors. Zoo Biology published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Long‐Term Mortality in Patients Operated for Perforated Peptic Ulcer: Factors Limiting Longevity are Dominated by Older Age, Comorbidity Burden and Severe Postoperative Complications
Authors: Thorsen K. , Søreide J. A. , Søreide K.
Published: October 2016

Background

Perforated peptic ulcer (PPU) is a surgical emergency associated with high short‐term mortality. However, studies on long‐term outcomes are scarce. Our aim was to investigate long‐term survival after surgery for PPU.

Materials and Methods

A population‐based, consecutive cohort of patients who underwent surgery for PPU between 2001 and 2014 was reviewed, and the long‐term mortality was assessed. Survival was investigated by univariate analysis (log‐rank test) and displayed using Kaplan–Meier survival curves. Multivariable analysis of risk factors for long‐term mortality was assessed by Cox proportional hazards regression and reported as hazard ratio (HR) with 95 % confidence intervals (CI).

Results

A total of 234 patients were available for the calculation of ninety‐day, one‐year and two‐year mortality, and the results showed rates of 19.2 % (45/234), 22.6 % (53/234) and 24.8 % (58/234), respectively. At the end of follow‐up, a total of 109 of the 234 patients (46.6 %) had died. Excluding 37 (15.2 %) patients who died within 30 days of surgery, 197 patients had long‐term follow‐up (median 57 months, range 1–168) of which 36 % (71/197) died during the follow‐up period. In multivariable analyses, age >60 years (HR 3.95, 95 % CI 1.81–8.65), active cancer (HR 3.49, 95 % CI 1.73–7.04), hypoalbuminemia (HR 1.65, 95 % CI 0.99–2.73), pulmonary disease (HR 2.06, 95 % CI 1.14–3.71), cardiovascular disease (HR 1.67, 95 % CI 1.01–2.79) and severe postoperative complications (HR 1.76, 95 % CI 1.07–2.89) during the initial stay for PPU were all independently associated with an increased risk of long‐term mortality. Cause of long‐term mortality was most frequently (18 of 71; 25 %) attributed to new onset sepsis and/or multiorgan failure.

Conclusion

The long‐term mortality after surgery for PPU is high. One in every three patients died during follow‐up. Older age, comorbidity and severe postoperative complications were risk factors for long‐term mortality.
Training Patterns and Lifetime Career Achievements of US Academic Cardiothoracic Surgeons
Authors: Rosati Carlo Maria , Valsangkar Nakul P. , Gaudino Mario , Blitzer David , Vardas Panos N. , Girardi Leonard N. , Turrentine Mark W. , Brown John W. , Koniaris Leonidas G.
Published: October 2016

Background

We aimed to investigate the impact of taking dedicated time for research (DTR) during training and/or getting a PhD on subsequent career achievements of US academic cardiothoracic surgeons.

Methods

Online resources (institutional Web sites, CTSNet, Scopus, NIH RePORTER) were queried to collect training information (timing of medical school/residency/fellowship graduation, DTR, PhD) and academic metrics (publications, citations, research funding) for 694 academic cardiothoracic surgeons practicing at 56 premiere US institutions.

Results

Excluding missing data, 464 (75 %) surgeons took DTR and 156 (25 %) did not; 629 (91 %) were MD only and 65 (9 %) also had a PhD. DTR was associated with higher number of ongoing publications (~5.6/year vs. ~3.8/year), with no difference for accrued number of total citations. History of DTR was more prevalent among surgeons with versus without NIH funding (87 vs. 71 %; p < 0.001), but no difference was seen across academic ranks and among those who were division/department chiefs. No overall increase in publications/citations, academic rank advancement, NIH funding, or leadership roles was found for those with a PhD.

Conclusions

Among cardiothoracic surgeons, devoting time during the training years exclusively to research might be associated with higher career‐long academic productivity in terms of annual number new publications and ability to get NIH funding, but without significant impact in terms of academic rank or institutional role advancement. No significant difference was found between those with versus without a PhD in terms of career‐long number of publications/citations, academic rank, NIH funding, or leadership role, even though sample size might have been insufficient to identify any such potential difference.
Bayesian Plackett–Luce Mixture Models for Partially Ranked Data
Authors: Mollica Cristina , Tardella Luca
Published: October 2016

The elicitation of an ordinal judgment on multiple alternatives is often required in many psychological and behavioral experiments to investigate preference/choice orientation of a specific population. The Plackett–Luce model is one of the most popular and frequently applied parametric distributions to analyze rankings of a finite set of items. The present work introduces a Bayesian finite mixture of Plackett–Luce models to account for unobserved sample heterogeneity of partially ranked data. We describe an efficient way to incorporate the latent group structure in the data augmentation approach and the derivation of existing maximum likelihood procedures as special instances of the proposed Bayesian method. Inference can be conducted with the combination of the Expectation-Maximization algorithm for maximum a posteriori estimation and the Gibbs sampling iterative procedure. We additionally investigate several Bayesian criteria for selecting the optimal mixture configuration and describe diagnostic tools for assessing the fitness of ranking distributions conditionally and unconditionally on the number of ranked items. The utility of the novel Bayesian parametric Plackett–Luce mixture for characterizing sample heterogeneity is illustrated with several applications to simulated and real preference ranked data. We compare our method with the frequentist approach and a Bayesian nonparametric mixture model both assuming the Plackett–Luce model as a mixture component. Our analysis on real datasets reveals the importance of an accurate diagnostic check for an appropriate in-depth understanding of the heterogenous nature of the partial ranking data.
Joint Maximum Likelihood Estimation for Diagnostic Classification Models
Authors: Chiu Chia-Yi , Köhn Hans-Friedrich , Zheng Yi , Henson Robert
Published: October 2016

Joint maximum likelihood estimation (JMLE) is developed for diagnostic classification models (DCMs). JMLE has been barely used in Psychometrics because JMLE parameter estimators typically lack statistical consistency. The JMLE procedure presented here resolves the consistency issue by incorporating an external, statistically consistent estimator of examinees’ proficiency class membership into the joint likelihood function, which subsequently allows for the construction of item parameter estimators that also have the consistency property. Consistency of the JMLE parameter estimators is established within the framework of general DCMs: The JMLE parameter estimators are derived for the Loglinear Cognitive Diagnosis Model (LCDM). Two consistency theorems are proven for the LCDM. Using the framework of general DCMs makes the results and proofs also applicable to DCMs that can be expressed as submodels of the LCDM. Simulation studies are reported for evaluating the performance of JMLE when used with tests of varying length and different numbers of attributes. As a practical application, JMLE is also used with “real world” educational data collected with a language proficiency test.
A meta‐analysis of parental style and consumer socialization of children
Authors: Mikeska Jessica , Harrison Robert L. , Carlson Les
Published: October 2016

This meta‐analysis attempts to offer an overall cumulative effect estimate of the parental style–consumer socialization relationship(s) across 73 studies examining child outcomes, including 173 unique consumer socialization dependent variables—ranging from understanding advertising practices to weight status to theft—among approximately 200,000 child respondents. This meta‐analysis offers two contributions to the consumer socialization literature. It systematically confirms the influence that parental Restrictiveness (relative to Permissiveness) has on raising children adept at positively interacting—and avoiding negative interactions—with the marketplace and related environments. Also, this meta‐analysis supports prior literature's depiction of the Authoritative parenting style as especially important to these positive interactions with the marketplace, in particular among older children and psychosocial‐type outcomes. Finally, this research is the first to provide a comprehensive confirmation of differences in child thinking, believing, doing, choosing not to do, feeling, etc. as attributable to different parental styles.
Avalanche boron fusion by laser picosecond block ignition with magnetic trapping for clean and economic reactor
Authors: Hora H. , Korn G. , Eliezer S. , Nissim N. , Lalousis P. , Giuffrida L. , Margarone D. , Picciotto A. , Miley G.H. , Moustaizis S. , Martinez-Val J.-M. , Barty C.P.J. , Kirchhoff G.J.
Published: October 2016

Measured highly elevated gains of proton–boron (HB11) fusion (Picciotto et al., Phys. Rev. X 4, 031030 (2014)) confirmed the exceptional avalanche reaction process (Lalousis et al., Laser Part. Beams 32, 409 (2014); Hora et al., Laser Part. Beams 33, 607 (2015)) for the combination of the non-thermal block ignition using ultrahigh intensity laser pulses of picoseconds duration. The ultrahigh acceleration above

$10^{20}~\text{cm}~\text{s}^{-2}$

for plasma blocks was theoretically and numerically predicted since 1978 (Hora, Physics of Laser Driven Plasmas (Wiley, 1981), pp. 178 and 179) and measured (Sauerbrey, Phys. Plasmas 3, 4712 (1996)) in exact agreement (Hora et al., Phys. Plasmas 14, 072701 (2007)) when the dominating force was overcoming thermal processes. This is based on Maxwell’s stress tensor by the dielectric properties of plasma leading to the nonlinear (ponderomotive) force

$f_{\text{NL}}$

resulting in ultra-fast expanding plasma blocks by a dielectric explosion. Combining this with measured ultrahigh magnetic fields and the avalanche process opens an option for an environmentally absolute clean and economic boron fusion power reactor. This is supported also by other experiments with very high HB11 reactions under different conditions (Labaune et al., Nature Commun. 4, 2506 (2013)).
Clinical Outcomes and Healthcare Utilization Related to Multidrug-Resistant Gram-Negative Infections in Community Hospitals
Authors: Dicks Kristen V. , Anderson Deverick J. , Baker Arthur W. , Sexton Daniel J. , Lewis Sarah S.
Published: October 2016

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the impact of multidrug-resistant gram-negative rod (MDR-GNR) infections on mortality and healthcare resource utilization in community hospitals.

DESIGN

Two matched case-control analyses.

SETTING

Six community hospitals participating in the Duke Infection Control Outreach Network from January 1, 2010, through December 31, 2012.

PARTICIPANTS

Adult patients admitted to study hospitals during the study period.

METHODS

Patients with MDR-GNR bloodstream and urinary tract infections were compared with 2 groups: (1) patients with infections due to nonMDR-GNR and (2) control patients representative of the nonpsychiatric, non-obstetric hospitalized population. Four outcomes were assessed: mortality, direct cost of hospitalization, length of stay, and 30-day readmission rates. Multivariable regression models were created to estimate the effect of MDR status on each outcome measure.

RESULTS

No mortality difference was seen in either analysis. Patients with MDR-GNR infections had 2.03 higher odds of 30-day readmission compared with patients with nonMDR-GNR infections (95% CI, 1.04–3.97, P=.04). There was no difference in hospital direct costs between patients with MDR-GNR infections and patients with nonMDR-GNR infections. Hospitalizations for patients with MDR-GNR infections cost $5,320.03 more (95% CI, $2,366.02–$8,274.05, P<.001) and resulted in 3.40 extra hospital days (95% CI, 1.41–5.40, P<.001) than hospitalizations for control patients.

CONCLUSIONS

Our study provides novel data regarding the clinical and financial impact of MDR gram-negative bacterial infections in community hospitals. There was no difference in mortality between patients with MDR-GNR infections and patients with nonMDR-GNR infections or control patients.

Infect Control Hosp Epidemiol 2016;1–8
Oxidative stress in relation to diet and physical activity among premenopausal women
Authors: Anderson Chelsea , Milne Ginger L. , Sandler Dale P. , Nichols Hazel B.
Published: October 2016

Higher levels of oxidative stress, as measured by F2-isoprostanes, have been associated with chronic diseases such as CVD and some cancers. Improvements in diet and physical activity may help reduce oxidative stress; however, previous studies regarding associations between lifestyle factors and F2-isoprostane concentrations have been inconsistent. The aim of this cross-sectional study was to investigate whether physical activity and intakes of fruits/vegetables, antioxidant nutrients, dietary fat subgroups and alcohol are associated with concentrations of F2-isoprostane and the major F2-isoprostane metabolite. Urinary F2-isoprostane and its metabolite were measured in urine samples collected at enrolment from 912 premenopausal women (aged 35–54 years) participating in the Sister Study. Physical activity, alcohol consumption and dietary intakes were self-reported via questionnaires. With adjustment for potential confounders, the geometric means of F2-isoprostane and its metabolite were calculated according to quartiles of dietary intakes, alcohol consumption and physical activity, and linear regression models were used to evaluate trends. Significant inverse associations were found between F2-isoprostane and/or its metabolite and physical activity, vegetables, fruits, vitamin C, α-carotene, vitamin E, β-carotene, vitamin A, Se, lutein+zeaxanthin and long-chain n-3 fatty acids. Although trans fats were positively associated with both F2-isoprostane and its metabolite, other dietary fat subgroups including SFA, n-6 fatty acids, n-3 fatty acids, MUFA, PUFA, short-chain n-3 fatty acids, long-chain n-3 fatty acids and total fat were not associated with either F2-isoprostane or its metabolite. Our findings suggest that lower intake of antioxidant nutrients and higher intake of trans fats may be associated with greater oxidative stress among premenopausal women.
The effect of oatβ-glucan on LDL-cholesterol, non-HDL-cholesterol and apoB for CVD risk reduction: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomised-controlled trials
Authors: Ho Hoang V. T. , Sievenpiper John L. , Zurbau Andreea , Blanco Mejia Sonia , Jovanovski Elena , Au-Yeung Fei , Jenkins Alexandra L. , Vuksan Vladimir
Published: October 2016

Oats are a rich source ofβ-glucan, a viscous, soluble fibre recognised for its cholesterol-lowering properties, and are associated with reduced risk of CVD. Our objective was to conduct a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomised-controlled trials (RCT) investigating the cholesterol-lowering potential of oatβ-glucan on LDL-cholesterol, non-HDL-cholesterol and apoB for the risk reduction of CVD. MEDLINE, Embase, CINAHL and Cochrane CENTRAL were searched. We included RCT of ≥3 weeks of follow-up, assessing the effect of diets enriched with oatβ-glucan compared with controlled diets on LDL-cholesterol, non-HDL-cholesterol or apoB. Two independent reviewers extracted data and assessed study quality and risk of bias. Data were pooled using the generic inverse-variance method with random effects models and expressed as mean differences with 95 % CI. Heterogeneity was assessed by the Cochran’sQstatistic and quantified by theI2-statistic. In total, fifty-eight trials (n3974) were included. A median dose of 3·5 g/d of oatβ-glucan significantly lowered LDL-cholesterol (−0·19; 95 % CI −0·23, −0·14 mmol/l,P<0·00001), non-HDL-cholesterol (−0·20; 95 % CI −0·26, −0·15 mmol/l,P<0·00001) and apoB (−0·03; 95 % CI −0·05, −0·02 g/l,P<0·0001) compared with control interventions. There was evidence for considerable unexplained heterogeneity in the analysis of LDL-cholesterol (I2=79 %) and non-HDL-cholesterol (I2=99 %). Pooled analyses showed that oatβ-glucan has a lowering effect on LDL-cholesterol, non-HDL-cholesterol and apoB. Inclusion of oat-containing foods may be a strategy for achieving targets in CVD reduction.
GROWTH AND YIELD OF COMMON BEAN AS AFFECTED BY SEED INOCULATION WITH RHIZOBIUM AND NITROGEN FERTILIZATION
Authors: BARROS RODRIGO LUIZ NEVES , DE OLIVEIRA LEANDRO BARBOSA , DE MAGALHÃES WELLITON BARROS , PIMENTEL CARLOS
Published: October 2016

Two field experiments were conducted during the rainy seasons of 2013 and 2014 to evaluate the effects of biological nitrogen fixation (BNF) and/or sowing N fertilization on the growth and yield of Phaseolus vulgaris L. In addition, leaf soluble protein content (LSPC) was measured at four growth stages in both seasons. Plants were subjected to the following treatments: only fertilized with 20 kg N ha−1 at sowing and with 40 kg N ha−1 at 25 days after emergence (DAE) (F); only inoculated with Rhizobium tropici strain SEMIA 4080 at sowing and fertilized with 40 kg N ha−1 at 25 DAE (I+N); and inoculated and fertilized with 20 kg N ha−1 at sowing and with 40 kg N ha−1 at 25 DAE (IF). An additional treatment was done only in the second season and plants were inoculated with no N fertilization at any phase (I−N). Crop growth rate and leaf area index were enhanced by IF and F treatments as compared to I+N treatment, however, net assimilation rate did not differ among the treatments. At the pollination and flowering stages for seasons, LSPC was significantly increased by IF treatment, which also caused the highest final yield compared with the remaining treatments in both seasons. Therefore, the fertilization with 20 kg N ha−1 at sowing together with inoculation and 40 kg N ha−1 at 25 DAE is recommended for obtaining high yield in bean cultivation with high technology. As the inoculation with Rhizobium at sowing and fertilization with 40 kg N ha−1 at 25 DAE (I+N) had the same crop yield as plants fertilized at sowing and at 25 DAE (F), it can be recommended for a low-cost technology cultivation employed by small farmers.