bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Messages to new mothers: an analysis of breast pump advertisements
Authors: Sheehan Athena , Bowcher Wendy L.
Published: April 2016

The mass media is replete with all kinds of advice, products and ideas about ‘motherhood’ with advertising being a major source of information on the latest products and consumer trends. Advertising is a key means of promoting ideas about infant feeding, and yet, there has been little in the way of critical analyses of breast pump advertisements in order to reveal the kinds of messages they convey about this method of feeding. This article makes an important step towards addressing this gap through analysing three advertisements for breast pumps from a popular Australian magazine for mothers. We utilize a social semiotic framework to investigate not just what choices are made in the design of the ads but also what those choices mean in terms of the overall message of the ads. Our analysis identifies three core messages: ‘breastfeeding and breast pumping are the same with the purpose being to produce breast milk only’, ‘using breast pumps facilitates quality time with the baby’ and ‘mothers need outside expertise (including breast pumps) to ensure baby's development’. We believe it is important for those who provide information and support for breastfeeding women to be aware of the subtle, naturalized messages that ads convey so that they may better understand what may be underlying women's decisions regarding methods of infant feeding. © 2016 John Wiley & Sons Ltd
Engineering of CRISPR/Cas9‐mediated potyvirus resistance in transgene‐free Arabidopsis plants
Authors: Pyott Douglas E. , Sheehan Emma , Molnar Attila
Published: April 2016

Members of the eukaryotic translation initiation factor (eIF) gene family, including eIF4E and its paralogue eIF(iso)4E, have previously been identified as recessive resistance alleles against various potyviruses in a range of different hosts. However, the identification and introgression of these alleles into important crop species is often limited. In this study, we utilise CRISPR/Cas9 technology to introduce sequence‐specific deleterious point mutations at the eIF(iso)4E locus in Arabidopsis thaliana to successfully engineer complete resistance to Turnip mosaic virus (TuMV), a major pathogen in field‐grown vegetable crops. By segregating the induced mutation from the CRISPR/Cas9 transgene, we outline a framework for the production of heritable, homozygous mutations in the transgene‐free T2 generation in self‐pollinating species. Analysis of dry weights and flowering times for four independent T3 lines revealed no differences from wild‐type plants under standard growth conditions, suggesting that homozygous mutations in eIF(iso)4E do not affect plant vigour. Thus, the established CRISPR/Cas9 technology provides a new approach for the generation of Potyvirus resistance alleles in important crops without the use of persistent transgenes.
Enhancing the management of deteriorating patients with Australian on line e‐simulation software: Acceptability, transferability, and impact in Hong Kong
Authors: Sparkes Louise , Chan Maggie Mee Kie , Cooper Simon , Pang Michelle Tsz Ha , Tiwari Agnes
Published: April 2016

International concerns relating to healthcare professionals’ failure to rescue deteriorating patients exist. Web‐based training programs have been developed and evaluated in Western settings but further testing is required before application in non‐Western countries, as traditional modalities of learning may differ between cultures. We trialed an Australian English language online simulation program for the management of deteriorating patients, Feedback Incorporating Review and Simulation Techniques to Act on Clinical Trends (FIRST2ACTWeb), to test cultural acceptability, transferability, and educational impact. The study was designed as a quasi‐experimental evaluation of the FIRST2ACTWeb program with final year nursing students from a Bachelor of Nursing program at the University of Hong Kong. Participants completed pre‐course and post‐course tests, three interactive scenarios, and program evaluations. The program was positively evaluated, with significant improvements in knowledge, skills, self‐rating of performance, confidence, and competence. Outcomes were comparable to earlier evaluations with Australian students, demonstrating that an interactive simulation‐based program of patient deterioration management has cultural and language acceptability and transferability across communities with significant educational impact.
Addressing Pneumococcal Vaccine Uptake Disparities among African‐American Adults in the United States
Authors: Fry Carla A. , Silverman Erin P. , Miller Sarah
Published: April 2016

Objective

Pneumococcal illnesses affect over one million Americans annually, making invasive pneumococcal disease (pneumonia) the most prevalent vaccine‐preventable illness. Despite well‐documented vaccine safety and efficacy, pneumococcal vaccine (PPSV23) uptake remains low, particularly among minorities. This study sought to define variables predicting PPSV23 uptake in eligible African‐American (AA) adults.

Design and Sample

This was a cross‐sectional study using a combined version of the Health Belief (HBM) and Precaution Adoption Process Models (PAPM). A convenience sample of 295 AA adults self‐administered the Vaccine Uptake Questionnaire (VUQ).

Measures

Bivariate chi‐square analyses were conducted and significant variables evaluated using backward stepwise logistic regression.

Results

PPSV23 uptake was 32.2% (n = 95). Older age, female gender, vaccine awareness, increased knowledge, higher trust scores, perceived susceptibility, and presence of provider recommendation for PPSV23 predicted vaccine uptake. In regression modeling, age, awareness, and provider recommendation remained significant predictors with younger age, unawareness, and lack of provider recommendation decreasing the likelihood of vaccination.

Conclusion

Three dimensions of the HBM (barriers, cues, and susceptibility) predicted PPSV23 uptake. With 147 (47.8%) unaware of PPSV23 existence prior to this study, adding the dimension “unaware” from the PAPM may strengthen the model and assist efforts to increase PPSV23 uptake among AA adults.
REBUTTING AND UNDERCUTTING IN MATHEMATICS
Authors: Easwaran Kenny
Published: April 2016

In my () I argued that a central component of mathematical practice is that published proofs must be “transferable” — that is, they must be such that the author's reasons for believing the conclusion are shared directly with the reader, rather than requiring the reader to essentially rely on testimony. The goal of this paper is to explain this requirement of transferability in terms of a more general norm on defeat in mathematical reasoning that I will call “convertibility”. I begin by discussing two types of epistemic defeat: “rebutting” and “undercutting”. I give examples of both of these kinds of defeat from the history of mathematics. I then argue that an important requirement in mathematics is that published proofs be detailed enough to allow the conversion of rebutting defeat into undercutting defeat. Finally, I show how this sort of convertibility explains the requirement of transferability, and contributes to the way mathematics develops by the pattern referred to by Lakatos () as “lemma incorporation”.
The Effect of Oxidative Stress on Thawed Bulk‐Sorted Red Deer Sperm
Authors: Anel‐López L , García‐Álvarez O , Parrilla I , Del Olmo D , Fernández‐Santos MR , Soler AJ , Maroto‐Morales A , Ortiz JA , Alkmin DV , Tarantini T , Roca J , Martínez EA , Vazquez JM , Garde JJ
Published: April 2016

Contents

The aims of this study were to assess the effects of the sex‐sorting process on post‐thaw sperm quality as well as on induced oxidative stress damage (H2O2 0 mm = H000; H2O2 50 mm = H050; H2O2 100 mm = H100) and the protective action of reduced glutathione (GSH) and Trolox, when comparing sorted (BSS) and non‐sorted (NS) red deer spermatozoa incubated at 37°C. Sperm samples from three stags were collected by electroejaculation and frozen. Immediately after thawing, sperm motility was higher (p < 0.05) for NS (59% ± 3.3) than BSS (36.9% ± 5.8) sperm. Furthermore, the percentage of apoptotic sperm was higher (p < 0.05) for BSS (21.6% ± 5.0) than NS sperm (14.6% ± 1.2). The presence of H2O2 increased DNA damage in NS (H000 = 4.1% ± 0.9; H050 = 9.3% ± 0.7; and H100 = 10.9% ± 2.3), but not in BSS sperm. However, in the presence of oxidant, GSH addition improved (p < 0.05) sperm motility in both groups of sperm samples as compared to their controls (NS: 44.5 ± 4.8 vs 21.1 ± 3.9 and BSS: 33.3 ± 8.1 vs 8.9 ± 1.8). These results demonstrate that the sperm‐sorting process induces sublethal effects, albeit selecting a sperm population with a chromatin more resistant to oxidative stress than that in non‐sorted sperm. Moreover, addition of GSH at 1 mm may be a good choice for maintaining the quality of stressed sperm samples, unlike Trolox, which inhibited sperm motility.
Removal of invasive shrubs alters light but not leaf litter inputs in a deciduous forest understory
Authors: Kaye Margot W. , Hone Christopher M.
Published: April 2016

The establishment and spread of non‐native, invasive shrubs in forests poses an important obstacle to natural resource conservation and management. This study assesses the impacts of the physical removal of a complex of woody invasive shrub species on deciduous forest understory resources. We compared leaf litter quantity and quality and understory light transmittance in five pairs of invaded and removal plots in an oak‐dominated suburban mature forest. Removal plots were cleared of all non‐native invasive shrubs. The invasive shrubs were abundant (143,456 stems/ha) and diverse, dominated by species in the generaLigustrum,Viburnum,Lonicera, andEuonymus. Annual leaf litter biomass and carbon inputs of invaded plots were not different from removal plots due to low leaf litter biomass of invasive shrubs. Invasive shrub litter had higher nitrogen (N) concentrations than native species; however, low biomass of invasive litter led to low N inputs by litter of invasive species compared to native. Light transmittance at the forest floor and at 2 m was lower in invaded plots than in removal plots. We conclude that the removal of the abundant invasive shrubs from a native deciduous forest understory did not alter litter quantity or N inputs, one measure of litter quality, and increased forest understory light availability. More light in the forest understory could facilitate the restoration of forest understory dynamics.
Investigation on Immunomodulatory Activity of Calf Spleen Extractive Injection in Cyclophosphamide‐induced Immunosuppressed Mice and Underlying Mechanisms
Authors: Jia D. , Lu W. , Wang C. , Sun S. , Cai G. , Li Y. , Wang G. , Liu Y. , Zhang M. , Wang D.
Published: April 2016

Calf spleen extractive injection (CSEI), extracted from the spleen of healthy cows (within 24 h of birth), is a small peptides enriched extraction while the ratio between peptide and ribose is 76 ± 15.2 mg/μg. CSEI is usually used as an ancillary agent to assist cancer patients with immune dysfunction. The present study aims to evaluate the immunomodulatory activity of CSEI in cyclophosphamide (CTX)‐induced mice model of immunosuppression and its underlying mechanisms. During the experiment, thymosin ɑ1 (0.16 mg/kg) was served as the positive control drug. In CTX‐induced immunosuppressed mice, CSEI significantly increased bodyweights and spleen indexes, and upgraded the natural killer activity together with lymphocytes proliferation. CSEI regulated the production of IgG and IgA, and the levels of IL‐2, 6, 10, 12 and IFN‐ɑ, γ and TNF‐ɑ in serum of CTX‐induced immunosuppressed mice. Furthermore, CSEI markedly downregulated nuclear factor kappa‐B (NF‐κB) expression which was controlled by IKKβ. Taken together, CSEI effectively improved immune function in CTX‐induced immunosuppression related to NF‐κB signalling pathway via regulating the production of immunoglobulins, interleukins and some inflammatory factors.
Tuberculosis and diabetes: current state and future perspectives
Authors: Pizzol Damiano , Di Gennaro Francesco , Chhaganlal Kajal D. , Fabrizio Claudia , Monno Laura , Putoto Giovanni , Saracino Annalisa
Published: April 2016

This review outlines the association between tuberculosis and diabetes, focusing on epidemiology, physiopathology, clinical aspects, diagnosis and treatment, and evaluates future perspectives, with particular attention to developing countries.
Ethical challenges in designing and conducting medicine quality surveys
Authors: Tabernero Patricia , Parker Michael , Ravinetto Raffaella , Phanouvong Souly , Yeung Shunmay , Kitutu Freddy E. , Cheah Phaik Yeong , Mayxay Mayfong , Guerin Philippe J. , Newton Paul N.
Published: April 2016

Objectives

In this paper we discuss the main ethical challenges related to the conduct of medicine quality surveys and make suggestions on how to address them.

Method

Most evidence‐based information regarding medicine quality derives from surveys. However, existing research ethical guidelines do not provide specific guidance for medicine quality surveys. Hence, those conducting surveys are often left wondering how to judge what counts as best practice. A list of the main ethical challenges in the design and conduct of surveys is presented.

Results and conclusions

It is vital that the design and conduct of medicine quality surveys uphold moral and ethical obligations and analyse the ethical implications and consequences of such work. These aspects include the impact on the local availability of and access to medicines; the confidentiality and privacy of the surveyors and the surveyed; questions as to whether outlet staff personnel should be told they are part of a survey; the need of ethical and regulatory approvals; and how the findings should be disseminated. Medicine quality surveys should ideally be conducted in partnership with the relevant national Medicine Regulatory Authorities. An international, but contextually sensitive, model of good ethical practice for such surveys is needed.
A proposed field emergency donor panel questionnaire and triage tool
Authors: Doughty Heidi , Thompson Patrick , Cap Andrew P. , Spinella Philip C. , Glassberg Elon , Skogrand Eliassen Håkon , De Pasquale Marc , Strandenes Geir
Published: April 2016

BACKGROUND

The provision of transfusion support to isolated military or civilian projects may require the use of an emergency donor panel (EDP) for immediate warm fresh whole blood (WFWB). The aim of this short discussion article is to raise and resolve some of the practical aspects for the nonspecialist faced with the emergency collection of WFWB whole blood in the austere medical environment (AME).

METHODS AND RESULTS

A proposed field EDP questionnaire and triage tool (QTT) is presented. It is designed for the hostile, remote, or austere environment that falls outside normal regulated supply of cold‐stored blood products or removed from trained blood collection personnel, where collection may fall to an isolated medical provider. The tool has been drafted based on review of existing guidelines and consultation with practitioners. It serves as a point of reference for local guidelines and has yet to be validated.

CONCLUSIONS

The use of the EDP is associated with risk; however, it remains the simplest method of providing rapid transfusion support. The best way to manage the risk is to brief and prescreen blood donors before deployment. An abbreviated donor QTT can be an aide to decision making at the time of donation. The tool should be tailored to requirements and underpinned by policy and training.
Mass casualty events: blood transfusion emergency preparedness across the continuum of care
Authors: Doughty Heidi , Glasgow Simon , Kristoffersen Einar
Published: April 2016

Transfusion support is a key enabler to the response to mass casualty events (MCEs). Transfusion demand and capability planning should be an integrated part of the medical planning process for emergency system preparedness. Historical reviews have recently supported demand planning for MCEs and mass gatherings; however, computer modeling offers greater insights for resource management. The challenge remains balancing demand and supply especially the demand for universal components such as group O red blood cells. The current prehospital and hospital capability has benefited from investment in the management of massive hemorrhage. The management of massive hemorrhage should address both hemorrhage control and hemostatic support. Labile blood components cannot be stockpiled and a large surge in demand is a challenge for transfusion providers. The use of blood components may need to be triaged and demand managed. Two contrasting models of transfusion planning for MCEs are described. Both illustrate an integrated approach to preparedness where blood transfusion services work closely with health care providers and the donor community. Preparedness includes appropriate stock management and resupply from other centers. However, the introduction of alternative transfusion products, transfusion triage, and the greater use of an emergency donor panel to provide whole blood may permit greater resilience.
NATO Blood Panel perspectives on changes to military prehospital resuscitation policies: current and future practice
Authors: Woolley Tom , Badloe John , Bohonek Milos , Taylor Audra L. , Erik Heier Hans , Doughty Heidi
Published: April 2016

The North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) Blood Panel exists to promote interoperability of transfusion practice between NATO partners. However, it has served as an important forum for the development of prehospital transfusion and transfusion in the austere environment. There are synergies with the trauma hemostasis and oxygen research community especially in the areas of innovation and research. Four presentations are summarized together with a review of some scientific principles. The past decade has already seen significant changes in early transfusion support. Sometimes practice has preceded the evidence and has stretched regulatory and logistic constraints. Ethical and philosophical issues are also important and require us to question “should we” and not just “could we.” The challenge for the combined communities is to continue to optimize transfusion support underpinned by evidence‐based excellence.
Surgical adjuncts to noncompressible torso hemorrhage as tools for patient blood management
Authors: Rappold Joseph F. , Bochicchio Grant V.
Published: April 2016

Despite the tremendous advances and successes in the care of combat casualties over the past 15 years of war, noncompressible torso hemorrhage (NCTH) remains the most likely source of potentially preventable death (approx. 25%) on the battlefield. This is also likely true for civilian victims of blunt and penetrating trauma. Various devices and therapeutic interventions have been, and are being, developed in an attempt to reduce morbidity and mortality for patients with NCTH. Examples include the use of prehospital blood and blood products, tranexamic acid, specially designed tourniquets for junctional hemorrhage control, retrograde endovascular balloon occlusion of the aorta, intracavity foam, expandable hemostatic sponges, and intravascular nanoparticles to suspended animation. Although each of these modalities offer the potential to staunch uncontrolled hemorrhage until an injured patient is able to reach definitive surgical care, further research and advances must be made to further reduce trauma morbidity and mortality and to identify those technologies and modalities that are best suited to rapid movement to the front lines of combat casualty care as well as to emergency medical personnel dealing with civilian trauma victims. The surgical adjuncts for NCTH discussed may all be considered as potential tools for patient blood management programs. If effective they offer the possibility of reduce hemorrhage and blood product exposure and improved patient outcomes.
Altered ECM deposition by diabetic foot ulcer‐derived fibroblasts implicates fibronectin in chronic wound repair
Authors: Maione Anna G. , Smith Avi , Kashpur Olga , Yanez Vanessa , Knight Elana , Mooney David J. , Veves Aristidis , Tomic‐Canic Marjana , Garlick Jonathan A.
Published: April 2016

Current chronic wound treatments often fail to promote healing of diabetic foot ulcers (DFU), leading to amputation and increased patient morbidity. A critical mediator of proper wound healing is the production, assembly, and remodeling of the extracellular matrix (ECM) by fibroblasts. However, little is known about how these processes are altered in fibroblasts within the DFU microenvironment. Thus, we investigated the capacity of multiple, primary DFU‐derived fibroblast strains to express, produce, and assemble ECM proteins compared to diabetic patient‐derived fibroblasts and healthy donor‐derived fibroblasts. Gene expression microarray analysis showed differential expression of ECM and ECM‐regulatory genes by DFU‐derived fibroblasts which translated to functional differences in a 3D in vitro ECM tissue model. DFU‐derived fibroblasts produced thin, fibronectin‐rich matrices, and responded abnormally when challenged with transforming growth factor‐beta, a key regulator of matrix production during healing. These results provide novel evidence that DFU‐derived fibroblasts contribute to the defective matrices of DFUs and chronic wound pathogenesis.
Long‐term scar quality in burns with three distinct healing potentials: A multicenter prospective cohort study
Authors: Goei Harold , van der Vlies Cornelis H. , Hop M. Jenda , Tuinebreijer Wim E. , Nieuwenhuis Marianne K. , Middelkoop Esther , van Baar Margriet E.
Published: April 2016

The laser Doppler imager is used in cases of indeterminate burn depth to accurately predict wound healing time at an early stage. The laser Doppler imager classifies burns into three estimated healing potentials as follows: high, <14 days; intermediate, 14–21 days; and low, >21 days. At this time, the relationship between these healing potentials and long‐term scar quality is unknown. The objective of this study was to determine the long‐term scar quality of burns with three distinct healing potentials. The secondary objectives were to compare treatment strategies in intermediate wounds, to study the effect of the timing of surgery on low healing potential wounds and to identify predictors of reduced scar quality. Hence, in a prospective cohort study, scar quality was determined in patients whose burns were assessed with laser Doppler imaging. Scar Quality was assessed with objective and subjective measurement tools, including overall scar quality (Patient and Observer Scar Assessment Scale) as a primary outcome and color and elasticity parameters. A total of 141 patients (>19 months postburn) with 216 scars were included. Wounds with high and intermediate healing potential did not significantly differ regarding scar quality. Wounds with a low healing potential had a significantly lower scar quality. Analysis of 76 surgically treated low healing potential wounds showed no significant differences in the primary outcome regarding the timing of surgery (≤14 days vs. >14). Predictors of reduced long‐term scar quality were darker skin type and multiple surgeries. In conclusion, scar quality was strongly related to the healing potential category. Scar quality was very similar in high and intermediate healing potential wounds. No positive effects were found on scar quality or on healing time in surgically treated wounds with intermediate healing potential, advocating a conservative approach. Further studies should focus on the optimal timing of surgery in low healing potential wounds.
Inequality in mortality decreased among the young while increasing for older adults, 1990–2010
Authors: Currie J. , Schwandt H.
Published: April 2016

Narrowing of the life expectancy gap

In the United States, the rich can expect to enjoy better health and a longer life than the poor. Despite policies directed at improving the health of both the young and the poor, there is little evidence that this relationship has changed. Currie and Schwandt looked specifically at the life expectancy of present-day children and young adults, finding that mortality inequality has in fact declined over the past 25 years (see the Perspective by Bailey and Timpe).

Science
, this issue p.
708
; see also p.
661
A general alkyl-alkyl cross-coupling enabled by redox-active esters and alkylzinc reagents
Authors: Qin Tian , Cornella Josep , Li Chao , Malins Lara R. , Edwards Jacob T. , Kawamura Shuhei , Maxwell Brad D. , Eastgate Martin D. , Baran Phil S.
Published: April 2016

Carbon links without helpful neighbors

It's an irony of modern organic chemistry that the simplest-looking carbon-carbon bonds are often the hardest to make. Most reactions owe their efficiency to neighboring double bonds or oxygen and nitrogen atoms that linger in the products. Qin
et al.
now present a broadly applicable protocol for making C-C bonds in the absence of such surrounding help. The nickel-catalyzed process couples a zinc-activated carbon center to an ester that's poised to lose CO
2
. The ready availability of numerous carboxylic acids (which are easily converted to esters) contributes to the reaction's versatility.

Science
, this issue p.
801
Complete Genome Sequence of Porcine Epidemic Diarrhea Virus Strain COL/Cundinamarca/2014 from Colombia
Authors: Jarvis Matthew C. , Lam Ham Ching , Rovira Albert , Marthaler Douglas G.
Published: April 2016

Porcine epidemic diarrhea virus (PEDV) has been found throughout Europe and Asia, and has emerged in North and South America. A whole genome sequence was obtained from a paraffin-embedded tissue sample from the Instituto Colombiano Agropecuario (ICA), Colombia through Next Generation Sequencing techniques to further understand the evolution of PEDV.
First Complete Genome Sequence of the Dutch Veterinary
Coxiella burnetii
Strain NL3262, Originating from the Largest Global Q Fever Outbreak, and Draft Genome Sequence of Its Epidemiologically Linked Chronic Human Isolate NLhu3345937
Authors: Kuley Runa , Smith Hilde E. , Janse Ingmar , Harders Frank L. , Baas Frank , Schijlen Elio , Nabuurs-Franssen Marrigje H. , Smits Mari A. , Roest Hendrik I. J. , Bossers Alex
Published: April 2016

The largest global Q fever outbreak occurred in The Netherlands during 2007 to 2010. Goats and sheep were identified as the major sources of disease. Here, we report the first complete genome sequence of
Coxiella burnetii
goat outbreak strain NL3262 and that of an epidemiologically linked chronic human strain, both having the outbreak-related
CbNL01
multilocus variable-number tandem-repeat analysis (MLVA) genotype.
Draft Genome Sequence of Organophosphate-Degrading
Ochrobactrum anthropi
FRAF13
Authors: Iyer Rupa , Damania Ashish
Published: April 2016

Ochrobactrum anthropi
FRAF13 was isolated from farmland soil in Jersey Village, Texas. FRAF13 is a bacterial microorganism with broad antibiotic resistance that possesses a number of metal-dependent β-lactam enzymes with secondary phosphotriesterase activity that can initiate the breakdown of organophosphate compounds.
Draft Genome Sequence of “
Candidatus
Phytoplasma oryzae” Strain Mbita1, the Causative Agent of Napier Grass Stunt Disease in Kenya
Authors: Fischer Anne , Santana-Cruz Ivette , Wambua Lillian , Olds Cassandra , Midega Charles , Dickinson Matthew , Kawicha Praphat , Khan Zeyaur , Masiga Daniel , Jores Joerg , Schneider Bernd
Published: April 2016

Phytoplasmas are bacterial plant pathogens with devastating impact on agricultural production worldwide. In eastern Africa, Napier grass stunt disease causes serious economic losses in the smallholder dairy industry. This draft genome sequence of “
Candidatus
Phytoplasma oryzae” strain Mbita1 provides insight into its genomic organization and the molecular basis of pathogenicity.
First Complete Genome Sequence of a Watermelon Mosaic Virus Isolated from Watermelon in the United States
Authors: Rajbanshi Naveen , Ali Akhtar
Published: April 2016

Watermelon mosaic virus was first reported in 1965 from the Rio Grande Valley, TX. We report here the first complete genome sequence of a watermelon mosaic virus isolate from watermelon collected from the Rio Grande Valley of Texas.
Genome Sequence of
Pectobacterium carotovorum
Phage PPWS1, Isolated from Japanese Horseradish [
Eutrema japonicum
(Miq.) Koidz] Showing Soft-Rot Symptoms
Authors: Hirata Hisae , Kashihara Misako , Horiike Tokumasa , Suzuki Tomohiro , Dohra Hideo , Netsu Osamu , Tsuyumu Shinji
Published: April 2016

Pectobacterium carotovorum
subsp.
carotovorum
and its lytic bacteriophage PPWS1 were isolated from a Japanese horseradish rhizome with soft rot. Sequencing of the phage genomic DNA suggested that PPWS1 is a new species of the family
Podoviridae
and has high similarity to the bacteriophage Peat1 infectious to
P. atrosepticum
.
Complete Genome Sequence of
Bacillus megaterium
Bacteriophage Eldridge
Authors: Reveille Alexandra M. , Eldridge Kimberly A. , Temple Louise M.
Published: April 2016

In this study the complete genome sequence of the unique bacteriophage Eldridge, isolated from soil using
Bacillus megaterium
as the host organism, was determined. Eldridge is a myovirus with a genome consisting of 242 genes and is unique when compared to phage sequences in GenBank.
Genome Sequence of Foot-and-Mouth Disease Virus Serotype O Isolated from Morocco in 2015
Authors: Bachanek-Bankowska K. , Wadsworth J. , Gray A. , Abouchoaib N. , King D. P. , Knowles N. J.
Published: April 2016

The genome of a virus isolated from an outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) in Morocco in 2015 is described here. This virus is classified as lineage Ind-2001d within serotype O, topotype ME-SA (Middle East-South Asia). This lineage is endemic on the Indian subcontinent but has caused outbreaks in the Middle East and North Africa since 2013.
The importance of early involvement of paediatric palliative care for patients with severe congenital heart disease
Authors: Bertaud Sophie , Lloyd David F A , Laddie Joanna , Razavi Reza
Published: April 2016

Growing numbers of patients with severe congenital heart disease (CHD) are surviving into late childhood and beyond. This increasingly complex patient group may experience multiple formidable and precarious interventions, lifelong morbidity and the very real risk of premature death on many occasions throughout their childhood. In this paper, we discuss the advantages of a fully integrated palliative care ethos in patients with CHD, offering the potential for improved symptom control, more informed decision-making and enhanced support for patients and their families throughout their disease trajectory. These core principles may be delivered alongside expert cardiac care via non-specialists within pre-existing networks or via specialists in paediatric palliative care when appropriate. By broaching these complex issues early—even from the point of diagnosis—an individualised set of values can be established around not just end-of-life but also quality-of-life decisions, with clear benefits for patients and their families regardless of outcome.
Catatonia as an internal medicine disease: infrequent or still underdiagnosed?
Authors: Proenca Margarida , Marques Filipa , Cardoso Débora , Fonseca Cândida
Published: April 2016

Catatonia is a motor and behavioural syndrome with multiple psychiatric, general medical and neurological aetiologies that might be simultaneously present. B12deficiency is a rare, treatable cause of catatonia, not always easy to rule out. The authors present a case of a woman with catatonia associated with severe cyanocobalamin deficiency, admitted to an internal medicine ward. The benign course was related to an adequate and early diagnosis.
Overstatements in abstract conclusions claiming effectiveness of interventions in psychiatry: a study protocol for a meta-epidemiological investigation
Authors: Suganuma Aya M , Shinohara Kiyomi , Imai Hissei , Takeshima Nozomi , Hayasaka Yu , Furukawa Toshi A
Published: April 2016

Introduction

Abstracts are the major and often the most important source of information for readers of the medical literature. However, there is mounting criticism that abstracts often exaggerate the positive findings and emphasise the beneficial effects of intervention beyond the actual findings mentioned in the corresponding full texts. In order to examine the magnitude of this problem, we will introduce a systematic approach to detect overstated abstracts and to quantify the extent of their prevalence in published randomised controlled trials (RCTs) in the field of psychiatry.

Methods and analysis

We will source RCTs published in 2014 from the Cochrane Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL) that claim effectiveness of any intervention for mental disorders. The abstract conclusions will be categorised into three types: superior (only stating significant superiority of intervention to control), limited (suggesting that intervention has limited superiority to control) and equal (claiming equal effectiveness of intervention as control). The full texts will also be classified as one of the following based on the primary outcome results: significant (all primary outcomes were statistically significant in favour of the intervention), mixed (primary outcomes included both significant and non-significant results) or all non-significant results. By comparing the abstract conclusion classification and that of the corresponding full text, we will assess whether each study exhibited overstatements in its abstract conclusion.

Ethics and dissemination

This trial requires no ethical approval. We will publish our findings in a peer-reviewed journal.

Trial registration number

UMIN000018668; Pre-results.
Efficacy of etanercept in combination with methotrexate in moderate-to-severe rheumatoid arthritis is not dependent on methotrexate dosage
Authors: Gallo G , Brock F , Kerkmann U , Kola B , Huizinga T W J
Published: April 2016

Objective

To evaluate the impact of methotrexate (MTX) dosage on clinical, functional and quality of life outcomes in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) from two previous etanercept (ETN) trials after 24 months of treatment.

Methods

Patients with active RA in the ETN+MTX combination treatment arms of the Trial of Etanercept and Methotrexate with Radiographic Patient Outcomes (TEMPO) and COmbination of Methotrexate and ETanercept in Active Early Rheumatoid Arthritis (COMET) studies were pooled in this post hoc analysis and stratified by MTX dosage at 24 months, having MTX monotherapy groups as control: low dose, <10.0 mg/week; medium dose, 10.0–17.5 mg/week; and high dose, >17.5 mg/week. Data from these patient subgroups were included in descriptive summaries of demographic and disease characteristics at baseline. The following outcomes at 24 months were also evaluated for each subgroup: Disease Activity Score in 28 joints (DAS28) low disease activity (LDA) and remission; American College of Rheumatology 20%, 50% and 70% improvement criteria (ACR20, 50 and 70) responses; and changes from baseline in DAS28, Health Assessment Questionnaire Disease Index (HAQ-DI) and EuroQol 5-dimensions visual analogue scale (EQ-5D VAS).

Results

Baseline demographics were similar between the low, medium and high MTX dose groups in the ETN+MTX combination and MTX monotherapy arms, with the exception of disease duration (ETN+MTX low 5.5; medium 5.1; high 0.8 years vs MTX low 8.3; medium 4.7; high 0.8 years). Responses to ETN+MTX combination therapy at 24 months were consistently high across MTX dosage groups, with very similar rates of DAS28 LDA/remission and ACR20/50/70. Improvements in DAS28, HAQ-DI and EQ-5D VAS were also not dependent on MTX dosage in the combination treatment arm.

Conclusions

Patients with RA in the TEMPO and COMET trials who received ETN+MTX showed similar efficacy outcomes at 24 months, regardless of MTX dosage.

Trial registration numbers

NCT00195494 (COMET) andNCT00393471(TEMPO).
Early magmatism in the greater Red Sea rift: timing and significance
Authors: Bosworth William , Stockli Daniel F.
Published: April 2016

Throughout the greater Red Sea rift system the initial late Cenozoic syn-rift strata and extensional faulting are closely associated with alkali basaltic volcanism. Older stratigraphic units are either pre-rift or deposited during pre-rupture mechanical weakening of the lithosphere. The East African superplume appeared in northeast Africa ∼46 Ma but was not accompanied by any significant extensional faulting. Continental rifting began in the eastern and central Gulf of Aden at ∼31–30 Ma coeval with the onset of continental flood volcanism in northern Ethiopia, Eritrea, and western Yemen. Volcanism appeared soon after at Derudeb in southern Sudan and at Harrats Hadan and As Sirat in Saudi Arabia. From ∼26.5 to 25 Ma a new phase of volcanism began with the intrusion of a dike field reaching southeast of Afar into the Ogaden. At 24–23 Ma dikes were emplaced nearly simultaneously north of Afar and reached over 2000 km into northern Egypt. The dike event linked Afar to the smaller Cairo mini-plume and corresponds to initiation of lithospheric extension and rupture in the central and northern Red Sea and Gulf of Suez. By ∼21 Ma the dike intrusions along the entire length of the Red Sea were completed. Each episodic enlargement of the greater Red Sea rift system was triggered and facilitated by breakthrough of mantle-derived plumes. However, the absence of any volumetrically significant rift-related volcanism during the main phase of Miocene central and northern Red Sea – Gulf of Suez rifting supports the interpretation that plate–boundary forces likely drove overall separation of Arabia from Africa.
A review of sources, levels, and toxicity of polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) and their transformation and transport in various environmental compartments
Authors: Akortia Eric , Okonkwo Jonathan O. , Lupankwa Mlindelwa , Osae Shiloh D. , Daso Adegbenro P. , Olukunle Olubiyi I. , Chaudhary Abdul
Published: April 2016

Polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) are a group of organobromine compounds that are used as flame retardants in many commonly used products. Their presence has been confirmed in various environmental matrices. Their usage in numerous consumer products has lent credence to their ability to retard flammable gas formation, hence their ubiquitous nature in the environment. PBDEs have been described as endocrine disrupting chemicals because of their interference with the endocrine system function in fish and other terrestrial animals. In spite of the progress in research over the years on PBDEs, full understanding of the environmental behaviour and fate of this contaminant is still elusive. In this review, sources by which PBDEs enter the environment have been evaluated in conjunction with their levels, as well as their toxicity, and the transformation and transport of PBDEs in various environmental compartments. This provides a better understanding of the behaviour of these emerging environmental contaminants within the environment. While acknowledging the numerous studies that have been conducted on the environmental contamination by PBDEs, emerging issues and data gaps have been identified.
Determination of the transverse momentum of W bosons in hadronic collisions via forward folding techniques
Authors: Cuth Jakub , Merkotan Kyrylo , Schott Matthias , Webb Samuel
Published: April 2016

The measurement of the transverse momentum of W bosons in hadron collisions provides not only an important test of quantum chromodynamic (QCD) calculations, but also is a crucial input for the precision measurement of the W boson mass. While the measurement of the Z boson transverse momentum is experimentally well under control, the available unfolding techniques for the W boson final states lead generically to relatively large uncertainties. In this paper, we present a new methodology to estimate the W boson transverse momentum spectrum, significantly improving the systematic uncertainties of current approaches.
Stopping power of an electron gas with anisotropic temperature
Authors: Khelemelia O. V. , Kholodov R. I.
Published: April 2016

A general theory of motion of a heavy charged particle in the electron gas with an anisotropic velocity distribution is developed within the quantum-field method. The analytical expressions for the dielectric susceptibility and the stopping power of the electron gas differs in no way from well-known classic formulas in the approximation of large and small velocities. Stopping power of the electron gas with anisotropic temperature in the framework of the quantum-field method is numerically calculated for an arbitrary angle between directions of the motion of the projectile particle and the electron beam. The results of the numerical calculations are compared with the dielectric model approach.
Study of the Υ(1S) → BcDs∗ decay with pQCD approach
Authors: Sun Junfeng , Yang Yueling , Li Qingxia , Lu Gongru , Huang Jinshu , Chang Qin
Published: April 2016

The [Formula: see text] weak decay is studied with the perturbative QCD approach firstly. It is found that (1) main contributions to branching ratio come from the longitudinal and parallel helicity amplitudes, (2) branching ratio, longitudinal and parallel polarization fractions are sensitive to the wave functions of the [Formula: see text] meson, (3) branching ratio for the [Formula: see text] decay can reach up to [Formula: see text], which might be promisingly measured by the future experiments.
On the anomalies in Lorentz-breaking theories
Authors: Baêta Scarpelli A. P. , Mariz T. , Nascimento J. R. , Yu. Petrov A.
Published: April 2016

In this paper, we discuss the chiral anomaly in a Lorentz-breaking extension of QED which, besides the common terms that are present in the Standard Model Extension, includes some dimension-five nonminimal couplings. We find, using the Fujikawa formalism, that these nonminimal couplings induce new terms in the anomaly which depend on the Lorentz-violating parameters. Perturbative calculations are also carried out in order to investigate whether new ambiguous Carroll–Field–Jackiw terms are induced in the effective action.
Antiself-dual gravity and supergravity from a pure connection formulation
Authors: Rosales-Quintero J. E.
Published: April 2016

We consider a pure connection action plus additional algebraic constraints that are suitable for a straightforward supergroup extension. By taking as an internal group [Formula: see text], the action reduces to the Capovilla, Dell and Jacobson approach. By taking as an internal symmetry the supergroup [Formula: see text], and by means of the Bianchi identity and integrability conditions, the equations of motion are those that could be found from antiself-dual supergravity [Formula: see text] with cosmological constant sector.
The optimization of measurement device independent quantum key distribution
Authors: Gao Feng , Ma Hai-Qiang , Jiao Rong-Zhen
Published: April 2016

Measurement device independent quantum key distribution (MDI-QKD) is a promising method for realistic quantum communication which could remove all the side-channel attacks from the imperfections of the devices. Here in this study, we theoretically analyzed the performance of the MDI-QKD system. The asymptotic case rate with the increment of the transmission distance at different polarization misalignment, background count rate and intensity is calculated respectively. The result may provide important parameters for practical application of quantum communications.
Cost-Sensitive Action Model Learning
Authors: Rao Dongning , Jiang Zhihua
Published: April 2016

Action model learning can relieve people from writing planning domain descriptions from scratch. Real-world learners need to be sensitive to all kinds of expenses which it will spend in the learning. However, most of previous studies in this research line only considered the running time as the learning cost. In real-world applications, we will spend extra expense when we carry out actions or get observations, particularly for online learning. The learning algorithm should apply more techniques for saving the total cost when keeping a high rate of accuracy. The cost of carrying out actions and getting observations is the dominated expense in online learning. Therefore, we design a cost-sensitive algorithm to learn action models under partial observability. It combines three techniques to lessen the total cost: constraints, filtering and active learning. These techniques are used in observation reduction in action model learning. First, the algorithm uses constraints to confine the observation space. Second, it removes unnecessary observations by belief state filtering. Third, it actively picks up observations based on the results of the previous two techniques. This paper also designs strategies to reduce the amount of plan steps used in the learning. We performed experiments on some benchmark domains. It shows two results. For one thing, the learning accuracy is high in most cases. For the other, the algorithm dramatically reduces the total cost according to the definition of cost in this paper. Therefore, it is significant for real-world learners, especially, when long plans are unavailable or observations are expensive.
Accurate Semantic Similarity Measurement of Biomedical Nomenclature by Means of Fuzzy Logic
Authors: Martinez-Gil Jorge
Published: April 2016

Semantic similarity measurement of biomedical nomenclature aims to determine the likeness between two biomedical expressions that use different lexicographies for representing the same real biomedical concept. There are many semantic similarity measures for trying to address this issue, many of them have represented an incremental improvement over the previous ones. In this work, we present yet another incremental solution that is able to outperform existing approaches by using a sophisticated aggregation method based on fuzzy logic. Results show us that our strategy is able to consistently beat existing approaches when solving well-known biomedical benchmark data sets.
Parasitic-Aware Common-Centroid FinFET Placement and Routing for Current-Ratio Matching
Authors: Wu Po-Hsun , Lin Mark Po-Hung , Li Xin , Ho Tsung-Yi
Published: April 2016

The FinFET technology is regarded as a better alternative for modern high-performance and low-power integrated-circuit design due to more effective channel control and lower power consumption. However, the gate-misalignment problem resulting from process variation and the parasitic resistance resulting from interconnecting wires based on the FinFET technology becomes even more severe compared with the conventional planar CMOS technology. Such gate misalignment and unwanted parasitic resistance may increase the threshold voltage and decrease the drain current of transistors. When applying the FinFET technology to analog circuit design, the variation of drain currents can destroy current-ratio matching among transistors and degrade circuit performance. In this article, we present the first FinFET placement and routing algorithms for layout generation of a common-centroid FinFET array to precisely match the current ratios among transistors. Experimental results show that the proposed matching-driven FinFET placement and routing algorithms can obtain the best current-ratio matching compared with the state-of-the-art common-centroid placer.