bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Evaluating the pragmatic language skills of children with ADHD and typically developing playmates following a pilot parent‐delivered play‐based intervention
Authors: Cordier Reinie , Munro Natalie , Wilkes‐Gillan Sarah , Ling Lydia , Docking Kimberley , Pearce Wendy
Published: May 2016

Background/aim

Children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) often present with pragmatic language deficits and difficulties with peer–peer friendships. Parents and typically developing peers (TDPs) may be able to assist via parent and peer‐mediated intervention approaches when adequately supported by trained adult facilitators. This study investigated whether a parent‐delivered play‐based intervention supported by occupational therapists and speech language pathologists was feasible and improved the pragmatic language skills of children with ADHD and their TDPs.

Methods

Nine children with ADHD paired with nine TDPs (mean age = 8.2 years) participated. The seven‐week intervention was delivered by parents of children with ADHD at their home and consisted of weekly assigned home‐based modules, supported play‐dates between the pairs of children and supplemented by three clinic visits. Parent adherence to intervention activity was monitored on a weekly basis. Blinded ratings of observed peer–peer play interactions were used to detect changes in pragmatic language from pre–post intervention and one month follow‐up using the Pragmatic Observation Measure (POM).

Results

All parents reported completing the seven weekly home‐based modules and attended all clinic visits. Significant improvements in observed pragmatic language skills were found from pre‐follow‐up for both the ADHD and TDP children and pre–post for the ADHD children.

Conclusion

The preliminary findings suggest that using parents to facilitate their child's pragmatic language skills was a feasible intervention approach with parents acting as agents of change to improve the pragmatic language of their children. This exploratory study identifies the need for further large‐scale research to address the pragmatic language skills of children with ADHD using parent‐delivery in a play‐based, peer–peer context.
Consideration and Choice: Analyzing Party Choice in the Swedish European Election 2014
Authors: Oskarson Maria , Oscarsson Henrik , Boije Edvin
Published: May 2016

For a long time the question of to what extent party choice in the European Parliament (EP) elections is primarily dependent on voters’ orientations towards the European Union (EU) or just a mere reflection of orientations towards issues and actors in national politics has been debated. By combining insights from individual‐level models of party choice in second‐order elections with theories of sequential decision making this article investigates if, how and at what stages in the decision process attitudes to European integration matters for party choice. In line with previous work on first and second decision rule criteria in EP elections, this article develops and tests hypotheses about how voters’ orientations work at different stages of the voter decision process. The findings, based on Swedish data from a probability‐based three‐wave Internet campaign panel, indicate that many voters are in fact considering more than one party to vote for in the beginning of the election campaign. As expected, left‐right orientations function as a main decision rule with respect to which parties voters even consider voting for, while proximity on the European integration dimension mainly matters as a second decision rule in the final stage of the decision process. Using a sequential model with consideration and choice stages, the article reveals a much larger complimentary effect of EU proximity on party choice than has generally been found in previous research. This serves as a distinct contribution to the emerging research field of individual party choice in second‐order elections.
A mutual gains perspective on workplace partnership: Employee outcomes and the mediating role of the employment relations climate
Authors: Valizade Danat , Ogbonnaya Chidiebere , Tregaskis Olga , Forde Chris
Published: May 2016

Recent years have witnessed increased research on the role of workplace partnership in promoting positive employment relations. However, there has been little quantitative analysis of the partnership experiences of employees. This article examines how the kinds of attributions employees make regarding indirect (union‐based) and direct (non‐union‐based) employee participation in workplace partnership might influence the process of mutual gains. It uses employee outcomes to reflect partnership gains for all stakeholders involved (i.e. employees, employers and trade unions). The article contributes to existing knowledge of workplace partnership by examining the potential role of the employment relations climate as an enabling mechanism for the process of mutual gains. The findings suggest mutual gains for all stakeholders are varied and mediated through the employment relations climate.
Outcome of phacoemulsification and intraocular lens implantion in eyes with pseudoexfoliation and weak zonules
Authors: Shingleton Bradford J. , Neo Yan Ning , Cvintal Victor , Shaikh Alicia Marvin , Liberman Paulina , O'Donoghue Mark W.
Published: May 2016

Purpose

To evaluate the results of phacoemulsification and intraocular lens (IOL) implantation in eyes with pseudoexfoliation (PEX) and zonular weakness.

Methods

Two hundred and ninety‐five patients (295 eyes) were recruited. This study is a retrospective case review of 143PEXeyes with preoperative (Group 1) and intraoperative (Group 2) signs of zonular weakness, 76PEXeyes (Group 3) and 76 non‐PEXeyes without zonular weakness (Group 4) undergoing phacoemulsification andIOLimplantation performed by single surgeon from year 1988 to 2010. Outcome measures included frequency of postoperative pseudophakodonesis, anterior capsule contraction andIOLdecentration/dislocation. Postoperative vision, intraocular pressure (IOP) and glaucoma medication requirements were also assessed. A subanalysis on identical postoperative outcomes of capsular tension ring (CTR) implantation was performed. Comparisons were made for 52PEXeyes with zonular weakness receiving nonsuturedCTRimplantation (Group A), 91PEXeyes with zonular weakness not receivingCTRimplantation (Group B) and 142PEXeyes without zonular weakness (Group C).

Results

Mean follow‐up was 4.08 ± 0.48 years and maximum was 8.3 years. Both Groups 1 and 2 showed higher incidence of complications than Groups 3 and 4 (p < 0.01). Vision,IOPand glaucoma medication requirements were similar postoperatively for all four groups. Groups A and B had a significantly higher proportion of postoperative complications than Group C (p < 0.01). There was no significant difference in risk of developing these complications between Groups A and B (p = 0.64).

Conclusion

Postoperative complication rates are higher inPEXeyes with preoperative and/or intraoperative signs of zonular weakness undergoing phacoemulsification. NonsuturedCTRimplantation does not preventIOLand capsular complications postoperatively.
Changes in muscle fiber type and expression of mRNA of myosin heavy chain isoforms in porcine muscle during pre‐ and postnatal development
Authors: Katsumata Masaya , Yamaguchi Tomomi , Ishida Aiko , Ashihara Akane
Published: May 2016

The purpose of this study is to elucidate developmental changes in muscle fiber type in the pig during pre‐ and postnatal development. For this purpose, we performed a histochemical analysis for myosin adenosine triphosphatase activity to assess muscle fiber type and determined abundances of messenger RNA (mRNA) of myosin heavy chain (MHC) isoforms. Samples of Longissimus dorsi (LD) muscle were taken from fetuses on day 90 of the fetal stage. Further, samples of LD, Rhomboideus and Biceps femoris (B. femoris) muscles were taken from pigs when they were 1, 12, 26, 45 or 75 days old. Expression of MHC 2b mRNA in the LD and the B. femoris muscles rapidly and considerably increased from the late fetal stage to the early postnatal stage and this increase was associated with the development of type 2b fibers at least in the LD muscle. As shown by the rapid and considerable changes in expression of MHC 2b mRNA, it seems that a certain plasticity of muscle fiber type still remains in this developmental stage.
A 16q12.2q21 deletion identified in a patient with developmental delay, epilepsy, short stature, and distinctive features
Authors: Yamamoto Toshiyuki , Shimojima Keiko , Yamazaki Sawako , Ikeno Kanju , Tohyama Jun
Published: May 2016

Interstitial deletions of the 16q centromeric region are rarely reported. A microdeletion of the 16q12.2q21 region was identified in a patient with intellectual disability, epilepsy, short stature, and distinctive features; including up‐slanting palpebral fissures, hypertelorism, epicanthic folds, anteverted nares, simple philtrum, thin upper lip vermilion, high arched palate, posteriorly rotated ears, and overlapping toes in his right foot. Although the deleted region includes the genes responsible for neurological impairments (GNOA1, GPR56, KATNB1, and BBS2), haploinsufficiency of these genes would not be associated with the patient's phenotype. When NDRG4, present in the deleted region, was knocked out in mice, these mice exhibited spatial learning deficits. Thus, we hypothesize that this gene could be a potential candidate underlying the neurological observations of the patient. Because RSPRY1 was been discovered as the cause of progressive skeletal dysplasia, a loss of this gene might explain the skeletal defects observed in the patient.
Stylized Caustics: Progressive Rendering of Animated Caustics
Authors: Günther Tobias , Rohmer Kai , Rössl Christian , Grosch Thorsten , Theisel Holger
Published: May 2016

In recent years, much work was devoted to the design of light editing methods such as relighting and light path editing. So far, little work addressed the target‐based manipulation and animation of caustics, for instance to a differently‐shaped caustic, text or an image. The aim of this work is the animation of caustics by blending towards a given target irradiance distribution. This enables an artist to coherently change appearance and style of caustics, e.g., for marketing applications and visual effects. Generating a smooth animation is nontrivial, as photon density and caustic structure may change significantly. Our method is based on the efficient solution of a discrete assignment problem that incorporates constraints appropriate to make intermediate blends plausibly resemble caustics. The algorithm generates temporally coherent results that are rendered with stochastic progressive photon mapping. We demonstrate our system in a number of scenes and show blends as well as a key frame animation.
Regularizing Image Reconstruction for Gradient‐Domain Rendering with Feature Patches
Authors: Manzi M. , Vicini D. , Zwicker M.
Published: May 2016

We present a novel algorithm to reconstruct high‐quality images from sampled pixels and gradients in gradient‐domain Rendering. Our approach extends screened Poisson reconstruction by adding additional regularization constraints. Our key idea is to exploit local patches in feature images, which contain per‐pixels normals, textures, position, etc., to formulate these constraints. We describe a GPU implementation of our approach that runs on the order of seconds on megapixel images. We demonstrate a significant improvement in image quality over screened Poisson reconstruction under the L1 norm. Because we adapt the regularization constraints to the noise level in the input, our algorithm is consistent and converges to the ground truth.
SAH guided spatial split partitioning for fast BVH construction
Authors: Ganestam Per , Doggett Michael
Published: May 2016

We present a new SAH guided approach to subdividing triangles as the scene is coarsely partitioned into smaller sets of spatially coherent triangles. Our triangle split approach is integrated into the partitioning stage of a fast BVH construction algorithm, but may as well be used as a stand alone pre‐split pass. Our algorithm significantly reduces the number of split triangles compared to previous methods, while at the same time improving ray tracing performance compared to competing fast BVH construction techniques. We compare performance on Intel's Embree ray tracer and show that BVH construction with our splitting algorithm is always faster than Embree's pre‐split construction algorithm. We also show that our algorithm builds significantly improved quality trees that deliver higher ray tracing performance. Our algorithm is implemented into Embree's open source ray tracing framework, and the source code will be released late 2015.
First‐line use of rituximab correlates with increased overall survival in late post‐transplant lymphoproliferative disorders: retrospective, single‐centre study
Authors: Martínez‐Calle Nicolás , Alfonso Ana , Rifón José , Herrero Ignacio , Errasti Pedro , Rábago Gregorio , Merino Juana , Panizo Ángel , Pardo Javier , Prósper Felipe , García‐Muñoz Ricardo , Lecumberri Ramón , Panizo Carlos
Published: May 2016

This retrospective study evaluates the impact of rituximab on PTLD response and survival in a single‐centre cohort. PTLD cases between 1984 and 2009, including heart, kidney, liver and lung transplant recipients, were included. Survival was analysed taking into account the type of PTLD (monomorphic vs. polymorphic), EBV infection status, IPI score, Ann Arbor stage and use of rituximab. Among 1335 transplanted patients, 24 developed PTLD. Median age was 54 yr (range 29–69), median time to diagnosis 50 months (range 0–100). PTLD type was predominantly late/monomorphic (79% and 75%), mostly diffuse large B‐cell type. Overall response rate (ORR) was 62% (66% rituximab vs. 50% non‐rituximab; P = 0.5). R‐CHOP‐like regimens were used most frequently (72% of patients treated with rituximab). Median overall survival was 64 months (CI 95% 31–96). OS was significantly increased in patients treated with rituximab (P = 0.01; CI 95% rituximab 58–79 months; non‐rituximab 1–30 months). Post‐transplant immunosuppression regimen had no effect on survival or time to PTLD, except for cyclosporine A (CyA), which associated with increased time to PTLD (P = 0.02). Rituximab was associated with increased survival in our single‐centre series, and it should be considered as first‐line therapy for PTLD patients. The possible protective effect of CyA for development of PTLD should be prospectively evaluated.
The importance of the timescale of the fitness metric for estimates of selection on phenotypic traits during a period of demographic change
Authors: Scranton Katherine , Lummaa Virpi , Stearns Stephen C.
Published: May 2016

Although fitness is central to the evolutionary process, metrics vary by timescale. Different timescales may give rise to different estimates of selection, especially during demographic transitions caused by rapid environmental and socioeconomic change. In this study, we used a dataset of a human population in Finland from 1775 to 1950 to compare two fitness metrics and their estimates of selection pressures, before and during a demographic transition. Both metrics, lifetime reproductive success and an annual metric of individual performance, declined while selection on the ages at first and last reproduction remained nearly constant, favouring individuals with wider reproductive windows. The ability to partition the annual metric into contributions from reproduction and survival revealed the short‐term effects of a famine and the reversal of selection pressure via the survival component of annual fitness. Although the metrics generally agreed, the annual metric detected the effects of environmental variation and demographic change occurring within a generation.
Parents Plus Systemic, Solution‐Focused Parent Training Programs: Description, Review of the Evidence Base, and Meta‐Analysis
Authors: Carr Alan , Hartnett Dan , Brosnan Eileen , Sharry John
Published: May 2016

Parents Plus (PP) programs are systemic, solution‐focused, group‐based interventions. They are designed for delivery in clinical and community settings as treatment programs for families with child‐focused problems, such as behavioral difficulties, disruptive behavior disorders, and emotional disorders in young people with and without developmental disabilities. PP programs have been developed for families of preschoolers, preadolescent children, and teenagers, as well as for separated or divorced families. Seventeen evaluation studies involving over 1,000 families have shown that PP programs have a significant impact on child behavior problems, goal attainment, and parental satisfaction and stress. The effect size of 0.57 (p < .001) from a meta‐analysis of 10 controlled studies for child behavior problems compares favorably with those of meta‐analyses of other well‐established parent training programs with large evidence bases. In controlled studies, PP programs yielded significant (p < .001) effect sizes for goal attainment (d = 1.51), parental satisfaction (d = 0.78), and parental stress reduction (d = 0.54). PP programs may be facilitated by trained front‐line mental health and educational professionals.
Pet dogs and child physical activity: the role of child–dog attachment
Authors: Gadomski A. M. , Scribani M. B. , Krupa N. , Jenkins P.
Published: May 2016

Background

Dog ownership has been associated with increased physical activity in children which in turn may mitigate childhood obesity.

Objective

To measure the association between child–dog attachment and child physical activity and screen time.

Methods

Cross‐sectional study including 370 children (ages 4–10) who had pet dogs in the home. Parents completed the DartScreen, a web‐based screener, before a well‐child visit. Screener domains included child body mass index (BMI), physical activity, screen time and dog‐related questions. The Companion Animal Bonding Scale (CABS) was used to measure child attachment to the dog. Clinic nurses weighed and measured the children. Associations between CABS, BMI z‐score, screen time and physical activity were estimated.

Results

CABS was strongly associated with time spent being active with the dog (F = 22.81, p < 0.0001), but not with BMI z‐score or screen time.

Conclusions

A higher level of child attachment to a pet dog is associated with increased child physical activity.
Recovery Camp: Assisting consumers toward enhanced self‐determination
Authors: Taylor Ellie , Perlman Dana , Moxham Lorna , Pegg Shane , Patterson Christopher , Brighton Renee , Sumskis Susan , Heffernan Tim
Published: May 2016

Mental health consumers are often socially isolated and may lack the basic leisure competencies which serve as a critical building block for community (re)integration. Therapeutic recreation (TR), as a treatment modality for people with mental illness, is yet to be fully embraced in the Australian health‐care setting, despite having a strong historical foundation in North America. A team of academics created a TR experience, termed Recovery Camp, which was designed to collectively engage consumers and future health professionals drawn from a range of discipline areas.

The 2014 Recovery Camp was staged over a five day period and involved 28 adult consumers living with mental illness. Consumers undertook a diverse range of experiential recreation activities engineered to facilitate individual engagement and to encourage the development of positive therapeutic relationships and teamwork. The camp atmosphere was deliberately community‐based and recovery‐oriented, valuing the lived experience of mental illness.

Using a 2 × 3 design involving a camp and comparison group, the study sought to examine the influence of a TR programme on the self‐determination of individuals with a mental illness. Those who participated in the Recovery Camp reported an increase in awareness of self and perceived choice post‐camp, relative to the comparison group. While this difference remained significant for awareness of self at three‐month follow‐up, there was no significant difference in perceived choice between the two groups at follow‐up. Study findings serve to support the role of recreation within a recovery framework to positively change the health‐related behaviour of mental health consumers.
Pension reforms in Chile and social security principles, 1981–2015
Authors: Mesa‐Lago Carmelo , Bertranou Fabio
Published: May 2016

Chile pioneered in Latin America not only the introduction of social security pensions, but the structural reform that privatized them and a process of “re‐reform” implementing key improvements. A Presidential Commission in Chile, appointed in 2014 to evaluate reform progress and remaining problems in the pension system, released its report in September 2015. In light of the Commission's findings, the article assesses Chile's compliance with International Labour Organization social security guiding principles: social dialogue, universal coverage, equal treatment, social solidarity, gender equity, adequacy of benefits, efficiency and affordable administrative cost, social participation in management, state role and supervision, and financial sustainability. The exercise follows three stages: the structural reform (1981–2008), the re‐reform (2008–2015), and the Presidential Commission proposals (2015)
Dual agency in critical care nursing: Balancing responsibilities towards colleagues and patients
Authors: Trapani Josef , Scholes Julie , Cassar Maria
Published: May 2016

Aim

To explore critical care nurses' decisions to seek help from doctors.

Background

Despite their well‐documented role in improving critically ill patients' outcomes, research indicates that nurses rarely take decisions about patients' treatment modalities on their own and constantly need to seek advice or authorization for their clinical decisions, even for protocol‐guided actions. However, research around the factors related to, and the actual process of, such referrals is limited.

Design

A grounded theory study, underpinned by a symbolic interactionist perspective.

Methods

Data collection took place in a general intensive care unit between 2010 – 2012 and involved: 20 hours of non‐participant and 50 hours of participant observation; ten informal and ten formal interviews; and two focus groups with ten nurses, selected by purposive and theoretical sampling. Data analysis was guided by the dimensional analysis approach to generating grounded theory.

Findings

Nurses' decisions to seek help from doctors involve weighing up several occasionally conflicting motivators. A central consideration is that of balancing their moral obligation to safeguard patients' interests with their duty to respect doctors' authority. Subsequently, nurses end up in a position of dual agency as they need to concurrently act as an agent to medical practitioners and patients.

Conclusion

Nurses' dual agency relationship with patients and doctors may deter their moral obligation of keeping patients' interest as their utmost concern. Nurse leaders and educators should, therefore, enhance nurses' assertiveness, courage and skills to place patients' interest at the forefront of all their actions and interactions.
Assessment of the suitability of using a forehead EEG electrode set and chin EMG electrodes for sleep staging in polysomnography
Authors: Myllymaa Sami , Muraja‐Murro Anu , Westeren‐Punnonen Susanna , Hukkanen Taina , Lappalainen Reijo , Mervaala Esa , Töyräs Juha , Sipilä Kirsi , Myllymaa Katja
Published: May 2016

Recently, a number of portable devices designed for full polysomnography at home have appeared. However, current scalp electrodes used for electroencephalograms are not practical for patient self‐application. The aim of this study was to evaluate the suitability of recently introduced forehead electroencephalogram electrode set and supplementary chin electromyogram electrodes for sleep staging. From 31 subjects (10 male, 21 female; age 31.3 ± 11.8 years), sleep was recorded simultaneously with a forehead electroencephalogram electrode set and with a standard polysomnography setup consisting of six recommended electroencephalogram channels, two electrooculogram channels and chin electromyogram. Thereafter, two experienced specialists scored each recording twice, based on either standard polysomnography or forehead recordings. Sleep variables recorded with the forehead electroencephalogram electrode set and separate chin electromyogram electrodes were highly consistent with those obtained with the standard polysomnography. There were no statistically significant differences in total sleep time, sleep efficiency or sleep latencies. However, compared with the standard polysomnography, there was a significant increase in the amount of stage N1 and N2, and a significant reduction in stage N3 and rapid eye movement sleep. Overall, epoch‐by‐epoch agreement between the methods was 79.5%. Inter‐scorer agreement for the forehead electroencephalogram was only slightly lower than that for standard polysomnography (76.1% versus 83.2%). Forehead electroencephalogram electrode set as supplemented with chin electromyogram electrodes may serve as a reliable and simple solution for recording total sleep time, and may be adequate for measuring sleep architecture. Because this electrode concept is well suited for patient's self‐application, it may offer a significant advancement in home polysomnography.
Evaluation of Stocking Density during Second‐Year Growth of Largemouth Bass, Micropterus salmoides, Raised Indoors in a Recirculating Aquaculture System
Authors: Watts Chelsea , Bright Leigh Anne , Coyle Shawn , Tidwell James
Published: May 2016

Largemouth bass (LMB), Micropterus salmoides, are a highly desirable food fish especially among Asian populations in large cities throughout North America. The primary production method for food‐size LMB (>500 g) has been outdoor ponds that require two growing seasons (18 mo). Indoor, controlled‐environment production using recirculating aquaculture system (RAS) technologies could potentially reduce the growout period by maintaining ideal temperatures year‐round. Researchers conducted a 26‐wk study to evaluate optimal stocking densities for growout of second‐year LMB to food‐fish size in an indoor RAS. LMB fingerlings (112.0 ± 38.0 g) were randomly stocked into nine 900‐L tanks to achieve densities of 30, 60, or 120 fish/m3 with three replicate tanks per density. The RAS consisted of a 3000‐L sump, ¼ hp pump, bead filter for solids removal, mixed‐moving‐bed biofilter for nitrification, and a 400‐watt ultraviolet light for sterilization. Fish were fed a commercially available floating diet (45% protein and 16% lipid) once daily to apparent satiation. At harvest, all fish were counted, individually weighed, and measured. Total biomass densities significantly increased (P ≤ 0.05) with stocking rate achieving 6.2, 13.2, and 22.9 kg/m3 for fish stocked at 20, 60, and 120 fish/m3, respectively. The stocking densities evaluated had no significant impact (P > 0.05) on survival, average harvest weight, or feed conversion ratio which averaged 92.9 ± 5.8%, 294.5 ± 21.1 g, and 1.8 ± 0.3, respectively. After approximately 6 mo of culture, LMB did not attain target weights of >500 g. Observed competition among fish likely resulted in large size variability and overall poor growth compared to second‐year growth in ponds. Additional research is needed to better assess the suitability of LMB for culture in RAS.
Transfusion‐related alloimmunization in children: epidemiology and effects of chemotherapy
Authors: Solh Z. , Athale U. , Arnold D. M. , Cook R. J. , Foley R. , Heddle N. M.
Published: May 2016

Background & Objectives

Alloimmunization rates following red blood cell (RBC) transfusion in paediatric oncology are not known. This study aimed to: (1) describe frequency and specificity of alloantibodies in paediatric oncology patients after RBC transfusions; (2) determine the effect of chemotherapy on alloimmunization rate.

Materials & Methods

Retrospective cohort study of paediatric patients at a tertiary care hospital is evaluated by two groups: control group, paediatric patients without cancer; study group, paediatric oncology patients who received chemotherapy. Alloimmunization was defined as clinically significant IgG alloantibody formation against RBC antigens.

Results

A total of 1273 children were evaluated including 324 in study group, 909 controls, and 40 haemoglobinopathy patients. Overall, frequency of alloimmunization was 1·5%: 0·3% (95% CI: 0, 1·90) in study group; 1·3% (95% CI: 0·73, 2·32) in control group and 15% in haemoglobinopathies. The association between chemotherapy and alloimmunization was not significant; P value = 0·20 Fisher's exact test, OR 0·23 (95% CI: 0·03, 1·79).

Conclusion

This is the first study exploring RBC alloimmunization in paediatric patients by diagnosis. Alloimmunization frequency was low. It was not possible to determine an association between chemotherapy and alloimmunization due to the low event rate.
The distribution of MNS hybrid glycophorins with Mur antigen expression in Chinese donors including identification of a novel GYP.Bun allele
Authors: Wei L. , Shan Z. G. , Flower R. L. , Wang Z. , Wen J. Z. , Luo G. P. , Ji Y. L.
Published: May 2016

Background and Objectives

MNS hybrid glycophorins are identified by characteristic antigen profiles. One of these is the Mur antigen, which is expressed on red cell hybrid glycophorins of several phenotypes of the ‘Miltenberger’ series found predominantly in East Asian population. The aim of this study was to investigate the distribution of Mur‐positive hybrid glycophorins and clarify the genetic basis in the donors from southern China.

Materials and Methods

Blood samples from 528 donors were collected for Mur antigen serological typing. Sequencing of GYPB pseudoexon 3 and MNS phenotyping were conducted in Mur‐positive samples. The multiplex ligation‐dependent probe amplification (MLPA) was used to confirm the zygosity of the GYP.Mur allele and determine the MNSs genotype. The expression of Mur antigen was evaluated by flow cytometry.

Results

Fifty‐one Mur‐positive samples were identified by serological testing. Sequencing analysis showed 50 donors (50/528, 9.5%) with the GYP.Mur allele (48 heterozygotes and two homozygotes), which were confirmed by the MLPA genotyping analysis, and one donor (1/528, 0.19%) with a novel GYP.Bun allele. Flow cytometry analysis revealed higher Mur antigen expression on GP.Mur (Mi.III) homozygotes than heterozygotes. For the GYP.Mur homozygotes, an incorrect ‘N’ positive typing with anti‐N lectin was obtained.

Conclusion

GP.Mur (Mi.III) is the main Mur‐positive hybrid glycophorin in Guangzhou donors. The dosage effect of Mur antigen observed provides a basis for selecting the homozygous GP.Mur RBCs as the reagent cells to avoid neglecting weak antibodies. A separate GYP.Bun lineage found in the southern China provides evidence for further complexity in the MNS system.
Glutamate transporter activity promotes enhanced Na+/K+‐ATPase‐mediated extracellular K+ management during neuronal activity
Authors: Larsen Brian Roland , Holm Rikke , Vilsen Bente , MacAulay Nanna
Published: May 2016

Key points

Management of glutamate and K+ in brain extracellular space is of critical importance to neuronal function.

The astrocytic α2β2 Na+/K+‐ATPase isoform combination is activated by the K+ transients occurring during neuronal activity.

In the present study, we report that glutamate transporter‐mediated astrocytic Na+ transients stimulate the Na+/K+‐ATPase and thus the clearance of extracellular K+.

Specifically, the astrocytic α2β1 Na+/K+‐ATPase subunit combination displays an apparent Na+ affinity primed to react to physiological changes in intracellular Na+.

Accordingly, we demonstrate a distinct physiological role in K+ management for each of the two astrocytic Na+/K+‐ATPase β‐subunits.

Neuronal activity is associated with transient [K+]o increases. The excess K+ is cleared by surrounding astrocytes, partly by the Na+/K+‐ATPase of which several subunit isoform combinations exist. The astrocytic Na+/K+‐ATPase α2β2 isoform constellation responds directly to increased [K+]o but, in addition, Na+/K+‐ATPase‐mediated K+ clearance could be governed by astrocytic [Na+]i. During most neuronal activity, glutamate is released in the synaptic cleft and is re‐absorbed by astrocytic Na+‐coupled glutamate transporters, thereby elevating [Na+]i. It thus remains unresolved whether the different Na+/K+‐ATPase isoforms are controlled by [K+]o or [Na+]i during neuronal activity. Hippocampal slice recordings of stimulus‐induced [K+]o transients with ion‐sensitive microelectrodes revealed reduced Na+/K+‐ATPase‐mediated K+ management upon parallel inhibition of the glutamate transporter. The apparent intracellular Na+ affinity of isoform constellations involving the astrocytic β2 has remained elusive as a result of inherent expression of β1 in most cell systems, as well as technical challenges involved in measuring intracellular affinity in intact cells. We therefore expressed the different astrocytic isoform constellations in Xenopus oocytes and determined their apparent Na+ affinity in intact oocytes and isolated membranes. The Na+/K+‐ATPase was not fully saturated at basal astrocytic [Na+]i, irrespective of isoform constellation, although the β1 subunit conferred lower apparent Na+ affinity to the α1 and α2 isoforms than the β2 isoform. In summary, enhanced astrocytic Na+/K+‐ATPase‐dependent K+ clearance was obtained with parallel glutamate transport activity. The astrocytic Na+/K+‐ATPase isoform constellation α2β1 appeared to be specifically geared to respond to the [Na+]i transients associated with activity‐induced glutamate transporter activity.
Reduction in Auxiliary Energy Consumption in a Solar Adsorption Cooling System by Utilization of Phase Change Materials
Authors: Haghighi Poshtiri Amin , Jafari Azadeh
Published: May 2016

This study investigates the efficiency of application of phase change materials (PCMs) in a solar cooling system. The proposed system consists of an adsorption chiller and a latent heat storage unit (LHSU) containing PCMs. The PCM stores solar energy during daytime and at nighttime, the thermal energy stored in the PCM is utilized to drive the adsorption chiller. An auxiliary heater is also used to provide the required energy in addition to the LHSU. To verify the accuracy of the obtained results, the modeling of the solar adsorption system and the PCM unit are validated separately. Moreover, the whole system performance is verified by evaluation of the conservation of energy in the system. The performance of the system is compared with a similar solar adsorption chiller lacking LHSU. Also, the parameters which affect the performance of the LHSU are studied. It is found that application of LHSU decreases auxiliary energy consumption and increases solar fraction. Solar fraction goes up more if larger amount of PCM is used. However, there exists a maximum mass of PCM which can be charged during the sunshine hours. The maximum chargeable mass of PCM goes up by increasing the solar collector area, which leads to decreasing auxiliary energy consumption and increasing solar fraction. The results also show that enlargement of the hot water storage tank reduces auxiliary energy consumption and enhances solar fraction, but decreases thermal storage efficiency. In order to achieve higher thermal storage efficiency and also less auxiliary energy consumption, it is suggested to use average-sized hot water storage tanks.
Model Tests With a Compliant Cylindrical Structure to Investigate Ice-Induced Vibrations
Authors: Ziemer Gesa , Evers Karl-Ulrich
Published: May 2016

A compliant cylindrical structure has been built and tested in a series of model tests in ice in the Large Ice Model Basin at HSVA. The structure's stiffness in ice plane is higher in ice drift direction than crosswise, enabling the model to vibrate in different geometrical oscillation patterns. In total, four ice sheets have been used to perform tests in different ice thickness, covering a wide range of ice drift velocities between 0.005 and 0.15 m/s in model scale. Several events of ice-induced vibrations were observed throughout the test campaign. Oscillations are found to reach different types of beginning steady states, depending on ice drift velocity and ice thickness. Dynamic amplification of structural response in ice plane as well as ratio of static and dynamic forces is highly dependent on the type of vibration. While the dynamic amplification is highest when the ice load's frequency equals the first natural frequency of the structure, the highest dynamic forces occur when the crushing frequency is an integer fraction of the natural frequency. The paper describes the design of the test setup, instrumentation and calibration, performance and analysis of conducted tests, and general findings.
Synthesis, Characterization, and Tribological Studies of Calcium–Copper–Titanate Nanoparticles as a Biolubricant Additive
Authors: Gupta Rajeev Nayan , Harsha A. P.
Published: May 2016

In the present study, tribological properties of castor oil have been investigated with and/or without use of additives by using four-ball tester. In the base castor oil, calcium–copper–titanate nanoparticles (CCTO) and zinc dialkyldithiophosphate (ZDDP) were added in different concentrations (i.e., 0.1, 0.25, 0.5, and 1.0 w/v%) to study their individual effect on tribological performance. Tribological test results have shown that there is an improvement in the antiwear, extreme-pressure (EP) properties at 0.25 and 1.0 w/v% for both the additives, respectively. However, in the coefficient of friction (COF) test (incipient seizure load), an optimum concentration of 0.5 w/v% was observed for ZDDP additive, whereas CCTO nanoparticles have shown similar level of performance at all concentrations. The worn-out surfaces were analyzed by using different analytical tools.
Performance Analysis of Capillary Compensated Hybrid Journal Bearing by Considering Combined Influence of Thermal Effects and Micropolar Lubricant
Authors: Khatak Pankaj , Garg H. C.
Published: May 2016

The viscous dissipation of micropolar lubricant results in temperature increase of hole-entry hybrid journal bearing. Thermohydrostatic (THS) performance characteristics are computed by the concurrent solution of micropolar Reynolds, micropolar energy, and conduction equations. The results obtained numerically indicate that bearing is significantly affected by increase in temperature. Hence, it is essential to consider the thermal effects for bearing operating with micropolar lubricant to produce realistic bearing characteristic data.
Complete Genome Sequence of a Reference Stock of Simian Immunodeficiency Virus RNA (SIVmac251/32H/L28) Determined by Deep Sequencing
Authors: Jenkins Adrian , Ham Claire , Almond Neil , Berry Neil
Published: May 2016

A reference preparation for simian immunodeficiency virus (SIV) RNA nucleic acid assays was characterized by complete genome deep sequencing. The entire coding sequence and flanking long terminal repeats, including minority species, were determined. This information will inform SIV research investigations and aid evaluation and development of amplification assays for SIV RNA quantification.
Genome Sequence of
Madurella mycetomatis
mm55, Isolated from a Human Mycetoma Case in Sudan
Authors: Smit Sandra , Derks Martijn F. L. , Bervoets Sander , Fahal Ahmed , van Leeuwen Willem , van Belkum Alex , van de Sande Wendy W. J.
Published: May 2016

We present the first genome sequence for a strain of the main mycetoma causative agent,
Madurella mycetomatis
. This 36.7-Mb genome sequence will offer new insights into the pathogenesis of mycetoma, and it will contribute to the development of better therapies for this neglected tropical disease.
Improved High-Quality Draft Genome Sequence of Pseudomonas fluorescens KENGFT3
Authors: Town Jennifer , Cui Nina , Audy Patrice , Boyetchko Sue , Dumonceaux Tim J.
Published: May 2016

Pseudomonas
sp. strain KENGFT3 inhibits the growth of
Phytophthora infestans
and is a potentially useful biopesticide for plant diseases, including potato late blight. We sequenced the 6.2-Mbp genome of this strain and assembled it into a single scaffold with 9 contigs. KENGFT3 is related to previously sequenced strains of
P. fluorescens
.
Complete Genome Sequence of Pseudomonas fluorescens LBUM636, a Strain with Biocontrol Capabilities against Late Blight of Potato
Authors: Morrison Christopher K. , Novinscak Amy , Gadkar Vijay J. , Joly David L. , Filion Martin
Published: May 2016

Herein provided is the full-genome sequence of
Pseudomonas fluorescens
LBUM636. This strain is a plant growth-promoting rhizobacterium (PGPR) which produces phenazine-1-carboxylic acid, an antibiotic involved in the biocontrol of numerous plant pathogens, including late blight of potato caused by the plant pathogen
Phytophthora infestans
.
Effects of deregulation of the driving licence application process on road safety in Korea: an interrupted time-series analysis
Authors: Oh Juhwan , Eun Sang Jun , Kim Hee-Sook
Published: May 2016

Background

Road traffic deaths (RTDs) remain the 9th most common cause of mortality in South Korea despite their decreasing trends in high-income countries. In 2010 and 2011, the Korean government deregulated the process for obtaining a driving licence, and there has been significant concern that such deregulation of the driving licence policy could reduce road safety. This study aimed to explore the effects of the deregulation of driving licence policy on road safety by examining the incidence of road traffic collisions (RTCs), road traffic injuries (RTIs) and RTDs.

Methods

The monthly incidence of RTCs, RTIs and RTDs was generated by using numbers of RTCs, RTIs and RTDs as numerators and numbers of registered vehicles as denominators. Changes in incidence since the deregulation implementation in February 2010 (phase I) and June 2011 (phase II) were evaluated via interrupted time-series analysis.

Results

The second deregulation phase demonstrated significant changes in numbers of RTCs and RTIs: numbers of RTCs and RTIs decreased until they began to increase in November 2011. Since then, the monthly incidence of RTCs and RTIs have increased by 133.5 and 123.8 per 100 000 vehicles per month, respectively (p<0.05). RTD secular trends began to increase consecutively at rates of 0.024 (June 2010), 0.018 (between July 2010 and June 2011) and 0.273 (July 2011 onward) per 100 000 vehicles per month. Over the entire study period, the RTD incidence rate increased by 0.018 deaths per month on average subsequent to the first deregulation phase (p<0.05).

Conclusions

The deregulation policies that simplified the driving licence process were associated with increased incidence of RTCs, RTIs and RTDs in Korea.
Influence of Hudson Bay on the carbon dynamics of a Hudson Bay Lowlands coastal site
Authors: Delidjakova Kristina K. , Bello Richard L. , Higuchi Kaz , Pokharel Bipin
Published: May 2016

Eddy covariance (EC) estimates of net ecosystem exchange (NEE) and the surface energy balance were gathered from an elevated peat plateau within the Hudson Bay Lowlands near Churchill, Manitoba, Canada (58°43′46″N, 93°49′57″W) during the growing season of 2007. Data were segregated into onshore and offshore wind regimes to assess the advective influence of the generally cold and moist Hudson Bay air masses compared to generally warm and dry air masses of nonmarine origin. Monthly average NEE ranged from an uptake of 0.2 µmol·m−2·s−1in September to 5.6 µmol·m−2·s−1in July. Over the growing season, onshore winds from Hudson Bay contributed to an average 4.2 °C reduction in air temperature and an NEE increase of 27%. When normalized with respect to sunlight receipt, the ratio of gross primary production to photosynthetically active radiation (GPP/PAR) was 26% stronger for offshore regimes than for onshore, while the ratio of ecosystem respiration to PAR (ER/PAR) was 71% stronger for offshore regimes. It was concluded that GPP maintains the same strength for both wind regimes, while ER is significantly stronger for offshore regimes, resulting in reduced NEE capacity during periods when winds originate from inland.
Cyclic covering of a module over an Artinian ring
Authors: dos Santos Otávio J. N. T. N. , Nakaoka Irene N.
Published: May 2016

Given a commutative ring with identity [Formula: see text] and an [Formula: see text]-module [Formula: see text], a subset [Formula: see text] of [Formula: see text] is a cyclic covering of [Formula: see text], if this module is the union of the cyclic submodules [Formula: see text], where [Formula: see text]. Such covering is said to be irredundant, if no proper subset of [Formula: see text] is a cyclic covering of [Formula: see text]. In this work, an irredundant cyclic covering of [Formula: see text] is constructed for every Artinian commutative ring [Formula: see text]. As a consequence, a cyclic covering of minimal cardinality of [Formula: see text] is obtained for every finite commutative ring [Formula: see text], extending previous results in the literature.
Water Scarcity and Irrigation Efficiency in Egypt
Authors: Osman Rehab , Ferrari Emanuele , McDonald Scott
Published: May 2016

This study provides quantitative assessments of the impacts of efficiency enhancement for different types of irrigation water under water scarcity conditions. It employs a single country CGE (STAGE 2) model calibrated to an extended version of a recently constructed SAM for Egypt 2008/09. The SAM segments the agricultural accounts by season and by irrigation scheme, including Nile- and groundwater-dependent as well as rain-fed agricultural activities. The simulations show that Egypt should manage potential reductions in the supply of Nile water with more efficient irrigation practices which increase the productivity of Nile water, groundwater and irrigated land. The results suggest a more ambitious plan to boost irrigation efficiency for summer rice would be desirable in order to outweigh any potential shrinkage in output and exports. Furthermore, even doubling all non-conventional water resources is not sufficient to compensate the potential adverse impacts of Nile water losses. This highlights the importance of irrigation efficiency for the Egyptian economy.
Identification of intestinal ion transport defects in microvillus inclusion disease
Authors: Kravtsov Dmitri V. , Ahsan Md Kaimul , Kumari Vandana , van Ijzendoorn Sven C. D. , Reyes-Mugica Miguel , Kumar Anoop , Gujral Tarunmeet , Dudeja Pradeep K. , Ameen Nadia A.
Published: May 2016

Loss of function mutations in the actin motor myosin Vb (Myo5b) lead to microvillus inclusion disease (MVID) and death in newborns and children. MVID results in secretory diarrhea, brush border (BB) defects, villus atrophy, and microvillus inclusions (MVIs) in enterocytes. How loss of Myo5b results in increased stool loss of chloride (Cl−) and sodium (Na+) is unknown. The present study used Myo5b loss-of-function human MVID intestine, polarized intestinal cell models of secretory crypt (T84) and villus resembling (CaCo2BBe, C2BBe) enterocytes lacking Myo5b in conjunction with immunofluorescence confocal stimulated emission depletion (gSTED) imaging, immunohistochemical staining, transmission electron microscopy, shRNA silencing, immunoblots, and electrophysiological approaches to examine the distribution, expression, and function of the major BB ion transporters NHE3 (Na+), CFTR (Cl−), and SLC26 A3 (DRA) (Cl−/HCO3−) that control intestinal fluid transport. We hypothesized that enterocyte maturation defects lead villus atrophy with immature secretory cryptlike enterocytes in the MVID epithelium. We investigated the role of Myo5b in enterocyte maturation. NHE3 and DRA localization and function were markedly reduced on the BB membrane of human MVID enterocytes and Myo5bKD C2BBe cells, while CFTR localization was preserved. Forskolin-stimulated CFTR ion transport in Myo5bKD T84 cells resembled that of control. Loss of Myo5b led to YAP1 nuclear retention, retarded enterocyte maturation, and a cryptlike phenotype. We conclude that preservation of functional CFTR in immature enterocytes, reduced functional expression of NHE3, and DRA contribute to Cl−and Na+stool loss in MVID diarrhea.