bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Two Coordination Polymers Constructed from Pentanuclear Zinc Clusters with Triazolate and Benzenecarboxylate Ligands: Selective Gas Adsorption
Authors: Zhang Wen-Wen , Wang Yu-Ling , Liu Ying , Liu Qing-Yan
Published: November 2017

Reactions of Zn(NO3)2·6H2O with 1,2,4-triazole (Htrz) and 1,3,5-benzenetricarboxylic acid (H3BTC) or 5-sulfoisophthalic acid (5-H3SIP) afforded two coordination polymers, {[Zn5(μ3-OH)2(trz)2(BTC)2(DMF)2]·x(solvent)}n (1) and {[Zn7(trz)8(5-SIP)2(H2O)4]·4(H2O)}n (2). Compound 1 has pentanuclear [Zn5(μ3-OH)2] clusters, which are linked by the triazolate ligands to give a 2D layer. The 2D layer is further bridged by BTC3− ligands to form a 3D framework. The 3D framework of 1 has 1D channels filled by solvent molecules. Desolvated 1 shows a moderate CO2 uptake and high CO2/CH4 and CO2/N2 adsorption selectivities due to its carboxylate oxygen decorated pore environment. Compound 2 contains a rare 3D zinc-triazolate framework constructed from a pentanuclear [Zn5(trz)8] cluster wherein the five zinc atoms are arranged linearly. The 3D zinc-triazolate substructure has 1D open channels filled by 5-SIP3− ligands, which interact with the zinc-triazolate framework through Zn–O bonds, leading to a non-porous 3D structure of 2. Introduction of BTC3− into the zinc-triazolate system gave the porous structure of 1. While a variation of BTC3−, 5-SIP3− was introduced into the zinc-triazolate system yielding a non-porous structure of 2, demonstrating that the secondary ligands play an important role in the formation of the final structures.
Spiritual Care of the Woman Physician: Insights from Edith Stein and the Catholic Tradition
Authors: Laurel Jane Dominic
Published: November 2017

In the face of physician stress, burn-out, divorce, and suicide, the spiritual care of the Catholic woman physician must be addressed. Employing the insights of Edith Stein and the Catholic tradition, this article presents both theoretical propositions and practical applications regarding the three primary spheres of the woman physician's life: the spiritual, the familial, and the professional. Since woman's ultimate vocation is union with God through self-gift, prayer must occupy a central place in her life. Because she is wife and mother, family relationships must be given priority over the professional activity that is also her inestimable gift to humanity.
Linear synthesis of the Chol-1 ganglioside core tetrasaccharide and disialyl T antigen glycan using a 5-ureido-sialyl donor
Authors: Tanase Maiko , Imamura Akihiro , Ando Hiromune , Kiso Makoto , Ishida Hideharu
Published: November 2017

Herein we describe the linear synthesis of a tetrasaccharyl sialoglycan found in both the Chol-1 ganglioside core and disialyl T antigen. The synthesis featured sialylation with a C5-ureido-modified sialyl donor followed by selective isolation of the desired α-sialoside via 1,5-lactamization. This methodology enables the linear synthesis of sialoglycans and provides practical access to biologically important carbohydrate molecules.
Beyond Bull: The Social Myth of International Society
Authors: Griffiths Martin
Published: November 2017

The concept of a society of states has been at the core of a cold war, the late Hedley Bull argued that the organisation of international society constituted a middle way between the extremes of anarchy and global governance and was to be valued as such. A decade after his death and five years after the cold war, the contemporary resurgence of interest in the concept and its invocation amongst scholars concerned with novel problems of world order is taking place against the backround of dramatic processes of globalisation and fragmentation in world politics. This article argues that such processes raise grave doubts as to the analytic utility of the domestic/interstate distinction, and that Bull's approach to the problem of international order is hampered by his failure to transcend the false dichotomy between political theory and International Relations.

The function of social myth has always been to restrict the area in which practical reasoning can operate for human improvement, by representing the particular social arrangements of particular societies as part of the natural order of things. Practical reason becomes innovative in human affairs when it demands reasons for practices so represented (Stuart Hampshire 1990, 57)
Developing Small Business Networks in New Zealand
Authors: Goldfinch Shaun , Perry Martin
Published: November 2017

There is increasing interest in the role cooperative networks can play in small business development. Networking is an acknowledged characteristic of successful industrial districts and northeast Asian economies. However, in a number of countries public agencies and others have also attempted to promote small business networking. This paper examines a number of small business networking initiatives in New Zealand. Firstly, evidence from a survey of three network promoting small business associations based in three different cities is examined and a number of different ways the agencies could deliver their services are suggested. Secondly, two networking initiatives by the New Zealand Trade Development Board are considered. It is concluded that individual networking initiatives need to be developed and evaluated as part of a broad policy push to facilitate the development of an environment more conducive to small business cooperation.
The West Review: New Right Ideology for Universities
Authors: Hunt Ian
Published: November 2017

As a conservative John Gray deplores the impact of the New Right ideology adopted by the British Conservative Party on the ongoing culture of British society. While not sharing his belief that political action can only aspire to warding off evils, this paper explores the corrosive impact of New Right ideology on the ethos of the university sector in Australia. In essence, New Right ideology would have universities ape business manners, charging customers for its services and discarding university forms of employee self-management based on academic freedom and collegiate governance, so as to cut the cost of university expansion to a minimum and maximise its industry pay-offs. This paper argues that corporatized and market oriented universities will be unable to sustain access to all on the basis of ability, or sustain self-directed research and teaching, which are essential for a vibrant and creative university.
From Mates to Markets: Australian Sister City Type Relationships
Authors: O'Toole Kevin
Published: November 2017

There has been little research into sister-city type relationships (SCTRs) in Australia especially at the local government level. This paper begins to address the issue by discussing the framework within which SCTRs have operated. First the paper outlines the three main aspects of SCTRs; the associative, the reciprocative and the commercial. It argues that associative relationships are based upon notions of international friendship, cultural exchange and a general international awareness while reciprocative relationships involve the growth of an international educational exchange system. The newer commercial factor emphasises the importance of local economic development. Secondly, the paper discusses these three elements in the context of a survey conducted in 1999 of local governments involved in SCTRs in Australia. The paper concludes by arguing that the debate over the role of SCTRs in Australia has now begun to emerge as a real issue for local governments.
A Brief History of Commonwealth Sustainable Development Policy Discourse
Authors: Howes Michael
Published: November 2017

This article argues that although the discourse of sustainable development initially had some potential to protect the environment, it has been systematically redefined at the national level to protect the power of business and the state Instead. The process involved the progressive restriction of public debate in consultation forums and a clever manipulation of language in successive policy documents. The paper begins with an exploration of the broader concept outlined in the 1987 Brundtland report. The Commonwealth's policy response is then tracked from Hawke's 1989 Ecologically Sustainable Development (ESD) statement, through the ESD Working Groups and National Strategy, to Local Agenda 21, the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Act 1999, and the Productivity Commission's report into ESD implementation.
Eliminating Welfare Dependency Not Poverty
Authors: Mendes Philip
Published: November 2017

This article examines the ideological assumptions behind the Howard Government's welfare reform strategy. Critical attention is drawn to concepts such as welfare dependency and mutual obligation, which have ensured a focus on individual rather than structural solutions. In addition, the global context of welfare reform is explored with particular reference to the role of US welfare reform guru Lawrence Mead. Overall, both the policy process and content of welfare reform are identified as a means of legitimising pre-existing government neo-liberal agendas.
Equivariant maps into Anti-de Sitter space and the symplectic geometry of ℍ²×ℍ²
Authors: Bonsante Francesco , Seppi Andrea
Published: November 2017

Given two Fuchsian representations

ρ
l

\rho _l

and

ρ
r

\rho _r

of the fundamental group of a closed oriented surface

S
S

of genus

≥
2

\geq 2

, we study the relation between Lagrangian submanifolds of
<mml:math xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" alttext="upper M Subscript rho Baseline equals left-parenthesis double-struck upper H squared slash rho Subscript l Baseline left-parenthesis pi 1 left-parenthesis upper S right-parenthesis right-parenthesis right-parenthesis times left-parenthesis double-struck upper H squared slash rho Subscript r Baseline left-parenthesis pi 1 left-parenthesis upper S right-parenthesis right-parenthesis right-parenthesis">

M
ρ

=
(

H

2

/

ρ
l

(

π
1

(
S
)
)
)
×
(

H

2

/

ρ
r

(

π
1

(
S
)
)
)

M_\rho =(\mathbb {H}^2/\rho _l(\pi _1(S)))\times (\mathbb {H}^2/\rho _r(\pi _1(S)))

and

ρ
\rho

-equivariant embeddings

σ
\sigma

of

S
~

\widetilde S

into Anti-de Sitter space, where

ρ
=
(

ρ
l

,

ρ
r

)

\rho =(\rho _l,\rho _r)

is the corresponding representation into

P
S
L

2

R

×

P
S
L

2

R

\mathrm {PSL}_2\mathbb R\times \mathrm {PSL}_2\mathbb R

. It is known that, if

σ
\sigma

is a maximal embedding, then its Gauss map takes values in the unique minimal Lagrangian submanifold

Λ

M
L

\Lambda _{\mathrm {ML}}

of

M
ρ

M_\rho

.

We show that, given any

ρ
\rho

-equivariant embedding

σ
\sigma

, its Gauss map gives a Lagrangian submanifold Hamiltonian isotopic to

Λ

M
L

\Lambda _{\mathrm {ML}}

. Conversely, any Lagrangian submanifold Hamiltonian isotopic to

Λ

M
L

\Lambda _{\mathrm {ML}}

is associated to some equivariant embedding into the future unit tangent bundle of the universal cover of Anti-de Sitter space.
Golgi stress–induced transcriptional changes mediated by MAPK signaling and three ETS transcription factors regulate MCL1 splicing
Authors: Baumann Jan , Ignashkova Tatiana I. , Chirasani Sridhar R. , Ramírez-Peinado Silvia , Alborzinia Hamed , Gendarme Mathieu , Kuhnigk Kyra , Kramer Valentin , Lindemann Ralph K. , Reiling Jan H.
Published: November 2017

The secretory pathway is a major determinant of cellular homoeostasis. While research into secretory stress signaling has so far mostly focused on the endoplasmic reticulum (ER), emerging data suggest that the Golgi itself serves as an important signaling hub capable of initiating stress responses. To systematically identify novel Golgi stress mediators, we performed a transcriptomic analysis of cells exposed to three different pharmacological compounds known to elicit Golgi fragmentation: brefeldin A, golgicide A, and monensin. Subsequent gene-set enrichment analysis revealed a significant contribution of the ETS family transcription factors ELK1, GABPA/B, and ETS1 to the control of gene expression following compound treatment. Induction of Golgi stress leads to a late activation of the ETS upstream kinases MEK1/2 and ERK1/2, resulting in enhanced ETS factor activity and the transcription of ETS family target genes related to spliceosome function and cell death induction via alternate MCL1 splicing. Further genetic analyses using loss-of-function and gain-of-function experiments suggest that these transcription factors operate in parallel.
The meiosis-specific Cdc20 family-member Ama1 promotes binding of the Ssp2 activator to the Smk1 MAP kinase
Authors: Omerza Gregory , Tio Chong Wai , Philips Timothy , Diamond Aviva , Neiman Aaron M. , Winter Edward
Published: November 2017

Smk1 is a meiosis-specific MAP kinase (MAPK) in budding yeast that is required for spore formation. It is localized to prospore membranes (PSMs), the structures that engulf haploid cells during meiosis II (MII). Similar to canonically activated MAPKs, Smk1 is controlled by phosphorylation of its activation-loop threonine (T) and tyrosine (Y). However, activation loop phosphorylation occurs via a noncanonical two-step mechanism in which 1) the cyclin-dependent kinase activating kinase Cak1 phosphorylaytes T207 during MI, and 2) Smk1 autophosphorylates Y209 as MII draws to a close. Autophosphorylation of Y209 and catalytic activity for substrates require Ssp2, a meiosis-specific protein that is translationally repressed until anaphase of MII. Ama1 is a meiosis-specific targeting subunit of the anaphase-promoting complex/cyclosome that regulates multiple steps in meiotic development, including exit from MII. Here, we show that Ama1 activates autophosphorylation of Smk1 on Y209 by promoting formation of the Ssp2/Smk1 complex at PSMs. These findings link meiotic exit to Smk1 activation and spore wall assembly.
Central and peripheral slow-pressor mechanisms contributing to Angiotensin II-salt hypertension in rats
Authors: Lu Jiao , Wang Hong-Wei , Ahmad Monir , Keshtkar-Jahromi Marzieh , Blaustein Mordecai P , Hamlyn John M , Leenen Frans H H
Published: November 2017

Aims

High salt intake markedly enhances hypertension induced by angiotensin II (Ang II). We explored central and peripheral slow-pressor mechanisms which may be activated by Ang II and salt.

Methods and results

In protocol I, Wistar rats were infused subcutaneously with low-dose Ang II (150 ng/kg/min) and fed regular (0.4%) or high salt (2%) diet for 14 days. In protocol II, Ang II-high salt was combined with intracerebroventricular infusion of mineralocorticoid receptor (MR) blockers (eplerenone, spironolactone), epithelial sodium channel (ENaC) blocker (benzamil), angiotensin II type 1 receptor (AT1R) blocker (losartan) or vehicles. Ang II alone raised mean arterial pressure (MAP) ∼10 mmHg, but Ang II-high salt increased MAP ∼50 mmHg. Ang II-high salt elevated plasma corticosterone, aldosterone and endogenous ouabain but not Ang II alone. Both Ang II alone and Ang II-high salt increased mRNA and protein expression of CYP11B2 (aldosterone synthase gene) in the adrenal cortex but not of CYP11B1 (11-β-hydroxylase gene). In the aorta, Ang II-high salt increased sodium-calcium exchanger-1 (NCX1) protein. The Ang II-high salt induced increase in MAP was largely prevented by central infusion of MR blockers, benzamil or losartan. Central blockades significantly lowered plasma aldosterone and endogenous ouabain and markedly decreased Ang II-high salt induced CYP11B2 mRNA expression in the adrenal cortex and NCX1 protein in the aorta.

Conclusion

These results suggest that in Ang II-high salt hypertension, MR-ENaC-AT1R signalling in the brain increases circulating aldosterone and endogenous ouabain, and arterial NCX1. These factors can amplify blood pressure responses to centrally-induced sympatho-excitation and thereby contribute to severe hypertension.
HOMINID: a framework for identifying associations between host genetic variation and microbiome composition
Authors: Lynch Joshua , Tang Karen , Priya Sambhawa , Sands Joanna , Sands Margaret , Tang Evan , Mukherjee Sayan , Knights Dan , Blekhman Ran
Published: November 2017

Recent studies have uncovered a strong effect of host genetic variation on the composition of host-associated microbiota. Here, we present HOMINID, a computational approach based on Lasso linear regression, that given host genetic variation and microbiome taxonomic composition data, identifies host single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) that are correlated with microbial taxa abundances. Using simulated data, we show that HOMINID has accuracy in identifying associated SNPs and performs better compared with existing methods. We also show that HOMINID can accurately identify the microbial taxa that are correlated with associated SNPs. Lastly, by using HOMINID on real data of human genetic variation and microbiome composition, we identified 13 human SNPs in which genetic variation is correlated with microbiome taxonomic composition across body sites. In conclusion, HOMINID is a powerful method to detect host genetic variants linked to microbiome composition and can facilitate discovery of mechanisms controlling host-microbiome interactions.
Depletion of recombination-specific cofactors by the C-terminal mutant of the activation-induced cytidine deaminase causes the dominant negative effect on class switch recombination
Authors: Al Ismail Azza , Husain Afzal , Kobayashi Maki , Honjo Tasuku , Begum Nasim A
Published: November 2017

Activation-induced cytidine deaminase (AID) is essential for class-switch recombination (CSR) and somatic hypermutation (SHM) of immunoglobulin genes. Studies on in vitro mutagenized AID as well as its mutations in human patients with hyper-IgM (HIGM)-syndrome type II revealed that C-terminal AID mutations were defective in CSR whereas their DNA cleavage and SHM activities remained intact. The C-terminal mutants of AID were speculated to exert the dominant negative effect on wild-type (WT) AID whereas its mechanism remains unknown. We generated the JP41 (R190X) mutation in one allele and a null mutation on the other allele in a mouse B cell line (CH12F3-2A) using CRISPR/Cas9 genome-editing tools and studied the effect of JP41 expression on the function of exogenously introduced WT AID fused with estrogen receptor (AIDER) in AIDJP41/∆/AIDER CH12F3-2A cells. We found that JP41 expression strongly suppressed not only CSR but also Igh/c-Myc chromosomal translocations by AIDER. We showed that the dominant negative effect is not evident at the DNA cleavage step but obvious at both deletional and inversional recombination steps. We also confirmed the dominant negative effect of other C-terminal mutants, JP8Bdel (R183X) and P20 (34-aa insertion at residue 182) in AID-deficient spleen B cells. Finally, we showed that the expression of JP41 reduced the binding of AIDER with its cofactors (hnRNP L, SERBP1 and hnRNP U). Together, these data indicate that dominant negative effect of JP41 on CSR is likely due to the depletion of the CSR-specific RNA-binding proteins from WT AID.
Transitional Care Experience in Home Health: Exposing Students to Care Transitions Through Scenarios and Simulation
Authors: Ellis Diane M. , Meakim Colleen , Prieto Patricia , O’Connor Melissa
Published: November 2017

Chronically ill older adults are at risk for avoidable adverse events especially during care transitions, the transfer to one care setting or one level of care to another. Because of the expected increase in the older adult population, increased demand for transitional care is anticipated. Despite the consistent call for expanded competencies in care transitions, nursing education has not incorporated these concepts into nursing curricula. To fill this gap, Villanova University developed patient care scenarios and simulations incorporating standardized patients to demonstrate the needs, risks, and potential complications associated with transitioning patients from acute care to home.
Increasing Nursing Students’ Knowledge of Autism Spectrum Disorder by Using a Standardized Patient
Authors: McIntosh Constance E. , Thomas Cynthia M. , Wilczynski Susan , McIntosh David E.
Published: November 2017

Nursing students participated in a simulation using a standardized patient role-playing an adolescent with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). The researchers used student feedback to develop and improve a simulation aimed at increasing learner skills and knowledge for treating ASD patients. Students indicated that the standardized patient provided realism not obtained when using static manikins or high-fidelity simulators. Students strongly agreed or agreed that classroom instruction prior to the simulation was important to increasing their knowledge of ASD. Overall, the simulation provided students an opportunity to practice and develop their clinical skills in caring for patients with ASD.
Nursing Humanities: Teaching for a Sense of Salience
Authors: Lim Fidelindo , Marsaglia Matthew John
Published: November 2017

Reports have indicated that nursing programs in the United States are not generally effective in teaching nursing science, natural science, the social sciences, and the humanities. The value of the lifelong study of humanities for nurses is the invitation for contemplation on the human experience so we can make informed moral, spiritual, and intellectual sense of the world. In essence, when we understand, we become more empathetic. This article adds to the call for teaching for a sense of salience in nursing through the meaningful synthesis of humanities in baccalaureate education.
Transforming Nursing Education: A Call for a Conceptual Approach
Authors: Feller Frederica
Published: November 2017

In an effort to meet the changing landscape of the health care system and the explosion of nursing knowledge, the Institute of Medicine and the Robert Wood Johnston Foundation have summoned nursing academia to partner on curriculum development with an emphasis on the professional socialization of the new nurse. As health care continues to change, the education of nurses must also evolve to meet these changes. Curriculum transformation is needed at nearly every aspect of health care. This policy statement will explore these challenges and the transformation in nursing education required to meet them.
Can Clinical Simulation Increase Confidence Levels in Performing Postpartum Care in a Diverse Group of Baccalaureate Nursing Students?
Authors: Germain Michelle , O’Leary-Kelley Colleen , Goyal Deepika , Anand Sulekha
Published: November 2017

Nursing duties are often sensitive in nature and may contribute to feelings of inadequacy for students, especially when providing postpartum care. Our study assessed confidence levels among 61 junior baccalaureate nursing students before and after a simulation workshop with a follow-up survey administered after completion of two full clinical days on a postpartum unit. The four-hour simulation included stations for breast, fundus, and lochia exam skills. Overall confidence and confidence in performing patient assessments were significantly increased at postsimulation and follow-up (p < .001), demonstrating the efficacy of the simulation.
Effects of a System Thinking-Based Simulation Program for Congestive Heart Failure
Authors: Kim Hyeon-Young , Yun Eun Kyoung
Published: November 2017

This study evaluated a system thinking–based simulation program for the care of patients with congestive heart failure. Participants were 67 undergraduate nursing students from a nursing college in Seoul, South Korea. The experimental group was given a 4-hour system-thinking program and a 2-hour simulation program, whereas the control group had a 4-hour case study and a 2-hour simulation program. There were significant improvements in critical thinking in both groups, but no significant group differences between educational methods (F = 3.26, P = .076). Problem-solving ability in the experimental group was significantly higher than in the control group (F = 5.04, P = .028). Clinical competency skills in the experimental group were higher than in the control group (t = 2.12, P = .038). A system thinking–based simulation program is a more effective learning method in terms of problem-solving ability and clinical competency skills compared to the existing simulation program. Further research using a longitudinal study is needed to test the long-term effect of the intervention and apply it to the nursing curriculum.
A Preliminary Observational Study of Anovulatory Uterine Bleeding After Aneurysmal Subarachnoid Hemorrhage
Authors: Brown Suzanne M. , Fifield Susan W. , Pizzi Michael A. , Alejos David , Richie Alexa N. , Dinh Tri A. , Cheshire William P. , Meek Shon E. , Freeman William D.
Published: November 2017

Introduction: It was observed that women with aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (aSAH) tended to have earlier menses than a typical 21- to 28-day cycle. The goal was to determine whether there is an association between aSAH and early onset of menses. Methods: All cases of aSAH in women aged 18 to 55 years who were admitted to our facility’s neuroscience intensive care unit from June 1, 2011, to June 30, 2012, were reviewed. The electronic healthcare record for each of these patients was examined for documentation of menses onset, computed tomography of the head, brain aneurysm characteristics, modified Fisher score and Glasgow Coma Scale on admission, presence/absence of vasospasm, medical/surgical history, and use of medications that affect the menstrual cycle. The mean onset of menses in this study population was compared with the mean of 21 to 28 days with the 1-sample t test. Results: During the study period, 103 patients with subarachnoid hemorrhage were admitted. Sixty-one were women, and 15 were aged 18 to 55 years. Nine of the 15 (60%) had documentation of menses occurring during their initial week of hospitalization; 1 patient had documentation of menses on hospital day 12. There is a significant difference when the mean onset of menses in our patient population is compared with the approximate normal menstrual cycle of 21 to 28 days (P < .01). Conclusion: Early onset of menses or abnormal uterine bleeding after SAH may occur in women with aSAH and typically within the first 7 to 10 days after intracranial aneurysm rupture. The physiologic cause of early onset of menses after aSAH, whether primary or secondary, remains unknown.
Patient, Injury, Assessment, and Treatment Characteristics and Return-to-Play Timelines After Sport-Related Concussion: An Investigation from the Athletic Training Practice-Based Research Network
Authors: Valovich McLeod Tamara C. , Kostishak Nicholas , Anderson Barton E. , Welch Bacon Cailee E. , Lam Kenneth C.
Published: November 2017

Objectives:

To describe the patient, injury, assessment and treatment characteristics, as well as return-to-play timelines and clinical findings at discharge for adolescent patients after sport-related concussion.

Design:

Retrospective analysis of electronic medical records.

Setting:

Athletic training facilities of secondary school members of the Athletic Training Practice-Based Research Network (AT-PBRN).

Patients:

In total, 1886 patient records were reviewed. [1204 (63.8%) male, 682 (36.2%) female, age = 15.3 ± 1.9 years, height = 169.5 ± 13.5 cm, mass = 70.3 ± 17.0 kg]. Patients were diagnosed with a concussion by an athletic trainer or team/directing physician.

Interventions:

None.

Main Outcome Measures:

Descriptive analysis of patient, injury, assessment, treatment, and participation status characteristics, as well as discharge information.

Results:

Injury demographic forms were completed for 1886 concussion cases. A concussion-specific evaluation form was completed for 55.9% (n = 1054) of cases. Treatment documentation was completed on 829 patients (44.0% of initial documented cases). Discharge forms were completed for 750 patients (40.0% of initial documented cases). Most cases were coded as 850.9-Concussion (85.5%, n = 642) and occurred during an in-season game (49.4%, n = 308). Time lost from competition was 24.9 ± 39.9 days.

Conclusions:

Most concussion cases documented in this study were not on-field emergencies, as indicated by their normal clinical examinations and the lack of immediate referral to an emergency department. However, certain aspects of the clinical examination were often not assessed during the initial evaluation. These findings describe concussion assessment and recovery in adolescents and reinforce the need for a standardized approach to concussion assessment and appropriate documentation.
Helicobacter pylori infection is positively associated with an increased BMI, irrespective of socioeconomic status and other confounders: a cohort study
Authors: Suki Mohamad , Leibovici Weissman Yaara , Boltin Doron , Itskoviz David , Tsadok Perets Tsachi , Comaneshter Doron , Cohen Arnon , Niv Yaron , Dotan Iris , Leibovitzh Haim , Levi Zohar
Published: November 2017

Background

Data on the association of Helicobacter pylori infection and BMI are conflicting. The fact that both H. pylori infection and BMI are associated with low socioeconomic status (SES) makes this relationship difficult to characterize.

Materials and methods

We aimed to evaluate the association between BMI and H. pylori infection after adjusting for multiple covariates. We analyzed a cohort of 235 107 individuals aged 18 years or older, who performed a 13C urease breath test (13C-UBT), from 2007 to 2014. Data on BMI, age, sex, SES, ethnicity, and medications were extracted from a nationwide population-based database. BMIs were classified according to the WHO recommendations: underweight (<18.5 kg/m2), normal weight (18.5–24.9 kg/m2), overweight (25–29.9 kg/m2), obese class I (30–34.9 kg/m2), and obese class II or more (>35 kg/m2).

Study results

The positivity rate for H. pylori among underweight, normal weight, overweight, and obese class I and class II or more was 55.6, 58.5, 63.0, 64.5, and 65.5%, respectively (P<0.001, P
linear trend 0.007). The association between BMI and H. pylori infection was significant across all SES, sex, ethnicity, and age categories. After adjusting for age, sex, ethnicity, and SES, being overweight and obese class I and class II or more were associated significantly with H. pylori positivity: odds ratio 1.13 [95% confidence interval (CI): 1.11–1.15], 1.14 (95% CI: 1.11–1.17), and 1.15 (95% CI: 1.11–1.19), respectively, P value less than 0.001 for all.

Conclusion

Among individuals who were referred to a 13C-UBT by primary care physician, after adjusting for multiple covariates including SES, we found a positive association between H. pylori infection and an increased BMI.
Fluorine-18-fluorodeoxyglucose uptake of bone marrow on PET/CT can predict prognosis in patients with colorectal cancer after curative surgical resection
Authors: Lee Jeong Won , Baek Moo-Jun , Ahn Tae Sung , Lee Sang Mi
Published: November 2017

Objective

This study investigated the relationship of fluorine-18-fluorodeoxyglucose (18F-FDG) uptake of bone marrow (BM) on PET/computed tomography (PET/CT) with clinicopathologic factors and survival in patients with colorectal cancer.

Patients and methods

The study retrospectively included 226 patients with colorectal cancer who underwent 18F-FDG PET/CT for staging workup and treated with curative surgical resection. The maximum 18F-FDG uptake of primary cancer (T
max) and mean 18F-FDG uptake of BM [BM standardized uptake value (SUV)] were derived from PET/CT images. The relationships between BM SUV and clinicopathologic factors and prognostic value of BM SUV for predicting recurrence-free survival (RFS) were assessed.

Results

Patients with T3–T4 stage and hepatic metastases had significantly higher values of BM SUV than those with T1–T2 stage and no distant metastases (P<0.05). BM SUV showed significant positive correlation with T
max, tumor size, serum C-reactive protein level, white blood cell count, neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio, and platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio (P<0.05). Univariate survival analysis revealed that N stage, M stage, tumor involvement of resection margin, lymphatic invasion, and BM SUV were significant predictors for RFS (P<0.05), whereas T
max failed to show significance. In multivariate analysis, N stage (P=0.012 for N1 stage and P=0.020 for N2 stage), tumor involvement of resection margin (P=0.009), and BM SUV (P=0.005) were significantly associated with RFS.

Conclusion

Increased BM SUV was observed in patients with advanced stage and increased serum inflammatory markers. BM SUV was an independent predictor for RFS in colorectal cancer.
Image Quality and Geometric Distortion of Modern Diffusion-Weighted Imaging Sequences in Magnetic Resonance Imaging of the Prostate
Authors: Stocker Daniel , Manoliu Andrei , Becker Anton S. , Barth Borna K. , Nanz Daniel , Klarhöfer Markus , Donati Olivio F.
Published: November 2017

Purpose

The aim of this study was to compare qualitative and quantitative image quality and geometric distortion of 4 magnetic resonance diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) sequences of the prostate using comparable imaging parameters and similar acquisition times.

Methods and Materials

Axial T2-weighted turbo spin echo images and axial DWI echo-planar imaging (EPI) sequences, including single-shot spin-echo (ss-EPI), readout-segmented multishot (rs-EPI), selective excitation–reduced field of view (sTX-EPI), and prototype single-shot technique applying slice-specific shimming (iShim-EPI) sequences, were acquired at 3 T in 10 healthy volunteers (mean age, 26.1 ± 3.8 years; body mass index, 23.2 ± 3.0 kg/m2). Two radiologists, blinded to the type of DWI, independently rated DWIs on a 5-point Likert scale regarding subjective image quality features (resolution, demarcation of prostate capsule, zonal anatomy). Interreader agreement was assessed using the intraclass correlation coefficient. Signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) and apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) values were assessed separately in the peripheral and transitional zone. For the analysis of geometric distortion, the diameter of the prostate from left to right and from anterior to posterior was measured at the level of the verumontanum on b-1000 DWIs and on T2-weighted turbo spin echo images. Differences were compared using the Wilcoxon rank sum test for qualitative parameters, analysis of variance, and Friedman test for quantitative parameters. A P value of less than 0.05 was considered significant, with correction for multiple comparisons.

Results

Interreader agreement was good to excellent (intraclass correlation coefficient, 0.71–0.79) for all qualitative features. Subjective image quality regarding “resolution” was significantly better for ss-EPI than rs-EPI (mean Likert score, 4.25 vs 3.8; P = 0.031) and sTX-EPI (4.25 vs 3.3; P = 0.046) and for iShim-EPI as compared with rs-EPI (4.4 vs 3.8; P = 0.031) and sTX-EPI (4.4 vs 3.3; P = 0.047). There was no significant difference regarding capsule demarcation and zonal anatomy. Signal-to-noise ratio was significantly higher in iShim-EPI than sTX-EPI (SNR ± standard deviation [SD], 28.13 ± 8.21 vs 14.96 ± 2.4; P = 0.015). The ADC values were lower for the peripheral zone in the sTX-EPI than in the ss-EPI (ADC ± SD, 1002.94 ± 83.51 vs 1165.05 ± 115.64; P = 0.013) and the rs-EPI (1002.94 ± 83.51 vs 1244.40 ± 89.95; P = 0.0012) and in the transitional zone in the sTX-EPI compared with the rs-EPI (874.50 ± 200.72 vs 1261.47 ± 179.23; P = 0.0021). There were no statistically significant differences in geometric distortion between all DWI sequences.

Conclusions

Single-shot spin-echo EPI and iShim-EPI showed a tendency toward superior image quality and SNR compared with rs-EPI and sTX-EPI with no significant differences in geometric distortion.
The American Association for the Surgery of Trauma Severity Grade is valid and generalizable in adhesive small bowel obstruction
Authors: Hernandez Matthew C. , Haddad Nadeem N. , Cullinane Daniel C. , Yeh D. Dante , Wydo Salina , Inaba Kenji , Duane Therese M. , Pakula Andrea , Skinner Ruby , Rodriguez Carlos J. , Dunn Julie , Sams Valerie G. , Zielinski Martin D. , Choudhry Asad , Turay David , Yune Ji-Ming , Watras Jill , Widom Kenneth A. , Cull John , Toschlog Eric A. , Graybill John C.
Published: November 2017

BACKGROUND

The American Association for the Surgery of Trauma (AAST) anatomic severity grading system for adhesive small bowel obstruction (ASBO) was validated at a single institution. We aimed to externally validate the AAST ASBO grading system using the Eastern Association for the Surgery of Trauma multi-institutional small bowel obstruction prospective observational study.

METHODS

Adults (age ≥ 18) with (ASBO) were included. Baseline demographics, physiologic parameters (heart rate, blood pressure, respiratory rate), laboratory tests (lactate, hemoglobin, creatinine, leukocytosis), imaging findings, operative details, length of stay, and Clavien-Dindo complications were collected. The AAST ASBO grades were assigned by two independent reviewers based on imaging findings. Kappa statistic, univariate, and multivariable analyses were performed.

RESULTS

There were 635 patients with a mean (±SD) age of 61 ± 17.8 years, 51% female, and mean body mass index was 27.5 ± 8.1. The AAST ASBO grades were: grade I (n = 386, 60.5%), grade II (n = 135, 21.2%), grade III (n = 59, 9.2%), grade IV (n = 55, 8.6%). Initial management included: nonoperative (n = 385; 61%), laparotomy (n = 200, 31.3%), laparoscopy (n = 13, 2.0%), and laparoscopy converted to laparotomy (n = 37, 5.8%). An increased median [IQR] AAST ASBO grade was associated with need for conversion to an open procedure (2 [1–3] vs. 3 [2–4], p = 0.008), small bowel resection (2 [2–2] vs. 3 [2–4], p < 0.0001), postoperative temporary abdominal closure (2 [2–3] vs. 3 [3–4], p < 0.0001), and stoma creation (2 [2–3] vs. 3 [2–4], p < 0.0001). Increasing AAST grade was associated with increased anatomic severity noted on imaging findings, longer duration of stay, need for intensive care, increased rate of complication, and higher Clavien-Dindo complication grade.

CONCLUSION

The AAST ASBO severity grading system has predictive validity for important clinical outcomes and allows for standardization across institutions, providers, and future research focused on optimizing preoperative diagnosis and management algorithms.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

Prognostic, level III.
A positive genetic correlation between hypoxia tolerance and heat tolerance supports a controversial theory of heat stress
Authors: Teague Collin , Youngblood Jacob P. , Ragan Kinley , Angilletta Michael J. , VandenBrooks John M.
Published: November 2017

We used quantitative genetics to test a controversial theory of heat stress, in which animals overheat when the demand for oxygen exceeds the supply. This theory, referred to as oxygen- and capacity-limited thermal tolerance, predicts a positive genetic correlation between hypoxia tolerance and heat tolerance. We demonstrate the first genetic correlation of this kind in a model organism,Drosophila melanogaster. Genotypes more likely to fly under hypoxic stress (12% O2) were also more likely to fly under heat stress (39°C). This finding prompts new questions about mechanisms and limits of adaptation to heat stress.
Birdsong signals individual diversity at the major histocompatibility complex
Authors: Slade J. W. G. , Watson M. J. , MacDougall-Shackleton E. A.
Published: November 2017

The major histocompatibility complex (MHC) plays a key role in vertebrate immunity, and pathogen-mediated selection often favours certain allelic combinations. Assessing potential mates' MHC profiles may provide receivers with genetic benefits (identifying MHC-compatible mates and producing optimally diverse offspring) and/or material benefits (identifying optimally diverse mates capable of high parental investment). Oscine songbirds learn songs during early life, such that song repertoire content can reflect population of origin while song complexity can reflect early life condition. Thus birdsong may advertise the singer's genetic dissimilarity to others in the population (and, presumably, compatibility with potential mates), or individual genetic diversity (and thus condition-dependent material benefits). We tested whether song repertoire content and/or complexity signal MHC class IIβ dissimilarity and/or diversity in male song sparrows (
Melospiza melodia
). Pairwise dissimilarity in repertoire content did not predict MHC dissimilarity between males, suggesting that locally rare songs do not signal rare MHC profiles. Thus, geographical variation in song may not facilitate MHC-mediated inbreeding or outbreeding. Larger repertoires were associated with intermediate MHC diversity, suggesting intermediate rather than maximal MHC diversity is optimal. This could reflect trade-offs between resisting infection and autoimmune disorders. Song complexity may advertise optimal MHC diversity, a trait affecting disease resistance and capacity for parental care.
Weapon damage is associated with contest dynamics but not mating success in fallow deer (
Dama dama
)
Authors: Jennings Dómhnall J. , Boys Richard J. , Gammell Martin P.
Published: November 2017

Antlers function as primary weapons during fights for many species of ungulate. We examined the association between antler damage and (i) contest dynamics: the behavioural tactics used during fighting including fight duration, and (ii) mating success, fighting rate and dominance. Structural damage of the antlers was associated with contest dynamics: damage was negatively associated with jump clash attacks by individuals with damaged antlers, whereas opponents were more likely to physically displace individuals with damaged antlers during fighting. We found a positive association between dominance and damage indicating that high-ranking individuals were likely to have breaks to their antlers. We found no evidence that damage was associated with either mating success or the number of fights individuals engaged in. Our study provides a new perspective on understanding the association between contest dynamics and weapon structure, while also showing that damage has limited fitness consequences for individuals.
A chemo-mechano-biological formulation for the effects of biochemical alterations on arterial mechanics: the role of molecular transport and multiscale tissue remodelling
Authors: Marino Michele , Pontrelli Giuseppe , Vairo Giuseppe , Wriggers Peter
Published: November 2017

This paper presents a chemo-mechano-biological framework for arterial physiopathology. The model accounts for the fine remodelling in the multiscale hierarchical arrangement of tissue constituents and for the diffusion of molecular species involved in cell–cell signalling pathways. Effects in terms of alterations in arterial compliance are obtained. A simple instructive example is introduced. Although oversimplified with respect to realistic case studies, the proposed application mimics the biochemical activity of matrix metalloproteinases, transforming growth factors beta and interleukins on tissue remodelling. Effects of macrophage infiltration, of intimal thickening and of a healing phase are investigated, highlighting the corresponding influence on arterial compliance. The obtained results show that the present approach is able to capture changes in arterial mechanics as a consequence of the alterations in tissue biochemical environment and cellular activity, as well as to incorporate the protective role of both autoimmune responses and pharmacological treatments.
Adaptive control of turbulence intensity is accelerated by frugal flow sampling
Authors: Quinn Daniel B. , van Halder Yous , Lentink David
Published: November 2017

The aerodynamic performance of vehicles and animals, as well as the productivity of turbines and energy harvesters, depends on the turbulence intensity of the incoming flow. Previous studies have pointed at the potential benefits of active closed-loop turbulence control. However, it is unclear what the minimal sensory and algorithmic requirements are for realizing this control. Here we show that very low-bandwidth anemometers record sufficient information for an adaptive control algorithm to converge quickly. Our online Newton–Raphson algorithm tunes the turbulence in a recirculating wind tunnel by taking readings from an anemometer in the test section. After starting at 9% turbulence intensity, the algorithm converges on values ranging from 10% to 45% in less than 12 iterations within 1% accuracy. By down-sampling our measurements, we show that very-low-bandwidth anemometers record sufficient information for convergence. Furthermore, down-sampling accelerates convergence by smoothing gradients in turbulence intensity. Our results explain why low-bandwidth anemometers in engineering and mechanoreceptors in biology may be sufficient for adaptive control of turbulence intensity. Finally, our analysis suggests that, if certain turbulent eddy sizes are more important to control than others, frugal adaptive control schemes can be particularly computationally effective for improving performance.
Why do horseflies need polarization vision for host detection? Polarization helps tabanid flies to select sunlit dark host animals from the dark patches of the visual environment
Authors: Horváth Gábor , Szörényi Tamás , Pereszlényi Ádám , Gerics Balázs , Hegedüs Ramón , Barta András , Åkesson Susanne
Published: November 2017

Horseflies (Tabanidae) are polarotactic, being attracted to linearly polarized light when searching for water or host animals. Although it is well known that horseflies prefer sunlit dark and strongly polarizing hosts, the reason for this preference is unknown. According to our hypothesis, horseflies use their polarization sensitivity to look for targets with higher degrees of polarization in their optical environment, which as a result facilitates detection of sunlit dark host animals. In this work, we tested this hypothesis. Using imaging polarimetry, we measured the reflection–polarization patterns of a dark host model and a living black cow under various illumination conditions and with different vegetation backgrounds. We focused on the intensity and degree of polarization of light originating from dark patches of vegetation and the dark model/cow. We compared the chances of successful host selection based on either intensity or degree of polarization of the target and the combination of these two parameters. We show that the use of polarization information considerably increases the effectiveness of visual detection of dark host animals even in front of sunny–shady–patchy vegetation. Differentiation between a weakly polarizing, shady (dark) vegetation region and a sunlit, highly polarizing dark host animal increases the efficiency of host search by horseflies.
Multiple steady states and the form of response functions to antigen in a model for the initiation of T-cell activation
Authors: Rendall Alan D. , Sontag Eduardo D.
Published: November 2017

The aim of this paper is to study the qualitative behaviour predicted by a mathematical model for the initial stage of T-cell activation. The state variables in the model are the concentrations of phosphorylation states of the T-cell receptor (TCR) complex and the phosphatase SHP-1 in the cell. It is shown that these quantities cannot approach zero and that the model possesses more than one positive steady state for certain values of the parameters. It can also exhibit damped oscillations. It is proved that the chemical concentration which represents the degree of activation of the cell, that of the maximally phosphorylated form of the TCR complex, is, in general, a non-monotone function of the activating signal. In particular, there are cases where there is a value of the dissociation constant of the ligand from the receptor which produces a maximal activation of the T cell. This suggests that mechanisms taking place in the first few minutes after activation and included in the model studied in this paper suffice to explain the optimal dissociation time seen in experiments. In this way, the results of certain simulations in the literature have been confirmed rigorously and some important features which had not previously been seen have been discovered.