bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Auditing Goodwill in the Post‐Amortization Era: Challenges for Auditors
Authors: Ayres Douglas R. , Neal Terry L. , Reid Lauren C. , Shipman Jonathan E.
Published: June 2018

The elimination of goodwill amortization in 2001 brought about significant change in how companies are required to account for goodwill. This change in accounting also brought with it new challenges for auditors, namely evaluating the reasonableness of management's assumptions related to goodwill valuation. In addition to introducing technical challenges, this task is particularly difficult given the misalignment in incentives it creates between managers who likely prefer to avoid recording an impairment and auditors who seek to minimize the bias in management's impairment testing. This study focuses on the consequences of the misaligned incentives that auditors face under the current goodwill assessment process. We find that the decision to record a goodwill impairment is associated with an increase in the probability of auditor dismissal. Consistent with the presence of significant friction with clients, our results also indicate that the likelihood of auditor dismissals is negatively related to the favorability of the impairment decision. Furthermore, we find that companies impairing goodwill prior to dismissing auditors subsequently employ auditors that are, on average, more favorable to clients in their impairment decisions.
Quantifying the value of monitoring species in multi‐species, multi‐threat systems
Authors: Bal Payal , Tulloch Ayesha I. T. , Chadès Iadine , Carwardine Josie , McDonald‐Madden Eve , Rhodes Jonathan R.
Published: June 2018

Making effective management decisions is challenging in multi‐species, multi‐threat systems because of uncertainty about the effects of different threats on different species. To inform management decisions, we often monitor species to detect spatial or temporal trends that can help us learn about threatening processes. However, which species to monitor and how to monitor to inform the management of threats can be difficult to determine.

Value of information (VOI) analysis is an approach for quantifying the value of monitoring to inform management decisions. We developed a novel method that applies VOI analysis to quantify the benefits of different species monitoring strategies in multi‐threat, multi‐species systems. We applied the approach to compare the effectiveness of surveillance monitoring (monitoring species without experimentation) to targeted monitoring (monitoring species with experimentation to learn about a specific threat), and how prior information drives the benefits of these two different strategies and the species to monitor. We also illustrate the approach by applying it to two contrasting case studies for monitoring and managing declining mammals in Western Australia.

Our approach shows that surveillance monitoring generally provides far lower benefits than targeted monitoring for managing threats in multi‐species, multi‐threat systems under economic constraints.

Our approach also informs the choice of species to monitor and which threats to manage experimentally to most improve threat management outcomes. We show that the key parameters driving these choices include: the budget available for management, prior understanding of which threats cause declines in which species, the relative cost of managing these threats, and the background probability of decline.

Our new VOI approach allows the evaluation of monitoring decisions in multi‐species, multi‐threat systems in the face of uncertainty, while explicitly accounting for the improvement in management outcomes. We recommend that managers need to explicitly consider a range of decision parameters when selecting which species to monitor to inform management. Our framework provides an objective way to do this.
Circulating serum miR-223-3p and miR-16-5p as possible biomarkers of early rheumatoid arthritis
Authors: Dunaeva M , Blom J , Thurlings R , Pruijn G J M
Published: June 2018

Small non-coding RNAs have emerged as possible biomarkers for various diseases including autoimmune diseases. A number of studies have demonstrated that the expression of specific microRNAs (miRNAs) is dysregulated in rheumatoid arthritis (RA). So far, all studies on miRNAs in RA patients have been performed using either microarray or reverse transcription–quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT–qPCR) analyses. Compared to RT–qPCR and microarray analyses, next-generation sequencing (NGS) allows the genome-wide analysis of small RNAs and the differentiation between miRNAs that differ by a single nucleotide. The application of NGS to the analysis of small RNAs circulating in sera of RA patients has not been reported. This study provides a global overview of the circulating small RNAs in the sera of RA patients and healthy subjects and identifies differences between these groups using NGS. Several classes of small RNAs, including hY RNA-derived fragments, tRNA-derived fragments and miRNAs, were determined. Differentially expressed individual small RNAs were verified by RT-qPCR. The levels of two miRNAs, miR-223-3p and miR-16-5p, were significantly lower in the sera from early RA patients than in those from established RA patients and healthy controls. In contrast, the serum level of miR-16-5p was higher in patients with established RA than in healthy control samples. These miRNAs may not only serve as biomarkers, but may also shed more light on the pathophysiology of RA.
Germline expression of the hunchback orthologues in the asexual viviparous aphids: a conserved feature within the Aphididae
Authors: Chung C.‐y. , Hsiao Y.‐m. , Huang T.‐Y. , Chang T.‐H. , Chang C.‐c.
Published: June 2018

In animals, differentiation of germline from soma usually takes place during embryogenesis. Genes and their products that are preferentially expressed in the embryonic germ cells are regarded as candidates for maintaining germline fate or promoting germline identity. In Drosophila, for example, the protein encoded by the germline gene vasa is specifically restricted to the germ cells, while products of the gap gene hunchback (hb), a somatic gene, are preferentially expressed in the neuroblasts. In this study, we report the expression of both messenger RNA and protein encoded by Aphb, an hb orthologue in the asexual viviparous pea aphid Acyrthosiphon pisum, in germ cells as well as in neuroblasts. We infer that expression of Aphb messenger RNA in the germ cells during the formation of germaria is required for the anterior localization of Aphb in the protruding oocytes. Germarial expression and anterior localization of ApKrüppel was also identified but, unlike Aphb, its expression was not detected in the migrating germ cells. Very similar patterns of hb expression were also identified in the green peach aphid Myzus persicae, suggesting that germline expression of hb is conserved within the Aphididae. To date, this pattern of hb germline expression has not been reported in other insects.
Characterization of induced pluripotent stem cell‐derived megakaryocyte lysates for potential regenerative applications
Authors: Baigger Anja , Eicke Dorothee , Yuzefovych Yuliia , Pogozhykh Denys , Blasczyk Rainer , Figueiredo Constanca
Published: June 2018

Recently, platelet‐derived growth factors present in lysates became an extreme interest in the field of regenerative medicine such as in wound healing and as substitutes to foetal bovine serum in xeno‐free cell culture systems. However, the generation of such platelet lysates completely depends on the availability of platelet donors. In this study, the possibility to use in vitro‐generated megakaryocytes derived from induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) as a cell source for typical platelet growth factors was investigated. Therefore, the presence and levels of those factors were characterized in in vitro‐produced megakaryocytes. In comparison with platelets, in vitro‐generated megakaryocytes showed a multifold increased content in transcript and protein levels of typical platelet growth factors including platelet‐derived growth factors (PDGFs), transforming growth factor (TGF)‐1β, vascular endothelial cell factor (VEGF)‐A, epidermal growth factor (EGF), insulin‐like growth factor (IGF)‐1 and tissue factor (TF). Hence, iPSC‐derived megakaryocytes may serve as an efficient cell source for a donor‐independent generation of growth factor‐rich lysates with a broad application potential in innovative cell culture systems and regenerative therapies.
Using a novel scoring system for paronychia related to oncologic treatments (SPOT) for assessing paronychia severity and its correlation with pain index and quality of life
Authors: Ho P.‐H. , Lin I.‐C. , Yang X. , Cho Y.‐T. , Chu C.‐Y.
Published: June 2018

Background

Oncologic treatments may lead to the development of paronychia, which may cause severe pain and disability. However, a detailed objective scoring system is lacking.

Objective

To develop an objective scoring system to quantify the severity of paronychia and also examine the correlation of this score with a pain index and patients’ quality of life.

Methods

A novel scoring system for paronychia related to oncologic treatments (SPOT), consisting of four parameters, namely redness, oedema, discharge and granulation tissue, was designed to assess the severity of paronychia. The visual analogue scale (VAS) and Dermatology Quality of Life Index (DLQI) were recorded, and their association with the SPOT scores was analysed.

Results

Ninety patients were enrolled from three medical centres in Taiwan. Severity of paronychia was determined by the scores of SPOT. Patients in the severe group had higher DLQI scores (severe vs. mild: P = 0.0018; severe vs. moderate: P = 0.0015). Both the DLQI and pain index scores were significantly higher in patients with higher dominant hand SPOT scores.

Conclusions

The SPOT scores demonstrated the association of the paronychia severity with DLQI and pain. It may thus be useful in clinical practice and future studies.
Evaluation of antimicrobial textiles for atopic dermatitis
Authors: Srour J. , Berg E. , Mahltig B. , Smolik T. , Wollenberg A.
Published: June 2018

Background

Functional textiles have been proposed as safe adjunct treatment for atopic dermatitis (AD). Some data have been published regarding their antimicrobial properties and their clinical efficacy.

Objective

This study examined the physical and functional properties of 11 commercially available functional textiles, including their antimicrobial activity in vitro, as a function of multiple laundering cycles.

Methods

All materials were weighed and examined under scanning electron microscopy (SEM) before and after laundering for fibre morphology and silver coating. Bioburden of newly purchased textiles was assessed by measuring bacterial colony forming units (CFU). Deliverable antimicrobial efficacy was evaluated in vitro for each specimen, before and after 30, 70, 100, 150 and 200 laundering cycles.

Results

Textile weight showed high variability. Damaged silver coating of variable degree was observed under SEM in most materials after laundering. Products made of silk showed smoother and tighter fibre morphology compared to cotton. The bacterial load of unwashed material ranged from <1 CFU to 35 CFU per 50 × 50 mm specimen. Most silver‐containing products lost their antimicrobial activity rapidly after laundering. Silk and cotton retrieved products had no deliverable antimicrobial effect even in their original state.

Conclusion

Elastic, lightweight textiles with smooth fibres are comfortable for daily use. Functional textiles rapidly losing their deliverable antimicrobial activity in vitro are not advisable for AD patients. Recommendations for functional textiles should be based on a combination of in vitro analysis of products in their original state and after laundering, together with real‐life data obtained from controlled clinical trials.
Light‐controllable Transcription System by Nucleocytoplasmic Shuttling of a Truncated Phytochrome B
Authors: Noda Natsumi , Ozawa Takeaki
Published: June 2018

Transcriptional regulation is a useful strategy for gene therapy and for biomedical research. Unlike chemically regulated transcriptional approaches, spatiotemporal control of transcription using optogenetic tools is a powerful technology for the analysis of single cells. For light to penetrate into tissues, it is desired to use photoreceptors absorbing red/far‐red light with a low‐molecular mass applicable for the use of virus vectors, and a photoswitch using the photoreceptor needs to be constructed as a single expression vector. Herein, we describe an optogenetic tool based on Arabidopsis thaliana phytochrome (Phy) B and its binding partner, phytochrome‐interacting factor (PIF) 6. We generated a truncated PhyB, which allowed for reversible association with PIF6 by red/far‐red light illumination. The red light illumination only for 5 min induced PhyB translocation from the cytoplasm into the nucleus by the association with PIF6, resulting in transcriptional activation based on Gal4 DNA‐binding domain and the upstream activating sequence of Gal system. The nucleocytoplasmic shuttling vector using PhyB and PIF6 might be applicable for transcriptional regulation in tissue experiments.
The impact of extirpation of non‐palpable/normal‐sized regional lymph nodes on staging of canine cutaneous mast cell tumours: A multicentric retrospective study
Authors: Ferrari R. , Marconato L. , Buracco P. , Boracchi P. , Giudice C. , Iussich S. , Grieco V. , Chiti L. E. , Favretto E. , Stefanello D.
Published: June 2018

Metastasis to regional lymph nodes (RLNs) in dogs with cutaneous mast cell tumour (cMCT) has been correlated with shortened survival time and higher risk of spread to distant sites. In the present study, extirpation of non‐palpable or normal‐sized RLNs was included in the surgical management of cMCT in dogs. Correlations between histological nodal status (HN0‐3) and tumour variables were analysed. Ninety‐three dogs with single cMCT without distant metastasis that underwent wide surgical excision of the primary tumour and extirpation of non‐palpable or normal‐sized RLN were included. The association between HN (HN0 vs HN > 0; HN0‐1 vs HN2‐3) and tumour variables (site, longest diameter, ulceration, 3‐tier and 2‐tier histological grades) was analysed by a generalized linear model with multinomial error. Then, 33 (35.5%) RLNs were HN0, 14 (15%) were HN1, 26 (28%) were HN2 and 20 (21.5%) were HN3. The presence of positive (HN > 0) RLN was significantly associated with cMCT larger than 3 cm. No other association was statistically significant. Non‐palpable/normal‐sized RLN in dogs with cMCT can harbour histologically detectable metastatic disease in nearly half of the cases. Extirpation of the RLN should always perfomed to obtain a correct staging of the disease, even in the absence of clinical suspicion of metastasis. Further studies should evaluate the possible therapeutical effect of the tumour burden reduction obtained by exrtipartion of a positive RLN.
Load characteristics following transfemoral amputation in individuals fitted with bone-anchored prostheses: a scoping review protocol
Authors: Pather Shanthan , Vertriest Sofie , Sondergeld Peter , Ramis Mary-Anne , Frossard Laurent
Published: June 2018

Review question

The main purpose of this scoping review is to characterize loading information applied on the residuum of individuals with transfemoral amputation fitted with an osseointegrated fixation for bone-anchored prostheses.

The objectives of this scoping review are: i) to map the scope of loading variables, and ii) to report the range of magnitude of loads that has been directly measured using a portable kinetic recording apparatus fitted at the distal end of the residuum during rehabilitation exercises, standardized and unscripted activities of daily living, and adverse events.

The specific review questions are:

i) What is the scope of variables used to describe loading data that has been directly measured using a portable kinetic recording apparatus mounted at the distal end of the residuum of individuals with transfemoral amputation fitted with an osseointegrated fixation?

ii) What is the range of magnitude of the loads applied on the residuum of individuals with transfemoral amputation fitted with an osseointegrated fixation measured directly with a portable kinetic recording apparatus during rehabilitation exercises, standardized and unscripted activities of daily living, and adverse events?
Strategies for communicating patient health information between emergency and primary care settings: a scoping review protocol
Authors: Bishop Andrea , Curran Janet , Rose Heather , McKibbon Shelley
Published: June 2018

Review question:

The objective of this scoping review is to explore strategies being used to communicate patient information between emergency and primary care settings. This information will be used as a first step to develop an intervention to improve information exchange and communication between emergency and primary care providers.

Specifically the review questions are:

i) What tools and strategies are being used to support the communication and exchange of patient information between emergency and primary care settings?

ii) What models/frameworks are being used to guide the development of these strategies and tools?

iii) What are the identified barriers to exchanging patient information between emergency and primary care settings?

iv) What are the outcomes measures reported in these studies?
Core competencies for diabetes educators: a scoping review protocol
Authors: Alharbi Talal , McIntyre Meredith , Thomacos Nikos , McLelland Gayle
Published: June 2018

Review question/objective:

The purpose of the proposed review is, firstly, to map the core competencies for diabetes educators, as reported in the literature, and secondly, to review currently used criteria for core competencies in the assessment of diabetes educators.
Effectiveness of psychotherapies that engage with the voices of Voice Hearers: a systematic review protocol
Authors: Scott Wendy , McArthur Alexa , Tufanaru Catalin
Published: June 2018

Review objectives/questions

The objective of this review is to identify, evaluate and synthesize relevant research on the effectiveness of psychotherapies that engage Voice Hearers with their voices in order to change the person's quality of life, recovery, coping and distress. More specifically, the objective is to ascertain the effectiveness of this type of intervention with or without any other co-intervention, either pharmacological or non-pharmacological, compared to treatment as usual, for people from a Western or European culture aged 18–65 years who hear voices, regardless of ethnicity.
Criteria used for diagnosis of adhesive capsulitis of the shoulder: a scoping review protocol
Authors: Lee Michael , Theodoulou Annika , Krishnan Jeganath
Published: June 2018

Review objective:

The objective of this scoping review is to locate and summarize the current criteria used in the diagnosis of adhesive capsulitis of the shoulder in recent academic literature. Furthermore, we aim to explore differences, if any, in the criteria used across treating professions, study country of origin and study level of evidence.
CNG for Commercial, Law Enforcement and Recreational Boats
Authors: Guerreiro Miguel
Published: June 2018

CNG has significant environmental and economic advantages as a marine fuel in commercial applications as well as law enforcement and recreational use. This paper covers the current technical and business aspects of the current deployment of CNG marine systems for boat propulsion, on-board power generation, fueling operation and the practical considerations that make it all possible today for the different use of boats. The technology and its benefits are reviewed and measurements from existing CNG hybrid boats currently in operation are analyzed.

Paper published with permission.
Methods for Prediction of Core or Lower Extremity Injury Among High School Football Players as a Strategy for Longitudinal Reduction of Injury Risk
Authors: Colston Marisa A. , Wilkerson Gary B. , Dreyfus Hillary , Ross Ryan
Published: June 2018

Poor neuromechanical control and rapid fatigue of the core muscles are associated with elevated risk for core or lower extremity (CLE) injury. The purpose of this study was to identify preparticipation screening measures associated with both previous and subsequent CLE injuries among high school football players. Self-reported CLE injury history, core muscle endurance, and postural balance were strongly associated with CLE injury. Our findings demonstrated that the same risk categorization cut-points predicted both injury within the previous 12 months and subsequent season injury. Preseason screening results can be used to estimate CLE injury susceptibility among high school football players.
Stereotype Threat in Sport: Recommendations for Applied Practice and Research
Authors: Smith Daniel M. , Martiny Sarah E.
Published: June 2018

Stereotype-threat theory holds that activation of a negative stereotype has a harmful effect on performance in cognitive and motor domains. This paper provides a literature review of stereotype-threat research in the motor domain followed by recommendations for sport psychology practitioners. The review discusses the most widespread stereotypes that exist in sport, the effects of stereotype activation on performance in different sports, and mechanisms that explain why stereotype threat decreases performance. Recommendations for practitioners include individual- and organizational-level approaches, with the former subdivided into interventions aimed at prevention or coping.
Regulation of thymocyte trafficking by Tagap, a GAP domain protein linked to human autoimmunity
Authors: Duke-Cohan Jonathan S. , Ishikawa Yuki , Yoshizawa Akihiro , Choi Young-Il , Lee Chin-Nien , Acuto Oreste , Kissler Stephan , Reinherz Ellis L.
Published: June 2018

The GTPase-activating protein Tagap enables thymocytes to properly migrate within the thymus to undergo selection.
Identification of the Chromosomal Region Essential for Serovar-Specific Antigen and Virulence of Serovar 1 and 2 Strains of Erysipelothrix rhusiopathiae
Authors: Ogawa Yohsuke , Shiraiwa Kazumasa , Nishikawa Sayaka , Eguchi Masahiro , Shimoji Yoshihiro
Published: June 2018

Erysipelothrix rhusiopathiae
causes swine erysipelas, an infection characterized by acute septicemia or chronic endocarditis and polyarthritis. Among 17
E. rhusiopathiae
serovars, determined based on heat-stable peptidoglycan antigens, serovars 1 and 2 are most commonly associated with the disease; however, the molecular basis for the association between these serovars and virulence is unknown.
Design of Novel HIV-1/2 Fusion Inhibitors with High Therapeutic Efficacy in Rhesus Monkey Models
Authors: Chong Huihui , Xue Jing , Zhu Yuanmei , Cong Zhe , Chen Ting , Guo Yan , Wei Qiang , Zhou Yusen , Qin Chuan , He Yuxian
Published: June 2018

T-20 remains the only membrane fusion inhibitor available for the treatment of viral infection, but its relatively low anti-HIV activity and genetic barrier for drug resistance have significantly limited its clinical application. Here we report two new lipopeptide-based fusion inhibitors (LP-50 and LP-51) showing extremely potent inhibitory activities against diverse HIV-1, HIV-2, SIV, and T-20-resistant variants. Promisingly, both inhibitors exhibited potent and long-lasting
ex vivo
anti-HIV activity and could efficiently suppress viral loads to undetectable levels in SHIV-infected monkey models. We believe that LP-50 and LP-51 are the most potent and broad-spectrum fusion inhibitors known to date and thus have high potential for clinical development.
Multiple Host Factors Interact with the Hypervariable Domain of Chikungunya Virus nsP3 and Determine Viral Replication in Cell-Specific Mode
Authors: Meshram Chetan D. , Agback Peter , Shiliaev Nikita , Urakova Nadya , Mobley James A. , Agback Tatiana , Frolova Elena I. , Frolov Ilya
Published: June 2018

Alphaviruses utilize a broad spectrum of cellular factors for efficient formation and function of replication complexes (RCs). Our data demonstrate for the first time that the hypervariable domain (HVD) of chikungunya virus nonstructural protein 3 (nsP3) is intrinsically disordered. It binds at least 3 families of cellular proteins, which play an indispensable role in viral RNA replication. The proteins of each family demonstrate functional redundancy. We provide a detailed map of the binding sites on CHIKV nsP3 HVD and show that mutations in these sites or the replacement of CHIKV HVD by heterologous HVD change cell specificity of viral replication. Such manipulations with alphavirus HVDs open an opportunity for development of new irreversibly attenuated vaccine candidates. To date, the disordered protein fragments have been identified in the nonstructural proteins of many other viruses. They may also interact with a variety of cellular factors that determine critical aspects of virus-host interactions.
Ultrasensitive Capture of Human Herpes Simplex Virus Genomes Directly from Clinical Samples Reveals Extraordinarily Limited Evolution in Cell Culture
Authors: Greninger Alexander L. , Roychoudhury Pavitra , Xie Hong , Casto Amanda , Cent Anne , Pepper Gregory , Koelle David M. , Huang Meei-Li , Wald Anna , Johnston Christine , Jerome Keith R.
Published: June 2018

Herpes simplex viruses affect more than 4 billion people across the globe, constituting a large burden of disease. Understanding the global diversity of herpes simplex viruses is important for diagnostics and therapeutics as well as cure research and tracking transmission among humans. To date, most HSV genomics has been performed on culture isolates and DNA swabs with high quantities of virus. We describe the development of wet-lab and computational tools that enable the accurate sequencing of near-complete genomes of HSV-1 and HSV-2 directly from clinical specimens at abundances >50,000-fold lower than previously sequenced and at significantly reduced cost. We use these tools to profile circulating HSV-1 strains in the community and illustrate limited changes to the viral genome during the viral isolation process. These techniques enable cost-effective, rapid sequencing of HSV-1 and HSV-2 genomes that will help enable improved detection, surveillance, and control of this human pathogen.
Missed opportunities for HIV testing among patients newly presenting for HIV care at a Swiss university hospital: a retrospective analysis
Authors: Lhopitallier Loïc , Moulin Estelle , Hugli Olivier , Cavassini Matthias , Darling Katharine Elizabeth Anna
Published: June 2018

Objectives

To determine the frequency of missed opportunities (MOs) among patients newly diagnosed with HIV, risk factors for presenting MOs and the association between MOs and late presentation (LP) to care.

Design

Retrospective analysis.

Setting

HIV outpatient clinic at a Swiss tertiary hospital.

Participants

Patients aged ≥18 years newly presenting for HIV care between 2010 and 2015.

Measures

Number of medical visits, up to 5 years preceding HIV diagnosis, at which HIV testing had been indicated, according to Swiss HIV testing recommendations. A visit at which testing was indicated but not performed was considered an MO for HIV testing.

Results

Complete records were available for all 201 new patients of whom 51% were male and 33% from sub-Saharan Africa. Thirty patients (15%) presented with acute HIV infection while 119 patients (59%) were LPs (CD4 counts <350 cells/mm3at diagnosis). Ninety-four patients (47%) had presented at least one MO, of whom 44 (47%) had multiple MOs. MOs were more frequent among individuals from sub-Saharan Africa, men who have sex with men and patients under follow-up for chronic disease. MOs were less frequent in LPs than non-LPs (42.5% vs 57.5%, p=0.03).

Conclusions

At our centre, 47% of patients presented at least one MO. While our LP rate was higher than the national figure of 49.8%, LPs were less likely to experience MOs, suggesting that these patients were diagnosed late through presenting late, rather than through being failed by our hospital. We conclude that, in addition to optimising provider-initiated testing, access to testing must be improved among patients who are unaware that they are at HIV risk and who do not seek healthcare.
Development and internal validation of a multivariable prediction model for tinnitus recovery following unilateral cochlear implantation: a cross-sectional retrospective study
Authors: Ramakers Geerte G J , van Zanten Gijsbert A , Thomeer Hans G X M , Stokroos Robert J , Heymans Martijn W , Stegeman Inge
Published: June 2018

Objective

To develop and internally validate a prediction model for tinnitus recovery following unilateral cochlear implantation.

Design

A cross-sectional retrospective study.

Setting

A questionnaire concerning tinnitus was sent to patients with bilateral severe to profound hearing loss, who underwent unilateral cochlear implantation at the University Medical Center Utrecht, the Netherlands, between 1 January 2006 and 31 December 2015.

Participants

Of 137 included patients, 87 patients experienced tinnitus preoperatively. Data of these 87 patients were used to develop the prediction model.

Primary and secondary outcome measures

The outcome of the prediction model was tinnitus recovery. Investigated predictors were: age, gender, duration of deafness, preoperative hearing performance, tinnitus duration, severity and localisation, follow-up duration, localisation of cochlear implant (CI) compared with tinnitus side, surgical approach, insertion depth of the electrode, CI brand and difference in hearing threshold following cochlear implantation. Multivariable backward logistic regression was performed. Missing data were handled using multiple imputation. The performance of the model was assessed by the calibrative and discriminative ability of the model. The prediction model was internally validated using bootstrapping techniques.

Results

The tinnitus recovery rate was 40%. A lower preoperative Consonant-Vowel-Consonant (CVC) score, unilateral localisation of tinnitus and larger deterioration of residual hearing at 250 Hz revealed to be relevant predictors for tinnitus recovery. The area under the receiver operating characteristics curve (AUC) of the initial model was 0.722 (IQR: 0.703–0.729). After internal validation of this prediction model, the AUC decreased to 0.696 (IQR: 0.667–0.700).

Conclusion and relevance

Lower preoperative CVC score, unilateral localisation of tinnitus and larger deterioration of residual hearing at 250 Hz were significant predictors for tinnitus recovery following unilateral cochlear implantation. The performance of the model developed in this retrospective study is promising. However, before clinical use of the model, the conduction of a larger prospective study is recommended.
Synkinetic wrist extension in distinguishing cortical hand from radial nerve palsy
Authors: Brigo Francesco , Ragnedda Giammario , Canu Piera , Nardone Raffaele
Published: June 2018

We describe a patient with pseudoradial nerve palsy caused by acute ischaemic stroke (‘cortical hand’) to emphasise how preserved synkinetic wrist extension following fist closure can distinguish this from peripheral causes of wrist drop.
Novel N-chloramine precursors for antimicrobial application: synthesis and facile covalent immobilization on polyurethane surface based on perfluorophenyl azide (PFPA) chemistry
Authors: Li Lingdong , Zhang Fengxiang , Gai Fangyuan , Zhou Hao , Chi Xiaofang , Wang Hande , Zhao (Kent) Zongbao
Published: June 2018

To control the pathogen cross contaminations on medical material surface, there is a pressing need to develop antimicrobial materials with highly efficacious surface biocidal activity. In this work, N-chloramine precursors containing a quaternary ammonium unit and perfluorophenyl azide unit were synthesized and covalently immobilized on inert polyurethane (PU) film upon UV light irradiation. The surface modification was confirmed by contact angle, Fourier transform infrared (ATR FTIR) spectroscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), and atomic force microscopy (AFM) analyses. After bleaching treatment, satisfactory biocidal activity was achieved for the surface-modified PU films. It was found that the introduced surface QA center contributed an even faster surface contact killing behavior and that precursors with a longer structural linker caused higher surface chlorine content and higher antimicrobial efficacy. This approach provides a novel and facile method that enables the covalent immobilization of N-chloramine precursors on inert polymeric surface to produce durable antimicrobial materials.
Ameliorative effect of sevoflurane on endoplasmic reticulum stress mediates cardioprotection against ischemia–reperfusion injury
Authors: Liu Ai-Jie , Pang Chun-Xia , Liu Guo-Qiang , Wang Shi-Duan , Chu Chun-Qin , Li Lin-Zhang , Dong Yan , Zhu De-Zhang
Published: June 2018

We aimed to investigate whether the cardioprotection of sevoflurane against ischemia–reperfusion (IR) injury is via inhibiting endoplasmic reticulum stress. The rat in vivo model of myocardial IR injury was induced by ligation of the left anterior descending coronary artery. Sevoflurane significantly ameliorated the reduced cardiac function, increased infarct size, and elevated troponin I level and lactate dehydrogenase activity in plasma induced by IR injury. Sevoflurane suppressed the IR-induced myocardial apoptosis. The increased protein levels of glucose-regulated protein 78 and C/EBP homologous protein (CHOP) after myocardial IR were significantly reduced by sevoflurane. The protein levels of phosphorylated protein kinase RNA-like endoplasmic reticulum kinase (PERK), phosphorylated eukaryotic initiation factor 2 (eIF2α), and activating transcription factor 4 (ATF4) were significantly increased in rats with IR and attenuated by sevoflurane treatment. The phosphorylation of Akt was further activated by sevoflurane. The cardioprotection of sevoflurane could be blocked by wortmannin, a PI3K/Akt inhibitor. Our results suggest that the cardioprotection of sevoflurane against IR injury might be mediated by suppressing PERK/eIF2a/ATF4/CHOP signaling via activating the Akt pathway, which helps in understanding the novel mechanism of the cardioprotection of sevoflurane.
PRICING TEMPERATURE DERIVATIVES UNDER WEATHER FORECASTS
Authors: HESS MARKUS
Published: June 2018

We investigate the pricing of temperature derivatives under weather forecasts modeled by initially enlarged filtrations. For this purpose, we introduce a mean-reverting temperature model with seasonality and derive expressions for the so-called forward temperature. Although our analysis focuses on cumulative average temperature (CAT) futures, the presented derivation techniques can likewise be applied to other weather derivatives such as heating degree day (HDD) or cooling degree day (CDD) futures, for instance. We also treat option pricing and utility maximizing portfolio selection in temperature markets under additional information on future weather behavior. We finally prove an anticipative sufficient stochastic minimum principle in an enlarged filtration setup and apply the result to minimal variance hedging of temperature derivatives under weather forecasts. In this context, we derive explicit minimal variance hedging portfolios for different weather-related claims.
A Better Alternative to a Trade War
Authors: Lau Lawrence J.
Published: June 2018

Reducing the US-China trade deficit through the imposition of tariffs on Chinese exports to the US risks retaliatory tariffs by China. The net result may be an involuntary reduction of trade between them which lowers the aggregate welfare in both countries. It will be lose-lose. Moreover, the most likely net outcome of these new country-specific tariffs is the substitution of imports from China by imports from other countries on the part of US importers. Thus, while the US trade deficit with China falls, its trade deficit with other countries will rise. The overall US trade deficit with the rest of the world will not be significantly altered.

Almost all economists agree that the aggregate US trade deficit with the rest of the world cannot be reduced without a corresponding reduction in the US investment-saving imbalance, taking the US real GDP as given. However, there is an exception: if there is an autonomous (unanticipated) increase in the demand for exports from the US which increases the real GDP of the US in the process, it is possible for the US trade deficit to be reduced. Indeed, a huge potential exists for the US to substantially increase its exports of agricultural commodities, energy, and education and tourism services to China.

Finally, we address the question of what constitutes “fair trade”. There does not seem to be a generally accepted economic definition of “fairness”. Any completely voluntary and non-coercive trade at the prevailing market price should be regarded as “fair”.
Stabilization dynamics of easily and poorly soluble Zn compounds in the soil
Authors: Bauer Tatiana , Pinskii David , Minkina Tatiana , Mandzhieva Saglara , Burachevskaya Marina , Kalinitchenko Valery , Barakhov Anatoly
Published: June 2018

Stabilization mechanisms of easily and poorly soluble Zn compounds in Haplic Chernozem are considered in a long-term incubation experiment, including the dissolution and hydrolysis of the Zn added compounds (acetate, nitrate, sulphate, chloride, phosphate, and oxide) at a rate of 300 and 2000 mg kg
–1
and the following post-sorption metal transformation. The indicators of stabilization were changes in the content of Zn weakly bound compounds (WBCs) and soil pH. Stabilization of Zn acetate, nitrate, sulphate, chloride progressed during incubation for 5 years which resulted in a decrease of Zn WBCs and an increase in soil pH. In the soil contaminated with Zn phosphate and oxide, the content of Zn WBCs increased and the soil pH decreased with time.
Gabbroic–dioritic dykes from the Sanandaj–Sirjan Zone: windows on Jurassic and Eocene geodynamic processes in the Zagros Orogen, western Iran
Authors: Deevsalar Reza , Shinjo Ryuichi , Wang Kuo-Lung , Hadi Yeganehfar , Neill Iain
Published: June 2018

The Sanandaj–Sirjan Zone (SaSiZ) is a magmatic terrane within the Zagros Orogen, western Iran, marking the Tethyan suture zone between the Afro-Arabian Plate and the Central Iran Micro-Continent. Mafic–intermediate dyke swarms with Middle Jurassic (Group 1: hornblende gabbro and diorite) and Late Eocene (Group 2: hornblende–pyroxene gabbro) ages are recognized in the Malayer–Boroujerd Plutonic Complex of the northern SaSiZ. Group 1 dykes have elemental and isotopic signatures consistent with melting of a mantle source modified during Neo-Tethyan subduction. Some Group 1 magmas evolved to intermediate compositions through assimilation and fractional crystallization. Group 2 dykes have within-plate trace element geochemical signatures, modelled as deriving from low-degree melting of asthenospheric mantle without a subduction influence. Published models postulate either a Cretaceous–Eocene Neo-Tethyan flat-slab scenario or a Latest Cretaceous–Paleogene Neo-Tethyan break-off event beneath the SaSiZ. Such models do not reconcile with the Late Eocene presence of within-plate magmatism in westernmost Iran, very close to the Zagros Suture. We argue that a period of flat-slab subduction concluded with sub-parallel subduction of a Neo-Tethyan ridge to the trench. The resulting slab break-off event in the Late Eocene is responsible for generation of the distinct Mesopotamia and Zagros slabs in mantle tomography models. Break-off was followed by small-volume within-plate type magmatism before short-lived re-establishment of Tethyan subduction prior to the final Arabia–Eurasia collision.

Supplementary material:
Field photographs, photomicrographs, additional geochemical plots, descriptions of analytical methods and tables of geochemical modelling parameters are available at
https://doi.org/10.6084/m9.figshare.c.4126196
The Carnian Pluvial Episode and the origin of dinosaurs
Authors: Benton Michael J. , Bernardi Massimo , Kinsella Cormac
Published: June 2018

We present new evidence for a major inflection point in the history of tetrapods on land, a jump in the diversification of archosauromorphs, primarily dinosaurs, at 232–230 Ma. This corresponds to a long-noted changeover in Triassic terrestrial tetrapod faunas from those dominated by synapsids, many of them holdovers from the Permian, to those dominated by dinosaurs. The dinosaur explosion is shown here to correspond in timing to the Carnian Pluvial Episode (CPE), dated at 232 Ma, a time of increased rainfall and perturbation of oceans and atmospheres, followed by substantial aridification. The rock record through the CPE confirms that this event shared many characters with other mass extinctions driven by eruption of large igneous provinces, in this case the Wrangellia flood basalts of the west coast of North America. If this was a catastrophic extinction event, then the environmental perturbations of the CPE explain the sharp disappearance of various terrestrial tetrapods, and the subsequent sharp rise of dinosaurs and perhaps other clades too, especially those that constitute much of the modern terrestrial faunas, such as lissamphibians, turtles, crocodiles, lizards and mammals.

Supplementary material:
The sampled tetrapod faunas, geological ages, and details of the R code method and results are available at
https://doi.org/10.6084/m9.figshare.c.4111439
A modelling study of the variation of thermal conductivity of the English Chalk
Authors: Busby Jon
Published: June 2018

Thermal conductivity is required when designing ground heating and cooling schemes, electrical cable conduits and tunnel ventilation. In England these infrastructures are often emplaced within the Chalk. To improve knowledge on chalk thermal conductivity, over the few scattered measured values, estimates have been made from multi-component mixture models based on the mineral composition, porosity and the structure of the Chalk. The range in mid values for the thermal conductivities is 1.78–2.57 W m
−1
 K
−1
where the lowest values are for the Upper Chalk. Variations in porosity are the main factor for the variation in thermal conductivity. The effect of fracturing is to reduce the bulk thermal conductivity, but the reduction is small for fractures that are saturated. For an averagely fractured chalk with 60% fracture saturation, the reduction in thermal conductivity is around 22% for a thermal conductivity of 2.15 W m
−1
 K
−1
. In the near-surface zone, where fracture apertures will be at their greatest and unsaturated conditions may prevail for part of the year, the seasonal variation in thermal conductivity may be significant for infrastructure design.
iTimerM
Authors: Lee Pei-Yu , Jiang Iris Hui-Ru
Published: June 2018

As designs continue to grow in size and complexity, EDA paradigm shifts from flat to hierarchical timing analysis. In this article, we present compact and accurate timing macro modeling, which is the key to efficient and accurate hierarchical timing analysis. Our goal is to contain only a minimal amount of interface logic in our timing macro model. The main idea is to separate the interface logic into variant and constant timing regions. Then, the variant timing region is reserved for accuracy, while the constant timing region is reduced for compactness. For reducing the constant timing region, we propose anchor pin insertion and deletion by generalizing existing timing graph reduction techniques. Furthermore, we devise a lookup table index selection technique to achieve high model accuracy over the possible operating condition range. Compared with two common models used in industry, extracted timing model and interface logic model, our model has high model accuracy and small model size. Based on the TAU 2016 and 2017 timing macro modeling contest benchmark suites, our results show that our algorithm delivers superior efficiency and accuracy: Hierarchical timing analysis using our model can significantly reduce runtime and memory compared with flat timing analysis on the original design. Moreover, our algorithm outperforms TAU 2016 and 2017 contest winners in model accuracy, model size, model generation performance, and model usage performance.
Predictable Thread Coarsening
Authors: Stawinoga Nicolai , Field Tony
Published: June 2018

Thread coarsening on GPUs combines the work of several threads into one. We show how thread coarsening can be implemented as a fully automated compile-time optimisation that estimates the optimal coarsening factor based on a low-cost, approximate static analysis of cache line re-use and an occupancy prediction model. We evaluate two coarsening strategies on three different NVidia GPU architectures. For NVidia reduction kernels we achieve a maximum speedup of 5.08x, and for the Rodinia benchmarks we achieve a mean speedup of 1.30x over 8 of 19 kernels that were determined safe to coarsen.
Single-Molecule Force Spectroscopy of Transmembrane β-Barrel Proteins
Authors: Thoma Johannes , Sapra K. Tanuj , Müller Daniel J.
Published: June 2018

Single-molecule force spectroscopy (SMFS) has been widely applied to study the mechanical unfolding and folding of transmembrane proteins. Here, we review the recent progress in characterizing bacterial and human transmembrane β-barrel proteins by SMFS. First, we describe the mechanical unfolding of transmembrane β-barrels, which follows a general mechanism dictated by the sequential unfolding and extraction of individual β-strands and β-hairpins from membranes. Upon force relaxation, the unfolded polypeptide can insert stepwise into the membrane as single β-strands or β-hairpins to fold as the native β-barrel. The refolding can be followed at a high spatial and temporal resolution, showing that small β-barrels are able to fold without assistance, whereas large and complex β-barrels require chaperone cofactors. Applied in the dynamic mode, SMFS can quantify the kinetic and mechanical properties of single β-hairpins and reveal complementary insight into the membrane protein structure and function relationship. We further outline the challenges that SMFS experiments must overcome for a comprehensive understanding of the folding and function of transmembrane β-barrel proteins.
Recent Advances and Trends in Microfluidic Platforms for C. elegans Biological Assays
Authors: Kamili Farhan , Lu Hang
Published: June 2018

Microfluidics has proven to be a key tool in quantitative biological research. The C. elegans research community in particular has developed a variety of microfluidic platforms to investigate sensory systems, development, aging, and physiology of the nematode. Critical for the growth of this field, however, has been the implementation of concurrent advanced microscopy, hardware, and software technologies that enable the discovery of novel biology. In this review, we highlight recent innovations in microfluidic platforms used for assaying C. elegans and discuss the novel technological approaches and analytic strategies required for these systems. We conclude that platforms that provide analytical frameworks for assaying specific biological mechanisms and those that take full advantage of integrated technologies to extract high-value quantitative information from worm assays are most likely to move the field forward.
Mass Spectrometry for Synthesis and Analysis
Authors: Cooks R. Graham , Yan Xin
Published: June 2018

Mass spectrometry is the science and technology of ions. As such, it is concerned with generating ions, measuring their properties, following their reactions, isolating them, and using them to build and transform materials. Instrumentation is an essential element of these activities, and analytical applications are one driving force. Work from the Aston Laboratories at Purdue University's Department of Chemistry is described here, with an emphasis on accelerated reactions of ions in solution and small-scale synthesis; ion/surface collision processes, including surface-induced dissociation (SID) and ion soft landing; and applications to tissue imaging. Our special interest in chirality and the chemistry behind the origins of life is also featured together with the exciting area of tissue diagnostics.