bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Frequency tunable liquid metal planar inverted‐F antenna
Authors: Ha A. , Kim K.
Published: November 2015

A frequency tunable liquid metal antenna that can compensate for hand effects is presented for use in mobile phones. The antenna structure is based on a planar inverted‐F antenna, which is frequently considered as an internal antenna. The upper arm of the antenna was formed using liquid metal filled in a Teflon tube. The liquid metal used was Galinstan. The length of the filled portion determined the resonant frequency of the antenna. The tuning capability of the antenna was demonstrated through an automatic tuning experiment, in which the resonant frequency of the antenna was automatically recovered from disturbances caused by a human hand being placed in the proximity of the antenna.
Gender classification based on fuzzy clustering and principal component analysis
Authors: Hassanpour Hamid , Zehtabian Amin , Nazari Avishan , Dehghan Hossein
Published: November 2015

Gender classification is one of the most challenging problems in computer vision. Facial gender detection of neonates and children is also known as a highly demanding issue for human observers. This study proposes a novel gender classification method using frontal facial images of people. The proposed approach employs principal component analysis (PCA) and fuzzy clustering technique, respectively, for feature extraction and classification steps. In other words, PCA is applied to extract the most appropriate features from images as well as reducing the dimensionality of data. The extracted features are then used to assign the new images to appropriate classes – male or female – based on fuzzy clustering. The computational time and accuracy of the proposed method are examined together and the prominence of the proposed approach compared to most of the other well‐known competing methods is proved, especially for younger faces. Experimental results indicate the considerable classification accuracies which have been acquired for FG‐Net, Stanford and FERET databases. Meanwhile, since the proposed algorithm is relatively straightforward, its computational time is reasonable and often less than the other state‐of‐the‐art gender classification methods.
Fluorescence imaging under background light with a self‐reset complementary metal–oxide–semiconductor image sensor
Authors: Yamaguchi Takahiro , Sunaga Yoshinori , Haruta Makito , Motoyama Mayumi , Ohta Yasumi , Takehara Hiroaki , Noda Toshihiko , Sasagawa Kiyotaka , Tokuda Takashi , Ohta Jun
Published: November 2015

The authors propose and demonstrate the fluorescence imaging of green fluorescence protein (GFP) expressed in a brain slice with a self‐reset complementary metal–oxide–semiconductor image sensor under background light. By using a self‐reset function to avoid pixel saturation, the weak fluorescence of GFP was successfully observed, even under background light. The result suggests that the sensor can be applied to in vivo imaging of laboratory animals during light–dark cycles, so that they can observe the different responses to bright and dark environments.
Optimal partitioning methods for image segmentation
Authors: Fadnavis Shreyas
Published: November 2015

The importance of image processing is increasing in the digitally connected world due to its numerous applications in various fields of medical science, astronomy, weather prediction and video surveillance systems etc. The latest research and development in this field has helped the authors to obtain finer details of a particular image under study. The image segmentation technique, a part of digital image processing, helps to obtain meaningful information of the object. This study discusses the three widely used important image segmentation techniques: namely, split and merge, image growing and thresholding and their effects on a sample image. The authors results thus depict a significant difference in the segmented image by split and merge, image growing and thresholding. Split and merge is the optimal method of image segmentation as compared with the other two techniques mentioned above. The choice of the method varies with type of image, its colour, intensity and noise level.
Off-Pump Conversion: In-hospital Mortality and Long-Term Survival
Authors: Pullan Mark , Oo Aung , Poullis Michael
Published: November 2015

Background There is an ongoing debate on the benefits and risks of off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) surgery. The fate of patients who start with their procedure being an off-pump one and then have to undergo conversion to an on-pump procedure is debated with regard to in-hospital mortality and unknown with regard to long-term survival. We investigated the in-hospital mortality and long-term survival of patients who underwent conversion from off- to on-pump surgery.

Methods We performed a multivariate and propensity analysis on in-hospital mortality and long-term survival of postisolated CABG patients in a single institution having 15,704 patients of which 5,353 who underwent off-pump CABG were analyzed.

Results In-hospital mortality was 2.15% for the study cohort, and 73 (1.4%) off-pump cases were converted. Univariate analysis demonstrated that patients undergoing conversion had a significantly increased in-hospital mortality (p < 0.001) and reduced long-term survival (p = 0.002). Logistic regression (receiver operating curve 0.77, Hosmer-Lemeshow test 0.46) and Cox analysis demonstrated that in-hospital mortality and long-term survival were not significantly affected by conversion. Propensity analysis (one:many match) demonstrated that in-hospital mortality was not significantly affected (p = 0.7), and long-term survival - univariate, and multivariate were also not significantly reduced in patients undergoing conversion.

Conclusion Conversion from off- to on-pump by a team of surgeons and anesthetists who are dedicated off-pump specialists does not have an impact on in-hospital mortality or long-term survival.
Differential growth of Spartina densiflora populations under saline flooding is related to adventitious root formation and innate root ion regulation
Authors: Di Bella Carla E. , Grimoldi Agustín A. , Rossi Lopardo María S. , Escaray Francisco J. , Ploschuk Edmundo L. , Striker Gustavo G.
Published: November 2015

Global change anticipates scenarios of sea level rise that would provoke long lasting floods, especially in lowland areas of salt marshes. Our aim was to evaluate the morpho-physiological adjustment ability to deal with continuous saline flooding of Spartina densiflora Brogn. plants from lowlands and uplands along a subtle topographical gradient (0.2 m differential altitude). Plants from both origins were subjected to continuous saline flooding (300 mM NaCl) for 35 days. Responses associated to adventitious rooting, aerenchyma formation, concentration of Na+, K+ and Cl– in roots and shoots tissues, tillering and growth were assessed. Root responses differentiated populations given that lowland plants showed higher ability for adventitious root formation and innate superior root ion regulation than upland plants. High constitutive K+ concentration plus high Na+ exclusion in root tissues led to significant low values of Na+ : K+ ratios in lowland plants. Better root functioning was, in turn, related with more consistent shoot performance as lowland plants maintained plant tiller number and shoot relative growth rate unaltered while upland plants decreased both parameters by 35 and 18%, respectively, when in saline flooding. The superior performance of lowland plants indicates that locally adapted populations can be promoted in salt marsh habitats with subtle differences at topographic level.
Otolith chemistry discriminates water mass occupancy of Arctic fish in the Chukchi Sea
Authors: Gleason Christine M. , Norcross Brenda L. , Spaleta Karen J.
Published: November 2015

The microchemistry of otoliths has the potential to reconstruct fish movement patterns and habitat use between environmentally different habitats for individual age classes of Arctic marine fish. Herein, we tested the relationship between the bottom water mass from which a fish was collected and the microchemistry of the most recent growth edge of the fish’s otolith using Mg, Sr, Ba and Ca, and then determined the physical and biological factors that affected the chemical signatures. A discriminant function post hoc analysis of fish occupying bottom water masses resulted in 76% correct classification of Arctic or Polar cod (Boreogadus saida) and 82% correct classification of Arctic staghorn sculpin (Gymnocanthus tricuspis) into bottom water masses of capture when ages were pooled. By separating age classes, correct classifications into water masses of capture were as high as 87% for Arctic cod (three water masses) and 90% for Arctic staghorn sculpin (two water masses). Otolith Ba:Ca, Mg:Ca and Sr:Ca ratios were most consistently affected by bottom water temperature; the latter two were also affected by fish age and fish length. The use of otolith microchemistry to determine occupancy of water masses over time is most promising for Arctic cod, which is widespread and occupies the most thermally diverse habitats in Arctic waters.
Estuarine fishes of the South Alligator River, Kakadu National Park, northern Australia
Authors: Pusey Bradley J. , Kennard Mark J. , Larson Helen K. , Alsop Quentin , Hammer Michael , Buckle Duncan J.
Published: November 2015

Estuaries are recognised globally as areas of high production, diversity and high economic value. Exploitation of the economic potential of estuaries and attendant infrastructural development plus expansion of human populations has resulted in degradation of estuaries worldwide. Many estuaries of northern Australia, in contrast, remain in good ecological condition. The estuarine fish fauna of the South Alligator River, Kakadu region of northern Australia was investigated to determine seasonal and spatial variation in composition. Beam trawls were used at 94 locations over the wet and dry seasons of 2012. In total, 81 taxa were collected, 26 of which had not previously been recorded in the river. Sciaenidae and Engraulidae dominated species richness and abundance. Samples were heterogeneous in terms of composition and abundance in a manner unrelated to any measured aspect of the habitat over which trawls occurred. Species richness was higher in the lower estuary than the upper estuary and more species were detected during the wet season. Turnover in assemblage structure between sampling occasions was associated with seasonal variation in discharge concordant with changes in salinity and potentially productivity. Compositional variation was largely ascribed to differential spawning phenology of adults and tolerance to fluctuating salinity. The Kakadu region supports a rich fish fauna moderately distinct from that observed elsewhere in the Northern Territory. Pronounced temporal turnover in assemblage structure and spatial variation at a variety of scales (i.e. within samples, and within and between rivers) collectively pose a challenge to management in light of ongoing and proposed development of the water resources of northern Australia, including its estuaries.
A haploid genetic screen identifies the G1/S regulatory machinery as a determinant of Wee1 inhibitor sensitivity
Authors: Heijink Anne Margriet , Blomen Vincent A. , Bisteau Xavier , Degener Fabian , Matsushita Felipe Yu , Kaldis Philipp , Foijer Floris , van Vugt Marcel A. T. M.
Published: November 2015

Significance

Inhibition of Wee1 is considered an attractive anticancer therapy forTP53mutant tumors. However, additional factors besides p53 inactivation may determine Wee1 inhibitor sensitivity, which we searched for using unbiased functional genetic screening. We discovered that the mutational status of several S-phase genes, includingCDK2, determines the cytotoxicity induced by Wee1 inhibition. Notably, we found that Wee1 inhibition induces two distinct phenotypes: accumulation of DNA damage in S phase and karyokinesis/cytokinesis failure during mitosis. Stable depletion of S-phase genes only reversed the formation of DNA damage, but did not rescue karyokinesis/cytokinesis failure upon Wee1 inhibition. Thus, inactivation of nonessential S-phase genes can overcome Wee1 inhibitor resistance, while allowing the survival of genomically instable cancer cells.
Advancing biomedical imaging
Authors: Weissleder Ralph , Nahrendorf Matthias
Published: November 2015

Imaging reveals complex structures and dynamic interactive processes, located deep inside the body, that are otherwise difficult to decipher. Numerous imaging modalities harness every last inch of the energy spectrum. Clinical modalities include magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), X-ray computed tomography (CT), ultrasound, and light-based methods [endoscopy and optical coherence tomography (OCT)]. Research modalities include various light microscopy techniques (confocal, multiphoton, total internal reflection, superresolution fluorescence microscopy), electron microscopy, mass spectrometry imaging, fluorescence tomography, bioluminescence, variations of OCT, and optoacoustic imaging, among a few others. Although clinical imaging and research microscopy are often isolated from one another, we argue that their combination and integration is not only informative but also essential to discovering new biology and interpreting clinical datasets in which signals invariably originate from hundreds to thousands of cells per voxel.
Corporate funding and ideological polarization about climate change
Authors: Farrell Justin
Published: November 2015

Significance

Ideological polarization around environmental issues—especially climate change—have increased in the last 20 years. This polarization has led to public uncertainty, and in some cases, policy stalemate. Much attention has been given to understanding individual attitudes, but much less to the larger organizational and financial roots of polarization. This gap is due to prior difficulties in gathering and analyzing quantitative data about these complex and furtive processes. This paper uses comprehensive text and network data to show how corporate funding influences the production and actual thematic content of polarization efforts. It highlights the important influence of private funding in public knowledge and politics, and provides researchers a methodological model for future studies that blend large-scale textual discourse with social networks.
Animal origin of 13th-century uterine vellum revealed using noninvasive peptide fingerprinting
Authors: Fiddyment Sarah , Holsinger Bruce , Ruzzier Chiara , Devine Alexander , Binois Annelise , Albarella Umberto , Fischer Roman , Nichols Emma , Curtis Antoinette , Cheese Edward , Teasdale Matthew D. , Checkley-Scott Caroline , Milner Stephen J. , Rudy Kathryn M. , Johnson Eric J. , Vnouček Jiří , Garrison Mary , McGrory Simon , Bradley Daniel G. , Collins Matthew J.
Published: November 2015

Significance

This study reports the first use, to our knowledge, of triboelectric extraction of protein from parchment. The method is noninvasive and requires no specialist equipment or storage. Samples can be collected without the need to transport the artifacts; instead, researchers can sample when and where possible and analyze when required. The level of access we have achieved highlights the importance of this technique. For this study, we have extracted proteins from 513 parchment samples, used to resolve the long-standing question of the origin of “uterine vellum.” We find no evidence of unexpected species, such as rabbit or squirrel. We suggest that uterine vellum was often an achievement of technological production using available resources, and would not have demanded unsustainable agricultural practices.
Mid-Pleistocene climate transition drives net mass loss from rapidly uplifting St. Elias Mountains, Alaska
Authors: Gulick Sean P. S. , Jaeger John M. , Mix Alan C. , Asahi Hirofumi , Bahlburg Heinrich , Belanger Christina L. , Berbel Glaucia B. B. , Childress Laurel , Cowan Ellen , Drab Laureen , Forwick Matthias , Fukumura Akemi , Ge Shulan , Gupta Shyam , Kioka Arata , Konno Susumu , LeVay Leah J. , März Christian , Matsuzaki Kenji M. , McClymont Erin L. , Moy Chris , Müller Juliane , Nakamura Atsunori , Ojima Takanori , Ribeiro Fabiana R. , Ridgway Kenneth D. , Romero Oscar E. , Slagle Angela L. , Stoner Joseph S. , St-Onge Guillaume , Suto Itsuki , Walczak Maureen D. , Worthington Lindsay L. , Bailey Ian , Enkelmann Eva , Reece Robert , Swartz John M.
Published: November 2015

Significance

In coastal Alaska and the St. Elias orogen, over the past 1.2 million years, mass flux leaving the mountains due to glacial erosion exceeds the plate tectonic input. This finding underscores the power of climate in driving erosion rates, potential feedback mechanisms linking climate, erosion, and tectonics, and the complex nature of climate−tectonic coupling in transient responses toward longer-term dynamic equilibration of landscapes with ever-changing environments.
The structure of tropical forests and sphere packings
Authors: Taubert Franziska , Jahn Markus Wilhelm , Dobner Hans-Jürgen , Wiegand Thorsten , Huth Andreas
Published: November 2015

Significance

Explaining the tree size structure of tropical forests is of crucial importance because other important forest attributes can be derived from this. The tree diameter distribution, for example, determines the amount of carbon stored in a forest. Here we present a simple and powerful approach based on stochastic geometry and tree allometries that can be used to predict tree diameter distributions.
Direct observation of processive exoribonuclease motion using optical tweezers
Authors: Fazal Furqan M. , Koslover Daniel J. , Luisi Ben F. , Block Steven M.
Published: November 2015

Significance

Bacteria regulate the synthesis and degradation of RNA molecules to ensure timely and robust responses to an ever-changing environment. The transcript’s lifetime can be influenced profoundly by a secondary structure that can form in the RNA and that may inhibit or promote its digestion by RNases. The molecular mechanisms by which RNases interact with structured RNAs therefore are of great interest. In this study we used optical tweezers to investigate the mechanistic properties of two such enzymes from
Escherichia coli
, polynucleotide phosphorylase and RNase R. Our results offer new insights into the functional characteristics of these two enzymes, including the sequence-dependent behavior of RNase R and the presence of discrete steps of six or seven nucleotides taken by polynucleotide phosphorylase.
Timing of androgen receptor disruption and estrogen exposure underlies a spectrum of congenital penile anomalies
Authors: Zheng Zhengui , Armfield Brooke A. , Cohn Martin J.
Published: November 2015

Significance

Birth defects of external genitalia occur at a striking frequency, affecting ∼1:250 live births. Congenital penile anomalies (CPAs) encompass a range of malformations, including failure of urethral tube closure (hypospadias), penile curvature (chordee), micropenis, and feminization of male genitalia. Both genetic anomalies and exposures to endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs) are suspected to be involved; however, little is known about the underlying causes or the developmental window(s) of sensitivity to antiandrogenic or estrogenic signals. This study shows that disruption of androgen signaling at different stages of genital development can induce different types of CPA. We identify a cell type in which the androgen receptor (AR) is essential for genital masculinization and uncover previously unknown mechanisms through which antiandrogenic and estrogenic signals induce penile malformations.
Evolution in leaps: The punctuated accumulation and loss of cultural innovations
Authors: Kolodny Oren , Creanza Nicole , Feldman Marcus W.
Published: November 2015

Significance

The archaeological record suggests that cultural traits, as manifested in the tool repertoire, can accumulate exponentially, that technology can appear in bursts after long periods of stasis, and that dramatic cultural losses can occur. We introduce a model that accounts for this range of observations by considering a multifaceted creative process of innovation, accounting for the possibility that certain traits facilitate the invention of related traits. Further, we determine that differential distribution of tool-related knowledge, typically ignored in models, can dramatically affect the dynamics of cultural evolution, suggesting the concept of an effective cultural population size. Finally, we demonstrate that a fluctuating environment can lead to large-scale cultural losses and select for generalist tools that are useful in multiple conditions.
ER trapping reveals Golgi enzymes continually revisit the ER through a recycling pathway that controls Golgi organization
Authors: Sengupta Prabuddha , Satpute-Krishnan Prasanna , Seo Arnold Y. , Burnette Dylan T. , Patterson George H. , Lippincott-Schwartz Jennifer
Published: November 2015

Significance

Using a rapamycin-based, endoplasmic reticulum (ER) trapping scheme, modified to avoid the problem of an endogenous ER-localized FKBP-binding protein, we demonstrate that Golgi enzymes constitutively recycle back to the ER and that such recycling plays a central role in the maintenance, biogenesis, and inheritance of the Golgi apparatus in mammalian cells. We describe morphological characteristics of the retrograde carriers that ferry Golgi enzymes back to the ER and identify key molecular machinery regulating carrier formation. The study helps resolve the long-standing debate regarding the extent of Golgi enzyme trafficking back to the ER, paving the way for further investigations into the mechanistic details and functional implications of the Golgi's steady-state existence and relationship to the ER.
Systematic identification of arsenic-binding proteins reveals that hexokinase-2 is inhibited by arsenic
Authors: Zhang Hai-nan , Yang Lina , Ling Jian-ya , Czajkowsky Daniel M. , Wang Jing-Fang , Zhang Xiao-Wei , Zhou Yi-Ming , Ge Feng , Yang Ming-kun , Xiong Qian , Guo Shu-Juan , Le Huang-Ying , Wu Song-Fang , Yan Wei , Liu Bingya , Zhu Heng , Chen Zhu , Tao Sheng-ce
Published: November 2015

Significance

Arsenic holds promise for treating a wide range of tumors. To understand arsenic's antitumor mechanism further, we identified 360 arsenic-binding proteins using a human proteome microarray and found proteins of glycolysis to be highly enriched. In-depth in vitro and in vivo analysis revealed that glycolysis in general and the rate-limiting enzyme hexokinase-2 of the glycolytic pathway in particular play a key role in mediating the anticancer activity of arsenic. These findings shed light on the mode of action of arsenic, and the newly identified arsenic-binding proteins may serve as a rich resource for future studies.
Sieve estimation in a Markov illness-death process under dual censoring
Authors: Boruvka Audrey , Cook Richard J.
Published: November 2015

Semiparametric methods are well established for the analysis of a progressive Markov illness-death process observed up to a noninformative right censoring time. However, often the intermediate and terminal events are censored in different ways, leading to a dual censoring scheme. In such settings, unbiased estimation of the cumulative transition intensity functions cannot be achieved without some degree of smoothing. To overcome this problem, we develop a sieve maximum likelihood approach for inference on the hazard ratio. A simulation study shows that the sieve estimator offers improved finite-sample performance over common imputation-based alternatives and is robust to some forms of dependent censoring. The proposed method is illustrated using data from cancer trials.
Simulating feedback from nuclear clusters: the impact of multiple sources
Authors: Bourne Martin A. , Power Chris
Published: November 2015

Nuclear star clusters (NCs) are found to exist in the centres of many galaxies and appear to follow scaling relations similar to those of supermassive black holes. Previous analytical work has suggested that such relations are a consequence of feedback-regulated growth. We explore this idea using high-resolution hydrodynamical simulations, focusing on the validity of the simplifying assumptions made in analytical models. In particular, we investigate feedback emanating from multiple stellar sources rather than from a single source, as is usually assumed, and show that collisions between shells of gas swept up by feedback leads to momentum cancellation and the formation of high-density clumps and filaments. This high-density material is resistant both to expulsion from the galaxy potential and to disruption by feedback; if it falls back on to the NC, we expect the gas to be available for further star formation or for feeding a central black hole. We also note that our results may have implications for the evolution of globular clusters and stellar clusters in high-redshift dark matter haloes.
Response of metastatic glioma to vemurafenib
Authors: Leaver Katie Emily , Zhang Niushen , Ziskin Jennifer L. , Vogel Hannes , Recht Lawrence , Thomas Reena P.
Published: November 2015

Extraneural metastatic disease of glioma is rare and poses unique therapeutic challenges. Increasingly, the ability to sequence genetic alterations in tumors has allowed for the identification of common oncogenic signatures such as the activating BRAFV600E mutation and may be useful in therapeutic decision making. We report two patients with widespread aggressive gliomas whose tumors were found to express the BRAFV600E mutation and then responded robustly albeit transiently when exposed to vemurafenib. Although both patients succumbed to their disease, our results suggest that targeting BRAF might be appropriate for patients with aggressive gliomas that express this mutation.
Assessing behavioral syndromes in patients with brain tumors using the
frontal systems behavior scale (FrSBe)
Authors: Cabrera Sergio , Edelstein Kim , Mason Warren P. , Tartaglia Maria Carmela
Published: November 2015

Background

Personality changes following brain tumors may be due to disruption of frontal-subcortical networks. The relation between personality changes and tumor parameters such as volumes of the surgical cavity, residual tumor, or nonspecific white matter abnormalities is unknown. In this study we examined the relation between these tumor parameters and abnormal behaviors typically associated with frontal lobe dysfunction.

Methods

Thirty-one patients with intracranial tumors who completed the Frontal Systems Behavior Scale (FrSBe) during clinical neuropsychological assessment and had a solitary, well-delimited brain lesion on MRI within 3 months of that assessment were included. Tumor parameters were manually segmented using OsiriX. Nonparametric statistics were used to determine the relationship between tumor parameters and frontal behavioral dysfunction as measured by FrSBe scores.

Results

Patients reported significantly more behavior problems after tumor diagnosis. Tumor cavity volume was correlated with self-reported Executive Dysfunction (rho = 0.450, P = .047), and there was a trend in the relationship with self-reported Apathy (rho = 0.438, P = .053). Nonspecific white matter abnormality volume was also correlated with self-reported Apathy (rho = 0.810, P = .01). There were no correlations between FrSBe scores and residual tumor volume or summed volumes of tumor-related parameters.

Conclusion

Our results suggest that tumor parameters have differential effects on behaviors associated with frontal-subcortical networks and corroborate the high frequency of behavioral dysfunction in brain tumor patients. Examination of these relationships in a prospective trial is warranted to establish incidence, prevalence, risk factors, and consequences of behavioral disturbances in brain tumor patients.
Classification of Early Onset Scoliosis has Excellent Interobserver and Intraobserver Reliability
Authors: Cyr Micaela , Hilaire Tricia St. , Pan Zhaoxing , Thompson George H. , Vitale Michael G. , Garg Sumeet
Published: November 2015

Background:

Classification systems can be useful tools for clinical care and research but must be proven as reliable. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the interobserver and intraobserver reliability of the Classification of Early Onset Scoliosis (C-EOS) scheme.

Methods:

After IRB approval, 50 cases were drawn from a prospectively collected database of patients with EOS. Cases were selected using a stratified randomization scheme based on etiology. These cases were used to create an internet survey that was sent to pediatric orthopaedic faculty, research coordinators, and fellows involved in EOS care and research. Participants were asked to classify each case and were provided with a written C-EOS scheme that could be referenced while they completed the survey. Surveys were sent to participants twice, 3 weeks apart, to assess both intraobserver and interobserver reliability. Fleiss κ and Cohen κ were used to assess interobserver and intraobserver reliability, respectively.

Results:

There were 36 total participants, 29 who completed the survey twice (21 faculty, 13 research coordinators, and 2 fellows). Overall Fleiss κ coefficient for interobserver reliability was excellent across the major categories of etiology (0.84), major curve (0.93), and kyphosis (0.96). Overall intraobserver reliability was excellent with Cohen κ values for etiology (0.92), major curve (0.96), and kyphosis (0.98). Faculty members had excellent agreement for etiology (0.90), major curve (0.91), and kyphosis (0.96). Research coordinators had high levels of agreement for etiology (0.78), and excellent for major curve (0.95) and kyphosis (0.96). Intraobserver reliability was excellent across all major categories for all groups: faculty, research coordinators, and fellows.

Conclusions:

The study shows high levels of interobserver and intraobserver agreement of the C-EOS scheme. The C-EOS scheme can be used as a reliable tool for classifying EOS patients for clinical communication and research.

Level of Evidence:

Level II—diagnostic study.
Advanced Low-Cost Ultrasound-Guided Vascular Access Simulation
Authors: Sanchez-de-Toledo Joan , Villaverde Ivan
Published: November 2015

There is a growing body of literature that supports the use of ultrasound for vascular access. Advanced simulation has become a widely applied technique for training medical staff in vascular access. Nevertheless, advanced simulators are expensive and of limited usage. We describe both a step-wise systematic approach and an experimental cadaveric model of vascular access using a simple piece of chicken that can be easily used for trainees.
TP53 Mutational Spectrum in Endometrioid and Serous Endometrial Cancers
Authors: Schultheis Anne M. , Martelotto Luciano G. , De Filippo Maria R. , Piscuglio Salvatore , Ng Charlotte K. Y. , Hussein Yaser R. , Reis-Filho Jorge S. , Soslow Robert A. , Weigelt Britta
Published: November 2015

Endometrial carcinomas (ECs) are heterogeneous at the genetic level. Although TP53 mutations are highly recurrent in serous endometrial carcinomas (SECs), these are also present in a subset of endometrioid endometrial carcinomas (EECs). Here, we sought to define the frequency, pattern, distribution, and type of TP53 somatic mutations in ECs by performing a reanalysis of the publicly available data from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA). A total of 228 EECs (n=186) and SECs (n=42) from the TCGA data set, for which an integrated genomic characterization was performed, were interrogated for the presence and type of TP53 mutations, and for mutations in genes frequently mutated in ECs. TP53 mutations were found in 15% of EECs and 88% of SECs, and in 91% of copy-number-high and 35% of polymerase (DNA directed), epsilon, catalytic subunit (POLE) integrative genomic subtypes. In addition to differences in prevalence, variations in the type and pattern of TP53 mutations were observed between histologic types and between integrative genomic subtypes. TP53 hotspot mutations were significantly more frequently found in SECs (46%) than in EECs (15%). TP53-mutant EECs significantly more frequently harbored a co-occurring PTEN mutation than TP53-mutant SECs. Finally, a subset of TP53-mutant ECs (22%) was found to harbor frameshift or nonsense mutations. Given that nonsense and frameshift TP53 mutations result in distinct p53 immunohistochemical results that require careful interpretation, and that EECs and SECs display different patterns, types, and distributions of TP53 mutations, the use of the TP53/p53 status alone for the differential diagnosis of EECs and SECs may not be sufficient.
Predicting the Rate of Cognitive Decline in Alzheimer Disease
Authors: Canevelli Marco , Kelaiditi Eirini , del Campo Natalia , Bruno Giuseppe , Vellas Bruno , Cesari Matteo
Published: November 2015

Background:

Different rates of cognitive progression have been observed among Alzheimer disease (AD) patients. The present study aimed at evaluating whether the rate of cognitive worsening in AD may be predicted by widely available and easy-to-assess factors.

Methods:

Mild to moderate AD patients were recruited in the ICTUS study. Multinomial logistic regression analysis was performed to measure the association between several sociodemographic and clinical variables and 3 different rates of cognitive decline defined by modifications (after 1 year of follow-up) of the Mini Mental State Examination (MMSE) score: (1) “slow” progression, as indicated by a decrease in the MMSE score ≤1 point; (2) “intermediate” progression, decrease in the MMSE score between 2 and 5 points; and (3) “rapid” progression, decrease in the MMSE score ≥6 points.

Results:

A total of 1005 patients were considered for the present analyses. Overall, most of the study participants (52%) exhibited a slow cognitive course. Higher ADAS-Cog scores at baseline were significantly associated with both “intermediate” and “rapid” decline. Conversely, increasing age was negatively associated with “rapid” cognitive worsening.

Conclusions:

A slow progression of cognitive decline is common among AD patients. The influence of age and baseline cognitive impairment should always be carefully considered when designing AD trials and defining study populations.
Nervous systems and scenarios for the invertebrate-to-vertebrate transition
Authors: Holland Nicholas D.
Published: November 2015

Older evolutionary scenarios for the origin of vertebrates often gave nervous systems top billing in accordance with the notion that a big-brainedHomo sapienscrowned a tree of life shaped mainly by progressive evolution. Now, however, tree thinking positions all extant organisms equidistant from the tree's root, and molecular phylogenies indicate that regressive evolution is more common than previously suspected. Even so, contemporary theories of vertebrate origin still focus on the nervous system because of its functional importance, its richness in characters for comparative biology, and its central position in the two currently prominent scenarios for the invertebrate-to-vertebrate transition, which grew out of the markedly neurocentric annelid and enteropneust theories of the nineteenth century. Both these scenarios compare phyla with diverse overall body plans. This diversity, exacerbated by the scarcity of relevant fossil data, makes it challenging to establish plausible homologies between component parts (e.g. nervous system regions). In addition, our current understanding of the relation between genotype and phenotype is too preliminary to permit us to convert gene network data into structural features in any simple way. These issues are discussed here with special reference to the evolution of nervous systems during proposed transitions from invertebrates to vertebrates.
Neuronal factors determining high intelligence
Authors: Dicke Ursula , Roth Gerhard
Published: November 2015

Many attempts have been made to correlate degrees of both animal and human intelligence with brain properties. With respect to mammals, a much-discussed trait concerns absolute and relative brain size, either uncorrected or corrected for body size. However, the correlation of both with degrees of intelligence yields large inconsistencies, because although they are regarded as the most intelligent mammals, monkeys and apes, including humans, have neither the absolutely nor the relatively largest brains. The best fit between brain traits and degrees of intelligence among mammals is reached by a combination of the number of cortical neurons, neuron packing density, interneuronal distance and axonal conduction velocity—factors that determine general information processing capacity (IPC), as reflected by general intelligence. The highest IPC is found in humans, followed by the great apes, Old World and New World monkeys. The IPC of cetaceans and elephants is much lower because of a thin cortex, low neuron packing density and low axonal conduction velocity. By contrast, corvid and psittacid birds have very small and densely packed pallial neurons and relatively many neurons, which, despite very small brain volumes, might explain their high intelligence. The evolution of a syntactical and grammatical language in humans most probably has served as an additional intelligence amplifier, which may have happened in songbirds and psittacids in a convergent manner.
Crystal structure of 4,4′-[(1,3,5,7-tetraoxo-1,3,3a,4,4a,5,7,7a,8,8a-decahydro-4,8-ethenopyrrolo[3,4-f]isoindole-2,6-diyl)bis(methylene)]bis(pyridin-1-ium) dinitrate
Authors: Liu Zhimin
Published: November 2015

In the title salt, C24H22N4O42+·2NO3−, the cation is U-shaped with the two isoindole dione rings inclined to one another by 60.41 (13)°, while the two outer pyridine rings are inclined to one another by 2.77 (12)°. The dihedral angles between the pyridine ring and the adjacent isoindole dione ring are 71.82 (12) and 86.44 (13)°. In the crystal, each nitrate anion is linked to a protonated pyridine ring by N—H...O hydrogen bonds. These units are linked by a series of C—H...O hydrogen bonds, forming a three-dimensional structure.
Crystal structure of ethyl 2-[9-(5-bromo-2-hydroxyphenyl)-1,8-dioxo-1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9,10-decahydroacridin-10-yl]acetate
Authors: Mohamed Shaaban K. , Akkurt Mehmet , Jasinski Jerry P. , Abdelhamid Antar A. , Tamam Asmaa H. , Albayati Mustafa R.
Published: November 2015

In the title compound, C23H24BrNO5, the central 1,4-dihydropyridine ring of the 1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9,10-decahydroacridine ring system adopts a half-chair conformation. The two cyclohexene rings fused to the central ring both have a twisted-boat conformation. The mean planes of the bromohydroxyphenyl ring and the major and minor components of the disordered ethyl aminoacetate moiety make dihedral angles of 78.99 (12), 85.9 (2) and 88.3 (9)°, respectively, with the 1,4-dihydropyridine ring. The terminal ethyl group of the ethyl aminoacetate moiety is disordered over two sets of sites with refined occupancies of 0.768 (17) and 0.232 (17). The molecular conformation is stabilized by an intramolecular O—H...O hydrogen bond, forming anS(8) ring motif. In the crystal, C—H...O hydrogen bonds connect the molecules into layers parallel to (001), enclosingR12(7) ring motifs.
Crystal structure of (1-ethoxyethylidene)dimethylazanium tetraphenylborate
Authors: Tiritiris Ioannis , Saur Stefan , Kantlehner Willi
Published: November 2015

In the cation of the title salt, C6H14NO+·C24H20B−, the C—N bond lengths are 1.297 (2), 1.464 (2) and 1.468 (2) Å, indicating double- and single-bond character, respectively. The C—O bond length of 1.309 (2) Å shows double-bond character, pointing towards charge delocalization within the NCO plane of the iminium ion. In the crystal, C—H...π interactions between the iminium H atoms and the phenyl C atoms of the anion are present. The phenyl rings form aromatic pockets, in which the iminium ions are embedded.
Development and quality characterization of mutton snack
Authors: Talukder S. , Mendiratta S.K. , Soni Arvind , Singh Tarun Pal , Chhangte Lalchamliani , Kumar R.R. , Goswami Meena , Malav O. P. , A Irshad
Published: November 2015

Purpose

– The aim of this study was to explore the feasibility of formulation, quality characterization and acceptability of rice flour- and black gram flour-incorporated mutton snack among consumers. Cereal-based snacks, which have very less nutritional value, are highly popular among Indian consumers. Malnutrition and protein deficiencies can be overcome by supplying nutrient-dense meat-incorporated cereal-based snacks to them. On this background, it was planned to incorporate easily available sheep meat to popular snack to improve the nutritional quality, acceptability and functionality of traditional snack.

Design/methodology/approach

– Mutton-based snack formulation was standardized; rice flour (Treatment-I [T-I]), black gram flour (Treatment-II [T-II]) and their combination (Treatment-III [T-III]) were used along with lean meat for the preparation of mutton snack. Microwaving and frying process of cooking was applied, and various physicochemical and sensory properties of both raw and cooked snack were evaluated.

Findings

– Emulsion stability and expansion percentage increased significantly (p
<
0.05) in all treatment products in both cooking process except in T-III. Significant (p
<
0.05) decrease in protein percentage and increase in fat percentage has been recorded in all treatments and cooking process in comparison to control. The overall acceptability scores increased significantly in all the treatments except T-III in comparison to control. On the basis of physicochemical and sensory attributes the microwaved black gram flour-added mutton snack (T-II) was adjudged as most acceptable and was stored for a period of 45 days at ambient temperature. It was concluded that optimized product could be stored at room temperature in LDPE pouches for 45 days without marked deterioration in quality on the basis of evaluations of physicochemical (pH and thiobarbituric acid reacting substances value) and microbiological parameters (total plate count, coliform count and yeast and mould count).

Research limitations/implications

– Future research may benefit from attempting to modify shelf life of the snack in room temperature by modifying storage and packaging condition.

Originality/value

– Although incorporation of meat in cereal-based traditional snack and the effect on its quality characteristics have been extensively examined, limited research has focused on this aspect. Additionally, limited qualitative research has examined the storage characteristics of meat-incorporated snack at room temperature in eating quality context.
Nutritional quality and acceptability of sweet potato–soybean–moringa composite porridge
Authors: Gebretsadikan Tirhas M. , Bultosa Geremew , Forsido Sirawdink Fikreyesus , Astatkie Tessema
Published: November 2015

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper was to formulate porridge using orange-fleshed sweet potato (OFSP), soybean and moringa ingredients that optimizes its nutritional quality and acceptability.

Design/methodology/approach

– A 16-run constrained D-optimal mixture design was used to evaluate proximate compositions and sensory acceptability of the products. Each composition and acceptability response variable was optimized separately, and then, the sweet spot that optimizes all was determined.

Findings

– The protein, fiber, total ash, carbohydrate, iron and carotenoid contents as well as major sensory quality indicators were significantly affected by soybean, moringa and OFSP blends. However, the influence of the mixture on fat content was weak. Sensory acceptability was high for porridges processed from high OFSP and soybean, but higher nutritional quality was obtained from higher moringa levels. Graphical optimization showed that blends containing 68-75 per cent OFSP, 17-26 per cent soybean and 5-8 per cent moringa have produced nutrient enriched porridges with desirable sensory quality.

Originality/value

– The study showed that OFSP, soybean and moringa have a potential for making protein, carbohydrate, dietary fiber, pro-vitamin A carotenoids and iron enriched product that will contribute to the fight against malnutrition in developing nations such as Ethiopia. In addition, having OFSP in the blend masks undesirable odor and taste imparted by moringa.
Date fruit powder as sugar replacer in rock buns
Authors: Barimah John , Laryea Damian , Okine Ugett Naa Korkoi
Published: November 2015

Purpose

– This paper aims to assess the potential of date fruit powder as a refined sugar replacer in rock buns to help promote and diversify the utilization of date fruit.

Design/methodology/approach

– Date fruit pulp was sun dried, milled into powder, sieved and its proximate composition determined. Refined sugar in rock buns was replaced with date fruit powder at 0, 50, 80 and 100 per cent levels. The samples were then subjected to proximate, mineral and sensory evaluation.

Findings

– Date fruit powder had 1.47 per cent crude fiber and was high in carbohydrate (82.15 per cent). Carbohydrate content of samples decreased (48.55-29.72 per cent), while crude protein (6.78-9.97 per cent), crude fat (22.74-33.66 per cent) and crude fiber (0-0.49 per cent) contents increased with an increasing substitution of date powder. Of all, 0 and 50 per cent substituted rock bun samples were the most preferred. Date powder significantly (p< 0.05) increased the potassium (0.55-1.57 per cent), calcium (0.08-1.08 per cent) and iron (0.53-0.625 per cent) contents of the samples.

Originality/value

– This research assessed the potential of date fruit powder as a replacer of refined sugar in rock buns, as it remains an underutilized commodity in Ghana. Replacing 50 per cent of refined sugar improved the nutrient composition of rock buns, thereby making date fruit powder a nutritious sugar replacer which could be used in pastry products. This when adopted would diversify the utilization of date fruits while providing good nutrition to consumers.
Specific carbohydrate diet: irritable bowel syndrome patient case study
Authors: O'Dwyer Darla D. , Darville Ray L.
Published: November 2015

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper was to investigate the impact of specific carbohydrate restriction (polysaccharides and disaccharides) in the form of the specific carbohydrate diet (SCD) in treating irritable bowel syndrome (IBS).

Design/methodology/approach

– A female patient diagnosed with diarrhea predominant IBS was assigned to the SCD for six months. The diet occurred in phases and was advanced based on the individual’s tolerance level under the guidance of a registered dietitian. Quality of life was measured by a pre- and post-IBS severity score questionnaire. Gastrointestinal symptoms were measured by self-assessment of IBS symptoms using a seven-point Likert-like scale, with −3 = substantially worse to +3 = substantially better. Probiotics were consumed throughout the duration of the study.

Findings

– The quality of life severity score significantly improved from a severity of 315 (with 500 being the most severe) to 15. The initial symptoms from the first day on the diet compared to the total period for bloating, abdominal pain/discomfort, flatulence/wind, diarrhea, bowel urgency, stool consistency, stool frequency, energy levels, incomplete evacuation and abdominal rumbling were improved significantly (p
<
0.0005). The SCD diet significantly improved the quality of life and IBS symptoms in a female patient with IBS-diarrhea.

Originality/value

– This study is the first of its kind to evaluate the efficacy of the SCD to treat IBS. The SCD should be considered a therapeutic option to treating IBS after fermentable carbohydrate restriction.