bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The noise egg: a cheap and simple device to produce low‐frequency underwater noise for laboratory and field experiments
Authors: de Jong Karen , Schulte Gregor , Heubel Katja U.
Published: September 2016

Studying the effect of anthropogenic noise on animal behaviour and physiology is a field of growing scientific and management interest. Anthropogenic noise is internationally seen as major environmental concern, but knowledge of the response of animals to noise and its ecological and evolutionary consequences is disparate. Even though fish and invertebrates form the majority of aquatic taxa, the effects of noise on these taxa are largely understudied. Especially the consequences of noise for short‐range communication and behavioural interactions are yet unknown. While experimental studies on this subject are thus greatly needed, the expense of the equipment can be a main factor limiting data generation. Speakers that produce low‐frequency sounds under water are currently either too large or too expensive to allow for sufficient replication in many research set‐ups.

Here, we describe a device that can produce a low‐frequency sound, which can be used as an experimental source of noise both in aquaria and in the field. The device is completely self‐contained and costs around 10 euros per ‘noise egg’.

The sound created consists of frequency bands (harmonics), which has the advantage that broadband and pulsed sounds, such as sounds produced by vocal fish, are easily detected in a spectrogram. Because the sound from the egg attenuates quickly, it can be used in aquaria and in the field to target certain study species or individuals without affecting a large part of the surrounding area.

We have developed the device to study the effects of noise on communication and behaviour in small aquatic animals; however, it could be used for other purposes, such as testing the propagation of certain frequencies in shallow‐water habitats.

We hope the described method will facilitate the generation of experimental data on the effect of noise on behaviour and communication in aquatic animals in a wide variety of study systems and study areas.
Diel activity, frequency and visit duration of pollinators in focal plants: in situ automatic camera monitoring and data processing
Authors: Steen Ronny
Published: September 2016

Data collection on interactions between organisms and their environment has traditionally been conducted by on‐site human observations, a time‐consuming enterprise that could explain the shortage of around‐the‐clock observations of free‐ranging wild animals.

In this paper, I outline a time‐efficient procedure to collect data on flower‐visiting animals. The objectives were, first, to model diel activity rhythms by using cosine‐based mixed‐effects regression models (cosinor method) on data from an established automatic video monitoring system and, secondly, to test the use of a cheap off‐the‐shelf digital camera modified for automated monitoring of flower visitors. Two different model systems were studied: foraging bumblebees visiting focal white clovers, monitored around‐the‐clock (193 h) to model diel activity; and honeybees visiting thistles, monitored over a shorter period (5 h) to test the applicability and reliability of a new method for monitoring pollinators. The data were automatically entered and processed using R‐scripts after manual filtering of the images, obviating the need for manual data entry prior to analysis.

For diel activity in bumblebees, the model that gave the best fit included the 24‐h fundamental period and one harmonic, a 12‐h period to modulate the signal, together with temperature. The bumblebees were exclusive diurnal, with activity starting about 5 h after sunrise, peaking sharply in the afternoon and ending about 1 h before sunset. In addition to time of day, activity also increased with temperature.

The off‐the‐shelf digital camera, Canon PowerShot®, with motion detection script, was triggered by every flower‐visiting honeybee. In addition to recorded visitor frequency and visitor duration, it enabled high‐resolution images, which could be important for species identification.

Automatic camera recording is advantageous for close‐up monitoring, compared with continuous video recording, because the latter demands more time and effort in reviewing the material. It could be used to study a range of different species such as pollinators, on‐plant behaviour of herbivorous animals, cavity dwellers or cavity breeders. Moreover, the procedures for automatic data entry, data processing and statistical analysis for modelling diel activity rhythms could have great relevance for researchers using other types of camera monitoring systems operating 24 h per day.
Executive control network connectivity strength protects against relapse to cocaine use
Authors: McHugh Meredith J. , Gu Hong , Yang Yihong , Adinoff Bryon , Stein Elliot A.
Published: September 2016

Cocaine addiction is characterized by notoriously high relapse rates following treatment. Recent efforts to address poor treatment outcomes have turned to potential neural markers of relapse risk. Accordingly, the present study examined resting state functional connectivity (rsFC) within and between three large‐scale cortical networks: the default mode network (DMN), salience network (SN) and executive control network (ECN). All three have been implicated in relapse‐related phenomena including craving, withdrawal and executive control deficits. Forty‐five cocaine‐dependent individuals and 22 healthy controls completed 6‐min resting fMRI scans, The Wisconsin Card Sorting Task, Continuous Performance Test and Cocaine Craving Questionnaire. Cocaine‐dependent individuals completed all measures in the final week of a residential treatment episode. Ten control and 9 abstinent cocaine‐dependent individuals returned for 3–6 month follow‐up scan visits. A group‐level independent component analysis was employed to generate ECN, DMN and SN components. For individuals abstinent up to day 30 post‐treatment (n = 21), we found enhanced pre‐discharge rsFC between the left ECN and both the right ECN and SN as well as between the right ECN and left ECN. Left ECN rsFC effects remained elevated 3–6 months later among abstinent cocaine‐dependent individuals. Relapse was related to fewer years of education and more years smoking but no other demographic, clinical, treatment and neurocognitive characteristics. Findings suggest that interhemispheric ECN and ECN‐SN connectivity strength may protect against relapse to cocaine use following treatment. These patterns of enhanced interhemispheric network connectivity may reflect a greater capacity to engage executive control processes when faced with opportunities to use cocaine post‐treatment.
Ending an Era of Population Control in China: Was the One‐Child Policy Ever Needed?
Authors: Wang Zhihe , Yang Ming , Zhang Jiaming , Chang Jiang
Published: September 2016

The one‐child policy of China, which was initiated in 1980 and was reversed in 2015, has been conceived of as a decision made independently and arbitrarily or a product of impulsive decision making. Therefore, it has received a great deal of criticism from Western democracies. Of course, China faced internal problems related to population, such as the Great Famine of 1958–1961. This might be deemed the direct cause of the one‐child policy. However, the more powerful factors were indirect and of foreign origin. China's one‐child policy was deeply influenced by the West, especially by Western population science. Since the May 4th Movement in 1919, China has had a tendency to worship science because of the Chinese obsession with Western‐style modernization. In other words, China's one‐child policy is a product of blind imitation of Western population science. The action has resulted in serious negative consequences such as an imbalance of the sex ratio, elder‐care problems, human rights violations, undermining of traditional values, and even endangering the regime. Those problems caused China to reverse its one‐child policy. The authors believe that China should develop a postmodern population policy with Chinese character, based on organic thinking, which takes human feelings seriously and empowers people and allows them to act as subjects or agents in decisions about their families, including the size of their family and the selection of gender.
Population Growth and its Implications for Global Security
Authors: Walker Robert J.
Published: September 2016

Between 2015 and 2050 world population is projected to increase by nearly 2.5 billion, rising from 7.3 billion to an estimated 9.8 billion. The vast majority of that projected increase—an estimated 97 percent—will occur in the developing world. Demography is not destiny, but population growth in the developing world is a challenge‐multiplier. In recent decades, notable gains have been made in reducing the incidence of hunger and poverty in the world, but progress has been slow in countries with high fertility rates. The nations with the fastest growing populations tend to rank high on global indices of hunger, poverty, environmental degradation, and fragility; and many of these countries face enormous obstacles to economic development in the form of climate change, regional or ethnic conflict, or water scarcity. Most of these countries also have large numbers of unemployed young people between the ages of 15–24, a demographic factor that can contribute to, or exacerbate, political instability and conflict. Unless fertility rates in these countries fall faster than currently anticipated by demographers, many of these countries face an uncertain future. Lack of progress in improving living conditions in these countries could lead to greater political instability and conflict and increase the growing number of refugees and internally displaced persons in the world.
The Nexus of Population, Energy, Innovation, and Complexity
Authors: Taylor Temis G. , Tainter Joseph A.
Published: September 2016

For the past 200 years, humans have benefited from the abundant, inexpensive, and easily obtained energy of fossil fuels. Energy surpluses such as this are unusual in human history. In systems with little surplus energy, population growth is low and complexity emerges slowly due to the energetic costs it carries. On the rare occasions when energy is readily available, societies respond by growing rapidly. They must become more complex in response to the social, economic, and resource challenges of dense population. More complex societies are more expensive, requiring greater energy per capita. The process of increasing complexity necessitates greater energy production, creating a positive feedback cycle. Past societies have collapsed under such pressures. Population and complexity grew rapidly when the Industrial Revolution replaced economies based on annual solar radiation with economies fueled by fossil energy. The Green Revolution of the 20thcentury is credited with preventing mass starvation, but it has made food production and sustaining population ever‐more dependent on high‐energy (low‐entropy) inputs. Some believe innovation will overcome the limitations of resources and permit unchecked growth. However, increases in complexity, innovation, and fossil energy are all subject to diminishing returns, and cannot continue to support population at current levels.
Rethinking registrar attributes for Australian rural general practice training
Authors: Eley Diann S. , Laurence Caroline , David Michael , Cloninger C. Robert , Walters Lucie
Published: September 2016

Objective

Despite increases in Commonwealth funded general practice (GP) Registrar training positions, workforce trends continue to show geographical maldistribution. This study aimed to identify Registrar attributes which describe a cohort choosing to work in rural practice.

Design

Cross‐sectional self‐report questionnaire for socio‐demographics, prior training, current training pathway, measures of personality and resilience.

Participants and Setting

GP Registrars (N= 452) training in either the general or rural pathways of three Registered Training Providers in three states, or training through the Australian College of Rural and Remote Medicine's independent pathway.

Main outcome measure

Ordinal logistic regression tested the impact of key variables on the likelihood that Registrars would settle in rural practice. Univariate analysis explored differences between groups and effects of variables.

Results

A significantly increased interest in rural practice was to found to exist among registrars who were male, identified themselves as being rural, had a partner who identified as being rural, were enrolled in a rural training pathway and had high levels of Cooperativeness.

Conclusion

We present a discriminating model combining socio‐demographics, prior training and personality variables which challenges Australia to rethink Registrar attributes when training for rural general practice. With significant changes about to occur to GP training in Australia, this paper highlights the need for a more holistic approach which considers personal attributes such as Cooperativeness, rural identity and provision of geographically focused rural training pipelines to encourage Registrars to bond to individual rural communities and further develop their personal connectedness to country life and rural medical practice.
How does the workload and work activities of procedural GPs compare to non‐procedural GPs?
Authors: Russell Deborah J. , McGrail Matthew R.
Published: September 2016

Objectives

To investigate patterns of Australian GP procedural activity and associations with:

geographical remoteness and population size

hours worked in hospitals and in total; and

availability for on‐call

Design and participants

National annual panel survey (Medicine in Australia: Balancing Employment and Life) of Australian GPs, 2011–2013.

Main outcome measures

Self‐reported geographical work location, hours worked in different settings, and on‐call availability per usual week, were analysed against GP procedural activity in anaesthetics, obstetrics, surgery or emergency medicine.

Results

Analysis of 9301 survey responses from 4638 individual GPs revealed significantly increased odds of GP procedural activity in anaesthetics, obstetrics or emergency medicine as geographical remoteness increased and community population size decreased, albeit with plateauing of the effect‐size from medium‐sized (population 5000–15 000) rural communities. After adjusting for confounders, procedural GPs work more hospital and more total hours each week than non‐procedural GPs. In 2011 this equated to GPs practising anaesthetics, obstetrics, surgery, and emergency medicine providing 8% (95%CI 0, 16), 13% (95%CI 8, 19), 8% (95%CI 2, 15) and 18% (95%CI 13, 23) more total hours each week, respectively. The extra hours are attributable to longer hours worked in hospital settings, with no reduction in private consultation hours. Procedural GPs also carry a significantly higher burden of on‐call.

Conclusions

The longer working hours and higher on‐call demands experienced by rural and remote procedural GPs demand improved solutions, such as changes to service delivery models, so that long‐term procedural GP careers are increasingly attractive to current and aspiring rural GPs.
The human experience of ethics: a review of a decade of qualitative ethical decision‐making research
Authors: Lehnert Kevin , Craft Jana , Singh Nitish , Park Yung‐Hwal
Published: September 2016

Qualitative studies are an important component of business ethics research. This large amount of research covers a wide array of factors and influences on ethical decision making published between 2004 and 2014. Following the methodology of past critical reviews, this work provides a synopsis of the diverse array of qualitative studies in ethical decision making within the business ethics literature. We highlight the distinct and investigative nature of qualitative research, synthesize and summarize findings, and suggest opportunities for future research. We conclude with a recommendation for developing qualitative studies in business ethics and a call for an increased openness when considering this valuable and underrepresented strategy of inquiry.
When deeds speak, words are nothing: a study of ethical leadership in Colombia
Authors: Páez Iliana , Salgado Elvira
Published: September 2016

Using a sample of 124 managers and 248 subordinates, this study examines the mediating effect of subordinates’ job satisfaction in the relationship between ethical leadership and subordinate organizational citizenship and counter‐productive work behaviour in the Colombian context. We additionally analyse the effect of ethical leadership on subordinates’ perception of leaders’ performance. Factor analyses of the ethical leadership scale revealed two factors, ethical person (EP) and ethical guidance (EG), which were differentially associated to the outcomes. We offer an explanation from three cultural dimensions (in‐group collectivism, institutional collectivism, and power distance) by which Colombian employees seem to be more willing to follow leaders’ ethical example as a way to strengthen their membership to the leader's group, than leaders ethical disciplining by which norms are imposed. These findings have a number of implications for organizations and managers who aim to improve their employees’ behaviour. Our advice to them is that leaders’ deeds have a greater impact than their ethical words.
From change to stability: Investigating Canada's Office of the Auditor General
Authors: Taft Jordan
Published: September 2016

Through its audits and recommendations, Canada's Office of the Auditor General (OAG) has promoted financial probity and good governance for over a century. While OAG recommendations may have inherent value, their full value is realized only when implemented by government. By investigating implementation rates and the OAG's interaction with Parliament, this paper evaluates whether OAG performance and interactions with Parliament have changed over time.
Technocracy or transformation? Mapping women's policy agencies and orienting gender (in)equality in the Canadian provinces
Authors: Paterson Stephanie , Marier Patrik , Chu Felix
Published: September 2016

Canadian gender equality policy has taken a “technocratic turn” that favours bureaucratic expertise to monitor and measure (in)equality rather than participatory and consultative mechanisms. While the processes and impacts of this shift are well documented at the federal level, less is known at the provincial level. This article takes stock of provincial gender equality mechanisms, demonstrating variations in women's policy agencies (WPAs) across the ten provinces. It then links these variations to the discursive politics of gender equality within each province. We demonstrate that the potential for transformative orientations of gender equality emerges in WPAs with broad consultative mechanisms.
A common variant association study in ethnic Saudi Arabs reveals novel susceptibility loci for hypertriglyceridemia
Authors: Ram R. , Wakil S.M. , Muiya N.P. , Andres E. , Mazhar N. , Hagos S. , Alshahid M. , Meyer B.F. , Morahan G. , Dzimiri N.
Published: September 2016

Hypertriglyceridemia (hTG) is a lipid disorder, resulting from an elevation in triglyceride levels, with a strong genetic component. It constitutes a significant risk factor for coronary artery disease (CAD), a leading cause of death worldwide. In this study, we performed a common variant association study for hTG in ethnic Saudi Arabs. We genotyped 5501 individuals in a two‐phase experiment using Affymetrix Axiom® Genome‐Wide CEU 1 Array (Affymetrix, Santa Cruz, CA) that contains a total of 587,352 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs). The lead variant was the rs1558861 [1.99 (1.73–2.30); p = 7.37 × 10−22], residing on chromosome (chr) 11 at the apolipoprotein A‐I/A‐5 (APOA1/APOA5) locus. The rs780094 [1.34 (1.21–1.49); p = 8.57 × 10−8] on chr 2 at the glucokinase regulatory protein (GCKR) locus was similarly significantly associated, while the rs10911205 [1.29 (1.16–1.44); p = 3.52 × 10−6] on chr1 at the laminin subunit gamma‐1 (LAMC1) locus showed suggestive association with disease. Furthermore, the rs17145738 [0.68 (0.60–0.77); p = 6.69 × 10−9] on chr7 at the carbohydrate‐responsive element‐binding protein‐encoding (MLXIPL) gene locus displayed significant protective characteristics, while another variant rs6982502 [0.76 (0.68–0.84); p = 5.31 × 10−7] on chr8 showed similar but weaker properties. These findings were replicated in 317 cases vs 1415 controls from the same ethnic Arab population. Our study identified several variants across the human genome that are associated with hTG in ethnic Arabs.
Application of The Paris System to atypical urine cytology samples: correlation with histology and UroVysion® FISH
Authors: Miki Y. , Neat M. , Chandra A.
Published: September 2016

Objectives

To evaluate whether atypical urine cytology cases may be stratified more objectively using The Paris System (TPS) and whether reclassified cases correlate with histology and UroVysion® results.

Methods

Atypical urine cytology cases subjected to UroVysion® testing over a period of 6 years were reviewed. Each case was reclassified according to TPS and correlated with histology and UroVysion® results.

Results

A total of 91 cases were identified; 70.3% were reclassified as ‘negative for high‐grade urothelial carcinoma (HGUC)' and 14.3% as ‘atypical urothelial cells (AUC)’. The histological correlation was available in 45 cases. In the ‘negative for HGUC’ category, 67.9% had no histological evidence of malignancy, but 17.9% were diagnosed as HGUC. In the ‘AUC’ category, histology revealed urothelial carcinoma in 70% of the cases (of these, 71.4% were high grade). There was no histological evidence of malignancy in 30% of cases; notably, all of which were from patients under surveillance. The sensitivity and specificity of UroVysion® were 85.7% and 33.3% in the ‘AUC’ group and 62.5% and 100% in the ‘negative for HGUC’ group.

Conclusions

The Paris System is an objective template for reporting urine cytology specimens, and is particularly useful in identifying HGUC cases and refining the category of ‘AUC’.
Tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion in chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension before and after pulmonary thromboendarterectomy
Authors: Wong Darrin J. , Sampat Unnati , Gibson Michael A. , Auger William R. , Madani Michael M. , Daniels Lori B. , Raisinghani Ajit B. , DeMaria Anthony N. , Blanchard Daniel G.
Published: September 2016

Background

Right ventricular function is impaired in chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension (CTEPH). Tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion (TAPSE) and right ventricular fractional area change (RVFAC) have been shown to help assess right ventricular function in pulmonary hypertension. Our goal was to (1) assess TAPSE and RVFAC before and after PTE, and (2) assess correlation of these variables with right heart catheterization data and PVR.

Methods

We evaluated 67 consecutive patients with CTEPH for pulmonary thromboendarterectomy (PTE). Of these 67 patients, 48 were deemed surgical candidates. Preoperative right heart catheterization was performed within 1.3±1.2 days of the preoperative echocardiogram. All postoperative right heart catheterizations were performed on the first postoperative day.

Results

TAPSE dropped from 18±6 to 10±3 mm after PTE (P<.0001). RVFAC remained the same (25%±10% vs 30%±12%). Mean pulmonary artery (mPAP) pressure dropped from 45±12 to 28±6 mm Hg after PTE, and pulmonary vascular resistance (PVR) decreased from 757±406 to 306±147 dyne‐s/cm5 (P<.0001 for both). Before PTE, TAPSE correlated inversely with PVR (r=−.57, P<.0001, TAPSE=−5.904×ln[PVR]+56.318). RVFAC did not correlate well with PVR or mean pulmonary artery pressure. After PTE, both TAPSE and RVFAC correlated poorly with PVR (r=−.12 and .01, respectively).

Conclusion

In patients with CTEPH, TAPSE paradoxically decreased by 50% early after PTE. TAPSE correlated inversely with PVR prior to PTE, but this correlation was lost completely after PTE. Thus, despite the immediate and marked decrease in afterload postoperatively, TAPSE did not improve; thus, TAPSE cannot be used as an early marker for surgical success.
A rare presentation of cardiac amyloid deposits isolated to intramural vessels
Authors: Clemmensen Tor S. , Mølgaard Henning , Andersen Niels F. , Baerentzen Steen , Soerensen Jens , Poulsen Steen H.
Published: September 2016

The present case illustrates the diagnostic challenges in symptomatic patients with heart failure of unknown etiology. The patients were previously diagnosed with κ‐light chain amyloidosis without cardiac involvement. Echocardiography showed heart failure with mildly reduced ejection fraction but no signs of amyloidosis. Coronary angiogram showed normal arteries and 11C‐PIB positron emission tomography was negative for amyloid deposits. Exercise testing revealed severe heart failure and reduced coronary flow velocity reserve. Endomyocardial biopsies showed amyloid in the intramural coronary arteries without interstitial amyloid deposits. Hence, the patient was diagnosed with microvascular dysfunction‐induced heart failure due to vessel wall amyloidosis.
Early referral and comorbidity as possible causes of the declining transition rate in subjects at clinical high risk for psychosis
Authors: Lim Kyung‐Ok , Lee Tae Young , Kim Minah , Chon Myong‐Wuk , Yun Je‐Yeon , Kim Sung Nyun , Kwon Jun Soo
Published: September 2016

Aim

A clinical high risk (CHR) for psychosis is regarded as the state of being at risk of developing psychosis. However, the rate of transition to psychosis among CHR subjects has been declining over time. We aimed to investigate the effects of the possible causes of the declining transition rate.

Methods

A total of 129 CHR subjects were divided into two groups according to the date of enrollment: the 2005–2009 group and the 2009–2013 group. Baseline demographic and clinical characteristics, including medication prescription, were compared. The duration of untreated prodromal positive symptoms (DUPP) was used to account for early referral.

Results

The transition rate to psychosis in the 2009–2013 group was significantly lower than that in the 2005–2009 group (χ2 = 4.664, P = 0.031), although the risk factors of transition, intelligence quotient and prodromal positive symptoms did not differ between the two groups. When the DUPP was added to the follow‐up duration, the between‐group difference in the transition rates was no longer significant; however, the P‐value was low (χ2 = 2.761, P = 0.097). After adjusting for axis II comorbidities other than schizotypal personality disorder, the effect of group division on the transition rate disappeared; however, the P‐value was also low (P = 0.072). The mean olanzapine equivalent dose and the proportion of subjects prescribed with antidepressant or anxiolytic did not differ between the two groups.

Conclusions

Early referral and axis II comorbidities other than schizotypal personality disorder were associated with the declining transition rate.
Muscle and motor neuron ciliary neurotrophic factor receptor α together maintain adult motor neuron axons in vivo
Authors: Lee Nancy , Serbinski Carolyn R. , Braunlin Makayla R. , Rasch Matthew S. , Rydyznski Carolyn E. , MacLennan A. John
Published: September 2016

The molecular mechanisms maintaining adult motor innervation are comparatively unexplored relative to those involved during development. In addition to the fundamental neuroscience question, this area has important clinical ramifications given that loss of neuromuscular contact is thought to underlie several adult onset human neuromuscular diseases including amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. Indirect evidence suggests that ciliary neurotrophic factor (CNTF) receptors may contribute to adult motor neuron axon maintenance. To directly address this in vivo, we used adult onset mouse genetic disruption techniques to deplete motor neuron and muscle CNTF receptor α (CNTFRα), the essential ligand binding subunit of the receptor, and incorporated reporters labelling affected motor neuron axons and terminals. The combined depletion of motor neuron and muscle CNTFRα produced a large loss of motor neuron terminals and retrograde labelling of motor neurons with FluoroGold indicated axon die‐back well beyond muscle, together revealing an essential role for CNTFRα in adult motor axon maintenance. In contrast, selective depletion of motor neuron CNTFRα did not affect motor innervation. These data, along with our previous work indicating no effect of muscle specific CNTFRα depletion on motor innervation, suggest that motor neuron and muscle CNTFRα function in concert to maintain motor neuron axons. The data also raise the possibility of motor neuron and/or muscle CNTFRα as therapeutic targets for adult neuromuscular denervating diseases.
Kinase activity of endosomal kinase LMTK1A regulates its cellular localization and interactions with cytoskeletons
Authors: Sharma Govinda , Tsutsumi Koji , Saito Taro , Asada Akiko , Ando Kanae , Tomomura Mineko , Hisanaga Shin‐ichi
Published: September 2016

Neurite formation, a fundamental process in neuronal maturation, requires the coordinated regulation of cytoskeletal reorganization and membrane transport. Compared to the understanding of cytoskeletal functions, less is known about the supply of membranes to growing neurites. Lemur kinase 1A (LMTK1A) is an endosomal protein kinase that is highly expressed in neurons. We recently reported that LMTK1A regulates the trafficking of Rab11‐positive recycling endosomes in growing axons and dendrites. Here, we used the kinase‐negative (kn) mutant to investigate the role of the kinase activity of LMTK1A in its cellular localization and interactions with the cytoskeleton in Neuro2A and PC‐12 cells. Kinase activity was required for the localization of LMTK1A in the perinuclear endocytic recycling compartment. Perinuclear accumulation was microtubule dependent, and LMTK1A wild type (wt) localized mainly on microtubules, whereas kn LMTK1A was found in the actin‐rich cell periphery. In the neurites of PC‐12 cells, LMTK1A showed contrasting distributions depending on the kinase activity, with wt being located in the microtubule‐rich shaft and the kn form in the actin‐rich tip. Taken together, these results suggest that the kinase activity of LMTK1A regulates the pathway for endosomal vesicles to transfer from microtubules to actin filaments at the tip of growing neurites.
Phosphoproteomics analyses show subnetwork systems in T‐cell receptor signaling
Authors: Hatano Atsushi , Matsumoto Masaki , Nakayama Keiichi I.
Published: September 2016

A key issue in the study of signal transduction is how multiple signaling pathways are systematically integrated into the cell. We have now performed multiple phosphoproteomics analyses focused on the dynamics of the T‐cell receptor (TCR) signaling network and its subsystem mediated by the Ca2+ signaling pathway. Integration of these phosphoproteomics data sets and extraction of components of the TCR signaling network dependent on Ca2+ signaling showed unexpected phosphorylation kinetics for candidate substrates of the Ca2+‐dependent phosphatase calcineurin (CN) during TCR stimulation. Detailed characterization of the TCR‐induced phosphorylation of a novel CN substrate, Itpkb, showed that phosphorylation of this protein is regulated by both CN and the mitogen‐activated protein kinase Erk in a competitive manner. Phosphorylation of additional CN substrates was also found to be regulated by Erk and CN in a similar manner. The combination of multiple phosphoproteomics approaches thus showed two major subsystems mediated by Erk and CN in the TCR signaling network, with these subsystems regulating the phosphorylation of a group of proteins in a competitive manner.
Evidence for and cost‐effectiveness of physiotherapy in haemophilia: a Dutch perspective
Authors: de Kleijn P. , Mauser‐Bunschoten E. P. , Fischer K. , Smit C. , Holtslag H. , Veenhof C.
Published: September 2016

Introduction

Musculoskeletal impact of haemophilia justifies physiotherapy throughout life. Recently the Dutch Health Care Institute constrained their ‘list of chronic conditions’, and withdrew financial coverage of physiotherapy for elderly persons with haemophilia (PWH). This decision was based on lack of scientific evidence and not being in accordance with ‘state of science and practice’.

Methods

In general, evidence regarding physiotherapy is limited, and especially in rare diseases like haemophilia. ‘Evidence based medicine’ classifies and recommends evidence based on meta‐analyses, systematic reviews and randomized controlled trials, but also means integrating evidence with individual clinical expertise. For the evaluation of physiotherapy – usually individualized treatment – case studies, observational studies and Case Based Reasoning may be more beneficial.

Results

Overall annual treatment costs for haemophilia care in the Netherlands are estimated over 100 million Euros, of which 95% is covered by clotting factor concentrates. The cost for physiotherapy assessments in all seven Dutch HTCs (seven centres for adult PWH and seven centres for children) is limited at approximately 500 000 Euros annually. Costs of the actual physiotherapy sessions, carried out in our Dutch first‐line care system, will also not exceed 500 000 Euros. Thus, implementation of physiotherapy in haemophilia care the Netherlands in a most optimal way would cost less than 1% of the total budget.

Aim

The present paper describes the role of physiotherapy in haemophilia care including available evidence and providing suggestions regarding generation of evidence. Establishing the effectiveness and cost‐effectiveness of physiotherapy in haemophilia care is a major topic for the next decennium.
Acceptability and feasibility of a social entrepreneurship testing model to promote HIV self‐testing and linkage to care among men who have sex with men
Authors: Zhong F , Tang W , Cheng W , Lin P , Wu Q , Cai Y , Tang S , Fan L , Zhao Y , Chen X , Mao J , Meng G , Tucker JD , Xu H
Published: September 2016

Objectives

HIV self‐testing (HIVST) offers an opportunity to increase HIV testing among people not reached by facility‐based services. However, the promotion of HIVST is limited as a consequence of insufficient community engagement. We built a social entrepreneurship testing (SET) model to promote HIVST linkage to care among Chinese men who have sex with men (MSM) in Guangzhou.

Methods

The SET model includes a few key steps. Each participant first completed an online survey, and paid a US$23 (refundable) deposit to receive an HIVST kit and a syphilis self‐testing (SST) kit. After the testing, the results were sent to the platform by the participants and interpreted by Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) staff. Meanwhile, the deposit was returned to each participant. Finally, the Community based organizations (CBO) contacted the participants to provide counselling services, confirmation testing and linkage to care.

Results

During April−June 2015, a total of 198 MSM completed a preliminary survey and purchased self‐testing kits. The majority were aged < 34 years (84.4%) and met partners online (93.1%). In addition, 68.9% of participants had ever been tested for HIV, and 19.5% had ever performed HIVST. Overall, feedback was received from 192 participants (97.0%). Of these participants, 14 people did not use the kits; among those who did use the kits, the HIV and syphilis prevalences were 4.5% (eight of 178) and 3.7% (six of 178), respectively. All of the screened HIV‐positive individuals sought further confirmation testing and were linked to care.

Conclusions

Using an online SET model to promote HIV and syphilis self‐testing among Chinese MSM is acceptable and feasible, and this model adds a new testing platform to the current testing service system.
Analysis of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), heavy metals and omega‐3 fatty acids in commercially available Korean functional fish oil supplements
Authors: Lee Jung‐Bin , Kim Mina K. , Kim Bo‐Kyung , Kim Jyung‐Youn , Lee Kwang‐Geun
Published: September 2016

In this study, the levels of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), heavy metals and omega‐3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (docosahexaenoic acid; DHA and eicosapentaenoic acid; EPA), as well as chemical indices including acid and peroxide values were determined among twenty‐four commercially available functional fish oil supplements. The sum of indicator PCB congeners (congeners 28, 52, 101, 118, 138, 153 and 180) was below the limit of quantification of 0.043 mg kg−1. Metallic compounds (Cd, Pb, Hg and As) were not detected in all fish oil supplement samples. The relative percentages of EPA and DHA in fish oil supplements ranged from 25% to 80%. The acid values ranged from 0.1 to 1.4 mg KOH per g oil, and peroxide values ranged from 2.7 to 28.8 meq per kg oil. All fish oil supplement samples tested in current study met the safety standard for fish oil supplements set by Korean government as well as International standard.
Patient characteristics, interventions and outcomes of 1151 rapid response team activations in a tertiary hospital: a prospective study
Authors: White K. , Scott I. A. , Bernard A. , McCulloch K. , Vaux A. , Joyce C. , Sullivan C. M.
Published: September 2016

Background

The characteristics of mature contemporary rapid response systems are unclear.

Aim

To determine the patient characteristics, processes and outcomes, both in‐hospital and post‐discharge, of a well‐established rapid response system in a tertiary adult hospital.

Methods

This is a prospective study of consecutive rapid response team (RRT) activations between 1 July and 25 November 2015. Variables included patient characteristics, timing, location and triggers of RRT activations, interventions undertaken, mortality and readmission status at 28 days post‐discharge.

Results

A total of 1151 RRT activations was analysed (69.1 per 1000 admissions), involving 800 patients, of whom 81.5% were emergency admissions. A total of 351 (30.5%) activations comprised repeat activations for the same patient. Most activations (723; 62.8%) occurred out of hours, and 495 (43%) occurred within 48 h of admission. Hypotension, decreased level of consciousness and oxygen desaturation were the most common triggers. Advanced life support was undertaken in less than 7%; 198 (17.2%) responses led to transfer to higher‐level care units. Acute resuscitation plans were noted for only 29.1% of RRT activations, with 80.3% stipulating supportive care only. A total of 103 (12.6%) patients died in hospital, equalling 14 deaths per 100 RRT activations. At 28 days, 150 (18.8%) patients had died, significantly more among those with multiple versus single RRT activations (24.9 vs 16.6%; odds ratio 1.66, 95% confidence interval 1.31–2.44; P = 0.013).

Conclusion

Relatively few RRT activations are associated with acute resuscitation plans, and most interventions during RRT responses are low level. The high rate of post‐RRT deaths and transfers to higher‐level care units calls for the prospective identification of such patients in targeting appropriate care.
Influenza B virus outbreak at a religious residential school for boys in Northern Bangladesh, 2011
Authors: Haque Farhana , Sturm‐Ramirez Katharine , Homaira Nusrat , Gurley Emily Suzane , Hossain Md Jahangir , Hasan S. M. Murshid , Chowdhury Sukanta , Sarkar Shamim , Khan Abdul Khaleque Md Dawlat , Rahman Mustafizur , Rahman Mahmudur , Luby Stephen P.
Published: September 2016

Background

National media reported a febrile illness among dormitory residents of a boys' religious school. We investigated the outbreak to identify cause.

Methods

Individuals with fever (>100°F) and cough or sore throat between 1 and 13 August 2011 were influenza‐like‐illness (ILI) case‐patients. We collected histories and specimens from hospitalized case‐patients and visited campus to explore environmental context.

Results

All 28 case‐patients were dormitory residents including 27 hospitalizations. Accommodation space per resident was <0.8 square metres. Nasal and oropharyngeal swabs from 22 case‐patients were positive for influenza B virus using real‐time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (rRT‐PCR).

Conclusions

Overcrowding likely facilitated transmission leading to this dormitory outbreak.
How to Implant a Leadless Pacemaker With a Tine‐Based Fixation
Authors: EL‐CHAMI MIKHAEL F. , ROBERTS PAUL R. , KYPTA ALEX , OMDAHL PAMELA , BONNER MATTHEW D. , KOWAL ROBERT C. , DURAY GABOR Z.
Published: September 2016

Leadless Implant Procedure

Two major studies have shown that leadless pacemakers are safe and effective for patients requiring right ventricular rate responsive pacing therapy. This positive result recently led to FDA approval of one of the available leadless pacing devices. While this new technology is promising, it requires a different skill set for safe implantation. In this article, we review in detail the different steps required for implantation of tine‐based leadless pacemakers while providing tips and tricks to minimize complications.
What Type of Power has the EU Exercised in the Ukraine–Russia Crisis? A Framework of Analysis
Authors: Cross Mai'a K. Davis , Karolewski Ireneusz Pawel
Published: September 2016

What impact has the Russia–Ukraine crisis had on the EU as a foreign policy actor? Most studies examine how the EU has evolved as an actor over time of its own initiative, but tend to discount the role that the external context or structure of the international system might play in constraining or enabling the EU's exercise of power. This Special Issue seeks to understand the EU's influence in the world through recognizing its embeddedness in an unpredictable and uncertain international system. Specifically, we ask whether and to what extent the Russia–Ukraine crisis serves as a critical juncture and catalyst for shaping the EU's power.
Efficacy and safety of permethrin 5% topical gel vs. placebo for rosacea: a double‐blind randomized controlled clinical trial
Authors: Raoufinejad K. , Mansouri P. , Rajabi M. , Naraghi Z. , Jebraeili R.
Published: September 2016

Background

Rosacea is a chronic, multifactorial, dermatological condition. Increased density of Demodex folliculorum mites in the skin of rosacea patients suggests a possible role for these mites in the pathophysiology of rosacea.

Objective

To evaluate the effects of permethrin 5% topical gel vs. placebo on Demodex density (Dd) and clinical presentations of rosacea patients, and also to further refine the quantitative assessment of Dd in the non‐invasive standard skin surface biopsy (SSSB).

Methods

Twenty patients with bilateral papulopustular rosacea and ≥5 mites/cm2 were enrolled in the study. Participants and physicians were blinded to the group assignments. Each patient applied permethrin on one side and placebo on the other side of the face twice daily for 12 weeks. SSSB and photography and Rosacea Clinical Scorecard of the National Rosacea Society were used to assess the patients at the baseline, 2nd, 5th, 8th, and 12th weeks for both sides of the face. Causality and severity of adverse drug reactions (ADRs) were assessed by WHO Scale and Hartwig Scale, respectively.

Results

Dd was not significantly different between the two groups at the baseline. In both groups, Dd significantly decreased after 12 weeks compared to the baseline. At the end of the 12th week, the Dd in the permethrin group was significantly lower than the placebo group. Severity of the clinical presentations decreased in both groups at the end of week 12 in comparison to the baseline, particularly in the permethrin group. ADRs were all mild and in most cases unlikely related to permethrin.

Conclusion

Permethrin 5% gel can significantly reduce the Dd and severity of presentations in rosacea patients and can be a safe and effective option in the management of this chronic disorder. This new SSSB technique offers an easy, quick, inexpensive, and non‐invasive sampling method proper for quantitative assessment of Dd.
Winter diet of brown trout Salmo trutta in groundwater‐dominated streams: influence of environmental factors on spatial and temporal variation
Authors: French W. E. , Vondracek B. , Ferrington L. C. , Finlay J. C. , Dieterman D. J.
Published: September 2016

Winter diet composition of brown trout Salmo trutta was quantified from November to March in 35 temperate groundwater‐dominated streams in south‐eastern Minnesota, U.S.A., in relation to stream physical characteristics including drainage area, channel slope and influence of groundwater on stream thermal regime. Aquatic invertebrates made up the majority of S. trutta diet in all streams and sampling periods and individual S. trutta typically had consumed 30 or more prey items at each sampling event. Differences in diet composition were greater among streams than between sampling periods within a stream, with Gammarus spp., Brachycentrus spp., Glossosoma spp., Chironomidae and Physella spp. the most common taxa. Landscape‐scale stream characteristics were not significantly associated with S. trutta consumption or diet composition. Winter was period of significant activity in groundwater‐dominated streams, as S. trutta fed on a variety of aquatic prey taxa highlighting the importance of winter base‐flow in moderating S. trutta populations in seasonally cold catchments.
Occupational Therapy Predischarge Home Visits in Acute Hospital Care: A Randomized Trial
Authors: Clemson Lindy , Lannin Natasha A. , Wales Kylie , Salkeld Glenn , Rubenstein Laurence , Gitlin Laura , Barris Sarah , Mackenzie Lynette , Cameron Ian D.
Published: September 2016

Objectives

To determine whether an enhanced occupational therapy discharge planning intervention that involved pre‐ and postdischarge home visits, goal setting, and follow‐up (the HOME program) would be superior to a usual care intervention in which an occupational therapy in‐hospital consultation for planning and supporting discharge to home is provided to individuals receiving acute care.

Design

Randomized controlled trial.

Setting

Acute and medical wards.

Participants

Individuals aged 70 and older (N = 400).

Measurements

Primary outcomes: activities daily living (ADLs; Nottingham Extended Activities of Daily Living) and participation in life roles and activities (Late Life Disability Index (LLDI)).

Results

Occupational therapist recommendations differed significantly between groups (P < .001) (HOME n = 892 recommendations; control n = 329 recommendations). There was no difference between groups in ADLs (Nottingham Extended Activities of Daily Living scale (NEADL): β = −0.17, 95% confidence interval (CI) = −0.99–0.66) or participation (LLDI—Frequency: β = −0.23, 95% CI = −2.05–1.59; LLDI—Limitation: β = −0.14, 95% CI = −2.86–2.58). Both groups maintained prehospital functional status at 90 days, and there was no difference between groups in the number of people with unplanned readmissions (HOME 23.5%, n = 43; control 21.9%, n = 37). When groups were combined, being male (P = .03) or having lower perceived participation because of physical problems (P = .04) resulted in higher risk of unplanned readmissions.

Conclusion

HOME discharge planning, which had a strong emphasis on task modification, well‐being, and prevention strategies, implemented twice as many occupational therapy recommendations as the in‐hospital only consultation, which had a greater emphasis on equipment provision, but HOME did not demonstrate greater benefit in global measures of ADLs or participation in life tasks than in‐hospital consultation alone. It is not recommended that home visits be conducted routinely as part of discharge planning for acutely hospitalized medical patients. Further work should develop guidelines for quality in‐hospital consultation.