bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Functional convergence and phylogenetic divergence during secondary succession of subtropical wet forests in Puerto Rico
Authors: Muscarella Robert , Uriarte María , Aide T. Mitchell , Erickson David L. , Forero‐Montaña Jimena , Kress W. John , Swenson Nathan G. , Zimmerman Jess K.
Published: November 2015

Question

Understanding how the relative importance of different community assembly processes changes during secondary succession of diverse systems remains elusive. Functional and phylogenetic approaches that place species along continuous axes of niche differentiation and evolutionary relatedness, however, are deepening our understanding of the mechanisms that drive successional dynamics. We ask whether successional shifts in the functional and phylogenetic composition of post‐agricultural tropical forests provide evidence for niche partitioning or competitive dominance hierarchies as drivers of successional change.

Location

Subtropical wet forests, Puerto Rico.

Methods

We combined data on four functional traits [leaf dry mass per area (LMA), wood density (WD), maximum height (Hmax), seed dry mass] and a well‐resolved molecular phylogeny to characterize taxonomic, functional and phylogenetic composition of sapling and adult tree communities along a regionally replicated chronosequence. We used a null model approach to assess how functional and phylogenetic diversity change with forest age.

Results

Corresponding increases of community‐weighted mean LMA, Hmax and seed mass with forest age reflected a shift in dominance of species with acquisitive resource‐use strategies and small seeds towards species with more conservative resource use and larger seeds. A negative relationship between forest age and local diversity of Hmax and seed mass suggested increased importance of competitive hierarchies for light capture and shade‐tolerant regeneration in older forests. In contrast, the colonization of palms in older forest plots led to a positive relationship between forest age and local phylogenetic diversity, suggesting functional convergence of distantly related lineages on traits that confer competitive dominance under low resource conditions.

Conclusions

We linked both functional and phylogenetic dimensions of community diversity with successional trajectories of post‐agricultural tropical forests. Contrasting patterns of these dimensions of diversity shed light on the underlying community assembly processes. We argue that integrating traits and phylogeny with specific hypotheses about physiological and historical mechanisms is essential for advancing our understanding of the drivers of community change during succession.
The heterocyst differentiation transcriptional regulator HetR of the filamentous cyanobacterium Anabaena forms tetramers and can be regulated by phosphorylation
Authors: Valladares Ana , Flores Enrique , Herrero Antonia
Published: November 2015

Many filamentous cyanobacteria respond to the external cue of nitrogen scarcity by the differentiation of heterocysts, cells specialized in the fixation of atmospheric nitrogen in oxic environments. Heterocysts follow a spatial pattern along the filament of two heterocysts separated by ca. 10–15 vegetative cells performing oxygenic photosynthesis. HetR is a transcriptional regulator that directs heterocyst differentiation. In the model strain Anabaena sp. PCC 7120, the HetR protein was observed in various oligomeric forms in vivo, including a tetramer that peaked with maximal hetR expression during differentiation. Tetramers were not detected in a hetR point mutant incapable of differentiation, but were conspicuous in an over‐differentiating strain lacking the PatS inhibitor. In differentiated filaments the HetR tetramer was restricted to heterocysts, being undetectable in vegetative cells. HetR co‐purified with RNA polymerase from Anabaena mainly as a tetramer. In vitro, purified recombinant HetR was distributed between monomers, dimers, trimers and tetramers, and it was phosphorylated when incubated with (γ‐32P)ATP. Phosphorylation and PatS hampered the accumulation of HetR tetramers and impaired HetR binding to DNA. In summary, tetrameric HetR appears to represent a functionally relevant form of HetR, whose abundance in the Anabaena filament could be negatively regulated by phosphorylation and by PatS.
Representation of illness in Familial Amyloidotic Polyneuropathy Portuguese Association newspaper: A documental study
Authors: Novais Sónia Alexandra de Lemos , Mendes Felismina Rosa Parreira
Published: November 2015

This study explores illness representations within Familial Amyloidotic Polyneuropathy Portuguese Association newspaper . A content analysis was performed of the issue data using provisional coding related to the conceptual framework of the study. All dimensions of illness representation in Leventhal's Common Sense Model of illness cognitions and behaviors are present in the data and reflect the experience of living with this disease. Understanding how a person living with an hereditary, rare, neurodegenerative illness is important for developing community nursing interventions. In conclusion, we suggest an integration of common sense knowledge with other approaches for designing an intervention program centered on people living with an hereditary neurodegenerative illness, such as familial amyloidotic polyneuropathy.
Integrating human responses to climate change into conservation vulnerability assessments and adaptation planning
Authors: Maxwell Sean L. , Venter Oscar , Jones Kendall R. , Watson James E. M.
Published: November 2015

The impact of climate change on biodiversity is now evident, with the direct impacts of changing temperature and rainfall patterns and increases in the magnitude and frequency of extreme events on species distribution, populations, and overall ecosystem function being increasingly publicized. Changes in the climate system are also affecting human communities, and a range of human responses across terrestrial and marine realms have been witnessed, including altered agricultural activities, shifting fishing efforts, and human migration. Failing to account for the human responses to climate change is likely to compromise climate‐smart conservation efforts. Here, we use a well‐established conservation planning framework to show how integrating human responses to climate change into both species‐ and site‐based vulnerability assessments and adaptation plans is possible. By explicitly taking into account human responses, conservation practitioners will improve their evaluation of species and ecosystem vulnerability, and will be better able to deliver win‐wins for human‐ and biodiversity‐focused climate adaptation.
Do nest boxes in restored woodlands promote the conservation of hollow‐dependent fauna?
Authors: Lindenmayer David , Crane Mason , Blanchard Wade , Okada Sachiko , Montague‐Drake Rebecca
Published: November 2015

Vegetation restoration is considered as an important strategy for reversing biodiversity decline in agricultural areas. However, revegetated areas often lack key vegetation attributes like large old hollow‐bearing trees. As these trees take a long time to develop, artificial cavities such as nest boxes are sometimes provided to address lag effects. We conducted a 3‐year experiment using 150 nest boxes with 4 designs to quantify patterns of occupancy within 16 replanted areas and 14 patches of remnant old‐growth eucalypt woodland. We quantified patterns of occupancy of nest boxes in physically connected versus isolated remnants and plantings, and multiple covariate effects on nest box occupancy at the nest box, tree, patch, and landscape levels. Our analyses revealed a lower probability of nest box occupancy within remnants (vs. plantings) for 2 of the 6 response variables examined: any species and the Feral Honeybee. Nest boxes in connected remnants and plantings were more likely to be occupied than those in isolated plantings and remnants by any mammal and the Common Brushtail Possum. Nest boxes in restored woodlands are used by some hollow‐dependent fauna but principally already common species and not taxa of conservation concern. Nest boxes were also used by pest species. A key management consideration must be to create connected habitat to facilitate colonization of nest boxes by mammals. Approximately 15% of the cavity‐dependent vertebrates within the study area used next boxes, possibly because the diverse requirements of the array of other species were not met by the range of nest boxes deployed.
Healthcare professionals’ views on the mutual consistency of the Finnish Classification of Nursing Interventions and the Oulu Patient Classification
Authors: Liljamo Pia , Kinnunen Ulla‐Mari , Saranto Kaija
Published: November 2015

Background

Various classification schemes have been used for clinical and administrative purposes, but their concepts have seldom been cross‐mapped. Cross‐mapping is a formal method that can be used for examining existing classifications’ validity.

Aim

The aim was to cross‐map two nursing classifications – the Finnish Classification of Nursing Interventions (FiCNI, version 3.0), developed for structured nursing documentation, and the Oulu Patient Classification (OPCq), created for daily assessment of nursing intensity – and evaluate their mutual consistency. The objective was to obtain information on the content equivalence of the two classifications and the consistency of the concepts used, to inform further development of both.

Methods

The Delphi method was utilised, with a panel of experts that included terminology developers, researchers, teachers and nurses (n = 16). Four Delphi rounds were required. In these, panellists selected the most relevant content from the OPCq subareas (n = 6) for each FiCNI main category and subcategory (n = 307). In cases of doubt, respondents were asked to justify their choices.

Results

Response rates ranged from 68.8 to 93.8% in the Delphi rounds. After three rounds, 81.4% of the FiCNI categories were cross‐mapped with sufficient consensus. A fourth round was needed for 57 FiCNI categories (18.6%). Most FiCNI categories (29.3%) were cross‐mapped to the OPCq's subarea 2. Deficiencies in the concepts’ clarity and in the OPCq's content areas complicated the cross‐mapping. The most unambiguous categories of the FiCNI were found in the respiratory, cardiac and activity components. The components showing greatest ambiguity were skin integrity, mental balance and safety.

Conclusion

The content and concepts used in both classifications need further development. The cross‐mapping results can be utilised for developing reuse of structured nursing data in assessment of nursing intensity and in decision‐making in human‐resources planning.
School Choice and the Branding of Milwaukee Private Schools*
Authors: Cheng Albert , Trivitt Julie R. , Wolf Patrick J.
Published: November 2015

Objective

Brands communicate information to consumers about a good or service. As school‐choice policies become more widespread and more parents are faced with the task of choosing a school for their child, schools may be branding themselves to differentiate themselves from other schools. This article seeks to determine whether schools possess name brands that influence the choices of parents.

Methods

We use multinomial logit to model the relationship between the educational preferences and the selection of schools for 2,600 parents participating in a large, urban private school voucher program.

Results

We find that parental choices are systematic. Parents who value particular school characteristics tend to choose schools with brands that espouse those characteristics.

Conclusion

These findings are consistent with the hypothesis that schools carry brands that communicate information to parents who then use the brands to help them select schools for their children.
Bundling Public and Charitable Supports to Cope with the Effects of the Great Recession*
Authors: Allard Scott W. , Wathen Maria V. , Danziger Sandra K.
Published: November 2015

Objective

We examine how low‐income households have drawn upon public and charitable nonprofit sources of social assistance during and after the Great Recession.

Methods

Using panel survey data collected in the Detroit Metropolitan Area in 2008 and 2010, we explore the relationships between household characteristics, program use, and bundling of assistance.

Results

Roughly two‐thirds of Detroit households within 300 percent of poverty received a public safety net benefit in the previous year; about 40 percent received assistance from more than one public program. More than one in six households received help from a nonprofit charity. Low educational attainment, unemployment, and health limitations are positively related to receipt of multiple public assistance programs.

Conclusions

Our findings point to persistent needs among poor and near‐poor households after the Great Recession, as well as to the reality that many low‐income households draw upon multiple sources of public assistance even when working. Many low‐income households remain detached from public and charitable sources of support even as the safety net has expanded in response to the downturn.
The Influence of Unsportsmanlike Fouls on Basketball Teams’ Performance According to Context-Related Variables
Authors: Gómez Miguel-Ángel , Toro Enrique Ortega , Furley Philip
Published: November 2015

The aim of the current study was to analyze the temporal effects that unsportsmanlike fouls may have on basketball teams’ scoring performance under consideration of context-related variables. The authors analyzed 130 unsportsmanlike fouls from 362 elite basketball games (men’s and women’s Olympic Games, European and World Championships). The context-related variables studied were score-line, quality of opposition, timeout situation, minutes remaining, and player status. The data were analyzed with linear-regression models. The results showed that both teams (the team that made the foul and the opponent) had similar positive scoring performances during 1 and 3 ball possessions after the unsportsmanlike foul (short-term effect). However, 5 ball possessions after the foul (midterm effect), the team that made the foul had a scoring disadvantage (−0.96) and the opponent team an advantage (0.78). The context-related variable quality of opposition was significant only during 1 ball possession, with negative effects for the team that made the foul and positive effects for the opponent. The final outcome showed a positive effect for score-line when the unsportsmanlike foul was made (0.96) and for quality of opposition (0.64).
Creating Academic and Health Care Partnerships that Impact Public Health
Authors: Grandjean Peter W. , Hess Burritt W. , Schwedock Nicholas , Griggs Jackson O. , Gordon Paul M.
Published: November 2015

Kinesiology programs are well positioned to create and develop partnerships within the university, with local health care providers, and with the community to integrate and enhance the activities of professional training, community service, public health outreach, and collaborative research. Partnerships with medical and health care organizations may be structured to fulfill accreditation standards and the objectives of the “Exercise is Medicine®” initiative to improve public health through primary prevention. Barriers of scale, location, time, human resources, and funding can be overcome so all stakeholder benefits are much greater than the costs.
Using National Initiatives to Guide Engaged Scholarship in the Kinesiology Classroom
Authors: Bopp Melissa
Published: November 2015

Engaged scholarship provides students with opportunities to learn and practice skills within both the general community and underserved populations. These types of opportunities are needed in kinesiology programs which train many allied health and wellness professionals. This paper outlines different strategies that were used to create service-learning opportunities in kinesiology undergraduate classes. Using frameworks established by national organizations (e.g., League of American Bicyclists, American Fitness Index), students have an opportunity to apply concepts of how community, policy, and the environment impact physical activity and public health. These activities help students gain experience by interacting in a professional setting; building skills for data collection, community engagement, and public speaking; and apply content from coursework to real-world situations.
Science Signaling
Podcast for 10 November 2015: Regulation of gene expression by actin dynamics
Authors: Muehlich Susanne , VanHook Annalisa M.
Published: November 2015

Actin dynamics control activity of the transcriptional coactivator MKL1.
Hippo signaling for spindle orientation
Authors: VanHook Annalisa M.
Published: November 2015

The Hippo pathway kinase Warts phosphorylates substrates that control mitotic spindle orientation.
Microglia spread tau
Authors: Ferrarelli Leslie K.
Published: November 2015

Inhibiting exosome release from microglia may decrease the spread of tau fibrils in patients with Alzheimer’s disease.
Giving radiotherapy a boost
Authors: Smith Orla
Published: November 2015

Chemical castration decreases Ku70 abundance, thereby impairing nonhomologous end joining DNA repair in prostate cancer patients receiving radiotherapy.
Mitochondria to nucleus: Activate HIF1α
Authors: Prabakaran Sudhakaran
Published: November 2015

Flies reveal that HIF1α mediates toxic effects of mitochondrial impairment in neurons.
Astrocytes promote brain metastasis
Authors: Ferrarelli Leslie K.
Published: November 2015

Astrocytes release exosomes that promote the survival of breast cancer cells that metastasize to the brain.
High Prevalence of Biocide Resistance Determinants in Staphylococcus aureus Isolates from Three African Countries
Authors: Conceição Teresa , Coelho Céline , de Lencastre Hermínia , Aires-de-Sousa Marta
Published: November 2015

We assessed the prevalence of six biocide resistance genes among 82 methicillin-resistant
Staphylococcus aureus
(MRSA) and 219 methicillin-susceptible
S. aureus
(MSSA) isolates from three African countries; the prevalence was very high for
sepA
(95.3%),
mepA
(89.4%), and
norA
(86.4%), intermediate for
lmrS
(60.8%) and
qacAB
(40.5%), and low for
smr
(3.7%). A significant association between biocide resistance genes and antibiotic resistance was observed, and a new cutoff MIC of ≥1 mg/liter for chlorhexidine nonsusceptibility was defined.
Escherichia coli Pyruvate Dehydrogenase Complex Is an Important Component of CXCL10-Mediated Antimicrobial Activity
Authors: Schutte Kirsten M. , Fisher Debra J. , Burdick Marie D. , Mehrad Borna , Mathers Amy J. , Mann Barbara J. , Nakamoto Robert K. , Hughes Molly A.
Published: November 2015

Chemokines are best recognized for their role within the innate immune system as chemotactic cytokines, signaling and recruiting host immune cells to sites of infection. Certain chemokines, such as CXCL10, have been found to play an additional role in innate immunity, mediating CXCR3-independent killing of a diverse array of pathogenic microorganisms. While this is still not clearly understood, elucidating the mechanisms underlying chemokine-mediated antimicrobial activity may facilitate the development of novel therapeutic strategies effective against antibiotic-resistant Gram-negative pathogens. Here, we show that CXCL10 exerts antibacterial effects on clinical and laboratory strains of
Escherichia coli
and report that disruption of pyruvate dehydrogenase complex (PDHc), which converts pyruvate to acetyl coenzyme A, enables
E. coli
to resist these antimicrobial effects. Through generation and screening of a transposon mutant library, we identified two mutants with increased resistance to CXCL10, both with unique disruptions of the gene encoding the E1 subunit of PDHc,
aceE
. Resistance to CXCL10 also occurred following deletion of either
aceF
or
lpdA
, genes that encode the remaining two subunits of PDHc. Although PDHc resides within the bacterial cytosol, electron microscopy revealed localization of immunogold-labeled CXCL10 to the bacterial cell surface in both the
E. coli
parent and
aceE
deletion mutant strains. Taken together, our findings suggest that while CXCL10 interacts with an as-yet-unidentified component on the cell surface, PDHc is an important mediator of killing by CXCL10. To our knowledge, this is the first description of PDHc as a key bacterial component involved in the antibacterial effect of a chemokine.
Toxoplasma gondii GRA7-Induced TRAF6 Activation Contributes to Host Protective Immunity
Authors: Yang Chul-Su , Yuk Jae-Min , Lee Young-Ha , Jo Eun-Kyeong
Published: November 2015

The intracellular parasite
Toxoplasma gondii
has unique dense granule antigens (GRAs) that are crucial for host infection. Emerging evidence suggests that GRA7 of
T. gondii
is a promising serodiagnostic marker and an effective toxoplasmosis vaccine candidate; however, little is known about the intracellular regulatory mechanisms involved in the GRA7-induced host responses. Here we show that GRA7-induced MyD88 signaling through the activation of TRAF6 and production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) is required for the induction of NF-κB-mediated proinflammatory responses by macrophages. GRA7 stimulation resulted in the rapid activation of mitogen-activated protein kinases and an early burst of ROS in macrophages in a MyD88-dependent manner. GRA7 induced a physical association between GRA7 and TRAF6 via MyD88. Remarkably, the C terminus of GRA7 (GRA7-V) was sufficient for interaction with and ubiquitination of the RING domain of TRAF6, which is capable of inflammatory cytokine production. Interestingly, the generation of ROS and TRAF6 activation are mutually dependent on GRA7/MyD88-mediated signaling in macrophages. Furthermore, mice immunized with GRA7-V showed markedly increased Th1 immune responses and protective efficacy against
T. gondii
infection. Collectively, these results provide novel insight into the crucial role of GRA7-TRAF6 signaling in innate immune responses.
Transcriptome-Wide Identification of Hfq-Associated RNAs in Brucella suis by Deep Sequencing
Authors: Saadeh Bashir , Caswell Clayton C. , Chao Yanjie , Berta Philippe , Wattam Alice Rebecca , Roop R. Martin , O'Callaghan David
Published: November 2015

Recent breakthroughs in next-generation sequencing technologies have led to the identification of small noncoding RNAs (sRNAs) as a new important class of regulatory molecules. In prokaryotes, sRNAs are often bound to the chaperone protein Hfq, which allows them to interact with their partner mRNA(s). We screened the genome of the zoonotic and human pathogen
Brucella suis
1330 for the presence of this class of RNAs. We designed a coimmunoprecipitation strategy that relies on the use of Hfq as a bait to enrich the sample with sRNAs and eventually their target mRNAs. By deep sequencing analysis of the Hfq-bound transcripts, we identified a number of mRNAs and 33 sRNA candidates associated with Hfq. The expression of 10 sRNAs in the early stationary growth phase was experimentally confirmed by Northern blotting and/or reverse transcriptase PCR.

IMPORTANCE
Brucella
organisms are facultative intracellular pathogens that use stealth strategies to avoid host defenses. Adaptation to the host environment requires tight control of gene expression. Recently, small noncoding RNAs (sRNAs) and the sRNA chaperone Hfq have been shown to play a role in the fine-tuning of gene expression. Here we have used RNA sequencing to identify RNAs associated with the
B. suis
Hfq protein. We have identified a novel list of 33 sRNAs and 62 Hfq-associated mRNAs for future studies aiming to understand the intracellular lifestyle of this pathogen.
Conflict in a paediatric hospital: a prospective mixed-method study
Authors: Forbat Liz , Sayer Charlotte , McNamee Phillip , Menson Esse , Barclay Sarah
Published: November 2015

Background

Conflict in healthcare is a well-recognised but under-examined phenomenon. Little is known about the prevalence and causes of conflict across paediatric specialties.

Objective

To report the frequency and characteristics of conflict in a paediatric hospital.

Design and setting

An explanatory sequential mixed-method approach was adopted. A bespoke questionnaire recorded frequency, severity, cause and staff involved in conflict prospectively. Data were recorded for the same two 12-week periods in 2013 and 2014, in one UK children's teaching hospital. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics and correlation, the findings of which informed the construction of a semistructured interview schedule. Qualitative interviews were conducted with six key informant healthcare professionals to aid data interpretation; interviews were analysed thematically.

Results

136 individual episodes of conflict were reported. The three most common causes were ‘communication breakdown’, ‘disagreements about treatment’ and ‘unrealistic expectations’. Over 448 h of healthcare professional time was taken up by these conflicts; most often staff nurses, consultants, doctors in training and matrons. The mean severity rating was 4.9 out of 10. Qualitative interviews revealed consensus regarding whether conflicts were ranked as low, medium or high severity, and explanations regarding why neurology recorded the highest number of conflicts in the observed period.

Conclusions

Conflict is prevalent across paediatric specialties, and particularly in neurology, general paediatrics and neonatology. Considerable staff time is taken in managing conflict, indicating a need to focus resources on supporting staff to resolve conflict, notably managing communication breakdown.
Service use in children aged 6–8 years with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder
Authors: Efron Daryl , Moisuc Olga , McKenzie Vicki , Sciberras Emma
Published: November 2015

Objective

This study investigated prevalence, types and predictors of professional service use in families of children identified with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in the community.

Design

Setting: children with ADHD were identified through 43 schools using parent and teacher screening questionnaires (Conners 3 ADHD Index) followed by case confirmation using the Diagnostic Interview Schedule for Children Version IV. Parents completed a survey about professional service use in the last 12 months. Main outcome measures: data on variables potentially associated with service use were collected from parents (interview and questionnaires), teachers (questionnaires) and children (direct assessment). Logistic regression was used to examine predictors of service use in univariate and multivariable analyses.

Results

The sample comprised 179 children aged 6–8 years with ADHD. Over one-third (37%) had not received professional services in the last 12 months. The strongest predictors of service use were older child age (adjusted OR=3.0, 95% CI 1.0 to 8.9, p=0.05), and the degree to which the child's behaviour impacted on the family (adjusted OR=2.0, 95% CI 1.3 to 3.3, p=0.007), after controlling for ADHD subtype and severity, externalising comorbidities, academic achievement and parent-reported impairment.

Conclusions

A substantial proportion of children with ADHD are not accessing professional services. Our findings suggest that the child's age and the impact of the child's behaviour on the family are the strongest predictors of service use. Given the demonstrated benefits from various interventions in ADHD, there is a need to improve case identification and referral for services.
Time loss injuries compromise team success in Elite Rugby Union: a 7-year prospective study
Authors: Williams Sean , Trewartha Grant , Kemp Simon P T , Brooks John H M , Fuller Colin W , Taylor Aileen E , Cross Matthew J , Stokes Keith A
Published: November 2015

Background

A negative association between injuries and team success has been demonstrated in professional football, but the nature of this association in elite Rugby Union teams is currently unclear.

Aim

To assess the association between injury burden measures and team success outcomes within professional Rugby Union teams.

Methods

A seven-season prospective cohort design was used to record all time-loss injuries incurred by English Premiership players. Associations between team success measures (league points tally and Eurorugby Club Ranking (ECR)) and injury measures (injury burden and injury days per team-match) were modelled, both within (changes from season to season) and between (differences averaged over all seasons) teams. Thresholds for the smallest worthwhile change in league points tally and ECR were 3 points and 2.6%, respectively.

Results

Data from a total of 1462 players within 15 Premiership teams were included in the analysis. We found clear negative associations between injury measures and team success (70-100% likelihood), with the exception of between-team differences for injury days per team-match and ECR, which was unclear. A reduction in injury burden of 42 days (90% CI 30 to 70) per 1000 player hours (22% of mean injury burden) was associated with the smallest worthwhile change in league points tally.

Conclusions

Clear negative associations were found between injury measures and team success, and moderate reductions in injury burden may have worthwhile effects on competition outcomes for professional Rugby Union teams. These findings may be useful when communicating the value of injury prevention initiatives within this elite sport setting.
How socioeconomic inequalities impact pathways of care for coronary artery disease among elderly patients: study protocol for a qualitative longitudinal study
Authors: Schröder Sara L , Fink Astrid , Schumann Nadine , Moor Irene , Plehn Alexander , Richter Matthias
Published: November 2015

Introduction

Several studies have identified that socioeconomic inequalities in coronary artery disease (CAD) morbidity and mortality lead to a disadvantage in patients with low socioeconomic status (SES). International studies have shown that socioeconomic inequalities also exist in terms of access, utilisation and quality of cardiac care. The aim of this qualitative study is to provide information on the impact of socioeconomic inequalities on the pathway of care for CAD, and to establish which factors lead to socioeconomic inequality of care to form and expand existing scientific theories.

Methods and analysis

A longitudinal qualitative study with 48 patients with CAD, aged 60–80 years, is being conducted. Patients have been recruited consecutively at the University Hospital in Halle/Saale, Germany, and will be followed for a period of 6 months. Patients are interviewed two times face-to-face using semistructured interviews. Data are transcribed and analysed based on grounded theory.

Ethics and dissemination

Only participants who have been informed and who have signed a declaration of consent have been included in the study. The study complies rigorously with data protection legislation. Approval of the Ethical Review Committee at the Martin-Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, Germany was obtained. The results of the study will be presented at several congresses, and will be published in high-quality peer-reviewed international journals.

Trial registration number

This study has been registered with the German Clinical Trials Register and assigned DRKS00007839.
Republished: Dermatitis caused by metal allergy after coil embolization for unruptured cerebral aneurysm
Authors: Uwatoko Takeshi , Tsumoto Tomoyuki , Wada Naoko , Urabe Kazunori , Sanbongi Yoshiki , Tokunaga Sou , Tsurusaki Yuichirou , Okada Yasushi
Published: November 2015

We report a rare case of metal-induced dermatitis after coil embolization for cerebral aneurysm. A 51-year-old woman experienced a rash around the lips and neck 3 weeks after coil embolization. Judging from the clinical course and results of several patch tests, platinum coils were considered to have induced the dermatitis. Symptoms were relieved with administration of oral steroids. This represents the first report of metal-induced dermatitis after neuroendovascular treatment. The possibility of metal allergy was difficult to suspect preoperatively. However, early evaluation and referral are important when skin symptoms are observed postoperatively.
Detection and characterization of intracranial aneurysms: a 10-year multidetector CT angiography experience in a large center
Authors: Heit Jeremy J , Gonzalez R Gilberto , Sabbag David , Brouwers H Bart , Ordonez Rubiano Edgar Gerardo , Schaefer Pamela W , Hirsch Joshua A , Romero Javier M
Published: November 2015

Background

CT angiography (CTA) is increasingly used for the detection, characterization, and follow-up of intracranial aneurysms. A lower threshold to request a CT angiogram may render a patient population that differs from previous studies primarily evaluated with conventional angiography. Our objective was to broaden our knowledge of the factors associated with aneurysm rupture and patient mortality in this population.

Methods

All CTA studies performed over a 10-year period at a large neurovascular referral center were reviewed for the presence of an intracranial aneurysm. Patient demographics, mortality, CTA indication, aneurysm location, size, and rupture status were recorded.

Results

2927 patients with aneurysms were identified among 29 003 CTAs. 17% of the aneurysms were ruptured at the time of imaging, 24% of aneurysms were incidentally identified, and multiple aneurysms were identified in 34% of patients. Aneurysms most commonly arose from the supraclinoid internal carotid artery (22%), the middle cerebral artery (18%), and the anterior communicating artery (13%). Male sex, age <50 years, aneurysms >6 mm, and aneurysms arising from the anterior communicating artery, posterior communicating artery, or the posterior circulation were independent predictors of aneurysm rupture. Independent mortality predictors included male sex, posterior circulation aneurysms, intraventricular hemorrhage, and intraparenchymal hemorrhage.

Conclusions

These results indicate that aneurysms detected on CTA that arise from the anterior communicating artery, posterior communicating artery, or the posterior circulation, measure >6 mm in size, occur in men, and in patients aged <50 years are associated with rupture.
An experimental and computational comparison of phosphorus- and selenium-based ligands for catalysis
Authors: Ritch Jamie S. , Charette Bronte J.
Published: November 2015

To compare and contrast the bonding and reactivity of organoselenium ligands with organophosphines in coordination complexes, a new palladium(II) complex of the Se,N-chelating ligand o-(NH2)(X)C6H4(X = SePh, 2) was prepared. Its characterization by NMR spectroscopy, single-crystal X-ray diffraction, and density functional theory calculations is contrasted with the PdIIcomplex of the related P,N- chelating ligand (X = PPh2, 1). These techniques indicate that the phenylseleno moiety is a weaker σ donor to the PdCl2fragment than the diphenylphosphino group. Both complexes were suitable to catalyze the Suzuki–Miyaura coupling of p-tolylboronic acid and 4-bromobenzaldehyde.
Dynamic cause of marginal lithospheric thinning and implications for craton destruction: a comparison of the North China, Superior, and Yilgarn cratons
Authors: Wang Xu , Zhu Peimin , Kusky Timothy M. , Zhao Na , Li Xiaoyong , Wang Zhensheng
Published: November 2015

We present a comparative tectonic analysis of the North China Craton (NCC), which has lost parts of its root, with the Yilgarn and Superior cratons, which preserve their roots. We compare the geophysical structure and tectonic histories of these cratons to search for reasons why some cratons lose their roots, while others retain them. Based on the comparison and analysis of geological, geophysical, and geochemical data, it is clear that the lithospheric thinning beneath craton margins is a common phenomenon, which may be caused by convergence between plates. However, craton destruction is not always accompanied by lithospheric thinning, except for cratons that suffered subduction and collision from multiple sides. The Western Block (also known as the Ordos Block) of the NCC, Yilgarn and Superior cratons have not experienced craton destruction; the common ground among them is that they are surrounded by weak zones (e.g., mobile belts or orogens) that sheltered the cratons from deformation, which contributes greatly to the long-term stability of the craton. Subduction polarity controlled the water released by the subducting plate, and if subducting plates dip underneath the craton, they release water that hydroweakens the overlying mantle, and makes it easy for delamination or sub-continental lithospheric mantle erosion to take place in the interior of the craton. Thus, subduction polarity during convergence events is an important element in determing whether a craton retains or loses its root.
Effect of chronic intraperitoneal aminoguanidine on memory and expression of Bcl-2 family genes in diabetic rats
Authors: Alipour Mohsen , Adineh Fatemeh , Mosatafavi Hossein , Aminabadi Azam , Monirinasab Hananeh , Jafari Mohammad Reza
Published: November 2015

Long-term hyperglycemia associates with memory defects via hippocampal cells damaging. The aim of the present study was to examine the effect of 1 month of i.p. injections of AG on passive avoidance learning (PAL) and hippocampal apoptosis in rat. Eighty male rats were divided into 10 groups: control, nondiabetics and STZ-induced diabetics treated with AG (50, 100, 200, and 400 mg/kg, i.p.). PAL and the Bcl-2 family gene expressions were determined. Diabetes resulted in memory and Bcl-2 family gene expression deficits. AG (50 and 100 mg/kg) significantly improved the learning and Bcl-2, Bcl-xl, Bax, and Bak impairment in diabetic rats. However, negative effects were indicated by higher doses of the drug (200 and 400 mg/kg). Present study suggests that 1 month of i.p. injections of lower doses of AG, may improve the impaired cognitive tasks in STZ-induced diabetic rats possibly by modulating Bcl-2 family gene expressions.
Increasing global participation in genetics research through DNA barcoding
Authors: Adamowicz Sarah J. , Steinke Dirk
Published: November 2015

DNA barcoding—the sequencing of short, standardized DNA regions for specimen identification and species discovery—has promised to facilitate rapid access to biodiversity knowledge by diverse users. Here, we advance our opinion that increased global participation in genetics research is beneficial, both to scientists and for science, and explore the premise that DNA barcoding can help to democratize participation in genetics research. We examine publication patterns (2003–2014) in the DNA barcoding literature and compare trends with those in the broader, related domain of genomics. While genomics is the older and much larger field, the number of nations contributing to the published literature is similar between disciplines. Meanwhile, DNA barcoding exhibits a higher pace of growth in the number of publications as well as greater evenness among nations in their proportional contribution to total authorships. This exploration revealed DNA barcoding to be a highly international discipline, with growing participation by researchers in especially biodiverse nations. We briefly consider several of the challenges that may hinder further participation in genetics research, including access to training and molecular facilities as well as policy relating to the movement of genetic resources.
Students’ and Teachers’ Perceptions of Factors Leading to Poor Clinical Skill Development in Medical Education: A Descriptive Study
Authors: Nandini Chatterjee , Suvajit Das , Kaushik Mukhopadhyay , Chandan Chatterjee
Published: November 2015

Background. Our study was taken up to explore the possible factors influencing poor performance of undergraduate students in clinical skill demonstration.Aims. Identification of factors leading to poor clinical skill development in undergraduate medical students.Settings and Design. This is an observational study.Methods and Material. The study population comprised the undergraduate students and teachers of the Department of Medicine. All were provided with structured questionnaires who responded anonymously which were then interpreted with the help of software statistical calculator.Results. Of the 145 students, only 57 (39.3%) actually attended medicine ward. The major factors that the students reported were large groups of students around a patient (94.74%  ± 4.67), inadequacy of information in books of clinical medicine (78.9%  ± 8.53), overcrowded unclean wards (73.7%  ± 9.2), lack of practice of clinical methods at home (50.8%  ± 10.4), and timing of classes (42.1%  ± 10.3). Teachers cited poor attendance of students to wards (76.2%  ± 17.1), poor condition of wards and lack of separate enclosures to teach (100%), and large groups around a single patient (66.67%  ± 17.9).Conclusions. Absenteeism of students, overcrowding of wards, and lack of uniformity of study materials were prime factors.
Selection of the StrainLactobacillus acidophilusATCC 43121 and Its Application to Brewers’ Spent Grain Conversion into Lactic Acid
Authors: Liguori Rossana , Soccol Carlos Ricardo , Vandenberghe Luciana Porto de Souza , Woiciechowski Adenise Lorenci , Ionata Elena , Marcolongo Loredana , Faraco Vincenza
Published: November 2015

SixLactobacillusstrains were analyzed to select a bacterium for conversion of brewers’ spent grain (BSG) into lactic acid. Among the investigated strains,L. acidophilusATCC 43121 showed the highest yield of lactic acid production (16.1 g/L after 48 hours) when grown in a synthetic medium. It was then analyzed for its ability to grow on the hydrolysates obtained from BSG after acid-alkaline (AAT) or aqueous ammonia soaking (AAS) pretreatment. The lactic acid production byL. acidophilusATCC 43121 through fermentation of the hydrolysate from AAS treated BSG was 96% higher than that from the AAT treated one, although similar yields of lactic acid per consumed glucose were achieved due to a higher (46%) glucose consumption byL. acidophilusATCC 43121 in the AAS BSG hydrolysate. It is worth noting that adding yeast extract to the BSG hydrolysates increased both the yield of lactic acid per substrate consumed and the volumetric productivity. The best results were obtained by fermentation of AAS BSG hydrolysate supplemented by yeast extract, in which the strain produced 22.16 g/L of lactic acid (yield of 0.61 g/g), 27% higher than the value (17.49 g/L) obtained in the absence of a nitrogen source.
Effects of a Mindfulness Meditation Course on Learning and Cognitive Performance among University Students in Taiwan
Authors: Ching Ho-Hoi , Koo Malcolm , Tsai Tsung-Huang , Chen Chiu-Yuan
Published: November 2015

Mindfulness training has recently gained much research interest because of its putative benefits for both mental and physical health. However, little is available in its effects on Asian students. Therefore, a quasi-experimental pre/posttest design was used to assess the effects of a one-semester mindfulness meditation course in 152 first-year Taiwanese university students and compared with 130 controls. The Chinese version of the College Learning Effectiveness Inventory (CLEI) and a computer software program focused on specific cognitive tasks were used for the evaluation. Results from the analysis of covariance revealed that while the score of the full CLEI scale was significantly higher in the intervention group compared with the control (P=0.022), none of the comparisons between the nine CLEI subscales were significantly different between the two groups. For the computer cognitive tasks, the intervention group exhibited significantly better performance in the accuracy of the digital vigilance task (P=0.048), choice reaction time (P=0.004), spatial working memory (P=0.042), and digital vigilance task reaction time (P=0.004). This study showed that a one-semester mindfulness meditation course was able to improve learning effectiveness and both attention and memory aspects of cognitive performance among Taiwanese university students.

Corrigendum to “Effects of a Mindfulness Meditation Course on Learning and Cognitive Performance among University Students in Taiwan”
Transverse Free Vibration of Axially Moving Stepped Beam with Different Length and Tip Mass
Authors: Ma Guoliang , Xu Minglong , Chen Liqun , An Zengyong
Published: November 2015

Axially moving stepped beam (AMSB) with different length and tip mass is represented by adopting Euler-Bernoulli beam theory, and its characteristics and displacements of transverse free vibration are calculated by using semianalytical method. Firstly, the governing equation of the transverse free vibration is established based on Hamilton’s principle. The equation is cast into eigenvalue equation through the complex modal analysis. Then, a scheme is proposed to derive the continuous condition accordingly as the displacement, rotation, bending moment, and shear force are all equal at the connections of any two segments. Another scheme is to derive frequency equation from the given boundary conditions which contain a tip mass in the last segment. Finally, the natural frequency and modal function are calculated by using numerical method according to the eigenvalue equation and frequency equation. Due to the introduction of modal truncation, displacement and, the free vibration solution can be obtained by adopting modal superposition after Hilbert transform. The numerical examples illustrate that length, velocity, mass, and geometry affect characteristics and displacements significantly; the series of methods are effective and accurate to investigate the vibration of the AMSB with different length and tip mass after comparing several results.
Optimized Extreme Learning Machine for Power System Transient Stability Prediction Using Synchrophasors
Authors: Zhang Yanjun , Li Tie , Na Guangyu , Li Guoqing , Li Yang
Published: November 2015

A new optimized extreme learning machine- (ELM-) based method for power system transient stability prediction (TSP) using synchrophasors is presented in this paper. First, the input features symbolizing the transient stability of power systems are extracted from synchronized measurements. Then, an ELM classifier is employed to build the TSP model. And finally, the optimal parameters of the model are optimized by using the improved particle swarm optimization (IPSO) algorithm. The novelty of the proposal is in the fact that it improves the prediction performance of the ELM-based TSP model by using IPSO to optimize the parameters of the model with synchrophasors. And finally, based on the test results on both IEEE 39-bus system and a large-scale real power system, the correctness and validity of the presented approach are verified.
Switching Algorithm with Prediction Strategy for Maximizing Lifetime in Wireless Sensor Network
Authors: Yi Chuan-Jun , Yang Geng , Dai Hua , Liu Liang , Li Ning
Published: November 2015

In wireless sensor networks (WSNs), the sensed data of each node are usually gathered through a data collection tree rooted at the sink node. The data collection tree generated randomly usually does not have the longest network lifetime. How to prolong the network lifetime is one of the main challenges in WSNs. In this paper, we propose a switching algorithm with prediction strategy (SAPS) to enhance the lifetime of WSNs through reducing the load of the node with the highest load by switching its descendants. In SAPS, the shortest path to the sink is chosen for each switched node to ensure that the routing tree is shortest, thus reducing the delay and energy expenditure of data collection. Furthermore, a prediction strategy which ensures that the highest load in the network decreases in each switching is developed to guarantee high efficiency and fast convergence of the algorithm. A distributed version of our algorithm, called DSAPS, is also designed. Simulation results demonstrate that our algorithms outperform existing methods in terms of network lifetime, maximum level of the routing tree, energy expenditure of switching, energy expenditure of data collection in each round, and rate of convergence.