bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Does admission to a specialist geriatric medicine ward lead to improvements in aspects of acute medical care for older patients with dementia?
Authors: Briggs Robert , O'Shea Emma , de Siún Ana , O'Neill Desmond , Gallagher Paul , Timmons Suzanne , Kennelly Sean
Published: May 2016

Objective

The objective of this study is to clarify if admission to a specialist geriatric medicine ward leads to improvements in aspects of acute medical care for patients with dementia.

Methods

We analysed combined data involving 900 patients from the Irish and Northern Irish audits of dementia care. Data on baseline demographics, admission outcomes, clinical aspects of care, multidisciplinary assessment and discharge planning processes were collected.

Results

Less than one‐fifth of patients received their inpatient care on a specialist geriatric medicine ward. Patients admitted to a geriatric medicine ward were less likely to undergo a formal assessment of mobility compared with those in non‐geriatric wards (119/143 (83%) vs 635/708 (90%), odds ratio (OR) = 0.57 (0.35 to 0.94)) and were more likely to receive newly prescribed antipsychotic medication during the admission (27/54 (50%) vs 95/2809 (36%), OR = 1.95 (1.08 to 3.51)). Patients admitted to a geriatric medicine ward were more likely to have certain aspects of discharge planning initiated, including completion of a single plan for discharge (78/118 (66%) vs 275/611 (45%), OR = 2.38 (1.58 to 3.60)). Surgical wards performed more poorly on certain aspects including having a named discharge co‐ordinator (32/71, 45%) and documentation of decisions regarding resuscitation status (18/95, 19%).

Conclusion

Relatively low numbers of patients with dementia received care on a specialist geriatric medicine ward. There appears to be a more streamlined discharge planning process in place on these wards, but they did not perform as well as one would expect in certain areas, such as compliance with multidisciplinary assessment and antipsychotic prescribing. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Impact assessment of a maternal health project in a megacity, Nigeria: toward a future with more demand for maternal health services
Authors: Matsuoka Sadatoshi , Koga Sumiko , Suzui Emiko , Tsukada Yoshiko , Ohashi Kazutomo , Johnson Taiwo
Published: May 2016

To improve the quantity and quality of maternal health services in Lagos State, Nigeria having a maternal mortality ratio of 555 per 100 000 live births, a four‐year project was implemented since February 2010. The major activity of the project was training for both the service supply and demand sides. This study aimed to examine the impact of the project on coverages and quality of the services in target areas, and guide statewide policies. The Cochran–Armitage test for trend was applied to understand trends in the service coverages during 2009–2013. The same test was performed to analyse trends in the proportions of perineal conditions (i.e. intact or tear) and to evaluate variations in midwives' snkill during 2011–2013. The paired t‐test was used to analyse changes in midwives' knowledge. The project interventions contributed to a significant increase in the overall service coverages, including improvements in midwifery knowledge and possibly in their skills. However, the service coverage was still limited as of the termination of the project. To instal the interventions and maximise the effect of them state‐wide, it is recommended to undertake five tasks: (i) establishment of public primary health centres offering 24‐h maternal health services; (ii) redeployment and recruitment of public health personnel; (iii) expansion of midwifery trainings and continuous education by the local trainers; (iv) review of grass‐roots level activities; and (v) scrutiny of barriers to maternal health services. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Detailed spatio‐temporal sediment supply reconstruction using tree roots data
Authors: Šilhán Karel , Galia Tomáš , Škarpich Václav
Published: May 2016

Floods are an important geomorphic agent that accelerate sediment supply from bank failures. The quantitative proportions supplied by lateral inputs and the transport conditions of the channel can create local or extended accumulation zones within the channel reaches. These accumulation zones play an important role in the geomorphic regime of the stream. Knowledge of long‐term history of sediment supply is necessary to determine how these input and deposition forms developed. This study introduces a new approach for the quantification of past sediment supply via lateral erosion (incised banks and individual bank failures), using a case study of the confluence of three partial tributaries in the accumulation zone in the Outer Western Carpathians. For each tributary, as well as the channel reach downstream of the confluence zone, we calculated the mean of the largest bed particles and the unit stream power as indicators of transport capacity. We found that two of the tributaries supply significant amounts of sediment to the accumulation zone because of their higher unit stream power related to their higher transport potential, and observed coarser bed sediment. Seventy‐three bank failures with a total volume 395.5 m3 were mapped, and the sediment supply volume was dated using dendrogeomorphic analysis of 114 scarred tree roots (246 samples). The total volume of the dated sediment supply in the individual tributaries was 193.9 m3, whereas the volume of erosion in the accumulation zone was only 4.9 m3 for a period of approximately 30 years. The period represented by the dated tree roots included 12 years in which erosion events occurred and impacted the total sediment budget in the study area. Although sediment supply was greater than erosion in the accumulation zone, there are no present‐day signs of accretion. The rupture of a dam in an old pond (which is situated approximately 50 m below the accumulation zone) probably increased the transport conditions in the accumulation zone so that it balanced the high sediment supply from individual tributaries. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Modelling infiltration enhancement in a tropical urban catchment for improved stormwater management
Authors: Chui Ting Fong May , Trinh Dieu Huong
Published: May 2016

To mitigate the impacts of impervious surfaces in urban areas, structures such as bioretention systems and permeable pavements have been installed to enhance infiltration in many countries. However, relatively little knowledge is available regarding the performance of such infiltration‐based structures in humid tropical and highly urbanized areas. This study investigates the feasibility of enhancing the infiltration of stormwater in tropical urbanized areas using Singapore as a case study. It first shows that the rainfall depth and intensity are both high, but the time interval between consecutive rainfall event is long in Singapore. It then numerically simulates single‐event local infiltration and finds that the fraction of infiltrated rainfall is actually high. It finally performs catchment‐scale simulations and finds that bioretention systems can enhance infiltration and groundwater recharge particularly during wet periods. However, local mounding of groundwater can be significant and can hinder the performance of those structures. Furthermore, with 5% of catchment area being converted to such structures, the infiltration of the entire catchment is enhanced but still not yet up to the natural level. To increase the overall effectiveness, future studies can look into bioretention systems with underdrain systems. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Prediction of desalination time of saemangeum reservoir
Authors: Oh ChanSung , Cho JaePil , Choi JungHoon , Cho YoungKweon
Published: May 2016

The Saemangeum Reservoir is located on the western coast of the Republic of Korea and is embanked by a 33.9 km sea dike. The Saemangeum River Basin consists of the Mankyeong and Dongjin river basins, which have an immediate influence on the hydrodynamic characteristics of the Saemangeum Reservoir. The objectives of this study are to simulate a series of temporal and spatial distributions of water temperature and salinity to estimate the required time for desalination of the Saemangeum Reservoir and to suggest possible timing for the first agricultural water supply. To achieve this objective, a hydrodynamic numerical model is calibrated and five conditions are considered for estimating the required desalination period. The simulated period for desalination is 2.0 ‐ 2.5 years considering the conditions of percolated seawater and leached salt from the reclaimed areas, while the period of desalination is expected to take more than five years considering the conditions of salt elution from the benthic layer. Under the conditions that rural water can mostly be supplied from the surface layer of the Saemangeum Reservoir, it is expected to supply water for agricultural use in three years after the desalination of the surface layer of the reservoir. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Comparing three stochastic search algorithms for computational protein design: Monte Carlo, replica exchange Monte Carlo, and a multistart, steepest‐descent heuristic
Authors: Mignon David , Simonson Thomas
Published: May 2016

Computational protein design depends on an energy function and an algorithm to search the sequence/conformation space. We compare three stochastic search algorithms: a heuristic, Monte Carlo (MC), and a Replica Exchange Monte Carlo method (REMC). The heuristic performs a steepest‐descent minimization starting from thousands of random starting points. The methods are applied to nine test proteins from three structural families, with a fixed backbone structure, a molecular mechanics energy function, and with 1, 5, 10, 20, 30, or all amino acids allowed to mutate. Results are compared to an exact, “Cost Function Network” method that identifies the global minimum energy conformation (GMEC) in favorable cases. The designed sequences accurately reproduce experimental sequences in the hydrophobic core. The heuristic and REMC agree closely and reproduce the GMEC when it is known, with a few exceptions. Plain MC performs well for most cases, occasionally departing from the GMEC by 3–4 kcal/mol. With REMC, the diversity of the sequences sampled agrees with exact enumeration where the latter is possible: up to 2 kcal/mol above the GMEC. Beyond, room temperature replicas sample sequences up to 10 kcal/mol above the GMEC, providing thermal averages and a solution to the inverse protein folding problem. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
HIV‐1 DNA dynamics and variations in HIV‐1 DNA protease and reverse transcriptase sequences in multidrug‐resistant patients during successful raltegravir‐based therapy
Authors: Michelini Zuleika , Galluzzo Clementina Maria , Pirillo Maria Franca , Francisci Daniela , degli Antoni Anna , Vivarelli Angela , Ladisa Nicoletta , Cirioni Oscar , Weimer Liliana Elena , Fragola Vincenzo , Cara Andrea , Floridia Marco , Baroncelli Silvia
Published: May 2016

There is limited information on the variations of HIV‐1 DNA mutation profile in reverse transcriptase (RT) and protease (PR) genes during suppressive antiretroviral treatment (plasma HIV‐1 RNA continuously <50 copies/ml) with raltegravir (RAL)‐based regimens in patients with baseline RT/PR resistant HIV. Twelve multidrug resistant (RT: 12/12, PR: 8/12) HIV‐infected patients were followed during effectively suppressive RAL‐based therapy. Total and integrated HIV‐1 DNA were assessed by real time PCR at baseline and every 6 months. Ultrasensitive (threshold: 2.5 copies/ml) plasma HIV‐1 RNA and genotypic analysis of RT and PR in proviral DNA were performed at baseline and at 24 months. Half of the patients had full viral suppression (plasma HIV‐RNA < 2.5 copies/ml) at month 12. Total HIV‐1 DNA declined significantly after 12 months of therapy (from 249.2 to 145.7 copies/106cells,P = 0.023), and remained stable until 24 months, when total HIV‐1 DNA levels raised, concomitantly with a less stringent suppression of HIV‐1 RNA (81.8% of patients with >2.5 copies/ml). Integrated HIV‐1 DNA did not show fluctuations during the study period. Sequencing of the PR and RT regions from HIV‐1 DNA revealed changes in the resistance mutation profile in five patients. Total HIV‐1 DNA declined after the introduction of RAL‐based therapy, with a rebound after 2 years. No changes were observed in levels of integrated DNA, suggesting limited effect on archived HIV. The RT and PR sequence changes in archived HIV‐1 DNA suggest that variation of the mutation profile can occur even in the absence of detectable HIV‐1 RNA.J. Med. Virol. 88:2115–2124, 2016.© 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
A Theoretically Grounded Model to Reduce the Risk of Knowledge Loss in Organisations: An Energy Company Evaluation
Authors: Parboteeah Paul , Jackson Thomas , Wilkinson Nicola
Published: May 2016

The aim of the research was to determine the relationship between knowledge sharing and knowledge loss through creation of a conceptual model of factors affecting knowledge sharing and a conceptual toolkit, able to be used by managers as an analysis tool. A theoretical, constructive approach was taken to the research through the use of a theory‐building methodology to create the conceptual model of factors affecting knowledge sharing in organisations. Empirical research was carried out using a case study at an energy infrastructure organisation in the UK through questionnaires and formal interviews to validate the model. A new conceptual model of factors affecting knowledge sharing was developed and evaluated, further improving the model. The empirical research showed validation of past literature and created additional elements to the model. The main limitation is that only one industry case study was used for empirical validation. This was due to the limited timeframe of the research, which suggests that further research should involve multiple case studies, covering a wide variety of industries. The model of factors affecting knowledge sharing allows managers to analyse their knowledge management strategies and offers suggestions of ways to reduce any risk of knowledge loss. There is a lack of conceptual models based on knowledge loss, and this paper aims to solve this issue. This will be useful to businesses, helping them to improve their knowledge management initiatives, retain knowledge and gain competitive advantage over competitors. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Assessing the Biophysical Impact and Financial Viability of Soil Management Technologies Under Variable Climate in Cabo Verde Drylands: The PESERA‐DESMICE Approach
Authors: Baptista Isaurinda , Irvine Brian , Fleskens Luuk , Geissen Violette , Ritsema Coen
Published: May 2016

Field trials have demonstrated the potential of soil conservation technologies but have also shown significant spatial–temporal yield variability. This study considers the Pan‐European Soil Erosion Risk Assessment – Desertification Mitigation Cost‐Effectiveness modelling approach to capture a greater range of climatic conditions to assess the potential effect of an improved agricultural management practice emerged from field trials as a promising strategy for enhancing food security and reducing soil and land degradation. The model considers the biophysical and socio‐economic benefits of the improved soil conservation technique (T3) – residue mulch combined with pigeon pea hedges and an organic amendment, against a local baseline practice (T0). The historic rainfall statistics and 50‐year rainfall realizations provide a unique time series of rainfall and an envelope of the potential crop yield. Envelopes of potential biomass production help express the agricultural risk associated with climate variability and the potential of the conservation measures to absorb the risk, highlighting the uncertainty of a given crop yield being achieved in any particular year. T3 elevates yield under both sub‐humid and semi‐arid climates with greater security for sub‐humid areas even though risk of crop failure still exists. The technology offered good potential to increase yields by 20% in 42% of the dryland area in Santiago Island and reduce erosion by 8·6 Mg ha−1, but in terms of cost‐effectiveness, it might be prohibitively expensive for farmers lacking inputs. The findings can enable the assessment of policy options at larger scale or influence adoption of improved conservation measures under the climatic variability of the Cabo Verde drylands and resilience to future climate change. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Mixing effects on light exposure in a large‐lake epilimnion: A preliminary dual‐dye study
Authors: Minor Elizabeth C. , Austin Jay A. , Sun Luni , Gauer Lance , Zimmerman Richard C. , Mopper Kenneth
Published: May 2016

Light plays a critically important role in driving photo‐ and biogeochemistry of aquatic systems, and our ability to measure and model submarine light fields is fairly sophisticated. However, previous approaches have relied almost entirely upon Eulerian rather than Lagrangian measurements. Such approaches can provide good estimates of the instantaneous light field but do not necessarily reflect the doses of light experienced by particles and chemical species passively transported by physical processes within a lake or ocean surface‐layer. Here, a novel dual‐dye approach, used as a Lagrangian light dosimeter, was applied in Lake Superior's surface mixed layer to determine the importance of mixing in affecting the light dose experienced by particles passively mixed within is this layer. Two fluorescent dyes were deployed in the water column in a known ratio; one of the dyes (fluorescein) was sensitive to light exposure and one (rhodamine WT) was relatively photostable. The photochemistry of the dyes (i.e., the quantum yield of fluorescence bleaching at different wavelengths) and the role of matrix effects on dye response in a natural water system were explored with laboratory experiments. Decay equations for fluorescein and rhodamine WT fluorescence were determined from controlled irradiations of dye solutions with natural sunlight. The mixed‐layer light dose (from 460 nm to 510 nm) was then traced for two dye deployments in Lake Superior. The results show the importance of vertical mixing on the light dose within Lake Superior's surface layer on time scales of hours.
Polydopamine‐Mediated Immobilization of Alginate Lyase to Prevent P. aeruginosa Adhesion
Authors: Alves Diana , Sileika Tadas , Messersmith Phillip B. , Pereira Maria Olívia
Published: May 2016

Given alginate's contribution to Pseudomonas aeruginosa virulence, it has long been considered a promising target for interventional therapies, which have been performed by using the enzyme alginate lyase. In this work, instead of treating pre‐established mucoid biofilms, alginate lyase is immobilized onto a surface as a preventive measure against P. aeruginosa adhesion. A polydopamine dip‐coating strategy is employed for functionalization of polycarbonate surfaces. Enzyme immobilization is confirmed by surface characterization. Surfaces functionalized with alginate lyase exhibit anti‐adhesive properties, inhibiting the attachment of the mucoid strain. Moreover, surfaces modified with this enzyme also inhibit the adhesion of the tested non‐mucoid strain. Unexpectedly, treatment with heat‐inactivated enzyme also inhibits the attachment of mucoid and non‐mucoid P. aeruginosa strains. These findings suggest that the antibacterial performance of alginate lyase functional coatings is catalysis‐independent, highlighting the importance of further studies to better understand its mechanism of action against P. aeruginosa strains.

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A cut‐off fracture approach for residual stress estimation in thick epoxies
Authors: Jochum C. , Arrigoni Michel , Boustie Michel , Grandidier Jean‐Claude
Published: May 2016

The use of thick carbon fibre reinforced thermosets appears recently for naval and offshore efficient design. However internal residual stresses are developed during the curing of thermosets, as shown by defects like fibre wavinesses, cracks and bubbles, especially with increasing thickness. The understanding of phenomena involved during the curing of thick epoxy was described in a previous work by a by a finite element modeling of the thermal, chemical and mechanical couplings . To enable a better quality control, pulsed lasers have recently been used in non‐destructive inspection and characterization of composites and enable quality comparison from a reference stress free sample [2]. The experimental set‐up of the laser shock technique was assessed by simulation approach. Description of material parameters required is presented in the first part of the paper, based on previous experiments and models to identify material parameters for any degree of cure, assuming a dependency to the degree of cure only at room temperature. In this framework, this study presents the effects of epoxy heterogeneity, induced by the curing process of a thick matrix, for internal stress level and damage prediction. The plasticity of the matrix was described by a Ramberg‐Osgood model and an hydrodynamic constitutive law. As a first approach, a simple cut‐off fracture model based on the maximal tensile stress is used to identify the weakest parts of the solid matrix. Simulation comparison with a homogeneous fully cured stress free sample enables a first average residual stress level estimation.
Non‐monotonic molecular weight dependence of crystallization rates of linear and cyclic poly(epsilon‐caprolactone)s in a wide temperature range
Authors: Li Zhaolei , Wang Jing , Pérez‐Camargo Ricardo A , Müller Alejandro J , Zhang Boyu , Grayson Scott M , Hu Wenbing
Published: May 2016

By using a commercial fast‐scan chip‐calorimeter, the effect of molecular weight on the isothermal crystallization rates of linear and cyclic poly(epsilon‐caprolactone) samples (L‐PCLs and C‐PCLs) is investigated. The results confirm the non‐monotonic molecular weight dependence of the crystallization rates of both L‐PCLs and C‐PCLs over a wide temperature range, previously observed only in the high temperature range, in which the medium molecular weight PCLs exhibit the highest crystallization rate. Chain‐end effects of L‐PCL with medium molecular weights induce faster crystallization rates in specific low temperature regions, in comparison to that for counterpart C‐PCL. This phenomenon no longer exists in high molecular weight samples because of ‘diluted’ chain‐end effects in long chain samples. © 2016 Society of Chemical Industry
Skeletal muscle fiber analysis by atmospheric pressure scanning microprobe matrix‐assisted laser desorption/ionization mass spectrometric imaging at high mass and high spatial resolution
Authors: Tsai Yu‐Hsuan , Bhandari Dhaka Ram , Garrett Timothy J. , Carter Christy S. , Spengler Bernhard , Yost Richard A.
Published: May 2016

Skeletal muscles are composed of heterogeneous muscle fibers with various fiber types. These fibers can be classified into different classes based on their different characteristics. MALDI mass spectrometric imaging (MSI) has been applied to study and visualize different metabolomics profiles of different fiber types. Here, skeletal muscles were analyzed by atmospheric pressure scanning microprobe MALDI‐MSI at high spatial and high mass resolution.
Recombinant antibodies for diagnostics and therapy against pathogens and toxins generated by phage display
Authors: Kuhn Philipp , Fühner Viola , Unkauf Tobias , Moreira Gustavo Marcal Schmidt Garcia , Frenzel André , Miethe Sebastian , Hust Michael
Published: May 2016

Antibodies are valuable molecules for the diagnostic and treatment of diseases caused by pathogens and toxins. Traditionally, these antibodies are generated by hybridoma technology. An alternative to hybridoma technology is the use of antibody phage display to generate recombinant antibodies. This in vitro technology circumvents the limitations of the immune system and allows—in theory—the generation of antibodies against all conceivable molecules. Phage display technology enables obtaining human antibodies from naïve antibody gene libraries when either patients are not available or immunization is not ethically feasible. On the other hand, if patients or immunized/infected animals are available, it is common to construct immune phage display libraries to select in vivo affinity‐matured antibodies. Because the phage packaged DNA sequence encoding the antibodies is directly available, the antibodies can be smoothly engineered according to the requirements of the final application. In this review, an overview of phage display derived recombinant antibodies against bacterial, viral, and eukaryotic pathogens as well as toxins for diagnostics and therapy is given.
NF‐κB and androgen receptor variant 7 induce expression of SRD5A isoforms and confer 5ARI resistance
Authors: Austin David C. , Strand Douglas W. , Love Harold L. , Franco Omar E. , Grabowska Magdalena M. , Miller Nicole L. , Hameed Omar , Clark Peter E. , Matusik Robert J. , Jin Ren J. , Hayward Simon W.
Published: May 2016

BACKGROUND

Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) is treated with 5α‐reductase inhibitors (5ARI). These drugs inhibit the conversion of testosterone to dihydrotestosterone resulting in apoptosis and prostate shrinkage. Most patients initially respond to 5ARIs; however, failure is common especially in inflamed prostates, and often results in surgery. This communication examines a link between activation of NF‐κB and increased expression of SRD5A2 as a potential mechanism by which patients fail 5ARI therapy.

METHODS

Tissue was collected from “Surgical” patients, treated specifically for lower urinary tract symptoms secondary to advanced BPH; and, cancer free transition zone from “Incidental” patients treated for low grade, localized peripheral zone prostate cancer. Clinical, molecular and histopathological profiles were analyzed. Human prostatic stromal and epithelial cell lines were genetically modified to regulate NF‐κB activity, androgen receptor (AR) full length (AR‐FL), and AR variant 7 (AR‐V7) expression.

RESULTS

SRD5A2 is upregulated in advanced BPH. SRD5A2 was significantly associated with prostate volume determined by Transrectal Ultrasound (TRUS), and with more severe lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) determined by American Urological Association Symptom Score (AUASS). Synthesis of androgens was seen in cells in which NF‐κB was activated. AR‐FL and AR‐V7 expression increased SRD5A2 expression while forced activation of NF‐κB increased all three SRD5A isoforms. Knockdown of SRD5A2 in the epithelial cells resulted in significant reduction in proliferation, AR target gene expression, and response to testosterone (T). In tissue recombinants, canonical NF‐κB activation in prostatic epithelium elevated all three SRD5A isoforms and resulted in in vivo growth under castrated conditions.

CONCLUSION

Increased BPH severity in patients correlates with SRD5A2 expression. We demonstrate that NF‐κB and AR‐V7 upregulate SRD5A expression providing a mechanism to explain failure of 5ARI therapy in BPH patients. Prostate 76:1004–1018, 2016. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
External validation of a PCA‐3‐based nomogram for predicting prostate cancer and high‐grade cancer on initial prostate biopsy
Authors: Greene Daniel J. , Elshafei Ahmed , Nyame Yaw A. , Kara Onder , Malkoc Ercan , Gao Tianming , Jones J. Stephen
Published: May 2016

INTRODUCTION

The aim of this study was to externally validate a previously developed PCA3‐based nomogram for the prediction of prostate cancer (PCa) and high‐grade (intermediate and/or high‐grade) prostate cancer (HGPCa) at the time of initial prostate biopsy.

METHODS

A retrospective review was performed on a cohort of 336 men from a large urban academic medical center. All men had serum PSA <20 ng/ml and underwent initial transrectal ultrasound‐guided prostate biopsy with at least 10 cores sampling for suspicious exam and/or elevated PSA. Covariates were collected for the nomogram and included age, ethnicity, family history (FH) of PCa, PSA at diagnosis, PCA3, total prostate volume (TPV), and abnormal finding on digital rectal exam (DRE). These variables were used to test the accuracy (concordance index) and calibration of a previously published PCA3 nomogram.

RESULTS

Biopsy confirms PCa and HGPCa in 51.0% and 30.4% of validation patients, respectively. This differed from the original cohort in that it had significantly more PCa and HGPCA (51% vs. 44%, P = 0.019; and 30.4% vs. 19.1%, P < 0.001). Despite the differences in PCa detection the concordance index was 75% and 77% for overall PCa and HGPCa, respectively. Calibration for overall PCa was good.

CONCLUSIONS

This represents the first external validation of a PCA3‐based prostate cancer predictive nomogram in a North American population. Prostate 76:1019–1023, 2016. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Membrane damage as first and DNA as the secondary target for anti‐candidal activity of antimicrobial peptide P7 derived from cell‐penetrating peptide ppTG20 against Candida albicans
Authors: Li Lirong , Song Fengxia , Sun Jin , Tian Xu , Xia Shufang , Le Guowei
Published: May 2016

P7, a peptide analogue derived from cell‐penetrating peptide ppTG20, possesses antibacterial and antitumor activities without significant hemolytic activity. In this study, we investigated the antifungal effect of P7 and its anti‐Candida acting mode in Candida albicans. P7 displayed antifungal activity against the reference C. albicans (MIC = 4 μM), Aspergilla niger (MIC = 32 μM), Aspergillus flavus (MIC = 8 μM), and Trichopyton rubrum (MIC = 16 μM). The effect of P7 on the C. albicans cell membrane was examined by investigating the calcein leakage from fungal membrane models made of egg yolk l‐phosphatidylcholine/ergosterol (10 : 1, w/w) liposomes. P7 showed potent leakage effects against fungal liposomes similar to Melittin‐treated cells. C. albicans protoplast regeneration assay demonstrated that P7 interacted with the C. albicans plasma membrane. Flow cytometry of the plasma membrane potential and integrity of C. albicans showed that P7 caused 60.9 ± 1.8% depolarization of the membrane potential of intact C. albicans cells and caused 58.1 ± 3.2% C. albicans cell membrane damage. Confocal laser scanning microscopy demonstrated that part of FITC‐P7 accumulated in the cytoplasm. DNA retardation analysis was also performed, which showed that P7 interacted with C. albicans genomic DNA after penetrating the cell membrane, completely inhibiting the migration of genomic DNA above the weight ratio (peptide : DNA) of 6. Our results indicated that the plasma membrane was the primary target, and DNA was the secondary intracellular target of the mode of action of P7 against C. albicans. Copyright © 2016 European Peptide Society and John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Combining parametric low‐dimensional ensemble postprocessing with reordering methods
Authors: Schefzik Roman
Published: May 2016

State‐of‐the‐art weather forecasts usually rely on ensemble prediction systems, accounting for the different sources of uncertainty. As ensembles are typically uncalibrated, they should get statistically postprocessed. Several multivariate ensemble postprocessing techniques that additionally consider spatial, inter‐variable and/or temporal dependences have been developed. These can be roughly divided into two groups. The first group comprises parametric, mainly low‐dimensional, approaches that are tailored to specific settings. The second group involves non‐parametric reordering methods that impose a specific dependence template on univariately postprocessed forecasts and are suitable in any dimension. In this article, these different strategies are combined, with the aim of exploiting the benefits of both concepts. Specifically, a high‐dimensional postprocessing problem is divided into multiple low‐dimensional instances, each of which is postprocessed via a suitable multivariate parametric method. From each postprocessed low‐dimensional distribution, a sample is drawn, which is then reordered according to the corresponding multidimensional rank structure of an appropriately chosen dependence template. In this context, different ranking concepts for multivariate settings are discussed. Finally, all reordered samples are aggregated to obtain the overall postprocessed ensemble. The new approach is applied to ensemble forecasts for temperature and wind speed at several locations from the European Centre for Medium‐Range Weather Forecasts, using a recent bivariate ensemble model output statistics postprocessing technique and a reordering based on the raw ensemble forecasts similar to the ensemble copula coupling method. It shows good predictive skill and outperforms reference ensembles.
Numerical study of arc in SF6 gas circuit breaker with externally applied magnetic field
Authors: Hirayama Satoshi , Fujino Takayasu , Ishikawa Motoo , Mori Tadashi , Kawano Hiromichi
Published: May 2016

The influence of an externally applied magnetic field on the characteristics and the transient behavior of the arc in a gas circuit breaker is examined by means of three‐dimensional time‐dependent numerical simulations. It is assumed that the gas circuit breaker has a ring‐shaped permanent magnet and an arc is exposed to the externally applied magnetic field. Numerical results demonstrate that the rotation of arc induced by the Lorentz force produces a three‐dimensional spiral structure of the arc. As a consequence of the rotation, the arc shrinks and the arc temperature decreases remarkably just before the time when the arc current is zero, so that applying the magnetic field increases the arc voltage. The numerical results also show that a swirling flow generated by the Lorentz force carries a thermal energy toward the thermal puffer room mainly by the convection during the high arc current phase, and as a result the pressure in the thermal puffer room increases. © 2016 Institute of Electrical Engineers of Japan. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Single‐phase to ground fault current distribution in transmission system based on the improved double‐side elimination method
Authors: Qi Zheng , Rao Zhi
Published: May 2016

In order to calculate the fault current distribution when a single‐phase to ground fault occurs in a transmission system with asymmetric parameters, this paper proposes an improvement on the traditional double‐side elimination method based on the phase component model. The improved double‐elimination method widens the range of the original method to the situation of multiple overhead ground wires and double power sources at both terminals. From the fault point, it divides the system into the left and right networks. Taking the left network as an example, the equations of all spans are formed. Then, the forward–backward recursive process of the theory is demonstrated. By optimizing the matrix calculation process, the calculation model for computers is formed, which can easily calculate the fault current on phase wires and overhead ground wires when a single‐phase to ground fault occurs. By comparing the results from this theory and the results from the EMTP simulation software, the correctness of the theory is established. Furthermore, in this paper we give a detailed discussion on the influence of tower grounding resistance and overhead ground wire operation mode on the fault current distribution. © 2016 Institute of Electrical Engineers of Japan. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Phyllotaxis: from patterns of organogenesis at the meristem to shoot architecture
Authors: Galvan‐Ampudia Carlos S. , Chaumeret Anaïs M. , Godin Christophe , Vernoux Teva
Published: May 2016

The primary architecture of the aerial part of plants is controlled by the shoot apical meristem, a specialized tissue containing a stem cell niche. The iterative generation of new aerial organs, (leaves, lateral inflorescences, and flowers) at the meristem follows regular patterns, called phyllotaxis. Phyllotaxis has long been proposed to self‐organize from the combined action of growth and of inhibitory fields blocking organogenesis in the vicinity of existing organs in the meristem. In this review, we will highlight how a combination of mathematical/computational modeling and experimental biology has demonstrated that the spatiotemporal distribution of the plant hormone auxin controls both organogenesis and the establishment of inhibitory fields. We will discuss recent advances showing that auxin likely acts through a combination of biochemical and mechanical regulatory mechanisms that control not only the pattern of organogenesis in the meristem but also postmeristematic growth, to shape the shoot. WIREs Dev Biol 2016, 5:460–473. doi: 10.1002/wdev.231

This article is categorized under:

Establishment of Spatial and Temporal Patterns > Repeating Patterns and Lateral Inhibition

Gene Expression and Transcriptional Hierarchies > Quantitative Methods and Models

Plant Development > Inflorescence, Flower, and Fruit Development
A hundred years of basic science in medical education
Authors: Sibbald Matt , Neville Alan
Published: May 2016

None
Sonographic Visualization of Thenar Motor Branch of the Median Nerve: A Cadaveric Validation Study
Authors: Smith Jay , Barnes Darryl E. , Barnes Kailee J. , Strakowski Jeffrey A. , Lachman Nirusha , Kakar Sanjeev , Martinoli Carlo
Published: May 2016

Background

The thenar motor branch (TMB) of the median nerve may be affected in carpal tunnel syndrome and can be injured during carpal tunnel surgery. Although ultrasound has been used to identify small nerves throughout the body, the sonographic evaluation of the TMB has not been investigated formally.

Objective

To document the ability of ultrasound to visualize the TMB of the median nerve in an unembalmed cadaveric model.

Design

Prospective laboratory investigation.

Setting

Procedural skills laboratory at a tertiary medical center.

Methods

On the basis of anatomical descriptions, dissection and clinical experience, a technique was developed to sonographically identify the presumed TMB of the median nerve at the distal carpal tunnel. A single, experienced examiner then identified the presumed TMB in 10 unembalmed, cadaveric upper limb specimens (4 right, 6 left) obtained from 9 donors (4 male, 5 female) ages 76‐85 years with body mass indices of 18.2‐29.5 kg/m2 with both 12‐3 MHZ and 16‐7 MHz linear array transducers. The same examiner then injected 0.2‐0.3 mL of diluted colored latex into and around the presumed TMB using direct ultrasound guidance. At a minimum of 24 hours postinjection, specimens were dissected under loupe magnification to determine the location of the latex injectate.

Main Outcome Measure

The location of latex injectate relative to the anatomically identified TMB.

Results

A vertical, linear, hypoechogenic region was sonographically identified arising from the median nerve at the distal carpal tunnel in all 10 specimens and was hypothesized to represent the vertical segment of the TMB. Both transducers allowed identification of the TMB, although localization was subjectively facilitated by the higher frequency transducer. All 10 sonographically guided injections placed latex into and around the TMB of the median nerve, confirming that ultrasound had accurately identified the TMB.

Conclusions

Sonographic evaluation of the TMB of the median nerve is technically feasible and should be considered when clinically indicated. Further research and clinical experience is necessary to define the role of sonographic TMB imaging in the evaluation and management of patients with carpal tunnel syndrome.

Level of Evidence

IV
Keeping Children Safe is Good Business: The Enterprise of Child Safety in the Age of Reagan
Authors: MOKRZYCKI RENFRO PAUL
Published: May 2016

This essay investigates the ways in which child safety became an enterprise during the child protection crusade of the 1980s. Americans clamored for an increased federal presence in “the battle for child safety,” but they made such calls in a climate of intense governmental distrust. The federal governmentdidassume a larger role on the issue of missing and exploited children with the passage of the Missing Children and Missing Children’s Assistance Acts of 1982 and 1984, respectively. But, as this essay demonstrates, the state also stressed the primacy of the private sector—and specifically for-profit companies—in protecting American children. The celebration by President Ronald Reagan and others of private sector efforts to raise awareness about and “save” American youngsters laid the groundwork for a broaderchild safety apparatusthat took hold in the final decades of the twentieth century.
The History of Treatment of Twin-to-Twin Transfusion Syndrome
Authors: Glennon Chelsea L. , Shemer Scott A. , Palma-Dias Ricardo , Umstad Mark P.
Published: May 2016

Historical suggestions of twin-to-twin transfusion syndrome (TTTS) date back to the early 17th century. Placental anastomoses were first reported in 1687; however, it was Schatz who first identified their importance in 1875. He recognized ‘the area of transfusion’ within the ‘villous district’ of the placenta, which he named the ‘third circulation’. This article describes how the management of TTTS has evolved as we have gained a more sophisticated understanding and appreciation of the complex vascular anastomoses that exist in monochorionic twin placentae. Currently, fetosopic laser occlusion is the preferred treatment option for TTTS.
Serious Efforts at Bias Reduction
Authors: Shaw Adrienne , Kenski Kate , Stromer-Galley Jennifer , Mikeal Martey Rosa , Clegg Benjamin A. , Lewis Joanna E. , Folkestad James E. , Strzalkowski Tomek
Published: May 2016

Abstract. As research on serious games continues to grow, we investigate the efficacy of digital games to train enhanced decision making through understanding cognitive biases. This study investigates the ability of a 30-minute digital game as compared with a 30-minute video to teach people how to recognize and mitigate three cognitive biases: fundamental attribution error, confirmation bias, and bias blind spot. We investigate the effects of character customization on learning outcomes as compared with an assigned character. We use interviews to understand the qualitative differences between the conditions. Experimental results suggest that the game was more effective at teaching and mitigating cognitive biases than was the training video. Although interviews suggest players liked avatar customization, results of the experiment indicate that avatar customization had no significant effect on learning outcomes. This research provides information future designers can use to choose the best medium and affordances for the most effective learning outcomes on cognitive processes.
β-Arrestin1 inhibits chemotherapy-induced intestinal stem cell apoptosis and mucositis
Authors: Zhan Y , Xu C , Liu Z , Yang Y , Tan S , Yang Y , Jiang J , Liu H , Chen J , Wu B
Published: May 2016

The mechanism of chemotherapy-induced gastrointestinal (GI) syndrome (CIGIS) is still controversial, and it is unclear whether chemotherapy induces intestinal stem cell (ISC) apoptosis. β-Arrestins are regulators and mediators of G protein-coupled receptor signaling in cell apoptosis, division and growth. In this study, we aimed to investigate whether chemotherapy induces ISC apoptosis to contribute to mucositis in CIGIS and whether β-arrestin1 (β-arr1) is involved in this apoptosis. Different chemotherapeutic agents were used to generate a CIGIS model. Lgr5-EGFP-IRES-creERT2+/− knock-in mice were used as a CIGIS model to investigate ISC apoptosis. β-arr1 knockout mice were used to determine whether β-arr1 is involved in the apoptosis in CIGIS. Intestinal histology was performed, the ISC apoptosis was analyzed and the mucosal barrier was examined. The effects of β-arr1 in apoptosis were investigated in the samples from humans and mice as well as in cell lines. Here, we demonstrate that chemotherapy induced intestinal mucositis by promoting crypt cell apoptosis, especially in Lgr5+ stem cells and Paneth cells but not in goblet cells, epithelial cells or vascular endothelial cells. Furthermore, β-arr1 deficiency exacerbated the Lgr5+ stem cell apoptosis, but not Paneth cell apoptosis, in CIGIS. In addition, the data showed that β-arr1 reduced the chemotherapy-induced Lgr5+ stem cell apoptosis by inhibiting endoplasmic reticulum stress-mediated mitochondrial apoptotic signaling. Our study indicates that β-arr1 inhibits chemotherapy-induced ISC apoptosis to alleviate intestinal mucositis in CIGIS.
Myt3 suppression sensitizes islet cells to high glucose-induced cell death via Bim induction
Authors: Tennant B R , Vanderkruk B , Dhillon J , Dai D , Verchere C B , Hoffman B G
Published: May 2016

Diabetes is a chronic disease that results from the body’s inability to properly control circulating blood glucose levels. The loss of glucose homoeostasis can arise from a loss of β-cell mass because of immune-cell-mediated attack, as in type 1 diabetes, and/or from dysfunction of individual β-cells (in conjunction with target organ insulin resistance), as in type 2 diabetes. A better understanding of the transcriptional pathways regulating islet-cell survival is of great importance for the development of therapeutic strategies that target β-cells for diabetes. To this end, we previously identified the transcription factor Myt3 as a pro-survival factor in islets following acute suppression of Myt3 in vitro. To determine the effects of Myt3 suppression on islet-cell survival in vivo, we used an adenovirus to express an shRNA targeting Myt3 in syngeneic optimal and marginal mass islet transplants, and demonstrate that suppression of Myt3 impairs the function of marginal mass grafts. Analysis of grafts 5 weeks post-transplant revealed that grafts transduced with the shMyt3 adenovirus contained ~20% the number of transduced cells as grafts transduced with a control adenovirus. In fact, increased apoptosis and significant cell loss in the shMyt3-transduced grafts was evident after only 5 days, suggesting that Myt3 suppression sensitizes islet cells to stresses present in the early post-transplant period. Specifically, we find that Myt3 suppression sensitizes islet cells to high glucose-induced cell death via upregulation of the pro-apoptotic Bcl2 family member Bim. Taken together these data suggest that Myt3 may be an important link between glucotoxic and immune signalling pathways.
Toll‐like receptors: the swiss army knife of immunity and vaccine development
Authors: Dowling Jennifer K , Mansell Ashley
Published: May 2016

Innate immune cells have a critical role in defense against infection and disease. Central to this is the broad specificity with which they can detect pathogen‐associated patterns and danger‐associated patterns via the pattern recognition receptors (PRRs) they express. Several families of PRRs have been identified including: Toll‐like receptors (TLRs), C‐type lectin‐like receptors, retinoic acid‐inducible gene‐like receptors and nucleotide‐binding oligomerization domain–like receptors. TLRs are one of the most largely studied families of PRRs. The binding of ligands to TLRs on antigen presenting cells (APCs), mainly dendritic cells, leads to APC maturation, induction of inflammatory cytokines and the priming of naive T cells to drive acquired immunity. Therefore, activation of TLRs promotes both innate inflammatory responses and the induction of adaptive immunity. Consequently, in the last two decades mounting evidence has inextricably linked TLR activation with the pathogenesis of immune diseases and cancer. It has become advantageous to harness these aspects of TLR signaling therapeutically to accelerate and enhance the induction of vaccine‐specific responses and also target TLRs with the use of biologics and small molecule inhibitors for the treatment of disease. In these respects, TLRs may be considered a ‘Swiss Army’ knife of the immune system, ready to respond in a multitude of infectious and disease states. Here we describe the latest advances in TLR‐targeted therapeutics and the use of TLR ligands as vaccine adjuvants.