bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Development and validation of the Patient‐Physician Relationship Scale among patients with irritable bowel syndrome
Authors: Kurlander J. E. , Chey W. D. , Morris C. B. , Hu Y. J. B. , Padival R. K. , Bangdiwala S. I. , Norton N. J. , Norton W. F. , Drossman D. A.
Published: May 2017

Background

An effective patient‐physician relationship (PPR) is essential to the care of patients with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). We sought to develop and validate an IBS‐specific instrument to measure expectations of the PPR.

Methods

We conducted structured focus groups about PPRs with 12 patients with IBS. Qualitative analysis was used to generate a questionnaire (the Patient‐Physician Relationship Scale [PPRS]), which was modified with input from content experts and usability testing. For validation, we administered it online to US adults with IBS. Participants also completed the Functional Bowel Disorder Severity Index, the Rome III Adult Functional gastrointestinal (GI) Disorder Criteria Questionnaire, and modified versions of the Communication Assessment Tool (CAT‐15) and Patient‐Doctor Relationship Questionnaire (PDRQ‐9). We performed principal components factor analysis for the PPRS.

Key Results

The PPRS contained 32 questions with responses on a 7‐item Likert scale. Themes included interpersonal features, clinical care expectations, and aspects of communication. One thousand and fifty‐four eligible individuals completed the survey (88% completion rate). Most participants were middle aged (mean 48 years, SD 16.3), white (90%), and female (86%). Factor analysis showed only one relevant factor, relating to quality of PPR. The final scale ranged from possible‐96 to +96 (mean 62.0, SD 37.6). It correlated moderately with the CAT‐15 (r=.40, P<.001) and PDRQ‐9 (r=.30, P<.001), establishing concurrent validity.

Conclusions & Inferences

We describe the development and validation of the first questionnaire for use in measuring patient expectations of the PPR, which can be used for future outcomes studies and training physicians.
Birdsong meme diversity in a habitat landscape depends on landscape and species characteristics
Authors: Sebastián‐González Esther , Hart Patrick J.
Published: May 2017

Acoustic signaling is a form of information transmission that in many animal species may be behaviorally learnt and transmitted between individuals, creating flows of cultural traits (i.e. memes) across the landscape. The biogeography of memetic traits can have major implications for avian population evolution, ecology and conservation. We characterize the α (i.e. within population), β (i.e. among populations) and γ (i.e. total) acoustic diversity (i.e. number of memes) for four species of Hawaiian forest birds within a fragmented landscape. We study the effects of species characteristics (mobility and population size), and landscape variables (isolation and patch size) on patterns of meme diversity. We expect an increase in meme α‐diversity with patch and population size, and a decrease with patch isolation. We also expect β meme diversity to increase with patch isolation, and this relationship to be stronger for the less mobile species. We used spectrogram analyses and automatic sound recorders to characterize the acoustic diversity. We studied the overall meme structure and the factors affecting meme diversity with network analysis and a modeling approach. As predicted, large patches had richer α‐diversities for all species, while the effect of isolation was species‐dependent. Patches with larger populations showed greater α‐diversities for two species. β‐diversity only increased with distance for one highly mobile species. The structure of the acoustic traits was nested (i.e. memes in patches with lower meme diversities are a subset of the memes in patches with higher meme diversities) for all the species. Moreover, the meme structure for the ‘ApapaneHimatione sanguineasuggested the existence of acoustic ‘dialects’. Meme diversity depended on both landscape variables (patch size and isolation), and some species characteristics (population size). The results of this study improve our understanding of the transmission of information by animals in fragmented landscapes.
Cardiac implantable electronic device hematomas: Risk factors and effect of prophylactic pressure bandaging
Authors: Koh Youlin , Bingham Nicholas E. , Law Natalie , Le Dustin , Mariani Justin A.
Published: May 2017

Background

Cardiac implantable electronic device (CIED) hematomas are associated with many adverse outcomes. We examined the incidence and risk factors associated with hematoma formation post‐CIED implantation, and explored the preventative effect of prophylactic pressure bandaging (PPB) in a large tertiary center.

Methods

1,091 devices were implanted during October 2011–December 2014. Clinically significant hematomas (CSH) were those that necessitated prolonged admission, including those due to reoperation, and clinically suspicious hematomas were swellings noted by medical/nursing staff. We screened for variables affecting hematoma incidence prior to conducting multivariate logistic regression analyses, one for all hematomas and one for CSH.

Results

61 hematomas were identified (5.6% of patients), with 12 of those clinically significant (1.1% of patients). Factors significantly increasing the odds of developing any hematoma were stage 2 (odds ratio [OR] = 2.93, 95% confidence interval [CI] [1.08–7.94], P = 0.034) and 3 chronic kidney disease (CKD) (OR = 3.39 [1.20–9.56], P = 0.021), unfractionated heparin/therapeutic enoxaparin (OR = 3.15 [1.22–8.14], P = 0.018), and dual antiplatelets–aspirin + clopidogrel (OR = 2.95 [1.14–7.65], P = 0.026) + other combinations. Body Mass index (BMI) 25.0–29.9 (OR 0.52 [0.28–0.98], P = 0.044) and >30 were associated with decreased hematoma risk (OR 0.43 [0.20‐0.91], P = 0.028). Factors significant for CSH formation were unfractionated heparin/therapeutic enoxaparin (OR = 9.55 [1.83–49.84], P = 0.007) and aspirin + clopidogrel (OR = 7.19 [1.01–50.91], P = 0.048). PPB nonsignificantly increased the odds of total hematoma development (OR = 1.53 [0.87–2.69], P = 0.135), and reduced CSH (OR = 0.67 [0.18–2.47], P = 0.547).

Conclusions

Heparin and dual antiplatelet use remain strong predictors of overall hematoma formation. CKD is a comparatively moderate predictor. BMI > 25 may decrease the risk of hematoma formation. PPB had nonsignificant effects on hematoma development.
Experimental study of cryofreezing energy applications on the ventricular myocardium using sheep hearts
Authors: Okishige Kaoru , Friedman Peter L.
Published: May 2017

Background

Cryofreezing energy has been utilized to abolish arrhythmogenic substrates of various kinds of tachyarrhythmias. However, systematic electrophysiological and histological investigations of cryothermia have never been performed. The aim of this study was to clarify those aspects using sheep beating hearts.

Methods

A total of eight adult sheep were utilized under total anesthesia, and a pericardial cradle was made by opening the pericardium. Eight epicardial plaque electrodes were sutured on the epicardial surface of the left ventricle 2∼3 cm apart from each other. A cryoprobe was inserted through a vent made in the left ventricular apex, and positioned so as to locate the probe tip at a site just opposite the center of the epicardial plaque electrodes. Ventricular electrograms and pacing threshold were measured during endocardial freezing. The volume of the necrotized lesion created by the cryofreezing was measured in the excised hearts after staining.

Results

The cryoprobe tip temperature was lowered to −50°C for 10 minutes. A significant increase in the pacing threshold and significant reduction in the ventricular electrograms were observed after endocardial freezing. The transmurality of the necrotized lesions varied depending on the situation of the cryoapplications, and the lesion depth and volume were significantly larger in the transmural lesions; however, there was no significant difference between the transmural and nontransmural lesions regarding the lesion width.

Conclusions

Endocardial cryofreezing could provoke significant electrophysiological and injurious effects on the ventricular myocardium in the goat heart. Transmural cryolesions could be created when cryoprobe was appropriately applied.
Thrombocytopenia Associated with Localized Scleroderma: Report of Four Pediatric Cases and Review of the Literature
Authors: Jindal Ankur Kumar , Gupta Anju , Dogra Sunil , Rawat Amit , Suri Deepti , Ahluwalia Jasmina , Singh Surjit
Published: May 2017

We report on four children with localized scleroderma (morphea) and thrombocytopenia. All four had the en coup de sabre subtype of morphea and had varying degrees of thrombocytopenia (8 × 109/L to 120 × 109/L). None of them had major bleeding manifestations, and thrombocytopenia resolved with treatment of morphea. (One patient was also given an injection of anti‐D immunoglobulin.) We propose that thrombocytopenia associated with localized scleroderma is usually benign and requires no specific therapy.
Mechanistic Studies on the Peroxyoxalate Chemiluminescence Using Sodium Salicylate as Base Catalyst
Authors: Souza Glalci A. , Lang André P. , Baader Wilhelm J.
Published: May 2017

Mechanistic studies on the peroxyoxalate chemiluminescence are often conducted with imidazole as base and nucleophilic catalyst. However, it is also known that this compound, at high concentrations, leads to a drastic reduction in the chemiluminescence quantum yields, apparently due to the destruction of the high‐energy intermediate. Consequently, the search for new catalysts for this transformation is of importance for mechanistic studies as well as analytical application. Therefore, we report here a study on the mechanism of the peroxyoxalate reaction with sodium salicylate as base catalyst, which has already been utilized in this reaction; however, no detailed mechanistic investigation is known. In this work, a kinetic study on the sodium salicylate‐catalyzed reaction of bis(2,4,6‐trichlorophenyl) oxalate with hydrogen peroxide using 9,10‐diphenylanthracene as activator is reported, where observed rate constants, singlet quantum yields and activation parameters are determined in different reaction conditions, leading to the formulation of a general mechanistic reaction scheme.
Catastrophe theory and the financial crisis
Authors: Wesselbaum Dennis
Published: May 2017

This paper develops and estimates catastrophe‐augmented models of the financial crisis. We employ catastrophe theory to explain discontinuous jumps in state variables of dynamic systems. We estimate an augmented bank failure model showing that the buildup of risk and an increase in the Federal Funds rate combined with low reserves (negative insurance effect) have been the main drivers of the financial crisis. Therefore, macroprudential policy and rating agencies play a key role in preventing the buildup of (systemic) risk and preventing the economy from entering a bifurcation area.
Entry into exit: insolvency in English professional football
Authors: Szymanski Stefan
Published: May 2017

This study uses a unique database of financial accounts for English football clubs between 1974 and 2010 to examine the process by which firms fail, which in this context means entering insolvency proceedings. From the data it is possible to estimate shocks to demand and productivity and to show that failing firms typically experience a series of negative shocks. This is consistent with the standard IO theory models of exit.
Considering Alternate Sources of Role Identity: Childless Parents and Their Animal “Kids”
Authors: Laurent‐Simpson Andrea
Published: May 2017

Identity theory posits that role identity is negotiated between human social actors and is based in broader cultural expectations about how particular statuses should be performed. I argue that the formation of role identity in actors can also occur in relationship to nonhuman actors, if they are perceived as minded. Depending on context and human perception, identity can be formed as a result of interaction and developing “theory of mind” with nonhuman animals, directly implicating the animal. Using in‐depth interviews of childless and childfree companion animal owners, I demonstrate the existence of a parent identity in childless participants that would not otherwise be present were it not for interaction with the animal “child.” This identity is confirmed in participant narratives describing substantial behavioral output aligned with the U.S. cultural ideal of “parent.” Likewise, I find that significant others provide external support for the enactment of this role identity, allowing participants to verify self‐in‐situation. Overall, my analysis emphasizes the importance of considering nonhuman sources as occupying counterstatus positions in the formation of role identity while highlighting how these relationships affect interaction in the childfree and childless home, thus expanding scholarly understanding about both identity formation and emerging family types.
Gene rearrangement and sequence analysis of mitogenomes suggest polyphyly of Archaeobalanid and Balanid barnacles (Cirripedia: Balanomorpha)
Authors: Tsang Ling Ming , Shen Xin , Cheang Chi Chiu , Chu Ka Hou , Chan Benny Kwok Kan
Published: May 2017

The acorn barnacles (Cirripedia, Thoracica, Balanomorpha) are a diverse group of crustaceans found in virtually all marine and estuarine habitats. Barnacles are important model species in various biological researches, including evolution, intertidal ecology, larval biology and antifouling. However, there remains a lack of a thorough understanding of the phylogeny for this group of animals, particularly at higher taxonomic levels. In this study, we attempt to determine the phylogenetic relationships among balanomorphan families based on analysis of complete mitochondrial genome from various barnacle families and investigate the evolution of mitogenome in barnacles. Whole mitogenomes of six barnacles were newly sequenced, including Acasta sulcata (Archaeobalanidae), Armatobalanus allium (Archaeobalanidae), Chelonibia testudinaria (Chelonibiidae), Octomeris sp. (Chthamalidae), Savignium biporata (Pyrgomatidae) and Tetraclitella divisa (Tetraclitidae), which exhibit five different gene arrangements. Phylogenetic analysis on 15 complete mitochondrial genome sequences from major barnacle families supported Chthamalidae, Pyrgomatidae and Tetraclitidae formed monophyletic units, but suggested polyphyly of both Archaeobalanidae and Balanidae. Chthamalidae was the earliest diverged lineage in Balanomorpha. Chelonibiidae + Tetraclitidae formed the sister taxon to the monophyletic superfamily Balanoidea (Archaeobalanidae + Balanidae + Pyrgomatidae). The members of Archaeobalanidae and Balanidae intermingled in the inferred topology with the monophyletic Pyrgomatidae deeply nested within. Two Megabalanus species from the family Balanidae and A. sulcata from the family Archaeobalanidae share the same six‐gene‐cluster inversion as compared to the other ten balanomorphan barnacles, providing further evidence for the non‐monophyly for the two families. We showed here that the informativeness of the complete mitogenome sequence and rare genomic events in resolving various questions concerning Balanomorpha relationships. The non‐monophyletic status of Archaeobalanidae and Balanidae falsified many previous hypotheses concerning the complex evolution of Balanomorpha and call for further investigations and careful revision on the taxonomy of the group. Future study focusing on the enigmatic and tentatively basal lineages, for example, Chionelasmatoidea Pachylasmatoidea and Catophragmidae, would be most helpful in fully resolving the phylogeny and mitogenome evolutionary history of acorn barnacles.
Investıgatıon of Reflectıve Teachıng Practıce Effect on Traınıng Development Skılls of The Pre-servıce Teachers
Authors: Töman Ufuk
Published: May 2017

This study aims to investigate the effect of the reflective teaching practice on the development of teaching skills of the pre-service teachers. This study is designed in the form of action research due to the nature of the case examined. The participants were 32 pre-service teachers at Bayburt University Faculty of Education Department of Elementary Science Education. Observation forms were used to collect the data for study. The qualitative data obtained were analysed using the content analysis method. Data on the distribution of teachers according to their level for teaching skills and statistical analysis frequency (f) and percentage (%) is used. The work of reflective thinking, planning is a course for pre-service teachers participating in this study to contribute to the professional development for the implementation and evaluation. The work done to improve the process of reflective thinking of pre-service teachers is determined to have a level reflecting the start of the insufficient field. Processes that were put forward in the later stages in the development of teaching skills. In this context, experience of pre-service teachers and reflection on these experiences provide that reflective thinking skills development for the planning, implementation and evaluation of a lesson.
Performance Assessment of Single and Multiple Jet Impingement Configurations in a Refrigeration-Based Compact Heat Sink for Electronics Cooling
Authors: de Oliveira Pablo A. , Barbosa Jader R.
Published: May 2017

The performance of a novel impinging two-phase jet heat sink operating with single and multiple jets is presented and the influence of the following parameters is quantified: (i) thermal load applied on the heat sink and (ii) geometrical arrangement of the orifices (jets). The heat sink is part of a vapor compression cooling system equipped with an R-134a small-scale oil-free linear motor compressor. The evaporator and the expansion device are integrated into a single cooling unit. The expansion device can be a single orifice or an array of orifices responsible for the generation of two-phase jet(s) impinging on a surface where a concentrated heat load is applied. The analysis is based on the thermodynamic performance and steady-state heat transfer parameters associated with the impinging jet(s) for single and multiple orifice tests. The two-phase jet heat sink was capable of dissipating cooling loads of up to 160 W and 200 W from a 6.36 cm2 surface for single and multiple orifice configurations, respectively. For these cases, the temperature of the impingement surface was kept below 40 °C and the average heat transfer coefficient reached values between 14,000 and 16,000 W/(m2 K).
Effective Higher-Order Time Integration Algorithms for the Analysis of Linear Structural Dynamics
Authors: Kim Wooram , Reddy J. N.
Published: May 2017

For the development of a new family of higher-order time integration algorithms for structural dynamics problems, the displacement vector is approximated over a typical time interval using the pth-degree Hermite interpolation functions in time. The residual vector is defined by substituting the approximated displacement vector into the equation of structural dynamics. The modified weighted-residual method is applied to the residual vector. The weight parameters are used to restate the integral forms of the weighted-residual statements in algebraic forms, and then, these parameters are optimized by using the single-degree-of-freedom problem and its exact solution to achieve improved accuracy and unconditional stability. As a result of the pth-degree Hermite approximation of the displacement vector, pth-order (for dissipative cases) and (p + 1)st-order (for the nondissipative case) accurate algorithms with dissipation control capabilities are obtained. Numerical examples are used to illustrate performances of the newly developed algorithms.
A Reliable and Efficient Approach to Numerically Controlled Programming Optimization for Multiple Largest Tools Cutting Blisks Patch by Patch in the Blisks' Four-Axis Rough Machining
Authors: Chang Zhiyong , Wen Jinan , Chen Zezhong C. , Zhang Dinghua
Published: May 2017

As an important component of gas turbine engines, a blisk (or an axial compressor) is complex in shape. The pressure and suction surfaces of the blisk blades are designed with free-form surfaces, and the space (or the channel) between two adjacent blades varies significantly. Thus, some blade patches can be machined with large-diameter cutters, and some patches have to be cut with small-diameter cutters. Usually, the blisk's material is high-strength stainless steel, titanium alloy, or difficult-to-cut material. The cutting force and temperature in roughing the blisks are high, and thus, the machine tool should be rigid and the cutters should be as large as possible. Therefore, the best industrial practice of rough-machining the blisks is to use multiple largest solid and indexable end-mills to cut them patch by patch on a four-axis computer numerically controlled (CNC) machine. The reasons are (a) four-axis CNC machines are more rigid than five-axis CNC machines, (b) multiple largest cutters are used for higher cutting speeds and feed rates and for less machining time and longer tool life, and (c) if indexable end-mills can be used, the tooling costs are further reduced. For the blisk finishing, a small cutter is often used on a five-axis CNC machine, which is not a topic of this work. However, due to complex shape of the blades, it is quite difficult to automatically optimize the blade surface partition so that each surface patch can be cut with a largest cutter in four-axis blisk rough machining. In the conventional way, numerically controlled (NC) programmers often employ small-diameter solid end-mills and plan their paths to cut the blades layer by layer in four-axis milling. Unfortunately, the machining efficiency of this way is low, and the end-mills wear out quickly. This work establishes a theoretical and completed solution. A simplified optimization model of the largest allowable diameter of the theoretical cutter at a cutter contact (CC) point is established, and an efficient and reliable solver is proposed. The blade surfaces are automated partitioned for largest cutters to the surfaces patch by patch in four-axis rough machining. This approach is efficient and reliable, and it is viable in theory and practical in industry.
Reflection and Mode Conversion of Fundamental Torsional Guided Wave Mode From Lack of Bonding in Induction Pressure Welding
Authors: Vimalan Deepesh , Balasubramaniam Krishnan , Rajagopal Prabhu
Published: May 2017

Interaction of fundamental torsional ultrasonic pipe guided mode T(0, 1) from defects caused by induction pressure welding (IPW) process is studied using three-dimensional (3D) finite element (FE) analysis validated by experiments. Defects are assumed as cross-sectional notches along the weld bond-line, and both surface-breaking and embedded features are considered. Results show that T(0, 1) mode reflection from weld defects is strongly influenced by features of the weld itself. However, with supplementary results such as the mode-converted flexural F(1, 3) and F(1, 2) modes and circumferential variation of T(0, 1) reflection, there is potential for an effective screening solution.
The Src/c-Abl pathway is a potential therapeutic target in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis
Authors: Imamura Keiko , Izumi Yuishin , Watanabe Akira , Tsukita Kayoko , Woltjen Knut , Yamamoto Takuya , Hotta Akitsu , Kondo Takayuki , Kitaoka Shiho , Ohta Akira , Tanaka Akito , Watanabe Dai , Morita Mitsuya , Takuma Hiroshi , Tamaoka Akira , Kunath Tilo , Wray Selina , Furuya Hirokazu , Era Takumi , Makioka Kouki , Okamoto Koichi , Fujisawa Takao , Nishitoh Hideki , Homma Kengo , Ichijo Hidenori , Julien Jean-Pierre , Obata Nanako , Hosokawa Masato , Akiyama Haruhiko , Kaneko Satoshi , Ayaki Takashi , Ito Hidefumi , Kaji Ryuji , Takahashi Ryosuke , Yamanaka Shinya , Inoue Haruhisa
Published: May 2017

Analysis of ALS patient iPSC-derived motor neurons indicates that Src/c-Abl inhibitors may have potential for treating ALS.
Nanomedicine goes to school
Authors: Jewell Christopher M.
Published: May 2017

Integration of engineering and immunological tools proposes design guidelines for nanoparticles that direct T cells toward specific phenotypes to control autoimmune disease.
Dive deep, stay focused!
Authors: Lev-Tov Hadar
Published: May 2017

Noninvasive ultra-broadband optoacoustic mesoscopy skin imaging technology may provide objective assessment of skin disease.
Preprinting Microbiology
Authors: Schloss Patrick D.
Published: May 2017

The field of microbiology has experienced significant growth due to transformative advances in technology and the influx of scientists driven by a curiosity to understand how microbes sustain myriad biochemical processes that maintain Earth. With this explosion in scientific output, a significant bottleneck has been the ability to rapidly disseminate new knowledge to peers and the public. Preprints have emerged as a tool that a growing number of microbiologists are using to overcome this bottleneck. Posting preprints can help to transparently recruit a more diverse pool of reviewers prior to submitting to a journal for formal peer review. Although the use of preprints is still limited in the biological sciences, early indications are that preprints are a robust tool that can complement and enhance peer-reviewed publications. As publishing moves to embrace advances in Internet technology, there are many opportunities for preprints and peer-reviewed journals to coexist in the same ecosystem.
Mutations That Alter the Bacterial Cell Envelope Increase Lipid Production
Authors: Lemmer Kimberly C. , Zhang Weiping , Langer Samantha J. , Dohnalkova Alice C. , Hu Dehong , Lemke Rachelle A. , Piotrowski Jeff S. , Orr Galya , Noguera Daniel R. , Donohue Timothy J.
Published: May 2017

Lipids from microbes offer a promising source of renewable alternatives to petroleum-derived compounds. In particular, oleaginous microbes are of interest because they accumulate a large fraction of their biomass as lipids. In this study, we analyzed genetic changes that alter lipid accumulation in
Rhodobacter sphaeroides
. By screening an
R. sphaeroides
Tn
5
mutant library for insertions that increased fatty acid content, we identified 10 high-lipid (HL) mutants for further characterization. These HL mutants exhibited increased sensitivity to drugs that target the bacterial cell envelope and changes in shape, and some had the ability to secrete lipids, with two HL mutants accumulating ~60% of their total lipids extracellularly. When one of the highest-lipid-secreting strains was grown in a fed-batch bioreactor, its lipid content was comparable to that of oleaginous microbes, with the majority of the lipids secreted into the medium. Based on the properties of these HL mutants, we conclude that alterations of the cell envelope are a previously unreported approach to increase microbial lipid production. We also propose that this approach may be combined with knowledge about biosynthetic pathways, in this or other microbes, to increase production of lipids and other chemicals.

IMPORTANCE
This paper reports on experiments to understand how to increase microbial lipid production. Microbial lipids are often cited as one renewable replacement for petroleum-based fuels and chemicals, but strategies to increase the yield of these compounds are needed to achieve this goal. While lipid biosynthesis is often well understood, increasing yields of these compounds to industrially relevant levels is a challenge, especially since genetic, synthetic biology, or engineering approaches are not feasible in many microbes. We show that altering the bacterial cell envelope can be used to increase microbial lipid production. We also find that the utility of some of these alterations can be enhanced by growing cells in bioreactor configurations that can be used industrially. We propose that our findings can inform current and future efforts to increase production of microbial lipids, other fuels, or chemicals that are currently derived from petroleum.
CNOT4-Mediated Ubiquitination of Influenza A Virus Nucleoprotein Promotes Viral RNA Replication
Authors: Lin Yu-Chen , Jeng King-Song , Lai Michael M. C.
Published: May 2017

Influenza A virus (IAV) RNA segments are individually packaged with viral nucleoprotein (NP) and RNA polymerases to form a viral ribonucleoprotein (vRNP) complex. We previously reported that NP is a monoubiquitinated protein which can be deubiquitinated by a cellular ubiquitin protease, USP11. In this study, we identified an E3 ubiquitin ligase, CNOT4 (Ccr4-Not transcription complex subunit 4), which can ubiquitinate NP. We found that the levels of viral RNA, protein, viral particles, and RNA polymerase activity in CNOT4 knockdown cells were lower than those in the control cells upon IAV infection. Conversely, overexpression of CNOT4 rescued viral RNP activity. In addition, CNOT4 interacted with the NP in the cell. An
in vitro
ubiquitination assay also showed that NP could be ubiquitinated by
in vitro
-translated CNOT4, but ubiquitination did not affect the protein stability of NP. Significantly, CNOT4 increased NP ubiquitination, whereas USP11 decreased it. Mass spectrometry analysis of ubiquitinated NP revealed multiple ubiquitination sites on the various lysine residues of NP. Three of these, K184, K227, and K273, are located on the RNA-binding groove of NP. Mutations of these sites to arginine reduced viral RNA replication. These results indicate that CNOT4 is a ubiquitin ligase of NP, and ubiquitination of NP plays a positive role in viral RNA replication.

IMPORTANCE
Influenza virus, particularly influenza A virus, causes severe and frequent outbreaks among human and avian species. Finding potential target sites for antiviral agents is of utmost importance from the public health point of view. We previously found that viral nucleoprotein (NP) is ubiquitinated, and ubiquitination enhances viral RNA replication. In this study, we found a cellular ubiquitin ligase, CNOT4, capable of ubiquitinating NP. The ubiquitination sites are scattered on the surface of the NP molecule, which is critical for RNA replication. CNOT4 and a ubiquitin protease, USP11, together regulate the extent of NP ubiquitination and thereby the efficiency of RNA replication. This study thus identifies a potential antiviral target site and reveals a novel posttranslational mechanism for regulating viral replication. This represents a novel finding in the literature of influenza virus research.
Meta-analysis To Define a Core Microbiota in the Swine Gut
Authors: Holman Devin B. , Brunelle Brian W. , Trachsel Julian , Allen Heather K.
Published: May 2017

The results of this meta-analysis demonstrate that “study” and GI sample location are the most significant factors in shaping the swine gut microbiota. However, in comparisons of results from different studies, some biological factors may be obscured by technical variation among studies. Nonetheless, there are some bacterial taxa that appear to form a core microbiota within the swine GI tract regardless of country of origin, diet, age, or breed. Thus, these results provide the framework for future studies to manipulate the swine gut microbiota for potential health benefits.
BET1: Pre-hospital finger thoracostomy in patients with traumatic cardiac arrest
Authors: Jodie Pritchard , Kerstin Hogg
Published: May 2017

A short cut review was carried out to see if ‘finger’ thoracostomy was a safe and effective procedure to use in the pre-hospital setting in patients with traumatic cardiac arrest. Three relevant papers were found describing the use of this technique in the pre-hospital setting. The author, date and country of publication, patient group studied, study type, relevant outcomes, results study weaknesses of these papers are tabulated. Finger thoracostomy appears to be an acceptable and effective technique for trained physicians in the pre-hospital setting.
BET 3: In septic patients requiring fluid resuscitation can the bedside lung ultrasound be used to assess the pulmonary fluid status?
Authors: Judith Alain , St-Onge Maude
Published: May 2017

A short cut review was carried out to see if the presence of ‘B lines’ detected on lung ultrasound could be used to guide the volume of fluid replacement necessary in the resuscitation of the patient with sepsis. Four papers with some degree of relevance were found in the literature search. The author, date and country of publication, patient group studied, study type, relevant outcomes, results study weaknesses of these papers are tabulated. Although a promising concept, the remains a paucity of good quality evidence sufficient to recommend this approach.
Predictors of incident proteinuria among patients with SLE
Authors: Duarte-García Alí , Barr Erik , Magder Laurence S , Petri Michelle
Published: May 2017

Objective

To identify fixed and time-varying predictors of incident proteinuria.

Methods

This analysis was based on patients who did not have a history of diabetes and who did not have a prior episode of renal involvement. We defined an incident case of proteinuria as two or more measures of urine protein to creatinine ratio (or 24-hour protein measure) greater than 0.5 in two visits separated by more than 30 days and less than 180 days. We estimated rates of incident proteinuria in subgroups of patients with lupus defined by time-invariant and time-varying predictors.

Results

Among 895 patients included in the analysis, 840 (94%) were female, and 518 (58%) were Caucasian, 304 (34%) African-American, with mean age of 42 years at the start of follow-up. We observed 57 incident cases of proteinuria over a span of 4669 person-years of cohort follow-up. The overall rate of incident proteinuria was 12.2 per 1000 person-years. The rate was significantly lower among those of older age, and higher among those who were not Caucasian. In those with a very low C3 measure in a previous cohort visit, the rate was increased by a factor of 16.1 and in those with a very low C4 by 16.3. The rate among those prescribed hydroxychloroquine or ACE inhibitors/ARB was similar to those not on them.

Conclusions

Older patients with SLE are at low risk for developing proteinuria. There was not strong evidence that hydroxychloroquine or angiotensin-converting-enzyme (ACE) inhibitor reduced the risk of proteinuria. The highest rates of incident proteinuria were among those with recent low complement.
Synthesis and fluorescence studies of novel bisarylmethylidene derivatives of 2-methoxy-2-methyl-1,3-dioxan-5-one
Authors: Mojtahedi Mohammad M. , Darvishi Kiana , Abaee M. Saeed , Halvagar Mohammad R.
Published: May 2017

The first general procedure is described for the synthesis of novel bisarylmethylidenes of 2-methoxy-2-methyl-1,3-dioxan-5-one 1. Thus, several derivatives of 3 are obtained rapidly in high yields by reacting 1 with different aldehydes in the presence of catalytic quantities of pyrrolidine in EtOH at room temperature. Upon completion of the reactions, products are obtained directly by spontaneous precipitation avoiding time consuming and expensive chromatographic separations. All products were characterized by proton and carbon NMR spectroscopy methods, and in one case, the proposed structure was elucidated by X-ray crystallography, confirming the Z stereochemistry for the olefinic C=C bonds. Due to showing different colours in solid and solution states, products were studied for their photophysical properties as well.
Quantification of Graph Complexity Based on the Edge Weight Distribution Balance: Application to Brain Networks
Authors: Gomez-Pilar Javier , Poza Jesús , Bachiller Alejandro , Gómez Carlos , Núñez Pablo , Lubeiro Alba , Molina Vicente , Hornero Roberto
Published: May 2017

The aim of this study was to introduce a novel global measure of graph complexity: Shannon graph complexity (SGC). This measure was specifically developed for weighted graphs, but it can also be applied to binary graphs. The proposed complexity measure was designed to capture the interplay between two properties of a system: the ‘information’ (calculated by means of Shannon entropy) and the ‘order’ of the system (estimated by means of a disequilibrium measure). SGC is based on the concept that complex graphs should maintain an equilibrium between the aforementioned two properties, which can be measured by means of the edge weight distribution. In this study, SGC was assessed using four synthetic graph datasets and a real dataset, formed by electroencephalographic (EEG) recordings from controls and schizophrenia patients. SGC was compared with graph density (GD), a classical measure used to evaluate graph complexity. Our results showed that SGC is invariant with respect to GD and independent of node degree distribution. Furthermore, its variation with graph size [Formula: see text] is close to zero for [Formula: see text]. Results from the real dataset showed an increment in the weight distribution balance during the cognitive processing for both controls and schizophrenia patients, although these changes are more relevant for controls. Our findings revealed that SGC does not need a comparison with null-hypothesis networks constructed by a surrogate process. In addition, SGC results on the real dataset suggest that schizophrenia is associated with a deficit in the brain dynamic reorganization related to secondary pathways of the brain network.
Noetherian schemes over abelian symmetric monoidal categories
Authors: Banerjee Abhishek
Published: May 2017

In this paper, we develop basic results of algebraic geometry over abelian symmetric monoidal categories. Let [Formula: see text] be a commutative monoid object in an abelian symmetric monoidal category [Formula: see text] satisfying certain conditions and let [Formula: see text]. If the subobjects of [Formula: see text] satisfy a certain compactness property, we say that [Formula: see text] is Noetherian. We study the localization of [Formula: see text] with respect to any [Formula: see text] and define the quotient [Formula: see text] of [Formula: see text] with respect to any ideal [Formula: see text]. We use this to develop appropriate analogues of the basic notions from usual algebraic geometry (such as Noetherian schemes, irreducible, integral and reduced schemes, function field, the local ring at the generic point of a closed subscheme, etc.) for schemes over [Formula: see text]. Our notion of a scheme over a symmetric monoidal category [Formula: see text] is that of Toën and Vaquié.
Classification of Roberts actions of strongly amenable C∗-tensor categories on the injective factor of type III1
Authors: Masuda Toshihiko
Published: May 2017

In this paper, we generalize Izumi’s result on uniqueness of realization of finite C[Formula: see text]-tensor categories in the endomorphism category of the injective factor of type III1for finitely generated strongly amenable C[Formula: see text]-tensor categories by applying Popa’s classification theorem of strongly amenable subfactors of type III1.
Mackey analogy via 𝒟-modules for SL(2, ℝ)
Authors: Tan Qijun , Yao Yi-Jun , Yu Shilin
Published: May 2017

A conjecture by Mackey and Higson claims that there is close relationship between irreducible representations of a real reductive group and those of its Cartan motion group. The case of irreducible tempered unitary representations has been verified recently by Afgoustidis. We study the admissible representations of [Formula: see text] by considering families of [Formula: see text]-modules over its flag varieties. We make a conjecture which gives a geometric understanding of the Makecy–Higson bijection in the general case.
Exponential synchronization in complex-variable network with distributed delays via intermittent control
Authors: He Sulan , Yi Guisheng , Wu Zhaoyan
Published: May 2017

In this paper, exponential synchronization in complex-variable network with distributed delays is investigated. By utilizing intermittent control scheme, some effective controllers are designed. Based on the Lyapunov function method and mathematical analysis technique, some synchronization criteria with respect to the system parameters, control gain and control rate are presented. From the criteria, for any given dynamical network, the needed values of control gains and rate can be easily estimated. Finally, two numerical simulations are performed to verify the derived theoretical results.
Acupuncture Ameliorates Postoperative Ileus via IL-6–miR-19a–KIT Axis to Protect Interstitial Cells of Cajal
Authors: Deng Jingjing , Yang Shu , Yuan Qing , Chen Yuzhong , Li Dandan , Sun Haimei , Tan Xinghua , Zhang Fuchun , Zhou Deshan
Published: May 2017

Acupuncture is a therapy effective in treating postoperative ileus (POI); its underlying mechanisms remain unclear. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) participate in inflammation and injury to the interstitial cells of Cajal (ICCs), both of which are considered to be contributors to POI. C-kit, encoding KIT, a specific marker of ICCs, is predicted to be targeted by miR-19a, an inflammation-related miRNA. Therefore, we investigated a possible link between inflammation, miR-19a, and ICCs in POI, as well as the mechanism by which these factors are affected by acupuncture. The effects of acupuncture on POI were assessed in patients after colorectal resection and in colocolic anastomosis mice. Immunofluorescence staining demonstrated that KIT[Formula: see text]/ano1[Formula: see text] ICCs dramatically decreased around the colonic incision in mice, which was negatively correlated with the pronounced increase in macrophage. However, this decrease was not due to apoptosis. IL-6R was expressed in ICCs, and IL-6 level was significantly increased, as measured by ELISA, in accompaniment with high miR-19a expression. The increase in IL-6 and miR-19a levels was negatively correlated with the decrease in KIT[Formula: see text]/ano1[Formula: see text] ICCs. A luciferase reporter assay demonstrated that miR-19a directly targeted C-kit, indicating that miR-19a caused ICC damage. Interestingly, acupuncture inhibited macrophage activation, IL-6 release, and miR-19a upregulation, while promoting KIT and ano1 restoration in ICCs. High serum miR-19a level in patients after colorectal resection was also reduced by acupuncture. Conclusively, the IL-6 released by macrophages during gastrointestinal surgery upregulated miR-19a, which downregulated KIT in ICCs and finally resulted in POI. Acupuncture can interfere with the “IL-6–miR-19a–KIT” axis, suggesting that it may be a therapeutic mechanism that works against POI.
Influence of TiO2 content on microstructures and optoelectronic properties of titanium-doped ZnO nanofilms
Authors: Chen Zhenying , Chen Xiaowei , Li Fei , Xu Shoulei , Huang Wenhua , Deng Wen
Published: May 2017

Thin films of TiO2-doped ZnO (TZO) with TiO2 contents from 0.5 to 3.0 wt.% were deposited on glass substrates by RF magnetron sputtering. The microstructures and optoelectronic properties of the TZO films were characterized by XRD, Hall effect analyzer, UV–VIS spectrophotometry and physical property measurement (PPMS-9). Results indicate that the microstructure and optoelectronic properties of TZO films are strongly affected by the TiO2 content. The best optoelectronic properties were obtained with the film having 2.0 wt.% TiO2. This film had superior crystal properties, high average optical transmittance (89.0%), and the lowest resistivity (9.58 × 10[Formula: see text] [Formula: see text] ⋅ cm). Furthermore, the resistivity of this film changed with temperature between 10 and 350 K, they experienced an initial decrease followed by an increase as the temperature increased.
Growth, structural, optical, piezoelectric and etching analysis of L-lysine p-nitrophenolate monohydrate single crystals
Authors: Alexandar A. , Lakshmanan A. , Sakthy Priya S. , Surendran P. , Rameshkumar P.
Published: May 2017

Nonlinear optical single crystals of L-lysine p-nitrophenolate monohydrate (LLPNP) were grown in aqueous solution by the slow evaporation solution technique (SEST). The grown crystals were subjected to powder X-ray diffraction analysis, (PXRD) and it was found that the title compound was crystallized in the orthorhombic crystal system with noncentrosymmetric space group of [Formula: see text]212121. The vibrational frequencies of various functional groups present in the crystal were analyzed using the FTIR spectrum with a wavenumber range between 450 cm[Formula: see text] and 4000 cm[Formula: see text]. The microhardness analysis of the sample revealed that the crystal belongs to the soft material category. Piezoelectric analysis was performed to measure the value of the piezoelectric (d[Formula: see text]) coefficient. Blue light emission of the material was confirmed using the photoluminescence spectrum. Thermal stability of the grown crystal was analyzed using a melting point apparatus and it was found that the LLPNP is stable upto 175[Formula: see text]C. Etching analysis was performed at various durations, in order to identify the surface properties of the LLPNP crystal.
First-principles study of electronic and optical properties of solid-solution ZnO1−xSx
Authors: Jani Margi , Ray Abhijit
Published: May 2017

We investigated the electronic and optical properties of ZnO under the circumstances of isovalent anionic doping by sulfur. A pseudopotential implementation of density functional theory is applied within the local density approximation to examine the modification of band structure in wurtzite ZnO by sulfur substitution. Although Fermi level position does not change, a strong localization of Zn-[Formula: see text] orbital is found by S-doping. Optical properties and constants are found to strongly depend on the sulfur content at low photon energies.
A Novel Clustering-Based Sampling Approach for Minimum Sample Set in Big Data Environment
Authors: Zhao Jia , Sun Jia , Zhai Yunan , Ding Yan , Wu Chunyi , Hu Ming
Published: May 2017

The data are rapidly expanding nowadays, which makes it very difficult to analyze valuable information from big data. Most of the existing data mining algorithms deal with big data problems at large time and space costs. This paper focuses on the sampling problem of big data and puts forward an efficient heuristic Cluster Sampling Arithmetic, called CSA. Many of the former researchers adopted random method to extract early sample set from the original data and then made a variety of different processing of the sample in order to obtain the corresponding minimum sample set, which is regarded as a representation of the original big data set. However, the final processing results of big data will be severely affected by the random sampling process at the beginning, resulting in lower comprehensiveness and quality of the final data results and longer processing time. Based on this view, CSA introduces the idea of clustering to obtain minimum sample set of big data, which is in contrast to the random sampling method in the current literature. CSA makes cluster analysis of the original data set and selects the center of each class as centralized members of the minimum sample set. It aims at ensuring that the sample distribution accords with the characteristics of the original data, guarantees the data integrity and reduces the processing time. The max–min distance means that the pattern recognition has been integrated into the clustering process in order to get the clustering center and prevent algorithm from local optimum. The final experimental results show that, compared with the existing work, CSA algorithm can efficiently reflect the characteristics of the original data and reduce the time of data processing. The obtained minimum sample set has also achieved good effects in the classification algorithm.