bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Ab initio constructed diabatic surfaces of NO2 and the photodetachment spectra of its anion
Authors: Mukherjee Saikat , Mukherjee Bijit , Sardar Subhankar , Adhikari Satrajit
Published: December 2015

A thorough investigation has been performed for electronic structure, topological effect, and nuclear dynamics of NO2 molecule, where the adiabatic potential energy surfaces (PESs), conical intersections between the ground (X2A1) and the first excited state (A2B2), and the corresponding non-adiabatic coupling terms between those states are recalculated [Chem. Phys. 416, 11 (2013)] to achieve enough accuracy in dynamics. We employ beyond Born-Oppenheimer theory for these two state sub-Hilbert space to carry out adiabatic to diabatic transformation (ADT) to obtain the ADT angles and thereby, to construct single-valued, smooth, and continuous diabatic PESs. The analytic expressions for the adiabatic PESs and ADT angles are provided to represent a two-state three-mode diabatic Hamiltonian of NO2 for performing nuclear dynamics to calculate the photo-electron spectra of its anion. It appears that not only Jahn-Teller type coupling but also Renner-Teller interaction contributes significantly on the overall spectrum. The coupling between the electronic states (X2A1 and A2B2) of NO2 is essentially through the asymmetric stretching mode, where the functional form of such interaction is distinctly symmetric and non-linear.
Ice nucleation at the contact line triggered by transient electrowetting fields
Authors: Yang Fan , Shaw Raymond A. , Gurganus Colin W. , Chong Su Kong , Yap Yoke Khin
Published: December 2015

Supercooled water is found to have a significantly enhanced freezing temperature during transient electrowetting with electric fields of order 1 V/μm. High speed imaging reveals that the nucleation occurs randomly at the three-phase contact line (droplet perimeter) and can occur at multiple points during one freezing event. Possible nucleation mechanisms are explored by testing various substrate geometries and materials. Results demonstrate that electric field alone has no detectable effect on ice nucleation, but the moving boundary of the droplet on the substrate due to electrowetting is associated with the triggering of nucleation at a much higher temperature.
Mobility enhancement in crystalline In-Ga-Zn-oxide with In-rich compositions
Authors: Tsutsui Kazuhiro , Matsubayashi Daisuke , Ishihara Noritaka , Takasu Takako , Matsuda Shinpei , Yamazaki Shunpei
Published: December 2015

The electron mobility of In-Ga-Zn-oxide (IGZO) is known to be enhanced by higher In content. We theoretically investigated the mobility-enhancement mechanism by proposing an In-Ga-Zn-disorder scattering model for an In-rich crystalline IGZO (In1+xGa1−xO3(ZnO)m (0 < x < 1, m > 0)) thin film. The obtained theoretical mobility was found to be in agreement with experimental Hall mobility for a crystalline In1.5Ga0.5O3(ZnO) (or In3GaZn2O8) thin film. The mechanism specific to In-rich crystalline IGZO thin films is based on three types of Coulomb scattering potentials that originate from effective valence differences. In this study, the In-Ga-Zn-disorder scattering model indicates that the effective valence of the In3+ ions in In-rich crystalline IGZO thin films significantly affects their electron mobility.
R4496C RyR2 mutation impairs atrial and ventricular contractility
Authors: Ferrantini Cecilia , Coppini Raffaele , Scellini Beatrice , Ferrara Claudia , Pioner Josè Manuel , Mazzoni Luca , Priori Silvia , Cerbai Elisabetta , Tesi Chiara , Poggesi Corrado
Published: December 2015

Ryanodine receptor (RyR2) is the major Ca2+ channel of the cardiac sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) and plays a crucial role in the generation of myocardial force. Changes in RyR2 gating properties and resulting increases in its open probability (Po) are associated with Ca2+ leakage from the SR and arrhythmias; however, the effects of RyR2 dysfunction on myocardial contractility are unknown. Here, we investigated the possibility that a RyR2 mutation associated with catecholaminergic polymorphic ventricular tachycardia, R4496C, affects the contractile function of atrial and ventricular myocardium. We measured isometric twitch tension in left ventricular and atrial trabeculae from wild-type mice and heterozygous transgenic mice carrying the R4496C RyR2 mutation and found that twitch force was comparable under baseline conditions (30°C, 2 mM [Ca2+]o, 1 Hz). However, the positive inotropic responses to high stimulation frequency, 0.1 µM isoproterenol, and 5 mM [Ca2+]o were decreased in R4496C trabeculae, as was post-rest potentiation. We investigated the mechanisms underlying inotropic insufficiency in R4496C muscles in single ventricular myocytes. Under baseline conditions, the amplitude of the Ca2+ transient was normal, despite the reduced SR Ca2+ content. Under inotropic challenge, however, R4496C myocytes were unable to boost the amplitude of Ca2+ transients because they are incapable of properly increasing the amount of Ca2+ stored in the SR because of a larger SR Ca2+ leakage. Recovery of force in response to premature stimuli was faster in R4496C myocardium, despite the unchanged rates of recovery of L-type Ca2+ channel current (ICa-L) and SR Ca2+ content in single myocytes. A faster recovery from inactivation of the mutant R4496C channels could explain this behavior. In conclusion, changes in RyR2 channel gating associated with the R4496C mutation could be directly responsible for the alterations in both ventricular and atrial contractility. The increased RyR2 Po and fractional Ca2+ release from the SR induced by the R4496C mutation preserves baseline contractility despite a slight decrease in SR Ca2+ content, but cannot compensate for the inability to increase SR Ca2+ content during inotropic challenge.
‘C'est jeuli, la Gasceugne!’: l'antériorisation du phonème /ɔ/ dans le français régional du Béarn
Authors: Mooney Damien
Published: December 2015

Le français parisien vernaculaire connaît depuis longtemps un changement linguistique qui trouve son origine dans la classe ouvrière: une prononciation de la voyelle /ɔ/ dans des mots tels que

j
o
li

ou

Gasc
o
gne

correspondant à une orthographe

j
eu
li

ou

Gasc
eu
gne

. Des études antérieures, dans le cadre de la linguistique fonctionnelle ou de la sociolinguistique, indiquent que cette forme se diffuse de Paris aux régions, particulièrement sur les deux tiers nord du territoire français. Autrement dit, cette prononciation devient de plus en plus associée à une zone géographique étendue au-delà de Paris. Cet article fournit une analyse acoustique détaillée de cette prononciation dans la région du Béarn, à 800 kilomètres de Paris, dans le sud-ouest de la France. Trois générations de locuteurs natifs ont participé à une étude sociolinguistique labovienne et l'analyse de leurs prononciations s'effectue à partir d'un corpus de parole spontanée. Les résultats de l'analyse intergénérationnelle démontrent que ce changement s'est bien diffusé jusque dans le sud de la France, chez les jeunes en particulier. Les contraintes linguistiques et sociales sur cette diffusion sont présentées et l'adoption de cette forme est interprétée en termes de progressivité sociale: les jeunes méridionaux semblent adopter cette prononciation pour se donner l'air cosmopolite.
Development of a minipig model for lung injury induced by a single high-dose radiation exposure and evaluation with thoracic computed tomography
Authors: Lee Jong-Geol , Park Sunhoo , Bae Chang-Hwan , Jang Won-Suk , Lee Sun-Joo , Lee Dal Nim , Myung Jae Kyung , Kim Cheol Hyeon , Jin Young-Woo , Lee Seung-Sook , Shim Sehwan
Published: December 2015

Radiation-induced lung injury (RILI) due to nuclear or radiological exposure remains difficult to treat because of insufficient clinical data. The goal of this study was to establish an appropriate and efficient minipig model and introduce a thoracic computed tomography (CT)-based method to measure the progression of RILI. Göttingen minipigs were allocated to control and irradiation groups. The most obvious changes in the CT images after irradiation were peribronchial opacification, interlobular septal thickening, and lung volume loss. Hounsfield units (HU) in the irradiation group reached a maximum level at 6 weeks and decreased thereafter, but remained higher than those of the control group. Both lung area and cardiac right lateral shift showed significant changes at 22 weeks post irradiation. The white blood cell (WBC) count, a marker of pneumonitis, increased and reached a maximum at 6 weeks in both peripheral blood and bronchial alveolar lavage fluid. Microscopic findings at 22 weeks post irradiation were characterized by widening of the interlobular septum, with dense fibrosis and an increase in the radiation dose–dependent fibrotic score. Our results also showed that WBC counts and microscopic findings were positively correlated with the three CT parameters. In conclusion, the minipig model can provide useful clinical data regarding RILI caused by the adverse effects of high-dose radiotherapy. Peribronchial opacification, interlobular septal thickening, and lung volume loss are three quantifiable CT parameters that can be used as a simple method for monitoring the progression of RILI.
Functional diversity supports the biomass–diversity humped‐back relationship in phytoplankton assemblages
Authors: Török Péter , T‐Krasznai Enikő , B‐Béres Viktória , Bácsi István , Borics Gábor , Tóthmérész Béla
Published: December 2015

Modelling the relationship between biomass and diversity in phytoplankton assemblages provides new insights into the mechanisms responsible for the coexistence of species, even in terrestrial ecosystems.

We tested the biomass–diversity relationship in lake phytoplankton along a wide biomass gradient using functional species groups. We hypothesized that changes in the taxonomic diversity of the phytoplankton along a biomass gradient are associated with altered functional diversity.

For the analyses, in total 768 samples were collected from 30 oxbows, reservoirs and lakes in the Hungarian Lowland Region and analysed between 1992 and 2002.

We found that the diversity and also the number of functional species groups showed a humped‐back curve similar to the species richness. The changes in functional group composition act as a good proxy for phytoplankton species responses. We found that the peak of the number of strategy groups and their Shannon diversity was at a much lower biomass than that of species richness.

We revealed the fine‐scale effects of increasing the dominance of respective species or species groups with increasing biomass. This increase was well reflected by the changes in the functional characteristics: first, the species evenness; then, the Shannon diversity; and finally, the species richness started to decrease with increasing biomass.

Cyanoprokaryota were positively correlated with increasing biomass and negatively with the increase in species richness; thus, the high increase both in their abundance and biomass can be responsible for the abruptly decreasing part of the humped‐back curve.

We detected a humped‐back curve between biomass and diversity, where the peak compared to terrestrial plant communities tended to be towards high biomass scores, that is, >60% instead of the 20–60% of the biomass range typical for terrestrial plant communities. Marked differences in the structural and dynamic features of phytoplankton assemblages and terrestrial plant communities are likely responsible for this difference.
Seed dispersal by dabbling ducks: an overlooked dispersal pathway for a broad spectrum of plant species
Authors: Soons Merel B. , Brochet Anne‐Laure , Kleyheeg Erik , Green Andy J.
Published: December 2015

Dabbling ducks (Anatinae) are omnivorous birds that are widespread, numerous, highly mobile and often migratory, and therefore have great potential for (long distance) dispersal of other organisms, including plants. However, their ability to act as plant dispersal vectors has received little attention compared to frugivores and is often assumed to be relevant only for wetland species.

To evaluate the potential for plant dispersal by dabbling ducks, we collated and analysed existing data. We identified all plant species whose seeds have been recorded in the diets of the seven dabbling duck (Anas) species in the Western Palaearctic, as reported from gut content analyses. We then analysed the habitats and traits of these plant species to identify general patterns, and related these to data on gut passage survival and duck movements.

A large number of plant species (> 445 species of 189 genera and 57 families) have been recorded in the diet of dabbling ducks. These plant species represent a very wide range of habitats, including almost the full range of site fertility, moisture and light conditions, excluding only very dry and deeply shaded habitats. The ducks prefer seeds of intermediate sizes (1–10 mm3), which have good chances to survive gut passage, but also ingest smaller and larger seeds. Ingested seeds represent a wide range of dispersal syndromes, including fleshy fruits. Many species (62%) were not previously considered animal‐dispersed in plant data bases, and 66% were not identified as bird‐dispersed. Rarefaction analyses suggest that our analysis still greatly underestimates the total number of plant species ingested.

Synthesis. Dabbling ducks do not exclusively ingest seeds of wetland plants, which make up only 40% of the ingested species. Rather, they feed opportunistically on a wide cross‐section of plant species available across the landscapes they inhabit. Given the millions of ducks, the hundreds to thousands of seeds ingested per individual on a daily basis, and known gut passage survival rates, this results in vast numbers of seeds dispersed by ducks per day. Internal seed dispersal by dabbling ducks appears to be a major dispersal pathway for a far broader spectrum of plant species than previously considered.
The Political Ecology of Virtual Water in Southern Spain
Authors: Beltrán Maria J. , Velázquez Esther
Published: December 2015

What does virtual water conceal? This article synthesizes political ecology with ecological economics to question the understanding of the scientific concept of virtual water as part of an independent objective reality, rather than as a construction supported by pre‐existing ideas. The discourse promoting both the concept of virtual water and the methodologies used to estimate virtual water flows is structured according to some underlying ideas that are framed within market logic and the rationality of international trade. Consequently, it produces a representation of water as a factor of production that does not challenge the hegemonic construction of water scarcity in nature, and proposes a water management system the main purpose of which is to maximize efficiency in the use of the resource. We reveal the ideas underlying the virtual water concept to show how a critical approach to ecological economics can be complemented by political ecology theories. In this article, we use epistemological reflection as a starting point, with the specific objective of contrasting this reflection with the reality of water in the horticultural sector of Almería (southern Spain), in order to bring to light those aspects made invisible through the use of the virtual water indicator in a concrete case study.
Comparing the Cost of Care Provided to Medicare Beneficiaries Assigned to Primary Care Nurse Practitioners and Physicians
Authors: Perloff Jennifer , DesRoches Catherine M. , Buerhaus Peter
Published: December 2015

Objective

This study is designed to assess the cost of services provided to Medicare beneficiaries by nurse practitioners (NPs) billing under their own National Provider Identification number as compared to primary care physicians (PCMDs).

Data Source

Medicare Part A (inpatient) and Part B (office visit) claims for 2009–2010.

Study Design

Retrospective cohort design using propensity score weighted regression.

Data Extraction Methods

Beneficiaries cared for by a random sample of NPs and primary care physicians.

Principal Findings

After adjusting for demographic characteristics, geography, comorbidities, and the propensity to see an NP, Medicare evaluation and management payments for beneficiaries assigned to an NP were $207, or 29 percent, less than PCMD assigned beneficiaries. The same pattern was observed for inpatient and total office visit paid amounts, with 11 and 18 percent less for NP assigned beneficiaries, respectively. Results are similar for the work component of relative value units as well.

Conclusions

This study provides new evidence of the lower cost of care for beneficiaries managed by NPs, as compared to those managed by PCMDs across inpatient and office‐based settings. Results suggest that increasing access to NP primary care will not increase costs for the Medicare program and may be cost saving.
Inside the Green House “Black Box”: Opportunities for High‐Quality Clinical Decision Making
Authors: Bowers Barbara , Roberts Tonya , Nolet Kimberly , Ryther Brenda ,   the THRIVE Research Collaborative
Published: December 2015

Objective

To develop a conceptual model that explained common and divergent care processes in Green House (GH) nursing homes with high and low hospital transfer rates.

Data Sources/Settings

Eighty‐four face‐to‐face, semistructured interviews were conducted with direct care, professional, and administrative staff with knowledge of care processes in six GH organizations in six states.

Study Design/Data Collection

The qualitative grounded theory method was used for data collection and analysis. Data were analyzed using open, axial, and selective coding. Data collection and analysis occurred iteratively.

Principal Findings

Elements of the GH model created significant opportunities to identify, communicate, and respond to early changes in resident condition. Staff in GH homes with lower hospital transfer rates employed care processes that maximized these opportunities. Staff in GH homes with higher transfer rates failed to maximize, or actively undermined, these opportunities.

Conclusions

Variations in how the GH model was implemented across GH homes suggest possible explanations for inconsistencies found in past research on the care outcomes, including hospital transfer rates, in culture change models. The findings further suggest that the details of culture change implementation are important considerations in model replication and policies that create incentives for care improvements.
Workforce Characteristics, Perceptions, Stress, and Satisfaction among Staff in Green House and Other Nursing Homes
Authors: Brown Patrick B. , Hudak Sandra L. , Horn Susan D. , Cohen Lauren W. , Reed David Allen , Zimmerman Sheryl ,   the THRIVE Research Collaborative
Published: December 2015

Objective

To compare workforce characteristics and staff perceptions of safety, satisfaction, and stress between Green House (GH) and comparison nursing homes (CNHs).

Data Sources/Study Setting

Primary data on staff perceptions of safety, stress, and satisfaction from 13 GHs and 8 comparison NHs in 11 states; secondary data from human resources records on workforce characteristics, turnover, and staffing from 01/01/2011–06/30/2012.

Study Design

Observational study.

Data Collection Methods

Workforce data were from human resources offices; staff perceptions were from surveys.

Principal Findings

Few significant differences were found between GH and CNHs. Exceptions were GH direct caregivers were older, provided twice the normalized hours per week budgeted per resident than CNAs in CNHs or Legacy NHs, and trended toward lower turnover.

Conclusions

GH environment may promote staff longevity and does not negatively affect worker's stress, safety perceptions, or satisfaction. Larger studies are needed to confirm findings.
Low‐acuity presentations to regional emergency departments: What is the issue?
Authors: Cheek Colleen , Allen Penny , Shires Lizzi , Parry Denise , Ruigrok Marielle
Published: December 2015

Objective

To explore GP‐referrals and self‐referrals to EDs and factors associated with patients seeking low‐acuity care at ED.

Method

Retrospective analysis of all ED presentations to Mersey Community Hospital and North West Regional Hospital (Tasmania) between 1 January 2009 and 31 December 2013. Cross‐sectional survey of patients presenting to the EDs for care triaged as low‐acuity.

Results

There were 255  365 ED presentations in the retrospective data: 11  252 (4.4%) GP‐referrals and 218  205 (85.4%) self‐referrals. At ED 49% of GP‐referrals were triaged ATS 4 or 5 and 35% of self‐referrals were triaged ATS 1–3. There were 138 (84.2%) low‐acuity patients who completed the survey; predominantly, all attended for acute injury or illness. Single point‐of‐care convenience was most commonly selected (71%) as a reason for attending ED.

Conclusions

Over 85% of patients who seek emergency care in this region self‐refer, so understanding health‐seeking behaviour is important. Most low‐acuity patients are acutely injured or unwell, and the decision to go to ED is based on their perception of accessibility of expertise aligned with their need. The term ‘GP‐type’ is misleading in this context and should not be used. Providing low‐acuity care in parallel with providing a specialised emergency service meets the needs of the local community and is likely to be the lowest cost model in a regional and rural area. Funding models must reflect the actual cost of delivering this important service rather than presentation types.
Rehabilitation in a Red State
Authors: Thielo Angela J. , Cullen Francis T. , Cohen Derek M. , Chouhy Cecilia
Published: December 2015

Research Summary

Based on a 2013 survey of 1,001 likely voters in Texas, public support for correctional reform in a “red state” was examined. Four major conclusions were revealed. First, the respondents displayed strong support for rehabilitation. Second, at least for nonviolent and/or drug offenders, the sample members showed a clear preference for the use of alternatives to incarceration as opposed to imprisonment. Third, when asked about a specific policy reform that used treatment rather than prison for nonviolent drug offenders, more than eight in ten Texans approved of the measure, and strong majorities endorsed various rationales for it. Fourth, with some minor variation, the respondents revealed substantial consensus across demographic groups in their embrace of rehabilitation and correctional reform.

Policy Implications

With the growth of mass imprisonment arguably at its end, the existence of strong public support for correctional reform even in the major red state of Texas, suggests that a new “sensibility” about crime control has taken hold. There is now an emergent national consensus that the overuse of incarceration is unsustainable and that low‐risk offenders no longer should be sanctioned with a prison sentence. The American public, in Texas and beyond, is willing to support a policy agenda that includes offender treatment, prison downsizing, and alternatives to incarceration. The challenge for elected officials is to take advantage of this ideological space and to pursue this agenda. Notably, politicians in Texas and in other red states are using this opportunity to implement correctional policy reforms. The data in this study indicate that they will face no public backlash and, if anything, will gain political capital for their efforts.
Generalisation of Mood's Test to Factorial Designs to Detect Heterogeneity of Variances
Authors: Karaman Filiz , Cene Erhan
Published: December 2015

Mood's test, which is a relatively old test (and the oldest non‐parametric test among those tests in its class) for determining heterogeneity of variance, is still being widely used in different areas such as biometry, biostatistics and medicine. Although it is a popular test, it is not suitable for use on a two‐way factorial design. In this paper, Mood's test is generalised to the 2 × 2 factorial design setting and its performance is compared with that of Klotz's test. The power and robustness of these tests are examined in detail by means of a simulation study with 10,000 replications. Based on the simulation results, the generalised Mood's and Klotz's tests can especially be recommended in settings in which the parent distribution is symmetric. As an example application we analyse data from a multi‐factor agricultural system that involves chilli peppers, nematodes and yellow nutsedge. This example dataset suggests that the performance of the generalised Mood test is in agreement with that of the generalised Klotz's test.
Strategic approach to concurrent aberrant left gastric vein and aberrant left hepatic artery in laparoscopic distal gastrectomy for early gastric cancer: A case report
Authors: Kuwada Kazuya , Kuroda Shinji , Kikuchi Satoru , Hori Naoto , Kubota Tetsushi , Nishizaki Masahiko , Kagawa Shunsuke , Fujiwara Toshiyoshi
Published: December 2015

An aberrant left gastric vein (ALGV) directly entering the lateral segment of the liver is a rare variation in the portal vein system, whereas an aberrant left hepatic artery (ALHA) arising from the left gastric artery is observed relatively frequently. Here we report a case in which both ALGV and ALHA were encountered before laparoscopic distal gastrectomy with curative lymphadenectomy for gastric cancer. We accurately diagnosed these vessel anomalies preoperatively on abdominal contrast‐enhanced CT. During surgery, we divided the ALGV at the point of entry to the liver and preserved the ALHA by dividing the branches toward the stomach, in consideration of curability and safety. The postoperative course was uneventful overall, although temporary mild liver dysfunction was observed. This case highlights the importance of preoperative evaluation and preparation in a rare case of concurrent ALGV and ALHA.
Laparoscopic intraperitoneal mesh repair of Spigelian hernia: A case report
Authors: Yoshida Daisuke , Itoh Shinji , Kinjo Nao , Harimoto Norifumi , Maruyama Seiji , Kawanaka Hirofumi , Shirabe Ken , Matsukuma Akito , Kohnoe Shunji , Maehara Yoshihiko
Published: December 2015

Spigelian hernia is a rare congenital defect of the anterior abdominal wall located along the semilunar line through the aponeurosis fascia of the transversus abdominis muscle. It represents 1%–2% of all abdominal wall hernias. Few cases of laparoscopic treatment for Spigelian hernia have been reported, especially in Japan. However, several reports of laparoscopic surgery to repair Spigelian hernias have been published, and some have shown that the laparoscopic approach repair is feasible because it is associated with less morbidity and a shorter hospital stay than open surgery. We herein describe a 63‐year‐old Japanese woman who presented with painful bulging in the right lower abdominal quadrant. A preoperative diagnosis of Spigelian hernia was made, and we performed laparoscopic intraperitoneal repair. The patient was discharged 6 days after laparoscopic surgery with no perioperative complications. This report describes the first successful laparoscopic intraperitoneal mesh repair of Spigelian hernia in Japan.
Suture granuloma with false‐positive finding on PET/CT after gastrectomy for gastric cancer
Authors: Tsujita Eiji , Ikeda Yasuharu , Kinjo Nao , Yamashita Yo‐ichi , Kumagai Reiko , Taguchi Ken‐ichi , Yamaguchi Shohei , Minami Kazuhito , Yamamoto Manabu , Morita Masaru , Toh Yasushi , Okamura Takeshi
Published: December 2015

This study is a case report on a 49‐year‐old woman who had a gastrectomy and lymphadenectomy for pStage IIIa gastric cancer. Shortly after a 12‐month course of adjuvant chemotherapy, CT showed a nodule adjacent to the gallbladder. High 18F‐fluorodeoxyglucose accumulation was detected, with a standardized uptake value of 10. Therefore, laparoscopic excision was performed for diagnosis and treatment. The histopathological finding was suture granuloma. Suture granulomas with high standardized uptake values on PET scans are uncommon and often cause surgeons to provide an inaccurate diagnosis. Our study suggests that suture granuloma should be included in the differential diagnosis of a new or recurrent mass detected in patients with a history of prior surgery; however, surgeons must bear in mind that false‐positive fluorodeoxyglucose‐PET results can be observed in suture granuloma.
Laparoscopic‐endoscopic cooperative surgery is a safe and effective treatment for superficial nonampullary duodenal tumors
Authors: Kyuno Daisuke , Ohno Keisuke , Katsuki Shinichi , Fujita Tomoki , Konno Ai , Murakami Takeshi , Waga Eriko , Takanashi Kunihiro , Kitaoka Keisuke , Komatsu Yuya , Sasaki Kazuaki , Hirata Koichi
Published: December 2015

The use of endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) for duodenal neoplasms has increased in recent years, but delayed perforation and bleeding are also known to frequently occur. We present two cases in which duodenal adenoma was successfully treated with laparoscopic‐endoscopic cooperative surgery. ESD was combined with laparoscopic seromuscular sutures. The lesions in both cases were located in the second portion of the duodenum. The patients requested resection of the lesion, and we performed laparoscopic‐endoscopic cooperative surgery. After the laparoscopic surgeon mobilized the duodenum, the endoscopic surgeon performed ESD for the duodenal tumor without perforation. The laparoscopic surgeon sutured the duodenal wall in the seromuscular layer to strengthen the ulcer bed after ESD. Histopathological studies confirmed that the surgical margins were tumor‐free in both cases. The patients were discharged with no complications. This unique laparoscopic‐endoscopic cooperative procedure is a safe and effective method for resecting superficial nonampullary duodenal tumors.
Composition and fatty acid profile of milk from cows supplemented with pressed oilseed cake
Authors: Oliveira Ronaldo Lopes , Neto Severino Gonzaga , de Lima Francisco Helton Sa , de Medeiros Ariosvaldo Nunes , Bezerra Leilson Rocha , Pereira Elzania Sales , Bagaldo Adriana Regina , de Pellegrini Caius Barcellos , Correia Braulio Rocha
Published: December 2015

This study compared the productive and nutritional parameters of milk from crossbred lactating cows managed on Panicum maximum Jacq. cv. Tanzania and with a diet supplemented with different pressed oilseed cakes. The supplements used were as follows: peanut cake, sunflower cake and palm kernel cake for replacement of soybean meal. Sixteen cows with an average weight of 544 ± 57 kg and producing 8 ± 1.4 L of milk per day were used in this study. The animals were randomly assigned to the treatments according to a Latin square design repeated over time, with four treatments, 16 animals and four experimental periods. Supplementation of the diet with peanut cake, sunflower cake and palm kernel cake compared with soybean meal in the diet of cows did not affect the average daily production or composition of the milk. The palm kernel cake promoted an increase in lauric fatty acids (C12:0) and palmitoleic acids (C16:1) (5.02 and 1.65%, respectively) compared with peanut cake and sunflower cake (4.13 and 4.01%, respectively). The levels of oleic fatty acids (C18:1) were higher for the sunflower cake and palm kernel cake supplements (26.01 and 25.01%, respectively) compared with peanut cake (23.11%). The replacement of soybean meal with sunflower cake and palm kernel cake improved the nutritional quality of the milk, with lower concentrations of saturated fatty acids and higher concentrations of unsaturated fatty acids, without compromising the production or nutritional composition of the milk. © 2015 Japanese Society of Animal Science
Tumor growth suppression by the combination of nanobubbles and ultrasound
Authors: Suzuki Ryo , Oda Yusuke , Omata Daiki , Nishiie Norihito , Koshima Risa , Shiono Yasuyuki , Sawaguchi Yoshikazu , Unga Johan , Naoi Tomoyuki , Negishi Yoichi , Kawakami Shigeru , Hashida Mitsuru , Maruyama Kazuo
Published: December 2015

We previously developed novel liposomal nanobubbles (Bubble liposomes [BL]) that oscillate and collapse in an ultrasound field, generating heat and shock waves. We aimed to investigate the feasibility of cancer therapy using the combination of BL and ultrasound. In addition, we investigated the anti‐tumor mechanism of this cancer therapy. Colon‐26 cells were inoculated into the flank of BALB/c mice to induce tumors. After 8 days, BL or saline was intratumorally injected, followed by transdermal ultrasound exposure of tumor tissue (1 MHz, 0–4 W/cm2, 2 min). The anti‐tumor effects were evaluated by histology (necrosis) and tumor growth. In vivo cell depletion assays were performed to identify the immune cells responsible for anti‐tumor effects. Tumor temperatures were significantly higher when treated with BL + ultrasound than ultrasound alone. Intratumoral BL caused extensive tissue necrosis at 3–4 W/cm2 of ultrasound exposure. In addition, BL + ultrasound significantly suppressed tumor growth at 2–4 W/cm2. In vivo depletion of CD8+ T cells (not NK or CD4+ T cells) completely blocked the effect of BL + ultrasound on tumor growth. These data suggest that CD8+ T cells play a critical role in tumor growth suppression. Finally, we concluded that BL + ultrasound, which can prime the anti‐tumor cellular immune system, may be an effective hyperthermia strategy for cancer treatment.
Wnt5a‐Ror2 signaling in mesenchymal stem cells promotes proliferation of gastric cancer cells by activating CXCL16–CXCR6 axis
Authors: Takiguchi Gosuke , Nishita Michiru , Kurita Kana , Kakeji Yoshihiro , Minami Yasuhiro
Published: December 2015

Wnt5a‐Ror2 signaling has been shown to play important roles in promoting aggressiveness of various cancer cells in a cell‐autonomous manner. However, little is known about its function in cancer‐associated stromal cells, including mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs). Thus, we examined the role of Wnt5a‐Ror2 signaling in bone marrow‐derived MSCs in regulating proliferation of undifferentiated gastric cancer cells. Coculture of a gastric cancer cell line, MKN45, with MSCs either directly or indirectly promotes proliferation of MKN45 cells, and suppressed expression of Ror2 in MSCs prior to coculture inhibits enhanced proliferation of MKN45 cells. In addition, conditioned media from MSCs, treated with control siRNA, but not siRNAs against Ror2, can enhance proliferation of MKN45 cells. Interestingly, it was found that expression of CXCL16 in MSCs is augmented by Wnt5a‐Ror2 signaling, and that recombinant chemokine (C‐X‐C motif) ligand (CXCL)16 protein can enhance proliferation of MKN45 cells in the absence of MSCs. In fact, suppressed expression of CXCL16 in MSCs or an addition of a neutralizing antibody against CXCL16 fails to promote proliferation of MKN45 cells in either direct or indirect coculture with MSCs. Importantly, we show that MKN45 cells express chemokine (C‐X‐C motif) receptor (CXCR)6, a receptor for CXCL16, and that suppressed expression of CXCR6 in MKN45 cells results in a failure of its enhanced proliferation in either direct or indirect coculture with MSCs. These findings indicate that Wnt5a‐Ror2 signaling enhances expression of CXCL16 in MSCs and, as a result, enhanced secretion of CXCL16 from MSCs might act on CXCR6 expressed on MKN45, leading to the promotion of its proliferation.
Quality of life after laparoscopic ventral rectopexy
Authors: Tsunoda A. , Takahashi T. , Ohta T. , Kusanagi H.
Published: December 2015

Aim

This study evaluated continence, constipation and quality of life (QOL) before and after laparoscopic ventral rectopexy (LVR)

Method

Between February 2012 and July 2014, patients who underwent LVR for external rectal prolapse (ERP) and/or rectoanal intussusception (RAI) were prospectively included. A standard questionnaire including the Fecal Incontinence Severity Index (FISI), the Constipation Scoring System (CSS) and QOL instruments (Short‐Form 36 Health Survey, Fecal Incontinence QOL scale, Patient Assessment of Constipation‐QOL) were administered before and after operation. Psychiatric patients and those with dementia were excluded from the study. Defaecography was performed 6 months postoperatively.

Results

Fifty‐nine patients were included in the study period and 44 (19 with ERP, 25 with RAI) completed the follow‐up questionnaire and were reviewed after a median of 26 (range 12–42) months. There was no recurrent ERP. Postoperative defaecography showed new‐onset RAI in 6 and persistent RAI in 1. One year after surgery, incontinence was improved in 30/39 patients (77%) and constipation in 19/32 (59%). The FISI scores reduced between preoperative status and 1 year after surgery [32 (13–61) vs 11 (0–33), P < 0.0001]. The CSS scores also reduced [preoperative 12 (5–18) vs 1 year 5 (1–12), P < 0.0001]. Compared with the preoperative scores, almost all of the scale scores on the three kinds of QOL instruments significantly improved over time. The presence of new‐onset or persistent RAI did not have an adverse effect on the improvement of QOL.

Conclusion

LVR improves both generic and symptom‐specific QOL with good functional results.
What are the consequences of enlarging the extraction site to exteriorize a large specimen during laparoscopic surgery for Crohn's enteritis?
Authors: Duraes L. C. , Stocchi L. , Rottoli M. , Costedio M. M. , Gorgun E. , Kessler H.
Published: December 2015

Aim

The implications of extraction site enlargement for the removal of large specimens during laparoscopic surgery for Crohn's disease have not been clearly described; such a description is the aim of this study.

Method

An institutional database was queried to identify patients undergoing laparoscopic resection for Crohn's disease through midline incision between 1995 and 2013. Perioperative outcomes were compared among cases completed through their initial extraction site (L), completed after increasing the length of the initial extraction site (IL) for specimen exteriorization, and cases converted to open surgery (C). Univariate and multivariate statistical analyses were performed.

Results

Out of 309 patients, 52 required IL and 36 required C. Heavier, older, male patients were more likely to require IL or C. There were no differences in disease behaviour (P = 0.260), procedures performed (P = 0.12) or postoperative morbidity (P = 0.33). IL and L groups had a comparable initial length of hospital stay (LOS), which was shorter than in the C group. While there were no significant differences in causes of readmission (P = 0.31), IL had increased readmission rates compared with L [odds ratio (OR) 2.80, P = 0.021] or C (OR 13.89, P = 0.015). When combining initial and readmission LOS, C and IL groups had comparable overall LOS [median ratio (MR) 1.09, P = 0.57], which was significantly longer than in the L group (MR 1.27, P = 0.02).

Conclusion

Extraction site enlargement during laparoscopic surgery for enteric Crohn's disease had no impact on primary LOS. However, the shorter initial LOS was offset by increased readmission rates when compared with formal conversion. The threshold to convert in case of anticipated difficulty due to a large specimen should be low.
A size‐age model based on bootstrapping and Bayesian approaches to assess population dynamics of Anguilla anguilla L. in semi‐closed lagoons
Authors: Aschonitis Vassilis G. , Castaldelli Giuseppe , Lanzoni Mattia , Merighi Matteo , Gelli Fernando , Giari Luisa , Rossi Remigio , Fano Elisa A.
Published: December 2015

A size‐age modelling technique is presented for assessing the vital rates, stock and recruitment of eel populations in semi‐closed lagoons with fully monitored migration of silver eels. Data for yellow and silver European eels (Anguilla anguilla L.) were obtained in 2011 from the Comacchio lagoon (Italy). The analysis was performed in three steps: (i) correction of yellow eel data, which are affected by the fyke nets selectivity during samplings, (ii) estimation of survival curve, stock, recruitment and metamorphosis rates of the population (calibration using data from 2011) and (iii) validation of the model using the observed amount of silver eel migrating population of the next year. A bootstrap procedure was used to assess the level of uncertainty for each parameter using the 95% intervals of the highest posterior density distribution HPDD (Bayesian approach). The measured abundance of silver eels was 0.56 ind·ha−1, while the yellow eel abundance and recruitment were estimated by the model for 2011 at 8.77 ind·ha−1 and 5.99 ind. ha−1 respectively. The model performance during validation was satisfactory as the observed total mass of migrating population of 2012 (3777 kg) was inside the 95% HPDD intervals (3197–3839 kg) of model's predictions. The estimated stocks and recruitment were at least ten times lower from the respective estimations of previous studies of 1989 highlighting the crucial conditions of the population. The proposed modelling approach can provide significant information about eel population conditions, facilitating the evaluation of a range of management options in the context of eel conservation plans.
Scale‐dependent Orientation in Movement Paths: A Case Study of an African Viper
Authors: Maritz Bryan , Alexander Graham J.
Published: December 2015

Decisions relating to the orientation of movement by animals and how this translates into movement patterns can occur at multiple spatial scales simultaneously, but this interaction is poorly understood for many groups of animals. Using the tracks left by moving snakes in their sandy habitat, we studied the movement paths of the African snake Bitis schneideri (Namaqua dwarf adder) for evidence of broad‐scale directional persistence and short‐range avoidance of exposure. Although snakes clearly displayed directional persistence, they preferentially moved to nearby shrubs, thereby minimizing exposure to solar and thermal radiation and/or predation. Thus, snakes made decisions relating to orientation at a minimum of two scales, the interaction of which resulted in snakes moving ≈17% (mean straightness index = 0.85) further than the simple broad‐scale straight‐line distance. We assert that the actual path chosen by moving snakes represents a trade‐off of various costs and risks that include risk of predation, exposure to the elements, time and energy expenditure. Our study highlights the need for cognizance of the possibility of the scale dependence of orientation and movement in studies of snake movement, and adds to a growing literature demonstrating previously unrecognized behavioural complexity in snakes.
The Buzz of Drinking on the Wing in Echolocating Bats
Authors: Russo Danilo , Ancillotto Leonardo , Cistrone Luca , Korine Carmi
Published: December 2015

Bats broadcast rapid sequences of echolocation calls, named ‘drinking buzzes’, when they approach water to drink on the wing. So far this phenomenon has received little attention. We recorded echolocation sequences of drinking bats for 12 species, for 11 of which we also recorded feeding buzzes. Based on the different sensorial tasks faced by feeding and drinking bats, we hypothesize that the drinking buzz structure will differ from that of feeding buzzes since unlike the latter drinking buzzes are not designed to detect and track mobile prey. We demonstrated that drinking buzzes are structurally different from feeding buzzes. We show that the buzz‐II phase common in feeding buzzes is absent in drinking buzzes; that is, call frequency is not lowered to broaden sonar beam since the task of drinking does not imply tracking fast‐moving targets. This finding indirectly confirms the role of buzz II in feeding buzzes. Pulse rate in drinking buzzes is also lower than in feeding buzzes, as predicted since the high pulse rate typical of feeding buzzes is important to update rapidly the relative location of moving targets. The most likely function of drinking buzzes is to guide a safe drinking manoeuvre, similar to ‘landing buzzes’ broadcast when bats land on the ground.
Partner Pronoun Use, Communal Coping, and Abstinence during Couple‐Focused Intervention for Problematic Alcohol Use
Authors: Rentscher Kelly E. , Soriano Emily C. , Rohrbaugh Michael J. , Shoham Varda , Mehl Matthias R.
Published: December 2015

Communal coping—a process in which romantic partners view a problem as ours rather than yours or mine, and take collaborative action to address it —has emerged as an important predictor of health and treatment outcomes. In a study of partners' pronoun use prior to and during couple‐focused alcohol interventions, we examined first‐person plural (we‐talk) and singular (I‐talk) pronouns as linguistic markers of communal coping and behavioral predictors of treatment outcome. Thirty‐three couples in which one partner abused alcohol were selected from a randomized control trial (N = 63) of couple‐focused Cognitive‐Behavioral or Family Systems Therapy if they had unambiguously successful or unsuccessful treatment outcomes (i.e., patient maintained abstinence for 30 days prior to treatment termination or had more than one heavy drinking day in the same period). Pronoun measures for each partner were obtained via computerized text analysis from transcripts of partners' speech, derived from a videotaped pretreatment interaction task and three subsequent therapy sessions. Spouse we‐talk during the intervention (accounting for pretreatment we‐talk), as an index of communal orientation, uniquely predicted successful treatment outcomes. In contrast, both patient and spouse I‐talk during the intervention (accounting for pretreatment I‐talk), as a marker of individualistic orientation, uniquely predicted unsuccessful outcomes, especially when distinguishing active and passive (I vs. me/my) pronoun forms. Results strengthen evidence for the prognostic significance of spouse behavior for patient health outcomes and for communal coping (indexed via pronoun use) as a potential mechanism of change in couple‐focused interventions for health problems.
Brittle fracture assessment of engineering components in the presence of notches: a review
Authors: Ayatollahi M. R. , Torabi A. R. , Rahimi A. S.
Published: December 2015

Brittle fracture of notched components has been widely investigated in recent decades both experimentally and theoretically. This is because of designers' concern about catastrophic failure in notched engineering components made of brittle or quasi‐brittle materials. Up to now, extensive studies have been performed on brittle fracture analysis of engineering components weakened by notches of various features under mode I, mode II, mode III and mixed mode loading conditions. In the present paper, the attempt is made to review the research articles published in the open literature on brittle fracture assessment of notched components by means of notch fracture mechanics concepts. The main focus of this paper is on the stress‐based fracture criteria, which are the basis of authors' experience in recent years.
The Carolingian World through Hagiography
Authors: Gibson Kelly
Published: December 2015

Hagiographic texts – including the lives of saints, accounts of relic translations, miracle collections, and deeds of abbots and bishops – are plentiful and rich sources for investigating the Carolingian world. The recognition that hagiography offers a great deal of information about the author's time has led scholars to use these texts to shed light on a variety of topics. Hagiography's similarity to history as well as literature means that scholarship on history and literature can contribute to our understanding of hagiography and the world that produced it. Works comparing earlier versions of saints' lives with their Carolingian‐era revisions and investigating hagiography alongside works of other genres have contributed to some of the biggest debates in Carolingian history: the reform of the church, monasticism, and society; the renaissance of learning, the impact of doctrinal controversies, and views of kingship and reactions to political change.