bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Dysregulation of the endothelium followingStaphylococcus aureusinfection
Authors: Kerrigan Steven W. , McDonnell Cormac
Published: August 2015

The cardiovascular system is typically a sterile environment; however entry of a microorganism into the circulation can cause potentially life threatening cardiac and/or vascular disease. Staphylococcus aureus endothelial cell interactions are arguably the most important interactions in the pathogenesis of cardiovascular infection. These interactions can trigger cardiac valve destruction in the case of endocarditis, multi-organ dysfunction in the case of sepsis and coagulopathy. Here, we review the interactions between S. aureus and endothelial cells and discuss the implications of these interactions in the progression of cardiovascular infection.
iPS models of Parkin and PINK1
Authors: Rakovic Aleksandar , Seibler Philip , Klein Christine
Published: August 2015

Parkinson disease (PD) is a degenerative disorder of the central nervous system resulting from depletion of dopaminergic neurons and currently remains incurable despite enormous international research efforts. The development of induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC) technology opened up the unique possibility of studying disease mechanisms in human tissue that was otherwise not accessible, such as the brain. Of particular interest are the monogenetic forms of PD as they closely resemble the more common ‘idiopathic’ PD and, through the mutated protein, provide a clear research target in iPSC-derived neurons. Recessively inherited Parkin and PTEN-induced putative kinase 1 (PINK1) mutations have been investigated in this context and the present review describes the first insights gained from studies in iPSC-derived dopaminergic neurons, which comprise abnormalities in mitochondrial and dopamine homoeostasis, microtubular stability and axonal outgrowth. These new models of PD have a high translational potential that includes the identification of druggable targets, testing of known and novel therapeutic agents in the disease-relevant tissue using well-defined read-outs and potential regenerative approaches.
Bridging the Gap Between Research and Practice: Implementation Science
Authors: Olswang Lesley B. , Prelock Patricia A.
Published: August 2015

Purpose

This article introduces implementation science, which focuses on research methods that promote the systematic application of research findings to practice.

Method

The narrative defines implementation science and highlights the importance of moving research along the pipeline from basic science to practice as one way to facilitate evidence-based service delivery. This review identifies challenges in developing and testing interventions in order to achieve widespread adoption in practice settings. A framework for conceptualizing implementation research is provided, including an example to illustrate the application of principles in speech-language pathology. Last, the authors reflect on the status of implementation research in the discipline of communication sciences and disorders.

Conclusions

The extant literature highlights the value of implementation science for reducing the gap between research and practice in our discipline. While having unique principles guiding implementation research, many of the challenges and questions are similar to those facing any investigators who are attempting to design valid and reliable studies. This article is intended to invigorate interest in the uniqueness of implementation science among those pursuing both basic and applied research. In this way, it should help ensure the discipline's knowledge base is realized in practice and policy that affects the lives of individuals with communication disorders.
Designing Caregiver-Implemented Shared-Reading Interventions to Overcome Implementation Barriers
Authors: Justice Laura M. , Logan Jessica R. , Damschroder Laura
Published: August 2015

Purpose

This study presents an application of the theoretical domains framework (TDF; Michie et al., 2005), an integrative framework drawing on behavior-change theories, to speech-language pathology.

Methods

A multistep procedure was used to identify barriers affecting caregivers' implementation of shared-reading interventions with their children with language impairment (LI). The authors examined caregiver-level data corresponding to implementation issues from two randomized controlled trials and mapped these to domains in the TDF as well as empirically validated behavior-change techniques.

Results

Four barriers to implementation were identified as potentially affecting caregivers' implementation: time pressures, reading difficulties, discomfort with reading, and lack of awareness of benefits. These were mapped to 3 TDF domains: intentions, beliefs about capabilities, and skills. In turn, 4 behavior-change techniques were identified as potential vehicles for affecting these domains: reward, feedback, model, and encourage. An ongoing study is described that is determining the effects of these techniques for improving caregivers' implementation of a shared-reading intervention.

Conclusions

A description of the steps to identifying barriers to implementation, in conjunction with an ongoing experiment that will explicitly determine whether behavior-change techniques affect these barriers, provides a model for how implementation science can be used to identify and overcome implementation barriers in the treatment of communication disorders.
Triangular Titanium Implants for Minimally Invasive Sacroiliac Joint Fusion: A Prospective Study
Authors: Duhon Bradley S. , Cher Daniel J. , Wine Kathryn D. , Kovalsky Don A. , Lockstadt Harry
Published: August 2015

Study Design

Prospective multicenter single-arm interventional clinical trial.

Objective

To determine the degree of improvement in sacroiliac (SI) joint pain, disability related to SI joint pain, and quality of life in patients with SI joint dysfunction who undergo minimally invasive SI joint fusion using triangular-shaped titanium implants.

Methods

Subjects ( n = 172) underwent minimally invasive SI joint fusion between August 2012 and January 2014 and completed structured assessments preoperatively and at 1, 3, 6, and 12 months postoperatively, including a 100-mm SI joint and back pain visual analog scale (VAS), Oswestry Disability Index (ODI), Short Form-36 (SF-36), and EuroQOL-5D. Patient satisfaction with surgery was assessed at 6 and 12 months.

Results

Mean SI joint pain improved from 79.8 at baseline to 30.0 and 30.4 at 6 and 12 months, respectively (mean improvements of 49.9 and 49.1 points, p < 0.0001 each). Mean ODI improved from 55.2 at baseline to 32.5 and 31.4 at 6 and 12 months (improvements of 22.7 and 23.9 points, p < 0.0001 each). SF-36 physical component summary improved from 31.7 at baseline to 40.2 and 40.3 at 6 and 12 months ( p < 0.0001). At 6 and 12 months, 93 and 87% of subjects, respectively, were somewhat or very satisfied and 92 and 91%, respectively, would have the procedure again.

Conclusions

Minimally invasive SI joint fusion resulted in improvement of pain, disability, and quality of life in patients with SI joint dysfunction due to degenerative sacroiliitis and SI joint disruption.
One-Pot Synthesis of Substituted Piperidinones and 3,4-Dihydropyrimidinones Using a Highly Active and Recyclable Supported Ionic Liquid Phase Organocatalyst
Authors: Sharma Pankaj , Gupta Manjulla , Gupta Monika , Gupta Rajive
Published: August 2015

1-Ethyl-3-methylimidazolium ethyl sulfate was synthesized and its supported ionic liquid phase form was prepared and used as an organocatalyst for the synthesis of substituted piperidinones and 3,4-dihydropyrimidinones. The ionic liquid was characterized by 1H NMR, 13C NMR, and mass spectrometry. The catalyst is novel, stable, completely heterogeneous, and recyclable for several times and can be easily recovered by filtration. It was characterized with scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, thermogravimetric analysis, and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy techniques. The workup procedures are very simple, and products were obtained in good-to-excellent yields with reasonable purities without the need for further chromatographic purification.
A DEMETER-like DNA demethylase governs tomato fruit ripening
Authors: Liu Ruie , How-Kit Alexandre , Stammitti Linda , Teyssier Emeline , Rolin Dominique , Mortain-Bertrand Anne , Halle Stefanie , Liu Mingchun , Kong Junhua , Wu Chaoqun , Degraeve-Guibault Charlotte , Chapman Natalie H. , Maucourt Mickael , Hodgman T. Charlie , Tost Jörg , Bouzayen Mondher , Hong Yiguo , Seymour Graham B. , Giovannoni James J. , Gallusci Philippe
Published: August 2015

Significance

This work shows that active DNA demethylation governs ripening, an important plant developmental process. Our work defines a molecular mechanism, which has until now been missing, to explain the correlation between genomic DNA demethylation and fruit ripening. It demonstrates a direct cause-and-effect relationship between active DNA demethylation and induction of gene expression in fruits. The importance of these findings goes far beyond understanding the developmental biology of ripening and provides an innovative strategy for its fine control through fine modulation of epimarks in the promoters of ripening related genes. Our results have significant application for plant breeding especially in species with limited available genetic variation.
Newton-Okounkov polyhedra for character varieties and configuration spaces
Authors: Manon Christopher
Published: August 2015

We construct families of Newton-Okounkov bodies for the free group character varieties and configuration spaces of any connected reductive group. We use this construction to give a proof that these spaces are Cohen-Macaulay.
Vulnerability of individual fish to capture by trawling is influenced by capacity for anaerobic metabolism
Authors: Killen Shaun S. , Nati Julie J. H. , Suski Cory D.
Published: August 2015

The harvest of animals by humans may constitute one of the strongest evolutionary forces affecting wild populations. Vulnerability to harvest varies among individuals within species according to behavioural phenotypes, but we lack fundamental information regarding the physiological mechanisms underlying harvest-induced selection. It is unknown, for example, what physiological traits make some individual fish more susceptible to capture by commercial fisheries. Active fishing methods such as trawling pursue fish during harvest attempts, causing fish to use both aerobic steady-state swimming and anaerobic burst-type swimming to evade capture. Using simulated trawling procedures with schools of wild minnowsPhoxinus phoxinus, we investigate two key questions to the study of fisheries-induced evolution that have been impossible to address using large-scale trawls: (i) are some individuals within a fish shoal consistently more susceptible to capture by trawling than others?; and (ii) if so, is this related to individual differences in swimming performance and metabolism? Results provide the first evidence of repeatable variation in susceptibility to trawling that is strongly related to anaerobic capacity and swimming ability. Maximum aerobic swim speed was also negatively correlated with vulnerability to trawling. Standard metabolic rate was highest among fish that were least vulnerable to trawling, but this relationship probably arose through correlations with anaerobic capacity. These results indicate that vulnerability to trawling is linked to anaerobic swimming performance and metabolic demand, drawing parallels with factors influencing susceptibility to natural predators. Selection on these traits by fisheries could induce shifts in the fundamental physiological makeup and function of descendent populations.
Association between the dopamine D4 receptor gene exon III variable number of tandem repeats and political attitudes in female Han Chinese
Authors: Ebstein Richard P. , Monakhov Mikhail V. , Lu Yunfeng , Jiang Yushi , Lai Poh San , Chew Soo Hong
Published: August 2015

Twin and family studies suggest that political attitudes are partially determined by an individual's genotype. The dopamine D4 receptor gene (
DRD4
) exon III repeat region that has been extensively studied in connection with human behaviour, is a plausible candidate to contribute to individual differences in political attitudes. A first United States study provisionally identified this gene with political attitude along a liberal–conservative axis albeit contingent upon number of friends. In a large sample of 1771 Han Chinese university students in Singapore, we observed a significant main effect of association between the
DRD4
exon III variable number of tandem repeats and political attitude. Subjects with two copies of the 4-repeat allele (4R/4R) were significantly more conservative. Our results provided evidence for a role of the
DRD4
gene variants in contributing to individual differences in political attitude particularly in females and more generally suggested that associations between individual genes, and neurochemical pathways, contributing to traits relevant to the social sciences can be provisionally identified.
Assessment and diagnosis of psychiatric disorder in adults with autism spectrum disorder
Authors: Underwood Lisa , McCarthy Jane , Chaplin Eddie , Bertelli Marco O.
Published: August 2015

Purpose

– Adults with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) present with a range of psychiatric disorders. However, making an accurate diagnosis is challenging. It is important to follow a robust and informed process in the assessment of psychopathology that is centred on the individual and their neurodevelopmental difficulties. The purpose of this paper is to provide clinicians with an evidence-based approach to the assessment process for adults with ASD presenting with a possible co-occurrent psychiatric disorder.

Design/methodology/approach

– A review of the recent literature was undertaken focusing on key papers that describe the assessment of mental health problems in adults with ASD.

Findings

– The presentation of psychiatric symptoms is influenced by the underlying developmental disorder and it is often quite different from the one of the general population. Thus, it is essential to undertake a comprehensive psychopathological assessment including a diagnostic assessment of ASD. There is a very small evidence base on the use of diagnostic tools in the assessment of adults with ASD.

Originality/value

– This is a practice review paper applying recent evidence from the literature.
The comparative state of entrepreneurial intent in Cameroon
Authors: Valliere Dave
Published: August 2015

Purpose

– This paper aims to report on the level of entrepreneurial intent (EI) in southwestern Cameroon, by developing and using a novel scale that avoids the problems of construct confounds that exist with most EI scales currently in the literature. This scale is also used to measure EI in Canada, as a comparative example of the Western countries typical of previous EI research, to demonstrate the stability of the scale across different cultures.

Design/methodology/approach

– Data are collected by survey of random participants in Jamaica and Canada. Factor analysis is used to refine the choice of scale elements from this survey. Nested structural equation modelling is then used to confirm the construct validity and to demonstrate construct stability across the two populations. The population scores are then compared byt-test.

Findings

– A novel ten-item scale is developed and is shown to have a stable factor structure across the two populations. Using this measure, it can be newly seen that, contrary to the expectations for low entrepreneurial prevalence and intention expressed in the literature, there is actually no significant EI deficit in Cameroon.

Research limitations/implications

– Previous measures of EI in the literature have been seriously confounded by adjacent constructs in the same nomological net, such as beliefs, attitudes and expectations for future behaviours. The research approach taken here demonstrates how these confounds may have led to erroneous conclusions about EI in Cameroon and potentially in other countries. The major limitation of this study is the small sample size, which should be reinforced by replication or extension in future studies.

Originality/value

– The development of a scale free of construct confounds represents an important step in the refinement of accurate measurement of this foundational construct in entrepreneurship research. This is underscored by the finding that EI in Cameroon may have been misreported in early research due to confounded measurement.
Feedback on students' clinical reasoning skills during fieldwork education
Authors: de Beer Marianne , Mårtensson Lena
Published: August 2015

Background/aim

Feedback on clinical reasoning skills during fieldwork education is regarded as vital in occupational therapy students' professional development. The nature of supervisors' feedback however, could be confirmative and/or corrective and corrective feedback could be with or without suggestions on how to improve. The aim of the study was to evaluate the impact of supervisors' feedback on final‐year occupational therapy students' clinical reasoning skills through comparing the nature of feedback with the students' subsequent clinical reasoning ability.

Method

A mixed‐method approach with a convergent parallel design was used combining the collection and analysis of qualitative and quantitative data. From focus groups and interviews with students, data were collected and analysed qualitatively to determine how the students experienced the feedback they received from their supervisors. By quantitatively comparing the final practical exam grades with the nature of the feedback, their fieldwork End‐of‐Term grades and average academic performance it became possible to merge the results for comparison and interpretation.

Results

Students' clinical reasoning skills seem to be improved through corrective feedback if accompanied by suggestions on how to improve, irrespective of their average academic performance. Supervisors were inclined to underrate high performing students and overrate lower performing students.

Conclusions

Students who obtained higher grades in the final practical examinations received more corrective feedback with suggestions on how to improve from their supervisors. Confirmative feedback alone may not be sufficient for improving the clinical reasoning skills of students.
Engraved Suicide Notes: The Last Note Written on Body by Metallic Object
Authors: Tumram Nilesh Keshav , Ambade Vipul Namdeorao
Published: August 2015

“Suicide notes” are the notes, where the victim has documented the intention to terminate one's own life. The victim generally writes them on a paper, notebook, wall, or mirror by means of pen or marker. However, suicide notes written on one's own body are very rare, and suicide note engraved by some metallic objects over body has not yet reported. We present two cases where the victim had used some metallic objects to write a message on the body. These may be termed “engraved suicide notes.” We believe these to be the first reported cases where a metallic object was used for engraving the last notes on the body before committing suicide.
Strongyloides stercoralis infection in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus: diagnosis and prevention of severe strongyloidiasis
Authors: de Souza Joelma Nascimento , Inês Elizabete De Jesus , Santiago Mittermayer , Teixeira Márcia Cristina Aquino , Soares Neci Matos
Published: August 2015

Aim

Strongyloides stercoralis infection is usually chronic and asymptomatic and may persist undiagnosed for decades. However, in immunocompromised individuals, the infection can cause hyperinfection and dissemination. Therefore, early diagnosis is essential to prevent severe forms of strongyloidiasis. The aims of this study were: (i) to evaluate the frequency of S. stercoralis infection in patients with systemic lupus erythematous (SLE) and (ii) to estimate specific immunoglobulins G (IgG) and E (IgE) production using an enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) method.

Methods

Seventy‐five SLE patients treated with prophylactic anthelmintic therapy were evaluated using the spontaneous sedimentation (SS), Baermann–Moraes (BM) and agar plate culture (APC) methods. Serum anti‐S. stercoralis IgG and IgE antibodies were measured by ELISA.

Results

Using parasitological methods, the frequency of intestinal parasites was 10.7%, whereas the frequency of S. stercoralis infection was 1.3%. The sensitivity of the ELISA to detect anti‐S. stercoralis IgG and IgE was 80% and 76.9%, respectively. Both assays presented the same specificity of 96.7%. The frequency of anti‐S. stercoralis IgG and IgE was 16% and 28%, respectively. Six patients were positive for both antibodies.

Conclusions

Diagnostic approaches using high‐sensitivity parasitological methods and the detection of specific antibodies are essential for the diagnosis of strongyloidiasis in immunocompromised patients. Early detection of infection can alter the course of the disease via appropriate treatment, preventing the occurrence of severe strongyloidiasis.
Secretory pattern and regulatory mechanism of growth hormone in cattle
Authors: Kasuya Etsuko
Published: August 2015

The ultradian rhythm of growth hormone (GH) secretion has been known in several animal species for years and has recently been observed in cattle. Although the physiological significance of the rhythm is not yet fully understood, it appears essential for normal growth. In this review, previous studies concerning the GH secretory pattern in cattle, including its ultradian rhythm, are introduced and the regulatory mechanism is discussed on the basis of recent findings.
Antidotes to coumarins, isoniazid, methotrexate and thyroxine, toxins that work via metabolic processes
Authors: Bateman D. Nicholas , Page Colin B.
Published: August 2015

Some toxins cause their effects by affecting physiological processes that are fundamental to cell function or cause systemic effects as a result of cellular interaction. This review focuses on four examples, coumarin anticoagulants, isoniazid, methotrexate and thyroxine from the context of management of overdose as seen in acute general hospitals. The current basic clinical pharmacology of the toxin, the clinical features in overdose and evidence base for specific antidotes are discussed. The treatment for this group is based on an understanding of the toxic mechanism, but studies to determine the optimum dose of antidote are still required in all these toxins except thyroxine, where treatment dose is based on symptoms resulting from the overdose.
Stable Topological Signatures for Points on 3D Shapes
Authors: Carrière Mathieu , Oudot Steve Y. , Ovsjanikov Maks
Published: August 2015

Comparing points on 3D shapes is among the fundamental operations in shape analysis. To facilitate this task, a great number of local point signatures or descriptors have been proposed in the past decades. However, the vast majority of these descriptors concentrate on the local geometry of the shape around the point, and thus are insensitive to its connectivity structure. By contrast, several global signatures have been proposed that successfully capture the overall topology of the shape and thus characterize the shape as a whole. In this paper, we propose the first point descriptor that captures the topology structure of the shape as ‘seen’ from a single point, in a multiscale and provably stable way. We also demonstrate how a large class of topological signatures, including ours, can be mapped to vectors, opening the door to many classical analysis and learning methods. We illustrate the performance of this approach on the problems of supervised shape labeling and shape matching. We show that our signatures provide complementary information to existing ones and allow to achieve better performance with less training data in both applications.
Dynamic SfM: Detecting Scene Changes from Image Pairs
Authors: Wang Tuanfeng Y. , Kohli Pushmeet , Mitra Niloy J.
Published: August 2015

Detecting changes in scenes is important in many scene understanding tasks. In this paper, we pursue this goal simply from a pair of image recordings. Specifically, our goal is to infer what the objects are, how they are structured, and how they moved between the images. The problem is challenging as large changes make point‐level correspondence establishment difficult, which in turn breaks the assumptions of standard Structure‐from‐Motion (SfM). We propose a novel algorithm for dynamic SfM wherein we first generate a pool of potential corresponding points by hypothesizing over possible movements, and then use a continuous optimization formulation to obtain a low complexity solution that best explains the scene recordings, i.e., the input image pairs. We test the algorithm on a variety of examples to recover the multiple object structures and their changes.
Unconditionally Stable Shock Filters for Image and Geometry Processing
Authors: Prada F. , Kazhdan M.
Published: August 2015

This work revisits the Shock Filters of Osher and Rudin [OR90] and shows how the proposed filtering process can be interpreted as the advection of image values along flow‐lines. Using this interpretation, we obtain an efficient implementation that only requires tracing flow‐lines and re‐sampling the image. We show that the approach is stable, allowing the use of arbitrarily large time steps without requiring a linear solve. Furthermore, we demonstrate the robustness of the approach by extending it to the processing of signals on meshes in 3D.
On the Number and Heterogeneity of Bidders in Livestock Auctions
Authors: Larue Bruno , Pouliot Sébastien , Jeddy Mohamed
Published: August 2015

We show in the context of livestock auctions that a seller's revenue may increase or decrease as the number of buyers increases, whether the additional bidder wins or not an object. Additional bidders who fill part of their demand from an outside source may have an even more adverse effect on prices. We use data from the Quebec daily hog auction to measure the effect of new bidders on auction prices. Variations in the number of bidders come from the entry and exit of Quebec packers and sporadic invitations extended to Ontario packers. We find that entry by Quebec packers had a significant positive impact on hog auction prices but that sporadic participation by Ontario packers did not have a significant impact on hog prices.
Randomized, dose‐finding trial of ghrelin treatment for chronic respiratory failure
Authors: Miki Keisuke , Maekura Ryoji , Nakazato Masamitsu , Matsumoto Nobuhiro , Kitada Seigo , Miki Mari , Yoshimura Kenji , Mori Masahide , Kangawa Kenji
Published: August 2015

Objectives

Ghrelin, a growth hormone‐releasing peptide, has shown efficacy in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) patients in previous trials. This study was designed to evaluate the effective dose of ghrelin in chronic respiratory failure patients.

Methods

In this randomized, double‐blind, dose‐finding, single‐center study, 18 patients, including 16 with COPD, were randomly assigned to receive pulmonary rehabilitation (PR) with intravenous ghrelin at 1 μg/kg or 2 μg/kg, twice daily for 3 weeks. The primary outcome was the change in peak oxygen uptake (
). Secondary outcomes included changes in plasma vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF)‐A levels, and exertional cardio‐respiratory functions with blood gas analysis.

Results

With incremental exercise, there was no significant differences in the mean difference (high‐dose ghrelin minus low‐dose ghrelin) of peak
(1.0 mL/kg/min, 95% CI: −0.6 to 2.6 mL/kg/min, between‐group, P = 0.193). However, there were significant differences in the mean difference of (i) O2‐pulse (0.6 mL/beats, 95% CI: 0.0 to 1.1 mL/beats, between‐group, P = 0.035) at iso‐time; and ii) PaO2 (4.2 mmHg, 95% CI: 0.2 to 8.2 mmHg, between‐group, P = 0.041) and PaCO2 (−3.1 mmHg, 95% CI: −6.0 to −0.3 mmHg, between‐group, P = 0.034) at peak exercise. The mean difference in the plasma VEGF‐A level was significantly inhibited by high dose‐ghrelin with PR (−125.4 pg/mL, 95% CI: −235.2 to −15.5 pg/mL, between‐group, P = 0.028).

Conclusion

Although the primary outcome of the study was not met, high‐dose ghrelin with PR improved exertional cardiac function and blood gas values, and inhibited circulating VEGF‐A levels.
Greater functional improvement in patients with diabetes after rehabilitation following cardiac surgery
Authors: Marcassa C. , Giordano A. , Corrà U. , Giannuzzi P.
Published: August 2015

Background

Diabetes increases the risk of in‐hospital complications in medical or surgical patients. Few data are available in the rehabilitation phase after cardiac surgery.

Aim

To assess the influence of diabetes on outcome and complication rate in the rehabilitation phase after cardiac surgery.

Methods

Data prospectively recorded in the Hospital Information System from 5261 patients consecutively admitted between 1 January 2008 and 31 May 2013 for a comprehensive cardiac rehabilitation programme directly after cardiac surgery were analysed retrospectively.

Results

The study cohort included 1285 (24%) patients with diabetes and 3976 (76%) without. Coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) was more frequent in patients with diabetes (58% vs. 37%, P < 0.01), and valvular surgery was more frequent in patients without diabetes (37% vs. 22%, P < 0.01). Patients with diabetes were more disabled after surgery, with severe disability (Barthel Index < 60) observed in 22% (vs. 17% in patients without diabetes, P < 0.001). During rehabilitation, complications were more frequent in patients with diabetes than those without (28% vs. 21%, P < 0.01); in particular, patients with diabetes had more infections, heart failure and more difficult surgical wound healing. However, the improvement in the Barthel Index was greater in patients with diabetes (+16 ± 15) than without (+13 ± 15, P < 0.001).

Conclusions

In a large cohort of patients directly admitted to an early inpatient rehabilitation programme after cardiac surgery, those with diabetes were more disabled. Nonetheless, and despite the higher rate of complications, patients with diabetes had the greatest benefit in terms of functional improvement.
Professional Minimalism? The Ethical Consciousness of Commercial Lawyers
Authors: Moorhead Richard , Hinchly Victoria
Published: August 2015

This article investigates empirically, through semi‐structured interviews, what shapes the professional ethical consciousness of commercial lawyers. It considers in‐house and private practice lawyers side by side, interrogating the view that in‐house ethics are different and inferior to private practice to suggest as much similarity as difference. In both constituencies, and in very similar ways, professional ethical concepts are challenged by the pragmatic logics of business. We examine how their ethical logics are shaped by these pragmatic logics, suggesting how both groups of practitioners could sometimes be vulnerable to breaching the boundary between tenable zeal for the client and unethical or unlawful conduct. Although they conceive of themselves as ethical, the extent to which practitioners are well equipped, inclined and positively encouraged to work ethically within their own rules is open to question. As a result, we argue professional ethics exert minimal, superficial influence over a more self‐interested, commercially‐driven pragmatism.
Karl Polanyi and the Problem of Corporate Social Responsibility
Authors: Moncrieff Lilian
Published: August 2015

This article considers Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) as part of the projects in ‘new governance and decentred regulation’, which draw social forces towards the regulation of economic behaviour. It uses Karl Polanyi to open up pertinent interfaces between society and economy for observation, and Gunther Teubner to substantiate a ‘regulatory’ view of the company's social relationships. The article finds that CSR combines movements for the recognition of social relationships, on an unprecedented scale, with rigorous simultaneous movements for market building and social abstraction. Twenty‐first‐century market economy is defined by a capacity to contain ‘the social,’ which is thrown between the two movements, creating opportunities for companies to void the market's social limits. The article counterposes that the social that ‘returns’ after marketization needs to find its way past market‐building CSR, to constructively unshackle and redefine the framing of social conflicts that concern the corporation.
Microwave Dielectric Properties, Crystal Structure, and Microstructure of the Bi3Nb1−xTaxO7 Solid Solution
Authors: Škapin Srečo D. , Pirnat Urša , Jančar Boštjan , Suvorov Danilo
Published: August 2015

New, commensurate members of the fluorite‐related Bi3Nb1−xTaxO7 family were synthesized and their crystal structures, microstructures, and microwave (MW) dielectric properties were characterized. The incorporation of Ta into the tetragonal Bi3Nb1−xTaxO7 solid solution was found to gradually affect the density and the MW dielectric properties. The materials sintered at 870°C exhibited relative permittivities in the range k′ = 86–72, Q × f values from 793 to 1189 GHz and a positive temperature coefficient of resonant frequency from 88 to 12 ppm/K. The formation of the members of the fluorite‐related solid solution along the Bi3Nb1−xTaxO7 composition depends on a phase transition, and thus their properties are compared within the compositional range. The correlations between their MW dielectric properties, compositions, crystal structures, and processing parameters were discussed in detail. Optimization of MW properties can be achieved by utilizing the ability of the Bi3Nb1−xTaxO7 solid solution that it undergoes a phase transformation from cubic to tetragonal structure which are both characterized by unique properties, under certain synthesis conditions.
Cell memory‐based therapy
Authors: Anjamrooz Seyed Hadi
Published: August 2015

Current cell therapies, despite all of the progress in this field, still faces major ethical, technical and regulatory hurdles. Because these issues possibly stem from the current, restricted, stereotypical view of cell ultrastructure and function, we must think radically about the nature of the cell. In this regard, the author's theory of the cell memory disc offers ‘memory‐based therapy’, which, with the help of immune system rejuvenation, nervous system control and microparticle‐based biodrugs, may have substantial therapeutic potential. In addition to its potential value in the study and prevention of premature cell aging, age‐related diseases and cell death, memory therapy may improve the treatment of diseases that are currently limited by genetic disorders, risk of tumour formation and the availability and immunocompatibility of tissue transplants.
Baicalin Protects Keratinocytes from Toll‐like Receptor‐4 Mediated DNA Damage and Inflammation Following Ultraviolet Irradiation
Authors: Min Wei , Ahmad Israr , Chang Michelle E. , Burns Erin M. , Qian Qihong , Yusuf Nabiha
Published: August 2015

UVB radiation contributes to both direct and indirect damage to the skin including the generation of free radicals and reactive oxygen species (ROS), inflammatory responses, immunosuppression and gene mutations, which can ultimately lead to photocarcinogenesis. A plant‐derived flavonoid, baicalin, has been shown to have antioxidant, anti‐inflammatory and free radical scavenging activities. Previous studies from our laboratory have shown that in murine skin, Toll‐like receptor‐4 (TLR4) enhanced both UVB‐induced DNA damage and inflammation. The aim of this study was to investigate the efficacy of baicalin against TLR4‐mediated processes in the murine keratinocyte PAM 212 cell line. Our results demonstrate that treating keratinocytes with baicalin both before and after UV radiation (100 mJ cm−2) significantly inhibited the level of intracellular ROS and decreased cyclobutane pyrimidine dimers and 8‐Oxo‐2′‐deoxyguanosine (8‐oxo‐dG)—markers of DNA damage. Furthermore, cells treated with baicalin demonstrated an inhibition of TLR4 and its downstream signaling molecules, MyD88, TRIF, TRAF6 and IRAK4. TLR4 pathway inhibition resulted in NF‐κB inactivation and down‐regulation of iNOS and COX‐2 protein expression. Taken together, baicalin treatment effectively protected keratinocytes from UVB‐induced inflammatory damage through TLR pathway modulation.
Optimal surgical management of pulmonary metastases: VATS versus thoracotomy
Authors: Numan Rachel C , Baas Paul , Klomp Houke M , Wouters Michel W
Published: August 2015

Survival benefit after pulmonary metastasectomy is under question and knowledge of functional recovery after pulmonary metastasectomy by thoracotomy and video‐assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) is of great importance. We analysed prospective data of 100 patients operated for pulmonary metastasis by either VATS or thoracotomy. VATS yielded a better physical performance 1 month postoperative, shorter hospital stay, a shorter duration of chest tube drainage and epidural analgesia. We concluded that VATS is the preferable approach due to superior functional outcome.
Pulsed iceberg delivery driven by Sturtian ice sheet dynamics: An example from Death Valley, California
Authors: Le Heron Daniel P. , Busfield Marie E.
Published: August 2015

The Kingston Peak Formation is a Cryogenian sedimentary succession that crops out in the Death Valley area, California, USA. It is widely accepted to record pre‐glacial conditions (KP1), followed by two glaciations of pan‐global extent, the older Sturtian (KP2 to KP3) and younger Marinoan glaciation (KP4). In the type area (the Kingston Range), detailed facies analysis of the Sturtian succession reveals that a basal diamictite unit and an upper boulder conglomerate were deposited by proglacial subaqueous sediment gravity flows. An olistostrome unit punctuating the succession is interpreted to result from tectonically induced downslope mobilization during isostatic rebound, triggered by significant ice‐meltback. Focussing on strata onlapping the olistostrome, this article provides insight into the processes of glacial re‐advance following an intra‐Sturtian glacial minimum. The first 50 m of strata above the olistostrome are thinly bedded turbidites that are devoid of lonestones. A trend towards thicker graded beds upsection, in concert with the gradual appearance and then abundance of lonestones, testifies to the influence of ice rafting and to the resumption of a direct ice sheet influence upon sedimentation. Stratigraphic organization into thickening and coarsening upward bedsets over a multi‐metre scale reveals a subaqueous gravity flow‐dominated succession composed of a spectrum of high to low density turbidites, with thick graded boulder‐conglomerates at intervals. The finer‐grained facies assemblage is heterolithic: current ripple cross‐laminated sandstones intercalated with shales that bear delicate granule to pebble‐sized dropstones in abundance. Intervals of dropstone‐bearing and dropstone‐free strata are attributable to dynamic oscillation of the ice margin in the hinterland. Integrating palaeocurrent data with observations from neighbouring outcrop belts allows a detailed palaeogeographic map of the eastern Death Valley area to be compiled for the first time.
Oceanographic controls on shallow‐water temperate carbonate sedimentation: Spencer Gulf, South Australia
Authors: O'Connell Laura G. , James Noel P. , Doubell Mark , Middleton John F. , Luick John , Currie David R. , Bone Yvonne
Published: August 2015

Spencer Gulf is a large (ca22 000 km2), shallow (<60 m water depth) embayment with active heterozoan carbonate sedimentation. Gulf waters are metahaline (salinities 39 to 47‰) and warm‐temperate (ca12 to −28°C) with inverse estuarine circulation. The integrated approach of facies analysis paired with high‐resolution, monthly oceanographic data sets is used to pinpoint controls on sedimentation patterns with more confidence than heretofore possible for temperate systems. Biofragments – mainly bivalves, benthic foraminifera, bryozoans, coralline algae and echinoids – accumulate in five benthic environments: luxuriant seagrass meadows, patchy seagrass sand flats, rhodolith pavements, open gravel/sand plains and muddy seafloors. The biotic diversity of Spencer Gulf is remarkably high, considering the elevated seawater salinities. Echinoids and coralline algae (traditionally considered stenohaline organisms) are ubiquitous. Euphotic zone depth is interpreted as the primary control on environmental distribution, whereas seawater salinity, temperature, hydrodynamics and nutrient availability are viewed as secondary controls. Luxuriant seagrass meadows with carbonate muddy sands dominate brightly lit seafloors where waters have relatively low nutrient concentrations (ca0 to 1 mg Chl‐a m−3). Low‐diversity bivalve‐dominated deposits occur in meadows with highest seawater salinities and temperatures (43 to 47‰, up to 28°C). Patchy seagrass sand flats cover less‐illuminated seafloors. Open gravel/sand plains contain coarse bivalve–bryozoan sediments, interpreted as subphotic deposits, in waters with near normal marine salinities and moderate trophic resources (0·5 to 1·6 mg Chl‐a m−3) to support diverse suspension feeders. Rhodolith pavements (coralline algal gravels) form where seagrass growth is arrested, either because of decreased water clarity due to elevated nutrients and associated phytoplankton growth (0·6 to 2 mg Chl‐a m−3), or bottom waters that are too energetic for seagrasses (currents up to 2 m sec−1). Muddy seafloors occur in low‐energy areas below the euphotic zone. The relationships between oceanographic influences and depositional patterns outlined in Spencer Gulf are valuable for environmental interpretations of other recent and ancient (particularly Neogene) high‐salinity and temperate carbonate systems worldwide.
Sequence‐based typing characterization of the novel HLA‐DRB3*01:16 allele, identified in an Italian family
Authors: Testi M. , Battarra M. , Di Luzio A. , Stellitano C. , Andreani M.
Published: August 2015

The novel DRB1*01:16 allele differs for G to T substitution at position 595 from DRB3*01:01P.
Limitations to oxygen transport and utilization during sprint exercise in humans: evidence for a functional reserve in muscle O2 diffusing capacity
Authors: Calbet José A. L. , Losa‐Reyna José , Torres‐Peralta Rafael , Rasmussen Peter , Ponce‐González Jesús Gustavo , Sheel A. William , de la Calle‐Herrero Jaime , Guadalupe‐Grau Amelia , Morales‐Alamo David , Fuentes Teresa , Rodríguez‐García Lorena , Siebenmann Christoph , Boushel Robert , Lundby Carsten
Published: August 2015

Key points

Severe acute hypoxia reduces sprint performance.

Muscle during sprint exercise in normoxia is not limited by O2 delivery, O2 offloading from haemoglobin or structure‐dependent diffusion constraints in the skeletal muscle of young healthy men.

A large functional reserve in muscle O2 diffusing capacity exists and remains available at exhaustion during exercise in normoxia; this functional reserve is recruited during exercise in hypoxia.

During whole‐body incremental exercise to exhaustion in severe hypoxia, leg is primarily dependent on convective O2 delivery and less limited by diffusion constraints than previously thought.

The kinetics of O2 offloading from haemoglobin does not limit in hypoxia.

Our results indicate that the limitation to during short sprints resides in mechanisms regulating mitochondrial respiration.

To determine the contribution of convective and diffusive limitations to during exercise in humans, oxygen transport and haemodynamics were measured in 11 men (22 ± 2 years) during incremental (IE) and 30 s all‐out cycling sprints (Wingate test, WgT), in normoxia (Nx, : 143 mmHg) and hypoxia (Hyp, : 73 mmHg). Carboxyhaemoglobin (COHb) was increased to 6–7% before both WgTs to left‐shift the oxyhaemoglobin dissociation curve. Leg was measured by the Fick method and leg blood flow (BF) with thermodilution, and muscle O2 diffusing capacity () was calculated. In the WgT mean power output, leg BF, leg O2 delivery and leg were 7, 5, 28 and 23% lower in Hyp than Nx (P < 0.05); however, peak WgT was higher in Hyp (51.5 ± 9.7) than Nx (20.5 ± 3.0 ml min−1 mmHg−1, P < 0.05). Despite a similar (33.3 ± 2.4 and 34.1 ± 3.3 mmHg), mean capillary (16.7 ± 1.2 and 17.1 ± 1.6 mmHg), and peak perfusion during IE and WgT in Hyp, and leg were 12 and 14% higher, respectively, during WgT than IE in Hyp (both P < 0.05). was insensitive to COHb (COHb: 0.7 vs. 7%, in IE Hyp and WgT Hyp). At exhaustion, the Y equilibration index was well above 1.0 in both conditions, reflecting greater convective than diffusive limitation to the O2 transfer in both Nx and Hyp. In conclusion, muscle during sprint exercise is not limited by O2 delivery, O2 offloading from haemoglobin or structure‐dependent diffusion constraints in the skeletal muscle. These findings reveal a remarkable functional reserve in muscle O2 diffusing capacity.
Regression-Based Modeling of a Fleet of Gas Turbine Engines for Performance Trending
Authors: Borguet S. , Léonard O. , Dewallef P.
Published: August 2015

Module performance analysis is a well-established framework to assess changes in the health condition of the components of the engine gas-path. The primary material of the technique is the so-called vector of residuals, which are built as the difference between actual measurement taken in the gas-path and the values predicted by means of an engine model. Obviously, the quality of the assessment of the engine condition depends strongly on the accuracy of the engine model. The present paper proposes a new approach for data-driven modeling of a fleet of engines of a given type. Such black-box models can be designed by operators, such as airlines and third-party companies. The fleet-wide modeling process is formulated as a regression problem that provides a dedicated model for each engine in the fleet, while recognizing that all engines are of the same type. The methodology is applied to a virtual fleet of engines generated within the Propulsion Diagnostic Methodology Evaluation Strategy (ProDiMES) environment. The set of models is assessed quantitatively through the coefficient of determination and is further used to perform anomaly detection.