bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The application of near-automated georeferencing technique to a strip of historic aerial photographs in GIS
Authors: Kim Jae Sung
Published: December 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to describe the procedure for near-automation of the most commonly used manual georeferencing technique in a desktop GIS environment for historic aerial photographs strip in library archives.

Design/methodology/approach

Most of the archived historic aerial photography consists of series of aerial photographs that overlap to some extent, as the optimal overlap ratio is known as 60 percent by photogrammetric standard. Therefore, conjugate points can be detected for the overlapping area. The first image was georeferenced manually by six-parameter affine transformation using 2013 National Agriculture Imagery Program images as ground truths. Then, conjugate points were detected in the first and second images using Speeded Up Robust Features and Random Sample Consensus. The ground space coordinates of conjugate points were estimated using the first image’s six parameters. Then the second image’s six parameters were calculated using conjugate points’ ground space coordinates and pixel coordinates in the second image. This procedure was repeated until the last image was georeferenced. However, error accumulated as the number of photographs increased. Therefore, another six-parameter affine transformation was implemented using control points in the first, middle, and last images. Finally, the images were warped using open source GIS tools.

Findings

The result shows that historic aerial strip collections can be georeferenced with far less time and labor using the technique proposed compared with the traditional manual georeferencing technique in a desktop GIS environment.

Research limitations/implications

The suggested approach will promote the usage of historic aerial photographs for various scientific purposes including land use and land cover change detection, soil erosion pattern recognition, agricultural practices change analysis, environmental improvement assessment, and natural habitat change detection.

Practical implications

Most commonly used georeferencing procedures for historic aerial photographs in academic libraries require significant time and effort for manual measurement of conjugate points in the object images and the ground truth images. By maximizing the automation of georeferencing procedures, the suggested approach will save significant time and effort of library workforce.

Social implications

With the suggested approach, large numbers of historic aerial photographs can be rapidly georeferenced. This will allow libraries to provide more geospatial data to scientific communities.

Originality/value

This is a unique approach to rapid georeferencing of historic aerial photograph strips.
Holograms in libraries – the potential for education, promotion and services
Authors: Wójcik Magdalena
Published: December 2017

Purpose

The subject of this paper is the application of holograms in cultural institutions. The purpose of this paper is to define the potential areas of hologram use in libraries, particularly in education and promotion, and also in services.

Design/methodology/approach

The method of analysis and criticism of literature was used. Based on a search conducted through Google Scholar for the 2006-2016 period, the current state of research on the use of holograms in cultural institutions was established. Subsequently, in order to find examples of hologram use in libraries, museums, galleries, and social organizations, an established set of queries was used to systematically search network resources using global search engines and metasearch engines. The initial list of results was narrowed down to the most relevant. On the basis of the above fact, the main areas of hologram use in cultural institutions were defined and examples of best practices were selected according to chosen criteria. The comparative method then was used to determine potential areas of application of holographic techniques in libraries. Finally, SWOT analysis – the situational analysis method known to management sciences – was used to determine opportunities and threats related to the use of holograms in cultural institutions.

Findings

Holograms have broad potential use in libraries that is even broader than initially assumed because they are not limited to education, promotion and services, and can also be used in documentation, research and exhibitions. The use of holograms can bring many benefits, but it is also associated with certain risks that need to be considered.

Practical implications

The results can be widely used in practice as a framework for the implementation of holographic techniques in libraries.

Social implications

The paper can help initiate debate on the opportunities and risks of using holograms in cultural institutions.

Originality/value

The issue of the use of holograms has not yet been widely discussed in library and information science scientific journals.
Where are the sleeping beauties and princes in educational technology journals?
Authors: Huang Tien-Chi , Jeng Yu-Lin , Hsu Chieh , Lai Chin-Feng
Published: December 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to introduce an affective computing-based method of identifying sleeping beauties and their princes in five educational technology journals.

Design/methodology/approach

This study develops an information technology-based methodology to analyze sleeping beauties in the field of educational technology. The authors seek to determine the characteristics of studies which trigger the awakening of sleeping beauties (called “princes”). The keywords and Hirsch index (H-index) are used as two essential analysis indicators.

Findings

Between 2000 and 2015, these five journals included 7,864 articles with a total of 77,700 citations and 24,312 keywords. This study identified articles as being in deep sleep (75.7 percent), less deep sleep (14.7 percent), and awakening (5.5 percent) states. According to the analytical results, 431 of 7,864 articles are qualified as “sleeping beauties.” Of the 431 sleeping beauties identified, 232 articles were awakened by trend princes, while 286 were awakened by H-index princes. A total of 128 sleeping beauties were awakened by both prince types. Besides, impact factors (IFs) of journals do not have a significant effect on the number of sleeping articles.

Research limitations/implications

There are two main research limitations in this study. The first one is the amount of target journals. Only five well-known educational technology journals are analyzed in this research. There may be more valuable sleeping publications in other journals not been found. The second limitation is that the authors merely pick up the lead author of citing papers as the indicator to determine the H-index prince. The contributions of the rest of authors are not taken are not taken into consideration. These limitations should be further studied.

Originality/value

To the knowledge, this study is the first one reporting the identification of sleeping beauty and princes in educational technology field. Furthermore, the authors devise an informational method to determine sleeping publications, sleeping beauty, and princes. A systematic analysis of five well-known journals in the field of educational technology field confirms the existence of “sleeping beauties.” It is reported that improvements to a journal’s IF are positively correlated to increased numbers of sleeping beauties being awakened. To reduce the number of such articles, or to reduce the overall sleeping duration, journal editors should not only seek to raise the journal’s IF, but also strategically select keywords for maximum visibility, and promote articles to high H-index authors.
Behavioural measures determine survivorship within the hierarchy of whole‐organism phenotypic traits
Authors: McCormick Mark I. , Fakan Eric , Allan Bridie J. M.
Published: December 2017

Mortality through predation is often selective, particularly at life‐history bottlenecks. While many studies have looked at the importance for survival of specific prey characteristics in isolation, few have looked at a broad array of attributes and how they relate to survival in a realistic context.

Our study measures 18 morphological, performance and behavioural traits of a juvenile damselfish that have been hypothesized as important for prey survival, and examines how they relate to survival in the field immediately after settlement. These attributes included size, relative false eye‐spot size, fast‐start escape response kinematics, thigmotaxis, laterality, and space use and activity in the field.

Using conditional inference trees, we identify the most important drivers out of a reduced suite of 13 characters. Fast‐start response latency, boldness, feeding rates and two measures of activity were found to significantly contribute to survival. Morphological variables and most laboratory measures of performance appeared to contribute little to survival.

Results suggest selection works on a suite of characters associated with boldness. Bold and active fish are those that will be best able to learn using public information, but because of the relative naiveté of newly metamorphosed fishes, speed to react to a strike from an unknown predator is of critical importance.

Findings substantiate the ecomorphological paradigm by suggesting that selection on behaviour modifies the correlations of morphological and performance variables with survival probabilities, since behaviour modifies performance capabilities by making them specific to context.

Aplain language summaryis available for this article.
Arginase and α‐smooth muscle actin induction after hyperoxic exposure in a mouse model of bronchopulmonary dysplasia
Authors: Trittmann Jennifer K , Velten Markus , Heyob Kathryn M , Almazroue Hanadi , Jin Yi , Nelin Leif D , Rogers Lynette K
Published: December 2017

The L‐arginine/NO pathway is an important regulator of pulmonary hypertension, the leading cause of mortality in patients with the chronic lung disease of prematurity, bronchopulmonary dysplasia. L‐arginine can be metabolized by NO synthase (NOS) to form L‐citrulline and NO, a potent vasodilator. Alternatively, L‐arginine can be metabolized by arginase to form urea and L‐ornithine, a precursor to collagen and proline formation important in vascular remodelling. In the current study, we hypothesized that C3H/HeN mice exposed to prolonged hyperoxia would have increased arginase expression and pulmonary vascular wall cell proliferation. C3H/HeN mice were exposed to 14 days of 85% O2 or room air and lung homogenates analyzed by western blot for protein levels of arginase I, arginase II, endothelial NOS (eNOS), ornithine decarboxylase (ODC), ornithine aminotransferase (OAT), and α‐smooth muscle actin (α‐SMA). Hyperoxia did not change arginase I or eNOS protein levels. However, arginase II protein levels were 15‐fold greater after hyperoxia exposure than in lungs exposed to room air. Greater protein levels of ODC and OAT were found in lungs following hyperoxic exposure than in room air animals. α‐SMA protein levels were found to be 7‐fold greater in the hyperoxia exposed lungs than in room air lungs. In the hyperoxia exposed lungs there was evidence of greater pulmonary vascular wall cell proliferation by α‐SMA immunohistochemistry than in room air lungs. Taken together, these data are consistent with a more proliferative vascular phenotype, and may explain the propensity of patients with bronchopulmonary dysplasia to develop pulmonary hypertension.
Diallyl sulfide alleviates cisplatin‐induced nephrotoxicity in rats via suppressing NF‐κB downstream inflammatory proteins and p53/Puma signalling pathway
Authors: Elkhoely Abeer , Kamel Rehab
Published: December 2017

Despite being a potent anticancer drug, nephrotoxicity is an adverse effect which renders the clinical use of cisplatin (Cis) limited. The protective role of diallyl sulfide (DAS); a naturally occurring organo‐sulfide, present in garlic, in cisplatin‐induced nephrotoxicity has been reported earlier. However, the mechanism through which DAS exerts its nephroprotective activity remains elusive. The aim of the current study was to elucidate the possible mechanisms underlying the reno‐protective effect of DAS in cisplatin‐induced nephrotoxicity in rats. DAS was given at 2 dose levels; 50 and 100 mg/kg, orally for 4 consecutive days, starting 1 hour after administration of single dose of cisplatin (3.5 mg/kg, intraperitoneally [i.p.]). The Cis‐induced elevation in serum urea and creatinine, degree of histopathological alterations was significantly ameliorated in cisplatin groups co‐treated with DAS. In addition, DAS significantly restored Cis‐depleted glutathione (GSH) content and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity and attenuated Cis‐elevated Malondialdehyde (MDA) level. Also, DAS significantly reduced Cis‐increased renal expression of nuclear factor kappa B (NF‐κB) and subsequent pro‐inflammatory mediators; tumour necrosis factor alpha (TNF‐α), interleukin‐1β (IL‐1β), intercellular adhesion molecule‐1 (ICAM‐1) and inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) in kidney tissues. Moreover, co‐treatment with DAS significantly inhibited Cis‐increased caspase‐8 and ‐9 levels. Additionally, DAS significantly mitigated Cis‐induced protein expression of p53, Puma, and Bax while, it significantly restored Cis‐reduced protein expression of Bcl‐xL compared to the Cis group. In conclusion, these results demonstrate that DAS ameliorates cisplatin‐induced nephrotoxicity in rats through enhancement of antioxidant defense, reduction of inflammatory cytokine tissue levels as well as inhibition of apoptosis via p53/Puma signalling pathway.
Hyperuricaemia and development of type 2 diabetes mellitus in Asian population
Authors: Choi Byoung Geol , Kim Dae Jin , Baek Man Jong , Ryu Yang gi , Kim Suhng Wook , Lee Min Woo , Park Ji Young , Noh Yung‐Kyun , Choi Se Yeon , Byun Jae Kyeong , Shim Min Suk , Mashaly Ahmed , Li Hu , Park Yoonjee , Jang Won Young , Kim Woohyeun , Kang Jun Hyuk , Choi Jah Yeon , Park Eun Jin , Park Sung‐Hun , Lee Sunki , Na Jin Oh , Choi Cheol Ung , Kim Eung Ju , Park Chang Gyu , Seo Hong Seog , Oh Dong Joo , Rha Seung‐Woon
Published: December 2017

Recently, meta‐analysis studies reported that hyperuricaemia is associated with higher incidence of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), however, there are limited data on the Asian population. The aim of this observational study is to estimate the long‐term impact of hyperuricaemia on the new‐onset T2DM and cardiovascular events. This study is based on a single‐centre, all‐comers, and large retrospective cohort. Subjects that visited from January 2004 to February 2014 were enrolled using the electronic database of Korea University Guro Hospital. A total of 10 505 patients without a history of T2DM were analyzed for uric acid, fasting glucose and haemoglobin (Hb) A1c level. Inclusion criteria included both Hb A1c <5.7% and fasting glucose level <100 mg/dL without T2DM. Hyperuricaemia was defined as a uric acid level ≥7.0 mg/dL in men, and ≥6.5 mg/dL in women. To adjust baseline confounders, a propensity score matching (PSM) analysis was performed. The impact of hyperuricaemia on the new‐onset T2DM and cardiovascular events were compared with the non‐hyperuricaemia during the 5‐year clinical follow‐up. After PSM, baseline characteristics of both groups were balanced. In a 5‐year follow‐up, the hyperuricaemia itself was a strong independent predictor of the incidence of new‐onset T2DM (HR, 1.78; 95% CI, 1.12 to 2.8). Hyperuricaemia was a strong independent predictor of new‐onset T2DM, which suggests a substantial implication for a correlation between uric acid concentration and insulin resistance (or insulin sensitivity). Also, hyperuricaemia is substantially implicated in cardiovascular risks and the further long‐term cardiovascular events in the crude population, but it is not an independent predictor of long‐term cardiovascular mortality in the matched population.
Witnessed out‐of‐hospital cardiac arrest˗ effects of emergency dispatch recognition
Authors: Syväoja S. , Salo A. , Uusaro A. , Jäntti H. , Kuisma M.
Published: December 2017

Background

Survival from an out‐of‐hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) depends on the sequence of interventions in “the chain of survival”. If OHCA is recognized in the emergency medical communication centre (EMCC), the proper emergency medical service (EMS) should be dispatched and cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) instructions should be given to a bystander. The study aimed to examine the impact of OHCA recognition in the EMCC on survival rates and the main elements of the chain of survival.

Methods

Data from the Helsinki University Hospital's registry of OHCA patients between 1997 and 2013 were studied. Altogether, 2054 EMCC‐handled and bystander‐witnessed OHCA proven events of cardiac origin were analysed.

Results

In 80.5% of the victims, two EMS units were correctly dispatched and the OHCA was classified as recognized. Achieved return of spontaneous circulation (ROSC) and survival to hospital discharge were 49% and 23%, respectively, if cardiac arrest was recognized by the EMCC and 40% and 16% when it was not (P = 0.003 and 0.002). Dispatchers gave CPR instructions in 60% of the recognized OHCA cases. Bystander‐performed CPR increased over time and was given in 58% of the recognized OHCAs and also in 17% of the unrecognized events. EMS delays were shorter if OHCA was recognized as opposed to unrecognized (8 min with an IQR 6.5–10 min vs. 9 min with an IQR 6.5–11 min; P = 0.001).

Conclusions

Recognition of OHCA by the EMCC was significantly associated with an increased rate of bystander‐performed CPR, reduced EMS response time, and increased OHCA patient ROSC and survival rates.
At‐sea trialling of the Hookpod: a ‘one‐stop’ mitigation solution for seabird bycatch in pelagic longline fisheries
Authors: Sullivan B. J. , Kibel B. , Kibel P. , Yates O. , Potts J. M. , Ingham B. , Domingo A. , Gianuca D. , Jiménez S. , Lebepe B. , Maree B. A. , Neves T. , Peppes F. , Rasehlomi T. , Silva‐Costa A. , Wanless R. M.
Published: December 2017

Bycatch of pelagic seabird species in longline fisheries is recognized as one of the most important and pervasive sources of mortality, contributing to an increased risk of their extinction. Uptake of mitigation measures to reduce seabird bycatch has not been widespread by the industry. Here, we present the results of 18 at‐sea trials conducted between 2011–2015 onboard pelagic longliners targeting tuna (Thunnus spp) and swordfish (Xiphias gladius) in South African, Brazilian and Australian waters, using a recently designed seabird bycatch mitigation device. The ‘Hookpod’ is a polycarbonate capsule that encases the point and barb of baited pelagic longline hooks to prevent seabirds from becoming hooked and drowning during line‐setting operations. The assessment was based on efficacy (i.e. reducing rates of seabird bycatch without impacting target catch rate) and practicality (i.e. how the Hookpod fitted into fishing operations). We observed 59 130 experimental branchlines over 129 sets and recorded a single seabird mortality on the Hookpod branchlines compared to 24 on the control branchlines, a bycatch rate of 0.04 birds/1000 hooks and 0.8 birds/1000 hooks, respectively. No difference in catch rate of target fish species between Hookpod and control treatments was detected. These findings demonstrate that Hookpods do not negatively affect catch rate of target species and could make an important contribution to halting the decline of many seabird populations if adopted as a mitigation measure by the pelagic longline fishing industry.
Euthanasia for what? Attending to the role of stigma in addiction‐related ‘intractable suffering’ and ‘incurability’
Authors: Seear Kate , Fraser Suzanne
Published: December 2017

Commentary to: The need to exercise caution in accepting addiction as a reason for performing euthanasia
Investigation of the performance of trimmed estimators of life time distributions with censoring
Authors: Clarke Brenton R. , Höller Alexandra , Müller Christine H. , Wamahiu Karuru
Published: December 2017

For the lifetime (or negative) exponential distribution, the trimmed likelihood estimator has been shown to be explicit in the form of a β‐trimmed mean which is representable as an estimating functional that is both weakly continuous and Fréchet differentiable and hence qualitatively robust at the parametric model. It also has high efficiency at the model. The robustness is in contrast to the maximum likelihood estimator (MLE) involving the usual mean which is not robust to contamination in the upper tail of the distribution. When there is known right censoring, it may be perceived that the MLE which is the most asymptotically efficient estimator may be protected from the effects of ‘outliers’ due to censoring. We demonstrate that this is not the case generally, and in fact, based on the functional form of the estimators, suggest a hybrid defined estimator that incorporates the best features of both the MLE and the β‐trimmed mean. Additionally, we study the pure trimmed likelihood estimator for censored data and show that it can be easily calculated and that the censored observations are not always trimmed. The different trimmed estimators are compared by a modest simulation study.
Developmental effects of stimulus gender and the social context in which it appears on threat detection
Authors: Horovitz Omer , Lindenfeld Irit , Melamed Maya , Shechner Tomer
Published: December 2017

This study used a hands‐free eye‐tracking visual search (VS) task to examine possible developmental differences in target detection. Thirty‐two young adults and 27 youth were asked to detect a fearful face (male or female) among a crowd of either neutral or happy faces. Fearful male faces were detected faster than fearful female faces, but only by young adults and only when displayed among neutral faces. Additionally, young adults had shorter scanpath lengths prior to the target detection. Finally, a strong negative correlation emerged between age and detection speed for a male target in a neutral crowd. Using this age‐matched VS task, the study found age differences in the way individuals detect a threat in a social‐related contextual environment, pointing to subtle differences in the emotion–attention interplay during the course of development.

Statement of contribution

What is already known on this subject?

Visual search of threat detection is critical for survival, specifically regarding expressive faces.

Visual search efficiency is affected by both stimulus‐driven and higher goal‐directed processes.

Stimuli and contextual features affect threat speed detection.

What does this study add?

A novel task was designed to examine age‐related differences in visual search.

Specific stimuli gender and contextual features yielded age‐related differences in threat detection.

The study further demonstrates the subtle developmental differences in attention–emotion interaction.
An exploration of the application and implementation of growth mindset principles within a primary school
Authors: Fraser Diana M.
Published: December 2017

Background

A growth mindset is a significant factor in the motivation and achievement of learners. Previous research has shown one‐off interventions do encourage growth mindset thinking but only improvements are only short‐lived. A sustainable and embedded approach may therefore be the only way to engender long‐term changes to an individual's mindset.

Aims

This research explores the application and implementation of growth mindset approaches to teaching and learning within a primary school, aiming to identify the strengths of the application and implementation of the growth mindset principles as well as areas for improvement.

Sample

Participants were the head teacher, five teachers, and 28 pupils at a primary school in Scotland.

Method

Semi‐structured interviews were undertaken with members of staff, focus groups were undertaken with the pupils, and six observations were undertaken across three different classes. The data were thematically analysed using an inductive approach.

Results

The analysis of the data produced four overarching themes important to the implementation and application of growth mindset teaching and learning: embarking on the process; classroom culture and teaching; outside the classroom; and pupil approach to learning.

Conclusions

Among the strengths of the implementation was the collaborative approach that had been taken in the school and the understanding that staff had of the evidence base of growth mindset teaching and learning. Areas for development included the planning of the implementation such as the lack of a readiness assessment being undertaken.
Moving mathematics out of the classroom: Using mobile technology to enhance spontaneous focusing on quantitative relations
Authors: McMullen Jake , Hannula‐Sormunen Minna M. , Kainulainen Mikko , Kiili Kristian , Lehtinen Erno
Published: December 2017

Spontaneous focusing on quantitative relations (SFOR) has been shown to be a strong predictor of rational number conceptual development in late primary school. The present study outlines an intervention program that examines the possibilities to enhance late primary school students' SFOR tendency. The intervention program harnessed mobile technology in order to allow students to explore and identify quantitative relations in their everyday environment, including situations outside of the classroom. A total of 38 thirteen‐year‐olds from two classrooms participated in the seven‐week long quasi‐experimental study. One classroom spent five lessons over five weeks participating in activities which involved uncovering, defining and describing multiplicative relations in their everyday surroundings. In comparison to a business‐as‐usual control group, results show the intervention to be successful in enhancing SFOR tendency. These results suggest that it is possible to utilize mobile technologies to enhance students' awareness of the possibilities to use quantitative relations as explicit targets of focusing and reasoning in nonexplicitly mathematical situations.
Attachment Security Priming Decreases Children's Physiological Response to Threat
Authors: Stupica Brandi , Brett Bonnie E. , Woodhouse Susan S. , Cassidy Jude
Published: December 2017

Ninety 6‐ and 7‐year‐olds (49.3% White, mostly middle class) from greater Washington, DC were randomly assigned to a subliminal priming condition (secure, happy, or neutral) to determine if attachment security priming decreases physiological, expressive, and self‐reported fear reactions to threatening stimuli. Dispositional attachment security was also assessed. Secure priming and attachment security each decreased electrodermal reactivity, increased vagal augmentation, and decreased fearful facial expressions compared to control conditions. Examination of a statistical interaction between security priming and child attachment indicated that, although secure children had increased vagal augmentation and fewer fearful expressions than insecure children, the effects of priming were constant across secure and insecure children. There were no priming or attachment effects associated with children's self‐reported fear.
Effects of alendronate and alfacalcidol on bone in patients with myasthenia gravis initiating glucocorticoids treatment
Authors: Lv Fang , Guan Yuzhou , Ma Doudou , Xu Xiaojie , Song Yuwen , Li Lujiao , Jiang Yan , Wang Ou , Xia Weibo , Xing Xiaoping , Li Mei
Published: December 2017

Objective

Glucocorticoids (GCs) are the first‐line treatment for myasthenia gravis (MG) and act as long‐term immunosuppressants. However, GCs can induce osteoporosis and bone fractures. In this study, we evaluate the effects of oral alendronate and alfacalcidol, or alfacalcidol alone on the bone of Chinese patients with MG who will initiate treatment with GCs.

Design and methods

A total of 75 patients were included in this 12‐month prospective, open‐label, single‐centre study. Patients with bone mineral density (BMD) T‐score less than −1.0 at baseline were treated with 70 mg of alendronate per week. Patients with BMD T‐score greater than −1.0 at baseline were included in the alfacalcidol‐alone group. Patients in two groups were treated with 0.25 μg of alfacalcidol every other day and 600 mg of calcium daily.

Results

After 12 months of treatment, the mean BMD of lumbar spine, femoral neck and total hip increased by 3.4% (P = .002), 1.8% (P = .21) and 2.6% (P = .02), respectively, in alendronate group. In alfacalcidol‐alone group, the mean BMD of lumbar spine, femoral neck and total hip decreased by 6.1%, 3.2% and 3.3%, respectively (all P < .001 vs baseline).

Conclusions

We demonstrated for the first time that treatment with alendronate combined with alfacalcidol significantly increased BMD, decreased bone turnover biomarker levels and reduced the occurrence of hypercalciuria in a large cohort of Chinese patients with MG who initiated treatment with glucocorticoids. However, treatment with alfacalcidol alone failed to prevent bone loss in patients with MG receiving glucocorticoid therapy.
Bethesda thyroid categories and family history of thyroid disease
Authors: Kust D. , Staničić J. , Mateša N.
Published: December 2017

Objective

Thyroid cancer is the most common type of endocrine‐related cancer worldwide. The aim of this article was to assess the relationship between thyroid diseases diagnosed by fine needle aspiration (FNA) and family history of thyroid disease.

Design

The study was conducted in a tertiary high‐volume thyroid cancer centre. Fine needle aspiration (FNA) of a thyroid nodule detected on neck ultrasound for any reason was performed in all included patients.

Patients

A total of 10 709 patients were included in the study.

Measurements

Correlation of cytological findings classified according to the Bethesda system and family history was calculated using Fisher's exact test.

Results

There were 2580 (24.09%) patients with non‐malignant thyroid diseases in the family and 198 (1.85%) patients who had a history of thyroid cancer in the family. A total of 2778 (25.94%) patients had positive family history of thyroid diseases, and 7931 (74.06%) patients had negative family history. In patients with papillary thyroid carcinoma in family history, the difference between those with benign (Bethesda 2) and malignant thyroid FNA diagnosis (Bethesda 6) was found to be statistically significant (P = .0432).

Conclusions

Family history plays a significant role in the development of thyroid cancer, and having first‐degree relatives with not only medullary, but also papillary thyroid cancer strongly predicts the risk of developing the malignant thyroid disease. In contrast, benign thyroid disorders in family history do not lead to the development of thyroid cancer.
Making a target work: Messages from a pilot of the 6‐month time limit on care proceedings in England
Authors: Beckett Chris , Dickens Jonathan
Published: December 2017

Since 2014, it has been a legal requirement in England and Wales for child care proceedings to be concluded, apart from “exceptional cases,” within 26 weeks. When this was first proposed, there were concerns that it might lead to poorer decision‐making or to delay being squeezed to either side of the court proceedings, before or afterwards. This paper reports on the messages from a pilot programme to hit the 26‐week target that took place in London in 2012–2013. The study compared the progress of the cases from the pilot year with those the year before, 180 cases in total, involving 256 children. The local authorities involved were able to achieve considerable improvements in timeliness, not just in the proceedings, but for the pre‐ and post‐court processes too; and the quality and fairness of decisions did not seem to be impaired, in terms of the plans for the children and subsequent outcomes over a period of 2 years. “Targets” do not generally find a warm welcome in the social work literature, but this paper shows that when collaboratively implemented, with a measure of flexibility and adequate resources, they can be an effective way of helping to achieve positive change.
Diagnostic exome sequencing in children: A survey of parental understanding, experience and psychological impact
Authors: Wynn J. , Ottman R. , Duong J. , Wilson A.L. , Ahimaz P. , Martinez J. , Rabin R. , Rosen E. , Webster R. , Au C. , Cho M.T. , Egan C. , Guzman E. , Primiano M. , Shaw J.E. , Sisson R. , Klitzman R.L. , Appelbaum P.S. , Lichter‐Konecki U. , Anyane‐Yeboa K. , Iglesias A. , Chung W.K.
Published: December 2017

Clinical exome sequencing (CES) is increasingly being used as an effective diagnostic tool in the field of pediatric genetics. We sought to evaluate the parental experience, understanding and psychological impact of CES by conducting a survey study of English‐speaking parents of children who had diagnostic CES. Parents of 192 unique patients participated. The parent's interpretation of the child's result agreed with the clinician's interpretation in 79% of cases, with more frequent discordance when the clinician's interpretation was uncertain. The majority (79%) reported no regret with the decision to have CES. Most (65%) reported complete satisfaction with the genetic counseling experience, and satisfaction was positively associated with years of genetic counselor (GC) experience. The psychological impact of CES was greatest for parents of children with positive results and for parents with anxiety or depression. The results of this study are important for helping clinicians to prepare families for the possible results and variable psychological impact of CES. The frequency of parental misinterpretation of test results indicates the need for additional clarity in the communication of results. Finally, while the majority of patients were satisfied with their genetic counseling, satisfaction was lower for new GCs, suggesting a need for targeted GC training for genomic testing.
Lecocytes mutation load declines with age in carriers of the m.3243A>G mutation: A 10‐year Prospective Cohort
Authors: Langdahl J.H. , Larsen M. , Frost M. , Andersen P.H. , Yderstræde K.B. , Vissing J. , Dunø M. , Thomassen M. , Frederiksen A.L.
Published: December 2017

Carriers of the mitochondrial mutation m.3243A>G presents highly variable phenotypes including mitochondrial encephalomyopathy, lactoacidosis and stroke‐like episodes (MELAS). We conducted a follow‐up study to evaluate changes in leucocyte heteroplasmy and the clinical phenotypes in m.3243A>G carriers. Leucocyte heteroplasmy was determined by next generation sequencing covered by 100 000X reads in 32 individuals with a median follow‐up of 10.2 years. Ten‐year clinical follow‐up is reported in 46 individuals. The annual leucocyte mutation level declined by −0.7 (±0.4) percentage points/year (P < .0001), and correlated with the level of the initial sample (ρ = −0.92, P < .0001). Eleven of 46 m.3243A>G carriers died and clinical symptoms progressed. This longitudinal study shows the decline in leucocyte m.3243A>G heteroplasmy associates with the level of the initial sample. Further, there was a high mortality among carriers.
Identifying a combined biomarker for bisphosphonate‐related osteonecrosis of the jaw
Authors: Kim Ki‐Yeol , Zhang Xianglan , Cha In‐Ho
Published: December 2017

Background

For this study, the aim was to identify combined biomarkers associated with bisphosphonate‐related osteonecrosis of the jaw (BRONJ).

Materials and Methods

Microarray data for GSE7116 were downloaded from the Gene Expression Omnibus database, which contains 26 samples, including without ONJ, and 5 healthy volunteers. The combined biomarkers were identified using principal component analysis, and the pathway enrichment analyses were performed using the DAVID online tool.

Results

Two hundred differently expressed genes between groups were detected according to the significances. From functional annotation, Y‐box binding protein 1 and heterogeneous nuclear ribonucleoprotein C were found to be included in the most significant 10 pathways. Ten combined gene sets were identified that were effective in classifying multiple myeloma (MM) with ONJ and MM without ONJ.

Conclusion

Identifying combined gene expression profiles is expected to contribute to more personalized management of BRONJ and to improve existing therapies, and it will be helpful in finding new therapies by identifying more predictive biomarkers.
The effect of resorbable membranes on one‐stage ridge augmentation in anterior single‐tooth replacement: A randomized, controlled clinical trial
Authors: Jonker Brend P. , Wolvius Eppo B. , van der Tas Justin T. , Pijpe Justin
Published: December 2017

Aim

To evaluate the effect of resorbable membranes on one‐stage ridge augmentation procedures in small (2‐4 mm) buccal bony dehiscences in anterior maxillary single‐tooth replacement.

Materials and methods

Patients with a buccal bony dehiscence after implant placement in the esthetic zone were randomly allocated to one‐stage ridge augmentation with (M+) or without a membrane (M−). Second‐phase surgery was performed after 8 weeks, and follow‐up was performed 1, 6, and ≥12 months after loading. Outcomes included implant survival and success, complications, clinical and radiographic parameters, esthetic results and patient satisfaction.

Results

Fifty‐two patients were randomized to one‐stage ridge augmentation with (n = 25) or without use of a membrane (n = 27). No significant differences in implant survival and success have been observed. The risk of having a small mucosal dehiscence was more than six times higher in the M+ group than in the M− group (RR 6.24, 95% CI 0.81 to 48.21). At the last follow‐up, the bleeding index (BI) was marginally higher in the M+ group (14/9/2/0) compared to the M‐ group (24/2/0/0) (U = 205, Z = −2.97, p = .003, r = .42). The median change in marginal bone level was statistically lower in the M+ group (0.06 mm) than the M− group (0.60 mm) at last follow‐up (U = 120, Z = −2.73 a p = .006 r = .42). Total pink esthetic index (PES) and white esthetic score (WES) and combined PES/WES were not significantly different between treatment groups at more than 12 months after loading. Only the subcategory root convexity/soft tissue color scored significantly lower in the M+ group (1.5) compared to the M− group (2.0) at the last follow‐up (U = 172, Z = −2.34, p = .019 r = .34). No differences were found in patient satisfaction.

Conclusion

The use of a resorbable membrane in small buccal bony dehiscences in anterior maxillary single‐tooth replacement resulted in less marginal bone loss, but showed more mucosal dehiscences, higher bleeding scores and lower scores on root convexity and soft tissue color after at least one year of loading. No effect was seen on implant survival and success, overall esthetic results, and patient satisfaction.

The research protocol was registered at the Dutch Trial Register (NTR) with ID NTR6137.
Bromeliads provide shelter against fire to mutualistic spiders in a fire‐prone landscape
Authors: DE OMENA PAULA M. , KERSCH‐BECKER MÔNICA F. , ANTIQUEIRA PABLO A. P. , BERNABÉ TIAGO N. , BENAVIDES‐GORDILLO SANDRA , RECALDE FÁTIMA C. , VIEIRA CAMILA , MIGLIORINI GUSTAVO H. , ROMERO GUSTAVO Q.
Published: December 2017

1. A key challenge in the study of mutualistic interactions is understanding sources of variation that strengthen or weaken these interactions. In spider–plant mutualisms, spiders benefit plants by improving plant nutrition and protecting plants from herbivory. Although the benefits of plants to spider growth and survival are often claimed, they are rarely demonstrated.

2. In this study, empirical evidence is provided that bromeliads (Bromelia balansae, Bromeliaceae) are essential for the resilience of the mutualistic bromeliad‐living jumping spider populations (Psecas chapoda, Salticidae) after a fire event, sheltering spiders from the heat of the flames.

3. Spider populations were compared before and after a natural fire event and it was shown that spiders of different ages survived the fire. The survival of such individuals allowed the population of P. chapoda spiders to recover rapidly, returning to pre‐fire levels in 5 months.

4. Bromeliads reduced the susceptibility of P. chapoda spiders to burning, and this mutualistic relationship contributed to the resilience of the spider population after a fire event. It is suggested that frequent fires in fire‐prone landscapes may have strengthened this spider–plant relationship, contributing to the maintenance and evolution of this association.
Clinical audit training improves undergraduates’ performance in root canal therapy
Authors: Fong J. Y. M. , Tan V. J. H. , Lee J. R. , Tong Z. G. M. , Foong Y. K. , Tan J. M. E. , Parolia A. , Pau A.
Published: December 2017

Aim

To evaluate the effectiveness of clinical audit‐feedback cycle as an educational tool in improving the technical quality of root canal therapy (RCT) and compliance with record keeping performed by dental undergraduates.

Methods

Clinical audit learning was introduced in Year 3 of a 5‐year curriculum for dental undergraduates. During classroom activities, students were briefed on clinical audit, selected their audit topics in groups of 5 or 6 students, and prepared and presented their audit protocols. One chosen topic was RCT, in which 3 different cohorts of Year 3 students conducted retrospective audits of patients’ records in 2012, 2014 and 2015 for their compliance with recommended record keeping criteria and their performance in RCT. Students were trained by and calibrated against an endodontist (κ ≥ 0.8). After each audit, the findings were reported in class, and recommendations were made for improvement in performance of RCT and record keeping. Students’ compliance with published guidelines was presented and their RCT performances in each year were compared using the chi‐square test.

Results

Overall compliance with of record keeping guidelines was 44.1% in 2012, 79.6% in 2014 and 94.6% in 2015 (P = .001). In the 2012 audit, acceptable extension, condensation and the absence of mishap were observed in 72.4, 75.7% and 91.5%; in the 2014 audit, 95.1%, 64.8% and 51.4%; and in 2015 audit, 96.4%, 82.1% and 92.8% of cases, respectively. In 2015, 76.8% of root canal fillings met all 3 technical quality criteria when compared to 48.6% in 2014 and 44.7% in 2012 (P = .001).

Conclusion

Clinical audit‐feedback cycle is an effective educational tool for improving dental undergraduates’ compliance with record keeping and performance in the technical quality of RCT.
Arsenic trioxide at conventional dosage does not aggravate hemorrhage in the first‐line treatment of adult acute promyelocytic leukemia
Authors: Cui Wen , Wang Jin , Nie Rui‐Min , Zhao Ling‐Ling , Gao Meng‐Qing , Zhu Hong‐Ming , Chen Li , Hu Jiong , Li Jun‐Min , Shen Zhi‐Xiang , Wang Zhen‐Yi , Chen Sai‐Juan , Chen Zhu , Wang Kan‐Kan , Xi Xiao‐Dong , Mi Jian‐Qing
Published: December 2017

Objectives

The arsenic trioxide (ATO) plus all‐trans retinoic acid (ATRA) therapy has demonstrated a tremendous success in the first‐line treatment of acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL). Actually, early death (ED) is currently thought as a major challenge in APL. ATO has been reported to inhibit platelet function in vitro, and whether it increases the ED rate by exacerbating the hemorrhagic symptoms remains to be investigated.

Methods

Effects of ATO on platelet aggregation and adhesion were evaluated in vitro and in thirty‐two complete remission (CR) and four newly diagnosed APL patients. Furthermore, concentrations of plasma total arsenic were monitored in APL patients via ICP‐MS.

Results

The inhibition of platelet function, either aggregation or adhesion, did occur in vitro when the concentration of ATO reached 2 μmol/L. However, in CR APL patients receiving ATO with normal platelet count, the platelets responded normally when being activated and so did those in the newly diagnosed patients with thrombocytopenia. Our data further showed that the conventional dosage of ATO reached a plasma concentration substantially below the required concentration to inhibit platelets.

Conclusions

In the first‐line treatment of APL, the use of ATO is safe and effective and does not compromise the hemostatic potential that may eventually increase ED rate.
Visual attention to motion stimuli and its neural correlates in cannabis users
Authors: Mikulskaya Elena , Martin Frances
Published: December 2017

Attention to motion stimuli and correct motion perception are vital for road safety. Although cannabis use has been associated with increased road crash risks, there is limited research on attentional processing of moving stimuli in cannabis users. This study investigated the neural correlates of the three‐stimulus oddball task in cannabis users (n = 18) and non‐users (n = 23) in response to moving stimuli. Stimulus contrast was under 16% against a low luminance background (M luminance < 16 cd/m2). The two groups did not differ in accuracy or in N2 peak amplitude; however, N2 latency was longer for target and standard stimuli in the cannabis group than in the control group. The cannabis group also showed a significantly reduced P3b amplitude in response to target stimuli. The AUDIT score was added as a random factor to the anova to rule out the effects of uneven alcohol consumption in the two groups. A significant group effect was found for N2 latency in response to target and standard stimuli and a significant interaction between the group, and the AUDIT score was found for the P3b peak amplitude for the distractor and standard stimuli, but not for the target stimuli. The results of this study suggest that cannabis use relates to reduced neural activity underlying attention to motion stimuli. Implications for regular early‐onset cannabis use road safety are discussed.
The use of a replanted riparian habitat by the Lumholtz's Tree‐kangaroo (Dendrolagus lumholtzi)
Authors: Heise‐Pavlov Sigrid , Rhinier Jaqueline , Burchill Simon
Published: December 2017

This study describes the use of a section of a replanted riparian wildlife corridor by Lumholtz's Tree‐kangaroo (Dendrolagus lumholtzi) (referred to here as LTK) on the Atherton Tablelands in north‐east Queensland, Australia. Selection of plants for replanting had been adjusted to the seasonally inundated clay‐rich and acid soils of the site, and, in some cases, with the aim to establish wind breaks which resulted in a plant composition of this section that differs from known LTK habitats. Through semi‐regular daily observations of individual LTKs over eight years, it was found that LTKs were most commonly recorded on Tallowwood (Eucalyptus microcorys), Rose Gum (E. grandis), Caribbean Pine (Pinus caribaea) and Bunya Pine (Araucaria bidwillii) which were planted as wind breaks in the 1950s and 1980s. On a section planted in 1998, it was found that LTKs used certain tree species more frequently than would have been expected from the relative number in which these species had been planted. This may be associated with certain structural features of the used tree species. The presence of these structural habitat features may allow LTKs to establish home ranges within the restored habitat. Home ranges were calculated for four females, and it was found that they did not differ in size from those reported from other LTK habitats. However, home ranges showed extensive overlaps. The study reveals that LTK will colonise replanted habitat and may be adaptable in its spatial requirements in a restored landscape.