bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Effect of Import Competition on Firm Productivity and Innovation: Does the Distance to Technology Frontier Matter?
Authors: Ding Sai , Sun Puyang , Jiang Wei
Published: August 2015

How does foreign competition affect growth and innovation in China? Using our unique measures of proximity of Chinese firms and industries to the world technology frontier, we find that despite vast sectoral heterogeneity, Chinese manufacturing industries have undergone rapid technological upgrading over the period of 2000–06. The distance to the world production frontier of firms and industries plays an important role in shaping the nexus between the competition pressure from foreign imports and domestic firms' growth and innovation behaviour. Our results support the theoretical predictions of Aghion et al. (2005, The Quarterly Journal of Economics, pp. 701–728) that import competition stimulates the domestic firms' productivity growth and R&D expenditure if firms and their industries are close to the world frontier, but discourages such incentives for laggard firms and industries. The two forces highlighted by the model operate for imports under the ordinary‐trade regime, for collective and private firms, and for imports originated from high‐income countries. Our findings are robust after controlling the influence of foreign investment, the reverse causality of regressors and the short‐term business cycle fluctuations.
Paravertebral nerve block catheters using chloroprocaine in infants with prolonged mechanical ventilation for treatment of long‐gap esophageal atresia
Authors: Bairdain Sigrid , Dodson Brenda , Zurakowski David , Waisel David B. , Jennings Russell W. , Boretsky Karen R.
Published: August 2015

Background

Infants with long‐gap esophageal atresia (LGEA) undergo repeated thoracotomies for staged surgical repair known as the Foker process (FP). Associated prolonged mechanical ventilation results in exposure to high doses of opioids and benzodiazepines, and prolonged weaning times and ICU stays.

Aim

The aim of this study was to determine the effectiveness of short‐term paravertebral nerve block (PVNB) catheters in reducing opioid/benzodiazepine exposure and effects on clinical variables.

Methods

The medical records of seventeen infants were retrospectively reviewed; 11 with PVNB and six without (CG). PVNB were placed using ultrasound‐guidance and chloroprocaine infusions implemented in the ICU. Opioids and benzodiazepines were administered via the protocol for 5 days following thoracotomies for Foker‐I and Foker‐II.

Results

Foker‐I: Average reduction in morphine and midazolam consumption was 36% (2.18 vs 3.40 mg·kg−1·day−1; P < 0.001) and 31% (2.25 vs 3.25 mg·kg−1·day−1; P = 0.033), respectively, in the PVNB compared with CG. Foker‐II: Average reduction in morphine and midazolam consumption was 39% (3.19 vs 5.27 mg·kg−1·day−1) and 38% (3.46 mg·kg−1·day−1 vs 5.62; P < 0.001), respectively in the PVNB compared with CG. 24‐h prior to extubation: Average reduction in morphine and midazolam consumption was 50% (2.91 vs 5.85 mg·kg−1·24 h−1; p = 0.023) and 61% (2.27 vs 5.83 mg·kg−1·24 h−1; P = 0.004), respectively, in the PVNB compared with CG. Infusion wean time, (independence from opioid/midazolam infusions) following extubation was 5 days in the PVNB group and 15 days in CG (P = 0.005). Median ICU stay (IQR) was 40 days (34–45 days) in PVNB patients and 71 days (42–106 days) in controls (P = 0.02).

PVNB catheters were left an average of 7 days and there were no complications associated with the nerve blocks.

Conclusion

Short‐term PVNB placement decreases opioid and benzodiazepine exposure, weaning days and ICU stay in infants undergoing prolonged mechanical ventilation for LGEA repair in this small pilot study. Larger studies are warranted to confirm results.
Development, characterization and mapping of microsatellite markers for lentil (Lens culinaris Medik.)
Authors: Andeden Enver Ersoy , Baloch Faheem S. , Çakır Esra , Toklu Faruk , Özkan Hakan
Published: August 2015

Lentil is the sixth most important pulse crop terms of production in the world, but the number of available and mapped SSR markers are limited. To develop SSR markers in lentil, four genomic libraries for (CA)n, (GA)n, (AAC)n and (ATG)n repeats were constructed. A total of 360 SSR primers were designed and validated using 15 Turkish lentil cultivars and genotypes. The most polymorphic repeat motifs were GA and CT, with a mean number of alleles per locus of 7.80 and 6.55, respectively. Seventy‐eight SSR primers amplified a total of 400 polymorphic alleles, whereas 71 SSR primers produced markers within the expected size range. For 78 polymorphic SSR primers, the average number of alleles per locus was 5.1 and PIC value ranged from 0.07 to 0.89, with an average of 0.58. A linkage map was constructed using 92 individual F2 plants derived from a cross between Karacadağ × Silvan, with 47 SSR markers. The SSR markers developed in this study could be used for germplasm classification and identification and mapping of QTL in lentil.
Government Quality Measures: First Do No Harm
Authors: Lewis Julia B.
Published: August 2015

A technical expert panel (TEP) was convened to evaluate all available literature in the area of bone and mineral metabolism and advise the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid services on the creation and collection of quality measures. The proposed quality measures were evaluated for importance, usability, feasibility, and scientific acceptability. All are important parameters to avoid unintended harmful consequences of a quality measure causing harm to patients or to the delivery of their health care.
Red blood cell storage in additive solution‐7 preserves energy and redox metabolism: a metabolomics approach
Authors: D'Alessandro Angelo , Nemkov Travis , Hansen Kirk C. , Szczepiorkowski Zbigniew M. , Dumont Larry J.
Published: August 2015

BACKGROUND

Storage and transfusion of red blood cells (RBCs) has a huge medical and economic impact. Routine storage practices can be ameliorated through the implementation of novel additive solutions (ASs) that tackle the accumulation of biochemical and morphologic lesion during routine cold liquid storage in the blood bank, such as the recently introduced alkaline solution AS‐7. Here we hypothesize that AS‐7 might exert its beneficial effects through metabolic modulation during routine storage.

STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS

Apheresis RBCs were resuspended either in control AS‐3 or experimental AS‐7, before ultrahigh‐performance liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry metabolomics analysis.

RESULTS

Unambiguous assignment and relative quantitation was achieved for 229 metabolites. AS‐3 and AS‐7 results in many similar metabolic trends over storage, with AS‐7 RBCs being more metabolically active in the first storage week. AS‐7 units had faster fueling of the pentose phosphate pathway, higher total glutathione pools, and increased flux through glycolysis as indicated by higher levels of pathway intermediates. Metabolite differences are especially observed at 7 days of storage, but were still maintained throughout 42 days.

CONCLUSION

AS‐7 formulation (chloride free and bicarbonate loading) appears to improve energy and redox metabolism in stored RBCs in the early storage period, and the differences, though diminished, are still appreciable by Day 42. Energy metabolism and free fatty acids should be investigated as potentially important determinants for preservation of RBC structure and function. Future studies will be aimed at identifying metabolites that correlate with in vitro and in vivo circulation times.
Saving lives, maintaining safety, and science‐based policy: qualitative interview findings from the Blood Donation Rules Opinion Study (Blood DROPS)
Authors: Hughes Shana , Sheon Nicolas , Siedle‐Khan Bob , Custer Brian ,   for the NHLBI Recipient Epidemiology and Donor Evaluation Study‐III (REDS‐III)
Published: August 2015

BACKGROUND

Indefinite deferral from donation for any man who discloses having had sex with another man even once since 1977 (MSM77) is the US FDA's standing policy. This qualitative component of the Blood Donation Rules and Opinion Study was designed to provide insight into the perceptions and practices of current or previous donors with MSM history.

STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS

Forty human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)‐negative MSM completed an online survey, indicating that they had donated blood and were willing to be interviewed. Semistructured, individual interviews with these key informants covered donation experience and motivations, perceptions of MSM77, policy change preferences, and possible impact of a change to a time‐limited deferral. Transcripts were coded deductively and inductively, following a modified Grounded Theory approach. Analysis identified recurrent and divergent themes.

RESULTS

Ninety‐five percent of participants endorsed modifying MSM77. Preferred deferral length ranged from none to 5 years; a common opinion was that a science‐based deferral period would be less than 1 year. Other policy change recommendations included incorporating questions about specific HIV risk behaviors to the donor questionnaire for all potential donors. Interviewees recognized HIV infection rates are higher in MSM than the general US population, but participants considered themselves low‐risk for HIV, donated blood “to save lives,” and justified their recommendations as being more effective ways to identify donors at risk for HIV.

CONCLUSION

Results suggest that MSM donors are concerned with blood safety; they can be appealed to as such. Communications about a new deferral policy should include scientific explanations and acknowledge altruistic motivations of potential donors.
Indicators of Absorptive Capacity and Import‐induced South–North Convergence in Labour Intensities
Authors: Hübler Michael , Glas Alexander , Nunnenkamp Peter
Published: August 2015

We hypothesise that North–South trade is associated with knowledge spillovers that create labour productivity gains depending on various aspects of Southern absorptive capacity. We use the novel World Input–Output Database (WIOD) that provides bilateral and bisectoral panel data for 39 countries and 35 sectors for 1995–2009. We examine growth in relative South–North labour intensities (South–North convergence) for 31 industrialised source and eight emerging recipient countries. We find strong evidence that various components and individual indicators of absorptive capacity interact with imports of investment goods in such a way that the relative labour intensity is reduced. GMM and GLS estimations corroborate the results. Policies that improve various of the identified aspects of absorptive capacity are more promising than policies that select only one. Elevating the absorptive capacity of emerging economies to the maximum level in the world would halve the South–North gap in labour intensities within a couple of decades if it were solely achieved through the trade channel.
EU Anti‐dumping and Tariff Cuts: Trade Policy Substitution?
Authors: Ketterer Tobias D.
Published: August 2015

The world trading system in its current form aims at reducing multilateral trade barriers across the board. Indeed, the last successfully concluded multilateral trade negotiations led to substantial tariff concessions on the part of most developed economies. What, however, happened to other forms of import protection? Have substantial tariff concessions subsequently been replaced by the use of alternative forms of import protection? In this paper we empirically investigate the relationship between negotiated external tariff cuts and the subsequent use of anti‐dumping actions by the EU. Evidence is found for larger Uruguay Round tariff cuts increasing the probability of subsequent anti‐dumping investigations.
Prioritizing Zoonotic Diseases: Differences in Perspectives Between Human and Animal Health Professionals in North America
Authors: Ng V. , Sargeant J. M.
Published: August 2015

Zoonoses pose a significant burden of illness in North America. Zoonoses represent an additional threat to public health because the natural reservoirs are often animals, particularly wildlife, thus eluding control efforts such as quarantine, vaccination and social distancing. As there are limited resources available, it is necessary to prioritize diseases in order to allocate resources to those posing the greatest public health threat. Many studies have attempted to prioritize zoonoses, but challenges exist. This study uses a quantitative approach, conjoint analysis (CA), to overcome some limitations of traditional disease prioritization exercises. We used CA to conduct a zoonoses prioritization study involving a range of human and animal health professionals across North America; these included epidemiologists, public health practitioners, research scientists, physicians, veterinarians, laboratory technicians and nurses. A total of 699 human health professionals (HHP) and 585 animal health professionals (AHP) participated in this study. We used CA to prioritize 62 zoonotic diseases using 21 criteria. Our findings suggest CA can be used to produce reasonable criteria scores for disease prioritization. The fitted models were satisfactory for both groups with a slightly better fit for AHP compared to HHP (84.4% certainty fit versus 83.6%). Human‐related criteria were more influential for HHP in their decision to prioritize zoonoses, while animal‐related criteria were more influential for AHP resulting in different disease priority lists. While the differences were not statistically significant, a difference of one or two ranks could be considered important for some individuals. A potential solution to address the varying opinions is discussed. The scientific framework for disease prioritization presented can be revised on a regular basis by updating disease criteria to reflect diseases as they evolve over time; such a framework is of value allowing diseases of highest impact to be identified routinely for resource allocation.
Prevalence and Spatial Distribution of Salmonella Infections in the Pennsylvania Raccoon (Procyon lotor)
Authors: Very K. J. , Kirchner M. K. , Shariat N. , Cottrell W. , Sandt C. H. , Dudley E. G. , Kariyawasam S. , Jayarao B. M.
Published: August 2015

A study was conducted to determine the prevalence and spatial distribution of Salmonella infection in Pennsylvania raccoons (Procyon lotor), common wildlife mammals known to occupy overlapping habitats with humans and domestic food animals. The Pennsylvania Game Commission provided a total of 371 raccoon intestinal samples from trapped and road‐killed raccoons collected between May and November 2011. Salmonella was isolated from the faeces of 56 (15.1%) of 371 raccoons in 35 (54%) of 65 counties across Pennsylvania. The five most frequently isolated serotypes were Newport (28.6%), Enteritidis (19.6%), Typhimurium (10.7%), Braenderup (8.9%) and Bareilly (7.1%). Pulsed‐field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) analysis of the Salmonella isolates and subsequent comparison to the Pennsylvania Department of Health human Salmonella PFGE database revealed 16 different pulsetypes in Salmonella isolates recovered from raccoons that were indistinguishable from pulsetypes of Salmonella collected from clinically ill humans during the study period. The pulsetypes of seven raccoon Salmonella isolates matched those of 56 human Salmonella isolates by month and geographical region of sample collection. Results from Clustered Regularly Interspaced Short Palindromic Repeats and Multi‐Virulence Locus Sequence Typing (CRISPR‐MVLST) analysis corroborated the PFGE and serotyping data. The findings of this study show that several PFGE pulsetypes of Salmonella were shared between humans and raccoons in Pennsylvania, indicating that raccoons and humans might share the same source of Salmonella.
On the Geometric Accuracy of RepRap Open-Source Three-Dimensional Printer
Authors: Lanzotti Antonio , Del Giudice Domenico Maria , Lepore Antonio , Staiano Gabriele , Martorelli Massimo
Published: August 2015

In the field of additive manufacturing (AM) processes, there is a significant lack of scientific data on the performance of open-source 3D printers in relation to process parameter values. The purpose of this paper is to assess the impact of the main process parameters on the accuracy of a set of typical geometric features, as obtained with an open-source 3D printer, the RepRap Prusa-Mendel I2. For this purpose, a benchmarking part was set up, composed of elementary shapes, representing a series of different geometric features. By means of a DoE approach, it was possible to assess the effects of two process parameters—layer thickness (Lt) and flow rate (Fr)—on five geometric features: cube, sphere, cylinder, cone, and angled surface. A high resolution Laser Scanner was used to evaluate the variation between the acquired geometric feature and the corresponding 3D computer-aided design (CAD) nominal model. On the basis of experimental results, it was possible to analyze and discuss the main effects of the above-mentioned process parameters on each geometric feature. These results can help RepRap users in the correct selection of process parameters with the aim of improving the quality of prototypes.
Joint Angle Measurement Using Strategically Placed Accelerometers and Gyroscope
Authors: Vikas Vishesh , Crane Carl D.
Published: August 2015

Optical and magnetic encoders are widely used to measure joint angles. These sensors are required to be installed at the axes of rotation (joint centers). However, microelectromechanical system (MEMS) accelerometer and gyroscope-based joint angle measurement sensors possess the advantage of being flexible with regard to the point of installation. Inertial measurement units (IMUs) are capable of providing orientation and are also used for joint angle estimation. They conventionally fuse gyroscope and accelerometer data using Kalman filter-like algorithm to estimate the joint angles. This research presents a novel approach of measuring joint parameters—joint angles, angular velocities, and accelerations, of two links joined by revolute or universal joint. The gravity-invariant vestibular dynamic inclinometer (VDI) and planar VDI (pVDI) are used on each link to measure the joint parameters of links joined by revolute and universal joints, respectively. The VDI consists of two dual-axis accelerometers and an uniaxial gyroscope, while the pVDI consists of four strategically placed dual-axis accelerometers and a triaxial gyroscope. The measurements of joint parameters using the presented algorithms are independent of integration errors/drift, do not require knowledge of robot dynamics, and are computationally less burdensome.
Design and Evaluation of a Passive Ankle Prosthesis With Powered Push-Off
Authors: Rice Jacob J. , Schimmels Joseph M. , Huang Shuguang
Published: August 2015

Below-knee amputation is one of the most frequently performed types of amputation in the United States. This paper describes CamWalk, a novel passive ankle prosthesis that has mechanical behavior similar to that of a natural ankle. CamWalk generates rotational push-off to propel the walker forward using a compliant coupling between two degrees-of-freedom (DOFs) (deflection along the leg and rotation about the ankle). The design closely matches the ankle torque and ankle work characteristics of an average healthy ankle. Simulation results indicate that CamWalk generates 44.5% of the net rotational work performed by a natural healthy ankle when leg deflection is limited to 15 mm. Standard gait analysis of four amputees using CamWalk demonstrated that the device performance ranged from marginally dissipative to significantly active, generating 48.0% of the work performed by their natural ankle.
Multi-angular Flame Measurements and Analysis in a Supersonic Wind Tunnel Using Fiber-Based Endoscopes
Authors: Ma Lin , Wickersham Andrew J. , Xu Wenjiang , Peltier Scott J. , Ombrello Timothy M. , Carter Campbell D.
Published: August 2015

This paper reports new measurements and analysis made in the Research Cell 19 supersonic wind-tunnel facility housed at the Air Force Research Laboratory. The measurements include planar chemiluminescence from multiple angular positions obtained using fiber-based endoscopes (FBEs) and the accompanying velocity fields obtained using particle image velocimetry (PIV). The measurements capture the flame dynamics from different angles (e.g., the top and both sides) simultaneously. The analysis of such data by proper orthogonal decomposition (POD) will also be reported. Nonintrusive and full-field imaging measurements provide a wealth of information for model validation and design optimization of propulsion systems. However, it is challenging to obtain such measurements due to various implementation difficulties such as optical access, thermal management, and equipment cost. This work therefore explores the application of the FBEs for nonintrusive imaging measurements in the supersonic propulsion systems. The FBEs used in this work are demonstrated to overcome many of the practical difficulties and significantly facilitate the measurements. The FBEs are bendable and have relatively small footprints (compared to high-speed cameras), which facilitates line-of-sight optical access. Also, the FBEs can tolerate higher temperatures than high-speed cameras, ameliorating the thermal management issues. Finally, the FBEs, after customization, can enable the capture of multiple images (e.g., images of the flow fields at multi-angles) onto the same camera chip, greatly reducing the equipment cost of the measurements. The multi-angle data sets, enabled by the FBEs as discussed above, were analyzed by POD to extract the dominating flame modes when examined from various angular positions. Similar analysis was performed on the accompanying PIV data to examine the corresponding modes of the flow fields. The POD analysis provides a quantitative measure of the dominating spatial modes of the flame and flow structures, and is an effective mathematical tool to extract key physics from large data sets as the high-speed measurements collected in this study. However, the past POD analysis has been limited to data obtained from one orientation only. The availability of data at multiple angles in this study is expected to provide further insights into the flame and flow structures in high-speed propulsion systems.
Optimal Operation and Maintenance of Gas Compressor Stations: An Integrated Framework Applied to a Large-Scale Industrial Case
Authors: Xenos Dionysios P. , Lunde Erling , Thornhill Nina F.
Published: August 2015

This paper presents a framework which integrates maintenance and optimal operation of multiple compressors. The outcome of this framework is a multiperiod plan which provides the schedule of the operation of compressors: the schedule gives the best decisions to be taken, for example, when to carry out maintenance, which compressors to use online and how much to load them. These decisions result in the minimization of the total operational costs of the compressors while at the same time the demand of the plant is met. The suggested framework is applied to an industrial gas compressor station which encompasses large multistage centrifugal compressors operating in parallel. The optimization model of the framework consists of three main parts: the models of compressor maps, the operational aspects of compressors, and a maintenance model. The results illustrate the optimal schedule for 90 days and an example of the optimal distribution of the load of the compressors for 5 days. Finally, the results show the economical benefits from the integration of maintenance and optimization.
Adiabatic Effectiveness and Flow Field Measurements in a Realistic Effusion Cooled Lean Burn Combustor
Authors: Andreini Antonio , Becchi Riccardo , Facchini Bruno , Mazzei Lorenzo , Picchi Alessio , Turrini Fabio
Published: August 2015

Over the last ten years, there have been significant technological advances toward the reduction of NOx emissions from civil aircraft engines, strongly aimed at meeting stricter and stricter legislation requirements. Nowadays, the most prominent way to meet the target of reducing NOx emissions in modern combustors is represented by lean burn swirl stabilized technology. The high amount of air admitted through a lean burn injection system is characterized by very complex flow structures such as recirculations, vortex breakdown, and precessing vortex core (PVC) that may deeply interact in the near wall region of the combustor liner. This interaction makes challenging the estimation of film cooling distribution, commonly generated by slot and effusion systems. The main purpose of the present work is the characterization of the flow field and the adiabatic effectiveness due to the interaction of swirling flow, generated by real geometry injectors, and a liner cooling scheme made up of a slot injection and an effusion array. The experimental apparatus has been developed within EU project LEMCOTEC (low emissions core-engine technologies) and consists of a nonreactive three-sectors planar rig; the test model is characterized by a complete cooling system and three swirlers, replicating the geometry of a GE Avio PERM (partially evaporated and rapid mixing) injector technology. Flow field measurements have been performed by means of a standard 2D PIV (particle image velocimetry) technique, while adiabatic effectiveness maps have been obtained using PSP (pressure sensitive paint) technique. PIV results show the effect of coolant injection in the corner vortex region, while the PSP measurements highlight the impact of swirled flow on the liner film protection separating the contribution of slot and effusion flows. Furthermore, an additional analysis, exploiting experimental results in terms of heat transfer coefficient, has been performed to estimate the net heat flux reduction (NHFR) on the cooled test plate.
Further Experiments and Investigations for Discharge Coefficient of PTC 6 Flow Nozzle in a Wide Range of Reynolds Number
Authors: Furuichi Noriyuki , Terao Yoshiya , Nakao Shinichi , Fujita Keiji , Shibuya Kazuo
Published: August 2015

The discharge coefficients of the flow nozzles based on ASME PTC 6 are measured in a wide range of Reynolds number from Red = 5.8 × 104 to Red = 1.4 × 107, and the equations of the discharge coefficients are developed for the laminar, the transitional, and the turbulent flow ranges. The equation of the discharge coefficient consists of a nominal discharge coefficient and the tap effect. The nominal discharge coefficient is the discharge coefficient without tap, which is experimentally determined from the discharge coefficients measured for different tap diameters. The tap effects are correctly obtained by subtracting the nominal discharge coefficient from the discharge coefficient measured. The deviation of the present experimental results from the equations developed is from −0.06% to 0.04% for 3.0 × 106 < Red < 1.4 × 107 and from −0.11% to 0.16% for overall Reynolds number range examined. The developed equations are expected to be capable of estimating the discharge coefficient of the throat tap nozzle defined in PTC 6 with a high accuracy and contribute for the high accurate evaluation of steam turbines in power plants.
Observation of chiral currents at the magnetic domain boundary of a topological insulator
Authors: Wang Y. H. , Kirtley J. R. , Katmis F. , Jarillo-Herrero P. , Moodera J. S. , Moler K. A.
Published: August 2015

Magnetizing a topological insulator

Inducing magnetism in a topological insulator can lead to exotic effects. The usual experimental route is to introduce magnetic dopants into the material, but that approach is intricate and creates unwanted disorder. Wang
et al.
used a simpler technique: They fabricated a bilayer consisting of Bi
2
Se
3
, a topological insulator, and EuS, a magnet. The physical proximity of EuS induced magnetism on the surface of Bi
2
Se
3
. This approach allowed for the creation of magnetic domains at will and the detection of characteristic current flowing along the domains' edges.

Science
, this issue p.
948
Individual intestinal symbionts induce a distinct population of RORγ
+
regulatory T cells
Authors: Sefik Esen , Geva-Zatorsky Naama , Oh Sungwhan , Konnikova Liza , Zemmour David , McGuire Abigail Manson , Burzyn Dalia , Ortiz-Lopez Adriana , Lobera Mercedes , Yang Jianfei , Ghosh Shomir , Earl Ashlee , Snapper Scott B. , Jupp Ray , Kasper Dennis , Mathis Diane , Benoist Christophe
Published: August 2015

Gut microbes make T cells keep the peace

Our guts harbor trillions of microbial inhabitants, some of which regulate the types of immune cells that are present in the gut. For instance,
Clostridium
species of bacteria induce a type of T cell that promotes tolerance between the host and its microbial contents. Ohnmacht
et al.
and Sefik
et al.
characterized a population of gut regulatory T cells in mice, which required gut microbiota to survive. Multiple bacterial species of the microbiota could induce transcription factor–expressing regulatory T cells that helped maintain immune homeostasis. Mice engineered to lack these transcription factors exhibited enhanced susceptibility to colonic inflammation and had elevated amounts of proinflammatory molecules associated with allergies (see the Perspective by Hegazy and Powrie).

Science
, this issue pp.
989
and
993
Discovery and spectroscopy of the young jovian planet 51 Eri b with the Gemini Planet Imager
Authors: Macintosh B. , Graham J. R. , Barman T. , De Rosa R. J. , Konopacky Q. , Marley M. S. , Marois C. , Nielsen E. L. , Pueyo L. , Rajan A. , Rameau J. , Saumon D. , Wang J. J. , Patience J. , Ammons M. , Arriaga P. , Artigau E. , Beckwith S. , Brewster J. , Bruzzone S. , Bulger J. , Burningham B. , Burrows A. S. , Chen C. , Chiang E. , Chilcote J. K. , Dawson R. I. , Dong R. , Doyon R. , Draper Z. H. , Duchêne G. , Esposito T. M. , Fabrycky D. , Fitzgerald M. P. , Follette K. B. , Fortney J. J. , Gerard B. , Goodsell S. , Greenbaum A. Z. , Hibon P. , Hinkley S. , Cotten T. H. , Hung L.-W. , Ingraham P. , Johnson-Groh M. , Kalas P. , Lafreniere D. , Larkin J. E. , Lee J. , Line M. , Long D. , Maire J. , Marchis F. , Matthews B. C. , Max C. E. , Metchev S. , Millar-Blanchaer M. A. , Mittal T. , Morley C. V. , Morzinski K. M. , Murray-Clay R. , Oppenheimer R. , Palmer D. W. , Patel R. , Perrin M. D. , Poyneer L. A. , Rafikov R. R. , Rantakyrö F. T. , Rice E. L. , Rojo P. , Rudy A. R. , Ruffio J.-B. , Ruiz M. T. , Sadakuni N. , Saddlemyer L. , Salama M. , Savransky D. , Schneider A. C. , Sivaramakrishnan A. , Song I. , Soummer R. , Thomas S. , Vasisht G. , Wallace J. K. , Ward-Duong K. , Wiktorowicz S. J. , Wolff S. G. , Zuckerman B.
Published: August 2015

An exoplanet extracted from the bright

Direct imaging of Jupiter-like exoplanets around young stars provides a glimpse into how our solar system formed. The brightness of young stars requires the use of next-generation devices such as the Gemini Planet Imager (GPI). Using the GPI, Macintosh
et al.
discovered a Jupiter-like planet orbiting a young star, 51 Eridani (see the Perspective by Mawet). The planet, 51 Eri b, has a methane signature and is probably the smallest exoplanet that has been directly imaged. These findings open the door to understanding solar system origins and herald the dawn of a new era in next-generation planetary imaging.

Science
, this issue p.
64
; see also p.
39
Complete Genome Sequence of Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus KOR/KNIH/002_05_2015, Isolated in South Korea
Authors: Kim You-Jin , Cho Yong-Joon , Kim Dae-Won , Yang Jeong-Sun , Kim Hak , Park SungHan , Han Young Woo , Yun Mi-ran , Lee Han Saem , Kim A-Reum , Heo Deok Rim , Kim Joo Ae , Kim Su Jin , Jung Hee-Dong , Kim Namil , Yoon Seok-Hwan , Nam Jeong-Gu , Kang Hae Ji , Cheong Hyang-Min , Lee Joo-Shil , Chun Jongsik , Kim Sung Soon
Published: August 2015

The full genome sequence of a Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV) was identified from cultured and isolated in Vero cells. The viral genome sequence has high similarity to 53 human MERS-CoVs, ranging from 99.5% to 99.8% at the nucleotide level.
Complete Genome Sequence of Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus (MERS-CoV) from the First Imported MERS-CoV Case in China
Authors: Lu Roujian , Wang Yanqun , Wang Wenling , Nie Kai , Zhao Yanjie , Su Juan , Deng Yao , Zhou Weimin , Li Yang , Wang Huijuan , Wang Wen , Ke Changwen , Ma Xuejun , Wu Guizhen , Tan Wenjie
Published: August 2015

On 26 May 2015, an imported Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV) was identified in Guangdong Province, China, and found to be closely related to the MERS-CoV strain prevalent in South Korea. The full genome of the ChinaGD01 strain was sequenced and analyzed to investigate the epidemiology and evolution of MERS-CoV circulating in South Korea and China.
Draft Genome Sequence of the Picocyanobacterium
Synechococcus
sp. Strain GFB01, Isolated from a Freshwater Lagoon in the Brazilian Amazon
Authors: Guimarães Pedro Ivo , Leão Tiago Ferreira , de Melo Aline Grasielle Costa , Ramos Rommel Thiago Jucá , Silva Artur , Fiore Marli Fatima , Schneider Maria Paula Cruz
Published: August 2015

We present the draft genome of the cyanobacterium strain
Synechococcus
sp. GFB01, the first genome sequencing of this genus isolated from South America. This draft genome consists of 125 contigs with a total size of 2,339,812 bp. Automatic annotation identified several genes involved with heavy metal resistance and natural transformation.
Complete Genome Sequence of the Porcine Epidemic Diarrhea Virus Variant Tottori2/JPN/2014
Authors: Murakami Satoshi , Miyazaki Ayako , Takahashi Osamu , Hashizume Wataru , Hase Yoichi , Ohashi Seiichi , Suzuki Tohru
Published: August 2015

Porcine epidemic diarrhea virus (PEDV) is a cause of diarrhea outbreaks at swine farms, causing vomiting, severe diarrhea, and mortality in piglets. We sequenced and analyzed the complete genome of recently isolated strains. Tottori2/JPN/2014, one of the sequenced PEDV strains, had a unique large deletion in the S gene.
Complete Genome Sequences of Low-Passage Virulent and High-Passage Avirulent Variants of Pathogenic Leptospira interrogans Serovar Manilae Strain UP-MMC-NIID, Originally Isolated from a Patient with Severe Leptospirosis, Determined Using PacBio Single-Molecule Real-Time Technology
Authors: Satou Kazuhito , Shimoji Makiko , Tamotsu Hinako , Juan Ayaka , Ashimine Noriko , Shinzato Misuzu , Toma Claudia , Nohara Toshitsugu , Shiroma Akino , Nakano Kazuma , Teruya Kuniko , Terabayashi Yasunobu , Ohki Shun , Koizumi Nobuo , Okano Shou , Suzuki Toshihiko , Hirano Takashi
Published: August 2015

Here, we report the complete genome sequences of low-passage virulent and high-passage avirulent variants of pathogenic
Leptospira interrogans
serovar Manilae strain UP-MMC-NIID, a major causative agent of leptospirosis. While there were no major differences between the genome sequences, the levels of base modifications were higher in the avirulent variant.
Draft Genome Sequence of Acinetobacter calcoaceticus Strain GK1, a Hydrocarbon-Degrading Plant Growth-Promoting Rhizospheric Bacterium
Authors: Gkorezis Panagiotis , Bottos Eric M. , Van Hamme Jonathan D. , Franzetti Andrea , Abbamondi Gennaro Roberto , Balseiro-Romero Maria , Weyens Nele , Rineau Francois , Vangronsveld Jaco
Published: August 2015

The 3.94-Mb draft genome of
Acinetobacter calcoaceticus
GK1, a hydrocarbonoclastic plant growth-promoting Gram-negative rhizospheric bacterium, is presented here. Isolated at the Ford Motor Company site in Genk, Belgium, from poplar trees planted on a diesel-contaminated plume, GK1 is useful for enhancing hydrocarbon phytoremediation.
Draft Genome Sequences of Leptospira santarosai Strains U160, U164, and U233, Isolated from Asymptomatic Cattle
Authors: Kremer Frederico S. , Eslabão Marcus R. , Provisor Monize , Woloski Rafael D. S. , Ramires Osmar V. , Moreno Luisa Z. , Moreno Andrea M. , Hamond Camila , Lilenbaum Walter , Dellagostin Odir A.
Published: August 2015

In the present work, we announce the draft genomes for three new strains (U160, U164, and U233) of
Leptospira santarosai
, isolated from urine samples from asymptomatic cattle in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
An atypical limping teenager
Authors: Liegeois Claire , Stewart Charles
Published: August 2015

A 13-year-old boy presented with a 5-day history of left-sided limp of gradual onset. There was no history of trauma. He developed a fever and rigours a few days before presenting to the paediatric emergency department. On examination, he was tender on palpating the left gluteal area on active mobilisation of the left hip and could not weight bear on the left leg. Pelvic X-rays and ultrasound of the left hip were normal. The blood results showed raised inflammatory markers and normal white cell count. The blood cultures were positive forStaphylococcus aureus. On day 2, a left hip MRI was performed as well as CT-guided drainage. Diagnosis of left sacroiliac septic arthritis was made. After an initial lack of improvement under intravenous ceftriaxone, a drain was inserted and left in situ for 8 days with double intravenous antibiotic therapy instituted. The patient made a full recovery.
Prescription contraception use: a cross-sectional population study of psychosocial determinants
Authors: Molloy Gerard J , Sweeney Leigh-Ann , Byrne Molly , Hughes Carmel M , Ingham Roger , Morgan Karen , Murphy Andrew W
Published: August 2015

Objective

Many forms of contraception are available on prescription only for example, the oral contraceptive pill (OCP) and long-acting reversible contraceptives (LARCs). In this analysis we aim to identify key determinants of prescription contraceptive use.

Design

Cross-sectional population survey. Data on sociodemographic indices, concerns about the OCP and perceived barriers to access were collected.

Setting

Data set constructed from a representative population-based telephone survey of community dwelling adults in the Republic of Ireland (RoI)

Participants

1515 women aged between 18 and 45 years

Main outcome measure

Self-reported user of the OCP or LARCs (intrauterine contraception, contraceptive injections or subdermal contraceptive implants) in the previous 12 months.

Results

For at least some of the previous year, 35% had used the OCP and 14% had used LARCs, while 3% had used two or more of these methods. OCP users were significantly younger, more likely to be unmarried and had higher income than non-users. Overall, 68% agreed with the statement ‘that taking a break from long-term use of the contraceptive pill is a good idea’ and 37% agreed with the statement that ‘the OCP has dangerous side effects’ and this was the strongest predictor variable of non-use of the OCP. Intrauterine contraception users were significantly older, more likely to be married and had lower income than non-users. Injections or subdermal contraceptive implant users were significantly younger, less likely to be married, had lower income and were less likely to agree that taking a break from long-term use of the pill is a good idea than non-users.

Conclusions

Prescription contraceptive use is sociodemographically patterned, with LARCs in particular being associated with lower incomes in the RoI. Concerns about the safety of the OCP remain prevalent and are important and modifiable determinants of contraceptive-related behaviour.
Workplace health and safety issues among community nurses: a study regarding the impact on providing care to rural consumers
Authors: Terry Daniel , Lê Quynh , Nguyen Uyen , Hoang Ha
Published: August 2015

Objectives

The objective of the study was to investigate the types of workplace health and safety issues rural community nurses encounter and the impact these issues have on providing care to rural consumers.

Methods

The study undertook a narrative inquiry underpinned by a phenomenological approach. Community nursing staff who worked exclusively in rural areas and employed in a permanent capacity were contacted among 13 of the 16 consenting healthcare services. All community nurses who expressed a desire to participate were interviewed. Data were collected using semistructured interviews with 15 community nurses in rural and remote communities. Thematic analysis was used to analyse interview data.

Results

The role, function and structures of community nursing services varied greatly from site to site and were developed and centred on meeting the needs of individual communities. In addition, a number of workplace health and safety challenges were identified and were centred on the geographical, physical and organisational environment that community nurses work across. The workplace health and safety challenges within these environments included driving large distances between client’s homes and their office which lead to working in isolation for long periods and without adequate communication. In addition, other issues included encountering, managing and developing strategies to deal with poor client and carer behaviour; working within and negotiating working environments such as the poor condition of patient homes and clients smoking; navigating animals in the workplace; vertical and horizontal violence; and issues around workload, burnout and work-related stress.

Conclusions

Many nurses achieved good outcomes to meet the needs of rural community health consumers. Managers were vital to ensure that service objectives were met. Despite the positive outcomes, many processes were considered unsafe by community nurses. It was identified that greater training and capacity building are required to meet the needs among all staff.
Antiepileptic drugs and the risk of ischaemic stroke and myocardial infarction: a population-based cohort study
Authors: Renoux Christel , Dell'Aniello Sophie , Saarela Olli , Filion Kristian B , Boivin Jean-François
Published: August 2015

Objectives

Hepatic enzyme-inducing antiepileptic drugs (AEDs) increase serum lipid levels and other atherogenic markers via the induction of cytochrome P450 and may therefore increase the risk of vascular events. We sought to assess the risk of ischaemic stroke and myocardial infarction (MI) according to AED enzymatic properties.

Design

Population-based cohort study with nested case–control analysis.

Setting

650 general practices in the UK contributing to the Clinical Practice Research Datalink.

Participants

A cohort of 252 407 incident AED users aged 18 or older between January 1990 and April 2013. For each case of ischaemic stroke or MI, up to 10 controls were randomly selected among the cohort members in the risk sets defined by the case and matched on age, sex, indication for AED, calendar time and duration of follow-up.

Interventions

Current use of enzyme-inducing and enzyme-inhibiting AEDs compared with non-inducing AEDs.

Primary outcome measures

Incidence rate ratios (RRs) of ischaemic stroke and MI.

Results

5069 strokes and 3636 MIs were identified during follow-up. Inducing AEDs use was associated with a small increased risk of ischaemic stroke (RR=1.16, 95% CI 1.02 to 1.33) relative to non-inducing AEDs, most likely due to residual confounding. However, current use of inducing AEDs for ≥24 months was associated with a 46% increased risk of MI (RR=1.46, 95% CI 1.15 to 1.85) compared with the same duration of non-inducing AED, corresponding to a risk difference of 1.39/1000 (95% CI 0.33 to 2.45) persons per year. Current use of inhibiting AED was associated with a decreased risk of MI (RR=0.81, 95% CI 0.66 to 1.00).

Conclusions

The use of enzyme-inducing AEDs was not associated with an increased risk of ischaemic stroke; a small increase of MI with prolonged use was observed. In contrast, use of inhibiting AEDs was associated with a decreased risk of MI.
Systemic exposure to menthol following administration of peppermint oil to paediatric patients
Authors: Kearns Gregory L , Chumpitazi Bruno Pedro , Abdel-Rahman Susan M , Garg Uttam , Shulman Robert J
Published: August 2015

Objective

Peppermint oil (PMO) has been used to treat abdominal ailments dating to ancient Egypt, Greece and Rome. Despite its increasing paediatric use, as in irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) treatment, the pharmacokinetics (PK) of menthol in children given PMO has not been explored.

Design and setting

Single-site, exploratory pilot study of menthol PK following a single 187 mg dose of PMO. Subjects with paediatric Rome II defined (IBS; n=6, male and female, 7–15 years of age) were enrolled. Blood samples were obtained before PMO administration and at 10 discrete time points over a 12 h postdose period. Menthol was quantitated from plasma using a validated gas chromatography mass spectrometry technique. Menthol PK parameters were determined using a standard non-compartmental approach.

Results

Following a dose of PMO, a substantial lag time (range 1–4 h) was seen in all subjects for the appearance of menthol which in turn, produced a delayed time of peak (Tmax=5.3±2.4 h) plasma concentration (Cmax=698.2±245.4 ng/mL). Tmax and Tlag were significantly more variable than the two exposure parameters; Cmax, mean residence time and total area under the curve (AUC=4039.7±583.8 ng/mL×h) which had a coefficient of variation of <20%.

Conclusions

Delayed appearance of menthol in plasma after oral PMO administration in children is likely a formulation-specific event which, in IBS, could increase intestinal residence time of the active ingredient. Our data also demonstrate the feasibility of using menthol PK in children with IBS to support definitive studies of PMO dose–effect relationships.
Unintentional fall-related mortality in the elderly: comparing patterns in two countries with different demographic structure
Authors: Majdan Marek , Mauritz Walter
Published: August 2015

Objectives

Falls are among the major external causes of unintentional injury and injury-related mortality in the elderly. The aim of this study was to compare the patterns of unintentional fall-related mortalities in two countries with different demographic structure: Slovakia and Austria in 2003–2010.

Methods

A study was conducted using death certificate data, trends of fall-related mortality in the elderly (over 65 years) in Austria and Slovakia were compared. Crude and age-standardised mortality rates were calculated. Rate ratios were used to quantify differences based on age, sex and country. The role of demographic structure and population ageing was considered.

Results

The annual average crude mortality for Slovakia was 28.82, for Austria 54.19 per 100 000 person-years. Increasing rates were observed towards higher age in both countries. Males had higher mortality than females (1.18 times higher in Austria, 2.4 higher in Slovakia). In ages over 75 years rates were significantly higher in Austria, compared to Slovakia. Injuries to head (in males) and hip (in females) were most commonly the underlying cause of death. The proportion of populations over 65 and over 80 and rate of their increase were higher in Austria than in Slovakia.

Conclusions

We conclude that higher proportions of the elderly population of Austria could have contributed to the higher fall-related mortality rates compared to Slovakia, especially in females over 80 years. Our study quantified the differences between two countries with different structure of the elderly population and these findings could be used in planning future needs of health and social services and to plan prevention in countries where a rapid increase in age of the population can be foreseen.