bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Native English Speakers’ Perception of Arabic Emphatic Consonants and the Influence of Vowel Context
Authors: Hayes‐Harb Rachel , Durham Kristie
Published: August 2016

Native English speakers experience difficulty acquiring Arabic emphatic consonants. Arabic language textbooks have suggested that learners focus on adjacent vowels for cues to these consonants; however, the utility of such a strategy has not been empirically tested. This study investigated the perception of Arabic emphatic‐plain contrasts by means of cross‐language vowel identification and perceptual discrimination tasks. It was found that native English speakers relied more on following vowels than on the consonants themselves when discriminating Arabic emphatic and plain consonants, and that their accuracy was greatest when the following vowel was /æ/, followed by /u/ and /i/. The cross‐language vowel identification task revealed that Arabic /æ/ was identified as a systematically different English vowel (/ɑ/) when following emphatics than when following plain consonants (/æ/), while Arabic /i/ and /u/ failed to exhibit a differential identification pattern. Together these findings indicate that following vowel quality moderates Arabic emphatic consonant perception by English speakers, who may exploit their sensitivity to the English /ɑ/‐/æ/ contrast to perceive emphatic‐plain contrasts in the context of Arabic /æ/. However, such a strategy is less likely to be successful when the following vowel is /i/ or /u/. Implications and pedagogical suggestions for the teaching of Arabic to native speakers of English are offered.
Health‐related quality of life of older Asian patients with multimorbidity in primary care in a developed nation
Authors: Quah Joanne Hui Min , Wang Pei , Ng Roderica Rui Ge , Luo Nan , Tan Ngiap Chuan
Published: August 2016

Aim

Older adults are susceptible to two or more chronic ailments or multimorbidity. The present study aimed to establish the relationship between multimorbidity and health‐related quality of life (HRQoL) amongst Asian elderly patients in primary care in a developed nation. It also assessed how functional disability and chronic musculoskeletal pain are associated with HRQoL.

Methods

A cross‐sectional study was carried out in a Singapore public primary care clinic. An interviewer‐administered questionnaire was used to collect data on chronic disease profile, HRQoL (using the European Quality of Life 5 Dimension), basic activities of daily living, instrumental activities of daily living, musculoskeletal pain and sociodemographic characteristics. The association of multimorbidity, functional disability and chronic musculoskeletal pain with HRQoL was assessed using multivariate linear regression analysis.

Results

A total of 498 outpatients aged 65 years and older with multimorbidity were enrolled. Their mean age was 73.9 years, and approximately 75% had between two and four chronic conditions. The most commonly reported chronic conditions were hypertension (86.1%), hyperlipidemia (80.7%), diabetes (40.2%) and arthritis (33.3%). The European Quality of Life 5 Dimension index score decreased significantly when the number of comorbidities was more than five. Chronic hip and knee pain, one or more “dependent” activities of daily living dimensions and two or more “dependent” IADL dimensions were independently associated with worse HRQoL.

Conclusions

Multimorbidity is associated with poorer HRQoL amongst older adults in Singapore. Review of chronic musculoskeletal pain and functional disabilities should be integrated into the comprehensive assessment of older adults in an enhanced model of primary care to improve the HRQoL of these older patients.Geriatr Gerontol Int 2017; 17: 1429–1437.
Near falls predict substantial falls in older adults: A prospective cohort study
Authors: Nagai Koutatsu , Yamada Minoru , Komatsu Miyuki , Tamaki Akira , Kanai Mizuki , Miyamoto Toshiaki , Tsukagoshi Rui , Tsuboyama Tadao
Published: August 2016

Aim

Little is known about the relationship between near falls and substantial falls in older adults. Clarifying this relationship would be helpful to assess fall risk in greater detail. The purpose of the present study was to clarify whether near falls predict future falls.

Methods

This was designed to be a prospective cohort study. Participants were recruited from a community apartment for older adults. After a baseline physical assessment, participants were asked to record the incidence of near falls in a diary for 3 months. After the survey period, participants were followed for 6 months by telephone contact every 2 months. Cox proportional hazards regression models were used to analyze the association between near falls and falls.

Results

A total of 60 participants were included in the analysis. During the initial 3 months, 23 participants (38%) experienced near falls. Eight participants (13%) experienced substantial falls during the following 6 months. Cox proportional hazards regression models adjusted for age, body mass index, sex and physical frailty showed that experience of near falls (hazards regression 6.0, 95% confidence intervals 1.1–31.7; P < 0.05) was significantly associated with incidence of future falls.

Conclusions

Experience of near falls among older adults is an independent predictor of substantial falls irrespective of the physical frailty status. Clinicians might need to focus on near falls to appropriately assess the fall risk in older adults. Geriatr Gerontol Int 2017; 17: 1477–1480.
Air contamination during hemodialysis should be minimized
Authors: Stegmayr Bernd
Published: August 2016

During preparation of the hemodialysis (HD) extracorporeal circuit (ECC) a priming solution is used to remove air from the tubes and dialyzer. Ultra sound techniques have verified micro embolic signals (MES) in the ECC that may derive from clots or gas embolies. In vitro studies could clarify that embolies of air develop within the ECC and also pass the safety systems such as air traps and enter the venous line that goes into the patient. Clinical studies have confirmed the presence of MES within the ECC that pass into the return—venous—line during conventional HD without inducing an alarm. In addition, studies confirmed that such MES were present within the AV fistula and subclavian vein, but also detected within the carotid artery. Autopsy studies revealed the presence of gas embolies surrounded by clots within the lung but also brain and myocardial tissue. This review will focus on how the MES develop and measures of how the exposure can be limited.
Immunohistochemistry for trimethylated H3K27 in the diagnosis of malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumours
Authors: Asano Naofumi , Yoshida Akihiko , Ichikawa Hitoshi , Mori Taisuke , Nakamura Masaya , Kawai Akira , Hiraoka Nobuyoshi
Published: August 2016

Aims

The diagnosis of a malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumour (MPNST) can be challenging, as the morphological criteria and existing immunohistochemical markers are not entirely specific. The recent discovery of frequent inactivation of polycomb repressive complex 2 in MPNSTs suggests that immunohistochemical detection of histone 3 trimethylated on lysine 27 (H3K27me3) could be of diagnostic help. This study aimed to clarify the utility of this marker.

Methods and results

We performed immunostaining studies, with monoclonal (C36B11) and polyclonal antibodies in parallel. With the monoclonal antibody, 56% of 54 conventional MPNSTs showed complete loss of staining, whereas 17% showed mosaic loss and 28% showed intact staining. Three MPNSTs showed a novel geographical pattern of complete loss. All three epithelioid MPNSTs retained intact staining. Among 232 non‐MPNSTs, only two (0.9%) showed complete loss of staining. Mosaic loss was observed in 38% of non‐MPNSTs, whereas the remaining 61% retained intact staining. For conventional MPNSTs, complete loss of H3K27me3 was significantly associated with a higher TNM stage (P = 0.013), a deeper location (P = 0.004), and the presence of heterologous differentiation (P = 0.003). Polyclonal antibodies did not recognize 34% of cases that showed complete loss with the use of monoclonal antibodies.

Conclusions

We confirmed that complete loss of H3K27me3 immunohistochemical staining is moderately sensitive and highly specific for MPNSTs. In contrast to prior studies, we found that mosaic loss of H3K27me3 staining is non‐specific, and caution that such a pattern should not be considered to be diagnostic. We recommend the use of a monoclonal antibody to obtain better performance.
Factors of detection of Bacillus cereus strains in eye cream
Authors: Yossa N. , Arce G. , Huang M.‐C. J. , Yin L. , Brown E. , Hammack T.
Published: August 2016

Bacillus cereus has been associated with clinical infections and is also the cause of post‐traumatic endophthalmitis as well as endogenous eye infections, which can result in blindness. Cosmetics, although preserved, can be contaminated during manufacture or use and thus cause serious health issues.

Objective

We investigated the detection factors of Bacillus in eye cream preserved with parabens, including the non‐ionic surfactants used as neutralizers such as Tween 80, a blend of Tween 60 and Span 80, Tween 20 and selective media.

Methods

Eye‐cream samples were first mixed with neutralizers and individually inoculated with B. cereus strains, B. mycoides, B. subtilis or B. thuringiensis at a final concentration of 5 log CFU per g. The inoculated samples with and without neutralizers were analysed after 30 min and during 84‐day storage at room temperature. Presumptive colonies of Bacillus were enumerated on the varieties of Bacillus agar by spiral‐plating techniques and most probable number (MPN) method.

Results

The recovery counts of all Bacillus strains were between 4.10 and 4.58 log CFU per g in samples with Tween 80 and from 3.62 to 4.53 CFU per g in samples with TS after 30 min. Tween 20 was the least effective neutralizer. The challenged organisms, in samples without neutralizer, B. subtilis ATCC 15563 and B. cereus 4227A were detected at 1.83 and 1.49 log CFU per g after 30 min, respectively.

Conclusion

This study showed that Tween 80 was the best neutralizer for reducing the antimicrobial effect of parabens. BACARA® and R&F plating media showed typical reaction of Bacillus cereus strains.
Climate Change, Agriculture and Water Resources in the Southwestern United States
Authors: Elias Emile , Rango Al , Smith Ryann , Maxwell Connie , Steele Caiti , Havstad Kris
Published: August 2016

In February 2014 the USDA established regional climate hubs across the United States to assist farmers, ranchers and foresters in adapting to the effects of climate change. The Southwest (SW) region encompasses six states which provide highly diverse agricultural crops including cotton, stone fruit and grapes. Here we report on the hydrologic context within which SW working landowners operate, with focus on regional water resources and likely impacts of climate change. Water is a critical component of agricultural vulnerability in the SW, where high agricultural production can occur with sufficient irrigation. Since 1978, crop yield declines were reported on 11–21% of total irrigated acres, mostly due to surface water shortage. Southwestern agriculture relies on groundwater, using it to supply at least one‐third of the agricultural water demand across the region since 1955. Regional groundwater use varies over time, with a decline in the agricultural groundwater fraction in Arizona, but an increase in the fraction in Nevada and Utah. Observed and predicted changes in the southwestern hydrologic cycle can impact regional agriculture. Observed records show an increase in the fraction of precipitation falling as rain, which is expected to continue with future warming, and decrease the natural high‐mountain storage reservoir provided by snowpack. Warming causes the snowmelt to peak earlier in the season than observed in historical records, and can reduce water available to crops during the summer months without additional water storage. Observed records indicate streamflow has shifted earlier in the year, most notably in snow dominated watersheds. A continuation of this trend may challenge regional agriculture by further limiting water supplies.
Economic Value of Nature and Ecosystems in the Delaware River Basin
Authors: Kauffman Gerald J.
Published: August 2016

The Delaware River basin is a valuable ecological and economic resource that supplies drinking water to five percent of the population of the United States. Located in Delaware, New Jersey, New York, and Pennsylvania, the basin supplies drinking water to the nation's first (New York City) and seventh (Philadelphia) largest metropolitan economies, and supports the largest freshwater port in the world while sustaining a recovering anadromous shad and striped bass fishery. The Delaware basin contributes over $22 billion in annual economic activity from potential Marcellus Shale gas extraction ($425 million), recreation ($1.2 billion), fish/wildlife ($1.5 billion), public parks ($1.8 billion), water quality ($2.5 billion), navigation ($2.6 billion), agriculture ($3.4 billion), water supply ($3.8 billion), and forest ($5.1 billion) benefits. The value of natural goods and services from Delaware basin ecosystems is $21 billion ($2010) with net present value of $683 billion with contributions from Delaware ($2.5 billion), New Jersey ($6.6 billion), New York ($3.5 billion), and Pennsylvania ($8.6 billion). The Delaware basin supports 600,000 direct/indirect jobs with $10 billion in wages in the coastal, farm, ecotourism, water/wastewater, ports, and recreation industries. This research demonstrates that the Delaware River basin provides significant economic benefits to the region and is worthy of priority investments by elected officials and decision‐makers to protect and restore these natural resources.
Dynamic Assessment of Current Management in an Intensively Managed Agroecosystem
Authors: Wilson Christopher G. , Wacha Kenneth M. , Papanicolaou A.N. (Thanos) , Sander Heather A. , Freudenberg Violet B. , Abban Benjamin K.B. , Zhao Chang
Published: August 2016

To assess management impacts on the functionality of intensively managed agroecosystems, a modeling framework was developed with a bottom‐up approach and spatially distributed, process‐based models. The framework is equipped with dynamic, data‐informed indicators and indices to illuminate the factors influencing sustainability. The proposed dynamic indices consider natural and human aspects of an agroecosystem such as erosion, biogeochemistry, and economics. Most current indicators are static, or slow‐changing, soil characterization parameters that reflect better long‐term interactions between landscape features, climate, and biology. However, the ever‐changing land management and climate necessitates the use of dynamic parameters that reflect agroecosystem responses to different land management on similar timescales (e.g., seasonally). Our framework examines the performance of different ecosystem services including crop productivity, carbon storage, and net income under three different strategies with varying degrees of tillage intensity. The strategy with the highest intensity produced the highest yields, but also had the highest production costs. The second most intense strategy also had high yields, as well as the highest net income. However, these two strategies produced high erosion rates, which depleted the recalcitrant soil carbon, a critical component of system productivity and health. The index that provided the clearest picture of improvement within an agroecosystem was the Carbon Management Index (CMI), which incorporates carbon lability and the implicit accounting of soil carbon redistribution from erosion. The CMI for the more intense strategies decreased in recent years, showing that they are not sustainable despite their high short‐term productivity or profitability. The least intense strategy had the lowest Soil Organic Carbon (SOC) depletion through erosion and the highest CMI with a trend that is still‐increasing through the present. Our study shows that to augment SOC storage, it important not only to increase the overall organic matter input, but also increase the amount of recalcitrant carbon in the soil and the longevity of all soil carbon through aggregate formation.
Stories of People Who Have Attended a Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Trans Support Group in a Secure Intellectual Disability Service
Authors: Tallentire Liz , Smith Matthew , David Lee , Roberts Adam , Bruce  , Morrow Sarah , Withers Paul , Smith Ian
Published: August 2016

Background

This research is about people who have intellectual disabilities and live in a secure hospital. It is about a group of people who meet at a support group. The support group is for people who are lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender.

Methods

These people with intellectual disabilities helped with planning, doing, and telling other people about the research. They told their stories about going to the support group.

Results

Their stories were joined together into a group story. The story said that the group helped people in lots of different ways. For some people going to the group was difficult at first because it was ?coming out’. This means telling other people you are lesbian, gay, bisexual, or transgender. Then it got easier and people started to feel better about themselves. Then they wanted to help others and this was important in their lives.

Conclusions

This group seemed to help people get better. We have given some ideas for setting up other groups and doing more research.
Genome‐wide association study for milk somatic cell score in holstein cattle using copy number variation as markers
Authors: Durán Aguilar M. , Román Ponce S.I. , Ruiz López F.J. , González Padilla E. , Vásquez Peláez C.G. , Bagnato A. , Strillacci M.G.
Published: August 2016

Mastitis, the most common and expensive disease in dairy cows, implies significant losses in the dairy industry worldwide. Many efforts have been made to improve genetic mastitis resistance in dairy populations, but low heritability of this trait made this process not as effective as desired. The purpose of this study was to identify genomic regions explaining genetic variation of somatic cell count using copy number variations (CNVs) as markers in the Holstein population, genotyped with the Illumina BovineHD BeadChip. We found 24 and 47 copy number variation regions significantly associated with estimated breeding values for somatic cell score (SCS_EBVs) using SVS 8.3.1 and PennCNV‐CNVRuler software, respectively. The association analysis performed with these two software allowed the identification of 18 candidate genes (TERT, NOTCH1, SLC6A3, CLPTM1L, PPARα, BCL‐2, ABO, VAV2, CACNA1S, TRAF2, RELA, ELF3, DBH, CDK5, NF2, FASN, EWSR1 and MAP3K11) that result classified in the same functional cluster. These genes are also part of two gene networks, whose genes share the ‘stress’, ‘cell death’, ‘inflammation’ and ‘immune response’ GO terms. Combining CNV detection/association analysis based on two different algorithms helps towards a more complete identification of genes linked to phenotypic variation of the somatic cell count.
Historical limits on species co‐occurrence determine variation in clade richness among New World passerine birds
Authors: Kennedy Jonathan D. , Price Trevor D. , Fjeldså Jon , Rahbek Carsten
Published: August 2016

Aim

Species richness is unevenly distributed among clades, reflecting differences in the extent to which species co‐occur, their rates of geographical turnover and total area occupied. Here, we study richness variation among 10 large clades of New World passerine birds, assessing the dynamics of range expansion and diversification that led to the build‐up of co‐occurring species.

Location

New World.

Methods

We defined co‐occurrence based on the presence in 1°×1° grid cells, an area substantially smaller than the geographical scale of speciation in birds, implying that range expansion is the main mechanism by which species accumulate within grid cells. For each species, we estimated its ‘diversification rate’, a measure of the extent to which it is a member of an actively diversifying lineage. Within each group, we ranked all species by this measure, before dividing them into quartiles.

Results

Neither clade age nor geographical area correlates with overall clade richness, but the maximum number of co‐occurring species does. Within each group, locations supporting large numbers of species in actively diversifying lineages generally differ from those containing many species belonging to more ancient groups. The tropical Andes and Amazon are notable for continuously generating and maintaining species, such that the most species‐rich clades have predominantly radiated in these areas. Based on the timing of their speciation events, we infer that a lack of reproductive isolation may limit the co‐occurrence of species that are members of actively diversifying lineages, but not those that are generally long diverged.

Main conclusions

Spatiotemporal differences in the rates of range expansion and diversification are likely set by the capacity of regions to generate and maintain species. This, rather than the rate at which reproductive isolation accrues, area occupied, or time for diversification, appears to be the major factor underlying the disparity in clade richness between New World passerine groups.
Surgical outcomes in patients with cutaneous malignant melanoma in Europe – a systematic literature review
Authors: Costa Svedman F. , Spanopoulos D. , Taylor A. , Amelio J. , Hansson J.
Published: August 2016

There is limited comparative evidence of the outcomes of different types of surgical management in patients with malignant melanoma in Europe. To address that gap we conducted a systematic literature review to summarize studies reporting outcomes of surgical procedures in patients with malignant melanoma in Europe. Medline was searched for European studies published in English, between 2004 and 2014 reporting surgical outcomes in adults with cutaneous malignant melanoma. We identified 23 studies that evaluated 18 332 patients treated surgically between 1979 and 2009 from 11 European countries. Most of the studies (21/23) were observational; the two remaining studies were randomized controlled trials (RCTs). Studies compared the effect of a range of surgical interventions on a range of clinical outcomes, more commonly overall survival (OS) and disease‐free survival (DFS)/recurrence‐free survival (RFS). Wider excisions were not associated with improved survival in patients with melanoma thickness ≥2 mm in both studies (RCTs), however, recent results based on long‐term follow‐up data associate 3 cm excision margins (vs. 1 cm) with favourable survival outcomes. There was some evidence that complete lymph node dissection after positive sentinel lymph node offers survival benefits over therapeutic lymph node dissection. Sentinel lymph node biopsy was not shown to be associated with significant OS benefits, however, it was overly related with higher rates of DFS/RFS. This review highlights the difficulties of making comparisons between different types of surgical procedures for malignant melanoma. As surgery remains the main treatment, this is an important field, and further evidence, particularly from RCTs, is needed.
The Epidermolysis Bullosa Disease Activity and Scarring Index (EBDASI): grading disease severity and assessing responsiveness to clinical change in epidermolysis bullosa
Authors: Jain S.V. , Harris A.G. , Su J.C. , Orchard D. , Warren L.J. , McManus H. , Murrell D.F.
Published: August 2016

Background

The lack of validated outcome measures for epidermolysis bullosa (EB) presents major barriers to evaluating disease severity and comparing the efficacy of therapies. The Epidermolysis Bullosa Disease Activity and Scarring Index (EBDASI) was recently introduced as a valid and reliable instrument for EB; however, its interpretation for use in clinical practice and clinical trials is yet to be defined.

Objective

To assess the interpretability of the EBDASI in classifying patients according to disease severity and clinical response.

Methods

A total of 53 outpatients with EB at two interstate institutions were prospectively evaluated. At each visit, the principal dermatologist completed the EBDASI and global assessments of disease severity and change. Classifications for mild, moderate and severe disease using the EBDASI were determined using receiver operating characteristic curves. Minimal clinically important differences for the EBDASI activity subscale were calculated and compared with the standard error of measurement.

Results

Total EBDASI score ranges of 0–42, 43–106 and 107–506 corresponded to mild, moderate and severe disease respectively. Reduction in EBDASI activity scores of greater than 9 indicated clinically significant improvement. An increase of 3 in the activity score indicated deterioration.

Conclusion

The EBDASI is a responsive tool and may be useful in characterizing disease severity and response. The cut‐offs proposed in this study provide the first practical guide for interpreting the EBDASI, further supporting its use for longitudinal patient assessment and in clinical trials.
Measuring the effect of Family Medicine Group enrolment on avoidable visits to emergency departments by patients with diabetes in Quebec, Canada
Authors: Carter Renee , Lévesque Jean‐Frédéric , Harper Sam , Quesnel‐Vallée Amélie
Published: August 2016

The Family Medicine Group (FMG) model of primary care in Quebec, Canada, was driven by the voluntary implementation of family physicians. Our main objective was to measure the effect of FMG enrolment on avoidable use of the emergency department (ED) by diabetic patients. We also sought to determine if effects differed according to whether patients were infrequent or frequent users of the ED and according to high‐ versus low‐regional levels of enrolment. We used data from provincial health administrative databases to identify the diabetic patient population over the age of 20 years for each fiscal year between 2003‐2004 and 2011‐2012. We used fixed effects and marginal structural models to estimate the effect of enrolment in FMGs on avoidable use of the ED. Our results indicated that for every 10‐percentage point increase in the population enrolled with an FMG in the year prior to an event, there was a 3% reduction in avoidable visits to the ED made by an individual (RR = 0.97; 95% CI = 0.95, 0.99). We found a significant reduction among diabetic patients who had at most 1 visit to the ED per year (RR = 0.97; 95% CI = 0.95, 0.99) and nonsignificant effects among more frequent users. Within low‐enrolment regions, a 10‐percentage point increase in enrolment in FMG practices att − 1 led to an 18% decrease in the number of avoidable ED visits (RR = 0.82; 95% CI = 0.78, 0.87). The effect disappeared when the analyses were restricted to the high‐enrolment regions (RR = 1.00; 95% CI = 0.92, 1.09). The design and implementation of the incentive to promote team‐based practice may not have borne much influence on early adopters who may have been overrepresented by physicians from high‐performing practices before the introduction of the reform.
A conceptual approach for evaluating the multiple benefits of urban flood management practices
Authors: Hoang L. , Fenner R.A. , Skenderian M.
Published: August 2016

This paper focuses on the spatial distribution of the dominant and relevant benefits of urban flood management based on context‐ and location‐specific evaluations. We explore the conceptual rationale and describe a detailed methodology for assessing the benefit profile, benefit intensity, and comment on benefit dependencies arising from urban flood management practices that utilise green infrastructure. A case study is described which demonstrates the application of the concepts in Portland, Oregon, USA. A Geographic Information System approach is developed to evaluate some of the multiple benefits of the East Lents Floodplain Restoration Project. Results are presented in the form of a comparative benefit profile, and a spatially distributed benefit intensity. The paper concludes with the implications of the methodology for future multiple benefit evaluation of urban drainage and flood management systems.
The Family Dance: Ambiguous Loss, Meaning Making, and the Psychological Family in Foster Care
Authors: Mitchell Monique B.
Published: August 2016

This article explores how a child's psychological family can be affected, challenged, and transformed in the foster care system. When placed into foster care, children are often disconnected from many significant relationships, especially familial relationships (e.g., parents, siblings). Similarly, as children navigate their way through the foster care system, placements can change and relationships are formed and dissolved; as a result, children engage in a dance of family formulation, dissolution, and meaning making. The theory of ambiguous loss is used as a guiding framework to explore the choreography of a child's “dance” with family and meaning making during the acculturation into foster care.
Resilience in the Context of Ambiguous Loss: A Commentary
Authors: Masten Ann S.
Published: August 2016

This commentary compares the concept of resilience as conceptualized and studied in ambiguous loss and in the broader domain of developmental resilience science. The discussion highlights common roots, similarities and differences in the definitions of resilience and protective processes, and implications for interventions. Resilience concepts in ambiguous loss theory are congruent with contemporary developmental resilience theory in multiple ways. Future research and practice would benefit from further integration of these compatible perspectives on resilience.
Ambiguous Loss as a Framework for Interpreting Gender Transitions in Families
Authors: McGuire Jenifer K. , Catalpa Jory M. , Lacey Vanessa , Kuvalanka Katherine A.
Published: August 2016

In this article, we use an ambiguous loss framework to guide a process for decentering cisnormativity (the assumption that biological sex and gender are aligned) within families, specifically for those experiencing the gender identity transitions of family members. Individual family members have varied experiences with regard to gender transition and may or may not experience ambiguous loss depending on their position within the family system. Trans* persons themselves may also experience ambiguous loss as a result of the dialectical tension of acceptance and rejection by family members. We apply resilience processes developed for work with persons facing ambiguous loss to support trans* persons and their families as they navigate gender transitions.
Ambiguous Loss Due to Separation in Voluntary Transnational Families
Authors: Solheim Catherine A. , Ballard Jaime
Published: August 2016

This theoretical review explores the usefulness of the ambiguous loss framework for understanding the unique and complex realities of boundary‐spanning relationships in transnational families. Transnational family processes and interactions are those carried out in both the country of origin and the destination country. We first discuss the distinctive characteristics of ambiguous loss that can impact transnational family experiences in today's globalized world and propose a conceptual model of ambiguous loss in these families. We then describe the factors that affect boundary ambiguity in transnational families and challenges to family reunification, often the long‐term goal of families separated by voluntary migration. We conclude by suggesting ways that an ambiguous loss theoretical lens is useful for research and practice with transnational families.
Differences in expression of Wnt antagonist Dkk1 in healthy versus pathological bone samples
Authors: RAY S. , KHASSAWNA T. EL , SOMMER U. , THORMANN U. , WIJEKOON N.D. , LIPS K. , HEISS C. , ALT V.
Published: August 2016

Wnt/β‐catenin signalling components was shown to affect bone cells function including chondrocytes.Secreted Dkk1, a potent osteogenesis inhibiting factor mediates bone loss in diseased bones by suppressing the biological actions of Wnt proteins. In addition, increased Dkk1 signalling inhibits chondrogenesis in new bone formation. Recent findings also show there exists a cross‐talk between the chondrocytes and the cells of the osteoblast lineage, which are the most affected cell types in muskuloskeletal disorders. This study investigated whether spatial expression of Dkk1 is confined to only osteoblasts, osteocytes or chondrocytes. The second objective was to detect a difference in the Dkk1 expression pattern in healthy subjects when compared to pathological state. To elucidate the cell specificity of Dickkopf‐1 (Dkk1) in healthy bones, samples from female Sprague–Dawley rats were tested against two different antibodies with the two most widely accepted visualization system (ABC and Envision). The findings show Dkk1 specificity predominantly for osteoblasts, chondrocytes and osteocytes depending upon the antibody used. In addition, Dkk1 expression was evaluated in different cells of human osteoarthritis (OA) and rheumatoid arthritis (OA) patients. Its overexpression in pathologic state also suggests the role of Dkk1 in bone formation. This is scientifically and clinically important in studying the effect of Dkk1 in bone healing and in designing treatments for patients with compromised bone status. Taking into consideration the paradigm that cartilage and subchondral bone behave as an interconnected functional unit, normalization of cell behaviour in one compartment may have benefits in both tissues.
Nrf2‐dysregulation correlates with reduced synthesis and low glutathione levels in experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis
Authors: Morales Pantoja Itzy E. , Hu Che‐lin , Perrone‐Bizzozero Nora I. , Zheng Jianzheng , Bizzozero Oscar A.
Published: August 2016

This study investigates the possible mechanism(s) underlying glutathione (GSH) deficiency in the mouse spinal cord during the course of myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein35–55 peptide‐induced experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE), a commonly used animal model of multiple sclerosis. Using the classical enzymatic recycling method and a newly developed immunodot assay, we first demonstrated that total GSH levels (i.e. free GSH plus all its adducts) are reduced in EAE, suggesting an impaired synthesis. The decline in the levels of this essential antioxidant tripeptide in EAE coincides temporally and in magnitude with a reduction in the amount of γ‐glutamylcysteine ligase, the rate‐limiting enzyme in GSH synthesis. Other enzymes involved in GSH biosynthesis, whose genes also contain antioxidant‐response elements, including glutathione synthetase, cystine/glutamate antiporter, and γ‐glutamyl transpeptidase (γ‐GT) are diminished in EAE as well. Low levels of γ‐glutamylcysteine ligase, glutathione synthetase, and γ‐GT are the consequence of reduced mRNA expression, which correlates with diminished expression of the nuclear factor (erythroid‐derived 2)‐like 2 (Nrf2) in both the cytosol and nucleus. Interestingly, the low Nrf2 expression does not seem to be caused by increased degradation via Kelch‐like ECH‐associated protein 1‐dependent or Kelch‐like ECH‐associated protein 1‐independent mechanisms (such as glycogen synthetase kinase‐3β activation), or by reduced levels of Nrf2 mRNA. This suggests that translation of this important transcription factor and/or other still unidentified post‐translational processes are altered in EAE. These novel findings are central toward understanding how critical antioxidant and protective responses are lost in inflammatory demyelinating disorders.

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Exploring the potential of laser capture microdissection technology in integrated oral biosciences
Authors: Thennavan A , Sharma M , Chandrashekar C , Hunter K , Radhakrishnan R
Published: August 2016

Laser capture microdissection (LCM) is a high‐end research and diagnostic technology that helps in obtaining pure cell populations for the purpose of cell‐ or lesion‐specific genomic and proteomic analysis. Literature search on the application of LCM in oral tissues was made through PubMed. There is ample evidence to substantiate the utility of LCM in understanding the underlying molecular mechanism involving an array of oral physiological and pathological processes, including odontogenesis, taste perception, eruptive tooth movement, oral microbes, and cancers of the mouth and jaw tumors. This review is aimed at exploring the potential application of LCM in oral tissues as a high‐throughput tool for integrated oral sciences. The indispensable application of LCM in the construction of lesion‐specific genomic libraries with emphasis on some of the novel molecular markers thus discovered is also highlighted.
The inhibition of protein translation mediated by AtGCN1 is essential for cold tolerance in Arabidopsis thaliana
Authors: Wang Linjuan , Li Houhua , Zhao Chunzhao , Li Shengfei , Kong Lingyao , Wu Wenwu , Kong Weisheng , Liu Yan , Wei Yuanyuan , Zhu Jian‐Kang , Zhang Hairong
Published: August 2016

In yeast, the interaction of General Control Non‐derepressible 1 (GCN1) with GCN2 enables GCN2 to phosphorylate eIF2α (the alpha subunit of eukaryotic translation initiation factor 2) under a variety of stresses. Here, we cloned AtGCN1, an Arabidopsis homologue of GCN1. We show that AtGCN1 directly interacts with GCN2 and is essential for the phosphorylation of eIF2α under salicylic acid (SA), ultraviolet (UV), cold stress and amino acid deprivation conditions. Two mutant alleles, atgcn1‐1 and atgcn1‐2, which are defective in the phosphorylation of eIF2α, showed increased sensitivity to cold stress, compared with the wild type. Ribosome‐bound RNA profiles showed that the translational state of mRNA was higher in atgcn1‐1 than in the wild type. Our result also showed that cold treatment reduced the tendency of the tor mutant seedlings to produce purple hypocotyls. In addition, the kinase activity of TOR was transiently inhibited when plants were exposed to cold stress, suggesting that the inhibition of TOR is another pathway important for plants to respond to cold stress. In conclusion, our results indicate that the AtGCN1‐mediated phosphorylation of eIF2α, which is required for inhibiting the initiation of protein translation, is essential for cold tolerance in Arabidopsis.
Alice in Wonderland syndrome associated with mycoplasma infection
Authors: Omata Taku , Fujii Katsunori , Kuroki Haruo , Shimojo Naoki
Published: August 2016

Alice in Wonderland syndrome (AIWS) is a rare condition in which patients report distorted size perception of objects and their own bodies. Although specific causes and pathology have not been elucidated, an association between AIWS and infection has been suggested. To our knowledge, mycoplasma‐induced AIWS has not been examined. A girl aged 7 years 11 months presented with fever (temperature, 40°C) and cough. Although the fever disappeared after approximately 10 days, she complained that her mother's face suddenly appeared smaller to her. Subsequently, she complained that objects intermittently appeared smaller than normal. Particle agglutination test indicated elevated serum antibodies against Mycoplasma pneumoniae. The patient was therefore diagnosed the patient with AIWS secondary to mycoplasma infection. Although mycoplasma infection is known to cause various central nervous system symptoms, this is the first report involving AIWS, suggesting that mycoplasma could affect visual function in children.
Effects of relationship education on emerging adults' relationship beliefs and behaviors
Authors: HOLT LAURA J. , MATTANAH JONATHAN F. , SCHMIDT CHRISTA K. , DAKS JENNIFER S. , BROPHY ERIN N. , MINNAAR PAULINE Y. , RORER KATHERINE
Published: August 2016

In this multisite study, we used a randomized controlled trial to examine how a relationship education intervention affected emerging adults' maladaptive relationship beliefs, mutuality, relationship decision making, relationship quality, and psychological distress. In addition, we explored whether one intervention modality (i.e., facilitated group discussion) was more/less effective than another (i.e., self‐facilitated online) and whether there were differential effects for participants in a relationship. We found that the facilitated group evidenced a decline in maladaptive relationship beliefs and an improvement in deliberate decision making. Moreover, facilitated group participants in a relationship reported higher levels of mutuality. Contrary to our hypothesis, there were no changes in relationship quality or psychological distress. Implications for the content and delivery of relationship education for emerging adults are discussed.
Effects of acute rejection vs new‐onset diabetes after transplant on transplant outcomes in pediatric kidney recipients: analysis of the Organ Procurement and Transplant Network/United Network for Organ Sharing (OPTN/UNOS) database
Authors: Mehrnia Alireza , Le Thuy X. , Tamer Tamer R. , Bunnapradist Suphamai
Published: August 2016

Improving long‐term transplant and patient survival is still an ongoing challenge in kidney transplant medicine. Our objective was to identify the subsequent risks of new‐onset diabetes after transplant (NODAT) and acute rejection (AR) in the first year post‐transplant in predicting mortality and transplant failure. A total of 4687 patients without preexisting diabetes (age 2–20 years, 2004–2010) surviving with a functioning transplant for longer than 1 year with at least one follow‐up report were identified from the OPTN/UNOS database as of September 2014. Study population was stratified into four mutually exclusive groups: Group 1, patients with a history of AR; Group 2, NODAT+; Group 3, NODAT+ AR+; and Group 4, the reference group (neither). Multivariate regression was used to analyze the relative risks for the outcomes of transplant failure and mortality. The median follow‐up time was 1827 days after 1 year post‐transplant. AR was associated with an increased risk of adjusted graft and death‐censored graft failure (HR 2.87, CI 2.48–3.33, P < .001 and HR 2.11, CI 1.81–2.47, P < .001), respectively. NODAT and AR were identified in 3.5% and 14.5% of all study patients, respectively. AR in the first year post‐transplant was a major risk factor for overall and death‐censored graft failure, but not mortality. However, NODAT was not a risk factor on graft survival or mortality.
A complication probability planning study to predict the safety of a new protocol for intracranial tumour radiotherapy in dogs
Authors: Rohrer Bley C. , Meier V. , Schwarz P. , Roos M. , Besserer J.
Published: August 2016

Technical advances make it possible to deliver radiation therapy for canine intracranial tumours in fewer fractions, under the assumption of equivalent tumour control. With the aim of estimating the late toxicity risk profile for various tumour sizes and locations, the present paper evaluates the normal tissue complication probability (NTCP) values for the intracranial organs at risk. By making isoeffect calculations, a new 10‐fraction radiation protocol was developed with the same tumour control probability (TCP) as a currently used 20‐fraction standard protocol, and complication risk profiles for brain, brainstem and optic chiasm were modelled using a representative population of 64 dogs with brain tumours. For >59% of cases, the new 10‐fraction protocol yielded an acceptable, low risk estimate of late toxicity (<10%). Our calculations suggest that it may be safe to treat small to intermediate‐sized tumours that are neither located near the optic chiasm nor at the brainstem with 10 daily fractions of 4.35 Gy.
Self-Adaptive Stability-Enhancing Technology With Tip Air Injection in an Axial Flow Compressor
Authors: Li Jichao
Published: August 2016

Self-adaptive stability control with discrete tip air injection and online detection of prestall inception is experimentally studied in a low-speed axial flow compressor. The control strategy is to sense the cross-correlation coefficient of the wall static pressure patterns and to feed back the signal to an annular array of eight separately proportional injecting valves. The real-time detecting algorithm based on cross-correlation theory is proposed and experimentally conducted using the axisymmetric arrangement of time-resolved sensors. Subsequently, the sensitivity of the cross-correlation coefficient to the discrete tip air injection is investigated. Thus, the control law is formed on the basis of the cross-correlation as a function of the injected momentum ratios. The steady injection and the on–off pulsating injection are simultaneously selected for comparison. Results show that the proposed self-adaptive stability control using digital signal processing (DSP) controller can save energy when the compressor is stable. This control also provides protection when needed. With nearly the same stall margin improvement (SMI) as the steady injection (maximum SMI is 44.2%), the energy of the injected air is roughly a quarter of the steady injection. Unlike the on–off pulsating jet, the new actuating scheme can reduce the unsteady force impinging onto the compressor blades caused by the pulsating jets in addition to achieve the much larger stability range extension.
An Energy-Based Fouling Model for Gas Turbines: EBFOG
Authors: Casari Nicola , Pinelli Michele , Suman Alessio , Mare Luca di , Montomoli Francesco
Published: August 2016

Fouling is a major problem in gas turbines for aeropropulsion because the formation of aggregates on the wet surfaces of the machine affects aerodynamic and heat loads. The representation of fouling in computational fluid dynamics (CFD) is based on the evaluation of the sticking probability, i.e., the probability a particle touching a solid surface has to stick to that surface. Two main models are currently available in literature for the evaluation of the sticking coefficient: one is based on a critical threshold for the viscosity, and the other is based on the normal velocity to the surface. However, both models are application specific and lack generality. This work presents an innovative model for the estimation of the sticking probability. This quantity is evaluated by comparing the kinetic energy of the particle with an activation energy which describes the state of the particle. The sticking criterion takes the form of an Arrhenius-type equation. A general formulation for the sticking coefficient is obtained. The method, named energy-based fouling (EBFOG), is the first “energy”-based model presented in the open literature able to account any common deposition effect in gas turbines. The EBFOG model is implemented into a Lagrangian tracking procedure, coupled to a fully three-dimensional CFD solver. Particles are tracked inside the domain, and equations for the momentum and temperature of each particle are solved. The local geometry of the blade is modified accordingly to the deposition rate. The mesh is modified, and the CFD solver updates the flow field. The application of this model to particle deposition in high-pressure turbine vanes is investigated, showing the flexibility of the proposed methodology. The model is particularly important in aircraft engines where the effect of fouling for the turbine, in particular the reduction of the high pressure (HP) nozzle throat area, influences heavily the performance by reducing the core capacity. The energy-based approach is used to quantify the throat area reduction rate and estimate the variation in the compressor operating condition. The compressor operating point as a function of the time spent operating in a harsh environment can be in this way predicted to estimate, for example, the time that an engine can fly in a cloud of volcanic ashes. The impact of fouling on the throat area of the nozzle is quantified for different conditions.