bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Complicaciones de las derivaciones urinarias heterópicas no continentes: Ureterostomías cutáneas vs conducto ileal
Authors: Franco Diana Carolina , Ramirez Rodolfo Varela , de Mesa Byron Lopez , Fierro Marino Cabrera , Madarriaga Yesica Yasmín Quiroz
Published: October 2018

Introducción Y Objetivos Las derivaciones del tracto urinario abarcan una amplia gama de técnicas quirúrgicas, siendo la causa más frecuente para su uso la patología urotelial maligna. De las derivaciones urinarias no continentes heterótopicas las más utilizadas son el conducto ileal y las ureterostomias cutáneas. La elección de la técnica dependerá de la patología de base, las condiciones del paciente y la experiencia del cirujano. El objetivo de este trabajo es determinar las complicaciones tempranas (≤30 días) y tardías (>30 días) de derivaciones urinarias heterópicas no continentes (DUHNC) tipo conducto ileal (CI) vs ureterostomias cutáneas (UC).

Métodos Se realizó un estudio descriptivo retrospectivo de los pacientes llevados a DUHNC tipo CI o UC, desde enero del 2008 a julio del 2016, en un centro de referencia para patología oncológica. Se evaluó: edad, género, comorbilidades, escala de Karnofsky, patología quirúrgica, sangrado, ASA, tiempo quirúrgico, estancia hospitalaria, complicaciones tempranas y tardías.

Resultados De los 70 pacientes incluidos, 26 con UC y 44 con CI, prevaleciendo el género masculino en ambos grupos. El promedio de edad fue de 66 y 63 años respectivamente y el indice Karnofsky en todos los pacientes fue superior al 90%. La causa más frecuente fue patología maligna de vejiga. El tiempo quirúrgico fue mayor en los pacientes del CI, siendo estadísticamente significativo (p = 0.000). El sangrado fue similar en ambas técnicas quirúrgicas requiriendo transfusión de hemoderivados el 92,3% de los pacientes con UC y 88,6% de los CI. La estancia hospitalaria no tuvo diferencias. En cuanto a las complicaciones tempranas, la más frecuente en ambos grupos fue el choque hipovolémico (61% UC y 58% CI). De las complicaciones tardías la sepsis urinaria prevaleció en ambos grupos (34% y 18% respectivamente) y la estrechez del estoma y la anastomosis ureteroileal se presentaron en las UC y en los CI respectivamente. La mortalidad en el transoperatorio fue del 12,8%.

Conclusiones Las DUHNC como las ureterostomias cutáneas o el conducto ileal son técnicas quirúrgicas con tasas de sangrado, transfusión y estancia hospitalaria similares, pero con una menor proporción de complicaciones tanto tempranas como tardías en los pacientes llevados a conducto ileal.
Harms and Benefits of Using Aspirin for Primary Prevention of Cardiovascular Disease: A Narrative Overview
Authors: Danese Elisa , Favaloro Emmanuel , Lippi Giuseppe
Published: October 2018

Aspirin is one of the most often used drugs for prevention and treatment of a variety of thrombotic disorders. This narrative review aims to provide an overview of evidence highlighting potential benefits and relative harms of aspirin in primary prevention of cardiovascular disease. The authors summarize key findings of the ASPirin in Reducing Events in the Elderly (ASPREE) Investigator Group randomized trial and also provide a comparative overview of recent meta-analyses. Overall, all-cause mortality was largely heterogeneous, with some meta-analyses showing a modestly decreased risk in patients taking aspirin, with others reporting no effects, but the ASPREE Investigator Group trial evidencing 14% higher risk. Regarding cardiovascular disease, the most favorable impact could be noted for major adverse cardiovascular events, with most meta-analyses reporting a decreased risk in people receiving aspirin. Conversely, the ASPREE Investigator Group trial demonstrated no significant impact of aspirin on risk of cardiovascular mortality or ischemic stroke. A modest favorable effect of aspirin in decreasing the risk of myocardial infarction was noted in two meta-analyses, but not in other reports or in the ASPREE Investigator Group trial. Furthermore, one meta-analysis reported a lower risk of future cancer, others failed to report a significant effect, and the ASPREE Investigator Group trial reported a 31% increased risk. Unlike these conflicting outcomes, the bleeding risk of patients receiving aspirin was found to be consistently enhanced in all reports reviewed. These recent findings would lead us to conclude that the harms of aspirin in primary prevention of cardiovascular disease may be larger than the benefits, especially in the elderly general population.
Auxiliary-field quantum Monte Carlo calculations of the structural properties of nickel oxide
Authors: Zhang Shuai , Malone Fionn D. , Morales Miguel A.
Published: October 2018

Auxiliary-field quantum Monte Carlo (AFQMC) has repeatedly demonstrated itself as one of the most accurate quantum many-body methods, capable of simulating both real and model systems. In this article, we investigate the application of AFQMC to realistic strongly correlated materials in periodic Gaussian basis sets. Using nickel oxide (NiO) as an example, we investigate the importance of finite size effects and basis set errors on the structural properties of the correlated solid. We provide benchmark calculations for NiO and compare our results to both experimental measurements and existing theoretical methods.
Vortex-induced vibration of finite-length circular cylinders with spanwise free-ends: Broadening the lock-in envelope
Authors: Azadeh-Ranjbar V. , Elvin N. , Andreopoulos Y.
Published: October 2018

The unsteady response of finite-length rigid circular cylinders with spanwise free-ends undergoing vortex-induced vibration (VIV) has been experimentally investigated in a large-scale wind tunnel. The model consists of a cylinder mounted on the upstream tip of an elastic cantilever beam, thus allowing the investigation of the effects of the aspect-ratio on the VIV dynamic response of the system. Models with different aspect-ratios have been tested, and the time dependent oscillation amplitude of the cylinder has been determined from the analysis of images obtained with a high-speed camera. The solid body rotation of the vibrating cylinder and the vorticity flux generated by this moving boundary, entering the flow field, are associated with the formation of large vortical structures and increased forcing on the cylinder. Surprisingly, the results show an unexpected broadening of the lock-in envelope by about 200% as the aspect-ratio decreases from 28.8 to 5 and an almost 230% increase in the peak oscillation amplitude. The reduced damping parameter known as the Skop-Griffin parameter has been used to interpret these novel results. The Griffin plot shows a reasonably good agreement between the present experimental data of different aspect-ratio cylinders and those of other investigators.
Generation-recombination voltage noise spectrum in uniformly doped majority-carrier semiconductor samples
Authors: Park Chan Hyeong , Chung In-Young
Published: October 2018

The formula for the voltage noise spectrum due to generation-recombination (G-R) rate fluctuations is derived for uniformly doped majority-carrier n-type semiconductor samples. In the derivation of the formula, the ohmic boundary condition is used to obtain physically sound results, correcting and extending the previously published formulas. It is shown that the G-R voltage noise spectrum becomes saturated in the high electric field region, which is the signature feature of the G-R noise. Furthermore, the electron density fluctuation is developed and calculated due to the delta-function population source. It is shown that as the electric field increases, the profile of the electron density fluctuation becomes quite asymmetric due to the strong drift velocity, and the peak value of the electron density fluctuation at the delta-function source location decreases, resulting in the saturation of the G-R noise voltage spectrum at high electric fields.
Defect properties of Na and K in Cu2ZnSnS4 from hybrid functional calculation
Authors: Tse Kinfai , Wong Manhoi , Zhang Yiou , Zhang Jingzhao , Scarpulla Michael , Zhu Junyi
Published: October 2018

The in-growth or the post-deposition treatment of the Cu2ZnSnS4 (CZTS) absorber layer has led to improved photovoltaic efficiency; however, the underlying physical mechanisms of such improvements are less studied. In this study, the thermodynamics of Na and K related defects in CZTS are investigated by a first principles approach using a hybrid functional, with the chemical potential of Na and K established from various phases of their polysulfides. Both Na and K predominantly substitute on Cu sites similar to their behavior in Cu(In,Ga)Se2, in contrast to previous results using the generalized gradient approximation. All substitutional and interstitial defects are shown to be either shallow levels or highly energetically unfavorable. Defect complexing between Na and abundant intrinsic defects did not show the possibility of significant incorporation enhancement or introducing deep n-type levels. The possible benefit of Na incorporation on enhancing photovoltaic efficiency is discussed. The negligible defect solubility of K in CZTS also suggests this to be a possible surfactant.
Assessing the performance of the recent meta-GGA density functionals for describing the lattice constants, bulk moduli, and cohesive energies of alkali, alkaline-earth, and transition metals
Authors: Jana Subrata , Sharma Kedar , Samal Prasanjit
Published: October 2018

The bulk properties such as lattice constants, bulk moduli, and cohesive energies of alkali, alkaline-earth, and transition metals are studied within the framework of the recently developed meta-GGA (meta-Generalized Gradient Approximation) level semilocal exchange-correlation functionals. To establish the applicability, broadness, and accuracy of meta-GGA functionals, we also put the results obtained using PBE (Perdew-Burke-Ernzerhof) [J. P. Perdew et al., Phys. Rev. Lett. 77, 3865 (1996)] and PBE reparameterized for solid [J. P. Perdew et al., Phys. Rev. Lett. 100, 136406 (2008)] GGA functionals. The interesting feature of the present paper is that it measures the accuracy of the recently developed TM (Tao-Mo), TMTPSS [TM exchange with Tao-Perdew-Staroverov-Scuseria (TPSS)] [J. Tao and Y. Mo, Phys. Rev. Lett. 117, 073001 (2016)] correlation, and strongly constrained and appropriately normed [J. Sun et al., Phys. Rev. Lett. 115, 036402 (2015)] functionals to calculate the aforementioned properties. Not only that, we also include other (popular) meta-GGA functionals in order to have a closer look at the performance of the meta-GGA functionals too. The present systematic investigation shows that the TM functional is accurate in describing the lattice constants while for cohesive energies and bulk moduli, the PBE and modified TPSS perform better compared to others.
A magnetically focused molecular beam source for deposition of spin-polarised molecular surface layers
Authors: Krüger C. , Lisitsin-Baranovsky E. , Ofer O. , Turgeon P.-A. , Vermette J. , Ayotte P. , Alexandrowicz G.
Published: October 2018

Separating molecular spin isomers is a challenging task, with potential applications in various fields ranging from astrochemistry to magnetic resonance imaging. A new promising method for spin-isomer separation is magnetic focusing, a method which was shown to be capable of producing a molecular beam of ortho-water. Here, we present results from a modified magnetic focusing apparatus and show that it can be used to separate the spin isomers of acetylene and methane. From the measured focused profiles of the molecular beams and a numerical simulation analysis, we provide estimations for the spin purity and the significantly improved molecular flux obtained with the new setup. Finally, we discuss the spin-relaxation conditions which will be needed to apply this new source for measuring nuclear magnetic resonance signals of a single surface layer.
Toward cascadable microelectromechanical resonator logic units based on second vibration modes
Authors: Ilyas S. , Hafiz Md. A. A. , Ahmed S. , Fariborzi H. , Younis M. I.
Published: October 2018

Micro/nano-electromechanical resonator-based logic elements have revitalized the notion of mechanical computing as a potential alternative to surpass the limitations of semiconductor electronics. A vital step forward for this technology is to develop a platform for cascadable logic units that communicate among each other executable signals of the same form; which is key to construct true and complex computation machines. Here, we utilize the dynamic characteristics of a clamped-clamped microbeam vibrating at the second resonance mode to realize cascadable logic elements. The logic operations are performed by on-demand activation and deactivation of the second mode of vibration of a clamped-clamped microbeam resonator. Fundamental logic gates, such as OR, XOR, and NOT, which constitute a functionally complete set for digital applications are demonstrated experimentally. We show that the demonstrated approach unifies the input and output signal waveform and performs all the gate operations on a single operating frequency, hence satisfying the prerequisites to realize cascadable resonator logic devices. This can potentially pave the way for the development of a novel technology platform for an alternative computing paradigm.
A nonlinear resonant mass sensor with enhanced sensitivity and resolution incorporating compressed bistable beam
Authors: Zhao Jian , Sun Chen , Kacem Najib , Wang Hongxi , Gao Renjing , Liu Pengbo , Huang Yu
Published: October 2018

A new piezoelectric actuated nonlinear mass sensor is proposed by using the snap-through phenomenon of a compressed bistable beam to enhance the sensitivity and resolution, which can be used to weigh or detect threshold mass by tracking the bifurcation frequency shift. According to the nonlinear finite element modeling technique, the nonlinear dynamic response of the combined nonlinear structure is numerically calculated, which shows that the bifurcation point can be accurately identified by the sharp and great amplitude change regardless of the damping effect, thus providing an effective way for tracking the bifurcation frequency. Hence, the nonlinear sensitivity depicted by the bifurcation frequency shift per unit mass can reach 3.3 times the sensitivity of linear mass sensors having the same size. Also, as a mass switch, the response amplitude jumps sharply when the added mass is greater than or equal to the threshold value, which is dependent on the excitation frequency. Meanwhile, the influences of the beam compression and excitation voltage on the sensitivity and minimum detectable mass were obtained for sensor optimization. For concept validation, a macro-sized nonlinear mass sensor was fabricated with the geometric size of 58.0 mm long and 4.0 mm wide, and the experimental results show that the sensitivity is around 575.0 Hz/g compared with the simulated sensitivity of 542.0 Hz/g. For a mass switch, the minimum threshold mass is 0.2 mg. The fair agreement between the simulation and experiments adequately validated the proposed nonlinear bistable mass sensor.
Influence of the atom source operating parameters on the structural and optical properties of InxGa1−xN nanowires grown by plasma-assisted molecular beam epitaxy
Authors: Hille P. , Walther F. , Klement P. , Müßener J. , Schörmann J. , Kaupe J. , Mitić S. , Rosemann N. W. , Chatterjee S. , Beyer A. , Gries K. I. , Volz K. , Eickhoff M.
Published: October 2018

The influence of the atom source operating parameters on the structural and optical properties of InxGa1−xN/GaN nanowires (NWs) grown by plasma-assisted molecular beam epitaxy is investigated. Electron microscopy and photoluminescence spectroscopy reveal a change of the NW tip morphology and an enhancement of the local indium incorporation with increasing nitrogen flux. Tuning the density ratio of atomic-to-excited molecular nitrogen to lower values minimizes the point defect density, which results in a decrease of the non-radiative recombination rate as demonstrated by a combination of continuous wave and time-resolved photoluminescence spectroscopy.
A TPD and RAIRS comparison of the low temperature surface behavior of benzene, toluene, and xylene on graphite
Authors: Salter Tara L. , Stubbing James W. , Brigham Lorna , Brown Wendy A.
Published: October 2018

The first comparative study of the surface behavior of four small aromatic molecules, benzene, toluene, p-xylene, and o-xylene, adsorbed on graphite at temperatures ≤30 K, is presented. Intermolecular interactions are shown to be important in determining the growth of the molecules on the graphite surface at low (monolayer) exposures. Repulsive intermolecular interactions dominate the behavior of benzene and toluene. By contrast, stronger interactions with the graphite surface are observed for the xylene isomers, with islanding observed for o-xylene. Multilayer desorption temperatures and energies increase with the size of the molecule, ranging from 45.5 to 59.5 kJ mol−1 for benzene and p-xylene, respectively. Reflection absorption infrared spectroscopy gives insight into the effects of thermal processing on the ordering of the molecules. Multilayer benzene, p-xylene, and o-xylene form crystalline structures following annealing of the ice. However, we do not observe an ordered structure for toluene in this study. The ordering of p-xylene shows a complex relationship dependent on both the annealing temperature and exposure.
Evolution of cation ordering and crystal defects controlled by Zn substitutions in Cu2SnS3 ceramics
Authors: Li Chao , Song Haili , Shen Yawei , Wang Yifeng , Cheng Yan , Qi Ruijuan , Chen Shiyou , Duan Chungang , Huang Rong
Published: October 2018

The microstructures of a series of Cu2ZnxSn1-xS3 (x = 0, 0.05, 0.10, 0.15,0.20) ceramic samples are investigated by a combination of selected area electron diffraction (SAED), high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM), high-angle annular dark-field imaging (HAADF) and X-ray energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS) techniques. The pure Cu2SnS3 sample takes the monoclinic structure with the ordering of eight 3Cu-Sn and four 2Cu-2Sn clusters, which obey the octet rule. With the increase of Zn substitution, unique mosaic-type nanostructures comprising well-defined cation-disordered domains coherently bonded to a surrounding network phase with semi-ordered cations are formed in the matrix grains. The atomic structures of the semi-ordered phases are revealed as CuInS2–like phase (Zn < 5 atom%), Cu6ZnSn3S10 (Cu2SnS3: ZnS = 3:1) and Cu4ZnSn2S7 (Cu2SnS3: ZnS = 2:1), respectively. These ordered structures derive from the zinc blende structure (201) superlattice of -(Cu−S)2(Zn−S)(Sn−S)- in the kesterite Cu2ZnSnS4 (Cu2SnS3:ZnS = 1:1). Meanwhile, point defects, dislocations, stacking faults, and finally Cu2-xS nanoprecipitates are formed sequentially to compromise the excessive Cu ions when the Zn contents increase from 5 atom% to 20 atom%. Understanding of the concurrence and evolution of the cation ordering and crystal defects are important to tailor their microstructures and physical properties in the Cu-Zn-Sn-S quaternary system.
Numerical Simulation of the Droplet Formation in a T-Junction Microchannel by a Level-Set Method
Authors: Han Wenbo , Chen Xueye
Published: October 2018

To satisfy the increasingly high demands in many applications of microfluidics, the size of the droplet needs accurate control. In this paper, a level-set method provides a useful method for studying the physical mechanism and potential mechanism of two-phase flow. A detailed three-dimensional numerical simulation of microfluidics was carried out to systematically study the generation of micro-droplets and the effective diameter of droplets with different control parameters such as the flow rate ratio, the continuous phase viscosity, the interfacial tension, and the contact angle. The effect of altering the pressure at the x coordinate of the main channel during the droplet formation was analysed. As the simulation results show, the above control parameters have a great influence on the formation of droplets and the size of the droplet. The effective droplet diameter increases when the flow rate ratio and the interfacial tension increase. It decreases when the continuous phase viscosity and the contact angle increase.
Sustainable rangeland management in southwest Iran: application of the AHP-TOPSIS approach in ranking livelihood alternatives
Authors: Khedrigharibvand Hojatollah , Azadi Hossein , Bahrami Hosain , Tesfamariam Zbelo , Bazzazi AbbasAghajani , De Maeyer Philippe , Witlox Frank
Published: October 2018

This paper reports the continuation of a line of research exploring livelihood alternatives employing sustainable rangeland management (SRM). Determining appropriate alternatives was a multifaceted task, so multi-attribute decision-making (MADM) techniques were applied to a framework that incorporated livelihood alternatives and their relevant criteria. The livelihood alternatives promote balance between humans, livestock and the rangelands, and the livelihood criteria include livelihood capital and vulnerability contexts, as well as the policies, institutions and processes (PIPs) that affect each livelihood alternative and SRM as a whole. The livelihood alternatives were ranked according to SRM potential, and the most appropriate ones for the Bazoft region of south-west Iran were determined. Through a hierarchical process, nine livelihood alternatives were initially considered as being potentially suitable for SRM, based on the weights of predefined criteria. Using a collaborative process, various groups (local informants, local and regional practitioners and scientists) were asked to develop a list of livelihood criteria in order to identify appropriate livelihood alternatives. Initially, 20 experts were selected for undertaking criteria weighting, and subsequently 10 experts were selected to rank the alternatives for final decision-making. The weights of the criteria were determined by the Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP) technique, and the Technique for Order Preference by Similarity to Ideal Solution (TOPSIS) was used to rank the alternatives. A non-resource-based livelihood was ranked as the most suitable alternative, followed by pastoralism with adaptation of various production systems. The application of the AHP-TOPSIS approach showed how criteria weightings influence the suitability of livelihood alternatives. Thus, the livelihood model enabled visualisation of the consequences of appropriate and/or inappropriate livelihoods for SRM. This study found that even the livelihood alternatives with the lowest values were worthy of consideration in planning for SRM, but they might need to be supported. Finally, the study suggested that the application of decision support models to the identification of users’ livelihood alternatives and to structuring the criteria for adoption of the various alternatives enhances informed decision-making within the context of SRM.
SHOC2–MRAS–PP1 complex positively regulates RAF activity and contributes to Noonan syndrome pathogenesis
Authors: Young Lucy C. , Hartig Nicole , Boned del Río Isabel , Sari Sibel , Ringham-Terry Benjamin , Wainwright Joshua R. , Jones Greg G. , McCormick Frank , Rodriguez-Viciana Pablo
Published: October 2018

Significance

We demonstrate a mechanism whereby germline mutations in MRAS, SHOC2, and PPP1CB contribute directly to Noonan syndrome by enhancing formation of a ternary complex, which specifically dephosphorylates an inhibitory site on RAF kinases, activating downstream signaling. SHOC2 is required for tumorigenic properties of tumor-derived cell lines with RAS mutations and has more recently been identified by others in a synthetic lethal screen as a gene essential for viability of RAS mutant but not RAS wild-type cells. A thorough analysis of this complex at the biochemical and structural level has demonstrated the remarkable ability of this complex to dictate specificity for RAF and suggests possible strategies to inhibit the complex as a way of targeting the RAS–ERK pathway.
Hominoid intraspecific cranial variation mirrors neutral genetic diversity
Authors: Zichello Julia M. , Baab Karen L. , McNulty Kieran P. , Raxworthy Christopher J. , Steiper Michael E.
Published: October 2018

Significance

In humans, patterns of cranial variation mirror genetic diversity globally, implicating population history as a key driver of cranial disparity. Here, we demonstrate that the magnitude of genetic diversity within 12 extant ape taxa explains a large proportion of cranial shape variation. Taxa that are more genetically diverse tend to be more cranially diverse also. Our results suggest that neutral evolutionary processes such as mutation, genetic drift, and gene flow are reflected in both genetic and cranial diversity in apes. This work provides a perspective on intraspecific cranial variation in apes which has important implications for interpreting selective and developmental pressures on the cranium and for understanding shape variation in fossil hominin crania.
Computational and experimental insights into the circadian effects of SIRT1
Authors: Foteinou Panagiota T. , Venkataraman Anand , Francey Lauren J. , Anafi Ron C. , Hogenesch John B. , Doyle Francis J.
Published: October 2018

Significance

Circadian rhythms are oscillations with a period of 24 h inherent in numerous biological processes. The prevailing model describing the molecular machinery of the mammalian circadian rhythms is governed by a core set of genes including
BMAL1
,
CLOCK
, and
PER2
. However, emerging evidence highlighted the importance of a new but contradictory role of SIRT1 on the core circadian machinery. Briefly, the two major contradictions are that (
i
) BMAL1 and PER2 are directly deacetylated by SIRT1 and (
ii
) loss of
SIRT1
leads to dampening and robustness of the circadian amplitude. These contradictions remain without explanation or resolution. Our findings provide support for PER2 as a direct target of SIRT1 and identify a potential role for PGC1α in the circadian network.
Archaeorhynchuspreserving significant soft tissue including probable fossilized lungs
Authors: Wang Xiaoli , O’Connor Jingmai K. , Maina John N. , Pan Yanhong , Wang Min , Wang Yan , Zheng Xiaoting , Zhou Zhonghe
Published: October 2018

Significance

Archaeorhynchus spathulais a basal member of the Ornithuromorpha, the lineage that includes neornithines. Although this is the fifth reported specimen, unlike the others it preserves significant soft tissue, revealing a tail morphology previously unknown in Mesozoic birds and an exceptional occurrence of fossilized lung tissue. This identification is based on topographical location and anatomical features revealed mainly by scanning electron microscopy. A structure similar to that in neornithines indicates that the 120-Ma-oldArchaeorhynchusmay have been capable of acquiring the large quantities of oxygen needed to support powered flight. Skeletal features related to respiration remain primitive, supporting inferences that many physiological adaptations preceded skeletal changes during the evolution of the anatomically modern bird.
JAZ repressors of metabolic defense promote growth and reproductive fitness in
Arabidopsis
Authors: Guo Qiang , Yoshida Yuki , Major Ian T. , Wang Kun , Sugimoto Koichi , Kapali George , Havko Nathan E. , Benning Christoph , Howe Gregg A.
Published: October 2018

Plant immune responses mediated by the hormone jasmonoyl-
l
-isoleucine (JA-Ile) are metabolically costly and often linked to reduced growth. Although it is known that JA-Ile activates defense responses by triggering the degradation of JASMONATE ZIM DOMAIN (JAZ) transcriptional repressor proteins, expansion of the
JAZ
gene family in vascular plants has hampered efforts to understand how this hormone impacts growth and other physiological tasks over the course of ontogeny. Here, we combined mutations within the 13-member
Arabidopsis JAZ
gene family to investigate the effects of chronic JAZ deficiency on growth, defense, and reproductive output. A higher-order mutant (
jaz
decuple,
jazD
) defective in 10
JAZ
genes (
JAZ1
–
7
,
-9
,
-10
, and
-13
) exhibited robust resistance to insect herbivores and fungal pathogens, which was accompanied by slow vegetative growth and poor reproductive performance. Metabolic phenotypes of
jazD
discerned from global transcript and protein profiling were indicative of elevated carbon partitioning to amino acid-, protein-, and endoplasmic reticulum body-based defenses controlled by the JA-Ile and ethylene branches of immunity. Resource allocation to a strong defense sink in
jazD
leaves was associated with increased respiration and hallmarks of carbon starvation but no overt changes in photosynthetic rate. Depletion of the remaining JAZ repressors in
jazD
further exaggerated growth stunting, nearly abolished seed production and, under extreme conditions, caused spreading necrotic lesions and tissue death. Our results demonstrate that JAZ proteins promote growth and reproductive success at least in part by preventing catastrophic metabolic effects of an unrestrained immune response.
Establishing Evidence-Based Statistical Quality Control Practices
Authors: Westgard James O , Westgard Sten A
Published: October 2018

Objectives

To establish an objective, scientific, evidence-based process for planning statistical quality control (SQC) procedures based on quality required for a test, precision and bias observed for a measurement procedure, probabilities of error detection and false rejection for different control rules and numbers of control measurements, and frequency of QC events (or run size) to minimize patient risk.

Methods

A Sigma-Metric Run Size Nomogram and Power Function Graphs have been used to guide the selection of control rules, numbers of control measurements, and frequency of QC events (or patient run size).

Results

A tabular summary is provided by a Sigma-Metric Run Size Matrix, with a graphical summary of Westgard Sigma Rules with Run Sizes.

Conclusion

Medical laboratories can plan evidence-based SQC practices using simple tools that relate the Sigma-Metric of a testing process to the control rules, number of control measurements, and run size (or frequency of QC events).
Google Ranking of Plastic Surgeons Values Social Media Presence Over Academic Pedigree and Experience
Authors: Dorfman Robert G , Mahmood Eitezaz , Ren Albert , Turin Sergey Y , Vaca Elbert E , Fine Neil A , Schierle Clark F
Published: October 2018

Background

Patients increasingly rely on online resources to make healthcare decisions. Google dominates the search engine market; first-page results receive most of the web traffic and therefore serve as an important indicator of consumer reach.

Objectives

Our objective was to analyze the respective importance of physician academic pedigree, experience, and social media presence on plastic surgeon Google first-page search result placement.

Methods

A Google.com search was conducted in the top 25 United States metropolitan areas to identify the top 20 websites of board-certified plastic surgeons. Social media presence was quantified by tracking the number of followers on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram for every surgeon as well as medical school and year of graduation. The primary outcome was website ranking in the first page of Google search results. To identify the independent predictors of presence on the front page, we performed a multivariate logistic regression.

Results

Total number of social medial followers was associated with Google front-page placement (P < 0.001), whereas medical school ranking and years in practice were not (P = 0.17 and 0.39, respectively). A total 19.6% of plastic surgeon practices in our study cohort still had no social media accounts whatsoever.

Conclusions

For the past few decades, plastic surgery practices relied on referrals, word of mouth, and the surgeon’s reputation and academic pedigree to attract new patients. It is now clear that this practice-building model is being rapidly supplanted by a new paradigm based on social media presence to reach potential patients.
Simple tricks of convolutional neural network architectures improve DNA–protein binding prediction
Authors: Cao Zhen , Zhang Shihua
Published: October 2018

Motivation

With the accumulation of DNA sequencing data, convolution neural network (CNN) based methods such as DeepBind and DeepSEA have achieved great success for predicting the function of primary DNA sequences. Previous studies confirm the importance of utilizing the reverse complement and flanking DNA sequences, which has a natural connection with data augmentation. However, it is not fully understood how these DNA sequences work during model training and testing.

Results

In this study, we proposed several CNN tricks to improve the DNA sequence related prediction tasks and took the DNA–protein binding prediction as an illustrative task for demonstration. Different from the DeepBind, we treated the reverse complement DNA sequence as another sample, which enables the CNN model to automatically learn the complex relationships between the double strand DNA sequences. This trick promotes the using of deeper CNN models, improving the prediction performance. Next, we augmented the training sets by extending the DNA sequences and cropping each one to three shorter sequences. This approach greatly improves the prediction due to more environmental information from extending step and strong regularization effect of the cropping step. Moreover, this practice fits well with wider CNN models, which also increases the prediction accuracy. On the basis of DNA sequence augmentation, we integrated the results of different effective CNN models to mine the prediction potential of primary DNA sequences. On 156 datasets of predicting DNA–protein binding, our final prediction significantly outperformed the state-of-the-art results with an average AUC increase of 0.057 (P-value = 6 × 10−62).

Availability and implementation

Source codes are available at https://github.com/zhanglabtools/DNADataAugmentation.

Supplementary information

Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online.
Danish ‘add-in’ school-based health promotion: integrating health in curriculum time
Authors: Bentsen Peter , Bonde Ane H , Schneller Mikkel B , Danielsen Dina , Bruselius-Jensen Maria , Aagaard-Hansen Jens
Published: October 2018

Schools provide an important setting for health promotion and health education. In countries where health education is not a specific subject, it is typically undertaken by teachers in health-integrating subjects such as biology, home economics or physical education. More ambitious and holistic frameworks and whole school approaches such as health promoting schools have been considered best practice for the past three decades. Recently, more attention has been given to policy initiatives integrating health activities into school curriculum time. This paper discusses potentials and challenges of school-based health promotion applying an ‘add-in’ approach, that integrates health activities into teachers’ curricular obligations without taking time away from them, based on a presentation of three Danish cases. This may serve as a supplement to health promotion activities that have been initiated over and above the day-to-day teaching (add-on). We contend that an ‘add-in’ approach to school health promotion provides a potential win–win situation where both health and core education stand to gain; makes it possible to reach a wider range of schools; mobilizes additional resources for health promotion; and leads to more sustainable activities. However, potential limitations including not addressing structural aspects of health promotion and reliance on a relatively limited evidence base should also be considered.
Introduction
Authors: Stone Adrienne , Saunders Cheryl
Published: October 2018

This introductory chapter places the Australian Constitution in a comparative perspective. It does so both to throw light on Australian constitutional law and practice and to identify ways in which Australian constitutionalism contributes to the present store of global constitutional experience. The chapter then contrasts features of the Australian constitutional system that are broadly familiar in constitutional democracies elsewhere which exhibit characteristics of Australian constitutional law that are more distinctive. A reflection on the ways in which the Australian constitutional system currently is grappling with change or might need to do so in the foreseeable future is also provided. In addition, this chapter explains the seven broad concepts around which the chapters in this volume have been organized. Finally, the chapter briefly touches on aspects of the methodology by which this volume was brought together and expresses thanks to the people who have contributed to its publication.
Settlement
Authors: Waugh John
Published: October 2018

This chapter explores the law of Australian colonization and its relationship with the laws of Australia's Indigenous peoples. A line of legal continuity links the Australian Constitution to the imposition of British law made during the colonization of Australia and to the decisions of colonial courts that treated the Australian colonies as colonies of settlement. Those decisions, after some initial doubts, displaced the diverse and intricate laws of Australia’s Indigenous peoples, who have occupied the continent for tens of thousands of years. Only in relation to native title to land have later courts made a major reassessment of the status of Indigenous laws. There, the High Court has challenged the factual assumptions of earlier decisions and found accommodation for Indigenous land ownership within the common law, but left the legal framework of colonization otherwise intact.
Ideas
Authors: Emerton Patrick
Published: October 2018

This chapter sets out some key political ideas that underpin the Australian Constitution. Australia has a somewhat distinctive constitutional culture. It has a rigid, written Constitution of long standing and that is frequently litigated. As a result, there is a flourishing constitutional jurisprudence. However, with a handful of exceptions, the Constitution, and ideas around constitutional values or ideals, play relatively little role in Australian public and political debate. This has generated a sense of the Constitution itself as a prosaic, even arid, legal text. This chapter presents a counterpoint to such perceptions. It also shows how a technical document that has operated within, and to some extent strengthened, a legalistic constitutional jurisprudence, can be understood to be a source of affirmative constitutional value to which that jurisprudence gives genuine expression.
State Constitutions
Authors: Carney Gerard
Published: October 2018

This chapter explores the peculiar role and status of the State Constitutions in Australia: how they provide for the constitutional system of each State, the extent to which they operate as superior law, and the relationship they have with the Commonwealth Constitution. The Constitutions of the six Australian States are less well known than the Australian Constitution, although their history is longer and their existence is fundamental to the Australian constitutional order. Their most significant feature is that they exist as legal instruments separate from the Australian Constitution. Pre-existing the Australian Constitution as the Constitutions of the colonial forebears of the States, they were retained ‘as is’ upon federation, except in so far as they were qualified by the Australian Constitution in order to create the federal system. No change was imposed, however, on the substance or structure of the new State Constitutions.
The Passage Towards Economic Union in Australia’s Federation
Authors: Gleeson Justin
Published: October 2018

This chapter explores the progress over the last 116 years in the adoption of the Australian Constitution towards the (unfinished) goal of achieving the fullest possible economic union. It first outlines theoretical concepts that underlie ‘economic union’ within a federation and describes the rather limited form of a negative economic union reflected in the express terms of the new Constitution. The key moves to strengthen Australia's negative economic union over the last 116 years are then considered. The chapter next extends this exercise to the development of a functioning (but still incomplete) positive economic union. Lastly, this chapter concludes with a discussion of the increasing enmeshment of Australia's national economy with global markets, polities, and institutions.
Expression
Authors: Stone Adrienne
Published: October 2018

This chapter traces the way in which freedom of expression is recognized in Australian constitutional law. The absence of a provision protecting freedom of expression is just one aspect of a widely noted feature in the Australian Constitution, yet the full picture is considerably more complicated. Freedom of expression has long had a foothold in Australian constitutional law. In 1992, the High Court of Australia developed a doctrine known as ‘the freedom of political communication’ which, to some extent, operates like a guarantee or right of freedom of expression. The chapter considers the extent to which the freedom of political communication resembles an explicit and generally expressed right of freedom.
A possible way to reconcile long-period precession with vortex pinning in neutron stars
Authors: Goglichidze O A , Barsukov D P
Published: October 2018

We propose a possible way to solve the problem of inconsistency between the neutron star long-period precession and superfluid vortex pinning, which is the basis of the most successful theories of pulsar glitches. We assume that the pinning takes place in the region of the neutron star core, which, being magnetically decoupled, can rotate relative to the crust. In the framework of a simple three-component model we show that these two phenomena can coexist in the same pulsar. Some constraints on the formally introduced interaction coefficients following from observation data are formulated.
Jumper's Knee: A Prospective Evaluation of Risk Factors in Volleyball Players Using a Novel Measure of Injury
Authors: MacDonald Kerry , Palacios-Derflingher Luz , Kenny Sarah , Emery Carolyn , Meeuwisse Willem H.
Published: October 2018

Objectives:

To examine potential intrinsic risk factors that may contribute to the onset of jumper's knee in elite level–male volleyball players.

Design:

Prospective Cohort Study.

Setting:

Varsity and National team volleyball gymnasiums.

Participants:

Sixty elite adult male volleyball players from Canada.

Assessment of Risk Factors:

Players completed a series of risk factor assessments at the commencement of their seasons, including vertical jump (cm), ankle dorsiflexion range (degrees), dynamic balance (normalized distance reached; cm), dynamic knee alignment (degrees), and landing mechanics (degrees).

Main Outcome Measure:

Self-reported knee problems, captured via short message service.

Results:

Knee problem prevalence was 75% [95% confidence intervals (CIs): 62.2-84.6] and the incidence rate for substantial injuries over the study period was 30 injuries/100 players/season (95% CI: 19.5-43.1). No risk factor was found to significantly predict the future occurrence of developing jumper's knee. The odds ratios were close to unity (range: 0.94–1.07) with narrow confidence intervals and P > 0.05.

Conclusions:

A more sensitive capture of overuse knee problems did not result in the identification of distinct risk factors for the development of jumper's knee. These findings highlight a lack of available methodology to accurately assess risk factors for overuse injuries.
Like Prisoners in a War Camp
Authors: Phillips Celeste R. , Haase Joan E.
Published: October 2018

Background

Adolescent/young adult (AYA) cancer survivors experience greater psychosocial distress than younger or older adults. To address their psychosocial distress, it is important that healthcare providers (HCPs) foster connectedness with AYAs; however, some HCPs' words and behaviors may actually create a sense of disconnectedness with AYAs.

Objective

The aim of this study was to describe AYA cancer survivors' experiences of disconnectedness from HCPs during cancer treatment.

Methods

This empirical phenomenological study sample included 9 AYA cancer survivors (aged 20–23 years) diagnosed during adolescence. In-person interviews were conducted using a broad data-generating question and analyzed using an adapted Colaizzi's method.

Results

Healthcare providers' behaviors that create disconnectedness include (1) exhibiting a lack of appreciation for AYAs' personhood, (2) inflicting unnecessary harm or discomfort, (3) being apathetic of needs and preferences, (4) treating AYAs like they have minimal rights, (5) speaking in a patronizing manner, (6) ignoring their requests, and (7) failing to be vigilant for basic needs. When AYAs experience disconnectedness, they feel dehumanized, powerless, and a lack of self-determination.

Conclusion

Findings highlight disturbing HCP behaviors that create AYA disconnectedness. Despite generally feeling connected to HCPs, AYA cancer survivors' experiences of disconnectedness leave lingering feelings of anger and resentment, even after treatment ends. Preventing disconnectedness behaviors must be a priority.

Implications for Practice

AYA cancer survivors’ can benefit from having the opportunity to share their experiences of disconnectedness and having the chance to be autonomous in their care. Bringing awareness to HCPs about what behaviors cause disconnectedness is essential in preventing the behaviors.
Lethal Renal Venous Thrombosis Complicating Dehydration in Infancy
Authors: Byard Roger W.
Published: October 2018

A 3-month-old boy presented to hospital in cardiac arrest, dehydrated, with a blood sodium of 158.4 mmol/L. He had been febrile, not feeding normally and refusing fluids. Despite attempts at resuscitation with rehydration, he was declared dead. At autopsy, the kidneys were uniformly enlarged with thrombi within intraparenchymal tributaries of the renal veins bilaterally. Death was due to bilateral renal venous system thrombosis with hypernatremic dehydration. It is likely that the dehydration resulted both from increased requirements for fluid due to fever and from inadequate oral intake. Lethal renal venous thrombosis is a rare multifactorial condition that should be suspected in all infants with histories of hypernatremic dehydration with hypotension. Although there may be no obvious renal vein thrombosis at the time of dissection, microscopy may reveal intraparenchymal venous thromboses. As inherited prothrombotic states are associated with renal venous thrombosis, hematologic evaluation of immediate family members would be in order.