bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Farmer Perceptions of the Ecosystem Services Provided by Scavengers: What, Who, and to Whom
Authors: Morales‐Reyes Zebensui , Martín‐López Berta , Moleón Marcos , Mateo‐Tomás Patricia , Botella Francisco , Margalida Antoni , Donázar José A. , Blanco Guillermo , Pérez Irene , Sánchez‐Zapata José A.
Published: July 2017

A socioecological approach to biodiversity conservation has recently been encouraged. We examined farmer perceptions of ecosystem services provided by scavenging vertebrates in Spain through face‐to‐face surveys with farmers in seven large extensive livestock systems. Scavenging services (i.e., carrion consumption) was the most perceived benefit whereas the role of some scavengers as predators was the most recognized damage. The most beneficial scavengers perceived were vultures. Overall, we detected a “Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde” paradox as the same species and species within the same guild can be dually perceived as beneficial or harmful. Our findings provide evidence that traditional extensive farming linked to experience‐based and local ecological knowledge drives positive perceptions of scavengers and their consideration as ecosystem services providers. Research on social perceptions can contribute to the conservation of scavengers by raising awareness about the ecosystem services provided by this functional group.
Telling young children they have a reputation for being smart promotes cheating
Authors: Zhao Li , Heyman Gail D. , Chen Lulu , Lee Kang
Published: July 2017

The present research examined the consequences of telling young children they have a reputation for being smart. Of interest was how this would affect their willingness to resist the temptation to cheat for personal gain as assessed by a temptation resistance task, in which children promised not to cheat in the game. Two studies with 3‐ and 5‐year‐old children (total N = 323) assessed this possibility. In Study 1, participants were assigned to one of three conditions: a smart reputation condition in which they were told they have a reputation for being smart, an irrelevant reputation control condition, or a no reputation control condition. Children in the smart reputation condition were significantly more likely to cheat than their counterparts in either control condition. Study 2 confirmed that reputational concerns are indeed a fundamental part of our smart reputation effect. These results suggest that children as young as 3 years of age are able to use reputational cues to guide their behavior, and that telling young children they have a positive reputation for being smart can have negative consequences.
Difficult conversations: adults with diabetes and the discussion of microvascular complications
Authors: Ritholz M. D. , MacNeil T. , Weinger K.
Published: July 2017

Aims

To investigate the experiences among adults with diabetes of discussions of microvascular complications and provide recommendations for providers.

Methods

We performed a qualitative study in 148 adults with Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes (56% women, 95% white, mean age 60±13 years, 65% with Type 1 diabetes, 71% with ≥1 microvascular complication). Data were analysed using content analysis.

Results

At their first discussion of microvascular complications, 93% of participants (138/148) recalled providers using a preventative approach including clinical suggestions, factual information and warnings. At complication diagnosis, 78% of participants (82/105) perceived provider support through comprehensive interactive education, specific self‐care guidance, reassuring messages, and referrals and follow‐ups. In response to complication diagnosis, 48% (50/105) felt scared, 46% (48/105) had ‘a wake‐up call’, and 86% (90/105) reported increasing ≥1 specific area of self‐care. Participants recommended providers offer factual and complete information, specific self‐care guidance, and positive honesty, with an individualized and collaborative approach that includes psychosocial assessment and referrals and lacks ‘scare tactics’ and blame.

Conclusions

Adults with diabetes want to learn about diabetes microvascular complications and apply preventative strategies as early as possible. Paradoxically, the diagnosis of a diabetes microvascular complication in itself may represent a unique learning opportunity because 86% of participants improved diabetes self‐care after this event. Recommendations offer providers simple but important clinical approaches to improve these difficult conversations and thus support necessary behaviour changes and psychosocial well‐being. Training is needed to help providers discuss the threat of diabetes complications with honest but positive messages so that people with diabetes can be fully informed but also maintain hope in the face of complications.
Comparison of Vis–NIR on in situ, intact core and dried, sieved soil to estimate clay content at field to regional scales
Authors: Poggio M. , Brown D. J. , Bricklemyer R. S.
Published: July 2017

We evaluated the in situ performance of a newly designed visible and near‐infrared (Vis–NIR) penetrometer to predict clay content for 10 fields, 151 profile locations and 485 samples that span four orders of the USDA Soil Taxonomy across the Pacific Northwest region of the USA. The clay mineralogy of the soil families is mixed and heterogeneous. To minimize the effects of soil moisture, in situ Vis–NIR measurements were taken during the summer in a Mediterranean climate when most soil is at or near wilting point. Partial least squares regression (PLSR) and leave‐one‐core‐out cross‐validation were used to assess the different soil Vis–NIR measurements: (i) standard error of prediction (SEP) = 5.7, residual product differential (RPD) = 1.69 for in situ, (ii) SEP = 5.3, RPD = 1.83 for laboratory measurements of intact cores and (iii) SEP = 4.7, RPD = 2.0 for laboratory measurements of dried, sieved soil. The two primary factors contributing to larger in situ errors of prediction relative to laboratory‐based measurements of dried, sieved soil were (i) scanning an intact soil surface at field moisture compared with dried, sieved‐homogenized soil and (ii) problems with instrument drift and referencing in the field. For four of the 10 fields with similar loess soil and 24 cores per field, we found that for all soil preparations (in situ, intact core and dried, sieved) field‐specific calibrations (SEP = 5.1, RPD = 1.29 for in situ; SEP = 3.3, RPD = 2.0 for dried, sieved samples) out‐performed both a single calibration for the four fields and a calibration that included all 10 fields in this study. More research is required to understand better the effects of examining intact rather than crushed‐sieved soil material, a potentially important factor for in situ spectroscopy. In situ predictions could probably be improved with a more stable and internally referenced field spectrometer, but even with these challenges the results show that penetrometer‐derived in situ spectroscopy can be used to map the variation in soil profile clay content semi‐quantitatively.

Highlights

We evaluated a new Vis–NIR penetrometer foreoptic to predict clay content in situ.

We compared sources of error from in situ and laboratory Vis–NIR.

Sample preparation markedly affected (intact soil or dried, sieved) Vis–NIR model performance.

We identified major differences in clay content with penetrometer‐based Vis–NIR spectroscopy.
TGF‐β1‐induced CK17 enhances cancer stem cell‐like properties rather than EMT in promoting cervical cancer metastasis via the ERK1/2‐MZF1 signaling pathway
Authors: Wu Lanfang , Han Lingfei , Zhou Chenfei , Wei Wenfei , Chen Xiaojing , Yi Hongyan , Wu Xiangguang , Bai Xiangyang , Guo Suiqun , Yu Yanhong , Liang Li , Wang Wei
Published: July 2017

Tumor metastasis remains a major obstacle for improving overall cancer survival in cervical cancer (CC), which may be due to the existence of tumor microenvironment‐related cancer stem cells (CSCs) and epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT). The mechanism underlying these processes needs to be further elucidated. Here, we report that TGF‐β1, one of the key microenvironmental stimuli, can enhance CSC characteristics, facilitate the EMT, and induce CK17. Silencing CK17 expression attenuated CSC‐like properties without affecting the EMT markers induced by TGF‐β1, whereas forced overexpression of CK17 promoted lymphatic metastasis in vivo even without EMT inducement. Inhibitors of ERK1/2 signaling drastically decreased the induction of CK17 mediated by TGF‐β1. By combined computational and experimental approaches, we identified and validated that MZF1 was a key transcription factor binding to the promoter of CK17. Taken together, these results demonstrate that CK17 induced by the TGF‐β1‐ERK1/2‐MZF1 signaling pathway facilitates metastasis by promoting the acquisition of CSC properties rather than by inducing the EMT process in CC, suggesting that this CK17‐related signaling pathway might be a suitable target for the development of therapy for CC metastasis.
Violence exposure is associated with adolescents' same‐ and next‐day mental health symptoms
Authors: Odgers Candice L. , Russell Michael A.
Published: July 2017

Background

Young people exposed to violence are at increased risk for mental health and behavioral problems. However, very little is known about the immediate, or same‐day, associations between violence exposure and adolescents' mental health symptoms or whether daily symptom or behavioral reactivity marks future problems.

Methods

Young adolescents were assessed three times a day for 30 consecutive days using mobile‐phone‐based Ecological Momentary Assessment (EMA) (N = 151 adolescents). Over 12,500 assessments and 4,329 person days were obtained via the EMA. Adolescents were recruited from low‐income neighborhoods based on parent‐reported risk for externalizing symptoms. Mental health symptoms were assessed via parent and child report at baseline, multiple times per day via EMA assessments of the adolescents, and again 18 months later when 93% of the adolescents were reinterviewed.

Results

Results from multilevel models illustrated that young adolescents were more likely to experience symptoms of anger (OR = 1.74, CI: 1.31–2.30), depression (OR = 1.66, CI: 1.26–2.19), and conduct problems (OR = 2.63, CI: 1.71–4.04) on days that they were exposed versus not exposed to violence. Increases in depressive symptoms were also observed on days following violence exposure (OR = 1.46, CI: 1.09–1.97). Adolescents with the highest levels of violence exposure across the 30‐day EMA were less behaviorally reactive to violence exposures in daily life, and heightened behavioral reactivity predicted increased risk for substance use across early adolescence.

Conclusions

Findings support the need to focus on both the immediate and long‐term associations between violence exposure and adolescents' mental health and behavior. Results also suggest that heightened behavioral reactivity during early adolescence may signal emerging substance use problems.
Examination of the Pharmacology of Oxytocin and Clinical Guidelines for Use in Labor
Authors: Page Katie , McCool William F. , Guidera Mamie
Published: July 2017

The use of exogenous oxytocin to induce or augment labor has increased in recent years. This literature‐informed review examines the action of this medication and the potential associated complications, with an evaluation of current professional practice guidelines. A brief history of the use of exogenous oxytocin for labor induction or augmentation is presented. In addition, risk management strategies for the prevention of oxytocin‐related adverse outcomes and subsequent litigation are identified.
Plant diversity induces shifts in the functional structure and diversity across trophic levels
Authors: Ebeling Anne , Rzanny Michael , Lange Markus , Eisenhauer Nico , Hertzog Lionel R. , Meyer Sebastian T. , Weisser Wolfgang W.
Published: July 2017

Changes to primary producer diversity can cascade up to consumers and affect ecosystem processes. Although the effect of producer diversity on higher trophic groups have been studied, these studies often quantify taxonomy‐based measures of biodiversity, like species richness, which do not necessarily reflect the functioning of these communities. In this study, we assess how plant species richness affects the functional composition and diversity of higher trophic levels and discuss how this might affect ecosystem processes, such as herbivory, predation and decomposition.

Based on six different consumer traits, we examined the functional composition of arthropod communities sampled in experimental plots that differed in plant species richness. The two components we focused on were functional variation in the consumer community structure (functional structure) and functional diversity, expressed as functional richness, evenness and divergence.

We found a consistent positive effect of plant species richness on the functional richness of herbivores, carnivores, and omnivores, but not decomposers, and contrasting patterns for functional evenness and divergence. Increasing plant species richness shifted the omnivore community to more predatory and less mobile species, and the herbivore community to more specialized and smaller species. This was accompanied by a shift towards more species occurring in the vegetation than in the ground layer.

Our study shows that plant species richness strongly affects the functional structure and diversity of aboveground arthropod communities. The observed shifts in body size (herbivores), specialization (herbivores), and feeding mode (omnivores) together with changes in the functional diversity may underlie previously observed increases in herbivory and predation in plant communities of higher diversity.
Functional regulation of Q by microRNA172 and transcriptional co‐repressor TOPLESS in controlling bread wheat spikelet density
Authors: Liu Pan , Liu Jie , Dong Huixue , Sun Jiaqiang
Published: July 2017

Bread wheat (Triticum aestivum) spike architecture is an important agronomic trait. The Q gene plays a key role in the domestication of bread wheat spike architecture. However, the regulatory mechanisms of Q expression and transcriptional activity remain largely unknown. In this study, we show that overexpression of bread wheat tae‐miR172 caused a speltoid‐like spike phenotype, reminiscent of that in wheat plants with the q gene. The reduction in Q transcript levels in the tae‐miR172 overexpression transgenic bread wheat lines suggests that the Q expression can be suppressed by tae‐miR172 in bread wheat. Indeed, our RACE analyses confirmed that the Q mRNA is targeted by tae‐miR172 for cleavage. According to our analyses, the Q protein is localized in nucleus and confers transcriptional repression activity. Meanwhile, the Q protein could physically interact with the bread wheat transcriptional co‐repressor TOPLESS (TaTPL). Specifically, the N‐terminal ethylene‐responsive element binding factor‐associated amphiphilic repression (EAR) (LDLNVE) motif but not the C‐terminal EAR (LDLDLR) motif of Q protein mediates its interaction with the CTLH motif of TaTPL. Moreover, we show that the N‐terminal EAR motif of Q protein is also essentially required for the transcriptional repression activity of Q protein. Taken together, we reveal the functional regulation of Q protein by tae‐miR172 and transcriptional co‐repressor TaTPL in controlling the bread wheat spike architecture.
Rational design of biosafe crop resistance to a range of nematodes using RNA interference
Authors: Roderick Hugh , Urwin Peter E. , Atkinson Howard J.
Published: July 2017

Double‐stranded RNA (dsRNA) molecules targeting two genes have been identified that suppress economically important parasitic nematode species of banana. Proteasomal alpha subunit 4 (pas‐4) and Actin‐4 (act‐4) were identified from a survey of sequence databases and cloned sequences for genes conserved across four pests of banana, Radopholus similis, Pratylenchus coffeae, Meloidogyne incognita and Helicotylenchus multicinctus. These four species were targeted with dsRNAs containing exact 21 nucleotide matches to the conserved regions. Potential off‐target effects were limited by comparison with Caenorhabditis, Drosophila, rat, rice and Arabidopsis genomes. In vitro act‐4 dsRNA treatment of R. similis suppressed target gene expression by 2.3‐fold, nematode locomotion by 66 ± 4% and nematode multiplication on carrot discs by 49 ± 5%. The best transgenic carrot hairy root lines expressing act‐4 or pas‐4 dsRNA reduced transcript message abundance of target genes in R. similis by 7.9‐fold and fourfold and nematode multiplication by 94 ± 2% and 69 ± 3%, respectively. The same act‐4 and pas‐4 lines reduced P. coffeae target transcripts by 1.7‐ and twofold and multiplication by 50 ± 6% and 73 ± 8%. Multiplication of M. incognita on the pas‐4 lines was reduced by 97 ± 1% and 99 ± 1% while target transcript abundance was suppressed 4.9‐ and 5.6‐fold. There was no detectable RNAi effect on nontarget nematodes exposed to dsRNAs targeting parasitic nematodes. This work defines a framework for development of a range of nonprotein defences to provide broad resistance to pests and pathogens of crops.
The added value of contemporary ultrasound technologies in the diagnosis of malignant tumours of the gastrointestinal system – a case report
Authors: Rübenthaler Johannes , Reiser Maximilian , Clevert Dirk-André
Published: July 2017

Ultrasound of the gastrointestinal system has become more popular among clinicians and is an important tool for evaluation and follow-up. Ultrasound has a special value in patients with Crohn’s disease for the evaluation of disease activity but also for the evaluation of abdominal complications and shows comparable results to other imaging modalities. With the introduction of elastography and contrast-enhanced ultrasound into clinical routine, THE sonographic evaluation of the small bowel is even more sophisticated and even more precise. This case report summarizes all available modern ultrasound imaging technologies and highlights the possibilities in daily clinical use.
Quasiatomic layer etching of silicon nitride with independent control of directionality and selectivity
Authors: Sherpa Sonam D. , Ventzek Peter L. G. , Ranjan Alok
Published: July 2017

Atomic layer etching has emerged as a viable approach to address the challenges associated with continuous or quasicontinuous plasma processes. To this end, the authors previously reported the quasiatomic layer etching of silicon nitride via sequential exposure to hydrogen and fluorinated plasma. The underlying premise was the surface modification via implantation of hydrogen ions into silicon nitride resulting in an anisotropic etch. In this paper, the authors will demonstrate that a similar enhancement in reactivity of silicon nitride can also be attained via diffusion of hydrogen atoms into silicon nitride with the resultant etch being isotropic. These results confirm the realization of self-limiting etch of silicon nitride with tunable directionality. Selectivity to oxide is >100 and damage to underlying silicon can be minimized by optimizing the flux of atomic fluorine during the exposure to fluorinated plasma. Thus, hydrogen plasma step controls the directionality while fluorinated plasma step determines the selectivity to oxide and underlying silicon.
Inactivation of thermogenic UCP1 as a historical contingency in multiple placental mammal clades
Authors: Gaudry Michael J. , Jastroch Martin , Treberg Jason R. , Hofreiter Michael , Paijmans Johanna L. A. , Starrett James , Wales Nathan , Signore Anthony V. , Springer Mark S. , Campbell Kevin L.
Published: July 2017

Inactivation of uncoupling protein 1 is linked to shifts in metabolic rate, body size, and species richness of eight mammalian lineages.
High frequency of intestinal T
H
17 cells correlates with microbiota alterations and disease activity in multiple sclerosis
Authors: Cosorich Ilaria , Dalla-Costa Gloria , Sorini Chiara , Ferrarese Roberto , Messina Maria Josè , Dolpady Jayashree , Radice Elisa , Mariani Alberto , Testoni Pier Alberto , Canducci Filippo , Comi Giancarlo , Martinelli Vittorio , Falcone Marika
Published: July 2017

The headquarter of our immune system resides in the gut and modulates autoimmune disease activation in multiple sclerosis.
Short-range surface plasmonics: Localized electron emission dynamics from a 60-nm spot on an atomically flat single-crystalline gold surface
Authors: Frank Bettina , Kahl Philip , Podbiel Daniel , Spektor Grisha , Orenstein Meir , Fu Liwei , Weiss Thomas , Horn-von Hoegen Michael , Davis Timothy J. , Meyer zu Heringdorf Frank-J. , Giessen Harald
Published: July 2017

We demonstrate nanofocusing down to 60 nm with 800-nm light in atomically flat single-crystalline 22-nm-thick gold flakes.
Monoclonal Antibodies, Derived from Humans Vaccinated with the RV144 HIV Vaccine Containing the HVEM Binding Domain of Herpes Simplex Virus (HSV) Glycoprotein D, Neutralize HSV Infection, Mediate Antibody-Dependent Cellular Cytotoxicity, and Protect Mice from Ocular Challenge with HSV-1
Authors: Wang Kening , Tomaras Georgia D. , Jegaskanda Sinthujan , Moody M. Anthony , Liao Hua-Xin , Goodman Kyle N. , Berman Phillip W. , Rerks-Ngarm Supachai , Pitisuttithum Punnee , Nitayapan Sorachai , Kaewkungwal Jaranit , Haynes Barton F. , Cohen Jeffrey I.
Published: July 2017

The RV144 HIV vaccine trial included a recombinant HIV glycoprotein 120 (gp120) construct fused to a small portion of herpes simplex virus 1 (HSV-1) glycoprotein D (gD) so that the first 40 amino acids of gp120 were replaced by the signal sequence and the first 27 amino acids of the mature form of gD. This region of gD contains most of the binding site for HVEM, an HSV receptor important for virus infection of epithelial cells and lymphocytes. RV144 induced antibodies to HIV that were partially protective against infection, as well as antibodies to HSV. We derived monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) from peripheral blood B cells of recipients of the RV144 HIV vaccine and showed that these antibodies neutralized HSV-1 infection in cells expressing HVEM, but not the other major virus receptor, nectin-1. The MAbs mediated antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity (ADCC), and mice that received the MAbs and were then challenged by corneal inoculation with HSV-1 had reduced eye disease, shedding, and latent infection. To our knowledge, this is the first description of MAbs derived from human recipients of a vaccine that specifically target the HVEM binding site of gD. In summary, we found that monoclonal antibodies derived from humans vaccinated with the HVEM binding domain of HSV-1 gD (i) neutralized HSV-1 infection in a cell receptor-specific manner, (ii) mediated ADCC, and (iii) reduced ocular disease in virus-infected mice.

IMPORTANCE
Herpes simplex virus 1 (HSV-1) causes cold sores and neonatal herpes and is a leading cause of blindness. Despite many trials, no HSV vaccine has been approved. Nectin-1 and HVEM are the two major cellular receptors for HSV. These receptors are expressed at different levels in various tissues, and the role of each receptor in HSV pathogenesis is not well understood. We derived human monoclonal antibodies from persons who received the HIV RV144 vaccine that contained the HVEM binding domain of HSV-1 gD fused to HIV gp120. These antibodies were able to specifically neutralize HSV-1 infection
in vitro
via HVEM. Furthermore, we showed for the first time that HVEM-specific HSV-1 neutralizing antibodies protect mice from HSV-1 eye disease, indicating the critical role of HVEM in HSV-1 ocular infection.
Multisubunit DNA-Dependent RNA Polymerases from Vaccinia Virus and Other Nucleocytoplasmic Large-DNA Viruses: Impressions from the Age of Structure
Authors: Mirzakhanyan Yeva , Gershon Paul D.
Published: July 2017

The past 17 years have been marked by a revolution in our understanding of cellular multisubunit DNA-dependent RNA polymerases (MSDDRPs) at the structural level. A parallel development over the past 15 years has been the emerging story of the giant viruses, which encode MSDDRPs. Here we link the two in an attempt to understand the specialization of multisubunit RNA polymerases in the domain of life encompassing the large nucleocytoplasmic DNA viruses (NCLDV), a superclade that includes the giant viruses and the biochemically well-characterized poxvirus vaccinia virus. The first half of this review surveys the recently determined structural biology of cellular RNA polymerases for a microbiology readership. The second half discusses a reannotation of MSDDRP subunits from NCLDV families and the apparent specialization of these enzymes by virus family and by subunit with regard to subunit or domain loss, subunit dissociability, endogenous control of polymerase arrest, and the elimination/customization of regulatory interactions that would confer higher-order cellular control. Some themes are apparent in linking subunit function to structure in the viral world: as with cellular RNA polymerases I and III and unlike cellular RNA polymerase II, the viral enzymes seem to opt for speed and processivity and seem to have eliminated domains associated with higher-order regulation. The adoption/loss of viral RNA polymerase proofreading functions may have played a part in matching intrinsic mutability to genome size.
A New Clade of Insect-Specific Flaviviruses from Australian
Anopheles
Mosquitoes Displays Species-Specific Host Restriction
Authors: Colmant Agathe M. G. , Hobson-Peters Jody , Bielefeldt-Ohmann Helle , van den Hurk Andrew F. , Hall-Mendelin Sonja , Chow Weng Kong , Johansen Cheryl A. , Fros Jelke , Simmonds Peter , Watterson Daniel , Cazier Chris , Etebari Kayvan , Asgari Sassan , Schulz Benjamin L. , Beebe Nigel , Vet Laura J. , Piyasena Thisun B. H. , Nguyen Hong-Duyen , Barnard Ross T. , Hall Roy A.
Published: July 2017

Flaviviruses like dengue, Zika, or West Nile virus infect millions of people each year and are transmitted to humans via infected-mosquito bites. A subset of flaviviruses can only replicate in the mosquito host, and recent studies have shown that some can interfere with pathogenic flaviviruses in mosquitoes and limit the replication and transmission of the latter. The insect-specific flaviviruses (ISFs) reported here form a new
Anopheles
mosquito-associated clade separate from the
Aedes
- and
Culex
-associated ISF clades. The identification of distinct clades for each mosquito genus provides new insights into the evolution and ecology of flaviviruses. One of these viruses was shown to replicate in the midgut of the mosquito host and exhibit the most specialized host restriction reported to date for ISFs. Understanding this unprecedented host restriction in ISFs could help identify the mechanisms involved in the evolution of flaviviruses and their emergence as mosquito-borne pathogens.
Rapid developing empyema by group F beta Streptococcus anginosus group
Authors: Azharuddin Muhammad , Prudence Dy , Shukla Prem Shanker , Mathur Ajay
Published: July 2017

A 43-year-old male had progressive pleuritic left-sided chest tightness with shortness of breath. He had dental caries and tenderness on palpation of the left lateral chest. Complete blood count showed leucocytosis. CT scan of the chest with pulmonary emboli protocol showed multiple pulmonary nodules and nodular pleural thickening at left posterior lateral pleura. Forty-eight hours post CTPE scan, CT scan of the chest, abdomen and pelvis displayed right lower lobe consolidation and left-sided pleural effusion with superimposed compressive atelectasis. Ceftaroline intravenous was initiated, with CT-guided pigtail chest tube insertion. Pleural fluid later grew group F beta-haemolyticStreptococcus anginosus. Patient improved significantly and was discharged 11 days later with intravenous ertapenem. Patients with group F beta-haemolytic streptococci should be managed aggressively with early and accurate diagnosis, antibiotics, drainage and possible surgery.
Ventricular fibrillation induced by high-output ICD shock: report of cases and review of literature
Authors: Sattar Adil , Inbar Shmuel
Published: July 2017

This report highlights the importance of realising that even the modern-day implantable cardioverter defibrillators (ICDs) with R wave synchronised appropriate shocks have a potential proarrhythmic effect. We present two cases of ventricular fibrillation induction resulting from an appropriate ICD shock observed in two different patients at our institution. Such cases have not been reported before. We discuss the possible reasons for our observations and are also submitting a pertinent literature review with our reports.
A novel case ofRaoultella planticolaosteomyelitis and epidural abscess
Authors: Subedi Rogin , Dean Ryan , Li William , Dhamoon Amit
Published: July 2017

A spinal epidural abscess is the collection of pus in the epidural space, and is a potentially life-threatening condition that requires early detection and prompt management. Almost two-thirds of cases are caused byStaphylococcus aureus, followed by Gram-negative bacilli which account for approximately 16% of cases.Raoultella planticolais an emerging pathogen, and is an extremely rare cause of invasive infection in humans. It has been reported to cause urinary tract infections, pneumonia, bacteraemia, cholangitis, cholecystitis, conjunctivitis and soft tissue infections. We report the first case, to our knowledge, ofR. planticolaosteomyelitis and spinal epidural abscess.
Accuracy of the ECG for differential diagnosis between hypertrophic cardiomyopathy and athlete’s heart: comparison between the European Society of Cardiology (2010) and International (2017) criteria
Authors: Zorzi Alessandro , Calore Chiara , Vio Riccardo , Pelliccia Antonio , Corrado Domenico
Published: July 2017

Background

Interpretation of the athlete’s ECG is based on differentiation between benign ECG changes and potentially pathological abnormalities. The aim of the study was to compare the 2010 European Society of Cardiology (ESC) and the 2017 International criteria for differential diagnosis between hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) and athlete’s heart.

Methods

The study populations included 200 patients with HCM and 563 athletes grouped as follows: ‘group 1’, including normal ECG and isolated increase of QRS voltages, which are considered non-pathologic according to ESC and International criteria; ‘group 2’, including left atrial enlargement or left axis deviation in isolation and Q-waves with an amplitude ≥4 mm but <25% of the ensuing R-wave and a duration <0.04 s which are considered pathologic according to the ESC but not according to the International criteria; and ‘group 3’, including abnormalities which are considered pathologic according to ESC and International criteria.

Results

Overall, the 2010 ESC criteria showed a sensitivity of 95.5% and a specificity of 86.9%. Considering group 2 ECG changes as normal according to the International criteria led to a statistically significant (p<0.001) increase of specificity to 95.9%, associated with a non-significant (p=0.47) reduction of sensitivity to 93%. Among patients with HCM, there was a significant increase of maximal left ventricular wall thickness from group 1 to 3 (p=0.02).

Conclusions

The use of 2017 International criteria is associated with a substantial increase in specificity and a marginal decrease in sensitivity for differential diagnosis between HCM and athlete’s heart.
What outcomes are associated with developing and implementing co-produced interventions in acute healthcare settings? A rapid evidence synthesis
Authors: Clarke David , Jones Fiona , Harris Ruth , Robert Glenn
Published: July 2017

Background

Co-production is defined as the voluntary or involuntary involvement of users in the design, management, delivery and/or evaluation of services. Interest in co-production as an intervention for improving healthcare quality is increasing. In the acute healthcare context, co-production is promoted as harnessing the knowledge of patients, carers and staff to make changes about which they care most. However, little is known regarding the impact of co-production on patient, staff or organisational outcomes in these settings.

Aims

To identify and appraise reported outcomes of co-production as an intervention to improve quality of services in acute healthcare settings.

Design

Rapid evidence synthesis.

Data sources

Medline, Cinahl, Web of Science, Embase, HMIC, Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, SCIE, Proquest Dissertation and Theses, EThOS, OpenGrey;CoDesign;The Design Journal;Design Issues.

Study selection

Studies reporting patient, staff or organisational outcomes associated with using co-production in an acute healthcare setting.

Findings

712 titles and abstracts were screened; 24 papers underwent full-text review, and 11 papers were included in the evidence synthesis. One study was a feasibility randomised controlled trial, three were process evaluations and seven used descriptive qualitative approaches. Reported outcomes related to (a) the value of patient and staff involvement in co-production processes; (b) the generation of ideas for changes to processes, practices and clinical environments; and (c) tangible service changes and impacts on patient experiences. Only one study included cost analysis; none reported an economic evaluation. No studies assessed the sustainability of any changes made.

Conclusions

Despite increasing interest in and advocacy for co-production, there is a lack of rigorous evaluation in acute healthcare settings. Future studies should evaluate clinical and service outcomes as well as the cost-effectiveness of co-production relative to other forms of quality improvement. Potentially broader impacts on the values and behaviours of participants should also be considered.
Canine and feline lungworm infections in the UK
Authors: Helm Jenny , Morgan Eric
Published: July 2017

Lungworm infections in dogs and cats have gained attention in practice in recent years, driven largely by the spread of Angiostrongylus vasorum outside historically recognised endemic foci and associated efforts to increase awareness and encourage treatment and prevention. While several species of lungworm are clinically relevant, A vasorum in particular is common and can be highly pathogenic in dogs in the UK. The tools available for the diagnosis and treatment of lungworm infections have advanced and informed clinicians are well equipped to deal with threats from this group of parasites. This article reviews the helminth parasites of the canine and feline respiratory systems, and summarises their life cycles, epidemiology, pathogenesis, diagnosis, treatment and prevention. It also discusses apparent changes in the epidemiological patterns of lungworm infections in both species and the implications for risk assessment and management.
Blood flow in humans following low-load exercise with and without blood flow restriction
Authors: Mouser J. Grant , Laurentino Gilberto C. , Dankel Scott J. , Buckner Samuel L. , Jessee Matthew B. , Counts Brittany R. , Mattocks Kevin T. , Loenneke Jeremy P.
Published: July 2017

Blood flow restriction (BFR) in combination with exercise has been used to increase muscle size and strength using relatively low loads (20%–30% 1-repetition maximum (1RM)). In research, the range of applied pressures based on a percentage of arterial occlusion pressure (AOP), is wide. The purpose of the study is to measure the blood flow response before exercise, following each set of exercise, and postexercise to low-load elbow flexion combined with no restriction (NOBFR), 40% of AOP (40BFR), and 80% of AOP (80BFR). One hundred and fifty-two participants volunteered; 140 completed the protocol (women = 75, men = 65). Participants were counter-balanced into 1 of 3 conditions. Following AOP and 1RM measurement, ultrasound was used to measure standing blood flow at rest in the right brachial artery. Participants performed 4 sets of elbow flexion at 30% 1RM. Blood flow was measured between sets and at 1 and 5 min postexercise. Blood flow decreased following inflation, with no difference between conditions (p < 0.001). Men had greater blood flow than women in all conditions at all time points (p < 0.001). Resting hyperemia decreased with pressure (NOBFR > 40BFR > 80BFR, p < 0.001). Blood flow increased from rest to after set 1 regardless of condition. Following cuff deflation, blood flow increased in both the 80BFR and 40BFR conditions. The reduction in hyperemia during BFR is pressure-dependent. Contrary to previous investigations, blood flow was increased above baseline following exercise.
Anomalous dynamics of active mode-locking in ring lasers with semiconductor optic amplifiers
Authors: Parkhomenko Yu. N. , Spektor B. , Shamir J.
Published: July 2017

The pulses development dynamics, including their bifurcation into two-pulse complexes, was investigated in ring semiconductor lasers with amplitude modulation, operating on harmonics. New unusual properties of active mode-locking were revealed. They indicate significantly different dynamics of lasers operating on the first harmonic and those operating on any higher harmonic. The domain of control parameters for single pulses of higher harmonics is split into two domains: the dynamic boundary layer of finite width adjacent to the bifurcation line and the domain of dynamic chaos. Such layers engender stable dynamic sync-bands. We found conditions to implement energy-efficient sync-bands with optimum pulse parameters.
Bistability of ultrashort pulses in FBG under different nonlinearity profiles
Authors: Pinto P. V. F. , Pessoa T. M. , Jacinto J. M. , Sales J. C. , Ferreira A. C. , Guimarães G. F.
Published: July 2017

In this work, we studied the optical bistability of Fiber Bragg Grating (FBG) under nonlinear regime, considering three increasing and decreasing profiles of nonlinearity: linear, quadratic and exponential. We varied the nonlinearity range in each profile, and obtained different curves of bistability and reflectivity. We analyzed the powers [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text], as well as the width of the photonic band gap ([Formula: see text] of each device under different nonlinearity profiles, and we observed the changes in reflectivity of the FBG. The power intensities [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text] obtained for the bistability of decreasing profiles were lower than those obtained for the increasing profiles, and the values of [Formula: see text] were also lower in decreasing profiles, which is useful for optical switching applications.
Optical properties of benzene and derivatives by the single beam thermal lens technique
Authors: Biswas M. K. , Das P. K. , Hoque E. , Sharafuddin S. M. , Das S. K. , Haque Y.
Published: July 2017

The present work studies the optical nonlinearity exhibited by the material (for Continuous Wave (CW) laser or long pulse) due to the change in thermal properties of the material on illumination. Thermal lens (TL) technique has been used to measure the refractive index change due to the formation of TL along with other thermo-optic properties of the material in solution. A CW Ar-ion laser has been used as light source and the laser beam was chopped at 25[Formula: see text]Hz frequency to obtain 12[Formula: see text]ms pulse to observe the formation of the TL within the sample. The [Formula: see text] value have been calculated by the TL technique for Benzene, Toluene and Dimethylaniline (DMA) in toluene and Benzene. The [Formula: see text] value is found to be in the order of 10[Formula: see text] to 10[Formula: see text][Formula: see text]cm2[Formula: see text]W[Formula: see text].
THERMAL ANALYSIS IN DRILLING OF EX VIVO BOVINE BONES
Authors: FERNANDES M. G. , FONSECA E. M. M. , JORGE R. N. , VAZ M. , DIAS M. I.
Published: July 2017

Bone drilling is a common procedure in Medicine, mainly in traumatology and orthopedic procedure for fractures fixation and in reconstructive surgery. The success of this surgical procedure is dependent on many factors, namely, on heat generation control during the bone drilling. The main concern in bone drilling is the mechanical and thermal damage of the bone induced by inappropriate parameters such as drill speed and feed-rate during the drilling. This study focuses on the temperature generated during drilling of cortical bone tissue (bovine origin) and solid rigid polyurethane foams with similar mechanical properties to the human bone tissue. Different parameters such as drill speed, feed-rate and hole depth were tested. All results showed that improvement of the drilling parameters and the drill temperatures can be estimated. It was concluded that when the drill speed and feed-rate were higher, the bone temperature increase was lower. The obtained results of temperature in the drilling process of polyurethane foam blocks or bovine bone were compared with a good agreement in between both.
Adult Image and Video Recognition by a Deep Multicontext Network and Fine-to-Coarse Strategy
Authors: Ou Xinyu , Ling Hefei , Yu Han , Li Ping , Zou Fuhao , Liu Si
Published: July 2017

Adult image and video recognition is an important and challenging problem in the real world. Low-level feature cues do not produce good enough information, especially when the dataset is very large and has various data distributions. This issue raises a serious problem for conventional approaches. In this article, we tackle this problem by proposing a deep multicontext network with fine-to-coarse strategy for adult image and video recognition. We employ a deep convolution networks to model fusion features of sensitive objects in images. Global contexts and local contexts are both taken into consideration and are jointly modeled in a unified multicontext deep learning framework. To make the model more discriminative for diverse target objects, we investigate a novel hierarchical method, and a task-specific fine-to-coarse strategy is designed to make the multicontext modeling more suitable for adult object recognition. Furthermore, some recently proposed deep models are investigated. Our approach is extensively evaluated on four different datasets. One dataset is used for ablation experiments, whereas others are used for generalization experiments. Results show significant and consistent improvements over the state-of-the-art methods.
Welcome to AI matters, volume 3, issue 2
Authors: Eaton Eric , McGovern Amy
Published: July 2017

Welcome to the second issue in our third year of
AI Matters
. This issue features a timely new column:
AI Events
. This column is written by Michael Rovatsos and gives a summary of upcoming AI events for the rest of the year. AI Events will be a regular feature for future issues as well.
AI events
Authors: Rovatsos Michael
Published: July 2017

This new column provides information about recent and upcoming events that are relevant to the readers of
AI Matters
, including those supported by SIGAI. In an effort to provide concise summaries, we have abridged the descriptions provided by the organizers at the respective event web sites. We would love to hear from you if you are are organizing an event and would be interested in cooperating with SIGAI, or if you have announcements relevant to SIGAI. You can find out more about conference sponsorship and support at sigai.acm.org/activities/requesting_sponsorship.html.
ACM SIGSPATIAL 2016 conference report
Authors: Renz Matthias , Ravada Siva , Trajcevski Goce
Published: July 2017

This is the conference report on the 24

th

ACM SIGSPATIAL International Conference on Advances in Geographic Information Systems (ACM SIGSPATIAL 2016), held in the San Francisco Bay Area, California, USA, October 31 through November 3, 2016. The conference started as a series of symposia and workshops back in 1993 with the aim of promoting interdisciplinary discussions among researchers, developers, users, and practitioners and fostering research in all aspects of geographic information systems, especially in relation to novel systems based on geospatial data and knowledge. It provides a forum for original research contributions covering all conceptual, design, and implementation aspects of geospatial data ranging from applications, user interfaces and visualization, to data storage, query processing, indexing and data mining. The conference is the premier annual event of the ACM Special Interest Group on Spatial Information (ACM SIGSPATIAL).
SIGCHI and SIGACCESS working together to improve accessibility
Authors: Mankoff Jennifer , Trewin Shari
Published: July 2017

The field of computing is one that has a special relationship with disability due to both the many opportunities and many flaws that computers present with respect to disability access. However, despite many successes in this arena, the conferences and digital resources of the Association for Computing Machinery are still not all accessible to people with disabilities.
DSAI 2016
Authors: Paredes Hugo , Moreno Lourdes , Pühretmair Franz
Published: July 2017

The 2016 edition of the International Conference on Software Development and Technologies for Enhancing Accessibility and Fighting Info-exclusion (DSAI)
4
- commemorates the 10
th
anniversary of the conference. Over the last decade, DSAI has been a forum where researchers, from all around the world, share the advances in the domain of assistive technologies and software development for people with special needs.
miR-4632 mediates PDGF-BB-induced proliferation and antiapoptosis of human pulmonary artery smooth muscle cells via targeting cJUN
Authors: Qian Zhengjiang , Li Yanjiao , Chen Jidong , Li Xiang , Gou Deming
Published: July 2017

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) can regulate the proliferative status of pulmonary artery smooth muscle cells (PASMCs), which is a core factor modulating pulmonary vascular remodeling diseases, such as atherosclerosis and pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH). Our previous work has shown that miR-4632, a rarely reported miRNA, is significantly downregulated in platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF)-BB-stimulated human pulmonary artery smooth muscle cells (HPASMCs), yet its cell function and the underlying molecular mechanisms remain to be elucidated. Here, we find that miR-4632 is highly expressed in HPASMCs and its expression significantly decreased in response to different stimuli. Functional studies revealed that miR-4632 inhibited proliferation and promoted apoptosis of HPASMCs but had no effects on cell contraction and migration. Furthermore, the cJUN was identified as a direct target gene of miR-4632, while knockdown of cJUN was necessary for miR-4632-mediated HPASMC proliferation and apoptosis. In addition, the downregulation of miR-4632 by PDGF-BB was found to associate with histone deacetylation through the activation of PDGF receptor/phosphatidylinositol 3′-kinase/histone deacetylase 4 signaling. Finally, the expression of miR-4632 was reduced in the serum of patients with PAH. Overall, our results suggest that miR-4632 plays an important role in regulating HPASMC proliferation and apoptosis by suppression of cJUN, providing a novel therapeutic miRNA candidate for the treatment of pulmonary vascular remodeling diseases. It also implies that serum miR-4632 has the potential to serve as a circulating biomarker for PAH diagnosis.