bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Recreational drug use and chemsex among HIV‐infected in‐patients: a unique screening opportunity
Authors: Elliot ER , Singh S , Tyebally S , Gedela K , Nelson M
Published: January 2017

Objectives

While a high rate of recreational drug use (RDU) has been documented among HIV‐infected out‐patients, particularly in men who have sex with men (MSM), there is a distinct lack of data for HIV‐infected in‐patients. Hospital admission offers a unique opportunity to engage drug users. We aimed to establish and characterize RDU among new admissions to a large dedicated London HIV in‐patient unit and compare it to RDU among general medical admissions to inform clinical pathways.

Methods

A prospective opt‐out survey was administered to all new HIV‐positive admissions over a 10‐week period (cases) and all medical Acute Assessment Unit admissions over two 24‐h periods (controls). All provided consent for urine toxicology upon admission.

Results

Data were collected in 59 of 65 (91%) newly admitted HIV‐positive individuals and in 48 of 54 (89%) non‐HIV‐positive medical admissions. HIV‐infected in‐patients were more likely than non‐HIV‐positive medical admissions to be male (P < 0.0001) (71% MSM), to be younger (P < 0.0001), to report current RDU (41 vs. 10%, respectively; P = 0.0001), to have a positive urine toxicology screen (19 vs. 2%, respectively; P = 0.0091) and to be a drug‐related admission (15% vs. none; P = 0.004). Thirteen of 26 HIV‐infected current recreational drug users admitted to sexualized drug taking and nine to injecting drugs. Twenty‐seven per cent (seven of 26) were known to drug services. Crystal methamphetamine, mephedrone, gamma butyrolactone/gamma hydroxybutyrate and ketamine were exclusively taken by MSM. In total, 13 of 59 HIV‐infected in‐patients had current or past infection with hepatitis C virus, of whom 92% reported lifetime drug use.

Conclusions

These data strongly support the use of formal screening and drug service referral pathways at the time of admission to hospital to engage HIV‐positive drug users.
Identification of the electromechanical material properties of a multilayer ceramic capacitor
Authors: Ko Byung‐Han , Jeong Sanggeuk , Kim Dongjoon , Park No‐Cheol , Park Young‐Pil
Published: January 2017

A multilayer ceramic capacitor (MLCC) vibrates when an electrical signal containing an alternating current (AC) component is applied to it. The piezoelectric and electrostrictive coefficients of the dielectric layer are needed to analyze such vibrations because both affect the vibration. Also, they must be determined for various direct current (DC) biases because an MLCC is operated with various electrical signals and the coefficients vary as the DC bias changes. We determined the coefficients by measuring the vibration of an MLCC under a range of DC biases. When a single‐frequency AC voltage is applied to an MLCC, it vibrates with both fundamental and second‐harmonic frequencies because of piezoelectricity and electrostriction. These frequencies were measured and separated into their piezoelectric and electrostrictive components to derive the piezoelectric and electrostrictive coefficients. Because of the difficulty of calculating the coefficients, a finite element (FE) method was adopted in consideration of the complicated structure of the MLCC. The derived piezoelectric coefficients were cross‐checked and verified by impact testing. The electrostrictive vibration component was greater than the piezoelectric one except when the applied DC electric field was near zero. This showed that both piezoelectricity and electrostriction must be considered in vibrational analyses of MLCCs.
Zr‐ and Tb‐doped barium cerate‐based cermet membrane for hydrogen separation application
Authors: Islam Quazi A. , Raja Mir W. , Basu Rajendra N.
Published: January 2017

Ba0.8Ce0.35Zr0.5Tb0.15O3‐δ (BCZT) perovskite has been synthesized by glycine‐assisted solution combustion method. The Ni‐Ba0.8Ce0.35Zr0.5Tb0.15O3‐δ‐based cermet membrane is obtained by cosintering NiO and BCZT powder mixture at 1550°C in reducing atmosphere. The X‐ray diffraction pattern of sintered pellet shows the characteristic peaks of both Ni and BCZT phases. FESEM image and elemental mapping confirm the presence of randomly distributed metallic nickel in the BCZT matrix. An electrical conductivity of ~14 S/cm at 700°C is achieved in Ni‐BCZT membrane, which reduced further with increase in temperature (>700°C). The cermet membrane (1.5 mm thick) shows a highest hydrogen permeation flux of ~0.07 mL/min/cm2 at 900°C. Chemical stability of Ni‐BCZT membrane has also been examined under humid and carbon dioxide containing atmosphere. The membrane shows good structural stability without any significant change in hydrogen permeation flux.
Photovoice in research involving people with intellectual disabilities: A guided photovoice approach as an alternative
Authors: Overmars‐Marx Tessa , Thomése Fleur , Moonen Xavier
Published: January 2017

Background

In studies involving people with intellectual disabilities, photovoice is increasingly used to include the voice of participants. Analysing existing literature, the present authors found that photovoice was used in various forms with different outcomes. These studies describe both obstructing and facilitating factors. The present authors designed a more standardized approach of photovoice and developed an alternative strategy: “guided photovoice.”

Method

The “guided photovoice” approach was tested on fourteen participants with intellectual disabilities. The outcomes of the approach were evaluated.

Results

The effectiveness of the approach varied with the participants’ capabilities and needs. Some participants were talked more while taking photographs, others told their story easily during the interviews. The use of follow‐up questions was helpful to deepen the interview.

Conclusions

A more standardized, guided photovoice approach is a helpful addition to the various options for using photovoice; it is important to decide which approach best fits the needs and capabilities of the participants.
Inflammatory bowel disease and oral health: systematic review and a meta‐analysis
Authors: Papageorgiou Spyridon N. , Hagner Martin , Nogueira Andressa Vilas Boas , Franke Andre , Jäger Andreas , Deschner James
Published: January 2017

Background

The objective of this systematic review was to systematically investigate whether there is an association between inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and oral health.

Methods

Literature searches for randomized and non‐randomized studies were performed up to January 2017. Risk of bias within studies was assessed with the Downs and Black checklist. Across‐studies risk of bias was assessed with the GRADE framework. Quantitative synthesis was conducted with random‐effects meta‐analyses.

Results

A total of 9 cross‐sectional studies including 1297 patients were included. IBD was associated with increased risk of periodontitis (332 more patients per 1000 patients; 95% confidence interval (CI): 257–388 patients; p < 0.001) compared to non‐IBD patients. Additionally, the Decayed‐Missing‐Filled‐Teeth index of IBD patients was significantly worse than non‐IBD patients (mean difference: 3.85; 95% CI: 2.36–5.34; p = 0.005). Patients with ulcerative colitis had considerably worse oral health for most of the assessed factors, while the quality of overall evidence ranged from high to low, due to the observational nature of contributing studies.

Conclusions

Inflammatory bowel disease was associated with significantly higher risk of periodontitis and worse oral health compared to non‐IBD patients. However, longitudinal studies are needed in order to establish a causality link between IBD and periodontal disease.
Primary health care for people with an intellectual disability: an exploration of consultations, problems identified, and their management in Australia
Authors: Weise J. , Pollack A. , Britt H. , Trollor J. N.
Published: January 2017

Background

People with an intellectual disability (ID) have more complex and different patterns of health care needs than the general population. They experience a greater burden of multi‐morbidity, high levels of undetected and unmanaged health issues, and premature mortality than the general population. Primary care has a key role in the health care of people with an ID. Currently, very little is known about the consultation type and length, problems managed, and how general practitioners (GPs) manage these problems for people with an ID compared with the general population. This information would provide valuable insights into how GPs are achieving the health guidelines and facilitating people with an ID to achieve the highest attainable standard of health.

Methods

A secondary analysis of data was collected from January 2003 to December 2012 from the Bettering the Evaluation and Care of Health (BEACH) programme. Consultation type, consultation length in minutes, problem(s) managed during the consultation, medications, treatments provided, and referrals made, pre and post age–sex standardisation, at all GP encounters with people identified in the encounter record as having an ID (‘ID’ encounters, n = 690) were compared with those at ‘non‐ID’ encounters (n = 970 641). Statistical significance was tested with 95% confidence intervals.

Results

This study identified significant differences in consultation types, consultation length, problem(s) managed during the consultation, medications, treatments provided, and referrals made at ‘ID’ encounters compared with ‘non‐ID’ encounters. ‘ID’ encounters had more indirect encounters, longer consultations, more problems managed, but an under management of common health conditions in people with an ID. Administrative rather than medically related actions dominated clinical treatments for people at ‘ID’ encounters, and they received fewer procedural treatments, referrals to specialists, and medications compared with those at ‘non‐ID’ encounters.

Conclusion

The significant differences in consultations, problems identified and managed suggest that GPs may require additional support to (1) identify and manage common medical conditions experienced by people with an ID; (2) manage the increased time required for consultations; and (3) directly consult with people with an ID. Further research is required to determine why GPs managed problems in a significantly different way for people with an ID.
HAADF‐STEM characterization and simulation of nanoparticle distributions in an inhomogeneous matrix
Authors: LIU Z. , EPICIER T. , LEFKIR Y. , VITRANT G. , DESTOUCHES N.
Published: January 2017

Measuring with a high accuracy the size distribution of small metallic nanoparticles loaded in a mesoporous metal oxide matrix is of particular interest for many studies related to new generations of interesting metamaterials. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) is a powerful tool to determine the nature and morphology of very small particles, but their reliable and automatic identification in an inhomogeneous environment where the nanoparticle/background contrast locally varies is not straightforward. Here, we present how a quantitative analysis of high‐angle annular dark field scanning TEM (HAADF STEM) images, accounting for the chemical sensitivity of the technique, can improve the accuracy of semiautomatic segmentation methods based on morphological processing to calculate size histograms. The paper also provides an estimate of the reliability of this method through the analysis of numerically synthesized images. The latter are based on the simulation of HAADF STEM projections of a volume filled with titania, pores and silver particles, whose morphological features, such as dimensions, shapes and densities are evaluated from experimental measurements of real samples. The results obtained with synthesized images prove the performances of the quantitative analysis to suppress nonsilver nanoparticles from the statistics and allow to infer empirical rules to determine imaging parameters that ensure a good reliability of histograms.
Percutaneous Coronary Intervention of Complex Calcified Lesions With Drug‐Coated Balloon After Rotational Atherectomy
Authors: Rissanen Tuomas T. , Uskela Sanna , Siljander Antti , Kärkkäinen Jussi M. , Mäntylä Pirjo , Mustonen Juha , Eränen Jaakko
Published: January 2017

Objectives

We investigated the safety and efficacy of PCI using drug‐coated balloon (DCB) after rotational atherectomy (rotablation) in a retrospective single center study in patients with calcified de novo coronary lesions. The majority of patients had an increased risk for bleeding.

Background

DCB has been effective in the treatment of in‐stent restenosis, small vessels, and bifurcations. DCB enables short one month dual antiplatelet treatment. No published data exist on the use of DCB after rotablation.

Methods

82 PCIs were performed in 65 patients (mean age 72 ± 10 years) using rotablation followed by DCB treatment. The median follow‐up time was 17 months. 82% of the patients had at least one risk factor for bleeding such as oral anticoagulation. 32% had an acute coronary syndrome. Median duration of dual antiplatelet treatment was 1 month.

Results

MACE (the composite of cardiovascular death, ischemia‐driven target‐lesion revascularization [TLR] or non‐fatal myocardial infarction) occurred in 14% and 20% of the patients at 12 and 24 months, respectively. The rate of ischemia‐driven TLR was 1.5% at 12 months and 3.0% at 24 months. No acute closure of the treated vessel occurred. Bailout stenting was needed in 10% of the PCIs. The incidence of significant bleeding was 9% at 12 months.

Conclusions

This is the first study to show that PCI using DCB after preparation of calcified lesions with rotablation is safe and effective. This novel strategy may be considered especially in patients with a bleeding risk such as those using an oral anticoagulant.
Prosthodontic Rehabilitation for a Patient with Down Syndrome: A Clinical Report
Authors: Alqahtani Nasser M. , Alsayed Hussain D. , Levon John A. , Brown David T.
Published: January 2017

Patients with Down syndrome can present with a variety of oral manifestations such as hypodontia, periodontal disease, premature tooth loss, reduced salivary flow, crowding of teeth in both arches, and decreased occlusal vertical dimension. The intellectual ability of people with Down syndrome varies widely. They present with a mild‐to‐moderate intellectual disability that restricts their ability to communicate and adjust to their environment, which can add complexity in the overall dental treatment. There is little information in the literature regarding the prosthodontic rehabilitation for patients with Down syndrome in combination with dental implant placement. An implant‐assisted removable partial dental prosthesis can be a cost‐effective treatment alternative for carefully chosen patients with Down syndrome. This article presents the treatment of a 44‐year‐old male patient with Down syndrome and a moderate intellectual disability who presented with congenital and acquired tooth loss with significant occlusal discrepancies. The treatment included a prosthodontic approach that used a single dental implant, which will be described and illustrated in this article.
Robust Mean–Variance Hedging of Longevity Risk
Authors: Li Hong , De Waegenaere Anja , Melenberg Bertrand
Published: January 2017

Parameter uncertainty and model misspecification can have a significant impact on the performance of hedging strategies for longevity risk. To mitigate this lack of robustness, we propose an approach in which the optimal hedge is determined by optimizing the worst‐case value of the objective function with respect to a set of plausible probability distributions. In the empirical analysis, we consider an insurer who hedges longevity risk using a longevity bond, and we compare the worst‐case (robust) optimal hedges with the classical optimal hedges in which parameter uncertainty and model misspecification are ignored. We find that unless the risk premium on the bond is close to zero, the robust optimal hedge is significantly less sensitive to variations in the underlying probability distribution. Moreover, the robust optimal hedge on average outperforms the nominal optimal hedge unless the probability distribution used by the nominal hedger is close to the true distribution.
Prudence and Precautionary Effort
Authors: Lee Kangoh
Published: January 2017

It is well known that prudence increases precautionary effort in the presence of future uncertain income. This result is intuitive, as prudent individuals take more caution to reduce the probability of accident in response to income uncertainty. However, this known result holds true only in a two‐state model with either a loss or no loss occurring. With more than two states of the world, losses of different magnitudes occur, and precautionary effort may not reduce the probabilities of all losses. The effect of income uncertainty on precautionary effort hinges on how it affects the probability distribution of losses, and prudence is neither necessary nor sufficient for more precaution. The analysis establishes an intuitive condition under which prudence increases precaution and another one under which prudence decreases it.
Development and Validation of a Diagrammatic Scale to Assess the Severity of Black Rot of Crucifers in Kale
Authors: Nuñez Andrés Maurício Pinzón , Monteiro Fernando Pereira , Pacheco Leandro Pereira , Rodríguez Gabriel Alfonso Alvarez , Nogueira Carolina Carvalho Almeida , Pinto Felipe Augusto Moretti Ferreira , de Medeiros Flávio Henrique Vasconcelos , de Souza Jorge Teodoro
Published: January 2017

The aim of this study was to develop a diagrammatic scale to evaluate black rot (Xanthomonas campestris pv. compestris) severity on kale (Brassica oleraceae var. acephala) leaves. The diagrammatic scale was developed and validated with eight levels of severity, ranging from 0.19 to 48.8%. More than 95% of the leaves collected from the field showed severity levels ranging from 0.1 to 21%, and 5% of the leaves showed severities higher than 22%. The validation of the scale was performed by 10 inexperienced evaluators, and the data were analysed with two methods: linear regression and Lin's statistics. Without the scale, most evaluators overestimated disease severity, whereas the use of the scale resulted in increased precision, accuracy, repeatability, and reproducibility of the estimates according to both validation methods. In conclusion, the proposed diagrammatic scale proved to be useful for assessments of black rot severity in kale leaves. The scale may be of interest to researches performing studies on epidemiology or breeding for resistance.
Improvement of a patient's circadian rhythm sleep disorders by aripiprazole was associated with stabilization of his bipolar illness
Authors: Tashiro Tetsuo
Published: January 2017

Splitting of the behavioural activity phase has been found in nocturnal rodents with suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN) coupling disorder. A similar phenomenon was observed in the sleep phase in the diurnal human discussed here, suggesting that there are so‐called evening and morning oscillators in the SCN of humans. The present case suffered from bipolar disorder refractory to various treatments, and various circadian rhythm sleep disorders, such as delayed sleep phase, polyphasic sleep, separation of the sleep bout resembling splitting and circabidian rhythm (48 h), were found during prolonged depressive episodes with hypersomnia. Separation of sleep into evening and morning components and delayed sleep‐offset (24.69‐h cycle) developed when lowering and stopping the dose of aripiprazole (APZ). However, resumption of APZ improved these symptoms in 2 weeks, accompanied by improvement in the patient's depressive state. Administration of APZ may improve various circadian rhythm sleep disorders, as well as improve and prevent manic–depressive episodes, via augmentation of coupling in the SCN network.
Involvement of ralfuranones in the quorum sensing signalling pathway and virulence of Ralstonia solanacearum strain OE1‐1
Authors: Mori Yuka , Ishikawa Shiho , Ohnishi Hideyuki , Shimatani Mika , Morikawa Yukino , Hayashi Kazusa , Ohnishi Kouhei , Kiba Akinori , Kai Kenji , Hikichi Yasufumi
Published: January 2017

The soil‐borne, plant‐pathogenic Ralstonia solanacearum strain OE1‐1 produces and secretes methyl 3‐hydroxymyristate (3‐OH MAME) as a quorum sensing (QS) signal, which contributes to its virulence. A global virulence regulator, PhcA, functioning through the QS system, positively regulates the expression of ralA, which encodes furanone synthase, to produce aryl‐furanone secondary metabolites, ralfuranones. A ralfuranone‐deficient mutant (ΔralA) is weakly virulent when directly inoculated into tomato xylem vessels. To investigate the functions of ralfuranones, we analysed R. solanacearum transcriptome data generated by RNA sequencing technology. ΔralA expressed phcB, which is associated with 3‐OH MAME production, and phcA at levels similar to those in strain OE1‐1. In addition, ΔralA exhibited down‐regulated expression of more than 90% of the QS positively regulated genes, and up‐regulated expression of more than 75% of the QS negatively regulated genes. These results suggest that ralfuranones affect the QS feedback loop. Ralfuranone supplementation restored the ability of ΔralA cells to aggregate. In addition, ralfuranones A and B restored the swimming motility of ΔralA to wild‐type levels. However, the application of exogenous ralfuranones did not affect the production of the major exopolysaccharide, EPS I, in ΔralA. Quantitative real‐time polymerase chain reaction assays revealed that the deletion of ralA results in the down‐regulated expression of vsrAD and vsrBC, which encode a sensor kinase and a response regulator, respectively, in the two‐component regulatory systems that influence EPS I production. The application of ralfuranone B restored the expression of these two genes. Overall, our findings indicate that integrated signalling via ralfuranones influences the QS and virulence of R. solanacearum.
Sperm dimorphism in the Triatoma brasiliensis species complex and its applications
Authors: BAFFA A. F. , CAMARA D. C. P. , SANTOS‐MALLET J. R. , DA SILVA E. R. , COSTA J. , FREITAS S. P. C.
Published: January 2017

Morphological and structural features of the sperm of the Triatoma brasiliensis Neiva, 1911 (Hemiptera: Reduviidae) species complex were examined in this first study investigating the sperm of Heteroptera and the genus Triatoma. Males were dissected and their seminal vesicles removed. For measurement, seminal vesicles were squashed on glass slides, spread, fixed and observed under a photomicroscope. The images were analysed and measures of sperm were made. Data were analysed using one‐way analysis of variance and Tukey's test to detect differentiation among taxa. Furthermore, seminal vesicles were prepared for studies of transmission electron microscopy. All taxa studied showed polymorphic (short and long) sperm. The sperm of Triatoma brasiliensis macromelasoma was significantly longer (in total length) than that of the other four members of the complex, which supports the hypothesis of hybrid speciation of this member of the complex as an increase in the size of typical hybrids under heterosis was previously shown. The sperm cells of the five taxa have similar ultrastructural morphology. The ultrastructural features observed confirm the hypothesis, raised by previous studies, that they are synapomorphic to the suborder Heteroptera.
Quantifying the accretion of hyperphosphorylated tau in the locus coeruleus and dorsal raphe nucleus: the pathological building blocks of early Alzheimer's disease
Authors: Ehrenberg A. J. , Nguy A. K. , Theofilas P. , Dunlop S. , Suemoto C. K. , Di Lorenzo Alho A. T. , Leite R. P. , Diehl Rodriguez R. , Mejia M. B. , Rüb U. , Farfel J. M. , de Lucena Ferretti‐Rebustini R. E. , Nascimento C. F. , Nitrini R. , Pasquallucci C. A. , Jacob‐Filho W. , Miller B. , Seeley W. W. , Heinsen H. , Grinberg L. T.
Published: January 2017

Aims

Hyperphosphorylated tau neuronal cytoplasmic inclusions (ht‐NCI) are the best protein correlate of clinical decline in Alzheimer's disease (AD). Qualitative evidence identifies ht‐NCI accumulating in the isodendritic core before the entorhinal cortex. Here, we used unbiased stereology to quantify ht‐NCI burden in the locus coeruleus (LC) and dorsal raphe nucleus (DRN), aiming to characterize the impact of AD pathology in these nuclei with a focus on early stages.

Methods

We utilized unbiased stereology in a sample of 48 well‐characterized subjects enriched for controls and early AD stages. ht‐NCI counts were estimated in 60‐μm‐thick sections immunostained for p‐tau throughout LC and DRN. Data were integrated with unbiased estimates of LC and DRN neuronal population for a subset of cases.

Results

In Braak stage 0, 7.9% and 2.6% of neurons in LC and DRN, respectively, harbour ht‐NCIs. Although the number of ht‐NCI+ neurons significantly increased by about 1.9× between Braak stages 0 to I in LC (P = 0.02), we failed to detect any significant difference between Braak stage I and II. Also, the number of ht‐NCI+ neurons remained stable in DRN between all stages 0 and II. Finally, the differential susceptibility to tau inclusions among nuclear subdivisions was more notable in LC than in DRN.

Conclusions

LC and DRN neurons exhibited ht‐NCI during AD precortical stages. The ht‐NCI increases along AD progression on both nuclei, but quantitative changes in LC precede DRN changes.
The Role of Non‐Human Exemplars in Aquinas
Authors: Willows Adam M.
Published: January 2017

In this paper I discuss the role of non‐humans in Aquinas’ account of moral learning. I intend to show that the entire created order can play an important role in demonstrating to us the life of virtue, and argue that non‐human exemplars offer important advantages to the moral learner. I begin by addressing apparent problems with this approach, founded on the observation that human virtue, for Aquinas, is unique to humans. I resolve these by showing that Aquinas’ approach to exemplars is fundamentally analogical, meaning that exemplars point beyond themselves and need not necessarily live the good life to which they direct learners. I show that this means that Aquinas can use non‐humans as moral exemplars and offer examples of him doing just that. Finally, I offer an assessment of the benefits of this approach. Among other things, it offers ethicists new ways to focus on particular virtues and provides a plausible way to include non‐humans in the moral realm.
Insular primary glioblastomas with IDH mutations: Clinical and biological specificities
Authors: Hata Nobuhiro , Hatae Ryusuke , Yoshimoto Koji , Murata Hideki , Kuga Daisuke , Akagi Yojiro , Sangatsuda Yuhei , Suzuki Satoshi O. , Iwaki Toru , Mizoguchi Masahiro , Iihara Koji
Published: January 2017

Isocitrate dehydrogenase (IDH) mutation is a good prognostic marker for glioblastoma (GBM). Although it is infrequent in primary tumors, it is found in most lower‐grade gliomas. Thus, it is unclear whether IDH mutation is a marker for a specific phenotype of apparently primary de novo GBMs (pGBMs), or a marker for secondary tumors (sGBMs). We addressed this issue by analyzing clinical, radiographic and molecular findings in our institutional case series. Our cases included 92 pGBMs, with five cases of IDH1 mutations at R132 and no IDH2 mutations. The median overall survival of these five patients was 29 months (range: 4 to >40 months), which is considered good prognoses. Clinical and radiographic characteristics were distinct from IDH‐wildtype (IDH‐wt) pGBMs. IDH‐mutant (IDH‐mut) tumors consistently involved insular lesions and were subdivided into: (i) the two cases of elderly patients with long clinical histories and features implying multistep tumor development; and (ii) the three cases of younger patients with diffusely swelling insular tumors, slight contrast enhancement and no necrosis. Genetic and expression analyses of IDH‐mut pGBMs were similar to those of sGBMs, suggesting that they are indeed distinct from their IDH‐wt counterparts. TERT promoter mutation, a genetic marker of oligodendroglial derivation, was detected in one long‐surviving case, but genetic alterations in the astrocyte‐sGBM pathway were generally prevalent in IDH‐mut pGBMs. Our results present a unique phenotype of IDH‐mut pGBMs arising from insular cortex region, the molecular backgrounds of which are similar to sGBMs.
Brain networks associated with cognitive and hedonic responses to a meal
Authors: Pribic T. , Kilpatrick L. , Ciccantelli B. , Malagelada C. , Accarino A. , Rovira A. , Pareto D. , Mayer E. , Azpiroz F.
Published: January 2017

Background

We recently reported interrelated digestive, cognitive, and hedonic responses to a meal. The aim of this study was to identify brain networks related to the hedonic response to eating.

Methods

Thirty‐eight healthy subjects (20‐38 age range) were evaluated after a 5‐hour fast and after ingestion of a test meal (juice and warm ham and cheese sandwich, 300 mL, 425 kcal). Perceptual and affective responses (satiety, abdominal fullness, digestive well‐being, and positive mood), and resting scans of the brain using functional MRI (3T Trio, Siemens, Germany) were evaluated immediately before and after the test meal. A high‐order group independent component analysis was performed to investigate ingestion‐related changes in the intrinsic connectivity of brain networks, with a focus on thalamic and insular networks.

Key Results

Ingestion induced satiation (3.3±0.4 score increase; P<.001) and abdominal fullness (2.4±0.3 score increase; P<.001). These sensations included an affective dimension involving digestive well‐being (2.8±0.3 score increase; P<.001) and positive mood (1.8±0.2 score increase; P<.001). In general, thalamo‐cortical connectivity increased with meal ingestion while insular‐cortical connectivity mainly decreased. Furthermore, larger meal‐induced changes (increase/decrease) in specific thalamic connections were associated with smaller changes in satiety/fullness. In contrast, a larger meal‐induced decrease in insular‐anterior cingulate cortex connectivity was associated with increased satiety, fullness, and digestive well‐being.

Conclusions and Inferences

Perceptual and emotional responses to food intake are related to brain connectivity in defined functional networks. Brain imaging may provide objective biomarkers of subjective effects of meal ingestion.
Does intentional weight loss improve daytime sleepiness? A systematic review and meta‐analysis
Authors: Ng W. L. , Stevenson C. E. , Wong E. , Tanamas S. , Boelsen‐Robinson T. , Shaw J. E. , Naughton M. T. , Dixon J. , Peeters A.
Published: January 2017

Obesity is associated with excessive daytime sleepiness, but its causality remains unclear. We aimed to assess the extent to which intentional weight loss affects daytime sleepiness. Electronic databases were searched through 24 October 2016. Studies involving overweight or obese adults, a weight loss intervention and repeated valid measures of daytime sleepiness were included in the review. Two independent reviewers extracted data on study characteristics, main outcome (change in daytime sleepiness score standardized by standard deviation of baseline sleepiness scores), potential mediators (e.g. amount of weight loss and change in apnoea–hypopnoea index) and other co‐factors (e.g. baseline demographics). Forty‐two studies were included in the review. Fifteen before‐and‐after studies on surgical weight loss interventions showed large improvements in daytime sleepiness, with a standardized effect size of −0.97 (95% confidence interval [CI] −1.21 to −0.72). Twenty‐seven studies on non‐surgical weight loss interventions showed small‐to‐moderate improvement in daytime sleepiness, with a standardized effect size of −0.40 (95%CI −0.52 to −0.27), with no difference between controlled and before‐and‐after studies. We found a nonlinear association between amount of weight loss and change in daytime sleepiness. This review suggests that weight loss interventions improve daytime sleepiness, with a clear dose–response relationship. This supports the previously hypothesized causal effect of obesity on daytime sleepiness. It is important to assess and manage daytime sleepiness in obese patients.
Frequency and fertility restoration efficiency of Rf3 and Rf4 genes in Indian rice
Authors: Katara Jawahar Lal , Verma Ram Lakhan , Nayak Debkanta , Ngangkham Umakanta , Ray Soham , Subudhi Hatanath , Behera Lambodar , Samantaray Sanghamitra , Rao Ravi Nageswara , Singh Onkar Nath , Mohapatra Trilochan
Published: January 2017

Identification of new parental lines is crucial for developing ecology‐specific hybrids with ideal agronomic performance. We screened a total of 570 different ecology‐specific Indian rice varieties for the presence of fertility restorer genes, Rf3 and Rf4 using tightly linked markers DRRM Rf3‐10 and RM6100, respectively. Among these varieties, 13% carried Rf3Rf3/Rf4Rf4, 31% carried rf3rf3/rf4rf4, 6% carried Rf3Rf3/rf4rf4 and remaining 50% carried Rf4Rf4/rf3rf3 allelic combinations. A mini set of 40 varieties with variable allelic combinations of fertility restorer genes were testcrossed with WA and Kalinga‐based CMS lines. All the 80 F1s were evaluated for spikelet fertility and fertility restoration ability. Rf3Rf3/rf4rf4 genotypes mostly behaved as partial maintainers or partial restorers. In contrast, rf3rf3/Rf4Rf4 genotypes were partial or effective restorers. However, double dominant genotypes showed better fertility restoration than the genotypes containing Rf3 or Rf4 individually. Some of the genotypes showed unexpected restoration pattern implying occurrence of other fertility restorer(s) apart from Rf3 and Rf4. The perfect restorers and maintainers identified in this study can be directly used in hybrid rice breeding.
Discrimination of haploid and diploid maize kernels via multispectral imaging
Authors: De La Fuente Gerald N. , Carstensen Jens Michael , Edberg Michael A. , Lü bberstedt Thomas
Published: January 2017

The use of doubled haploids (DHs) in maize has become ubiquitous in maize breeding programmes as it allows breeders to go from cross to evaluation in as little as 2 years. Two important aspects of the in vivo DH system used in maize are as follows: (i) the identification of haploid progeny and (ii) doubling of the haploid genome to produce fertile inbred lines. This study is focused on the first step. Currently, identification of maize haploid progeny is performed manually using the R1‐nj seed colour marker. This is a labour‐intensive and time‐consuming process; a method for automated sorting of haploids would increase the efficiency of DH line development. In this study, six inbred lines were crossed with the maternal haploid inducer ‘RWS/RWK‐76’ and a sample of seed was sorted manually for each line. Using the VideometerLab 3 system, spectral imaging techniques were applied to discriminate between haploids and hybrids. Using DNA markers to confirm the haploid/diploid state of the tested seed, for the majority of genotypes haploid identification was possible with over 50% accuracy.
Late‐onset circulatory collapse of prematurity
Authors: Kawai Masahiko
Published: January 2017

Late‐onset circulatory collapse (LCC) is a refractory hypotension occurring after the early neonatal period (>day 7), in very low‐birthweight infants. Typically, infants stabilized within the early neonatal period develop sudden onset of circulatory collapse after the early neonatal period. The underlying pathophysiology of LCC is considered to be relative adrenal insufficiency, which is well known in Japan, but is not widely accepted in North America or Europe. The current increase in LCC in Japan suggests that the principal trigger is related to recent trends in neonatal medicine and/or newly introduced treatments for preterm infants, but the pathophysiology has not been fully elucidated. In this review, based on current knowledge regarding LCC, the pathophysiology is discussed.
Transcutaneous bilirubin measurement during phototherapy in term neonates
Authors: Katayama Yoshinori , Enomoto Masahiro , Kikuchi Shin , Takei Atsuko , Ikegami Hitoshi , Minami Hirotaka , Lee Yong Kye
Published: January 2017

Background

We tested whether direct transcutaneous bilirubin (TcB) measurement from an area unexposed to phototherapy is reliable for estimation of total serum bilirubin (TSB) in neonates during phototherapy and whether it contributes to reduction in TSB blood sampling in phototherapy decision making.

Methods

This was a retrospective observational study of term neonates who received phototherapy in the mother's room. TSB and TcB from the neonate's sternum were measured before and during phototherapy and compared using linear regression analysis and Bland–Altman plot, respectively. Various cut‐offs of TcB for estimating TSB during phototherapy at >72 h after birth were analyzed.

Results

There were moderate correlations between TSB and TcB before (r = 0.56) and during (r = 0.47) phototherapy in 125 neonates. The mean difference (TSB–TcB) before and during phototherapy was 1.2 ± 1.7 mg/dL and 1.0 ± 1.7 mg/dL, respectively. The 95% limits of agreement for the difference before and during phototherapy ranged from −2.1 to 4.5 and from −2.3 to 4.3 mg/dL, respectively. For TSB ≤18 mg/dL during phototherapy, a TcB cut‐off of 14 mg/dL had a specificity of 1.0; with this method, 43% of the TSB measurements could have been avoided.

Conclusions

Direct measurement of TcB during phototherapy using a bed‐type device is a reliable method to estimate TSB in term neonates and would contribute to a reduction in blood sampling. It cannot, however, be used as a substitute for TSB measurement.
Trade Liberalization, Rival Exporters and Reallocation of Production: An Analysis of Indian Manufacturing
Authors: Edwards Lawrence , Sundaram Asha
Published: January 2017

Employing a difference‐in‐difference estimation technique on firm‐level data on Indian exporters, we show that the removal of US textile and apparel quotas was associated with a relative increase in sales of products where India was previously quota restricted, but a relative decrease in sales and the unit value of products where China was previously quota restricted. Our study hence highlights the importance of accounting for falling trade barriers for rival exporters in analyzing trade liberalization effects. Additionally, we find evidence indicating that quota rights were not allocated efficiently, suggesting potential gains from reallocation with the dismantling of the Indian quota licensing regime.
Transition from storm wave‐dominated outer shelf to gullied upper slope: The mid‐Pliocene Orinoco shelf margin, South Trinidad
Authors: Peng Yang , Steel Ronald J. , Olariu Cornel
Published: January 2017

Shelf‐edge deltas are a key depositional environment for accreting sediment onto shelf‐margin clinoforms. The Moruga Formation, part of the palaeo‐Orinoco shelf‐margin sedimentary prism of south‐east Trinidad, provides new insight into the incremental growth of a Pliocene, storm wave‐dominated shelf margin. Relatively little is known about the mechanisms of sand bypass from the shelf‐break area of margins, and in particular from storm wave‐dominated margins which are generally characterized by drifting of sand along strike until meeting a canyon or channel. The studied St. Hilaire Siltstone and Trinity Hill Sandstone succession is 260 m thick and demonstrates a continuous transition from gullied (with turbidites) uppermost slope upward to storm wave‐dominated delta front on the outermost shelf. The basal upper‐slope deposits are dominantly mass‐transport deposited blocks, as well as associated turbidites and debrites with common soft‐sediment‐deformed strata. The overlying uppermost slope succession exhibits a spectacular set of gullies, which are separated by abundant slump‐scar unconformities (tops of rotational slides), then filled with debris‐flow conglomerates and sandy turbidite beds with interbedded mudstones. The top of the study succession, on the outer‐shelf area, contains repeated upward‐coarsening, sandstone‐rich parasequences (2 to 15 m thick) with abundant hummocky and swaley cross‐stratification, clear evidence of storm‐swell and storm wave‐dominated conditions. The observations suggest reconstruction of the unstable shelf margin as follows: (i) the aggradational storm wave‐dominated, shelf‐edge delta front became unstable and collapsed down the slope; (ii) the excavated scars of the shelf margin became gullied, but gradually healed (aggraded) by repeated infilling by debris flows and turbidites, and then new gullying and further infilling; and (iii) a renewed storm wave‐dominated delta‐front prograded out across the healed outer shelf, re‐establishing the newly stabilized shelf margin. The Moruga Formation study, along with only a few others in the literature, confirms the sediment bypass ability of storm wave‐dominated reaches of shelf edges, despite river‐dominated deltas being, by far, the most efficient shelf‐edge regime for sediment bypass at the shelf break.
Cytology of the healthy canine and feline ocular surface: comparison between cytobrush and impression technique
Authors: Perazzi Anna , Bonsembiante Federico , Gelain Maria Elena , Patruno Marco , Di Iorio Enzo , Migliorati Angelo , Iacopetti Ilaria
Published: January 2017

Background

Impression cytology (IC) is a noninvasive technique in which filters are used to sample superficial layers of ocular epithelium.

Objectives

The aim of this study was to compare cytology specimens obtained by IC and cytobrush from healthy canine and feline eyes.

Methods

Dogs and cats were prospectively sampled using polytetrafluorethylene filters on the right eye, and cytobrush on the left eye. Wright–Giemsa‐stained specimens were evaluated by 2 observers. Cellularity, preservation, and morphology of cells and presence of goblet and inflammatory cells were scored with a 4‐grade scale. Inter‐observer agreement and effects of topical anesthesia were analyzed.

Results

In 20 canine IC samples, 10 showed good cellularity (score 2–3) and 13 good preservation. Superficial epithelial cells (SEC) were present in 13/20 of IC, while basal‐intermediate cells (BIC) were seen in 14/20. In 6/20 and 7/20, goblet and inflammatory cells were noted, respectively. In 20 cats, 15 of IC showed good cellularity and 14 good preservation, and SEC were present in 16/20 of IC and BIC in 17/20. In 13/20 and 3/20 cats, goblet cells and inflammatory cells were noted, respectively. Canine cytobrush specimens appeared well preserved (9/20) and had good cellularity (8/20). In feline cytobrush specimens, good preservation and cellularity were observed in 16/20 and 14/20, respectively. In both species, all cell types were present without a clear separation. There was moderate to fair agreement about cellular morphology in IC between observers. Specimens obtained with and without anesthesia were comparable.

Conclusion

Impression cytology allowed collection of samples with maintained cytoarchitecture, while cytoplasmatic and nuclear details were often difficult to evaluate.
The Effect of Out-of School Activities on Conceptual Change in Environmental Education
Authors: Demirbas Cagri Ozturk
Published: January 2017

The objective of this study is to determining the change in secondary school students’ cognitive structure related to the concepts of environmental problems. There were 21th grades students of two middle schools in Kirsehir. In this research, the students participated in outdoor activities on environmental education programmes during 5 weekends consecutively. The data of the research were collected via word association test as pre-test and post-test. The conceptual change process was examined in collected data, and their pre-test and post-test results were analysed by using cut-off point. Conceptual network was constituted by using cut-off points. When pre-test and post-test results were compared, it was found that there is a positive shift in students’ conceptual change. In addition, when their concept network was examined, it was observed that there is an upturn in the number of answered words in post-test. However, the numbers of the words associated to the keywords in pre-test were limited. Besides, the connections not provided among the concepts in pre-test emerged in post-test which shows that students’ independent knowledge related to the keywords is associated in the post-test. Finally, when pre-test and post-test are compared, both are the increased in response words and emergence of the connection shows that qualitative change accompanies to quantitative change. Furthermore, keywords emerged in upper tabs out of post-test results. This specifies that the out-of school activities is successful in creating conceptual structure.
Military, University, and Police Agency Command and Staff Colleges in the United States
Authors: Martin Richard H.
Published: January 2017

This article discusses three models of command and staff colleges (CSC). Five university models, five United States Military models, and one police agency model are discussed. The 11 CSCs provide leadership development in various training and education programs all leading to the increased capabilities of leaders and potential leaders for public safety and branches of the military. The police agency CSC model was developed within a Montgomery, Alabama Police Department, the only one of its kind among public safety agencies in the country. The concept of a CSC for leadership development among police agencies in the U.S. is a rare entity. Other command and staff colleges were found to be connected to the various branches of the U.S. Military and higher education institutions. The article also discusses the municipal police agency CSC model historical development as it expanded within the department and throughout the state of Alabama.
Off-Design Performance of an Interstage Turbine Burner Turbofan Engine
Authors: Yin Feijia , Rao Arvind G.
Published: January 2017

This paper focuses on the off-design performance of a turbofan engine with an interstage turbine burner (ITB). The ITB is an additional combustion chamber located between the high-pressure turbine (HPT) and the low-pressure turbine (LPT). The incorporation of ITB in an engine can provide several advantages, especially due to the reduction in the HPT inlet temperature and the associated NOx emission reduction. The objective is to evaluate the effects of the ITB on the off-design performance of a turbofan engine. The baseline engine is a contemporary classical turbofan. The effects of the ITB are evaluated on two aspects: first, the influences of an ITB on the engine cycle performance; second, the influences of an ITB on the component characteristics. The dual combustors of an ITB engine provide an extra degree-of-freedom for the engine operation. The analysis shows that a conventional engine has to be oversized to satisfy off-design performance requirement, like the flat rating temperature. However, the application of an ITB eases the restrictions imposed by the off-design performance requirements on the engine design, implying that the off-design performance of an ITB engine can be satisfied without sacrificing the fuel efficiency. Eventually, the performance of the ITB engine exhibits superior characteristics over the baseline engine at the studied operating points over a flight mission.