bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Phonon-based scalable platform for chip-scale quantum computing
Authors: Reinke Charles M. , El-Kady Ihab
Published: December 2016

We present a scalable phonon-based quantum computer on a phononic crystal platform. Practical schemes involve selective placement of a single acceptor atom in the peak of the strain field in a high-Q phononic crystal cavity that enables coupling of the phonon modes to the energy levels of the atom. We show theoretical optimization of the cavity design and coupling waveguide, along with estimated performance figures of the coupled system. A qubit can be created by entangling a phonon at the resonance frequency of the cavity with the atom states. Qubits based on this half-sound, half-matter quasi-particle, called a phoniton, may outcompete other quantum architectures in terms of combined emission rate, coherence lifetime, and fabrication demands.
Tracking shifts in the literal versus the intensifying fake reflexive resultative construction
Authors: Gyselinck Emmeline , Colleman Timothy
Published: December 2016

This paper explores diachronic shifts in the literal and intensifying uses ofdood‘dead’ in the Dutch fake reflexive resultative construction. Without sufficient context, a clause likeHij werkte zich dood(lit. ‘He worked himself dead’) is ambiguous in that it is unclear whetherdoodexpresses an actual result of the activity denoted by the verb or whether it intensifies that verbal activity. We will investigate shifts in the (relative) type and token frequencies of both subtypes over the last two centuries and show that the intensifying use has become predominant. Particular attention is paid to the notion of productivity, which may help us to elucidate the possible pathways along whichdood– in its function as an intensifier – is moving. By taking into account the variety of verbs thatdoodhas occurred with since the early 19th Century, we aim to assess whether the dramatic increase in relative frequency of intensifyingdoodis paralleled by a concomitant extension of its collocational range or, conversely, whether this increase in frequency is mainly due to the rise of some highly frequent collocations.
A boy named Sue
Authors: Steels Luc , Loetzsch Martin , Spranger Michael
Published: December 2016

One major lesson learned in the cognitive sciences is that even basic human cognitive capacities are extraordinarily complicated and elusive to mechanistic explanations. This is definitely the case for naming and identity. Nothing seems simpler than using a proper name to refer to a unique individual object in the world. But psychological research has shown that the criteria and mechanisms by which humans establish and use names are unclear and seemingly contradictory. Children only develop the necessary knowledge and skills after years of development and naming degenerates in unusual selective ways with strokes, schizophrenia, or Alzheimer disease. Here we present an operational model of social interaction patterns and cognitive functions to explain how naming can be achieved and acquired. We study the Grounded Naming Game as a particular example of a symbolic interaction that requires naming and present mechanisms that build up and use the semiotic networks necessary for performance in the game. We demonstrate in experiments with autonomous physical robots that the proposed dynamical systems indeed lead to the formation of an effective naming system and that the model hence explains how naming and identity can get socially constructed and shared by a population of embodied agents.
Embodied cognitive semantics for quantification
Authors: Pauw Simon , Hilferty Joseph
Published: December 2016

The present paper proposes an operational semantic model of natural language quantifiers (e.g.,many, some, three) and their use in quantified noun phrases. To this end we use embodied artificial agents that communicate in and interact with the physical world. We argue that existing paradigms such as Generalized Quantifiers (Barwise and Cooper 1981; Montague 1973) and Fuzzy Quantifiers (Zadeh 1983) do not provide a satisfactory models for our situated-interaction scenarios and propose a more adequate semantic model, based on fuzzy-quantification.
The processing of Chinese compound words with ambiguous morphemes in sentence context
Authors: Shen Wei , Li Xingshan , Pollatsek Alexander
Published: December 2016

We employed a boundary paradigm to investigate how Chinese two-character compounds (i.e., compound words) are processed during reading. The first character of the compound was an ambiguous morpheme that had a dominant and subordinate meaning. In Experiment 1, there were three previews of the second character: identical to the target character; the preview provided subordinate biasing information (the subordinate condition); the preview provided dominant biasing information (the dominant condition). An invisible boundary was inserted between the two characters. We found that gaze durations and go-past times on the compounds were longer in the subordinate condition than those in the dominant or identical conditions. In Experiment 2, the semantic similarity between target and preview words in the dominant condition was manipulated to determine whether the differences in fixation durations in Experiment 1 resulted from the semantic similarity between the preview and target words. There were significant fixation duration differences on the target word between the dominant and subordinate conditions only when the preview and target words were semantically related. This finding indicated that the whole-word meaning plays an important role in processing Chinese compounds and that the whole-word access route is the principal processing route in reading two-character compounds in Chinese.
Essential dimension
Authors: Merkurjev Alexander
Published: December 2016

In this paper we survey research on the essential dimension that was introduced by J. Buhler and Z. Reichstein. Informally speaking, the essential dimension of a class of algebraic objects is the minimal number of algebraically independent parameters one needs to define any object in the class. The notion of essential dimension, which is defined in elementary terms, has surprising connections to many areas of algebra, such as algebraic geometry, algebraicKK-theory, Galois cohomology, representation theory of algebraic groups, theory of fibered categories and valuation theory. The highlights of the survey are the computations of the essential dimensions of finite groups, groups of multiplicative type and the spinor groups.
Large scale genomic analysis shows no evidence for pathogen adaptation between the blood and cerebrospinal fluid niches during bacterial meningitis
Authors: Lees John A , Kremer Philip H. C , Manso Ana S , Croucher Nicholas J , Ferwerda Bart , Serón Mercedes Valls , Oggioni Marco R , Parkhill Julian , Brouwer Matthijs C , van der Ende Arie , van de Beek Diederik , Bentley Stephen D
Published: December 2016

Recent studies have provided evidence for rapid pathogen genome diversification, some of which could potentially affect the course of disease. We have previously described such variation seen between isolates infecting the blood and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) of a single patient during a case of bacterial meningitis. Here, we performed whole-genome sequencing of paired isolates from the blood and CSF of 869 meningitis patients to determine whether such variation frequently occurs between these two niches in cases of bacterial meningitis. Using a combination of reference-free variant calling approaches, we show that no genetic adaptation occurs in either invaded niche during bacterial meningitis for two major pathogen species, Streptococcus pneumoniae and Neisseria meningitidis. This study therefore shows that the bacteria capable of causing meningitis are already able to do this upon entering the blood, and no further sequence change is necessary to cross the blood–brain barrier. Our findings place the focus back on bacterial evolution between nasopharyngeal carriage and invasion, or diversity of the host, as likely mechanisms for determining invasiveness.
Using work-based and work-applied learning to enhance the intellectual capital of organisations
Authors: Garnett Jonathan , Abraham Selva , Abraham Param
Published: December 2016

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to show how work-based and work-applied learning (WAL) can enhance the intellectual capital of organisations.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper draws organisational learning- and work-based learning literature and case study illustrations.

Findings

To achieve major strategic change in organisations requires working at senior level within the organisation to develop the capability of the organisation to learn and apply that learning strategically. WAL is explicitly geared to bring about change and enhance the learning capability within the organisation.

Research limitations/implications

There is a need for further longitudinal studies of organisations that have used the work-based and WAL approaches.

Practical implications

The conclusions reached have implications for higher education and non-award bearing executive education.

Social implications

The alignment of individual learning with organisational objectives positions learning as a co-operative part of working life rather than just individual preparation for employment.

Originality/value

The paper positions work-based learning and WAL as appropriate responses to the learning needs of organisations as well as individuals.
Elastic wave‐vector decomposition in heterogeneous anisotropic media
Authors: Sripanich Yanadet , Fomel Sergey , Sun Junzhe , Cheng Jiubing
Published: December 2016

The goal of wave‐mode separation and wave‐vector decomposition is to separate a full elastic wavefield into three wavefields with each corresponding to a different wave mode. This allows elastic reverse‐time migration to handle each wave mode independently. Several of the previously proposed methods to accomplish this task require the knowledge of the polarisation vectors of all three wave modes in a given anisotropic medium. We propose a wave‐vector decomposition method where the wavefield is decomposed in the wavenumber domain via the analytical decomposition operator with improved computational efficiency using low‐rank approximations. The method is applicable for general heterogeneous anisotropic media. To apply the proposed method in low‐symmetry anisotropic media such as orthorhombic, monoclinic, and triclinic, we define the two S modes by sorting them based on their phase velocities (S1 and S2), which are defined everywhere except at the singularities. The singularities can be located using an analytical condition derived from the exact phase‐velocity expressions for S waves. This condition defines a weight function, which can be applied to attenuate the planar artefacts caused by the local discontinuity of polarisation vectors at the singularities. The amplitude information lost because of weighting can be recovered using the technique of local signal–noise orthogonalisation. Numerical examples show that the proposed approach provides an effective decomposition method for all wave modes in heterogeneous, strongly anisotropic media.
A New Progressive Patriotism
Authors: Denham John
Published: December 2016

The need to hold capital to account and to bend markets to the common good is as powerful as ever, yet it is becoming steadily harder to create an electoral or political majority for such an idea in societies that are fractured and divided. The fundamental bond between voters and parties depends on political identity relationships; old ones are fading, new ones need to be created. The most dynamic politics in advanced capitalist societies are those of nation, people and place. The strategic challenge for the left is to create a new progressive patriotism that can embed radical ideas in a common sense of national purpose.
Large‐Scale Buy‐to‐Rent Investors in the Single‐Family Housing Market: The Emergence of a New Asset Class
Authors: Mills James , Molloy Raven , Zarutskie Rebecca
Published: December 2016

In 2012, several large firms began purchasing single‐family homes, creating large portfolios of rental property, and securitizing these investments in capital markets. We present the first systematic evidence on this new investor activity in order to shed light on the factors that have supported its emergence. Three key factors were the ample supply of property for sale, tight mortgage financing and a decrease in acquisition and managerial costs brought about by technological advances. In addition, we show that buy‐to‐rent investors appear to have supported house prices in the neighborhoods where they concentrated.
Discharge of a Pistol Out a Car Window with the Breech Within the Interior of the Car: Analysis of Gunshot Residue on a Car's Interior Surfaces
Authors: Burnett Bryan R. , Lebiedzik Jozef
Published: December 2016

The defendant, the driver of the questioned car, allegedly extended his right arm over the passenger seat and fired a single shot from a 380 pistol out the passenger window with the pistol's breech within the car. A simulation of this shooting scenario using the same model car, but different year, was conducted to quantitate gunshot residue (GSR) contamination of interior surfaces within the car. The test car's dash and headliner/window frame above the pistol had the heaviest GSR contamination. The dash GSR from airborne deposition documents a firearm discharge within the vehicle. Transfer from GSR‐contaminated hands or clothing to the dash is unlikely. The heavy GSR contamination of the headliner/window frame above the pistol likely documents the window from which the pistol was fired, but additional experiments are needed to verify.
Like or dislike: Response of rodents to the odor of plant secondary metabolites
Authors: HANSEN Sabine C. , STOLTER Caroline , IMHOLT Christian , JACOB Jens
Published: December 2016

Rodents, including common voles (Microtus arvalis) and house mice (Mus musculus) cause immense pre‐harvest and post‐harvest losses. Therefore, developing methods that mitigate these losses while maintaining their role in ecosystems is a priority. Several plant secondary metabolites (PSM) which significantly reduce food intake of both species under laboratory conditions have been identified. However, before these can be used in rodent pest management, they must be tested under more natural conditions where other food sources are available. In this study, the odors of 4 PSMs were evaluated for their repellent effects in experiments conducted in semi‐natural enclosures. Soil treated with PSMs or untreated soil (experimental control) was placed in an underground box containing food (rolled oats). We quantified the number of visits to each box and could demonstrate that all 4 PSMs reduced the number of visits to treatment boxes in both rodent species. For common voles the combination of methyl nonyl ketone + black pepper oil was the most repellent PSM. House mice made fewer visits to all PSM boxes; boxes with the anthraquinone were visited least. Furthermore, house mice consumed less food from boxes containing soil treated with all 4 PSMs. Our results suggest that PSMs are repellent in murid and microtine rodents under semi‐field conditions. In addition, the future use of PSM odors for repelling both pest species, especially house mice, seems promising. Further investigations with other PSMs, different concentrations as well as alternative application methods are needed to repel common voles from attractive crops.
Effects of acute cold exposure on oxidative balance and total antioxidant capacity in juvenile Chinese soft‐shelled turtle, Pelodiscus sinensis
Authors: ZHANG Wenyi , NIU Cuijuan , JIA Hui , CHEN Xutong
Published: December 2016

Acute cold exposure may disturb the physiological homeostasis of the body in ectotherms. To date, there has been no information on the effects of cold exposure on homeostasis of reactive oxygen species (ROS) or antioxidant defense response in the Chinese soft‐shelled turtle, Pelodiscus sinensis. In this study, P. sinensis juveniles were acclimated at 28 °C, transferred to 8 °C as cold exposure for 12 h, then moved back to 28 °C rewarming for 24 h. We measured the ROS level and total antioxidant capacity (TAC) in the brain, liver, kidney and spleen at 2 and 12 h cold exposure, and at the end of the rewarming period. Malonaldehyde (MDA) and carbonyl protein were used as markers of oxidative damage. Turtles being maintained simultaneously at 28 °C were used as the control group. Cold exposure did not disturb the ROS balance in all 4 tissues, while rewarming raised the ROS level in the brain and kidney of P. sinensis. Cold exposure and rewarming decreased the TAC in the brain, liver and spleen but did not change the TAC in the kidney. MDA and carbonyl protein levels did not increase during the treatment, indicating no oxidative damage in all 4 tissues of P. sinensis. Our results indicated that extreme cold exposure did not impact the inner oxidative balance of P. sinensis, but more ROS was produced during rewarming. P. sinensis showed good tolerance to the harsh temperature change through effective protection of its antioxidant defense system to oxidative damage. This study provides basic data on the stress biology of P. sinensis.
The stadium effect: rodent damage patterns in rice fields explored using giving‐up densities
Authors: JONES Clare R. , LORICA Renee P. , VILLEGAS James M. , RAMAL Angelee F. , HORGAN Finbarr G. , SINGLETON Grant R. , STUART Alexander M.
Published: December 2016

Rodents are globally important pre‐harvest pests of rice. In Southeast Asia, rodent damage to growing rice crops is commonly concentrated towards the center of rice fields, away from the field edge, resulting in a clear pattern known as the “stadium effect.” To further understand this behavior of rodent pests and to develop recommendations for future research and management, we examined the relation between giving‐up densities (GUDs) and damage patterns. In Tanay, Luzon, Philippines, GUD trays containing pieces of coconut in a matrix of sand were placed at 4 different distances from the field edge to quantify the perceived risk of predation in a rice field pest, Rattus tanezumi. GUDs were recorded during a dry and wet season crop at the reproductive and ripening stages of rice. In addition, assessments of active burrows, tracking tile activity and rodent damage to the rice crop, were conducted in the dry season. GUDs were significantly lower in the center of the rice fields than on the field edges, suggesting that rodent damage to rice is greater in the middle of rice fields due to a lower perceived predation risk. Furthermore, this perception of predation risk (or fear) increases towards the field edge and was greatest on the rice bund, where there was no vegetation cover. We discuss the implications for rodent management and rodent damage assessments in rice fields. This is the first documented use of GUDs in a rice agro‐ecosystem in Asia; thus we identify the challenges and lessons learned through this process.
Sex differences, endogenous sex‐hormone hormones, sex‐hormone binding globulin, and exogenous disruptors in diabetes and related metabolic outcomes
Authors: Liu Simin , Sun Qi
Published: December 2016

In assessing clinical and pathophysiological development of type 2 diabetes (T2D), the critical role of the sex steroids axis is underappreciated, particularly concerning the sex‐specific relationships with many relevant cardiometabolic outcomes. In this issue of theJournal ofDiabetes, we provide a comprehensive overview of these significant associations of germline variants in the genes governing the sex steroid pathways, plasma levels of steroid hormones, and sex hormone‐binding globulin (SHBG) withT2Drisk that have been observed in many clinical and high‐quality large prospective cohorts of men and women across ethnic populations. Together, this body of evidence indicates that sex steroids andSHBGshould be routinely incorporated into clinical characterization ofT2Dpatients, particularly in screening prediabetic patients, such as those with metabolic syndrome, using plasma levels ofSHBG. Given that several germline mutations in theSHBGgene have also been directly related to both plasma concentrations ofSHBGand clinical manifestation ofT2D, targeting signals in the sex steroid axis, particularlySHBG, may have significant utility in the prediction and treatment ofT2D. Further, many of the environmental endocrine disrupting chemicals may exert their potential adverse effects on cardiometabolic outcomes via either estrogenic or androgenic signaling pathways, highlighting the importance of using the sex steroids andSHBGas important biochemical markers in both clinical and population studies in studying sex‐specific mechanisms in the pathogenesis ofT2Dand its complications, as well as the need to equitably allocate resources in studying both men and women.
Platelet Counts and Genetic Polymorphisms of Alcohol Dehydrogenase‐1B and Aldehyde Dehydrogenase‐2 in Japanese Alcoholic Men
Authors: Yokoyama Akira , Yokoyama Tetsuji , Mizukami Takeshi , Matsui Toshifumi , Kimura Mitsuru , Matsushita Sachio , Higuchi Susumu , Maruyama Katsuya
Published: December 2016

Background

Thrombocytopenia during intoxication, rebound thrombocytosis during 1 to 3 weeks of abstinence, and subsequent normalization of the platelet count are common in alcoholics.

Methods

We evaluated 989 Japanese alcoholic men to identify the effects of genetic polymorphisms of alcohol dehydrogenase‐1B (ADH1B; rs1229984) and aldehyde dehydrogenase‐2 (ALDH2; rs671) on platelet counts during an 8‐week in‐hospital abstinence period.

Results

Thrombocytopenia (<15 × 104/μl) was observed in 25.9% of the subjects upon admission. The platelet counts increased from 21.4 ± 0.3 × 104/μl (mean ± SE) to 27.6 ± 0.3 × 104/μl, and a rebound platelet increase of  ≥10 × 104/μl was observed in 28.6% of the patients during the first 2 weeks after admission. By 4 weeks, the mean platelet counts had returned to intermediate levels and remained stable thereafter. The reversible suppression and rebound increase in the platelet counts were more prominent in the slow‐metabolizing ADH1B*1/*1 group than in the fast‐metabolizing ADH1B*2 group. Throughout the 8 weeks, the mean platelet counts of the active ALDH2*1/*1 group were consistently lower than those in the inactive ALDH2*1/*2 group. Cirrhosis was a strong determinant of a lower platelet count. After adjustments for nongenetic factors including cirrhosis, multiple linear regression analyses showed that the ADH1B*1/*1 genotype was associated with a lower platelet count (partial regression coefficient = −1.3 × 104/μl) on the admission day, but subsequently had a positive effect on the platelet count at 1 and 2 weeks after admission (+1.5 and +3.8 × 104/μl, respectively). The ALDH2*1/*1 genotype was associated with a lower platelet count (−2.1 to −3.9 × 104/μl) consistently throughout the 8 weeks. Multiple logistic regression analyses showed that the ADH1B*1/*1 genotype increased the risk of thrombocytopenia upon admission (odds ratio [95% confidence interval] = 1.61 [1.14 to 2.27]) and of a rebound platelet increase during the first 2 weeks (3.86 [2.79 to 5.34]). The ALDH2*1/*1 genotype increased the risk of thrombocytopenia upon admission (1.73 [1.06 to 2.82]).

Conclusions

In alcoholics, the ADH1B*1/*1 genotype increased the risk of thrombocytopenia upon admission and of a rebound platelet increase 2 weeks thereafter, while the ALDH2*1/*1 genotype was associated with lower platelet counts throughout the 8‐week hospital stay.
Magnetic Resonance Imaging Study of Adipose Tissues in the Head of a Common Dolphin (Delphinus delphis): Structure Identification and Influence of a Freezing–Thawing Cycle
Authors: Arribart M. , Ognard J. , Guintard C. , Domergue F. , Hassani S. , Ben Salem D. , Jung J.‐L.
Published: December 2016

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) was used to scan the head of a common dolphin (Delphinus delphis) in order to visualize the different adipose tissues involved in echolocation functioning and to precisely delineate their anatomical topology. MRI scans were performed on the head taken from a freshly stranded carcass and repeated after a 2‐week freezing time followed by thawing. The main fatty organs of the head, that is the melon, the mandibula bulba, the bursae cantantes, and their different connections with surrounding tissues were identified and labelled. The nasal sacs, other organs of echolocation, were also identified and labelled thanks to different MRI acquisitions. The shape, the location, the type of MRI signal of each organ and of their different connections were successfully analysed on all images, and then, the images of the head fresh or after thawing were compared. No impacts of the freezing/thawing cycle on the fatty tissues of the head were identified. Different parts were distinguished in the melon on the basis of the MRI signal emitted, corresponding most likely to the internal and external melon already identified by other analytical approaches, and linked to differences in lipid composition. MRI is shown here to be a useful tool to study the functional anatomy of the organs responsible for echolocation in odontocetes, with a particularly high level of precision.
In vitro fertilization healthcare professionals generally underestimate patients’ satisfaction with quality of care
Authors: Holter Herborg , Gejervall Ann‐Louise , Borg Kia , Sandin‐Bojö Ann‐Kristin , Wikland Matts , Wilde‐Larsson Bodil , Bergh Christina
Published: December 2016

Introduction

Previous studies have mainly compared professionals’ and patients’ ratings of the importance of different care aspects, finding poor agreement between the groups concerning patient‐centered quality of care. There is still little known about professionals’ knowledge of how patients experience the quality of care they receive during in vitro fertilization (IVF) treatments. The aim of this study was to investigate how IVF healthcare professionals estimate patients’ experience of patient‐centered quality of care and if certain factors influenced the IVF professionals’ perceptions and IVF patients’ experience of quality of care.

Material and Methods

All 16 IVF public and private clinics in Sweden participated in this cross‐sectional study. A total of 268 IVF healthcare professionals and 3298 patients (women and men) undergoing IVF treatment between January and May 2015 participated by answering the validated questionnaire “Quality from the patients’ perspective of in vitro fertilization treatment” (QPP‐IVF).

Results

Healthcare professionals significantly underestimated patients’ satisfaction with the patient‐centered quality of care they received in all aspects measured. Both patients and professionals rated the most deficient factors to be “responsibility/continuity”, “participation” and “availability”. Healthcare professionals and patients belonging to private clinics evaluated patient‐centered care as significantly better than professionals and patients at public clinics in almost all aspects measured.

Conclusion

The results of this study will increase the professionals’ understanding of the patients’ experiences during IVF treatment and provide additional knowledge when identifying areas to prioritize to improve quality of care.
Survey shows large differences between the Nordic countries in the use of less invasive surfactant administration
Authors: Heiring Christian , Jonsson Baldvin , Andersson Sture , Björklund Lars J.
Published: December 2016

Aim

Less invasive surfactant administration (LISA), namely surfactant instillation through a thin catheter in the trachea during spontaneous breathing, is increasingly used for premature infants. We surveyed the use of this technique in the Nordic countries in autumn 2015.

Methods

A link to a web‐based survey of surfactant administration methods was emailed to the directors of all neonatal units in the Nordic Region, apart from Finland, where only the five university‐based departments were invited.

Results

Of the 73 units (85%) who responded, 23 (32%) said that they used LISA. The country rates were Iceland 100%, Norway 82%, Finland 60%, Denmark, including Faroe Island and Greenland, 11% and Sweden 9%. LISA was used in 62% of level three units, but only 14% of level two units and most commonly in babies with a gestational age of at least 26 weeks. Premedication was always or sometimes used by 78%. The main reasons for not using LISA were lack of familiarity with the technique (61%), no perceived benefit over other methods (22%) and concerns about patient discomfort (26%).

Conclusion

Less invasive surfactant administration was used in 32% of Nordic neonatal units, most commonly in level three units. Premedication was used more often than previously reported.
Dissection of the Effects of Quercetin on Mouse Myocardium
Authors: Santos Michel Santana , Oliveira Evaleide Diniz , Santos‐Miranda Artur , Cruz Jader Santos , Gondim Antônio Nei Santana , Menezes‐Filho José Evaldo Rodrigues , Souza Diego Santos , Pinho‐da‐Silva Leidiane , Jesus Itamar Couto Guedes , Roman‐Campos Danilo , Guatimosim Silvia , Lara Aline , Conde‐Garcia Eduardo Antônio , Vasconcelos Carla Maria Lins
Published: December 2016

Quercetin is a plant flavonoid with several biological activities. This study aimed to describe quercetin effects on contractile and electrophysiological properties of the cardiac muscle as well as on calcium handling. Quercetin elicited positive inotropism that was significantly reduced by propranolol indicating an involvement of the sympathetic nervous system. In cardiomyocytes, 30 μM quercetin increased ICa,L at 0 mV from −0.95 ± 0.01 A/F to −1.21 ± 0.08 A/F. The membrane potential at which 50% of the channels are activated (V0.5) shifted towards more negative potentials from −13.06 ± 1.52 mV to −19.26 ± 1.72 mV and did not alter the slope factor. Furthermore, quercetin increased [Ca2+]i transient by 28% when compared to control. Quercetin accelerated [Ca2+]i transient decay time, which could be attributed to SERCA activation. In resting cardiomyocytes, quercetin did not change amplitude or frequency of Ca2+ sparks. In isolated heart, quercetin increased heart rate and decreased PRi, QTc and duration of the QRS complex. Thus, we showed that quercetin activates β‐adrenoceptors, leading to increased L‐type Ca2+ current and cell‐wide intracellular Ca2+ transient without visible changes in Ca2+ sparks.
Investigating various application areas of three‐dimensional virtual worlds for higher education
Authors: Ghanbarzadeh Reza , Ghapanchi Amir Hossein
Published: December 2016

Three‐dimensional virtual world (3DVW) have been adopted extensively in the education sector worldwide, and there has been remarkable growth in the application of these environments for distance learning. A wide variety of universities and educational organizations across the world have utilized this technology for their regular learning and teaching programs. The current study conducts a systematic review of the published studies relevant to the application of 3DVWs in higher education. A search of the literature was carried out in eight high‐ranking scientific digital libraries. Following scrutiny according to inclusion and exclusion criteria, 165 papers out of 1402 publications were selected for review from a variety of disciplines over a 10‐year time period. The systematic review process were summarised, a number of paper reviews were conducted and results in conjunction with applicability of 3DVWs in higher education were extracted. In this study, various application areas of 3DVWs in higher education were found and classified into 13 main categories. Additionally, implications for research and practice are presented to provide new directions for further research and practice in the field.
Role of Google Glass in improving patient satisfaction for otolaryngology residents: a pilot study
Authors: Son E. , Halbert A. , Abreu S. , Hester R. , Jefferson G. , Jennings K. , Pine H. , Watts T.
Published: December 2016

Objectives

To demonstrate the feasibility and efficacy of the Google Glass as a tool to improve patient satisfaction and patient–physician communication for otolaryngology residents in the outpatient clinic setting. The primary outcome of the study was to improve patient satisfaction scores based on physician communication‐related questions from Consumer Assessment of Healthcare Providers and Systems (CAHPS) surveys.

Study design

Prospective randomised trial.

Setting

Tertiary care hospital.

Subject and methods

To evaluate the effect on patient satisfaction, five residents were recorded using the Google Glass in an outpatient clinic setting by 50 randomised patients. Modified surveys based on the CG‐CAHPS survey were completed by patients at the conclusion of each clinic encounter. The recorded videos were evaluated by two independent faculties. Summarised data and video were distributed to each resident for review as the intervention. The residents were recorded again by 45 additional patients with evaluation by patients and faculties.

Results

After intervention, the scores from faculty surveys regarding patient satisfaction including the subject of better explanations (P > 0.001), listening carefully (P > 0.001), addressing patient questions (P > 0.001), displaying respect (P > 0.001) and spending adequate time (P = 0.0005) all significantly improved, as well as overall performance (P = 0.014). The scores from patient surveys did significantly improve.

Conclusion

This study demonstrates the improvements in patient satisfaction and patient–physician communication can be achieved with the use of Google Glass as a first‐person recording device in the outpatient otolaryngology clinic setting.
Faecal occult blood testing screening for colorectal cancer and ‘missed’ interval cancers: are we ignoring the elephant in the room? Results of a multicentre study
Authors: George A. T. , Aggarwal S. , Dharmavaram S. , Menon A. , Dube M. , Vogler M. , Field A.
Published: December 2016

Aim

Biennial faecal occult blood testing (FOBT) is used to screen for colorectal cancer throughout the UK. Interval cancers are tumours that develop in patients between screening rounds who have had a negative FOBT. Through a multicentre study, we compared the demographics of patients with interval cancers, FOBT screen detected cancers and cancers that developed in patients who chose not to participate in the screening programme.

Method

Five hundred and sixteen colorectal cancers were detected in the screening age group (60–74 years) population in three UK National Health Service hospitals over 2 years. One hundred and twenty seven (25%) were interval cancers, 161 (31%) were screen detected and 228 (44%) were cancers that developed in patients who had declined FOBT. The interval cancer group had a higher incidence of right‐sided cancers (38% vs 29% and 24%), a higher proportion of high tumour stages (Dukes C and D) (70% vs 53% and 33%) and a shorter time from diagnosis to death (10 months vs 13 months and 24 months) compared to patients who had declined the FOBT and the FOBT screen detected cancers. Of all the patients studied, those with right‐sided interval cancers had the worst outcome.

Conclusion

A quarter of the colorectal cancers diagnosed in our study were interval cancers. Patients with right‐sided interval cancers had the highest proportion of Dukes C and D tumours coupled with the shortest survival time after diagnosis compared with the other groups.
Der Einfluss von Alitretinoin auf die Lebensqualität bei Patienten mit schwerem chronischen Handekzem: FUGETTA ‐ Beobachtungsstudie unter Praxisbedingungen
Authors: Augustin Matthias , Thaçi Diamant , Kamps Anja
Published: December 2016

Hintergrund und Ziele

Alitretinoin ist die einzige zugelassene Behandlung für schweres chronisches Handekzem (CHE), das refraktär gegenüber potenten topischen Corticosteroiden ist. Bei dieser Studie (FUGETTA) wurde die Wirksamkeit von leitliniengerecht angewendetem oralem Alitretinoin sowie dessen Einfluss auf die Lebensqualität (LQ) bei Patienten mit schwerem refraktärem CHE beurteilt.

Patienten und Methoden

Multizentrische, offene, nichtinterventionelle Beobachtungsstudie, durchgeführt in Deutschland. Die Patienten wurden nach Ermessen ihres behandelnden Arztes mit Alitretinoin 10 mg oder 30 mg einmal täglich über maximal 24 Wochen behandelt. Die Wirksamkeit wurde anhand des Physician Global Assessment (PGA) und des Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI) bewertet. Zudem wurden unerwünschte Ereignisse (UE) erfasst.

Ergebnisse

Die Studienpopulation bestand aus 658 Patienten (30 mg: n = 581; 10 mg: n = 77). Bei Beobachtungsbeginn litten die meisten Patienten (83 %) gemäß PGA an einem schweren CHE. Bei Beobachtungsende war das Handekzem bei 48 % der Patienten gemäß PGA vollständig oder fast vollständig abgeheilt (30 mg: 49 %; 10 mg: 43 %). Die mittlere Verbesserung des DLQI‐Scores in Woche 24 betrug 58 % (30 mg: mittlere [SD] Veränderung gegenüber dem Ausgangswert ‐10,4 [8,04]) und 70 % (10 mg: mittlere [SD] Veränderung gegenüber dem Ausgangswert ‐10,8 [7,29]). Die Gesamtinzidenz von NW war niedrig und in den beiden Gruppen ähnlich.

Schlussfolgerungen

Alitretinoin führte zu einer schnellen, deutlichen Verbesserung der LQ bei Patienten mit schwerem CHE.
Compression therapy – current practice of care: level of knowledge in patients with venous leg ulcers
Authors: Protz Kerstin , Heyer Kristina , Dissemond Joachim , Temme Barbara , Münter Karl‐Christian , Verheyen‐Cronau Ida , Klose Katharina , Hampel‐Kalthoff Carsten , Augustin Matthias
Published: December 2016

Background and objectives

Compression therapy is a mainstay in the causal treatment of patients with venous leg ulcers. It facilitates healing, reduces pain and recurrences, and increases quality of life. Up until now, there is a scarcity of scientific data with respect to the level of care and the specific knowledge of patients with venous leg ulcers.

Patients and methods

At first presentation, patients with venous leg ulcers anonymously answered a standardized questionnaire. Participating facilities nationwide included 55 outpatient care services, 32 medical practices, four wound centers, and one specialized care center.

Results

Overall, 177 patients (mean age of 69.4; 75.1 % women) participated in the study. The average duration of florid venous leg ulcers was 17 months. With regard to compression therapy, 31.1 % of patients received none; 40.1 % got bandages; 28.8 % had stockings. Of the latter, 13.7 % were treated with compression class III; 67.4 %, with compression class II; and 19.6 %; with compression class I. While 70.6 % put on their stockings after getting out of bed in the morning, 21.1 % wore them day and night. In 39.2 % of individuals, the stockings caused them discomfort. Merely 11.7 % owned a donning device. On average, bandages were worn for 40.7 weeks, and 69 % were used without underpadding. In 2.8 % of patients, ankle and calf circumference was measured to monitor therapeutic success. 45.9 % reported doing leg exercises.

Conclusions

Although it is considered a basic therapeutic measure in venous leg ulcers, one‐third of all patients received no compression treatment. Moreover, given the long duration of ulcers, adequate product selection and correct use have to be questioned, too. Our findings indicate that improvements in the level of knowledge among users and prescribers as well as patient training are required.
Validation of the Composite Autonomic Symptom Score 31 (COMPASS 31) for the assessment of symptoms of autonomic neuropathy in people with diabetes
Authors: Greco C. , Di Gennaro F. , D'Amato C. , Morganti R. , Corradini D. , Sun A. , Longo S. , Lauro D. , Pierangeli G. , Cortelli P. , Spallone V.
Published: December 2016

Aim

To validate the Composite Autonomic Symptom Score (COMPASS) 31, in its Italian version, for the diagnosis of diabetic cardiovascular autonomic neuropathy in a clinic‐based, single‐centre study.

Methods

A total of 73 participants with diabetes (age 55 ± 14 years) completed the COMPASS 31 questionnaire before undergoing cardiovascular autonomic neuropathy and diabetic polyneuropathy assessment according to cardiovascular reflex tests, neuropathic symptoms and signs, and vibration and thermal thresholds.

Results

The COMPASS 31 total weighted score differed between participants with and without cardiovascular autonomic neuropathy (29.9 ± 19.5 vs 16.1 ± 14.7; P = 0.003) and with and without diabetic polyneuropathy (28.9 ± 19.1 vs 12.7 ± 11.3; P < 0.0001). It was related to cardiovascular reflex tests score (rho = 0.38, P = 0.0013) as well as diabetic polyneuropathy symptoms (rho=0.61, P < 0.0001) and signs scores (rho = 0.49, P < 0.0001). Receiver‐operating curve analysis showed a fair diagnostic accuracy of total score for cardiovascular autonomic neuropathy (area under the curve 0.748 ± 0.068, 95% CI 0.599–0.861) and diabetic polyneuropathy (area under the curve 0.742 ± 0.061, 95% CI 0.611–0.845). The best score thresholds were 16 for early cardiovascular autonomic neuropathy (sensitivity 75.0%, specificity 64.9%, positive predictive value 37.5% and negative predictive value 90.2%), and 17 for both confirmed cardiovascular autonomic neuropathy and diabetic polyneuropathy (sensitivity 70.0% and 65.5%, respectively; specificity 66.7% and 79.5%, respectively; positive predictive value 25.0% and 67.9%, respectively; and negative predictive value 93.0% and 77.8%, respectively). COMPASS 31 had a good internal consistency according to Cronbach's α coefficient of 0.73.

Conclusions

COMPASS 31 can represent a valid, easy‐to‐use, quantitative assessment tool for autonomic symptoms in diabetic neuropathy, with a fair diagnostic accuracy for both cardiovascular autonomic neuropathy and diabetic polyneuropathy.
Investigating uncertainties in zooplankton composition shifts under climate change scenarios in the Mediterranean Sea
Authors: Benedetti Fabio , Guilhaumon François , Adloff Fanny , Ayata Sakina‐Dorothée
Published: December 2016

Ensemble niche modelling has become a common framework to predict changes in assemblages composition under climate change scenarios. The amount of uncertainty generated by the different components of this framework has rarely been assessed. In the marine realm forecasts have usually focused on taxa representing the top of the marine food‐web, thus overlooking their basal component: the plankton. Calibrating environmental niche models at the global scale, we modelled the habitat suitability of 106 copepod species and estimated the dissimilarity between present and future zooplanktonic assemblages in the surface Mediterranean Sea. We identified the patterns (species replacement versus nestedness) driving the predicted dissimilarity, and quantified the relative contributions of different uncertainty sources: environmental niche models, greenhouse gas emission scenarios, circulation model configurations and species prevalence. Our results confirm that the choice of the niche modelling method is the greatest source of uncertainty in habitat suitability projections. Presence‐only and presence–absence methods provided different visions of the niches, which subsequently lead to different future scenarios of biodiversity changes. Nestedness with decline in species richness is the pattern driving dissimilarity between present and future copepod assemblages. Our projections contrast with those reported for higher trophic levels, suggesting that different components of the pelagic food‐web may respond discordantly to future climatic changes.
Muscle atrophy is associated with cervical spinal motoneuron loss in BACHD mouse model for Huntington's disease
Authors: Valadão Priscila Aparecida Costa , de Aragão Bárbara Campos , Andrade Jéssica Neves , Magalhães‐Gomes Matheus Proença S. , Foureaux Giselle , Joviano‐Santos Julliane Vasconcelos , Nogueira José Carlos , Ribeiro Fabíola Mara , Tapia Juan Carlos , Guatimosim Cristina
Published: December 2016

Involuntary choreiform movements are clinical hallmark of Huntington's disease, an autosomal dominant neurodegenerative disorder caused by an increased number of CAG trinucleotide repeats in the huntingtin gene. Involuntary movements start with an impairment of facial muscles and then affect trunk and limbs muscles. Huntington's disease symptoms are caused by changes in cortex and striatum neurons induced by mutated huntingtin protein. However, little is known about the impact of this abnormal protein in spinal cord motoneurons that control movement. Therefore, in this study we evaluated abnormalities in the motor unit (spinal cervical motoneurons, motor axons, neuromuscular junctions and muscle) in a mouse model for Huntington's disease (BACHD). Using light, fluorescence, confocal, and electron microscopy, we showed significant changes such as muscle fibers atrophy, fragmentation of neuromuscular junctions, axonal alterations, and motoneurons death in BACHD mice. Noteworthy, the surviving motoneurons from BACHD spinal cords were smaller than WT. We suggest that this loss of larger putative motoneurons is accompanied by a decrease in the expression of fast glycolytic muscle fibers in this model for Huntington's disease. These observations show spinal cord motoneurons loss in BACHD that might help to understand neuromuscular changes in Huntington's disease.
Urokinase‐type plasminogen activator modulates mammalian circadian clock phase regulation in tissue‐type plasminogen activator knockout mice
Authors: Cooper Joanna M. , Rastogi Ashutosh , Krizo Jessica A. , Mintz Eric M. , Prosser Rebecca A.
Published: December 2016

Glutamate phase shifts the circadian clock in the mammalian suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN) by activating NMDA receptors. Tissue‐type plasminogen activator (tPA) gates phase shifts by activating plasmin to generate m(ature) BDNF, which binds TrkB receptors allowing clock phase shifts. Here, we investigate phase shifting in tPA knockout (tPA−/−; B6.129S2‐Plattm1Mlg/J) mice, and identify urokinase‐type plasminogen activator (uPA) as an additional circadian clock regulator. Behavioral activity rhythms in tPA−/− mice entrain to a light‐dark (LD) cycle and phase shift in response to nocturnal light pulses with no apparent loss in sensitivity. When the LD cycle is inverted, tPA−/− mice take significantly longer to entrain than C57BL/6J wild‐type (WT) mice. SCN brain slices from tPA−/− mice exhibit entrained neuronal activity rhythms and phase shift in response to nocturnal glutamate with no change in dose‐dependency. Pre‐treating slices with the tPA/uPA inhibitor, plasminogen activator inhibitor‐1 (PAI‐1), inhibits glutamate‐induced phase delays in tPA−/− slices. Selective inhibition of uPA with UK122 prevents glutamate‐induced phase resetting in tPA−/− but not WT SCN slices. tPA expression is higher at night than the day in WT SCN, while uPA expression remains constant in WT and tPA−/− slices. Casein‐plasminogen zymography reveals that neither tPA nor uPA total proteolytic activity is under circadian control in WT or tPA−/− SCN. Finally, tPA−/− SCN tissue has lower mBDNF levels than WT tissue, while UK122 does not affect mBDNF levels in either strain. Together, these results suggest that either tPA or uPA can support photic/glutamatergic phase shifts of the SCN circadian clock, possibly acting through distinct mechanisms.