bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A Systematic Review of Patient‐reported Outcomes in Randomized Controlled Trials of Unplanned General Surgery
Authors: Stevens Daniel J. , Blencowe Natalie S. , McElnay Philip J. , Macefield Rhiannon C. , Savović Jelena , Avery Kerry N. L. , Blazeby Jane M.
Published: November 2015

Unplanned general surgery represents a major workload and requires comprehensive evaluation with appropriate outcomes. This study aimed to summarize current reporting of patient‐reported outcomes (PROs) in randomized clinical trials (RCTs) in unplanned general surgery. A systematic review identified RCTs reporting PROs in the commonest six areas of unplanned general surgery. Details of the PRO measures were examined using the CONSORT extension for PRO reporting in RCTs. Extracted information about each PRO domain included the reporting of baseline PROs, rationale for PRO selection and whether PRO findings were used in conjunction with clinical outcomes to inform treatment recommendations. The internal validity of included studies was assessed using the Cochrane risk of bias tool. 12,519 abstracts were screened and 20 RCTs containing data from 2037 patients included. Included studies used 14 separate PRO measures covering 35 different health domains. A visual analogue assessment of pain was most frequently reported (n = 13). Reporting of baseline PRO data was uncommon (11/35 PRO domains). The rationale for PRO data collection and a PRO‐specific hypothesis were provided for 9 (25.7 %) and 5 (14.3 %) domains, respectively. Seventeen RCTs (85.0 %) used the PRO data alongside clinical outcomes to inform treatment recommendations. Of the 116 risk of bias assessments, 77 (66.0 %) were judged as high or unclear. There is a lack of well designed, and conducted RCTs in unplanned general surgery that include PROs. Future work to define relevant PROs and methods for optimal assessment are needed to inform health care decision‐making.
Towards a Phenomenology of Technologically Mediated Moral Change: Or, What Could Mark Zuckerberg Learn from Caregivers in the Southern Netherlands?
Authors: Sharon Tamar
Published: November 2015

Kamphof offers an illuminating depiction of the technological mediation of morality. Her case serves as the basis for a plea for modesty up and against the somewhat heroic conceptualizations of techno-moral change to date—less logos, less autos, more practice, more relationality. Rather than a displacement of these conceptualizations, I question whether Kamphof’s art of living offers only a different perspective: in scale (as a micro-event of techno-moral change), and in unit of analysis (as an art of living oriented to relations with others rather than the relation to the self). As a supplement and not an alternative, this modest art has nonetheless audacious implications for the ethics of surveillance.
A New Vision for Fusion Energy Research: Fusion Rocket Engines for Planetary Defense
Authors: Wurden G. A. , Weber T. E. , Turchi P. J. , Parks P. B. , Evans T. E. , Cohen S. A. , Cassibry J. T. , Campbell E. M.
Published: November 2015

We argue that it is essential for the fusion energy program to identify an imagination-capturing critical mission by developing a unique product which could command the marketplace. We lay out the logic that this product is a fusion rocket engine, to enable a rapid response capable of deflecting an incoming comet, to prevent its impact on the planet Earth, in defense of our population, infrastructure, and civilization. As a side benefit, deep space solar system exploration, with greater speed and orders-of-magnitude greater payload mass would also be possible.
The pretransplant systemic metabolic profile reflects a risk of acute graft versus host disease after allogeneic stem cell transplantation
Authors: Reikvam Håkon , Hatfield Kimberley , Bruserud Øystein
Published: November 2015

Allogeneic stem cell transplantation is used in the treatment of younger patients with severe hematological diseases, especially hematological malignancies, and acute graft versus host disease (GVHD) is then an important immune-mediated posttransplant complication. Several risk factors for acute GVHD have been identified, including pretransplant factors that possibly influence the posttranspant course through their effects on host immunocompetent cells. Metabolic regulation is important for immunoregulation, and we therefore investigated whether the pretransplant metabolic status of allotransplant recipients was associated with later acute GVHD. In our population-based study we investigated the systemic (serum) metabolic profile for 86 consecutive allotransplant recipients. The samples were collected before start of the pretransplant conditioning therapy. Patients who developed later acute GVHD especially showed altered pretransplant amino acid metabolism, including (1) altered metabolism of immunoregulatory branched chain amino acids (leucine, isoleucine and valine); and (2) altered levels of potentially proinflammatory tyrosine metabolites (p-cresol sulphate, 3-phenylpropionate) formed by the gastrointestinal microbial flora. However, isobutyrylcarnitine and propyonylcarnitine levels were also altered; the carnitines are important for the transport of fatty acids and may also be important for the release of immunoregulatory cytokines in allotransplant recipients. These metabolic alterations were associated with an ongoing pretransplant acute phase reaction or early hematopoietic/immune reconstitution. Thus, allotransplant recipients developing acute GVHD showed altered preconditioning/pretransplant levels of several immunoregulatory metabolites. Our hypothesis is that these metabolites alter or activate recipient immunocompetent cells and thereby enhance or initiate anti-recipient immune reactivity.
Ranking very young Pinus radiata families for acoustic stiffness and validation by microfibril angle
Authors: Sharma Monika , Apiolaza Luis A. , Chauhan Shakti , Mclean J. Paul , Wikaira Jan
Published: November 2015

Key message

Acoustic techniques can be utilised to rank a large population of young trees for stiffness and stability for breeding purposes.

Introduction

This study sought to validate new approaches to rapid, very early screening and selection of radiata pine families, using microfibril angle (MFA) as a reference for comparative purposes.

Method

A key feature was tilting the trees at an angle of ∼30° after the initial 12 months of growth in order to force production of opposite wood (OW) and compression wood (CW) and prevent the co-mingling of the two distinctive wood types as occurs ‘at random’ within vertical stems. After 34 months, OW and CW materials were characterised independently for acoustic velocity (V), dynamic modulus of elasticity (MOEdynamic), basic density and longitudinal shrinkage. Finally, MFA were determined with X-ray diffraction.

Result

No phenotypic correlation was observed between OW and CW wood properties. The Spearman ranking correlation between V2 and MFA values in OW was 0.81.

Conclusion

We show that families or individual trees with superior wood properties can be screened at this young age using acoustics. Further, the same outcomes can be achieved as with X-ray diffraction (MFA) but more cheaply and rapidly.
Adjunctive use of interferon γ inducer for treatment of patients with schizophrenia
Authors: Vetlugina Tamara Parfenovna , Lobacheva Olga Anatolyevna , Sergeeva Svetlana Alexandrovna , Nikitina Valentina Borisovna , Nevidimova Tatiana Ivanovna , Semke Arkady Valentinovich
Published: November 2015

Objective

The present paper is devoted to evaluation of clinical and immunomodulatory effect of ultra-high dilutions of antibodies to human interferon γ, included in the complex therapy of patients with schizophrenia.

Materials and methods

The study was carried out at the Mental Health Research Institute, Tomsk, Russian Federation. This double-blind, placebo-controlled randomised in parallel-group study enrolled 40 patients. As a part of complex therapy, patients from the main group (n=20) received anaferon, a drug containing ultra-high dilutions of affinity-purified antibodies to human interferon γ as the active pharmaceutical ingredient; patients from the comparative group (n=20) received placebo. Duration of the therapy was 30±5 days. Assessment of severity of symptoms and changes in them were made using clinical scales: Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale, Clinical Global Impression, Abnormal Involuntary Movements Scale. Spontaneous and phytohemagglutinin-induced production of interferon γ by immunocompetent cells in supernatants of 48 h whole blood culture of patients was measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) method.

Results

The reduction of interferon-producing potential by immunocompetent cells in comparison with reference normal value was shown in total group of patients (n=40) before combined therapy. During the treatment, increase of spontaneous interferon γ production and favourable changes in psychopathological symptoms as compared with placebo were shown in subjects receiving anaferon. It was found that favourable changes in clinical symptoms assessed using clinical scales with a high degree of confidence correlated with high level of spontaneous interferon γ production.

Conclusion

Anaferon as a part of complex therapy of patients with schizophrenia contributes to enhancement of its efficacy acting via mechanism of psychoimmunomodulation.
Effects of grape seed extract beverage on blood pressure and metabolic indices in individuals with pre-hypertension: a randomised, double-blinded, two-arm, parallel, placebo-controlled trial
Authors: Park Eunyoung , Edirisinghe Indika , Choy Ying Yng , Waterhouse Andrew , Burton-Freeman Britt
Published: November 2015

The aim of the present study was to test grape seed extract (GSE) as a functional ingredient to lower blood pressure (BP) in individuals with pre-hypertension. A single-centre, randomised, two-arm, double-blinded, placebo-controlled, 12-week, parallel study was conducted in middle-aged adults with pre-hypertension. A total of thirty-six subjects were randomised (1:1) to Placebo (n18) or GSE (n18) groups; twenty-nine of them completed all the protocol-specified procedures (Placebo,n17; GSE,n12). Subjects consumed a juice (167 kJ (40 kcal)) containing 0 mg (Placebo) or 300 mg/d GSE (150 mg) twice daily for 6 weeks preceded by a 2-week Placebo run-in and followed by 4-week no-beverage follow-up. Compliance was monitored. BP was measured at screening, 0, 6 and 10 weeks of intervention and blood samples were collected at 0, 3, 6 and 10 weeks of intervention. GSE significantly reduced systolic BP (SBP) by 5·6 % (P=0·012) and diastolic BP (DBP) by 4·7 % (P=0·049) after 6 weeks of intervention period, which was significantly different (SBP;P=0·03) or tended to be different (DBP;P=0·08) from Placebo. BP returned to baseline after the 4-week discontinuation period of GSE beverage. Subjects with higher initial BP experienced greater BP reduction; nearly double the effect size. Fasting insulin and insulin sensitivity tended to improve after 6 weeks of GSE beverage supplementation (P=0·09 and 0·07, respectively); no significant changes were observed with fasting plasma lipids, glucose, oxidised LDL, flow-mediated dilation or vascular adhesion molecules. Total plasma phenolic acid concentrations were 1·6 times higher after 6 weeks of GSEv. Placebo. GSE was found to be safe and to improve BP in people with pre-hypertension, supporting the use of GSE as a functional ingredient in a low-energy beverage for BP control.
A prospective study of plasma 25-hydroxyvitamin D concentration and prostate cancer risk
Authors: Deschasaux Mélanie , Souberbielle Jean-Claude , Latino-Martel Paule , Sutton Angela , Charnaux Nathalie , Druesne-Pecollo Nathalie , Galan Pilar , Hercberg Serge , Le Clerc Sigrid , Kesse-Guyot Emmanuelle , Ezzedine Khaled , Touvier Mathilde
Published: November 2015

Mechanistic hypotheses suggest that vitamin D and the closely related parathyroid hormone (PTH) may be involved in prostate carcinogenesis. However, epidemiological evidence is lacking for PTH and inconsistent for vitamin D. Our objectives were to prospectively investigate the association between vitamin D status, vitamin D-related gene polymorphisms, PTH and prostate cancer risk. A total of 129 cases diagnosed within the Supplémentation en Vitamines et Minéraux Antioxydants cohort were included in a nested case–control study and matched to 167 controls (13 years of follow-up). 25-Hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D) and PTH concentrations were assessed from baseline plasma samples. Conditional logistic regression models were computed. Higher 25(OH)D concentration was associated with decreased risk of prostate cancer (ORQ4 v. Q1 0·30; 95 % CI 0·12, 0·77; Ptrend=0·007). PTH concentration was not associated with prostate cancer risk (Ptrend=0·4) neither did the studied vitamin D-related gene polymorphisms. In this prospective study, prostate cancer risk was inversely associated with 25(OH)D concentration but not with PTH concentration. These results bring a new contribution to the understanding of the relationship between vitamin D and prostate cancer, which deserves further investigation.
Decreasing the number of small eating occasions (<15 % of total energy intake) regardless of the time of day may be important to improve diet quality but not adiposity: a cross-sectional study in British children and adolescents
Authors: Murakami Kentaro , Livingstone M. Barbara E.
Published: November 2015

Evidence of associations between meal frequency (MF) and snack frequency (SF) and diet and obesity in young populations is limited. This cross-sectional study examined MF and SF in relation to dietary intake and adiposity measures in British children aged 4–10 years (n 818) and adolescents aged 11–18 years (n 818). Based on data from a 7-d weighed dietary record, all eating occasions were divided into meals or snacks on the basis of contribution to energy intake (≥15 or <15 %) or time (06.00–10.00, 12.00–15.00 and 18.00–21.00 hours or others). All measures of MF and SF showed positive associations with energy intake, except for MF based on energy contribution in children. Irrespective of the definition of snacks, SF was associated with higher intakes of soft drinks, confectionery and total sugar, lower intakes of cereals, fish, meat, protein, PUFA, starch and dietary fibre, and a lower diet quality (assessed by the Mediterranean diet score, except for SF based on energy contribution in adolescents). MF based on time, but not based on energy contribution, was associated with higher intakes of confectionery and total sugar, lower intakes of fish, protein, PUFA and starch, and, only in children, a lower diet quality. All measures of MF and SF showed no association with adiposity measures. In conclusion, this cross-sectional study in British children and adolescents suggests that decreasing the number of small eating occasions (<15 % of total energy intake) regardless of the time of day may be important to improve diet quality but not adiposity.
Implementing the Peace: The Aggregate Implementation of Comprehensive Peace Agreements and Peace Duration after Intrastate Armed Conflict
Authors: Joshi Madhav , Quinn Jason Michael
Published: November 2015

The signing of a comprehensive peace agreement (CPA) is often seen as a historic milestone in a peace process, and its implementation takes a highly legitimized set of reforms and puts it front and center in national politics. This article examines the aggregate implementation of CPAs signed since 1989 and future conflict behavior between the negotiating parties and between the government and non-signatory groups. It argues that implementation is both a peace-building process and an outcome that normalizes political relations between hostile groups, solves commitment problems and addresses the root causes of civil conflict. Statistical tests utilizing new data on the implementation of CPAs support the argument. The extent to which an agreement is implemented is shown to have significant long-term effects on how long peace lasts – an effect that applies not only to the signatories of the agreement, but also to the government and non-signatory groups.
A DEFENCE OF THE MARGIN OF APPRECIATION AND AN ARGUMENT FOR ITS APPLICATION BY THE HUMAN RIGHTS COMMITTEE
Authors: McGoldrick Dominic
Published: November 2015

The margin of appreciation (MoA) has become the central conceptual doctrine in the institutional and jurisprudential architecture of the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR). This article critiques the existence and operation of the MoA within the ECHR system and defends its use. It is submitted that as each of the central justifications for the MoA under the ECHR applies equally to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR), so the doctrine should be applied by the Human Rights Committee.
Pre-operative counselling for laryngectomy patients: a systematic review
Authors: Fitzgerald E , Perry A
Published: November 2015

Objectives:

This study aimed to undertake a systematic review of the literature about pre-operative counselling for laryngectomy patients, identify its practice and patient and (where possible) carer perceptions.

Methods:

A search strategy was formulated using a concept map and a Population, Intervention, Comparative Interaction and Outcomes (‘PICO’) schema. All publications from 1975 to 2015 reporting pre-operative counselling of laryngectomy patients were included. Papers were retrieved and critiqued, and those included were assigned a level of evidence (according to the Joanna Briggs Institute schema).

Results:

Of the 56 papers retrieved, 21 were included in the review. The literature is limited: studies demonstrate bias and are of poor methodological quality. There are clear, persistent reports by patients and carers of shortfalls in clinical practice.

Conclusion:

Studies on pre-operative counselling for laryngectomees are flawed in design and represent weak levels of evidence. Pre-operative counselling has not been operationalised, resulting in differing paradigms being examined. Aggregation of data and/or results is not possible and the veracity of many studies is questioned.
Obliquity of the stapes in otosclerosis: intra-operative observations and implications in stapes surgery
Authors: Anand V , Udayabhanu H N
Published: November 2015

Objective:

To establish the prevalence of stapes obliquity as observed in otosclerosis patients during stapes surgery by a simple method of intra-operative measurement.

Design:

Prospective observational study.

Results:

Intra-operative measurements showed that the mean distance (± standard deviation) between the horizontal segment of the facial nerve and stapes crura in 10 cases of otosclerosis was 0.74 mm (± 0.21 mm), whereas in 10 cases of non-otosclerosis the same distance was 0.20 mm (± 0.00). There was no gap (0 mm) between the stapes crura and inferior border of the oval window niche in otosclerotic ears, whereas in non-otosclerotic ears the same distance was 0.13 mm (± 0.05 mm). The differences were statistically significant (p < 0.0001).

Conclusion:

Obliquity and downward displacement of the stapes occurs in otosclerosis. It has diagnostic value as a new clinical sign in otosclerosis. The findings correlate with late complications and failures in stapes surgery. Methods to avoid these have been suggested.
Discourse properties ofnow
Authors: LEE EUNHEE
Published: November 2015

This paper proposes an updated analysis of the uses ofnowto modify past-tense clauses in narratives. It is by now well known that indexical expressions such asnoware not as rigid as previously thought and can shift in some contexts (e.g. a literary style like Free Indirect Discourse in English or under report verbs in some languages). What is interesting about shiftednowis that its distribution is much broader than these limited contexts. The conditions under which it can shift, however, are unclear and still under debate. Many recent proposals have tried to derive this property from the lexical meaning ofnow, thus treating it as a special case. Unlike previous analyses, I argue that the temporal perspective shift and temporal relations are functions of narrative discourse itself rather than the lexical semantics ofnow. The lexical meaning ofnow, I contend, is that it refers to a contextually salient time, regardless of whether it derives from actual speech context or discourse context. In addition,nowinvariably indicates a change of state, denoting the turning point dividing the past and the future seen from this contextually salient time. My claim is based on a quantitative study of naturally occurring narrative examples from the British National Corpus, and formalized in the discourse-level formal framework of Discourse Representation Theory.
Plasma rotation with circularly polarized laser pulse
Authors: Lécz Z. , Andreev A. , Seryi A.
Published: November 2015

The efficient transfer of angular orbital momentum from circularly polarized laser pulses into ions of solid density targets is investigated with different geometries using particle-in-cell simulations. The detailed electron and ion dynamics presented focus upon the energy and momentum conversion efficiency. It is found that the momentum transfer is more efficient for spiral targets and the maximum value is obtained when the spiral step is equal to twice the laser wavelength. This study reveals that the angular momentum distribution of ions strongly depends up on the initial target shape and density.
Promoting City Leaders: The Structure of Political Incentives in China
Authors: Zuo Cai (Vera)
Published: November 2015

The shift in Beijing's priorities to more balanced and people-oriented development has led some localities to make more efforts in developing social policy areas. By investigating the personnel institution, a political incentive mechanism, this article aims to shed light on the structure of political incentives in China and why local political leaders improve public welfare in a non-democratic setting. A content analysis of 69 regulations that cover one-third of all municipal leaders shows that the formal evaluation rules for leaders in some localities have become more welfare-oriented to reflect Beijing's new focus on social policy areas. A statistical analysis further reveals that different political incentives operate for municipal Party leaders and mayors, and that political incentives to develop social policy vary across geographic regions. The statistical analysis exploits an original dataset I compiled from an online archive and statistical yearbooks, and contains biographic and career history data on municipal leaders between 2003 and 2010.
AIS Trajectories Simplification and Threshold Determination
Authors: Zhang Shu-kai , Liu Zheng-jiang , Cai Yao , Wu Zhao-lin , Shi Guo-you
Published: November 2015

Facilitated by recent establishment of terrestrial networks and satellite constellations of Automatic Identification System (AIS) receivers, ship trajectories are becoming increasingly available and the size of recorded trajectories is getting larger. Large sets of trajectories create problems of storing, transmitting and processing data. Using appropriate methods, an accurate representation of the original trajectories can be obtained by compressing redundant information, while maintaining the main characteristic elements. In this paper, a new scheme and the implementation of the Douglas-Peucker (DP) algorithm are presented, which can simplify AIS trajectories by extracting characteristic points. As for the simplification threshold, the solo parameter of the DP algorithm, a new AIS-based minimum ship domain evaluation method is proposed and acts as criteria for simplification threshold determination. Finally, a validation is made to examine the effectiveness of the DP simplification algorithm and the rationality of the simplification threshold. The result indicates that the DP algorithm can simplify AIS trajectories effectively; the simplification threshold is scientific and reasonable.
The Listener in François Bayle’s Works: A resonant subject in a living space
Authors: Alonso Edith
Published: November 2015

Bayle’s aesthetic radicalism is based on a conception of a living space in which there is not an opposition of an inner space to an outer space. This idea will be discussed by looking at the morphology creation, temporal evolution and sound spatiality on François Bayle’s works. Sound events as ‘images-of-sounds’ are characterised by a philosophy of dynamic production and energy transformation which creates a space in movement. However, the organisation of time structure in Bayle’s works can be divided into three categories (discrete time, time based on independent moments and circular time) corresponding to three periods of his creative life. We can conclude that this organisation led him to realise how important the active behaviour of the listener is for the construction of space. As a result, the spatial experience does not create a constructed space but rather a subjective one in which the listener is a resonant subject with the space surrounding him.
The OREMA Project: A call for the liberation of sound analysis
Authors: Gatt Michael
Published: November 2015

Following Edgard Varèse’s influential lectures – translated and documented in ‘The Liberation of Sound’ – electroacoustic music has spawned many different styles and genres. His argument was for composers to follow their imagination and not be bound to the constraints of musical notation. This, arguably, was one of the catalysts for the emergence of electroacoustic musical works. With past and recent technological advancement, the varieties of genres and styles within electroacoustic music have only expanded, challenging the notion of how one could analyse such works. It is therefore unsurprising that there is no general consensus on analytical methodologies. But for an art form that celebrates all musical possibilities should the analysis of such musics be constraint to a set number of formalised analytical methodologies?

Rather than propose a new all-encompassing methodology, this article will argue for a universal approach to electroacoustic music analysis and the liberation of sound analysis. The concept of an analytical community (a community that accepts multiple analyses whilst encouraging practitioners to find new and innovative ways to analyse such works) will be raised as a means to address the issues facing electroacoustic music analysis, using the OREMA (Online Repository for Electroacoustic Music Analysis) project as an example of such an initiative.
Wireless Body-worn Sound System for Dance and Music Performance
Authors: Otondo Felipe
Published: November 2015

The role of spatial design in music has become more prominent in recent years,
mostly because of the affordability of powerful software and hardware tools.
Although spatial audio tools are widely used nowadays in studios and concert
halls, there are only few examples of robust and comfortable wearable sound
systems with a suitable acoustic response. A wireless body-worn loudspeaker
prototype featuring original costume elements, a hybrid full-range loudspeaker
array and an improved acoustic response was designed and implemented. The size,
shape and acoustic performance of the prototype was optimised using data
gathered from anechoic measurements and interviews with performers and
audiences. Future developments of this project will consider the implementation
of an extended multi-channel performance platform to explore sonic and spatial
relationships created by several wearable devices on stage synchronised with a
multi-loudspeaker diffusion system.
Economic evaluation of vitamin D and calcium food fortification for fracture prevention in Germany
Authors: Sandmann Arne , Amling Michael , Barvencik Florian , König Hans-Helmut , Bleibler Florian
Published: November 2015

Objective

The study evaluates the economic benefit of population-wide vitamin D and Ca food fortification in Germany.

Design

Based on a spreadsheet model, we compared the cost of a population-wide vitamin D and Ca food-fortification programme with the potential cost savings from prevented fractures in the German female population aged 65 years and older.

Setting

The annual burden of disease and the intervention cost were assessed for two scenarios: (i) no food fortification; and (ii) voluntary food fortification with 20 µg (800 IU) of cholecalciferol (vitamin D3) and 200 mg of Ca. The analysis considered six types of fractures: hip, clinical vertebral, humerus, wrist, other femur and pelvis.

Subjects

Subgroups of the German population defined by age and sex.

Results

The implementation of a vitamin D and Ca food-fortification programme in Germany would lead to annual net cost savings of €315 million and prevention of 36 705 fractures in the target population.

Conclusions

Vitamin D and Ca food fortification is an economically beneficial preventive health strategy that has the potential to reduce the future health burden of osteoporotic fractures in Germany. The implementation of a vitamin D and Ca food-fortification programme should be a high priority for German health policy makers because it offers substantial cost-saving potential for the German health and social care systems.
Toxoplasma gondii: history and diagnostic test development
Authors: Wyrosdick Heidi M. , Schaefer John J.
Published: November 2015

Toxoplasma gondiiis a protozoa that causes toxoplasmosis in people and other animals. It is considered one of the most common parasitic infections in the world due to its impressive range of hosts, widespread environmental contamination and the diverse means by which animals can be infected. Despite its ubiquity and numerous ongoing research efforts into both its basic biology and clinical management, many aspects of diagnosis and management of this disease are poorly understood. The range of diagnostic options that is available for veterinary diagnostic investigators are notably more limited than those available to medical diagnosticians, making accurate interpretation of each test result critical. The current review joins other reviews on the parasite with a particular emphasis on the history and continued development of diagnostic tests that are useful for veterinary diagnostic investigations. An understanding of the strengths and shortcomings of current diagnostic techniques will assist veterinary and public health officials in formulating effective treatment and control strategies in diverse animal populations.
Just Between You and Me: Mutual Recognition Agreements and the Most-Favoured Nation Principle
Authors: ZELL JOSHUA A.
Published: November 2015

Mutual recognition agreements present unique legal issues in the application of the most-favoured nation obligations flowing from Article I:1 of GATT 1994 and Articles 2.1 and 5.1.1 of the TBT Agreement. Mutual recognition agreements come in two types – those recognizing the equivalence of technical regulations, and those recognizing the equivalence of conformity assessment procedures. Both carry potential trade advantages for state parties, but both also carry the potential to create unintended trade consequences for state parties if combined with a broad application of the most-favoured nation principle. The WTO Appellate Body has touched on a number of the relevant legal issues in a series of reports culminating in the May 2014EC–Sealsdecision, but many questions remain. This article seeks to provide states and practitioners with a guide to the issues and the way in which the Appellate Body would most likely address the remaining questions, based on the existing jurisprudence.
RACE AS LIVED EXPERIENCE
Authors: Garcia John A. , Sanchez Gabriel R. , Sanchez-Youngman Shannon , Vargas Edward D. , Ybarra Vickie D.
Published: November 2015

A growing body of social science research has sought to conceptualize race as a multi-dimensional concept in which context, societal relations, and institutional dynamics are key components. Utilizing a specially-designed survey, we develop and use multiple measures of race (skin color, ascribed race, and discrimination experiences) to capture race as a “lived experience” and assess these measures’ impact on Latinos’ self-rated health status. We model these measures of race as lived experience to test the explanatory power of race, both independently and as an integrated scale, with categorical regression, scaling, and dimensional analyses. Our analyses show that our multiple measures of race have significant and negative effects on Latinos’ self-reported health. Skin color is a dominant factor that impacts self-reported health both directly and indirectly. We then advocate for the utilization of multiple measures of race, adding to those used in our analysis, and their application to research regarding inequities in other health and social outcomes. Our analysis provides important contributions to research across a wide range of health, illness, social, and political disparities for communities of color.
Exercise and type 2 diabetes: focus on metabolism and inflammation
Authors: Karstoft Kristian , Pedersen Bente Klarlund
Published: November 2015

Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is associated with metabolic dysregulation and chronic inflammation, and regular exercise may provide a strong stimulus for improving both. In this review, we first discuss the link between inflammation and metabolism. Next, we give an update on the clinical metabolic effects of exercise in T2DM patients with special focus on which parameters to consider for optimizing metabolic improvements. We then discuss the mechanisms whereby exercise exerts its anti‐inflammatory and related metabolic effects. Evidence exists that interleukin (IL)‐1β is involved in pancreatic β‐cell damage, whereas tumor necrosis factor (TNF)‐α appears to be a key molecule in peripheral insulin resistance. Mechanistic studies in humans suggest that moderate acute elevations in IL‐6, as provoked by exercise, exert direct anti‐inflammatory effects by an inhibition of TNF‐α and by stimulating IL‐1ra (IL‐1 receptor antagonist), thereby limiting IL‐1β signaling. In addition, IL‐6 has direct impact on glucose and lipid metabolism. Moreover, indirect anti‐inflammatory effects of exercise may be mediated via improvements in, for example, body composition. While waiting for the outcome of long‐term randomized clinical training studies with hard end points, it should be emphasized that physical activity represents a natural strong anti‐inflammatory and metabolism‐improving strategy with minor side effects.
Scalable amplification of strand subsets from chip-synthesized oligonucleotide libraries
Authors: Schmidt Thorsten L. , Beliveau Brian J. , Uca Yavuz O. , Theilmann Mark , Da Cruz Felipe , Wu Chao-Ting , Shih William M.
Published: November 2015

Synthetic oligonucleotides are the main cost factor for studies in DNA nanotechnology, genetics and synthetic biology, which all require thousands of these at high quality. Inexpensive chip-synthesized oligonucleotide libraries can contain hundreds of thousands of distinct sequences, however only at sub-femtomole quantities per strand. Here we present a selective oligonucleotide amplification method, based on three rounds of rolling-circle amplification, that produces nanomole amounts of single-stranded oligonucleotides per millilitre reaction. In a multistep one-pot procedure, subsets of hundreds or thousands of single-stranded DNAs with different lengths can selectively be amplified and purified together. These oligonucleotides are used to fold several DNA nanostructures and as primary fluorescence in situ hybridization probes. The amplification cost is lower than other reported methods (typically around US$ 20 per nanomole total oligonucleotides produced) and is dominated by the use of commercial enzymes.
Enhanced wetting of Cu on ZnO by migration of subsurface oxygen vacancies
Authors: Beinik Igor , Hellström Matti , Jensen Thomas N. , Broqvist Peter , Lauritsen Jeppe V.
Published: November 2015

Metal adhesion on metal oxides is strongly controlled by the oxide surface structure and composition, but lack of control over the surface conditions often limits the possibilities to exploit this in opto- and micro-electronics applications and heterogeneous catalysis where nanostructural control is of utmost importance. The Cu/ZnO system is among the most investigated of such systems in model studies, but the presence of subsurface ZnO defects and their important role for adhesion on ZnO have been unappreciated so far. Here we reveal that the surface-directed migration of subsurface defects affects the Cu adhesion on polar ZnO(0001) in the technologically interesting temperature range up to 550 K. This leads to enhanced adhesion and ultimately complete wetting of ZnO(0001) by a Cu overlayer. On the basis of our experimental and computational results we demonstrate a mechanism which implies that defect concentrations in the bulk are an important, and possibly controllable, parameter for the metal-on-oxide growth.
Oocyte-triggered dimerization of sperm IZUMO1 promotes sperm–egg fusion in mice
Authors: Inoue Naokazu , Hagihara Yoshihisa , Wright Danelle , Suzuki Takahisa , Wada Ikuo
Published: November 2015

Sperm–egg fusion is indispensable for completing mammalian fertilization. Although the underlying molecular mechanisms are poorly understood, requirement of two spermatozoon factors, IZUMO1 and SPACA6, and two oocyte factors, CD9 and the IZUMO1 counter-receptor JUNO, has been proven by gene disruption, and the binding of cells to an oocyte can be reconstituted by ectopic expression of IZUMO1. Here we demonstrate that robust IZUMO1-dependent adhesion of sperm with an oocyte accompanies the dimerization of IZUMO1. Despite the intrinsic dimeric property of its N-terminal region, IZUMO1 is monomeric in spermatozoa. Interestingly, JUNO associates with monomeric IZUMO1, which is then quickly removed as tight adhesion of the two cells is subsequently established. We therefore propose that global structural rearrangement of IZUMO1 occurs on JUNO recognition and that this rearrangement may then initiate force generation to overcome repulsion between the juxtaposing membranes, through an unidentified receptor on the egg.
Increased tolerance to humans among disturbed wildlife
Authors: Samia Diogo S. M. , Nakagawa Shinichi , Nomura Fausto , Rangel Thiago F. , Blumstein Daniel T.
Published: November 2015

Human disturbance drives the decline of many species, both directly and indirectly. Nonetheless, some species do particularly well around humans. One mechanism that may explain coexistence is the degree to which a species tolerates human disturbance. Here we provide a comprehensive meta-analysis of birds, mammals and lizards to investigate species tolerance of human disturbance and explore the drivers of this tolerance in birds. We find that, overall, disturbed populations of the three major taxa are more tolerant of human disturbance than less disturbed populations. The best predictors of the direction and magnitude of bird tolerance of human disturbance are the type of disturbed area (urbanized birds are more tolerant than rural or suburban populations) and body mass (large birds are more tolerant than small birds). By identifying specific features associated with tolerance, these results guide evidence-based conservation strategies to predict and manage the impacts of increasing human disturbance on birds.
Magnon dark modes and gradient memory
Authors: Zhang Xufeng , Zou Chang-Ling , Zhu Na , Marquardt Florian , Jiang Liang , Tang Hong X.
Published: November 2015

Extensive efforts have been expended in developing hybrid quantum systems to overcome the short coherence time of superconducting circuits by introducing the naturally long-lived spin degree of freedom. Among all the possible materials, single-crystal yttrium iron garnet has shown up recently as a promising candidate for hybrid systems, and various highly coherent interactions, including strong and even ultrastrong coupling, have been demonstrated. One distinct advantage in these systems is that spins form well-defined magnon modes, which allows flexible and precise tuning. Here we demonstrate that by dissipation engineering, a non-Markovian interaction dynamics between the magnon and the microwave cavity photon can be achieved. Such a process enables us to build a magnon gradient memory to store information in the magnon dark modes, which decouple from the microwave cavity and thus preserve a long lifetime. Our findings provide a promising approach for developing long-lifetime, multimode quantum memories.
Active porous transition towards spatiotemporal control of molecular flow in a crystal membrane
Authors: Takasaki Yuichi , Takamizawa Satoshi
Published: November 2015

Fluidic control is an essential technology widely found in processes such as flood control in land irrigation and cell metabolism in biological tissues. In any fluidic control system, valve function is the key mechanism used to actively regulate flow and miniaturization of fluidic regulation with precise workability will be particularly vital in the development of microfluidic control. The concept of crystal engineering is alternative to processing technology in microstructure construction, as the ultimate microfluidic devices must provide molecular level control. Consequently, microporous crystals can instantly be converted to microfluidic devices if introduced in an active transformability of porous structure and geometry. Here we show that the introduction of a stress-induced martensitic transition mechanism converts a microporous molecular crystal into an active fluidic device with spatiotemporal molecular flow controllability through mechanical reorientation of subnanometre channels.
Tetrathiomolybdate mediates cisplatin-induced p38 signaling and EGFR degradation and enhances response to cisplatin therapy in gynecologic cancers
Authors: Kim Kyu Kwang , Han Alex , Yano Naohiro , Ribeiro Jennifer R. , Lokich Elizabeth , Singh Rakesh K. , Moore Richard G.
Published: November 2015

Cisplatin and its analogs are among the most widely used chemotherapeutic agents against various types of cancer. It is known that cisplatin can activate epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), which may provide a survival benefit in cancers. Tetrathiomolybdate (TM) is a potent anti-cancer and anti-angiogenic agent and has been investigated in a number of clinical trials for cancer. In this study, we explore the therapeutic potential of TM on cisplatin-mediated EGFR regulation. Our study shows that TM is not cytotoxic, but exerts an anti-proliferative effect in ECC-1 cells. However, TM treatment prior to cisplatin markedly improves cisplatin-induced cytotoxicity. TM suppressed cisplatin-induced activation of EGFR while potentiating activation of p38; the activation of p38 signaling appeared to promote cisplatin-induced EGFR degradation. These results are in contrast to what we saw when cells were co-treated with cisplatin plus an EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitor, where receptor activation was inhibited but receptor degradation was also blocked. Our current study is in agreement with previous findings that TM may have a therapeutic benefit by inhibiting EGFR activation. We furthermore provide evidence that TM may provide an additional benefit by potentiating p38 activation following cisplatin treatment, which may in turn promote receptor degradation by cisplatin.
The Emergence of Relationship-based Cooperation
Authors: Xu Bo , Wang Jianwei
Published: November 2015

This paper investigates the emergence of relationship-based cooperation by coupling two simple mechanisms into the model: tie strength based investment preference and homophily assumption. We construct the model by categorizing game participants into four types: prosocialists (players who prefers to invest in their intimate friends), antisocialists (players who prefer to invest in strangers), egoists (players who never cooperate) and altruists (players who cooperate indifferently with anyone). We show that the relationship-based cooperation (prosocialists) is favored throughout the evolution if we assume players of the same type have stronger ties than different ones. Moreover, we discover that strengthening the internal bonds within the strategic clusters further promotes the competitiveness of prosocialists and therefore facilitates the emergence of relationship-based cooperation in our proposed scenarios. The robustness of the model is also tested under different strategy updating rules and network structures. The results show that this argument is robust against the variations of initial conditions and therefore can be considered as a fundamental theoretical framework to study relationship-based cooperation in reality.
Signature of a continuous quantum phase transition in non-equilibrium energy absorption: Footprints of criticality on higher excited states
Authors: Bhattacharyya Sirshendu , Dasgupta Subinay , Das Arnab
Published: November 2015

Understanding phase transitions in quantum matters constitutes a significant part of present day condensed matter physics. Quantum phase transitions concern ground state properties of many-body systems and hence their signatures are expected to be pronounced in low-energy states. Here we report signature of a quantum critical point manifested in strongly out-of-equilibrium states with finite energy density with respect to the ground state and extensive (subsystem) entanglement entropy, generated by an external pulse. These non-equilibrium states are evidently completely disordered (e.g., paramagnetic in case of a magnetic ordering transition). The pulse is applied by switching a coupling of the Hamiltonian from an initial value (λI) to a final value (λF) for sufficiently long time and back again. The signature appears as non-analyticities (kinks) in the energy absorbed by the system from the pulse as a function of λF at critical-points (i.e., at values of λF corresponding to static critical-points of the system). As one excites higher and higher eigenstates of the final Hamiltonian H(λF) by increasing the pulse height "Equation missing", the non-analyticity grows stronger monotonically with it. This implies adding contributions from higher eigenstates help magnifying the non-analyticity, indicating strong imprint of the critical-point on them. Our findings are grounded on exact analytical results derived for Ising and XY chains in transverse field.
ZJU index: a novel model for predicting nonalcoholic fatty liver disease in a Chinese population
Authors: Wang Jinghua , Xu Chengfu , Xun Yunhao , Lu Zhenya , Shi Junping , Yu Chaohui , Li Youming
Published: November 2015

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is an important health issue worldwide. We aimed to develop a simple model to determine the presence of NAFLD in a Chinese population. A cross-sectional study with 9602 subjects was conducted. Potential predictors were entered into a stepwise logistic regression analysis to obtain the model. We used 148 patients with liver biopsy to validate this model. The model, named the ZJU index, was developed based on body mass index (BMI), fasting plasma glucose (FPG), triglycerides (TG) and the serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT) to serum aspartate transaminase (AST) ratio. The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUROC) of the ZJU index to detect NAFLD was 0.822. At a value of <32.0, the ZJU index could rule out NAFLD with a sensitivity of 92.2% and at a value of >38.0, the ZJU index could detect NAFLD with a specificity of 93.4%. In patients with liver biopsy, the ZJU index could detect steatosis with good accuracy, with an AUROC of 0.896. This study revealed that the ZJU index is a helpful model to detect NAFLD for community physicians in China. It was validated not only by a validation cohort but also by pathological data.