bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Flux free growth of large FeSe1/2Te1/2 superconducting single crystals by an easy high temperature melt and slow cooling method
Authors: Maheshwari P. K. , Jha Rajveer , Gahtori Bhasker , Awana V. P. S.
Published: September 2015

We report successful growth of flux free large single crystals of superconducting FeSe1/2Te1/2 with typical dimensions of up to few cm. The AC and DC magnetic measurements revealed the superconducting transition temperature (Tc) value of around 11.5K and the isothermal MH showed typical type-II superconducting behavior. The lower critical field (Hc1) being estimated by measuring the low field isothermal magnetization in superconducting regime is found to be above 200Oe at 0K. The temperature dependent electrical resistivity ρ(T ) showed the Tc (onset) to be 14K and the Tc(ρ = 0) at 11.5K. The electrical resistivity under various magnetic fields i.e., ρ(T)H for H//ab and H//c demonstrated the difference in the width of Tc with applied field of 14Tesla to be nearly 2K, confirming the anisotropic nature of superconductivity. The upper critical and irreversibility fields at absolute zero temperature i.e., Hc2(0) and Hirr(0) being determined by the conventional one-band Werthamer–Helfand–Hohenberg (WHH) equation for the criteria of normal state resistivity (ρn) falling to 90% (onset), and 10% (offset) is 76.9Tesla, and 37.45Tesla respectively, for H//c and 135.4Tesla, and 71.41Tesla respectively, for H//ab. The coherence length at the zero temperature is estimated to be above 20Å ´ by using the Ginsburg-Landau theory. The activation energy for the FeSe1/2Te1/2 in both directions H//c and H//ab is determined by using Thermally Activation Flux Flow (TAFF) model.
Uniform and accurate single-cell sequencing based on emulsion whole-genome amplification
Authors: Fu Yusi , Li Chunmei , Lu Sijia , Zhou Wenxiong , Tang Fuchou , Xie X. Sunney , Huang Yanyi
Published: September 2015

Significance

Uniform and accurate single-cell whole-genome amplification is important when starting material is limited and precious. We develop an emulsion-based amplification method that can suppress the amplification bias to detect high-resolution copy number variations of a single cell, and to simultaneously detect the single-nucleotide variations with high accuracy. This approach is compatible with various amplification protocols including the widely used multiple displacement amplification, which has been demonstrated in this paper.
Sympatric speciation revealed by genome-wide divergence in the blind mole ratSpalax
Authors: Li Kexin , Hong Wei , Jiao Hengwu , Wang Guo-Dong , Rodriguez Karl A. , Buffenstein Rochelle , Zhao Yang , Nevo Eviatar , Zhao Huabin
Published: September 2015

Significance

Sympatric speciation is still highly controversial. Here we demonstrate, based on genome-wide divergence analysis, that sympatric speciation in the blind subterranean rodentSpalax galiliencompasses multiple and widespread genomic adaptive complexes associated with the sharply divergent and abutting basalt and chalk soil populations. Gene ontology enrichment analysis highlights sensory perception, musculature, metabolism, and energetics in basalt against neurogenetics and nutrition in chalk. Population divergence of chemoreceptor genes suggests the operation of mate and habitat choices, substantiating sympatric speciation. Natural selection and natural genetic engineering overrule gene flow, evolving divergent ecological adaptive complexes. Sympatric speciation may be a common speciation mode, as envisaged by Darwin, due to the abundance of sharp divergent geological, edaphic, climatic, and biotic ecologies in nature.
A mushroom-derived amino acid, ergothioneine, is a potential inhibitor of inflammation-related DNA halogenation
Authors: Asahi Takashi , Wu Xiaohong , Shimoda Hiroshi , Hisaka Shinsuke , Harada Etsuko , Kanno Tomomi , Nakamura Yoshimasa , Kato Yoji , Osawa Toshihiko
Published: September 2015

Myeloperoxidase (MPO)-generated halogenating molecules, such as hypochlorous acid and hypobromous acid (HOBr), in inflammatory regions are postulated to contribute to disease progression. In this study, we showed that ergothioneine (EGT), derived from an edible mushroom, inhibited MPO activity as well as the formation of 8-bromo-2′-deoxyguanosine in vitro. The HOBr scavenging effect of EGT is higher than those of ascorbic acid and glutathione. We initially observed that the administration of Coprinus comatus, an edible mushroom containing a high amount of EGT, inhibited the UV-B-induced inflammatory responses and DNA halogenation, suggesting that EGT is a promising anti-inflammatory agent from mushrooms.
Learning directed acyclic graphical structures with genetical genomics data
Authors: Gao Bin , Cui Yuehua
Published: September 2015

Motivation: Large amount of research efforts have been focused on estimating gene networks based on gene expression data to understand the functional basis of a living organism. Such networks are often obtained by considering pairwise correlations between genes, thus may not reflect the true connectivity between genes. By treating gene expressions as quantitative traits while considering genetic markers, genetical genomics analysis has shown its power in enhancing the understanding of gene regulations. Previous works have shown the improved performance on estimating the undirected network graphical structure by incorporating genetic markers as covariates. Knowing that gene expressions are often due to directed regulations, it is more meaningful to estimate the directed graphical network.

Results: In this article, we introduce a covariate-adjusted Gaussian graphical model to estimate the Markov equivalence class of the directed acyclic graphs (DAGs) in a genetical genomics analysis framework. We develop a two-stage estimation procedure to first estimate the regression coefficient matrix by ℓ1 penalization. The estimated coefficient matrix is then used to estimate the mean values in our multi-response Gaussian model to estimate the regulatory networks of gene expressions using PC-algorithm. The estimation consistency for high dimensional sparse DAGs is established. Simulations are conducted to demonstrate our theoretical results. The method is applied to a human Alzheimer’s disease dataset in which differential DAGs are identified between cases and controls. R code for implementing the method can be downloaded at http://www.stt.msu.edu/∼cui.

Availability and implementation: R code for implementing the method is freely available at http://www.stt.msu.edu/∼cui/software.html

Contact:  cui@stt.msu.edu

Supplementary information:  Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online.
The use of calcified tissues as tools to support management: the view from the 5th International Otolith Symposium
Authors: Morales-Nin Beatriz , Geffen Audrey J.
Published: September 2015

Fish otoliths have provided biologists with a treasure-house of valuable life history information across levels of biological organization from individuals to ecosystems. Otoliths have long been used to provide the age and growth estimates which are basic data that underpin scientific fisheries and fisheries ecology. The traditional use of calcified tissues (CS) has been augmented by new applications to address questions of population connectivity, migration, and trophic ecology. These tools have become increasingly important in meeting the demands for spatially explicit and ecosystem-level management tools. Analysis of CS is now extended to applications related to spatial use (essential habitats) and as a record of past and present environmental conditions. This special volume of the ICES Journal of Marine Science contains contributions from the 5th International Otolith Symposium (IOS 2014), an ICES Science Symposium held in October 2014, in Mallorca, Spain. IOS 2014 is a continuation of a series of symposia that started in 1993 to encourage the exchange of information and expertise and to promote the development of new techniques and applications for otolith-based analysis in ecology, management, and conservation. IOS 2014 was the largest meeting to date, with 329 participants from 45 countries. The aim of IOS 2014 was to explore the use of CS as tools to support management and define indicators at environmental, community, population, and individual levels. This international forum is the centre for the exchange of information about developments in the field. New techniques of analysis, statistical treatment, and indeed new areas of application are all presented in this forum. Regular attendees are often the prominent users of otolith analyses in their home institution, and many are active in ICES work. This is also a premier venue for interaction between ICES scientists and those working in other parts of the world. North America, Japan, Taiwan, and Australia are particularly active in advancing otolith techniques, and exchange of ideas and information is crucial to improving the science in the ICES community.
Participatory design of ehealth solutions for women from vulnerable populations with perinatal depression
Authors: Gordon Mara , Henderson Rebecca , Holmes John H , Wolters Maria K , Bennett Ian M ,   the SPIRIT (Stress in Pregnancy: Improving Results with Interactive Technology) Group
Published: September 2015

Objective Cultural and health service obstacles affect the quality of pregnancy care that women from vulnerable populations receive. Using a participatory design approach, the Stress in Pregnancy: Improving Results with Interactive Technology group developed specifications for a suite of eHealth applications to improve the quality of perinatal mental health care.

Materials and Methods We established a longitudinal participatory design group consisting of low-income women with a history of antenatal depression, their prenatal providers, mental health specialists, an app developer, and researchers. The group met 20 times over 24 months. Applications were designed using rapid prototyping. Meetings were documented using field notes.

Results and Discussion The group achieved high levels of continuity and engagement. Three apps were developed by the group: an app to support high-risk women after discharge from hospital, a screening tool for depression, and a patient decision aid for supporting treatment choice.

Conclusion Longitudinal participatory design groups are a promising, highly feasible approach to developing technology for underserved populations.
Soft X-ray observation of the prompt emission of GRB 100418A
Authors: Imatani Ritsuko , Tomida Hiroshi , Nakahira Satoshi , Kimura Masashi , Sakamoto Takanori , Arimoto Makoto , Morooka Yoshitaka , Yonetoku Daisuke , Kawai Nobuyuki , Tsunemi Hiroshi
Published: September 2015

We have observed the prompt emission of GRB 100418A from its beginning captured by the MAXI SSC (0.7–7 keV) on board the International Space Station followed by the Swift XRT (0.3–10 keV) observation. The light curve can be fitted by a combination of a power-law component and an exponential component (the decay constant is 31.6 ± 1.6 s). The X-ray spectrum is well expressed by the Band function with Ep ≤ 8.3 keV. This is the brightest gamma-ray burst showing a very low value of Ep. It satisfies the Yonetoku relation (Ep–Lp). It is also consistent with the Amati relation (Ep–Eiso) within a 2.5σ level.
Rescuing Companions in Guilt Arguments
Authors: Cosker-Rowland Rach
Published: September 2015

Christopher Cowie has recently argued that companions in guilt arguments against the moral error theory that appeal to epistemic reasons cannot work. I show that such companions in guilt arguments can work if, as we have good reason to believe, moral reasons and epistemic reasons are instances of fundamentally the same relation.
Psychological Factors and Conditioned Pain Modulation
Authors: Nahman-Averbuch Hadas , Nir Rony-Reuven , Sprecher Elliot , Yarnitsky David
Published: September 2015

Objective:

Conditioned pain modulation (CPM) responses may be affected by psychological factors such as anxiety, depression, and pain catastrophizing; however, most studies on CPM do not address these relations as their primary outcome. The aim of this meta-analysis was to analyze the findings regarding the associations between CPM responses and psychological factors in both pain-free individuals and pain patients.

Materials and Methods:

After a comprehensive PubMed search, 37 articles were found to be suitable for inclusion. Analyses used DerSimonian and Laird’s random-effects model on Fisher’s z-transforms of correlations; potential publication bias was tested using funnel plots and Egger’s regression test for funnel plot asymmetry. Six meta-analyses were performed examining the correlations between anxiety, depression, and pain catastrophizing, and CPM responses in healthy individuals and pain patients.

Results:

No significant correlations between CPM responses and any of the examined psychological factors were found. However, a secondary analysis, comparing modality-specific CPM responses and psychological factors in healthy individuals, revealed the following: (1) pressure-based CPM responses were correlated with anxiety (grand mean correlation in original units r=−0.1087; 95% confidence limits, –0.1752 to −0.0411); (2) heat-based CPM was correlated with depression (r=0.2443; 95% confidence limits, 0.0150 to 0.4492); and (3) electrical-based CPM was correlated with pain catastrophizing levels (r=−0.1501; 95% confidence limits, −0.2403 to −0.0574).

Discussion:

Certain psychological factors seem to be associated with modality-specific CPM responses in healthy individuals. This potentially supports the notion that CPM paradigms evoked by different stimulation modalities represent different underlying mechanisms.
Pigmentation of the Lacrimal Sac Epithelium
Authors: Jakobiec Frederick A. , Stagner Anna M. , Sutula Francis C. , Freitag Suzanne K. , Yoon Michael K.
Published: September 2015

Purpose:

To describe the patterns of the melanocytic populations of 3 cases of lacrimal sac benign melanosis and 1 of atypical primary-acquired sac melanosis with a melanomatous nodule secondary to spread of atypical conjunctival primary-acquired melanosis to the sac.

Methods:

Clinical records, photographs, and paraffin sections stained with hematoxylin and eosin and the Fontana reaction were critically reviewed. Additional sections were immunoreacted for melanoma antigen recognized by T cells and microphthalmia-associated transcription factor. Five nonpigmented pterygia and 4 nonpigmented lacrimal sacs served as controls.

Results:

Three patients with obstructive dacryocystitis and benign melanosis were African-Americans whose sacs disclosed the presence of nonclustering, melanoma antigen recognized by T cells, and microphthalmia-associated transcription factor-positive intraepithelial dendritic melanocytes at all levels of the epithelium. The transferred melanin granules were concentrated in the adlumenal apical region of the epithelial cells. No fusiform melanocytes were found in the lamina propria. The fourth patient, a white, had atypical conjunctival and sac primary-acquired melanosis and conjunctival and sac melanomas. The intraepithelial sac melanocytes in this case were strikingly atypical and profusely distributed in a back to back fashion at all levels of a thickened epithelial layer focally approximating the appearance of a melanoma in situ. Five nonpigmented pterygia and 4 nonpigmented lacrimal sacs served as controls. Each displayed nonnesting dendritic melanocytes of various densities without back to back contact.

Conclusion:

Low densities of intraepithelial melanocytes were discovered in all controls and therefore represent a normal subpopulation within the conjunctival and lacrimal sacs. Due to the pseudostratification of the sac epithelium, melanocytes can move to higher levels without implying atypia. Benign melanosis is produced by small diffusely distributed individual intraepithelial melanocytes, whereas primary-acquired melanosis with atypia exhibits back to back, dense proliferations of large atypical melanocytes.
Definitions and Outcome Measures in Pediatric Functional Upper Gastrointestinal Tract Disorders
Authors: Rashid Amara Nassar‐Sheikh , Taminiau Jan A. , Benninga Marc A. , Saps Miguel , Tabbers Merit M.
Published: September 2015

Objectives:

Functional disorders of the upper gastrointestinal tract are frequently diagnosed in children. Four different clinical entities are addressed by the Rome III committee: functional dyspepsia (FD), cyclic vomiting syndrome (CVS), adolescent rumination syndrome (ARS), and aerophagia. Management of these disorders is often difficult leading to a wide variety in therapeutic interventions. We hypothesize that definitions and outcome measures in these studies are heterogeneous as well. Our aim is to systematically assess how these disorders and outcomes are defined in therapeutic randomized controlled trials (RCTs).

Study Design:

CENTRAL, Embase, and MEDLINE/PubMed were searched from inception to February 25, 2015. Search terms were FD, CVS, ARS, and aerophagia. Therapeutic RCTs, or systematic reviews of RCTs, in English language including subjects ages 4 to 18 years (0–18 years for CVS) were evaluated. Quality was assessed using the Delphi list.

Results:

A total of 1398 articles were found of which 8 articles were included. Seven concerned FD and 1 concerned CVS. In all of the studies, Rome criteria or similar definitions were used; all the studies however used different outcome measures. Seventy‐five percent of the trials were of good methodological quality. Only 57% used validated pain scales.

Conclusions:

Different outcome measures are used in therapeutic trials on functional disorders of the upper gastrointestinal tract. There is a clear paucity of trials evaluating different treatment regimens regarding CVS, ARS, and aerophagia. Uniform definitions, outcome measures, and validated instruments are needed to make a comparison between intervention studies possible.
Eukaryotes first: how could that be?
Authors: Mariscal Carlos , Doolittle W. Ford
Published: September 2015

In the half century since the formulation of the prokaryote : eukaryote dichotomy, many authors have proposed that the former evolved from something resembling the latter, in defiance of common (and possibly common sense) views. In such ‘eukaryotes first’ (EF) scenarios, the last universal common ancestor is imagined to have possessed significantly many of the complex characteristics of contemporary eukaryotes, as relics of an earlier ‘progenotic’ period or RNA world. Bacteria and Archaea thus must have lost these complex features secondarily, through ‘streamlining’. If the canonical three-domain tree in which Archaea and Eukarya are sisters is accepted, EF entails that Bacteria and Archaea areconvergentlyprokaryotic. We ask what this means and how it might be tested.
A case of fatal daptomycin-resistant, vancomycin-resistant enterococcal infective endocarditis in end-stage kidney disease
Authors: O'Connor Ciara , Casserly Liam F. , Qazi Junaid , Power Lorraine , Finnegan Cathriona , O'Connell Nuala H. , Dunne Colum P.
Published: September 2015

Introduction:

Ireland currently has the highest reported rate in Europe of vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus (VRE) isolated from the bloodstream, but data regarding the prevalence of VRE endocarditis remain scarce. Treatment options for Enterococcus-mediated endocarditis are limited, and therefore daptomycin is commonly used off licence in this setting.

Case presentation:

A 60-year-old male with end-stage kidney disease (ESKD) presented with VRE bacteraemia secondary to a gangrenous right foot colonized with vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus faecium. Aortic valve endocarditis was confirmed using transoesophageal echocardiography. Treatment was commenced with linezolid and subsequently modified to combination therapy with daptomycin and rifampicin. High-dose daptomycin therapy was employed unsuccessfully and, after 20 days of therapy, daptomycin resistance emerged, which proved fatal.

Conclusion:

The case was ethically challenging and involved a refusal of amputation and, ultimately, any form of treatment by the patient. In summary, however, daptomycin-resistant VRE bacteraemia complicated by recalcitrant daptomycin-resistant VRE endocarditis proved fatal for this patient. Further evaluation of the efficacy and safety of high-dose daptomycin for the treatment of VRE infective endocarditis is needed.
Septicaemia caused by Myroides spp.: a case report
Authors: Elantamilan D. , Lyngdoh Valarie W. , Choudhury Basabdatta , Khyriem Annie B. , Rajbongshi Jyotismita
Published: September 2015

Introduction:

Myroides spp. are aerobic, yellow-pigmented, non-fermentative Gram-negative rods considered to be low-grade opportunistic pathogens. However, their intrinsic resistance to commonly used antibiotics necessitates prompt identification and evaluation.

Case presentation:

Here, we report a case of septicaemia caused by Myroides sp. A 36-year-old pregnant female was admitted to the intensive care unit at week 18 of gestation with a diagnosis of hydatidiform mole with acute renal failure and anaemia. Blood culture under aerobic conditions showed growth of round, smooth, convex, yellow-pigmented colonies on blood agar but which failed to grow on MacConkey agar, and the organism was identified as Myroides sp. Susceptibility testing showed that it was susceptible only to piperacillin+tazobactam and, following treatment, the patient recovered.

Conclusion:

Myroides spp. has, until now, been regarded as an opportunistic pathogen and a rare cause of serious disease in immunocompromised subjects. However, it may cause serious disease, even in immunocompetent hosts, and its intrinsic resistance warrants appropriate testing and timely intervention.
Mechanistic modelling and Bayesian inference elucidates the variable dynamics of double-strand break repair
Authors: Woods M. , Barnes C.P.
Published: September 2015

DNA double-strand breaks are lesions that form during metabolism, DNA replication and exposure to mutagens. When a double-strand break occurs one of a number of repair mechanisms is recruited, all of which have differing propensities for mutational events. Despite DNA repair being of crucial importance, the relative contribution of these mechanisms and their regulatory interactions remain to be fully elucidated. Understanding these mutational processes will have a profound impact on our knowledge of genomic instability, with implications across health, disease and evolution. Here we present a new method to model the combined activation of non-homologous end joining, single strand annealing and alternative end joining, following exposure to ionizing radiation. We use Bayesian statistics to integrate eight biological data sets of double-strand break repair curves under varying genetic knockouts and confirm that our model is predictive by re-simulating and comparing to additional data. Analysis of the model suggests that there are at least three disjoint modes of repair, which we assign as fast, slow and intermediate. Our results show that when multiple data sets are combined, the rate for intermediate repair is variable amongst genetic knockouts. Further analysis suggests that the ratio between slow and intermediate repair depends on the presence or absence of DNA-PKcs and Ku70, which implies that non-homologous end joining and alternative end joining are not independent. Finally, we consider the proportion of double-strand breaks within each mechanism as a time series and predict activity as a function of repair rate. We outline how our insights can be directly tested using imaging and sequencing techniques and conclude that there is evidence of variable dynamics in alternative repair pathways. Our approach is an important step towards providing a unifying theoretical framework for the dynamics of DNA repair processes.
Social inheritance can explain the structure of animal social networks
Authors: Ilany Amiyaal , Akcay Erol
Published: September 2015

The social network structure of animal populations has major implications for survival, reproductive success, sexual selection, and pathogen transmission of individuals. But as of yet, no general theory of social network structure exists that can explain the diversity of social networks observed in nature, and serve as a null model for detecting species and population-specific factors. Here we propose a simple and generally applicable model of social network structure. We consider the emergence of network structure as a result of social inheritance, in which newborns are likely to bond with maternal contacts, and via forming bonds randomly. We compare model output to data from several species, showing that it can generate networks with properties such as those observed in real social systems. Our model demonstrates that important observed properties of social networks, including heritability of network position or assortative associations, can be understood as consequences of social inheritance.
A fabric defect detection algorithm via context-based local texture saliency analysis
Authors: Liu Zhoufeng , Li Chunlei , Zhao Quanjun , Liao Liang , Dong Yan
Published: September 2015

Purpose

– Fabric defect detection plays an important role in textile quality control. The purpose of this paper is to propose a fabric defect detection algorithm via context-based local texture saliency analysis.

Design/methodology/approach

– In the proposed algorithm, a target image is first divided into blocks, then the Local Binary Pattern (LBP) technique is used to extract the texture features of blocks. Second, for a given image block, several other blocks are randomly chosen for calculating the LBP contrast between a given block and the randomly chosen blocks. Based on the obtained contrast information, a saliency map is produced. Finally, saliency map is segmented by using an optimal threshold, which is obtained by an iterative approach.

Findings

– The experimental results show that the proposed algorithm, integrating local texture features and global image texture information, can detect texture defects effectively.

Originality/value

– In this paper, a novel fabric defect detection algorithm via context-based local texture saliency analysis is proposed.
Effect of tert-Butylhydroquinone on the quality characteristics of low fat Kalari, a hard and dry cheese
Authors: Mahajan Deepak , Bhat Z. F. , Kumar Sunil
Published: September 2015

Purpose

– The purpose of the present study was to evaluate the effect of tert-Butylhydroquinone (TBHQ) on the quality characteristics of low-fat Kalari, a hard and dry cheese. The products treated with TBHQ were assessed for various oxidative stability and storage-quality parameters.

Design/methodology/approach

– Low-fat Kalari was prepared and treated with different concentrations of TBHQ (0, 200, 300 ppm) and aerobically packaged within low-density polyethylene pouches and assessed for physicochemical, microbiological and sensory characteristics under refrigerated (4 ± 1°C) conditions.

Findings

– TBHQ showed a significant (p
<
0.05) effect on the lipid stability, as the treated products exhibited significantly (p
<
0.05) lower TBARS (mg malonaldehyde/kg) values for the entire period of storage. pH showed a significant (p
<
0.05) decreasing trend, whereas titratable acidity followed a significant (p
<
0.05) increasing trend with storage period in control as well as treated products. No significant (p
>
0.05) effect was observed on the microbiological characteristics of the products, as TBHQ-treated products showed comparable (p
>
0.05) values for total plate count, psychrophillic count and yeast and mould count. Significantly (p
<
0.05) higher scores were observed for various sensory parameters of the treated products.

Originality/value

– TBHQ successfully improved the storage quality of low fat Kalari during refrigerated (4 ± 1°C) storage and may be commercially exploited as an antioxidant in Kalari and other cheese like products.
A new model for ecological networks using species‐level traits
Authors: Crea Catherine , Ali R. Ayesha , Rader Romina
Published: September 2015

Recent studies on plant–pollinator networks have focused on explaining network structure through linkage rules, including spatio‐temporal overlap, and phenotypic trait or phylogenetic signal complementarity. Few studies, however, have quantified the extent to which functional traits affect the probability of plants and pollinators interacting with each other.

Dirichlet‐multinomial (DM) regression is a consumer‐resource model for the interaction probabilities in a mutualistic network. This flexible model accommodates network heterogeneity through random effects and overdispersion and can estimate the contribution of species‐level traits to plant–pollinator interactions.

Using artificial networks based on linkage rules and neutrality, we evaluate the performance of DM regression and explore the model's parameter space. We also analyse an empirical network in which the interaction probabilities are modelled by species characteristics.

Study results show that such random effects models can provide good fits to observed data. The characteristics pollinators seek in plant species may be better anticipated if species interactions are modelled by the functional traits that drive them.
White Settler Society as Monster: Rural Southeast Kansas, Ancestral Osage (Wah‐Zha‐Zhi) Territories, and the Violence of Forgetting
Authors: Gahman Levi
Published: September 2015

This article provides a critical analysis of the practices and discourses of white settler “men” in Southeast Kansas (Ancestral Osage Territories) by examining the inextricable links rural masculinity has with settler colonialism. I begin by underscoring how efforts in erasing Indigenous histories have been sanctioned through processes of dispossession, bordering, and nation‐state building. I then explore how hetero‐patriarchal rural hierarchies are assembled via capitalistic desires for private property; conservative Christianity's rhetoric of altruism and good intentions; white supremacist conceptions of race; and masculinist perspectives regarding work and gender. Next, I highlight how the spatial assertion of white settler masculinity reproduces colonial oppressions based upon interlocking subject positions and notions of difference. I continue by suggesting denial and disaffiliation are banal exercises of disavowal employed by white settler societies as attempts to forget colonial violence. I then finish by illustrating how a masculinist status quo might be disrupted, resisted, and transformed.
Yield of diagnostic tests in obese children with an elevated alanine aminotransferase
Authors: Rudolph Bryan , Rivas Yolanda , Kulak Shulamit , Pan Debra , Ewart Michelle , Levin Terry L. , Thompson John F. , Scharbach Kathryn
Published: September 2015

Aim

Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is associated with obesity and affects roughly 10% of children. However, NAFLD is often diagnosed by exclusion – that is, obese children with an elevated alanine aminotransferase (ALT) are screened for other liver diseases in the absence of a biopsy. This testing is nonstandardized, and professional society recommendations differ. This study examines the yield of testing for disorders other than NAFLD in this patient population.

Methods

A retrospective study was performed in 120 obese, asymptomatic, noncholestatic children with an ALT ≥40 U/L and additional diagnostic testing.

Results

No patients were found to have Wilson's, hepatitis A, hepatitis B, hepatitis C, cytomegalovirus, alpha‐1 antitrypsin deficiency, autoimmune hepatitis, celiac disease or Epstein–Barr virus. Only one patient (1/120) was identified with definite disease other than NAFLD, which was muscular dystrophy. The positive predictive value of a screening test was 5%, and the specificity was 97%. Of 70 children with an abdominal ultrasound, no significant abnormalities were identified.

Conclusion

Extensive testing in asymptomatic, noncholestatic, obese children with an elevated ALT may be of limited diagnostic value and false‐positive tests are likely. Large, prospective studies are needed to help focus the work up in this patient population.
Premature infants born at <25 weeks of gestation may be compromised by currently recommended resuscitation techniques
Authors: Lamberska Tereza , Luksova Marketa , Smisek Jan , Vankova Jana , Plavka Richard
Published: September 2015

Aim

Standard resuscitation guidelines are based on data from a range of gestational ages. We sought to evaluate the effectiveness of our delivery room resuscitation protocol across a range of gestational ages in preterm infants born at <29 weeks.

Methods

We performed an observational study of prospectively collected video recordings of 73 preterm infants. The percentage of bradycardic patients, time to reach target oxygen saturation and the extent of all interventions were compared between three gestational age groups: 22–24 weeks (n = 22), 25–26 weeks (n = 27) and 27–28 weeks (n = 24).

Results

Although the same resuscitation protocol was followed for all infants, bradycardic infants born <25 weeks responded poorly and required significantly longer to reach oxygen saturation targets of >70%, >80% and >90% (p < 0.03). They required significantly more interventions and had higher rate of death (p < 0.05) and severe intraventricular haemorrhage (p < 0.03). Significantly lower heart rate and oxygen saturation values were found in infants with intraventricular haemorrhage.

Conclusion

Current recommendations for resuscitation may fail to achieve timely lung aeration in infants born at the borderline of viability, leading to higher mortality and morbidity. Sustained inflation and delayed cord clamping may be effective alternatives.
Skin‐to‐skin contact reduces near‐infrared spectroscopy pain responses in premature infants during blood sampling
Authors: Olsson Emma , Ahlsén Gunilla , Eriksson Mats
Published: September 2015

Aim

This study investigated if skin‐to‐skin contact could provide pain relief, measured with near‐infrared spectroscopy (NIRS), during venepuncture in premature infants.

Methods

Ten infants born at 26–35 weeks of gestation were examined during a blood‐sampling procedure with venepuncture under two different conditions: in skin‐to‐skin contact with their mother or lying in their incubator or crib. A double‐channel NIRS device was used, and oxygen saturation and heart rate were measured using pulse oximetry. The infant's face and the pulse oximetry values were videotaped throughout the procedures, so that we could carry out a pain assessment using the Premature Infant Pain Profile‐Revised (PIPP‐R).

Results

We found a significantly smaller increase in oxygenated haemoglobin on the contralateral side during venepuncture when the infants were in skin‐to‐skin contact with their mothers, compared to when they were laying in their incubator or crib. When venepuncture was compared with a sham procedure, oxygenated haemoglobin increased significantly more with the infant in the incubator or crib than held skin‐to‐skin, but no significant differences could be seen in the PIPP‐R results between the two groups.

Conclusion

This study showed that skin‐to‐skin contact between premature infants and their mothers during venepuncture had a pain‐relieving effect.
The synergistic impact of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease and metabolic syndrome on subclinical atherosclerosis
Authors: Hong Ho Cheol , Hwang Soon Young , Ryu Ja Young , Yoo Hye Jin , Seo Ji‐A , Kim Sin Gon , Kim Nan Hee , Baik Sei Hyun , Choi Dong Seop , Choi Kyung Mook
Published: September 2015

Objective

Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a well‐known contributor for the development of cardiovascular disease (CVD). We examined the influence of NAFLD and metabolic syndrome (MetS) on markers of subclinical atherosclerosis, including carotid intima‐media thickness (CIMT), brachial–ankle pulse wave velocity (baPWV) and ankle–brachial pressure index (ABI), after adjusting for cardiometabolic risk factors.

Design

A cross‐sectional study.

Patients and measurements

The association between NAFLD, MetS and markers of subclinical atherosclerosis was assessed in 955 participants without CVD using multiple logistic regression analysis after adjusting for multiple cardiometabolic risk variables.

Results

After adjusting for age and sex, CIMT and baPWV were found to be significantly correlated with multiple cardiometabolic risk variables, whereas ABI was only associated with obesity parameters. The prevalence of NAFLD differed significantly according to the presence of subclinical atherosclerosis as defined by both CIMT and baPWV (P = 0·004 and P = 0·007, respectively). After adjusting for potential confounding factors, NAFLD or MetS was not associated with subclinical atherosclerosis as defined by CIMT and baPWV. However, individuals with both NAFLD and MetS had a significantly higher risk of subclinical atherosclerosis as defined by CIMT (OR = 2·06, 95% CI = 1·13–3·74) or baPWV (OR = 2·64, 95% CI = 1·46–4·76) compared to normal subjects, even after adjusting for potential confounders.

Conclusions

The results show that NAFLD and MetS have a synergistic impact on the subclinical atherosclerosis, which suggests that individuals with both NAFLD and MetS should be strongly advised to engage in CVD prevention strategies.
Secular trends of body mass index in North Indian children with Type 1 diabetes do not support the Accelerator Hypothesis
Authors: Dayal Devi , Samprathi Madhusudan , Jayaraman Dhaarani , Kohat Dilesh , Bhalla Anil Kumar
Published: September 2015

Objective

The accelerator hypothesis, which proposes a link between Type 1 diabetes (T1D) and Type 2 diabetes (T2D) through weight‐related insulin resistance, remains untested in developing countries with increasing rates of childhood obesity and T1D, and different ethnicities. We aimed to test the accelerator hypothesis in the context of a significant increase in T1D at our centre.

Design and methods

Medical records of children diagnosed with T1D between January 2005 and December 2014 were retrospectively reviewed. The body mass index (BMI) standard deviation scores (SDSs) were calculated using height and weight measurements recorded 1–2 months after diagnosis of T1D and compared with age‐matched anthropometric data. The rate of change in BMI SDSs over time was calculated. Analysis of BMI data was undertaken for the three age categories: <5, 5 to <10 and >10 years.

Results

The mean age at diagnosis of 467 children with T1D was 7·27 ± 0·32 years and showed no change over the study period. There was a yearly increase of 14·11% in patient numbers; this increase was similar in the three age categories (22·7%, 17·0%, 16·3%, respectively, P = 1·0). Comparison of patient numbers between the two time periods of 5 years each showed a marked increase during 2010–2014 (148 vs 319, % increase 115·5%). The mean BMI SDSs at diagnosis in the three age categories were similar (P = 1·0) and showed a yearly change of −0·36; the mean change in the three age categories was also similar (−0·35, −0·27, −0·46, respectively, P = 1·0). No correlation was found between age at diagnosis and BMI SDSs (correlation coefficient 0·010, P = 0·82). The mean BMI SDS in patients was significantly lower compared to controls (−0·54 vs −0·02, P = 0·001).

Conclusion

There was no association between BMI SDS and age at diagnosis in children with new onset T1D. Further studies are needed to test whether the accelerator hypothesis is relevant in developing countries.
Unexpectedly long half‐life of metformin elimination in cases of metformin accumulation
Authors: Kajbaf F. , Bennis Y. , Hurtel‐Lemaire A.‐S. , Andréjak M. , Lalau J.‐D.
Published: September 2015

Introduction

In a study of the oral administration of a single dose of metformin to healthy participants, the estimated half‐life (t½) for the elimination of the drug from erythrocytes was found to be 23.4 h (compared with 2.7 h for metformin in plasma). However, these pharmacokinetic indices have not been well defined in metformin accumulation.

Methods

We systematically reviewed all the data on plasma and erythrocyte metformin assays available in our centre. We then selected patients with a plasma metformin concentration ≥ 5 mg/l and in whom the metformin concentration had been remeasured once or more at least 5 days after admission.

Results

Twelve patients met the aforementioned criteria. All but one of these patients displayed generally severe lactic acidosis on admission (mean ± sd pH and lactate: 6.88 ± 0.35 and 14.8 ± 6.56 mmol/l, respectively) and 11 were treated with dialysis. The mean ± sd time interval between the first and last blood sample collections for metformin measurement was 8.3 ± 3.2 days (range 5–14 days). Five days after the first sample had been collected, metformin was still detectable in plasma and in erythrocytes in all patients. Metformin remained detectable for up to 13 days (both in plasma and in erythrocytes). The estimated mean terminal t½ for metformin in plasma and erythrocytes was 51.9 and 43.4 h, respectively.

Conclusions

The prolonged elimination of accumulated metformin (even after dialysis therapy) challenges the traditional view that the drug clears rapidly because of a short half‐life in plasma.
Developing a Teacher Evaluation Instrument to Provide Formative Feedback Using Student Ratings of Teaching Acts
Authors: van der Lans Rikkert M. , van de Grift Wim J.C.M. , van Veen Klaas
Published: September 2015

This study reports on the development of a teacher evaluation instrument, based on students’ observations, which exhibits cumulative ordering in terms of the complexity of teaching acts. The study integrates theory on teacher development with theory on teacher effectiveness and applies a cross‐validation procedure to verify whether teaching acts have a cumulative order. The resulting teacher evaluation instrument comprises 32 teaching acts with cumulative ordering in terms of complexity. This ordering aligns with prior teacher development research. It also represents a valuable extension in that the instrument can provide feedback about a teacher's current phase of development and advice for improvement.
Too Simple to Be Useful: A Comment on Feinberg and Wainer (2014)
Authors: Sinharay Sandip , Haberman Shelby , Boughton Keith
Published: September 2015

Feinberg and Wainer (2014) provided a simple equation to approximate/predict a subscore's value. The purpose of this note is to point out that their equation is often inaccurate in that it does not always predict a subscore's value correctly. Therefore, the utility of their simple equation is not clear.
Plants mediate soil organic matter decomposition in response to sea level rise
Authors: Mueller Peter , Jensen Kai , Megonigal James Patrick
Published: September 2015

Tidal marshes have a large capacity for producing and storing organic matter, making their role in the global carbon budget disproportionate to land area. Most of the organic matter stored in these systems is in soils where it contributes 2–5 times more to surface accretion than an equal mass of minerals. Soil organic matter (SOM) sequestration is the primary process by which tidal marshes become perched high in the tidal frame, decreasing their vulnerability to accelerated relative sea level rise (RSLR). Plant growth responses to RSLR are well understood and represented in century‐scale forecast models of soil surface elevation change. We understand far less about the response of SOM decomposition to accelerated RSLR. Here we quantified the effects of flooding depth and duration on SOM decomposition by exposing planted and unplanted field‐based mesocosms to experimentally manipulated relative sea level over two consecutive growing seasons. SOM decomposition was quantified as CO2 efflux, with plant‐ and SOM‐derived CO2 separated via δ13CO2. Despite the dominant paradigm that decomposition rates are inversely related to flooding, SOM decomposition in the absence of plants was not sensitive to flooding depth and duration. The presence of plants had a dramatic effect on SOM decomposition, increasing SOM‐derived CO2 flux by up to 267% and 125% (in 2012 and 2013, respectively) compared to unplanted controls in the two growing seasons. Furthermore, plant stimulation of SOM decomposition was strongly and positively related to plant biomass and in particular aboveground biomass. We conclude that SOM decomposition rates are not directly driven by relative sea level and its effect on oxygen diffusion through soil, but indirectly by plant responses to relative sea level. If this result applies more generally to tidal wetlands, it has important implications for models of SOM accumulation and surface elevation change in response to accelerated RSLR.
Beyond just sea‐level rise: considering macroclimatic drivers within coastal wetland vulnerability assessments to climate change
Authors: Osland Michael J. , Enwright Nicholas M. , Day Richard H. , Gabler Christopher A. , Stagg Camille L. , Grace James B.
Published: September 2015

Due to their position at the land‐sea interface, coastal wetlands are vulnerable to many aspects of climate change. However, climate change vulnerability assessments for coastal wetlands generally focus solely on sea‐level rise without considering the effects of other facets of climate change. Across the globe and in all ecosystems, macroclimatic drivers (e.g., temperature and rainfall regimes) greatly influence ecosystem structure and function. Macroclimatic drivers have been the focus of climate change‐related threat evaluations for terrestrial ecosystems, but largely ignored for coastal wetlands. In some coastal wetlands, changing macroclimatic conditions are expected to result in foundation plant species replacement, which would affect the supply of certain ecosystem goods and services and could affect ecosystem resilience. As examples, we highlight several ecological transition zones where small changes in macroclimatic conditions would result in comparatively large changes in coastal wetland ecosystem structure and function. Our intent in this communication is not to minimize the importance of sea‐level rise. Rather, our overarching aim is to illustrate the need to also consider macroclimatic drivers within vulnerability assessments for coastal wetlands.