bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The human being as the target of crisis metaphors in English, Spanish and French
Authors: Negro Isabel
Published: October 2016

In 2008 a financial crisis threatened to make economies collapse worldwide. The world entered an era of bank and businesses failures, private defaults and massive layoffs. The crisis became a major topic in the media. The present article sets out to analyse the conceptualization of the crisis in the English, Spanish and French press. I found that journalists relied heavily on metaphorical imagery to describe it. The crisis was conceived in terms of a structured set of conceptual metaphors which depict it as a living organism, a disease, natural disaster, a weather phenomenon and a harmful object. These metaphors not only shape the readers’ view of the crisis, but also construct a negative evaluation of this economic phenomenon by highlighting its harmful effects. The study also shows the commonalities and divergences in the conceptualization of the crisis across languages.
Non-conventional figurative language as aesthetics of everyday communication
Authors: Wimmer Lena , Christmann Ursula , Ihmels Elisabeth
Published: October 2016

This study focuses on the emotional aesthetic appreciation of figurative language, a dimension which has often been neglected in experimental psycholinguistics. Our goal was to demonstrate that non-conventional figurative utterances are evaluated as more aesthetically pleasing although they are cognitively more demanding than conventional rhetorical figures. This hypothesis was tested for three main types of figurative language (metaphors, irony and idioms) in three separate surveys. Participants assessed utterances by means of a questionnaire which comprised several semantic differential items. The postulated covariation of non-conventionality and cognitive effort as well as of non-conventionality and aesthetics could be clearly established for metaphors and for irony. For idioms we could only partially provide this evidence. However, in a combined sample for all figurative language forms (compiled from the three studies) the main hypothesis was again confirmed. Thus, the results demonstrate that non-conventional variants of figurative language must be considered as the core of figurative aesthetics. Furthermore, our exploratory data gave evidence of an aesthetic paradox: the cognitive costs of understanding conventional figurative language reduce aesthetic pleasure, while in the case of non-conventional rhetoric figures the enhanced cognitive effort is accompanied by an increase in aesthetic pleasure.
“Simple” and “double” applicatives in Shiwilu (Kawapanan)
Authors: Valenzuela Pilar M.
Published: October 2016

Shiwilu (Kawapanan, Peru) exhibits a prolific applicative system that comprises seven constructions involving distinct affixes. The present article offers the first account of this feature. In so doing, it seeks to expand our typological knowledge of linguistic systems with multiple applicative constructions and shed light onto the ways applicative constructions relate to word derivation.

The suffix-tuis particularly intriguing. It modifies the verb valency by either adding or suppressing an object, depending on the base to which it attaches. Comparable affixes that perform these seemingly opposite functions are found in other languages of the world (see instances of applicative / antipassive polysemy, Malchukov, ms.). What makes Shiwilu special is that-tuis also required in certain types of applicative constructions simultaneously to the dedicated applicative. This double derivation strategy has not been reported for other languages of the region and is unattested in Shawi, Shiwilu’s only sister language.
Maximal backgrounding = focus without (necessary) focus encoding
Authors: Güldemann Tom
Published: October 2016

Based on data from a range of geographically and genealogically diverse African languages this article describes a little recognized strategy for expressing focus. It is based on marking all material of an utterance as background except for the single focus constituent. This kind of “maximal backgrounding” thus renders focus without overt focus marking, called accordingly “indirect focalization”. It is argued that the recognition of this strategy has several repercussions for the general modeling of focus, and information structure in general.
Thermal stability studies of tungsten nitride thin films
Authors: Anwar Shahid , Anwar Sharmistha
Published: October 2016

Superior mechanical properties, such as hardness of high level along with thermal stability are of great technological interests for cutting tools and other industrial applications. In this work, we present performance and stability of tungsten nitride (WN) film at a wide temperature range (RT – 600°C). WN films were deposited on silicon (100) substrates using reactive RF magnetron sputtering. The deposited samples were annealed at 200, 400 and 600°C for 2 h. Structural, electrical and mechanical properties of the films were analysed via X-ray diffraction, four-probe resistivity and nano-indentation test, respectively. XRD results show the formation of pure W2N crystalline phase. The change in microstructural parameters were investigated and found to be varying with annealing temperature. The electrical measurement result shows the decrease in resistivity with an increase in annealing temperature. Nano-indentation experiments reveal that the mechanical behaviour (hardness and elastic modulus) at different load are quite stable in the studied temperature range.
A story of culture and teaching: the complexity of teacher identity formation
Authors: Edwards F.C.E. , Edwards R.J.
Published: October 2016

Research in teacher education repeatedly suggests that the background and underlying beliefs held by pre‐service teachers about teaching and assessment act to shape their interpretations of ideas, powerfully influencing their praxis and their developing teacher identity. This paper explores how a young New Zealand secondary science teacher, raised and educated in Māori‐medium and then English‐medium New Zealand schools, develops his identity as a teacher as he navigates a range of educational contexts and experiences. His views on assessment provide a focus. The paper presents a case study drawn from a two‐year longitudinal study, comprising a series of interviews with the teacher, as he transitioned from a university graduate to a qualified science teacher working in his first school. The complexity of teacher identity development is highlighted, particularly for teachers for whom cultural identity and indigenous world view is important. It suggests that beginning teachers need more time in their pre‐service teacher education to reflect on the influence their formative educational experiences have on who they are becoming as a teacher.
Changes in organisation of instep kicking as a function of wearing compression and textured materials
Authors: Hasan Hosni , Davids Keith , Chow Jia Yi , Kerr Graham
Published: October 2016

This study investigated effects of wearing compression garments and textured insoles on modes of movement organisation emerging during performance of lower limb interceptive actions in association football. Participants were six skilled (age = 15.67 ± 0.74 years) and six less‐skilled (age = 15.17 ± 1.1 years) football players. All participants performed 20 instep kicks with maximum velocity in four randomly organised insoles and socks conditions, (a) Smooth Socks with Smooth Insoles (SSSI); (b) Smooth Socks with Textured Insoles (SSTI); (c) Compression Socks with Smooth Insoles (CSSI); and (d), Compression Socks with Textured Insoles (CSTI). Results showed that, when wearing textured and compression materials (CSSI condition), less‐skilled participants displayed significantly greater hip extension and flexion towards the ball contact phase, indicating larger ranges of motion in the kicking limb than in other conditions. Less‐skilled participants also demonstrated greater variability in knee–ankle intralimb (angle–angle plots) coordination modes in the CSTI condition. Findings suggested that use of textured and compression materials increased attunement to somatosensory information from lower limb movement, to regulate performance of dynamic interceptive actions like kicking, especially in less‐skilled individuals.
Self-bias modulates saccadic control
Authors: Yankouskaya A. , Palmer D. , Stolte M. , Sui J. , Humphreys G. W.
Published: October 2016

We present novel data on the role of attention in eliciting enhanced processing of stimuli associated with self. Participants were required to make pro- or anti-saccades according to whether learned shape–label pairings matched or mismatched. When stimuli matched participants were required to make an anti-saccade, and when the stimuli mismatched a pro-saccade was required. We found that anti-saccades were difficult to make to stimuli associated with self when compared to stimuli associated with a friend and a stranger. In contrast, anti-saccades to friend-stimuli were easier to make than anti-saccades to stranger-stimuli. In addition, a correct anti-saccade to a self-associated stimulus disrupted subsequent pro-saccade trials, relative to when the preceding anti-saccade was made to other stimuli. The data indicate that self-associated stimuli provide a strong cue for explicit shifts of attention to them, and that correct anti-saccades to such stimuli demand high levels of inhibition (which carries over to subsequent pro-saccade trials). The self exerts an automatic draw on attention.
Estimating the volumes of fish schools from observations with multi-beam sonars
Authors: Vatnehol Sindre , Peña Hector , Ona Egil
Published: October 2016

Multi-beam sonar is commonly used in purse seine fishing to visually evaluate school size and biomass. However, quantitative analyses of the across-beam school dimensions may provide more accurate estimates of school volumes. These may help fishers improve their estimates of fish biomass prior to setting a purse seine set; and assist scientists to more accurately assess the distributions and abundances of pelagic schooling fishes. Fish-school volumes are evaluated using data from a simulated Simrad SX90 sonar. The accuracy of the estimates is dependent on the number of ensonifying beams, and therefore dependent on the school size and range from transducer. We present two models, derived through simulations, to correct for distortions of the target dimensions, both horizontally and vertically. The corrected school heights and widths have precisions of 8.5–10.5% vertically and 6.6–8.7% horizontally.
The footprint of bottom trawling in European waters: distribution, intensity, and seabed integrity
Authors: Eigaard Ole R. , Bastardie Francois , Hintzen Niels T. , Buhl-Mortensen Lene , Buhl-Mortensen Pål , Catarino Rui , Dinesen Grete E. , Egekvist Josefine , Fock Heino O. , Geitner Kerstin , Gerritsen Hans D. , González Manuel Marín , Jonsson Patrik , Kavadas Stefanos , Laffargue Pascal , Lundy Mathieu , Gonzalez-Mirelis Genoveva , Nielsen J. Rasmus , Papadopoulou Nadia , Posen Paulette E. , Pulcinella Jacopo , Russo Tommaso , Sala Antonello , Silva Cristina , Smith Christopher J. , Vanelslander Bart , Rijnsdorp Adriaan D.
Published: October 2016

Mapping trawling pressure on the benthic habitats is needed as background to support an ecosystem approach to fisheries management. The extent and intensity of bottom trawling on the European continental shelf (0–1000 m) was analysed from logbook statistics and vessel monitoring system data for 2010–2012 at a grid cell resolution of 1 × 1 min longitude and latitude. Trawling intensity profiles with seabed impact at the surface and subsurface level are presented for 14 management areas in the North-east Atlantic, Baltic Sea and Mediterranean Sea. The footprint of the management areas ranged between 53–99% and 6–94% for the depth zone from 0 to 200 m (Shallow) and from 201 to 1000 m (Deep), respectively. The footprint was estimated as the total area of all grid cells that were trawled fully or partially. Excluding the untrawled proportions reduced the footprint estimates to 28–85% and 2–77%. Largest footprints per unit landings were observed off Portugal and in the Mediterranean Sea. Mean trawling intensity ranged between 0.5 and 8.5 times per year, but was less in the Deep zone with a maximum intensity of 6.4. Highest intensities were recorded in the Skagerrak-Kattegat, Iberian Portuguese area, Tyrrhenian Sea and Adriatic Sea. Bottom trawling was highly aggregated. For the Shallow zone the seabed area where 90% of the effort occurred comprised between 17% and 63% (median 36%) of the management area. Footprints were high over a broad range of soft sediment habitats. Using the longevity distribution of the untrawled infaunal community, the seabed integrity was estimated as the proportion of the biomass of benthic taxa where the trawling interval at the subsurface level exceeds their life span. Seabed integrity was low (<0.1) in large parts of the European continental shelfs, although smaller pockets of seabed with higher integrity values occur. The methods developed here integrate official fishing effort statistics and industry-based gear information to provide high-resolution pressure maps and indicators, which greatly improve the basis for assessing and managing benthic pressure from bottom trawling. Further they provide quantitative estimates of trawling impact on a continuous scale by which managers can steer.
Predictors of Latent Tuberculosis Infection Treatment After Introduction of a New Regimen: A Retrospective Cohort Study at an Inner City Clinic
Authors: Yamin Aliya , Bornstein Ethan , Hensel Rachel , Mohamed Omar , Kempker Russell R.
Published: October 2016

Background.  Despite the low and decreasing prevalence of tuberculosis (TB) in the United States, there remain certain high-risk groups with high incidence rates. The targeted screening and treatment of latent TB infection (LTBI) among these high-risk groups are needed to achieve TB elimination; however, by most accounts, LTBI treatment completion rates remain low.

Methods.  We retrospectively studied all patients accepting treatment for LTBI at the Fulton County Health Department TB clinic over 2 years. Medical chart abstraction was performed to collect information on sociodemographics, medical, and LTBI treatment history. Treatment completion was defined as finishing ≥88% of the prescribed regimen. Logistic regression analysis was performed to identify predictors of treatment completion.

Results.  Among 547 adults offered LTBI treatment, 424 (78%) accepted treatment and 298 of 424 (70%) completed treatment. The median age was 42 years, most patients were black (77%), and close to one third did not have stable housing. No significant difference in completion rates was found between the 3 regimens of 9 months isoniazid (65%), 4 months rifampin (71%), and 3 months of weekly rifapentine and isoniazid (79%). In multivariate analysis, having stable housing increased the odds of finishing treatment, whereas tobacco use and an adverse event decreased the odds.

Conclusion.  Utilizing comprehensive case management, we demonstrated high rates of LTBI treatment completion, including among those receiving a 3-month regimen. Completion rates were higher among persons with stable housing, and this finding highlights the need to develop strategies that will improve adherence among homeless persons.
Fusarium Osteomyelitis in a Patient With Pearson Syndrome: Case Report and Review of the Literature
Authors: Hiebert Rachael M. , Welliver Robert C. , Yu Zhongxin
Published: October 2016

Fusarium species are ubiquitous fungi causing a wide array of infections, including invasive disease in the immunosuppressed. We present a fusarium bone infection in a child with Pearson syndrome and review the literature. Ten cases of fusarium osteomyelitis were reported in the past 40 years, and we review the treatments.
Disentangling the role of neutrophil extracellular traps in rheumatic diseases
Authors: Lightfoot Yaíma L. , Kaplan Mariana J.
Published: October 2016

Purpose of review

A breakdown of immune tolerance to self-antigens in a genetically predisposing background, precipitated by environmental triggers, contributes to the development of systemic autoimmune diseases. Renewed interest in the immunomodulatory capabilities of neutrophils in systemic autoimmunity has identified neutrophil extracellular trap (NET) formation as a distinguishing action of neutrophils in afflicted hosts.

Recent findings

Oxidation of nucleic acids and posttranslational modifications of proteins distinctly occur during NET formation and may promote enhanced immunogenicity. Various autoantibodies, immune complexes, and other inflammatory stimuli have been recently reported to promote NET formation in individuals with autoimmune diseases. Associations between level of NETosis and adverse outcomes in systemic autoimmune diseases, including thrombosis, adverse pregnancy outcomes, and renal disease, continue to be investigated.

Understanding the putative pathogenic role and sequelae of NETosis in rheumatic diseases is a major focus of ongoing research efforts. Mechanisms elucidated by these discoveries may provide novel therapeutic targets to inhibit NET formation and/or promote the clearance of immunogenic NET material.
Effectiveness of Treatment for Distal Tibial Nonunions With Associated Complex Deformities Using a Hexapod External Fixator
Authors: Arvesen John E. , Tracy Watson J. , Israel Heidi
Published: October 2016

Objective:

To determine the efficacy of a hexapod external fixator (TSF) and its ability to perform 6-axis correction in restoring deformities associated with distal tibial nonunions.

Design:

Consecutive retrospective case review.

Setting:

St. Louis University Hospital. Level 1 Trauma Center.

Patients/Participants:

Thirty-seven patients with distal tibial nonunion with greater than 5 degrees of deformity in any plane. Patients were excluded who were less than 18 years of age, had tibial deformities less than 5 degrees, had proximal or middle tibial deformities, or had less than 1 year of follow-up.

Intervention:

Patients with distal tibial nonunions with combined deformities were treated by the senior author with a hexapod device. Preoperative mechanical axis deviation and union status were assessed. Postoperative parameters evaluated included anatomic and mechanical axis determination and adequacy of union. Metrics include long alignment films with routine clinical follow-up.

Main Outcome Measurements:

Assessment of deformity correction in 6 axes, restoration to union, and mechanical axis correction.

Results:

Average combined preoperative deformity was greater than 17.7 degrees. Average mechanical axis was restored within 5 degrees of the desired goal in all categories except in patients with severe preoperative valgus deformities. The complex nonunion group had a 94% union rate. Average time in the hexapod was 106.7 days. Average follow-up time was 2 years.

Conclusions:

Hexapod external fixators can be used as an accurate modality to heal complex distal tibia nonunions with multifocal deformities and significant mechanical axis deviation. These difficult reconstructions are accomplished with minimum complications using these devices.

Level of Evidence:

Therapeutic Level IV. See Instructions for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.
Fatigue Failure in Extra-Articular Proximal Tibia Fractures: Locking Intramedullary Nail Versus Double Locking Plates—A Biomechanical Study
Authors: Kandemir Utku , Herfat Safa , Herzog Mary , Viscogliosi Paul , Pekmezci Murat
Published: October 2016

Objectives:

The goal of this study is to compare the fatigue strength of a locking intramedullary nail (LN) construct with a double locking plate (DLP) construct in comminuted proximal extra-articular tibia fractures.

Methods:

Eight pairs of fresh frozen cadaveric tibias with low bone mineral density [age: 80 ± 7 (SD) years, T-score: −2.3 ± 1.2] were used. One tibia from each pair was fixed with LN, whereas the contralateral side was fixed with DLP for complex extra-articular multifragmentary metaphyseal fractures (simulating OTA 41-A3.3). Specimens were cyclically loaded under compression simulating single-leg stance by staircase method out to 260,000 cycles. Every 2500 cycles, localized gap displacements were measured with a 3D motion tracking system, and x-ray images of the proximal tibia were acquired. To allow for mechanical settling, initial metrics were calculated at 2500 cycles. The 2 groups were compared regarding initial construct stiffness, initial medial and lateral gap displacements, stiffness at 30,000 cycles, medial and lateral gap displacements at 30,000 cycles, failure load, number of cycles to failure, and failure mode. Failure metrics were reported for initial and catastrophic failures.

Results:

DLP constructs exhibited higher initial stiffness and stiffness at 30,000 cycles compared with LN constructs (P < 0.03). There were no significant differences between groups for loads at failure or cycles to failure.

Conclusions:

For the fixation of extra-articular proximal tibia fractures, a LN provides a similar fatigue performance to double locked plates. The locked nail could be safely used for fixation of proximal tibia fractures with the advantage of limited extramedullary soft tissue damage.
Influence of Depression on Utilization of Cardiac Rehabilitation Postmyocardial Infarction
Authors: Zullo Melissa D. , Gathright Emily C. , Dolansky Mary A. , Josephson Richard A. , Cheruvu Vinay K. , Hughes Joel W.
Published: October 2016

PURPOSE:

On the basis of several small studies, depression is often considered a barrier to cardiac rehabilitation (CR) enrollment and program completion. The purpose of this research was to examine the association between depression diagnosis and participation in CR in a large sample of Medicare beneficiaries with recent myocardial infarction (MI).

METHODS:

This was a retrospective study of Medicare beneficiaries with an MI during 2008 (N = 158 991). CR enrollment was determined by the Carrier and Outpatient files using the Healthcare Common Procedure Coding System #93797 or #93798. Depression diagnosis was obtained from the International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision (ICD-9) codes in the Medicare Provider Analysis and Review (MEDPAR), Outpatient and Carrier Files. The association between depression diagnosis and CR attendance was evaluated using multivariable logistic regression.

RESULTS:

Overall, 14% (n = 22 735) of the study population attended CR within 1 year of MI diagnosis. Twenty-eight percent (n = 43 827) had a diagnosis of depression, with 96% of cases documented before enrollment in CR. Twenty-eight percent with a diagnosis of depression compared with 9% without depression attended CR. In adjusted analysis, patients with depression were 3.9 (99% CI, 3.7-4.2) times more likely to attend CR compared with those without depression. Program completion (≥25 sessions) was more common in those with depression (56%) than in those without (35%) (P < .001).

CONCLUSIONS:

Diagnosis of depression in Medicare beneficiaries was strongly associated with attending CR and attending more sessions of CR compared with those without depression. Depression is not a barrier to CR participation after MI in Medicare beneficiaries.
Open-label placebo treatment in chronic low back pain: a randomized controlled trial
Authors: Carvalho Cláudia , Caetano Joaquim Machado , Cunha Lidia , Rebouta Paula , Kaptchuk Ted J. , Kirsch Irving
Published: October 2016

This randomized controlled trial was performed to investigate whether placebo effects in chronic low back pain could be harnessed ethically by adding open-label placebo (OLP) treatment to treatment as usual (TAU) for 3 weeks. Pain severity was assessed on three 0- to 10-point Numeric Rating Scales, scoring maximum pain, minimum pain, and usual pain, and a composite, primary outcome, total pain score. Our other primary outcome was back-related dysfunction, assessed on the Roland–Morris Disability Questionnaire. In an exploratory follow-up, participants on TAU received placebo pills for 3 additional weeks. We randomized 97 adults reporting persistent low back pain for more than 3 months' duration and diagnosed by a board-certified pain specialist. Eighty-three adults completed the trial. Compared to TAU, OLP elicited greater pain reduction on each of the three 0- to 10-point Numeric Rating Scales and on the 0- to 10-point composite pain scale (P < 0.001), with moderate to large effect sizes. Pain reduction on the composite Numeric Rating Scales was 1.5 (95% confidence interval: 1.0-2.0) in the OLP group and 0.2 (−0.3 to 0.8) in the TAU group. Open-label placebo treatment also reduced disability compared to TAU (P < 0.001), with a large effect size. Improvement in disability scores was 2.9 (1.7-4.0) in the OLP group and 0.0 (−1.1 to 1.2) in the TAU group. After being switched to OLP, the TAU group showed significant reductions in both pain (1.5, 0.8-2.3) and disability (3.4, 2.2-4.5). Our findings suggest that OLP pills presented in a positive context may be helpful in chronic low back pain.
Renal protection in the 21st century
Authors: Meersch Melanie , Zarbock Alexander
Published: October 2016

Purpose of review

Among critically ill patients, acute kidney injury (AKI) is still a common and serious complication with a tremendous impact on short-term and long-term outcomes. The objective of this review is to discuss strategies for renal protection and prevention of AKI in ICU patients.

Recent findings

It is fundamental to identify patients at risk for AKI as soon as possible and as accurately as possible. In order to achieve these goals, translational approaches implementing new biomarkers have shown promising results. Focusing on the role of potential preventive strategies, hemodynamic stabilization is the most important intervention with proven efficacy. Recent published data undermined any hope that high-dose statin therapy in statin-naïve patients could exert renoprotective effects. However, preliminary data revealed the renoprotective activity of dexmedetomidine when used as a sedative agent. Moreover, several studies demonstrated the protective effects of remote ischemic preconditioning in various organs including the kidneys. The use of balanced crystalloid instead of hyperchloremic solutions also contributes to the reduction of AKI in critically ill patients.

To prevent AKI, it is crucial to identify patients at risk as early as possible. Establishing hemodynamic stability and an adequate intravascular volume state to ensure a sufficient perfusion pressure is the only effective therapeutic intervention. It is self-evident that nephrotoxic agents should be avoided whenever it is possible.
The Built Environment and Birth Outcomes
Authors: Nowak Alexandra L. , Giurgescu Carmen
Published: October 2016

Objective:

The purpose of this systematic review is to report findings of published studies of the relationships between poor-quality built environments and negative birth outcomes.

Method:

Quantitative studies measuring various aspects of the built environment including property damage, housing damage, physical disorder, physical incivilities, nuisance, vacancy, tenure, occupancy, and structural deterioration and their effects on birth outcomes such as preterm birth, low birthweight, and small for gestational age were identified using Scopus, PubMed, Medline, and PsycINFO databases.

Results:

A total of 2,059 abstracts were reviewed based on the search criteria. After excluding 2,051 studies that did not measure the relationship between the physical built environment and negative birth outcomes, eight studies were reviewed. Seven of the eight studies identified reported significant positive relationships between poor-quality built environment and negative birth outcomes.

Clinical Implications:

A poor-quality built environment is related to negative birth outcomes, particularly for African American women. Nurses should assess conditions of the built environment of pregnant women. Women who experience psychological stress and/or depressive symptoms due to their built environment should be referred for mental health evaluation and treatment with the goal of improving maternal mental health and birth outcomes.
Childhood Adversity and Pain Sensitization
Authors: You Dokyoung Sophia , Meagher Mary W.
Published: October 2016

Objective

Childhood adversity is a vulnerability factor for chronic pain. However, the underlying pain mechanisms influenced by childhood adversity remain unknown. The aim of the current study was to evaluate the impact of childhood adversity on dynamic pain sensitivity in young adults.

Methods

After screening for childhood adverse events and health status, healthy individuals reporting low (below median; n = 75) or high levels of adversity (the top 5%; n = 51) were invited for pain testing. Both groups underwent heat pain threshold and temporal summation of second pain (TSSP) testing after reporting depressive symptoms. TSSP refers to a progressive increase in pain intensity with repetition of identical noxious stimuli and is attributed to central sensitization. Changes in pain ratings over time (slope) were computed for TSSP sensitization and decay of subsequent aftersensations.

Results

The high-adversity group showed greater TSSP sensitization (meanslope, 0.75; SDpositive slope
, 1.78), and a trend toward a slower decay (meanslope, −11.9; SD, 3.4), whereas the low-adversity group showed minimal sensitization (meanslope, 0.07; SDnear-zero slope, 1.77), F(1,123) = 5.84, p = .017 and faster decay (meanslope, −13.1; SD, 3.4), F(1,123) = 3.79, p = .054. This group difference remained significant even after adjusting for adult depressive symptoms (p = .033). No group difference was found in heat pain threshold (p = .85). Lastly, the high-adversity group showed blunted cardiac and skin conductance responses.

Conclusions

These findings suggest that enhancement of central sensitization may provide a mechanism underlying the pain hypersensitivity and chronicity linked to childhood adversity.
Intrathecal Contrast-Enhanced Magnetic Resonance Imaging–Related Brain Signal Changes
Authors: Öner Ali Yusuf , Barutcu Berrak , Aykol Şükrü , Tali Emin Turgut
Published: October 2016

Objectives

There have been recent studies evaluating brain magnetic resonance imaging changes in patients with normal renal function, after intravenous administration of gadolinium-based contrast agents (GBCAs). Their findings were supported by histological evidence as well and brought a new vision concerning what needs to be learned to provide better patient care. In this report, we aim to present brain magnetic resonance imaging changes after intrathecal administration of a linear ionic agent (gadopentetate dimeglumine).

Materials and Methods

We evaluated hyperintensities in the deep nuclei of the brain in 6 patients with normal renal function after intrathecal administration of a linear ionic GBCA, without other confounding intravenous GBCA administrations. For visual analysis, T1 signal hyperintensity of the globus pallidus (GP), putamen, pons, and dentate nucleus (DN) were scored on a 4-point scale. For quantitative analysis, using the unenhanced T1-weighted images oval regions of interests were placed within the DN, central pons, GP, and thalamus on different image slice positions.

Results

On visual analysis, 5 patients had T1 signal hyperintensity of the DN and GP, whereas the DN/pons signal intensity and the GP/thalamus signal intensity were found to be increased in all 6.

Conclusions

This observation not only adds to our fund of knowledge concerning biodistribution and pharmacokinetics of those agents, but also raises the question of a possible association with the glymphatic pathway.
The Effect of l-Dopa/Carbidopa Intestinal Gel in Parkinson Disease Assessed Using Neurophysiologic Techniques
Authors: Bologna Matteo , Latorre Anna , Di Biasio Francesca , Conte Antonella , Belvisi Daniele , Modugno Nicola , Suppa Antonio , Berardelli Alfredo , Fabbrini Giovanni
Published: October 2016

Background

By providing a stable and smooth l-dopa plasmatic level, l-dopa/carbidopa intestinal gel reproduces the physiological continuous dopaminergic receptor stimulation in patients with Parkinson disease (PD), and it therefore represents a suitable tool to investigate the role of the altered dopaminergic neurotransmission in the pathophysiology of motor and sensory abnormalities in this condition.

Methods

We studied 11 patients with advanced PD being treated with l-Dopa/carbidopa intestinal gel (LCIG) and 11 age-matched healthy subjects. Bradykinesia was measured by kinematic recording of repetitive finger movements (finger tapping), whereas sensory abnormalities were evaluated using the somatosensory tactile discrimination threshold. All the patients were studied off and on medication, in 2 different experimental sessions.

Results

Parkinson disease patients were very slow and hypokinetic during finger tapping, with no progressive reduction in amplitude or speed being observed during movement repetition. Somatosensory temporal discrimination threshold values were higher in PD patients than in healthy subjects. The neurophysiologic assessment of the effects of LCIG in advanced PD patients demonstrates an improvement, although not normalization, of motor and sensory abnormalities.

Conclusions

The study provides an objective evaluation of the effects of LCIG on motor and sensory abnormalities in PD. The results suggest that besides dopaminergic mechanisms motor and sensory abnormalities in PD reflect a varying combination of pathophysiologic mechanisms.
Sternal wound infection caused by Gordonia bronchialis: identification by MALDI-TOF MS
Authors: Rodriguez-Lozano Jesús , Pérez-Llantada Enrique , Agüero Jesús , Rodríguez-Fernández Ana , Ruiz de Alegria Carlos , Martinez-Martinez Luis , Calvo Jorge
Published: October 2016

Introduction:

Gordonia spp. infections are uncommon. However, a few clinical cases have been reported in the literature, particularly those involving immunocompromised hosts. Advanced microbiology diagnosis techniques, such as matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization-time of flight MS (MALDI-TOF MS), have been recently introduced in clinical microbiology laboratories in order to improve microbial identification, resulting in better patient management.

Case presentation:

Here, we present a new clinical case of persistent wound infection caused by Gordonia bronchialis in a 64-year-old woman after a mitral valve replacement, using two MALDI-TOF-based systems for identifying this micro-organism.

Conclusion:

Both MALDI-TOF systems were able to identify Gordonia spp.; thus, providing a useful tool that overcomes the current limitations of phenotypic identification associated with this micro-organism. Although the technique validation deserves additional verification, our study provides guidance about MALDI-TOF as a fast and easy method for Gordonia spp. identification.
The rate of false polymorphisms introduced when imputing genotypes from global imputation panels
Authors: Surakka Ida , Sarin Antti-Pekka , Ruotsalainen Sanni E , Durbin Richard , Salomaa Veikko , Daly Mark J , Palotie Aarno , Ripatti Samuli ,   SISu project group
Published: October 2016

Previous studies1,2have shown that large multi-population imputation reference panels increases the number of well-imputed variants. However, to our knowledge, no previous studies have evaluated the rate of introduced variation in monomorphic sites of the study population when using imputation panels with admixed populations. In this study we evaluate the rate of false positive variants introduced by the imputation of Finnish genotype data using global reference panels (Haplotype Reference Consortium1; HRC, and the 1000Genomes project Phase I3; 1000G) and compare the results to a Finnish population-specific reference panel combining whole genome and exome sequenced samples. In sites that were monomorphic in our test set, we observed high false positive rates for the global reference panels (4.0% for 1000G and 2.6% for HRC) compared to the Finnish panel (0.26%). This rate was even higher (7.4%) when using a combination panel of 1000G and Finnish whole genome sequences with cross-panel imputation.
SWI/SNF regulates a transcriptional program that induces senescence to prevent liver cancer
Authors: Tordella Luca , Khan Sadaf , Hohmeyer Anja , Banito Ana , Klotz Sabrina , Raguz Selina , Martin Nadine , Dhamarlingam Gopuraja , Carroll Thomas , González Meljem José Mario , Deswal Sumit , Martínez-Barbera Juan Pedro , García-Escudero Ramón , Zuber Johannes , Zender Lars , Gil Jesús
Published: October 2016

Oncogene-induced senescence (OIS) is a potent tumor suppressor mechanism. To identify senescence regulators relevant to cancer, we screened an shRNA library targeting genes deleted in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Here, we describe how knockdown of the SWI/SNF component ARID1B prevents OIS and cooperates with RAS to induce liver tumors. ARID1B controls p16INK4aand p21CIP1atranscription but also regulates DNA damage, oxidative stress, and p53 induction, suggesting that SWI/SNF uses additional mechanisms to regulate senescence. To systematically identify SWI/SNF targets regulating senescence, we carried out a focused shRNA screen. We discovered several new senescence regulators, including ENTPD7, an enzyme that hydrolyses nucleotides. ENTPD7 affects oxidative stress, DNA damage, and senescence. Importantly, expression of ENTPD7 or inhibition of nucleotide synthesis in ARID1B-depleted cells results in re-establishment of senescence. Our results identify novel mechanisms by which epigenetic regulators can affect tumor progression and suggest that prosenescence therapies could be employed against SWI/SNF-mutated cancers.
Diffraction pattern simulation of cellulose fibrils using distributed and quantized pair distances
Authors: Zhang Yan , Inouye Hideyo , Crowley Michael , Yu Leiming , Kaeli David , Makowski Lee
Published: October 2016

Intensity simulation of X-ray scattering from large twisted cellulose molecular fibrils is important in understanding the impact of chemical or physical treatments on structural properties such as twisting or coiling. This paper describes a highly efficient method for the simulation of X-ray diffraction patterns from complex fibrils using atom-type-specific pair-distance quantization. Pair distances are sorted into arrays which are labelled by atom type. Histograms of pair distances in each array are computed and binned and the resulting population distributions are used to represent the whole pair-distance data set. These quantized pair-distance arrays are used with a modified and vectorized Debye formula to simulate diffraction patterns. This approach utilizes fewer pair distances in each iteration, and atomic scattering factors are moved outside the iteration since the arrays are labelled by atom type. This algorithm significantly reduces the computation time while maintaining the accuracy of diffraction pattern simulation, making possible the simulation of diffraction patterns from large twisted fibrils in a relatively short period of time, as is required for model testing and refinement.
First-principles study of structural and surface properties of (001) and (010) surfaces of hydroxylapatite and carbonated hydroxylapatite
Authors: Ulian Gianfranco , Moro Daniele , Valdrè Giovanni
Published: October 2016

Since it was first discovered that the main component of the mineral phase of bone, dentine and enamel is made from non-stoichiometric hydroxylapatite [Ca10(PO4)6(OH)2; OHAp], many successful efforts have been made to characterize its structure physico-chemically and to use it as a biomaterial for tissue repair and reconstruction. For the latter, it has been suggested that the biomimetic features of OHAp can be improved by vacancies and ionic substitutions, as typically found in natural bone tissues. In the present work, this line of thought has been followed, and the structural and electrostatic potential features of the (001) and (010) surfaces of OHAp and defective type A, type B and type AB carbonated hydroxylapatite (COHAp) have been studied using ab initio quantum mechanics at the DFT/B3LYP level. The results are in good agreement with previous experimental and preliminary theoretical work. They provide a deep analysis of the modulation of OHAp features caused by carbonate substitutions, and extend the current knowledge of the structural and surface properties of apatites.
Controlling X-ray deformable mirrors during inspection
Authors: Huang Lei , Xue Junpeng , Idir Mourad
Published: October 2016

The X-ray deformable mirror (XDM) is becoming widely used in the present synchrotron/free-electron laser facilities because of its flexibility in correcting wavefront errors or modification of the beam size at the sample location. Owing to coupling among theNactuators of an XDM, (N+ 1) or (2N+ 1) scans are required to learn the response of each actuator one by one. When the mirror has an important number of actuators (N) and the actuator response time including stabilization or the necessary metrology time is long, the learning process can be time consuming. In this work, a fast and accurate method is presented to drive an XDM to a target shape usually with only three or four measurements during inspection. The metrology data are used as feedback to calculate the curvature discrepancy between the current and the target shapes. Three different derivative estimation methods are introduced to calculate the curvature from measured data. The mirror shape is becoming close to the target through iterative compensations. The feasibility of this simple and effective approach is demonstrated by a series of experiments.
N,N′-Bis(pyrazin-2-ylmethyl)pyrazine-2,3-dicarboxamide
Authors: Wang Zhaodong , Yang Yanshuang , Lin Huanzhu
Published: October 2016

The title compound, C16H14N8O2, was prepared by a condensation reaction between the dimethyl ester of pyrazine-2,3-dicarboxylic acid and an excess of 2-(aminomethyl)pyrazine. The molecule is approximately V-shaped with the central pyrazine ring joined through amide linkages to two pyrazin-2-ylmethyl substituents. In the crystal, molecules are linked by N—H...O, N—H...N and C—H...O hydrogen bonds, forming a three-dimensional framework.
Library mechanisation projects at Loughborough University of technology
Authors: Evans A.J. , Wall R.A.
Published: October 2016

Our primary aims are to reach a state of ‘optimal mechanisation’ of routine processes as soon as possible, achieving integration between individual systems wherever possible. By ‘optimal mechanisation’ we mean that new systems will be designed only if benefits may be expected, and the costs are reasonable. Our secondary, or long‐term aims, are to experiment with information retrieval by computer, and to move towards on‐line capability for all systems when usage can justify the cost. We are currently planning several systems, and are fortunate in having the full cooperation of the Computer Centre. The following notes indicate our activities to date.
University of Sussex Library Automated Circulation Control System
Authors: Young R.C. , Stone P.T. , Clark G.J.
Published: October 2016

The current state (January 1972) of the off‐line computer‐based circulation control system is described. The complete system is outlined, but with emphasis on those aspects where it differs from other documented systems: the use of an on‐line trapping store at the data collection stage and its effect on reservations and the control of borrowers;and the stock control applications of the system.
CATALYST: an expert assistant for cataloguing
Authors: Gibb Forbes , CarolynSharif
Published: October 2016

Research into the application of expert systems to information and library science has gained momentum over the last three to four years. Broadly, this research can be divided into six main areas:
A UK market survey of library automation system vendors (1992–1993)
Authors: Blunden‐Ellis John , Margaret E
Published: October 2016

This paper updates previous papers which surveyed the large library system marketplace in the UK. The current study has been expanded to embrace the full range of suppliers and considers market growth, share analysis, new installations, and an overview of activity in continental Europe. Questionnaires were distributed to vendors in late 1992. Additional information was appended up to September 1993.
Environmental conditions and vascular cambium regulate carbon allocation to xylem growth in deciduous oaks
Authors: Pérez‐de‐Lis Gonzalo , Olano José Miguel , Rozas Vicente , Rossi Sergio , Vázquez‐Ruiz Rosa Ana , García‐González Ignacio
Published: October 2016

Environmental conditions and the structure of the dormant cambium are assumed to affect seasonal patterns of cambial activity, hence controlling allocation of non‐structural carbohydrates (NSC) to growth. However, seasonal dynamics of xylogenesis, and their connections with NSC content and dormant cambium size, have been rarely assessed along an environmental gradient.

We monitored xylogenesis and leaf phenology during 2012 and 2013, and NSC in 2012, for the drought‐sensitive Quercus robur and the drought‐tolerant Quercus pyrenaica along a water‐availability gradient in the north‐western Iberian Peninsula, and analysed dependencies of xylem production and phenology on the number of cells in dormant cambium.

Study oak species showed comparable seasonal fluctuations in cambial activity and NSC content, despite Q. pyrenaica had a shorter growing season and a lower wood production than Q. robur. A sharp drop in spring NSC levels at all study sites evidenced that stored carbohydrates were crucial for earlywood formation. Under drier conditions, both species extended the growing period in spring and autumn, but reduced and even stopped xylogenesis in summer, showing an enhanced NSC accumulation before dormancy. A higher number of cells in dormant cambium of large dominant oaks accounted for their wider xylem increments and longer active periods.

Our study demonstrates that xylogenesis is modulated by predisposing effects of dormant cambium size on xylem production and growing season length. Moreover, the high plasticity of cambial activity in deciduous oaks would confer resistance against recurrent summer drought through the improvement of the NSC status.

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