bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Selection of working correlation structure in generalized estimating equations
Authors: Wang You‐Gan , Fu Liya
Published: February 2017

The well‐known generalized estimating equations is a very popular approach for analyzing longitudinal data. Selecting an appropriate correlation structure in the generalized estimating equations framework is a key step for estimating parameters efficiently and deriving reliable statistical inferences. We present two new criteria for selecting the best among the candidates with any arbitrary structures, even for irregularly timed measurements. The simulation results demonstrate that the new criteria perform more similarly to EAIC and EBIC as the sample size becomes large. However, their performance is much enhanced when the sample size is small and the number of measurements is large. Finally, three real datasets are used to illustrate the proposed criteria. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
How Long Can We Treat a Patient With the Same Antipsychotic Drug? Results from an Outpatient Psychiatric Practice in Prague
Authors: Vinar Oldrich
Published: February 2017

This report attempts to find a successful antipsychotic drug using duration of administration in routine private out-patient practice as a measure of success. All medical records of 56 schizophrenia patients over a ten-year period were examined. The antipsychotic drugs prescribed for longer than 4 years were identified. One patient was treated with clozapine for 31 years. Of the second generation antipsychotics, sertindole was most frequently prescribed for the longest periods: two patients for 9 years, one for 8 years, two for 7 years and six for 5 years. This was followed by risperidone with 4 patients treated for 5 years.
Somatoform Dissociation and Symptoms of Traumatic Stress in Adolescents
Authors: Kukla Lubomir , Selesova Petra , Okrajek Petr , Tulak Jan
Published: February 2017

Dissociation is traditionally attributed to trauma and other psychological stressors although there is evidence that in many cases dissociative symptoms could be attributable to initial brain insult, injury or other organic brain disease. With respect to these findings there is a question to which extent symptoms of somatoform dissociation are related to symptoms of traumatic stress or whether these symptoms may be predominantly attributed to various somatic factors. With this aim we have assessed the relationship between somatoform dissociation and symptoms of traumatic stress in a group of 75 healthy adolescents. Main result of this study indicates statistically significant relationship between somatoform dissociative symptoms and psychosocial stressors measured by symptoms of traumatic stress. Results of this study also show that the symptoms of somatoform dissociation may occur continuously in population and that only in high level of their experience they cause psychopathological states. In this context, result of this study suggests that also mild levels of stress influence somatic feelings that may lead to symptoms that may occur also as a consequence of various somatic factors.
Evolved Consciousness
Authors: Mould Richard A.
Published: February 2017

The purpose of consciousness in primitive creatures is found to be the repression or enhancement of completing pathways of evolution. In advanced creatures such as humans the purpose of consciousness has become the repression or enhancement of competing neurological pathways. The ‘causal’ influence of consciousness is the same in both cases. A previous paper describes the introduction of pain and fear consciousness in a primitive fish, and the intermediate introduction of the fish’s visual experience. The manner of introduction of these conscious experiences is essential to their matching physical behavior in the right way — so subjective experiences emerge in parallel with the behaviors to which they are appropriately attached. When the same cause-and-effect principles are applied to pleasure and desire consciousness, familiar human patterns emerge. Novel behaviors such as the neuromotor control of a prosthetic device are also explained in this way.
The Neuroscience of Divergent Thinking
Authors: Runco Mark A. , Yoruk Sureyya
Published: February 2017

Creativity plays a role in innovation, development, and health. Recent research has used neuroscientific methods to study originality, novelty, insight, divergent thinking, and other processes related to creative mental activity. Findings indicate that both hemispheres are involved in divergent thinking, which is accompanied by both event-related increases and decreases in the neural activation. Divergent thinking seems to be associated with high neural activation in the central, temporal, and parietal regions, indications of semantic processing and re-combination of semantically related information. Most of the research in this area has been done in the last 10 years, and very likely refining and standardizing DT testing and scoring will lead to additional insights about creativity.
The Analysis of Mechanisms and Their Contingencies: PROCESS versus Structural Equation Modeling
Authors: Hayes Andrew F. , Montoya Amanda K. , Rockwood Nicholas J.
Published: February 2017

Marketing, consumer, and organizational behavior researchers interested in studying the mechanisms by which effects operate and the conditions that enhance or inhibit such effects often rely on statistical mediation and conditional process analysis (also known as the analysis of “moderated mediation”). Model estimation is typically undertaken with ordinary least squares regression-based path analysis, such as implemented in the popular PROCESS macro for SPSS and SAS ( Hayes, 2013 ), or using a structural equation modeling program. In this paper we answer a few frequently-asked questions about the difference between PROCESS and structural equation modeling and show by way of example that, for observed variable models, the choice of which to use is inconsequential, as the results are largely identical. We end by discussing considerations to ponder when making the choice between PROCESS and structural equation modeling.
Molecular reorientation in a dehydration process of an organic polar salt of 2,4-diaminotoluene/L(+)-tartaric acid
Authors: Ju Weicai , Qiu Simin , Tao Yaqiu , Shen Xiaodong , Pan Zhigang
Published: February 2017

An organic polar hydrate was obtained through cocrystallization of 2,4-diaminotoluene (2,4-DAT) and L(+)-tartaric acid (TA) from ethanol. Dehydration behavior of the obtained hydrate was investigated using variable temperature powder X-ray diffraction (PXRD) and thermal analysis. Proton transfer from L(+)-TA to 2,4-DAT in both hydrate and dehydrated form was revealed via Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. The crystal structures of both forms were determined using PXRD techniques. The similarities and differences between two crystal structures were analyzed and the role of water in the hydrate crystal structure was demonstrated.
A Second Amorphous Layer Underneath Surface Oxide
Authors: Zhang Bin , Peng Kunlin , Sha Xuechao , Li Ang , Zhou Xiaoyuan , Chen Yanhui , Deng QingSong , Yang Dingfeng , Ma Evan , Han Xiaodong
Published: February 2017

Formation of a nanometer-scale oxide surface layer is common when a material is exposed to oxygen-containing environment. Employing aberration-corrected analytical transmission electron microscopy and using single crystal SnSe as an example, we show that for an alloy, a second thin amorphous layer can appear underneath the outmost oxide layer. This inner amorphous layer is not oxide based, but instead originates from solid-state amorphization of the base alloy when its free energy rises to above that of the metastable amorphous state; which is a result of the composition shift due to the preferential depletion of the oxidizing species, in our case, the outgoing Sn reacting with the oxygen atmosphere.
Psychiatric Consultation and Referral of Persons Who Have Attempted Suicide
Authors: Roelands Marc , Deschepper Reginald , Bilsen Johan
Published: February 2017

Abstract. Background: Persons who have attempted suicide are often admitted to a hospital's emergency department (ED). The risk of them repeating their attempt is lower if they have had access to a psychiatrist in hospital and had been referred to mental health care services. However, the literature suggests this is often lacking. Aims: To describe perceived barriers to and supportive factors for psychiatric consultation and appropriate referral of suicide attempters in the ED. Method: The perspective of the heads of emergency and psychiatry departments in all hospitals with an ED in Brussels-Capital Region was investigated with a qualitative study. Data were obtained with semistructured personal interviews and analyzed in the tradition of content analysis. Results: Eight emergency physicians and 11 psychiatrists participated. Perceived barriers can be summarized as a lack of resources in the ED in terms of psychiatrists, psychiatric beds, and a room for counseling. Intense collaboration between physicians and psychiatrists and integration in a network of mental health services were perceived as being supportive factors. Conclusion: According to the heads of department, psychiatric consultation and referral of suicide attempters could be improved by an increase and more even distribution of beds for temporary psychiatric hospitalization in the ED and a more appropriate financing of the psychiatry function in the ED.
New UCAR Leader Sees Scientific, Administrative Challenges Ahead
Authors: Showstack Randy
Published: February 2017

Antonio Busalacchi, president of the University Corporation for Atmospheric Research, tells Eos about a grand challenge in atmospheric research and other priorities.
Ginsenoside Rg5 increases cardiomyocyte resistance to ischemic injury through regulation of mitochondrial hexokinase-II and dynamin-related protein 1
Authors: Yang Yi-Lin , Li Jia , Liu Kang , Zhang Lei , Liu Qun , Liu Baolin , Qi Lian-Wen
Published: February 2017

Hexokinase-II (HK-II) and dynamin-related protein 1 (Drp1) regulate mitochondrial function differently. This study was designed to investigate the cardioprotective effect of ginsenoside Rg5 (Rg5) with emphasis on the regulation of mitochondrial HK-II and Drp1. Saturated acid palmitate (PA) stimulation increased lactate accumulation and induced cellular acidification by impairing the activity of pyruvate dehydrogenase (PDH) in cardiomyocytes, leading to HK-II dissociation from mitochondria. Rg5 improved PDH activity and prevented cellular acidification by combating fatty-acid oxidation, contributing to protecting mitochondrial HK-II. HK-II binding to mitochondria prevented mitochondrial Drp1 recruitment, whereas Drp1 activation decreased the content of mitochondrial HK-II, demonstrating the reciprocal control for binding to mitochondria. Rg5 promoted Akt translocation to mitochondria and increased HK-II binding to mitochondria while coordinately suppressing Drp1 recruitment and mitochondrial fission. Akt inhibitor triciribine or knockdown of Akt with small interfering RNA diminished the effects of Rg5, indicating that Rg5 inhibited Drp1 activation and promoted HK-II mitochondrial binding through Akt activation. Rg5 prevented the opening of mitochondrial permeability transition pore and increased ATP production, resultantly increasing cardiomyocyte resistance to hypoxia/reoxygenation injury. Meanwhile, Rg5 prevented cell apoptosis with increased HK-II binding and reduced Drp1 recruitment to mitochondria in isoproterenol-induced ischemic heart of mice. Taken together, these findings not only established a previously unrecognized role of ginsenosides in cardioprotection but also suggest that mitochondrial HK-II binding and Drp1 recruitment could be targeted therapeutically to prevent ischemic injury in the heart.
NGS-based transcriptome profiling reveals biomarkers for companion diagnostics of the TGF-β receptor blocker galunisertib in HCC
Authors: Cao Yuan , Agarwal Rahul , Dituri Francesco , Lupo Luigi , Trerotoli Paolo , Mancarella Serena , Winter Peter , Giannelli Gianluigi
Published: February 2017

Transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-β) signaling has gained extensive interest in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). The small molecule kinase inhibitor galunisertib, targeting the TGF-β receptor I (TGF-βRI), blocks HCC progression in preclinical models and shows promising effects in ongoing clinical trials. As the drug is not similarly effective in all patients, this study was aimed at identifying new companion diagnostics biomarkers for patient stratification. Next-generation sequencing-based massive analysis of cDNA ends was used to investigate the transcriptome of an invasive HCC cell line responses to TGF-β1 and galunisertib. These identified mRNA were validated in 78 frozen HCC samples and in 26 ex-vivo HCC tissues treated in culture with galunisertib. Respective protein levels in patients blood were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. SKIL, PMEPA1 ANGPTL4, SNAI1, Il11 and c4orf26 were strongly upregulated by TGF-β1 and downregulated by galunisertib in different HCC cell lines. In the 78 HCC samples, only SKIL and PMEPA1 (P<0.001) were correlated with endogenous TGF-β1. In ex-vivo samples, SKIL and PMEPA1 were strongly downregulated (P<0.001), and correlated (P<0.001) with endogenous TGF-β1. SKIL and PMEPA1 mRNA expression in tumor tissues was significantly increased compared with controls and not correlated with protein levels in the blood of paired HCC patients. SKIL and PMEPA1 mRNA levels were positively correlated with TGF-β1 mRNA concentrations in HCC tissues and strongly downregulated by galunisertib. The target genes identified here may serve as biomarkers for the stratification of HCC patients undergoing treatment with galunisertib.
Cellular senescence mediates fibrotic pulmonary disease
Authors: Schafer Marissa J. , White Thomas A. , Iijima Koji , Haak Andrew J. , Ligresti Giovanni , Atkinson Elizabeth J. , Oberg Ann L. , Birch Jodie , Salmonowicz Hanna , Zhu Yi , Mazula Daniel L. , Brooks Robert W. , Fuhrmann-Stroissnigg Heike , Pirtskhalava Tamar , Prakash Y. S. , Tchkonia Tamara , Robbins Paul D. , Aubry Marie Christine , Passos João F. , Kirkland James L. , Tschumperlin Daniel J. , Kita Hirohito , LeBrasseur Nathan K.
Published: February 2017

Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is a fatal disease characterized by interstitial remodelling, leading to compromised lung function. Cellular senescence markers are detectable within IPF lung tissue and senescent cell deletion rejuvenates pulmonary health in aged mice. Whether and how senescent cells regulate IPF or if their removal may be an efficacious intervention strategy is unknown. Here we demonstrate elevated abundance of senescence biomarkers in IPF lung, with p16 expression increasing with disease severity. We show that the secretome of senescent fibroblasts, which are selectively killed by a senolytic cocktail, dasatinib plus quercetin (DQ), is fibrogenic. Leveraging the bleomycin-injury IPF model, we demonstrate that early-intervention suicide-gene-mediated senescent cell ablation improves pulmonary function and physical health, although lung fibrosis is visibly unaltered. DQ treatment replicates benefits of transgenic clearance. Thus, our findings establish that fibrotic lung disease is mediated, in part, by senescent cells, which can be targeted to improve health and function.
Cytotrophoblast, Not Syncytiotrophoblast, Dominates Glycolysis and Oxidative Phosphorylation in Human Term Placenta
Authors: Kolahi Kevin S. , Valent Amy M. , Thornburg Kent L.
Published: February 2017

The syncytiotrophoblast (SCT) at the maternal-fetal interface has been presumed to be the primary driver of placental metabolism, and the underlying progenitor cytotrophoblast cells (CTB) an insignificant contributor to placental metabolic activity. However, we now show that the metabolic rate of CTB is much greater than the SCT. The oxygen consumption and extracellular acidification rate, a measure of glycolysis, are both greater in CTB than in SCT in vitro (CTB: 96 ± 16 vs SCT: 46 ± 14 pmol O2 × min−1 × 100 ng DNA−1, p < 0.001) and (CTB: 43 ± 6.7 vs SCT 1.4 ± 1.0 ∆mpH × min−1 × 100 ng DNA−1, p < 0.0001). Mitochondrial activity, as determined by using the mitochondrial activity-dependent dye Mitotracker CM-H2TMRosa, is higher in CTB than in SCT in culture and living explants. These data cast doubt on the previous supposition that the metabolic rate of the placenta is dominated by the SCT contribution. Moreover, differentiation into SCT leads to metabolic suppression. The normal suppression of metabolic activity during CTB differentiation to SCT is prevented with a p38 MAPK signaling inhibitor and epidermal growth factor co-treatment. We conclude that the undifferentiated CTB, in contrast to the SCT, is highly metabolically active, has a high level of fuel flexibility, and contributes substantially to global metabolism in the late gestation human placenta.
Structural evolutions and hereditary characteristics of icosahedral nano-clusters formed in Mg70Zn30 alloys during rapid solidification processes
Authors: Liang Yong-Chao , Liu Rang-Su , Xie Quan , Tian Ze-An , Mo Yun-Fei , Zhang Hai-Tao , Liu Hai-Rong , Hou Zhao-Yang , Zhou Li-Li , Peng Ping
Published: February 2017

To investigate the structural evolution and hereditary mechanism of icosahedral nano-clusters formed during rapid solidification, a molecular dynamics (MD) simulation study has been performed for a system consisting of 107 atoms of liquid Mg70Zn30 alloy. Adopting Honeycutt-Anderson (HA) bond-type index method and cluster type index method (CTIM-3) to analyse the microstructures in the system it is found that for all the nano-clusters including 2~8 icosahedral clusters in the system, there are 62 kinds of geometrical structures, and those can be classified, by the configurations of the central atoms of basic clusters they contained, into four types: chain-like, triangle-tailed, quadrilateral-tailed and pyramidal-tailed. The evolution of icosahedral nano-clusters can be conducted by perfect heredity and replacement heredity, and the perfect heredity emerges when temperature is slightly less than Tm then increase rapidly and far exceeds the replacement heredity at Tg; while for the replacement heredity, there are three major modes: replaced by triangle (3-atoms), quadrangle (4-atoms) and pentagonal pyramid (6-atoms), rather than by single atom step by step during rapid solidification processes.
Optogenetic activation of VGLUT2-expressing excitatory neurons blocks epileptic seizure-like activity in the mouse entorhinal cortex
Authors: Yekhlef Latefa , Breschi Gian Luca , Taverna Stefano
Published: February 2017

We investigated whether an anti-epileptic effect is obtained by selectively activating excitatory neurons expressing ChR2 under the promoter for the synaptic vesicular glutamate transporter 2 (VGLUT2). VGLUT2-expressing cells were optically stimulated while local field potential and whole-cell patch-clamp recordings were performed in mouse entorhinal cortical slices perfused with the proconvulsive compound 4-aminopyridine (4-AP). In control conditions, blue light flashes directly depolarized the majority of putative glutamatergic cells, which in turn synaptically excited GABAergic interneurons. During bath perfusion with 4-AP, photostimuli triggered a fast EPSP-IPSP sequence which was often followed by tonic-clonic seizure-like activity closely resembling spontaneous ictal discharges. The GABAA-receptor antagonist gabazine blocked the progression of both light-induced and spontaneous seizures. Surprisingly, prolonged photostimuli delivered during ongoing seizures caused a robust interruption of synchronous discharges. Such break was correlated with a membrane potential depolarization block in principal cells, while putative GABAergic interneurons changed their firing activity from a burst-like to an irregular single-spike pattern. These data suggest that photostimulation of glutamatergic neurons triggers seizure-like activity only in the presence of an intact GABAergic transmission and that selectively activating the same glutamatergic cells robustly interrupts ongoing seizures by inducing a strong depolarization block, resulting in the disruption of paroxysmal burst-like firing.
Coordination chemistry of mercury(ii) with 2-pyridylnitrones: monomers to polymers
Authors: Azizpoor Fard Mahmood , Behnia Ava , Puddephatt Richard J.
Published: February 2017

The coordination chemistry of mercury(ii) halides, HgX2, X = Cl, Br, I, withN-methyl-α-(2-pyridyl)nitrone,L1, andN-t-butyl-α-(2-pyridyl)nitrone,L2, is reported.
A New Process for the Total Synthesis of Sparstolonin B
Authors: Yu Haitao , Tang Xiaohang , Tong Le , Yao Mengyi , Liang Qiaoli , Wang Xiaolong
Published: February 2017

A novel and simple route was developed that gives sparstolonin B in high yields from affordable commercial compounds. A Diels–Alder strategy was used for the facile construction of the multisubstituted diphenyl ether. The xanthenone segment was obtained by cyclization in an intramolecular Friedel–Crafts reaction, followed by selective reduction of a ketone group and a transformation from a hydroxy group into a cyano group. The final part of the lactone was directly derived by the reduction of the cyano group with Raney nickel.
Contact guidance requires spatial control of leading-edge protrusion
Authors: Ramirez-San Juan G. R. , Oakes P. W. , Gardel M. L.
Published: February 2017

In vivo, geometric cues from the extracellular matrix (ECM) are critical for the regulation of cell shape, adhesion, and migration. During contact guidance, the fibrillar architecture of the ECM promotes an elongated cell shape and migration along the fibrils. The subcellular mechanisms by which cells sense ECM geometry and translate it into changes in shape and migration direction are not understood. Here we pattern linear fibronectin features to mimic fibrillar ECM and elucidate the mechanisms of contact guidance. By systematically varying patterned line spacing, we show that a 2-μm spacing is sufficient to promote cell shape elongation and migration parallel to the ECM, or contact guidance. As line spacing is increased, contact guidance increases without affecting migration speed. To elucidate the subcellular mechanisms of contact guidance, we analyze quantitatively protrusion dynamics and find that the structured ECM orients cellular protrusions parallel to the ECM. This spatial organization of protrusion relies on myosin II contractility, and feedback between adhesion and Rac-mediated protrusive activity, such that we find Arp2/3 inhibition can promote contact guidance. Together our data support a model for contact guidance in which the ECM enforces spatial constraints on the lamellipodia that result in cell shape elongation and enforce migration direction.
Military Strategy: A Very Short Introduction
Authors: Echevarria Antulio J.
Published: February 2017

Military strategy plays a vital role in every conflict. Inspired by the great military theoreticians Sun Tzu, Niccolò Machiavelli, and Carl von Clausewitz, Military Strategy: A Very Short Introduction highlights the dynamic relationship among the principal components of strategy: purpose, method, and means. It draws on examples such as Hannibal’s war against Rome, Napoleon’s victory at Austerlitz, the Allies’ campaign to overwhelm Hitler’s Fortress Europe, and the terror attacks of September 11, 2001, to illustrate the factors contributing to the success or failure of military strategy. The major types of military strategy and their advantages and disadvantages are described: annihilation and dislocation, attrition and exhaustion, deterrence and coercion, terror and terrorism, targeted killing, and cyber power.
RNAscClust: clustering RNA sequences using structure conservation and graph based motifs
Authors: Miladi Milad , Junge Alexander , Costa Fabrizio , Seemann Stefan E , Havgaard Jakob Hull , Gorodkin Jan , Backofen Rolf
Published: February 2017

Motivation

Clustering RNA sequences with common secondary structure is an essential step towards studying RNA function. Whereas structural RNA alignment strategies typically identify common structure for orthologous structured RNAs, clustering seeks to group paralogous RNAs based on structural similarities. However, existing approaches for clustering paralogous RNAs, do not take the compensatory base pair changes obtained from structure conservation in orthologous sequences into account.

Results

Here, we present RNAscClust, the implementation of a new algorithm to cluster a set of structured RNAs taking their respective structural conservation into account. For a set of multiple structural alignments of RNA sequences, each containing a paralog sequence included in a structural alignment of its orthologs, RNAscClust computes minimum free-energy structures for each sequence using conserved base pairs as prior information for the folding. The paralogs are then clustered using a graph kernel-based strategy, which identifies common structural features. We show that the clustering accuracy clearly benefits from an increasing degree of compensatory base pair changes in the alignments.

Availability and Implementation

RNAscClust is available at http://www.bioinf.uni-freiburg.de/Software/RNAscClust.

Supplementary information

Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online.
A score model to predict risk of events in patients with Brugada Syndrome
Authors: Sieira Juan , Conte Giulio , Ciconte Giuseppe , Chierchia Gian-Battista , Casado-Arroyo Ruben , Baltogiannis Giannis , Di Giovanni Giacomo , Saitoh Yukio , Juliá Justo , Mugnai Giacomo , La Meir Mark , Wellens Francis , Czapla Jens , Pappaert Gudrun , de Asmundis Carlo , Brugada Pedro
Published: February 2017

Aims

Risk stratification in Brugada Syndrome (BS) remains challenging. Arrhythmic events can occur life-long and studies with long follow-ups are sparse. The aim of our study was to investigate long-term prognosis and risk stratification of BS patients.

Methods and results

A single centre consecutive cohort of 400 BS patients was included and analysed. Mean age was 41.1 years, 78 patients (19.5%) had a spontaneous type I electrocardiogram (ECG). Clinical presentation was aborted sudden cardiac death (SCD) in 20 patients (5.0%), syncope in 111 (27.8%) and asymptomatic in 269 (67.3%). Familial antecedents of SCD were found in 184 individuals (46.0%), in 31 (7.8%) occurred in first-degree relatives younger than 35 years. An implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) was placed in 176 (44.0%). During a mean follow-up of 80.7 months, 34 arrhythmic events occurred (event rate: 1.4% year). Variables significantly associated to events were: presentation as aborted SCD (Hazard risk [HR] 20.0), syncope (HR 3.7), spontaneous type I (HR 2.7), male gender (HR 2.7), early SCD in first-degree relatives (HR 2.9), SND (HR 5.0), inducible VA (HR 4.7) and proband status (HR 2.1). A score including ECG pattern, early familial SCD antecedents, inducible electrophysiological study, presentation as syncope or as aborted SCD and SND had a predictive performance of 0.82. A score greater than 2 conferred a 5-year event probability of 9.2%.

Conclusions

BS patients remain at risk many years after diagnosis. Early SCD in first-degree relatives and SND are risk factors for arrhythmic events. A simple risk score might help in the stratification and management of BS patients.
Post Hoc Analysis Decisions Drive the Reported Reading Time Effects in Hackl, Koster-Hale & Varvoutis (2012)
Authors: Gibson Edward , Piantadosi Steven T. , Levy Roger
Published: February 2017

Hackl, Koster-Hale & Varvoutis (2012; hereafter HKV) provide data that suggest that in a null context, antecedent-contained deletion (ACD) relative clause structures modifying a quantified object noun phrase (NP) are easier to process than those modifying a definite object NP. HKV argue that this pattern of results supports a quantifier-raising (QR) analysis of both ACD structures and quantified NPs in object position: under the account they advocate, both ACD resolution and quantified NPs in object position require movement of the object NP to a higher syntactic position. The processing advantage for quantified object NPs in ACD is hypothesized to derive from the fact that—at the point where ACD resolution must take place—the quantified NP has already undergone QR, whereas this is not the case for definite NPs. Here, we question these conclusions. In particular, our analyses of HKV’s reading time data reveal several unreported choice points, errors and concerns regarding multiple comparisons in the original HKV data analysis. Importantly, most other plausible ways to analyze these data that we describe here result in the crucial interaction being non-significant. Putting this observation together with the failure to observe the crucial interaction in Gibson & Levy (2016), we conclude that the experiments reported by HKV should not be viewed as providing evidence for the ACD quantifier-raising processing effect.
Cam versus pincer femoroacetabular impingement. Which type is associated with more hip structural damage? An exploratory cross-sectional study
Authors: Anbar Ashraf , Ragab Yasser , Zeinhom Fatma , El-Shaarawy Nashwa , Emad Yasser , Abo-Elyoun Ihab , Hussein Hanan , Rasker Johannes J.
Published: February 2017

Background:

Femoroacetabular impingement (FAI) occurs as a conflict between the proximal femur and the acetabular rim. The purpose of this study was to evaluate MRI findings and look for correlations with pain intensity and duration in each type of FAI separately in an attempt to identify which type is associated with more structural damage.

Methods:

Forty-four patients (78 hips) diagnosed with either cam or pincer FAI were consecutively recruited in a prospective cohort study. None of our patients had evidence of osteoarthritis (OA) on the initial plain radiography. All patients had contrast-enhanced MRI and CT scans of the hips. All patients filled in a visual analogue scale (VAS) for pain.

Results:

The frequency of bone marrow edema (BME) was 37% in cam FAI and 20.8% in pincer FAI. In cam FAI, BME positively correlated with pain severity as measured by VAS (P<0.0001), cartilage degradation (P=0.001), pseudocysts (P<0.0001), hip effusion (P=0.013) and reactive synovitis (P<0.0001). However, in pincer FAI, BME only correlated with pain severity (P=0.004) and duration (P=0.011) and did not correlate with other MRI signs of structural hip damage.

Conclusions:

In cam FAI, BME of the femoral head and neck on MRI positively correlated with chondral damage and synovitis, but not in pincer FAI. This correlation suggests that cam FAI might be associated with a worse long-term prognosis. This finding might have an impact on clinical practice and decision making as it would encourage surgeons to intervene early in cases of cam FAI, thus preventing the possible development of irreversible, established hip OA.
Acute Kidney Injury After Efavirenz/Tenofovir Disoproxil Fumarate/Emtricitabine (Atripla) Overdose
Authors: Havenith Thomas , Burger David , Visschers Maarten J. , Schippers Jolanda , Oude Lashof Astrid
Published: February 2017

We describe a patient with acute renal failure and irreversible kidney damage after an overdose with the fixed dose combination of efavirenz/tenofovir disoproxil fumarate/emtricitabine (Atripla). The acute kidney injury was most probably caused by tenofovir. Efavirenz and emtricitabine seemed relatively safe in overdose. The pharmacokinetics in overdose of all 3 drugs and the effect of hemodialysis on the tenofovir clearance were studied by measuring the plasma concentrations and by the use of clinical pharmacokinetic software.
Application of Kuhnt–Szymanowski Procedure to Lower Eyelid Margin Defect after Tumor Resection
Authors: Hayashi Ayato , Mochizuki Mariko , Kamimori Tomoki , Horiguchi Masatoshi , Tanaka Rica , Mizuno Hiroshi
Published: February 2017

Background:

Lower eyelid reconstruction after tumor removal is always challenging, and full-thickness defects beyond half of the eyelid length require a flap from a part other than the remaining lower eyelid, such as the temporal area or the cheek.

Objective:

We aimed to report our experience of applying Smith-modified Kuhnt–Szymanowski, one of the most popular procedures for paralytic ectropion, for reconstructing oblong full-thickness lower eyelid margin defect.

Materials and Methods:

We performed Smith-modified Kuhnt–Szymanowski on 5 cases of oblong full-thickness lower eyelid margin defect after skin cancer removal. The mean age of patients was 80.0 years. The horizontal widths of the defects ranged from half to two-thirds of the lower eyelid length and the vertical width ranged from 5 to 9 mm.

Results:

We obtained good functional and esthetic results in all cases. No patients developed ectropion or lower eyelid distortion, and all patients were satisfied with their results.

Conclusions:

We utilized the procedure for morphological revision as a reconstructive procedure for eyelid margin defect by considering the defect as a morphological deformity of the eyelid margin; thus, donor tissue was not required to fill the defect and we could accomplish the reconstruction simply, firmly, and less invasively.
Geospatial Planning and the Resulting Economic Impact of Human Papillomavirus Vaccine Introduction in Mozambique
Authors: Haidari Leila A. , Brown Shawn T. , Constenla Dagna , Zenkov Eli , Ferguson Marie , de Broucker Gatien , Ozawa Sachiko , Clark Samantha , Portnoy Allison , Lee Bruce Y.
Published: February 2017

Background

Research has shown that the distance to the nearest immunization location can ultimately prevent someone from getting immunized. With the introduction of human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine throughout the world, a major question is whether the target populations can readily access immunization.

Methods

In anticipation of HPV vaccine introduction in Mozambique, a country with a 2015 population of 25,727,911, our team developed Strategic Integrated Geo-temporal Mapping Application) to determine the potential economic impact of HPV immunization. We quantified how many people in the target population are reachable by the 1377 existing immunization locations, how many cannot access these locations, and the potential costs and disease burden averted by immunization.

Results

If the entire 2015 cohort of 10-year-old girls goes without HPV immunization, approximately 125 (111–139) new cases of HPV 16,18-related cervical cancer are expected in the future. If each health center covers a catchment area with a 5-km radius (ie, if people travel up to 5 km to obtain vaccines), then 40% of the target population could be reached to prevent 50 (44–55) cases, 178 (159–198) disability-adjusted life years, and US $202,854 (US $140,758–323,693) in health care costs and lost productivity. At higher catchment area radii, additional increases in catchment area radius raise population coverage with diminishing returns.

Conclusions

Much of the population in Mozambique is unable to reach any existing immunization location, thereby reducing the potential impact of HPV vaccine. The geospatial information system analysis can assist in planning vaccine introduction strategies to maximize access and help the population reap the maximum benefits from an immunization program.
Updating Evidence for Using Hypothermia in Pediatric Severe Traumatic Brain Injury: Conventional and Bayesian Meta-Analytic Perspectives*
Authors: Tasker Robert C. , Vonberg Frederick W. , Ulano Elizabeth D. , Akhondi-Asl Alireza
Published: February 2017

Objective:

To evaluate clinical trials of hypothermia management on outcome in pediatric patients with severe traumatic brain injury using conventional and Bayesian meta-analyses.

Data Sources:

Screening of PubMed and other databases to identify randomized controlled trials of hypothermia for pediatric severe traumatic brain injury published before September 2016.

Study Selection:

Four investigators assessed and reviewed randomized controlled trial data.

Data Extraction:

Details of trial design, patient number, Glasgow Coma Scale score, hypothermia and control normothermia therapy, and outcome of mortality were collated.

Data Synthesis:

In conventional meta-analysis, random-effects models were expressed as odds ratio (odds ratio with 95% credible-interval). Bayesian outcome probabilities were calculated as probability of odds ratio greater than or equal to 1. In seven randomized controlled trials (n = 472, patients 0–17 yr old), there was no difference in mortality (hypothermia vs normothermia) with pooled estimate 1.42 (credible-interval, 0.77–2.61; p = 0.26). Duration of hypothermia (24, 48, or 72 hr) did not show difference in mortality. (Similar results were found using poor outcome.) Bayesian analyses of randomized controlled trials ordered by time of study completed recruitment showed, after the seventh trial, chance of relative risk reduction of death by greater than 20% is 1-in-3. An optimistic belief (0.90 probability that relative risk reduction of death > 20% hypothermia vs normothermia) gives a chance of relative risk reduction of death by greater than 20% of 1-in-2.

Conclusions:

Conventional meta-analysis shows the null hypothesis—no difference between hypothermia versus normothermia on mortality and poor outcome—cannot be rejected. However, Bayesian meta-analysis shows chance of relative risk reduction of death greater than 20% with hypothermia versus normothermia is 1-in-3, which may be further altered by one’s optimistic or skeptical belief about a patient.
The Patient Perspective on Errors in Cancer Care: Results of a Cross-Sectional Survey
Authors: Carey Mariko , Boyes Allison W. , Bryant Jamie , Turon Heidi , Clinton-McHarg Tara , Sanson-Fisher Robert
Published: February 2017

Objective

The objective of this study was to explore medical oncology outpatients' perceived experiences of errors in their cancer care.

Methods

A cross-sectional survey was conducted. English-speaking medical oncology outpatients aged 18 years or older were recruited from 9 Australian cancer treatment centers. Participants completed 2 paper-and-pencil questionnaires: an initial survey on demographic, disease and treatment characteristics upon recruitment; and a second survey on their experiences of errors in cancer care 1 month later.

Results

A total of 1818 patients (80%) consented to participate, and of these, 1136 (62%) completed both surveys. One hundred forty-eight participants (13%) perceived that an error had been made in their care, of which one third (n = 46) reported that the error was associated with severe harm. Of those who perceived an error had been made, less than half reported that they had received an explanation for the error (n = 65, 45%) and only one third reported receiving an apology (n = 50, 35%) or being told that steps had been taken to prevent the error from reoccurring (n = 52, 36%). Patients with university or vocational level education (odds ratio [OR] = 1.6 [1.09–2.45],P= 0.0174) and those who received radiotherapy (OR = 1.72 [1.16–2.57];P= 0.0076) or “other” treatments (OR = 3.23 [1.08–9.63];P= 0.0356) were significantly more likely to report an error in care.

Conclusions

There is significant scope to improve communication with patients and appropriate responses by the healthcare system after a perceived error in cancer care.
W2RAP: a pipeline for high quality, robust assemblies of large complex genomes from short read data
Authors: Clavijo Bernardo J. , Garcia Accinelli Gonzalo , Wright Jonathan , Heavens Darren , Barr Katie , Yanes Luis , Di-Palma Federica
Published: February 2017

Producing high-quality whole-genome shotgunde novoassemblies from plant and animal species with large and complex genomes using low-cost short read sequencing technologies remains a challenge. But when the right sequencing data, with appropriate quality control, is assembled using approaches focused on robustness of the process rather than maximization of a single metric such as the usual contiguity estimators, good quality assemblies with informative value for comparative analyses can be produced. Here we present a complete method described from data generation and qc all the way up to scaffold of complex genomes using Illumina short reads and its application to data from plants and human datasets. We show how to use the w2rap pipeline following a metric-guided approach to produce cost-effective assemblies. The assemblies are highly accurate, provide good coverage of the genome and show good short range contiguity. Our pipeline has already enabled the rapid, cost-effective generation ofde novogenome assemblies from large, polyploid crop species with a focus on comparative genomics.

Availability

w2rap is available under MIT license, with some subcomponents under GPL-licenses. A ready-to-run docker with all software pre-requisites and example data is also available.

http://github.com/bioinfologics/w2rap

http://github.com/bioinfologics/w2rap-contigger
Investigating strategy tools from an interactive perspective
Authors: Cheng Caroline , Havenvid Malena Ingemansson
Published: February 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate how the strategic management concept of “strategy tools” (STs) can be reinterpreted from an industrial network perspective. It considers how STs are used to influence the substance of relationships and how firms engage in strategic action by using such tools.

Design/methodology/approach

Using case study research involving three focal firms, the paper scrutinizes use of selected STs to examine how they are used to systematically relate to others and create benefits and affect development paths in business relationships.

Findings

STs can be viewed as an integrated part of a networking pattern of mobilizing resources, linking activities and relating actors. Seen in this manner, use of STs can be interaction-facilitating or interaction-creating.

Research limitations/implications

In an interactive approach, STs must be seen in relation to others as they are used in strategic (co-)action to engage and involve others. In this view, tools are strategic when used to affect the long-term development of important business relationships.

Practical implications

Practitioners should acknowledge that the use of a ST to handle counterparts is emerging, and valuable only in relation to specific others. Because the value of STs is unknowable until it is revealed how they can affect the substance of a specific relationship, there is no best-practice or one-size-fits-all approach.

Originality/value

This paper illuminates the phenomenon of “strategy tools” by considering it from both sides of the business exchange interface.
Diversity and composition of tropical butterflies along an Afromontane agricultural gradient in the Jimma Highlands, Ethiopia
Authors: Norfolk Olivia , Asale Abebe , Temesgen Tsegab , Denu Dereje , Platts Philip J. , Marchant Rob , Yewhalaw Delenasaw
Published: February 2017

Afromontane landscapes are typically characterized by a mosaic of smallholder farms and the biodiversity impacts of these practices will vary in accordance to local management and landscape context. Here, we assess how tropical butterfly diversity is maintained across an agricultural landscape in the Jimma Highlands of Ethiopia. We used transect surveys to sample understory butterfly communities within degraded natural forest, semi‐managed coffee forest (SMCF), exotic timber plantations, open woodland, croplands and pasture. Surveys were conducted in 29 one‐hectare plots and repeated five times between January and June 2013. We found that natural forest supports higher butterfly diversity than all agricultural plots (measured with Hill's numbers). SMCF and timber plantations retain relatively high abundance and diversity, but these metrics drop off sharply in open woodland, cropland and pasture. SMCF and timber plantations share the majority of their species with natural forest and support an equivalent abundance of forest‐dependent species, with no increase in widespread species. There was some incongruence in the responses of families and sub‐families, notably that Lycaenidae are strongly associated with open woodland and pasture. Adult butterflies clearly utilize forested agricultural practices such as SMCF and timber plantations, but species diversity declines steeply with distance from natural forest suggesting that earlier life‐stages may depend on host plants and/or microclimatic conditions that are lost under agricultural management. From a management perspective, the protection of natural forest remains a priority for tropical butterfly conservation, but understanding functioning of the wider landscape mosaic is important as SMCF and timber plantations may act as habitat corridors that facilitate movement between forest fragments.
Issues with monitoring the safety of psychoactive products under a legal regulated market for new psychoactive substances (‘legal highs’) in New Zealand
Authors: Rychert Marta , Wilkins Chris , Witten Karen
Published: February 2017

Introduction. New Zealand's Psychoactive Substances Act (2013) established the world's first regulated market for ‘low risk’ psychoactive products (‘legal highs’). Under an interim PSA regime, 47 existing products were permitted to be continued to be sold. Aim. To explore issues with the implementation of regulatory systems to monitor the safety of products on the legal market under the interim Psychoactive Substances Act regime. Methods. Semi‐structured interviews with 30 key stakeholders, including industry, government agency, health and drug service professionals were conducted, transcribed and analysed thematically. Results. In retrospect stakeholders questioned the decision to approve strong synthetic cannabinoid smoking products, noting their health risks because of product formulation, inconsistent manufacturing practices and smoking as the means of administration. Industry actors claimed the decision to approve synthetic cannabinoid smokeable products prevented potentially safer products from gaining market share. The system for withdrawing approved products which were subsequently found to be harmful was criticised for the poor quality of data available, limited engagement with health professionals and the slowness of product withdrawal. Many of the problems with the regime were attributed to the urgency under which the legal market under the interim Psychoactive Substances Act was established and implemented. Conclusions. The selection of ‘safer’ products, implementation of the product monitoring system, and engagement with health professionals may have benefited from more time and resources. An incremental approach to establishing the new market may have made the regulatory management of the new regime more workable. [Rychert M, Wilkins C, Witten K. Issues with monitoring the safety of psychoactive products under a legal regulated market for new psychoactive substances (‘legal highs’) in New Zealand. Drug Alcohol Rev 2017;00:000‐000]
Life course health development of individuals with neurodevelopmental conditions
Authors: Palisano Robert J , Di Rezze Briano , Stewart Debra , Rosenbaum Peter L , Hlyva Oksana , Freeman Matthew , Nguyen Tram , Gorter Jan Willem
Published: February 2017

The life course health development (LCHD) model by Halfon et al. conceptualizes health development occurring through person–environment transactions that enable well‐being and participation in desired social roles throughout life, areas that have not received adequate attention in healthcare. The aim of this ‘perspectives’ paper is to apply the six core tenets of the LCHD model and the concept of health development trajectories to individuals with lifelong neurodevelopmental conditions. We share the perspective that modifiable aspects of the environment often restrict health development; we then advocate that children, beginning at a young age, should engage in ‘real‐world’ experiences that prepare them for current and future social roles. LCHD encourages future planning from the outset, continuity of care between pediatric and adult systems, and coordination of services and supports. We believe LCHD can be transformative in enabling healthy living of individuals with neurodevelopmental conditions.