bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Understanding Grassland Degradation and Restoration from the Perspective of Ecosystem Services: A Case Study of the Xilin River Basin in Inner Mongolia, China
Authors: Zhang Xuefeng , Niu Jianming , Buyantuev Alexander , Zhang Qing , Dong Jianjun , Kang Sarula , Zhang Jing
Published: June 2016

Ecosystem services (ESs) and their transformations in northern China play a crucial role in regional sustainability. During the past several decades, grassland degradation has become one of the most important ecological and economic issues in this region. Therefore, understanding the impacts of grassland degradation and restoration on ESs is essential for maintaining ecological resilience and social security of Northern China. Our objective was to explore the relationship between ESs and grassland changes induced by vegetation succession in the Xilin River Basin, Inner Mongolia, China. Using vegetation maps derived from remotely sensed imagery collected in 1983, 1989, 2000, and 2011, we calculated the degree of grassland degradation using the Grassland Degradation Index (GDI). Aboveground biomass (AGB), soil conservation (SC), and water retention (WR) were also estimated to assess ESs for each year. Our results show that: (1) GDI increased during 1983–2000 and decreased during 2000–2011 indicating that after experiencing two decades of severe degradation the grassland has been restored since 2000. (2) AGB and SC were significantly negatively correlated with GDI. Changes in grassland conditions significantly affected WR and SC with both declining during 1983–2000 and increasing afterwards. The increase of SC, however, was slow compared to AGB and WR, which is an indication of time lag in soil restoration. (3) Grasslands in the middle and lower reaches experienced worse degradation than in the upper reaches. (4) AGB and SC exhibited a synergy, while trade-offs existed between AGB and WR and SC and WR. In summary, significant changes in grassland ecosystems in the Xilin River Basin over the past three decades affected the dynamics of ESs among which SC and WR require special attention in the future.
Strategies to Reduce Food Loss in the Global South
Authors: KC Krishna , Haque Iftekharul , Legwegoh Alexander , Fraser Evan
Published: June 2016

Approximately one third of the world’s food is lost, and reducing this represents an important strategy for promoting more sustainable food systems and addressing global food insecurity. This paper presents a preliminary assessment of the socio-economic factors that are significant in causing food loss in developing countries. These countries were chosen because the majority of food waste in poorer nations happens on or around the farm and is due to inefficient storage and processing facilities (by contrast, the majority of food waste in the global north is caused by consumers or retailers and, hence, is a very different problem). To explore this topic, we conducted a multivariate panel data analysis where the volume of food loss in 93 countries over 20 years was used as the dependent variable and a range of socio-economic factors were used as independent variables. Results show that, for the countries in the global south, variables related to wealth, agricultural machinery, transportation, and telecommunications were significant in explaining the amount of lost food. We used these results to model the effectiveness of different hypothetical policies designed to reduce food loss and estimate that up to 49% of food loss could be averted by improving each countries’ performance on these variables. While these results seem to offer huge opportunities to improve the sustainability of global agricultural systems and address global food security, this paper concludes on a note of caution: as countries grow wealthy enough to address the food lost by challenges associated with on-farm issues, these same countries may start to experience more food waste at the consumer/retailer end of the food chain. Therefore, any attempt to reduce on-farm food loss in lower income countries must be met with policies to reduce the emerging problems of food waste amongst consumers and retailers.
Top-N Recommender Systems Using Genetic Algorithm-Based Visual-Clustering Methods
Authors: Marung Ukrit , Theera-Umpon Nipon , Auephanwiriyakul Sansanee
Published: June 2016

The drastic increase of websites is one of the causes behind the recent information overload on the internet. A recommender system (RS) has been developed for helping users filter information. However, the cold-start and sparsity problems lead to low performance of the RS. In this paper, we propose methods including the visual-clustering recommendation (VCR) method, the hybrid between the VCR and user-based methods, and the hybrid between the VCR and item-based methods. The user-item clustering is based on the genetic algorithm (GA). The recommendation performance of the proposed methods was compared with that of traditional methods. The results showed that the GA-based visual clustering could properly cluster user-item binary images. They also demonstrated that the proposed recommendation methods were more efficient than the traditional methods. The proposed VCR2 method yielded an F1 score roughly three times higher than the traditional approaches.
Le passage de la vie à la mort dans les Andes péruviennes : aux origines du condenado
Authors: Fourtané Nicole
Published: June 2016

Cet article s'intéresse à la conception de la mort des Anciens Péruviens qui ne présentait aucun enjeu moral. Sur ce terrain, la prédication catholique qui a insisté sur l'alternative ciel/enfer, illustrée dans la fresque murale de l'église d'Andahuaylillas, mais qui a surtout mis l'accent sur l'enfer, a provoqué de grands bouleversements que les populations autochtones n'ont pas pu intégrer dans leur globalité. Les contes populaires mettent en scène le personnage du condenado, mort-vivant qui permet de résoudre les contradictions parce qu'il purge en ce monde les transgressions qu'il a commises durant son existence.
Passagens da infância e da memória em Brasil, Cabo Verde e Portugal : reflexões sobre história e literatura nos romances O Ateneu, Chiquinho e Manhã submersa
Authors: Sandanello Franco Baptista
Published: June 2016

O Ateneu (1888), by Raul Pompéia, Chiquinho (1947), by Baltasar Lopes da Silva, and Manhã submersa (1954), by Vergílio Ferreira, despite the evident chronologic distance from the publishing of the former to that of the latter, are three examples of novels in which the formation of individuals, since childhood, is dramatized: whether in the conflict with a Brazilian boarding school during the reign of Peter II, whether in the account of lyceum times spent in colonial Cape Verde, whether in the confrontation with a Portuguese seminar of Salazar’s time, there is in all three, via the memorialistic narration of Sérgio, Francisco and Antonio, a similar reaction against totalitarian and imposing discourses, as well as its standardization of individuals and masking of social differences. In this regard, the present article discusses the similarities among the abovementioned works, from a historical-comparative analytical point of view.
Entre becos e passagens : um olhar estético das cenas aonde arte e drogas transitam
Authors: Gobira Pablo , Garcia Daniela Ramos
Published: June 2016

Este trabalho tem como objetivo pensar os becos na Belo Horizonte (Minas Gerais, Brasil) contemporânea à luz da ideia de "passagem" presente em Walter Benjamin. Isso será realizado, tendo em vista as experiências estéticas apreendidas junto a um serviço de saúde que tem acesso aos becos e aos seus personagens. Para essa aproximação, também precisaremos investir em alguns conceitos – tais como território, espaço e paisagem – bem como na relação entre um possível « flâneur contemporâneo » e o contexto das cenas de uso de drogas.
A representação arcádica do índio brasileiro : O Uraguai, de José Basílio da Gama
Authors: Versiani Carlos
Published: June 2016

Este artigo busca fazer uma análise do poema O Uraguai, de José Basílio da Gama, tendo como foco as representações estéticas do poema e suas representações sociais, relativas ao contexto histórico de sua produção e circularidade, em meio às confluências entre a escola arcádica ultramarina e a ilustração europeia em fins do século XVIII. Trata-se, especificamente, de analisar as representações do ameríndio presentes no poema e os diálogos que se verificam com outros poetas brasileiros da mesma escola arcádica, indagando em que medida teria se criado na poesia dos ditos árcades tonalidades convencionais específicas, no tratamento dado à América Portuguesa ; analisar como as representações do índio e da tópica da terra pátria estariam vinculadas à dupla condição sociocultural dos poetas : nascidos e criados no Brasil colonial, integrados ao pensamento ilustrado e neoclássico europeu.
Imágenes y estereotipos iconográficos de América en las ilustraciones de la prensa peninsular de finales del siglo XIX
Authors: Pinyol Vidal Josep
Published: June 2016

The decline of the spanish colonial empire on the American continent chronologically overlapped with the passage towards a new century. During this transition period, the press –already strengthened as a means of information and entertainment – retrospectively conveyed and interpreted the stereotypes that had been generated throughout four centuries of hispanic hold dominion over the new continent. The late 19th century drawings, graphics and satirical cartoons became the mediums for a rich and varied iconography which conjured up the idealized evocations of an exotic world, the shock of different cultures and the outcome of the colonisation altogether. Nowadays, this large pictural production allows us to reach to a relecture of the past events by diciphering all the coded attributes, symbols and metaphors displayed in those illustrations.
Invertebrados bentônicos: relação entre estrutura da fauna e características do mesohabitat
Authors: Uieda Virginia Sanches , Alves Maria Ines Bulgari , Silva Eliane Ivonete
Published: June 2016

Em ecossistemas lóticos é comum a formação de diferentes mesohabitats intercalados ao longo do rio, como poções, corredeiras e rápidos, frequentemente acompanhados de alterações na estrutura da fauna bentônica associada. No trabalho analisamos a fauna de invertebrados bentônicos em rápidos e corredeiras de um trecho de serra do Rio Capivara (Bacia do Médio Rio Tietê). A análise das características ambientais e a coleta da fauna foram realizadas em três corredeiras e três rápidos, em um mês da estação chuvosa (cinco réplicas de cada). Os mesohabitats se diferenciaram quanto ao maior porcentual de blocos nos rápidos e maiores valores de profundidade, correnteza e porcentual de matacões nas corredeiras. Do total de 57 Unidades Taxonômicas Operacionais (UTO’s) amostradas, 75% foram comuns aos dois mesohabitats (Similaridade de Morisita = 0,86). Quando analisado o porcentual de abundância, a similaridade espacial se manteve e dois grupos se sobressaíram em abundância: Hexapoda (>80%, sendo a maioria Ephemeroptera, Diptera e Trichoptera) e Annelida (10%). As análises exploratórias (cluster e NMDS) também apontaram para uma elevada similaridade espacial, porém os resultados da Análise de Similaridade (ANOSIM) indicaram uma diferença significativa entre os mesohabitats (p<0,1%), seja analisando o total de UTO’s ou retirando as UTO’s raras. Cinco grupos tiveram uma maior contribuição para a média de dissimilaridade entre os mesohabitats: Simulium e Baetodes mais abundantes nas corredeiras, Traveryphes, Hagenulopsis e Macrelmis nos rápidos. Assim, os resultados da ANOSIM salientaram a importância do refinamento na identificação para a interpretação mais precisa acerca da relação entre a fauna e a estrutura do habitat.
The Moderating Role of Attention Biases in understanding the link between Behavioral Inhibition and Anxiety
Authors: Nozadi Sara S. , Troller-Renfree Sonya , White Lauren K. , Frenkel Tahl , Degnan Kathryn A. , Bar-Haim Yair , Pine Daniel , Fox Nathan A.
Published: June 2016

The current study aimed to extend the results of White et al. (2015) by examining the moderating role of attention biases at age 5 on the relations between Behavioral Inhibition (BI) during toddlerhood and anxiety symptoms at age 10. Children's BI at 2 and 3 years of age was measured using laboratory assessments, and attention bias towards threat was assessed using a dot-probe task at age 5. Latent Class Analysis (LCA) was used to identify the probability for children's membership in an anxiety class, which reflected primary anxiety at age 10 that was not comorbid with symptoms of inattention. Maternal and self-report measures of children's mental health, collected via questionnaires and semi-structured diagnostic interviews, were used as indicators for the LCA. The results revealed that threat-related attention biases moderated the relation between BI and anxiety, such that BI positively predicted the probability of being in the anxiety class only when children had an attention bias towards threat. BI was unrelated to anxiety when children had no attention bias or an attention bias away from threat. These results indicated that attention biases during preschool may differentiate between inhibited children who are at heightened risk for anxiety later in childhood from those who are not. The results are discussed in a framework detailing the role of attention biases in increasing the sensitivity for anxiety-related problems in children who display high levels of BI during early childhood.
The Role of Attachment Anxiety in Maternal Attentional Processing of their Child's Face: An Eye-Tracking Study
Authors: Vandevivere Eva , Van De Brande Sofie , Bosmans Guy , Mueller Sven C. , Braet Caroline
Published: June 2016

Although mother's attention to offspring is deemed important to support their offspring's secure attachment development, little research tested this association. The current study aimed to test the hypothesis that how mothers orient their attention to their offspring is linked to differences in offspring's attachment style. Additionally, we tested whether this association depended on which emotions children express. 29 mothers participated with their offspring (48.3% girls; ages 9 to 15 years, M = 10.93, SD = 1.67). Across two experimental blocks, eye movements were recorded as mothers viewed photographs of offspring and unfamiliar children showing neutral (block 1) and facial expressions of fearful, happy and sad (block 2). Offspring's self-reported attachment anxiety was related to increased maintained attention of the mother on the offspring's neutral face, while more attachment security was related to reduced maintained attention. With regard to emotional faces, mothers of more anxiously attached children showed more maintained attention on all emotional expressions of their offspring, including sadness. Furthermore, we found a positive attentional bias of mothers with more securely attached children; increased attention on the offspring's happy face was found. No attentional processes were found for attachment avoidance. Different attachment-related parenting behaviors, leading to a specific attachment style of the offspring, could be explained by these attentional allocations.
The Impact of Childhood Anxiety on Processes of Attentional Executive Control in the Presence of Emotional Face Distractors
Authors: Susa-Erdogan Georgiana , Bengà Oana , Mone Ionuţ , Miclea Mircea
Published: June 2016

Anxiety interferes with executive control of attention (ECA), especially in the context of emotional information. Previous research suggests that temperamental differences in self-regulation might modulate these effects. The present research examined the association between trait anxiety and temperamental self-regulation on ECA processes, in the context of positive and threatening distractors in a sample of primary school children. We designed a computerized Emotional letter discrimination task that required both inhibitory and set shifting processes. Emotional faces distractors were displayed one at a time during a primary letter discrimination task. To assess inhibition, our task contained compatible trials (the target letter was flanked by distractor letter that had the same identity as the target) and incompatible trials (the target letter was flanked by distractor letter that had the opposite identity). The results showed that higher levels of anxiety were associated with increased reaction times to discriminate target letters during incompatible trials in the presence of happy distractors. In addition, lower levels of temperamental self-regulation were related to increased reaction times in the presence of angry distractors during incompatible trials. These findings provide empirical evidence for an association between increased child anxiety and lower self-regulation on the executive control of attention in the context of emotional distracting information.
Attentional Biases to Emotional Faces in Adolescents with Conduct Disorder, Anxiety Disorders, and Comorbid Conduct and Anxiety Disorders
Authors: Short Roxanna M. L. , Adams Wendy J. , Garner Matthew , Sonuga-Barke Edmund J. S. , Fairchild Graeme
Published: June 2016

Biases in emotion processing have been identified in both conduct disorder (CD) and anxiety disorders (ADs). Given the significant comorbidity between these conditions, it is important to examine whether individuals with comorbid CD+ADs display a combination of the biases observed in the non-comorbid versions of these disorders or their own distinctive pattern. We measured attentional biases and vigilance towards, and disengagement from, angry, fearful and happy faces in adolescents with CD-only (n = 31), ADs-only (n = 23), comorbid CD+ADs (n = 20) and controls (n = 30), using standard (500 ms) and masked, brief (17 ms) presentation versions of a visual-probe task. Adolescents with ADs displayed faster reaction times to happy, compared to fearful or angry, faces (irrespective of probe position). In addition to having longer reaction times in general, the CD-only and ADs-only groups showed decreased vigilance towards, and delayed disengagement from, emotional faces compared to the comorbid CD+ADs and control groups. These results suggest that CD and ADs interact in terms of their effects on vigilance and disengagement, such that attentional biases are attenuated, rather than exacerbated, in individuals with comorbid CD+ADs.
The pernicious Effects of Post-event Processing in Social Anxiety Disorder
Authors: Rowa Karen , Gavric Dubravka , Stead Victoria , LeMoult Joelle , McCabe Randi E.
Published: June 2016

Aims

Post-event processing (PEP) in social anxiety disorder (SAD) involves ruminating about social encounters after the fact. There is a clear relationship between PEP and SAD, but less is known about the negative effects of PEP. The goal of the current study was to investigate these negative effects in a sample of people with SAD. We hypothesized that PEP would contribute to decreased willingness to try a similar task again and to increased anxiety about engaging in a similar task. We also hypothesized that the degree of PEP would mediate the relationship between initial self-evaluation of performance and follow-up self-evaluation.

Methods

Forty-one individuals with a principal diagnosis of SAD completed the study. Participants completed baseline measures of symptom severity and state affect and then completed an impromptu speech task. After completing the speech, they completed a self-evaluation of their performance. Five days later, they rated the degree to which they engaged in PEP about their speech performance, indicated their willingness and anxiety about completing a similar speech task in the future, and completed a second self-evaluation of their performance.

Results

PEP contributed unique and significant variance to willingness (R2 change = .12, p < .05) but not to anxiety ratings (R2 change = .027, p = .13) once symptom severity, depressive symptoms, and state anxiety were controlled for. Using bias-corrected bootstrapping, PEP mediated the relationship between initial and follow-up performance ratings.

Conclusions

The more people engage in PEP, the less willing they appear to be to re-enter difficult social situations, likely perpetuating a cycle of avoidance. PEP also appears to be one factor that keeps negative self-perceptions “alive” after a challenging social situation. The current study provides unique evidence of the negative consequences of PEP for individuals with SAD.
Refractory bleeding from ectopic varices stopped by percutaneous transhepatic portal vein recanalization and stenting
Authors: Poggi Guido , Saluzzo Cesare Massa , Montagna Benedetta , Picchi Chiara , Salerno Francesco
Published: June 2016

Ectopic varices is an uncommon cause of gastrointestinal bleeding. We reported a case of severe bleeding due to jejunal varices which arose as a complication of extrahepatic portal vein thrombosis. The patient was successfully treated by portal vein recanalization and  percutaneous transhepatic stent placement.
Implementation of Gender and Development among Higher Education Institutions: Input to GAD Enhancement Program
Authors: Albaladejo Elmer M.
Published: June 2016

Gender and Development (GAD) is a plan for development perspective that recognizes the unequal status and situation of women and men in society. Women and men have different development needs and interests as a result of inequality, which is institutionalized and perpetuated by cultural, social, economic and political norms, systems and structures. The descriptive research investigated the facts related to GAD Implementation in HEIs using a researcher-made questionnaire. Educational managers were "very aware" of the Republic Act 7192, known as Women in Nation building implementation while faculty members were only "moderately aware". All HEIs agreed having encountered problems in GAD implementation such as inadequate trainings/seminars, lack of funding support, non-priority of GAD programs, limited collaboration of institutions on GAD-related activities, and unsustainable implementation. However, HEIs were aware that they have general and specific plans related to GAD implementation. The difference was found between educational managers and faculty members' awareness level. Moreover, relationships were seen on the selected profile variables of HEIs and status of GAD implementation. Results of the study implied an input to GAD Enhancement program that will address the gaps for a sustainable level of implementation among HEIs.
Verbal Learning Style as the Least Preferred Learning Style of Students in an Asian Country
Authors: Poliden Samuel S.
Published: June 2016

Learners develop a preferred way of choosing their learning styles because of their genetic makeup, their particular life experiences, and the demands of their present environment. Hence, the study aimed to determine the learning styles of freshmen students in the language class at Benguet State University, Philippines. Using descriptive - survey method, a questionnaire was used to gather data. It also used the Felder-Solomon Index of Learning Styles (FILS) which consisted of 44 questions designed to identify learning styles of learners. The study showed that their dominant learning style is Visual while Verbal is the least. According to their degree programs, the dominant learning style of the Bachelor in Secondary Education and Doctor of Veterinary Medicine students is Sensory while Bachelor of Science in Nursing, Bachelor of Science in Home Economics, Bachelor of Science in Information Technology, Bachelor of Science in Agricultural Engineering, and Bachelor of Science in Agriculture are all inclined to Visual. Based on the empirical findings and conclusions of the study, the researcher recommends that teachers should devise classroom activities suited for the students' learning styles focusing more on their verbal learning style that will activate their communication skills.
Intrapersonal and Stress Management Dimensions of Emotional Intelligence as Determinants of Mathematics Performance
Authors: Odicta Giena L.
Published: June 2016

Students' success in mathematics instruction is determined by some school and personal measures and most likely, quality emotions and feelings that could also help students. The descriptive-correlational research ascertained the students' level of emotional intelligence and its association to mathematics performance. Using Sta. Maria's (2007) Emotional Intelligence Inventory, data were gathered from the 222 college students of Capiz State University, Philippines selected through simple random sampling. Data were analyzed using the mean, Pearson's Product Moment of Correlation and ANOVA. The results of the study showed that college students had an average level of emotional intelligence. The students' mathematics performance was good. The study also revealed that sibling rank shows significant relationship with emotional intelligence. Intrapersonal and stress management measures were strongly associated with students' performance in the mathematics. Class size and time of class significantly influenced the mathematics performance of students. The need to stress management on emotional intelligence is, therefore, vital to promote classroom learning.
The Multimedia Approach in Teaching Physical Fitness as Basis for Physical Education Program
Authors: Diosalan Susan A.
Published: June 2016

Innovations and technological advances in transmitting information play a vital role in the educational system. This experimental research, employing the pretest-posttest design, determined the influence of multimedia in the physical fitness status of students using Zumba video compact disc. A time-series using two groups, the experimental and the control with 30 participants each group from Bachelor in Industrial Education of Capiz State University, Philippines which were selected through random sampling. A descriptive survey was also employed to determine students' perception towards their exposure to the multimedia Zumba exercise. Data were computed getting the mean scores using the standardized Philippine Physical Fitness Tests. Statistical tools employed to analyze results were descriptive data, frequency, percentage, mean, standard deviation and t-test with 0.05 level of significance. Pre and post results of both groups differ significantly in the muscular strength, flexibility, body composition and cardiovascular endurance. The experimental group perceived that their exposure to the multimedia Zumba exercise developed their knowledge, skills, values and creativity. It is also evident in the result that multimedia teaching approach greatly influenced the effectiveness of the teaching-learning process.
A Liquid Chromatography‐Quadrupole‐Time of Flight Mass Spectrometry (LC‐Q‐TOF MS) Study for Analyzing 35 Corticosteroid Compounds: Elucidation of MS/MS Fragmentation Pathways
Authors: Noh Eunyoung , Yoon Chang‐Yong , Lee Ji Hyun , Lee Jung‐min , Baek Sun‐Young , Oh Han Bin , Do Jung‐Ah
Published: June 2016

Corticosteroids have been often found to be added to a dietary supplement for the purpose of illegally improving the effect of their products. Thus, it is imperative to develop or improve a method that enables one to rapidly and reliably analyze corticosteroids in health or dietary supplements, for the safety management purpose. In the present study, results from liquid chromatography‐quadrupole time‐of‐flight mass spectrometry (LC‐Q‐TOF‐MS) experiments for the selected 35 corticosteroid compounds are presented, which can be useful for the qualitative screening of corticosteroids in health or dietary supplements. Specifically, retention times, accurate mass data of the protonated steroids, m/z values of major fragment ions are given for the 35 corticosteroids. Further, fragmentation pathways for the selected steroids are also suggested. Based on the suggested fragmentation pathways, it was shown that an unknown steroid compound can be readily identified using the knowledge of a group of unique and specific common skeletal fragments. The high selectivity and sensitivity of the LC‐Q‐TOF‐MS/MS results combined with the knowledge of the fragmentation pathways can offer a new opportunity for rapid and accurate screening of corticosteroids, thus preventing health‐related incidents involving adulterated products and clamping down on illegally circulated health products.
Is multivessel intervention in ST‐elevation myocardial infarction associated with early harm? Insights from observational data
Authors: Chatterjee Saurav , Yeh Robert W. , Sardar Partha , Ul Hassan Virk Hafeez , Mukherjee Debabrata , Parikh Sahil A. , Kumbhani Dharam J. , Kirtane Ajay , Bashir Riyaz , Cohen Howard , Kolansky Daniel M. , Wilensky Robert L. , Giri Jay
Published: June 2016

Objectives

Appraisal of evidence for recommendations for multivessel coronary intervention in ST‐elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI).

Background

Multi‐vessel disease (MVD) is common in patients with ST‐segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). Published observational data has suggested that multi‐vessel percutaneous coronary intervention (MVPCI) at the time of initial hospitalization for STEMI may be harmful in contrast to evidence from recent randomized trials.

Methods

We queried the nationwide inpatient sample (NIS) to identify characteristics of hemodynamically stable STEMI patients undergoing MVPCI on index admission and subsequent mortality in raw and adjusted models. To compare our results with published observational data, we searched multiple databases from inception through July 15, 2015.

Results

From 2009–2012, excluding cardiac arrest or cardiogenic shock, there were 11,454 MVPCI and 157,011 single‐vessel PCI (SVPCI) for STEMI patients in the NIS. Compared to SVPCI, MVPCI on index admission was not associated with higher in‐hospital mortality in unadjusted or propensity‐adjusted models (MVPCI 1.91% vs. SVPCI 5.32%, P < 0.001). Our analysis of index hospitalization MVPCI versus infarct‐related artery (IRA)—only PCI in the meta‐analysis of observational studies (19 studies, N = 76,399) demonstrated no difference in in‐hospital mortality with MVPCI compared with IRA‐only PCI (OR 0.87, 95% CI 0.65–1.17; P = 0.37), with confirmation in study sequential analysis.

Conclusions

MVPCI is uncommonly performed during index hospitalization in hemodynamically stable STEMI patients, likely reflecting widespread adherence to prior guidelines. Based on observational data, there does not appear to be early harm associated with MVPCI on the index admission in hemodynamically stable STEMI patients. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Neuropathic pain prevalence following spinal cord injury: A systematic review and meta‐analysis
Authors: Burke D. , Fullen B.M. , Stokes D. , Lennon O.
Published: June 2016

Following spinal cord injury (SCI), chronic pain is a common secondary complication with neuropathic pain (NP) cited as one of the most distressing and debilitating conditions leading to poor quality of life, depression and sleep disturbances. Neuropathic pain presenting at or below the level of injury is largely refractory to current pharmacological and physical treatments. No consensus on the prevalence of NP post SCI currently exists, hence this systematic review was undertaken. The review comprised three phases: a methodological assessment of databases [PubMed, Embase, Web of Knowledge, Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature (CINAHL), Cochrane Library and Physiotherapy Evidence Database (PEDro)] identifying potential papers and screening for inclusion criteria by two independent reviewers; data extraction; and finally rating of internal validity and strength of the evidence, using a published valid and reliable scale. Meta‐analysis estimated pooled point prevalence rates using a random effects model. In total, 17 studies involving 2529 patients were included in the review. Overall point prevalence rates for NP were established at 53% (38.58–67.47); 19% (13.26–26.39) for at‐level NP and 27% (19.89–34.61) for below‐level NP, with high heterogeneity noted (I2 = 84–93%). Prevalence rates for NP following SCI are high. Future studies should include established definitions, classification systems and assessment tools for NP at defined time points post SCI to follow the trajectory of this problem across the lifespan and include indices of sleep, mood and interference to allow for appropriate, optimal and timely NP management for each patient.

What does this review add?

This is the first systematic review and meta‐analysis to record pooled point prevalence of neuropathic pain post spinal cord injury at 53%. Additional pooled analysis shows that neuropathic pain is more common below the level of lesion, in patients with tetraplegia, older patients and at 1 year post injury.
Investigating cell‐substrate and cell–cell interactions by means of single‐cell‐probe force spectroscopy
Authors: Moreno‐Cencerrado Alberto , Iturri Jagoba , Pecorari Ilaria , D.M. Vivanco Maria , Sbaizero Orfeo , Toca‐Herrera José L.
Published: June 2016

Cell adhesion forces are typically a mixture of specific and nonspecific cell‐substrate and cell–cell interactions. In order to resolve these phenomena, Atomic Force Microscopy appears as a powerful device which can measure cell parameters by means of manipulation of single cells. This method, commonly known as cell‐probe force spectroscopy, allows us to control the force applied, the area of interest, the approach/retracting speed, the force rate, and the time of interaction. Here, we developed a novel approach for in situ cantilever cell capturing and measurement of specific cell interactions. In particular, we present a new setup consisting of two different half‐surfaces coated either with recrystallized SbpA bacterial cell surface layer proteins (S‐layers) or integrin binding Fibronectin, on which MCF‐7 breast cancer cells are incubated. The presence of a clear physical boundary between both surfaces benefits for a quick detection of the region under analysis. Thus, quantitative results about SbpA‐cell and Fibronectin‐cell adhesion forces as a function of the contact time are described. Additionally, the importance of the cell spreading in cell–cell interactions has been studied for surfaces coated with two different Fibronectin concentrations: 20 μg/mL (FN20) and 100 μg/mL (FN100), which impact the number of substrate receptors. Microsc. Res. Tech. 80:124–130, 2017. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Estimates of reservoir methane emissions based on a spatially balanced probabilistic‐survey
Authors: Beaulieu Jake J. , McManus Michael G. , Nietch Christopher T.
Published: June 2016

Global estimates of methane (CH4) emissions from reservoirs are poorly constrained, partly due to the challenges of accounting for intra‐reservoir spatial variability. Reservoir‐scale emission rates are often estimated by extrapolating from measurement made at a few locations; however, error and bias associated with this approach can be large and difficult to quantify. Here, we use a generalized random tessellation survey (GRTS) design to generate unbiased estimates of reservoir‐CH4 emissions rates (±95% CI) for areas below tributary inflows, open‐waters, and at the whole‐reservoir scale. Total CH4 emission rates (i.e., sum of ebullition and diffusive emissions) were 4.8 (±2.1), 33.0 (±10.7), and 8.3 (±2.2) mg CH4 m−2 h−1 in open‐waters, tributary‐associated areas, and the whole‐reservoir for the period in August 2014 during which 115 sites were sampled across an 7.98 km2 reservoir in Southwestern, Ohio, U.S.A. Tributary areas occupy 12% of the reservoir surface, but were the source of 41% of total CH4 emissions, highlighting the importance of riverine‐lacustrine transition zones. Ebullition accounted for > 90% of CH4 emission at all spatial scales. Overall, CH4 emission rates were high for a temperate zone reservoir, possibly because earlier studies underestimated ebullition or did not include emission hot spots. Confidence interval estimates that incorporated spatial pattern in CH4 emissions were up to 29% narrower than when spatial independence is assumed among sites. The use of GRTS, or other probabilistic survey designs, can improve the accuracy and precision of reservoir emission rate estimates, which is needed to better constrain uncertainty in global scale emission estimates.
Biogeochemical and 16S rRNA gene sequence evidence supports a novel mode of anaerobic methanotrophy in permanently ice‐covered Lake Fryxell, Antarctica
Authors: Saxton Matthew A. , Samarkin Vladimir A. , Schutte Charles A. , Bowles Marshall W. , Madigan Michael T. , Cadieux Sarah B. , Pratt Lisa M. , Joye Samantha B.
Published: June 2016

Lake Fryxell, McMurdo Dry Valleys, Antarctica contains a constantly cold water column and perennial ice‐cover. Although carbon and sulfur cycling in this amictic lake have been studied previously, a paired investigation of 16S rRNA gene based microbial diversity and geochemistry of Lake Fryxell is lacking. Here, we used a combination of radiotracer‐based rate measurements, geochemical measurements, and molecular microbial community analysis to investigate the anaerobic oxidation of methane (AOM) and associated processes in Lake Fryxell. The results show that while AOM and sulfate reduction appear coupled in the upper regions of the anoxic water column, in deep anoxic waters, where AOM rates are highest, sulfate is unlikely to be the electron acceptor for AOM. Despite significant rates of AOM in these waters, no putative AOM‐associated Archaea or Bacteria were observed. Due to a lack of documented AOM electron acceptors and putative ANMEs, we suggest novel modes of AOM dominate in this extreme environment. First, the notable abundance of the bacterial genus Dehalococcoides suggests that reductive dehalogenation could fuel AOM. Further, taxa of the candidate phylum OP9, the Atribacteria, and the Bathyarchaeota (formerly known as the Miscellaneous Crenarchaeotal Group) both commonly observed at cold methane‐seeps globally, may mediate AOM, possibly using humic acids as electron shuttles, in Lake Fryxell.
Rating Scales for Pain in Parkinson's Disease: Critique and Recommendations
Authors: Perez‐Lloret Santiago , Ciampi de Andrade Daniel , Lyons Kelly E. , Rodríguez‐Blázquez Carmen , Chaudhuri Kallol Ray , Deuschl Guenther , Cruccu Girgio , Sampaio Cristina , Goetz Christopher G. , Schrag Anette , Martinez‐Martin Pablo , Stebbins Glenn ,   the Members of the MDS Committee on Rating Scales Development
Published: June 2016

Background

We aimed at critically appraising the clinimetric properties of existing pain scales or questionnaires and to give recommendations for their use in Parkinson's disease (PD).

Methods

Clinimetric properties of pain scales used in PD were systematically evaluated. A scale was classified as ‘recommended’ if was used in PD, showed adequate clinimetric properties, and had been used by investigators other than the original developers; as ‘suggested’ if it was used in PD and fulfilled only one other criterion; and as ‘listed’ if it was used in PD but did not meet the other criteria. Only scales rating pain intensity or for syndromic classification were assessed.

Results

Eleven of the 34 scales initially considered fulfilled inclusion criteria. Among the scales rating pain intensity, the “Brief Pain Inventory short form,” “McGill Pain Questionnaire short and long forms,” “Neuropathic Pain Symptoms Inventory,” “11‐point Numeric Rating Scale,” “10‐cm Visual Analog Scale,” and “Pain‐O‐Meter” were “recommended with caution” because of lack of clinimetric data in PD, whereas the “King's PD Pain Scale” was “recommended.” Among scales for pain syndromic classification, the “DN4” was “recommended with caution” because of lack of clinimetric data in PD; the “Leeds Assessment of Neuropathic Symptoms and Signs,” “Pain‐DETECT,” and the “King's PD Pain Scale” were “suggested.”

Conclusions

King's PD pain scale can be recommended for the assessment of pain intensity in PD. Syndromic classification of pain in PD may be achieved by the DN4, but clinimetric data in PD are needed for this scale.
Studying the roles of nanoclay and blend composition on the improved properties of natural rubber/chloroprene composites
Authors: Azizli Mohammad Javad , Ziaee Morteza , Rezaeinia Sheida , Seyfi Javad , Mansourian‐Tabaei Mohammad , Hoseinzadeh Mohsen , Azizli Mohammad Hadi
Published: June 2016

Hybrid clay polymer nanocomposites (CPNs) based on blends of natural rubber (NR) and chloroprene rubber (CR) with different compositions (100/0, 95/5, 90/10, 85/15, 80/20), reinforced with various contents of organomodified montmorillonite (OMMT), were prepared by a two‐roll mill via a vulcanization process. Curing data of the prepared compounds indicated a reduction in scorch time (t5) and optimum cure time (t90) with increasing the nanoclay content. Mechanical properties of samples were markedly enhanced upon nanoclay inclusion, due to the proper level of interactions established between nanoclay particles and the rubber matrix as it was evidenced by SEM photomicrographs. Results of X‐ray diffraction proved the expansion of the interlayer distance, and transmission electron microscopy micrographs further confirmed that the prepared CPN samples exhibit intercalated/partially exfoliated structures. Moreover, the reinforcement effect of OMMT was reflected in the stress‐induced crystallization and network structure of the CPNs based on the rubber‐elasticity and tube model theories as well as rheological properties. POLYM. COMPOS., 39:1562–1574, 2018. © 2016 Society of Plastics Engineers
Analysis of diverse direct arylation polymerization (DArP) conditions toward the efficient synthesis of polymers converging with stille polymers in organic solar cells
Authors: Livi Francesco , Gobalasingham Nemal S. , Thompson Barry C. , Bundgaard Eva
Published: June 2016

Despite the emergence of direct arylation polymerization (DArP) as an alternative method to traditional cross‐coupling routes like Stille polymerization, the exploration of DArP polymers in practical applications like polymer solar cells (PSCs) is limited. DArP polymers tend to have a reputation for being marginally inferior to Stille counterparts due to the increased presence of defects that result from unwanted side reactions in direct arylation, such as unselective C‐H bond activation and homocoupling. We report ten DArP protocols across the three major classes of DArP to generate poly[(2,5‐bis(2‐hexyldecyloxy)phenylene)‐alt‐(4,7‐di(thiophen‐2‐yl)benzo[c][1,2,5]thiadiazole)] (PPDTBT). Through evaluation of the method and resulting photophysical and electronic properties, we show not all DArP methods are suitable for generating device‐quality alternating copolymers. When DArP PPDTBT was synthesized in superheated THF with Cs2CO3, neodecanoic acid, and P(o‐anisyl)3, it generated polymers of exceptional quality that performed comparably to Stille counterparts in both roll coated ITO‐free and spin‐coated ITO devices. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part A: Polym. Chem. 2016, 54, 2907–2918
Omics‐based approaches to understand mechanosensitive endothelial biology and atherosclerosis
Authors: Simmons Rachel D. , Kumar Sandeep , Thabet Salim Raid , Sur Sanjoli , Jo Hanjoong
Published: June 2016

Atherosclerosis is a multifactorial disease that preferentially occurs in arterial regions exposed to d‐flow can be used to indicate disturbed flow or disturbed blood flow. The mechanisms by which d‐flow induces atherosclerosis involve changes in the transcriptome, methylome, proteome, and metabolome of multiple vascular cells, especially endothelial cells. Initially, we begin with the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis and the changes that occur at multiple levels owing to d‐flow, especially in the endothelium. Also, there are a variety of strategies used for the global profiling of the genome, transcriptome, miRNA‐ome, DNA methylome, and metabolome that are important to define the biological and pathophysiological mechanisms of endothelial dysfunction and atherosclerosis. Finally, systems biology can be used to integrate these ‘omics’ datasets, especially those that derive data based on a single animal model, in order to better understand the pathophysiology of atherosclerosis development in a holistic manner and how this integrative approach could be used to identify novel molecular diagnostics and therapeutic targets to prevent or treat atherosclerosis. WIREs Syst Biol Med 2016, 8:378–401. doi: 10.1002/wsbm.1344

This article is categorized under:

Models of Systems Properties and Processes > Organismal Models

Biological Mechanisms > Regulatory Biology

Translational, Genomic, and Systems Medicine > Therapeutic Methods
Multiscale modeling of brain dynamics: from single neurons and networks to mathematical tools
Authors: Siettos Constantinos , Starke Jens
Published: June 2016

The extreme complexity of the brain naturally requires mathematical modeling approaches on a large variety of scales; the spectrum ranges from single neuron dynamics over the behavior of groups of neurons to neuronal network activity. Thus, the connection between the microscopic scale (single neuron activity) to macroscopic behavior (emergent behavior of the collective dynamics) and vice versa is a key to understand the brain in its complexity. In this work, we attempt a review of a wide range of approaches, ranging from the modeling of single neuron dynamics to machine learning. The models include biophysical as well as data‐driven phenomenological models. The discussed models include Hodgkin–Huxley, FitzHugh–Nagumo, coupled oscillators (Kuramoto oscillators, Rössler oscillators, and the Hindmarsh–Rose neuron), Integrate and Fire, networks of neurons, and neural field equations. In addition to the mathematical models, important mathematical methods in multiscale modeling and reconstruction of the causal connectivity are sketched. The methods include linear and nonlinear tools from statistics, data analysis, and time series analysis up to differential equations, dynamical systems, and bifurcation theory, including Granger causal connectivity analysis, phase synchronization connectivity analysis, principal component analysis (PCA), independent component analysis (ICA), and manifold learning algorithms such as ISOMAP, and diffusion maps and equation‐free techniques. WIREs Syst Biol Med 2016, 8:438–458. doi: 10.1002/wsbm.1348

This article is categorized under:

Analytical and Computational Methods > Computational Methods

Developmental Biology > Developmental Processes in Health and Disease

Models of Systems Properties and Processes > Mechanistic Models