bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Measurement of oxygen tension within mesenchymal stem cell spheroids
Authors: Murphy Kaitlin C. , Hung Ben P. , Browne-Bourne Stephen , Zhou Dejie , Yeung Jessica , Genetos Damian C. , Leach J. Kent
Published: February 2017

Spheroids formed of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) exhibit increased cell survival and trophic factor secretion compared with dissociated MSCs, making them therapeutically advantageous for cell therapy. Presently, there is no consensus for the mechanism of action. Many hypothesize that spheroid formation potentiates cell function by generating a hypoxic core within spheroids of sufficiently large diameters. The purpose of this study was to experimentally determine whether a hypoxic core is generated in MSC spheroids by measuring oxygen tension in aggregates of increasing diameter and correlating oxygen tension values with cell function. MSC spheroids were formed with 15 000, 30 000 or 60 000 cells per spheroid, resulting in radii of 176 ± 8 µm, 251 ± 12 µm and 353 ± 18 µm, respectively. Oxygen tension values coupled with mathematical modelling revealed a gradient that varied less than 10% from the outer diameter within the largest spheroids. Despite the modest radial variance in oxygen tension, cellular metabolism from spheroids significantly decreased as the number of cells and resultant spheroid size increased. This may be due to adaptive reductions in matrix deposition and packing density with increases in spheroid diameter, enabling spheroids to avoid the formation of a hypoxic core. Overall, these data provide evidence that the enhanced function of MSC spheroids is not oxygen mediated.
Acquisition and functional consequences of social knowledge in macaques
Authors: Tiddi Barbara , di Sorrentino Eugenia Polizzi , Fischer Julia , Schino Gabriele
Published: February 2017

To manoeuvre in complex societies, it is beneficial to acquire knowledge about the social relationships existing among group mates, so as to better predict their behaviour. Although such knowledge has been firmly established in a variety of animal taxa, how animals acquire such knowledge, as well as its functional significance, remains poorly understood. In order to understand how primates acquire and use their social knowledge, we studied kin-biased redirected aggression in Japanese macaques (
Macaca fuscata
) relying on a large database of over 15 000 aggressive episodes. Confirming previous research, macaques redirected aggression preferentially to the kin of their aggressor. An analysis that controlled for the rate of affiliation between aggressors and targets of redirection showed that macaques identified the relatives of group mates on the basis of the frequency of their ongoing associations. By contrast, having observed group mates interact with their mother as infants did not increase the monkeys' success in correctly identifying kin relationships among third parties. Inter-individual variation in the successful identification of the kin of aggressors and in redirecting aggression accordingly translated into differences in the amount of aggression received, highlighting a selective advantage for those individuals that were better able to acquire and use social knowledge.
Genetic polymorphisms between altruism and selfishness close to the Hamilton threshold
rb
=
c
Authors: Sibly Richard M. , Curnow Robert N.
Published: February 2017

Genes that in certain conditions make their carriers altruistic are being identified, and altruism and selfishness have shown to be heritable in man. This raises the possibility that genetic polymorphisms for altruism/selfishness exist in man and other animals. Here we characterize some of the conditions in which genetic polymorphisms may occur. We show for dominant or recessive alleles how the positions of stable equilibria depend on the benefit to the recipient,
b
, and the cost to the altruist,
c
, for diploid altruists helping half or full sibs, and haplodiploid altruists helping sisters. Stable polymorphisms always occur close to the Hamilton threshold
rb
 = 
c
. The position of the stable equilibrium moves away 0 or 1 with both increases in
c
, the cost paid by the altruist, and increasing divergence from the Hamilton threshold, and alleles for selfishness can reach frequencies around 50%. We evaluate quantitative estimates of
b
,
c
and
r
from field studies in the light of these predictions, but the values do not fall in the regions where genetic polymorphisms are expected. Nevertheless, it will be interesting to see as genes for altruism are discovered whether they are accompanied by alternate alleles for selfishness.
Calibration with confidence: a principled method for panel assessment
Authors: MacKay R. S. , Kenna R. , Low R. J. , Parker S.
Published: February 2017

Frequently, a set of objects has to be evaluated by a panel of assessors, but not every object is assessed by every assessor. A problem facing such panels is how to take into account different standards among panel members and varying levels of confidence in their scores. Here, a mathematically based algorithm is developed to calibrate the scores of such assessors, addressing both of these issues. The algorithm is based on the connectivity of the graph of assessors and objects evaluated, incorporating declared confidences as weights on its edges. If the graph is sufficiently well connected, relative standards can be inferred by comparing how assessors rate objects they assess in common, weighted by the levels of confidence of each assessment. By removing these biases, ‘true’ values are inferred for all the objects. Reliability estimates for the resulting values are obtained. The algorithm is tested in two case studies: one by computer simulation and another based on realistic evaluation data. The process is compared to the simple averaging procedure in widespread use, and to Fisher's additive incomplete block analysis. It is anticipated that the algorithm will prove useful in a wide variety of situations such as evaluation of the quality of research submitted to national assessment exercises; appraisal of grant proposals submitted to funding panels; ranking of job applicants; and judgement of performances on degree courses wherein candidates can choose from lists of options.
Stability of vertical magnetic chains
Authors: Schönke Johannes , Fried Eliot
Published: February 2017

A linear stability analysis is performed for a pair of coaxial vertical chains made from permanently magnetized balls under the influence of gravity. While one chain rises from the ground, the other hangs from above, with the remaining ends separated by a gap of prescribed length. Various boundary conditions are considered, as are situations in which the magnetic dipole moments in the two chains are parallel or antiparallel. The case of a single chain attached to the ground is also discussed. The stability of the system is examined with respect to three quantities: the number of balls in each chain, the length of the gap between the chains, and a single dimensionless parameter which embodies the competition between magnetic and gravitational forces. Asymptotic scaling laws involving these parameters are provided. The Hessian matrix is computed in exact form, allowing the critical parameter values at which the system loses stability and the respective eigenmodes to be determined up to machine precision. A comparison with simple experiments for a single chain attached to the ground shows good agreement.
Competition between apex predators? Brown bears decrease wolf kill rate on two continents
Authors: Tallian Aimee , Ordiz Andrés , Metz Matthew C. , Milleret Cyril , Wikenros Camilla , Smith Douglas W. , Stahler Daniel R. , Kindberg Jonas , MacNulty Daniel R. , Wabakken Petter , Swenson Jon E. , Sand Håkan
Published: February 2017

Trophic interactions are a fundamental topic in ecology, but we know little about how competition between apex predators affects predation, the mechanism driving top-down forcing in ecosystems. We used long-term datasets from Scandinavia (Europe) and Yellowstone National Park (North America) to evaluate how grey wolf (
Canis lupus
) kill rate was affected by a sympatric apex predator, the brown bear (
Ursus arctos
). We used kill interval (i.e. the number of days between consecutive ungulate kills) as a proxy of kill rate. Although brown bears can monopolize wolf kills, we found no support in either study system for the common assumption that they cause wolves to kill more often. On the contrary, our results showed the opposite effect. In Scandinavia, wolf packs sympatric with brown bears killed less often than allopatric packs during both spring (after bear den emergence) and summer. Similarly, the presence of bears at wolf-killed ungulates was associated with wolves killing less often during summer in Yellowstone. The consistency in results between the two systems suggests that brown bear presence actually reduces wolf kill rate. Our results suggest that the influence of predation on lower trophic levels may depend on the composition of predator communities.
A new developmental mechanism for the separation of the mammalian middle ear ossicles from the jaw
Authors: Urban Daniel J. , Anthwal Neal , Luo Zhe-Xi , Maier Jennifer A. , Sadier Alexa , Tucker Abigail S. , Sears Karen E.
Published: February 2017

Multiple mammalian lineages independently evolved a definitive mammalian middle ear (DMME) through breakdown of Meckel's cartilage (MC). However, the cellular and molecular drivers of this evolutionary transition remain unknown for most mammal groups. Here, we identify such drivers in the living marsupial opossumMonodelphis domestica, whose MC transformation during development anatomically mirrors the evolutionary transformation observed in fossils. Specifically, we link increases in cellular apoptosis andTGF-BR2signalling to MC breakdown in opossums. We demonstrate that a simple change inTGF-βsignalling is sufficient to inhibit MC breakdown during opossum development, indicating that changes inTGF-βsignalling might be key during mammalian evolution. Furthermore, the apoptosis that we observe during opossum MC breakdown does not seemingly occur in mouse, consistent with homoplastic DMME evolution in the marsupial and placental lineages.
Approximate Bayesian Computation Algorithms for Estimating Network Model Parameters
Authors: Zheng Ye , Aris-Brosou Stéphane
Published: February 2017

Studies on Approximate Bayesian Computation (ABC) replacing the intractable likelihood function in evaluation of the posterior distribution have been developed for several years. However, their field of application has to date essentially been limited to inference in population genetics. Here, we propose to extend this approach to estimating the structure of transmission networks of viruses in human populations. In particular, we are interested in estimating the transmission parameters under four very general network structures: random, Watts-Strogatz, Barabasi-Albert and an extension that incorporates aging. Estimation was evaluated under three approaches, based on ABC, ABC-Markov chain Monte Carlo (ABC-MCMC) and ABC-Sequential Monte Carlo (ABC-SMC) samplers. We show that ABC-SMC samplers outperform both ABC and ABC-MCMC, achieving high accuracy and low variance in simulations. This approach paves the way to estimating parameters of real transmission networks of transmissible diseases.
Evolution of the α2-adrenoreceptors in vertebrates: ADRA2D is absent in mammals and crocodiles
Authors: Céspedes Héctor A. , Zavala Kattina , Opazo Juan C.
Published: February 2017

Evolutionary studies of genes that have been functionally characterized and whose variation has been associated with pathological conditions represent an opportunity to understand the genetic basis of pathologies. α2-adrenoreceptors (ADRA2) are a class of G protein-coupled receptors that regulate several physiological processes including blood pressure, platelet aggregation, insulin secretion, lipolysis, and neurotransmitter release. This gene family has been extensively studied from a molecular/physiological perspective, yet much less is known about its evolutionary history. Accordingly, the goal of this study was to investigate the evolutionary history of α2-adrenoreceptors (ADRA2) in vertebrates. Our results show that in addition to the three well-recognized α2-adrenoreceptor genes (ADRA2A, ADRA2B and ADRA2C), we recovered a clade that corresponds to the fourth member of the α2-adrenoreceptor gene family (ADRA2D). We also recovered a clade that possesses two ADRA2 sequences found in two lamprey species. Furthermore, our results show that mammals and crocodiles are characterized by possessing three α2-adrenoreceptor genes, whereas all other vertebrate groups possess the full repertoire of α2-adrenoreceptor genes. Among vertebrates ADRA2D seems to be a dispensable gene, as it was lost two independent times during the evolutionary history of the group. Additionally, we found that most examined species possess the most common alleles described for humans; however, there are cases in which non-human mammals possess the alternative variant.
A probabilistic approach to discovering dynamic full-brain functional connectivity patterns
Authors: Manning Jeremy R. , Zhu Xia , Willke Theodore L. , Ranganath Rajesh , Stachenfeld Kimberly , Hasson Uri , Blei David M. , Norman Kenneth A.
Published: February 2017

Recent research shows that the covariance structure of functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) data - commonly described asfunctional connectivity- can change as a function of the participant’s cognitive state (for review see [35]). Here we present a Bayesian hierarchical matrix factorization model, termedhierarchical topographic factor analysis(HTFA), for efficiently discovering full-brain networks in large multi-subject neuroimaging datasets. HTFA approximates each subject’s network by first re-representing each brain image in terms of the activities of a set of localized nodes, and then computing the covariance of the activity time series of these nodes. The number of nodes, along with their locations, sizes, and activities (over time) are learned from the data. Because the number of nodes is typically substantially smaller than the number of fMRI voxels, HTFA can be orders of magnitude more efficient than traditional voxel-based functional connectivity approaches. In one case study, we show that HTFA recovers the known connectivity patterns underlying a collection of synthetic datasets. In a second case study, we illustrate how HTFA may be used to discover dynamic full-brain activity and connectivity patterns in real fMRI data, collected as participants listened to a story. In a third case study, we carried out a similar series of analyses on fMRI data collected as participants viewed an episode of a television show. In these latter case studies, we found that the HTFA-derived activity and connectivity patterns can be used to reliably decode which moments in the story or show the participants were experiencing. Further, we found that these two classes of patterns contained partially non-overlapping information, such that decoders trained on combinations of activity-based and dynamic connectivity-based features performed better than decoders trained on activity or connectivity patterns alone. We replicated this latter result with two additional (previously developed) methods for efficiently characterizing full-brain activity and connectivity patterns.
Free energy calculations suggest a mechanism for Na+/K+-ATPase ion selectivity
Authors: Razavi Asghar M. , Delemotte Lucie , Berlin Joshua R. , Carnevale Vincenzo , Voelz Vincent A.
Published: February 2017

Na+/K+-ATPase transports Na+and K+ions across the cell membrane via an ion binding site made alternatively accessible to the intra- and extracellular milieu by conformational transitions that confer marked changes in ion binding stoichiometry and selectivity. To probe the mechanism of these changes, we used molecular simulation approaches to identify the protonation state of Na+and K+coordinating residues in E1P and E2P conformations. Further analysis of these simulations revealed a novel molecular mechanism responsible for the change in protonation state: the conformation-dependent binding of an anion (a chloride ion in our simulations) to a previously unrecognized cytoplasmic site in the loop between transmembrane helices 8 and 9, which influences the electrostatic potential of the crucial Na+-coordinating residue D926. This mechanistic model is consistent with experimental observations and provides a molecular-level picture of how E1P to E2P enzyme conformational transitions are coupled to changes in ion binding stoichiometry and selectivity.
Reduced protein expression in a virus attenuated by codon deoptimization
Authors: Jack Benjamin R. , Boutz Daniel R. , Paff Matthew L. , Smith Bartram L. , Bull James J. , Wilke Claus O.
Published: February 2017

The engineering of hundreds of synonymous codon changes into a viral genome appears to provide a general means of achieving attenuation. The mechanistic underpinnings of this approach remain enignmatic, however. Using quantitative proteomics and RNA sequencing, we explore the molecular basis of attenuation in a strain of bacteriophage T7 whose major capsid gene was engineered to carry 182 suboptimal codons. As expected, there was no evident effect of the recoding on transcription. Proteomic observations revealed that translation is halved for the recoded major capsid gene, and a smaller reduction applies to a few genes downstream, potentially caused by translational coupling. Viral burst size is also approximately halved, and the fitness drop accompanying attenuation is compatible with the reduced burst size. Overall, the fitness effect and molecular basis of attenuation by codon deoptimization are compatible with a relatively simple model of reduced translation of a few genes and a consequent diminished virion assembly. This mechanism is simpler than that operating in eukaryotic viruses.
Increased habitat connectivity homogenizes freshwater communities: historical and landscape perspectives
Authors: Strecker Angela L. , Brittain Jeffrey T.
Published: February 2017

Increases in habitat connectivity can have consequences for taxonomic, functional, and genetic diversity of communities. Previously isolated aquatic habitats were connected with canals and pipelines in the largest water development project in the US history, the Columbia Basin Project (CBP; eastern Washington, USA), which also altered environmental conditions; however, the ecological consequences are largely unknown.

Using a historical dataset, we examined long‐term patterns in zooplankton communities, water chemistry and clarity, testing the hypothesis that increased connectivity will result in taxonomic homogenization. Further, we tested contemporary drivers of communities using a comprehensive set of environmental and landscape variables.

Waterbodies were sampled for zooplankton community composition as well as physical and chemical variables inside and outside the CBP using methods consistent with historical studies.

We found significant declines in salinity inside the CBP, whereas changes in water clarity were prevalent across all waterbodies. Increased connectivity via canals homogenized zooplankton communities over time, as well as increasing regional richness. Other long‐term changes in zooplankton communities may be related to climate change, invasive species, and land‐use changes.

Synthesis and applications. Though canals may offer species spatial refugia, homogenization may decrease resilience to environmental stressors. These new hybrid aquatic landscapes, or hydroscapes, should be considered carefully in future water development, including specific plans for monitoring of species and environmental conditions, as well as mitigation of undesirable conditions and/or non‐native species.
Comparison of the Antimicrobial and Sanitizer Resistance of Salmonella Isolates from Chicken Slaughter Processes in Korea
Authors: Youn So Youn , Jeong Ok Mi , Choi Byung Kook , Jung Suk Chan , Kang Min Su
Published: February 2017

Salmonella is a foodborne pathogen worldwide. Outbreaks of Salmonella are commonly associated with consumption of contaminated foods such as poultry products. Therefore, the objective of this study was to determine the occurrence, biofilm formation, antibiotic resistance, and sanitizer resistance of Salmonella enterica isolated from chicken carcasses. A total of 318 samples were collected from 15 chicken slaughterhouses in 8 provinces of Korea. They were then examined for Salmonella contamination. S. enterica isolates were tested for their susceptibilities to 15 antimicrobials by broth microdilution method. Their biofilm formation ability and resistance to sanitizers were also evaluated. Eighty‐two isolates of S. enterica were obtained from the 318 samples. There were 14 serotypes and 2 untypable isolates. Fifty‐seven (69.5%) isolates were resistant to at least one antibiotic while 30 (36.6%) isolates were resistant to 5 or more antibiotics. Two S. Senftenberg and 3 S. Montevideo isolates exhibited considerable biofilm formation ability (A600>0.2) following incubation in Luria‐Bertani (LB) broth for 48 h. Biofilm cell survival and recovery growth assay after sanitization showed that most isolates were highly susceptible to 2.5% lactic acid and 0.1% cetylpyridinium chloride. Therefore, lactic acid and cetylpyridinium chloride might be alternatively or additionally used in addition to chlorine‐based sanitizers that are frequently used to reduce Salmonella contamination of chicken carcasses. Our results provide basic information on the distribution of Salmonella serotypes in chicken slaughterhouses. This study also highlights the necessity to improve farming practices and use antimicrobial agents cautiously. This study also suggests that sanitization during the slaughtering process might be necessary to reduce Salmonella contamination of chicken carcasses.
Mega‐Regional Trade Agreements and the Future of the WTO
Authors: Bown Chad P.
Published: February 2017

Major economies such as the United States, European Union, Japan, and even China have shifted trade negotiating emphasis toward ‘mega‐regional’ agreements, including the Trans‐Pacific Partnership (TPP), the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (TTIP), and the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP). This paper explores why countries have chosen to pursue mega‐regionals, what is likely to be contained in the agreements, and some of their potential implications for the multilateral trading system under the World Trade Organization (WTO). I call for revisiting the historical approach of introducing plurilateral and critical mass agreements – that would cover some of the mega‐regionals’ new provisions – into the WTO so as to avoid a more substantial, long‐run erosion of the relevance of the nondiscriminatory system. I also highlight potential reforms to the WTO's dispute settlement procedure that are required to strengthen its already prominent role.
Competition and Complementarity between Global and Regional Human Rights Institutions
Authors: Voeten Erik
Published: February 2017

Fragmentation and competition between global and regional institutions are not among the major issues that threaten the regime. There are three ways in which tensions nonetheless arise. First, consistent with the universalist aspirations of human rights, global conventions have played a focal role in verbally defining rights. This masks considerable cross‐regional and intra‐regional differences in how rights should be interpreted. Second, judicialization of human rights has mostly occurred at the regional level. This occasionally creates inconsistencies with the global regime. Third, rights concerns often encroach on other areas of international cooperation, including security, trade, and development. This raises similar issues of forum shopping as in the other issue areas, for example because some governments may shop for trade agreements or development loans with fewer rights conditions.
New Multilateral Development Banks: Opportunities and Challenges for Global Governance
Authors: Wang Hongying
Published: February 2017

Is the creation of the New Development Bank (NDB) and the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) a challenge for the World Bank and other traditional multilateral development banks (MDBs)? This paper provides an initial assessment of the potential benefits and risks of NDB and AIIB by examining their motivations, scale, structures, rules and first projects. It identifies areas in which the new MDBs can complement the World Bank and other traditional MDBs and discusses ways in which they can undermine the latter. It suggests ways in which the two types of MDBs can further their cooperation in development financing.
Factors associated with the diagnostic yield of computed tomography‐guided transbronchial lung biopsy
Authors: Park Seon Cheol , Kim Cheong Ju , Han Chang Hoon , Lee Sun Min
Published: February 2017

Background

Computed tomography (CT) may be useful for increasing the diagnostic yield of transbronchial lung biopsy (TBLB). However, only a few studies with small sample sizes have reported the diagnostic utility of CT‐guided TBLB and the factors affecting the diagnostic accuracy of CT‐guided TBLB are not well known. We evaluated the diagnostic yield of CT‐guided TBLB and associated factors.

Methods

CT‐guided TBLB was performed in 59 patients. Both conventional fluoroscopy and CT were used in all patients for TBLB. The biopsy forceps were advanced toward the lesion under conventional fluoroscopic guidance. CT was used to check whether the forceps were in the correct position.

Results

The average diameter of the lesions was 3.1 ± 1.0 cm. The biopsy forceps correctly reached the lesion in 43 patients by real‐time CT. A diagnosis was made in 42 patients, and the overall diagnostic yield was 71.2%. The sensitivity for malignancy was 85.7%. In multivariate analysis, the only factor associated with diagnostic yield was forceps position assessed by CT scan (adjusted odds ratio 53.31; 95% confidence interval 5.31, 535.27; P = 0.001).

Conclusion

CT‐guided TBLB is a useful diagnostic tool for pulmonary nodules or masses. The correct positioning of biopsy forceps using CT is valuable for successful CT‐guided TBLB.
Ketamine as an Adjunct to Opioids for Acute Pain in the Emergency Department: A Randomized Controlled Trial
Authors: Bowers Karen J. , McAllister Kelly B. , Ray Meredith , Heitz Corey
Published: February 2017

Objectives

This study had five objectives: 1) to measure and compare total opioid use and number of opioid doses in patients treated with opioids versus ketamine in conjunction with opioids; 2) to measure pain scores up to 2 hours after presentation in the ED patient with pain, comparing standard opioid pain control to ketamine in conjunction with opioids; 3) to compare patient satisfaction with pain control using opioids alone versus ketamine in conjunction with opioids; 4) to monitor and compare side effects in patients treated with opioids versus ketamine in conjunction with opioids; and 5) to identify effect variation between different subgroups of patients, with the purpose of focusing future research. We hypothesized that low‐dose ketamine, compared to placebo, as an adjunctive treatment to opioids would result in better pain control over 2 hours and greater patient satisfaction with pain control; further, this protocol will result in a lower opioid dosage over 2 hours.

Methods

This was a randomized, double‐blinded, placebo‐controlled trial at a single academic emergency department evaluating the use of ketamine versus placebo in conjunction with opioids for moderate to severe pain. Subjects with a continued high level of pain after an initial dose of opioid analgesia were randomized to receive either 0.1 mg/kg ketamine or placebo prior to protocol‐based dosing of additional opioid analgesia, if required. Over 120 minutes, subjects were assessed for pain level (0–10), satisfaction with pain control (0–4), side effects, sedation level, and need for additional pain medication. Total opioid dose, including the initial dose, was compared between groups.

Results

Sixty‐three subjects were randomized to the placebo group and 53 to the ketamine group. No significant differences were found in demographics between the groups. Patients receiving ketamine reported lower pain scores over 120 minutes than patients receiving placebo (p = 0.015). Total opioid dose was lower in the ketamine group (mean ± SD = 9.95 ± 4.83 mg) compared to placebo (mean ± SD = 12.81 ± 6.81 mg; p = 0.02). Satisfaction did not differ between groups. Fewer patients in the ketamine group required additional opioid doses. More patients reported light‐headedness and dizziness in the ketamine group.

Conclusions

Ketamine, as an adjunct to opioid therapy, was more effective at reducing pain over 120 minutes and resulted in a lower total opioid dose as well as fewer repeat doses of analgesia. More side effects were reported in the ketamine group (51% vs. 19%), but the side effect profile appears tolerable.
Emergency Department Triage of Traumatic Head Injury Using a Brain Electrical Activity Biomarker: A Multisite Prospective Observational Validation Trial
Authors: Hanley Daniel , Prichep Leslie S. , Bazarian Jeffrey , Huff J. Stephen , Naunheim Rosanne , Garrett John , Jones Elizabeth B. , Wright David W. , O'Neill John , Badjatia Neeraj , Gandhi Dheeraj , Curley Kenneth C. , Chiacchierini Richard , O'Neil Brian , Hack Dallas C.
Published: February 2017

Objectives

A brain electrical activity biomarker for identifying traumatic brain injury (TBI) in emergency department (ED) patients presenting with high Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) after sustaining a head injury has shown promise for objective, rapid triage. The main objective of this study was to prospectively evaluate the efficacy of an automated classification algorithm to determine the likelihood of being computed tomography (CT) positive, in high‐functioningTBIpatients in the acute state.

Methods

Adult patients admitted to theEDfor evaluation within 72 hours of sustaining a closed head injury withGCS12 to 15 were candidates for study. A total of 720 patients (18–85 years) meeting inclusion/exclusion criteria were enrolled in this observational, prospective validation trial, at 11 U.S.EDs.GCSwas 15 in 97%, with the first and third quartiles being 15 (interquartile range = 0) in the study population at the time of the evaluation. Standard clinical evaluations were conducted and 5 to 10 minutes of electroencephalogram (EEG) was acquired from frontal and frontal–temporal scalp locations. Using an a priori derivedEEG‐based classification algorithm developed on an independent population and applied to this validation population prospectively, the likelihood of each subject beingCT+ was determined, and performance metrics were computed relative to adjudicatedCTfindings.

Results

Sensitivity of the binary classifier (likelyCT+ orCT–) was 92.3% (95% confidence interval [CI] = 87.8%–95.5%) for detection of any intracranial injury visible onCT(CT+), with specificity of 51.6% (95%CI = 48.1%–55.1%) and negative predictive value (NPV) of 96.0% (95%CI = 93.2%–97.9%). Using ternary classification (likelyCT+, equivocal, likelyCT–) demonstrated enhanced sensitivity to traumatic hematomas (≥1 mLof blood), 98.6% (95%CI = 92.6%–100.0%), andNPVof 98.2% (95%CI = 95.5%–99.5%).

Conclusion

Using anEEG‐based biomarker high accuracy of predicting the likelihood of beingCT+ was obtained, with highNPVand sensitivity to any traumatic bleeding and to hematomas. Specificity was significantly higher than standardCTdecision rules. The short time to acquire results and the ease of use in theEDenvironment suggests thatEEG‐based classifier algorithms have potential to impact triage and clinical management of head‐injured patients.
Culture and the commodification of water in Samoa
Authors: Macpherson Cluny , Macpherson La'avasa
Published: February 2017

While ‘solutions’ to challenges of water supply in the Pacific may seem obvious to hydrologists, engineers and planners, their implementation may not be straightforward. Water is embedded in cultural, religious and political contexts, and what seems obvious to planners may seem neither obvious, nor acceptable, to citizens. However, these contexts change continuously, and opportunities arise for changes in narratives around ownership, supply and management of water. Citizens' beliefs about the state's ‘rights’ will vary with societal context, and will shape the ways in which ownership and management of water is worked out in specific locations. This paper outlines thinking and discourses around ownership and management of fresh water in Samoa, and the constraints which culture has imposed on water supply over time. Water discourses have shifted from questions about ownership of specific sources to general discussions about conservation and management of natural resources. This shift has resulted, in part, from the ways in which government has managed the process and, in part, from growing public awareness of water within the larger environmental context. The paper focuses on Samoan material, but some of the generic issues have wider significance in the Pacific because similar variables combine in similar ways.
Intra‐household constraints on educational attainment in rural households in Papua New Guinea
Authors: Ryan Sean , Koczberski Gina , Curry George Nicolas , Germis Emmanuel
Published: February 2017

This paper examines intra‐household and socio‐cultural factors leading to differential outcomes in educational attainment by gender and birth order amongst smallholder oil palm households in Papua New Guinea. Not all children share equitably in the household resources allocated to education: females have lower average education levels than males, and high birth order children have higher education attainment than lower birth order siblings, indicating preferential parental investment in sons and early born children. The findings demonstrate that despite households having regular access to relatively high incomes from oil palm and residing in close proximity to schools, primary school net enrolment rates remain significantly lower than those for East Asia and the Pacific region, and the millennium development goal of universal primary education has not been met. This finding is likely to be the result of a combination of intra‐household factors including gender power imbalances, low parental education levels, the agency of youth in educational decision‐making and the weakening attraction of education as a means of improving income‐earning potential.
Successful laparoscopic distal pancreatectomy for a large solid pseudopapillary neoplasm: A case report
Authors: Tada Seiichiro , Iida Taku , Anazawa Takayuki , Yagi Shintaro , Seo Satoru , Masui Toshihiko , Kaido Toshimi , Takaori Kyoichi , Uemoto Shinji
Published: February 2017

A 30‐year‐old Japanese woman presented at our hospital with a pancreatic tumor. Contrast‐enhanced CT revealed a tumor with a 12‐cm diameter in the pancreatic body and tail. In the preoperative setting, endoscopic ultrasound‐guided fine‐needle aspiration permitted a histopathological diagnosis of solid pseudopapillary neoplasm. Twhe patient underwent laparoscopic distal pancreatectomy with splenectomy. Our procedure involved three steps. Firstly, the splenic artery was occluded to block inflow of blood to the tumor. Then, we transected the neck of the pancreas using radical antegrade modular pancreatosplenectomy. Finally, hand‐assisted laparoscopic surgery allowed us to secure the operating field and easily handle the large tumor. This enabled us to accomplish laparoscopic distal pancreatectomy, and en‐bloc resection was completed. The patient was discharged without major complications. Laparoscopic distal pancreatectomy for huge solid pancreatic tumors can be completed safely.
Purification and quantification of heavy‐chain antibodies from the milk of bactrian camels
Authors: Yao Hongqiang , Zhang Min , Li Yi , Yao Jirimutu , Meng He , Yu Siriguleng
Published: February 2017

Camel milk has a unique composition with naturally occurring heavy‐chain antibodies (HCAbs), which exert rehabilitating potencies in infection and immunity. To characterize HCAb in camel milk, immunoglobulin G (IgG) was isolated from the milk of Camelus bactrianus by a combination of affinity chromatography and sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis to purify and size‐fractionate protein A and protein G, which were further identified by Western blotting, and were quantified by bicinchoninic acid (BCA) and ELISA. The results indicated that IgG1 fraction contains molecules of 50 kDa heavy chains and 36 kDa light chains. The HCAbs (IgG2 and IgG3 fractions) devoid of light chains, contain heavy chains of 45 kDa and 43 kDa, respectively, the amounts of which were significantly higher than that of the IgG1 in the milk of bactrian camels. Above all, we revealed the considerable amounts of HCAbs in the milk of bactrian camels, and developed a novel method for their purification and quantification. These findings provide the basis for developing potential effects of camel milk and its interface with the dairy industry, as well as future investigations of HCAb and its roles in human health and diseases.
Molecular‐targeting therapies against quantitative abnormalities in gene expression with malignant tumors
Authors: Sakai Toshiyuki , Sowa Yoshihiro
Published: February 2017

Genetic mutations in exons of oncogenes and tumor‐suppressor genes causing qualitative abnormalities result in activation of the oncogenes and inactivation of the tumor‐suppressor genes, thereby causing cancer. In contrast, we have previously demonstrated that decreases in the RB promoter activity by genetic or epigenetic abnormalities can also cause carcinogenesis. In addition, activation and inactivation of a variety of oncogenes and tumor‐suppressor genes finally cause quantitative abnormalities in gene expression. Interestingly, we discovered effective molecular‐targeting agents, such as a novel MEK inhibitor, trametinib, by screening for agents upregulating the expression of cyclin‐dependent kinase inhibitors. In the present review, we focused on the quantitative abnormalities in gene expression with carcinogenesis, and discuss the importance of normalizing the quantitative abnormalities in gene expression with several molecular‐targeting agents.
Loss of Institutional Trust Among Racial and Ethnic Minority Adolescents: A Consequence of Procedural Injustice and a Cause of Life‐Span Outcomes
Authors: Yeager David S. , Purdie‐Vaughns Valerie , Hooper Sophia Yang , Cohen Geoffrey L.
Published: February 2017

This research tested a social‐developmental process model of trust discernment. From sixth to eighth grade, White and African American students were surveyed twice yearly (ages 11–14; Study 1, N = 277). African American students were more aware of racial bias in school disciplinary decisions, and as this awareness grew it predicted a loss of trust in school, leading to a large trust gap in seventh grade. Loss of trust by spring of seventh grade predicted African Americans’ subsequent discipline infractions and 4‐year college enrollment. Causality was confirmed with a trust‐restoring “wise feedback” treatment delivered in spring of seventh grade that improved African Americans’ eighth‐grade discipline and college outcomes. Correlational findings were replicated with Latino and White students (ages 11–14; Study 2, N = 206).
Predicting the spread of all invasive forest pests in the United States
Authors: Hudgins Emma J. , Liebhold Andrew M. , Leung Brian
Published: February 2017

We tested whether a general spread model could capture macroecological patterns across all damaging invasive forest pests in the United States. We showed that a common constant dispersal kernel model, simulated from the discovery date, explained 67.94% of the variation in range size across all pests, and had 68.00% locational accuracy between predicted and observed locational distributions. Further, by making dispersal a function of forest area and human population density, variation explained increased to 75.60%, with 74.30% accuracy. These results indicated that a single general dispersal kernel model was sufficient to predict the majority of variation in extent and locational distribution across pest species and that proxies of propagule pressure and habitat invasibility – well‐studied predictors of establishment – should also be applied to the dispersal stage. This model provides a key element to forecast novel invaders and to extend pathway‐level risk analyses to include spread.
Overlooking the smallest matter: viruses impact biological invasions
Authors: Faillace Cara A. , Lorusso Nicholas S. , Duffy Siobain
Published: February 2017

Parasites and pathogens have recently received considerable attention for their ability to affect biological invasions, however, researchers have largely overlooked the distinct role of viruses afforded by their unique ability to rapidly mutate and adapt to new hosts. With high mutation and genomic substitution rates, RNA and single‐stranded DNA (ssDNA) viruses may be important constituents of invaded ecosystems, and could potentially behave quite differently from other pathogens. We review evidence suggesting that rapidly evolving viruses impact invasion dynamics in three key ways: (1) Rapidly evolving viruses may prevent exotic species from establishing self‐sustaining populations. (2) Viruses can cause population collapses of exotic species in the introduced range. (3) Viruses can alter the consequences of biological invasions by causing population collapses and extinctions of native species. The ubiquity and frequent host shifting of viruses make their ability to influence invasion events likely. Eludicating the viral ecology of biological invasions will lead to an improved understanding of the causes and consequences of invasions, particularly as regards establishment success and changes to community structure that cannot be explained by direct interspecific interactions among native and exotic species.
Anxiety in Parkinson's: a complex syndrome of non‐dopaminergic and dopaminergic etiology
Authors: Pontone G. M.
Published: February 2017

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Higher resource level promotes virulence in an environmentally transmitted bacterial fish pathogen
Authors: Kinnula Hanna , Mappes Johanna , Valkonen Janne K. , Pulkkinen Katja , Sundberg Lotta‐Riina
Published: February 2017

Diseases have become a primary constraint to sustainable aquaculture, but remarkably little attention has been paid to a broad class of pathogens: the opportunists. Opportunists often persist in the environment outside the host, and their pathogenic features are influenced by changes in the environment. To test how environmental nutrient levels influence virulence, we used strains of Flavobacterium columnare, an environmentally transmitted fish pathogen, to infect rainbow trout and zebra fish in two different nutrient concentrations. To separate the effects of dose and nutrients, we used three infective doses and studied the growth of bacteria in vitro. High nutrient concentration promoted both the virulence and the outside‐host growth of the pathogen, most notably in a low‐virulence strain. The increase in virulence could not be exhaustively explained by the increased dose under higher nutrient supply, suggesting virulence factor activation. In aquaculture settings, accumulation of organic material in rearing units can locally increase water nutrient concentration and therefore increase disease risk as a response to elevated bacterial density and virulence factor activation. Our results highlight the role of increased nutrients in outside‐host environment as a selective agent for higher virulence and faster evolutionary rate in opportunistic pathogens.
Retardation effects due to overloads in aluminium‐alloy aeronautical components
Authors: Maligno A. R. , Citarella R. , Silberschmidt V. V.
Published: February 2017

Fatigue data are generally derived under constant‐amplitude loading conditions, but aircraft components are subjected to variable‐amplitude loading. Without interaction effects, caused by overloads and underloads intermingled in a loading sequence, it could be relatively easy to establish a crack growth curve by means of a cycle‐by‐cycle integration. However, load‐spectrum effects largely complicate a crack growth under variable‐amplitude cycling. In this paper, fatigue crack growth behaviour of aeronautical aluminium alloy 2024‐T3 was studied. Effects of various loading conditions such as stress ratio and amplitude loadings were investigated. In particular, the effect of different overloads on the fatigue crack growth was simulated using Zencrack code. Preliminary analyses on Compact Tension (CT) specimens proved that the numerical results generated were in agreement with the results provided by an afgrow code for the same conditions. A case study was carried out on a helicopter component, undergoing repeated overloads, to compare numerical results obtained implementing yield zone models in Zencrack.
Association between nighttime sleep duration, sleep timing and falls among middle‐aged and older Chinese population: A cross‐sectional analysis from the Dongfeng–Tongji cohort study, China
Authors: Wang Yi , Li Wending , Shen Lijun , Song Lulu , Li Hui , Liu Bingqing , Yuan Jing , Wang Youjie
Published: February 2017

Aim

To examine the association between nighttime sleep duration, sleep timing, and their interactive effect on falls among middle‐aged and older Chinese adults.

Methods

The study sample of 35,465 (mean age 64.5 years) subjects were from the Dongfeng–Tongji cohort. All subjects completed baseline questionnaires and medical examinations. Participants were classified into five groups based on nighttime sleep duration: <7 h, 7– ≤ 8 h, 8– ≤ 9 h, 9– ≤ 10 h, ≥10 h, and three groups based on sleep timing: <21:00, 21:00– ≤ 23:00, ≥23:00. Logistic regression models estimated the odds ratios (ORs) of nighttime sleep duration/timing with single/recurrent falls.

Results

The one year rate of falls was 15.2 % among the subjects. After adjusting for potential confounders, participants with longer sleep duration (≥10 h) had 1.48 times (95 % confidence interval [CI], 1.11–1.97) higher odds of recurrent falls, compared with those sleeping 7– ≤ 8 h. Earlier (<21:00) and later (≥23:00) sleep timing were associated with recurrent falls (earlier: OR 1.90, 95 % CI 1.33–2.73; later: OR 1.33, 95 % CI 1.14–1.56) compared with a normal sleep schedule (sleep during 21:00– ≤ 23:00). The combined effect showed that longer sleep duration and earlier sleep timing were associated with a greater occurrence of falls (OR 1.66, 95 % CI 1.22–2.26).

Conclusions

Long nighttime sleep duration was associated with a higher occurrence of recurrent falls but not with a single fall. Long sleep duration with early timing greatly increased both single and recurrent falls. Geriatr Gerontol Int 2017; 17: 1886–1892.