bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Above‐ground biomass is driven by mass‐ratio effects and stand structural attributes in a temperate deciduous forest
Authors: Fotis Alexander T. , Murphy Stephen J. , Ricart Raleigh D. , Krishnadas Meghna , Whitacre James , Wenzel John W. , Queenborough Simon A. , Comita Liza S.
Published: August 2017

Forest ecosystems are critical for the global regulation of carbon (C), a substantial portion of which is stored in above‐ground biomass (AGB). While it is well understood that taxonomic and functional composition, stand structure and environmental gradients influence spatial variation inAGB, the relative strengths of these drivers at landscape scales have not been investigated in temperate forests. Furthermore, when biodiversity enhances C storage, it is unclear whether it is through mass‐ratio effects (i.e. the dominant trait in communities regulatesAGB) or through niche complementarity (i.e. increasedAGBdue to interspecific resource partitioning).

To address these mechanisms, we analysed data from a census of 28,262 adult trees sampled across 900 ha of temperate deciduous forest in southwestern Pennsylvania. We used data on four key plant functional traits to determine if (1) there is a positive relationship between species diversity andAGBand (2) whether this is due to mass‐ratio effects or niche complementarity. We also sought to (3) identify the physical stand structural attributes and topographic variables that influenceAGBacross this landscape.

We foundAGBwas positively related to species richness and negatively related to species evenness, albeit weakly, while functional diversity indices had neutral effects. Above‐ground biomass was enhanced in communities dominated by traits related to greater maximum tree height, deeper minimum rooting depths and larger seeds. Most importantly, areas with highAGBwere dominated byAcer saccharumandLiriodendron tulipifera. Overall, these results support mass‐ratio effects, with little evidence for niche complementarity.

Synthesis. Stand structure, topography, and species and functional composition, but not taxonomic or functional diversity, were found to be key drivers of above‐ground biomass at landscape scales (<900 ha) in this temperate deciduous forest. Our findings suggest that simultaneously managing for both high diversity and for above‐ground carbon storage may prove challenging in some forest systems. Our results further indicate that the impact of tree biodiversity loss on above‐ground carbon stocks will depend greatly on the identity of the species that are lost.
Management of indeterminate pulmonary nodules (<1 cm) newly detected during the follow‐up of nasopharyngeal carcinoma patients
Authors: Du Chengrun , Wan Caifeng , Ding Jianhui , Zhang Guangyuan , Zhang Youwang , Hu Chaosu , Ying Hongmei
Published: August 2017

Aim

To investigate the management for the indeterminate pulmonary nodules newly detected during the follow‐up for nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) patients.

Methods

Indeterminate pulmonary lesions were identified by searching medical records of NPC patients, who were followed‐up with thoracic CT between April 2008 and February 2014. Indeterminate pulmonary nodules were defined as opacities that may be solitary or multiple, which were <1 cm in size and not calcified. Nodules which were followed‐up for at least two years, were included into analysis. The nodules with growth were considered as metastatic lesions and those which remained stable or regressed were defined as benign. The relations between the risk of the nodules to develop into metastatic lesions and clinical features and characteristics of nodules were analyzed.

Results

Through a median follow‐up of 50 months, the majority (81 of 102, 79.4%) had no change in the size of nodules. The nodules have regressed in 11 patients. There were 10 (9.8%) cases with progression at the follow‐up. The 10 patients were considered to have lung metastases, for whom continuous increases of lesions were revealed. The volume doubling time of the increasing nodules ranged from 34 to 105 days. The nodules emerging within two years after primary therapies were more likely to develop into metastatic lesions (P = 0.043).

Conclusion

Ten percent of the indeterminate pulmonary nodules represent metastatic diseases. A short‐interval follow‐up is recommended and if the nodules remain stable after six months follow‐up, it may be proper to prolong the interval of follow‐up.
Wolf's post‐herpetic isotopic response to tocilizumab for rheumatoid arthritis
Authors: Lin Chia‐Hua , Chen Hsiang‐Cheng , Gao Hong‐Wei , Wu Bai‐Yao
Published: August 2017

Immediate and delayed hypersensitivity reactions may occur after the first or many exposures to tocilizumab, and they have varying presentations. Here, we describe a Wolf's isotopic response that manifested in a patient as erythema on the same site of a previous healed herpes zoster infection. This phenomenon has rarely been reported in the literature.
Who Influences the Design of Management Accounting Systems? An Exploratory Study
Authors: Hoozée Sophie , Mitchell Falconer
Published: August 2017

This paper outlines the results of an exploratory, survey‐based study of the relative influence of managers and management accountants on management accounting system (MAS) design. The findings reveal that, on average, corporate management have the stronger influence on MAS design. However, the strength of their influence does vary both across firms and the sub‐areas of management accounting and, in a significant number of cases, the management accountants’ influence is the greater. The results, therefore, suggest that the processes by which MASs evolve differ across firms due to the variation that exists in the influence exerted by these two parties in MAS design. This finding is significant for researchers studying change and difference in management accounting practice.
The developmental stability of inhibition from 2 to 5 years
Authors: Kloo Daniela , Sodian Beate
Published: August 2017

Executive functions or cognitive self‐regulatory control processes are critical for children's ability to successfully navigate their academic and social environment. In this study, we focused on the development of one critical executive function skill, that of inhibitory control. In a longitudinal study, we tested 96 children at 24, 30, 36, 50, and 60 months of age with age‐appropriate measures of inhibition. We found evidence for the developmental stability of inhibitory abilities. Inhibitory control at 30 months of age was strongly related to inhibitory control at 60 months of age even when verbal IQ was partialled out.

Statement of contribution

What is already known on this subject?

Prior research has shown that executive functions play a key role in children's academic as well as social development. However, evidence on the stability of individual differences in executive functions, especially in preschool children, is sparse and contradictory.

What the present study adds?

The present work was designed to investigate the stability of one particular executive function, namely inhibitory control, over a relatively large period of time, from 24 to 60 months of age. The most important finding is a robust correlation between Reverse Categorization at 30 months and Simon Says at 60 months (r = .56). We argue that this further highlights the importance of early EF interventions due to a possible ‘ripple effect’.
Theorizing and researching levels of processing in self‐regulated learning
Authors: Winne Philip H.
Published: August 2017

Background

Deep versus surface knowledge is widely discussed by educational practitioners. A corresponding construct, levels of processing, has received extensive theoretical and empirical attention in learning science and psychology. In both arenas, lower levels of information and shallower levels of processing are predicted and generally empirically demonstrated to limit knowledge learners gain, curtail what they can do with newly acquired knowledge, and shorten the life span of recently acquired knowledge.

Purpose

I recapitulate major accounts of levels or depth of information and information processing to set a stage for conceptualizing, first, self‐regulated learning (SRL) from this perspective and, second, how a “levels‐sensitive” approach might be implemented in research about SRL.

Method

I merge the levels construct into a model of SRL (Winne, 2011, Handbook of self‐regulation of learning and performance (pp. 15–32), New York: Routledge; Winne, 2017b, Handbook of self‐regulation of learning and performance (2nd ed.), New York: Routledge; Winne & Hadwin, 1998, Metacognition in educational theory and practice (pp. 277–304). Mahwah, NJ: Lawrence Erlbaum) conceptually and with respect to operationally defining the levels construct in the context of SRL in relation to each of the model's four phases – surveying task conditions, setting goals and planning, engaging the task, and composing major adaptations for future tasks. Select illustrations are provided for each phase of SRL. Regarding phase 3, a software system called nStudy is introduced as state‐of‐the‐art instrumentation for gathering fine‐grained, time‐stamped trace data about information learners select for processing and operations they use to process that information.

Conclusions

Self‐regulated learning can be viewed through a lens of the levels construct, and operational definitions can be designed to research SRL with respect to levels. While information can be organized arbitrarily deeply, the levels construct may not be particularly useful for distinguishing among processes except in a sense that, because processes in SRL operate on information with depth, they epiphenomenally acquire characteristics of levels. Thus, SRL per se is not a deeper kind of processing. Instead, it is processing more complex – deeper – information about a different topic, namely processes for learning.
Modulation of chondrocyte motility by tetrahedral DNA nanostructures
Authors: Shi Sirong , Lin Shiyu , Shao Xiaoru , Li Qianshun , Tao Zhang , Lin Yunfeng
Published: August 2017

Objectives

Contemporarily, a highly increasing attention was paid to nanoconstructs, particularly DNA nanostructures possessing precise organization, functional manipulation, biocompatibility and biodegradability. Amongst these DNA nanomaterials, tetrahedral DNA nanostructures (TDNs) are a significantly ideal bionanomaterials with focusing on the property that can be internalized into cytoplasm in the absence of transfection. Therefore, the focus of this study was on investigating the influence of TDNs on the chondrocytes locomotion.

Materials and methods

Tetrahedral DNA nanostructures was confirmed by 6% polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (PAGE) and dynamic light scattering (DLS). Subsequently, the effect of TDNs on chondrocyte locomotion was investigated by real‐time cell analysis (RTCA) and wound healing assay. The variation of relevant genes and proteins was detected by quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR), western blotting and immunofluorescence respectively.

Results

We demonstrated that tetrahedral DNA nanostructures have positive influence on chondrocytes locomotion and promoted the expression of RhoA, ROCK2 and vinculin. Additionally, upon exposure to TDNs with the concentration of 250 nmol L−1, the chondrocytes were showed the highest motility via both RTCA and wound healing assay. Meanwhile, the mRNA and protein expression of RhoA, ROCK2 and vinculin were also significantly enhanced with the same concentration.

Conclusions

It can be concluded that the TDNs with the optimal concentration of 250 nmol L−1 could extremely promoted the chondrocytes locomotion through facilitating the expression of RhoA, ROCK2 and vinculin. These results seemed to reveal that this special three‐dimensional DNA tetrahedral nanostructures may be applied to cartilage repair and treatment in the future.
Revisiting the Relationship Between Data, Models, and Decision‐Making
Authors: Ferré Ty P.A.
Published: August 2017

We hydrologists can do a better job of supporting water‐resources decision‐making. I will argue that we can do this by recognizing that decision makers use qualitative, multiple‐narrative approaches. So, rather than providing single‐model predictions with quantitative uncertainties, we should develop teams of rival models that inform decision makers about what is known, what is possible, and what is unknown. This requires that we build ensembles of models that include biased, advocacy models that directly represent stakeholders' interests or concerns. From this inclusive platform, we can speak objectively and clearly about the risks that drive stakeholders' decisions. Furthermore, we will be promoting more appropriate use of the scientific method in making informed water‐resources decisions.
Context and alcohol consumption behaviors affect inhibitory control
Authors: Qureshi Adam W. , Monk Rebecca L. , Pennington Charlotte R. , Li Xiaoyun , Leatherbarrow Thomas
Published: August 2017

Contrasting the traditional focus on alcohol‐related visual images, this study examined the impact of both alcohol‐related auditory cues and visual stimuli on inhibitory control (IC). Fifty‐eight participants completed a Go/No‐Go Task, with alcohol‐related and neutral visual stimuli presented with or without short or continuous auditory bar cues. Participants performed worse when presented with alcohol‐related images and auditory cues. Problematic alcohol consumption and higher effortful control (EC) were associated with better IC performance for alcohol images. It is postulated that those with higher EC may be better able to ignore alcohol‐related stimuli, while those with problematic alcohol consumption are unconsciously less attuned to these. This runs contrary to current dogma and highlights the importance of examining both auditory and visual stimuli when investigating IC.
Euchlorocystis gen. nov. and Densicystis gen. nov., Two New Genera of Oocystaceae Algae from High‐altitude Semi‐saline Habitat (Trebouxiophyceae, Chlorophyta)
Authors: Liu Xudong , Zhu Huan , Song Huiyin , Wang Qinghua , Xiong Xiong , Wu Chenxi , Liu Guoxiang , Hu Zhengyu
Published: August 2017

The Oocystaceae family is generally considered to contain common freshwater eukaryotic microalgae, and few are reported living in semi‐saline habitats. Our latest ecological survey in Qinghai Lake and Angzicuo Lake, both large, closed, high‐altitude, semi‐saline lakes located on the Qinghai‐Tibet plateau in China, revealed Oocystaceae species as a dominant group among plankton. Since limited knowledge exists about semi‐saline species in the Oocystaceae family, a taxonomical study was carried out using morphological and phylogenetic methods. Using this approach, four new strains of Oocystaceae were identified and successfully cultured in the lab. Molecular results correlated with morphological characters and resolved these species into at least three genera. A new genus, Euchlorocystis, with type species Euchlorocystis subsalina, is described here as having the distinctive morphology of multiple pyrenoids per chloroplast among Oocystaceae, and an independent phylogenetic position at the base of the Oocystaceae. Similarly, the genus Densicystis, with type species Densicystis glomerata, is newly proposed here as having a unique colony morphology of dozens or hundreds of little cells tightly embedded in ellipsoid to round mucilage masses. Oocystis marina, originally described from the Baltic Sea, was also identified in Qinghai Lake and Angzicuo Lake and phylogenetically positioned in the semi‐saline clade of the Oocystaceae. The result that a marine species was detected in the closed inland lakes implies a further need to reevaluate the origins of these species.
Indigenous cardiac patients’ and relatives’ experiences of hospitalisation: A narrative inquiry
Authors: Mbuzi Vainess , Fulbrook Paul , Jessup Melanie
Published: August 2017

Aims and objectives

To explore Indigenous people's experiences of hospitalisation for acute cardiac care.

Background

Indigenous Australians suffer a higher burden of cardiovascular ill health and hospitalisation rates in comparison with other Australians, but there is little research that explores their perspectives of hospitalisation.

Design

Narrative inquiry.

Methods

Interviews were undertaken using storytelling to facilitate participants’ descriptions of their hospital experience. Data were collected during 2014–2015. A purposive sample of Indigenous cardiac patients that were admitted to hospital and their relatives participated.

Findings

The narrative revealed three linked themes that characterised Indigenous people's hospitalisation experiences: The impact of the past; The reality of the present; and Anticipating the future. Hospitalisation was challenging for participants due to their sense of dislocation and disorientation, a lack of cultural and spiritual aspects to care practices, and the poor interpersonal relationships they experienced.

Conclusions

Findings revealed that there were many unmet needs during hospitalisation for Indigenous people. Past experiences and future expectations were connected in a way that impacted on participants’ current hospitalisation experience. Understanding this context, with incorporation of cultural and spiritual aspects of care may help nurses and other healthcare professionals to provide more positive interactions that in turn may contribute to improved cardiac care experiences of Indigenous people during hospitalisation. Healthcare professionals need to be aware and focused on person‐specific and contextualised aspects of Indigenous people's experience of hospitalisation for cardiac care in order to impact outcomes.

Relevance to clinical practice

Healthcare professionals need to understand Indigenous people's perspectives that contribute to improved health outcomes. Stories of participants’ experiences may assist in the identification of aspects which might further the development of culturally appropriate continuity models that could effectively provide support throughout Indigenous people's hospital journeys, and beyond the hospital, and help improve associated health outcomes.
Only Near Is Dear? Doing Elderly Care with Everyday ICTs in Indian Transnational Families
Authors: Ahlin Tanja
Published: August 2017

In Kerala, South India, young people, especially women, are encouraged to become nurses in order to migrate abroad for work and thereby improve the financial status of their family. Meanwhile, many of their parents remain in India by themselves. This is occurring in the context of a strong popular discourse of elder abandonment, related to the local norms of intergenerational co‐habitation. Based on fieldwork in Kerala and one of the nurses’ destination countries, Oman, I present evidence that complicates this discourse by showing how: (1) migration is a form of elder care practice in itself; and (2) care for the elderly continues across countries and continents with the help of information and communication technologies (ICTs). Using the theoretical approaches of science and technology studies, I analyze ICTs as key members of care collectives and argue that ICTs have a significant role in reshaping care relations at a distance.
Environmental plasticity of Pinot noir grapevine leaves: A trans‐European study of morphological and biochemical changes along a 1,500‐km latitudinal climatic gradient
Authors: Castagna Antonella , Csepregi Kristóf , Neugart Susanne , Zipoli Gaetano , Večeřová Kristýna , Jakab Gábor , Jug Tjaša , Llorens Laura , Martínez‐Abaigar Javier , Martínez‐Lüscher Johann , Núñez‐Olivera Encarnación , Ranieri Annamaria , Schoedl‐Hummel Katharina , Schreiner Monika , Teszlák Péter , Tittmann Susanne , Urban Otmar , Verdaguer Dolors , Jansen Marcel A.K. , Hideg Éva
Published: August 2017

A 2‐year study explored metabolic and phenotypic plasticity of sun‐acclimated Vitis vinifera cv. Pinot noir leaves collected from 12 locations across a 36.69–49.98°N latitudinal gradient. Leaf morphological and biochemical parameters were analysed in the context of meteorological parameters and the latitudinal gradient. We found that leaf fresh weight and area were negatively correlated with both global and ultraviolet (UV) radiation, cumulated global radiation being a stronger correlator. Cumulative UV radiation (sumUVR) was the strongest correlator with most leaf metabolites and pigments. Leaf UV‐absorbing pigments, total antioxidant capacities, and phenolic compounds increased with increasing sumUVR, whereas total carotenoids and xanthophylls decreased. Despite of this reallocation of metabolic resources from carotenoids to phenolics, an increase in xanthophyll‐cycle pigments (the sum of the amounts of three xanthophylls: violaxanthin, antheraxanthin, and zeaxanthin) with increasing sumUVR indicates active, dynamic protection for the photosynthetic apparatus. In addition, increased amounts of flavonoids (quercetin glycosides) and constitutive β‐carotene and α‐tocopherol pools provide antioxidant protection against reactive oxygen species. However, rather than a continuum of plant acclimation responses, principal component analysis indicates clusters of metabolic states across the explored 1,500‐km‐long latitudinal gradient. This study emphasizes the physiological component of plant responses to latitudinal gradients and reveals the physiological plasticity that may act to complement genetic adaptations.
Alteration of cell wall xylan acetylation triggers defense responses that counterbalance the immune deficiencies of plants impaired in the β‐subunit of the heterotrimeric G‐protein
Authors: Escudero Viviana , Jordá Lucía , Sopeña‐Torres Sara , Mélida Hugo , Miedes Eva , Muñoz‐Barrios Antonio , Swami Sanjay , Alexander Danny , McKee Lauren S. , Sánchez‐Vallet Andrea , Bulone Vincent , Jones Alan M. , Molina Antonio
Published: August 2017

Arabidopsis heterotrimeric G‐protein complex modulates pathogen‐associated molecular pattern‐triggered immunity (PTI) and disease resistance responses to different types of pathogens. It also plays a role in plant cell wall integrity as mutants impaired in the Gβ‐ (agb1‐2) or Gγ‐subunits have an altered wall composition compared with wild‐type plants. Here we performed a mutant screen to identify suppressors of agb1‐2 (sgb) that restore susceptibility to pathogens to wild‐type levels. Out of the four sgb mutants (sgb10–sgb13) identified, sgb11 is a new mutant allele of ESKIMO1 (ESK1), which encodes a plant‐specific polysaccharide O‐acetyltransferase involved in xylan acetylation. Null alleles (sgb11/esk1‐7) of ESK1 restore to wild‐type levels the enhanced susceptibility of agb1‐2 to the necrotrophic fungus Plectosphaerella cucumerina BMM (PcBMM), but not to the bacterium Pseudomonas syringae pv. tomato DC3000 or to the oomycete Hyaloperonospora arabidopsidis. The enhanced resistance to PcBMM of the agb1‐2 esk1‐7 double mutant was not the result of the re‐activation of deficient PTI responses in agb1‐2. Alteration of cell wall xylan acetylation caused by ESK1 impairment was accompanied by an enhanced accumulation of abscisic acid, the constitutive expression of genes encoding antibiotic peptides and enzymes involved in the biosynthesis of tryptophan‐derived metabolites, and the accumulation of disease resistance‐related secondary metabolites and different osmolites. These esk1‐mediated responses counterbalance the defective PTI and PcBMM susceptibility of agb1‐2 plants, and explain the enhanced drought resistance of esk1 plants. These results suggest that a deficient PTI‐mediated resistance is partially compensated by the activation of specific cell‐wall‐triggered immune responses.
Irish English in emigrant letters
Authors: MCCAFFERTY KEVIN
Published: August 2017

The language of letters, especially from lower social strata, may provide some of the best data available for pre‐twentieth‐century language history from below, because it may accurately represent features of spoken language. To illustrate how much variation – and examples of ‘non‐standard’/vernacular usage – may be extracted from letters, this study reports on a survey of citations in an early historical study of Irish emigration based on letters. The survey of citations from a study by a historian reveals numerous features of potential interest to linguists working on earlier Irish English and its influence on other Englishes, thus indicating the wealth of vernacular features that may be found in collections and corpora of personal letters.
Vernacularisation and authenticity in Irish radio advertising
Authors: O'SULLIVAN JOAN , KELLY‐HOLMES HELEN
Published: August 2017

This article examines the implications of the mediatisation of Irish English vernacular forms in radio advertising in Ireland, through an analysis of a corpus of 160 radio advertisements, broadcast in the years 1977, 1987, 1997 and 2007 on a prominent Irish radio station. It investigates how vernacularisation as social change is manifested in this context, and how this process impacts the status of vernacular Irish English varieties. This study examines whether the media representation of vernaculars in the Irish radio broadcasts facilitates metalinguistic reflexivity and valorises vernacular forms, and also discusses the use of such strategies as ‘dialect stylisation’ in representing ‘authentic’ language in such contexts.
Identification of the Predictive Power of Five Factor Personality Traits for Individual Instrument Performance Anxiety
Authors: Özdemir Gökhan , Dalkıran Esra
Published: August 2017

This study, with the aim of identifying the predictive power of the five-factor personality traits of music teacher candidates on individual instrument performance anxiety, was designed according to the relational screening model. The study population was students attending the Music Education branch of Fine Arts Education Departments in Educational Faculties in Turkey with the sample comprising 256 students attending the Music Education branch of Mehmet Akif Ersoy University, Pamukkale University and Muğla Sıtkı Koçman University during the 2016-2017 academic year. For data collection in the study, the Individual Instrument Performance Test Anxiety Scale developed by Dalkıran et al. (2014) and the Adjective-based Personality Test developed by Bacanlı et al. (2009) according to the five factor concept were used. Correlation analysis was performed to test whether there was a significant correlation between the individual instrument performance anxiety of students and the five factor personality traits. Additionally, to determine the predictive power of the five factor personality traits on individual instrument test performance anxiety of Music Education branch students, standard multiple regression analysis was performed. Data were tested at the significance level of 0.05. According to the obtained data, it can be said there is a significant correlation between the individual instrument performance anxiety levels and the five factor personality traits of Music Education branch students. A positive and high level relationship was identified between performance anxiety levels and the five factor personality trait of emotional balance/neuroticism, while there was no correlation with agreeableness and performance anxiety level. Extraversion and openness to experience had a negative correlation with performance anxiety level, while there was a positive correlation observed between conscientiousness and performance anxiety. The five factor personality traits of emotional balance/neuroticism and conscientiousness positively and significantly predicted performance anxiety, while extraversion negatively and significantly predicted performance anxiety level. Contrarily, openness to experience and agreeableness were not identified to significantly predict performance anxiety level.
Role of nerve–muscle interactions and reactive oxygen species in regulation of muscle proteostasis with ageing
Authors: Vasilaki Aphrodite , Richardson Arlan , Van Remmen Holly , Brooks Susan V. , Larkin Lisa , McArdle Anne , Jackson Malcolm J.
Published: August 2017

Skeletal muscle ageing is characterised by atrophy, a deficit in specific force generation, increased susceptibility to injury, and incomplete recovery after severe damage. The hypothesis that increased generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in vivo plays a key role in the ageing process has been extensively studied, but remains controversial. Skeletal muscle generates ROS at rest and during exercise. ROS can cause oxidative damage particularly to proteins. Indeed, products of oxidative damage accumulate in skeletal muscle during ageing and the ability of muscle cells to respond to increased ROS becomes defective. The aim of this review is to examine the evidence that ROS manipulation in peripheral nerves and/or muscle modifies mechanisms of proteostasis in skeletal muscle and plays a key role in initiating sarcopenia.

image
Cortical control of object‐specific grasp relies on adjustments of both activity and effective connectivity: a common marmoset study
Authors: Tia Banty , Takemi Mitsuaki , Kosugi Akito , Castagnola Elisa , Ansaldo Alberto , Nakamura Takafumi , Ricci Davide , Ushiba Junichi , Fadiga Luciano , Iriki Atsushi
Published: August 2017

Key points

The cortical mechanisms of grasping have been extensively studied in macaques and humans; here, we investigated whether common marmosets could rely on similar mechanisms despite strong differences in hand morphology and grip diversity.

We recorded electrocorticographic activity over the sensorimotor cortex of two common marmosets during the execution of different grip types, which allowed us to study cortical activity (power spectrum) and physiologically inferred connectivity (phase‐slope index).

Analyses were performed in beta (16–35 Hz) and gamma (75–100 Hz) frequency bands and our results showed that beta power varied depending on grip type, whereas gamma power displayed clear epoch‐related modulation.

Strength and direction of inter‐area connectivity varied depending on grip type and epoch.

These findings suggest that fundamental control mechanisms are conserved across primates and, in future research, marmosets could represent an adequate model to investigate primate brain mechanisms.

The cortical mechanisms of grasping have been extensively studied in macaques and humans. Here, we investigated whether common marmosets could rely on similar mechanisms despite striking differences in manual dexterity. Two common marmosets were trained to grasp‐and‐pull three objects eliciting different hand configurations: whole‐hand, finger and scissor grips. The animals were then chronically implanted with 64‐channel electrocorticogram arrays positioned over the left premotor, primary motor and somatosensory cortex. Power spectra, reflecting predominantly cortical activity, and phase‐slope index, reflecting the direction of information flux, were studied in beta (16–35 Hz) and gamma (75–100 Hz) bands. Differences related to grip type, epoch (reach, grasp) and cortical area were statistically assessed. Results showed that whole‐hand and scissor grips triggered stronger beta desynchronization than finger grip. Task epochs clearly modulated gamma power, especially for finger and scissor grips. Considering effective connectivity, finger and scissor grips evoked stronger outflow from primary motor to premotor cortex, whereas whole‐hand grip displayed the opposite pattern. These findings suggest that fundamental control mechanisms, relying on adjustments of cortical activity and connectivity, are conserved across primates. Consistently, marmosets could represent a good model to investigate primate brain mechanisms.
Genomic profiling of ER
+
breast cancers after short-term estrogen suppression reveals alterations associated with endocrine resistance
Authors: Giltnane Jennifer M. , Hutchinson Katherine E. , Stricker Thomas P. , Formisano Luigi , Young Christian D. , Estrada Monica V. , Nixon Mellissa J. , Du Liping , Sanchez Violeta , Ericsson Paula Gonzalez , Kuba Maria G. , Sanders Melinda E. , Mu Xinmeng J. , Van Allen Eliezer M. , Wagle Nikhil , Mayer Ingrid A. , Abramson Vandana , Gόmez Henry , Rizzo Monica , Toy Weiyi , Chandarlapaty Sarat , Mayer Erica L. , Christiansen Jason , Murphy Danielle , Fitzgerald Kerry , Wang Kai , Ross Jeffrey S. , Miller Vincent A. , Stephens Phillip J. , Yelensky Roman , Garraway Levi , Shyr Yu , Meszoely Ingrid , Balko Justin M. , Arteaga Carlos L.
Published: August 2017

Genomic profiling of ER
+
/HER2
−
breast tumors after short-term estrogen deprivation revealed alterations associated with intrinsic resistance and provided mechanistic insights.
Meta-screen for cancer dependencies
Authors: Sarosiek Kristopher
Published: August 2017

Systematic identification of gene dependencies in cancer cells teaches us some lessons.
Tethered Magnets Are the Key to Magnetotaxis: Direct Observations of
Magnetospirillum magneticum
AMB-1 Show that MamK Distributes Magnetosome Organelles Equally to Daughter Cells
Authors: Taoka Azuma , Kiyokawa Ayako , Uesugi Chika , Kikuchi Yousuke , Oestreicher Zachery , Morii Kaori , Eguchi Yukako , Fukumori Yoshihiro
Published: August 2017

Magnetotactic bacteria are a unique group of bacteria that synthesize a magnetic organelle termed the magnetosome, which they use to assist with their magnetic navigation in a specific type of bacterial motility called magneto-aerotaxis. Cytoskeletal filaments consisting of the actin-like protein MamK are associated with the magnetosome chain. Previously, the function of MamK was thought to be in positioning magnetosome organelles; this was proposed based on observations via electron microscopy still images. Here, we conducted live-cell time-lapse fluorescence imaging analyses employing highly inclined and laminated optical sheet microscopy, and these methods enabled us to visualize detailed dynamic movement of magnetosomes in growing cells during the entire cell cycle with high-temporal resolution and a high signal/noise ratio. We found that the MamK cytoskeleton anchors magnetosomes through a mechanism that requires MamK-ATPase activity throughout the cell cycle to prevent simple diffusion of magnetosomes within the cell. We concluded that the static chain-like arrangement of the magnetosomes is required to precisely and consistently segregate the magnetosomes to daughter cells. Thus, the daughter cells inherit a functional magnetic sensor that mediates magneto-reception.

IMPORTANCE
Half a century ago, bacterial cells were considered a simple “bag of enzymes”; only recently have they been shown to comprise ordered complexes of macromolecular structures, such as bacterial organelles and cytoskeletons, similar to their eukaryotic counterparts. In eukaryotic cells, the positioning of organelles is regulated by cytoskeletal elements. However, the role of cytoskeletal elements in the positioning of bacterial organelles, such as magnetosomes, remains unclear. Magnetosomes are associated with cytoskeletal filaments that consist of the actin-like protein MamK. In this study, we focused on how the MamK cytoskeleton regulates the dynamic movement of magnetosome organelles in living magnetotactic bacterial cells. Here, we used fluorescence imaging to visualize the dynamics of magnetosomes throughout the cell cycle in living magnetotactic bacterial cells to understand how they use the actin-like cytoskeleton to maintain and to make functional their nano-sized magnetic organelles.
Two tales of cardiovascular risks—middle-aged women living in Sweden and Scotland: a cross-sectional comparative study
Authors: Wennerholm Carina , Bromley Catherine , Johansson AnnaKarin , Nilsson Staffan , Frank John , Faresjö Tomas
Published: August 2017

Objectives

To compare cardiovascular risk factors as well as rates of cardiovascular diseases in middle-aged women from urban areas in Scotland and Sweden.

Design

Comparative cross-sectional study.

Setting

Data from the general population in urban areas of Scotland and the general population in two major Swedish cities in southeast Sweden, south of Stockholm.

Participants

Comparable data of middle-aged women (40–65 years) from the Scottish Health Survey (n=6250) and the Swedish QWIN study (n=741) were merged together into a new dataset (n=6991 participants).

Main outcome measure

We compared middle-aged women in urban areas in Sweden and Scotland regarding risk factors for cardiovascular disease (CVD), CVD diagnosis, anthropometrics, psychological distress and lifestyle.

Results

In almost all measurements, there were significant differences between the countries, favouring the Swedish women. Scottish women demonstrated a higher frequency of alcohol consumption, smoking, obesity, low vegetable consumption, a sedentary lifestyle and also more psychological distress. For doctor-diagnosed coronary heart disease, there were also significant differences, with a higher prevalence among the Scottish women.

Conclusions

This is one of the first studies that clearly shows that Scottish middle-aged women are particularly affected by a worse profile of CVD risks. The profound differences in CVD risk and outcome frequency in the two populations are likely to have arisen from differences in the two groups of women's social, cultural, political and economic environments.
Multicentre randomised controlled trial to investigate the usefulness of continuous pneumatic regulation of tracheal cuff pressure for reducing ventilator-associated pneumonia in mechanically ventilated severe trauma patients: the AGATE study protocol
Authors: Marjanovic Nicolas , Frasca Denis , Asehnoune Karim , Paugam Catherine , Lasocki Sigismond , Ichai Carole , Lefrant Jean-Yves , Leone Marc , Dahyot-Fizelier Claire , Pottecher Julien , Falcon Dominique , Veber Benoit , Constantin Jean-Michel , Seguin Sabrina , Guénézan Jérémy , Mimoz Olivier
Published: August 2017

Introduction

Severe trauma represents the leading cause of mortality worldwide. While 80% of deaths occur within the first 24 hours after trauma, 20% occur later and are mainly due to healthcare-associated infections, including ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP). Preventing underinflation of the tracheal cuff is recommended to reduce microaspiration, which plays a major role in the pathogenesis of VAP. Automatic devices facilitate the regulation of tracheal cuff pressure, and their implementation has the potential to reduce VAP. The objective of this work is to determine whether continuous regulation of tracheal cuff pressure using a pneumatic device reduces the incidence of VAP compared with intermittent control in severe trauma patients.

Methods and analysis

This multicentre randomised controlled and open-label trial will include patients suffering from severe trauma who are admitted within the first 24 hours, who require invasive mechanical ventilation to longer than 48 hours. Their tracheal cuff pressure will be monitored either once every 8 hours (control group) or continuously using a pneumatic device (intervention group). The primary end point is the proportion of patients that develop VAP in the intensive care unit (ICU) at day 28. The secondary end points include the proportion of patients that develop VAP in the ICU, early (≤7 days) or late (>7 days) VAP, time until the first VAP diagnosis, the number of ventilator-free days and antibiotic-free days, the length of stay in the ICU, the proportion of patients with ventilator-associated events and that die during their ICU stay.

Ethics and dissemination

This protocol has been approved by the ethics committee of Poitiers University Hospital, and will be carried out according to the principles of the Declaration of Helsinki and the Good Clinical Practice guidelines. The results of this study will be disseminated through presentation at scientific conferences and publication in peer-reviewed journals.

Trial registration

Clinical TrialsNCT02534974
Impact of Physician Navigators on productivity indicators in the ED
Authors: Leung Alexander K , Puri Gaurav , Chen Bingshu E , Gong Zhenxian , Chan Eddie , Feng Edward , Duic Marko
Published: August 2017

Objectives

We created Physician Navigators in our ED to help improve emergency physician (EP) productivity. We aimed to quantify the effect of Physician Navigators on measures of EP productivity: patient seen per hour (Pt/hr), and turn-around time (TAT) to discharge. Secondary objectives included examining their impact on measures of ED throughput for non-resuscitative patients: ED length of stay (LOS), door-to-physician time and left-without-being-seen rates (LWBS).

Methods

In this retrospective study, 6845 clinical shifts worked by 20 EPs at a community ED in Newmarket, Canada from 1 January 2012 to 31 March 2015 were evaluated. Using a clustered design, we compared productivity measures between shifts with and without Physician Navigators, by physician. We used a linear mixed model to examine mean changes in Pt/hr and TAT to discharge for EPs who employed Physician Navigators. For secondary objectives, autoregressive modelling was performed to compare ED throughput metrics before and after the implementation of Physician Navigators for non-resuscitative patients.

Results

Patient volumes increased by 20 patients per day (p<0.001). Mean Pt/hr increased by 1.07 patients per hour (0.98 to 1.16, p<0.001). The mean TAT to discharge decreased by 10.6 min (−13.2 to −8.0, p<0.001). After implementation of the Physician Navigator programme, overall mean LOS for non-resuscitative patients decreased by 2.6 min (p=0.007), and mean door-to-physician time decreased by 7.4 min (p<0.001). LBWS rates decreased from 1.13% to 0.63% of daily patient volume (p<0.001).

Conclusion

Despite an ED volume increase, the use of a Physician Navigator was associated with significant improvements in EP productivity, and significant reductions in ED throughput times.
Functional imaging and circulating biomarkers of response to regorafenib in treatment-refractory metastatic colorectal cancer patients in a prospective phase II study
Authors: Khan Khurum , Rata Mihaela , Cunningham David , Koh Dow-Mu , Tunariu Nina , Hahne Jens C , Vlachogiannis George , Hedayat Somaieh , Marchetti Silvia , Lampis Andrea , Damavandi Mahnaz Darvish , Lote Hazel , Rana Isma , Williams Anja , Eccles Suzanne A , Fontana Elisa , Collins David , Eltahir Zakaria , Rao Sheela , Watkins David , Starling Naureen , Thomas Jan , Kalaitzaki Eleftheria , Fotiadis Nicos , Begum Ruwaida , Bali Maria , Rugge Massimo , Temple Eleanor , Fassan Matteo , Chau Ian , Braconi Chiara , Valeri Nicola
Published: August 2017

Objective

Regorafenib demonstrated efficacy in patients with metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC). Lack of predictive biomarkers, potential toxicities and cost-effectiveness concerns highlight the unmet need for better patient selection.

Design

Patients with RAS mutant mCRC with biopsiable metastases were enrolled in this phase II trial. Dynamic contrast-enhanced (DCE) MRI was acquired pretreatment and at day 15 post-treatment. Median values of volume transfer constant (Ktrans), enhancing fraction (EF) and their product KEF (summarised median values of Ktrans× EF) were generated. Circulating tumour (ct) DNA was collected monthly until progressive disease and tested for clonal RAS mutations by digital-droplet PCR. Tumour vasculature (CD-31) was scored by immunohistochemistry on 70 sequential tissue biopsies.

Results

Twenty-seven patients with paired DCE-MRI scans were analysed. Median KEF decrease was 58.2%. Of the 23 patients with outcome data, >70% drop in KEF (6/23) was associated with higher disease control rate (p=0.048) measured by RECIST V. 1.1 at 2 months, improved progression-free survival (PFS) (HR 0.16 (95% CI 0.04 to 0.72), p=0.02), 4-month PFS (66.7% vs 23.5%) and overall survival (OS) (HR 0.08 (95% CI 0.01 to 0.63), p=0.02). KEF drop correlated with CD-31 reduction in sequential tissue biopsies (p=0.04). RAS mutant clones decay in ctDNA after 8 weeks of treatment was associated with better PFS (HR 0.21 (95% CI 0.06 to 0.71), p=0.01) and OS (HR 0.28 (95% CI 0.07–1.04), p=0.06).

Conclusions

Combining DCE-MRI and ctDNA predicts duration of anti-angiogenic response to regorafenib and may improve patient management with potential health/economic implications.
Stress resilience and cancer risk: a nationwide cohort study
Authors: Kennedy Beatrice , Fang Fang , Valdimarsdóttir Unnur , Udumyan Ruzan , Montgomery Scott , Fall Katja
Published: August 2017

Background

Stress resilience is recognised as a determinant of both psychiatric and somatic health, but the potential link between stress resilience and cancer development has not been explored.

Methods

In this nationwide cohort study, we examined the association between stress resilience in adolescence and subsequent cancer risk. We identified a cohort of 284 257 Swedish men, born 1952–1956, who underwent compulsory military enlistment examinations including measures of psychological stress resilience (median age 18 years). The resulting score was categorised as low, moderate and high stress resilience. Individuals diagnosed with cancer during the follow-up time were identified through data linkage to the Swedish Cancer Register.

Results

Lowest stress resilience, compared with the highest, was associated with increased risks of liver (HR: 4.73, 95% CI 2.73 to 8.19) and lung (HR: 2.75, 95% CI 2.02 to 3.74) cancer after adjusting for markers of socioeconomic circumstances in childhood (p for trend <0.001 for both cancer types). Further adjustment for cognitive and physical fitness at conscription assessment had a marginal influence. In contrast, men with low stress resilience had a decreased risk of being diagnosed with prostate cancer (HR: 0.65, 95% CI 0.56 to 0.76) and malignant melanoma (HR: 0.65, 95% CI 0.55 to 0.76).

Conclusion

We conclude that adolescent stress resilience, plausibly by influencing behavioural choices and social patterns, constitutes an important determinant of adult cancer occurrence. Increased awareness of long-term consequences in susceptible individuals may help direct future efforts to reduce cancer burden in adults.
Design of ballasted railway track foundations using numerical modelling. Part I: Development
Authors: Sayeed Md. Abu , Shahin Mohamed A.
Published: August 2017

In this paper, a new design method is developed for ballasted railway track foundations that must support high-speed trains and heavy axle loads. The proposed method is intended to prevent the two most common track failures; namely, progressive shear failure of the track subgrade and excessive plastic deformation of the track substructure (i.e., ballast plus subgrade). The method is based on improved empirical models and sophisticated three-dimensional (3D) finite element (FE) numerical analysis. The improved empirical models are used for predicting the cumulative plastic deformation of the track, whereas the stress parameters of the ballast and subgrade layers are obtained from the 3D FE numerical analysis. The outcomes are then synthesized into a set of design charts that form the core of the proposed design method so that it can be readily used by railway geotechnical engineers for routine design practice. The design method can be applied to various practical conditions of train–track–ground systems, including the modulus, thickness, and type of ballast and subgrade. In addition, the traffic parameters that have a significant influence on track performance are also considered in the design method, including the wheel spacing, train speed, and traffic tonnage. The new design method has significant advantages over the existing methods and would provide a major contribution to modern railway track design and code of practice. The applications of the new design method are presented and explained in a companion paper (i.e., Part II: Applications).