bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Sequential BMP7/TGF-β1 signaling and microbiota instruct mucosal Langerhans cell differentiation
Authors: Capucha Tal , Koren Noam , Nassar Maria , Heyman Oded , Nir Tsipora , Levy Maayan , Zilberman-Schapira Gili , Zelentova Katya , Eli-Berchoer Luba , Zenke Martin , Hieronymus Thomas , Wilensky Asaf , Bercovier Herve , Elinav Eran , Clausen Björn E. , Hovav Avi-Hai
Published: January 2018

Mucosal Langerhans cells (LCs) originate from pre–dendritic cells and monocytes. However, the mechanisms involved in their in situ development remain unclear. Here, we demonstrate that the differentiation of murine mucosal LCs is a two-step process. In the lamina propria, signaling via BMP7-ALK3 promotes translocation of LC precursors to the epithelium. Within the epithelium, TGF-β1 finalizes LC differentiation, and ALK5 is crucial to this process. Moreover, the local microbiota has a major impact on the development of mucosal LCs, whereas LCs in turn maintain mucosal homeostasis and prevent tissue destruction. These results reveal the differential and sequential role of TGF-β1 and BMP7 in LC differentiation and highlight the intimate interplay of LCs with the microbiota.
Two subunits of the exocyst, Sec3p and Exo70p, can function exclusively on the plasma membrane
Authors: Liu Dongmei , Li Xia , Shen David , Novick Peter
Published: January 2018

The exocyst is an octameric complex that tethers secretory vesicles to the plasma membrane in preparation for fusion. We anchored each subunit with a transmembrane (TM) domain at its N- or C-terminus. Only N-terminally anchored TM-Sec3p and C-terminally anchored Exo70p-TM proved functional. These findings orient the complex with respect to the membrane and establish that Sec3p and Exo70p can function exclusively on the membrane. The functions of TM-Sec3p and Exo70p-TM were largely unaffected by blocks in endocytic recycling, suggesting that they act on the plasma membrane rather than on secretory vesicles. Cytosolic pools of the other exocyst subunits were unaffected in TM-sec3 cells, while they were partially depleted in exo70-TM cells. Blocking actin-dependent delivery of secretory vesicles in act1-3 cells results in loss of Sec3p from the purified complex. Our results are consistent with a model in which Sec3p and Exo70p can function exclusively on the plasma membrane while the other subunits are brought to them on secretory vesicles.
Constitutive centromere-associated network contacts confer differential stability on CENP-A nucleosomes in vitro and in the cell
Authors: Cao Shengya , Zhou Keda , Zhang Zhening , Luger Karolin , Straight Aaron F.
Published: January 2018

Eukaryotic centromeres are defined by the presence of nucleosomes containing the histone H3 variant, centromere protein A (CENP-A). Once incorporated at centromeres, CENP-A nucleosomes are remarkably stable, exhibiting no detectable loss or exchange over many cell cycles. It is currently unclear whether this stability is an intrinsic property of CENP-A containing chromatin or whether it arises from proteins that specifically associate with CENP-A chromatin. Two proteins, CENP-C and CENP-N, are known to bind CENP-A human nucleosomes directly. Here we test the hypothesis that CENP-C or CENP-N stabilize CENP-A nucleosomes in vitro and in living cells. We show that CENP-N stabilizes CENP-A nucleosomes alone and additively with CENP-C in vitro. However, removal of CENP-C and CENP-N from cells, or mutating CENP-A so that it no longer interacts with CENP-C or CENP-N, had no effect on centromeric CENP-A stability in vivo. Thus, the stability of CENP-A nucleosomes in chromatin does not arise solely from its interactions with CENP-C or CENP-N.
Daily Communal Coping in Couples With Type 2 Diabetes: Links to Mood and Self-Care
Authors: Zajdel Melissa , Helgeson Vicki S , Seltman Howard J , Korytkowski Mary T , Hausmann Leslie R M
Published: January 2018

Background

Adjusting to the challenges of a chronic illness does not affect patients alone but also influences social network members—most notably spouses. One interpersonal framework of coping with a chronic illness is communal coping, described as when a problem is appraised as joint and the couple collaborates to manage the problem.

Purpose

We sought to determine whether daily communal coping was linked to daily mood and self-care behavior and examined one potential mechanism that may explain these links: perceived emotional responsiveness.

Methods

Patients who had been diagnosed with diabetes less than 5 years ago and their spouses (n = 123) completed a daily diary questionnaire that assessed communal coping and mood for 14 consecutive days. The patients also reported daily self-care behaviors. We used multilevel modeling to examine the links of communal coping to patient and spouse mood and patient self-care. Because both patients and spouses reported their mood, the actor-partner interdependence model (APIM) was employed to examine mood.

Results

Multilevel APIM showed that actor communal coping was associated with lower depressed mood, higher happy mood, and lower angry mood and partner communal coping was linked to higher happy mood. Patient communal coping was related to better dietary and medication adherence, and spouse communal coping was linked to better medication adherence. Perceived emotional responsiveness partially mediated the relations of communal coping to mood but not to self-care behaviors.

Conclusions

Communal coping on a daily basis may help both patients and spouses adjust psychologically to the illness as well as enhance patient self-care behaviors.
Phylogenetic profiling, an untapped resource for the prediction of secreted proteins and its complementation with sequence-based classifiers in bacterial type III, IV and VI secretion systems
Authors: Zalguizuri Andrés , Caetano-Anollés Gustavo , Lepek Viviana Claudia
Published: January 2018

In the establishment and maintenance of the interaction between pathogenic or symbiotic bacteria with a eukaryotic organism, protein substrates of specialized bacterial secretion systems called effectors play a critical role once translocated into the host cell. Proteins are also secreted to the extracellular medium by free-living bacteria or directly injected into other competing organisms to hinder or kill. In this work, we explore an approach based on the evolutionary dependence that most of the effectors maintain with their specific secretion system that analyzes the co-occurrence of any orthologous protein group and their corresponding secretion system across multiple genomes. We compared and complemented our methodology with sequence-based machine learning prediction tools for the type III, IV and VI secretion systems. Finally, we provide the predictive results for the three secretion systems in 1606 complete genomes at http://www.iib.unsam.edu.ar/orgsissec/.
Understanding tuberculosis in an era of global travel
Authors: Benkert Ramona A. , Rayford Ann
Published: January 2018

With the resurgence of tuberculosis (TB), it is imperative that healthcare providers have the necessary skills to manage the specialized issues of prevention, recognition, and treatment of TB. The case study in this article illustrates these skills for NPs and other advanced practice providers.
Defining the Intrinsic Cardiac Risks of Operations to Improve Preoperative Cardiac Risk Assessments
Authors: Liu Jason B. , Liu Yaoming , Cohen Mark E. , Ko Clifford Y. , Sweitzer Bobbie J.
Published: January 2018

Background

Current preoperative cardiac risk stratification practices group operations into broad categories, which might inadequately consider the intrinsic cardiac risks of individual operations. We sought to define the intrinsic cardiac risks of individual operations and to demonstrate how grouping operations might lead to imprecise estimates of perioperative cardiac risk.

Methods

Elective operations (based on Common Procedural Terminology codes) performed from January 1, 2010 to December 31, 2015 at hospitals participating in the American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program were studied. A composite measure of perioperative adverse cardiac events was defined as either cardiac arrest requiring cardiopulmonary resuscitation or acute myocardial infarction. Operations’ intrinsic cardiac risks were derived from mixed-effects models while controlling for patient mix. Resultant risks were sorted into low-, intermediate-, and high-risk categories, and the most commonly performed operations within each category were identified. Intrinsic operative risks were also examined using a representative grouping of operations to portray within-group variation.

Results

Sixty-six low, 30 intermediate, and 106 high intrinsic cardiac risk operations were identified. Excisional breast biopsy had the lowest intrinsic cardiac risk (overall rate, 0.01%; odds ratio, 0.11; 95% CI, 0.02 to 0.25) relative to the average, whereas aorto-bifemoral bypass grafting had the highest (overall rate, 4.1%; odds ratio, 6.61; 95% CI, 5.54 to 7.90). There was wide variation in the intrinsic cardiac risks of operations within the representative grouping (median odds ratio, 1.40; interquartile range, 0.88 to 2.17).

Conclusions

A continuum of intrinsic cardiac risk exists among operations. Grouping operations into broad categories inadequately accounts for the intrinsic cardiac risk of individual operations.
The Association Between Ventilator Dyssynchrony, Delivered Tidal Volume, and Sedation Using a Novel Automated Ventilator Dyssynchrony Detection Algorithm*
Authors: Sottile Peter D. , Albers David , Higgins Carrie , Mckeehan Jeffery , Moss Marc M.
Published: January 2018

Objective:

Ventilator dyssynchrony is potentially harmful to patients with or at risk for the acute respiratory distress syndrome. Automated detection of ventilator dyssynchrony from ventilator waveforms has been difficult. It is unclear if certain types of ventilator dyssynchrony deliver large tidal volumes and whether levels of sedation alter the frequency of ventilator dyssynchrony.

Design:

A prospective observational study.

Setting:

A university medical ICU.

Patients:

Patients with or at risk for acute respiratory distress syndrome.

Interventions:

Continuous pressure-time, flow-time, and volume-time data were directly obtained from the ventilator. The level of sedation and the use of neuromuscular blockade was extracted from the medical record. Machine learning algorithms that incorporate clinical insight were developed and trained to detect four previously described and clinically relevant forms of ventilator dyssynchrony. The association between normalized tidal volume and ventilator dyssynchrony and the association between sedation and the frequency of ventilator dyssynchrony were determined.

Measurements and Main Results:

A total of 4.26 million breaths were recorded from 62 ventilated patients. Our algorithm detected three types of ventilator dyssynchrony with an area under the receiver operator curve of greater than 0.89. Ventilator dyssynchrony occurred in 34.4% (95% CI, 34.41–34.49%) of breaths. When compared with synchronous breaths, double-triggered and flow-limited breaths were more likely to deliver tidal volumes greater than 10 mL/kg (40% and 11% compared with 0.2%; p < 0.001 for both comparisons). Deep sedation reduced but did not eliminate the frequency of all ventilator dyssynchrony breaths (p < 0.05). Ventilator dyssynchrony was eliminated with neuromuscular blockade (p < 0.001).

Conclusion:

We developed a computerized algorithm that accurately detects three types of ventilator dyssynchrony. Double-triggered and flow-limited breaths are associated with the frequent delivery of tidal volumes of greater than 10 mL/kg. Although ventilator dyssynchrony is reduced by deep sedation, potentially deleterious tidal volumes may still be delivered. However, neuromuscular blockade effectively eliminates ventilator dyssynchrony.
Use of Nitrous Oxide in Dermatology: A Systematic Review
Authors: Brotzman Erica A. , Sandoval Laura F. , Crane Jonathan
Published: January 2018

BACKGROUND

Many dermatologic procedures are painful and can be distressing to patients.

OBJECTIVE

To determine whether nitrous oxide has been used in dermatology and whether literature supports its use in terms of providing analgesia and anxiety associated with dermatologic procedures.

METHODS

A search of PubMed and Cochrane databases was conducted through July 15, 2016, to identify studies involving nitrous oxide use in dermatology.

RESULTS

Eight studies were identified and reviewed. The use of nitrous oxide/oxygen mixture resulted in a significant reduction in pain when used for photodynamic therapy, botulinum toxin therapy for hyperhidrosis of both the palms and axilla, aesthetic procedures involving various laser procedures, and in the treatment of bed sores and leg ulcers. However, pain scores were higher when nitrous oxide/oxygen was used in the debridement of chronic ulcers when compared with the use of topical anesthesia. In addition, nitrous oxide has been reported effective at reducing pain in hair transplants, dermabrasion, excision and repairs, and pediatric procedures.

CONCLUSION

Current literature provides some evidence that nitrous oxide, used alone or as adjunct anesthesia, is effective at providing analgesia for many dermatologic procedures. Nitrous oxide has many potential applications in dermatology; however, further evidence from randomized controlled trials is needed.
A Prospective Study of the Safety and Efficacy of a Microneedle Fractional Radiofrequency System for Global Facial Photoaging in Chinese Patients
Authors: Zhang Mengli , Fang Jing , Wu Qiuju , Lin Tong
Published: January 2018

BACKGROUND

Facial photoaging has become a major cosmetic concern, and the microneedle fractional radiofrequency system (MFRS) is a novel method for rejuvenation that combines radiofrequency and microneedles.

OBJECTIVE

This study prospectively evaluated the efficacy and safety of an MFRS in the treatment of facial photoaged skin in Chinese patients.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Twenty-seven patients with moderate facial photoaging were recruited and received 3 treatments at 4-week intervals. Blinded clinical assessment was performed by 2 independent dermatologists on a 5-point global photoaging scale (GPS). Patients were also questioned on the extent of improvement of rhytides, skin tightening, and complexion with a 4-point global aesthetic improvement scale (GAIS) and satisfaction based on a 5-point scale. Adverse events and pain scores were also evaluated.

RESULTS

Compared with the baseline, there was a significant improvement in facial photoaged skin after 3 treatments, and these positive outcomes were maintained up to the 6-month follow-up, according to the GPS and GAIS scores. Most patients were satisfied with the treatment and reported mild to moderate pain and adverse effects.

CONCLUSION

This MFRS is effective for facial skin rejuvenation in Chinese patients. The therapy also seems safe and well tolerated.
Microsurgical Engineering: Bilateral Deep Inferior Epigastric Artery Perforator Flap with Flow-Through Intraflap Anastomosis
Authors: Wisecarver Ian R. , Mundinger Gerhard S. , Tarakji Michael S. , Hilaire Hugo St.
Published: January 2018

Squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) of the head and neck affects a significant number of people around the world every year. Treatment generally entails surgical resection, radiotherapy, chemotherapy, or some combination of the three. Following resection, microsurgical reconstruction can provide definitive coverage, replace many tissue types simultaneously, and bring healthy tissue to irradiated wound beds. Microsurgical engineering, the manipulation and reorganization of native vascular tissue, can further augment the adaptability of free tissue transfer to complex, compromised wound beds. We present one such case. The patient described in the following report was treated for a recurrent SCC of the left face, which required extensive resection resulting in a complex, composite tissue defect with compromised vascular supply. Using the principals of microsurgical engineering, definitive coverage of the defect, with accept- able aesthetic result, was achieved via bipedicle, DIEP flap with flow-through intraflap anastomosis.
Lymphedema-Distichiasis Syndrome in a Male Patient Followed for 16 Years
Authors: Grisolia Ana Beatriz D. , Nelson Christine C.
Published: January 2018

Distichiasis is a challenging condition that may require multiple surgical interventions. Besides ophthalmologic concerns in children, distichiasis may be part of the lymphedema-distichiasis syndrome, which presents with lymphedema of variable time of onset. Other significant systemic disorders such as coarctation of the aorta and varicose veins have been reported in association with this syndrome and must be reviewed for proper patient care. The authors report the case of a 22-year-old male patient who had been treated for distichiasis and followed for 16 years. At his initial evaluation, at 6 years of age, he presented solely with ocular complaints due to distichiasis. Only after 13 years of repeated ophthalmic treatments and continuous follow up, lymphedema was observed. Lymphedema-distichiasis syndrome diagnosis must be considered in children with distichiasis, even in the absence of lymphedema.
Mesenchymal Chondrosarcoma of the Lacrimal Gland
Authors: Kiratli Hayyam , Deniz Yağmur , Büyükeren Berrin , Gedikoğlu Gökhan
Published: January 2018

A 23-year-old woman presented with right-sided painless proptosis that developed in 12 months. MRI studies demonstrated a well-delineated tumorous enlargement of the right lacrimal gland with homogenous signal intensity and compressing the globe. The tumor was removed totally and in 1 piece with the tentative diagnosis of a pleomorphic adenoma. Pathologic examination revealed biphasic neoplastic elements, which were composed of the cartilaginous matrix and small round cell component. Immunohistopathological examination showed positive CD99 staining and negative reaction to S100, panCK, and CD15. The patient then received a total of 64 Gy orbital radiotherapy in 32 fractionations. There has been no recurrence or metastasis during 14 months of follow up. This case showed that mesenchymal chondrosarcoma may arise from the lacrimal gland and must be considered in the differential diagnosis of lacrimal gland tumors in young adults.
Serratia marcescens Infectious Endocarditis
Authors: Schechter Marcos C. , Spicer Jennifer O. , del Mar Aldrete Sol , Kraft Colleen S.
Published: January 2018

Background

Serratia marcescens infectious endocarditis (SMIE) is an uncommon disease, and the largest case series were reported from California in the 1970s. We aimed to identify risk factors and outcomes of SMIE in our institution.

Methods

Retrospective cohort study of all cases of Serratia marcescens bacteremia (SMB) diagnosed between January 2003 and December 2013.

Results

A total of 298 cases of SMB were reviewed, and 5 cases of SMIE were found. Clinical characteristics between SMB and SMIE cases were similar, except for more frequent history of injection drug use among cases of SMIE. Serratia marcescens infectious endocarditis cases had large vegetations, frequent embolic events, and poor outcomes.

Conclusions

We confirm the stereotypical description of SMIE as a cause left-sided heart disease in injection drug users with frequent embolic events. Poor outcomes prevailed despite advances in medical care.
“Product” Versus “Process” Measures in Assessing Speech Recognition Outcomes in Adults With Cochlear Implants
Authors: Moberly Aaron C. , Castellanos Irina , Vasil Kara J. , Adunka Oliver F. , Pisoni David B.
Published: January 2018

Hypotheses:

1) When controlling for age in postlingual adult cochlear implant (CI) users, information-processing functions, as assessed using “process” measures of working memory capacity, inhibitory control, information-processing speed, and fluid reasoning, will predict traditional “product” outcome measures of speech recognition. 2) Demographic/audiologic factors, particularly duration of deafness, duration of CI use, degree of residual hearing, and socioeconomic status, will impact performance on underlying information-processing functions, as assessed using process measures.

Background:

Clinicians and researchers rely heavily on endpoint product measures of accuracy in speech recognition to gauge patient outcomes postoperatively. However, these measures are primarily descriptive and were not designed to assess the underlying core information-processing operations that are used during speech recognition. In contrast, process measures reflect the integrity of elementary core subprocesses that are operative during behavioral tests using complex speech signals.

Methods:

Forty-two experienced adult CI users were tested using three product measures of speech recognition, along with four process measures of working memory capacity, inhibitory control, speed of lexical/phonological access, and nonverbal fluid reasoning. Demographic and audiologic factors were also assessed.

Results:

Scores on product measures were associated with core process measures of speed of lexical/phonological access and nonverbal fluid reasoning. After controlling for participant age, demographic and audiologic factors did not correlate with process measure scores.

Conclusion:

Findings provide support for the important foundational roles of information processing operations in speech recognition outcomes of postlingually deaf patients who have received CIs.
Utility of Noncontrast Magnetic Resonance Imaging for Detection of Recurrent Vestibular Schwannoma
Authors: Williams Jamie C. , Carr Carrie M. , Eckel Laurence J. , Kotsenas Amy L. , Hunt Christopher H. , Carlson Matthew L. , Lane John I.
Published: January 2018

Background:

Gadolinium-enhanced T1-weighted magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) (T1WI) is the conventional imaging technique of choice to detect vestibular schwannoma (VS) recurrence or regrowth, despite suboptimal specificity secondary to enhancing postoperative changes. Furthermore, recent concerns regarding the accumulation of gadolinium in body tissues have led for a call to reduce the number of contrast-enhanced examinations. The objective of the current study is to evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of high-resolution noncontrast (three-dimensional [3D] T2) MRI relative to gadolinium-enhanced T1WI in the detection of VS recurrence after resection.

Methods:

Following Institutional Review Board approval, 13 consecutive postoperative patients with VS recurrence or regrowth were identified from a prospectively maintained clinical database in which recurrence was determined by progression on serial postoperative MRI examination. Three blinded neuroradiologists retrospectively evaluated a total of 41 postoperative MRI examinations from these patients using only gadolinium-enhanced T1WI and 3D T2 MRI for recurrence or regrowth. Interobserver agreement, differences in detection between the two sequences, and the sensitivity and specificity of 3D T2 MRI were assessed.

Results:

Fifteen of the 41 postoperative MRIs demonstrated progression, as determined by examiner consensus on the gadolinium-enhanced T1WI. Agreement, measured using Krippendorff's alpha, was 0.82 for the 3D T2 images and 0.83 for the contrast-enhanced T1WI. All the three examiners demonstrated no difference in the detection of progression between the two sequences (McNemar's test p values 0.69 for examiner 1, 0.63 for examiner 2, and 0.99 for examiner 3). The sensitivity of 3D T2 was 0.78 (CI 0.60–0.96), while the specificity was 0.94 (CI 0.86–1.00).

Conclusion:

Noncontrast high-resolution 3D T2 MRI seems sufficient to assess for recurrence or regrowth after VS resection. The results of this study have implications for reducing cost, time, and adverse events associated with gadolinium administration in this population requiring serial follow-up examinations. These promising, yet preliminary findings warrant confirmation with a larger prospective cohort of patients.
Blood biomarkers for evaluation of perinatal encephalopathy: state of the art
Authors: Graham Ernest M. , Everett Allen D. , Delpech Jean-Christophe , Northington Frances J.
Published: January 2018

Purpose of review

The rapid progress in biomarker science is on the threshold of significantly changing clinical care for infants in the neonatal ICU. Infants with neonatal brain injuries will likely be the first group whose management is dramatically altered with point-of-care, rapidly available brain biomarker analysis. Providing an interim update on progress in this area is the purpose of this review.

Recent findings

Highlighted findings from the past 18 months of publications on biomarkers in neonatal brain injury include; Specific nonbrain markers of cardiac health and global asphyxia continue to provide information on brain injury after hypoxic–ischemic encephalopathy (HIE). Prediction of injury in the piglet hypoxia-ischemia model is improved with the use of a combination score of plasma metabolites. In a neonatal piglet model of perinatal hypoxia–ischemia, a systemic proinflammatory surge of cytokines has been identified after rewarming from therapeutic hypothermia. New biomarkers identified recently include osteopontin, activin A, neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin, secretoneurin, Tau and neurofilament light protein. Brain-based biomarkers differ in their ability to predict short-term in-hospital outcomes and long-term neurologic deficits.

Neonatal brain biomarker research is currently in its very early development with major advances still to be made.
Hot Spotting as a Strategy to Identify High-Cost Surgical Populations
Authors: Shubeck Sarah P. , Thumma Jyothi R. , Dimick Justin B. , Nathan Hari
Published: January 2018

Objective:

The aim of this study was to determine the feasibility of “hot spotting” in elective surgical populations.

Background:

Prospective identification of high-cost patients, known as “hot spotting,” is well developed in medical populations, but has not been performed in surgical populations. Population-based management of surgical expenditures requires identification of high-cost surgical patients to allow for effective implementation of cost-saving strategies.

Methods:

Using 100% Medicare claims data for 2010 to 2013, we identified patients aged 65 to 99 years undergoing elective surgical procedures. We calculated price-standardized Medicare payments for the surgical episode from the index admission through 30 days after discharge. Patient-level factors associated with payments were analyzed by multivariable linear regression.

Results:

Medicare patients in the highest decile of spending accounted for a disproportionate share of aggregate costs: 30% in Colectomy (COL), 22% in coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG), 19% in Total Hip Arthroplasty, and 18% in Total Knee Arthroplasty. Medicare expenditure differences between the highest and lowest deciles were because of a 5-fold difference for COL and 3-fold difference for CABG in index hospitalization cost. In contrast, for orthopedic procedures, there were 47- to 80-fold post-acute care expenditures between highest and lowest deciles. In multivariable analyses, patients with ≥3 comorbidities had significantly higher costs than healthier patients.

Conclusion:

We found that a subset of multimorbid patients was responsible for a disproportionate share of total Medicare spending, but the individual components of spending vary by procedure. These findings suggest that targeting high-cost Medicare patients (ie, hot spotting) for cost containment efforts would be a potentially effective strategy to reduce costs in surgical populations.
Utility of Time and Frequency Domain Parameters of Heart Rate Variability in the Context of Autonomic Disorders Characterized by Orthostatic Dysfunction
Authors: Baker Jacquie , Racosta Juan M. , Balint Brittany , Kimpinski Kurt
Published: January 2018

Purpose:

The clinical significance of heart rate variability in the context of autonomic dysfunction continues to be a matter of debate. A consensus is lacking on the best heart rate variability measures for clinical purposes. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to investigate the utility of heart rate variability parameters in healthy versus autonomic dysfunction.

Methods:

Healthy young (n = 134), healthy older (n = 32), and patients with mild (postural tachycardia syndrome; n = 25) and severe (neurogenic orthostatic hypotension; n = 34) autonomic dysfunction were included. Time and frequency parameters during baseline, head-up tilt (HUT), and heart rate response to deep breathing (HRDB) were compared.

Results:

Cardiovagal time parameters were significantly reduced during HUT in healthy young and postural tachycardia syndrome (P < 0.001). Healthy young had significantly higher time parameters during baseline, HUT, and HRDB (P < 0.01). This was reflected by a significantly lower resting heart rate (HR) (61.4 ± 9.0 bpm vs. 76.8 ± 13.6 bpm; P < 0.001) and a smaller ∆HR during HUT (32.8 ± 10.5 bpm vs. 44.4 ± 13.3 bpm; P < 0.001). Time parameters increased in young and postural tachycardia syndrome during HRDB, which was characterized by a nonsignificant difference in ∆HR between both groups. Time parameters were significantly higher in healthy old versus neurogenic orthostatic hypotension at rest and during HRDB (P < 0.05). During HUT, only the SD of all normal RR intervals remained significantly higher. Heart rate changes corroborated these findings. Resting HR was significantly lower in healthy older (62.6 ± 11.0 bpm vs. 70.7 ± 12.4 bpm), and ∆HR during HRDB was significantly higher (15.9 ± 9.2 bpm vs. 3.9 ± 4.2 bpm; P < 0.001). During HUT, ∆HR showed no significant differences.

Conclusions:

Time domain parameters of heart rate variability have a greater utility than frequency parameters in clinical autonomic disorders.
A genetic locus for paranoia
Authors: Crespi Bernard , Read Silven , Salminen Iiro , Hurd Peter
Published: January 2018

The psychological effects of brain-expressed imprinted genes in humans are virtually unknown. Prader–Willi syndrome (PWS) is a neurogenetic condition mediated by genomic imprinting, which involves high rates of psychosis characterized by hallucinations and paranoia, as well as autism. Altered expression of two brain-expressed imprinted genes,
MAGEL2
and
NDN
, mediates a suite of PWS-related phenotypes, including behaviour, in mice. We phenotyped a large population of typical individuals for schizophrenia-spectrum and autism-spectrum traits, and genotyped them for the single-nucleotide polymorphism rs850807, which is putatively functional and linked with
MAGEL2
and
NDN
. Genetic variation in rs850807 was strongly and exclusively associated with the ideas of reference subscale of the schizophrenia spectrum, which is best typified as paranoia. These findings provide a single-locus genetic model for analysing the neurological and psychological bases of paranoid thinking, and implicate imprinted genes, and genomic conflicts, in human mentalistic thought.
Inverted intergeneric introgression between critically endangered kipunjis and yellow baboons in two disjunct populations
Authors: Zinner Dietmar , Chuma Idrissa S. , Knauf Sascha , Roos Christian
Published: January 2018

Intergeneric hybridization and introgression was reported from one of two populations of the recently discovered kipunji (Rungwecebus kipunji), a critically endangered African monkey species of southern Tanzania. Kipunjis of the introgressed population (from Mount Rungwe) carry a mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) haplotype closely related to those of parapatric yellow baboons (Papio cynocephalus), whereas the second kipunji population, in the Udzungwa Mountains, carries the original kipunji mtDNA haplotypes, which diverged from the baboon lineage about 3 million years ago. Interestingly, in our study of yellow baboons in Tanzania, we found that baboons from the southeastern boundary of the Udzungwa Mountains carry mtDNA haplotypes closely related to the original kipunji haplotype, whereas baboons from the northern boundary, as expected, carry mtDNA haplotypes of the northern yellow baboon clade. These findings provide evidence for a case of inverted intergeneric admixture in primates: (i) a baboon mtDNA haplotype introgressed the Mount Rungwe kipunji population by mitochondrial capture and (ii) an Udzungwa Mountains kipunji mtDNA haplotype introgressed a small subpopulation of yellow baboons by either mitochondrial capture or nuclear swamping. The baboon–kipunji example therefore constitutes an interesting system for further studies of the effects of genetic admixture on fitness and speciation.
Stochastic resonances in a distributed genetic broadcasting system: the NF
κ
B/I
κ
B paradigm
Authors: Wang Zhipeng , Potoyan Davit A. , Wolynes Peter G.
Published: January 2018

Gene regulatory networks must relay information from extracellular signals to downstream genes in an efficient, timely and coherent manner. Many complex functional tasks such as the immune response require system-wide broadcasting of information not to one but to many genes carrying out distinct functions whose dynamical binding and unbinding characteristics are widely distributed. In such broadcasting networks, the intended target sites are also often dwarfed in number by the even more numerous non-functional binding sites. Taking the genetic regulatory network of NF
κ
B as an exemplary system we explore the impact of having numerous distributed sites on the stochastic dynamics of oscillatory broadcasting genetic networks pointing out how resonances in binding cycles control the network's specificity and performance. We also show that active kinetic regulation of binding and unbinding through molecular stripping of DNA bound transcription factors can lead to a higher coherence of gene-co-expression and synchronous clearance.
Grazer responses to variable macroalgal resource conditions facilitate habitat structuring
Authors: Rishworth Gavin M. , Perissinotto Renzo , Bird Matthew S. , Pelletier Noémie
Published: January 2018

Consumer responses to altered resource conditions can vary depending on dietary preference, resource characteristics and secondary resource features such as shelter. These can have cascading effects, especially if the consumed resource impacts on overall ecological functioning. In this study, we assessed the dietary composition of grazer communities following seasonal changes in the characteristics of their staple food-source (macroalgae). This was conducted in the living stromatolite pools growing along the coast of South Africa. Stable isotope mixing models suggested that following macroalgal bleaching in summer, metazoan consumers shifted their diet from predominantly macroalgae to a generalist composition. This has important implications for the integrity of the stromatolite matrix and its layered deposition. Where previously in winter stromatolite microalgae comprised a minor component of metazoan consumer diets, in summer, following a change in the resource conditions of macroalgae, microalgae featured more prominently in grazer diets. This seasonal grazing pressure on stromatolite-related resources probably promotes the pattern of annual layering observed in the stromatolite accretion. It also demonstrates a mechanism whereby grazer dietary shifts following a change in their preferred food resource can affect the ecosystem structure of their environment, specifically the stromatolite layering process which responds to microalgal growth or grazing conditions.
Amorphous mesoporous GeO

x

anode for Na-ion batteries with high capacity and long lifespan
Authors: Shen Kangze , Lin Ning , Xu Tianjun , Han Ying , Qian Yitai
Published: January 2018

It is recently demonstrated that amorphous Ge anode shows higher reversible Na-ion storage capacity (590 mA h g
−1
) than crystallized Ge anode (369 mA h g
−1
). Here, amorphous GeO

x

anode is prepared by a simple wet-chemistry reduction route at room temperature. The obtained amorphous GeO

x

shows a porous hierarchical architecture, accompanied with a Brunauer–Emmett–Teller surface area of 159 m
2
 g
−1
and an average pore diameter of 14 nm. This unique structure enables the GeO

x

anode to enhance the Na-ion/electron diffusion rate, and buffer the volume change. As anode for Na-ion battery, high reversible capacity over 400 mA h g
−1
, fine rate capability with a capacity of 200 mA h g
−1
maintained at 3.0 A g
−1
and long-term cycling stability with 270 mA h g
−1
even over 1000 cycles at 1.0 A g
−1
are obtained.
Dynamics of flexural gravity waves: from sea ice to Hawking radiation and analogue gravity
Authors: Das S. , Sahoo T. , Meylan M. H.
Published: January 2018

The propagation of flexural gravity waves, routinely used to model wave interaction with sea ice, is studied, including the effect of compression and current. A number of significant and surprising properties are shown to exist. The occurrence of blocking above a critical value of compression is illustrated. This is analogous to propagation of surface gravity waves in the presence of opposing current and light wave propagation in the curved space–time near a black hole, therefore providing a novel system for studying analogue gravity. Between the blocking and buckling limit of the compressive force, the dispersion relation possesses three positive real roots, contrary to an earlier observation of having a single positive real root. Negative energy waves, in which the phase and group velocity point in opposite directions, are also shown to exist. In the presence of an opposing current and certain critical ranges of compressive force, the second blocking point shifts from the positive to the negative branch of the dispersion relation. Such a shift is known as the Hawking effect from the analogous behaviour in the theory of relativity which leads to Hawking radiation. The theory we develop is illustrated with simulations of linear waves in the time domain.
Quantum algorithm for multivariate polynomial interpolation
Authors: Chen Jianxin , Childs Andrew M. , Hung Shih-Han
Published: January 2018

How many quantum queries are required to determine the coefficients of a degree-
d
polynomial in
n
variables? We present and analyse quantum algorithms for this multivariate polynomial interpolation problem over the fields

F

q

,

R

and

C

. We show that

k

C

and

2

k

C

queries suffice to achieve probability 1 for

C

and

R

, respectively, where

k

C

=

⌈
(

1

/

(

n
+
1

)
)

(

n
+
d

d

)

⌉

except for
d
=2 and four other special cases. For

F

q

, we show that ⌈(
d
/(
n
+
d
))(
n
+
d
d
) ⌉ queries suffice to achieve probability approaching 1 for large field order
q
. The classical query complexity of this problem is (
n
+
d
d
) , so our result provides a speed-up by a factor of
n
+1, (
n
+1)/2 and (
n
+
d
)/
d
for

C

,

R

and

F

q

, respectively. Thus, we find a much larger gap between classical and quantum algorithms than the univariate case, where the speedup is by a factor of 2. For the case of

F

q

, we conjecture that

2

k

C

queries also suffice to achieve probability approaching 1 for large field order
q
, although we leave this as an open problem.
Dynamics and locomotion of flexible foils in a frictional environment
Authors: Wang Xiaolin , Alben Silas
Published: January 2018

Over the past few decades, oscillating flexible foils have been used to study the physics of organismal propulsion in different fluid environments. Here, we extend this work to a study of flexible foils in a frictional environment. When the foil is oscillated by heaving at one end but is not free to locomote, the dynamics change from periodic to non-periodic and chaotic as the heaving amplitude increases or the bending rigidity decreases. For friction coefficients lying in a certain range, the transition passes through a sequence ofN-periodic and asymmetric states before reaching chaotic dynamics. Resonant peaks are damped and shifted by friction and large heaving amplitudes, leading to bistable states. When the foil is free to locomote, the horizontal motion smoothes the resonant behaviours. For moderate frictional coefficients, steady but slow locomotion is obtained. For large transverse friction and small tangential friction corresponding to wheeled snake robots, faster locomotion is obtained. Travelling wave motions arise spontaneously, and move with horizontal speeds that scale as transverse friction coefficient to the power 1/4 and input power that scales as the transverse friction coefficient to the power 5/12. These scalings are consistent with a boundary layer form of the solutions near the foil’s leading edge.
Quantum machine learning: a classical perspective
Authors: Ciliberto Carlo , Herbster Mark , Ialongo Alessandro Davide , Pontil Massimiliano , Rocchetto Andrea , Severini Simone , Wossnig Leonard
Published: January 2018

Recently, increased computational power and data availability, as well as algorithmic advances, have led machine learning (ML) techniques to impressive results in regression, classification, data generation and reinforcement learning tasks. Despite these successes, the proximity to the physical limits of chip fabrication alongside the increasing size of datasets is motivating a growing number of researchers to explore the possibility of harnessing the power of quantum computation to speed up classical ML algorithms. Here we review the literature in quantum ML and discuss perspectives for a mixed readership of classical ML and quantum computation experts. Particular emphasis will be placed on clarifying the limitations of quantum algorithms, how they compare with their best classical counterparts and why quantum resources are expected to provide advantages for learning problems. Learning in the presence of noise and certain computationally hard problems in ML are identified as promising directions for the field. Practical questions, such as how to upload classical data into quantum form, will also be addressed.
Variational formulation for dissipative continua and an incremental J-integral
Authors: Rahaman Md. Masiur , Dhas Bensingh , Roy D. , Reddy J. N.
Published: January 2018

Our aim is to rationally formulate a proper variational principle for dissipative (viscoplastic) solids in the presence of inertia forces. As a first step, a consistent linearization of the governing nonlinear partial differential equations (PDEs) is carried out. An additional set of complementary (adjoint) equations is then formed to recover an underlying variational structure for the augmented system of linearized balance laws. This makes it possible to introduce an incremental Lagrangian such that the linearized PDEs, including the complementary equations, become the Euler–Lagrange equations. Continuous groups of symmetries of the linearized PDEs are computed and an analysis is undertaken to identify the variational groups of symmetries of the linearized dissipative system. Application of Noether’s theorem leads to the conservation laws (conserved currents) of motion corresponding to the variational symmetries. As a specific outcome, we exploit translational symmetries of the functional in the material space and recover, via Noether’s theorem, an incremental J-integral for viscoplastic solids in the presence of inertia forces. Numerical demonstrations are provided through a two-dimensional plane strain numerical simulation of a compact tension specimen of annealed mild steel under dynamic loading.
Lizards of the lost arcs: mid-Cenozoic diversification, persistence and ecological marginalization in the West Pacific
Authors: Oliver Paul M. , Brown Rafe M. , Kraus Fred , Rittmeyer Eric , Travers Scott L. , Siler Cameron D.
Published: January 2018

Regions with complex geological histories often have diverse and highly endemic biotas, yet inferring the ecological and historical processes shaping this relationship remains challenging. Here, in the context of the taxon cycle model of insular community assembly, we investigate patterns of lineage diversity and habitat usage in a newly characterized vertebrate radiation centred upon the world's most geologically complex insular region: island arcs spanning from the Philippines to Fiji. On island arcs taxa are ecologically widespread, and provide evidence to support one key prediction of the taxon cycle, specifically that interior habitats (lowland rainforests, montane habitats) are home to a greater number of older or relictual lineages than are peripheral habitats (coastal and open forests). On continental fringes, however, the clade shows a disjunct distribution away from lowland rainforest, occurring in coastal, open or montane habitats. These results are consistent with a role for biotic interactions in shaping disjunct distributions (a central tenant of the taxon cycle), but we find this pattern most strongly on continental fringes not islands. Our results also suggest that peripheral habitats on islands, and especially island arcs, may be important for persistence and diversification, not just dispersal and colonization. Finally, new phylogenetic evidence for subaerial island archipelagos (with an associated biota) east of present-day Wallace's Line since the Oligocene has important implications for understanding long-term biotic interchange and assembly across Asia and Australia.
Strong social relationships are associated with decreased longevity in a facultatively social mammal
Authors: Blumstein Daniel T. , Williams Dana M. , Lim Alexandra N. , Kroeger Svenja , Martin Julien G. A.
Published: January 2018

Humans in strong social relationships are more likely to live longer because social relationships may buffer stressors and thus have protective effects. However, a shortcoming of human studies is that they often rely on self-reporting of these relationships. By contrast, observational studies of non-human animals permit detailed analyses of the specific nature of social relationships. Thus, discoveries that some social animals live longer and healthier lives if they are involved in social grooming, forage together or have more affiliative associates emphasizes the potential importance of social relationships on health and longevity. Previous studies have focused on the impact of social metrics on longevity in obligately social species. However, if sociality indeed has a key role in longevity, we might expect that affiliative relationships should also influence longevity in less social species. We focused on socially flexible yellow-bellied marmots (Marmota flaviventer) and asked whether female longevity covaries with the specific nature of social relationships. We quantified social relationships with social network statistics that were based on affiliative interactions, and then estimated the correlation between longevity and sociality using bivariate models. We found a significant negative phenotypic correlation between affiliative social relationship strength and longevity; marmots with greater degree, closeness and those with a greater negative average shortest path length died at younger ages. We conclude that sociality plays an important role in longevity, but how it does so may depend on whether a species is obligately or facultatively social.