bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Infestation of urban populations of the Northern white‐breasted hedgehog, Erinaceus roumanicus, by Ixodes spp. ticks in Poland
Authors: DZIEMIAN S. , MICHALIK J. , PI ŁACIŃSKA B. , BIALIK S. , SIKORA B. , ZWOLAK R.
Published: May 2014

Infestation by the nest‐dwelling Ixodes hexagonus Leach and the exophilic Ixodes ricinus (Linnaeus) (Ixodida: Ixodidae) on the Northern white‐breasted hedgehog, Erinaceus roumanicus (Erinaceomorpha: Erinaceidae), was investigated during a 4‐year study in residential areas of the city of Poznań, west‐central Poland. Of 341 hedgehogs, 303 (88.9%) hosted 10 061 Ixodes spp. ticks encompassing all parasitic life stages (larvae, nymphs, females). Ixodes hexagonus accounted for 73% and I. ricinus for 27% of the collected ticks. Male hedgehogs carried significantly higher tick burdens than females. Analyses of seasonal prevalence and abundance of I. hexagonus revealed relatively stable levels of infestation of all parasitic stages, with a modest summer peak in tick abundance noted only on male hosts. By contrast, I. ricinus females and nymphs peaked in spring and declined steadily thereafter in summer and autumn, whereas the less abundant larvae peaked in summer. This is the first longterm study to evaluate the seasonal dynamics of both tick species on populations of wild hedgehogs inhabiting urban residential areas.
Histone deacetylases (HDACs) in frontotemporal lobar degeneration
Authors: Whitehouse Amy , Doherty Klara , Yeh Hsin Hsien , Robinson Andrew C. , Rollinson Sara , Pickering‐Brown Stuart , Snowden Julie , Thompson Jennifer C , Davidson Yvonne S. , Mann David M. A.
Published: May 2014

Aims

Frontotemporal lobar degeneration (FTLD) is clinically and pathologically heterogeneous. Although associated with variations in MAPT, GRN and C9ORF72, the pathogenesis of these, and of other nongenetic, forms of FTLD, remains unknown. Epigenetic factors such as histone regulation by histone deacetylases (HDAC) may play a role in the dysregulation of transcriptional activity, thought to underpin the neurodegenerative process.

Methods

The distribution and intensity of HDACs 4, 5 and 6 was assessed semi‐quantitatively in immunostained sections of temporal cortex with hippocampus, and cerebellum, from 33 pathologically confirmed cases of FTLD and 27 controls.

Results

We found a significantly greater intensity of cytoplasmic immunostaining for HDAC4 and HDAC6 in granule cells of the dentate gyrus in cases of FTLD overall compared with controls, and specifically in cases of FTLD tau‐Picks compared with FTLD tau‐MAPT and controls. No differences were noted between FTLD‐TDP subtypes, or between the different genetic and nongenetic forms of FTLD. No changes were seen in HDAC5 in any FTLD or control cases.

Conclusions

Dysregulation of HDAC4 and/or HDAC6 could play a role in the pathogenesis of FTLD‐tau associated with Pick bodies, although their lack of immunostaining implies that such changes do not contribute directly to the formation of Pick bodies.
DNA damage response and senescence in endothelial cells of human cerebral cortex and relation to Alzheimer's neuropathology progression: a population‐based study in the Medical Research Council Cognitive Function and Ageing Study (MRC‐CFAS) cohort
Authors: Garwood Claire J. , Simpson Julie E. , Al Mashhadi Sufana , Axe Claire , Wilson Suzanna , Heath Pamela R. , Shaw Pamela J. , Matthews Fiona E. , Brayne Carol , Ince Paul G. , Wharton Stephen B. ,   the MRC Cognitive Function and Ageing Study
Published: May 2014

Aims

Abnormalities of the brain microvasculature in Alzheimer's disease have led to the vascular hypothesis of the disease, which predicts that vascular changes precede neuronal dysfunction and degeneration. To determine the spectrum of endothelial injury in the elderly and its relation to Alzheimer‐type neuropathology we investigated DNA damage in a population‐based sample derived from the Medical Research Council Cognitive Function and Ageing Study.

Methods

We examined endothelial damage in frontal and temporal cortex (n = 97) using immunohistochemistry for γH2AX and DNA–protein kinase (DNA‐PKcs). To determine the effects of endothelial DNA damage at the earliest stages of Alzheimer's pathology we further focused our analysis on cases classified as Braak 0–II and examined endothelial senescence using histochemistry for β‐galactosidase and the expression of genes related to DNA damage and senescence using quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR).

Results

We demonstrated large variation in endothelial DNA damage which was not associated with Alzheimer's neuropathology. Endothelial DNA‐PKcs correlated with neuronal and glial DNA‐PKcs counts. Focusing our further analysis on Braak 0–II cases, qPCR analysis demonstrated a trend to increased TP53 (P = 0.064) in cases with high compared with low endothelial DNA damage which was supported by immunohistochemical analysis of p53. Endothelial β‐galactosidase expression was associated with increased neuronal (P = 0.033) and glial (P = 0.038), but not endothelial DNA‐PKcs expression.

Conclusions

Damage to brain endothelial cells occurs early in relation to, or independently of, Alzheimer pathology, and parallels that in neurones and glia. Endothelial DNA damage and senescence are a brain ageing process that may contribute to dysfunction of the neurovascular unit in some elderly individuals.
Angiocentric glioma: a report of nine new cases, including four with atypical histological features
Authors: Ni Hai‐Chun , Chen Shi‐Yun , Chen Li , Lu De‐Hong , Fu Yong‐Juan , Piao Yue‐Shan
Published: May 2014

Aims

Angiocentric glioma (AG) is a rare, slow‐growing tumour of the central nervous system. It is often associated with refractory epilepsy and occurs most commonly in children and young adults. We herein report nine cases of AG, including four with atypical histological findings.

Methods

The clinical data and clinicopathological findings of nine cases with AG histological features were described.

Results

All nine patients had a history of refractory epilepsy with a mean history of 4.4 years and a median age of 17.6 years at surgery. The AG lesions were located in the superficial cerebrocortical region. Histological examination of these cases revealed characteristic structural features of AG, including bipolar spindle‐shaped cells with an angiocentric growth pattern. However, four cases also exhibited atypical histological features: one had astroblastoma‐like characteristics, two had a distinct cystic region with an onion‐like structure and myxoid changes, and the other one had a region involving many abnormal neurones reminiscent to ganglioglioma. All were positive for glial fibrillary acidic protein and vimentin. Eight cases were positive for epithelial membrane antigen (EMA), with a dot‐like staining pattern. A diffuse D2‐40 staining was visible in these cases, with two having similar staining pattern to EMA. All cases were immunonegative for BRAF V600E and isocitrate dehydrogenase‐1 R132H mutations.

Conclusions

Our results demonstrate that atypical histological features can be present in AG. A collection of more cases and further molecular analyses are required to confirm our findings.
Plant–pollinator interactions and phenological change: what can we learn about climate impacts from experiments and observations?
Authors: Forrest Jessica R. K.
Published: May 2014

Climate change can affect plant–pollinator interactions in a variety of ways, but much of the research attention has focused on whether independent shifts in phenology will alter temporal overlap between plants and pollinators. Here I review the research on plant–pollinator mismatch, assessing the potential for observational and experimental approaches to address particular aspects of the problem. Recent, primarily observational studies suggest that phenologies of co‐occurring plants and pollinators tend to respond similarly to environmental cues, but that nevertheless, certain pairs of interacting species are showing independent shifts in phenology. Only in a few cases, however, have these independent shifts been shown to affect population vital rates (specifically, seed production by plants) but this largely reflects a lack of research. Compared to the few long‐term studies of pollination in natural plant populations, experimental manipulations of phenology have yielded relatively optimistic conclusions about effects of phenological shifts on plant reproduction, and I discuss how issues of scale and frequency‐dependence in pollinator behaviour affect the interpretation of these ‘temporal transplant’ experiments. Comparable research on the impacts of mismatch on pollinator populations is so far lacking, but both observational studies and focused experiments have the potential to improve our forecasts of pollinator responses to changing phenologies. Finally, while there is now evidence that plant–pollinator mismatch can affect seed production by plants, it is still unclear whether this phenological impact will be the primary way in which climate change affects plant–pollinator interactions. It would be useful to test the direct effects of changing climate on pollinator population persistence, and to compare the importance of phenological mismatch with other threats to pollination.
Dissonance and Irrationality: A Criticism of The In‐Between Account of Dissonance Cases
Authors: Borgoni Cristina
Published: May 2014

In a dissonance case, a person sincerely and with conviction asserts that P, while his/her overall automatic behavior suggests that he/she believes that not‐P. According to Schwitzgebel (2001, 2010), this is a case of in‐between believing. This article raises several concerns about Schwitzgebel's account and proposes an alternative view. I argue that the in‐between approach yields incorrect results in belief self‐ascriptions and does not capture the psychological conflict underlying the individual's dissonance. I advance the view that in relevant cases the dissonant individual has two mutually contradictory beliefs.
Quantitative trait loci for quality and agronomic traits in two advanced backcross populations in oat (Avena sativa L.)
Authors: Herrmann Matthias H. , Yu Jianzhong , Beuch Steffen , Weber Wilhelm E.
Published: May 2014

Using the advanced backcross quantitative trait loci (AB‐QTL) strategy, we successfully transferred and mapped valuable allelic variants from the high β‐glucan (BG) accession IAH611 (PI 502955), into the genome of cultivar ‘Iltis’. By backcrossing one BC1F1 plant to ‘Iltis’, we developed two BC2F2‐6 populations A and B, comprising 98 and 72 F2‐individuals, respectively. Genotyping of BC2F2 individuals with predominantly AFLP markers resulted in 12 linkage groups with a map size of 455.4 cM for Population A and 11 linkage groups with a map size of 313.5 cM for Population B. Both populations were grown at three sites in Germany over a three‐year period. Individuals were then phenotyped for 13 traits including grain yield (YD) and β‐glucan content (BG). QTL analysis via stepwise regression detected a total of 33 QTLs, most of which were clustered in three linkage groups. Two dense linkage groups A1 and B13 were found to be putatively homologous to groups KO_6 and KO_11 of the ‘Kanota’/‘Ogle’ map, respectively.
Clinical features of hyperadrenergic postural tachycardia syndrome in children
Authors: Zhang Qingyou , Chen Xia , Li Jiawei , Du Junbao
Published: May 2014

Background

Hyperadrenergic postural tachycardia syndrome (POTS) is the main phenotype of POTS. The aim of this study was to present our single‐center experience of hyperadrenergic POTS in children and adolescents.

Methods

Thirty‐seven patients who met the diagnostic criteria for POTS were enrolled in our study. Their orthostatic serum norepinephrine levels were determined by high‐performance liquid chromatography. In a retrospective analysis, based on clinical and serum norepinephrine criteria, we analyzed the clinical features of POTS cases between the POTS‐alone group and the hyperadrenergic POTS group.

Results

Nineteen patients (51.35%) met the diagnostic criteria for hyperadrenergic POTS and 18 patients were assigned to the POTS‐alone group. Compared with the POTS‐alone patients, dizziness, headache and tremulousness were more frequent in patients with hyperadrenergic POTS (P < 0.05). During the tilt table test, children with hyperadrenergic POTS had a greater increment of systolic blood pressure and heart rate than POTS‐alone patients.

Conclusion

Patients with hyperadrenergic POTS should be identified and differentiated from those with neuropathic POTS. Hyperadrenergic POTS in children and adolescents should be considered when POTS patients suffer from frequent dizziness, headache, and tremulousness. In head‐up tilt testing, children and adolescents with hemodynamic characteristics of hyperadrenergic POTS had greater increments of systolic blood pressure and heart rate.
A Multivariate Spatial Mixture Model for Areal Data: Examining Regional Differences in Standardized Test Scores
Authors: Neelon Brian , Gelfand Alan E. , Miranda Marie Lynn
Published: May 2014

Motivated by a study exploring geographic disparities in test scores among fourth graders in North Carolina, we develop a multivariate mixture model for the spatial analysis of correlated continuous outcomes. The responses are modelled as a finite mixture of multivariate normal distributions, which accommodates a wide range of marginal response distributions and allows investigators to examine covariate effects within subpopulations of interest. The model has a hierarchical structure incorporating both individual and areal level predictors as well as spatial random effects for each mixture component. Conditional auto-regressive priors on the random effects provide spatial smoothing and allow the shape of the multivariate distribution to vary flexibly across geographic regions. By integrating over this distribution, we obtain region-specific joint, marginal and conditional inferences of interest. We adopt a Bayesian modelling approach and develop an efficient posterior sampling algorithm that relies primarily on closed form full conditionals. Our results show that students in the central and coastal counties of North Carolina demonstrate higher achievement on average than students in the other parts of the state. These findings can be used to guide county level initiatives, such as school-based literacy programmes, to improve elementary education.
Pseudoempirical-Likelihood-Based Method Using Calibration for Longitudinal Data with Dropout
Authors: Chen Baojiang , Zhou Xiao-Hua , Chan Gary
Published: May 2014

In observational studies, interest mainly lies in estimation of the population level relationship between the explanatory variables and dependent variables, and the estimation is often undertaken by using a sample of longitudinal data. In some situations, the longitudinal data sample features biases and loss of estimation efficiency due to non-random dropout. However, inclusion of population level information can increase estimation efficiency. We propose an empirical-likelihood-based method to incorporate population level information in a longitudinal study with dropout. The population level information is incorporated via constraints on functions of the parameters, and non-random dropout bias is corrected by using a weighted generalized estimating equations method. We provide a three-step estimation procedure that makes computation easier. Some commonly used methods are compared in simulation studies, which demonstrate that our proposed method can correct the non-random dropout bias and increase the estimation efficiency, especially for small sample sizes or when the missing proportion is high. In some situations, the improvement in efficiency is substantial. Finally, we apply the method to an Alzheimer's disease study.
Emulating and Calibrating the Multiple-Fidelity Lyon–Fedder–Mobarry Magnetosphere–Ionosphere Coupled Computer Model
Authors: Heaton Matthew J. , Kleiber William , Sain Stephan R. , Wiltberger Michael
Published: May 2014

The Lyon–Fedder–Mobarry global magnetosphere–ionosphere coupled model LFM-MIX is used to study Sun–Earth interactions by simulating geomagnetic storms. This work focuses on relating the multifidelity output from LFM-MIX to field observations of ionospheric conductance. Given a set of input values and solar wind data, LFM-MIX numerically solves the magnetohydrodynamic equations and outputs a bivariate spatiotemporal field of ionospheric energy and flux. Of particular interest here are LFM-MIX input settings required to match corresponding output with field observations. To estimate these input settings, a multivariate spatiotemporal statistical LFM-MIX emulator is constructed. The statistical emulator leverages the multiple fidelities such that the less computationally demanding yet lower fidelity LFM-MIX is used to provide estimates of the higher fidelity output. The higher fidelity LFM-MIX output is then used for calibration by using additive and non-linear discrepancy functions.
Generalized Additive Models for Large Data Sets
Authors: Wood Simon N. , Goude Yannig , Shaw Simon
Published: May 2014

We consider an application in electricity grid load prediction, where generalized additive models are appropriate, but where the data set's size can make their use practically intractable with existing methods. We therefore develop practical generalized additive model fitting methods for large data sets in the case in which the smooth terms in the model are represented by using penalized regression splines. The methods use iterative update schemes to obtain factors of the model matrix while requiring only subblocks of the model matrix to be computed at any one time. We show that efficient smoothing parameter estimation can be carried out in a well-justified manner. The grid load prediction problem requires updates of the model fit, as new data become available, and some means for dealing with residual auto-correlation in grid load. Methods are provided for these problems and parallel implementation is covered. The methods allow estimation of generalized additive models for large data sets by using modest computer hardware, and the grid load prediction problem illustrates the utility of reduced rank spline smoothing methods for dealing with complex modelling problems.
Emotion Knowledge, Loneliness, Negative Social Experiences, and Internalizing Symptoms Among Low‐income Preschoolers
Authors: Heinze Justin E. , Miller Alison L. , Seifer Ronald , Dickstein Susan , Locke Robin L.
Published: May 2014

Children with poor emotion knowledge (EK) skills are at risk for externalizing problems; less is known about early internalizing behavior. We examined multiple facets of EK and social‐emotional experiences relevant for internalizing difficulties, including loneliness, victimization, and peer rejection, in Head Start preschoolers (N = 134; M = 60 months). Results based on multiple informants suggest that facets of EK are differentially related to negative social‐emotional experiences and internalizing behavior and that sex plays a moderating role. Behavioral EK was associated with self‐reported loneliness, victimization/rejection, and parent‐reported internalizing symptoms. Emotion recognition and expressive EK were related to self‐reported loneliness, and emotion situation knowledge was related to parent‐reported internalizing symptoms and negative peer nominations. Sex moderated many of these associations, suggesting that EK may operate differently for girls vs. boys in the preschool social context. Results are discussed with regard to the role of EK for social development and intervention implications.
Skin texture aging trend analysis using dermoscopy images
Authors: Choi Y.‐H. , Kim D. , Hwang E. , Kim B. J.
Published: May 2014

Background/purpose

To date, the degree of skin damage caused by diverse factors, such as aging and persistent sunlight exposure, has been evaluated based on the personal experience and knowledge of dermatologists because there is no standard method for objective evaluation. If a standard method were available, patients could obtain more consistent information about their skin condition, and hence perform more effective treatment of the skin damage. In this paper, we demonstrate how to establish a standard method using dermoscopy images of subjects of various ages. We focus on three body parts, specifically the face, neck, and hands, and extract various skin texture features to quantitatively and objectively represent the skin condition.

Method

We construct a model for skin damage evaluation based on various skin texture features. To accomplish this objective, we consider various features from face, neck, and hand dermoscopy images, including texture length, width and depth, cell area, the number of cells in a fixed region, radius ratio of inscribed and circumscribed circles of a wrinkle cell, and average perimeter of a wrinkle cell. In this study, a wrinkle cell represents the smallest skin region enclosed by textures. We then perform a linear regression for texture features based on subject age.

Result

A dermoscopy image can be automatically analyzed by extracting skin texture features. We demonstrate aging trends by performing linear regression on these features. Based on this result, a quantitative and objective evaluation of the skin condition can be provided.

Conclusion

We proposed several new skin texture features and developed algorithms to accurately extract them. We analyzed these features and demonstrated their age‐related change trends by using graphs and charts. We believe that our result can be used as a standard method for evaluating degrees of skin damage. Moreover, we believe that our proposed method can be applied in various areas, such as performance evaluation of certain skin products.
Female donors and donors who are lighter than their recipient are less likely to meet the CD34+ cell dose requested for peripheral blood stem cell transplantation
Authors: Billen Annelies , Madrigal J. Alejandro , Szydlo Richard M. , Shaw Bronwen E.
Published: May 2014

Background

It is of clinical relevance to recognize donors who are unlikely to meet the requested stem cell dose for transplantation, as this group may benefit from an alternative mobilization regimen. This study was performed to evaluate the frequency of unrelated donor peripheral blood stem cell (PBSC) collections that meet the target yield and the impact of donor factors on this.

Study Design and Methods

All sequential PBSC collections facilitated by the national registry (n = 323) from January through December 2011 were analyzed. Donor factors analyzed included age, sex, weight, and presence of a central line.

Results

In univariate analyses, we found that reaching the target yield was significantly associated with a higher donor weight (85.6 kg vs. 75.3 kg, p < 0.001), male donor sex (55% vs. 19%, p < 0.001), a positive difference in weight between donor and recipient (4.3 kg vs. −8 kg, p < 0.001), and a higher volume of blood processed (13.8 L vs. 11.9 L, p < 0.001). After stepwise binary logistic regression, sex (p < 0.001) and difference between donor and recipient weight (p < 0.005) remained significantly associated with target yield being met after 1 day of collection.

Conclusions

This study shows than women and donors who are lighter than their recipient have a decreased likelihood of meeting the transplant physician's requested dose. New strategies to improve mobilization in such donors are needed. These findings may also impact future donor recruitment strategies.
Screening for HLA antibodies in plateletpheresis donors with a history of transfusion or pregnancy
Authors: De Clippel Dorien , Baeten Martine , Torfs Anneleen , Emonds Marie‐Paule , Feys Hendrik B. , Compernolle Veerle , Vandekerckhove Philippe
Published: May 2014

Background

Transfusion‐related acute lung injury (TRALI) is known as a life‐threatening complication of transfusion. HLA and HNA antibodies have been associated with the immune pathway of TRALI. Since donors with a history of transfusion and/or pregnancy are presumed to have an increased risk of carrying such antibodies, we investigated the association of a history of transfusion or pregnancy with the occurrence of HLA alloimmunization in our donor population.

Study Design and Methods

A total of 1018 female plateletpheresis donors and male plateletpheresis donors with a history of transfusion were enrolled in the study. Included donors were systematically screened, using Luminex technology, for anti‐HLA Class I and II. The association of donor history with HLA alloimmunization status was analyzed.

Results

The overall alloimmunization rate was 20.2%. In 0.0% of the nulliparous transfused female donors and in 1.3% of the transfused male donors, anti‐HLA were detected. Thirty‐one percent of the parous women versus 4.2% of the nulliparous women screened positive for anti‐HLA. The rate of HLA alloimmunization increased with parity.

Conclusion

Our data indicate that a history of transfusion is a minor risk factor for immunization against HLA antigens. In contrast, former pregnancies constitute a major risk factor for the development of HLA antibodies. Since HLA alloimmunization rate increases with parity, TRALI risk reduction measures should focus on this particular donor population. Repeated testing of female plateletpheresis donors after each pregnancy is implemented in our blood service.
Preferential gene transcription of T helper 2 cytokines in peripheral CCR4+CD4+ lymphocytes in dogs
Authors: Iio Aki , Motohashi Tsutomu , Kunisada Takahiro , Yasuhira Yuma , Kamishina Hiroaki , Maeda Sadatoshi
Published: May 2014

Background

Previous studies reported the involvement of CC chemokine receptor 4 (CCR4)‐positive CD4+ cells in the pathogenesis of canine atopic dermatitis. In humans, CCR4 is selectively expressed on type 2 helper T (Th2) cells; however, a subset of canine CCR4+ helper T cells has not been determined.

Hypothesis/Objectives

To characterize the transcription profile of CCR4+CD4+ lymphocytes isolated from the peripheral blood of healthy dogs.

Animals

Three healthy dogs were used.

Methods

The transcription levels of type 1 helper T (Th1) and Th2 cytokines in CCR4+CD4+ and CCR4−CD4+ lymphocytes isolated from healthy dogs were quantified by real‐time RT‐PCR.

Results

The CCR4+CD4+ lymphocytes preferentially transcribed Th2 cytokines, such as interleukin‐4 and interleukin‐13, but not Th1 cytokines, such as interferon‐γ.

Conclusions and clinical importance

CCR4 can be used as a specific marker of Th2 cells for elucidation of the pathogenesis or the establishment of novel therapeutics in canine Th2‐associated diseases, such as canine atopic dermatitis.
Minocycline pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics in dogs: dosage recommendations for treatment of meticillin‐resistant Staphylococcus pseudintermedius infections
Authors: Maaland Marit G. , Guardabassi Luca , Papich Mark G.
Published: May 2014

Background

Although minocycline is not licensed for use in dogs, this tetracycline has therapeutic potential against meticillin‐resistant Staphylococcus pseudintermedius.

Hypothesis/Objectives

The aim of this study was to establish rational dosage recommendations for minocycline use in dogs. Specific objectives were to generate and analyse minocycline pharmacokinetic (PK) data on plasma and interstitial fluid (ISF) concentrations, plasma protein binding and pharmacodynamic (PD) data on antimicrobial activity against S. pseudintermedius.

Animals

Six healthy dogs from a research colony were used in this study.

Methods

Dogs were administered 5 mg/kg intravenously and 10 mg/kg orally (p.o.) of minocycline hydrochloride in separate crossover experiments. In vivo drug concentrations in plasma and in ISF collected by ultrafiltration were measured by high‐performance liquid chromatography. Pharmacokinetic analysis was performed on plasma and ISF concentrations. PK/PD analysis was completed using in vitro data on plasma protein binding and minocycline susceptibility in 168 S. pseudintermedius isolates.

Results

Minocycline distributed to the ISF to a higher degree than predicted by the protein‐unbound fraction in plasma. A large volume of distribution after oral administration, with plasma and ISF elimination half‐lives of 4.1 and 7.4 h, respectively, demonstrated that the ISF serves as a drug reservoir for sustained tissue concentrations. Monte Carlo simulation, used to assess target attainment at different drug dosages, indicated that p.o. administration of 5 mg/kg twice daily is sufficient to inhibit S. pseudintermedius strains with minimal inhibitory concentrations ≤0.25 μg/mL.

Conclusions and clinical importance

Besides dosage recommendations for therapy of meticillin‐resistant Staphylococcus pseudintermedius infections in dogs, the study also provides PK/PD data necessary to consider species‐specific clinical breakpoints for minocycline susceptibility testing.
The ecophysiological determinants of nitrophily in annual weed species
Authors: Moreau D , Busset H , Matejicek A , Munier‐Jolain N
Published: May 2014

Plant nitrophily plays a key role in weed community assembly. To date, the determinants of the success of nitrophilic weeds and of the decline of oligotrophic weeds in intensive cropping systems are not fully understood. This study investigated which ecophysiological traits related to carbon and N nutrition explain plant nitrophily in field annual species. Twelve species (consisting of monocotyledonous and dicotyledonous species, as well as crops and weeds) covering the oligotrophic‐nitrophilic continuum were grown in a glasshouse experiment at two contrasted conditions of soil‐nitrogen supply. From measured plant growth variables, ecophysiological traits were calculated to account for plant nutritional strategies. Globally, whatever the soil‐nitrogen supply, increased nitrophily was associated with a decreased allocation of carbon to root vs. shoot. At high soil‐nitrogen only, increased nitrophily was also generally associated with an increased nitrogen uptake activity per unit of root biomass, pointing to a trade‐off between oligotrophic species with a preferential carbon investment in root structure and nitrophilic species with a preferential carbon investment in root activity. Beyond these global trends explaining nitrophily, results also show that different strategies are possible for plant species to be considered as nitrophilic. This study provides evidence on why adjusting N fertilisation in quantity, in space (with nitrogen fertiliser placement on the row) or in time can be useful strategies to manage the most nitrophilic weeds, which are also the most problematic in intensive cropping systems.
A Methodological Quality Synthesis of Systematic Reviews on Computer‐Mediated Continuing Education for Healthcare Providers
Authors: Militello Lisa K. , Gance‐Cleveland Bonnie , Aldrich Heather , Kamal Rabah
Published: May 2014

Background

Healthcare providers use continuing education (CE) to meet professional development requirements and to ensure optimal patient care. There has been a dramatic increase in computer‐mediated CE (CMCE) programs.

Aims

To synthesize the literature regarding the current state of the science on the efficacy of CMCE for healthcare professionals, particularly as it relates to provider learning and patient outcomes. Specifically, this review assesses the methodological quality of existing systematic reviews and meta‐analyses.

Methods

A literature search was conducted using Cochrane Library, PubMed, and CINAHL. Review articles evaluating the efficacy of CMCE for healthcare providers were included. Publications were searched between 2002 and 2013 and limited to those printed in English. An objective measurement tool, AMSTAR, was used to assess the methodological quality of each review. AMSTAR is an 11‐item instrument, in which individual criteria were evaluated and a composite score of all 11 components was determined for each review. Outcomes of each review were also categorized based on Kirkpatrick's levels for summative evaluation: (i) Learner satisfaction, (ii) Learning outcomes, (iii) Performance improvement, (iv) Patient/health outcomes.

Results

Starting with 231 articles, 11 met the inclusion criteria for this evaluation. AMSTAR quality scores of the reviews ranged from 7 to 11, with 11 indicating the strongest quality. Although weak research design of many studies and heterogeneous topics covered make summative evaluations difficult, there were some common themes covered in the articles reviewed. Healthcare providers were largely satisfied with using CMCE programs. Overall, the studies comparing CMCE to traditional CE methods found the impact on learning outcomes to be comparable, with neither method necessarily superior. Additionally, all reviews lacked evaluation of practice outcomes.

Linking Evidence to Action

While results of this review show promise for CMCE, further evaluation and more rigorously conducted research is necessary. Particular focus is needed to determine the effects of CMCE on health outcomes.
The Influence of a Sport-for-Peace Event on Prejudice and Change Agent Self-Efficacy
Authors: Peachey Jon Welty , Cunningham George B. , Lyras Alexis , Cohen Adam , Bruening Jennifer
Published: May 2014

The purpose of this research project was to examine the impact of participating in a sport-for-peace event and one’s social dominance orientation on prejudice and change agent self-efficacy. In Study 1, participants (n = 136) completed questionnaires both before and following their participation in a sport-for-peace event. The event was designed to ensure both high levels of and quality intergroup contact, with interactions confirmed through a manipulation check. Results from the doubly repeated measures analysis of variance indicate a significant decrease in prejudice and a significant increase in change agent self-efficacy. Social dominance orientation did not influence the nature of these changes. In Study 2, the authors conducted focus group interviews with 27 participants to better understand how the event impacted prejudice and change agent self-efficacy. Results indicate that the team-based sport environment and social opportunities were instrumental in prejudice reduction while the educational platform was important for increasing change agent self-efficacy.
Is glaucoma comprehension associated with psychological disturbance and vision-related quality of life for patients with glaucoma? A cross-sectional study
Authors: Kong Xiang Mei , Zhu Wen Qing , Hong Jia Xu , Sun Xing Huai
Published: May 2014

Objective

To investigate whether understanding of glaucoma is associated with psychological disturbance and vision-related quality of life (QoL) in patients with glaucoma.

Design

A prospective, hospital-based, cross-sectional study.

Setting

Shanghai, China.

Participants

Five hundred patients with glaucoma were included in the study. Participants were asked to complete the glaucoma comprehension questionnaire, the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) questionnaire, and the 25-item National Eye Institute Visual Functioning Questionnaire (NEI VFQ-25).

Outcome measures

Sociodemographic data and clinical data were collected. Multivariate adjusted linear regression analyses were performed to examine factors related to psychological disorder and QoL. The relationship between understanding of glaucoma and psychological status or QoL was analysed.

Results

The mean age of patients was 56.5±17.2 years, and the mean duration of glaucoma was 4.6±6.3 years. About half (54.2%) of the patients had primary open angle glaucoma, 37.2% had primary angle closure glaucoma, and 8.6% had secondary glaucoma. The total score and the subscores of knowledge of glaucoma, compliance and habits were all negatively correlated with the HADS-Depression and HADS scores. For NEI VFQ-25, the total comprehension score was positively related to general vision, near activity, distance activity, social function, colour vision and the composite score. Habits had a significant influence on both HADS-Depression and the composite score of NEI VFQ-25.

Conclusions

The level of understanding about glaucoma is an independent factor negatively associated with psychological disturbance and positively associated with QoL in patients with glaucoma. However, it is a subjective factor which can be regulated, so imparting knowledge about glaucoma and establishing appropriate habits might help patients alleviate psychological disturbance and enhance their QoL.
Greenness and allergies: evidence of differential associations in two areas in Germany
Authors: Fuertes Elaine , Markevych Iana , von Berg Andrea , Bauer Carl-Peter , Berdel Dietrich , Koletzko Sibylle , Sugiri Dorothea , Heinrich Joachim
Published: May 2014

Background

Positive greenness effects on health are increasingly reported, although studies on allergic outcomes remain limited and conflicting. We examined whether residential greenness is associated with childhood doctor diagnosed allergic rhinitis, eyes and nose symptoms and aeroallergen sensitisation using two combined birth cohorts (GINIplus and LISAplus) followed from birth to 10 years in northern and southern Germany (Ntotal=5803).

Methods

Mean residential greenness in a 500 m buffer around the 10-year home addresses was defined using the Normalized Difference Vegetation Index, a green biomass density indicator. Longitudinal associations were assessed per study area (GINI/LISA South and GINI/LISA North) using generalised estimation equations adjusted for host and environmental covariates.

Results

Despite identical study designs and statistical modelling, greenness effects differed across the two study areas. Associations were elevated for allergic rhinitis and eyes and nose symptoms in the urban GINI/LISA South area. In contrast, risk estimates were significantly below one for these outcomes and aeroallergen sensitisation in rural GINI/LISA North. Area-specific associations were similar across buffer sizes and addresses (birth and 6 years) and remained heterogeneous after air pollution and population density stratification.

Conclusions

Existing and future single-area studies on greenness and green spaces should be interpreted with caution.
Activation of the central histaminergic system mediates arachidonic-acid-induced cardiovascular effects
Authors: Altinbas Burcin , Topuz Bora Burak , İlhan Tuncay , Yilmaz Mustafa Sertac , Erdost Hatice , Yalcin Murat
Published: May 2014

The aim of this study was to explain the involvement of the central histaminergic system in arachidonic acid (AA)-induced cardiovascular effects in normotensive rats using hemodynamic, immunohistochemistry, and microdialysis studies. Intracerebroventricularly (i.c.v.) administered AA (0.25, 0.5, and 1.0 μmol) induced dose- and time-dependent increases in mean arterial pressure and decreased heart rate in conscious normotensive Sprague–Dawley rats. Central injection of AA (0.5 μmol) also increased posterior hypothalamic extracellular histamine levels and produced strong COX-1 but not COX-2 immunoreactivity in the posterior hypothalamus of rats. Moreover, the cardiovascular effects and COX-1 immunoreactivity in the posterior hypothalamus induced by AA (0.5 μmol; i.c.v.) were almost completely blocked by the H2 receptor antagonist ranitidine (50 and 100 nmol; i.c.v.) and partially blocked by the H1 receptor blocker chlorpheniramine (100 nmol; i.c.v.) and the H3–H4 receptor antagonist thioperamide (50 and 100 nmol; i.c.v.). In conclusion, these results indicate that centrally administered AA induces pressor and bradycardic responses in conscious rats. Moreover, we suggest that AA may activate histaminergic neurons and increase extracellular histamine levels, particularly in the posterior hypothalamus. Acting as a neurotransmitter, histamine is potentially involved in AA-induced cardiovascular effects under normotensive conditions.
Possible imprints of cosmic strings in the shadows of galactic black holes
Authors: Tinchev Vassil K. , Yazadjiev Stoytcho S.
Published: May 2014

We examine the shadow cast by a Kerr black hole pierced by a cosmic string. The observable images depend not only on the black hole spin parameter and the angle of inclination, but also on the deficit angle yielded by the cosmic string. The dependence of the observable characteristics of the shadow on the deficit angle is explored. The imprints in the black hole shadow left by the presence of a cosmic string can serve in principle as a method for observational detection of such strings.
Semiclassical dynamics of horizons in spherically symmetric collapse
Authors: Tavakoli Yaser , Marto João , Dapor Andrea
Published: May 2014

In this paper, we consider a semiclassical description of the spherically symmetric gravitational collapse with a massless scalar field. In particular, we employ an effective scenario provided by holonomy corrections from loop quantum gravity (LQG), to the homogeneous interior spacetime. The singularity that would arise at the final stage of the corresponding classical collapse, is resolved in this context and is replaced by a bounce. Our main purpose is to investigate the evolution of trapped surfaces during this semiclassical collapse. Within this setting, we obtain a threshold radius for the collapsing shells in order to have horizons formation. In addition, we study the final state of the collapse by employing a suitable matching at the boundary shell from which quantum gravity effects are carried to the exterior geometry.
DYNAMICS ANALYSIS OF A VACCINATION MODEL FOR HPV TRANSMISSION
Authors: ALSALEH ALIYA A. , GUMEL ABBA B.
Published: May 2014

A new deterministic model for the transmission dynamics of human papillomavirus (HPV) and related cancers, in the presence of the Gardasil vaccine (which targets four HPV types), is presented. In the absence of routine vaccination in the community, the model is shown to undergo the phenomenon of backward bifurcation. This phenomenon, which has important consequences on the feasibility of effective disease control in the community, arises due to the re-infection of recovered individuals. For the special case when backward bifurcation does not occur, the disease-free equilibrium (DFE) of the model is shown to be globally-asymptotically stable (GAS) if the associated reproduction number is less than unity. The model with vaccination is also rigorously analyzed. Numerical simulations of the model with vaccination show that, with the assumed 90% efficacy of the Gardasil vaccine, the effective community-wide control of the four Gardasil-preventable HPV types is feasible if the Gardasil coverage rate is high enough (in the range 78–88%).
Implementing distributed shared memory for dynamic networks
Authors: Musial Peter , Nicolaou Nicolas , Shvartsman Alexander A.
Published: May 2014

Atomically consistent memory services provide resiliency in dynamic settings.
CDMA Enabled Wireless Network-on-Chip
Authors: Vijayakumaran Vineeth , Yuvaraj Manoj Prashanth , Mansoor Naseef , Nerurkar Nishad , Ganguly Amlan , Kwasinski Andres
Published: May 2014

Multihop communication links in conventional Networks-on-Chips (NoCs) results in lower rates of data transfer and higher energy dissipation. Long-range millimeter-wave wireless interconnects were envisioned to alleviate this problem. However, the available bandwidth of the wireless channels is limited and hence an efficient media access control (MAC) scheme is required to enhance the utilization of the available bandwidth. In this article we show that with multiple simultaneous access of the shared wireless medium using a Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA) scheme the peak performance can be improved significantly while lowering energy dissipation in data transfer compared to the conventional wireline counterparts as well as state-of-the-art Wireless NoCs using similar technologies. We present a thorough analysis of the reliability in data transfer using the CDMA based wireless links and show that a reliability-aware architecture design with CDMA based wireless links can lower the energy dissipation in NoC fabrics without compromising the achievable robustness.
Generating Test Cases for Programs that Are Coded against Interfaces and Annotations
Authors: Islam Mainul , Csallner Christoph
Published: May 2014

Automatic test case generation for software programs is very powerful but suffers from a key limitation. That is, most current test case generation techniques fail to cover testee code when covering that code requires additional pieces of code not yet part of the program under test. To address some of these cases, the Pex state-of-the-art test case generator can generate basic mock code. However, current test case generators cannot handle cases in which the code under test uses multiple interfaces, annotations, or reflection.

To cover such code in an object-oriented setting, we describe a novel technique for generating test cases and mock classes. The technique consists of collecting constraints on interfaces, annotations, and reflection, combining them with program constraints collected during dynamic symbolic execution, encoding them in a constraint system, solving them with an off-the-shelf constraint solver, and mapping constraint solutions to test cases and custom mock classes. We demonstrate the value of this technique on open-source applications. Our approach covered such third-party code with generated mock classes, while competing approaches failed to cover the code and sometimes produced unintended side-effects such as filling the screen with dialog boxes and writing into the file system.
Fast Distributed Transactions and Strongly Consistent Replication for OLTP Database Systems
Authors: Thomson Alexander , Diamond Thaddeus , Weng Shu-Chun , Ren Kun , Shao Philip , Abadi Daniel J.
Published: May 2014

As more data management software is designed for deployment in public and private clouds, or on a cluster of commodity servers, new distributed storage systems increasingly achieve high data access throughput via partitioning and replication. In order to achieve high scalability, however, today's systems generally reduce transactional support, disallowing single transactions from spanning multiple partitions.

This article describes Calvin, a practical transaction scheduling and data replication layer that uses a deterministic ordering guarantee to significantly reduce the normally prohibitive contention costs associated with distributed transactions. This allows near-linear scalability on a cluster of commodity machines, without eliminating traditional transactional guarantees, introducing a single point of failure, or requiring application developers to reason about data partitioning. By replicating transaction inputs instead of transactional actions, Calvin is able to support multiple consistency levels—including Paxos-based strong consistency across geographically distant replicas—at no cost to transactional throughput.

Furthermore, Calvin introduces a set of tools that will allow application developers to gain the full performance benefit of Calvin's server-side transaction scheduling mechanisms without introducing the additional code complexity and inconvenience normally associated with using DBMS stored procedures in place of ad hoc client-side transactions.
Optimality of Clustering Properties of Space-Filling Curves
Authors: Xu Pan , Tirthapura Srikanta
Published: May 2014

Space-filling curves have been used in the design of data structures for multidimensional data for many decades. A fundamental quality metric of a space-filling curve is its “clustering number” with respect to a class of queries, which is the average number of contiguous segments on the space-filling curve that a query region can be partitioned into. We present a characterization of the clustering number of a general class of space-filling curves, as well as the first nontrivial lower bounds on the clustering number for any space-filling curve. Our results answer questions that have been open for more than 15 years.