bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Impact of Local Boards of Health on Local Health Department Accreditation, Community Health Assessment, Community Health Improvement Planning, and Strategic Planning
Authors: Shah Gulzar H. , Corso Liza , Sotnikov Sergey , Leep Carolyn J.
Published: September 2018

Introduction:

Local health departments (LHDs) are increasingly using national standards to meet the challenges presented by the complex environments in which these agencies operate. Local boards of health (LBoHs) might play an instrumental role in improving LHDs' engagement in activities to meet these standards.

Objectives:

To assess the impact of LBoH performance of governance functions on LHDs having a current (completed within 5 years) community health assessment (CHA), community health improvement plan (CHIP), strategic plan, and level of engagement in the Public Health Accreditation Board (PHAB) accreditation program.

Methods:

Binary and multinomial logistic regression models were used to analyze linked data from 329 LHDs participating in both the 2015 Local Board of Health Survey and the 2016 National Profile of LHDs Survey.

Results:

Higher performance of LBoH governance functions, measured by an overall scale of LBoH taxonomy consisting of 60 items, had a significant positive effect on LHDs having completed CHA (P < .001), CHIP (P = .01), and strategic plan (P < .001). LHDs operating in communities with a higher score on the overall scale of LBoH taxonomy had significantly higher odds (P = .03) of having higher level of participation in the PHAB national voluntary accreditation program—that is, being accredited, having submitted application for accreditation, or being in the e-PHAB system (eg, by submitting a letter of intent).

Conclusions:

LBoHs serve as governance bodies for roughly 71% of LHDs and can play a significant role in encouraging LHDs' participation in these practices. That positive influence of LBoHs can be seen more clearly if the complexity and richness of LBoH governance functions and other characteristics are measured appropriately. The study findings suggest that LBoHs are a significant component of the public health system in the United States, having positive influence on LHDs having a CHA, CHIP, strategic plan, and participation in accreditation.
The Importance of Governmental and Nongovernmental Investments in Public Health and Social Services for Improving Community Health Outcomes
Authors: McCullough J. Mac , Singh Simone R. , Leider Jonathon P.
Published: September 2018

Objective:

To explore whether health outcomes are influenced by both governmental social services spending and hospital provision of community health services.

Design:

We combined hospital provision of community health services data from the American Hospital Association with local governmental spending data from the US Census Bureau. Longitudinal models regressed community health outcomes for 2012-2016 on local government spending on health, social services, and education from 5 years previously, controlling for sociodemographic and hospital marketplace characteristics, spatial autocorrelation, and state-level random effects. For counties with hospitals, models also included county-level data on hospitals' provision of community health services.

Setting:

All analyses were performed at the county level for US counties between 2012 and 2016.

Participants:

Complete spending, hospital, and health outcomes data were available for a total of 2379 counties.

Main Outcome Measures:

We examined relationships between governmental spending, hospital service provision, and 5 population health outcome measures: years of potential life lost prior to age 75 years per 100 000 population, percentage of population in fair or poor health, percentage of adults who are physically inactive, deaths due to injury per 100 000 population, and percentage of births that are of low birth weight.

Results:

Governmental investments in health, social services, and education positively impacted key health outcomes but mainly in counties with 1 or more hospitals present. Hospitals' provision of community health services also had a significant positive impact on health outcomes.

Conclusions:

Hospital provision of community health services and increases in local governmental health and social services spending were both associated with improved health. Collaboration between local governments and hospitals may help ensure that public and private community health resources synergistically contribute to the public's health. Local policy makers should consider service provision by the private sector to leverage the public investments in health and social services.
A Framework for Practice-Based Teaching in Public Health
Authors: Greece Jacey A. , Wolff James , McGrath Donna
Published: September 2018

Context:

To prepare master of public health graduates for successful application of public health competencies in their careers, accredited schools of public health must identify the knowledge, technical and professional skills needed for practice, and provide opportunities for application of these skills in public health settings.

Program:

Practice-based teaching (PBT) is a pedagogical approach where students learn through course instruction while working on a real problem and producing implementable deliverables for a public health agency. Currently, no framework exists for designing, implementing, and evaluating the pedagogy. This article defines PBT for public health and presents a novel 5-step framework, PBT STEPS, to guide faculty in development of a practice-based curriculum for public health education, including (1) securing partnerships, (2) training and technology, (3) engagement and implementation, (4) presenting deliverables, and (5) sizing up the results.

Implementation:

PBT has been implemented using PBT STEPS in both domestic and global courses, teaching a variety of technical competencies. Collaborating agencies for PBT courses have ranged from small community-based organizations to large departments of public health, to international nongovernmental organizations and to private hospitals. Each step is described and illustrated through a practical example from a past PBT course.

Evaluation:

The practical example was evaluated through a mixed-methods approach to assess outcomes for students and collaborating agencies. All students (n = 12) reported significant increases in ability with the technical and professional competencies addressed in the course, and all agencies (n = 3 representing 5 distinct projects) reported utility of the final deliverables to the agency and populations served.

Discussion:

Evidence-informed, feasible, and innovative solutions created through PBT collaboration provide significant benefits to the agency and the communities they serve while successfully training students for the public health workforce. Utilizing the PBT STEPS framework allows for successful and productive academic and community collaborations.
Effects of Extracorporeal Shock Wave Therapy on Distraction Osteogenesis in Rat Mandible
Authors: Ginini Jiriys G. , Maor Gila , Emodi Omri , Shilo Dekel , Gabet Yankel , Aizenbud Dror , Rachmiel Adi
Published: September 2018

Background:

Distraction osteogenesis has widespread clinical use in the treatment of congenital and acquired craniofacial deformities. Nonetheless, during the prolonged consolidation period, the newly regenerated bone carries the risk of complications. A known method for enhancing bone healing is extracorporeal shock wave therapy, which has been shown to induce neovascularization and promote tissue regeneration. The authors investigated whether extracorporeal shock wave therapy can accelerate bony consolidation and regeneration in distraction osteogenesis of the rat mandible and at which stage of distraction osteogenesis it should be applied.

Methods:

Twenty-four male Sprague-Dawley rats were subjected to distraction osteogenesis of the right mandible (latency period, 3 days; distraction period, 10 days; 0.5 mm/day). Experimental groups consisted of the following: group I (control), no extracorporeal shock wave therapy; group II, extracorporeal shock wave therapy (0.18 mJ/mm2) at the latency period; and group III, extracorporeal shock wave therapy (0.18 mJ/mm2) at the consolidation period. Explants were removed for evaluation after 4 weeks of consolidation.

Results:

Histologic evaluation showed well-developed cortical cortex and a higher degree of bone formation and mature bone in group III; micro–computed tomography showed significantly increased bone mineral density, bone volume fraction, and trabecular thickness; immunohistochemistry demonstrated significantly increased expression of bone morphogenetic protein-2, vascular endothelial growth factor, and proliferating cell nuclear antigen.

Conclusion:

Extracorporeal shock wave therapy application at the consolidation period during distraction osteogenesis in the rat mandible enhances bone formation and osteogenic and angiogenic growth factors, improves bone mechanical properties, and accelerates bone mineralization.
Contralateral Botulinum Toxin Improved Functional Recovery after Tibial Nerve Repair in Rats
Authors: Lima Washington , Salles Alessandra Grassi , Faria Jose Carlos Marques , Nepomuceno André Coelho , Salomone Raquel , Krunn Patricia , Gemperli Rolf
Published: September 2018

Background:

There is clinical and experimental evidence that botulinum toxin applied to the healthy side of patients with facial paralysis positively affects functional recovery of the paralyzed side. The authors created an experimental model to study the effects of botulinum toxin injection in the gastrocnemius muscle contralateral to the side of tibial nerve lesion/repair in rats.

Methods:

Fifty rats were allocated into five groups: group I, control; group II, tibial nerve section; group III, tibial nerve section and immediate neurorrhaphy; group IV, tibial nerve section, immediate neurorrhaphy, and botulinum toxin injected into the contralateral gastrocnemius muscle; and group V, botulinum toxin injected into the gastrocnemius muscle and no surgery. Assessment tools included a walking track, electromyography, gastrocnemius muscle weight measurement, and histologic analysis of the nerve.

Results:

Paralysis in group V was transient, with function returning to normal at 8 weeks. At 12 weeks, group V had lower latency levels. At week 12, group IV showed higher functional outcomes and amplitude levels than group III, and lower muscle atrophy on the side injected with botulinum toxin compared with group V.

Conclusion:

Transient paralysis of the contralateral gastrocnemius muscle by botulinum toxin type A improved functional recovery in rats that underwent section and repair of the tibial nerve.
Clockwise and Counterclockwise Le Fort I Movements Influence Nasolabial Morphology Differently
Authors: Sawh-Martinez Rajendra , Lin Alex M. , DeSesa Christopher R. , Wu Robin T. , Gary Cyril S. , Steinbacher Derek M.
Published: September 2018

Background:

Le Fort I maxillary advancements affect nasal proportions. However, there are no data on the three-dimensional nasal changes that occur with differential lateral plane adjustment (clockwise and counterclockwise movements) during Le Fort I maxillary advancements. This study analyzes and compares nasolabial soft-tissue changes after Le Fort I clockwise and counterclockwise repositioning.

Methods:

Single-piece Le Fort I advancements were included. A retrospective study of patients split into clockwise and counterclockwise groups was performed. Preoperative and postoperative three-dimensional photographs (VECTRA 3D) were analyzed. Nasolabial anthropometric measurements were recorded using Mirror software. Statistical analysis involved paired t test to compare preoperative and postoperative measurements.

Results:

Twenty-four patients were evaluated (12 per group), with 22 distinct nasolabial relationships measured. Counterclockwise movement showed a statistically significant increase in alar width (3.6 mm; p < 0.001), alar base width (1.6 mm; p = 0.009), oral width (3.2 mm; p = 0.02), and lip projection (3.4 mm; p = 0.04). Clockwise movement showed no statistically significant changes, with the largest position changes noted in alar width (2.7 mm; p = 0.07) and alar base width (1.7 mm; p = 0.09).

Conclusions:

Clockwise and counterclockwise Le Fort I advancements have a different effect on postoperative nasolabial morphology. Counterclockwise movements exhibit significant changes, widening the alar base and width and the oral and philtral widths. The impact on the nostril morphology and columella was similar between the groups. The differential impact on nasolabial appearance is important to recognize for treatment planning and patient counseling.

CLINICAL QUESTION/LEVEL OF EVIDENCE:

Therapeutic, III.
Herpes Zoster and Herpes Zoster Vaccine Rates Among Adults Living With and Without HIV in the Veterans Aging Cohort Study
Authors: Hawkins Kellie L. , Gordon Kirsha S. , Levin Myron J. , Weinberg Adriana , Battaglia Catherine , Rodriguez-Barradas Maria C. , Brown Sheldon T. , Rimland David , Justice Amy , Tate Janet , Erlandson Kristine M. ,   for the VACS Project Team
Published: September 2018

Background:

Despite historically high rates of herpes zoster among people living with HIV (PLWH), comparative studies of herpes zoster by HIV serostatus are lacking since the advent of combination antiretroviral therapy and availability of zoster vaccine.

Methods:

Annual rates (2002–2015) of first-episode herpes zoster and zoster vaccination were calculated for PLWH and uninfected adults in the Veterans Aging Cohort Study and stratified by HIV serostatus and age. Herpes zoster was captured using ICD9 codes and vaccine receipt with procedural codes and pharmacy data.

Results:

Of 45,177 PLWH and 103,040 uninfected veterans, rates of herpes zoster decreased among PLWH (17.6–8.1/1000) over the study period but remained higher than uninfected adults (4.1/1000) at the end of study period. Rates were higher in PLWH with lower CD4 (<200 vs >500 cells/µL: 18.0 vs 6.8/1000) and unsuppressed vs suppressed HIV-1 RNA (21.8 vs 7.1/1000). Restricted to virologically suppressed participants with CD4 >350 cells per microliter, herpes zoster rates were similar among PLWH aged younger than 60 years and aged 60 years and older in 2015 (6.6 vs 6.7/1000) but higher than all uninfected age groups. At study end, cumulative receipt of zoster vaccine for PLWH aged 60 years and older was less than half that of uninfected veterans: 98.7 vs 215.2/1000.

Conclusions:

Herpes zoster rates among PLWH have markedly decreased, but, even in cART-treated individuals, remain 50% higher than uninfected adults. Lower rates of zoster vaccine receipt combined with high rates of herpes zoster support the need for a safe and effective vaccine against herpes zoster for PLWH, formal zoster vaccine guidelines for PLWH, and consideration for expanded use at younger ages.
Brief Report: Effectiveness of Trichloroacetic Acid vs. Electrocautery Ablation for the Treatment of Anal High-Grade Squamous Intraepithelial Lesion in HIV-Infected Patients
Authors: Burgos Joaquin , Martin-Castillo Mario , Landolfi Stefania , Dinares Maria C. , Villar Judith , Navarro Jordi , Ribera Esteve , Falcó Vicenç , Curran Adria
Published: September 2018

Background:

Trichloroacetic acid (TCA) and electrocautery ablation (ECA) are 2 of the main treatment options for anal high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesion (HSIL). Our aim was to compare the efficacy and tolerance of TCA vs. ECA for HSIL.

Methods:

Retrospective uncontrolled study of HIV-infected men who have sex with men who had an anal HSIL treated with TCA or ECA. On-treatment effectiveness was evaluated at 6–8 weeks after treatment. A complete response was defined as resolution of HSIL, a partial response as regression to low-grade lesion, and recurrence as biopsy-proven HSIL during follow-up. A propensity-score analysis was used to adjust efficacy to potential confounding.

Results:

From May 2009 to March 2018, 182 and 56 cases of anal HSIL were treated with ECA and TCA, respectively. Comparing ECA with TCA, a complete response was observed in 33.5% (95% confidence interval: 25.8 to 41.6) vs. 60.7% (50.0 to 74.8) and a partial response in 28.0% (20.3 to 36.0) vs. 23.2% (12.5 to 37.3), respectively (P < 0.001). These differences were maintained in the propensity-score analyses. Side effects were common in both treatment, but tolerance was reported as good in 80.6% (74.2 to 89.2) and 82.6% (73.9 to 93.9) of cases treated with ECA and TCA, respectively, and no serious events were described. Recurrence cumulative incidence for the first 12 months was 14.6% (9.1 to 23.1) for ECA episodes and 27.6% (11.5 to 57.7) for TCA (P = 0.183).

Conclusions:

Our study showed a higher efficacy of TCA than ECA with similar rates of side effects. In our opinion, considering the benefits of TCA, it should be considered as a first-line therapy for most anal HSIL management.
Comparability of Early Dynamic and Conventional Static Imaging With 18F-Fluorocholine PET/CT in a Patient With Primary Hyperparathyroidism
Authors: Prabhu Meghana , Kumari Garima , Damle Nishikant Avinash , Arora Geetanjali , Tripathi Madhavi , Bal Chandrasekhar , Kumar Praveen , Kumar Rajeev
Published: September 2018

Recent studies have established the superiority of FCH PET/CT over MIBI scan in accurate preoperative localization of parathyroid adenomas. In this patient, we compared both early dynamic and conventional static imaging to see if early imaging could suffice. We describe a 15-year-old boy with primary hyperparathyroidism, in whom early dynamic FCH PET/CT was performed for 15 minutes after injection, followed by conventional static image at 60 minutes. Early dynamic images accurately localized the parathyroid adenoma. Also, higher SUVmax was observed on dynamic imaging when compared with conventional static images, but parathyroid-to-thyroid ratio was higher in the latter.
A Comparative Analysis of Survival and Funding Discrepancies in Cancers With High Mortality
Authors: Hall Bradley R. , Cannon Andrew , Atri Pranita , Wichman Christopher S. , Smith Lynette M. , Kumar Sushil , Batra Surinder K. , Wang Hongmei , Ganti Apar Kishor , Sasson Aaron R. , Are Chandrakanth
Published: September 2018

Objective:

Comparative analyses of survival and funding statistics in cancers with high mortality were performed to quantify discrepancies and identify areas for intervention.

Background:

Discrepancies in research funding may contribute to stagnant survival rates in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC).

Methods:

The Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results database was queried for survival statistics. Funding data were obtained from the National Cancer Institute (NCI). Clinical trial data were obtained from www.clinicaltrials.gov. Cancers with high mortality were included for analyses.

Results:

Since 1997, PDAC has received lesser funding ($1.41 billion) than other cancers such as breast ($10.52 billion), prostate ($4.93 billion), lung ($4.80 billion), and colorectal ($4.50 billion). Similarly, fewer clinical trials have been completed in PDAC (n = 608) compared with breast (n = 1904), lung (n = 1629), colorectal (n = 1080), and prostate (n = 1055) cancer. Despite this, since 1997, dollars invested in PDAC research produced a greater return on investment with regards to 5-year overall survival (5Y-OS) compared with breast, prostate, uterine, and ovarian cancer. Incremental cost-effectiveness analysis demonstrates that millions (liver, non-Hodgkin lymphoma, and melanoma) and billions (colorectal and lung) of dollars were required for each additional 1% increase in 5Y-OS compared with PDAC. Funding of research towards early diagnosis of PDAC has decreased by 19% since 2007. For nearly all cancers, treatment-related research receives the highest percentage of NCI funding.

Conclusions:

Funding of PDAC research is significantly less than other cancers, despite its higher mortality and greater potential to improve 5Y-OS. Increased awareness and lobbying are required to increase funding, promote research, and improve survival.
Laparoscopic Versus Open Major Hepatectomy for Hepatocellular Carcinoma: A Meta-Analysis
Authors: Chen Ke , Pan Yu , Hu Geng-yuan , Maher Hendi , Zheng Xue-yong , Yan Jia-fei
Published: September 2018

Background:

Although large series of laparoscopic resections for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) were published, reports of laparoscopic major hepatectomy (LMH) are still limited in expert centers because LMH for HCC remains a challenging procedure requiring extensive experience in both laparoscopic and hepatic surgery. We performed a meta-analysis to assess the safety and efficacy of LMH and open major hepatectomy (OMH) for HCC.

Methods:

A literature search was performed to identify studies comparing LMH with OMH for HCC. Postoperative morbidity, mortality, operative time, intraoperative blood loss, length of hospital stay, R0 rate, and long-term survival outcomes were analyzed.

Results:

Eight studies with a total of 780 HCC patients were included for meta-analysis. The pooled data showed that LMH was associated with longer operative time [weighted mean differences (WMD)=81.04 min; 95% confidence interval (CI), 37.95~124.13; P<0.01], less blood loss (WMD=−117.14 mL; 95% CI, −170.35~−63.93; P<0.01), and shorter hospital stay (WMD=−3.41 d; 95% CI, −4.90~−1.92; P<0.01). Overall morbidity was significantly lower in the LMH group (odds ratio=0.45; 95% CI, 0.23~0.86; P=0.02), as were major complications (odds ratio=0.36; 95% CI, 0.18~0.73; P<0.01). However, there was no difference in margin negativity and long-term survival outcomes.

Conclusions:

LMH can be performed as safely and efficiently as OMH for HCC regarding both surgical and oncological outcomes. LMH is associated with less intraoperative blood loss and postoperative morbidity and may serve as a promising alternative to OMH for HCC patients.
Reinforced Stapling Technique for Reconstruction After Laparoscopic Distal Gastrectomy
Authors: Ojima Toshiyasu , Nakamura Masaki , Hayata Keiji , Nakamori Mikihito , Yamaue Hiroki
Published: September 2018

Purpose:

We outline our reinforced stapling technique for reconstruction after laparoscopic distal gastrectomy (LDG). We also investigated the safety and feasibility of short-term surgical outcomes of this technique for patients with gastric cancer (GC).

Materials and Methods:

This is a retrospective study of 24 consecutive patients with GC who underwent reinforced stapling technique for reconstruction after LDG at our institute between 2016 and 2017. We adopted intracorporeal anastomosis, namely delta-shaped Billroth I gastroduodenostomy or Roux-en-Y gastrojejunostomy, using reinforced staples with polyglycolic acid sheets (Neoveil).

Results:

No anastomosis-related complications (anastomotic leakage, anastomotic stricture, postoperative gastrointestinal bleeding) were found in our 24 consecutive patients.

Conclusions:

Reinforced stapling for reconstruction after LDG is a feasible and safe procedure for GC with regard to short-term surgical outcomes.
Changes in US mass shooting deaths associated with the 1994–2004 federal assault weapons ban: Analysis of open-source data
Authors: DiMaggio Charles , Avraham Jacob , Berry Cherisse , Bukur Marko , Feldman Justin , Klein Michael , Shah Noor , Tandon Manish , Frangos Spiros
Published: September 2018

BACKGROUND

A federal assault weapons ban has been proposed as a way to reduce mass shootings in the United States. The Federal Assault Weapons Ban of 1994 made the manufacture and civilian use of a defined set of automatic and semiautomatic weapons and large capacity magazines illegal. The ban expired in 2004. The period from 1994 to 2004 serves as a single-arm pre-post observational study to assess the effectiveness of this policy intervention.

METHODS

Mass shooting data for 1981 to 2017 were obtained from three well-documented, referenced, and open-source sets of data, based on media reports. We calculated the yearly rates of mass shooting fatalities as a proportion of total firearm homicide deaths and per US population. We compared the 1994 to 2004 federal ban period to non-ban periods, using simple linear regression models for rates and a Poison model for counts with a year variable to control for trend. The relative effects of the ban period were estimated with odds ratios.

RESULTS

Assault rifles accounted for 430 or 85.8% of the total 501 mass-shooting fatalities reported (95% confidence interval, 82.8–88.9) in 44 mass-shooting incidents. Mass shootings in the United States accounted for an increasing proportion of all firearm-related homicides (coefficient for year, 0.7; p = 0.0003), with increment in year alone capturing over a third of the overall variance in the data (adjusted R
2 = 0.3). In a linear regression model controlling for yearly trend, the federal ban period was associated with a statistically significant 9 fewer mass shooting related deaths per 10,000 firearm homicides (p = 0.03). Mass-shooting fatalities were 70% less likely to occur during the federal ban period (relative rate, 0.30; 95% confidence interval, 0.22–0.39).

CONCLUSION

Mass-shooting related homicides in the United States were reduced during the years of the federal assault weapons ban of 1994 to 2004.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

Observational, level II/IV.
The interaction of exposure and warming tolerance determines fish species vulnerability to warming stream temperatures
Authors: Walters Annika W. , Mandeville Caitlin P. , Rahel Frank J.
Published: September 2018

Species vulnerability to climate change involves an interaction between the magnitude of change (exposure) and a species's tolerance to change. We evaluated fish species vulnerability to predicted stream temperature increases by examining warming tolerances across the Wyoming fish assemblage. Warming tolerance combines stream temperature with a thermal tolerance metric to estimate how much warming beyond current conditions a species can withstand. Brown trout, rainbow trout and burbot had the lowest warming tolerances and the highest proportion of currently occupied sites that will become unsuitable under predicted temperature increases. These most vulnerable species were coldwater species, but had neither the lowest thermal tolerances nor would they experience the greatest temperature increases. Our results highlight the importance of considering the interaction of exposure and warming tolerance when predicting climate change vulnerability and demonstrate an approach that can be applied broadly.
Quantifying the dark data in museum fossil collections as palaeontology undergoes a second digital revolution
Authors: Marshall C. R. , Finnegan S. , Clites E. C. , Holroyd P. A. , Bonuso N. , Cortez C. , Davis E. , Dietl G. P. , Druckenmiller P. S. , Eng R. C. , Garcia C. , Estes-Smargiassi K. , Hendy A. , Hollis K. A. , Little H. , Nesbitt E. A. , Roopnarine P. , Skibinski L. , Vendetti J. , White L. D.
Published: September 2018

Large-scale analysis of the fossil record requires aggregation of palaeontological data from individual fossil localities. Prior to computers, these synoptic datasets were compiled by hand, a laborious undertaking that took years of effort and forced palaeontologists to make difficult choices about what types of data to tabulate. The advent of desktop computers ushered in palaeontology's first digital revolution—online literature-based databases, such as the Paleobiology Database (PBDB). However, the published literature represents only a small proportion of the palaeontological data housed in museum collections. Although this issue has long been appreciated, the magnitude, and thus potential significance, of these so-called ‘dark data’ has been difficult to determine. Here, in the early phases of a second digital revolution in palaeontology­—the digitization of museum collections—we provide an estimate of the magnitude of palaeontology's dark data. Digitization of our nine institutions' holdings of Cenozoic marine invertebrate collections from California, Oregon and Washington in the USA reveals that they represent 23 times the number of unique localities than are currently available in the PBDB. These data, and the vast quantity of similarly untapped dark data in other museum collections, will, when digitally mobilized, enhance palaeontologists’ ability to make inferences about the patterns and processes of past evolutionary and ecological changes.
Emerging approaches for detection of methylation sites in RNA
Authors: Ovcharenko Anna , Rentmeister Andrea
Published: September 2018

RNA methylations play a significant regulatory role in diverse biological processes. Although the transcriptome-wide discovery of unknown RNA methylation sites is essential to elucidate their function, the development of a bigger variety of detection approaches is desirable for multiple reasons. Many established detection methods for RNA modifications heavily rely on the specificity of the respective antibodies. Thus, the development of antibody-independent transcriptome-wide methods is beneficial. Even the antibody-independent high-throughput sequencing-based methods are liable to produce false-positive or false-negative results. The development of an independent method for each modification could help validate the detected modification sites. Apart from the transcriptome-wide methods for methylation detection
de novo
, methods for monitoring the presence of a single methylation at a determined site are also needed. In contrast to the transcriptome-wide detection methods, the techniques used for monitoring purposes need to be cheap, fast and easy to perform. This review considers modern approaches for site-specific detection of methylated nucleotides in RNA. We also discuss the potential of third-generation sequencing methods for direct detection of RNA methylations.
The influence of evaluative right/wrong feedback on phonological and semantic processes in word learning
Authors: Krishnan Saloni , Sellars Elise , Wood Helena , Bishop Dorothy V. M. , Watkins Kate E.
Published: September 2018

Feedback is typically incorporated in word learning paradigms, in both research studies and commercial language learning apps. While the common-sense view is that feedback is helpful during learning, relatively little empirical evidence exists about the role of feedback in spoken vocabulary learning. Some work has suggested that long-term word learning is not enhanced by the presence of feedback, and that words are best learned implicitly. It is also plausible that feedback might have differential effects when learners focus on learning semantic facts, or when they focus on learning a new phonological sequence of sounds. In this study, we assess how providing evaluative (right/wrong) feedback on a spoken response influences two different components of vocabulary learning, the learning of a new phonological form, and the learning of a semantic property of the phonological form. We find that receiving evaluative feedback improves retention of phonological forms, but not of semantic facts.
Cortisol advantage of neighbouring the opposite sex
in utero
Authors: Fishman R. , Vortman Y. , Shanas U. , Koren L.
Published: September 2018

Population sex ratios naturally fluctuate around equality. It is argued that the production of an equal number of male and female offspring by individual parents should be favoured by selection, if all costs and benefits are equal. Theoretically, an even sex ratio should yield the highest probability for a fetus to be adjacent to a fetus of the opposite sex
in utero
. This may cause developmental costs or benefits that have been overlooked. We examined the physiological and developmental parameters associated with
in utero
sex ratios in the nutria (
Myocastor coypus
), an invasive wildlife species with a strong reproductive output. Using hair testing, we found that litters with even sex ratios had the highest average cortisol levels. Fetuses neighbouring the opposite sex exhibited longer trunks than those neighbouring the same sex, which might imply better lung development. Our results are the first, to our knowledge, to link intra-utero sex ratios and fetal cortisol and suggest that fetal cortisol might be a mechanism by which even sex ratios are maintained via developmental advantages.
A computational model for driver's cognitive state, visual perception and intermittent attention in a distracted car following task
Authors: Pekkanen Jami , Lappi Otto , Rinkkala Paavo , Tuhkanen Samuel , Frantsi Roosa , Summala Heikki
Published: September 2018

We present a computational model of intermittent visual sampling and locomotor control in a simple yet representative task of a car driver following another vehicle. The model has a number of features that take it beyond the current state of the art in modelling natural tasks, and driving in particular. First, unlike most control theoretical models in vision science and engineering—where control is directly based on observable (optical) variables—actions are based on a temporally enduring internal representation. Second, unlike the more sophisticated engineering driver models based on internal representations, our model explicitly aims to be psychologically plausible, in particular in modelling perceptual processes and their limitations. Third, unlike most psychological models, it is implemented as an actual simulation model capable of full task performance (visual sampling and longitudinal control). The model is developed and validated using a dataset from a simplified car-following experiment (
N
= 40, in both three-dimensional virtual reality and a real instrumented vehicle). The results replicate our previously reported connection between time headway and visual attention. The model reproduces this connection and predicts that it emerges from control of action uncertainty. Implications for traffic psychological models and future developments for psychologically plausible yet computationally rigorous models of full natural task performance are discussed.
Classification of cryptocurrency coins and tokens by the dynamics of their market capitalizations
Authors: Wu Ke , Wheatley Spencer , Sornette Didier
Published: September 2018

We empirically verify that the market capitalizations of coins and tokens in the cryptocurrency universe follow power-law distributions with significantly different values for the tail exponent falling between 0.5 and 0.7 for coins, and between 1.0 and 1.3 for tokens. We provide a rationale for this, based on a simple proportional growth with birth and death model previously employed to describe the size distribution of firms, cities, webpages, etc. We empirically validate the model and its main predictions, in terms of proportional growth (Gibrat's Law) of the coins and tokens. Estimating the main parameters of the model, the theoretical predictions for the power-law exponents of coin and token distributions are in remarkable agreement with the empirical estimations, given the simplicity of the model. Our results clearly characterize coins as being ‘entrenched incumbents’ and tokens as an ‘explosive immature ecosystem’, largely due to massive and exuberant Initial Coin Offering activity in the token space. The theory predicts that the exponent for tokens should converge to 1 in the future, reflecting a more reasonable rate of new entrants associated with genuine technological innovations.
Middle Holocene plant cultivation on the Atlantic Forest coast of Brazil?
Authors: Pezo-Lanfranco Luis , Eggers Sabine , Petronilho Cecilia , Toso Alice , da Rocha Bandeira Dione , Von Tersch Matthew , dos Santos Adriana M. P. , Ramos da Costa Beatriz , Meyer Roberta , Colonese André Carlo
Published: September 2018

This work provides robust oral pathology and stable isotope evidence on Bayesian mixing model for an unexpectedly high consumption of carbohydrates by a Middle Holocene coastal population of the Atlantic Forest of South America, an area traditionally viewed as peripheral to early centres of food production on the continent. A diversified economy with substantial consumption of plant resources was in place at the shellmound (or
sambaqui
) of Morro do Ouro, in Babitonga Bay, and supported a dense population at
ca
4500 cal BP. This dietary composition is unique when compared with that of other contemporary and later groups in the region, including peoples who used ceramics and domesticated crops. The results corroborate independent dietary evidence, such as stone tool artefacts for plant processing and plant microremains in dental calculus of the same individuals, and suggest plant cultivation possibly took place in this region at the same time as the development of early agriculture in Amazonia and the La Plata Basin. Our study situates the Atlantic Forest coast of Brazil on the map of early plant management in the Neotropics.
Determining addition pathways and stable isomers for CF
3
functionalization of endohedral Gd@C
60
Authors: Ewels Chris , Rio Jeremy , Niwa Hiroyuki , Omachi Haruka , Shinohara Hisanori , Rayson Mark , Briddon Patrick
Published: September 2018

Using density functional theory approaches, we follow the sequential addition of CF
3
functional groups to the surface of the metallic endofullerene species Gd@C
60
. The presence of gadolinium in the interior of the cage strongly influences the addition sequence. The calculations are able to successfully identify end points in the addition sequence at Gd@C
60
(CF
3
)

n

,
n
= 3 and two isomers at
n
= 5, in predictive agreement with experiment. Inverting the algorithm to determine the most labile groups also identifies the correct positively charged

Gd@

C

60

(

C

F
3

)

4
+

isomer, as confirmed by experimental mass spectra. The importance of surface mobility, notably at later stage addition, is discussed.
A data-driven approach for optimal design of integrated air quality monitoring network in a chemical cluster
Authors: Zhu Zhengqiu , Chen Bin , Qiu Sihang , Wang Rongxiao , Wang Yiping , Ma Liang , Qiu Xiaogang
Published: September 2018

The chemical industry is of paramount importance to the world economy and this industrial sector represents a substantial income source for developing countries. However, the chemical plants producing inside an industrial district pose a great threat to the surrounding atmospheric environment and human health. Therefore, designing an appropriate and available air quality monitoring network (AQMN) is essential for assessing the effectiveness of deployed pollution-controlling strategies and facilities. As monitoring facilities located at inappropriate sites would affect data validity, a two-stage data-driven approach constituted of a spatio-temporal technique (i.e. Bayesian maximum entropy) and a multi-objective optimization model (i.e. maximum concentration detection capability and maximum dosage detection capability) is proposed in this paper. The approach aims at optimizing the design of an AQMN formed by gas sensor modules. Owing to the lack of long-term measurement data, our developed atmospheric dispersion simulation system was employed to generate simulated data for the above method. Finally, an illustrative case study was implemented to illustrate the feasibility of the proposed approach, and results imply that this work is able to design an appropriate AQMN with acceptable accuracy and efficiency.
Portable bacteria-capturing chip for direct surface-enhanced Raman scattering identification of urinary tract infection pathogens
Authors: Yang Danting , Zhou Haibo , Dina Nicoleta E. , Haisch Christoph
Published: September 2018

Acute urinary tract infections (UTIs) are one of the most common nosocomial bacterial infections, which affect almost 50% of the population at least once in their lifetime. UTIs may lead to lethal consequences if they are left undiagnosed and not properly treated. Early, rapid and accurate uropathogens detection methods play a pivotal role in clinical process. In this work, a portable bacteria-grasping surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) chip for identification of three species of uropathogens (
Escherichia coli
CFT 073,
Pseudomonas aeruginosa
PAO1 and
Proteus mirabilis
PRM1) directly from culture matrix was reported. The chip was firstly modified with a positively charged NH
3
+
group, which enables itself grasp the negatively charged bacterial cells through the electrostatic adsorption principle. After the bacterial cells were captured by the chip, concentrated Ag nanoparticles (NPs) were used to obtain their Raman fingerprint spectra with recognizable characteristic peaks and good reproducibility. With the help of chemometric method such as discriminant analysis (DA), the SERS-based chip allows a rapid, successful identification of three species of UTI bacteria with a minimal bacterial concentration (10
5
cells ml
−1
) required for clinical diagnostics. In addition, this chip could spot the bacterial SERS fingerprints information directly from LB culture medium and artificial urine without sample pre-treatment. The portable bacteria-grasping SERS-based chip provides a possibility for fast and easy detection of uropathogens, and viability of future development in healthcare applications.
The effect of root exudates on rhizosphere water dynamics
Authors: Cooper L. J. , Daly K. R. , Hallett P. D. , Koebernick N. , George T. S. , Roose T.
Published: September 2018

Most water and nutrients essential for plant growth travel across a thin zone of soil at the interface between roots and soil, termed the rhizosphere. Chemicals exuded by plant roots can alter the fluid properties, such as viscosity, of the water phase, potentially with impacts on plant productivity and stress tolerance. In this paper, we study the effects of plant exudates on the macroscale properties of water movement in soil. Our starting point is a microscale description of two fluid flow and exudate diffusion in a periodic geometry composed from a regular repetition of a unit cell. Using multiscale homogenization theory, we derive a coupled set of equations that describe the movement of air and water, and the diffusion of plant exudates on the macroscale. These equations are parametrized by a set of cell problems that capture the flow behaviour. The mathematical steps are validated by comparing the resulting homogenized equations to the original pore scale equations, and we show that the difference between the two models is ≲7% for eight cells. The resulting equations provide a computationally efficient method to study plant–soil interactions. This will increase our ability to predict how contrasting root exudation patterns may influence crop uptake of water and nutrients.
Camouflage strategies interfere differently with observer search images
Authors: Troscianko Jolyon , Skelhorn John , Stevens Martin
Published: September 2018

Numerous animals rely on camouflage for defence. Substantial past work has identified the presence of multiple strategies for concealment, and tested the mechanisms underpinning how they work. These include background matching, D-RUP coloration to destroy target edges, and distractive markings that may divert attention from key target features. Despite considerable progress, work has focused on how camouflage types prevent initial detection by naive observers. However, predators will often encounter multiple targets over time, providing the opportunity to learn or focus attention through search images. At present, we know almost nothing about how camouflage types facilitate or hinder predator performance over repeated encounters. Here, we use experiments with human subjects searching for targets on touch screens with different camouflage strategies, and control the experience that subjects have with target types. We show that different camouflage strategies affect how subjects improve in detecting targets with repeated encounters, and how performance in detection of one camouflage type depends on experience of other strategies. In particular, disruptive coloration is effective at preventing improvements in camouflage breaking during search image formation, and experience with one camouflage type (distraction) can decrease the ability of subjects to switch to and from search images for new camouflage types (disruption). Our study is, to our knowledge, the first to show how the success of camouflage strategies depends on how they prevent initial and successive detection, and on predator experience of other strategies. This has implications for the evolution of prey phenotypes, how we assess the efficacy of defences, and predator–prey dynamics.
Association of age and colostrum discarding with exclusive breastfeeding in Ethiopia: systematic review and meta-analyses
Authors: Alemu Sisay Mulugeta , Alemu Yihun Mulugeta , Habtewold Tesfa Dejenie
Published: September 2018

Introduction

Even though optimal breastfeeding is important, significantly low percentage of mothers’ initiate breastfeeding timely and maintain exclusive breastfeeding for 6 months. The aim of this meta-analyses and systematic review was to investigate whether maternal/caregivers’ age, infant age (0-6 months) and discarding colostrum affects timely initiation of breastfeeding (TIBF) and exclusive breastfeeding (EBF) in Ethiopia.

Methods

A systematic search of PubMed, SCOPUS, EMBASE, CINHAL, Web of Science and WHO Global Health Library electronic databases was done for all English published articles from 2000 to January 2018, supplemented by manual search of identified articles and grey literatures bibliographies. Two reviewers independently screened, extracted and graded the quality studies using Newcastle–Ottawa Scale (NOS). Heterogeneity was assessed using the I2and Cochran Chi-square statistics. A weighted inverse variance random-effects model meta-analysis was done.

Result

A total of 37 articles (i.e., 14 studies on TIBF and 23 on EBF) were included. TIBF was associated with colostrum discarding (Odds ratio (OR) = 0.38, 95% CI = 0.21-0.68) but not with maternal/caregivers’ age (OR = 0.98, 95% CI = 0.83-1.15). In addition, colostrum discarding (OR = 0.56, 95% CI = 0.37-0.84) and infant age (OR = 1.86, 95% CI = 1.45-2.39) were significantly associated with EBF but not maternal/caregivers’ age (OR = 1.07, 95% CI = 0.81-1.40).

Conclusion

This meta-analyses indicated absence of association between maternal/caregivers’ age and breastfeeding practice. Colostrum discarding was associated with both EBF and TIBE. This evidence could be helpful to counsel all reproductive age mothers and who discard colostrum.