bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Leg force interference in poly-pedal locomotion
Authors: Weihmann Tom
Published: February 2018

The examination of gaits and gait-changes have been the focus of movement physiology and legged robot engineering since the first emergence of the fields. While most examinations focussed on bipedal and quadrupedal designs many robotic implementations rely on the higher static stability of three or more pairs of legs. Nevertheless, examinations of gait-changes in the biological models, i.e. poly-pedal arthropods such as insects or arachnids, are rare. Except for the well-known change from slow feedback controlled walking to a fast, feedforward controlled running gait, no changes are known or are deemed to be of low significance.

However, recent studies in fast moving spiders, mites and cockroaches have revealed an additional gait change also for the transition from intermediate to high running speeds. This change is similar to gait transitions as found in quadrupedal vertebrates.

Accordingly, the present approach aims to extend available theory to poly-pedal designs and examines how the number of active walking legs affects body dynamics when combined with changing duty factors and phase relations. The model shows that higher numbers of active leg pairs can prevent effective use of bouncing gaits such as trot and their associated advantages because significantly higher degrees of leg synchronisation are required. It also shows that small changes in the leg coordination pattern have a much higher impact onto the COM dynamics than in locomotor systems with fewer legs. In this way, the model reveals coordinative constraints for specific gaits facilitating the assessment of animal locomotion and economization of robotic locomotion.

Significance Statement

The present model approach enables to assess the impact of different numbers of walking legs onto movement dynamics and gait choice in terrestrial legged locomotion. The model’s results are indicatory for research in legged locomotion regardless whether biological examples or legged walking machines are considered. The approach is suitable for all numbers of pairs of walking legs larger than two and is focussed on symmetrical gaits as found in straight and continuous locomotion. The model fills a gaping gap as the impact of phase shifts among the legs in the coordinated sets of legs typical for poly-pedal animals and robots on overall body dynamics are not considered sufficiently in existing dynamic model approaches.
Using confidence inferred from pupil-size to dissect perceptual task-strategy: support for a bounded decision-formation process
Authors: Kawaguchi Katsuhisa , Clery Stephane , Pourriahi Paria , Seillier Lenka , Haefner Ralf , Nienborg Hendrikje
Published: February 2018

During perceptual decisions subjects often rely more strongly on early rather than late sensory evidence even in tasks when both are equally informative about the correct decision. This early psychophysical weighting has been explained by an integration-to-bound decision process, in which the stimulus is ignored after the accumulated evidence reaches a certain bound, or confidence level. Here, we derive predictions about how the average temporal weighting of the evidence depends on a subject’s decision-confidence in this model. To test these predictions empirically, we devised a method to infer decision-confidence from pupil size in monkeys performing a disparity discrimination task. Our animals’ data confirmed the integration-to-bound predictions, with different internal decision-bounds accounting for differences between animals. However, the data could not be explained by two alternative accounts for early psychophysical weighting: attractor dynamics either within the decision area or due to feedback to sensory areas, or a feedforward account due to neuronal response adaptation. This approach also opens the door to using confidence more broadly when studying the neural basis of decision-making.
On the importance of time scales when studying adaptive evolution
Authors: Perrier Charles , Charmantier Anne
Published: February 2018

Long-term field studies coupled with quantitative genomics offer a powerful means to understand the genetic bases underlying quantitative traits and their evolutionary changes. However, analyzing and interpreting the time scales at which adaptive evolution occurs is challenging. First, while evolution is predictable in the short term, with strikingly rapid phenotypic changes in data series, it remains unpredictable in the long term. Second, while the temporal dynamics of some loci with large effect on phenotypic variation and fitness have been characterized, this task can be complicated in cases of highly polygenic trait architecture implicating numerous small effect size loci, or when statistical tests are sensitive to the heterogeneity of some key characteristics of the genome, like recombination rate variations. After introducing these aforementioned challenges, we discuss a recent investigation of the genomic architecture and spatio-temporal variation in great tit bill length, which was related to the recent use of bird feeders. We discuss how this case study illustrates the importance of considering different temporal scales and evolutionary mechanisms both while analyzing trait temporal trends and when searching for and interpreting the signals of putative genomic footprints of selection. More generally this commentary discusses interesting challenges for unraveling the time scale at which adaptive traits evolve and their genomic bases.

Impact summary

An important goal in evolutionary biology is to understand how individual traits evolve, leading to fascinating variations in time and space. Long-term field studies have been crucial in trying to understand the timing, extent, and ecological determinants of such trait variation in wild populations. In this context, recent genomic tools can be used to look for the genetic bases underlying such trait variation and can provide clues on the nature and timing of their evolution. However, the analysis and the interpretation of the time scales at which evolution occurs remain challenging. First, analyzing long-term data series can be tricky; short-term changes are highly predictable whereas long-term evolution is much less predictable. A second difficult task is to study the architecture of complex quantitative traits and to decipher the timing and roles of the several genomic mechanisms involved in their evolution. This commentary introduces these challenges and discusses a recent investigation of the nature and timing of ecological and genomic factors responsible for variation in great tit bill length. Overall, we raise cautionary warnings regarding several conceptual and technical features and limitations when coupling analyses of long-term and genomic data to study trait evolution in wild populations.
Cellular Migration May Exhibit Intrinsic Left-Right Asymmetries: A meta-analysis
Authors: Sullivan Kelly G. , Vandenberg Laura N. , Levin Michael
Published: February 2018

The intracellular model of embryonic left-right (LR) asymmetry proposes that body laterality originates from intrinsic chiral properties of individual cells, and several recent studies identified consistent chirality in the behavior of cells in vitro. Here, we explored one prediction of the intrinsic asymmetry model: that LR asymmetries would be present in a wide range of mammalian cells, manifesting in the form of LR-biased migration toward an attractant. We mined data from published papers on galvanotaxis and chemotaxis and quantitatively analyzed the migration trajectories of adult somatic cells, stem cells, and cancer cells to determine whether they display significant consistent LR biases in their movements toward migration targets. We found that several cell types exhibited LR biases during galvanotaxis and chemotaxis, and that treatments inhibiting cytoskeletal remodeling or targeting ion channel activity both abolished these LR biases. While we cannot conclusively rule out the existence of subtle biasing cues in the apparatus of some of the studies, the analysis of this dataset suggests specific assays and cell types for further investigation into the chiral aspects of intrinsic cell behavior.

Funding

This work was funded by the American Heart Association Established Investigator grant 0740088N and NIH grants R01-GM077425 (to ML) and NRSA grant 1F32GM087107 (to LNV). M.L. is also supported by the G. Harold and Leila Y. Mathers Charitable Foundation.
Value-based decisions involve sequential sampling from memory
Authors: Bakkour Akram , Zylberberg Ariel , Shadlen Michael N. , Shohamy Daphna
Published: February 2018

Deciding between two equally appealing options can take considerable time. This observation has puzzled economists and philosophers, because more deliberation only delays the reward. Here we show that this seemingly irrational behavior is explained by the constructive use of memory. Using functional brain imaging in humans, we show that how long it takes to decide between two familiar food items is related to activity in the hippocampus, within specific regions shown to be associated with the retrieval of long-term memories. Moreover, we show that value is partially constructed during deliberation to resolve preference, and this constructive process changes behavior and brain responses. These results render memory as a supplier of evidence in value-based decisions, resolving a central paradox of choice.
Emergence of oscillations via spike timing dependent plasticity
Authors: Soloduchin Sarit , Shamir Maoz
Published: February 2018

Neuronal oscillatory activity has been reported in relation to a wide range of cognitive processes. In certain cases changes in oscillatory activity has been associated with pathological states. Although the specific role of these oscillations has yet to be determined, it is clear that neuronal oscillations are abundant in the central nervous system. These observations raise the question of the origin of these oscillations; and specifically whether the mechanisms responsible for the generation and stabilization of these oscillations are genetically hard-wired or whether they can be acquired via a learning process.

Here we focus on spike timing dependent plasticity (STDP) to investigate whether oscillatory activity can emerge in a neuronal network via an unsupervised learning process of STDP dynamics, and if so, what features of the STDP learning rule govern and stabilize the resultant oscillatory activity?

Here, the STDP dynamics of the effective coupling between two competing neuronal populations with reciprocal inhibitory connections was analyzed using the phase-diagram of the system that depicts the possible dynamical states of the network as a function of the effective inhibitory couplings. This phase diagram yields a rich repertoire of possible dynamical behaviors including regions of different fixed point solutions, bi-stability and a region in which the system exhibits oscillatory activity. STDP introduces dynamics for the inhibitory couplings themselves and hence induces a flow in the phase diagram. We investigate the conditions for the flow to converge to an oscillatory state of the neuronal network and then characterize how the features of the STDP rule govern and stabilize these oscillations.
The development of gut microbiota in ostriches and its association with juvenile growth
Authors: Videvall Elin , Song Se Jin , Bensch Hanna M. , Strandh Maria , Engelbrecht Anel , Serfontein Naomi , Hellgren Olof , Olivier Adriaan , Cloete Schalk , Knight Rob , Cornwallis Charlie K.
Published: February 2018

The development of gut microbiota during ontogeny in vertebrates is emerging as an important process influencing physiology, immune system, health, and adult fitness. However, we have little knowledge of how the gut microbiome is colonised and develops in non-model organisms, and to what extent microbial diversity and specific taxa influence changes in fitness-related traits. Here, we used 16S rRNA gene sequencing to describe the successional development of the faecal microbiota in juvenile ostriches (Struthio camelus; n = 71) over their first three months of life, during which time a five-fold difference in weight was observed. We found a gradual increase in microbial diversity with age, an overall convergence in community composition among individuals, multiple colonisation and extinction events, and major taxonomic shifts coinciding with the cessation of yolk absorption. In addition, we discovered significant but complex associations between juvenile growth and microbial diversity, and identified distinct bacterial groups that had positive (Bacteroidaceae) and negative (Enterobacteriaceae, Enterococcaceae, Lactobacillaceae) correlations with the growth of individuals at specific ages. These results have broad implications for our understanding of the development of gut microbiota and its association with juvenile growth.
Mid-infrared optoacoustic microscopy with label-free chemical contrast in living cells and tissues
Authors: Pleitez Miguel A. , Khan Asrar Ali , Reber Josefine , Chmyrov Andriy , Seeger Markus R. , Herzig Stephan , Scheideler Marcel , Ntziachristos Vasilis
Published: February 2018

We developed mid-infrared optoacoustic microscopy (MiROM), a bond-selective imaging modality that overcomes water/tissue opacity and depth limitations of mid-infrared sensing allowing uncompromised live-cell/thick-tissue mid-infrared microscopy with up to three orders of magnitudehigher sensitivity than other vibrational imaging modalities; such as Raman. We showcase the functional label-free biomolecular imaging capabilities of MiROM by monitoring the spatiotemporal dynamics of lipids and proteins during lipolysis in living adipocytes. Since MiROM, contrary to Ramanmodalities, is not only able to detect lipids and proteins, but also important metabolites such as glucose without the need of labels, here we discuss how MiROM yields novel functional label-free abilities for a broader range of analytical studies in living cells and tissues.
A novel de novo CAPN5 mutation in a patient with inflammatory vitreoretinopathy, hearing loss, and developmental delay
Authors: Velez Gabriel , Bassuk Alexander G. , Schaefer Kellie A. , Brooks Brian , Gakhar Lokesh , Mahajan MaryAnn , Kahn Philip , Tsang Stephen H. , Ferguson Polly J. , Mahajan Vinit B.
Published: February 2018

Mutations that activate the protease calpain-5 (CAPN5) cause a nonsyndromic adult-onset autoinflammatory eye disease characterized by uveitis, altered synaptic signaling, retinal degeneration, neovascularization, and intraocular fibrosis. We describe a pediatric patient with severe inflammatory vitreoretinopathy accompanied by hearing loss and developmental delay associated with a novel, de novo CAPN5 missense mutation (c.865C>T, p.Arg289Trp) that shows greater hyperactivation of the calpain protease, indicating a genotype–phenotype correlation that links mutation severity to proteolytic activity and the possibility of earlier onset syndromic disease with auditory and neurological abnormalities.
Spatial displacement of forward-diffracted X-ray beams by perfect crystals
Authors: Rodriguez-Fernandez A. , Esposito V. , Sanchez D. F. , Finkelstein K. D. , Juranic P. , Staub U. , Grolimund D. , Reiche S. , Pedrini B.
Published: February 2018

Time-delayed, narrow-band echoes generated by forward Bragg diffraction of an X-ray pulse by a perfect thin crystal are exploited for self-seeding at hard X-ray free-electron lasers. Theoretical predictions indicate that the retardation is strictly correlated to a transverse displacement of the echo pulses. This article reports the first experimental observation of the displaced echoes. The displacements are in good agreement with simulations relying on the dynamical diffraction theory. The echo signals are characteristic for a given Bragg reflection, the structure factor and the probed interplane distance. The reported results pave the way to exploiting the signals as an online diagnostic tool for hard X-ray free-electron laser seeding and for dynamical diffraction investigations of strain at the femtosecond timescale.
A framework for disaster resilience education with homeless communities
Authors: Every Danielle , Richardson John
Published: February 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to propose a practice framework for disaster resilience education (DRE) with homeless communities.

Design/methodology/approach

A survey with 163 homeless service providers together with 45 interviews with people with a lived experience of homelessness, homeless service providers and emergency services.

Findings

Key principles for DRE with the homeless community were: safe relationships, collaboration, strengths-based, empowerment, providing essential resources, and inclusivity. Recommendations for the design of DRE foregrounded partnerships and knowledge sharing between the homeless community and emergency services. Locally relevant risk information and material supports, together with sharing stories and eliciting values were important considerations for developing DRE content. Preferred delivery methods were outreach to build on trusted relationships and existing services, together with written material in large font emphasising images for distribution through drop in centres, food vans and new tenancy packages.

Practical implications

The key principles, together with the detailed suggestions outlining ways to translate the principles into actions, can be used by emergency and homeless services to develop effective DRE materials and programmes.

Social implications

The proposed DRE framework aims to not only enhance disaster risk knowledge, but also address the exclusion, isolation and disempowerment experienced by people who are homeless. By building on an effective intervention models within homeless services (Trauma-Informed Care) DRE can enhance the social connection, self-confidence and well-being goals of homeless services and clients.

Originality/value

The DRE framework is based on the first comprehensive Australian research with homeless services, clients and emergency managers on best practice for improving extreme weather preparedness in the homeless community.
Internal governance mechanisms and the performance of decentralized financial systems in Niger
Authors: Boubacar Hamadou
Published: February 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to study the effect of internal governance mechanisms on the financial and social performance of Niger’s decentralized financial systems (DFS).

Design/methodology/approach

This paper investigated the impact of the board size and the CEO/chairman duality on financial performance and sustainability, respectively, measured by the return on assets (ROA) and operational self-sufficiency on one side and social performance measured by the size of loans granted and the percentage of female borrowers on the other side.

Findings

The results show that board size positively and significantly affects the ROA. The author also concludes that the duality of decision and control functions promotes the financial viability of the DFS. Regarding the impact of internal governance on social performance, the author finds that board size positively and significantly affects loan size.

Research limitations/implications

This study focuses on Niger’s 13 largest DFSs. However, an analysis that also includes smaller firms may show different results.

Practical implications

A board size of between 5 and 15 members is recommended. This would help to incorporate key skills and the active involvement of all members.

Originality/value

This research highlights the importance of including internal governance mechanisms, underscores an interesting problem and answers questions raised in the existing literature by invalidating or confirming the results that have been obtained thus far. As the players in the microfinance sector recognize that sound governance is an important factor for a successful outcome in any microfinance institution objective, the paper helps shed some light on the situation of DFS in Niger.
Determinants of carbon management accounting adoption in Ghanaian firms
Authors: Nartey Edward
Published: February 2018

Purpose

Carbon management accounting (CMA) is one part of sustainability accounting designed to provide information for the management of carbon dioxide (CO2) releases. Adopting the contingency framework, this paper aims to examine the contextual antecedents that influence CMA adoption in Ghanaian firms.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper tests seven contextual dimensions, namely, strategy, structure, size, environmental management system (EMS), decentralization, technology and perceived environmental uncertainty, on CMA adoption from a survey of 125 accountants.

Findings

Consistent with prior literature, organizational strategy, structure, environmental management accounting (EMA), firm size, technology and perceived environmental uncertainty were found to be positively associated with CMA adoption and hence support contingency theory. However, a relationship between decentralization and EMA adoption was not supported by the sample data. Also, the existence of CMA systems was found to be low in the sample firms, although more than half of the respondents have EMS.

Research limitations/implications

The study is limited to Ghana hence possible generalization of the results is limited. Further exploration of contingency-based research in other emerging economies would provide valuable insights on CMA adoption and practices to contribute to the CMA literature.

Practical implications

The findings suggest that although CMA adoption and practices is low in the sampled firms, both contextual and environmental factors play a vital role in the adoption of CMA in developing economies, as it pertains to the generic management accounting systems. Policies governing CMA practice should incorporate organizational contextual factors.

Originality/value

The paper presents preliminary empirical evidence on the state of adoption and practice of CMA from an emerging economy perspective, an area which lacks empirical investigation both in the EMA and the carbon accounting domain. It draws considerable novelty on the basis that despite the growing interest in climate change-based research empirical works on CO2emissions conducted exclusively from management accounting perspective, and in developing economies in particular, have been scant. The paper extends the contingency theory framework from conventional practices to the EMA field.
The modern employee: exercise and the brain
Authors: Guggina Pamela
Published: February 2018

Purpose

An area of workplace well-being, and thus performance, which is now being recognized more widely is the mental health of employees. Research today demonstrates that exercise is good for the body and dramatically affects the brain. While it is widely accepted that regular exercise can promote weight loss, lower blood pressure and decrease the risks of diabetes, heart disease and certain cancers, it is also becoming clear that exercise can improve mood, coping skills and even treat clinical depression and anxiety. These findings further support the upward trend of companies offering a wider range of health benefits to their employees.

Design/methodology/approach

One example of the combined research, Rethorst et al., published a large meta-analysis exploring the interaction between physical activity and depression. They examined 58 randomized trails and found that participants in the studies who had been randomized to use exercise as a treatment for depression had significantly lower depression scores than participants who had been randomized to the non-exercise or “control” group. Both clinically depressed and non-clinically depressed individuals reported lower depression scores if they participated in the exercise group.

Findings

Exercise can be as effective as medication in treating depression. Regular exercise can decrease the symptoms of clinical anxiety. Employers who incentivize physical activity can dramatically lower healthcare costs. Benefits packages which promote physical activity can increase productivity and decrease absenteeism.

Originality/value

There will always be people with an illness which requires medication, but there appears to be a group that will benefit greatly from getting out and moving with regular exercise. The hope is that physicians with patients who have symptoms of depression and anxiety will encourage their patients to get some exercise to see if it helps. This can be something that is done alone or as an adjunct to talk therapy and/or pharmacologic treatment. Exercise is not likely to change the circumstances that make life challenging, but it can help all humans cope better with these challenges.
A journey of collaborative learning organization research
Authors: Sidani Yusuf , Reese Simon
Published: February 2018

Purpose

This paper aims to provide an overview of the development of learning organization concepts from the perspectives of Dr Victoria Marsick and Dr Karen Watkins and presents an interesting evolution of their work together spanning over three decades.

Design/methodology/approach

Through a conversation with thought-leading scholars Dr Victoria Marsick and Dr Karen Watkins, this paper discussed serval topics pertaining to the evolution of the learning organization debate and provides their unique perspective on the development of their theories.

Findings

The learning organization debate has many foundations that today have led to differing perspectives, which Dr Marsick and Dr Watkins advocate. They developed their learning organization concepts from their particular background, which varies from others. To these thought leaders, cultural aspects are the critical focus of the learning organization.

Originality/value

The discussion with Victoria Marsick and Karen Watkins reveals their understanding of the evolution of the contested discussion around learning organization definition and implications. The understanding of this evolution, in their words, provides context for researchers and practitioners.
Clinical significance of neutrophil gelatinase‐associated lipocalin and galectin‐7 in tape‐stripped stratum corneum of acne vulgaris
Authors: Watanabe Kosuke , Yoshino Takashi , Takahashi Misaki , Kondo Shinya , Takahashi Minako , Matsukuma Shoko , Mukai Hideki , Fukuda Hidetsugu
Published: February 2018

The usefulness of stratum corneum neutrophil gelatinase‐associated lipocalin and stratum corneum galectin‐7 as biomarkers of acne vulgaris was studied. A comparison of neutrophil gelatinase‐associated lipocalin levels on the cheeks of patients with acne vulgaris at the start of the study and at the time of symptom improvement showed a significant decrease. On the other hand, the galectin‐7 levels at the time of symptom improvement were significantly higher than those at the start of the study. Therefore, because the inflammation in the epidermis and hair follicles was reduced after therapy, as a result of the solution of the inflammatory eruptions caused by acne vulgaris, the neutrophil gelatinase‐associated lipocalin level also showed a significant decrease after therapy. These results suggest that stratum corneum neutrophil gelatinase‐associated lipocalin may be useful as an objective biomarker of changes in acne vulgaris symptoms.
Dressing disrupted: negotiating care through the materiality of dress in the context of dementia
Authors: Buse Christina , Twigg Julia
Published: February 2018

This paper explores how the materiality of dress mediates and shapes practices of care in the context of dementia. Earlier research called for an approach to conceptualising care that recognised the role played by everyday artefacts. We extend this to a consideration of dress and dressing the body in relation to people with dementia that involves the direct manipulation of material objects, as well as the materiality of bodies. The paper draws on an ESRC funded study Dementia and Dress, which examined experiences of dress for people with dementia, families and care‐workers using ethnographic and qualitative methods. Our analysis explores the process of dressing the body, the physicality of guiding and manipulating bodies into clothing, dealing with fabrics and bodies which ‘act back’ and are resistant to the process of dressing. We consider how the materiality of clothing can constrain or enable practices of care, exploring tensions between garments that support ease of dressing and those that sustain identity. Examining negotiations around dress also reveals tensions between competing ‘logics’ of care (Mol ).
Estimating gestational age at birth from fundal height and additional anthropometrics: a prospective cohort study
Authors: Pugh SJ , Ortega‐Villa AM , Grobman W , Newman RB , Owen J , Wing DA , Albert PS , Grantz KL
Published: February 2018

Objective

Accurate assessment of gestational age (GA) is critical to paediatric care, but is limited in developing countries without access to ultrasound. Our objectives were to assess the accuracy of prediction of GA at birth and preterm birth classification using routinely collected anthropometry measures.

Design

Prospective cohort study.

Setting

United States.

Population or sample

A total of 2334 non‐obese and 468 obese pregnant women.

Methods

Enrolment GA was determined based on last menstrual period, confirmed by first‐trimester ultrasound. Maternal anthropometry and fundal height (FH) were measured by a standardised protocol at study visits; FH alone was additionally abstracted from medical charts. Neonatal anthropometry measurements were obtained at birth. To estimate GA at delivery, we developed three predictor models using longitudinal FH alone and with maternal and neonatal anthropometry. For all predictors, we repeatedly sampled observations to construct training (60%) and test (40%) sets. Linear mixed models incorporated longitudinal maternal anthropometry and a shared parameter model incorporated neonatal anthropometry. We assessed models’ accuracy under varied scenarios.

Main outcome measures

Estimated GA at delivery.

Results

Prediction error for various combinations of anthropometric measures ranged between 13.9 and 14.9 days. Longitudinal FH alone predicted GA within 14.9 days with relatively stable prediction errors across individual race/ethnicities [whites (13.9 days), blacks (15.1 days), Hispanics (15.5 days) and Asians (13.1 days)], and correctly identified 75% of preterm births. The model was robust to additional scenarios.

Conclusions

In low‐risk, non‐obese women, longitudinal FH measures alone can provide a reasonably accurate assessment of GA when ultrasound measures are not available.

Tweetable abstract

Longitudinal fundal height alone predicts gestational age at birth when ultrasound measures are unavailable.
New Evidence on Employment Effects of Informal Care Provision in Europe
Authors: Kolodziej Ingo W. K. , Reichert Arndt R. , Schmitz Hendrik
Published: February 2018

Objective

To estimate how labor force participation is affected when adult children provide informal care to their parents.

Data Source

Survey of Health, Ageing and Retirement in Europe from 2004 to 2013.

Study Design

To offset the problem of endogeneity, we exploit the availability of other potential caregivers within the family as predictors of the probability to provide care for a dependent parent. Contrary to most previous studies, the dataset covers the whole working‐age population in the majority of European countries. Individuals explicitly had to opt for or against the provision of care to their care‐dependent parents, which allows us to more precisely estimate the effect of caregiving on labor force participation.

Principal Findings

Results reveal a negative causal effect that indicates that informal care provision reduces labor force participation by 14.0 percentage points (95 percent CI: −0.307, 0.026). Point estimates suggest that the effect is larger for men; however, this gender difference is not significantly different from zero at conventional levels.

Conclusions

Results apply to individuals whose consideration in long‐term care policy is highly relevant, that is, children whose willingness to provide informal care to their parents is altered by available alternatives of family caregivers.
Identifying Differences Between Cut Marks Made on Bone by a Machete and Katana: A Pilot Study
Authors: McCardle Penny , Stojanovski Elizabeth
Published: February 2018

The aim of this research was to identify characteristics specific to a machete and katana on three different bone types. One machete and two katanas were used to produce cut marks on Sus scrofa rib, flat and long bones. Fifty‐nine cuts were produced by the katanas and 38 by the machete. The presence of flaking, feathering, peeling, micropeeling, chattering, microcurvature, scoop defect, and exit notch was noted, and bivariate associations between each characteristic and weapon type were assessed using Pearson's chi‐square tests for independence and logistic regression models developed. Significant predictors for machete cut marks are scoop defect for rib bones (correct classification 93%), micropeeling in flat bones, chattering on flat and long bones (all p < 001) and for the katana, microcurvature (p < 004) and exit notch on flat and long bones (p < 001; correct classification 96% and 100%, respectively). The identified bivariate associations and final logistic regression models may be utilized in forensic investigations when identifying hacking trauma.
Distinction of Fly Artifacts from Human Blood using Immunodetection
Authors: Rivers David B. , Acca Gillian , Fink Marc , Brogan Rebecca , Chen Dorothy , Schoeffield Andrew
Published: February 2018

Insect stains produced by necrophagous flies are indistinguishable morphologically from human bloodstains. At present, no diagnostic tests exist to overcome this deficiency. As the first step toward developing a chemical test to recognize fly artifacts, polyclonal antisera were generated in rats against three distinct antigenic sequences of fly cathepsin D‐like proteinase, an enzyme that is structurally distinct in cyclorrhaphous Diptera from other animals. The resulting rat antisera bound to artifacts produced by Protophormia terraenovae and synthetic peptides used to generate the polyclonal antisera, but not with any type of mammalian blood tested in immunoassays. Among the three antisera, anti‐md3 serum displayed the highest reactivity for fly stains, demonstrated cross‐reactivity for all synthetic peptides representing antigenic sequences of the mature fly enzyme, and bound artifacts originating from the fly digestive tract. Further work is needed to determine whether the antisera are suitable for non‐laboratory conditions.
Sensory Acceptability of Iron‐Fortified Red Lentil (Lens culinaris Medik.) Dal
Authors: Podder Rajib , Khan Shaan M. , Tar'an Bunyamin , Tyler Robert T. , Henry Carol J. , Jalal Chowdhury , Shand Phyllis J. , Vandenberg Albert
Published: February 2018

Panelists in Saskatoon, Canada (n = 45) and Dhaka, Bangladesh (n = 98) participated in sensory evaluations of the sensory properties of both cooked and uncooked dehulled red lentil dal fortified with FeSO4·7H2O, NaFeEDTA or FeSO4·H2O at fortificant Fe concentrations of 800, 1,600 (both cooked and uncooked), or 2,800 ppm. Appearance, odor, and overall acceptability of cooked and uncooked samples were rated using a 9‐point hedonic scale (1 = dislike extremely to 9 = like extremely). Taste and texture were rated for the cooked samples prepared as typical south Asian lentil meals. Significant differences in sensory quality were observed among all uncooked and cooked samples at both locations. Overall, scores for all sensory attributes and acceptability of uncooked lentil decreased with increasing concentration of Fe in the fortificant; however, Fe fortification (particularly with NaFeEDTA) had small effects on acceptability. Panelists from Saskatoon provided a wider range of scores than those from Bangladesh for all attributes of cooked lentil. Overall, sensory evaluation of Fe fortification using NaFeEDTA minimally affected consumer perception of color, taste, texture, odor, and overall acceptability of cooked lentil. Reliability estimates (Cronbach's alpha [CA]) indicated that consumer scores were generally consistent for all attributes of all lentil samples (mean CA > 0.80). NaFeEDTA was found to be the most suitable Fe fortificant for lentil based on consumer acceptability. Consumption of 45 to 50 g of NaFeEDTA‐fortified lentil (fortificant Fe concentration of 1,600 ppm) per day meets the estimated average requirements (EARs) of Fe for humans (10.8 to 29.4 mg).

Practical Application

Iron fortification of dehulled lentil dal may change organoleptic attributes that can influence consumer acceptability. Sensory evaluation by consumers helps to determine the effect on appearance, odor, taste, texture, and overall acceptability of fortified lentils. In this study, consumer acceptability was evaluated with panelists who consume lentil regularly. Panelists provided significantly different scores for 5 sensory attributes for 10 uncooked and 3 cooked lentil samples. Panelists reliably preferred NaFeEDTA as the most suitable Fe fortificant for dehulled lentils for 5 attributes. Overall, lentil dal fortified with NaFeEDTA can offer a simple and low‐cost solution to human health problems associated with iron‐related malnutrition.
Added value of second biopsy target in screen‐detected widespread suspicious breast calcifications
Authors: Falkner Nathalie M , Hince Dana , Porter Gareth , Dessauvagie Ben , Jeganathan Sanjay , Bulsara Max , Lo Glen
Published: February 2018

Introduction

There is controversy on the optimal work‐up of screen‐detected widespread breast calcifications: whether to biopsy a single target or multiple targets. This study evaluates agreement between multiple biopsy targets within the same screen‐detected widespread (≥25 mm) breast calcification to determine if the second biopsy adds value.

Methods

Retrospective observational study of women screened in a statewide general population risk breast cancer mammographic screening program from 2009 to 2016. Screening episodes recalled for widespread calcifications where further views indicated biopsy, and two or more separate target areas were sampled within the same lesion were included. Percentage agreement and Cohen's Kappa were calculated.

Results

A total of 293317 women were screened during 761124 separate episodes with recalls for widespread calcifications in 2355 episodes. In 171 women, a second target was biopsied within the same lesion. In 149 (86%) cases, the second target biopsy result agreed with the first biopsy (κ = 0.6768). Agreement increased with increasing mammography score (85%, 86% and 92% for score 3, 4 and 5 lesions). Same day multiple biopsied lesions were three times more likely to yield concordant results compared to post‐hoc second target biopsy cases.

Conclusion

While a single target biopsy is sufficient to discriminate a benign vs. malignant diagnosis in most cases, in 14% there is added value in performing a second target biopsy. Biopsies performed prospectively are more likely to yield concordant results compared to post‐hoc second target biopsy cases, suggesting a single prospective biopsy may be sufficient when results are radiological‐pathological concordant; discordance still requires repeat sampling.
Expression and copy number gains of the RET gene in 631 early and mid stage non‐small cell lung cancer cases
Authors: Tan Ling , Hu Yerong , Tao Yongguang , Wang Bin , Xiao Jun , Tang Zhenjie , Lu Ting , Tang Hao
Published: February 2018

Background

To identify whether RET is a potential target for NSCLC treatment, we examined the status of the RET gene in 631 early and mid stage NSCLC cases from south central China.

Methods

RET expression was identified by Western blot. RET‐positive expression samples were verified by immunohistochemistry. RET gene mutation, copy number variation, and rearrangement were analyzed by DNA Sanger sequencing, TaqMan copy number assays, and reverse transcription‐PCR. ALK and ROS1 expression levels were tested by Western blot and EGFR mutation using Sanger sequencing.

Results

The RET‐positive rate was 2.5% (16/631). RET‐positive expression was related to poorer tumor differentiation (P < 0.05). In the 16 RET‐positive samples, only two samples of moderately and poorly differentiated lung adenocarcinomas displayed RET rearrangement, both in RET‐KIF5B fusion partners. Neither ALK nor ROS1 translocation was found. The EGFR mutation rate in RET‐positive samples was significantly lower than in RET‐negative samples (P < 0.05).

Conclusion

RET‐positive expression in early and mid stage NSCLC cases from south central China is relatively low and is related to poorer tumor differentiation. RET gene alterations (copy number gain and rearrangement) exist in all RET‐positive samples. RET‐positive expression is a relatively independent factor in NSCLC patients, which indicates that the RET gene may be a novel target site for personalized treatment of NSCLC.
Vectorial localization of peripheral pulmonary lesion guided by electromagnetic navigation: A novel method for diagnostic surgical resection without dye marking
Authors: Qiu Tong , Yu Baohua , Xuan Yunpeng , Luan Haihong , Jiao Wenjie
Published: February 2018

We describe a novel method using electromagnetic navigation bronchoscopy (ENB) without dye marking to perform vectorial localization for an impalpable peripheral lesion in the right lower lobe during diagnostic surgical resection in a 52‐year‐old woman. After the ENB registration process, the anesthetist changed the single‐lumen endotracheal tube to a double‐lumen endobronchial tube. Guided by the ENB system, the operator delivered the probe of the locatable guide to the planned site through the right lumen of the endobronchial tube. The ENB system allows calculation of the direction and distance between the probe and the lesion, confirming the relative location of the lesion. The locatable guide was retained during surgery as an intraoperative indicator, rather than applying dye marking. During video‐assisted thoracoscopic surgery, the protuberant visceral pleura poked by the probe accurately indicated the relative location of the lesion. Accordingly, we performed precise wedge resection for diagnosis, followed by lobectomy, resulting in a diagnosis of invasive adenocarcinoma. Vectorial localization is an alternative method of ENB‐guided localization to peripheral pulmonary lesions, which can provide the accurate location of such lesions for diagnostic surgical resection.
Sensory distribution of the lateral femoral cutaneous nerve block – a randomised, blinded trial
Authors: Nersesjan M. , Hägi‐Pedersen D. , Andersen J. H. , Mathiesen O. , Dahl J. B. , Broeng L. , Thybo K. H.
Published: February 2018

Background

The lateral femoral cutaneous nerve (LFCN) block may be used for post‐operative pain management in patients undergoing total hip arthroplasty. The aim of this trial was to investigate the sensory coverage of the posterior and the lateral incision lines and the involvement of the femoral nerve after an LFCN block.

Methods

The study was a randomised, blinded trial in 20 healthy volunteers. All subjects received a bilateral LFCN block randomised to 8 ml ropivacaine on the right side and 8 ml isotonic saline on the left side, or vice versa. An orthopaedic surgeon depicted the incision lines (invisible to the investigators) prior to block performance. The distribution of the blocked area and the coverage of the incision lines were assessed with temperature discrimination and pinprick test before unblinding the incision lines. Pain during tonic heat stimulation and involvement of the femoral nerve by measuring quadriceps strength were assessed.

Results

The mean difference in block coverage of the posterior (primary outcome) and the lateral incision lines tested with temperature discrimination were 5.8% (95% CI: −2.2 to 14.0%, P = 0.146) and 18.9% (95% CI: 6.5–31.4%, P = 0.005), respectively, comparing the active with the placebo side. A varying anatomic distribution area was observed. No clinically significant differences for experimental pain and quadriceps muscle strength were found. The block failure rate was 15%.

Conclusion

An LFCN block consisting of 8 ml 0.75% ropivacaine had limited coverage of the posterior and lateral incision lines.
Medical marijuana laws and adolescent marijuana use in the United States: a systematic review and meta‐analysis
Authors: Sarvet Aaron L. , Wall Melanie M. , Fink David S. , Greene Emily , Le Aline , Boustead Anne E. , Pacula Rosalie Liccardo , Keyes Katherine M. , Cerdá Magdalena , Galea Sandro , Hasin Deborah S.
Published: February 2018

Aims

To conduct a systematic review and meta‐analysis of studies in order to estimate the effect of US medical marijuana laws (MMLs) on past‐month marijuana use prevalence among adolescents.

Methods

A total of 2999 papers from 17 literature sources were screened systematically. Eleven studies, developed from four ongoing large national surveys, were meta‐analyzed. Estimates of MML effects on any past‐month marijuana use prevalence from included studies were obtained from comparisons of pre–post MML changes in MML states to changes in non‐MML states over comparable time‐periods. These estimates were standardized and entered into a meta‐analysis model with fixed‐effects for each study. Heterogeneity among the study estimates by national data survey was tested with an omnibus F‐test. Estimates of effects on additional marijuana outcomes, of MML provisions (e.g. dispensaries) and among demographic subgroups were abstracted and summarized. Key methodological and modeling characteristics were also described. Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta‐Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines were followed.

Results

None of the 11 studies found significant estimates of pre–post MML changes compared with contemporaneous changes in non‐MML states for marijuana use prevalence among adolescents. The meta‐analysis yielded a non‐significant pooled estimate (standardized mean difference) of −0.003 (95% confidence interval = −0.012, +0.007). Four studies compared MML with non‐MML states on pre‐MML differences and all found higher rates of past‐month marijuana use in MML states pre‐MML passage. Additional tests of specific MML provisions, of MML effects on additional marijuana outcomes and among subgroups generally yielded non‐significant results, although limited heterogeneity may warrant further study.

Conclusions

Synthesis of the current evidence does not support the hypothesis that US medical marijuana laws (MMLs) until 2014 have led to increases in adolescent marijuana use prevalence. Limited heterogeneity exists among estimates of effects of MMLs on other patterns of marijuana use, of effects within particular population subgroups and of effects of specific MML provisions.