bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Damage mechanics applied to performance‐based design of reinforced concrete columns
Authors: Cardona Luis Ignacio , Paultre Patrick , Mazars Jacky
Published: May 2017

Performance‐based design methodology is based on reaching performance objectives that are associated to certain damage conditions. These performance objectives are related to the seismic hazard and to the performance levels. In actual application, reliable tools are required for capturing the evolution of the damage condition as well as for measuring and locating it. Moreover, it is essential to accurately establish the relationship between the damage and the performance levels. This paper shows the application of damage mechanics to performance‐based design. A layered damage mechanics‐based finite element program is presented with a discussion on modeling for prediction of the response of normal‐strength and high‐strength concrete columns subjected to cyclic flexural loading and various axial load levels. The damage indices derived from these analyses were used to elaborate several damage charts expressed as a function of drift and displacement ductility. This makes it possible to establish a relationship between the damage state and the performance levels. Results have demonstrated the ability of the damage mechanics modeling to accurately predict the behavior of the specimens tested. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Land‐use and ecosystem services costs of unconventional US oil and gas development
Authors: Moran Matthew D , Taylor Nathan T , Mullins Tabitha F , Sardar Sehrish S , McClung Maureen R
Published: May 2017

The rapid expansion of unconventional oil and gas development in the US has been controversial because of numerous environmental and social issues, including the conversion, fragmentation, and degradation of natural habitats. Here we describe land‐use impacts and ecosystem services costs of recent energy development in the eight major unconventional oil and gas production regions of the US. From 2004 to 2015, more than 200,000 hectares of land were developed or modified. By 2015, the estimated annual ecosystem services costs of this habitat change had risen to US$272 million, which resulted in a cumulative total of almost US$1.4 billion. These costs were concentrated in deciduous forests and grasslands/pastures. Depending on future well‐drilling rates, cumulative ecosystem services costs projected to the year 2040 range from US$9.4 billion to US$31.9 billion. These environmental and economic impacts should be considered when governments perform cost–benefit analyses and create regulatory oversight.
Impact of a global biodiversity education campaign on zoo and aquarium visitors
Authors: Moss Andrew , Jensen Eric , Gusset Markus
Published: May 2017

Campaigns by zoos, aquariums, and other civil society organizations are an important tool for promoting social changes that benefit the environment. Here, we evaluate a global biodiversity education campaign's impact through a repeated‐measures survey of nearly 5000 visitors to 20 zoos and aquariums located in 14 countries. By comparing visitors’ pre‐ and post‐visit responses combined across respondents, we found significant aggregate improvements in their biodiversity understanding and their knowledge of actions to help protect biodiversity. Respondents who reported seeing the education campaign's interpretive graphic panels and informative films showed a significantly higher aggregate increase in their understanding of biodiversity and actions to protect it as compared to respondents who did not see the campaign materials. These findings reaffirm the value of education at zoos and aquariums to engage members of the public with biodiversity‐related issues. The results also demonstrate that the aggregate impact from such experiences can be enhanced through coordinated public engagement initiatives.
Aberrant cognitive phenotypes and altered hippocampal BDNF expression related to epigenetic modifications in mice lacking the post‐synaptic scaffolding protein SHANK1: Implications for autism spectrum disorder
Authors: Sungur A. Özge , Jochner Magdalena C.E. , Harb Hani , Kılıç Ayşe , Garn Holger , Schwarting Rainer K.W. , Wöhr Markus
Published: May 2017

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a class of neurodevelopmental disorders characterized by persistent deficits in social communication/interaction, together with restricted/repetitive patterns of behavior. ASD is among the most heritable neuropsychiatric conditions, and while available evidence points to a complex set of genetic factors, the SHANK gene family has emerged as one of the most promising candidates. Here, we assessed ASD‐related phenotypes with particular emphasis on social behavior and cognition in Shank1 mouse mutants in comparison to heterozygous and wildtype littermate controls across development in both sexes. While social approach behavior was evident in all experimental conditions and social recognition was only mildly affected by genotype, Shank1−/− null mutant mice were severely impaired in object recognition memory. This effect was particularly prominent in juveniles, not due to impairments in object discrimination, and replicated in independent mouse cohorts. At the neurobiological level, object recognition deficits were paralleled by increased brain‐derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) protein expression in the hippocampus of Shank1−/− mice; yet BDNF levels did not differ under baseline conditions. We therefore investigated changes in the epigenetic regulation of hippocampal BDNF expression and detected an enrichment of histone H3 acetylation at the Bdnf promoter1 in Shank1−/− mice, consistent with increased learning‐associated BDNF. Together, our findings indicate that Shank1 deletions lead to an aberrant cognitive phenotype characterized by severe impairments in object recognition memory and increased hippocampal BDNF levels, possibly due to epigenetic modifications. This result supports the link between ASD and intellectual disability, and suggests epigenetic regulation as a potential therapeutic target.
Electrochemical and biocompatibility examinations of high‐pressure torsion processed titanium and Ti–13Nb–13Zr alloy
Authors: Dimić Ivana , Cvijović‐Alagić Ivana , Hohenwarter Anton , Pippan Reinhard , Kojić Vesna , Bajat Jelena , Rakin Marko
Published: May 2017

The purpose of this study was to estimate the electrochemical behavior and biocompatibility of ultrafine‐grained (UFG) commercially pure titanium (CPTi) and Ti–13Nb–13Zr (TNZ) alloy obtained by high‐pressure torsion process. Electrochemical behavior of materials in artificial saliva at 37°C was evaluated by potentiodynamic polarization tests and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS), and the obtained results indicated that UFG TNZ alloy showed corrosion current density (jcorr = 53 ± 5 nA cm−2) which was 2 times lower compared to coarse‐grained (CG) TNZ alloy (jcorr = 110 ± 12 nA cm−2) and higher corrosion resistance, while UFG CPTi and CPTi showed approximately the same corrosion rate (mean jcorr ∼ 38–40 nA cm−2). Static immersion test in artificial saliva, performed in this study, showed that the released ion concentrations from UFG materials were more than 10 times lower than the permitted concentration (the highest released Ti ion concentration from UFG CPTi and UFG TNZ alloy was 1.12 and 1.28 ppb, respectively, while permitted concentration was 15.5 ppb). The in vitro cytotoxicity tests, as the initial phase of the biocompatibility evaluation, showed that the fraction of surviving cells in all examined materials was much higher compared to the control sample and hence demonstrated absence of cytotoxicity and an increase of fibroblast cells adhesion on UFG materials surfaces. UFG CPTi and UFG TNZ alloy can be considered as promising materials for applications in dentistry due to high corrosion resistance and outstanding biocompatibility which were shown in this study. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part B: Appl Biomater, 106B: 1097–1107, 2018.
Intranuclear and higher‐order chromatin organization of the major histone gene cluster in breast cancer
Authors: Fritz Andrew J. , Ghule Prachi N. , Boyd Joseph R. , Tye Coralee E. , Page Natalie A. , Hong Deli , Shirley David J. , Weinheimer Adam S. , Barutcu Ahmet R. , Gerrard Diana L. , Frietze Seth , van Wijnen Andre J. , Zaidi Sayyed K. , Imbalzano Anthony N. , Lian Jane B. , Stein Janet L. , Stein Gary S.
Published: May 2017

Alterations in nuclear morphology are common in cancer progression. However, the degree to which gross morphological abnormalities translate into compromised higher‐order chromatin organization is poorly understood. To explore the functional links between gene expression and chromatin structure in breast cancer, we performed RNA‐seq gene expression analysis on the basal breast cancer progression model based on human MCF10A cells. Positional gene enrichment identified the major histone gene cluster at chromosome 6p22 as one of the most significantly upregulated (and not amplified) clusters of genes from the normal‐like MCF10A to premalignant MCF10AT1 and metastatic MCF10CA1a cells. This cluster is subdivided into three sub‐clusters of histone genes that are organized into hierarchical topologically associating domains (TADs). Interestingly, the sub‐clusters of histone genes are located at TAD boundaries and interact more frequently with each other than the regions in‐between them, suggesting that the histone sub‐clusters form an active chromatin hub. The anchor sites of loops within this hub are occupied by CTCF, a known chromatin organizer. These histone genes are transcribed and processed at a specific sub‐nuclear microenvironment termed the major histone locus body (HLB). While the overall chromatin structure of the major HLB is maintained across breast cancer progression, we detected alterations in its structure that may relate to gene expression. Importantly, breast tumor specimens also exhibit a coordinate pattern of upregulation across the major histone gene cluster. Our results provide a novel insight into the connection between the higher‐order chromatin organization of the major HLB and its regulation during breast cancer progression.
E2F is involved in radioresistance of carbon ion induced apoptosis via Bax/caspase 3 signal pathway in human hepatoma cell
Authors: Xie Yi , Si Jing , Wang Yu‐Pei , Li Hong‐Yan , Di Cui‐Xia , Yan Jun‐Fang , Ye Yan‐Cheng , Zhang Yan‐Shan , Zhang Hong
Published: May 2017

Deletion of p53, most common genetic alteration, is observed in human tumors and reported to lead to improve in cell radioresistance. Heavy‐ion irradiation (IR) could induce p53−/− cancer cells apoptosis. However, little is known regarding the molecular mechanism in this type of cell apoptosis. The present studies have focused on mechanisms state of signaling pathways as an activator of the cell fate decisions induced by heavy ion IR without p53. Carbon ion IR could induce up‐regulation of E2F1 expression in cancer cells. This phenomenon was not observed in X‐ray IR group. Up‐regulation of E2F1 could cause a higher reduction in clonogenic survival, low level of cellular activity, G2/M phase arrest, promotion of apoptosis rate, up‐regulation of phosphor‐Rb, Bax, and cleaved‐caspase 3 proteins expressions without p53. Changes of E2F1 expressions could partly alter radioresistance in cancer cells. The results were suggested that heavy ion IR could induce p53−/− cancer cells apoptosis via E2F1 signal pathway. Our study provides a scientific rationale for the clinical use of heavy ion as radiotherapy in patients with p53‐deficient tumors, which are often resistant to radiotherapy.
Gas Diffusion in the CNS
Authors: Rodriguez‐Grande Beatriz , Konsman Jan‐Pieter
Published: May 2017

Gases have been long known to have essential physiological functions in the CNS such as respiration or regulation of vascular tone. Since gases have been classically considered to freely diffuse, research in gas biology has so far focused on mechanisms of gas synthesis and gas reactivity, rather than gas diffusion and transport. However, the discovery of gas pores during the last two decades and the characterization of diverse diffusion patterns through different membranes has raised the possibility that modulation of gas diffusion is also a physiologically relevant parameter. Here we review the means of gas movement into and within the brain through “free” diffusion and gas pores, notably aquaporins, discussing the role that gas diffusion may play in the modulation of gas function. We highlight how diffusion is relevant to neuronal signaling, volume transmission, and cerebrovascular control in the case of NO, one of the most extensively studied gases. We point out how facilitated transport can be especially relevant for gases with low permeability in lipid membranes like NH3 and discuss the possible implications of NH3‐permeable channels in physiology and hyperammonemic encephalopathy. We identify novel research questions about how modulation of gas diffusion could intervene in CNS pathologies. This emerging area of research can provide novel and interesting insights in the field of gas biology.
WorldClim 2: new 1‐km spatial resolution climate surfaces for global land areas
Authors: Fick Stephen E. , Hijmans Robert J.
Published: May 2017

We created a new dataset of spatially interpolated monthly climate data for global land areas at a very high spatial resolution (approximately 1 km2). We included monthly temperature (minimum, maximum and average), precipitation, solar radiation, vapour pressure and wind speed, aggregated across a target temporal range of 1970–2000, using data from between 9000 and 60 000 weather stations. Weather station data were interpolated using thin‐plate splines with covariates including elevation, distance to the coast and three satellite‐derived covariates: maximum and minimum land surface temperature as well as cloud cover, obtained with the MODIS satellite platform. Interpolation was done for 23 regions of varying size depending on station density. Satellite data improved prediction accuracy for temperature variables 5–15% (0.07–0.17 °C), particularly for areas with a low station density, although prediction error remained high in such regions for all climate variables. Contributions of satellite covariates were mostly negligible for the other variables, although their importance varied by region. In contrast to the common approach to use a single model formulation for the entire world, we constructed the final product by selecting the best performing model for each region and variable. Global cross‐validation correlations were ≥ 0.99 for temperature and humidity, 0.86 for precipitation and 0.76 for wind speed. The fact that most of our climate surface estimates were only marginally improved by use of satellite covariates highlights the importance having a dense, high‐quality network of climate station data.
The influence of a composite hospital volume on outcomes for gastric cancer surgery: A Dutch population‐based study
Authors: Busweiler Linde A. D. , Dikken Johan L. , Henneman Daniel , van Berge Henegouwen Mark I. , Ho Vincent K. Y. , Tollenaar Rob A. E. M. , Wouters Michel W. J. M. , van Sandick Johanna W.
Published: May 2017

Background

Volume‐outcome associations for complex surgical procedures have motivated centralization of care worldwide. The aim of this study was to investigate the association between overall hospital experience with complex upper gastrointestinal (GI) cancer resections and outcomes after gastric cancer surgery.

Methods

Data on all patients (n = 4837) who underwent a resection for non metastatic invasive gastric cancer between 2005 and 2014 were obtained from the Netherlands Cancer Registry (NCR). Annual hospital volume categories were based on the combined volume of gastrectomies, esophagectomies, and pancreatectomies (composite hospital volume). Volume‐outcome analyses were performed for lymph node yield, 30‐day mortality, and overall survival.

Results

The proportion of gastric cancer resections performed in hospitals with an annual composite hospital volume of ≥40 upper GI cancer resections increased from 6% in 2005 to 80% in 2014. A higher composite hospital volume was univariably associated with a higher lymph node yield, lower 30‐day mortality, and increased overall survival. Statistical significance was lost after adjusting for case mix. But, sub group analysis including only elderly patients (≥75 years) showed a significant association between composite hospital volume and 30‐day mortality.

Conclusion

In the Netherlands, an increasing proportion of gastric cancer resections is performed in hospitals with a high composite hospital volume of gastric, esophageal, and pancreatic cancer resections. Special attention is warranted to referral of elderly patients, as these patients might specifically benefit from this centralization.
Ultrasound‐Guided Fine‐Needle Aspiration in the Neck Region Using an Optical See‐Through Head‐Mounted Display: A Randomized Controlled Trial
Authors: Kaneko Naoki , Tsunoda Mayumi , Mitsuhashi Masatsugu , Okubo Keisuke , Takeshima Taro , Sehara Yoshihide , Nagai Mutsumi , Kawai Kensuke
Published: May 2017

Objectives

The purpose of this study was to examine the feasibility of an optical see‐through head‐mounted display (OST‐HMD) to improve ergonomics during ultrasound‐guided fine‐needle aspiration (FNA) in the neck region.

Methods

This randomized controlled study compared an OST‐HMD with a normal ultrasound monitor during an ultrasound‐guided FNA in the neck region. Patients with a neck tumor were recruited and randomized into one of two groups. Two practitioners performed ultrasound‐guided FNA with or without the HMD, as indicated. An independent researcher measured the procedure time, the number and time of head movements, as well as the number of needle redirections. In addition, practitioners completed questionnaires after performing the FNA on each patient.

Results

In 93% of the sessions with the OST‐HMD, practitioners performed ultrasound‐guided FNA without turning the patients’ heads. There was no difference in procedural time and number of needle redirections between the two groups. Results from the questionnaire revealed not only good wearability and low fatigue, but also the practitioners’ preference for the HMD.

Conclusions

The OST‐HMD improved the practitioners’ ergonomics and can be adopted for performing ultrasound‐guided interventional procedures in clinical settings.
Rectus Abdominis Rhabdomyolysis: Report of 2 Cases
Authors: Boyle Jerome , Marks Paul , Read John
Published: May 2017

Exercise‐induced rhabdomyolysis is an unusual clinical entity for physicians and one that is frequently misdiagnosed. With the ever‐increasing use of sonography by radiologists, sonographers, and sports physicians in the diagnosis of acute muscle injury, recognition of the typical sonographic appearance of rhabdomyolysis is paramount. Current literature using high‐resolution ultrasound equipment is limited, with much of the literature offering dated or incongruent descriptions. We describe the sonographic findings of hyperechoic muscle and a hypoechoic halo of edema in 2 proven cases of rectus abdominis rhabdomyolysis after exercise.
A temperature compensation method for chlorophyll and phycocyanin fluorescence sensors in freshwater
Authors: Watras C. J. , Morrison K. A. , Rubsam J. L. , Hanson P. C. , Watras A. J. , LaLiberte G. D. , Milewski P.
Published: May 2017

The in vivo fluorescence (IVF) of photosynthetic pigments is used widely as a proxy for phytoplankton biomass in fresh and marine waters. Although fluorescence intensity is known to decrease with rising temperature for many fluorophores, temperature quench is rarely accounted for in field studies of plankton IVF. Here, we quantified the effect of temperature on in vivo chlorophyll and phycocyanin fluorescence in the laboratory (∼ 5°C to 30°C), and we derived temperature compensation equations for IVF sensors commonly used in freshwaters. The equations reference measured fluorescence to a standard temperature, and they have the same linear form as the equation derived in an earlier study of chromophoric dissolved organic matter fluorescence: Fr = Fm/(1 + ρ(Tm – Tr)), where F is fluorescence intensity (RFU, relative fluorescence units), T is temperature (°C), ρ is the temperature coefficient at a given reference temperature (°C−1), and the subscripts r and m stand for the reference and measured values. At a reference temperature of 20°C, the temperature coefficients (ρ) for chlorophyll and phycocyanin in Wisconsin lake waters ranged from −0.008°C−1 to −0.012°C−1 and −0.006°C−1 to −0.012°C−1, respectively. For chlorophyll in a pure culture of the green alga Scenedesmus dimorphus, the value for ρ was similar to the value in natural assemblages, averaging −0.018 ± 0.003°C−1; but for phycocyanin in the blue‐green alga Synechococcus leopoliensis it was lower (more negative), averaging −0.034 ± 0.003°C−1. This disparity notwithstanding, we conclude that temperature compensation is an important component of IVF monitoring.
Directed diversity manipulations within natural phytoplankton communities
Authors: Hammerstein Sara K. , Stockenreiter Maria , Stibor Herwig
Published: May 2017

There is general concern about the rapid decline in biodiversity. The consequences of biodiversity declines are expected to impact ecosystem functioning. Primary production is one of the ecosystem—functions where existing data already support such expectations. However, for a mechanistic understanding of these processes more experimental investigations are needed. In terrestrial primary producer communities a directed removal of species is one important tool in the experimental portfolio to study the consequences of a decline in biodiversity. However, this is notoriously difficult in suspended aquatic primary producer communities consisting of mostly unicellular phytoplankton. As phytoplankton are responsible for about 50% of global primary production, detailed knowledge of whether and how diversity declines will impact the functioning of natural phytoplankton communities is of crucial importance. Here, we tested two different methods, dilution and disturbance—to manipulate diversity of natural freshwater plankton communities along an experimental gradient in a directed way. Dilution will alter community composition by affecting mainly rare species whereas disturbance will affect mainly stress sensitive species. Both methods resulted in distinct and replicable species richness gradients. Such gradients enable the mechanistic study of general responses to biodiversity loss in natural phytoplankton communities with shared evolutionary history in an ecological meaningful way.
Equity‐based incentive contracts and behavior: Experimental evidence
Authors: Santore Rudy , Tackie Martin
Published: May 2017

Equity‐based incentive contracts provide managers with dual incentives, motivating both effort and fraud. We report the results from an experiment in which manager subjects make effort and fraud decisions that affect a firm's value. The main treatment variable is the incentive contract, which can be of either the simple equity or stock option type. We find that both effort and fraud are increasing in a manager's share of equity and decreasing in the strike price of an option. Interestingly, the stock option contract induces relatively more fraud than the simple equity contract, even though the two induce the same effort.
Radiological biomarkers for diagnosis in PSP: Where are we and where do we need to be?
Authors: Whitwell Jennifer L. , Höglinger Günter U. , Antonini Angelo , Bordelon Yvette , Boxer Adam L. , Colosimo Carlo , van Eimeren Thilo , Golbe Lawrence I. , Kassubek Jan , Kurz Carolin , Litvan Irene , Pantelyat Alexander , Rabinovici Gil , Respondek Gesine , Rominger Axel , Rowe James B. , Stamelou Maria , Josephs Keith A. ,   for the Movement Disorder Society‐endorsed PSP Study Group
Published: May 2017

PSP is a pathologically defined neurodegenerative tauopathy with a variety of clinical presentations including typical Richardson's syndrome and other variant PSP syndromes. A large body of neuroimaging research has been conducted over the past two decades, with many studies proposing different structural MRI and molecular PET/SPECT biomarkers for PSP. These include measures of brainstem, cortical and striatal atrophy, diffusion weighted and diffusion tensor imaging abnormalities, [18F] fluorodeoxyglucose PET hypometabolism, reductions in striatal dopamine imaging and, most recently, PET imaging with ligands that bind to tau. Our aim was to critically evaluate the degree to which structural and molecular neuroimaging metrics fulfill criteria for diagnostic biomarkers of PSP. We queried the PubMed, Cochrane, Medline, and PSYCInfo databases for original research articles published in English over the past 20 years using postmortem diagnosis or the NINDS‐SPSP criteria as the diagnostic standard from 1996 to 2016. We define a five‐level theoretical construct for the utility of neuroimaging biomarkers in PSP, with level 1 representing group‐level findings, level 2 representing biomarkers with demonstrable individual‐level diagnostic utility, level 3 representing biomarkers for early disease, level 4 representing surrogate biomarkers of PSP pathology, and level 5 representing definitive PSP biomarkers of PSP pathology. We discuss the degree to which each of the currently available biomarkers fit into this theoretical construct, consider the role of biomarkers in the diagnosis of Richardson's syndrome, variant PSP syndromes and autopsy confirmed PSP, and emphasize current shortfalls in the field. © 2017 The Authors. Movement Disorders published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. on behalf of International Parkinson and Movement Disorder Society.
Persistent regional null controllability of some degenerate wave equations
Authors: Zhang Muming , Gao Hang
Published: May 2017

This paper is addressed to a study of the persistent regional null controllability problems for one‐dimensional linear degenerate wave equations through a distributed controller. Different from non‐degenerate wave equations, the classical null controllability results do not hold for some degenerate wave equations. Thus, persistent regional null controllability is introduced, which means finding a control such that the corresponding state of the degenerate wave equation may vanish in a suitable subset of the space domain in a period of time. In order to solve this problem, we need to establish the regional null controllability for degenerate wave equations. This problem is reduced to a suitable observability problem of a linear degenerate wave equation. The key point is to choose a suitable multiplier in order to establish this observability inequality. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The use of intravesical gentamicin to treat recurrent urinary tract infections in lower urinary tract dysfunction
Authors: Abrams Paul , Hashim Hashim , Tomson Charles , Macgowan Alasdair , Skews Rachel , Warren Katherine
Published: May 2017

AIMS

To assess the use of intravesical gentamicin to treat intractable recurrent urinary tract infections in lower urinary tract dysfunction.

METHODS

A two‐center retrospective cohort study of 27 patients treated with intravesical gentamicin was performed over a 2‐year period. A treatment protocol was developed, reviewed, and accepted by the clinical effectiveness committee of both hospitals. Patients were taught to instill the gentamicin into the bladder on a nightly basis. Inclusion criteria included failure to respond to standard therapy, having six or more cultured confirmed UTIs over a 12‐month period, or at least one hospital admission with sepsis. Serum gentamicin levels were taken after 7 days and the treatment was discontinued if the level was >1 mg/L. Patients were counseled about the limited evidence base for this treatment.

RESULTS

Twenty‐seven patients have been treated with intravesical gentamicin for an average of 26 months. Seventeen were performing ISC, five had suprapubic catheters, three were voiding, and two had ileal conduits at the time of instituting treatment. All patients started on daily 80 mg gentamicin. Twenty two patients had less frequently occurring infections after starting intravesical gentamicin treatment. Six stopped the treatment and none had side effects as a result of the instillations.

CONCLUSIONS

This study has shown that in a small group of adult patients who have multiple symptomatic UTIs refractory to conventional treatment, intravesical gentamicin is effective in reducing the frequency of infections. The treatment is well tolerated with no evidence of systemic absorption.
Impact of Roux‐en‐Y gastric bypass surgery on appetite, alcohol intake behaviors, and midbrain ghrelin signaling in the rat
Authors: Sirohi Sunil , Richardson Ben D. , Lugo Janelle M. , Rossi David J. , Davis Jon F.
Published: May 2017

Objective

Roux‐en‐Y gastric bypass (RYGB) surgery reduces appetite and stimulates new onset alcohol misuse; however, the genesis of these behavioral changes is unclear. This study is hypothesized that new onset alcohol intake is a behavioral adaptation that occurs secondary to reduced appetite and correlates with altered central ghrelin signaling.

Methods

Hedonic high‐fat diet (HFD) intake was evaluated prior to the assessment of alcohol intake behaviors in RYGB and control rats. Measurements were also taken of circulating ghrelin and ghrelin receptor (GHSR) regulation of neuronal firing in ventral tegmental area (VTA) dopamine (DA) neurons.

Results

RYGB rats displayed reduced HFD intake relative to controls. Sham and RYGB rats consumed more alcohol and preferred lower concentrations of alcohol, whereas only RYGB rats escalated alcohol intake during acute withdrawal. Remarkably, GHSR activity, independent of peripheral ghrelin release, set the tonic firing of VTA DA neurons, a response selectively diminished in RYGB rats.

Conclusions

This study indicates that gut manipulations lead to increased alcohol intake, whereas RYGB promotes behaviors that may maintain alcohol misuse. Reductions in hedonic feeding and diminished GHSR control of VTA firing further distinguish gut manipulation from complete bypass and present a potential mechanism linking reduced appetite with alcohol misuse after RYGB surgery.
Synthesis of inositol‐based star polymers through low ppm ATRP methods
Authors: Chmielarz Paweł
Published: May 2017

The vitamin B8‐based macroinitiator with six 2‐bromoisobutyric initiating sites was prepared for the first time by the transesterification reaction of meso‐inositol with 2‐bromoisobutyryl bromide. A series of six‐armed (co)polymers, containing hydrophilic poly(di(ethylene glycol) methyl ether methacrylate) and amphiphilic poly(di(ethylene glycol) methyl ether methacrylate)‐block‐poly(methyl methacrylate) as the arms and meso‐inositol as the core, were obtained by low ppm atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP) methods, utilizing 30 ppm of catalyst complex. Under Fe0‐mediated supplemental activators and reducing agents ATRP, Cu0‐mediated supplemental activators and reducing agents ATRP, Ag0‐mediated activators regenerated by electron transfer ATRP, and simplified electrochemically mediated ATRP conditions, polymerization proceeded on to high conversion while maintaining low dispersity (Đ = 1.05–1.16) giving well‐defined six‐armed star (co)polymers. 1H NMR spectral results confirm the formation of new star‐shaped block (co)polymers. The absence of intermolecular coupling reactions during synthesis was confirmed by gel permeation chromatography analyses of the side chains of received star (co)polymers. These vitamin B8‐based star (co)polymers may find biomedical applications as thermo‐sensitive drug delivery systems, biosensors, and tissue engineering solutions. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Improved mechanical and wear resistance properties of silicon carbide/poly (vinyl alcohol) composites by silane coupling agents
Authors: Xiang Aimin , Liu Di , Tian Huafeng , Varada Rajulu A
Published: May 2017

In this work, the surface coated silicon carbide (SiC) obtained by dispersing it in silane coupling agent/ethanol solutions of different concentrations was used as a filler in poly (vinyl alcohol)(PVA) and the composites of (PVA)/SiC were prepared by melt process. The structure and properties of PVA/SiC composites were studied by Fourier‐transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), mechanical and wear resistance tests in detail. The silane coupling agent was hydrolyzed under acidic conditions, and as a result, large number of hydroxyl and amino groups were generated, which could form hydrogen bonds with hydroxyl groups of the PVA molecular chains, this effect subsequently improved the interactions between the filler and matrix. The surface modified SiC particles dispersed well in PVA matrix resulting a good compatibility with the matrix. For the PVA/SiC composites with the same content of SiC filler, both tensile strength and elongation at break improved with the increase of silane coupling agent concentration. In addition, a good improvement in the wear resistance of the PVA/SiC composites was also achieved compared with the neat PVA/SiC composite. POLYM. COMPOS., 39:3849–3857, 2018. © 2017 Society of Plastics Engineers
Crossed ectopic kidney: prenatal diagnosis and postnatal follow‐up
Authors: Zajicek Michal , Perlman Sharon , Dekel Benjamin , Lahav Einat , Lotan Danny , Lotan Dor , Achiron Reuven , Gilboa Yinon
Published: May 2017

Objective

The objective of this study is to investigate prenatal diagnosis and postnatal outcome of fetuses with crossed ectopic kidney.

Method

Cases referred for an empty renal fossa and diagnosed with crossed ectopic kidney confirmed postnatally were analyzed retrospectively over a period of 10 years. Prenatal diagnosis was established following the detection of one kidney in a normal position and a second ipsilateral kidney fed by abnormal blood vessels on Doppler flow

Results

Between 2005 and 2015, 185 fetuses were referred for an empty renal fossa. Crossed ectopic kidney was diagnosed in 10 of them. Associated congenital urological anomalies included two cases of double collecting system and bilateral hydronephrosis in one. Associated extra renal findings were single umbilical artery (4/10), ventricular septal defects (1/10), and persistent left superior vena cava (1/10). On postnatal follow‐up, bilateral vesicoureteral reflux was diagnosed in a case who presented prenatally with bilateral hydronephrosis and two cases of mild hydronephrosis. All cases were managed conservatively.

Conclusion

Crossed ectopic kidney should be suspected in cases presenting with an empty renal fossa and a normal positioned kidney. Thorough anatomical scan should be performed as well as periodic follow‐up throughout pregnancy. Postnatal nephrological follow‐up is recommended. © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Trends of Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome Epidemic and Maternal Risk Factors in Florida
Authors: Wang Xi , Zhu Yanmin , Dave Chintan V. , Alrwisan Adel A. , Voils Stacy A. , Winterstein Almut G.
Published: May 2017

Objective

This study aimed to examine secular trends of (i) maternal prescription opioid use in late pregnancy, (ii) neonatal abstinence syndrome (NAS) stratified by late maternal prescription opioid use, and (iii) maternal risk factors among NAS deliveries.

Methods

Women with a live birth who were enrolled 90 days before and 30 days after delivery in Florida Medicaid Analytic Extract billing records linked to birth certificates from 2000 to 2010 were identified for the study. Changes in the annual prevalence of prescription opioid use during pregnancy were tested with use of the Cochran–Armitage trend test. Temporal trends of NAS deliveries were estimated with the use of Poisson regression and stratified by prescription opioid exposure in the last 90 days of pregnancy in the study period. To identify contributors to the increase in NAS cases, variations in prevalence of opioid dispensing, tobacco use, antidepressant use, and substance use disorder among NAS and non‐NAS deliveries were examined.

Results

There were 41,968 (9.4%) deliveries exposed to at least one opioid prescription in late pregnancy, and this rate remained stable from 2000 to 2010. Among prescription opioid–exposed deliveries, frequency of NAS increased from 1.6 to 25.2 per 1000 live births during the study period (p<0.05). Although the prevalence of maternal use of prescription opioid, tobacco, and antidepressants remained stable among NAS deliveries from 2000 to 2010, the prevalence of substance use disorder diagnoses increased substantially from 38.9% in 2000 to 67.9% in 2006 (p<0.05).

Conclusions

The prevalence of NAS increased dramatically whereas the prevalence of major risk factors, including maternal prescription opioid use, remained stable in Florida between 2000 and 2010. The increase in substance use disorder may be responsible for the sharp increase in NAS deliveries.
The 23rd Annual Prostate Cancer Foundation Scientific Retreat report
Authors: Miyahira Andrea K. , Soule Howard R.
Published: May 2017

Introduction

The 23rd Annual Prostate Cancer Foundation (PCF) Scientific Retreat was convened October 27‐29, 2016, in Carlsbad, CA.

Methods

This event focuses on the latest advances in basic, translational, and clinical prostate cancer research with the greatest promise for advancing our understanding of prostate cancer biology and improving patient outcomes and quality of life.

Results

Themes highlighted at this year's meeting included: i) targeting DNA repair deficiency in prostate cancer; ii) optimizing the use of Radium‐223 and bone‐targeting agents; iii) advances in cancer immunotherapeutic approaches; iv) targeting developmental pathways in prostate cancer; v) advances in circulating tumor DNA technology and applications; vi) precision survivorship; and vii) novel treatments and treatment strategies in prostate cancer.

Discussion

This article reviews the key advances discussed at the Retreat for the purpose of disseminating this knowledge to accelerate the development of new treatments and improved outcomes for men suffering with prostate cancer.
Rapid detoxification via glutathione S‐transferase (GST) conjugation confers a high level of atrazine resistance in Palmer amaranth (Amaranthus palmeri)
Authors: Nakka Sridevi , Godar Amar S , Thompson Curtis R , Peterson Dallas E , Jugulam Mithila
Published: May 2017

BACKGROUND

Palmer amaranth (Amaranthus palmeri) is an economically troublesome, aggressive and damaging weed that has evolved resistance to six herbicide modes of action including photosystem II (PS II) inhibitors such as atrazine. The objective of this study was to investigate the mechanism and inheritance of atrazine resistance in Palmer amaranth.

RESULTS

A population of Palmer amaranth from Kansas (KSR) had a high level (160 − 198‐fold more; SE ±21 − 26) of resistance to atrazine compared to the two known susceptible populations MSS and KSS, from Mississippi and Kansas, respectively. Sequence analysis of the chloroplastic psbA gene did not reveal any known mutations conferring resistance to PS II inhibitors, including the most common Ser264Gly substitution for triazine resistance. However, the KSR plants rapidly conjugated atrazine at least 24 times faster than MSS via glutathione S‐transferase (GST) activity. Furthermore, genetic analyses of progeny generated from reciprocal crosses of KSR and MSS demonstrate that atrazine resistance in Palmer amaranth is a nuclear trait.

CONCLUSION

Although triazine resistance in Palmer amaranth was reported more than 20 years ago in the USA, this is the first report elucidating the underlying mechanism of resistance to atrazine. The non‐target‐site based metabolic resistance to atrazine mediated by GST activity may predispose the Palmer amaranth populations to have resistance to other herbicide families, and the nuclear inheritance of the trait in this dioecious species further exacerbates the propensity for its rapid spread. © 2017 Society of Chemical Industry
Flipped Learning in the English as a Foreign Language Classroom: Outcomes and Perceptions
Authors: Lee Given , Wallace Amanda
Published: May 2017

Although many educators have recently discussed the positive effects of flipped learning, there is little empirical evidence about whether this approach can actually promote students’ English learning. This study was undertaken in four sections of the same College English 1 (E1) course over two consecutive semesters at a South Korean university. A total of 79 students enrolled in the E1 course participated in the study. Of the participants, 39 learned English using a communicative language teaching approach, whereas 40 studied English in a flipped learning manner. Data were gathered from the students’ achievements in three major tasks, their responses to three surveys, and the instructor's notes on the students’ engagement in the process of their English learning. Findings demonstrate that the students in the flipped classroom achieved higher average scores in their final three tasks than those in the non‐flipped classroom, but only the final examination mean score indicated statistical significance. However, surveys indicated that most students in this study seemed to enjoy learning English in a flipped learning environment. Also, the instructor found the students in the flipped classroom to be more engaged in the learning process than those in the non‐flipped classroom. Pedagogical implications for effective English teaching are discussed.
Using Academic Word Lists to Support Disciplinary Literacy Development
Authors: Joseph Picot Christine
Published: May 2017

An elementary mathematics coach describes her process and instructional strategies for using academic word lists to support students’ disciplinary literacy development. Using teacher coaching, the author explores methods for classroom teachers to embed and authentically integrate best practices in vocabulary instruction to support disciplinary literacy development. The author also provides classroom examples and student work to support recommended instructional strategies.
Influence of trap modifications and environmental predictors on capture success of southern flying squirrels
Authors: Jacques Christopher N. , Zweep James S. , Scheihing Mary E. , Rechkemmer Will T. , Jenkins Sean E. , Klaver Robert W. , Dubay Shelli A.
Published: May 2017

Sherman traps are the most commonly used live traps in studies of small mammals and have been successfully used in the capture of arboreal species such as the southern flying squirrel (Glaucomys volans). However, southern flying squirrels spend proportionately less time foraging on the ground, which necessitates above‐ground trapping methods and modifications of capture protocols. Further, quantitative estimates of the factors affecting capture success of flying squirrel populations have focused solely on effects of trapping methodologies. We developed and evaluated the efficacy of a portable Sherman trap design for capturing southern flying squirrels during 2015–2016 at the Alice L. Kibbe Field Station, Illinois, USA. Additionally, we used logistic regression to quantify potential effects of time‐dependent (e.g., weather) and time‐independent (e.g., habitat, extrinsic) factors on capture success of southern flying squirrels. We recorded 165 capture events (119 F, 44 M, 2 unknown) using our modified Sherman trap design. Probability of capture success decreased 0.10/1° C increase in daily maximum temperature and by 0.09/unit increase (km/hr) in wind speed. Conversely, probability of capture success increased by 1.2/1° C increase in daily minimum temperature. The probability of capturing flying squirrels was negatively associated with trap orientation. When tree‐mounted traps are required, our modified trap design is a safe, efficient, and cost‐effective method of capturing animals when moderate weather (temp and wind speed) conditions prevail. Further, we believe that strategic placement of traps (e.g., northeast side of tree) and quantitative information on site‐specific (e.g., trap location) characteristics (e.g., topographical features, slope, aspect, climatologic factors) could increase southern flying squirrel capture success. © 2017 The Wildlife Society.
LO40: Designing for the future: machine learning software in the age of competency-based medical education
Authors: Chan T.M. , Patel R. , Ariaeinejad A. , Samavi R.
Published: May 2017

Introduction/Innovation Concept: Background: Competency based medical education (CBME) is a method of assessing resident performance through standardized tasks and milestones. The Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada has started phasing in CBME as the preferred training method, but no tool support exists to process this data. Approximately 400 data points are collected per resident per year at McMaster’s Division of Emergency Medicine. This is an unwieldy amount of data to analyze. Objective: Recognizing that collection and analysis of resident data is an important facet to postgraduate medical education, McMaster University began developing a program to provide predictive automated data analysis of resident performance. Methods: To achieve the stated objective, we adapted a design thinking methodology, which emphasizes the importance of human-centered design. By interviewing stakeholders, we collected user requirements and “pain points” that allowed us to build and evaluate multiple prototypes addressing their problems, such as the ability to process data into reports, real-time reporting, and predictive analytics. We solicited feedback from our stakeholders to iteratively refine the prototypes, ensuring that it was user intuitive and met user needs. Curriculum, Tool, or Material: We developed a software platform that collects, aggregates, reports, and has the possibility of analyzing resident data in real time. It also can present performance data via a real-time dashboard. Having automated the report generating process, administrative workload is reduced to a monitoring capacity. Quantitative data on resident performance has been analysed using artificial Neural Network to identify patterns in resident performance. It performs with a sensitivity of 81% and a specificity of 43%, and accurately predict which residents require remedial support 43% of the time. When built into a learning management system, this allows for the provision of additional support to residents-at-risk. Conclusion: Combining machine learning with resident assessment data has allowed us to build a promising predictive model to predict resident outcomes. This gives us the potential to decrease administrative workload and improve data quality by providing real-time performance dashboards and eliminating the redundancies of manual data processing. If scaled, this innovation might assist program directors in determining competency of residents and human resource planning for the healthcare systems at large.