bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Early recurrence and ongoing parietal driving during elementary visual processing
Authors: Plomp Gijs , Hervais-Adelman Alexis , Astolfi Laura , Michel Christoph M.
Published: December 2015

Visual stimuli quickly activate a broad network of brain areas that often show reciprocal structural connections between them. Activity at short latencies (<100 ms) is thought to represent a feed-forward activation of widespread cortical areas, but fast activation combined with reciprocal connectivity between areas in principle allows for two-way, recurrent interactions to occur at short latencies after stimulus onset. Here we combined EEG source-imaging and Granger-causal modeling with high temporal resolution to investigate whether recurrent and top-down interactions between visual and attentional brain areas can be identified and distinguished at short latencies in humans. We investigated the directed interactions between widespread occipital, parietal and frontal areas that we localized within participants using fMRI. The connectivity results showed two-way interactions between area MT and V1 already at short latencies. In addition, the results suggested a large role for lateral parietal cortex in coordinating visual activity that may be understood as an ongoing top-down allocation of attentional resources. Our results support the notion that indirect pathways allow early, evoked driving from MT to V1 to highlight spatial locations of motion transients, while influence from parietal areas is continuously exerted around stimulus onset, presumably reflecting task-related attentional processes.
Prognostic nomogram integrated systemic inflammation score for patients with esophageal squamouscell carcinoma undergoing radical esophagectomy
Authors: Shao Yingjie , Ning Zhonghua , Chen Jun , Geng Yiting , Gu Wendong , Huang Jin , Pei Honglei , Shen Yueping , Jiang Jingting
Published: December 2015

Growing evidence indicates that nomogram combined with the biomarkers of systemic inflammation response could provide more accurate prediction than conventional staging systems in tumors. This study aimed to establish an effective prognostic nomogram for resectable thoracic esophageal squamouscell carcinoma (ESCC) based on the clinicopathological parameters and inflammation-based prognostic scores. We retrospectively investigated 916 ESCC patients who underwent radical esophagectomy. The predictive accuracy and discriminative ability of the nomogram were determined by concordance index (C-index) and calibration curve and compared with the 6th and 7th AJCC TNM classifications. The neutrophil lymphocyte ratio (NLR), C-reactive protein albumin (CRP/Alb) ratio, histological grade, T stage and modified N stage were integrated in the nomogram. The C-index of the nomogram for predicting the survival was 0.72, which showed better predictive ability of OS than the 6th or 7th TNM stages in the primary cohort (P < 0.001). The calibration curve showed high consistency between the nomogram and actual observation. The decision curve analysis showed more potential of clinical application of the prediction models compared with TNM staging system. Moreover, our findings were supported by the validation cohort. The proposed nomogram showed more accurate prognostic prediction for patients with ESCC after radical esophagectomy.
A ratiometric fluorescent probe for detection of biogenic primary amines with nanomolar sensitivity
Authors: Mallick Suman , Chandra Falguni , Koner Apurba L.
Published: December 2015

An ultrasensitive ratiometric fluorescent sensor made of an N,N-dimethylaminonaphthalene anhydride moiety for detection of aliphatic primary amines is reported.
Molecular dynamics of the Bacillus subtilis expansin EXLX1: interaction with substrates and structural basis of the lack of activity of mutants
Authors: Silveira Rodrigo L. , Skaf Munir S.
Published: December 2015

Expansins are disruptive proteins that loosen growing plant cell walls and can enhance the enzymatic hydrolysis of cellulose.
Ionic liquids as tailored media for the synthesis and processing of energy conversion materials
Authors: Eshetu Gebrekidan Gebresilassie , Armand Michel , Ohno Hiroyuki , Scrosati Bruno , Passerini Stefano
Published: December 2015

Ionic liquids as eco-friendly and designer reaction media open new avenues in the field of electrochemical energy conversion devices.
eCF309: a potent, selective and cell-permeable mTOR inhibitor
Authors: Fraser Craig , Carragher Neil O. , Unciti-Broceta Asier
Published: December 2015

Kinase inhibitors capable of blocking the phosphorylation of protein substrates with high selectivity are essential to probe and elucidate the etiological role of such molecules and their signalling pathways.
Synthesis and characterization of CsSrCO3F – a beryllium-free new deep-ultraviolet nonlinear optical material
Authors: Li Qingfei , Zou Guohong , Lin Chensheng , Ye Ning
Published: December 2015

A noncentrosymmetric fluoride carbonate CsSrCO3F has been synthesized which is a promising beryllium-free deep-UV nonlinear optical material.
Aqueous phase preparation of ultrasmall MoSe2 nanodots for efficient photothermal therapy of cancer cells
Authors: Yuwen Lihui , Zhou Jiajia , Zhang Yuqian , Zhang Qi , Shan Jingyang , Luo Zhimin , Weng Lixing , Teng Zhaogang , Wang Lianhui
Published: December 2015

Ultrasmall MoSe2 nanodots were directly prepared in aqueous solution and their use for photothermal therapy was demonstrated.
A biocompatible poly(N-vinylimidazole)-dot with both strong luminescence and good catalytic activity
Authors: Wang Bin , Liu Hua-Ji , Chen Yu
Published: December 2015

A PVIm-dot was prepared through a simple hydrothermal method using PVIm as a sole carbon source without additives, which had both luminescence property and good catalytic activity.
DNAzyme catalytic beacons-based a label-free biosensor for copper using electrochemical impedance spectroscopy
Authors: Hu Wenyong , Min Xiaobo , Li Xinyu , Yang Shengxiang , Yi Langbo , Chai Liyuan
Published: December 2015

In this study, we developed a novel selective method for copper quantification based on gold nanoclusters (GNCs) and DNAzyme.
Synthesis and self-assembly of a dual thermal and pH-responsive ternary graft copolymer for sustained release drug delivery
Authors: Li Yinwen , Zheng Xiuwen , Wu Kun , Lu Mangeng
Published: December 2015

Schematic illustrations of the self-assembly of TGCs and possible loading and release mechanism.
Highly conductive and flexible chitosan based multi-wall carbon nanotube/polyurethane composite fibers
Authors: Lee Hee Uk , Park Chulhwan , Park Jae Yeong
Published: December 2015

Chitosan-based CNT composite fibers have received much attention due to their biocompatibility and biodegradability.
Self-assembled super-hydrophobic multilayer films with corrosion resistance on copper substrate
Authors: Liu Ying , Cao Huaijie , Chen Yuanyuan , Chen Shougang , Wang Daoai
Published: December 2015

Micro and nano rough cube copper crystals were modified by 1-dodecanethiol/polydopamine multilayer on smooth copper substrate, which shows good superhydrophobic property and corrosion resistance ability.
CdO nanoflake arrays on ZnO nanorod arrays for efficient detection of diethyl ether
Authors: Ban Sheng-Guang , Liu Xiao-Hua , Ling Tao , Dong Cun-Ku , Yang Jing , Du Xi-Wen
Published: December 2015

A double layer structure, CdO porous nanoflake arrays on ZnO nanorod arrays, was fabricated and achieved excellent gas-sensing performance upon exposure to diethyl ether.
Physicochemical insights of irradiation-enhanced hydroxyl radical generation from ZnO nanoparticles
Authors: Yang Qingbo , Lin Tien-Sung , Burton Casey , Park Sung-Ho , Ma Yinfa
Published: December 2015

The widespread use of zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO NPs) has raised environmental and human health concerns owing to their significant cytotoxicity.
Experiments of air bubbles impacting a rigid wall in tap water
Authors: Pelletier Etienne , Béguin Cédric , Étienne Stéphane
Published: December 2015

Trajectory and impact dynamics of bubbles in tap water were studied. Results confirm that bubbles with identical radii can be classified in two categories: fast bubbles and slow bubbles. Each category of bubble can describe zig-zag or helical motion. The aspect ratio and terminal velocity of a bubble depend on its radius and category. Restitution relations are also presented for the two categories of bubble after impact with an horizontal wall. With these relations, the state of a bubble after rebound can be predicted from its state before rebound. The aspect ratio before rebound of the bubble is found to play a key role in the dynamics of the impacts.
Surface tension and long range corrections of cylindrical interfaces
Authors: Bourasseau E. , Malfreyt P. , Ghoufi A.
Published: December 2015

The calculation of the surface tension of curved interfaces has been deeply investigated from molecular simulation during this last past decade. Recently, the thermodynamic Test-Area (TA) approach has been extended to the calculation of surface tension of curved interfaces. In the case of the cylindrical vapour-liquid interfaces of water and Lennard-Jones fluids, it was shown that the surface tension was independent of the curvature of the interface. In addition, the surface tension of the cylindrical interface is higher than that of the planar interface. Molecular simulations of cylindrical interfaces have been so far performed (i) by using a shifted potential, (ii) by means of large cutoff without periodic boundary conditions, or (iii) by ignoring the long range corrections to the surface tension due to the difficulty to estimate them. Indeed, unlike the planar interfaces there are no available operational expressions to consider the tail corrections to the surface tension of cylindrical interfaces. We propose here to develop the long range corrections of the surface tension for cylindrical interfaces by using the non-exponential TA (TA2) method. We also extend the formulation of the Mecke-Winkelmann corrections initially developed for planar surfaces to cylindrical interfaces. We complete this study by the calculation of the surface tension of cylindrical surfaces of liquid tin and copper using the embedded atom model potentials.
Edit distance for marked point processes revisited: An implementation by binary integer programming
Authors: Hirata Yoshito , Aihara Kazuyuki
Published: December 2015

We implement the edit distance for marked point processes [Suzuki et al., Int. J. Bifurcation Chaos 20, 3699–3708 (2010)] as a binary integer program. Compared with the previous implementation using minimum cost perfect matching, the proposed implementation has two advantages: first, by using the proposed implementation, we can apply a wide variety of software and hardware, even spin glasses and coherent ising machines, to calculate the edit distance for marked point processes; second, the proposed implementation runs faster than the previous implementation when the difference between the numbers of events in two time windows for a marked point process is large.
Greenhouse gas emissions of Canadian beef production in 1981 as compared with 2011
Authors: Legesse G. , Beauchemin K. A. , Ominski K. H. , McGeough E. J. , Kroebel R. , MacDonald D. , Little S. M. , McAllister T. A.
Published: December 2015

The present study compared the greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, and breeding herd and land requirements of Canadian beef production in 1981 and 2011. In the analysis, temporal and regional differences in feed types, feeding systems, cattle categories, average daily gains and carcass weights were considered. Emissions were estimated using life-cycle assessment (cradle to farm gate), based primarily on Holos, a Canadian whole-farm emissions model. In 2011, beef production in Canada required only 71% of the breeding herd (i.e. cows, bulls, calves and replacement heifers) and 76% of the land needed to produce the same amount of liveweight for slaughter as in 1981. Compared with 1981, in 2011 the same amount of slaughter weight was produced, with a 14% decline in CH4 emissions, 15% decline in N2O emissions and a 12% decline in CO2 emissions from fossil fuel use. Enteric CH4 production accounted for 73% of total GHG emissions in both years. The estimated intensity of GHG emissions per kilogram of liveweight that left the farm was 14.0 kg CO2 equivalents for 1981 and 12.0 kg CO2 equivalents for 2011, a decline of 14%. A significant reduction in GHG intensity over the past three decades occurred as a result of increased average daily gain and slaughter weight, improved reproductive efficiency, reduced time to slaughter, increased crop yields and a shift towards high-grain diets that enabled cattle to be marketed at an earlier age. Future studies are necessary to examine the impact of beef production on other sustainability metrics, including water use, air quality, biodiversity and provision of ecosystems services.
Molecular phylogenetic analyses reveal a new southern hemisphere oniscidean family (Crustacea : Isopoda) with a unique water transport system
Authors: Javidkar Mohammad , Cooper Steven J. B. , King Rachael A. , Humphreys William F. , Austin Andrew D.
Published: December 2015

A significant diversity of terrestrial oniscidean isopods was recently discovered in the subterranean ‘calcrete islands’ of Western Australia, but the species and higher-level systematic status of much of the fauna are currently uncertain. Here we focus on one group of species that was initially assigned to the genus Trichorhina (Platyarthridae), based on several shared characters, and investigate the phylogenetic relationships of these species to 21 oniscidean genera, including 13 known families, using 18S rDNA sequence data. We then present phylogenetic analyses using 28S-only and combined 18S, 28S rDNA and mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (COI) data for a more restricted sampling of taxa, and present results for a detailed morphological study of the antennae and other cephalic structures of exemplar taxa. Bayesian and maximum likelihood analyses of the extended 18S-only, the 28S-only and multi-gene datasets provide strong evidence for a distinct well-supported monophyletic group comprising the new Western Australian and one South American taxon. This clade is unrelated to all included members of Platyarthridae, which appears to be polyphyletic, and it forms a distinct group relative to other oniscidean families. Given these findings and the results of the morphological study, a new southern hemisphere oniscidean family, Paraplatyarthridae Javidkar & King, fam. nov. is erected based on Paraplatyarthrus subterraneus Javidkar & King, gen. & sp. nov. (type genus and species), and several undescribed taxa which occur in the arid (terrestrial and subterranean) regions of Western Australia and subtropical South America. Paraplatyarthridae is distinguishable from all other oniscidian families on a combination of character states including, among others, the presence of fan-like scale setae on the dorsal body, and the ventral second antenna with leaf-like scale setae and a furrow containing elongated hair-like capillary setae that form part of a water conducting system unique within Oniscidea. This study has important implications for the higher-level classification of oniscidean crustaceans and points to the need for a more detailed molecular phylogeny that includes a comprehensive sampling of southern hemisphere taxa.
Evidence from molecules and morphology expands Podonomopsis Brundin (Diptera : Chironomidae : Podonominae) to include ‘genus Chile'
Authors: Cranston Peter S. , Krosch Matt
Published: December 2015

The informal taxon ‘genus Chile’ of Brundin, based solely on pupal exuviae of a podonomine Chironomidae, has remained inadequately known for half a century. New collections reveal life associations, and provide molecular data to hypothesise a precise phylogenetic placement in the austral Podonominae. A densely sampled molecular phylogeny based on two nuclear and one mitochondrial DNA markers shows ‘genus Chile’ to be the sister group to Podonomopsis Brundin, 1966. Within Podonomopsis a clade of South American species is sister to all Australian species. We discuss how to rank such a sister group taxon and treat ‘genus Chile’ as a new subgenus Araucanopsis, subg. nov. with the new species, Podonomopsis (Araucanopsis) avelasse, sp. nov. from Chile and Argentina as genotype of the monotypic subgenus. We describe P. (A.) avelasse in all stages and provide an expanded diagnosis and description of Podonomopsis to include Araucanopsis. A dated biogeographic hypothesis (chronogram) infers the most recent common ancestor (tmcra) of expanded Podonomopsis at 95 million years ago (Mya) (68–122 Mya 95% highest posterior density), ‘core’ Podonomopsis at 83 Mya (58–108) and Australian Podonomopsis at 65 Mya (44–87). All dates are before the South America–Australia geological separation through Antarctica, supporting previous conclusions that the taxon distribution is ‘Gondwanan’ in origin. Podonomopsis, even as expanded here, remains unknown from New Zealand or elsewhere on extant Zealandia.
http://zoobank.org/urn:lsid:zoobank.org:act:B242009B-0CEF-41CA-8C78-17B9D3B57025
Phylogenetic relationships and a new sectional classification of Croton (Euphorbiaceae) in Australia
Authors: van Ee Benjamin W. , Forster Paul I. , Berry Paul E.
Published: December 2015

A molecular phylogeny, morphological descriptions, species lists and a key to the sections of Croton L. (Euphorbiaceae) recognised for Australia are presented. The molecular phylogenetic results supported the recognition of six sections, to account for the 29 native Australian species. The monophyly of each of these sections was highly supported in the Bayesian and maximum-likelihood analyses of nuclear ITS and plastid trnL–F DNA sequences, whereas their relationships to each other and to other groups were less well resolved. Croton may represent one, two or three separate arrivals to Australia, with support for hypotheses of subsequent dispersals from Australia to Pacific islands and to Asia. Croton sections Argyrati, Arnhemici, Caudati, Dockrilliorum and Insulares are newly described. Croton section Gymnocroton Baill., previously placed in synonymy, is again recognised. Croton armstrongii S.Moore is excluded from the Australian flora.
Generic boundaries of Leucochrysum and Waitzia (Asteraceae: Gnaphalieae)
Authors: Weber Xénia A. , Schmidt-Lebuhn Alexander N.
Published: December 2015

The Australasian clade of Gnaphalieae (Asteraceae) is an ecologically diverse group of species whose generic limits and phylogenetic relationships are still partly unresolved. Previous studies including hybridisation trials, morphological characterisation and preliminary phylogenetic analyses within the Gnaphalieae have suggested that two genera, namely, Waitzia and Leucochrysum, require further investigation into their generic boundaries. To explore the phylogenetic relationships of both genera, the present study used a combination of morphological and molecular approaches. The character traits of herbarium specimens from 14 species and six infraspecific taxa of Waitzia, Leucochrysum and Anemocarpa were examined. Chloroplast (psbA–trnH) and nuclear ribosomal ITS and ETS sequences were generated for phylogenetic analysis. Our findings support Waitzia in its current circumscription as a monophyletic group, whereas Leucochrysum was found to be polyphyletic. Leucochrysum fitzgibbonii was found to be the sister group of Waitzia and shares characters of the involucral bracts, indumentum and growth habit with that genus. The species is formally transferred to the genus Waitzia as W. fitzgibbonii.
On some covering problems in geometry
Authors: Naszódi Márton
Published: December 2015

We present a method to obtain upper bounds on covering numbers. As applications of this method, we reprove and generalize results of Rogers on economically covering Euclidean

n
n

-space with translates of a convex body, or more generally, any measurable set. We obtain a bound for the density of covering the

n
n

-sphere by rotated copies of a spherically convex set (or, any measurable set). Using the same method, we sharpen an estimate by Artstein–Avidan and Slomka on covering a bounded set by translates of another.

The main novelty of our method is that it is not probabilistic. The key idea, which makes our proofs rather simple and uniform through different settings, is an algorithmic result of Lovász and Stein.
Estimates of Kolmogorov, Gelfand and linear 𝑛-widths on compact Riemannian manifolds
Authors: Pesenson Isaac
Published: December 2015

We determine lower and exact estimates of Kolmogorov, Gelfand and linear

n
n

-widths of unit balls in Sobolev norms in

L

p

L_{p}

-spaces on compact Riemannian manifolds. As it was shown by us previously these lower estimates are exact asymptotically in the case of compact homogeneous manifolds. The proofs rely on two-sides estimates for the near-diagonal localization of kernels of functions of elliptic operators.
Open sets of Axiom A flows with exponentially mixing attractors
Authors: Araújo V. , Butterley O. , Varandas P.
Published: December 2015

For any dimension

d
≥
3

d\geq 3

we construct

C

1

\mathcal {C}^{1}

-open subsets of the space of

C

3

\mathcal {C}^{3}

vector fields such that the flow associated to each vector field is Axiom A and exhibits a non-trivial attractor which mixes exponentially with respect to the unique SRB measure.
Small height in fields generated by singular moduli
Authors: Galateau Aurélien
Published: December 2015

We prove that some fields generated by

j
j

-invariants of CM elliptic curves (of infinite dimension over

Q

\mathbb {Q}

) satisfy the Property (B). The singular moduli are chosen so as to have supersingular reduction simultaneously above a fixed prime

q
q

, which provides strong

q
q

-adic estimates leading to an explicit lower bound for the height.
Products of flat modules and global dimension relative to ℱ-Mittag-Leffler modules
Authors: Cortés-Izurdiaga Manuel
Published: December 2015

Let

R
R

be any ring. We prove that all direct products of flat right

R
R

-modules have finite flat dimension if and only if each finitely generated left ideal of

R
R

has finite projective dimension relative to the class of all

F

\mathcal F

-Mittag-Leffler left

R
R

-modules, where

F

\mathcal F

is the class of all flat right

R
R

-modules. In order to prove this theorem, we obtain a general result concerning global relative dimension. Namely, if

X

\mathcal X

is any class of left

R
R

-modules closed under filtrations that contains all projective modules, then

R
R

has finite left global projective dimension relative to

X

\mathcal X

if and only if each left ideal of

R
R

has finite projective dimension relative to

X

\mathcal X

. This result contains, as particular cases, the well-known results concerning the classical left global, weak and Gorenstein global dimensions.
Use of comparative performance indicators in rehabilitation
Authors: Zidarov Diana , Poissant Lise , Sicotte Claude
Published: December 2015

Background:

The development of performance indicators that enable benchmarking between organizations is an important mechanism for accountability, organizational learning, and performance improvement. In the province of Quebec (Canada), 21 rehabilitation organizations developed a common set of performance indicators through interorganizational collaboration.

Purpose:

The aims of this study were to describe the rehabilitation organizations’ use of a common set of performance indicators and to identify the factors influencing such use.

Approach:

A qualitative survey was performed. Individual semistructured interviews were conducted with executives (n = 18) working at 16 rehabilitation organizations using a common set of performance indicators. A thematic analysis of the factors of use was performed according to the Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research. The use of performance indicators was categorized as purposeful, political, or passive.

Findings:

Our results showed that all organizations used the common set of performance indicators. Four factors were identified as important to all the rehabilitation organizations to explain their interest in comparative performance indicators: the need to develop their own performance indicators, the compatibility of performance information with organizational needs, complexity/simplicity of performance information, and the support offered by their common association. Sixty-three percent of rehabilitation organizations made purposeful or political use of performance indicators. Three main factors contributed to typify those organizations from the others: the perceived quality of the performance indicators, the leadership of decision makers, and the resources available.

Practice Implications:

Our results showed that use of performance indicators can support the initiation of projects for improving the quality of care. Key recommendations are proposed to decision makers that may enhance performance indicators’ use.
SPECTRAL DOMAIN OPTICAL COHERENCE TOMOGRAPHY DOCUMENTATION OF MACULAR PSEUDOHOLE EVOLUTION AND SPONTANEOUS RESOLUTION
Authors: Walter Scott D. , Flynn Harry W.
Published: December 2015

Purpose:

To describe the natural history, optical coherence tomography characteristics, and proposed biomechanics of macular pseudohole (MPH) evolution and spontaneous resolution.

Methods:

Clinical case report, with longitudinal follow-up documented by fundus photographs and spectral domain optical coherence tomography.

Results:

A 26-year-old woman presented with visual disturbance secondary to an idiopathic epiretinal membrane. Subsequent formation of an MPH was observed. Spontaneous peeling of the epiretinal membrane occurred in conjunction with posterior vitreous detachment 6.5 years after initial presentation. The MPH resolved, and the patient's vision improved.

Conclusion:

Spontaneous epiretinal membrane peeling represents a potential mechanism for visual and anatomical improvement in eyes with MPH. This is the first published observation of MPH resolution documented by spectral domain optical coherence tomography.
The Self-care Educational Intervention for Patients With Heart Failure
Authors: Boyde Mary , Peters Robyn , Hwang Rita , Korczyk Dariusz , Ha Tina , New Nicole
Published: December 2015

Background:

A variety of educational interventions have been implemented to assist patients with heart failure (HF) to maintain their own health, develop self-care behaviors, and decrease readmissions. The most effective approach to education has yet to be established.

Objective:

The aim of this study is to determine the effectiveness of a multimedia educational intervention for patients with HF in reducing hospital readmissions. Secondary outcomes include changes in knowledge and self-care behaviors.

Methods:

A randomized controlled trial in a large tertiary referral hospital in Australia has recruited 200 patients and will follow them for 12 months. Patients diagnosed with HF have been randomly allocated 1:1 to either usual education or a multimedia educational intervention. Framed by the principles of adult learning, this individualized intervention was delivered face to face by a specialized HF nurse, with a targeted educational assessment and subsequent development of an educational plan. The multimedia approach combined viewing a DVD and verbal discussion supported by a written manual. The teach-back strategy at the conclusion of the intervention evaluated the patient’s learning through 5 key questions about self-management of HF. Readmissions are assessed at 28 days, 3 months, and 12 months. Knowledge and self-care behavior are assessed at baseline, 3 months, and 12 months.

Conclusions:

This study evaluates the effectiveness of a targeted multimedia educational intervention. Study results may inform the design of in-hospital education for HF patients.
Psychometric Analysis of the Heart Failure Somatic Perception Scale as a Measure of Patient Symptom Perception
Authors: Jurgens Corrine Y. , Lee Christopher S. , Riegel Barbara
Published: December 2015

Background:

Symptoms are known to predict survival among patients with heart failure (HF), but discrepancies exist between patients’ and health providers’ perceptions of HF symptom burden.

Objective:

The purpose of this study is to quantify the internal consistency, validity, and prognostic value of patient perception of a broad range of HF symptoms using an HF-specific physical symptom measure, the 18-item HF Somatic Perception Scale v. 3.

Methods:

Factor analysis of the HF Somatic Perception Scale was conducted in a convenience sample of 378 patients with chronic HF. Convergent validity was examined using the Physical Limitation subscale of the Kansas City Cardiomyopathy Questionnaire. Divergent validity was examined using the Self-care of HF Index self-care management score. One-year survival based on HF Somatic Perception Scale scores was quantified using Cox regression controlling for Seattle HF Model scores to account for clinical status, therapeutics, and lab values.

Results:

The sample was 63% male, 85% white, 67% functionally compromised (New York Heart Association class III–IV) with a mean (SD) age of 63 (12.8) years. Internal consistency of the HF Somatic Perception Scale was α = .90. Convergent (r = −0.54, P < .0001) and divergent (r = 0.18, P > .05) validities were supported. Controlling for Seattle HF scores, HF Somatic Perception Scale was a significant predictor of 1-year survival, with those most symptomatic having worse survival (hazard ratio, 1.012; 95% confidence interval, 1.001–1.024; P = .038).

Conclusions:

Perception of HF symptom burden as measured by the HF Somatic Perception Scale is a significant predictor of survival, contributing additional prognostic value over and above objective Seattle HF Risk Model scores. This analysis suggests that assessment of a broad range of HF symptoms, or those related to dyspnea or early and subtle symptoms, may be useful in evaluating therapeutic outcomes and predicting event-free survival.
A Community‐based Healthy Living Promotion Program Improved Self‐esteem Among Minority Children
Authors: Wong William W. , Ortiz Christina L. , Stuff Janice E. , Mikhail Carmen , Lathan Debra , Moore Louis A. , Alejandro Mercedes E. , Butte Nancy F. , Smith Elliot O’Brian
Published: December 2015

Objectives:

Improving self‐esteem, dietary habits, and physical activity is essential for long‐term success in childhood obesity prevention. The aim is to evaluate the effects of a healthy living promotion program, Healthy Kids‐Houston, on BMI, dietary habits, self‐esteem, and physical activity among minority children.

Methods:

The after‐school program was implemented at community centers in low‐income neighborhoods with close proximity to public schools. The program consisted of 3 6‐week sessions. Each week, children attended 2 2‐hour sessions. Each 2‐hour session in the intervention included 90 minutes of structured physical activities and 30 minutes of nutrition and healthy habit lessons. The control group received typical enrichment programs. Outcomes were measured before the intervention and at the end of each 6‐week session.

Results:

We enrolled 877 children (age 10.2 ± 0.1 years (mean ± SE); body mass index z score: 1.49 ± 0.1; 52.0% boys; 72.6% Hispanic) in the program with 524 children received the intervention at 14 community centers and 353 children served as control at 10 community centers. The intervention led to no improvements in BMI z score (P = 0.78) and dietary habits (P = 0.46). Significant improvements (P ≤ 0.02) were detected in the amount of exercise that a child perceived to be required to offset a large meal and in several key self‐esteem scores. No improvements were detected in physical activities (P ≥ 0.21).

Conclusions:

The improvement in some key self‐esteem scores and nutrition knowledge may act as a mediator to motivate these children to adopt a healthier lifestyle in the future.
Real World Experience With Natalizumab at a Tertiary Care Pediatric IBD Center
Authors: Singh Namita , Deshpande Rasika , Rabizadeh Shervin , Dubinsky Marla
Published: December 2015

Objectives:

Natalizumab is a humanized monoclonal antibody inhibiting lymphocyte migration and prescribed in patients with Crohn disease (CD) failing anti‐tumor necrosis factor (TNF) therapies. Because of the risk of progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy in patients with John Cunningham virus (JCV) positive, natalizumab is not widely used in clinical practice. Published experience of the use of natalizumab in pediatric patients is lacking. We aimed to describe the experience of natalizumab in patients with CD, including those who are JCV positive, at a tertiary care pediatric inflammatory bowel disease center.

Methods:

A retrospective chart review was performed in patients with CD <21 years receiving natalizumab therapy before March 2014. Patient and disease information, prior treatments and response to natalizumab, including Harvey Bradshaw Index (HBI), were recorded. Descriptive statistics were computed.

Results:

Nine patients received natalizumab with a median age at diagnosis of 10 (range 7–16) years and median disease duration 72 (range 13–156) months. All of the patients had failed at least 1 anti‐TNF agent. At baseline, the median HBI was 8 (IQR 6.5–11). By week 10, the median HBI was 4.5 (IQR 2–6), with 4 of 8 (50%) patients with CD being in remission. Forty‐four percent (4/9) of patients were JCV antibody positive at baseline and had anti‐JCV antibody index >0.9 (median 3.36). There were no serious adverse events, including progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy. All of the patients were transitioned to vedolizumab.

Conclusions:

In our experience, natalizumab is a safe and efficacious medication in pediatric in patients with inflammatory bowel disease. Given the favorable results with natalizumab, pediatric studies with the more gut targeted anti‐integrin agent vedolizumab are warranted.
Exploring the dimensionality of morphological knowledge for adolescent readers
Authors: Goodwin Amanda P. , Petscher Yaacov , Carlisle Joanne F. , Mitchell Alison M.
Published: December 2015

This study examined the dimensionality of morphological knowledge. The performance of 371 seventh‐ and eighth‐graders on seven morphological knowledge tasks was investigated using confirmatory factor analysis. Results suggested that morphological knowledge was best fit by a bifactor model with a general factor of morphological knowledge and seven specific factors, representing tasks that tap different facets of morphological knowledge. Next, structural equation modelling was used to explore links to literacy outcomes. Results indicated the general factor and the specific factor of morphological meaning processing showed significant positive associations with reading comprehension and vocabulary. Also, the specific factor of generating morphologically related words showed significant positive associations with vocabulary, while specific factors of morphological word reading and spelling processing showed small negative relationships to reading comprehension and vocabulary. Findings highlight the complexity of morphological knowledge and suggest the importance of being cognizant of the nature of morphology when designing and interpreting studies.
Between Neoliberal Governance and the Right to the City: Participatory politics in Berlin and Tel Aviv
Authors: Kemp Adriana , Lebuhn Henrik , Rattner Galia
Published: December 2015

Based on a comparison of Berlin and Tel Aviv, this article investigates the ways in which ensembles of participatory instruments mediate between neoliberal urban regimes and political agency shaping differentially the meaning of participation and the types of claims that can be advanced. The article gives an overview of the recent history of both cities through the lens of participatory politics. Two in‐depth case studies further examine the relationship between participatory politics and claim making in each setting: the recent conflict over a social center in the district of Friedrichshain‐Kreuzberg in Berlin and the Levinsky tent city of 2011 in Tel Aviv. In the concluding section, the article suggests that, rather than assuming that participatory tools either co‐opt movements or can be appropriated by them, we need to rethink the relationship between participatory tools, rights and recognition, and ask how participatory structures and political agency constitute each other in interwoven dynamics.
Homicidal Snake Bite in Children
Authors: Paulis Melad G. , Faheem Ayman L.
Published: December 2015

Snake bites are common in many regions of the world. Snake envenomation is relatively uncommon in Egypt; such unfortunate events usually attract much publicity. Snake bite is almost only accidental, occurring in urban areas and desert. Few cases were reported to commit suicide by snake. Homicidal snake poisoning is so rare. It was known in ancient world by executing capital punishment by throwing the victim into a pit full of snakes. Another way was to ask the victim to put his hand inside a small basket harboring a deadly snake. Killing a victim by direct snake bite is so rare. There was one reported case where an old couple was killed by snake bite. Here is the first reported case of killing three children by snake bite. It appeared that the diagnosis of such cases is so difficult and depended mainly on the circumstantial evidences.
A Long‐term Study of the Association between the Relative Poverty Rate and Suicide Rate in Japan
Authors: Inoue Ken , Fujita Yasuyuki , Takeshita Haruo , Abe Shuntaro , Fujihara Junko , Ezoe Satoko , Sampei Mari , Miyaoka Tsuyoshi , Horiguchi Jun , Okazaki Yuji , Fukunaga Tatsushige
Published: December 2015

The annual number of suicides in Japan totaled around 23,000 in 1997 and abruptly increased to around 31,000 in 1998. This figure has remained high since then. This abrupt increase in the number of suicides was primarily due to an increase in suicides occasioned by economic concerns. The association between various economic factors and suicide must be studied in detail and over the long term in order to ascertain the association between economic concerns and suicide. This study examined the relative poverty rate and the suicide rate in Japan over 30 years and discussed the association between those two rates. The results suggest that the relative poverty rate may be associated with the suicide rate for both sexes. This association is true for men in particular. The organizations and professionals involved in implementing suicide prevention measures should be cognizant of the current findings and consider formulating additional specific measures.
Secular Change in Morphological Pelvic Traits used for Sex Estimation
Authors: Klales Alexandra R.
Published: December 2015

This research evaluates secular change in Phenice's (Am J Phys Anthropol, 30, 1969 and 297) three morphological traits of the pubis, as described by Klales et al. (Am J Phys Anthropol, 149, 2012 and 104): medial aspect of the ischio‐pubic ramus, subpubic contour, and ventral arc. Ordinal scores were collected for these traits and compared between a sample of innominates from the historical Hamann–Todd Collection (n = 170) and modern Bass Donated Collection (n = 129). Using the Freeman–Halton test, significant differences between temporal sample score frequencies were found for all traits in females and for the subpubic contour and ventral arc in males. Despite these findings, classification accuracy using logistic regression between the temporal periods remained low (68.7%). These results suggest that secular changes in trait expression are occurring; however, sex estimation methods using these traits and created with historical samples are still applicable to modern forensic cases. In fact, the secular changes occurring in these traits contribute to better classification accuracy between sexes in modern populations.
Anxiety symptoms and functioning in a community sample of individuals with type 2 diabetes: A longitudinal study
Authors: Deschênes Sonya S. , Burns Rachel J. , Schmitz Norbert
Published: December 2015

Background

Type 2 diabetes (T2D) is associated with limitations in day‐to‐day functioning and with symptoms of anxiety. Although cross‐sectional associations between anxiety and functioning in individuals with T2D have been reported, the temporal dynamics of these associations are unclear. The present study examined the longitudinal cross‐lagged associations between anxiety symptoms and functioning in a community sample of individuals with T2D.

Methods

Data were from the Evaluation of Diabetes Treatment Study, a community‐based observational study of 1691 adults with T2D. Anxiety symptoms and functioning were assessed with the Generalized Anxiety Disorder Scale‐7 and the World Health Organization Disability Assessment Schedule 2.0, respectively, at baseline and every following year for 3 years. A cross‐lagged path analysis accounting for autoregressive effects, sociodemographic factors, and health‐related covariates was conducted using structural equation modeling.

Results

The model demonstrated good fit with the data (comparative fit index >0.99,
 = 11.44, P = 0.08, root mean square error of approximation = 0.02). Path coefficients indicated that elevated anxiety was associated with subsequent poor functioning (β‐values ranging from 0.05 to 0.16; P‐values <0.04) and that poor functioning was associated with subsequent elevated anxiety (β‐values ranging from 0.13 to 0.19; P‐values <0.001). The addition of depressive symptoms as a covariate did not affect model fit, although not all cross‐lagged path coefficients remained statistically significant; paths were strongest and most consistent between poor functioning and subsequent elevated anxiety.

Conclusions

Anxiety symptoms and functioning seem to be reciprocally related among individuals with T2D, independent of depressive symptoms.
Impaired phagocytosis of apoptotic cell material in serologically active clinically quiescent patients with systemic lupus erythematosis
Authors: Huang Wen‐Nan , Tso Tim K. , Wu Hsiao‐Chih , Yang Hsiu‐Fen , Tsay Gregory J.
Published: December 2015

Aim

Serologically active clinically quiescent (SACQ) patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) account for 8–12% of all patients with SLE, but there is disagreement about whether such patients are indeed clinically stable. Patients with clinically active SLE have decreased macrophage function, although the status of SACQ patients with SLE is unclear.

Method

This study compared 18 patients who met the diagnostic criteria for SACQ SLE with 18 healthy volunteers with regard to the capability of macrophages to clear apoptotic bodies by use of a modified serum‐free phagocytosis test. Macrophages that naturally differentiated from monocytes were used to engulf apoptotic cells developed from polymorphonuclear neutrophils.

Results

The results showed that macrophages from SACQ patients with SLE had less phagocytotic capability than those from healthy controls.

Conclusion

The significant reduction of macrophage phagocytotic capability in these patients suggests the potential for disease recurrence. The use of a serum‐free method confirmed the presence of intrinsic factors that modulate the decrease of macrophage function in SLE.
Assessing Accountability in Practice: The Asian Development Bank's Accountability Mechanism
Authors: Park Susan
Published: December 2015

Intergovernmental Organizations (IOs) such as the Asian Development Bank (ADB) were created by and for states. The ADB was established to further economic growth and cooperation in the Asia Pacific. At the behest of its powerful member states the ADB created an accountability mechanism (AM) in 1995. This mechanism was created to provide recourse to people that might be or are ‘directly materially and adversely affected’ by a development project financed by the ADB. As with the other Multilateral Development Banks (MDBs), the creation of such an ‘external accountability mechanism’ recognized a legally relevant relationship between an IO and private persons. This article investigates the operations of the ADB's AM. Arguably, the ADB's AM has brought some improvement to affected people through its mediation, compliance investigations and monitoring. Yet analysis of the mechanism also demonstrates that progress is hampered by a lack of access, transparency, Developing Member Country (DMC) resistance, staff obstruction and a lack of independence in the mechanism itself.
Toward the most ideal case–control design with related and unrelated dogs in whole‐exome sequencing studies
Authors: Broeckx B.J.G. , Coopman F. , Verhoeven G.E.C. , De Keulenaer S. , De Meester E. , Bavegems V. , Smets P. , Van Ryssen B. , Van Nieuwerburgh F. , Deforce D.
Published: December 2015

With the recent development of whole‐exome sequencing enrichment designs for the dog, a novel tool for disease‐association studies became available. The aim of disease‐association studies is to identify one or a very limited number of putative causal variants or genes from the large pool of genetic variation. To maximize the efficiency of these studies and to provide some directions of what to expect, we evaluated the effect on variant reduction for various combinations of cases and controls for both dominant and recessive types of inheritance assuming variable degrees of penetrance and detectance. In this study, variant data of 14 dogs (13 Labrador Retrievers and one Dogue de Bordeaux), obtained by whole‐exome sequencing, were analyzed. In the filtering process, we found that unrelated dogs from the same breed share up to 70% of their variants, which is likely a consequence of the breeding history of the dog. For the designs tested with unrelated dogs, combining two cases and two controls gave the best result. These results were improved further by adding closely related dogs. Reduced penetrance and/or detectance has a drastic effect on the efficiency and is likely to have a profound effect on the sample size needed to elucidate the causal variant. Overall, we demonstrated that sequencing a small number of dogs results in a marked reduction of variants that are likely sufficient to pinpoint causal variants or genes.