bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Btn2a2, a T cell immunomodulatory molecule coregulated with MHC class II genes
Authors: Sarter Kerstin , Leimgruber Elisa , Gobet Florian , Agrawal Vishal , Dunand-Sauthier Isabelle , Barras Emmanuèle , Mastelic-Gavillet Béatris , Kamath Arun , Fontannaz Paola , Guéry Leslie , Duraes Fernanda do Valle , Lippens Carla , Ravn Ulla , Santiago-Raber Marie-Laure , Magistrelli Giovanni , Fischer Nicolas , Siegrist Claire-Anne , Hugues Stéphanie , Reith Walter
Published: January 2016

Evidence has recently emerged that butyrophilins, which are members of the extended B7 family of co-stimulatory molecules, have diverse functions in the immune system. We found that the human and mouse genes encoding butyrophilin-2A2 (BTN2A2) are regulated by the class II trans-activator and regulatory factor X, two transcription factors dedicated to major histocompatibility complex class II expression, suggesting a role in T cell immunity. To address this, we generated Btn2a2-deficient mice. Btn2a2−/− mice exhibited enhanced effector CD4+ and CD8+ T cell responses, impaired CD4+ regulatory T cell induction, potentiated antitumor responses, and exacerbated experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis. Altered immune responses were attributed to Btn2a2 deficiency in antigen-presenting cells rather than T cells or nonhematopoietic cells. These results provide the first genetic evidence that BTN2A2 is a co-inhibitory molecule that modulates T cell–mediated immunity.
Currents through Hv1 channels deplete protons in their vicinity
Authors: De-la-Rosa Víctor , Suárez-Delgado Esteban , Rangel-Yescas Gisela E. , Islas León D.
Published: January 2016

Proton channels have evolved to provide a pH regulatory mechanism, affording the extrusion of protons from the cytoplasm at all membrane potentials. Previous evidence has suggested that channel-mediated acid extrusion could significantly change the local concentration of protons in the vicinity of the channel. In this work, we directly measure the proton depletion caused by activation of Hv1 proton channels using patch-clamp fluorometry recordings from channels labeled with the Venus fluorescent protein at intracellular domains. The fluorescence of the Venus protein is very sensitive to pH, thus behaving as a genetically encoded sensor of local pH. Eliciting outward proton currents increases the fluorescence intensity of Venus. This dequenching is related to the magnitude of the current and not to channel gating and is dependent on the pH gradient. Our results provide direct evidence of local proton depletion caused by flux through the proton-selective channel.
EURAMET.M.M-S8: comparison of 500 kg and 1000 kg weights
Authors: Gutfelt B , Koponen P , Riski K , Vabson V
Published: January 2016

Mass comparison of conventional masses of 500 kg and 1000 kg weights between three laboratories (AS Metrosert, MIKES, and SP) was carried out in 2012. MIKES was the pilot laboratory. For both 500 kg and 1000 kg, the results show an agreement between the laboratories.

Main text

To reach the main text of this paper, click on Final Report. Note that this text is that which appears in Appendix B of the BIPM key comparison database kcdb.bipm.org/.

The final report has been peer-reviewed and approved for publication by the CCM, according to the provisions of the CIPM Mutual Recognition Arrangement (CIPM MRA).
Multiplicity of Sulfate and Molybdate Transporters and Their Role in Nitrogen Fixation in Rhizobium leguminosarum bv. viciae Rlv3841
Authors: Cheng Guojun , Karunakaran Ramakrishnan , East Alison K. , Poole Philip S.
Published: January 2016

Rhizobium leguminosarum Rlv3841 contains at least three sulfate transporters, i.e., SulABCD, SulP1 and SulP2, and a single molybdate transporter, ModABC. SulABCD is a high-affinity transporter whose mutation prevented growth on a limiting sulfate concentration, while SulP1 and SulP2 appear to be low-affinity sulfate transporters. ModABC is the sole high-affinity molybdate transport system and is essential for growth with NO3− as a nitrogen source on limiting levels of molybdate (<0.25 μM). However, at 2.5 μM molybdate, a quadruple mutant with all four transporters inactivated, had the longest lag phase on NO3−, suggesting these systems all make some contribution to molybdate transport. Growth of Rlv3841 on limiting levels of sulfate increased sulB, sulP1, modB, and sulP2 expression 313.3-, 114.7-, 6.2-, and 4.0-fold, respectively, while molybdate starvation increased only modB expression (three- to 7.5-fold). When grown in high-sulfate but not low-sulfate medium, pea plants inoculated with LMB695 (modB) reduced acetylene at only 14% of the wild-type rate, and this was not further reduced in the quadruple mutant. Overall, while modB is crucial to nitrogen fixation at limiting molybdate levels in the presence of sulfate, there is an unidentified molybdate transporter also capable of sulfate transport.

[Formula: see text] Copyright © 2016 The Author(s). This is an open access article distributed under the CC BY Attribution 4.0 International license .
Cooperation and information replication in wireless networks
Authors: Poularakis Konstantinos , Tassiulas Leandros
Published: January 2016

A significant portion of today's network traffic is due to recurring downloads of a few popular contents. It has been observed that replicating the latter in caches installed at network edges—close to users—can drastically reduce network bandwidth usage and improve content access delay. Such caching architectures are gaining increasing interest in recent years as a way of dealing with the explosive traffic growth, fuelled further by the downward slope in storage space price. In this work, we provide an overview of caching with a particular emphasis on emerging network architectures that enable caching at the radio access network. In this context, novel challenges arise due to the broadcast nature of the wireless medium, which allows simultaneously serving multiple users tuned into a multicast stream, and the mobility of the users who may be frequently handed off from one cell tower to another. Existing results indicate that caching at the wireless edge has a great potential in removing bottlenecks on the wired backbone networks. Taking into consideration the schedule of multicast service and mobility profiles is crucial to extract maximum benefit in network performance.
Communication networks beyond the capacity crunch
Authors: Ellis A. D. , Suibhne N. Mac , Saad D. , Payne D. N.
Published: January 2016

This issue ofPhilosophical Transactions of the Royal Society, Part Arepresents a summary of the recent discussion meeting ‘Communication networks beyond the capacity crunch’. The purpose of the meeting was to establish the nature of the capacity crunch, estimate the time scales associated with it and to begin to find solutions to enable continued growth in a post-crunch era. The meeting confirmed that, in addition to a capacity shortage within a single optical fibre, many other ‘crunches’ are foreseen in the field of communications, both societal and technical. Technical crunches identified included the nonlinear Shannon limit, wireless spectrum, distribution of 5G signals (front haul and back haul), while societal influences included net neutrality, creative content generation and distribution and latency, and finally energy and cost. The meeting concluded with the observation that these many crunches are genuine and may influence our future use of technology, but encouragingly noted that research and business practice are already moving to alleviate many of the negative consequences.
Dimethyl and diethyl esters of 5,6-bis(pyridin-2-yl)pyrazine-2,3-dicarboxylic acid: a comparison
Authors: Alfonso Montserrat , Stoeckli-Evans Helen
Published: January 2016

In dimethyl 5,6-bis(pyridin-2-yl)pyrazine-2,3-dicarboxylate, C18H14N4O4, (I), and diethyl 5,6-bis(pyridin-2-yl)pyrazine-2,3-dicarboxylate, C20H18N4O4, (II), the dimethyl and diethyl esters of 5,6-bis(pyridin-2-yl)pyrazine-2,3-dicarboxylic acid, the orientation of the two pyridine rings differ. In (I), pyridine ringBis inclined to pyrazine ringAby 44.8 (2)° and the pyridine and pyrazine N atoms aretransto one another, while pyridine ringCis inclined to the pyrazine ring by 50.3 (2)°, with the pyridine and pyrazine N atomscisto one another. In compound (II), the diethyl ester, which possesses twofold rotation symmetry, the pyridine ring is inclined to the pyrazine ring by 40.7 (1)°, with the pyridine and pyrazine N atomstransto one another. In the crystal of (I), molecules are linked by C—H...N hydrogen bonds, forming chains along [001]. The chains are linked by C—H...π interactions, forming a three-dimensional structure. In the crystal of (II), molecules are linkedviaC—H...O hydrogen bonds, forming a three-dimensional framework. There are C—H...π interactions present within the framework.
Developing tourism products and new partnerships through participatory action research in rural Cameroon
Authors: Schmitz Serge , Lekane Tsobgou Dieudonné
Published: January 2016

At present, several obstacles to tourism development have been identified in developing countries. These include: poor infrastructure; shortage of facilities; a weak tourist image; a lack of know‐how with regard to how to welcome visitors and market tourism services; and the scarcity of available capital. In the research reported on in this paper, we explore the involvement of microcredit institutions to alleviate these issues. Because tourism is not yet developed in our study area of West Cameroon, action research was considered the only way to validate (by action) the recommendations of both the actors and the researchers. Action research permits the researchers to study the complex issues that typify the management of tourist destinations, including, for example, governance problems. It allows for networking and capacity to change the ways in which actions are carried out. The paper explores possible synergies between microfinance institutions (MFIs) and small and medium tourism businesses in an African rural community. First, we emphasise the obstacles to the formation of partnerships between MFIs and tourism businesses and we suggest ways to minimise them. Second, we describe how we facilitated networking between tourism actors and MFIs, which enabled the development of tourism products through new partnerships. As a result, four businesses are currently operating. From a research perspective, we point out the strengths and weaknesses of different types of associations and list the challenges. The results indicate that asymmetry of information and a lack of entrepreneurial spirit emerge as key concerns. The action research has promoted place and community based development. However, we underline that proper tourism development also requires the participation of stakeholders acting at different spatial scales.
Prevalence of non-adherence among psychiatric patients in Jordan, a cross sectional study
Authors: Mukattash Tareq L , Alzoubi Karem H , Abu El-Rub Ejlal , Jarab Anan S , Al-Azzam Sayer I , Khdour Maher , Shara Mohd , Al Hamarneh Yazid N
Published: January 2016

Background

It has been estimated that up to 50% of any patient population is at least partially non-adherent to their prescribed treatment. Identifying barriers to adherence is required to develop effective interventions for psychiatric patients.

Objective

To explore the prevalence and factors of non-adherence among psychiatric patients present at four psychiatric clinics.

Method

A cross-sectional questionnaire-based study. A sample of psychiatric patients attending outpatient psychiatric clinics was enrolled between March and April 2011.

Results

A total of 243 psychiatric patients took part in this study with the majority of patients (92.5%) being prescribed more than one psychiatric disorder. The majority (64.2%) of the patients was classified as non-adherent according to the Morisky adherence questionnaire and forgetfulness was the most prevalent reason for that.

Conclusions

Non-adherence is a common and important issue among psychiatric patients. Polypharmacy, safety concerns and lack of insight towards the prescribed treatment were reported as the main reasons of non-adherence.
Describing the role of Australian community pharmacists in oral healthcare
Authors: Taing Meng-Wong , Ford Pauline J , Gartner Coral E , Freeman Christopher R
Published: January 2016

Objectives

To investigate community pharmacist's attitudes, beliefs and practices towards oral health in the Australian setting, describe the frequency and nature of consumer enquiries relating to oral health, and gain insight regarding smoking cessation support for people experiencing oral health problems.

Methods

An online questionnaire was developed based on previous research, validated to ensure accuracy and reliability, and convenience sampling used to advertise across major pharmacy organisational websites and newsletters to maximise community pharmacist responses.

Key findings

One hundred and forty-four valid community pharmacist responses were descriptively analysed. The majority of pharmacists (93%) believed it was their role to deliver oral health advice in the community and almost all (97%) pharmacists believed further education would benefit their practice. The top four consumer enquiries pharmacists reported confidence in handling related to analgesic medication to relieve oral-related pain (95.8%), mouth ulcers (95.1%), oral thrush (94.4%) and toothache (93.8%); and the most frequently reported consumer enquires were those where the majority of pharmacists reported high confidence in handling. A small proportion of pharmacists (8%) always enquired about patient smoking status, and nearly all pharmacists (97%) desired further education and training to benefit their practice in oral healthcare.

Conclusion

This study highlights that Australian pharmacists have an important role in oral health and there is opportunity to enhance this role, and address risk factors such as smoking with further training, support and education. The findings from this study can guide future research into the development of appropriate training programmes, standards, and best oral healthcare practices for Australian pharmacists.
Risk factors of urinary incontinence in women: a literature review
Authors: Seshan Vidya , AlKhasawneh Esra , Al Hashmi Iman Hamed
Published: January 2016

The purpose of this literature review is to recapitulate the risk factors and predictors of urinary incontinence (UI) in women identified in different published studies, thereby filling such gap in knowledge. The review identified primary research papers published in peer‐reviewed journals on risk factors and predictors of UI. The search strategy used for collecting the literature was done using PubMed, Google Scholar and CINAHL databases from 2002 to 2012. The full text articles were obtained as part of the second stage selection process, using the pre‐agreed selection criteria. Twelve articles were identified, this includes four cross‐sectional studies, five prospective cohort studies, two co‐relational descriptive studies and one longitudinal study. Majority of these studies concluded that the major risk factors of UI are age, parity, body mass index (BMI), menopause, recurrent UTI, hysterectomy, number of abortions, foetal weight and the comorbid condition such as diabetes, chronic pulmonary disease. Health care providers need to educate women about the risk factors of UI and health‐promoting actions to reduce the risk of UI. Researchers have to enhance primary prevention and promote strategies that help women alter and modify their lifestyle. Lifestyle modification such as healthy food habits, Kegel's exercises and weight reduction ensures the general health promotion and relief from UI symptoms.
Consensus document on the evaluation and treatment of moderate‐to‐severe psoriasis: Psoriasis Group of the Spanish Academy of Dermatology and Venereology
Authors: Daudén E. , Puig L. , Ferrándiz C. , Sánchez‐Carazo J.L. , Hernanz‐Hermosa J.M. ,   the Spanish Psoriasis Group of the Spanish Academy of Dermatology and Venereology
Published: January 2016

Psoriasis is a highly prevalent disease with a major impact on quality of life; therefore, appropriate patient management is mandatory. Given that many issues in psoriasis are controversial and not clearly defined by evidence‐based medicine, management of psoriasis is very variable. Expert consensus can generate practical guidelines for optimization of patient care. Much has changed since 2009, when the Consensus Document on the Evaluation and Treatment of Moderate to Severe Psoriasis was published by the Spanish Psoriasis Group (GEP) of the Spanish Academy of Dermatology and Venereology (AEDV). The objective of the present consensus document is to provide the dermatologist with updated recommendations for the evaluation and treatment of patients with moderate‐to‐severe plaque psoriasis. All active members of the GEP of the AEDV were invited to participate in the survey. The final group comprised 46 members from various areas of Spain and with substantial experience in managing psoriasis. A 3‐round Delphi process was used to reach consensus. Consistent agreement and consistent disagreement (consensus) required the achievement of at least two of the following three criteria: Criterion 1, which was based on the position occupied by the mean on a scale of 1–9 and an SD <2; Criterion 2, which was based on the median and interquartile range (IQR) on a scale of 1–9; Criterion 3, which considered the percentage of the voting experts on a scale of 1–9. The items studied were definition of severity, therapeutic objectives, indications for systemic treatment and biologic therapy, induction and maintenance periods, therapeutic failure, loss of response, relapse and rebound, continuous and intermittent therapy, screening of patients before treatment, adherence to therapy, follow‐up of treatment outcome, combination of drugs, transitioning and associated comorbidities. Consistent agreement or disagreement (consensus) was achieved for 198 items (agreement, 3 criteria 146 items, 2 criteria 43 items; disagreement, 3 criteria 9 items, 2 criteria 0 items) based on the criteria described above. Completion of the Delphi consensus process enabled a broad and experienced group of Spanish psoriasis experts to provide useful and practical guidelines for the management and treatment of patients with moderate‐to‐severe psoriasis, particularly in areas where evidence is lacking.
Ecomorphological convergence in planktivorous surgeonfishes
Authors: Friedman S. T. , Price S. A. , Hoey A. S. , Wainwright P. C.
Published: January 2016

Morphological convergence plays a central role in the study of evolution. Often induced by shared ecological specialization, homoplasy hints at underlying selective pressures and adaptive constraints that deterministically shape the diversification of life. Although midwater zooplanktivory has arisen in adult surgeonfishes (family Acanthuridae) at least four independent times, it represents a clearly specialized state, requiring the capacity to swiftly swim in midwater locating and sucking small prey items. Whereas this diet has commonly been associated with specific functional adaptations in fishes, acanthurids present an interesting case study as all nonplanktivorous species feed by grazing on benthic algae and detritus, requiring a vastly different functional morphology that emphasizes biting behaviours. We examined the feeding morphology in 30 acanthurid species and, combined with a pre‐existing phylogenetic tree, compared the fit of evolutionary models across two diet regimes: zooplanktivores and nonzooplanktivorous grazers. Accounting for phylogenetic relationships, the best‐fitting model indicates that zooplanktivorous species are converging on a separate adaptive peak from their grazing relatives. Driving this bimodal landscape, zooplanktivorous acanthurids tend to develop a slender body, reduced facial features, smaller teeth and weakened jaw adductor muscles. However, despite these phenotypic changes, model fitting suggests that lineages have not yet reached the adaptive peak associated with plankton feeding even though some transitions appear to be over 10 million years old. These findings demonstrate that the selective demands of pelagic feeding promote repeated – albeit very gradual – ecomorphological convergence within surgeonfishes, while allowing local divergences between closely related species, contributing to the overall diversity of the clade.
Purines: forgotten mediators in traumatic brain injury
Authors: Jackson Edwin K. , Boison Detlev , Schwarzschild Michael A. , Kochanek Patrick M.
Published: January 2016

Recently, the topic of traumatic brain injury has gained attention in both the scientific community and lay press. Similarly, there have been exciting developments on multiple fronts in the area of neurochemistry specifically related to purine biology that are relevant to both neuroprotection and neurodegeneration. At the 2105 meeting of the National Neurotrauma Society, a session sponsored by the International Society for Neurochemistry featured three experts in the field of purine biology who discussed new developments that are germane to both the pathomechanisms of secondary injury and development of therapies for traumatic brain injury. This included presentations by Drs. Edwin Jackson on the novel 2′,3′‐cAMP pathway in neuroprotection, Detlev Boison on adenosine in post‐traumatic seizures and epilepsy, and Michael Schwarzschild on the potential of urate to treat central nervous system injury. This mini review summarizes the important findings in these three areas and outlines future directions for the development of new purine‐related therapies for traumatic brain injury and other forms of central nervous system injury.

image

In this review, novel therapies based on three emerging areas of adenosine‐related pathobiology in traumatic brain injury (TBI) were proposed, namely, therapies targeting 1) the 2′,3′‐cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) pathway, 2) adenosine deficiency after TBI, and 3) augmentation of urate after TBI.
Combined large‐cell neuroendocrine carcinoma and endometrioid adenocarcinoma of the endometrium: A case report and survey of related literature
Authors: Matsumoto Harunobu , Nasu Kaei , Kai Kentaro , Nishida Masakazu , Narahara Hisashi , Nishida Haruto
Published: January 2016

Primary large‐cell neuroendocrine carcinoma of the endometrium is extremely rare and has a poor prognosis. This report describes a case of combined large‐cell neuroendocrine carcinoma and endometrioid adenocarcinoma of the endometrium diagnosed as stage IIIA. The patient underwent surgery and chemotherapy and has been well with no evidence of disease for 20 months. The optimal treatment for this rare tumor has not been established. Considering its rarity and variability, it is difficult to establish an evidence‐based therapeutic regimen.
Neo‐adjuvant chemotherapy plus surgery versus surgery alone for cervical cancer: Meta‐analysis of randomized controlled trials
Authors: Peng Yun‐Hua , Wang Xin‐Xiu , Zhu Jing‐Song , Gao Li
Published: January 2016

The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of neo‐adjuvant chemotherapy (NACT) versus radical surgery (RS) for patients with cervical cancer. A meta‐analysis of randomized controlled trials (RCT) of NACT + RS versus RS alone for patients with cervical cancer was performed according to the guidelines of the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta‐analyses (PRISMA) statement. The following electronic databases were searched from their inception to April 2015: PUBMED, EMBASE and Cochrane Library. Statistical analysis was done using REVIEW MANAGER 5.3. Five RCT involving 739 patients were studied. There were significant differences between the NACT + RS and the RS‐alone groups for positive lymph nodes (OR, 0.45; 95%CI: 0.29–0.70) and parametrial infiltration (OR, 0.48; 95%CI: 0.25–0.92), while treatment efficacy did not differ significantly for 5‐year overall survival rate (OR, 1.17; 95%CI: 0.85–1.61), 5‐year disease‐free survival rate (OR, 1.09; 95%CI: 0.77–1.56) or recurrence rate (OR, 1.17; 95%CI: 0.85–1.61). The results also indicated that chemotherapy‐related toxicity was well tolerated. For patients with cervical cancer, NACT could significantly reduce the number of positive lymph nodes and the level of parametrial infiltration compared with RS alone, and be well tolerated.
Spatial and temporal sedimentation changes in the Three Gorges Reservoir of China
Authors: Gao Peng , Wang Zhao‐yin , Siegel Donald
Published: January 2016

This study examined the temporal trend of sedimentation in China's Three Gorges Reservoir (TGR) from compiled sediment data at multiple temporal scales. Based on decade‐averaged annual sediment loads, a decreasing trend of sediment supply between 1950s and 2000s was found, with a lower‐than‐expected mean sedimentation rate. From 2003 to 2013, the annual sediment supply generally decreased, with the annual sediment deposition rate being about 50% less than that predicted with prior numerical models. The reduced annual sedimentation rate was attributed to (relatively) small dam building within the upstream watershed, conservation activities and sand/gravel mining. Morphological changes at two cross sections within the TGR between 2003 and 2013 indicated that sediment deposition caused only limited bed accretion along the main course of the TGR. In the tail area of the TGR, where sediment transport ceases first, the sedimentation occurring between 2004 and 2013 was insufficient to impede navigation. These results indicate that at least as a first approximation sedimentation in the TGR is well controlled, making it a subdued ‘river dragon’.
Interaction between thyrocytes and adipose tissue in vitro
Authors: Yamamoto Mihoko , Uchihashi Kazuyoshi , Aoki Shigehisa , Koike Eisuke , Kakihara Nahoko , Toda Shuji
Published: January 2016

Adipose tissue (AT)‐thyrocyte interaction is largely unknown. Here we described the interaction in a co‐culture system, in which thyrocytes were cultured on AT fragment (ATF)‐embedded collagen gel, using electron microscopy, immunocytochemistry, real‐time reverse transcription–polymerase chain reaction (RT–PCR) and enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). ATFs promoted the hypertrophy, polarization and lipid accumulation of thyrocytes. ATFs did not affect the growth of thyroyctes, and inhibited their apoptosis. ATFs increased the protein expression of thyroglobulin (Tg) and paired box gene 8 (PAX8) in thyrocytes. In turn, thyrocytes decreased the concentration of leptin and adiponectin, and increased the expression of these mRNAs in ATFs. Thyrotropin (TSH) enhanced the ATF‐induced nuclear hypertrophy and Tg protein expression in thyrocytes, while TSH enhanced the thyrocyte‐induced expression of leptin and adiponectin mRNAs in ATFs. Finally, leptin promoted the hypertrophy and Tg protein expression in thyrocytes. TSH enhanced these leptin‐induced effects. The data indicate an active interaction between thyrocytes and AT, suggesting that (i) ATFs may serve to regulate the morphology, survival and differentiation of thyrocytes probably through lipid accumulation partly in a TSH‐synergistic way; (ii) thyrocytes may affect adipokine production from ATFs in a TSH‐independent manner; and (3) leptin may be related to the hypertrophy and differentiation of thyrocytes in a TSH‐synergistic way.
Factors affecting dignity of patients with multiple sclerosis
Authors: Sharifi Simin , Borhani Fariba , Abbaszadeh Abbas
Published: January 2016

Rationale

MS is one of the most common chronic diseases of the nervous system. Apart from disease progression, other complications such as unemployment, separation and divorce could potentially threat patients’ dignity. Most of the previous studies have been done of maintaining patients’ dignity in interaction with healthcare team, but studies on affecting factors of dignity in chronic patients in the society and in interaction with usual people are scarce.

Aim

We aimed to investigate factors affecting dignity of Iranian patients with MS in daily living and in interaction of them with the society.

Methods

In this qualitative study, 13 patients with multiple sclerosis were chosen by purposive sampling and semi‐structured interviews were conducted until data saturation. The study was done in Tehran, the capital city of Iran.

Results

Factors affecting dignity were classified as ‘personal factors’ and ‘social factors’. Personal factors consist of the following subcategories: patients’ communication with self, patients’ knowledge, patients’ values and beliefs and patients’ resources. Social factors include others’ communication with patients, social knowledge, social values and beliefs and social resources.

Conclusion

Multiple personal and social factors interfere in perceived patient dignity. In fact, interaction between personal and social factors can be influential in final perceived dignity. By focusing on whole aspects of the patients’ lives, we can identify dignity‐promoting or dignity‐threatening factors and help patients maintain their dignity by taking appropriate measures for moderating threatening factors and improving dignity enhancing ones.
Factors Associated with Achieving Complete Mental Health among Individuals with Lifetime Suicidal Ideation
Authors: Baiden Philip , Fuller‐Thomson Esme
Published: January 2016

The objective of this study was to identify factors associated with complete mental health among Canadians who had ever seriously considered suicide. Data for this study were obtained from Statistics Canada's 2012 Canadian Community Health Survey–Mental Health (N = 2,844). The outcome variable examined in this study was complete mental health and was analyzed using binary logistic regression. Of the 2,844 respondents with lifetime suicidal ideation, 1,088 (38.2%) had complete mental health (i.e., had flourishing mental health, no mental illness, and no suicidal ideation in the past 12 months). Those who had a confidant were seven times more likely to have complete mental health. Other factors associated with achieving complete mental health among formerly suicidal respondents include being older, being a woman, having higher income, use of religious coping, and never previously having a mental illness. Considering the importance of these protective factors in formulating public health policies will allow for a more wide‐reaching approach to suicide prevention.
Assessing the Impact of a Statewide STEM Investment on K–12, Higher Education, and Business/Community STEM Awareness Over Time
Authors: Sondergeld Toni A. , Johnson Carla C. , Walten Janet B.
Published: January 2016

Despite monetary and educational investments in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) being at record high levels, little attention has been devoted to generating a common understanding of STEM. In addition, working with business, K–12 schools, and/or institutions of higher education to establish a grassroots effort to help community members understand the importance of STEM regarding the future prosperity of the United States in general, and specifically the preparedness of children for careers of now and the future, has been nonexistent. The purpose of our study is to assess the impact of a statewide STEM professional development program implemented for two years on STEM awareness over time among various community stakeholders (i.e., K–12 teachers, higher education faculty, and business members). STEM awareness and beliefs about STEM engagement, resources, student preparation, and careers all improved over time for all groups. However, business members had the greatest growth over time and held significantly higher awareness compared with the other groups in most areas. Our findings suggest that a statewide STEM partnership/network model is a viable option for growing collective impact and sustainability of STEM K–12 education.
A Novel Mixing Plane Method Using Nonreflecting Boundary Conditions for Multirow Analysis in Turbomachines
Authors: Gisbert Fernando , Corral Roque
Published: January 2016

A new formulation of the mixing plane boundary condition to analyze the steady-state interaction between adjacent rows of a turbomachine, used in conjunction with steady two-dimensional nonreflecting boundary conditions, is presented. Existing mixing plane formulations rely on the differences between some variables at the interface of adjacent rows to determine the boundary condition. These differences are driven to zero as the case is converged to the steady state. By contrast, the proposed approach determines the differences that result in the conservation of mass, momentum, and energy after the boundary condition is enforced, ensuring conservation at any instant during the iterative process. The reverse flow within the mixing plane boundary is naturally treated, but both inlet and outlet boundary conditions fail when the mixing plane normal velocity tends to zero, giving rise to sharp variations of the fluid variables that must be properly limited to prevent convergence problems. Some examples will be given to demonstrate the ability of the new method to resolve these cases while preserving the boundary condition robustness.
Adaptive Fuzzy Fractional-Order Sliding Mode Controller Design for Antilock Braking Systems
Authors: Tang Yinggan , Wang Ying , Han Mingyu , Lian Qiusheng
Published: January 2016

Antilock braking system (ABS) has been designed to attain maximum negative acceleration and prevent the wheels from locking. Many efforts had been paid to design controller for ABS to improve the brake performance, especially when road condition changes. In this paper, an adaptive fuzzy fractional-order sliding mode controller (AFFOSMC) design method is proposed for ABS. The proposed AFFOSMC combines the fractional-order sliding mode controller (FOSMC) and fuzzy logic controller (FLC). In FOSMC, the sliding surface is PDα, which is based on fractional calculus (FC) and is more robust than conventional sliding mode controllers. The FLC is designed to compensate the effects of parameters varying of ABS. The tuning law of the controller is derived based on Lyapunov theory, and the stability of the system can be guaranteed. Simulation results demonstrate the effectiveness of AFFOSMC for ABS under different road conditions.
A combined time‐of‐flight and depth‐of‐interaction detector for total‐body positron emission tomography
Authors: Berg Eric , Roncali Emilie , Kapusta Maciej , Du Junwei , Cherry Simon R.
Published: January 2016

Purpose:

In support of a project to build a total‐body PET scanner with an axial field‐of‐view of 2 m, the authors are developing simple, cost‐effective block detectors with combined time‐of‐flight (TOF) and depth‐of‐interaction (DOI) capabilities.

Methods:

This work focuses on investigating the potential of phosphor‐coated crystals with conventional PMT‐based block detector readout to provide DOI information while preserving timing resolution. The authors explored a variety of phosphor‐coating configurations with single crystals and crystal arrays. Several pulse shape discrimination techniques were investigated, including decay time, delayed charge integration (DCI), and average signal shapes.

Results:

Pulse shape discrimination based on DCI provided the lowest DOI positioning error: 2 mm DOI positioning error was obtained with single phosphor‐coated crystals while 3–3.5 mm DOI error was measured with the block detector module. Minimal timing resolution degradation was observed with single phosphor‐coated crystals compared to uncoated crystals, and a timing resolution of 442 ps was obtained with phosphor‐coated crystals in the block detector compared to 404 ps without phosphor coating. Flood maps showed a slight degradation in crystal resolvability with phosphor‐coated crystals; however, all crystals could be resolved. Energy resolution was degraded by 3%–7% with phosphor‐coated crystals compared to uncoated crystals.

Conclusions:

These results demonstrate the feasibility of obtaining TOF–DOI capabilities with simple block detector readout using phosphor‐coated crystals.
Cholesterol modulates Orai1 channel function
Authors: Derler Isabella , Jardin Isaac , Stathopulos Peter B. , Muik Martin , Fahrner Marc , Zayats Vasilina , Pandey Saurabh K. , Poteser Michael , Lackner Barbara , Absolonova Marketa , Schindl Rainer , Groschner Klaus , Ettrich Rüdiger , Ikura Mitsu , Romanin Christoph
Published: January 2016

Cholesterol suppresses the activity of a channel needed to refill intracellular calcium stores.
Sustained Nitric Oxide-Releasing Nanoparticles Induce Cell Death in Candida albicans Yeast and Hyphal Cells, Preventing Biofilm Formation
In Vitro
and in a Rodent Central Venous Catheter Model
Authors: Ahmadi Mohammed S. , Lee Hiu Ham , Sanchez David A. , Friedman Adam J. , Tar Moses T. , Davies Kelvin P. , Nosanchuk Joshua D. , Martinez Luis R.
Published: January 2016

Candida albicans
is a leading nosocomial pathogen. Today, candidal biofilms are a significant cause of catheter infections, and such infections are becoming increasingly responsible for the failure of medical-implanted devices.
C. albicans
forms biofilms in which fungal cells are encased in an autoproduced extracellular polysaccharide matrix. Consequently, the enclosed fungi are protected from antimicrobial agents and host cells, providing a unique niche conducive to robust microbial growth and a harbor for recurring infections. Here we demonstrate that a recently developed platform comprised of nanoparticles that release therapeutic levels of nitric oxide (NO-np) inhibits candidal biofilm formation, destroys the extracellular polysaccharide matrices of mature fungal biofilms, and hinders biofilm development on surface biomaterials such as the lumen of catheters. We found NO-np to decrease both the metabolic activity of biofilms and the cell viability of
C. albicans
in vitro
and
in vivo
. Furthermore, flow cytometric analysis found NO-np to induce apoptosis in biofilm yeast cells
in vitro
. Moreover, NO-np behave synergistically when used in combination with established antifungal drug therapies. Here we propose NO-np as a novel treatment modality, especially in combination with standard antifungals, for the prevention and/or remediation of fungal biofilms on central venous catheters and other medical devices.
Small RNA Regulation of TolC, the Outer Membrane Component of Bacterial Multidrug Transporters
Authors: Parker Ashley , Gottesman Susan
Published: January 2016

Bacteria use multidrug efflux pumps to export drugs and toxic compounds out of the cell. One of the most important efflux pumps inEscherichia coliis the AcrAB-TolC system. Small regulatory RNAs (sRNAs) are known to be major posttranscriptional regulators that can enhance or repress translation by binding to the 5′ untranslated region (UTR) of mRNA targets with the help of a chaperone protein, Hfq. In this study, we investigated the expression ofacrA,acrB, andtolCtranslational fusions using 27 Hfq-dependent sRNAs overexpressed from plasmids. No significant sRNA regulation ofacrAoracrBwas detected. SdsR (also known as RyeB), an abundant and well-conserved stationary-phase sRNA, was found to repress the expression oftolC, the gene encoding the outer membrane protein of many multidrug resistance efflux pumps. This repression was shown to be by direct base pairing occurring upstream from the ribosomal binding site. SdsR overexpression and its regulation oftolCwere found to reduce resistance to novobiocin and crystal violet. Our results suggest that additional targets for SdsR exist that contribute to increased antibiotic sensitivity and reduced biofilm formation. In an effort to identify phenotypes associated with single-copy SdsR and its regulation oftolC, the effect of a deletion ofsdsRor mutations intolCthat should block SdsR pairing were investigated using a Biolog phenotypic microarray. However, no significant phenotypes were identified. Therefore, SdsR appears to modulate rather than act as a major regulator of its targets.

IMPORTANCEAcrAB-TolC is a major efflux pump present inE. coliand Gram-negative bacteria used to export toxic compounds; the pump confers resistance to many antibiotics of unrelated classes. In this study, we found that SdsR, a small RNA expressed in stationary phase, repressed the expression oftolC, resulting in increased sensitivity to some antibiotics. This extends the findings of previous studies showing that sRNAs contribute to the regulation of many outer membrane proteins; manipulating or enhancing their action might help in sensitizing bacteria to antibiotics.
Sociodemographic, home environment and parental influences on total and device-specific screen viewing in children aged 2 years and below: an observational study
Authors: Goh Si Ning , Teh Long Hua , Tay Wei Rong , Anantharaman Saradha , Dam Rob M van , Tan Chuen Seng , Chua Hwee Ling , Wong Pey Gein , Müller-Riemenschneider Falk
Published: January 2016

Objective

This study aimed to investigate total and device-specific screen viewing (SV) and its determinants in children aged 2 years and below.

Design

Cross-sectional study conducted in February 2014.

Setting

Well-child clinics in Singapore national polyclinics.

Participants

Parents of children (Singapore citizens or permanent residents) aged 2 years and below were enrolled during routine clinic visits. Out of 794 eligible parent–child dyads, 725 (91.3%) provided informed consent and were included in the analysis.

Main outcome measures

Device-specific information on SV and determinants was ascertained using interviewer-administered survey questionnaires. The prevalence and duration of aggregate and device-specific SV were reported. Associations with potential determinants were investigated using multiple logistic regression analysis. A p value less than 0.05 was considered statistically significant.

Results

The prevalence of daily SV and SV ≥2 h/day constituted 53.5% and 16.3%, respectively. The majority of children aged 18–24 months (88.2%) engaged in daily SV. TVs and mobile devices were the most commonly used screen devices, followed by computers and video consoles. In multivariable analysis, younger child age, Chinese ethnicity and setting rules on time of SV were strongly and consistently associated with lower levels of any SV and SV ≥2 h/day. Parental knowledge of SV recommendations and less parental SV were additionally associated with lower levels of SV ≥2 h/day. The number of screen devices was not associated with children's SV.

Conclusions

In contrast to recommendations, SV prevalence in children aged less than 2 years is high and appears to increase steadily across age groups. TVs and mobile devices are most frequently used. Improving parental knowledge of SV recommendations, reducing parental SV and especially the implementation of strict rules on SV time could be successful strategies to reduce SV in young children.
Mycobacterium kansasii infection in a captive Sichuan takin (Budorcas taxicolortibetana) and a siamang (Hylobates syndactylus) at a zoological facility
Authors: Thompson Kimberly Ann , Campbell Mark , Levens Greg , Lim Ailam , Bolin Steve
Published: January 2016

Mycobacterium kansasii is one of the most significant causes of pulmonary disease due to non‐tuberculous mycobacteria in humans and has been recognised to cause disease in a wide variety of animal species. To the authors’ knowledge, this paper reports the first cases of pulmonary lesions due to M. kansasii in a siamang (Hylobates syndactylus) and a Sichuan takin (Budorcas taxicolor tibetana). In both cases, the animals had a history of a primary chronic disease that may have resulted in altered immune function and contributed to the development of secondary lesions due to M. kansasii. This report describes two cases that occurred at the same zoological facility, on different sides of the park and separated by a six‐year time span.
Recovery of chronically lame dairy cows following treatment for claw horn lesions: a randomised controlled trial
Authors: Thomas H. J. , Remnant J. G. , Bollard N. J. , Burrows A. , Whay H. R. , Bell N. J. , Mason C. , Huxley J. N.
Published: January 2016

A positively controlled, randomised controlled trial (RCT) was undertaken to test recovery of cows with claw horn lesions resulting in lameness of greater than two weeks duration. Cows on seven commercial farms were mobility scored fortnightly and selected by lameness severity and chronicity. Study cows all received a therapeutic trim then random allocation of: no further treatment (trim only (TRM)), plastic shoe (TS) or plastic shoe and NSAID (TSN). Recovery was assessed by mobility score at 42 (±4) days post treatment by an observer blind to treatment group. Multivariable analysis showed no significant effect of treatment with an almost identical, low response rate to treatment across all groups (Percentage non‐lame at outcome: TRM – 15 per cent, TS – 15 per cent, TSN – 16 per cent). When compared with results of a similar RCT on acutely lame cows, where response rates to treatment were substantially higher, it can be concluded that any delay in treatment is likely to reduce the rate of recovery, suggesting early identification and treatment is key. Thirty‐eight per cent of animals treated in this study were lame on the contralateral limb at outcome suggesting that both hindlimbs should be examined and a preventive or if necessary a therapeutic foot trim performed when lameness is identified particularly if the duration of lameness is unknown.
AN ANGLE-EMG BIOMECHANICAL MODEL OF THE HUMAN ELBOW JOINT
Authors: GAO YONGSHENG , WANG SHENGXIN , XIAO FEIYUN , ZHAO JIE
Published: January 2016

The biomechanical model of the human elbow joint is extensively studied. In the model, the surface electromyography (sEMG) is used as the input signal, whereas the muscle force or muscle torque is commonly considered as the output signal. The estimation of the actual muscle force or torque is important to effectively modulate the tremor suppression. However, the measurement of the muscle force or torque in vivo is difficult. In this paper, a new angle-to-EMG biomechanical model of the elbow joint was developed and evaluated by comparing the measured sEMG with the calculated sEMG. Three sources of the sEMG signal, namely, the central nervous system (CNS), the Golgi tendon and the muscle spindle were considered in this model. Furthermore, a local PID algorithm was proposed to describe the impact of the CNS on the motor neuron and the Golgi tendon model was used to transform muscle forces to stimulus signals. The model was calibrated by an improved search procedure combining the Powell search and the direct search to determine optimal model parameters. In the experiment, an sEMG signal acquisition system was established to measure the sEMG signal and the elbow joint angle. The experimental results, the predicted sEMG signal well following the measured sEMG, demonstrated that the calibrated model could be used to estimate in vivo sEMG signals and is beneficial to explore the peripheral neural system and the pathogenesis of tremor.