bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The development of generosity and moral cognition across five cultures
Authors: Cowell Jason M. , Lee Kang , Malcolm‐Smith Susan , Selcuk Bilge , Zhou Xinyue , Decety Jean
Published: May 2016

Morality is an evolved aspect of human nature, yet is heavily influenced by cultural environment. This developmental study adopted an integrative approach by combining measures of socioeconomic status (SES), executive function, affective sharing, empathic concern, theory of mind, and moral judgment in predicting sharing behavior in children (N = 999) from the age of 5 to 12 in five large‐scale societies: Canada, China, Turkey, South Africa, and the USA. Results demonstrate that age, gender, SES, culture, and social cognitive mechanisms explain over 20% of the variance worldwide in children's resource allocation. These findings are discussed in reference to standard cultural comparisons (individualist/collectivist), as well as the degree of market integration, and highlight continuities and discontinuities in children's generosity across urban contexts.
Demographic Change and R&D‐based Economic Growth
Authors: Prettner Klaus , Trimborn Timo
Published: May 2016

In the second half of the 20th century, most industrialized countries experienced declining fertility, rising life expectancy and a slowdown of population growth. Standard models of R&D‐based growth predict that a decline in population growth reduces economic growth. We argue that this implication hinges on the assumption of infinitely lived individuals. The semi‐endogenous growth model with overlapping generations that we propose implies a negative relationship between population growth and economic growth during a substantial part of the transitional dynamics if the decline in population growth is accompanied by an increase in life expectancy as observed in industrialized countries.
A Calcified Amorphous Tumor Originating in the Sinus of Valsalva
Authors: Watanabe Yusuke , Naganuma Toru , Nakao Tatsuya , Nakamura Sunao
Published: May 2016

An 81‐year‐old male with end‐stage renal disease undergoing hemodialysis was admitted to our hospital for congestive heart failure secondary to severe aortic stenosis. Transesophageal echocardiography revealed a 15.3 × 9.9 mm calcified mass in the sinus of Valsalva. The tumor was diagnosed as a calcified amorphous tumor (CAT) by histologic examination. This is the first report of a CAT that originated in the sinus of Valsalva.
THE EFFECTS OF FINANCIAL AND RECOGNITION INCENTIVES ACROSS WORK CONTEXTS: THE ROLE OF MEANING
Authors: Kosfeld Michael , Neckermann Susanne , Yang Xiaolan
Published: May 2016

We manipulate workers' perceived meaning of a job in a field experiment and interact meaning of work with both financial and recognition incentives. Results show that workers exert more effort when meaning is high. Money has a positive effect on performance that is independent of meaning. In contrast, meaning and recognition interact negatively. Our results provide new insights into the stability of incentive effects across important work contexts. They also suggest that meaning and worker recognition may operate via the same motivational channel. (JEL C93, J33, M12, M52)
Evidence‐based dentistry for planning restorative treatments: barriers and potential solutions
Authors: Afrashtehfar K. I. , Eimar H. , Yassine R. , Abi‐Nader S. , Tamimi F.
Published: May 2016

Introduction

Evidence‐based dentistry (EBD) can help provide the best treatment option for every patient, however, its implementation in restorative dentistry is very limited.

Objective

This study aimed at assessing the barriers preventing the implementation of EBD among dental undergraduate and graduate students in Montreal, and explore possible solutions to overcome these barriers.

Materials and methods

A cross‐sectional survey was conducted by means of a paper format self‐administrated questionnaire distributed among dental students. The survey assessed the barriers and potential solutions for implementation of an evidence‐based practice.

Results

Sixty‐one students completed the questionnaire. Forty‐one percent of respondents found evidence‐based literature to be the most reliable source of information for restorative treatment planning, however, only 16% used it. They considered that finding reliable information was difficult and they sometimes encountered conflicting information when consulting different sources. Dental students had positive attitudes towards the need for better access to evidence‐based literature to assist learning and decision making in restorative treatment planning and to improve treatment outcomes. Even for dentists trained in EBD, online searching takes too much time, and even though it can provide information of better quality than personal intuition, it might not be enough to identify the best available evidence.

Conclusions

Even though dental students are aware of the importance of EBD in restorative dentistry they rarely apply the concept, mainly due to time constraints. For this reason, implementation of EBD would probably require faster access to evidence‐based knowledge.
Tree diversity, tree height and environmental harshness in eastern and western North America
Authors: Marks Christian O. , Muller‐Landau Helene C. , Tilman David
Published: May 2016

Does variation in environmental harshness explain local and regional species diversity gradients? We hypothesise that for a given life form like trees, greater harshness leads to a smaller range of traits that are viable and thereby also to lower species diversity. On the basis of a strong dependence of maximum tree height on site productivity and other measures of site quality, we propose maximum tree height as an inverse measure of environmental harshness for trees. Our results show that tree species richness is strongly positively correlated with maximum tree height across multiple spatial scales in forests of both eastern and western North America. Maximum tree height co‐varied with species richness along gradients from benign to harsh environmental conditions, which supports the hypothesis that harshness may be a general mechanism limiting local diversity and explaining diversity gradients within a biogeographic region.
Using CRISPR/Cas to study gene function and model disease in vivo
Authors: Tschaharganeh Darjus F. , Lowe Scott W. , Garippa Ralph J. , Livshits Geulah
Published: May 2016

The recent discovery of the CRISPR/Cas system and repurposing of this technology to edit a variety of different genomes have revolutionized an array of scientific fields, from genetics and translational research, to agriculture and bioproduction. In particular, the prospect of rapid and precise genome editing in laboratory animals by CRISPR/Cas has generated an immense interest in the scientific community. Here we review current in vivo applications of CRISPR/Cas and how this technology can improve our knowledge of gene function and our understanding of biological processes in animal models.
Precise and Accurate Doping of Nanoporous Silica Gel for the Synthesis of Trace Element Microanalytical Reference Materials
Authors: Nachlas William O.
Published: May 2016

This study presents an experimental procedure to fabricate high‐purity silica glass containing a selected element at a specified mass fraction. The procedure was used to prepare glasses doped with trace‐level mass fractions of Ti with the goal of improving analytical confidence when measuring trace elements in quartz. Systematic tests were performed to determine the ideal conditions and procedures for doping nanoporous silica gel with the highest efficiency of dopant recovery. Silica gel was cleaned in concentrated HCl, immersed in a non‐polar doping medium at a controlled pH and doped with precise quantities of ICP‐MS standard solution. Using liquids composed of longer chain molecules as the doping medium diminishes recovery, suggesting that large molecules could obstruct nanopores to inhibit capillary uptake of the dopant. A control experiment using crystalline quartz reinforced the effectiveness of nanoporous silica gel for doping with trace‐level precision. Layered aggregates of silica gel doped with different Ti mass fractions were hot‐pressed to create multi‐layered reference materials that were analysed with multiple techniques at a variety of spatial scales. Analyses at the intra‐grain scale (cathodoluminescence scanning electron microscopy, electron probe microanalysis), at the single grain scale (SIMS), at the sample layer scale (EPMA, laser ablation‐ICP‐MS) and at the bulk scale (ICP‐OES) demonstrated acceptable homogeneity at sample volumes characteristic of most microanalysis techniques and show that nanoporous silica gel holds promise as a highly retentive doping substrate for preparing reference materials for laser‐, electron‐ and ion‐beam microanalysis.
Applicant Reactions to Selection Events: Four studies into the role of attributional style and fairness perceptions
Authors: Schinkel Sonja , van Vianen Annelies E. M. , Marie Ryan Ann
Published: May 2016

In four studies, applicants’ (N = 478) organizational attractiveness perceptions and recommendation intentions following selection outcomes were measured. In three field studies, actual applicants’ perceptions were measured in authentic, high‐stakes application contexts, both preprocedure and postoutcome. A fourth, hypothetical, study was added to increase internal validity. Consistent positive relationships between procedural fairness and reactions were found. Further, attributional style moderated the distributive fairness–attractiveness relationship in the field studies, but not in the laboratory study. In general, optimistically attributing applicants reported higher organization attraction than less optimistic individuals when the outcome was perceived as fair, but lower attraction when the outcome was perceived as unfair. For recommendation intentions, results were less consistent. Implications for future research and practice are discussed.
Shocks and Spatial Regime Fades in Spain's International Migration Distribution
Authors: Duque Juan C. , Hierro María
Published: May 2016

Using an exploratory space‐time analysis called spMorph, this article explores how the spatial distribution of international migration across the Spanish provinces has evolved over the period 1998‐2010. The chief advantage of this approach is that it permits the unambiguous identification of two key components in a spatial redistribution process, namely the shocks to the spatial distribution and the duration of regime fades. The results of the analysis show that administrative regions do not provide a reliable picture of the real dynamics in Spain's international migration distribution. In addition, the identification of two spatial shocks reveals the existence of three spatial regimes that consistently characterize the various phases that international migration has been through since the late 1990s.
Transient activation of mucosal effector immune responses by resident intestinal bacteria in normal hosts is regulated by interleukin‐10 signalling
Authors: Wu Cong , Sartor R. Balfour , Huang Kehe , Tonkonogy Susan L.
Published: May 2016

Interleukin‐10 (IL‐10) is a key regulator of mucosal homeostasis. In the current study we investigated the early events after monoassociating germ‐free (GF) wild‐type (WT) mice with an Escherichia coli strain that we isolated previously from the caecal contents of a normal mouse housed under specific pathogen‐free conditions. Our results show that interferon‐γ (IFN‐γ) secreted by mesenteric lymph node (MLN) cells from both IL‐10 deficient mice and WT mice, stimulated ex vivo with E. coli lysate, was dramatically higher at day 4 after monoassociation compared with IFN‐γ secreted by cells from GF mice without E. coli colonization. Production of IFN‐γ rapidly and progressively declined after colonization of WT but not IL‐10‐deficient mice. The E. coli lysate‐stimulated WT MLN cells also produced IL‐10 that peaked at day 4 and subsequently declined, but not as precipitously as IFN‐γ. WT cells that express CD4, CD8 and NKp46 produced IFN‐γ; WT CD4‐positive cells and B cells produced IL‐10. Recombinant IL‐10 added to E. coli‐stimulated MLN cell cultures inhibited IFN‐γ secretion in a dose‐dependent fashion. MLN cells from WT mice treated in vivo with neutralizing anti‐IL‐10 receptor antibody produced more IFN‐γ compared with MLN cells from isotype control antibody‐treated mice. These findings show that a resident E. coli that induces chronic colitis in monoassociated IL‐10‐deficient mice rapidly but transiently activates the effector immune system in normal hosts, in parallel with induction of protective IL‐10 produced by B cells and CD4+ cells that subsequently suppresses this response to mediate mucosal homeostasis.
Linear programing relaxations for a strategic pricing problem in electricity markets
Authors: Fampa Marcia , Pimentel Wagner
Published: May 2016

Strategic bidding problems in energy markets have been vastly studied in the literature due to their economic importance and mathematical difficulty. In this paper, we consider this problem under the natural uncertainty associated to the competitors' bids and the system demand, and formulate it as a nonconvex quadratically constrained quadratic program. In order to solve this nonconvex maximization problem or to evaluate the quality of heuristic solutions, it is important to know good upper bounds to its optimal value. With this goal, we apply a cutting plane algorithm (CPA) to solve an extended linear relaxation of the problem, which is an outer approximation of a semidefinite relaxation. Valid inequalities are added to an initial linear relaxation at each iteration of the CPA improving the bound computed, including inequalities derived from reformulation linearization techniques (RLTs) and semidefinite programing (SDP) cuts that enforce the positive semidefiniteness of the matrix variable. SDP cuts are well known to considerably delay the solution of the relaxation because of their density, and therefore, we apply a sparsification procedure for the cuts, introduced by Margot et al. in . We propose a modification to the algorithm in Margot et al. to better control the density of the SDP cuts; and after tuning the parameters of our algorithm, we show the trade‐off between the bounds and the density of the cuts for test instances derived from the Brazilian electric system.
A rare case of primary necrotising fasciitis of the breast: combined use of hyperbaric oxygen and negative pressure wound therapy to conserve the breast. Review of literature
Authors: Marongiu Francesco , Buggi Federico , Mingozzi Matteo , Curcio Annalisa , Folli Secondo
Published: May 2016

Necrotising fasciitis is a rare but potentially fatal disease. It is even more unusual as a primary disease of the breast. Surgical treatment is required in order to gain control over the spreading infection and mastectomy is reported to be the most common procedure. We report the first case of an otherwise healthy woman exhibiting a primary necrotising fasciitis of the breast, which was treated combining conservative surgery with hyperbaric oxygen (HO) and negative pressure wound therapy (NPWT). A 39‐year‐old woman presented to the emergency room with fever and swelling of her right breast. The physical examination showed oedema and erythema of the breast, with bluish blisters on the lower quadrant. Ultrasound and CT scans showed diffuse oedema of the entire right breast, with subdermal gas bubbles extending to the fascial planes. Few hours later the necrotic area extended regardless an IV antibiotic therapy; a selective debridement of all breast necrotic tissue was performed and repeated 7 days later. The HO was started immediately after the first surgery and repeated daily (2·8 Bar, 120 min) for 18 days and then a NPWT (120–135 mmHg) was applied. Forty‐five days after the last debridement, the breast wound was covered with a full‐thickness skin graft. Several months later, an excellent cosmetic result was observed. This is the first case of primary necrotising fasciitis of the breast treated associating HO and NPWT to surgical debridement only; this combination resulted in a complete recovery with the additional benefit of breast conservation. Such result is discussed in light of the available literature on the treatment of primary necrotising fasciitis of the breast.
Retrospective study of experience of craniofacial reconstruction
Authors: Chen Baoguo , Gao Quanwen , Song Huifeng , Xu Minghuo
Published: May 2016

Reconstruction is a basic task in craniofacial plastic surgery. Different methods must be used to meet the aspirations of surgeons and patients with different defects and deformities. We make a retrospective study of our experience of craniofacial reconstruction. In accordance with 10 years' clinical experience, direct suturing, skin graft transfer, nerve anastomosis, expanded pedicled or random flaps, facial local random flaps, reduction of mandibular fracture and correction of congenital craniofacial deformities were included in this case series. These types of treatment were applied to reconstruct facial defects or deformities according to different circumstances of patients. Directed by rational design and treatment, reconstructive surgery can be executed to treat different cases with different circumstances. A total of 891 different cases with different facial circumstances were treated with different methods: direct suturing (n = 93), skin graft transfer(n = 104), nerve anastomosis (n = 38), expanded pedicled or random flaps(n = 310), facial local random or pedicled flaps(n = 231), reduction of mandibular fracture(n = 112) and correction of congenital craniofacial deformities(n = 13). Reconstructive technique must be directed by reliable methods and special guidelines in Plastic Surgery. Three guidelines are summarised: reconstruction in the first stage and returning injured tissue to its origin site as far as possible for traumatic events; adjacent tissue must be prior to other distant tissue for reconstructive choice; and reconstruction at different stages after careful design.
Alternative Thawing Methods for the Blanched/Non‐Blanched Potato Cubes: Microwave, Ohmic, and Carbon Fiber Plate Assisted Cabin Thawing
Authors: Icier Filiz , Cokgezme Omer Faruk , Sabanci Serdal
Published: May 2016

The effects of conventional‐C, carbon fiber plate assisted cabinet heater‐CPAC, ohmic‐OT, and microwave thawing‐MT techniques on changes of some quality characteristics and resistant starch (RS) content of potato (Solanum tuberosumL.) cubes (18 × 18 × 18 mm) were investigated. The effects of blanching prior to the freezing on thawing characteristics were also determined. The thawing times of non‐blanched samples were determined as 23,580 ± 485 s, 5360 ± 40 s, 205 ± 18.25 s and 19.26 ± 1.49 s for conventional, CPAC, OT, and MT methods, respectively. The blanching process increased the thawing times in general. OT and CPAC thawing methods served lower RS content for thawed potato samples. The potato cubes thawed by OT and MT were softer than C and CPAC thawed potato cubes (P < 0.05). The highest color change was found for MT of blanched samples and conventional thawing of non‐blanched samples. The electrical methods could be alternative thawing methods in terms of providing shorter thawing times and desirable changes on some quality characteristics.

Practical Applications

The conventional thawing of high amount of frozen food products have posed a problem for catering industry. The long thawing time, drip loss issues, quality loses and possible microbial spoilage are lacks of conventional thawing method. The electroheating methods such as ohmic, microwave and unique carbon fiber plate assisted cabinet heating were employed as alternative thawing techniques. Thawing time of potato cubes were shortened and quality characteristics, such as drip loss, texture profile, color properties and resistant starch (RS), were improved by novel thawing methods. The obtained results reveal that the application of alternative thawing methods may lead to decreasing of the operating cost due to shorter process time and minimizing the changes in color, texture and nutritional compounds.
Midwifing the End of Life: Expanding the Scope of Modern Midwifery Practice to Reclaim Palliative Care
Authors: Van Hoover Cheri , Holt Lisa
Published: May 2016

Historically, midwives held an important role in society as cradle‐to‐grave practitioners who eased individuals, families, and communities through difficult transitions across the life span. In the United States, during the first half of the 20th century, physicians assumed care for people during birth and death, moving these elements of the human experience from homes into the hospital setting. These changes in practice resulted in a dehumanization of birth and death experiences and led to detachment from what it means to be human among members of society. There is a current movement across the United States to incorporate palliative care and hospice care into both the home setting and the inpatient setting. Through their education and training, certified nurse‐midwives/certified midwives (CNMs/CMs) are well equipped to serve as hospice and palliative care clinicians. Current midwives, skilled in assisting women and families through the transition of pregnancy to motherhood, can use their education and skills to help individuals and their families through the transition from life to death. The similarities between these states of the human experience (pregnancy to birth and terminal illness to death) allow for a fluidity between these experiences from the midwife perspective. The many parallels between these 2 elements of the human condition include stress, anxiety, and pain. Training in holistic approaches to symptom management and supporting individuals through difficult experiences (eg, birth) gives midwives a unique perspective that is readily translatable to assist individuals and families through the passage between life and death.
Preconception Care Resources: Where to Start
Authors: Nobles‐Botkin Jill , Lincoln Alicia , Cline Janette
Published: May 2016

Preconception health care and reproductive life planning are essential to improving women's health and reducing poor birth outcomes. Preconception health care and education provide opportunities to identify risk factors related to family health history, preexisting medical conditions, body weight, nutrition, physical activity, and immunization status. Modifiable risk factors can be mitigated, thereby improving the health of a woman before she becomes pregnant. Preconception health covers a broad range of topics and may be difficult to incorporate into the busy schedules of health care providers. National and state resources have been developed to help health care providers assist women and men of reproductive age (including adolescents) in developing a reproductive life plan, identifying risk factors for adverse pregnancy outcomes, and providing education and resources to assist in addressing risk factors prior to pregnancy. The current amount of literature available on preconception and interconception health can be overwhelming. This article presents some key screening tools and resources that are available to assist busy health care providers and staff. Some of these resources can be obtained at little or no cost and tailored to individual practices.
The Roles of Racial Discrimination, Cultural Mistrust, and Gender in Latina/o Youth's School Attitudes and Academic Achievement
Authors: Cooper Adina C. , Sánchez Bernadette
Published: May 2016

Gender gaps in achievement are particularly pronounced among Latina/os, who are among the population most affected by the academic achievement gap. This study examined the roles of racial discrimination, cultural mistrust, and economic value of education in the academic achievement of urban, low‐income Latina/o adolescents. Participants were 346 high school students. Structural equation modeling revealed that the model of associations was a better fit for male students than for female students. Cultural mistrust mediated the relationship between racial discrimination and values of education, and perceived limitations of education predicted lower attendance rates for male students but not for female students. Implications for future research and interventions are discussed.
CIE Libraries Supporting the Development of Psychology During the Allied Occupation in Japan (1945–1952)
Authors: Suzuki Tomoko , Arakawa Ayumu , Koizumi Shinichi , Takasuna Miki
Published: May 2016

During the Allied occupation of Japan after the Second World War, the Civil Information and Educational Section (CIE) Libraries played an important role in providing new foreign books and journals in the field of psychology. This paper first gives an overview of the history of psychology in Japan around the time of the Second World War. Subsequently, important excerpts from an oral history with Japanese psychologists are presented. Finally, based on information from this oral history, a survey of the books on psychology in the CIE Yokohama Library was conducted. Results of the survey indicate that CIE Libraries offered foreign books on topics in applied psychology, such as clinical psychology. The opportunities provided by this library had a profound impact on psychological study and practice in Japan. As many materials from this period are missing, including all books and journals from the CIE Hibiya Library, further research should include oral history from psychologists who visited these libraries.
Short‐term outcome and complications of TPLO using anatomically contoured locking compression plates in small/medium‐breed dogs with “excessive” tibial plateau angle
Authors: Barnes D. C. , Trinterud T. , Owen M. R. , Bush M. A.
Published: May 2016

OBJECTIVES

To report short‐term radiographic and clinical outcome and complications following tibial plateau levelling osteotomy for the treatment of cranial cruciate ligament insufficiency in dogs less than 18·1 kg with tibial plateau angle greater than 35° using anatomically contoured six‐hole locking compression plates.

METHODS

Retrospective data were collected on: preoperative, postoperative and follow‐up tibial plateau angles, plateau segment rotation, tibial tuberosity width and length of the cranial aspect of tibial tuberosity segment from the patellar tendon insertion and rotation of the tibial plateau below the level of the insertion of the patellar ligament.

RESULTS

In 26 small dogs (29 stifles in total), mean preoperative, postoperative and follow‐up tibial plateau angles were 38·2°, 4·8°, and 4·4°, respectively. Documented postoperative complications were limited to patellar tendinopathy in a single case (3·4%) and tibial tuberosity or fibula fracture were not observed.

CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE

Short‐term radiographic and clinical outcome of tibial plateau levelling osteotomy stabilised with anatomically contoured six‐hole locking compression plates for the treatment of small dogs with large tibial plateau angle suggests a very low risk of complications. Rotation beyond the “safe point” is necessary to perform full rotation in some cases, but does not appear to incur an increased risk of tibial tuberosity fracture.
Sleep physiology predicts memory retention after reactivation
Authors: Macdonald Kevin J. , Cote Kimberly A.
Published: May 2016

Both sleep and future relevance influence memory consolidation; however, limited research has investigated their role in memory reconsolidation. We manipulated the future relevance of both stable and labile memories in need of reconsolidation. Two groups learned two blocks of syllable pairs on one evening and were told they would be tested on one of the blocks later. On the second evening, one group (Labile) received reminders designed to return their memories of syllable pairs to a labile state, while a second group (Stable) received reminders designed to leave these memories in a stable state. No significant differences in memory retention were found between blocks or groups the following morning. Frontal delta (0.5–4 Hz) electroencephalographic power during Stage 2 sleep correlated positively with retention of future‐relevant material exclusively in the Labile group. Central theta (4–8 Hz) electroencephalographic power during rapid eye movement (REM) sleep correlated positively with the extent to which the Labile group selectively retained future‐relevant material. These relationships suggest that sleep‐dependent processes are involved in an economical reprocessing of memories beyond the initial stages of consolidation.
Perfusion and Volume Response of Canine Brain Tumors to Stereotactic Radiosurgery and Radiotherapy
Authors: Zwingenberger A.L. , Pollard R.E. , Taylor S.L. , Chen R.X. , Nunley J. , Kent M.S.
Published: May 2016

Background

Stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS) and stereotactic radiotherapy (SRT) are highly conformal, high‐dose radiation treatment techniques used to treat people and dogs with brain tumors.

Objectives

To evaluate the response toSRS‐ andSRT‐treated tumors using volume and perfusion variables and to measure the survival times of affected dogs.

Animals

Prospective study of 34 dogs with evidence of brain tumors undergoing stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS) or stereotactic radiotherapy (SRT).

Methods

Computed tomography andMRIimaging were used to calculate tumor volume and perfusion at baseline, and at 3 months and 6 months after treatment. Survival analysis was performed to evaluate treatment efficacy.

Results

Mean tumor volume significantly declined from baseline to the first recheck by −0.826 cm3(95%CI: −1.165, −0.487) (P < .001); this reduction was maintained at the second recheck. Blood flow and blood volume declined significantly in the tumor after treatment. Median survival was 324 days (95%CI: 292.8, 419.4), and 4 dogs survived longer than 650 days. Neither actual tumor volume (hazard ratio = 1.21,P = .19) nor the change in tumor volume from the baseline (hazard ratio = 1.38,P = .12) significantly affected the hazard of death because of the tumor.

Conclusions and Clinical Importance

Stereotactic radiosurgery andSRTare effective treatments for reducing tumor volume, blood flow, and blood volume. Treated dogs surviving for more than 1 year are more likely to die from other causes than of their primary brain tumor.SRSandSRTshould be considered for noninvasive treatment of intracranial brain tumors.
Function, expression, specificity, diversity and incompatibility of actinobacteriophage parABS systems
Authors: Dedrick Rebekah M. , Mavrich Travis N. , Ng Wei L. , Cervantes Reyes Juan C. , Olm Matthew R. , Rush Rachael E. , Jacobs‐Sera Deborah , Russell Daniel A. , Hatfull Graham F.
Published: May 2016

More than 180 individual phages infecting hosts in the phylum Actinobacteria have been sequenced and grouped into Cluster A because of their similar overall nucleotide sequences and genome architectures. These Cluster A phages are either temperate or derivatives of temperate parents, and most have an integration cassette near the centre of the genome containing an integrase gene and attP. However, about 20% of the phages lack an integration cassette, which is replaced by a 1.4 kbp segment with predicted partitioning functions, including plasmid‐like parA and parB genes. Phage RedRock forms stable lysogens in Mycobacterium smegmatis in which the prophage replicates at 2.4 copies/chromosome and the partitioning system confers prophage maintenance. The parAB genes are expressed upon RedRock infection of M. smegmatis, but are downregulated once lysogeny is established by binding of RedRock ParB to parS‐L, one of two centromere‐like sites flanking the parAB genes. The RedRock parS‐L and parS‐R sites are composed of eight directly repeated copies of an 8 bp motif that is recognized by ParB. The actinobacteriophage parABS cassettes span considerable sequence diversity and specificity, providing a suite of tools for use in mycobacterial genetics.
Prolonged QT interval is linked to all‐cause and cardiac mortality in chronic peritoneal dialysis patients
Authors: Kuo Huey‐Liang , Liu Yao‐Lung , Liang Chih‐Chia , Chang Chiz‐Tzung , Wang Su‐Ming , Liu Jiung‐Hsiun , Lin Hsin‐Hung , Wang I‐Kuan , Yang Ya‐Fei , Chou Che‐Yi , Huang Chiu‐Ching
Published: May 2016

Aim

Prolonged QT interval is related to changes of electrolytes in haemodialysis (HD) and is associated with all‐cause mortality in HD patients. It is unknown if prolonged QT interval is associated with all‐cause mortality in peritoneal dialysis (PD) patients as the electrolytes were relatively stable in PD. We therefore investigated the association of prolonged QT interval and all‐cause mortality in chronic PD patients.

Methods

The QT intervals were measured in 2003 and all patients were followed to December 2012. A prolonged QT interval was defined as a QT interval > 450 ms. The association of prolonged QT interval with all‐cause and cardiac‐specific mortality was analyzed using Cox regression and Kaplan–Meier analysis.

Results

Of 306 patients, 196 (64%) patients had prolonged QT interval. The incidence density rate was 9.7 per 100 persons‐years for all‐cause mortality and 5.6 for cardiac specific mortality in patients with prolonged QT interval. Prolonged QT interval was associated with all‐cause mortality with a hazard ratio (HR) of 1.59 (95% confidence interval (CI): 1.06–2.39, P = 0.03] and cardiac mortality (HR: 1.66, 95% CI: 1.00–2.78, P = 0.05) with adjustments for age, gender, diabetes, and vintage of dialysis. Longer QT interval (>500 ms, 450–500 ms, and < 450 ms) was significantly associated with a worse overall survival (P = 0.03, log‐rank test) and cardiac mortality free survival (P = 0.05, log‐rank test).

Conclusions

Prolonged QT interval was associated with all‐cause and cardiac mortality in patients on peritoneal dialysis. The association is independent of patient's age and diabetes.
Severe infections in patients with lupus nephritis treated with immunosuppressants: A retrospective cohort study
Authors: Lim Cynthia C , Liu Pei Yun , Tan Hui Zhuan , Lee Peishan , Chin Yok Mooi , Mok Irene YJ , Chan Choong Meng , Choo Jason CJ
Published: May 2016

Aim

Lupus nephritis (LN) is associated with significant morbidity and mortality and hence usually treated aggressively with immunosuppressants. This predisposes LN patients to increased infections, yet few studies have evaluated LN patients for infective complications. We aimed to describe the epidemiology and identify risk factors for infections requiring hospitalization among patients with biopsy‐proven LN.

Methods

This was a single‐centre retrospective cohort study of patients with biopsy‐proven LN between 1 January 2000 and 31 May 2009. Patients were excluded if they were <16 years old at time of biopsy, had previous kidney transplant or if pharmacotherapy data were incomplete. Hospitalizations for infections, bacteraemia and polymicrobial infections were recorded until patients’ last visit or when they received immunosuppression for non‐glomerulonephritis indications, such as solid organ transplant or chemotherapy.

Results

We studied 189 patients who had biopsy‐proven lupus nephritis. Median age at diagnosis was 36.9 (IQR: 27.4, 47.5) years and 82% were female. Most patients received at least one immunosuppressant after LN diagnosis, including glucocorticosteroids in 94.2%. One hundred and four patients (60.3%) had at least one hospitalization for infection at 11 (1, 53) months from diagnosis. Bacteraemia occurred in 26 patients (13.8%) and 32 patients (16.9%) had polymicrobial infections. On multivariate analysis, LN relapse was associated with hospitalization for infection (OR 2.33 (1.18, 4.60), P = 0.01) and bacteraemia (OR 3.47 (1.05, 11.45), P = 0.04). Infection‐related mortality occurred in 10 patients (5.3%).

Conclusion

Serious infections are common among patients with LN and are associated with mortality.
The emancipatory potential of nursing practice in relation to sexuality: a systematic literature review of nursing research 2009–2014
Authors: Macleod Catriona , Nhamo‐Murire Mercy
Published: May 2016

Nurses play a key role in the provision of services in relation to sexuality in both primary and sexual and reproductive health‐care. Given the intersection of sexualities with a range of social injustices, this study reviews research on nursing practice concerning sexuality from an emancipatory/social justice perspective. A systematic review of English articles published in nursing journals appearing on the Web of Science database from 2009 to 2014 was conducted. Thirty‐eight articles met the inclusion criteria. Analysis consisted of a descriptive phase (types and location of studies, aspects of sexualities focused on, target health users and aspects of nursing practice focused on) and a critical/emancipatory phase. In terms of practice, our analysis revealed that: barriers exist to the integration of issues relating to sexuality in nursing practice; the social location of nurses and their personal feelings regarding sexuality influence their practice; content that addresses gendered norms and media that assist in communication underpin some emancipatory practices. Few studies locate analyses of nursing practice within gendered, cultural and social norms; consider advocacy as part of the practice of nurses; or analyse the promotion of health user participation in health services and structures. The implications for emancipatory practice are drawn out.
Maternal vitamin D status and childhood asthma, wheeze, and eczema: A systematic review and meta‐analysis
Authors: Wei Zhenzhen , Zhang Jun , Yu Xiaodan
Published: May 2016

Background

Maternal vitamin D status has been reported to be associated with childhood allergic diseases. However, this association remains to be fully elucidated.

Methods

A systematic review and meta‐analysis was conducted using prospective cohort studies that examined the association between maternal vitamin D status and childhood allergic diseases including wheeze, eczema and asthma. We searched electronic databases of PubMed, EMBASE, the Cochrane library, the Wanfang (Chinese) database, the VIP (Chinese) database, and Chinese National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI) up to August 2014. Odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) from individual studies were synthesized using a fixed effects model.

Results

Four studies on the association between maternal vitamin D status and childhood asthma (3666 mother‐child pairs), four studies on the association between maternal vitamin D status and childhood wheeze (2225 mother‐child pairs) and three papers on the association between maternal vitamin D status and childhood eczema (2172 mother‐child pairs) met our inclusion criteria. Maternal vitamin D status during pregnancy was associated with childhood eczema (pooled OR=0.904, 95% CI=0.831‐0.983). However, the meta‐analysis showed no statistical association between maternal vitamin D status and childhood asthma (pooled OR=0.981, 95% CI=0.944‐1.019) or childhood wheeze (pooled OR=0.995, 95% CI=0.982‐1.009).

Conclusions

Our meta‐analysis found that lower maternal vitamin D during pregnancy was associated with an increased risk of childhood eczema but was not associated with childhood asthma or wheeze. The role of maternal vitamin D as an important protective factor for the development of childhood eczema remains to be elucidated.
The Social Structure of Political Echo Chambers: Variation in Ideological Homophily in Online Networks
Authors: Boutyline Andrei , Willer Robb
Published: May 2016

We predict that people with different political orientations will exhibit systematically different levels of political homophily, the tendency to associate with others similar to oneself in political ideology. Research on personality differences across the political spectrum finds that both more conservative and more politically extreme individuals tend to exhibit greater orientations towards cognitive stability, clarity, and familiarity. We reason that such a “preference for certainty” may make these individuals more inclined to seek out the company of those who reaffirm, rather than challenge, their views. Since survey studies of political homophily face well‐documented methodological challenges, we instead test this proposition on a large sample of politically engaged users of the social‐networking platform Twitter, whose ideologies we infer from the politicians and policy nonprofits they follow. As predicted, we find that both more extreme and more conservative individuals tend to be more homophilous than more liberal and more moderate ones.
The effect of polar auxin transport on adventitious branches formation in Gracilaria lichenoides in vitro
Authors: Wang Wenlei , Li Huanqin , Lin Xiangzhi , Zhang Fang , Fang Baishan , Wang Zhaokai
Published: May 2016

Seaweed tissue culture (STC) is an important micropropagation tool that has been applied for strain improvement, micropropagation and genetic engineering. Because the mechanisms associated with STC are poorly understood, its application to these organisms lags far behind that of tissue culture propagation of higher plants. Auxin, calcium (Ca2+) and hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) fluxes all play key roles during plant growth and development. In this study, we therefore measured indole‐3‐acetic acid, Ca2+ and H2O2 fluxes of Gracilaria lichenoides explants during adventitious branches (ABs) formation for the first time using noninvasive micro‐test technology. We confirmed that polar auxin transport (PAT) also occurs in the marine red alga G. lichenoides. We additionally found that N‐1‐naphthylphthalamic acid may suppress auxin efflux via ABCB1 transporters and then inhibit ABs formation from the apical region of G. lichenoides segments. The involvement of Ca2+ and H2O2 fluxes in PAT‐mediated AB formation in G. lichenoides was also investigated. We propose that complex feedback among Ca2+, H2O2 and auxin signaling and response systems may occur during ABs polar formation in G. lichenoides explants, similar to that in higher plants. Our results provide innovative insights that should aid future elucidation of mechanisms operative during STC.
Tackling Non-Ignorable Dropout in the Presence of Time Varying Confounding
Authors: Doretti Marco , Geneletti Sara , Stanghellini Elena
Published: May 2016

We explore the sensitivity of time varying confounding adjusted estimates to different dropout mechanisms. We extend the Heckman correction to two time points and explore selection models to investigate situations where the dropout process is driven by unobserved variables and the outcome respectively. The analysis is embedded in a Bayesian framework which provides several advantages. These include fitting a hierarchical structure to processes that repeat over time and avoiding exclusion restrictions in the case of the Heckman correction. We adopt the decision theoretic approach to causal inference which makes explicit the no-regime-dropout dependence assumption. We apply our methods to data from the ‘Counterweight programme’ pilot: a UK protocol to address obesity in primary care. A simulation study is also implemented.
Does Peacetime Military Service Affect Crime?
Authors: Albæk Karsten , Leth‐Petersen Søren , le Maire Daniel , Tranæs Torben
Published: May 2016

Draft lottery data combined with Danish longitudinal administrative records show that military service can reduce criminal activity for youth offenders. For this group, property crime is reduced, and our results indicate that the effect is unlikely to be the result of incapacitation only. We find no effect of military service on violent crime, on educational attainment, or on employment and earnings, either in the short run or in the long run. These results suggest that military service does not upgrade productive human capital directly, but rather affects criminal activity through other channels (e.g., by changing attitudes to criminal activity).
Compliance with Endogenous Audit Probabilities
Authors: Konrad Kai A. , Lohse Tim , Qari Salmai
Published: May 2016

In this paper, we study the effect of endogenous audit probabilities on reporting behavior in a face‐to‐face compliance situation, such as at customs. In an experimental setting in which underreporting has a higher expected payoff than truthful reporting, we find an increase in compliance of about 80 percent if subjects have reason to believe that their behavior towards an officer influences their endogenous audit probability. Higher compliance is driven by considerations about how their own appearance and performance affect their audit probability, rather than by the social and psychological effects of face‐to‐face contact.
A Review of the Literature on Honor‐based Violence
Authors: Mayeda David Tokiharu , Vijaykumar Raagini
Published: May 2016

Honor‐based violence (HBV) is a serious concern for women and girls from particular ethnic backgrounds. Unfortunately, while the sociology discipline pays significant attention to gender‐based violence in western contexts, HBV is a topic under‐studied in the field. This article reviews the literature on HBV, typically coming from social work, cultural studies, and feminist studies, and focuses on the phenomena's link to notions of masculinity and femininity, its collective nature, and the ways an Orientalist discourse has developed in western regions that address HBV. The article closes by identifying gaps in the existing literature, and offers suggestions for future directions.
What's Trust Got to Do With It? The Effects of In‐Group and Out‐Group Trust on Conventional and Unconventional Political Participation*
Authors: Crepaz Markus M. L. , Jazayeri Karen Bodnaruk , Polk Jonathan
Published: May 2016

Objective

This article explores whether there is a systematic variation in conventional and unconventional political participation as a function of in‐group versus out‐group trust. We postulate that the narrower the moral community is, the more political participation is restricted to conventional activity that is perceived as an obligation, as a political act to be fulfilled, something akin to citizenship duty. However, individuals with high levels of out‐group trust—trust in people who are different or unknown—are more likely to participate in unconventional political activities that are public in nature and transcend concepts of duty, citizenship, or nation.

Methods

To obtain measures of in‐group and out‐group trust, we rely on various items in the fifth wave of the World Values Survey. Applying confirmatory factor analysis yields two separate forms of trust, which become our central predictor variables in addition to other, theoretically‐derived independent variables. We employ logistic regression with country cluster robust standard errors.

Results and Conclusion

The results support our central assertions, even when controlling for the standard measure of generalized trust and a number of other factors. Individuals with higher in‐group trust report having voted at higher levels than individuals with lower in‐group trust. Individuals with higher levels of out‐group trust, however, participate more actively in nonconventional political activity. Surprisingly, the presence of out‐group trust has a slightly negative impact on voting. Our findings further emphasize the importance of differentiating between types of interpersonal trust, and answer recent calls for empirical research on the impact of forms of trust on political behavior.