bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Is climate change driving recruitment failure in Australian bass Macquaria novemaculeata in southern latitudes of the species range?
Authors: Stoessel Daniel J. , Morrongiello John R. , Raadik Tarmo A. , Lyon Jarod , Fairbrother Peter
Published: September 2017

Flow regimes have been fundamentally altered in many of the world’s river systems. There is a need to restore components of natural flow variability to protect freshwater biodiversity. The Australian bass is a long-lived, catadromous percichthyid endemic to coastal drainages of south-eastern Australia. Little is known of the timing and magnitude of flows considered important for recruitment and growth of individuals in southern latitudes of the species range. Herein we generate nearly 50 years of otolith-derived recruitment and growth histories for Australian bass and relate these to hydrologic, climatic and demographic variables. We found that younger Australian bass grew fastest in years following a cooler spring, whereas the growth of older fish exhibited little response to temperature. Australian bass year class strength was positively related to high flows in spring and in a negative curvilinear way to spring temperature. A lack of suitable natural flows in spring may be responsible for little to no recruitment of Australian bass in the Genoa River over the past two decades. Based on our findings, the continuing trend of lower rainfall and higher temperatures, coupled with river regulation in some systems in the region, will likely result in depressed juvenile growth and prolonged periods of recruitment failure over the medium to longer term, with significant implications for the viability of populations.
Network of microbial and antibiotic interactions drive colonization and infection with multidrug-resistant organisms
Authors: Wang Joyce , Foxman Betsy , Mody Lona , Snitkin Evan S.
Published: September 2017

Significance

The proliferation of multidrug-resistant organisms (MDROs) is one of the world’s most pressing public health problems. Despite great efforts to prevent MDRO spread in healthcare facilities, antibiotic-resistant infections remain a significant threat. We hypothesized that current infection prevention initiatives are hindered by their targeting of individual MDROs; neglecting the fact that healthcare institutions have multiple circulating MDRO species whose propagation is driven by competing risk factors. We tested this hypothesis by identifying risk factors for the spread of multiple MDROs among nursing home residents and unraveled a complex network of interactions between antibiotic exposure and microbial factors. Our results indicate that interactions among MDROs and underlying drivers must be considered simultaneously to design optimal strategies to reduce MDRO propagation.
Modeling Parkinson’s disease pathology by combination of fibril seeds and α-synuclein overexpression in the rat brain
Authors: Thakur Poonam , Breger Ludivine S. , Lundblad Martin , Wan Oi Wan , Mattsson Bengt , Luk Kelvin C. , Lee Virginia M. Y. , Trojanowski John Q. , Björklund Anders
Published: September 2017

Significance

Parkinson’s disease is the most common neurodegenerative movement disorder, but its faithful modeling in animals has been challenging. Animal models based on overexpression of the disease-causing protein, α-synuclein (α-syn), are useful for studies of disease pathogenesis but rely on unphysiologically high levels of α-syn. Here, we present a model that combines preformed human α-syn fibrils and adenoassociated virus (AAV)-mediated overexpression of human α-syn, given in doses that, by themselves, do not cause any acute neurodegeneration. This combined approach reproduces several cardinal features of the human disease, including Lewy-like synucleinopathy, neuroinflammation, and progressive dopaminergic cell loss. The short time span and distinct sequence of pathological and degenerative changes make it attractive as an experimental model for studies aimed at neuroprotection and disease modification.
Eritrea: a mafia state?
Authors: Plaut Martin
Published: September 2017

Eritrea is no ordinary state; rather it resembles a criminal organisation designed to keep its citizens in perpetual servitude. It is behaves like a mafia organisation: with covert finances but without a constitution, legislature or elections, run by the country’s president and his closest associates.
The social space, the symbolic space and masculine domination: the gendered correspondence between class and lifestyles in the UK
Authors: Atkinson Will
Published: September 2017

There have been countless efforts to test and ‘update’ Pierre Bourdieu's thesis that there is a correspondence between the space of social positions and the space of lifestyles. The best known of these targeting the UK are the Cultural Capital and Social Exclusion project and, more recently, the Great British Class Survey, but their conceptual and methodological limitations mean their findings are questionable and hinder closer investigation of an oft-sidelined piece of the puzzle one of the projects specifically highlighted: the significance of gender in structuring taste. Drawing on the 2012 wave of the British Cohort Study, which included a battery of questions on cultural consumption, and deploying a logic and measure of class closer to Bourdieu's own, I thus seek to offer an alternative examination of not only the nature and degree of correspondence between the social space and lifestyles but its entwinement with masculinity and femininity.
Secure detection in quantum key distribution by real-time calibration of receiver
Authors: Marøy Øystein , Makarov Vadim , Skaar Johannes
Published: September 2017

The single-photon detectionefficiency of the detector unit is crucial for the security of common quantum key distribution protocols like Bennett-Brassard 1984 (BB84). A low value for the efficiency indicates a possible eavesdropping attack that exploits the photon receiver’s imperfections. We present a method for estimating the detection efficiency, and calculate the corresponding secure key generation rate. The estimation is done by testing gated detectors using a randomly activated photon source inside the receiver unit. This estimate gives a secure rate for any detector with non-unity single-photon detection efficiency, both inherit or due to blinding. By adding extra optical components to the receiver, we make sure that the key is extracted from photon states for which our estimate is valid. The result is a quantum key distribution scheme that is secure against any attack that exploits detector imperfections.
Derivatives of Blaschke products whose zeros lie in a Stolz domain and weighted Bergman spaces
Authors: Reijonen Atte
Published: September 2017

For a Blaschke product

B
B

whose zeros lie in a Stolz domain, we find a condition regarding

ω
\omega

which guarantees that

B
′

B’

belongs to the Bergman space

A
ω
p

A^p_\omega

. In addition, the sharpness of this condition is considered.
Addendum to “On a general Maclaurin’s inequality”
Authors: Favaro Stefano , Walker Stephen
Published: September 2017

A short proof of a general Maclaurin inequality is presented.
Identification and visualization of differential isoform expression in RNA-seq time series
Authors: Nueda María José , Martorell-Marugan Jordi , Martí Cristina , Tarazona Sonia , Conesa Ana
Published: September 2017

Motivation

As sequencing technologies improve their capacity to detect distinct transcripts of the same gene and to address complex experimental designs such as longitudinal studies, there is a need to develop statistical methods for the analysis of isoform expression changes in time series data.

Results

Iso-maSigPro is a new functionality of the R package maSigPro for transcriptomics time series data analysis. Iso-maSigPro identifies genes with a differential isoform usage across time. The package also includes new clustering and visualization functions that allow grouping of genes with similar expression patterns at the isoform level, as well as those genes with a shift in major expressed isoform.

Availability and implementation

The package is freely available under the LGPL license from the Bioconductor web site.

Supplementary information

Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online.
Update: Topical Antimicrobial Agents for Chronic Wounds
Authors: Sibbald R. Gary , Elliott James A. , Verma Luvneed , Brandon Alisa , Persaud Reneeka , Ayello Elizabeth A.
Published: September 2017

GENERAL PURPOSE:

To provide information on the use of topical antimicrobial agents for the treatment of chronic wounds.

TARGET AUDIENCE:

This continuing education activity is intended for physicians, physician assistants, nurse practitioners, and nurses with an interest in skin and wound care.

LEARNING OBJECTIVES/OUTCOMES:

After participating in this educational activity, the participant should be better able to:

1. Examine features of wounds and wound healing as well as the purpose of specific antimicrobial agents.

2. Identify potential therapeutic and adverse effects of specific topical antimicrobial agents for the treatment of chronic wounds.

Bacteria can delay or prevent healing in the surface compartment of a chronic wound or invade the deep and surrounding structures. This article focuses on the superficial compartment and the appropriate use of topical antimicrobial therapies. The authors have reviewed the published evidence for the last 5 years (2012–2017) and extrapolated findings to clinical practice with critical appraisal and synthesis of the recent literature with expert opinion, patient-centered concerns, and healthcare systems perspectives. Summary evidence tables for commonly used topical antimicrobials are included.
Physicians’ Decision-making When Implementing Buprenorphine With New Patients: Conjoint Analyses of Data From a Cohort of Current Prescribers
Authors: Knudsen Hannah K. , Lofwall Michelle R. , Walsh Sharon L. , Havens Jennifer R. , Studts Jamie L.
Published: September 2017

Objectives:

Few studies have considered how providers make decisions to prescribe buprenorphine to new patients with opioid use disorder. This study examined the relative importance of patients’ clinical, financial, and social characteristics on physicians’ decision-making related to willingness to prescribe buprenorphine to new patients and the number of weeks of medication that they are willing to initially prescribe after induction.

Methods:

A national sample of 1174 current prescribers was surveyed. Respondents rated willingness to prescribe on a 0 to 10 scale and indicated the number of weeks of medication (ranging from none to >4 weeks) for 20 hypothetical patients. Conjoint analysis estimated relative importance scores and part-worth utilities for these 2 outcome ratings.

Results:

The mean rating for willingness to prescribe was 5.52 (SD 2.47), indicating a moderate willingness to implement buprenorphine treatment. The mean prescription length was 2.06 (SD 1.34), which corresponds to 1 week of medication. For both ratings, the largest importance scores were for other risky substance use, method of payment, and spousal involvement in treatment. Illicit benzodiazepine use, having Medicaid insurance to pay for the office visit, and having an opioid-using spouse were negatively associated with these outcome ratings, whereas a history of no risky alcohol or benzodiazepine use, cash payment, and having an abstinent spouse were positively associated with both ratings.

Conclusions:

Reticence to prescribe to individuals using an illicit benzodiazepine and individuals with a drug-using spouse aligns with practice guidelines. However, reluctance to prescribe to patients with Medicaid may hamper efforts to expand access to treatment.
Role of a tendon transfer as a dynamic checkrein reducing recurrence of equinus following distal tibial dorsiflexion osteotomy
Authors: Malik Shahbaz S. , Knight Richard , Ahmed Usman , Prem Hari
Published: September 2017

Tibial dorsiflexion osteotomy for recalcitrant equinus in clubfeet is reported to have a high recurrence rate with growth. We present the results of closing wedge tibial dorsiflexion osteotomy and tendon transfers in 15 feet and 11 patients. The mean age at presentation was 7 (range: 3.98–12.38) years. At a mean follow-up of 4.16 (range: 2.09–6.87) years, 11 of the 15 feet remained corrected. Mean correction of the dorsiflexion was 24.5° and mean correction of anterior distal tibial angle was 10.9° at final review. Muscle rebalancing appears to influence bone remodeling and reduce recurrence of equinus.
Reason for Referral Predicts Utilization and Perceived Impact of Early Intervention Services
Authors: Javalkar Karina , Litt Jonathan S.
Published: September 2017

Objective:

Children participating in early intervention (EI) vary in their medical needs and degree of delay, and previous studies have shown significant differences in EI enrollment based on the reason for referral. The effect of reason for referral on service provision and family satisfaction is largely unknown.

Methods:

We used data from the National Early Intervention Longitudinal Study for our secondary data analysis. The main predictor was the reason for referral: a diagnosed condition, documented developmental delay, or other risk factors. Outcomes included unmet service needs, program dropout, and family satisfaction with services.

Results:

The 2966 participants were mostly white (51.9%), male (60.3%), and had an annual household income at or below $50,000 (77.0%). There were 1924 referred due to diagnosis, 691 due to delay, and 351 due to other risks. Compared with the diagnosis group, children with delays were more likely (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] 1.38, 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.02–1.87) to have unmet service needs and to drop out of EI programs (aOR 1.44, 95% CI, 1.07–1.96); their families were less likely to report that services were highly individualized (aOR 0.80, 95% CI, 0.65–0.98) or had an impact on their children's development (aOR 0.77, 95% CI, 0.62–0.96).

Conclusion:

Children participating in EI because of developmental delays are more likely to have unmet service needs, drop out of services because of a reason other than ineligibility (family or child-related reason), and have lower caregiver satisfaction than those participating because of diagnosed conditions. It is important to determine reasons for these differences and their impact on developmental outcomes.
Summer Healthy-Lifestyle Intervention Program for Young Children Who Are Overweight: Results from a Nonrandomized Pilot Trial
Authors: Graziano Paulo A. , Garcia Alexis , Lim Crystal S.
Published: September 2017

Objective:

To examine initial outcomes of an 8-week Healthy-Lifestyle Intervention Program (HIP) which included children's participation in a daily summer camp along with parents' participation in a parenting program focused on overweight/obesity.

Methods:

Using a nonrandomized pilot trial design, 16 children (M child age = 6.42 yr; 81% male; 100% Latino) classified as overweight/obese and their mothers completed 3 assessments (baseline, posttreatment, and 6–8 mo follow-up).

Results:

Children who completed HIP experienced significant decreases in their body mass index z-scores (primary outcome) from baseline to posttreatment (d = −1.11) with such decreases being moderately maintained at follow-up (d = −0.64). In terms of secondary outcomes, HIP was effective in improving and maintaining healthy habits in both children and mothers and children's nutritional knowledge and fitness. Objective food data showed that children's dietary intake during HIP improved. High attendance and satisfaction were reported for families who completed HIP.

Conclusion:

This pilot treatment development study shows that a family lifestyle intervention conducted in a summer camp setting that targets both children and parents is a promising option for addressing pediatric obesity in young children.
Rising Chlamydia and Gonorrhoea Incidence and Associated Risk Factors Among Female Sex Workers in Australia: A Retrospective Cohort Study
Authors: Callander Denton , McManus Hamish , Guy Rebecca , Hellard Margaret , O’Connor Catherine C. , Fairley Christopher K. , Chow Eric P.F. , McNulty Anna , Lewis David A. , Carmody Christopher , Schmidt Heather-Marie A. , Kim Jules , Donovan Basil
Published: September 2017

Background

Female sex workers in Australia have achieved some of the lowest documented prevalences of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and other sexually transmissible infections globally but rates overall are increasing in Australia and warrant closer investigation.

Methods

We constructed a retrospective cohort using repeat testing data extracted from a network of 42 sexual health clinics. Poisson and Cox regression were used to determined trends in incidence and risk factors for HIV, chlamydia, gonorrhoea, and infectious syphilis among female sex workers.

Results

From 2009 to 2015, 18,475 women reporting sex work attended a participating service. The overall incidence of urogenital chlamydia was 7.7/100 person years (PY), declining by 38% from 2009 to 2013 before increasing by 43% to 2015 (P < 0.001); anorectal chlamydia incidence was 0.6/100 PY, and pharyngeal was 1.9/100 PY, which increased significantly during the study period (P < 0.001, both). For gonorrhoea, the urogenital incidence was 1.4/100 PY, anorectal incidence was 0.3/100 PY, P < 0.001), and 3.6/100 PY for pharyngeal; urogenital incidence doubled during the study period, anorectal increased fivefold, and pharyngeal more than tripled (P < 0.001, all). Incidence of infectious syphilis was 0.4/100 PY, which remained stable from 2009 to 2015 (P = 0.09). There were seven incident infections of HIV among female sex workers (0.1/100 PY). Inconsistent condom use with private partners, higher number of private partner numbers, recent injecting drug use, younger age, and country of birth variously predicted sexually transmissible infections among female sex workers.

Conclusions

Although infectious syphilis and HIV remain uncommon in female sex workers attending Australian sexual health clinics, the increasing incidence of gonorrhoea across anatomical sites and increasing chlamydia after a period of decline demands enhanced health promotion initiatives.
Factors Associated With Syphilis Testing and a History of Syphilis Infection Among a Sample of Transgender Women in Jamaica
Authors: Logie Carmen H. , Wang Ying , Lacombe-Duncan Ashley , Ahmed Uzma , Jones Nicolette , Neil Ava , Ellis Tyrone , Levermore Kandasi , Marshall Annecka , Newman Peter A.
Published: September 2017

Background

Globally, social inequalities contribute to elevated sexually transmitted infections (STIs) rates among transgender women. High syphilis prevalence has been documented among transgender women in Latin America. Little is known, however, of syphilis testing uptake among transgender women in Jamaica, where homosexuality is criminalized. The study objective was to understand factors associated with opting-in for syphilis testing and a syphilis infection history among transgender women in Jamaica.

Methods

We conducted a cross-sectional tablet-based survey of 137 transgender women between March and November 2015 in Jamaica. Bivariate analyses were used to assess differences across sociodemographic, intrapersonal, interpersonal, and structural factors based on syphilis infection history. We conducted univariable and multivariable logistic regression to determine the odds ratio for opting-in for syphilis testing for all factors associated with testing uptake at a P value of less than 0.05 in bivariate analyses, controlling for sociodemographic characteristics.

Results

Among 137 participants, 83 (60.6%) opted in for syphilis screening and 8 (9.6%) had positive rapid test results. One quarter of participants (n = 26; 25.2%) reported being HIV positive. Opting-in for syphilis testing was associated with the following: 1 health (HIV-positive serostatus: adjusted odds ratio [AOR], 4.33; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.31–14.26), 1 intrapersonal (perceived STI risk: AOR, 1.58; 95% CI, 1.04–2.40), 1 interpersonal (childhood sexual abuse: AOR, 2.80; 95% CI, 1.03–7.62), and 1 structural (incarceration: AOR, 0.27; 95% CI, 0.11–0.71) factor.

Conclusions

This study identified factors (HIV-positive serostatus, perceived STI risk, childhood sexual abuse, no incarceration history) associated with syphilis testing uptake among transgender women. Findings can inform multilevel STI testing, prevention, and care strategies tailored for transgender women in Jamaica.
Endometrial Changes in Surgical Specimens of Perimenopausal Patients Treated With Ulipristal Acetate for Uterine Leiomyomas
Authors: Nogales Francisco F. , Crespo-Lora Vicente , Cruz-Viruel Nelly , Chamorro-Santos Clara , Bergeron Christine
Published: September 2017

Ulipristal acetate (UPA) is used to treat leiomyomas, and its effect on the endometrium has been studied in biopsy material. Reversible histologic modifications were found, named progesterone receptor modulators–associated endometrial changes (PAEC). However, hysterectomies from patients treated with UPA have not been analyzed. For the first time, we examined surgical specimens from 100 leiomyoma-treated patients for UPA-related endometrial changes. We analyzed the distribution of lesions, involution after treatment, and the relationship between type and extent of lesions and dosage. Clinically, 72 patients were treated with 1 cycle of UPA; 23 patients with 2 cycles, and 5 with 3 cycles. A total of 66 patients underwent surgery in the first 4 wk after treatment, 24 were operated between 5 and 12 wk after discontinuation of UPA, and 10 after more than 12 wk after the last cycle, up to a maximum of 32 wk. Histologically normal endometria were found in 41 cases and PAEC in 59 cases. PAEC consisted of irregular, cystic glands showing a flattened secretory-like epithelium with vacuolation, coexisting mitoses and apoptosis, and were found focally within cyclic endometria in 51 cases. Only in 8 cases did diffuse PAEC involve the whole endometrium, transforming it into a thick spongy cushion. PAEC also occurred in adenomyosis. There was no relationship between dosage and type and extent of lesions. Diffuse PAEC, which usually presents differential diagnoses with hyperplasia, occurred in only 8 cases, being only present during the first 4 wk after discontinuation of treatment and was independent of the number of cycles administered.
Nodular Hyperplasia of the Bartholin Gland, A Benign Mimicker of Aggressive Angiomyxoma: A Case Series and Literature Review
Authors: Tseng Yun-An , Lawrence W. Dwayne , Slater Shahrzad E.
Published: September 2017

Nodular hyperplasia (NH) of the Bartholin gland is an exceedingly rare benign solid lesion of the female genital tract that can mimic the Bartholin gland cyst clinically. The histologic criteria for NH were established in 1998 by Koenig and Tavassoli. In this case series, we describe 4 cases of NH from Women and Infants Hospital in Rhode Island. All cases have microscopic features of lobular proliferation of acini and inspissated mucin. One case especially has extensive mucin extravasation mimicking an aggressive angiomyxoma. In this case series, we call attention to NH as another entity to consider in the differential diagnosis of an enlarged Bartholin gland. We also discuss ways to distinguish it from other benign and malignant solid lesions of the vulvar vestibule.
Sleep Duration and Quality as Related to Left Ventricular Structure and Function
Authors: Lee Jae-Hon , Park Sung Keun , Ryoo Jae-Hong , Oh Chang-Mo , Kang Jeong Gyu , Mansur Rodrigo B. , Alfonsi Jeffrey E. , Lee Yena , Shin Sun-Han , McIntyre Roger S. , Jung Ju Young
Published: September 2017

Objective

Inadequate sleep is associated with increased risk of cardiovascular events; however, the associations between sleep duration or quality and cardiac function or structure are not well understood. This cross-sectional study was conducted to investigate to what extent sleep duration and quality are associated with left ventricular (LV) diastolic dysfunction or structural deterioration.

Methods

A total of 31,598 healthy Korean adults who received echocardiography and completed the Pittsburg Sleep Quality Index were enrolled in this study. Participants were stratified into three groups by self-reported sleep duration (i.e., <7, 7–9, >9 hours) and into two groups by subjective sleep quality. Sleep duration was also assessed as a continuous variable. The odds ratios for impaired LV diastolic function, increased relative wall thickness, and LV hypertrophy (LVH) were compared between groups using multivariable logistic regression analyses.

Results

After adjustment for confounding variables (e.g., age, smoking, body mass index), there was a statistically significant association between short sleep duration (<7 hours) and greater LVH (fully adjusted odds ratio = 1.32 [95% confidence interval {CI} = 1.02–1.73]). Short sleep duration was also significantly associated with greater LVH (0.87 per hour [95% CI = 0.78–0.98]) and increased relative wall thickness (0.92 [95% CI = 0.86–0.99]), but there was no significant association between sleep and LV diastolic function. Among individuals with normal sleep duration, poor quality of sleep was not associated with adverse cardiac measures.

Conclusions

These results indicate that short sleep duration (<7 hours) is associated with unfavorable LV structural characteristics. The association of insufficient sleep with adverse cardiovascular health outcomes may be mediated in part by adverse changes in cardiac structure and function.
Magnetic Resonance Imaging–Based Prostate-Specific Antigen Density for Prediction of Gleason Score Upgrade in Patients With Low-Risk Prostate Cancer on Initial Biopsy
Authors: Sim Ki Choon , Sung Deuk Jae , Kang Kun Woo , Yang Kyung Sook , Han Na Yeon , Park Beom Jin , Kim Min Ju , Cho Sung Bum
Published: September 2017

Objective

The aim of this study was to assess the utility of prostate-specific antigen density (PSAD) calculated using magnetic resonance imaging for predicting Gleason score (GS) upgrade in patients with low-risk prostate cancer on biopsy.

Methods

Seventy-three patients were divided into 2 groups according to the concordance between biopsy and prostatectomy GS: group 1 (6/6) and group 2 (6/≥7). Magnetic resonance imaging–based PSAD, prostate volume, prostate-specific antigen (PSA), and age were compared between the 2 groups. Logistic regression and receiver operating characteristic curve analysis were performed.

Results

Gleason score was upgraded in 40 patients. Patients in group 2 had significantly higher PSAD and PSA values and smaller prostate volume than did those in group 1. Prostate-specific antigen density of 0.26 ng/mL per cm3 or higher, PSA of 7.63 ng/mL or higher, and prostate volume of 25.1 cm3 or less were related to GS upgrade, with area-under-the-curve values of 0.765, 0.721, and 0.639, respectively.

Conclusions

Magnetic resonance imaging–based PSAD could help in predicting postoperative GS upgrade in patients with low-risk prostate cancer.
Appropriate Use Criteria for Cardiac Computed Tomography
Authors: Erthal Fernanda , Premaratne Manuja , Yam Yeung , Chen Li , Lamba Jasmine , Keenan Marissa , Haddad Tony , Pharasi Kishu , Anand Saipriya , Beanlands Rob S. , Burwash Ian G. , Dwivedi Girish , Ruddy Terrence D. , Chow Benjamin J.W.
Published: September 2017

Purpose:

Cardiac imaging expenditures have come under scrutiny, and a focus on appropriate use criteria (AUC) has arisen to ensure cost-effective resource utilization. Although AUC has been developed by clinical experts, it has not undergone rigorous quality assurance testing to ensure that inappropriate indications for testing yield little clinical benefit. The objective of the study was to evaluate the potential incremental prognostic value of coronary computed tomographic angiography (CCTA) in the different AUC categories.

Materials and Methods:

Consecutive patients enrolled into a cardiac CT Registry were collated. Patient indications were reviewed and based on the 2010 AUC (appropriate, uncertain, and inappropriate). Patients were followed-up for death, myocardial infarction (MI), and late revascularization, with the primary composite endpoint being cardiac death, nonfatal MI, and late revascularization. The prognostic value of CCTA over clinical variables in each of the AUC categories was assessed.

Results:

Indications for CCTA were appropriate, uncertain, and inappropriate in 1284 (66.5%), 312 (16.2%), and 334 (17.3%) patients, respectively. Rates of all-cause of death, cardiac death, nonfatal MI, and late revascularization were similar across patients with appropriate, uncertain, and inappropriate indications for CCTA. Moreover, in each AUC category, CCTA had incremental prognostic value over a routine clinical risk score (National Cholesterol Education Program) with hazard ratios of 9.98, 7.39, and 5.61.

Conclusions:

CCTA has incremental prognostic value in all AUC categories, even when the reason for the study was deemed “inappropriate.” This suggests that CCTA may still have clinical value in “inappropriate” indications and that further quality assurance AUC studies are needed.
Is Digital Tomosynthesis on Par With Computed Tomography for the Detection and Measurement of Pulmonary Nodules?
Authors: Lee Xiang Wen , Marshall Henry M. , Leong Steven C. , O’Rourke Rachael L. , Steinke Karin , Mirjalili Negar , Bowman Rayleen V. , Yang Ian A. , Fong Kwun M.
Published: September 2017

Chest digital tomosynthesis (DT) has potential advantages compared to computed tomography (CT) such as radiation dose reduction. However, the role of DT in pulmonary nodule management remains investigative. We compared DT against CT for pulmonary nodule detection and size measurement. A clinical population comprising 54 nodules from 30 patients and a screening population comprising 42 nodules from 52 patients were included. Scans were independently read by two radiologists. Agreement in nodule measurements between readers and between modalities was assessed by Bland-Altman analysis using a 95% level of significance. The DT true positive fraction for the two readers was 0.44 and 0.39 in the clinical population, and 0.10 and 0.05 in the screening population. No significant inter-modality bias was observed between DT and CT measurements of nodule size, but the range of variation between modalities was approximately 30%. Inter-reader DT measurements also showed no significant bias, with a range of variation of approximately 15%. We conclude that DT has poor nodule detection sensitivity compared to CT. However, DT showed good measurement reproducibility and may be useful for monitoring growth of existing pulmonary nodules.
A Three-Dimensional Study of Midfacial Changes Following Le Fort II Distraction With Zygomatic Repositioning in Syndromic Patients
Authors: Smartt James M. , Campbell Carey , Hallac Rami , Alford Jake , Derderian Christopher A.
Published: September 2017

Le Fort II distraction with zygomatic repositioning introduced the ability to restore central midfacial height and convexity independent of changes in orbital morphology. This study analyzes midfacial and orbital morphology before and after Le Fort II distraction with zygomatic repositioning.

All patients who underwent Le Fort II Distraction with zygomatic repositioning between 2013 and 2015 were included. Two- and 3-dimensional measurements were made using 3dMD Vultus software to assess canthal tilt, nasolabial angle, ratio of midfacial to lower facial height, and absolute change in nasal length. Presence of an open bite and Angle classification were assessed before and after surgery.

Four patients underwent segmental midface advancement using Le Fort II distraction with zygomatic repositioning. Associated diagnoses included Apert syndrome, Goldenhar syndrome, and achondroplasia. Changes in facial dimensions included: 3.19° improvement in canthal tilt (range −4.7° to 8.4°), 9° change in nasolabial angle (range −1.0° to 19°), and 0.69 cm increase in absolute nasal length (range 0.2–0.94 cm). Mean ratio of midfacial to lower facial height was 0.79 preoperatively and 0.89 postoperatively. Preoperatively, all patients demonstrated Angle class III with 3 of 4 patients demonstrating anterior open bite. All achieved closure of open bite and demonstrated class I or II occlusion. No complications were observed.

Le Fort II distraction with zygomatic repositioning resulted in normalization of midfacial soft tissue landmarks. This form of advancement demonstrates the ability to selectively improve midfacial height and canthal tilt while restoring normal occlusion.
Are the Sensory Fibers of the Ulnar Nerve Affected in Carpal Tunnel Syndrome?
Authors: Selek Özgür , Alemdar Murat
Published: September 2017

Purpose:

Distribution of paresthesia throughout the skin area without median nerve innervation is frequently seen in carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS). However, its pathophysiologic mechanisms are still unclear. We aimed to research whether a dysfunction in sensory fibers of the ulnar nerve (UN) was present or not in hands with CTS.

Methods:

Totally, upper extremity nerve conduction study recordings of 508 patients were considered. After exclusions, 331 upper extremity recordings of 277 patients were included. We compared the results of sensory conduction studies of median nerve and UN between normal hands and hands with CTS.

Results:

The mean distal sensory latency of the median nerve was longer, the mean conduction velocity was slower, and mean nerve action potential amplitude was higher in the hands with CTS than in normal hands (P < 0.001 for all comparisons). There was no statistically significant difference on any sensory conduction parameters of UN recorded on digit IV or digit V between the disease and control groups (P > 0.05 for all comparisons). The rates of conduction abnormalities of the UN sensory fibers were also similar in hands with CTS and in normal hands (P > 0.05 for all comparisons).

Conclusions:

The hands with CTS do not have an increased rate of conduction abnormalities of UN sensory fibers compared with the normal hands in our study population. Therefore, our study did not confirm the distortion of UN sensory fibers as a mechanism underlying the spread of paresthesia throughout the skin area without median nerve innervation in CTS.
Offspring telomere length in the long lived Alpine swift is negatively related to the age of their biological father and foster mother
Authors: Criscuolo François , Zahn Sandrine , Bize Pierre
Published: September 2017

A growing body of studies is showing that offspring telomere length (TL) can be influenced by the age of their parents. Such a relationship might be explained by variation in TL at conception (gamete effect) and/or by alteration of early growth conditions in species providing parental care. In a long-lived bird with bi-parental care, the Alpine swift (
Apus melba
), we exchanged an uneven number of 2 to 4-day-old nestlings between pairs as part of a brood size manipulation. Nestling TL was measured at 50 days after hatching, which allowed investigation of the influence of the age of both their biological and foster parents on offspring TL, after controlling for the manipulation. Nestling TL was negatively related to the age of their biological father and foster mother. Nestling TL did not differ between enlarged and reduced broods. These findings suggest that offspring from older males were fertilized by gametes with shorter telomeres, presumably due to a greater cell division history or a longer accumulation of damage, and that older females may have provided poorer parental care to their offspring.
Females can solve the problem of low signal reliability by assessing multiple male traits
Authors: Wegehaupt Abigail K. , Wagner William E.
Published: September 2017

Male signals that provide information to females about mating benefits are often of low reliability. It is thus not clear why females often express strong signal preferences. We tested the hypothesis that females can distinguish between males with preferred signals that provide lower and higher quality direct benefits. In the field cricket,
Gryllus lineaticeps
, females usually prefer higher male chirp rates, but chirp rate is positively correlated with the fecundity benefits females will receive from males only for males that have experienced low quality diets. We paired females with muted males that were maintained on low or high nutrition diets, during the interactions we broadcast a replacement high chirp rate, and we observed whether females mated with the assigned male. Females were more likely to mate when paired with low nutrition males. These results suggest that females have evolved assessment mechanisms that allow them distinguish between males with preferred signals that provide high quality benefits (low nutrition males with high chirp rates) and males with preferred signals that provide low quality benefits (high nutrition males with high chirp rates).
Prey selection and dietary flexibility of three species of mammalian predator during an irruption of non-cyclic prey
Authors: Spencer Emma E. , Newsome Thomas M. , Dickman Christopher R.
Published: September 2017

Predators often display dietary shifts in response to fluctuating prey in cyclic systems, but little is known about predator diets in systems that experience non-cyclic prey irruptions. We tracked dietary shifts by feral cats (
Felis catus
), red foxes (
Vulpes vulpes
) and dingoes (
Canis dingo
) through a non-cyclic irruption of small mammalian prey in the Simpson Desert, central Australia. We predicted that all three predators would alter their diets to varying degrees as small mammals declined post irruption, and to test our predictions we live-trapped small mammals through the irruption event and collected scats to track predator diets. Red foxes and dingoes included a broader variety of prey in their diets as small mammals declined. Feral cats did not exhibit a similar dietary shift, but did show variable use and selectivity of small mammal species through the irruption cycle. Results were largely consistent with prior studies that highlighted the opportunistic feeding habits of the red fox and dingo. They also, however, showed that feral cats may exhibit less dietary flexibility in response to small mammal irruptions, emphasizing the importance of tracking predator diets before, during and after irruption events.
Spatial capture–recapture analysis of artificial cover board survey data reveals small scale spatial variation in slow-worm
Anguis fragilis
density
Authors: Schmidt Benedikt R. , Meier Anita , Sutherland Chris , Royle J. Andy
Published: September 2017

Vague and/or ad hoc definitions of the area sampled in monitoring efforts are common, and estimates of ecological state variables (e.g. distribution and abundance) can be sensitive to such specifications. The uncertainty in population metrics due to data deficiencies, vague definitions of space and lack of standardized protocols is a major challenge for monitoring, managing and conserving amphibian and reptile populations globally. This is especially true for the slow-worm (
Anguis fragilis
), a cryptic and fossorial legless lizard; uncertainty about spatial variation in density has hindered conservation efforts (e.g. in translocation projects). Spatial capture–recapture (SCR) methods can be used to estimate density while simultaneously and explicitly accounting for space and individual movement. We use SCR to analyse mark–recapture data of the slow-worm that were collected using artificial cover objects (ACO). Detectability varied among ACO grids and through the season. Estimates of slow-worm density varied across ACO grids (13, 45 and 46 individuals ha
−1
, respectively). The estimated 95% home range size of slow-worms was 0.38 ha. Our estimates provide valuable information about slow-worm spatial ecology that can be used to inform future conservation management.
Limited evidence for third-party affiliation during development in wild chimpanzees (
Pan troglodytes schweinfurthii
)
Authors: Miller Jordan A. , Stanton Margaret A. , Lonsdorf Elizabeth V. , Wellens Kaitlin R. , Markham A. Catherine , Murray Carson M.
Published: September 2017

Examining the ontogeny of conflict-mitigating behaviours in our closest living relatives is an important component of understanding the evolutionary origins of cooperation in our species. In this study, we used 26 years of data to investigate the emergence of third-party affiliation (TPA), defined as affiliative contact given to recipients of aggression by uninvolved bystanders (regardless of initiation), in wild immature eastern chimpanzees (
Pan troglodytes schweinfurthii
) of Gombe National Park, Tanzania. We also characterized TPA by mothers in the same dataset as an adult benchmark for interpreting immature TPA patterns. In summary, we found that immatures did not express TPA as measured by grooming between the ages of 1.5 and 12.0 years, and that there was limited evidence that immatures expressed TPA via play. We also found that mothers did express TPA to offspring, although mothers did not show TPA towards non-offspring. Cases of TPA by mothers to other adults were too few to analyse separately. These results contrast with findings from captive studies which found that chimpanzees as young as 6 years of age demonstrated TPA. We argue that within-species variation in the expression of TPA, both in immatures and adulthood, provides evidence that the conflict management behaviours of young chimpanzees may be heavily influenced by social, ecological and demographic factors.
Performance improvement of miniaturized ZnO nanowire accelerometer fabricated by refresh hydrothermal synthesis
Authors: Song Sangho , Kim Hyun Chan , Kim Jung Woong , Kim Debora , Kim Jaehwan
Published: September 2017

Miniaturized accelerometers are necessary for evaluating the performance of small devices, such as haptics, robotics and simulators. In this study, we fabricated miniaturized accelerometers using well-aligned ZnO nanowires. The layer of ZnO nanowires is used for active piezoelectric layer of the accelerometer, and copper was chosen as a head mass. Seedless and refresh hydrothermal synthesis methods were conducted to grow ZnO nanowires on the copper substrate and the effect of ZnO nanowire length on the accelerometer performance was investigated. The refresh hydrothermal synthesis exhibits longer ZnO nanowires, 12 µm, than the seedless hydrothermal synthesis, 6 µm. Performance of the fabricated accelerometers was verified by comparing with a commercial accelerometer. The sensitivity of the fabricated accelerometer by the refresh hydrothermal synthesis is shown to be 37.7 pA g
−1
, which is about 30 times larger than the previous result.
Glyph guessing for ‘oo’ and ‘ee’: spatial frequency information in sound symbolic matching for ancient and unfamiliar scripts
Authors: Turoman Nora , Styles Suzy J.
Published: September 2017

In three experiments, we asked whether diverse scripts contain interpretable information about the speech sounds they represent. When presented with a pair of unfamiliar letters, adult readers correctly guess which is /i/ (the ‘ee’ sound in ‘feet’), and which is /u/ (the ‘oo’ sound in ‘shoe’) at rates higher than expected by chance, as shown in a large sample of Singaporean university students (Experiment 1) and replicated in a larger sample of international Internet users (Experiment 2). To uncover what properties of the letters contribute to different scripts' ‘guessability,’ we analysed the visual spatial frequencies in each letter (Experiment 3). We predicted that the lower spectral frequencies in the formants of the vowel /u/ would pattern with lower spatial frequencies in the corresponding letters. Instead, we found that across all spatial frequencies, the letter with more black/white cycles (i.e. more ink) was more likely to be guessed as /u/, and the larger the difference between the glyphs in a pair, the higher the script's guessability. We propose that diverse groups of humans across historical time and geographical space tend to employ similar iconic strategies for representing speech in visual form, and provide norms for letter pairs from 56 diverse scripts.
Meso-scale defect evaluation of selective laser melting using spatially resolved acoustic spectroscopy
Authors: Hirsch M. , Catchpole-Smith S. , Patel R. , Marrow P. , Li Wenqi , Tuck C. , Sharples S. D. , Clare A. T.
Published: September 2017

Developments in additive manufacturing technology are serving to expand the potential applications. Critical developments are required in the supporting areas of measurement and in process inspection to achieve this. CM247LC is a nickel superalloy that is of interest for use in aerospace and civil power plants. However, it is difficult to process via selective laser melting (SLM) as it suffers from cracking during rapid cooling and solidification. This limits the viability of CM247LC parts created using SLM. To quantify part integrity, spatially resolved acoustic spectroscopy (SRAS) has been identified as a viable non-destructive evaluation technique. In this study, a combination of optical microscopy and SRAS was used to identify and classify the surface defects present in SLM-produced parts. By analysing the datasets and scan trajectories, it is possible to correlate morphological information with process parameters. Image processing was used to quantify porosity and cracking for bulk density measurement. Analysis of surface acoustic wave data showed that an error in manufacture in the form of an overscan occurred. Comparing areas affected by overscan with a bulk material, a change in defect density from 1.17% in the bulk material to 5.32% in the overscan regions was observed, highlighting the need to reduce overscan areas in manufacture.
Trophic dynamics of a simple model ecosystem
Authors: Bell Graham , Fortier-Dubois Étienne
Published: September 2017

We have constructed a model of community dynamics that is simple enough to enumerate all possible food webs, yet complex enough to represent a wide range of ecological processes. We use the transition matrix to predict the outcome of succession and then investigate how the transition probabilities are governed by resource supply and immigration. Low-input regimes lead to simple communities whereas trophically complex communities develop when there is an adequate supply of both resources and immigrants. Our interpretation of trophic dynamics in complex communities hinges on a new principle of mutual replenishment, defined as the reciprocal alternation of state in a pair of communities linked by the invasion and extinction of a shared species. Such neutral couples are the outcome of succession under local dispersal and imply that food webs will often be made up of suites of trophically equivalent species. When immigrants arrive from an external pool of fixed composition a similar principle predicts a dynamic core of webs constituting a neutral interchange network, although communities may express an extensive range of other webs whose membership is only in part predictable. The food web is not in general predictable from whole-community properties such as productivity or stability, although it may profoundly influence these properties.