bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Lessons from Metabonomics on the Neurobiology of Stroke
Authors: Qureshi Mahim I. , Vorkas Panagiotis A. , Coupland Alexander P. , Jenkins I. Harri , Holmes Elaine , Davies Alun H.
Published: October 2016

The application of metabonomic science to interrogate stroke permits the study of metabolite entities, small enough to cross the blood-brain barrier, that provide insight into neuronal dysfunction, and may serve as reservoirs of biomarker discovery. This systematic review examines the applicability of metabolic profiling in ischemic stroke research. Six human studies utilizing metabolic profiling to analyze biofluids from ischemic stroke patients have been included, employing 1H-NMR and/or mass spectrometry to analyze plasma, serum, and/or urine in a targeted or untargeted fashion. Three are diagnostic studies, and one investigates prognostic biomarkers of stroke recurrence following transient ischemic attack. Two studies focus on metabolic distinguishers of depression or cognitive impairment following stroke. Identified biomarkers from blood and urine predominantly relate to homocysteine and folate, branched chain amino acid, and lipid metabolism. Statistical models are well fitted and reproducible, with excellent validation outcomes, demonstrating the feasibility of metabolic profiling to study a complex disorder with multicausal pathology, such as stroke.
Renovating Body and Space
Authors: Tillett Wade
Published: October 2016

In this article, the author has renamed the complicated conglomeration of the lived experience of the body-space as an “embody.” An embody includes a body schema, extensions to that body schema, peripersonal space, space, and more—a sort of working map of self and world. An embody continually changes definition in interaction with culture, (architectural) habitats, clothes, tools, vehicles, others, and so forth. Multiple embodies are often simultaneously deployed. Through vignettes and poetic prose, this project explores how the embody of daily experiences is composed. What is this embody of embodied experience? What forms of bodies and spaces does it take up? How are they constructed? What can they do?
It’s About Time
Authors: Gabriel Allison S. , Diefendorff James M. , Bennett Andrew A. , Sloan Matthew D.
Published: October 2016

Organizational scholars have grown increasingly aware of the importance of capturing phenomenon at the within-person level of analysis in order to test many organizational behavior theories involving emotions, motivation, performance, and interpersonal processes, to name a few. Experience sampling methodology (ESM) and diary-based procedures provide data that better match many dynamic organizational theories by measuring constructs repeatedly across events or days, providing an inter-episodic understanding of phenomena. In this article, we argue for the value of another measurement procedure that also adopts a repeated measures approach but does so by continuously measuring psychological processes without any gaps over relatively short timeframes. More specifically, we suggest that continuous rating assessments (CRA) can serve as a tool that enables the measurement of dynamic intra-episodic processes that unfold over the course of events, enabling precise determination of how, when, and in what way constructs change and influence each other over time. We provide an overview of this methodology, discuss its applicability to understanding time-based phenomena, and illustrate how this technique can provide new insight into dynamic processes using an empirical example.
Hippocampal microstructural damage correlates with memory impairment in clinically isolated syndrome suggestive of multiple sclerosis
Authors: Planche Vincent , Ruet Aurélie , Coupé Pierrick , Lamargue-Hamel Delphine , Deloire Mathilde , Pereira Bruno , Manjon José V , Munsch Fanny , Moscufo Nicola , Meier Dominik S , Guttmann Charles RG , Dousset Vincent , Brochet Bruno , Tourdias Thomas
Published: October 2016

Objective:

We investigated whether diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) could reveal early hippocampal damage and clinically relevant correlates of memory impairment in persons with clinically isolated syndrome (CIS) suggestive of multiple sclerosis (MS).

Methods:

A total of 37 persons with CIS, 32 with MS and 36 controls prospectively included from 2011 to 2014 were tested for cognitive performances and scanned with 3T-magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to assess volumetric and DTI changes within the hippocampus, whole brain volume and T2-lesion load.

Results:

While there was no hippocampal atrophy in the CIS group, hippocampal fractional anisotropy (FA) was significantly decreased compared to controls. Decrease in hippocampal FA together with increased mean diffusivity (MD) was even more prominent in MS patients. In CIS, hippocampal MD was correlated with episodic verbal memory performance ( r = −0.57, p = 0.0002 and odds ratio (OR) = 0.058, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 0.0057–0.59, p = 0.016 adjusted for age, gender, depression and T2-lesion load), but not with cognitive tasks unrelated to hippocampal functions. Hippocampal MD was the only variable discriminating memory-impaired from memory-preserved persons with CIS (area under the curve (AUC) = 0.77, sensitivity = 90.0%, specificity = 70.3%, positive predictive value (PPV) = 52.9%, negative predictive value (NPV) = 95.0%).

Conclusion:

DTI alterations within the hippocampus might reflect early neurodegenerative processes that are correlated with episodic memory performance, discriminating persons with CIS according to their memory status.
An interregional extension of destination brand equity
Authors: Kim Seongseop (Sam) , Schuckert Markus , Im Holly Hyungjeong , Elliot Statia
Published: October 2016

Since the 1990s, the Asia-Pacific region’s world market share of international travelers has increased, as America’s and Europe’s shares have fallen. China (People’s Republic of China) has become the world’s biggest tourism source market with an overseas spend of US$292 billion in 2015, fueling opportunities for the region and beyond. Now, Asia Pacific outbound travel is extending past short-haul interregional travel to long-haul destinations, specifically Europe. To realize this potential, European destinations need a better understanding of the Chinese traveler; their perceptions of destinations, awareness, and loyalty. This study measures the brand equity of Switzerland and Austria as perceived by Hong Kong Chinese tourists. Structural equation modeling results indicate that destination brand image and associations significantly impact brand loyalty, whereas destination awareness does not, contrary to past interregional research findings. Understanding the influence of brand components on overall brand equity supports the efficacy of the brand equity model for interregional destinations.
Psychological factors associated with the use of weight management behaviours in young adults
Authors: Mulgrew Kate E , Kannis-Dymand Lee , Hughes Emily , Carter Janet D , Kaye Sherrie
Published: October 2016

We modified the Weight Control Behaviours scale to explore unhealthy/healthy behaviours to increase, decrease or maintain weight in young adults ( N = 1082) and associations with body mass index, depression and body image. Females reported more use of all strategies except those which increase body size or exercising to exhaustion. Although the sample reported more use of healthy weight management strategies, the use of dangerous ones warrants attention by healthcare professionals. Feelings of fatness was an important predictor of weight management behaviours. Public health campaigns should focus on the harmfulness of unhealthy weight management practices as well as the importance of healthy ones.
Babymetal and the ambivalence of cuteness
Authors: Plourde Lorraine
Published: October 2016

This article examines the recent emergence of the genre of ‘cute metal’ through the Japanese teen girl group Babymetal. Drawing on Sianne Ngai’s theories of cuteness, I explore notions of cuteness on two levels: Babymetal’s cute, and at times childish, vision of metal that evokes cuteness’s intertwining with violence and aggressiveness and the critical, yet ambivalent, reception of Babymetal by some in the global metal community as inauthentic or suspect. The critiques and affective responses to Babymetal’s music reveal the inherent power of cuteness to make viewers feel as if they are being duped. As I argue, Babymetal’s complex performance aesthetics invoke cuteness as inherently weak, vulnerable and tied to girlhood. At the same time, however, they deform these qualities in jarring and unexpected ways, ultimately transforming cuteness and the genre of cute metal into a powerful and subversive affective form.
‘Je suis Charlie’: Viral circulation and the ambivalence of affective citizenship
Authors: Payne Robert
Published: October 2016

This article examines the online circulation of the slogan ‘ Je suis Charlie’ which went viral on social media after the Charlie Hebdo attacks in Paris in January 2015. Building first on recent literature on digital virality, it approaches the slogan’s circulation in terms of the transfer of affective intensities among network connections and with consideration to the function of social media algorithms in bringing about network encounters. Two samples of tweets using the slogan are analysed to highlight the emergence of subjective relations to Charlie from within networked circuits of affect. The declaration ‘ Je suis Charlie’ is argued to be a performance of affective citizenship in the name of social cohesion while also constructing ‘affect aliens’.
Multimorbidity, frailty and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
Authors: Holland Anne E , Harrison Samantha L , Brooks Dina
Published: October 2016

The overwhelming majority of people with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) have at least one coexisting medical condition often conceptualized as ‘comorbidities’. These coexisting conditions vary in severity and impact; it is likely that for some patients, COPD is not their most important or severe condition. The concepts of multimorbidity and frailty may be useful to understand the broader needs of people with COPD undergoing pulmonary rehabilitation. Multimorbidity describes the coexistence of two or more chronic conditions, without reference to a primary condition. Best care for people with multimorbidity has been described as a shift from providing disease-focused to patient-centred care. Pulmonary rehabilitation is well placed to deliver such care as it focuses on optimizing function, encourages integration across care settings, values input from multidisciplinary teams and measures patient-important outcomes. When designing optimal pulmonary rehabilitation services for people with multimorbidity, the concept of frailty may be useful. Frailty focuses on impairments rather than medical conditions including impairments in mobility, strength, balance, cognition, nutrition, endurance, mood and physical activity. Emerging data suggest that frailty may be modifiable with pulmonary rehabilitation. The challenge for pulmonary rehabilitation clinicians is to broaden our perspective on the role and outcomes of pulmonary rehabilitation for people with multimorbidity.
Characterization and study of physical properties and antibacterial activities of human hair keratin–silver nanoparticles and keratin–gold nanoparticles coated cotton gauze fabric
Authors: Shanmugasundaram OL , Ramkumar M
Published: October 2016

Human hairs are considered as major waste from barbershops. It contains an important protein called keratin. Keratin from human hair exhibits biocompatibility, wound-healing property, biodegradability, and antibacterial property. Silver and gold nanoparticles are commonly used in wound-healing applications. These nanoparticles possess excellent functional properties like antibacterial, wound healing and biocompatibility and applicable in biomedical field. In this study, silver and gold nanoparticles were used along with human hair keratin for the production of antibacterial materials. The functional properties of these two materials are synergized for wound-healing applications. Silver and gold nanoparticles were synthesized by chemical reduction method. The synthesized nanoparticles were characterized using UV–Visible, particle size, and zeta potential analyses. The prepared materials were characterized by scanning electron microscopy, Fourier transform infrared, and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopic analyses and they were measured for the physical properties such as air permeability, water contact angle, moisture content, and water absorbency. Furthermore, the antibacterial activities were evaluated against burn wound bacteria. Superior antibacterial activities and adequate physical properties found in keratin/nanoparticles immobilized cotton samples.
Introduction to the Special Issue on Girls From Outer Space: Emerging Girl Subjectivities and Reterritorializing Girlhood
Authors: Bae-Dimitriadis Michelle
Published: October 2016

With an overview of the authors’ contributions, this introduction to the special issue on girls from outer space provides a conceptual framework for bringing counter-narratives of girls from the margins, where unheard voices and movements have emerged, developed, and expanded as a way of talking back to the dominant girlhood space and discourse as well as society. Moving away from both binary and canonical lenses of girlhood that center on White middle-class girlhood, this special issue focuses on lived experiences of girls of color who exist among socio-economically alienated spaces such as immigrant, homeless, queer, and domestically violent spaces, etc. Most of all, it delineates a conceptual revision of the notion of outsideness by shifting from simply victimized, within a deficit model, to a complex dimension of girl agency that demonstrates both limiting and expanding experiences of the girls. Drawing upon feminist insights, this conceptual work attempts to relocate outsideness in the center of girlhood studies, which pays attention to alternative methodological approaches that recover epistemological barriers of girlhood by addressing (dis)entanglement of the girl participants’ minds and actions in diverse research contexts, and by disclosing the dynamic, contradictory, and complicated ideas, voices, and values from the girls’ perspectives.
Girlhood Unscripted: A Homeless Black Girl’s Video Narratives and the New Terrain of Representation
Authors: Ivashkevich Olga
Published: October 2016

The article examines impromptu video narratives produced by a Black 9-year-old girl Kiara during the video-making sessions at the shelter for homeless families in Columbia, South Carolina. I argue that these video narratives create a new discourse of girlhood that ruptures existing media, popular culture, and other societal scripts about girlhood and disenfranchised communities—a discourse of girlhood unscripted—which brings into play the complex intersections of class, ethnicity, race, and gender and produces a new realm of representation. Drawing on her daily experiences of poverty, hunger, violence, incarceration, and racism, Kiara’s narratives also pose a challenge to the field of girlhood studies which continues to focus on White, middle-class femininity thereby creating a scholarly trap of representation.
Writing Integrative Literature Reviews
Authors: Torraco Richard J.
Published: October 2016

This article presents the integrative review of literature as a distinctive form of research that uses existing literature to create new knowledge. As an expansion and update of a previously published article on this topic, it reviews the growing body of literature on how to write literature reviews. The article identifies the main components of the integrative literature review, provides examples of visual representations for use in literature reviews, and describes how to write literature reviews that are integrative, definitive, and provocative. The article concludes by discussing the role of the integrative literature review in assessing future directions for policy and practice and in catalyzing further research.
Excellence in Development of Health Care Providers
Authors: Cuellar Norma Graciela , Miller Alyssia , Knappen Jackson , Visina Jacqueline
Published: October 2016

Introduction:

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, 17% of the U.S. population is Latino, with an expected increase to 31% by 2060. It is imperative that we prepare students who will be future health care providers with the resources needed to care for the Latino population, specifically increasing the number of Spanish-speaking health care providers who have some understanding of the Latino culture. There is a lack of health care providers who are educated about the Latino culture and lack mentorship in the development of medical conversational Spanish.

Method:

The Nicaragua Clinical Experience is a service learning abroad program embedded in an academic setting through the scholarship of cultural immersion, language development, health care, and leadership development of students.

Conclusion:

The Nicaragua Clinical Experience is a unique academic program that prepares pre–health care majors to provide culturally congruent health care for the Latino population.

Clinical Implications:

Students are prepared to care for Latino patients through the cultural immersion program and are also introduced to working in “team-based care” multidisciplinary groups to improve health care outcomes.
Super-twisting sliding mode control for carbon fiber multilayer diagonal loom
Authors: Liu Wei , Jiang Xiuming , Liu Guohui
Published: October 2016

A super-twisting sliding mode controller is proposed for nonlinear system with external disturbance in order to reduce chattering phenomenon. A criterion is obtained that guarantees the convergence of system states in finite time by Lyapunov stability method. Finally, the results of simulation for carbon fiber multilayer diagonal loom are presented to confirm the effectiveness of the super-twisting sliding mode controller design in agreement.
Prediction of bus passenger trip flow based on artificial neural network
Authors: Yu Shaoqiang , Shang Caiyun , Yu Yang , Zhang Shuyuan , Yu Wenlong
Published: October 2016

The bus passenger trip flow is the base data for transit route design and optimization, and the characteristic of urban land use is the important factor for transit trip. However, the standard land use data are difficult to reflect the intensity of transit trip. This research proposed a method based on each zone building, land use situation, and bus accessibility to forecast the bus passenger trip flow in future period. Traffic zone is divided into three categories in accordance with the purpose of the residents travel: residential, commercial, and industrial. Then, by artificial neural network model, the three categories of the traffic zone bus passenger trip flow are forecasted. The method is assessed with the data of Dalian developing zone in China and results show its feasibility and reliability. Finally, the future research direction is discussed.
Toward efficient task assignment and motion planning for large-scale underwater missions
Authors: MahmoudZadeh Somaiyeh , Powers David MW , Sammut Karl , Yazdani Amirmehdi
Published: October 2016

An autonomous underwater vehicle needs to possess a certain degree of autonomy for any particular underwater mission to fulfil the mission objectives successfully and ensure its safety in all stages of the mission in a large-scale operating field. In this article, a novel combinatorial conflict-free task assignment strategy, consisting of an interactive engagement of a local path planner and an adaptive global route planner, is introduced. The method takes advantage of the heuristic search potency of the particle swarm optimization algorithm to address the discrete nature of routing-task assignment approach and the complexity of nondeterministic polynomial-time-hard path planning problem. The proposed hybrid method is highly efficient as a consequence of its reactive guidance framework that guarantees successful completion of missions particularly in cluttered environments. To examine the performance of the method in a context of mission productivity, mission time management, and vehicle safety, a series of simulation studies are undertaken. The results of simulations declare that the proposed method is reliable and robust, particularly in dealing with uncertainties, and it can significantly enhance the level of a vehicle’s autonomy by relying on its reactive nature and capability of providing fast feasible solutions.
Planning with ants
Authors: Viseras Alberto , Losada Rafael Ortiz , Merino Luis
Published: October 2016

Rapidly exploring random trees (RRTs) have been proven to be efficient for planning in environments populated with obstacles. These methods perform a uniform sampling of the state space, which is needed to guarantee the algorithm’s completeness but does not necessarily lead to the most efficient solution. In previous works it has been shown that the use of heuristics to modify the sampling strategy could incur an improvement in the algorithm performance. However, these heuristics only apply to solve the shortest path-planning problem. Here we propose a framework that allows us to incorporate arbitrary heuristics to modify the sampling strategy according to the user requirements. This framework is based on ‘learning from experience’. Specifically, we introduce a utility function that takes the contribution of the samples to the tree construction into account; sampling at locations of increased utility then becomes more frequent. The idea is realized by introducing an ant colony optimization concept in the RRT/RRT* algorithm and defining a novel utility function that permits trading off exploitation versus exploration of the state space. We also extend the algorithm to allow an anytime implementation. The scheme is validated with three scenarios: one populated with multiple rectangular obstacles, one consisting of a single narrow passage and a maze-like environment. We evaluate its performance in terms of the cost and time to find the first path, and in terms of the evolution of the path quality with the number of iterations. It is shown that the proposed algorithm greatly outperforms state-of-the-art RRT and RRT* algorithms.
Disturbance rejection control of yaw channel of a small-scale unmanned helicopter via Takagi–Sugeno disturbance modeling approach
Authors: Fan Xiangxiang , Yi Yang , Zhang Tianping
Published: October 2016

In this article, the disturbance estimation and rejection problem are discussed for the yaw channel dynamics of small-scale unmanned helicopter subject to mismatched disturbances. Following Takagi–Sugeno fuzzy description for unknown nonlinear disturbances, a composite control input is designed to attenuate the influence of mismatched disturbances in system output channel by combining state feedback control law, disturbance observer, and well-designed disturbance compensator. The satisfactory control performances can be verified using linear inequality optimization algorithm. Simulation results on a yaw channel dynamical system can reflect the feasibility and effectiveness of the proposed disturbance rejection approach.
Study of error modeling in kinematic calibration of parallel manipulators
Authors: Wang Liping , Liu Yuzhe , Wu Jun , Wang Jinsong , Zhang Binbin
Published: October 2016

Error modeling is the foundation of a kinematic calibration which is a main approach to assure the accuracy of parallel manipulators. This article investigates the influence of error model on the kinematic calibration of parallel manipulators. Based on the coupling analysis between error parameters, an identifiability index for evaluating the error model is proposed. Taking a 3PRS parallel manipulator as an example, three error models with different values of identifiability index are given. With the same parameter identification, measurement, and compensation method, the computer simulations and prototype experiments of the kinematic calibration with each error model are performed. The simulation and experiment results show that the kinematic calibration using the error model with a bigger value of identifiability index can lead to a better accuracy of the manipulator. Then, an approach of error modeling is proposed to obtain a bigger value of identifiability index. The study of this article is useful for error modeling in kinematic calibration of other parallel manipulators.
Management of severe traumatic brain injury and acute respiratory distress syndrome using pumped extracorporeal carbon dioxide removal device
Authors: Martindale Tim , McGlone Phillip , Chambers Robert , Fennell Jon
Published: October 2016

The effects of a high carbon dioxide on cerebral perfusion and intracranial pressure are well known. We report the case of a man who presented after with a severe traumatic brain injury including intracranial and extradural haemorrhage. Neuroprotective ventilation was impossible without supramaximal tidal volumes due to a combination of chest trauma and severe bronchospasm. A pump driven Novalung iLA active® system was inserted to achieve both ARDSnet ventilation and a lowering of intracranial pressure. To our knowledge, this is the first time this system has been used to this effect. The patient went on to make a good recovery.
A comparative evaluation of treatment methods for bile duct stones after hepaticojejunostomy between percutaneous transhepatic cholangioscopy and peroral, short double-balloon enteroscopy
Authors: Tsutsumi Koichiro , Kato Hironari , Yabe Shuntaro , Mizukawa Sho , Seki Hiroyuki , Akimoto Yutaka , Uchida Daisuke , Matsumoto Kazuyuki , Tomoda Takeshi , Yamamoto Naoki , Horiguchi Shigeru , Kawamoto Hirofumi , Okada Hiroyuki
Published: October 2016

Background:

Bile duct stones after hepaticojejunostomy are considered a troublesome adverse event. Although percutaneous transhepatic procedures using a cholangioscopy is performed to treat these bile duct stones, a peroral endoscopic procedure using a short, double-balloon enteroscope (sDBE) is an alternative. This study aimed to compare the immediate and long-term outcomes of both treatments for bile duct stones in patients who underwent prior hepaticojejunostomy.

Methods:

Between October 2001 and May 2013, 40 consecutive patients were treated for bile duct stones after hepaticojejunostomy at a tertiary care hospital. Initial success with biliary access, biliary intervention-related technical success, clinical success, adverse events, hospitalization duration, and stone-free survival were retrospectively evaluated.

Results:

The initial success rates for biliary access were 100% (8/8) with percutaneous transhepatic cholangioscopy (PTCS) and 91% (29/32) with sDBE. In three patients in whom biliary access during initial sDBE failed, successful access with subsequent PTCS was achieved, and biliary intervention-related technical success and clinical success were eventually achieved in all 40 patients. The rate of adverse events was significantly lower with sDBE than with PTCS (10% versus 45%; p = 0.025). The median hospitalization duration for complete stone clearance was significantly shorter with sDBE than with PTCS (10 versus 35 days; p < 0.001). During the median 7.2 year or 3.1 year follow up, the probabilities of being stone-free at 1, 2, and 3 years were 100%, 73%, and 64% for PTCS and 85%, 65%, and 59% for sDBE, respectively ( p = 0.919).

Conclusions:

sDBE was useful, with few adverse events and short hospitalization; therefore, experienced endoscopists can consider it as first-line treatment for bile duct stones in patients with prior hepaticojejunostomy.
Twelve Committed Men: the feasibility of a community-based participatory HIV-prevention intervention within a Canadian men’s correctional facility
Authors: Martin Ruth Elwood , Turner Renee , Howett Larry , Howard Terry , Hanberg Debra , Buxton Jane A. , Moravan Veronika , Oliffe John L.
Published: October 2016

Objectives:

The intervention objectives were to evaluate and describe the feasibility of using a community-based research (CBR) approach to adapt and implement HIV-prevention materials and tools with incarcerated men. We found no prior published reports about CBR HIV-prevention education in Canadian correctional facilities.

Methods:

Twelve members of the correctional Peer Education Committee (PEC) and Aboriginal PEC, whom a correctional nurse identified as being interested in preventive health, were purposively invited to participate. Eight participants were serving life sentences, three were Aboriginal and their education levels ranged from below grade 8 to 11 years of post-secondary education. The setting was a medium-security federal correctional facility, housing 324 men. The intervention was guided by CBR and ‘greater involvement of people with AIDS’ principles. Participants were invited to attend four workshops, over seven days in May 2014, and to provide their insights regarding future scaled-up CBR HIV prevention. Each workshop included an HIV-prevention presentation and a focus group discussion, two of which were audio-recorded.

Findings:

All participants attended all sessions. Synthesis of mixed-method findings, with quantitative and qualitative data triangulation, demonstrated two major outcomes: ‘new knowledge was generated’ regarding feasibility of CBR HIV prevention in a men’s correction facility; and ‘capacity building occurred’ with increased participants’ social capital. Thirty incarcerated men requested HIV testing following the intervention, because participants spread their knowledge about HIV prevention to others. Participants asked to become ‘health ambassadors’ – champion advisors for future scaled-up CBR HIV-prevention intervention for the entire correctional facility.

Conclusion:

CBR HIV prevention is feasible within a Canadian men’s correctional facility.
Paradox Between Species Diversity and Conservation
Authors: de Maçaneiro João Paulo , Oliveira Laio Zimermann , Eisenlohr Pedro V. , Schorn Lauri Amândio
Published: October 2016

One way to draw attention to an area regarding conservation is to declare it as an Atlantic Forest Biosphere Reserve (RBMA). In this article, we analyzed attributes related to different forest remnants, including the only RBMA of Santa Catarina state (Brazil), a modified old-growth Subtropical Atlantic Forest remnant. We brought evidences that patterns of distribution of species abundance and species diversity are influenced by highly dominant species. We found a relevant proportion of endemic tree/shrub species and three endangered species. These findings demonstrate the relevant biodiversity of the Subtropical Atlantic Forest of Santa Catarina. The diversity profiles of the RBMA and other areas overlapped. This finding, which has an important conservational implication that the tree species diversity in these areas is similar. Therefore, we concluded that the areas considered in our study deserve attention regarding biological conservation. New priority areas for conservation are necessary, and the establishment of new RBMA may be a way to achieve this goal.
Experience of dolutegravir in HIV-infected treatment-naive patients from a tertiary care University Hospital in Ireland
Authors: Waqas Sarmad , O’Connor Mairead , Levey Ciara , Mallon Paddy , Sheehan Gerard , Patel Anjali , Avramovic Gordana , Lambert John S
Published: October 2016

Objective:

Dolutegravir, an HIV integrase inhibitor, is a relatively new treatment option. To assess the tolerability, side effects, and time to viral decline to non-detectable in patients newly started on dolutegravir.

Methods:

Retrospective health care record of 61 consecutive HIV treatment-naive patients started on dolutegravir was reviewed and analysed on SPSS.

Results:

The mean initial viral load was 160826.05 copies/mL (range, 79–1,126,617 copies/mL). HIV viral load became non-detectable in 63.9% of patients on dolutegravir within 3 months. In all, 60.7% of patients reported no side effects on dolutegravir; 98.4% of the patients claimed full compliance to their antiretrovirals.

Conclusion:

Dolutegravir was found to be efficacious and well tolerated in HIV-infected treatment-naive patients.
A feasible repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation clinical protocol in migraine prevention
Authors: Zardouz Shawn , Shi Lei , Leung Albert
Published: October 2016

Objective:

This case series was conducted to determine the clinical feasibility of a repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation protocol for the prevention of migraine (with and without aura).

Methods:

Five patients with migraines underwent five repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation sessions separated in 1- to 2-week intervals for a period of 2 months at a single tertiary medical center. Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation was applied to the left motor cortex with 2000 pulses (20 trains with 1s inter-train interval) delivered per session, at a frequency of 10 Hz and 80% resting motor threshold. Pre- and post-treatment numerical rating pain scales were collected, and percent reductions in intensity, frequency, and duration were generated.

Results:

An average decrease in 37.8%, 32.1%, and 31.2% were noted in the intensity, frequency, and duration of migraines post-repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation, respectively. A mean decrease in 1.9±1.0 (numerical rating pain scale ± standard deviation; range: 0.4–2.8) in headache intensity scores was noted after the repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation sessions.

Conclusion:

The tested repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation protocol is a well-tolerated, safe, and effective method for migraine prevention.
Pembrolizumab Therapy Triggering an Exacerbation of Preexisting Autoimmune Disease
Authors: Phadke Sneha D. , Ghabour Ramez , Swick Brian L. , Swenson Andrea , Milhem Mohammed , Zakharia Yousef
Published: October 2016

Historically, metastatic melanoma was uniformly and rapidly lethal, and treatment options were limited. In recent years, however, checkpoint inhibitors have emerged as an accepted standard treatment for patients with advanced melanoma. In clinical trials, these agents have been largely well tolerated and have the potential to result in durable responses. Importantly though, one must recognize the unique side effect profile of these therapies, which can trigger or exacerbate underlying autoimmune disease. Whether this autoimmune activation is associated with a clinical response to therapy has been debated, and while not definitive, there is evidence in the literature of a possible association. The 2 cases presented describe this autoimmune phenomenon, along with a review of the existing literature on the relationship between response to immunotherapy and autoimmune side effects.
Return to Sports After Arthroscopic Treatment of Rotator Cuff Calcifications in Athletes
Authors: Ranalletta Maximiliano , Rossi Luciano A. , Sirio Adrian , Bruchmann Guillermina , Maignon Gastón D. , Bongiovanni Santiago L.
Published: October 2016

Background:

Arthroscopic treatment of calcific deposits of rotator cuff tears has been described with successful results in the general population. However, despite the high frequency of this condition, there is no information in the literature regarding arthroscopic treatment of rotator cuff calcifications in athletes.

Purpose:

To analyze the time to return to sport, clinical outcomes, and complications of complete arthroscopic removal of intratendinous calcific deposits and repair of the tendon lesion without acromioplasty in athletes.

Study Design:

Case series; Level of evidence, 4.

Methods:

This study retrospectively evaluated 24 consecutive patients with a mean age of 36.2 years. The mean follow-up was 59 months (range, 24-108 months). Patients completed a questionnaire focused on the time to return to sport and treatment course. Pre- and postoperative functional assessment was performed using the Constant score and University of California Los Angeles (UCLA) score. Pain was assessed by visual analog scale (VAS). Radiographs and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) were performed to evaluate the recurrence of calcifications and the indemnity of the supraspinatus tendon repair.

Results:

Of the 24 patients, 23 (95.8%) were able to return to sports; 91.3% returned to the same level. The mean time to return to play was 5.3 months (range, 3-9 months): 26% of patients (6/23) returned to sports in less than 4 months, 61% (14/24) returned between 4 and 6 months, and 13% (3/24) returned after the sixth month. The mean Constant score increased from 26.9 preoperatively to 89.7 postoperatively ( P < .001), and the UCLA score increased from 17.3 preoperatively to 33.2 postoperatively ( P < .001). Significant improvement was obtained for pain (mean VAS, 8.4 [before surgery] vs 0.6 [after]; P < .001). The overall majority (91.6%) of patients were satisfied with their result. MRI examination at last follow-up (79% of patients) showed no tendon tears.

Conclusion:

In athletes with calcifying tendinitis of the supraspinatus tendon with failed nonoperative treatment, complete arthroscopic removal of calcific deposits and tendon repair without acromioplasty results in significant pain relief and improvement in functional outcomes. Most patients return to the same level of proficiency regardless of the type of sport and the level of competition before injury, with 91.6% of patients satisfied with their results.
Essential Aspects of Science Teacher Professional Development
Authors: Southerland Sherry A. , Granger Ellen M. , Hughes Roxanne , Enderle Patrick , Ke Fengfeng , Roseler Katrina , Saka Yavuz , Tekkumru-Kisa Miray
Published: October 2016

Current reform efforts in science place a premium on student sense making and participation in the practices of science. Given the disparity between these activities and current teaching practices, effective means of professional development around such practices must be identified. We use a close examination of 106 science teachers participating in Research Experiences for Teachers (RET) to identify, through structural equation modeling, the essential features in supporting teacher learning from these experiences. Findings suggest that participation in RET shape science teacher practice and beliefs, which in turn influence practice. Essential features of RET include engaging teachers socially in the research context and in research projects that are personally relevant to them. The model suggests ways to maximize the professional development potential of RET intended to support engagement in disciplinary practices.
Conflicting Climate Change Frames in a Global Field of Media Discourse
Authors: Broadbent Jeffrey , Sonnett John , Botetzagias Iosef , Carson Marcus , Carvalho Anabela , Chien Yu-Ju , Edling Christopher , Fisher Dana , Giouzepas Georgios , Haluza-DeLay Randolph , Hasegawa Koichi , Hirschi Christian , Horta Ana , Ikeda Kazuhiro , Jin Jun , Ku Dowan , Lahsen Myanna , Lee Ho-Ching , Lin Tze-Luen Alan , Malang Thomas , Ollmann Jana , Payne Diane , Pellissery Sony , Price Stephan , Pulver Simone , Sainz Jaime , Satoh Keiichi , Saunders Clare , Schmidt Luisa , Stoddart Mark C. J. , Swarnakar Pradip , Tatsumi Tomoyuki , Tindall David , Vaughter Philip , Wagner Paul , Yun Sun-Jin , Zhengyi Sun
Published: October 2016

Reducing global emissions will require a global cosmopolitan culture built from detailed attention to conflicting national climate change frames (interpretations) in media discourse. The authors analyze the global field of media climate change discourse using 17 diverse cases and 131 frames. They find four main conflicting dimensions of difference: validity of climate science, scale of ecological risk, scale of climate politics, and support for mitigation policy. These dimensions yield four clusters of cases producing a fractured global field. Positive values on the dimensions show modest association with emissions reductions. Data-mining media research is needed to determine trends in this global field.
Treatment of intracerebral haemorrhage with tranexamic acid – A review of current evidence and ongoing trials
Authors: Law Zhe Kang , Meretoja Atte , Engelter Stefan T , Christensen Hanne , Muresan Eugenia-Maria , Glad Solveig B , Liu Liping , Bath Philip M , Sprigg Nikola
Published: October 2016

Purpose

Haematoma expansion is a devastating complication of intracerebral haemorrhage (ICH) with no established treatment. Tranexamic acid had been an effective haemostatic agent in reducing post-operative and traumatic bleeding. We review current evidence examining the efficacy of tranexamic acid in improving clinical outcome after ICH.

Method

We searched MEDLINE, EMBASE, CENTRAL and clinical trial registers for studies using search strategies incorporating the terms ‘intracerebral haemorrhage’, ‘tranexamic acid’ and ‘antifibrinolytic’. Authors of ongoing clinical trials were contacted for further details.

Findings

We screened 268 publications and retrieved 17 articles after screening. Unpublished information from three ongoing clinical trials was obtained. We found five completed studies. Of these, two randomised controlled trials (RCTs) comparing intravenous tranexamic acid to placebo ( n = 54) reported no significant difference in death or dependency. Three observational studies ( n = 281) suggested less haematoma growth with rapid tranexamic acid infusion. There are six ongoing RCTs ( n = 3089) with different clinical exclusions, imaging selection criteria (spot sign and haematoma volume), time window for recruitment and dosing of tranexamic acid.

Discussion

Despite their heterogeneity, the ongoing trials will provide key evidence on the effects of tranexamic acid on ICH. There are uncertainties of whether patients with negative spot sign, large haematoma, intraventricular haemorrhage, or poor Glasgow Coma Scale should be recruited. The time window for optimal effect of haemostatic therapy in ICH is yet to be established.

Conclusion

Tranexamic acid is a promising haemostatic agent for ICH. We await the results of the trials before definite conclusions can be drawn.
Silencing c-Myc translation as a therapeutic strategy through targeting PI3Kδ and CK1ε in hematological malignancies
Authors: Deng Changchun , Lipstein Mark R. , Scotto Luigi , Jirau Serrano Xavier O. , Mangone Michael A. , Li Shirong , Vendome Jeremie , Hao Yun , Xu Xiaoming , Deng Shi-Xian , Realubit Ronald B. , Tatonetti Nicholas P. , Karan Charles , Lentzsch Suzanne , Fruman David A. , Honig Barry , Landry Donald W. , O’Connor Owen A.
Published: October 2016

Key Points

A novel PI3Kδ inhibitor TGR-1202 synergizes with proteasome inhibitor carfilzomib by silencing c-Myc in preclinical models of lymphoma. The unique activity of TGR-1202 as a single agent and in combination with carfilzomib is driven by an unexpected activity targeting CK1ε.
Emerging anticoagulant strategies
Authors: Fredenburgh James C. , Gross Peter L. , Weitz Jeffrey I.
Published: October 2016

Despite the introduction of direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs), the search for more effective and safer antithrombotic strategies continues. Better understanding of the pathogenesis of thrombosis has fostered 2 new approaches to achieving this goal. First, evidence that thrombin may be as important as platelets to thrombosis at sites of arterial injury and that platelets contribute to venous thrombosis has prompted trials comparing anticoagulants with aspirin for secondary prevention in arterial thrombosis and aspirin with anticoagulants for primary and secondary prevention of venous thrombosis. These studies will help identify novel treatment strategies. Second, emerging data that naturally occurring polyphosphates activate the contact system and that this system is critical for thrombus stabilization and growth have identified factor XII (FXII) and FXI as targets for new anticoagulants that may be even safer than the DOACs. Studies are needed to determine whether FXI or FXII is the better target and to compare the efficacy and safety of these new strategies with current standards of care for the prevention or treatment of thrombosis. Focusing on these advances, this article outlines how treatment strategies for thrombosis are evolving and describes the rationale and approaches to targeting FXII and FXI. These emerging anticoagulant strategies should address unmet needs and reduce the systemic underuse of anticoagulation because of the fear of bleeding.
AlignStat: a web-tool and R package for statistical comparison of alternative multiple sequence alignments
Authors: Shafee Thomas , Cooke Ira
Published: October 2016

Background

Alternative sequence alignment algorithms yield different results. It is therefore useful to quantify the similarities and differences between alternative alignments of the same sequences. These measurements can identify regions of consensus that are likely to be most informative in downstream analysis. They can also highlight systematic differences between alignments that relate to differences in the alignment algorithms themselves.

Results

Here we present a simple method for aligning two alternative multiple sequence alignments to one another and assessing their similarity. Differences are categorised into merges, splits or shifts in one alignment relative to the other. A set of graphical visualisations allow for intuitive interpretation of the data.

Conclusions

AlignStat enables the easy one-off online use of MSA similarity comparisons or into R pipelines. The web-tool is available at AlignStat.Science.LaTrobe.edu.au. The R package, readme and example data are available on CRAN and GitHub.com/TS404/AlignStat.
TRIg: a robust alignment pipeline for non-regular T-cell receptor and immunoglobulin sequences
Authors: Hung Sheng-Jou , Chen Yi-Lin , Chu Chia-Hung , Lee Chuan-Chun , Chen Wan-Li , Lin Ya-Lan , Lin Ming-Ching , Ho Chung-Liang , Liu Tsunglin
Published: October 2016

Background

T cells and B cells are essential in the adaptive immunity via expressing T cell receptors and immunoglogulins respectively for recognizing antigens. To recognize a wide variety of antigens, a highly diverse repertoire of receptors is generated via complex recombination of the receptor genes. Reasonably, frequencies of the recombination events have been shown to predict immune diseases and provide insights into the development of immunity. The field is further boosted by high-throughput sequencing and several computational tools have been released to analyze the recombined sequences. However, all current tools assume regular recombination of the receptor genes, which is not always valid in data prepared using a RACE approach. Compared to the traditional multiplex PCR approach, RACE is free of primer bias, therefore can provide accurate estimation of recombination frequencies. To handle the non-regular recombination events, a new computational program is needed.

Results

We propose TRIg to handle non-regular T cell receptor and immunoglobulin sequences. Unlike all current programs, TRIg does alignments to the whole receptor gene instead of only to the coding regions. This brings new computational challenges, e.g., ambiguous alignments due to multiple hits to repetitive regions. To reduce ambiguity, TRIg applies a heuristic strategy and incorporates gene annotation to identify authentic alignments. On our own and public RACE datasets, TRIg correctly identified non-regularly recombined sequences, which could not be achieved by current programs. TRIg also works well for regularly recombined sequences.

Conclusions

TRIg takes into account non-regular recombination of T cell receptor and immunoglobulin genes, therefore is suitable for analyzing RACE data. Such analysis will provide accurate estimation of recombination events, which will benefit various immune studies directly. In addition, TRIg is suitable for studying aberrant recombination in immune diseases. TRIg is freely available at https://github.com/TLlab/trig.
Random fixed point theorems in partially ordered metric spaces
Authors: Nieto Juan J , Ouahab Abdelghani , Rodríguez-López Rosana
Published: October 2016

We present the random version in partially ordered metric spaces of the classical Banach contraction principle and some of its generalizations to ordered metric spaces.

The results are used to prove the existence of solutions for random differential equations with boundary conditions.