bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Vortex structure in p-wave superconductors
Authors: Alama Stan , Bronsard Lia , Lamy Xavier
Published: November 2015

We study vortices in p-wave superconductors in a Ginzburg-Landau setting. The state of the superconductor is described by a pair of complex wave functions, and the p-wave symmetric energy functional couples these in both the kinetic (gradient) and potential energy terms, giving rise to systems of partial differential equations which are nonlinear and coupled in their second derivative terms. We prove the existence of energy minimizing solutions in bounded domains Ω ⊂ ℝ2 and consider the existence and qualitative properties (such as the asymptotic behavior) of equivariant solutions defined in all of ℝ2. The coupling of the equations at highest order changes the nature of the solutions, and many of the usual properties of classical Ginzburg-Landau vortices either do not hold for the p-wave solutions or are not immediately evident.
Global solution of the relativistic Vlasov-Maxwell-Chern-Simons system
Authors: Yuan Jianjun
Published: November 2015

In this paper, as in the work of Luk and Strain [“Strichartz estimates and moment bounds for the Vlasov-Maxwell system I. The 2-D and 212-D cases,” preprint arXiv:1406.0168], by using the moment estimate and inhomogeneous Strichartz estimates, we prove the global existence of the solution of the relativistic Vlasov-Maxwell-Chern-Simons system, which admits noncompact momentum support initial data.
Three-dimensional hole transport in nickel oxide by alloying with MgO or ZnO
Authors: Alidoust Nima , Carter Emily A.
Published: November 2015

It has been shown previously that the movement of a hole in nickel oxide is confined to two dimensions, along a single ferromagnetic plane. Such confinement may hamper hole transport when NiO is used as a p-type transparent conductor in various solar energy conversion technologies. Here, we use the small polaron model, along with unrestricted Hartree-Fock and complete active space self-consistent field calculations to show that forming substitutional MxNi1−xO alloys with M = Mg or Zn reduces the barrier for movement of a hole away from the ferromagnetic plane to which it is confined. Such reduction occurs for hole transfer alongside one or two M ions that have been substituted for Ni ions. Furthermore, the Mg and Zn ions do not trap holes on O sites in their vicinity, and NiO's transparency is preserved upon forming the alloys. Thus, forming MxNi1−xO alloys with M = Mg or Zn may enhance NiO's potential as a p-type transparent conducting oxide, by disrupting the two-dimensional confinement of holes in pure NiO.
Mixed convection flow of MHD Eyring-Powell nanofluid over a stretching sheet: A numerical study
Authors: Malik M. Y. , Khan Imad , Hussain Arif , Salahuddin T.
Published: November 2015

In the present analysis incompressible two dimensional mixed convection flow of MHD Eyring-Powell nanofluid over a stretching sheet is investigated numerically. The governing highly nonlinear partial differential equations are converted into ordinary differential equations by using a similarity approach. Numerical solutions of the nonlinear ordinary differential equations are found by using a shooting method. Effects of various parameters are displayed graphically for velocity, temperature and concentration profiles. Also quantities of practical interest i.e skin friction coefficient, Nusselt number and Sherwood number are presented graphically and tabularly.
Tunable positive and negative refraction of infrared radiation in graphene-dielectric multilayers
Authors: Zhang R. Z. , Zhang Z. M.
Published: November 2015

Graphene-dielectric multilayers consisting of alternating layers of atom-thick graphene and nanometer-scale dielectric films exhibit characteristics of hyperbolic metamaterials, in which one positive and one negative permittivity are defined for orthogonal directions. Negative permittivity for electric field polarized in the direction parallel to the conductive graphene sheets gives rise to a negative angle of refraction and low-loss transmission for the side-incidence perspective proposed in this work. The Poynting vector tracing demonstrates the switching between positive and negative refraction in the mid-infrared region by tuning the chemical potential of graphene. This adjustable dual-mode metamaterial holds promise for infrared imaging applications.
On Monocarpus (Monocarpaceae, Marchantiopsida), an isolated salt-pan complex thalloid liverwort
Authors: Forrest Laura L. , Long David G. , Cargill D. Christine , Hart Michelle L. , Milne Josephine , Schill Daniela B. , Seppelt Rodney D. , Villarreal Juan Carlos
Published: November 2015

The phylogenetic placement of Monocarpus sphaerocarpus D.J.Carr (Monocarpaceae), a member of the complex thalloid liverworts with highly specialised morphology, presumably related to its saltpan habitat, has been determined on the basis of molecular data. Within the complex thalloid liverworts, Monocarpus resolves as sister to the Sphaerocarpales clade. A new line drawing of Monocarpus is provided, as are the first colour photographs of living plants. Detailed ornamentation of the spores of Monocarpus collections from Australia and South Africa, as revealed by scanning electron micrography, is reported, and some of the morphological features that unite and separate Monocarpus and the Sphaerocarpales s.str. are discussed.
Exploring the Severity of Dependence Scale (SDS) as a Possible Measure of Nicotine Dependence
Authors: Mercincavage Melissa , Smyth Joshua M. , Branstetter Steven A. , Catley Delwyn
Published: November 2015

Background

The time to first cigarette (TTFC) of the day is an emerging single-item indicator of nicotine dependence due to its robust associations with indices of physical dependence. However, it is unclear if this measure adequately captures other dimensions of dependence. The Severity of Dependence Scale (SDS) is a brief questionnaire used to assess psychological aspects of dependence that has not yet been extensively applied to smoking research.

Methods

We examined associations between the SDS and TTFC among 255 smokers during the baseline session of a cessation trial. We also examined associations of the SDS and TTFC with biobehavioral dependence indices, quitting behaviors, and cognitive-affective variables and compared the relative contributions of both measures in predicting these variables.

Results

TTFC was unrelated to SDS total score, but was related to individual SDS items. TTFC, but not SDS, was correlated with indices of physical dependence (e.g., cigarettes per day [CPD], carbon monoxide [CO]). Both TTFC and SDS were associated with quitting behaviors, with opposite directionality of associations. TTFC and SDS were both associated with cognitive-affective variables, but SDS outperformed TTFC in strength and number of these relationships. Including both the SDS and TTFC as regression model predictors often increased the amount of variance explained.

Conclusions

Findings suggest that SDS and TTFC assess different constructs of nicotine dependence; among smokers, the SDS appears to tap into nonphysical components of dependence (e.g., loss of control) that relate to quitting motivation and affect. Assessing nicotine dependence using only the SDS may fail to capture physical dependence and, further, may not reflect the same domains of addiction the SDS assesses in other drugs of abuse. Nonetheless, using 3 SDS items in addition to TTFC may offer utility over using TTFC alone.
An Exploration of Alcohol use Severity and Route of Drug Administration among Persons that use Heroin and Cocaine
Authors: Scherer Michael , Harrell Paul T. , Trenz Rebecca C. , Canham Sarah , Latimer William W.
Published: November 2015

Background

Alcohol use is prevalent among populations of persons that use illicit drugs. Problematic alcohol use among persons that use heroin and cocaine has been associated with poor treatment adherence, abstinence maintenance, and mental health concerns. Fully exploring how alcohol use severity interacts with route of administration (ROA) may be of notable importance in development of treatment protocols for persons that use heroin and cocaine.

Methods

Data from a neurological and sociobehavioral assessment of risk factors among injection and noninjection drug users known as the NEURO-HIV Epidemiologic Study was used in the analyses. Participants ( N = 551) included those who reported their level of past-30-day alcohol use and past-6-month heroin and cocaine use.

Results

Multiple logistic regression analyses found that both problematic and moderate alcohol users were significantly less likely than abstainers to report injecting heroin and cocaine. Both problematic and moderate alcohol users were significantly more likely than abstainers to snort substances.

Conclusions

Alcohol use may play a role in promoting or impeding the use of substances through certain ROAs. Treatment protocols that transition persons that use injection heroin and cocaine to noninjection use of these substances may be used in conjunction with treatments that reduce alcohol consumption as a means to reduce noninjection drug use.
Policies Related to Opioid Agonist Therapy for Opioid use Disorders: The Evolution of State Policies from 2004 to 2013
Authors: Burns Rachel M. , Pacula Rosalie L. , Bauhoff Sebastian , Gordon Adam J. , Hendrikson Hollie , Leslie Douglas L. , Stein Bradley D.
Published: November 2015

Background

State Medicaid policies play an important role in Medicaid enrollees’ access to and use of opioid agonists, such as methadone and buprenorphine, in the treatment of opioid use disorders. Little information is available, however, regarding the evolution of state policies facilitating or hindering access to opioid agonists among Medicaid enrollees.

Methods

During 2013–2014, we surveyed state Medicaid officials and other designated state substance abuse treatment specialists about their state's recent history of Medicaid coverage and policies pertaining to methadone and buprenorphine. We describe the evolution of such coverage and policies and present an overview of the Medicaid policy environment with respect to opioid agonist therapy from 2004 to 2013.

Results

Among our sample of 45 states with information on buprenorphine and methadone coverage, we found a gradual trend toward adoption of coverage for opioid agonist therapies in state Medicaid agencies. In 2013, only 11% of states in our sample ( n = 5) had Medicaid policies that excluded coverage for methadone and buprenorphine, whereas 71% ( n = 32) had adopted or maintained policies to cover both buprenorphine and methadone among Medicaid enrollees. We also noted an increase in policies over the time period that may have hindered access to buprenorphine and/or methadone.

Conclusions

There appears to be a trend for states to enact policies increasing Medicaid coverage of opioid agonist therapies, while in recent years also enacting policies, such as prior authorization requirements, that potentially serve as barriers to opioid agonist therapy utilization. Greater empirical information about the potential benefits and potential unintended consequences of such policies can provide policymakers and others with a more informed understanding of their policy decisions.
Locus-specific gene repositioning in prostate cancer
Authors: Leshner Marc , Devine Michelle , Roloff Gregory W. , True Lawrence D. , Misteli Tom , Meaburn Karen J.
Published: November 2015

Genes occupy preferred spatial positions within interphase cell nuclei. However, positioning patterns are not an innate feature of a locus, and genes can alter their localization in response to physiological and pathological changes. Here we screen the radial positioning patterns of 40 genes in normal, hyperplasic, and malignant human prostate tissues. We find that the overall spatial organization of the genome in prostate tissue is largely conserved among individuals. We identify three genes whose nuclear positions are robustly altered in neoplastic prostate tissues. FLI1 and MMP9 position differently in prostate cancer than in normal tissue and prostate hyperplasia, whereas MMP2 is repositioned in both prostate cancer and hyperplasia. Our data point to locus-specific reorganization of the genome during prostate disease.
Reference Values for Exercise Systolic Blood Pressure in 12- to 17-Year-Old
Adolescents
Authors: Hacke Claudia , Weisser Burkhard
Published: November 2015

OBJECTIVE

In adults, blood pressure (BP) during exercise has prognostic advantages compared to resting BP, whereas its relevance for children has not been revealed as clearly. Because exercise BP among young subjects might be of clinical importance, we sought to determine reference values in adolescents.

METHODS

BP recordings at rest and during a cycle ergometer test (1.5W/kg) were assessed in 492 teenagers (12–17 years) in the Kiel EX.PRESS. Study (EXercise and PRESSure). The resting systolic BP (SBP) values at the 90th and 95th percentile of the German reference population were applied on our resting SBP distribution. The resulting resting SBP percentiles were then used to propose exercise SBP limits.

RESULTS

Of our group, 12.4% exhibited a resting SBP ≥ 90th reference percentile, with 7.9% ≥ 95th percentile. The corresponding age group- and sex-specific percentiles were assigned to the exercise SBP distribution resulting in reference values for high normal and elevated SBP (upper limit, girls/boys, mm Hg): 172/172 for 12–13 years, 174.7/177.3 for 14–15 years, 178.5/201.3 for 16–17 years). Using these limits, exercise SBP values were elevated in 8.1%, 5.5% were within the high normal range. Normal resting SBP but at least high normal exercise SBP was found in 7.7%. In contrast, 7.4% were high normal or hypertensive at rest but normotensive during exercise.

CONCLUSIONS

Exercise BP is expected to be of additional use for the evaluation of BP in younger age groups. As long as prognostic data for exercise BP in adolescents are not available, the limits proposed might be considered in clinical practice.
Viral Shedding and Antibody Response in 37 Patients With Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus Infection
Authors: Corman Victor M. , Albarrak Ali M. , Omrani Ali Senosi , Albarrak Mohammed M. , Farah Mohamed Elamin , Almasri Malak , Muth Doreen , Sieberg Andrea , Meyer Benjamin , Assiri Abdullah M. , Binger Tabea , Steinhagen Katja , Lattwein Erik , Al-Tawfiq Jaffar , Müller Marcel A. , Drosten Christian , Memish Ziad A.
Published: November 2015

Background.  The Middle East respiratory syndrome (MERS) coronavirus causes isolated cases and outbreaks of severe respiratory disease. Essential features of the natural history of disease are poorly understood.

Methods.  We studied 37 adult patients infected with MERS coronavirus for viral load in the lower and upper respiratory tracts (LRT and URT, respectively), blood, stool, and urine. Antibodies and serum neutralizing activities were determined over the course of disease.

Results.  One hundred ninety-nine LRT samples collected during the 3 weeks following diagnosis yielded virus RNA in 93% of tests. Average (maximum) viral loads were 5 × 106 (6 × 1010) copies/mL. Viral loads (positive detection frequencies) in 84 URT samples were 1.9 × 104 copies/mL (47.6%). Thirty-three percent of all 108 serum samples tested yielded viral RNA. Only 14.6% of stool and 2.4% of urine samples yielded viral RNA. All seroconversions occurred during the first 2 weeks after diagnosis, which corresponds to the second and third week after symptom onset. Immunoglobulin M detection provided no advantage in sensitivity over immunoglobulin G (IgG) detection. All surviving patients, but only slightly more than half of all fatal cases, produced IgG and neutralizing antibodies. The levels of IgG and neutralizing antibodies were weakly and inversely correlated with LRT viral loads. Presence of antibodies did not lead to the elimination of virus from LRT.

Conclusions.  The timing and intensity of respiratory viral shedding in patients with MERS closely matches that of those with severe acute respiratory syndrome. Blood viral RNA does not seem to be infectious. Extrapulmonary loci of virus replication seem possible. Neutralizing antibodies do not suffice to clear the infection.
A multi-institution evaluation of clinical profile anonymization
Authors: Heatherly Raymond , Rasmussen Luke V , Peissig Peggy L , Pacheco Jennifer A , Harris Paul , Denny Joshua C , Malin Bradley A
Published: November 2015

Background and objective: There is an increasing desire to share de-identified electronic health records (EHRs) for secondary uses, but there are concerns that clinical terms can be exploited to compromise patient identities. Anonymization algorithms mitigate such threats while enabling novel discoveries, but their evaluation has been limited to single institutions. Here, we study how an existing clinical profile anonymization fares at multiple medical centers.

Methods: We apply a state-of-the-art k -anonymization algorithm, with k set to the standard value 5, to the International Classification of Disease, ninth edition codes for patients in a hypothyroidism association study at three medical centers: Marshfield Clinic, Northwestern University, and Vanderbilt University. We assess utility when anonymizing at three population levels: all patients in 1) the EHR system; 2) the biorepository; and 3) a hypothyroidism study. We evaluate utility using 1) changes to the number included in the dataset, 2) number of codes included, and 3) regions generalization and suppression were required.

Results: Our findings yield several notable results. First, we show that anonymizing in the context of the entire EHR yields a significantly greater quantity of data by reducing the amount of generalized regions from ∼15% to ∼0.5%. Second, ∼70% of codes that needed generalization only generalized two or three codes in the largest anonymization.

Conclusions: Sharing large volumes of clinical data in support of phenome-wide association studies is possible while safeguarding privacy to the underlying individuals.
Classification of radiology reports for falls in an HIV study cohort
Authors: Bates Jonathan , Fodeh Samah J , Brandt Cynthia A , Womack Julie A
Published: November 2015

Objective To identify patients in a human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) study cohort who have fallen by applying supervised machine learning methods to radiology reports of the cohort.

Methods We used the Veterans Aging Cohort Study Virtual Cohort (VACS-VC), an electronic health record-based cohort of 146 530 veterans for whom radiology reports were available ( N =2 977 739). We created a reference standard of radiology reports, represented each report by a feature set of words and Unified Medical Language System concepts, and then developed several support vector machine (SVM) classifiers for falls. We compared mutual information (MI) ranking and embedded feature selection approaches. The SVM classifier with MI feature selection was chosen to classify all radiology reports in VACS-VC.

Results Our SVM classifier with MI feature selection achieved an area under the curve score of 97.04 on the test set. When applied to all the radiology reports in VACS-VC, 80 416 of these reports were classified as positive for a fall. Of these, 11 484 were associated with a fall-related external cause of injury code (E-code) and 68 932 were not, corresponding to 29 280 patients with potential fall-related injuries who could not have been found using E-codes.

Discussion Feature selection was crucial to improving the classifier’s performance. Feature selection with MI allowed us to select the number of discriminative features to use for classification, in contrast to the embedded feature selection method, in which the number of features is chosen automatically.

Conclusion Machine learning is an effective method of identifying patients who have suffered a fall. The development of this classifier supplements the clinical researcher’s toolkit and reduces dependence on under-coded structured electronic health record data.
Regulatory Solutions to the Problem of High Generic Drug Costs
Authors: Luo Jing , Sarpatwari Ameet , Kesselheim Aaron S.
Published: November 2015

Recent reports have highlighted dramatic price increases for several older generic drugs, including a number of essential products used to treat deadly infectious diseases. Although most of these medicines have been widely available at reasonable prices for decades, some manufacturers have seized on unique features of the pharmaceutical marketplace to seek substantial profits. In this Perspective, we examine limitations in current price regulation among public and private payors and consider several reforms that could address the problem of expensive generic drugs through improved competition.
Inflammation Increases Neuronal Sensitivity to General Anesthetics
Authors: Avramescu Sinziana , Wang Dian-Shi , Lecker Irene , To William T. H. , Penna Antonello , Whissell Paul D. , Mesbah-Oskui Lia , Horner Richard L. , Orser Beverley A.
Published: November 2015

AbstractAbstract

The inflammatory cytokine interleukin-1β increased γ-aminobutyric acidergic inhibitory currents in the presence of etomidate or isoflurane in cultured mouse hippocampal and cortical neurons. In a mouse model of sepsis, behavioral sensitivity to both anesthetics was increased. The clinical relevance of these findings will require studies of specific anesthetic endpoints in patients with systemic inflammation.

Background

Critically ill patients with severe inflammation often exhibit heightened sensitivity to general anesthetics; however, the underlying mechanisms remain poorly understood. Inflammation increases the number of γ-aminobutyric acid type A (GABAA) receptors expressed on the surface of neurons, which supports the hypothesis that inflammation increases up-regulation of GABAA receptor activity by anesthetics, thereby enhancing the behavioral sensitivity to these drugs.

Methods

To mimic inflammation in vitro, cultured hippocampal and cortical neurons were pretreated with interleukin (IL)-1β. Whole cell patch clamp methods were used to record currents evoked by γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) (0.5 μM) in the absence and presence of etomidate or isoflurane. To mimic inflammation in vivo, mice were treated with lipopolysaccharide, and several anesthetic-related behavioral endpoints were examined.

Results

IL-1β increased the amplitude of current evoked by GABA in combination with clinically relevant concentrations of either etomidate (3 μM) or isoflurane (250 μM) (n = 5 to 17, P < 0.05). Concentration–response plots for etomidate and isoflurane showed that IL-1β increased the maximal current 3.3-fold (n = 5 to 9) and 1.5-fold (n = 8 to 11), respectively (P < 0.05 for both), whereas the half-maximal effective concentrations were unchanged. Lipopolysaccharide enhanced the hypnotic properties of both etomidate and isoflurane. The immobilizing properties of etomidate, but not isoflurane, were also increased by lipopolysaccharide. Both lipopolysaccharide and etomidate impaired contextual fear memory.

Conclusions

These results provide proof-of-concept evidence that inflammation increases the sensitivity of neurons to general anesthetics. This increase in anesthetic up-regulation of GABAA receptor activity in vitro correlates with enhanced sensitivity for GABAA receptor–dependent behavioral endpoints in vivo.
The Classification for Early-onset Scoliosis (C-EOS) Correlates With the Speed of Vertical Expandable Prosthetic Titanium Rib (VEPTR) Proximal Anchor Failure
Authors: Park Howard Y. , Matsumoto Hiroko , Feinberg Nicholas , Roye David P. , Kanj Wajdi W. , Betz Randal R. , Cahill Patrick J. , Glotzbecker Michael P. , Luhmann Scott J. , Garg Sumeet , Sawyer Jeffrey R. , Smith John T. , Flynn John M. , Vitale Michael G.
Published: November 2015

Background:

The Classification for Early-onset Scoliosis (C-EOS) was developed by a consortium of early-onset scoliosis (EOS) surgeons. This study aims to examine if the C-EOS classification correlates with the speed (failure/unit time) of proximal anchor failure in EOS surgery patients.

Methods:

A total of 106 EOS patients were retrospectively queried from an EOS database. All patients were treated with vertical expandable prosthetic titanium rib and experienced proximal anchor failure. Patients were classified by the C-EOS, which includes a term for etiology [C: Congenital (54.2%), M: Neuromuscular (32.3%), S: Syndromic (8.3%), I: Idiopathic (5.2%)], major curve angle [1: ≤20 degrees (0%), 2: 21 to 50 degrees (15.6%), 3: 51 to 90 degrees (66.7%), 4: >90 degrees (17.7%)], and kyphosis [“−”: ≤20 (13.5%), “N”: 21 to 50 (42.7%), “+”: >50 (43.8%)]. Outcome was measured by time and number of lengthenings to failure.

Results:

Analyzing C-EOS classes with >3 subjects, survival analysis demonstrates that the C-EOS discriminates low, medium, and high speed of failure. The low speed of failure group consisted of congenital/51-90/hypokyphosis (C3−) class. The medium-speed group consisted of congenital/51-90/normal and hyperkyphosis (C3N, C3+), and neuromuscular/51-90/hyperkyphosis (M3+) classes. The high-speed group consisted of neuromuscular/51-90/normal kyphosis (M3N), and neuromuscular/>90/normal and hyperkyphosis (M4N, M4+) classes. Significant differences were found in time (P<0.05) and number of expansions (P<0.05) before failure between congenital and neuromuscular classes.

As isolated variables, neuromuscular etiology experienced a significantly faster time to failure compared with patients with idiopathic (P<0.001) and congenital (P=0.026) etiology. Patients with a major curve angle >90 degrees demonstrated significantly faster speed of failure compared with patients with major curve angle 21 to 50 degrees (P=0.011).

Conclusions:

The ability of the C-EOS to discriminate the speeds of failure of the various classification subgroups supports its validity and demonstrates its potential use in guiding decision making. Further experience with the C-EOS may allow more tailored treatment, and perhaps better outcomes of patients with EOS.

Level of Evidence:

Level III.
The Fate of Iliopsoas Muscle in the Long-term Follow-up After Open Reduction of Developmental Dysplasia of the Hip by Medial Approach. Part 1: MRI Evaluation
Authors: Yilmaz Serdar , Aksahin Ertugrul , Duran Semra , Bicimoglu Ali
Published: November 2015

Background:

There has been little information about the long-term status of the iliopsoas, which is the main flexor of the hip, after iliopsoas tenotomy in the treatment of developmental dysplasia of the hip (DDH). The aim of this study was to assess the status of the iliopsoas muscle and other flexors and extensors of the hip in long-term follow-up with magnetic resonance imaging after complete iliopsoas tenotomy in patients with unilateral DDH treated with open reduction with a medial approach.

Methods:

The study included 20 patients who underwent open reduction with a medial approach for unilateral DDH and had long-term follow-up. Magnetic resonance imaging assessment of iliopsoas, rectus femoris, tensor fasia lata, sartorius, and gluteus maximus muscles was applied and the muscles of the hip that was operated on were compared with the unoperated hip. In addition, the iliopsoas muscle was examined for reattachment and the effect of reattachment was evaluated.

Results:

The mean age at the time of operation was 10.53±3.61 months (range, 5 to 18 mo), and mean follow-up was 16.65±2.16 years (range, 13 to 20 y). Spontaneous reattachment of the iliopsoas was observed in 18 patients (90%), either in the lesser trochanter (65%) or the superior part of it (25%). There was no significant difference between the hips that were operated on and those that were not with regard to the mean cross-sectional areas (CSA) of the tensor fascia lata, rectus femoris, sartorius, and gluteus maximus muscles. The CSA of the tensor fascia lata, rectus femoris, sartorius, and gluteus maximus muscles showed no significant difference (P>0.05); however, CSA of iliopsoas muscle was significantly reduced in the operated hip (P<0.001).

Conclusions:

Although the iliopsoas tendon was atrophied after complete iliopsoas tenotomy, it was reattached in 90% of the patients spontaneously in long-term follow-up. There was no statistically significant compensatory hypertrophy in any muscles in response to iliopsoas atrophy.

Level of Evidence:

Level IV—Therapeutic.
Natural Disasters
Authors: Wynn Stephanie T.
Published: November 2015

Natural disasters leave survivors suffering physically, psychologically, and spiritually. An EF4 tornado on April 27, 2011, in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, known as April's Fury, raised the question of how mental health practitioners (MHPs) might respond to address psychological needs, rather than being exclusively assigned to offer physical support immediately following a disaster. This article proposes planning ahead for MHPs to provide psychological first aid (PFA) in the immediate aftermath of a catastrophe. Combating psychological issues early will hopefully help reduce the development of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) or prolonged grief disorder (PGD) in survivors.
Lowering Uric Acid with Allopurinol Improves Insulin Resistance and Systemic Inflammation in Asymptomatic Hyperuricemia
Authors: Takir Mumtaz , Kostek Osman , Ozkok Abdullah , Elcioglu Omer Celal , Bakan Ali , Erek Aybala , Mutlu Hasan Huseyin , Telci Ozge , Semerci Aysun , Odabas Ali Riza , Afsar Baris , Smits Gerard , Alanaspa Miguel , Sharma Shailendra , Johnson Richard J. , Kanbay Mehmet
Published: November 2015

Background

Hyperuricemia is an independent predictor of impaired fasting glucose and type 2 diabetes, but whether it has a causal role in insulin resistance remains controversial. Here we tested the hypothesis that lowering uric acid in hyperuricemic nondiabetic subjects might improve insulin resistance.

Methods

Subjects with asymptomatic hyperuricemia (n = 73) were prospectively placed on allopurinol (n = 40) or control (n = 33) for 3 months. An additional control group consisted of 48 normouricemic subjects. Serum uric acid, fasting glucose, fasting insulin, HOMA-IR (homeostatic model assessment of insulin resistance), and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein were measured at baseline and at 3 months.

Results

Allopurinol-treated subjects showed a reduction in serum uric acid in association with improvement in fasting blood glucose, fasting insulin, and HOMA-IR index, as well as a reduction in serum high-sensitivity C-reactive protein. The number of subjects with impaired fasting glucose significantly decreased in the allopurinol group at 3 months compared with baseline (n = 8 [20%] vs n = 30 [75%], 3 months vs baseline, P < 0.001). In the hyperuricemic control group, only glucose decreased significantly and, in the normouricemic control, no end point changed.

Conclusions

Allopurinol lowers uric acid and improves insulin resistance and systemic inflammation in asymptomatic hyperuricemia. Larger clinical trials are recommended to determine if lowering uric acid can help prevent type 2 diabetes.
Laughing Gas in a Pediatric Emergency Department—Fun for All Participants
Authors: Staubli Georg , Baumgartner Matthias , Sass Jörn Oliver , Hersberger Martin
Published: November 2015

The efficiency of nitrous oxide in an equimolar mixture with oxygen or in concentrations up to 70% is approved for short painful procedures. Evaluation of the vitamin B12 levels in anesthetic staff applying nitrous oxide showed reduced vitamin B12 plasma levels. This study examines the vitamin B12 status of medical staff working with nitrous oxide in a pediatric emergency department (ED). Medical staff of the ED at the University Children's Hospital Zurich participated. The vitamin B12 status was evaluated by measuring homocysteine, methylmalonic acid, vitamin B12, blood count, and the MTHFR C677T genotype. As a control group, medical personnel working in the “nitrous oxide–free” pediatric intensive care unit were recruited.

Results

The parameters for the vitamin B12 status of all participants were in the reference range, and there were no significant differences for the 2 groups. By trend, the ED staff showed higher vitamin B12 levels. The ED staff members were slightly older (P = 0.07) and had higher hemoglobin levels (P < 0.04) compared with the pediatric intensive care unit staff.

Conclusions

The use of nitrous oxide (50%-70%) with a demand valve is safe for the vitamin B12 status of medical personnel in the ED.
Is Level of Serum Ischemia-Modified Albumin A Useful Biomarker in Carbon Monoxide Poisoning Cases?
Authors: Kocaoglu Celebi , Erdem Said Sami , Ozel Ahmet
Published: November 2015

Objectives

Ischemia-modified albumin (IMA) is an emerging diagnostic biomarker for many ischemic conditions. The study was conducted to investigate whether there is a change in IMA levels in carbon monoxide poisoning and, if so, the clinical relevance of IMA levels.

Methods

This study was performed between October 2013 and April 2014 to compare levels of serum IMA drawn at the time of admission to the emergency department in 49 patients poisoned with carbon monoxide and 37 healthy controls. Serum IMA, blood carboxyhemoglobin, and lactate levels were analyzed.

Results

Ischemia-modified albumin levels of patients with carbon monoxide poisoning were higher than those of controls. In patient group, however, there was no correlation between serum IMA and carboxyhemoglobin levels (r = −0.244, P > 0.05), whereas a negative correlation was detected between serum IMA and lactate levels (r = −0.334, P < 0.05). After all, a positive correlation was present between carboxyhemoglobin and lactate levels (r = 0.399, P < 0.05).

Conclusions

Results from this preliminary study suggest that IMA might have diagnostic value in carbon monoxide poisoning and may be a parameter to be used clinically together with carboxyhemoglobin levels in terms of reflecting tissue hypoxia. In addition, IMA may be a criterion, especially in delayed cases where carboxyhemoglobin level may be normal in deciding hyperbaric oxygen treatment. To clarify this issue, further studies with larger population are needed.
Rapid Genotype Refinement for Whole-Genome Sequencing Data using Multi-Variate Normal Distributions
Authors: Arthur Rudy , O’Connell Jared , Schulz-Trieglaff Ole , Cox Anthony J.
Published: November 2015

Whole-genome low-coverage sequencing has been combined with linkage-disequilibrium (LD) based genotype refinement to accurately and cost-effectively infer genotypes in large cohorts of individuals. Most genotype refinement methods are based on hidden Markov models, which are accurate but computationally expensive. We introduce an algorithm that models LD using a simple multivariate Gaussian distribution. The key feature of our algorithm is its speed, it is hundreds of times faster than other methods on the same data set and its scaling behaviour is linear in the number of samples. We demonstrate the performance of the method on both low-coverage and high-coverage samples.

Availability: The source code is available athttps://github.com/sequencing/marvin

Contact:rarthur@illumina.com
Unraveling the mechanism of proton translocation in the extracellular half-channel of bacteriorhodopsin
Authors: Ge Xiaoxia , Gunner M. R.
Published: November 2015

Bacteriorhodopsin, a light activated protein that creates a proton gradient in halobacteria, has long served as a simple model of proton pumps. Within bacteriorhodopsin, several key sites undergo protonation changes during the photocycle, moving protons from the higher pH cytoplasm to the lower pH extracellular side. The mechanism underlying the long-range proton translocation between the central (the retinal Schiff base SB216, D85 and D212) and exit clusters (E194 and E204) remains elusive. To obtain a dynamic view of the key factors controlling proton translocation, a systematic study using molecular dynamics simulation was performed for eight bacteriorhodopsin models varying in retinal isomer and protonation of the SB216, D85, D212 and E204. The side-chain orientation of R82 is determined primarily by the protonation states of the residues in the EC. The side-chain reorientation of R82 modulates the hydrogen-bond network and consequently possible pathways of proton transfer. Quantum mechanical intrinsic reaction coordinate calculations of proton-transfer in the methyl guanidinium-hydronium-hydroxide model system show that proton transfer via a guanidinium group requires an initial geometry permitting proton donation and acceptance by the same amine. In all the models, R82 can form proton wires with both the CC and the EC connected by the same amine. Alternatively, rare proton wires for proton transfer from the CC to the EC without involving R82 were found in an O’ state where the proton on D85 is transferred to D212.
A spectral analysis approach to detect actively translated open reading frames in high-resolution ribosome profiling data
Authors: Calviello Lorenzo , Mukherjee Neelanjan , Wyler Emanuel , Zauber Henrik , Hirsekorn Antje , Selbach Matthias , Landthaler Markus , Obermayer Benedikt , Ohler Uwe
Published: November 2015

RNA sequencing protocols allow for quantifying gene expression regulation at each individual step, from transcription to protein synthesis. Ribosome Profiling (Ribo-seq) maps the positions of translating ribosomes over the entire transcriptome. Despite its great potential, a rigorous statistical approach to identify translated regions by means of the characteristic three-nucleotide periodicity of Ribo-seq data is not yet available. To fill this gap, we developed RiboTaper, which quantifies the significance of periodic Ribo-seq reads via spectral analysis methods.

We applied RiboTaper on newly generated, deep Ribo-seq data in HEK293 cells, to derive an extensive map of translation that covers Open Reading Frame (ORF) annotations for more than 11,000 protein-coding genes. We also find distinct ribosomal signatures for several hundred detected upstream ORFs and ORFs in annotated non-coding genes (ncORFs). Mass spectrometry data confirms that RiboTaper achieves excellent coverage of the cellular proteome and validates dozens of novel peptide products. Collectively, RiboTaper (available athttps://ohlerlab.mdc-berlin.de/software/) is a powerful method for comprehensivede novoidentification of actively used ORFs in the human genome.
Contribution of spatial heterogeneity in effective population sizes to the variance in pairwise measures of genetic differentiation
Authors: Prunier Jérôme G. , Dubut Vincent , Chikhi Lounès , Blanchet Simon
Published: November 2015

Pairwise measures of neutral genetic differentiation are supposed to contain information about past and on-going dispersal events and are thus often used as dependent variables in correlative analyses to elucidate how neutral genetic variation is affected by landscape connectivity. However, spatial heterogeneity in the intensity of genetic drift, stemming from variations in population sizes, may inflate variance in measures of genetic differentiation and lead to erroneous or incomplete interpretations in terms of connectivity. Here, we tested the efficiency of two distance-based metrics designed to capture the unique influence of spatial heterogeneity in local drift on genetic differentiation. These metrics are easily computed from estimates of effective population sizes or from environmental proxies for local carrying capacities, and allow us to introduce the hypothesis of Spatial-Heterogeneity-in-Effective-Population-Sizes (SHNe). SHNe can be tested in a way similar to isolation-by-distance or isolation-by-resistance within the classical landscape genetics hypothesis-testing framework.

We used simulations under various models of population structure to investigate the reliability of these metrics to quantify the unique contribution of SHNe in explaining patterns of genetic differentiation. We then applied these metrics to an empirical genetic dataset obtained for a freshwater fish (Gobio occitaniae).

Simulations showed that SHNe explained up to 60% of variance in genetic differentiation (measured asFst) in the absence of gene flow, and up to 20% when migration rates were as high as 0.10. Furthermore, one of the two metrics was particularly robust to uncertainty in the estimation of effective population sizes (or proxies for carrying capacity). In the empirical dataset, the effect of SHNe on spatial patterns ofFstwas five times higher than that of isolation-by-distance, uniquely contributing to 41% of variance in pairwiseFst. Taking the influence of SHNe into account also allowed decreasing the signal-to-noise ratio, and improving the upper estimate of effective dispersal distance.

We conclude that the use of SHNe metrics in landscape genetics will substantially improve the understanding of evolutionary drivers of genetic variation, providing substantial information as to the actual drivers of patterns of genetic differentiation in addition to traditional measures of Euclidean distance or landscape resistance.
Crystal structure of (E)-N-[(2-methoxynaphthalen-1-yl)methylidene]-3-nitroaniline
Authors: Bhai R. Devika , Girija C. R. , Suresh Shalini , Reddy Ramakrishna
Published: November 2015

In the title compound, C18H14N2O3, the dihedral angle between the naphthalene ring system and the benzene ring is 59.99 (13)°. A short intramolecular C—H...N contact closes anS(6) ring. The nitro group is disordered over two orientations in a statistical ratio. In the crystal, weak C—H...O hydrogen bonds and very weak π–π stacking interactions [centroid–centroid separation = 3.9168 (17) Å] are observed.
Crystal structure ofN-(2-hydroxy-5-methylphenyl)benzamide
Authors: Moreno-Fuquen Rodolfo , Mariño Nory J. , Kennedy Alan R.
Published: November 2015

In the title compound, C14H13NO2, the mean plane of the non-H atoms of the central amide fragment C—N—C(=O)—C (r.m.s. deviation = 0.029 Å) forms dihedral angles of 5.63 (6) and 10.20 (5)° with the phenyl and hydroxyphenyl rings, respectively. A short intramolecular N—H...O contact is present. In the crystal, the molecules are linked by O—H...O hydrogen bonds to generateC(7) chains along [100]. The chains are reinforced by weak C—H...O contacts, which together with the O—H...O bonds lead toR22(7) loops. Very weak N—H...O interactions link the molecules into inversion dimers.
Crystal structure of ethyl 2,4-dichloroquinoline-3-carboxylate
Authors: Cabrera Alberto , Miranda Luis D. , Reyes Héctor , Aguirre Gerardo , Chávez Daniel
Published: November 2015

In the crystal structure of the title compound, C12H9Cl2NO2, the mean planes through the quinoline and carboxylate groups have r.m.s. deviations of 0.006 and 0.021 Å, respectively, and form a dihedral angle of 87.06 (19)°. In the crystal, molecules are linkedviavery weak C—H...O hydrogen bonds, forming chains, which propagate along thec-axis direction.
Crystal structure of 3-benzyl-1-[(cyclohexylidene)amino]thiourea
Authors: Mohamed Shaaban K. , Mague Joel T. , Akkurt Mehmet , Hassan Alaa A. , Abdel-Aziz Ahmed T. , Albayati Mustafa R.
Published: November 2015

The conformation of the title compound, C14H19N3S, is partially determined by an intramolecular N—H...N hydrogen-bond interaction, although the N—H...N angle of 108° is quite small. The cyclohexylidene ring has a chair conformation and its mean plane is inclined to the benzene ring by 46.30 (8)°. In the crystal, molecules are linked by pairs of N—H...S hydrogen bonds, forming inversion dimers, with anR22(8) ring motif. The dimers are reinforced by pairs of C—H...S hydrogen bonds, and are linked by further weak C—H...S hydrogen bonds, forming chains propagating along [100].
Essential precursors and effects of employee creativity in a service context
Authors: Shin Inyong , Hur Won-Moo , Oh Hongseok
Published: November 2015

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to examine how the emotional labor strategies of service employees differently influence the level of their creativity, and whether creative employees consequently benefit from that creativity in terms of achieving a high level of job performance.

Design/methodology/approach

– The authors surveyed flight attendants from an airline in South Korea. The authors distributed 150 questionnaires to flight attendants, received 126 responses, and finally obtained 119 usable data. The authors used Mplus 7.13 to evaluate validity and test the hypotheses.

Findings

– Whereas employees using deep acting were found to be less emotionally exhausted and more affectively committed toward their organization, which produced a high level of creativity, those who selected surface acting were shown to suffer more emotional exhaustion and have less affective commitment, which generated a low level of creativity. Customer service personnel behaving creatively resulted in superior official job performance appraisals.

Originality/value

– This study makes distinct contributions to the literature by proposing emotional labor as the key antecedent of employee creativity in service organizations, by confirming emotional exhaustion and affective commitment as the motivational mechanisms through which emotional labor strategies influence service employee creativity, and by suggesting the value of employee creativity.
Variety seeking by wine consumers in the southern states of the US
Authors: Olsen Janeen E. , Atkin Tom , Thach Liz , Cuellar Steve S.
Published: November 2015

Purpose

– The purpose of this study is to investigate variety-seeking behavior among US wine consumers to determine if there are differences in their personal characteristics, values and relationship with wine.

Design/methodology/approach

– The research design uses a quantitative research study using data from an online survey of 401 US wine consumers. The Schwartz Value Inventory and the VARSEEK scale are used as measurement instruments. Data are analyzed using descriptive statistics, cluster analysis, ANOVA and discriminate analysis.

Findings

– The results illustrate strong differences between high variety-seeking consumers compared to moderate variety-seeking and variety avoiders. High variety seekers are younger, hold values favoring stimulation and tolerance of risk, pay more for wine, purchase wine in more locations, prefer more varietals and consider themselves more wine knowledgeable and involved than the other two segments.

Practical implications

– The results provide implications for wine marketers targeting high variety-seeking consumers, including offering wine brands with a wider array of varietals, wines from different countries, various price tiers and include creative packaging and sustainable messages in their presentation.

Originality/value

– This paper presents research addressing an important construct for wine marketers attempting to introduce new products and build brand loyalty.