bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A universal theory for gas breakdown from microscale to the classical Paschen law
Authors: Loveless Amanda M. , Garner Allen L.
Published: November 2017

While well established for larger gaps, Paschen's law (PL) fails to accurately predict breakdown for microscale gaps, where field emission becomes important. This deviation from PL is characterized by the absence of a minimum breakdown voltage as a function of the product of pressure and gap distance, which has been demonstrated analytically for microscale and smaller gaps with no secondary emission at atmospheric pressure [A. M. Loveless and A. L. Garner, IEEE Trans. Plasma Sci. 45, 574–583 (2017)]. We extend these previous results by deriving analytic expressions that incorporate the nonzero secondary emission coefficient, γSE, that are valid for gap distances larger than those at which quantum effects become important (∼100 nm) while remaining below those at which streamers arise. We demonstrate the validity of this model by benchmarking to particle-in-cell simulations with γSE = 0 and comparing numerical results to an experiment with argon, while additionally predicting a minimum voltage that was masked by fixing the gap pressure in previous analyses. Incorporating γSE demonstrates the smooth transition from field emission dominated breakdown to the classical PL once the combination of electric field, pressure, and gap distance satisfies the conventional criterion for the Townsend avalanche; however, such a condition generally requires supra-atmospheric pressures for breakdown at the microscale. Therefore, this study provides a single universal breakdown theory for any gas at any pressure dominated by field emission or Townsend avalanche to guide engineers in avoiding breakdown when designing microscale and larger devices, or inducing breakdown for generating microplasmas.
A dynamic monitoring approach for the surface morphology evolution measurement of plasma facing components by means of speckle interferometry
Authors: Wang Hongbei , Cui Xiaoqian , Feng Chunlei , Li Yuanbo , Zhao Mengge , Luo Guangnan , Ding Hongbin
Published: November 2017

Plasma Facing Components (PFCs) in a magnetically confined fusion plasma device will be exposed to high heat load and particle fluxes, and it would cause PFCs’ surface morphology to change due to material erosion and redeposition from plasma wall interactions. The state of PFCs’ surface condition will seriously affect the performance of long-pulse or steady state plasma discharge in a tokamak; it will even constitute an enormous threat to the operation and the safety of fusion plasma devices. The PFCs’ surface morphology evolution measurement could provide important information about PFCs’ real-time status or damage situation and it would help to a better understanding of the plasma wall interaction process and mechanism. Meanwhile through monitoring the distribution of dust deposition in a tokamak and providing an upper limit on the amount of loose dust, the PFCs’ surface morphology measurement could indirectly contribute to keep fusion operational limits and fusion device safety. Aiming at in situ dynamic monitoring PFCs’ surface morphology evolution, a laboratory experimental platform DUT-SIEP (Dalian University of Technology-speckle interferometry experimental platform) based on the speckle interferometry technique has been constructed at Dalian University of Technology (DUT) in China. With directional specific designing and focusing on the real detection condition of EAST (Experimental Advanced Superconducting Tokamak), the DUT-SIEP could realize a variable measurement range, widely increased from 0.1 μm to 300 μm, with high spatial resolution (<1 mm) and ultra-high time resolution (<2 s for EAST measuring conditions). Three main components of the DUT-SIEP are all integrated and synchronized by a time schedule control and data acquisition terminal and coupled with a three-dimensional phase unwrapping algorithm, the surface morphology information of target samples can be obtained and reconstructed in real-time. A local surface morphology of the real divertor tiles adopted from EAST has been measured, and the feasibility and reliability of this new experimental platform have been demonstrated.
Carbon sequestration and its controlling factors in the temperate wetland communities along the Bohai Sea, China
Authors: Ye S. , Laws E. A. , Yuknis N. , Yu X. Y. , Ding X. , Yuan H. , Zhao G. , Wang J. , Pei S. , Brix H.
Published: November 2017

The carbon sequestration rate (CSR) in deltaic wetlands is associated with the nutrient balance, sediment (soil) accretion rate (SAR) and geological and climatic conditions. To explore the relationships between these factors, micronutrients; C, N, and P concentrations; and ages determined using either paleosols or radiometric dating with 210Pb were analysed from a total of 14 cores from the Yellow River delta (YRD) and Liaohe delta (LHD) wetlands, collected in 2007 and 2012 respectively. With the exception of Ca, concentrations of N, organic C, Cu, Zn, Fe, Mn, Mg, K, Al and H+ were significantly higher in the wetland soils of the LHD, but organic CSR was virtually identical at the two sites, ~140gCm–2year–1 at sites above mean sea level (MSL). SAR and organic CSR at LHD sites below MSL were ~2.8 times the corresponding rates at sites above MSL. SAR and total CSR were much higher in the YRD than LHD because of the much greater accumulation rate of CaCO3 in the YRD. Organic CSRs were primarily controlled by SAR in both deltaic wetland systems. However, organic CSRs were much more sensitive to changes in SARs in LHD wetlands than YRD wetlands.
You own the fuel, but who owns the fire?
Authors: Eburn Michael , Cary Geoffrey J.
Published: November 2017

In this paper, we argue that the statement ‘Whoever owns the fuel owns the fire’ implies a duty on landowners to manage fuel on their land to reduce the likelihood of bushfires, however started, from spreading to neighbouring properties. However, the notion ‘Whoever owns the fuel owns the fire’ has not been analysed from a legal perspective. This paper reviews Australian law to identify who is legally responsible for fire that starts on privately owned land. We argue that the correct interpretation of existing Australian law is: ‘Whoever owns the ignition owns the fire’ – that is, liability to pay for losses caused by bushfire has always fallen on those that intentionally start a fire, not on the owner of the fuel that sustains the fire. That legal conclusion could have dramatic implications for fire management policies. It will be shown that liability for starting a prescribed burn is clear-cut whereas liability for allowing accumulated fuel loads to contribute to the spread of fire is almost unheard of. As a result, we argue that the law is pushing landowners in a direction away from the policy direction adopted by all Australian governments. After identifying the current legal position, we recommend changes to align the law with the national policy direction.
Freshwater turtle hatchlings that stay in the nest: strategists or prisoners?
Authors: Chessman Bruce C.
Published: November 2017

Hatchlings of several species of freshwater turtles have been reported to remain in subterranean nests for extended periods following hatching from the egg. It has been suggested that this delayed emergence, including overwintering in the nest in populations at temperate latitudes, is an evolved adaptation that enables hatchlings to enter the aquatic environment at the most propitious time for survival and growth. I monitored nests of a temperate-zone population of the freshwater Australian eastern long-necked turtle (Chelodina longicollis) for up to a year after nest construction in fine-grained soils adjacent to oxbow lakes and farm ponds. An estimated 84% of nests were preyed on, probably mainly by non-native red foxes (Vulpes vulpes), whereas hatchlings emerged from autumn to spring from an estimated 5% of nests. The remaining 11% of nests were neither preyed on nor had emergence by a year after nest construction. Live hatchlings were present in some nests with no emergence up to 10 months after nest construction, but substantial numbers of dead hatchlings were present beyond nine months. It therefore seems unlikely that emergence occurs more than a year after nest construction. Delayed emergence of this species in this environment appears less likely to be an adaptive strategy than to be a consequence of imprisonment in the nest by hard soil that is difficult for hatchlings to excavate.
Expressivism, meaning, and allthat
Authors: Köhler Sebastian
Published: November 2017

It has recently been suggested that meta-normative expressivism is best seen as a meta-semantic, rather than a semantic view. One strong motivation for this is that expressivism becomes, thereby, compatible with truth-conditional semantics. While this approach is promising, however, many of its details are still unexplored. One issue that still needs to be explored in particular, is what accounts of propositional contents are open to meta-semantic expressivists. This paper makes progress on this issue by developing an expressivist-friendly deflationary account of such contents.
Impact of land cover change on a mountain ecosystem and its services: case study from the Phobjikha valley, Bhutan
Authors: Chaudhary Sunita , Tshering Dago , Phuntsho Tshering , Uddin Kabir , Shakya Bandana , Chettri Nakul
Published: November 2017

Introduction:
Mountains occupy 24% of the global land surface and are home to 12% of the world’s population; they host the world’s principal biomes and supply a diverse array of ecosystem services. But they are also highly sensitive to both natural and human induced changes, which can affect service provision meant for one third of humanity. Systematic research on impacts of land cover change from mountains at the local scale are limited, especially in developing countries, which poses a barrier to informed planning for sustainable management. Bhutan being in the forefront as contributor towards global conservation goals, a case study following a systematic research framework considering quantitative, qualitative and geospatial tools was experimented.

Outcome:
Respondents identified and ranked 24 ecosystem services, among which the provisioning services were the most important, followed by cultural, regulating, and supporting services. Forest was the most important land cover type for services, followed by marsh, scrub, water bodies, and agriculture. The area of forest declined by 2% and marsh by 7% over the 32-year period, suggesting a potential decrease in ecosystem services, which was also observed by the local community.

Discussion:
It was observed that 80% of the local people are still directly dependent on the diverse ecosystems for services. Though subtle, the decrease in land cover has implications for livelihoods of the people and the rich biodiversity of the area. Aspiring communities for local development needs guidance for identifying trade-offs in land cover types in sustainable management. An integrated and holistic approach focusing on both conservation and community development should be used to manage and develop the valley and the region sustainably.

Conclusion:
We recommend diversifying the limited livelihood strategies (potato farming and livestock grazing) to reduce the potential vulnerability of the local community and reduce the pressure on forest and marsh. Proper land use planning in the valley would be beneficial to maintain and regulate land uses in an effective way and avoid possible conflicts between settlement, agriculture, forest, and marsh.
Marsh persistence under sea-level rise is controlled by multiple, geologically variable stressors
Authors: Mitchell M. , Herman J. , Bilkovic D. M. , Hershner C.
Published: November 2017

Introduction:
Marshes contribute to habitat and water quality in estuaries and coastal bays. Their importance to continued ecosystem functioning has led to concerns about their persistence.

Outcomes:
Concurrent with sea-level rise, marshes are eroding and appear to be disappearing through ponding in their interior; in addition, in many places, they are being replaced with shoreline stabilization structures. We examined the changes in marsh extent over the past 40 years within a subestuary of Chesapeake Bay, the largest estuary in the United States, to better understand the effects of sea-level rise and human pressure on marsh coverage.

Discussion:
Approximately 30 years ago, an inventory of York River estuary marshes documented the historic extent of marshes. Marshes were resurveyed in 2010 to examine shifts in tidal marsh extent and distribution. Marsh change varied spatially along the estuary, with watershed changes between a 32% loss and an 11% gain in marsh area. Loss of marsh was apparent in high energy sections of the estuary while there was marsh gain in the upper/riverine section of the estuary and where forested hummocks on marsh islands have become inundated. Marshes showed little change in the small tributary creeks, except in the creeks dominated by fringing marshes and high shoreline development.

Conclusions:
Differential resilience to sea-level rise and spatial variations in erosion, sediment supply, and human development have resulted in spatially variable changes in specific marsh extents and are predicted to lead to a redistribution of marshes along the estuarine gradient, with consequences for their unique communities.
Humanin is an endogenous activator of chaperone-mediated autophagy
Authors: Gong Zhenwei , Tasset Inmaculada , Diaz Antonio , Anguiano Jaime , Tas Emir , Cui Lingguang , Kuliawat Regina , Liu Honghai , Kühn Bernhard , Cuervo Ana Maria , Muzumdar Radhika
Published: November 2017

Chaperone-mediated autophagy (CMA) serves as quality control during stress conditions through selective degradation of cytosolic proteins in lysosomes. Humanin (HN) is a mitochondria-associated peptide that offers cytoprotective, cardioprotective, and neuroprotective effects in vivo and in vitro. In this study, we demonstrate that HN directly activates CMA by increasing substrate binding and translocation into lysosomes. The potent HN analogue HNG protects from stressor-induced cell death in fibroblasts, cardiomyoblasts, neuronal cells, and primary cardiomyocytes. The protective effects are lost in CMA-deficient cells, suggesting that they are mediated through the activation of CMA. We identified that a fraction of endogenous HN is present at the cytosolic side of the lysosomal membrane, where it interacts with heat shock protein 90 (HSP90) and stabilizes binding of this chaperone to CMA substrates as they bind to the membrane. Inhibition of HSP90 blocks the effect of HNG on substrate translocation and abolishes the cytoprotective effects. Our study provides a novel mechanism by which HN exerts its cardioprotective and neuroprotective effects.
Regulation of lipid droplets by metabolically controlled Ldo isoforms
Authors: Teixeira Vitor , Johnsen Lisa , Martínez-Montañés Fernando , Grippa Alexandra , Buxó Laura , Idrissi Fatima-Zahra , Ejsing Christer S. , Carvalho Pedro
Published: November 2017

Storage and consumption of neutral lipids in lipid droplets (LDs) are essential for energy homeostasis and tightly coupled to cellular metabolism. However, how metabolic cues are integrated in the life cycle of LDs is unclear. In this study, we characterize the function of Ldo16 and Ldo45, two splicing isoforms of the same protein in budding yeast. We show that Ldo proteins interact with the seipin complex, which regulates contacts between LDs and the endoplasmic reticulum (ER). Moreover, we show that the levels of Ldo16 and Ldo45 depend on the growth stage of cells and that deregulation of their relative abundance alters LD morphology, protein localization, and triglyceride content. Finally, we show that absence of Ldo proteins results in defects in LD morphology and consumption by lipophagy. Our findings support a model in which Ldo proteins modulate the activity of the seipin complex, thereby affecting LD properties. Moreover, we identify ER–LD contacts as regulatory targets coupling energy storage to cellular metabolism.
Diagonal splittings of toric varieties and unimodularity
Authors: Chou Jed , Hering Milena , Payne Sam , Tramel Rebecca , Whitney Ben
Published: November 2017

We use a polyhedral criterion for the existence of diagonal splittings to investigate which toric varieties

X
X

are diagonally split. Our results are stated in terms of the vector configuration given by primitive generators of the 1-dimensional cones in the fan defining

X
X

. We show, in particular, that

X
X

is diagonally split at all

q
q

if and only if this configuration is unimodular, and that

X
X

is not diagonally split at any

q
q

if this configuration is not

2
2

-regular. We also study implications for the possibilities for the set of

q
q

at which a toric variety

X
X

is diagonally split.
Plot of CLT
Authors: Jiang Tiefeng , Ma Yutao
Published: November 2017

Let

Γ

n

\mathbf {\Gamma }_n

be an

n
×
n

n\times n

Haar-invariant orthogonal matrix. Let

Z

n

\mathbf Z_n

be the

p
×
q

p\times q

upper-left submatrix of

Γ

n

,

\mathbf {\Gamma }_n,

where

p
=

p
n

p=p_n

and

q
=

q
n

q=q_n

are two positive integers. Let

G

n

\mathbf G_n

be a

p
×
q

p\times q

matrix whose

p
q

pq

entries are independent standard normals. In this paper we consider the distance between

n

Z

n

\sqrt {n}\mathbf Z_n

and

G

n

\mathbf G_n

in terms of the total variation distance, the Kullback-Leibler distance, the Hellinger distance, and the Euclidean distance. We prove that each of the first three distances goes to zero as long as

p
q

/

n

pq/n

goes to zero, and not so if

(
p
,
q
)

(p, q)

sits on the curve

p
q
=
σ
n

pq=\sigma n

, where

σ
\sigma

is a constant. However, it is different for the Euclidean distance, which goes to zero provided

p

q
2

/

n

pq^2/n

goes to zero, and not so if

(
p
,
q
)

(p,q)

sits on the curve

p

q
2

=
σ
n
.

pq^2=\sigma n.

A previous work by Jiang (2006) shows that the total variation distance goes to zero if both

p

/

n

p/\sqrt {n}

and

q

/

n

q/\sqrt {n}

go to zero, and it is not true provided

p
=
c

n

p=c\sqrt {n}

and

q
=
d

n

q=d\sqrt {n}

with

c
c

and

d
d

being constants. One of the above results confirms a conjecture that the total variation distance goes to zero as long as

p
q

/

n
→
0

pq/n\to 0

and the distance does not go to zero if

p
q
=
σ
n

pq=\sigma n

for some constant

σ
\sigma

.
circlncRNAnet: an integrated web-based resource for mapping functional networks of long or circular forms of noncoding RNAs
Authors: Wu Shao-Min , Liu Hsuan , Huang Po-Jung , Chang Ian Yi-Feng , Lee Chi-Ching , Yang Chia-Yu , Tsai Wen-Sy , Tan Bertrand Chin-Ming
Published: November 2017

Background

Despite their lack of protein-coding potential, long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) and circular RNAs (circRNAs) have emerged as key determinants in gene regulation, acting to fine-tune transcriptional and signaling output. These noncoding RNA transcripts are known to affect expression of messenger RNAs (mRNAs) via epigenetic and post-transcriptional regulation. Given their widespread target spectrum, as well as extensive modes of action, a complete understanding of their biological relevance will depend on integrative analyses of systems data at various levels.

Findings

While a handful of publicly available databases have been reported, existing tools do not fully capture, from a network perspective, the functional implications of lncRNAs or circRNAs of interest. Through an integrated and streamlined design, circlncRNAnet aims to broaden the understanding of ncRNA candidates by testing in silico several hypotheses of ncRNA-based functions, on the basis of large-scale RNA-seq data. This web server is implemented with several features that represent advances in the bioinformatics of ncRNAs: (1) a flexible framework that accepts and processes user-defined next-generation sequencing–based expression data; (2) multiple analytic modules that assign and productively assess the regulatory networks of user-selected ncRNAs by cross-referencing extensively curated databases; (3) an all-purpose, information-rich workflow design that is tailored to all types of ncRNAs. Outputs on expression profiles, co-expression networks and pathways, and molecular interactomes, are dynamically and interactively displayed according to user-defined criteria.

Conclusions

In short, users may apply circlncRNAnet to obtain, in real time, multiple lines of functionally relevant information on circRNAs/lncRNAs of their interest. In summary, circlncRNAnet provides a “one-stop” resource for in-depth analyses of ncRNA biology. circlncRNAnet is freely available at http://app.cgu.edu.tw/circlnc/.
Formulaic Language
Authors: Kuiper Koenraad
Published: November 2017

“Formulaic language” is a term that has come into use, particularly in the United Kingdom, in the last two decades. Its subject domain, multiword linguistic units, has been under investigation for at least the last century, with early work on multiword units by Jan Baudouin de Courtenay in Russia and Charles Bally in Switzerland. These beginnings have given rise to strong Continental research traditions in a branch of philology/linguistics termed “phraseology” (see the separate Oxford Bibliographies article in Linguistics “Idiom and Phraseology.” The term “formulaic language” encompasses two empirical domains. The first is a component of linguistic knowledge. Views differ on the extent of this domain. For some scholars it includes all multiword sequences that are held in long-term memory, including song lyrics, advertising jingles, play scripts, proverbs, and compound words. A more conservative view limits the set of formulaic sequences to vocabulary items that have grammatical structure—in other words, phrasal lexical items. The linguistic units of formulaic language are often termed “formulaic sequences,” but many other terms are used both inside the formulaic language research tradition and outside it. The second empirical domain is the use of multiword expressions in speech and writing—that is, an aspect of language use. Investigation in the first domain leads, among other things, to lexicographic and vocabulary acquisition research. Investigation in the second domain leads, for example, to studies of the use of technical phrases in air traffic control speech. Major research questions in these two domains are the identification of formulaic sequences, their place in theories of language, their acquisition in first and second language learning, their function in speech production and perception, and their function in creating native-like speech and writing.
Understanding Yield Loss and Pathogen Biology to Improve Disease Management: Septoria Nodorum Blotch - A Case Study in Wheat
Authors: Ficke Andrea , Cowger Christina , Bergstrom Gary , Brodal Guro
Published: November 2017

The estimated potential yield losses caused by plant pathogens is up to 16% globally and most research in plant pathology aims to reduce yield loss in our crops directly or indirectly. Yield losses caused by a certain disease depend not only on disease severity, but also on the weather factors, the pathogen’s aggressiveness, and the ability of the crop to compensate for reduced photosynthetic area. The yield loss-disease relationship in a certain host-pathogen system might therefore change from year to year, making predictions for yield loss very difficult at the regional or even at the farmer’s level. However, estimating yield losses is essential to determine disease management thresholds at which acute control measures such as fungicide applications, or strategic measures such as crop rotation or use of resistant cultivars are economically and environmentally sensible. Legislation in many countries enforces implementation of integrated pest management (IPM), based on economic thresholds at which the costs due to a disease justify the costs for its management. Without a better understanding of the relationship between disease epidemiology and yield loss, we remain insufficiently equipped to design adequate IPM strategies that will be widely adapted in agriculture. Crop loss studies are resource demanding and difficult to interpret for one particular disease, as crops are usually not invaded by only one pest or pathogen at a time. Combining our knowledge on disease epidemiology, crop physiology, yield development, damage mechanisms involved, and the effect of management practices can help us to increase our understanding of the disease-crop loss relationship. The main aim of this paper is to review and analyze the literature on a representative host-pathogen relationship in an important staple food crop to identify knowledge gaps and research areas to better assess yield loss and design management strategies based on economic thresholds.
Racial Disparities in Outpatient Mental Health Service Use Among Children Hospitalized for Traumatic Brain Injury
Authors: Moore Megan , Jimenez Nathalia , Graves Janessa M. , Rue Tessa , Fann Jesse R. , Rivara Frederick P. , Vavilala Monica S.
Published: November 2017

Objective:

To examine racial differences in mental health service utilization after hospitalization for traumatic brain injury (TBI) among children with Medicaid insurance.

Design and Main Measures:

Retrospective analysis of the MarketScan Multi-State Medicaid database from 2007 to 2012 was performed. Outpatient mental health service utilization (psychiatric and psychological individual and group services) was compared at TBI hospitalization, from discharge to 3 months and from 4 to 12 months after discharge, between children of non-Hispanic white (NHW), non-Hispanic black (NHB), Hispanic, and “Other” racial groups. Multivariable mixed-effects Poisson regression models with robust standard errors were utilized.

Results:

A total of 5674 children (aged <21 years) were included in the study. There were no differences by race/ethnicity in mental health service utilization during hospitalization. At 3 months postdischarge, NHB children and children in the “Other” racial category were significantly less likely to receive outpatient mental health services than NHW children (NHB relative risk [RR] = 0.84; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.72-0.98; Other RR = 0.72; 95% CI, 0.57-0.90). At 12 months, all racial minority children were significantly less likely to receive outpatient mental health services than NHW children (NHB RR = 0.84; 95% CI, 0.75-0.94; Hispanic RR = 0.72; 95% CI, 0.55-0.94; Other RR = 0.71; 95% CI, 0.60-0.84).

Conclusions:

Racial disparities in utilization of outpatient mental health services exist for minority children hospitalized for TBI and insured by Medicaid. Future research should focus on improving transitions of care from inpatient to outpatient services for these children.
Efficacy of a Micro-Prompting Technology in Reducing Support Needed by People With Severe Acquired Brain Injury in Activities of Daily Living: A Randomized Control Trial
Authors: O'Neill Brian , Best Catherine , O'Neill Lauren , Ramos Sara D. S. , Gillespie Alex
Published: November 2017

Objective:

To evaluate the effectiveness of an automated interactive prompting technology in supporting the morning routine of persons with acquired brain injury. The morning routine included maintaining personal hygiene and dressing.

Setting:

An inpatient neurorehabilitation hospital.

Participants:

Persons with acquired brain injury who required prompting when following their morning routine (n = 24), but were not limited by physical disability or dysphasia, took part in the study. Participants (67% with traumatic brain injury) had impairment on indices of memory and executive function.

Design:

A randomized control trial evaluated the effect of an automated interactive micro-prompting device on the number of prompts by trained staff required for successful completion of the morning routine.

Main Measures:

Study-specific checklists assessed sequence performance, errors, and verbal prompts required over baseline, rehabilitation as usual, intervention, and return to baseline conditions.

Results:

The intervention significantly reduced the support required to complete the task compared with usual rehabilitation.

Conclusions:

Micro-prompting technology is an effective assistive technology for cognition, which reduces support needs in people with significant cognitive impairments.
Correspondence of the Boston Assessment of Traumatic Brain Injury-Lifetime and the VA Comprehensive TBI Evaluation
Authors: Radigan Lauren J. , McGlinchey Regina E. , Milberg William P. , Fortier Catherine Brawn
Published: November 2017

Objective:

To compare the diagnosis of positive versus negative for mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI) using the Boston Assessment of TBI-Lifetime (BAT-L), a validated forensic clinical interview used to identify TBI in research, to the diagnosis of mTBI in the clinical polytrauma service using the Comprehensive TBI Evaluation (CTBIE).

Participants:

Operation Enduring Freedom/Operation Iraqi Freedom/Operation New Dawn Veterans who were enrolled in the Translational Research Center for TBI and Stress Disorders longitudinal cohort study and received a CTBIE at a Veterans Health Administration healthcare facility (n = 104).

Main Measures:

The BAT-L, CTBIE, and Neurobehavioral Symptom Inventory.

Results:

There was poor correspondence between the BAT-L and CTBIE mTBI diagnoses (κ = 0.283). The CTBIE showed moderate sensitivity but poor specificity relative to the BAT-L. The agreement did not improve after removing individuals who had failed symptom validity measures, as assessed by the Validity-10 scale of the Neurobehavioral Symptom Inventory.

Conclusions:

This lack of correspondence highlights the difficulties in diagnosing mTBI in Veterans using retrospective self-report. Future work is needed to establish a reliable and valid method for identifying military mTBI both for the care of our Veterans and for appropriate distribution of benefits.
Agitated Behavior and Activities of Daily Living Retraining During Posttraumatic Amnesia
Authors: Trevena-Peters Jessica , Ponsford Jennie , McKay Adam
Published: November 2017

Background:

Patients in posttraumatic amnesia (PTA) may receive limited rehabilitation due to the risk of overstimulation and agitation. This assumption has not been tested.

Objective:

To examine the relationship between agitated behavior and participation in therapy for retraining of activities of daily living (ADL) while in PTA.

Setting:

Inpatient rehabilitation center.

Participants:

A total of 104 participants with severe traumatic brain injury, admitted to rehabilitation, in PTA of more than 7 days.

Intervention:

ADL retraining during PTA followed errorless and procedural learning principles.

Design:

Group comparison and regression modeling of patient agitation data from a randomized controlled trial comparing ADL retraining in PTA (treatment) versus no ADL retraining in PTA (treatment as usual, TAU).

Outcome Measures:

Agitation using the Agitated Behavior Scale. Therapy participation measured in minutes and missed sessions.

Results:

There were no group differences in agitated behavior (average scores, peak scores, or number of clinically agitated days) between the treatment and TAU groups. For treated patients, there was no significant relationship between agitation and therapy participation (therapy minutes or missed ADL treatment sessions).

Conclusions:

This study demonstrated that agitation is not increased by delivery of structured ADL retraining during PTA and agitation did not limit therapy participation. This supports the consideration of active therapy during PTA.
Evaluation of Mitoquinone for Protecting Against Amikacin-Induced Ototoxicity in Guinea Pigs
Authors: Dirain Carolyn O. , Ng Maria Raye Ann V. , Milne-Davies Bailey , Joseph Jerin K. , Antonelli Patrick J.
Published: November 2017

Hypothesis:

Mitoquinone (MitoQ) attenuates amikacin ototoxicity in guinea pigs.

Background:

MitoQ, a mitochondria-targeted derivative of the antioxidant ubiquinone, has improved bioavailability and demonstrated safety in humans. Thus, MitoQ is a promising therapeutic approach for protecting against amikacin-induced ototoxicity.

Methods:

Both oral and subcutaneous administrations of MitoQ were tested. Amikacin-treated guinea pigs (n = 12–18 per group) received water alone (control) or MitoQ 30 mg/l-supplemented drinking water; or injected subcutaneously with 3 to 5 mg/kg MitoQ or saline (control). Auditory brainstem responses and distortion product otoacoustic emissions were measured before MitoQ or control solution administration and after amikacin injections. Cochlear hair cell damage was assessed using scanning electron microscopy and Western blotting.

Results:

With oral administration, animals that received 30 mg/l MitoQ had better hearing than controls at only 24 kHz at 3-week (p = 0.017) and 6-week (p = 0.027) post-amikacin. With subcutaneous administration, MitoQ-injected guinea pigs had better hearing than controls at only 24 kHz, 2-week post-amikacin (p = 0.013). Distortion product otoacoustic emission (DPOAE) amplitudes were decreased after amikacin injections, but were not different between treatments (p > 0.05). Electron microscopy showed minor difference in outer hair cell loss between treatments. Western blotting demonstrated limited attenuation of oxidative stress in the cochlea of MitoQ-supplemented guinea pigs.

Conclusions:

Oral or subcutaneous MitoQ provided limited protection against amikacin-induced hearing loss and cochlear damage in guinea pigs. Other strategies for attenuating aminoglycoside-induced ototoxicity should be explored.
Quality of life related to oral, subcutaneous, and intravenous biologic treatment of inflammatory bowel disease: a time trade-off study
Authors: Holko Przemysław , Kawalec Paweł , Mossakowska Małgorzata
Published: November 2017

Objectives

Novel oral treatments (including biologics) of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) are emerging. Apart from improvement of health, treatment convenience may be of value to patients. This ‘process utility’ can be estimated under the quality-of-life framework. We investigated the process utility associated with subcutaneous and intravenous biologic treatments compared with a hypothetical oral biologic treatment of IBD.

Materials and methods

A time trade-off study to estimate utilities for health states among adult patients with IBD was carried out. Respondents rated the anchor state (no description of the route of administration; the reference) and three states described: the once-daily oral, 2-weekly subcutaneous, and 8-weekly intravenous administration of biologic treatment for advanced IBD.

Results

Data from 127 respondents (age, 34.4 years; women, 52.9%) were collected. The oral state was valuated higher than the anchor state more frequently than subcutaneous and intravenous states (P=0.001). The process utility of the oral state adjusted for confounders was estimated at 0.147 (95% confidence interval: 0.087–0.208) and 0.164 (95% confidence interval: 0.096–0.233) in comparison with subcutaneous and intravenous states, respectively. The results were consistent across the respondents irrespective of their characteristics and unaffected by the change in the assumptions of data analysis.

Conclusion

Oral administration is preferred over the available routes of administration of biologics by patients with IBD. The utility gains from oral treatment were significant, indicating higher value of that treatment within a cost-utilitarian approach. The additional process-related benefit can justify higher expenditures for the research of oral biologics.
Peer Training Using Cognitive Rehearsal to Promote a Culture of Safety in Health Care
Authors: Roberts Toni , Hanna Kimberly , Hurley Shelia , Turpin Rebecca , Clark Susan
Published: November 2017

Nursing students need opportunities to prepare for real-world problems that they may encounter as they enter the profession. Incivility and bullying behaviors persist in health care. The purpose of this project was to increase students’ awareness of incivility and prepare them to respond to it. Two teaching methods were compared. Results supported that interactive civility training using cognitive rehearsal provided by nursing student peers was as effective as instruction from an expert.
Clinical Significance of Biofilm on Silicone Tubes Removed From Patients With Nasolacrimal Duct Stenosis
Authors: Kim Sung Hyun , Park Choul Yong , Hwang Sang Won , Chang Minwook
Published: November 2017

Purpose:

To determine the relationship between the optical density of biofilms on silicone tubes and surgical outcomes.

Methods:

A total of 43 silicone tubes from 33 patients with nasolacrimal duct stenosis were enrolled at 6 months after bicanalicular silicone tube intubation. The removed silicone tubes were divided into 2 segments. One segment of silicone tube was cultured while the other segment was used to measure optical density of biofilm. Each segment was divided into 3 pieces according to average normal human nasolacrimal anatomy. The first piece was located from puncta to lacrimal sac. The second piece was inside the nasolacrimal duct. The third piece was in the nasal cavity. Surgical outcome was evaluated at postoperative 12 months based on Munk score and fluorescein dye disappearance test.

Results:

A total of 31 (72.1%) patients were surgically successful while 12 (27.9%) patients had surgical failure with persistent epiphora. In the second piece of silicone tube, the mean optical density of biofilm was 0.2654 nm in the surgical success group and 0.4472 nm in the surgical failure group. These results showed statistically significant (P < 0.01) difference. The most frequently isolated organism was Staphylococcus aureus in the surgical success group (7 of 31 patients, 22.6%). It was Pseudomonas aeruginosa in the surgical failure group (6 of 12 patients, 50%).

Conclusion:

This is the first study that determines the relationship between biofilm on silicone tube and surgical outcome. Biofilm formed on silicone tubes in nasolacrimal duct might cause surgical failure.
Convergence and divergence in gesture repertoires as an adaptive mechanism for social bonding in primates
Authors: Roberts Anna Ilona , Roberts Sam George Bradley
Published: November 2017

A key challenge for primates living in large, stable social groups is managing social relationships. Chimpanzee gestures may act as a time-efficient social bonding mechanism, and the presence (homogeneity) and absence (heterogeneity) of overlap in repertoires in particular may play an important role in social bonding. However, how homogeneity and heterogeneity in the gestural repertoire of primates relate to social interaction is poorly understood. We used social network analysis and generalized linear mixed modelling to examine this question in wild chimpanzees. The repertoire size of both homogeneous and heterogeneous visual, tactile and auditory gestures was associated with the duration of time spent in social bonding behaviour, centrality in the social bonding network and demography. The audience size of partners who displayed similar or different characteristics to the signaller (e.g. same or opposite age or sex category) also influenced the use of homogeneous and heterogeneous gestures. Homogeneous and heterogeneous gestures were differentially associated with the presence of emotional reactions in response to the gesture and the presence of a change in the recipient's behaviour. Homogeneity and heterogeneity of gestural communication play a key role in maintaining a differentiated set of strong and weak social relationships in complex, multilevel societies.
Space partitioning in wild, non-territorial mountain gorillas: the impact of food and neighbours
Authors: Seiler Nicole , Boesch Christophe , Mundry Roger , Stephens Colleen , Robbins Martha M.
Published: November 2017

In territorial species, the distribution of neighbours and food abundance play a crucial role in space use patterns but less is known about how and when neighbours use shared areas in non-territorial species. We investigated space partitioning in 10 groups of wild, non-territorial mountain gorillas (Gorilla beringei beringei). Using location data, we examined factors influencing daily movement decisions and calculated the per cent overlap of annual kernel home ranges and core areas among neighbours. We found that the probability that a group chose an area was positively influenced by both food availability and the previous use of that area by the group. Additionally, groups reduced their overall utilization of areas previously used by neighbouring groups. Lastly, groups used their core areas more exclusively than their home ranges. In sum, our results show that both foraging needs and avoidance of competition with neighbours determined the gorillas' daily movement decisions, which presumably lead to largely mutually exclusive core areas. Our research suggests that non-territorial species actively avoid neighbours to maintain core area exclusivity. Together, these findings contribute to our understanding of the costs and benefits of non-territoriality.
Explaining large mitochondrial sequence differences within a population sample
Authors: Morgan-Richards Mary , Bulgarella Mariana , Sivyer Louisa , Dowle Edwina J. , Hale Marie , McKean Natasha E. , Trewick Steven A.
Published: November 2017

Mitochondrial DNA sequence is frequently used to infer species' boundaries, as divergence is relatively rapid when populations are reproductively isolated. However, the shared history of a non-recombining gene naturally leads to correlation of pairwise differences, resulting in mtDNA clusters that might be mistaken for evidence of multiple species. There are four distinct processes that can explain high levels of mtDNA sequence difference within a single sample. Here, we examine one case in detail as an exemplar to distinguish among competing hypotheses. Within our sample of tree wētā (Hemideina crassidens; Orthoptera), we found multiple mtDNA haplotypes for a protein-coding region (cytb/ND1) that differed by a maximum of 7.9%. From sequencing the whole mitochondrial genome of two representative individuals, we found evidence of constraining selection. Heterozygotes were as common as expected under random mating at five nuclear loci. Morphological traits and nuclear markers did not resolve the mtDNA groupings of individuals. We concluded that the large differences found among our sample of mtDNA sequences were simply owing to a large population size over an extended period of time allowing an equilibrium between mutation and drift to retain a great deal of genetic diversity within a single species.
Efficient removal of tetracycline with KOH-activated graphene from aqueous solution
Authors: Ma Jie , Sun Yiran , Yu Fei
Published: November 2017

Activated graphene absorbents with high specific surface area (SSA) were prepared by an easy KOH-activated method, and were applied in absorbing antibiotics, such as tetracycline (TC). After activation, many micropores were introduced to graphene oxide sheets, leading to higher SSA and many new oxygen-containing functional groups, which gave KOH-activated graphene excellent adsorption capacity (approx. 532.59 mg g
−1
) of TC. Further study on the adsorption mechanism showed that the Langmuir isotherm model and the pseudo-second-order kinetic model fitted with experiment data. To further understand the adsorption process, the effects of solid–liquid ratio, pH, ionic strength and coexisting ions were also investigated. The results revealed that, compared with pH and ionic strength, solid–liquid ratio and coexisting ions (Cu
2+
, CrO
4
2−
) had more significant influence over the adsorption performance. The findings provide guidance for application of KOH-activated graphene as a promising alternative adsorbent for antibiotics removal from aqueous solutions.
An efficient synthesis of 4
H
-pyrano quinolinone derivatives catalysed by a versatile organocatalyst tetra-
n
-butylammonium fluoride and their pharmacological screening
Authors: Prasad Pratibha , Shobhashana Pratik G. , Patel Manish P.
Published: November 2017

A new series of indole-based pyranoquinoline derivatives

P
1–24

has been synthesized by a one-pot cyclocondensation reaction of 2-(4-substituted)phenyl-
N
-allyl-indole-3-carbaldehydes
1a–d
; active methylenes
2a–c
; and 4-hydroxy-1-substituted quinolin-2(1
H
)-one
3a–b
catalysed by an organocatalyst tetra-
n
-butylammonium fluoride (TBAF) in aqueous ethanol. The easy experimental procedure of the reaction leads to excellent yields of pyranoquinoline derivatives. All the compounds were screened against a representative panel of bacteria and fungi. Some of the compounds are found to be equipotent or more potent than standard drugs as evident from the structural activity relationship study.
Anti-inflammatory activity of electron-deficient organometallics
Authors: Zhang Jingwen , Pitto-Barry Anaïs , Shang Lijun , Barry Nicolas P. E.
Published: November 2017

We report an evaluation of the cytotoxicity of a series of electron-deficient (16-electron) half-sandwich precious metal complexes of ruthenium, osmium and iridium ([Os/Ru(
η
6
-
p
-cymene)(1,2-dicarba-
closo
-dodecarborane-1,2-dithiolato)] (
1/2
), [Ir(
η
5
-pentamethylcyclopentadiene)(1,2-dicarba-
closo
-dodecarborane-1,2-dithiolato)] (
3
), [Os/Ru(
η
6
-
p
-cymene)(benzene-1,2-dithiolato)] (
4/5
) and [Ir(
η
5
-pentamethylcyclopentadiene)(benzene-1,2-dithiolato)] (
6
)) towards RAW 264.7 murine macrophages and MRC-5 fibroblast cells. Complexes
3
and
6
were found to be non-cytotoxic. The anti-inflammatory activity of
1–6
was evaluated in both cell lines after nitric oxide (NO) production and inflammation response induced by bacterial endotoxin lipopolysaccharide (LPS) as the stimulus. All metal complexes were shown to exhibit dose-dependent inhibitory effects on LPS-induced NO production on both cell lines. Remarkably, the two iridium complexes
3
and
6
trigger a full anti-inflammatory response against LPS-induced NO production, which opens up new avenues for the development of non-cytotoxic anti-inflammatory drug candidates with distinct structures and solution chemistry from that of organic drugs, and as such with potential novel mechanisms of action.
Still slow, but even steadier: an update on the evolution of turtle cranial disparity interpolating shapes along branches
Authors: Foth Christian , Ascarrunz Eduardo , Joyce Walter G.
Published: November 2017

In a previous study, we estimated the cranial disparity of turtles (Testudinata) through time using geometric morphometric data from both terminal taxa and hypothetical ancestors to compensate for temporal gaps in the fossil record. While this method yielded reasonable results for the Mesozoic and the early Cenozoic, we found a large drop in cranial disparity for the Miocene, for which we found no correlation with known environmental changes or extinction events. Instead, we speculated that the Miocene dip was a result of poor sampling of fossils or ancestors in this time bin. To countervail this problem, we here updated our original dataset and interpolated changes of shape along the branch lengths and compared them with the previous data. We furthermore explored the impact of topological and temporal uncertainty, demonstrating that the Miocene dip, indeed, is a sampling artefact. All remaining conclusions of the previous study could be more or less supported, nevertheless, including an apparent correlation with global biogeographic events, a minor correlation between cranial disparity and global temperature, and resilience across the K/T extinction event.