bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Withdrawal from Chronic Nicotine Exposure Produces Region‐Specific Tolerance to Alcohol‐Stimulated GluA1 Phosphorylation
Authors: McGinn M. Adrienne , Paulsen Rod I. , Itoga Christy A. , Farooq Muhammad A. , Reppel Jonathan E. , Edwards Kimberly N. , Whitaker Annie M. , Gilpin Nicholas W. , Edwards Scott
Published: October 2016

Background

Nicotine use increases alcohol drinking, suggesting that the combination of these drugs may produce synergistic effects in activating reward circuitry. Alternatively, use of either of these drugs may facilitate the development of cross‐tolerance to the other to promote intake escalation.

Methods

In this study, adult male Wistar rats were chronically exposed to room air or chronic, intermittent nicotine vapor, which has been shown to produce symptoms of nicotine dependence as evidenced by elevated nicotine self‐administration and a host of somatic and motivational withdrawal symptoms. We examined regional neuroadaptations in nicotine‐experienced versus nonexperienced animals, focusing on changes in phosphorylation of the AMPA glutamate channel subunit GluA1 in reward‐related brain regions as excitatory neuroadaptations are heavily implicated in both alcohol and nicotine addiction.

Results

During withdrawal, nicotine exposure and alcohol challenge (1 g/kg) interactively produced neuroadaptations in GluA1 phosphorylation in a brain region‐dependent manner. Alcohol robustly increased protein kinase A‐mediated phosphorylation of GluA1 at serine 845 in multiple regions. However, this neuroadaptation was largely absent in 3 areas (dorsomedial prefrontal cortex, dorsal striatum, and central amygdala) in nicotine‐experienced animals. This interactive effect suggests a molecular tolerance to alcohol‐stimulated phosphorylation of GluA1 in the context of nicotine dependence.

Conclusions

Nicotine may modify the rewarding or reinforcing effects of alcohol by altering glutamate signaling in a region‐specific manner, thereby leading to increased drinking in heavy smokers.
Analysis of critical success factors of online international learning exchange of Korean school pupils with English‐speaking counterparts
Authors: Lee Jong‐Yeon , Park Sanghoon
Published: October 2016

This study identifies the factors influencing the success of online international learning exchange (ILE) among Korean school pupils who partnered with American and Australian pupils. In particular, it examined the effects of self‐efficacy (SE), exchange infrastructure (EI) and quality of exchange activities (QEA) on the students' learning satisfaction (LS), foreign language capability (FLC) and intercultural competence (IC). A survey was conducted with 236 Korean participants whose age was 10–15 years old and who had completed a one‐semester online ILE program. Structural equation modeling results revealed that SE, EI and QEA had a significant effect on the students' LS, FLC and IC, with considerable impact resulting from EI and QEA. The students' SE and EI further affected the improvement of their FLC, as mediated by QEA.
Infants Prefer Infant‐Directed Song Over Speech
Authors: Tsang Christine D. , Falk Simone , Hessel Alexandria
Published: October 2016

In their everyday communication, parents do not only speak but also sing with their infants. However, it remains unclear whether infants' can discriminate speech from song or prefer one over the other. The present study examined the ability of 6‐ to 10‐month‐old infants (N = 66) from English‐speaking households in London, Ontario, Canada to discriminate between auditory stimuli of native Russian‐speaking and native English‐speaking mothers speaking or singing to their infants. Infants listened significantly longer to the sung stimuli compared to the spoken stimuli. This is the first study to demonstrate that, even in the absence of other multimodal cues, infant listeners are able to discriminate between sung and spoken stimuli, and furthermore, prefer to listen to sung stimuli over spoken stimuli.
Income and Social Rank Influence UK Children's Behavioral Problems: A Longitudinal Analysis
Authors: Garratt Elisabeth A. , Chandola Tarani , Purdam Kingsley , Wood Alex M.
Published: October 2016

Children living in low‐income households face elevated risks of behavioral problems, but the impact of absolute and relative income to this risk remains unexplored. Using the U.K. Millennium Cohort Study data, longitudinal associations between Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire scores and absolute household income, distance from the regional median and mean income, and regional income rank were examined in 3‐ to 12‐year‐olds (n = 16,532). Higher absolute household incomes were associated with lower behavioral problems, while higher income rank was associated with lower behavioral problems only at the highest absolute incomes. Higher absolute household incomes were associated with lower behavioral problems among children in working households, indicating compounding effects of income and socioeconomic advantages. Both absolute and relative incomes therefore appear to influence behavioral problems.
Helping the One You Hurt: Toddlers’ Rudimentary Guilt, Shame, and Prosocial Behavior After Harming Another
Authors: Drummond Jesse D. K. , Hammond Stuart I. , Satlof‐Bedrick Emma , Waugh Whitney E. , Brownell Celia A.
Published: October 2016

This study explored the role of guilt and shame in early prosocial behavior by extending previous findings that guilt‐ and shame‐like responses can be distinguished in toddlers and, for the first time, examining their associations with helping. Toddlers (n = 32; Mage = 28.9 months) were led to believe they broke an adult's toy, after which they exhibited either a guilt‐like response that included frequently confessing their behavior and trying to repair the toy; or a shame‐like response that included frequently avoiding the adult and seldom confessing or attempting to repair the toy. In subsequent prosocial tasks, children showing a guilt‐like response helped an adult in emotional distress significantly faster and more frequently than did children showing a shame‐like response.
On Regretting Things I Didn't Do and Couldn't Have Done
Authors: Holroyd Jules
Published: October 2016

One of the lines of investigation opened up by Wallace in The View from Here concerns the notion of regret: what it is, what it is rationally constrained by, and what are the proper objects of regret. A distinctive feature of Wallace's view is that regret is an intention‐like state, which, whilst backward‐looking, is bound up with our future directed practices of value. In this commentary, I set out Wallace's claims on regret, its rational constraints, and its objects, and raise some worries about Wallace's position on each of these three issues.
60 Years of the Journal of Neurochemistry
Authors: Schulz Jörg B. , Hausmann Laura
Published: October 2016

This article is part of the 60th Anniversary special issue.
Latinos’ Changing Ethnic Group Representation From Elementary to Middle School: Perceived Belonging and Academic Achievement
Authors: Morales‐Chicas Jessica , Graham Sandra
Published: October 2016

This study examined the association between change in ethnic group representation from elementary to middle school and Latino students’ school belonging and achievement. The ethnic diversity of students’ middle school was examined as a moderator. Participants were 1,825 Latino sixth graders from 26 ethnically diverse urban middle schools. Hierarchical regression analyses showed that a change in ethnic representation toward fewer Latinos in middle school than elementary school was related to less perceived belonging and lower achievement in schools with low ethnic diversity. There were no mean differences as a function of declining representation in more diverse middle schools, suggesting that greater school diversity was protective. Findings highlight the importance of examining school ethnic context, especially across the middle school transition.
Thomas Aquinas, Prophecy, and the ‘Scientific’ Character of Sacred Doctrine
Authors: Rogers Paul M.
Published: October 2016

This paper explores the claim made by Thomas Aquinas in Summa Theologiae, I, q. 1, a. 3 that ‘sacred doctrine’ is ‘scientific.’ After reviewing some of the key historical commentators on the question, I propose an examination of Thomas' treatment of the gift of prophecy as providing an important clue into discerning more clearly his evolution from an Aristotelian understanding of knowledge or ‘science’ (scientia) to a fuller sense of the term scientia as used by Thomas. Chief among these is a clue into how Thomas resolves the difficulty between necessity and history. His treatment of prophecy in the Summa Theologiae gives one a glimpse into how Thomas is a historical thinker, despite weighty authorities such as Etienne Gilson arguing otherwise. Closer attention to prophecy permits one to rethink Thomas' account of sacred doctrine in Question One and appreciate how pivotal the fact of divine revelation having been made to prophets in history is for its ‘scientific’ character.
Clinical and color Doppler ultrasound evaluation of polyacrylamide injection in HIV patients with severe facial lipoatrophy secondary to antiretroviral therapy
Authors: Faundez E. , Vega N. , Vera E. , Vega P. , Sepulveda D. , Wortsman X.
Published: October 2016

Background/Purpose

Facial lipoatrophy in HIV patients, secondary to antiretroviral therapy (ART) with thymidine analogs, has been related to important psychosocial alterations and poor adherence to treatment. Polyacrylamide gel (PAAG) is a filler that has been used for treating facial lipoatrophy in HIV patients.

The aim was to assess the clinical and sonographic anatomical changes after injection of PAAG in HIV patients with facial lipoatrophy secondary to ART.

Methods

HIV patients receiving ART and suffering from severe facial lipoatrophy were recruited and underwent clinical and color Doppler ultrasound evaluation prior to PAAG application (AQUAMID®) and sonographically monitored at 18 months and clinically followed up for 36 months after the procedure. Adverse effects were recorded based on occurrence and complexity.

Results

A total of 33 patients were evaluated, 30 men (91%) and 3 women (9%) with an average age of 49.6 years (±8.4). Clinical improvement assessed by a dermatologist had an average score of 5.9 (±0.7) on a scale of 1–7. On color Doppler ultrasound there was a significant increase of the thickness of the subcutaneous tissue (SCT) in both nasofold lines when comparing before and after PAAG injection (P < 0.01) and no signs of inflammation (hypervascularity). User satisfaction was qualified as excellent or good in all cases. Only two patients experienced adverse effects (hematoma and puncture site infection), which was successfully managed without consequences.

Conclusion

Treatment of facial lipoatrophy with PAAG seems to be effective in HIV patients and no signs of complications were observed in the monitoring at 36 months after injection. Color Doppler ultrasound can identify the filler deposits and the anatomical changes of the SCT non‐invasively.
HIGH-TUNING RANGE FERROFLUID-BASED SOLENOID INDUCTOR FOR WIRELESS LOCAL AREA NETWORK (WLAN) APPLICATIONS
Authors: Mohamad Razy Ahmad Hafiz , Mustaffa Mohd Tafir , Abd Manaf Asrulnizam , Mohd Noh Norlaili
Published: October 2016

In this work, a high-tuning range ferrofluid-based liquid solenoid inductor is proposed. This project utilized the light hydrocarbon-based ferrofluids (EMG 901 660mT type) with magnetic permeability of 5.4. The liquid is injected into the channel of the designed solenoid inductor to improve the tuning range and quality factor of the device. This is achieved by several tuning methods; by changing the number of turns, the thickness and width of copper coils, the cross-sectional area of ferrofluid across the channel and the self-resonance frequency (SRF). The proposed tuning solenoid inductor is simulated using a 3D full-wave electromagnetic field tool, ANSYS HFSS. The simulation is done by injecting the ferrofluid liquid into the channel by a step of 20% until it reached 100%. The inductance values are set to be tuned at a frequency of 2.45 GHz. The simulation results show the inductance values can be tuned from 4.5 nH to 15.2 nH with a maximum quality factor of 25. On the other hand, for tuning capability, the inductor is capable to be tuned with high tuning range of up to more than 200%.
MATHEMATICAL MODELING OF EXISTING TWO STAGE ANAEROBIC DIGESTION PROCESS FOR PALM OIL MILL WASTEWATER
Authors: Yingthavorn Nattawut , Rakmak Nirattisai , Kongjan Prawit , Siripatana Chairat
Published: October 2016

This work is an attempt to describe the dynamics of a two-stage industrial biogas plant using palm oil mill effluent (POME) and the mixture of POME with effluent from rubber factory (LTE), both at steady state and transient peroid before system failure accurred. One incident occurred in POME treatment plant when LFE bypassed its digesters and mixed together with palm-oil-mill wastewater due to no space in the existing latex wastewater ponds under water flooding during heavy raining period. The model was developed based on simplified ADM1 incorporating the effects of ALK/VFA and pH on the microbial growth. The model prediction for such scenario was in agreement with the actual data from the incident which occurred during November 2014. The Steady state simulation estimated that Ss reduced from 74,917 to 2856 mg/l at HRT 15 d which agreed well with the actual data. Dynamic simulation after adding LTE predicted that the Ss reduced to 20,300 at HRT 10.71 d which was the correct trend albeit rather imprecise. That was considered satisfactory for future operational purpose. This discrepancy was due to the difficulty in estimating many process parameters. In general the model demonstrates the usefulness of the ADM1 in describing behavior of an anaerobic wastewater treatment system from palm oil mill industry and can be used for the purpose of future design and operating of the existing plants.
SURFACE RUNOFF VARIATION ASSESSMENT USING PROCESS-BASED HYDROLOGIC MODEL
Authors: Khalid Khairi , Ali Mohd Fozi , Abd Rahman Nor Faiza , Zainuddin Mohd Razmi , Muhamad Noor Safwan , Mohamed Den Elias , Othman Zulhafizal
Published: October 2016

Process-based hydrologic models are progressively being used to support decisions on many water resources management such as in the design and operation of the hydraulic structures, water supply, irrigation, flood control, and many other engineering practices. Many of these models share a common base in their endeavor to incorporate the diversity of the watershed and the spatial distribution of topography, vegetation, land use, soil characteristics and rainfall. Activities in the flood plain and catchment such as land clearing for other developments may increase the magnitude of the flood. Understanding on the reaction of the river basin on the floods scenario becomes a crucial part before any project of flood mitigation approach is implemented. The study attempts to highlight the simulation of the Soil Water Assessment Tool (SWAT) hydrologic model in determining the surface runoff distribution from a different sub-basin. For Langat River Basin, the sub-basin 17 was produced the highest amount of surface runoff in the basin. The assessment of the sub-basins response on the surface runoff can be used as guidance for modelers to understand the impact of a spatial heterogeneity of the river basin towards flood.
PERFORMANCE ANALYSIS OF THE ENERGY CONSUMPTION OF THE SCHEDULING ALGORITHMS IN LONG TERM EVOLUTION LTE (LONG TERM EVOLUTION) NETWORKS
Authors: Mohd Yusoff Nurulanis , Mohd Ali Darmawaty , Ku Mohd Noh Ku Siti Syahidah
Published: October 2016

Energy efficiency has become an important feature in communication systems due to the problem of global warming and lack of energy resources. The impact on global warming caused by wireless communication industries has been gradually increasing, so it is obvious that developing the green communication is significant. In particular, energy consumption in the base stations and downlink transmission are the major areas where significant conservation can be achieved. Thus, the objective of this study is to investigate the performance of the packet scheduling algorithms in the downlink transmission and the energy consumption for video and Voice over IP (VoIP) applications in Long Term Evolution (LTE) systems. In this work, four different scheduling algorithms were analysed namely the Channel and Quality of Service Aware Proportional Fair (CQA_PF), CQA Frequency Fading (CQA_Ff), Priority Set Scheduler Proportional Fair (PSS_PF), and PSS Carrier Over Interference to Average (PSS_CoItA) based on the performance metrics of throughput, delay, energy consumption ratio (ECR) and fairness. The results showed that the CQA algorithm for both methods (CQA_PF and CQA_Ff) outperformed the other algorithms since it has the highest throughput with an increase of up to 25%. Meanwhile, for delay and ECR, the CQA scheduler was the lowest of up to 20% as compared to the PSS scheduler. Thus, it can be concluded that CQA is the most energy efficient algorithm to schedule the video and VoIP applications.
Pollen tube contents initiate ovule enlargement and enhance seed coat development without fertilization
Authors: Kasahara Ryushiro D. , Notaguchi Michitaka , Nagahara Shiori , Suzuki Takamasa , Susaki Daichi , Honma Yujiro , Maruyama Daisuke , Higashiyama Tetsuya
Published: October 2016

A new plant ovule enlargement triggered by pollen tube contents, accompanied by seed coat initiation without fertilization.
Origin of unusual bandgap shift and dual emission in organic-inorganic lead halide perovskites
Authors: Dar M. Ibrahim , Jacopin Gwénolé , Meloni Simone , Mattoni Alessandro , Arora Neha , Boziki Ariadni , Zakeeruddin Shaik Mohammed , Rothlisberger Ursula , Grätzel Michael
Published: October 2016

Organic-inorganic lead halide perovskites have unusual, temperature-dependent emission characteristics.
Serine one-carbon catabolism with formate overflow
Authors: Meiser Johannes , Tumanov Sergey , Maddocks Oliver , Labuschagne Christiaan Fred , Athineos Dimitris , Van Den Broek Niels , Mackay Gillian M. , Gottlieb Eyal , Blyth Karen , Vousden Karen , Kamphorst Jurre J. , Vazquez Alexei
Published: October 2016

Serine catabolism results in formate efflux that exceeds anabolic demands for purine synthesis.
Ultrahigh-efficiency solution-processed simplified small-molecule organic light-emitting diodes using universal host materials
Authors: Han Tae-Hee , Choi Mi-Ri , Jeon Chan-Woo , Kim Yun-Hi , Kwon Soon-Ki , Lee Tae-Woo
Published: October 2016

Researchers achieved ultrahigh efficiency of solution-processed simplified small-molecule OLEDs that use novel universal host materials.
Functional droplets that recognize, collect, and transport debris on surfaces
Authors: Bai Ying , Chang Chia-Chih , Choudhary Umesh , Bolukbasi Irem , Crosby Alfred J. , Emrick Todd
Published: October 2016

New, smart droplets can pick up nanoparticles from substrates.
Discordant Temporal Turnovers of Sediment Bacterial and Eukaryotic Communities in Response to Dredging: Nonresilience and Functional Changes
Authors: Zhang Na , Xiao Xian , Pei Meng , Liu Xiang , Liang Yuting
Published: October 2016

To study the stability and succession of sediment microbial and macrobenthic communities in response to anthropogenic disturbance, a time-series sampling was conducted before, during, and 1 year after dredging in the Guan River in Changzhou, China, which was performed with cutter suction dredgers from 10 April to 20 May 2014. The microbial communities were analyzed by sequencing bacterial 16S rRNA and eukaryotic 18S rRNA gene amplicons with Illumina MiSeq, and the macrobenthic community was identified using a morphological approach simultaneously. The results indicated that dredging disturbance significantly altered the composition and structures of sediment communities. The succession rates of communities were estimated by comparing the slopes of time-decay relationships. The temporal turnover of microeukaryotes (
w
= 0.3251,
P
< 0.001 [where
w
is a measure of the rate of log(species turnover) across log(time)]) was the highest, followed by that of bacteria (
w
= 0.2450,
P
< 0.001), and then macrobenthos (
w
= 0.1273,
P
< 0.001). During dredging, the alpha diversities of both bacterial and microeukaryotic communities were more resistant, but their beta diversities were less resistant than that of macrobenthos. After recovery for 1 year, all three sediment communities were not resilient and had reached an alternative state. The alterations in sediment community structure and stability resulted in functional changes in nitrogen and carbon cycling in sediments. Sediment pH, dissolved oxygen, redox potential, and temperature were the most important factors influencing the stability of sediment communities and ecosystem multifunctionality. This study suggests that discordant temporal turnovers and nonresilience of sediment communities under dredging resulted in functional changes, which are important for predicting sediment ecosystem functions under anthropogenic disturbances.

IMPORTANCE
Understanding the temporal turnover and stability of biotic communities is crucial for predicting the responses of sediment ecosystems to dredging disturbance. Most studies to date focused on the bacterial or macrobenthic community, only at two discontinuous time points, before and after dredging, and hence, it was difficult to analyze the community succession. This study first compared the stabilities and temporal changes of sediment bacterial, microeukaryotic, and macrobenthic communities at a continuous time course. The results showed that discordant responses of the three communities are mainly related to their different biological inherent attributes, and sensitivities to sediment geochemical variables change with dredging, resulting in changes in sediment ecosystem multifunctionality.
Benzoate- and Salicylate-Tolerant Strains of Escherichia coli K-12 Lose Antibiotic Resistance during Laboratory Evolution
Authors: Creamer Kaitlin E. , Ditmars Frederick S. , Basting Preston J. , Kunka Karina S. , Hamdallah Issam N. , Bush Sean P. , Scott Zachary , He Amanda , Penix Stephanie R. , Gonzales Alexandra S. , Eder Elizabeth K. , Camperchioli Dominic W. , Berndt Adama , Clark Michelle W. , Rouhier Kerry A. , Slonczewski Joan L.
Published: October 2016

Escherichia coli
K-12 W3110 grows in the presence of membrane-permeant organic acids that can depress cytoplasmic pH and accumulate in the cytoplasm. We conducted experimental evolution by daily diluting cultures in increasing concentrations of benzoic acid (up to 20 mM) buffered at external pH 6.5, a pH at which permeant acids concentrate in the cytoplasm. By 2,000 generations, clones isolated from evolving populations showed increasing tolerance to benzoate but were sensitive to chloramphenicol and tetracycline. Sixteen clones grew to stationary phase in 20 mM benzoate, whereas the ancestral strain W3110 peaked and declined. Similar growth occurred in 10 mM salicylate. Benzoate-evolved strains grew like W3110 in the absence of benzoate, in media buffered at pH 4.8, pH 7.0, or pH 9.0, or in 20 mM acetate or sorbate at pH 6.5. Genomes of 16 strains revealed over 100 mutations, including single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), large deletions, and insertion knockouts. Most strains acquired deletions in the benzoate-induced multiple antibiotic resistance (Mar) regulon or in associated regulators such as
rob
and
cpxA
, as well as the multidrug resistance (MDR) efflux pumps
emrA
,
emrY
, and
mdtA
. Strains also lost or downregulated the Gad acid fitness regulon. In 5 mM benzoate or in 2 mM salicylate (2-hydroxybenzoate), most strains showed increased sensitivity to the antibiotics chloramphenicol and tetracycline; some strains were more sensitive than a
marA
knockout strain. Thus, our benzoate-evolved strains may reveal additional unknown drug resistance components. Benzoate or salicylate selection pressure may cause general loss of MDR genes and regulators.

IMPORTANCE
Benzoate is a common food preservative, and salicylate is the primary active metabolite of aspirin. In the gut microbiome, genetic adaptation to salicylate may involve loss or downregulation of inducible multidrug resistance systems. This discovery implies that aspirin therapy may modulate the human gut microbiome to favor salicylate tolerance at the expense of drug resistance. Similar aspirin-associated loss of drug resistance might occur in bacterial pathogens found in arterial plaques.
Randomised controlled trial of prophylactic antibiotic treatment for the prevention of endophthalmitis after open globe injury at Groote Schuur Hospital
Authors: Du Toit N , Mustak S , Cook C
Published: October 2016

Background/aims

Most post-traumatic acute infectious endophthalmitis occur within a week of open globe trauma, necessitating early antibiotic prophylaxis. There are few randomised studies that demonstrate the benefits of prophylactic antibiotics. This randomised controlled non-inferiority trial was aimed at determining the incidence of post-traumatic endophthalmitis using established intravenous/oral prophylaxis and comparing this to the incidence using oral antibiotics only.

Methods

All adult patients admitted with open globe injury were included. Those with proven endophthalmitis, high-risk features, who underwent primary evisceration and those allergic to the trial antibiotics were excluded. Patients were randomised to receive either intravenous cefazolin and oral ciprofloxacin or oral ciprofloxacin and oral cefuroxime for 3 days from admission. Acute endophthalmitis was the primary outcome. Patients completed the study if they were followed up for 6 weeks post injury.

Results

Three hundred patients were enrolled, with 150 in each arm. There were 99 exclusions. Seven patients developed endophthalmitis despite prophylaxis—2.0% (three cases) in the intravenous and oral arm, compared with 2.7% (four cases) in the oral-only arm—this difference was not statistically significant(p=0.703).

Conclusions

The incidence of endophthalmitis with prophylaxis was 2–3%. Selected patients with open globe injuries (without high-risk features) may receive either intravenous cefazolin and oral ciprofloxacin, or oral cefuroxime and oral ciprofloxacin as prophylaxis against acute endophthalmitis—the latter regimen has the advantage of shortening patients' hospital stays and reducing costs. Non-inferiority study-design limitations should be taken into account, however.
Mortality outcomes for Chinese and Japanese immigrants in the USA and countries of origin (Hong Kong, Japan): a comparative analysis using national mortality records from 2003 to 2011
Authors: Hastings Katherine G , Eggleston Karen , Boothroyd Derek , Kapphahn Kristopher I , Cullen Mark R , Barry Michele , Palaniappan Latha P
Published: October 2016

Background

With immigration and minority populations rapidly growing in the USA, it is critical to assess how these populations fare after immigration, and in subsequent generations. Our aim is to compare death rates and cause of death across foreign-born, US-born and country of origin Chinese and Japanese populations.

Methods

We analysed all-cause and cause-specific age-standardised mortality rates and trends using 2003–2011 US death record data for Chinese and Japanese decedents aged 25 or older by nativity status and sex, and used the WHO Mortality Database for Hong Kong and Japan decedents in the same years. Characteristics such as age at death, absolute number of deaths by cause and educational attainment were also reported.

Results

We examined a total of 10 458 849 deaths. All-cause mortality was highest in Hong Kong and Japan, intermediate for foreign-born, and lowest for US-born decedents. Improved mortality outcomes and higher educational attainment among foreign-born were observed compared with developed Asia counterparts. Lower rates in US-born decedents were due to decreased cancer and communicable disease mortality rates in the US heart disease mortality was either similar or slightly higher among Chinese-Americans and Japanese-Americans compared with those in developed Asia counterparts.

Conclusions

Mortality advantages in the USA were largely due to improvements in cancer and communicable disease mortality outcomes. Mortality advantages and higher educational attainments for foreign-born populations compared with developed Asia counterparts may suggest selective migration. Findings add to our limited understanding of the racial and environmental contributions to immigrant health disparities.
Cohort profile: Examining Neighbourhood Activities in Built Living Environments in London: the ENABLE London—Olympic Park cohort
Authors: Ram Bina , Nightingale Claire M , Hudda Mohammed T , Kapetanakis Venediktos V , Ellaway Anne , Cooper Ashley R , Page Angie , Lewis Daniel , Cummins Steven , Giles-Corti Billie , Whincup Peter H , Cook Derek G , Rudnicka Alicja R , Owen Christopher G
Published: October 2016

Purpose

The Examining Neighbourhood Activities in Built Living Environments in London (ENABLE London) project is a natural experiment which aims to establish whether physical activity and other health behaviours show sustained changes among individuals and families relocating to East Village (formerly the London 2012 Olympics Athletes' Village), when compared with a control population living outside East Village throughout.

Participants

Between January 2013 and December 2015, 1497 individuals from 1006 households were recruited and assessed (at baseline) (including 392 households seeking social housing, 421 seeking intermediate and 193 seeking market rent homes). The 2-year follow-up rate is 62% of households to date, of which 57% have moved to East Village.

Findings to date

Assessments of physical activity (measured objectively using accelerometers) combined with Global Positioning System technology and Geographic Information System mapping of the local area are being used to characterise physical activity patterns and location among study participants and assess the attributes of the environments to which they are exposed. Assessments of body composition, based on weight, height and bioelectrical impedance, have been made and detailed participant questionnaires provide information on socioeconomic position, general health/health status, well-being, anxiety, depression, attitudes to leisure time activities and other personal, social and environmental influences on physical activity, including the use of recreational space and facilities in their residential neighbourhood.

Future plans

The main analyses will examine the changes in physical activity, health and well-being observed in the East Village group compared with controls and the influence of specific elements of the built environment on observed changes. The ENABLE London project exploits a unique opportunity to evaluate a ‘natural experiment’, provided by the building and rapid occupation of East Village. Findings from the study will be generalisable to other urban residential housing developments, and will help inform future evidence-based urban planning.
Impact of providing case-specific knowledge in simulation: a theory based study of learning
Authors: Cox Jocelyn , McGregor Marion , Giuliano Dominic , Howard Loretta
Published: October 2016

Background

Simulation-based education (SBE) has been lauded for its ability to help students recognise and react appropriately to common and rare circumstances. While healthcare professions have started to implement SBE into their curriculum, there is no evidence to suggest which educational theory is best for implementation. This study explores the usage of cognitive load theory (CLT) and the unified theory of emotional learning (UTEL).

Study design

A mixed methods ordered-allocation cohort study.

Methods

23 patient management teams were allocated into 2 groups. The first group received prior information about the simulation scenario; the second group did not. Each team had 1 student assigned to the role of doctor. The scenarios were filmed at time 1 (T1), time 2 (T2) and follow-up (F/U). The ‘doctor’ role was then graded with a validated checklist by a three-judge panel. The scores were evaluated to determine if prior information enabled better performance. Secondary analysis evaluated the role of gender on performance and also evaluated anxiety at the onset of the simulation.

Results

23 doctors were evaluated. There was no difference between groups in performance (t=1.54, p=0.13). Secondary analysis indicated that gender did not play a role. There was no difference in anxiety between groups at baseline (t=0.67, p=0.51).

Conclusions

Trends were observed, suggesting that when students enter a simulation environment with prior knowledge of the event they will encounter, their performance may be higher. No differences were observed in performance at T2 or F/U. Withholding information appeared to be an inappropriate proxy for emotional learning as no difference in anxiety was observed between groups at baseline. All trends require confirmation with a larger sample size.
Collectively, we need to accelerate Arctic specimen sampling
Authors: Winker Kevin , Withrow Jack
Published: October 2016

Natural history collections are not often thought of as observatories, but they are increasingly being used as such to observe biological systems and changes within them. Objects and the data associated with them are archived for present and future research. These specimen collections provide many diverse scientific benefits, helping us understand not only individual species or populations but also the environments in which they live(d). Despite these benefits, the specimen resource is inadequate to the tasks being asked of it — there are many gaps, taxonomically and in time and space. We examine and highlight some of these gaps using bird collections as an example. Given the speed of climate change in the Arctic, we need to collectively work to fill these gaps so we can develop and wield the science that will make us better stewards of Arctic environments.
Oak mistletoe (Phoradendron villosum) is linked to microhabitat availability and avian diversity in Oregon white oak (Quercus garryana) woodlands
Authors: Pritchard Kyle R. , Hagar Joan C. , Shaw David C.
Published: October 2016

Mistletoes are parasitic or hemiparasitic flowering plants that parasitize woody plants around the globe. Important food and cover resources provided by mistletoes have been related to strong patterns of positive association between wildlife diversity and mistletoe density. Mistletoes also create microhabitat features known to be important to wildlife by causing deformations in their host trees. However, links between availability of mistletoe-formed microhabitat and wildlife diversity has not been well-studied. We investigated this relationship by quantifying microhabitat features and avian abundance and diversity related to infection by oak mistletoe (Phoradendron villosum (Nutt.) Nutt. ex Engelm.) in Oregon white oak (Quercus garryana Douglas ex Hook.). Quercus garryana woodlands support several avian species of conservation concern, so understanding the influence of mistletoe on wildlife habitat is critical. Our results suggest that (i) structural heterogeneity within tree crowns is positively associated with mistletoe load; (ii) avian species richness and abundance are positively associated with mistletoe load; and (iii) the fruit of P. villosum is an important food for Western Bluebird (Sialia mexicana) and other wildlife in late autumn and early winter. If a goal of restoration is to maintain habitat for oak-associated bird species, managers should consider the retention of some oaks hosting mistletoe.
π-Extended fluoranthene imide derivatives: synthesis, structures, and electronic and optical properties
Authors: Kawajiri Ikumi , Nagahara Masaya , Ishikawa Hiroyuki , Yamamoto Yuma , Nishida Jun-ichi , Kitamura Chitoshi , Kawase Takeshi
Published: October 2016

Diels–Alder reactions of acenaphthylene-5,6-dicarboximide (AI) derivatives with the corresponding dienes afforded some derivatives of π-extended fluoranthene imide, namely N-(2-ethylhexyl)-7,10-diphenylfluoranthene imide (DPFI) and N-(2-ethylhexyl)-7,8,9,10-tetraphenylfluoranthene imide (TPFI), N-(n-octyl)-benzo[k]fluoranthene imide (BFI), and N-(n-octyl)-naphtho[k]fluoranthene imide (NFI). Molecular structures of TPFI and BFI reveal that the core π-skeletons have a highly planar structure, and the molecules form a dimeric structure in the crystals. The absorption spectra exhibit bathochromic shift with π-extension of the core π-skeletons. On the other hand, DPFI and TPFI show the long-wavelength emission related to BFI, probably due to π-extension toward the phenyl substituents in the excited states. BFI and NFI exhibited an interesting concentration-dependent 1H-NMR behavior in CDCl3, suggesting self-aggregation formation. Moreover, BFI and NFI show moderate and remarkable solvatofluorochromism in solutions (BFI for ΔλEM = 67 nm, NFI for ΔλEM = 116 nm), respectively, while DPFI and TPFI show weak solvatofluorochromism. The density functional theory calculations demonstrate that the considerable spatial separation between the HOMO and LUMO coefficients in the NFI molecule. The result indicates that the ground-to-excited state transition of NFI should have intramolecular charge transfer (ICT) character.
Entry, infection, replication, and egress of human polyomaviruses: an update
Authors: Bhattacharjee Soumen , Chattaraj Sutanuka
Published: October 2016

Polyomaviruses (PyVs), belonging to the family Polyomaviridae, are a group of small, nonenveloped, double-stranded, circular DNA viruses widely distributed in the vertebrates. PyVs cause no apparent disease in adult laboratory mice but cause a wide variety of tumors when artificially inoculated into neonates or semipermissive animals. A few human PyVs, such as BK, JC, and Merkel cell PyVs, have been unequivocally linked to pathogenesis under conditions of immunosuppression. Infection is thought to occur early in life and persists for the lifespan of the host. Over evolutionary time scales, it appears that PyVs have slowly co-evolved with specific host animal lineages. Host cell surface glycoproteins and glycolipids seem to play a decisive role in the entry stage of viral infection and in channeling the virions to specific intracellular membrane-bound compartments and ultimately to the nucleus, where the genomes are replicated and packaged for release. Therefore the transport of the infecting virion or viral genome to this site of multiplication is an essential process in productive viral infection as well as in latent infection and transformation. This review summarizes the major findings related to the characterization of the nature of the interactions between PyV and host protein and their impact in host cell invasion.
A theory on power in networks
Authors: Bozzo Enrico , Franceschet Massimo
Published: October 2016

Actors linked to central others in networks are generally central, even as actors linked to powerful others are powerless.
Blockchain beyond bitcoin
Authors: Underwood Sarah
Published: October 2016

Blockchain technology has the potential to revolutionize applications and redefine the digital economy.
Choice Complexity and Market Competition
Authors: Spiegler Ran
Published: October 2016

Consumers often find it hard to make correct value comparisons between market alternatives. Part of this choice complexity is the result of deliberate obfuscation by firms. This review synthesizes a theoretical literature that analyzes the role of choice complexity in otherwise competitive markets. I identify two general classes of market models in the literature: (a) The obfuscation strategy of firms is an independent framing device that affects the probability with which consumers make correct comparisons, and (b) market alternatives are multiattribute objects, and obfuscation is captured by lopsided location in attribute space, lowering the probability of being dominated by another market alternative. I address the following key questions: What determines the amount of choice complexity in market equilibrium? What is the relation between choice complexity and payoff-relevant aspects of the market outcome? What is the role of consumer protection measures? The models surveyed in this review suggest that equilibrium obfuscation and choice complexity increase in response to intensified competition, mitigating the positive effect of competition on consumer welfare. However, equilibrium effects can also attenuate the positive welfare effects of regulatory interventions.
Recent Advances in the Measurement Error Literature
Authors: Schennach Susanne M.
Published: October 2016

This article reviews recent significant progress made in developing estimation and inference methods for nonlinear models in the presence of mismeasured data that may or may not conform to the classical assumption of independent zero-mean errors. The aim is to cover a broad range of methods having differing levels of complexity and strength of the required assumptions. Simple approaches that form the elementary building blocks of more advanced approaches are discussed first. Then, special attention is devoted to methods that rely on readily available auxiliary variables (e.g., repeated measurements, indicators, or instrumental variables). Results relaxing most of the commonly invoked simplifying assumptions are presented (linear measurement structure, independent errors, zero-mean errors, availability of auxiliary information). This article also provides an overview of important connections with related fields, such as latent variable models, nonlinear panel data, factor models, and set identification, and applications of the methods to other fields traditionally unrelated to measurement error models.
Measuring and Modeling Attention
Authors: Caplin Andrew
Published: October 2016

This article presents a selective review of economic research on attentional choice, taking an observation of Block & Marschak (1960) as its starting point. Because standard choice data conflate utilities and perception, they point out that it is inadequate for research in which attention is endogenous. The review focuses on their thesis that advances in our understanding of attention require modeling of novel choice-based data sets, and corresponding methods of measurement. By way of example, recent attentional research based on measuring and modeling state-dependent stochastic choice data is detailed. Next research steps in relation to strategic attention and the dynamics of learning are outlined. If the thesis of Block & Marschak is valid, engineering of new data sets will become an increasingly essential professional activity as attentional research advances.
Interferon-γ promotes double-stranded RNA-induced TLR3-dependent apoptosis via upregulation of transcription factor Runx3 in airway epithelial cells
Authors: Gan Huachen , Hao Qin , Idell Steven , Tang Hua
Published: October 2016

Viral respiratory tract infections are the most common illness in humans. Infection of the respiratory viruses results in accumulation of viral replicative double-stranded RNA (dsRNA), which is one of the important components of infecting viruses for the induction of lung epithelial cell apoptosis and innate immune response, including the production of interferon (IFN). In the present study, we have investigated the regulation of dsRNA-induced airway epithelial cell apoptosis by IFN. We found that transcription factor Runx3 was strongly induced by type-II IFNγ, slightly by type-III IFNλ, but essentially not by type-I IFNα in airway epithelial cells. IFNγ-induced expression of Runx3 was predominantly mediated by JAK-STAT1 pathway and partially by NF-κB pathway. Interestingly, Runx3 can be synergistically induced by IFNγ with a synthetic analog of viral dsRNA polyinosinic-polycytidylic acid [poly(I:C)] or tumor necrosis factor-α (TNFα) through both JAK-STAT1 and NF-κB pathways. We further found that dsRNA poly(I:C)-induced apoptosis of airway epithelial cells was mediated by dsRNA receptor toll-like receptor 3 (TLR3) and was markedly augmented by IFNγ through the enhanced expression of TLR3 and subsequent activation of both extrinsic and intrinsic apoptosis pathways. Last, we demonstrated that upregulation of Runx3 by IFNγ promoted TLR3 expression, thus amplifying the dsRNA-induced apoptosis in airway epithelial cells. These novel findings indicate that IFNγ promotes dsRNA-induced TLR3-dependent apoptosis via upregulation of transcription factor Runx3 in airway epithelial cells. Findings from our study may provide new insights into the regulation of airway epithelial cell apoptosis by IFNγ during viral respiratory tract infection.
Optic Disk Pit with Sudden Central Visual Field Scotoma
Authors: Panou Nikol , Vavvas Demetrios G.
Published: October 2016

Purpose. To describe a case of optic disk pit (ODP) with sudden central visual field scotoma.Methods. A 49-year-old woman presented, reporting sudden painless central visual field loss 3 months prior to presentation. Neuroophthalmologic, systematic, and laboratory evaluation and full imaging processes were performed.Results. Fundoscopy and color photography demonstrated an optic disk pit inferotemporally. Perimetry identified central visual field horizontal scotoma. OCT revealed absence of serous retinal detachment, but disclosed inner retina thinning corresponding to the area of the visual field loss. Fluorescein angiography demonstrated delay in the cilioretinal arteries and also disclosed a relative delay in the perfusion of an arterial branch off the inferior retinal arcade. Clinical and laboratory evaluations were negative for any related pathology.Conclusion. Sudden central visual field scotoma in patients with ODP may be associated with delayed vascular filling of CRA and retinal arterioles within the optic disc anomaly region.
Two Invasive Thymomas Incidentally Found during Coronary Artery Bypass Graft Surgery
Authors: Omidifar Navid , Mokhtari Maral , Shokripour Mansoureh
Published: October 2016

Thymoma, the most common neoplasm of the anterior mediastinum, is a rare tumor of thymic epithelium that can be locally invasive. We reported 2 cases of invasive thymoma incidentally found during routine coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery at Faghihee Hospital of Shiraz University of Medical Sciences of Iran in a period of about 6 months. The 2 patients were male and above 60 years old. They had no clinical symptoms and radiological evidence of mediastinal mass before detection of the tumor during operation. For both patients mass was completely excised and sent to the laboratory. The ultimate pathological diagnosis of both masses was invasive thymoma (stage 2). There are few reports in which thymomas were found incidentally during cardiac surgery. In spite of rare coincidence, due to being asymptomatic and possibly invasive, special attention to thymus gland during cardiac surgery or other mediastinal surgery and preoperative imaging studies seem to be reasonable approach.
Rebleeding of a Splenic Artery Aneurysm after Coil Embolisation
Authors: Kingma Kyra D. , van der Linden Antonius N. , Roumen Rudi M. H.
Published: October 2016

Background. Splenic artery aneurysm (SAA) is an uncommon and difficult diagnosis. SAA is more common in females. Only 20% of SAA is symptomatic and may present as a rupture. A ruptured SAA is associated with a 25% mortality rate. Case Presentation. We present a case of a male patient with a bleeding SAA that rapidly increased in size. Distal coiling was technically impossible and despite proximal coil embolisation the SAA continued to bleed. A laparotomy including splenectomy and partial pancreatectomy was performed with an uneventful patient recovery. Discussion. Endovascular management is currently considered the optimal treatment of SAA. However, careful monitoring and follow-up is needed after embolisation as rapid recanalization of the SAA may possibly occur, especially when distal coiling of the aneurysm is unsuccessful. Conclusion. Endovascular treatment of an SAA is not necessarily effective. Surgeons must be prepared to perform open procedures to further reduce mortality rates.