bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Cholesterol Efflux Capacity, High-Density Lipoprotein Particle Number, and Incident Cardiovascular Events
Authors: Khera Amit V. , Demler Olga V. , Adelman Steven J. , Collins Heidi L. , Glynn Robert J. , Ridker Paul M , Rader Daniel J. , Mora Samia
Published: April 2017

Background:

Recent failures of drugs that raised high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol levels to reduce cardiovascular events in clinical trials have led to increased interest in alternative indices of HDL quality, such as cholesterol efflux capacity, and HDL quantity, such as HDL particle number. However, no studies have directly compared these metrics in a contemporary population that includes potent statin therapy and low low-density lipoprotein cholesterol.

Methods:

HDL cholesterol levels, apolipoprotein A-I, cholesterol efflux capacity, and HDL particle number were assessed at baseline and 12 months in a nested case-control study of the JUPITER trial (Justification for the Use of Statins in Prevention: An Intervention Trial Evaluating Rosuvastatin), a randomized primary prevention trial that compared rosuvastatin treatment to placebo in individuals with normal low-density lipoprotein cholesterol but increased C-reactive protein levels. In total, 314 cases of incident cardiovascular disease (CVD) (myocardial infarction, unstable angina, arterial revascularization, stroke, or cardiovascular death) were compared to age- and gender-matched controls. Conditional logistic regression models adjusting for risk factors evaluated associations between HDL-related biomarkers and incident CVD.

Results:

Cholesterol efflux capacity was moderately correlated with HDL cholesterol, apolipoprotein A-I, and HDL particle number (Spearman
r
= 0.39, 0.48, and 0.39 respectively;
P
<0.001). Baseline HDL particle number was inversely associated with incident CVD (adjusted odds ratio per SD increment [OR/SD], 0.69; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.56–0.86;
P
<0.001), whereas no significant association was found for baseline cholesterol efflux capacity (OR/SD, 0.89; 95% CI, 0.72–1.10;
P
=0.28), HDL cholesterol (OR/SD, 0.82; 95% CI, 0.66–1.02;
P
=0.08), or apolipoprotein A-I (OR/SD, 0.83; 95% CI, 0.67–1.03;
P
=0.08). Twelve months of rosuvastatin (20 mg/day) did not change cholesterol efflux capacity (average percentage change −1.5%, 95% CI, −13.3 to +10.2;
P
=0.80), but increased HDL cholesterol (+7.7%), apolipoprotein A-I (+4.3%), and HDL particle number (+5.2%). On-statin cholesterol efflux capacity was inversely associated with incident CVD (OR/SD, 0.62; 95% CI, 0.42–0.92;
P
=0.02), although HDL particle number again emerged as the strongest predictor (OR/SD, 0.51; 95% CI, 0.33–0.77;
P
<0.001).

Conclusions:

In JUPITER, cholesterol efflux capacity was associated with incident CVD in individuals on potent statin therapy but not at baseline. For both baseline and on-statin analyses, HDL particle number was the strongest of 4 HDL-related biomarkers as an inverse predictor of incident events and biomarker of residual risk.

Clinical Trial Registration:

URL:
http://www.clinicaltrials.gov
. Unique identifier: NCT00239681.
Melanocortin 1 Receptor Signaling Regulates Cholesterol Transport in Macrophages
Authors: Rinne Petteri , Rami Martina , Nuutinen Salla , Santovito Donato , van der Vorst Emiel P.C. , Guillamat-Prats Raquel , Lyytikäinen Leo-Pekka , Raitoharju Emma , Oksala Niku , Ring Larisa , Cai Minying , Hruby Victor J. , Lehtimäki Terho , Weber Christian , Steffens Sabine
Published: April 2017

Background:

The melanocortin 1 receptor (MC1-R) is expressed by monocytes and macrophages, where it exerts anti-inflammatory actions on stimulation with its natural ligand α-melanocyte–stimulating hormone. The present study was designed to investigate the specific role of MC1-R in the context of atherosclerosis and possible regulatory pathways of MC1-R beyond anti-inflammation.

Methods:

Human and mouse atherosclerotic samples and primary mouse macrophages were used to study the regulatory functions of MC1-R. The impact of pharmacological MC1-R activation on atherosclerosis was assessed in apolipoprotein E–deficient mice.

Results:

Characterization of human and mouse atherosclerotic plaques revealed that MC1-R expression localizes in lesional macrophages and is significantly associated with the ATP-binding cassette transporters ABCA1 and ABCG1, which are responsible for initiating reverse cholesterol transport. Using bone marrow–derived macrophages, we observed that α-melanocyte–stimulating hormone and selective MC1-R agonists similarly promoted cholesterol efflux, which is a counterregulatory mechanism against foam cell formation. Mechanistically, MC1-R activation upregulated the levels of ABCA1 and ABCG1. These effects were accompanied by a reduction in cell surface CD36 expression and in cholesterol uptake, further protecting macrophages from excessive lipid accumulation. Conversely, macrophages deficient in functional MC1-R displayed a phenotype with impaired efflux and enhanced uptake of cholesterol. Pharmacological targeting of MC1-R in atherosclerotic apolipoprotein E–deficient mice reduced plasma cholesterol levels and aortic CD36 expression and increased plaque ABCG1 expression and signs of plaque stability.

Conclusions:

Our findings identify a novel role for MC1-R in macrophage cholesterol transport. Activation of MC1-R confers protection against macrophage foam cell formation through a dual mechanism: It prevents cholesterol uptake while concomitantly promoting ABCA1- and ABCG1-mediated reverse cholesterol transport.
Prospective Study of Adenosine on Atrioventricular Nodal Conduction in Pediatric and Young Adult Patients After Heart Transplantation
Authors: Flyer Jonathan N. , Zuckerman Warren A. , Richmond Marc E. , Anderson Brett R. , Mendelsberg Tamar G. , McAllister Jennie M. , Liberman Leonardo , Addonizio Linda J. , Silver Eric S.
Published: April 2017

Background:

Supraventricular tachycardia is common after heart transplantation. Adenosine, the standard therapy for treating supraventricular tachycardia in children and adults without transplantation, is relatively contraindicated after transplantation because of a presumed risk of prolonged atrioventricular block in denervated hearts. This study tested whether adenosine caused prolonged asystole after transplantation and if it was effective in blocking atrioventricular nodal conduction in these patients.

Methods:

This was a single-center prospective clinical study including healthy heart transplant recipients 6 months to 25 years of age presenting for routine cardiac catheterization during 2015 to 2016. After catheterization, a transvenous pacing catheter was placed and adenosine was given following a dose-escalation protocol until atrioventricular block was achieved. The incidence of clinically significant asystole (≥12 seconds after adenosine) was quantified. The effects of patient characteristics on adenosine dose required to produce atrioventricular block and duration of effect were also measured.

Results:

Eighty patients completed adenosine testing. No patient (0%; 95% confidence interval, 0–3) required rescue ventricular pacing. Atrioventricular block was observed in 77 patients (96%; 95% confidence interval, 89–99). The median longest atrioventricular block was 1.9 seconds (interquartile range, 1.4–3.2 seconds), with a mean duration of adenosine effect of 4.3±2.0 seconds. No patient characteristic significantly predicted the adenosine dose to produce atrioventricular block or duration of effect. Results were similar across patient weight categories.

Conclusions:

Adenosine induces atrioventricular block in healthy pediatric and young adult heart transplant recipients with minimal risk when low initial doses are used (25 μg/kg; 1.5 mg if ≥60 kg) and therapy is gradually escalated.

Clinical Trial Registration:

URL:
http://www.clinicaltrials.gov
. Unique identifier: NCT02462941.
Negotiating in the un General Assembly: The European Union and the Other Major Groups
Authors: Vrailas Ioannis
Published: April 2017

The overwhelming majority of the United Nations’ member states remain keen to preserve the traditional intergovernmental nature of the organization in the name of universalism, equality among states and national sovereignty. However, in most negotiating processes, delegations are increasingly content to take part through the groups or sub-groups of which they are members, rather than individually on a national basis. In this regard, the European Union (eu) sets the standards for both organization and effectiveness, especially since the entry into force of the Lisbon Treaty and the eu’s Special Observer status, granted by unga Resolution 65/276.
Melansporellaceae: a novel family of Diaporthales (Ascomycota)
Authors: DU ZHUO , HYDE KEVIN D. , YANG QIN , LIANG YING-MEI , TIAN CHENG-MING
Published: April 2017

Melansporellaceae fam. nov. is introduced to accommodate a genus of diaporthalean fungi that is a phytopathogen causing walnut canker disease in China. The family is typified by Melansporella gen. nov. It can be distinguished from other diaporthalean families based on its irregularly uniseriate ascospores, and ovoid, brown conidia with a hyaline sheath and surface structures. Phylogenetic analysis shows that Melansporella juglandium sp. nov. forms a monophyletic group within Diaporthales (MP/ML/BI=100/96/1) and is a new diaporthalean clade, based on molecular data of ITS and LSU gene regions. Thus, a new family is proposed to accommodate this taxon.
Iris zagrica subsp. hakkariensis (Iridaceae), a new subspecies from Hakkâri province (Turkey) belonging to I. subgenus Hermodactyloides
Authors: FIRAT MEHMET
Published: April 2017

Iris zagrica subsp. hakkariensis, a new subspecies of I. subgenus Hermodactyloides, is described and illustrated from Hakkâri province, Turkey. From the morphological point of view, I. zagrica subsp. hakkariensis appears to be similar to the typical subspecies (I. zagrica subsp. zagrica), from which it differs by its broader leaves, longer spathe bract, purplish to violet flowers and larger capsules, among other characters. A comprehensive description of the new subspecies is provided, including detailed photographs, geographical distribution, habitat and ecology, vernacular names, and IUCN conservation status. Furthermore, pollen grain characteristics and karyomorphology are also presented for the new subspecies, with the chromosome count 2n = 14.
Documenting diversity in the Amazonian butterfly genus Bia (Lepidoptera, Nymphalidae)
Authors: PENZ CARLA M. , CASAGRANDE MIRNA M. , DEVRIES PHIL , SIMONSEN THOMAS J.
Published: April 2017

A comparative study of over 1,000 specimens allowed us to revise the taxonomy of the Amazonian butterfly genus Bia. We redescribed the genus, and used a selected set of characters to define and describe new species and subspecific taxa. We found that male genitalia showed little variation among taxa, and that wing and genitalia characters varied independently across the range of the genus. We also noted that species diversification seems to follow a north-south Amazonian divide, with Bia actorion and decaerulea occupying the northern portion of the genus range while the remaining four species are found in southern Amazonia. As defined here Bia includes six species: B. actorion (Linnaeus), B. actorion ecuatoria DeVries & Penz, NEW SSP., B. actorion occulta Casagrande & Penz, NEW SSP., B. decaerulea Weymer STAT. NOV., B. decaerulea cayana Simonsen & Penz, NEW SSP., B. decaerulea pallida Casagrande & Penz, NEW SSP., B. rebeli Bryk STAT. NOV., B. rebeli aegina Penz & Simonsen, NEW SSP., B. rebeli acreana Casagrande & Penz, NEW SSP., B. rebeli arikeme Penz & Casagrande, NEW SSP., B. rebeli pareci Penz & DeVries, NEW SSP., B. rebeli cuprea Penz & Casagrande, NEW SSP., B. rebeli tapajos Penz & Simonsen, NEW SSP., B. caelestis Penz & DeVries, NEW SP., B. pucallpa Casagrande & Penz, NEW SP., and B. peruana Röber.
Two new species of Bothriurus Peters, 1861 (Scorpiones, Bothriuridae) from Northeastern Brazil
Authors: SANTOS-DA-SILVA ANDRIA DE PAULA , CARVALHO LEONARDO SOUSA , BRESCOVIT ANTONIO DOMINGOS
Published: April 2017

Two new species of Bothriurid scorpions, Bothriurus delmari n. sp. and B. aguardente n. sp., are described from Bahia, Northeastern Brazil. These species are included in the asper group owing to the peculiar hemispermatophore morphology. These two newly described species increases to 47 the number of known and valid Bothriurus species. Additionaly, the known distribution of Bothriurus asper is updated.
Revision of the genus Adelostoma (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae). Part 2: A new subgenus and species from Oman
Authors: PURCHART LUBOŠ
Published: April 2017

A new species Adelostoma muqalensis sp. nov. is described from Oman, figured and compared with its relatives. The new species is placed in a new monotypic subgenus, Omandelostoma subgen. nov. An identification key for subgenera of the genus Adelostoma is given.
Modeling Condensation in Deep Convection
Authors: Grabowski Wojciech W. , Morrison Hugh
Published: April 2017

Cloud-scale models apply two drastically different methods to represent condensation of water vapor to form and grow cloud droplets. Maintenance of water saturation inside liquid clouds is assumed in the computationally efficient saturation adjustment approach used in most bulk microphysics schemes. When super- or subsaturations are allowed, condensation/evaporation can be calculated using the predicted saturation ratio and (either predicted or prescribed) mean droplet radius and concentration. The study investigates differences between simulations of deep unorganized convection applying a saturation adjustment condensation scheme (SADJ) and a scheme with supersaturation prediction (SPRE). A double-moment microphysics scheme with CCN activation parameterized as a function of the local vertical velocity is applied to compare cloud fields simulated applying SPRE and SADJ. Clean CCN conditions are assumed to demonstrate upper limits of the SPRE and SADJ difference. Microphysical piggybacking is used to extract the impacts with confidence. Results show a significant impact on deep convection dynamics, with SADJ featuring more cloud buoyancy and thus stronger updrafts. This leads to around a 3% increase of the surface rain accumulation in SADJ. Upper-tropospheric anvil cloud fractions are much larger in SPRE than in SADJ because of the higher ice concentrations and thus longer residence times of anvil particles in SPRE, as demonstrated by sensitivity tests. Higher ice concentrations in SPRE come from significantly larger ice supersaturations in strong convective updrafts that feature water supersaturations of several percent.
Local Wave Activity and the Onset of Blocking along a Potential Vorticity Front
Authors: Nakamura Noboru , Huang Clare S. Y.
Published: April 2017

Interaction between a train of transient waves and a diffluent westerly jet is examined using a regional quasigeostrophic equivalent barotropic model with a (nearly) binary potential vorticity (PV) distribution. Unlike most previous studies, but consistent with the observed extratropical tropopause, cross-stream variation in the layer thickness is allowed to contribute to the discontinuity in PV. In all cases examined, short (i.e., barotropic) edge waves are continuously forced in the upstream, then migrate downstream, and eventually exit the domain. A quasilinear 1D theory based on the conservation of local wave activity predicts that no steady wave train can be maintained where the westerly zonal flow is decelerated below one-half of the initial value, at which point the wave envelope develops a migratory shock analogous to the Lighthill–Whitham–Richards traffic flow problem. Fully nonlinear high-resolution 2D calculations show that the wave train indeed undergoes a significant transformation once the zonal flow along the jet axis is decelerated below the threshold. The subsequent flow evolution depends on the nature of the discontinuity in the basic-state PV. When the discontinuity is entirely due to the vorticity profile, waves are compressed and partially deflected sideways but no complete blocking occurs. When the discontinuity in PV is augmented by the layer thickness variation, the incident wave train is blocked and split into two tracks at the stagnation point, eventually leading to a formation of a modon-like vortex pair, reminiscent of an atmospheric blocking. Implications for low-frequency variability of the atmosphere are discussed.
A New Mechanism for Mode Water Formation Involving Cabbeling and Frontogenetic Strain at Thermohaline Fronts. Part II: Numerical Simulations
Authors: Shakespeare Callum J. , Thomas Leif N.
Published: April 2017

Submesoscale-resolving numerical simulations are used to investigate a mechanism for sustained mode water formation via cabbeling at thermohaline fronts subject to a confluent strain flow. The simulations serve to further elucidate the mechanism and refine the predictions of the analytical model of Thomas and Shakespeare. Unlike other proposed mechanisms involving air–sea fluxes, the cabbeling mechanism, in addition to driving significant mode water formation, uniquely determines the thermohaline properties of the mode water given knowledge of the source water masses on either side of the front. The process of mode water formation in the simulations is as follows: Confluent flow associated with idealized mesoscale eddies forces water horizontally toward the front. The frontogenetic circulation draws this water near adiabatically from the full depth of the thermohaline front up to the surface 25 m, where resolved submesoscale instabilities drive intense mixing across the thermohaline front, creating the mode water. The mode water is denser than the surrounding stratified fluid and sinks to fill its neutral buoyancy layer at depth. This layer gradually expands up to the surface, and eddies composed entirely of this mode water detach from the front and accumulate in the diffluent regions of the domain. The process continues until the source water masses are exhausted. The temperature–salinity (T–S) relation of the resulting mode water is biased to the properties of the source water that has the larger isopycnal T–S anomaly. This mechanism has the potential to drive O(1) Sv (1 Sv ≡ 106 m3 s−1) mode water formation and may be important in determining the properties of mode water in the global oceans.
Ensemble versus Deterministic Performance at the Kilometer Scale
Authors: Mittermaier M. P. , Csima G.
Published: April 2017

What is the benefit of a near-convection-resolving ensemble over a near-convection-resolving deterministic forecast? In this paper, a way in which ensemble and deterministic numerical weather prediction (NWP) systems can be compared is demonstrated using a probabilistic verification framework. Three years’ worth of raw forecasts from the Met Office Unified Model (UM) 12-member 2.2-km Met Office Global and Regional Ensemble Prediction System (MOGREPS-UK) ensemble and 1.5-km Met Office U.K. variable resolution (UKV) deterministic configuration were compared, utilizing a range of forecast neighborhood sizes centered on surface synoptic observing site locations. Six surface variables were evaluated: temperature, 10-m wind speed, visibility, cloud-base height, total cloud amount, and hourly precipitation. Deterministic forecasts benefit more from the application of neighborhoods, though ensemble forecast skill can also be improved. This confirms that while neighborhoods can enhance skill by sampling more of the forecast, a single deterministic model state in time cannot provide the variability, especially at the kilometer scale, where rapid error growth acts to limit local predictability. Ensembles are able to account for the uncertainty at larger, synoptic scales. The results also show that the rate of decrease in skill with lead time is greater for the deterministic UKV. MOGREPS-UK retains higher skill for longer. The concept of a skill differential is introduced to find the smallest neighborhood size at which the deterministic and ensemble scores are comparable. This was found to be 3 × 3 (6.6 km) for MOGREPS-UK and 11 × 11 (16.5 km) for UKV. Comparable scores are between 2% and 40% higher for MOGREPS-UK, depending on the variable. Naively, this would also suggest that an extra 10 km in spatial accuracy is gained by using a kilometer-scale ensemble.
Benefits and Beneficiaries of the Oklahoma Mesonet: A Multisectoral Ripple Effect Analysis
Authors: Ziolkowska Jadwiga R. , Fiebrich Christopher A. , Carlson J. D. , Melvin Andrea D. , Sutherland Albert J. , Kloesel Kevin A. , McManus Gary D. , Illston Bradley G. , Hocker James E. , Reyes Reuben
Published: April 2017

Since the Oklahoma Mesonet (the state’s automated mesoscale weather station network) was established in 1994, it has served a number of diverse groups and provided public services to foster weather preparedness, education, and public safety, while also supporting decision-making in agricultural production and wildland fire management.

With 121 monitoring stations across the state, the Oklahoma Mesonet has developed an array of technologies to observe a variety of atmospheric and soil variables in 5- to 30-min intervals. These consistent observations have been especially critical for predicting and preparing for extreme weather events like droughts, floods, ice storms, and severe convective storms as well as for development of value-added tools. The tools, outreach programs, and mesoscale data have been widely utilized by the general public, state decision-makers, public safety officials, K–12 community, agricultural sector, and researchers, thus generating wide societal and economic benefits to many groups.

Based on practical application examples of weather information provided by the Oklahoma Mesonet, this paper analyzes both benefits generated by Oklahoma Mesonet information to the public and decision-makers and ripple effects (spreading amplified outcomes/implications) of those benefits in the short and long term. The paper further details ongoing and anticipated Oklahoma Mesonet innovations as a response to changing needs for weather-related information over time, especially as a result of technological developments and weather variability.
Time, Temperature, and Cationic Dependence of Alkali Activation of Slag: Insights from Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy and Spectral Deconvolution
Authors: Dakhane Akash , Madavarapu Sateesh Babu , Marzke Robert , Neithalath Narayanan
Published: April 2017

The use of waste/by-product materials, such as slag or fly ash, activated using alkaline agents to create binding materials for construction applications (in lieu of portland cement) is on the rise. The influence of activation parameters (SiO2to Na2O ratio or Msof the activator, Na2O to slag ratio or n, cation type K+or Na+) on the process and extent of alkali activation of slag under ambient and elevated temperature curing, evaluated through spectroscopic techniques, is reported in this paper. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy along with a Fourier self-deconvolution method is used. The major spectral band of interest lies in the wavenumber range of ∼950 cm−1, corresponding to the antisymmetric stretching vibration of Si–O–T (T = Si or Al) bonds. The variation in the spectra with time from 6 h to 28 days is attributed to the incorporation of Al in the gel structure and the enhancement in degree of polymerization of the gel.29Si nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy is used to quantify the Al incorporation with time, which is found to be higher when Na silicate is used as the activator. The Si–O–T bond wavenumbers are also generally lower for the Na silicate activated systems.
Being civic while disavowing politics: An ethnography of a youth NGO in Portugal
Authors: Malafaia Carla , Luhtakallio Eeva , Menezes Isabel , Neves Tiago
Published: April 2017

Civic and political participation are the vehicles through which citizens of democratic societies engage in the public sphere, identify and address matters of public concern, and monitor governments’ activities. While the civic and the political are often regarded as two sides of the same coin, that assertion deserves questioning in times of an expanding voluntary sector and shrinking participation in institutional and electoral politics. Based on an ethnographic study in a large volunteer organization in the north of Portugal, this article discusses the complexities of civic and political participation, namely whether it is possible to be civic without being political. The article shows how an emphasis in caring for the other and promoting volunteers’ personal development coexists with indifference regarding political issues, and how high levels of motivation and engagement concur with resolving (or smothering) conflict through a strong investment in affective bonds, rather than open discussion. Finally, the article examines the role of religion in creating collective identity and simultaneously legitimizing a depoliticized approach to social intervention, thus exploring the paradoxes and limitations that may lie in the way of wishing to change the world without engaging in politics.
Intraday News Trading: The Reciprocal Relationships Between the Stock Market and Economic News
Authors: Strauß Nadine , Vliegenthart Rens , Verhoeven Piet
Published: April 2017

This study investigates the interdependent relationships between the stock market and economic news in the U.S. context. 2,440 economic tweets from Reuters and Bloomberg published in September 2015 were analyzed within short-term intervals (5 minutes, 20 minutes, and 1 hour) as well as 50 influential Bloomberg market coverage stories distributed via their terminals for the same period of time. Using Vector Auto Regression analyses, it was found that news volume, news relevance, and expert opinion in tweets seem to influence the fluctuation of the Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJI) positively, while economic news appears to respond to market fluctuation with less coverage, including fewer retweets, favorites, updates, or expert opinions conveyed. Inspecting the influential market stories by Bloomberg, the results imply that while Bloomberg terminals provide firsthand information on the market to professionals, tweets rather seem to offer follow-up reporting to the public. Furthermore, given that the effect of economic tweets on the DJI fluctuations was found to be strongest within longer time intervals (i.e., 1 hour), the findings imply that public traders need more time to evaluate information and to make a trading decision than professional investors.
Predicting the outcome of different protocols of in vitro fertilization with anti-Muüllerian hormone levels in patients with polycystic ovary syndrome
Authors: Chen Ya , Ye Bilv , Yang Xiaojing , Zheng Jiujia , Lin Jinju , Zhao Junzhao
Published: April 2017

Objective

This study evaluated associations of basal serum and follicular fluid (FF) anti-Muüllerian hormone (AMH) levels with in vitro fertilization (IVF) outcomes in polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) patients.

Methods

This prospective study included 179 consecutive women undergoing IVF, including 59 with PCOS and non-PCOS controls. Thirty PCOS cases had long gona-dotrophin-releasing hormone agonist (GnRH-a) and 29 had antagonist (GnRH-ant) protocols. Controls underwent conventional GnRH-a. Associations of basal serum and FF AMH levels with IVF outcomes were assessed.

Results

Median serum and FF AMH levels, antral follicle count (AFC), oestradiol human chorionic gonadotropin injection day (peak E2), and retrieved oocyte numbers were higher in PCOS patients than in controls (all P < 0.01). Oocyte maturation and high-quality embryo rates were lower in PCOS patients than in controls (P < 0.01), but both groups had similar fertilization, implantation, clinical pregnancy, and newborn rates. Peak E2 was higher in GnRH-ant than in GnRH-a protocols (16.5 nmol/L vs. 12.1 nmol/L, P < 0.05). AMH levels were correlated with AFC in PCOS patients ( P < 0.01). Peak E2 and FF AMH levels were independent predictors of oocyte number. Peak E2 predicted the fertilization rate.

Conclusion

Serum basal AMH levels are predictive of oocyte quantity, but not oocyte quality or IVF outcomes. Serum AMH, FF AMH, and outcomes are similar among protocols.
Emotional intelligence and personality traits as predictors of undergraduate occupational therapy students’ teamwork skills: A cross-sectional study
Authors: Brown Ted , Etherington Jamie , Williams Brett
Published: April 2017

Introduction

This study investigated whether occupational therapy students’ emotional intelligence and personality traits are predictive of their teamwork skills.

Method

114 second and third year undergraduate occupational therapy students (86.6% response rate) completed the Genos Emotional Intelligence Inventory, the Ten-Item Personality Inventory, and the Team Skills Scale. Linear regressions were completed with the Team Skills Scale domains being the dependent variables and the Genos Emotional Intelligence Inventory and Ten-Item Personality Inventory factors being the independent variables.

Results

Regression analysis results revealed that the Genos Emotional Intelligence Inventory subscales of emotional reasoning and emotional management of others were significant predictors of students’ teamwork skills. Emotional reasoning accounted for 8.3% of the unique variance of the team skills variable ( p = .001) and emotional management of others contributed 2.4% of the unique variance ( p = .05). The personality traits of extraversion and emotional stability were also found to be significant predictors of students’ teamwork skills, accounting for 7.6% ( p = .002) and 3.6% ( p = .033) respectively of unique variance of the team skills variable.

Conclusion

Components of occupational therapy students’ emotional intelligence and specific personality traits were found to be significant predictors of their team skills. Further investigation of this topic is recommended.
Daily Light Exposure Patterns Reveal Phase and Period of the Human Circadian Clock
Authors: Woelders Tom , Beersma Domien G. M. , Gordijn Marijke C. M. , Hut Roelof A. , Wams Emma J.
Published: April 2017

Light is the most potent time cue that synchronizes (entrains) the circadian pacemaker to the 24-h solar cycle. This entrainment process is an interplay between an individual’s daily light perception and intrinsic pacemaker period under free-running conditions. Establishing individual estimates of circadian phase and period can be time-consuming. We show that circadian phase can be accurately predicted (SD = 1.1 h for dim light melatonin onset, DLMO) using 9 days of ambulatory light and activity data as an input to Kronauer’s limit-cycle model for the human circadian system. This approach also yields an estimated circadian period of 24.2 h (SD = 0.2 h), with longer periods resulting in later DLMOs. A larger amount of daylight exposure resulted in an earlier DLMO. Individuals with a long circadian period also showed shorter intervals between DLMO and sleep timing. When a field-based estimation of tau can be validated under laboratory studies in a wide variety of individuals, the proposed methods may prove to be essential tools for individualized chronotherapy and light treatment for shift work and jetlag applications. These methods may improve our understanding of fundamental properties of human circadian rhythms under daily living conditions.
Development and characterization of bioresorbable polyglycerol esters and drug-loaded microparticles
Authors: Istratov Vladislav V , Krupina Tatiyana V , Gomzyak Vitaly I , Vasnev Valeriy A
Published: April 2017

Linear-hyperbranched co(polylactides) containing hyperbranched polyglycerol (PG) block were synthesized and characterized. An estimate of critical micelle concentration as well as aggregative stability and droplet sizes in the emulsion stabilized by the obtained polymers was made. It was shown that an architecture of linear-branched co(polylactides) defines its surface-active properties and characteristics of dispersion systems obtained from it. With an increase in PG block content in copolymers, critical micelle concentration and aggregative stability of emulsions increase. Polylactide microparticles were obtained by organic solvent evaporation technique using acetylsalicylic acid as a drug model. Some properties of microparticles, such as size, incorporation efficiency and in vitro release of immobilized substance, were examined. It was noticed that branching architecture of co(polylactides) has a significant influence on the properties of microparticles. On the one hand, the presence of large PG blocks in linear-branched macromolecules results in the formation of colloidal systems with higher aggregative stability of emulsions and smaller particle size; on the other hand, microparticles formed from such copolymers have lower incorporation efficiency towards water-soluble low-molecular-weight compounds and nonlinear release profile for these substances with a segment of accelerated primary release.
Modeling of copolyimide chain microstructure formation in a course of the one-pot copolycondensation in molten benzoic acid
Authors: Kuznetsov Alexander A , Batuashvili Mariya R , Kaminskii Vladimir
Published: April 2017

Mathematical modeling was has been developed for the chain microstructure formation in the synthesis of copolyimides (CPI) by the one-pot high-temperature catalytic polycondensation from two diamines A and B (comonomers) and one dianhydride C (intermonomer) in molten benzoic acid at 140°C accomplished with different regimes of intermonomer loading. The kinetic scheme including the acylation of the amino group of both diamines with the anhydride fragment, decomposition, and imidization of two intermediate amido acid fragments was examined. The kinetic parameters of the acylation and imidization stages necessary for calculations were determined previously in independent experiments. The numerical solution of the system of kinetic equations for different regimes of intermonomer loading gave the calculated dependences of the change in time of the average block length, the current concentrations of amino- and anhydride groups, amido acid fragments (unstable dyads: AC1 and BC1), imide cycles (stable dyads: AC2 and BC2), and triads. The calculated values of the average block length and the chain microheterogeneity parameter ( Km = 0.5) for the first three comonomer pairs at gradual intermonomer loading correspond to the multiblock microstructure of the chain. These values are in good agreement with the experimental values obtained from 13C NMR data for CPI based on the indicated diamines and 2,2-propylidenebis(1,4-phenyleneoxy)diphthalic dianhydride.
Non-linear methods based on ultrasonic waves to analyse disbonds in single lap joints
Authors: Scarselli G , Ciampa F , Nicassio F , Meo M
Published: April 2017

Adhesive bonded lap joints are widely used in the aerospace field and non-destructive testing (NDT) techniques are critical in evaluating the quality of adhesion before and during use. Two types of bonded samples have been experimentally investigated in order to verify the reliability of non-linear elastic wave spectroscopy (NEWS) based on the use of ultrasound. Piezoelectric sensors have been attached to the samples and used as generators and receivers. Both the samples have shown non-linearities in their dynamic behaviour. Non-linear metrics have been applied to their structural responses over an assigned range of excitation frequencies based on higher order harmonic analysis in order to evaluate the degree of non-linearity of the samples. Possible interpretations of the experimental behaviour are provided in the paper based also on tomographic testing of the adhesive layer that showed the presence of microbubbles in the bond due to manufacturing process.
Design and optimization of nonuniform cellular structures
Authors: Jin Xin , Li Guo-Xi , Zhang Meng
Published: April 2017

Topology optimization and cellular structure infilling are two important approaches to achieve a lightweight design while meeting the relevant mechanical property requirements. In this work, we present a density-variable cellular structure design method combined with topology optimization while ensuring the manufacturability. The effective mechanical properties are reported as functions of the relative density to combine cellular structures with the topology optimization model. The manufacturing constraints are analyzed and expressed in topology optimization. In addition, density-variable cellular structures are rapidly modeled by mapping the topology optimization results to the relative densities of cells and via the use of user-defined features. It is shown by means of finite element analysis that the proposed design approach can improve the mechanical performance compared to the uniform cellular structure under the same weight reduction. And the choice of cell size for higher stiffness of the designed structure varies with different values of manufacturing constraints.
The changing epidemiology of HIV in the criminal justice system
Authors: Baillargeon Jacques , Pulvino John S , Leonardson Jane E , Linthicum Lannette C , Williams Brie , Penn Joseph , Williams Robert S , Baillargeon Gwen , Murray Owen J
Published: April 2017

Although the rate of HIV infection among US prison inmates is considerably higher than that of the general population, little is known about age-related changes in HIV-infected inmates over the last decade. This study of the nation’s largest state prison system examined (1) whether the mean age of the HIV-infected inmate increased over the last decade, and (2) whether the prevalence of HIV and associated comorbidities varied according to age. The study population included all 230,103 inmates incarcerated in the Texas prison system for any duration during 2014. A separate analysis was conducted on all HIV-infected inmates incarcerated between 2004 and 2014. Information on medical conditions and demographic factors was obtained from an institution-wide electronic medical record system. From 2004 to 2014, the mean age of HIV-infected inmates in the prison system increased from 39.3 to 42.5 years, compared to an increase of 36.1–37.9 for all Texas prison inmates. Multivariable logistic regression was used to assess the independent contributions of multiple demographic and clinical covariates in predicting the binary outcome, HIV infection. The model showed that, in 2014, HIV infection was elevated in inmates who were aged 40–49 years (OR = 3.1; 95% CI 2.7–3.3), aged 50–59 years (OR = 2.4; 95% CI 2.1–2.7), African American (OR = 3.0; 95% CI 2.8–3.3), and in those with several chronic diseases, including chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (OR = 1.7; 95% CI 1.5–1.9), hepatitis C (OR = 2.7; 95% CI 2.5–3.1), major depressive disorder (OR = 1.7; 95% CI 1.5–2.1), bipolar disorder (OR = 2.3; 95% CI 1.8–2.8), and schizophrenia (OR = 1.5; 95% CI 1.3–1.8). Among HIV-infected inmates (n = 2960), the percentage with comorbid disease increased in a linear fashion according to age (p < .01). Correctional health systems must adapt to address the evolving epidemiology of HIV among inmate populations.
Bullying and Being Bullied in Childhood Are Associated With Different Psychosocial Risk Factors for Poor Physical Health in Men
Authors: Matthews Karen A. , Jennings J. Richard , Lee Laisze , Pardini Dustin A.
Published: April 2017

Bullying and being bullied in childhood are both linked with later adjustment problems. The impact of childhood bullying on risk for poor physical health in adulthood is understudied. Black and White men ( n = 305; mean age = 32.3 years) enrolled in the Pittsburgh Youth Study since the first grade underwent a comprehensive assessment of psychosocial, behavioral, and biological risk factors for poor health. Indices of bullying and being bullied were created by averaging annual ratings collected from participants and their caregivers when the participants were 10 to 12 years old. Results showed that being a bully in childhood was associated with greater stress and aggression and poorer health behaviors in adulthood, whereas being a victim of bullies in childhood was associated with lower socioeconomic resources, less optimism, and greater unfair treatment in adulthood. Unexpectedly, neither bullying nor being bullied in childhood was related to inflammation or metabolic syndrome. Bullying and being bullied in childhood were associated with distinct domains of psychosocial risk in adulthood that may later lead to poor physical health.
Influence of Holocene permafrost aggradation and thaw on the paleoecology and carbon storage of a peatland complex in northwestern Canada
Authors: Pelletier Nicolas , Talbot Julie , Olefeldt David , Turetsky Merritt , Blodau Christian , Sonnentag Oliver , Quinton William L
Published: April 2017

Permafrost in peatlands strongly influences ecosystem characteristics, including vegetation composition, hydrological functions, and carbon cycling. Large amounts of organic carbon are stored in permafrost peatlands in northwestern Canada. Their possible degradation into permafrost-free wetlands including thermokarst bogs may affect carbon (C) stocks, but the direction and magnitude of change are uncertain. Using peat core reconstructions, we characterized the temporal and spatial variability in vegetation macrofossil, testate amoebae, C content, and peat decomposition along a permafrost thaw chronosequence in the southern portion of the Scotty Creek watershed near Fort Simpson, Northwest Territories. The accumulation of limnic and minerotrophic peat prevailed at the site until permafrost formed around 5000 cal. yr BP. Three distinct permafrost periods were identified in the permafrost peat plateau profile, while permafrost only aggraded once in the thermokarst bog profile. Permafrost thawed at ~550 and ~90 cal. yr BP in the thermokarst bog center and edge, respectively. Both allogenic (climatic shifts and wildfire) and autogenic (peat accumulation, Sphagnum growth) processes likely exerted control on permafrost aggradation and thaw. While apparent carbon accumulation rates (ACARs) were lower during present and past permafrost periods than during non-permafrost periods, long-term C accumulation remained similar between cores with different permafrost period lengths. Deep peat was less decomposed in the permafrost plateau compared with the thermokarst bog, which we speculate is due more to differences in peat type rather than differences in decomposition environment between these two ecosystem states. Our study highlights the importance of considering potential deep peat C losses to project the fate of thawing permafrost peat C stores.
The Global Hedge Fund Industry: Structure, Strategies and Growth
Authors: Yadav Inder Sekhar , Mishra R.K.
Published: April 2017

The principal aim of this study is to provide the structure, organization, growth and risk-return profile of global hedge fund industry. In particular, the objective of the study is to introduce the evolution of the global hedge fund industry and some of the most common hedge fund investment strategies used by the fund managers. Also, the present study intends to provide some current statistics of the global hedge fund industry pre- and post-global crisis of 2008.
Role Ambiguity: Translation to Spanish and Analysis of Scale Structure
Authors: Leo Francisco M. , González-Ponce Inmaculada , Sánchez-Oliva David , Pulido Juan J. , García-Calvo Tomás
Published: April 2017

The main objective of this study is to examine the structure of the Role Ambiguity Framework and a validation into Spanish of the Role Ambiguity Scale with professional players. We employed a sample of 604 male and female professional athletes, aged between 15 and 38 years. To find the best solution of the questionnaire’s factor structure, a set of different models was tested. Data analysis showed that bifactor-ESEM (exploratory structural equation modeling) solution provided the best degree of fit to the data. Furthermore, reliability and invariance across gender were also demonstrated, and the scale showed good concurrent validity. Results suggest that the structure of the Role Ambiguity is composed with one second-order factor and three first-order factors: scope-behavior, evaluation, and consequences. In addition, the adaptation of this scale to Spanish is a valid and reliable instrument to measure role ambiguity in male and female players.
GLP-1 and GIP Levels in Patients With Hyperthyroidism: The Effect of Antithyroid Treatment
Authors: Cira Duygu Kalkan , Sari Ramazan , Ozdem Sebahat , Yilmaz Nusret , Bozkurt Selen
Published: April 2017

Background:Incretin hormones (glucagon-like peptide-1 [GLP-1] and gastric inhibitory polypeptide [GIP]) may play a role in the development of glucose intolerance and hyperglycemia in patients with hyperthyroidism. Objective: We aimed to assess both incretin levels and treatment-induced changes in incretin levels in those with hyperthyroidism. Methods: A total of 24 subjects (12 with hyperthyroidism and 12 healthy) were enrolled in the study. Oral glucose tolerance test was performed and serum glucose, insulin GLP1, and GIP levels were evaluated at 0 (baseline), 30, 60, 90, and 120 minutes using ELISA. Measurements were repeated after euthyroidism was reached in subjects with hyperthyroidism. Results: The baseline glucose level was higher in those with hyperthyroidism compared with controls ( P = 0.03). GLP-1 and GIP responses to oral glucose load did not differ significantly between those with hyperthyroidism and controls. Peak GLP-1 and GIP levels were reached in both groups at 60 and 90 minutes, respectively. Areas under the curve (AUCs) for GLP1 and GIP were similar in those with hyperthyroidism and controls. Although GLP-1 and GIP levels did not change before and after antithyroid treatment in subjects with hyperthyroidism, time to peak GLP-1 and GIP levels were reached at 30 minutes after euthyroid state was achieved. Reversal of hyperthyroid to euthyroid status did not induce significant changes in AUCs for incretins. Conclusion: The findings of the present study suggest that the total incretin response to oral glucose load is preserved in patients with hypertyhroidism, but peak incretin responses may change after achieving euthyroid state.
Who Is Afraid of EU Enlargement? A Multilevel Comparative Analysis
Authors: Taydas Zeynep , Kentmen-Cin Cigdem
Published: April 2017

Despite considerable research analyzing European Union (EU) citizens’ attitudes toward enlargement, there is no scholarly consensus on what drives opposition to the accession of a particular country. To fill this gap, this paper adopts a comparative approach to examine the determinants of attitudes toward the membership of twelve candidate or potential candidate countries to the EU. Using 2005 Eurobarometer survey data from the EU-25, we examine the relative explanatory power of two leading theories—utilitarian and identity—in explaining public opposition to EU enlargement. Our results reveal that, across models, subjective variables capturing material and identity threat perceptions have a more consistent impact on enlargement attitudes compared with objective indicators. While fears of higher EU budget contribution and evaluations of national economic conditions are the most consistent utilitarian predictors of respondents’ opposition to entry of potential EU members, attachment to European identity and fears about the loss of cultural identity are the two most powerful identity-related predictors of public opposition. Contrary to expectations, religious attachment plays a limited role in shaping public opposition. Only Turkey elicits strong and uniform opposition from all religious groups, including atheists, agnostics, and seculars.