bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Online canteens: awareness, use, barriers to use, and the acceptability of potential online strategies to improve public health nutrition in primary schools
Authors: Wyse Rebecca , Yoong Sze Lin , Dodds Pennie , Campbell Libby , Delaney Tessa , Nathan Nicole , Janssen Lisa , Reilly Kathryn , Sutherland Rachel , Wiggers John , Wolfenden Luke
Published: May 2016

Issue addressed

This study of primary school principals assessed the awareness, use, barriers to use and acceptability of online canteens.

Methods

A telephone survey of 123 primary school principals within the Hunter New England Region of New South Wales, Australia was conducted from September 2014 to November 2014.

Results

Fifty‐six percent of principals were aware of the existence of online canteens, with 8% having implemented such a system, and 38% likely to do so in the future. Medium/large schools were more likely to be aware of or to use online canteens, however there were no differences in awareness or use in relation to school rurality or socioeconomic advantage. Principals cited parent internet access as the most commonly identified perceived barrier to online canteen use, and the majority of principals (71–93%) agreed that it would be acceptable to implement a range of consumer behaviour strategies via an online canteen.

Conclusions

Study findings suggest that despite relatively low levels of current use, online canteens have the potential to reach a large proportion of school communities in the future, across geographical and socioeconomic divides, and that the nutrition interventions which they have the capacity to deliver are considered acceptable to school principals.

So what?

Online canteens may represent an opportunity to deliver nutrition interventions to school communities. Future research should examine the feasibility and potential effectiveness of interventions delivered via this modality.
Assortative sexual mixing among heterosexuals in Australia: implications for herd protection in males from a female human papillomavirus vaccination program
Authors: Chow Eric P. F. , Fairley Christopher K.
Published: May 2016

The aim was to investigate the assortative sexual mixing by country of birth among heterosexuals in Australia. An analysis of 1060 heterosexual couples who attended the Melbourne Sexual Health Centre between 2011 and 2014 was conducted. Of the 1060 couples, 27% (n = 281) were both Australian-born men and women, and 42% (n = 445) were both overseas-born. Of the 171 couples with women aged ≤21 years, 41% (n = 70) were both born in Australia and 33% (n = 56) were both born overseas. A strong assortative mixing pattern by country of birth was observed among all 1060 couples (r = 0.361; 95% CI: 0.320–0.403), and among 171 couples with women aged ≤21 years (r = 0.481; 95% CI: 0.379–0.584).
Coordinated beating of algal flagella is mediated by basal coupling
Authors: Wan Kirsty Y. , Goldstein Raymond E.
Published: May 2016

Significance

In areas as diverse as developmental biology, physiology, and biomimetics, there is great interest in understanding the mechanisms by which active hair-like cellular appendages known as flagella or cilia are brought into coordinated motion. The prevailing theoretical hypothesis over many years is that fluid flows driven by beating flagella provide the coupling that leads to synchronization, but this is surprisingly inconsistent with certain experimentally observed phenomena. Here we demonstrate the insufficiency of hydrodynamic coupling in an evolutionarily significant range of unicellular algal species bearing multiple flagella, and suggest that the key additional ingredient for precise coordination of flagellar beating is provided by contractile fibers of the basal apparatus.
Mesolimbic neuropeptide W coordinates stress responses under novel environments
Authors: Motoike Toshiyuki , Long Jeffrey M. , Tanaka Hirokazu , Sinton Christopher M. , Skach Amber , Williams S. Clay , Hammer Robert E. , Sakurai Takeshi , Yanagisawa Masashi
Published: May 2016

Significance

The study proposes a physiological role for neuropeptide W (NPW) in modulating mouse behaviors under stress. We found that NPW-producing neurons (which are a small subset of mesolimbic dopaminergic neurons) exclusively innervate the extended central amygdala, where the peptide plays an essential role in stress-induced inhibition of the amygdala neurons. The response of NPW-null mice to either formalin-induced pain stimuli or to a live rat (a potential predator) was abnormal when they were placed in a novel environment: They failed to show the normal self-protective and aversive reactions. In contrast, the behavior of NPW-null mice in a habituated environment was normal. These results demonstrate a critical role of NPW in the gating of stressful stimuli during exposure to novel environments.
Origins of ultralow velocity zones through slab-derived metallic melt
Authors: Liu Jiachao , Li Jie , Hrubiak Rostislav , Smith Jesse S.
Published: May 2016

Significance

Nearly three decades ago, seismologists discovered peculiarly dense and slow patches just above Earth’s core−mantle boundary (CMB), known as the ultralow velocity zones (ULVZs). The origin of the ULVZs has remained enigmatic because silicate partial melt models face challenges in accounting for the nonubiquitous occurrence of ULVZs and explaining the observed density excess, whereas iron-rich solid models may have difficulty reproducing the sound velocity observations. Here we propose hypotheses involving slab-derived metallic melt as a critical component to explain the density and velocity features of the ULVZs. These hypotheses differ fundamentally from existing models and may provide insights into the influence of the deep carbon cycle on Earth’s dynamics.
Scaling laws predict global microbial diversity
Authors: Locey Kenneth J. , Lennon Jay T.
Published: May 2016

Significance

Ecological scaling laws are intensively studied for their predictive power and universal nature but often fail to unify biodiversity across domains of life. Using a global-scale compilation of microbial and macrobial data, we uncover relationships of commonness and rarity that scale with abundance at similar rates for microorganisms and macroscopic plants and animals. We then show a unified scaling law that predicts the abundance of dominant species across 30 orders of magnitude to the scale of all microorganisms on Earth. Using this scaling law combined with the lognormal model of biodiversity, we predict that Earth is home to as many as 1 trillion (10
12
) microbial species.
Electron tomography reveals the fibril structure and lipid interactions in amyloid deposits
Authors: Kollmer Marius , Meinhardt Katrin , Haupt Christian , Liberta Falk , Wulff Melanie , Linder Julia , Handl Lisa , Heinrich Liesa , Loos Cornelia , Schmidt Matthias , Syrovets Tatiana , Simmet Thomas , Westermark Per , Westermark Gunilla T. , Horn Uwe , Schmidt Volker , Walther Paul , Fändrich Marcus
Published: May 2016

Significance

Although considerable previous efforts have been dedicated to studying the molecular assembly of individual amyloid fibrils, much less is known about their 3D arrangement within a pathological deposit. In this study, we use electron tomography, an extremely powerful method for studying the detailed structure of cellular assemblies or macromolecular complexes, to unravel the superstructure of fibril networks. The structural views provided by our analysis enable a better understanding of the properties and pathogenic features of amyloid fibrils. The fibril network structure is also a crucial determinant of possible applications of such fibrils in the field of biotechnology or material sciences.
TPC2 controls pigmentation by regulating melanosome pH and size
Authors: Ambrosio Andrea L. , Boyle Judith A. , Aradi Al E. , Christian Keith A. , Di Pietro Santiago M.
Published: May 2016

Significance

Melanin pigments are synthesized in skin and hair cells called melanocytes and provide color to skin and hair and protection against UV rays. Inadequate protection poses the risk of accumulating genetic mutations in the DNA of skin cells, which can lead to skin cancer. It can also reduce folate levels, which then causes birth defects. Therefore, understanding pigmentation is important for human health. There are several protein components of the machinery that regulates human pigmentation that work in unknown ways. Two-pore channel 2 (TPC2) is one of them. Here we found that TPC2 is located in compartments inside melanocytes known as melanosomes, where melanin is synthesized. TPC2 regulates the pH and size of melanosomes, thus controlling the amount of melanin produced.
Straining soft colloids in aqueous nematic liquid crystals
Authors: Mushenheim Peter C. , Pendery Joel S. , Weibel Douglas B. , Spagnolie Saverio E. , Abbott Nicholas L.
Published: May 2016

Significance

Liquid crystals (LCs) are anisotropic, viscoelastic fluids that can be used to direct colloids (e.g., metallic nanorods) into organized assemblies with unusual optical, mechanical, and electrical properties. In past studies, the colloids have been sufficiently rigid that their individual shapes and properties have not been strongly coupled to elastic stresses imposed by the LCs. Herein, we explore how soft colloids (micrometer-sized shells formed from phospholipids) behave in LCs. We reveal a sharing of strain between the LC and shells, resulting in formation of spindle-like shells and other complex shapes and also, tuning of properties of the shells (e.g., barrier properties). These results hint at previously unidentified designs of reconfigurable soft materials with applications in sensing and biology.
Modeling when, where, and how to manage a forest epidemic, motivated by sudden oak death in California
Authors: Cunniffe Nik J. , Cobb Richard C. , Meentemeyer Ross K. , Rizzo David M. , Gilligan Christopher A.
Published: May 2016

Significance

We use sudden oak death in California to illustrate how mathematical modeling can be used to optimize control of established epidemics of invading pathogens in complex heterogeneous landscapes. We use our statewide model—which has been parameterized to pathogen spread data—to address a number of broadly applicable questions. How quickly must management start? When is an epidemic too large to prevent further spread effectively? How should local treatment be deployed? How does this depend on the budget and level of risk aversion? Where should treatment be targeted? How should expenditure be balanced on detection and treatment? What if the budget changes over time? The underlying principles are important for management of all plant disease epidemics in natural ecosystems.
Control of serotonin transporter phosphorylation by conformational state
Authors: Zhang Yuan-Wei , Turk Benjamin E. , Rudnick Gary
Published: May 2016

Significance

Mutations in serotonin transporter (SERT) affecting regulation of a cGMP-dependent signaling pathway have been associated with psychiatric disorders. Earlier studies provided preliminary evidence that cGMP stimulates phosphorylation of SERT in a transmembrane helix. Transporters like SERT function by undergoing a cycle of conformational changes as they move their substrate (in this case the neurotransmitter 5-HT) across the membrane. This work shows that SERT conformation dramatically affects phosphorylation, which is stimulated when the transporter is in a conformation known to increase during 5-HT transport. The results suggest a novel mechanism of regulation in which transport of 5-HT increases the level of an inward-open SERT conformation that provides accessibility of the phosphorylation site to a kinase.
Efficient electrolyzer for CO
2
splitting in neutral water using earth-abundant materials
Authors: Tatin Arnaud , Comminges Clément , Kokoh Boniface , Costentin Cyrille , Robert Marc , Savéant Jean-Michel
Published: May 2016

Significance

Electrochemical CO
2
-to-CO conversion is one important option for storing intermittent, renewable electricity into chemical bonds so as to produce fuels and to use CO
2
as a feedstock for chemicals. The setup of an electrolyzer, associating cheap and abundant materials able to split CO
2
into CO and O
2
, in environmentally friendly conditions (neutral pH, ambient temperature) with a high selectivity and stability, and a 50% energy conversion efficiency is reported. The results open the way to solar energy driving of the CO
2
/CO + 1/2 O
2
splitting by associating the electrochemical cell with a light-to-electricity conversion device, and more generally with surplus electricity from renewable intermittent sources.
Characterization of the reaction of decoupling ubiquinone with bovine mitochondrial respiratory complex I
Authors: Masuya Takahiro , Okuda Kenji , Murai Masatoshi , Miyoshi Hideto
Published: May 2016

We previously produced the unique ubiquinone QT (“decoupling” quinone), the catalytic reduction of which in NADH-quinone oxidoreduction with bovine heart mitochondrial NADH-ubiquinone oxidoreductase (complex I) is completely decoupled from proton translocation across the membrane domain. This feature is markedly distinct from those of typical short-chain quinones such as ubiquinone-1. To further characterize the features of the QT reaction with complex I, we herein synthesized three QT analogs, QT2–QT4, and characterized their electron transfer reactions. We found that all aspects of electron transfer (e.g. electron-accepting activity and membrane potential formation) vary significantly among these analogs. The features of QT2 as decoupling quinone were slightly superior to those of original QT. Based on these results, we conclude that the bound positions of QTs within the quinone binding cavity susceptibly change depending on their side-chain structures, and the positions, in turn, govern the behavior of QTs as electron acceptors.
ASAFE: ancestry-specific allele frequency estimation
Authors: Zhang Qian S. , Browning Brian L. , Browning Sharon R.
Published: May 2016

Summary: In a genome-wide association study (GWAS) of an admixed population, such as Hispanic Americans, ancestry-specific allele frequencies can inform the design of a replication GWAS. We derive an EM algorithm to estimate ancestry-specific allele frequencies for a bi-allelic marker given genotypes and local ancestries on a 3-way admixed population, when the phase of each admixed individual’s genotype relative to the pair of local ancestries is unknown. We call our algorithm Ancestry Specific Allele Frequency Estimation (ASAFE). We demonstrate that ASAFE has low error on simulated data.

Availability and implementation: The R source code for ASAFE is available for download at https://github.com/BiostatQian/ASAFE

Contact:  qszhang@uw.edu

Supplementary information:  Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online.
Modern Bible Translations
Authors: van Steenbergen Gerrit
Published: May 2016

The practice of translating the Bible stretches itself out over a period of more than 2,500 years and is still ongoing. It is hard to exactly define the period that covers the modern era in Bible translation. Two aspects can be considered in this regard. First, it is generally agreed that there is a close link between the modern missionary movement that started toward the end of the 18th century and Bible translation. The founding of Bible Societies, which started in 1804 (British and Foreign Bible Society) and culminated in a worldwide fellowship of Bible Societies in 1946 called United Bible Societies, as well as the establishment of other Bible (translation) agencies such as Wycliffe Bible Translators (1942) and the Catholic Biblical Federation (1968), has given a tremendous impetus to Bible translation. The era of modern Bible translation roughly covers this period from 1800 onward. Apart from the fact that Bible Societies and other agencies generally work in conjunction with the churches, there have also been Bible translation initiatives by churches themselves, ecumenical councils, publishers, and individuals during this period. Secondly, the development of translation studies (sometimes called “translatology”) as an emerging academic discipline has had a significant influence on modern Bible translations. This development started in the 20th century and has particularly gained momentum since the second half of that century. Bible translation theory has also been influential outside the confines of its own field of expertise, particularly in the 1960s. At the same time it is noted that modern Bible translation has been increasingly influenced by secular translation theories. In order to get a clear understanding of the modern era, it is essential to consider the preceding history as well. The basics of current translations can be traced back to earlier periods in history. The preface of each published translation usually reflects on its background in terms of its origins, translation principles, target audience, and confessional orientation.
Epistemology (Pramāṇas)
Authors: Dasti Matthew R. , Keating Malcolm
Published: May 2016

In classical Hindu philosophy and classical Indian thought more generally, questions of epistemology, rationality, and public debate were typically framed in terms of pramāṇas, “means of knowing.” The term pramāṇa is sometimes used to refer to cognition itself, especially by Buddhist interlocutors, but more commonly pramāṇa refers to processes or causes of veridical cognition such as perception, inference, and testimony. Hindu thinkers were concerned with identifying and understanding such processes for two major reasons: first, they thought that an individual’s well-being depended on navigating the world effectively, which in turn depended on understanding it properly. As such, achieving life goals hinged on cognitive success. Understanding what sort of processes lead to knowledge as opposed to ignorance or doubt was crucial to sustained cognitive success and hence living well. Second, schools of thought and praxis had to defend their views and ways of life in the culture of robust debate pervading classical Indian intellectual life. Illustrating that one’s view or perspective was indeed supported by genuine pramāṇas, and that their opponent’s view was not, was one way to do this. Pramāṇas were thus often crucial to debates about fundamental questions in philosophy, as well as theology and ethics. And these questions were deeply tied to concerns about the best way to live. By way of example, for Mīmāṃsā, the need to defend the ultimate moral and religious authority of the Veda motivates them to develop a sophisticated epistemology of default justification for cognition, which is then applied to the Vedic testimony. For Nyāya, defending the existence of the self against Buddhist challengers leads to myriad inferences in support of its existence; these are held to be binding, as properly formed inference is a widely recognized pramāṇa. Articulating what constitutes a well-formed inference is then the basis of Nyāya developments in logic and the epistemology of inferential cognition. Vedāntic thinkers are both concerned with defending the Upaniṣadic literature (and denigrating yogic experience) as a source of knowledge of brahman, and characterizing the state of the deep self as a witness to the events of consciousness. In short, Hindu thinkers are deeply concerned with identifying, analyzing, and engaging in debate over what sorts of processes are basic irreducible means of knowing and how such processes generate epistemic normativity.
Trends in Critical Care Beds and Use Among Population Groups and Medicare and Medicaid Beneficiaries in the United States: 2000–2010
Authors: Halpern Neil A. , Goldman Debra A. , Tan Kay See , Pastores Stephen M.
Published: May 2016

Objectives:

To analyze patterns of critical care medicine beds, use, and costs in acute care hospitals in the United States and relate critical care medicine beds and use to population shifts, age groups, and Medicare and Medicaid beneficiaries from 2000 to 2010.

Design:

Retrospective study of data from the federal Healthcare Cost Report Information System, American Hospital Association, and U.S. Census Bureau.

Subjects:

None.

Interventions:

None.

Setting:

Acute care U.S. hospitals with critical care medicine beds.

Measurements and Main Results:

From 2000 to 2010, U.S. hospitals with critical care medicine beds decreased by 17% (3,586–2,977), whereas the U.S. population increased by 9.6% (282.2–309.3M). Although hospital beds decreased by 2.2% (655,785–641,395), critical care medicine beds increased by 17.8% (88,235–103,900), a 20.4% increase in the critical care medicine-to-hospital bed ratio (13.5–16.2%). There was a greater percentage increase in premature/neonatal (29%; 14,391–18,567) than in adult (15.9%; 71,978–83,417) or pediatric (2.7%; 1,866–1,916) critical care medicine beds. Hospital occupancy rates increased by 10.4% (58.6-64.6%), whereas critical care medicine occupancy rates were stable (range, 65–68%). Critical care medicine beds per 100,000 total population increased by 7.4% (31.3–33.6). The proportional use of critical care medicine services by Medicare beneficiaries decreased by 17.3% (37.9–31.4%), whereas that by Medicaid rose by 18.3% (14.5–17.2%). Between 2000 and 2010, annual critical care medicine costs nearly doubled (92.2%; $56–108 billion). In the same period, the proportion of critical care medicine cost to the gross domestic product increased by 32.1% (0.54–0.72%).

Conclusions:

Critical care medicine beds, use, and costs in the United States continue to rise. The increasing use of critical care medicine by the premature/neonatal and Medicaid populations should be considered by healthcare policy makers, state agencies, and hospitals as they wrestle with critical care bed growth and the associated costs.
Polymorphisms in CYP19A1 and NFKB1 genes are associated with cutaneous melanoma risk in southern Brazilian patients
Authors: Escobar Gabriela F. , Arraes Jose Aroldo A. , Bakos Lucio , Ashton-Prolla Patricia , Giugliani Roberto , Callegari-Jacques Sidia Maria , Santos Sidney , Bakos Renato M.
Published: May 2016

Background

Melanoma is the leading cause of death from skin cancers and its etiology is complex. Recent discoveries related to genetic risk factors are helping us to understand melanoma pathogenesis better. Nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) has a critical role in immunity, inflammation, and tumor growth. The 94ins/del ATTG (rs28362491) polymorphism located in the NFKB1 gene has been associated to various cancers and the ATTG2/ATTG2 genotype was correlated to melanoma risk in Sweden. The CYP19A1 gene encodes the enzyme aromatase, which is active in malignant melanoma tissue. In addition, the CYP19A1 TCT insertion/deletion variant in intron 4 (rs11575899) has been associated with an increased incidence of cancer, albeit with conflicting results. The goal of this study was to investigate possible associations between these two gene variants and melanoma.

Methods

In this case–control study, we evaluated 117 cutaneous melanoma patients and 116 controls from southern Brazil. Genotyping of rs28362491 and rs11575899 was carried out by means of PCR amplification and capillary electrophoresis. Logistic regression was used to obtain odds ratios (ORs) of melanoma, according to genotypes.

Results

We identified an association between the ATTG2/ATTG2 and melanoma [OR=1.78; 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.06–3.00; P=0.03]. In addition, there was a dose effect: for each ins allele in the genotype, the risk for melanoma increased (OR=1.51; 95% CI: 1.08–2.11; P=0.017). As regards the CYP19A1 variant, genotype 11 (del/del) was more frequent in patients than in controls (OR=1.85; 95% CI 1.06–3.22; P=0.03).

Conclusion

The NFKB1 ATTG2/ATTG2 and CYP19A1 del/del genotypes are significantly associated with melanoma and could be genetic markers of melanoma susceptibility in southern Brazilian population.
Colorectal Cancer Surgery in the Very Elderly: Nonagenarians
Authors: Yap Raymond , Oliva Karen , Wilkins Simon , McMurrick Paul J.
Published: May 2016

BACKGROUND:

Surgery in the very elderly is a topic that has not been well studied, despite the steady rise in this population. With the rise in this population, there is now discussion on the safety of surgery in this cohort for colorectal cancer.

OBJECTIVE:

The purpose of this study was to investigate elective and nonelective colorectal cancer surgery outcomes in patients aged ≥90 years at both private and public hospitals in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.

DESIGN:

This was a retrospective analysis of patients aged ≥90 years who were included in the prospectively maintained Cabrini Monash University Department of Surgery colorectal neoplasia database for patients entered between January 2010 and February 2015. Comorbidity, ASA score, acuity of surgery, treatment, mortality, morbidity, and survival were analyzed.

SETTINGS:

This study was conducted in a tertiary referral hospital.

PATIENTS:

A total of 48 patients were identified from the database. The majority of these patients were women (58.0%), ASA score III to IV (91.7%), and treated in an elective setting (79.2%). The median age was 91.8 years.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES:

We measured 30-day mortality, 180-day mortality, and perioperative morbidity.

RESULTS:

Thirty-day mortality rate was 2.1%. The 180-day mortality rate was 10.4%. A total of 29.2% of patients had a perioperative complication. Median follow-up was 21 months (range, 13–54 months). In 180-day mortality, minimally invasive surgery was associated with a lower mortality rate vs open surgery (p = 0.043). Perioperative complications were associated with nonelective surgery (p = 0.045), open surgery procedures (p = 0.014), and higher stages of disease (p = 0.014). A total of 81.3% of patients were able to return home after surgery.

LIMITATIONS:

This was a retrospective study with the usual limitations; however, these have been minimized with the use of a high-quality, prospective data collection database. The median follow-up was 21 months.

CONCLUSIONS:

Colorectal surgery was generally safe for nonagenarians in this study. This study demonstrates that excellent outcomes can be achieved in a selected group. Additional prospective studies with larger numbers and 5-year follow-up are recommended.
Long-term outcomes of modified laparoscopic sacrocolpopexy for advanced pelvic organ prolapse: a 3-year prospective study
Authors: Liang Shuo , Zhu Lan , Song Xiaochen , Xu Tao , Sun Zhijing , Lang Jinghe
Published: May 2016

Objective:

The aim of the study was to evaluate the anatomical and functional outcomes of modified laparoscopic sacrocolpopexy (MLSC) for the treatment of advanced pelvic organ prolapse (POP).

Methods:

From May 2009 to September 2012, a consecutive prospective observational study of 30 participants was conducted to evaluate MLSC as a treatment for symptomatic advanced POP at Peking Union Medical College Hospital. The Pelvic Organ Prolapse Quantification (POP-Q) classification was used to determine the POP stage. Validated tools were used to evaluate symptoms (Pelvic Floor Distress Inventory, PFDI-20) and sexual function (Pelvic Organ Prolapse/Urinary Incontinence Sexual Questionnaire, PISQ-12). Measurements were recorded preoperatively and then at 3 months and yearly after surgery. We compared the follow-up results with the preoperative data.

Results:

All participants completed a 3-year clinical follow-up routine. The anatomical results at 3 months showed significant improvements (P < 0.05) compared with the preoperative results based on the POP-Q measurements. This improvement remained significant after 3 years (P < 0.05). The anatomical cure rate was 100% and 96.7% at 3 months and 3 years after surgery, respectively. Pelvic floor function remained significantly improved after surgery compared with preceding surgery (P < 0.05) according to the following measures: PFDI-20 (106.2 vs 36.0), Pelvic Organ Prolapse Distress Inventory-6 (POPDI-6, 47.9 vs 13.7), Colorectal-Anal Distress Inventory-8 (CRADI-8, 29.2 vs 9.2), and Urinary Distress Inventory-6 (UDI-6, 29.2 vs 13.2). The participants maintained a high level of sexual function (PISQ-12: 29.0 vs 35.1, P < 0.05). One case of mesh exposure (3.3%) and two cases of de novo dyspareunia (8.7%) were observed.

Conclusions:

MLSC seems to be a safe and effective procedure that achieves good long-term anatomical and functional results.
Evaluation and management of thyroid nodules in children
Authors: Bauer Andrew J. , Francis Gary L.
Published: May 2016

Purpose of review

The review is focused on new information about the presentation and management of thyroid nodules in children and adolescents.

Recent findings

Palpable thyroid nodules are uncommon in children but many children have nodules detected by radiologic imaging. How to evaluate them, when to suspect thyroid cancer, and how best to follow apparently benign nodules has become an area of great interest. The American Thyroid Association recently published treatment guidelines for children with thyroid nodules and cancers but much has been learned since that publication.

Personal and family history, ultrasound features, and fine needle aspiration cytology are used to determine the risk of cancer in thyroid nodules, which are then managed according to cancer risk.
Intervening to Improve Compassion Fatigue Resiliency in Forensic Nurses
Authors: Flarity Kathleen , Nash Kim , Jones Whitney , Steinbruner Dave
Published: May 2016

Evidence suggests that forensic nurses (FNs) may be predisposed to compassion fatigue (CF) as a result of the challenges of the profession including high caseloads, role ambiguity, prosecution goals, vicarious traumatization, attending to survivors' emotional needs, and empowering victims. The purpose of this exploratory study was to determine the prevalence of CF in a convenience sample of 55 FNs and examine the treatment effectiveness of a multifaceted education program in an intervention subset. The intervention was intended to increase compassion satisfaction (CS) and decrease CF symptoms in FNs in one organization who participated in the training. The hypothesis was that the FNs will have moderate to high CF and moderate to high CS and the CF intervention will add in CF prevention and resiliency as measured with an improvement in the Professional Quality of Life test scores (B. H. Stamm, 2010a). In the prevalence sample, 69% of the FNs had moderate to low CS, 73% had moderate to high burnout, and 73% had moderate to high levels of secondary traumatic stress (STS). In the intervention group, the education program resulted in a statistically significant increase in CS and decreases in STS symptoms.
A Zebra Among Horses
Authors: Martin Kyle L. , Hicks Rodney W.
Published: May 2016

Brugada syndrome (BrS) is recognized as a hereditary ion channel disorder with electrocardiographic changes. First appearing in the literature about 20 years ago, contemporary thoughts are that BrS may be responsible for many sudden cardiac deaths and is associated with ventricular dysrhythmias that can lead to syncope or cardiac arrest. Many individuals with BrS may have no or limited structural heart disease, whereas others may have subtle morphological changes in histopathology. This case reviews a single patient with BrS Type 1 who was found to have a high-level of coronary artery disease. Changes noted in the original electrocardiogram were of significant importance in reaching the diagnosis.
Patellar Dislocations and Reduction Procedure
Authors: Ramponi Denise
Published: May 2016

Acute patellar dislocations are a common injury occurring in adolescents involved in sports and dancing activities. This injury usually occurs when the knee is in full extension and sustains a valgus stress on the knee. The medial patellofemoral ligament is the medial restraint that assists in stabilizing the patella from lateral dislocations. The patella usually dislocates laterally and is usually not difficult to reduce after patient evaluation and prereduction radiographs. After postreduction radiographs confirm proper position of the patella postreduction and the absence of fractures, the patient is usually treated conservatively with initial immobilization, orthopedic referral, and physical therapy.
Analytical approximations for spatial stochastic gene expression in single cells and tissues
Authors: Smith Stephen , Cianci Claudia , Grima Ramon
Published: May 2016

Gene expression occurs in an environment in which both stochastic and diffusive effects are significant. Spatial stochastic simulations are computationally expensive compared with their deterministic counterparts, and hence little is currently known of the significance of intrinsic noise in a spatial setting. Starting from the reaction–diffusion master equation (RDME) describing stochastic reaction–diffusion processes, we here derive expressions for the approximate steady-state mean concentrations which are explicit functions of the dimensionality of space, rate constants and diffusion coefficients. The expressions have a simple closed form when the system consists of one effective species. These formulae show that, even for spatially homogeneous systems, mean concentrations can depend on diffusion coefficients: this contradicts the predictions of deterministic reaction–diffusion processes, thus highlighting the importance of intrinsic noise. We confirm our theory by comparison with stochastic simulations, using the RDME and Brownian dynamics, of two models of stochastic and spatial gene expression in single cells and tissues.
Physiological tremor reveals how thixotropy adapts skeletal muscle for posture and movement
Authors: Vernooij Carlijn A. , Reynolds Raymond F. , Lakie Martin
Published: May 2016

People and animals can move freely, but they must also be able to stay still. How do skeletal muscles economically produce both movement and posture? Humans are well known to have motor units with relatively homogeneous mechanical properties. Thixotropic muscle properties can provide a solution by providing a temporary stiffening of all skeletal muscles in postural conditions. This stiffening is alleviated almost instantly when muscles start to move. In this paper, we probe this behaviour. We monitor both the neural input to a muscle, measured here as extensor muscle electromyography (EMG), and its output, measured as tremor (finger acceleration). Both signals were analysed continuously as the subject made smooth transitions between posture and movement. The results showed that there were marked changes in tremor which systematically increased in size and decreased in frequency as the subject moved faster. By contrast, the EMG changed little and reflected muscle force requirement rather than movement speed. The altered tremor reflects naturally occurring thixotropic changes in muscle behaviour. Our results suggest that physiological tremor provides useful and hitherto unrecognized insights into skeletal muscle's role in posture and movement.
The pulsating orb: solving the wave equation outside a ball
Authors: Martin P. A.
Published: May 2016

Transient acoustic waves are generated by the oscillations of an object or are scattered by the object. This leads to initial-boundary value problems (IBVPs) for the wave equation. Basic properties of this equation are reviewed, with emphasis on characteristics, wavefronts and compatibility conditions. IBVPs are formulated and their properties reviewed, with emphasis on weak solutions and the constraints imposed by the underlying continuum mechanics. The use of the Laplace transform to treat the IBVPs is also reviewed, with emphasis on situations where the solution is discontinuous across wavefronts. All these notions are made explicit by solving simple IBVPs for a sphere in some detail.
Evolutionarily stable disequilibrium: endless dynamics of evolution in a stationary population
Authors: Takeuchi Nobuto , Kaneko Kunihiko , Hogeweg Paulien
Published: May 2016

Evolution is often conceived as changes in the properties of a population over generations. Does this notion exhaust the possible dynamics of evolution? Life is hierarchically organized, and evolution can operate at multiple levels with conflicting tendencies. Using a minimal model of such conflicting multilevel evolution, we demonstrate the possibility of a novel mode of evolution that challenges the above notion: individuals ceaselessly modify their genetically inherited phenotype and fitness along their lines of descent, without involving apparent changes in the properties of the population. The model assumes a population of primitive cells (protocells, for short), each containing a population of replicating catalytic molecules. Protocells are selected towards maximizing the catalytic activity of internal molecules, whereas molecules tend to evolve towards minimizing it in order to maximize their relative fitness within a protocell. These conflicting evolutionary tendencies at different levels and genetic drift drive the lineages of protocells to oscillate endlessly between high and low intracellular catalytic activity, i.e. high and low fitness, along their lines of descent. This oscillation, however, occurs independently in different lineages, so that the population as a whole appears stationary. Therefore, ongoing evolution can be hidden behind an apparently stationary population owing to conflicting multilevel evolution.
Adaptively introgressed Neandertal haplotype at the OAS locus functionally impacts innate immune responses in humans
Authors: Sams Aaron J. , Dumaine Anne , Nédélec Yohann , Yotova Vania , Alfieri Carolina , Tanner Jerome E. , Messer Philipp W. , Barreiro Luis B.
Published: May 2016

The 2’-5’ oligoadenylate synthetase (OAS) locus encodes for three OAS enzymes (OAS1-3) involved in innate immune response. This region harbors high amounts of Neandertal ancestry in non-African populations; yet, strong evidence of positive selection in the OAS region is still lacking. Here we used a broad array of selection tests in concert with neutral coalescent simulations to firmly demonstrate a signal of adaptive introgression at the OAS locus. Furthermore, we characterized the functional consequences of the Neandertal haplotype in the transcriptional regulation of OAS genes at baseline and infected conditions. We found that cells from people with the Neandertal-like haplotype express lower levels ofOAS3upon infection, as well as distinct isoforms ofOAS1andOAS2.Notably, the Neandertal-introgressed haplotype reintroduced an ancestral splice variant ofOAS1encoding a more active protein, suggesting that adaptive introgression occurred as a means to resurrect adaptive variation that had been lost outside Africa.
Pathway and network-based strategies to translate genetic discoveries into effective therapies
Authors: Greene Casey S. , Voight Benjamin F.
Published: May 2016

One way to design a drug is to attempt to phenocopy a genetic variant that is known to have the desired effect. In general, drugs that are supported by genetic associations progress further in the development pipeline. However, the number of associations that are candidates for development into drugs is limited because many associations are in noncoding regions or difficult to target genes. Approaches that overlay information from pathway databases or biological networks can expand the potential target list. In cases where the initial variant is not targetable or there is no variant with the desired effect, this may reveal new means to target a disease. In this review we discuss recent examples in the domain of pathway and network-based drug repositioning from genetic associations. We highlight important caveats and challenges for the field, and we discuss opportunities for further development.
The De-Etiolated 1 Homolog of Arabidopsis Modulates the ABA Signaling Pathway and ABA Biosynthesis in Rice
Authors: Zang Guangchao , Zou Hanyan , Zhang Yuchan , Xiang Zheng , Huang Junli , Luo Li , Wang Chunping , Lei Kairong , Li Xianyong , Song Deming , Din Ahmad Ud , Wang Guixue
Published: May 2016

DEETIOLATED1 (DET1) plays a critical role in developmental and environmental responses in many plants. To date, the functions of OsDET1 in rice (Oryza sativa) have been largely unknown. OsDET1 is an ortholog of Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana) DET1. Here, we found that OsDET1 is essential for maintaining normal rice development. The repression of OsDET1 had detrimental effects on plant development, and leaded to contradictory phenotypes related to abscisic acid (ABA) in OsDET1 interference (RNAi) plants. We found that OsDET1 is involved in modulating ABA signaling in rice. OsDET1 RNAi plants exhibited an ABA hypersensitivity phenotype. Using yeast two-hybrid (Y2H) and bimolecular fluorescence complementation assays, we determined that OsDET1 interacts physically with DAMAGED-SPECIFIC DNA-BINDING PROTEIN1 (OsDDB1) and CONSTITUTIVE PHOTOMORPHOGENIC10 (COP10); DET1- and DDB1-ASSOCIATED1 binds to the ABA receptors OsPYL5 and OsDDB1. We found that the degradation of OsPYL5 was delayed in OsDET1 RNAi plants. These findings suggest that OsDET1 deficiency disturbs the COP10-DET1-DDB1 complex, which is responsible for ABA receptor (OsPYL) degradation, eventually leading to ABA sensitivity in rice. Additionally, OsDET1 also modulated ABA biosynthesis, as ABA biosynthesis was inhibited in OsDET1 RNAi plants and promoted in OsDET1-overexpressing transgenic plants. In conclusion, our data suggest that OsDET1 plays an important role in maintaining normal development in rice and mediates the cross talk between ABA biosynthesis and ABA signaling pathways in rice.
Double Bragg scattering observed in small-angle X-ray scattering from highly oriented pyrolytic graphite
Authors: Ohmasa Yoshinori , Shimomura Susumu , Chiba Ayano
Published: May 2016

In small-angle X-ray scattering from highly oriented pyrolytic graphite, radial streak patterns are observed. The streaks change their direction with sample rotation and appear and disappear in pairs. This streak pattern can be explained by double Bragg scattering. The directions of the streaks calculated as functions of the rotation angle are in good agreement with experiment. In addition, asymmetry in the intensity of the streaks and a small deviation from the radial pattern are observed, and they can be explained by the finite sample-size effect. The necessity of taking double Bragg scattering into account in small-angle X-ray scattering studies of crystalline materials is emphasized.
Quantifying radiation damage in biomolecular small-angle X-ray scattering
Authors: Hopkins Jesse B. , Thorne Robert E.
Published: May 2016

Small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS) is an increasingly popular technique that provides low-resolution structural information about biological macromolecules in solution. Many of the practical limitations of the technique, such as minimum required sample volume, and of experimental design, such as sample flow cells, are necessary because the biological samples are sensitive to damage from the X-rays. Radiation damage typically manifests as aggregation of the sample, which makes the collected data unreliable. However, there has been little systematic investigation of the most effective methods to reduce damage rates, and results from previous damage studies are not easily compared with results from other beamlines. Here a methodology is provided for quantifying radiation damage in SAXS to provide consistent results between different experiments, experimenters and beamlines. These methods are demonstrated on radiation damage data collected from lysozyme, glucose isomerase and xylanase, and it is found that no single metric is sufficient to describe radiation damage in SAXS for all samples. The radius of gyration, molecular weight and integrated SAXS profile intensity constitute a minimal set of parameters that capture all types of observed behavior. Radiation sensitivities derived from these parameters show a large protein dependence, varying by up to six orders of magnitude between the different proteins tested. This work should enable consistent reporting of radiation damage effects, allowing more systematic studies of the most effective minimization strategies.
Operational efficiency and service delivery performance
Authors: Masson Siddhant , Jain Rachit , Ganesh Narendra Mani , George Sajeev Abraham
Published: May 2016

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to evaluate performance of Indian telecom service providers through a benchmarking study of their operational efficiency and service delivery effectiveness. The paper also carries out a peer-to-peer comparison and identifies-specific areas of improvement for different service providers to attain sustainable growth and profitability.

Design/methodology/approach

– A two stage data envelopment analysis (DEA) model was used to compare the performances of the service providers. The first stage represents how efficiently a unit is able to use its infrastructure and resources to generate better quality services. The second stage captures how well the company is able to communicate and deliver these services to the customer.

Findings

– The results of the study support the applicability of the two stage DEA for comparing the performances of the telecom service providers as they are in line with the financial performance indicators and brand ranking. It is observed that those companies which score high on both operational efficiency and service delivery effectiveness have achieved superior profitability.

Research limitations/implications

– This study has been carried out at a pan-India level and hence does not take into account circle level or local performance which varies significantly for most service providers. Besides, this the analysis was constrained by limited data in the public domain, which necessitated estimations and extrapolations for some variables of few service providers.

Practical implications

– The study has helped to provide inputs for the Indian telecom companies for potential performance improvements by providing a comparative analysis of their operational efficiency and service delivery effectiveness. It has enabled to derive deeper insights on potential target areas for managerial attention that could be translated into implementable actions. The benchmarking analysis has also helped to understand whether the current performance of the service provider is sustainable, unprofitable or ephemeral.

Originality/value

– This paper goes beyond the traditional benchmarking studies of Indian telecom service providers introducing a two stage DEA model to understand the operational efficiency as well as the service delivery effectiveness. The study has helped to derive valuable academic and practical insights on the issue of performance measurement of the Indian telecom service providers.