bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Clinical Practice Guidelines for the Management of Atopic Dermatitis 2016
Authors: Saeki Hidehisa , Nakahara Takeshi , Tanaka Akio , Kabashima Kenji , Sugaya Makoto , Murota Hiroyuki , Ebihara Tamotsu , Kataoka Yoko , Aihara Michiko , Etoh Takafumi , Katoh Norito ,   Committee for Clinical Practice Guidelines for the Management of Atopic Dermatitis of Japanese Dermatological Association
Published: April 2016

Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a disease characterized by relapsing eczema with pruritus as a primary lesion. Most patients have an atopic predisposition. The definitive diagnosis of AD requires the presence of all three features: (i) pruritus; (ii) typical morphology and distribution of the eczema; and (iii) chronic and chronically relapsing course. The current strategies to treat AD in Japan from the perspective of evidence‐based medicine consist of three primary measures: (i) the use of topical corticosteroids and tacrolimus ointment as the main treatment for the inflammation; (ii) topical application of emollients to treat the cutaneous barrier dysfunction; and (iii) avoidance of apparent exacerbating factors, psychological counseling and advice about daily life. The guidelines present recommendations to review clinical research articles, evaluate the balance between the advantages and disadvantages of medical activities, and optimize medical activity‐related patient outcomes with respect to several important points requiring decision‐making in clinical practice.
The Differential Effects of Transformational Leadership on Multiple Identifications at Work: A Meta‐analytic Model
Authors: Horstmeier Christiane A. L. , Boer Diana , Homan Astrid C. , Voelpel Sven C.
Published: April 2016

Employees’ identifications are a valuable asset for modern organizations, and identification research has stressed the necessity to distinguish identifications according to their focus (i.e. organizational, team, or leader identification). Interestingly, transformational leadership (TFL) has been proposed to unfold its effects by transforming followers’ identifications and could thus be a powerful way to actively manage identification. However, it remains unclear whether TFL affects identifications with different foci similarly or whether it predominantly influences a specific focus. To resolve this puzzle, the authors conducted a meta‐analysis (k = 73; N = 20,543) and found that TFL (and each TFL sub‐dimension) is more strongly associated with leader identification than with organizational identification or team identification. By presenting a comprehensive model of TFL's effects on identifications, we show that leader identification mediates the relationships between TFL and collective identifications (i.e. organizational identification or team identification), illustrating that relational identification plays a crucial role in subsequently shaping collective identifications. Implications for research and practice are discussed.
A Small Sociology of Maternal Memory
Authors: Oakley Ann
Published: April 2016

Memory is an enormously important resource for the social sciences. This paper takes the subject of maternal memory to examine a corpus of work in the sociology of childbirth concerned with how women remember the experience of childbirth. It suggests that the sociology of memory has been more concerned with collective than individual experiences, and that women's memories of child birth have generally been treated as a special case, rather than as a route to enhanced understandings of how memory works in relation to the all-important topics of time, identity and social change. Drawing on data from a 37-year follow-up to a study of childbirth conducted in the 1970s, it argues that maternal memory shares key characteristics with other kinds of memory, but can be significant in allowing women to reposition themselves as active social selves in a process that is remembered as not allowing much agency or autonomy.
Flavonoids as Potent Scavengers of Hydroxyl Radicals
Authors: Treml Jakub , Šmejkal Karel
Published: April 2016

Oxidative stress is a fundamental principle in the pathophysiology of many diseases. It occurs when the production of reactive oxygen species exceeds the capacity of the cell defense system. The hydroxyl radical is a reactive oxygen species that is commonly formed in vivo and can cause serious damage to biomolecules, such as lipids, proteins, and nucleic acids. It plays a role in inflammation‐related diseases, like chronic inflammation, neurodegeneration, and cancer. To overcome excessive oxidative stress and thus to prevent or stop the progression of diseases connected to it, scientists try to combat oxidative stress and to find antioxidant molecules, including those that scavenge hydroxyl radical or diminish its production in inflamed tissues.

This article reviews various methods of hydroxyl radical production and scavenging. Further, flavonoids, as natural plant antioxidants and essential component of the human diet, are reviewed as compounds interacting with the production of hydroxyl radicals. The relationship between hydroxyl radical scavenging and the structure of the flavonoids is discussed. The structural elements of the flavonoid molecule most important for hydroxyl radical scavenging are hydroxylation of ring B and a C2–C3 double bond connected with a C‐3 hydroxyl group and a C‐4 carbonyl group. Hydroxylation of ring A also enhances the activity, as does the presence of gallate and galactouronate moieties as substituents on the flavonoid skeleton.
Antioxidant Properties of Phenolic Compounds in Renewable Parts of Crataegus pinnatifida inferred from Seasonal Variations
Authors: Luo Meng , Yang Xuan , Hu Jiao‐Yang , Jiao Jiao , Mu Fan‐Song , Song Zhuo‐Yue , Gai Qing‐Yan , Qiao Qi , Ruan Xin , Fu Yu‐Jie
Published: April 2016

In this study, the effect of seasonal variations on Crataegus pinnatifida, changes in antioxidant activity and active components in C. pinnatifida leaves, roots, twigs, and fruits from May to October were investigated. Through correlation analysis of climatic factors and 7 phenolic compounds yield, the phenolic compounds content was positively correlated with temperatures and daytime. The correlation coefficient of temperatures and daytime were 0.912 and 0.829, respectively. 1,1‐diphenyl‐2‐picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging, 2,2′‐azino‐bis 3‐ethylbenzothiazoline‐6‐sulphonic acid (ABTS) radical scavenging and reducing power tests were employed to evaluate the antioxidant activity of the C. pinnatifida. C. pinnatifida leaves exhibited significant advantages in terms of higher phenolic contents and excellent antioxidant activities. Principal component analysis (PCA) revealed that 2 main PC characterize the C. pinnatifida phenolic composition (82.1% of all variance). C. pinnatifida leaves in September possessed remarkable antioxidant activity. The results elucidate that C. pinnatifida leaves, as renewable parts, are suitable for application as antioxidant ingredients.
Preparation of Methylated Products of A‐type Procyanidin Trimers in Cinnamon Bark and Their Protective Effects on Pancreatic β‐Cell
Authors: Chen Lu , Chen Liang , Wang Ting , Yuan Pulong , Chen Kaixian , Jia Qi , Wang Heyao , Li Yiming
Published: April 2016

Polyphenols are partial metabolized to methylated conjugations in vivo, and then could modify bioavailability and bioactivity related to the uptake of parent compounds. Our previous studies have found that the antidiabetic effects of cinnamon barks are mainly related to polyphenol components, particularly A‐type procyanidin trimer cinnamtannin‐1 (CT1). It is necessary to understand the antidiabetic activity of methylations of CT1, nevertheless, sufficient amounts of methylated CT1 are difficult to obtain from metabolites in vivo. In this study, O‐methyl derivatives of CT1 were prepared through one‐pot methyl iodide reaction and isolation via column chromatography and RP‐HPLC semipreparation. The structures of O‐methyl substituents were determined through NMR (Nuclear Magnetic Resonance) and HPLC‐ESI‐MS (High‐performance liquid chromatography‐electrospray ionization‐mass spectrometry). Five purified O‐methyl substituents and 2 isomers of CT1 were obtained. Their protective effects on a palmitic acid‐induced pancreatic β‐cell apoptosis model were then evaluated. Results showed that the protective effects on pancreatic β‐cell of O‐methyl substituents were weaker than those of CT1. The results suggested that the methylation of catechol groups could be a relevant factor contributing to the decline of protective effects on pancreatic β‐cell of CT1 via obstructing quinone intermediate formation and affecting antioxidant abilities. The antidiabetic effects of O‐methyl derivatives of CT1 should be further determined by other antidiabetic models.
Sarcodon aspratus Extract Ameliorates Dextran Sulfate Sodium‐Induced Colitis in Mouse Colon and Mesenteric Lymph Nodes
Authors: Chung Min‐Yu , Hwang Jin‐Taek , Kim Jin Hee , Shon Dong‐Hwa , Kim Hyun‐Ku
Published: April 2016

Mushrooms have been previously investigated for their immune‐modulating and anti‐inflammatory properties. We examined whether the anti‐inflammatory properties of Sarcodon aspratus ethanol extract (SAE) could elicit protective effects against dextran sulfate sodium (DSS)‐induced colitis in vivo. Male C57/BL6 mice were randomly assigned to 1 of 4 treatment groups: control (CON; n = 8), DSS‐treated (DSS; n = 9), DSS+SAE at 50 mg/kg BW (SAE50; n = 8), and DSS+SAE at 200 mg/kg BW groups (SAE200; n = 9). DSS treatment induced significant weight loss, which was significantly recovered by SAE200. Although SAE did not affect DSS‐mediated reductions in colon length, it improved diarrhea and rectal bleeding induced by DSS. SAE at 200 mg/kg BW significantly attenuated IL‐6 and enhanced IL‐10 expression in mesenteric lymph nodes (MLN), and significantly reduced IL‐6 levels in splenocytes. SAE200 also significantly attenuated DSS‐induced increase in IL‐6 and IL‐1β, and reductions in IL‐10 in colon tissue. High levels of SAE were also observed to significantly decrease inflammatory COX‐2 expression that was upregulated by DSS in mice colon. These findings may have relevance for novel therapeutic strategies to mitigate inflammatory bowel disease‐relevant inflammatory responses, via the direct and indirect anti‐inflammatory activity of SAE. We also found that SAE harbors significant quantities of total fiber and β‐glucan, suggesting a possible role for these components in protection against DSS‐mediated colitis.
Sanity, “madness,” and the academy
Authors: Maclean Kate
Published: April 2016

Key Messages

The “epidemic” of mental health crises in universities needs to be understood in the context of academic hierarchies and power dynamics.

Contradictory pressures are exerted on early career researchers by the collision of elitism and neoliberalism.

R. D. Laing's approach to mental illness can elucidate how the work culture of universities interacts with the experience of mental distress.
Enrollment in Religious Schools and the Educational Achievements of Children of High-Skill Immigrants
Authors: Chachashvili-Bolotin Svetlana , Lissitsa Sabina
Published: April 2016

The present study examines the effect of studying in schools of different levels of religiosity on academic achievements of first- and second- generation immigrant students from English-, Spanish-, and French-speaking countries in Israel. The sample included 52,043 students who completed twelfth grade in 2011. The findings of the Israeli case study indicate that choice of school based on religiosity interferes with the educational achievements of immigrant students. In spite of high socio-economic background of immigrant students, those who were enrolled in religious schools were less likely to earn matriculation certificates, as compared to those attending other types of schools.
Internal versus International Migration
Authors: Binci Michele , Giannelli Gianna Claudia
Published: April 2016

This paper focuses on the effects of domestic and international remittances on child labor and schooling. Using data from the 1992–1993 and 1997–1998 Vietnam Living Standards Surveys, we investigate school attendance and child labor in remittance recipient and non-recipient households. The results of our binomial logit and two-sided censored regression panel analysis indicate that remittances increase schooling and reduce child labor. Although international remittances are found to have a stronger beneficial impact than domestic remittances in the cross-section, the panel analysis, taking account of fixed effects, reverses this result, showing that the only significant impact stems from domestic remittances.
Nest building under the risk of predation: safe nests are not always the best option
Authors: Lee Jong Koo , Lima Steven L.
Published: April 2016

Nest predation is a widespread demographic and evolutionary force in avian reproduction, but few studies have considered the circumstances under which birds might invest in the construction of safe nests. We examined this question using a stochastic simulation model based on a basic passerine breeding season. Nest safety functions were used to translate time invested in nest building into an increase in daily nest survival; that increase could be rapid, requiring only a few days to achieve a safe nest, or slow, taking many days to do so. The maximum achievable safety differed across nest safety functions. Given a limited length to the breeding season, a greater time investment in nest safety detracts from the time available for re‐nesting following successful or unsuccessful nesting attempts. In many circumstances, the best option is a quick‐build ‘minimal’ nest that provides adequate support for young, but little additional safety from attacks. This is especially true for scenarios that allow for multiple nesting attempts across a season. However, relatively safe nests that can be built fairly quickly are uniformly favored options. Safe, long‐build nests are favored only when they provide a great deal of safety over other nest‐building options, but greater safety alone is not sufficient for such investment. Simulations allowing only a single nesting attempt generally favor a greater investment in nest safety. Parental survival is another important factor in nest investment. Increased danger to the parent during nest building strongly favors a low investment in nests. However, substantial investment in a safe nest is favored when that safety extends to the incubating parent. Our results provide some insight into the prevalence of seemingly unsafe, open‐cup nests across the bird world, but the range of nest types that could potentially be built by a given species is an open question.
Bone recurrence rarely seen in endometrial cancer and review of the literature
Authors: Kimyon Gunsu , Karalok Alper , Basaran Derman , Ureyen Isin , Celik Mehmet , Tasci Tolga , Tulunay Gokhan , Turan Taner
Published: April 2016

Aim

To evaluate the clinical findings and treatment results of patients with endometrial cancer (EC) who experienced initial recurrence or progression in bones.

Methods

Ten EC patients experiencing initial recurrence or disease progression in bones were included in the study. Disease recurrences located in a single bone and in more than one bone were defined as single localization bone recurrence (BR) and multiple localization BR, respectively. Time from initial surgery to BR was determined as disease‐free interval (DFI) and time from BR to death or last contact with a patient was described as post‐recurrence survival (PRS).

Results

Seven of 10 patients were asymptomatic. The median DFI was 13 months (range: 2–68). While eight patients had isolated BR, two patients also had concurrent extraosseous recurrences. Five patients had single and four patients had multiple localization BR. The most common sites for BR were the femur (55.5%) and vertebra (44.4%). Two‐year PRS was 37.5% in all patients and 50% in patients with endometrioid EC. None of the patients with non‐endometrioid type EC survived. In patients with multiple localization BR and with recurrence only occurred in the bones, two‐year PRS was 75% and 50%, respectively. None of the patients with BR with extraosseous involvement survived beyond two years. Two‐year PRS was 50% in patients without extraosseous dissemination, independent from localization.

Conclusion

The BR rate was remarkable in asymptomatic EC survivors. A single bone was frequently involved. Little is known of the optimal treatment for metastatic bone disease in EC, thus, management should be individualized and patients should be encouraged to participate in clinical trials.
Ontogenetic and sexual characterization of the feeding habits of franciscanas, Pontoporia blainvillei, based on tooth dentin carbon and nitrogen stable isotopes
Authors: Troina Genyffer , Botta Silvina , Secchi Eduardo R. , Dehairs Frank
Published: April 2016

We assessed the feeding habits of franciscanas (Pontoporia blainvillei) from southern Brazil through carbon and nitrogen stable isotopes measured in the tooth dentin of dolphins from different age classes. Generalized additive models were fitted to assess whether sex, age, and total body length explained changes in franciscanas isotope ratios. Bayesian isotope mixing models were applied to estimate the contributions of prey items, selected based on stomach content analysis (SCA), to franciscanas' diet. Different trophic enrichment factors (TEF) were applied and the results were compared using Bhattachayya's coefficient index to test for differences in model outputs and to define the best TEF for franciscanas. We found different relative importance of the main prey between the methods, and the contribution by squids could be lower than suggested by SCA. Because the dentin deposited during nursing seems to influence the isotopic ratios of juveniles, caution is recommended when interpreting dietary estimates based on whole tooth samples. This study is the first to characterize ontogenetic shifts in franciscanas' feeding habits using stable isotope analysis (SIA) and testing different TEF values. SIA and SCA complement each other in dietary studies, mitigating potential biases resulting from the use of each method separately.
Do Political Factors Cause the Regional Inequality in the Reform‐Era China?
Authors: He Qichun
Published: April 2016

We construct a political variable—the number of ministers of all national government departments born in each province weighted by provincial population—to examine its effect on economic growth in China during 1981–2010. We find that the lagged per capita political variable has a significant, positive effect on economic growth in both ordinary least squares (OLS) estimation and system generalized method of moments (GMM) estimation. We also find that the lagged per capita political variable has a significant, positive effect on financial deregulation policies distributed across provinces, which offers a possible mechanism for the political variable to impact growth.
Reviewing the methodology of an integrative review
Authors: Hopia Hanna , Latvala Eila , Liimatainen Leena
Published: April 2016

Background

Whittemore and Knafl's updated description of methodological approach for integrative review was published in 2005. Since then, the five stages of the approach have been regularly used as a basic conceptual structure of the integrative reviews conducted by nursing researchers. However, this methodological approach is seldom examined from the perspective of how systematically and rigorously the stages are implemented in the published integrative reviews.

Purpose

To appraise the selected integrative reviews on the basis of the methodological approach according to the five stages published by Whittemore and Knafl in 2005.

Design

A literature review was used in this study. CINAHL (Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health), PubMed, OVID (Journals@Ovid) and the Cochrane Library databases were searched for integrative reviews published between 2002 and 2014. Papers were included if they used the methodological approach described by Whittemore and Knafl, were published in English and were focused on nursing education or nursing expertise. A total of 259 integrative review publications for potential inclusion were identified.

Results

Ten integrative reviews fulfilled the inclusion criteria. Findings from the studies were extracted and critically examined according to the five methodological stages. The reviews assessed followed the guidelines of the stated methodology approach to different extents. The stages of literature search, data evaluation and data analysis were fairly poorly formulated and only partially implemented in the studies included in the sample. The other two stages, problem identification and presentation, followed those described in the methodological approach quite well.

Conclusion

Increasing use of research in clinical practice is inevitable, and therefore, integrative reviews can play a greater role in developing evidence‐based nursing practices. Because of this, nurse researchers should pay more attention to sound integrative nursing research to systematise the review process and make it more rigorous.
HLA‐A*11:235Q, a novel HLA‐A*11 variant, detected in a Taiwanese individual
Authors: Yang K. L. , Hung J. H. , Lin P. Y.
Published: April 2016

Nucleotide deletions from residue 120 to 125 of HLA‐A*11:01:01:01 result in a novel allele, HLA‐A*11:235Q.
Assessing the Spread and Uptake of a Framework for Introducing and Evaluating Advanced Practice Nursing Roles
Authors: Boyko Jennifer A. , Carter Nancy , Bryant‐Lukosius Denise
Published: April 2016

Background

Health system researchers must ensure that the products of their work meet the needs of various stakeholder groups (e.g., patients, practitioners, and policy makers). Evidence‐based frameworks can support the uptake and spread of research evidence; however, their existence as knowledge translation tools does not ensure their uptake and it is difficult to ascertain their spread into research, practice, and policy using existing methods.

Purpose

The purpose of this article is to report results of a study on the spread and uptake of an evidence‐based framework (i.e., the participatory, evidence‐based, patient‐focused process for advanced practice nursing [PEPPA] framework) into research, practice, and policies relevant to the introduction and evaluation of advanced practice nursing roles. We also reflect on the utility of using a modified citation methodology to evaluate knowledge translation efforts.

Methods

We searched four databases for literature published between 2004 and 2014 citing the original paper in which the PEPPA framework was published, and carried out an Internet search for grey literature using keywords. Relevant data were extracted from sources and organized using NVivo software. We analysed results descriptively.

Results

Our search yielded 164 unique sources of which 69.5% were from published literature and the majority (83.4%) of these were published in nursing journals. Most frequently (71.5%), the framework was used by researchers and students in research studies. A smaller number of citations (11.3%) reflected use of the PEPPA framework in practice settings with a focus on role development, implementation, evaluation, or a combination of these.

Linking Evidence to Action

This study demonstrates that the PEPPA framework has been used to varying degrees as intended, and provides guidance on how to evaluate the spread and uptake of research outputs (e.g., theoretical frameworks). Further research is needed about ways to determine whether evidence‐informed research tools such as frameworks have been taken up successfully into practice and policy contexts.
Teaching sociology to public health students: Consumption as a reflective learning tool
Authors: Olson Rebecca , Burns Edgar
Published: April 2016

Introduction: This paper responds to a call for creative approaches to teaching the social determinants of health in public health classrooms. A reflective learning tool was designed to help students link social theory to their own lives and reflectively broaden their understanding of the social determinants of health. Each student completed a worksheet on everything he or she consumed in one 24-hour period. Responses were applied, through discussion, to a lesson on social theory and behaviour, as well as to a lesson on the environment. Data on the class’s consumption was then compiled and applied to group work, with students employing sociological theories to critique public health campaigns addressing consumption and environmental sustainability. Methods: Evaluation of the teaching tool was achieved through in-class questionnaires containing 5-point Likert scale and open questions completed after the first and second lesson. Results: Eighty-nine percent of participants agreed that the reflective learning tool was an effective means of learning about social influences on individual behaviour. In qualitative responses, several students described self-discovery experiences related to the exercise. Conclusions: Reflective learning tools, such as the consumption exercise described here, show promise in providing a means of achieving the creative and transformative learning needed to generate public health graduates prepared for the global and political challenges of the 21st century.
Students’ experience and evaluation of peer‐to‐peer learning innovation
Authors: Reid Paul , Chau Minh , Thalluri Jyothi
Published: April 2016

The “Study Buddy Support” (SBS) scheme was first employed for pathology students during the second semester of 2013 for the medical radiation science undergraduate program. Following the first summative assessment (FSA), students deemed “at risk” of failing (buddies) (n = 23) and high-achieving students (buddy leaders, BLs) (n = 6) from the same year level were invited to participate in the scheme. Seeking to provide students with supplementary learning and strategies, participating buddies (n = 9) and BLs (n = 2) followed the study plan given by the course coordinator to revise all the course topics in order to prepare for the final examination. Final examination results for participating “at risk” students showed a 28.2% improvement in comparison to an 8% improvement for the non-participants. Qualitatively, the SBS scheme provided mutual benefits for all involved, both buddies and BLs. The buddies reported greater confidence and interest in the course material. Similarly, the consolidation of knowledge, development of networking and leadership skills were considered highly constructive by the BLs. In the future, offering SBS sessions via virtual classrooms would give students flexibility to engage in this supportive peer- based scheme in a non-threatening environment.
Reliability of Accelerometer Scores for Measuring Sedentary and Physical Activity Behaviors in Persons With Multiple Sclerosis
Authors: Klaren Rachel E. , Hubbard Elizabeth A. , Zhu Weimo , Motl Robert W.
Published: April 2016

This brief research note examined the reliability of scores from an accelerometer as measures of sedentary and physical activity behaviors in persons with multiple sclerosis (MS). The analysis was performed on a combined data set from 2 previous longitudinal investigations of physical activity in MS. We focused on the number of days required to reliably estimate sedentary behavior, based on time spent in sedentary behavior per day and number of sedentary breaks, number of long sedentary bouts, and average length of sedentary bouts per day. We further examined the number of days required to reliably estimate physical activity behavior, based on time spent in light and moderate-to-vigorous physical activity and average length of activity bouts per day. Between 4–6 days of monitoring and 3–7 days of monitoring were necessary for good reliability of scores from all sedentary outcomes and physical activity outcomes, respectively. These results should guide research and practice examining sedentary and physical activity behaviors using accelerometry in persons with MS.
Simulating Others’ Realities: Insiders Reflect on Disability Simulations
Authors: Leo Jennifer , Goodwin Donna
Published: April 2016

The purpose of this interpretative phenomenological analysis study was to explore the meaning persons who experience disability ascribed to disability simulations as a pedagogical tool. Reflective writing, one-on-one interviews, and field notes were used to gather information on disability simulation use in a required postsecondary kinesiology course. Seven people who use wheelchairs full time (3 men, 4 women), ranging in age from 28 to 44 yr (average age = 36) shared their perspectives. The thematic analysis revealed 3 themes. The theme “Disability Mentors Required” revealed the participants’ collective questioning of their absence from the design and implementation of disability simulations. “Life Is Not a Simulation” illustrated the juxtaposition of disability reality and disability simulations. “Why Are They Laughing?” contrasted the use of fun as a strategy to engage students against the risk of distracting them from deeper reflection. Through the lens of ableism, the importance of disability representation in the development and implementation of disability simulations was affirmed as a means to deepen pedagogical reflexiveness of their intended use.
Opportunities for advances in climate change economics
Authors: Burke M. , Craxton M. , Kolstad C. D. , Onda C. , Allcott H. , Baker E. , Barrage L. , Carson R. , Gillingham K. , Graff-Zivin J. , Greenstone M. , Hallegatte S. , Hanemann W. M. , Heal G. , Hsiang S. , Jones B. , Kelly D. L. , Kopp R. , Kotchen M. , Mendelsohn R. , Meng K. , Metcalf G. , Moreno-Cruz J. , Pindyck R. , Rose S. , Rudik I. , Stock J. , Tol R. S. J.
Published: April 2016

Target carbon's costs, policy designs, and developing countries
Biological and Epidemiological Features of Antibiotic-Resistant Streptococcus pneumoniae in Pre- and Post-Conjugate Vaccine Eras: a United States Perspective
Authors: Kim Lindsay , McGee Lesley , Tomczyk Sara , Beall Bernard
Published: April 2016

Streptococcus pneumoniae
inflicts a huge disease burden as the leading cause of community-acquired pneumonia and meningitis. Soon after mainstream antibiotic usage, multiresistant pneumococcal clones emerged and disseminated worldwide. Resistant clones are generated through adaptation to antibiotic pressures imposed while naturally residing within the human upper respiratory tract. Here, a huge array of related commensal streptococcal strains transfers core genomic and accessory resistance determinants to the highly transformable pneumococcus. β-Lactam resistance is the hallmark of pneumococcal adaptability, requiring multiple independent recombination events that are traceable to nonpneumococcal origins and stably perpetuated in multiresistant clonal complexes. Pneumococcal strains with elevated MICs of β-lactams are most often resistant to additional antibiotics. Basic underlying mechanisms of most pneumococcal resistances have been identified, although new insights that increase our understanding are continually provided. Although all pneumococcal infections can be successfully treated with antibiotics, the available choices are limited for some strains. Invasive pneumococcal disease data compiled during 1998 to 2013 through the population-based Active Bacterial Core surveillance program (U.S. population base of 30,600,000) demonstrate that targeting prevalent capsular serotypes with conjugate vaccines (7-valent and 13-valent vaccines implemented in 2000 and 2010, respectively) is extremely effective in reducing resistant infections. Nonetheless, resistant non-vaccine-serotype clones continue to emerge and expand.
Multicenter Noninferiority Evaluation of Hain GenoType MTBDR
plus
Version 2 and Nipro NTM+MDRTB Line Probe Assays for Detection of Rifampin and Isoniazid Resistance
Authors: Nathavitharana Ruvandhi R. , Hillemann Doris , Schumacher Samuel G. , Schlueter Birte , Ismail Nazir , Omar Shaheed Vally , Sikhondze Welile , Havumaki Joshua , Valli Eloise , Boehme Catharina , Denkinger Claudia M.
Published: April 2016

Less than 30% of multidrug-resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB) patients are currently diagnosed, due to laboratory constraints. Molecular diagnostics enable rapid and simplified diagnosis. Newer-version line probe assays have not been evaluated against the WHO-endorsed Hain GenoType MTBDR
plus
(referred to as Hain version 1 [V1]) for the rapid detection of rifampin (RIF) and isoniazid (INH) resistance. A two-phase noninferiority study was conducted in two supranational reference laboratories to allow head-to-head comparisons of two new tests, Hain Genotype MTBDR
plus
version 2 (referred to as Hain version 2 [V2]) and Nipro NTM+MDRTB detection kit 2 (referred to as Nipro), to Hain V1. In phase 1, the results for 379 test strains were compared to a composite reference standard that used phenotypic drug susceptibility testing (DST) and targeted sequencing. In phase 2, the results for 644 sputum samples were compared to a phenotypic DST reference standard alone. Using a challenging set of strains in phase 1, the values for sensitivity and specificity for Hain V1, Hain V2, and Nipro, respectively, were 90.3%/98.5%, 90.3%/98.5%, and 92.0%/98.5% for RIF resistance detection and 89.1%/99.4%, 89.1%/99.4%, and 89.6%/100.0% for INH resistance detection. Testing of sputa in phase 2 yielded values for sensitivity and specificity of 97.1%/97.1%, 98.2%/97.8%, and 96.5%/97.5% for RIF and 94.4%/96.4%, 95.4%/98.8%, and 94.9%/97.6% for INH. Overall, the rates of indeterminate results were low, but there was a higher rate of indeterminate results with Nipro than with Hain V1 and V2 in samples with low smear grades. Noninferiority of Hain V2 and Nipro to Hain V1 was demonstrated for RIF and INH resistance detection in isolates and sputum specimens. These results serve as evidence for WHO policy recommendations on the use of line probe assays, including the Hain V2 and Nipro assays, for MDR-TB detection.
Running retraining to treat lower limb injuries: a mixed-methods study of current evidence synthesised with expert opinion
Authors: Barton C J , Bonanno D R , Carr J , Neal B S , Malliaras P , Franklyn-Miller A , Menz H B
Published: April 2016

Importance

Running-related injuries are highly prevalent.

Objective

Synthesise published evidence with international expert opinion on the use of running retraining when treating lower limb injuries.

Design

Mixed methods.

Methods

A systematic review of clinical and biomechanical findings related to running retraining interventions were synthesised and combined with semistructured interviews with 16 international experts covering clinical reasoning related to the implementation of running retraining.

Results

Limited evidence supports the effectiveness of transition from rearfoot to forefoot or midfoot strike and increase step rate or altering proximal mechanics in individuals with anterior exertional lower leg pain; and visual and verbal feedback to reduce hip adduction in females with patellofemoral pain. Despite the paucity of clinical evidence, experts recommended running retraining for: iliotibial band syndrome; plantar fasciopathy (fasciitis); Achilles, patellar, proximal hamstring and gluteal tendinopathy; calf pain; and medial tibial stress syndrome. Tailoring approaches to each injury and individual was recommended to optimise outcomes. Substantial evidence exists for the immediate biomechanical effects of running retraining interventions (46 studies), including evaluation of step rate and strike pattern manipulation, strategies to alter proximal kinematics and cues to reduce impact loading variables.

Summary and relevance

Our synthesis of published evidence related to clinical outcomes and biomechanical effects with expert opinion indicates running retraining warrants consideration in the treatment of lower limb injuries in clinical practice.
Self-reported worst injuries in women's Australian football identify lower limb injuries as a prevention priority
Authors: Fortington Lauren V , Donaldson Alex , Finch Caroline F
Published: April 2016

Background

Increasing participation by women in Australian football (AF) has made understanding their specific injury prevention needs a priority. In other sports, men and women have different injury profiles. This study aims to provide the first overview of self-reported injuries in women's AF.

Methods

Nationwide survey of women aged 17+ years who played in an AF competition was conducted following the 2014 playing season. The players' self-reported worst injury from the 2014 season is presented according to injury type, body part injured, treatment sought and games/training missed.

Results

Three-quarters of 553 respondents (n=431, 78%) reported at least 1 injury. Over half (n=235, 55%) of injuries were to the lower limb. Ankle ligament tears/sprains (n=50, 12% of all injuries) and knee ligament tears/sprains (n=45, 10%) were most frequent lower limb injuries reported. Two-thirds (65%) of all lower limb injuries led to at least 1 missed game. Of 111 (26% of all injuries) upper limb injuries reported, over half (n=57, 62%) were to the hand/fingers/thumb, including fractures (n=28, 6% of all injuries), ligament tears/sprains (n=18, 4%) and dislocations (n=11, 3%). Half of the upper limb injuries (51%) resulted in players missing matches/training.

Conclusions

The most frequent self-reported worst injuries for women playing AF were joint damage to the ankle and knee. A prospective injury study is needed to confirm the causes and rate of these lower limb injuries to identify the most suitable prevention interventions.
Real-time planning of a lifting scheme in mobile crane mounted controllers
Authors: Ren Weijun , Wu Zifeng , Zhang Lei
Published: April 2016

Ensuring the safety and efficiency of crane operation is challenging due to the complexity of the lifting operation. The real-time lifting path planning system developed in this paper aims to provide an optimized, collision-free lifting path for mobile crane operators. The first contribution of the developed system is to take advantage of crane mounted sensors and components as the hardware to collect object information. No additional device needs to be purchased. Secondly, the data storage, path planning, optimizing, and visualizing functions are designed to minimize the required computer memory so that the system can be installed and applied on the crane mounted controller for real-time operation. No additional calculation capacity is required. This system has been tested in real construction sites and demonstrated its ability to generate lifting paths satisfying operators’ expectation. The system, as an independent software package, can be installed on any mobile cranes mounted with the necessary hardware.
Preservation of mandibular zinc in a beetle from the Eocene Kishenehn Formation of Montana, USA
Authors: Greenwalt Dale , Rose Timothy R. , Chatzimanolis Stylianos
Published: April 2016

Fossil insects of the 46 million-year-old Coal Creek Member of the Kishenehn Formation exhibit exceptional preservation as evidenced by the preservation of color and the blood-derived pigment heme in a blood-engorged mosquito. In the present study, analysis of a fossil rove beetle (Coleoptera: Staphylinidae) from the Kishenehn Formation document preservation of zinc, a metal often used to harden the cutting surfaces of mandibles in extant insects, localized to the mandibles of the fossil insect. Scanning electron microscopy and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy demonstrate that the carbonaceous bodies of preserved insects are physically homogeneous, composed primarily of carbon, and are distinct from the adjacent microbial mat within which the insects are thought to have been preserved. The microbial mat that covered the fossil insects is shown to consist of, in part, well-consolidated silicates. This thin layer, while completely transparent when wet, obscures the fossil when dry. The in situ preservation of components such as mandibular zinc and mosquito host blood-derived heme demonstrate that the carbonaceous bodies of Kishenehn Formation fossil insects contain some portion of their original contents. The thin layer of silicate-embedded mat may function to stabilize the fossil and its molecular components and may explain, in part, the exceptional preservation of the Kishenehn Formation fossils.
On the physics of the minimal length: The question of gauge invariance
Authors: Chang Lay Nam , Minic Djordje , Roman Ahmed , Sun Chen , Takeuchi Tatsu
Published: April 2016

In this note we discuss the question of gauge invariance in the presence of a minimal length. This contribution is prepared for the celebration of the 60th anniversary of the Yang–Mills theory.
Cloud-Based Mobile Testing as a Service
Authors: Tao Chuanqi , Gao Jerry
Published: April 2016

With the rapid advance of mobile computing, cloud computing and wireless network, there is a significant increase of mobile subscriptions. This brings new business requirements and demands in mobile testing service, and causes new issues and challenges. In this paper, informative discussions about cloud-based mobile testing-as-a-service (mobile TaaS) are offered, including the essential concepts, focuses, test process, and the expected testing infrastructures. Moreover, the paper presents a comparison among cloud-based mobile TaaS approaches and several best practices in industry are discussed. Futhermore, the primary issues, challenges, and needs are analyzed.
Equivalent Robin boundary conditions for acoustic and elastic media
Authors: Diaz Julien , Péron Victor
Published: April 2016

We present equivalent conditions and asymptotic models for a diffraction problem of acoustic and elastic waves. The mathematical problem is set with a Robin boundary condition. Elastic and acoustic waves propagate in a solid medium surrounded by a thin layer of fluid medium. Due to the thinness of the layer with respect to the wavelength, this problem is well suited for the notion of equivalent conditions and the effect of the fluid medium on the solid is as a first approximation local. This approach leads to solve only elastic equations. We derive and validate equivalent conditions up to the third order for the elastic displacement. The construction of equivalent conditions is based on a multiscale expansion in power series of the thickness of the layer for the solution of the transmission problem.
Involution-rigidness — a new exactness property, and its weak version
Authors: Janelidze Zurab , Martins-Ferreira Nelson
Published: April 2016

In this paper, we introduce and study a new exactness property in the sense of categorical algebra, which can be seen as a natural strengthening of the well-known Mal’tsev property. A variety of universal algebras has this exactness property if and only if its algebraic theory contains binary terms [Formula: see text] and an [Formula: see text]-ary term [Formula: see text] satisfying [Formula: see text], and [Formula: see text] for each [Formula: see text]. We also study the “weak” version of this exactness property, which similarly strengthens the “weak Mal’tsev property” in the sense of the second author.
Theoretical and experimental reinvestigation of methoxide ion reaction with 7-methyl 4-nitro benzofuroxan
Authors: Boughdiri Mohamed Ali , Tangour Bahoueddine , Boubaker Taoufik
Published: April 2016

DFT/B3LYP theoretical study has been performed in order to interpret the kinetic-thermodynamic competition between compounds obtained by reaction of the methoxide ion on the 7-methyl 4-nitro benzofuroxan. Geometry, atomic charge distribution, transition states, IRC path, thermodynamic, and kinetic parameters ([Formula: see text], [Formula: see text], [Formula: see text], [Formula: see text]*, [Formula: see text]*, and [Formula: see text]*) have been calculated for all possible products. In gaseous state or in the presence of water as solvent, all [Formula: see text] values were found to be negative, ranging from [Formula: see text]12.54[Formula: see text]kcal mol[Formula: see text] to [Formula: see text]29.85[Formula: see text]kcal mol[Formula: see text] in water, indicating that all possible products should form spontaneously. Those values indicated the possible observation of all products but experimenters only detect simultaneously two [Formula: see text]-complexes in C5 and C7 among three possibilities. The Fukui indices obtained by NBO atomic charge distribution confirm the super electrophilicity of those two sites. For transition states barriers, [Formula: see text]* ranged from 18.98[Formula: see text]kcal mol[Formula: see text] to 42.12[Formula: see text]kcal mol[Formula: see text] in gaseous state and from 18.59[Formula: see text]kcal mol[Formula: see text] to 24.22[Formula: see text]kcal mol[Formula: see text] in water. The unexpected result of our calculations is that the most stable compound is the unobserved carbanion but it also exhibits the highest activation barrier. Our results indicated the existence of two consecutive kinetic/thermodynamic competitions that occur in separate periods. The simultaneous observation of the three compounds is impossible because compound 4 occurs as a trace at the time compound 2 disappears completely. Experimental reinvestigation of the studied reaction leads by a very slow process to the earlier unobserved carbanion. Reaction mechanisms were also discussed on the basis of IRC calculations.
The impact of multiple extension events, stress rotation and inherited fabrics on normal fault geometries and evolution in the Cenozoic rift basins of Thailand
Authors: Morley C. K.
Published: April 2016

The rift basins of Thailand exhibit remarkable diversity of fault displacement patterns, fault length–displacement characteristics and mapped fault patterns during late rift, and post-rift, stages. These patterns reflect influences by: (1) zones of strength anisotropy in the pre-rift basement; (2) syn-rift fault patterns on post-rift faults; (3) spatial stress deflection, commonly related to irregularities in major fault profiles, and the basement–sediment interface; (4) temporal stress rotation, usually related to changes in the regional plate setting; and (5) varying strength properties (strain hardening or softening) of fault zones during their life. These influences created strongly segmented boundary faults, and long, low-displacement post-rift fault trends. The former are commonly strongly over-displaced, while the latter can be strongly under-displaced with respect to their length compared with typical length:displacement distributions. Seismic interpretation of multi-rift fault patterns requires 3D data to identify the complexities, otherwise the linkage pattern between deeper and shallower faults, and the changing fault strike-directions with depth, may be incorrectly mapped. Incorrect identification of fault patterns as breached relay structures may also arise. Oblique extension, the influence of pre-existing trends and stress rotation in multi-phase rifts provides a more comprehensive explanation for the observed features than the strike-slip interpretation of previous studies.
Emerging Technology-Based Design of Primitives for Hardware Security
Authors: Bi Yu , Shamsi Kaveh , Yuan Jiann-Shiun , Gaillardon Pierre-Emmanuel , Micheli Giovanni De , Yin Xunzhao , Hu X. Sharon , Niemier Michael , Jin Yier
Published: April 2016

Hardware security concerns such as intellectual property (IP) piracy and hardware Trojans have triggered research into circuit protection and malicious logic detection from various design perspectives. In this article, emerging technologies are investigated by leveraging their unique properties for applications in the hardware security domain. Security, for the first time, will be treated as one design metric for emerging nano-architecture. Five example circuit structures including camouflaging gates, polymorphic gates, current/voltage-based circuit protectors, and current-based XOR logic are designed to show the high efficiency of silicon nanowire FETs and graphene SymFET in applications such as circuit protection and IP piracy prevention. Simulation results indicate that highly efficient and secure circuit structures can be achieved via the use of non-CMOS devices.