bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Density‐dependent increase in superpredation linked to food limitation in a recovering population of northern goshawks Accipiter gentilis
Authors: Hoy S. R. , Petty S. J. , Millon A. , Whitfield D. P. , Marquiss M. , Anderson D. I. K. , Davison M. , Lambin X.
Published: May 2017

A better understanding of the mechanisms driving superpredation, the killing of smaller mesopredators by larger apex predators, is important because of the crucial role superpredation can play in structuring communities and because it often involves species of conservation concern. Here we document how the extent of superpredation has changed over time, and assessed the impact of such temporal variation on local mesopredator populations using 40 yr of dietary data collected from a recovering population of northern goshawks Accipiter gentilis, an archetypical avian superpredator. We then assessed which mechanisms were driving variation in superpredation, e.g. was it opportunistic, a response to food becoming limited (due to declines in preferred prey) or to reduce competition. Raptors comprised 8% of goshawk diet on average in years when goshawk abundance was high, which is higher than reported elsewhere. Additionally, there was a per capita increase in superpredation as goshawks recovered, with the proportion of goshawk diet comprising raptors increasing from 2 to 8% as the number of goshawk home‐ranges increased from ≤ 14 to ≥ 25. This increase in superpredation coincided with a population decline in the most commonly killed mesopredator, the Eurasian kestrel Falco tinnunculus, which may represent the reversal of the ‘mesopredator release’ process (i.e. mesopredator suppression) which occurred after goshawks and other large raptors declined or were extirpated. Food limitation was the most likely driver of superpredation in this system given: 1) the substantial decline of two main prey groups in goshawk diet, the increase in diet diversity and decrease in goshawk reproductive success are all consistent with the goshawk population becoming food‐limited; 2) it's unlikely to be purely opportunistic as the increase in superpredation did not reflect changes in the availability of mesopredator species; and 3) the majority of mesopredators killed by goshawks do not compete with goshawks for food or nest sites.
Perceptions of learning effectiveness in M‐learning: scale development and student awareness
Authors: Chang Wen‐Hui , Liu Yuan‐Chen , Huang Tzu‐Hua
Published: May 2017

The purpose of this study is to develop a multi‐dimensional scale to measure students' awareness of key competencies for M‐learning and to test its reliability and validity. The Key Competencies of Mobile Learning Scale (KCMLS) was determined via confirmatory factor analysis to have four dimensions: team collaboration, creative thinking, critical thinking and problem solving, and communication. The research subjects are 815 students from the elementary school that participate in M‐learning programme in Taiwan. The research results show that students have better self‐awareness in team collaboration and creative thinking, but have worse self‐awareness in critical thinking and problem solving. This study also found that there was no significant difference between genders in the KCMLS, but students who study in the schools that committed in M‐learning longer have higher awareness in all dimensions than students who study in the schools that committed to M‐learning in fewer years.
Prediction of optimal cardiac resynchronization by vectors extracted from electrograms in dyssynchronous canine hearts
Authors: Engels Elien B. , Strik Marc , van Middendorp Lars B. , Kuiper Marion , Vernooy Kevin , Prinzen Frits W.
Published: May 2017

Introduction

Proper optimization of atrioventricular (AV) and interventricular (VV) intervals can improve the response to cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT). It has been demonstrated that the area of the QRS complex (QRSarea) extracted from the vectorcardiogram can be used as a predictor of optimal CRT‐device settings. We explored the possibility of extracting vectors from the electrograms (EGMs) obtained from pacing electrodes and of using these EGM‐based vectors (EGMVs) to individually optimize acute hemodynamic CRT response.

Methods and results

Biventricular pacing was performed in 13 dogs with left bundle branch block (LBBB) of which five also had myocardial infarction (MI), using 100 randomized AV‐ and VV‐settings. Settings providing an acute increase in LV dP/dtmax ≥ 90% of the highest achieved value were defined as optimal. The prediction capability of QRSarea derived from the EGMV (EGMV‐QRSarea) was compared with that of QRS duration. EGMV‐QRSarea strongly correlated to the change in LV dP/dtmax (R = −0.73 ± 0.19 [LBBB] and −0.66 ± 0.14 [LBBB + MI]), while QRS duration was more poorly related to LV dP/dtmax changes (R = −0.33 ± 0.25 [LBBB] and −0.47 ± 0.39 [LBBB + MI]). This resulted in a better prediction of optimal CRT‐device settings by EGMV‐QRSarea than by QRS duration (LBBB: AUC = 0.89 [0.86–0.93] vs. 0.76 [0.69–0.83], P < 0.01; LBBB + MI: AUC = 0.91 [0.84–0.99] vs. 0.82 [0.59–1.00], P = 0.20, respectively).

Conclusion

In canine hearts with chronic LBBB with or without MI, the EGMV‐QRSarea predicts acute hemodynamic CRT response and identifies optimal AV and VV settings accurately. These data support the potency of EGM‐based vectors as a noninvasive, easy and patient‐tailored tool to optimize CRT‐device settings.
Prehospital notification for major trauma patients requiring emergency hospital transport: A systematic review
Authors: Synnot Anneliese , Karlsson Adrian , Brichko Lisa , Chee Melissa , Fitzgerald Mark , Misra Mahesh C , Howard Teresa , Mathew Joseph , Rotter Thomas , Fiander Michelle , Gruen Russell L , Gupta Amit , Dharap Satish , Fahey Madonna , Stephenson Michael , O'Reilly Gerard , Cameron Peter , Mitra Biswadev ,   on behalf of the Australia‐India Trauma System Collaboration
Published: May 2017

Objective

This systematic review aimed to determine the effect of prehospital notification systems for major trauma patients on overall (<30 days) and early (<24 hours) mortality, hospital reception, and trauma team presence (or equivalent) on arrival, time to critical interventions, and length of hospital stay.

Methods

Experimental and observational studies of prehospital notification compared with no notification or another type of notification in major trauma patients requiring emergency transport were included. Risk of bias was assessed using the Cochrane ACROBAT‐NRSI tool. A narrative synthesis was conducted and evidence quality rated using the GRADE criteria.

Results

Three observational studies of 72,423 major trauma patients were included. All were conducted in high‐income countries in hospitals with established trauma services, with two studies undertaking retrospective analysis of registry data. Two studies reported overall mortality, one demonstrating a reduction in mortality; (adjusted odds ratio (OR) 0.61, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.39 to 0.94, 72,073 participants); and the other demonstrating a nonsignificant change (OR 0.61, 95% CI 0.23 to 1.64, 81 participants). The quality of this evidence was rated as very low.

Conclusion

Limited research on the topic constrains conclusive evidence on the effect of prehospital notification on patient‐centered outcomes after severe trauma. Composite interventions that combine prehospital notification with effective actions on arrival to hospital such as trauma bay availability, trauma team presence, and early access to definitive management may provide more robust evidence towards benefits of early interventions during trauma reception and resuscitation.
Latent Tuberculosis Infection Testing Practices in Long‐Term Care Facilities, Boston, Massachusetts
Authors: Reddy Divya , Walker Jacob , White Laura F. , Brandeis Gary H. , Russell Matthew L. , Horsburgh Charles R. , Hochberg Natasha S.
Published: May 2017

Objectives

To describe latent tuberculosis infection (LTBI) testing practices in long‐term care facilities (LTCFs).

Design

Retrospective cohort study.

Setting

Three Boston‐area LTCFs.

Participants

Residents admitted between January 1 and December 31, 2011.

Measurements

Resident demographic characteristics, comorbidities, LTCF stay, and LTBI testing and treatment.

Results

Data for 291 LTCF residents admitted in 2011 were reviewed. Of the 257 without a history of LTBI and with documentation of testing, 162 (63%) were tested; 114 of 186 (61%) with a stay less than 90 days and 48 of 71 (68%) with a stay of 90 days or longer were tested. Of 196 residents with data on prior LTBI testing, 39 (19.9%) had LTBI; 12 of these (30.8%) were diagnosed at the LTCF. Hispanic participants were more likely than black participants to undergo LTBI testing (adjusted odds ratio (aOR) = 2.4, P = .003). Having a length of stay of less than 90 days (aOR = 0.7, P < .001) and history of illicit drug use (aOR = 0.7, P < .001) were associated with lower odds of LTBI testing.

Conclusion

One‐fifth of LTCF residents had LTBI, but testing was not always performed. The high prevalence of LTBI in older adults combined with the risk of an outbreak if a case of tuberculosis occurs in a LTCF make LTBI testing and treatment an important prevention opportunity. The importance of LTBI testing in LTCFs needs to be reinforced.
Opioids and Other Central Nervous System–Active Polypharmacy in Older Adults in the United States
Authors: Gerlach Lauren B. , Olfson Mark , Kales Helen C. , Maust Donovan T.
Published: May 2017

Objectives

To determine patterns of and trends in contributions to central nervous system (CNS) polypharmacy, defined by the Beers Criteria as three or more CNS‐active medications of each medication class, of adults aged 65 and older seen in U.S. outpatient medical practices.

Design

National Ambulatory Medical Care Survey (2004–2013).

Setting

U.S. outpatient medical care.

Participants

Visits by older adults to outpatient physicians (N = 97,910).

Measurements

Visits including three or more CNS medications including antipsychotics, benzodiazepines, nonbenzodiazepine benzodiazepine receptor agonist hypnotics (NBRAs), tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs), selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), and opioids. The proportion of CNS polypharmacy that each medication class contributed during 2011 to 2013 was determined, and then logistic regression was used to determine trends from 2004 to 2013 in the contribution of individual medication classes to such polypharmacy.

Results

Of recent CNS polypharmacy visits, 76.2% included an opioid, and 61.8% included a benzodiazepine; 66.0% of the polypharmacy visits with benzodiazepines included opioids, and 53.3% of the polypharmacy visits with opioids included benzodiazepines. Between 2011 and 2013, opioid and benzodiazepine co‐prescribing occurred at approximately 1.50 million visits (95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.23–1.78 million) annually. From 2004 (reference) to 2013, the proportion of polypharmacy visits with opioids rose from 69.6% to 76.2% (adjusted odds ratio = 2.15, 95% CI = 1.19–3.91, P = .01), and the corresponding proportion that included benzodiazepines fell. Of the polypharmacy visits, the odds of SSRI, NBRA, and antipsychotic use were unchanged, and that of TCAs decreased.

Conclusion

In older adults, opioid use appears to be largely driving the recent national increase in CNS polypharmacy. Although concomitant use of opioids and benzodiazepines is associated with greater mortality, they are the most common contributors to CNS polypharmacy in older adults.
Sterol regulatory element binding protein‐1C knockout mice show altered neuroactive steroid levels in sciatic nerve
Authors: Mitro Nico , Cermenati Gaia , Audano Matteo , Giatti Silvia , Pesaresi Marzia , Pedretti Silvia , Spezzano Roberto , Caruso Donatella , Melcangi Roberto Cosimo
Published: May 2017

Neuroactive steroid levels are altered in several experimental models of peripheral neuropathy, and on this basis, they have been proposed as protective agents. For the first time, the levels of these molecules were assessed here in sterol regulatory element binding protein ‐1c knock‐out male mice (i.e., an experimental model of peripheral neuropathy) and compared with observations in wild type animals. The levels of neuroactive steroids have been evaluated by liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry in plasma and sciatic nerve at 2 and 10 months of age and these analyses were implemented analyzing the gene expression of crucial steroidogenic enzymes in sciatic nerve. Data obtained at 2 months of age showed high levels of pregnenolone in sciatic nerve, associated with low levels of its first metabolite, progesterone, and further metabolites (i.e., 5α‐pregnane‐3,20‐dione and 5α‐pregnan‐3β‐ol‐20‐one). High levels of testosterone and 17β‐estradiol were also observed. At 10 months of age, the neuroactive steroid profile showed some differences. Indeed, low levels of pregnenolone and high levels of 5α‐pregnan‐3α‐ol‐20‐one and 5α‐pregnan‐3β‐ol‐20‐one were observed. The analysis of the gene expression of steroidogenic enzymes considered here generally followed these changes. Interestingly, the levels of pregnenolone and progesterone were unmodified in plasma suggesting a specific effect of sterol regulatory element binding protein‐1c on neurosteroidogenesis. Because this peripheral neuropathy is due to altered fatty acid biosynthesis, data reported here support the belief that the cross‐talk between this biosynthetic pathway and neuroactive steroids may represent a possible therapeutic strategy for peripheral neuropathy.

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On Asymptotic Theory for ARCH (∞) Models
Authors: Hafner Christian M. , Preminger Arie
Published: May 2017

Autoregressive conditional heteroskedasticity (ARCH)() models nest a wide range of ARCH and generalized ARCH models including models with long memory in volatility. Existing work assumes the existence of second moments. However, the fractionally integrated generalized ARCH model, one version of a long memory in volatility model, does not have finite second moments and rarely satisfies the moment conditions of the existing literature. This article weakens the moment assumptions of a general ARCH(
) class of models and develops the theory for consistency and asymptotic normality of the quasi‐maximum likelihood estimator.
Testing Parameter Change in General Integer‐Valued Time Series
Authors: Diop Mamadou Lamine , Kengne William
Published: May 2017

We consider the structural change in a class of discrete valued time series, which the conditional distribution belongs to the one‐parameter exponential family. We propose a change point test based on the maximum likelihood estimator of the model's parameter. Under the null hypothesis (of no change), the test statistic converges to a well‐known distribution, allowing the calculation of the critical value of the test. The test statistic diverges to infinity under the alternative, meaning that the test has asymptotic power one. Some simulation results and real data applications are reported to show the effectiveness of the proposed procedure.
Impacts of temperature and lunar day on gene expression profiles during a monthly reproductive cycle in the brooding coral Pocillopora damicornis
Authors: Crowder Camerron M. , Meyer Eli , Fan Tung‐Yung , Weis Virginia M.
Published: May 2017

Reproductive timing in brooding corals has been correlated to temperature and lunar irradiance, but the mechanisms by which corals transduce these environmental variables into molecular signals are unknown. To gain insight into these processes, global gene expression profiles in the coral Pocillopora damicornis were examined (via RNA‐Seq) across lunar phases and between temperature treatments, during a monthly planulation cycle. The interaction of temperature and lunar day together had the largest influence on gene expression. Mean timing of planulation, which occurred at lunar days 7.4 and 12.5 for 28‐ and 23°C‐treated corals, respectively, was associated with an upregulation of transcripts in individual temperature treatments. Expression profiles of planulation‐associated genes were compared between temperature treatments, revealing that elevated temperatures disrupted expression profiles associated with planulation. Gene functions inferred from homologous matches to online databases suggest complex neuropeptide signalling, with calcium as a central mediator, acting through tyrosine kinase and G protein‐coupled receptor pathways. This work contributes to our understanding of coral reproductive physiology and the impacts of environmental variables on coral reproductive pathways.
A spatial temporal analysis of the Fusarium graminearum transcriptome during symptomless and symptomatic wheat infection
Authors: Brown Neil A. , Evans Jess , Mead Andrew , Hammond‐Kosack Kim E.
Published: May 2017

Fusarium head blight of wheat is one of the most serious and hazardous crop diseases worldwide. Here, a transcriptomic investigation of Fusarium graminearum reveals a new model for symptomless and symptomatic wheat infection. The predicted metabolic state and secretome of F. graminearum were distinct within symptomless and symptomatic wheat tissues. Transcripts for genes involved in the biosynthesis of the mycotoxin, deoxynivalenol, plus other characterized and putative secondary metabolite clusters increased in abundance in symptomless tissue. Transcripts encoding for genes of distinct groups of putative secreted effectors increased within either symptomless or symptomatic tissue. Numerous pathogenicity‐associated gene transcripts and transcripts representing PHI‐base mutations that impacted on virulence increased in symptomless tissue. In contrast, hydrolytic carbohydrate‐active enzyme (CAZyme) and lipase gene transcripts exhibited a different pattern of expression, resulting in elevated transcript abundance during the development of disease symptoms. Genome‐wide comparisons with existing datasets confirmed that, within the wheat floral tissue, at a single time point, different phases of infection co‐exist, which are spatially separated and reminiscent of both early and late infection. This study provides novel insights into the combined spatial temporal coordination of functionally characterized and hypothesized virulence strategies.
Xylem resistance to embolism: presenting a simple diagnostic test for the open vessel artefact
Authors: Torres‐Ruiz José M. , Cochard Hervé , Choat Brendan , Jansen Steven , López Rosana , Tomášková Ivana , Padilla‐Díaz Carmen M. , Badel Eric , Burlett Regis , King Andrew , Lenoir Nicolas , Martin‐StPaul Nicolas K. , Delzon Sylvain
Published: May 2017

Xylem vulnerability to embolism represents an essential trait for the evaluation of the impact of hydraulics in plant function and ecology. The standard centrifuge technique is widely used for the construction of vulnerability curves, although its accuracy when applied to species with long vessels remains under debate.

We developed a simple diagnostic test to determine whether the open‐vessel artefact influences centrifuge estimates of embolism resistance. Xylem samples from three species with differing vessel lengths were exposed to less negative xylem pressures via centrifugation than the minimum pressure the sample had previously experienced. Additional calibration was obtained from non‐invasive measurement of embolism on intact olive plants by X‐ray microtomography.

Results showed artefactual decreases in hydraulic conductance (k) for samples with open vessels when exposed to a less negative xylem pressure than the minimum pressure they had previously experienced. X‐Ray microtomography indicated that most of the embolism formation in olive occurs at xylem pressures below −4.0 MPa, reaching 50% loss of hydraulic conductivity at −5.3 MPa.

The artefactual reductions in k induced by centrifugation underestimate embolism resistance data of species with long vessels. A simple test is suggested to avoid this open vessel artefact and to ensure the reliability of this technique in future studies.
Does environmental heterogeneity drive functional trait variation? A test in montane and alpine meadows
Authors: Stark Jordan , Lehman Rebecca , Crawford Lake , Enquist Brian J. , Blonder Benjamin
Published: May 2017

While community‐weighted means of plant traits have been linked to mean environmental conditions at large scales, the drivers of trait variation within communities are not well understood. Local environmental heterogeneity (such as microclimate variability), in addition to mean environmental conditions, may decrease the strength of environmental filtering and explain why communities support different amounts of trait variation. Here, we assess two hypotheses: first, that more heterogeneous local environments and second, that less extreme environments, should support a broader range of plant strategies and thus higher trait variation. We quantified drivers of trait variation across a range of environmental conditions and spatial scales ranging from sub‐meter to tens of kilometers in montane and alpine plant communities. We found that, within communities, both environmental heterogeneity and environmental means are drivers of trait variation. However, the importance of each environmental factor varied depending on the trait. Our results indicate that larger‐scale trait–climate linkages that hold across communities also apply at small spatial scales, suggesting that microclimate variation within communities is a key driver of community functional diversity. Microclimatic variation provides a potential mechanism for helping to maintain diversity in local communities and also suggests that small‐scale environmental heterogeneity should be measured as a better predictor of functional diversity.
Competitor or facilitator? The ambiguous role of alpine grassland for the early establishment of tree seedlings at treeline
Authors: Loranger Hannah , Zotz Gerhard , Bader Maaike Y.
Published: May 2017

Alpine treelines are expected to move upslope with a warming climate. However, so far treelines have responded inconsistently and future shifts remain difficult to predict since many factors unrelated to temperature, such as biotic interactions, affect responses at the local scale. Especially during the earliest regeneration stages, trees can be strongly influenced by alpine vegetation via both competition and facilitation. We aimed to understand the relative importance of these two types of interaction in different vegetation structures for treeline regeneration dynamics. Effects of herbaceous alpine vegetation on seedling emergence and first‐year performance were studied in a field experiment in the French Alps (2100 m a.s.l.) with five important European treeline tree species: Larix decidua, Picea abies, Pinus cembra, Pinus uncinata and Sorbus aucuparia. Total emergence and locally‐germinated seedling survival were not affected, but for seedlings planted at two months of age, negative vegetation impacts dominated for all response parameters: first‐year survival, growth and carbohydrate accumulation. However, in the winter half‐year, evergreen tree seedlings increased carbohydrate reserves under the protection of senescent herbs. Also, responses of locally‐germinated seedlings suggest facilitative vegetation effects in the first two months after emergence. Thus, the interaction switched between competition and facilitation according to ontogenetic stage and seasons. Still, the net outcome after one year was negative, but species differed in their susceptibilities. Because initial establishment is the first bottleneck determining whether treelines remain stable or move upslope, understanding establishment, including site‐, life‐stage and species‐specific processes, is essential for understanding observed treeline spatial patterns and dynamics. When developing predictive models of treeline dynamics, all these ‘local’ aspects should be incorporated in addition to more global drivers like changes in temperature.
Profiling the Location and Extent of Musicians’ Pain Using Digital Pain Drawings
Authors: Cruder Cinzia , Falla Deborah , Mangili Francesca , Azzimonti Laura , Araújo Liliana S. , Williamon Aaron , Barbero Marco
Published: May 2017

Background and Aims

According to existing literature, musicians are at risk of experiencing a range of painful musculoskeletal conditions. Recently, a novel digital technology was developed to investigate pain location and pain extent. The aim of this study was to describe pain location and pain extent in musicians using a digital method for pain drawing (PD) analysis. Additionally, the association between PD variables and clinical features were explored in musicians with pain.

Methods

One hundred and fifty‐eight musicians (90 women and 68 men; aged 22.4 ± 3.6 years) were recruited from Swiss and U.K. conservatories. Participants were asked to complete a survey including both background musical information and clinical features, the QuickDASH (QD) questionnaire, and the digital PDs.

Results

Of the 158 participants, 126 musicians (79.7%) reported having pain, with higher prevalence in the areas of the neck and shoulders, the lower back, and the right arm. The mean percentage of pain extent was 3.1% ± 6.5%. The mean QD score was higher for musicians with pain than for those without pain. Additionally, the results indicated a positive correlation between the QD score and pain extent, and there were significant correlations between age and pain intensity, as well as between pain extent and pain intensity.

Conclusions

The high prevalence of pain among musicians has been confirmed using a digital technique for PD acquisition and analysis. In addition, positive correlations between pain extent and upper limb disability have been demonstrated. Our findings highlight the need for effective prevention and treatment strategies for musicians.
Observational Coding Systems of Parent–Child Interactions During Painful Procedures: A Systematic Review
Authors: Bai Jinbing , Swanson Kristen M. , Santacroce Sheila J.
Published: May 2017

Background

Parent interactions with their child can influence the child's pain and distress during painful procedures. Reliable and valid interaction analysis systems (IASs) are valuable tools for capturing these interactions. The extent to which IASs are used in observational research of parent‐child interactions is unknown in pediatric populations.

Objectives

To identify and evaluate studies that focus on assessing psychometric properties of initial iterations/publications of observational coding systems of parent‐child interactions during painful procedures.

Methods

To identify and evaluate studies that focus on assessing psychometric properties of initial iterations/publications of observational coding systems of parent‐child interactions during painful procedures. Computerized databases searched included PubMed, CINAHL, PsycINFO, Health and Psychosocial Instruments, and Scopus. Timeframes covered from inception of the database to January 2017. Studies were included if they reported use or psychometrics of parent‐child IASs. First assessment was whether the parent‐child IASs were theory‐based; next, using the Society of Pediatric Psychology Assessment Task Force criteria IASs were assigned to one of three categories: well‐established, approaching well‐established, or promising.

Results

A total of 795 studies were identified through computerized searches. Eighteen studies were ultimately determined to be eligible for inclusion in the review and 17 parent‐child IASs were identified from these 18 studies. Among the 17 coding systems, 14 were suitable for use in children age 3 years or more; two were theory‐based; and 11 included verbal and nonverbal parent behaviors that promoted either child coping or child distress. Four IASs were assessed as well‐established; seven approached well‐established; and six were promising.

Conclusions

Findings indicate a need for the development of theory‐based parent‐child IASs that consider both verbal and nonverbal parent behaviors during painful procedures. Findings also suggest a need for further testing of those parent‐child IASs deemed “approaching well‐established” or “promising”.
Novel Clinical Observations on Benign Cephalic Histiocytosis in a Large Series
Authors: Polat Ekinci Algün , Buyukbabani Nesimi , Baykal Can
Published: May 2017

Background/Objectives

Benign cephalic histiocytosis (BCH) is a rare form of non‐Langerhans cell histiocytosis in infants and young children characterized by self‐healing macules and papules occurring primarily in the head and neck region. So far there have been nearly 60 reported cases in the English‐language literature.

Methods

In this retrospective study, we evaluated clinical features and follow‐up data of 11 patients diagnosed with BCH between 2004 and 2016 in the Department of Dermatovenereology, Istanbul Medical Faculty.

Results

There were 5 girls and 6 boys (median age 24 months, range 9–72 months). The median age at the onset of lesions was 8 months (range 3–36 months). The lesions first appeared on the face in 10 patients and on the trunk in 1. Proximal parts of the extremities and trunk were also involved in nine patients (81.8%). Patients were categorized into two groups based on their clinical features; five had 20 to 30 predominantly red‐brown dome‐shaped papules and six had 50 to hundreds of yellow‐brown or predominantly pinkish brown flat papules. Four patients were lost to follow‐up. In seven patients with a mean follow‐up of 5 years, four had nearly complete resolution and three showed remarkable regression without treatment.

Conclusion

With 11 additional cases from a single center, BCH seems to be an underrecognized disease. Its clinical presentation is not uniform. Considering that most of the patients in this series and those previously reported had extracephalic involvement, the term “cephalic” needs to be reevaluated.
An osmotin from the resurrection plant Tripogon loliiformis (TlOsm) confers tolerance to multiple abiotic stresses in transgenic rice
Authors: Le Trang T.T. , Williams Brett , Mundree Sagadevan G.
Published: May 2017

Osmotin is a key protein associated with abiotic and biotic stress response in plants. In this study, an osmotin from the resurrection plant Tripogon loliiformis (TlOsm) was characterized and functionally analyzed under abiotic stress conditions in T. loliiformis as well as in transgenic Nicotiana tabacum (tobacco) and Oryza sativa (rice) plants. Real‐time PCR analysis on mixed elicitor cDNA libraries from T. loliiformis showed that TlOsm was upregulated a 1000‐fold during the early stages of osmotic stresses (cold, drought, and salinity) in both shoots and roots but downregulated in shoots during heat stress. There was no change in TlOsm gene expression in roots of heat‐stressed plants and during plant development. The plasma membrane localization of TlOsm was showed in fluorescent‐tagged TlOsm tobacco plants using confocal laser scanning microscopic analysis. Transgenic rice plants expressing TlOsm were assessed for enhanced tolerance to salinity, drought and cold stresses. Constitutively expressed TlOsm in transgenic rice plants showed increased tolerance to cold, drought and salinity stress when compared with the wild‐type and vector control counterparts. This was evidenced by maintained growth, retained higher water content and membrane integrity, and improved survival rate of TlOsm‐expressing plants. The results thus indicate the involvement of TlOsm in plant response to multiple abiotic stresses, possibly through the signaling pathway, and highlight its potential applications for engineering crops with improved tolerance to cold, drought and salinity stress.
When dyspnea gets worse: Suffocation fear and the dynamics of defensive respiratory responses to increasing interoceptive threat
Authors: Benke Christoph , Hamm Alfons O. , Pané‐Farré Christiane A.
Published: May 2017

In patients with anxiety and/or respiratory diseases, body sensations, particularly from the respiratory system, may increase in intensity and aversiveness and thus lead into defensive action (e.g., escape) or panic. The processes, however, that might contribute to the culmination of symptoms and the switch into defensive action have not been well understood yet. The current study aimed at evaluating an experimental paradigm to characterize the dynamics of defensive mobilization to body sensations increasing in intensity and aversiveness. Persons reporting low and high suffocation fear (SF; N = 69) were exposed to increasingly unpleasant feelings of dyspnea induced by inspiratory resistive loads and a breathing occlusion requiring voluntary breath holding. Respiratory responses were assessed along with subjective reports of anxiety and panic symptoms. Presentation of respiratory loads with increasing physical resistance led to increasingly unpleasant feelings of dyspnea. Twenty‐eight participants terminated the exposure prematurely at least once. When dyspnea was severe, high compared to low SF persons exhibited an increased respiratory rate that was accompanied by reports of more intense panic symptoms. Premature terminations of exposure were preceded by a surge in anxiety, breathing frequency, and mouth pressure, and a decrease in tidal volume. We successfully established an experimental paradigm to assess changes in defensive responding with increasing intensity of an interoceptive threat. The current data foster our understanding of behavioral expression patterns observed in patients with anxiety and/or respiratory diseases and the processes involved in the culmination of bodily sensations and anxiety into panic.
Remarkable variability in dyke features at the Vicuña Pampa Volcanic Complex, Southern Central Andes
Authors: Guzmán Silvina , Neri Marco , Carniel Roberto , Martí Joan , Grosse Pablo , Montero‐López Carolina , Geyer Adelina
Published: May 2017

Dykes at the Vicuña Pampa Volcanic Complex, which are mostly basaltic (trachy)‐andesite and (trachy)‐andesite, are exposed at the base and along the walls of a large depression resulting from intense degradation. Dykes intruding stiff layers (lavas, plugs and necks) are thin, mostly dip >60° and have coherent textures, whereas dykes intruding more compliant materials (breccias and conglomerates) tend to be thicker, have lower dips and have coherent, brecciated or mixed textures (coherent and brecciated textural domains in a single or compound dyke). Single dykes with brecciated and mixed textures are only found intruding near‐surface units. Dykes with mixed textures always have sharp contacts between domains. Dykes with sinuous domain contacts and enclaves of one domain inside the other are interpreted as resulting from dyke arrest, partial cooling and reinjection of new magma. Dykes with straight domain contacts are considered to be compound dykes, with a new dyke intruding along the margins of an older, solidified one.
Objective evaluation of analyzer performance based on a retrospective meta‐analysis of instrument validation studies: point‐of‐care hematology analyzers
Authors: Cook Andrea M. , Moritz Andreas , Freeman Kathleen P. , Bauer Natali
Published: May 2017

Background

Information on quality requirements and objective evaluation of performance of veterinary point‐of‐care analyzers (POCAs) is scarce.

Objectives

The study was aimed at assessing observed total errors (TEobss) for veterinary hematology POCAs via meta‐analysis and comparing TEobs to allowable total error (TEa) specifications based on experts′ opinions.

Methods

The TEobs for POCAs (impedance and laser‐based) was calculated based on data from instrument validation studies published between 2006 and 2013 as follows: TEobs = 2 × CV [%] + bias [%]. The CV was taken from published studies; the bias was estimated from the regression equation at 2 different concentration levels of measurands. To fulfill quality requirements, TEobs should be < TEa. Measurands were considered as globally acceptable if > 60% of analyzers showed TEobs < TEa.

Results

Six studies evaluating 11 analyzers and 5 studies evaluating 5 analyzers were included for canine and feline hematology variables, respectively. For the CBC, TEobs was < 15% for canine and < 13% for feline measurands, except for HGB and platelet counts. Measurands of the CBC, excluding differential WBC and platelet counts, and HGB concentration were considered globally acceptable. For most of the cell types in the WBC differential count, TEobs was > TEa (data from 3 analyzers).

Conclusion

This meta‐analysis is considered a pilot study. Experts′ requirements (TEobs < TEa) were fulfilled for most measurands except HGB (due to instrument‐related bias for the ADVIA 2120) and platelet counts. Available data on the WBC differential count suggest an analytic bias, so nonstatistical quality control is recommended.
Are there ethical differences between stopping and not starting blood safety measures?
Authors: Kramer K. , Verweij M. F. , Zaaijer H. L.
Published: May 2017

Background and Objectives

Concern with the costs of blood safety is growing, which raises the question whether safety measures that reduce risk only marginally should be discontinued. Withdrawing such safety measures would allow reallocating resources to more efficient health care interventions, but it might raise moral objections.

Materials and Methods

This study evaluates two ethical arguments why discontinuing blood safety measures would be more objectionable than not implementing them. The first argument is that whereas withdrawing protective measures causes harm to patients, not starting protective measures ‘merely’ omits to prevent harm. The second argument is that patients who benefit from protective measures are historically entitled to the continuation of those protective measures.

Results

Both arguments are unconvincing. There is only a weak causal connection between removing blood safety measures and harms that transfusion recipients suffer. Moreover, patients are not entitled to the continuation of protective measures that prove very inefficient, unless applying these protective measures rectifies past injustice towards them.

Conclusion

Unless stronger ethical objections can be found, blood system operators and regulators should be more willing to withdraw inefficient safety measures.
Characterization of Mycobacterium marinum infections in zebrafish wounds and sinus tracts
Authors: Chen Ling , Liu Zhen , Su Yingjun , Wang Di , Yin Bin , Shu Bin , Zhang Jishen , Zhu Xiaoyan , Jia Chiyu
Published: May 2017

The impaired healing of Mycobacterium tuberculosis–infected wounds is a clinical challenge, and the mechanisms involved are still not clear. The zebrafish model of Mycobacterium marinum infection has provided surprising insights into the pathogenesis of tuberculosis in humans. Similarly, the major principles and phases of cutaneous wound healing are conserved among adult mammals and adult zebrafish. Here, we injected Mycobacterium marinum into the dorsal muscles of adult zebrafish and observed the development of chronic wound pathology. Deep sequencing showed that gene expression related to muscles was down‐regulated, whereas expressions of the IL‐1β, TNF‐α, dram1 genes and the transcript of mir1‐2 gene were up‐regulated in infected wounds of zebrafish compared with control zebrafish. Muscles are immune‐responsive tissues. Thus, muscles may play a role in the anti–Mycobacterium tuberculosis immunologic process, which leads to apoptosis of the infected muscle cell and formation of the subcutaneous sinus tract.
A Contribution to the Thermal Modeling of Bump Type Air Foil Bearings: Analysis of the Thermal Resistance of Bump Foils
Authors: Lehn Andreas , Mahner Marcel , Schweizer Bernhard
Published: May 2017

A detailed analysis of the effective thermal resistance for the bump foil of air foil bearings (AFBs) is performed. The presented model puts emphasis on the thermal contact resistances between the bump foil and the top foil as well as between the bump foil and the base plate. It is demonstrated that most of the dissipated heat in the lubricating air film of an air foil bearing is not conducted by microcontacts in the contact regions. Instead, the air gaps close to the contact area are found to be thin enough in order to effectively conduct the heat from the top foil into the bump foil. On the basis of these findings, an analytical formula is developed for the effective thermal resistance of a half bump arc. The formula accounts for the geometry of the bump foil as well as for the surface roughness of the top foil, the bump foil, and the base plate. The predictions of the presented model are shown to be in good agreement with measurements from the literature. In particular, the model predicts the effective thermal resistance to be almost independent of the applied pressure. This is a major characteristic property that has been found by measurements but could not be reproduced by previously published models. The presented formula contributes to an accurate thermohydrodynamic (THD) modeling of AFBs.
Fast Estimation of the Damage Equivalent Load in Blade Geometry Multidisciplinar Optimization
Authors: Durá Fernando Echeverría , Gimenez Fermín Mallor , Corretge Javier Sanz
Published: May 2017

Designing blade geometry as a multidisciplinary optimization presents important challenges due to the increment in the number of design variables and computational cost of calculating the constraints and objective function. Blades have an important impact on loads because they capture the kinetic energy in wind and transfer it to the rest of the wind turbine components. Thus, consideration of the fatigue response is necessary in the optimization problem. However, the calculation of the damage equivalent loads (DELs) implies time-consuming simulations that restrict the number of design variables due to the increment of the search space. This article proposes a frequency domain method to estimate the fatigue response, which produces an advantage in terms of computational cost. The method is based on wind turbine model linearization by means of an aero-elastic code and the subsequent calculation of a frequency response function (FRF), which serves to estimate the response of the wind turbine. The Dirlik method is then applied to infer the damage equivalent loads. This process, which is useful for variables that have a stochastic nature, provides rapid approximate prediction of the fatigue response. An alternative estimation is proposed for loads subjected to an important periodic component. The results show that the method is useful in the initial stages of design.
The Effect of Local Meteorological Conditions on the Optimal Tilt Angle of a Solar Energy Collector—A Case Study in Poland
Authors: Myhan Ryszard , Bieranowski Jacek , Szwejkowski Zbigniew , Sitnik Eliza
Published: May 2017

This study compares the potential annual energy absorption of a flat-plate solar collector at different tilt angles in Poland. Optimal tilt angles were tested in three variants: over the course of the year, in fall/winter and in spring/summer. The results were compared with automatically tracked collectors where the active surface is perpendicular to the angle at which solar radiation reaches the collector. The results were simulated based on the meteorological data. A comparison of the energy outputs of solar collectors in optimization variants 1, 2, and 3 indicates that variant 1 produces the highest energy output.
A rare case of an acute soleus arcade syndrome complicated by a ganglion cyst: diagnosis by dynamic ultrasound
Authors: Gruber Leonhard , Loizides Alexander , Klien Stephanie , Trieb Thomas , Koller Michael , Löscher Wolfgang , Gruber Hannes
Published: May 2017

The soleus arcade syndrome is a rare compression neuropathy of the tibial nerve that often remains undiagnosed due to low clinical awareness and difficult diagnosis. We present the case of a female patient admitted with acute worsening of a pre-existing sensory tibial neuropathy and acute tibial nerve palsy after knee joint injection. After a knee magnetic resonance imaging remained non-diagnostic, dynamic ultrasonography was performed. Constriction by the soleus arcade and proximal swelling of the tibial nerve could be demonstrated during plantarflexion of the ankle by means of a dynamic examination in the standing patient. The patient underwent surgery and recovered fully. This proposed diagnostic approach can be used to identify soleus arcade syndrome by ultrasound.
Dynamic mechanical response of polyvinyl alcohol-gelatin theta-gels for nucleus pulposus tissue replacement
Authors: Charron Patrick N. , Blatt Sarah E. , McKenzie Canaan , Floreani Rachael A.
Published: May 2017

Intervertebral disk degeneration is one of the most significant contributors to low back pain. Thus, there is significant interest in designing new treatments and nucleus pulposus (NP) tissue replacements. Herein, the authors propose a biosynthetic material, comprised of a polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) and gelatin theta-gel, as an acellular NP tissue replacement. Theta-gels form during the solidification of PVA and gelatin (phase I), and the phase separation of a disklike short-chain polyethylene glycol (PEG, phase II). The PVA concentration and weight ratio of PVA to PEG were optimized, in order to achieve mechanical properties resembling NP tissue. Mechanical and material properties were analyzed for the PVA-gelatin theta-gels under static and dynamic conditions. Cyclic stress-strain testing demonstrated the theta-gels' ability to relax and perform properly under dynamic loading. Altering the molecular weight and concentration of the theta-gel constituents allows for a tunable material that can match a variety of native tissue properties.
Relative contributions of acoustic temporal fine structure and envelope cues for lexical tone perception in noise
Authors: Qi Beier , Mao Yitao , Liu Jiaxing , Liu Bo , Xu Li
Published: May 2017

Previous studies have shown that lexical tone perception in quiet relies on the acoustic temporal fine structure (TFS) but not on the envelope (E) cues. The contributions of TFS to speech recognition in noise are under debate. In the present study, Mandarin tone tokens were mixed with speech-shaped noise (SSN) or two-talker babble (TTB) at five signal-to-noise ratios (SNRs; −18 to +6 dB). The TFS and E were then extracted from each of the 30 bands using Hilbert transform. Twenty-five combinations of TFS and E from the sound mixtures of the same tone tokens at various SNRs were created. Twenty normal-hearing, native-Mandarin-speaking listeners participated in the tone-recognition test. Results showed that tone-recognition performance improved as the SNRs in either TFS or E increased. The masking effects on tone perception for the TTB were weaker than those for the SSN. For both types of masker, the perceptual weights of TFS and E in tone perception in noise was nearly equivalent, with E playing a slightly greater role than TFS. Thus, the relative contributions of TFS and E cues to lexical tone perception in noise or in competing-talker maskers differ from those in quiet and those to speech perception of non-tonal languages.
Rapid and specific detection of Asian- and African-lineage Zika viruses
Authors: Chotiwan Nunya , Brewster Connie D. , Magalhaes Tereza , Weger-Lucarelli James , Duggal Nisha K. , Rückert Claudia , Nguyen Chilinh , Garcia Luna Selene M. , Fauver Joseph R. , Andre Barb , Gray Meg , Black William C. , Kading Rebekah C. , Ebel Gregory D. , Kuan Guillermina , Balmaseda Angel , Jaenisch Thomas , Marques Ernesto T. A. , Brault Aaron C. , Harris Eva , Foy Brian D. , Quackenbush Sandra L. , Perera Rushika , Rovnak Joel
Published: May 2017

A rapid, specific, sensitive, and inexpensive method has been developed that detects RNA from a Zika virus strain associated with the current outbreak.
Stunning neutrophils changes the forecast: No more showers
Authors: King Kevin R.
Published: May 2017

Metoprolol inhibits neutrophil-platelet interactions and reduces microvascular obstructions after acute myocardial infarction.
Insulin: To the periphery and beyond
Authors: Morris Jill K.
Published: May 2017

Increased tau phosphorylation resulting from insulin depletion is reversed by insulin treatment in a murine model.
Measuring inflammation in IBD with an OSM-ostat
Authors: Scharschmidt Tiffany C.
Published: May 2017

Oncostatin M is elevated in inflammatory bowel disease, wherein it may promote intestinal stroma cell inflammation and predict nonresponsiveness to anti-TNF therapy.