bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Too resilient for anyone’s good
Authors: Nizami Lance
Published: September 2018

Purpose

This paper aims to extend the companion paper on “infant psychophysics”, which concentrated on the role of in-lab observers (watchers). Infants cannot report their own perceptions, so for five decades their detection thresholds for sensory stimuli were inferred from their stimulus-evoked behavior, judged by watchers. The inferred thresholds were revealed to inevitably be those of the watcher–infant duo, and, more broadly, the entire Laboratory. Such thresholds are unlikely to represent the finest stimuli that the infant can detect. What, then, do they represent?

Design/methodology/approach

Infants’ inferred stimulus-detection thresholds are hypothesized to be attentional thresholds, representing more-salient stimuli that overcome distraction.

Findings

Empirical psychometric functions, which show “detection” performance versus stimulus intensity, have shallower slopes for infants than for adults. This (and other evidence) substantiates the attentional hypothesis.

Research limitations/implications

An observer can only infer the mechanisms underlying an infant’s perceptions, not know them; infants’ minds are “Black Boxes”. Nonetheless, infants’ physiological responses have been used for decades to infer stimulus-detection thresholds. But those inferences ultimately depend upon observer-chosen statistical criteria of normality. Again, stimulus-detection thresholds are probably overestimated.

Practical implications

Owing to exaggerated stimulus-detection thresholds, infants may be misdiagnosed as “hearing impaired”, then needlessly fitted with electronic implants.

Originality/value

Infants’ stimulus-detection thresholds are re-interpreted as attentional thresholds. Also, a cybernetics concept, the “Black Box”, is extended to infants, reinforcing the conclusions of the companion paper that the infant-as-research-subject cannot be conceptually separated from the attending laboratory staff. Indeed, infant and staff altogether constitute a new, reflexive whole, one that has proven too resilient for anybody’s good.
A method for deghosting of data recorded with a streamer of arbitrary shape in rough sea conditions
Authors: Denisov Mikhail , Egorov Anton , Burtsev Alexander
Published: September 2018

Deghosting of pressure‐only data has become a routine in marine seismic processing. Most existing techniques suffer from noise susceptibility or excessive simplification of the used ghost model, which leads to difficulties in removing the ghost waves. The algorithm presented in this paper is based on the wavefield extrapolation theory, and is capable of taking into account arbitrary streamer shapes and rough sea surfaces. The computations are performed in the frequency domain and come down to solving systems of linear equations. Regularization and data‐adaptive statistical optimization of the parameters prevent noise amplification. We describe the theory of the method and test it against synthetic and field datasets with different streamer shapes for both rough and flat sea surfaces.
Diastolic Dysfunction, an Underestimated New Challenge in Dialysis
Authors: Escoli Rachele , Carvalho Maria J , Cabrita António , Rodrigues Anabela
Published: September 2018

Heart failure (HF) is very common in the general population and specifically in CKD patients due to higher prevalence of traditional and CKD‐related risk factors. In particular, HF with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) can affect over 50% of dialysis patients. However, little is known about this entity in CKD. It has been inadequately recognized over time and few data exist regarding clinical profiles and outcomes in dialysis patients. The aim of this paper is to do a critical appraisal of the diagnosis, clinical impact, and management of HFpEF with a focus on new diagnostic criteria and its impact on dialysis.
Capturing Emergency Department Discharge Quality With the Care Transitions Measure: A Pilot Study
Authors: Sabbatini Amber K. , Gallahue Fiona , Newson Joshua , White Stephanie , Gallagher Thomas H.
Published: September 2018

Background

Recent attention has been given to developing measures to capture the quality of ED transitions of care. We examined the utility of a patient‐reported measure of transitional care, the Care Transitions Measure‐3 (CTM‐3), in the ED setting and its association with outcomes of care after ED discharge.

Methods

A telephone survey was conducted of a convenience sample of patients 14 days after discharge from two emergency departments (EDs) in an academic health system. Patients responded to three statements using a four‐point agreement scale (strongly disagree, disagree, agree, strongly agree): 1) “The hospital staff took my preferences and those of my family or caregiver into account when deciding what my health care needs would be”; 2) “ When I left the ER, I had a good understanding of the things I was responsible for in managing my health”; and 3) “When I left the hospital, I clearly understood the purpose for taking each of my medications.” Patients were also queried about outcomes after ED discharge that are known to be related to ED care transitions including medication adherence, completion of recommended follow‐up, and return visits to the ED. Multivariable logistic regression was used to determine the association between the CTM‐3 score (on a 100‐point scale) and outcomes of interest.

Results

Among 1,832 patients called, 576 were reached by phone, and 410 consented and completed our survey, representing a 22.4% response rate of patients we attempted to call. A 10‐point increase in the CTM‐3 score (better care experiences) was associated with a 12% decrease in the odds of having an ED return visit (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] = 0.88, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.77–1.00) and a 45% increase in the odds of taking prescribed medications as recommended (AOR = 1.45, 95% CI = 1.12–1.87). There was no association between CTM‐3 score and completion of follow‐up.

Conclusions

The CTM‐3 is associated with outcomes of care after an ED visit, including ED return visits and medication adherence, and may have utility as a patient‐reported measure of ED transitions of care.
EMS naloxone administration as non‐fatal opioid overdose surveillance: 6‐year outcomes in Marion County, Indiana
Authors: Ray Bradley R. , Lowder Evan M. , Kivisto Aaron J. , Phalen Peter , Gil Harold
Published: September 2018

Background and Aims

Despite rising rates of opioid overdose in the United States, few studies have examined the frequency of non‐fatal overdose events or mortality outcomes following resuscitation. Given the widespread use of naloxone to respond to overdose‐related deaths, naloxone administration may provide a useful marker of overdose events to identify high‐risk users at heightened risk of mortality. We used naloxone administration by emergency medical services as a proxy measure of non‐fatal overdose to examine repeat events and mortality outcomes during a 6‐year period.

Methods

We conducted a retrospective investigation of all cases in Marion County, Indiana between January 2011 and December 2016 where emergency medical services used naloxone to resuscitate a patient. Cases were linked to vital records to assess mortality and cause of death during the same time‐period. We used Cox regression survival analysis to assess whether repeat non‐fatal overdose events during the study period were associated with the hazard of mortality, both overall and by cause of death.

Results

Of 4726 patients administered naloxone, 9.4% (n = 444) died an average of 354 days [standard deviation (SD) = 412.09, range = 1–1980] following resuscitation. Decedents who died of drug‐related causes (34.7%, n = 154) were younger and more likely to have had repeat non‐fatal overdose events. Patients with repeat non‐fatal overdose events (13.4%, n = 632) had a ×2.07 [95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.59, 2.71] higher hazard of all‐cause mortality and a ×3.06 (95% CI = 2.13, 4.40) higher hazard of drug‐related mortality.

Conclusions

Among US emergency medical service patients administered naloxone for opioid overdose, those with repeat non‐fatal opioid overdose events are at a much higher risk of mortality, particularly drug‐related mortality, than those without repeat events.
Brain imaging can predict neurodevelopmental outcome of Group B streptococcal meningitis in neonates
Authors: Martis J M S , Bok L A , Halbertsma F J J , van Straaten H L M , de Vries L S , Groenendaal F
Published: September 2018

Aim

The association between cranial ultrasound (CUS) or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) lesions and neonatal Group B streptococcal (GBS) meningitis outcome has not been studied in detail.

Methods

This retrospective study assessed CUS, cranial MRI and neurodevelopmental outcome in 50 neonates with GBS meningitis admitted to three neonatal intensive care units in the Netherlands between 1992 and 2014. Death, cognitive outcome and motor outcome below −1 SD were considered as adverse outcomes.

Results

CUS was available in all and MRIs in 31 infants (62%) with 28 CUS (56%) and 27 MRIs (87%) being abnormal. MRI lesions were multifocal (n = 10, 37%), bilateral (n = 22; 82%) and extensive (n = 11; 41%). A total of 10 died in the neonatal period. Median age at assessment was 24 months. Among survivors, abnormal cognitive outcome and motor outcome were seen in 23 and 20 patients, respectively. Abnormal CUS [odds ratio (OR) 5.3, p = 0.017], extensive bilateral deep grey lesions (OR 6.7, p = 0.035) and white matter lesions (OR 14.0, p = 0.039) correlated with abnormal motor outcome. Extensive bilateral deep grey matter lesions correlated with abnormal cognitive outcome (OR 8.1, p = 0.029).

Conclusion

Abnormal CUS and the most severely affected MRIs were associated with poor neurodevelopmental outcome in neonatal GBS meningitis.
Concise tool based on language milestones identifies children with specific language impairment at 24–45 months of age
Authors: Diepeveen F. Babette , van Dommelen Paula , Oudesluys‐Murphy Anne Marie , Verkerk Paul H.
Published: September 2018

Aim

This study aimed to develop a concise tool with acceptable predictive properties to identify young children with specific language impairment (SLI).

Methods

In this nested case–control study children with SLI attending two special needs schools for severe speech and language difficulties in the Netherlands were matched by date of birth and sex with control children attending mainstream education. This study analysed the predictive validity for having SLI at a mean age of eight years and three months (range 4–11 years) using combinations of six language milestones that were registered at 24, 36 and 45 months and retrieved from the children's healthcare files in 2012.

Results

We included 253 pairs of children with and without SLI. During a single visit, combinations of two milestones at one age achieved a specificity of at least 97% and sensitivities ranged from 32% to 64%. However, the concise tool, which combined five milestones at three different ages – 24, 36 and 45 months – had a specificity of 96% (95% confidence interval 94–99%) and a sensitivity of 71% (95% confidence interval 66–77%).

Conclusion

Combining milestones at different ages provided a concise tool that could help to detect children with SLI at a young age.
Relationship between the likelihood of footrot elimination from a flock and the virulence of the strain of Dichelobacter nodosus present
Authors: Allworth MB , Egerton JR
Published: September 2018

Objective

To assess ability to eliminate different strains of footrot in sheep using inspection and culling of affected sheep.

Methods

A flock of 1417 Polwarth sheep that had deliberately been infected with seven different strains of Dichelobacter nodosus and undergone different control measures prior to eradication, including zinc sulfate footbathing and vaccination, were subjected to visual foot inspection on a number of occasions. Sheep identified as infected or having any foot abnormalities were removed from the flock at each inspection. The experiment had three replicates and a small number of untreated control animals. Sheep were examined following the inspections to assess the effectiveness of elimination and additional measures were implemented in two of the three replicates in an attempt to eliminate all strains of D. nodosus.

Results

Three strains of D. nodosus were apparently successfully eliminated from all replicates (strains A, E and H). Strains B and C were detected in one replicate each, despite additional inspections. The three stains that were eliminated were the more virulent strains and the two strains that remained were the least virulent. No assessment could be made on a further two strains.

Conclusions

The application of a rigorous inspection and culling program resulted in the elimination of the more virulent D. nodosus strains, but did not result in the elimination of all D. nodosus strains on all occasions.
No conscientious objection without normative justification: Against conscientious objection in medicine
Authors: Zolf Benjamin
Published: September 2018

Most proponents of conscientious objection accommodation in medicine acknowledge that not all conscientious beliefs can justify refusing service to a patient. Accordingly, they admit that constraints must be placed on the practice of conscientious objection. I argue that one such constraint must be an assessment of the reasonability of the conscientious claim in question, and that this requires normative justification of the claim. Some advocates of conscientious object protest that, since conscientious claims are a manifestation of personal beliefs, they cannot be subject to this kind of public justification. In order to preserve an element of constraint without requiring normative justification of conscientious beliefs, they shift the justificatory burden from the belief motivating the conscientious claim to the condition of the patient being refused service. This generally involves a claim along the lines that conscientious refusals should be permitted to the extent that they do not cause unwarranted harm to the patient. I argue that explaining what would constitute warranted harm requires an explanation of what it is about the conscientious claim that makes the harm warranted. ‘Warranted’ is a normative operator, and providing this explanation is the same as providing normative justification for the conscientious claim. This shows that resorting to facts about the patient’s condition does not avoid the problem of providing normative justification, and that the onus remains on advocates of conscientious objection to provide normative justification for the practice in the context of medical care.
Appropriating WhatsApp‐mediated postgraduate supervision to negotiate “relational authenticity” in resource‐constrained environments
Authors: Rambe Patient , Mkono Muchazondida
Published: September 2018

Despite the surging prominence of literature that explores mobile instant messaging’s (MIM) capacity to leverage transformative pedagogical practices in higher education, studies that unravel the appropriation of MIM to leverage postgraduate supervision in authentic learning contexts are less frequent. Consequently, a gap persists on the nature of postgraduate supervisees’ existential and relational authenticity as they interface with MIM and supervisors during their consultation processes. This study drew on Heidegger’s existential authenticity, a netnography of WhatsApp‐based supervisor–supervisee consultations and in‐depth interviews to unravel how WhatsApp‐mediated postgraduate supervision fosters the social construction of relational and existential authenticity in resource‐constrained contexts. The findings suggest that authentic supervision was constructed through supervisor–supervisees’ negotiation of academic hierarchies, supervisees’ self‐expression and self‐disclosure, their management of moments of anxiety and conflict deflation in ambivalent supervision scenarios. The study recommends that supervisors need to manage the significant yet unrecognised “nervous moments” in technology‐mediated supervision environments, where compression of hierarchy may be conflated with negation of the supervisor’s authority.
Chronic nonbacterial prostate inflammation in a rat model is associated with changes of gut microbiota that can be modified with a galactoglucomannan‐rich hemicellulose extract in the diet
Authors: Konkol Yvonne , Keskitalo Anniina , Vuorikoski Heikki , Pietilä Sami , Elo Laura L. , Munukka Eveliina , Bernoulli Jenni , Tuomela Johanna
Published: September 2018

Objectives

To investigate dietary effects on the gut microbiota composition in a rat model of nonbacterial chronic prostate inflammation (CPI).

Materials and methods

Nonbacterial CPI was induced in the Wistar rat strain with subcutaneous testosterone and 17β‐oestradiol (E2) hormone pellets for 18 weeks. Rats with placebo pellets served as healthy controls. Rats with CPI were stratified into two groups, which drank either plain tap water (control group) or tap water supplemented with 2% galactoglucomannan‐rich hemicellulose extract (GGM group) from Norway spruce (Picea abies) for 5 weeks. Faecal samples were collected at the end of the study, total DNA was extracted, and the bacterial composition was analysed by 16S rRNA gene sequencing. In addition, faecal samples were assayed for short‐chain fatty acid (SCFA) concentrations using gas chromatography. Lipopolysaccharide‐binding protein (LBP) was measured in serum samples, as an indirect indicator for bacterial lipopolysaccharide (LPS) load in blood.

Results

The microbial biodiversity was significantly different between the treatment groups. In the rats with CPI, there was a significant increase in gut microbial populations Rikenellaceae, Odoribacter, Clostridiaceae, Allobaculum and Peptococcaceae compared with healthy rats. Conversely, levels of Bacteroides uniformis, Lactobacillus and Lachnospiraceae were decreased in rats with CPI. SCFA butyric‐, valeric‐ and caproic‐acid concentrations were also decreased in the faecal samples of the rats with CPI. In contrast, acetic acid concentrations and serum LBP were significantly elevated in CPI rats compared with healthy ones. Amongst rats with CPI, treatment with the GGM extract significantly reduced the abundance of Odoribacter and Clostridiaceae levels, and increased the B. uniformis levels compared with CPI rats drinking tap water only. In addition, GGM significantly increased the levels of butyric acid and caproic acid, and reduced the levels of LBP in serum.

Conclusions

Hormone‐induced nonbacterial CPI in rats is associated with specific changes in gut microbiota and secondary changes in SCFAs and LPS due to gut microbiota alteration. Our results further suggest that fermentable compounds may have a beneficial effect on CPI.
The Masturbation Erection Index (MEI): validation of a new psychometric tool, derived from the six‐item version of the International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF‐6) and from the Erection Hardness Score (EHS), for measuring erectile function during masturbation
Authors: Limoncin Erika , Gravina Giovanni L. , Lotti Francesco , Maseroli Elisa , Ciocca Giacomo , Corona Giovanni , Maggi Mario , Reisman Yacov , Balercia Giancarlo , Lenzi Andrea , Jannini Emmanuele A.
Published: September 2018

Objectives

To validate a psychometric instrument, the Masturbation Erection Index (MEI) able to evaluate erectile function (EF) during masturbation. In fact, although the evaluation of EF during masturbation is pivotal in evaluating erectile dysfunction (ED), to date no specific psychometric tools have been developed to measure it both in the routine clinical practice and in the experimental setting.

Patients and Methods

Of 560 men attending our andrological outpatient clinic for the first time, 99 (17.7%) had ED. As a control group, we enrolled 102 sexually healthy men. All the men were requested to complete both the six‐item version of the International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF‐6) and the MEI. The MEI was used together with a standardised tool, the Erection Hardness Score (EHS). The MEI was validated in terms of content validity. Test–retest reliability was assessed using the intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC). Internal consistency was evaluated by Cronbach's α. The comparability between the MEI and IIEF‐6 in measuring EF was tested by Bland–Altman analysis. The concordance correlation coefficient (CCC) between the two questionnaires was also determined.

Results

Internal consistency of the MEI was >0.93. Test–retest reliability was 0.982 (95% confidence interval [CI] 0.975–0.987). Bland–Altman analysis showed a good level of agreement between the IIEF‐6 and MEI in the whole ED population, with stronger agreement in the organic‐ED subpopulation. The estimated area under the curve of the MEI was 0.983 (P < 0.001; 95% CI 0.954–0.996), with a score of ≤27 as the optimal threshold to discriminate between the presence and absence of ED during self‐induced masturbation. The CCC, Pearson ρ and bias correction factor (Cb) were 0.951 (95% CI 0.936–0.962), 0.968, and 0.982, respectively.

Conclusion

The MEI showed good internal consistency and a good level of agreement with the IIEF‐6. Hence, the MEI fulfills the major psychometric requirements for measuring EF during masturbation.
Nomograms for incident risk of post‐partum type 2 diabetes in Chinese women with prior gestational diabetes mellitus
Authors: Li Weiqin , Leng Junhong , Liu Huikun , Zhang Shuang , Wang Leishen , Hu Gang , Mi Jie
Published: September 2018

Objective

Counselling patients with gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) on their individual risk of post‐partum type 2 diabetes (T2D) is challenging. This study aimed to develop nomograms for predicting incident risk of post‐partum T2D in women with GDM diagnosed by WHO 1998 criteria.

Methods

We performed a retrospective cohort study in 1263 Chinese women with GDM, of whom 83 were diagnosed as T2D at 2.3 years post‐partum. Multivariate Cox proportional hazards models were used to investigate the independent predictors for post‐partum T2D. The results of multivariate analyses were used to formulate nomograms for predicting incident risk of post‐partum T2D. The predictive accuracy was evaluated using the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUROC).

Results

On multivariate analysis, independent predictors of post‐partum T2DM in women with GDM included family history of diabetes [hazard ratio (HR) and its 95% confidential interval (95% CI): 2.06 (95% CI: 1.32‐3.22)], history of pregnancy‐induced hypertension [3.11 (95% CI: 1.86‐5.21)], pre‐pregnancy BMI [1.00, 1.90 (95% CI: 1.14‐3.16), and 3.67 (95% CI: 2.03‐6.63) for BMI <24, 24‐28, and ≥28 kg/m2], and 2‐hour glucose at 26‐30 gestational weeks [1.00, 2.84 (95% CI: 1.42‐5.69), and 9.42 (95% CI: 4.46‐19.90) for 2‐hour glucose at 7.8 ~ <8.5, 8.5 ~ <11.1, and ≥11.1 mmol/L). The overall AUROC of nomogram was 82.8% (95% CI: 78.1%‐87.5%), with AUROCs of 85.9% (95% CI: 79.7%‐92.1%) and 83.2% (95% CI: 77.9%‐88.6%) for post‐partum 2‐year and 3‐year risk of T2D, respectively.

Conclusions

This easy‐to‐use nomogram, with non‐invasive clinical characteristics, can accurately predict the risk of post‐partum T2D in women with GDM. It may facilitate risk communication between patients and clinicians.
Evaluating the incidence of pathological complete response in current international rectal cancer practice: the barriers to widespread safe deferral of surgery
Authors:   The 2017 European Society of Coloproctology (ESCP) collaborating group
Published: September 2018

Introduction

The mainstay of management for locally advanced rectal cancer is chemoradiotherapy followed by surgical resection. Following chemoradiotherapy, a complete response may be detected clinically and radiologically (cCR) prior to surgery or pathologically after surgery (pCR). We aim to report the overall complete pathological response (pCR) rate and the reliability of detecting a cCR by conventional pre‐operative imaging.

Methods

A pre‐planned analysis of the European Society of Coloproctology (ESCP) 2017 audit was performed. Patients treated by elective rectal resection were included. A pCR was defined as a ypT0 N0 EMVI negative primary tumour; a partial response represented any regression from baseline staging following chemoradiotherapy. The primary endpoint was the pCR rate. The secondary endpoint was agreement between post‐treatment MRI restaging (yMRI) and final pathological staging.

Results

Of 2572 patients undergoing rectal cancer surgery in 277 participating centres across 44 countries, 673 (26.2%) underwent chemoradiotherapy and surgery. The pCR rate was 10.3% (67/649), with a partial response in 35.9% (233/649) patients. Comparison of AJCC stage determined by post‐treatment yMRI with final pathology showed understaging in 13% (55/429) and overstaging in 34% (148/429). Agreement between yMRI and final pathology for T‐stage, N‐stage, or AJCC status were each graded as ‘fair’ only (n = 429, Kappa 0.25, 0.26 and 0.35 respectively).

Conclusion

The reported pCR rate of 10% highlights the potential for non‐operative management in selected cases. The limited strength of agreement between basic conventional post‐chemoradiotherapy imaging assessment techniques and pathology suggest alternative markers of response should be considered, in the context of controlled clinical trials.
Infant sustained attention but not joint attention to objects at 9 months predicts vocabulary at 12 and 15 months
Authors: Yu Chen , Suanda Sumarga H. , Smith Linda B.
Published: September 2018

Vocabulary differences early in development are highly predictive of later language learning as well as achievement in school. Early word learning emerges in the context of tightly coupled social interactions between the early learner and a mature partner. In the present study, we develop and apply a novel paradigm—dual head‐mounted eye tracking—to record momentary gaze data from both parents and infants during free‐flowing toy‐play contexts. With fine‐grained sequential patterns extracted from continuous gaze streams, we objectively measure both joint attention and sustained attention as parents and 9‐month‐old infants played with objects and as parents named objects during play. We show that both joint attention and infant sustained attention predicted vocabulary sizes at 12 and 15 months, but infant sustained attention in the context of joint attention, not joint attention itself, is the stronger unique predictor of later vocabulary size. Joint attention may predict word learning because joint attention supports infant attention to the named object.
REAL EXCHANGE RATE, MONETARY POLICY, AND THE U.S. ECONOMY: EVIDENCE FROM A FAVAR MODEL
Authors: Sun Wei , De Kuhelika
Published: September 2018

This paper examines the effects of exchange rate depreciation to the U.S. economy in a factor‐augmented vector autoregression model using monthly data of 148 variables for the post–Bretton Woods period of 1973–2017. Exchange rate shock is identified to reflect exogenous disturbances to the foreign exchange market, and movements in exchange rate that are not accounted for by changes in the U.S. monetary policy. We find that depreciation is expansionary and inflationary to the broad U.S. economy, the current account improves over time conforming to the J‐curve theory, and monetary policy is leaning against the wind. (JEL E3, E5, F31, F32, F41)
Motor and cognitive impairments in spinocerebellar ataxia type 7 and its correlations with cortical volumes
Authors: Chirino Amanda , Hernandez‐Castillo Carlos R. , Galvez Victor , Contreras Anabel , Diaz Rosalinda , Beltran‐Parrazal Luis , Fernandez‐Ruiz Juan
Published: September 2018

Spinocerebellar Ataxia Type 7 (SCA7) is a neurodegenerative disorder caused by cytosine‐adenine‐guanine (CAG) repeat expansion. It is clinically characterized by ataxia and visual loss. To date, little is known about SCA7 cognitive impairments and its relationship with grey matter volume (GMV) changes. The aim of this study was to explore SCA7 patients’ performance in specific components of auditory‐verbal neuropsychological tests and to correlate their scores with genetic mutation, severity of ataxia and GMV. We assessed verbal memory and verbal fluency proficiencies in 31 genetically confirmed SCA7 patients, and compared their results with 32 healthy matched volunteers; we also correlated CAG repeats and severity of motor symptoms with performance in the auditory‐verbal tests. SCA7 patients exhibited deficiencies in several components of these cognitive tasks, which were independent of motor impairments and showed no relation to CAG repeats. Based on Resonance Images performed in 27 patients we found association between ataxia severity and GMV in “sensoriomotor” cerebellum, as well as correlations of impaired verbal memory and semantic fluency scores with GMV in association cortices, including the right parahippocampal gyrus. To our knowledge, this is the first report of deficits in the organization of semantic information and in the evocation of verbal material, as well as greater susceptibility to proactive interference in SCA7 patients. These findings bring novel information about specific cognitive abilities in SCA7 patients, particularly verbal memory and fluency, and their relation with GMV variations in circumscribed brain regions, including association cortices known to have functional relationships with the cerebellum.
A proposed strategy for maintaining mature forest habitat in Tasmania's wood production forests
Authors: Koch Amelia , Munks Sarah
Published: September 2018

Mature forests have structural habitat features that can take hundreds of years to develop, and large reserves alone are unlikely to ensure conservation of the species that rely on these features. This paper outlines a proposed new approach to managing mature forest features, the ‘mature habitat management approach’, in areas outside of reserves. The objective was to maintain a network of current and future mature forest habitat distributed across the landscape. The approach is designed to complement the existing reserve network and management actions and is tenure‐blind. Spatial information on the availability of mature forest habitat at the local (1‐km radius) and landscape (5‐km radius) scales is used for decisions on retention within a 1‐km radius of a harvest area, to reach the minimum target of 20% and 30% retention of mature forest at the local and landscape spatial scales, respectively. We believe this approach could contribute to meeting the conservation needs of many species that require mature forest features for refuge and breeding in Tasmania and elsewhere.
Move on or take the heat: Can life history strategies of freshwater mussels predict their physiological and behavioural responses to drought and dewatering?
Authors: Mitchell Zachary A. , McGuire Jaclyn , Abel Joshua , Hernandez Bianca A. , Schwalb Astrid N.
Published: September 2018

Freshwater organisms have developed different physiological, behavioural and life history strategies to cope with drying events. Although freshwater mussels (Unionidae) are endangered and drought and dewatering events pose a major threat, especially in the southern United States, little is known about their responses to such events and how physiology, behaviour and life history strategies may be linked.

Our goal was to examine whether and how behavioural responses to dewatering and physiological tolerances to desiccation are linked in five species of freshwater mussels (Unionidae) within Texas, including two state‐threatened species (Cyclonaias petrina and Lampsilis bracteata) and one federally endangered species (Popenaias popeii), and to explore how differences in responses relate to life history strategies.

We measured horizontal and vertical movements under three dewatering rates and assessed desiccation tolerance by examining survival after emersion at 30 and 40°C with laboratory experiments.

Amblema plicata and C. petrina had the lowest horizontal movement rates and the highest desiccation tolerances, whereas L. bracteata and L. teres were less tolerant to desiccation, but more mobile. P. popeii were intermediate in its responses.

Our results show that differences between species in their behavioural response to dewatering and physiological tolerance to desiccation tend to be associated with differences in life history strategies or may be explained by differences in adaptation to certain habitat conditions. We propose a life history strategy‐based framework for responses of mussels to drying events, which may be applicable to other taxa.
Windthrows control biomass patterns and functional composition of Amazon forests
Authors: Magnabosco Marra Daniel , Trumbore Susan E. , Higuchi Niro , Ribeiro Gabriel H. P. M. , Negrón‐Juárez Robinson I. , Holzwarth Frederic , Rifai Sami W. , dos Santos Joaquim , Lima Adriano J. N. , Kinupp Valdely F. , Chambers Jeffrey Q. , Wirth Christian
Published: September 2018

Amazon forests account for ~25% of global land biomass and tropical tree species. In these forests, windthrows (i.e., snapped and uprooted trees) are a major natural disturbance, but the rates and mechanisms of recovery are not known. To provide a predictive framework for understanding the effects of windthrows on forest structure and functional composition (DBH ≥10 cm), we quantified biomass recovery as a function of windthrow severity (i.e., fraction of windthrow tree mortality on Landsat pixels, ranging from 0%–70%) and time since disturbance for terra‐firme forests in the Central Amazon. Forest monitoring allowed insights into the processes and mechanisms driving the net biomass change (i.e., increment minus loss) and shifts in functional composition. Windthrown areas recovering for between 4–27 years had biomass stocks as low as 65.2–91.7 Mg/ha or 23%–38% of those in nearby undisturbed forests (~255.6 Mg/ha, all sites). Even low windthrow severities (4%–20% tree mortality) caused decadal changes in biomass stocks and structure. While rates of biomass increment in recovering vegetation were nearly double (6.3 ± 1.4 Mg ha−1 year−1) those of undisturbed forests (~3.7 Mg ha−1 year−1), biomass loss due to post‐windthrow mortality was high (up to −7.5 ± 8.7 Mg ha−1 year−1, 8.5 years since disturbance) and unpredictable. Consequently, recovery to 90% of “pre‐disturbance” biomass takes up to 40 years. Resprouting trees contributed little to biomass recovery. Instead, light‐demanding, low‐density genera (e.g., Cecropia, Inga, Miconia, Pourouma, Tachigali, and Tapirira) were favored, resulting in substantial post‐windthrow species turnover. Shifts in functional composition demonstrate that windthrows affect the resilience of live tree biomass by favoring soft‐wooded species with shorter life spans that are more vulnerable to future disturbances. As the time required for forests to recover biomass is likely similar to the recurrence interval of windthrows triggering succession, windthrows have the potential to control landscape biomass/carbon dynamics and functional composition in Amazon forests.
Volume of urea cleared as a therapy dosing guide for more frequent hemodialysis
Authors: Leypoldt John K. , Weinhandl Eric D. , Collins Allan J.
Published: September 2018

Introduction: With dialysis delivery systems that operate at low dialysate flow rates, prescriptions for more frequent hemodialysis (HD) employ dialysate volume as the primary parameter for small solute removal rather than blood‐side urea dialyzer clearance (K). Such delivery systems, however, yield dialysate concentrations that almost completely saturate with blood (water), suggesting that the volume of urea cleared (the product of K and treatment time or Kt) can be readily estimated from the prescribed dialysate volume to target small solute removal.

Methods For more frequent HD, we examined the volume of urea cleared per treatment required to achieve a minimal dose of small solute removal, comparing results based on body surface area (BSA) with those based on KDOQI clinical practice guidelines, that is, a weekly stdKt/V of 2.1. Estimates of the target volume of urea cleared were calculated for 4, 5, and 6 treatments per week, and compared for patients with different anthropometric estimates of total body water volume (Vant). BSA was assumed proportional to Vant0.8, and residual kidney function was neglected.

Findings Whether based on BSA or weekly stdKt/V of 2.1, the target volume of urea cleared per treatment required to achieve a minimal dose of small solute removal was lower at higher treatment frequency. As with conventional thrice‐weekly HD, target volumes of urea cleared for more frequent HD based on BSA were larger for patients with small Vant and smaller for patients with large Vant than those based on a weekly stdKt/V of 2.1.

Discussion Prescription of more frequent HD using the volume of urea cleared per treatment, calculated from the prescribed dialysate volume, is simple in principle and can be readily implemented in clinical practice when using dialysis delivery systems that operate at low dialysate flow rates. Other aspects of dialysis adequacy require additional consideration.
Mesoscale pore structure of a high‐performance concrete by coupling focused ion beam/scanning electron microscopy and small angle X‐ray scattering
Authors: Brisard Sébastien , Davy Catherine A. , Michot Laurent , Troadec David , Levitz Pierre
Published: September 2018

This contribution couples (a) Small angle X‐ray scattering (SAXS) experiments of a high‐performance concrete (HPC) at the millimetric scale, and (b) Focused ion beam/scanning electron microscopy (FIB/SEM) of the cement paste of the HPC, with 10‐20 nm voxel size. The aim is to improve the understanding of the 3D pore network of the HPC at the mesoscale (tens of nm), which is relevant for fluid transport. The mature HPC is an industrial concrete, based on pure Portland CEMI cement, and planned for use as structural elements for deep underground nuclear waste storage. Small angle X‐ray scattering patterns are computed from the 3D pore images given by FIB/SEM (volumes of 61‐118 μm3). They are positively correlated with SAXS measurements (volumes of 5 mm3). Aside from correlations with FIB/SEM data, experimental SAXS allows to investigate a wider range of effects on the pore structure. These are mainly the HPC drying state, the presence of aggregates (by analyzing data on cement paste alone), and the use of Poly Methyl MethAcrylate resin impregnation.
1:1 (Dis)section ‐ Learning through Full‐Scale Dissection and Transformations of Abandoned Buildings
Authors: Krag Mo Michelsen Stochholm , Keiding Tina Bering
Published: September 2018

The section is an essential tool for understanding, exploring, representing and communicating spatial relations, structure and materiality in architecture, design and engineering, and therefore a recurring topic in the curricula. The section itself is destructive of nature and incompatible with a built environment in use or under construction. Hence, students throughout their education meet the section in the form of diagrammatic representations, that is, as forms of meaning emptied from scale, spatiality and materiality. This article reports on a series of four workshops, held in the spring semesters from 2011 to 2014 for first‐year students at Aarhus School of Architecture. The aim was to provide first‐year students with an experience of the relation between the section as a diagrammatic representation and the materiality, structure and spatial relations of a concrete building. The climax of each workshop was a full‐scale dissection and transformation of an abandoned house. As we shall see, the workshops fulfilled not only the intended learning goals, but created an initially unforeseen and unique context for learning about the relations between building and place and introduced the question regarding depopulation of rural areas as a pertinent processional challenge. Beyond an educational value, the research project ‘Transformation on abandonment, a new critical practice?’ transpired from the workshops. This research project and the interplay between teaching and research are discussed in the last part of the article.
Meaningful Learning through Art: Nature Photography, Haiku Writing, Mobile Technologies and Social Media as a Path to Oneself
Authors: Gil Tali
Published: September 2018

The article describes a workshop that combines nature photography and haiku poems writing with the use of smartphones in an outdoor educational setting. The workshop's purpose is to enhance the experience of being close to nature by observation and introspection. The participants use photography and haiku‐writing as means of visual and textual self‐expression. While wandering in nature, they take pictures and then write haiku poems inspired by them. Later they upload their photos to a WhatsApp forum created for the workshop. At this stage, they can write new haikus, inspired by the pictures taken by other participants, and upload them too. By the end of the day, the participants have a joint artistic product that contains all photos and haikus created at the workshop. The photographs that were chosen as samples for this article are analysed with interpretive tools based on semantic theory and Barthes’ methodology, and take into consideration the Photovoice method's principles. The poems were analysed considering their content and artistic measures and in comparison, with haiku writing's principles, and then compared to the photographs’ visual content. The analysis shows that observing nature through the camera's eye and writing poems while close to nature can generate self‐expression and introspection. The use of mobile technology in the workshop does not intrude on the experience of being in nature; on the contrary, it is used to get the participants closer to it and to each other. The workshop described here contributes to the experience of meaningful learning through art.
Accessory pathway‐related left ventricular wall motion abnormality and the effects of radiofrequency catheter ablation in patients with Wolff‐Parkinson‐White syndrome
Authors: Uhm Jae‐Sun , Nam Jong‐Ho , Yu Hee Tae , Yang Pil‐Sung , Kim Tae‐Hoon , Cho In‐Jeong , Shim Chi Young , Joung Boyoung , Hong Geu‐Ru , Pak Hui‐Nam , Lee Moon‐Hyoung
Published: September 2018

Introduction

The objective of the current study was to elucidate the effects of the accessory pathways (APs) on the left ventricular (LV) wall motion and radiofrequency catheter ablation (RFCA) on AP‐related regional wall motion abnormality (RWMA) in patients with Wolff‐Parkinson‐White (WPW) syndrome.

Methods and Results

We included 348 consecutive patients (age, 37.6 ± 17.3 years; men, 58.3%) with WPW syndrome who underwent RFCA for AP. We analyzed electrocardiographic data, the AP location, LV ejection fraction (LVEF), and RWMA patterns and their changes after RFCA. The locations of APs were right, septal, and left in 78, 94, and 176 patients, respectively. RWMA at the AP location (44.9%, 51.1%, and 17.6%, respectively; P < 0.001), decreased LVEF (10.3%, 6.4%, and 1.1%, respectively;
P = 0.004), and dyskinesia (16.7%, 16.0%, and 1.1%, respectively;
P < 0.001) were significantly more frequent in patients with a right or septal AP than in those with a left AP. In 31 of 50 patients with RWMA who underwent post‐RFCA echocardiography (62.0%), RWMA was completely improved after RFCA. Right AP (odds ratio [OR], 22.084; 95% confidence interval [CI], 3.628‐134.420;
P = 0.001) and dyskinesia (OR, 6.275; 95% CI, 1.186‐33.213;
P = 0.031) were significantly associated with the absence of RWMA improvement after RFCA.

Conclusions

AP‐related RWMA is frequent in patients with right or septal APs. A substantial number of patients with right AP or dyskinesia may show no improvement in RWMA after RFCA.
Editorial: Troubled trajectories – new insights on risk pathways and developmental phenotypes of ADHD and externalizing problems
Authors: Burt S. Alexandra , Halperin Jeffrey M. , Oldehinkel Albertine J.
Published: September 2018

We are pleased to present this special issue of JCPP, which brings together a collection of cutting‐edge empirical studies that focuses on developmental trajectories and pathways associated with ADHD, conduct problems and other externalizing behaviors. JCPP has had a long‐standing focus on theoretically strong prospective longitudinal studies that elucidate behavioral change and outcomes over time, including in the areas of ADHD and externalizing disorders (Kuja‐Halkola, Lichtenstein, D'Onofrio & Larsson, 2015; Sonuga‐Barke & Halperin, 2010). Keeping with that tradition, all of the papers in this special issue employ a prospective longitudinal design and a focus on changes that unfold over development.
Mediating pathways from childhood ADHD to adolescent tobacco and marijuana problems: roles of peer impairment, internalizing, adolescent ADHD symptoms, and gender
Authors: Elkins Irene J. , Saunders Gretchen R.B. , Malone Stephen M. , Wilson Sylia , McGue Matt , Iacono William G.
Published: September 2018

Background

We examined whether increased risk for adolescent tobacco and marijuana problems associated with childhood ADHD is explained by key intermediary influences during adolescence and differs by gender.

Methods

Longitudinal structural equation models examined mediating effects on problems with both substances (or each substance separately) through age‐14 peer impairment, internalizing, and adolescent ADHD symptoms in two twin samples, prospectively assessed since age 11 (N = 2,164). Whether these mediators contributed beyond mediating effects of early‐adolescent substance use was also considered. Twin difference analyses further illuminated which mediators might be potentially causal.

Results

Direct effects of childhood ADHD on age‐17 tobacco and marijuana problems (i.e., independent of included mediators) as well as effects of adolescent ADHD symptoms were significant only for females. By contrast, mediation by peer impairment, evident particularly for marijuana, was relatively stronger for males than females. Depression and anxiety were not prospectively associated with age‐17 substance problems when earlier substance problems were considered. Consistent with causal influence of early substance use on later problems, monozygotic twins with more severe tobacco or marijuana problems at age 14 than their co‐twins were also more likely to have substance problems later in adolescence.

Conclusions

Mediation through peer impairment, continued presence of ADHD symptoms, and early substance use may alter development so that childhood ADHD indirectly contributes to problems with tobacco and marijuana. Targeting gender‐sensitive interventions prior to mid‐adolescence, before these patterns become established, is essential.