bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Population-scale organization of cerebellar granule neuron signaling during a visuomotor behavior
Authors: Sylvester Sherika J.G. , Lee Melanie M. , Ramirez Alexandro , Lim Sukbin , Goldman Mark S. , Aksay Emre R.F.
Published: October 2017

Granule cells at the input layer of the cerebellum comprise over half the neurons in the human brain and are thought to be critical for learning. However, little is known about granule neuron signaling at the population scale during behavior. We used calcium imaging in awake zebrafish during optokinetic behavior to record transgenically identified granule neurons throughout a cerebellar population. A significant fraction of the population was responsive at any given time. In contrast to core precerebellar populations, granule neuron responses were relatively heterogeneous, with variation in the degree of rectification and the balance of excitation versus inhibition. Functional correlations were strongest for nearby cells, with weak spatial gradients in the degree of rectification and excitation. These data open a new window upon cerebellar function and suggest granule layer signals represent elementary building blocks underrepresented in core sensorimotor pathways, thereby enabling the construction of novel patterns of activity for learning.

SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT

Cerebellar processing is important for a variety of fine motor tasks and sensorimotor adaptations, and a growing body of evidence indicates a prominent role in cognitive control. However, it has been challenging to understand cerebellar function during behavior because of difficulties in recording from cerebellar granule neurons, the most populous neuron type in the brain. We use population-scale optical imaging in the larval zebrafish to compare precerebellar activity to granule cell signaling. Our results suggest a behaviorally relevant expansion of precerebellar signaling representations at the granule layer of the cerebellum.
Dilated Convolutions for Modeling Long-Distance Genomic Dependencies
Authors: Gupta Ankit , Rush Alexander M.
Published: October 2017

We consider the task of detecting regulatory elements in the human genome directly from raw DNA. Past work has focused on small snippets of DNA, making it difficult to model long-distance dependencies that arise from DNA’s 3-dimensional conformation. In order to study long-distance dependencies, we develop and release a novel dataset for a larger-context modeling task. Using this new data set we model long-distance interactions using dilated convolutional neural networks, and compare them to standard convolutions and recurrent neural networks. We show that dilated convolutions are effective at modeling the locations of regulatory markers in the human genome, such as transcription factor binding sites, histone modifications, and DNAse hypersensitivity sites.
SSEalign: accurate function prediction of bacterial unannotated protein, based on effective training dataset
Authors: Yang Zhiyuan , Tsui Stephen Kwok-Wing
Published: October 2017

The functions of numerous bacterial proteins remain unknown because of the variety of their sequences. The performances of existing prediction methods are highly weak toward these proteins, leading to the annotation of “hypothetical protein” deposited in NCBI database. Elucidating the functions of these unannotated proteins is an urgent task in computational biology. We report a method about secondary structure element alignment called SSEalign based on an effective training dataset extracting from 20 well-studied bacterial genomes. The experimentally validated same genes in different species were selected as training positives, while different genes in different species were selected as training negatives. Moreover, SSEalign used a set of well-defined basic alignment elements with the backtracking line search algorithm to derive the best parameters for accurate prediction. Experimental results showed that SSEalign achieved 91.2% test accuracy, better than existing prediction methods. SSEalign was subsequently applied to identify the functions of those unannotated proteins in the latest published minimal bacteria genome JCVI-syn3.0. Results indicated that At least 99 proteins out of 149 unannotated proteins in the JCVI-syn3.0 genome could be annotated by SSEalign. In conclusion, our method is effective for the identification of protein homology and the annotation of uncharacterized proteins in the genome.
Measurement of leaf day respiration using a new isotopic disequilibrium method compared with the Laisk method
Authors: Gong Xiao Ying , Tcherkez Guillaume , Wenig Johannes , Schäufele Rudi , Schnyder Hans
Published: October 2017

Quantification of leaf respiration is of great importance for the understanding of plant physiology and ecosystem biogeochemical processes. Leaf respiration continues in light (RL) but supposedly at a lower rate compared to the dark (RD). Yet, there is no method for direct measurement ofRLand most available methods require unphysiological measurement conditions.

A method based on isotopic disequilibrium quantifiedRL(RL 13C) and mesophyll conductance of young and old fully-expanded leaves of six species comparedRL 13CtoRLvalues determined by the Laisk method (RL Laisk).

RL 13CandRL Laiskwere consistently lower thanRD. Leaf ageing negatively affected photosynthetic performance, but had no significant effect onRLorRL/RDas determined by both methods.RL LaiskandRL 13Cwere measured successively on the same leaves and correlated positively (r2=0.38), but averageRL Laiskwas 28% lower thanRL13C. UsingA/Cccurves instead ofA/Cicurves, a higher photocompensation point Γ* (by 5 μmol mol-1) was found but the correction had no influence onRL Laiskestimates.

The results suggest that the Laisk method underestimatedRL. The isotopic disequilibrium method is useful for assessing responses ofRLto irradiance and CO2, improving our mechanistic understanding ofRL.
Touching proteins with virtual bare hands: how to visualize protein-drug complexes and their dynamics in virtual reality
Authors: Martins Ratamero Erick , Bellini Dom , Dowson Christopher G. , Röemer Rudolf A.
Published: October 2017

The ability to precisely visualize the atomic geometry of the interactions between a drug and its protein target in structural models is critical in predicting the correct modifications in previously identified inhibitors to create more effective next generation drugs. It is currently common practice among medicinal chemists while attempting the above to access the information contained in three-dimensional structures by using two-dimensional projections, which can preclude disclosure of useful features. A more precise visualization of the three-dimensional configuration of the atomic geometry in the models can be achieved through the implementation of immersive virtual reality (VR). In this work, we present a freely available software pipeline for visualising protein structures through VR. New customer hardware, such as the HTC VIVEand the OCULUSRIFTutilized in this study, are available at reasonable prices. Moreover, we have combined VR visualization with fast algorithms for simulating intramolecular motions of protein flexibility, in an effort to further improve structure-lead drug design by exposing molecular interactions that might be hidden in the less informative static models.
Biopipe: A Lightweight System Enabling Comparison of Bioinformatics Tools and Workflows
Authors: Tithi Saima Sultana , Lee Jiyoung , Zhang Liqing , Li Song , Meng Na
Published: October 2017

Analyzing next generation sequencing data always requires researchers to install many tools, prepare input data compliant to the required data format, and execute the tools in specific orders. Such tool installation and workflow execution process is tedious and error-prone, and becomes very challenging when researchers need to compare multiple alternative tool chains. To mitigate this problem, we developed a new lightweight and portable system, Biopipe, to simplify the creation and execution of bioinformatics tools and workflows, and to further enable the comparison between alternative tools or workflows. Biopipe allows users to create and edit workflows with user-friendly web interfaces, and automates tool installation as well as workflow synthesis by downloading and executing predefined Docker images. With Biopipe, biologists can easily experiment with and compare different bioinformatics tools and workflows without much computer science knowledge. There are mainly two parts in Biopipe: a web application and a standalone Java application. They are freely available athttp://bench.cs.vt.edu:8282/Biopipe-Workflow-Editor-0.0.1/index.xhtmlandhttps://code.vt.edu/saima5/Biopipe-Run-Workflow

Contact

nm8247@cs.vt.edu

Supplementary information

Supplementary data are available online.
Development of cross-orientation suppression and size tuning and the role of experience
Authors: Popović Marjena , Stacy Andrea K. , Kang Mihwa , Nanu Roshan , Oettgen Charlotte E. , Wise Derek L. , Fiser József , Van Hooser Stephen D.
Published: October 2017

Many sensory neural circuits exhibit response normalization, which occurs when the response of a neuron to a combination of multiple stimuli is less than the sum of the responses to the individual stimuli presented alone. In the visual cortex, normalization takes the forms of cross-orientation suppression and surround suppression. At the onset of visual experience, visual circuits are partially developed and exhibit some mature features such as orientation selectivity, but it is unknown whether cross-orientation suppression or surround suppression are present at the onset of visual experience or require visual experience for their emergence. We characterized the development of these properties and their dependence on visual experience in ferrets. Visual experience was varied across three conditions: typical rearing, dark rearing, and dark rearing with daily exposure to simple sinusoidal gratings (14-16 hours total). Cross-orientation suppression and surround suppression were noted in the earliest observations, and did not vary considerably with experience. We also observed evidence of continued maturation of receptive field properties in the second month of visual experience: substantial length summation was observed only in the oldest animals (postnatal day 90); evoked firing rates were greatly increased in older animals; and direction selectivity required experience, but declined slightly in older animals. These results constrain the space of possible circuit implementations of these features.

Significance Statement

The development of the brain depends on both nature – factors that are independent of the experience of an individual animal – and nurture – factors that depend on experience. While orientation selectivity, one of the major response properties of neurons in visual cortex, is already present at the onset of visual experience, it is unknown if response properties that depend on interactions among multiple stimuli develop without experience. We find that the properties of crossorientation suppression and surround suppression are present at eye opening, and do not depend on visual experience. Our results are consistent with the idea that a majority of the basic properties of sensory neurons in primary visual cortex are derived independent of the experience of an individual animal.
Government digital information discovery and exploration: the case of unraveling tourism-led-growth paradox in China
Authors: Hsu Maxwell K. , Zhang Junzhou , Ahmad Yamin
Published: October 2017

Purpose

This study aims to examine the relationship between tourism development and economic growth while considering exports simultaneously. Governments in many countries have been developing and deploying strategies to attract tourism receipts as a means for economic growth. However, assessing the potential impact of tourism on economic growth among large economies is still in its infancy.

Design/methodology/approach

Using a vector error correction model framework, this study examines the relationship among exports, gross domestic product (GDP) and tourism receipts (including international tourism receipts and domestic tourism receipts in two separate models) with macro data that covers two recent decades (1994-2013) in China.

Findings

The empirical findings confirm the existence of a long-term equilibrium relationship in each of these two tri-variate models. The empirical findings reveal that (1) both tourism-led-growth and export-led-growth hypotheses are supported, (2) the growth rate of tourism receipts exhibit a higher relevance with GDP growth than export growth and (3) the growth rate of international tourism shows a higher relevance with GDP growth than domestic tourism growth.

Originality/value

Using macroeconomic data collected by the Chinese government, the current study employs an advanced econometric methodology to explore the potential benefits of tourism on economic growth in China.
Pre-paradigmatic status of industrial sustainability: a systematic review
Authors: Smart Palie , Hemel Stefan , Lettice Fiona , Adams Richard , Evans Stephen
Published: October 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to progress operations management theory and practice by organising contributions to knowledge production, in industrial sustainability, from disparate researcher communities. It addresses the principal question “What scholarly dialogues can be explicated in the emerging research field of industrial sustainability?” and sub-questions: what are the descriptive characteristics of the evidence base? and what thematic lines of scientific inquiry underpin the body of knowledge?

Design/methodology/approach

Using an evidenced-based approach, a systematic review (SR) of 574 articles from 62 peer-reviewed scientific journals associated with industrial sustainability is conducted.

Findings

This paper distinguishes three prevailing dialogues in the field of industrial sustainability, and uses Kuhn’s theory of paradigms to propose its pre-paradigmatic scientific status. The three dialogues: “productivity and innovation”, “corporate citizenship” and “economic resilience” are conjectured to privilege efficiency strategies as a mode of incremental reductionism. Industrial sustainability espouses the grand vision of a generative, restorative and net positive economy, and calls for a future research trajectory to address institutional and systemic issues regarding scaling-up and transition, through transformative strategies.

Research limitations/implications

The review is limited by the nature of the inquiries addressed in the literatures by specific researcher communities between 1992 and 2014.

Originality/value

This study performs the first SR in the field of industrial sustainability, synthesises prevailing scholarly dialogues and provides an evaluation of the scientific status of the field.
Skin flap vaginal augmentation helps prevent and cure post obstetric fistula repair urine leakage: a critical anatomical analysis
Authors: Browning A , Williams G , Petros P
Published: October 2017

Our aim was to describe a new surgical method for prophylaxis/cure of post obstetric fistula repair leakage based on restoring vaginal elasticity with Singapore skin flap. The rationale for this operation was based on the integral theory: scarring removes elasticity required for independent function of oppositely acting urethral closure forces so they become ‘tethered, forcibly opening the urethra when give the signal to close'. Skin graft restores elasticity and closure. Used prophylactically with Goh type 4 fistula (n = 45), 46% were dry against an expected 19%. In patients with successful fistula closure, still with severe leakage (n = 24), 71% were dry against an expected 26%.

Tweetable abstract

Singapore skin flap restores elasticity and prevents and treats incontinence in patients with successful obstetric fistula repair.
Information Access and Smallholder Farmers’ Market Participation in Peru
Authors: Fan Qin , Salas Garcia Vania B.
Published: October 2017

Previous studies have documented the effect of information and communications technology (ICT) on farmers’ market participation. We employ a triple‐hurdle model to examine the effect of internet and phones on Peruvian smallholder farmers’ market participation, marketplace choice, and volume decisions using household‐level data from the IV National Agricultural Census of Peru in 2012. Double matching at the district‐ and household‐levels is implemented to address potential selection bias. Results indicate a positive direct effect of internet and phones on farmers’ market participation and volume decisions on the national market. Those with ICT access are more likely to sell on the foreign market than those without ICT access. The marginal effects suggest that internet access tends to have larger impacts on volume decisions than phones. In addition to direct effects, we find that internet access has significant and positive spillover effects on market participation and volume decisions in the national market. Without implementing matching procedures, the magnitude of the ICT effect tends to be smaller. Results provide empirical support for policies and social programmes that promote ICT especially internet usage in rural Peru to improve smallholder farmers’ marketing performance.
Urban commons are more‐than‐property
Authors: Williams Miriam J.
Published: October 2017

Urban commons are characterised in the literature as collectively shared property in the city shaped by a context of scarce resources, population density, and the interaction of strangers. In the broader commons literature, commons appears as a verb, a noun, and a process made by practices of commoning—albeit still with a focus on property. In this paper, I argue that an understanding of urban commons as more‐than‐property is needed to recognise how present but elusive urban commons are. I use examples from interviews and observations conducted at a Women's Library to discuss how the access, use, benefit, care, responsibility, and ownership of this urban commons bring it into being through particular practices of commoning. By questioning current ways of defining urban commons, urban scholars gain a grounded understanding of the role of property, and other practices, in maintaining an urban commons over time.
‘My mite for its protection’: The Conservative Woman as Action Hero in the Writings of Charlotte West
Authors: Russo Stephanie
Published: October 2017

Charlotte West's A Ten Years' Residence in France (1821) forms part of a tradition of writing about the French Revolution, yet its idiosyncratic narrator renders the text unusual. The text is a blend of travel narrative, memoir and quasi‐Gothic adventure novel. West's presentation of herself as a royalist heroine constitutes a re‐imagining of women's role within the public sphere. Her privileging of the active female political agent might seem to sit uneasily with her royalist politics, but it is within its blend of radical feminism and political conservatism that the significance of this text lies.
BDNF and BMI effects on brain structures of bipolar offspring: results from the global mood and brain science initiative
Authors: Mansur R. B. , Brietzke E. , McIntyre R. S. , Cao B. , Lee Y. , Japiassú L. , Chen K. , Lu R. , Lu W. , Li T. , Xu G. , Lin K.
Published: October 2017

Objective

To compare brain‐derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) levels between offspring of individuals with bipolar disorders (BD) and healthy controls (HCs) and investigate the effects of BDNF levels and body mass index (BMI) on brain structures.

Method

Sixty‐seven bipolar offspring and 45 HCs were included (ages 8‐28). Structural images were acquired using 3.0 Tesla magnetic resonance imaging. Serum BDNF levels were measured using enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay. Multivariate and univariate analyses of covariance were conducted.

Results

Significantly higher BDNF levels were observed among bipolar offspring, relative to HCs (P > 0.025). Offspring status moderated the association between BDNF and BMI (F1=4.636, P = 0.034). After adjustment for relevant covariates, there was a trend for a significant interaction of group and BDNF on neuroimaging parameters (Wilks’λ F56,94=1.463, P = 0.052), with significant effects on cerebellar white matter and superior and middle frontal regions. Brain volume and BDNF were positively correlated among HCs and negatively correlated among bipolar offspring. Interactions between BDNF and BMI on brain volumes were non‐significant among HCs (Wilks’λ F28,2=2.229, P = 0.357), but significant among bipolar offspring (Wilks’λ F28,12=2.899, P = 0.028).

Conclusion

Offspring status and BMI moderate the association between BDNF levels and brain structures among bipolar offspring, underscoring BDNF regulation and overweight/obesity as key moderators of BD pathogenesis.
The need to exercise caution in accepting addiction as a reason for performing euthanasia
Authors: Hall Wayne , Parker Malcolm
Published: October 2017

The recent practice in Belgium and the Netherlands of accepting addiction as a reason for performing euthanasia raises important issues for the field of addiction and the practice of euthanasia. In this paper we outline some of these issues. We also argue that physicians making decisions about whether to accept requests for euthanasia from people with an allegedly untreatable addiction should consider two issues carefully. They should ensure that: (1) the person has the capacity to give free and informed consent to undergo euthanasia; and (2) their request is the outcome of a deliberative process in which all reasonable treatment options and harm reduction measures have been offered to and considered by the person.
Molecular characterization of the llama FGF5 gene and identification of putative loss of function mutations
Authors: Daverio M. S. , Vidal‐Rioja L. , Frank E. N. , Di Rocco F.
Published: October 2017

Llama, the most numerous domestic camelid in Argentina, has good fiber‐production ability. Although a few genes related to other productive traits have been characterized, the molecular genetic basis of fiber growth control in camelids is still poorly understood. Fibroblast growth factor 5 (FGF5) is a secreted signaling protein that controls hair growth in humans and other mammals. Mutations in the FGF5 gene have been associated with long‐hair phenotypes in several species. Here, we sequenced the llama FGF5 gene, which consists of three exons encoding 813 bp. cDNA analysis from hair follicles revealed the expression of two FGF5 alternative spliced transcripts, in one of which exon 2 is absent. DNA variation analysis showed four polymorphisms in the coding region: a synonymous SNP (c.210A>G), a single base deletion (c.348delA), a 12‐bp insertion (c.351_352insCATATAACATAG) and a non‐sense mutation (c.499C>T). The deletion was always found together with the insertion forming a haplotype and producing a putative truncated protein of 123 amino acids. The c.499C>T mutation also leads to a premature stop codon at position 168. In both cases, critical functional domains of FGF5, including one heparin binding site, are lost. All animals analyzed were homozygous for one of the deleterious mutations or compound heterozygous for both (i.e. c.348delA, c.351_352insCATATAACATAG/c.499T). Sequencing of guanaco samples showed that the FGF5 gene encodes a full‐length 270‐amino acid protein. These results suggest that FGF5 is likely functional in short‐haired wild species and non‐functional in the domestic fiber‐producing species, the llama.
Laparoscopic pancreaticoduodenectomy in Brisbane, Australia: an initial experience
Authors: Patel Bhavik , Leung Universe , Lee Jerry , Bryant Richard , O'Rourke Nicholas , Cavallucci David
Published: October 2017

Background

The role of minimally invasive approach for pancreaticoduodenectomy has not yet been well defined in Australia. We present our early experience with laparoscopic pancreaticoduodenectomy (LPD) from Brisbane, Australia.

Methods

Retrospective review in a prospectively collected database of patients undergoing LPD between 2006 and 2016 was performed. Patients who underwent a hybrid LPD (HLPD) mobilization approach and resection followed by open reconstruction and totally LPD (TLPD) approach were included in this study. Operative characteristics, perioperative outcomes, pathological and survival data were collected.

Results

Twenty‐seven patients underwent LPD including 17 HLPD (63%) and 10 TLPD (37%) patients. HLPD patients were mostly converted to open for planned reconstruction or vascular resection. With increasing experience, more TLPDs were performed, including laparoscopic anastomoses. Median operating time was 462 min (504 min for TLPD). Median length of hospital stay was 10 days. Histology showed 21 invasive malignancies, two neuroendocrine tumours, two intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasms and two benign lesions. Median nodal harvest was 22. Margin negative resection was achieved in 84% of patients. Twenty‐two percent of patients developed a Grade 3/4 complication, including 19% clinically significant pancreatic fistula. There was one perioperative mortality (4%) due to pancreatic fistula, post‐operative haemorrhage and sepsis.

Conclusions

LPD is a technically challenging operation with a steep learning curve. The early oncological outcomes appear satisfactory. It remains to be determined whether the minimally invasive approach to pancreaticoduodenectomy offers benefits to patients
Hepatic cystic echinococcosis in Australia: an update on diagnosis and management
Authors: Keong Ben , Wilkie Bruce , Sutherland Tom , Fox Adrian
Published: October 2017

Background

Echinococcosis is an uncommonly encountered zoonotic disease caused by the taeniid Echinococcus. The only endemic species in Australia, Echinococcus granulosus, forms cysts in the liver in 70% of cases. The aim of this study was to review the literature to provide an evidence‐based narrative update on the diagnosis and management of hepatic cystic echinococcosis in Australia.

Methods

We reviewed the literature, utilizing multiple research databases and citation tracking. Original research and review articles examining the diagnosis and management of hydatid disease in adults, published prior to 2016 and in the English language were included in our review.

Results

Ultrasound is the gold‐standard screening test, whilst computed tomography has a role in emergency presentations and screening for multi‐organ involvement. Magnetic resonance imaging is the preferred second‐line imaging and better demonstrates biliary involvement. Medical therapy or PAIR (percutaneous aspiration, irrigation with scolicide and re‐aspiration) may be appropriate in selected cases; however, surgery remains the definitive treatment for active, large (>5 cm), symptomatic or complicated cysts. A variety of surgical techniques have been described, including conservative, radical and minimally invasive procedures. There is currently no consensus approach; surgical modality should be tailored to patient factors, relevant anatomy, local facilities and surgeons’ expertise.

Conclusion

Diagnosis and therapy in hepatic hydatid cysts have been significantly advanced by imaging, interventional radiology and surgical approaches in recent years. Surgery remains the mainstay of treatment for large, active, complicated or symptomatic hepatic hydatid cysts.
The differences in the eyelids microstructure and the conjunctiva‐associated lymphoid tissue between selected ornamental and wild birds as a result of adaptation to their habitat
Authors: Klećkowska‐Nawrot Joanna E. , Goździewska‐Harłajczuk Karolina , Łupicki Dariusz , Marycz Krzysztof , Nawara Tomasz , Barszcz Karolina , Kowalczyk Artur , Rosenberger Joanna , Łukaszewicz Ewa
Published: October 2017

The aim of the study was to describe the morphology of the upper, lower and third eyelid and characterize the organized lymphoid follicles and diffuse lymphocytes from ornamental and wild birds. The goal of these examinations was also to identify avian conjunctiva‐associated lymphoid tissue (CALT) and lymphoid tissue that contained specialized high endothelial venules. The upper, lower and third eyelid from 30 species of ornamental and wild birds representing 21 families were examined under light microscopy and using scanning electron microscopy. The third eyelid in all of the examined birds was composed of a free margin, which was divided into two parts. The largest tarsal plate of the third eyelid was observed in the greater rhea (Rheimorphae), the white‐tailed eagle and steppe eagle (Accipitrimorphae) and was approximately 13–15 mm wide and 9–11 mm long, respectively. In all of the examined birds, the CALT was associated with a rich network of small vessels. In addition, the presence of characteristic high endothelial venules and roundish bright endothelial cells was confirmed in the upper and lower eyelids or only in the lower eyelid (Phoenicopterimorphae, Procellariimorphae and Strigimorphae).
Higher Levels of Cystatin C in HIV/AIDS Patients with Metabolic Syndrome
Authors: Dragović Gordana , Srdić Danica , Al Musalhi Khawla , Soldatović Ivan , Kušić Jovana , Jevtović Djordje , Nair Devaki
Published: October 2017

Data about Cystatin‐C levels in HIV‐infected patients with metabolic syndrome (MetS) are still limited. Therefore, the aim of this study was to evaluate the possible correlations of serum levels of Cystatin‐C in HIV/AIDS patients treated with combined antiretroviral therapy (cART) with or without MetS. This cross‐sectional study included 89 HIV/AIDS Caucasian patients receiving cART at the HIV/AIDS Centre Belgrade, Serbia, divided into two groups according to the presence of MetS. Cystatin‐C and other biochemical parameters were measured using Cytokine‐Array‐I, Metabolic‐Array‐I and Metabolic‐Array‐II, at the Department of Clinical Biochemistry, Royal Free Hospital and University College London, UK. A linear regression model was performed to evaluate which clinical and laboratory variables had an independent effect on Cystatin‐C levels in HIV/AIDS patients. There were 33 (37%) patients with MetS and 56 (63%) without MetS. Patients with and without MetS were homogenous for age, duration of cART, number of cART combinations and CD4+ T cell count. Statistically increased Cystatin‐C levels were observed in HIV/AIDS patients with MetS (p = 0.017), when compared to patients without MetS. Data showed a positive correlation of Cystatin‐C and C‐reactive protein (r = 0.349, p = 0.001). Using linear regression modelling, significant correlations were obtained between Cystatin‐C and MetS in univariate analysis (p < 0.001). Cystatin‐C levels were significantly higher in HIV/AIDS patients with MetS versus without MetS. Early assessment of MetS using Cystatin‐C as a marker may ultimately help increase the lifespan of HIV/AIDS patients, as these patients appear to be at high risk of cardiovascular diseases.
Disrupted cortico‐limbic connectivity during reward processing in remitted bipolar I disorder
Authors: Dutra Sunny J , Man Vincent , Kober Hedy , Cunningham William A , Gruber June
Published: October 2017

Objectives

Bipolar disorder (BD) is associated with elevated reward sensitivity and persistent positive affect, yet the neural mechanisms underlying these patterns are not well understood. In the present study, we examined putative disruptions in communication within a well‐known cortico‐limbic reward circuit during reward processing as a potential contributing mechanism to these symptoms.

Methods

The present investigation employed a within‐ and between‐subjects design utilizing a monetary and social incentive delay task among adults with bipolar disorder type I (BD; N = 24) and a healthy non‐psychiatric control group (HC; N = 25) during functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI). Participants in the BD group were remitted at the time of testing.

Results

Functional connectivity analyses revealed increased connectivity between the ventral striatum (VS) seed region and orbitofrontal cortex (OFC) as well as the amygdala during processing of reward receipt in the BD group. After omission of expected rewards, the BD group showed decreased functional connectivity between the VS and a medial frontopolar cortex (mFPC) region associated with consideration of behavioral alternatives. Follow‐up analyses within the BD group showed that increased VS‐OFC connectivity after reward receipt, and decreased VS‐mFPC connected after reward omission, were associated with higher levels of subthreshold mania symptoms.

Conclusions

Results point toward potential mechanisms implicated in elevated reward sensitivity in BD. Enhanced VS‐OFC connectivity after reward receipt may be involved in elevated valuation of rewards whereas blunted VS‐mFPC connectivity after reward omission may reflect a failure to consider behavioral alternatives to reward pursuit.
The ethics of public policy RCTs: The principle of policy equipoise
Authors: MacKay Douglas
Published: October 2017

In this article, I ask whether a principle analogous to the principle of clinical equipoise should govern the design and conduct of RCTs evaluating the effectiveness of policy interventions. I answer this question affirmatively, and introduce and defend the principle of policy equipoise. According to this principle, all arms of a policy RCT must be, at minimum, in a state of equipoise with the best proven policy that is also morally and practically attainable and sustainable. For all arms of a policy RCT, policy experts must either (1) reasonably disagree about whether the trial arms are more effective than this policy, or (2) know that they are.
Bayesian Variable Selection for Multistate Markov Models with Interval-censored Data in an Ecological Momentary Assessment Study of Smoking Cessation
Authors: Koslovsky Matthew D. , Swartz Michael D. , Chan Wenyaw , Leon-Novelo Luis , Wilkinson Anna V. , Kendzor Darla E. , Businelle Michael S.
Published: October 2017

The application of sophisticated analytical methods to intensive longitudinal data, collected with ecological momentary assessments (EMA), has helped researchers better understand smoking behaviors after a quit attempt. Unfortunately, the wealth of information captured with EMAs is typically underutilized in practice. Thus, novel methods are needed to extract this information in exploratory research studies. One of the main objectives of intensive longitudinal data analysis is identifying relations between risk factors and outcomes of interest. Our goal is to develop and apply expectation maximization variable selection for Bayesian multistate Markov models with interval-censored data to generate new insights into the relation between potential risk factors and transitions between smoking states. Through simulation, we demonstrate the effectiveness of our method in identifying associated risk factors and its ability to outperform the LASSO in a special case. Additionally, we use the expectation conditional-maximization algorithm to simplify estimation, a deterministic annealing variant to reduce the algorithm's dependence on starting values, and Louis's method to estimate unknown parameter uncertainty. We then apply our method to intensive longitudinal data collected with EMA to identify risk factors associated with transitions between smoking states after a quit attempt in a cohort of socioeconomically disadvantaged smokers who were interested in quitting.
How intraspecific variation in seed‐dispersing animals matters for plants
Authors: Zwolak Rafał
Published: October 2017

Seed dispersal by animals is a complex phenomenon, characterized by multiple mechanisms and variable outcomes. Most researchers approach this complexity by analysing context‐dependency in seed dispersal and investigating extrinsic factors that might influence interactions between plants and seed dispersers. Intrinsic traits of seed dispersers provide an alternative way of making sense of the enormous variation in seed fates. I review causes of intraspecific variability in frugivorous and granivorous animals, discuss their effects on seed dispersal, and outline likely consequences for plant populations and communities. Sources of individual variation in seed‐dispersing animals include sexual dimorphism, changes associated with growth and ageing, individual specialization, and animal personalities. Sexual dimorphism of seed‐dispersing animals influences seed fate through diverse mechanisms that range from effects caused by sex‐specific differences in body size, to influences of male versus female cognitive functions. These differences affect the type of seed treatment (e.g. dispersal versus predation), the number of dispersed seeds, distance of seed dispersal, and likelihood that seeds are left in favourable sites for seeds or seedlings. The best‐documented consequences of individual differences associated with growth and ageing involve quantity of dispersed seeds and the quality of seed treatment in the mouth and gut. Individual specialization on different resources affects the number of dispersed plant species, and therefore the connectivity and architecture of seed‐dispersal networks. Animal personalities might play an important role in shaping interactions between plants and dispersers of their seeds, yet their potential in this regard remains overlooked. In general, intraspecific variation in seed‐dispersing animals often influences plants through effects of these individual differences on the movement ecology of the dispersers. Two conditions are necessary for individual variation to exert a strong influence on seed dispersal. First, the individual differences in traits should translate into differences in crucial characteristics of seed dispersal. Second, individual variation is more likely to be important when the proportions of particular types of individuals fluctuate strongly in a population or vary across space; when proportions are static, it is less likely that intraspecific differences will be responsible for changes in the dynamics and outcomes of plant–animal interactions. In conclusion, focusing on variation among foraging animals rather than on species averages might bring new, mechanistic insights to the phenomenon of seed dispersal. While this shift in perspective is unlikely to replace the traditional approach (based on the assumption that all important variation occurs among species), it provides a complementary alternative to decipher the enormous variation observed in animal‐mediated seed dispersal.
Surgical morbidity and mortality in patients after microvascular reconstruction for head and neck cancer
Authors: Joo Y‐H. , Cho K‐J. , Park J‐O. , Kim S‐Y. , Kim M‐S.
Published: October 2017

Objectives

The aim was to evaluate the importance of clinical factors in the prediction of postoperative complications in patients with microvascular reconstruction for head and neck squamous cell cancer (HNSCC).

Design

A retrospective review of case notes was performed.

Setting

Patients treated at a single institute.

Participants

This study included 259 patients with HNSCC treated with radical surgery and microvascular reconstruction between 1993 and 2014.

Main outcome measures

We allocated the patients to three groups using a preoperative comorbidity score based on risk factors: group A (≥3 risk factors, n = 16), group B (2 risk factors, n = 49) and group C (0 or 1 risk factor, n = 194).

Results

Surgical mortality in this cohort was 1.9% (5 of 259 patients). The preoperative comorbidity score was associated with surgical mortality (P < .001). Pharyngocutaneous fistula (P = .001) and flap compromise (P = .023) were more frequent as preoperative comorbidity score increased. Preoperative comorbidity score (P < .001), advanced age (P = .007), advanced pathologic T stage (P = .028), advanced pathologic N stage (P = .005), preoperative (chemo) radiotherapy (P < .001), history of cardiovascular disease (P = .015) and pulmonary disease (P = .007), and diabetes (P < .001) had significant adverse effects on 5 year disease‐specific survival (DSS) in a univariate analysis. The 5‐DSS rates of groups A, B and C were 30%, 37% and 70%, respectively. Multivariate analysis showed that preoperative comorbidity score was significantly correlated with 5 year DSS (hazard ratio [HR], 3.56; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.81—6.99; P < .001 for group A and HR, 1.91; 95% CI, 1.15—3.18; P = .013 for group B compared with group C).

Conclusion

Patients with a high preoperative comorbidity score have an increased risk of surgical mortality and morbidity after microvascular reconstruction for HNSCC.
Spontaneous Emergence of Legibility in Writing Systems: The Case of Orientation Anisotropy
Authors: Morin Olivier
Published: October 2017

Cultural forms are constrained by cognitive biases, and writing is thought to have evolved to fit basic visual preferences, but little is known about the history and mechanisms of that evolution. Cognitive constraints have been documented for the topology of script features, but not for their orientation. Orientation anisotropy in human vision, as revealed by the oblique effect, suggests that cardinal (vertical and horizontal) orientations, being easier to process, should be overrepresented in letters. As this study of 116 scripts shows, the orientation of strokes inside written characters massively favors cardinal directions, and it is organized in such a way as to make letter recognition easier: Cardinal and oblique strokes tend not to mix, and mirror symmetry is anisotropic, favoring vertical over horizontal symmetry. Phylogenetic analyses and recently invented scripts show that cultural evolution over the last three millennia cannot be the sole cause of these effects.
Effects of Early Cues on the Processing of Chinese Relative Clauses: Evidence for Experience‐Based Theories
Authors: Wu Fuyun , Kaiser Elsi , Vasishth Shravan
Published: October 2017

We used Chinese prenominal relative clauses (RCs) to test the predictions of two competing accounts of sentence comprehension difficulty: the experience‐based account of Levy () and the Dependency Locality Theory (DLT; Gibson, ). Given that in Chinese RCs, a classifier and/or a passive marker BEI can be added to the sentence‐initial position, we manipulated the presence/absence of classifiers and the presence/absence of BEI, such that BEI sentences were passivized subject‐extracted RCs, and no‐BEI sentences were standard object‐extracted RCs. We conducted two self‐paced reading experiments, using the same critical stimuli but somewhat different filler items. Reading time patterns from both experiments showed facilitative effects of BEI within and beyond RC regions, and delayed facilitative effects of classifiers, suggesting that cues that occur before a clear signal of an upcoming RC can help Chinese comprehenders to anticipate RC structures. The data patterns are not predicted by the DLT, but they are consistent with the predictions of experience‐based theories.
Effect of resistance training set volume on upper body muscle hypertrophy: are more sets really better than less?
Authors: La Scala Teixeira Cauê V. , Motoyama Yuri , de Azevedo Paulo Henrique Silva Marques , Evangelista Alexandre Lopes , Steele James , Bocalini Danilo Sales
Published: October 2017

Background

Resistance training (RT) for upper body muscle hypertrophy (UBMH) typically entails high volumes of sets per muscle group per training session. The majority of RT regimens does not discriminate between upper and lower body muscle groups, while these groups may respond differently to RT set volumes in terms of maximum skeletal muscle mass gain. Recent studies have examined the effect of different set volumes on the extent of UBMH to formulate optimal RT regimens and to make RT programmes more time‐efficient.

Objective

To analyse the effect of the number of RT sets on the extent of UBMH on the basis of recent literature.

Results and conclusion

The analysis suggests that, statistically, high set volumes (≥3) are not significantly better than low set volumes (<3) in regard to UBMH in untrained subjects. For trained subjects, the literature is lacking in well‐designed studies comparing low and high training volumes, as well as analysing upper and lower body muscles separately. Therefore, it is not possible to conclude that high volume of sets offers better results than low volume of sets for UBMH, and vice versa.
Diabetes‐related major lower limb amputation incidence is strongly related to diabetic foot service provision and improves with enhancement of services: peer review of the South‐West of England
Authors: Paisey R. B. , Abbott A. , Levenson R. , Harrington A. , Browne D. , Moore J. , Bamford M. , Roe M. ,   the South‐West Cardiovascular Strategic Clinical Network peer diabetic foot service review team
Published: October 2017

Aims

To investigate the relationship between high diabetes‐related lower limb amputation incidence and foot care services in the South‐West region of England.

Methods

The introduction of 10 key elements of foot care service provision in one area of the South‐West resulted in stabilization of foot ulcer incidence and sustained reduction in amputation incidence from 2007. Services introduced included administrative support, standardized general practice foot screening, improved community podiatry staffing, hospital multidisciplinary foot clinics, effective care pathways, availability of an orthotist and audit. Peer reviews of the region's diabetes foot care services were undertaken to assess delivery of these service provisions and compare this with major amputation incidence in other regions with data provided by Yorkshire and Humber Public Health Observatory Hospital Episode Statistics. Recommendations were made to improve service provision. In 2015 changes in service provision and amputation incidence were reviewed.

Results

Initial reviews in 2013 showed that the 3‐year diabetes‐related major amputation incidence correlated inversely with adequate delivery of diabetes foot care services (P=0.0024, adjusted R2 =0.51). Repeat reviews in 2015 found that two or more foot care service improvements were reported by six diabetes foot care providers, with improvement in outcomes. The negative relationship between major amputation incidence and service provision remained strong both in the period 2012–2015 and in the year 2015 only (P ≤0.0012, adjusted R2 =0.56, and P= 0.0005, R2=0.62, respectively).

Conclusions

Major diabetes‐related lower limb amputation incidence is significantly inversely correlated with foot care services provision. Introduction of more effective service provision resulted in significant reductions in major amputation incidence within 2 years. Failure to improve unsatisfactory service provision resulted in continued high amputation incidence.
The Moderating Effect of Trust on Formal Control Mechanisms in International Alliances
Authors: Balboni Bernardo , Marchi Gianluca , Vignola Marina
Published: October 2017

This study aims to shed light on the controversial debate regarding the substitutive or complementary nature of the relationship between inter‐organizational trust and formal control as governance mechanisms in affecting international alliance performance. We deepen understanding of the trust–formal control interaction by considering the multidimensional nature of formal control – both output and process control – and examining the role of trust as a moderating variable in the relationship between these two distinct kinds of control and alliance performance. We test the research hypotheses on a sample of 138 international alliances involving Italian firms and foreign partners. First, we find that only output control has a significant positive influence on alliance performance and that trust shows a fully significant positive effect on alliance success. Second, we find that trust moderates the effect of formal control on alliance performance by reducing the relevance of output control and increasing that of process control.