bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Impact of the CHILE Intervention on the Food Served in Head Start Centers in Rural New Mexico
Authors: Morshed Alexandra B. , Davis Sally M. , Keane Patricia C. , Myers Orrin B. , Mishra Shiraz I.
Published: April 2016

BACKGROUND

The Child Health Initiative for Lifelong Eating and Exercise is a multicomponent obesity‐prevention intervention, which was evaluated among Head Start (HS) centers in American Indian and predominantly Hispanic communities in rural New Mexico. This study examines the intervention's foodservice outcomes: fruits, vegetables, whole grains, discretionary fats, added sugars, and fat from milk served in meals and snacks.

METHODS

Sixteen HS centers were randomized to intervention/comparison groups, following stratification by ethnicity and preintervention median body mass index of enrolled children. The foodservice component included quarterly trainings for foodservice staff about food purchasing and preparation. Foods served were evaluated before and after the 2‐year intervention, in the fall 2008 and spring 2010.

RESULTS

The intervention significantly decreased fat provided through milk and had no significant effect on fruit, vegetables and whole‐grain servings, discretionary fats, and added sugar served in HS meals and snacks. When effect modification by site ethnicity was examined, the effect on fat provided through milk was only found in American Indian sites.

CONCLUSIONS

Foodservice interventions can reduce the amount of fat provided through milk served in HS. More research is needed regarding the implementation of foodservice interventions to improve the composition of foods served in early education settings.
Food Insecurity and Rural Adolescent Personal Health, Home, and Academic Environments
Authors: Shanafelt Amy , Hearst Mary O. , Wang Qi , Nanney Marilyn S.
Published: April 2016

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND

Food‐insecure (FIS) adolescents struggle in school and with health and mental health more often than food‐secure (FS) adolescents. Rural communities experience important disparities in health, but little is known about rural FIS adolescents. This study aims to describe select characteristics of rural adolescents by food‐security status.

METHODS

Baseline analysis using data from a randomized trial to increase school breakfast participation (SBP) in rural Minnesota high schools. Students completed a survey regarding food security, characteristics, and home and school environments. Schools provided academic data and staff measured height and weight. Food security was dichotomized as FS vs FIS. Bivariate analysis, multivariate linear/logistic regression, and testing for interaction of food security and sex were performed.

RESULTS

Food‐insecure adolescents reported poorer health, less exercise, had lower grades, and higher SBP (p < .01). Food‐insecure adolescents reported marginally fewer barriers (p = .06) and more benefits of breakfast (p = .05). All associations except reported benefits remained significant after adjustment. Interactions were identified with girls' grade point average and with boys' caloric and added sugar intake.

CONCLUSIONS

Negative associations among food insecurity and positive youth development are identified in our sample. Policy and environmental strategies should address the complexities of these associations, including exploration of the role of school meals.
Constitutive photomorphogenesis protein 1 (COP1) and COP9 signalosome, evolutionarily conserved photomorphogenic proteins as possible targets of melatonin
Authors: Sanchez‐Barcelo Emilio J. , Mediavilla Maria D. , Vriend Jerry , Reiter Russel J.
Published: April 2016

The ubiquitin proteasome system has been proposed as a possible mechanism involved in the multiple actions of melatonin. COP1 (constitutive photomorphogenesis protein 1), a RING finger‐type ubiquitin E3 ligase formerly identified in Arabidopsis, is a central switch for the transition from plant growth underground in darkness (etiolation) to growth under light exposure (photomorphogenesis). In darkness, COP1 binds to photomorphogenic transcription factors driving its degradation via the 26S proteasome; blue light, detected by cryptochromes, and red and far‐red light detected by phytochromes, negatively regulate COP1. Homologues of plant COP1 containing all the structural features present in Arabidopsis as well as E3 ubiquitin ligase activity have been identified in mice and humans. Substrates for mammalian (m) COP1 include p53, AP‐1 and c‐Jun, p27Kip1, ETV1, MVP, 14‐3‐3σ, C/EBPα, MTA1, PEA3, ACC, TORC2 and FOXO1. This mCOP1 target suggests functions related to tumorigenesis, gluconeogenesis, and lipid metabolism. The role of mCOP1 in tumorigenesis (either as a tumor promoter or tumor suppressor), as well as in glucose metabolism (inhibition of gluconeogenesis) and lipid metabolism (inhibition of fatty acid synthesis), has been previously demonstrated. COP1, along with numerous other ubiquitin ligases, is regulated by the COP9 signalosome; this protein complex is associated with the oxidative stress sensor Keap1 and the deubiquitinase USP15. The objective of this review was to provide new information on the possible role of COP1 and COP9 as melatonin targets. The hypothesis is based on common functional aspects of melatonin and COP1 and COP9, including their dependence on light, regulation of the metabolism, and their control of tumor growth.
The relation between polysomnography and subjective sleep and its dependence on age – poor sleep may become good sleep
Authors: Åkerstedt Torbjörn , Schwarz Johanna , Gruber Georg , Lindberg Eva , Theorell‐Haglöw Jenny
Published: April 2016

Women complain more about sleep than men, but polysomnography (PSG) seems to suggest worse sleep in men. This raises the question of how women (or men) perceive objective (PSG) sleep. The present study sought to investigate the relation between morning subjective sleep quality and PSG variables in older and younger women. A representative sample of 251 women was analysed in age groups above and below 51.5 years (median). PSG was recorded at home during one night. Perceived poor sleep was related to short total sleep time (TST), long wake within total sleep time (WTSP), low sleep efficiency and a high number of awakenings. The older women showed lower TST and sleep efficiency and higher WTSP for a rating of good sleep than did the younger women. For these PSG variables the values for good sleep in the older group were similar to the values for poor sleep in the young group. It was concluded that women perceive different levels of sleep duration, sleep efficiency and wake after sleep onset relatively well, but that older women adjust their objective criteria for good sleep downwards. It was also concluded that age is an important factor in the relation between subjective and objective sleep.
Biotic disturbance facilitates range shift at the trailing but not the leading edge of lodgepole pine's altitudinal distribution
Authors: Renwick Katherine M. , Rocca Monique E. , Stohlgren Thomas J.
Published: April 2016

Aim

Climate change will alter the geographic distribution of many species, but in forest communities, long‐lived trees often persist after the climate is no longer suitable for recruitment. Disturbance events may accelerate distribution shifts in forested ecosystems by removing persistent trees and creating new recruitment opportunities for species better adapted to the current climate. Here, we investigate how biological disturbances such as insect outbreaks may interact with climate change to initiate tree species range shifts.

Location

Southern Rocky Mountains, Colorado, USA.

Methods

We compared tree and seedling data from long‐term monitoring transects established in 1992–1995 and re‐sampled in 2012 following a widespread mountain pine beetle (Dendroctonus ponderosae Hopkins) outbreak. Transects are located along elevational gradients at the altitudinal range margins of lodgepole pine (Pinus contorta).

Results

We found that recruitment had declined through time at the trailing edge of lodgepole pine's distribution (lower elevation range margin), where there are now many fewer seedlings compared to the leading edge (upper elevation range margin). At the trailing edge, mountain pine beetle increased mortality of mature lodgepole pines relative to background levels. This mortality was associated with an increase in recruitment of Douglas‐fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii), a lower elevation tree species. At the leading edge of lodgepole pine's distribution, overstorey mortality was associated with only a modest increase in the density of lodgepole pine seedlings (mean increase of 362 seedlings·ha−1), and instead favoured more shade‐tolerant competitors (mean increase of 2182 seedlings·ha−1).

Conclusion

While there is some evidence that climate change is beginning to alter the altitudinal range of lodgepole pine, mountain pine beetle disturbance will likely facilitate this process only at the trailing (lower elevation) range margin. At the leading (upper elevation) range margin, range expansion may be limited by competition with trees and seedlings of species not susceptible to mountain pine beetle. A physical disturbance such as fire that can eliminate competing species may be required for the upward expansion of lodgepole pine's leading range margin. For tree species such as lodgepole pine that are affected by periodic insect outbreaks, ranges may shrink in the near term if this disturbance–climate interaction continues to drive range retractions that outpace range expansions.
Reaching Students with Limited or Interrupted Formal Education Through Culturally Responsive Teaching
Authors: DeCapua Andrea
Published: April 2016

This article considers how developing an understanding of the beliefs, values, norms, and ways of thinking and learning of students with limited or interrupted formal education (SLIFE) is central to effective instruction for this population. Because these students are different from other English language learners (ELLs), teachers must develop the ability to suspend judgment by building deep cultural knowledge of SLIFE. This can then inform curriculum and pedagogical practices that best support SLIFE in their transition and adaption to formal education. Following a review of culturally responsive teaching as outlined by Gay (; ; ), I continue with an examination of the Intercultural Communication Framework (DeCapua and Marshall, ; Marshall, 1994) intended to develop teachers' understanding of cultural factors influencing students' ways of thinking and learning. The article concludes with an exploration of a culturally responsive instructional model, the Mutually Adaptive Learning Paradigm (DeCapua and Marshall ; ), designed to better serve SLIFE.
Working Memory and Interference Control in Children with Specific Language Impairment
Authors: Marton Klara , Eichorn Naomi , Campanelli Luca , Zakarias Lilla
Published: April 2016

Language and communication disorders are often associated with deficits in working memory (WM) and interference control. WM studies involving children with specific language impairment (SLI) have traditionally been framed using either resource theories or decay accounts, particularly Baddeley's model. Although significant interference problems in children with SLI are apparent in error analysis data from WM and language tasks, interference theories and paradigms have not been widely used in the SLI literature. A primary goal of the present paper is to provide an overview of interference deficits in children with SLI. Review of the extant literature on interference control shows deficits in this population; however, the source and the nature of the deficit remain unclear. Thus, a second key aim in our review is to demonstrate the need for theoretically driven experimental paradigms in order to better understand individual variations associated with interference weaknesses in children with SLI.
C11orf95‐RELA fusion present in a primary intracranial extra‐axial ependymoma: Report of a case with literature review
Authors: Nambirajan Aruna , Malgulwar Prit Benny , Sharma Mehar C. , Singh Anutosh , Pathak Pankaj , Satyarthee Guru Dutta , Garg Ajay
Published: April 2016

Ependymomas are gliomas that recapitulate the ependymal cells microscopically and ultrastructurally. They commonly occur along the ventricular surfaces and central canal of the brain and spinal cord. Intracranial extra‐axial ependymoma (IEAE) is a rare entity and is commonly misdiagnosed clinically and radiologically as a meningioma. The histogenesis of such IEAEs is obscure. A novel recurrent oncogenic fusion involving the C11orf95 and RELA genes was recently described in supratentorial ependymomas. A 9‐year‐old girl presented with a dural based parafalcine mass that, in addition to exhibiting classical immunohistochemical features of an ependymoma, also demonstrated C11orf95‐RELA fusion, characteristic of supratentorial ependymomas. We suggest that IEAEs share their histogenesis with their intra‐axial counterparts, arising either from dural extension of subcortical, subependymal rests or directly from ectopic dural rests.
Poor agreement between diagnostic tests for latent tuberculosis infection among HIV‐infected persons in Hong Kong
Authors: Leung Chi Chiu , Chan Kenny , Yam Wing Cheong , Lee Man Po , Chan Chi Kuen , Wong Ka Hing , Ho Pak Leung , Mak Ida , Tam Cheuk Ming
Published: April 2016

Background and objective

The tuberculin skin test (TST), T‐Spot.TB (T‐Spot) and QuantiFERON‐TB Gold‐In Tube (QFT) were compared in diagnosing latent tuberculosis infection (LTBI) among human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)‐infected persons.

Methods

Human immunodeficiency virus‐infected persons without previous history of tuberculosis or LTBI were simultaneously tested by TST, T‐Spot and QFT annually and followed up for tuberculosis.

Results

Among 110 HIV‐infected subjects with 85% previous TST screening coverage, 75% on anti‐retroviral therapy, well‐preserved median CD4 count (414/μL) and low median viral load (<75/μL), baseline TST, T‐Spot and QFT were positive in 5.5%, 5.6% and 4.9%, respectively, with almost complete discordance of positive results. Among 91 (83%), 66 (60%) and 26 (24%) subjects successfully undergoing the first, second and third annual retesting, TST, T‐Spot and QFT were, respectively, positive in 11/123 (8.9%), 13/173 (7.5%) and 21/182 (11.5%) on retesting, with similar discordance of positive results. There was no significant association with the concurrent CD4 count or viral load. Conversion occurred in 11/123 (8.9%), 8/160 (5.0%) and 18/168 (10.7%) of TST, T‐Spot and QFT, respectively, and none was associated with changes in CD4 count or viral load. More than half of the positive T‐SPOT and QFT results reverted to negative on follow‐up. None of these tests picked up the single case of culture‐confirmed tuberculosis observed after 798 person‐years of follow‐up.

Conclusion

Major discordance in positive results, high reversion rates and low tuberculosis incidence among test‐positive subjects cast serious doubt on the utility of the currently available LTBI tests in the annual screening of HIV‐infected persons in an intermediate tuberculosis burden area.
Moving Beyond the Sound Bite: Complicating the Relationship Between Negative Television News Framing and In‐Depth Reporting on Activism
Authors: Taylor Malaena , Gunby Kate
Published: April 2016

Social movements often want their protests to gain media attention, yet most media coverage negatively portrays activists. Many assume that this negative coverage of protesters precludes substantive coverage of the movement, but our research is the first to test this assumption. Using content analysis of 754 television news reports about the Global Justice Movement and the Tea Party Movement, we find that frames that marginalize the protesters are often coupled with in‐depth, factual coverage of social movements. Contrary to common assumptions, the results show that the presence of negative framing is not necessarily bad publicity for social movements. Instead, we find that the news segments that provide unflattering descriptions of protesters are more likely to provide in‐depth information about the movement and the activists’ grievances and demands.
Auxin‐mediated lamina growth in tomato leaves is restricted by two parallel mechanisms
Authors: Ben‐Gera Hadas , Dafna Asaf , Alvarez John Paul , Bar Maya , Mauerer Mareike , Ori Naomi
Published: April 2016

In the development of tomato compound leaves, local auxin maxima points, separated by the expression of the Aux/IAA protein SlIAA9/ENTIRE (E), direct the formation of discrete leaflets along the leaf margin. The local auxin maxima promote leaflet initiation, while E acts between leaflets to inhibit auxin response and lamina growth, enabling leaflet separation. Here, we show that a group of auxin response factors (ARFs), which are targeted by miR160, antagonizes auxin response and lamina growth in conjunction with E. In wild‐type leaf primordia, the miR160‐targeted ARFs SlARF10A and SlARF17 are expressed in leaflets, and SlmiR160 is expressed in provascular tissues. Leaf overexpression of the miR160‐targeted ARFs SlARF10A, SlARF10B or SlARF17, led to reduced lamina and increased leaf complexity, and suppressed auxin response in young leaves. In agreement, leaf overexpression of miR160 resulted in simplified leaves due to ectopic lamina growth between leaflets, reminiscent of e leaves. Genetic interactions suggest that E and miR160‐targeted ARFs act partially redundantly but are both required for local inhibition of lamina growth between initiating leaflets. These results show that different types of auxin signal antagonists act cooperatively to ensure leaflet separation in tomato leaf margins.
Investigation on the formation of roll waves in chutes
Authors: Aghebatie Behrouz , Hosseini Khosrow
Published: April 2016

Roll waves create unstable and turbulent behaviour in channels and chutes and also change the behaviour of water entering the energy dissipater structures. In the present study, the free surface of water in the chute is simulated by numerical models. The roll waves’ occurrence is investigated in the numerical model for the discharge up to 30 m3/s, the longitudinal slope varying from 17 to 20% and the width of chute varying from 3.4 to 4.0 m. The ratios of the hydraulic depth to the chute width and also the minimum velocity to the maximum velocity are calculated along the chute length for different discharges, widths and longitudinal slopes of the chute. Results indicated that for the chutes in which the ratio of hydraulic depth to the chute width less than 0.16 the ratio of minimum to maximum velocity is less than 0.75, the formation of roll waves is inevitable.
A1‐Adenosine receptor activation has biphasic roles in development of acute kidney injury at 4 and 24 h of reperfusion following ischaemia in rats
Authors: Najafi Houshang , Owji Seyed Mohammad , Kamali‐Sarvestani Eskandar , Moosavi Seyed Mostafa Shid
Published: April 2016

New Findings

What is the central question of this study?

A1‐Adenosine receptor (A1AR) blockade before renal ischaemia aggravated kidney injury after 24 h reperfusion in several studies, whereas we previously observed a renoprotective effect of A1AR blockade during a 4 h reperfusion period. What are the underlying mechanisms for this biphasic effect of pretreatment with an A1AR antagonist at 4 and 24 h reperfusion?

What is main finding and its importance?

A1‐Adenosine receptor blockade protects the kidney against ischaemia‐induced injury during the early hours of reperfusion by attenuating the reduction in renal blood flow and lowering energy expenditure, whereas its inflammatory effects gradually dominate over 24 h reperfusion to intensify kidney injury.

We previously reported that selective blockade of the A1‐adenosine receptor (A1AR) with an antagonist, 8‐cyclopentyl‐1,3‐dipropylxanthine (DPCPX), had protective effects on renal ischaemia‐induced structural and functional disruption during a 4 h reperfusion period. In contrast, several studies demonstrated that endogenous and exogenous A1AR activation before renal ischaemia had a renoprotective role 24 h after reperfusion, through mechanisms that reduced inflammation, necrosis and apoptosis. In this study, we investigated potential mechanisms underlying this biphasic action of A1AR in renal ischaemia–reperfusion injury. Anaesthetized male Sprague–Dawley rats underwent 30 min of bilateral renal ischaemia, and biphasic effects of pretreatment with DPCPX at 4 and 24 h reperfusion were studied on the kidney injury. Pretreatment with DPCPX attenuated at 4 h but augmented at 24 h reperfusion the renal ischaemia‐induced histological damage, reductions in creatinine clearance, urea excretion and free‐water reabsorption, and increases in bicarbonate excretion and tissue malondialdehyde. The DPCPX increased tumour necrosis factor‐α expression and migration of lymphocytes in the postischaemic kidney at both time points, but with a different pattern; lymphocytes mostly aggregated in cortical periarterial spaces at 4 h reperfusion but had infiltrated into the interstitium at 24 h reperfusion. In conclusion, A1AR activation contributes to ischaemia‐induced acute kidney injury during the early hours of reperfusion by causing a greater reduction in renal haemodynamics and by elevating tubular energy expenditure, which overcome its anti‐inflammatory effect. However, its anti‐inflammatory actions are exerted by reducing lymphocyte infiltration and cytokine production that begins to dominate from 4 to 24 h of reperfusion, which is reflected in attenuation of renal structural and functional disruption.
Elevated temperature performance of Si-implanted solar-blind β-Ga2O3 photodetectors
Authors: Ahn Shihyun , Ren Fan , Oh Sooyeoun , Jung Younghun , Kim Jihyun , Mastro Michael A. , Hite Jennifer K. , Eddy Charles R. , Pearton S. J.
Published: April 2016

The temperature dependent photoresponse of planar photodetectors fabricated on β-Ga2O3 films grown on Al2O3 by metalorganic chemical vapor deposition to 254 nm wavelength, and blindness to 365 nm light, are reported over the range of 25–350 °C. Ohmic contacts were formed by Si-implantation and annealing at 900 °C, followed by deposition of Ti/Au metallization. The photocurrent induced by 254 nm illumination increased monotonically with temperature, from ∼2.5 × 10−7 A at 25 °C to ∼2.2 × 10−6 A at 350 °C at a fixed 254 nm light intensity of 760 μW/cm2. The photosensitivity decreases at high temperatures in many photoconductors (thermal quenching), in sharp contrast to the photosensitivity increase with high temperatures in this study. This is ascribed to the presence of states in the gap of Ga2O3, whose presence was proven by exposure to below band-gap energy. In this case, the current still increased due to the presence of defect levels in the band gap and the generation of photocurrent is due to a transition between the valence or conduction band and impurity or defect levels within the band gap. The temperature dependent photo-to-dark current ratio for this wavelength was 328 at room temperature and decreased to ∼9 at 350 °C. The responsivity increased from 5 to 36 A/W over this temperature range, with corresponding external quantum efficiencies of 2.5 × 103 % at 25 °C and 1.75 × 104 % at 350 °C. Similarly large numbers reported for Ga2O3 photodetectors have previously been ascribed to carrier multiplication effects.
Animal acumen

Are We Smart Enough to Know How Smart Animals Are?

Frans de Waal
Norton, 2016. 352 pp.
Authors: Clayton Nicola
Published: April 2016

Biased notions of what constitutes intelligence may lead us to underestimate the cognitive capacity of other creatures
Slow waves, sharp waves, ripples, and REM in sleeping dragons
Authors: Shein-Idelson Mark , Ondracek Janie M. , Liaw Hua-Peng , Reiter Sam , Laurent Gilles
Published: April 2016

The dragon sleeps tonight

Most animal species sleep, from invertebrates to primates. However, neuroscientists have until now only actively recorded the sleeping brains of birds and mammals. Shein-Idelson
et al.
now describe the electrophysiological hallmarks of sleep in reptiles. Recordings from the brains of Australian dragons revealed the typical features of slow-wave sleep and rapid eye movement (REM) sleep. These findings indicate that the brainstem circuits responsible for slow-wave and REM sleep are not only very ancient but were already involved in sleep dynamics in reptiles.

Science
, this issue p.
590
Ionic control of sleep and wakefulness
Authors: Landolt Hans-Peter , Holst Sebastian C.
Published: April 2016

The ionic composition of brain fluid is linked to neuronal activity and sleep
Clinical Evaluation of the New High-Throughput Luminex NxTAG Respiratory Pathogen Panel Assay for Multiplex Respiratory Pathogen Detection
Authors: Chen Jonathan H. K. , Lam Ho-Yin , Yip Cyril C. Y. , Wong Sally C. Y. , Chan Jasper F. W. , Ma Edmond S. K. , Cheng Vincent C. C. , Tang Bone S. F. , Yuen Kwok-Yung
Published: April 2016

A broad range of viral and bacterial pathogens can cause acute respiratory tract infection. For rapid detection of a broad respiratory pathogen spectrum, multiplex real-time PCR is ideal. This study evaluated the performance of the new Luminex NxTAG Respiratory Pathogen Panel (NxTAG-RPP) in comparison with the BioFire FilmArray Respiratory Panel (FA-RP) or singleplex real-time PCR as reference. A total of 284 clinical respiratory specimens and 3 influenza A/H7N9 viral culture samples were tested. All clinical specimens were processed and analyzed in parallel using NxTAG-RPP and the reference standard method. The H7N9 viral culture samples were tested using NxTAG-RPP only. Overall, the NxTAG-RPP demonstrated ≥93% sensitivity and specificity for all respiratory targets except human coronavirus OC43 (HCoV-OC43) and HCoV-HKU1. The H7N9 virus was detected by the influenza A virus matrix gene target, while other influenza A virus subtyping gene targets in the panel remained negative. Complete concordance between NxTAG-RPP and FA-RP was observed in 98.8% (318/322) of positive results (kappa = 0.92). Substantial agreement was found for most respiratory targets, but significant differences were observed in human metapneumovirus (
P
= 0.001) and parainfluenza virus type 3 (
P
= 0.031). NxTAG-RPP has a higher sample throughput than FA-RP (96 samples versus 1 sample per run) while the turnaround times for NxTAG-RPP and FA-RP were 5 h (up to 96 samples) and 1 h (for one sample), respectively. Overall, NxTAG-RPP demonstrated good diagnostic performance for most respiratory pathogens. The high sample throughput with reasonable turnaround time of this new assay makes it a suitable multiplex platform for routine screening of respiratory specimens in hospital-based laboratories.
Artificial Seawater Media Facilitate Cultivating Members of the Microbial Majority from the Gulf of Mexico
Authors: Henson Michael W. , Pitre David M. , Weckhorst Jessica Lee , Lanclos V. Celeste , Webber Austen T. , Thrash J. Cameron
Published: April 2016

The difficulty in cultivating many microbial taxa vexes researchers intent on understanding the contributions of these organisms to natural systems, particularly when these organisms are numerically abundant, and many cultivation attempts recover only rare taxa. Efforts to improve this conundrum with marine bacterioplankton have been successful with natural seawater media, but that approach suffers from a number of drawbacks and there have been no comparable artificial alternatives created in the laboratory. This work demonstrates that a newly developed suite of artificial seawater media can successfully cultivate many of the most abundant taxa from seawater samples and many taxa previously only cultivated with natural seawater media. This methodology therefore significantly simplifies efforts to cultivate bacterioplankton and greatly improves our ability to perform physiological characterization of cultures postisolation.
Paintball-related traumatic liver injury
Authors: Luck Joshua , Bell Daniel , Bashir Gareth
Published: April 2016

Paintball is a popular recreational sport played at both amateur and professional level. Ocular injuries are well recognised, although there is a growing body of literature documenting superficial vascular as well as deep solid organ injuries. An 18-year-old man presented with signs and symptoms consistent with acute appendicitis. Intraoperatively, a grade III liver injury was identified and packed before a relook at 48 h. No further active bleeding was identified; however, follow-up ultrasound at 3 weeks demonstrated non-resolution of a large subcapsular haematoma. The patient was readmitted for a short period of observation and discharged with repeat ultrasound scheduled for 3 months. This represents the first report of paintball-related blunt traumatic injury to the liver. Solid organ injuries of this nature have only been reported three times previously—all in the urological setting. This case also highlights issues surrounding the use of routine follow-up imaging in blunt liver trauma and provides a concise discussion of the relevant literature.
Consistency of the Health of the Nation Outcome Scales (HoNOS) at inpatient-to-community transition
Authors: Luo Wei , Harvey Richard , Tran Truyen , Phung Dinh , Venkatesh Svetha , Connor Jason P
Published: April 2016

Objectives

The Health of the Nation Outcome Scales (HoNOS) are mandated outcome-measures in many mental-health jurisdictions. When HoNOS are used in different care settings, it is important to assess if setting specific bias exists. This article examines the consistency of HoNOS in a sample of psychiatric patients transitioned from acute inpatient care and community centres.

Setting

A regional mental health service with both acute and community facilities.

Participants

111 psychiatric patients were transferred from inpatient care to community care from 2012 to 2014. Their HoNOS scores were extracted from a clinical database; Each inpatient-discharge assessment was followed by a community-intake assessment, with the median period between assessments being 4 days (range 0–14). Assessor experience and professional background were recorded.

Primary and secondary outcome measures

The difference of HoNOS at inpatient-discharge and community-intake were assessed with Pearson correlation, Cohen's κ and effect size.

Results

Inpatient-discharge HoNOS was on average lower than community-intake HoNOS. The average HoNOS was 8.05 at discharge (median 7, range 1–22), and 12.16 at intake (median 12, range 1–25), an average increase of 4.11 (SD 6.97). Pearson correlation between two total scores was 0.073 (95% CI −0.095 to 0.238) and Cohen's κ was 0.02 (95% CI −0.02 to 0.06). Differences did not appear to depend on assessor experience or professional background.

Conclusions

Systematic change in the HoNOS occurs at inpatient-to-community transition. Some caution should be exercised in making direct comparisons between inpatient HoNOS and community HoNOS scores.
Placental histology and neutrophil extracellular traps in lupus and pre-eclampsia pregnancies
Authors: Marder Wendy , Knight Jason S , Kaplan Mariana J , Somers Emily C , Zhang Xu , O'Dell Alexander A , Padmanabhan Vasantha , Lieberman Richard W
Published: April 2016

Objective

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is associated with increased risk of adverse pregnancy outcomes, including pre-eclampsia, particularly in association with antiphospholipid antibody syndrome (APS). While significant placental abnormalities are expected in pre-eclampsia, less is known about how lupus activity and APS in pregnancy affect the placenta. We describe placental pathology from a population of lupus pregnancies, several of which were complicated by APS-related thromboses, in which pre-eclampsia and other complications developed. We performed standard histopathological placental review and quantified neutrophils and neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs) in the intervillous space, given the recognised association of NETs with lupus, APS and pre-eclampsia.

Methods

Pre-eclampsia, SLE and control placentas were scored for histological features, and neutrophils were quantified on H&E and immunohistochemical staining for the granular protein myeloperoxidase. NETs were identified by extracellular myeloperoxidase staining in the setting of decondensed nuclei. Non-parametric analysis was used to evaluate differences in netting and intact neutrophils between groups, with Kruskal–Wallis testing for associations between histological findings and neutrophils.

Results

Placentas were evaluated from 35 pregnancies: 10 controls, 11 pre-eclampsia, 4 SLE+pre-eclampsia and 10 SLE, including one complicated by catastrophic APS and one complicated by hepatic and splenic vein thromboses during pregnancy. Intrauterine growth restriction and oligohydramnios were observed in lupus cases but not controls. Significantly more NETs were found infiltrating placental intervillous spaces in pre-eclampsia, SLE+pre-eclampsia and all 10 SLE non-pre-eclampsia cases. The ratio of NETs to total neutrophils was significantly increased in all case groups compared with controls. When present, NETs were associated with maternal vasculitis, laminar decidual necrosis, maternal–fetal interface haemorrhage and non-occlusive fetal thrombotic vasculopathy.

Conclusions

In this pilot study of placental tissue from lupus pregnancies, outcomes were more complicated, particularly if associated with APS. Placental tissue revealed marked inflammatory and vascular changes that were essentially indistinguishable from placental tissue of pre-eclampsia pregnancies.
A laryngeal rhabdomyosarcoma in a dog
Authors: Sanspoux Frédéric
Published: April 2016

A six‐year‐old mongrel dog presented with modified voice, stridor, cough, difficulty swallowing and exercise intolerance while hunting since the last six weeks. The primary consideration was laryngeal paralysis and an endoscopic examination was performed. A 3 cm mass was found on the right arytaenoid cartilage rostral to the vocal cord. Biopsy of the mass revealed a tumour originating from striated muscles. After tumour staging with CT, the mass was removed by a ventral approach to the larynx. Histopathological analysis was compatible with a spindle cell sarcoma and rhabdomyosarcoma was confirmed by immunohistochemistry. No palliative chemotherapy was introduced. The dog was still alive 18 months after surgery.
Flood control structures in tidal creeks associated with reduction in nursery potential for native fishes and creation of hotspots for invasive species
Authors: Scott David C. , Arbeider Michael , Gordon Jennifer , Moore Jonathan W.
Published: April 2016

Habitat connectivity is important for maintaining biodiversity and ecosystem processes yet globally is highly restricted by anthropogenic actions. Anthropogenic barriers are common in aquatic ecosystems; however, the effects of small-scale barriers such as floodgates have received relatively little study. Here we assess fish communities in ten tributaries over the spring–summer season of the lower Fraser River (British Columbia, Canada), five with floodgates and five reference sites without barriers, located primarily in agricultural land use areas. While the Fraser River supports the largest salmon runs in Canada, the lower Fraser river–floodplain ecosystem has numerous dikes and floodgates to protect valuable agricultural and urban developments. Floodgate presence was associated with reduced dissolved oxygen concentrations, threefold greater abundance of invasive fish species, and decreased abundances of five native fish species, including two salmon species. These findings provide evidence that floodgates decrease suitable habitat for native fishes, and become hotspots for non-native species. Given climate change, sea-level rise, and aging flood protection infrastructure, there is an opportunity to incorporate biodiversity considerations into further development or restoration of this infrastructure.
Interactions of hyperhomocysteinemia and T cell immunity in causation of hypertension
Authors: Veeranki Sudhakar , Gandhapudi Siva K. , Tyagi Suresh C.
Published: April 2016

Although hyperhomocysteinemia (HHcy) is an independent risk factor for cardiovascular diseases (CVD), there is a debate on whether HHcy is a risk factor or just a biomarker. Interestingly, homocysteine lowering strategies in humans had very little effect on reducing the cardiovascular risk, as compared with animals; this may suggest heterogeneity in human population and epigenetic alterations. Moreover, there are only few studies that suggest the idea that HHcy contributes to CVD in the presence of other risk factors such as inflammation, a known risk factor for CVD. Elevated levels of homocysteine have been shown to contribute to inflammation. Here, we highlight possible relationships between homocysteine, T cell immunity, and hypertension, and summarize the evidence that suggested these factors act together in increasing the risk for CVD. In light of this new evidence, we further propose that there is a need for evaluation of the causes of HHcy, defective remethylation or defective transsulfuration, which may differentially modulate hypertension progression, not just the homocysteine levels.
Cryptolepine derivative-6h inhibits liver fibrosis in TGF-β1-induced HSC-T6 cells by targeting the Shh pathway
Authors: He Ying-Hua , Li Zeng , Ni Ming-Ming , Zhang Xing-Yan , Li Ming-Fang , Meng Xiao-Ming , Huang Cheng , Li Jun
Published: April 2016

Liver fibrosis is a worldwide problem with a significant morbidity and mortality. Cryptolepis sanguinolenta (family Periplocaceae) is widely used in West African countries for the treatment of malaria, as well as for some other diseases. However, the role of C. sanguinolenta in hepatic fibrosis is still unknown. It has been reported that Methyl-CpG binding protein 2 (MeCP2) had a high expression in liver fibrosis and played a central role in its pathobiology. Interestingly, we found that a cryptolepine derivative (HZ-6h) could inhibit liver fibrosis by reducing MeCP2 expression, as evidenced by the dramatic downregulation of α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) and type I collagen alpha-1 (Col1α1) in protein levels in vitro. Meanwhile, we also found that HZ-6h could reduce the cell viability and promote apoptosis of hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) treated with transforming growth factor beta 1(TGF-β1). Then, we investigated the potential molecular mechanisms and found that HZ-6h blocked Shh signaling in HSC-T6 cells, resulting in the decreased protein expression of Patched-1 (PTCH-1), Sonic hedgehog (Shh), and glioma-associated oncogene homolog 1 (GLI1). In short, these results indicate that HZ-6h inhibits liver fibrosis by downregulating MeCP2 through the Shh pathway in TGF-β1-induced HSC-T6 cells.
A Fly-Inspired Mushroom Bodies Model for Sensory-Motor Control Through Sequence and Subsequence Learning
Authors: Arena Paolo , Calí Marco , Patané Luca , Portera Agnese , Strauss Roland
Published: April 2016

Classification and sequence learning are relevant capabilities used by living beings to extract complex information from the environment for behavioral control. The insect world is full of examples where the presentation time of specific stimuli shapes the behavioral response. On the basis of previously developed neural models, inspired by Drosophila melanogaster, a new architecture for classification and sequence learning is here presented under the perspective of the Neural Reuse theory. Classification of relevant input stimuli is performed through resonant neurons, activated by the complex dynamics generated in a lattice of recurrent spiking neurons modeling the insect Mushroom Bodies neuropile. The network devoted to context formation is able to reconstruct the learned sequence and also to trace the subsequences present in the provided input. A sensitivity analysis to parameter variation and noise is reported. Experiments on a roving robot are reported to show the capabilities of the architecture used as a neural controller.
Loop Schrödinger–Virasoro Lie conformal algebra
Authors: Chen Haibo , Han Jianzhi , Su Yucai , Xu Ying
Published: April 2016

In this paper, we introduce two kinds of Lie conformal algebras, associated with the loop Schrödinger–Virasoro Lie algebra and the extended loop Schrödinger–Virasoro Lie algebra, respectively. The conformal derivations, the second cohomology groups of these two conformal algebras are completely determined. And nontrivial free conformal modules of rank one and [Formula: see text]-graded free intermediate series modules over these two conformal algebras are also classified in the present paper.
Introducing a more realistic model for opinion formation considering instability in social structure
Authors: Salehi Sajjad , Taghiyareh Fattaneh
Published: April 2016

Opinion formation is a process through which interactions of individuals and dynamism of their opinions in effect of neighbors are modeled. In this paper, in an effort to model the opinion formation more realistically, we have introduced a model that considers the role of network structure in opinion dynamics. In this model, each individual changes his opinion in a way so as to decrease its difference with the opinion of trusted neighbors while he intensifies his dissention with the untrusted ones. Considering trust/distrust relations as a signed network, we have defined a structural indicator which shows the degree of instability in social structure and is calculated based on the structural balance theory. It is also applied as feedback to the opinion formation process affecting its dynamics. Our simulation results show formation of a set of clusters containing individuals holding opinions having similar values. Also, the opinion value of each individual is far from the ones of distrusted neighbors. Since this model considers distrust and instability of relations in society, it can offer a more realistic model of opinion formation.
Light transmission through a one-dimensional metallic grating covered by a reduced cytochrome c molecule layer
Authors: Wang Kai-Jun , Peng Yu-Xiang , Wang Lei , Liu Ling-Hong , Li Ze-Jun , Xu Liang , Wang Xin-Jun , Li Jian-Bo , He Meng-Dong
Published: April 2016

We investigate the transmission characteristics of a one-dimensional metallic grating covered by a reduced cytochrome (Cyt) [Formula: see text] molecule layer by using the finite-difference time-domain (FDTD) method. It is found that the introduction of reduced Cyt [Formula: see text] molecule layer leads to a transmission dip due to the plasmon resonance energy transfer (PRET) from metallic grating to Cyt [Formula: see text] molecules. The transmission dip depth can be controlled by the period of metallic grating, the width and length of slit, and the Cyt [Formula: see text] molecule layer number, while the transmission dip wavelength is unchanged with these parameters. The findings expand our understanding of the PRET phenomenon and have potential applications in molecule identification and detection.
Robustness Analysis of License Plate Visual Positioning Method in Vehicle Collision Warning System
Authors: Qin Lijuan , Wang Ting
Published: April 2016

Vehicle anti-collision warning system is a key research area of vehicle safety. It is also a necessary means to enhance driving safety and reduce traffic accidents. The visual location method is presented for this system based on license plate image. This method realizes visual positioning with the help of the mounting points of license plate. At the same time, the feasible robust analysis method is proposed for the visual positioning method with license plate frame image. Finally, the robust analysis determines good angles for commutating rotation parameter in the method of license plate image visual positioning. At the same time, it determines good angles for translation parameter and for rotation and translation transform. Therefore, robust analysis determines positions where the visual positioning method has high positioning accuracy. Robust analysis for license plate vision positioning method is useful in analysis of high positioning accuracy positions for the proposed license plate image visual location method combined with plate mounting points. The research content of this paper is beneficial to driver decision-making and improves the safety of collision warning system and intelligent vehicle.
A logarithmic correction in the entropy functional formalism
Authors: Hammad Fayçal , Faizal Mir
Published: April 2016

The entropy functional formalism allows one to recover general relativity, modified gravity theories, as well as the Bekenstein–Hawking entropy formula. In most approaches to quantum gravity, the Bekenstein–Hawking’s entropy formula acquires a logarithmic correction term. As such terms occur almost universally in most approaches to quantum gravity, we analyze the effect of such terms on the entropy functional formalism. We demonstrate that the leading correction to the micro-canonical entropy in the entropy functional formalism can be used to recover modified theories of gravity already obtained with an uncorrected micro-canonical entropy. Furthermore, since the entropy functional formalism reproduces modified gravity, the rise of gravity-dependent logarithmic corrections turns out to be one way to impose constraints on these theories of modified gravity. The constraints found here for the simple case of an [Formula: see text]-gravity are the same as those obtained in the literature from cosmological considerations.
Hypernuclei in halo/cluster effective field theory
Authors: Ando Shung-Ichi
Published: April 2016

The light double [Formula: see text] hypernuclei, [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text], are studied as three-body [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text] cluster systems in halo/cluster effective field theory at leading order. We find that the [Formula: see text] system in spin-0 channel does not exhibit a limit cycle whereas the [Formula: see text] system in spin-1 channel and the [Formula: see text] system in spin-0 channel do. The limit cycle is associated with the formation of bound states, known as Efimov states, in the unitary limit. For the [Formula: see text] system in the spin-0 channel we estimate the scattering length [Formula: see text] for [Formula: see text]-wave [Formula: see text] hyperon–hypertriton scattering as [Formula: see text][Formula: see text]fm. We also discuss that studying the cutoff dependences in the [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text] systems, the bound state of [Formula: see text] is not an Efimov state but formed due to a high energy mechanism whereas that of [Formula: see text] may be regarded as an Efimov state.
Stability Analysis of Parametrically Excited Systems Using the Energy-Growth Exponent/Coefficient
Authors: Li Yuchun , Wang Lishi , Yu Yanqing
Published: April 2016

In this paper, the energy exponent is used to study the instability of parametrically excited systems governed by the damped Mathieu equation. Through the numerical tests, an energy-growth exponent (EGE) is adopted to evaluate the instability intensity and instability boundary of the system. The EGE can be expressed as a product of the modal frequency and a dimensionless coefficient, defined as the energy-growth coefficient (EGC). Based on the Floquet theory, the relationship between the EGE, Floquet exponent and Lyapunov exponent are derived. An energy criterion of parametric instability is proposed by using the EGE. Using a simple pendulum as an example, the geometric characteristics of the EGC are investigated, and approximate analytical formulae of the EGC/EGE for three different unstable patterns are developed. The EGC/EGE formulae are applicable to the parametrically excited systems governed by the damped Mathieu equation. The unstable behaviors and properties of parametric vibrations are analyzed and discussed in details with EGE/EGC for three systems including a triple pendulum, two-dimensional sloshing fluid, and a two-span continuous beam. The stability boundaries established by using EGE/EGC agree well with those by the conventional theory and experiment. As a practical tool, the EGE/EGC formulae can be easily applied to analyzing the unstable intensities and boundaries of the parametrically excited systems.