bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Maternal temperature exposure triggers emotional and cognitive disorders and dysregulation of neurodevelopment genes in fish
Authors: Colson Violaine , Cousture Morgane , Zanerato-Damasceno Danielle , Valotaire Claudiane , Nguyen Thaovi , Le Cam Aurélie , Bobe Julien
Published: May 2018

Fish are sensitive to temperature, but the intergenerational consequences of maternal exposure to high temperature on offspring adaptive behaviour and underlying mechanisms are unknown. Here we show that a thermal maternal stress induces emotional and cognitive disorders in offspring. Thermal stress in mothers triggered the inhibition of fear responses and decreased spatial learning abilities in progeny. Impaired behavioural phenotypes were associated with the dysregulation of several genes known to play major roles in neurodevelopment, including auts2, a key gene for neurodevelopment, more specifically neuronal migration and neurite extension, and critical for the acquisition of neurocognitive function. In addition, our analysis revealed the dysregulation of another neurodevelopment gene (dpysl5) as well as genes associated with human cognitive disorders (arv1,plp2). We observed major differences in maternal mRNA abundance in the eggs following maternal exposure to high temperature indicating that some of the observed intergenerational effects are mediated by maternally-inherited mRNAs accumulated in the egg. Together, our observations shed new light on the intergenerational determinism of fish behaviour and associated underlying mechanisms. They also stress the importance of maternal history on fish adaptive capacities in a context of global climate changes.
A review of crypto networks
Authors: Zhang Mian , Ji Yuhong
Published: May 2018

Bitcoin is a crypto currency system that has been rapidly adopted due to its anonymity and decentralized properties. Blockchain is the underpinning technology that maintains the Bitcoin transaction ledger. The blockchain network operates in a state of consensus, which automatically checks in with itself periodically. One of biggest innovation by Bitcoin system is that it is a new way to develop open networks. Anything that happens on the blockchain is a function of the network as a whole. Crypto networks represent a fundamental shift in the way our society transacts, organizes, and works with each other, which could be explained and deciphered by econophysics of the network itself. From a networking perspective, we reviewed a list of current literatures that studied the crypto networks, mostly Bitcoin transaction networks. We identified the potential research areas that would further provide insights into the design of a more resilient and secure crypto networks.
Effects of preservation method on canine (Canis lupus familiaris) fecal microbiota
Authors: Horng Katti R , Ganz Holly H , Eisen Jonathan A , Marks Stanley L
Published: May 2018

Studies involving gut microbiome analysis play an increasing role in the evaluation of health and disease in humans and animals alike. Fecal sampling methods for DNA preservation in laboratory, clinical, and field settings can greatly influence inferences of microbial composition and diversity, but are often inconsistent and under-investigated between studies. Many laboratories have utilized either temperature control or preservation buffers for optimization of DNA preservation, but few studies have evaluated the effects of combining both methods to preserve fecal microbiota. To determine the optimal method for fecal DNA preservation, we collected fecal samples from one canine donor and stored aliquots in RNAlater, 70% ethanol, 50:50 glycerol:PBS, or without buffer at 25°C, 4°C, and -80°C. Fecal DNA was extracted, quantified, and 16S rRNA gene analysis performed on days 0, 7, 14, and 56 to evaluate changes in DNA concentration, purity, and bacterial diversity and composition over time. We detected overall effects on bacterial community of storage buffer (F-value= 6.87, DF= 3, P<0.001), storage temperature (F-value=1.77, DF= 3, P=0.037), and duration of sample storage (F-value=3.68, DF= 3, P<0.001). Changes in bacterial composition were observed in samples stored in -80°C without buffer, a commonly used method for fecal DNA storage, suggesting that simply freezing samples may be suboptimal for bacterial analysis. Fecal preservation with 70% ethanol and RNAlater closely resembled that of fresh samples, though RNAlater yielded significantly lower DNA concentrations (DF=8.57, P<0.001). Although bacterial composition varied with temperature and buffer storage, 70% ethanol was the best method for preserving bacterial DNA in canine feces, yielding the highest DNA concentration and minimal changes in bacterial diversity and composition. The differences observed between samples highlight the need to consider optimized post-collection methods in microbiome research.
Linking time-series of single-molecule experiments with molecular dynamics simulations by machine learning
Authors: Matsunaga Yasuhiro , Sugita Yuji
Published: May 2018

Single-molecule experiments and molecular dynamics (MD) simulations are indispensable tools for investigating protein conformational dynamics. The former provide time-series data, such as donor-acceptor distances, whereas the latter give atomistic information, although this information is often biased by model parameters. Here, we devise a machine-learning method to combine the complementary information from the two approaches and construct a consistent model of conformational dynamics. It is applied to the folding dynamics of the formin-binding protein WW domain. MD simulations over 400 μs led to an initial Markov state model (MSM), which was then "refined" using single-molecule Förster resonance energy transfer (FRET) data through hidden Markov modeling. The refined or data-assimilated MSM reproduces the FRET data and features hairpin one in the transition-state ensemble, consistent with mutation experiments. The folding pathway in the data-assimilated MSM suggests interplay between hydrophobic contacts and turn formation. Our method provides a general framework for investigating conformational transitions in other proteins.
DMP Assistant [Tool Review]
Authors: Black Emma
Published: May 2018

The DMP (Data Management Plan) Assistant, hosted by the Portage Network, is a free tool designed to walk users through the creation of data management plans. As federal granting agencies in Canada are now expecting researchers to show evidence of data management planning, the DMP Assistant is both timely and useful. The template offered provides guidance based on current research data management best practices and are customizable based on institutional policies. While the DMP Assistant focuses on Canadian research needs, there are a number of similar tools developed from the same open-source platform that serve users around the globe. Though it does not currently offer current online tutorials or sample DMPs, the DMP Assistant is a simple and effective tool for engaging users in the research process.
Relationships between parents’ academic backgrounds and incomes and building students’ healthy eating habits
Authors: Hoque Kazi Enamul , Hoque Kazi Fardinul , A/P Thanabalan Revethy
Published: May 2018

Background

Building healthy eating habit is essential for all people. School and family are the prime institutions to instill this habit during early age. This study is aimed at understanding the impact of family such as parents’ educations and incomes on building students’ healthy eating habits.

Methods

A survey on building students’ eating habits was conducted among primary school students of grade 4 (11 years) and 5 (12 years) from Kulim district, Malaysia. Data from 318 respondents were analysed. Descriptive statistics were used to find the present scenario of their knowledge, attitude and practices towards their eating habits while one-way ANOVA and independent sample t-test were used to find the differences between their practices based on students’ gender, parents’ educations and incomes.

Results

The study finds that the students have a good knowledge of types of healthy food but yet their preferences are towards the unhealthy food. Though the students’ gender and parents’ educations are not found significantly related to students’ knowledge, attitude and practices towards healthy eating habits, parents’ incomes have significant influence on promoting the healthy eating habit.

Discussion

Findings of this study can be useful to guide parents in healthy food choices and suggest them to be models to their children in building healthy eating habits.
Efficient CRISPR‐based genome editing using tandem guide RNAs and editable surrogate reporters
Authors: Liu Wuqing , Li Shifeng , Zhang Yunbin , Li Jinsong , Li Yiping
Published: May 2018

Cleavage efficiency plays a key role in clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeat (CRISPR)‐based gene editing, particularly when the given guide RNA exhibits low cleavage activity. Here, we describe the packaging of tandem guide RNAs and single‐strand annealing‐based surrogate reporter cassettes into the CRISPR/CRISPR‐associated protein 9 vector, which increased gene‐editing efficiency by 4.94–6.31‐fold and simultaneously enriched the proportion of genetically modified cells. This strategy may substantially improve genome‐editing efficiency for demanding applications.
Hydrothermally Reduced Graphene Oxide Interfaces for Synthesizing High‐Performance Metal–Organic Framework Hollow Fiber Membranes
Authors: Li Wanbin , Shi Jiali , Li Zhanjun , Wu Wufeng , Xia Yan , Yu Yang , Zhang Guoliang
Published: May 2018

Metal–organic framework (MOF) membranes are attracting numerous attentions recently. However, fabrication of ultrathin and precisely molecular sieving MOF membranes, especially with highly processable polymeric hollow fiber substrates, is a great challenge. Here, the defect‐free ZIF‐8 composite hollow fiber membranes with impressive performance for hydrogen permselectivity are fabricated by novel interfacial contra‐diffusion synthesis. The reduced graphene oxide (rGO) membranes with good selectivity are prepared on hollow fiber substrates via hydrothermal treatment. By employing the prepared rGO membranes as sharp interfaces to promote the heterogeneous nucleation and control the diffusion of precursors, the ultrathin and uniform MOF membranes with thickness of 150 nm can be regionally crystallized at interfaces by contra‐diffusion synthesis. The prepared ZIF‐8/rGO composite membranes display outstanding separation performance in H2 purification, with permeance over 60 × 10−8 mol m−2 s−1 Pa−1 and H2/CO2, H2/N2 and H2/CH4 selectivities up to 25.3, 70.4, and 90.7, respectively. Moreover, the membranes thus prepared have good reproducibility and long‐term stability.
Facile Synthesis and In Vitro Nitric Oxide Production Inhibitory Activity of Benzoxazoles
Authors: Park Hyeong Jin , Kim Jin‐Kyung , Jun Jong‐Gab
Published: May 2018

A Facile synthesis of natural benzoxazoles, nocarbenzoxazoles F (1), G (5) and their derivatives (2–4 and 6–8) was achieved from the commercially available inexpensive precursors with overall yields ranging from 15 to 49%. Our strategy to access this family of benzoxazoles was enabled by POCl3‐mediated cyclodehydration, selective and/or complete demethylation and reduction as the key steps. Their in vitro nitric oxide (NO) inhibitory effect was further evaluated as an indicator of anti‐inflammatory activity in LPS‐induced RAW 264.7 cells and found to display weak to moderate activity in a concentration‐dependent manner without marked cytotoxicity. Overall, compound 8 (53.5% at 10 μM; IC50 = 8.17 μM) followed by compound 6 (12.7% at 10 μM; IC50 = 28.26 μM) exhibited significant activity, being more active than the positive control, L‐NMMA (19.5% at 10 μM; IC50 = 18.77 μM).
Insanity findings and evaluation practices: A state‐wide review of court‐ordered reports
Authors: O. Gardner Brett , C. Murrie Daniel , N. Torres Angela
Published: May 2018

Evaluations of legal sanity are some of the most complex and consequential mental health evaluations that forensic clinicians perform for the courts. Thus, there is strong reason to monitor the wide‐scale process and conclusions of sanity evaluations. In this study, we review 1,111 court‐ordered sanity evaluation reports submitted by 74 evaluators in Virginia from the first year after the state initiated an oversight system that allowed for such comprehensive review. Overall, the base rate of insanity findings was 16.9%, although base rates of insanity findings among individual evaluators varied from 0% to 50%. Similarly, most evaluators cited the cognitive (rather than volitional) criteria of the insanity defense as the basis for their insanity findings, although evaluators varied in their patterns of citing these underlying insanity criteria. Our review revealed other trends in practice, such as the rarity of psychological testing (2% of cases) and the frequency of conveying conclusions in “ultimate issue” format (76%). Overall, findings reveal that a majority of reports seem reasonably consistent with practice guidelines, but also reveal some idiosyncratic practices or patterns that suggest there is opportunity for improvement.
The Opportunity of a NOx‐free Combustion Engine
Authors: Arlt Wolfgang , Kureti Sven
Published: May 2018

Die Entfernung von im Verbrennungsmotor gebildeten Stickoxiden aus dem Abgas wird heute mit wässrigen Harnstofflösungen (AdBlue) versucht. Zwar wird eine eutektische Mischung eingesetzt, die zu 2/3 aus Wasser besteht, aber ein Schmelzpunkt von −11 °C macht eine Begleitbeheizung notwendig. Zudem gibt es Temperaturfenster, in denen die Stickoxid‐Entfernung überhaupt funktioniert, so dass zum Beispiel direkt nach dem Motorstart keine Stickoxid‐Entfernung möglich ist. In diesem Artikel wird eine bessere technische Lösung über liquid organic hydrogen carrier (LOHC) vorgestellt. Die LOHC wären zudem ein CO2‐freier Treibstoff für die Mobilität.
Hierarchically Porous Carbon Nanofibers Encapsulating Carbon‐Coated Mini Hollow FeP Nanoparticles for High Performance Lithium and Sodium Ion Batteries
Authors: Wang Beibei , Wang Gang , Wang Hui , Bai Jintao
Published: May 2018

Metal phosphides are appealing candidates for lithium and sodium ion batteries due to their moderate discharge plateau, relatively low polarization and impressive theoretical capacity. Unfortunately, the poor capacity retention and limited cycle life are still big problems as for other phase‐transformation‐type anode materials. Herein, we report a novel one‐dimensional hierarchical material, consisting of carbon‐coated mini hollow FeP nanoparticles homogeneously encapsulated in porous carbon nanofibers (denoted as M‐FeP@C) through a low temperature phosphidation method. The M‐FeP@C hybrid nanofibers deliver high specific capacity, long cycling life stability (542 mAh g−1 after 300 cycles at 1 A g−1) and excellent rate capability for half and full lithium‐ion batteries. In addition, the M‐FeP@C hybrid nanofibers show 474 mAh g−1 after 100 cycles at 0.1 A g−1 as an anode for sodium ion batteries. The outstanding electrochemical performance of the M‐FeP@C hybrid nanofibers for both lithium and sodium storage can be attributed to the advantageous embedding architecture between the mini hollow FeP nanoparticles and double carbon layers scaffold, which offer not only a continuous conducting framework and nanoporous channels for efficient diffusion and transport of ions/electrons, but also provide enough voids to alleviate the volume changes during cycling.
The role of maternal anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa before and during pregnancy in early childhood wheezing: Findings from the NINFEA birth cohort study
Authors: Popovic Maja , Pizzi Costanza , Rusconi Franca , Gagliardi Luigi , Galassi Claudia , Trevisan Morena , Merletti Franco , Richiardi Lorenzo
Published: May 2018

Objective

This study evaluates associations of maternal eating disorders (bulimia nervosa, anorexia nervosa, and purging behaviors) with infant wheezing and examines the effects of eating disorders on several wheezing determinants.

Method

We studied 5,150 singletons from the NINFEA birth cohort. Maternal bulimia nervosa and anorexia nervosa diagnoses were ascertained from the questionnaires completed in pregnancy and 6 months after delivery, and were analyzed as: ever diagnosis, only before pregnancy, and during pregnancy. Purging behaviors were assessed for 12 months before or during pregnancy. The associations with wheezing between 6 and 18 months of age were assessed in models adjusted for a priori selected confounders.

Results

Children born to mothers with lifetime eating disorders were at an increased risk of developing wheezing (adjusted OR 1.68; [95% CI: 1.08, 2.60]), and this risk further increased when the disorders were active during pregnancy (2.52 [1.23, 5.19]). Increased risk of offspring wheezing was observed also for purging behaviors without history of eating disorder diagnosis (1.50 [1.10, 2.04]). The observed associations were not explained by comorbid depression and/or anxiety. Bulimia nervosa and/or anorexia nervosa during pregnancy were also associated with several risk factors for wheezing, including maternal smoking, adverse pregnancy outcomes, shorter breastfeeding duration, and day‐care attendance.

Discussion

The associations of maternal eating disorders with offspring wheezing suggest long‐term adverse respiratory outcomes in children of mothers with eating disorders. A better understanding of mechanisms implicated is necessary to help reduce the respiratory disease burden in these children.
NiTi‐Based Elastocaloric Cooling on the Macroscale: From Basic Concepts to Realization
Authors: Kirsch Susanne‐Marie , Welsch Felix , Michaelis Nicolas , Schmidt Marvin , Wieczorek André , Frenzel Jan , Eggeler Gunter , Schütze Andreas , Seelecke Stefan
Published: May 2018

Solid‐state cooling is an environmentally friendly, no global warming potential alternative to vapor compression‐based systems. Elastocaloric cooling based on NiTi shape memory alloys exhibits excellent cooling capabilities. Due to the high specific latent heats activated by mechanical loading/unloading, large temperature changes can be generated in the material. The small required work input enables a high coefficient of performance. An overview of elastocaloric cooling from basic principles, such as elastocaloric cooling cycles, material characterization, modeling, and optimization, to the design of elastocaloric cooling devices is presented. Current work performed within the DFG (Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft) Priority Program SPP 1599 “Ferroic Cooling”, which is focused on the development and realization of a continuously operating elastocaloric cooling device, is highlighted. The cooling device operates in a rotatory mode with wires under tensile loading. The design allows maximization of cooling power by suitable wire diameter scaling as well as efficiency optimization by implementing a novel drive concept. Finally, computer‐aided design (CAD) models of the discussed solid‐state air cooling device are presented.
Meta‐regression analysis to evaluate relationships between maternal blood levels of placentation biomarkers and low delivery weight
Authors: Goto Eita
Published: May 2018

Background

Caution is required for women at increased risk of low neonatal delivery weight.

Objective

To evaluate relationships between maternal placentation biomarkers and the odds of low delivery weight.

Search strategy

Databases including PubMed/MEDLINE were searched up to May 2017 using keywords involving biomarker names and “low birthweight.”

Selection criteria

English language studies providing true‐ and false‐positive, and true‐ and false‐negative results of low delivery weight classified by maternal blood levels of placentation biomarkers (in units of multiple of the mean [MoM]) were included.

Data collection and analysis

Coefficients representing changes in log odds ratio for low delivery weight per 1 MoM increase in maternal blood placentation biomarkers, and those adjusted for race, sampling period, and/or study quality were calculated.

Main results

Adjusted coefficients representing changes in log odds ratio for low delivery weight per 1 MoM increase in maternal blood levels of α‐fetoprotein (AFP) and β‐human chorionic gonadotropin (β‐hCG) were significantly greater than 0 (both P<0.001), whereas that for pregnancy‐associated plasma protein A (PAPP‐A) was significantly less than 0 (P=0.028). Adjusted models explained the higher proportion of between‐study variance better than non‐adjusted models.

Conclusions

Elevated AFP and β‐hCG, and reduced PAPP‐A in maternal blood were positively associated with odds of low delivery weight.
Discontinuation of long‐acting reversible contraception versus short‐term hormonal methods in urban Ghana: A pilot longitudinal study
Authors: Rominski Sarah D. , Manu Abubakar , Maya Ernest , Morhe Emmanuel S.K. , Dalton Vanessa K.
Published: May 2018

In this pilot study, women who adopted long‐acting reversible contraception were more likely to still be using their method at 1 year than were women who adopted short‐term hormonal methods.
THE INFLATIONARY IMPACT OF OIL PRICE SHOCKS: A VECTOR AUTOREGRESSIVE STUDY
Authors: Deravi Keivan , Hegji Charles E.
Published: May 2018

The paper estimates a seven‐variable vector autoregressive model of the U.S. economy over the period 1970.1 to 1990.4. Forecast error variance and impulse analysis are performed on the estimated system to determine the inflationary impact of increases in the price of oil over this period. The analysis shows that a negligible percentage of inflation's forecast error variance can be attributable to increases in the price of oil. Moreover, the impulse simulations result in negative Consumer Price responses to increases in the price of oil. The primary response to a positive shock in the price of oil was a decrease in real output. The results, in general, support previous studies emphasizing the demand‐side of response to oil price shocks rather than shifts in aggregate supply.
MERGER ACTIVITY AND MANAGERIAL COMPENSATION
Authors: Teall John L.
Published: May 2018

A theoretical monopolistic economy is developed to explain relationships between merger activity and managerial compensation packages. In this economy, managers are assigned to and compensated by firms based on models established in “n” person cooperative game theory. Compensation packages offered to managers of potential acquiring firms are studied with respect to their impact on managers' willingness to initiate profitable merger bids. The model explains why overall merger returns decrease as the size of the target firm relative to the bidding firm increases. Model results are consistent with numerous other empirical findings regarding merger profit distributions.
OVER‐THE‐COUNTER FIRMS, ASYMMETRIC INFORMATION, AND FINANCING PREFERENCES
Authors: Hittle Linda C. , Haddad Kamal , Gitman Lawrence J.
Published: May 2018

A puzzling empirical finding is that firms often seem to follow a pecking‐order hierarchy of financing. Asymmetric information has been hypothesized as one possible explanation for the pecking‐order hierarchy. A survey of Fortune 500 firms found strong support for the pecking‐order model. This study surveys over‐the‐counter firms which seem more likely to experience asymmetric information than the Fortune 500. The findings of this study provide empirical support for the asymmetric information hypothesis by demonstrating that managers of firms with greater asymmetric information are more likely to believe their stock is mispriced leading them to follow the pecking‐order model of financing.
FORWARD RISK PREMIA AND THE MATURITY OF CONTRACTS: A NOTE
Authors: Fatemi Ali M. , Tavakkol Amir
Published: May 2018

This paper examines the behavior of the risk premium component of currency forward rates. Analyzing forward rates of one, two and three‐month maturity, we find that the power of forward rate as a predictor of future spot rate decreases with the length of contract maturity. Further, we find that the proportion of the variance of the forward premium which is due to the variation of the risk premium is larger than the proportion due to the expected spot rate change for all currencies except for the Canadian dollar. This proportion also increases with the length of maturity.
THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN MARKET AND ACCOUNTING BETAS FOR COMMERCIAL BANKS
Authors: Karels Gordon V. , Sackley William H.
Published: May 2018

This study examines the correlation between market equity betas and accounting asset and equity betas in the commercial banking sector. A sample of banks was taken from the COMPUSTAT tapes and annual equity and asset accounting betas (calculated with various indices) were estimated over varying time periods. Cross‐sectional correlations were then determined for individual banks and five‐bank portfolios. The results indicate that the correlations are comparable to those found in other non‐banking studies of accounting and market betas. A noticeable difference in our study was the sensitivity of the correlations to the length of the estimation interval for the betas. The longest estimation intervals (16–18 years) produce few significant correlations in our sample. These correlations were significantly lower than those obtained using fifteen or fewer years of data. Construction of portfolios generally increases all the correlations but the longer time period correlations are still significantly lower. The correlations are largely invariant, however, to the choice of index used in the estimation of the betas.
MULTIPLE INTERNAL RATES OF RETURN: A REVISITATION
Authors: Sisson James R. , Nielsen James F.
Published: May 2018

This paper investigates the utility of certain existing rules for the identification of non‐imaginary internal rates of return in the capital budgeting process. More specifically, the paper demonstrates the applicability of Descartes' Rule of Signs, Budan's Theorem, and Sturm's Theorem from the theory of equations and rules developed in the business literature by Teichroew, Robichek, and Montalbano (1965a, 1965b), Mao (1969), Jean (1968, 1969), and Pratt and Hammond (1979). In so doing, the paper provides a framework that accounting, economic, and finance practitioners may use while grappling with the increasing possibility of multiple solutions in contemporary capital budgeting decisions.
AN INVESTIGATION OF THE EFFECT OF QUALIFIED AUDIT OPINIONS ON THE TRADING VOLUME AND BID‐ASK SPREAD OF OVER‐THE‐COUNTER FIRMS
Authors: Ameen Elsie C. , Guffey Daryl M.
Published: May 2018

This paper investigates the information content of qualified audit opinions. The announcement of a qualified audit opinion is expected to cause investors' beliefs about the firm to converge. This increase in consensus would be evidenced by an unexpected decrease in trading volume surrounding the initial public announcement. Proportional bid‐ask spread changes are used to test for changes in information asymmetry due to the announcement.

After controlling for the effects of earnings announcements, a significant trading volume reaction is found in the week of the announcement for a sample of firms traded over the counter. No significant difference in proportional bid‐ask spread is found. The results suggest that qualified audit opinions do, indeed, convey information to the investing public and this information results in homogeneous beliefs about the firm.
MONEY SUPPLY ANNOUNCEMENTS AND INTEREST SENSITIVE STOCKS
Authors: Prag Jay
Published: May 2018

Much of the money announcement literature provides evidence that there is a significant response of nominal interest rates to unexpected changes in the money stock, especially in the October 1979‐October 1982 period. These money announcements provide a proxy for unexpected interest rate changes which can be used in a novel test for the interest sensitivity of stocks. Using the response of disaggregated stock price data to money announcements, we reach two major conclusions. First, that the interest rate response observed in the money announcement literature was predominantly a change in real rates. Second, an unusual group of stocks are excessively sensitive to these real rate changes and many groups of stocks that might logically have been expected to be sensitive are not.
How a phase image of a cell with nucleus refractive index smaller than that of the cytoplasm should look like?
Authors: Yurkin Maxim A.
Published: May 2018

In recent papers Steelman et al. (“Is the nuclear refractive index lower than cytoplasm? Validation of phase measurements and implications for light scattering technologies”) and Schürmann et al. (“Cell nuclei have lower refractive index and mass density than cytoplasm”) obtained quantitative phase images of whole cells of various types and corresponding isolated nuclei and concluded that the refractive index (RI) of the nucleus is significantly smaller than that of the cytoplasm. The comment shows that this conclusion and assumptions used in retrieving the RI necessarily imply a characteristic dip in the center of the whole‐cell phase images. This dip is not present in any of the phase images in the discussed papers, which is a strong argument against the conclusion of smaller nucleus RI. It is also discussed whether a different processing of the phase images can help to clarify this issue.
Measures of Drug Prescribing at Care Transitions in an Internal Medicine Unit
Authors: Colombo Fabrizio , Nunnari Pietro , Ceccarelli Giovanni , Romano Angelo Valerio , Barbieri Pietro , Scaglione Francesco
Published: May 2018

Care transitions represent a common source of drug errors and confusions. The purpose of our prospective observational study was to assess the prevalence of medication discrepancies at care transitions, along with potentially inappropriate medications and potential drug‐drug interactions, in an internal medicine unit of an Italian hospital. Adverse drug reactions that occurred in the 30‐day period after the discharge from the hospital were included. A related‐samples McNemar test was performed for evaluating the effects of hospitalization on the above‐mentioned measures of drug prescribing. Medication discrepancies were frequent both on admission (93.4% [95%CI 0.8749, 0.9713]) and at discharge (78.7% [95%CI 0.7035, 0.8558]), with a significant difference between transition times (−14.7% [95%CI −21.82%, −7.69%]; P < .001)]. A high potentially inappropriate medication use prevalence was revealed without differences between care transitions. Potential drug‐drug interactions were more frequent at admission to the hospital, with a significant difference of 8.2% in the distribution of patients with potential drug‐drug interactions between care transitions. None of the adverse drug reactions recorded on follow‐up was related to unintentional discrepancies, and the prevalence rate of patients with potentially inappropriate medication‐related adverse drug reactions ranged between 4.9% and 6.9%, and the prevalence rate of patients with drug‐drug interaction–related adverse drug reactions was 4.1% of patients. This study is important to raise awareness of the potential dangers medication discrepancies, potentially inappropriate medications, and potential drug‐drug interactions could have on older adults. Clinicians and clinical pharmacologists must collaborate to improve patient care and minimize drug‐related clinical outcomes.
Infant growth outcomes from birth to 12 months of age: findings from the Delta Healthy Sprouts randomized comparative impact trial
Authors: Thomson J. L. , Goodman M. H. , Tussing‐Humphreys L. M. , Landry A. S.
Published: May 2018

Objective

Multicomponent lifestyle modification interventions designed for gestational and early postnatal periods may be key to preventing obesity in children. The primary objective of the study was to determine if infant growth outcomes differed between treatment arms of an 18‐month, maternal, infant and early childhood home visiting project.

Methods

Pregnant women at least 18 years of age, less than 19 weeks pregnant and residing in a lower Mississippi Delta county were recruited between March 2013 and December 2014. Postnatal data were collected from 24 experimental and 30 control participants between September 2013 and May 2016. Infant growth outcomes were modelled as time‐to‐event data using Kaplan–Meier survival curves with log‐rank tests to determine if survival curves differed between treatment arms.

Results

Retention rates for the experimental and control arms were 88% (21/24) and 83% (25/30), respectively. Approximately three‐fourths of infants in both treatment arms were classified as overweight and experienced rapid weight gain during the first 12 months of life. No differences between median times neither to classification as overweight (3–4 months) nor to experiencing rapid weight gain (6–7 months) were observed between treatment arms.

Conclusions

As compared with a standard educational (control) curriculum, an educational curriculum enhanced with diet and physical activity components was not effective at improving infant growth outcomes.
The Iowa Personality Disorder Screen: A validation study in a psychiatric population that receives long‐term group psychotherapy for personality related problems
Authors: Selvik S.G. , Hummelen B. , Romild U. , Langbehn D.R. , Pedersen G.
Published: May 2018

Personality disorder (PD) is common among psychiatric patients, and diagnosing such disorders is of great importance for the choice of treatment. Diagnosing PD is a demanding and time‐consuming process. The utilities of several PD screening instruments have been studied in different populations, but not in a population who receives long‐term group psychotherapy.

In the current study, we investigate the predictive properties of the Iowa Personality Disorder Screen (IPDS) in a sample of 694 psychiatric outpatients with and without PD who were admitted for psychodynamic long‐term group therapy from 2012 to 2014. The definitive, reference diagnoses were defined according to the SCID‐II, by which 484 patients (68%) warranted a PD diagnosis. The IPDS correctly classified 67.4 percent of all participants. Sensitivity (0.75) and specificity (0.51) were lower than in previous validation studies of IPDS. We discuss possible explanations related to the general concept of PD and, more specifically, to our study sample.

Because of the weaker predictive properties of IPDS, we advise caution in use of the IPDS in similar clinical settings. Copyright © 2018 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
A Simple Method for Predicting Friction Sensitivity of Quaternary Ammonium‐Based Energetic Ionic Liquids
Authors: Jafari Mohammad , Keshavarz Mohammad Hossein , Joudaki Fatemeh , Mousaviazar Ali
Published: May 2018

Friction sensitivity is an important safety parameter for assessment when working with new energetic ionic liquids (EILs) during mixing, pouring, sieving, priming and consolidation operations in working places. This work introduces a reliable method to predict friction sensitivity of quaternary ammonium‐based EILs, which are based on elemental composition of cation and anion of a desired ionic liquid as well as the contribution of specific cations and anions. For 47 EILs, the values of coefficient of determination (R2) and Root Mean Squared Error (RMSE) of the new model are 0.9057 and 33 N, respectively. High accuracy of the novel method confirms that prediction of friction sensitivity of quaternary ammonium‐based EILs is not necessarily enhanced by greater complexity.
Mediastinal cysts with Mullerian differentiation
Authors: Miura Hiroyuki , Miura Jun , Hirano Hiroshi
Published: May 2018

Mediastinal cysts with Mullerian differentiation are characterized by oestrogen receptor and progesterone receptor positive cell linings.

We treated four patients with mediastinal cysts with Mullerian differentiation. All patients were female, from 46 to 52 years old, and had BMIs greater than 26 kg/m2. All but one patient with cough were asymptomatic. The tumours were located in the paravertebral areas around the Th‐1–7 vertebrae. There was no left/right difference. All of the preoperative diagnoses were bronchial cysts. Three of the four patients had a history of uterine myoma. Furthermore, antiestrogen therapy was administered to one patient. All of our patients were alive without recurrence for three to eight years after surgery. As long as ectopic epithelia exist, there is a possibility of malignant conversion. Therefore, complete resection of the tumour is necessary.
Exploring Uranyl/Salicylate/Hematite Binary and Ternary Complexes by Attenuated‐Total‐Reflection Infrared Spectroscopy
Authors: Ren Yiming , Wu Qian , Zhong Jingrong , Qin Zhen , Shao Lang , Tang Hao , Kong Chuipeng , Li Yingru
Published: May 2018

Attenuated‐total‐reflection infrared technique was utilized to investigate the binding mechanisms in uranyl/salicylate/hematite binary and ternary systems at the molecular scale. Uranyl has been found to adsorb onto hematite surfaces in an outer‐sphere mode, similar to uranyl/maghemite system, whereas the desorption process is much longer than the latter which is probably due to different surface structures of the two minerals. Salicylate, as a good analogue of humic acid and other ortho‐hydroxo aromatic acids, binds with the surface mainly through complexation of the carboxylic group with the surface. In the cosorption system of uranyl/salicylate, at a sub‐micromolar concentration onto hematite, only weak interactions are deduced from the shifts of salicylate characteristic peaks. The increasing amount of salicylate have significant influences upon uranyl species and would release uranyl from the surface. The ternary complexes were found for both systems, and the possible structures were predicted through DFT calculations. The results of the present study could provide some information on the organic ligand influences on the uranyl sorption process, especially for the ortho‐hydroxo acromatic acids, such as humic acid.
Convolved substructure: analytically decorrelating jet substructure observables
Authors: Moult Ian , Nachman Benjamin , Neill Duff
Published: May 2018

Abstract

A number of recent applications of jet substructure, in particular searches for light new particles, require substructure observables that are decorrelated with the jet mass. In this paper we introduce the Convolved SubStructure (CSS) approach, which uses a theoretical understanding of the observable to decorrelate the complete shape of its distribution. This decorrelation is performed by convolution with a shape function whose parameters and mass dependence are derived analytically. We consider in detail the case of the D
2 observable and perform an illustrative case study using a search for a light hadronically decaying Z′. We find that the CSS approach completely decorrelates the D
2 observable over a wide range of masses. Our approach highlights the importance of improving the theoretical understanding of jet substructure observables to exploit increasingly subtle features for performance.
Modified Glanulopexy Technique for Supersonic Transporter Deformity and Glanular Hypermobility in Men With Penile Prostheses
Authors: Ziegelmann Matthew J. , Alom Manaf , Bole Raevti , Kohler Tobias , Trost Landon
Published: May 2018

Background

Glanular hypermobility (GH) or supersonic transporter (SST) deformity are occasionally encountered during penile prosthesis (PP) implantation, yet management strategies are underreported with minimal data available on surgical outcomes.

Aim

To describe a modified technique for glanulopexy to correct GH/SST in men undergoing PP placement and assess outcomes associated with this technique.

Methods

Glanulopexy was performed in men with GH/SST identified at the time of or following PP placement. A modification to previously described techniques was performed, whereby a suture is passed into the glans and secured to the tissue overlying the corpora through small incisions on the lateral aspects of the distal penile shaft.

Outcomes

Correction of the anatomic deformity (GH/SST), device infection, and changes in penile sensation were evaluated during post-operative follow-up.

Results

From 2014–2017, a total of 12 patients underwent modified glanulopexy for GH/SST. Nine (75%) were performed at the time of PP, while the remaining 3 were performed in a delayed fashion. At a median follow-up of 12 months (range 1–33 months), all patients with the device in situ demonstrated appropriate glanular positioning, and no patients reported changes in penile sensation. A single patient required device removal secondary to infection.

Clinical Translation

Glanulopexy with permanent suture successfully corrects severe GH or SST in men with inflatable PP without reduced penile sensation.

Conclusions

Strengths of the current study include the description of a simple, safe, and reproducible technique for GH/SST that adds minimal operative time and can be performed under local anesthesia when necessary. To our knowledge, this represents one of the largest reported series of glanulopexy outcomes reported in the literature. Limitations include that this is a single-surgeon series, there is limited follow-up, and lack of a comparison group. Further study with external validation is warranted to establish the optimal role for the procedure.
Geochemical evidence for the fractionation of iridium group elements at the early stages of crystallization of the Dovyren magmas (northern Baikal area, Russia)
Authors: Ariskin A.A. , Nikolaev G.S. , Danyushevsky L.V. , Fiorentini M. , Kislov E.V. , Pshenitsyn I.V.
Published: May 2018

We have first generalized geochemical and mineralogical data indicating the important role of crystallization of Os–Ir–Ru phases and fractionation of refractory iridium subgroup of PGE (IPGE) at the early stages of the evolution of parental magmas and primitive cumulates from the Yoko–Dovyren layered massif (northern Baikal area, Russia). The object of study was two types of plagioclase peridotites from the lower part of the intrusion, differing in the porosity of primary olivine cumulates: less melanocratic (but more primitive) type I and more melanocratic type II. Inclusions of refractory IPGE (Os, Ir, and Ru) discovered during LA–ICP-MS studies of aluminochromite from type I rocks are the first evidence for the presence of Os–Ir–Ru phases. Subsequent electron microscopy examinations revealed more than 25 grains of laurite and Ir-containing osmium in aluminochromite from plagioperidotites of both types. Attention is focused on the importance of the Ru/Cr2O3 and Ir/Cr2O3 ratios in rocks for the separation of IPGE at early and late fractionation stages. The conclusion is drawn that the higher Ru/Cr2O3 and Ir/Cr2O3 ratios in type I plagioperidotites indicate higher enrichment of aluminochromite in inclusions of refractory IPGE minerals. This is consistent with the fact that these rocks are assigned to the most primitive high-temperature ultramafites genetically related to the parental magma, which was in equilibrium with olivine Fo88 at ~1290 ºC. We have established that the parental Dovyren magma was already depleted in IPGE and rhodium before its entrance into a chamber. No signs of early sulfide–silicate immiscibility have been detected.

© 2018, V.S. Sobolev IGM, Siberian Branch of the RAS. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
Collisional mafic magmatism of the fold–thrust belts framing southern Siberia
(Western Sangilen, southeastern Tuva)
Authors: Shelepaev R.A. , Egorova V.V. , Izokh A.E. , Seltmann R.
Published: May 2018

We consider geochemical features of mafic magmatism manifested during the evolution of a complex nappe-folded structure in Western Sangilen, resulted from the Cambrian–Ordovician collisional tectogenesis. There are abundant ultramafic–mafic and mafic associations of different types in this region: layered low-Ti low-alkali ultramafic–mafic intrusions, high-Ti medium-alkali gabbroids, gabbro–monzodiorite intrusions, and alkali basalts. Isotope-geochronological data showed that these complexes formed over a wide time interval, from 570 to 440 Ma. At this time, the geodynamic setting in Western Sangilen changed from an island-arc one via a collision one to an intercontinental rift setting. At the early and late stages of the evolution of Western Sangilen, the geochemical features of mafites were typical of their geodynamic settings. The properties of mafites that formed synchronously with the collision are of particular interest. The studies have shown that the chemical composition of collisional mafites of Western Sangilen changed with time. They became richer in alkalies, titanium, and incompatible elements. This fact indicates a change in the type of mantle source from suprasubductional in the Cambrian to enriched deeper-level one in the Ordovician.
To MSNAP or not to MSNAP? Testing a small regional memory clinic against the UK Memory Service National Accreditation Program (MSNAP)
Authors: Sweeney E. B. , Foley J. E. , Fitzsimons S. , Denihan A.
Published: May 2018

Aim

To investigate whether a small regional memory clinic would benefit from engaging with a structured external audit process such as the Royal College of Psychiatrists’ Memory Service National Accreditation Program (MSNAP).

Background

The Psychiatry of Old Age service in Navan operates a public cognitive clinic. Despite the publication of the 2014 National Dementia Strategy, there are currently no national standards for memory clinics in Ireland. It may be beneficial to link in with an external quality control system as part of routine clinical governance.

Methods

Published data from the MSNAP group was reviewed and a set of audit materials extrapolated to replicate the MSNAP self-review process. The audit cycle involved (1) retrospective case review, (2) institution of a range of interventions and (3) a prospective audit, which included service user feedback.

Results

Overall the results demonstrated a high standard of service, especially in the areas of accessibility, assessment and communication of diagnosis. The clinic performed well against MSNAP key performance indicators. Patient and carer satisfaction with the service was very high. Clinic policies needed further development, particularly in the areas of referral, consent and data protection.

Conclusions

The process was useful, providing clear pointers for action. It highlighted the need to formalise organisational and practice policies, patient support and education, audit and outreach. Although accreditation is a laborious process requiring financial investment, it provides a strong scaffold to maintain and improve standards and is likely to be a valuable learning experience, where national guidelines are lacking.
Three-dimensional free-surface flow over arbitrary bottom topography
Authors: Buttle Nicholas R. , Pethiyagoda Ravindra , Moroney Timothy J. , McCue Scott W.
Published: May 2018

We consider steady nonlinear free surface flow past an arbitrary bottom topography in three dimensions, concentrating on the shape of the wave pattern that forms on the surface of the fluid. Assuming ideal fluid flow, the problem is formulated using a boundary integral method and discretised to produce a nonlinear system of algebraic equations. The Jacobian of this system is dense due to integrals being evaluated over the entire free surface. To overcome the computational difficulty and large memory requirements, a Jacobian-free Newton–Krylov (JFNK) method is utilised. Using a block-banded approximation of the Jacobian from the linearised system as a preconditioner for the JFNK scheme, we find significant reductions in computational time and memory required for generating numerical solutions. These improvements also allow for a larger number of mesh points over the free surface and the bottom topography. We present a range of numerical solutions for both subcritical and supercritical regimes, and for a variety of bottom configurations. We discuss nonlinear features of the wave patterns as well as their relationship to ship wakes.