bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A Clinical Decision Making Example: Implementing Intensive Speech Sound Intervention for School-Age Students Through Telepractice
Authors: Pullins Vicki , Grogan-Johnson Sue
Published: March 2017

The purpose of this article is to describe the clinical decision making process that was utilized in implementing a speech sound intervention program delivered five times a week in individual telepractice therapy sessions lasting six minutes to school-age students in kindergarten through fifth grade (K-5). We utilized a clinical decision making process (Kamhi, 2006) to help establish this alternate way to provide speech sound intervention that resulted in improved speech intelligibility in the classroom in an efficient manner. Initial data collection on student outcomes will be provided. Limitations of this initial experiment are discussed with guidance provided for possible future research studies.
Intelligent vertical handoff decision strategy based on network performance prediction and consumer surplus value for next generation wireless networks
Authors: Cheelu Dhanaraj , Madda Rajasekhara Babu , Chen Chi‐Yuan , Venkata Krishna P. , Yenduri Sumanth
Published: March 2017

Vertical handoff (VHO) decision services play an essential role in the current wireless networks. Many algorithms designed aim at quality of service while granting seamless roaming amongst a number of heterogeneous access networks. In this study, the authors proposed an intelligent VHO decision strategy targeting to maximise user satisfaction without compromising on quality of service for non‐real time mobile based services. The proposed strategy applies consumer surplus value (CSV)‐based pricing scheme and also a prediction system to approximate network performances at various intervals. Finally, a fuzzy rule‐based behavioral system is proposed to find optimal network by considering both CSV as well as network performance as stimulus parameters. Simulation is carried out using OM Net++ and MATLAB, and the results are acknowledged with discussion and analysis.
Precise robust adaptive dynamic surface control of permanent magnet synchronous motor based on extended state observer
Authors: Li Guotao , Xu Wenfu , Zhao Jianguo , Wang Shuai , Li Bing
Published: March 2017

A novel precise position tracking controller is presented for permanent magnet synchronous motors (PMSMs). The proposed controller consisting of non‐linear extended state observer (ESO), tracking differentiator (TD) and dynamic surface control (DSC) can reject disturbance and can prevent PMSMs from chaos with parameters falling into some special areas. Compared with the conventional DSC approach, the TD of the proposed controller is designed to remove the explosion problem. Further, non‐linear ESO is designed to estimate the unmeasurable states and uncertainties of system, which together with TD significantly ameliorate the tracking performance and improve the disturbance rejection ability of system output in the presence of uncertainties and unmodelled dynamics of PMSMs. Different from the available control methods of PMSMs in reference, both the transient and steady‐state stability of the closed‐loop control system is proved by the Lyapunov method. Finally, comparative simulations are completed to demonstrate that the precise trajectory tracking performance, chaos‐suppressing performance and disturbance rejection performance of the proposed controller can be guaranteed.
A concept of inner prederivative for set-valued mappings and its applications
Authors: Geoffroy Michel H. , Marcelin Yvesner
Published: March 2017

We introduce a class of positively homogeneous set-valued mappings, called inner prederivatives, serving as first order approximants to set-valued mappings. We prove an inverse mapping theorem involving such prederivatives and study their stability with respect to variational perturbations. Then, taking advantage of their properties we establish necessary optimality conditions for the existence of several kind of minimizers in set-valued optimization. As an application of these last results, we consider the problem of finding optimal allocations in welfare economics. Finally, to emphasize the interest of our approach, we compare the notion of inner prederivative to the related concepts of set-valued differentiation commonly used in the literature.
Palladium-Catalyzed Highly Regioselective ortho-Halogenation of 2-Pyridyl Sulfoxides
Authors: Sun Meng , Zhao Jun-Long , Chen Xiang-Xiang , Xie Hu , Ren Jiang-Tao , Gou Xiao-Feng
Published: March 2017

A palladium-catalyzed regioselective ortho-halogenation of 2-pyridyl sulfoxides via a C–H activation pathway has been reported. Under the conditions established, this reaction proceeded smoothly and could tolerate a variety of functional groups under mild conditions.
Attitude toward Prenatal Testing and Termination of Pregnancy among Health Professionals and Medical Students in Saudi Arabia
Authors: Bakur Khadijah , Edrees Alaa , Al-Aama Jumana , A. Gaboon Nagwa
Published: March 2017

This study was aimed at assessing the attitude of health care professionals in Jeddah city toward prenatal diagnosis (PND) and termination of pregnancy (TOP). A cross-sectional study was conducted, and the participants completed a self-administered questionnaire. Approximately 82% of participants showed a consistent trend of accepting PND when appropriate, and 47.5% of the respondents were in favor of TOP if the fetus had a severe disease. Compared with men (69.3%), a significantly greater number of women (88%) accepted to have PND. The most acceptable prenatal diagnostic tests in the study were invasive techniques as most of the participants thought that noninvasive tests were nonspecific.
Evaluating the Performance of Ultrasound Screening for Congenital Heart Disease: A Descriptive Cohort Study
Authors: Maggio Lindsay , Has Phinnara , Werner Erika , Rouse Dwight , Froehlich Rosemary
Published: March 2017

Objective The objective of this study was to evaluate the rate of abnormal fetal echocardiogram after normal detailed anatomy ultrasound when both are performed by maternal–fetal medicine specialists.

Study Design Retrospective review of women who underwent detailed anatomy ultrasound and fetal echocardiography between 16 and 26 weeks' gestation at a single center. Women included had at least one indication for fetal echocardiography as recommended by the American Institute of Ultrasound in Medicine and normal cardiac anatomy on initial detailed anatomy ultrasound. Women with previous abnormal ultrasound, extracardiac anomalies, and abnormal or incomplete cardiac anatomy on initial examinations were excluded. The primary outcome was abnormal fetal echocardiogram, defined as a structural cardiac anomaly.

Results A total of 1,000 women (1,052 fetuses) were included. The most common indication for echocardiography was family history of congenital heart disease. Five fetuses had an abnormal echocardiogram (0.5%, 95% confidence interval: 0.2–1.1%), only one of which altered care. The other four were suspected ventricular septal defects; of these, three were not seen on postnatal cardiac imaging.

Conclusion The rate of abnormal fetal echocardiogram after a normal detailed anatomy ultrasound interpreted by maternal–fetal medicine specialists is low. Fetal echocardiography as a second screening test is of low clinical utility and unlikely to be cost-effective in this setting.
Laparoscopic transgastric circumferential stapler-assisted vs. endoscopic esophageal mucosectomy in a porcine model
Authors: Steinemann Daniel , Zerz Andreas , Müller Philip , Sauer Peter , Schaible Anja , Lasitschka Felix , Schwarz Anne-Catherine , Müller-Stich Beat , Linke Georg
Published: March 2017

Background and study aims Extensive endoscopic mucosal resection (EMR) for Barrett’s esophagus (BE) may lead to stenosis. Laparoscopic, transgastric, stapler-assisted mucosectomy (SAM) with the retrieval of a circumferential specimen is proposed.

Methods SAM was evaluated in two phases. The feasibility of SAM and the quality of specimens were assessed in eight animals. The mucosal healing was evaluated in a 6-week survival experiment comparing SAM (n = 6) with EMR (n = 6). The ratio of the esophageal lumen width (REL) at the resection level measured on fluoroscopy at 6 weeks divided by the width immediately after resection was compared.

Results In all animals, a circular mucosectomy specimen was successfully obtained, with a median area of 492 mm2 (interquartile range [IQR] 426 – 573 mm2) and 941 mm2 (IQR 813 – 1209 mm2) using a 21 mm and 25 mm stapler, respectively. In the survival experiments, symptomatic stenosis developed in two animals after EMR and in none after SAM. The REL was 0.27 (0.18 – 0.39) and 0.96 (0.9 – 1.04; P < 0.0001) for EMR and SAM, respectively.

Conclusions SAM provides a novel technique for en bloc mucosectomy in BE. In contrast to EMR, mucosal healing after SAM was not associated with stenosis up to 6 weeks after intervention.
Fast and Green – CO2 Based Extraction, Isolation, and Quantification of Phenolic Styrax Constituents
Authors: Scheuba Johanna , Wronski Valerie-Katharina , Rollinger Judith , Grienke Ulrike
Published: March 2017

In this study the first supercritical fluid based protocol for the extraction, analysis, and isolation of six polar compounds, i.e., o-vanillin (1), styracin (2), vanillin (3), trans-cinnamic acid (4), vanillic acid (5), and shikimic acid (6), was developed. First, eight styrax resin products (R1–R8) obtained from various Liquidambar tree species, which are known to contain compounds 2–6, were extracted with a 1 : 1 mixture of supercritical CO2 and EtOH. Within 4 minutes, the compounds were successfully baseline separated on an Acquity UPC2 BEH 2-EP (3.0 × 100 mm, 1.7 µm) column using a mobile phase of supercritical CO2 and MeOH with 0.1 % phosphoric acid. The compounds were quantified and the method was validated according to current ICH guidelines. Scaling up to preparative supercritical fluid chromatography using a Viridis BEH 2-EP (10 × 250 mm, 5 µm) column allowed for a fast separation and isolation of the selected constituents 2 and 4 from R6 within 7 minutes. This supercritical fluid protocol is easily adaptable to compounds of similar polarity. The increase in speed and its environmental friendliness underline its superiority over conventional set-ups.
Rarefied gas flow in converging microchannel in slip and early transition regimes
Authors: Hemadri Vadiraj , Varade Vijay V. , Agrawal Amit , Bhandarkar U. V.
Published: March 2017

This work presents the study of isothermal rarefied gas flows in converging microchannels. Experiments are carried out on microchannels of three different converging angles (4°, 8°, and 12°). Numerical investigation is carried out using commercial software to study the local behaviour of the flow parameters. The simulations show a sudden drop in the fluid temperature at the exit of the microchannel. Knudsen minimum, which was experimentally observed for the first time recently in diverging microchannels, is also noted here in the case of flow in converging cross section. It is interesting to note that, at the location of Knudsen minimum, the Knudsen number and the value of the minimum mass flow rate are same for both converging and diverging cross sections, for all the angles tested. This result implies the absence of any flow preference at high Knudsen numbers when the flow is subjected to converging and diverging orientations of the microchannel.
High-resolution electronic spectra of yttrium oxide (YO): The D2Σ+–X2Σ+ transition
Authors: Zhang Deping , Zhang Qiang , Zhu Boxing , Gu Jingwang , Suo Bingbing , Chen Yang , Zhao Dongfeng
Published: March 2017

The D2Σ+−X2Σ+ electronic absorption spectrum of the astrophysically relevant yttrium oxide (YO) molecule has been recorded for the first time in the 400–440 nm region using laser induced fluorescence. YO molecules are produced by corona discharge of oxygen between the tips of two yttrium needles in a supersonic jet expansion. An unambiguous spectroscopic identification of the D2Σ+−X2Σ+ transition becomes possible from a combined analysis of the moderate-resolution laser excitation spectrum and dispersed fluorescence spectrum. We have also performed multi-state complete active space second order perturbation theory calculations on the first six doublets of YO, and the results support our assignment of the D2Σ+ state. Accurate spectroscopic constants for D2Σ+ν′ = 0 and 1 levels have been determined from a rotational analysis of the high resolution spectra that are recorded with a resolution of ∼0.018 cm−1. Severe perturbations are observed in the experimental spectra and are considered to originate from interactions with at least one nearby 2/4Π electronic state, e.g., the undetected C2Π state. We have also measured the radiative lifetimes of B2Σ+ν′ = 0, and D2Σ+ν′ = 0 and 1 states, based on which the B2Σ+−X2Σ+ (0, 0) and D2Σ+−X2Σ+ (0/1, 0) band oscillator strengths have been determined.
Realization of direct bonding of single crystal diamond and Si substrates
Authors: Liang Jianbo , Masuya Satoshi , Kasu Makoto , Shigekawa Naoteru
Published: March 2017

Diamond/Si junctions have been achieved by surface activated bonding method without any chemical and heating treatments. Bonded interfaces were obtained that were free from voids and mechanical cracks. Observations by using transmission electron microscopy indicated that an amorphous layer with a thickness of ∼20 nm across the bonded interface was formed, and no structural defects were observed at the interface. The amorphous layer of the diamond side was confirmed to be the mixture of sp2 and sp3 carbons by electron energy loss spectroscopy analyzation. The sp3/(sp2 + sp3) ratio estimated from the X-ray photoemission spectra decreased from 53.8% to 27.5%, while the relative intensity of sp2 increased from 26.8% to 72.5% after the irradiation with Ar fast beam which should be predominantly attributable to the diamond-graphite conversion.
Effect of process pressure and temperature on ZnON material properties in reactive sputtering
Authors: Gao Haibo , Zhang Xiaodan , Zhao Ying , Yan Baojie
Published: March 2017

We have systematically studied Zinc Oxynitride (ZnON) materials for thin film transistors in advanced display applications. The ZnON materials were deposited using a reactive sputtering process with a metallic Zn target in a gas mixture of Ar, N2 and O2. We previously optimized the gas mixture and RF power and found optimized process parameters for O2 and N2 flow rates and RF power. In this contribution, we report the material properties as a function of process pressure and temperature. We observed that at a relatively lower pressure of 5 mTorr, the material shows a cubic Zn3N2-like structure with a narrow band gap of 1.1 eV, high conductivity, high carrier density, and high carrier mobility; at medium pressure of approximately 13-15 mTorr, the material becomes nanostructured or amorphous ZnON (nc-ZnON or a-ZnON) with a band gap of approximately 1.3-1.5 eV; and at pressures higher than 20 mTorr, the material shows a hexagonal polycrystalline ZnO-like structure with a band gap of 3.1 eV. The deposition rate decreases but the band gap increases monotonically with increasing pressure; the Hall electron mobility decreases with increasing pressure in the range from 5 mTorr to 13 mTorr and changes very little in the high pressure regime; the conductivity and carrier density decrease with the increase of pressure from 5 mTorr to 17 mTorr and then increase with further increase of pressure, which is related to the material structure changes from Zn3N2-like to a-ZnON, and then to ZnO-like materials. The substrate temperature has little effect on the material properties. Increasing substrate temperature slightly increases the band gap, carrier concentration, and conductivity, but slightly decreases the carrier mobility. Finally, under the optimized conditions, the nc-ZnON films are made with an optical band gap of 1.3-1.5 eV, electron mobility above 80 cm2/Vs and electron density of 1 × 1018 cm-3, which are suitable for high quality TFTs in advanced display applications.
Experimental and Density Functional Theory Calculation Studies on Raman and Infrared Spectra of 1,1′-Binaphthyl-2,2′-diamine
Authors: Zhang Zhen-lin , Wang Wen-lou , Liu Shi-lin , Chen Dong-ming
Published: March 2017

The IR absorption, visible excited normal Raman, and UV-excited near-resonant Raman (UVRR) spectra of 1,1′-binaphthyl-2,2′-diamine (BINAM) were measured and analyzed. Density functional theory calculations were carried out to investigate its vibrational frequencies, infrared absorption, normal Raman, and near-resonance Raman intensities. The observed Raman and IR bands of BINAM were assigned with respect to the local vibrations of substituted 2-naphthylamine. Several Raman bands of BINAM were found selectively enhanced in the UVRR in comparison with the normal Raman spectrum. Possible excited state geometry distortion was discussed based on the resonance Raman intensity analysis.
Imaging Molecular Orbitals of Single Picene Molecules Adsorbed on Cu(111) Surface: a Combined Experimental and Theoretical Study
Authors: Zhou Chun-sheng , Shan Huan , Li Bin , Zhao Ai-di
Published: March 2017

Picene, which attracts the great interest of researchers, not only can be used to fabricate thin film transistors with high hole mobilities, but also is the parent material of a new type organic superconductor. Here, we investigate the electronic properties of individual picene molecules directly adsorbed on Cu(111) surface by a combination of experimental scanning tunneling microscopy/spectroscopy measurements and theoretical calculations based on the density functional theory. At low coverage, the picene molecules exhibit mono-dispersed adsorption behavior with the benzene ring planes parallel to the surface. The highest occupied state around −1.2 V and the lowest unoccupied state around 1.6 V with an obvious energy gap of the singly adsorbed picene molecule are identified by the dI/dV spectra and maps. In addition, we observe the strong dependence of the dI/dV signal of the unoccupied states on the intramolecular positions. Our first-principles calculations reproduce the above experimental results and interpret them as a specific molecule-substrate interaction and energy/spatial distributions of hybrid states mainly derived from different molecular orbitals of picene with some intermixing between them. This work provides direct information on the local electronic structure of individual picene on a metallic substrate and will facilitate the understanding the dependence of electron transport properties on the coupling between molecules and metal electrodes in single-molecule devices.
Acetone Formation from Photolysis of 2-Propanol on Anatase-TiO2(101)
Authors: Geng Zhen-hua , Chen Xiao , Guo Qing , Dai Dong-xu , Yang Xue-ming
Published: March 2017

Photocatalysis of 2-propanol on A-TiO2(101) has been investigated using a temperature programed desorption method with 266 nm laser light. A clear mechanism is proposed for photodissociation of 2-propanol on A-TiO2(101). Acetone product on five coordinate Ti4+ sites is formed in a stepwise manner in which the O—H dissociation proceeds first and then followed by secondary C—H dissociation of 2-propanol while H atoms are transferred to the adjacent bridge bond oxygen (BBO) sites. Low temperature water is formed in a thermally driven process via H-atom on BBO in exchange with isopropyl groups of molecule 2-propanol, while isopropyl radical desorbs at high temperature during the TPD process. The observation demonstrates the prospect of TiO2 as a photocatalyst for degradation of organics.
Research on translation review in China from the perspective of Bourdieu’s Sociology
Authors: Wen Jun , Wang Shaojing , Zhang Wenhe
Published: March 2017

Translation review, as book review on translated works, aims to introduce, recommend and review translated works. In China, while great achievements were made in translation criticism since the 1990s, translation review was quantitatively understudied in translation studies, though it is, as a social practice, more practical and enjoys wider readership. Based on Bourdieu’s sociological theory of practice, namely, field, capital and habitus, this paper examines translation reviews inChina Reading Weeklyfrom 2010 to 2014 and argues that China fails to establish a translation field of its own, and translation review in China is subject to the multiple influences of the economic and cultural capital of the country, the symbolic capital of translators and reviewers, and the cultural capital and habitus of reviewers. The paper also puts forward some suggestions for the development of translation review in the future.
Foreign language courses for translation undergraduates
Authors: Elamin Saadia
Published: March 2017

In most parts of the world the principle of translating into one’s native language is rarely observed. Translators find themselves working equally into a foreign language (L2), especially English. This shift in translation directionality needs to find its way to the translation classroom, but even before that, to the L2 courses that precede practical translation training. These courses, so far directed towards improving students’ ability to understand foreign language texts, have to take a new turn towards developing the increasingly required production competence. As the present study has shown, certain rules of English grammar constitute the stumbling block for Arabic undergraduates and generate a number of regularly occurring errors in their English texts. Grammar and other language courses, instead of following the content of standard textbooks, should be designed and delivered to serve the real needs of students and help them to develop the increasingly required L2 production competence.
Neurons eat glutamate to stay alive
Authors: Fendt Sarah-Maria , Verstreken Patrik
Published: March 2017

Neurons are thought to primarily rely on glucose to fuel mitochondrial metabolism. In this issue, Divakaruni et al. (2017. J. Cell Biol. https://doi.org/10.1083/jcb.201612067) show that neurons are also happy to use glutamate. When neurons use this neurotransmitter, its concentration drops, thus protecting against glutamate-induced excitotoxic stress.
Two-Point Resistance of a Non-Regular Cylindrical Network with a Zero Resistor Axis and Two Arbitrary Boundaries*
Authors: Tan Zhi-Zhong
Published: March 2017

We study a problem of two-point resistance in a non-regular m × n cylindrical network with a zero resistor axis and two arbitrary boundaries by means of the Recursion-Transform method. This is a new problem never solved before, the Green’s function technique and the Laplacian matrix approach are invalid in this case. A disordered network with arbitrary boundaries is a basic model in many physical systems or real world systems, however looking for the exact calculation of the resistance of a binary resistor network is important but difficult in the case of the arbitrary boundaries, the boundary is like a wall or trap which affects the behavior of finite network. In this paper we obtain a general resistance formula of a non-regular m × n cylindrical network, which is composed of a single summation. Further, the current distribution is given explicitly as a byproduct of the method. As applications, several interesting results are derived by making special cases from the general formula.
A longitudinal analysis of data quality in a large pediatric data research network
Authors: Khare Ritu , Utidjian Levon , Ruth Byron J , Kahn Michael G , Burrows Evanette , Marsolo Keith , Patibandla Nandan , Razzaghi Hanieh , Colvin Ryan , Ranade Daksha , Kitzmiller Melody , Eckrich Daniel , Bailey L Charles
Published: March 2017

Objective

PEDSnet is a clinical data research network (CDRN) that aggregates electronic health record data from multiple children’s hospitals to enable large-scale research. Assessing data quality to ensure suitability for conducting research is a key requirement in PEDSnet. This study presents a range of data quality issues identified over a period of 18 months and interprets them to evaluate the research capacity of PEDSnet.

Materials and Methods

Results were generated by a semiautomated data quality assessment workflow. Two investigators reviewed programmatic data quality issues and conducted discussions with the data partners’ extract-transform-load analysts to determine the cause for each issue.

Results

The results include a longitudinal summary of 2182 data quality issues identified across 9 data submission cycles. The metadata from the most recent cycle includes annotations for 850 issues: most frequent types, including missing data (>300) and outliers (>100); most complex domains, including medications (>160) and lab measurements (>140); and primary causes, including source data characteristics (83%) and extract-transform-load errors (9%).

Discussion

The longitudinal findings demonstrate the network’s evolution from identifying difficulties with aligning the data to a common data model to learning norms in clinical pediatrics and determining research capability.

Conclusion

While data quality is recognized as a critical aspect in establishing and utilizing a CDRN, the findings from data quality assessments are largely unpublished. This paper presents a real-world account of studying and interpreting data quality findings in a pediatric CDRN, and the lessons learned could be used by other CDRNs.
Design and Testing of 2 Novel Scores That Predict Global Sagittal Alignment Utilizing Cervical or Lumbar Plain Radiographs
Authors: Goldschmidt Ezequiel , Angriman Federico , Ferreyro Bruno , Agarwal Nitin , Zhou James , Chen Katherine , Tempel Zachary J , Gerszten Peter C , Kanter Adam S , Okonkwo David O , Passias Peter , Scheer Justin , Protopsaltis Themistocles , Lafage Virginie , Lafage Renaud , Schwab Frank , Bess Shay , Ames Chris , Smith Justin S , Burton Douglas , Hamilton D Kojo ,   on behalf of the International Spine Study Group (ISSG)
Published: March 2017

BACKGROUND

Global sagittal deformity is an established cause of disability. However, measurements of sagittal alignment are often ignored when patients present with symptoms localizing to the cervical or lumbar spine.

OBJECTIVE

To develop scoring scales to predict the risk of sagittal malalignment in patients with only cervical or lumbar spine radiographs.

METHODS

A retrospective review of a prospectively maintained multicenter adult spinal deformity database was performed. Primary outcome (sagittal malalignment) was defined as a C7 plumbline ≥ 50 mm. Two multivariate logistic regressions were performed using patient characteristics and measurements derived from cervical or lumbar radiographs as covariates. Point scores were assigned to age, body mass index (BMI), and lumbar lordosis or T1 slope by rounding their ß coefficients to the nearest integer.

RESULTS

Nine hundred seventy-nine patients were included, with 652 randomly assigned to the derivation cohort (used to build the score) and 327 comprising the validation set. Final cervical score for the primary outcome included BMI ≥ 25 (1 point), age ≥ 55 yr (2 points), and T1 slope ≥ 27o (2 points). Final lumbar score for the primary outcome included BMI ≥ 25 (1 point), age ≥ 55 yr (1 point), and lumbar lordosis ≥ 45o (–1 points). High scores for both the cervical and lumbar spine presented with high specificity and positive likelihood ratios of sagittal malalignment.

CONCLUSION

We developed scoring scales to predict global sagittal malalignment utilizing clinical covariates and cervical or lumbar radiographs. Patients with high scores may prompt imaging with long-cassette plain films to evaluate for global sagittal imbalance.
Obesity and disability in older adults
Authors: Novosel Lorraine M. , Grant Catherine A. , Dormin Lauren M. , Coleman Timothy M.
Published: March 2017

The prevalence of obesity and disability in older adults has significant public health implications. This case review discusses the benefits and risks of weight loss in older adults and outlines treatment options available to Medicare beneficiaries. The importance of preserving lean muscle mass in weight management is emphasized.
Oral squamous cell carcinoma
Authors: Janotha Brenda L. , Tamari Katrin
Published: March 2017

Incidence of oral cancer is rising, and often, cases are not discovered until the cancer has metastasized to the lymphatic system. Most oral cancers are squamous cell carcinomas associated with high mortality. This article reviews oral squamous cell carcinoma relevant to primary care practice focusing on an interprofessional approach to care.
Perceptions of Cardiology Administrators About Cardiac Rehabilitation in South America and the Caribbean
Authors: Ghisi Gabriela Lima de Melo , Britto Raquel , Servio Thaianne Cavalcante , Santos Claudia Victoria Anchique , Fernandez Rosalia , Rivas-Estany Eduardo , Santibañez Claudio , Gonzalez Graciela , Burdiat Gerard , Lopez-Jimenez Francisco , Herdy Artur Haddad , Grace Sherry L.
Published: March 2017

Background:

Cardiac rehabilitation (CR) programs can address the cardiovascular disease epidemic in South America. However, there are factors limiting CR access at the patient, provider, and system levels. The latter 2 have not been extensively studied. The objective of this study was to investigate cardiology administrator's awareness and knowledge of CR and perceptions regarding resources for CR.

Methods:

This study was cross-sectional and observational in design. Cardiology administrators from South American and Caribbean countries were invited to participate by members of a professional association. Participants completed a questionnaire online. Descriptive analysis was performed and differences in CR knowledge, awareness, perception, and attitudes regarding CR were described overall, by institution funding source (private vs public) and presence of within-institution CR (yes vs no).

Results:

Most of the 55 respondents from 8 countries perceived CR as important for outpatient care (mean ± SD = 4.83 ± 0.38 out of 5; higher scores indicating more positive perceptions), with benefits including reduced hospital readmissions (4.31 ± 0.48) and length of stay (4.64 ± 0.71 days), not only for cardiac patients but for those with other vascular conditions (4.34 ± 0.68 days). Those working in public institutions (50.9%) and in institutions without a CR program (25.0%) were not as aware of, and less likely to value, CR services (P < .05). Only 13.2% of programs had dedicated funding.

Conclusions:

Similar to findings from high-income settings, cardiology administrators and cardiologists in South America value CR as part of cardiac patient care, but funding and availability of programs restrict capacity to deliver these services.
Glittre-ADL Multiple Tasks Induce Similar Dynamic Hyperinflation With Different Metabolic and Ventilatory Demands in Patients With COPD
Authors: Gulart Aline Almeida , Munari Anelise Bauer , Tressoldi Caroline , dos Santos Karoliny , Karloh Manuela , Mayer Anamaria Fleig
Published: March 2017

Purpose:

This cross-sectional study compared the physiological responses and dynamic hyperinflation (DH) of the Glittre-ADL test (TGlittre) and its specific tasks in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).

Methods:

Thirty patients with COPD performed the TGlittre. The individual tasks included stand up and sit down (TSS); climb up and down stairs (TSTAIRS); walk on a flat surface (TWALK); and move objects onto and off a shelf (TSHELF). While performing these tasks, the physiological responses were evaluated and inspiratory capacity measured before and immediately after the tests.

Results:

All physiological variables and inspiratory capacity were different at the end of the TGlittre and its tasks compared with baseline (P < .05). For most of the physiological variables, there were no significant differences between TSHELF and TWALK (P > .05), which were the tasks with the greatest physiological requirement, whereas the TSS represented the lowest metabolic, cardiovascular, and ventilatory demands among TGlittre's tasks. DH did not differ significantly among TGlittre's tasks.

Conclusions:

TWALK and TSHELF were the tasks that resulted in greater physiological overload, whereas TSS induced the lowest metabolic and ventilatory demands. Despite this, DH did not differ among the TGlittre's tasks in patients with COPD.
OPHTHALMIC FINDINGS IN LATE STAGE SJOGREN–LARSSON SYNDROME
Authors: Nanda Tavish , Kovach Jaclyn L.
Published: March 2017

Purpose:

To report spectral domain optical coherence tomography and fundus autofluorescence documentation of late stage macular findings associated with Sjogren–Larsson Syndrome in three adult siblings.

Methods:

Three adult siblings with Sjogren–Larsson Syndrome underwent ophthalmic examination and imaging.

Results:

Crystalline maculopathy and subretinal deposits, presumably lipofuscin accumulation, with macular atrophy were present in varying degrees in all three adult siblings.

Discussion:

In adults with Sjogren–Larsson Syndrome, crystalline retinopathy can progress to macular atrophy and the appearance of lipofuscin accumulation.
cAMP-independent control of twitching motility inPseudomonas aeruginosa
Authors: Buensuceso Ryan N.C. , Daniel-Ivad Martin , Kilmury Sara L.N. , Harvey Hanjeong , Howell P. Lynne , Burrows Lori L.
Published: March 2017

FimV is aPseudomonas aeruginosainner membrane hub protein that modulates levels of the second messenger, cyclic AMP (cAMP), through activation of the adenylate cyclase, CyaB. Although type IVa pilus (T4aP)-dependent twitching motility is modulated by cAMP levels, mutants lacking FimV are twitching impaired, even when exogenous cAMP is provided. Here we further define FimV’s cAMP-dependent and -independent regulation of twitching. We confirmed that the response regulator of the T4aP-associated Chp chemotaxis system, PilG, required both FimV and the CyaB regulator, FimL, to activate CyaB. However, in cAMP-replete backgrounds - lacking the cAMP phosphodiesterase CpdA or the CheY-like protein PilH, or expressing constitutively-active CyaB -pilGandfimVmutants failed to twitch. Both cytoplasmic and periplasmic domains of FimV were important for its cAMP-dependent and -independent roles, while its septal peptidoglycan-targeting LysM motif was required only for twitching motility. Polar localization of the sensor kinase PilS, a key regulator of transcription of the major pilin, was FimV-dependent. However, unlike its homologues in other species that localize flagellar system components, FimV was not required for swimming motility. These data provide further evidence to support FimV’s role as a key hub protein that coordinates the polar localization and function of multiple structural and regulatory proteins involved inP. aeruginosatwitching motility.

IMPORTANCE

Pseudomonas aeruginosais a serious opportunistic pathogen. Type IVa pili (T4aP) are important for its virulence, because they mediate dissemination and invasion via twitching motility, and are involved in surface sensing which modulates pathogenicity via changes in cAMP levels. Here we show that the hub protein FimV and the response regulator of the Chp system, PilG, regulate twitching independently of their roles in modulation of cAMP synthesis. These functions do not require the putative scaffold protein FimL, proposed to link PilG with FimV. PilG may regulate asymmetric functioning of the T4aP system to allow for directional movement, while FimV appears to localize both structural and regulatory elements – including the PilSR two-component system – to cell poles for optimal function.
Molecular basis underlying male sterility in bHLH142 overexpressing rice
Authors: Ko Swee-Suak , Li Min-Jeng , Lin Yi-Jyun , Hsing Hong-Xian , Yang Ting-Ting , Chen Tien-Kuan , Jhong Chung-Min , Ku Maurice Sun-Ben
Published: March 2017

Development of stable male sterility lines is essential for efficient hybrid seed production. We previously showed that knockout ofbHLH142in rice (Oryza sativa) causes pollen sterility by interrupting tapetal programmed cell death (PCD). In this study, we demonstrated that overexpression ofbHLH142(OE142) under the control of ubiquitin promoter also leads to male sterility in rice by triggering the premature onset of PCD. Protein of bHLH142 was found to accumulate specifically in the OE142 anthers. Overexpression of bHLH142 induced early expression of several key regulatory transcription factors in pollen development. In particular, the upregulation of EAT1 at the early stage of pollen development promoted premature PCD in the OE142 anthers, while its downregulation at the late stage impaired pollen development by suppressing genes involved in pollen wall biosynthesis, ROS scavenging and PCD. Collectively, these events led to male sterility in OE142. Analyses of related mutants further revealed the hierarchy of these pollen development regulatory genes. Thus, the findings of this study create a new method to generate genic male sterility in rice. Exploitation of this novel functionality ofbHLH142would confer a big advantage to hybrid seed production.

Highlight

Overexpression ofbHLH142leads to male sterility in transgenic rice due to early onset of tapetal PCD. This study creates a new method to generate male sterility in rice.
Dual RNA-seq reveals no plastic transcriptional response of the coccidian parasiteEimeria falciformisto host immune defenses
Authors: Ehret Totta , Spork Simone , Dieterich Christoph , Lucius Richard , Heitlinger Emanuel
Published: March 2017

Background

Parasites can either respond to differences in immune defenses that exist between individual hosts plastically or, alternatively, follow a genetically canalized (“hard wired”) program of infection. Assuming that large-scale functional plasticity would be discernible in the parasite transcriptome we have performed a dual RNA-seq study of the full lifecycle ofEimeria falciformisusing infected mice with different immune status (e.g. naïve versus immune animals) as models for coccidian infections.

Results

We compared parasite and host transcriptomes (dual transcriptome) between naïve and challenge infected mice, as well as between immune competent and immune deficient ones. Mice with different immune competence show transcriptional differences as well as differences in parasite reproduction (oocyst shedding). Broad gene categories represented by differently abundant host genes indicate enrichments for immune reaction and tissue repair functions. More specifically, TGF-beta, EGF, TNF and IL-1 and IL-6 are examples of functional annotations represented differently depending on host immune status. Much in contrast, parasite transcriptomes were neither different between Coccidia isolated from immune competent and immune deficient mice, nor between those harvested from naïve and challenge infected mice. Instead, parasite transcriptomes have distinct profiles early and late in infection, characterized largely by biosynthesis or motility associated functional gene groups, respectively. Extracellular sporozoite and oocyst stages showed distinct transcriptional profiles and sporozoite transcriptomes were found enriched for species specific genes and likely pathogenicity factors.

Conclusion

We propose that the niche and host-specific parasiteE. falciformisuses a genetically canalized program of infection. This program is likely fixed in an evolutionary process rather than employing phenotypic plasticity to interact with its host. In turn this might (negatively) influence the ability of the parasite to use different host species and (positively or negatively) influence its evolutionary potential for adaptation to different hosts or niches.
Inhibitory engrams in perception and memory
Authors: Barron Helen , Vogels Tim P. , Behrens Timothy , Ramaswami Mani
Published: March 2017

Nervous systems use excitatory cell assemblies or “perceptual engrams” to encode and represent sensory percepts. Similarly, synaptically connected cell assemblies or “memory engrams” are thought to represent memories of past experience. Multiple lines of recent evidence indicate that brain systems also create inhibitory replicas of excitatory engrams with important cognitive functions. Such matched inhibitory engrams may form through homeostatic potentiation of inhibition onto postsynaptic cells that show increased levels of excitation. Inhibitory engrams can reduce behavioral responses to familiar stimuli thereby resulting in behavioral habituation. In addition, by preventing inappropriate activation of excitatory memory engrams, inhibitory engrams can make memories quiescent, stored in a latent form that is available for contextrelevant activation. In neural networks with balanced excitatory and inhibitory engrams, the release of innate responses and recall of associative memories can occur through focussed disinhibition. Understanding mechanisms that regulate the formation and expression of inhibitory engramsin vivomay help not only to explain key features of cognition, but also to provide insight into transdiagnostic traits associated with psychiatric conditions such as autism, schizophrenia and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
Catalytic properties of RNA polymerases IV and V: accuracy, nucleotide incorporation and rNTP/dNTP discrimination
Authors: Marasco Michelle , Li Weiyi , Lynch Michael , Pikaard Craig S.
Published: March 2017

Catalytic subunits of DNA-dependent RNA polymerases of bacteria, archaea and eukaryotes share hundreds of ultra-conserved amino acids. Remarkably, the plant-specific RNA silencing enzymes, Pol IV and Pol V differ from Pols I, II and III at ~140 of these positions, yet remain capable of RNA synthesis. Whether these amino acid changes in Pols IV and V alter their catalytic properties in comparison to Pol II, from which they evolved, is unknown. Here, we show that Pols IV and V differ from one another, and Pol II, in nucleotide incorporation rate, transcriptional accuracy and the ability to discriminate between ribonucleotides and deoxyribonucleotides. Pol IV transcription is notably error-prone, which may be tolerable, or even beneficial, for biosynthesis of siRNAs targeting transposon familiesin trans.By contrast, Pol V exhibits high fidelity transcription, suggesting a need for Pol V transcripts to faithfully reflect the DNA sequence of target loci in order to recruit siRNA-Argonaute protein silencing complexes.
Geographically structured genetic variation in theMedicago lupulina–Ensifermutualism
Authors: Harrison Tia L. , Wood Corlett W. , Heath Katy D. , Stinchcombe John R.
Published: March 2017

Mutualisms are interspecific interactions affecting the ecology and evolution of species. Patterns of geographic variation in interacting species may play an important role in understanding how variation is maintained in mutualisms, particularly in introduced ranges. One agriculturally and ecologically important mutualism is the partnership between legume plants and rhizobia. Through characterizing and comparing the population genomic structure of the legumeMedicago lupulinaand two rhizobial species (Ensifer medicaeandE. meliloti),we explored the spatial scale of population differentiation between interacting partners in their introduced range in North America. We found high proportions ofE. melilotiin southeastern populations and high proportions ofE. medicaein northwestern populations.Medicago lupulinaand theEnsifergenus showed similar patterns of spatial genetic structure (isolation by distance). However, we detected no evidence of isolation by distance or population structure within either species of bacteria. Genome-wide nucleotide diversity within each of the twoEnsiferspecies was low, suggesting limited introduction of strains, founder events, or severe bottlenecks. Our results suggest that there is potential for geographically structured coevolution betweenM. lupulinaand theEnsifergenus, but not betweenM. lupulinaand eitherEnsiferspecies.
Single molecule, full-length transcript sequencing provides insight into the extreme metabolism of ruby-throated hummingbirdArchilochus colubris
Authors: Workman Rachael E. , Myrka Alexander M. , Tseng Elizabeth , Wong G. William , Welch Kenneth C. , Timp Winston
Published: March 2017

Hummingbirds can support their high metabolic rates exclusively by oxidizing ingested sugars, which is unsurprising given their sugar-rich nectar diet and use of energetically expensive hovering flight. However, they cannot rely on dietary sugars as a fuel during fasting periods, such as during the night, at first light, or when undertaking long-distance migratory flights, and must instead rely exclusively on onboard lipids. This metabolic flexibility is remarkable both in that the birds can switch between exclusive use of each fuel type within minutes and in thatde novolipogenesis from dietary sugar precursors is the principle way in which fat stores are built, sometimes at exceptionally high rates, such as during the few days prior to a migratory flight. The hummingbird hepatopancreas is the principle location ofde novolipogenesis and likely plays a key role in fuel selection, fuel switching, and glucose homeostasis. Yet understanding how this tissue, and the whole organism, achieves and moderates high rates of energy turnover is hampered by a fundamental lack of information regarding how genes coding for relevant enzymes differ in their sequence, expression, and regulation in these unique animals. To address this knowledge gap, we generated ade novotranscriptome of the hummingbird liver using PacBio full-length cDNA sequencing (Iso-Seq), yielding a total of 8.6Gb of sequencing data, or 2.6M reads from 4 different size fractions. We analyzed data using the SMRTAnalysis v3.1 Iso-Seq pipeline, including classification of reads and clustering of isoforms (ICE) followed by error-correction (Arrow). With COGENT, we clustered different isoforms into gene families to generatede novogene contigs. We performed orthology analysis to identify closely related sequences between our transcriptome and other avian and human gene sets. We also aligned our transcriptome against theCalypte annagenome where possible. Finally, we closely examined homology of critical lipid metabolic genes between our transcriptome data and avian and human genomes. We confirmed high levels of sequence divergence within hummingbird lipogenic enzymes, suggesting a high probability of adaptive divergent function in the hepatic lipogenic pathways. Our results have leveraged cutting-edge technology and a novel bioinformatics pipeline to provide a compelling first direct look at the transcriptome of this incredible organism.
Dissociation between complete hippocampal context memory formation and context fear acquisition
Authors: Leake Jessica , Zinn Raphael , Corbit Laura , Vissel Bryce
Published: March 2017

Rodents require a minimal time period to explore a context prior to footshock to display plateau-level context fear at test. To investigate whether this rapid fear plateau reflects complete memory formation within that short time-frame, we used the immediate-early gene product Arc as an indicator of hippocampal context memory formation-related activity. We found that hippocampal Arc expression continued to increase well past the minimal time required for plateau-level fear. This raises the possibility that context fear conditioning occurs more rapidly than complete memory formation. Thus, animals may be able to condition robustly to both complete and incomplete contextual representations.
Crystal structure and Hirshfeld surface analysis of 1-(4-chlorophenyl)-2-{[5-(4-chlorophenyl)-1,3,4-oxadiazol-2-yl]sulfanyl}ethanone
Authors: Kumar Rajesh , Hussain Shafqat , Khan Khalid M. , Perveen Shahnaz , Yousuf Sammer
Published: March 2017

In the title compound, C16H10Cl2N2O2S, the dihedral angles formed by the chloro-substituted benzene rings with the central oxadiazole ring are 6.54 (9) and 6.94 (8)°. In the crystal, C—H...N hydrogen bonding links the molecules into undulating ribbons running parallel to thebaxis. Hirshfeld surface analysis indicates that the most important contributions for the crystal packing are the H...C (18%), H...H (17%), H...Cl (16.6%), H...O (10.4%), H...N (8.9%) and H...S (5.9%) interactions.