bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Evaluation of a dietary screener: the Mediterranean Eating Pattern for Americans tool
Authors: Cerwinske L. A. , Rasmussen H. E. , Lipson S. , Volgman A. S. , Tangney C. C.
Published: February 2017

Background

Evidence exists for an association between accordance with a Mediterranean diet pattern and slower rates of cognitive decline. However, an ‘Americanised’ version of the Mediterranean diet screener is needed to assess accordance in the USA. Thus, the Mediterranean Eating Pattern for Americans (MEPA) tool was developed to assess accordance with a Mediterranean‐like food pattern when time is limited. The present study aimed to determine whether the MEPA screener captured the key elements of the Mediterranean diet compared to the more comprehensive food frequency questionnaire (FFQ).

Methods

The study comprised a cross‐sectional study in which 70 women completed both the VioScreen™ FFQ (Viocare, Princeton, NJ, USA) electronically and the 16‐item MEPA screener, either electronically or by telephone, aiming to evaluate the inter‐method reliability of the proposed screener. The convenience sample included patients (n = 49) and healthcare providers (n = 21) recruited from a tertiary care medical centre.

Results

The overall score from the MEPA screener correlated with corresponding overall MEPA FFQ score (ρ = 0.365, P = 0.002). Agreement between screener items and FFQ items was moderate‐to‐good for berries (κ = 0.47, P < 0.001), nuts (κ = 0.42, P < 0.001), fish (κ = 0.62, P < 0.001) and alcohol (κ = 0.64, P < 0.001), whereas those for olive oil (κ = 0.33, P = 0.001) and green leafy vegetables (κ = 0.36, P = 0.0021) were fair. Usual intakes of potassium, magnesium, vitamin C, saturated fat, selected carotenoids, folate and fibre derived from the FFQ varied with MEPA screener scores in the anticipated directions.

Conclusions

The MEPA screener captures several components of the Mediterranean style pattern, although further testing of the MEPA screener is indicated.
Subregional brain distribution of simple and complex glycosphingolipids in the mucopolysaccharidosis type I (Hurler syndrome) mouse: impact of diet
Authors: Saville Jennifer T. , Thai Hong Ngoc , Lehmann Rebecca J. , Derrick‐Roberts Ainslie L. K. , Fuller Maria
Published: February 2017

Gangliosides are the most complex oligosaccharide‐containing glycosphingolipids defined by the presence of sialic acid and although present in all tissues, predominate in the brain. Considering their importance in neural development, it is unsurprising that ganglioside metabolism is altered in neurodegenerative diseases. The severe form of mucopolysaccharidosis type I, Hurler syndrome (HS), is characterised by progressive loss of neuronal function through largely undefined mechanisms. Here, we sought to interrogate brain gangliosides in a murine model of HS and further, assessed whether dietary modulation of lipid metabolism effected correction of the metabolic abnormalities. The simple gangliosides, GM2, GM3, GD2 and GD3 were elevated in the five subregions examined – brain stem, cerebellum, cortex, hippocampus, subcortex – in HS mice as early as 2 months of age compared with their wild type counterparts. Their elevation persisted at 6 months of age, imparting protracted neurological development as these simple gangliosides have usually subsided by this stage of brain development. Their immediate synthetic precursor, lactosylceramide, was also elevated, suggesting that their increase arises at this metabolic intermediary, as dihydroceramide, ceramide and monohexosylceramide were unaffected. Dietary linoleic acid supplementation significantly reduced GM2 and GM3, and furthermore, improved exploratory behaviour as assessed by the open field test, highlighting the possibility of further exploring dietary intervention as a therapeutic consideration.

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Cesarean section scar diverticulum evaluation by saline contrast‐enhanced magnetic resonance imaging: The relationship between variable parameters and longer menstrual bleeding
Authors: Yao Min , Wang Wenjing , Zhou Jieru , Sun Minghua , Zhu Jialiang , Chen Pin , Wang Xipeng
Published: February 2017

Aim

This study was conducted to determine a more accurate imaging method for the diagnosis of cesarean scar diverticulum (CSD) and to identify the parameters of CSD strongly associated with prolonged menstrual bleeding.

Methods

We enrolled 282 women with a history of cesarean section (CS) who presented with prolonged menstrual bleeding between January 2012 and May 2015. Transvaginal ultrasound, general magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and contrast‐enhanced MRI were used to diagnose CSD. Five parameters were compared among the imaging modalities: length, width, depth and thickness of the remaining muscular layer (TRM) of CSD and the depth/TRM ratio. Correlation between the five parameters and days of menstrual bleeding was performed. Finally, multivariate analysis was used to determine the parameters associated with menstrual bleeding longer than 14 days.

Results

Contrast‐enhanced MRI yielded greater length or width or thinner TRM of CSD compared with MRI and transvaginal ultrasound. CSD size did not significantly differ between women who had undergone one and two CSs. Correlation analysis revealed that CSD (P = 0.038) and TRM (P = 0.003) lengths were significantly associated with days of menstrual bleeding. Longer than 14 days of bleeding was defined by cut‐off values of 2.15 mm for TRM and 13.85 mm for length. TRM and number of CSs were strongly associated with menstrual bleeding longer than 14 days.

Conclusions

CE‐MRI is a relatively accurate and efficient imaging method for the diagnosis of CSD. A cut‐off value of TRM of 2.15 mm is the most important parameter associated with menstrual bleeding longer than 14 days.
Vulnerable Narcissism Is (Mostly) a Disorder of Neuroticism
Authors: Miller Joshua D. , Lynam Donald R. , Vize Colin , Crowe Michael , Sleep Chelsea , Maples‐Keller Jessica L. , Few Lauren R. , Campbell W. Keith
Published: February 2017

Objective

Increasing attention has been paid to the distinction between the dimensions of narcissistic grandiosity and vulnerability. We examine the degree to which basic traits underlie vulnerable narcissism, with a particular emphasis on the importance of Neuroticism and Agreeableness.

Method

Across four samples (undergraduate, online community, clinical‐community), we conduct dominance analyses to partition the variance predicted in vulnerable narcissism by the Five‐Factor Model personality domains, as well as compare the empirical profiles generated by vulnerable narcissism and Neuroticism.

Results

These analyses demonstrate that the lion's share of variance is explained by Neuroticism (65%) and Agreeableness (19%). Similarity analyses were also conducted in which the extent to which vulnerable narcissism and Neuroticism share similar empirical networks was tested using an array of criteria, including self‐, informant, and thin slice ratings of personality; interview‐based ratings of personality disorder and pathological traits; and self‐ratings of adverse events and functional outcomes. The empirical correlates of vulnerable narcissism and Neuroticism were nearly identical (MrICC = .94). Partial analyses demonstrated that the variance in vulnerable narcissism not shared with Neuroticism is largely specific to disagreeableness‐related traits such as distrustfulness and grandiosity.

Conclusions

These findings demonstrate the parsimony of using basic personality to study personality pathology and have implications for how vulnerable narcissism might be approached clinically.
Private takings
Authors: Marchesiani Alessandro , Nosal Ed
Published: February 2017

This paper examines the implications associated with a recent Supreme Court ruling, Kelo v. City of New London (2005). Kelo can be interpreted as supporting eminent domain as a means of transferring property rights from one set of private agents—landowners—to another private agent—a developer. Under voluntary exchange, where the developer sequentially acquires property rights from landowners via bargaining, a holdout problem arises. Eminent domain gives all of the bargaining power to the developer and, as a result, eliminates the holdout problem. This is the benefit of Kelo. However, landowners lose all their bargaining power and, as a result, their property investments become more inefficient. This is the cost of Kelo. A policy of eminent domain increases social welfare compared to voluntary sequential exchange only when the holdout problem is severe, and this occurs only if the developer has very little bargaining power. We propose an alternative government policy that eliminates the holdout problem but does not affect the bargaining power of the various parties. This alternative policy strictly dominates a policy of eminent domain, which implies that eminent domain is an inefficient way to transfer property rights between private agents.
The accuracy of self‐reported pregnancy‐related weight: a systematic review
Authors: Headen I. , Cohen A.K. , Mujahid M. , Abrams B.
Published: February 2017

Self‐reported maternal weight is error‐prone, and the context of pregnancy may impact error distributions. This systematic review summarizes error in self‐reported weight across pregnancy and assesses implications for bias in associations between pregnancy‐related weight and birth outcomes. We searched PubMed and Google Scholar through November 2015 for peer‐reviewed articles reporting accuracy of self‐reported, pregnancy‐related weight at four time points: prepregnancy, delivery, over gestation and postpartum. Included studies compared maternal self‐report to anthropometric measurement or medical report of weights. Sixty‐two studies met inclusion criteria. We extracted data on magnitude of error and misclassification. We assessed impact of reporting error on bias in associations between pregnancy‐related weight and birth outcomes. Women underreported prepregnancy (PPW: −2.94 to −0.29 kg) and delivery weight (DW: −1.28 to 0.07 kg), and over‐reported gestational weight gain (GWG: 0.33 to 3 kg). Magnitude of error was small, ranged widely, and varied by prepregnancy weight class and race/ethnicity. Misclassification was moderate (PPW: 0–48.3%; DW: 39.0–49.0%; GWG: 16.7–59.1%), and overestimated some estimates of population prevalence. However, reporting error did not largely bias associations between pregnancy‐related weight and birth outcomes. Although measured weight is preferable, self‐report is a cost‐effective and practical measurement approach. Future researchers should develop bias correction techniques for self‐reported pregnancy‐related weight.
Nonlinear Periodic and Solitary Water Waves on Currents in Shallow Water
Authors: Grimshaw Roger , Liu Zihua
Published: February 2017

A variable‐coefficient Korteweg–de Vries equation is used to model the deformation of nonlinear periodic and solitary water waves propagating on a unidirectional background current, which is either flowing in the same direction as the waves, or is opposing them. As well as the usual form of the Korteweg–de Vries equation, an additional term is needed when the background current has vertical shear. This term, which has hitherto been often neglected in the literature, is linear in the wave amplitude and represents possible nonconservation of wave action. An additional feature is that horizontal shear in the background current is inevitably accompanied by a change in total fluid depth, to conserve mass, and this change in depth is a major factor in the deformation of the waves. Using a combination of asymptotic analyses and numerical simulations, it is found that waves grow on both advancing and opposing currents, but the growth is greater when the current is opposing.
Some kids are left behind: The failure of a perspective, using critical race theory to expand the coverage in the sociology of youth sports
Authors: Brooks Scott N. , Knudtson Matt , Smith Isais
Published: February 2017

Sports are no longer simply extracurricular activities. For many children, sports are curricular, central to their identity, development, and peer and familial relationships. However, sport scholars and sociologists spend little time trying to learn and understand the huge growth in youth sports participation and even less attention to the role of race in youth sports. Sociology could offer much more, but suffers from what James McKee calls () “the failure of a perspective” with regard to studying and understanding race, racism, and race relations. Critical Race Theory can help to extend the coverage of youth sports to include more input from Youth and of Scholars of Color. In this article, we review a current debate in the sociology of youth sports, which illustrates the gap in understanding the experiences of youth of color and Black athletes in particular. And, we provide solutions and ideas for future research.
Phosphatidic acid binding inhibits RGS1 activity to affect specific signaling pathways in Arabidopsis
Authors: Roy Choudhury Swarup , Pandey Sona
Published: February 2017

Modulation of the active versus inactive forms of the Gα protein is critical for the signaling processes mediated by the heterotrimeric G‐protein complex. We have recently established that in Arabidopsis, the regulator of G‐protein signaling (RGS1) protein and a lipid‐hydrolyzing enzyme, phospholipase Dα1 (PLDα1), both act as GTPase‐activity accelerating proteins (GAPs) for the Gα protein to attenuate its activity. RGS1 and PLDα1 interact with each other, and RGS1 inhibits the activity of PLDα1 during regulation of a subset of responses. In this study, we present evidence that this regulation is bidirectional. Phosphatidic acid (PA), a second messenger typically derived from the lipid‐hydrolyzing activity of PLDα1, is a molecular target of RGS1. PA binds and inhibits the GAP activity of RGS1. A conserved lysine residue in RGS1 (Lys259) is directly involved in RGS1–PA binding. Introduction of this RGS1 protein variant in the rgs1 mutant background makes plants hypersensitive to a subset of abscisic acid‐mediated responses. Our data point to the existence of negative feedback loops between these two regulatory proteins that precisely modulate the level of active Gα, consequently generating a highly controlled signal–response output.
SHOOT MERISTEMLESS trafficking controls axillary meristem formation, meristem size and organ boundaries in Arabidopsis
Authors: Balkunde Rachappa , Kitagawa Munenori , Xu Xianfeng Morgan , Wang Jing , Jackson David
Published: February 2017

The shoot stem cell niche, contained within the shoot apical meristem (SAM) is maintained in Arabidopsis by the homeodomain protein SHOOT MERISTEMLESS (STM). STM is a mobile protein that traffics cell‐to‐cell, presumably through plasmodesmata. In maize, the STM homolog KNOTTED1 shows clear differences between mRNA and protein localization domains in the SAM. However, the STM mRNA and protein localization domains are not obviously different in Arabidopsis, and the functional relevance of STM mobility is unknown. Using a non‐mobile version of STM (2xNLS‐YFP‐STM), we show that STM mobility is required to suppress axillary meristem formation during embryogenesis, to maintain meristem size, and to precisely specify organ boundaries throughout development. STM and organ boundary genes CUP SHAPED COTYLEDON1 (CUC1), CUC2 and CUC3 regulate each other during embryogenesis to establish the embryonic SAM and to specify cotyledon boundaries, and STM controls CUC expression post‐embryonically at organ boundary domains. We show that organ boundary specification by correct spatial expression of CUC genes requires STM mobility in the meristem. Our data suggest that STM mobility is critical for its normal function in shoot stem cell control.
Pharmacokinetics of Benznidazole in Healthy Volunteers and Implications in Future Clinical Trials
Authors: Molina I. , Salvador F. , Sánchez-Montalvá A. , Artaza M. A. , Moreno R. , Perin L. , Esquisabel A. , Pinto L. , Pedraz J. L.
Published: February 2017

Despite its toxicity and low efficacy in the chronic phase, benznidazole is the drug of choice in Chagas disease. Scarce information about pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of benznidazole has been published. We performed a phase I, open-label, nonrandomized pharmacokinetic study of benznidazole (Abarax) conducted with 8 healthy adult volunteers at the Infectious Diseases Department of the Vall d'Hebron University Hospital (Barcelona, Spain). The separation and detection of benznidazole were performed on a Waters Acquity ultraperformance liquid chromatography system (UPLC) coupled with a Waters Xevo TQ MS triple quadrupole mass spectrometer. The pharmacokinetic parameters were calculated based on a noncompartmental body model using Phoenix WinNonlin version 6.3 software. Furthermore, computational simulations were calculated for the multiple-dose administration at two dose regimens: 100 mg of benznidazole administered every 8 h and 150 mg of benznidazole administered every 12 h. After benznidazole administration, the median area under the concentration-time curve from time zero to time
t
(AUC

0–
t

) and extrapolated to infinity (AUC
0–∞
) were about 46.4 μg · h/ml and 48.4 μg · h/ml, respectively. Plasma benznidazole concentrations peaked at 3.5 h, with maximal concentrations of 2.2 μg/ml, and benznidazole exhibited a terminal half-life of 12.1 h. The median maximum concentration (
C
max
) of benznidazole was lower in men than in women (1.6 versus 2.9 μg/ml), and median volume of distribution (
V
) as a function of bioavailability (
F
) was higher in men than in women (125.9 versus 88.6 liters). In conclusion, dose regimens (150 mg/12 h or 100 mg/8 h) reached a steady-state range concentration above of the minimum experimental therapeutic dose. Sex differences in the benznidazole pharmacokinetics were observed; mainly, men had lower
C
max
and higher
V
/
F
than women.
Standardisation of delivery and assessment of research training for specialty trainees based on curriculum requirements: recommendations based on a scoping review
Authors: Rangan Amar , Pitchford James , Williams Penny , Wood Brian , Robson Stephen
Published: February 2017

Objectives

(1) To conduct a scoping review of postgraduate specialty training (ST) curricula for doctors within Health Education England in order to identify common themes and variations in requirements for training and assessment of research competencies. (2) To make recommendations on standardisation of training for clinical research across ST programmes.

Setting

Health Education England North East and National Institute for Health Research Clinical Research Network (CRN)—North East and North Cumbria.

Methods

Annual Review of Competence Progression (ARCP); Certificate of Completion of Training (CCT) checklists and curricula for ST were obtained from Health Education England North East and reviewed between June and September 2015. Research competence requirements based on knowledge, skills or behaviour-based domains were identified and entered onto a spreadsheet for analysis. Common themes with levels of competence required were identified. This information was used to construct and propose a model for delivery of training in clinical research across ST programmes.

Results

Sixty-two ST curricula were reviewed and seven common themes for research training were found in up to 97% of the curricula. Requirement for good clinical practice (GCP) in research training was included in 15% of curricula. One of the common themes involved knowledge-based competency, and three each of the remaining seven involved skills or behaviour-based competencies. There was less clarity and larger variation between specialties in how research competencies were assessed; and what evidence was required for ARCP and CCT to assure competence. 63% (19/30) of curricula from medical specialties had no mention of research requirements within their ARCP guidelines.

Conclusions

Given that the majority of specialty curricula contain consistent themes around core research knowledge, consideration should be given to standardising the delivery and assessment of generic research competencies within ST. Our recommendations from this review could form the basis for developing structured research training for specialty trainees involving: (1) a taught course for knowledge-based competencies; (2) clinical placements with CRN teams for practical workplace-based experience and (3) developing research tutors to help support placements and assessment of these competencies.
Key issues affecting quality of life and patient-reported outcomes in prostate cancer: an analysis conducted in 2128 patients with initial psychometric assessment of the prostate cancer symptom scale (PCSS)
Authors: Msaouel Pavlos , Gralla Richard J , Jones Randy A , Hollen Patricia J
Published: February 2017

Objective

Evidence-based quality of life (QL) questionnaires require the identification of issues of importance to patients. The primary aim of this study was to inform providers on patient-expressed issues while enhancing the content validity of instruments assessing QL and patient-reported outcomes (PROs) in prostate cancer. The study provided additional psychometric properties for the new PRO and QL instrument, the Prostate Cancer Symptom Scale (PCSS).

Methods

An anonymous web-based survey of 2128 patients with prostate cancer was conducted with patients rating 18 QL items on a five-point scale.

Results

Most respondents (74%) were aged 55–74 years, had early stage disease at diagnosis (81%) and were diagnosed within 2 years of the survey (81%). The top five-rated issues were: overall QL, ability to perform normal activities, maintaining independence, ability to sleep and not being a burden. These items were ranked as either ‘very important’ or ‘important’ by at least 88% of patients. None of the most highly ranked issues were symptoms. Instead, the highest ranked items were global issues reflecting the impact of symptoms on patients. In addition to the enhanced content validity findings, good reliability results and initial support for construct validity are reported for the PCSS.

Conclusions

This is the largest survey providing patient-expressed background for content validity for QL and PRO measures. The findings of this study should aid development of newer practical questionnaires, such as the PCSS, which can be adapted to electronic platforms enhancing rapid and accurate PRO and QL evaluation.
What can large population-based birth cohort study ask about past, present and future of children with disorders of development, learning and behaviour?
Authors: Katusic Slavica K , Colligan Robert C , Myers Scott M , Voigt Robert G , Yoshimasu Kouichi , Stoeckel Ruth E , Weaver Amy L
Published: February 2017

A large cohort consisting of all children born to mothers from community provides ‘natural’ selection into different exposures and is a powerful resource for epidemiological research. A large population-based birth cohort with detailed systematic information already recorded, as part of longitudinal medical care, historical and current school data, detailed birth certificate data and all three resources available for every member of the birth cohort, are extremely rare. Our population-based birth cohort consists of all children born between 1976 and 2000 to mothers residing in Olmsted County, Minnesota, at the time of child's birth (N=39 890). In this paper, we provide a comprehensive report of the method describing the identification, the characteristics and longitudinal follow-up of each child (and family members) from the birth cohort, wealth of complementary resources of data and study measures and designs (retrospective, combined retrospective/prospective). In the last decade or so, we obtained scientific and clinically needed answers for incidence rates, potential risk/protective factors, treatment, comorbidities, outcomes, cost/usage and potential biases (that are always assessed and clinically interpreted) of many developmental learning and behavioural disorders (DLBDs) including learning and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorders, intellectual disability, speech-language impairment and autism spectrum disorder. Many current and future questions related to DLBDs are remaining to be answered. The Olmsted County Birth Cohort (OCBC) is an example of a comprehensive, contemporary epidemiological research model for the development of similar research infrastructures, and its current and future results are important for replication and comparison with other population-based retrospective and prospective birth cohort studies.
The medical reshaping of disabled bodies as a response to stigma and a route to normality
Authors: McLaughlin Janice
Published: February 2017

Disabled people are said to experience stigma because their embodied presence in the world does not fit with how others interact and use their bodies to be social participants. In response they can turn to medical procedures, such as surgery or physiotherapy, in order to reshape their bodies to more closely approximate norms of social interaction and embodiment. This paper explores how medicine plays a role in attempts to be recognised by others as normal and acceptable by minimising disability. It will do so via a focus on disabled young people, in order to explore how their emerging identities and aspirations for the future influence how they think about their bodies, what normality means and their participation in multiple activities that work on their bodies. The paper draws from an Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC) project that used a range of qualitative research methods with a group of disabled young people. The project explored ways in which participants actively worked on their bodies to be more normal and examined the disciplinary and agency dynamics involved in this work.
How fishes find the shore: evidence for orientation to bathymetry from the non-homing sea lamprey
Authors: Meckley Trevor D. , Gurarie Eliezer , Miller James R. , Wagner C. Michael
Published: February 2017

Orientation to a shoreline is the critical first step for aquatic organisms that navigate to coastal waters, estuaries, and rivers to feed or reproduce. Most studies of animal migration have focused on homing-based navigation while non-homing navigation is poorly understood. We quantified the navigation behavior of sea lamprey during their non-homing return migration to a coastline in the Laurentian Great Lakes. Acoustically tagged sea lamprey were displaced 3.3 km from shore into the center of an acoustic listening array that provided high-resolution (30 s intervals, <5 m accuracy) three-dimensional paths. Eighty-one percent of individuals arrived at the nearest coast by moving towards shallower water. A biphasic sequence of movement was documented for most individuals, a more tortuous movement closer to the bottom associated with orientation, and a faster more linear movement we associate with directed search. Sea lamprey oriented to shallow water even when that was not the shoreward direction, and did not appear to rely on memory or recognition of the nearest coast. We postulate that individuals specifically performed barokinesis, whereby individuals assessed the gradient in absolute hydrostatic pressure on the bottom and to choose a heading towards shallower water. Repeated excursions to the bottom may confirm progress, while time spent at the surface is likely associated with surface-linked olfactory cues that indicate proximity to river water entrained along the coast. This is the first evidence that suggests the shoreward gradient in hydrostatic pressure may be used during shoreward orientation, and may represent a class of sensory information not previously considered in aquatic animal navigation.
Skyrmions at high density
Authors: Vento Vicente
Published: February 2017

The phase diagram of quantum chromodynamics is conjectured to have a rich structure containing at least three forms of matter: hadronic nuclear matter, quarkyonic matter and quark–gluon plasma. We justify the origin of the quarkyonic phase transition in a chiral-quark model and describe its formulation in terms of Skyrme crystals.
Distributed Computation of Liveness-Enforcing Supervisory Control of Flexible Manufacturing Systems
Authors: Jafarinejad Fatemeh , Pouyan Ali A.
Published: February 2017

This paper presents a modular deadlock prevention policy for large-scale flexible manufacturing systems. It can find maximally permissive liveness-enforcing supervisory control in an efficient computational complexity manner. A vector covering approach is used to minimize essential set of legal markings and first-met bad markings. Providing that modules of system interact using choice, we will prove that monitor-based supervisory control methods can be applied distributedly. Then, choice operator of Petri net will be used to synthesis subsystems. Even if such assumption limits the application of modular monitor-based supervisory control, the proposed results constitute a primary step towards a synthesis procedure that overcomes time and space complexity of monitor-based deadlock prevention policies.
Urea Cycle Defects: Early-Onset Disease Associated with A208T Mutation in OTC Gene—Expanding the Clinical Phenotype
Authors: Sánchez Ana Isabel , Rincón Alejandra , García Mary , Suárez-Obando Fernando
Published: February 2017

Ornithine transcarbamylase deficiency (OMIM: 311250) is the most common disorder of urea cycle disorders, accounting for nearly 50% of all cases. We report a case of a two-month- old male patient, who attends our medical genetics consultation because of low citrulline levels and elevated glutamine to citrulline ratio detected by expanded newborn screening with tandem mass spectrometry. He is an asymptomatic male with a normal physical examination and appropriate neurodevelopmental milestones. The patient has a family history of one older brother who died at 18 months old from severe and sudden hyperammonemia and a maternal aunt who suddenly died at two years old. He had high plasma ammonium concentration and a confirmed OTC mutation (p.A208T). Usually, this mutation causes OTC deficiency of late onset in adult males. However, this report raises awareness about mutations previously described as a late-onset causing disease, which can cause severe hyperammonemia and high risk of dying at an early age.
On Dynamical Behavior of a Friction‐Induced Oscillator with 2‐DOF on a Speed‐Varying Traveling Belt
Authors: Fan Jinjun , Li Shuangshuang , Chen Ge
Published: February 2017

The dynamical behavior of a friction‐induced oscillator with 2‐DOF on a speed‐varying belt is investigated by using the flow switchability theory of discontinuous dynamical systems. The mechanical model consists of two masses and a speed‐varying traveling belt. Both of the masses on the traveling belt are connected with three linear springs and three dampers and are harmonically excited. Different domains and boundaries for such system are defined according to the friction discontinuity. Based on the above domains and boundaries, the analytical conditions of the passable motions, stick motions, and grazing motions for the friction‐induced oscillator are obtained mathematically. An analytical prediction of periodic motions is performed through the mapping dynamics. With appropriate mapping structure, the simulations of the stick and nonstick motions in the two‐degree friction‐induced oscillator are illustrated for a better understanding of the motion complexity.
Takayasu’s Arteritis in Pregnancy: A Rare Case Report from a Tertiary Care Infirmary in India
Authors: Marwah Sheeba , Rajput Monika , Mohindra Ritin , Gaikwad Harsha S. , Sharma Manjula , Topden Sonam R.
Published: February 2017

Background. Takayasu’s arteritis (TA) is a rare, chronic, inflammatory, progressive, idiopathic arteriopathy, afflicting young women of reproductive age group, causing narrowing, occlusion, and aneurysms of systemic and pulmonary arteries, especially the aorta and its branches. During pregnancy, such patients warrant special attention. An interdisciplinary collaboration of obstetricians, cardiologists, and neurologists is necessary to improve maternal and fetal prognosis. Here a case is reported where a patient with diagnosis of TA, complicated by neurological sequelae, successfully fought the vagaries of the condition twice to deliver uneventfully.Case. 25-year-old G2P1L1 presented at 34 weeks of gestation, with chronic hypertension, with TA, with epilepsy, and with late-onset severe IUGR. Following a multidisciplinary approach, she delivered an alive born low birth weight baby (following induction). Her postpartum course remained uneventful.Conclusion. Pregnancy with TA poses a stringent challenge to an obstetrician. Despite advancements in cardiovascular management and advent of new-fangled drugs, the optimal management for pregnant patients with this disease still remains elusive.
Patient Payment and Unhealthy Behavior: A Comparison across European Countries
Authors: Rezayatmand Reza , Pavlova Milena , Groot Wim
Published: February 2017

Introduction. Prior research has documented that unhealthy behaviors result in greater health care use and greater health care costs. However, there are few studies on out-of-pocket expenditure paid by those engaging in unhealthy behaviors. We provide cross-country evidence on the association of smoking, alcohol consumption, and obesity with health care use and health care cost as well as out-of-pocket payments among the elderly in Europe. Method. Using SHARE dataset for 13 European countries, the study uses a sequential logit model to analyze use and payments for outpatient and inpatient health care service in addition to a two-part model for the analysis of use and payments for prescribed drugs. Results. Former smoking is associated with a higher rate of health care use. However, current smoking is associated with lower health care use. Former smoking is also associated with paying higher amount of out-of-pocket payments. Alcohol consumption is associated with lower health care use. Conclusion. We do not find systematic evidence that unhealthy behaviors among elderly (50+) are associated with more utilization of health care and more out-of-pocket payments. The results can be of interest for policies that aim to make people more responsible toward their health behaviors.
Correlation between miR-148 Expression in Vitreous and Severity of Rhegmatogenous Retinal Detachment
Authors: Tsunekawa Taichi , Kaneko Hiroki , Takayama Kei , Hwang Shiang-Jyi , Oishi Akio , Nagasaka Yosuke , Ye Fuxiang , Iwase Takeshi , Nonobe Norie , Ueno Shinji , Ito Yasuki , Yasuda Shunsuke , Matsuura Toshiyuki , Shimizu Hideyuki , Suzumura Ayana , Kataoka Keiko , Terasaki Hiroko
Published: February 2017

Purpose.We had earlier reported positive hsa-miR-148a-3p expression in eyes with rhegmatogenous retinal detachment (RRD) and its involvement in the epithelial-mesenchymal transition of retinal pigment epithelium in vitro. Here we investigated the association of hsa-miR-148a-3p expression levels in the vitreous fluid of patients with RRD with severity of RRD.Methods.The hsa-miR-148a-3p expression levels in the vitreous fluid, range (degree) of retinal detachment (RD), and pixels of retinal break were measured in 27 eyes with RRD. The association of hsa-miR-148a-3p expression levels with other factors was evaluated by multiple regression analysis.Results.The hsa-miR-148a-3p expression levels, time from onset of RRD to vitrectomy, range of RD, and pixels of retinal breaks were23.68±43.00,12.07±15.36days,155.85±86.67degrees, and37000±67100pixels, respectively. Five eyes with RRD had vitreous hemorrhage preoperatively. The hsa-miR-148a-3p expression levels were significantly associated with pixels of retinal breaks (β=0.699) and the time from onset of RRD to vitrectomy (β=0.358) but not with the range of RD or presence of vitreous hemorrhage.Conclusion.The hsa-miR-148a-3p expression levels in the vitreous fluid were significantly associated with the size of retinal break and disease duration.
Formulation and Evaluation of New Glimepiride Sublingual Tablets
Authors: Al-Madhagi Wafa , Abdulbari Albarakani Ahmed , Khaled Alhag Abobakr , Ahmed Saeed Zakaria , Mansour Noman Nahlah , Mohamed Khaldon
Published: February 2017

Oral mucosal delivery of drugs promotes rapid absorption and high bioavailability, with a subsequent immediate onset of pharmacological effect. However, many oral mucosal deliveries are compromised by the possibility of the patient swallowing the active substance before it has been released and absorbed locally into the systemic circulation. The aim of this research was to introduce a new glimepiride formula for sublingual administration and rapid drug absorption that can be used in an emergency. The new sublingual formulation was prepared after five trials to prepare the suitable formulation. Two accepted formulations of the new sublingual product were prepared, but one of them with disintegration time of 1.45 min and searching for preferred formulation, the binder, is changed with Flulac and starch slurry to prepare formula with disintegration time of 21 seconds that supports the aim of research to be used in an emergency. The five formulations were done, after adjusting to the binder as Flulac and aerosil with disintegration time of 21 seconds and accepted hardness as well as the weight variation. The assay of a new product (subglimepiride) is 103% which is a promising result, confirming that the formula succeeded. The new product (subglimepiride) is accepted in most quality control tests and it is ready for marketing.
Defending Malicious Script Attacks Using Machine Learning Classifiers
Authors: Khan Nayeem , Abdullah Johari , Khan Adnan Shahid
Published: February 2017

The web application has become a primary target for cyber criminals by injecting malware especially JavaScript to perform malicious activities for impersonation. Thus, it becomes an imperative to detect such malicious code in real time before any malicious activity is performed. This study proposes an efficient method of detecting previously unknown malicious java scripts using an interceptor at the client side by classifying the key features of the malicious code. Feature subset was obtained by using wrapper method for dimensionality reduction. Supervised machine learning classifiers were used on the dataset for achieving high accuracy. Experimental results show that our method can efficiently classify malicious code from benign code with promising results.
Children Adopt the Traits of Characters in a Narrative
Authors: Dore Rebecca A. , Smith Eric D. , Lillard Angeline S.
Published: February 2017

Adults adopt the traits of characters in narratives, but little is known about whether children do so. In Study 1, 7- and 10-year-olds (N=96) heard a 2.5-minute recording about a professor or cheerleader. Reporting higher engagement in the professor narrative related to more time playing with an analytical toy (a Rubik’s cube), whereas reporting higher engagement in the cheerleader narrative related to less time playing with Rubik’s cube. However, although children were randomly assigned to a narrative, within condition children may have had preexisting personality differences causing them both to become more engaged in that narrative and also to behave more like that character afterwards. To control for this possibility, in Study 2 children (N=104) were given perspective-taking or objective instructions. Interestingly, both instructions created higher engagement than in Study 1, resulting in main effects of narrative. Children in the professor condition, compared to those in the cheerleader condition, spent more time playing with Rubik’s cube and self-reported higher levels of professor-relevant characteristics (e.g., smart, good at teaching). These studies show that, by the elementary school years and particularly when highly engaged in a narrative, children adopt the traits of a narrative’s central character.
Corrosion Activity on CFRP-Strengthened RC Piles of High-Pile Wharf in a Simulated Marine Environment
Authors: Zhuang Ning , Zhou Yujue , Ma Yeming , Liao Yingdi , Chen Da
Published: February 2017

We report test results from an experimental study to investigate the effectiveness of carbon fiber-reinforced polymer (CFRP) against reinforcing steel bar corrosion. Twelve reinforced-concrete pile specimens of 180 mm square by 1,600 mm long were cast. Three pile specimens were corroded to 5% steel mass loss and then strengthened with CFRP sheets; four specimens were strengthened by using CFRP sheets, whereas the remaining five specimens were not strengthened. The specimens were placed in a simulated marine environment, and corrosion was induced by an impressed current technique. At different theoretical corrosion degrees, nondestructive tests were performed to investigate the corrosion activity of the pile specimens, and destructive tests were performed to determine reinforcing steel bar mass loss. Based on the findings, the effectiveness of the CFRP-strengthened RC piles under aggressive marine environmental conditions was established.
Clinical Profile and Visual Outcome of Ocular Bartonellosis in Malaysia
Authors: Tan Chai Lee , Fhun Lai Chan , Tai Evelyn Li Min , Abdul Gani Nor Hasnida , Muhammed Julieana , Tuan Jaafar Tengku Norina , Ahmad Tajudin Liza Sharmini , Wan Hitam Wan-Hazabbah
Published: February 2017

Background.Ocular bartonellosis can present in various ways, with variable visual outcome. There is limited data on ocular bartonellosis in Malaysia.Objective.We aim to describe the clinical presentation and visual outcome of ocular bartonellosis in Malaysia.Materials and Methods.This was a retrospective review of patients treated for ocular bartonellosis in two ophthalmology centers in Malaysia between January 2013 and December 2015. The diagnosis was based on clinical features, supported by a positiveBartonellaspp. serology.Results.Of the 19 patients in our series, females were predominant (63.2%). The mean age was 29.3 years. The majority (63.2%) had unilateral involvement. Five patients (26.3%) had a history of contact with cats. Neuroretinitis was the most common presentation (62.5%). Azithromycin was the antibiotic of choice (42.1%). Concurrent systemic corticosteroids were used in approximately 60% of cases. The presenting visual acuity was worse than 6/18 in approximately 60% of eyes; on final review, 76.9% of eyes had a visual acuity better than 6/18.Conclusion.Ocular bartonellosis tends to present with neuroretinitis. Azithromycin is a viable option for treatment. Systemic corticosteroids may be considered in those with poor visual acuity on presentation.
Is Intravenous Heparin a Contraindication for TPA in Ischemic Stroke?
Authors: Kulairi Zain , Deol Nisha , Tolly Renee , Manocha Rohan , Naseer Maliha
Published: February 2017

There are approximately 2 million cardiac catheterizations that occur every year in the United States and with an aging population this number continues to rise. Adverse events due to this procedure occur at low rates and include stroke, arrhythmia, and myocardial infarctions. Due to the high volume of procedures there are a growing number of adverse events. Stroke after cardiac catheterization (SCC) has an incidence between 0.27 and 0.5% and is one of the most debilitating complications leading to high rates of mortality and morbidity. Given the relatively uncommon clinical setting of stroke after cardiac catheterization, treatment protocols regarding the use of IV or IA thrombolysis have not been adequately developed. Herein, we describe a case of a 39-year-old male who developed a stroke following a cardiac catheterization where IV thrombolysis was utilized although the patient was on heparin prior to cardiac catheterization.
Therapeutic Role of Functional Components in Alliums for Preventive Chronic Disease in Human Being
Authors: Zeng Yawen , Li Yuping , Yang Jiazhen , Pu Xiaoying , Du Juan , Yang Xiaomeng , Yang Tao , Yang Shuming
Published: February 2017

Objectives. Functional components in alliums have long been maintained to play a key role in modifying the major risk factors for chronic disease. To obtain a better understanding of alliums for chronic disease prevention, we conducted a systematic review for risk factors and prevention strategies for chronic disease of functional components in alliums, based on a comprehensive English literature search that was conducted using various electronic search databases, especially the PubMed, ISI Web of Science, and CNKI for the period 2007–2016. Allium genus especially garlic, onion, and Chinese chive is rich in organosulfur compounds, quercetin, flavonoids, saponins, and others, which have anticancer, preventive cardiovascular and heart diseases, anti‐inflammation, antiobesity, antidiabetes, antioxidants, antimicrobial activity, neuroprotective and immunological effects, and so on. These results support Allium genus; garlic and onion especially may be the promising dietotherapeutic vegetables and organopolysulfides as well as quercetin mechanism in the treatment of chronic diseases. This review may be used as scientific basis for the development of functional food, nutraceuticals, and alternative drugs to improve the chronic diseases.
A Musical Journey towards Permanent High-Density Loudspeaker Arrays
Authors: Barrett Natasha
Published: February 2017

Historically, most acousmatic works were composed in stereo and performed, or “diffused”, over loudspeaker orchestras. These systems furnished performers and composers with a wealth of opportunities to enhance the spatial contrast, motion, and musical articulations latent in the music. Although loudspeaker orchestras, stereo diffusion, and—more recently—hybrid performance techniques remain alive, especially in Europe, there is a trend towards fixed installation, high-density loudspeaker arrays (HDLAs), which I will call permanent HDLAs to differentiate them from loudspeaker-orchestra HDLAs. Permanent HDLAs (P-HDLAs) stimulate alternative approaches to musical space and pose challenges in both spatial composition and performance, encompassing both technology and aesthetics. This article consolidates many of the technical and aesthetic approaches that I have found specific to P-HDLAs with an emphasis on the application of higher-order Ambisonics (HOA) at fourth-order 3-D and above—what I will call V-HOA (“very high-order” Ambisonics) as distinguished from lower orders, or L-HOA (lower than fourth-order HOA). These approaches are guided by spatial-audio research, and then developed in a musical context. The study is divided into three sections: a description of musical and technical approaches that I have found to function over different P-HDLA installations; reflections on the compromises of lower-order monitoring during the compositional process; and presentation of the “Virtualmonium”: an instrument for the performance of stereo works that benefits from the growing popularity of P-HDLA installations.
Glacial Inception on Baffin Island: The Role of Insolation, Meteorology, and Topography
Authors: Birch Leah , Cronin Timothy , Tziperman Eli
Published: February 2017

Geologic evidence suggests that the last glacial inception (115 kya) occurred within the mountains of Baffin Island. Global climate models (GCMs) have difficulty simulating this climate transition, likely because of their coarse horizontal resolution that smooths topography and necessitates the use of cumulus parameterizations. A regional configuration of the Weather Research and Forecasting (WRF) Model is used to simulate the small-scale topographic and cloud processes neglected by GCMs, and the sensitivity of the region to Milankovitch forcing, topography, and meteorology is tested. It is found that ice growth is possible with 115-kya insolation, realistic topography, and slightly colder-than-average meteorology, represented by specific years within the past three decades. The simulation with low GCM-like topography shows a negative surface mass balance, even with the relevant orbital parameter configuration, demonstrating the criticality of realistic topography. The downslope growth of the ice sheets is studied by looking at the sensitivity of the mass balance to initial snow cover prescribed beyond that of the present day. It is found that the snow-albedo feedback, via its effects on the mass balance, allows such larger snow cover to persist. Implications for GCM studies of glacial inception are discussed.