bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Attitudes and Motivations of Students Toward Athletic-Event Attendance at a Midsize Division III University: Recommendations for Communicators
Authors: Perrault Evan K.
Published: October 2016

Despite being the largest subset of the NCAA, Division III sports programs have had very little research dedicated to them regarding student attendance motivations. This study surveyed 620 undergraduate students at a midsize Division III school (total enrollment 10,902) to determine their attitudes toward attending athletic events and potential motivators for getting them into the stands. Students who had personally interacted with an athlete or coach had better attitudes toward university athletics than those who had not. Results also supported predictions of the theory of planned behavior, finding that attitudes toward individual sports were the strongest predictor of intentions to attend future games. Open-ended responses also asked students why they do not attend games and what would get them to attend more games. Analyses of these responses are followed by key recommendations for communications professionals at similar-size institutions seeking ways to increase student attendance at their athletic events.
Crisis-Communications Management in Football Clubs
Authors: Manoli Argyro Elisavet
Published: October 2016

An escalating number of crises appear in the sport industry in general and the football industry in particular that make the area of crisis communication an increasingly important matter in both the everyday running and the long-term viability of football. However, the sensitivity of the topic makes an extensive analysis on current practice in crisis communications a particularly challenging task. This study examines how crisis communications is managed by investigating the current practices and techniques employed in English Premier League clubs, as they were presented by communications professionals employed in the clubs. The analysis of the clubs’ practices underlines the lack of proactivity and presents the most popular strategies of crisis-communications management: “Wait for the dust to settle” and “React promptly before the noise grows.” In addition, an underdocumented technique is examined: the use of the informal personal relationships between the employees of the clubs and the members of the media. This study also introduces the “crisis communications management in football” model, which illustrates the practices identified through this study and can potentially act as a guide for crisis-communications analysis in a number of other industries.
Heightened Exercise-Induced Oxidative Stress at Simulated Moderate Level Altitude vs. Sea Level in Trained Cyclists
Authors: J. Wadley Alex , S. Svendsen Ida , Gleeson Michael
Published: October 2016

Altitude exposure can exaggerate the transient increase in markers of oxidative stress observed following acute exercise. However, these responses have not been monitored in endurance-trained cyclists at altitudes typically experienced while training. Endurance trained males (n = 12; mean (± SD) age: 28 ± 4 years, V̇O2max 63.7 ± 5.3 ml/kg/min) undertook two 75-min exercise trials at 70% relative V̇O2max; once in normoxia and once in hypobaric hypoxia, equivalent to 2000m above sea level (hypoxia). Blood samples were collected before, immediately after and 2 h postexercise to assess plasma parameters of oxidative stress (protein carbonylation (PC), thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS), total antioxidant capacity (TAC) and catalase activity (CAT)). Participants cycled at 10.5% lower power output in hypoxia vs. normoxia, with no differences in heart rate, blood lactate or rating of perceived exertion observed. PC increased and decreased immediately after exercise in hypoxia and normoxia respectively (nmol/mg/protein: Normoxia—0.3 ± 0.1, Hypoxia + 0.4 ± 0.1; both p < .05). CAT increased immediately postexercise in both trials, with the magnitude of change greater in hypoxia (nmol/min/ml: Normoxia + 12.0 ± 5.0, Hypoxia + 27.7 ± 4.8; both p < .05). CAT was elevated above baseline values at 2 h postexercise in Hypoxia only (Normoxia + 0.2 ± 2.4, Hypoxia + 18.4 ± 5.2; p < .05). No differences were observed in the changes in TBARS and TAC between hypoxia and normoxia. Trained male cyclists demonstrated a differential pattern/ timecourse of changes in markers of oxidative stress following submaximal exercise under hypoxic vs. normoxic conditions.
Personal Trainer Perceptions of Providing Nutrition Care to Clients: A Qualitative Exploration
Authors: Barnes Katelyn , Ball Lauren , Desbrow Ben
Published: October 2016

Personal trainers are well placed to provide basic nutrition care in line with national dietary guidelines. However, many personal trainers provide nutrition care beyond their scope of practice and this has been identified as a major industry risk due to a perceived lack of competence in nutrition. This paper explores the context in which personal trainers provide nutrition care, by understanding personal trainers’ perceptions of nutrition care in relation to their role and scope of practice. Semistructured telephone interviews were conducted with 15 personal trainers working within Australia. Thematic analysis was used to identify key themes. All personal trainers reported to provide nutrition care and reported that nutrition care was an important component of their role. Despite this, many were unaware or uncertain of the scope of practice for personal trainers. Some personal trainers reported a gap between the nutrition knowledge they received in their formal education, and the knowledge they needed to optimally support their clients to adopt healthy dietary behaviors. Overall, the personal training context is likely to be conducive to providing nutrition care. Despite concerns about competence personal trainers have not modified their nutrition care practices. To ensure personal trainers provide nutrition care in a safe and effective manner, greater enforcement of the scope of practice is required as well as clear nutrition competencies or standards to be developed during training.
Quantum optical rotatory dispersion
Authors: Tischler Nora , Krenn Mario , Fickler Robert , Vidal Xavier , Zeilinger Anton , Molina-Terriza Gabriel
Published: October 2016

A technique for multiwavelength phase measurements with quantum light is proposed and applied to the study of optical activity.
Rescuing the guardian of the genome
Authors: Service Robert F.
Published: October 2016

New drugs combat cancer by propping up a mutated tumor-fighting protein.
Exposing the exposures responsible for type 2 diabetes and obesity
Authors: Franks Paul W. , McCarthy Mark I.
Published: October 2016

The rising prevalences of type 2 diabetes and obesity constitute major threats to human health globally. Powerful social and economic factors influence the distribution of these diseases among and within populations. These factors act on a substrate of individual predisposition derived from the composite effects of inherited DNA variation and a range of environmental exposures experienced throughout the life course. Although “Western” lifestyle represents a convenient catch-all culprit for such exposures, effective treatment and prevention will be informed by characterization of the most critical, causal environmental factors. In this Review, we examine how burgeoning understanding of the genetic basis of type 2 diabetes and obesity can highlight nongenetic exposures that drive development of these conditions.
MoS
2
transistors with 1-nanometer gate lengths
Authors: Desai Sujay B. , Madhvapathy Surabhi R. , Sachid Angada B. , Llinas Juan Pablo , Wang Qingxiao , Ahn Geun Ho , Pitner Gregory , Kim Moon J. , Bokor Jeffrey , Hu Chenming , Wong H.-S. Philip , Javey Ali
Published: October 2016

A flatter route to shorter channels

High-performance silicon transistors can have gate lengths as short as 5 nm before source-drain tunneling and loss of electrostatic control lead to unacceptable leakage current when the device is off. Desai
et al.
explored the use of MoS
2
as a channel material, given that its electronic properties as thin layers should limit such leakage. A transistor with a 1-nm physical gate was constructed with a MoS
2
bilayer channel and a single-walled carbon nanotube gate electrode. Excellent switching characteristics and an on-off state current ratio of ∼10
6
were observed.

Science
, this issue p.
99
Comparative Genomic Analysis of Haemophilus haemolyticus and Nontypeable Haemophilus influenzae and a New Testing Scheme for Their Discrimination
Authors: Hu Fang , Rishishwar Lavanya , Sivadas Ambily , Mitchell Gabriel J. , Jordan I. King , Murphy Timothy F. , Gilsdorf Janet R. , Mayer Leonard W. , Wang Xin
Published: October 2016

Haemophilu
s
haemolyticus
has been recently discovered to have the potential to cause invasive disease. It is closely related to nontypeable
Haemophilus influenzae
(NT
H. influenzae
). NT
H. influenzae
and
H. haemolyticus
are often misidentified because none of the existing tests targeting the known phenotypes of
H. haemolyticus
are able to specifically identify
H. haemolyticus
. Through comparative genomic analysis of
H. haemolyticus
and NT
H. influenzae
, we identified genes unique to
H. haemolyticus
that can be used as targets for the identification of
H. haemolyticus
. A real-time PCR targeting
purT
(encoding phosphoribosylglycinamide formyltransferase 2 in the purine synthesis pathway) was developed and evaluated. The lower limit of detection was 40 genomes/PCR; the sensitivity and specificity in detecting
H. haemolyticus
were 98.9% and 97%, respectively. To improve the discrimination of
H. haemolyticus
and NT
H. influenzae
, a testing scheme combining two targets (
H. haemolyticus
purT
and
H. influenzae
hpd
, encoding protein D lipoprotein) was also evaluated and showed 96.7% sensitivity and 98.2% specificity for the identification of
H. haemolyticus
and 92.8% sensitivity and 100% specificity for the identification of
H. influenzae
, respectively. The dual-target testing scheme can be used for the diagnosis and surveillance of infection and disease caused by
H. haemolyticus
and NT
H. influenzae
.
Development of a Colloidal Gold-Based Immunochromatographic Strip for Rapid Detection of Klebsiella pneumoniae Serotypes K1 and K2
Authors: Siu L. Kristopher , Tsai Yu-Kuo , Lin Jung-Chung , Chen Te-Li , Fung Chang-Phone , Chang Feng-Yee
Published: October 2016

In this study, a novel colloidal gold-based immunochromatographic strip (ICS) containing anti-
Klebsiella pneumoniae
capsular polysaccharide polyclonal antibodies was developed to specifically detect
K. pneumoniae
serotypes K1 and K2. Capsular polysaccharide K1 and K2 antigens were first used to produce polyclonal anti-K1 and anti-K2 antibodies. Reference strains with different serotypes, nontypeable
K. pneumoniae
strains, and other bacterial species were then used to assess the sensitivity and specificity of these test strips. The detection limit was found to be 10
5
CFU, and the ICSs were stable for 6 months when stored at room temperature. No false-positive or false-negative results were observed, and equivalent results were obtained compared to those of more conventional test methods, such as PCR or serum agglutination. In conclusion, the ICS developed here requires no technical expertise and allows for the specific, rapid, and simultaneous detection of
K. pneumoniae
serotypes K1 and K2.
Foot-and-Mouth Disease Virus Viroporin 2B Antagonizes RIG-I-Mediated Antiviral Effects by Inhibition of Its Protein Expression
Authors: Zhu Zixiang , Wang Guoqing , Yang Fan , Cao Weijun , Mao Ruoqing , Du Xiaoli , Zhang Xiangle , Li Chuntian , Li Dan , Zhang Keshan , Shu Hongbing , Liu Xiangtao , Zheng Haixue
Published: October 2016

The role of retinoic acid-inducible gene I (RIG-I) in foot-and-mouth disease virus (FMDV)-infected cells remains unknown. Here, we showed that RIG-I inhibits FMDV replication in host cells. FMDV infection increased the transcription of RIG-I, while it decreased RIG-I protein expression. A detailed analysis revealed that FMDV leader proteinase (L
pro
), as well as 3C proteinase (3C
pro
) and 2B protein, decreased RIG-I protein expression. L
pro
and 3C
pro
are viral proteinases that can cleave various host proteins and are responsible for several of the viral polyprotein cleavages. However, for the first time, we observed 2B-induced reduction of host protein. Further studies showed that 2B-mediated reduction of RIG-I is specific to FMDV, but not other picornaviruses, including encephalomyocarditis virus, enterovirus 71, and coxsackievirus A16. Moreover, we found the decreased protein level of RIG-I is independent of the cleavage of eukaryotic translation initiation factor 4 gamma, the induction of cellular apoptosis, or the association of proteasome, lysosome, and caspase pathways. A direct interaction was observed between RIG-I and 2B. The carboxyl-terminal amino acids 105 to 114 and amino acids 135 to 144 of 2B were essential for the reduction of RIG-I, while residues 105 to 114 were required for the interaction. These data suggest the antiviral role of RIG-I against FMDV and a novel antagonistic mechanism of FMDV that is mediated by 2B protein.

IMPORTANCE
This study demonstrated that RIG-I could suppress FMDV replication during virus infection. FMDV infection increased the transcriptional expression of RIG-I, while it decreased RIG-I protein expression. FMDV 2B protein interacted with RIG-I and induced reduction of RIG-I. 2B-induced reduction of RIG-I was independent of the induction of the cleavage of eukaryotic translation initiation factor 4 gamma or cellular apoptosis. In addition, proteasome, lysosome, and caspase pathways were not involved in this process. This study provides new insight into the immune evasion mediated by FMDV and identifies 2B as an antagonistic factor for FMDV to evade the antiviral response.
TMPRSS12 Is an Activating Protease for Subtype B Avian Metapneumovirus
Authors: Yun Bingling , Zhang Yao , Liu Yongzhen , Guan Xiaolu , Wang Yongqiang , Qi Xiaole , Cui Hongyu , Liu Changjun , Zhang Yanping , Gao Honglei , Gao Li , Li Kai , Gao Yulong , Wang Xiaomei
Published: October 2016

The entry of avian metapneumovirus (aMPV) into host cells initially requires the fusion of viral and cell membranes, which is exclusively mediated by fusion (F) protein. Proteolysis of aMPV F protein by endogenous proteases of host cells allows F protein to induce membrane fusion; however, these proteases have not been identified. Here, we provide the first evidence that the transmembrane serine protease TMPRSS12 facilitates the cleavage of subtype B aMPV (aMPV/B) F protein. We found that overexpression of TMPRSS12 enhanced aMPV/B F protein cleavage, F protein fusogenicity, and viral replication. Subsequently, knockdown of TMPRSS12 with specific small interfering RNAs (siRNAs) reduced aMPV/B F protein cleavage, F protein fusogenicity, and viral replication. We also found a cleavage motif in the aMPV/B F protein (amino acids 100 and 101) that was recognized by TMPRSS12. The histidine, aspartic acid, and serine residue (HDS) triad of TMPRSS12 was shown to be essential for the proteolysis of aMPV/B F protein via mutation analysis. Notably, we observed TMPRSS12 mRNA expression in target organs of aMPV/B in chickens. Overall, our results indicate that TMPRSS12 is crucial for aMPV/B F protein proteolysis and aMPV/B infectivity and that TMPRSS12 may serve as a target for novel therapeutics and prophylactics for aMPV.

IMPORTANCE
Proteolysis of the aMPV F protein is a prerequisite for F protein-mediated membrane fusion of virus and cell and for aMPV infection; however, the proteases used
in vitro
and
vivo
are not clear. A combination of analyses, including overexpression, knockdown, and mutation methods, demonstrated that the transmembrane serine protease TMPRSS12 facilitated cleavage of subtype B aMPV (aMPV/B) F protein. Importantly, we located the motif in the aMPV/B F protein recognized by TMPRSS12 and the catalytic triad in TMPRSS12 that facilitated proteolysis of the aMPV/B F protein. This is the first report on TMPRSS12 as a protease for proteolysis of viral envelope glycoproteins. Our study will shed light on the mechanism of proteolysis of aMPV F protein and pathogenesis of aMPV.
Injuries among weightlifters and powerlifters: a systematic review
Authors: Aasa Ulrika , Svartholm Ivar , Andersson Fredrik , Berglund Lars
Published: October 2016

Background

Olympic weightlifting and powerlifting are two sports that expose the body to great forces. Injury characteristics have not been systematically reviewed for these two growing sports.

Objective

The purpose of this study was to systematically review the literature regarding various definitions of injuries used, injury localisation, the prevalence and incidence of injuries and the associated risk factors for injuries in weightlifting and powerlifting.

Design

Systematic review.

Data sources

Five databases, PubMed, MEDLINE, SPORTDiscus, Scopus and Web of Science, were searched between 9 March and 6 April 2015.

Eligibility criteria for selecting studies

Studies assessing injury incidence and prevalence in Olympic weightlifting and powerlifting were included. The Quality assessment tool for observational cohort and cross-sectional studies was used to assess methodological quality.

Results

9 studies were included in the review. Injury was defined fairly consistently across studies. Most studies were of low methodological quality. The spine, shoulder and the knee were the most common injury localisations in both sports. The injury incidence in weightlifting was 2.4–3.3 injuries/1000 hours of training and 1.0–4.4 injuries/1000 hours of training in powerlifting. Only one retrospective study had analysed possible risk factors.

Summary/conclusions

The risk of injury in both sports were similar to other non-contact sports also requiring strength/power, but low compared to contact sports. The severity of injuries differed in the included studies. Since little has been studied regarding possible risk factors to injuries, further research is therefore warranted to explain why athletes get injured and how to prevent injuries.

Trial registration number

PROSPERO CRD42015014805.
Multiple complications among people with diabetes from Finland: an 18-year follow-up in 1994–2011
Authors: Forssas Erja , Arffman Martti , Manderbacka Kristiina , Keskimäki Ilmo , Ruuth Iiris , Sund Reijo
Published: October 2016

Objective

In this study, we examined trends in severe diabetes-related complications (acute myocardial infarction, stroke, lower extremity amputation, and end-stage renal disease) and prevalence of multiple complications in a total population with diabetes in Finland during an 18-year period.

Research design and methods

The total population with diabetes aged 30 years or older in 1994–2011 was obtained from several Finnish health registers. Only the first episode of each end point was included in the analysis. We examined trends in the prevalence of these end points using age-standardization and changes in these end points were analyzed using repeated-measures Poisson regression models.

Results

The prevalence of single comorbidities decreased during the study period, especially for acute myocardial infarction and stroke. The age-adjusted and diabetes duration-adjusted risk of having one of these end points decreased throughout the study period among persons with type 2 diabetes. Among women, the risk ratio was 0.71 (0.63 to 0.79) in 2006–2011 compared to 1994–1999, and among men, the figure was 0.72 (0.66 to 0.78). In type 1 diabetes, the risk of multiple serious complications increased. We further found increased mortality risk among persons with any of these complications irrespective of diabetes type.

Conclusions

Our results concerning the development of risk of complications suggest improvements in the management of diabetes. More attention needs to be paid to the prevention of complications among older persons and those with longer history of diabetes to prevent clustering of complications and to prevent the diabetes epidemic in the population to reduce the public health burden of diabetes.
Patients' estimations of the importance of preventive health services: a nationwide, population-based cross-sectional study in Portugal
Authors: Sá Luísa , Ribeiro Orquídea , Azevedo Luís Filipe , Couto Luciana , Costa-Pereira Altamiro , Hespanhol Alberto , Santos Paulo , Martins Carlos
Published: October 2016

Objectives

To determine, in the context of primary care preventive health services, the level of importance that Portuguese patients attribute to different preventive activities.

Design

Cross-sectional study.

Setting

Primary Healthcare, Portugal.

Participants

1000 Portuguese adults selected by a stratified cluster sampling design were invited to participate in a computer-assisted telephone survey. Persons with a cognitive or physical disability that hampered the ability to complete a telephone interview and being a nursing home resident or resident in any other type of collective dwelling were excluded.

Outcomes

Mean level of importance assigned to 20 different medical preventive activities, using a scale of 1–10, with 1 corresponding to ‘no importance for you and your health’ and 10 indicating ‘very important’.

Results

The mean level of importance assigned to medical preventive activity was 7.70 (95% CI 7.60 to 7.80). Routine blood and urine tests were considered the most important, with an estimated mean of 9.15 (95% CI 9.07 to 9.24), followed by female-specific interventions (Pap smear, mammography and gynaecological and breast ultrasounds), with mean importance ranging from 8.45 (95% CI 8.23 to 8.63) for mammography to 8.56 (95% CI 8.36 to 8.76) for Pap smear. Advice regarding alcohol consumption (6.18; 95% CI 5.96 to 6.39) and tobacco consumption (5.99; 95% CI 5.75 to 6.23) were considered much less important.

Conclusions

Our results reveal that Portuguese patients overestimate the importance of preventive medical activities, tend to give more importance to diagnostic and laboratory tests than to lifestyle measures, do not discriminate tests that are important and evidence-based, and seem not be aware of the individualisation of risk. Family physicians should be aware of these optimistic expectations, because these can influence the doctor–patient relationship when discussing these interventions and incorporating personalised risk.
Fracture in the Elderly Multidisciplinary Rehabilitation (FEMuR): a phase II randomised feasibility study of a multidisciplinary rehabilitation package following hip fracture
Authors: Williams Nefyn H , Roberts Jessica L , Din Nafees Ud , Totton Nicola , Charles Joanna M , Hawkes Claire A , Morrison Val , Hoare Zoe , Williams Michelle , Pritchard Aaron W , Alexander Swapna , Lemmey Andrew , Woods Robert T , Sackley Catherine , Logan Pip , Edwards Rhiannon T , Wilkinson Clare
Published: October 2016

Objective

To conduct a rigorous feasibility study for a future definitive parallel-group randomised controlled trial (RCT) and economic evaluation of an enhanced rehabilitation package for hip fracture.

Setting

Recruitment from 3 acute hospitals in North Wales. Intervention delivery in the community.

Participants

Older adults (aged ≥65) who received surgical treatment for hip fracture, lived independently prior to fracture, had mental capacity (assessed by clinical team) and received rehabilitation in the North Wales area.

Intervention

Remote randomisation to usual care (control) or usual care+enhanced rehabilitation package (intervention), including six additional home-based physiotherapy sessions delivered by a physiotherapist or technical instructor, novel information workbook and goal-setting diary.

Primary and secondary outcome measures

Primary: Barthel Activities of Daily Living (BADL). Secondary measures included Nottingham Extended Activities of Daily Living scale (NEADL), EQ-5D, ICECAP capability, a suite of self-efficacy, psychosocial and service-use measures and costs. Outcome measures were assessed at baseline and 3-month follow-up by blinded researchers.

Results

62 participants were recruited, 61 randomised (control 32; intervention 29) and 49 (79%) completed 3-month follow-up. Minimal differences occurred between the 2 groups for most outcomes, including BADL (adjusted mean difference 0.5). The intervention group showed a medium-sized improvement in the NEADL relative to the control group, with an adjusted mean difference between groups of 3.0 (Cohen's d 0.63), and a trend for greater improvement in self-efficacy and mental health, but with small effect sizes. The mean cost of delivering the intervention was £231 per patient. There was a small relative improvement in quality-adjusted life year in the intervention group. No serious adverse events relating to the intervention were reported.

Conclusions

The trial methods were feasible in terms of eligibility, recruitment and retention. The effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of the rehabilitation package should be tested in a phase III RCT.

Trial registration number

ISRCTN22464643; Results.
Comparing physical assessment with administrative data for detecting pressure ulcers in a large Canadian academic health sciences centre
Authors: Backman Chantal , Vanderloo Saskia E , Miller Toba B , Freeman Lisa , Forster Alan J
Published: October 2016

Objective

This study aimed to compare classification of pressure ulcers from administrative data with a gold standard assessment, specifically; pressure ulcers confirmed by an independent physical assessment performed by trained nurse surveyors.

Setting

A retrospective analysis of pooled cross-sectional samples of inpatients assessed across 3 consecutive prevalence surveys in a large academic health sciences centre between 2012 and 2013.

Participants

There were 2001 patients for whom physical and chart assessments were completed, and for whom a discharge abstract was also available at the time of analysis. The cohort's mean age was 65 years and 55% were women.

Results

Based on the physical assessment findings, 14.6% of patients (n=292) had at least 1 pressure ulcer, with a total of 345 pressure ulcers documented among these patients: (stage I=162; stage II=120; stage III=22; stage IV=22 and unstageable=19). Based on coded information, 78 (3.9%) of patients had a pressure ulcer. Of patients with a pressure ulcer determined by the physical assessment, only 21% also had a pressure ulcer captured in the administrative data. Furthermore, only 6% of the patients with a hospital-acquired pressure ulcer, stage II or greater determined by the physical assessment were coded in the Discharge Abstract Database (DAD).

Conclusions

The results of this study demonstrate that coding in the DAD may under-report and fail to accurately reflect the true burden of pressure ulcers in hospitalised patients. This may occur because the presence of pressure ulcers is currently documented in the health record by nurses and not by physicians, yet the administrative data recorded in the DAD only includes physician documented pressure ulcers. We recommend enhancements to the coding methods to monitor and report on pressure ulcers.
Development and validation of a screening tool for the identification of inappropriate transthoracic echocardiograms
Authors: Fonseca Ricardo , Pathan Faraz , Marwick Thomas H
Published: October 2016

Objective

We sought whether simple clinical markers could be used in a questionnaire for recognition of inappropriate (or rarely appropriate, RA) tests at point-of-service. Most applications of appropriateness criteria (AC) for transthoracic echocardiogram (TTE) have been at the point of order, but a simple means of identifying RA tests in an audit process would be of value.

Design, setting and participants

The study was performed in 2 major hospitals in Tasmania. 2 reviewers created a questionnaire based on 4 questions most commonly associated with RA (suspected endocarditis with no positive blood cultures or new murmur, lack of cardiovascular symptoms or no change in clinical status or cardiac examination, routine surveillance and previous TTE within a year) in a derivation cohort of 814 patients. This was prospectively applied to 499 TTEs to calculate sensitivity and specificity for prediction of RA, and validated in the external group (n=880).

Results

Of 499 prospective TTEs, the questionnaire selected 18% requests as being potentially RA. As 7.4% were actually RA (κ 89%), the sensitivity and specificity of the questionnaire were 84% and 87%, respectively. In the external validation cohort, the model found 11% requests needed to be screened for appropriateness with a sensitivity and specificity of 80% and 95%.

Conclusions

A questionnaire based on 4 questions detects a high proportion of RA TTE, and could be used for audit.
Respect for autonomy: deciding what is good for oneself
Authors: Kious Brent Michael
Published: October 2016

Paternalistic interference in autonomous decisions is typically impermissible. This has several explanations, among which is a view I call theagent-constitution of the good: that the autonomous agent not onlyknowswhat is best for herself, butdetermineswhat is best for herself through her desires, goals and so on (heraims). For instance, it might seem that if an autonomous person does choose not to take insulin for her diabetes, then not only is it inappropriate to force treatment upon her, it is also not in her best interest to take insulin. Here I argue that agent-constitution, though appealing, is false. In fact, autonomous agents can be mistaken about their good, even when it seems to depend only upon their aims. Agent-constitution appears true only because we typically fail to notice constraints on a person's good in private, self-regarding decisions where paternalism might be considered.
Sclerotherapy for lymphatic malformations of the head and neck in the pediatric population
Authors: Tu Joanna H , Do Huy M , Patel Viraat , Yeom Kristen W , Teng Joyce M C
Published: October 2016

Background

Sclerotherapy is one of the most commonly used minimally invasive interventions in the treatment of macrocystic lymphatic malformations (LMs). Several different sclerosing agents and injection protocols have been reported in the literature, each with varying degrees of success. The safety and efficacy of the treatments have not been evaluated comparatively in the pediatric population.

Methods

Chart review of pediatric patients with macrocystic/mixed head and neck LMs who underwent sclerotherapy using OK-432, doxycycline, or ethanolamine oleate at Lucile Packard Children's Hospital at Stanford during 2000–2014. Clinical evaluation and radiographic imaging were reviewed to assess lesion characteristics and response to sclerotherapy following each treatment session. The post-intervention clinical response was categorized as excellent, good, fair, or poor.

Results

Among the 41 pediatric cases reviewed, 10 patients were treated with OK-432, 19 patients received doxycycline, and 12 patients received ethanolamine. In univariate analysis, different sclerosants had similar effectiveness after the first injection and final clinical outcome (p=0.5317). In multivariate analysis controlling for disease severity stage as well as disease characteristics (macrocystic vs mixed subtypes), different sclerosants also had similar effectiveness after the first injection (p=0.1192). Radiologic analysis indicated an 84.5% average volume reduction, with similar effectiveness between the different sclerosants (p=0.9910).

Conclusions

In this series of LM cases treated at Stanford, we found that doxycycline, OK-432, and ethanolamine oleate sclerotherapy appear to have a similar safety and efficacy profile in the treatment of macrocystic and mixed LMs of the head and neck in the pediatric population.
Endovascular isolation of intracranial blood blister-like aneurysms with Willis covered stent
Authors: Fang Chun , Tan Hua-Qiao , Han Hong-Jie , Feng Hao , Xu Ji-Chong , Yan Shuo , Nie Zhi-Yu , Jin Ling-Jing , Teng Fei
Published: October 2016

Objective

Intracranial blood blister-like aneurysm (BBA) is a rare type of aneurysm that lacks all layers of the arterial wall. These fragile aneurysms have the propensity to rupture with minimal manipulation, which makes them hazardous and difficult to treat. The present study evaluated the safety and feasibility of endovascular treatment of BBAs with the Willis covered stent.

Materials

Thirteen patients (7 men and 6 women, age range 28–68 years) who presented with ruptured BBAs and were treated with the Willis covered stent were retrospectively reviewed. Results of the procedures and treatment-related complications were recorded. Angiographic and clinical follow-ups were performed 4–6 months after the procedure.

Results

Placement of the covered stent was successful in all patients. Immediate angiography showed complete aneurysm occlusion in 12 patients while one patient showed a mild endoleak. This high rate of aneurysm exclusion ensured the security of postoperative antiplatelet treatment. Occlusion of the ophthalmic artery occurred in two patients and occlusion of the anterior choroidal artery occurred in one patient; however, none of them showed acute or delayed clinical symptoms. Thrombosis, aneurysm rupture, and other complications did not develop in any case. Angiographic follow-up showed complete aneurysm exclusion without aneurysm recurrence in any patients. Only two patients showed asymptomatic mild to moderate in-stent stenosis. All patients had satisfactory clinical outcomes (modified Rankin Scale score ≤1).

Conclusions

Willis covered stent implementation may be safe and feasible for BBAs. This strategy might be a promising option for this high-risk type of aneurysm.
In situ tissue engineering: endothelial growth patterns as a function of flow diverter design
Authors: Marosfoi Miklos , Langan Erin T , Strittmatter Lara , van der Marel Kajo , Vedantham Srinivasan , Arends Jennifer , Lylyk Ivan R , Loganathan Siddharth , Hendricks Gregory M , Szikora Istvan , Puri Ajit S , Wakhloo Ajay K , Gounis Matthew J
Published: October 2016

Background

Vascular remodeling in response to implantation of a tissue engineering scaffold such as a flow diverter (FD) leads to the cure of intracranial aneurysms. We hypothesize that the vascular response is dependent on FD design, and CD34+ progenitor cells play an important role in the endothelialization of the implant.

Methods

Sixteen rabbit aneurysms were randomly treated with two different single-layer braided FDs made of cobalt–chrome alloys. The FD-48 and FD-72 devices had 48 and 72 wires, respectively. Aneurysm occlusion rate was assessed during the final digital subtraction angiogram at 10, 20, 30, and 60 days (n=2 per device per time point). Implanted vessels were analyzed with scanning electron microscopy for tissue coverage, endothelialization, and immuno-gold labeling for CD34+ cells.

Results

Complete aneurysm occlusion rates were similar between the devices; however, complete or near complete occlusion was more frequently observed in aneurysms with neck ≤4.2 mm (p=0.008). Total tissue coverage at 10 days over the surface of the FD-48 and FD-72 devices was 56.4±11.6% and 76.6±3.6%, respectively. Endothelial cell growth over the surface was time-dependent for the FD-72 device (Spearman's r=0.86, p=0.013) but not for the FD-48 device (Spearman's r=−0.59, p=0.094). The endothelialization score was marginally correlated with the distance from the aneurysm neck for the FD-48 device (Spearman's r=1, p=0.083) but not for the FD-72 device (Spearman's r=0.8, p=0.33). CD34+ cells were present along the entirety of both devices at all time points.

Conclusions

This study gives preliminary evidence that temporal and spatial endothelialization is dependent on FD design. Circulating CD34+ progenitor cells contribute to endothelialization throughout the healing process.
Remarkably long overall survival of a 15‐month‐old Australian shepherd dog with gastric T‐cell lymphoma
Authors: Güssow Arne , Kempker Karsten , Wurtinger Gabriel , Rydzewski Lena , Neiger Reto
Published: October 2016

A 15‐month‐old female intact Australian shepherd dog was presented with a history of acute, frequent vomiting and progressive lethargy. Only a painful abdomen was detected on physical examination. Laboratory results were suggestive of inflammation. Markedly thickened gastric mucosa with loss of gastric wall layering next to enlarged gastric lymph nodes and signs of peritonitis were detected on abdominal ultrasound. Explorative laparotomy revealed severe enlargement of the stomach wall thickness and gastric lymph nodes. High‐grade T‐cell lymphoma was diagnosed on histopathology and cytology. Despite the poor prognosis, a combination chemotherapy was initiated. During therapy, the dog had a good quality of life, apart from mild side effects of chemotherapeutic drugs. Neoplastic diseases such as alimentary lymphoma are rare in young dogs. With 252 days of survival, this is the youngest dog with long‐term survival of a primarily alimentary T‐cell lymphoma of the stomach, showing that appropriate chemotherapy can have a favourable outcome.
Small animal disease surveillance: pruritus, and coagulase‐positive staphylococci
Authors: Sánchez‐Vizcaíno Fernando , Singleton David , Jones Philip H. , Heayns Bethaney , Wardeh Maya , Radford Alan D. , Schmidt Vanessa , Dawson Susan , Noble Peter J. M. , Everitt Sally
Published: October 2016

Presentation for pruritus comprised 6.5 per cent, 3.6 per cent and 2.0 per cent of canine, feline and rabbit consultations, respectively, between January 2014 and June 2016

Topical antimicrobials were the most commonly prescribed pruritus treatments for dogs (33.6 per cent of consultations); for cats, it was systemic glucocorticoids (53.5 per cent)

In surveillance of coagulase‐positive staphylococci, 16 per cent of 176 coagulase‐positive staphylococci isolated from canine diagnostic samples were sensitive to all tested antibacterial classes; multidrug resistance (resistance to three or more antibacterial classes) was found in 6.8 per cent
Addition of Tubifex accelerates dewatering of oil sands tailings
Authors: Yang Xiaojuan , de Lucas Pardo Miguel , Ibanez Maria , Deng Lijun , Sittoni Luca , Ulrich Ania , Chen Qun
Published: October 2016

Accelerating dewatering of fluid fine tailings (FFT) to facilitate land reclamation is a major challenge to the oil sands industry in Canada. A new method was tested, addition of Tubifex to FFT. Tubifex is an indigenous earthworm in Canada. The survival rate tests showed that Tubifex can survive in oil sands tailings and penetrate to 42 cm depth (maximum depth tested). Columns (5 L of FFT) were set-up with tailings alone, Tubifex treated tailings and polymer-Tubifex treated tailings. Test results showed that (a) the final mud–water interface of tailings alone was 26% higher than that of Tubifex treated tailings; (b) solids content of Tubifex treated tailings was 21% more than that of tailings alone; (c) Tubifex was capable to accelerate the dewatering process of both cationic and anionic polymer treated tailings; (d) anionic polymer was superior in facilitating long-term dewatering and its coupled effects with Tubifex were better than the cationic polymer.
Canopy treatment influences growth of replacement tree species inFraxinus nigraforests threatened by the emerald ash borer in Minnesota, USA
Authors: Looney Christopher E. , D’Amato Anthony W. , Palik Brian J. , Slesak Robert A.
Published: October 2016

Fraxinus nigra Marsh. (black ash), a dominant tree species of wetland forests in northern Minnesota, USA, is imperiled by the invasive insect emerald ash borer (EAB; Agrilus planipennis Fairmaire, 1888). Regeneration of associated tree species is generally low in F. nigra forests and could be impacted further by climate change. Proactive management may be critical to maintaining tree cover and ecosystem function following EAB invasion. We investigated the mean height and diameter relative growth rate (RGR) of seedlings of 10 potential replacement tree species, including two from the next southern climate zone projected to be adapted to the future northern Minnesota climate. Seedlings were planted in F. nigra wetlands under four canopy treatments: unharvested control, clearcut, girdling F. nigra to emulate EAB-induced mortality, and group selection. Mean height and diameter RGR was fastest overall in the clearcut treatment, followed by the girdling, group selection, and control treatments. Depending on species, treatment significantly influenced RGR. Several species projected to be adapted to the future northern Minnesota climate had moderate to rapid mean RGR, including one from the next southern climate zone. Our results suggest that seedling plantings and overstory treatment represent an effective strategy for establishing F. nigra replacement tree species as EAB approaches, while reducing future risk from climate change.
Effects of V heavy doping on the magnetic and optical properties in anatase TiO2
Authors: Hou Qingyu , Zhao Chunwang , Qu Lingfeng
Published: October 2016

A half-metal diluted magnetic semiconductor (DMS) can be formed in heavy V-doped TiO2. Contradictory experimental results in the literature have reported about the absorption spectra blueshift and redshift results in heavy V-doped TiO2. This study aims to reveal the mechanism of half-metal DMS in heavy V-doped TiO2 and solve the problem of absorption spectra blueshift and redshift in the doping system. In this study, models of the unit cells of pure anatase TiO2 and two V heavy-doped supercells of Ti[Formula: see text]V[Formula: see text]O2 and Ti[Formula: see text]V[Formula: see text]O2 were constructed based on density functional theory, which uses the first-principles plane-wave ultrasoft pseudopotential method. All models were obtained through geometry optimization. Local density approximation [Formula: see text] was used to calculate the band structure, density of states (DOS), orbital charge and absorption spectrum of the doping system. The calculated results under the condition of electron spin showed that in the heavy doping concentration range, the volume of supercells increases, the total energy and formation energy decrease and the stability of the supercells increases as V doping concentration increases. Furthermore, the interaction of [Formula: see text]–[Formula: see text] states is weaker than that of [Formula: see text]–[Formula: see text] states, which results in the valence band maximum shifting toward the low-energy region, and also the optical bandgap becomes narrower as well as the redshift and intensity of the absorption spectrum become more notable. Noticeably, the hybrid coupling effect of Ti-3[Formula: see text] and V-3[Formula: see text] states becomes stronger, and the magnetic moment increases. The Fermi levels of spin-up band structure within the conduction band, which form the [Formula: see text]-type degenerate semiconductors, and the Fermi levels of spin-down band structure within the bandgap indicate that the doping system has semiconductor features. Therefore, V-doped anatase TiO2 is an extremely promising DMS because of its high electron polarizability of nearly 100%. The calculation results are consistent with the experimental data; these results explain the problems reasonably and adequately. Therefore, the research findings can help solve the contradiction of the redshift and blueshift in the preparation of photocatalysts and half-metal diluted magnetic semiconductors of V heavy-doped anatase TiO2.
The China Complex in Taiwan: The Tug of War Between Identity and Interest
Authors: YANG WAN-YING
Published: October 2016

Over the past decade, Taiwan has witnessed a rising Taiwanese consciousness pulling it apart from a Chinese identity. However, economic development across the Taiwan Strait unfolds in the opposite direction, drawing Taiwanese people into closer interactions with and dependence on China. As Taiwanese find it more and more difficult to disentangle their complicated feelings toward China, this study sets out to demonstrate and explain the multifaceted nature of the Taiwanese people’s conflicting views toward China. In particular, this study examines whether the support for closer economic integration will increase the support for unification against the rising tide of Taiwanese identity in recent decades. By applying the “Taiwan Social Change Survey: National Identity Module 2013” dataset, the empirical analysis shows that, for Taiwanese people, identity and interest did work in rather opposite directions in terms of pulling them away from and drawing them closer to China. The models further show that even though there is a rising trend of Taiwanese identity, economic interests have revealed some potency in moving people’s perceptions toward unification with China in order to reap the economic benefits. The political implications entailed in the economic interactions explain Taiwanese hesitations between welcoming and resisting further integration across the Strait.
The Political Economy of Restructuring the Electricity Sector in South Korea
Authors: TSAI CHUNG-MIN
Published: October 2016

South Korea launched electricity reform in the 1990s but had continued to struggle with instituting an effective free market. In order to bolster economic growth, the development of the electricity industry has long been a fundamental issue for the state. The case in Korea is distinctive because it is part of a large-scale privatization project as the political regime had just shifted to democracy. The state spun off and corporatized the state-owned power enterprise with very limited privatization. The Korean government has chosen to control the power companies as the largest shareholder. Nonetheless, the reform process was suspended in 2004 without encountering major problems. This has created a major puzzle for analysts: why did the reform result in this outcome? I argue that as a politically driven reform project, power reform in Korea was destined to fail. The economic and social responses elicited by reform implementation all contributed to the failure of the power reform. This paper describes the dynamics of Korea’s electricity reform and details the industrial restructuring during the reform. It examines the political logic of the reform and how it shaped the power industry and in turn led to a stalled agenda. The paper concludes with a discussion of the broader implications for the roles of the state, industrial policy, and state-business relations.
The enigma of continual plasma volume expansion in pregnancy: critical role of the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system
Authors: West Crystal A. , Sasser Jennifer M. , Baylis Chris
Published: October 2016

Pregnancy is characterized by avid renal sodium retention and plasma volume expansion in the presence of decreased blood pressure. Decreased maternal blood pressure is a consequence of reduced systemic vascular tone, which results from an increased production of vasodilators [nitric oxide (NO), prostaglandins, and relaxin] and decreased vascular responsiveness to the potent vasoconstrictor (angiotensin II). The kidneys participate in this vasodilatory response, resulting in marked increases in renal plasma flow and glomerular filtration rate (GFR) during pregnancy. In women, sodium retention drives plasma volume expansion (∼40%) and is necessary for perfusion of the growing uterus and fetus. For there to be avid sodium retention in the presence of the potent natriuretic influences of increased NO and elevated GFR, there must be modifications of the tubules to prevent salt wasting. The purpose of this review is to summarize these adaptations.