bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Bio‐ORACLE v2.0: Extending marine data layers for bioclimatic modelling
Authors: Assis Jorge , Tyberghein Lennert , Bosch Samuel , Verbruggen Heroen , Serrão Ester A. , De Clerck Olivier
Published: December 2017

Motivation

The availability of user‐friendly, high‐resolution global environmental datasets is crucial for bioclimatic modelling. For terrestrial environments, WorldClim has served this purpose since 2005, but equivalent marine data only became available in 2012, with pioneer initiatives like Bio‐ORACLE providing data layers for several ecologically relevant variables. Currently, the available marine data packages have not yet been updated to the most recent Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) predictions nor to present times, and are mostly restricted to the top surface layer of the oceans, precluding the modelling of a large fraction of the benthic diversity that inhabits deeper habitats. To address this gap, we present a significant update of Bio‐ORACLE for new future climate scenarios, present‐day conditions and benthic layers (near sea bottom). The reliability of data layers was assessed using a cross‐validation framework against in situ quality‐controlled data. This test showed a generally good agreement between our data layers and the global climatic patterns. We also provide a package of functions in the R software environment (sdmpredictors) to facilitate listing, extraction and management of data layers and allow easy integration with the available pipelines for bioclimatic modelling.

Main types of variable contained

Surface and benthic layers for water temperature, salinity, nutrients, chlorophyll, sea ice, current velocity, phytoplankton, primary productivity, iron and light at bottom.

Spatial location and grain

Global at 5 arcmin (c. 0.08° or 9.2 km at the equator).

Time period and grain

Present (2000–2014) and future (2040–2050 and 2090–2100) environmental conditions based on monthly averages.

Major taxa and level of measurement

Marine biodiversity associated with sea surface and epibenthic habitats.

Software format

ASCII and TIFF grid formats for geographical information systems and a package of functions developed for R software.
Species richness correlates of raw and standardized co‐occurrence metrics
Authors: Ulrich Werner , Kubota Yasuhiro , Kusumoto Buntarou , Baselga Andres , Tuomisto Hanna , Gotelli Nicholas J.
Published: December 2017

Measuring β‐diversity and changes in species composition across multiple sites and environments is a major research focus in macroecology, and a variety of metrics have been proposed to quantify species co‐occurrence patterns in a species × site occurrence matrix. However, indices of β‐diversity and species co‐occurrence are often statistically dependent on the number of species in an assemblage. We compared the results of several common co‐occurrence metrics with patterns generated by a spatially explicit neutral model simulation. We found that all measures of co‐occurrence and β‐diversity, whether raw, rescaled or standardized by a null model expectation, were highly correlated with the total species richness of the landscape. The one important exception were the effect sizes of the fixed–fixed null model algorithm, which preserves row and column sums of the original matrix during matrix randomization. Our results call for a careful interpretation of meta‐analyses of assemblages that differ widely in species richness. At a minimum, observed species richness should be used as a statistical covariate in regression analyses, and results of the fixed–fixed algorithm should be compared carefully with the results of other randomization tests.
Resveratrol attenuates reproductive alterations in type 1 diabetes‐induced rats
Authors: Simas Joana Noguères , Mendes Talita Biude , Paccola Camila Cicconi , Vendramini Vanessa , Miraglia Sandra Maria
Published: December 2017

The progression of diabetes mellitus leads to several complications including overproduction of reactive oxygen species and reproductive alterations. As resveratrol (RES) is a powerful anti‐oxidant and an anti‐apoptotic compound, we hypothesized that side effects of type‐1 diabetes (DM1) on male reproduction could be reduced by the RES treatment. Eighty‐four prepubertal male rats were distributed into seven groups: sham‐control (SC), RES‐treated (R), resveratrol‐vehicle‐treated (RV), diabetic (D), diabetic‐insulin‐treated (DI), diabetic‐RES‐treated (DR), diabetic‐insulin and RES‐treated (DIR). DM1 was induced by a single intraperitoneal streptozotocin (STZ) injection (65 mg/kg) on the 30th day postpartum (dpp). Animals of DR, DIR and R groups received 150 mg/day of RES by gavage for 43 consecutive days (from the 33 to 75 dpp). DI and DIR rats received subcutaneous injections of insulin (1 U/100 g b.w./day) from 5th day after the DM1 induction. The blood glucose level was monitored. At 75 dpp, the euthanasia was performed for morphometric and biometric testicular analyses, spermatic evaluation and hormonal doses. In the D group, the blood glucose level was higher than in the DR, DI and DIR groups. Besides morphometric testicular measurements, testosterone and estradiol doses were lower in D group than in DR and DIR groups; LH dose was also lower than in DR. The preputial separation age was delayed in diabetes‐induced groups. The DR and DIR groups showed an improvement in sperm mitochondrial activity, epididymal sperm counts and the frequency of morphologically normal sperms. RES treatment improved glycaemic level, sperm quantitative and qualitative parameters and the hormonal profile in DM1‐induced rats and seems to be a good reproductive protector.
What Drives Interregional Bank Branch Closure? The Case of Japan's Regional Banks in the Post‐Deregulation Period
Authors: Nagano Mamoru , Ushijima Tatsuo
Published: December 2017

Since the elimination of branch restrictions in the Japanese banking sector, the number of interregional branches closing has exceeded that of new branches being established. By analyzing branch data covering 2000–2012, we find that the probability of interregional branch closures is higher than that of intraregional branch closures because interregional branching worsens banks’ cost efficiency. Further, we show that the geographical distance between branches does not increase the probability of intraregional branch closures, but it does raise the probability of interregional branch closures. Moreover, banks that focus on SME markets have a higher probability of closure in interregional markets than those that focus on household loan markets.
Nexus between Institutional Quality and Capital Inflows at Different Stages of Economic Development
Authors: Athari Seyed Alireza , Adaoglu Cahit
Published: December 2017

We examine the determinants of capital inflows for a global sample of countries at various stages of economic development, namely factor‐, efficiency‐, and innovation‐driven stages. We investigate the effect of institutional quality on capital inflows. The magnitude of institutional quality effect depends on the stage of economic development. Both public and private institutional qualities positively affect capital inflows in efficiency‐ and innovation‐driven countries. Specifically, corporate ethics and accountability are pull factors for capital inflows at all stages.
Can Hedge Funds Time the Market?
Authors: Brandt Michael W. , Nucera Federico , Valente Giorgio
Published: December 2017

We answer the somewhat narrower question of whether hedge funds adjust their conditional market exposure in response to real‐time changes in macroeconomic conditions, and whether doing so improves their performance. We find that hedge funds differ substantially in their responsiveness to macroeconomic data. The most procyclical market timers outperform their less active and counter‐cyclical peers by over 4% annualized with a risk adjusted alpha of 5.5%.
New strategy to enhance the broadband near‐infrared emission of bismuth‐doped laser glasses
Authors: Cao Jiangkun , Li Xiaoman , Wang Liping , Zhang Ziyang , Xu Shanhui , Peng Mingying
Published: December 2017

Bismuth‐doped glasses and fibers with broadband near‐infrared (NIR) emission have garnered much attention on account of their potential applications in new fiber lasers and broadband amplifiers. Yet the realization of high gain from Bi‐doped fibers and highly efficient NIR emission from Bi‐doped glasses are still a stubborn puzzle. The enhancement of Bi NIR emission is normally based on modifying the glass composition and topology, which will change the structure of the glass over a wide range and alter the thermal or mechanical properties of the glass simultaneously, making it more complicated for the designing and fabricating of Bi fibers with good performance. Here, we find that a trace addition of Si3N4 can efficiently enhance the Bi NIR emission without changing the glass structure significantly, right followed by spectral and structural analysis. 27Al NMR measurement reveals that the short‐ to medium‐range order of this glass is unchanged. The EPMA measurement confirms the homogeneity of fabricated glass. The great enhancement and red‐shift under blue light excitation may originate from the conversion of Bi active centers to low valence. Our results indicate that the trace addition of nitride could be a facile and maneuverable way to control the valence of active ions in glasses, which may contribute to improving the performance of photonic glasses.
Learning from instructional animations: How does prior knowledge mediate the effect of visual cues?
Authors: Arslan‐Ari I.
Published: December 2017

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of cueing and prior knowledge on learning and mental effort of students studying an animation with narration. This study employed a 2 (no cueing vs. visual cueing) × 2 (low vs. high prior knowledge) between‐subjects factorial design. The results revealed a significant interaction effect between prior knowledge and cueing on learning. Low prior knowledge learners had higher scores after studying an instructional animation with visual cues, compared to those who studied the same instructional animation without visual cues. Conversely, when cues were not provided, high prior knowledge learners outperformed those high prior knowledge learners who studied with the cued version of an instructional animation. These results indicated that the effects of cueing in an instructional animation change depending on the learners' level of prior knowledge. Specifically, low prior knowledge learners benefited more when visual cues were provided, whereas cues did not facilitate learning for high prior knowledge learners.
The effect of a single injection of irinotecan on the development of enamel in the Wistar rats
Authors: Al‐Ansari Sali , Jalali Rozita , Bronckers Ton , Raber‐Durlacher Judith , Logan Richard , de Lange Jan , Rozema Frederik
Published: December 2017

Cancer is the second most frequent cause of death in children. Because the prognosis for childhood malignancies has improved, attention has now focused on long‐term consequences of cancer treatment. The immediate effects of chemotherapy on soft tissues have been well described; however, there is less information about long‐term effects of chemotherapy on the development of dental tissues. To test the association between the effect of chemotherapy on enamel development, we examined two groups of rats: one that had received an intraperitoneal dose of 200 mg/kg of irinotecan, whereas the other (control) group had received vehicle only. Rats were killed at 6, 48 and 96 hr post‐injection; the mandibles dissected out, fixed for histological evaluation and scanned for mineralization defects by Micro‐CT. Our results showed structural changes in the ameloblast layer along with a significant reduction in mineralization and thickness of enamel at 96 hr after chemotherapy. These data demonstrate that irinotecan induces structural changes in forming enamel that become apparent after anticancer chemotherapy treatment.
Hypothalamic POMC expression is required for peripheral insulin action on hepatic gluconeogenesis through regulating STAT3 in sepsis rats
Authors: Feng Bin , Zhang Nannan , Duan Kaipeng , Shi Bimin
Published: December 2017

Liver injury and dysregulated glucose homoeostasis are common manifestations during sepsis. Although plenty of studies reported insulin could protect against multiple organ injuries caused by critical infections among patients, little was known about the precise mechanism. We investigated whether liver inflammatory pathway and central neuropeptides were involved in the process. In sepsis rats, hepatic IKK/NF‐κB pathway and STAT3 were strongly activated, along with reduced body weight, blood glucose and suppressed hepatic gluconeogenesis (GNG). Peripheral insulin administration efficiently attenuated liver dysfunction and glucose metabolic disorders by suppressing hypothalamic anorexigenic neuropeptide proopiomelanocortin (POMC) expression, hepatic NF‐κB pathway and STAT3 phosphorylation. Furthermore, knockdown of hypothalamic POMC significantly diminished protective effect of insulin on hepatic GNG and insulin‐induced STAT3 inactivation, but not inflammation or IKK/NF‐κB pathway. These results suggest that hepatic IKK/NF‐κB pathway mediates the anti‐inflammatory effect of insulin in septic rats, and peripheral insulin treatment may improve hepatic GNG by inhibiting STAT3 phosphorylation dependent on hypothalamic POMC expression.
Fixed-effect variance and the estimation of repeatabilities and heritabilities: issues and solutions
Authors: de Villemereuil P. , Morrissey M. B. , Nakagawa S. , Schielzeth H.
Published: December 2017

Linear mixed-effects models are frequently used for estimating quantitative genetic parameters, including the heritability, as well as the repeatability, of traits. Heritability acts as a filter that determines how efficiently phenotypic selection translates into evolutionary change, whereas repeatability informs us about the individual consistency of phenotypic traits. As quantities of biological interest, it is important that the denominator, the phenotypic variance in both cases, reflects the amount of phenotypic variance in the relevant ecological setting. The current practice of quantifying heritabilities and repeatabilities from mixed-effects models frequently deprives their denominator of variance explained by fixed effects (often leading to upward bias of heritabilities and repeatabilities), and it has been suggested to omit fixed effects when estimating heritabilities in particular. We advocate an alternative option of fitting models incorporating all relevant effects, while including the variance explained by fixed effects into the estimation of the phenotypic variance. The approach is easily implemented and allows optimizing the estimation of phenotypic variance, for example by the exclusion of variance arising from experimental design effects while still including all biologically relevant sources of variation. We address the estimation and interpretation of heritabilities in situations in which potential covariates are themselves heritable traits of the organism. Furthermore, we discuss complications that arise in generalized and nonlinear mixed models with fixed effects. In these cases, the variance parameters on the data scale depend on the location of the intercept and hence on the scaling of the fixed effects. Integration over the biologically relevant range of fixed effects offers a preferred solution in those situations.
Esthetics and smile‐related characteristics assessed by laypersons
Authors: Wang Cui , Hu Wen‐jie , Liang Ling‐zhi , Zhang Yan‐ling , Chung Kwok‐Hung
Published: December 2017

Purpose

This study aimed to identify the characteristics of full‐smile images assessed by laypersons using visual analog scale measurement.

Materials and Methods

A total of 176 young Chinese subjects (88 males and 88 females; 20‐35 years of age) with healthy dentogingival tissue were recruited to have their dynamic smiles captured using digital technology. A full‐smile frame image of each subject was selected and evaluated by 22 laypersons (11 males and 11 females; 20‐35 years of age) using visual analog scale measurement. Unattractive and attractive groups were designated according to the 25th percentile and 75th percentile of average visual analog scale score for the subjects, respectively. Eight smile variables were used to measure the characteristics of the full‐smile images. Pearson's Chi‐square test and unpaired t tests were used to analyze the data with significance level α = 0.05.

Results

The visual analog scale measurement scores of unattractive and attractive subgroups, respectively, were 37.89 ± 2.12 and 50.67 ± 2.75 (male subjects), and 37.14 ± 2.80 and 51.92 ± 1.99 (female subjects). VAS scores were significantly different between subgroups for both male and female subjects (P < .001). No significant differences were observed between male and female subjects (P > .05).

Conclusions

Attractive full‐smiles in young Chinese subjects demonstrated higher frequencies of average or low anterior smile line, average or low posterior smile line, upward upper lip curvature, and “broad and short” smile with high smile index.

Clinical Significance

The smile variables of anterior smile line, posterior smile line, upper lip curvature, and smile index are predominant factors of smile attractiveness, which should be given priority to consider and manage in the anterior esthetic treatment plan.
Development and validation of a new condition‐specific instrument for evaluation of smile esthetics‐related quality of life
Authors: Saltovic Ema , Lajnert Vlatka , Saltovic Sabina , Kovacevic Pavicic Daniela , Pavlic Andrej , Spalj Stjepan
Published: December 2017

Objective

Orofacial esthetics raises psychosocial issues. The purpose was to create and validate new short instrument for psychosocial impacts of altered smile esthetics.

Materials and Methods

A team of an orthodontist, two prosthodontists, psychologist, and a dental student generated items that could draw up specific hypothetical psychosocial dimensions (69 items initially, 39 in final analysis). The sample consisted of 261 Caucasian subjects attending local high schools and university (26% male) aged 14 to 28 years that have self‐administrated the designed questionnaire. Factorial analysis, Cronbach's alpha, Pearson correlation, paired samples t‐test and analysis of variance were used for analyses of internal consistency, construct validity, responsiveness, and test–retest.

Results

Three dimensions of psychosocial impacts of altered smile esthetics were identified: dental self‐consciousness, dental self‐confidence and social contacts that can be best fitted by 12 items, 4 items in each dimension. Internal consistency was good (α in range 0.85–0.89). Good stability in test–retest was confirmed. In responsiveness testing, tooth whitening induced increase in dental self‐confidence (P = 0.002), but no significant changes in other dimensions.

Conclusion

The new instrument, Smile Esthetics‐Related Quality of Life (SERQoL), is short and has proven to be a good indicator of psychosocial dimensions related to perception of smile esthetics.

Clinical significance

Smile Esthetics‐Related Quality of Life questionnaire might have practical validity when applied in esthetic dental clinical procedures.
Autonomic and subjective responsivity to emotional images in people with dissociative seizures
Authors: Pick Susannah , Mellers John D. C. , Goldstein Laura H.
Published: December 2017

People with dissociative seizures (DS) report a range of difficulties in emotional functioning and exhibit altered responding to emotional facial expressions in experimental tasks. We extended this research by investigating subjective and autonomic reactivity (ratings of emotional valence, arousal and skin conductance responses [SCRs]) to general emotional images in 39 people with DS relative to 42 healthy control participants, whilst controlling for anxiety, depression, cognitive functioning and, where relevant, medication use. It was predicted that greater subjective negativity and arousal and increased SCRs in response to the affective pictures would be observed in the DS group. The DS group as a whole did not differ from controls in their subjective responses of valence and arousal. However, SCR amplitudes were greater in ‘autonomic responders’ with DS relative to ‘autonomic responders’ in the control group. A positive correlation was also observed between SCRs for highly arousing negative pictures and self‐reported ictal autonomic arousal, in DS ‘autonomic responders’. In the DS subgroup of autonomic ‘non‐responders’, differences in subjective responses were observed for some conditions, compared to control ‘non‐responders’. The findings indicate unaffected subjective responses to emotional images in people with DS overall. However, within the group of people with DS, there may be subgroups characterized by differences in emotional responding. One subgroup (i.e., ‘autonomic responders’) exhibit heightened autonomic responses but intact subjective emotional experience, whilst another subgroup (i.e., ‘autonomic non‐responders’) seem to experience greater subjective negativity and arousal for some emotional stimuli, despite less frequent autonomic reactions. The current results suggest that therapeutic interventions targeting awareness and regulation of physiological arousal and subjective emotional experience could be of value in some people with this disorder.
Evaluation of topical liposome incorporated clove oil in the treatment of idiopathic palmar hyperhidrosis: Single‐blinded placebo‐controlled study
Authors: Ibrahim Ibrahim M , Abdel Kareem Ibrahim M , Alghobashy Mohammed A
Published: December 2017

Introduction

Palmar hyperhidrosis is of great concern to patients because of its physical, occupational, and psychological impact on quality of life. Topical clove oil has been used in many conditions due to its major component Eugenol thatexerts blockingeffect on nerve transmission.

Aim of the work

To assess the efficacy of topical liposome incorporated clove oil in decreasing the rate of sweating among patients with idiopathic palmar hyperhidrosis.

Patients and method

Forty patients with palmar hyperhidrosis were treated with clove oil 45% in liposome and another twenty patients were treated as a control group with 0.9% saline solution and evaluation was carried out before and after treatment through gravimetry testing and hyperhidrosis disease severity scale (HDSS).

Result

The gravimetry testing among clove oil‐treated group showed that the mean sweating rate before treatment was 80.5 ± 41.85 (SD) mg/min which decreased significantly after treatment to 52.98 ± 37.94(SD) mg/min (Pvalue < .001). On the other hand, the placebo‐treated group,(control) the mean sweating rate before treatment was 77.40 ± 29.29(SD) which did not show significant improvement after placebo application 77.35 ± 28.29(SD;Pvalue = .957).

Conclusion

The topical application of 45% clove oil in liposome twice daily for 2 weeks showing promising result evidenced by declining in the rate of palmar sweating among patients with idiopathic palmar hyperhidrosis.
Tattoos: Evaluation of knowledge about health complications and their prevention among students of Tricity universities
Authors: Rogowska Patrycja , Szczerkowska‐Dobosz Aneta , Kaczorowska Róża , Słomka Justyna , Nowicki Roman
Published: December 2017

Introduction

Tattooing is a very popular form of body modification among young people. However, this kind of procedure entails the risk of various health complications. The objective of the study was to evaluate the students’ knowledge about contraindications, complications, and health risks that skin tattooing may cause. Additionally, the purpose of the study was to assess how the profile of education (medical vs nonmedical) impacts on the knowledge of the respondents.

Methods

We surveyed a group of 1199 people, of which 326 (27%) had tattoos. The base of the study is an anonymously filled, author's online survey consisting of 25 questions.

Results

Eighty six percent of the students from the Medical University of Gdańsk indicated the risk of HCV virus infection during tattooing, while only 34% of students from other Tricity universities were aware of this danger. Sixty seven percent of people with tattoos felt that having them does not affect any diagnostic and therapeutic procedures. Most of respondents mentioned the tattoo artist (79%) and the Internet (73%) as a source of information before having a tattoo, while only 5% and 8% respondents asked a doctor or read medical literature about it. Fourty nine percent of respondents reported that before the procedure, tattooist failed to ask them about their health condition and medications.

Conclusions

Knowledge of students about safety, contraindications, and complications associated with the performance of tattooing is insufficient. As a result, a need for a better education on the topic for both people who are getting tattoos and tattooists appears evident.
Von Willebrand factor revisited
Authors: Yasar Senan J. , Abdullah Obai , Fay William , Balla Sudarshan
Published: December 2017

Degenerative aortic valve stenosis is the most common valvular heart disease seen in developed countries. Since the implementation of transcatheter aortic valve replacement, there has been a surge of efforts to improve procedural technique as well as reduce mortality. Until recently, the mainstay method of assessment of valve implantation as well as paravalvular regurgitation has relied heavily on imaging techniques including transesophageal echocardiography and aortic root angiography. There has been a lot of scientific inquiry to identify biomarkers in the management of patients with aortic stenosis. von Willebrand factor activity and high molecular weight multimer level assessment has emerged as an excellent biomarker with intraoperative, point of care potential. These implications can both supplement imaging modalities as well as potentially serve as a more accurate assessment TAVR complications.
Relevance of Tongue Force on Mandibular Denture Stabilization during Mastication
Authors: Żmudzki Jarosław , Chladek Grzegorz , Krawczyk Cezary
Published: December 2017

Purpose

Tongue activity, involving stereognosis of denture position, food bolus distribution, and direct denture pressing, can affect the stability of removable mandibular dentures. Knowledge of details of tongue activity in patients with removable dentures could contribute to the development of training methods to improve bilateral mastication. The hypothesis of this study was that tongue force improves mandibular complete denture stabilization on the atrophied foundation during mastication load transfer with a typical balanced occlusion.

Materials and Methods

Finite element analysis was used to assess the effect of tongue activity on denture stability, which was evaluated with objective biomechanical criteria. Denture movement (displacement), sliding distance on the mucosal surface, and pressure on the foundation during occlusal load transfer were considered with and without additional tongue forces.

Results

Tongue force in the canine zone of the balancing flange contributed to a slight reduction in the sliding distance. An adverse effect of tongue force on the working side and in the posterior zone of the balancing side was found.

Conclusions

Despite the lack of substantial improvement in stability with the addition of tongue forces, tongue action that contributes to a slight reduction in sliding may help reduce common frictional trauma resulting from cyclic movement during chewing. The beneficial impact of tongue force shown in earlier work under conditions of complete adherence of dentures to the foundation indicates a benefit of using adhesives.
Accuracy of Different Implant Impression Techniques: Evaluation of New Tray Design Concept
Authors: Liu David Yu , Cader Fathima Nashmie , Abduo Jaafar , Palamara Joseph
Published: December 2017

Purpose

To evaluate implant impression accuracy with a new tray design concept in comparison to nonsplinted and splinted impression techniques for a 2‐implant situation.

Materials and Methods

A reference bar titanium framework was fabricated to fit on 2 parallel implants. The framework was used to generate a resin master model with 2 implants that fit precisely against the framework. Three impression techniques were evaluated: (1) nonsplinted, (2) splinted, and (3) nonsplinted with modified tray impressions. All the trays were fabricated from light‐cured acrylic resin material with openings that corresponded to the implant impression copings. Ten impressions were taken for each technique using poly(vinyl siloxane) impression material. The impressions were poured with type IV dental stone to generate the test casts. A rosette strain gauge was bonded to the middle of the framework. As the framework retaining screws were tightened on each test cast, the developed strains were recorded until the completion of the tightening to 35 Ncm. The generated strains of the rosette strain gauge were used to calculate the maximum principal strain.

Results

A statistically significant difference was observed among the different impression techniques. The modified tray design impression technique was associated with the least framework strains, which indicates greater accuracy compared with the other techniques. There was no significant difference between the splinted and the nonsplinted impression techniques.

Conclusions

The new tray design concept appeared to produce more accurate implant impressions than the other techniques. Despite the statistical difference among the impression techniques, the clinical significance of this difference is yet to be determined.
High resolution vs conventional esophageal manometry in the assessment of esophageal motor disorders in patients with non‐cardiac chest pain
Authors: Akinsiku O. , Yamasaki T. , Brunner S. , Ganocy S. , Fass R.
Published: December 2017

Background

High‐resolution esophageal manometry (HREM) has become a leading tool in the assessment of esophageal motor disorders, replacing conventional manometry. However, there is limited data about the contribution of HREM as compared with conventional manometry to the assessment of esophageal motor disorders in patients with non‐cardiac chest pain (NCCP). The aim of the study was to compare the distribution of esophageal motor disorders in patients with NCCP using HREM as compared with conventional manometry and to determine if HREM improved diagnosis of these disorders.

Methods

In this study, we included 300 consecutive patients with NCCP who underwent either HREM or conventional manometry over a period of 10 years. A total of 150 patients had conventional manometry and the other 150 patients HREM. The Chicago 3.0 classification and the Castell and Spechler classification were used to determine the esophageal motor disorder of NCCP patients undergoing HREM and conventional manometry, respectively.

Key Results

In both HREM and the conventional manometry groups, normal esophageal motility was the most frequent finding (47% and 36%; respectively, P = .054). Hypotensive lower esophageal sphincter was the most common motility disorder identified by conventional manometry (27.3%), while ineffective esophageal motility was the most common esophageal motor disorder identified by HREM (25.3%).

Conclusions & Inferences

There is a discrepancy in the type of esophageal motor disorders identified by HREM as compared with conventional manometry in NCCP patients. Hypotensive motility disorders are the most commonly diagnosed by both manometric techniques.
Analysing the ocular biometry of new‐born infants
Authors: Rozema Jos J. , Herscovici Zvi , Snir Moshe , Axer‐Siegel Ruth
Published: December 2017

Purpose

To model and analyse the ocular biometry of new‐born infants.

Methods

This work is based on previously published data of a cohort of 66 new‐born infants aged 0–3 days. After exclusion of seven myopic subjects, the available retinoscopy, keratometry and ultrasound biometry data were analysed, along with calculated parameters such as lens power and whole eye power.

Results

Male infants have significantly flatter corneas that female infants (Mann‐Whitney U test, p < 0.001), which was associated with a difference in gestational age between genders (multiple linear regression; p = 0.043). No other gender‐based differences were seen. Corneal curvature (Pearson, r = 0.575; p < 0.001), lens power (r = −0.681; p < 0.001), and anterior chamber depth (r = 0.654; p < 0.001) were all correlated to axial length, but not refraction (r = −0.114; p = 0.42). Most ocular parameters were associated with gestational age (linear regression analysis; p < 0.05), rather than birth length, birth weight, fertilization method or parental myopia (all p > 0.05), suggesting scaled eye growth during the last weeks before birth. Multivariate Gaussian analysis demonstrated that a statistical eye model can be defined that generates synthetic data that is significantly equal to the original data (non‐parametric Mann‐Whitney test for equality; all p < 0.05), with similar variability (non‐parametric Levene test; all p > 0.05).

Conclusion

The eye undergoes a scaled growth until birth, at which time male and female infants have similar values. The models presented may serve as an early biometry reference.
Modeling consensus emergence in groups using longitudinal multilevel methods
Authors: Lang Jonas W. B. , Bliese Paul D. , de Voogt Alex
Published: December 2017

Organizational researchers have long been interested in studying bottom‐up multilevel processes where lower level units (e.g., employees) in organizations interact to jointly create characteristics of higher level units (e.g., work groups). This article contributes to the literature on bottom‐up processes by detailing a statistical approach—the consensus emergence model (CEM)—that allows researchers to study emergence of shared perceptions and feelings or climates in groups over time. The described methodological approach extends standard multilevel methodology by examining residual variances within a growth model to account for dynamic change in group consensus. The CEM provides a formal test for consensus emergence. The approach also allows researchers to test explanatory models of consensus emergence by including person‐level, group‐level, and observation‐level predictors. We illustrate the CEM by applying the method to data from two longitudinal studies of work units. The first study investigated job satisfaction in military companies. Our second study examined professional archeologists working in groups on a field excavation mission and focused on fatigue at the end of the work day. Our analyses demonstrate the CEM's ability to detect and study emergence, and suggest that the CEM may be a valuable tool to help extend the study of emergence in organizational research.
Growth, intergenerational welfare, and environmental policies in an overlapping generations economy
Authors: Chu Hsun , Cheng Chu‐chuan , Lai Ching‐chong
Published: December 2017

This paper examines the effects of the environmental tax on long‐run growth and intergenerational welfare in a discrete‐time overlapping generations (OLG) model. We highlight that the role regarding how the environmental tax revenues are distributed between the young or old generations has important implications for the growth and welfare effects. Our results indicate that raising the environmental tax can exert different effects on the environmental utility of the existing young and old generations, implying an intergenerational welfare conflict of the environmental policy. However, if tax revenues are distributed appropriately, our numerical simulation shows that it is possible for a higher environmental tax to improve the welfare of all generations.
Overlapping free trade agreements and international trade: A network approach
Authors: Sopranzetti Silvia
Published: December 2017

In our work, we have analysed the effect of the hub‐and‐spoke nature of free trade agreements (FTAs) on trade. Contrary to previous analyses, we have considered the effects of the country's position in the FTA network on the bilateral trade of the hub country. We have conducted an in‐depth analysis of the global network of FTAs, focusing particularly on its evolution in the last 15 years. We have utilised a panel data set covering the period 1960–2010 to investigate the effects of the hub‐and‐spoke on trade. Our results show that the countries that are more connected to FTAs export more than those that are less involved, although not all the partner countries you can connect with are the same. An increase in the number of spokes that have no link between them has, on average, a negative effect on the trade of the hub, which indicates that signing FTAs with every country is not the optimal strategy for increasing trade. However, if we consider the way new FTAs change the relative position of a country, we can see that if new FTAs make the country more central or less constrained in the network, these new agreements have a strongly positive and significant pro‐trade effect.
Functional architecture of the somatosensory homunculus detected by electrostimulation
Authors: Roux Franck‐Emmanuel , Djidjeli Imène , Durand Jean‐Baptiste
Published: December 2017

Key points

We performed a prospective electrostimulation study, based on 50 operated intact patients, to acquire accurate MNI coordinates of the functional areas of the somatosensory homunculus.

In the contralateral BA1, the hand representation displayed not only medial‐to‐lateral, little‐finger‐to‐thumb, but also rostral‐to‐caudal discrete somatotopy, with the tip of each finger located more caudally than the proximal phalanx.

The analysis of the MNI body coordinates showed rare inter‐individual variations in the medial‐to‐lateral somatotopic organization in these patients with rather different intensity thresholds needed to elicit sensations in different body parts.

We found some similarities but also substantial differences with the previous, seminal works of Penfield and his colleagues.

We propose a new drawing of the human somatosensory homunculus according to MNI space.

In this prospective electrostimulation study, based on 50 operated patients with no sensory deficit and no brain lesion in the postcentral gyrus, we acquired coordinates in the standard MNI space of the functional areas of the somatosensory homunculus. The 3D brain volume of each patient was normalized to that space to obtain the MNI coordinates of the stimulation site locations. For 647 sites stimulated on Brodmann Area 1 (and 1025 in gyri nearby), 258 positive points for somatosensory response (40%) were found in the postcentral gyrus. In the contralateral BA1, the hand representation displayed not only medial‐to‐lateral and little‐finger‐to‐thumb somatotopy, but also rostral‐to‐caudal discrete somatotopy, with the tip of each finger located more caudally than the proximal phalanx. We detected a medial‐to‐lateral, tip‐to‐base tongue organization but no rostral‐to‐caudal functional organization. The analysis of the MNI body coordinates showed rare inter‐individual variations in the medial‐to‐lateral somatotopic organization in these patients with intact somatosensory cortex. Positive stimulations were detected through the ‘on/off’ outbreak effect and discriminative touch sensations were the sensations reported almost exclusively by all patients during stimulation. Mean hand (2.39 mA) and tongue (2.60 mA) positive intensity thresholds were lower (P < 0.05) than the intensities required to elicit sensations in the other parts of the body. Unlike the previous, seminal works of Penfield and colleagues, we detected no sensations such as sense of movement or desire to move, no somatosensory responses outside the postcentral gyrus, and no bilateral responses for face/tongue stimulations. We propose a rationalization of the standard drawing of the somatosensory homunculus according to MNI space.
Tribological properties of thin films made by atomic layer deposition sliding against silicon
Authors: Kilpi Lauri , Ylivaara Oili M. E. , Vaajoki Antti , Liu Xuwen , Rontu Ville , Sintonen Sakari , Haimi Eero , Malm Jari , Bosund Markus , Tuominen Marko , Sajavaara Timo , Lipsanen Harri , Hannula Simo-Pekka , Puurunen Riikka L. , Ronkainen Helena
Published: December 2017

Interfacial phenomena, such as adhesion, friction, and wear, can dominate the performance and reliability of microelectromechanical (MEMS) devices. Here, thin films made by atomic layer deposition (ALD) were tested for their tribological properties. Tribological tests were carried out with silicon counterpart sliding against ALD thin films in order to simulate the contacts occurring in the MEMS devices. The counterpart was sliding in a linear reciprocating motion against the ALD films with the total sliding distances of 5 and 20 m. Al2O3 and TiO2 coatings with different deposition temperatures were investigated in addition to Al2O3-TiO2-nanolaminate, TiN, NbN, TiAlCN, a-C:H [diamondlike carbon (DLC)] coatings, and uncoated Si. The formation of the tribolayer in the contact area was the dominating phenomenon for friction and wear performance. Hardness, elastic modulus, and crystallinity of the materials were also investigated. The nitride coatings had the most favorable friction and wear performance of the ALD coatings, yet lower friction coefficient was measured with DLC a-C:H coating. These results help us to take steps toward improved coating solutions in, e.g., MEMS applications.
Progressive delayed hemidystonia following clinically mild traumatic brain injury
Authors: Nadaf Swaleha N , Chakor Rahul T , Kothari Kaumil Vipul , Bharote Haresh
Published: December 2017

A 16-year-old boy presented with progressive left hemidystonia over 3 years. The possibilities of symptomatic hemidystonia due to focal lesions such as infarct (vasculitis), tumours, tuberculoma, arteriovenous malformations or heredodegenerative disorders such as Wilson disease were considered. Imaging showed a peculiar scar involving right basifrontal region extending upto anterior, centromedian and dorsomedial nuclei of thalamus due to blowout fracture of roof of orbit. This scar was responsible for progressive left hemidystonia. On probing the history, it was revealed that patient had sustained a mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI) 3 years ago. Burke-Fahn-Marsden dystonia severity rating scale showed improvement from 19 to 6 after treatment with tablet trihexyphenidyl 16 mg and clonazepam 1 mg. A linear scar reaching upto thalamus due to blowout fracture of roof of orbit following clinically mTBI is unique. Delayed, progressive hemidystonia has been reported following severe head injury, however is less common following clinically mTBI.
Prevalence and determinants of tobacco use among young people in The Gambia
Authors: Jallow Isatou K , Britton John , Langley Tessa
Published: December 2017

Introduction

Tobacco consumption and consequent morbidity and mortality are expected to grow most markedly over coming decades in low-income and middle-income countries (LMICs). Preventing tobacco experimentation and uptake among young people in LMICs is therefore vital. However, data on smoking in these countries, particularly in sub-Saharan Africa, remain sparse.

Method

We used two-stage cluster random sampling to select students in upper and senior secondary schools throughout The Gambia, and a self-administered questionnaire to collect data on their tobacco use, risk factors and demographic details.

Results

Of 10 392 eligible students, 10 289 (99%; 55% girls and 44% boys, age 12–20 years) participated. The prevalence of ever smoking cigarettes, cigars or pipes was 16.7% (25.7% boys and 9.4% girls) and current (past 30 days) smoking 4.5% (7.9% boys and 1.5% girls). Smoking was more common among students attending private schools (OR 1.69, 95% CI 1.29 to 2.22), of Christian or other faiths compared with Muslims, living with parents (OR 1.39, 95% CI 1.06 to 1.81), who had smoking allowed in their homes (OR 1.67, 95% CI 1.30 to 2.13), with family members who smoked or had one or more friends who smoked. Most (55.6%) smokers want to stop, but only 22% received any stop smoking support. Ever smoking of shisha, at 8.1%, was unexpectedly high, and relatively prevalent among girls (11.4% of boys and 5.4% of girls).

Conclusions

Tobacco use is common among young people in The Gambia. Shisha smoking is also common in this population, and in relative terms especially among girls. Further work is required to determine whether this is a problem local to The Gambia or reflects a wider pattern of tobacco use in sub-Saharan Africa.
Population-level impact of diabetes integrated care on commissioner payments for inpatient care among people with type 2 diabetes in Cambridgeshire: a postintervention cohort follow-up study
Authors: Yu Dahai , Yang Wei , Cai Yamei , Zhao Zhanzheng , Simmons David
Published: December 2017

Objectives

Few studies have estimated the effect of diabetes integrated care at a population level. We have assessed the impact of introducing a community service-led diabetes integrated care programme on commissioner payments (tariff) for inpatient care in rural England.

Methods

The Diabetes Integrated Care Initiative was delivered by a separate enhanced community diabetes service, increasing specialist nursing, dietetic, podiatry and medical support to primary care and patients, while linking into other diabetes specialist services. Commissioner data were provided by the local authority. The difference in area between the two overlapping distribution curves of inpatient payments at baseline and follow-up (at 3 years) was used to estimate the effect of integrated care on commissioner inpatient payments on a population level.

Results

Over the 3-year period, reduced inpatient payments occurred in 2.7% (1.3% to 5.8%) of patients with diabetes aged more than 70 years in the intervention area. However, reduced diabetes inpatient payments occurred in 3.20% (1.77% to 7.20%) of patients aged <70 years and 4.1% (2.3% to 7.9%) of patients ≥70 years in one of the two adjacent areas.

Conclusion

This enhanced community diabetes services was not associated with substantially reduced inpatient payments. Alternative diabetes integrated care approaches (eg, with direct primary and secondary care collaboration rather than with a community service) should be tested.
Pilot for the Australian Breast Device Registry (ABDR): a national opt-out clinical quality registry for breast device surgery
Authors: Hopper Ingrid , Best Renee L , McNeil John J , Mulvany Catherine M , Moore Colin C M , Elder Elisabeth , Pase Marie , Cooter Rodney D , Evans Sue M
Published: December 2017

Purpose

To establish a pilot clinical quality registry (CQR) to monitor the quality of care and device performance for breast device surgery in Australia.

Participants

All patients having breast device surgery from contributing hospitals in Australia. A literature review was performed which identified quality indicators for breast device surgery.

Findings to date

A pilot CQR was established in 2011 to capture prospective data on breast device surgery. An interim Steering Committee and Management Committee were established to provide clinical governance, and guide quality indicator selection. The registry’s minimum dataset was formulated in consultation with stakeholder groups; potential quality indicators were assessed in terms of (1) importance and relevance, (2) usability, (3) feasibility to collect and (4) scientific validity. Data collection was by a two-sided paper-based form with manual data entry. Seven sites were recruited, including one public hospital, four private hospitals and two day surgeries. Patients were recruited and opt-out consent used.

Future plans

The pilot breast device registry provides high-quality population-based data. It provides a model for developing a national CQR for breast devices; its minimum dataset and quality indicators reflect the opinions of the broad range of stakeholders. It is easily scalable, and has formed the basis for other international surgical groups establishing similar registries.