bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Percutaneous nephrolithotomy access by urologist or interventional radiologist: practice and outcomes in the UK
Authors: Armitage James N. , Withington John , Fowler Sarah , Finch William J. G. , Burgess Neil A. , Irving Stuart O. , Glass Jonathan , Wiseman Oliver J. ,   the BAUS section of Endourology
Published: February 2017

Objective

To compare outcomes of urologist vs interventional radiologist (IR) access during percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PCNL) in the contemporary UK setting.

Patients and Methods

Data submitted to the British Association of Urological Surgeons PCNL data registry between 2009 and 2015 were analysed according to whether access was obtained by a urologist or an IR. We compared access success, number and type of tracts, and perceived and actual difficulty of access. Postoperative outcomes, including stone‐free rates, lengths of hospital stay and complications, including transfusion rates, were also compared.

Results

Overall, percutaneous renal access was undertaken by an IR in 3453 of 5211 procedures (66.3%); this rate appeared stable over the entire study period for all categories of stone complexity and in cases where there was predicted or actual difficulty with access. Only 1% of procedures were abandoned because of failed access and this rate was identical in each group. IRs performed more multiple tract access procedures than urologists (6.8 vs 5.1%; P = 0.02), but had similar rates of supracostal punctures (8.2 vs 9.2%; P = 0.23). IRs used ultrasonograhpy more commonly than urologists to guide access (56.6% vs 21.7%, P < 0.001). There were no significant differences in complication rates, lengths of hospital stay or stone‐free rates.

Conclusions

Our findings suggest that favourable PCNL outcomes may be expected where access is obtained by either a urologist or an IR, assuming that they have received the appropriate training and that they are skilled and proficient in the procedure.
Morphometric analysis of prostate zonal anatomy using magnetic resonance imaging: impact on age‐related changes in patients in Japan and the USA
Authors: Matsugasumi Toru , Fujihara Atsuko , Ushijima So , Kanazawa Motohiro , Yamada Yasuhiro , Shiraishi Takumi , Hongo Fumiya , Kamoi Kazumi , Okihara Koji , de Castro Abreu Andre Luis , Oishi Masakatsu , Shin Toshitaka , Palmer Suzanne , Gill Inderbir S. , Ukimura Osamu
Published: February 2017

Objectives

To evaluate the impact of morphometric magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) analysis of the prostate zonal anatomy on aging, prostatic hypertrophy and lower urinary tract symptoms in patients from Japan and the USA.

Subjects and Methods

A retrospective analysis of 307 men, including 156 men from Japan and 151 from the USA, who consecutively underwent 3‐Tesla MRI and International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS) assessment because of elevated PSA levels. Using Synapse‐Vincent (Fujifilm), the prostatic zones were segmented in each axial step‐section of the T2‐weighted MRI to reconstruct a three‐dimensional model of the prostate, which was used to calculate: zonal volumes (whole‐gland prostate, transition zone and peripheral zone volumes); the presumed circle area ratio (PCAR); and PZ thickness. Bivariate associations were quantified using Spearman's rank correlation coefficients.

Results

The USA subgroup had a greater prostate volume (49 vs 42 mL; P = 0.003) and TZ volume (26 vs 20 mL; P < 0.001) than the Japan subgroup, with no difference in PZ volume (19 vs 20 mL; P = 0.2). There was no age‐related increase in PZ volume in either of the subgroups or in the entire cohort (P = 0.9, P = 0.2, P = 0.3, respectively). PZ thickness had a significant negative correlation with PCAR (P < 0.001) and TZ volume (P < 0.001). The greater the increase in the TZ volume with the increase in PCAR, which probably correlates with obstructive pressure, the thinner the PZ became. PCAR had a significant positive correlation with IPSS (P = 0.003) and obstructive symptoms (P = 0.007), while PZ thickness had a significant negative correlation (P = 0.018).

Conclusions

No age‐related increases and no differences between the Japanese and the US subgroups were found with regard to PZ volume. The more TZ volume increased, the higher the obstructive pressure and the thinner the PZ became; these changes were associated with increased obstructive symptoms. MRI analysis of prostate zonal anatomy enhanced our understanding of age‐related changes in morphology and urinary symptoms.
The role of apical cell–cell junctions and associated cytoskeleton in mechanotransduction
Authors: Sluysmans Sophie , Vasileva Ekaterina , Spadaro Domenica , Shah Jimit , Rouaud Florian , Citi Sandra
Published: February 2017

Tissues of multicellular organisms are characterised by several types of specialised cell–cell junctions. In vertebrate epithelia and endothelia, tight and adherens junctions (AJ) play critical roles in barrier and adhesion functions, and are connected to the actin and microtubule cytoskeletons. The interaction between junctions and the cytoskeleton is crucial for tissue development and physiology, and is involved in the molecular mechanisms governing cell shape, motility, growth and signalling. The machineries which functionally connect tight and AJ to the cytoskeleton comprise proteins which either bind directly to cytoskeletal filaments, or function as adaptors for regulators of the assembly and function of the cytoskeleton. In the last two decades, specific cytoskeleton‐associated junctional molecules have been implicated in mechanotransduction, revealing the existence of multimolecular complexes that can sense mechanical cues and translate them into adaptation to tensile forces and biochemical signals. Here, we summarise the current knowledge about the machineries that link tight and AJ to actin filaments and microtubules, and the molecular basis for mechanotransduction at epithelial and endothelial AJ.
PPARs in the central nervous system: roles in neurodegeneration and neuroinflammation
Authors: Zolezzi Juan M. , Santos Manuel J. , Bastías‐Candia Sussy , Pinto Claudio , Godoy Juan A. , Inestrosa Nibaldo C.
Published: February 2017

ABSTRACT

Over 25 years have passed since peroxisome proliferators‐activated receptors (PPARs), were first described. Like other members of the nuclear receptors superfamily, PPARs have been defined as critical sensors and master regulators of cellular metabolism. Recognized as ligand‐activated transcription factors, they are involved in lipid, glucose and amino acid metabolism, taking part in different cellular processes, including cellular differentiation and apoptosis, inflammatory modulation and attenuation of acute and chronic neurological damage in vivo and in vitro. Interestingly, PPAR activation can simultaneously reprogram the immune response, stimulate metabolic and mitochondrial functions, promote axonal growth, induce progenitor cells to differentiate into myelinating oligodendrocytes, and improve brain clearance of toxic molecules such as β‐amyloid peptide. Although the molecular mechanisms and cross‐talk with different molecular pathways are still the focus of intense research, PPARs are considered potential therapeutic targets for several neuropathological conditions, including degenerative disorders such as Alzheimer's, Parkinson's and Huntington's disease. This review considers recent advances regarding PPARs, as well as new PPAR agonists. We focus on the mechanisms behind the neuroprotective effects exerted by PPARs and summarise the roles of PPARs in different pathologies of the central nervous system, especially those associated with degenerative and inflammatory mechanisms.
Viewpoint: The human capital approach to inference
Authors: MacLeod W. Bentley
Published: February 2017

The purpose of this essay is to discuss two approaches to inference and how “human capital” can provide a way to combine them. The first approach, ubiquitous in economics, is based upon the Rubin–Holland potential outcomes model and relies upon randomized treatment to measure the causal effect of choice. The second approach, widely used in the pattern recognition and machine learning literatures, assumes that choice conditional upon current information is optimal (or at least high quality), and then provides techniques to generalize observed choice to new cases. The “human capital” approach combines these methods by using observed decisions by experts to reduce the dimensionality of the feature space and allow the categorization of decisions by their propensity score. The fact that the human capital of experts is heterogeneous implies that errors in decision making are inevitable. Moreover, under the appropriate conditions, these decisions are random conditional upon the propensity score. This in turn allows us to identify the conditional average treatment effect for a wider class of situations than would be possible with randomized control trials. This point is illustrated with data from medical decision making in the context of treating depression, heart disease and adverse childbirth events.
An Environmental Sociology for the Anthropocene
Authors: Bowden Gary
Published: February 2017

Attention to the relationship between nature and society has been a defining feature of environmental sociology since its inception. Early research, incorporating insights from ecology, argued for the need to (1) theorize the causal connections between nature and society and (2) contextualize those connections in terms of biophysical limits resulting from resource scarcity. Over the past two decades, partly in response to new forms of existential threat such as climate change, the treatment of nature and society as distinct entities has given way to a focus on socio‐natural assemblages. Using the Anthropocene as a lens to explore this emerging view, it is argued (1) that current theorizing on the socio‐natural assemblage needs to pay more attention to the issues of temporality and complexity, (2) that taking these factors into account reconceptualizes the nature‐society relationship as a complex, evolving socio‐natural assemblage, (3) that this evolutionary process needs to be understood in the context of cosmic evolution and the tension between entropy and the emergence of local complexity, and (4) that constraints on human development arise from the tension between these two tendencies, not from resource scarcity. An environmental sociology for the Anthropocene, one based on assumptions about the nature of causal dynamics and context consistent with our understanding of current earth system science, is proposed.

L'attention portée à la relation entre la nature et la société a été un trait caractéristique de la sociologie de l'environnement depuis sa création. La recherche initiale, intégrant les connaissances de l'écologie, a soutenu la nécessité de (1) théoriser les liens causaux entre la nature et la société et (2) contextualiser ces connexions en termes de limites biophysiques résultant de la pénurie de ressources. Au cours des deux derniéres décennies, en partie en réponse à de nouvelles formes de menace existentielle telles que le changement climatique, le traitement de la nature et de la société en tant qu'entités distinctes a fait place à un accent sur les assemblages socio‐naturels. En utilisant l'anthropocéne comme une lentille pour explorer ce point de vue émergeant, on fait valoir (1) que la théorisation actuelle sur l'assemblage socio‐naturel doit accorder plus d'attention aux questions de temporalité et de complexité, (2) que prendre ces facteurs en compte reconceptualise la relation entre la nature et la société en tant qu'assemblage socio‐naturel complexe et en évolution, (3) que ce processus évolutif doit être compris dans le contexte de l'évolution cosmique et de la tension entre entropie et émergence de la complexité locale, et (4) sur le développement humain découlent de la tension entre ces deux tendances, et non de la pénurie de ressources. Une sociologie de l'environnement pour l'anthropocéne, fondée sur des hypothéses sur la nature de la dynamique causale et du contexte compatible avec notre compréhension de la science actuelle du systéme terrestre, est proposée.
Challenges in conducting multicentre, multidisciplinary, longitudinal studies in children with chronic conditions
Authors: Broder Hillary L. , Crerand Canice E. , Ruff Ryan R. , Peshansky Alexandre , Sarwer David B. , Sischo Lacey
Published: February 2017

Objectives

Conducting longitudinal, multicentre, multidisciplinary research for individuals with chronic conditions can be challenging. Despite careful planning, investigative teams must adapt to foreseen and unforeseen problems. Our objective is to identify challenges encountered and solutions sought in a recently completed observational, longitudinal study of youth with cleft lip and palate as well as their caregivers.

Methods

Data for analysis were derived from a 6‐year, multicentre, prospective, longitudinal study of youth with cleft conducted from 2009 to 2015 that examined oral health‐related quality of life and other related clinical observations over time in youth who had cleft‐related surgery compared to those who did not. Youth and their caregivers participating in this study were followed at one of six geographically diverse, multidisciplinary cleft treatment centres in the USA.

Results

Establishing effective communication, ensuring protocol adherence, safeguarding data quality, recognizing and managing differences across sites, maximizing participant retention, dealing with study personnel turnover, and balancing/addressing clinical and research tasks were particularly exigent issues that arose over the course of the study. Attending to process, ongoing communication within and across sites, and investigator and clinician commitment and flexibility were required to achieve the stated aims of the research.

Conclusion

Studying children with cleft and their caregivers over time created both foreseen and unforeseen challenges. Solutions to these challenges are presented to aid in the design of future longitudinal research in individuals with chronic conditions.
Maternal stress and psychological distress preconception: association with offspring atopic eczema at age 12 months
Authors: El‐Heis S. , Crozier S. R. , Healy E. , Robinson S. M. , Harvey N. C. , Cooper C. , Inskip H. M. , Baird J. ,   Southampton Women's Survey Study Group, Godfrey K. M.
Published: February 2017

Background

Perinatal maternal stress and low mood have been linked to offspring atopic eczema.

Objectives

To examine the relation of maternal stress/mood with atopic eczema in the offspring, focusing particularly on stress/psychological distress preconception.

Methods

At recruitment in the UK Southampton Women's Survey, preconception maternal reports of perceived stress in daily living and the effect of stress on health were recorded; in a subsample, psychological distress was assessed (12‐item General Health Questionnaire). Infants were followed up at ages 6 (n = 2956) and 12 (n = 2872) months and atopic eczema ascertained (based on UK Working Party Criteria for the Definition of Atopic Dermatitis). At 6 months post‐partum, mothers were asked if they had experienced symptoms of low mood since childbirth and completed the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale.

Results

Preconception perceived stress affecting health [OR 1.21 (95% CI 1.08–1.35), P = 0.001] and stress in daily living [OR 1.16 (1.03–1.30), P = 0.014] were associated with an increased risk of offspring atopic eczema at age 12 months but not at 6 months, robust to adjustment for potentially confounding variables. Findings were similar for maternal psychological distress preconception. Low maternal mood between delivery and 6 months post‐partum was associated with an increased risk of infantile atopic eczema at age 12 months, but no significant association between post‐natal mood and atopic eczema was seen after taking account of preconception stress.

Conclusion and Clinical Relevance

Our data provide novel evidence linking maternal stress at preconception to atopic eczema risk, supporting a developmental contribution to the aetiology of atopic eczema and pointing to potentially modifiable influences.
Contiguous gene deletion neighboring TWIST1 identified in a patient with Saethre‐Chotzen syndrome associated with neurodevelopmental delay: Possible contribution of HDAC9
Authors: Shimbo Hiroko , Oyoshi Tatsuki , Kurosawa Kenji
Published: February 2017

Saethre‐Chotzen syndrome (SCS) is an autosomal dominant craniosynostotic disorder characterized by coronal synostosis, facial asymmetry, ptosis, and limb abnormalities.

Haploinsufficiency of TWIST1, a basic helix–loop–helix transcription factor is responsible for SCS. Here, we report a 15‐month‐old male patient with typical clinical features of SCS in addition to developmental delay, which is a rare complication in SCS. He showed a de novo 0.9‐Mb microdeletion in 7p21, in which TWIST1, NPMIP13, FERD3L, TWISTNB, and HDAC9 were included. In comparison with previously reported patients, HDAC9 was suggested to contribute to developmental delay in SCS patients with 7p21 mirodeletions.
Accuracy of a real‐time surgical navigation system for the placement of quad zygomatic implants in the severe atrophic maxilla: A pilot clinical study
Authors: Hung Kuo‐feng , Wang Feng , Wang Hao‐wei , Zhou Wen‐jie , Huang Wei , Wu Yi‐qun
Published: February 2017

Background

A real‐time surgical navigation system potentially increases the accuracy when used for quad‐zygomatic implant placement.

Purpose

To evaluate the accuracy of a real‐time surgical navigation system when used for quad zygomatic implant placement.

Materials and Methods

Patients with severely atrophic maxillae were prospectively recruited. Four trajectories for implants were planned, and zygomatic implants were placed using a real‐time surgical navigation system. The planned‐placed distance deviations at entry (entry deviation）points, exit (exit deviation) points, and angle deviation of axes (angle deviation) were measured on fused operation images. The differences of all the deviations between different groups, classified based on the lengths and locations of implants, were analysed. A P value of < 0.05 indicated statistical significance.

Results

Forty zygomatic implants were placed as planned in 10 patients. The entry deviation, exit deviation and angle deviation were 1.35 ± 0.75 mm, 2.15 mm ± 0.95 mm, and 2.05 ± 1.02 degrees, respectively. The differences of all deviations were not significant, irrespective of the lengths (P = .259, .158, and .914, respectively) or locations of the placed implants (P = .698, .072, and .602, respectively).

Conclusion

A real‐time surgical navigation system used for the placement of quad zygomatic implants demonstrated a high level of accuracy with only minimal planned‐placed deviations, irrespective of the lengths or locations of the implants.
Beehive fences as a multidimensional conflict‐mitigation tool for farmers coexisting with elephants
Authors: King Lucy E. , Lala Fredrick , Nzumu Hesron , Mwambingu Emmanuel , Douglas‐Hamilton Iain
Published: February 2017

Increasing habitat fragmentation and human population growth in Africa has resulted in an escalation in human–elephant conflict between small‐scale farmers and free‐ranging African elephants (Loxodonta Africana). In 2012 Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) implemented the national 10‐year Conservation and Management Strategy for the Elephant in Kenya, which includes an action aimed at testing whether beehive fences can be used to mitigate human–elephant conflict. From 2012 to 2015, we field‐tested the efficacy of beehive fences to protect 10 0.4‐ha farms next to Tsavo East National Park from elephants. We hung a series of beehives every 10 m around the boundary of each farm plot. The hives were linked with strong wire. After an initial pilot test with 2 farms, the remaining 8 of 10 beehive fences also contained 2‐dimensional dummy hives between real beehives to help reduce the cost of the fence. Each trial plot had a neighboring control plot of the same size within the same farm. Of the 131 beehives deployed 88% were occupied at least once during the 3.5‐year trial. Two hundred and fifty‐three elephants, predominantly 20–45 years old entered the community farming area, typically during the crop‐ ripening season. Eighty percent of the elephants that approached the trial farms were kept out of the areas protected by the beehive fences, and elephants that broke a fence were in smaller than average groups. Beehive fences not only kept large groups of elephants from invading the farmland plots but the farmers also benefited socially and financially from the sale of 228 kg of elephant‐friendly honey. As news of the success of the trial spread, a further 12 farmers requested to join the project, bringing the number of beehive fence protected farms to 22 and beehives to 297. This demonstrates positive adoption of beehive fences as a community mitigation tool. Understanding the response of elephants to the beehive fences, the seasonality of crop raiding and fence breaking, and the willingness of the community to engage with the mitigation method will help contribute to future management strategies for this high human–elephant conflict hotspot and other similar areas in Kenya.
Conceptualizing Wise Management Decision‐Making: A Grounded Theory Approach
Authors: Intezari Ali , Pauleen David J.
Published: February 2017

This article investigates the role of wisdom in management decision‐making. In one of the first empirical studies investigating wisdom and management, 37 CEOs, top managers, and senior executives were interviewed about their perspectives on the concept of wisdom in the business context and its role in management decision‐making; the data were analyzed using grounded theory methodology. The findings introduce a grounded construct of Wise Management Decision‐making, in which wise decision‐making is understood as an integrated cogni‐emotional, reflective process that accounts for internal and external conditions related to the decision, which is made with the well‐being of the greatest number of stakeholders in mind. The findings both confirm and challenge previous conceptual studies of wisdom and provide a practical approach to wise management decision‐making. The implications of this study are significant as they broaden the view of the practicability of wisdom in management and add greater understanding of the complex nature of decision‐making in the business context. For managers, developing wise decision‐making abilities in situ should be considered an integrated and multidimensional practice, one that can be learned.
Women and agricultural productivity: Reframing the Issues
Authors: Doss Cheryl R.
Published: February 2017

Should agricultural development programmes target women in order to increase productivity? This article analyzes the challenges in distinguishing women's agricultural productivity from that of men. Most of the literature compares productivity on plots managed by women with those managed by men, ignoring the majority of agricultural households in which men and women are both involved in management and production. The empirical studies which have been carried out provide scant evidence for where the returns to projects may be highest, in terms of who to target. Yet, programmes that do not consider gendered responsibilities, resources and constraints, are unlikely to succeed, either in terms of increasing productivity or benefitting men and women smallholder farmers.
How new is the ‘new’ conditionality? Recipient perspectives on aid, country ownership and policy reform
Authors: Dornan Matthew
Published: February 2017

The concept of country ownership is central to international efforts to improve aid effectiveness. At the same time, policy reform in recipient countries continues to be a donor priority, given its potential to both reduce poverty and improve aid effectiveness. How effectively can donors promote reform while not undermining ownership? What role can be played by conditionality, discredited in recent decades but still widely used in altered form and linked to the provision of budget support? This article draws on over 50 in‐depth interviews with recipient country policy‐makers, political leaders and donor officials to explore these questions in three aid‐dependent Small Island Developing States (SIDS) where donors have used budget support to leverage policy reform.
Embracing the complexity of policy processes in sanitation: Insights from India
Authors: Hueso Andrés , Boni Alejandra , Fernández‐Baldor Álvaro
Published: February 2017

Different stakeholders tried participatory approaches to boost progress in rural sanitation in India. The policy processes around these experiences, despite shaping their outcomes, remain a knowledge gap this article addresses. Evidence shows that the interests of the actors involved resulted in the national campaign being focused on construction. Therefore, participatory approaches could only be successfully introduced through networks with political champions at their centre. Moreover, political dynamics determined the success of the different introduction strategies. A better understanding of these policy processes, using analytical frameworks such as the one we propose, will lead to smarter influencing strategies in the sanitation sector.
Host plant effects on the behavioural phenotype of a Chrysomelid
Authors: MÜLLER THORBEN , MÜLLER CAROLINE
Published: February 2017

1. The food plant quality influences feeding preferences and various life history traits of herbivorous insects. However, the effects of different host plant qualities on the behavioural phenotype have rarely been studied in behavioural ecology, especially in a pest‐crop‐framework.

2. Behavioural phenotypes of insects may not only be affected by external environmental factors, such as the host plant quality but are also shaped by internal factors, such as the sex and the age of individuals.

3. To study host plant effects on behavioural phenotypes, we reared mustard leaf beetles (Phaedon cochleariae Fabricius) either on their natural host watercress or on the crop cabbage, on which this beetle can be a pest. The behavioural phenotype was characterised twice in the adult lifetime by measuring six behavioural traits tested in distinct contexts.

4. Depending on the context, different behavioural traits were specifically affected by the host plant, the sex and/or the age. Beetles fed on cabbage became more active with age. Furthermore, the boldness tested in an unprotected environment context was influenced by the host, with beetles fed on cabbage being bolder, whereas the boldness in a hiding or predator attack context was affected by the age and/or the interaction of host plant × sex.

5. In conclusion, beetles fed on the crop cabbage develop a different behavioural phenotype compared to beetles fed on watercress. Previous results showed that beetles reared on cabbage have a higher reproductive output. Thus, beetles fed on the crop potentially express a faster pace‐of‐life.
The use of digital video recorders in pollination biology
Authors: GILPIN AMY‐MARIE , DENHAM ANDREW J. , AYRE DAVID J.
Published: February 2017

1. Digital video recording (DVR) devices, such as the GoPro Hero, have the potential to greatly benefit pollination ecology, but the advantages of digitally recording pollinator activity over direct human observation have not been formally assessed.

2. Two plant taxa, Lavandula angustifolia and Canna ‘sp.’, with differing floral morphology, were used to compare the value of DVR and direct observations in estimating honeybee (Apis mellifera) visitation, flower density and number of flowers visited per foraging bout.

3. The two methods yielded identical results when observing the structurally simple L. angustifolia at both high (10.54 ± 0.52 per plant) and low honeybee density (2.24 ± 0.20 per plant). However, DVR underestimated the number of flowers scored in the field of view (28.7 ± 1.8 direct vs. 22.7 ± 0.9 DVR), the number of honeybees observed (5.3 ± 0.8 direct vs. 3.7 ± 0.7 DVR) and the number of flowers visited during foraging bouts (8.3 ± 1.2 direct vs. 5.5 ± 1.0 DVR) on the more complex Canna ‘sp.’

4. It is concluded that portable weatherproof DVR devices such as the GoPro Hero are valuable tools for pollination biologists, allowing a single researcher to make simultaneous observations of multiple plants in one or more sites, whilst also allowing the footage to be reviewed. However, DVR devices are limited by their depth and field of view when target plants are large or structurally complex.
Architectural Leadership: The Neglected Core of Organizational Leadership
Authors: Kollenscher Eldad , Eden Dov , Ronen Boaz , Farjoun Moshe
Published: February 2017

The cornerstone of architectural leadership (AL) theory is to structure the organization in service to its strategy so as to improve its capabilities and enhance its value. Rather than relying on the CEO's personal influence, AL centers on structuring and operating core organization‐wide processes that diffuse leadership influence across managerial levels and harness the whole organization better to attain its goals. AL is grounded in the academic management literature. It complements theories that focus on targets but neglect the means needed to achieve them. Though most managers spend much of their time dealing with the means while struggling with insufficient infrastructure, existing management theories ignore these issues or say little about them. Architectural leadership theory provides a solution to this lacuna. Applying AL can help managers create value by developing the infrastructure required for strategy implementation.
Evolutionary restoration potential evaluated through the use of a trait‐linked genetic marker
Authors: Apgar Travis M. , Pearse Devon E. , Palkovacs Eric P.
Published: February 2017

Human‐driven evolution can impact the ecological role and conservation value of impacted populations. Most evolutionary restoration approaches focus on manipulating gene flow, but an alternative approach is to manipulate the selection regime to restore historical or desired trait values. Here we examined the potential utility of this approach to restore anadromous migratory behavior in coastal California steelhead trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) populations. We evaluated the effects of natural and anthropogenic environmental variables on the observed frequency of alleles at a genomic marker tightly associated with migratory behavior across 39 steelhead populations from across California, USA. We then modeled the potential for evolutionary restoration at sites that have been impacted by anthropogenic barriers. We found that complete barriers such as dams are associated with major reductions in the frequency of anadromy‐associated alleles. The removal of dams is therefore expected to restore anadromy significantly. Interestingly, accumulations of large numbers of partial barriers (passable under at least some flow conditions) were also associated with significant reductions in migratory allele frequencies. Restoration involving the removal of partial barriers could be evaluated alongside dam removal and fishway construction as a cost‐effective tool to restore anadromous fish migrations. Results encourage broader consideration of in situ evolution during the development of habitat restoration projects.
Mode II fracture toughness of two‐part acrylic‐based adhesive in an adhesively bonded joint: end‐notched flexure tests under static loading
Authors: Kim H.‐B. , Naito K. , Oguma H.
Published: February 2017

This paper focuses on fracture toughness measured using end‐notched flexure tests under Mode II static loading in aluminium alloy (5052‐H34), glass fibre‐reinforced polypropylene matrix composite (GF/PP) and carbon fibre‐reinforced epoxy matrix composite (CF/EP) adherends bonded with DP8005 adhesive. Traction–separation relations are also presented using a cohesive zone model to estimate the fracture toughness under mixed‐mode loading. The experimental results show that the fracture toughness values of the aluminium alloy, GF/PP and CF/EP specimens are 2398, 2474 and 2428 Jm−2, respectively. Fracture surface observations reveal that failure types for the aluminium alloy, GF/PP and CF/EP specimens are mainly cohesive. It can be concluded that Mode II fracture toughness shows a low degree of dependence on the different adherends bonded with an acrylic‐based adhesive when cohesive failures are dominant. By assigning the experimental parameters in the failure criteria, the fracture toughness can be estimated under different mixed modal ratios.
A comparison of two types of ankle supports in men with haemophilia and unilateral ankle pain from arthropathy
Authors: Oleson D. , Fox L. , Nguyen T. , Sochacki P. , McCarthy M. , Adams E. , Recht M.
Published: February 2017

Introduction

Adults with haemophilia frequently have a painful and disordered gait due to ankle arthropathy.

Aim

The aim of this study was to determine if pain and gait parameters were affected by the use of different types of ankle bracing.

Methods

We investigated the gait patterns of 17 men with severe haemophilia without bracing, using a fracture boot (FB) and a carbon fibre floor reaction ankle foot orthosis (CF‐AFO). Pain relief was determined in each condition. Gait parameters were measured by means of an electronic, pressure sensitive mat.

Results

Both brace types relieved pain. Use of a FB altered gait parameters that are associated with movement of the involved and the uninvolved limb during the gait cycle, whereas the use of a CF‐AFO did not affect the gait cycle.

Conclusion

This study suggests that pain relief from both types of braces is identical but use of a CF‐AFO does not alter gait patterns.
Cyclic fatigue resistance of a novel rotary file manufactured using controlled memory Ni–Ti technology compared to a file made from M‐wire file
Authors: AlShwaimi E.
Published: February 2017

Aim

To compare the cyclic fatigue properties of a novel file made using controlled memory Ni–Ti technology with those of files made from M‐wire.

Methodology

Twelve files with similar cross‐sectional geometry and tip size from each of the following groups were tested: Proflexendo made from CMT (PE; size 30 0.04; Nexden, Houston, Tx, USA), ProFile Vortex made from M‐wire (PV; size 30 0.04; Dentsply Tulsa Dental, Tulsa, OK, USA) and ProTaper Universal made from regular alloy (PU; F3; Dentsply Tulsa Dental). A custom‐made cyclic fatigue device was made to evaluate the total number of cycles to failure for each system. A scanning electron microscope (SEM) was used to examine the fractured surfaces of the fragments. The arithmetic means and standard deviations were calculated for the total number of cycles to failure. One‐way analysis of variance was used to compare the mean cyclic failure amongst the three groups. Post hoc Tukey's test was performed to compare the difference of the means between the groups at a significance level of P < 0.05.

Results

Proflexendo had a significantly greater resistance to cyclic fatigue compared to other systems (P < 0.001). Proflexendo files were able to withstand 500% more cycles to fracture when compared to ProFile Vortex files.

Conclusions

Manufacturing technique had a significant impact on the resistance to cyclic fatigue. Proflexendo files made from controlled memory Ni–Ti technology had the highest number of cycles to failure compared to ProFile Vortex made from M‐wire files with similar taper and tip size.
Survival and periapical health after root canal treatment with carrier‐based root fillings: five‐year retrospective assessment
Authors: Pirani C. , Friedman S. , Gatto M. R. , Iacono F. , Tinarelli V. , Gandolfi M. G. , Prati C.
Published: February 2017

Aim

This retrospective study explored survival and periapical healing outcomes in teeth root filled with Thermafil obturators.

Methodology

Root canals of 213 teeth (94 subjects, mean age 48 ± 13 years), instrumented with a step‐down technique, irrigated with 5% NaOCl and 10% EDTA and filled with Thermafil and AH Plus sealer, were involved in a recall programme. Teeth were retrospectively re‐examined after 5 ± 1 years in a controlled environment. Clinical and radiographic data that were collected included the following: preoperative Periapical Index (PAI) score and signs/symptoms, treatment type, root filling length and presence/absence of voids, restoration type, follow‐up PAI score and signs/symptoms. Teeth were considered ‘healthy’ (PAI ≤ 2, no signs/symptoms) or ‘diseased’ (PAI ≥ 3, signs/symptoms present, retreated, extracted for endodontic reasons). Two PAI‐calibrated examiners assessed outcomes blinded to preoperative status. Bivariate and multilevel analyses were performed at level of patient and tooth (α = 5%).

Results

Of 213 teeth treated, 187 (88%) survived and 26 were extracted, six (3%) for persistent endodontic infection (considered ‘diseased’), and 20 (9%) for root fracture, periodontal disease or coronal fracture (excluded from analysis). Whilst survival was significantly associated with tooth type (P = 0.015), type of treatment (P = 0.012) and pulpal/periapical diagnosis (P = 0.035), none of these variables were substantiated as survival predictors by the multilevel analysis. A total of 164 of 193 teeth (85%) were assessed as ‘healthy’, with significantly higher (chi‐square; P < 0.04) ‘healthy’ rates for teeth with PAI score ≤2 and root fillings of adequate length. Multilevel analysis identified PAI score ≤2 (P = 0.002) as the only predictor of periapical health.

Conclusions

In this 5 ± 1 year retrospective assessment, survival and healing rates after root canal treatment with Thermafil root fillings were comparable to those previously reported for conventional root filling techniques.
Single radial haemolysis compared to haemagglutinin inhibition and microneutralization as a correlate of protection against influenza A H3N2 in children and adolescents
Authors: Wang Biao , Russell Margaret L. , Brewer Angela , Newton Jennifer , Singh Pardeep , Ward Brian J. , Loeb Mark
Published: February 2017

Background

Serum antibodies are often used as correlates of protection for influenza. Three commonly used serological assays for detecting influenza‐specific serum antibodies are single radial haemolysis (SRH), haemagglutinin inhibition (HAI) and microneutralization (MN). However, here are limited data on SRH as well as HAI and MN as correlates of protection against influenza in children and adolescents. There are also limited data that compare SRH to HAI and MN.

Objectives

We sought primarily to understand how SRH titres correlate to protection against influenza infection in children and adolescents. We also compare SRH to HAI and MN.

Methods

Of 732 healthy Hutterite children and adolescents aged between 3 and 15 years were enrolled from Saskatchewan and Alberta, Canada, in the 2008‐2009 flu season. Blood samples were drawn from participants at baseline and between 3 and 5 weeks post‐vaccination. Serum antibodies against seasonal H3N2 influenza were measured by SRH, HAI and MN assays.

Results

The estimates of protective efficacy fluctuated when the cut‐off SRH values increased. The correlation between HAI and SRH titres was 0.53 (P<.01); between MN and SRH 0.82 (P<.01); and between HAI and MN 0.50 (P<.01). Sixteen per cent of participants had SRH titres below the detection limit, compared to 7% and 34% for the MN and HAI assays.

Conclusions

SRH had the worst correlation with protection against seasonal H3N2 in children and adolescents compared to MN and HAI. SRH, HAI and MN titres were significantly correlated with each other. SRH was less sensitive than MN but more sensitive than HAI.
A new option for definitive burn wound closure – pair matching type of retrospective case–control study of hand burns in the hospitalised patients group in the Dr Stanislaw Sakiel Centre for Burn Treatment between 2009 and 2015
Authors: Glik Justyna , Kawecki Marek , Kitala Diana , Klama‐Baryła Agnieszka , Łabuś Wojciech , Grabowski Marek , Durdzińska Agata , Nowak Mariusz , Misiuga Marcelina , Kasperczyk Aleksandra
Published: February 2017

Nearly 80% of all burns include the hands of affected individuals. Skin grafting is the gold standard in burns treatment, but in the case of the burn wound bed, it may require the necessity of utilising skin substitutes to facilitate closure. The aim of this study is to assess the impact of a porcine‐derived wound dressing (Oasis™) for application to hand burns compared to a synthetic dressing (Suprathel™). Comparative assessments were made, including the time to heal, quality of healing and pain intensity. A retrospective, unblinded, matching pair case‐control of hand burns was performed. A control group of 24 patients was treated with Suprathel dressing, and a study group of six patients underwent application of the Oasis dressing. The wound healing process was evaluated by taking histopathological specimens and also utilising the Bates‐Jensen Wound Assessment Tool. A 10‐cm Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) was used for pain assessment. Other parameters measured included dressing loss because of infection and the need of rehabilitation. The progress of wound healing on the fourth day in the study group was 30%. A decrease in the level of pain was recorded on the fourth day after surgery. There was a decrease of 5% in the risk of rehabilitation in the treatment group.
Relaxor‐like behaviors in Na1/2Bi1/2Cu3Ti4O12 ceramics
Authors: Wang Chunchang , Ni Wei , Sun Xiaohong , Wang Le , Wang Can , Jin Kuijuan
Published: February 2017

Dielectric properties of Na1/2Bi1/2Cu3Ti4O12 ceramics were evaluated over the temperature range 300‐720 K. Two relaxor‐like dielectric anomalies were found. The low‐temperature anomaly was confirmed to be an oxygen‐vacancy‐related relaxation process. It is a pseudo‐relaxor behavior caused by a bulk relaxation and a Maxwell‐Wagner relaxation. The high‐temperature one was evidenced to be an electric ferroelectric phase‐transition process resulting from the oxygen‐vacancy ordering.
Defect engineering of high‐performance potassium sodium niobate piezoelectric ceramics sintered in reducing atmosphere
Authors: Huan Yu , Wang Xiaohui , Wei Tao , Xie Jing , Ye Zifan , Zhao Peiyao , Li Longtu
Published: February 2017

Reducing atmosphere fired (K0.5Na0.5)NbO3‐based ceramics open up an important opportunity for manufacturing lead‐free multilayer piezoelectric devices cofiring with the base metal inner electrode. In this study, the effects of sintering atmosphere on the piezoelectric, dielectric, and insulating properties in Sn‐doped (Na0.52K0.44Li0.04)NbO3 (KNN) were investigated. To establish the relationship between the defect structure and electrical properties, the thermally stimulated depolarization current (TSDC) technique was implemented. The electrical properties degrade severely when the pure KNN ceramics are sintered in reducing atmosphere, compared with the ceramics sintered in air. The reason is that the oxygen vacancy concentration in reduced fired ceramics is much higher than that in air fired ceramics. However, the 0.6 mol% Sn‐doped KNN ceramics sintered in reducing atmosphere exhibit comparable electrical properties to the air fired ceramics. From the TSDC analysis, the reducing atmosphere fired ceramics have approximately the same oxygen vacancy concentration as the air fired ceramics because B‐site substituted Sn works as an acceptor.
In situ crystallization and elastic properties of transparent MgO–Al2O3–SiO2 glass‐ceramic
Authors: Sant'Ana Gallo Leonardo , Célarié Fabrice , Audebrand Nathalie , Martins Rodrigues Ana Candida , Dutra Zanotto Edgar , Rouxel Tanguy
Published: February 2017

Glass‐ceramics (GC) generally possess enhanced mechanical properties compared to their parent glasses. The knowledge of how crystallization evolves and affects the mechanical properties with increasing temperature is essential to optimize the design of the crystallization cycle. In this study, we crystallized a glass of the MgO–Al2O3–SiO2 system with nucleating agents TiO2 and ZrO2. The crystallization cycle comprised a 48 hour nucleation treatment at the glass‐transition temperature followed by a 10 hour growth step at a higher temperature. During this cycle, the evolution of crystalline phases was followed by high‐temperature X‐ray diffraction (HTXRD), which revealed the presence of karooite (MgO·2TiO2), spinel (MgO·Al2O3), rutile (TiO2), sillimanite (Al2O3·SiO2), and sapphirine (4MgO·5Al2O3·2SiO2). The same heat treatment was applied for in situ measurement of elastic properties: elastic modulus, E, shear modulus, G, and Poisson's ratio, ν. The evolution of these parameters during the heating path from room temperature to the final crystallization temperature and during the nucleation and the crystallization plateaus is discussed. E and G evolve significantly in the first two hours of the growth step. At the end of the crystallization process, the elastic and shear moduli of the GC were approximately 20% larger than those of the parent glass.
Fretting fatigue wear behavior of Y‐TZP dental ceramics processed by non‐conventional microwave sintering
Authors: Presenda Álvaro , Salvador Maria Dolores , Vleugels Jozef , Moreno Rodrigo , Borrell Amparo
Published: February 2017

The fretting wear behavior of self‐mated Y‐TZP dental materials obtained by nonconventional microwave and conventional sintering has been investigated. Two 3Y‐TZP materials, a widely utilized commercial dental ceramic (LAVA) and a lab‐prepared 3Y‐TZP powder based equivalent have been assessed. Relative density and mechanical properties as well as the grain size variations upon sintering have been evaluated. After exposure to selected gross slip regime fretting wear conditions, the wear tracks have been characterized allowing the measurement of the coefficient of friction, track profiles, and pit features. The results indicate that microwave sintering results in a similar fretting wear behavior as observed for conventional‐sintered 3Y‐TZP, as the measured volumetric wear loss is of a comparable order of magnitude. Regarding the influence of the grain size, the analysis revealed that a large grain size (>300 nm) results in an increased wear volume and that a higher resistance to fretting wear is constrained to a mid‐range particle size (100–250 nm). Since the fracture toughness of all investigated ceramic grades was comparable, the influence of the fracture toughness on fretting could not be assessed. Abrasive grooving, delamination, and microcracking have been identified as major wear mechanisms inside the wear tracks for both conventional‐ and microwave‐sintered 3Y‐TZP. In general, microwave sintering can provide 3Y‐TZP dental materials with a comparable fretting wear resistance as that observed for conventional sintering using lower dwell sintering temperatures and a shorter processing time.
Self‐other decision‐making differences in loss aversion: A regulatory focus perspective
Authors: Liu Hongrui , Wang Ling , Yao Meilin , Yang Hang , Wang Dongmei
Published: February 2017

Drawing on a cultural perspective, we examined whether differences in self‐other decision making documented in the West can be replicated in an Eastern context. Study 1 revealed that Chinese participants showed self‐other decision‐making differences in loss aversion similar to those observed in Western participants; loss aversion differed depending on the type of decision recipient, and trait regulatory focus moderated the self‐other decision‐making difference. Study 2 found a mediating effect of situational prevention but not promotion focus on the relationship between decision makers’ roles and loss aversion. Furthermore, both studies revealed that participants did not show a preference for loss aversion, suggesting that the baseline of self‐other decision‐making differences has shifted in China compared to the West.