bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Barriers to Effective Case Management for Disabled Patients on Hemodialysis
Authors: Sugisawa Hidehiro , Shimizu Yumiko , Kumagai Tamaki , Sugisaki Hiroaki , Ohira Seiji , Shinoda Toshio
Published: December 2017

The present study examined the performance level and its related factors on the process of case management for disabled patients on hemodialysis. Case management performance was evaluated at three stages: patient assessment, making a care plan, and monitoring/evaluation. Candidates for targeting the factors relating to performance included four dimensions: nursing care level, physical malfunction, cognitive malfunction, and barriers to service were used as patient factors; the period of case management for the patient and the knowledge of dialysis emerged as case manager factors; work load was included as an organizational factor; and community resources for these services and communication with surrounding persons were included as system factors. Self‐administrated questionnaires were collected from 391 case managers of patients with hemodialysis certified long‐term insurance. These were introduced by the dialysis facilities that a member of the Japanese Association of Dialysis Physicians belonged to. Case managers were asked questions about their management of each individual case. The results indicate, for example, that poor knowledge of dialysis is significantly related to poor patient assessment, inadequate development of a care plan, and lower levels of monitoring/evaluation. In addition, work overload and diabetic nephropathy as the primary kidney disease were also found to be significantly related to poor patient assessment. Increasing the opportunity for case managers to learn about dialysis may be needed for better case management performance in respect of the hemodialysis of disabled patients.
Iowa Statewide Stream Nitrate Load Calculated Using In Situ Sensor Network
Authors: Jones Christopher S. , Davis Caroline A. , Drake Chad W. , Schilling Keith E. , Debionne Samuel H.P. , Gilles Daniel W. , Demir Ibrahim , Weber Larry J.
Published: December 2017

Various techniques exist to estimate stream nitrate loads when measured concentration data are sparse. The inherent uncertainty associated with load estimation, however, makes tracking progress toward water quality goals more difficult. We used high‐frequency, in situ nitrate sensors strategically deployed across the agricultural state of Iowa to evaluate 2016 stream concentrations at 60 sites and loads at 35 sites. The generated data, collected at an average of 225 days per site, show daily average nitrate‐N yields ranging from 12 to 198 g/ha, with annual yields as high as 53 kg/ha from the intensely drained Des Moines Lobe. Thirteen of the sites that capture water from 82.5% of Iowa's area show statewide nitrate‐N loading in 2016 totaled 477 million kg, or 41% of the load delivered to the Mississippi–Atchafalaya River Basin (MARB). Considering the substantial private and public investment being made to reduce nitrate loading in many states within the MARB, networks of continuous, in situ measurement devices as described here can inform efforts to track year‐to‐year changes in nitrate load related to weather and conservation implementation. Nitrate and other data from the sensor network described in this study are made publicly available in real time through the Iowa Water Quality Information System.
Evaluating methods to visualize patterns of genetic differentiation on a landscape
Authors: House Geoffrey L. , Hahn Matthew W.
Published: December 2017

With advances in sequencing technology, research in the field of landscape genetics can now be conducted at unprecedented spatial and genomic scales. This has been especially evident when using sequence data to visualize patterns of genetic differentiation across a landscape due to demographic history, including changes in migration. Two recent model‐based visualization methods that can highlight unusual patterns of genetic differentiation across a landscape, SpaceMix and EEMS, are increasingly used. While SpaceMix's model can infer long‐distance migration, EEMS’ model is more sensitive to short‐distance changes in genetic differentiation, and it is unclear how these differences may affect their results in various situations. Here, we compare SpaceMix and EEMS side by side using landscape genetics simulations representing different migration scenarios. While both methods excel when patterns of simulated migration closely match their underlying models, they can produce either un‐intuitive or misleading results when the simulated migration patterns match their models less well, and this may be difficult to assess in empirical data sets. We also introduce unbundled principal components (un‐PC), a fast, model‐free method to visualize patterns of genetic differentiation by combining principal components analysis (PCA), which is already used in many landscape genetics studies, with the locations of sampled individuals. Un‐PC has characteristics of both SpaceMix and EEMS and works well with simulated and empirical data. Finally, we introduce msLandscape, a collection of tools that streamline the creation of customizable landscape‐scale simulations using the popular coalescent simulator ms and conversion of the simulated data for use with un‐PC, SpaceMix and EEMS.
Nicorandil for the prevention of contrast‐induced nephropathy: A meta‐analysis of randomized controlled trials
Authors: Ma Xiaofen , Li Xiang , Jiao Zhanfeng , Zhang Yiming
Published: December 2017

Introduction

Nicorandil has been suggested as a preventative strategy against the incidence of contrast‐induced nephropathy (CIN). However, results of relevant randomized controlled trials (RCTs) were inconsistent.

Aims

We performed a meta‐analysis of RCTs to evaluate the preventive efficacy of periprocedural treatment of nicorandil against the incidence of CIN.

Methods

Relevant RCTs were identified via search of PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane's Library databases. Results were pooled using a random‐effect model. Subgroup analyses were performed to evaluate the potential influence of administering routes on the efficacy of nicorandil against CIN incidence.

Results

Four RCTs with 709 patients were included. Treatment of nicorandil significantly reduced the incidence of CIN as compared with controls (risk ration [RR]: 0.38, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.19 ~ 0.74, P = .005) with moderate heterogeneity (I2 = 33%). Results of subsequent subgroup analysis showed that nicorandil significantly reduced the risk of CIN if orally administered (RR: 0.32, P < .001), but did not if intravenously administered (RR: 0.47, I2 = 68%). Moreover, treatment with nicorandil was associated with significantly less increment of SCr (weight mean difference [WMD]: −3.98%, P < .001) and a tendency of less increment of cystatin C (WMD: −3.86%, P = .08) after 48‐hour contrast exposure as compared with controls.

Conclusions

Periprocedural treatment with nicorandil may be preventative against the incidence of CIN in patients undergoing contrast exposure. The influence of periprocedural nicorandil on clinical outcome in these patients deserves further investigation.
Early Cretaceous Palynological Assemblages of the Shuangliao Fault Depression, Songliao Basin and their Geological Implications
Authors: WANG Chenglong , ZHANG Meisheng , LI Xiaobo , WANG Yini
Published: December 2017

The pollen and spores found in the Early Cretaceous strata of two cores from the Shuangliao Fault Depression were studied systematically, and two palynological assemblages have been recognized. Assemblage I from the Yingcheng Formation is named Paleoconiferus‐Pinuspollenites; the assemblage is characterized by an extremely high content of Paleoconifer pollen. Assemblage II from Member 1 of the Denglouku Formation is named Cicatricosisporites‐Cyathidites‐Pinuspollenites; the assemblage is characterized by the abundant presence of Laevigati spores, but less Paleoconifer pollen. According to the palynological data and zircon U‐Pb dating, the geological age of the Yingcheng Formation is thought to be Aptian‐Albian, and that of the Denglouku Formation is thought to be Early Albian. On the basis of the composition of each assemblage, we can infer that during the depositional period of the Yingcheng Formation, the paleovegetation was mainly conifer forest, the paleoclimate was consistent with the temperate climate of today, and the paleoenvironment was humid feature. During the depositional period of Member 1 of the Denglouku Formation, the paleovegetation was mainly conifer forest and shrubs, the paleoclimate was consistent with the subtropical climate of today, and the paleoenvironment was humid. The results significantly improve our understanding of the stratigraphy in the Shuangliao Fault Depression, provide biostratigraphic evidence for the division and correlation of Early Cretaceous strata in the Shuangliao Fault Depression, and provide new data for analyzing paleovegetation and paleoclimate in the Songliao Basin.
Tectonic Setting of the Kadiri Schist Belt, Andhra Pradesh, India
Authors: GOSWAMI Sukanta , UPADHYAY Pradeep K. , BHATTACHARJEE Purnajit , MURUGAN Malaiandi G.
Published: December 2017

Plate tectonic activity has played a critical role in the development of petrotectonic associations in the Kadiri schist belt. The calc alkaline association of basalt, andesite, dacite and rhyolite (BADR) is the signature volcanic rock suite of the convergent margin. The N‐S belt has gone below the unconformity plane of Cuddapah sediments. In the northern part geochemical and structural attributes of the Kadiri greenstone belt is studied along with microscopic observations of selected samples. Harker diagram plots of major elements generally indicate a liquid line of descent from a common source, such that BADR rocks are derived from a common parent magma of basaltic to andesitic composition. These calc‐alkaline volcanic rocks are formed at convergent margins where more silicic rocks represent more highly fractionated melt. All the litho‐units of this greenstone belt indicate crush and strain effects. The stretched pebbles in the deformed volcanic matrix with tectonite development along with associated greenschist facies metamorphism, alteration and hydration is remarkable. Flow foliation plane with N‐S strike and very low angle (5° to 10°) easterly dip and N‐S axial planar schistosity formed due to later phase isoclinal folding can be clearly identified in the field. Basic intrusives are quite common in the surrounding area. All the observations including the field setting and geochemistry clearly demonstrate ocean‐continent subduction as the tectonic environment of the study area.
Geochemistry, Geochronology and Lu‐Hf Isotopes of Peraluminous Granitic Porphyry from the Walegen Au Deposit, West Qinling Terrane
Authors: GUO Xianqing , YAN Zhen , AITCHISON Jonathan C. , FU Changlei , WANG Zongqi
Published: December 2017

Walegen Au deposit is closely correlated with granitic intrusions of Triassic age, which are composed of granite and quartz porphyries. Both granite porphyry and quartz porphyry consist of quartz, feldspar and muscovite as primary minerals. Weakly peraluminous granite porphyry (A/ CNK=1.10–1.15) is enriched in LREE, depleted in HREE with Nb‐Ta‐Ti anomalies, and displays subduction‐related geochemistry. Quartz porphyry is strongly peraluminous (A/CNK=1.64–2.81) with highly evolved components, characterized by lower TiO2, REE contents, Mg#, K/Rb, Nb/Ta, Zr/Hf ratios and higher Rb/Sr ratios than the granite porphyry. REE patterns of quartz porphyry exhibit lanthanide tetrad effect, resulting from mineral fractionation or participation of fluids with enriched F and Cl. LA‐ICP‐MS zircon U‐Pb dating indicates quartz porphyry formed at 233±3 Ma. The ages of relict zircons from Triassic magmatic rocks match well with the detrital zircons from regional area. In addition, ∊Hf(t) values of Triassic magmatic zircons from the granite and quartz porphyries are –14.2 to –9.1 (with an exception of +4.1) and –10.8 to –8.6 respectively, indicating a crustal‐dominant source. Regionally, numerous Middle Triassic granitoids were previously reported to be formed under the consumption of Paleotethyan Ocean. These facts indicate that the granitic porphyries from Walegen Au deposit may have been formed in the processes of the closing of Paleotethyan Ocean, which could correlate with the arc‐related magmatism in the Kunlun orogen to the west and the Qinling orogen to the east.
Estimation of the Shale Oil/Gas Potential of a Paleocene–Eocene Succession: A Case Study from the Meyal Area, Potwar Basin, Pakistan
Authors: AAMIR Ali , MATEE Ullah , MATLOOB Hussain , BHATTI Asher Samuel , KHAISTA Rehman
Published: December 2017

The successful exploration and production of shale‐gas resources in the United States and Canada sets a new possible solution towards the energy crisis presently affecting most countries of Asia. This study focuses on the use of well log and 2D seismic data for the characterization of the shale oil/gas potential of a Paleocene‐Eocene succession — the Meyal area in the Potwar Basin of Pakistan. Two shaly plays are identified in Paleocene‐Eocene strata in well logs using Δ LogRand modified Δ LogRcross‐plot techniques. The results indicate that Paleocene shale (the Patala Formation) and the lower shaly part of Eocene limestone (Sakesar Formation) can be potentially mature source rocks. However, the thermal maturity modelling proves that only the Paleocene shale is mature. Our results also suggest that the maturity responses on Δ LogRmodels for the lower shaly part of the Eocene limestone are due to trapped hydrocarbons in the intra‐formational fractures. Petroelastic/petrophysical analysis of the Patala Formation reveals two potential shale oil/gas zones on the basis of Young's modulus, Poisson's ratio, Brittleness index and Total Organic Content at an exploitation depth of 3980–3988 m. This work can provide valuable insight for estimating shale oil/gas potential in highly deformed basins not only in Asia but in other parts of the world.
Activity of Silica‐Rich Hydrothermal Fluid and Its Impact on Deep Dolomite Reservoirs in the Sichuan Basin, Southern China
Authors: ZHU Dongya , ZHANG Dianwei , LIU Quanyou , JIN Zhijun , HE Zhiliang
Published: December 2017

Well‐developed dissolution pores occur in the dolomites of the Sinian Dengying Formation, which is an important oil and gas reservoir layer in the Sichuan Basin and adjacent areas in southern China. The pores are often filled with quartz, and some dolomites have been metasomatically altered to siliceous chert. Few studies have documented the characteristics, source or origin of silica‐rich fluids and their effects on the dolomite reservoir. The peak homogenisation temperatures (Th) of fluid inclusions in pore‐filling quartz are between 150°C and 190°C, with an average of 173.7°C. Gases in the inclusions are mainly composed of CO2, CH4 and N2. Compared with host dolomite, pore‐filling quartz and metasomatic chert contain higher amounts of Cr, Co, Mo, W and Fe, with average concentrations of 461.58, 3.99, 5.05, 31.43 and 6666.83 ppm in quartz and 308.98, 0.99, 1.04, 13.81 and 4703.50 ppm in chert, respectively. Strontium levels are lower than that in the host dolomite, with average concentrations in quartz and chert of 4.81 and 11.06 ppm, respectively. Rare earth element compositions in quartz and chert display positive Eu anomalies with a maximum δEu of 5.72. The δDSMOW values of hydrogen isotopes in water from quartz inclusions vary from –85.1‰ to –53.1‰ with an average of –64.3‰, whereas the δ18OSMOW values range from 7.2‰ to 8.5‰ with an average of 8.2‰ The average 87Sr/ 86Sr ratios in quartz and chert are 0.711586 and 0.709917, respectively, which are higher than that in the host dolomite. The fluid inclusions, elemental and isotopic compositions demonstrate that the formation of quartz and chert was related to silica‐rich hydrothermal fluid and that the fluid was the deep circulation of meteoric water along basement faults. Interactions with silica‐rich hydrothermal fluids resulted in densification of dolomite reservoirs in the Dengying Formation through quartz precipitation and siliceous metasomatism. However, it increased the resistance of the host dolomite to compaction, improving the ability to maintain reservoir spaces during deep burial. Evidence for silica‐rich hydrothermal activity is common in the Yangtze Platform and Tarim Basin and its influence on deep dolomite reservoirs should be thoroughly considered.
Burial History and Petroleum Entrapment in the Yaoyingtai Region of the Changling Fault Depression, China
Authors: YANG Guang , LIU Changli , FAN Jiarui , CHEN Peng
Published: December 2017

This work aims to reconstruct the burial history of various kinds of sandstones penetrated by the well YS201 in the Yaoyingtai region of the Changling Fault Depression, southern Songliao Basin, China. Analyses of fluid inclusions in the reservoir rocks, combined with a review of the regional tectonic evolution, revealed the hydrocarbon accumulation stage and accumulation age of the Early Cretaceous Denglouku group and the first member of the Quantou group reservoir, which are the future exploration focus for deep gas reservoirs in this region. Acoustic time data and sedimentary rates calculated for sediments in the YS201 well yielded thicknesses for the Yingcheng, Nenjiang, and Mingshui groups of 506, 539.18, and 144.85 m, respectively, thereby revealing the burial history of the sediments in the well. Fluid inclusions of the Denglouku group reservoir and the first member of the Quantou group reservoir contain oil inclusions and hydro‐carbonaceous salt water inclusions. The main peaks of the homogenization temperature and salinity of these saltwater inclusions in the first member of the Quantou group reservoir are generally 110–120°C and 6wt%–8wt%, respectively, and for the Denglouku group are 130–140°C and 4wt%–6wt%. The data for both reservoirs show only one main peak, indicating that they both have experienced single‐stage accumulation. Combining the homogenization temperature of the reservoir fluid inclusions with the burial and thermal history of the sediments in the YS201 well, we infer that the hydrocarbon gas in these two intervals accumulated at 79 Ma (middle Late Cretaceous).
Geochemistry of Mercury in the Permian Tectonically Deformed Coals from Peigou Mine, Xinmi Coalfield, China
Authors: SONG Dangyu , LI Chunhui , SONG Boyi , YANG Cunbei , LI Yunbo
Published: December 2017

As the mercury emitted from coal combustion can lead to serious environmental issues, researchers pay more attention to the content, distribution and occurrence of mercury in coal. In this paper, the content, distribution, and occurrence of mercury in the Permian tectonically deformed coals from Peigou Mine, Xinmi coalfield, Henan Province were investigated. A total of 18 bench samples were taken from No.2‐1 coals seam in Peigou Mine, including 15 coal bench samples, two roofs and one floor. The mercury concentration, mineral composition, and main inorganic element content of 18 samples were determined by DMA‐80 direct mercury analyzer, XRD, and XRF respectively. The results show that the mercury content ranges from 0.047 ppm to 0.643 ppm, with an average of 0.244 ppm. Though the coal seam has turned into typical tectonically deformed coal by the strong tectonic destruction and plastic deformation, the vertical distribution of mercury has remarkable heterogeneity in coal seam section. By the analysis of correlation between mercury and the main inorganic elements and the mineral composition in coal, we infer that majority of mercury mainly relates to pyrite or kaolinite.
Abundance and Ecology of EndemicAsterorotalia trispinosafrom the Western Bay of Bengal: Implications for its Application as a Paleomonsoon Proxy
Authors: SARASWAT Rajeev , MANASA Manumalenki , SUOKHRIE Thejasino , SAALIM Mohammad Syed , NIGAM Rajiv
Published: December 2017

A total of 97 surface sediment samples were collected from the continental shelf and slope of the western Bay of Bengal to assess the potential application ofAsterorotalia trispinosaas a paleomonsoon proxy. The relative abundance of living as well as total (living and dead)A. trispinosaranges from being absent to a maximum of ∼31%. The highest abundance ofA. trispinosais close to the outfall region of the Ganga‐Brahmaputra Rivers and decreases away from the river mouths. Contrary to that,A. trispinosais rare in front of both the Cauvery and Pennar river outfall regions, in the central part of the western Bay of Bengal. The livingA. trispinosaabundance is the lowest in between two major river systems, viz. Ganga‐Brahmaputra‐Mahanadi and Krishna‐Godavari. The relative abundance of both the total and livingA. trispinosais strongly positively correlated with ambient seawater temperature, and negatively correlated with %Corg and salinity. Based on the spatial distribution, we conclude thatA. trispinosais stenohaline in nature, rather than euryhaline, and further that the increased relative abundance ofA. trispinosaindicates warmer and only marginally hyposaline environment. Even though the ecological preference ofA. trispinosasuggests it as a potential paleomonsoon proxy, the restricted distribution implies limited application.
Cognitive–behavioural therapy for adult attention‐deficit hyperactivity disorder: a proof of concept randomised controlled trial
Authors: Dittner A. J. , Hodsoll J. , Rimes K. A. , Russell A. J. , Chalder T.
Published: December 2017

Objective

To investigate efficacy, patient acceptability and feasibility of formulation‐based cognitive–behavioural therapy (CBT) for adults with attention‐deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). NICE guidelines for adult ADHD recommend further research into psychological treatments.

Method

Sixty participants with adult ADHD were randomly allocated to treatment as usual (TAU) vs. TAU plus up to 16 sessions of individual formulation‐based CBT for ADHD.

Results

Adding formulation‐based CBT to TAU for ADHD significantly improved ADHD symptoms on the Barkley Current Symptoms Scale and scores on the Work and Social Adjustment Scale. Adjusted effect sizes (ES) were 1.31 and 0.82 respectively.

There were also significant improvements on secondary outcomes including independently evaluated clinical global improvement, self‐rated anxiety, depression, global distress and patient satisfaction (adjusted effect sizes 0.52–1.01).

Conclusions

This is the first randomised controlled trial to provide preliminary evidence of efficacy and acceptability of individual formulation‐based CBT for ADHD when added to TAU over TAU alone. This approach now needs to be tested in a larger multicentred randomised controlled trial.
Changes in elephant conservation management promote density‐dependent habitat selection in the Kruger National Park
Authors: Robson A. S. , van Aarde R. J.
Published: December 2017

In conservation, adaptive management relies on the assessment of past actions to improve conservation efficiencies in the future. Conservation management approaches for African elephants have recently changed, however little has been done to assess the effectiveness of these changes. This is a major shortcoming as elephants (and their management) have a considerable influence on other savanna species. Traditionally, the management of elephants has focused on artificially manipulating numbers through culling, water supplementation and fencing. Lately, and specifically in the Kruger National Park, the focus has progressed to promoting ecological processes that may naturally regulate elephant populations. Density‐dependent habitat selection – suggestive of competition for resources – is fundamental in stimulating the regulatory processes that managers expect to promote. In this paper, we evaluated how effective the changes in Kruger's elephant management approach had been in promoting density‐dependent habitat selection. We used 15 years of helicopter‐based surveys and resource selection functions to test our primary prediction that an increase in population density following the cessation of culling generalized dry‐season habitat selection by female elephants in Kruger (i.e. decreased selection of high‐quality habitat and increased selection of lower quality habitat). We found that as densities increased, female occupancy of the Park rose and dry season selection of highly wooded areas, which provide crucial resources for elephant survival and reproduction, weakened. Conversely, density had little effect on the selection of rivers. Rather, high dry‐season rainfall allowed female elephants to select areas farther from permanent water, potentially alleviating normal dry‐season foraging restrictions. Our novel identification of density‐dependent habitat selection for elephants suggests that the change in conservation management in Kruger was effective in promoting a potential driver of population regulation. We suggest that ecological principles continue to provide an effective framework for scientific evaluation and elephant conservation management in Kruger and beyond.
Gene expression profiling in embryonic chicken ovary during asymmetric development
Authors: Shaikat Amir Hossan , Namekawa Shoko , Ahmadi Sadequllah , Takeda Misa , Ohkubo Takeshi
Published: December 2017

The reproductive system in female birds arises as bilateral asymmetrical anlagen, excluding the birds of prey. Earlier, histological and messenger RNA (mRNA) expression profile studies of several genes related to gonadal sex differentiation in chicken embryos tried to elucidate the query of this asymmetry in a scattered manner. To understand the matter precisely, we have focused on mRNA expression of a cohort of genes (FSHR, CYP19A1, caspase 3, caspase 8) in second half of the embryonic days (E10–E18). The established role of leptin in development of the embryo and its expression in the embryonic ovary also drove us to check leptin receptor (LEPR) expression in the ovary. Increased expression of FSHR and CYP19A1 in the left ovary compared with that in the right ovary was identified (P < 0.05), promoting preferential left ovarian development and functionality. Significant high expression (P < 0.05) of the apoptotic genes in the right ovary were also involved here. Leptin probably has no direct influence on ovarian asymmetry as no significant variation in gonadal mRNA expression of LEPR was observed within the same experimental days. We propose that asymmetric expression of this cohort of genes (FSHR, CYP19A1, caspase 3, caspase 8) leads to the development of dimorphic gonads during embryogenesis.
A hybrid trust model using reinforcement learning and fuzzy logic
Authors: Aref Abdullah , Tran Thomas
Published: December 2017

Multiagent systems (MASs) are increasingly popular for modeling distributed environments that are highly complex and dynamic, such as e‐commerce, smart buildings, and smart grids. Typically, agents assumed to be goal driven with limited abilities, which restrains them to working with other agents for accomplishing complex tasks. Trust is considered significant in MASs to make interactions effectively, especially when agents cannot assure that potential partners share the same core beliefs about the system or make accurate statements regarding their competencies and abilities. Due to the imprecise and dynamic nature of trust in MASs, we propose a hybrid trust model that uses fuzzy logic and Q‐learning for trust modeling. as an improvement over Q‐learning‐based trust evaluation. Q‐learning is used to estimate trust on the long term, fuzzy inferences are used to aggregate different trust factors, and suspension is used as a short‐term response to dynamic changes. The performance of the proposed model is evaluated using simulation. Simulation results indicate that the proposed model can help agents select trustworthy partners to interact with. It has a better performance compared to some of the popular trust models in the presence of misbehaving interaction partners.
Geometric patterns of time‐delay plots from different cardiac rhythms and arrhythmias using short‐term EKG signals
Authors: Borracci Raúl A. , Montoya Pulvet José D. , Ingino Carlos A. , Fitz Maurice Mario , Hirschon Prado Alfredo , Dominé Enrique
Published: December 2017

Objective

To date, no systematic work has been intended to describe spatio‐temporal patterns of cardiac rhythms using only short series of RR intervals, to facilitate visual or computerized‐aided identification of EKG motifs for use in clinical practice. The aim of this study was to detect and classify eye‐catching geometric patterns of Poincaré time‐delay plots from different types of cardiac rhythms and arrhythmias using short‐term EKG signals.

Methods

Approximately 150–300 representative, consecutive beats were retrieved from 24‐h Holter registers of 100 patients with different heart rhythms. Two‐dimensional Poincaré charts were created, and the resulting geometric patterns were transformed into representative familiar eye‐catching drawings to interpret different arrhythmias.

Results

Poincaré plot representation of RR interval data revealed a wide variety of visual patterns: (i) comet‐shaped for sinus rhythm; (ii) torpedo‐shaped for sinus bradycardia; (iii) cigarette‐shaped for sinus tachycardia; (iv) butterfly‐shaped for sinus tachycardia and isolated atrial premature complexes; (v) arrow‐shaped for isolated premature complexes and inappropriate sinus tachycardia; (vi) inverted fan‐shaped for sinus rhythm with frequent atrial premature complexes; (vii) tornado‐shaped for atrial flutter and atrial tachycardia; and (viii) fan‐shaped for atrial fibrillation.

Conclusions

Modified Poincaré plots with smoothed lines connecting successive points could accurately classify different types of arrhythmias based on short RR interval sequence variability. Characteristic emergent patterns can be visually identified and eventually could be distinguished by an automatic classification system able to discern between arrhythmias. This work provides an alternative method to interpret time‐delay plots obtained from short‐term EKG signal recordings.
Special interest politics: Contribution schedules vs. Nash bargaining
Authors: Voss Achim , Schopf Mark
Published: December 2017

The article compares two models of lobby influence on policy choice: The Grossman and Helpman (1994) contribution‐schedules model and a negotiation between the lobbies and the government summarized by a Nash‐bargaining function. The literature uses the models interchangeably because they imply the same equilibrium policy. We show that particular assumptions about bargaining power and disagreement utility in the Nash‐bargaining solution are required for the models to lead to the same equilibrium payments and utilities. This implies that the models usually imply different sets of lobbies if lobby formation is an endogenous decision, such that the equilibrium policies also differ.
Clark's Malthus delusion: response to ‘Farming in England 1200–1800’
Authors: Broadberry Stephen , Campbell Bruce M. S. , Klein Alexander , Overton Mark , van Leeuwen Bas
Published: December 2017

Clark's claims about the scale of English agricultural output from the 1200s to the 1860s flout historical and geographical reality. His income‐based estimates start with the daily real wages of adult males and assume that days worked per year were constant. Those advanced in British economic growth make no such assumption and instead are built up from the output side. They correlate better with population trends and are consistent with an economy slowly growing and becoming richer. Clark's denial that such growth occurred, his assertion that substantially more land must have been under arable cultivation, his belief that conditions of full employment invariably prevailed in the countryside at harvest time, his concern that the wage bill would have exceeded the value of output in British economic growth, his refusal to consider the possibility that the working year was of variable length, and his assertion that output per acre must have been equalized across arable and pasture are all shown to be figments of his ‘Malthus delusion’.
Loss of constitutive functional γ‐aminobutyric acid type A‐B receptor crosstalk in layer 5 pyramidal neurons of human epileptic temporal cortex
Authors: Martinello Katiuscia , Sciaccaluga Miriam , Morace Roberta , Mascia Addolorata , Arcella Antonietta , Esposito Vincenzo , Fucile Sergio
Published: December 2017

Objective

γ‐Aminobutyric acid (GABA) is the major inhibitory neurotransmitter in adult central nervous system, and profound alterations of GABA receptor functions are linked to temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE). Here we describe the functional relationships between GABA receptors type B (GABABR) and type A (GABAAR) in human temporal cortex and how TLE affects this aspect of GABAergic signaling.

Methods

Miniature inhibitory postsynaptic currents (mIPSCs) were recorded by patch‐clamp techniques from human L5 pyramidal neurons in slices from temporal cortex tissue obtained from surgery.

Results

We describe a constitutive functional crosstalk between GABABRs and GABAARs in human temporal layer 5 pyramidal neurons, which is lost in epileptic tissues. The activation of GABABRs by baclofen, in addition to the expected reduction of mIPSC frequency, produced, in cortex of nonepileptic patients, the prolongation of mIPSC rise and decay times, thus increasing the inhibitory net charge associated with a single synaptic event. Block of K+ channels did not prevent the increase of decay time and charge. Protein kinase A (PKA) blocker KT5720 and pertussis toxin inhibited the action of baclofen, whereas 8Br‐cAMP mimicked the GABABR action. The same GABABR‐mediated modulation of GABAARs was observed in pyramidal neurons of rat temporal cortex, with both PKA and PKC involved in the process. In cortices from TLE patients and epileptic rats, baclofen lost its ability to modulate mIPSCs.

Significance

Our results highlight the association of TLE with functional changes of GABAergic signaling that may be related to seizure propagation, and suggest that the selective activation of a definite subset of nonpresynaptic GABABRs may be therapeutically useful in TLE.
Identification of a novel nucleophosmin‐interaction motif in the tumor suppressor p14arf
Authors: Luchinat Enrico , Chiarella Sara , Franceschini Mimma , Di Matteo Adele , Brunori Maurizio , Banci Lucia , Federici Luca
Published: December 2017

The tumor suppressor p14arf interacts, in response to oncogenic signals, with the p53 E3‐ubiquitin ligase HDM2, thereby resulting in p53 stabilization and activation. In addition, it also exerts tumor‐suppressive functions in p53‐independent contexts. The activities of p14arf are regulated by the nucleolar chaperone nucleophosmin (NPM1), which controls its levels and cellular localization. In acute myeloid leukemia with mutations in the NPM1 gene, mutated NPM1 aberrantly translocates in the cytosol carrying with itself p14arf that is subsequently degraded, thus impairing the p14arf‐HDM2‐p53 axis. In this work we investigated the complex between these two proteins by means of NMR and other techniques. We identified a novel NPM1‐interacting motif in the C‐terminal region of p14arf, which corresponds to its predicted nucleolar localization signal. This motif recognizes a specific region of the NPM1 N‐terminal domain and, upon binding, the two proteins form soluble high molecular weight complexes. By NMR, we identified critical residues on both proteins involved in the interaction. Collectively, our data provide a structural framework to rationalize the overall assembly of the p14arf‐NPM1 supramolecular complexes. A number of p14arf cancer‐associated mutations cluster in this motif and their effect on the interaction with NPM1 was also analyzed.
Genome‐wide survey and phylogenetic analysis of histone acetyltransferases and histone deacetylases of Plasmodium falciparum
Authors: Kanyal Abhishek , Rawat Mukul , Gurung Pratima , Choubey Deepak , Anamika Krishanpal , Karmodiya Krishanpal
Published: December 2017

Malaria parasites can readily sense and adapt to environmental changes, thus making the control and eradication of this disease difficult. Molecular studies have unraveled a very tightly coordinated transcriptional machinery governed by complex regulatory mechanisms including chromatin modification and spatiotemporal compartmentalization. Histone modifying enzymes play key roles in the regulation of chromatin modification and gene expression, which are associated with cell cycle progression, antigenic variation and immune evasion. Here, we present a comprehensive review of the key regulators of the Plasmodium falciparum histone acetylome; histone acetyltransferases (HATs); and histone deacetylases (HDACs). We describe the genome‐wide occurrence of HATs and HDACs in the P. falciparum genome and identify novel, as well as previously unclassified HATs. We re‐confirm the presence of five known HDACs and identify, a novel putative HDAC. Interestingly, we identify several HATs and HDACs with unique and noncanonical domain combinations indicating their involvement in other associated functions. Moreover, the phylogenetic analyses of HATs and HDACs suggest that many of them are close to the prokaryotic systems and thus potential candidates for drug development. Our review deciphers the phylogeny of HATs and HDACs of the malaria parasite, investigates their role in drug‐resistance generation, and highlights their potential as therapeutic targets.
Joan Acker and the shift from patriarchy to gender
Authors: Bridges Tristan , Messerschmidt James W.
Published: December 2017

Feminist sociologist Joan Acker is most commonly cited as one of the first to theorize how gender gets institutionalized in organizations and workplaces. But this project was actually an application of a more general theoretical turn in the field Acker was promoting. Acker was centrally involved in an important feminist sociological conversation about whether we should continue to theorize and study ‘patriarchy' or whether our focus should shift to ‘gender'. She argued for the latter and played an influential role in convincing the field to follow this suggestion.
Asymmetric behaviour of current account sustainability in Latin America
Authors: Ordoñez‐Callamand Daniel , Melo‐Velandia Luis F. , Valencia‐Arana Oscar M.
Published: December 2017

This paper studies current account sustainability in four major Latin American countries from 1996 to 2016. We use an empirical model that allows for the presence of several regimes. We find that there is a long‐run relationship between the income and expenditure of the current account for Chile, Mexico, Colombia, and Brazil. However, the results imply that while long‐run stable surpluses are expected in the first two countries, long‐run deficits are expected for the other two. This result provides valuable insights for macroeconomic authorities in developing economies for quantifying their external balance vulnerabilities and designing policies to effectively counteract the negative effects of external shocks.
GDP growth forecasts and information flows: Is there evidence of overreactions?
Authors: Aromí J. Daniel
Published: December 2017

The association between GDP growth forecasts and past information flows is evaluated for a sample of 49 countries during the period 1990–2014. The analysis exploits an extensive collection of forecasts available through IMF's historical database. The empirical results indicate a robust association between information arrival and subsequent mean forecast errors (the average difference between forecast and realization). Consistent with the overreaction hypothesis, more positive information is followed by higher mean forecast errors. The association is documented for multiple metrics of past information flows: growth performance, a novel metric of press sentiment, and lagged forecast errors. When advanced and emerging economies are differentiated, the regularity is detected for both groups but is stronger in the case of emerging economies.
Kansas Trends and Changes in Temperature, Precipitation, Drought, and Frost‐Free Days from the 1890s to 2015
Authors: Lin X. , Harrington J. , Ciampitti I. , Gowda P. , Brown D. , Kisekka I.
Published: December 2017

Kansas extends 660 km from the moderate elevations and semi‐humid conditions of the Lower Missouri Basin to the High Plains lying above the Ogallala Aquifer and along the Rockies’ eastern slope. Such characteristics result in significant climate variability across the state, making timely and accurate climate trend and change information valuable for water resources management and crop production. Here we used high‐quality daily and monthly climate observations spanning a long‐term period of 121 years (1895–2015) to assess trends and changes in air temperature, precipitation, drought, and frost‐free days across Kansas. We show that a statewide average warming rate of 0.06°C (0.11°F) per decade was mainly driven by trends in daily minimum temperatures. However, there were no statistically significant trends in precipitation in either western, central, or eastern Kansas. Western Kansas tended toward increasing dryness, but central and eastern Kansas trended wetter as indicated by changes in the Palmer Drought Severity Index (PDSI), a trend that was consistent with a weak wetting signal in eastern Kansas. The length of frost‐free season increased by 5.2 days in western, 7.2 days in central, and 12.6 days in eastern Kansas, which reflected more warming in the east and less in the west, especially for changing magnitudes of nighttime temperatures. Such increases of frost‐free days, especially in moisture‐limited areas (e.g., western Kansas), might increase seasonal evapotranspiration loss, thus exacerbating soil moisture stress and associated management challenges.
Crop Water Production Functions of Grain Sorghum and Winter Wheat in Kansas and Texas
Authors: Moberly Joseph T. , Aiken Robert M. , Lin Xiaomao , Schlegel Alan J. , Baumhardt R. Louis , Schwartz Robert C.
Published: December 2017

Productivity of water‐limited cropping systems can be reduced by untimely distribution of water as well as cold and heat stress. The objective of this study was to evaluate the predictive accuracy of the Kansas Water Budget (KSWB) model for crop water use and grain productivity of grain sorghum and winter wheat grown in a range of crop sequences. The relationship of grain yield to crop water use, reported in several crop sequence studies conducted in Bushland, TX, and Colby and Tribune, KS, was compared against the KSWB modeling results. Field studies showed that the yield responses of grain sorghum to an increment of water use was generally 75% greater than that of winter wheat, as expected for crops with C4 and C3 physiology, respectively. The relationship of winter wheat yield to crop water use, simulated by the KSWB model, was comparable to relationships developed in four of five studies, with the exception of one study conducted in Bushland that suggested less crop water productivity. For grain sorghum, experimental yield response to an increment of water use was less than that calculated for three of five cases; for one study at Colby and Tribune, simulated and experimental yield response to water use were similar. Simulated yield thresholds were consistent with observed yield thresholds for both wheat and sorghum in all but one case. The KSWB model provides a useful analytic framework for distinguishing water supply constraints to grain productivity.
Neck rejuvenation by direct anterior medial cervicoplasty: the modified zigzag‐plasty according to Tschopp
Authors: Konstantinow A. , Fischer T. , Zink A.
Published: December 2017

Background

Conventional cervicofacial rhytidectomy has become the standard treatment of skin excess of the ageing neck. However, some patients want to avoid an extensive surgical procedure, especially if the anterior neck is the predominant problem zone.

Objective

To report on the efficacy and safety of a zigzag‐shaped skin excision combined with platysma plication.

Methods and materials

We present a retrospective case review series of six female patients. Skin excess was marked preoperatively using the skin pinching technique, then transferred to a zigzag‐shaped area and finally excised using the method according to Tschopp, which is described. Patients were followed up for at least 1 year.

Results

All patients (age: 55–82 years, median: 65 years) were very satisfied with the results. On an overall patient satisfaction scale of 1–10 (1 being the best), the scars were graded on average 1.85 (median: 2) 1 year after surgery. No scar hypertrophy, functional impairment, nerve damage or other serious complications were observed.

Conclusion

In selected patients, the direct anterior zigzag‐shaped excision poses an effective, safe and easy surgical option for both skin excess and fat excess and platysma banding. The technique is easily reproducible, with low morbidity and high patient satisfaction.
Two different strategies of host manipulation allow parasites to persist in intermediate–definitive host systems
Authors: de Vries L. J. , van Langevelde F.
Published: December 2017

Trophically transmitted parasites start their development in an intermediate host, before they finish the development in their definitive host when the definitive host preys on the intermediate host. In intermediate–definitive host systems, two strategies of host manipulation have been evolved: increasing the rate of transmission to the definitive host by increasing the chance that the definitive host will prey on the intermediate host, or increasing the lifespan of the parasite in the intermediate host by decreasing the predation chance when the intermediate host is not yet infectious. As the second strategy is less well studied than the first, it is unknown under what conditions each of these strategies is prevailed and evolved. We analysed the effect of both strategies on the presence of parasites in intermediate–definitive host systems with a structured population model. We show that the parasite can increase the parameter space where it can persist in the intermediate–definitive host system using one of these two strategies of host manipulation. We found that when the intermediate host or the definitive host has life‐history traits that allow the definitive host to reach large population densities, that is high reproduction rate of the intermediate host or high conversion efficiency of the definitive host (efficiency at which the uninfected definitive host converts caught intermediate hosts into offspring), respectively, evolving manipulation to decrease the predation chance of the intermediate host will be more beneficial than manipulation to increase the predation chance to enhance transmission. Furthermore, manipulation to decrease the predation chance of the intermediate host results in higher population densities of infected intermediate hosts than manipulation that increases the predation chance to enhance transmission. Our study shows that host manipulation in early stages of the parasite development to decrease predation might be a more frequently evolved way of host manipulation than is currently assumed.