bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Development of a home‐based auditory training to improve speech recognition on the telephone for patients with cochlear implants: A randomised trial
Authors: Ihler F. , Blum J. , Steinmetz G. , Weiss B.G. , Zirn S. , Canis M.
Published: March 2017

Objectives

Speech recognition on the telephone poses a challenge for patients with cochlear implants (CIs) due to a reduced bandwidth of transmission. This trial evaluates a home‐based auditory training with telephone‐specific filtered speech material to improve sentence recognition.

Design

Randomised controlled parallel double‐blind.

Setting

One tertiary referral centre.

Participants

A total of 20 postlingually deafened patients with CIs.

Main outcome measures

Primary outcome measure was sentence recognition assessed by a modified version of the Oldenburg Sentence Test filtered to the telephone bandwidth of 0.3‐3.4 kHz. Additionally, pure tone thresholds, recognition of monosyllables and subjective hearing benefit were acquired at two separate visits before and after a home‐based training period of 10‐14 weeks. For training, patients received a CD with speech material, either unmodified for the unfiltered training group or filtered to the telephone bandwidth in the filtered group.

Results

Patients in the unfiltered training group achieved an average sentence recognition score of 70.0%±13.6% (mean±SD) before and 73.6%±16.5% after training. Patients in the filtered training group achieved 70.7%±13.8% and 78.9%±7.0%, a statistically significant difference (P=.034, t10=2.292; two‐way RM ANOVA/Bonferroni). An increase in the recognition of monosyllabic words was noted in both groups. The subjective benefit was positive for filtered and negative for unfiltered training.

Conclusions

Auditory training with specifically filtered speech material provided an improvement in sentence recognition on the telephone compared to training with unfiltered material.
Role of transnasal flexible laryngo‐oesophagoscopy (TNFLO) in investigating patients with globus symptoms
Authors: Mohammed H. , Coates M. , Masterson L. , Chan W.Y. , Hassan Y. , Nassif R.
Published: March 2017

Objective

To explore the rationale for investigating patients presenting with globus symptoms. In this regard, we also assess the efficacy and safety of transnasal flexible laryngo‐oesophagoscopy (TNFLO).

Methods

A prospective study in a head and neck cancer centre of patients with persistent globus symptoms with normal flexible nasoendoscopy/indirect mirror laryngoscopy and failure of first‐line medical treatment. The role of TNFLO in investigating these patients was assessed.

Results

A total of 218 patients were recruited in this study. Positive findings included upper aerodigestive cancers in two patients, other pathologies included reflux (four patients), cricopharyngeus‐related pathologies (19 patients), candida (five patients). There were only five re‐referrals of patients who were discharged following normal examination with TNFLO. In nine patients, TNFLO could not be completed and they went on to have other diagnostic procedures

Conclusion

This article is the largest to date in the UK to assess the role of TNFLO in investigating patients with globus symptoms. TNFLO is equal to rigid endoscopy as a diagnostic tool. However, it is superior in terms of image clarity, ability to record video images and safety
Bariatric surgery versus lifestyle interventions for severe obesity: 5‐year changes in body weight, risk factors and comorbidities
Authors: Øvrebø B. , Strømmen M. , Kulseng B. , Martins C.
Published: March 2017

Changes in body weight (BW), risk factors and comorbidities 5 years after Roux‐en‐Y gastric bypass (RYGB) or different lifestyle interventions are compared. A total of 209 (75% women) severe obese adults were non‐randomly allocated to: (A) RYGB (n = 58), (B) weight loss (WL) camp (n = 30), (C) residential intermittent programme (n = 64) or (D) hospital outpatient programme (n = 57). Body weight, risk factors and comorbidities were assessed at baseline, 1 and 5 years. A total of 89 and 54% completed the 1‐ and 5‐year follow‐up. The RYGB group experienced more WL at 5 years (−23.9%, 95% CI [−27.7, −20.0]) compared with lifestyle groups: (B) (−9.2%, 95% CI [−16.9, −1.5]), (C) (−4.1%, 95% CI [−8.0, −0.1]) and (D) (−4.1 kg, 95% CI [−10.0, 1.8]) (all P < 0.001). No differences were observed between lifestyle groups, although groups B and C had significant WL after 5 years (all P < 0.05). Plasma glucose and high‐density lipoprotein cholesterol were improved in the RYGB group at 5 years compared with lifestyle groups (all P < 0.05). More patients in the RYGB group experienced remission of hypertension (P < 0.05). RYGB was associated with a lower BW, improved blood parameters and hypertension remission compared with lifestyle interventions at 5 years. However, significant WL was also achieved with lifestyle interventions.
Albendazole therapy in human lung and liver hydatid cysts: A 13‐year experience
Authors: Fattahi Masoom Seyed Hossein , Lari Shahrzad Mohammadzadeh , Fattahi Asieh Sadat , Ahmadnia Negin , Rajabi Mahla , NaderiKalat Maliheh
Published: March 2017

Background

Cystic echinococcosis (CE) is an endemic disease in Iran. This study has aimed to report the efficacy of Albendazole therapy in patients with CE.

Method

Among 164 patients with echinococcosis who were referred to the surgery clinic, Ghaem hospital, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences between 2001 and 2013, two were diagnosed with alveolar echinococcosis (AE) and 162 with CE; 43 of whom underwent surgery. The rest 119 patients received medical therapy by Albendazole 15 mg/kg/day for three phases. Each phase included 6 weeks of Albendazole therapy followed by 2 weeks of no medication. The patients were classified according to radiologic evaluations into four groups: (1) cured, (2) improved, (3) unchanged, and (4) worsened or relapsed.

Results

Patients who completed more phases had significantly greater chances of better response. Of the 56 patients who completed all three phases, 37 (66.1%) were cured, 15 (26.8%) improved, 4 (7.1%) remained unchanged, and none worsened or relapsed. [Odds ratio (OR):4.78, 95% confidence interval (CI): 2.95‐7.74, P < .0001].

Conclusion

Albendazole can be beneficial for inoperable, multiple cysts, and multiple organs CE patients.
Gendered perceptions of power and decision‐making in rural Kenya
Authors: Aberman Noora‐Lisa , Behrman Julia , Birner Regina
Published: March 2017

Development policies and programmes rest on assumptions about what constitutes power and how to change power dynamics. However, they rarely consider local understandings of power. In this article we ask how these common assumptions correspond with socially and culturally specific ideas about what power is, who can hold power, and how power can be transferred, in rural communities in Kenya's lake region. We find that men and women are constantly negotiating for power in the household, within the bounds of their gendered limitations. And the predominant zero‐sum conception of power may undermine common development approaches to empowerment. However, the results also highlight some exceptions to this conceptualization, as well as the value of taking a whole‐family approach to empowerment.
Left ventricular hypertrophy or storage disease? the incremental value of speckle tracking strain bull's‐eye
Authors: D'Andrea Antonello , Radmilovic Juri , Ballo Piercarlo , Mele Donato , Agricola Eustachio , Cameli Matteo , Rossi Andrea , Esposito Roberta , Novo Giuseppina , Mondillo Sergio , Montisci Roberta , Gallina Sabina , Bossone Eduardo , Galderisi Maurizio ,   the Working Group on Echocardiography of the Italian Society of Cardiology
Published: March 2017

Left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) develops in response to a variety of physical, genetic, and biochemical stimuli and represents the early stage of ventricular remodeling. In patients with LVH, subclinical left ventricular (LV) dysfunction despite normal ejection fraction (EF) may be present before the onset of symptoms, which portends a dismal prognosis. Strain measurement with two‐dimensional speckle tracking echocardiography (STE) represents a highly reproducible and accurate alternative to LVEF determination. The present review focuses on current available evidence that supports the incremental value of STE in the diagnostic and prognostic workup of LVH. When assessing the components of LV contraction, STE has an incremental value in differentiating between primary and secondary LVH and in the differential diagnosis with storage diseases. In addition, STE provides unique information for the stratification of patients with LVH, enabling to detect intrinsic myocardial dysfunction before LVEF reduction.
Contrast‐enhanced ultrasonography vs B‐mode ultrasound for visualization of intima‐media thickness and detection of plaques in human carotid arteries
Authors: Shah Benoy N. , Chahal Navtej S. , Kooner Jaspal S. , Senior Roxy
Published: March 2017

Background

Carotid intima‐media thickness (IMT) and plaque are recognized markers of increased risk for cerebrovascular events. Accurate visualization of the IMT and plaques is dependent upon image quality. Ultrasound contrast agents improve image quality during echocardiography—this study assessed whether contrast‐enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) improves carotid IMT visualization and plaque detection in an asymptomatic population.

Methods & Results

Individuals free from known cardiovascular disease, enrolled in a community study, underwent B‐mode and CEUS carotid imaging. Each carotid artery was divided into 10 segments (far and near walls of the proximal, mid and distal segments of the common carotid artery, the carotid bulb, and internal carotid artery). Visualization of the IMT complex and plaque assessments was made during both B‐mode and CEUS imaging for all enrolled subjects, a total of 175 individuals (mean age 65±9 years). Visualization of the IMT was significantly improved during CEUS compared with B‐mode imaging, in both near and far walls of the carotid arteries (% IMT visualization during B‐mode vs CEUS imaging: 61% vs 94% and 66% vs 95% for right and left carotid arteries, respectively, P<.001 for both). Additionally, a greater number of plaques were detected during CEUS imaging compared with B‐mode imaging (367 plaques vs 350 plaques, P=.02).

Conclusion

Contrast‐enhanced ultrasound improves visualization of the intima‐media complex, in both near and far walls, of the common and internal carotid arteries and permits greater detection of carotid plaques. Further studies are required to determine whether there is incremental clinical and prognostic benefit related to superior plaque detection by CEUS.
Contemporary imaging for the diagnosis and treatment of traumatic dental injuries: A review
Authors: Cohenca Nestor , Silberman Adrian
Published: March 2017

Traumatic dental injuries (TDI) have an array of presentations. Diagnostic challenges are common and clinicians' ability to correctly identify specific injuries dictates the optimal course of treatment(s). The aim of this review was to outline and assess all dental imaging techniques and their applications to traumatic dental injuries. A particular interest is given to the advancement of 3D imaging techniques and their role in diagnosis and treatment planning. The benefits of achieving a more accurate diagnosis are paramount to perfecting clinical judgments and outcomes.
How to make more out of community data? A conceptual framework and its implementation as models and software
Authors: Ovaskainen Otso , Tikhonov Gleb , Norberg Anna , Guillaume Blanchet F. , Duan Leo , Dunson David , Roslin Tomas , Abrego Nerea
Published: March 2017

Community ecology aims to understand what factors determine the assembly and dynamics of species assemblages at different spatiotemporal scales. To facilitate the integration between conceptual and statistical approaches in community ecology, we propose Hierarchical Modelling of Species Communities (HMSC) as a general, flexible framework for modern analysis of community data. While non‐manipulative data allow for only correlative and not causal inference, this framework facilitates the formulation of data‐driven hypotheses regarding the processes that structure communities. We model environmental filtering by variation and covariation in the responses of individual species to the characteristics of their environment, with potential contingencies on species traits and phylogenetic relationships. We capture biotic assembly rules by species‐to‐species association matrices, which may be estimated at multiple spatial or temporal scales. We operationalise theHMSCframework as a hierarchical Bayesian joint species distribution model, and implement it as R‐ and Matlab‐packages which enable computationally efficient analyses of large data sets. Armed with this tool, community ecologists can make sense of many types of data, including spatially explicit data and time‐series data. We illustrate the use of this framework through a series of diverse ecological examples.
Pigmentation phenotype, photosensitivity and skin neoplasms in patients with myotonic dystrophy
Authors: Gadalla S. M. , Hilbert J. E. , Martens W. B. , Givens S. , Moxley R. T. , Greene M. H.
Published: March 2017

Background and purpose

Recent studies have suggested a possible excess risk of skin neoplasms in patients with myotonic dystrophy (DM). Risk factors related to this observation have not been defined.

Method

Information regarding personal history of skin tumors, pigmentation phenotype, and skin reaction to sun exposure were collected from 266 DM patients who were enrolled in the US National Institutes of Health National Registry of Myotonic Dystrophy and Facioscapulohumeral Muscular Dystrophy Patients and Family Members.

Results

Seventy‐seven subjects reported having skin tumors that were either benign (n = 31), malignant (n = 32) or both (n = 14). Female gender [odds ratio (OR) = 2.27, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.02–5.05, P = 0.04], older age (OR = 1.10, 95% CI 1.05–1.16, P < 0.001) and DM1 subtype (OR = 3.42, 95% CI 1.27–9.26, P = 0.02) were associated with a malignant skin tumor. The associations between malignant skin tumors and known risk factors [light eye color (OR = 1.62, 95% CI 0.78–3.39, P = 0.20), light skin complexion (OR = 1.31, 95% CI 0.63–2.73, P = 0.48) and moderate/extensive face freckles (OR = 1.47, 95% CI 0.50–4.34, P = 0.49)] were modest. Strong, but not statistically significant, associations were noted with sunburn reactions when exposed to sunlight (OR = 4.28, 95% CI 0.91–19.95, P = 0.06, and OR = 2.19, 95% CI 0.67–7.09, P = 0.19, for sunburn with and without blistering, respectively).

Conclusions

Although our study was limited by small sample size, the risk factors for malignant skin tumors in DM strongly resemble the general population. It is recommended that DM patients adhere to sun exposure protective behavior.
Estimating number of spawning white sturgeon adults from embryo relatedness
Authors: Blankenship S. M. , Schumer G. , Van Eenennaam J. P. , Jackson Z. J.
Published: March 2017

The goal for using genetic information derived from embryo samples is to gain insight into the reproductive biology of adult white sturgeon, Acipenser transmontanus Richardson. The relationship between egg development stages on the extraction of quality DNA was determined, and subsequent genotype data were used to infer contributing spawner numbers. White sturgeon DNA was present in extractions from all stages; however, pre‐gastrulation stage embryos generally failed to amplify sufficient genetic loci for analysis. Using experimentally created families, multivariate ANOVA and maximum‐likelihood sibship methods estimated the presence of 10 contributing parents from 11 actual adult spawners. It was observed that unidentified half‐sibling relationships (offspring sharing one parent) caused error for inferring parent numbers. Genetic methods estimated 13–40 parents potentially contributed to a collection of wild‐caught embryos, with variable numbers of parents inferred from separate spawning events (varying from 8 to 24). Egg source material provides a means to enhance the accuracy of annual spawning population size estimates, which is important for informing habitat restoration, harvest and water management decisions and recovery planning.
Carbon and nutrients of indigestible pollen are transferred to zooplankton by chytrid fungi
Authors: Kagami Maiko , Motoki Yasumichi , Masclaux Hélène , Bec Alexandre
Published: March 2017

The accumulation of pollen grains in freshwater ecosystems may have a significant impact on nutrient dynamics, despite the extracellular wall of pollen grains hampering bacterial degradation and digestion by invertebrates. This is because pollen grains may be readily degraded by saprotrophic fungi (Chytridiomycota).

We tested in the laboratory whether free swimming chytrid zoospores may be grazed by zooplankton, transferring pollen‐derived nutrients to zooplankton. We conducted grazing and growth experiments with daphnids (Daphnia pulex and D. similis), tree pollen grains from the pine family (Pinus and Cedrus), and a chytrid (Boothiomyces sp.).

Both daphnid species grazed on zoospores, but not on pollen. Both daphnid species grew better in the presence of chytrid. Higher growth rates were associated with chytrid zoospores, rather than pollen or bacteria.

The nutritional quality of zoospores was higher than that of the pollen and comparable with that of the green algae Scenedesmus in terms of carbon to phosphorus ratios and fatty acid composition. The percentage of phosphorus from pollen grains used by chytrids was estimated to be 30%–60%, indicating that these organisms used the pollen efficiently. The growth efficiencies of daphnids that ingested zoospores were about 17%–47% and 6%–18%, in terms of carbon and phosphorus, respectively, reflecting substantial growth rates even at low‐food concentrations.

Hence, the release of chytrid zoospores transferring inedible pollen to zooplankton functions as a “mycoloop.” In freshwater systems, saprotrophic chytrid‐dependent mycoloops may play an important role in shaping aquatic food webs, especially where pollen deposition is significant.
Soil parent material—A major driver of plant nutrient limitations in terrestrial ecosystems
Authors: Augusto Laurent , Achat David L. , Jonard Mathieu , Vidal David , Ringeval Bruno
Published: March 2017

Because the capability of terrestrial ecosystems to fix carbon is constrained by nutrient availability, understanding how nutrients limit plant growth is a key contemporary question. However, what drives nutrient limitations at global scale remains to be clarified. Using global data on plant growth, plant nutritive status, and soil fertility, we investigated to which extent soil parent materials explain nutrient limitations. We found that N limitation was not linked to soil parent materials, but was best explained by climate: ecosystems under harsh (i.e., cold and or dry) climates were more N‐limited than ecosystems under more favourable climates. Contrary to N limitation, P limitation was not driven by climate, but by soil parent materials. The influence of soil parent materials was the result of the tight link between actual P pools of soils and physical–chemical properties (acidity, P richness) of soil parent materials. Some other ground‐related factors (i.e., soil weathering stage, landform) had a noticeable influence on P limitation, but their role appeared to be relatively smaller than that of geology. The relative importance of N limitation versus P limitation was explained by a combination of climate and soil parent material: at global scale, N limitation became prominent with increasing climatic constraints, but this global trend was modulated at lower scales by the effect of parent materials on P limitation, particularly under climates favourable to biological activity. As compared with soil parent materials, atmospheric deposition had only a weak influence on the global distribution of actual nutrient limitation. Our work advances our understanding of the distribution of nutrient limitation at global scale. In particular, it stresses the need to take soil parent materials into account when investigating plant growth response to environment changes.
Instrumentation Development forIn Situ40Ar/39Ar Planetary Geochronology
Authors: Morgan Leah E. , Munk Madicken , Davidheiser‐Kroll Brett , Warner Nicholas H. , Gupta Sanjeev , Slaybaugh Rachel , Harkness Patrick , Mark Darren F.
Published: March 2017

The chronology of the Solar System, particularly the timing of formation of extra‐terrestrial bodies and their features, is an outstanding problem in planetary science. Although various chronological methods forin situgeochronology have been proposed (e.g., Rb‐Sr, K‐Ar), and even applied (K‐Ar), the reliability, accuracy, and applicability of the40Ar/39Ar method makes it by far the most desirable chronometer for dating extra‐terrestrial bodies. The method however relies on the neutron irradiation of samples, and thus a neutron source. Herein, we discuss the challenges and feasibility of deploying a passive neutron source to planetary surfaces for thein situapplication of the40Ar/39Ar chronometer. Requirements in generating and shielding neutrons, as well as analysing samples are described, along with an exploration of limitations such as mass, power and cost. Two potential solutions for thein situextra‐terrestrial deployment of the40Ar/39Ar method are presented. Although this represents a challenging task, developing the technology to apply the40Ar/39Ar method on planetary surfaces would represent a major advance towards constraining the timescale of solar system formation and evolution.
An “Orphan” Creative Industry: Exploring the Institutional Factors Constraining the Canadian Fashion Industry
Authors: Brydges Taylor , Pugh Rhiannon
Published: March 2017

In recent years, tier‐two fashion countries have been making gains in the global fashion industry, with hip young brands, buzz‐worthy fashion weeks and export‐oriented designers. The Canadian fashion industry, on the other hand, continues to fall behind and instead has experienced recent high‐profile closures of leading domestic fashion names. This paper explores why this is the case by considering a wide range of factors from a historical and institutional perspective. We argue that Canadian fashion is facing a number of systemic problems relating to wider institutional and policy weaknesses, rather than a lack of talent and know‐how within the entrepreneurs and businesses in the sector. While the fashion industry is indeed global, we argue that it is in fact national and local level factors—political, economic, and cultural—that structure and constrain the Canadian fashion industry for independent designers. Through exploring the experiences of this group of actors—entrepreneurial fashion designers—in this particular context, we not only learn about Canada as an economy but also what is needed in order to develop the fashion industry more broadly. We provide a framework for analysing the range of socio‐economic, historical, and political factors at the national level which affect the performance of the fashion sector and the operation of fashion designers as the entrepreneurial actors at the heart of the industry.
Happiness in Higher Education
Authors: Elwick Alex , Cannizzaro Sara
Published: March 2017

This paper investigates the higher education literature surrounding happiness and related notions: satisfaction, despair, flourishing and well‐being. It finds that there is a real dearth of literature relating to profound happiness in higher education: much of the literature using the terms happiness and satisfaction interchangeably as if one were tantamount to the other, such conflation being due to the move towards consumerism within higher education and the marketisation of the sector. What literature there exists that actually deals with the profound happiness of students in higher education, generally argues that in the United Kingdom institutions do not currently do enough to promote happiness in higher education. These findings imply that flourishing, contentment and well‐being should be regarded as legitimate goals of higher education, alongside satisfaction and related economic outcomes that are currently promoted across academic and policy literature, university rankings and the National Student Survey.
Ballistic testing of surface‐treated alumina and silicon carbide with improved adhesive bond strength
Authors: Harris Andrew , Vaughan Bryan , Yeomans Julie , Smith Paul , Burnage Steve
Published: March 2017

The laser treatment of ceramics can lead to increased concentrations of hydroxyl ions on the surface, resulting in improved adhesive bond strength in quasi‐static tests. Whether the improvement can be translated to armor applications is investigated here. The ballistic testing of composite‐backed, surface‐treated, and nontreated “control” alumina and silicon carbide panels was undertaken. The failure locus of the ceramic to adhesive/composite joint and the qualitative degree of damage were assessed. Laser surface‐treated samples performed better than control samples, with silicon carbide moving from single shot to multi‐shot capability, thus giving significant advantages for the deployment of these materials.
Laser Zone Melting and microstructure of waveguide coatings obtained on soda‐lime glass
Authors: Rey‐García Francisco , Flores‐Arias María T. , Estepa Luis C. , Assenmacher Wilfried , Mader Werner , de la Fuente German F.
Published: March 2017

This study presents a Laser Zone Melting method with potential for producing planar waveguides at large scale, based on the surface coupling of two chemically compatible glass layers which exhibit distinct indices of refraction. The method is based on a recent patent, particularly applicable to process glass and ceramics with low thermal shock resistance. Glass coatings containing 76.24% by weight PbO are thus here reported, as obtained by this method on commercial soda‐lime planar glass substrates. Their higher indices of refraction (1.58 vs 1.52 for commercial soda‐lime glass) result in attractive waveguiding potential, as demonstrated with measurements using focused light from a He‐Ne laser beam. Scanning and transmission electron microscopy studies reveal excellent integration and compatibility between the observed coatings and substrates, where diffusion in the proximity of the interface was studied by EDS analysis. Crystalline phases have not been found within the coating, or within the substrate, as concluded from the absence of Bragg‐peaks in XRD experiments.
A multicenter study on PIVKA reference interval of healthy population and establishment of PIVKA cutoff value for hepatocellular carcinoma diagnosis in China
Authors: Qin X. , Tang G. , Gao R. , Guo Z. , Liu Z. , Yu S. , Chen M. , Tao Z. , Li S. , Liu M. , Wang L. , Hou L. , Xia L. , Cheng X. , Han J. , Qiu L.
Published: March 2017

Introduction

The aim of this study was to investigate the reference interval of protein‐induced vitamin K absence or antagonist‐II (PIVKA‐II) in China population and to evaluate its medical decision level for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) diagnosis.

Methods

To determine the reference range for Chinese individuals, a total of 855 healthy subjects in five typical regions of China were enrolled in this study to obtain a 95% reference interval. In a case–control study which recruited the subjects diagnosed with HCC, metastatic liver cancer, bile duct cancer, hepatitis, cirrhosis, other benign liver diseases and the subjects administrated anticoagulant, receiver operating characteristic analysis was used to determine PIVKA‐II cutoff value for a medical decision.

Results

The concentration of PIVKA‐II had no relationship with age or gender and that region was a significant factor associated with the level of PIVKA‐II. The 95% reference interval determined in this study for PIVKA‐II in Chinese healthy individuals was 28 mAU/mL, and the cutoff value which to distinguish patients with HCC from disease control groups is 36.5 mAU/mL.

Conclusion

In clinical applications, it is recommended that each laboratory chooses their own reference interval based on the regional population study or cutoff value for disease diagnosis.
Clinicopathologic and molecular characterization of myeloid neoplasms with isolated t(6;9)(p23;q34)
Authors: Visconte V. , Shetty S. , Przychodzen B. , Hirsch C. , Bodo J. , Maciejewski J. P. , Hsi E. D. , Rogers H. J.
Published: March 2017

Introduction

The t(6;9)(p23;q34);DEK‐NUP214 [t(6;9)] abnormality is found in 0.7–1.8% of patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML) or myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS). FLT3‐ITD mutations are detected in t(6;9) patients. The t(6;9) abnormality is associated with poor outcomes. We studied the clinicopathologic and molecular profiles of patients with AML/MDS carrying t(6;9).

Methods

We collected clinical data of nine patients with AML/MDS with isolated t(6;9) (median age = 41 years; male/female = 4/5) and genotyped DNAs using whole exome, Sanger, and targeted sequencing.

Results

Our cohort was characterized by frequent multilineage dysplasia (56%), absence of phospho‐STAT3/STAT5 expression, presence of myeloid markers (CD13, CD33, CD34, CD117, HLA‐DR) with an aberrant expression of CD7, and poor outcome (median survival of 20 months). Although basophilia has been described in association with t(6;9), we observed lack of marrow basophilia in our cohort. Molecularly, 83% (5/6) of patients with AML/MDS with t(6;9) were characterized by at least one somatic mutation. Among them, four patients showed multiple mutations. FLT3‐ITD mutations were detected in 33% of patients (2/6); 80% (4/5) of mutant patients died even after hematopoietic stem cell transplantation.

Conclusion

Our data demonstrated that AML/MDS patients with t(6;9) have diverse molecular mutations regardless of the presence of FLT3 mutations, which may contribute to their poor survival outcomes.
Lack of rivaroxaban influence on a prothrombinase‐based assay for the detection of activated C protein resistance: an Italian ex vivo and in vitro study in normal subjects and factor V Leiden carriers
Authors: Gessoni G. , Valverde S. , Valle L. , Gessoni F. , Caruso P. , Valle R.
Published: March 2017

Introduction

Activated protein C resistance (APCr) leads to hypercoagulability and is due, often but not exclusively, to Factor V Leiden (FVL). The aim of this study was to assess the ex vivo and in vitro interference of the direct factor Xa inhibitor rivaroxaban (RIV) on a prothrombinase‐based assay for APCr detection.

Methods

An ex vivo study was performed on fresh plasma samples obtained from 44 subjects with FV wild‐type and seven with FVL heterozygous, all treated with RIV. An in vitro study was performed on 15 plasma samples (six from normal subjects, six from heterozygous, and three from homozygous FVL carriers, all frozen specimens) spiked with RIV. RIV concentration was evaluated using a chromogenic assay, and APCr was evaluated by a prothrombinase‐based assay.

Results

No significant interference of RIV on APCr results obtained by a prothrombinase‐based assay was observed for drug concentrations up to 400 ng/mL in FV wild‐type and FVL carriers (homozygous and heterozygous). These results were confirmed both ex vivo and in vitro.

Conclusions

RIV did not significantly interfere with the prothrombinase‐based assay used for the assessment of APCr, and this was observed to occur independently of FV status. However, only concentrations up to 400 ng/mL were tested and, therefore, what occurs in the presence of higher doses remains to be investigated.
Physiological effects of repeated foliar application of magnetite nanoparticles on maize plants
Authors: Jalali M. , Ghanati F. , Modarres‐Sanavi A. M. , Khoshgoftarmanesh A. H.
Published: March 2017

Iron is an essential micronutrient which is highly unavailable for plants in calcareous soils. Although the application of nanoparticles (NPs) to plants has been recently implemented, their long‐term effects have not been studied yet. The objective of this study was to investigate whether the treatment of maize plants with 100 ppm iron nanoparticles (Fe‐NPs) through their life cycle would affect the development of the second generation. The plants were treated with or without 100 ppm of Fe‐NPs and 100 ppm of Fe‐Ch, and their seeds were planted to obtain the second generation. The latter were again treated with or without Fe‐NPs and Fe‐Ch, and the results of two generations were compared. In the first generation, Fe‐NPs treatments improved maize photosynthesis and hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) scavenging capacity and lowered the rate of membrane lipid peroxidation, compared to the control and Fe‐Ch‐treated plants. The improvement of calcium, Fe2+, total iron and ferritin contents was more pronounced in Fe‐NPs treatments. However, the second progeny of Fe‐NPs‐treated plants showed less biomass, lower contents of chlorophyll, protein and calcium, and lower H2O2 scavenging capacity but higher amount of total iron content, compared with the control group and the first generation. In comparison, no adverse effects on growth parameters were observed in the plants which were treated with Fe‐Ch for two subsequent generations, while their total iron and ferritin contents were remarkable. Due to the adverse effects of Fe‐NPs in the second generation, more caution in its application for consecutive years is recommended.
Synthesis of osmium borides by mechanochemical method
Authors: Long Ying , Zhang Jinyang , Zou Canhui , Lin Hua‐Tay , An Linan , Zhang Fenglin , Wang Chengyong
Published: March 2017

Transition metal osmium borides were synthesized by mechanochemical method using high‐energy ball‐milling with Os (Osmium) and B (Boron) powders as raw materials. The formation process, reaction mechanism, and thermal stability of the mechochemically synthesized osmium borides were studied. Almost pure Os2B3 phase was obtained when the Os‐to‐B molar ratio was 1:2; while ReB2‐type hexagonal OsB2 with a small amount of RuB2‐type orthorhombic OsB2 was obtained when the Os‐to‐B molar ratio was 1:3. Stoichiometry OsB2 was obtained from boron rich starting mixture powders due to the B loss during the high‐energy ball‐milling process. It was also found that WC and osmium oxide were present as contaminants after ball milling for 40 hours. Heat treatment results revealed that the as‐synthesized Os2B3 powders are thermally stable in flowing Ar up to 800°C, but a transformation from hexagonal to orthorhombic structure partially occurred for the OsB2 powders as low as 600°C.
Papua New Guinea terrestrial‐vertebrate richness: elevation matters most for all except reptiles
Authors: Tallowin Oliver , Allison Allen , Algar Adam C. , Kraus Fred , Meiri Shai
Published: March 2017

Aims

To examine species richness patterns in Papua New Guinea's terrestrial vertebrates and test for geographical congruence between the four classes, and between lizard and snake subgroups. To assess the environmental correlates of Papua New Guinean terrestrial‐vertebrate richness, and contrast effects of varying analytical resolution and correction for spatial autocorrelation. We predict congruence in the bird, mammal and to a lesser extent amphibian richness, with weak congruence or incongruence between reptiles and the other taxonomic groups. We further predict these patterns will stem from relative or in the case of reptiles dissimilar, correlative trends with environmental predictors such as elevation and temperature.

Location

Papua New Guinea.

Methods

Having created and updated distribution maps for reptiles, we compare them with known ranges of amphibians, birds and mammals and generate species richness grids at quarter‐, half‐ and one‐ degree spatial resolutions. We examine congruence in species richness between vertebrate groups and between reptile subgroups. We employed spreading‐dye models to simulate species richness according to eight environmental predictors and one random model. We accounted for spatial autocorrelation in all analyses.

Results

Papua New Guinean amphibian, bird and mammal species richness are spatially congruent, a trend which strengthens with decreasing spatial resolution. Reptiles and the lizard and snake subgroups reveal remarkably different spatial‐richness trends. Elevational predictors, particularly elevational range at coarse resolutions, provide the strongest correlates of species richness. Terrestrial‐vertebrate richness increases with elevation, whereas reptile richness decreases.

Main conclusions

Congruent species richness gradients in Papua New Guinea are observed in most terrestrial vertebrates, except reptiles. Topographic heterogeneity and associated climatic clines promote diversity in most terrestrial vertebrates but appear to strongly constrain reptile diversity. The topographical complexity and climatic stratification of tropical mountains clearly present a wealth of opportunities for diversification in most terrestrial vertebrate groups. As reptiles are strongly constrained by temperature, tropical mountains present more of a diversification barrier for them.
Text difficulty affects metacomprehension accuracy and knowledge test performance in text learning
Authors: Vössing J. , Stamov‐Roßnagel C. , Heinitz K.
Published: March 2017

Metacomprehension as reflected in judgements of one's learning is crucial for self‐regulated study, yet their accuracy is often low. We investigated text difficulty as a constraint on metacomprehension accuracy in text learning. A total of 235 participants studied a 10‐section expository text and afterwards took a knowledge test. They made judgements of learning after each section. Sections were of high, medium or low difficulty; we manipulated between participants the order of difficulty levels across sections. In blocked orders, texts in each block (sections 1–4; sections 5–6; sections 7–10) were of the same difficulty level. In mixed orders, difficulty varied throughout the learning unit either from easy to difficult or from difficult to easy. Our general tenet was that orders would trigger different extents of experience‐based processing and thus influence metacomprehension accuracy to different degrees. As hypothesized, accuracy was higher for blocked difficulty orders. Late‐section judgement magnitude decreased more strongly in the blocked groups. At the same time, late‐section judgement accuracy was higher in the blocked group. We discuss implications and limitations of the influence of fluctuations in text difficulty on judgements of learning accuracy together with some avenues for further research.

Lay Description

What is already known about this topic?

Metacomprehension as reflected in judgements of one's learning (JOL) is crucial for effective self‐regulated study.

JOL accuracy is often low.

Text difficulty appears to bias metacomprehension in topically non‐coherent series of texts.

What this paper adds?

This paper establishes text difficulty as a constraint on metacomprehension accuracy in topically coherent texts.

This paper explains text difficulty effects as different relative weights of experience‐based and theory‐based processing, respectively.

Implications for practice and/or policy:

Taking systematic text difficulty effects into account may help avoid unintended adverse effects of difficulty order on metacomprehension accuracy.

Arranging difficulty levels block‐wise may enhance experience‐based processing and thus judgement accuracy.

Additionally, with topically coherent texts, increasing difficulty across texts benefits performance in a later knowledge text.
RISK‐SHIFTING BEHAVIOR AT COMMERCIAL BANKS WITH DIFFERENT DEPOSIT INSURANCE ASSESSMENTS: FURTHER EVIDENCE FROM U.S. MARKETS
Authors: Chang Chuang‐Chang , Ho Ruey‐Jenn
Published: March 2017

In this article, we investigate both the risk‐shifting behavior of banks and the extent to which risk was controlled after the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation adopted a risk‐based assessment system in U.S. markets. The risk‐shifting behavior of commercial banks was significantly mitigated by the adoption of a risk‐based deposit insurance assessment system. The risk‐shifting incentive remains, especially for less capitalized or higher premium banks, which suggests that during 1992–2008, risk‐based assessments reduced but did not eliminate the moral hazard problem in banks. Moreover, the results reveal that larger banks did not risk shift more than did smaller banks following the 1991 deposit insurance reform.
INVESTMENT BANK EXPERTISE IN CROSS‐BORDER MERGERS AND ACQUISITIONS
Authors: Arena Matteo P. , Dewally Michaël
Published: March 2017

We study the influence of country expertise of investment banks in facilitating cross‐border merger deals by analyzing a large international sample of merger and acquisition (M&A) deals. We provide evidence that the geographical proximity, cultural affinity, and local experience of investment banks advising bidding firms on cross‐border M&A deals significantly increase the probability of completion of the deal, significantly decrease the time required to complete the deal, and significantly increase the operating performance of the acquiring firm after the deal. Our results are robust to firm, deal, country‐specific factors, and endogeneity concerns.
THE VALUE IN FUNDAMENTAL ACCOUNTING INFORMATION
Authors: Turtle H. J. , Wang Kainan
Published: March 2017

We examine the role of fundamental accounting information in shaping portfolio performance. Using a conditional performance approach, we address the concern that the positive relation between Piotroski's F Score and ex post returns is due to risk compensation. Our results show that portfolios of firms with strong fundamental underpinnings generate significant positive and time‐varying performance. One potential source of these performance gains is an underreaction to public information (such as momentum and F Score) when information uncertainty (proxied by size, illiquidity, and idiosyncratic volatility) is high. In addition, conditional performance benefits seem prevalent in periods of high investor sentiment.
Doing more while remaining the same? Flood risk governance in Poland
Authors: Matczak P. , Lewandowski J. , Choryński A. , Szwed M. , Kundzewicz Z.W.
Published: March 2017

This paper presents how the approaches to flood risk in Poland have evolved over the last 25 years. The reliance on structural defence and on the state as the key responsible actor was challenged by four triggering events: two large floods; the collapse of the communist system; and the European Union accession. The paper reveals that (1) the radical transformation of the political system did not lead to significant changes in flood risk governance; (2) changes in response to disastrous floods are incremental. Despite the pressures, the Polish flood risk governance preserved its core functional characteristics. Until the 1997 flood, it exhibited the exhaustion mode of institutional dynamics, with issue marginalisation and poor financing, while after this flood, the layering‐type mode prevailed, where innovative ideas were accommodated by the established system. The analysis of the Polish flood risk governance dynamics suggests that changes cannot be taken for granted, even facing significant pressures and windows of opportunities.
Opportunities, constraints, and choices for flood mitigation in rural areas: perspectives of municipalities in Massachusetts
Authors: Consoer M. , Milman A.
Published: March 2017

While a portfolio approach to flood mitigation that combines structural and non‐structural measures provides many benefits, in practice, the selection and implementation of flood mitigation measures is a complex process. This research examines the factors influencing the choice of flood mitigation measures by 27 rural municipalities in Western Massachusetts and the opportunities and constraints they face in implementing flood mitigation. The physical and institutional characteristics of these rural municipalities drive them to prioritise structural over non‐structural flood mitigation measures. Yet implementation of those measures is often hindered by state and federal regulations and by barriers to accessing state and federal assistance programmes. Consequently, the municipalities engage in reactionary and ancillary flood mitigation, and remain vulnerable to future flood events. These findings point to the importance of tailoring government policies and programmes to the specific context in which flood mitigation occurs, including the unique characteristics of rural municipalities.
Impact of the Economic Structure of Cities on Urban Scaling Factors: Implications for Urban Material and Energy Flows in China
Authors: Ramaswami Anu , Jiang Daqian , Tong Kangkang , Zhao Jerry
Published: March 2017

We explore the population‐scaling and gross domestic product (GDP)‐scaling relationships of material and energy flow (MEF) parameters in different city types based on economic structure. Using migration‐corrected population data, we classify 233 Chinese city propers (Shiqu) as “highly industrial” (share of secondary GDP exceeds 63.9%), “highly commercial” (share of tertiary GDP exceeds 52.6%), and “mixed‐economy” (the remaining cities). We find that, first, the GDP population‐scaling factors differ in the different city types. Highly commercial and mixed‐economy cities exhibit superlinear GDP population‐scaling factors greater than 1, whereas highly industrial cities are sublinear. Second, GDP scaling better correlates with city‐wide MEF parameters in Chinese cities; these scaling relationships also show differences by city typology. Third, highly commercial cities are significantly different from others in demonstrating greater average per capita household income creation relative to per capita GDP. Further, highly industrial cities show an apparent cap in population. This also translates to lower densities in highly industrial cities compared to other types, showing a size effect on urban population density. Finally, a multiple variable regression of total household electricity showed significant and positive correlation with population, income effect, and urban form effect. With such multivariate modeling, the apparent superlinearity of household electricity use with respect to population is no longer observed. Our study enhances understanding of MEFs associated with Chinese cities and provides new insights into the patterns of scaling observed in different city types by economic structure. Results recommend dual scaling by GDP and by population for MEF parameters and suggest caution in applying universal scaling factors to all cities in a country.