bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Plant hydraulics as a central hub integrating plant and ecosystem function: meeting report for ‘Emerging Frontiers in Plant Hydraulics’ (Washington, DC, May 2015)
Authors: Sack Lawren , Ball Marilyn C. , Brodersen Craig , Davis Stephen D. , Des Marais David L. , Donovan Lisa A. , Givnish Thomas J. , Hacke Uwe G. , Huxman Travis , Jansen Steven , Jacobsen Anna L. , Johnson Daniel M. , Koch George W. , Maurel Christophe , McCulloh Katherine A. , McDowell Nate G. , McElrone Andrew , Meinzer Frederick C. , Melcher Peter J. , North Gretchen , Pellegrini Matteo , Pockman William T. , Pratt R. Brandon , Sala Anna , Santiago Louis S. , Savage Jessica A. , Scoffoni Christine , Sevanto Sanna , Sperry John , Tyerman Stephen D. , Way Danielle , Holbrook N. Michele
Published: April 2016

Water plays a central role in plant biology and the efficiency of water transport throughout the plant affects both photosynthetic rate and growth, an influence that scales up deterministically to the productivity of terrestrial ecosystems. Moreover, hydraulic traits mediate the ways in which plants interact with their abiotic and biotic environment. At landscape to global scale, plant hydraulic traits are important in describing the function of ecological communities and ecosystems. Plant hydraulics is increasingly recognized as a central hub within a network by which plant biology is connected to palaeobiology, agronomy, climatology, forestry, community and ecosystem ecology and earth‐system science. Such grand challenges as anticipating and mitigating the impacts of climate change, and improving the security and sustainability of our food supply rely on our fundamental knowledge of how water behaves in the cells, tissues, organs, bodies and diverse communities of plants. A workshop, ‘Emerging Frontiers in Plant Hydraulics’ supported by the National Science Foundation, was held in Washington DC, 2015 to promote open discussion of new ideas, controversies regarding measurements and analyses, and especially, the potential for expansion of up‐scaled and down‐scaled inter‐disciplinary research, and the strengthening of connections between plant hydraulic research, allied fields and global modelling efforts.
Genetic background and environmental conditions drive metabolic variation in wild type and transgenic soybean (Glycine max) seeds
Authors: Cohen Hagai , Shir Ofer M. , Yu Yang , Hou Wensheng , Sun Shi , Han Tianfu , Amir Rachel
Published: April 2016

The metabolic profiles and composition of storage reserves of agricultural crop seeds are strongly regulated by heritable and environmental factors. Yet, very little is known about the genetic and environmental determinants of adaptive metabolic variation amongst wild type as well as transgenic seed populations derived from the same genetic background, grown under natural field conditions. The goal of the current study was to investigate the effects of natural environmental conditions on wild type and transgenic soybean seeds expressing a feedback‐insensitive form of cystathionine γ‐synthase, a methionine main regulatory enzyme. The seeds were grown in four geographically distinct habitats in China and then assayed for primary metabolic profiles using gas chromatography mass spectrometry, morphological traits and storage reserve accumulation. The analyses revealed changes in the levels of primary metabolites which evidently exhibited high correlation to methionine regardless of changes in environmental conditions. The environment, however, constituted a major determinant of metabolic profiles amongst seeds, as much more metabolites were observed to be affected by this variable, particularly along the north‐to‐south latitudinal gradient. The observations suggest that metabolic variation amongst seeds grown under natural field conditions depends upon the complex relationships existing amongst their genetic background and the environmental conditions characterizing their cultivation areas.
Arterial oxygen saturation and heart rate after birth in newborns with and without maternal bonding
Authors: Bancalari Aldo , Araneda Heriberto , Echeverría Patricia , Alvear Marina , Romero Luzmira
Published: April 2016

Background

The aim of this study was to determine and compare changes in arterial oxygen saturation (SpO2) and heart rate (HR) in healthy term infants with and without maternal bonding.

Method

This was a prospective observational study in healthy term infants. SpO2 and HR were recorded from 1 to 10 min after birth. After this, SpO2 and HR were registered at 15, 30 and 60 min and then at 12 and 24 h after birth. SpO2 and HR were measured with a pulse oximeter.

Results

A total of 216 healthy term infants were divided into three different groups: 136 (63%) born by vaginal delivery, 56 (26%) born by cesarean section with bonding, and 24 (11%) born by cesarean section without bonding. No difference in SpO2 was found in babies born by cesarean section with or without maternal bonding. In neonates delivered vaginally, SpO2 was significantly higher during the first 10 min after birth than in neonates born by cesarean section with bonding (P < 0.05). Compared with infants born by cesarean section without bonding, this tendency was not significant. In general, HR was similar across groups, although, for infants born by cesarean section, neonates who received bonding had lower HR from 6 to 8 min (P < 0.05).

Conclusions

In healthy term newborns, maternal bonding in infants born by cesarean section did not have effects on SpO2. Some differences were observed in HR between infants born by cesarean section with and without bonding.
Sporulation potential, symptom expression and detection of Phytophthora ramorum on larch needles and other foliar hosts
Authors: Harris A. R. , Webber J. F.
Published: April 2016

Phytophthora ramorum has caused extensive dieback and mortality of commercially grown Japanese larch (Larix kaempferi) in many parts of the UK, as infected foliage generates spores that then cause bark lesions and girdling cankers on trees. Following inoculation, individual needles of Japanese, European (L. decidua) and hybrid (L. × eurolepis) larch infected with P. ramorum can produce thousands of sporangia. Mean numbers of sporangia ranged from 806 to 1778 per cm2 (hybrid larch and Japanese larch, respectively), surpassing mean sporulation levels on foliar hosts previously associated with P. ramorum outbreaks in Britain, namely Rhododendron ponticum, Castanea sativa and Vaccinium myrtillus. Sporulation on larch even exceeded that of California bay laurel (Umbellularia californica), which drives the sudden oak death epidemic in California. Inoculation of foliage selected at different times of year revealed that foliage age significantly affected sporulation levels, but this varied with host species. However, symptom development and sporulation were often not correlated. Symptoms on larch were frequently insignificant or even absent at certain times of year, with sometimes the only evidence of infection being the emergence of sporangia from needles, without any sign of discolouration or necrosis. Plating infected but symptomless needles onto Phytophthora selective medium also often failed to yield the pathogen. Symptomless infection of larch needles apparently occurs, but is only detectable with microscopy. More generally, it is suggested that diagnosis of Phytophthora infection in conifers is often underestimated due to isolation difficulties and delayed symptom expression.
Telehealth to improve asthma control in pregnancy: A randomized controlled trial
Authors: Zairina Elida , Abramson Michael J. , McDonald Christine F. , Li Jonathan , Dharmasiri Thanuja , Stewart Kay , Walker Susan P. , Paul Eldho , George Johnson
Published: April 2016

Background and objective

Poorly controlled asthma during pregnancy is hazardous for both mother and foetus. Better asthma control may be achieved if patients are involved in regular self‐monitoring of symptoms and self‐management according to a written asthma action plan. Telehealth applications to optimize asthma management and outcomes in pregnant women have not yet been evaluated. This study evaluated the efficacy of a telehealth programme supported by a handheld respiratory device in improving asthma control during pregnancy.

Methods

Pregnant women with asthma (n = 72) from two antenatal clinics in Melbourne, Australia, were randomized to one of two groups: (i) intervention—involving a telehealth programme (management of asthma with supportive telehealth of respiratory function in pregnancy (MASTERY©)) supported by a handheld respiratory device and an Android smart phone application (Breathe‐easy©) and written asthma action plan or (ii) control—usual care. The primary outcome was change in asthma control at 3 and 6 months (prenatal). Secondary outcomes included changes in quality of life and lung function, and perinatal/neonatal outcomes.

Results

At baseline, participants' mean (± standard deviation) age was 31.4 ± 4.5 years and gestational age 16.7 ± 3.1 weeks. At 6 months, the MASTERY group had better asthma control (P = 0.02) and asthma‐related quality of life (P = 0.002) compared with usual care. There were no significant differences between groups in lung function, unscheduled health‐care visits, days off work/study, oral corticosteroid use, or perinatal outcomes. Differences between groups were not significant at 3 months.

Conclusion

Telehealth interventions supporting self‐management are feasible and could potentially improve asthma control and asthma‐related quality of life during pregnancy.
Real‐time variable‐rate herbicide application for weed control in carrots
Authors: Dammer K‐H
Published: April 2016

A camera sensor for precision weed control in arable fields has been developed at the Leibniz Institute for Agricultural Engineering. For herbicide spraying in carrots, the sensor was positioned at the front three‐point linkage of a tractor and was operated between carrot rows. In field trials in 2 years, real‐time (online) technology in which sensing and spraying were performed in one step was evaluated in comparison with a conventional uniform spraying application. The spray volume was linearly adjusted to the camera‐detected weed coverage level from a minimum of 200 L ha−1if no weeds were present to a maximum of 400 L ha−1. The herbicide savings were 30% in 2007 and 34%, 43% and 36% for each of three applications in 2010. There were no significant differences between the camera‐based and conventional spraying approaches with regard to yield parameters, total carrot weight and weight of marketable carrots. Regarding the weed control efficiency of the camera‐based spraying procedure in the 2010 experiment, no trend was observed between the weed coverage and the application rate of the previous spraying.
Biochemical and Structural Characterizations of Two Dictyostelium Cellobiohydrolases from the Amoebozoa Kingdom Reveal a High Level of Conservation between Distant Phylogenetic Trees of Life
Authors: Hobdey Sarah E. , Knott Brandon C. , Haddad Momeni Majid , Taylor Larry E. , Borisova Anna S. , Podkaminer Kara K. , VanderWall Todd A. , Himmel Michael E. , Decker Stephen R. , Beckham Gregg T. , Ståhlberg Jerry
Published: April 2016

Glycoside hydrolase family 7 (GH7) cellobiohydrolases (CBHs) are enzymes commonly employed in plant cell wall degradation across eukaryotic kingdoms of life, as they provide significant hydrolytic potential in cellulose turnover. To date, many fungal GH7 CBHs have been examined, yet many questions regarding structure-activity relationships in these important natural and commercial enzymes remain. Here, we present the crystal structures and a biochemical analysis of two GH7 CBHs from social amoeba:Dictyostelium discoideumCel7A (DdiCel7A) andDictyostelium purpureumCel7A (DpuCel7A).DdiCel7A andDpuCel7A natively consist of a catalytic domain and do not exhibit a carbohydrate-binding module (CBM). The structures ofDdiCel7A andDpuCel7A, resolved to 2.1 Å and 2.7 Å, respectively, are homologous to those of other GH7 CBHs with an enclosed active-site tunnel. Two primary differences between theDictyosteliumCBHs and the archetypal model GH7 CBH,Trichoderma reeseiCel7A (TreCel7A), occur near the hydrolytic active site and the product-binding sites. To compare the activities of these enzymes with the activity ofTreCel7A, the family 1TreCel7A CBM and linker were added to the C terminus of each of theDictyosteliumenzymes, creatingDdiCel7ACBMandDpuCel7ACBM, which were recombinantly expressed inT. reesei.DdiCel7ACBMandDpuCel7ACBMhydrolyzed Avicel, pretreated corn stover, and phosphoric acid-swollen cellulose as efficiently asTreCel7A when hydrolysis was compared at their temperature optima. TheKiof cellobiose was significantly higher forDdiCel7ACBMandDpuCel7ACBMthan forTreCel7A: 205, 130, and 29 μM, respectively. Taken together, the present study highlights the remarkable degree of conservation of the activity of these key natural and industrial enzymes across quite distant phylogenetic trees of life.

IMPORTANCEGH7 CBHs are among the most important cellulolytic enzymes both in nature and for emerging industrial applications for cellulose breakdown. Understanding the diversity of these key industrial enzymes is critical to engineering them for higher levels of activity and greater stability. The present work demonstrates that two GH7 CBHs from social amoeba are surprisingly quite similar in structure and activity to the canonical GH7 CBH from the model biomass-degrading fungusT. reeseiwhen tested under equivalent conditions (with added CBM-linker domains) on an industrially relevant substrate.
Mycoplasma agalactiae Secretion of β-(1→6)-Glucan, a Rare Polysaccharide in Prokaryotes, Is Governed by High-Frequency Phase Variation
Authors: Gaurivaud P. , Baranowski E. , Pau-Roblot C. , Sagné E. , Citti C. , Tardy F.
Published: April 2016

Mycoplasmas are minimal, wall-less bacteria but have retained the ability to secrete complex carbohydrate polymers that constitute a glycocalyx. In members of the
Mycoplasma mycoides
cluster, which are important ruminant pathogens, the glycocalyx includes both cell-attached and cell-free polysaccharides. This report explores the potential secretion of polysaccharides by
M. agalactiae
, another ruminant pathogen that belongs to a distant phylogenetic group. Comparative genomic analyses showed that
M. agalactiae
possesses all the genes required for polysaccharide secretion. Notably, a putative synthase gene (
gsmA
) was identified, by
in silico
reconstruction of the biosynthetic pathway, that could be involved in both polymerization and export of the carbohydrate polymers.
M. agalactiae
polysaccharides were then purified
in vitro
and found to be mainly cell attached, with a linear β-(1→6)-glucopyranose structure [β-(1→6)-glucan]. Secretion of β-(1→6)-glucan was further shown to rely on the presence of a functional
gsmA
gene, whose expression is subjected to high-frequency phase variation. This event is governed by the spontaneous intraclonal variation in length of a poly(G) tract located in the
gsmA
coding sequence and was shown to occur in most of the
M. agalactiae
clinical isolates tested in this study.
M. agalactiae
susceptibility to serum-killing activity appeared to be dictated by ON/OFF switching of β-(1→6)-glucan secretion, suggesting a role of this phenomenon in survival of the pathogen when it invades the host bloodstream. Finally, β-(1→6)-glucan secretion was not restricted to
M. agalactiae
but was detected also in
M. mycoides
subsp.
capri
PG3
T
, another pathogen of small ruminants.

IMPORTANCE
Many if not all bacteria are able to secrete polysaccharides, either attached to the cell surface or exported unbound into the extracellular environment. Both types of polysaccharides can play a role in bacterium-host interactions. Mycoplasmas are no exception despite their poor overall metabolic capacity. We showed here that
M. agalactiae
secretes a capsular β-(1→6)-glucopyranose thanks to a specific glycosyltransferase with synthase activity. This secretion is governed by high-frequency ON/OFF phase variation that might be crucial in mycoplasma host dissemination, as cell-attached β-(1→6)-glucopyranose increases serum-killing susceptibility. Our results provide functional genetic data about mycoplasmal glycosyltransferases with dual functions, i.e., assembly and export of the sugar polymers across the cell membrane. Furthermore, we demonstrated that nonprotein epitopes can be subjected to surface antigenic variation in mycoplasmas. Finally, the present report contributes to unravel the role of secreted polysaccharides in the virulence and pathogenicity of these peculiar bacteria.
Models for Integrating Medical Acupuncture into Practice: An Exploratory Qualitative Study of Physicians— Experiences
Authors: Crumley Ellen T
Published: April 2016

Background

Internationally, physicians are integrating medical acupuncture into their practice. Although there are some informative surveys and reviews, there are few international, exploratory studies detailing how physicians have accommodated medical acupuncture (eg, by modifying schedules, space and processes).

Objective

To examine how physicians integrate medical acupuncture into their practice.

Methods

Semi-structured interviews and participant observations of physicians practising medical acupuncture were conducted using convenience and snowball sampling. Data were analysed in NVivo and themes were developed. Despite variation, three principal models were developed to summarise the different ways that physicians integrated medical acupuncture into their practice, using the core concept of ‘helping’. Quotes were used to illustrate each model and its corresponding themes.

Results

There were 25 participants from 11 countries: 21 agreed to be interviewed and four engaged in participant observations. Seventy-two per cent were general practitioners. The three models were: (1) appointments (44%); (2) clinics (44%); and (3) full-time practice (24%). Some physicians held both appointments and regular clinics (models 1 and 2). Most full-time physicians initially tried appointments and/or clinics. Some physicians charged to offset administration costs or compensate for their time.

Discussion

Despite variation within each category, the three models encapsulated how physicians described their integration of medical acupuncture. Physicians varied in how often they administered medical acupuncture and the amount of time they spent with patients. Although 24% of physicians surveyed administered medical acupuncture full-time, most practised it part-time. Each individual physician incorporated medical acupuncture in the way that worked best for their practice.
Molecular genetic analysis of patients with sporadic and X-linked infantile nystagmus
Authors: Zhao Hui , Huang Xiu-Feng , Zheng Zhi-Li , Deng Wen-Li , Lei Xin-Lan , Xing Dong-Jun , Ye Liang , Xu Su-Zhong , Chen Jie , Zhang Fang , Yu Xin-Ping , Jin Zi-Bing
Published: April 2016

Objectives

Infantile nystagmus (IN) is a genetically heterogeneous condition characterised by involuntary rhythmic oscillations of the eyes accompanied by different degrees of vision impairment. Two genes have been identified as mainly causing IN:FRMD7andGPR143. The aim of our study was to identify the genetic basis of both sporadic IN and X-linked IN.

Design

Prospective analysis.

Patients

Twenty Chinese patients, including 15 sporadic IN cases and 5 from X-linked IN families, were recruited and underwent molecular genetic analysis. We first performed PCR-based DNA sequencing of the entire coding region and the splice junctions of theFRMD7andGPR143genes in participants. Mutational analysis and co-segregation confirmation were then performed.

Setting

All clinical examinations and genetic experiments were performed in the Eye Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University.

Results

Two mutations in theFRMD7gene, including one novel nonsense mutation (c.1090C>T, p.Q364X) and one reported missense mutation (c.781C>G, p.R261G), were identified in two of the five (40%) X-linked IN families. However, none of putative mutations were identified inFRMD7orGPR143in any of the sporadic cases.

Conclusions

The results suggest that mutations inFRMD7appeared to be the major genetic cause of X-linked IN, but not of sporadic IN. Our findings provide further insights intoFRMD7mutations, which could be helpful for future genetic diagnosis and genetic counselling of Chinese patients with nystagmus.
Transient Duodenal Erosions in Association with Superior Mesenteric Ischemia
Authors: MacIntosh D.G. , Leddin D.J.
Published: April 2016

A 41 -year-old male was seen with complaints of periumbilical pain and weight loss Physical examination, radiological and colonoscopic examinations were unremarkable upper endoscopy revealed aphthous ulcers of the antrum and duodenum at repeat endoscopy two weeks later the erosions had spontaneously healed. Mesenteric angiography revealed occlusion of the superior mesenteric artery and an aberrant right hepatic artery arising distal to the superior mesenteric stenosis A surgical revascularization procedure was performed at which time occlusion of the inferior mesenteric artery was documented. The patient is now 18 months post surgery and entirely asymptomatic.
Intrahepatic False Aneurysm: A Complication of Needle Biopsy
Authors: Cole C. Wm , Lorimer John , Le Grand-Westfall Lorraine B.
Published: April 2016

Two months following intraoperative needle biopsy using a Tru-cut needle, the patient returned with a false aneurysm in the left lobe of the liver. Treatment consisted of complete excision of the lesion by left hepatic segmentectomy. The authors discuss therapeutic options for this unusual entity.
An Undescribed Monteggia Type 3 Equivalent Lesion: Lateral Dislocation of Radial Head with Both-Bone Forearm Fracture
Authors: Kara Adnan , Kayaalp Mahmut Enes , İşyar Mehmet , Sever Cem , Malkoç Melih , Mahiroğulları Mahir
Published: April 2016

Monteggia fractures are accepted as hard-to-recognize and easy-to-handle fractures. Adequate radiographic investigations and clinical examinations are necessities. This case holds unique features involving diagnosis and treatment. In this case, the radial head was dislocated laterally while both bones were fractured in the proximal diaphysis, being the first to be mentioned in the literature. Closed reduction of the ulna is the preferred method of handling and almost always results in reduction of the radial head. Literature obligates ulnar reduction as a preliminary to reduce and stabilize the radial head. Closed reduction reduced the ulna but the radial head was not reduced. Hence an intramedullary K-wire was used to reduce the radial head and a long arm cast was used to stabilize the reduction. The operation was successful and follow-up showed no complications.
IL6 Blockade Reprograms the Lung Tumor Microenvironment to Limit the Development and Progression of K-ras–Mutant Lung Cancer
Authors: Caetano Mauricio S. , Zhang Huiyuan , Cumpian Amber M. , Gong Lei , Unver Nese , Ostrin Edwin J. , Daliri Soudabeh , Chang Seon Hee , Ochoa Cesar E. , Hanash Samir , Behrens Carmen , Wistuba Ignacio I. , Sternberg Cinthya , Kadara Humam , Ferreira Carlos Gil , Watowich Stephanie S. , Moghaddam Seyed Javad
Published: April 2016

Activating mutations of K-ras are the most common oncogenic alterations found in lung cancer. Unfortunately, attempts to target K-ras–mutant lung tumors have thus far failed, clearly indicating the need for new approaches in patients with this molecular profile. We have previously shown NF-κB activation, release of IL6, and activation of its responsive transcription factor STAT3 in K-ras–mutant lung tumors, which was further amplified by the tumor-enhancing effect of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)-type airway inflammation. These findings suggest an essential role for this inflammatory pathway in K-ras–mutant lung tumorigenesis and its enhancement by COPD. Therefore, here we blocked IL6 using a monoclonal anti-IL6 antibody in a K-ras–mutant mouse model of lung cancer in the absence or presence of COPD-type airway inflammation. IL6 blockade significantly inhibited lung cancer promotion, tumor cell–intrinsic STAT3 activation, tumor cell proliferation, and angiogenesis markers. Moreover, IL6 inhibition reduced expression of protumor type 2 molecules (arginase 1, Fizz 1, Mgl, and IDO), number of M2-type macrophages and granulocytic myeloid-derived suppressor cells, and protumor T-regulatory/Th17 cell responses. This was accompanied by increased expression of antitumor type 1 molecule (Nos2), and antitumor Th1/CD8 T-cell responses. Our study demonstrates that IL6 blockade not only has direct intrinsic inhibitory effect on tumor cells, but also reeducates the lung microenvironment toward an antitumor phenotype by altering the relative proportion between protumor and antitumor immune cells. This information introduces IL6 as a potential druggable target for prevention and treatment of K-ras–mutant lung tumors. Cancer Res; 76(11); 3189–99. ©2016 AACR.
Proteomic Profiling Identifies PTK2/FAK as a Driver of Radioresistance in HPV-negative Head and Neck Cancer
Authors: Skinner Heath D. , Giri Uma , Yang Liang , Woo Sang Hyeok , Story Michael D. , Pickering Curtis R. , Byers Lauren A. , Williams Michelle D. , El-Naggar Adel , Wang Jing , Diao Lixia , Shen Li , Fan You Hong , Molkentine David P. , Beadle Beth M. , Meyn Raymond E. , Myers Jeffrey N. , Heymach John V.
Published: April 2016

Purpose: Head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) is commonly treated with radiotherapy, and local failure after treatment remains the major cause of disease-related mortality. To date, human papillomavirus (HPV) is the only known clinically validated, targetable biomarkers of response to radiation in HNSCC.

Experimental Design: We performed proteomic and transcriptomic analysis of targetable biomarkers of radioresistance in HPV-negative HNSCC cell lines in vitro, and tested whether pharmacologic blockade of candidate biomarkers sensitized cells to radiotherapy. Candidate biomarkers were then investigated in several independent cohorts of patients with HNSCC.

Results: Increased expression of several targets was associated with radioresistance, including FGFR, ERK1, EGFR, and focal adhesion kinase (FAK), also known as PTK2. Chemical inhibition of PTK2/FAK, but not FGFR, led to significant radiosensitization with increased G2–M arrest and potentiated DNA damage. PTK2/FAK overexpression was associated with gene amplification in HPV-negative HNSCC cell lines and clinical tumors. In two independent cohorts of patients with locally advanced HPV-negative HNSCC, PTK2/FAK amplification was highly associated with poorer disease-free survival (DFS; P = 0.012 and 0.034). PTK2/FAK mRNA expression was also associated with worse DFS (P = 0.03). Moreover, both PTK2/FAK mRNA (P = 0.021) and copy number (P = 0.063) were associated with DFS in the Head and Neck Cancer subgroup of The Cancer Genome Atlas.

Conclusions: Proteomic analysis identified PTK2/FAK overexpression is a biomarker of radioresistance in locally advanced HNSCC, and PTK2/FAK inhibition radiosensitized HNSCC cells. Combinations of PTK2/FAK inhibition with radiotherapy merit further evaluation as a therapeutic strategy for improving local control in HPV-negative HNSCC. Clin Cancer Res; 22(18); 4643–50. ©2016 AACR.
Mixture IRT Model With a Higher-Order Structure for Latent Traits
Authors: Huang Hung-Yu
Published: April 2016

Mixture item response theory (IRT) models have been suggested as an efficient method of detecting the different response patterns derived from latent classes when developing a test. In testing situations, multiple latent traits measured by a battery of tests can exhibit a higher-order structure, and mixtures of latent classes may occur on different orders and influence the item responses of examinees from different classes. This study aims to develop a new class of higher-order mixture IRT models by integrating mixture IRT models and higher-order IRT models to address these practical concerns. The proposed higher-order mixture IRT models can accommodate both linear and nonlinear models for latent traits and incorporate diverse item response functions. The Rasch model was selected as the item response function, metric invariance was assumed in the first simulation study, and multiparameter IRT models without an assumption of metric invariance were used in the second simulation study. The results show that the parameters can be recovered fairly well using WinBUGS with Bayesian estimation. A larger sample size resulted in a better estimate of the model parameters, and a longer test length yielded better individual ability recovery and latent class membership recovery. The linear approach outperformed the nonlinear approach in the estimation of first-order latent traits, whereas the opposite was true for the estimation of the second-order latent trait. Additionally, imposing identical factor loadings between the second- and first-order latent traits by fitting the mixture bifactor model resulted in biased estimates of the first-order latent traits and item parameters. Finally, two empirical analyses are provided as an example to illustrate the applications and implications of the new models.
Challenges to Healthy Eating Practices
Authors: Lee Loretta T. , Willig Amanda L. , Agne April A. , Locher Julie L. , Cherrington Andrea L.
Published: April 2016

Purpose

The purpose of this study was to explore current dietary practices and perceived barriers to healthy eating in non-Hispanic black men with type 2 diabetes.

Methods

Four 90-minute focus groups held in September and October 2011 were led by a trained moderator with a written guide to facilitate discussion on dietary practices and barriers to healthy eating. Participants were recruited from the diabetes database at a public safety-net health system in Jefferson County, Alabama. Two-independent reviewers performed content analysis to identify major themes using a combined deductive and inductive approach.

Results

There were 34 male participants aged 18 years and older. Mean years living with diabetes was 9.6 ± 5.9. Sixty-two percent of participants perceived themselves to be in fair or poor health. Participants’ self-reported eating practices did not always relate to hunger. Internal cues to eat included habit and response to emotions, and external cues to eat included media messaging, medication regimens, and work schedules. Men identified multiple barriers to healthy eating including hard-to-break habits, limited resources and availability of food at home and in neighborhood grocery stores, and perceived poor communication with health care professionals.

Conclusion

Non-Hispanic black men acknowledged the importance of healthy eating as part of diabetes self-management but reported various internal and external challenges that present barriers to healthy eating. Tailored strategies to overcome barriers to healthy eating among non-Hispanic black men should be developed and tested for their impact on diabetes self-management.
Ascorbylperoxide Contaminating Parenteral Nutrition Is Associated With Bronchopulmonary Dysplasia or Death in Extremely Preterm Infants
Authors: Mohamed Ibrahim , Elremaly Wesam , Rouleau Thérèse , Lavoie Jean‐Claude
Published: April 2016

Background: Ascorbylperoxide (AscOOH) is a hydrogen peroxide–dependent by‐product of ascorbic acid that contaminates parenteral nutrition. In a guinea pig model, it caused oxidized redox potential, increased apoptosis, and decreased alveolarization. AscOOH detoxification is carried out by glutathione peroxidase (GPX). We hypothesize that extremely preterm infants have limited capacity for AscOOH detoxification. Our objective was to determine if there is an association between an early level of urinary AscOOH and later development of bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) or death. Materials and Methods: This prospective cohort study included 51 infants at <29 weeks of gestation. Baseline clinical characteristics and clinical outcomes data were collected. Urine samples were collected on days 3, 5, and 7 of life for urinary AscOOH. Blood samples on day 7 were collected for total plasma glutathione, GPX, and glutathione reductase. χ2, Student's t test, Spearman correlation (r), linear regression (adjusted r2), and repeated‐measure analysis of variance were used as appropriate. P < .05 was considered significant. Results: Urinary AscOOH increased over time (P = .001) and was higher in infants who later developed BPD or died (P = .037). Compared with adults and full‐term infants, total plasma glutathione concentration was low (median, 1.02 µmol/L; 25th–75th percentiles, 0.49–1.76 µmol/L), whereas GPX and glutathione reductase activities were sufficient (3.98 ± 1.25 and 0.36 ± 0.01 nmol/min/mg of protein, respectively). Conclusion: Extremely preterm infants have low glutathione levels, which limit their capacity to detoxify AscOOH. Higher first‐week urinary AscOOH levels are associated with an increased incidence of BPD or death.
Crypto and empire: the contradictions of counter-surveillance advocacy
Authors: Gürses Seda , Kundnani Arun , Van Hoboken Joris
Published: April 2016

Since Edward Snowden’s revelations of US and UK surveillance programs, privacy advocates, progressive security engineers, and policy makers have been seeking to win majority support for countering surveillance. The problem is framed as the replacement of targeted surveillance with mass surveillance programs, and the solutions put forward are predominantly technical and involve the use of encryption – or ‘crypto’ – as a defense mechanism. The counter-surveillance movement is timely and deserves widespread support. However, as this article will argue and illustrate, raising the specter of an Orwellian system of mass surveillance, shifting the discussion to the technical domain, and couching that shift in economic terms undermine a political reading that would attend to the racial, gendered, classed, and colonial aspects of the surveillance programs. Our question is as follows: how can this specific discursive framing of counter-surveillance be re-politicized and broadened to enable a wider societal debate informed by the experiences of those subjected to targeted surveillance and associated state violence?
Strategies for Enhancing “Person Knowledge” in an Older People Care Setting
Authors: Dewar Belinda , Kennedy Catriona
Published: April 2016

This article presents findings from a study about compassionate care—the development of person knowledge in a medical ward caring for older people. Appreciative inquiry, an approach to research that focuses on discovering what works well and implementing strategies to help these aspects happen most of the time, was used. Staff, patients, and families participated in this study, which used a range of methods to generate data including interviews and observations. Immersion/crystallization was used to analyze these data using a reflexive and continuous approach to extracting and validating data. Findings uncovered that knowledge of the person and ways of promoting this were key dimensions of compassionate caring. The attributes of “caring conversations” emerged through the analysis process, which we suggest are crucial to developing person knowledge. The political and public focus on compassionate care makes it opportune to raise discussion around this form of knowledge in academic and practice debates.
From biopolitics to bioeconomies: The ART of (re-)producing white futures in Mexico's surrogacy market
Authors: Schurr Carolin
Published: April 2016

Reproduction has been the privileged site of post-colonial eugenic politics through which the future national body is regulated in racial terms. Nikolas Rose argues that new forms of liberal eugenics have replaced traditional state biopolitics. In the current bioeconomy, it is no longer the state but active consumers that make (racialized) reproductive choices. The market of assisted reproductive technologies (ART) in Mexico serves as an empirical case to argue that the liberal eugenics practiced in this market recasts rather than replaces traditional state biopolitics. This becomes evident in (1) the racialized access to surrogacy programs in Mexico and (2) in giving higher value to white sex cells, while (3) devaluing the genetic traits of non-white women through the selection and classification processes of reproductive laborers. Analyzing the transnational geographies of surrogacy markets in Mexico, the article investigates how future bodies are whitened through biomedical practices and consumer choices that are shaped by and simultaneously reinforce (post-)colonial imaginaries of white desirability.
Self-disclosure to parents in emerging adulthood
Authors: Jiang L. Crystal , Yang Ian Ming , Wang Chengjun
Published: April 2016

The parent–child relationship normally experiences a significant change during the transition from adolescence to adulthood. However, there is much left to understand about how this transition affects and is affected by the communication between parents and emerging adults. A survey conducted among 490 Hong Kong university students examined their self-disclosure to their parents as an interpersonal process centered on perceived parental responsiveness and the role of separation–individuation in this self-disclosure process. The results support the idea that perceived parental responsiveness mediates the link between self-disclosure and relationship quality in the context of parent–child relationships. Dysfunctional independence predicts less self-disclosure, perceptions of less parental responsiveness, and poorer parent–child relationship quality. Significant gender differences were found on dysfunctional independence, self-disclosure, perceived parental responsiveness, and parent–child relationship quality. Young women with dysfunctional dependence disclosed less positive information, perhaps driven by an excessive need for attention and care.
Cross-cultural adaptation of the Intelligibility in Context Scale for South Africa
Authors: Pascoe Michelle , McLeod Sharynne
Published: April 2016

The Intelligibility in Context Scale (ICS) is a screening questionnaire that focuses on parents’ perceptions of children’s speech in different contexts. Originally developed in English, it has been translated into 60 languages and the validity and clinical utility of the scale has been documented in a range of countries. In South Africa, there are 11 official languages, yet few assessment materials are available in languages other than English. In this article we describe the cross-cultural adaptation of the ICS into a screening tool encompassing all South Africa’s official languages in addition to English. Objectives were: (1) to describe the linguistic and conceptual equivalence of the 10 translated versions compared to the original ICS; and (2) to evaluate speech-language therapists’ (SLT) perceptions of the usability and value of the ICS translations in the languages of South Africa. Twenty-five participants translated the ICS into 10 official languages of South Africa using forward and back translation and community checking. Next, a survey of 23 SLTs practicing in South Africa, and semi-structured interviews with five SLTs working in Cape Town, took place. The conceptual and linguistic equivalence of the adapted materials for each language was considered. Concepts that were challenging to translate from English into many of the Bantu languages included those relating to immediate/extended family, acquaintances, strangers and hearing/understanding. Linguistic challenges in translation related to dialectal differences and the use of pronouns. The SLTs in the sample found the ICS easy to use and saw it as a useful component of assessment especially when working with families who do not share a language with the SLT. Overall the study contributes to the development agenda of SLTs working in South Africa by creating and trialing the ICS in all the countries’ official languages to improve access and quality of services offered to all the families they serve.
The Influence of Disease Severity of Preceding Clinical Cases on Pathologists’ Medical Decision Making
Authors: Frederick Paul D. , Nelson Heidi D. , Carney Patricia A. , Brunyé Tad T. , Allison Kimberly H. , Weaver Donald L. , Elmore Joann G.
Published: April 2016

Background. Medical decision making may be influenced by contextual factors. We evaluated whether pathologists are influenced by disease severity of recently observed cases. Methods. Pathologists independently interpreted 60 breast biopsy specimens (one slide per case; 240 total cases in the study) in a prospective randomized observational study. Pathologists interpreted the same cases in 2 phases, separated by a washout period of >6 months. Participants were not informed that the cases were identical in each phase, and the sequence was reordered randomly for each pathologist and between phases. A consensus reference diagnosis was established for each case by 3 experienced breast pathologists. Ordered logit models examined the effect the pathologists’ diagnoses on the preceding case or the 5 preceding cases had on their diagnosis for the subsequent index case. Results. Among 152 pathologists, 49 provided interpretive data in both phases I and II, 66 from only phase I, and 37 from phase II only. In phase I, pathologists were more likely to indicate a more severe diagnosis than the reference diagnosis when the preceding case was diagnosed as ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) or invasive cancer (proportional odds ratio [POR], 1.28; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.15–1.42). Results were similar when considering the preceding 5 cases and for the pathologists in phase II who interpreted the same cases in a different order compared with phase I (POR, 1.17; 95% CI, 1.05–1.31). Conclusion. Physicians appear to be influenced by the severity of previously interpreted test cases. Understanding types and sources of diagnostic bias may lead to improved assessment of accuracy and better patient care.
Case report: Epicranial pain after radiotherapy for skull base meningioma – the first symptomatic epicrania fugax?
Authors: Fernández-Matarrubia Marta , Gutiérrez-Viedma Álvaro , Cuadrado María-Luz
Published: April 2016

Background

To date, no symptomatic forms of epicrania fugax (EF) have been reported. Here, we describe the first EF-type pain to be probably caused by an underlying disorder.

Case report

A 77-year-old woman started suffering from left V1–V2 trigeminal neuralgia at 72 years of age. Neurologic examination was normal. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) showed a left middle sphenoid wing meningioma compressing the left trigeminal nerve medially. After trying several neuromodulators, she received stereotactic radiotherapy. One month later, the episodes of facial pain were significantly diminished, but she started feeling brief electric paroxysms across her left hemicranium that were clinically identical to those of backwards EF. Serial MRI showed persistence of the meningioma without changes.

Conclusion

Although the pathogenesis of EF remains uncertain, this case is consistent with a symptomatic origin in the trigeminal root/pathway. The onset of the EF-like pain could have been caused by the compressive effect of the tumour or, most likely, by the radiation.
Emergence in video game production: Video game engines as technical individuals
Authors: Charrieras Damien , Ivanova Nevena
Published: April 2016

This article is interested in the creative practices in video game production. More specifically, the research focuses on the ways in which the use of game engines – a toolkit that offers a set of functionalities to automatize the handling of a range of processes (graphics, sound, game physics, networks, artificial Intelligence) – make possible or impossible certain forms of emergences in video games production. The manipulation of objects in these game engines is done according to a certain programming paradigm. Two main programming paradigms currently govern the internal design of game engines: object-oriented/inheritance-based deep-class hierarchical design and component-based data-driven design. We will describe how different programming paradigms lend themselves to certain affordances to explore the ways in which game workers can interface with game engines. We will use the framework developed by Gilbert Simondon on the artisanal and industrial stage or mode of production. This will enable a better understanding of the technogenesis of different kinds of game engines and the ways in which they can be conceptualized as technical individuals enduring through their associated milieus. This way of describing game engines emphasizes non-anthropocentric forms of creativity and specific modalities of emergent techno-human processes that are too often underestimated in various accounts of cultural production processes.
Adult Attachment Styles, Destructive Conflict Resolution, and the Experience of Intimate Partner Violence
Authors: Bonache Helena , Gonzalez-Mendez Rosaura , Krahé Barbara
Published: April 2016

Although there is ample evidence linking insecure attachment styles and intimate partner violence (IPV), little is known about the psychological processes underlying this association, especially from the victim’s perspective. The present study examined how attachment styles relate to the experience of sexual and psychological abuse, directly or indirectly through destructive conflict resolution strategies, both self-reported and attributed to their opposite-sex romantic partner. In an online survey, 216 Spanish undergraduates completed measures of adult attachment style, engagement and withdrawal conflict resolution styles shown by self and partner, and victimization by an intimate partner in the form of sexual coercion and psychological abuse. As predicted, anxious and avoidant attachment styles were directly related to both forms of victimization. Also, an indirect path from anxious attachment to IPV victimization was detected via destructive conflict resolution strategies. Specifically, anxiously attached participants reported a higher use of conflict engagement by themselves and by their partners. In addition, engagement reported by the self and perceived in the partner was linked to an increased probability of experiencing sexual coercion and psychological abuse. Avoidant attachment was linked to higher withdrawal in conflict situations, but the paths from withdrawal to perceived partner engagement, sexual coercion, and psychological abuse were non-significant. No gender differences in the associations were found. The discussion highlights the role of anxious attachment in understanding escalating patterns of destructive conflict resolution strategies, which may increase the vulnerability to IPV victimization.