bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Electrical surrogate for detection of severe left ventricular systolic dysfunction
Authors: Reinier Kyndaron , Aro Aapo L. , Uy‐Evanado Audrey , Rusinaru Carmen , Chugh Harpriya S. , Shiota Takahiro , Jui Jonathan , Chugh Sumeet S.
Published: August 2018

Background

Early diagnosis and therapy improves outcomes in heart failure with severely reduced left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF ≤35%), but some patients may remain undiagnosed. We hypothesized that a combination of electrocardiogram (ECG) markers may identify individuals with severely reduced LVEF.

Methods

From a community‐based study in the Northwest US (the Oregon Sudden Unexpected Death Study), we evaluated the prevalence of conventional ECG markers by LVEF. We then evaluated the association of nine additional ECG markers and LVEF. We validated the correlation of these ECG markers and LVEF in a separate, large health system in Los Angeles, California.

Results

In the discovery population (n = 1,047), patients with LVEF ≤35% were twice as likely as those with LVEF >35% to have ≥1 conventional ECG abnormality. In the subset without conventional ECG abnormalities, ≥4 abnormal ECG markers from the expanded panel were found in 12% vs. 1% of patients with LVEF ≤35% and >35%, respectively. In the validation population (n = 9,742), 44% with LVEF ≤35% and 17% with LVEF >35% had ≥1 conventional ECG abnormality. In patients without conventional ECG abnormalities (n = 7,601), 40% with LVEF ≤35% and 5% with LVEF >35% had ≥4 abnormal ECG markers from the expanded panel. Each additional abnormal ECG marker from the expanded panel (range 0 to ≥4) more than doubled the odds of LVEF ≤35%.

Conclusions

An expanded panel of easily obtained ECG markers correlated strongly with severely reduced LVEF in two separate populations. This electrical surrogate score could facilitate diagnosis of severely reduced LVEF, and warrants prospective evaluation.
Chronic kidney disease progression in patients with chronic hepatitis B on tenofovir, entecavir, or no treatment
Authors: Wong Grace Lai‐Hung , Chan Henry Lik‐Yuen , Tse Yee‐Kit , Yip Terry Cheuk‐Fung , Lam Kelvin Long‐Yan , Lui Grace Chung‐Yan , Szeto Cheuk‐Chun , Wong Vincent Wai‐Sun
Published: August 2018

Background

In clinical trials involving patients with preserved renal function, tenofovir disoproxil fumarate (TDF) use was associated with mild renal impairment in 1% of patients.

Aim

To compare serial renal function of entecavir (ETV)‐treated, TDF‐treated, and untreated patients with chronic hepatitis B.

Methods

We studied the risk of chronic kidney disease (CKD) progression in a territory‐wide cohort of patients with chronic hepatitis B without treatment and of those on ETV or TDF treatment. Estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) was determined by the CKD Epidemiology Collaboration equation and was classified into five CKD stages. CKD progression, defined as an increase of at least one CKD stage, was compared among treated and untreated patients.

Results

After propensity score matching, 2254 ETV‐treated, 2254 TDF‐treated, and 2254 untreated patients were included in the analysis. Their mean baseline eGFR was 90.3 ± 19.6, 91.3 ± 20.6, and 92.2 ± 20.0 mL/min/1.73 m2, respectively. During a mean follow‐up of 2.4 ± 1.5 years, 639 ETV‐treated, 706 TDF‐treated, and 564 untreated patients exhibited CKD progression ≥1 stage. The 5‐year cumulative incidence (95% confidence interval) of CKD progression was 43% (40%‐46%) in ETV‐treated, 48% (45%‐51%) in TDF‐treated, and 43% (39%‐47%) in untreated patients (reference group), respectively (P = 0.267 and <0.001, respectively). The number of patients who exhibited CKD progression ≥2 stages was 92 (4.1%) in the untreated cohort, 95 (4.2%) in the ETV‐treated cohort, and 51 (2.3%) in the TDF‐treated cohort.

Conclusions

The use of TDF was associated with mild renal impairment in a minority of patients; those treated with ETV had a similar risk compared to untreated patients.
Living in Old Montreal: Residents’ perceptions of the effects of urban development and tourism development on local amenities
Authors: Ananian Priscilla , Perras Ariane , Borde Marie‐Axelle
Published: August 2018

Urban development and tourism development have transformed urban environments within older neighbourhoods. While urban policies highlight the necessity of developing housing and mixed land use in tourism districts, previous studies have shown local effects of tourism and gentrification. In this paper, we focus on residents’ perceptions of the effects of urban and tourism development on local amenities such as shops, local social infrastructure, and public services. Our case study is the Old Montreal district, the population of which has more than tripled since the 1980s. We conducted a survey with 331 residents, and 20 semi‐structured interviews, analyzing their perception of Old Montreal as a place to live and their use of local amenities. Our findings revealed that, although urban and tourism development tend to limit the local amenities intended for residents, these are not necessarily perceived as incompatible with a residential living environment. In addition, residents adopt several strategies to satisfy their daily needs, but this behaviour contributes neither to the quality of the living environment, nor to a sense of place in the district. We propose to approach urban and tourism development in historic districts differently, by emphasizing the tensions and complementarities of uses rather than the incompatibility of functions.
Hope, Material Resources, and Subjective Well‐Being of 8‐ to 12‐Year‐Old Children in Israel
Authors: Kaye‐Tzadok Avital , Ben‐Arieh Asher , Kosher Hanita
Published: August 2018

Few studies have examined the links among hope, material resources, and subjective well‐being (SWB) of children from their own perspectives. The article examines lack of material resources as a risk factor, hope as a human strength, and a possible moderator regarding children's SWB. The study employed a nationally representative sample of 2,977 Jewish and Arab Israeli children (ages 8–12). As predicted, there was a significant positive relation between hope and SWB, and a negative relation between lack of material resources and SWB. Hope was found to moderate the relation between lack of material resources and SWB. Furthermore, for 10‐ and 12‐year olds, differences were found regarding the strength of the relations of the variables, suggesting a possible developmental trend.
Is there a direct relation between the development of vocabulary and grammar?
Authors: Brinchmann Ellen Irén , Braeken Johan , Lyster Solveig‐Alma Halaas
Published: August 2018

Previous studies of individual differences have revealed strong correlations between children's vocabulary and grammatical abilities, and these data have been used to support theoretical accounts positing direct developmental relations between these two areas of language. However, between‐person differences do not necessarily reflect intra‐individual dynamics. Thus, in the present study, we analysed longitudinal data from three annual assessments of vocabulary and grammar in 217 children (Mage= 4 years and 3 months at first assessment) using a modelling strategy with some utility in distinguishing relations at the between‐ and within‐person levels. The results revealed strong correlations between grammar and vocabulary at the between‐person level, but the evidence of direct dependencies between the variables at the within‐person level was rather limited. Specifically, we found a small direct contribution from grammar to vocabulary for children between the ages of 4 and 5, but there was no evidence of any direct contributions from vocabulary to grammar. Further analyses suggested that the home literacy environment may represent a common source of individual differences in children's vocabulary and grammatical skills. In light of these results, we argue that the evidence of direct relations between vocabulary and grammatical development in preschool‐aged children may not be as strong as previously assumed.
Risky Sexual Behaviours: Biological Markers and Self‐reported Data
Authors: Corno Lucia , de Paula Áureo
Published: August 2018

High‐risk sexual behaviours are generally unobserved and difficult to identify. In this paper, we investigate the accuracy of two risky‐behaviour measures: biomarkers for sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and self‐reported data. We build an epidemiological model to assess the relative performance of biomarkers versus self‐reported data. We then suggest an econometric strategy that combines both types of measures to estimateactualunobserved risky sexual behaviours. Using data from the Demographic and Health Survey in 28 countries, we calibrate the model and provide conditions under which self‐reported data are a better proxy for risky sexual behaviours than biomarkers. In countries with low STI prevalence, biomarkers have a higher probability of misclassification than self‐reported answers. We apply our econometric strategy to the data and show that the probability ofactualrisky behaviour is much higher than the probability of self‐reported risky behaviour and of testing positive for an STI.
Tree carbon allocation explains forest drought‐kill and recovery patterns
Authors: Trugman A. T. , Detto M. , Bartlett M. K. , Medvigy D. , Anderegg W. R. L. , Schwalm C. , Schaffer B. , Pacala S. W.
Published: August 2018

The mechanisms governing tree drought mortality and recovery remain a subject of inquiry and active debate given their role in the terrestrial carbon cycle and their concomitant impact on climate change. Counter‐intuitively, many trees do not die during the drought itself. Indeed, observations globally have documented that trees often grow for several years after drought before mortality. A combination of meta‐analysis and tree physiological models demonstrate that optimal carbon allocation after drought explains observed patterns of delayed tree mortality and provides a predictive recovery framework. Specifically, post‐drought, trees attempt to repair water transport tissue and achieve positive carbon balance through regrowing drought‐damaged xylem. Furthermore, the number of years of xylem regrowth required to recover function increases with tree size, explaining why drought mortality increases with size. These results indicate that tree resilience to drought‐kill may increase in the future, provided that CO2 fertilisation facilitates more rapid xylem regrowth.
Modulation of social behavior and dominance status by chronic pain in mice
Authors: Tansley Shannon N. , Tuttle Alexander H. , Wu Neil , Tohyama Sarasa , Dossett Kimberly , Gerstein Lindsay , Ham Boram , Austin Jean‐Sebastien , Sotocinal Susana G. , Mogil Jeffrey S.
Published: August 2018

The potential influence of pain on social behavior in laboratory animals has rarely been evaluated. Using a new assay of social behavior, the tube co‐occupancy test (TCOT), we assess propinquity—the tendency to maintain close physical proximity—in mice exposed to pain using subcutaneous zymosan or spared nerve injury as noxious stimuli. Our previous experience with the TCOT showed that outbred mouse sibling dyads show higher levels of tube co‐occupancy than stranger dyads. We find here that long‐lasting pain from spared nerve injury given to both mice in the dyad abolishes this effect of familiarity, such that strangers also display high levels of propinquity. We performed a separate experiment to assess the effect on dominance behavior of nerve injury to one or both mice of a dyad in which relative dominance status had been previously established via the confrontation tube test. We find that neuropathic pain given only to the dominant mouse reverses the relationship in male but not female mice, such that the previously subordinate mouse becomes dominant. These observations bolster the scant but growing evidence that pain can robustly affect social behavior in animals.
Biological variation estimates of prothrombin time, activated partial thromboplastin time, and fibrinogen in 28 healthy individuals
Authors: Falay Mesude , Senes Mehmet , Korkmaz Selcuk , Turhan Turan , Okay Murat , Öztürk Berna Afacan , Yücel Doğan , Ozet Gulsum
Published: August 2018

Background

Although tests of global hemostasis prothrombin time (PT) and activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT) should not be used for prediction of bleeding risk, these tests are often used by many clinicians in daily practice particularly as a preoperative screening test. Robust biological variation (BV) data are needed for safe clinical applications of these tests. In this study, a stringent protocol was followed to estimate the BV's for PT, aPTT, and fibrinogen levels.

Methods

Weekly blood samples were obtained from 28 healthy individuals (18 females, 10 males) during 10 weeks study period. All measurements were performed with Stago STA‐R coagulation analyzer. Prior to coefficient of variation (CV)‐analysis of variance (ANOVA), the data were assessed for normality, trends, outliers, and variance homogeneity. Sex‐stratified within‐individual (CVI) and between‐individual (CVG) BV estimates were determined for PT, aPTT, and fibrinogen tests.

Results

No difference was found between male and female estimates of BV. The observed CVI and CVG estimates were found to be lower than those previously published. Only for fibrinogen, CVI was higher than CVG.

Conclusion

Following a meticulous protocol, our study results provide up‐to‐date and more stringent BV estimates of global hemostasis tests.
Health problems and healthcare needs among youth in Swedish secure residential care
Authors: Vinnerljung Bo , Kling Stefan , Hjern Anders
Published: August 2018

International research has consistently reported that youth in secure residential care have high rates of somatic/dental health problems. Here, we report results from the first such study in a Nordic country. An experienced paediatrician performed systematic somatic and rudimentary dental health assessments of 91 youths, age 13–17, recently admitted to four secure residential units in Sweden. Girls were oversampled. Participants were tested for sexually transmitted diseases (STD). We found large unmet needs of health/dental care, similar to reports from other countries: 75% of the girls and 53% of the boys had at least one previously known health problem that was poorly followed up or was unknown before the assessment. Over 40% of the girls had severe dental decay. Only two cases of STD were identified (Chlamydia). Some 91% of the girls and 64% of the boys were referred to a health or a dental care clinic.
Is International Migration Always Good for Left Behind Households Members? Evidence from Children Education in Cameroon
Authors: Kuépié Mathias
Published: August 2018

This study contributes to the debate about the net gain of international migration on development by analyzing the effect of migration on school attendance of children of left‐behind households in Cameroon. A quick literature review shows that migration can impact children's education through two main channels: the “budget constraint” channel and the “family disruption” channel. Based on this literature review, we develop a theoretical framework to highlight the underlying mechanisms. In order to empirically assess the two channels, we use a survey designed for this purpose. Results highlight a detrimental effect of migration on boys’ school attendance, whereas girls are not affected. This negative effect is mainly explained by parental and recent migrations. Thus our empirical results provide evidence on the fact that, in the Cameroonian context, international migration does not always positively influence development, at least as far as children's education is concerned.
Resource stability and geographic isolation are associated with genome divergence in western Palearctic crossbills
Authors: Parchman Thomas L. , Edelaar Pim , Uckele Kathryn , Mezquida Eduardo T. , Alonso Daniel , Jahner Joshua P. , Summers Ron W. , Benkman Craig W.
Published: August 2018

While many conifers produce annually variable seed crops, serotinous species (which hold seeds in cones for multiple years) represent unusually stable food resources for seed predators. Such stability is conducive to residency and potentially population divergence of consumers as exemplified by the Cassia crossbill (Loxia sinesciuris) in North America. We used genotyping by sequencing (GBS) to test whether three Mediterranean subspecies of common crossbills (L. curvirostra) associated with the serotinous Aleppo pine (Pinus halepensis) were more genetically distinct than European crossbills associated with nonserotinous conifers. We assembled a Cassia crossbill draft genome as a reference for mapping GBS reads and as a first step towards a more contiguous genome assembly. We found clear patterns of genetic divergence for each of the P. halepensis‐associated subspecies. Geographic isolation, as promoted by resource stability and residency, is associated with genetic divergence of two of these subspecies. However, geographic isolation cannot account for divergence of L. c. hispana. Instead, resource stability likely contributed to divergence by reducing dispersal and increasing resource competition that may limit breeding by immigrants. In contrast, we found no differentiation among common crossbills associated with less stable resources, and only slight differentiation between common crossbills and parrot crossbills (L. pytyopsittacus). The substantial morphological divergence between common and parrot crossbills has likely originated or been maintained by selection despite gene flow generated by spatiotemporal resource fluctuation. Our results indicate that phenological as well as morphological characteristics of conifers have influenced crossbill diversification, and suggest a possible link between resource stability and population divergence.
Bias Correction Estimation for a Continuous‐Time Asset Return Model with Jumps
Authors: Song Yuping , Chen Ying , Wang Zhouwei
Published: August 2018

In this article, local linear estimators are adapted for the unknown infinitesimal coefficients associated with continuous‐time asset return models with jumps, which can correct the bias automatically due to their simple bias representation. The integrated diffusion models with jumps, especially infinite activity jumps, are mainly investigated. In addition, under mild conditions, the weak consistency and asymptotic normality are provided through the conditional Lindeberg theorem as the time span T→∞ and the sample interval Δ
n
→0. Furthermore, our method presents advantages in bias correction through simulation whether jumps belong to the finite activity case or infinite activity case. Finally, the estimators are illustrated empirically through the returns of stock index under 5‐minute high sampling frequency for real application.
Dietary oxidized oils decreased growth, antioxidative capacity, and negatively affected skin color of channel catfish, Ictalurus punctatus
Authors: Liang Gaoyang , Li Xiaoqin , Yang Hang , Huan Dianyu , Xu Zhen , Leng Xiangjun , Gao Qiping
Published: August 2018

Eight isolipidic diets containing 0, 20, 40, and 60 g/kg oxidized fish oil (OFO) or oxidized soybean oil (OSO) were fed to triplicate groups of channel catfish, Ictalurus punctatus, for 8 weeks to investigate the effects of oxidized oils on growth, body color, and antioxidative capacity. Lower weight gain (WG) was observed in fish fed high levels of oxidized oils (40 and 60 g/kg) (p < .05). At the inclusion of 40 g/kg, OFO group showed lower WG than the OSO group (p < .05). With the increase of dietary oxidized oils, the serum levels of malondialdehyde, total bilirubin, direct bilirubin, and activity of alanine aminotransferase and aspartate aminotransferase significantly increased (p < .05), but the glutathione level decreased (p < .05). Serum superoxide dismutase and catalase activity showed the maximum values at 20 g/kg OFO group and 40 g/kg OSO group, respectively. Compared to the 0 g/kg oxidized oil groups, both dietary oxidized oils increased the b* value (yellowness) of dorsal skin and caudal skin at 40 and 60 g/kg inclusion (p < .05). In conclusion, dietary oxidized oil (≥40 g/kg) decreased the growth and the antioxidative capacity and increased the yellowness of skin. OFO caused more negative effects on channel catfish than OSO at the inclusion of 40 g/kg.
The immune system as a sensorial system that can modulate brain functions and reset homeostasis
Authors: Besedovsky Hugo O.
Published: August 2018

Evidence indicates that activated immune cells release products, typically cytokines, that can convey information to the brain about the type of ongoing peripheral immune responses. This evidence led colleagues and me to categorize the immune system as another sensorial system that, upon receiving this information, can emit neuroendocrine signals with immunoregulatory functions that can also reset homeostatic mechanisms. Here, I discuss evidence and clues indicating (1) possible mechanisms by which cytokines, such as those of the interleukin 1 (IL‐1) family, can reset energy homeostasis to balance the high fuel requirement of the immune system and the brain; and (2) the possibility that the tripartite synapse, which includes astrocytes as a third component, processes and integrates immune signals at brain levels with other sensorial signals that the central nervous system permanently receives.
Method‐Specific Attributes that Influence Choice of Future Contraception Among Married Women in Nairobi's Informal Settlements
Authors: Mumah Joyce N. , Casterline John B. , Machiyama Kazuyo , Wamukoya Marylene , Kabiru Caroline W. , Cleland John
Published: August 2018

Despite an extensive evidence base on contraceptive method choice, it remains uncertain which factors are most influential in predisposing women toward certain methods and against others. This paper addresses this gap in knowledge by making use of rarely‐measured perceptions about specific methods, perceived social network experience of methods, and women's own past experiences using specific methods. We draw on baseline data from the project, “Improving Measurement of Unintended Pregnancy and Unmet Need for Family Planning.”Using conditional logit analysis, we ascertain which perceived method‐specific attributes, including past experience of methods by women themselves and by their friends, predict preferred future contraceptive method among 317 women living in Nairobi slums who are using no method but intend to start in the next 12 months. Results show that satisfaction with past use, positive experience of use by a woman's social network, husband/partner's approval, lack of interference with menses, and perception of safety for long term use were all associated with choice of a future method.
A Protocol for Identifying and Sampling From Proxy Populations
Authors: Lu Tao , Franklin Aimee L.
Published: August 2018

Objectives

Increasingly it is more and more difficult for researchers to garner a robust response rate from their target population. In response, they often turn to more accessible proxy populations. However, guidance on how to identify and select a proxy population that reasonably mimics the target population is neither expansive nor systematic. Our objective is to fill this gap by offering a standardized protocol for selecting appropriate population. We introduce a proxy selection protocol that combines convenience with purposive nonprobability sampling.

Methods

The protocol introduces a method following a step‐by‐step process to evaluate the suitability of a different potential proxy populations as a reasonable representation of the target population.

Results and Conclusion

We come to an conclusion that this proxy selection protocol can overcome low response rates and avoid contamination of a limited target population when conducting exploratory or early‐stage explanatory research of potential causal relationships.
Assessment and recency drive skill acquisition
Authors: Garner Sue , van Dreven Amber , MacDermott Sean , Yates Mark
Published: August 2018

Background

The assessment of medical students’ clinical skill acquisition is variable and is driven by differences in curricula and health services requirements. This project aimed to ascertain whether different assessment models impact on students’ performance of as intravenous (i.v.) cannulation. Recency of practice was also explored as a factor influencing performance.

Methods

A total of 137 students in the first clinical year (years 2 or 3 of a 4‐year course) of their medical degree, from four regional clinical schools, participated in a multiple‐station mock objective structured clinical examination (MOSCE). Intravenous cannulation was one of the stations examined. Fifty‐nine students came from a model that required the assessment of i.v. proficiency during their clinical year (model 1). Seventy‐eight students came from a model that required no assessment of i.v. proficiency (model 2). Students reported their most recent clinical i.v. cannulation experience relative to the MOSCE.

Results

The MOSCE pass rate of 73% for students in model 1 was significantly higher than the corresponding MOSCE pass rate of 45% for students in model 2. There was a highly significant association between assessment model and MOSCE pass/fail rate. The assessment model was also highly associated with recency of practice.

The assessment of medical students’ clinical skill acquisition is variable

Conclusions

The results support an assessment model that promotes the continuing clinical practice of i.v. cannulation. Integration of this model will require innovative approaches by staff and collaboration with affiliated organisations.
Newly synthesized polycystin‐1 takes different trafficking pathways to the apical and ciliary membranes
Authors: Gilder Allison L. , Chapin Hannah C. , Padovano Valeria , Hueschen Christina L. , Rajendran Vanathy , Caplan Michael J.
Published: August 2018

Mutations in the genes encoding polycystin‐1 (PC1) and polycystin 2 (PC2) cause autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease. These transmembrane proteins colocalize in the primary cilia of renal epithelial cells, where they may participate in sensory processes. PC1 is also found in the apical membrane when expressed in cultured epithelial cells. PC1 undergoes autocatalytic cleavage, producing an extracellular N‐terminal fragment that remains noncovalently attached to the transmembrane C‐terminus. Exposing cells to alkaline solutions elutes the N‐terminal fragment while the C‐terminal fragment is retained in the cell membrane. Utilizing this observation, we developed a “strip‐recovery” synchronization protocol to study PC1 trafficking in polarized LLC‐PK1 renal epithelial cells. Following alkaline strip, a new cohort of PC1 repopulates the cilia within 30 minutes, while apical delivery of PC1 was not detectable until 3 hours. Brefeldin A (BFA) blocked apical PC1 delivery, while ciliary delivery of PC1 was BFA insensitive. Incubating cells at 20°C to block trafficking out of the trans‐Golgi network also inhibits apical but not ciliary delivery. These results suggest that newly synthesized PC1 takes distinct pathways to the ciliary and apical membranes. Ciliary PC1 appears to by‐pass BFA sensitive Golgi compartments, while apical delivery of PC1 traverses these compartments.
Exploring the Sphinx and the Great Pyramid Through the Logos Heuristics
Authors: Cassella Antonio
Published: August 2018

After detecting a primary triangulation through the crossing of two 18-mile (diameter) identical circles around a shared 14-mile baseline in ancient Egypt, the author hypothesizes that, in the 26th century before the Common Era, Pharaoh Khufu replaced with hope the general fear for the catlike goddess that preceded Giza’s Sphinx. Khufu changed the monstrous head of a monumental lioness on Giza’s plateau into the coarse head of the respected Horus-Pharaoh that guarded the southern lily plant and the northern papyrus. The Sphinx’s new symbolic head, or classical conservation in the finite first attention, joined flexible quantum computing in the ambiguous creativity of its body and the infinite second attention. The changed Sphinx and the Great Pyramid that followed its transfiguration point silently at the union of classical and quantum computing in the Third Attention that recreates natural systems, dreams, and social progress.
Constructal Placement of Discrete Heat Sources With Different Lengths in Vertical Ducts Under Natural and Mixed Convection
Authors: Sarper Bugra , Saglam Mehmet , Aydin Orhan
Published: August 2018

In this study, convective heat transfer in a discretely heated parallel-plate vertical channel which simulates an IC package is investigated experimentally and numerically. Both natural and mixed convection cases are considered. The primary focus of the study is on determining optimum relative lengths of the heat sources in order to reduce the hot spot temperature and to maximize heat transfer from the sources to air. Various values of the length ratio and the modified Grashof number (for the natural convection case)/the Richardson number (for the mixed convection case) are examined. Conductive and radiative heat transfer is included in the analysis while air is used as the working fluid. Surface temperatures of the heat sources and the channel walls are measured in the experimental study. The numerical studies are performed using a commercial CFD code, ANSYS fluent. The variations of surface temperature, hot spot temperature, Nusselt number, and global conductance of the system are obtained for varying values of the working parameters. From the experimental studies, it is showed that the use of identical heat sources reduces the overall cooling performance both in natural and mixed convection. However, relatively decreasing heat sources lengths provides better cooling performance.
Power Boxes: New Representation for Analyzing DC Circuits
Authors: McPadden Daryl , Dowd Jason , Brewe Eric
Published: August 2018

Power Boxes are a new representation to provide students with a conceptual resource to analyze direct current (DC) circuits and to build conceptual understanding of energy and power use in circuits. Power Boxes are designed to provide an intermediate, conceptual step between drawing a circuit diagram and solving calculations. In this paper, we describe Power Boxes, provide illustrative examples of how they can be used to analyze series and parallel DC circuits, and discuss the limitations of the representation.
CMPC Exam for Recertification: The Good, The Bad, The Reality
Authors: Scherzer Carrie B. , Reel Justine J.
Published: August 2018

In this commentary, we try to present a balanced look at the issues surrounding the implementation of the certification exam for recertification purposes. We recognize that the changes to certification are complex and varied, as were reactions by the membership of the Association for Applied Sport Psychology (AASP). As long-standing AASP members who are also certified consultants, we look at the costs, benefits, and ultimately the reality of the CMPC exam for recertification.
Global warming policy: Is population left out in the cold?
Authors: Bongaarts John , O'Neill Brian C.
Published: August 2018

Population policies offer options to lessen climate risks
Caged clusters shine brighter
Authors: Quintanilla Marta , Liz-Marzán Luis M.
Published: August 2018

The structure of small silver clusters confined in zeolites helps to explain their luminescent properties
Decreased Virulence of Ross River Virus Harboring a Mutation in the First Cleavage Site of Nonstructural Polyprotein Is Caused by a Novel Mechanism Leading to Increased Production of Interferon-Inducing RNAs
Authors: Liu Xiang , Mutso Margit , Utt Age , Lepland Anni , Herrero Lara J. , Taylor Adam , Bettadapura Jayaram , Rudd Penny A. , Merits Andres , Mahalingam Suresh
Published: August 2018

Infection with Ross River virus (RRV) causes debilitating polyarthritis and arthralgia in individuals. Alphaviruses are highly sensitive to type I interferon (IFN). Mutations at the conserved P3 position of the cleavage site between nonstructural protein 1 (nsP1) and nsP2 (1/2 site) modulate type I IFN induction for both RRV and Sindbis virus (SINV). We constructed and characterized RRV-T48
A534V
, a mutant harboring an A534V substitution in the P1 position of the 1/2 site, and compared it to parental RRV-T48 and to RRV-T48
A532V
, SINV
I538
and SINV
T538
harboring different substitutions in the same region. A534V substitution resulted in impaired processing of RRV nonstructural polyprotein and in elevated production of replicase-generated pathogen-associated molecular pattern (PAMP) RNAs that induce expression of type I IFN. Both A532V and A534V substitutions affected synthesis of viral RNAs, though the effects of these closely located mutations were drastically different affecting mostly either the viral negative-strand RNA or genomic and subgenomic RNA levels, respectively. Synthesis of PAMP RNAs was also observed for SINV replicase, and it was increased by I538T substitution. In comparison to RRV-T48, RRV-T48
A534V
was attenuated
in vitro
and
in vivo
. Interestingly, when type I IFN-deficient cells and type I IFN receptor-deficient mice were infected with RRV-T48 or RRV-T48
A534V
, differences between these viruses were no longer apparent. Compared to RRV-T48, RRV-T48
A534V
infection was associated with increased upregulation of type I IFN signaling proteins. We demonstrate novel mechanisms by which the A534V mutation affect viral nonstructural polyprotein processing that can impact PAMP RNA production, type I IFN induction/sensitivity, and disease.

IMPORTANCE
This study gives further insight into mechanisms of type I IFN modulation by the medically important alphaviruses Ross River virus (RRV) and Sindbis virus (SINV). By characterizing attenuated RRV mutants, the crucial role of amino acid residues in P1 and P3 positions (the first and third amino acid residues preceding the scissile bond) of the cleavage site between nsP1 and nsP2 regions was highlighted. The study uncovers a unique relationship between alphavirus nonstructural polyprotein processing, RNA replication, production of different types of pathogen-associated molecular pattern (PAMP) RNAs, type I IFN induction, and disease pathogenesis. This study also highlights the importance of the host innate immune response in RRV infections. The viral determinants of type I IFN modulation provide potential drug targets for clinical treatment of alphaviral disease and offer new approaches for rational attenuation of alphaviruses for construction of vaccine candidates.
Candida albicans
Dispersed Cells Are Developmentally Distinct from Biofilm and Planktonic Cells
Authors: Uppuluri Priya , Acosta Zaldívar Maikel , Anderson Matthew Z. , Dunn Matthew J. , Berman Judith , Lopez Ribot Jose Luis , Köhler Julia R.
Published: August 2018

Candida albicans
surface-attached biofilms such as those formed on intravenous catheters with direct access to the bloodstream often serve as a nidus for continuous release of cells capable of initiating new infectious foci. We previously reported that cells dispersed from a biofilm are yeast cells that originate from the top-most hyphal layers of the biofilm. Compared to their planktonic counterparts, these biofilm dispersal yeast cells displayed enhanced virulence-associated characteristics and drug resistance. However, little is known about their molecular properties. To address that issue, in this study we aimed to define the molecular characteristics of these biofilm dispersal cells. We found that the inducer of dispersal,
PES1
, genetically interacts with the repressor of filamentation,
NRG1
, in a manner consistent with the definition of dispersed cells as yeast cells. Further, using a flow biofilm model, we performed comprehensive comparative RNA sequencing on freshly dispersed cells in order to identify unique transcriptomic characteristics. Gene expression analysis demonstrated that dispersed cells largely inherit a biofilm-like mRNA profile. Strikingly, however, dispersed cells seemed transcriptionally reprogrammed to acquire nutrients such as zinc and amino acids and to metabolize alternative carbon sources, while their biofilm-associated parent cells did not induce the same high-affinity transporters or express gluconeogenetic genes, despite exposure to the same nutritional signals. Collectively, the findings from this study characterize cell dispersal as an intrinsic step of biofilm development which generates propagules more adept at colonizing distant host sites. This developmental step anticipates the need for virulence-associated gene expression before the cells experience the associated external signals.

IMPORTANCE
Candida albicans
surface-attached biofilms serve as a reservoir of cells to perpetuate and expand an infection; cells released from biofilms on catheters have direct access to the bloodstream. Biofilm dispersal yeast cells exhibit enhanced adhesion, invasion, and biofilm formation compared to their planktonic counterparts. Here, we show using transcriptome sequencing (RNA-seq) that dispersed yeast cells are developmentally distinct from the cells in their parent biofilms as well as from planktonic yeast cells. Dispersal cells possess an anticipatory expression pattern that primes them to infect new sites in the host, to survive in nutrient-starved niches, and to invade new sites. These studies identified dispersal cells as a unique proliferative cell type of the biofilm and showed that they could serve as targets for antibiofilm drug development in the future.
Coproporphyrin III Produced by the Bacterium
Glutamicibacter arilaitensis
Binds Zinc and Is Upregulated by Fungi in Cheese Rinds
Authors: Cleary Jessica L. , Kolachina Shilpa , Wolfe Benjamin E. , Sanchez Laura M.
Published: August 2018

Bacterium-fungus interactions play key roles in the assembly of cheese rind microbial communities, but the molecular mechanisms underlying these interactions are poorly characterized. Moreover, millions of people around the world enjoy eating cheeses and cheese rinds, but our understanding of the diversity of microbial metabolites ingested during cheese consumption is limited. The discovery of zinc coproporphyrin III as the cause of pink pigment production by
Glutamicibacter arilaitensis
suggests that secretion of this molecule is important for microbial acquisition of trace metals.
Early retinal and choroidal OCT and OCT angiography signs of inflammation after uncomplicated cataract surgery
Authors: Pilotto Elisabetta , Leonardi Francesca , Stefanon Giuseppe , Longhin Evelyn , Torresin Tommaso , Deganello Davide , Cavarzeran Fabiano , Miglionico Giacomo , Parrozzani Raffaele , Midena Edoardo
Published: August 2018

Purpose

To evaluate, by means of optical coherence tomography (OCT) and OCT angiography (OCTA), early retinal, choroidal and macular perfusion changes induced by a local inflammatory reaction secondary to uncomplicated cataract surgery.

Methods

Selected eyes undergoing cataract surgery were enrolled in a prospective study. OCT and OCTA were performed before cataract surgery (T0) and at day: 1 (T1), 7 (T7), 30 (T30) and 90 (T90). Inner (IR) and outer retinal (OR) volumes, choroidal volume, hyper-reflective retinal spots (HRS) in IR and OR changes were measured at OCT. Macular perfusion was analysed in superficial (SCP), intermediate (ICP) and deep retinal capillary plexuses (DCP).

Results

Nine eyes of nine selected patients were consecutively enrolled. Mean IR volume changed after surgery (p=0.0001), increasing progressively from 4.391±0.231 mm³ at T0 to 4.573±0.241 mm³ at T30, p=0.0002. Both mean OR and choroidal volume increased, mainly at T30, but not significantly (p=0.4360 and p=0.2300, respectively). Mean HRS changed during follow-up, increasing at first in IR and later in OR (at T1 and T7, respectively, both p<0.0001). Macular ICP and DCP perfusion increased at T1, whereas macular SCP perfusion did not change. At T90, all OCT and OCTA parameters had almost reached baseline levels.

Conclusions

The increase of HRS at first in IR and later in OR seems to confirm their inflammatory nature. Early OCTA changes (underline) underscore a selective susceptibility of DCP and ICP to a localised inflammatory reaction induced by cataract surgery.
Localisation of the cricothyroid membrane by digital palpation in the emergency department
Authors: Alshareef Hiba , Al Saawi Abdulaziz , Almazroua Faisal , Alyami Hadi , Reilly Gerard O’ , Mitra Biswadev
Published: August 2018

Introduction

A surgical approach to airway management may be essential in situations of difficult or failed airway, where immediate airway access is needed to provide oxygenation. However, the procedure is uncommonly performed and expertise among emergency clinicians may be limited.

Objectives

The aim of this study was to assess the accuracy of cricothyroid membrane (CTM) identification by junior and senior emergency trainees by identification of surface anatomy landmarks. A secondary aim was to determine patient variables associated with accurate identification of CTM.

Methods

A prospective observational study was conducted in a tertiary emergency department in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Saudi Emergency Medicine board trainees participated in the study. Data were also obtained on gender and body habitus of patients. Junior trainees attempted to locate the membrane by palpation and marked it with an ultraviolet mark (blinded) pen followed by senior trainees. A certified ultrasound physician, also blinded to the trainee attempts, marked the membrane within a 5 mm circumference using a different coloured ultraviolet pen and was used as the reference gold standard.

Results

There were 80 patients enrolled with junior and senior doctors assessing location for emergency cricothyrotomy. Proportion of correct localisation was 30% (95% CI 20% to 41%) among junior trainees and 33% (95% CI 22% to 44%) among seniors (P=0.73). Level of training, sex, height and weight of patients were not associated with success.

Conclusions

Clinical localisation of CTM by emergency medicine trainees was poor even in non-stressful settings, and warrants further dedicated education and/or use of adjunct techniques.
Rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) habitat overlap with wild Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) and brook trout (Salvelinus fontinalis) in natural streams: do habitat and landscape factors override competitive interactions?
Authors: Roloson Scott D. , Knysh Kyle M. , Coffin Michael R.S. , Gormley Karen L. , Pater Christina C. , van den Heuvel Michael R.
Published: August 2018

The purpose of this study was to update rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) invasion status, delineate factors that increase the invasion probability, and quantify habitat overlap between invasive rainbow trout and native Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) and brook trout (Salvelinus fontinalis) on Prince Edward Island, Canada. Analysis of landscape-level variables in 26 watersheds (14 with and 12 without rainbow trout) demonstrated that watershed slope, percent agricultural land use, and distance to the nearest rainbow trout population significantly increased the probability of rainbow trout establishment. Two independent reach-level fish community surveys were conducted by electrofishing in combination with habitat surveys. Reaches with rainbow trout had higher stream slope, Atlantic salmon were found in wider reaches with larger substrate, and brook trout were typically dominant in headwater reaches with finer substrate. Findings at multiple ecological scales illustrated that rainbow trout invasion success is positively influenced by the presence of high-slope habitat. Habitat separation of the three salmonid species indicates that competition with introduced rainbow trout may not be the most significant threat to native salmonid populations.
Equations in Algebras
Authors: Kharlampovich Olga , Myasnikov Alexei
Published: August 2018

We show that the Diophantine problem (decidability of equations) is undecidable in free associative algebras over any field and in the group algebras over any field of a wide variety of torsion free groups, including toral relatively hyperbolic groups, right-angled Artin groups, commutative transitive groups, the fundamental groups of various graph groups, etc.
Well-posedness and numerical treatment of the Blackstock equation in nonlinear acoustics
Authors: Fritz Marvin , Nikolić Vanja , Wohlmuth Barbara
Published: August 2018

We study the Blackstock equation which models the propagation of nonlinear sound waves through dissipative fluids. Global well-posedness of the model with homogeneous Dirichlet boundary conditions is shown for small initial data. To this end, we employ a fixed-point technique coupled with well-posedness results for a linearized model and appropriate energy estimates. Furthermore, we obtain exponential decay for the energy of the solution. We present additionally a finite element-based method for solving the Blackstock equation and illustrate the behavior of solutions through several numerical experiments.
Convergences of the squareroot approximation scheme to the Fokker–Planck operator
Authors: Heida Martin
Published: August 2018

We study the qualitative convergence behavior of a novel FV-discretization scheme of the Fokker–Planck equation, the squareroot approximation scheme (SQRA), that recently was proposed by Lie, Fackeldey and Weber [A square root approximation of transition rates for a markov state model, SIAM J. Matrix Anal. Appl. 34 (2013) 738–756] in the context of conformation dynamics. We show that SQRA has a natural gradient structure and that solutions to the SQRA equation converge to solutions of the Fokker–Planck equation using a discrete notion of G-convergence for the underlying discrete elliptic operator. The SQRA does not need to account for the volumes of cells and interfaces and is tailored for high-dimensional spaces. However, based on FV-discretizations of the Laplacian it can also be used in lower dimensions taking into account the volumes of the cells. As an example, in the special case of stationary Voronoi tessellations, we use stochastic two-scale convergence to prove that this setting satisfies the G-convergence property.
DYNAMICAL BEHAVIORS OF AN INFLUENZA EPIDEMIC MODEL WITH VIRUS MUTATION
Authors: LIU LILI , REN XINZHI , LIU XIANNING
Published: August 2018

Influenza virus mutates frequently. This poses immense challenges to prevent the spread of influenza. This paper aims to investigate an influenza epidemic model in which influenza virus can mutate into a mutant influenza virus. We find a threshold condition that determines the stability of the disease-free equilibrium. Two equilibria may also exist: mutant-dominant equilibrium and endemic equilibrium. We show that the mutant-dominant equilibrium is globally asymptotically stable under some biological feasible conditions. Furthermore, the influenza is endemic in the sense of permanence if and only if the endemic equilibrium exists. Numerical simulations are also performed to illustrate theoretical results and demonstrate the effects of disease-induced death on the dynamics of the model.