bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Nutrition and risk of dementia: overview and methodological issues
Authors: Morris Martha Clare
Published: April 2016

After two decades of research on nutrition and dementia there is strong evidence for preventive effects of vitamin E, B vitamins, and n‐3 fatty acids and deleterious effects of saturated fat on dementia. Among specific foods with evidence of neuroprotection are green leafy vegetables, other vegetables, berries, and seafood. A number of studies have examined dietary patterns, particularly the Mediterranean diet and DASH (Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension), neither of which is tailored to the specific foods and nutrients that have been identified as neuroprotective. A new diet called MIND (Mediterranean–DASH Intervention for Neurodegenerative Delay) incorporates many elements of the Mediterranean diet and DASH but with modifications that reflect current evidence for brain neuroprotection. The evidence in support of the relation of various nutrients and the Mediterranean diet to dementia has been inconsistent. The inconsistencies may be explained by inattention to nutrient/food intake levels in the interpretation of study findings and trial design, including a shifting metric among studies for scoring adherence to the Mediterranean diet. Future studies should pay particular attention to levels of intake in the design and analyses of nutritional studies.
Nutritional interventions for Alzheimer's prevention: a clinical precision medicine approach
Authors: Schelke Matthew W. , Hackett Katherine , Chen Jaclyn L. , Shih Chiashin , Shum Jessica , Montgomery Mary E. , Chiang Gloria C. , Berkowitz Cara , Seifan Alon , Krikorian Robert , Isaacson Richard Scott
Published: April 2016

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a major source of morbidity and mortality, with the disease burden expected to rise as the population ages. No disease‐modifying agent is currently available, but recent research suggests that nutritional and lifestyle modifications can delay or prevent the onset of AD. However, preventive nutritional interventions are not universally applicable and depend on the clinical profile of the individual patient. This article reviews existing nutritional modalities for AD prevention that act through improvement of insulin resistance, correction of dyslipidemia, and reduction of oxidative stress, and discusses how they may be modified on the basis of individual biomarkers, genetics, and behavior. In addition, we report preliminary results of clinical application of these personalized interventions at the first AD prevention clinic in the United States. The use of these personalized interventions represents an important application of precision medicine techniques for the prevention of AD that can be adopted by clinicians across disciplines.
Percutaneous Retrieval of Dislodged Left Atrial Appendage Occlusion Devices through the Transseptal Approach
Authors: LEE SANG YEUB , KIM JIN‐SEOK , SHIN SEUNG YONG , LIM HONG EUY
Published: April 2016

Percutaneous left atrial appendage (LAA) occlusion is a promising treatment option in patients with atrial fibrillation who have a high risk of embolic stroke and are not eligible for chronic oral anticoagulation therapy. This procedure, however, can induce several complications. Device embolization can result in a serious situation, requiring immediate and safe device removal. We report two cases in which dislodged LAA occlusion devices were flitting in the left atrium or entrapped in the mitral valve leaflets and were successfully retrieved through a transseptal approach without complications.
The β‐cyanoalanine synthase pathway: beyond cyanide detoxification
Authors: Machingura Marylou , Salomon Eitan , Jez Joseph M. , Ebbs Stephen D.
Published: April 2016

Production of cyanide through biological and environmental processes requires the detoxification of this metabolic poison. In the 1960s, discovery of the β‐cyanoalanine synthase (β‐CAS) pathway in cyanogenic plants provided the first insight on cyanide detoxification in nature. Fifty years of investigations firmly established the protective role of the β‐CAS pathway in cyanogenic plants and its role in the removal of cyanide produced from ethylene synthesis in plants, but also revealed the importance of this pathway for plant growth and development and the integration of nitrogen and sulfur metabolism. This review describes the β‐CAS pathway, its distribution across and within higher plants, and the diverse biological functions of the pathway in cyanide assimilation, plant growth and development, stress tolerance, regulation of cyanide and sulfide signalling, and nitrogen and sulfur metabolism. The collective roles of the β‐CAS pathway highlight its potential evolutionary and ecological importance in plants.
Reciprocity and Discrimination: An Experiment of Hindu‐Muslim Cooperation in Indian Slums
Authors: Tusicisny Andrej
Published: April 2016

This article shows that indirect positive reciprocity triggered by experiencing short and superficial cooperation with outgroups' individual members reduces discrimination of other members of the same group. The field research combined a lab‐in‐the‐field experiment and a survey conducted in the slums of Mumbai, an Indian city notorious for Hindu‐Muslim violence. After the treatment manipulated expectations of cooperative behavior, ethnically heterogeneous groups produced as much public goods in a public goods game as homogeneous groups. This positive experience radically reduced Hindu subjects' discriminatory attitudes towards the Muslim minority after the experiment. The effect was equally strong among voters of two extremist parties implicated in ethnic riots. The survey compared reciprocity with alternative explanations of why people discriminate against some, but not other ethnic groups. Indirect positive reciprocity and intergroup contact are associated with less, and relative size of the outgroup with more discriminatory attitudes.
Education and Social Trust: Testing a Causal Hypothesis Using the Discordant Twin Design
Authors: Oskarsson Sven , Thisted Dinesen Peter , Dawes Christopher T. , Johannesson Magnus , K. E. Magnusson Patrik
Published: April 2016

One of the clearest results in previous studies on social trust is the robust positive relationship with educational attainment. The most common interpretation is that education has a causal effect on social trust. The theoretical argument and empirical results in this article suggest a different interpretation. We argue that common preadult factors such as cognitive abilities and personality traits rooted in genes and early‐life family environment may confound the relationship between educational attainment and social trust. We provide new evidence on this question by utilizing the quasi‐experiment of twinning. By looking at the relationship between education and social trust within monozygotic (MZ) twin pairs, we are able to avoid potential confounders rooted in genetic factors and common environmental influences because the monozygotic twins share both. The results suggest that when controlling for such familial factors the estimated effects of education on social trust are close to zero and far from reaching statistical significance. Further analyses show that the relationship between education and social trust largely is driven by common genetic factors.
The Differential Effects of Stress on Voter Turnout
Authors: Hassell Hans J. G. , Settle Jaime E.
Published: April 2016

While everyone deals with stressful situations on a daily basis, individuals have different behavioral reactions to that stress. We argue that life stress also affects individuals’ political behavior, but this effect is contingent on their past political involvement. While individuals familiar with and engaged in the political process are unaffected when confronted with stress in life, individuals who are not routinely involved in the electoral process are more likely to disengage from politics. To test the differential effects of stress on the likelihood of political involvement, we fielded two experiments, one preceding the U.S. presidential election of 2012 and the second preceding the 2013 municipal election in a small Midwestern American town. We find that when triggered to consider life stressors unrelated to politics, individuals without a history of past participation in politics are less likely to vote while individuals who are habitual voters are unaffected.
Molecular dissection of Oryza sativa salt‐induced RING Finger Protein 1 (OsSIRP1): possible involvement in the sensitivity response to salinity stress
Authors: Hwang Sun‐Goo , Kim Jung Ju , Lim Sung Don , Park Yong Chan , Moon Jun‐Cheol , Jang Cheol Seong
Published: April 2016

Ubiquitination‐mediated protein degradation via Really Interesting New Gene (RING) E3 ligase plays an important role in plant responses to abiotic stress conditions. Many plant studies have found that RING proteins regulate the perception of various abiotic stresses and signal transduction. In this study, Oryza sativa salt‐induced RING Finger Protein 1 (OsSIRP1) gene was selected randomly from 44 Oryza sativa RING Finger Proteins (OsRFPs) genes highly expressed in rice roots exposed to salinity stress. Transcript levels of OsSIRP1 in rice leaves after various stress treatments, including salt, heat, drought and hormone abscisic acid (ABA), were observed. Poly‐ubiquitinated products of OsSIRP1 were investigated via an in vitro ubiquitination assay.35S:OsSIRP1‐EYFP was distributed in the cytosol of untreated and salt‐treated rice protoplasts. Heterogeneous overexpression of OsSIRP1 in Arabidopsis reduced tolerance for salinity stress during seed germination and root growth. Our findings indicate that OsSIRP1 acts as a negative regulator of salinity stress tolerance mediated by the ubiquitin 26S proteasome system.
Network Bibliometrics of Public Policy Journals
Authors: Adams William C. , Lind Infeld Donna , Wikrent Katherine L. , Bintou Cisse Odia
Published: April 2016

Analyses of academic networks typically rely on bibliometric data to reveal intellectual structures and communication links. Using data compiled from Journal Citation Reports, this research reports the key networks of seven general public policy journals: Journal of European Public Policy, Journal of Policy Analysis and Management, Journal of Public Policy, Policy Sciences, Policy Studies, Policy Studies Journal, and Public Choice. Two journals had strong links to economics journals, three had moderately strong links to political science journals, and two were highly multidisciplinary. Articles in these seven journals seldom referenced each other but more often cited prominent political science and economics journals; self‐citations were comparatively high. Often cited by journals across a wide range of fields, six of these seven policy journals have achieved high citation rates that put them in the top tiers of journals.
Rediscovering Defense Policy: A Public Policy Call to Arms
Authors: Archuleta Brandon J.
Published: April 2016

Since 9/11, policy scholars have made significant inroads with tremendous insights into U.S. homeland security policy, especially in the areas of counterterrorism and disaster relief. But as the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan raged on, the public policy field largely ceded questions of traditional defense policy to international relations and security scholars. This was a mistake. The time has come for policy scholars to rediscover defense policy and rejoin America's national security conversation. With defense spending in decline, the All‐Volunteer Force in transition, and emerging threats on the rise, research on defense budgeting and management, military social policy, and cyber bureaucracy are all ripe for scholarly examination. This research note reviews the latest work in the field, reinvigorates national security research agendas for the twenty‐first century, and explores several ideas for the way ahead in defense policy scholarship.
Environmental Harm or Natural Hazard? Problem Identification and Adaptation in U.S. Municipal Climate Action Plans
Authors: Koski Chris , Siulagi Alma
Published: April 2016

A number of cities in the United States have devised climate action plans (CAPs) to mitigate the effects of climate change. However, few of these plans address strategies to adapt to the long term effects of climate change that will occur in the near and distant future. The research presented in this article examines why cities choose to embed adaptation provisions in their CAPs. Our study codes the content of CAPs for all cities (N = 98) in the United States with populations greater than 50,000. We find cities that frame problems associated with climate change in the language of hazards are more likely to include adaptation strategies in their CAPs than cities that focus on other types of environmental harm. Our findings suggest that more robust efforts to plan for climate change will require the activation of communities of interest beyond those that have been instrumental in setting the current climate agenda.
Student Perceptions of Interest, Learning, and Engagement from an Informal Traveling Science Museum
Authors: Sample McMeeking Laura B. , Weinberg Andrea E. , Boyd Kathryn J. , Balgopal Meena M.
Published: April 2016

Informal Science Education (ISE) programs have been increasing in popularity in recent years. The National Research Council has laid out six strands that ISE programs should try to address, including increasing interest, knowledge, and allowing participants to engage in scientific activities. Past research suggests that informal settings can increase interest in science and may lead to knowledge gains. This study examined the impact of a unique ISE program that resembles a traveling museum and offers small‐scale, interactive experiences. Affective outcomes and self‐reported learning outcomes of the students who participated in the program were examined. In general, students reported increases in science interest and some knowledge gains. Students also reported they thought the program allowed them to engage in science. There were differences in student responses based on grade level, with intermediate elementary students more likely to report greater knowledge gains and more likely to see the educational value of the experience. Interestingly, middle school students were more likely to value the social aspects of the experience, another important aspect of ISE. This study provides some insight into the connections between the different ISE strands of informal science education and offers suggestions for future research.
Writing in Mathematics: A Survey of K–12 Teachers’ Reported Frequency in the Classroom
Authors: Kosko Karl Wesley
Published: April 2016

Although writing in mathematics has been advocated in practitioner journals, policy documents, and various research, surveys of mathematics teachers between 1988 and 2008 in various English‐speaking countries have reported relatively infrequent incorporation into mathematics lessons. Further, much of prior survey research has yielded only anecdotal evidence regarding the potential reasons why some teachers engage students more, or less, frequently in writing in mathematics. The present study provides a more current set of descriptive statistics regarding teachers’ reported frequencies for writing in mathematics. Additionally, exploratory correlation analysis yielded findings regarding potential relationships for such frequencies. Findings indicate that subscribing to and reading professional journals, as well as participation in professional development on mathematical argumentation have statistically significant relationships to particular kinds of writing assignments and activities.
Student Academic Self‐Concept and Perception of Classroom Environment in Single‐Sex and Coeducational Middle Grades Mathematics Classes
Authors: Kombe Dennis , Che S. Megan , Carter Traci L. , Bridges William
Published: April 2016

In this article, we present findings from a study that investigated the relationship between all‐girls classes, all‐boys classes, and coeducational classes on student mathematics self‐concept and student perception of classroom environment. Further, we compared responses of girls in all‐girls classes to girls in coeducational classes and responses of boys in all‐boys classes to boys in coeducational classes. Using the Mathematics Attitude Scale and the What Is Happening in This Class? questionnaire, we found no significant differences in student responses on any of the subscales or domains for any of the subgroups, except for Math as a Male Domain. Our findings indicate that student mathematics self‐concept and student perception of the classroom environment are similar regardless of whether students are in a single‐sex or a coeducational class.
The effect of nutritional supplementation on quality of life in people living with HIV: a randomised controlled trial
Authors: Tesfaye Markos , Kaestel Pernille , Olsen Mette Frahm , Girma Tsinuel , Yilma Daniel , Abdissa Alemseged , Ritz Christian , Michaelsen Kim F. , Hanlon Charlotte , Friis Henrik
Published: April 2016

Objective

To determine the effects of lipid‐based nutrient supplements (LNS) on the quality of life of people living with HIV (PLHIV) during the first 3 months of antiretroviral treatment (ART) and to investigate the effects of timing of supplementation by comparing with supplementation during the subsequent 3 months.

Methods

A randomised controlled trial was conducted in three ART clinics within public health facilities in Jimma, Ethiopia. Participants were PLHIV eligible to start ART with body mass index >17 kg/m2 and given daily supplements of 200 g of LNS containing whey or soya either during the first 3 months or the subsequent months of ART. The outcome was measured in terms of total quality‐of‐life scores on the adapted version of the WHOQOL‐HIV‐BREF assessed at baseline, three and six months.

Results

Of the 282 participants, 186 (66.0%) were women. The mean age (SD) was 32.8 (±9.0) years, and the mean (SD) total quality‐of‐life score was 82.0 (±14.8) at baseline assessment. At 3 months, participants who received LNS showed better quality of life than those who only received ART without LNS (β = 6.2, 95% CI: 2.9: 9.6). At 6 months, there was no difference in total quality‐of‐life score between the early and delayed supplementation groups (β = 3.0, 95% CI: −0.4: 6.4). However, the early supplementation group showed higher scores on the social and spirituality domains than the delayed group.

Conclusions

LNS given during the first three months of ART improves the quality of life of PLHIV.
Major transfusions remain frequent despite the generalized use of tranexamic acid: an audit of 3322 patients undergoing cardiac surgery
Authors: Stevens Louis‐Mathieu , Noiseux Nicolas , Prieto Ignacio , Hardy Jean‐François
Published: April 2016

BACKGROUND

Aprotinin has been reapproved for use in Europe and in Canada. We sought to determine if its reintroduction was still pertinent given the widespread administration of tranexamic acid, another antifibrinolytic shown to reduce bleeding and transfusions.

STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS

After institutional review board approval, we examined the cardiac surgery database (2012‐2015; 3322 patients). Major transfusion was defined as 4 or more red blood cell units. A stratified multivariate logistic regression analysis identified predictors of major transfusion; 1064 patients were matched by propensity score to compare outcomes of patients with or without major transfusion.

RESULTS

Cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) was used in 2342 patients; 98.9% received tranexamic acid versus 15.2% (149/980) in off‐pump coronary artery bypass graft patients. Major transfusion was required in 758 patients (23%). Age, low body mass index, low preoperative hemoglobin or platelet count, recent use of P2Y12 receptor blockers, chronic kidney disease, NYHA functional class, left ventricular ejection fraction of less than 30%, prior cardiac surgery, urgency, type of cardiac surgery, and duration of CPB were all independent predictors of major transfusions (all p < 0.05). Major transfusion was associated with a more than threefold increase in mortality (7.1% vs. 2.1%; p < 0.001) and increases in major adverse events (p < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

Despite the use of tranexamic acid, 23% of cardiac surgery patients require a major transfusion. We identified predictors of major transfusion and showed that major transfusion is associated with important increases in mortality and morbidity. We conclude that there is still a need for an effective and safe blood‐sparing drug in cardiac surgery.
Antibacterial Efficacy of Several Surgical Hand Preparation Products Used by Veterinary Students
Authors: Chou Po‐Yen , Doyle Aimie J. , Arai Shiori , Burke Pierre J. , Bailey Trina R.
Published: April 2016

Objective

To compare the antibacterial efficacy of different surgical hand antisepsis protocols used by veterinary students.

Study Design

Prospective, randomized, controlled study.

Study Population

Third year veterinary students (n=45).

Methods

The participants were randomly assigned to 4 of the following 12 hand preparation product/time combinations: nonabrasive hand scrub method with 4% chlorhexidine gluconate (CH); hand rub with a mixture of 30% 1‐propanol and 45% 2‐propanol solution (MPS), 70% 2‐propanol solution (IPS), or 61% ethanol solution with 1% chlorhexidine gluconate (ES/CH), with a contact time of 1.5, 3, or 5 minutes. Antibacterial efficacy was assessed after surgical hand preparation and at the end of surgery. Log reductions of total bacterial colony forming unit (CFU)/mL and positive aerobic culture rates were compared using multivariable analysis of variance and multivariable logistic regression, respectively.

Results

After surgical hand preparation, CH and ES/CH provided significantly higher log CFU reduction and lower positive culture rate for Gram‐positive and spore‐forming bacteria compared to MPS and IPS. Increase in contact time did not provide significant improvement in bacterial reduction. At the end of surgery, ES/CH provided significantly higher log CFU reduction compared to IPS and lower positive culture rate for Gram‐positive bacteria compared to CH, MPS, and IPS. Increase in contact time significantly improved log CFU reduction in ES/CH and MPS groups.

Conclusion

In our population of veterinary students ES/CH hand rubs or CH scrubs were more effective in reducing bacterial CFU during surgical hand preparation than MPS or IPS.
Performance Testing of a Parabolic Solar Concentrator for Solar Cooking
Authors: Mbodji Ndiaga , Hajji Ali
Published: April 2016

The objective of the present work is to conduct a worthwhile experimental study of the performance of a parabolic solar concentrator for solar cooking. The literature survey briefly highlights the standard performance tests of solar cookers and gives the experimental studies obtained by some authors. Our experimental device, made from simple means using local materials, consists of a parabolic concentrator having a 0.80 m diameter and 0.08 m depth as well as a cylindrical absorber with a 0.10 m diameter and is 0.20 m long. The testing period started on April 24th, 2014 and continued till July 10th of the same year, in Rabat (33°53′ N, 6°59′ W), Morocco. The average ambient temperature is 24 °C. The results show that using synthetic oil as the heat transfer medium has achieved a maximum temperature of 153 °C against 97 °C with water. The overall heat loss coefficient is estimated to be 17.6 W m−2  °C−1. The energy and exergy efficiencies are, respectively, 29.0–2.4% and 0.1–0.5%. Adding a glass cover on the front face of the absorber improved the maximum temperature by 15 °C. Automatic two-axis sun tracking system also increased the maximum temperature by 13 °C compared to manual tracking system.
ZP2 peptide beads select human sperm in vitro, decoy mouse sperm in vivo, and provide reversible contraception
Authors: Avella Matteo A. , Baibakov Boris A. , Jimenez-Movilla Maria , Sadusky Anna Burkart , Dean Jurrien
Published: April 2016

Sperm bind to ZP2 peptide beads, which can select superior sperm for assisted reproduction but can also be used for contraception.
On the path to a science of patient input
Authors: Anderson Margaret , Kimberly McCleary K.
Published: April 2016

No longer is patient engagement the fanciful notion it was at the start of
FasterCures
’ journey in 2003, and the rush of activity is welcome and vital.
A one-two punch for pain control
Authors: Whitehead Kathryn A.
Published: April 2016

A silica nanoparticle delivery system provides sustained pain relief in mice by combining an anesthetic with a tissue-protecting peptide.
Deletion of a Yci1 Domain Protein of Candida albicans Allows Homothallic Mating in
MTL
Heterozygous Cells
Authors: Sun Yuan , Gadoury Christine , Hirakawa Matthew P. , Bennett Richard J. , Harcus Doreen , Marcil Anne , Whiteway Malcolm
Published: April 2016

It has been proposed that the ancestral fungus was mating competent and homothallic. However, many mating-competent fungi were initially classified as asexual because their mating capacity was hidden behind layers of regulation. For efficient
in vitro
mating, the essentially obligate diploid ascomycete pathogen
Candida albicans
has to change its mating type locus from heterozygous
MTL
a
/α to homozygous
MTL
a
/
a
or
MTL
α/α and then undergo an environmentally controlled epigenetic switch to the mating-competent opaque form. These requirements greatly reduce the potential for
C. albicans
mating. Deletion of the Yci1 domain gene
OFR1
bypasses the need for
C. albicans
cells to change the mating type locus from heterozygous to homozygous prior to switching to the opaque form and mating and allows homothallic mating of
MTL
heterozygous strains. This bypass is carbon source dependent and does not occur when cells are grown on glucose. Transcriptional profiling of
ofr1
mutant cells shows that in addition to regulating cell type and mating circuitry, Ofr1 is needed for proper regulation of histone and chitin biosynthesis gene expression. It appears that
OFR1
is a key regulator in
C. albicans
and functions in part to maintain the cryptic mating phenotype of the pathogen.

IMPORTANCE
Candida albicans
is a human fungal pathogen with a recently discovered, highly cryptic mating ability. For efficient mating, it has to lose heterozygosity at its mating type locus. Then,
MTL
homozygous strains can undergo an epigenetic switch to an elongated yeast state, termed the opaque form, and become mating competent. This infrequent two-step process greatly reduces the potential for mating; few strains are
MTL
homozygous, and the opaque state is unstable at the temperature of the mammalian host.
C. albicans
has a complex mechanism for mating that appears designed to ensure that mating is infrequent. Here, we have characterized a new gene, opaque-formation regulator 1 (
OFR1
). Deleting the
OFR1
gene allows
MTL
a
/α strains to mate efficiently with either mating type or even mate homothallically. It is possible that downregulating
OFR1
in the host environment could allow mating in
C. albicans
by a route that does not involve
MTL
homozygosis.
Molecular Dissection of Xyloglucan Recognition in a Prominent Human Gut Symbiont
Authors: Tauzin Alexandra S. , Kwiatkowski Kurt J. , Orlovsky Nicole I. , Smith Christopher J. , Creagh A. Louise , Haynes Charles A. , Wawrzak Zdzislaw , Brumer Harry , Koropatkin Nicole M.
Published: April 2016

Polysaccharide utilization loci (PUL) within the genomes of resident human gut
Bacteroidetes
are central to the metabolism of the otherwise indigestible complex carbohydrates known as “dietary fiber.” However, functional characterization of PUL lags significantly behind sequencing efforts, which limits physiological understanding of the human-bacterial symbiosis. In particular, the molecular basis of complex polysaccharide recognition, an essential prerequisite to hydrolysis by cell surface glycosidases and subsequent metabolism, is generally poorly understood. Here, we present the biochemical, structural, and reverse genetic characterization of two unique cell surface glycan-binding proteins (SGBPs) encoded by a xyloglucan utilization locus (XyGUL) from
Bacteroides ovatus
, which are integral to growth on this key dietary vegetable polysaccharide. Biochemical analysis reveals that these outer membrane-anchored proteins are in fact exquisitely specific for the highly branched xyloglucan (XyG) polysaccharide. The crystal structure of SGBP-A, a SusD homolog, with a bound XyG tetradecasaccharide reveals an extended carbohydrate-binding platform that primarily relies on recognition of the β-glucan backbone. The unique, tetra-modular structure of SGBP-B is comprised of tandem Ig-like folds, with XyG binding mediated at the distal C-terminal domain. Despite displaying similar affinities for XyG, reverse-genetic analysis reveals that SGBP-B is only required for the efficient capture of smaller oligosaccharides, whereas the presence of SGBP-A is more critical than its carbohydrate-binding ability for growth on XyG. Together, these data demonstrate that SGBP-A and SGBP-B play complementary, specialized roles in carbohydrate capture by
B. ovatus
and elaborate a model of how vegetable xyloglucans are accessed by the
Bacteroidetes
.

IMPORTANCE
The
Bacteroidetes
are dominant bacteria in the human gut that are responsible for the digestion of the complex polysaccharides that constitute “dietary fiber.” Although this symbiotic relationship has been appreciated for decades, little is currently known about how
Bacteroidetes
seek out and bind plant cell wall polysaccharides as a necessary first step in their metabolism. Here, we provide the first biochemical, crystallographic, and genetic insight into how two surface glycan-binding proteins from the complex
Bacteroides ovatus
xyloglucan utilization locus (XyGUL) enable recognition and uptake of this ubiquitous vegetable polysaccharide. Our combined analysis illuminates new fundamental aspects of complex polysaccharide recognition, cleavage, and import at the
Bacteroidetes
cell surface that may facilitate the development of prebiotics to target this phylum of gut bacteria.
Cannabinoid hyperemesis syndrome and the onset of a manic episode
Authors: Gregoire Phillip , Tau Michael , Robertson David
Published: April 2016

Cannabinoid hyperemesis syndrome is a rare, recently described, clinically diagnosed condition that is characterised by a chronic history of cannabis use, cyclic nausea and vomiting, symptomatic relief with hot water bathing, and resolution with cessation of use. We present a case of this syndrome concurrent in a patient with bipolar mania. We suggest that a 3-week period of vomiting in the context of this syndrome contributed to the precipitation of a manic episode by lowering mood stabiliser serum levels, and that this syndrome will have significant consequences for the patient's mental health.
Balancing student/trainee learning with the delivery of patient care in the healthcare workplace: a protocol for realist synthesis
Authors: Sholl Sarah , Ajjawi Rola , Allbutt Helen , Butler Jane , Jindal-Snape Divya , Morrison Jill , Rees Charlotte
Published: April 2016

Introduction

A national survey was recently conducted to explore medical education research priorities in Scotland. The identified themes and underlying priority areas can be linked to current medical education drivers in the UK. The top priority area rated by stakeholders was: ‘Understanding how to balance service and training conflicts’. Despite its perceived importance, a preliminary scoping exercise revealed the least activity with respect to published literature reviews. This protocol has therefore been developed so as to understand how patient care, other service demands and student/trainee learning can be simultaneously facilitated within the healthcare workplace. The review will identify key interventions designed to balance patient care and student/trainee learning, to understand how and why such interventions produce their effects. Our research questions seek to address how identified interventions enable balanced patient care-trainee learning within the healthcare workplace, for whom, why and under what circumstances.

Methods and analysis

Pawson's five stages for undertaking a realist review underpin this protocol. These stages may progress in a non-linear fashion due to the iterative nature of the review process. We will: (1) clarify the scope of the review, identifying relevant interventions and existing programme theories, understanding how interventions act to produce their intended outcomes; (2) search journal articles and grey literature for empirical evidence from 1998 (introduction of the European Working Time Directive) on the UK multidisciplinary team working concerning these interventions, theories and outcomes, using databases such as ERIC, Scopus and CINAHL; (3) assess study quality; (4) extract data; and (5) synthesise data, drawing conclusions.

Ethics and dissemination

A formal ethical review is not required. These findings should provide an important understanding of how workplace-based interventions influence the balance of trainee learning and service provision. They should benefit various stakeholders involved in workplace-based learning interventions, and inform the medical education research agenda in the UK.
Acute cocoa flavanol supplementation improves muscle macro- and microvascular but not anabolic responses to amino acids in older men
Authors: Phillips Bethan E. , Atherton Philip J. , Varadhan Krishna , Limb Marie C. , Williams John P. , Smith Kenneth
Published: April 2016

The anabolic effects of nutrition on skeletal muscle may depend on adequate skeletal muscle perfusion, which is impaired in older people. Cocoa flavanols have been shown to improve flow-mediated dilation, an established measure of endothelial function. However, their effect on muscle microvascular blood flow is currently unknown. Therefore, the objective of this study was to explore links between the consumption of cocoa flavanols, muscle microvascular blood flow, and muscle protein synthesis (MPS) in response to nutrition in older men. To achieve this objective, leg blood flow (LBF), muscle microvascular blood volume (MBV), and MPS were measured under postabsorptive and postprandial (intravenous Glamin (Fresenius Kabi, Germany), dextrose to sustain glucose ∼7.5 mmol·L−1) conditions in 20 older men. Ten of these men were studied with no cocoa flavanol intervention and a further 10 were studied with the addition of 350 mg of cocoa flavanols at the same time that nutrition began. Leg (femoral artery) blood flow was measured by Doppler ultrasound, muscle MBV by contrast-enhanced ultrasound using Definity (Lantheus Medical Imaging, Mass., USA) perflutren contrast agent and MPS using [1, 2-13C2]leucine tracer techniques. Our results show that although older individuals do not show an increase in LBF or MBV in response to feeding, these absent responses are apparent when cocoa flavanols are given acutely with nutrition. However, this restoration in vascular responsiveness is not associated with improved MPS responses to nutrition. We conclude that acute cocoa flavanol supplementation improves muscle macro- and microvascular responses to nutrition, independently of modifying muscle protein anabolism.
Using silvicultural practices to regulate competition, resource availability, and growing conditions for Pinus palustris seedlings underplanted in Pinus taeda forests
Authors: Knapp Benjamin O. , Wang G. Geoff , Walker Joan L. , Hu Huifeng
Published: April 2016

In the southeastern United States, many forest managers are interested in restoring longleaf pine (Pinus palustris Mill.) to upland sites that currently support loblolly pine (Pinus taeda L.). We quantified the effects of four canopy treatments (uncut Control; MedBA, harvest to 9 m2·ha−1; LowBA, harvest to 5 m2·ha−1; and Clearcut) and three cultural treatments (NT, no treatment; H, herbicide release of longleaf pine seedlings; and H+F, herbicide release plus fertilization) on resource availability and growing conditions in relation to longleaf pine seedling response for 3 years. Harvesting treatments reduced competition from canopy trees but resulted in greater abundance of understory vegetation. Harvesting shifted the interception of light from the canopy to the subcanopy vegetation layer; however, total light availability at the forest floor increased with the intensity of canopy removal. Soil moisture was not affected by harvesting or by the cultural treatments. Foliar nutrient concentrations (N, P, and K) of longleaf pine seedlings generally increased with the intensity of the harvest treatment. Of the plant resources measured, we found that light was most strongly correlated with longleaf pine seedling growth and that incorporating the interception of light by subcanopy vegetation improved the relationship over that of canopy light transmittance alone.
High Field Stark Effects in CH and NH
Authors: Scarl E. A. , Dalby F. W.
Published: April 2016

A LoSurdo discharge was used to apply electric fields of up to 290 kV/cm to a mixture of cyanogen and hydrogen, and to ammonia, permitting the observation of Stark effects in the optical spectra of the CH and NH molecules, respectively. These experiments yielded the following values of the molecular electric dipole moment in the ground vibrational states: μ(CH, A2Δ) = 0.887 ± 0.045 D, and μ(NH, X3Σ) = 1.389 ± 0.075 D. A table of experimental and theoretical dipole moments of first-row hydrides is included.
An Ethnopharmacological, Phytochemical and Pharmacological Review of the Genus Meconopsis
Authors: Guo Qiang , Bai Ruifeng , Zhao Baosheng , Feng Xiao , Zhao Yunfang , Tu Pengfei , Chai Xingyun
Published: April 2016

The Meconopsis plants (Chinese: 绿绒篙), belonging to the family Papaveraceae, have been used as traditional Tibetan medicine (TTM) for thousands of years. Meconopsis has the effects of clearing heat, reducing swelling, and easing pain, and is mainly prescribed for heat syndromes, hepatitis, pneumonia, and pain in joints. Phytochemical studies have revealed the presence of major isoquinoline alkaloids and flavonoids. Modern pharmacological research has demonstrated its antitumor, hepatoprotective, analgestic, antimicrobial, anti-oxidant, antitussive, and anti-inflammatory activities. However, resource availability, in-depth in vivo pharmacological study and qualitative and quantitative analysis are still insufficient and deserve further efforts. This paper provides a comprehensive advance on the ethnopharmacological, phytochemical, and pharmacological studies of the genus, in hopes of promoting a better understanding of their medicinal values.
Morse potential, symmetric Morse potential and bracketed bound-state energies
Authors: Znojil Miloslav
Published: April 2016

For the needs of non-perturbative quantum theory, an upgraded concept of solvability is proposed. In a broader methodical context, the innovation involves Schrödinger equations which are piecewise analytic and piecewise solvable in terms of special (in our illustrative example, Whittaker) functions. In a practical implementation of our symbolic-manipulation-based approach, we work with a non-analyticity in the origin. A persuasive advantage is then found in the both-sidedness of our iterative localization of the energies.
Structural Code Clone Detection Methodology Using Software Metrics
Authors: Aktas Mehmet S. , Kapdan Mustafa
Published: April 2016

Unnecessary repeated codes, also known as code clones, have not been well documented and are difficult to maintain. Code clones may become an important problem in the software development cycle, since any detected error must be fixed in all occurrences. This condition significantly increases software maintenance costs and requires effort/duration for understanding the code. This research introduces a novel methodology to minimize or prevent the code cloning problem in software projects. In particular, this manuscript is focused on the detection of structural code clones, which are defined as similarity in software structure such as design patterns. Our proposed methodology provides a solution to the class-level structural code clone detection problem. We introduce a novel software architecture that provides unification of different software quality analysis tools that take measurements for software metrics for structural code clone detection. We present an empirical evaluation of our approach and investigate its practical usefulness. We conduct a user study using human judges to detect structural code clones in three different open-source software projects. We apply our methodology to the same projects and compare results. The results show that our proposed solution is able to show high consistency compared with the results reached by the human judges. The outcome of this study also indicates that a uniform structural code clone detection system can be built on top of different software quality tools, where each tool takes measurements of different object-oriented software metrics.
SELF-SIMILAR CHARGE TRANSMISSION IN GAPPED GRAPHENE
Authors: DÍAZ-GUERRERO D. S. , RODRÍGUEZ-VARGAS I. , NAUMIS G. G. , GAGGERO-SAGER L. M.
Published: April 2016

A new self-similar multibarrier system is proposed and used to study transmission of Dirac electrons in graphene. Such system is based on the scaling of the length and energy of the barriers. The use of self-similar structures allows us to compare the transmission in graphene and gallium arsenide (GaAs). The transmission coefficient for charge carriers in graphene shows a surprising scaling behavior structure, which is not seen in GaAs. The scaling properties are established as a function of three parameters: barrier’s energy, the length and the generation of the system.
Hamilton–Jacobi approach to cosmology with nonlinear sigma model
Authors: Kerner Richard , Van Holten Jan-Willem
Published: April 2016

We start with a short introduction of the role that constraints and Lagrange multiplers play in variational calculus. After recalling briefly the properties of the nonlinear sigma model, we show how the Hamilton–Jacobi method can be applied to find its solutions. We discuss the importance of the Hamiltonian constraint in the standard cosmological model, and finally, apply the Hamilton–Jacobi method to the solution of coupled gravitational and sigma-field equations.
Semi-Euclidean quasi-elliptic planar motion
Authors: Bekar Murat , Yayli Yusuf
Published: April 2016

The aim of this paper is to study the algebra of split semi-quaternions with their basic properties. Also, the results of the Euclidean planar motion given by Blaschke and Grünwald is generalized to semi-Euclidean planar motion by using the algebra of split semi-quaternions.
A probabilistic seismic hazard assessment for Sulawesi, Indonesia
Authors: Cipta A. , Robiana R. , Griffin J. D. , Horspool N. , Hidayati S. , Cummins Phil R.
Published: April 2016

A probabilistic seismic hazard assessment that includes the effect of site amplification is undertaken for the island of Sulawesi, Indonesia. High seismic activity rates, both along fast-slipping crustal faults including the major Palu-Koro–Matano Fault System and in regions of distributed deformation, contribute to moderate–high earthquake hazard over all but the SW part of the island. Of particular concern in terms of seismic risk are the numerous cities sited on soft sedimentary basins that have formed due to movement along presently active structures and that can be expected to amplify earthquake ground motions, including the provincial capitals of Palu and Gorontalo.
How to increase the security of smart buildings?
Authors: Wendzel Steffen
Published: April 2016

Surveying unresolved security problems for automated buildings.
Hiding secrets in software
Authors: Garg Sanjam , Gentry Craig , Halevi Shai , Raykova Mariana , Sahai Amit , Waters Brent
Published: April 2016

Can we hide secrets in software? Can we obfuscate programs---that is, make programs
unintelligible
while preserving their functionality? What exactly do we mean by "unintelligible"? Why would we even want to do this?

In this article, we describe some rigorous cryptographic answers to these quasi-philosophical questions. We also discuss our recent "candidate indistinguishability obfuscation" scheme and its implications.
The wicked problem of making SIGCHI accessible
Authors: Mankoff Jennifer
Published: April 2016

The
Interactions
website (interactions.acm.org) hosts a stable of bloggers who share insights and observations on HCI, often challenging current practices. Each issue we'll publish selected posts from some of the leading voices in the field.
Demo hour
Authors: Mosher Matthew , Tinapple David , Tomas Enrique , Konno Keina , Owaki Richi , Onishi Yoshito , Kanda Ryo , Sheep  , Takeshita Akiko , Nishi Tsubasa , Shiomi Naoko , McDonald Kyle , Higa Satoru , Jo Kazuhiro , Ando Yoko , Abe Kazunao , Ito Takayuki , Cuykendall Shannon , Soutar-Rau Ethan , Schiphorst Thecla
Published: April 2016

For the 10th anniversary of the TEI conference,
The Body In Translation
exhibition presented artworks exploring the body's transformation through technology. The nine works selected invite speculations on the kinds of futures, experiences, and practices that arise from extending, translating, and connecting the body. Here we present four of the nine works portraying novel interfaces for the creative translation of bodily interaction.

Lian Loke, George Khut, and Ineke Neutelings, TEI 2016 Arts Track Chairs
Product strategy
Authors: Young Indi
Published: April 2016

This forum is dedicated to maximizing the success of HCI practitioners within the frenetic world of product and service design. It focuses on UX strategy approaches, leadership, management techniques, and above all the challenge of bringing HCI to peer-level status with longstanding business disciplines such as marketing and engineering.
--- Daniel Rosenberg, Editor
Sex Differences in the Use of Complementary and Alternative Medicine among Adults with Multiple Chronic Conditions
Authors: Alwhaibi Monira , Sambamoorthi Usha
Published: April 2016

Objective. To examine sex differences in complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) use among adults with multiple chronic conditions. Methods. This study used a cross‐sectional design with data from the 2012 National Health Interview Survey. The participants were interviewed in 2012 and the reference period for the questions in the survey varied from 1 week to 12 months prior to the interview date. The study included adults (age > 21 years) with no missing data on CAM use variables and who had multiple chronic conditions. Multivariable regression analyses were used to examine the association between sex and CAM use. Results. A significantly higher percentage of women compared to men had ever used CAM (51.5% versus 44.3%); women were more likely to have ever used CAM (AOR = 1.49, 95% CI = 1.35–1.65). Among CAM users, a higher percentage of women compared to men used CAM in the past 12 months (53.5% vs. 42.7%); women were more likely to use CAM in the past 12 months (AOR = 1.71, 95% CI = 1.49–1.97). Factors associated with CAM use in the past 12 months were different for men and women; income and obesity were associated with CAM use in the past 12 months among women and not among men. Conclusion. Among adults with multiple chronic conditions, women were more likely to use CAM as compared to men.