bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Evolving self view and body image concerns in female postoperative bariatric surgery patients
Authors: Perdue Tamara O. , Schreier Ann , Swanson Melvin , Neil Janice , Carels Robert
Published: May 2018

Aims and Objectives

To explore the experience of postoperative bariatric surgery patients as they adjust to diminished weight and differentiate that adjustment from the more general concept of body image.

Background

Bariatric surgery is an effective way to reduce weight and comorbidities associated with obesity. Complete success requires that patients must adjust psychologically as they lose weight. If this does not occur, bariatric patients may experience a “mind–body lag,” in which the patient's internal body image lags behind the external changes. Hermans’ Dialogical Self Theory of “I‐positions” is a foundation with which to understand this problem.

Design

Descriptive correlational study of postoperative bariatric patients explored the concept of “I‐obese” and “I‐ex‐obese” in an effort to quantify previous qualitative findings and develop a survey questionnaire.

Methods

Bariatric patients (N = 55) between 18–30 months postoperative completed one‐hour interviews. Cluster analysis and chi‐squared analysis compared mean scores and explored the prevalence of “I‐positions” and body image concerns in the participants.

Results

Cluster analysis of the survey data identified participants as falling into either “I‐obese,” “I‐ex‐obese” or “mixed I‐obese” categories. There were significantly higher body image concerns in the “I‐obese” participants than those identified as “I‐ex‐obese.” The majority of female participants reported high body image concerns. There was no significant association with weight loss percentage.

Conclusion

This research establishes a connection in this study sample of women who experience body image concerns and prolonged “I‐obese” identification 18–30 months after their bariatric surgery.

Relevance to clinical practice

To date, the primary measure of bariatric surgery success has focused almost exclusively on the amount of weight loss. Implementing psychological as well as physiological care, however, may be the key to full recovery and long‐term success. Practitioners can use this new information to plan effective pre‐ and postoperative psychological preparation and support.
Postnatal psychosocial assessment and clinical decision‐making, a descriptive study
Authors: Sims Deborah Jane , Fowler Cathrine
Published: May 2018

Aims and objectives

To describe experienced child and family health nurses’ clinical decision‐making during a postnatal psychosocial assessment.

Background

Maternal emotional well‐being in the postnatal year optimises parenting and promotes infant development. Psychosocial assessment potentially enables early intervention and reduces the risk of a mental disorder occurring during this time of change. Assessment accuracy and the interventions used are determined by the standard of nursing decision‐making.

Design

A qualitative methodology was employed to explore decision‐making behaviour when conducting a postnatal psychosocial assessment.

Methods

This study was conducted in an Australian early parenting organisation. Twelve experienced child and family health nurses were interviewed. A detailed description of a postnatal psychosocial assessment process was obtained using a critical incident technique. Template analysis was used to determine the information domains the nurses accessed, and content analysis was used to determine the nurses’ thinking strategies, to make clinical decisions from this assessment.

Results

The nurses described 24 domains of information and used 17 thinking strategies, in a variety of combinations. The four information domains most commonly used were parenting, assessment tools, women‐determined issues and sleep. The seven thinking strategies most commonly used were searching for information, forming relationships between the information, recognising a pattern, drawing a conclusion, setting priorities, providing explanations for the information and judging the value of the information.

Conclusion

The variety and complexity of the clinical decision‐making involved in postnatal psychosocial assessment confirm that the nurses use information appropriately and within their scope of nursing practice. The standard of clinical decision‐making determines the results of the assessment and the optimal access to care.

Relevance to clinical practice

Knowledge of the information domains and the decision‐making strategies that experienced nurses use for psychosocial assessment potentially improves practice by providing a framework for education and mentoring.
The chaos of hospitalisation for patients with critical limb ischaemia approaching major amputation
Authors: Monaro Susan , West Sandra , Pinkova Jana , Gullick Janice
Published: May 2018

Aims and objectives

To illuminate the hospital experience for patients and families when major amputation has been advised for critical limb ischaemia (CLI).

Background

CLI creates significant burden to the health system and the family, particularly as the person with CLI approaches amputation. Major amputation is often offered as a late intervention for CLI in response to the marked deterioration of an ischaemic limb, and functional decline from reduced mobility, intractable pain, infection and/or toxaemia. While a wealth of clinical outcome data on CLI and amputation exists internationally, little is known about the patient/family‐centred experience of hospitalisation to inform preservation of personhood and patient‐centred care planning.

Design

Longitudinal qualitative study using Heideggerian phenomenology.

Methods

Fourteen patients and 13 family carers provided a semistructured interview after advice for major amputation. Where amputation followed, a second interview (6 months postprocedure) was provided by eight patients and seven family carers. Forty‐two semistructured interviews were audio‐recorded and transcribed verbatim. Hermeneutic phenomenological analysis followed.

Results

Hospitalisation for CLI, with or without amputation, created a sense of chaos, characterised by being fragile and needing more time for care (fragile body and fragile mind, nurse busyness and carer hypervigilance), being adrift within uncontrollable spaces (noise, unreliable space, precarious accommodation and unpredictable scheduling) and being confused by missed and mixed messages (multiple stakeholders, information overload and cultural/linguistic diversity).

Conclusions

Patients and families need a range of strategies to assist mindful decision‐making in preparation for amputation in what for them is a chaotic process occurring within a chaotic environment. Cognitive deficits increase the care complexity and burden of family advocacy.

Relevance to clinical practice

A coordinated, interprofessional response should improve systems for communication, family engagement, operation scheduling and discharge planning to support preparation, adjustment and allow a sense of safety to develop. Formal peer support for patients and caregivers should be actively facilitated.
Knowledge and health beliefs about gestational diabetes and healthy pregnancy's breastfeeding intention
Authors: Park Seungmi , Lee Jung Lim , In Sun Jang , Kim Youngji
Published: May 2018

Aims and objectives

If the knowledge and health beliefs relating to gestational diabetes mellitus during pregnancy are associated with behaviours during pregnancy and lactation, this suggests potential educational interventions.

Backgrounds

Women with gestational diabetes mellitus are more likely to develop type 2 diabetes mellitus, and babies with gestational diabetes mellitus incur increased risk of neonatal hypoglycaemia and childhood obesity. Breastfeeding is an effective way to improve maternal and lipid metabolism of gestational diabetes mothers, and to lower the risk of type 2 diabetes mellitus after birth, to prevent conception. Nurses have an important role in encouraging mothers to breastfeed for health promotion. The importance of cognitive factors such as knowledge, beliefs and attitudes is emphasised to increase the breastfeeding rate and to improve the quality of breastfeeding for pregnant women. Little research has been undertaken exploring cognitive factors and breastfeeding intention.

Design

Cross‐sectional descriptive survey in healthy pregnant women.

Methods

A questionnaire about gestational diabetes mellitus‐related knowledge and health beliefs of gestational diabetes mellitus management composed of perceived susceptibility, severity, benefits, barriers and self‐efficacy was developed by investigators. The association of two predictor variables of interest, gestational diabetes mellitus‐related knowledge and health beliefs of gestational diabetes mellitus management, was tested with the outcome variable, breastfeeding intention, using chi‐square test, t test, ANOVA and multiple logistic regression.

Results

Two hundred and thirty‐seven of the 250 participants returned questionnaires for a final response rate of 94.8%. Breastfeeding intention after childbirth was associated with stronger perceived benefit, higher levels of self‐efficacy and lower alcohol consumption.

Conclusion

History of drinking and health beliefs such as perceived benefits and self‐efficacy were highly associated with breastfeeding intention relating to gestational diabetes mellitus. Education for breastfeeding in gestational diabetes mellitus mothers should focus upon the benefit of breastfeeding and strengthening self‐efficacy.
Influence of bacterial leaf blight on the photosynthetic characteristics of resistant and susceptible rice
Authors: Hu Hao , Sheng Li , Zhang Guangzhi , Gu Qing , Zheng Kefeng
Published: May 2018

The effect of crop disease on photosynthetic characteristics is important for disease control. Two varieties, Shenzhou 98 and Neiwuyou 8015 with resistance and susceptibility to bacterial leaf blight (BLB), respectively, were selected, and the responses of the net photosynthetic rate (PN) to active photon flux density (PPFD) and intercellular carbon dioxide concentration (Ci), as well as chlorophyll fluorescence, pigments and stomatal resistance (SR), were measured. The results showed that BLB infection greatly decreased the maximum photosynthetic rate (Pmax), light saturation point (LSP), carboxylation efficiency (CE), maximal fluorescence (Fm) and actual photochemical efficiency of PSII (ΦPSII) but increased the light compensation point (LCP) and dark respiratory rate (RD), which suggested that the performance of rice photosynthesis was decreased by BLB infection. The BLB infection had a lower effect on resistant rice Shenzhou 98 than on susceptible rice Neiwuyou 8015. The reduction of pigment and increased SR caused by BLB infection may have resulted in the decline in the photosynthetic rate. Significant effects of the BLB infection were observed on chlorophyll fluorescence Fm and ΦPSII in resistant and susceptible rice. These parameters may be useful for noninvasive monitoring of plant disease considering the negative effect caused by other stresses.
Effect of trapping method on species identification of phlebotomine sandflies by MALDI‐TOF MS protein profiling
Authors: Halada P. , Hlavackova K. , Risueño J. , Berriatua E. , Volf P. , Dvorak V.
Published: May 2018

Sandflies (Diptera: Psychodidae) (Newstead, 1911) are blood‐feeding insects that transmit human pathogens including Leishmania (Trypanosomatida: Trypanosomatidae) parasites, causative agents of the leishmaniases. To elucidate Leishmania transmission cycles, conclusive identification of vector species is essential. Molecular approaches including matrix‐assisted laser desorption ionization time‐of‐flight mass spectrometry (MALDI‐TOF MS) protein profiling have recently emerged to complement morphological identification. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of the trap type used to collect sandflies, specifically Centers for Disease Control (CDC) light or sticky traps, the two most commonly used in sandfly surveys, on subsequent MALDI‐TOF MS protein profiling. Specimens of five species (Phlebotomus ariasi, Phlebotomus papatasi, Phlebotomus perniciosus, Phlebotomus sergenti, Sergentomyia minuta) collected in periurban and agricultural habitats in southeast Spain were subjected to protein profiling. Acquired protein spectra were queried against an in‐house reference database and their quality assessed to evaluate the trap type effect. The results indicate that trap choice can substantially affect the quality of protein spectra in collected sandflies. Whereas specimens retrieved from light traps produced intense and reproducible spectra that allowed reliable species determination, profiles of specimens from sticky traps were compromised and often did not enable correct identification. Sticky traps should therefore not be used in surveys that deploy MALDI‐TOF MS protein profiling for species identification.
Mixed infections are a critical factor in the treatment of superficial mycoses
Authors: Gawaz A. , Weisel G.
Published: May 2018

Superficial fungal infections of the skin, nails and hair are common with Trichophyton rubrum and Candida albicans being the main pathogens. Yet, in some patients, mycological cultures show growth of more than one fungal agent in the same anatomical region. This study analyses prevalence, frequency and fungal agents found in superficial fungal mixed infections and discusses consequences for diagnostics and treatment. Mycological data obtained between January 2006 and December 2015 from clinical specimens from a total cohort of 7733 patients with suspected fungal infections were retrospectively analysed. All specimens were cultured on Sabouraud's dextrose and dermatophyte agar. Patients were included in this study, if more than one fungal species developed in culture. Mixed infections account to 6% of all superficial fungal infections. In more than half of the cases, a combination of dermatophyte and yeast is found, mostly concerning foot lesions. Male patients between 60 and 80 year are most commonly affected (39% of mixed infections). Rare species are found in distinctly higher percentages in fungal mixed infections than in general. Sampling of all regions of suspected fungal infection and cultural proof are essential for purposeful systemic therapy. Delayed treatment of fungal infections may enable secondary co‐infection by species usually considered little pathogenic.
Plant roots redesign the rhizosphere to alter the three‐dimensional physical architecture and water dynamics
Authors: Rabbi Sheikh M. F. , Tighe Matthew K. , Flavel Richard J. , Kaiser Brent N. , Guppy Chris N. , Zhang Xiaoxian , Young Iain M.
Published: May 2018

The mechanisms controlling the genesis of rhizosheaths are not well understood, despite their importance in controlling the flux of nutrients and water from soil to root.

Here, we examine the development of rhizosheaths from drought‐tolerant and drought‐sensitive chickpea varieties; focusing on the three‐dimensional characterization of the pore volume (> 16 μm voxel spatial resolution) obtained from X‐ray microtomography, along with the characterization of mucilage and root hairs, and water sorption.

We observe that drought‐tolerant plants generate a larger diameter root, and a greater and more porous mass of rhizosheath, which also has a significantly increased water sorptivity, as compared with bulk soil.

Using lattice Boltzmann simulations of soil permeability, we find that the root activity of both cultivars creates an anisotropic structure in the rhizosphere, in that its ability to conduct water in the radial direction is significantly higher than in the axial direction, especially in the drought‐tolerant cultivar. We suggest that significant differences in rhizosheath architectures are sourced not only by changes in structure of the volumes, but also from root mucilage, and further suggest that breeding for rhizosheath architectures and function may be a potential future avenue for better designing crops in a changing environment.
Inducible defense destabilizes predator–prey dynamics: the importance of multiple predators
Authors: van Velzen Ellen , Thieser Tamara , Berendonk Thomas , Weitere Markus , Gaedke Ursula
Published: May 2018

Phenotypic plasticity in prey can have a dramatic impact on predator–prey dynamics, e.g. by inducible defense against temporally varying levels of predation. Previous work has overwhelmingly shown that this effect is stabilizing: inducible defenses dampen the amplitudes of population oscillations or eliminate them altogether. However, such studies have neglected scenarios where being protected against one predator increases vulnerability to another (incompatible defense). Here we develop a model for such a scenario, using two distinct prey phenotypes and two predator species. Each prey phenotype is defended against one of the predators, and vulnerable to the other. In strong contrast with previous studies on the dynamic effects of plasticity involving a single predator, we find that increasing the level of plasticity consistently destabilizes the system, as measured by the amplitude of oscillations and the coefficients of variation of both total prey and total predator biomasses. We explain this unexpected and seemingly counterintuitive result by showing that plasticity causes synchronization between the two prey phenotypes (and, through this, between the predators), thus increasing the temporal variability in biomass dynamics. These results challenge the common view that plasticity should always have a stabilizing effect on biomass dynamics: adding a single predator–prey interaction to an established model structure gives rise to a system where different mechanisms may be at play, leading to dramatically different outcomes.
Effect of phase‐encoding direction on group analysis of resting‐state functional magnetic resonance imaging
Authors: Mori Yasuo , Miyata Jun , Isobe Masanori , Son Shuraku , Yoshihara Yujiro , Aso Toshihiko , Kouchiyama Takanori , Murai Toshiya , Takahashi Hidehiko
Published: May 2018

Aim

Echo‐planar imaging is a common technique used in functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI); however, it suffers from image distortion and signal loss because of large susceptibility effects that are related to the phase‐encoding direction of the scan. Despite this relation, the majority of neuroimaging studies has not considered the influence of phase‐encoding direction. Here, we aimed to clarify how phase‐encoding direction can affect the outcome of an fMRI connectivity study of schizophrenia (SCZ).

Methods

Resting‐state fMRI using anterior to posterior (A–P) and posterior to anterior (P–A) directions was used to examine 25 patients with SCZ and 37 matched healthy controls (HC). We conducted a functional connectivity (FC) analysis using independent component analysis and performed three group comparisons: (i) A–P versus P–A (all participants); (ii) SCZ versus HC for the A–P and P–A datasets; and (iii) the interaction between phase‐encoding direction and participant group.

Results

The estimated FC differed between the two phase‐encoding directions in areas that were more extensive than those where signal loss has been reported. Although FC in the SCZ group was lower than that in the HC group for both directions, the A–P and P–A conditions did not exhibit the same specific pattern of differences. Further, we observed an interaction between participant group and the phase‐encoding direction in the left temporoparietal junction and left fusiform gyrus.

Conclusion

Phase‐encoding direction can influence the results of FC studies. Thus, appropriate selection and documentation of phase‐encoding direction will be important in future resting‐state fMRI studies.
Increase of frontal cerebral blood volume during transcranial magnetic stimulation in depression is related to treatment effectiveness: A pilot study with near‐infrared spectroscopy
Authors: Shinba Toshikazu , Kariya Nobutoshi , Matsuda Saori , Matsuda Hanae , Obara Yusuke
Published: May 2018

Aim

Alterations of cerebral blood flow have been reported in studies of depression treated by transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS). However, the relation between these changes in activity during stimulation and the effectiveness of TMS is not known. The aim of this study was to determine whether changes in frontal cerebral blood volume measured as frontal hemoglobin concentration (fHbC) during TMS are correlated with clinical outcomes of treatment.

Methods

Fifteen drug‐resistant patients with depression underwent a standard treatment regimen of TMS to the left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex. We recorded fHbC during stimulation at the start and end of the TMS treatment series using near‐infrared spectroscopy. Symptom severity was determined using the Montgomery–Åsberg Depression Rating Scale.

Results

At the start of the TMS series, fHbC increased during stimulation in a majority of patients with no relation to symptom severity. However, at the end of the series, fHbC increase during stimulation was negatively correlated with the Montgomery–Åsberg Depression Rating Scale score and positively with the score reduction. Patients showing a decreasing response of fHbC during TMS at the end of the series experienced less clinical improvement.

Conclusion

These results suggest that the maintenance of frontal activation during stimulation in the course of TMS series is related to the effectiveness in the treatment of depression. Measurement of fHbC during stimulation is informative in the clinical use of TMS.
Safety and efficacy from a 6‐week double‐blind study and a 52‐week open‐label extension of aripiprazole in adolescents with schizophrenia in Japan
Authors: Matsumoto Hideo , Ishigooka Jun , Ono Hiroaki , Tadori Yoshihiro
Published: May 2018

Aim

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the safety and efficacy of aripiprazole in adolescents with schizophrenia (SCZ) in Japan.

Methods

In a 6‐week, randomized, double‐blind, dose‐comparison study, adolescents (aged 13–17 years) with SCZ were randomized to receive aripiprazole 2, 6–12, or 24–30 mg/day. Patients who completed the 6‐week study participated in a 52‐week, flexible‐dose, open‐label extension (OLE) study of aripiprazole (initial dose: 2 mg/day, maintenance dose: 6–24 mg/day, maximum dose: 30 mg/day).

Results

In the 6‐week study, the percentage of patients completing treatment was: 77.1% (27/35) for 2 mg/day; 80.0% (24/30) for 6–12 mg/day; and 85.4% (35/41) for 24–30 mg/day. The least squares mean change in the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS) total score from baseline to endpoint (primary efficacy endpoint, last observation carried forward) was −19.6 for 2 mg/day, −16.5 for 6–12 mg/day, and − 21.6 for 24–30 mg/day. The most common (≥20% patients in any group) treatment‐emergent adverse events (TEAE) were nausea, akathisia, insomnia, and somnolence. Most TEAE were mild or moderate in severity. There were no deaths. In the OLE, 60.3% (41/68) of patients completed treatment, and the PANSS total score decreased by −7.9 from OLE baseline to week 52. The most common (≥20% patients) TEAE were nasopharyngitis and somnolence. Most TEAE were mild or moderate in severity. There were no deaths.

Conclusion

These study results suggest that aripiprazole would be safe and well tolerated in both short‐ and long‐term treatment for adolescents with SCZ in Japan.
Initial goals, goal trajectories, and serial argument resolvability: A growth curve analysis
Authors: Worley Timothy , Samp Jennifer
Published: May 2018

This study examines dyadic patterns of goal pursuit during a serial argument interaction and their associations with perceived argument resolvability. The authors utilize a growth curve framework to highlight how both initial importance and trajectories (i.e., over‐time increases/decreases) of goal importance predicted perceived resolvability. Seventy‐six heterosexual couples discussed a current serial argument and reported their goals at 1‐min increments, using a video‐assisted recall method. Both initial importance and increases in actors' partner‐focused goals were positively associated with perceived resolvability, and increases in a partners' self‐focused goal importance across the course of the interaction were negatively associated with actors' postinteraction resolvability perceptions. Results suggest that partners should attend to both initial goals and trajectories of goal pursuit during argumentative interactions.
Local and systemic regulation of PSII efficiency in triticale infected by the hemibiotrophic pathogen Microdochium nivale
Authors: Dyda Mateusz , Wąsek Iwona , Tyrka Mirosław , Wędzony Maria , Szechyńska‐Hebda Magdalena
Published: May 2018

Microdochium nivale is a fungal pathogen that causes yield losses of cereals during winter. Cold hardening under light conditions induces genotype‐dependent resistance of a plant to infection. We aim to show how photosystem II (PSII) regulation contributes to plant resistance. Using mapping population of triticale doubled haploid lines, three M. nivale strains and different infection assays, we demonstrate that plants that maintain a higher maximum quantum efficiency of PSII show less leaf damage upon infection. The fungus can establish necrotrophic or biotrophic interactions with susceptible or resistant genotypes, respectively. It is suggested that local inhibition of photosynthesis during the infection of sensitive genotypes is not balanced by a supply of energy from the tissue surrounding the infected cells as efficiently as in resistant genotypes. Thus, defence is limited, which in turn results in extensive necrotic damage. Quantitative trait loci regions, involved in the control of both PSII functioning and resistance, were located on chromosomes 4 and 6, similar to a wide range of PSII‐ and resistance‐related genes. A meta‐analysis of microarray experiments showed that the expression of genes involved in the repair and de novo assembly of PSII was maintained at a stable level. However, to establish a favourable energy balance for defence, genes encoding PSII proteins resistant to oxidative degradation were downregulated to compensate for the upregulation of defence‐related pathways. Finally, we demonstrate that the structural and functional integrity of the plant is a factor required to meet the energy demand of infected cells, photosynthesis‐dependent systemic signalling and defence responses.
Potential clinical utility for the multiple breath nitrogen washout
Authors: Chapman David G. , King Gregory G.
Published: May 2018

See related Article
Basinal setting and origin of thick (1·8 km) mass‐flow dominated Grand Conglomérat diamictites, Kamoa, Democratic Republic of Congo: Resolving climate and tectonic controls during Neoproterozoic glaciations
Authors: Kennedy Kirsten , Eyles Nicholas , Broughton David
Published: May 2018

The Kamoa sub‐basin, in the south‐eastern part of the Democratic Republic of Congo, is a rift basin that hosts a world‐class stratiform copper deposit at the base of a very thick (1·8 km) succession of matrix‐supported conglomerates (diamictite) (Grand Conglomérat Formation) that has been interpreted by some as the product of deposition in the aftermath of a planet‐wide glaciation. Newly available subsurface data consisting of more than 300 km of drill core throws new light on the origin of diamictite and associated facies types, and their tectonic, basinal and palaeoclimatic setting. Initiation of rifting is recorded by a lowermost subaqueous succession of fault‐related mass flow conglomerates and breccias (the ‘Poudingue’) with interdigitating coeval and succeeding sandstone turbidites (Mwashya Subgroup). Overlying diamictites of the Grand Conglomérat were deposited as subaqueous debrites produced by mixing and homogenization of antecedent breccias and gravel from the Poudingue and Mwashya sediments with basinal muds. Failure of over‐steepened basin margins and debris flow was likely to be triggered by faulting and seismic activity, and was accompanied by syn‐depositional subaqueous basaltic magmatism recorded by peperites and pillow lavas within diamictites. The thickness of diamictites reflects recurring phases of faulting, volcanism and rapid subsidence allowing continued accommodation of rapidly deposited resedimented facies well below wave base. A distal or indirect, glacial influence in the form of rare dropstones and striated clasts is evident, but tectonically‐driven mass flow destroyed any primary record of glacial climate originally present in basin margin sediments. Such basin margin settings were common during Rodinia rifting and their stratigraphy and facies record a dominant tectonic, rather than climatic, control on sedimentation. Deposition occurred on tectonic timescales inconsistent with a Snowball Earth model for Neoproterozoic diamictites involving a direct glacial contribution to deposition.
Specification testing in nonparametric AR‐ARCH models
Authors: Hušková Marie , Neumeyer Natalie , Niebuhr Tobias , Selk Leonie
Published: May 2018

In this paper, an autoregressive time series model with conditional heteroscedasticity is considered, where both conditional mean and conditional variance function are modeled nonparametrically. Tests for the model assumption of independence of innovations from past time series values are suggested. Tests based on weighted L2‐distances of empirical characteristic functions are considered as well as a Cramér–von Mises‐type test. The asymptotic distributions under the null hypothesis of independence are derived, and the consistency against fixed alternatives is shown. A smooth autoregressive residual bootstrap procedure is suggested, and its performance is shown in a simulation study.
LFR is functionally associated with AS2 to mediate leaf development in Arabidopsis
Authors: Lin Xiaowei , Gu Dandan , Zhao Hongtao , Peng Yue , Zhang Guofang , Yuan Tingting , Li Mengge , Wang Zhijuan , Wang Xiutang , Cui Sujuan
Published: May 2018

Leaves are essential organs for plants. We previously identified a functional gene possibly encoding a component of the SWI/SNF complex named Leaf and Flower Related (LFR) in Arabidopsis thaliana. Loss‐of‐function mutants of LFR displayed obvious defects in leaf morphogenesis, indicating its vital role in leaf development. Here an allelic null mutant of ASYMMETRIC LEAVES2 (AS2), as2‐6, was isolated as an enhancer of lfr‐1 in petiole length, vasculature pattern and leaf margin development. The lfr as2 double‐mutants showed enhanced ectopic expression of BREVIPEDICELLUS (BP) compared with each of the single‐mutants, which is consistent with their synergistic genetic enhancement in multiple BP‐dependent development processes. Moreover, LFR and several putative subunits of the SWI/SNF complex interacted physically with AS2. LFR associated with BP chromatin in an AS1–AS2‐dependent manner to promote the nucleosome occupancy for appropriate BP repression in leaves. Taken together, our findings reveal that LFR and the SWI/SNF complex play roles in leaf development at least partly by repressing BP transcription as interacting factors of AS2, which expounds our understanding of BP repression at the chromatin structure level in leaf development.
Efficient p-i-n inorganic CsPbI3 perovskite solar cell deposited using layer-by-layer vacuum deposition
Authors: Kottokkaran Ranjith , Gaonkar Harshavardhan A. , Bagheri Behrang , Dalal Vikram L.
Published: May 2018

Organometallic halide perovskites have emerged as a promising photovoltaic material achieving more than 22% power conversion efficiency. However, poor thermal, environmental, and photostability still plague methyl ammonium based perovskites. Replacing the organic cation with an inorganic cation: Cesium (Cs) is an alternative approach for making thermally stable perovskite solar cells where there is no organic molecule to decompose thermally. In this paper, the authors report on a CsPbI3 perovskite solar cell deposited using a layer-by-layer vacuum deposition technique followed by thermal annealing at 320 °C. A (p type-intrinsic-n type) (p-i-n) device architecture of ITO/polytriaryl amine/CsPbI3/phenyl-C61-butyric acid methyl ester/Al with power conversion efficiency of >10% was achieved by carefully controlling the molar ratios of CsI to PbI2 and the substrate temperature during deposition. The bandgap of the material was 1.74 eV, and the doping density was 2 × 1015/cm3.
Evaluating automatic speech recognition systems as quantitative models of cross-lingual phonetic category perception
Authors: Schatz Thomas , Bach Francis , Dupoux Emmanuel
Published: May 2018

Theories of cross-linguistic phonetic category perception posit that listeners perceive foreign sounds by mapping them onto their native phonetic categories, but, until now, no way to effectively implement this mapping has been proposed. In this paper, Automatic Speech Recognition systems trained on continuous speech corpora are used to provide a fully specified mapping between foreign sounds and native categories. The authors show how the machine ABX evaluation method can be used to compare predictions from the resulting quantitative models with empirically attested effects in human cross-linguistic phonetic category perception.
Understanding dysrhythmic speech: When rhythm does not matter and learning does not happen
Authors: Borrie Stephanie A. , Lansford Kaitlin L. , Barrett Tyson S.
Published: May 2018

A positive relationship between rhythm perception and improved understanding of a naturally dysrhythmic speech signal, ataxic dysarthria, has been previously reported [Borrie, Lansford, and Barrett. (2017). J. Speech Lang. Hear. Res. 60, 3110–3117]. The current follow-on investigation suggests that this relationship depends on the nature of the dysrhythmia. When the corrupted rhythm cues are relatively predictable, affording some learnable acoustic regularity, the relationship is replicated. However, this relationship is nonexistent, along with any intelligibility improvements, when the corrupted rhythm cues are unpredictable. Findings highlight a key role for rhythm perception and distributional regularities in adaptation to dysrhythmic speech.
Toward an aerodynamic model of fricative consonants
Authors: Signorello Rosario , Hassid Sergio , Demolin Didier
Published: May 2018

Determining the starting point of frication is a complex task involving aerodynamic factors dependent on adjustments controlling articulatory and laryngeal structures and on the regulation of air pressure. This study investigates the aerodynamic characteristics of the onset and offset of Belgian French fricative consonants using direct measurements of subglottal (Ps) and intraoral (Po) air pressure. Results show a higher difference between Ps and Po at the onset of voiced fricative consonants when compared to their voiceless counterparts. This accounts for the need for high air velocity through the glottal and consonantal constrictions for voiced fricatives. The offset of voiced fricatives is also characterized by a relatively large difference between Ps and Po, still lower for voiceless equivalents.
A new route to synthesize aryl acetates from carbonylation of aryl methyl ethers
Authors: Mei Qingqing , Yang Youdi , Liu Hangyu , Li Shaopeng , Liu Huizhen , Han Buxing
Published: May 2018

Aryl acetates were synthesized efficiently for the first time by the carbonylation of aryl methyl ethers.
Varicella-Zoster Virus ORF9p Binding to Cellular Adaptor Protein Complex 1 Is Important for Viral Infectivity
Authors: Lebrun Marielle , Lambert Julien , Riva Laura , Thelen Nicolas , Rambout Xavier , Blondeau Caroline , Thiry Marc , Snoeck Robert , Twizere Jean-Claude , Dequiedt Franck , Andrei Graciela , Sadzot-Delvaux Catherine
Published: May 2018

Herpesviruses are responsible for infections that, especially in immunocompromised patients, can lead to severe complications, including neurological symptoms and strokes. The constant emergence of viral strains resistant to classical antivirals (mainly acyclovir and its derivatives) pleads for the identification of new targets for future antiviral treatments. Cellular adaptor protein (AP) complexes have been implicated in the correct addressing of herpesvirus glycoproteins in infected cells, and the discovery that a major constituent of the varicella-zoster virus tegument interacts with AP-1 reveals a previously unsuspected role of this tegument protein. Unraveling the complex mechanisms leading to virion production will certainly be an important step in the discovery of future therapeutic targets.
Clinical Effects and Safety of Electroacupuncture for the Treatment of Post-Stroke Depression: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomised Controlled Trials
Authors: Li Xue-bin , Wang Jie , Xu An-ding , Huang Jian-min , Meng Lan-Qing , Huang Rui-Ya , Xu Jing
Published: May 2018

Objective

The aim of this systematic review was to assess the efficacy/effectiveness and safety of electroacupuncture (EA) in the treatment of post-stroke depression (PSD).

Methods

A comprehensive literature search in the Pubmed, Embase, CENTRAL, ISI Web of Science, CNKI and Wanfang databases was conducted, and all relevant randomised controlled trials (RCTs) were screened for eligibility by two independent reviewers. The Cochrane Collaboration's tool and Jadad score were used to assess the risk of bias of included studies, and only RCTs scoring ≥3 were included in a meta-analysis.

Results

18 RCTs involving a total of 813 participants (mean age 61.6 years) in the EA groups and 723 participants (mean age 61.9 years) in the control groups were included. The included studies had an average 3 point Jadad score. PSD was diagnosed according to the Chinese Classification of Cerebrovascular Disease (CCCD) and the Chinese Classification of Mental Disease (CCMD) criteria. There was no significant difference between EA and antidepressants (fluoxetine 10–40 mg/day, citalopram 20 mg/day, sertraline 50 mg/day) in terms of the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HAMD) scores at week 4 after treatment (standardised mean difference (SMD) −0.11, 95% CI −0.31 to 0.10), at week 6 after treatment (SMD 0.04, 95% CI −0.43 to 0.51) or at week 8 after treatment (SMD −0.01, 95% CI −0.23 to 0.22). However, the combined incidence of adverse events in the EA groups was significantly lower than in the antidepressant groups (RR 0.21, 95% CI 0.14 to 0.33).

Conclusion

There was no significant difference between EA and antidepressants in the severity of depression, however EA caused fewer adverse events than antidepressants. Additional larger scale RCTs with rigorous study design are required.
In vivo confocal microscopy indicates an inverse relationship between the sub-basal corneal plexus and the conjunctivalisation in patients with limbal stem cell deficiency
Authors: Caro-Magdaleno Manuel , Alfaro-Juárez Asunción , Montero-Iruzubieta Jesús , Fernández-Palacín Ana , Muñoz-Morales Ana , Castilla-Martino Manuel Alberto , Spínola-Muñoz Consuelo , Rodríguez-de-la-Rúa Enrique
Published: May 2018

Background/aims

Limbal stem cell deficiency (LSCD) is characterised by a marked decrease in limbal stem cells. It is classified primarily using subjective slit-lamp observations. In vivo confocal microscopy (IVCM) can non-invasively provide objective information on the condition of the limbal niche, the corneal epithelial basal cell density and the corneal sub-basal nerve plexus density (SND). We here used IVCM to evaluate changes in SND to improve LSCD classification.

Methods

We evaluated and classified 38 patients (76 eyes, 44 with LSC and 32 control eyes) using the Rama, López-García and Deng (clinical and confocal) classifications and evaluated the concordance of the confocal and clinical classifications. We constructed a logistic regression model using multivariate analysis to correlate different degrees of conjunctivalisation with IVCM parameters and used receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis to establish the SND cut-off value with maximum diagnostic sensitivity and specificity.

Results

The classification systems correlated moderately at best (kappa, 0.449). The corneal SND of cases (6469±6295 µm/mm
2
) was less (p<0.001) than in controls (20911±4142 µm/mm
2
). The SND, but not basal cell density, played a protective role against conjunctivalisation (OR, 0.069; 95% CI 0.008–0.619; p=0.01). An SND cut-off value of 17 215 µm/mm
2
yielded a sensitivity and specificity of 95.5% and 90.6%, respectively, for LSCD diagnosis.

Conclusion

The density of the corneal sub-basal nerve plexus was inversely related to conjunctivalisation in LSCD. Further studies are needed to verify this and to elucidate the directionality between these factors.
Lack of tumour pigmentation in conjunctival melanoma is associated with light iris colour and worse prognosis
Authors: Brouwer Niels J , Marinkovic Marina , Luyten Gregorius P M , Shields Carol L , Jager Martine J
Published: May 2018

Aim

To investigate whether differences in iris colour, skin colour and tumour pigmentation are related to clinical outcome in conjunctival melanoma.

Methods

Data of 70 patients with conjunctival melanoma from the Leiden University Medical Center (Leiden, The Netherlands) and 374 patients from the Wills Eye Hospital (Philadephia, USA) were reviewed. The relation between iris colour, skin colour and tumour pigmentation versus clinical parameters and outcome was investigated using univariate and multivariate regression analyses.

Results

A light iris colour (blue, grey, green) was present in 261 (59%) patients and a dark colour (hazel, brown) in 183 (41%). A low tumour pigmentation was detected in 130 (40%) and a high pigmentation in 197 (60%) patients. Low tumour pigmentation was associated with light iris colour (p=0.021) but not related to skin colour (p=0.92). In univariate analysis, neither iris nor skin colour was related to clinical outcome, while a low tumour pigmentation was related to metastasis formation (HR 2.37, p=0.004) and death (HR 2.42, p=0.020). In multivariate analysis, low tumour pigmentation was related to the development of recurrences (HR 1.63, p=0.043), metastasis formation (HR 2.48, p=0.004) and death (HR 2.60, p=0.014).

Conclusion

Lightly pigmented tumours occurred especially in individuals with lightly coloured irises. While iris colour or skin colour was not significantly related to clinical outcome, a low tumour pigmentation was related to a worse outcome in patients with conjunctival melanoma. The amount and type of melanin in conjunctival melanocytes may be involved in the pathogenesis and behaviour of selected conjunctival melanoma.
Improving serum calcium test ordering according to a decision algorithm
Authors: Faria Daniel K , Taniguchi Leandro U , Fonseca Luiz A M , Ferreira-Junior Mario , Aguiar Francisco J B , Lichtenstein Arnaldo , Sumita Nairo M , Duarte Alberto J S , Sales Maria M
Published: May 2018

Aim

To detect differences in the pattern of serum calcium tests ordering before and after the implementation of a decision algorithm.

Methods

We studied patients admitted to an internal medicine ward of a university hospital on April 2013 and April 2016. Patients were classified as critical or non-critical on the day when each test was performed. Adequacy of ordering was defined according to adherence to a decision algorithm implemented in 2014.

Results

Total and ionised calcium tests per patient-day of hospitalisation significantly decreased after the algorithm implementation; and duplication of tests (total and ionised calcium measured in the same blood sample) was reduced by 49%. Overall adequacy of ionised calcium determinations increased by 23% (P=0.0001) due to the increase in the adequacy of ionised calcium ordering in non-critical conditions.

Conclusions

A decision algorithm can be a useful educational tool to improve adequacy of the process of ordering serum calcium tests.
Robotic-assisted compared with conventional total hip arthroplasty: systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Chen Xi , Xiong Jianping , Wang Peipei , Zhu Shibai , Qi Wenting , Peng Huiming , Yu Lingjia , Qian Wenwei
Published: May 2018

Background

Robotic-assisted total hip arthroplasty (THA) allows for accurate preoperative planning and component positioning, potentially enhancing implant survival and long-term outcomes. The relative efficacy and safety of robotic-assisted and conventional THA, however, are unclear. This systematic review and meta-analysis compared the safety and efficacy of robotic-assisted and conventional THA.

Methods

Medline, Embase and the Cochrane Library were comprehensively searched in September 2017 to identify studies comparing the safety and efficacy of robotic-assisted and conventional THA. Seven studies were included. Data of interest were extracted and analysed using Review Manager 5.3.

Results

The seven included studies involved 1516 patients, with 522 undergoing robotic-assisted and 994 undergoing conventional THA. Compared with conventional THA, robotic-assisted THA was associated with longer surgical time (not significant); lower intraoperative complication rates (OR: 0.12, 95% CI: 0.05 to 0.34, p<0.0001 I2); better cup placement, stem placement and global offset and a higher rate of heterotopic ossifications. Functional scores, limb length discrepancy and rates of revision and stress shielding were similar in the two groups. The relative amount of blood loss was unclear.

Conclusion

The results of this meta-analysis suggest that robotic-assisted THA has certain advantages over conventional THA, including the results of component positioning and rates of intraoperative complications. Additional comparative studies are required to determine the long-term clinical outcomes of robotic-assisted THA.
Chronic deer browsing leads to biotic homogenization of minerotrophic peatlands
Authors: Courchesne Milène , Pellerin Stéphanie , Bachand Marianne , Côté Steeve D. , Poulin Monique
Published: May 2018

Peatlands could become important foraging habitats, and their plant communities threatened, in areas with an overabundance of large herbivores. Peatland response to herbivore exclusion may vary widely according to abiotic conditions and associated species because of a strong minerotrophic gradient. We assessed the impact of white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus Zimm.) on peatland vegetation using an exclosure experiment. A total of 53 pairs of exclosures and unprotected plots were set up in bogs (13 pairs), sedge fens (20), shrub fens (7), and laggs (13), and surveyed prior to exclosure construction as well as three, five, and eight years after. Vascular plant composition of exclosures diverged from that of unprotected plots through time only in shrub fens and laggs. Bryophytes remained constant in all habitats. On average, shrub cover was 30% higher in exclosures in all habitats after five years, whereas herb cover increased only in laggs, by 43%, after eight years. Reclassification of sites by pH showed deer exclusion promoted alpha diversity in low- and high-moderate rich fens (pH 5.3–6.8) and beta diversity in the latter as well as in rich fens (pH 6.3–7.5). Overall, our results suggest that conservation efforts in areas with overabundant large herbivores should target richer peatland habitats since they showed a higher resilience and fostered alpha and beta diversity.
Modeling and control of variable approach lanes on an arterial road: a case study of Dalian
Authors: Yao Ronghan , Zhang Xiaotong , Wu Na , Song Xianmin
Published: May 2018

Unbalanced directional traffic, which often exists at intersection approaches, is an important factor to induce traffic congestion on urban streets. Considering the settings of variable approach lanes, the presence of left-turn bays, and a variety of vehicle categories on an arterial road, an optimization model that minimizes the total delay is formulated and a control method that coordinates a variable sign and the corresponding signal group is put forward. To design the signal control scenarios with time of day, the procedure for using the proposed methodology is also presented in practice. To verify the given methodology, a case study is implemented using the field data and the four scenarios. The results reveal that the new methodology can better respond to the time-varying traffic flow at intersection approaches, and the provision of variable approach lanes and left-turn bays are helpful to reduce the average delay and enhance the average speed.