bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Evaluating a blended degree program through the use of the NSSE framework
Authors: Vaughan Norman , Cloutier David
Published: December 2016

The purpose of this student‐faculty partnership research study was to evaluate the effectiveness of a blended four‐year Bachelor of Education Elementary Program at a Canadian university using the National Survey of Student Engagement (NSSE) framework. Data was collected from the first graduating cohort of students from the B.Ed. program in partnership with four Undergraduate Student Research Assistants (USRA). The students in this study completed online surveys and participated in focus groups at the end of their first and fourth years in the program. The study participants provided recommendations for improving the quality of the program based on the five NSSE benchmarks and the use of digital technologies. The main recommendations that emerged from this study were that student and faculty interactions, outside of the classroom, could be enhanced through the use of web‐based conferencing tools to support “virtual” office hours. Course assignments that incorporate peer mentoring activities through the use of social media applications could provide richer opportunities for active and collaborative learning. Creating more intentional connections between academic coursework and field placements through the use of Google applications could help to strengthen the relationship between theory and practice in the program. Enriching educational experiences could be expanded through the use of social media applications to promote and communicate student led academic and social events. A supportive campus environment could be improved by the development of a digital “road map” and co‐curricular record for the program.
Iron overload across the spectrum of non‐transfusion‐dependent thalassaemias: role of erythropoiesis, splenectomy and transfusions
Authors: Porter John B. , Cappellini Maria Domenica , Kattamis Antonis , Viprakasit Vip , Musallam Khaled M. , Zhu Zewen , Taher Ali T.
Published: December 2016

Non‐transfusion‐dependent thalassaemias (NTDT) encompass a spectrum of anaemias rarely requiring blood transfusions. Increased iron absorption, driven by hepcidin suppression secondary to erythron expansion, initially causes intrahepatic iron overload. We examined iron metabolism biomarkers in 166 NTDT patients with β thalassaemia intermedia (n = 95), haemoglobin (Hb) E/β thalassaemia (n = 49) and Hb H syndromes (n = 22). Liver iron concentration (LIC), serum ferritin (SF), transferrin saturation (TfSat) and non‐transferrin‐bound iron (NTBI) were elevated and correlated across diagnostic subgroups. NTBI correlated with soluble transferrin receptor (sTfR), labile plasma iron (LPI) and nucleated red blood cells (NRBCs), with elevations generally confined to previously transfused patients. Splenectomised patients had higher NTBI, TfSat, NRBCs and SF relative to LIC, than non‐splenectomised patients. LPI elevations were confined to patients with saturated transferrin. Erythron expansion biomarkers (sTfR, growth differentiation factor‐15, NRBCs) correlated with each other and with iron overload biomarkers, particularly in Hb H patients. Plasma hepcidin was similar across subgroups, increased with >20 prior transfusions, and correlated inversely with TfSat, NTBI, LPI and NRBCs. Hepcidin/SF ratios were low, consistent with hepcidin suppression relative to iron overload. Increased NTBI and, by implication, risk of extra‐hepatic iron distribution are more likely in previously transfused, splenectomised and iron‐overloaded NTDT patients with TfSat >70%.
A qualitative perspectival review of the Australian and New Zealand Urology Education and Training program
Authors: Rashid Prem
Published: December 2016

Objectives

To conduct a prospective, qualitative review to explore the challenges associated with the delivery of current and future high‐quality urological training, and to report the reflective considerations and opinions of leaders in the Australian and New Zealand (ANZ) urological surgical training programme.

Methods

Ethics‐approved semi‐structured, template‐based, qualitative interview techniques were used to evaluate key aspects of the current urology training programme. Those interviewed were senior office bearers and management staff involved in the Surgical Education and Training (SET) programme. Interviews were recorded and transcribed for analysis. Grounded theory was used with thematic analysis to assess the data. The initial impression given by the data was used to identify critical codes and themes, which were then developed and abstracted to bring together global concepts.

Results

Twenty‐four extracted themes were outlined. The recent evolution of urology training was documented as the pathway into training has changed several times over the years. The changes in the programme have led to concern from opinion leaders that the ‘pendulum has swung too far.’ Surgical teachers will only truly develop if appropriate resources are allocated. This can be achieved by making up‐skilling courses accessible, relevant and, ultimately, a part of the accreditation of training posts. Management of underperforming trainees is challenging and continues to occupy a significant and disproportionate allocation of resources. Early constructive intervention is very important to avoid unnecessary escalation of complex issues and the resultant inter‐personal consequences.

Conclusions

The ANZ SET urology programme began, like many of the other surgical specialties, from humble beginnings. It is now a mature programme, but there remain areas needing improvement. The workload of supervisors and office bearers has been increasing and the management of underperforming trainees takes time and resources away from progress in educational development. Progressive steps can be instituted to improve supervisor up‐skilling, and structural changes can be made to ensure that office bearers can continue to undertake their valuable work without undue pressure and stress. Some of this will involve separating innovation in education and training from day‐to‐day trainee management.
THE OPTIMAL RISK CHOICE OF COOPERATIVE AND NONCOOPERATIVE R&D IN DUOPOLY WITH SPILLOVERS
Authors: Xing Mingqing
Published: December 2016

This study examines the R&D risk choice in a duopoly market with technology spill overs. The firms conduct R&D programmes with different degrees of risk but an identical expected outcome and they compete or cooperate in R&D. Findings indicate that, in equilibrium, the R&D risk level decreases in the spill over rate under noncooperative R&D, while it may increase under cooperative R&D. Firms are more likely to engage in higher R&D risks under cooperative R&D than they are under non‐cooperative R&D. Moreover, the equilibrium R&D risk level both under competition and cooperation R&D is always too low from the perspective of social welfare, and the extent of this inefficiency increases with the spill over rate if the size of the spill over is large, but the opposite may occur if the size of the spill over is small.
Reflections on the IPCC and global change science: Time for a more (physical) geographical tradition
Authors: Spencer Thomas , Lane Stuart N.
Published: December 2016

Key Messages

Single factor climate change metrics, such as global mean temperature increase or global sea level rise, have little meaning for the explanation of landscape scale change.

Global scale analyses struggle to incorporate landscape settings; the role of climatic variability alongside secular change; intrinsic systems feedbacks which modulate external forcing; and spatial and temporal cascades of energy and matter.

The ultimate goal of global change research should be the study of the implications of climate change for human lives and livelihoods and here the geographical tradition can make a significant contribution.
Hierarchical Bucket Queuing for Fine‐Grained Priority Scheduling on the GPU
Authors: Kerbl Bernhard , Kenzel Michael , Schmalstieg Dieter , Seidel Hans‐Peter , Steinberger Markus
Published: December 2016

While the modern graphics processing unit (GPU) offers massive parallel compute power, the ability to influence the scheduling of these immense resources is severely limited. Therefore, the GPU is widely considered to be only suitable as an externally controlled co‐processor for homogeneous workloads which greatly restricts the potential applications of GPU computing. To address this issue, we present a new method to achieve fine‐grained priority scheduling on the GPU: hierarchical bucket queuing. By carefully distributing the workload among multiple queues and efficiently deciding which queue to draw work from next, we enable a variety of scheduling strategies. These strategies include fair‐scheduling, earliest‐deadline‐first scheduling and user‐defined dynamic priority scheduling. In a comparison with a sorting‐based approach, we reveal the advantages of hierarchical bucket queuing over previous work. Finally, we demonstrate the benefits of using priority scheduling in real‐world applications by example of path tracing and foveated micropolygon rendering.
Effect of Redox‐Modifying Agents on the Activity of Channelrhodopsin‐2
Authors: Wu Bao‐Ming , Leng Tian‐Dong , Inoue Koichi , Li Jun , Xiong Zhi‐Gang
Published: December 2016

Background

The algal protein Channelrhodopsin‐2 (ChR2) has been widely used in recent years in optogenetic technique to investigate the functions of complex neuronal networks through minimally invasive and temporally precise photostimulation of genetically defined neurons. However, as with any other new technique, current optogentic approaches have various limitations. In addition, how ChR2 may behave in response to complex biochemical changes associated with various physiological/pathological conditions is largely unknown.

Aim

In this study, we investigated whether a change in redox state of the cell affects the activity of ChR2 channels.

Methods

Whole‐cell patch‐clamp recordings were used to examine the effect of reducing and oxidizing agents on ChR2 currents activated by blue light.

Results

We show that the reducing agent dithiothreitol (DTT) dramatically potentiates the ChR2 currents in a reversible and concentration‐dependent manner. Glutathione, an endogenous reducing agent, shows a similar effect on ChR2 currents. The oxidizing agent 5,5′‐dithio‐bis‐(2‐nitrobenzoic acid) (DTNB) has no effect on ChR2 currents by itself; however, it completely reverses the potentiating effect of DTT. DTT also causes a shift in the current–voltage relationship by 23 ± 4.31 mV, suggesting a change in ion selectivity.

Conclusion

Taken together, these data suggest that redox modification of ChR2 plays an important role in its sensitivity to the light stimulation. Our findings not only help for a better understanding of how ChR2 may behave in physiological/pathological conditions where changes in redox state are common, but also provide a new direction for further optimization of this important opsin.
Assessment of mammal reproduction for hunting sustainability through community‐based sampling of species in the wild
Authors: Mayor Pedro , El Bizri Hani , Bodmer Richard E. , Bowler Mark
Published: December 2016

Wildlife subsistence hunting is a major source of protein for tropical rural populations and a prominent conservation issue. The intrinsic rate of natural increase. (rmax) of populations is a key reproductive parameter in the most used assessments of hunting sustainability. However, researchers face severe difficulties in obtaining reproductive data in the wild, so these assessments often rely on classic reproductive rates calculated mostly from studies of captive animals conducted 30 years ago. The result is a flaw in almost 50% of studies, which hampers management decision making. We conducted a 15‐year study in the Amazon in which we used reproductive data from the genitalia of 950 hunted female mammals. Genitalia were collected by local hunters. We examined tissue from these samples to estimate birthrates for wild populations of the 10 most hunted mammals. We compared our estimates with classic measures and considered the utility of the use ofrmaxin sustainability assessments. For woolly monkey (Lagothrix poeppigii) and tapir (Tapirus terrestris), wild birthrates were similar to those from captive populations, whereas birthrates for other ungulates and lowland‐paca (Cuniculus paca) were significantly lower than previous estimates. Conversely, for capuchin monkeys (Sapajus macrocephalus), agoutis (Dasyprocta sp.), and coatis (Nasua nasua), our calculated reproductive rates greatly exceeded often‐used values. Researchers could keep applying classic measures compatible with our estimates, but for other species previous estimates ofrmaxmay not be appropriate. We suggest that data from local studies be used to set hunting quotas. Our maximum rates of population growth in the wild correlated with body weight, which suggests that our method is consistent and reliable. Integration of this method into community‐based wildlife management and the training of local hunters to record pregnancies in hunted animals could efficiently generate useful information of life histories of wild species and thus improve management of natural resources.
MEASURING HEALTH INSURANCE BENEFITS: THE CASE OF PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES
Authors: Burkhauser Richard V. , Larrimore Jeff , Lyons Sean
Published: December 2016

Since 2012, the Congressional Budget Office has included an estimate of the market value of government‐provided health insurance coverage in its measures of household income. We follow this practice for both public and private health insurance to capture the impact of greater access to government‐provided health insurance for working‐age people with disabilities, whose market value rose in 2010 dollars from $11.7 billion in 1980 to $114.3 billion in 2012. We then consider the more general implications of incorporating estimates of the market price of insurance, equivalent to that provided by the government, into policy analyses in a post‐Affordable Care Act world. (JEL D31, H24, I18, J31)
Diffusion tensor imaging in non‐traumatic brain injury
Authors: Aoki Yuta , Inokuchi Ryota
Published: December 2016

This commentary is on the original article by Molteni et al. on pages 199–206 of this issue.
Hybrid approaches for detecting credit card fraud
Authors: Kültür Yiğit , Çağlayan Mehmet Ufuk
Published: December 2016

As a natural consequence of the multibillion dollar annual losses incurred as a result of credit card fraud, banks attach great importance to credit card fraud detection. In this paper, we proposed the use of six known models, namely, decision tree, random forest, Bayesian network, Naïve Bayes, support vector machine, and K* models, to form an ensemble for the detection of credit card fraud. We focused on the voting mechanisms used by the ensemble and proposed optimistic, pessimistic, and weighted voting strategies. The proposed model is called optimistic, pessimistic, and weighted voting in an ensemble of models. A dataset of real credit card transactions from a leading bank in Turkey was used to evaluate the performance of optimistic, pessimistic, and weighted voting in an ensemble of models. The results showed that the optimistic voting strategy enables the detection of 31.59% of fraudulent transactions with a false alarm rate of only 0.10%, the pessimistic voting strategy detects 93.92% of fraudulent transactions with a false alarm rate of 13.72%, and the weighted voting strategy detects 64.02% of fraudulent transactions with a false alarm rate of 0.75%. Banks can choose among these voting mechanisms depending on their preferred strategies for fraud detection and desired false alarm rates.
Does dispersal capacity matter for freshwater biodiversity under climate change?
Authors: Bush Alex , Hoskins Andrew J.
Published: December 2016

Freshwater ecosystems appear to be sensitive to even minor climatic shifts, and the dendritic nature of rivers as well as patchy distribution of habitats within the terrestrial landscape could limit the ability of species to track suitable climate conditions. Although the importance of dispersal is recognised in theory, there is great uncertainty when quantifying the capacity of species to shift their distributions in response to climate change.

The influence of dispersal capacity on species’ vulnerability to climate change was assessed, using the modelled projections of 527 freshwater species in New South Wales (NSW), Australia. Species’ future ranges were calculated by iteratively identifying colonisation of accessible habitats and loss of suitable habitats within network models. The accessibility of new habitats was based on a given dispersal mode (aquatic, semi‐terrestrial and aerial). The relative impact of dispersal parameters on projected range were evaluated alongside other known sources of uncertainty (climate and emissions scenarios, modelling algorithm and biological group), analysed collectively in a generalised additive mixed‐model, and spatially to locate regions of NSW where projections are associated with the most uncertainty.

Our simulations (1.4 million scenario combinations) suggest at least a third of species will lose more than half their range under climate change. Nevertheless, we emphasise the broad uncertainty that any average encapsulates. Dispersal capacity only had a minor impact on projected range shifts relative to other modelling assumptions but the network‐pathways and maps of uncertainty have value for conservation planning at large scales. Projected range losses initially decreased rapidly as dispersal rates increased but the benefits are reduced above 2–3 km year−1. Taxa restricted to dispersal within the stream network (aquatic) were more vulnerable to climate change than taxa with semi‐terrestrial or aerial dispersal and maps of variation due to dispersal mode and rate indicate where habitat connectivity would be most beneficial.

This study demonstrates the breadth of uncertainties that challenge plans for improving ecosystem adaptation under climate change and highlights where in the landscape those differences were consistent. We emphasise the need for freshwater conservation studies to be ecologically representative, to focus on broad‐scale connectivity for taxa that can move between catchments, and an accessible network of refugia for taxa with more limited dispersal.
Primary productivity of snow algae communities on stratovolcanoes of the Pacific Northwest
Authors: Hamilton T. L. , Havig J.
Published: December 2016

The majority of geomicrobiological research conducted on glacial systems to date has focused on glaciers that override primarily carbonate or granitic bedrock types, with little known of the processes that support microbial life in glacial systems overriding volcanic terrains (e.g., basalt or andesite). To better constrain the role of the supraglacial ecosystems in the carbon and nitrogen cycles, to gain insight into microbiome composition and function in alpine glacial systems overriding volcanic terrains, and to constrain potential elemental sequestration or release through weathering processes associated with snow algae communities, we examined the microbial community structure and primary productivity of snow algae communities on stratovolcanoes in the Cascade Range of the Pacific Northwest. Here, we present the first published values for carbon fixation rates of snow algae communities on glaciers in the Pacific Northwest. We observed varying levels of light‐dependent carbon fixation on supraglacial and periglacial snowfields at Mt. Hood, Mt. Adams, and North Sister. Recovery of abundant 18S rRNA transcripts affiliated with photoautotrophs and 16S rRNA transcripts affiliated with heterotrophic bacteria is consistent with previous studies indicating the majority of primary productivity on snow and ice can be attributed to photoautotrophs. In contrast to previous observations of glacial ecosystems, our geochemical, isotopic, and microcosm data suggest these assemblages are not limited by phosphorus or fixed nitrogen availability. Furthermore, our data indicate these snow algae communities actively sequester Fe, Mn, and P leached from minerals sourced from the local rocks. Our observations of light‐dependent primary productivity on snow are consistent with similar studies in polar ecosystems; however, our data may suggest that DIC may be a limiting nutrient in contrast to phosphorus or fixed nitrogen as has been observed in other glacial ecosystems. Our data underscore the need for similar studies on glacier surfaces and seasonal snowfields to better constrain the role of local bedrock and nutrient delivery on carbon fixation and biogeochemical cycling in these ecosystems.
Agreement between Chronic Kidney Disease Epidemiological Collaboration and Berlin Initiative Study equations for estimating glomerular filtration rate in older people: The Invecchiare in Chianti (Aging in Chianti Region) study
Authors: Corsonello Andrea , Pedone Claudio , Bandinelli Stefania , Ferrucci Luigi , Antonelli Incalzi Raffaele
Published: December 2016

Aim

The aim was to investigate to what extent chronic kidney disease (CKD) can be staged interchangeably by Chronic Kidney Disease Epidemiological Collaboration (CKD‐EPI) and by Berlin Initiative Study (BIS) equations, and to verify whether cystatin C can improve concordance between formulas.

Methods

Our series consisted of 828 community‐dwelling individuals aged 65 years or older enrolled in the Invecchiare in Chianti Study (“Aging in the Chianti Region”). Estimated glomerular filtration rate was calculated using the creatinine‐based CKD‐EPI, creatinine/cystatin C‐based CKD‐EPI, creatinine‐based BIS and creatinine/cystatin C‐based BIS equations. Agreement and sources of discrepancy between equations in identifying people with different degrees of kidney dysfunction was investigated by κ statistic and Bland–Altman plots.

Results

Overall, CKD‐EPI values were higher than that obtained with BIS equations, especially for eGFR = 30–60 mL/min/1.73 m2. A total of 191 out of 828 participants were classified in stage 2 by the creatinine‐based CKD‐EPI and in stage 3a by the creatinine‐based BIS equation, whereas 123 participants were classified in stage 2 by creatinine/cystatin C‐based CKD‐EPI and in stage 3a by the creatinine/cystatin C‐based BIS equation. A total of 27 participants were classified in stage 3a by creatinine‐based CKD‐EPI and in stage 3b by creatinine‐based BIS equation, whereas 18 were classified as stage 3a by creatinine/cystatin C‐based CKD‐EPI and stage 3b by the creatinine/cystatin C‐based BIS equation.

Conclusions

Despite a fair overall concordance, the CKD‐EPI and BIS equations cannot be considered interchangeable to assess estimated glomerular filtration rate in older people, and using creatinine/cystatin C‐based rather than creatinine‐based equations only marginally improves the concordance between CKD‐EPI and BIS. Disagreement between equations might significantly impact the applications of stage‐specific measures for managing CKD among older people. Geriatr Gerontol Int 2017; 17: 1559–1567.
High fasting insulin concentrations may be a pivotal predictor for the severity of hepatic fibrosis beyond the glycemic status in non‐alcoholic fatty liver disease patients before development of diabetes mellitus
Authors: Masuda Kosei , Noguchi Shuhei , Ono Masafumi , Ochi Tsunehiro , Munekage Kensuke , Okamoto Nobuto , Suganuma Narufumi , Saibara Toshiji
Published: December 2016

Background

Insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) contribute to the progression of non‐alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). However, the relationship between glucose metabolic factors and the histological severity in NAFLD patients before development of T2DM is not well known.

Methods

In 103 biopsy‐proven NAFLD patients (68 men and 35 women) with hemoglobin A1c of <6.5% and fasting blood glucose of <126 mg/dL, we investigated whether glucose metabolic factors influenced the severity of hepatic fibrosis without prior known T2DM.

Results

Female gender, age, serum aspartate aminotransferase, the aspartate aminotransferase/alanine aminotransferase ratio, fasting immunoreactive insulin (f‐IRI), homeostasis model assessment – insulin resistance, hemoglobin A1c, hyaluronic acid, and type IV collagen 7 s were significantly higher, and 1,5‐anhydroglucitol was significantly lower, in the fibrosis stage F3 group than in the F0–2 group. Multiple logistic regression analysis showed that only f‐IRI (P = 0.006; odds ratio, 1.15151; 95% confidence interval, 1.04198–1.27254) was significantly indicated as a predictive factor for F3. As determined by both forward and backward stepwise selection analyses to optimize the model, f‐IRI (P = 0001; odds ratio, 1.16788) remained an independent predictive factor for F3. To discriminate the F3 group from the F0–2 group, the area under the receiver operating characteristic curves showed that fasting insulin was 0.7219, and the best cut‐off value of f‐IRI was 13.2 μU/mL in the receiver operating characteristic curve analysis.

Conclusions

High fasting insulin concentrations may be a pivotal glucose metabolic predictor for the severity of hepatic fibrosis beyond the glycemic status in NAFLD patients before development of T2DM.
Effect of 12‐week dulaglutide therapy in Japanese patients with biopsy‐proven non‐alcoholic fatty liver disease and type 2 diabetes mellitus
Authors: Seko Yuya , Sumida Yoshio , Tanaka Saiyu , Mori Kojiroh , Taketani Hiroyoshi , Ishiba Hiroshi , Hara Tasuku , Okajima Akira , Umemura Atsushi , Nishikawa Taichiro , Yamaguchi Kanji , Moriguchi Michihisa , Kanemasa Kazuyuki , Yasui Kohichiroh , Imai Shunsuke , Shimada Keiji , Itoh Yoshito
Published: December 2016

Aims

No pharmacological therapies have been established for non‐alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). The aim of this retrospective study is to evaluate the efficacy and safety of dulaglutide, a novel glucagon‐like peptidase‐1 receptor agonist, in Japanese NAFLD patients with T2DM.

Methods

Fifteen biopsy‐proven NAFLD patients with T2DM refractory to diet intervention who received once weekly dulaglutide 0.75 mg for 12 weeks were retrospectively enrolled after exclusion of two patients by 12 weeks. In five patients, transient elastography and body composition were also evaluated before and after the treatment.

Results

Not only body weight and hemoglobin A1c but also transaminase activities were significantly decreased after the 12‐week therapy with dulaglutide. Total body fat mass and liver stiffness measurement also decreased after the treatment.

Conclusion

Dulaglutide, a new glucagon‐like peptidase‐1 receptor agonist, could be a novel promising agent for the treatment for NAFLD patients with T2DM due to its efficacy in body weight reduction, the nature of weekly injection, and patient preference. Prospective randomized controlled trials are warranted to confirm this impact of dulaglutide on NAFLD with T2DM.
Neonatal exposure to ethinylestradiol increases ventral prostate growth and promotes epithelial hyperplasia and inflammation in adult male gerbils
Authors: Falleiros‐Júnior Luiz R. , Perez Ana P. S. , Taboga Sebastião R. , dos Santos Fernanda C. A. , Vilamaior Patrícia S. L.
Published: December 2016

The aim of this study was to analyse morphologically the ventral prostate of adult Mongolian gerbils exposed to ethinylestradiol (EE) during the first week of postnatal development. Lactating females received daily, by gavage, doses of 10 μg/kg of EE diluted in 100 μl of mineral oil from the 1st to 10th postnatal day of the pups (EE group). In the control group (C), the lactating females received only the vehicle. Upon completing 120 days of age, the male offspring were euthanized and the prostates collected for analyses. We employed morphological, stereological‐morphometrical, immunohistochemical and ultrastructural methods. The results showed that the postnatal exposure to EE doubled the prostatic complex weight, increasing the epithelial and stromal compartments, in addition to the secretory activity of the ventral lobe of the prostate. All glands exposed to EE showed strong stromal remodelling, and some foci of epithelial hyperplasia and inflammatory infiltrate in both luminal and epithelial or stromal compartments. Cells positive for anti‐AR and anti‐PCNA reactions increased into the epithelial and stromal tissues. ERα‐positive cells, which are normally found in the stromal compartment of intact prostates, were frequently observed in the prostatic epithelium of treated animals. This study demonstrated that the exposure to EE during postnatal development causes histophysiological alterations in this gland, predisposing to the development of prostatic lesions during life. These results are important for public health, considering that women worldwide have commonly used EE. Moreover, the bioaccumulation of this chemical has increased in different ecosystems.
Plasma adrenocorticotropic hormone but not aldosterone is correlated with blood pressure in patients with aldosterone‐producing adenomas
Authors: Kobayashi Hiroki , Haketa Akira , Takahiro Ueno , Otsuka Hiromasa , Tanaka Sho , Hatanaka Yoshinari , Ikeda Yukihiro , Abe Masanori , Fukuda Noboru , Soma Masayoshi
Published: December 2016

Although plasma aldosterone concentration (PAC) varies depending on primary aldosteronism (PA) subtypes, patients with different subtypes may have similar blood pressure (BP). The authors hypothesized that hormones other than aldosterone might influence BP in PA patients. A total of 73 PA cases, including 30 cases of aldosterone‐producing adenomas (APAs), 29 cases of bilateral hyperaldosteronism, and 24 control cases of essential hypertension were enrolled retrospectively. The authors examined the levels of aldosterone, cortisol, renin, and adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) measured at 12 am, 6 am, 12 pm, and 6 pm and BP in the early morning (6 am to 7 am), late morning (9 am to 11 am), and early evening (5 pm to 7 pm). Results showed no statistically significant correlation between PAC and BP in the patients with PA; however, early and late morning systolic BP strongly correlated with ACTH at 6 am in patients with APA. These results suggest that hormones other than aldosterone, such as ACTH, may affect BP in patients with APA.
Determinants of hemoglobin A1c level in patients with type 2 diabetes after in‐hospital diabetes education: A study based on continuous glucose monitoring
Authors: Torimoto Keiichi , Okada Yosuke , Sugino Sachiko , Tanaka Yoshiya
Published: December 2016

Aims/Introduction

We investigated the relationship between blood glucose profile at hospital discharge, evaluated by continuous glucose monitoring (CGM), and hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) level at 12 weeks after discharge in patients with type 2 diabetes who received inpatient diabetes education.

Materials and Methods

This was a retrospective study. The participants were 54 patients with type 2 diabetes who did not change their medication after discharge. The mean blood glucose (MBG), standard deviation, coefficient of variation, mean postprandial glucose excursion, maximum blood glucose, minimum blood glucose, percentage of time with blood glucose at ≥180 mg/dL (time at ≥180), percentage of time with blood glucose at ≥140 mg/dL, and percentage of time with blood glucose at <70 mg/dL were measured at admission and discharge using CGM. The primary end‐point was the relationship between CGM parameters and HbA1c level at 12 weeks after discharge.

Results

The HbA1c level at 12 weeks after discharge correlated with MBG level (r = 0.30, P = 0.029). Multivariate analysis showed that MBG level and disease duration were predictors of 12‐week HbA1c level. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was carried out considering goal achievement as a HbA1c level <7.0% 12 weeks after discharge. Disease duration and time at ≥180 were associated with goal achievement.

Conclusions

The present results suggested that blood glucose profile at discharge using CGM seems useful to predict HbA1c level after discharge in patients with type 2 diabetes who received inpatient diabetes education. Early treatment to improve MBG level, as well as postprandial hyperglycemia, is important to achieve strict glycemic control.
Large‐scale high‐resolution pluvial flood hazard mapping using the raster‐based hydrodynamic two‐dimensional model FloodAreaHPC
Authors: Tyrna B. , Assmann A. , Fritsch K. , Johann G.
Published: December 2016

Two‐dimensional (2D) hydraulic models are widely used as tools for flood hazard mapping and also to support flood risk management. Yet, only few models are capable of using high‐resolution terrain data (raster‐based Digital Terrain Model with 1 m spatial resolution) on a large scale (hundreds of square kilometres and more). Central to the model approach presented in this article is the raster‐based 2D model High Performance Computing version of FloodArea (FloodAreaHPC), which allows for multicore processing, thus being able to model large areas without having to make compromises regarding spatial details. The model has been applied for inundation modelling of rivers, dike breaks, and heavy rainfall runoff (pluvial flooding). For the latter case, the model is coupled with a hydrologic preprocessor data base which provides spatially and temporally variable runoff coefficients based on land use, soil, and slope. The case study presented in this study has an area of 144 km2 and is located close to Dortmund in Western Germany. The modelling results of two heavy rainfall scenarios, presented in analogue and digital flood hazard maps, were used in a Public Relations (PR) campaign to inform the public about pluvial flood risk and possible mitigation measures.
Pituitary Stalk Interruption Syndrome: From Clinical Findings to Pathogenesis
Authors: Wang C.‐Z. , Guo L.‐L. , Han B.‐Y. , Su X. , Guo Q.‐H. , Mu Y.‐M.
Published: December 2016

Pituitary stalk interruption syndrome (PSIS) is a rare congenital defect manifesting with varying degrees of pituitary hormone deficiency. The signs and symptoms of PSIS during the neonatal period and infancy are often overlooked and therefore diagnosis is delayed. The typical manifestations of PSIS can be detected by magnetic resonance imaging. Several genes in the Wnt, Notch and Shh signalling pathways related to hypothalamic‐pituitary development, such as PIT1, PROP1, LHX3/LHX4, PROKR2, OTX2, TGIF and HESX1, have been found to be associated with PSIS. Nevertheless, the aetiology in the majority of cases still remains unknown. In the present review, we provide an overview of clinical features of PSIS and summarise our current understanding of the underlying pathogenic mechanisms for this rare syndrome. Furthermore, we propose future research directions that may help our understanding of the aetiology of PSIS.
International Prosecution and National Bureaucracy: The Contest to Define International Practices Within the Danish Prosecution Service
Authors: Jarle Christensen Mikkel
Published: December 2016

This article explores how international ideals and practices of law enforcement come into conflict with national bureaucracies. Drawing on original interviews, the investigation demonstrates how the competition to define the role of international prosecution impacted career strategies as well as the actual administration of criminal law within the Danish Prosecution Service (DPS). The analysis shows that this competition is embodied in two competing groups of prosecutors situated in a wider national bureaucracy—itself subject to transformations that affect the very stakes of the contest to define the international. While the institutionalists build careers closely attuned to the systemic and increasingly lean-management-inspired requirements of the DPS, the dissident and consequently unsettled position of the activists leads them to craft alternative career strategies closely related to the emergence of new international fields of criminal law.
Rights as a Divide-and-Rule Mechanism: Lessons from the Case of Palestinians in Israeli Custody
Authors: Viterbo Hedi
Published: December 2016

Critics have highlighted the complicity of human rights law in mass disempowerment and domination—a criticism equally applicable to child law. This article investigates this issue, as evidenced by three recent developments that Israel has justified by invoking these legal frameworks: an increased separation of Palestinian adults and children in Israeli custody; the Israeli legal system's growing preoccupation with “rehabilitating” the now-segregated Palestinian children; and the Israeli authorities' ever-diminishing interest in such rehabilitation for adult Palestinian prisoners. By canvassing the legal architecture, judicial rationalizations, adverse effects, and sociopolitical context of these developments, this article foregrounds their divide-and-rule logic and structure of driving a generational wedge between Palestinians and potentially weakening their political ties, solidarity, and resistance.
Primulina rubella sp. nov. (Gesneriaceae) from a limestone area in Guangdong, China
Authors: Yang Li‐Hua , Ning Zu‐Lin , Kang Ming
Published: December 2016

A new species of Primulina (Gesneriaceae) from a limestone area in southern China, P. rubella L.H. Yang & M. Kang, is described and illustrated. The new species has purple‐red flowers and is thus similar to P. lijiangensis, but differs by its petiole, leaf blade, cyme, filament, stigma and ovary. In adition, a molecular phylogenetic reconstruction indicated that P. rubella and P. lijiangensis belong to quite different clades. Instead, P. rubella appears to be closely related to the sympatric P. qingyuanensis, although these two species are obviously differentiated both in terms of flower color and other vegetative and floral characters. The conservation status of P. rubella is assessed as ‘Critically Endangered’ (CR) according to the IUCN red list categories and criteria.
Genome‐wide association analyses of 54 traits identified multiple loci for the determination of floret fertility in wheat
Authors: Guo Zifeng , Chen Dijun , Alqudah Ahmad M. , Röder Marion S. , Ganal Martin W. , Schnurbusch Thorsten
Published: December 2016

Increasing grain yield is still the main target of wheat breeding; yet today's wheat plants utilize less than half of their yield potential. Owing to the difficulty of determining grain yield potential in a large population, few genetic factors regulating floret fertility (i.e. the difference between grain yield potential and grain number) have been reported to date.

In this study, we conducted a genome‐wide association study (GWAS) by quantifying 54 traits (16 floret fertility traits and 38 traits for assimilate partitioning and spike morphology) in 210 European winter wheat accessions.

The results of this GWAS experiment suggested potential associations between floret fertility, assimilate partitioning and spike morphology revealed by shared quantitative trait loci (QTLs). Several candidate genes involved in carbohydrate metabolism, phytohormones or floral development colocalized with such QTLs, thereby providing potential targets for selection.

Based on our GWAS results we propose a genetic network underlying floret fertility and related traits, nominating determinants for improved yield performance.
Global pulses scenario: status and outlook
Authors: Joshi P.K. , Rao P. Parthasarathy
Published: December 2016

Although pulse production grew significantly by 1.3% between 1980 and 2013, its per capita availability remained stagnant at around 6.5 kg/capita/year. In 1961, its availability was 9.3 kg/capita/year. One consequence of slower growth in its production is rising pulse prices, which are twice that of cereals. The declining availability of pulses also triggered a boom in its trade, with 19% of the global pulse production traded in 2011 compared with 7% in 1980. In absolute terms, there has been a more than fourfold increase in pulse trade, compared with an only 1.5‐fold increase for cereals. To meet the export demand, pulse production diversified, with developed countries emerging as the main exporters while developing countries were the main importers. The exceptions were Southeastern Asia (Myanmar) and Eastern Africa, which also emerged as important exporters. Projections using an International Model for Policy Analysis of Agricultural Commodities and Trade indicate that the demand for pulses will continue to grow in the short‐to‐medium term in developing counties owing to growing population, rising per capita incomes among the lower‐income groups, and increasing demand for snack/processed foods due to growing urbanization.
Effects of rinsing with arginine bicarbonate and urea solutions on initial enamel lesions in situ
Authors: Yu Y , Wang X , Ge C , Wang B , Cheng C , Gan Y‐H
Published: December 2016

Objective

The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of rinsing with arginine or urea solution on initial enamel lesions in situ.

Methods

Fourteen subjects who wore mandibular removable partial dentures embedded with bovine enamel blocks with artificial enamel lesions were included. The experiment included four 4‐week rinsing periods with a 10‐day washout period between each rinsing period. In each rinsing period, the subjects rinsed after meal or snack using water, or 2% arginine bicarbonate, or 1% urea, or 0.05% NaF solution, five times daily. The mineralization changes of the enamel lesions were assessed using quantitative light‐induced fluorescence.

Results

All groups except the water group showed a statistically significant decrease in the fluorescence loss after treatment, compared with their respective baseline. Although both the arginine group and urea group showed more decrease in fluorescence loss than that of the water group, the decrease was not statistically significantly different from that of the water group. The decrease in fluorescence loss of the NaF group was statistically significant than that of the water group, arginine group, and urea group.

Conclusion

Rinsing with arginine or urea solution offers limited remineralizing benefit to enamel lesions over a period of 4‐week time.
Perioperative hypothermia in neonatal intensive care unit patients: effectiveness of a thermoregulation intervention and associated risk factors
Authors: Engorn Branden M. , Kahntroff Stephanie L. , Frank Karen M. , Singh Sarabdeep , Harvey Helen A. , Barkulis Charles T. , Barnett Annika M. , Olambiwonnu Olamide O. , Heitmiller Eugenie S. , Greenberg Robert S.
Published: December 2016

Background

Hypothermia in neonatal intensive care unit patients is associated with morbidity. Perioperative normothermia is the standard of care.

Aims

We hypothesized that a quality improvement intervention (transport protocol, transport education, ongoing monitoring) would decrease the incidence of perioperative hypothermia. Secondarily, we hypothesized that patients undergoing surgery at a postmenstrual age of <37 weeks or at a weight of <1.5 kg would be at higher risk for perioperative hypothermia.

Methods

Lean Six Sigma methodology was used to institute a quality improvement intervention. In a retrospective chart review, we identified 708 cases for which the neonatal intensive care unit was the preoperative and postoperative destination and documented patient characteristics, including postoperative temperature. Cardiac surgical cases and cases with no postoperative temperature record were excluded.

Results

Patients in the postintervention group had a statistically significant decrease in hypothermia compared to those in the preintervention group (P < 0.001; OR: 0.17; 95% CI: 0.09–0.31). The absolute risk of hypothermia was 23% in the preintervention group and 6% in the postintervention group. Weight <1.5 kg on day of surgery (P = 0.45; OR: 0.63; 95% CI: 0.16–2.24) and postmenstrual age (P = 0.91; OR: 1.07; 95% CI: 0.33–3.98) were not risk factors. Odds of hypothermia were increased in patients undergoing interventional cardiology procedures (P = 0.003; OR: 17.77; 95% CI: 2.07–125.7).

Conclusions

Perioperative hypothermia is a challenge in the care of neonatal intensive care unit patients; however, a thermoregulation intervention can decrease the incidence with sustained results. Future studies can examine why certain procedures have a tendency toward increased perioperative hypothermia, determine the relative value of quality improvement interventions, and characterize the morbidity and mortality associated with perioperative hypothermia in neonatal intensive care unit patients.
Comparative germination responses to water potential across different populations of Aegilops geniculata and cultivar varieties of Triticum durum and Triticum aestivum
Authors: Orsenigo S. , Guzzon F. , Abeli T. , Rossi G. , Vagge I. , Balestrazzi A. , Mondoni A. , Müller J. V.
Published: December 2016

Crop Wild Relatives are often used to improve crop quality and yields because they contain genetically important traits that can contribute to stress resistance and adaptation.

Seed germination of different populations of Aegilops geniculata Roth collected along a latitudinal gradient was studied under different drought stress in order to find populations suitable for improving drought tolerance in wheat. Different accessions of Aegilops neglecta Req. ex Bertol., Triticum aestivum L. and T. durum Desf. were used as comparison.

Under full hydration, germination was high in all populations, but increasing drought stress led to reduced and delayed germination. Significant differences in final germination and mean time to germinate were detected among populations. Wheat, durum wheat and the southern population of Ae. geniculata were not significantly affected by drought stress, germinating similarly under all treatments. However, seed germination of the northern populations of Ae. geniculata was significantly reduced under high water stress treatment. Differences between populations of the same species could not be explained by annual rainfall across populations’ distributions, but by rainfall during seed development and maturation.

Differences in the germination responses to drought found here highlight the importance of source populations as criteria for genotype selection for pre‐breeders.
Is motivation for marathon a protective factor or a risk factor of injury?
Authors: Chalabaev A. , Radel R. , Ben Mahmoud I. , Massiera B. , Deroche T. , d'Arripe‐Longueville F.
Published: December 2016

This research investigated whether and how self‐determined motivation predicts perceived susceptibility to injury during competition (marathon). Two correlational studies including 378 (Study 1) and 339 (Study 2) marathon runners were conducted. Participants filled out a questionnaire the day before the race measuring self‐determined motivation, perceived susceptibilities to marathon‐related injury and to keep running through pain, and control variables. Study 1 showed that self‐determined motivation was negatively related to perceived susceptibility to marathon‐related injury. Study 2 replicated this finding and showed that this relationship was partially mediated by perceived susceptibility to keep running through pain during the race. Moreover, results indicated that the predictive role of self‐determination was mostly driven by controlled forms of motivation, and more particularly external regulation. These results suggest that self‐determined motivation for sport is a protective factor of injury.