bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Rayleigh-Taylor instability with finite current relaxation
Authors: Silveira F. E. M. , Orlandi H. I.
Published: April 2016

In this work, we explore the influence of perturbative wavelengths, shorter than those usually considered, on the growth rate of the Rayleigh-Taylor modes. Therefore, we adopt an extended form of Ohm's law which includes a finite relaxation time of the current density due to inertial effects of charged species in the plasma. The restoring force density that acts upon charged species close to the mode rational surface takes into account a new term which is usually neglected with respect to the motional electromotive force. We find that the width of the resistive layer can be interpreted in terms of the “height” of free fall in a constant gravitational field, in the Alfvén time interval. We also show that the charged species must fall “down” in the constant gravitational field in order that the static state of equilibrium of the system becomes unstable to the linear perturbation. Through the principle of conservation of energy, we find a general formula which gives the growth rate γ of the Rayleigh-Taylor modes. When the new term becomes negligible with respect to the motional electromotive force, we recover the standard result of the Rayleigh-Taylor instability, which establishes that γ scales with the plasma resistivity η as γ∼η1/3. However, in the opposite limiting situation, we find that γ does not depend any longer on the plasma resistivity and scales now with the electron number density ne as γ∼ne−1/2. Further developments of our theory may contribute to improve our understanding on the excitation mechanisms of resistive plasma instabilities by transient phenomena such as shock waves.
Dynamics of ion beam charge neutralization by ferroelectric plasma sources
Authors: Stepanov Anton D. , Gilson Erik P. , Grisham Larry R. , Kaganovich Igor D. , Davidson Ronald C.
Published: April 2016

Ferroelectric Plasma Sources (FEPSs) can generate plasma that provides effective space-charge neutralization of intense high-perveance ion beams, as has been demonstrated on the Neutralized Drift Compression Experiment NDCX-I and NDCX-II. This article presents experimental results on charge neutralization of a high-perveance 38 keV Ar+ beam by a plasma produced in a FEPS discharge. By comparing the measured beam radius with the envelope model for space-charge expansion, it is shown that a charge neutralization fraction of 98% is attainable with sufficiently dense FEPS plasma. The transverse electrostatic potential of the ion beam is reduced from 15 V before neutralization to 0.3 V, implying that the energy of the neutralizing electrons is below 0.3 eV. Measurements of the time-evolution of beam radius show that near-complete charge neutralization is established ∼5 μs after the driving pulse is applied to the FEPS and can last for 35 μs. It is argued that the duration of neutralization is much longer than a reasonable lifetime of the plasma produced in the sub-μs surface discharge. Measurements of current flow in the driving circuit of the FEPS show the existence of electron emission into vacuum, which lasts for tens of μs after the high voltage pulse is applied. It is argued that the beam is neutralized by the plasma produced by this process and not by a surface discharge plasma that is produced at the instant the high-voltage pulse is applied.
Accurate determination of the valence band edge in hard x-ray photoemission spectra using GW theory
Authors: Lischner Johannes , Nemšák Slavomír , Conti Giuseppina , Gloskovskii Andrei , Pálsson Gunnar Karl , Schneider Claus M. , Drube Wolfgang , Louie Steven G. , Fadley Charles
Published: April 2016

We introduce a new method for determining accurate values of the valence-band maximum in x-ray photoemission spectra. Specifically, we align the sharpest peak in the valence-band region of the experimental spectrum with the corresponding feature of a theoretical valence-band density of states curve from ab initio GW theory calculations. This method is particularly useful for soft and hard x-ray photoemission studies of materials with a mixture of valence-band characters, where strong matrix element effects can render standard methods for extracting the valence-band maximum unreliable. We apply our method to hydrogen-terminated boron-doped diamond, which is a promising substrate material for novel solar cell devices. By carrying out photoemission experiments with variable light polarizations, we verify the accuracy of our analysis and the general validity of the method.
Communication: Simple approach for calculating the binding free energy of a multivalent particle
Authors: Tito Nicholas B. , Angioletti-Uberti Stefano , Frenkel Daan
Published: April 2016

We present a simple yet accurate numerical approach to compute the free energy of binding of multivalent objects on a receptor-coated surface. The method correctly accounts for the fact that one ligand can bind to at most one receptor. The numerical approach is based on a saddle-point approximation to the computation of a complex residue. We compare our theory with the powerful Valence-Limited Interaction Theory (VLIT) [P. Varilly et al., J. Chem. Phys. 137, 094108 (2012); S. Angioletti-Uberti et al., ibid. 138, 021102 (2013)] and find excellent agreement in the regime where that theory is expected to work. However, the present approach even works for low receptor/ligand densities, where VLIT breaks down.
In-flow detection of ultra-small magnetic particles by an integrated giant magnetic impedance sensor
Authors: Fodil K. , Denoual M. , Dolabdjian C. , Treizebre A. , Senez V.
Published: April 2016

We have designed and fabricated a microfluidic system made of glass and polydimethylsiloxane. A micro-magnetometer has been integrated to the system. This sensor is made of a giant magneto-impedance wire known to have very high magnetic sensitivity at room temperature. A liquid-liquid segmented multiphase flow was generated in the channel using a Y-shaped inlet junction. The dispersed phase plugs contained superparamagnetic iron oxide (20 nm) nanoparticles at a molar concentration of 230 mmol/l. We have shown both theoretically and experimentally that in-flow detection of these nanoparticles is performed by the microsystem for concentration as small as 5.47 × 10−9 mol. These performances show that it is conceivable to use this system for ex-vivo analysis of blood samples where superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles, initially used as magnetic contrast agents, could be functionalized for biomarkers fishing. It opens new perspectives in the context of personalized medicine.
The magneto-Hall difference and the planar extraordinary Hall balance
Authors: Zhang S. L. , Hesjedal T.
Published: April 2016

The extraordinary Hall balance (EHB) is a general device concept that harnesses the net extraordinary Hall effect (EHE) arising from two independent magnetic layers, which are electrically in parallel. Different EHB behavior can be achieved by tuning the strength and type of interlayer coupling, i.e., ferromagnetic or antiferromagnetic of varying strength, allowing for logic and memory applications. The physics of the EHE in such a multilayered systems, especially the interface-induced effect, will be discussed. A discrepancy between the magnetization and the Hall effect, called the magneto-Hall difference (MHD) is found, which is not expected in conventional EHE systems. By taking advantage of the MHD effect, and by optimizing the materials structure, magnetoresistance ratios in excess of 40,000% can be achieved at room-temperature. We present a new design, the planar EHB, which has the potential to achieve significantly larger magnetoresistance ratios.
Broadband metasurface for independent control of reflected amplitude and phase
Authors: Jia Sheng Li , Wan Xiang , Su Pei , Zhao Yong Jiu , Cui Tie Jun
Published: April 2016

We propose an ultra-thin metasurface to control the amplitudes and phases independently of the reflected waves by changing geometries and orientations of I-shaped metallic particles. We demonstrate that the particles can realize independent controls of reflection amplitudes and phases with a magnitude range of [0, 0.82] and a full phase range of 360° in broad frequency band. Based on such particles, two ultrathin metasurface gratings are further proposed to form anomalous reflection with polarization orthogonal to the incident waves. The simulated and measured results of the presented metasurfaces show very good agreements. The proposed method has potential applications in engineering high-efficiency holography and complex electromagnetic and optical patterns.
Intimate partner violence and condom negotiation efficacy among gay and bisexual men in Atlanta
Authors: Stephenson Rob , Freeland Ryan , Finneran Catherine
Published: April 2016

Background The experience of intimate partner violence (IPV) has been shown to decrease condom negotiation efficacy among women; however, studies of this association among gay and bisexual men (GBM) are lacking. Methods: A venue-recruited sample of 745 GBM was recruited in Atlanta, GA, USA in 2012–13. Participants self-completed a survey including questions on recent (previous 12 month) experience and perpetration of IPV using the IPV-GBM Scale. Multivariate regression analysis examined the association between reporting low condom negotiation efficacy with the respondent’s most recent sex partner (19.2% of respondents) and recent experience of IPV with the same or another partner. Results: Nearly half the sample (49.1%) reported recent receipt of IPV, although prevalence varied considerably across the forms of IPV. GBM who reported recent IPV experience were significantly less likely to report having felt able to negotiate condom use. Conclusions: These findings suggest that IPV may be a significant risk factor for HIV acquisition and transmission among GBM.
Concurrent and antecedent soil moisture relate positively or negatively to probability of large wildfires depending on season
Authors: Krueger Erik S. , Ochsner Tyson E. , Carlson J. D. , Engle David M. , Twidwell Dirac , Fuhlendorf Samuel D.
Published: April 2016

Measured soil moisture data may improve wildfire probability assessments because soil moisture is physically linked to fuel production and live fuel moisture, yet models characterising soil moisture–wildfire relationships have not been developed. We therefore described the relationships between measured soil moisture (concurrent and antecedent), as fraction of available water capacity (FAW), and large (≥405 ha) wildfire occurrence during the growing (May–October) and dormant (November–April) seasons from 2000 to 2012 in Oklahoma, USA. Wildfires were predominantly grass and brush fires but occurred across multiple fuel types including forests. Below-average FAW coincided with high wildfire occurrence each season. Wildfire probability during the growing season was 0.18 when concurrent FAW was 0.5 (a threshold for plant water stress) but was 0.60 when concurrent FAW was 0.2 (extreme drought). Dormant season wildfire probability was influenced not only by concurrent but also by antecedent FAW. Dormant season wildfire probability was 0.29 and 0.09 when FAW during the previous growing season was 0.9 (near ideal for plant growth) and 0.2, respectively. Therefore, although a wet growing season coincided with reduced wildfire probability that season, it also coincided with increased wildfire probability the following dormant season, suggesting that the mechanisms by which soil moisture influences wildfire probability are seasonally dependent.
Mice carrying a human
GLUD2
gene recapitulate aspects of human transcriptome and metabolome development
Authors: Li Qian , Guo Song , Jiang Xi , Bryk Jaroslaw , Naumann Ronald , Enard Wolfgang , Tomita Masaru , Sugimoto Masahiro , Khaitovich Philipp , Pääbo Svante
Published: April 2016

Significance

A novel version of the glutamate dehydrogenase gene,
GLUD2
, evolved in the common ancestors of humans and apes. Based on sequence and expression pattern,
GLUD2
has been suggested to play a role in glutamate metabolism in human and ape brains. We have generated transgenic mice carrying a human
GLUD2
gene. Analysis of transcriptome and metabolome changes induced by
GLUD2
in the cerebral cortex revealed no changes in glutamate concentration but instead changes to metabolic pathways centering on the TCA cycle during early postnatal development. These changes mirrored differences seen between human and macaque during cortex development, suggesting that
GLUD2
may play a role during brain development in apes and humans, possibly by providing precursors for the biosynthesis of lipids.
Programmable RNA-binding protein composed of repeats of a single modular unit
Authors: Adamala Katarzyna P. , Martin-Alarcon Daniel A. , Boyden Edward S.
Published: April 2016

Significance

The ability to monitor and perturb RNAs in living cells would benefit greatly from a protein architecture that targets RNA sequences in a programmable way. We report four protein building blocks, which we call Pumby modules, each of which targets one RNA base and can be concatenated in chains of varying composition and length. The Pumby building blocks will open up many frontiers in the measurement, manipulation, and biotechnological utilization of unmodified RNAs in intact cells and systems.
Dodecagonal quasicrystalline order in a diblock copolymer melt
Authors: Gillard Timothy M. , Lee Sangwoo , Bates Frank S.
Published: April 2016

Significance

Spherical objects ranging in size from metal atoms to micron-scale colloidal particles to billiard balls tend to form regular close packed arrays with three-dimensional translational symmetry. We show that nearly spherical nanoscale micelles, formed by self-assembled diblock copolymers, spontaneously evolve into a two-dimensional dodecagonal quasicrystal following rapid cooling from the disordered liquid state. This aperiodic arrangement, characterized by rotational symmetry but not translational symmetry, transforms over time into a three-dimensional Frank–Kasper
σ
phase with local tetrahedral particle packing. This discovery suggests that certain forms of quasicrystalline order are nonequilibrium states generated by kinetically facilitated particle clustering in the supercooled liquid. Redistribution of polymer molecules between micelles through molecular diffusion appears to play a central role in these processes.
Harvest‐Induced Size Structure Shifts Alter Nutrient Release by a Population of Omnivorous Fish
Authors: Catalano Matthew J. , Schaus Maynard H.
Published: April 2016

Fish body size can have important consequences for physiological factors, such as feeding, respiration, and nutrient excretion. Thus, the size structure of a fish population can greatly impact its role in lake nutrient cycles. We examined how shifts in body size influenced phosphorus cycling by Gizzard Shad Dorosoma cepedianum in Lake Dora, Florida, which underwent a size‐selective fish harvest during 2005 and 2006. We combined a size‐structured stock assessment model with excretion prediction coefficients to determine how shifts in population biomass and size distribution affected nutrient cycling. The harvest selectively removed larger Gizzard Shad, reducing the population biomass by 29.4% during the 2 years after removal, and shifted the population toward predominance by smaller size‐classes. However, phosphorus excretion decreased by only 19.7% during this period because smaller fish excreted more P/g of body size. Three years following the harvest, biomass averaged 8.0% below the pre‐harvest average, but phosphorus release returned to near the baseline average in approximately 1 year. Our results indicate that size shifts that accompany many biomanipulation efforts may offset some of the reductions in internal nutrient cycling.

Received August 26, 2015; accepted January 11, 2016 Published online April 27, 2016
Coast‐Wide Nursery Contribution of New Recruits to the Population of Atlantic Menhaden
Authors: Anstead Kristen A. , Schaffler Jason J. , Jones Cynthia M.
Published: April 2016

The Atlantic Menhaden Brevoortia tyrannus is a coastal‐spawning, estuarine‐dependent clupeid that has economic and environmental value along the U.S. East Coast. Atlantic Menhaden spawn offshore and rely on circulation patterns in the ocean to deliver larvae to multiple estuarine nursery grounds for juvenile development before recruiting to the adult stock. Historical estimates of the Atlantic Menhaden nursery contribution by each of the major nurseries along the coast indicate that the Chesapeake Bay produces 69% of the recruits to the adult stock; yet, these estimates are over 20 years old and have never been quantitatively validated. We used otolith chemistry for three cohorts of age‐1 Atlantic Menhaden to evaluate nursery contribution and provide updated recruitment rates for each of the nursery grounds for this species. Based on geochemical signatures and a quadratic discriminant function that assigned juveniles to their nursery grounds at nearly 90% accuracy, we classified age‐1 menhaden of unknown nursery origin collected coastwide. We found that for the 2009–2011 year‐classes, the contribution from Chesapeake Bay still dominates the proportion of age‐1 recruits, but this contribution has declined to between 16% and 65% of that earlier estimate. Nursery grounds in New England as well as those found south of Chesapeake Bay have become more significant contributors of age‐1 Atlantic Menhaden than previously expected.

Received November 7, 2015; accepted January 26, 2016 Published online April 27, 2016
Abortion and Public Health: Time for Another Look
Authors: McCurdy Stephen A.
Published: April 2016

Four decades after Roe v. Wade, abortion remains highly contentious, pitting a woman's right to choose against a fetal claim to life. Public health implications are staggering: the US annual total of more than one million induced abortions equals nearly half the number of registered deaths from all causes. Sentiment regarding abortion is roughly evenly split among the general public, yet fundamental debate about abortion is largely absent in the public health community, which is predominantly supportive of its wide availability. Absence of substantive debate on abortion separates the public health community from the public we serve, jeopardizing the trust placed in us. Traditional public health values—support for vulnerable groups and opposition to the politicization of science—together with the principle of reciprocity weigh against abortion. Were aborted lives counted as are other human lives, induced abortion would be acknowledged as the largest single preventable cause of loss of human life.

Lay Summary: Four decades after Roe v. Wade, abortion remains highly divisive. Public sentiment regarding abortion is roughly evenly split, yet fundamental debate is largely absent in the public health community, which supports abortion's wide availability. Absence of substantive debate separates the public health community from the public it serves. Traditional public health values—support for vulnerable populations and opposition to politicization of science—and the principle of reciprocity (“the Golden Rule”) weigh against abortion. Were aborted lives counted as are other human lives, induced abortion would be acknowledged as the largest single preventable cause of loss of human life.
The role of MHD in causing impurity peaking in JET hybrid plasmas
Authors: Hender T.C. , Buratti P. , Casson F.J. , Alper B. , Baranov Yu. F. , Baruzzo M. , Challis C.D. , Koechl F. , Lawson K.D. , Marchetto C. , Nave M.F.F. , Pütterich T. , Reyes Cortes S.
Published: April 2016

In hybrid plasma operation in JET with its ITER-like wall (JET-ILW) it is found that n  >  1 tearing activity can significantly enhance the rate of on-axis peaking of high-Z impurities, which in turn significantly degrades discharge performance. Core n  =  1 instabilities can be beneficial in removing impurities from the plasma core (e.g. sawteeth or fishbones), but can conversely also degrade core confinement (particularly in combination with simultaneous n  =  3 activity). The nature of magnetohydrodynamic instabilities in JET hybrid discharges, with both its previous carbon wall and subsequent JET-ILW, is surveyed statistically and the character of the instabilities is examined. Possible qualitative models for how the n  >  1 islands can enhance the on-axis impurity transport accumulation processes are presented.
Penalized estimation for competing risks regression with applications to high-dimensional covariates
Authors: Ambrogi Federico , Scheike Thomas H.
Published: April 2016

High-dimensional regression has become an increasingly important topic for many research fields. For example, biomedical research generates an increasing amount of data to characterize patients' bio-profiles (e.g. from a genomic high-throughput assay). The increasing complexity in the characterization of patients' bio-profiles is added to the complexity related to the prolonged follow-up of patients with the registration of the occurrence of possible adverse events. This information may offer useful insight into disease dynamics and in identifying subset of patients with worse prognosis and better response to the therapy. Although in the last years the number of contributions for coping with high and ultra-high-dimensional data in standard survival analysis have increased (Witten and Tibshirani, 2010. Survival analysis with high-dimensional covariates. Statistical Methods in Medical Research19(1), 29–51), the research regarding competing risks is less developed (Binder and others, 2009. Boosting for high-dimensional time-to-event data with competing risks. Bioinformatics25(7), 890–896). The aim of this work is to consider how to do penalized regression in the presence of competing events. The direct binomial regression model of Scheike and others (2008. Predicting cumulative incidence probability by direct binomial regression. Biometrika95(1), 205–220) is reformulated in a penalized framework to possibly fit a sparse regression model. The developed approach is easily implementable using existing high-performance software to do penalized regression. Results from simulation studies are presented together with an application to genomic data when the endpoint is progression-free survival. An R function is provided to perform regularized competing risks regression according to the binomial model in the package timereg (Scheike and Martinussen, 2006. Dynamic Regression models for survival data. New York: Springer), available through CRAN.
How to do (or not to do)… gender analysis in health systems research
Authors: Morgan Rosemary , George Asha , Ssali Sarah , Hawkins Kate , Molyneux Sassy , Theobald Sally
Published: April 2016

Gender—the socially constructed roles, behaviours, activities and attributes that a given society considers appropriate for males, females and other genders—affects how people live, work and relate to each other at all levels, including in relation to the health system. Health systems research (HSR) aims to inform more strategic, effective and equitable health systems interventions, programs and policies; and the inclusion of gender analysis into HSR is a core part of that endeavour. We outline what gender analysis is and how gender analysis can be incorporated into HSR content, process and outcomes. Starting with HSR content, i.e. the substantive focus of HSR, we recommend exploring whether and how gender power relations affect females and males in health systems through the use of sex disaggregated data, gender frameworks and questions. Sex disaggregation flags female–male differences or similarities that warrant further analysis; and further analysis is guided by gender frameworks and questions to understand how gender power relations are constituted and negotiated in health systems. Critical aspects of understanding gender power relations include examining who has what (access to resources); who does what (the division of labour and everyday practices); how values are defined (social norms) and who decides (rules and decision-making). Secondly, we examine gender in HSR process by reflecting on how the research process itself is imbued with power relations. We focus on data collection and analysis by reviewing who participates as respondents; when data is collected and where; who is present; who collects data and who analyses data. Thirdly, we consider gender and HSR outcomes by considering who is empowered and disempowered as a result of HSR, including the extent to which HSR outcomes progressively transform gender power relations in health systems, or at least do not further exacerbate them.
Collaboration Platforms in China for Translational and Clinical Research: The Partnership Between Peking University Health Science Center and the University of Michigan Medical School
Authors: Kolars Joseph C. , Fang Weigang , Zheng Kai , Huang Amy Y. , Sun Qiudan , Wang Yanfang , Woolliscroft James O. , Ke Yang
Published: April 2016

Problem

Clinical and translational research is increasing in China, attracting faculty-to-faculty collaborations between U.S. and Chinese researchers. However, examples of successful institution-to-institution collaborations to facilitate this research are limited. The authors describe a partnership between Peking University Health Science Center (PUHSC) and the University of Michigan Medical School (UMMS) designed to enable faculty-initiated joint translational and clinical research projects.

Approach

In 2009, UMMS leadership identified PUHSC as the most appropriate institutional partner, and the Joint Institute for Translational and Clinical Research was established in 2010. Each contributed $7 million for joint research projects in areas of mutual interest. A shared governance structure, four thematic programs (pulmonary, cardiovascular, liver, and renal diseases), three joint research-enabling cores, and processes for awarding funding have been established along with methods for collaborating and mechanisms to share data and biomaterials.

Outcomes

As of November 2015, 52 joint faculty proposals have been submitted, and 25 have been funded. These projects have involved more than 100,000 patients in the United States and China and have generated 13 peer-reviewed publications. Pilot data have been leveraged to secure $3.3 million of U.S. extramural funding. Faculty and trainee exchanges take place regularly (including an annual symposium), and mechanisms exist to link faculty seeking collaborations. Critical determinants of success include having co-ownership at all levels with coinvestment of resources.

Next Steps

Each institution is committed to continuing its support with a repeat $7 million investment. Next steps include initiating studies in new clinical areas and pursuing large clinical intervention trials.
Predictors of Primary Care Physician Practice Location in Underserved Urban or Rural Areas in the United States: A Systematic Literature Review
Authors: Goodfellow Amelia , Ulloa Jesus G. , Dowling Patrick T. , Talamantes Efrain , Chheda Somil , Bone Curtis , Moreno Gerardo
Published: April 2016

Purpose

The authors conducted a systematic review of the medical literature to determine the factors most strongly associated with localizing primary care physicians (PCPs) in underserved urban or rural areas of the United States.

Method

In November 2015, the authors searched databases (MEDLINE, ERIC, SCOPUS) and Google Scholar to identify published peer-reviewed studies that focused on PCPs and reported practice location outcomes that included U.S. underserved urban or rural areas. Studies focusing on practice intentions, nonphysicians, patient panel composition, or retention/turnover were excluded. They screened 4,130 titles and reviewed 284 full-text articles.

Results

Seventy-two observational or case–control studies met inclusion criteria. These were categorized into four broad themes aligned with prior literature: 19 studies focused on physician characteristics, 13 on financial factors, 20 on medical school curricula/programs, and 20 on graduate medical education (GME) programs. Studies found significant relationships between physician race/ethnicity and language and practice in underserved areas. Multiple studies demonstrated significant associations between financial factors (e.g., debt or incentives) and underserved or rural practice, independent of preexisting trainee characteristics. There was also evidence that medical school and GME programs were effective in training PCPs who locate in underserved areas.

Conclusions

Both financial incentives and special training programs could be used to support trainees with the personal characteristics associated with practicing in underserved or rural areas. Expanding and replicating medical school curricula and programs proven to produce clinicians who practice in underserved urban or rural areas should be a strategic investment for medical education and future research.
Prevalence, Reasons for Use, and Risk Perception of Electronic Cigarettes Among Post–Acute Coronary Syndrome Smokers
Authors: Busch Andrew M. , Leavens Eleanor L. , Wagener Theodore L. , Buckley Maria L. , Tooley Erin M.
Published: April 2016

PURPOSE:

The use of electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes) has risen dramatically in recent years. However, there are currently no published data on the use of e-cigarettes among cardiac patients. The current study reports on the prevalence, reasons for use, and perceived risks of e-cigarettes among patients with post–acute coronary syndrome (ACS). The relationship between e-cigarette use and post-ACS tobacco smoking cessation is also explored.

METHODS:

Participants were drawn from a randomized trial of smoking cessation treatments following hospitalization for ACS. The current study focused on 49 participants who completed e-cigarette questions at 24 weeks post-ACS.

RESULTS:

Of the 49 of participants, 51.0% reported ever use of an e-cigarette and 26.5% reported using an e-cigarette at some time during the 24 weeks post-ACS. Ever use and post-ACS use were both significantly associated with lower rates of abstinence from tobacco cigarettes. Participants perceived e-cigarettes as less harmful to cardiac health than tobacco use and Chantix (varenicline), and similarly harmful as nicotine replacement therapy. Participant perceived likelihood of experiencing a heart attack in the next year was 34.6% if they were to regularly use only e-cigarettes, significantly lower than the perceived risk of recurrence if they were to regularly smoke only tobacco cigarettes (56.2%) and significantly higher than the perceived risk of recurrence if they were to use no nicotine (15.2%).

CONCLUSIONS:

A significant minority of patients are using e-cigarettes post-ACS. Providers should be prepared to discuss potential discrepancies between patient beliefs about the safety of e-cigarettes and the current state of the science.
Traumatic Brain Injury, Sleep, and Mental Health: A Longitudinal Study of Air Force Personnel Pre- and Postdeployment to Iraq
Authors: Holster Jessica L. , Bryan Craig J. , Heron Elizabeth A. , Seegmiller Robert A.
Published: April 2016

Objective:

We investigated the complex relationships between traumatic brain injury (TBI), sleep, and mental health problems longitudinally among US service members (SMs) pre- and postdeployment to Iraq.

Participants:

One hundred sixty-eight SMs enrolled in a 4-week Air Force Basic Combat Convoy Course predeployment.

Design:

Self-report data were collected at the beginning and end of training and then at 1, 3, 6, and 12 months postdeployment. Regression analyses were implemented, and participants were categorized into 4 groups based on TBI history for further statistical analysis.

Results:

Positive TBI history was associated with greater symptoms of insomnia and posttraumatic stress predeployment and persistence of insomnia symptoms, posttraumatic stress, and depression postdeployment. Positive TBI history and posttraumatic stress served as risk factors for head injury in Iraq, and SMs who reported a head injury during deployment also endorsed greater posttraumatic stress postdeployment than those without head injury. SMs with positive TBI history who also reported a new TBI in Iraq endorsed the greatest sleep and mental health problems across the study period.

Conclusions:

This study provides valuable information regarding temporal relationships between TBI, sleep, and mental health problems among a combat military population. Findings have important implications from both prevention and clinical perspectives.
CONCURRENT ENDOPHTHALMITIS AND ANTERIOR SEGMENT ISCHEMIA AFTER STRABISMUS SURGERY
Authors: Smith Jesse M. , Hwang Richard Y. , Siringo Frank , Quiroz-Mercado Hugo , Oliver Scott C. N. , Mandava Naresh , Mathias Marc T. , Olson Jeffrey L.
Published: April 2016

Background/Purpose:

To report a case of simultaneous endophthalmitis and anterior segment ischemia (ASI) that occurred in a patient after strabismus surgery. This is the first known case of both complications occurring at the same time.

Methods:

Case report.

Results:

A 60-year-old woman presented with eye pain and loss of vision 6 days after uncomplicated strabismus surgery for thyroid eye disease. On examination, she had corneal edema, anterior segment fibrin, an atonic iris, and no view to the posterior segment. On fluorescein angiography of the anterior segment, a large portion of the iris was nonperfused. Posterior segment ultrasound showed dense vitritis and a choroidal abscess. Intraoperative cultures grew methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus.

Conclusions:

Endophthalmitis and anterior segment ischemia are both exceedingly rare complications of strabismus surgery. It is possible that each one occurred independently, but more likely one process potentiated the other. One possible mechanism is inflammation-induced thrombosis.
DEXAMETHASONE IMPLANT REMOVAL FROM ANTERIOR CHAMBER: SURGICAL TECHNIQUE
Authors: Ruiz-Casas Diego , Gros-Otero Juan , Casado Alfonso
Published: April 2016

Purpose:

To describe a surgical technique for complete and safe dexamethasone intravitreal implant (Ozurdex; Allergan, Inc., Irvine, CA) removal from anterior chamber.

Methods:

Description of a new surgical technique for Ozurdex removal using a lens injector cartridge.

Results:

Dexamethasone implant was removed completely from anterior chamber with no damage to corneal endothelium or posterior chamber luxation in a patient with Ozurdex anterior chamber migration.

Conclusion:

Dexamethasone implants can be removed from anterior chamber in an easy, cheap, fast, and save way.
Early pancreatic carcinogenesis – risk factors, early symptoms, and the impact of antidiabetic drugs
Authors: Frič Přemysl , Škrha Jan , Šedo Aleksi , Bušek Petr , Kmochová Klára , Laclav Martin , Solař Svatopluk , Bunganič Bohuš , Zavoral Miroslav
Published: April 2016

Risk factors (long-term diabetes, obesity) and early symptoms (new-onset diabetes, loss of weight, or persistent low body mass) are the initial symptoms of pancreatic carcinogenesis. They may be influenced by antidiabetic drugs and their correct evaluation is a prerequisite for early diagnosis of pancreatic cancer (PC). We review the risk factors, early symptoms, and the impact of antidiabetic drugs on early pancreatic carcinogenesis. The main source of data was the database Medline/PubMed and abstracts of international congresses (DDW, UEGW). The risk factors and early symptoms are integral components of the familial PC surveillance and sporadic PC screening. Preventive programs should always be include multistep and multidisciplinary procedures. The correct evaluation of antidiabetic drugs and their interactions with other components of pancreatic carcinogenesis may influence the early diagnosis of PC.
Buprenorphine Prescribing: To Expand or Not to Expand
Authors: LI XIAOFAN , SHORTER DARYL , KOSTEN THOMAS R.
Published: April 2016

As a result of the prescription opioid epidemic in the United States, there has been an increasing need for effective treatment interventions, both pharmacological and nonpharmacological. Buprenorphine has emerged as a critical component of the treatment of opioid use disorder, yet its adoption has not been without some concerns. This article first reviews the pharmacology, clinical use, and US legislative action related to buprenorphine, followed by a discussion of the misuse and diversion of buprenorphine in the United States as well as internationally. We then explore the impact of buprenorphine abuse as well as discussing strategies for its reduction, including changes in policy, prescription and pharmacy monitoring, and continuing medical education for guiding and improving clinical practice.
Video Games Impact Lifestyle Behaviors in Adults
Authors: Cemelli Christine Marie , Burris Jennifer , Woolf Kathleen
Published: April 2016

Video games are a popular pastime for adolescents and adults worldwide. This study examined the association between video game playing (online [ONG] and offline [OFG]) and lifestyle behaviors in adults, with nongamers as controls. Participants (n = 292) completed an online survey focused on lifestyle behaviors. ONG players spent more time each week in sedentary behaviors than nongamers (P = .005). ONG and OFG players consumed more soft drinks than nongamers (P = .0015); ONG players reported higher energy consumption (kcal) from sugar-sweetened beverages than nongamers (P = .012). Nongamers reported more low-fat eating behaviors than ONG players (P = .007). This popular pastime influences overall health and further research is needed.
A Cross-Sectional Exploration of Research Outcome Expectations
Authors: King Carrie , Parrott J. Scott , Hand Rosa
Published: April 2016

Research outcome expectations are the perceptions that research involvement is, or is not, personally valuable. This study compared the research outcome expectations of dietetics professionals with different levels of research experience. Three hundred fifty-five members of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics completed an online survey (preprofessional students: n = 33 [3.3%], Dietetics Practice–Based Research Network members: n = 152 [11.2%], dietetics researchers: n = 170 [20.5%]). Significant differences were found between study groups for research outcome expectation (P < .01) and research involvement (P < .01). The practice setting is the ideal place to build dietetics research outcomes expectations through a collaborative strategy developed at the team or department level.
Intra-specific variability of hindlimb length in the palmate newt: an indicator of population isolation induced by habitat fragmentation?
Authors: Trochet Audrey , Le Chevalier Hugo , Baillat Boris , Barthe Laurent , Pottier Gilles , Calvez Olivier , Ribéron Alexandre , Blanchet Simon
Published: April 2016

Habitat fragmentation is one of the main drivers of global amphibian decline. Anthropogenic landscape elements can act as barriers, hindering the dispersal that is essential for maintaining gene flow between populations. Dispersal ability can be influenced by locomotor performance, which in turn can depend on morphological traits, such as hindlimb length (HLL) in amphibians. Here, we tested relationships between HLL and environmental variables—road types, forests and agricultural lands—among 35 sub-populations of palmate newts (
Lissotriton helveticus
) in southwestern France. We expected roads to select for short-legged newts due to a higher mortality of more mobile individuals (long-legged newts) when crossing roads. Accordingly, short-legged newts were found in the vicinity of roads, whereas long-legged newts were found closer to forests and in ponds close geographically to another water body. HLL in newts was hence influenced by habitat types in a heterogeneous landscape, and could therefore be used as an indicator of population isolation in a meta-population system.
Two frequency bands contain the most stimulus-related information in visual cortex
Authors: Lewis Christopher M. , Bosman Conrado A. , Brunet Nicolas M. , Lima Bruss , Roberts Mark J. , Womelsdorf Thilo , de Weerd Peter , Neuenschwander Sergio , Singer Wolf , Fries Pascal
Published: April 2016

Sensory cortices represent the world through the activity of diversely tuned cells. How the activity of single cells is coordinated within populations and across sensory hierarchies is largely unknown. Cortical oscillations may coordinate local and distributed neuronal groups. Using datasets from intracortical multi-electrode recordings and from large-scale electrocorticography (ECoG) grids, we investigated how visual features could be extracted from the local field potential (LFP) and how this compared with the information available from multi-unit activity (MUA). MUA recorded from macaque V1 contained comparable amounts of information as simultaneously recorded LFP power in two frequency bands, one in the alpha-beta band and the other in the gamma band. ECoG-LFP contained information in the same bands as microelectrode-LFP, even when identifying natural scenes. The fact that information was contained in the same bands in both intracortical and ECoG recordings suggests that oscillatory activity could play similar roles at both spatial scales.
Assessing the accuracy of Approximate Bayesian Computation approaches to infer epidemiological parameters from phylogenies
Authors: Saulnier Emma , Gascuel Olivier , Alizon Samuel
Published: April 2016

Phylodynamics typically rely on likelihood-based methods to infer epidemiological parameters from dated phylogenies. These methods are essentially based on simple epidemiological models because of the difficulty in expressing the likelihood function analytically. Computing this function numerically raises additional challenges, especially for large phylogenies. Here, we use Approximate Bayesian Computation (ABC) to circumvent these problems. ABC is a likelihood-free method of parameter inference, based on simulation and comparison between target data and simulated data, using summary statistics. We simulated target trees under several epidemiological scenarios in order to assess the accuracy of ABC methods for inferring epidemiological parameter such as the basic reproduction number (R0), the mean duration of infection, and the effective host population size. We designed many summary statistics to capture the information in a phylogeny and its corresponding lineage-through-time plot. We then used the simplest ABC method, called rejection, and its modern derivative complemented with adjustment of the posterior distribution by regression. The availability of machine learning techniques including variable selection, motivated us to compute many summary statistics on the phylogeny. We found that ABC-based inference reaches an accuracy comparable to that of likelihood-based methods for birth-death models and can even outperform existing methods for more refined models and large trees. By re-analysing data from the early stages of the recent Ebola epidemic in Sierra Leone, we also found that ABC provides more realistic estimates than the likelihood-based methods, for some parameters. This work shows that the combination of ABC-based inference using many summary statistics and sophisticated machine learning methods able to perform variable selection is a promising approach to analyse large phylogenies and non-trivial models.
Nano Random Forests to mine protein complexes and their relationships in quantitative proteomics data
Authors: Montano-Gutierrez Luis F , Ohta Shinya , Kustatscher Georg , Earnshaw William C , Rappsilber Juri
Published: April 2016

The large and ever-increasing numbers of quantitative proteomics datasets constitute a currently underexploited resource for drawing biological insights on proteins and their functions. Multiple observations by different laboratories indicate that protein complexes often follow consistent trends. However, proteomic data is often noisy and incomplete − members of a complex may correlate only in a fraction of all experiments, or may not be observed in all experiments. Inclusion of potentially uninformative data hence imposes the risk of weakening biological signals. We have previously used the Random Forest (RF) machine-learning algorithm to distinguish functional chromosomal proteins from hitchhikers in an analysis of mitotic chromosomes. Even though it is assumed that RFs need large training sets, in this technical note we show that RFs also are able to detect small protein complexes and relationships between them. We use artificial datasets to demonstrate the robustness of RFs to identify small groups even when working with mixes of noisy and apparently uninformative experiments. We then use our procedure to retrieve a number of chromosomal complexes from real quantitative proteomics results, which compare wild-type and multiple different knock-out mitotic chromosomes. The procedure also revealed other proteins that covary strongly with these complexes suggesting novel functional links. Integrating the RF analysis for several complexes revealed the known interdependency of kinetochore subcomplexes, as well as an unexpected dependency between the Constitutive-Centromere-Associated Network (CCAN) and the condensin (SMC 2/4) complex. Serving as negative control, ribosomal proteins remained independent of kinetochore complexes. Together, these results show that this complex-oriented RF (nanoRF) can uncover subtle protein relationships and higher-order dependencies in integrated proteomics data.
Recurrently deregulated lncRNAs associated with HCC tumorigenesis and metastasis revealed by genomic, epigenomic, and transcriptomic profiling in paired primary tumor and PVTT samples
Authors: Yang Yang , Chen Lei , Gu Jin , Zhang Hanshuo , Yuan Jiapei , Lian Qiuyu , Lv Guishuai , Wang Siqi , Wu Yang , Yang Yu-Cheng T. , Wang Dongfang , Liu Yang , Tang Jing , Luo Guijuan , Li Yang , Hu Long , Sun Xinbao , Wang Dong , Guo Mingzhou , Xi Qiaoran , Xi Jianzhong , Wang Hongyang , Zhang Michael Q. , Lu Zhi John
Published: April 2016

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) are highly potent to invade the portal venous system and subsequently develop into the portal vein tumor thrombosis (PVTT). PVTT could induce intrahepatic metastasis, which is closely associated with poor prognosis. A comprehensive systematic characterization of long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) associated with HCC metastasis has not been reported. Here, we first assayed 60 clinical samples (matched primary tumor, adjacent normal tissue, and PVTT) from 20 HCC patients using total RNA sequencing. We identified and characterized 8,603 novel lncRNAs from 9.6 billion sequenced reads, indicating specific expression of these lncRNAs in our samples. On the other hand, the expression patterns of 3,212 known and novel recurrently deregulated lncRNAs (in >=20% of our patients) were well correlated with clinical data in a TCGA cohort and published liver cancer data. Some lncRNAs (e.g., RP11-166D19.1/MIR100HG) were shown to be useful as putative biomarkers for prognosis and metastasis. Moreover, matched array data from 60 samples showed that copy number variations (CNVs) and alterations in DNA methylation contributed to the observed recurrent deregulation of 716 lncRNAs. Subsequently, using a coding-noncoding co-expression network, we found that many recurrently deregulated lncRNAs were enriched in clusters of genes related to cell adhesion, immune response, and metabolic processes. Candidate lncRNAs related to metastasis, such as HAND2-AS1, were further validated using RNAi-based loss-of-function assays. The results of our integrative analysis provide a valuable resource regarding functional lncRNAs and novel biomarkers associated with HCC tumorigenesis and metastasis.