bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
How do Tertiary Dropouts Fare in the Labour Market? A Comparison between EU Countries
Authors: Schnepf Sylke V.
Published: January 2017

Dropping out of university is regularly discussed as a negative indicator. However, research on actual career trajectories of dropouts is virtually non‐existent. This study estimates the association between tertiary dropouts and career chances in 15 European countries. Using data from the 2011 Programme for the International Assessment of Adult Competencies (PIAAC), estimates are derived from the application of propensity score matching taking a variety of individual background characteristics including cognitive skills into account. Results indicate that individuals are likely to fare better in the labour market if they enrol in university and drop out than if they do not enrol at all. Policy makers need to revise the notion that dropping out is purely negative.
Towards Typology of Stakeholders: a Case of Lithuanian Higher Education
Authors: Švaikauskienė Simona , Mikulskienė Birutė
Published: January 2017

The purpose of this paper is to explore internal management, advocacy and partnerships of interest groups with the aim of representing their interests in public policy formation with a view to developing a stakeholder typology. This qualitative study involves eight in‐depth, semi‐structured interviews with representatives from stakeholder organisations acting in Lithuania's higher education sector. The developed typology, which includes the analysed factors of capacity (organisational capacity, learning capacity, partnership capacity and advocacy capacity), comprises a description of three levels (strong, medium and weak). The suggested typology is a tool that could be used by public institutions to assess the capacity of stakeholders.
Attending to power differentials: How NP‐led group medical visits can influence the management of chronic conditions
Authors: Housden Laura , Browne Annette J. , Wong Sabrina T. , Dawes Martin
Published: January 2017

Objective

In Canada, primary care reform has encouraged innovations, including nurse practitioners (NPs) and group medical visits (GMVs). NP‐led GMVs provide an opportunity to examine barriers and enablers to implementing this innovation in primary care.

Design

An instrumental case study design (n=3): two cases where NPs were using GMVs and one case where NPs were not using GMVs, was completed. In‐depth interviews with patients and providers (N=24) and 10 hours of direct observation were completed. Interpretive descriptive methods were used to analyse data.

Results/Findings

Two main themes were identified: (i) acquisition of knowledge and (ii) GMVs help shift relationships between patients and health‐care providers. Participants discussed how patients and providers learn from one another to facilitate self‐management of chronic conditions. They also discussed how the GMV shifts inherent power differentials between providers and between patients and providers.

Discussion

NP‐led GMVs are a method of care delivery that harness NPs’ professional agency through increased leadership and interprofessional collaboration. GMVs also facilitate an environment that is patient‐centred and interprofessional, providing patients with increased confidence to manage their chronic conditions. The GMV provides the opportunity to meet both team‐based and patient‐centred health‐care objectives and may disrupt inherent power differentials that exist in primary care.
Mechanical and optical properties in precipitated regions of alumina‐rich magnesium aluminate spinel
Authors: Miller Jesse , Reimanis Ivar , Miao Weiguo , Salem Jonathan
Published: January 2017

The toughening and strengthening of transparent ceramics is challenging because microstructural alterations typically lead to light scattering. Here, controlled precipitation of α‐Al2O3 from nonstoichiometric spinel is explored to demonstrate unique control over the evolution of second phase Al2O3 and how the microstructure might be altered to enhance fracture toughness while minimizing light scatter. Alumina‐rich magnesium aluminate spinel, MgO·nAl2O3, where n=2, was hot pressed and HIPed to produce fully dense, single‐phase material. The material was then heat treated in air at 1573 K for up to 20 hours to create a two‐phase spinel‐Al2O3 composite. The fracture toughness varies from 0.88 to 2.47 MPa√m depending on the microstructure; enhanced toughness at the surface was due to increased crack tortuosity at phase boundaries, but residual tensile stresses were observed in the interior of the material. Precipitation causes local volume contraction and the formation of porosity, decreasing optical transmission, especially for heat treatment times longer than 5 hours.
Diabetes, hypertension, obesity, and long‐term risk of renal disease mortality: Racial and socioeconomic differences
Authors: Moghani Lankarani Maryam , Assari Shervin
Published: January 2017

Aims/Introduction

Diabetes, hypertension, and obesity increase the risk of chronic kidney disease and associated mortality. Race and socioeconomic status (SES) differences in the effects of these risk factors are, however, still unknown. The current study aimed to investigate whether or not race and SES alter the effects of diabetes, hypertension, and obesity on mortality due to renal disease.

Materials and Methods

Data came from the Americans' Changing Lives Study, 1986–2011, a nationally representative prospective cohort of adults with 25 years of follow up. The study included 3,361 adults aged 25 years and older who were followed for up to 25 years. The outcome was death from renal disease. Diabetes, hypertension, and obesity were the main predictors. Race and SES (education, income, and employment) were moderators. Health behaviors and health status at baseline were covariates. We used Cox proportional hazards models for data analysis.

Results

In separate models, diabetes, hypertension, and obesity at baseline were associated with a higher risk of death from renal disease. From our SES indicators, education and income interacted with diabetes, hypertension, and obesity on death from renal disease. In a consistent pattern, diabetes, hypertension, and obesity showed stronger effects on the risk of death from renal disease among high‐SES groups compared with low‐SES individuals. Race and employment did not alter the effects of diabetes, hypertension and obesity on the risk of death from renal disease.

Conclusions

Social groups differ in how diabetes, hypertension, and obesity influence health outcomes over long‐term periods. Elimination of disparities in renal disease mortality in the USA requires understanding of the complex and non‐linear effects of socioeconomic and medical risk factors on health outcomes. Multidisciplinary programs and policies are required to reduce social inequality in renal disease burden caused by diabetes, hypertension, and obesity.
Pro‐Environmental Behavior and Adolescent Moral Development
Authors: Krettenauer Tobias
Published: January 2017

Previous research has demonstrated that children take a strong moral stance toward protecting the natural environment. However, the question of how this moralization of pro‐environmental behavior develops in adolescence has been rarely investigated. This study investigated age‐related differences in adolescents' pro‐environmental behavior as it relates to moral judgments about environmental issues and emotions. The study was based on a cross‐sectional sample of 325 Canadian adolescents from early, middle, and late adolescence. It was found that older adolescents engaged less in pro‐environmental behaviors such as energy conservation and recycling. The effect of age was mediated by the prescriptiveness of moral judgment as well as emotional affinity for nature. The study calls for a systematic investigation of factors that suppress pro‐environmentalism in adolescence.
Clinical Relationship between Cholestatic Disease and Pituitary‐Dependent Hyperadrenocorticism in Dogs: A Retrospective Case Series
Authors: Kim K.‐h. , Han S.‐m. , Jeon K.‐o. , Kim H.‐t. , Li Q. , Ryu M.‐o. , Song W.‐j. , Park S.‐c. , Youn H.‐y.
Published: January 2017

Background

A high prevalence of cholestatic disease, including gallbladder mucocele (GBM), has been reported in dogs with naturally occurring pituitary‐dependent hyperadrenocorticism (PDH).

Hypothesis/Objectives

Differences exist in the clinical features of dogs with PDH and concurrent cholestatic disease, and also is the management of these dogs with trilostane.

Animals

Sixty‐five client‐owned dogs with naturally occurring PDH.

Methods

This was a retrospective, observational case series. Each dog was treated with trilostane for at least 3 months before the study, and had a good clinical response, as determined by owners. Statistical comparisons of clinical signs, results of routine blood tests, basal and post‐ACTH cortisol concentration, and optimal trilostane dosage were made after dogs were separated into the following 3 groups by ultrasonographic imaging: normal on ultrasound (NOU) group, cholestasis group, and GBM group.

Results

The GBM group had more severe clinical signs and significantly different total serum cholesterol concentration and post‐ACTH stimulation cortisol concentration at the time of diagnosis. Dogs that weighed <6 kg had a significantly higher prevalence of cholestatic disease than did the other dogs (P = .003). The optimal trilostane dosages for the GBM and cholestasis groups were 2.5 and 1.5 times the dosage of the NOU group, respectively (P < .001).

Conclusions and Clinical Importance

Gallbladder disease associated with cholestatic disease is correlated with PDH in dogs, in both its clinical features and drug management. These findings may be associated with hypercholesterolemia, unidentified genetic factors, and the hydrophobic nature of trilostane.
Animal welfare with and without consciousness
Authors: Dawkins M. S.
Published: January 2017

Despite recent advances in understanding brain function, consciousness – specifically, how the brain gives rise to conscious experiences – remains ‘the hard problem.’ In humans, there are often multiple routes to the same actions, some of them involving conscious experience, others not. Furthermore, differences in brain circuitry make analogies between humans and other animals more difficult than is generally acknowledged. In this essay, I argue that both the study of consciousness itself and the science of animal welfare benefit from facing up to these difficulties rather than glossing over them. Animal welfare science, although often defining good welfare in term of what animals feel, does not have to be based on assumptions about which species have conscious experiences. Animal welfare (well‐being) can be defined objectively in terms of animal health and what animals want. Such a conscious‐free definition is readily understandable by people with very different views about animals and yet is practical enough to point to what factual scientific information is needed in any given case. While not precluding conscious awareness in other species, it allows animal welfare science to move forward without having solved the hardest biological problem of all.
Evolutionary ecomorphology of the Falkland Islands wolf Dusicyon australis
Authors: Meloro Carlo , Hunter Jonathan , Tomsett Louise , Portela Miguez Roberto , Prevosti Francisco J. , Brown Richard P.
Published: January 2017

The Falkland Islands wolf Dusicyon australis is an extinct canid that was once the only endemic terrestrial mammal to inhabit the Falkland Islands. There is still a puzzling picture of the morphological adaptations of this wolf that quickly evolved from its mainland fossil ancestor: Dusicyon avus. We employ a geometric morphometric approach to identify patterns of skull shape variation in extant canids and Dusicyon spp. The Falkland Islands wolf and its fossil ancestor show a more carnivorous feeding morphology than other South American foxes, and they cluster morphologically with jackals. This supports convergence in skull shape between Dusicyon and Old World canids, although the convergence is not as strong as that exhibited by their sister hyper‐ and hypocarnivorous taxa.
Eugenol specialty chemical production in transgenic poplar (Populus tremula × P. alba) field trials
Authors: Lu Da , Yuan Xianghe , Kim Sung‐Jin , Marques Joaquim V. , Chakravarthy P. Pawan , Moinuddin Syed G. A. , Luchterhand Randi , Herman Barri , Davin Laurence B. , Lewis Norman G.
Published: January 2017

A foundational study assessed effects of biochemical pathway introduction into poplar to produce eugenol, chavicol, p‐anol, isoeugenol and their sequestered storage products, from potentially available substrates, coniferyl and p‐coumaryl alcohols. At the onset, it was unknown whether significant carbon flux to monolignols vs. other phenylpropanoid (acetate) pathway metabolites would be kinetically favoured. Various transgenic poplar lines generated eugenol and chavicol glucosides in ca. 0.45% (~0.35 and ~0.1%, respectively) of dry weight foliage tissue in field trials, as well as their corresponding aglycones in trace amounts. There were only traces of any of these metabolites in branch tissues, even after ~4‐year field trials. Levels of bioproduct accumulation in foliage plateaued, even at the lowest introduced gene expression levels, suggesting limited monolignol substrate availability. Nevertheless, this level still allows foliage collection for platform chemical production, with the remaining (stem) biomass available for wood, pulp/paper and bioenergy product purposes. Several transformed lines displayed unexpected precocious flowering after 4‐year field trial growth. This necessitated terminating (felling) these particular plants, as USDA APHIS prohibits the possibility of their interacting (cross‐pollination, etc.) with wild‐type (native plant) lines. In future, additional biotechnological approaches can be employed (e.g. gene editing) to produce sterile plant lines, to avoid such complications. While increased gene expression did not increase target bioproduct accumulation, the exciting possibility now exists of significantly increasing their amounts (e.g. 10‐ to 40‐fold plus) in foliage and stems via systematic deployment of numerous ‘omics’, systems biology, synthetic biology and metabolic flux modelling approaches.
Genome‐wide association study discovered genetic variation and candidate genes of fibre quality traits in Gossypium hirsutum L.
Authors: Sun Zhengwen , Wang Xingfen , Liu Zhengwen , Gu Qishen , Zhang Yan , Li Zhikun , Ke Huifeng , Yang Jun , Wu Jinhua , Wu Liqiang , Zhang Guiyin , Zhang Caiying , Ma Zhiying
Published: January 2017

Genetic improvement of fibre quality is one of the main breeding goals for the upland cotton, Gossypium hirsutum, but there are difficulties with precise selection of traits. Therefore, it is important to improve the understanding of the genetic basis of phenotypic variation. In this study, we conducted phenotyping and genetic variation analyses of 719 diverse accessions of upland cotton based on multiple environment tests and a recently developed Cotton 63K Illumina Infinium SNP array and performed a genome‐wide association study (GWAS) of fibre quality traits. A total of 10 511 polymorphic SNPs distributed in 26 chromosomes were screened across the cotton germplasms, and forty‐six significant SNPs associated with five fibre quality traits were detected. These significant SNPs were scattered over 15 chromosomes and were involved in 612 unique candidate genes, many related to polysaccharide biosynthesis, signal transduction and protein translocation. Two major haplotypes for fibre length and strength were identified on chromosomes Dt11 and At07. Furthermore, by combining GWAS and transcriptome analysis, we identified 163 and 120 fibre developmental genes related to length and strength, respectively, of which a number of novel genes and 19 promising genes were screened. These results provide new insight into the genetic basis of fibre quality in G. hirsutum and provide candidate SNPs and genes to accelerate the improvement of upland cotton.
A Dialysis Patient's Choice and a Nephrologist's Obligation: The Need to Understand and Value the Patient's Perspective
Authors: Hemmett Juliya , McIntyre Christopher W.
Published: January 2017

Patient‐centered care is critical to the successful management of chronic diseases, such as chronic kidney disease. While a course of treatment may prolong life it may come with a reduced quality of life (QOL). For many patients, the decision to prolong life at the expense of lower QOL is not an obvious choice. Dialysis patients make treatment decisions daily, some of which can be life‐altering. Therefore, the need for optimal decision‐making may be more pressing in dialysis patients than in many other chronic disease states. Guiding patients through these life‐altering decisions requires a fuller understanding of how they view their disease, their treatments, and the consequence of accepting or rejecting the treatments offered to them. We propose a conceptual framework to help us understand decision‐making in chronic diseases such as end stage renal disease. We also highlight a need to critically examine how patients make decisions on survival versus QOL and the relationship of their decisions to their illness and treatment beliefs. Understanding the role of patients’ belief systems can guide education interventions for medical professionals involved in their care in order to help them develop patient‐centered, personalized treatment plans.
Hemodialysis Ultrafiltration Rate Targets Should Be Scaled to Body Surface Area Rather than to Body Weight
Authors: Daugirdas John T. , Schneditz Daniel
Published: January 2017

The association between higher ultrafiltration rates and poor outcomes in hemodialysis patients has received increased attention, to the point that various regulatory entities are considering adding ultrafiltration rate as a quality measure to be monitored and controlled. Most of the discussion to date has focused on ultrafiltration rate scaled to body weight, or more correctly, body mass (ml/hour per kg). One outcome study suggests that ultrafiltration rate might best be not scaled at all to body size, as modestly higher ultrafiltration rate in very small‐size patients may be associated with some survival benefit, probably via increased dietary intake. Outcomes studies also suggest that the risk of exceeding a weight‐scaled ultrafiltration target may be magnified in very large patients, and that body weight‐scaled ultrafiltration targets in such patients should be set a lower level. Here, we present an analysis, based on physiological hemodynamic arguments, that it would be better to scale ultrafiltration rate to body surface area rather than to body mass. Whatever ultrafiltration rate is scaled to, attempts to restrict ultrafiltration rate by limiting interdialytic weight gain in small, possibly malnourished patients, should be done cautiously, to prevent an inadvertent lowering of intake of calories and dietary protein.
Neuroimaging of Inflammation in Memory and Related Other Disorders (NIMROD) study protocol: a deep phenotyping cohort study of the role of brain inflammation in dementia, depression and other neurological illnesses
Authors: Bevan-Jones W Richard , Surendranathan Ajenthan , Passamonti Luca , Vázquez Rodríguez Patricia , Arnold Robert , Mak Elijah , Su Li , Coles Jonathan P , Fryer Tim D , Hong Young T , Williams Guy , Aigbirhio Franklin , Rowe James B , O'Brien John T
Published: January 2017

Introduction

Inflammation of the central nervous system is increasingly regarded as having a role in cognitive disorders such as dementia and depression, but it is not clear how such inflammation relates to other aspects of neuropathology, structural and functional changes in the brain and symptoms (as assessed via clinical and neuropsychological assessment and MRI). This study will explore these pathophysiological mechanisms using positron emission tomography (PET) which allows in vivo imaging of inflammation, amyloid and τ deposition, together with neuropsychological profiling, MRI and peripheral biomarker analysis.

Methods and analysis

Using PET imaging of the ligand [11C]PK11195, we will test for increased neuroinflammation in vivo in patients with Alzheimer's disease, Lewy body dementia, frontotemporal dementia, progressive supranuclear palsy, late-onset depression and mild cognitive impairment, when compared to healthy controls. We will assess whether areas of inflammatory change are associated with amyloid and τ deposition (assessed using11C-labelled Pittsburgh Compound B ([11C]PiB) and18F-labelled AV-1451, respectively), as well as structural and connectivity markers found on MRI. Inflammatory biomarker analysis and immune-phenotyping of peripheral blood monocytes will determine the correlation between central inflammation and peripheral inflammation. Finally, we will examine whether central inflammatory markers seen on PET imaging are associated with global and domain specific cognitive impairments or predict cognitive decline over 12 months.

Ethics and dissemination

The study protocol was approved by the local ethics committee, East of England—Cambridge Central Research Ethics Committee (reference: 13/EE/0104). The study is also Administration of Radioactive Substances Advisory Committee (ARSAC) approved as part of this process. Data will be disseminated by presentation at national and international conferences and by publication, predominantly in journals of clinical neuroscience, neurology and psychiatry.
The validity of the Youth Physical Activity Questionnaire in 12–13-year-old Scottish adolescents
Authors: McCrorie Paul Robert Walker , Perez Ana , Ellaway Anne
Published: January 2017

Background

The development of accurate methods to measure health-behaviours forms an integral component in behavioural epidemiology. Population surveillance of physical activity often relies on self/proxy reported questionnaires due to cost and relative ease of administration. The aim of this study was to examine the criterion validity and measurement agreement between the Youth Physical Activity Questionnaire (YPAQ) and accelerometry before being included in a Scotland-wide study.

Methods

Forty four participants (12–13 years old; 61% girls) completed the YPAQ following 7 days wearing the Actigraph GT3X+. Mean moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) per day was derived from YPAQ and accelerometer and validity was assessed using Spearman's correlation; Bland-Altman plots examined absolute agreement between methods.

Results

Pearson's and Spearman’s correlations between YPAQ and accelerometer were r = 0.47 and rs= 0.39 (p<0.01) respectively. The YPAQ over reported mean MVPA by 25.6 ± 50.2 minutes (95% CI 10.4-40.9 minutes; p <0.001), with 95% limits of agreement of −72.69 minutes and + 123.99 minutes. Evidence of underreporting at lower levels of activity and over reporting at higher levels of activity was evident (Pearson's r=0.81), in addition to heteroscedasticity, where variances increased as MVPA increased.

Conclusions

Although a moderate correlation between the two methods was apparent, the YPAQ should not be used interchangeably with accelerometry. The YPAQ does demonstrate a reasonable ability to rank MVPA, although it tends to under-report lower levels and over-report higher levels. This, and other administering factors, should be taken into consideration if being used for group or individual level analyses.
Cutaneous candidiasis infection in two alpacas
Authors: Ho Karen , Cobiella Danielle , Walz Heather , Kennis Robert , White Amelia
Published: January 2017

Two six‐year‐old macho alpacas from southeastern Alabama were presented to our Large Animal Teaching Hospital for a two‐week history of pruritic, ulcerative skin lesions around the eyes, hind legs and groin. Histopathology, bacterial culture and fungal culture revealed Candidaspecies with secondary Staphylococcus aureus pyoderma. Blood zinc levels for both alpacas were considered to be below laboratory reference values. Both alpacas were treated with topical antiseptic, antibiotic and antifungal therapy along with systemic therapy using injectable ceftiofur, and dietary zinc supplementation was initiated. Ulcerative skin lesions resolved following about four weeks of antimicrobial therapy. Scaling and crusting lesions resolved after about six weeks of dietary zinc supplementation. At 180 days after presentation, both alpacas were doing well with no new lesions. This is the first case report of successfully treated cutaneous candidiasis in the alpaca.
Gastro‐oesophageal intussusception with splenic involvement in an adult dog
Authors: Brady Robert , Biskup Jeffery , Latimer Christian
Published: January 2017

This case report describes the presentation, treatment and outcome of an adult German shepherd dog with gastroesophageal intussusception (GEI). The dog’s presenting complaint included acute lethargy, and a single bout of excessive drinking followed by immediate regurgitation. After patient stabilisation, radiographs were taken which revealed a soft tissue opacity in the caudodorsal thorax and lack of a gastric silhouette in the abdomen. The patient was diagnosed with GEI, a laparotomy was performed and the stomach and spleen were surgically reduced. A right‐sided incisional gastropexy, left‐sided tube gastropexy, splenectomy and narrowing of the oesophageal hiatus were performed. The patient developed aspiration pneumonia postoperatively, likely secondary to megaoesophagus, which responded to antimicrobials. The gastric tube was removed 31 days after surgery and the patient had no further clinical signs eight months postoperatively.
Haemophagocytic syndrome in a dog with granulomatous splenitis
Authors: Viall Austin K , McLeland Shannon M , McQuinn Erin R , Ho‐Eckart Louisa K , Johannes Chad M
Published: January 2017

A golden retriever dog was evaluated for cranial abdominal organomegaly. Clinical investigation found concurrent splenomegaly, anaemia, thrombocytopenia, hypoalbuminaemia and hypocholesterolaemia. Cytological evaluation of splenic aspirate samples identified a population of atypical, erythrophagocytic, mesenchymal cells. Due to the patient’s signalment, clinicopathological abnormalities and splenic cytological findings, the dog was suspected to have haemophagocytic histiocytic sarcoma. Splenectomy with splenic histopathology was performed to confirm the diagnosis. Histologically, granulomatous splenitis with erythrophagocytic macrophages was identified; a cause for splenitis was not identified. The dog was clinically diagnosed with reactive haemophagocytic syndrome secondary to splenitis. The patient clinically decompensated a month postsplenectomy and was euthanased.
Ceruloplasmin-derived peptide is the strongest regulator of oxidative stress and leukotriene synthesis in neutrophils
Authors: Golenkina Ekaterina A. , Livenskyi Alexey D. , Viryasova Galina M. , Romanova Yulia M. , Sud’ina Galina F. , Sokolov Alexey V.
Published: January 2017

Ceruloplasmin, an acute-phase protein, can affect the activity of leukocytes through its various enzymatic activities and protein–protein interactions (with lactoferrin, myeloperoxidase, eosinophil peroxidase, serprocidins, and 5-lipoxygenase (5-LOX), among others). However, the molecular mechanisms of ceruloplasmin activity are not clearly understood. In this study, we tested the ability of two synthetic peptides, RPYLKVFNPR (883–892) (P1) and RRPYLKVFNPRR (882–893) (P2), corresponding to the indicated fragments of the ceruloplasmin sequence, to affect neutrophil activation. Leukotriene (LT) B4 is the primary eicosanoid product of polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMNLs, neutrophils). We studied leukotriene synthesis in PMNLs upon interaction with Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium. Priming of neutrophils with phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA) elicited the strong regulatory function of P2 peptide as a superoxide formation inducer and leukotriene synthesis inhibitor. Ceruloplasmin-derived P2 peptide appeared to be a strong inhibitor of 5-LOX product synthesis under conditions of oxidative stress.
Authorized net losses of fish habitat demonstrate need for improved habitat protection in Canada
Authors: Favaro Brett , Olszynski Martin
Published: January 2017

Fish habitat is essential to the stability and productivity of fisheries. In Canada, the primary legal tool for protecting fish habitat is the federal Fisheries Act. In 2012, this law was changed to narrow the scope of habitat protection. The government’s position was that the previous regime went beyond what was necessary to protect fish and fish habitat. Here, we tested that assertion by examining Fisheries Act authorizations to harmfully alter, disrupt, or destroy fish habitat issued by Fisheries and Oceans Canada during a 6-month period in 2012, obtained using access to information processes. We found the majority of projects (67%) were authorized to impact more habitat than proponents were required to compensate for, likely resulting in a net loss of fish habitat. Our analysis show an aggregate net loss — defined as authorized impact minus required compensation — of 2 919 143 m2 authorized across 78 projects. Drawing from these results, we present four recommendations for an improved habitat protection regime under a renewed Fisheries Act, emphasizing the need to establish a public registry for authorizations and monitoring data.
Studies of poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) (PEDOT) films containing cationic Mn porphyrins. A loading-dependent demetalation of Mn(III)TPP in PEDOT (Mn(III)TPP=5,10,15,20-tetraphenylporphyrinato manganese(III))
Authors: Boskovic Danijel , Balakrishnan Sivakumar , Chen Jun , Wagner Pawel , Swiegers Gerhard F.
Published: January 2017

Thin films of vapor-phase polymerized PEDOT incorporating various cationic Mn porphyrins were assessed for water oxidation catalysis under light illumination. Only Mn(III)TPP/PEDOT displayed a notable photocurrent and this was, counter-intuitively, greatest at the lowest loading levels examined. Studies revealed that a proportion of the Mn(III)TPP within the PEDOT became demetalated during polymerization, leaving free and protonated TPP. Despite the presence of an excess of chemical oxidant during the polymerization step, the Mn(III) ion was reduced — likely under the influence of light — to Mn(II), which was labilized out of the film. Whereas PEDOT films loaded with anionic Mn porphyrins may be active and selective water oxidation photocatalysts, their analogs containing cationic Mn porphyrins, like Mn(III)TPP, are catalytically inert.
A new notion of convexity in digraphs with an application to Bayesian networks
Authors: Malvestuto Francesco M.
Published: January 2017

We introduce a new notion of convexity in digraphs, which we call incoming-path convexity, and prove that the incoming-path convexity space of a digraph is a convex geometry (that is, it satisfies the Minkowski–Krein–Milman property) if and only if the digraph is acyclic. Moreover, we prove that incoming-path convexity is adequate to characterize collapsibility of models generated by Bayesian networks. Based on these results, we also provide simple linear algorithms to solve two topical problems on Markov properties of a Bayesian network (that is, on conditional independences valid in a Bayesian network).
Reidentification of Persons Using Clothing Features in Real-Life Video
Authors: Zhang Guodong , Jiang Peilin , Matsumoto Kazuyuki , Yoshida Minoru , Kita Kenji
Published: January 2017

Person reidentification, which aims to track people across nonoverlapping cameras, is a fundamental task in automated video processing. Moving people often appear differently when viewed from different nonoverlapping cameras because of differences in illumination, pose, and camera properties. The color histogram is a global feature of an object that can be used for identification. This histogram describes the distribution of all colors on the object. However, the use of color histograms has two disadvantages. First, colors change differently under different lighting and at different angles. Second, traditional color histograms lack spatial information. We used a perception-based color space to solve the illumination problem of traditional histograms. We also used the spatial pyramid matching (SPM) model to improve the image spatial information in color histograms. Finally, we used the Gaussian mixture model (GMM) to show features for person reidentification, because the main color feature of GMM is more adaptable for scene changes, and improve the stability of the retrieved results for different color spaces in various scenes. Through a series of experiments, we found the relationships of different features that impact person reidentification.
Optimal Corridor Selection for a Road Space Management Strategy: Methodology and Tool
Authors: Sharma Sushant
Published: January 2017

Nationwide, there is a growing realization that there are valuable benefits to using the existing roadway facilities to their full potential rather than expanding capacity in a traditional way. Currently, state DOTs are looking for cost-effective transportation solutions to mitigate the growing congestion and increasing funding gaps. Innovative road space management strategies like narrowing of multiple lanes (three or more) and shoulder width to add a lane enhance the utilization while eliminating the costs associated with constructing new lanes. Although this strategy (among many) generally leads to better mobility, identifying optimal corridors is a challenge and may affect the benefits. Further, there is a likelihood that added capacity may provide localized benefits, at the expense of system level performance measures (travel time and crashes) because of the relocation of traffic operational bottlenecks. This paper develops a novel transportation programming and investment decision method to identify optimal corridors for adding capacity in the network by leveraging lane widths. The methodology explicitly takes into consideration the system level benefits and safety. The programming compares two conflicting objectives of system travel time and safety benefits to find an optimal solution.
Simultaneous Determination of Dexamethasone, Ondansetron, Granisetron, Tropisetron, and Azasetron in Infusion Samples by HPLC with DAD Detection
Authors: Chen Fu-chao , Wang Lin-hai , Guo Jun , Shi Xiao-ya , Fang Bao-xia
Published: January 2017

A simple and rapid high-performance liquid chromatography with diode array detector (HPLC-DAD) method has been developed and validated for simultaneous quantification of five antiemetic agents in infusion samples: dexamethasone, ondansetron, granisetron, tropisetron, and azasetron. The chromatographic separation was achieved on a Phenomenex C18column (4.6 mm × 150 mm, 5 μm) using acetonitrile-50 mM KH2PO4buffer-triethylamine (25 : 74 : 1; v/v; pH 4.0). Flow rate was 1.0 mL/min with a column temperature of 30°C. Validation of the method was made in terms of specificity, linearity, accuracy, and intra- and interday precision, as well as quantification and detection limits. The developed method can be used in the laboratory to routinely quantify dexamethasone, ondansetron, granisetron, tropisetron, and azasetron simultaneously and to evaluate the physicochemical stability of referred drugs in mixtures for endovenous use.
Probe of the Anomalous Quartic Couplings with Beam Polarization at the CLIC
Authors: Senol A. , Köksal M. , İnan S. C.
Published: January 2017

We have investigated the anomalous quartic couplings defined by the dimension-8 operators in semileptonic decay channel of thee+e-→νeW-W+ν-eprocess for unpolarized and polarized electron (positron) beam at the Compact Linear Collider. We give the 95% confidence level bounds on the anomalousfS0/Λ4,fS1/Λ4, andfT0/Λ4couplings for various values of the integrated luminosities and center-of-mass energies. The best sensitivities obtained on anomalousfS0/Λ4,fS1/Λ4, andfT0/Λ4couplings through the processe+e-→νeW-W+ν-ewith beam polarization ats=3 TeV and an integrated luminosity ofLint=2000 fb-1are[-4.05;3.67]×10-12 GeV-4,[-3.08;2.12]×10-12 GeV-4, and[-1.98;0.64]×10-13 GeV-4, which show improvement over the current bounds.
Passive Immunoprophylaxis for the Protection of the Mother and Her Baby: Insights from In Vivo Models of Antibody Transport
Authors: Xu Yanqun , Mahmood Iftekhar , Zhong Lilin , Zhang Pei , Struble Evi B.
Published: January 2017

Pregnant women are at high risk for infection by pathogens. Vertical transmission of infectious agents, such as Zika, hepatitis B, and cytomegalovirus during pregnancy, remains a public health problem, associated with dire outcomes for the neonate. Thus, a safe prophylactic and therapeutic approach for protecting the mother and the neonate from infections remains a high priority. Our work is focused on better understanding the safety and efficacy determinants of IgG antibody preparations when used during pregnancy to benefit the mother and her baby. Using pregnant guinea pigs, we demonstrated that biodistribution of administered IgG to the fetus increases with gestation and results in lower maternal and higher fetal antibody concentrations as pregnancy progresses. Data suggests that partition of antibody immunotherapy to the fetal compartment may contribute to a lower maternal exposure (as measured by the AUC) and a shorter mean residence time of the IgG therapeutic at the end of pregnancy compared to nonpregnant age-matched controls, irrespective of the administered dose. Our studies provide insights on the importance of selecting an efficacious dose in pregnancy that takes into account IgG biodistribution to the fetus. The use of appropriate animal models of placental transfer and infectious disease during pregnancy would facilitate pharmacokinetic modeling to derive a starting dose in clinical trials.
Suppression of Human Tenon Fibroblast Cell Proliferation by Lentivirus-Mediated VEGF Small Hairpin RNA
Authors: Li Zhongqiu , Hua Wen , Li Xuedong , Wang Wei
Published: January 2017

Purpose. The functions of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in scar formation after trabeculectomy were investigated in a human Tenon fibroblast cell line from glaucoma patients using lentivirus-mediated VEGF shRNA.Methods. Human Tenon fibroblast (HTF) cells were isolated from scar tissue of glaucoma patients during secondary surgery. Lentivirus-VEGF-shRNA was constructed and transfected into HTF cells. Subsequently, VEGF mRNA and protein expression were analyzed using quantitative RT-PCR and western blotting, respectively, and the effects of VEGF knockdown were analyzed. The inhibition of HTF proliferation was monitored according to total cell numbers using ScanArray.Results. Both mRNA and protein levels of VEGF were reduced by lentivirus-mediated VEGF-shRNA, and proliferation of HTF cells was inhibited.Conclusions. Primary cultures of human Tenon fibroblast (HTF) were established, and proliferation was decreased following inhibition of VEGF. VEGF may be a suitable therapeutic target for reducing scar tissue formation in glaucoma patients after filtration surgery.
Pediatric Bilateral Vocal Fold Immobility: The Role of Carbon Dioxide Laser Posterior Transverse Partial Cordectomy
Authors: Friedman Ellen M. , de Jong Andrew L. , Sulek Marcelle
Published: January 2017

Vocal fold paralysis in children has been estimated to be the second most common congenital abnormality of the pediatric airway. Most commonly, children present with the vocal folds in the midline or adducted position. Pediatric patients usually have a good voice or cry and a poor airway. In these cases, the surgical goal will be improving the airway, usually by lateralizing a vocal fold, while maintaining a normal voice and intact swallowing. The focus of this article is a modification of a technique for use in adults that was introduced by Dennis and Kashima in 1989. The procedure is intended to separate the vocal ligament and vocalis muscle from the arytenoid cartilage with removal of significant tissue mass with the CO2 laser. The demographics and results of 5 pediatric patients who underwent this procedure are discussed. The preoperative goals of airway enlargement, voice preservation, and normal deglutition were achieved in all 5 patients.
Failure of Grommet Insertion in Post-Irradiation Otitis Media with Effusion
Authors: Chen Chiu-Yi , Hsu Wei-Chung , Young Yi-Ho , Hsu Mow-Ming
Published: January 2017

Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma (NPC) survivors with post-irradiation otitis media with effusion (OME; 100 ears) were divided into 2 groups. One group underwent grommet insertion, and the other group was treated by repeated myringotomies plus aspiration to evaluate the outcome of the OME. Computed tomography, magnetic resonance imaging, audiometry, and local checks of the ear, nose, and nasopharyngeal fields were performed to evaluate the sinus and middle ear conditions over a long-term (more than 10 years) follow-up period. The results in these NPC survivors with OME indicated that the prevalence of middle ear complications in the myringotomized group (33%) was less than that in the grommeted group (90%). Grommets alone cannot eradicate inflammation outside the middle ear cavity, but rather, they can aggravate it by superinfection. We therefore recommend that controlling the radiation-induced inflammation in areas such as the ears, nose, sinuses, and nasopharynx is most important. In conclusion, postirradiation OME should be treated in a different way from conventional OME. Restated, grommet insertion is contraindicated in post-irradiation OME.
Demonstration of Intravital Microfissures in Undecalcified Plastic-Embedded Temporal Bones with the Prestaining Technique
Authors: Frisch Thomas , SØrensen Mads Søslvsten , Bretlau Ppoul
Published: January 2017

Microfissures in the human otic capsule have been observed since the start of the century, but it was Otto Mayer, in 1930, who first realized that some of them were of intravital origin and not just processing artifacts. Since then, a small number of publications, based on decalcified temporal bones, have mostly confirmed his findings. With the introduction by Frost in the late 1950s of the undecalcified bone technique and the bulk staining technique for peripheral bones, a method was developed and refined for identifying even very small intravital microfissures (microdamage). Bulk staining of undecalcified otic capsules has not yet been used to verify the findings from the previous decalcified specimens. The present report presents our experience with the pertinent techniques, and suggests modifications and shortcuts pertinent to temporal bone research. Both large and tiny microfissures of intravital genesis are demonstrable within bulk-stained undecalcified human otic capsules. The importance of microfissures in the petrous bone in the causation of otosclerosis and perilymphatic leakage has long been discussed, and the present techniques may advance our understanding of these pathological conditions
Phenytoin-Induced Lingual Tonsil Hyperplasia Causing Laryngeal Obstruction
Authors: Ralph Walter M. , Huh Samuel K. , Kim Helen
Published: January 2017

The effects of phenytoin sodium on lymphoid tissue have been known for some time. However, its effect on the lymphoid tissue of Waldeyer's ring is unreported in the otolaryngology literature. We present the case of a 78-year-old woman who was treated with Phenytoin for generalized tonic-clonic seizures for 4 months and who subsequently developed lingual hyperplasia that caused laryngeal obstruction eventually requiring a tracheotomy. Of note, no history of airway compromise or difficulty with intubation from a prior Operation 20 years ago was reported; these findings suggest that the lingual tonsillar hyperplasia was a consequence of Phenytoin therapy and not a preexisting condition. The findings of histopathologic evaluation were consistent with lymphoid hyperplasia without evidence of malignancy. We also report our operative management and follow-up of this rare condition.
Validity and Efficacy of a Pediatric Airway Foreign Body Training Course in Resident Education
Authors: Griffin Garrett R. , Hoesli Rebecca , Thorne Marc C.
Published: January 2017

Objectives:

We evaluated the validity and efficacy of a pediatric airway foreign body simulation for otolaryngology resident training.

Methods:

We created a course using a high-fidelity toddler mannequin designed to instruct and evaluate otolaryngology residents in pediatric airway foreign body management. Seven junior and 5 senior residents participated. Their performance was evaluated by 2 observers using an Objective Structured Assessment of Technical Skills (OSATS) instrument.

Results:

By the third trial, all junior and senior residents scored a proficiency level of “independent without errors” or “independent and efficient,” and the performance of the junior residents was not different from that of the senior residents. After completing the course, the junior residents self-rated their abilities as commensurate with those of a senior resident, and senior residents rated themselves capable of performing foreign body extraction without supervision. All participants felt that the course and simulator had good overall realism and a realistic feel, demonstrating face validity. Perhaps most importantly, the residents' highest ratings were for “facilitated management of complications” and “facilitated working with the operating room team” — areas difficult to teach during live surgical procedures.

Conclusions:

This pediatric airway foreign body course using a high-fidelity simulator has face and construct validity, and results in statistically improved performance and self-evaluation of all participants.
Effect of Altered Core Body Temperature on Glottal Closing Force
Authors: Wadie Mikhail , Li Juan , Sasaki Clarence T.
Published: January 2017

Objectives:

A basic function of the larynx is to provide sphincteric protection of the lower airway, initiated by a brain stem–mediated glottal closure reflex. Glottal closing force is defined as the measured pressure generated between the vocal folds during glottal closure. One of the factors thought to affect the glottal closure reflex is a variation in core body temperature.

Methods:

Four adult male Yorkshire pigs were used in this study. The subjects were studied under control conditions (37°C), hyperthermic conditions (38°C to 41°C), and hypothermic conditions (36°C to 34°C).

Results:

We demonstrated that the glottal closing force increased significantly with an increase in core body temperature and also decreased significantly with decreased core body temperature. These results are supported by neurophysiological changes demonstrated by other studies in pups and adult dogs in response to altered core body temperatures. The mechanism for these responses is thought to reside centrally, rather than in the peripheral nervous system.

Conclusions:

We hope that a better understanding of these aspects of glottal closure will alter the care of many patients with postanesthesia hypothermia and many sedated inmates and will also further enhance preventive measures needed to decrease the incidence of sudden infant death syndrome in overheated or febrile infants.