bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Should anastomotic assessment with flexible sigmoidoscopy be routine following laparoscopic restorative left colorectal resection?
Authors: Kamal T. , Pai A. , Velchuru V. R. , Zawadzki M. , Park J. J. , Marecik S. J. , Abcarian H. , Prasad L. M.
Published: October 2014

Aim

The aim of the study was to evaluate the value of routine intra‐operative flexible sigmoidoscopy (IOFS) for left‐sided anastomotic integrity and to determine the safest step after a positive leak test.

Method

All consecutive patients undergoing left‐sided colorectal resections for benign and malignant disease between August 2005 and April 2011 were included. Data regarding procedure, type of anastomosis and outcomes of IOFS were collected. A positive intra‐operative leak test resulted in redoing the anastomosis and repeating the leak test.

Results

A total of 415 consecutive patients underwent hand‐assisted laparoscopic colorectal resection with a colorectal/ileoanal anastomosis. All patients underwent IOFS. Seventeen patients had abnormality on IOFS. Fifteen patients had a positive air leak test. One patient had anastomotic bleeding. There was one stapler misfiring. Fourteen anastomoses were redone without diversion. One patient required diversion to protect the ileoanal anastomosis and another had already been diverted. Minor bleeding from the staple line in one patient resolved without intervention; however, he had a postoperative anastomotic leak needing surgical intervention. None of the patients who had a takedown and refashioning of the anastomosis following a positive leak on IOFS had postoperative anastomotic leakage or bleeding. Our overall anastomotic leak rate was 2.1%.

Conclusions

Intra‐operative flexible sigmoidoscopy for restorative colorectal resection is safe and reliable and should be performed routinely to assess anastomotic integrity and bleeding. Refashioning the anastomosis after formal takedown would obviate the risk of leakage and is our recommended method of managing intra‐operative leaks.
Study of shrinkage of cutaneous surgical specimens
Authors: Blasco‐Morente Gonzalo , Garrido‐Colmenero Cristina , Pérez‐López Israel , Carretero‐García Simplicio , Martín‐Castro Aurelio , Arias‐Santiago Salvador , Tercedor‐Sánchez Jesús
Published: October 2014

Background

The assessment of discrepancies between surgical and histopathological measurements of specimens is important in order to avoid repeat surgery and unnecessary follow‐ups.

Objectives

The objective of this study was to quantify the degree, time and influential factors of shrinkage of cutaneous surgical specimens.

Methods

Data of 111 patients were gathered on age, sex, localization, diagnosis and specimen width and length before surgical excision (in vivo), at 5 min postsurgery (ex vivo) and after 24 h of fixation in 10% buffered formalin (postfixation).

Results

The length and width were significantly lower in the postfixation vs. in vivo specimens, with a mean shrinkage of 17.0% in the length (p < 0.01) and 9.5% in the width (p < 0.01). 81.8% and 92.3% of the total shrinkage in length and weight was observed between in vivo and ex vivo measurements. No significant differences were observed as a function of sex, age or diagnosis. A greater shrinkage in length between in vivo and postfixation was found in specimens from the trunk.

Limitations

The most of the skin samples were diseased.

Conclusion

The largest proportion of specimen shrinkage occurred within 5 min of its excision and the shrinkage was greater in specimens from the trunk.
Sex ratios and Ophryocystis elektroscirrha infection levels of Danaus plexippus during spring migration through Oklahoma, USA
Authors: McCoshum Shaun M. , Baum Kristen A.
Published: October 2014

Monarch butterflies, Danaus plexippus L. (Lepidoptera: Nymphalidae), have a multiple brood migration in the spring as they move between their overwintering grounds and summer breeding grounds. In Oklahoma, USA, monarchs produce at least one generation in the spring, which develops and continues the northward migration, leaving Oklahoma without a breeding population during the hot summer months. Female monarchs leave the overwintering grounds prior to males, but it is not clear whether females re‐colonize areas along the migration route prior to, or at the same time as males. Male‐to‐female ratios are 1:1 at emergence, but studies have identified a male‐biased sex ratio in the field. Both males and females are susceptible to infection by the obligate protozoan parasite, Ophryocystis elektroscirrha McLaughlin & Myers (OE), which reduces flight abilities and life spans of infected individuals. We examine sex ratios during the spring migration through Oklahoma and whether sex ratios or OE infection estimates vary with capture technique (active or passive). Our data suggest populations are male‐biased during the 1st week of spring migration in Oklahoma, but shift to female‐biased by the 3rd week in both cool and warm springs. Therefore, males may leave southern areas prior to females or migrate longer distances per day. Active sampling (i.e., netting) did not bias sex compared to passive sampling (i.e., sticky traps). Significantly fewer OE‐carrying monarchs (with two or more spores) were captured via netting than by sticky traps which may be caused by sticky trap glue affecting tape sampling effectiveness, but there was no difference in the number of heavily infected individuals (more than 100 spores). Therefore, data from netted monarchs may underestimate OE infection rates within populations.
Gilson and Lonergan and the Possibility of A Christian Philosophy
Authors: Ormerod Neil
Published: October 2014

Etienne Gilson was a strong promoter of the notion of a ‘Christian philosophy’. He viewed it as a type of historical practice whereby Christian thinkers are spurred by revelation to develop philosophical positions congruent with revelation, but which are defensible by reason alone. This paper reviews Gilson's notion of Christian philosophy and argues that the philosophical position of Bernard Lonergan is one example of such a practice.
Pain experience and satisfaction with postoperative pain control among surgical patients
Authors: Subramanian Pathmawathi , Ramasamy Suguna , Ng Kwan Hoong , Chinna Karuthan , Rosli Roshaslina
Published: October 2014

Alleviating acute pain and providing pain relief are central to caring for surgical patients as pain can lead to many adverse medical consequences. This study aimed to explore patients' experience of pain and satisfaction with postoperative pain control. A cross‐sectional survey was carried out among 107 respondents who had undergone abdominal surgery in the surgical ward of an urban hospital using the Revised American Pain Society's Patient Outcome and Satisfaction Survey Questionnaires (APS‐POQ‐R). Data were analysed using descriptive statistics and chi‐square test. Chi‐square test showed significant association between race (P = 0.038), education level (P ≤ 0.001), previous operation status (P = 0.032) and operation status (P ≤ 0.001). Further analysis on nominal regression, association between dissatisfaction with factors of operation status (46.09 (95% CI 7.456, 284.947)) and previous operation status (13.38 (95% CI 1.39, 128.74)) was found to be significant. Moderate to high levels of pain intensity in the last 24 h after surgery, as well as moderate to high rates of pain‐related interference with care activities were most reported. Pain still remains an issue among surgical patients, and effective pain management and health education are needed to manage pain more effectively after surgery.
Computational Analysis of Oxide Ion Conduction in Orthorhombic Perovskite Structured La0.9A0.1InO2.95 (A = Ca, Sr and Ba)
Authors: Yoon Mi‐Young , Hwang Kuk‐Jin , Byeon Dae‐Seop , Kim Joosun , Hwang Hae‐Jin , Jeong Seong‐Min
Published: October 2014

Oxide ion conduction in orthorhombic perovskite structured oxides, La0.9A0.1InO2.95 (A = Ca, Sr and Ba) is analyzed using molecular dynamics simulation. Factors influencing oxide ion conductivity of the compositions considered are analyzed using radial distribution function, bond energies between dopant and oxide ions, and the diffusion path. It is known that perovskite oxides with smaller ion size mismatch between host and dopant ions have higher electrical conductivities. However, exceptions exist, such as a La0.9A0.1InO2.95 (A = Ca, Sr and Ba) system, where high electrical conductivities occur with large ion size mismatches. Based on this study, a dopant with smaller ion than host ion results in the formation of strong ionic bonds with oxide ions, suggesting that the A‐site dopant should be larger than the host ion for forming weaker O–A bonds. Consequently, the trade‐off between ion size mismatch and O–A bond needs to be considered for enhancing oxide ion conductivity of perovskite oxides.
Structural and Photoluminescence Study of Eu3+/TiO2 Xerogels as a Function of the Temperature Using Optical Techniques
Authors: Borlaf Mario , Colomer María Teresa , Moreno Rodrigo , de Andrés Alicia
Published: October 2014

Eu3+/TiO2 xerogels have been obtained from colloidal sols by drying at room conditions. Anatase with traces of brookite phases are obtained from the synthesis and the stability of both with temperature is higher (from 400°C up to 800°C) when Eu3+ is present. Raman phonons have been used to detect the different phases and follow the structural transitions. The observed changes with calcination temperature of anatase modes (Eg,1, B1g,1 Ag/B1g,2, and Eg,3) are found to be mainly related to the grain size. The anatase grain size increases more and at lower temperatures for undoped than for Eu3+‐doped samples favoring the transition to rutile. The stability of the brookite phase is also influenced by the doping being higher in the doped xerogels (700°C) than in the undoped ones (400°C). No concentration quenching of the f–f Eu3+ emission bands is observed up to 3% Eu3+ at low temperatures but the maximum emission is found at lower temperatures for higher Eu3+ content may be due to quenching related to Eu3+ migration. The narrower f–f emission bands of the as‐prepared samples are consistent with the presence of Eu3+ ions at the surface with a weak interaction with the TiO2 nanoparticles. A diffusion process of Eu3+ ions occurs during calcination from the surface to different positions of the anatase lattice close to the surface producing an inhomogeneous broadening. Finally, the formation of the pyrochlore phase Eu2Ti2O7 is detected which explains the decrease on the emission efficiency and the increase of the Eu3+ environment symmetry.
Variation in EU External Policies as a Virtue: EU Rule of Law Promotion in the Neighbourhood
Authors: Burlyuk Olga
Published: October 2014

The scholarship on European Union external relations ties good performance to enhanced coherence across EU policies, often understood as uniformity, and interprets any sign of variation as incoherence and double standards. This article challenges the virtuousness of such uniformity in the case of EU rule of law promotion in the neighbourhood and examines the parameters of the possible and the necessary. The findings reveal that variation in EU rule of law conceptions is inherent to the EU approach and inevitable due to the nature of the rule of law concept and the studied political context. Moreover, this variation in itself does not entail incoherence of EU rule of law promotion, as a shared understanding of the core meaning of the rule of law frames EU efforts across cases, and is even desirable for effective rule of law promotion, under law and development theory and practice.
Communication Skills Curriculum for Foreign Medical Graduates in an Internal Medicine Residency Program
Authors: Ramaswamy Ravishankar , Williams Alicia , Clark Elizabeth M. , Kelley Amy S.
Published: October 2014

Effective communication is an important aspect of caring for the elderly, who are more likely to have multimorbidity, limited health literacy, and psychosocial barriers to care. About half of Internal Medicine (IM) trainees in the United States are foreign medical graduates, and may not have been exposed to prior communication skills education. This novel communication skills curriculum for IM interns aimed to increase trainees’ confidence and use of specific communication tools with older adults, particularly in delivering bad news and conducting family meetings. The workshop consisted of two interactive sessions in a small group with two learners and one or two facilitators, during the 4‐week geriatrics block in IM internship training year. Twenty‐three IM interns at an urban Veterans Affairs Medical Center were surveyed at the beginning and at the end of the 4‐week block and 3 months after completion of the workshop about their knowledge, confidence, and skill in communication and asked about challenges to effective communication with older adults. The primary outcome measure was change in self‐reported confidence and behavior in communication at 4 weeks. On a 4‐point Likert scale, there was average improvement of 0.70 in self‐reported confidence in communication, which was sustained 3 months after completion of the workshop. Participants reported several patient, physician, and system barriers to effective communication. Communication skills education in a small‐group setting and the opportunity for repeated practice and self‐reflection resulted in a sustained increase in overall confidence in IM interns in communication with older adults and may help overcome certain patient‐ and physician‐specific communication barriers.
Testing and modelling the effects of climate on the incidence of the emergent nut rot agent of chestnut Gnomoniopsis castanea
Authors: Lione G. , Giordano L. , Sillo F. , Gonthier P.
Published: October 2014

Gnomoniopsis castanea is an emerging fungal pathogen causing nut rot of sweet chestnut, Castanea sativa. This study was aimed at testing and modelling the effects of climate on disease incidence. Up to 120 ripe nuts were collected in 2011 from trees in each of 12 sites located in the northwest of Italy. The incidence of G. castanea in each site was expressed as the number of infected nuts out of the total number of nuts sampled (%), determined by combining the results of morphological identification of isolates obtained from nuts, and their typing through a newly developed taxon‐specific molecular assay. Disease incidence ranged from 20 to 93%, depending on site. Geostatistical analyses revealed that, despite the clustering of sites (P < 0·05), disease incidence was not spatially autocorrelated (P > 0·05). This finding suggests that the disease is influenced by site‐dependent factors whose scale (c. 7·5–15·6 km) is consistent with the climate variability throughout the sampling region. Multivariate analyses on maximum, mean and minimum temperatures and on rainfall showed that warmer temperatures were associated with higher levels of disease incidence. The temperatures of months before nut harvesting were selected as predictors for partial least squares regression (PLSR) models (GnoMods) of G. castanea incidence. External validation on data collected either on sites or in years not used for model fitting showed the good predictive abilities of the GnoMods (Spearman's ρobs/pred > 0·72, P < 0·05). The above findings support a relationship between climate and incidence of G. castanea, providing statistical tools to forecast disease incidence at site level.
Low genetic variability in Sclerotinia sclerotiorum populations from common bean fields in Minas Gerais State, Brazil, at regional, local and micro‐scales
Authors: Lehner M. S. , Paula Júnior T. J. , Hora Júnior B. T. , Teixeira H. , Vieira R. F. , Carneiro J. E. S. , Mizubuti E. S. G.
Published: October 2014

Sclerotinia sclerotiorum, causal agent of white mould, is the most destructive and widely distributed soilborne pathogen of common bean during the autumn–winter season in Brazil. Nevertheless, little is known about the genetic structure of the pathogen population. Microsatellite (SSR) markers and mycelial compatibility groups (MCGs) were used to characterize 118 isolates collected from 20 bean fields located in the most important growing regions of Minas Gerais State (MG). Additionally, the genetic variability among 10 isolates obtained from a single sclerotium was investigated in 10 different sclerotia. Seventy SSR haplotypes and 14 MCGs were identified among the 118 isolates. The genetic differences within bean growing areas accounted for most of the genetic variation (72%). Despite the relatively high genotypic diversity, the SSR loci were at linkage disequilibrium. Moreover, 70% of the isolates were assigned to only two MCGs, and haplotypes of a given MCG were closely related. The discriminant analysis of principal components revealed five groups. There was strong genetic differentiation between isolates collected in one municipality in southern MG when compared to other regions. Common bean resistance to white mould should be assessed with representative isolates of the five genetic groups and, if possible, of the different MCGs detected in the present study. One to five haplotypes were detected among the 10 isolates obtained from a single sclerotium. Therefore, in order to ensure genetic identity of an isolate, hyphal tip or monoascosporic isolates should be used.
Changes in schemas of patients with severe borderline personality disorder: The Oulu BPD study
Authors: Leppänen Virpi , Kärki Anna , Saariaho Tom , Lindeman Sari , Hakko Helinä
Published: October 2014

Borderline personality disorder (BPD) is a relatively common and severe psychiatric disorder that can impair quality of life in many ways. The aim of this study was to determine whether a combined treatment model for BPD patients, utilising major principles from schema‐focused therapy (SFT) and dialectical behavioral therapy (DBT), could be more effective in relieving early maladaptive schemas of BPD patients, compared to treatment as usual (TAU). This study is a part of the Oulu BPD study conducted at mental health care services run by Oulu city social and health care services. The study is a multisite, randomized controlled trial conducted over a one year period, involving two groups of patients with severe BPD: (1) Community Treatment By Experts (CTBE) patients (n = 18) receiving the combined treatment model, and 2) TAU patients (n = 27). The patients' schemas were assessed using the Young Schema Questionnaire (YSQ‐L3a) before and after one year of treatment. The results reveal that CTBE patients who attended the combined treatment model showed a statistically significant reduction in eight out of 18 early maladaptive schemas, while patients receiving treatment as usual did not demonstrate any significant changes in schemas. The cognitive therapeutic treatment model can be applied for clinical use in public mental health settings using existing professionals, and appears to produce positive changes in patients with BPD.
Degraded forest, degraded land and the development of industrial tree plantations in Laos
Authors: Baird Ian G.
Published: October 2014

The concepts of degraded forest (pa mai xout xom) and degraded land (din seuam xom) have been variously applied in official Lao government policy narratives and law over the last couple of decades. In this article I focus on the concepts of degraded forest and land, and the relationship with industrial tree plantations, using two examples from southern Laos. I argue that the concepts have been significant in both facilitating and obstructing the development of large‐scale industrial tree plantations in different times and spaces, thus significantly influencing access and exclusion, as well as the spatialization of tree plantations. I provide a tentative genealogy regarding the emergence of these concepts in land and forestry policy in Laos, and briefly explain the links between degradation and ‘the land rush’ presently affecting Laos.
Intermediate doses of cytarabine plus granulocyte–colony‐stimulating factor as an effective and safe regimen for hematopoietic stem cell collection in lymphoma patients with prior mobilization failure
Authors: Calderón‐Cabrera Cristina , Carmona González Magdalena , Martín Jesús , Ríos Herranz Eduardo , Noguerol Pilar , De la Cruz Fátima , Carrillo Estrella , Falantes Jose F. , Parody Rocío , Espigado Ildefonso , Pérez‐Simón Jose A.
Published: October 2014

Background

High‐dose chemotherapy supported by autologous stem cell transplantation (ASCT) is an effective treatment for patients with lymphomas. However, failure to reach the minimum threshold of hematopoietic stem cells to proceed to ASCT may occur, even with the most effective strategies currently available.

Study Design and Methods

We report on 33 patients diagnosed with lymphoma who had at least one prior mobilization failure and received cytarabine at a dose of 400 mg/m2/day intravenously × 3 days plus granulocyte–colony‐stimulating factor (G‐CSF) 10 to 12 μg/kg/day as mobilization regimen. The median number of previous lines of chemotherapy was three.

Results

Thirty‐two of 33 patients (96.8%) reached the target CD34+ cell dose (>2 × 106/kg). The mean (range) number of apheresis procedures was 1.8 (1‐3) with 4.69 × 106 (1.5 × 106‐6.8 × 106)/kg CD34+ cells obtained. All but one patient received chemomobilization in the outpatient department. Severe infections or treatment‐related mortality were not observed. All patients that received ASCT (31/33) engrafted without requiring G‐CSF during the posttransplant period.

Conclusion

This study shows that cytarabine at intermediate doses plus G‐CSF in patients diagnosed with lymphoma who had a prior mobilization failure is a feasible and effective mobilization regimen.
Modeling of the switching I-V characteristics in ultrathin (5 nm) atomic layer deposited HfO2 films using the logistic hysteron
Authors: Blasco Julio , Jančovič Peter , Fröhlich Karol , Suñé Jordi , Miranda Enrique
Published: October 2014

The current–voltage (I-V) characteristics of Pt/HfO2(5 nm)/TiN resistive switching structures are modeled using an equivalent electric circuit which consists of two antiparallel diodes in combination with a single series resistance, the only difference between the diodes being the threshold functions used to simulate the set and reset events. The switching process is achieved by means of a mathematical entity called the logistic hysteron, which governs the model parameters. The authors show that the model is able to capture the shape of the I-V curves both for positive and negative biases obtained under different current compliance limits for the set process ranging from 0.5 to 10 mA. In order to demonstrate the feasibility of the proposed approach, experimental and model results for the I-V curves are plotted using alternative representations: linear–linear, log–linear, and log–log axis. The role played by the series resistance is discussed in terms of the normalized differential conductance d ln(I)/d ln(V).
Application of a radiophotoluminescent glass dosimeter to nonreference condition dosimetry in the postal dose audit system
Authors: Mizuno Hideyuki , Fukumura Akifumi , Fukahori Mai , Sakata Suoh , Yamashita Wataru , Takase Nobuhiro , Yajima Kaori , Katayose Tetsurou , Abe‐Sakama Kyoko , Kusano Yohsuke , Shimbo Munefumi , Kanai Tatsuaki
Published: October 2014

Purpose:

The purpose of this study was to obtain a set of correction factors of the radiophotoluminescent glass dosimeter (RGD) output for field size changes and wedge insertions.

Methods:

Several linear accelerators were used for irradiation of the RGDs. The field sizes were changed from 5 × 5 cm to 25 × 25 cm for 4, 6, 10, and 15 MV x‐ray beams. The wedge angles were 15°, 30°, 45°, and 60°. In addition to physical wedge irradiation, nonphysical (dynamic/virtual) wedge irradiations were performed.

Results:

The obtained data were fitted with a single line for each energy, and correction factors were determined. Compared with ionization chamber outputs, the RGD outputs gradually increased with increasing field size, because of the higher RGD response to scattered low‐energy photons. The output increase was about 1% per 10 cm increase in field size, with a slight difference dependent on the beam energy. For both physical and nonphysical wedged beam irradiation, there were no systematic trends in the RGD outputs, such as monotonic increase or decrease depending on the wedge angle change if the authors consider the uncertainty, which is approximately 0.6% for each set of measured points. Therefore, no correction factor was needed for all inserted wedges. Based on this work, postal dose audits using RGDs for the nonreference condition were initiated in 2010. The postal dose audit results between 2010 and 2012 were analyzed. The mean difference between the measured and stated doses was within 0.5% for all fields with field sizes between 5 × 5 cm and 25 × 25 cm and with wedge angles from 15° to 60°. The standard deviations (SDs) of the difference distribution were within the estimated uncertainty (1SD) except for the 25 × 25 cm field size data, which were not reliable because of poor statistics (n = 16).

Conclusions:

A set of RGD output correction factors was determined for field size changes and wedge insertions. The results obtained from recent postal dose audits were analyzed, and the mean differences between the measured and stated doses were within 0.5% for every field size and wedge angle. The SDs of the distribution were within the estimated uncertainty, except for one condition that was not reliable because of poor statistics.
Effects of a One-Year Home-Based Case Management Intervention on Falls in Older People: A Randomized Controlled Trial
Authors: Möller Ulrika Olsson , Kristensson Jimmie , Midlöv Patrik , Ekdahl Charlotte , Jakobsson Ulf
Published: October 2014

Objectives:

To investigate the effects of a home-based one-year case management intervention in older people with functional dependency and repeated contact with the health care services on self-reported falls and self-reported injurious falls.

Methods:

The study was a randomized controlled trial with repeated follow-ups. The sample (n = 153) was consecutively and randomly assigned to the intervention group (n = 80, mean age = 81.4 [SD 5.9]) or control group (n = 73, mean age = 81.6 [SD 6.8]). The intervention group received a case management intervention which comprised monthly home visits during 12 months by nurses and physiotherapists employing a multifactorial preventive approach.

Results:

In the intervention group, 96 falls occurred during the intervention period compared with 85 falls in the control group (p = .900). There were 40 and 38 injurious falls (p = .669) in the intervention and control groups, respectively.

Conclusions:

This home-based case management intervention was not able to prevent falls or injurious falls.
Precompetitive Achievement Goals, Stress Appraisals, Emotions, and Coping Among Athletes
Authors: Nicholls Adam R. , Perry John L. , Calmeiro Luis
Published: October 2014

Grounded in Lazarus’s (1991, 1999, 2000) cognitive-motivational-relational theory of emotions, we tested a model of achievement goals, stress appraisals, emotions, and coping. We predicted that precompetitive achievement goals would be associated with appraisals, appraisals with emotions, and emotions with coping in our model. The mediating effects of emotions among the overall sample of 827 athletes and two stratified random subsamples were also explored. The results of this study support our proposed model in the overall sample and the stratified subsamples. Further, emotion mediated the relationship between appraisal and coping. Mediation analyses revealed that there were indirect effects of pleasant and unpleasant emotions, which indicates the importance of examining multiple emotions to reveal a more accurate representation of the overall stress process. Our findings indicate that both appraisals and emotions are just as important in shaping coping.
“I Think They Believe in Me”: The Predictive Effects of Teammate- and Classmate-Focused Relation-Inferred Self-Efficacy in Sport and Physical Activity Settings
Authors: Jackson Ben , Gucciardi Daniel F. , Lonsdale Chris , Whipp Peter R. , Dimmock James A.
Published: October 2014

Despite the prevalence of group-/team-based enactment within sport and physical activity settings, to this point the study of relation-inferred self-efficacy (RISE) has been focused upon estimations regarding a single target individual (e.g., one’s coach). Accordingly, researchers have not yet considered whether individuals may also form RISE estimations regarding the extent to which the others in their group/team as a whole are confident in their ability. We applied structural equation modeling analyses with cross-sectional and prospective data collected from members of interdependent sport teams (Studies 1 and 2) and undergraduate physical activity classes (Studies 3 and 4), with the purpose of exploring these group-focused RISE inferences. Analyses showed that group-focused RISE perceptions (a) predicted individuals’ confidence in their own ability, (b) were empirically distinct from conceptually related constructs, and (c) directly and/or indirectly predicted a range of downstream outcomes over and above the effects of other efficacy perceptions. Taken together, these findings provide preliminary evidence that individuals’ group-focused RISE appraisals may be important to consider when investigating the network of efficacy perceptions that develops in group-based physical activity contexts.
Investigation of In-Water and Dry-Land Training Programs for Competitive Swimmers in the United States
Authors: Tate Angela , Harrington Shana , Buness Melissa , Murray Susan , Trout Caitlin , Meisel Corinne
Published: October 2014

Context:

Youth- through masters-level competitive swimmers incur significant shoulder pain. Risk factors associated with shoulder pain include high swimming yardage, a lack of cross-training, decreased shoulder strength and reduced core endurance, and limited posterior shoulder and pectoral length. Since training, swimming exposure, and physical-performance measures have all been associated with shoulder pain, the methods used to train swimmers may influence the development of shoulder pain, yet studies delineating training methods are lacking.

Objectives:

To identify in-water and dry-land practices among youth- through masters-level swimmers in the United States (US) and describe the potential effects of training practices on swimmers’ shoulders.

Design:

A Web-based survey was developed to identify common training practices in 5 areas: quantification of swimming and dry-land training and in-water techniques such as kicking drills, upper-body stretching, shoulder and core strengthening, and cross-training.

Participants:

156 swim-team coaches or captains of youth, high school, and college swim teams and 196 masters swimmers participated (N = 352). There was geographic representation from across the US.

Results:

Responses indicated diverse training practices. However, most respondents used kicking drills, which may provoke shoulder pain due to prolonged poor positioning. High yardage swum by high school and college teams increases their risk of shoulder tendinopathy. Stretching and strengthening exercises and dosages commonly used were inconsistent with current research recommendations and lacked specificity in terms of addressing typical mobility restrictions and muscle weaknesses described in the swimming literature. Core strengthening and cross-training are frequently performed.

Conclusions:

Several areas of in-water and dry-land practice were identified that may put swimmers’ shoulders at risk for injury. Further research regarding the safety and efficacy of training programs is recommended to determine optimal methods of injury prevention and performance enhancement.
Avoiding overhead aversion in charity
Authors: Gneezy Uri , Keenan Elizabeth A. , Gneezy Ayelet
Published: October 2014

How to increase charitable donations

Charities could raise more money from more people if they were to announce that a startup grant had been used to defray overhead expenses. Gneezy
et al.
told 40,000 potential donors that an initial donation (half of the target amount) would be used as seed money, as a source of matching funds, or for covering administrative and fundraising costs. When the money was assigned to cover administration, twice as many people made donations.

Science
, this issue p.
632
The value of valuing nature
Authors: Adams W. M.
Published: October 2014

Valuing nature in economic terms is not always beneficial for biodiversity conservation
Immune Markers Predictive of Neuropsychiatric Symptoms in HIV-Infected Youth
Authors: McGuire Jennifer L. , Kempen John H. , Localio Russell , Ellenberg Jonas H. , Douglas Steven D.
Published: October 2014

The purpose of this study was to evaluate possible associations between systemic immune dysregulation (activated CD8+T lymphocytes and natural killer [NK] cell count/function) and symptoms of depression and anxiety in youth with horizontally (behaviorally) acquired HIV infection. This secondary analysis of a previously collected prospective cohort included 323 youth with horizontally acquired HIV infection enrolled in the Reaching for Excellence in Adolescent Care and Health (REACH) cohort of the NICHD/NIH. A multivariable linear regression model with generalized estimating equations for intraindividual repeated measures was used to examine the relationship between flow cytometry measurements of activated T lymphocytes (CD8+CD38+), NK cells (CD3−CD16+CD56+), and NK cell functional activity (lytic units per NK cell and per peripheral blood mononuclear cell) and their association with subsequent symptoms of depression (Center for Epidemiologic Studies depression scale) and anxiety (Revised Children's Manifest Anxiety Scale). Higher measures of NK cell functional activity were associated with fewer anxiety symptoms measured 12 months later in crude and adjusted analyses. Higher counts of activated T cells were associated with fewer depression symptoms measured 12 months later in adjusted analysis. NK cell function and activated T-lymphocyte count may be related to subsequent symptoms of depression and anxiety.
Systems Immunology Reveals Markers of Susceptibility to West Nile Virus Infection
Authors: Qian Feng , Goel Gautam , Meng Hailong , Wang Xiaomei , You Fuping , Devine Lesley , Raddassi Khadir , Garcia Melissa N. , Murray Kristy O. , Bolen Christopher R. , Gaujoux Renaud , Shen-Orr Shai S. , Hafler David , Fikrig Erol , Xavier Ramnik , Kleinstein Steven H. , Montgomery Ruth R.
Published: October 2014

West Nile virus (WNV) infection is usually asymptomatic but can cause severe neurological disease and death, particularly in older patients, and how individual variations in immunity contribute to disease severity is not yet defined. Animal studies identified a role for several immunity-related genes that determine the severity of infection. We have integrated systems-level transcriptional and functional data sets from stratified cohorts of subjects with a history of WNV infection to define whether these markers can distinguish susceptibility in a human population. Transcriptional profiles combined with immunophenotyping of primary cells identified a predictive signature of susceptibility that was detectable years after acute infection (67% accuracy), with the most prominent alteration being decreased IL1B induction followingex vivoinfection of macrophages with WNV. Deconvolution analysis also determined a significant role for CXCL10 expression in myeloid dendritic cells. This systems analysis identified markers of pathogenic mechanisms and offers insights into potential therapeutic strategies.
Evaluation of Five Chromogenic Agar Media and the Rosco Rapid Carb Screen Kit for Detection and Confirmation of Carbapenemase Production in Gram-Negative Bacilli
Authors: Simner Patricia J. , Gilmour Matthew W. , DeGagne Pat , Nichol Kim , Karlowsky James A.
Published: October 2014

An efficient workflow to screen for and confirm the presence of carbapenemase-producing Gram-negative bacilli was developed by evaluating five chromogenic screening agar media and two confirmatory assays, the Rapid Carb screen test (Rosco Diagnostica A/S, Taastrup, Denmark) and the modified Hodge test. A panel of 150 isolates was used, including 49 carbapenemase-producing isolates representing a variety of β-lactamase enzyme classes. An evaluation of analytical performance, assay cost, and turnaround time indicated that the preferred workflow (screening test followed by confirmatory testing) was the chromID Carba agar medium (bioMérieux, Marcy l'Étoile, France), followed by the Rapid Carb screen test, yielding a combined sensitivity of 89.8% and a specificity of 100%. As an optional component of the workflow, a determination of carbapenemase gene class via molecular means could be performed subsequent to confirmatory testing.
Diagnostic Value of GeneChip for Detection of Resistant Mycobacterium tuberculosis in Patients with Differing Treatment Histories
Authors: Zhu Limei , Liu Qiao , Martinez Leonardo , Shi Jinyan , Chen Cheng , Shao Yan , Zhong Chongqiao , Song Honghuan , Li Guoli , Ding Xiaoyan , Zhou Yang , Zhu Linyang , Whalen Christopher C. , Lu Wei
Published: October 2014

The increasing burden of drug-resistant tuberculosis (TB) poses an escalating threat to national TB control programs. To assist appropriate treatment for TB patients, accurate and rapid detection of drug resistance is critical. The GeneChip test is a novel molecular tool for the diagnosis of TB drug resistance. Performance-related data on GeneChip are limited, and evaluation in new and previously treated TB cases has never been performed. We evaluated the diagnostic performance of GeneChip in detecting resistance to rifampin (RMP) and isoniazid (INH) and in detecting multidrug-resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB) in comparison with standard drug susceptibility testing (DST) and compared the results in a group of previously treated and newly detected TB patients in an urban area in southeastern China. One thousand one hundred seventy-three (83.8%) new cases and 227 (16.2%) previously treated cases were collected between January 2011 and September 2013. The GeneChip showed a specificity of 97.8% and a sensitivity of 94.8% for detection of RMP resistance and 97.3% and 70.9%, respectively, for INH resistance in new cases. For previously treated cases, the overall sensitivity, specificity, and agreement rate are 94.6%, 91.3%, and 92.1%, respectively, for detection of RMP resistance and 69.7%, 95.4%, and 86.8%, respectively, for INH resistance. The sensitivity and specificity of MDR-TB were 81.8% and 99.0% in new cases and 77.8% and 93.4% in previously treated cases, respectively. The GeneChip system provides a simple, rapid, reliable, and accurate clinical assay for the detection of TB drug resistance, and it is a potentially important diagnostic tool in a high-prevalence area.
CD4+T Cell Help Is Dispensable for Protective CD8+T Cell Memory against Mousepox Virus following Vaccinia Virus Immunization
Authors: Fang Min , Remakus Sanda , Roscoe Felicia , Ma Xueying , Sigal Luis J.
Published: October 2014

It has been shown in various infection models that CD4+T cell help (TH) is necessary for the conditioning, maintenance, and/or recall responses of memory CD8+T cells (CD8M). Yet, in the case of vaccinia virus (VACV), which constitutes the vaccine used to eradicate smallpox and is a candidate vector for other infectious diseases, the issue is controversial because different groups have shown either THdependence or independence of CD8Mconditioning, maintenance, and/or recall response. In agreement with some of these groups, we show that THplays a role in, but is not essential for, the maintenance, proliferation, and effector differentiation of polyclonal memory CD8+T cells after infection with wild-type VACV strain Western Reserve. More important, we show that unhelped and helped anti-VACV memory CD8+T cells are similarly efficient at protecting susceptible mice from lethal mousepox, the mouse equivalent of human smallpox. Thus, THis not essential for the conditioning and maintenance of memory CD8+T cells capable of mounting a recall response strong enough to protect from a lethal natural pathogen. Our results may partly explain why the VACV vaccine is so effective.

IMPORTANCEWe used vaccinia virus (VACV)—a gold standard vaccine—as the immunogen and ectromelia virus (ECTV) as the pathogen to demonstrate that the conditioning and maintenance of anti-VACV memory CD8+T cells and their ability to protect against an orthopoxvirus (OPV) infection in its natural host can develop in the absence of CD4+T cell help. Our results provide important insight to our basic knowledge of the immune system. Further, because VACV is used as a vaccine in humans, our results may help us understand how this vaccine induces protective immunity in this species. In addition, this work may partly explain why VACV is so effective as a vaccine.
Amplified and Persistent Immune Responses Generated by Single-Cycle Replicating Adenovirus Vaccines
Authors: Crosby Catherine M. , Nehete Pramod , Sastry K. Jagannadha , Barry Michael A.
Published: October 2014

Replication-competent adenoviral (RC-Ad) vectors generate exceptionally strong gene-based vaccine responses by amplifying the antigen transgenes they carry. While they are potent, they also risk causing adenovirus infections. More common replication-defective Ad (RD-Ad) vectors with deletions of E1 avoid this risk but do not replicate their transgene and generate markedly weaker vaccine responses. To amplify vaccine transgenes while avoiding production of infectious progeny viruses, we engineered “single-cycle” adenovirus (SC-Ad) vectors by deleting the gene for IIIa capsid cement protein of lower-seroprevalence adenovirus serotype 6. In mouse, human, hamster, and macaque cells, SC-Ad6 still replicated its genome but prevented genome packaging and virion maturation. When used for mucosal intranasal immunization of Syrian hamsters, both SC-Ad and RC-Ad expressed transgenes at levels hundreds of times higher than that of RD-Ad. Surprisingly, SC-Ad, but not RC-Ad, generated higher levels of transgene-specific antibody than RD-Ad, which notably climbed in serum and vaginal wash samples over 12 weeks after single mucosal immunization. When RD-Ad and SC-Ad were tested by single sublingual immunization in rhesus macaques, SC-Ad generated higher gamma interferon (IFN-γ) responses and higher transgene-specific serum antibody levels. These data suggest that SC-Ad vectors may have utility as mucosal vaccines.

IMPORTANCE
This work illustrates the utility of our recently developed single-cycle adenovirus (SC-Ad6) vector as a new vaccine platform. Replication-defective (RD-Ad6) vectors produce low levels of transgene protein, which leads to minimal antibody responses
in vivo
. This study shows that replicating SC-Ad6 produces higher levels of luciferase and induces higher levels of green fluorescent protein (GFP)-specific antibodies than RD in a permissive Syrian hamster model. Surprisingly, although a replication-competent (RC-Ad6) vector produces more luciferase than SC-Ad6, it does not elicit comparable levels of anti-GFP antibodies in permissive hamsters. When tested in the larger rhesus macaque model, SC-Ad6 induces higher transgene-specific antibody and T cell responses. Together, these data suggest that SC-Ad6 could be a more effective platform for developing vaccines against more relevant antigens. This could be especially beneficial for developing vaccines for pathogens for which traditional replication-defective adenovirus vectors have not been effective.
A Newly Isolated Reovirus Has the Simplest Genomic and Structural Organization of Any Reovirus
Authors: Auguste Albert J. , Kaelber Jason T. , Fokam Eric B. , Guzman Hilda , Carrington Christine V. F. , Erasmus Jesse H. , Kamgang Basile , Popov Vsevolod L. , Jakana Joanita , Liu Xiangan , Wood Thomas G. , Widen Steven G. , Vasilakis Nikos , Tesh Robert B. , Chiu Wah , Weaver Scott C.
Published: October 2014

A total of 2,691 mosquitoes representing 17 species was collected from eight locations in southwest Cameroon and screened for pathogenic viruses. Ten isolates of a novel reovirus (genus
Dinovernavirus
) were detected by culturing mosquito pools on
Aedes albopictus
(C6/36) cell cultures. A virus that caused overt cytopathic effects was isolated, but it did not infect vertebrate cells or produce detectable disease in infant mice after intracerebral inoculation. The virus, tentatively designated Fako virus (FAKV), represents the first 9-segment, double-stranded RNA (dsRNA) virus to be isolated in nature. FAKV appears to have a broad mosquito host range, and its detection in male specimens suggests mosquito-to-mosquito transmission in nature. The structure of the T=1 FAKV virion, determined to subnanometer resolution by cryoelectron microscopy (cryo-EM), showed only four proteins per icosahedral asymmetric unit: a dimer of the major capsid protein, one turret protein, and one clamp protein. While all other turreted reoviruses of known structures have at least two copies of the clamp protein per asymmetric unit, FAKV's clamp protein bound at only one conformer of the major capsid protein. The FAKV capsid architecture and genome organization represent the most simplified reovirus described to date, and phylogenetic analysis suggests that it arose from a more complex ancestor by serial loss-of-function events.

IMPORTANCE
We describe the detection, genetic, phenotypic, and structural characteristics of a novel
Dinovernavirus
species isolated from mosquitoes collected in Cameroon. The virus, tentatively designated Fako virus (FAKV), is related to both single-shelled and partially double-shelled viruses. The only other described virus in this genus was isolated from cultured mosquito cells. It was previously unclear whether the phenotypic characteristics of that virus were reflective of this genus in nature or were altered during serial passaging in the chronically infected cell line. FAKV is a naturally occurring single-shelled reovirus with a unique virion architecture that lacks several key structural elements thought to stabilize a single-shelled reovirus virion, suggesting what may be the minimal number of proteins needed to form a viable reovirus particle. FAKV evolved from more complex ancestors by losing a genome segment and several virion proteins.
Regulation of Influenza A Virus Nucleoprotein Oligomerization by Phosphorylation
Authors: Turrell Lauren , Hutchinson Edward C. , Vreede Frank T. , Fodor Ervin
Published: October 2014

In the influenza virus ribonucleoprotein complex, the oligomerization of the nucleoprotein is mediated by an interaction between the tail-loop of one molecule and the groove of the neighboring molecule. In this study, we show that phosphorylation of a serine residue (S165) within the groove of influenza A virus nucleoprotein inhibits oligomerization and, consequently, ribonucleoprotein activity and viral growth. We propose that nucleoprotein oligomerization in infected cells is regulated by reversible phosphorylation.