bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Patients’ willingness to defer resection of diminutive polyps: results of a multicenter survey
Authors: von Renteln Daniel , Bouin Mickael , Barkun Alan , Weber Audrey , Robertson Douglas , Anderson Joseph , Pohl Heiko
Published: December 2017

Background and study aims Current colonoscopy practice requires removal of diminutive polyps. This is associated with costs, but the benefits to colorectal cancer (CRC) prevention remain unclear. The study aim was to understand patients’ willingness to defer resection of diminutive polyps and to examine the factors that influence patients’ decisions.

Patients and methods Adults presenting for a colonoscopy were surveyed at three hospitals in the USA and Canada. Survey domains included: patient characteristics, risk perception, knowledge about CRC risk, willingness to defer polyp resection, and associated concerns. The primary endpoint was the proportion of patients who would be willing to participate in a clinical trial that deferred resection of diminutive polyps. Secondary endpoints included factors associated with willingness to defer diminutive polyp resection.

Results 557 eligible individuals completed the survey (mean age 63; 61 % men), with 50 % of respondents being willing to participate in a randomized trial in which resection of diminutive polyps would be deferred until the next surveillance colonoscopy (95 % confidence interval [CI] 46 % – 55 %). Outside of a clinical trial, 57 % of participants would be agreeable to deferring resection of diminutive polyps (95 %CI 51 % – 63 %). Willingness to defer diminutive polyp resection was associated with higher education (P = 0.001), greater knowledge about cancer risk (P = 0.002), and a lower perception of cancer risk (all P < 0.001). Age, sex, income, a history of polyps, and a first-degree family member with CRC were not associated with willingness to defer diminutive polyp resection.

Conclusions More than half of individuals undergoing a routine colonoscopy would be agreeable to deferring resection of diminutive polyps and participating in a trial to evaluate this approach.
1.1.2 Reduction of Alkenes Using Nanoparticle Catalysis
Authors: Hudson R. , Moores A.
Published: December 2017

The transformation of alkenes to alkanes via hydrogenation represents a cornerstone of synthetic chemistry. Herein are outlined methods for alkene hydrogenations and transfer hydrogenations catalyzed by supported or unsupported palladium-, nickel-, iridium-, and iron-based nanoparticles.
1.12 Catalytic Hydrodehalogenation Reactions
Authors: Ghosh B. , Maleczka R. E.
Published: December 2017

Hydrodehalogenation, or reductive dehalogenation, is an important organic transformation that is often used as a detoxification process in industry. A number of methods have been employed to effect this transformation in organic synthesis. Metal-catalyzed hydrodehalogenation is among the popular methods and is typically performed with molecular hydrogen or via transfer hydrogenation from other reagents. The current review highlights development in metal-catalyzed hydrodehalogenation reactions in the last 15 years, where protocols to afford spectroscopically characterized reaction products have been established.
Unusual anisotropy of inplane field magnetoresistance in ultra-high mobility SiGe/Si/SiGe quantum wells
Authors: Melnikov M. Yu. , Dolgopolov V. T. , Shashkin A. A. , Huang S.-H. , Liu C. W. , Kravchenko S. V.
Published: December 2017

We find an unusual anisotropy of the inplane field magnetoresistance with higher resistance in the parallel orientation of the field, B∥, and current, I, in ultra-high mobility SiGe/Si/SiGe quantum wells. The anisotropy depends on the orientation between the inplane field and the current relative to the crystallographic axes of the sample, and is a consequence of the ridges on the quantum well surface. For the parallel or perpendicular orientations between current and ridges, a method of converting the magnetoresistance measured at I⊥B∥ into the one measured at I∥B∥ is suggested and is shown to yield results that agree with the experiment.
Fiber chirped pulse amplification of a short wavelength mode-locked thulium-doped fiber laser
Authors: Li Can , Wei Xiaoming , Kong Cihang , Tan Sisi , Chen Nan , Kang Jiqiang , Wong Kenneth K. Y.
Published: December 2017

Exploiting the promising third near-infrared optical window (1600–1870 nm) for deep bioimaging is largely underdeveloped, mostly because of the lack of stable femtosecond laser sources in leveraging the less scattering loss and locally reduced water absorption. In this letter, we demonstrate the fiber chirped pulse amplification of a short wavelength mode-locked thulium-doped fiber laser (TDFL) at 1785 nm. The mode-locked TDFL (via nonlinear polarization rotation) operates stably at the soliton pulsing regime with a fundamental repetition rate of 46.375 MHz. Utilizing a two-stage fiber amplifier incorporated along the pulse chirping fiber, the power of the laser pulse is boosted up to 690 mW. After dechirping with a diffraction grating pair, laser pulse with a duration of 445 fs, pulse energy of 5.7 nJ, and peak power of 12 kW is achieved. Higher power can be achieved by exploiting low-loss high power fiber components at this special wavelength range.
Gate tunable parallel double quantum dots in InAs double-nanowire devices
Authors: Baba S. , Matsuo S. , Kamata H. , Deacon R. S. , Oiwa A. , Li K. , Jeppesen S. , Samuelson L. , Xu H. Q. , Tarucha S.
Published: December 2017

We report fabrication and characterization of InAs nanowire devices with two closely placed parallel nanowires. The fabrication process we develop includes selective deposition of the nanowires with micron scale alignment onto predefined finger bottom gates using a polymer transfer technique. By tuning the double nanowire with the finger bottom gates, we observed the formation of parallel double quantum dots with one quantum dot in each nanowire bound by the normal metal contact edges. We report the gate tunability of the charge states in individual dots as well as the inter-dot electrostatic coupling. In addition, we fabricate a device with separate normal metal contacts and a common superconducting contact to the two parallel wires and confirm the dot formation in each wire from comparison of the transport properties and a superconducting proximity gap feature for the respective wires. With the fabrication techniques established in this study, devices can be realized for more advanced experiments on Cooper-pair splitting, generation of Parafermions, and so on.
Radial density distribution of a warm dense plasma formed by underwater electrical explosion of a copper wire
Authors: Nitishinskiy M. , Yanuka D. , Virozub A. , Krasik Ya. E.
Published: December 2017

Time- and space-resolved evolution of the density (down to 0.07 of solid state density) of a copper wire during its microsecond timescale electrical explosion in water was obtained by X-ray backlighting. In the present research, a flash X-ray source of 20 ns pulse-width and >60 keV photon energy was used. The conductivity of copper was evaluated for a temperature of 10 kK and found to be in good agreement with the data obtained in earlier experiments [DeSilva and Katsouros, Phys. Rev. E 57, 5945 (1998) and Sheftman and Krasik, Phys. Plasmas 18, 092704 (2011)] where only electrical and optical diagnostics were applied. Magneto-hydrodynamic simulation shows a good agreement between the simulated and experimental waveforms of the current and voltage and measured the radial expansion of the exploding wire. Also, the radial density distribution obtained by an inverse Abel transform analysis agrees with the results of these simulations. Thus, the validity of the equations of state for copper and the conductivity model used in the simulations was confirmed for the parameters of the exploding wire realized in the present research.
Hypergeometric function representation of transport coefficients for drifting bi-Maxwellian plasmas
Authors: Jubeh Walaa' Najeeb , Barghouthi Imad Ahmad
Published: December 2017

We derive the momentum, parallel energy, and perpendicular energy collisional transport coefficients for drifting bi-Maxwellian plasmas by using the Boltzmann collision integral approach and present them in the form of triple hypergeometric functions. In the derivation, we write the drift velocity u of the bi-Maxwellian plasma in terms of parallel and perpendicular components (i.e., u = u‖ + u⊥), parallel and perpendicular with respect to the ambient magnetic field, and we consider the Coulomb collision interactions. We consider two special cases: first, when the drift velocity is parallel to the ambient magnetic field (i.e., u = u‖), and second, when the drift velocity is perpendicular to the ambient magnetic field (i.e., u = u⊥). For the first case, the transport equations and consequently the transport coefficients are derived and presented in the form of double hypergeometric functions; these results are consistent with the findings of Hellinger and Trávníček [Phys. Plasmas 16(5), 054501 (2009)]. For the second case, the transport coefficients are obtained and found to be in the form of double hypergeometric functions. When we combine these two special cases, i.e., for general u, the transport coefficients are shown to be in the form of triple hypergeometric functions. Also, we investigate the above problem by using another approach, i.e., Fokker Planck approximation. We obtain similar results for both approaches.
Epitaxial growth of high quality SrFeO3 films on (001) oriented (LaAlO3)0.3(Sr2TaAlO6)0.7
Authors: Hong Deshun , Liu Changjiang , Pearson John , Bhattacharya Anand
Published: December 2017

The growth of strontium ferrite SrFeO3 films with a stoichiometry of (1:1:3) is challenging as the unstable Fe4+ oxidation state favors the formation of O vacancies. Here, we report the layer by layer growth of SrFeO3 on (001) oriented (LaAlO3)0.3(Sr2TaAlO6)0.7 using ozone assisted molecular beam epitaxy. Upon cooling from room temperature, the film's resistivity decreased from 750 μΩ cm to 150 μΩ cm, as low as the best single crystals, with two identifiable transition points near 110 K and 60 K in resistivity measurements, being hysteretic between cooling and warming through the 60 K transition. During various annealing steps, the low temperature resistivity changes by orders of magnitude, accompanied by an increase in the c-axis lattice parameter. The hysteresis near 60 K persists for a wide range of annealing conditions. We have identified conditions under which changes due to annealing can be reversed. We attribute changes in resistivity and the out of plane lattice parameter to the reversible movement of oxygen ions in the lattice. SrFeO3 may be a promising material for resistive memory applications based upon the control of oxygen vacancies.
Resonance Raman excitation profiles of CdS in pure CdS and CdSe/CdS core/shell quantum dots: CdS-localized excitons
Authors: Gong Ke , Kelley David F. , Kelley Anne Myers
Published: December 2017

Resonance Raman excitation profiles have been measured for the longitudinal optical phonon in two sizes of CdS quantum dots and in CdSe/CdS core/shell quantum dots. In pure CdS, the resonance Raman cross section for the fundamental transition is sharply peaked around the lowest-energy excitonic transition and becomes weaker with higher-energy excitation even though the absorbance continues to increase to higher energies. This effect, also observed in earlier studies of CdSe quantum dots, is attributed largely to interferences among multiple excitonic transitions contributing to the resonance Raman polarizability. No variation in exciton-phonon coupling strength with exciton energy is required to explain the decrease in the ratio of the Raman cross section to absorption cross section at shorter wavelengths. In core/shell structures, the CdSe phonons are relatively strong when exciting on resonance with the lower excitonic transitions, in which the hole is largely localized to the CdSe core, but become nearly undetectable at excitation wavelengths >0.6 eV above the lowest exciton, where both electrons and holes are largely localized in the CdS shell. The CdS phonon Raman cross section exhibits a maximum 0.6-0.7 eV above the lowest exciton and then decreases at higher energies for the same reasons as in pure CdS.
Nonmonotonic dependence of bimaterial cantilever deflection on the coating thickness and the optimum thermal sensitivity
Authors: Huy Ho Thanh , Dat Le Tri , Vy Nguyen Duy
Published: December 2017

We theoretically determine the optimum coating thickness for the greatest sensitivity of the bimaterial cantilevers considering the size effects of the metallic layer. A nonmonotonic deflection versus the coating thickness is seen when the size effects on the thermal conductivity and the stiffness are taken into account. The greatest sensitivity is seen at a lower value of the coating thickness in comparison to the values obtained in a recent experiment. For silicon cantilevers of thickness less than 3 μm, the greatest sensitivity is found for a coating to cantilever thickness ratio of 0.05–0.2 corresponding to the gold coating thickness of 40–150 nm. Especially, for much thicker cantilevers, e.g., up to 20 μm, the optimum coating thickness is not greater than 180 nm. For aluminum coating, the nonmonotonic behavior is not found, i.e., there is no optimum sensitivity in the range of available coating thickness, the thicker the coating thickness, higher the sensitivity. The obtained results could give useful information for the fabrication of cantilevers with the greatest thermal sensitivity.
Impact of neoclassical tearing mode–turbulence multi-scale interaction in global confinement degradation and magnetic island stability
Authors: Bardóczi L. , Carter T. A. , La Haye R. J. , Rhodes T. L. , McKee G. R.
Published: December 2017

Recent measurements of turbulent density (ñ) and electron-temperature (T̃e) fluctuations have reported turbulence modifications by Neoclassical Tearing Mode (NTM) islands: turbulence decreases (increases) inside (outside) the island region when the island width (W) exceeds a threshold (WT), in qualitative agreement with gyrokinetic simulations. As the cross-field transport in tokamaks is dominantly driven by turbulence, these observations call into question the conventional understanding of confinement degradation by NTMs and magnetic island stability physics. The experimental data presented here support the following points: (i) When profiles flatten at the O-point and gradients increase outside of the island, ñ decreases (increases) inside (outside) the island. Along with the parallel transport resulting in increased fluxes inside the island, the increase of ñ outside of the island offers an explanation for the temporal increase of fluxes in that region. As the plasma stored energy (WMHD) gradually decreases in synchronization with the island growth and saturation, gradients, ñ and fluxes also decrease outside the island until they become about the same as before NTM onset. These fluxes balance the constant sources, and the plasma comes to a steady state at lower WMHD. (ii) Turbulence reduction in the O-point region has a destabilizing effect on the island. This effect is, however, nearly compensated by the reduced confinement. These observations suggest that driving turbulence in the island region could lead to smaller saturated islands offering a path toward better confinement and safer operation of reactor-scale fusion devices.
Similar ultrafast dynamics of several dissimilar Dirac and Weyl semimetals
Authors: Weber Chris P. , Berggren Bryan S. , Masten Madison G. , Ogloza Thomas C. , Deckoff-Jones Skylar , Madéo Julien , Man Michael K. L. , Dani Keshav M. , Zhao Lingxiao , Chen Genfu , Liu Jinyu , Mao Zhiqiang , Schoop Leslie M. , Lotsch Bettina V. , Parkin Stuart S. P. , Ali Mazhar
Published: December 2017

Recent years have seen the rapid discovery of solids whose low-energy electrons have a massless, linear dispersion, such as Weyl, line-node, and Dirac semimetals. The remarkable optical properties predicted in these materials show their versatile potential for optoelectronic uses. However, little is known of their response in the picoseconds after absorbing a photon. Here, we measure the ultrafast dynamics of four materials that share non-trivial band structure topology but that differ chemically, structurally, and in their low-energy band structures: ZrSiS, which hosts a Dirac line node and Dirac points; TaAs and NbP, which are Weyl semimetals; and Sr1–yMn1–zSb2, in which Dirac fermions coexist with broken time-reversal symmetry. After photoexcitation by a short pulse, all four relax in two stages, first sub-picosecond and then few-picosecond. Their rapid relaxation suggests that these and related materials may be suited for optical switches and fast infrared detectors. The complex change of refractive index shows that photoexcited carrier populations persist for a few picoseconds.
Low turn-on voltage perovskite light-emitting diodes with methanol treated PEDOT:PSS as hole transport layer
Authors: Wang Zijun , Li Zhirun , Zhou Dianli , Yu Junsheng
Published: December 2017

We demonstrate the reduced low turn-on voltage of perovskite light-emitting diodes (PeLEDs) with methanol (MeOH) treated poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene):polystyrene sulfonate (PEDOT:PSS) as a hole transport layer (HTL). The MeOH treated PEDOT:PSS layer presents improved hole injection through reducing the contact barrier between the HTL and the CH3NH3PbBr3 emitting layer without sacrificing the quality of the perovskite film, which was characterized by X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, and time-resolved photoluminescence analysis. The optimized PeLEDs with the MeOH treated PEDOT:PSS layer exhibit a low turn-on voltage of 2.4 V and a maximum luminance of 1565 cd/m2, which represents a significant improvement over the PeLEDs using a pristine PEDOT:PSS layer. The approach could be used as a general method for decreasing the hole-injection barrier of PeLEDs and, eventually, to enhance the device performance.
Histomorphometric analysis of the small intestine of broiler chick embryos injected in ovo with methionine
Authors: Nazem Mohammad Naser , Sajjadian Sayed Mohsen , Kheirandish Reza , Mohammadrezaei Hamideh
Published: December 2017

The present study evaluated the histomorphometric effect on the small intestine of the chicken embryo after in ovo methionine injection. On Day 4 of incubation, 50 fertile eggs were allocated into one of the following five groups: control (no treatment) and four treatment groups that received either 20, 30, 40 or 50 mg methionine via their yolk sac. All eggs were incubated until Day 19, at which point the embryos were terminated and 1-cm samples of the duodenum, jejunum and ileum were taken for histology. Sections were stained by haematoxylin and eosin, Alcian blue and periodic acid Schiff methods separately. Morphometric analysis was performed to assess goblet cell number, enterocyte height, muscle-layer thickness as well as villus height, width, area and shape. The ratio of embryo bodyweight to egg weight in methionine treatment groups was more than in controls and this difference was greatest in the 40-mg methionine group. The results showed that villous height, width and area increased in treatment groups, as did enterocyte height, goblet cell number and muscle-layer thickness. The ratio and sequence of the villi was also changed in some treatments. Our results indicated that injecting methionine into the yolk sac can improve intestinal histomorphometrical parameters and that 40-mg methionine injection showed the greatest changes.
Impact of transgenic
Bt
cotton on soil health.
Authors: Kulandaivelu Velmourougane Kulandaivelu Velmourougane , Blaise D.
Published: December 2017

Cotton is an important fibre crop of global and economic significance. For effective control of bollworms, transgenic
Bacillus thuringiensis
(
Bt
) cotton was introduced on a commercial scale in 1996, with an aim to reduce pesticide consumption. Presently, transgenic cotton is grown on 24 million hectares, which occupies 14% of global acreage planted to transgenic crops (185.1 million hectares). In recent years, considerable research efforts have been directed towards the study and assessment of the use of transgenic crops. Although transgenic
Bt
cotton is proven for its benefits in controlling insects, concerns still remain about its ecological impact on soil ecosystem function and biodiversity. This review focuses primarily on the persistence of
cry
toxin, if any, and impact on soil ecosystem functioning; because sustainable agriculture depends on soil - the basic natural resource. Based on the research from cotton-growing nations, there was no solid substantiation that points out adverse effects on soil health or fertility in terms of soil biology and ecology following cultivation of transgenic cotton. The
Cry
proteins released through root exudates and plant residues of
Bt
cotton appears to have no consistent and long-term effects on the soil biology. Some differences between
Bt
and non-
Bt
cotton were indicated for soil microbial community structure and their population. However, majority of the studies indicated that these differences were transient in nature and not statistically significant. Therefore, differences observed may not be related to the inserted
Bt
transgenes.
New splicing variants of mitochondrial Rho GTPase-1 (Miro1) transport peroxisomes
Authors: Okumoto Kanji , Ono Tatsuaki , Toyama Ryusuke , Shimomura Ayako , Nagata Aiko , Fujiki Yukio
Published: December 2017

Microtubule-dependent long-distance movement of peroxisomes occurs in mammalian cells. However, its molecular mechanisms remain undefined. In this study, we identified three distinct splicing variants of human mitochondrial Rho GTPase-1 (Miro1), each containing amino acid sequence insertions 1 (named Miro1-var2), 2 (Miro1-var3), and both 1 and 2 (Miro1-var4), respectively, at upstream of the transmembrane domain. Miro1-var4 and Miro1-var2 are localized to peroxisomes in a manner dependent on the insertion 1 that is recognized by the cytosolic receptor Pex19p. Exogenous expression of Miro1-var4 induces accumulation of peroxisomes at the cell periphery and augments long-range movement of peroxisomes along microtubules. Depletion of all Miro1 variants by knocking down MIRO1 suppresses the long-distance movement of peroxisomes. Such abrogated movement is restored by reexpression of peroxisomal Miro1 variants. Collectively, our findings identify for the first time peroxisome-localized Miro1 variants as adapter proteins that link peroxisomes to the microtubule-dependent transport complexes including TRAK2 in the intracellular translocation of peroxisomes in mammalian cells.
Character sheaves on neutrally solvable groups
Authors: Deshpande Tanmay
Published: December 2017

Let

G
G

be an algebraic group over an algebraically closed field

k

\mathtt {k}

of characteristic

p
>
0

p>0

. In this paper we develop the theory of character sheaves on groups

G
G

such that their neutral connected components

G
∘

G^\circ

are solvable algebraic groups. For such algebraic groups

G
G

(which we call neutrally solvable) we will define the set

CS
⁡
(
G
)

\operatorname {CS}(G)

of character sheaves on

G
G

as certain special (isomorphism classes of) objects in the category

D

G

(
G
)

\mathscr {D}_G(G)

of

G
G

-equivariant

Q

¯

ℓ

\overline {\mathbb {Q}}_{\ell }

-complexes (where we fix a prime

ℓ
≠
p

\ell \neq p

) on

G
G

. We will describe a partition of the set

CS
⁡
(
G
)

\operatorname {CS}(G)

into finite sets known as

L

\mathbb {L}

-packets and we will associate a modular category

M

L

\mathscr {M}_L

with each

L

\mathbb {L}

-packet

L
L

of character sheaves using a truncated version of convolution of character sheaves. In the case where

k

=

F

¯

q

\mathtt {k}=\overline {\mathbb {F}}_q

and

G
G

is equipped with an

F

q

\mathbb {F}_q

-Frobenius

F
F

we will study the relationship between

F
F

-stable character sheaves on

G
G

and the irreducible characters of (all pure inner forms of)

G
F

G^F

. In particular, we will prove that the notion of almost characters (introduced by T. Shoji using Shintani descent) is well defined for neutrally solvable groups and that these almost characters coincide with the “trace of Frobenius” functions associated with

F
F

-stable character sheaves. We will also prove that the matrix relating the irreducible characters and almost characters is block diagonal where the blocks on the diagonal are parametrized by

F
F

-stable

L

\mathbb {L}

-packets. Moreover, we will prove that the block in this transition matrix corresponding to any

F
F

-stable

L

\mathbb {L}

-packet

L
L

can be described as the crossed S-matrix associated with the auto-equivalence of the modular category

M

L

\mathscr {M}_L

induced by

F
F

.
Normalized serum eosinophil peroxidase levels are inversely correlated with esophageal eosinophilia in eosinophilic esophagitis
Authors: Wright B L , Ochkur S I , Olson N S , Shim K P , Jacobsen E A , Rank M A , Dellon E S , Lee J J
Published: December 2017

Eosinophil peroxidase is an eosinophil-specific, cytoplasmic protein stored in the secondary granules of eosinophils. While eosinophil peroxidase deposition is increased in the esophagus in eosinophilic esophagitis (EOE), its potential role as a peripheral marker is unknown. This study aims to examine the relationship between serum eosinophil peroxidase and esophageal eosinophilia in eosinophilic esophagitis. Prospectively collected serum from 19 subjects with incident EoE prior to treatment and 20 non-EoE controls were tested for serum eosinophil peroxidase, eosinophilic cationic protein, and eosinophil derived neurotoxin using ELISA. Matching esophageal tissue sections were stained and assessed for eosinophil peroxidase deposition using a histopathologic scoring algorithm. Mean peripheral blood absolute eosinophil counts in eosinophilic esophagitis subjects were significantly elevated compared to controls (363 vs. 195 cells/μL,P = 0.008). Absolute median serum eosinophil peroxidase, eosinophil cationic protein, and eosinophil derived neurotoxin did not differ between groups; however, when normalized for absolute eosinophil counts, eosinophilic esophagitis subjects had significantly lower median eosinophil peroxidase levels (2.56 vs. 6.96 ng/mL per eos/μL,P = 0.002, AUC 0.79 (0.64, 0.94 95% CI)). Multivariate analysis demonstrated this relationship persisted after controlling for atopy. Esophageal biopsies from eosinophilic esophagitis subjects demonstrated marked eosinophil peroxidase deposition (median score 46 vs. 0,P < 0.0001). Normalized eosinophil peroxidase levels inversely correlated with esophageal eosinophil density (r = −0.41,P = 0.009). In contrast to marked tissue eosinophil degranulation, circulating eosinophils appear to retain their granule proteins in EoE. Investigations of normalized serum eosinophil peroxidase levels as a biomarker of EoE are ongoing.
Mumps Virus Nucleoprotein and Hemagglutinin-Specific Antibody Response Following a Third Dose of Measles Mumps Rubella Vaccine
Authors: Latner Donald R , Parker Fiebelkorn Amy , McGrew Marcia , Williams Nobia J , Coleman Laura A , McLean Huong Q , Rubin Steven , Hickman Carole J
Published: December 2017

Background

Recent mumps outbreaks among 2-dose measles mumps rubella (MMR) vaccine recipients have raised questions regarding the potential benefits of a third dose of vaccine (MMR3). If MMR3 provides a sustained elevation in mumps antibody, it may be beneficial for certain at-risk groups or as an outbreak control measure.

Methods

Sera were collected immediately prior to MMR3 and at 1 month and 1 year post-MMR3 from 656 healthy adults aged 18–28 years in a nonoutbreak setting. Immunoglobulin G (IgG) was measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) using whole mumps virus (commercial ELISA), hemagglutinin (HN; major neutralizing target), and nucleoprotein (NP; immunodominant) antigens. ELISA measurements were compared with in vitro plaque reduction neutralization (PRN) titers, and baseline antibody was compared with post-MMR3 levels.

Results

There were modest but statistically significant (P < .05) increases in mumps antibody at 1 month post-MMR3 by all 3 ELISA methods and by PRN titer. At 1 year post-MMR3, mumps antibody declined toward baseline but remained elevated (P < .05). The correlation between PRN titers and ELISA measurements was poor (r2 = .49), although sera with the highest amount of HN IgG also had the highest PRN titers.

Conclusions

Individuals with the lowest baseline PRN titers had the largest increase in frequency of samples that became positive for HN and NP by ELISA. A third dose of MMR may benefit certain individuals with a low level of mumps virus–neutralizing antibody, especially in the context of an outbreak or other high-risk setting. Additionally, poor correlation among serologic tests does not allow effective prediction of PRN titer by ELISA.
Potential Risk Factors Affecting Repeated Canalith Repositioning Procedures in Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo
Authors: Yoon Junghee , Lee Jong Bin , Lee Ho Yun , Lee Byung Don , Lee Chi Kyou , Choi Seong Jun
Published: December 2017

Objective:

To define the risk factors and adverse effects associated with repeated canalith repositioning procedures (CRPs).

Study Design:

A case series featuring chart review.

Setting:

An academic university hospital.

Patients:

We retrospectively reviewed 1900 patients (average age, 54.9 years; range, 11–88 years) diagnosed with benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV). All underwent repeated CRPs. We recorded clinical features including age, gender, BPPV cause (idiopathic or secondary), symptom duration, the canal involved, the number of sessions of CRP, recurrence, follow-up duration, and complications. We compared these factors using Pearson's chi-squared test and multiple linear regression analysis with dummy variables.

Interventions:

BPPV was diagnosed based on the results of the head roll and Dix-Hallpike tests.

Results:

The overall BPPV resolution rate for patients treated with repeated CRPs was 96.4%. The risk factors for the need for multiple CRPs in BPPV were the duration of vertigo before treatment (β = 0.326, p < 0.001), the type of canal involved (β = 0.130, p < 0.001), and age (β = 0.040, p = 0.040). The explanatory power of the regression model attained 46.0% (F = 172.510, p < 0.001). The failure rate of repeated CRPs was 3.6% and complications included canal conversion (3.1%), nausea (46.4%), vomiting (4.9%), head heaviness (50.8%), imbalance (31.9%), and hypotension or palpitations (8.6%). However, almost all patients recovered.

Conclusion:

The risk factors associated with the need for Multiple CRPs were as follows: longer duration of vertigo before treatment, bilateral or multiple canal involved, and age >50 years.
Recent Advances in the Diagnosis of Malignant Mesothelioma: Focus on Approach in Challenging Cases and in Limited Tissue and Cytologic Samples
Authors: Monaco Sara , Mehrad Mitra , Dacic Sanja
Published: December 2017

Mesothelial proliferations can be diagnostically challenging in small specimens, such as body fluid cytology and small tissue biopsies. A great morphologic challenge for pathologists is the separation of benign reactive mesothelial proliferations from malignant mesotheliomas. Reactive mesothelial proliferations may have histologic features that resemble malignancy including increased cellularity, cytologic atypia, and mitoses. Recent advances in mesothelioma genetics resulted in identification of BAP1 mutations and p16 deletions as features of malignant mesotheliomas. Hence, BAP1 immunohistochemistry and fluorescence in situ hybridization for p16 emerged as 2 most common diagnostically helpful ancillary studies used on limited samples when the question is whether the proliferation is malignant or benign. In contrast, separation of mesothelioma from other malignancies is relatively straight forward using morphology and immunohistochemical stains. The choice of antibody panel to be applied in an individual case is driven by morphology, either epithelioid or sarcomatoid. This brief review will focus on morphology and ancillary testing of mainly pleural mesothelial proliferations.
Functional connectivity of music-induced analgesia in fibromyalgia
Authors: Pando-Naude Victor , Barrios Fernando A. , Alcauter Sarael , Pasaye Erick H. , Vase Lene , Brattico Elvira , Vuust Peter , Garza-Villarreal Eduardo A.
Published: December 2017

Listening to self-chosen, pleasant and relaxing music reduces pain in fibromyalgia (FM), a chronic central pain condition. However, the neural correlates of this effect are fairly unknown and could be regarded as a more direct measure of analgesia. In our study, we wished to investigate the neural correlates of music-induced analgesia (MIA) in fibromyalgia patients. To do this, we studied 20 FM patients and 20 matched healthy controls (HC) acquiring rs-fMRI with a 3T MRI scanner, and pain data before and after two 5-min auditory conditions: music and noise. We performed resting state functional connectivity (rs-FC) seed-based correlation analyses (SCA) using pain and analgesia-related ROIs to determine the effects before and after the music intervention in FM and HC, and its correlation with pain reports. We found significant differences in baseline rs-FC between FM and HC. Both groups showed changes in rs-FC in several ROIs after the music condition between different areas, that were left lateralized in FM and right lateralized in HC. FM patients reported MIA that was significantly correlated with rs-FC decrease between the angular gyrus, posterior cingulate cortex and precuneus, and rs-FC increase between amygdala and middle frontal gyrus. These areas are related to autobiographical and limbic processes, and auditory attention, suggesting MIA may arise as a consequence of top-down modulation, probably originated by distraction, relaxation, positive emotion, or a combination of these mechanisms.
Genetic knockdown and knockout approaches in Hydra
Authors: Lommel Mark , Tursch Anja , Rustarazo-Calvo Laura , Trageser Benjamin , Holstein Thomas W.
Published: December 2017

Hydra is a member of the Cnidaria, an ancient phylum at the base of metazoan evolution and sister group to all bilaterian animals. The regeneration capacity of Hydra, mediated by its stem cell systems is unparalleled in the animal kingdom. The recent sequencing of the Hydra genome and that of other cnidarians has drawn new attention to this well-known model organism. In spite of this, the establishment of methods to manipulate gene expression in Hydra have remained a major challenge. Here we report a CRISPR-Cas9 based targeted mutation approach as well as an optimized, reproducible strategy for the delivery of siRNAs. Both approaches are based on a refined electroporation protocol for adult Hydra polyps. We demonstrate that these strategies provide reliable genetic interference with target gene expression, facilitating functional studies and genome editing in Hydra.
Neural Representations Behind ‘Social Norm’ Inferences In Humans
Authors: Pegado Felipe , Hendriks Michelle H.A. , Amelynck Steffie , Daniels Nicky , Bulthé Jessica , Lee Masson Haemy , Boets Bart , Op de Beeck Hans
Published: December 2017

Humans are highly skilled in social reasoning, e.g., inferring thoughts of others. This mentalizing ability systematically recruits brain regions such as Temporo-Parietal Junction (TPJ), Precuneus (PC) and medial Prefrontal Cortex (mPFC). Further, posterior mPFC is associated with allocentric mentalizing and conflict monitoring while anterior mPFC is associated with self-related mentalizing. Here we extend this work to how we reason not just about what one person thinks but about the abstract shared social norm. We apply functional magnetic resonance imaging to investigate neural representations while participants judge the social congruency between emotional auditory in relation to visual scenes according to how ‘most people’ would perceive it. Behaviorally, judging according to a social norm increased the similarity of response patterns among participants. Multivoxel pattern analysis revealed that social congruency information was not represented in visual and auditory areas, but was clear in most parts of the mentalizing network: TPJ, PC and posterior (but not anterior) mPFC. Furthermore, interindividual variability in anterior mPFC representations was inversely related to the behavioral ability to adjust to the social norm. Our results suggest that social norm inferencing is associated with a distributed and partially individually specific representation of social congruency in the mentalizing network.
Continuous addition of progenitors forms the cardiac ventricle in zebrafish
Authors: Felker Anastasia , Prummel Karin D. , Merks Anne M. , Mickoleit Michaela , Brombacher Eline C. , Huisken Jan , Panáková Daniela , Mosimann Christian
Published: December 2017

The vertebrate heart develops from several progenitor lineages. After early-differentiating first heart field (FHF) progenitors form the linear heart tube, late-differentiating second heart field (SHF) progenitors extend atrium, ventricle, and form the inflow and outflow tracts (IFT/OFT). However, the position and migration of late-differentiating progenitors during heart formation remains unclear. Here, we tracked zebrafish heart development using transgenics based on the cardiopharyngeal transcription factor genetbx1. Live-imaging uncovered atbx1reporter-expressing cell sheath that from anterior lateral plate mesoderm continuously disseminates towards the forming heart tube. High-speed imaging and optogenetic lineage tracing corroborated that the zebrafish ventricle forms through continuous addition from the undifferentiated progenitor sheath followed by late-phase accrual of the bulbus arteriosus (BA). FGF inhibition during sheath migration reduced ventricle size and abolished BA formation, refining the window of FGF action during OFT formation. Our findings consolidate previous end-point analyses and establish zebrafish ventricle formation as a continuous process.
How to reinvent the High Street: evidence from the HS2020
Authors: Theodoridis Costas , Ntounis Nikos , Pal John
Published: December 2017

Purpose

The purpose of the paper is to present and critically discuss the findings of the ESRC-funded HS2020 project. The aim is to discuss the retail-led change that has happened to the High Streets that participated to the project that, in some cases, is revolutionary and is leading to the reinvention of the place. To do so reference is made to various retail change theories discussing both institutional and consumer-led change.

Design/methodology/approach

This is a discussion paper on the findings of the HS2020 project.

Findings

The major finding reported in this paper is that the reinvention is a natural learning process that involves the comprehension of change and the development of knowledge that will lead to the reinvention of the High Street.

Research limitations/implications

The findings of the research are based on data that were collected from a total of ten towns across the UK.

Practical implications

The paper suggests that to reinvent the High Street the stakeholders that are involved in the place decision-making processes they should embrace the change as a natural development and try to understand and learn from it rather than resisting to it. The HS2020 project provides a comprehensive guide of the areas that change can be managed and if it happens it can facilitate the reinvention.

Originality/value

The paper is relevant to the academic community, as it offers insight to the theories of retail change, and to the practitioners, as it provides evidence as to how to deal with the change that happens to the High Streets.
The ignorant manager: conceptualising impact with Rancière
Authors: Scott Deborah
Published: December 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to offer a response to expressions in the literature concerning the limitations of critical reflection, using Rancière’s exposition of the role of values and reasonableness to examine how forms of negotiated work-based learning can support learners’ pathways to impact in their organisation. The implications for work applied management in terms of enabling these employees to make an impact are considered.

Design/methodology/approach

Vignettes illuminate and articulate Rancière’s (1991, 2010) ideas, the vignettes constructed through events experienced and narrated, perhaps imagined, tutorial conversations, assignments and work practices. Such construction of “multiple layers of fiction and narrative imaginings” draws on Sparkes (2007, p. 522). They consider individuals’ negotiation of working practices using ideas developed during their studies, and personal and professional development prompted by unexpected insights into their capabilities, interests, and possible roles.

Findings

Negotiated work-based learning appears to offer the individual opportunity to take responsibility for action in his/her learning and in his/her workplace, but effect depends on several factors, and can be perceived in different ways. Students’ encounter with autonomy in their studies resonates with Rancière’s belief in equality. In the workplace (becoming “citizens” alongside “reasonable” individuals) their agency might, at best, lead to “reasonable moments”, as they encounter both negative and positive challenges of work applied management.

Practical implications

Successful utilisation of agency in learning prompts expectations of responsibility and equality in the workplace. Such equality can lead to diverse, unpredicted insights and consequent opportunities for changes in practice.

Originality/value

This is the first paper to utilise Ranciére’s ideas to offer a critical consideration of both learning provision and workplace practice. Consideration of his profound stance on individuals’ freedom and agency provides rich (but challenging) prompts for analysis of one’s own practice, and the potential for impact when the manager is “ignorant”.
Impact through coaching: does the use of models limit connectedness in coaching?
Authors: Robins Rachel Veronica
Published: December 2017

Purpose

Models are currently used extensively in the delivery of coaching. These models are used to give structure and form by coaches. The purpose of this paper is to present an alternative viewpoint of the impact of the use of models in the coaching relationship.

Design/methodology/approach

The approach taken has been to reflect on recent conversations across professional networks. The cooperative curiosity and questioning of some of our professional assumptions explores using models in coaching to enhances our practice, rather than limiting it. The paper acts as an exploratory prompt to question our practice and the role of the coach in the client/coach relationship.

Findings

The paper suggests that models are used, to a greater extent by the more inexperienced coaches to support their early practice. It is suggested that with greater experience, there is less reliance and use of format and recognised models. The paper proposes the more experienced coach provides “freedom without models” creating an alternative type of environment.

Practical implications

The implications of this paper are that if the authors are to grow and develop the practice and profession, there is a need to continue to research what current practice is delivering and offering the clients. The authors need to question if the early career coaches have the skills to meet the needs of the clients who engage them.

Originality/value

Researching our practice intends to will spark new ideas that may enhance the coaching practice and deliver the requirements of clients looking for development in a volatile and challenging corporate business world.
The challenges of managing degree apprentices in the workplace
Authors: Rowe Lisa , Moss Daniel , Moore Neil , Perrin David
Published: December 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to explore the issues and challenges facing employers as they manage degree apprentices in the workplace. It examines the relationship between managers and apprentices undertaking a work-based degree. This research is of particular relevance at this time because of the UK Government’s initiative to expand the number of apprenticeships in the workplace to three million new starts by 2020, inevitably bringing a range of pressures to bear on employers (BIS, 2015). The purpose is to share early experiences of employer management of degree apprenticeships, and provide a range of recommendations to develop and improve employer and higher education institution (HEI) practice.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper combines desk research with qualitative data drawn from interviews with a range of cross-sector organisations to investigate the employer’s experience of developing the new degree apprenticeships. Data are explored inductively using thematic analysis in order to surface dominant patterns and considers the implications of findings upon current and emerging HEI and employer practice and research.

Findings

There were a number of key themes which emerged from the data collected. These included the need for effective, employer-led recruitment processes, careful management of expectations, sound HEI retention strategies, employer involvement and board-level motivators to ensure organisational benefits are derived from effectively situated workplace learning and a focus upon effective, empowering mentoring and support strategies.

Research limitations/implications

As degree apprenticeship standards and programmes are currently at the early stages of implementation, and opportunities, funding and resourcing are rapidly changing in the context of government policy, so too will employer appetite and strategies for supporting degree apprentices, along with apprentice behaviour. This means that additional findings, beyond those highlighted within this paper, may emerge in the near future.

Practical implications

There are a number of practical implications supporting managerial development and support of degree apprentices in the workplace from this research. These are reflected in the findings, and include the development of flexible and collaborative processes, resources, mentor training and networks.

Originality/value

This paper is one of the first published accounts of the employers’ perspective of managing a degree apprenticeship within the new policy context in the UK. As a result, the work offers a unique insight into the emerging challenges and issues encountered by managers working with degree apprentices in the twenty-first century business environment.