bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The role of advanced echocardiography and cardiovascular magnetic resonance in the assessment of myocardial function in Marfan syndrome—An update
Authors: Kiotsekoglou Anatoli , Moggridge James C. , Child Anne H. , Rask Peter
Published: March 2017

Cardiovascular assessment of patients with Marfan syndrome has normally focused on the aortic root and vascular manifestations of the disease due to the high risk of aortic dissection. Although primary myocardial impairment has long been suspected in these patients, the evidence has been controversial. Advanced echocardiography and cardiovascular magnetic resonance imaging have proven to be effective, accurate, and more sensitive in the detection of subtle cardiac dysfunction. The application of these techniques to Marfan syndrome over the last 10 years has made significant progress in demonstrating the presence of primary myocardial impairment in these patients, but further work is still required to obtain confirmatory molecular, pathophysiological, and prognostic clinical data. Phenotypic expression of the disease has prognostic value, also suggesting potential effective medical therapy.
The value of diastolic flow reversal in the descending thoracic aorta as a determinant of invasively measured aortic pulse pressure
Authors: Kim Hack‐Lyoung , Kim Yu Nui , Kim Hee‐Jun , Lim Woo‐Hyun , Seo Jae‐Bin , Kim Sang‐Hyun , Kim Myung‐A , Zo Joo‐Hee
Published: March 2017

Aim

Although the diastolic flow reversal of the descending aorta has been recognized in patients with aortic regurgitation, its generation without this condition is still unknown. This study was performed to investigate whether flow patterns of the descending thoracic aorta, as measured by echocardiography, can represent invasively measured aortic pulse pressure (APP).

Methods

A total of 100 patients (age, 62.3±11.0 years; men, 62.0%) undergoing invasive coronary angiography (ICA) was analyzed. APP was measured at ascending thoracic aorta using pigtail catheter before ICA. Flow in the descending thoracic aorta was assessed using pulse wave Doppler echocardiography, and R/F ratio was defined as reverse peak velocity (R)/forward peak velocity (F).

Results

Eighty patients (80.0%) had obstructive coronary artery disease (CAD) (≥50% stenosis of one or more epicardial coronary arteries) in ICA. APP and R/F ratio were significantly higher in patients with obstructive CAD than those without (P<.05 for each). Both R/F ratio (β=0.379, P<.001) and APP (β=0.255, P<.001) were positively correlated with age. In simple linear regression analysis, there was a significant positive correlation between R/F ratio and APP (β=0.266, P<.001). This correlation remained significant even after controlling for potential confounders including age, gender, E/eʹ, and left atrial volume index in multiple linear regression analysis (β=0.193, P=.036).

Conclusions

R/F ratio may be independently associated with APP in patients undergoing ICA.
What is the role of innovation in productivity growth in Central and Eastern European countries?
Authors: Tevdovski Dragan , Tosevska‐Trpcevska Katerina , Disoska Elena Makrevska
Published: March 2017

The paper uses company level data from the Eurostat's Community Innovation Survey 2008 and applies CDM model in order to estimate the links between R&D engagement, R&D intensity, innovation output and productivity in selected Central and Eastern European Countries – Bulgaria and Romania, and compares their performance with Germany. The results showed that different processes drive company's decision to engage in R&D in Bulgaria and Romania in comparison to Germany; R&D intensity is an important factor of product innovation in the observed CEE countries and product innovation leads to higher productivity in Bulgaria and Romania, while process innovation leads to higher productivity in Bulgaria, but not in Romania.
Impact of mild to severe hemophilia on education and work by US men, women, and caregivers of children with hemophilia B: The Bridging Hemophilia B Experiences, Results and Opportunities into Solutions (B‐HERO‐S) study
Authors: Cutter Susan , Molter Don , Dunn Spencer , Hunter Susan , Peltier Skye , Haugstad Kimberly , Frick Neil , Holot Natalia , Cooper David L.
Published: March 2017

The psychosocial impact of hemophilia on work was recently investigated in the Hemophilia Experiences, Results and Opportunities (HERO) study. The findings revealed that hemophilia had an impact for adults with moderate/severe hemophilia and caregivers of children with hemophilia. HERO did not specifically evaluate impact on education in adults/children with mild/moderate hemophilia or the impact on employment of spouses/partners of caregivers of affected children. The Bridging Hemophilia B Experiences, Results and Opportunities into Solutions (B‐HERO‐S) study evaluated the impact of hemophilia on the lives of adult men/women with mild‐severe hemophilia B and caregivers of boys/girls with hemophilia B and their spouses/partners. Many adults with hemophilia B (94%) reported that hemophilia had a negative effect on their ability to complete a formal education, often attributed to the inability to attend or concentrate in school as a result of hemophilia‐related bleeding or pain. Most adults with hemophilia B (95%) and caregivers/partners (89%/84%) indicated that hemophilia had a negative impact on employment. Most adults with hemophilia were employed (81%), with construction/manufacturing (35%) as the most frequently reported industry; many worked in jobs requiring manual labor (39%). Of those unemployed, 62% never worked, and those who stopped working reported that they left the workforce due to financial issues (59%), including insurance coverage/co‐pays, or hemophilia‐related issues (55%). Nearly one‐third of caregivers voluntarily left the workforce to care for children with hemophilia. These results suggest a need to focus more effort on career counseling for adults with hemophilia B and caregivers of affected children, especially around mild/moderate hemophilia, as this population may not be as well informed regarding potential impact in school and the workplace.
Management of US men, women, and children with hemophilia and methods and demographics of the Bridging Hemophilia B Experiences, Results and Opportunities into Solutions (B‐HERO‐S) study
Authors: Buckner Tyler W. , Witkop Michelle , Guelcher Christine , Frey Mary Jane , Hunter Susan , Peltier Skye , Recht Michael , Walsh Christopher , Kessler Craig M. , Owens Wendy , Clark David B. , Frick Neil , Rice Michelle , Iyer Neeraj N. , Holot Natalia , Cooper David L. , Sidonio Robert
Published: March 2017

The Bridging Hemophilia B Experiences, Results and Opportunities Into Solutions (B‐HERO‐S) initiative was launched in an effort to address specific gaps in the understanding of the psychosocial impact of mild‐moderate‐severe hemophilia B. The original Hemophilia Experiences, Results and Opportunities (HERO) qualitative study evaluated the needs of people with hemophilia A or B in multiple countries; however, a majority of participants had the more common moderate‐severe hemophilia A. The B‐HERO‐S study was designed in collaboration with the hemophilia community to evaluate the needs of adults with hemophilia B and caregivers of children with hemophilia B, including affected women and caregivers of girls with hemophilia. The report presented here describes participant demographics and comorbidities, as well as treatment regimens and access to treatment. Bleeding symptoms were reported by 27% of mothers of children with hemophilia B who participated. Women were more likely than men to self‐report arthritis and depression/anxiety as comorbidities associated with hemophilia B. More adults and children with hemophilia B were on routine treatment than on on‐demand treatment, and a high percentage of adults with moderate hemophilia B received routine treatment (86%). Many adults with hemophilia B (78%) and caregivers (69%) expressed concern about access to factor in the next 5 years, and of adults with hemophilia B, women more commonly experienced issues with access to factor in the past than did men (72% vs 44%). The findings of the B‐HERO‐S study reveal potential unmet needs of some patients with mild‐moderate hemophilia B, and the results may be leveraged to inform patient outreach by hemophilia treatment centers and education initiatives.
Stroke recurrence in patients with atrial fibrillation: concomitant carotid artery stenosis doubles the risk
Authors: Lehtola H. , Airaksinen K. E. J. , Hartikainen P. , Hartikainen J. E. K. , Palomäki A. , Nuotio I. , Ylitalo A. , Kiviniemi T. , Mustonen P.
Published: March 2017

Background and purpose

Atrial fibrillation (AF) and significant carotid artery stenosis (CAS) often coexist in patients with acute stroke but whether CAS affects the stroke recurrence rate in anticoagulated AF patients is largely unknown. The effect of concomitant CAS on both short‐ and long‐term prognosis after stroke in patients with AF was evaluated.

Methods

The multicentre, retrospective FibStroke registry included AF patients with an ischaemic stroke or transient ischaemic attack (TIA) during 2003–2012. In this sub‐study, 165 AF patients with ischaemic stroke or TIA with significant (>50%) CAS (CAS group) and 734 AF patients without CAS (non‐CAS group) were identified. The median follow‐up time after an index event was 3.5 (interquartile range 3.9) years. Long‐term stroke recurrence rate, 30‐day mortality, CHA2DS2‐VASc score, other risk factors and the use and intensity of anticoagulation were assessed.

Results

The recurrence rate of ischaemic stroke (21.2% vs. 12.7%, P = 0.005, 8.1 vs. 3.6 events per100 follow‐up years) was significantly higher in CAS patients compared to the non‐CAS group despite similar anticoagulation/antithrombotic therapy. CAS patients had higher mean CHA2DS2‐VASc scores than non‐CAS patients (4.3 vs. 3.3, P < 0.001). However, in a multivariate analysis CAS was shown to be an independent risk factor for stroke recurrence (hazard ratio 2.02, 95% confidence interval 1.37–3.01, P = 0.001). The 30‐day all‐cause mortality was significantly higher in CAS patients (7.9% vs. 1.9%, P < 0.001) and CAS was an independent risk factor also for 30‐day mortality (odds ratio 3.34, 95% confidence interval 1.51–7.38, P = 0.003).

Conclusions

In patients with AF, concomitant CAS was an independent risk factor for both long‐term stroke recurrence and 30‐day mortality.
Immunotherapy of a squamous cell carcinoma in the perianal region using autologous dendritic cells in a horse
Authors: Arnold C. , Dreher I. , Grammel T. , Schusser G. F.
Published: March 2017

A 23‐year‐old Trakehner mare was referred to the Department of Large Animal Medicine with an ulcerative cleft tumour dorsal of the anus and in poor body condition. An infiltrative growing squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) was diagnosed. Surgical treatment was not an option because of the tumour localisation and topical chemotherapy caused severe side effects (coprostasis), therefore an immunological therapeutic approach involving autologous monocyte‐derived dendritic cells (DC) presenting tumour antigen on their surface was chosen. Dendritic cells were administered to the patient three times at intervals of four weeks to induce an immune response against theSCC. The tumour regressed in size, the ulcerated surface healed, body condition improved and coprostasis subsided. Six and a half months later small papillomatous neoplasms at the tumour scar led to a fourth treatment. During follow‐up, those recurrences remained indifferent; the mare showed physiological behaviour and returned to leisure riding. This case report describes the effectiveness of so far infrequently described immunotherapy withDCin horses.
Exploiting organizer influence and geographical preference for new event recommendation
Authors: Li Shuchen , Cheng Xiang , Su Sen , Sun Haonan
Published: March 2017

The rapid growth of event‐based social networks (EBSNs) has generated great demand for personalized event recommendation. Indeed, new events are published every day in EBSNs. In this paper, we focus on the problem of recommending new events (i.e., the newly published events that have not yet received any user response) to registered users in EBSNs. Notice that collaborative filtering is ineffective for recommending new events due to the short lifetime of events and the lack of historical information, that is, the cold‐start problem. A straightforward approach to address this problem is to adopt content‐based recommendation techniques, for example, deriving user interests through the content information of the events they attended. Nevertheless, we observe that organizer influence and geographical preference also play important roles in a user's decision to participate in an event. Motivated by this observation, we combine user interest, organizer influence, and geographical preference to present a unified model for new event recommendation. In particular, we utilize a topic model to derive user interests while adopting matrix factorization to infer organizer influences on users from the interactions between users and organizers. Moreover, we model users' geographical preferences via their location histories of attended events. We conduct a performance evaluation using real‐world data collected from DoubanEvent. The experimental results demonstrate the effectiveness of our proposed recommendation model.
Sacred Practices and Family Processes in a Jewish Context: Shabbat as the Weekly Family Ritual Par Excellence
Authors: Marks Loren D. , Hatch Trevan G. , Dollahite David C.
Published: March 2017

The present article provides a deep and more focused look at the utility, meaning, processes, and power involved in a specific, family‐level, sacred practice or ritual from Judaism: Shabbat (Sabbath). Content analysis of in‐depth interviews with 30 diverse, marriage‐based Jewish families living in the United States (N = 77 individuals) yielded three emergent themes: (a) “Shabbat brings us closer together”; (b) How Shabbat brings the family together; and (c) The Power of Blessing the Children. These themes will be discussed respectively, along with related verbatim data from participants’ in‐depth qualitative interviews.
Assessing a social norms approach for improving recreational fisheries compliance
Authors: Bova C. S. , Halse S. J. , Aswani S. , Potts W. M.
Published: March 2017

This study aimed to assess the suitability of the Berkowitz' () social norms approach (SNA) for improving compliance behaviour amongst recreational fishers. A total of 138 recreational shore anglers were interviewed in Eastern Cape, South Africa and asked about their compliance, attitudes towards compliance, perceptions of compliance and the attitudes of other anglers. Results indicate that angler compliance for individual regulations was relatively high (75%–90%). Attitudes of anglers towards compliance was positive, with >80% feeling that “breaking any regulation is wrong.” Yet, as predicted by the SNA, interviewees often overestimated the non‐compliance and negative attitudes of other anglers, particularly as their social proximity decreased. Interviewees with the greatest misperceptions were also less compliant. The social norms present in the Eastern Cape rock and surf fishery fulfil the criteria required for the application of the SNA, suggesting that this approach may provide a suitable normative intervention for improving compliance to be used in conjunction with instrumental approaches in recreational fisheries.
Hydrologic refugia, plants, and climate change
Authors: McLaughlin Blair C. , Ackerly David D. , Klos P. Zion , Natali Jennifer , Dawson Todd E. , Thompson Sally E.
Published: March 2017

Climate, physical landscapes, and biota interact to generate heterogeneous hydrologic conditions in space and over time, which are reflected in spatial patterns of species distributions. As these species distributions respond to rapid climate change, microrefugia may support local species persistence in the face of deteriorating climatic suitability. Recent focus on temperature as a determinant of microrefugia insufficiently accounts for the importance of hydrologic processes and changing water availability with changing climate. Where water scarcity is a major limitation now or under future climates, hydrologic microrefugia are likely to prove essential for species persistence, particularly for sessile species and plants. Zones of high relative water availability – mesic microenvironments – are generated by a wide array of hydrologic processes, and may be loosely coupled to climatic processes and therefore buffered from climate change. Here, we review the mechanisms that generate mesic microenvironments and their likely robustness in the face of climate change. We argue that mesic microenvironments will act as species‐specific refugia only if the nature and space/time variability in water availability are compatible with the ecological requirements of a target species. We illustrate this argument with case studies drawn from California oak woodland ecosystems. We posit that identification of hydrologic refugia could form a cornerstone of climate‐cognizant conservation strategies, but that this would require improved understanding of climate change effects on key hydrologic processes, including frequently cryptic processes such as groundwater flow.
Decreased losses of woody plant foliage to insects in large urban areas are explained by bird predation
Authors: Kozlov Mikhail V. , Lanta Vojtěch , Zverev Vitali , Rainio Kalle , Kunavin Mikhail A. , Zvereva Elena L.
Published: March 2017

Despite the increasing rate of urbanization, the consequences of this process on biotic interactions remain insufficiently studied. Our aims were to identify the general pattern of urbanization impact on background insect herbivory, to explore variations in this impact related to characteristics of both urban areas and insect–plant systems, and to uncover the factors governing urbanization impacts on insect herbivory. We compared the foliar damage inflicted on the most common trees by defoliating, leafmining and gall‐forming insects in rural and urban habitats associated with 16 European cities. In two of these cities, we explored quality of birch foliage for herbivorous insects, mortality of leafmining insects due to predators and parasitoids and bird predation on artificial plasticine larvae. On average, the foliage losses to insects were 16.5% lower in urban than in rural habitats. The magnitude of the overall adverse effect of urbanization on herbivory was independent of the latitude of the locality and was similar in all 11 studied tree species, but increased with an increase in the size of the urban area: it was significant in large cities (city population 1–5 million) but not significant in medium‐sized and small towns. Quality of birch foliage for herbivorous insects was slightly higher in urban habitats than in rural habitats. At the same time, leafminer mortality due to ants and birds and the bird attack intensity on dummy larvae were higher in large cities than in rural habitats, which at least partially explained the decline in insect herbivory observed in response to urbanization. Our findings underscore the importance of top‐down forces in mediating impacts of urbanization on plant‐feeding insects: factors favouring predators may override the positive effects of temperature elevation on insects and thus reduce plant damage.
Thymine DNA glycosylase modulates DNA damage response and gene expression by base excision repair‐dependent and independent mechanisms
Authors: Nakamura Tomohumi , Murakami Kouichi , Tada Haruto , Uehara Yoshihiko , Nogami Jumpei , Maehara Kazumitsu , Ohkawa Yasuyuki , Saitoh Hisato , Nishitani Hideo , Ono Tetsuya , Nishi Ryotaro , Yokoi Masayuki , Sakai Wataru , Sugasawa Kaoru
Published: March 2017

Thymine DNA glycosylase (TDG) is a base excision repair (BER) enzyme, which is implicated in correction of deamination‐induced DNA mismatches, the DNA demethylation process and regulation of gene expression. Because of these pivotal roles associated, it is crucial to elucidate how the TDG functions are appropriately regulated in vivo. Here, we present evidence that the TDG protein undergoes degradation upon various types of DNA damage, including ultraviolet light (UV). The UV‐induced degradation of TDG was dependent on proficiency in nucleotide excision repair and on CRL4CDT2‐mediated ubiquitination that requires a physical interaction between TDG and DNA polymerase clamp PCNA. Using the Tdg‐deficient mouse embryonic fibroblasts, we found that ectopic expression of TDG compromised cellular survival after UV irradiation and repair of UV‐induced DNA lesions. These negative effects on cellular UV responses were alleviated by introducing mutations in TDG that impaired its BER function. The expression of TDG induced a large‐scale alteration in the gene expression profile independently of its DNA glycosylase activity, whereas a subset of genes was affected by the catalytic activity of TDG. Our results indicate the presence of BER‐dependent and BER‐independent functions of TDG, which are involved in regulation of cellular DNA damage responses and gene expression patterns.
Chromatin tethering to the nuclear envelope by nuclear actin filaments: a novel role of the actin cytoskeleton in the Xenopus blastula
Authors: Oda Haruka , Shirai Natsuki , Ura Naoko , Ohsumi Keita , Iwabuchi Mari
Published: March 2017

The Xenopus oocyte is known to accumulate filamentous or F‐actin in the nucleus, but it is currently unknown whether F‐actin also accumulates in embryo nuclei. Using fluorescence‐labeled actin reporters, we examined the actin distribution in Xenopus embryonic cells and found that F‐actin accumulates in nuclei during the blastula stage but not during the gastrula stage. To further investigate nuclear F‐actin, we devised a Xenopus egg extract that reproduces the formation of nuclei in which F‐actin accumulates. Using this extract, we found that F‐actin accumulates primarily at the subnuclear membranous region and is essential to maintain chromatin binding to the nuclear envelope in well‐developed nuclei. We also provide evidence that nuclear F‐actin increases the structural stability of nuclei and contributes to chromosome alignment on the mitotic spindle at the following M phase. These results suggest the physiological importance of nuclear F‐actin accumulation in rapidly dividing large Xenopus blastula cells.
Female turnover rate differs between two Northern GoshawkAccipiter gentilisnesting areas, as revealed byDNAanalysis of moulted feathers
Authors: Selås Vidar , Kleven Oddmund , Steen Odd Frydenlund
Published: March 2017

The turnover rate of breeding Northern GoshawkAccipiter gentilisfemales in two study areas in southern Norway, which are assumed to experience different levels of illegal human persecution, was estimated usingDNAextracted from moulted feathers, along with other characteristics. Female turnover rate over a 4‐year period for each nesting territory during 1990–2015 was significantly higher in Aust‐Agder County (31.9%; 23 territories), where hunters have long shown antipathy to Goshawks, than in Telemark County (17.3%; 25 territories). Turnover rate was not related to territory quality. The proportion of successful nesting attempts was lower in Aust‐Agder (70–75%) than in Telemark (82–84%), but for newly built nests, which are less likely to be known by hunters, the difference was not significant (77.4 vs 79.6%). The proportion of juvenile female Goshawks among recruits and in the total breeding population also did not differ between the two areas. Our findings support the notion that Goshawk persecution was higher in Aust‐Agder than in Telemark. We found that the use of phenotypic characteristics for individual recognition was successful in 96.2% of 130 comparisons of female Goshawks from two consecutive nesting attempts, when assessed using genetic markers.
The amplitude of coagulation curves from thrombin time tests allows dysfibrinogenemia caused by the common mutation FGG‐Arg301 to be distinguished from hypofibrinogenemia
Authors: Jacquemin M. , Vanlinthout I. , Van Horenbeeck I. , Debasse M. , Toelen J. , Schoeters J. , Lavend'homme R. , Freson K. , Peerlinck K.
Published: March 2017

Introduction

Thrombin time (TT) tests are useful for diagnosing coagulation disorders involving abnormal fibrinogen but do not allow us to distinguish between qualitative and quantitative defects. However, with the widening availability of optical coagulation automates, more information about the coagulation process is becoming increasingly accessible.

Methods

In this study, we compared the coagulation curves of TT tests carried out with plasma from healthy donors with those from patients with acquired low Clauss fibrinogen levels or with dysfibrinogenemia caused by a heterozygous point mutation in the fibrinogen γ‐chain that results in a p.Arg301(275)Cys substitution. The functional fibrinogen levels of these three groups of samples were also measured with the Clauss method, and their fibrinogen protein levels were determined by ELISA.

Results

Our data indicate that the amplitude and maximal velocity of coagulation curves from plasma samples from FGG p.Arg301(275)Cys dysfibrinogenemic patients were comparable to those from plasma samples with fibrinogen in the normal range, whereas the amplitude of coagulation curves from patients with acquired low fibrinogen levels was lower.

Conclusions

Examination of the amplitude of coagulation curves generated during TT tests may provide additional information to enable the differential diagnoses of diseases following a low fibrinogen measurement by the Clauss method.
Predicting psychological distress of informal carers of individuals with major depression or bipolar disorder
Authors: Wasley David , Eden Samantha
Published: March 2017

Caring for someone with a mental illness is associated with high levels of burden and psychological distress. Understanding these factors could be important to prevent the development of physical and mental health problems in carers. The purpose of the present study was to determine the contribution of coping styles and social support in predicting the psychological distress reported by informal carers (IC) of individuals with major depression or bipolar disorder. IC (n = 72) of adults with a diagnosed depressive illness were recruited from mental health organizations within the community setting. Carers completed the General Health Questionnaire, Brief COPE, and Social Support Questionnaire. Multiple linear regression analysis revealed that 63% of the variance in psychological distress could be accounted for by adaptive and maladaptive coping styles and perceived quantity and satisfaction with social support. Satisfaction with social support (β = −0.508, P < 0.001) and maladaptive coping (β = 0.369; P < 0.001) were significant predictors of psychological distress. These findings suggest that interventions should consider coping styles, specifically the interaction between maladaptive behaviours and enhancement of quality of support, to assist carers to manage psychological distress, especially earlier in the caring role.
SrLa(R0.5Ti0.5)O4 (R=Mg, Zn) microwave dielectric ceramics with complex K2NiF4‐type layered perovskite structure
Authors: Ren Guang Rong , Zhu Jun Yao , Li Lei , Liu Bing , Chen Xiang Ming
Published: March 2017

Dense SrLa(R0.5Ti0.5)O4 (R=Mg, Zn) ceramics were prepared by a standard solid‐state reaction method. The single phase with complex K2NiF4‐type layered perovskite structure and I4/mmm space group was revealed by XRD, and the refined structure was analyzed by Rietveld analysis. Significantly improved dielectric constant was obtained in SrLa(R0.5Ti0.5)O4 ceramics compared to the analogues SrLaAlO4 and SrLaGaO4, which is attributed to the increasing normalized bond lengths of Sr/La‐O(1) and Sr/La‐O(2a) bonds and the higher polarizability of (R0.5Ti0.5)3+ than Al3+ and Ga3+. In addition, τf converts to a positive value with the increase in dielectric constant. The following microwave dielectric properties were obtained in the dense ceramics: εr=25.5, Qf=72 000 GHz, τf=29 ppm/°C for SrLa(Mg0.5Ti0.5)O4, and εr=29.4, Qf=34 000 GHz, τf=38 ppm/°C for SrLa(Zn0.5Ti0.5)O4. Furthermore, the stability of K2NiF4‐type structure in MLnBO4 [M=Ca, Sr, Ba; Ln=Y, Sm, Nd, La; B=Al, Ga, (Mg0.5Ti0.5), (Zn0.5Ti0.5)] compounds was discussed in relation to the tolerance factor of perovskite layer and the radius ratio of M2+ and Ln3+, based on which near‐zero τf values are expected to be obtained in SrLa(R0.5Ti0.5)O4‐SrLaAlO4 and SrLa(R0.5Ti0.5)O4–SrLaGaO4 unlimited solid solutions.
Surface structures of sodium borosilicate glasses from molecular dynamics simulations
Authors: Ren Mengguo , Deng Lu , Du Jincheng
Published: March 2017

Surface plays an important role in the physical and chemical properties of oxide glasses and controls the interactions of these glasses with the environment, thus dominating properties such as the chemical durability and bioactivity. The surface atomic structures of a series of sodium borosilicate glasses were studied using classical molecular dynamics simulations with recently developed compositional dependent partial charge potentials. The surface structural features and defect speciation were characterized and compared with the bulk glasses with the same composition. Our simulation results show that the borosilicate glass surfaces have significantly different chemical compositions and structures as compared to the bulk. The glass surfaces are found to be sodium enriched and behave like borosilicate glasses with higher R (Na2O/B2O3) values. As a result of this composition and associated structure changes, the amount of fourfold boron decreases at the surface and the network connectivity on the surface decreases. In addition to composition variation and local structure environment change, defects such as two‐membered rings and three‐coordinated silicon were also observed on the surface. These unusual surface composition and structure features are expected to significantly impact the chemical and physical properties and the interactions with the environments of sodium borosilicate glasses.
Ultra‐low temperature sintering microwave dielectric ceramics based on Ag2O–MoO3 binary system
Authors: Zhang Gao‐qun , Guo Jing , Wang Hong
Published: March 2017

The Ag2Mo2O7 and Ag6Mo10O33 ceramics for ultra‐low temperature co‐fired ceramic application were prepared by the solid‐state reaction route. The optimized densification temperatures of Ag2Mo2O7 and Ag6Mo10O33 are 460°C and 500°C, respectively. The phase structures and microstructures of these ceramics were systematically studied. The Ag2Mo2O7 ceramic sintered at 460°C/4 h exhibits excellent microwave dielectric properties with εr=13.3, Q×f=25 300 GHz and τf=−142 ppm/°C at 9.25 GHz. The Ag6Mo10O33 ceramic sintered at 500°C/4 h shows the microwave dielectric properties with εr=14.0, Q×f=8500 GHz and τf=−50 ppm/°C at 9.00 GHz. Moreover, when Ag2Mo2O7 samples are sintered at ultra‐low sintering temperatures of 420°C‐490°C, the Q×f values of them are all above 20 000 GHz. Besides, the Ag2Mo2O7 ceramic does not react with silver powder or aluminum powder. The variation of relative permittivity, resonant frequency, and Q×f values as a function of operating temperature has been also studied. All the results indicate that the Ag2Mo2O7 ceramic is a good candidate for ultra‐low temperature co‐fired microwave devices.
A roadmap for island biology: 50 fundamental questions after 50 years of The Theory of Island Biogeography
Authors: Patiño Jairo , Whittaker Robert J. , Borges Paulo A.V. , Fernández‐Palacios José María , Ah‐Peng Claudine , Araújo Miguel B. , Ávila Sergio P. , Cardoso Pedro , Cornuault Josselin , de Boer Erik J. , de Nascimento Lea , Gil Artur , González‐Castro Aarón , Gruner Daniel S. , Heleno Ruben , Hortal Joaquín , Illera Juan Carlos , Kaiser‐Bunbury Christopher N. , Matthews Thomas J. , Papadopoulou Anna , Pettorelli Nathalie , Price Jonathan P. , Santos Ana M. C. , Steinbauer Manuel J. , Triantis Kostas A. , Valente Luis , Vargas Pablo , Weigelt Patrick , Emerson Brent C.
Published: March 2017

Aims

The 50th anniversary of the publication of the seminal book, The Theory of Island Biogeography, by Robert H. MacArthur and Edward O. Wilson, is a timely moment to review and identify key research foci that could advance island biology. Here, we take a collaborative horizon‐scanning approach to identify 50 fundamental questions for the continued development of the field.

Location

Worldwide.

Methods

We adapted a well‐established methodology of horizon scanning to identify priority research questions in island biology, and initiated it during the Island Biology 2016 conference held in the Azores. A multidisciplinary working group prepared an initial pool of 187 questions. A series of online surveys was then used to refine a list of the 50 top priority questions. The final shortlist was restricted to questions with a broad conceptual scope, and which should be answerable through achievable research approaches.

Results

Questions were structured around four broad and partially overlapping island topics, including: (Macro)Ecology and Biogeography, (Macro)Evolution, Community Ecology, and Conservation and Management. These topics were then subdivided according to the following subject areas: global diversity patterns (five questions in total); island ontogeny and past climate change (4); island rules and syndromes (3); island biogeography theory (4); immigration–speciation–extinction dynamics (5); speciation and diversification (4); dispersal and colonization (3); community assembly (6); biotic interactions (2); global change (5); conservation and management policies (5); and invasive alien species (4).

Main conclusions

Collectively, this cross‐disciplinary set of topics covering the 50 fundamental questions has the potential to stimulate and guide future research in island biology. By covering fields ranging from biogeography, community ecology and evolution to global change, this horizon scan may help to foster the formation of interdisciplinary research networks, enhancing joint efforts to better understand the past, present and future of island biotas.
Mexican land birds reveal complexity in fine‐scale patterns of endemism
Authors: Bertelli Sara , Szumik Claudia , Goloboff Pablo A. , Giannini Norberto P. , Navarro‐Sigüenza Adolfo G. , Peterson A. Townsend , Cracraft Joel
Published: March 2017

Aim

Understanding patterns of endemism is a key to deciphering the history of biotas and setting conservation priorities, but resolving the complexity of distributional patterns quantitatively into areas of endemism is often a difficult task. We report here an analysis of a comprehensive biodiversity dataset for the study of endemism, including virtually all vouchered records available for resident land birds of Mexico (> 100,000 georeferenced data points for all 780 species).

Location

Mexico.

Methods

The dataset was analysed with methods that recover areas without assuming prior endemic status for any species. This grid‐based method for detecting areas of endemism considers co‐occurrence and exclusiveness of species in alternative sets of geographic cells at different spatial resolutions, and finds optimal sets using heuristic, computationally intensive searches.

Results

We provide the most detailed study of endemism in Mexico to date. Our analysis recovered 17 of 18 previously recognized areas of endemism for Mexican birds, plus many additional areas clearly supported by distributional data totalling 33 areas of endemism at different spatial scales. These areas cover 70% of the country's surface and form a network of nested and partially overlapping regions, some of which are also disjoint.

Main conclusions

This picture contrasts strongly with previous conceptions of areas of endemism as non‐overlapping and spatially simple in terms of scale. Our results reveal that endemism may be spatially complex and shed new light on its role as a key manifestation of biodiversity. Species identified as endemic to these areas comprise > 30% of the land birds of Mexico, with a disproportionately large fraction endangered according to IUCN or SEMARNAT.
Using cognitive load theory to structure computer‐based learning including MOOCs
Authors: Chen O. , Woolcott G. , Sweller J.
Published: March 2017

A massive, open, online course (MOOC) is a form of computer‐based learning that offers open access, internet‐based education for unlimited numbers of participants. However, the general quality and utility of MOOCs has been criticized. Most MOOCs have been structured with minimal consideration of relevant aspects of human cognitive architecture and instructional design principles. This paper suggests cognitive load theory, with its roots embedded in our knowledge of human cognitive architecture and evolutionary educational psychology, is ideally placed to provide instructional design principles for all forms of computer‐based learning, including MOOCs. The paper outlines the theory and indicates instructional design principles that could be used to structure online learning and to provide an appropriate base for instructional design when using computer‐based learning.
Juxtaglomerular cell tumor: Clinical and immunohistochemical features
Authors: Wang Fen , Shi Chuan , Cui Yunying , Li Chunyan , Tong Anli
Published: March 2017

Juxtaglomerular cell tumor (JGCT) is a rare tumor, with approximately 100 cases reported in the literature. The authors respectively studied the clinical data of 11 patients diagnosed with JGCT in Peking Union Medical College Hospital from 2004 to 2014, and investigated the immunohistochemical profiles in 10 tumors. Nine of the 11 patients were diagnosed before the age of 40 years. Hypertension was present in all patients, while hypokalemia occurred in seven of 11 patients. Computed tomography detected JGCTs with a sensitivity of 100%. Immunoreactivities for CD34 and vascular endothelial growth factor were observed in most tumor specimens, suggesting that JGCTs express a variety of vessel‐related immunohistochemical markers, although JGCTs are considered a tumor without abundant blood supply. Nuclear accumulation of cyclin D1 was common in JGCTs. Results from immunohistochemistry were negative for BRAF, HER2, and TFE3, suggesting that BRAF, HER2, and TFE3 genes might not play a part in tumorigenesis in JGCTs.
Divergence in physiological factors affecting swimming performance between anadromous and resident populations of brook charr Salvelinus fontinalis
Authors: Crespel A. , Dupont‐Prinet A. , Bernatchez L. , Claireaux G. , Tremblay R. , Audet C.
Published: March 2017

In this study, an anadromous strain (L) and a freshwater‐resident (R) strain of brook charr Salvelinus fontinalis as well as their reciprocal hybrids, were reared in a common environment and submitted to swimming tests combined with salinity challenges. The critical swimming speeds (Ucrit) of the different crosses were measured in both fresh (FW) and salt water (SW) and the variations in several physiological traits (osmotic, energetic and metabolic capacities) that are predicted to influence swimming performance were documented. Anadromous and resident fish reached the same Ucrit in both FW and SW, with Ucrit being 14% lower in SW compared with FW. The strains, however, seemed to use different underlying strategies: the anadromous strain relied on its streamlined body shape and higher osmoregulatory capacity, while the resident strain had greater citrate synthase (FW) and lactate dehydrogenase (FW, SW) capacity and either greater initial stores or more efficient use of liver (FW, SW) and muscle (FW) glycogen during exercise. Compared with R♀L♂ hybrids, L♀R♂ hybrids had a 20% lower swimming speed, which was associated with a 24% smaller cardio‐somatic index and higher physiological costs. Thus swimming performance depends on cross direction (i.e. which parental line was used as dam or sire). The study thus suggests that divergent physiological factors between anadromous and resident S. fontinalis may result in similar swimming capacities that are adapted to their respective lifestyles.
DOES DISTANCE MATTER IN MERGERS AND ACQUISITIONS?
Authors: Bick Patty , Crook Matthew D. , Lynch Andrew A. , Walkup Brian R.
Published: March 2017

Using a sample of mergers and acquisitions from 1985 to 2014, we examine the impact of proximity between target and acquirer as a measure of information asymmetry. We find geographic distance has a significant impact on acquisitions premiums and time to completion, conditional on the size of the target firm. Small targets receive lower premiums and have a faster time to completion the closer they are to their acquirer. Conversely, large targets have a slower time to deal completion the closer their proximity. We conclude geographic distance has a substantial impact on acquisitions.
DOES BANK TECHNOLOGY AFFECT SMALL BUSINESS LENDING DECISIONS?
Authors: Sedunov John
Published: March 2017

I examine the effect that technology has on soft‐information lending and address issues within the banking literature on quantifying bank technology. I find that banks engage in less soft‐information lending when back‐office bank technology is more productive and that banks engage in less soft‐information lending when they own interactive web technology. I find that competition, lending decisions, and bank size are the primary drivers of technological development. I show that these results are robust to econometric tests that account for endogeneity, to an alternative definition of the bank's size, and to the inclusion of lending portfolio controls.
Engagement in Advance Care Planning and Surrogates’ Knowledge of Patients’ Treatment Goals
Authors: Fried Terri R. , Zenoni Maria , Iannone Lynne , O'Leary John , Fenton Brenda T.
Published: March 2017

Objectives

A key objective of advance care planning (ACP) is improving surrogates’ knowledge of patients’ treatment goals. Little is known about whether ACP outside of a trial accomplishes this. The objective was to examine patient and surrogate reports of ACP engagement and associations with surrogate knowledge of goals.

Design

Cohort study

Setting

Primary care in a Veterans Affairs Medical Center.

Participants

350 community‐dwelling veterans age ≥55 years and the individual they would choose to make medical decisions on their behalf, interviewed separately.

Measurements

Treatment goals were assessed by veterans’ ratings of 3 health states: severe physical disability, cognitive disability, and pain, as an acceptable or unacceptable result of treatment for severe illness. Surrogates had knowledge if they correctly predicted all 3 responses. Veterans and surrogates were asked about living will and health care proxy completion and communication about life‐sustaining treatment and quality versus quantity of life (QOL).

Results

Over 40% of dyads agreed that the veteran had not completed a living will or health care proxy and that there was no QOL communication. For each activity, sizeable proportions (18–34%) disagreed about participation. In dyads who agreed QOL communication had occurred, 30% of surrogates had knowledge, compared to 21% in dyads who agreed communication had not occurred and 15% in dyads who disagreed (P = .01). This relationship persisted in multivariable analysis. Agreement about other ACP activities was not associated with knowledge.

Conclusion

Disagreement about ACP participation was common. Agreement about communication regarding QOL was modestly associated with surrogate knowledge of treatment goals. Eliciting surrogates’ perspectives is critical to ACP. Even dyads who agree about participation may need additional support for successful engagement.
Survival and testing parameters of zirconia‐based crowns under cyclic loading in an aqueous environment: A systematic review
Authors: Elshiyab Shareen Hayel , Nawafleh Noor , George Roy
Published: March 2017

Aim

To study the hypothesis that in vitro fatigue testing variables in an aqueous environment affect the survival results of zirconia‐based restorations, and evaluate the level of agreement between in vitro and previous in vivo data.

Methods

An electronic search of literature was conducted in PubMed and Scopus to identify in vitro studies testing zirconia‐based crowns using cyclic loading in an aqueous environment. Only studies that complied with the inclusion criteria were included. Data extracted were used for survival analysis and assessment of in vitro parameters for fatigue testing of implant and tooth‐supported crowns. Using “Assessing the Methodological Quality of Systematic Reviews” (AMSTAR), recent in vivo systematic review studies were assessed prior to consideration for comparison with the current in vitro data.

Results

After applying the inclusion criteria only 25 articles were included. Five‐year cumulative survival rate of zirconia‐based implant‐supported crowns was lower than tooth‐supported crowns (84% and 88.8% respectively). Tooth‐supported crowns subjected to wet fatigue showed a lower 5‐year cumulative survival rate compared to thermocycling (62.8% and 92.6% respectively). Monolithic crowns showed higher fracture resistance compared to bi‐layered structure (pressed or hand‐layered). Only in vivo systematic reviews, which complied with AMSTAR assessment criteria, were used for comparison to the in vitro data. As for fatigue testing parameters, differences in the experimental setting were evident and affected the outcomes.

Conclusion

Crown survivals depend on type of support, type of fatigue test conducted, crown structure, and veneering method. In vitro fatigue testing protocols are highly variable, which introduces a need for international standardization to allow for more valid comparability of data.
Oolong tea extract as a substitute for uranyl acetate in staining of ultrathin sections based on examples of animal tissues for transmission electron microscopy
Authors: HE XIAOHUA , LIU BIN
Published: March 2017

Oolong tea extract (OTE) was assessed for its potential as an electron stain to substitute for uranyl acetate (UA) in transmission electron microscopy (TEM). A comparative analysis of the ultrastructures of biological specimens (i.e. compound eye and sciatic nerve tissue) stained by different methods (UA and 0.1% OTE) has been performed. Results revealed that there was no significant difference between the OTE double staining method and the traditional double staining method, except the contrast in the OTE method was slightly lower than the UA method. Nevertheless, the OTE method yielded better or equal details in collagen fibres, neurofilaments and basal lamina in the mammalian sciatic nerve samples, as well as in the microvilli between the cornea and crystalline cone of the insect compound eye. On the whole, it was suggested that OTE could potentially be used as a nonradioactive and hazard‐free alternative to UA in TEM staining.
Treatment of Nevus lipomatosus cutaneous superficialis with CO2 laser
Authors: Sardana Kabir , Bansal Shivani , Garg Vijay K , Khurana Nita
Published: March 2017

Nevus lipomatosus cutaneous superficialis (NLCS) is an uncommon lesion characterized by ectopic adipose tissue in the dermis and can be generalized or localized. It presents as a soft skin colored to yellowish papules or cerebriform plaques occurring usually on the buttock or thigh in a segment distribution. We report a case of NLCS in 38‐year‐old female, which was treated using the ultrapulse mode CO2 Laser. We describe the scientific logic and clinical results of using the ultrapulse mode in relation to the pathology of NLCS.