bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Elimination of ribosome inactivating factors improves the efficiency ofBacillus subtilis and Saccharomyces cerevisiaecell-free translational systems
Authors: Brodiazhenko Tetiana , Johansson Marcus , Takada Hiraku , Nissan Tracy , Hauryliuk Vasili , Murina Victoriia
Published: September 2018

Cell-free translational systems based on cellular lysates optimized forin vitroprotein synthesis have multiple applications both in basic and applied science, ranging from studies of translation regulation to cell-free production of proteins and ribosome-nascent chain complexes. In order to achieve both high activity and reproducibility in a translational system, it is essential that the ribosomes in the cellular lysate are enzymatically active. Here we demonstrate that genomic disruption of genes encoding ribosome inactivating factors – HPF inBacillus subtilisand Stm1 inSaccharomyces cerevisiae– robustly improve the activities of bacterial and yeast translational systems. A possible next step in developing strains for production of even more efficient cell-free translation systems could be achieved by combining a genomic disruption of the ribosome hibernation machinery with inactivation of the genes responsible for proteolysis and RNA degradation.
Field assessment of precocious maturation in salmon parr using ultrasound imaging
Authors: Nevoux Marie , Marchand Frédéric , Forget Guillaume , Huteau Dominique , Tremblay Julien , Destouches Jean-Pierre
Published: September 2018

Abstract

Salmonids are characterized by a large diversity of life histories, but their study is often limited by the imperfect observation of the true state of an individual in the wild. Challenged by the need to reduce uncertainty of empirical data, recent development in medical imaging techniques offered new opportunities to assess precocious maturation in Atlantic salmon parr. Traditional phenotypic (external) examination and ultrasound (internal) examination were compared and recommendations on fish handling and ultrasound image interpretation are provided. By allowing to see the unseen, portable ultrasound imaging offers great opportunities for ecological studies in the wild, such as the assessment of individual sexual maturation.
Assessing the satisfaction of teenagers at risk and vulnerable to social damages of young adults’ publications in Iran based on the CSI model
Authors: Amini Mahsa , Pashootanizadeh Mitra
Published: September 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to assess the satisfaction of teenagers who are suffering from or are exposed to social damages of children and young adults’ publications in Iran.

Design/methodology/approach

A descriptive surveys approach with practical purposes is applied here. The tools used in this study include two researcher-made questionnaires. Two sets of participants constitute the statistical populations: 120 and 50 teenagers who were affected by or are at the risk of social damages. Data collection from the first set was through census, while the same from the second set is through the disproportionate stratified random sampling method. Another statistical population is the group of premier children publishers during 2006-2016.

Findings

The teenagers’ satisfaction mainly is involved with: perceived quality, expectations and perceived value. “Music” and “Recreational and performing arts”, internet-based resources, “Electronic materials” and “Real stories” are ranked as having the highest mean value in information needs, formats and literacy genre among teenagers, respectively. The findings here indicate that the teenagers participated are satisfied with children publications to a great extent.

Originality/value

This is the first research which used the CSI Model for assessing the satisfaction of teenagers at risk and vulnerable to social damages.
Predicting students’ intention to adopt mobile learning
Authors: Buabeng-Andoh Charles
Published: September 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to explore the ability of the integration of technology acceptance model (TAM) and theory of reasoned action (TRA) to predict and explain university students’ intention to use m-learning in schools.

Design/methodology/approach

In total, 487 students participated in this study. A seven-likert scale survey questionnaire which comprised of 23 items was completed by the students. Structural equation modeling was used as the statistical technique to analyze the data.

Findings

The study found that the resulting model was fairly able to predict and explain behavioral intention (BI) among students in Ghana. In addition, this study found that attitudes toward use and subjective norm significantly influenced students’ BI to use mobile learning. The model explained 23.0 percent of the variance in BI, 33.8 percent in perceived usefulness and 47.6 percent in attitudes toward use. Of all the three endogenous variables, attitude had the greatest effect on BI.

Originality/value

Although, the above-mentioned models have been adopted in many studies, few or none have combined TRA and TAM as a research framework to predict and explain students’ intention to use m-learning since m-learning is fairly new in educational environments. Therefore, a model that combines all constructs from TRA and TAM was proposed in this study to explore university students’ intention to use m-learning in schools.
Are sustainable luxury goods a paradox for millennials?
Authors: Rolling Virginia , Sadachar Amrut
Published: September 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to examine how luxury brand descriptions influence millennials’ impression of luxury, impression of sustainability, attitude toward brand and purchase intention using the impression formation theory.

Design/methodology/approach

A between-subjects experimental design was used to test the research model, wherein two randomly assigned groups received an online experiment with either a luxury-only or a sustainable-luxury brand description.

Findings

Findings included that the impression of luxury did not change for a sustainable-luxury brand describing the use of recycled materials as compared to a luxury-only brand without the description of recycled materials present. Therefore, millennials perceived the luxury-only and sustainable-luxury brands to provide an impression of luxury, which was the sole impression to significantly predict attitude toward the brand. In addition, the results indicated that attitude positively influenced purchase intention for both brand descriptions.

Originality/value

This study provides support for luxury brands to transition toward sustainable efforts of using recycled materials in their goods as the impression of luxury is preserved, and provide marketing communication that favors sustainable brand positioning. This is one of the first empirical studies that focused on exploring sustainability strategies for luxury brands targeting a specific market segment (i.e. millennials in the United States of America).
Review Paper: Post‐stack 4D seismic time‐shifts: Interpretation and evaluation
Authors: MacBeth Colin , Mangriotis Maria‐Daphne , Amini Hamed
Published: September 2018

A review and analysis of post‐stack time‐lapse time‐shifts has been carried out that covers published literature supplemented by in‐house datasets available to the authors. Time‐shift data are classified into those originating from geomechanical effects and those due to fluid saturation changes. From these data, conclusions are drawn regarding the effectiveness of post‐stack time‐shifts for overburden and reservoir monitoring purposes. A variety of field examples are shown that display the range and magnitude of variation for each class of application. The underlying physical mechanisms creating these time‐shifts are then described, and linked to a series of generic and field‐specific rock physics calculations that predict their magnitudes. These calculations serve as a guide for practitioners wishing to utilize this information on their own datasets. Conclusions are drawn regarding the reliability of this attribute for monitoring purposes, and the extent to which further development is required and how it should be reported by authors.
Three‐dimensional magnetotelluric responses for arbitrary electrically anisotropic media and a practical application
Authors: Yu Guo , Xiao Qibin , Zhao Guoze , Li Man
Published: September 2018

Electrical anisotropy in earth media increases the complexity of magnetotelluric responses. Magnetotelluric models based on anisotropic media must be developed to fully understand observed data. This paper presents a three‐dimensional algorithm for calculating magnetotelluric responses of arbitrary anisotropic media in the frequency domain. Using a staggered‐grid finite difference method, the model space is discretized into rectangular blocks with electric fields on the edges of each block and the magnetic fields normal to the faces of each block. The electric field Helmholtz vector equation that considers a full 3 × 3 conductivity tensor is calculated numerically under two orthogonal polarizations. In calculating the boundary values on the four sides of the three‐dimensional anisotropic model, we adopt different procedures for calculating the two‐dimensional responses on the sides in the x and y directions. The responses for a layered anisotropic model and a three‐dimensional isotropic model calculated with this algorithm are compared with the corresponding analytical and numerical solutions, respectively. The comparisons show that the algorithm's approximations are highly precise for a wide frequency band. A typical two‐dimensional anisotropic model and a general three‐dimensional anisotropic model were also constructed, and their responses were calculated. These anisotropic models have ordinary structures but can produce phase rolling out of quadrant magnetotelluric responses, which indicates that considering electrical anisotropy may improve our interpretation of observed data. Using this algorithm, we can model the observed data from the northern Qaidam Basin in northern Tibet, where ultrahigh‐pressure metamorphic rocks are exposed along an old suture, and seismic anisotropy was indicated in neighbouring areas. The phase tensors of the magnetotelluric sites at this location show large skew angles, and the corresponding phase splits are distinct in the off‐diagonal impedance elements. Although the isotropic three‐dimensional electrical structure can model the profile data well, the structure shows a sequence of conductive and resistive bodies in the mid‐lower crust of the north Qaidam Basin, which is very spatially inhomogeneous, and a simple intrinsic anisotropic body can also produce similar surficial responses. Using the three‐dimensional anisotropic algorithm, we found an equivalent anisotropic replacement for this area. The results of the three‐dimensional anisotropy modelling of the magnetotelluric data from the northern Tibetan Plateau show the valuable applicability of the three‐dimensional anisotropic algorithm in testing the qualitative presumption of electrical anisotropy.
Effects of zooplankton carcasses degradation on freshwater bacterial community composition and implications for carbon cycling
Authors: Kolmakova Olesya V. , Gladyshev Michail I. , Fonvielle Jérémy André , Ganzert Lars , Hornick Thomas , Grossart Hans‐Peter
Published: September 2018

Non‐predatory mortality of zooplankton provides an abundant, yet, little studied source of high quality labile organic matter (LOM) in aquatic ecosystems. Using laboratory microcosms, we followed the decomposition of organic carbon of fresh 13C‐labelled Daphnia carcasses by natural bacterioplankton. The experimental setup comprised blank microcosms, that is, artificial lake water without any organic matter additions (B), and microcosms either amended with natural humic matter (H), fresh Daphnia carcasses (D) or both, that is, humic matter and Daphnia carcasses (HD). Most of the carcass carbon was consumed and respired by the bacterial community within 15 days of incubation. A shift in the bacterial community composition shaped by labile carcass carbon and by humic matter was observed. Nevertheless, we did not observe a quantitative change in humic matter degradation by heterotrophic bacteria in the presence of LOM derived from carcasses. However, carcasses were the main factor driving the bacterial community composition suggesting that the presence of large quantities of dead zooplankton might affect the carbon cycling in aquatic ecosystems. Our results imply that organic matter derived from zooplankton carcasses is efficiently remineralized by a highly specific bacterial community, but does not interfere with the bacterial turnover of more refractory humic matter.
Developing writing skills of learners with persistent literacy difficulties through explicit grammar teaching
Authors: McCormack‐Colbert Anna , Ware Jean , Wyn Jones Susan
Published: September 2018

The benefits of grammar instruction in the teaching of writing is contested in most English‐speaking countries (Jones et al., 2012). The majority of Anglophone countries abandoned the teaching of grammar in the 1950s based on the conclusions that it had no positive impact on learners’ development of reading, writing and language (Locke, 2005). Through an action research design, this study aims at gaining a further understanding of how the explicit teaching of grammar in context can benefit learners with persistent literacy difficulties by adapting the Grammar for Writing materials (Myhill, 2013). It intends to improve educational practice (Koshy, 2010) through action, analysis and reflection.
Understanding the Current Health Services Research Workforce and Maximizing its Future
Authors: Wolfe Meghan J. , Simpson Lisa A. , Menachemi Nir
Published: September 2018

In 2016, AcademyHealth continued its longstanding efforts to understand the health services research (HSR) workforce, to inform its changing needs through the commissioning of several papers and an invitational conference. This paper serves to summarize the commissioned studies that appear in the current issue of this journal.
Show Me the Money! Trends in Funding for Health Services Research
Authors: Simpson Lisa A. , Koechlein Liz , Menachemi Nir , Wolfe Meghan J.
Published: September 2018

This paper presents longitudinal data representing federal funding for health services research and discusses the observed trends in the larger context of overall funding for research and development in the United States. By putting into context public and private funding trends, the authors examine how these trends effect the supply and demand of the health services research workforce.
The Effects of Analyst‐Country Institutions on Biased Research: Evidence from Target Prices
Authors: BRADSHAW MARK T. , HUANG ALAN G. , TAN HONGPING
Published: September 2018

Prior research demonstrates that a strong institutional infrastructure in a country moderates self‐serving behavior of market participants. Cross‐country economic activities have increased significantly, presenting a research opportunity to examine the relative influence of local versus foreign institutional infrastructure on individual market participants. We utilize variation in analyst‐country location relative to covered firm location to examine institutional determinants of optimism in analyst research. Focusing on target prices, where persistent optimism is well documented, we find that analysts domiciled in countries with stronger institutional infrastructures exhibit significantly attenuated target price optimism and more value‐relevant target prices. Our results demonstrate the importance of domestic country‐level institutional factors in moderating self‐serving behavior of market participants engaged in cross‐country activities.
Corpse Dismemberment and a Necrofetishist
Authors: Pettigrew Mark
Published: September 2018

A case of postmortem dismemberment and evisceration is presented. Over a 5‐year period, a serial killer murdered twelve men, with a necrophilic intent, so he could mimic relationship behaviors with the corpses of those he killed. Analysis of the methods he chose to dispose of his victims reveals a stark contrast to the motive for perpetrating the homicides, methods which are suggestive of anger toward the victim when they could no longer fulfill their role in the necrophile's fantasy.
The Effect of Household Oxidizing Cleaners on Chemiluminescence of Blood Using Bluestar®
Authors: Adams Joshua L. , Rancourt Emily D. , Christensen Angi M.
Published: September 2018

This study tests the effect of three common oxidizing cleaners on the ability of the Bluestar Forensic® presumptive test for blood to identify the presence of blood on ceramic tile after cleaning. The cleaners tested were Lysol®, OxiClean®, and Arm & Hammer®. This study also tested which cleaner was the most effective at removing blood, measured by the intensity of chemiluminescence, which was quantified using RGB values in ImageJ. A “hasty” 1‐min cleaning of a blood droplet was simulated using the three cleaners. The chemiluminescence of the Bluestar® reactions after cleaning the blood‐treated region was compared to an untreated region of the same tile for each cleaner, as well as to the treated regions of tiles between the three cleaners. Results indicate that none of the three cleaners removed all of the blood (all p < 0.001) and that Lysol® removed more blood compared to the OxiClean® and Arm & Hammer®.
Updates on bronchoscopic management of airway disease
Authors: Lau Rainbow W.H. , Yu Peter S.Y. , Chow Simon C.Y. , Ho Jacky Y.K. , Wan Innes Y.P. , Ng Calvin S.H.
Published: September 2018

Tracheobronchial surgery is one of the most challenging fields in thoracic surgery. Tremendous effort has been made to ensure that surgical resection and reconstruction of the tracheobronchial tree can be performed safely, and minimally‐invasive video assisted thoracoscopic surgery pioneers have recently pushed the limit for certain airway procedures. However, surgical resection of the diseased airway is often not feasible or contraindicated due to the nature of the disease or advanced malignancies. In the present, we focus on the endobronchial treatment of adult airway diseases and the latest updates.
Process of knowledge translation within routine clinical care: Implementing best practice in weight management
Authors: Wilkinson Shelley A. , Hughes Elyssa , Moir Jessica , Jobber Chloe , Ackerie Antoinette
Published: September 2018

Aim

Failure to translate research into practice is common. The present study implemented an evidence‐based model of care to address identified evidence‐practice gaps in our department's weight management service.

Methods

Implementation science frameworks were used to identify barriers to best practice and determine appropriate strategies to overcome them. No practice change occurred pre‐implementation. The new model of care incorporated evidence‐based interventions into a flowchart, supported by written resources, and integrated routine data collection into clinic processes. Alignment with a statewide telephone counselling program enhanced service capacity. Data were collected for adult patients whose primary intervention was weight management at a South‐East Queensland hospital and included service attendance metrics, anthropometry, diet quality, and interventions delivered, and were compared with guidelines. Change in outcomes was calculated at 3 months after initial appointments.

Results

Pre‐implementation, 69.2% (n = 91) of patients referred were seen by a dietitian. During the new model of care (n = 60), over half (63.3%) were referred to telephone counselling. The remainder were triaged according to the flowchart with 100% attendance. Guideline adherence for reviews significantly increased over time (4.4%–50%, P < 0.001). Follow‐up data were available for 31.3% and 54.5% of the pre‐implementation and new model of care patients, respectively. No significant differences were observed between outcomes.

Conclusions

The present study demonstrated successful implementation of weight management guidelines within routine clinical care. Following a systematic assessment of existing evidence‐practice gaps resulted in a pragmatic evidence‐based model of care that could be delivered within service capacity.
Re‐evaluating the nutritional awareness, knowledge and eating behaviours of women attending a tertiary maternity hospital following iterative service redesign
Authors: Wilkinson Shelley A. , Donaldson Elin , McCray Sally J.
Published: September 2018

Aim

Since the opening of the new Mater Mothers' Hospital in 2008, innovative initiatives were developed, implemented and evaluated to meet women's nutritional needs. This study evaluated changes in women's nutritional awareness, knowledge and behaviours and compared these data with our baseline survey.

Methods

During 2014–2017, 421 postnatal women were surveyed across nine survey periods. Results were compared with those from our 2008 survey (n = 102). Surveys assessed nutrition knowledge, attitudes, behaviour, education preferences, and dietetic service awareness and were distributed on meal trays.

Results

A greater proportion of women accessed the nutrition services in 2014–2017 compared with 2008 (19.7% vs 9.9%) and rated the resources favourably (≥3.5 out of 5). A similar proportion rated the importance of eating well postnatally (83.1% vs 92.1%) and returning to their pre‐pregnancy weight (62.4% vs 68.3%) as important/very important. In both periods, women had poor diet quality, despite identifying healthy eating as a high priority. A reduction in median gestational weight gain (GWG) approached significance, 13.0 kg (2014–2017) versus 14.0 kg (2008), P = 0.055. There was a significant association between GWG and cohort with an increase in the proportion of women gaining within their correct guidelines (by 15.4%), a reduction of excessive gain (by 24.7%, P < 0.001) over time.

Conclusions

Evidence‐based service changes made since 2008 have effected positive change in women's GWG, service preferences, and access. However, women still require awareness‐raising and behaviour change programs to improve diet quality and GWG to ensure optimal pregnancy outcomes.
Using noninvasive metagenomics to characterize viral communities from wildlife
Authors: Bergner Laura M. , Orton Richard J. , da Silva Filipe Ana , Shaw Andrew E. , Becker Daniel J. , Tello Carlos , Biek Roman , Streicker Daniel G.
Published: September 2018

Microbial communities play an important role in organismal and ecosystem health. While high‐throughput metabarcoding has revolutionized the study of bacterial communities, generating comparable viral communities has proven elusive, particularly in wildlife samples where the diversity of viruses and limited quantities of viral nucleic acid present distinctive challenges. Metagenomic sequencing is a promising solution for studying viral communities, but the lack of standardized methods currently precludes comparisons across host taxa or localities. Here, we developed an untargeted shotgun metagenomic sequencing protocol to generate comparable viral communities from noninvasively collected faecal and oropharyngeal swabs. Using samples from common vampire bats (Desmodus rotundus), a key species for virus transmission to humans and domestic animals, we tested how different storage media, nucleic acid extraction procedures and enrichment steps affect viral community detection. Based on finding viral contamination in foetal bovine serum, we recommend storing swabs in RNAlater or another nonbiological medium. We recommend extracting nucleic acid directly from swabs rather than from supernatant or pelleted material, which had undetectable levels of viral RNA. Results from a low‐input RNA library preparation protocol suggest that ribosomal RNA depletion and light DNase treatment reduce host and bacterial nucleic acid, and improve virus detection. Finally, applying our approach to twelve pooled samples from seven localities in Peru, we showed that detected viral communities saturated at the attained sequencing depth, allowing unbiased comparisons of viral community composition. Future studies using the methods outlined here will elucidate the determinants of viral communities across host species, environments and time.
Intensity‐modulated radiotherapy is a safe and effective treatment for localized malignant pleural mesothelioma
Authors: Simon Michael , Shochat Tzippy , Peled Nir , Zer Alona , Kramer Mordechai R. , Eldan Orit , Saute Milton , Dudnik Elizabeth R. , Allen Aaron M.
Published: September 2018

Background

Malignant pleural mesothelioma (MPM) is a rare disease and management of localized disease is controversial. Radiotherapy has been shown to be useful after extrapleural pneumonectomy (EPP), as well as with less aggressive surgery. As no reports of the treatment of this disease have ever been published from Israel, we report our experience with MPM and intensity‐modulated radiotherapy (IMRT).

Methods

The complete medical records of patients treated for MPM at the Rabin Medical Center from 1 August 2007 to 31 March 2016 were reviewed. Twenty‐seven patients were treated with IMRT, either post‐EPP or without EPP. Patients received 54 Gy in 2 Gy fractions using the restricted field IMRT technique. Chemotherapy was administered sequentially in 26% of patients. Patients were followed up from the date of diagnosis to death or treatment failure.

Results

Seventy‐eight percent of patients had the epithelioid subtype. Nearly all patients were male (85%) and 90% of non‐surgical patients were administered chemotherapy compared to 56% of post‐EPP patients. All patients completed therapy and only 16% had grade 1–2 radiation pneumonitis, with no incidence of grade 3 or higher. The median follow‐up was 22 months and the mean overall survival was 34.9 months. The mean time to progression following radiation therapy was 26.7 months. The mean time to local and distant failure was 19 and 16 months, respectively.

Conclusions

IMRT for localized pleural mesothelioma is a tolerable and effective therapy both post‐EPP or without surgery. These results suggest that future investigation in this area is required.
Evidence of Industry Scale Effects on Audit Hours, Billing Rates, and Pricing
Authors: Dekeyser Simon , Gaeremynck Ann , Willekens Marleen
Published: September 2018

Using a proprietary data set consisting of all private firm audit engagements in 2000 from one Big 4 firm in Belgium, we investigate (i) whether audit office industry scale is associated with a reduction of total, partner, and staff audit hours and thus with efficiency gains triggered by organizational learning from servicing more clients in an industry and (ii) whether the extent of efficiency pass‐on from the auditor to its clients depends on the audit firm's market power. We find that auditor office industry scale is associated with efficiency gains and a reduction of the variable costs (i.e., fewer total audit hours, partner hours, and staff hours), ceteris paribus. Our results also suggest that, on average, realized efficiencies are entirely passed on, as evidenced by a nonsignificant effect of auditor industry scale on the auditor's billing rate. Furthermore, we find that the extent of the efficiency pass‐on decreases with the market power of the audit firm in the industry market segment as we document a higher billing rate for auditors with high market power (versus low market power). In addition, we find that the lower audit hours associated with auditor industry scale do not compromise audit quality.
Emergency Department Procedural Sedation Practice Limitations: A Statewide California American College of Emergency Physicians Survey
Authors: Reibling Ellen T. , Green Steven M. , Phan Tammy , Lopez‐Gusman Elena , Fierro Lizveth , Davis Andrew , Sugarman Thomas , Futernick Marc
Published: September 2018

Objectives

We wanted to estimate the frequency and describe the nature of emergency department (ED) procedural sedation restrictions in the State of California.

Methods

We surveyed medical directors for all licensed EDs statewide regarding limitations on procedural sedation practice. Our primary outcome was the frequency of restrictions on procedural sedation, defined as an inability to administer moderate sedation, deep sedation, and typical ED sedative agents in accordance with American College of Emergency Physicians (ACEP) guidelines. Our secondary outcomes were the nature of these restrictions, who has imposed them, why they were imposed, and the perceived clinical impact.

Results

We obtained responses from 211 (64%) of the 328 EDs. Ninety‐one (43%) reported conditional or total limitations on their ability to administer one or more of the following: moderate sedation, deep sedation, propofol, ketamine, or etomidate. Thirty‐nine (18%) reported total restriction of at least one of these—most frequently a prohibition of deep sedation (18%). Local anesthesia directors were the most frequently cited creators and enforcers of these restrictions. Some respondents reported that, due to these restrictions, they used less effective sedatives, they performed procedures without sedation when sedation would have been preferred, and they observed inadequate sedation and pain control.

Conclusions

In this statewide survey we found a substantial prevalence of practice limitations—mostly created by local anesthesia directors—that restrict the ability of emergency physicians to provide procedural sedation for their patients in accordance with ACEP guidelines. Deep sedation was prohibited in 18% of responding EDs. Our respondents describe adverse consequences to patient care.
Long‐term cognitive trajectories and heterogeneity in patients with schizophrenia and their unaffected siblings
Authors: Islam Md. A. , Habtewold T. D. , van Es F. D. , Quee P. J. , van den Heuvel E. R. , Alizadeh B. Z. , Bruggeman R. ,   GROUP Investigators
Published: September 2018

Objective

This study aimed to assess the heterogeneity and stability of cognition in patients with a non‐affective psychotic disorder and their unaffected siblings. In addition, we aimed to predict the cognitive subtypes of siblings by their probands.

Method

Assessments were conducted at baseline, 3 and 6 years in 1119 patients, 1059 siblings and 586 controls from the Genetic Risk and Outcome of Psychosis (GROUP) study. Group‐based trajectory modeling was applied to identify trajectories and clustered multinomial logistic regression analysis was used for prediction modeling. A composite score of eight neurocognitive tests was used to measure cognitive performance.

Results

Five stable cognitive trajectories ranging from severely altered to high cognitive performance were identified in patients. Likewise, four stable trajectories ranging from moderately altered to high performance were found in siblings. Siblings had a higher risk of cognitive alteration when patients’ alteration was mild (OR = 2.21), moderate (OR = 5.70), and severe (OR = 10.07) compared with patients with intact cognitive function. The familial correlation coefficient between pairs of index patients and their siblings was 0.27 (P = 0.003).

Conclusions

The cognitive profiles identified in the current study might be suitable as endophenotypes and could be used in future genetic studies and predicting functional and clinical outcomes.
The impact of cattle grazing regimes on tropical savanna bird assemblages
Authors: Neilly Heather , Schwarzkopf Lin
Published: September 2018

Globally, agricultural land use is implicated in the decline of avifauna. In rangelands (areas used for livestock grazing), bird community responses to grazing can be complex, species‐specific and scale dependent. A greater understanding of bird responses to grazing will lead to more meaningful management recommendations. We tested the hypothesis that foraging height predicts bird species’ responses to grazing, such that species using lower vegetation strata are most likely to respond to the impacts of livestock grazing. We examined the response of a tropical savanna bird community to four grazing strategies at a long‐term grazing trial in northern Australia. We predicted that ground‐foraging guilds would be more responsive to grazing treatment than foliage‐ or aerial‐foraging guilds. We analysed the bird community assemblage using generalised linear mixed models and examined individual species’ abundance in relation to microhabitat variables. We found that while ground‐foraging guilds were more responsive to grazing treatment, individual species dynamics within a foraging guild could be contradictory. For example, the red‐backed fairy‐wren decreased in abundance with increased grazing and was positively associated with grass and shrub (Carissa ovata)cover, whereas Australian magpies increased in abundance in the most heavily grazed paddocks. In general, the responses of bird species to grazing were more pronounced in guilds that forage closer to the ground, but whether the responses were positive or negative was driven by bird species ecology. Measures examining the responses of individual species are more useful than assemblage measures (such as richness) to describe the impacts of anthropogenic disturbance such as grazing.
Linking hydrological, geomorphological and biological properties in hyper‐arid conditions: Distribution processes of a dominant clonal cactus by run‐off
Authors: Almirón Martín G. , Martínez Carretero Eduardo E. , Navas Kaluza María D. , Rothis Luis M.
Published: September 2018

The objective was to analyse the asexual spread of Tephrocactus aoracanthus (Cactaceae) related to run‐off triggered by torrential summer rains in a hyper‐arid desert. Through a manipulative essay, 30 joints (asexual dispersing stems) were placed in the mainstream of an alluvial fan and 30 joints out of the alluvial fan, without run‐off influence (control). All joints were labelled, and their weight and diameter were measured. After each rain event with run‐off, joints were surveyed identifying their spatial coordinates and environmental context. For this, two factors with two levels each one was selected: position respect to both microrelief (channels with concentrated run‐off, or inter‐channels as flat areas between channels, without run‐off) and vegetation (entangled or not entangled in shrubs). Through a geographic information system, changes in slope angle and rugosity of terrain were analysed. Linear regressions were performed between the partial displacement of joints and their weight and diameter, grouped according to environmental context before each rainfall. None of the joints of the control treatment were moved, but all joints located in the mainstream were relocated. Three rainfall events triggered a mean displacement of 480.4 ± 210.0 m (SD); 103.0 ± 138.9 m (SD) and 33.2 ± 52.3 m (SD), respectively. The mean accumulated displacement of all joints during the experience was 577.12 ± 220.0 m (SD). As they moved, the joints passed through several different environmental contexts, increasing the proportion of joints entangled in vegetation and in inter‐channel position. Until rooted, joints could be displaced by run‐off in an anisotropic process, with an evident effect of slope angle and rugosity of terrain. On the other hand, no direct relationship was found between the displacement and the magnitude of the event, or both the size and the weight of joints. We assess the strategies related to the dispersal mechanism of clonal plants, related to conditions and enabling its agamic dispersal over long distances.
Changes of CD90 expression and immunoreactive cell localisation in rat dental pulp after cavity preparation
Authors: Sano Yousuke , Sugiuchi Akina , Mitomo Keisuke , Yanagisawa Akihide , Kambe Ryo , Furusawa Masahiro , Muramatsu Takashi
Published: September 2018

CD90 expression and immunoreactive cell localisation in rat dental pulp cells after cavity preparation was investigated. Cavity preparation was performed on the maxillary first molar of 8‐week‐old Wistar rats (n = 36), and immunohistochemistry and quantitative real‐time PCR were performed. CD90‐immunoreactivity was observed among subodontoblastic cells in the control group. One day after cavity preparation, the CD90‐immunoreactivity disappeared under the cavity area. While CD90‐immunoreactivity was faint after 3 days, the re‐arrangement of odontoblasts was detected in contact with dentine. After 5 days, the odontoblasts were observed beneath the dentine, and CD90‐immunoreactive cells were localised under the odontoblast layer. Immunofluorescence showed co‐localisation of CD90 and nestin was detected after 3 days. After 5 days, CD90‐immunoreactivity increased at the subodontoblastic layer. mRNA expression of CD90 and DSPP decreased after cavity preparation, and gradually recovered (P < 0.01). These results suggest that CD90‐immunoreactive cells in the subodontoblastic layer contribute to regeneration of odontoblast and subodontoblastic layers following cavity preparation.
The 2016 Melbourne thunderstorm asthma epidemic: Risk factors for severe attacks requiring hospital admission
Authors: Hew Mark , Lee Joy , Susanto Nugroho H. , Prasad Shivonne , Bardin Philip G. , Barnes Sara , Ruane Laurence , Southcott Anne M. , Gillman Andrew , Young Alan , Rangamuwa Kanishka , O'Hehir Robyn E. , McDonald Christine , Sutherland Michael , Conron Matthew , Matthews Sarah , Harun Nur‐Shirin , Lachapelle Philippe , Douglass Jo A. , Irving Louis , Langton David , Mann Jennifer , Erbas Bircan , Thien Francis
Published: September 2018

Background

The world's most catastrophic and deadly thunderstorm asthma epidemic struck Melbourne, Australia, on November 21, 2016.

Objective

Among thunderstorm‐affected patients presenting to emergency rooms (ERs), we investigated risk factors predicting severe attacks requiring admission to hospital.

Methods

Thunderstorm‐affected patients were identified from ER records at the eight major Melbourne health services and interviewed by telephone. Risk factors for hospital admission were analyzed.

Results

We interviewed 1435/2248 (64%) of thunderstorm‐affected patients, of whom 164 (11.4%) required hospital admission. Overall, rhinitis was present in 87%, and current asthma was present in 28%. Odds for hospital admission were higher with increasing age (odds ratio 1.010, 95% CI 1.002, 1.019) and among individuals with current asthma (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] 1.87, 95% CI 1.26, 2.78). Prior hospitalization for asthma in the previous 12 months further increased the odds for hospital admission (aOR 3.16, 95% CI 1.63, 6.12). Among patients of Asian ethnicity, the odds for hospital admission were lower than for non‐Asian patients (aOR 0.59, 95% CI 0.38, 0.94), but higher if born in Australia (OR = 5.42, 95% CI 1.56, 18.83).

Conclusions

In epidemic thunderstorm asthma patients who presented to the ER, higher odds for hospital admission among patients with known asthma were further amplified by recent asthma admission, highlighting the vulnerability conferred by suboptimal disease control. Odds for hospital admission were lower in Asian patients born overseas, but higher in Asian patients born locally, than in non‐Asian patients; these observations suggest susceptibility to severe thunderstorm asthma may be enhanced by gene‐environment interactions.
Effectiveness of curvilinear approach in dissection of Descemet's membrane: first 500 cases – factors influencing graft preparation
Authors: Yoeruek Efdal , Hofmann Johanna , Bartz Schmidt Karl U.
Published: September 2018

Purpose

To confirm the reproducibility of manual graft preparation using curvilinear forceps and evaluate the incidence and type of structural abnormalities of Descemet's membrane (DM) preventing successful grafts preparation.

Methods

Five hundred corneo‐scleral buttons were prepared. Factors such as endothelial cell number before preparation, donor age, post‐mortem time, time in culture, pigmentation of the trabecular meshwork and preparation characteristics of the fellow eye were analysed. According to the preparation characteristics, three groups were formed: A, uncomplicated; B, complicated preparation with stripping from the contralateral side; and C, failure of preparation. Three failed grafts were examined by transmission electron microscopy (TEM).

Results

Using curvilinear forceps, manual separation of DM was achieved without any adverse effects in 457 of 500 corneas (91.4%). In 32 corneas (6.4%) with micro‐tears during preparation, stripping from the opposite side was possible. However, 11 of the 500 corneas (2.2%) showed extremely strong adhesion leading to multiple tears of DM and preventing successful preparation of the graft. Endothelial cell number, donor age, post‐mortem time, time in culture and pigmentation of the trabecular meshwork showed no significant correlation with failure to successfully obtain a DM graft. Complicated graft preparations of one eye showed a highly significant correlation with complicated graft preparations in the fellow eye. TEM analysis of failed grafts showed abnormal invasion of stromal parts into the DM, cell accumulation and pigmentation in the DM plane.

Conclusion

Using curvilinear forceps for dissecting of the graft shows valid and reproducible results in the vast majority (97.8%) of donor corneas.
Changes in peripapillary choroidal thickness in patients with multiple sclerosis
Authors: Garcia‐Martin Elena , Jarauta Laura , Pablo Luis E. , Bambo Maria P. , Ara Jose R. , Martin Jesus , Polo Vicente , Larrosa Jose M. , Vilades Elisa , Ramirez Teresa , Satue Maria
Published: September 2018

Purpose

To study peripapillary choroidal thickness (PPCT) around the optic disc and establish zones using a new swept source optical coherence tomography (SS‐OCT) device. To evaluate PPCT differences between patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) and age‐ and sex‐matched healthy controls.

Methods

A total of 102 healthy subjects and 51 patients with MS were consecutively recruited. Healthy subjects were divided into teaching (n = 51, used to establish choroidal zones) and validating (n = 51, used to compare measurements with MS patients) populations. An optic disc 6.0 × 6.0‐mm three‐dimensional scan was obtained using SS‐OCT Triton. A 26 × 26 cube‐grid centred on the optic disc was generated automatically to measure PPCT. Four choroidal zones were established and used to compare PPCT between healthy controls and patients with MS.

Results

Peripapillary choroidal thickness (PPCT) was significantly thinner in patients in all concentric zones (p ≤ 0.0001): 134.02 ± 16.59 μm in MS group versus 171.56 ± 12.43 μm in the control group in zone 2; 182.23 ± 20.52 versus 219.03 ± 17.99 μm, respectively, in zone 3; and 223.52 ± 10.70 versus 259.99 ± 10.29 μm, respectively, in zone 4. The choroidal thinning in the MS group tended to decrease as we distanced from the optic nerve head. Peripapillary choroidal thickness (PPCT) had a similar pattern in controls and MS; it was thicker in the superior region, followed by temporal, nasal and inferior regions.

Conclusion

Patients with MS showed peripapillary choroidal thinning when compared with healthy subjects in all zones around the optic disc. Peripapillary choroidal tissue shows a concentric pattern, increasing in thickness when increasing the distance from the optic nerve. The new SS‐OCT could be useful for evaluating choroidal thinning in clinical practice.
Argon laser peripheral iridoplasty for chronic primary angle‐closure and angle‐closure glaucoma in caucasians
Authors: Pillunat Karin R , Spoerl Eberhard , Orphal Johanna , Pillunat Lutz E
Published: September 2018

Purpose

To investigate whether the peripheral thinning and shrinking of the iris as induced with Argon laser peripheral iridoplasty (ALPI) has an effect on intraocular pressure (IOP), angle structure and 3‐D anterior segment (AS) morphology in Caucasians with chronic primary angle‐closure (PAC) and primary angle‐closure glaucoma (PACG).

Methods

Twenty‐four eyes of 24 patients (age 67.7 ± 8.9 years; seven males; 17 females) diagnosed with PAC (n = 10) or PACG (n = 14) were assigned for ALPI prior to laser peripheral iridotomy (LPI) and consecutively enrolled in this prospective interventional study. Intraocular pressure (IOP) was measured with Goldmann applanation tonometry, angle structure with gonioscopy using the Shaffer grading system and AS morphology with the Pentacam rotating Scheimpflug camera prior to and 3 months after ALPI. Intraocular pressure (IOP)‐lowering medication was not changed during follow‐up.

Results

Intraocular pressure (IOP) changed statistically significantly from 18.8 ± 3.6 to 14.7 ± 3.1 mmHg (p < 0.001). Gonioscopy showed a statistically significant angle widening in all four quadrants: nasally from Shaffer 1.04 ± 0.98 to 2.54 ± 1.1 (p < 0.001), superiorly from 0.39 ± 0.66 to 1.58 ± 1.21 (p < 0.001), temporally from 0.87 ± 1.01 to 2.17 ± 1.24 (p = 0.001) and inferiorly from 1.22 ± 0.74 to 2.75 ± 0.9 (p < 0.001). Pentacam parameters like anterior chamber depth, volume and angle did not increase statistically significantly.

Conclusion

Argon laser peripheral iridoplasty (ALPI) is a safe and effective procedure for reducing appositional angle‐closure and thus IOP in nonacute PAC and PACG patients.
The European Eye Epidemiology spectral‐domain optical coherence tomography classification of macular diseases for epidemiological studies
Authors: Gattoussi Sarra , Buitendijk Gabriëlle H.S. , Peto Tunde , Leung Irene , Schmitz‐Valckenberg Steffen , Oishi Akio , Wolf Sebastian , Deák Gábor , Delcourt Cécile , Klaver Caroline C.W. , Korobelnik Jean‐François ,   the European Eye Epidemiology (E3) consortium
Published: September 2018

Purpose

The aim of the European Eye Epidemiology (E3) consortium was to develop a spectral‐domain optical coherence tomography (SD‐OCT)‐based classification for macular diseases to standardize epidemiological studies.

Methods

A European panel of vitreoretinal disease experts and epidemiologists belonging to the E3 consortium was assembled to define a classification for SD‐OCT imaging of the macula. A series of meeting was organized, to develop, test and finalize the classification. First, grading methods used by the different research groups were presented and discussed, and a first version of classification was proposed. This first version was then tested on a set of 50 SD‐OCT images in the Bordeaux and Rotterdam centres. Agreements were analysed and discussed with the panel of experts and a final version of the classification was produced.

Results

Definitions and classifications are proposed for the structure assessment of the vitreomacular interface (visibility of vitreous interface, vitreomacular adhesion, vitreomacular traction, epiretinal membrane, full‐thickness macular hole, lamellar macular hole, macular pseudo‐hole) and of the retina (retinoschisis, drusen, pigment epithelium detachment, hyper‐reflective clumps, retinal pigment epithelium atrophy, intraretinal cystoid spaces, intraretinal tubular changes, subretinal fluid, subretinal material). Classifications according to size and location are defined. Illustrations of each item are provided, as well as the grading form.

Conclusion

The E3 SD‐OCT classification has been developed to harmonize epidemiological studies. This homogenization will allow comparing and sharing data collection between European and international studies.