bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Climate‐biomes, pedo‐biomes or pyro‐biomes: which world view explains the tropical forest–savanna boundary in South America?
Authors: Langan Liam , Higgins Steven I. , Scheiter Simon
Published: June 2017

Aim

It remains poorly understood why the position of the forest–savanna biome boundary, in a domain defined by precipitation and temperature, differs in South America, Africa and Australia. Process based Dynamic Global Vegetation Models (DGVMs) are a valuable tool to investigate the determinants of vegetation distributions; however, many DGVMs fail to predict the spatial distribution or indeed presence of the South American savanna biome. Evidence suggests that fire plays a significant role in mediating forest–savanna biome boundaries; however, fire alone appears to be insufficient to predict these boundaries in South America. We hypothesize that interactions between precipitation, constraints on tree rooting depth and fire affect the probability of savanna occurrence and the position of the savanna–forest boundary.

Location

Tropical forest and savanna sites in Brazil and Venezuela north of 23S.

Methods

We tested our hypotheses using a novel DGVM, aDGVM2, which allows plant trait spectra, constrained by trade‐offs between traits, to evolve in response to abiotic and biotic conditions. Plant hydraulics is represented by the cohesion–tension theory, this allowed us to explore how soil and plant hydraulics control biome distributions and plant traits. The resulting community trait distributions are emergent properties of model dynamics.

Results

We showed that across much of South America the biome state is not determined by climate alone. Interactions between plant rooting depth, fire and precipitation affected the probability of observing a given biome state and the emergent traits of plant communities. Simulations where plant rooting depth varied in space provided the best match to satellite derived biomass estimates and generated biome distributions that reproduced contemporary biome maps well.

Main conclusions

Our findings support the contention that areas where multiple vegetation states are possible are widespread and highlight the importance of considering the influence of fire and constraints on plant rooting depth for predicting biome boundaries.
Association between duration of oral contraceptive use and risk of hypertension: A meta‐analysis
Authors: Liu Hui , Yao Jie , Wang Weijing , Zhang Dongfeng
Published: June 2017

A meta‐analysis was conducted to evaluate the association between duration of oral contraceptive use and risk of hypertension. Relevant studies published in English or Chinese were identified by a search of PubMed, Web of Science, Wanfang Database, and China National Knowledge Infrastructure to January 2017. Seventeen articles containing 24 studies with 270,284 participants were included in this meta‐analysis. The pooled relative risk of hypertension for the highest vs lowest category of oral contraceptive duration was 1.47 (95% confidence interval, 1.25–1.73), and excluding three studies with a relative risk >3.0 yielded a pooled relative risk of 1.26 (95% confidence interval, 1.11–1.44). A linear dose‐response relationship was found (Pnonlinearity=0.69) and the risk of hypertension increased by 13% (relative risk, 1.13; 95% confidence interval, 1.03–1.25) for every 5‐year increment in oral contraceptive use. The duration of oral contraceptive use was positively associated with the risk of hypertension in this meta‐analysis.
Genetic accommodation in the wild: evolution of gene expression plasticity during character displacement
Authors: Levis N. A. , Serrato‐Capuchina A. , Pfennig D. W.
Published: June 2017

Ecological character displacement is considered crucial in promoting diversification, yet relatively little is known of its underlying mechanisms. We examined whether evolutionary shifts in gene expression plasticity (‘genetic accommodation’) mediate character displacement in spadefoot toads. WhereSpea bombifronsandS. multiplicataoccur separately in allopatry (the ancestral condition), each produces alternative, diet‐induced, larval ecomorphs: omnivores, which eat detritus, and carnivores, which specialize on shrimp. By contrast, where these two species occur together in sympatry (the derived condition), selection to minimize competition for detritus has causedS. bombifronsto become nearly fixed for producing only carnivores, suggesting that character displacement might have arisen through an extreme form of genetic accommodation (‘genetic assimilation’) in which plasticity is lost. Here, we asked whether we could infer a signature of this process in regulatory changes of specific genes. In particular, we investigated whether genes that are normally expressed more highly in one morph (‘biased’ genes) have evolved reduced plasticity in expression levels amongS. bombifronsfrom sympatry compared toS. bombifronsfrom allopatry. We reared individuals from sympatry vs. allopatry on detritus or shrimp and measured the reaction norms of nine biased genes. Although different genes displayed different patterns of gene regulatory evolution, the combined gene expression profiles revealed that sympatric individuals had indeed lost the diet‐induced gene expression plasticity present in allopatric individuals. Our data therefore provide one of the few examples from natural populations in which genetic accommodation/assimilation can be traced to regulatory changes of specific genes. Such genetic accommodation might mediate character displacement in many systems.
Wear mechanisms of the biotribological nanocomposite a‐C : H coatings implanted by metallic nanoparticles
Authors: MAJOR L. , JANUSZ M. , LACKNER J.M. , KOT M. , DYNER M. , MAJOR B.
Published: June 2017

Recently, to reduce the residual stress and increase the mechanical properties of a‐C:H coatings, metallic nanoparticles have been implanted into their structure. In the present work, to improve the properties of the coating, metallic nanoparticles, including Cu, Nb, Ta, Zr, AgPt and Ag, were inserted into the a‐C:H structure. The applied biological and mechanical analysis allowed the optimal biotribological parameters to be indicated for the potential application as protective coatings for metallic medical tools. Wear mechanisms operating at the small length of the designed biotribological coating, such as a‐C:H implanted by Zr nanoparticles, were studied by means of transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The TEM analysis confirmed very good coating adhesion to the metallic substrate.
Evaluation of five diffeomorphic image registration algorithms for mouse brain magnetic resonance microscopy
Authors: FU ZHENRONG , LIN LAN , TIAN MIAO , WANG JINGXUAN , ZHANG BAIWEN , CHU PINGPING , LI SHAOWU , PATHAN MUHAMMAD MOHSIN , DENG YULIN , WU SHUICAI
Published: June 2017

The development of genetically engineered mouse models for neuronal diseases and behavioural disorders have generated a growing need for small animal imaging. High‐resolution magnetic resonance microscopy (MRM) provides powerful capabilities for noninvasive studies of mouse brains, while avoiding some limits associated with the histological procedures. Quantitative comparison of structural images is a critical step in brain imaging analysis, which highly relies on the performance of image registration techniques. Nowadays, there is a mushrooming growth of human brain registration algorithms, while fine‐tuning of those algorithms for mouse brain MRMs is rarely addressed. Because of their topology preservation property and outstanding performance in human studies, diffeomorphic transformations have become popular in computational anatomy. In this study, we specially tuned five diffeomorphic image registration algorithms [DARTEL, geodesic shooting, diffeo‐demons, SyN (Greedy‐SyN and geodesic‐SyN)] for mouse brain MRMs and evaluated their performance using three measures [volume overlap percentage (VOP), residual intensity error (RIE) and surface concordance ratio (SCR)]. Geodesic‐SyN performed significantly better than the other methods according to all three different measures. These findings are important for the studies on structural brain changes that may occur in wild‐type and transgenic mouse brains.
AutoIHC‐scoring: a machine learning framework for automated Allred scoring of molecular expression in ER‐ and PR‐stained breast cancer tissue
Authors: TEWARY S. , ARUN I. , AHMED R. , CHATTERJEE S. , CHAKRABORTY C.
Published: June 2017

In prognostic evaluation of breast cancer Immunohistochemical (IHC) markers namely, oestrogen receptor (ER) and progesterone receptor (PR) are widely used. The expert pathologist investigates qualitatively the stained tissue slide under microscope to provide the Allred score; which is clinically used for therapeutic decision making. Such qualitative judgment is time‐consuming, tedious and more often suffers from interobserver variability. As a result, it leads to imprecise IHC score for ER and PR. To overcome this, there is an urgent need of developing a reliable and efficient IHC quantifier for high throughput decision making. In view of this, our study aims at developing an automated IHC profiler for quantitative assessment of ER and PR molecular expression from stained tissue images. We propose here to use CMYK colour space for positively and negatively stained cell extraction for proportion score. Also colour features are used for quantitative assessment of intensity scoring among the positively stained cells. Five different machine learning models namely artificial neural network, Naïve Bayes, K‐nearest neighbours, decision tree and random forest are considered for learning the colour features using average red, green and blue pixel values of positively stained cell patches. Fifty cases of ER‐ and PR‐stained tissues have been evaluated for validation with the expert pathologist's score. All five models perform adequately where random forest shows the best correlation with the expert's score (Pearson's correlation coefficient = 0.9192). In the proposed approach the average variation of diaminobenzidine (DAB) to nuclear area from the expert's score is found to be 7.58%, as compared to 27.83% for state‐of‐the‐art ImmunoRatio software.
Total laparoscopic hysterectomy for endometrial cancer in a renal transplantation patient receiving peritoneal dialysis: Case report and literature review
Authors: Kakuda Mamoru , Kobayashi Eiji , Tanaka Yusuke , Ueda Yutaka , Yoshino Kiyoshi , Kimura Tadashi
Published: June 2017

Improved surgical techniques and immunosuppressant medications for organ transplantation have resulted in a significant increase in the number of women undergoing renal transplantation. Peritoneal dialysis (PD), a common supportive therapy for chronic renal failure, is also used in cases of renal transplantation failure. Herein, we report the first case of a rare total conventional laparoscopic gynecologic hysterectomy performed for endometrial cancer in a patient undergoing life‐supportive PD as a result of renal transplantation failure. No unusual intraoperative complications were experienced, but post‐surgical peritoneal leakage was observed. We reviewed the literature of alternative surgical methods of hysterectomy for endometrial cancer in patients who had undergone renal transplantation and were undergoing PD at the time of the hysterectomy. Laparoscopic hysterectomy could be safe in a renal transplantation patient receiving PD if injury to the transplanted ureter and renal artery is avoided by recognizing the patient's anatomy and PD leakage is averted by careful peritoneum suture and avoiding contact with the PD catheter.
Overactive Bladder Symptom Scores responsiveness before and after anticholinergic treatment in women with overactive bladder: The pilot study
Authors: Bunyavejchevin Suvit
Published: June 2017

Aim

The aims of this study were: (i) to evaluate change of Overactive Bladder Symptom Scores (OABSS) from before to after solifenacin treatment; and (ii) to evaluate correlation between change of OABSS and 3‐day micturition diary, International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS), and Patient Perception of Bladder Condition (PPBC).

Methods

Thirty‐six women, aged > 18 years, diagnosed as having overactive bladder (OAB) at King Chulalongkorn Memorial Hospital, with the symptoms of urgency, frequency with or without urge incontinence for more than 3 months, and at least three episodes of urgency with or without incontinence during the last 3 days prior to the study, were recruited during January 2010–May 2011. All cases received solifenacin 5‐mg treatment once a day and were asked to record a 3‐day micturition diary and to complete the Thai version of the OABSS, IPSS, and PPBC questionnaires at weeks 0, 4, and 12 after treatment.

Results

The OABSS, IPSS, and PPBC scores and all parameters of the 3‐day micturition diary had changed significantly by weeks 4 and 12. The OABSS correlated significantly with IPSS score (r = 0.44), PPBC score (r = 0.39), and urgency episodes (r = 0.48).

Conclusion

The OABSS had good responsiveness, similar to the other questionnaires (the IPSS and PPBC) and the 3‐day micturition diary. The use of OABSS is recommended in OAB women for evaluation after anticholinergic drug treatment.
Integrated gene expression profiling and chromatin immunoprecipitation followed by sequencing: Analysis of the C‐terminal binding protein in breast cancer
Authors: Chen Lu , Yang Yang , Xu Liwei , Liu Rui , Wang Yali
Published: June 2017

Aim

This study explored the possible mechanisms of the transcriptional regulatory activities of C‐terminal binding protein (CtBP) and the role of CtBP in the pathogenesis of breast cancer.

Methods

Microarray data of GSE36529, including three CtBP‐knockdown breast cancer MCF‐7 cell samples, three control knockdown samples and data of CtBP binding profile in MCF‐7 cells, was downloaded from the Gene Expression Omnibus database. Differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were screened between CtBP‐knockdown MCF‐7 cell samples and controls. Newly developed chromatin immunoprecipitation followed by sequencing technology was used to identify the CtBP binding regions. The direct target genes of CtBP were identified using ChIP‐Array software and a regulatory network was constructed, followed by gene ontology (GO) enrichment analysis of all identified DEGs and DEGs targeted by CtBP.

Results

In total, 404 DEGs were identified in CtBP‐knockdown MCF‐7 cell samples. These DEGs were enriched in different GO terms, such as cellular response to stress and cell cycle, endoplasmic reticulum and nucleotide binding. Additionally, 143 DEGs were identified as potential direct targets of CtBP in the regulatory network. CtBP target genes such as hypoxia up‐regulated 1, BTG family member 2 and endothelin 1 were mainly related to response to hypoxia and regulation of cell proliferation.

Conclusions

Hypoxia up‐regulated 1, BTG family member 2 and endothelin 1 may be associated with the progression of breast cancer through interaction with CtBP in different biological processes. CtBP may be a therapeutic target for the treatment of breast cancer.
The effect of endometrial scratch injury on pregnancy outcome in women with previous intrauterine insemination failure: A randomized clinical trial
Authors: Ashrafi Mahnaz , Tehraninejad Ensieh Shahrokh , Haghiri Mansooreh , Masomi Masoumeh , Sadatmahalleh Shahideh Jahanian , Arabipoor Arezoo
Published: June 2017

Aim

Endometrial scratch injury (ESI) has been recently proposed to enhance the implantation rate in assisted reproductive technology cycles. The present study was conducted to determine the effect of ESI on pregnancy rate in women with intrauterine insemination (IUI) failure.

Methods

This prospective randomized controlled study was carried out in Imam‐Khomeini Hospital and Royan Institute, Tehran, during a 12‐month period from January 2013 to January 2014. After assessment, 169 patients who had IUI failure twice or more (no chemical or clinical pregnancy) with normal uterine anatomy and hysterosalpingography, were enrolled. They were randomly assigned into two groups. In the experimental group, all patients underwent ESI at day 8 or 9 of stimulation phase in the present IUI cycle, whereas no intervention was performed on the control group. IUI outcome was then compared between the two groups.

Results

A total of 150 patients completed the IUI cycle during the study. The chemical pregnancy rate was 10.7% and 2.7% in the experimental and control groups, respectively, without significant difference (P = 0.09). Also no significant differences were detected in terms of clinical pregnancy and miscarriage rates between the two groups (P > 0.05).

Conclusions

No significant beneficial effect of ESI on fertility outcome in patients with repeated IUI failure was detected when it was carried out on day 8 or 9 of the same IUI stimulation cycle. Also, however, no negative impact secondary to ESI was observed. Therefore, confirmation or refutation of this hypothesis requires further studies with a larger sample size. IRCT201507271141N19.
Comparing Child Poverty Risk by Family Structure During the 2008 Recession
Authors: Rothwell David W. , McEwen Annie
Published: June 2017

Children in nonmarried families are at greater risk for poverty and especially so during a time of macroeconomic recession. Using carefully harmonized data, the authors analyze child poverty among nonmarried families before and during the 2008 recession in five liberal welfare states: Australia, Canada, Ireland, the United Kingdom, and the United States. Although having similar demographic compositions, the authors document wide cross‐national variation in poverty risk based on marital status and gender of the household head. Through the recession, child poverty in Canada and the United Kingdom declined while it increased in Australia and Ireland and was largely unchanged in the United States. Decomposing changes within countries over time, family benefits in the form of income transfers play a major role in reducing poverty for nonmarried families. In all countries, children in cohabitating families were less protected from market instability.
THE SIMPLE ANALYTICS OF JOB DISPLACEMENT INSURANCE
Authors: Parsons Donald O.
Published: June 2017

ABSTRACT

Job displacement is a threat to the earnings of long‐tenured workers through (1) unemployment spells and (2) reduced reemployment wages. Although full insurance requires both unemployment benefits and wage insurance, supply difficulties limit actual‐loss insurance, and separation packages include partial unemployment insurance and scheduled (fixed sum) severance pay. The design of this two‐dimensional package requires a systems approach as well as a generalized replacement ratio measure of adequacy. Job search moral hazard and layoff moral hazard (firing costs) introduce serious contracting concerns. Economic theory provides a guide to the integration of these insurance instruments in this complex planning environment.
Effect of graded levels of dietary corn steep liquor on growth performance, nutrient digestibility, haematology and histopathology of broilers
Authors: Ullah Z. , Yousaf M. , Shami M. M. , Sharif M. , Mahrose Kh.
Published: June 2017

This experiment was conducted to assess nutritional potential of corn steep liquor (CSL) as an alternative protein source in broiler's diet. A total of 280‐day‐old unsexed broiler chicks were randomly distributed into four experimental groups in a simple randomised experimental design (each group had seven replicates; 10 birds per each). Four iso‐nitrogenous and iso‐caloric broiler starter and finisher diets (C, LCSL, MCSL and HCSL) were formulated containing 0%, 5%, 10% and 15% CSL respectively. Results revealed that chicks fed MCSL diet had significantly (p ≤ .05) the heaviest Body weight, highest Body weight gain and the lowest feed conversion ratio followed by those fed HCSL diet. In the starter period, LCSL and MCSL diets resulted in better (p ≤ .05) dry matter (DM) (89.57%) and crude protein (67.67%) digestibilities respectively. In the finisher period, DM, crude fibre and fat digestibilities were not affected by CSL inclusion levels; while crude protein digestibility was significantly (p ≤ .05) high in the groups fed LCSL and HCSL diets. The CSL inclusion had no effect on blood haematology except serum uric acid, which tended to increase with increasing CSL levels. No microscopic changes were exhibited on liver, heart, kidneys and intestine of birds across all dietary treatments. However, crops in birds fed HCSL diet showed moderate to severe hypertrophy and hyperplasia of the mucosal lining. The study showed that CSL could be added up to 15% in broiler's diet without any adverse effect on bird's performance.
Economies of Scale: Shakespeare and Book History
Authors: Knight Jeffrey Todd
Published: June 2017

The purpose of the present article is to survey recent developments in Shakespeare and book history and to identify promising new avenues in the field. Book history always had a close – if never precisely articulated – relationship with New Historicism, but in recent years, I argue, as the influence of the latter has waned in English studies, book history has become a crucible of alternative historicisms in part because it is the subfield that deals most immediately and reflexively with the status of texts as historical evidence. Perhaps paradoxically, I also suggest, book history is by its nature a demilitarized zone, protected from the extremes of presentism and pastism, aestheticism and contextualism, critique and affective attachment, while freer than many subfields to absorb what is best in these conflicting intellectual campaigns. I organize my account in three section headings that reflect what I see as the prevailing currents in Shakespeare and book history at present: the plurality of context, reading at scale, and beyond materiality.
Work on the Victorian dinosaur: Histories and prehistories of 19th‐century palaeontology
Authors: Tattersdill Will
Published: June 2017

In recent studies of Victorian Literature and Science, valuable insights into the history and discursive constitutions of geology, palaeontology, and evolution have often shone a sidelight on the figure of the dinosaur. Few, though, have engaged head‐on with the dinosaur itself as a conceptual category. In discussing why, this article aims to provide the reader with a reading list by which they may themselves begin to explore the Victorian dinosaur—as well as a possible justification for so doing.
Connecting genomic patterns of local adaptation and niche suitability in teosintes
Authors: Aguirre‐Liguori J. A. , Tenaillon M. I. , Vázquez‐Lobo A. , Gaut B. S. , Jaramillo‐Correa J. P. , Montes‐Hernandez S. , Souza V. , Eguiarte L. E.
Published: June 2017

The central abundance hypothesis predicts that local adaptation is a function of the distance to the centre of a species’ geographic range. To test this hypothesis, we gathered genomic diversity data from 49 populations, 646 individuals and 33,464 SNPs of two wild relatives of maize, the teosintes Zea mays ssp. parviglumis and Zea. mays. ssp. mexicana. We examined the association between the distance to their climatic and geographic centroids and the enrichment of SNPs bearing signals of adaptation. We identified candidate adaptive SNPs in each population by combining neutrality tests and cline analyses. By applying linear regression models, we found that the number of candidate SNPs is positively associated with niche suitability, while genetic diversity is reduced at the limits of the geographic distribution. Our results suggest that overall, populations located at the limit of the species’ niches are adapting locally. We argue that local adaptation to this limit could initiate ecological speciation processes and facilitate adaptation to global change.
Differences in optic nerve head microcirculation between evening and morning in patients with coronary artery disease
Authors: Shiba Tomoaki , Takahashi Mao , Matsumoto Tadashi , Hori Yuichi
Published: June 2017

Purpose

To determine whether differences or variation of blood flow in the ONH are independent risk factors for CAD.

Methods

We studied 144 consecutive patients whose ocular blood flow in the ONH was measured in the evening and morning by LSFG. We analyzed the MBR throughout the ONH (MBR‐A) and in the tissue (MBR‐T) and vessels (MBR‐V) in the ONH. We also evaluated the MBR‐T, MBR‐V, and MBR‐A values obtained in the evening and morning and the variation (Δ) between evening and morning values in each group.

Results

Twenty‐three patients (16%) were diagnosed with CAD. The morning MBR‐T and MBR‐A values were significantly lower in these patients with CAD compared to the patients without CAD. ΔMBR‐T in the CAD patients was significantly lower compared to that of the no‐CAD patients. The logistic regression analysis was revealed that a high carotid artery plaque score, lower ΔDBP, and ΔMBR‐T were identified as risk factors for CAD.

Conclusions

Ocular microcirculation obtained from LSFG may provide a window for detecting changes in microvasculature related to CAD.
FisR activates σ54‐dependent transcription of sulfide‐oxidizing genes in Cupriavidus pinatubonensisJMP134
Authors: Li Huanjie , Li Juan , Lü Chuanjuan , Xia Yongzhen , Xin Yufeng , Liu Honglei , Xun Luying , Liu Huaiwei
Published: June 2017

Some heterotrophic bacteria are able to oxidize sulfide (H2S, HS− and S2−) to sulfite and thiosulfate via polysulfide. The genes coding for the oxidation enzymes in Cupriavidus pinatubonensis JMP134 have recently been identified; however, their regulation is unknown. A regulator gene is adjacent to the operon of the sulfide‐oxidizing genes, encoding a σ54‐dependent transcription factor (FisR) with three domains: an R domain, an AAA+ domain and a DNA‐binding domain. Here it is reported that the regulator responds to the presence of sulfide and activates the sulfide‐oxidizing genes. FisR binds to its cognate operator at −114 to −135 bp of the transcription start of the operon. When polysulfide reacts with the R domain of FisR through the three conserved cysteine residues (C53, C64 and C71), FisR activates the expression of the operon. FisR is highly sensitive to polysulfide, activating σ54‐dependent transcription of sulfide‐oxidizing genes for sulfide removal. Further, sequence analysis indicates that FisR‐type regulators are relatively common for controlling sulfide‐oxidizing genes under sulfide stress in the Proteobacteria.
Identification of YfiH (PgeF) as a factor contributing to the maintenance of bacterial peptidoglycan composition
Authors: Parveen Sadiya , Reddy Manjula
Published: June 2017

Peptidoglycan (PG) is an essential, envelope‐fortifying macromolecule of eubacterial cell walls. It is a large polymer with multiple glycan strands interconnected by short peptide chains forming a sac‐like structure around cytoplasmic membrane. In most bacteria, the composition of the peptide chain is well‐conserved and distinctive; in E. coli, the peptide chain length varies from two to five amino acids with a tetrapeptide consisting of L‐alanine – D‐glutamic acid – meso‐diaminopimelic acid – D‐alanine. However, it is not known how bacteria conserve the composition and sequence of peptide chains of PG. Here, we find that a conserved open reading frame of unknown function, YfiH (renamed PgeF) contributes to the maintenance of peptide composition in E. coli. Using genetic, biochemical and mass spectrometrical analyses we demonstrate that absence of yfiH results in incorporation of non‐canonical amino acids, L‐serine or glycine in place of L‐alanine in PG sacculi leading to β‐lactam – sensitivity, lethality in mutants defective in PG remodelling or recycling pathways, altered cell morphology and reduced PG synthesis. yfiH orthologs from other Gram‐positive genera were able to compensate the absence of yfiH in E. coli indicating a conserved pathway in bacterial kingdom. Our results suggest editing/quality control mechanisms exist to maintain composition and integrity of bacterial peptidoglycan.
Knowledge, attitude and practice of intensive care unit nurses about physical restraint
Authors: Suliman Mohammad , Aloush Sami , Al‐Awamreh Khitam
Published: June 2017

Background

Physical restraint is mainly used in intensive care units (ICUs) to prevent delirious or agitated patients from removing tubes and lines connected to them. However, inappropriate use of physical restraint could have many detrimental physical effects on the patient, such as nerve damage, asphyxiation or even death.

Aim

The aim of the study is to investigate nurses' knowledge, attitude and practice of physical restraint in ICUs in Jordanian hospitals, about which little is known.

Design

A descriptive and cross‐sectional design was used.

Methods

A convenience sample of 400 nurses working in three public hospitals and one university‐affiliated hospital from different geographical regions in Jordan was selected. An Arabic version of the Physical Restraint Questionnaire (PRQ) was used to collect the data.

Results

A total of 300 completed questionnaires were returned, with a response rate of 75%. Of the total sample, 51% were males, 65.7% were from public hospitals and 80.3% held a bachelor's degree. The mean score in the knowledge section was 9.7 (SD =1.7) out of 15; in the attitude section, it was 24.7 (SD = 4.8) out of 33; and in the practice section, it was 30.9 (SD = 3.5) out of 42. Nurses who reported previous related education scored higher on the knowledge section (mean = 10.7; SD = 1.4) than nurses who reported no previous related education (mean = 9.1; SD = 1.6; p < .001). However, no significant differences between these categories were found in relation to attitude and practice.

Conclusions

The study demonstrated some lack of knowledge and unsafe practices regarding physical restraint in ICUs in Jordan. It suggests improving nurses' knowledge, attitude and practices through in‐service education on best practice for physical restraint, developing policies/guidelines and providing adequate staff and equipment to maintain patient safety and prevent complications.

Relevance to clinical practice

Conducting education programmes on physical restraint for ICU nurses and providing other preventive strategies are important in improving nurses' knowledge, attitude and practice.
Reflux‐cough syndrome: Assessment of temporal association between reflux episodes and cough bursts
Authors: Herregods T. V. K. , Pauwels A. , Tack J. , Smout A. J. P. M. , Bredenoord A. J.
Published: June 2017

Background

Gastro‐esophageal reflux can be the cause of chronic cough. In the assessment of the temporal association between reflux and cough, previous studies have used a two‐minute time window, based on studies in patients with heartburn. However, it remains unclear whether the optimal time window duration for the evaluation of reflux‐induced cough is two minutes as well. Therefore, we aimed to determine whether a two‐minute time window is optimal to diagnose reflux‐induced cough.

Methods

In this multicenter study, 137 patients with chronic cough were evaluated using 24‐h pH‐impedance‐pressure monitoring. Repetitive symptom association analysis was employed using an array of time windows of various duration. For each time window, the symptom association probability (SAP) and symptom index (SI) were calculated.

Key Results

A total of 4377 cough burst episodes and 5074 reflux episodes were detected. The number of patients with a positive SAP increased with increasing window duration until a plateau was reached around a time window duration of 1.5 min. Similarly, the SI increased steeply until a window duration of about 2 min, after which a linear increase was seen.

Conclusions and Inferences

A two‐minute time window seems appropriate for evaluation of the relationship between reflux and chronic cough using 24‐h pH‐impedance‐pressure monitoring. A time window duration of 30 s or 1 min is too short to diagnose patients with reflux‐induced cough accurately.
Architecture of the paracellular channels formed by claudins of the blood–brain barrier tight junctions
Authors: Irudayanathan Flaviyan Jerome , Wang Nan , Wang Xiaoyi , Nangia Shikha
Published: June 2017

Tight junctions (TJs) are key players in determining tissue‐specific paracellular permeability across epithelial and endothelial membranes. Claudin proteins, the primary determinants of TJs structure and functionality, assemble in paracellular spaces to form channels and pores that are charge and size selective. Here, using molecular dynamics (MD) simulations, we elucidate the molecular assembly of claudin‐3 and claudin‐5 proteins of blood–brain barrier TJs. Despite having a high degree of sequence and structural similarity, these two claudins form different types of cis‐interactions. Molecular docking of the observed cis‐interfaces into trans‐forms revealed two putative pore models that were also observed in the self‐assembly simulations. The observed pore structures (pore I and II) have pore‐lining residues that have been previously reported in the literature. The pore I model is consistent with a previously reported claudin‐15 model. The pore II model, also consistent with biochemical results, has not been reported previously. Further analysis using in silico site‐directed mutations provide convincing support for the validity of the pore II model. Using steered MD and umbrella sampling, we computed the transport properties of water and α‐d‐glucose through pore II. The study offers new insight into the selectivity of blood–brain barrier TJs.
A case of classical maple syrup urine disease that was successfully managed by living donor liver transplantation
Authors: Takano Chika , Ishige Mika , Ogawa Erika , Usui Hiromi , Kagawa Reiko , Tajima Go , Fujiki Ryoji , Fukao Toshiyuki , Mizuta Koichi , Fuchigami Tatsuo , Takahashi Shori
Published: June 2017

Classical MSUD is often fatal without appropriate medical interventions because of metabolic crisis. There are numerous reports suggesting the therapeutic potential of deceased donor liver transplantation for MSUD. However, the usefulness of LDLT for MSUD is unknown. We report a case of classical MSUD, which was successfully managed by LDLT from the patient's father at 1 year of age. Abnormal brain findings, which were cured with effective treatment, gradually disappeared after LDLT. The patient then developed normally. Findings from this case suggest the importance of LDLT for maintaining low leucine levels and subsequent normal neurological development. Although LDLT involves a modest surgical insult, LDLT with a related donor achieves acceptable leucine levels for life.
Development, characterization and application of genomic SSR markers for the oat stem rust pathogen Puccinia graminis f. sp. avenae
Authors: Gnocato F. S. , Dracatos P. M. , Karaoglu H. , Zhang P. , Berlin A. , Park R. F.
Published: June 2017

Oat stem rust, caused by Puccinia graminis f. sp. avenae (Pga), is one of the most severe diseases of oats worldwide. Population studies are scarce for this pathogen, mainly due to the lack of polymorphic molecular markers suitable for genetic analysis. In this study, an Australian Pga isolate was sequenced, the abundance of simple sequence repeats (SSRs) was determined and PCR‐based polymorphic markers suitable for genetic diversity analysis were developed. The amplification of 194 primer pairs was initially assessed using a set of 12 isolates of different cereal rust species and their formae speciales. A high frequency of cross‐species amplification was observed for most markers; however, 36 SSRs were diagnostic for P. graminis only. A subset of 19 genome‐derived SSRs were deemed useful for genetic diversity analysis of Pga and were assessed on 66 Pga isolates from Australia, Brazil and Sweden. Brazilian and Australian isolates were characterized by one and two predominant clonal lineages, respectively. In contrast, the Swedish isolates, previously shown to undergo sexual recombination, were highly diverse (nine distinct genotypes out of 10 isolates) and divided into two subpopulations. The genome‐derived SSR markers developed in this study were well suited to the population studies undertaken, and have diagnostic capabilities that should aid in the identification of unknown rust pathogen species.
Continuous non‐invasive PCO2 monitoring in weaning patients: Transcutaneous is advantageous over end‐tidal PCO2
Authors: Schwarz Sarah B. , Windisch Wolfram , Magnet Friederike S. , Schmoor Claudia , Karagiannidis Christian , Callegari Jens , Huttmann Sophie E. , Storre Jan H.
Published: June 2017

Background and objective

Continuous partial pressure of carbon dioxide (PCO2) assessment is essential for the success of mechanical ventilation (MV). Non‐invasive end‐tidal PCO2 (PetCO2) and transcutaneous PCO2 (PtcCO2) measurements serve as alternatives to the gold standard arterial PCO2 (PaCO2) method, but their eligibility in critical care is unclear.

Methods

The present study therefore performed methodological comparisons of PaCO2 versus PetCO2 and PtcCO2, respectively, in weaning patients receiving invasive MV via tracheal cannulas. PetCO2 and PtcCO2 were recorded continuously, while PaCO2 was analysed at baseline, and after 30 and 60 min. Using the Bland–Altman analysis, a clinically acceptable range was defined as a mean difference of ±4 mm Hg between PaCO2 and non‐invasive strategies.

Results

A total of 60 patients (COPD (n = 30) and non‐COPD (n = 30)) completed the protocol. Mean PCO2 values were 42.4 ± 8.6 mm Hg (PaCO2), 36.5 ± 7.5 mm Hg (PetCO2) and 41.7 ± 8.7 mm Hg (PtcCO2). Mean differences between PtcCO2 and PaCO2 were −0.7 ± 3.6 mm Hg (95% CI: −1.6/0.3 mm Hg; 95% limits of agreement: −7.8 to 6.4 mm Hg), and between PetCO2 and PaCO2 −5.9 ± 5.3 mm Hg (95% CI: −7.2/−4.5 mm Hg; 95% limits of agreement: −16.2 to 4.5 mm Hg). Underestimation of PaCO2 by PetCO2 was most pronounced in COPD patients.

Conclusion

Our data therefore support PtcCO2 as a suitable means for monitoring PCO2 in patients undergoing invasive MV. This is in contrast to PetCO2, which clearly underestimated PaCO2, especially in patients with COPD.
Elastic Sheets, Phase Surfaces, and Pattern Universes
Authors: Newell Alan C. , Venkataramani Shankar C.
Published: June 2017

We connect the theories of the deformation of elastic surfaces and phase surfaces arising in the description of almost periodic patterns. In particular, we show parallels between asymptotic expansions for the energy of elastic surfaces in powers of the thickness h and the free energy for almost periodic patterns expanded in powers of ε, the inverse aspect ratio of the pattern field. For sheets as well as patterns, the resulting energy can be expressed in terms of natural geometric invariants, the first and second fundamental forms of the elastic surface, respectively, the phase surface. We discuss various results for these energies and also address some of the outstanding questions. We extend previous work on point (in two dimensional) and loop (in three dimensional) disclinations and connect their topological indices with the condensation of Gaussian curvature of the phase surface. Motivated by this connection with the charge and spin of pattern quarks and leptons, we lay out an ambitious program to build a multiscale universe inspired by patterns in which the short (spatial and temporal) scales are given by a nearly periodic microstructure and whose macroscopic/slowly varying/averaged behaviors lead to a hierarchy of structures and features on much longer scales including analogs to quarks and leptons, dark matter, dark energy, and inflationary cosmology. One of our new findings is an interpretation of dark matter as the energy density in a pattern field. The associated gravitational forces naturally result in galactic rotation curves that are consistent with observations, while simultaneously avoiding some of the small‐scale difficulties of the standard ΛCDM (cold dark matter) paradigm in cosmology.
A Model for Financial Inclusion: The case of the Retail Industry in Zimbabwe
Authors: Dube Cinderella , Gumbo Victor
Published: June 2017

Inclusive financial systems allow broad access to financial services without price barriers to their use and are likely to benefit poor people and other disadvantaged groups. In Zimbabwe, little research has been done on financial inclusion since it is still a relatively new concept and hence no model has been developed to date. Therefore the purpose of this study is to explore the current extent of financial inclusion and to develop a model for financial inclusion for Zimbabwe’s retail industry. A sample of 16 bank managers and 4 supermarket managers were interviewed. The results indicated that although the retail industry had embraced some of the financial inclusion initiatives, other initiatives were still not being accepted. The resultant model was developed from the identified factors influencing financial inclusion in the study borrowing ideas from the 5Ps of financial inclusion identified in the mid 2010s.
The Ways to Maintain Sustainable China-Europe Block Train Operation
Authors: Besharati Babak , Gansakh Gansakh , Liu Feifei , Zhang Xiaomin , Xu Ming
Published: June 2017

This paper intends to investigate the ways to maintain sustainable china –europe block train operation. Then it makes an analysis of the current situation of China-Europe Block Trains, and points out it’s fast, booming development. Meanwhile, the paper collects some data about container rate that causes the loss of operation parties. To deal with such challenge, China’s provincial governments provide subsides to maintain operation; however, it is looking for solutions to the problem, in case the challenges are sustainable.It, also, has made some proposal for using empty return wagons and coantainer from Europe efficiently.
Characteristic Volume Element for Randomly Particulate Magnetoactive Composites
Authors: Bayat Alireza , Gordaninejad Faramarz
Published: June 2017

A scale-dependent numerical approach is developed through combining the finite element (FE)-based averaging process with the Monte Carlo method to determine the desired size of a characteristic volume element (CVE) for a random magnetoactive composite (MAC) under applied magnetic field and large deformations. Spatially random distribution of identically magnetic inclusions inside a soft homogeneous matrix is considered to find the appropriate size of the characteristic volume element. Monte Carlo method is used to generate ensembles of a randomly distributed magnetoactive composite to be applied in the homogenization study. The ensemble is utilized as a statistical volume element (SVE) in a scale-dependent numerical algorithm to search the desired characteristic volume element size. Results of this study can be used to investigate effective behavior and multiscale modeling of randomly particulate magnetoactive composites.
Global Behavior of a Vibro-Impact System With Multiple Nonsmooth Mechanical Factors
Authors: Li Guofang , Ding Wangcai , Wu Shaopei
Published: June 2017

A nonlinear mechanical model of a vibro-impact system influenced by double nonsmooth mechanical factors that combine elastic and rigid impact is described. The theoretical solutions to judge the periodic motion stability of the system are presented, and three different “gazing” motions and the corresponding conditions are described. The transition and coupling of periodic motions by the nonsmooth mechanical factors are demonstrated. The formation mechanism of sticking motion, chattering motion, and the periodic cavity by the influence of gazing bifurcation are analyzed. The coexistence of periodic motions and the extreme sensitivity of the initial value within the high frequency region are studied. The distribution of the attractor and the corresponding attracting domain corresponding to different periodic motions are also studied.
Optimization of Preform Design in Tadeusz Rut Forging of Heavy Crankshafts
Authors: Churl Song Min , VanTyne Chester J. , Rae Cho Jin , Hoon Moon Young
Published: June 2017

Tadeusz Rut (TR) forging is a widely used forging method to create heavy, solid crankshafts for marine or power-generating engines. The preform of a TR forging is forged into a crank throw by simultaneously applying both a vertical and a horizontal deformation. It is necessary to optimize the preform design, since a conventional analytical design for the preform gives various choices for the geometric variables. The purpose of the current study is to optimize the preform design in TR forging for heavy crankshafts in order to improve the dimensional accuracy of a forged shape using a limited material volume. A finite element (FE) model for TR forging was developed and validated by comparing with experimental results. Parametric FE analyses were used to evaluate the effects of the geometric variables of the preform on the final dimensions of the forged product. The geometric variables of the preform were optimized by a response-surface method (RSM) to obtain the results of parametric FE analyses. The volume allocation between the pin and the web of the preform is the dominant factor that affects the desirability of the final forged shape. A multi-objective optimization is employed to consider the mutually exclusive changes of local machining allowances of the final forged product. Optimization using a response-surface method is a useful tool to reach the large and uniform machining allowances that are required for the preform necessary for a TR forging.
Semi-Analytical Approach in Buckling Analysis of Functionally Graded Shells of Revolution Subjected to Displacement Dependent Pressure
Authors: Khayat Majid , Poorveis Davood , Moradi Shapour
Published: June 2017

Linearized buckling analysis of functionally graded shells of revolution subjected to displacement-dependent pressure, which remains normal to the shell's middle surface throughout the deformation process, is described in this work. Material properties are assumed to be varied continuously in the thickness direction according to a simple power law distribution in terms of the volume fraction of a ceramic and a metal. The governing equations are derived based on the first-order shear deformation theory, which accounts for through the thickness shear flexibility with Sanders type of kinematic nonlinearity. Displacements and rotations in the shell's middle surface are approximated by combining polynomial functions in the meridian direction and truncated Fourier series with an appropriate number of harmonic terms in the circumferential direction. The load stiffness matrix, also known as the pressure stiffness matrix, which accounts for the variation of load direction, is derived for each strip and after assembling resulted in the global load stiffness matrix of the shell, which may be unsymmetric. The load stiffness matrix can be divided into two unsymmetric parts (i.e., load nonuniformity and unconstrained boundary effects) and a symmetric part. The main part of this research is to quantify the effects of these unsymmetries on the follower action of lateral pressure. A detailed numerical study is carried out to assess the influence of various parameters such as power law index of functionally graded material (FGM) and shell geometry interaction with load distribution, and shell boundary conditions on the follower buckling pressure reduction factor. The results indicate that, when applied individually, unconstrained boundary effect and longitudinal nonuniformity of lateral pressure have little effect on the follower buckling reduction factor, but when combined with each other and with circumferentially loading nonuniformity, intensify this effect.