bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Analysis of ringing effects due to magnetic core materials in pulsed nuclear magnetic resonance circuits
Authors: Prabhu Gaunkar N. , Bouda N. R. Y. , Nlebedim I. C. , Hadimani R. L. , Bulu I. , Ganesan K. , Song Y. Q. , Mina M. , Jiles D. C.
Published: April 2015

This work presents investigations and detailed analysis of ringing in a non-resonant pulsed nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) circuit. Ringing is a commonly observed phenomenon in high power switching circuits. The oscillations described as ringing impede measurements in pulsed NMR systems. It is therefore desirable that those oscillations decay fast. It is often assumed that one of the causes behind ringing is the role of the magnetic core used in the antenna (acting as an inductive load). We will demonstrate that an LRC subcircuit is also set-up due to the inductive load and needs to be considered due to its parasitic effects. It is observed that the parasitics associated with the inductive load become important at certain frequencies. The output response can be related to the response of an under-damped circuit and to the magnetic core material. This research work demonstrates and discusses ways of controlling ringing by considering interrelationships between different contributing factors.
Annealing in tellurium-nitrogen co-doped ZnO films: The roles of intrinsic zinc defects
Authors: Tang Kun , Gu Ran , Gu Shulin , Ye Jiandong , Zhu Shunming , Yao Zhengrong , Xu Zhonghua , Zheng Youdou
Published: April 2015

In this article, the authors have conducted an extensive investigation on the roles of intrinsic zinc defects by annealing of a batch of Te-N co-doped ZnO films. The formation and annihilation of Zn interstitial (Zni) clusters have been found in samples with different annealing temperatures. Electrical and Raman measurements have shown that the Zni clusters are a significant compensation source to holes, and the Te co-doping has a notable effect on suppressing the Zni clusters. Meanwhile, shallow acceptors have been identified in photoluminescence spectra. The NO-Zn-Te complex, zinc vacancy (VZn)-NO complex, and VZn clusters are thought to be the candidates as the shallow acceptors. The evolution of shallow acceptors upon annealing temperature have been also studied. The clustering of VZn at high annealing temperature is proposed to be a possible candidate as a stable acceptor in ZnO.
Direct band-gap measurement on epitaxial Co2FeAl0.5Si0.5 Heusler-alloy films
Authors: Alhuwaymel Tariq F. , Carpenter Robert , Yu Chris Nga Tung , Kuerbanjiang Balati , Abdullah Ranjdar M. , Lazarov Vlado K. , El-Gomati Mohamed , Hirohata Atsufumi
Published: April 2015

In this study, a newly developed band-gap measurement technique has been used to characterise epitaxial Co2FeAl0.5Si0.5 (CFAS) films. The CFAS films were deposited on MgO(001) substrate by ultra high vacuum molecular beam epitaxy. The band-gap for the as deposited films was found to be ∼110 meV when measured at room temperature. This simple technique provides a macroscopic analysis of the half-metallic properties of a thin film. This allows for simple optimisation of growth and annealing conditions.
Microfluidic-based speckle analysis for sensitive measurement of erythrocyte aggregation: A comparison of four methods for detection of elevated erythrocyte aggregation in diabetic rat blood
Authors: Yeom Eunseop , Lee Sang Joon
Published: April 2015

Biochemical alterations in the plasma and red blood cell (RBC) membrane of diabetic blood lead to excessive erythrocyte aggregation (EA). EA would significantly impede the blood flow and increase the vascular flow resistance contributing to peripheral vascular diseases. In this study, a simple microfluidic-based method is proposed to achieve sensitive detection of hyperaggregation. When a blood sample is delivered into the device, images of blood flows are obtained with a short exposure time for a relatively long measuring time. A micro-particle image velocimetry technique was employed to monitor variation of the flow rate of blood as a function of time. Given that EA formation in the channel creates clear speckle patterns, the EA extent can be estimated by calculating a speckle area (ASpeckle) through a normalized autocovariance function. The hematocrit effect is assessed by comparing optical images transmitted through blood samples. EA variations caused by dextran treatment are quantitatively evaluated using characteristic time (λSpeckle) obtained by fitting the variations of ASpeckle. Other indices including number of RBCs in an aggregate (NRBC), characteristic time of erythrocyte sedimentation rate (λESR), and aggregation index estimated from ultrasound signals (AIEcho) are determined under different EA conditions using conventional techniques. The four different methods are applied to diabetic blood samples to compare their indices under hyperaggregation conditions. It is found that the proposed method can detect variation of EA reasonably, compared with conventional measurement techniques. These experimental demonstrations support the notion that the proposed method is capable of effectively monitoring the biophysical properties of diabetic blood.
Argument Structure in Usage-Based Construction Grammar
Authors: Perek Florent
Published: April 2015

The argument structure of verbs, defined as the part of grammar that deals with how participants in verbal events are expressed in clauses, is a classical topic in linguistics that has received considerable attention in the literature. This book investigates argument structure in English from a usage-based perspective, taking the view that the cognitive representation of grammar is shaped by language use, and that crucial aspects of grammatical organization are tied to the frequency with which words and syntactic constructions are used. On the basis of several case studies combining quantitative corpus studies and psycholinguistic experiments, it is shown how a usage-based approach sheds new light on a number of issues in argument realization and offers frequency-based explanations for its organizing principles at three levels of generality: verbs, constructions, and argument structure alternations.
Competences in contact
Authors: Russell Eric
Published: April 2015

This article examines phonological changes brought about by creole-lexifier contact, with secondary focus on the distinction of these changes from those occurring in creole formation. It is argued that lexifier-targeted change involves declarative competence: knowledge of what is and isn’t part of a phonological inventory. It is further argued that such changes do not undo the past, but involve historically innovative modifications to grammatical competence, which subsequently inform productive and perceptual knowledge. A formal account of Guadeloupian vowel data is proposed, which also addresses differential outcomes such as instances of apparent hypercorrection.
On the use of translation corpora in contrastive linguistics
Authors: Gast Volker
Published: April 2015

This article argues for a type of corpus-based contrastive research that is item-specific, predictive and hypothesis-driven. It reports on a programmatic study of the ways in which impersonalization is expressed in English and German. Impersonalization is taken to be epitomized by human impersonal pronouns like Germanman(e.g.Man lebt nur einmal‘You/one only live(s) once’). English does not have a specialized impersonal pronoun like Germ.manand uses a variety of strategies instead. The question arises what determines the choice of a given impersonalization strategy in English. Drawing on relevant theoretical work and using data from a translation corpus (Europarl), variables potentially affecting the distribution of impersonalization strategies in English are identified, and their influence on the choice of a strategy is determined. By testing hypotheses derived from theoretical work and using multivariate quantitative methods of analysis, the study is intended to illustrate how bridges can be built between fine-grained semantic analyses, on the one hand, and more coarse-grained, but empirically valid, corpus research, on the other.
A discourse-based approach to some uses of the conjunctionquein Romance languages
Authors: Ramalle Teresa M. Rodríguez
Published: April 2015

The present paper compares and contrasts patterns of variation exhibited by the conjunctionquein Spanish, Catalan and Italian, in root sentences — such asQue te digo que me dejes en paz(‘I’m telling you to leave me in peace’) or:Que los libros que los necesito(‘As far as the books are concerned, I need them’) — and when it appears in combination with evidential and polarity adverbs — such asNaturalmente que iré contigo(‘Of course, I will go with you’) or:Sí que iré contigo(‘Yes, I will go with you’). The focus will mainly be on the independent realizations of conjunctions in Spanish, but data from Catalan and Italian will also be analyzed, in order to show that the ways of encoding the speaker’s point of view and source of information vary across different languages. My hypothesis is that the existence of structures which combine this conjunction with evidential and polarity adverbs derives from the discourse properties of these syntactic categories. The conjunction itself can be used not only to mark subordination but also as a discourse marker, enabling the speaker to recall previously shared information or knowledge.
The Impact of Social Support and Attachment Style on Quality of Life and Readiness to Change in a Sample of Individuals Receiving Medication-Assisted Treatment for Opioid Dependence
Authors: Cavaiola Alan A. , Fulmer Barbara A. , Stout David
Published: April 2015

Background

A basic principle within the addictions treatment field is that social support is a vital ingredient in the recovery process. This study examines the nature of social support in a sample of opioid-dependent men and women who are currently being treated in a medication-assisted treatment program (methadone). This research examines the types of social support behaviors that the opioid-dependent individuals consider helpful and explores whether attachment style (i.e., secure, ambivalent, or anxious attachment) was a determining factor in whether social support was perceived as helpful. The dependent variables included readiness to change addictive behaviors and abstinence from other mood-altering drugs.

Methods

Participants ( N = 159) completed a demographic questionnaire, the Significant Others Scale, the Experiences in Close Relationships Scale, the Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support Assessment, the Readiness to Change Scale, and an Attachment Style Questionnaire. The demographic questionnaire included subjective ratings of self-improvement.

Results

Social support predicted perceived improvement in all of the areas examined (e.g., health, family/social relationships) and abstinence; however, attachment style did not predict improvement or with readiness to change.

Conclusions

Social support is an important factor in one's recovery from substance use disorders. Yet attachment style (i.e., anxious, avoidant, or secure) did not predict abstinence or overall improvement in functioning.
Pointwise ergodic theorems for bounded Lamperti representations of amenable groups
Authors: Tempelman A.
Published: April 2015

Dominated and Pointwise Ergodic Theorems for bounded representations of second countable locally compact amenable groups by Lamperti operators in

L
p

(
Ω
,

F

,
m
)
,

L^p(\Omega ,\mathcal F, m),

p
>
1

p>1

fixed, are proved; we restrict ourselves to Cesàro averages in this paper. These theorems generalize or are closely related to well-known theorems for powers of power bounded Lamperti operators.
Enumerating classes and characters of 𝑝-groups
Authors: O’Brien E. , Voll C.
Published: April 2015

We develop general formulae for the numbers of conjugacy classes and irreducible complex characters of finitepp-groups of nilpotency class less thanpp. This allows us to unify and generalize a number of existing enumerative results, and to obtain new such results for generalizations of relatively freepp-groups of exponent pp. Our main tools are the Lazard correspondence and the Kirillov orbit method.
Some equations for the universal Kummer variety
Authors: van Geemen Bert
Published: April 2015

We give a method to find quartic equations for Kummer varieties and we give some explicit examples. From these equations for

g
g

-dimensional Kummer varieties one obtains equations for the moduli space of

g
+
1

g+1

-dimensional Kummer varieties. These again define modular forms which vanish on the period matrices of Riemann surfaces. The modular forms that we find for

g
=
5

g=5

appear to be new and of lower weight than known before.
Gauss-Markov processes on Hilbert spaces
Authors: Goldys Ben , Peszat Szymon , Zabczyk Jerzy
Published: April 2015

K. Itô characterised in 1984 zero-mean stationary Gauss–Markov processes evolving on a class of infinite-dimensional spaces. In this work we extend the work of Itô in the case of Hilbert spaces: Gauss–Markov families that are time-homogenous are identified as solutions to linear stochastic differential equations with singular coefficients. Choosing an appropriate locally convex topology on the space of weakly sequentially continuous functions we also characterize the transition semigroup, the generator and its core, thus providing an infinite-dimensional extension of the classical result of Courrège in the case of Gauss–Markov semigroups.
Noncommutative mirror symmetry for punctured surfaces
Authors: Bocklandt Raf
Published: April 2015

In 2013, Abouzaid, Auroux, Efimov, Katzarkov and Orlov showed that the wrapped Fukaya categories of punctured spheres and finite unbranched covers of punctured spheres are derived equivalent to the categories of singularities of a superpotential on certain crepant resolutions of toric 3 dimensional singularities. We generalize this result to other punctured Riemann surfaces and reformulate it in terms of certain noncommutative algebras coming from dimer models. In particular, given any consistent dimer model we can look at a subcategory of noncommutative matrix factorizations and show that this category is

A

∞

\mathtt {A}_\infty

-isomorphic to a subcategory of the wrapped Fukaya category of a punctured Riemann surface. The connection between the dimer model and the punctured Riemann surface then has a nice interpretation in terms of a duality on dimer models.
Invariance of 𝑅-groups between 𝑝-adic inner forms of quasi-split classical groups
Authors: Choiy Kwangho , Goldberg David
Published: April 2015

We study the reducibility of parabolically induced representations of non-split inner forms of quasi-split classical groups. The isomorphism of Arthur

R
R

–groups, endoscopic

R
R

–groups and Knapp-Stein

R
R

–groups is established, as well as showing these

R
R

–groups are isomorphic to the corresponding ones for the quasi-split form. This shows

R
R

–groups are an invariant of the

L
L

–packets. The results are applied to classify the elliptic spectrum.
Local and global smoothing effects for some linear hyperbolic equations with a strong dissipation
Authors: Ghisi Marina , Gobbino Massimo , Haraux Alain
Published: April 2015

We consider an abstract second order linear equation with a strong dissipation, namely a friction term which depends on a power of the “elastic” operator.

In the homogeneous case, we investigate the phase spaces in which the initial value problem gives rise to a semigroup and the further regularity of solutions. In the non-homogeneous case, we study how the regularity of solutions depends on the regularity of forcing terms, and we characterize the spaces where a bounded forcing term yields a bounded solution.

What we discover is a variety of different regimes, with completely different behaviors, depending on the exponent in the friction term.

We also provide counterexamples in order to show the optimality of our results.
do_x3dna: a tool to analyze structural fluctuations of dsDNA or dsRNA from molecular dynamics simulations
Authors: Kumar Rajendra , Grubmüller Helmut
Published: April 2015

Summary: The do_x3dna package has been developed to analyze the structural fluctuations of DNA or RNA during molecular dynamics simulations. It extends the capability of the 3DNA package to GROMACS MD trajectories and includes new methods to calculate the global-helical axis of DNA and bending fluctuations during simulations. The package also includes a Python module dnaMD to perform and visualize statistical analyses of complex data obtained from the trajectories.

Availability and Implementation: The source code of the do_x3dna is available at https://github.com/rjdkmr/do_x3dna under GNU GPLv3 license. A detailed documentation, including tutorials and required input data, are freely available at http://rjdkmr.github.io/do_x3dna/.

Contact: rjdkmr@gmail.com
Nontuberculous Mycobacteria: An Underestimated Cause of Bioprosthetic Valve Infective Endocarditis
Authors: Bouchiat Coralie , Saison Julien , Boisset Sandrine , Flandrois Jean-Pierre , Issartel Bertrand , Dauwalder Olivier , Benito Yvonne , Jarraud Sophie , Grando Jacqueline , Boibieux Andre , Dumitrescu Oana , Delahaye François , Farhat Fadi , Thivolet-Bejui Françoise , Frieh Jean-Philippe , Vandenesch François
Published: April 2015

Background.  Atypical mycobacteria, or nontuberculous mycobacteria (NTM), have been barely reported as infective endocarditis (IE) agents.

Methods.  From January 2010 to December 2013, cardiac valve samples sent to our laboratory as cases of blood culture-negative suspected IE were analyzed by 16S rDNA polymerase chain reaction (PCR). When positive for NTM, hsp PCR allowed species ide.jpegication. Demographic, clinical, echocardiographic, histopathological, and Ziehl-Neelsen staining data were then collected.

Results.  Over the study period, 6 of 370 cardiac valves (belonging to 5 patients in 3 hospitals) were positive for Mycobacterium chelonae (n = 5) and Mycobacterium le.jpeglavum (n = 1) exclusively on bioprosthetic material. The 5 patients presented to the hospital for heart failure without fever 7.1–18.9 months (median 13.1 months) after biological prosthetic valve implantation. Echocardiography revealed paravalvular regurgitation due to prosthesis dehiscence in all patients. Histopathological examination of the explanted material revealed inflammatory infiltrates in all specimens, 3 of which were associated with giant cells. Gram staining and conventional cultures remained negative, whereas Ziehl-Neelsen staining showed acid-fast bacilli in all patients. Allergic etiology was ruled out by antiporcine immunoglobulin E dosages. These 5 cases occurred exclusively on porcine bioprosthetic material, revealing a statistically significant association between bioprosthetic valves and NTM IE (P < .001).

Conclusions.  The body of evidence confirmed the diagnosis of prosthetic IE. The statistically significant association between bioprosthetic valves and NTM IE encourages systematic Ziehl-Neelsen staining of explanted bioprosthetic valves in case of early bioprosthesis dysfunction, even without an obvious sign of IE. In addition, we strongly question the cardiac bioprosthesis conditioning process after animal sacrifice.
Dollar Funding and the Lending Behavior of Global Banks*
Authors: Ivashina Victoria , Scharfstein David S. , Stein Jeremy C.
Published: April 2015

A large share of dollar-denominated lending is done by non-U.S. banks, particularly European banks. We present a model in which such banks cut dollar lending more than euro lending in response to a shock to their credit quality. Because these banks rely on wholesale dollar funding, while raising more of their euro funding through insured retail deposits, the shock leads to a greater withdrawal of dollar funding. Banks can borrow in euros and swap into dollars to make up for the dollar shortfall, but this may lead to violations of covered interest parity when there is limited capital to take the other side of the swap trade. In this case, synthetic dollar borrowing also becomes expensive, which causes cuts in dollar lending. We test the model in the context of the Eurozone sovereign crisis, which escalated in the second half of 2011 and resulted in U.S. money market funds sharply reducing their exposure to European banks in the year that followed. During this period dollar lending by Eurozone banks fell relative to their euro lending, and firms who were more reliant on Eurozone banks before the Eurozone crisis had a more difficult time borrowing.
Relationship between Autophagy and Ventilator-induced Diaphragmatic Dysfunction
Authors: Azuelos Ilan , Jung Boris , Picard Martin , Liang Feng , Li Tong , Lemaire Christian , Giordano Christian , Hussain Sabah , Petrof Basil J.
Published: April 2015

AbstractAbstract

Autophagy was rapidly induced in the diaphragm in a mouse model of ventilator-induced diaphragmatic dysfunction, but the autophagic process was not responsible for diaphragmatic weakness.

Background:

Mechanical ventilation (MV) is associated with atrophy and weakness of the diaphragm muscle, a condition termed ventilator-induced diaphragmatic dysfunction (VIDD). Autophagy is a lysosomally mediated proteolytic process that can be activated by oxidative stress, which has the potential to either mitigate or exacerbate VIDD. The primary goals of this study were to (1) determine the effects of MV on autophagy in the diaphragm and (2) evaluate the impact of antioxidant therapy on autophagy induction and MV-induced diaphragmatic weakness.

Methods:

Mice were assigned to control (CTRL), MV (for 6 h), MV + N-acetylcysteine, MV + rapamycin, and prolonged (48 h) fasting groups. Autophagy was monitored by quantifying (1) autophagic vesicles by transmission electron microscopy, (2) messenger RNA levels of autophagy-related genes, and (3) the autophagosome marker protein LC3B-II, with and without administration of colchicine to calculate the indices of relative autophagosome formation and degradation. Force production by mouse diaphragms was determined ex vivo.

Results:

Diaphragms exhibited a 2.2-fold (95% CI, 1.8 to 2.5) increase in autophagic vesicles visualized by transmission electron microscopy relative to CTRL after 6 h of MV (n = 5 per group). The autophagosome formation index increased in the diaphragm alone (1.5-fold; 95% CI, 1.3 to 1.8; n = 8 per group) during MV, whereas prolonged fasting induced autophagosome formation in both the diaphragm (2.5-fold; 95% CI, 2.2 to 2.8) and the limb muscle (4.1-fold; 95% CI, 1.8 to 6.5). The antioxidant N-acetylcysteine further augmented the autophagosome formation in the diaphragm during MV (1.4-fold; 95% CI, 1.2 to 1.5; n = 8 per group) and prevented MV-induced diaphragmatic weakness. Treatment with the autophagy-inducing agent rapamycin also largely prevented the diaphragmatic force loss associated with MV (n = 6 per group).

Conclusions:

In this model of VIDD, autophagy is induced by MV but is not responsible for diaphragmatic weakness. The authors propose that autophagy may instead be a beneficial adaptive response that can potentially be exploited for therapy of VIDD.
Validation of the Critical-Care Pain Observation Tool and Vital Signs in Relation to the Sensory and Affective Components of Pain During Mediastinal Tube Removal in Postoperative Cardiac Surgery Intensive Care Unit Adults
Authors: Boitor Madalina , Fiola Jacinthe Lachance , Gélinas Céline
Published: April 2015

Background:

The Critical-Care Pain Observation Tool (CPOT) is a behavioral scale recommended in clinical practice guidelines for the assessment of pain in nonverbal intensive care unit (ICU) adults. Although the CPOT has been validated in various ICU patient groups, its association with the affective component of pain has not yet been explored, and in most studies, turning was the used nociceptive procedure.

Aim:

In this study, we aim to validate the use of the CPOT and vital signs in association with the sensory and affective components of pain during mediastinal tube removal (MTR) in postoperative cardiac surgery ICU adults.

Methods:

A sample of 125 patients participated in this prospective repeated-measures, within-subject study. A total of 6 assessments of the main study variables (CPOT scores and patients’ self-reports of pain intensity and unpleasantness) were completed by trained research assistants while patients were in the ICU. Assessments were done before, during, and 15 minutes after the nonnociceptive procedure (ie, noninvasive blood pressure taking [NIBP]) and nociceptive procedure (ie, MTR).

Results:

Discriminant validation of the scale use was supported as higher CPOT scores were obtained during MTR (mean [SD], 2.74 [1.61]) compared with NIBP (mean [SD], 0.50 [0.747]) (t
124 = 14.33, P < .001). Similarly, higher values were recorded for mean arterial pressure and heart and respiratory rates during MTR compared with NIBP (P < .01). During MTR, CPOT scores correlated significantly with self-report of pain intensity (r = 0.419, P < .01) and unpleasantness (r = 0.313, P < .01), supporting criterion and convergent validation. Conversely, vital signs did not correlate with either self-report.

Conclusions:

Study findings confirmed the validity of the CPOT for the assessment of the sensory and affective components of pain in the postcardiac surgery ICU adults. Vital signs were not specific to pain and should be used only as cues to begin further assessment of pain using validated instruments for this purpose.
Safety of a New Amino Acid Formula in Infants Allergic to Cow's Milk and Intolerant to Hydrolysates
Authors: Dupont Christophe , Kalach Nicolas , Soulaines Pascale , Bradatan Elena , Lachaux Alain , Payot François , De Blay Frédéric , Guénard‐Bilbault Lydie , Hatahet Riad , Mulier Sandra , Kapel Nathalie , Waligora‐Dupriet Anne‐Judith , Butel Marie‐José
Published: April 2015

Objectives:

Amino acid–based formulas (AAFs) are recommended for children with cow's‐milk allergy (CMA) failing to respond to extensively hydrolysed formulas (eHFs). We evaluated the effects of a new thickened AAF (TAAF, Novalac), containing a pectin‐based thickener, and a reference AAF (RAAF, Neocate) on allergy symptoms and safety, through blood biochemistry analysis and growth.

Methods:

Infants (ages < 18 months) with CMA symptoms failing to respond to eHFs were randomised in a double‐blind manner to receive TAAF or RAAF for 3 months. All of the infants were then fed TAAF for 3 additional months. Paediatric visits occurred at 1, 3, and 6 months. Blood samples were collected at inclusion and 3 months.

Results:

Results at 1 month were previously described. The 75 infants with proven CMA and eHF intolerance tolerated their allocated formula. At 3 months, the dominant allergic symptom had disappeared in 76.2% of the infants with TAAF and in 51.5% of the infants with RAAF (P = 0.026). The Scoring Atopic Dermatitis Index significantly improved more with TAAF than with RAAF (−27.3 ± 2.3 vs −20.8 ± 2.2, P = 0.048). Of the infants, 92.9% had normal stools (soft or formed consistency) with TAAF vs 75.8% with RAAF (P = 0.051). More infants in TAAF group had better quality of nighttime sleep (P = 0.036) and low frequency of irritability signs (P < 0.001). With both formulas, all of the biochemical parameters were within normal ranges. There were no differences between the 2 groups in any of the anthropometric z scores.

Conclusions:

The new TAAF was tolerated by all of the infants with CMA and intolerance to eHFs. Anthropometric and clinical data showed that both formulas were safe.
An Opinion on “Staging” of Infant Formula
Authors: Lönnerdal Bo , Hernell Olle
Published: April 2015

Breast milk is a dynamic fluid with compositional changes occurring throughout the period of lactation. Some of these changes in nutrient concentrations reflect the successively slowing growth rate and developmental changes in metabolic requirements that infants undergo during the first year of life. Infant formula, in contrast, has a static composition, intended to meet the nutritional requirements of infants from birth to 6 or 12 months of age. To better fit the metabolic needs of infants and to avoid nutrient limitations or excesses, we suggest that infant formulas should change in composition with the age of the infant, that is, different formulas are created/used for different ages during the first year of life. We propose that specific formulas for 0 to 3 months (stage 1), 3 to 6 months (stage 2), and 6 to 12 months (stage 3) of age may be nutritionally and physiologically advantageous to infants. Although this initially may impose some difficult practical/conceptual issues, we believe that this staging concept would improve nutrition of formula‐fed infants and, ultimately, improve outcomes and make their performance more similar to that of breast‐fed infants.
Etomidate Versus Ketamine
Authors: Dişel Nezihat Rana , Yilmaz Hayri Levent , Sertdemir Yaşar , Yeşilağaç Hasan , Avci Akkan
Published: April 2015

Objectives

The aim of this study was to compare the induction and recovery times, postsedation observation durations, and adverse effects of etomidate and ketamine in pediatric patients with fractures and/or dislocations requiring closed reduction in the emergency department.

Methods

Forty-four healthy children aged 7 to 18 years were included. The patients were randomly divided into 2 groups. Group 1 (24 patients) received etomidate and fentanyl, and group 2 (20 patients) received ketamine intravenously. The Ramsay Sedation Scale and American Pediatric Association discharge criteria were used to evaluate the patients.

Results

There were 70 fractured bones and 3 joint dislocations. Except in 1 case (2.3%), all of the injuries were reducted successfully. The mean amount of drugs used to provide adequate sedation and analgesia were 0.25 mg/kg of etomidate and 1.30 μg/kg of fentanyl in group 1 and 1.25 mg/kg of ketamine in group 2. Fourteen patients (31.8%) reported adverse effects, and none required hospitalization. There was no difference between the groups in the recovery times, occurrence of adverse effects, and postsedation observation durations (P > 0.05). The mean (SD) induction time for the patients in group 1 was 4.3 (1.0) minutes, whereas it was 2.2 (1.6) minutes in group 2 (P < 0.001).

Conclusions

Etomidate induces effective and adequate sedation in the pediatric emergency department for painful orthopedic procedures. Ketamine, which has longer action times, might be preferred for reductions because orthopedic procedures could be lengthy.
A Case of Glomangiomatosis of the Ankle and Foot
Authors: Kim Minchul , Choi Yun Sun , Young Ki Won , Joo Jong Eun
Published: April 2015

Glomangiomatosis, a rare category of glomus tumors, comprises 2% to 3% of glomus tumors in adults. We report a case of glomangiomatosis in a 48-year-old man who underwent multiple excisions of recurrent soft tissue masses in the ankle and foot. Ultrasonography revealed multiple nodular soft tissue tumors and dilated vascular channels with increased blood flow, suggesting the presence of vascular tumors. Here, we discuss the ultrasonography imaging features of glomangiomatosis, which have not been previously reported, correlate them with magnetic resonance imaging findings, and provide a brief review of the literature.
Abundant contribution of short tandem repeats to gene expression variation in humans
Authors: Gymrek Melissa , Willems Thomas , Zeng Haoyang , Markus Barak , Daly Mark J. , Price Alkes L. , Pritchard Jonathan , Erlich Yaniv
Published: April 2015

Expression quantitative trait loci (eQTLs) are a key tool to dissect cellular processes mediating complex diseases. However, little is known about the role of repetitive elements as eQTLs. We report a genome-wide survey of the contribution of Short Tandem Repeats (STRs), one of the most polymorphic and abundant repeat classes, to gene expression in humans. Our survey identified 2,060 significant expression STRs (eSTRs). These eSTRs were replicable in orthogonal populations and expression assays. We used variance partitioning to disentangle the contribution of eSTRs from linked SNPs and indels and found that eSTRs contribute 10%-15% of thecis-heritability mediated by all common variants. Functional genomic analyses showed that eSTRs are enriched in conserved regions, co-localize with regulatory elements, and are predicted to modulate histone modifications. Our results show that eSTRs provide a novel set of regulatory variants and highlight the contribution of repeats to the genetic architecture of quantitative human traits.
The crystal structure of DR6 in complex with the amyloid precursor protein provides insight into death receptor activation
Authors: Xu Kai , Olsen Olav , Tzvetkova-Robev Dorothea , Tessier-Lavigne Marc , Nikolov Dimitar B.
Published: April 2015

The amyloid precursor protein (APP) has garnered considerable attention due to its genetic links to Alzheimer's disease. Death receptor 6 (DR6) was recently shown to bind APP via the protein extracellular regions, stimulate axonal pruning, and inhibit synapse formation. Here, we report the crystal structure of the DR6 ectodomain in complex with the E2 domain of APP and show that it supports a model for APP-induced dimerization and activation of cell surface DR6.
Identification and functional expression of genes encoding flavonoid O‐ and C‐glycosidases in intestinal bacteria
Authors: Braune Annett , Engst Wolfram , Blaut Michael
Published: April 2015

Gut bacteria play a crucial role in the metabolism of dietary flavonoids and thereby influence the bioactivity of these compounds in the host. The intestinal Lachnospiraceae strain CG19‐1 and Eubacterium cellulosolvens are able to deglycosylate C‐ and O‐coupled flavonoid glucosides. Growth of strain CG19‐1 in the presence of the isoflavone C‐glucoside puerarin (daidzein 8‐C‐glucoside) led to the induction of two proteins (DfgC, DfgD). Heterologous expression of the encoding genes (dfgC, dfgD) in Escherichia coli revealed no C‐deglycosylating activity in the resulting cell extracts but cleavage of flavonoid O‐glucosides such as daidzin (daidzein 7‐O‐glucoside). The recombinant DfgC and DfgD proteins were purified and characterized with respect to their quaternary structure, substrate and cofactor specificity. The products of the corresponding genes (dfgC, dfgD) from E. cellulosolvens also catalysed the O‐deglycosylation of daidzin following their expression in E. coli. In combination with three recombinant proteins encoded by adjacent genes in E. cellulosolvens (dfgA, dfgB, dfgE), DfgC and DfgD from E. cellulosolvens catalysed the deglycosylation of the flavone C‐glucosides homoorientin (luteolin 6‐C‐glucoside) and isovitexin (apigenin 6‐C‐glucoside). Even intact cells of E. coli expressing the five E. cellulosolvens genes cleaved these flavone C‐glucosides and, also, flavonoid O‐glucosides to the corresponding aglycones.
Surviving the heat: heterogeneity of response in Saccharomyces cerevisiae provides insight into thermal damage to the membrane
Authors: Guyot Stéphane , Gervais Patrick , Young Michael , Winckler Pascale , Dumont Jennifer , Davey Hazel Marie
Published: April 2015

Environmental heat stress impacts on the physiology and viability of microbial cells with concomitant implications for microbial activity and diversity. Previously, it has been demonstrated that gradual heating of Saccharomyces cerevisiae induces a degree of thermal resistance, whereas a heat shock results in a high level of cell death. Here, we show that the impact of exogenous nutrients on acquisition of thermal resistance differs between strains.

Using single‐cell methods, we demonstrate the extent of heterogeneity of the heat‐stress response within populations of yeast cells and the presence of subpopulations that are reversibly damaged by heat stress. Such cells represent potential for recovery of entire populations once stresses are removed. The results show that plasma membrane permeability and potential are key factors involved in cell survival, but thermal resistance is not related to homeoviscous adaptation of the plasma membrane. These results have implications for growth and regrowth of populations experiencing environmental heat stress and our understanding of impacts at the level of the single cell. Given the important role of microbes in biofuel production and bioremediation, a thorough understanding of the impact of stress responses of populations and individuals is highly desirable.
‘I've used the word cancer but it's actually good news’: discursive performativity of cancer and the identity of urological cancer services
Authors: Kazimierczak Karolina Agata , Skea Zoe
Published: April 2015

Drawing on the ethnographic study of urological cancer services, this article explores how a set of particular discourses embedded in the everyday clinical work in a large teaching hospital in the UK helps materialise particular configurations of cancer and related professional identities. Emerging on the intersection of specific socio‐material arrangements (cancer survival rates, treatment regimens, cancer staging classifications, metaphors, clinical specialities) and operating across a number of differential relations (curable/incurable, treatable/untreatable, aggressive/nonaggressive), these configurations help constitute the categories of ‘good’ and ‘bad’ cancers as separate and contrasting entities. These categories help materialise particular distributions of power and are thus implicated in the making of specific claims about the identity of urological cancer services as unique and privileged. Exploring these issues in view of feminist and material‐semiotic approaches to studying science, technology and medicine, this article seeks to move away from the understanding of cancer discourses as primarily linguistic performances, proposing to see them instead as arrangements of practices and relations simultaneously material and semiotic through which particular categories, entities and phenomena acquire their determinate nature. In doing so, it seeks to contribute to sociology's broader concern with discursive performativity of cancer.
Living for the moment: men situating risk‐taking after the death of a friend
Authors: Creighton Genevieve M. , Oliffe John L. , McMillan Eva , Saewyc Elizabeth M.
Published: April 2015

The primary cause of death for men under the age of 30 is unintentional injury and, despite health‐promotion efforts and programme interventions, male injury and death rates have not decreased in recent years. Drawing on 22 interviews from a study of men, risk and grief, we describe how a risk‐related tragedy shaped the participants’ understandings of and practices of risk‐taking. The findings indicate that most participants did not alter their perceptions and engagement in risky practices, which reflected their alignment to masculine ideals within specific communities of practice where risk‐taking was normalised and valorised. Continued reliance on risky practices following the death of a friend was predominantly expressed as ‘living for the moment,’ where caution and safety were framed as conservative practices that undermined and diluted the robustness ideally embodied by this subgroup of young men. Two main themes: living life, accepting death and upping the ante illustrate how risk‐taking can persist following a death. A smaller group of participants articulated a different viewpoint; reining in risk practices, to describe their risk management approaches after the death of a male friend. This novel study confirms the ongoing challenge of reducing men's risk‐taking practices, even after the death of a friend.
Expectations in the field of the Internet and health: an analysis of claims about social networking sites in clinical literature
Authors: Koteyko Nelya , Hunt Daniel , Gunter Barrie
Published: April 2015

This article adopts a critical sociological perspective to examine the expectations surrounding the uses of social networking sites (SNSs) articulated in the domain of clinical literature. This emerging body of articles and commentaries responds to the recent significant growth in SNS use, and constitutes a venue in which the meanings of SNSs and their relation to health are negotiated. Our analysis indicates how clinical writing configures the role of SNSs in health care through a range of metaphorical constructions that frame SNSs as a tool, a conduit for information and a traversable space. The use of such metaphors serves not only to describe the new affordances offered by SNSs but also posits distinct lay and professional practices, while reviving a range of celebratory claims about the Internet and health critiqued in sociological literature. These metaphorical descriptions characterise SNS content as essentially controllable by autonomous users while reiterating existing arguments that e‐health is both inherently empowering and risky. Our analysis calls for a close attention to these understandings of SNSs as they have the potential to shape future online initiatives, most notably by anticipating successful professional interventions while marginalising the factors that influence users’ online and offline practices and contexts.
DNA in the Criminal Justice System: The DNA Success Story in Perspective,
Authors: Mapes Anna A. , Kloosterman Ate D. , de Poot Christianne J.
Published: April 2015

Current figures on the efficiency of DNA as an investigative tool in criminal investigations only tell part of the story. To get the DNA success story in the right perspective, we examined all forensic reports from serious (N = 116) and high‐volume crime cases (N = 2791) over the year 2011 from one police region in the Netherlands. These data show that 38% of analyzed serious crime traces (N = 384) and 17% of analyzed high‐volume crime traces (N = 386) did not result in a DNA profile. Turnaround times (from crime scene to DNA report) were 66 days for traces from serious crimes and 44 days for traces from high‐volume crimes. Suspects were truly identified through a match with the Offender DNA database of the Netherlands in 3% of the serious crime cases and in 1% of the high‐volume crime cases. These data are important for both the forensic laboratory and the professionals in the criminal justice system to further optimize forensic DNA testing as an investigative tool.
Prolonged pegylated liposomal doxorubicin treatment for recurrent pelvic cancers: a feasibility study
Authors: Rabinovich Alex , Ramanakumar Agnihotram V. , Lau Susie , Gotlieb Walter H.
Published: April 2015

We conducted a proof of concept study evaluating prolonged treatment with pegylated liposomal doxorubicin for recurrent ovarian, tubal and peritoneal carcinoma. Thirteen consecutive patients received an average of 22.6 cycles of pegylated liposomal doxorubicin, with an average cumulative dose of 1409 mg/m2. Progression‐free survival at 18 months was 61.5%, and was longer than the previous progression‐free survival in 10 of the 13 patients. Overall 5‐year survival was 78.8%. Despite prolonged use and relatively large cumulative doses of pegylated liposomal doxorubicin, most of the patients had mild to moderate side‐effects, none of the patients had detectable cardio‐toxic side‐effects, and a positive impact on the performance status was noticed. Thus, in our group of patients, continued pegylated liposomal doxorubicin treatment was associated with a longer progression‐free interval and allowed improved performance status with manageable toxicity.
Emergency peripartum hysterectomy: results from the prospective Nordic Obstetric Surveillance Study (NOSS)
Authors: Jakobsson Maija , Tapper Anna‐Maija , Colmorn Lotte Berdiin , Lindqvist Pelle G. , Klungsøyr Kari , Krebs Lone , Børdahl Per E. , Gottvall Karin , Källén Karin , Bjarnadóttir Ragnheiður I. , Langhoff‐Roos Jens , Gissler Mika ,   the NOSS study group
Published: April 2015

Objective

To assess the prevalence and risk factors of emergency peripartum hysterectomy.

Design

Nordic collaborative study.

Population

605 362 deliveries across the five Nordic countries.

Methods

We collected data prospectively from patients undergoing emergency peripartum hysterectomy within 7 days of delivery from medical birth registers and hospital discharge registers. Control populations consisted of all other women delivering on the same units during the same time period.

Main outcome measures

Emergency peripartum hysterectomy rate.

Results

The total number of emergency peripartum hysterectomies reached 211, yielding an incidence rate of 3.5/10 000 (95% confidence interval 3.0–4.0) births. Finland had the highest prevalence (5.1) and Norway the lowest (2.9). Primary indications included an abnormally invasive placenta (n = 91, 43.1%), atonic bleeding (n = 69, 32.7%), uterine rupture (n = 31, 14.7%), other bleeding disorders (n = 12, 5.7%), and other indications (n = 8, 3.8%). The delivery mode was cesarean section in nearly 80% of cases. Previous cesarean section was reported in 45% of women. Both preterm and post‐term birth increased the risk for emergency peripartum hysterectomy. The number of stillbirths was substantially high (70/1000), but the case fatality rate stood at 0.47% (one death, maternal mortality rate 0.17/100 000 deliveries).

Conclusions

A combination of prospective data collected from clinicians and information gathered from register‐based databases can yield valuable data, improving the registration accuracy for rare, near‐miss cases. However, proper and uniform clinical guidelines for the use of well‐defined international diagnostic codes are still needed.
From emergent literacy to reading: how learning to read changes a child's brain
Authors: Horowitz‐Kraus Tzipi , Hutton John S.
Published: April 2015

The ability to comprehend language is uniquely human. Behavioural and neuroimaging data reinforce the importance of intact oral language as foundational for the establishment of proficient reading. However, proficient reading is achieved not only via intact biological systems, but also a stimulating Home Literacy Environment.

Conclusion

Behavioural and neuroimaging correlates for linguistic ability and literacy exposure support the engagement of neural circuits related to reading acquisition.
Conscious Vision in Action
Authors: Briscoe Robert , Schwenkler John
Published: April 2015

It is natural to assume that the fine‐grained and highly accurate spatial information present in visual experience is often used to guide our bodily actions. Yet this assumption has been challenged by proponents of the Two Visual Systems Hypothesis (TVSH), according to which visuomotor programming is the responsibility of a “zombie” processing stream whose sources of bottom‐up spatial information are entirely non‐conscious (Clark, 2007, 2009; Goodale & Milner, 1992, 2004a; Milner & Goodale, 1995/2006, 2008). In many formulations of TVSH, the role of conscious vision in action is limited to “recognizing objects, selecting targets for action, and determining what kinds of action, broadly speaking, to perform” (Clark, 2007, p. 570). Our aim in this study is to show that the available evidence not only fails to support this dichotomous view but actually reveals a significant role for conscious vision in motor programming, especially for actions that require deliberate attention.