bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Preterm birth is associated with atypical social orienting in infancy detected using eye tracking
Authors: Telford Emma J. , Fletcher‐Watson Sue , Gillespie‐Smith Karri , Pataky Rozalia , Sparrow Sarah , Murray Ian C. , O'Hare Anne , Boardman James P.
Published: March 2016

Background

Preterm birth is closely associated with neurocognitive impairment in childhood including increased risk for social difficulties. Eye tracking objectively assesses eye‐gaze behaviour in response to visual stimuli, which permits inference about underlying cognitive processes. We tested the hypothesis that social orienting in infancy is altered by preterm birth.

Methods

Fifty preterm infants with mean (range) gestational age (GA) at birth of 29+1 (23+2–33+0) weeks and 50 term infants with mean (range) GA at birth 40+2 (37+0–42+3) weeks underwent eye tracking at median age of 7 months. Infants were presented with three categories of social stimuli of increasing complexity. Time to first fixate (TFF) and looking time (LT) on areas of interest (AoIs) were recorded using remote eye tracking.

Results

Preterm infants consistently fixated for a shorter time on social content than term infants across all three tasks: face‐scanning (fixation to eyes minus mouth 0.61s vs. 1.47s, p = .013); face pop‐out task (fixation to face 0.8s vs. 1.34s, p = .023); and social preferential looking (1.16s vs. 1.5s p = .02). Time given to AoIs containing social content as a proportion of LT at the whole stimulus was lower in preterm infants across all three tasks. These results were not explained by differences in overall looking time between the groups.

Conclusions

Eye tracking provides early evidence of atypical cognition after preterm birth, and may be a useful tool for stratifying infants at risk of impairment for early interventions designed to improve outcome.
Trauma‐Informed Approaches to Juvenile Justice: A Critical Race Perspective
Authors: Crosby Shantel D.
Published: March 2016

Youth of color experience disproportionate juvenile justice contact and recidivism. Trauma‐informed approaches may provide important support to these youth and improve their future outcomes. This paper describes dynamics of the various levels of the juvenile justice system (i.e., police contact, courts, correctional placement, aftercare) that perpetuate psychological trauma among adjudicated youth of color. This paper explores trauma‐informed approaches from a critical race theory perspective to address issues of systemic racial injustice in the juvenile justice system. Current and emerging models for trauma‐informed juvenile justice and implications for practice, policy, and research are discussed.
Transfamily Theory: How the Presence of Trans* Family Members Informs Gender Development in Families
Authors: McGuire Jenifer K. , Kuvalanka Katherine A. , Catalpa Jory M. , Toomey Russell B.
Published: March 2016

The presence of a trans* family member can challenge existing theoretical notions about the development of gender in families. Emerging knowledge about trans* identities consolidates around 5 primary challenges to existing theoretical notions of gender: (a) non‐dimorphic sex, (b) nonbinary gender, (c) the biological and social construction of gender, (d) gender identity development, and (e) family meaning making about transgender identity. These challenges structure an examination of hetero‐ and cisnormative expectations within family theory and help unpack long‐standing tensions between essentialist and social constructionist views of gender development. This can play out in family theory through a recognition of the tension between upholding and decentering cisnormativity within families. This article pinpoints locations where current family theories require reexamination and expansion to accurately conceptualize the flexibility and variability of families with trans* members.
Specific pathogen free macaque colonies: a review of principles and recent advances for viral testing and colony management
Authors: Yee JoAnn L. , Vanderford Thomas H. , Didier Elizabeth S. , Gray Stanton , Lewis Anne , Roberts Jeffrey , Taylor Kerry , Bohm Rudolf P.
Published: March 2016

Specific pathogen free (SPF) macaques provide valuable animal models for biomedical research. In 1989, the National Center for Research Resources [now Office of Research Infrastructure Programs (ORIP)] of the National Institutes of Health initiated experimental research contracts to establish and maintain SPF colonies. The derivation and maintenance of SPF macaque colonies is a complex undertaking requiring knowledge of the biology of the agents for exclusion and normal physiology and behavior of macaques, application of the latest diagnostic technology, facilitiy management, and animal husbandry. This review provides information on the biology of the four viral agents targeted for exclusion in ORIP SPF macaque colonies, describes current state‐of‐the‐art viral diagnostic algorithms, presents data from proficiency testing of diagnostic assays between laboratories at institutions participating in the ORIP SPF program, and outlines management strategies for maintaining the integrity of SPF colonies using results of diagnostic testing as a guide to decision making.
An In Vitro Study of Factors Influencing the Performance of Digital Intraoral Impressions Operating on Active Wavefront Sampling Technology with Multiple Implants in the Edentulous Maxilla
Authors: Gimenez‐Gonzalez Beatriz , Hassan Bassam , Özcan Mutlu , Pradíes Guillermo
Published: March 2016

Purpose

To evaluate the performance (accuracy and repeatability) and the factors affecting the clinical performance of a recently released intraoral scanner based on active wavefront sampling technology.

Materials and Methods

A single resin model of an edentulous maxilla fitted with six implants inserted at various depths and angulations was measured with a coordinated measuring machine (CMM) at 3 to 5 μm, and this acted as the “true,” or reference, values of the study. Six corresponding cylindrical PEEK scanbodies were then mounted onto the implants, and four calibrated observers independently repeated the digital intraoral scan five times with a True Definition (TrueDef) scanner. Using implant position #15 as a reference, five linear and angular measurements were compared with the reference values (CMM), and the data were analyzed via one‐way ANOVA and two‐sample t‐test.

Results

Mean linear and angular deviations for the TrueDef from CMM measurements were from 5.38 ± 12.61 μm to –26.97 ± 50.56 μm and from 0.16º ± 0.04º to –0.43º ± 0.1º, respectively. Experienced observers performed significantly better than inexperienced ones (p = 0.006), and scan distance (quadrant) significantly affected scanning accuracy (p = 0.003). Visible length of the scanbody affected measurement accuracy (p = 0.0001), while implant angulation did not (p = 0.757).

Conclusions

The TrueDef scanner provides measurements within clinically accepted limits. Yet scanbody visibility, observer experience, and scan length remain relevant factors affecting accuracy.
Association of School‐Based Influenza Vaccination Clinics and School Absenteeism—Arkansas, 2012‐2013
Authors: Gicquelais Rachel E. , Safi Haytham , Butler Sandra , Smith Nathaniel , Haselow Dirk T.
Published: March 2016

BACKGROUND

Influenza is a major cause of seasonal viral respiratory illness among school‐aged children. Accordingly, the Arkansas Department of Health (ADH) coordinates >800 school‐based influenza immunization clinics before each influenza season. We quantified the relationship between student influenza vaccination in Arkansas public schools and school absenteeism during the 2012‐2013 influenza season.

METHODS

The relationship between the percent of students vaccinated in Arkansas public schools during ADH‐facilitated clinics and the average daily percent of students absent from school during the 2012‐2013 influenza season was quantified using linear regression modeling. The effect of increasing vaccination coverage among students on absentee days in the Arkansas public school system was estimated.

RESULTS

For every 1% higher vaccination coverage, 0.027% fewer absenteeism days were predicted. Larger school size was associated with higher absenteeism and predicted decreases in absenteeism were larger in magnitude for larger schools compared with smaller schools. Extrapolation of the model showed that a 10% higher vaccination level was associated with a reduction of 16‐163 student absentee days per school over a 12‐week influenza season.

CONCLUSIONS

Influenza vaccination is an effective tool to reduce school absenteeism. School‐based clinics are a feasible way to target influenza vaccinations to school‐aged children.
School‐Based First Aid Training Programs: A Systematic Review
Authors: Reveruzzi Bianca , Buckley Lisa , Sheehan Mary
Published: March 2016

BACKGROUND

This review examines the breadth of first aid training delivered to school students and the components that are age appropriate to adolescents.

METHOD

Eligible studies included school‐based first aid interventions targeting students aged between 10 and 18 years. Online databases were searched, for peer‐reviewed publications available as at August 2014.

RESULTS

A total of 20 journal articles were relevant to the review. Research supported programs with longer durations (3 hours or more). Most programs taught resuscitation alone and few included content that was context‐specific and relevant to the target group. The training experience of the facilitator did not appear to impact on student outcomes. Incorporating both practical and didactic components was found to be an important factor in delivering material and facilitating the retention of knowledge. Educational resources and facilitator training were found to be common features of effective programs.

CONCLUSIONS

The review supports first aid in school curriculum and provides details of key components pertinent to design of school‐based first aid programs. The findings suggest that first aid training may have benefits wider than the uptake and retention of knowledge and skills. There is a need for future research, particularly randomized controlled trials to aid in identifying best practice approaches.
Sleep Patterns and Academic Performance During Preparation for College Entrance Exam in Chinese Adolescents
Authors: Wang Guanghai , Ren Fen , Liu Zhijun , Xu Guangxing , Jiang Fan , Skora Elizabeth , Lewin Daniel S.
Published: March 2016

BACKGROUND

Deficient sleep is linked to detrimental outcomes in health and school performance for adolescents. This study characterized sleep patterns in Chinese adolescents preparing for the College Entrance Exam (CEE) and evaluated the association between sleep patterns, self‐rated academic performance, and the CEE scores.

METHODS

A sample of 481 Chinese adolescents in 12th grade (ages 16–19 years) completed questionnaires about sleep patterns, academic performance, academic stress, and sociodemographic factors 4–6 weeks before the CEE in June 2013. The CEE scores for each student also were obtained.

RESULTS

A total of 21% of the students had bedtimes after 12:00 am, 78.3% had sleep latency longer than 30 minutes, 14.6% had wake time earlier than 6:00 am, and the vast majority (94.4%) had sleep duration less than 8 hours. After adjusting for selected confounders such as academic stress, prolonged sleep latency was associated with poorer self‐reported academic performance, and late bedtime was associated with higher CEE score.

CONCLUSIONS

Our findings highlight the complex association between sleep and academic performance. Assessing and monitoring sleep patterns in adolescents during periods of high academic demand and stress may yield important recommendations for their health and safety as well as establishing optimal sleep and study habits.
What Can the National Broadband Map Tell Us About the Health Care Connectivity Gap?
Authors: Whitacre Brian E. , Wheeler Denna , Landgraf Chad
Published: March 2016

Purpose

Internet connection speeds are generally slower in rural areas, and this issue is rising in importance for health care facilities as technologies such as Electronic Health Records and Health Information Exchanges become more common. However, the extent of the rural‐urban divide in terms of health care connectivity has not been fully quantified. This report uses data compiled from the National Broadband Map (NBM) to compare levels of health care facility connectivity across metropolitan and nonmetropolitan counties.

Methods

The number of health and medical entries in the Community Anchor Institution (CAI) data collected as part of the NBM grew from 35,000 to 63,000 between 2010 and 2014. About one‐fifth provided information on the speed of their connections in 2014. Comparisons across metro and nonmetro counties and over time provide insight into trends associated with the health care connectivity gap.

Findings

The data clearly show that health‐related institutions in nonmetro counties connect with lower speeds than do their more urban counterparts. At the aggregate level, over 55% of metro institutions who provided speed information had download speeds in excess of 50 megabytes per second in 2014, compared with only 12% of nonmetro institutions (P < .001). More importantly, the connectivity gap has grown significantly during 2010‐2014, particularly for nonhospital facilities.

Conclusions

The NBM CAI data are a publicly available and easy to use asset that rural health advocates should be aware of. The fact that the connectivity gap increased during 2010‐2014, despite policies focusing on this issue, is a cause for concern.
Multidrug resistance protein 4 is a critical protein associated with the antiviral efficacy of nucleos(t)ide analogues
Authors: Liu Wei , Song Hongxuan , Chen Qian , Xu Chunli , Zhang Wenjing , Liu Yutian , Wang Baoju , Xu Dongping , Lu Mengji , Yang Dongliang , Zheng Xin
Published: March 2016

Background & Aims

Multidrug resistance protein 4 (MRP4) has been associated with nucleos(t)ide analogue (NA) antiretroviral therapy failure, though is unclear if MRP4 is also correlated with the failure of anti‐hepatitis B virus (HBV) therapy.

Methods

Multidrug resistance protein 4 expression in human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs), liver tissues and human hepatoma cell lines was detected by real‐time polymerase chain reaction (PCR), western blotting and immunohistochemistry assays. Supernatant and intracellular HBV DNA levels of MRP4‐overexpressing or silenced HepG2.4D14 (wild‐type) and HepG2.A64 (entecavir‐resistant mutant) cells were measured by quantitative PCR. NA concentrations and HBV mutational analysis were assessed by liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry assays and DNA sequencing. Multivariate analysis was used to assess predictive factors for treatment failure.

Results

High expression of MRP4 was found in hepatoma cell lines and PBMCs, and up‐ or down‐regulation of MRP4 expression altered the susceptibility of cells to NAs. MRP inhibitors increased NA intracellular accumulation and decreased extracellular levels. Moreover, MRP4 expression in PBMCs was correlated with that in paired liver tissues. Furthermore, multivariate analysis showed MRP4 mRNA expression to be an independent predictor of NA treatment failure.

Conclusions

Multidrug resistance protein 4 is a critical protein associated with the antiviral efficacy of NAs, and combination therapy of NA and MRP inhibitors could reduce the dosage for long‐term NA use. This is the first report to demonstrate that MRP4 expression is an important factor predicting treatment failure in chronic hepatitis B patients and will provide a potential therapeutic target against HBV.
Evolution of procalcitonin, C‐reactive protein and fibrinogen levels in neutropenic leukaemia patients with invasive pulmonary aspergillosis or mucormycosis
Authors: Roques Marjorie , Chretien Marie Lorraine , Favennec Camille , Lafon Ingrid , Ferrant Emmanuelle , legouge Caroline , Plocque Alexia , Golfier Camille , Duvillard Laurence , Amoureux Lucie , Bastie Jean Noel , Maurin‐Bernier Lory , Dalle Frederic , Caillot Denis
Published: March 2016

Unlike bacterial infections, the value of procalcitonin (PCT) in detecting fungal infections in leukaemia patients is not clear. To determine whether the monitoring of PCT coupled with C‐reactive protein (CRP) and fibrinogen (Fib) could be helpful in the management of pulmonary aspergillosis (IPA) or mucormycosis (PM), we retrospectively analysed the evolution of PCT, CRP and Fib levels in 94 leukaemia patients with proven/probable IPA (n = 77) or PM (n = 17) from D−12 to D12 relative to IFI onset defined as D0. Overall, 2140 assays were performed. From D−12 to D0, 12%, 5% and 1.4% of patients had PCT >0.5, 1 and 1.5 μg l−1, respectively, while CRP was >50, 75 and 100 mg l−1 in 84%, 70% and 57% and Fib was >4, 5 and 6 g l−1 in 96%, 80% and 61% of cases respectively (P < 10−7). The same trends were observed from D1 to D12. Overall, between D−12 and D12, only 6.4% of patients had PCT >1.5 μg l−1, while CRP >100 mg l−1 and Fib >6 g l−1 were observed in 80% and 75% of cases respectively (P < 10−7). In leukaemia patients, IPA or PM was accompanied by a significant increase in CRP and Fib while PCT remained low.
A prospective observational study of vulvovagintis in pregnant women in Argentina, with special reference to candidiasis
Authors: Mucci María J. , Cuestas María L. , Cervetto María M. , Landaburu María F. , Mujica María T.
Published: March 2016

To evaluate the frequency of yeast, bacteria or protozoa in pregnant women and to correlate the possible associations of these microorganisms and their relationships with vulvovaginitis (VV) and cervicitis. Vaginal specimens were collected and prepared for smears in microscope slides for the evaluation of yeast, Trichomonas vaginalis and bacteria. Samples were cultured in specific culture medium. Cervical specimens were used to investigate the presence of Neisseria gonorrhoeae, Chlamydia trachomatis, Ureaplasma spp. and Mycoplasma hominis. We enrolled 210 pregnant women, aged 10–42 years old. Of them, 38.1% were symptomatic. Symptoms were most prevalent in the second and third trimesters of pregnancy coincident with a major prevalence of microorganisms. In this study, 39.5% of pregnant women had normal microbial biota and symptoms of VV due to non‐infectious causes were observed (6.2%). The occurrence of vulvovaginal candidiasis was 25% and Candida albicans with a prevalence of 80.7% was the dominant species (P = 0.005) while non‐albicans Candida species and other yeast were more common in asymptomatic ones (P = 0.0038). The frequency of bacterial vaginosis, T. vaginalis, C. trachomatis and N. gonorrhoeae were 18.1%, 1.4, 1.4% and 0.5% respectively.
Dermatophytosis: fluorostaining enhances speed and sensitivity in direct microscopy of skin, nail and hair specimens from dermatology outpatients
Authors: Ovrén Ellen , Berglund Lars , Nordlind Klas , Rollman Ola
Published: March 2016

Direct microscopy of keratinised specimens is a standard screening procedure that assists clinicians to differentiate true superficial mycoses from non‐fungal disorders of the skin, nail and hair. Most clinical dermatologists use bright‐field microscopy when searching for dermatophyte fungi in clinical samples while laboratory‐based mycologists increasingly favour fluorescence microscopy in order to optimise visualisation of fungal elements. This study compared the validity and speediness of fluorescence microscopy vs. conventional light microscopy when screening for fungi in 206 dermatological samples from dermatology outpatients. Both senior dermatologist and a less experienced investigator (medical student) attained high and comparable levels of specificity (91.7–93.8%), positive predictive value (77.1–81.4%) and negative predictive value (83.7–89.9%) using either method. Fluorostaining with Blankophor prior to fluorescence microscopy increased the sensitivity by 22 ± 1% as compared to light microscopy of unstained samples. For both investigators, the time required to identify fungal elements by the fluorescence‐based technique was reduced by at least 50%, thus improving the performance of direct microscopy in the clinical setting.
Cryptococcus neoformans infection in malignancy
Authors: Schmalzle Sarah A. , Buchwald Ulrike K. , Gilliam Bruce L. , Riedel David J.
Published: March 2016

Cryptococcosis is an opportunistic invasive fungal infection that is well described and easily recognised when it occurs as meningitis in HIV‐infected persons. Malignancy and its treatment may also confer a higher risk of infection with Cryptococcus neoformans, but this association has not been as well described. A case of cryptococcosis in a cancer patient is presented, and all cases of coincident C. neoformans infection and malignancy in adults published in the literature in English between 1970 and 2014 are reviewed. Data from these cases were aggregated in order to describe the demographics, type of malignancy, site of infection, clinical manifestations, treatment and outcomes of cryptococcosis in patients with cancer. Haematologic malignancies accounted for 82% of cases, with lymphomas over‐represented compared to US population data (66% vs. 53% respectively). Cryptococcosis was reported rarely in patients with solid tumours. Haematologic malignancy patients were more likely to have central nervous system (P < 0.001) or disseminated disease (P < 0.001), receive Amphotericin B as part of initial therapy (P = 0.023), and had higher reported mortality rates than those with solid tumours (P = 0.222). Providers should have heightened awareness of the possibility of cryptococcosis in patients with haematologic malignancy presenting with infection.
Reassessing Risk Factors for High Defibrillation Threshold: The EF‐SAGA Risk Score and Implications for Device Testing
Authors: SHIH MICHAEL J. , KAKODKAR SIDDHARTH A. , KAID YOUSEF , HASSEL JONATHAN L. , YARLAGADDA SANTI , FOGG LOUIS F. , MADIAS CHRISTOPHER , KRISHNAN KOUSIK , TROHMAN RICHARD G.
Published: March 2016

Objectives

To reevaluate risk factors for high defibrillation threshold (DFT) and propose a risk assessment tool.

Background

Controversy exists over routine DFT testing during implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) placement.

Methods

We retrospectively analyzed 1,642 consecutive patients who received an ICD and underwent DFT testing.

Results

The incidence of high DFT requiring addition of a subcutaneous array was 2.3%. Five significant independent variables predictive of high DFT were identified, including younger age, male gender (hazard ratio 1.99), left ventricular (LV) dysfunction, secondary prevention (hazard ratio 2.33), and amiodarone use (hazard ratio 2.39). Each 10‐year increase in age was indicative of a 0.35‐times lower chance of high DFT. Each 10% increase of LV ejection fraction (EF) was indicative of a 0.52‐times lower chance of high DFT. These five variables form the EF‐SAGA risk score (LVEF < 20%, Secondary prevention ICD indication, Age < 60 years, male Gender, Amiodarone use). Cumulative risk of high DFT increased incrementally; patients with four or more variables had an 8.9% likelihood of high DFT. Importantly, primary prevention patients with LVEF > 20% had a negative predictive value for high DFT of 99.3%.

Conclusion

We identified five independent predictors of high DFT. We propose the EF‐SAGA risk score to help decision making. Primary prevention patients with an LVEF > 20% had an exceedingly low incidence of high DFT suggesting that testing could be avoided in these patients. Careful assessment of the risk‐benefit ratio of testing is important in high‐risk patients.
Transcriptomics‐assisted quantitative trait locus fine mapping for the rapid identification of a nodulin 26‐like intrinsic protein gene regulating boron efficiency in allotetraploid rapeseed
Authors: Hua Yingpeng , Zhang Didi , Zhou Ting , He Mingliang , Ding Guangda , Shi Lei , Xu Fangsen
Published: March 2016

Allotetraploid rapeseed (Brassica napus L., AnAnCnCn, 2n = 4x = 38) is extraordinarily susceptible to boron (B) deficiency, a ubiquitous problem causing severe losses in seed yield. The breeding of B‐efficient rapeseed germ plasm is a cost‐effective and environmentally friendly strategy for the agricultural industry; however, genes regulating B efficiency in allotetraploid rapeseed have not yet been isolated. In this research, quantitative trait locus (QTL) fine mapping and digital gene expression (DGE) profiling were combined to identify the candidate genes underlying the major‐effect QTL qBEC‐A3a, which regulates B efficiency. Comparative phenotype analyses of the near‐isogenic lines (NILs) indicated that qBEC‐A3a plays a significant role in improving B efficiency under B deficiency. Exploiting QTL fine mapping and DGE analyses revealed a nodulin 26‐like intrinsic protein (NIP) gene, which encodes a likely boric acid channel. The gene co‐expression network for putative B transporters also highlighted its central role in the efficiency of B uptake. An integration of whole‐genome re‐sequencing (WGS) with bulked segregant analysis (BSA) authenticated the emerging availability of QTL‐seq for the QTL analyses in allotetraploid rapeseed. Transcriptomics‐assisted QTL mapping and comparative genomics provided novel insights into the rapid identification of quantitative trait genes (QTGs) in plant species with complex genomes.
Serum biotin in Japanese children: Enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay measurement
Authors: Wakabayashi Kenji , Kodama Hiroko , Ogawa Eishin , Sato Yasuhiro , Motoyama Kahoko , Suzuki Mitsuyoshi
Published: March 2016

Background

Biotin deficiency has been reported in Japanese infants fed special formulas for medical reasons, including those with milk allergy and congenital metabolic diseases, because these formulas contain little biotin. Serum biotin measurement is useful for diagnosing biotin deficiency. We applied a simple and rapid method to analyze serum biotin, and established normal ranges for children and adults.

Methods

Serum biotin in 188 healthy Japanese children aged 0–4 years and in 25 healthy adults was analyzed using a Biotin ELISA Kit (immundiagnostik). The effects of various conditions on the measurement of serum biotin were also examined.

Results

Median biotin in children aged 0–4 years was 10.4 ng/dL (IQR, 7.9–13.4 ng/dL), and that in adults was 12.9 ng/dL (IQR, 10.8–15.8 ng/dL). Normal range was 4.7–22.0 ng/dL in children and 8.4–20.5 ng/dL in adults (calculated using two‐sided 95%CI). Measurements obtained with this method were not affected by frozen storage, freeze–thaw, or hemolysis, indicating that serum biotin can be analyzed accurately under these conditions, with a possible application to plasma samples.

Conclusions

Serum biotin was significantly lower in children than in adults, with the normal range being 4.7–22.0 ng/dL in children and 8.4–20.5 ng/dL in adults. This simple and accurate enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay method is useful for diagnosing biotin deficiency.
Frequency‐specific disruptions of neuronal oscillations reveal aberrant auditory processing in schizophrenia
Authors: Hayrynen Lauren K. , Hamm Jordan P. , Sponheim Scott R. , Clementz Brett A.
Published: March 2016

Individuals with schizophrenia exhibit abnormalities in evoked brain responses in oddball paradigms. These could result from (a) insufficient salience‐related cortical signaling (P300), (b) insufficient suppression of irrelevant aspects of the auditory environment, or (c) excessive neural noise. We tested whether disruption of ongoing auditory steady‐state responses at predetermined frequencies informed which of these issues contribute to auditory stimulus relevance processing abnormalities in schizophrenia. Magnetoencephalography data were collected for 15 schizophrenia and 15 healthy subjects during an auditory oddball paradigm (25% targets; 1‐s interstimulus interval). Auditory stimuli (pure tones: 1 kHz standards, 2 kHz targets) were administered during four continuous background (auditory steady‐state) stimulation conditions: (1) no stimulation, (2) 24 Hz, (3) 40 Hz, and (4) 88 Hz. The modulation of the auditory steady‐state response (aSSR) and the evoked responses to the transient stimuli were quantified and compared across groups. In comparison to healthy participants, the schizophrenia group showed greater disruption of the ongoing aSSR by targets regardless of steady‐state frequency, and reduced amplitude of both M100 and M300 event‐related field components. During the no‐stimulation condition, schizophrenia patients showed accentuation of left hemisphere 40 Hz response to both standard and target stimuli, indicating an effort to enhance local stimulus processing. Together, these findings suggest abnormalities in auditory stimulus relevance processing in schizophrenia patients stem from insufficient amplification of salient stimuli.
Habermas and Religion
Authors: Sheedy Matt
Published: March 2016

At 86, Jürgen Habermas remains one of the most influential living social philosophers in the world. Since the 9/11 attacks, he has focused on the problem of religion in the public sphere and helped to popularize the term ‘post‐secularism’. Despite this recent shift in his work, religion has always been a theme in his complex critical theory. In this paper, I trace the ways in which Habermas has situated religion over the span of his career, including significant shifts, and the ways in which his theory has been taken up by others. In conclusion, I point toward some directions for future engagement with his work in the study of religions.
The Compatriot Win Effect on National Sales of a Multicountry Lottery
Authors: Baker Rose , Forrest David , Pérez Levi
Published: March 2016

Euromillions is a lotto game played across nine countries. We examine more than 8 years of sales data for individual states to assess whether a jackpot win in a country increases subsequent sales in that country. We propose a novel test for the presence of such a ‘compatriot win effect’ that has as its only assumption that the lottery draw is random. Results suggest elevated sales over 12 draws following a national win. When we model the size of the effect, it proves to be modest in size for average jackpot wins but much larger and longer lasting for the highest pay-outs.
Multipollutant Measurement Error in Air Pollution Epidemiology Studies Arising from Predicting Exposures with Penalized Regression Splines
Authors: Bergen Silas , Sheppard Lianne , Kaufman Joel D. , Szpiro Adam A.
Published: March 2016

Air pollution epidemiology studies are trending towards a multipollutant approach. In these studies, exposures at subject locations are unobserved and must be predicted by using observed exposures at misaligned monitoring locations. This induces measurement error, which can bias the estimated health effects and affect standard error estimates. We characterize this measurement error and develop an analytic bias correction when using penalized regression splines to predict exposure. Our simulations show that bias from multipollutant measurement error can be severe, and in opposite directions or simultaneously positive or negative. Our analytic bias correction combined with a non-parametric bootstrap yields accurate coverage of 95% confidence intervals. We apply our methodology to analyse the association of systolic blood pressure with PM2.5 and NO2 levels in the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences Sister Study. We find that NO2 confounds the association of systolic blood pressure with PM2.5 levels and vice versa. Elevated systolic blood pressure was significantly associated with increased PM2.5 and decreased NO2 levels. Correcting for measurement error bias strengthened these associations and widened 95% confidence intervals.
How to Measure Social Progress?
Authors: Greve Bent
Published: March 2016

A good society is the goal for social policy. Recent years have seen a growing awareness that gross domestic product (GDP) alone does not measure this. Happiness and well‐being have increasingly been seen as elements that should influence welfare policies. This review article provides an overview of many of the ways to measure well‐being and happiness. It attempts to cover three distinct, but interrelated subjects. First, why and what can be used to complement GDP as measures for societal development. Second, is there a relation between well‐being, happiness and central social policy areas? Third, whether knowledge on what makes people happy could inform policymakers in their decisions. The article discusses the many new attempts to measure societal development, and the fact that there are so many that decision makers and citizens are drowning by numbers and thereby not able to grasp whether or not there is social progress. Lastly, by using the classical depiction of welfare states, the article analyses whether the indexes are in line herewith, and that, therefore, they might be used as an instrument for steering societies in the direction of a good society.
Vocal Development as a Guide to Modeling the Evolution of Language
Authors: Oller D. Kimbrough , Griebel Ulrike , Warlaumont Anne S.
Published: March 2016

Modeling of evolution and development of language has principally utilized mature units of spoken language, phonemes and words, as both targets and inputs. This approach cannot address the earliest phases of development because young infants are unable to produce such language features. We argue that units of early vocal development—protophones and their primitive illocutionary/perlocutionary forces—should be targeted in evolutionary modeling because they suggest likely units of hominin vocalization/communication shortly after the split from the chimpanzee/bonobo lineage, and because early development of spontaneous vocal capability is a logically necessary step toward vocal language, a root capability without which other crucial steps toward vocal language capability are impossible. Modeling of language evolution/development must account for dynamic change in early communicative units of form/function across time. We argue for interactive contributions of sender/infants and receiver/caregivers in a feedback loop involving both development and evolution and propose to begin computational modeling at the hominin break from the primate communicative background.
Gene expression profiling of reproductive meristem types in early rice inflorescences by laser microdissection
Authors: Harrop Thomas W. R. , Ud Din Israr , Gregis Veronica , Osnato Michela , Jouannic Stefan , Adam Hélène , Kater Martin M.
Published: March 2016

In rice, inflorescence architecture is established at early stages of reproductive development and contributes directly to grain yield potential. After induction of flowering, the complexity of branching, and therefore the number of seeds on the panicle, is determined by the activity of different meristem types and the timing of transitions between them. Although some of the genes involved in these transitions have been identified, an understanding of the network of transcriptional regulators controlling this process is lacking. To address this we used a precise laser microdissection and RNA‐sequencing approach in Oryza sativa ssp. japonica cv. Nipponbare to produce quantitative data that describe the landscape of gene expression in four different meristem types: the rachis meristem, the primary branch meristem, the elongating primary branch meristem (including axillary meristems), and the spikelet meristem. A switch in expression profile between apical and axillary meristem types followed by more gradual changes during transitions in axillary meristem identity was observed, and several genes potentially involved in branching were identified. This resource will be vital for a mechanistic understanding of the link between inflorescence development and grain yield.
Spike‐dip transformation of Setaria viridis
Authors: Saha Prasenjit , Blumwald Eduardo
Published: March 2016

Traditional method of Agrobacterium‐mediated transformation through the generation of tissue culture had limited success for Setaria viridis, an emerging C4 monocot model. Here we present an efficient in planta method for Agrobacterium‐mediated genetic transformation of S. viridis using spike dip. Pre‐anthesis developing spikes were dipped into a solution of Agrobacterium tumefaciens strain AGL1 harboring the β‐glucuronidase (GUS) reporter gene driven by the cauliflower mosaic virus 35S (CaMV35S) promoter to standardize and optimize conditions for transient as well as stable transformations. A transformation efficiency of 0.8 ± 0.1% was obtained after dipping of 5‐day‐old S3 spikes for 20 min in Agrobacterium cultures containing S. viridis spike‐dip medium supplemented with 0.025% Silwet L‐77 and 200 μm acetosyringone. Reproducibility of this method was demonstrated by generating stable transgenic lines expressing β‐glucuronidase plus (GUSplus), green fluorescent protein (GFP) and Discosoma sp. red fluorescent protein (DsRed) reporter genes driven by either CaMV35S or intron‐interrupted maize ubiquitin (Ubi) promoters from three S. viridis genotypes. Expression of these reporter genes in transient assays as well as in T1 stable transformed plants was monitored using histochemical, fluorometric GUS activity and fluorescence microscopy. Molecular analysis of transgenic lines revealed stable integration of transgenes into the genome, and inherited transgenes expressed in the subsequent generations. This approach provides opportunities for the high‐throughput transformation and potentially facilitates translational research in a monocot model plant.
Cooperation between the chloroplast psbA 5′‐untranslated region and coding region is important for translational initiation: the chloroplast translation machinery cannot read a human viral gene coding region
Authors: Nakamura Masayuki , Hibi Yurina , Okamoto Takashi , Sugiura Masahiro
Published: March 2016

Chloroplast mRNA translation is regulated by the 5′‐untranslated region (5′‐UTR). Chloroplast 5′‐UTRs also support translation of the coding regions of heterologous genes. Using an in vitro translation system from tobacco chloroplasts, we detected no translation from a human immunodeficiency virus tat coding region fused directly to the tobacco chloroplast psbA 5′‐UTR. This lack of apparent translation could have been due to rapid degradation of mRNA templates or synthesized protein products. Replacing the psbA 5′‐UTR with the E. coli phage T7 gene 10 5′‐UTR, a highly active 5′‐UTR, and substituting synonymous codons led to some translation of the tat coding region. The Tat protein thus synthesized was stable during translation reactions. No significant degradation of the added tat mRNAs was observed after translation reactions. These results excluded the above two possibilities and confirmed that the tat coding region prevented its own translation. The tat coding region was then fused to the psbA 5′‐UTR with a cognate 5′‐coding segment. Significant translation was detected from the tat coding region when fused after 10 or more codons. That is, translation could be initiated from the tat coding region once translation had started, indicating that the tat coding region inhibits translational initiation but not elongation. Hence, cooperation/compatibility between the 5′‐UTR and its coding region is important for translational initiation.
Exercise training improves obesity‐related lymphatic dysfunction
Authors: Hespe Geoffrey E. , Kataru Raghu P. , Savetsky Ira L. , García Nores Gabriela D. , Torrisi Jeremy S. , Nitti Matthew D. , Gardenier Jason C. , Zhou Jie , Yu Jessie Z. , Jones Lee W. , Mehrara Babak J.
Published: March 2016

Key points

Obesity results in perilymphatic inflammation and lymphatic dysfunction.

Lymphatic dysfunction in obesity is characterized by decreased lymphatic vessel density, decreased collecting lymphatic vessel pumping frequency, decreased lymphatic trafficking of immune cells, increased lymphatic vessel leakiness and changes in the gene expression patterns of lymphatic endothelial cells.

Aerobic exercise, independent of weight loss, decreases perilymphatic inflammatory cell accumulation, improves lymphatic function and reverses pathological changes in gene expression in lymphatic endothelial cells.

Although previous studies have shown that obesity markedly decreases lymphatic function, the cellular mechanisms that regulate this response remain unknown. In addition, it is unclear whether the pathological effects of obesity on the lymphatic system are reversible with behavioural modifications. The purpose of this study, therefore, was to analyse lymphatic vascular changes in obese mice and to determine whether these pathological effects are reversible with aerobic exercise. We randomized obese mice to either aerobic exercise (treadmill running for 30 min per day, 5 days a week, for 6 weeks) or a sedentary group that was not exercised and analysed lymphatic function using a variety of outcomes. We found that sedentary obese mice had markedly decreased collecting lymphatic vessel pumping capacity, decreased lymphatic vessel density, decreased lymphatic migration of immune cells, increased lymphatic vessel leakiness and decreased expression of lymphatic specific markers compared with lean mice (allP < 0.01). Aerobic exercise did not cause weight loss but markedly improved lymphatic function compared with sedentary obese mice. Exercise had a significant anti‐inflammatory effect, resulting in decreased perilymphatic accumulation of inflammatory cells and inducible nitric oxide synthase expression. In addition, exercise normalized isolated lymphatic endothelial cell gene expression of lymphatic specific genes, includingVEGFR‐3andProx1. Taken together, our findings suggest that obesity impairs lymphatic function via multiple mechanisms and that these pathological changes can be reversed, in part, with aerobic exercise, independent of weight loss. In addition, our study shows that obesity‐induced lymphatic endothelial cell gene expression changes are reversible with behavioural modifications.
Effects of Strain Rate and Amplitude Variations on Solder Joint Fatigue Life in Isothermal Cycling
Authors: Hamasha Sa'd , Borgesen Peter
Published: March 2016

The behavior of lead-free solder alloys under realistic service conditions is still not well understood. Life prediction of solder joints relies on conducting accelerated tests and extrapolating results to service conditions. This can be very misleading without proper constitutive relations and without understanding the effects of cycling parameter variations common under realistic service conditions. It has been shown that the fatigue life depends on the inelastic work accumulation, independently of cycling-induced material property variations, which explains the breakdown of damage accumulation rules and allows the development of a modified Miner's rule. This paper discusses the interacting effects of strain rate and amplitude variations on solder joint fatigue life. Individual SnAgCu solder joints with two different Ag contents (SAC305 and SAC105) were tested in low cycling shear fatigue under single and varying amplitudes with different strain rates. Such a shear fatigue experiment allows the measurement of work accumulation and the evolution of solder deformation properties during cycling. The results showed that cycling with a lower strain rate at fixed amplitude causes more damage per cycle. Alternating between mild amplitude at a high strain rate and harsh amplitude at a low strain rate leads to ongoing increases in the rate of damage at the mild amplitude and thus relatively rapid failure. In comparing SAC305 with SAC105, the effect of strain rate on both alloys is almost the same, and SAC305 is still more fatigue resistant than SAC105 in varying amplitude cycling with any strain rate.
A Novel Transparent Glass Fiber-Reinforced Polymer Composite Interlayer for Blast-Resistant Windows
Authors: Zhu Hua , Khanna S. K.
Published: March 2016

An optically transparent woven glass fiber-reinforced polyester composite has been fabricated. This composite has been used as an interlayer in the fabrication of a laminated glass-composite window panel for application in blast-resistant windows. The transparency of the glass fiber-reinforced composite was achieved by matching the refractive index of the polyester matrix with that of glass fibers. Various chemical additives have been investigated for their effectiveness in modifying the refractive index of the polyester matrix. The composite interlayer's mechanical properties under both quasi-static and dynamic loading conditions have been characterized in this study. The window panels were tested under various blast loading conditions. The panels perform well under U.S. General Services Administration (GSA) specified C, D, and E blast loading levels.
Introduction of Circumferentially Nonuniform Variable Guide Vanes in the Inlet Plenum of a Centrifugal Compressor for Minimum Losses and Flow Distortion
Authors: Sezal Ismail , Chen Nan , Aalburg Christian , Gadamsetty Rajesh Kumar V. , Erhard Wolfgang , Del Greco Alberto Scotti , Tapinassi Libero , Lang Matthias
Published: March 2016

In the oil and gas industry, large variations in flow rates are often encountered, which require compression trains with a wide operating range. If the stable operating range at constant speed is insufficient, variable speed drivers can be used to meet the requirements. Alternatively, variable inlet guide vanes (IGVs) can be introduced into the inlet plenum to provide pre- or counterswirl to the first-stage impeller, possibly eliminating the need for variable speed. This paper presents the development and validation of circumferentially nonuniform IGVs that were specifically designed to provide maximum angle variation at minimum losses and flow distortion for the downstream impeller. This includes the comparison of three concepts: a baseline design based on circumferentially uniform and symmetric profiles, two circumferentially nonuniform concepts based on uniquely cambered airfoils at each circumferential position, and a multi-airfoil configuration consisting of a uniquely cambered fixed part and a movable part. The idea behind the circumferentially nonuniform designs was to take into account nonsymmetric flow features inside the plenum and a bias toward large preswirl angles rather than counter-swirl during practical operation. The designs were carried out by computational fluid dynamics (CFD) and first tested in a steady, full-annulus cascade in order to quantify pressure losses and flow quality at the inlet to the impeller at different IGV setting angles (ranging from −20 deg to +60 deg) and flow rates. Subsequently, the designs were mounted in front of a typical oil and gas impeller on a high-speed rotating rig in order to determine the impact of flow distortion on the impeller performance. The results show that pressure losses in the inlet plenum could be reduced by up to 40% with the circumferentially nonuniform designs over the symmetric baseline configuration. Furthermore, a significant reduction in circumferential distortion could be achieved with the circumferentially nonuniform designs. The resulting improvement in impeller performance contributed approximately 40% to the overall efficiency gains for inlet plenum and impeller combined.