bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Evaluation of Neonatal Brain Parenchyma Using 2‐Dimensional Shear Wave Elastography
Authors: Albayrak Eda , Kasap Tuba
Published: August 2017

Objectives

The aim of this study was to evaluate the stiffness of the neonatal brain using 2‐dimensional shear wave elastography in term and preterm neonates and to investigate possible stiffness differences between groups.

Methods

A total of 83 neonates, including 44 term and 39 preterm, were included in the study. Shear wave elastographic measurements of the thalamus and occipital periventricular white matter were conducted via the anterior fontanel. The Pearson correlation coefficient was used to determine the association between the birth week and stiffness values of the thalamus and periventricular white matter. A receiver operating characteristic analysis was applied to determine the power of the stiffness of the thalamus and periventricular white matter in predicting a significant preterm classification. P < .05 was considered significant.

Results

The brain parenchymal stiffness values measured from both the thalamus and periventricular white matter were found to be significantly lower in the preterm group compared with the term group. The periventricular white matter stiffness values were found to be lower than thalamus stiffness values in both groups. According to the receiver operating characteristic curve, the optimal cutoff values for determining prematurity were defined to be less than 8.28 kPa for the mean thalamus stiffness and less than 6.59 kPa for the periventricular white matter.

Conclusions

This study shows that differences between brain stiffness values in preterm and term neonates can be shown by using 2‐dimensional shear wave elastography, and the results may be reference points for evaluating neonatal brain stiffness in research on patients with various illnesses.
Risk factors for thirty‐day readmission following flap reconstruction of oncologic defects of the head and neck
Authors: Osborn Heather A. , Rathi Vinay K. , Tjoa Tjoson , Goyal Neerav , Yarlagadda Bharat B. , Rich Debbie L. , Emerick Kevin S. , Lin Derrick T. , Deschler Daniel G. , Durand Marlene L.
Published: August 2017

Objectives

Unplanned 30‐day readmission rate following hospital discharge is an important metric of healthcare quality. This study sought to characterize the rate, risk factors, and common causes of readmission in head and neck cancer patients following free or pedicled flap reconstruction.

Study Design

Retrospective cohort study.

Methods

Charts were reviewed of all patients who underwent free or pedicled flap reconstruction following resection of head and neck cancer at the Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary 2009 to 2014. Readmission risk factors were evaluated by univariate and multivariate analysis.

Results

Of 682 patients with free (76%) or pedicled flap reconstruction, 135 patients (19.8%) were readmitted. Factors not associated with readmission included age, gender, American Society of Anesthesiologists status, operative time, prior radiation therapy, primary cancer site, and free (vs. pedicled) flap type. Significant readmission risk factors included surgical site infections (SSI) (45.2% vs. 9.9%), use of hardware (18.5% vs. 11.3%), and clean–contaminated or contaminated surgery (15.2% vs. clean 8.2%). Surgical site infections (P < 0.001) and use of hardware (P = 0.03) remained predictive of readmission on multiple regression analysis. Primary reasons for readmission included wound complications (61.5%) and supportive care (15.6%). The median time to readmission was 8 days, and 41% of readmissions occurred within 1 week. Seventy percent of readmissions occurred within 2 weeks, including 77% of readmissions for SSIs and 86% for supportive care.

Conclusion

Readmissions occurred in nearly one‐fifth of patients following flap surgery. SSIs and use of hardware were risk factors, whereas wound complications were the most common cause of readmission.

Level of Evidence

4. Laryngoscope, 128:343–349, 2018
A three‐objective user equilibrium model: Time surplus maximisation under uncertainty
Authors: Wang Judith Y. T. , Ehrgott Matthias
Published: August 2017

In this paper, we propose a user equilibrium model considering the 3 most important factors influencing route choice behaviour in a road network, namely, travel time, travel time reliability, and monetary cost. We further develop the time surplus maximisation bi‐objective user equilibrium model and incorporate the concept of travel time budget to model how users might react to uncertainty induced by day‐to‐day variability in travel time caused by traffic incidents. This results in a three‐objective user equilibrium model, which has a possibly infinite set of equilibrium flows. To compute equilibrium flows, we introduce time budget surplus defined as the maximum travel time a user is willing to spend minus the actual time budget required for a desired level of travel time reliability. At equilibrium, for each origin–destination pair, all individuals are travelling on the path with the highest time budget surplus value among all the efficient paths between this origin‐destination pair. This becomes a time budget surplus maximisation three‐objective user equilibrium model (TBSmaxTUE). We show that the TBSmaxTUE model is a special case of three‐objective user equilibrium considering minimisation of expected travel time, travel time variance, and toll (monetary cost) as objectives. We illustrate the model and our results on a small network.
Monomolecular reaction networks: Flux‐influenced sets and balloons
Authors: Vassena Nicola , Matano Hiroshi
Published: August 2017

In living cells, we can observe a variety of complex network systems such as metabolic network. Studying their sensitivity is one of the main approaches for understanding the dynamics of these biological systems. The study of the sensitivity is done by increasing/decreasing, or knocking out separately, each enzyme mediating a reaction in the system and then observing the responses in the concentrations of chemicals or their fluxes. However, because of the complexity of the systems, it has been unclear how the network structures influence/determine the responses of the systems. In this study, we focus on monomolecular networks at steady state and establish a simple criterion for determining regions of influence when any one of the reaction rates is perturbed through sensitivity experiments of enzyme knock‐out type. Specifically, we study the network response to perturbations of a reaction rate j∗ and describe which other reaction rates
respond by non‐zero reaction flux, at steady state. Non‐zero responses of
to j∗ are called flux‐influence of j∗ on
. The main and most important aspect of this analysis lies in the reaction graph approach, in which the chemical reaction networks are modelled by a directed graph. Our whole analysis is function‐free, ie, in particular, our approach allows a graph theoretical description of sensitivity of chemical reaction networks. We emphasize that the analysis does not require numerical input but is based on the graph structure only. Our specific goal here is to address a topological characterization of the flux‐influence relation in the network. In fact we characterize and describe the whole set of reactions influenced by a perturbation of any specific reaction.
Inferior vena cava atresia predisposing to acute lower extremity deep vein thrombosis in children: A descriptive dual‐center study
Authors: Tarango Cristina , Kumar Riten , Patel Manish , Blackmore Anne , Warren Patrick , Palumbo Joseph S.
Published: August 2017

Purpose

Thrombosis in the healthy pediatric population is a rare occurrence. Little is known about the optimal treatment or outcomes of children with unprovoked acute lower extremity (LE) deep vein thrombosis (DVT) associated with atresia of the inferior vena cava (IVC).

Methods

We retrospectively analyzed the records of patients with acute LE DVT subsequently found to have IVC atresia who presented to two tertiary pediatric institutions between 2008 and 2016. Data were reviewed for thrombophilia risk factors, treatment, and outcomes.

Results

Eighteen patients, aged 13–18 years (median: 16 years), presenting with acute LE DVT were found to have IVC atresia. Three patients also presented with pulmonary embolism. Fourteen patients underwent site‐directed thrombolysis in addition to anticoagulation. Five patients (28%) had confirmed or suspected recurrent thrombosis. Thirteen patients (72%) had no identified provocation for DVT. Ten patients (56%) had post‐thrombotic syndrome, and 17 of 18 patients remain on indefinite anticoagulation.

Conclusion

This study suggests that IVC atresia is a risk factor for LE DVT and pulmonary embolism in otherwise healthy children and highlights the importance of dedicated imaging of the IVC in young patients with unprovoked LE DVT. Indefinite anticoagulation may be considered in pediatric patients presenting with unprovoked thrombosis secondary to an atretic IVC.
Mutational status of NRAS, KRAS, and PTPN11 genes is associated with genetic/cytogenetic features in children with B‐precursor acute lymphoblastic leukemia
Authors: Liang Der‐Cherng , Chen Shih‐Hsiang , Liu Hsi‐Che , Yang Chao‐Ping , Yeh Ting‐Chi , Jaing Tang‐Her , Hung Iou‐Jih , Hou Jen‐Yin , Lin Tung‐Huei , Lin Chun‐Hui , Shih Lee‐Yung
Published: August 2017

Background

We aimed to investigate the frequencies and the association with genetic/cytogenetic abnormalities as well as prognostic relevance of RAS pathway mutations in Taiwanese children with B‐precursor acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL), the largest cohort in Asians.

Procedure

Between 1995 and 2012, marrow samples at diagnosis from 535 children were studied for NRAS, KRAS, and PTPN11 mutations. The mutational status of each gene was correlated with the clinico‐hematological features, recurrent genetic abnormalities, and outcomes for those treated with TPOG‐ALL‐2002 protocol (n = 346).

Results

The frequencies of NRAS, KRAS, and PTPN11 mutations were 10.8% (57/530), 10.2% (54/530), and 3.0% (16/526), respectively. NRAS mutations were associated with a higher frequency of hyperdiploidy (P = 0.01) and lower frequency of ETV6‐RUNX1 (P < 0.01), whereas KRAS mutations were associated with younger age (P < 0.01), a higher frequency of KMT2A rearranged (P < 0.01) but no significant difference if infants with ALL were excluded, and inferior event‐free survival (66.6% vs. 80.5%, P = 0.04). None of patients with TCF3‐PBX1 had KRAS mutation (P = 0.02).

Conclusions

Our study showed that the frequency of KRAS mutations in Taiwan was significantly higher than that reported in Caucasians. The occurrence of RAS pathway mutations was associated with recurrent genetic/cytogenetic abnormalities in pediatric B‐precursor ALL.
NMR secondary structure and interactions of recombinant human MOZART1 protein, a component of the gamma‐tubulin complex
Authors: Cukier Cyprian D. , Tourdes Audrey , El‐Mazouni Dounia , Guillet Valérie , Nomme Julian , Mourey Lionel , Milon Alain , Merdes Andreas , Gervais Virginie
Published: August 2017

Mitotic‐spindle organizing protein associated with a ring of γ‐tubulin 1 (MOZART1) is an 8.5 kDa protein linked to regulation of γ‐tubulin ring complexes (γTuRCs), which are involved in nucleation of microtubules. Despite its small size, MOZART1 represents a challenging target for detailed characterization in vitro. We described herein a protocol for efficient production of recombinant human MOZART1 in Escherichia coli and assessed the properties of the purified protein using a combination of size exclusion chromatography coupled with multiangle light scattering (SEC‐MALS), dynamic light scattering (DLS), and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) experiments. MOZART1 forms heterogeneous oligomers in solution. We identified optimal detergent and buffer conditions for recording well resolved NMR experiments allowing nearly full protein assignment and identification of three distinct alpha‐helical structured regions. Finally, using NMR, we showed that MOZART1 interacts with the N‐terminus (residues 1–250) of GCP3 (γ‐tubulin complex protein 3). Our data illustrate the capacity of MOZART1 to form oligomers, promoting multiple contacts with a subset of protein partners in the context of microtubule nucleation.
Electronic and optical properties of pyrrole and thiophene oligomers: A density functional theory study
Authors: Chen Juan , Zhu Xingfeng , Luo Chenglin , Dai Yafei
Published: August 2017

The conductive mechanism of pyrrole (Py) and thiophene (Th) oligomers is investigated in the framework of density functional theory. Geometric constructions and electronic structures of neutral n‐Py/n‐Th and oxidized n‐Pym+/n‐Thm+ oligomers (6 ≤ n ≤ 48, 2 ≤ m ≤ 18) are reported as a function of oligomer length. The charges in the oxidized oligomers have a localized distribution along the oxidized n‐Pym+/n‐Thm+ oligomers, and each set of two positive charges is localized in one area. Therefore, the charge carriers in oxidized n‐Pym+/n‐Thm+ oligomers are bipolarons. Furthermore, the nonlinear optical properties of the n‐Py/n‐Th oligomers are investigated, for which the static polarizability α, the first polarizability β, and the second polarizability γ are calculated. When the ratio of m/n is 1/3, the static polarizability <α> and the polarizability anisotropy Δα are maximized. In addition, neutral n‐Py/n‐Th oligomers have maximum <γ> values. The values of β were determined mainly by the dipole of the molecule, while the values of γ were closely related to the aromaticity of the oligomer. The stronger the aromaticity, the bigger the γ value. All calculations indicate that the polarizability and absorption spectrum can be tuned by controlling the oxidation level, making these oligomers applicable as good nonlinear optical materials.
Joining statistics and geophysics for assessment and uncertainty quantification of three‐dimensional seismic Earth models
Authors: Larmat Carène , Maceira Monica , Higdon David M. , Anderson Dale N.
Published: August 2017

Seismic inversions produce seismic models, which are 3‐dimensional (3D) images of wave velocity of the entire planet retrieved by fitting seismic measurements made on records of past earthquakes or other seismic events. Computing power of the TeraFlop era, along with the dataflow from new, very dense, seismic arrays, has led to a new generation of 3D seismic Earth models with an unprecedented level of resolution.

Here we compare two recent models of western United States from the Dynamic North America (DNA) seismic imaging effort. The two models only differ in the wave propagation that was used for their inversion: one is based on ray theory (RT), and the other on finite frequency (FF). We evaluate the two models using an independent numerical method and statistical tests. We show that they differ in how they produce seismic signals from a subset of earthquakes that were used in the original inversion and were recorded on the US array. This is especially true for measurements done in the Yellowstone area which has a large negative seismic anomaly. This result is of importance for seismologists who have been debating on the practical benefit of using FF in ill‐posed Earth inversions. Model evaluation, such as the one reported here, represents an opportunity for collaboration between geophysical and statistical communities. More opportunities should arise with the upcoming Exascale era, which will provide enough computational power to explore together several sources of errors in models with thousands of parameters, opening the way of uncertainty quantification of seismic models.
Screening for Managerial Objectives
Authors: Arce Daniel G.
Published: August 2017

The debate between agency and stewardship theorists on the nature of managerial objectives in itself implies that a principal may be uninformed about managers' objectives. This article introduces a model of adverse selection in managerial types where classically opportunistic agents are contrasted with stewards who exhibit intrinsic preferences for the organization's success and experience betrayal (crowding out) when they are incentivized as if they were agents. The analysis characterizes stewardship inefficiencies not previously identified by stewardship theorists. This inefficiency is minimized via a menu of contracts that emphasizes the fixed component of pay for stewards. Moreover, steward‐run firms are more successful than agent‐run firms.
Time‐dependent serviceability behavior of reinforced concrete beams: Partial interaction tension stiffening mechanics
Authors: Sturm Alexander B. , Visintin Phillip , Oehlers Deric J.
Published: August 2017

The partial interaction (PI) mechanics of tension stiffening governs crack widening and the consequential deflection of reinforced concrete (RC) beams and, therefore, is essential in the serviceability design of RC structures. Both behaviors are dependent on the PI global load slip behavior of the tensile reinforcement relative to the surrounding concrete at a crack face, which in turn is dependent on the local PI material bond‐stress/slip relationship between the reinforcement and adjacent concrete. Due to the complexity of PI theory, it has been difficult to directly incorporate PI mechanics into design procedures. Consequently, empirical approaches to quantify effective flexural rigidities and crack widths are commonplace. While empirical approaches can be derived relatively simply for short‐term loading, the influence of concrete shrinkage and creep is difficult to incorporate. In this paper, pure mechanics‐based PI solutions to describe the crack spacing and tension stiffening behavior of RC beams subjected to long‐term loads are derived. They only require material properties and clearly show the interaction among shrinkage, creep and bond properties. They are simple enough to use directly in design and will help in the experimental derivation of the material properties. The results of these PI analyses are used in a companion paper to develop design rules for the time‐dependent serviceability deflection of RC beams and compared with test results.
Multifactor mechanical aging properties and electrical performance research on composite material tower and samples
Authors: Wang Junhua , Shao Jianwei , Long Mengjiao , Ma Yayun , Liu Kaipei
Published: August 2017

Composite materials have potential applications in power systems because of their excellent electrical and mechanical characteristics. Composite towers can solve problems existing in the construction and operation of regional transmission lines. However, there are many problems that need to be solved before their large‐scale practical application. Composite materials used for electric towers are synthesized with polyurethane resin and glass fiber, contributing to poor hydrophobicity and self‐cleaning capacity as well as poor antifouling property. So hydrophobic coatings have been applied to the surface of materials in this paper. Electrical tests on the composite material samples, including wetting flashover test, pollution flashover test, and icing flashover test, were conducted to study the properties of hydrophobic coatings, which demonstrate that flashover voltage of hydrophobic coated composite samples is significantly improved. At present, the key technical problems that limit the large‐scale application of composite towers are aging and degradation of mechanical properties. To test those two properties of composite towers and relevant composite materials, 5000‐h multifactor artificial accelerating aging tests were carried out, which proved that the composite samples used for the tower and the composite tower itself have good aging resistance and mechanical properties. © 2017 Institute of Electrical Engineers of Japan. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Robust state estimation of power systems based on equivalent measurement technique
Authors: Uatrongjit Sermsak
Published: August 2017

The paper investigates the application of the equivalent measurement technique to the robust state estimation (SE) of power systems. In contrast to the weighted least square‐based SE method, the objective functions of the robust SE tend to suppress the influence of bad data contained in the measurement set during the estimation process. So there is no need to perform bad data elimination. In the proposed approach, the collected measured data, such as the power flowing through the transmission line, the injection power, and bus voltage magnitude, are converted into equivalent measurements as either current or voltage phasor quantities. Also the state variables are expressed in rectangular coordinates. This enables the relationship between the state variables and the measurements to be described by the linear measurement function and its Jacobian matrix is computed only once during the iterative solution computation. Some testing results of the standard IEEE test systems indicate that the proposed approach uses less computation time and still provides similar accuracy compared to the conventional SE. © 2017 Institute of Electrical Engineers of Japan. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Applying sum‐of‐squares decomposition technique to power system robust control problem
Authors: Chen Mingyuan , Li Xiaocong , Lagoa Constantino M. , Cong Lanmei , Xu Junhua
Published: August 2017

For the first time, we apply the sum‐of‐squares (SOS) decomposition technique for robust control of power systems. We propose an SOS L2 robust control scheme aiming at a power system characterized by exogenous disturbances. A set of states‐related inequalities are utilized to guarantee L2 gain disturbance attenuation performance of the system. It involves semidefinite programming relaxations based on the SOS decomposition technique, which is employed to solve the inequalities that bring about robust control of the system. This method is superior to other traditional approaches. It is able to construct a robust controller that guarantees L2 gain disturbance attenuation performance of the system featuring exogenous disturbance by the SOS algorithm without solving Hamilton–Jacobi inequalities or using the recursive design of back‐stepping. Then, the proposed approach is applied to derive a robust excitation controller for multimachine power systems. Moreover, a three‐machine power system model is employed to test the robust excitation controller, which finally verifies its effectiveness and superiority. © 2017 Institute of Electrical Engineers of Japan. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
A History of China
Authors: Roberts J. A. G.
Published: August 2017

This absorbing history of China, from early times to the present, covers the country's complex political, economic structures and culture in a concise yet nuanced manner. The third edition has been revised and expanded in light of recent research, bringing the story right up to date and including a new chronology.
Is feedback to medical learners associated with characteristics of improved patient care?
Authors: Hayes Victoria , Bing-You Robert , Varaklis Kalli , Trowbridge Robert , Kemp Heather , McKelvy Dina
Published: August 2017

Purpose To investigate the association of medical learner feedback with patient management and outcomes.

Methods The authors investigated 27 articles that utilized patient data or chart reviews as a subset of a prior feedback scoping review. Data extraction was completed by two authors and all authors reviewed the descriptive data analysis.

Results The studies were predominantly short-term investigations conducted in the US at academic teaching hospitals (89%) with one medical discipline (78%), most commonly internal medicine (56%). Patient-related outcomes primarily involved improved documentation (26%) and adherence to practice guidelines (19%) and were mostly measured through chart reviews (56%) or direct observation (15%). The primary method of feedback delivery involved a written format (30%). The majority of the studies showed a positive effect of feedback on the patient-oriented study outcomes (82%), although most involved a non-rigorous study design.

Conclusions Published studies focusing on the relationship between medical learner feedback and patient care are sparse. Most involve a single discipline at a single institution and are of a non-rigorous design. Measurements of improved patient outcomes are restricted to changes in management, procedures and documentation. Well-designed studies that directly link learner feedback to patient outcomes may help to support the use of feedback in teaching clinical outcomes improvement in alignment with competency-based milestones.
The Effect of Education on Chlorhexidine Use in a Neonatal Intensive Care Unit
Authors: Pettit Janet Delong , Sharpe Elizabeth Li
Published: August 2017

Background: Neonates are at greater risk for central-line-associated bloodstream infection due to prolonged vascular access for nutrition and medications. Skin antisepsis using chlorhexidine gluconate (CHG), particularly the formulation with alcohol (CHG/alcohol), during central line insertion and maintenance activities is a key clinical care process associated with central line-associated bloodstream infection reduction. One area of ongoing confusion for many clinicians is whether to adhere to the manufacturer's recommendations that CHG remain on the skin following the procedure to promote persistent microbicidal effects, or to foster product removal in hopes of preventing skin-related complications.

Purpose: Determine the effect of a targeted education program on the knowledge and attitudes of nurses who place peripherally inserted central catheters in the neonatal intensive care unit regarding the use and removal of CHG antiseptic.

Methods: A quasiexperimental presurvey/postsurvey quality improvement project recruited participants from the electronic mailing list of a national neonatal nursing organization.

Results: There was a statistically significant deficiency in knowledge or misinformation related to the use of CHG/alcohol on the presurvey assessment. Eight questions reflecting knowledge consistent with most recent evidence were answered correctly only 11.4%–25.7% of the time, all of which were considered statistically significant. Following completion of the education program, a nearly 100% correct response rate on all but 3 postsurvey questions resulted.

Conclusions: This quality improvement project demonstrated success in the ability to change knowledge surrounding the removal of CHG/alcohol from the skin of babies in a neonatal intensive care unit following completion of a targeted education program, and the effectiveness of targeted web-based educational programs.
Nursing Specialty Certification and Patient Outcomes: What We Know in Acute Care Hospitals and Future Directions
Authors: Boyle Diane K.
Published: August 2017

Purpose: To discuss the current research evidence about the relationship of nursing specialty certification and patient outcomes in acute care hospitals, interpret research findings within Needleman's Expanded Conceptual Model for Credentialing Research, provide future direction for research using Needleman's model, and discuss how Needleman's model applies to vascular access certification.

Review of Literature: Studies have found relationships between higher rates of nursing specialty certification and lower rates of total patient falls, pressure injuries, selected hospital-acquired infections, failure to rescue, and death. Inconsistent or contradictory evidence exists for the association of specialty certified nurses and lower total patient fall rates, selected hospital-acquired infection rates, and hospital-acquired pressure injuries. In addition, many of the significant associations supporting a relationship between specialty certified nurses and better patient outcomes are weak and may not be clinically meaningful. Many completed studies were not guided by a conceptual framework or model.

Conclusions: Needleman's Expanded Conceptual Model for Credentialing Research provides a mechanism for driving theory-based research about the association of specialty certification and patient outcomes by providing specific intervening variables: invisible architecture, work organization, and performance. Specific aspects of the model can be studied using large datasets such as the National Database of Nursing Quality Indicators.
Empowering Women Through Corporate Social Responsibility: A Feminist Foucauldian Critique
Authors: McCarthy Lauren
Published: August 2017

Corporate social responsibility (CSR) has been hailed as a new means to address gender inequality, particularly by facilitating women’s empowerment. Women are frequently and forcefully positioned as saviours of economies or communities and proponents of sustainability. Using vignettes drawn from a CSR women’s empowerment programme in Ghana, this conceptual article explores unexpected programme outcomes enacted by women managers and farmers. It is argued that a feminist Foucauldian reading of power as relational and productive can help explain this since those involved are engaged in ongoing processes of resistance and self-making. This raises questions about the assumptions made about women and what is it that such CSR programmes aim to empower them ‘from’ or ‘to.’ Empowerment, when viewed as an ethic of care for the self, is better understood as a self-directed process, rather than a corporate-led strategy. This has implications for how we can imagine the achievement of gender equality through CSR.
A survey of feeding, activity, supplement use and energy consumption in North American agility dogs
Authors: Dinallo Gina K. , Poplarski Jennifer A. , Van Deventer Gretchen M. , Eirmann Laura A. , Wakshlag Joseph J.
Published: August 2017

A survey was designed and administered at eighteen agility competitions across the Northeast and Midwest USA in 2015 to obtain information regarding competition level, training, feeding practices, owner-reported weight, body condition score (BCS) and supplement use. Average energy intake per d from reported consumption was assessed for all dogs in ideal body condition based on manufacturers’ or US Department of Agriculture database information. To assess the respective parameters across competition levels (novice, open, master/elite), non-parametric or parametric ANOVA or χ2 was used to determine significance. There were 494 respondents with usable data. Results showed that approximately 99 % of respondents used treats and 62 % utilised supplements. Of the respondents, 61 % fed primarily commercial dry food. Approximately 25 % of owners fed foods other than commercial dry (i.e. raw/home-prepared or freeze-dried). This 25 % of non-traditional diets included: 11 % home-prepared raw/cooked diets, 11 % commercial raw/cooked diets, and the remaining 3 % were fed commercial freeze-dried raw products. The remaining 14 % fed a mix of commercial dry food and raw/home-cooked blend. Average BCS was 4·7 (sd 1·1). Mean energy consumption of 238 dogs (BCS 4–5/9) was 444 (sd 138) kJ/kg body weight0·75 per d (106 (sd 33) kcal/kg body weight0·75 per d), with no significant differences observed between dogs at different levels of competition. The mean percentage of energy from treats was 15·1 (sd 12·7) % of overall energy consumption.
Effects of different protein sources on fermentation metabolites and nutrient digestibility of brachycephalic dogs
Authors: Urrego Maria Isabel Gonzalez , Matheus Laura Fantucci de O. , de Melo Santos Karine , Ernandes Mariane Ceschin , Monti Mariana , de Souza Danilo Ferreira , Balieiro Júlio Cesar de Carvalho , Araújo Lúcio Francelino , Pontieri Cristiana F. Ferreira , Brunetto Márcio Antonio
Published: August 2017

Benefits to microbial fermentation in the colon and as a consequence less flatulence can be promoted for the health of adult dogs according to the amount and protein source. The present study evaluated different protein sources in dry food for brachycephalic dogs regarding microbial fermentation and nutrient digestibility. Four dry dog foods with similar protein content were formulated for adult maintenance: poultry meal (PM) diet; wheat gluten (WG) diet; PM + WG diet; and PM + WG + hydrolysed protein (HP) diet. Eight French bulldog adult dogs were arranged in a 4 × 4 Latin square design during the 28 d trial. Fresh faeces were collected for assessment of nutrient digestibility and analyses of faecal pH, SCFA, biogenic amines, ammonia and lactate. Means were compared by the PROC MIXED procedure of SAS and by Tukey's test, consideringP ≤ 0·05. The animals fed the WG and PM + WG diets showed higher digestibility for DM (P < 0·05), organic matter (P < 0·05), crude protein (P < 0·001) and lower faeces production (P < 0·02) than the PM and PM + WG + HP diets. Feeding diet PM + WG + HP resulted in lower faecal score and pH (P < 0·05) compared with other diets. Concentrations of fermentation metabolites were not statistically significantly different among diets. In conclusion, WG alone or in combination with PM improved protein and DM digestibility. Fermentation products were not affected by protein source.
Nutritional management of search and rescue dogs
Authors: Vassalotti G. , Musco N. , Lombardi P. , Calabrò S. , Tudisco R. , Mastellone V. , Grazioli R. , Bianchi S. , Cutrignelli M. I.
Published: August 2017

Dogs used for search and rescue (SAR) may experience continuous micro-traumas that predispose them to skeletal disorders. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effect of diet on osteo-articular apparatus in healthy SAR dogs. A total of sixteen SAR dogs were divided into two groups (low supplementation (LS) and high supplementation (HS)) and were fed for 3 months with two experimental diets, characterised by the same protein and energy density, but different in n-3 PUFA (6·2 v. 8·4 % of metabolisable energy), chondroitin sulfate (219·8 v. 989·0 mg/kg DM) and glucosamine (769·2 v. 1318·7 mg/kg DM) in the LS and HS groups, respectively. At recruitment all dogs showed no joint inflammation signs, except four that showed mild symptoms. Haematology and serum biochemistry were performed every 30 d. Joint status was scored by physical and lameness evaluations. The sampling effect analysis showed potential beneficial effects by a decrease in a specific marker of membrane integrity (creatine kinase; CK). Comparing groups, glucose was significantly higher and CK was significantly lower in the HS group; however, in both cases the levels of these parameters fell in the normal range. At the end of the experiment, erythrocytes, Hb and packed cell volume were significantly higher in the HS compared with the LS group. These could result in an improvement in dogs’ performance, even if this aspect was not investigated in the present study. Concerning joint evaluation (pain on manipulation, lameness and range of motion), no statistically significant differences were detected between the groups and within the experimental period.
Holocene stratigraphic evolution of saline lakes in Nhecolândia, southern Pantanal wetlands (Brazil)
Authors: McGlue Michael M. , Guerreiro Renato Lada , Bergier Ivan , Silva Aguinaldo , Pupim Fabiano N. , Oberc Victoria , Assine Mario L.
Published: August 2017

Nhecolândia is a fossil lobe of the Taquari River megafan and a prominent geomorphic subunit of the Pantanal wetlands because of the presence of >10,000 small lakes. We investigated the stratigraphic records of three saline lakes from Nhecolândia to explore their potential as Quaternary hydroclimate archives. Radiocarbon data indicate that accumulation at two lakes was approximately continuous in the late Holocene, and chemostratigraphic variability suggests sensitivity to environmental change with multicentennial resolution. A basal sandy unit and an upper muddy unit comprise the shallow stratigraphy of each lake. A pronounced change in depositional environment from freshwater wetlands to saline lakes at ~3300–3200 cal yr BP best explains the lithofacies transition. Ephemeral freshwater wetlands formed on the abandoned megafan lobe, which was molded by deflation in the arid early Holocene. Wind-scouring of the megafan lobe generated topographically closed depressions with complex marginal sand ridges, which allowed permanent lakes to evolve when rainfall increased in the late Holocene. The lakes became highly saline and alkaline after ~910 cal yr BP, which influences biogeochemistry and aquatic ecology. The results hold implications for understanding the response of the southern Pantanal to climate change, as well as the development of pans in tropical megafan settings.
COMPLETE CONVERGENCE FOR ARRAYS AND THE LAW OF THE SINGLE LOGARITHM
Authors: GUT ALLAN , STADTMÜLLER ULRICH
Published: August 2017

The present paper is devoted to complete convergence and the strong law of large numbers under moment conditions near those of the law of the single logarithm (LSL) for independent and identically distributed arrays. More precisely, we investigate limit theorems under moment conditions which are stronger than$2p$for any$p<2$, in which case we know that there is almost sure convergence to 0, and weaker than$E\,X^{4}/(\log ^{+}|X|)^{2}<\infty$, in which case the LSL holds.
Embracing polygenicity: a review of methods and tools for psychiatric genetics research
Authors: Maier R. M. , Visscher P. M. , Robinson M. R. , Wray N. R.
Published: August 2017

The availability of genome-wide genetic data on hundreds of thousands of people has led to an equally rapid growth in methodologies available to analyse these data. While the motivation for undertaking genome-wide association studies (GWAS) is identification of genetic markers associated with complex traits, once generated these data can be used for many other analyses. GWAS have demonstrated that complex traits exhibit a highly polygenic genetic architecture, often with shared genetic risk factors across traits. New methods to analyse data from GWAS are increasingly being used to address a diverse set of questions about the aetiology of complex traits and diseases, including psychiatric disorders. Here, we give an overview of some of these methods and present examples of how they have contributed to our understanding of psychiatric disorders. We consider: (i) estimation of the extent of genetic influence on traits, (ii) uncovering of shared genetic control between traits, (iii) predictions of genetic risk for individuals, (iv) uncovering of causal relationships between traits, (v) identifying causal single-nucleotide polymorphisms and genes or (vi) the detection of genetic heterogeneity. This classification helps organise the large number of recently developed methods, although some could be placed in more than one category. While some methods require GWAS data on individual people, others simply use GWAS summary statistics data, allowing novel well-powered analyses to be conducted at a low computational burden.
Impaired cortisol awakening response in eating disorder women with childhood trauma exposure: evidence for a dose-dependent effect of the traumatic load
Authors: Monteleone A. M. , Monteleone P. , Volpe U. , De Riso F. , Fico G. , Giugliano R. , Nigro M. , Maj M.
Published: August 2017

Background

Childhood trauma is a non specific risk factor for adult eating disorders (ED), and the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis seems to mediate such a risk. Here we explored the impact of different types of childhood trauma and of traumatic load on the cortisol awakening response (CAR) of women with anorexia nervosa (AN) or bulimia nervosa (BN).

Methods

Saliva samples were collected at awakening and after 15, 30, 60 min to measure cortisol levels by 121 women (44 AN patients, 36 BN patients and 41 healthy women). Participants filled in the Childhood Trauma Questionnaire.

Results

AN and BN patients with childhood maltreatment exhibited an attenuated CAR compared with non-maltreated ones. In the whole ED patient group, the CAR showed a progressive impairment with the increasing number of reported trauma types. Although significant negative correlations emerged between the type or the number of traumas and the CAR, only the number of traumas remained significantly associated with the CAR in a stepwise multiple regression analysis.

Conclusions

Present findings confirm that childhood trauma is associated with an impaired CAR in adult AN and BN patients and demonstrate for the first time a negative dose-dependent effect of the traumatic load on HPA axis activity.
The Stability of Social Security in the United States: The Need for a Durable Institutional Design
Authors: YOSHIDA KENZO
Published: August 2017

Stability is one of the most crucial elements of social security systems. Although the United States is famous – some might say notorious – for drastic changes to its socio-economic structure (including its welfare programmes), its Social Security is the most secure and unchanged public pension programme among major Western countries. In the restructuring age of welfare states, public pensions have been reformed several times in Japan and various European countries, with an overhaul of benefits and taxes. However, Social Security in the US has not undergone such reforms in the three decades since the Social Security Act was amended in 1983, but has experienced relatively better financial conditions. This paper investigates the extent to which Social Security has remained stable during a time when welfare states are going through a crisis. The comparative analysis for stability consists of three steps: (1) a simple evaluation of the frequency of reforms among six countries; (2) a comparison of the scales of parametric adjustment and components of structural reform; and (3) confirming current financial sustainability to check for ‘false stability’ using individual government reports. This paper also studies stability factors, including an institutional design that is durable in this changing environment.
Income inequality and the growth of redistributive spending in the United States (US) states: is there a link?
Authors: Moldogaziev Tima T. , Monogan James E. , Witko Christopher
Published: August 2017

Prominent public policy models have hypothesised that rising income inequality will lead to more redistributive spending. Subsequent theoretical advancements and empirical research often failed to find a positive relationship between inequality and redistributive spending, however. Over the last few decades both income inequality and redistributive spending have been growing in the United States states. In this work, we consider whether temporal variation in inequality can explain variation in redistributive spending, while controlling for a number of factors that covary with redistributive spending in the states. In an analysis of data for 1976–2008, we find that higher levels of inequality are associated with greater redistributive spending, offering empirical evidence that fiscal policy at the state level responds to growing levels of income inequality. Considering the growing role of state governments in welfare provision during the past several decades, this finding is relevant for policy researchers and practitioners at all levels of government.
TEAM REASONING AND A MEASURE OF MUTUAL ADVANTAGE IN GAMES
Authors: Karpus Jurgis , Radzvilas Mantas
Published: August 2017

The game theoretic notion of best-response reasoning is sometimes criticized when its application produces multiple solutions of games, some of which seem less compelling than others. The recent development of the theory of team reasoning addresses this by suggesting that interacting players in games may sometimes reason as members of a team – a group of individuals who act together in the attainment of some common goal. A number of properties have been suggested for team-reasoning decision-makers’ goals to satisfy, but a few formal representations have been discussed. In this paper we suggest a possible representation of these goals based on the notion of mutual advantage. We propose a method for measuring extents of individual and mutual advantage to the interacting decision-makers, and define team interests as the attainment of outcomes associated with maximum mutual advantage in the games they play.
WHAT ARE USER PERSPECTIVES OF EXOSKELETON TECHNOLOGY? A LITERATURE REVIEW
Authors: Hill Deborah , Holloway Catherine Sarah , Morgado Ramirez Dafne Zuleima , Smitham Peter , Pappas Yannis
Published: August 2017

Objectives: Exoskeletons are electromechanical devices that are worn by a human operator to increase their physical performance. Several exoskeletons have been developed to restore functional movements, such as walking, for those with paralysis due to neurological impairment. However, existing exoskeletons have limitations with respect to affordability, size, weight, speed, and efficiency, which may reduce their functional application. Therefore, the aim of this scoping review is to collect and narratively synthesize the perspectives of users of exoskeleton technology.

Methods: A systematic literature search was conducted across several healthcare related online databases.

Results: A total of 4,619 articles were identified, of which 51 were selected for full review. Only three studies were identified that met the inclusion criteria. Of these, one showed an incongruence between users’ expectations and experiences of device use; another reported perspectives on potential rather than actual device use, ranking design features in order of perceived importance; and the other reported ratings of ease of device use in training.

Conclusions: The heterogeneity of studies included within this review, leave the authors unable to suggest consensus as to user perspectives of exoskeleton technology. However, it is apparent that users are able to suggest priorities for exoskeleton design and that users’ perspectives of exoskeleton technology might change in response to experience of use. The authors, therefore, suggest that exoskeleton design should be an iterative process, whereby user perspectives are sought, incorporated and refined by tangible experience, to ensure that devices developed are acceptable to and usable by the populations they seek to re-enable.
Environmental effects on simulated emotional and moody agents
Authors: Collenette Joe , Atkinson Katie , Bloembergen Daan , Tuyls Karl
Published: August 2017

Psychological models have been used to simulate emotions within agents as part of the decision-making process. The body of this work has focussed on applying the process of decision making using emotions to social dilemmas, notably the Prisoner’s Dilemma. Previous work has focussed on agents which do not move around, with an initial analysis on how mobility and the environment can affect the decisions chosen. Additionally simulated mood has been introduced to the decision-making process. Exploring simulated emotions and mood to inform the decision-making process in multi-agent systems allows us to explore in further detail how outside influences can have an effect on different strategies. We expand and clarify aspects of how agents are affected by environmental differences. We show how emotional characters settle on an outcome without deviation by providing a formal proof. We validate how the addition of mood increases cooperation, while also showing how small groups achieve this quicker than large groups. Once pure defectors are added, to test the resilience of the cooperation achieved, we see that while agents with a low starting mood achieve a payoff closest to the pure defectors, they are reduced in numbers the most by the pure defectors.
Crystal structure of paliperidone palmitate (INVEGA SUSTENNA®), C39H57FN4O4
Authors: Kaduk James A. , Dmitrienko Artem O. , Gindhart Amy M. , Blanton Thomas N.
Published: August 2017

The crystal structure of paliperidone palmitate has been solved and refined using synchrotron X-ray powder diffraction data, and optimized using density functional techniques. Paliperidone palmitate crystallizes in space group P21/c (#14) with a = 34.415 40(35), b = 10.093 49(7), c = 10.904 92(9) Å, β = 94.3917(9)°, V = 3776.94(6) Å3, and Z = 4. The conformation of the paliperidone fragment differs from that of the parent compound. The palmitate chain exhibits a slight twist close to the ester group. Several C–H⋅⋅⋅O hydrogen bonds contribute to the crystal packing, which is dominated by van der Waals interactions. The powder pattern is included in the Powder Diffraction File™ as entry 00-066-1614.