bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Stochastic Tension‐Stiffening Approach for the Solution of Serviceability Problems in Reinforced Concrete: Exploration of Predictive Capacity
Authors: Gribniak Viktor , Mang Herbert Anton , Kupliauskas Rimantas , Kaklauskas Gintaris , Juozapaitis Algirdas
Published: November 2015

Dealing with short‐term deformations and the tension‐stiffening effect in reinforced concrete (RC), the current study consists of two parts as presented in two separate manuscripts. Based on the test data of more than 300 RC ties, alternative tension‐stiffening relationships of different complexity were proposed in the first article (Part I). In the companion manuscript (Part II), a stochastic modeling technique for assessing the deformation response of RC elements, subjected to different combinations of tension and flexure, is proposed. Based on stochastic principles, this technique allows not only to predict the average deformation response, but also to establish bounds of these predictions that are of vital importance for practical problems. The proposed technique is verified with the help of independent test data in order to validate the accuracy of the predictions of deformation, using the tension‐stiffening models proposed in Part I of the article. Test specimens with different arrangements of steel or GFRP bars in the tensile zone were considered. The analysis has revealed that the influence of the degree of sophistication of the tension‐stiffening models on the analysis results is smaller than the one of an adequate assessment of the shrinkage effect. The prediction accuracy is also related to the specific arrangement of reinforcement.
Influence of acute kidney injury on the time to complete remission in adult minimal change nephrotic syndrome: a single‐centre study
Authors: Komukai Daisuke , Hasegawa Takeshi , Kaneshima Nobuharu , Takayasu Mamiko , Sato Yoshinori , Hirose Makoto , Yoshimura Ashio
Published: November 2015

Aim

Acute kidney injury (AKI) is a common complication of minimal change nephrotic syndrome (MCNS), particularly in adults. We evaluated the prevalence of AKI at the onset of adult MCNS and analyzed the influence of AKI on the duration of achieving complete remission (CR).

Methods

A retrospective, single‐centre, dynamic cohort study was conducted with biopsy‐proven, first‐onset, adult MCNS patients treated with corticosteroids. Fifty‐three consecutive patients diagnosed with MCNS from January 2000 to April 2014 were enrolled. Age, gender, daily urinary protein excretion, and serum creatinine levels were measured. To evaluate AKI during induction, we used the Kidney Disease: Improving Global Outcomes (KDIGO) Clinical Practice Guidelines for AKI and judged AKI stage according to the fluctuations in serum creatinine levels during the first 4 weeks of starting corticosteroid therapy.

Results

Twenty patients (37.7%) met the AKI criteria and all 53 patients achieved CR within 1 year. Kaplan–Meier analysis showed that the median time to CR was significantly longer in patients with AKI than in patients without AKI. Cox proportional hazard analysis showed that the hazard ratio (HR) associated with the presence of AKI for achieving CR within 4 weeks was 0.36 after adjustment for age, gender, serum albumin, daily urinary protein excretion, hypertension, administration of 25% albumin, and methylprednisolone pulse therapy. A graded association was also observed between AKI stage and HR for achieving CR.

Conclusions

The prevalence of AKI is high in adult patients with MCNS during induction therapy. AKI is an independent factor that delays the time to CR.
The western end of the Eoalpine High‐Pressure Belt (Texel unit, South Tyrol / Italy)
Authors: Pomella Hannah , Flöss David , Speckbacher Romed , Tropper Peter , Fügenschuh Bernhard
Published: November 2015

Eclogites in the Texel Unit (Eastern Alps; South Tyrol, Italy) represent the westernmost outcrops of the E–W striking Eoalpine High‐Pressure Belt (EHB). East of the Tauern Window, the EHB forms part of a Cretaceous intracontinental south‐dipping subduction/collision zone; however, the same nappe stack displays a northwest dip at its western end. This prominent change in dip direction gave rise to discussions on the general setting of the Eoalpine collision. Based on our own observations and literature data, we present a new tectonic model for the western end of the EHB. Due to the special situation of this area at the tip of the Southalpine indenter, originally south(east) dipping structures became overturned, and former thrusts appear as normal faults (e.g. Schneeberg fault zone) while former normal faults presently display thrust geometries (e.g. Jaufen fault). Thus, we explain the current configuration with a coherent Eoalpine subduction direction.
Nuclear‐localized AtHSPR links abscisic acid‐dependent salt tolerance and antioxidant defense in Arabidopsis
Authors: Yang Tao , Zhang Liang , Hao Hongyan , Zhang Peng , Zhu Haowei , Cheng Wei , Wang Yongli , Wang Xinyu , Wang Chongying
Published: November 2015

Salt stress from soil or irrigation water limits plant growth. A T‐DNA insertion mutant in C24, named athspr (Arabidopsis thaliana heat shock protein‐related), showed several phenotypes, including reduced organ size and enhanced sensitivity to environmental cues. The athspr mutant is severely impaired under salinity levels at which wild‐type (WT) plants grow normally. AtHSPR encodes a nuclear‐localized protein with ATPase activity, and its expression was enhanced by high salinity and abscisic acid (ABA). Overexpression (OE) of AtHSPR significantly enhanced tolerance to salt stress by increasing the activities of the antioxidant system and by maintaining K+/Na+ homeostasis. Quantitative RT‐PCR analyses showed that OE of AtHSPR increased the expression of ABA/stress‐responsive, salt overly sensitive (SOS)‐related and antioxidant‐related genes. In addition, ABA content was reduced in athspr plants with or without salt stress, and exogenous ABA restored WT‐like salt tolerance to athspr plants. athspr exhibited increased leaf stomatal density and stomatal index, slower ABA‐induced stomatal closure and reduced drought tolerance relative to the WT. AtHSPR OE enhanced drought tolerance by reducing leaf water loss and stomatal aperture. Transcript profiling in athspr showed a differential salt‐stress response for genes involved in accumulation of reactive oxygen species (ROS), ABA signaling, cell death, stress response and photosynthesis. Taken together, our results suggested that AtHSPR is involved in salt tolerance in Arabidopsis through modulation of ROS levels, ABA‐dependent stomatal closure, photosynthesis and K+/Na+ homeostasis.
Serotonin attenuates biotic stress and leads to lesion browning caused by a hypersensitive response to Magnaporthe oryzae penetration in rice
Authors: Hayashi Keiko , Fujita Yoshikatsu , Ashizawa Taketo , Suzuki Fumihiko , Nagamura Yoshiaki , Hayano‐Saito Yuriko
Published: November 2015

The hypersensitive response (HR) of plants is one of the earliest responses to prevent pathogen invasion. A brown dot lesion on a leaf is visual evidence of the HR against the blast fungus Magnaporthe oryzae in rice, but tracking the browning process has been difficult. In this study, we induced the HR in rice cultivars harboring the blast resistance gene Pit by inoculation of an incompatible M. oryzae strain, which generated a unique resistance lesion with a brown ring (halo) around the brown fungal penetration site. Inoculation analysis using a plant harboring Pit but lacking an enzyme that catalyzes tryptamine to serotonin showed that high accumulation of the oxidized form of serotonin was the cause of the browning at the halo and penetration site. Our analysis of the halo browning process in the rice leaf revealed that abscisic acid enhanced biosynthesis of serotonin under light conditions, and serotonin changed to the oxidized form via hydrogen peroxide produced by light. The dramatic increase in serotonin, which has a high antioxidant activity, suppressed leaf damage outside the halo, blocked expansion of the browning area and attenuated inhibition of plant growth. These results suggest that serotonin helps to reduce biotic stress in the plant by acting as a scavenger of oxygen radicals to protect uninfected tissues from oxidative damage caused by the HR. The deposition of its oxide at the HR lesion is observed as lesion browning.
A simple mechanism for the establishment of C2‐specific gene expression in Brassicaceae
Authors: Adwy Waly , Laxa Miriam , Peterhansel Christoph
Published: November 2015

The transition of C3, via C2 towards C4 photosynthesis is an important example of stepwise evolution of a complex genetic trait. A common feature that was gradually emphasized during this trajectory is the evolution of a CO2 concentration mechanism around Rubisco. In C2 plants, this mechanism is based on tissue‐specific accumulation of glycine decarboxylase (GDC) in bundle sheath (BS) cells, relative to global expression in the cells of C3 leaves. This limits photorespiratory CO2 release to BS cells. Because BS cells are surrounded by photosynthetically active mesophyll cells, this arrangement enhances the probability of re‐fixation of CO2. The restriction of GDC to BS cells was mainly achieved by confinement of its P‐subunit (GLDP). Here, we provide a mechanism for the establishment of C2‐type gene expression by studying the upstream sequences of C3 Gldp genes in Arabidopsis thaliana. Deletion of 59 bp in the upstream region of AtGldp1 restricted expression of a reporter gene to BS cells and the vasculature without affecting diurnal variation. This region was named the ‘M box’. Similar results were obtained for the AtGldp2 gene. Fusion of the M box to endogenous or exogenous promoters supported mesophyll expression. Nucleosome densities at the M box were low, suggesting an open chromatin structure facilitating transcription factor binding. In silico analysis defined a possible consensus for the element that was conserved across the Brassicaceae, but not in Moricandia nitens, a C2 plant. Collective results provide evidence that a simple mutation is sufficient for establishment of C2‐specific gene expression in a C3 plant.
Rapid identification of slow healing wounds
Authors: Jung Kenneth , Covington Scott , Sen Chandan K. , Januszyk Michael , Kirsner Robert S. , Gurtner Geoffrey C. , Shah Nigam H.
Published: November 2015

Chronic nonhealing wounds have a prevalence of 2% in the United States, and cost an estimated $50 billion annually. Accurate stratification of wounds for risk of slow healing may help guide treatment and referral decisions. We have applied modern machine learning methods and feature engineering to develop a predictive model for delayed wound healing that uses information collected during routine care in outpatient wound care centers. Patient and wound data was collected at 68 outpatient wound care centers operated by Healogics Inc. in 26 states between 2009 and 2013. The dataset included basic demographic information on 59,953 patients, as well as both quantitative and categorical information on 180,696 wounds. Wounds were split into training and test sets by randomly assigning patients to training and test sets. Wounds were considered delayed with respect to healing time if they took more than 15 weeks to heal after presentation at a wound care center. Eleven percent of wounds in this dataset met this criterion. Prognostic models were developed on training data available in the first week of care to predict delayed healing wounds. A held out subset of the training set was used for model selection, and the final model was evaluated on the test set to evaluate discriminative power and calibration. The model achieved an area under the curve of 0.842 (95% confidence interval 0.834–0.847) for the delayed healing outcome and a Brier reliability score of 0.00018. Early, accurate prediction of delayed healing wounds can improve patient care by allowing clinicians to increase the aggressiveness of intervention in patients most at risk.
Detection of Zoonotic Protozoa Toxoplasma gondii and Sarcocystis suihominis in Wild Boars from Spain
Authors: Calero‐Bernal R. , Pérez‐Martín J. E. , Reina D. , Serrano F. J. , Frontera E. , Fuentes I. , Dubey J. P.
Published: November 2015

Food safety regulations require the control of the presence of protozoa in meats destined for human consumption. Wild boar (Sus scrofa) meat may constitute a source of zoonoses. A 23.8% (688/2881) seroprevalence of anti‐Toxoplasma gondii antibodies and 72.2% (662/910) Sarcocystis sarcocysts prevalence were detected among wild boars hunted in Southwestern areas of Spain. Identity of Sarcocystis spp. was performed by RFLP‐PCR and sequencing, detecting S. miescheriana (7/8) and the zoonotic S. suihominis (1/8). Risk assessment studies of these coccidian in meats destined to human consumption are needed.
Growth and characterization of α and β-phase tungsten films on various substrates
Authors: Lee Jeong-Seop , Cho Jaehun , You Chun-Yeol
Published: November 2015

The growth conditions of tungsten thin films were investigated using various substrates including Si, Si/SiO2, GaAs, MgO, and Al2O3, and recipes were discovered for the optimal growth conditions of thick metastable β-phase tungsten films on Si, GaAs, and Al2O3 substrates, which is an important material in spin orbit torque studies. For the Si/SiO2 substrate, the crystal phase of the tungsten films was different depending upon the tungsten film thickness, and the transport properties were found to dramatically change with the thickness owing to a change in phase from the α + β phase to the α-phase. It is shown that the crystal phase changes are associated with residual stress in the tungsten films and that the resistivity is closely related to the grain sizes.
Solving the hypersingular boundary integral equation for the Burton and Miller formulation
Authors: Langrenne Christophe , Garcia Alexandre , Bonnet Marc
Published: November 2015

This paper presents an easy numerical implementation of the Burton and Miller (BM) formulation, where the hypersingular Helmholtz integral is regularized by identities from the associated Laplace equation and thus needing only the evaluation of weakly singular integrals. The Helmholtz equation and its normal derivative are combined directly with combinations at edge or corner collocation nodes not used when the surface is not smooth. The hypersingular operators arising in this process are regularized and then evaluated by an indirect procedure based on discretized versions of the Calderón identities linking the integral operators for associated Laplace problems. The method is valid for acoustic radiation and scattering problems involving arbitrarily shaped three-dimensional bodies. Unlike other approaches using direct evaluation of hypersingular integrals, collocation points still coincide with mesh nodes, as is usual when using conforming elements. Using higher-order shape functions (with the boundary element method model size kept fixed) reduces the overall numerical integration effort while increasing the solution accuracy. To reduce the condition number of the resulting BM formulation at low frequencies, a regularized version α = ik/(k2 + λ) of the classical BM coupling factor α = i/k is proposed. Comparisons with the combined Helmholtz integral equation Formulation method of Schenck are made for four example configurations, two of them featuring non-smooth surfaces.
Whistle characteristics of the spinner dolphin population in the Comoros Archipelago
Authors: Bonato M. , Papale E. , Pingitore G. , Ricca S. , Attoumane A. , Ouledi A. , Giacoma C.
Published: November 2015

Observed variations in dolphin acoustic signals may be associated with behavior, social composition, and local differences in habitat features. This study aims at characterizing whistles emitted by the spinner dolphin population occurring in the waters of the main island of the Archipelago of Comoros (Mozambique Channel, Indian Ocean) and to assess factors possibly influencing the acoustic structure of signals. All parameters examined on 953 whistles significantly differed in relation to environmental conditions, group size, and behavior. By mixed model analysis, it was found that only habitat characteristics play a role in the variation of frequency parameters, and exerted on the acoustic structure of whistles stronger influence than socio-behavioral factors. Spinner dolphins occurring in the Comoros archipelago use higher frequencies and show longer signal duration compared to those from the Pacific and the Atlantic. Results suggest that frequency parameters are distinctive of the local population and reflect the habitat use of the species in the area. In conclusion, acoustic measurements may be crucial elements to be included in monitoring programs to identify local peculiarities of dolphins' populations.
Relationships Between Health-Related Fitness Knowledge, Perceived Competence, Self-Determination, and Physical Activity Behaviors of High School Students
Authors: Haslem Liz , Wilkinson Carol , Prusak Kevin A. , Christensen William F. , Pennington Todd
Published: November 2015

The purpose of this study was (a) to test a hypothesized model of motivation within the context of conceptual physical education (CPE), and (b) to explore the strength and directionality of perceived competence for physical activity as a possible mediator for health-related fitness knowledge (HRFK) and physical activity behaviors. High school students (N = 280) at the end of a CPE course completed the following: Behavioral Regulation in Exercise Questionnaire–2, Godin Leisure–Time Exercise Questionnaire, Perceived Competence Scale, and a HRFK Questionnaire. Structural equation modeling analysis was used to explore the relationships between the variables of HRFK, perceived competence, motivation, and physical activity. The analysis resulted in a modified model that showed a relationship between perceived competence and physical activity, mediated by introjected and identified regulation. A relationship also existed between HRFK and external regulation indicating students felt controlled. Suggested value-promoting activities could help students value concepts being taught.
At-Risk Boys’ Social Self-Efficacy and Physical Activity Self-Efficacy in a Summer Sports Camp
Authors: Su Xiaoxia , Xiang Ping , McBride Ron E. , Liu Jiling , Thornton Michael A.
Published: November 2015

This study examined at-risk boys’ social self-efficacy and physical activity self-efficacy within Bandura’s self-efficacy framework. A total of 97 boys, aged between 10 and 13 years, attending a summer sports camp completed questionnaires assessing their social self-efficacy, physical activity self-efficacy, prosocial behaviors, and effort. Results indicated that social self-efficacy and physical activity self-efficacy were clearly distinguishable. However, the two constructs had a strong positive correlation. Both social self-efficacy and physical activity self-efficacy predicted prosocial behaviors significantly, with social self-efficacy having a stronger predictive power. Physical activity self-efficacy was a better predictor of effort than social self-efficacy. This study provides initial empirical evidence supporting Bandura’s conceptualization of the domain-specific features and predictive power of self-efficacy in a summer sports camp setting, and thus enables a better understanding of the nature and effects of self-efficacy.
Chaperoning epigenetics: FKBP51 decreases the activity of DNMT1 and mediates epigenetic effects of the antidepressant paroxetine
Authors: Gassen Nils C. , Fries Gabriel R. , Zannas Anthony S. , Hartmann Jakob , Zschocke Jürgen , Hafner Kathrin , Carrillo-Roa Tania , Steinbacher Jessica , Preißinger S. Nicole , Hoeijmakers Lianne , Knop Matthias , Weber Frank , Kloiber Stefan , Lucae Susanne , Chrousos George P. , Carell Thomas , Ising Marcus , Binder Elisabeth B. , Schmidt Mathias V. , Rüegg Joëlle , Rein Theo
Published: November 2015

Chaperone switching at the kinase CDK5 mediates epigenetic effects of antidepressants.
Preparing for metastasis
Authors: Foley John F.
Published: November 2015

Exosomes from different tumor cells traffic to distinct organs to prepare sites for metastasis.
Is all cancer therapy immunotherapy?
Authors: Belvin Marcia , Mellman Ira
Published: November 2015

Researchers must renew efforts to decipher how standard chemotherapies enhance the effects of targeted immunotherapeutic agents (Müller
et al
., this issue).
Memory of Germinant Stimuli in Bacterial Spores
Authors: Wang Shiwei , Faeder James R. , Setlow Peter , Li Yong-qing
Published: November 2015

Bacterial spores, despite being metabolically dormant, possess the remarkable capacity to detect nutrients and other molecules in their environment through a biochemical sensory apparatus that can trigger spore germination, allowing the return to vegetative growth within minutes of exposure of germinants. We demonstrate here that bacterial spores of multiple species retain memory of transient exposures to germinant stimuli that can result in altered responses to subsequent exposure. The magnitude and decay of these memory effects depend on the pulse duration as well as on the separation time, incubation temperature, and pH values between the pulses. Spores of
Bacillus
species germinate in response to nutrients that interact with germinant receptors (GRs) in the spore's inner membrane, with different nutrient types acting on different receptors. In our experiments,
B. subtilis
spores display memory when the first and second germinant pulses target different receptors, suggesting that some components of spore memory are downstream of GRs. Furthermore, nonnutrient germinants, which do not require GRs, exhibit memory either alone or in combination with nutrient germinants, and memory of nonnutrient stimulation is found to be more persistent than that induced by GR-dependent stimuli. Spores of
B. cereus
and
Clostridium difficile
also exhibit germination memory, suggesting that memory may be a general property of bacterial spores. These observations along with experiments involving strains with mutations in various germination proteins suggest a model in which memory is stored primarily in the metastable states of SpoVA proteins, which comprise a channel for release of dipicolinic acid, a major early event in spore germination.

IMPORTANCE
Cellular memory is defined as a sustained response to a transient environmental stimulus, and yet its generation and storage have not been described in bacterial spores. We demonstrate here that bacterial spores of multiple species retain memory of transient exposures to germinant stimuli that can result in altered responses to subsequent exposure. Memory was induced by activation of germinant receptors (GRs) or by GR-independent germinants and was accessed by both GR-dependent and GR-independent germinants. Analysis of effects on memory of exposure to GR-dependent and GR-independent germinants as well as in spores lacking various germination proteins suggests a model in which memory is stored primarily in metastable states of SpoVA proteins which comprise a channel for release of spore dipicolinic acid. Spore memory can also significantly reduce the concentration of nutrient germinants necessary to trigger germination, and this may be used to respond to low levels of nutrient germinants.
Successful treatment of recurrent rectal prolapse using three Thiersch sutures in children
Authors: Chauhan Kashif , Gan Richard Wei Chern , Singh Shailinder
Published: November 2015

Many techniques are described to manage recurrent rectal prolapse in children, including repeated Thiersch stitch, phenol injections, Delorme and Altemeier procedures, and rectopexy. We describe a case of successful treatment of rectal prolapse by placing three Thiersch sutures circumferentially along the anal canal—a simple and novel modification of a well-known procedure. An 8-year-old boy with full-thickness rectal prolapse was treated with laxatives to no avail. He was subsequently treated with phenol-in-almond-oil injection and insertion of a 1/0PDS Thiersch suture. The effects were temporary with recurrence 3 months later. A further phenol-in-almond-oil injection was given and a 1/0PDS Thiersch suture placed, and the patient was discharged on laxatives. Recurrence occurred again at 3 months. This was treated with three circumferential Thiersch sutures along the anal canal—one Prolene 2/0 and two 1/0PDS. There has been no recurrence at follow-up. Placement of three sequential Thiersch sutures along the rectum is effective in treating recurrent rectal prolapse and a good alternative to major rectopexy.
Effect of ski geometry on aggressive ski behaviour and visual aesthetics: equipment designed to reduce risk of severe traumatic knee injuries in alpine giant slalom ski racing
Authors: Kröll Josef , Spörri Jörg , Gilgien Matthias , Schwameder Hermann , Müller Erich
Published: November 2015

Background/Aim

Aggressive ski-snow interaction is characterised by direct force transmission and difficulty of getting the ski off its edge once the ski is carving. This behaviour has been suggested to be a main contributor to severe knee injuries in giant slalom (GS). The aim of the current study was to provide a foundation for new equipment specifications in GS by considering two perspectives: Reducing the ski's aggressiveness for injury prevention and maintaining the external attractiveness of a ski racer's technique for spectators.

Methods

Three GS ski prototypes were defined based on theoretical considerations and were compared to a reference ski (Pref). Compared to Pref, all prototypes were constructed with reduced profile width and increased ski length. The construction radius (sidecut radius) of Pref was ≥27 m and was increased for the prototypes: 30 m (P30), 35 m (P35), and 40 m (P40). Seven World Cup level athletes performed GS runs on each of the three prototypes and Pref. Kinetic variables related to the ski-snow interaction were assessed to quantify the ski's aggressiveness. Additionally, 13 athletes evaluated their subjective perception of aggressiveness. 15 sports students rated several videotaped runs to assess external attractiveness.

Results

Kinetic variables quantifying the ski's aggressiveness showed decreased values for P35and P40compared to Prefand P30. Greater sidecut radius reduced subjectively perceived aggressiveness. External attractiveness was reduced for P40only.

Conclusions

This investigation revealed the following evaluation of the prototypes concerning injury prevention and external attractiveness: P30: no preventative gain, no loss in attractiveness; P35: substantial preventative gain, no significant loss in attractiveness; P40: highest preventative gain, significant loss in attractiveness.
A cross-sectional multicentre study of cardiac risk score use in the management of unstable angina and non-ST-elevation myocardial infarction
Authors: Engel Josien , van der Wulp Ineke , de Bruijne Martine , Wagner Cordula
Published: November 2015

Objectives

Quantitative risk assessment in unstable angina (UA) and non-ST-elevation myocardial infarction (NSTEMI), by using cardiac risk scores, is recommended in international guidelines. However, a gap between recommended care and actual practice exists, as these instruments seem underused in practice. The present study aimed to determine the extent of cardiac risk score use and to study factors associated with lower or higher cardiac risk score use.

Setting

13 hospitals throughout the Netherlands.

Participants

A retrospective chart review of 1788 charts of patients with UA and NSTEMI, discharged in 2012.

Primary and secondary outcomes

The extent of cardiac risk score use reflected in a documented risk score outcome in the patient's chart. Factors associated with cardiac risk score use determined by generalised linear mixed models.

Results

In 57% (n=1019) of the charts, physicians documented the use of a cardiac risk score. Substantial variation between hospitals was observed (16.7–87%), although this variation could not be explained by the presence of on-site revascularisation facilities or a hospitals’ teaching status. Obese patients (OR=1.49; CI 95%1.03 to 2.15) and former smokers (OR=1.56; CI 95%1.15 to 2.11) were more likely to have a cardiac risk score documented. Risk scores were less likely to be used among patients diagnosed with UA (OR=0.60; CI 95% 0.46 to 0.77), in-hospital resuscitation (OR=0.23; CI 95% 0.09 to 0.64), in-hospital heart failure (OR=0.46; CI 95% 0.27 to 0.76) or tachycardia (OR=0.45; CI 95% 0.26 to 0.75).

Conclusions

Despite recommendations in cardiac guidelines, the use of cardiac risk scores has not been fully implemented in Dutch practice. A substantial number of patients did not have a cardiac risk score documented in their chart. Strategies to improve cardiac risk score use should pay special attention to patient groups in which risk scores were less often documented, as these patients may currently be undertreated.
Changes in health-related quality of life (HRQoL) after discharge from intensive care unit: a protocol for a systematic review
Authors: Gerth Alice M J , Watkinson Peter J , Young J Duncan
Published: November 2015

Introduction

Treatment on an intensive care unit (ICU) imposes a high treatment burden on patients, as well as an economic burden for the healthcare provider. Many studies have recorded health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in patients after treatment on an ICU. We propose a systematic review of these studies.

Methods

We will search the National Library of Medicine's PubMed electronic database (PubMed), the Cochrane database, Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature (CINAHL), Web of Science and Open Grey to identify papers reporting quality of life after discharge from ICU. We will include papers including validated quality of life measures. We will examine three categories: populations of patients treated on general ICUs, patients with severe infections and patients with respiratory dysfunction. We will extract HRQoL data. We will assess papers for risk of bias using the QUADAS-2 tool. The strength of our conclusions will depend on the quality and number of papers showing uniform results.

Ethics and dissemination

This review will use published literature and contains no primary data; so we do not need ethical approval. We will submit the outcome of the systematic review to a peer-reviewed journal.

Trial registration number

PROSPERO CRD42015024700.
Iodine-containing disinfectants in preparation for caesarean section: impact on thyroid profile in cord blood
Authors: Nili Firoozeh , Hantoushzadeh Sedigheh , Alimohamadi Afsaneh , Shariat Mamak , Rezaeizadeh Golnaz
Published: November 2015

Background

Iodine-containing disinfectants are widely used for skin preparation before caesarean section. Current evidence suggests that maternal exposure to these disinfectants results in thyroid dysfunction in the newborns, but its extent is not known.

Objectives

The purpose of this study was to explain the quality of the effect of these disinfectants on the thyroid function of newborns.

Methods

This cohort study was performed on all the healthy mothers with a term pregnancy who underwent caesarean section in the obstetrics emergency department of an educational hospital affiliated with Tehran University of Medical Sciences from December 2013 to December 2014. We divided this 12-month period into two consecutive 6 months. Povidone–iodine 10% (PVP-I) and chlorhexidine gluconate 4% (CHX) were used in the first and second 6 months, respectively, for skin preparation before caesarean section and also for umbilical cord disinfection. Cord blood thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) and thyroxine (T4) were assayed by the ELISA method.

Results

We included 326 cases in this study, 153 in the PVP-I group and 173 in the CHX group. The incidence of cord blood TSH ≥10 mIU/L and T4 ≤7.3 µg/dL was significantly higher in the PVP-I than the CHX group. Cord blood TSH concentration showed a significant positive correlation with cord blood T4 concentration in the CHX group. Through selection of cases with cord blood T4 <13 µg/dL, we found a negative correlation between cord blood TSH and T4 concentration in the PVP-I group.

Conclusions

It seems that PVP-I has the potential to cause false-positive screening-test results and increase recall rates, which should be evaluated in further studies.

Trial registration number

Iranian Registry of Clinical Trials (IRCT) number IRCT201204289568N1.
Influence of ADRB2 Gln27Glu and ADRB3 Trp64Arg polymorphisms on body weight and body composition changes after a controlled weight-loss intervention
Authors: Szendrei Barbara , González-Lamuño Domingo , Amigo Teresa , Wang Guan , Pitsiladis Yannis , Benito Pedro J. , Gomez-Candela Carmen , Calderón Francisco J. , Cupeiro Rocío ,   PRONAF Study Group
Published: November 2015

The β-2 and β-3 adrenergic receptors (ADRB2 and ADRB3) are thought to play a role in energy expenditure and lipolysis. However, the effects of the ADRB2 glutamine (Gln) 27 glutamic acid (glutamate) (Glu) and ADRB3 tryptophan (Trp) 64 arginine (Arg) polymorphisms on weight loss remain controversial. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of these polymorphisms on changes in weight and body composition during a controlled weight-loss program. One hundred seventy-three healthy overweight and obese participants (91 women, 82 men) aged 18–50 years participated in a 22-week-long intervention based on a hypocaloric diet and exercise. They were randomly assigned to 1 of 4 groups: strength, endurance, strength and endurance combined, and physical activity recommendations only. Body weight, body mass index (BMI), and body composition variables were assessed before and after the intervention. Genetic analysis was carried out according to standard protocols. No effect of the ADRB2 gene was shown on final weight, BMI, or body composition, although in the supervised male group, Glu27 carriers tended to have greater weight (p = 0.019, 2.5 kg) and BMI (p = 0.019, 0.88 kg/m2) reductions than did noncarriers. There seems to be an individual effect of the ADRB3 polymorphism on fat mass (p = 0.004) and fat percentage (p = 0.036), in addition to an interaction with exercise for fat mass (p = 0.038). After the intervention, carriers of the Arg64 allele had a greater fat mass and fat percentage than did noncarriers (p = 0.004, 2.8 kg). In conclusion, the ADRB2 Gln27Glu and ADRB3 Trp64Arg polymorphisms may influence weight loss and body composition, although the current evidence is weak; however, further studies are necessary to clarify their roles.
Étude de la plasticité phénotypique chez le Chrysanthemum leucanthemum. II Démographie des parties
Authors: Boutin Céline , Morisset Pierre
Published: November 2015

The technique of demography of parts was used to study the phenotypic plasticity of Chrysanthemum leucanthemum (ox-eye daisy). Plants were cloned and submitted to two separate experiments: three treatments of light intensity and three treatments of nutrient levels. Plant parts (leaves, branches, capitula, stems) were marked at regular intervals during the growing season. Leaves present at the time of transplant generally died earlier when light and nutrient treatments were reduced. However, the number and survivorship of the main stem leaves did not show any significant difference among treatments. In general the number of first-order branches, stems, capitula, and rosette leaves decreased with low light intensity and low nutrient levels. Demography of parts is a dynamic approach, allowing the study of cumulative production of leaves, branches, and capitula. Other techniques, such as traditional growth analysis and study of resource allocation, are more static and descriptive.
Microfungi associated with the mycorrhizal mantle and adjacent microhabitats within the rhizosphere of black spruce
Authors: Summerbell Richard C.
Published: November 2015

Microfungi were isolated from serially washed ectomycorrhizae of Picea mariana (black spruce) collected in boreal northern Ontario. This assemblage of microfungal isolates was compared with others isolated from surface-sterilized ectomycorrhizae, adjacent suberized feeder-root surfaces, and rhizosphere soil. In addition, a comparison was carried out with microfungi isolated from serially washed assimilative rootlets of Cornus canadensis, an endomycorrhizal understory plant. The most common microfungi from spruce mycorrhizae included Mycelium radicis atrovirens alpha and an undescribed nonsporulating fungus, as well as Micromucor isabellinus, Penicillium spinulosum, and Penicillium montanense. None of the fungi isolated from ectomycorrhizae appeared to have a high degree of specificity for the mycorrhizal mantle. The assemblage of species isolated from ectomycorrhizae was relatively similar to those obtained from suberized root surfaces and from assimilative rootlets of C. canadensis.
Isozyme and general protein patterns of Armillaria spp. collected from the boreal mixedwood forest of Ontario
Authors: Lin D. , Dumas M. T. , Hubbes M.
Published: November 2015

Isolates of four North American biological species of Armillaria, I (A. ostoyae), III, V, and VII (A. lutea), that occur in the boreal mixedwood forest of Ontario were differentiated by their esterase isozyme patterns and total protein profiles. Within biological species I, there are two types of esterase patterns that correspond to the genotypically distinct clones observed in isolates from the same geographic area. In addition, isolates of biological species I from different geographic areas showed differences in their esterase patterns. The general protein patterns of four biological species of Armillaria isolated from maple also showed the distinct pattern of each intersterility group.
Ultrastructure of the haustorium of the peanut late leaf spot fungus Cercosporidium personatum
Authors: Mims C. W. , Luttrell E. S. , Alderman S. C.
Published: November 2015

Data from scanning and transmission electron microscopic observations support light microscopic reports of the production of haustoria by the hemibiotrophic fungus Cercosporidium personatum. The trunklike base of the haustorium extended a short distance into the host cell where it formed three to five slightly thinner primary branches. These branches terminated in multiple, smaller, mostly opposite branch tips that gave the end of the haustorium a coralloid appearance. The morphology of this haustorium was distinctly different from the more extensively studied haustoria of various biotrophic fungi. Haustoria of C. personatum were observed in both living and dead host cells. In living cells an extrahaustorial matrix and extrahaustorial membrane separated the haustorium wall from the host cell protoplast. In dead cells the extrahaustorial membrane was absent. Haustoria in dead cells remained intact and appeared healthy.
Karyotypic analysis of Membranosorus heterantherae (Plasmodiophoromycetes)
Authors: Braselton James P.
Published: November 2015

Synaptonemal complexes in nuclei of transitional plasmodia of Membranosorus heterantherae were counted through serial section analysis. The haploid chromosome number was determined to be 35, which distinguishes Membranosorus from other plasmodiophorid genera.
Energetic constraints to food chain length in a metacommunity framework
Authors: Arim Matías , Borthagaray Ana I. , Giacomini Henrique Corrêa
Published: November 2015

As metabolism increases with body size, populations of large-sized species can become constrained to relatively low trophic positions within a local community due to their high energetic demands combined with the limited efficiency with which energy is transferred up the food chain from primary producers. In a metacommunity context, dispersal can become a major driver of population dynamics and persistence, having also the potential to ameliorate the aforementioned energetic constraints due to its effect on colonization and energy subsidies from connected patches. Here, we derive a size-dependent model for food chain length in communities subjected to migration and show that populations with higher influx of migrants are able to persist at higher trophic positions. Simulations of random, dendritic, and real aquatic metacommunities corroborate this result and further indicate that community location in the landscape (relative centrality or isolation) may determine local food web structure. More central patches contained larger populations and were less constrained in trophic position. This effect was particularly strong in dendritic metacommunities, which are representative of freshwater watersheds in general. Furthermore, the role of spatial processes is nonlinearly intensified with increases in body size, indicating that larger organisms have a much stronger dependence on landscape attributes.
A SPATIAL REGRESSION APPROACH TO FDI IN VIETNAM: PROVINCE-LEVEL EVIDENCE
Authors: ESIYOK BULENT , UGUR MEHMET
Published: November 2015

Foreign direct investment (FDI) flows into Vietnam have increased significantly in recent years and are distributed unequally between provinces. This paper aims to investigate the locational determinants of FDI in 62 Vietnamese provinces and whether spatial dependence is a significant factor that both researchers and policy-makers should take into account. We report that province-specific per-capita income, secondary education enrolment, labor costs, openness to trade, and domestic investment affect FDI directly within the province itself and have indirect effects on FDI in neighboring provinces. The direct and indirect effects coexist with spill-over effects and spatial dependence between provinces. Our findings indicate that FDI in Vietnam reflects a combination of complex vertical and export platform motivations on the part of foreign investors; and an agglomeration dynamics that may perpetuate the existing regional disparities in the distribution of FDI capital between provinces.
PL 4-manifolds admitting simple crystallizations: framed links and regular genus
Authors: Casali M. R. , Cristofori P. , Gagliardi C.
Published: November 2015

Simple crystallizations are edge-colored graphs representing piecewise linear (PL) 4-manifolds with the property that the 1-skeleton of the associated triangulation equals the 1-skeleton of a 4-simplex. In this paper, we prove that any (simply-connected) PL 4-manifold [Formula: see text] admitting a simple crystallization admits a special handlebody decomposition, too; equivalently, [Formula: see text] may be represented by a framed link yielding [Formula: see text], with exactly [Formula: see text] components ([Formula: see text] being the second Betti number of [Formula: see text]). As a consequence, the regular genus of [Formula: see text] is proved to be the double of [Formula: see text]. Moreover, the characterization of any such PL 4-manifold by [Formula: see text], where [Formula: see text] is the gem-complexity of [Formula: see text] (i.e. the non-negative number [Formula: see text], [Formula: see text] being the minimum order of a crystallization of [Formula: see text]), implies that both PL invariants gem-complexity and regular genus turn out to be additive within the class of all PL 4-manifolds admitting simple crystallizations (in particular, within the class of all “standard” simply-connected PL 4-manifolds).
Perceived Usefulness and Satisfaction of Mobile Phone for Users with Disabilities
Authors: Mak Brenda , Beckman Paul , Bohn Nicole
Published: November 2015

The United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities came into force in 2008. The ICT Opportunity for a Disability-Inclusive Development Framework produced by UNESCO in 2013 formulated a development agenda for these rights, highlighting the importance of mobile devices in this development effort. For most persons with disabilities, the mobile phone is an innovation. What factors affect their satisfaction of mobile phones? The technology acceptance model (TAM) suggests that the perceived usefulness of the device will affect a person’s attitude towards the technology and the associated satisfaction. This study examines the perceived usefulness of mobile phones for persons with disabilities. A survey was conducted. The structural equation model developed showed the latent variable Perceived Usefulness, manifested as Social Function, Emergency Help, Sense of Security, positively affected user satisfaction. Implications for enhancing mobile phone perceived usefulness for users with disabilities are discussed.
Globally asymptotic stability of a predator–prey model with stage structure incorporating prey refuge
Authors: Wei Fengying , Fu Qiuyue
Published: November 2015

This paper focuses on the stabilities of the equilibria to a predator–prey model with stage structure incorporating prey refuge. By analyzing the characteristic functions, we obtain that the equilibria of the model are locally stable when some suitable conditions are being satisfied. According to the comparison theorem and iteration technique, the globally asymptotic stability of the positive equilibrium is discussed. And, the sufficient conditions of the global stability to the trivial equilibrium and the boundary equilibrium are derived. The study shows that the prey refuge will enhance the density of the prey species, and it will decrease the density of predator species. Finally, some numerical simulations are carried out to show the efficiency of our main results.
Bile acids regulate intestinal cell proliferation by modulating EGFR and FXR signaling
Authors: Dossa Avafia Y. , Escobar Oswaldo , Golden Jamie , Frey Mark R. , Ford Henri R. , Gayer Christopher P.
Published: November 2015

Bile acids (BAs) are synthesized in the liver and secreted into the intestine. In the lumen, enteric bacteria metabolize BAs from conjugated, primary forms into more toxic unconjugated, secondary metabolites. Secondary BAs can be injurious to the intestine and may contribute to disease. The epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) and the nuclear farnesoid X receptor (FXR) are known to interact with BAs. In this study we examined the effects of BAs on intestinal epithelial cell proliferation and investigated the possible roles for EGFR and FXR in these effects. We report that taurine-conjugated cholic acid (TCA) induced proliferation, while its unconjugated secondary counterpart deoxycholic acid (DCA) inhibited proliferation. TCA stimulated phosphorylation of Src, EGFR, and ERK 1/2. Pharmacological blockade of any of these pathways or genetic ablation of EGFR abrogated TCA-stimulated proliferation. Interestingly, Src or EGFR inhibitors eliminated TCA-induced phosphorylation of both molecules, suggesting that their activation is interdependent. In contrast to TCA, DCA exposure diminished EGFR phosphorylation, and pharmacological or siRNA blockade of FXR abolished DCA-induced inhibition of proliferation. Taken together, these results suggest that TCA induces intestinal cell proliferation via Src, EGFR, and ERK activation. In contrast, DCA inhibits proliferation via an FXR-dependent mechanism that may include downstream inactivation of the EGFR/Src/ERK pathway. Since elevated secondary BA levels are the result of specific bacterial modification, this may provide a mechanism through which an altered microbiota contributes to normal or abnormal intestinal epithelial cell proliferation.