bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Deconstruction of destruction stories: narrative, inequality, and disasters
Authors: McKinzie Ashleigh Elain
Published: March 2016

A commonly‐held belief is that natural disasters do not discriminate. This paper, though, poses the following theoretical question: what does the elision of race, class, and gender in the news media say about disasters in the neoliberal era? It draws on the author's analysis of two prominent newspapers—The New York Times and USA Today—and their coverage of the recovery process after devastating tornadoes in two towns in the United States (Tuscaloosa, Alabama, and Joplin, Missouri) in 2011. The study asserts that the narrative of the news media is one with which people are familiar and that it fits into larger ‘formula stories’. It utilises theoretical treatments of narrative to demonstrate how differences are erased and how they lead to complicity in hegemonic representations. Critical theory is used to elucidate why this occurs, and the paper sources Goldberg (2002) in suggesting that the news media employs ‘fantasies of homogenisation’ when representing post‐disaster communities.
The 2004 tsunami and mental health in Thailand: a longitudinal analysis of one‐and two‐year post‐disaster data
Authors: Isaranuwatchai Wanrudee , Coyte Peter C. , McKenzie Kwame , Noh Samuel
Published: March 2016

Some 280,000 people died in the Indian Ocean tsunami on 26 December 2004. This cohort study examined its impact on mental health one and two years later. It did so by investigating the association between six consequent variables (personal injury, loss of home, loss of business, death of a family member, injury to a family member, or loss of a family member's business) and mental health, as measured by the 36‐item Short Form Health Survey (SF‐36), among residents in four provinces of Thailand. One year later, participants who suffered a personal injury, the loss of a business, or the loss of a family member reported poorer mental health than those who were unaffected. Two years later, participants who experienced the loss of a family member reported poorer mental health than those who were unaffected. This research shows that such a disaster may have long‐lasting ramifications for mental health, and that diverse losses may influence mental health differently.
Facebook and Twitter, communication and shelter, and the 2011 Tuscaloosa tornado
Authors: Stokes Courtney , Senkbeil Jason C.
Published: March 2016

This paper represents one of the first attempts to analyse the many ways in which Facebook and Twitter were used during a tornado disaster. Comparisons between five randomly selected campus samples and a city of Tuscaloosa, Alabama, sample revealed that campus samples used Facebook and Twitter significantly more both before and after the tornado, but Facebook usage was not significantly different after the event. Furthermore, differences in social media usage and other forms of communication before the tornado were found for age, education, and years lived in Tuscaloosa. Generally, age and education were inversely proportionate to social media usage. Influences on shelter‐seeking actions varied between social media users and three random samples of non‐social media users; however, it appears that social media respondents were likely to be using a smartphone simultaneously to access warning polygon information, to receive text message alerts, and to listen or respond to environmental cues.
Activation of extracellular signal‐related kinase in abdominal aortic aneurysm
Authors: Groeneveld Menno E. , van Burink Max V. , Begieneman Mark P.V. , Niessen Hans W. M. , Wisselink Willem , Eringa Ed C. , Yeung Kak K.
Published: March 2016

Background

Extracellular matrix degeneration, caused by matrix metalloproteinase‐2, facilitates smooth muscle cell migration leading to medial layer decline and, ultimately, abdominal aortic aneurysm. It remains unclear what exactly causes aneurysms to rupture, which leads to death in most patients. The extracellular signal‐related kinase may be linked to the latter process. We aimed to clarify the role of extracellular signal‐related kinase in aortic aneurysm development and rupture in patients.

Design

Aortic fragments were harvested during open repair of nonruptured (n = 20) and ruptured (n = 8) aneurysms. As control, nondilated aortas (n = 6) were obtained during autopsy. We determined levels of phosphorylated and total extracellular signal‐related kinase by Western blot, matrix metalloproteinase‐2 by immunohistochemistry and medial layer thickness by conventional microscopy.

Results

Nonruptured aneurysms had 1·8 times higher activation of extracellular signal‐related kinase (ratio: phosphorylated/total) than controls (P = 0·011). However, the ruptured aneurysms had only 0·9 times the activation of controls (ns). Both nonruptured and ruptured aneurysms showed significantly higher matrix metalloproteinase‐2 than controls (3·8 and 4·0‐times, respectively; P < 0·005). Of the medial layer thickness in controls, the median was 1·5 mm, in nonruptured 1·0 mm and in ruptured aneurysms 0·7 mm. Activation of extracellular signal‐related kinase correlated positively to medial layer thickness (Rs = 0·48; P = 0·014), but not to matrix metalloproteinase‐2 (Rs = −0·36; P = 0·10).

Conclusions

In this study, nonruptured aneurysms are associated with increased extracellular signal‐related kinase activation while ruptured aneurysms are not. Extracellular signal‐related kinase was not related to total matrix metalloproteinase‐2 expression. We therefore speculate that increased extracellular signal‐related kinase, in response to medial layer decline, could be protective against aneurysm rupture.
A review of the healing processes in equine superficial digital flexor tendinopathy
Authors: Dakin S. G.
Published: March 2016

Tendinopathy is a significant cause of morbidity and mortality in athletic and aged horses. These injuries require prolonged convalescence and heal by the formation of scar tissue instead of neo‐tendon, predisposing to reinjury. This article reviews the biological processes involved in tendon healing and their implications for clinical practice to improve future treatment of these injuries.
Correlation between FIX genotype and pharmacokinetics of Nonacog alpha according to a multicentre Italian study
Authors: Morfini M. , Dragani A. , Paladino E. , Radossi P. , Di Minno G. , Mazzucconi M. G. , Rossetti G. , Barillari G. , Napolitano M. , Tagariello G.
Published: March 2016

Introduction

Pharmacokinetic (PK) studies on recombinant FIX concentrate, Nonacog alpha, were conducted with different sampling time designs which gave rise to not complete and homogenous outcomes. In addition, patient's FIX genotype/PK relationship has never been investigated.

Aim

Investigate how different sampling times may affect PK parameters and try to find a FIX genotype/PK relationship.

Patients and Methods

A cohort pharmacokinetic, Nonacog Alpha single‐dose, open‐label, non‐comparative study was conducted in eight Comprehensive Care Haemophilia Centres in Italy. Seventeen previously treated moderate or severe haemophilia B patients were enrolled. Factors IX:C one‐stage clotting assay, FIX genotype and PK analysis were centralized.

Results

The evaluation of PK outcomes showed a quite long half‐life, smaller clearance and volume of distribution of Nonacog Alpha in comparison with the results from previously reported studies, where blood sampling was stopped too early. The relationship between PK outcomes and FIX genotype showed that small deletions displayed the higher clearance and shorter half‐life, the nonsense mutations (the lower and the longer respectively), and missense mutations were in between.

Conclusions

It is evident that area under the curve (AUC) and other PK parameters depend from the sampling time design. In order to have a complete evaluation of clotting factors in vivo decay, blood samples must be collected until the baseline factor concentration has been achieved again. Due to the relationship between FIX genotype and clearance, tailored prophylaxis of HB patients could be partially predicted by genotyping.
Rosuvastatin vs. protease inhibitor switching for hypercholesterolaemia: a randomized trial
Authors: Lee FJ , Monteiro P , Baker D , Bloch M , Roth N , Finlayson R , Moore R , Hoy J , Martinez E , Carr A
Published: March 2016

Objectives

The aim of the study was to compare the efficacy and safety of rosuvastatin initiation with those of switching of ritonavir‐boosted protease inhibitors (PI/rs) in HIV‐1‐infected adults with hypercholesterolaemia and increased cardiovascular risk scores.

Methods

In this open‐label, multicentre study, HIV‐1‐infected adults on PI/r‐based therapy with viral load < 50 HIV‐1 RNA copies/mL, fasting total cholesterol ≥ 5.5 mmol/L (both for ≥ 6 months) and elevated cardiovascular risk (Framingham score ≥ 8% or diabetes or family history), and not on lipid‐lowering therapy, were randomized to open‐label rosuvastatin 10 mg/day or to PI/r switching, both with standardized diet/exercise advice. The primary endpoint was change in total cholesterol at week 12 (intention to treat).

Results

There were 43 participants (23 on rosuvastatin). Baseline characteristics were: mean [± standard deviation (SD)] age 55 (8.5) years, 42 (98%) male, 41 (95%) white race, and mean (± SD) total cholesterol 6.2 (1.2) mmol/L. At enrolment, PI/rs were lopinavir/ritonavir (n = 22; 51%), atazanavir/ritonavir (n = 12; 28%) and darunavir/ritonavir (n = 9; 21%). The commonest PI/r substitutes were raltegravir (n = 9; 45%) and rilpivirine (n = 4; 20%). All participants were adherent through to week 12. Rosuvastatin yielded greater declines than PI/r switching in total (− 21.4% vs. − 8.7%, respectively; P = 0.003) and low‐density lipoprotein (− 29.9% vs. − 1.0%, respectively; P < 0.001) cholesterol, but smaller declines in very low‐density lipoprotein cholesterol and triglycerides (P < 0.01). Cholesterol lowering was greater in participants on atazanavir/ritonavir or once‐daily darunavir/ritonavir (vs. lopinavir/ritonavir). More study drug‐related adverse events (mostly grade 1 nausea/diarrhoea; 10 vs. one, respectively; P = 0.001) occurred with PI/r switching than with rosuvastatin.

Conclusions

In adults receiving a PI/r, rosuvastatin 10 mg/day for 12 weeks yielded larger decreases in total and low‐density lipoprotein cholesterol than PI/r switching, and was better tolerated.
Excellent Transmittance Induced Phase Transition and Grain Size Modulation in Lead‐Free (1–x)(K0.5Na0.5)NbO3–xLaBiO3 Ceramics
Authors: Yang Zhenyu , Zhang Xiaoshuai , Yang Dong , Yang Bian , Chao Xiaolian , Wei Lingling , Yang Zupei
Published: March 2016

A novel lead‐free excellent transmittance electro‐optic ceramics (1–x)(K0.5Na0.5)NbO3–xLaBiO3 (KNN‐LB, x = 0.000, 0.005, 0.010, 0.015, 0.020, 0.025, 0.040, 0.060) were fabricated by traditional pressureless ceramics processing procedure. The effects of LaBiO3 dopant concentration x on the microstructure, phase transition, optical property, and electrical properties were studied systematically. The X‐ray diffraction results indicated that the KNN‐LB ceramics with x ≥ 0.025 have the pseudocubic phase. The morphology, density, and microstructure of the KNN‐LB ceramics were characterized by scanning electronic microscopy and optical microscopy. In particular, the KNN‐LB ceramics (0.05 mm thickness) with x = 0.025 exhibited the highest transmittance of 74.00% in the visible spectrum comparable to the 72.00% transmittance of the lead lanthanum zirconate titanate (PLZT 9/65/35 of 0.127 mm thickness). In addition, the related mechanism of transparency variation induced by phase transition and grain size modulation were discussed thoroughly. Finally, the dielectric and ferroelectric properties of as‐prepared KNN‐LB ceramics were also investigated to further clarify the relationship between transparency and relaxor behavior.
Enhanced Charge Transport in ZnO Nanocomposite Through Interface Control Using Multiwall Carbon Nanotubes
Authors: Nam Woo Hyun , Kim Bo Bae , Lim Young Soo , Seo Won‐Seon , Park Hyung‐Ho , Lee Jeong Yong
Published: March 2016

Hybrid strategy of ZnO with carbon nanotube (CNT) has been attempted, and synergistic effects have been demonstrated in ZnO‐CNT hybrid nanostructures owing to the advantageous effects of interface modification on the charge transport process. Here, we report the effects of interface control using multiwall CNTs (MWCNTs) on the charge transport properties in Al‐doped ZnO (AZO) nanocomposite. Although the AZO‐MWCNT nanocomposite is composed of numerous nanograins, it shows single crystalline charge transport behavior due to significantly weakened grain‐boundary scattering at room temperature. The dominant charge transport mechanism is converted from lattice vibration scattering to grain‐boundary scattering at 873 K due to the variation in the charge distribution at the grain boundary. The results demonstrate that interface control using carbon nanomaterials has a significant effect on the charge transport behavior in AZO nanocomposite.
Excusing Economic Envy: On Injustice and Impotence
Authors: Bankovsky Miriam
Published: March 2016

From the Ancient Greeks, through medieval Christian doctrine, and into the modern age, philosophers have long held envy to be irrational, a position that increasingly accompanies the political view that envy is not a justification for redistributing material goods. After defining the features of envy, and considering two arguments in favour of its irrationality, this article opposes the dominant philosophical and political consensus. It does so by deploying Rawls's much‐ignored concept of ‘excusable envy’ to identify a form of envy that is not imprudent and does not mis‐describe. With this work completed, the article then argues – no doubt controversially – that excusable envy constitutes good grounds for redistribution or inequality‐mitigation. In so doing, the article throws light on the moral significance of certain forms of uncivil disobedience, and also offers a new vocabulary for popular ‘politics of envy’ debates, which are yet to acknowledge the role of social institutions in reproducing envy‐excusing economic inequalities.
Assessment of Left Ventricular Mass and Hypertrophy by Cardiovascular Magnetic Resonance Imaging in Pediatric Hypertension
Authors: Supe‐Markovina Katarina , Nielsen James C. , Musani Muzammil , Panesar Laurie E. , Woroniecki Robert P.
Published: March 2016

Cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR) imaging in adults is considered the gold standard for assessment of left ventricular mass (LVM) and left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH). The authors aimed to evaluate agreement of LVM measurements and LVH determination between echocardiography (ECHO) and CMR imaging in children with hypertension (HTN) confirmed by 24‐hour ambulatory blood pressure monitoring (ABPM). The children (n=22) underwent contemporaneous ECHO, CMR imaging, and ABPM. Patients had a mean body mass index of 30.9±7.5 (kg/m2), and 81.8% had severe HTN. LVM measured by ECHO was 189.6±62.1 g and by CMR imaging was 164.6±44.7 g (P<.0001). Bland‐Altman analysis revealed significant variability between ECHO and CMR imaging in the measurement of LVM. Interobserver error was higher with ECHO than with CMR imaging. ECHO had high sensitivity and low specificity in LVH determination. In conclusion, ECHO overestimates LVM and is less accurate in measuring LVM as compared with CMR imaging in children with HTN. Further prospective study using CMR imaging to assess LVM in children is warranted.
Telocytes in exercise‐induced cardiac growth
Authors: Xiao Junjie , Chen Ping , Qu Yi , Yu Pujiao , Yao Jianhua , Wang Hongbao , Fu Siyi , Bei Yihua , Chen Yan , Che Lin , Xu Jiahong
Published: March 2016

Exercise can induce physiological cardiac growth, which is featured by enlarged cardiomyocyte cell size and formation of new cardiomyocytes. Telocytes (TCs) are a recently identified distinct interstitial cell type, existing in many tissues and organs including heart. TCs have been shown to form a tandem with cardiac stem/progenitor cells in cardiac stem cell niches, participating in cardiac regeneration and repair. Although exercise‐induced cardiac growth has been confirmed as an important way to promote cardiac regeneration and repair, the response of cardiac TCs to exercise is still unclear. In this study, 4 weeks of swimming training was used to induce robust healthy cardiac growth. Exercise can induce an increase in cardiomyocyte cell size and formation of new cardiomyocytes as determined by Wheat Germ Lectin and EdU staining respectively. TCs were identified by three immunofluorescence stainings including double labelling for CD34/vimentin, CD34/platelet‐derived growth factor (PDGF) receptor‐α and CD34/PDGF receptor‐β. We found that cardiac TCs were significantly increased in exercised heart, suggesting that TCs might help control the activity of cardiac stem/progenitor cells, cardiomyocytes or endothelial cells. Adding cardiac TCs might help promote cardiac regeneration and renewal.
Support and preferences for intermediate health care services for back and neck pain: a survey among members of the Dutch patient association for spinal pain
Authors: Scholten‐Peeters Gwendolijne G. M. , Coppieters Michel W. , van Berlo Didier YJY , Pool‐Goudzwaard Annelies , Bernsmann Kai
Published: March 2016

Rationale, aims and objectives

Recent health care reforms in the Netherlands have led to the introduction of intermediate health care. Intermediate health care combines features of primary care and secondary (hospital) care. It is characterized by a task shift from hospital care to primary care. The initial experiences of medical specialists and general practitioners with intermediate health care are positive. However, the patients' perspectives regarding this reform are unknown. This study aimed to evaluate the level of support from patients with back and/or neck pain for intermediate health care services and to provide insight into their preferences how this care should be organized.

Methods

A cross‐sectional survey was conducted in which members of the patient association for spinal pain in the Netherlands completed electronic questionnaires to measure the level of support and preferred organization of intermediate health care services.

Results

Questionnaires were returned by 367 patients (response rate: 51%). Respondents supported the concept of intermediate health care (numeric rating scale: 7/10). Aspects considered important for intermediate health care included knowledge and expertise of staff, multidisciplinary cooperation, patient contact time, reimbursement via health insurance, quality control of care, evidence‐based treatments and electronic medical records. Although intermediate care is a health care reform, patients continued to think according to traditional primary and secondary care constitutions.

Conclusions

Patients with neck and/or back pain support the introduction of intermediate health care services and have explicit preferences regarding its organization, but may need to be better informed when intermediate care is introduced.
A Model to tune Modified Atmosphere Conditions of Powdered Infant Formula Packaging
Authors: Wang Hong Jiang , An Duck Soon , Lee Dong Sun
Published: March 2016

In order to estimate the pressure change of modified atmosphere (MA) packaging for powdered infant formula flushed with a mixture of CO2 and N2 during distribution and marketing, a mathematical model of the gas state law was established based on the solubility of CO2 in the product experimentally determined as a function of temperature (463–2,615 mg/kg/atm for 40 to −17C). The developed model was verified using comparisons between measured and estimated values and was used to find the pressure differential across the barrier package wall, which may provide the proper strategy for MA packaging. The MA packages initially flushed with high levels of CO2 and stored at a low temperature were estimated to result in lower package pressure, which could dictate the desired range of proportion of CO2 for different combinations of altitude and temperature. Optimum flushing solutions at the product filling stage were found, which accounted for shrinkage, equilibrated mechanical balance or expansion from the pressure difference between the inside and outside of the package under any given geographic conditions. The following results were found: any MA combinations are acceptable at low altitude and low temperature; specific MA compositions consisting of more CO2 and less N2 at higher altitude and temperature should be applied at locations of intermediate altitude and moderate temperature; vacuumization is required at high altitude and high temperature.

Practical Applications

The developed model of CO2 absorption and mass balance for MA packaging of powdered infant formula can foresee potential risks of shrinkage or expansion due to the difference between its pressure and ambient pressure under various possible distribution conditions. This model allows the manufacturers to select suitable CO2/N2 proportions at packaging operation under target markets of different altitudes and temperatures.
R&D Partnerships and Innovation Performance: Can There Be too Much of a Good Thing?
Authors: Hottenrott Hanna , Lopes‐Bento Cindy
Published: March 2016

R&D collaboration facilitates the pooling of complementary skills, learning from the partner as well as the sharing of risks and costs. Research therefore stresses the positive relationship between collaborative R&D and innovation performance. Fewer studies address the potential drawbacks of collaborative R&D. Collaborative R&D comes at the cost of coordination and monitoring, requires knowledge disclosure, and involves the risk of opportunistic behavior by the partners. Thus, while for lower collaboration intensities the net gains can be high, costs may start to outweigh benefits if firms perform a higher share of their innovation projects collaboratively. For a sample of 2735 firms located in Germany and active in a broad range of manufacturing and service sectors, this study finds that increasing the share of collaborative R&D projects in total R&D projects is associated with a higher probability of product innovation and with a higher market success of new products. While this confirms previous findings on the gains for innovation performance, the results also show that collaboration has decreasing and even negative returns on product innovation if its intensity increases above a certain threshold. Thus, the relationship between collaboration intensity and innovation follows an inverted‐U shape and, on average, costs start to outweigh benefits if a firm pursues more than about two‐thirds of its R&D projects in collaboration. This result is robust to conditioning market success to the introduction of new products and to accounting for the selection into collaborating. This threshold is, however, contingent on firm characteristics. Smaller and younger as well as resource‐constrained firms benefit from relatively higher collaboration intensities. For firms with higher collaboration complexities in terms of different partners and different stages of the R&D process at which collaboration takes place, returns start to decrease already at lower collaboration intensities.
Global versus Chinese perspectives on the phylogeny of the N‐fixing clade
Authors: Li Hong‐Lei , Wang Wei , Li Rui‐Qi , Zhang Jing‐Bo , Sun Miao , Naeem Rehan , Su Jun‐Xia , Xiang Xiao‐Guo , Mortimer Peter E. , Li De‐Zhu , Hyde Kevin D. , Xu Jian‐Chu , Soltis Douglas E. , Soltis Pamela S. , Li Jianhua , Zhang Shou‐Zhou , Wu Hong , Chen Zhi‐Duan , Lu An‐Ming
Published: March 2016

There has been increasing interest in integrating a regional tree of life with community assembly rules in the ecological research. This raises questions regarding the impacts of taxon sampling strategies at the regional versus global scales on the topology. To address this concern, we constructed two trees for the nitrogen‐fixing clade: (i) a genus‐level global tree including 1023 genera; and (ii) a regional tree comprising 303 genera, with taxon sampling limited to China. We used the supermatrix approach and performed maximum likelihood analyses on combined matK, rbcL, and trnL‐F plastid sequences. We found that the topology of the global and the regional tree of the N‐fixing clade were generally congruent. However, whereas relationships among the four orders obtained with the global tree agreed with the accepted topology obtained in focused analyses with more genes, the regional topology obtained different relationships, albeit weakly supported. At a finer scale, the phylogenetic position of the family Myricaceae was found to be sensitive to sampling density. We expect that internal support throughout the phylogeny could be improved with denser taxon sampling. The taxon sampling approach (global vs. regional) did not have a major impact on fine‐level branching patterns of the N‐fixing clade. Thus, a well‐resolved phylogeny with relatively dense taxon sampling strategy at the regional scale appears, in this case, to be a good representation of the overall phylogenetic pattern and could be used in ecological research. Otherwise, the regional tree should be adjusted according to the correspondingly reliable global tree.
Local Information Theoretic Methods for smooth Coefficients Dynamic Panel Data Models
Authors: Bravo Francesco
Published: March 2016

This paper considers estimation and inference in semiparametric smooth coefficients dynamic panel data models. It proposes a class of local estimators that can be given an interesting information‐theoretic interpretation and a number of test statistics that can be used to test for the (local) correct specification of the model and for the constancy of the smooth coefficients. The results of the paper are rather general as they allow for the three cases of ‘largeN, smallT’, ‘smallN, largeT’ and ‘largeN, largeT’, for the possibility that some of the regressors might be correlated with the unobservable errors and for the possibility that some of the variables used in the estimation might not be directly observable. Simulations show that the proposed method have competitive finite sample properties.
Drug–resin drug interactions in patients with delayed gastric emptying: What is optimal time window for drug administration?
Authors: Camilleri M.
Published: March 2016

Most drug–drug interactions involve overlap or competition in drug metabolic pathways. However, there are medications, typically resins, whose function is to bind injurious substances such as bile acids or potassium within the digestive tract. The objective of this article is to review the functions of the stomach and the kinetics of emptying of different food forms or formulations to make recommendations on timing of medication administration in order to avoid intragastric drug interactions. Based on the profiles and kinetics of emptying of liquid nutrients and homogenized solids, a window of 3 h between administration of a resin drug and another ‘target’ medication would be expected to allow a median of 80% of medications with particle size <1 mm to empty from the stomach and, hence, avoid potential interaction such as binding of the ‘target’ medication within the stomach.
Mitochondrial DNA 4977‐base pair common deletion in blood leukocytes and melanoma risk
Authors: Shen Jie , Wan Jie , Huff Chad , Fang Shenying , Lee Jeffrey E. , Zhao Hua
Published: March 2016

The 4977‐base pair common deletion DmtDNA4977 is the most frequently observed mitochondrial DNA mutation in human tissues. Because mitochondrial DNA mutations are mainly caused by reactive oxygen species (ROS), and given that oxidative stress plays an important role in melanoma carcinogenesis, the investigation of DmtDNA4977 may be particularly relevant to the development of melanoma. In this study, we compared DmtDNA4977 levels in blood leukocytes from 206 melanoma patients and 219 healthy controls. Overall, melanoma cases had significantly higher levels of DmtDNA4977 than healthy controls (median: 0.60 vs 0.20, P = 0.008). The difference was evident among individuals who were older than 47 yrs, women, and had pigmentation risk factors (e.g., blond or red hair, blue eye, fair skin, light, or none tanning ability after prolonged sun exposure, and freckling in the sun as a child). The difference was also evident among those who had at least one lifetime sunburn with blistering and had no reported use of a sunlamp. Interestingly, among controls, DmtDNA4977 levels differed by phenotypic index and reported use of a sunlamp. In the risk assessment, increased levels of DmtDNA4977 were associated with a 1.23‐fold increased risk of melanoma (odds ratio (OR): 1.23, 95% confidence interval (90% CI): 1.01, 1.50). A significant dose–response relationship was observed in quartile analysis (P = 0.001). In summary, our study suggests that high levels of DmtDNA4977 in blood leukocytes are associated with increased risk of melanoma and that association is affected by both pigmentation and personal history of sun exposure.
The Co‐evolution of Speech and the Lexicon: The Interaction of Functional Pressures, Redundancy, and Category Variation
Authors: Winter Bodo , Wedel Andrew
Published: March 2016

The sound system of a language must be able to support a perceptual contrast between different words in order to signal communicatively relevant meaning distinctions. In this paper, we use a simple agent‐based exemplar model in which the evolution of sound‐category systems is understood as a co‐evolutionary process, where the range of variation within sound categories is constrained by functional pressure to keep different words perceptually distinct. We show that this model can reproduce several observed effects on the range of sound variation. We argue that phonological systems can be seen as finding a relative optimum of variation: Efficient communication is sustained while at the same time, hidden category variation provides pathways for future evolution.
Technical Note: Range verification system using edge detection method for a scintillator and a CCD camera system
Authors: Saotome Naoya , Furukawa Takuji , Hara Yousuke , Mizushima Kota , Tansho Ryohei , Saraya Yuichi , Shirai Toshiyuki , Noda Koji
Published: March 2016

Purpose:

Three‐dimensional irradiation with a scanned carbon‐ion beam has been performed from 2011 at the authors’ facility. The authors have developed the rotating‐gantry equipped with the scanning irradiation system. The number of combinations of beam properties to measure for the commissioning is more than 7200, i.e., 201 energy steps, 3 intensities, and 12 gantry angles. To compress the commissioning time, quick and simple range verification system is required. In this work, the authors develop a quick range verification system using scintillator and charge‐coupled device (CCD) camera and estimate the accuracy of the range verification.

Methods:

A cylindrical plastic scintillator block and a CCD camera were installed on the black box. The optical spatial resolution of the system is 0.2 mm/pixel. The camera control system was connected and communicates with the measurement system that is part of the scanning system. The range was determined by image processing. Reference range for each energy beam was determined by a difference of Gaussian (DOG) method and the 80% of distal dose of the depth‐dose distribution that were measured by a large parallel‐plate ionization chamber. The authors compared a threshold method and a DOG method.

Results:

The authors found that the edge detection method (i.e., the DOG method) is best for the range detection. The accuracy of range detection using this system is within 0.2 mm, and the reproducibility of the same energy measurement is within 0.1 mm without setup error.

Conclusions:

The results of this study demonstrate that the authors’ range check system is capable of quick and easy range verification with sufficient accuracy.
Tests of blood-borne DNA pinpoint tissue damage
Authors: Kaiser Jocelyn
Published: March 2016

Assays spot cell death from diabetes, cancer, and more.
Observation of superconductivity in hydrogen sulfide from nuclear resonant scattering
Authors: Troyan Ivan , Gavriliuk Alexander , Rüffer Rudolf , Chumakov Alexander , Mironovich Anna , Lyubutin Igor , Perekalin Dmitry , Drozdov Alexander P. , Eremets Mikhail I.
Published: March 2016

Peeking into a diamond pressure cell

A defining characteristic of a superconductor is that it expels an external magnetic field. Demonstrating this effect can be tricky when the sample is under enormous pressures in a diamond anvil cell. Troyan
et al.
placed a tinfoil sensor inside a sample of H
2
S under pressure. They then bombarded it with synchrotron radiation and watched how the scattering of photons of tin nuclei changed over time. When H
2
S was in the normal state, an external magnetic field reached the sensor through the sample, causing the nuclear levels of tin to split. In the superconducting state, however, no splitting was observed because H
2
S expelled the field before it could reach the sensor.

Science
, this issue p.
1303
Concerted hydrogen-bond breaking by quantum tunneling in the water hexamer prism
Authors: Richardson Jeremy O. , Pérez Cristóbal , Lobsiger Simon , Reid Adam A. , Temelso Berhane , Shields George C. , Kisiel Zbigniew , Wales David J. , Pate Brooks H. , Althorpe Stuart C.
Published: March 2016

Gear-like rotation by a wobbly water duo

The molecules in liquid water move about constantly, but on average they cling to each other through hydrogen bonds, like dancers who keep switching partners. Richardson
et al.
uncovered a fresh twist in this molecular dance (see the Perspective by Clary). Studying clusters of six molecules each—essentially the smallest three-dimensional water droplets—they observed coupled motion of two different molecules in the cluster. The process breaks two different hydrogen bonds concurrently in a pattern akin to rotating gears.

Science
, this issue p.
1310
; see also p.
1267
Squeezing into superconductivity
Authors: Struzhkin Viktor
Published: March 2016

Synchrotron light sources can be used to probe superconductivity at extreme pressures

[Also see Report by

Troyan
et al.

]
Whole-Genome Sequencing of Macrolide-Resistant
Mycoplasma pneumoniae
Strain S355, Isolated in China
Authors: Li Shaoli , Liu Fei , Sun Hongmei , Zhu Baoli , Lv Na , Xue Guanhua
Published: March 2016

Macrolide-resistant
Mycoplasma pneumoniae
plays an important role in refractory
M. pneumoniae
pneumonia. Here, we present the whole-genome sequencing of the macrolide-resistant
M. pneumoniae
strain S355. The annotated full-genome sequence might provide a new insight into drug resistance in
M. pneumoniae
and can help pediatricians recognize the disease earlier.
Complete Genome Sequence of Cyanobacterium
Leptolyngbya
sp. NIES-3755
Authors: Hirose Yuu , Fujisawa Takatomo , Ohtsubo Yoshiyuki , Katayama Mitsunori , Misawa Naomi , Wakazuki Sachiko , Shimura Yohei , Nakamura Yasukazu , Kawachi Masanobu , Yoshikawa Hirofumi , Eki Toshihiko , Kanesaki Yu
Published: March 2016

Cyanobacterial genus
Leptolyngbya
comprises genetically diverse species, but the availability of their complete genome information is limited. Here, we isolated
Leptolyngbya
sp. strain NIES-3755 from soil at the Toyohashi University of Technology, Japan. We determined the complete genome sequence of the NIES-3755 strain, which is composed of one chromosome and three plasmids.
Complete Genome Sequence of
Methylobacterium
sp. Strain AMS5, an Isolate from a Soybean Stem
Authors: Minami Tomoyuki , Ohtsubo Yoshiyuki , Anda Mizue , Nagata Yuji , Tsuda Masataka , Mitsui Hisayuki , Sugawara Masayuki , Minamisawa Kiwamu
Published: March 2016

Nonrhizobial
Methylobacterium
spp. inhabit the phyllosphere of a wide variety of plants. We report here the complete genome sequence of
Methylobacterium
sp. AMS5, which was isolated from a soybean stem. The information is useful for understanding the molecular mechanisms of the interaction between nonrhizobial
Methylobacterium
spp. and plants.
Draft Genome Sequence of
Aliiroseovarius crassostreae
CV919-312, the Causative Agent of
Roseovarius
Oyster Disease (Formerly Juvenile Oyster Disease)
Authors: Kessner Linda , Spinard Edward , Gomez-Chiarri Marta , Rowley David C. , Nelson David R.
Published: March 2016

Aliiroseovarius crassostreae
CV919-312 is a marine alphaproteobacterium and the causative agent of
Roseovarius
oyster disease. We announce here the draft genome sequence of
A. crassostreae
CV919-312 and identify potential virulence genes involved in pathogenicity.
Acquired torticollis due to primary pyomyositis of the paraspinal muscles in an 11-year-old boy
Authors: Ray S , Iyer A , Avula S , Kneen R
Published: March 2016

Torticollis is characterised by tilting and rotation of the cervical spine in opposite directions. Causes can be congenital or acquired. Primary pyomyositis is a rare subacute deep bacterial infection of skeletal muscles that typically affects individuals under 20 years of age from tropical countries. Infrequently, pyomyositis occurs in individuals from temperate regions, usually in immunocompromised adults, and this is defined as secondary pyomyositis. We report a case of acquired torticollis due to primary pyomyositis of the paraspinal muscles in a previously healthy boy from the UK. A prolonged course of antibiotics and physiotherapy led to a complete resolution of his illness. We review how to differentiate pyomyositis from focal myositis, a more common inflammatory muscular cause of acquired torticollis.
First bite syndrome: a complication of carotid endarterectomy
Authors: Tao Mary Jiayi , Roche-Nagle Graham
Published: March 2016

First bite syndrome (FBS) is an uncommon pain syndrome characterised by severe cramping or spasm in the parotid region with the first bite of each meal. The proposed pathogenesis is sympathetic denervation of the parotid gland secondary to iatrogenic injury with resultant cross-stimulatory parasympathetic hypersensitivity response. FBS is a potential sequela of surgeries involving the infratemporal fossa, parapharyngeal space and/or deep lobe of the parotid gland, however, only four cases of FBS secondary to carotid endarterectomy have been documented to date. We present a case and management of a 77-year-old man who developed FBS after an ipsilateral carotid endarterectomy, to raise awareness of this complication among surgeons who operate in the neck region.
Painless acute myocardial infarction on Mount Kilimanjaro
Authors: Jamal Nasiruddin , Rajhy Mubina , Bapumia Mustaafa
Published: March 2016

An individual experiencing dyspnoea or syncope at high altitude is commonly diagnosed to have high-altitude pulmonary edema or cerebral edema. Acute myocardial infarction (AMI) is generally not considered in the differential diagnosis. There have been very rare cases of AMI reported only from Mount Everest. We report a case of painless ST segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) that occurred while climbing Mount Kilimanjaro. A 51-year-old man suffered dyspnoea and loss of consciousness near the mountain peak, at about 5600 m. At a nearby hospital, he was treated as a case of high-altitude pulmonary edema. ECG was not obtained. Two days after the incident, he presented to our institution with continued symptoms of dyspnoea, light-headedness and weakness, but no pain. He was found to have inferior wall and right ventricular STEMI complicated by complete heart block. He was successfully managed with coronary angioplasty, with good recovery.
Diffuse large B-cell lymphoma of the adrenal gland: a rare cause of primary adrenal insufficiency
Authors: de Sousa Lages Adriana , Bastos Margarida , Oliveira Patrícia , Carrilho Francisco
Published: March 2016

Although it is a rare entity, primary lymphoma of the adrenal gland should be considered in the differential diagnosis of bilateral nodular adrenal lesions, particularly when there is evidence of associated adrenal insufficiency. We describe the case of an 83-year-old woman admitted to the emergency department due to a month's history of asthenia, weight loss, anorexia and nausea. Abdominopelvic CT showed bilateral nodular lesions of adrenal glands and a stimulation test with tetracosactide was compatible with primary adrenal insufficiency. CT-guided biopsy of the left adrenal gland was performed, and histopathological results were consistent with diffuse large B-cell lymphoma. Positron emission tomography18F-fluorodeoxyglucose detected two intensely hypermetabolic lesions limited to both adrenal glands. Replacement therapy with hydrocortisone 15 mg/day and fludrocortisone 0.1 mg/day was promptly started and chemotherapy with rituximab, cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, vincristine and prednisone was initiated after haematology-oncology consultation.
Understanding tensions and identifying clinician agreement on improvements to early-stage chronic kidney disease monitoring in primary care: a qualitative study
Authors: Simmonds Rosemary , Evans Julie , Feder Gene , Blakeman Tom , Lasserson Dan , Murray Elizabeth , Bennert Kristina , Locock Louise , Horwood Jeremy
Published: March 2016

Objectives

Since 2006, general practitioners (GPs) in England, UK, have been incentivised to keep a register and monitor patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) stages 3–5. Despite tensions and debate around the merit of this activity, there has been little qualitative research exploring clinician perspectives on monitoring early-stage CKD in primary care. This study aimed to examine and understand a range of different healthcare professional views and experiences of identification and monitoring in primary care of early-stage CKD, in particular stage 3.

Design

Qualitative design using semistructured interviews.

Setting

National Health Service (NHS) settings across primary and secondary care in South West England, UK.

Participants

25 clinicians: 16 GPs, 3 practice nurses, 4 renal consultants and 2 public health physicians.

Results

We identified two related overarching themes of dissonance and consonance in clinician perspectives on early-stage CKD monitoring in primary care. Clinician dissonance around clinical guidelines for CKD monitoring emanated from different interpretations of CKD and different philosophies of healthcare and moral decision-making. Clinician consonance centred on the need for greater understanding of renal decline and increasing proteinuria testing to reduce overdiagnosis and identify those patients who were at risk of progression and further morbidity and who would benefit from early intervention. Clinicians recommended adopting a holistic approach for patients with CKD representing a barometer of overall health.

Conclusions

The introduction of new National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) CKD guidelines in 2014, which focus the meaning and purpose of CKD monitoring by increased proteinuria testing and assessment of risk, may help to resolve some of the ethical and moral tensions clinicians expressed regarding the overmedicalisation of patients with a CKD diagnosis.
Pine caterpillar outbreak and stand density impacts on nitrogen and phosphorus dynamics and their stoichiometry in Masson pine (Pinus massoniana) plantations in subtropical China
Authors: Fang Xiang-Min , Christenson Lynn M. , Wang Fang-Chao , Zeng Ju-Ping , Chen Fu-Sheng
Published: March 2016

Masson pine caterpillar (MPC, Dendrolimus punctatus Walker) outbreaks periodically occur in Masson pine (Pinus massoniana Lamb.) plantations in southern China; however, their effects on nutrient cycling remain unclear. In 2011, an MPC outbreak occurred in pine plantations with different stand densities, which facilitated a comparison of nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) cycling dynamics. Monitoring of soil and foliar nutrients from pre- to post-outbreak years (i.e., from 2010 to approximately 2012) indicated that soil NO3–-N concentration and fluxes were higher after the outbreak in low-density plantations, whereas soil NH4+-N and P availability varied minimally and were not different between the high- and low-density sites. Pine foliage responses to the MPC outbreak were dependent on stand density. At the high-density site, foliar N increased by 40% with an increase of 25% in N resorption efficiency and by approximately 200%–300% in P resorption efficiency, whereas there was an increase of 50% N concentration, a 65% increase in N resorption efficiency, and a >500% increase in P resorption efficiency at the low-density site. Overall, soil nutrients were higher in low-density than high-density plantations, whereas leaf nutrient resorption had the opposite results after an MPC outbreak. The effects of a periodic MPC outbreak could increase plant N:P stoichiometry in these plantations, particularly in the denser stands.
Discrete Connection and Covariant Derivative for Vector Field Analysis and Design
Authors: Liu Beibei , Tong Yiying , Goes Fernando De , Desbrun Mathieu
Published: March 2016

In this article, we introduce a discrete definition of connection on simplicial manifolds, involving closed-form continuous expressions within simplices and finite rotations across simplices. The finite-dimensional parameters of this connection are optimally computed by minimizing a quadratic measure of the deviation to the (discontinuous) Levi-Civita connection induced by the embedding of the input triangle mesh, or to any metric connection with arbitrary cone singularities at vertices. From this discrete connection, a covariant derivative is constructed through exact differentiation, leading to explicit expressions for local integrals of first-order derivatives (such as divergence, curl, and the Cauchy-Riemann operator) and for
L
2
-based energies (such as the Dirichlet energy). We finally demonstrate the utility, flexibility, and accuracy of our discrete formulations for the design and analysis of vector,
n
-vector, and
n
-direction fields.
Investigating the Implications of 3D Printing in Special Education
Authors: Buehler Erin , Comrie Niara , Hofmann Megan , McDonald Samantha , Hurst Amy
Published: March 2016

Consumer-grade digital fabrication such as 3D printing is on the rise, and we believe it can be leveraged to great benefit in special education. Although 3D printing is infiltrating mainstream education, little research has explored 3D printing in the context of students with special support needs. We describe our studies on this topic and the resulting contributions. We initially conducted a formative study exploring the use of 3D printing at three locations serving populations with varying ability, including individuals with cognitive, motor, and visual impairments. We found that 3D design and printing perform three functions in special education: (1) STEM engagement, (2) creation of educational aids for accessible curriculum content, and (3) making custom adaptive devices. As part of our formative work, we also discussed a case study in the codesign of an assistive hand grip created with occupational therapists at one of our investigation sites. This work inspired further studies on the creation of adaptive devices using 3D printers. We identified the needs and constraints of these therapists and found implications for a specialized 3D modeling tool to support their use of 3D printers. We developed GripFab, 3D modeling software based on feedback from therapists, and used it to explore the feasibility of in-house 3D object designs in support of accessibility. Our contributions include case studies at three special education sites and discussion of obstacles to efficient 3D printing in this context. We have extended these contributions with a more in-depth look at the stakeholders and findings from GripFab studies. We have expanded our discussion to include suggestions for researchers in this space, in addition to refined suggestions from our earlier work for technologists creating 3D modeling and printing tools, therapists seeking to leverage 3D printers, and educators and administrators looking to implement these design tools in special education environments.