bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Do We Know Whether Researchers and Reviewers are Estimating Risk and Benefit Accurately?
Authors: Hey Spencer Phillips , Kimmelman Jonathan 
Published: May 2016

AbstractAccurate estimation of risk and benefit is integral to good clinical research planning, ethical review, and study implementation. Some commentators have argued that various actors in clinical research systems are prone to biased or arbitrary risk/benefit estimation. In this commentary, we suggest the evidence supporting such claims is very limited. Most prior work has imputed risk/benefit beliefs based on past behavior or goals, rather than directly measuring them. We describe an approach – forecast analysis – that would enable direct and effective measure of the quality of risk/benefit estimation. We then consider some objections and limitations to the forecasting approach.
The influence of bilingualism on the preference for the mouth region of dynamic faces
Authors: Ayneto Alba , Sebastian‐Galles Nuria 
Published: May 2016

AbstractBilingual infants show an extended period of looking at the mouth of talking faces, which provides them with additional articulatory cues that can be used to boost the challenging situation of learning two languages (Pons, Bosch & Lewkowicz, 2015). However, the eye region also provides fundamental cues for emotion perception and recognition, as well as communication. Here, we explored whether the adaptations resulting from learning two languages are specific to linguistic content or if they also influence the focus of attention when looking at dynamic faces. We recorded the eye gaze of bilingual and monolingual infants (8‐ and 12‐month‐olds) while watching videos of infants and adults portraying different emotional states (neutral, crying, and laughing). When looking at infant faces, bilinguals looked longer at the mouth region as compared to monolinguals regardless of age. However, when presented with adult faces, 8‐month‐old bilingual infants looked longer at the mouth region and less at the eye region compared to 8‐month‐old monolingual infants, but no effect of language exposure was found at 12 months of age. These findings suggest that the bias to the mouth region in bilingual infants at 8 months of age can be generalized to other audiovisual dynamic faces that do not contain linguistic information. We discuss the potential implications of such bias in early social and communicative development.
Are Cape Ground Squirrels (Xerus inauris) Sensitive to Variation in the Pay‐offs from Their Caches?
Authors: Samson Jamie , Manser Marta B. 
Published: May 2016

AbstractFor food caching to be adaptive, the benefits of recovery must outweigh the costs of storing an item. One of the costs to cachers is the risk of theft, and therefore, it is predicted that individuals may be sensitive to this theft and show various behavioural strategies to minimise it. In this study, we gave wild Cape ground squirrels (Xerus inauris) a choice between two different coloured items of the same food type: one item with a specific colour that was always artificially removed when cached and the other item with a different colour that was not removed when cached. During the choice presentations, subjects reduced the amount they consumed and cached of the food items with the colour that was experimentally removed when cached, despite the two items only differing in caching pay‐off. This avoidance to choose the food with the colour that was removed occurred over time, which suggests that subjects were using information about the item's pay‐off during cache recovery and this then impacted on successive decisions. This study highlights how the sensitivity to a food item's pay‐off can affect an individual's choice towards items that offer the greater overall reward.
Evaluation of a dysphagia screening system based on the Mann Assessment of Swallowing Ability for use in dependent older adults
Authors: Ohira Mariko , Ishida Ryo , Maki Yoshinobu , Ohkubo Mai , Sugiyama Tetsuya , Sakayori Takaharu , Sato Toru 
Published: May 2016

AimDysphagia is common in dependent older adults. Thus, a method of evaluating eating and swallowing functions that can be used to diagnose and manage dysphagia in a simple and robust manner is required. In 2002, the Mann Assessment of Swallowing Ability (MASA) was introduced to identify dysphagia in acute‐stage stroke patients. As the MASA enables easy screening, it might also be applicable to dependent older adults if appropriate MASA cut‐off values and the most useful assessment items could be determined. In the present study, we attempted to determine suitable MASA cut‐off values, and the most useful assessment items for predicting aspiration and pharyngeal retention in dependent older adults.MethodsUsing the MASA, we evaluated the eating and swallowing functions of 50 dependent older adults with dysphagia. All of the patients also underwent videoendoscopic‐based swallowing evaluations to detect aspiration and pharyngeal retention. The participants' characteristics and the utility of each assessment item were compared between various groups. Using the patients' videoendoscopic findings as a reference, receiver operating characteristic curve analysis was carried out to determine appropriate cut‐off values for predicting aspiration and pharyngeal retention in dependent older adults.ResultsThe optimal MASA cut‐off values for predicting aspiration and pharyngeal retention were 122 points and 151 points, respectively. A total of 17 of the 24 clinical items assessed by the MASA were found to be associated with aspiration in dependent older adults.ConclusionsThe MASA is a useful screening tool for evaluating eating and swallowing functions in dependent older adults. Geriatr Gerontol Int 2017; 17: 561‐567.
The economic considerations of patients and caregivers in choice of dialysis modality
Authors: Walker Rachael C. , Howard Kirsten , Tong Allison , Palmer Suetonia C. , Marshall Mark R. , Morton Rachael L. 
Published: May 2016

AbstractIntroduction Broader adoption of home dialysis could lead to considerable cost savings for health services. Globally, however, uptake remains low. The aim of this study was to describe patient and caregiver perspectives of the economic considerations that influence dialysis modality choice, and elicit policy‐relevant recommendations.Methods Semistructured interviews with predialysis or dialysis patients and their caregivers, at three hospitals in New Zealand. Interview transcripts were analyzed thematically.Findings 43 patients and 9 caregivers (total n = 52) participated. The three themes related to economic considerations were: (i) productivity losses associated with changes in employment; (ii) the need for personal subsidization of home dialysis expenses; and (iii) the role of socio‐economic disadvantage as a barrier to home dialysis. Patients weighed the flexibility of home dialysis which allowed them to remain employed, against time required for training and out‐of‐pocket costs. Patients saw the lack of reimbursement of home dialysis costs as unjust and suggested that reimbursement would incentivize home dialysis uptake. Social disadvantage was a barrier to home dialysis as patients’ housing was often unsuitable; they could not afford the additional treatment costs. Home hemodialysis was considered to have the highest out‐of‐pocket costs and was sometimes avoided for this reason.Discussion Our data suggests that economic considerations underpin the choices patients make about dialysis treatments, however these are rarely reported. To promote home dialysis, strategies to improve employment retention and housing, and to minimize out‐of‐pocket costs, need to be addressed directly by healthcare providers and payers.
Cystometric evaluation of recovery in hypocompliant defunctionalized bladder as a result of long‐term dialysis after kidney transplantation
Authors: Inoue Takamitsu , Satoh Shigeru , Obara Takashi , Saito Mitsuru , Numakura Kazuyuki , Narita Shintaro , Tsuchiya Norihiko , Habuchi Tomonori 
Published: May 2016

ObjectivesTo evaluate the functional recovery of a pretransplant hypocompliant bladder in patients without neurological disorders, and to determine its relationship with ureteral complications, including vesicoureteral reflux.MethodsA total of 61 patients without neurogenic disorders, who underwent video water cystometry pre‐ and 1 year post‐transplantation, were enrolled. Cystometric bladder capacity and maximum intravesical pressure were measured, and compliance was calculated by the elevation in intravesical pressure as a result of an increase in volume. The frequencies of urinary complications, including urinary leakage, pyelonephritis and vesicoureteral reflux, were also evaluated.ResultsPretransplant dialysis duration correlated with pretransplant bladder capacity and compliance (R2 = 0.421, P < 0.001 and R2 = 0.418, P < 0.001, respectively). A total of 16 (26.2%) patients had hypocompliant bladders <10 mL/cmH2O, whereas 10 of the 12 patients (83.3%) with pretransplant dialysis duration of more than 5 years had a pretransplant hypocompliant bladder. Bladder compliance significantly recovered to >20 mL/cmH2O (21.1–286.0) at 1 year post‐transplantation in all 16 patients with a pretransplant hypocompliant bladder. No significant differences were observed for urinary leakage, pyelonephritis or vesicoureteral reflux between patients with and without a pretransplant hypocompliant bladder.ConclusionsBladder compliance decreases logarithmically pretransplantation according to dialysis duration. Although the ability of the patients to recover varies, dysfunctions associated with a pretransplant hypocompliant bladder recover to normal ranges after renal transplantation. A pretransplant hypocompliant bladder seems not to be associated with the post‐transplant prevalence of urinary complications or vesicoureteral reflux.
Outcomes in coeliac disease: a qualitative exploration of patients' views on what they want to achieve when seeing a dietitian
Authors: Madden A. M. , Riordan A. M. , Knowles L. 
Published: May 2016

AbstractBackgroundCoeliac disease (CD) is managed by life‐long adherence to a gluten‐free diet and dietitians have the potential to facilitate this. Patient involvement through shared decision‐making is central to behaviour‐change skills used by dietitians, although there is little evidence supporting its inclusion in evaluating dietetic interventions. The present study aimed to explore patients' preferences for diet and nutrition‐related outcomes in CD.MethodsAdults with CD or adult carers of children with CD were invited through support networks. Participants took part in a telephone, face‐to‐face interview or focus group which was audio‐recorded and transcribed. Themes were developed using a framework method. Ethical approval was obtained.ResultsTwenty‐nine adult patients and five parents of CD children participated 0–34 years after diagnosis. Four main outcome‐related themes emerged: (i) Participants wanted information specific to their lifestyle and time since diagnosis, focussing on food containing gluten, practical issues, prescribable items and general nutrition. (ii) The degree of satisfaction with the consultation process impacted on participants' experience, including the dietitian's CD expertise, consistency of the dietitian seen, and the frequency and length of appointments. (iii) Health concerns were important to participants and focussed on risk of osteoporosis, unwanted weight gain, and the fat and sugar content of manufactured gluten‐free products. (iv) Clinical monitoring, including bone scans and antibody measurements, was mentioned but was not described as being of importance for most participants.ConclusionsThe outcomes preferred by CD patients and carers focussed primarily on information and resources received and satisfaction with their dietetic consultation.
Prediction of the risk of cesarean delivery after labor induction in twin gestations based on clinical and ultrasound parameters
Authors: Han Bo Ryoung , Park Kyo Hoon , Lee Sung Youn , Jung Eun Young , Park Jeong Woo 
Published: May 2016

AbstractAimsTo develop a model based on clinical and ultrasound parameters to predict the risk of cesarean delivery after labor induction in near‐term twin gestations.MethodsThis retrospective cohort study included 189 consecutive women with twin gestations at ≥ 36.0 weeks scheduled for labor induction. The Bishop score and transvaginal ultrasonographic measurements of cervical length were obtained immediately before labor induction. Parameters studied included maternal age, height, weight, parity, gestational age, Bishop score, cervical length, epidural analgesia, method of conception, chorionicity and birth weight. Prostaglandin E2 (dinoprostone) and oxytocin were used for labor induction. Logistic regression analysis and receiver operating characteristic curve were used to generate a predictive model for cesarean delivery.ResultsFifty (26.5%) of the 189 women had cesarean deliveries. According to logistic regression analysis, maternal height (P = 0.004), parity (P = 0.005) and cervical length (P = 0.016), but not Bishop score (P = 0.920), were identified as independent predictors of cesarean delivery. A risk score based on a model of these three parameters was calculated for each patient. The model was shown to have an adequate goodness of fit (P = 0.201) and the area under the curve was 0.722, indicating fairly good discrimination.ConclusionsMaternal height, parity and cervical length were independent parameters for predicting the risk of cesarean delivery after labor induction in twin gestations. A predictive model using these parameters may provide useful information for deciding whether or not to induce labor.
Involvement of FST1 from Fusarium verticillioides in virulence and transport of inositol
Authors: Niu Chenxing , Payne Gary A. , Woloshuk Charles P. 
Published: May 2016

SummaryFumonisin B1 (FB1), a polyketide mycotoxin produced by Fusarium verticillioides during the colonization of maize kernels, is detrimental to human and animal health. FST1 encodes a putative protein with 12 transmembrane domains; however, its function remains unknown. The FST1 gene is highly expressed by the fungus in the endosperm of maize kernels compared with the levels of expression in germ tissues. Previous research has shown that FST1 affects FB1 production, virulence, hydrogen peroxide resistance, hydrophobicity and macroconidia production. Here, we examine the phylogeny of FST1, its expression in a Saccharomyces cerevisiae strain lacking a functional myo‐inositol transporter (ITR1) and the effect of amino acid changes in the central loop and C‐terminus regions of FST1 on functionality. The results indicate that expression of FST1 in an ITR1 mutant strain restores growth on myo‐inositol medium to wild‐type levels and restores the inhibitory effects of FB1, suggesting that FST1 can transport both myo‐inositol and FB1 into yeast cells. Our results with engineered FST1 also indicate that amino acids in the central loop and C‐terminus regions are important for FST1 functionality in both S. cerevisiae and F. verticillioides. Overall, this research has established the first characterized inositol transporter in filamentous fungi and has advanced our knowledge about the global regulatory functions of FST1.
Effect of age, decentration, aberrations and pupil size on subjective image quality with concentric bifocal optics
Authors: Rio David , Woog Kelly , Legras Richard 
Published: May 2016

AbstractPurposeWe investigated the impact of lens centration, wearer aberrations, pupil size and age on the optics of two bifocal contact lenses using image simulation.MethodFourteen conditions (i.e. two optical profiles with two and eight concentric zones; two conditions of centration: centred and 0.77 mm decentred; and three conditions of aberrations: 0, 0.15 and 0.35 μm RMS; three pupil sizes: 3, 4.5 and 6 mm) were tested on two populations (i.e. 20–40 and 40–60 years old) using a numerical simulation method. For each condition, images were calculated for proximities ranging from ‐4D to + 2D with steps of 0.25D. Subjects graded the quality of each simulated image (i.e. a target ‘HEV’ of 0.4 logMAR) on a continuous scale from 0 to 5. To limit the effect of the observer's own aberrations, subjects viewed the displayed images through a 3‐mm pupil and their optimal correction.ResultsBoth populations reported similar image quality (i.e. average absolute difference of 0.23) except for sharp and low contrast images, which obtained slightly higher grades with younger subjects, probably due to a better contrast sensitivity in this population. Typical decentration had no effect on bifocal contact lenses wearers' vision, as the ratio between areas dedicated to near and distance vision did not change. Aberrations (i.e. mainly 0.24 μm of spherical aberration on a 4.5‐mm pupil) reduced the addition of the two radial zones bifocal optics and introduced a hyperopic shift (i.e. 0.50D) of the through‐focus image quality for the eight radial zone bifocal lens. The combination of typical aberrations with typical decentration created the same effect as typical aberrations alone, meaning that aberration impact was stronger than decentration impact. The two radial zone bifocal lens was dependent on the pupil whereas the eight radial zone lens was not.ConclusionsWhen fitting new bifocal optics, the aberrations of the patients, as well as their pupil diameter, are the main subject dependent parameters influencing quality of vision. Typical contact lens decentration and lower cortical treatment efficiency of retinal images of older subjects had relatively little impact.
Ferric carboxymaltose with or without erythropoietin in anemic patients with hip fracture: a randomized clinical trial
Authors: Bernabeu‐Wittel Máximo , Romero Manuel , Ollero‐Baturone Manuel , Aparicio Reyes , Murcia‐Zaragoza José , Rincón‐Gómez Manuel , Monte‐Secades Rafael , Melero‐Bascones María , Rosso Clara M. , Ruiz‐Cantero Alberto ,   on behalf of the PAHFRAC‐01 Investigators
Published: May 2016

BACKGROUNDThe increasing incidence of osteoporotic hip fracture (HF) has raised the requirements of red blood cell (RBC) transfusions, whereas this scarce resource may cause morbidity and mortality.STUDY DESIGN AND METHODSThis study was a multicenter, randomized, double‐blind, clinical trial that aimed to assess efficacy of ferric carboxymaltose (FCM) with or without erythropoietin (EPO) in reducing RBC transfusion in the perioperative period of HF. Participants (patients > 65 years admitted with HF and hemoglobin [Hb] levels of 90‐120 g/L) were randomly assigned to receive a preoperative single dose of 1 g of FCM (short intravenous [IV] infusion over 15 min), plus 40,000 IU of subcutaneous EPO (EPOFE arm); versus 1 g of IV FCM plus subcutaneous placebo (FE arm); and versus IV and subcutaneous placebo (placebo arm). Primary endpoint was the percentage of patients who received RBC transfusion, and secondary endpoints were the number of RBC transfusions per patient, survival, hemoglobinemia, and health‐related quality of life (HRQoL; by means of Short Form 36 Version 2 questionnaire).RESULTSA total of 306 patients (85% women, mean age 83 ± 6.5 years) were included. A total of 52, 51.5, and 54% of patients required RBC transfusion in the EPOFE, FE, and placebo arms, respectively, with no significant differences in the number of RBC transfusions per patient, survival, HRQoL, and adverse events among treatment groups. A significant increase in Hb levels was achieved at discharge (102 g/L vs. 97 g/L) and 60 days after discharge (125 g/L vs. 119 g/L) in the EPOFE arm with respect to placebo arm; in addition, a higher rate of patients recovered from anemia in the EPOFE arm with respect to the placebo arm (52% vs. 39%), 60 days after discharge.CONCLUSIONPreoperative treatment with FCM alone or in combination with EPO improved recovery from postoperative anemia, but did not reduce the needs of RBC transfusion in patients with HF.
Numerical Simulation of Sealing Behavior of C-Ring for Reactor Pressure Vessel
Authors: Yuanyuan Dong , Ying Luo , Liping Zhang 
Published: May 2016

C-ring, whose sealing behavior is the key to the sealing structure, is one of the main seal-rings for a reactor pressure vessel (RPV). A finite-element model with less simplification has been established using ANSYS APDL to simulate the sealing behavior of C-ring. The numerical results, including sealing-behavior curve, specific pressure, and springback value, have been compared with test results at 7.67%, 8.42%, and 8.09% compression ratios, respectively. It confirms the validity of this numerical simulation method. With the numerical method, the deformation and stress distribution and sealing-behavior curve of C-ring can be obtained. The behavior curve can be divided into five sections. At 10% compression ratio, the peak contact stress is 501 MPa, the contact width is 3.22 mm, the total springback value is 0.460 mm, the effective springback value is 0.332 mm, and the linear load is 788  N/mm. As C-ring is composed of three parts, three models, i.e., spring-only, spring with inner lining, and spring with two linings, have been simulated to study the effect of the contact states among each part on sealing behavior.
Draft Genome Sequence of Streptomyces hygroscopicus subsp.
hygroscopicus
NBRC 16556
Authors: Komaki Hisayuki , Ichikawa Natsuko , Oguchi Akio , Hamada Moriyuki , Tamura Tomohiko , Suzuki Ken-ichiro , Fujita Nobuyuki 
Published: May 2016

ABSTRACT

Here, we report the draft genome sequence of strain NBRC 16556, deposited as
Streptomyces hygroscopicus
subsp.
hygroscopicus
into the NBRC culture collection. An average nucleotide identity analysis confirmed that the taxonomic identification is correct. The genome sequence will serve as a valuable reference for genome mining to search new secondary metabolites.
Genome Sequence of Propionibacterium acidipropionici ATCC 55737
Authors: Luna-Flores Carlos H. , Nielsen Lars K. , Marcellin Esteban 
Published: May 2016

ABSTRACT

Propionibacterium acidipropionici
produces propionic acid as its main fermentation product. Traditionally derived from fossil fuels, environmental and sustainable issues have revived the interest in producing propionic acid using biological resources. Here, we present the closed sequence of
Propionibacterium acidipropionici
ATCC 55737, an efficient propionic acid producer.
First Insights into the Genome Sequence of the Halophilic Archaeon
Halalkalicoccus paucihalophilus
(DSM 24557)
Authors: Poehlein Anja , Mucek Katharina , Enders Marieke , Pankok Frederik , Daniel Rolf 
Published: May 2016

ABSTRACT

Halalkalicoccus paucihalophilus
is an extremely halophilic, Gram-negative, and nonmotile coccus-like archaeon, which was originally isolated from the Lop Nur region in the northwest of China. The genome consists of a single replicon (3.98 Mbp).
H. paucihalophilus
is able to utilize mannose, which is unique for members of this genus.
Permanent Draft Genome Sequence of
Frankia
sp
.
Strain Allo2, a Salt-Tolerant Nitrogen-Fixing Actinobacterium Isolated from the Root Nodules of
Allocasuarina
Authors: Oshone Rediet , Ngom Mariama , Abebe-Akele Feseha , Simpson Stephen , Morris Krystalynne , Sy Mame Ourèye , Champion Antony , Thomas W. Kelley , Tisa Louis S. 
Published: May 2016

ABSTRACT

Frankia
sp. strain Allo2 is a member of
Frankia
lineage Ib, which is able to reinfect plants of the
Casuarinaceae
family, and exhibits a high level of salt tolerance compared to other isolates. Here, we report the 5.3-Mbp draft genome sequence of
Frankia
sp. strain Allo2 with a G+C content of 70.0% and 4,224 candidate protein-encoding genes.