bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Coccomyxa actinabiotis sp. nov. (Trebouxiophyceae, Chlorophyta), a new green microalga living in the spent fuel cooling pool of a nuclear reactor
Authors: Rivasseau Corinne , Farhi Emmanuel , Compagnon Estelle , de Gouvion Saint Cyr Diane , van Lis Robert , Falconet Denis , Kuntz Marcel , Atteia Ariane , Couté Alain 
Published: August 2016

Life can thrive in extreme environments where inhospitable conditions prevail. Organisms which resist, for example, acidity, pressure, low or high temperature, have been found in harsh environments. Most of them are bacteria and archaea. The bacterium Deinococcus radiodurans is considered to be a champion among all living organisms, surviving extreme ionizing radiation levels. We have discovered a new extremophile eukaryotic organism that possesses a resistance to ionizing radiations similar to that of D. radiodurans. This microorganism, an autotrophic freshwater green microalga, lives in a peculiar environment, namely the cooling pool of a nuclear reactor containing spent nuclear fuels, where it is continuously submitted to nutritive, metallic, and radiative stress. We investigated its morphology and its ultrastructure by light, fluorescence and electron microscopy as well as its biochemical properties. Its resistance to UV and gamma radiation was assessed. When submitted to different dose rates of the order of some tens of mGy · h−1 to several thousands of Gy · h−1, the microalga revealed to be able to survive intense gamma‐rays irradiation, up to 2,000 times the dose lethal to human. The nuclear genome region spanning the genes for small subunit ribosomal RNA‐Internal Transcribed Spacer (ITS) 1‐5.8S rRNA‐ITS2‐28S rRNA (beginning) was sequenced (4,065 bp). The phylogenetic position of the microalga was inferred from the 18S rRNA gene. All the revealed characteristics make the alga a new species of the genus Coccomyxa in the class Trebouxiophyceae, which we name Coccomyxa actinabiotis sp. nov.
Overcoming Barriers to Sustained Engagement in Mental Health Care: Perspectives of Rural Veterans and Providers
Authors: Fischer Ellen P. , McSweeney Jean C. , Wright Patricia , Cheney Ann , Curran Geoffrey M. , Henderson Kathy , Fortney John C. 
Published: August 2016

AbstractPurposeTo better understand the attitudes, beliefs, and values that influence use of mental health care among rural veterans.MethodsIn‐depth, semistructured interviews were conducted with 25 rural veterans and 11 rural mental health care providers in 4 states. Experienced qualitative interviewers asked participants about the attitudinal factors they thought most influenced rural veterans’ decisions to seek and sustain mental health care. Verbatim transcriptions were analyzed using content analysis and constant comparison.FindingsRural veterans and their mental health care providers reported the same major attitudinal barriers to veterans’ mental health treatment‐seeking. Pre‐eminent among those barriers was the importance rural veterans place on independence and self‐reliance. The centrality of self‐reliance was attributed variously to rural, military, religious, and/or gender‐based belief systems. Stoicism, the stigma associated with mental illness and health care, and a lack of trust in the VA as a caring organization were also frequently mentioned. Perceived need for care and the support of other veterans were critical to overcoming attitudinal barriers to initial treatment‐seeking, whereas critical facilitators of ongoing service use included “warm handoffs” from medical to mental health care providers, perceived respect and caring from providers, as well as provider accessibility and continuity.ConclusionsAttitudes and values, like self‐reliance, commonly associated with rural culture may play an important role in underutilization of needed mental health services. System support for peer and provider behaviors that generate trust and demonstrate caring may help overcome attitudinal barriers to treatment‐seeking and sustained engagement in mental health care among rural veterans.
Financial Performance of Rural Medicare ACOs
Authors: Nattinger Matthew C. , Mueller Keith , Ullrich Fred , Zhu Xi 
Published: August 2016

AbstractPurposeThe Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has facilitated the development of Medicare accountable care organizations (ACOs), mostly through the Medicare Shared Savings Program (MSSP). To inform the operation of the Center for Medicare & Medicaid Innovation's (CMMI) ACO programs, we assess the financial performance of rural ACOs based on different levels of rural presence.MethodsWe used the 2014 performance data for Medicare ACOs to examine the financial performance of rural ACOs with different levels of rural presence: exclusively rural, mostly rural, and mixed rural/metropolitan.ResultsOf the ACOs reporting performance data, we identified 97 ACOs with a measurable rural presence. We found that successful rural ACO financial performance is associated with the ACO's organizational type (eg, physician‐based) and that 8 of the 11 rural ACOs participating in the Advanced Payment Program (APP) garnered savings for Medicare. Unlike previous work, we did not find an association between ACO size or experience and rural ACO financial performance.ConclusionsOur findings suggest that rural ACO financial success is likely associated with factors unique to rural environments. Given the emphasis CMS has placed on rural ACO development, further research to identify these factors is warranted.
Assessment of quality of life in adolescent patients with cancer and adolescent survivors of childhood cancer
Authors: Vlachioti Efrosini , Perdikaris Pantelis , Megapanou Efstathia , Sava Floria , Matziou Vasiliki 
Published: August 2016

AbstractPurposeThe aim of the study was to assess the quality of life (QoL) of adolescents with cancer and survivors of childhood cancer as well as the effect of various demographic factors upon it.Design and MethodsThe sample of the study included 82 adolescents aged 13–20 years who had been diagnosed with any type of cancer. Twenty‐six of them received treatment and 56 survivors of childhood cancer had successfully completed their treatment. Data collection lasted from July 2010 to December 2012 in Children's Hematology‐Oncology Unit in Athens. For data collection, Minneapolis–Manchester Quality Questionnaire of Life Instrument was used. The assessment of the QoL of adolescents undergoing treatment was performed with three measurements and that of the survivors with one.ResultsThe QoL of adolescent patients did not significantly change during treatment and they showed a satisfactory QoL. Boys scored higher than girls (z = –1.78, p = .04 in psychological function and t = 2.27, p = .02 in body image) as far as QoL in social relations is concerned (z = –2.79, p = .002 in first measurement and z = –2.31, p = .01 in second measurement). Scores on the scale for the QoL of survivors of childhood cancer who completed treatment was 3.91. Survivors showed a higher QoL than the adolescent patients.ConclusionsThis research has shown that the studied population scored a sufficient QoL, especially survivors of childhood cancer ones. Moreover, their QoL seemed to be influenced by the stage of treatment, the type of cancer, sex, age, family support, and their level of education.
Multivariate Diallel Cross‐Analyses for Body Weight of Rainbow Trout, Oncorhynchus mykiss, in China
Authors: Hu Guo , Gu Wei , Yang Runqing , Wang Bingqian 
Published: August 2016

AbstractCrossbreeding is a common technical approach for the development of new commercial fish strains characterized by high performance and a short generation time, for the Chinese market. Here, five strains – Bohai, Denmark, Donaldson, Norway, and California – of rainbow trout were used in a complete diallel cross, along with self‐breeding within each strain, to estimate general combining ability; specific combining ability (SCA); and linebred, maternal, and reciprocal effects. These strains were defined based on their location of origin; the Bohai strain was domesticated and has been maintained since 1959 by the Bohai cold‐water fish experimental station in China. Applying univariate and multivariate genetic analyses for body weight using the data set from this complete diallel cross experiment, we found that the cross combination with the Donaldson strain exhibited the most positive growth performance, whereas the Bohai ♀ × Donaldson ♂ cross was the highest performing cross combination in the experiment. Multiple significance tests showed that 40% (4 of 10) of the significant SCA based on univariate analyses (P < 0.05) were not significant based on multivariate analyses (P > 0.05). These results suggested that multivariate genetic analyses may provide more reliable reference guidelines for decision making by managers of breeding programs.
Two light‐activated neuroendocrine circuits arising in the eye trigger physiological and morphological pigmentation
Authors: Bertolesi Gabriel E. , Hehr Carrie L. , Munn Hayden , McFarlane Sarah 
Published: August 2016

SummaryTwo biological processes regulate light‐induced skin colour change. A fast ‘physiological pigmentation change’ (i.e. circadian variations or camouflage) involves alterations in the distribution of pigment containing granules in the cytoplasm of chromatophores, while a slower ‘morphological pigmentation change’ (i.e. seasonal variations) entails changes in the number of pigment cells or pigment type. Although linked processes, the neuroendocrine coordination triggering each response remains largely obscure. By evaluating both events in Xenopus laevis embryos, we show that morphological pigmentation initiates by inhibiting the activity of the classical retinal ganglion cells. Morphological pigmentation is always accompanied by physiological pigmentation, and a melatonin receptor antagonist prevents both responses. Physiological pigmentation also initiates in the eye, but with repression of melanopsin‐expressing retinal ganglion cell activity that leads to secretion of alpha‐melanocyte‐stimulating hormone (α‐MSH). Our findings suggest a model in which eye photoperception links physiological and morphological pigmentation by altering α‐MSH and melatonin production, respectively.
Left ventricular non‐compaction revealed by aortic regurgitation due to Kawasaki disease in a boy with LDB3 mutation
Authors: Hachiya Akira , Motoki Noriko , Akazawa Yohei , Matsuzaki Satoshi , Hirono Keiichi , Hata Yukiko , Nishida Naoki , Ichida Fukiko , Koike Kenichi 
Published: August 2016

AbstractKawasaki disease (KD) is an acute febrile illness of childhood characterized by systemic vasculitis, especially coronary arteritis. Aortic valve regurgitation (AVR) is a relatively common complication. There have been no reports to date of heart failure and left ventricular non‐compaction (LVNC) after acute KD, although the precise etiology of this condition remains unclear. A 6‐month‐old boy with KD was admitted to hospital. Despite high‐dose i.v. gammaglobulin for dilation of the coronary artery, moderate AVR appeared, and thereafter he developed heart failure. A rough, dense LV myocardium indicated LVNC. On genetic testing a heterogenous 163G > A substitution changing a valine to isoleucine in LIM domain binding protein 3 (LDB3) was identified. Additional cardiac stress, such as that caused by AVR and/or KD might have triggered cardiac failure in the form of LVNC due to LDB3 mutation.
Is there a role for stool metabolomics in cystic fibrosis?
Authors: Kaakoush Nadeem O , Pickford Russell , Jaffe Adam , Ooi Chee Y 
Published: August 2016

AbstractA number of studies utilizing metabolomics have focused on the pathophysiology of cystic fibrosis (CF) lung disease. Here, we performed fecal metabolomics on pancreatic insufficient (PI) and sufficient (PS) children with CF and compared them with healthy controls (HC). Fecal metabolomics can differentiate between PS‐CF and PI‐CF. We identified a potential biomarker of disease severity or cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator function (m/z, 463.247; retention time, 0.570717 min) that discriminates between HC versus PS‐CF versus PI‐CF. We also identified lipoyl‐GMP as a potential novel inflammatory biomarker, and elevation in fecal glycerol 1,2‐didodecanoate 3‐tetradecanoate may provide clues to the pathogenesis of intestinal inflammation. For the first time, we demonstrate the potential applications of fecal metabolomics in CF.
The effect of photosynthetically active radiation and temperature on the photosynthesis of two Vietnamese species of Sargassum, S. mcclurei and S. oligocystum, based on the field and laboratory measurements
Authors: Terada Ryuta , Vo Triet D. , Nishihara Gregory N. , Matsumoto Kazuya , Kokubu Shogo , Watanabe Yuki , Kawaguchi Shigeo 
Published: August 2016

SUMMARYThe effects of photosynthetically active radiation (PAR) and temperature on the photosynthesis of two Vietnamese brown algae, Sargassum mcclurei and S. oligocystum (Fucales), were determined by field and laboratory measurements. Dissolved oxygen sensors and pulse‐amplitude modulated (PAM) fluorometry were used for the measurements of photosynthetic efficiency. A Diving‐PAM revealed that underwater measurements of the effective quantum yield (Φ

PSII
) of both species declined with increasing incident PAR, with minimum Φ

PSII
occurring during noon to early afternoon. Φ

PSII
recovered in the evening, indicating photo‐adaptation to excessive PAR. In laboratory experiments, Φ

PSII
also decreased under continuous exposure to 1000 μmol photons m−2 s−1; and full recovery occurred after 12 h of dark acclimatization. The net photosynthesis – PAR experiments of S. mcclurei and S. oligocystum conducted at 28°C revealed that the net photosynthetic rate quickly increased at PAR below the saturation irradiance of 361 and 301 μmol photons m−2 s−1 and nearly saturated to maximum net photosynthetic rates of 385 and 292 μg O2 gww
−
1 min−1 without photoinhibition, respectively. Gross photosynthesis and dark respiration experiments determined over a range of temperatures (12–40°C), revealed that the maximum gross photosynthetic rates of 201 and 147 μg O2 gww
−
1 min−1 occurred at 32.9 and 30.7°C for S. mcclurei and S. oligocystum, respectively. The dark respiration rates increased exponentially over the temperature ranges examined. The estimated maximum value of the maximum quantum yield occurred at 19.3 and 20.0°C and was 0.76 and 0.74, respectively. Similar to the natural habitat of the study site, these two species tolerated the relatively high temperatures and broad range of PAR. The ability of these species to recover from exposure to high PAR is one of the mechanisms that allow them to flourish in the shallow water environment.
Why Don't They Just Change? Contract Farming, Informational Influence, and Barriers to Agricultural Climate Change Mitigation
Authors: Schewe Rebecca L. , Stuart Diana 
Published: August 2016

AbstractUsing a mixed‐methods study of contract seed‐corn farmers in southwest Michigan, we examine the effect of interlocking macro and micro social forces on climate change behavior and apply the theoretical frames of treadmills of production and informational influence. We find that competitive agricultural contracts in the seed‐corn industry impose significant structural barriers to adopting climate change mitigation behaviors. Seed‐corn contracts constrain adoption of those behaviors through competitive rankings based solely on net commodity production and by limiting farmers’ access to information to make judicious management decisions. At the micro level, our findings suggest that informational influence—that is, where farmers turn for trusted information—also affects climate change mitigation behaviors, and that these informational networks are embedded within structural constraints. Our findings suggest that agricultural contracts serve as a significant structural constraint on the adoption of mitigation practices and that climate scholarship and policy must address both macro and micro dimensions simultaneously to encourage adoption of climate change mitigation.
Sensitivity and specificity of normality tests and consequences on reference interval accuracy at small sample size: a computer‐simulation study
Authors: Le Boedec Kevin 
Published: August 2016

BackgroundAccording to international guidelines, parametric methods must be chosen for RI construction when the sample size is small and the distribution is Gaussian. However, normality tests may not be accurate at small sample size.ObjectivesThe purpose of the study was to evaluate normality test performance to properly identify samples extracted from a Gaussian population at small sample sizes, and assess the consequences on RI accuracy of applying parametric methods to samples that falsely identified the parent population as Gaussian.MethodsSamples of n = 60 and n = 30 values were randomly selected 100 times from simulated Gaussian, lognormal, and asymmetric populations of 10,000 values. The sensitivity and specificity of 4 normality tests were compared. Reference intervals were calculated using 6 different statistical methods from samples that falsely identified the parent population as Gaussian, and their accuracy was compared.ResultsShapiro–Wilk and D'Agostino–Pearson tests were the best performing normality tests. However, their specificity was poor at sample size n = 30 (specificity for P < .05: .51 and .50, respectively). The best significance levels identified when n = 30 were 0.19 for Shapiro–Wilk test and 0.18 for D'Agostino–Pearson test. Using parametric methods on samples extracted from a lognormal population but falsely identified as Gaussian led to clinically relevant inaccuracies.ConclusionsAt small sample size, normality tests may lead to erroneous use of parametric methods to build RI. Using nonparametric methods (or alternatively Box–Cox transformation) on all samples regardless of their distribution or adjusting, the significance level of normality tests depending on sample size would limit the risk of constructing inaccurate RI.
Technical Note: Introduction of variance component analysis to setup error analysis in radiotherapy
Authors: Matsuo Yukinori , Nakamura Mitsuhiro , Mizowaki Takashi , Hiraoka Masahiro 
Published: August 2016

Purpose:The purpose of this technical note is to introduce variance component analysis to the estimation of systematic and random components in setup error of radiotherapy.Methods:Balanced data according to the one‐factor random effect model were assumed.Results:Analysis‐of‐variance (anova)‐based computation was applied to estimate the values and their confidence intervals (CIs) for systematic and random errors and the population mean of setup errors. The conventional method overestimates systematic error, especially in hypofractionated settings. The CI for systematic error becomes much wider than that for random error. The anova‐based estimation can be extended to a multifactor model considering multiple causes of setup errors (e.g., interpatient, interfraction, and intrafraction).Conclusions:Variance component analysis may lead to novel applications to setup error analysis in radiotherapy.
Experimental determination of the PTW 60019 microDiamond dosimeter active area and volume
Authors: Marinelli Marco , Prestopino G. , Verona C. , Verona‐Rinati G. 
Published: August 2016

Purpose:Small field output correction factors have been studied by several research groups for the PTW 60019 microDiamond (MD) dosimeter, by comparing the response of such a device with both reference dosimeters and Monte Carlo simulations. A general good agreement is observed for field sizes down to about 1 cm. However, evident inconsistencies can be noticed when comparing some experimental results and Monte Carlo simulations obtained for smaller irradiation fields. This issue was tentatively attributed by some authors to unintentional large variations of the MD active surface area. The aim of the present study is a nondestructive experimental determination of the MD active surface area and active volume.Methods:Ten MD dosimeters, one MD prototype, and three synthetic diamond samples were investigated in the present work. 2D maps of the MD response were recorded under scanned soft x‐ray microbeam irradiation, leading to an experimental determination of the device active surface area. Profiles of the device responses were measured as well. In order to evaluate the MD active volume, the thickness of the diamond sensing layer was independently evaluated by capacitance measurements and alpha particle detection experiments. The MD sensitivity, measured at the PTW calibration laboratory, was also used to calculate the device active volume thickness.Results:An average active surface area diameter of (2.19 ± 0.02) mm was evaluated by 2D maps and response profiles of all the MDs. Average active volume thicknesses of (1.01 ± 0.13) μm and (0.97 ± 0.14) μm were derived by capacitance and sensitivity measurements, respectively. The obtained results are well in agreement with the nominal values reported in the manufacturer dosimeter specifications. A homogeneous response was observed over the whole device active area. Besides the one from the device active volume, no contributions from other components of the housing nor from encapsulation materials were observed in the 2D response maps.Conclusions:The obtained results demonstrate the high reproducibility of the MD fabrication process. The observed discrepancies among the output correction factors reported by several authors for MD response in very small fields are very unlikely to be ascribed to unintentional variations of the device active surface area and volume. It is the opinion of the authors that the role of the volume averaging as well as of other perturbation effects should be separately investigated instead, both experimentally and by Monte Carlo simulations, in order to better clarify the behaviour of the MD response in very small fields.
A Multimethod Investigation Into Physical Activity in Midlife Women
Authors: Dugan Sheila A. , Karavolos Kelly , Lynch Elizabeth B. , Hollings Chiquia S. , Fullam Francis , Lange-Maia Brittney S. , Powell Lynda H. 
Published: August 2016

Background:Physical inactivity in midlife women is associated with increased intra-abdominal adipose tissue development. We describe an innovative multimethod study 1) to better understand barriers to physical activity (PA) and 2) to engage midlife women to product test physical activities and identify local community-based providers and sustainable and fun PA experiences.Methods:Formative research on PA barriers from the Chicago site Study of Women’s Health Across the Nation (SWAN) ancillary study of midlife women was used to develop a pilot testing measure. Feasibility, acceptability and sustainability of the PA activities were determined using the measure.Results:Desirable locations and/or instructors were identified. The first 2 groups identified, pilot tested, and then ranked activities for their ability to promote sustained PA. The 6 top-ranked were: circuit training, total body fitness, kickboxing, Zumba, Pilates, and pedometer. The final group pilot tested highly ranked PA in 2-week blocks, and ranked pedometer and Zumba in their top 3.Conclusion:Consensus was reached regarding activities that could be valuable in promoting sustained PA in midlife women. Choosing convenient sites and popular instructors further facilitates sustainability. Building relationships with key community partners is essential for sustainability. Community-based participant involvement in study design is a critical element in developing a healthy living intervention.