bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Theoretical study of Solospun yarn torque
Authors: Liu Xinjin , Su Xuzhong
Published: September 2015

Purpose

– Solospun technology is one of the most important new spinning methods, which is implemented by dividing Ring spinning triangle into several small primary triangles and one final triangle by a Solospun roller. That is, there are two parts of spinning triangle in the Solospun technology, including primary triangles part and final triangle part. In the general case, the primary triangles are much smaller than final triangle. Therefore, the purpose of this paper is to present theoretical study of Solospun yarn torqueby linking the fiber tension in the spinning triangle to yarn torque under the assumption that the primary triangles and the primary twist are ignored.

Design/methodology/approach

– The theoretical model of the residual torque within Solospun yarn due to the fiber tension was given. Then, as an application of the proposed method, 14.6 tex cotton yarns were taken as an example for the numerical simulations. The fiber tension in the Solospun spinning triangles and corresponding yarn torque were simulated numerically by using Matlab software. The relationships between yarn torque and spinning triangle parameters are analyzed according to the simulation results. Furthermore, the properties of spun yarns produced by the Solospun and Ring spinning system are evaluated and analyzed by using the simulation results.

Findings

– It is shown that comparing with the Ring spun yarn, Solospun yarn torque is a little larger. Meanwhile, with an increase of substrand number, the fluctuation of curve of average fiber tension in Solospun system is increased firstly, and then decreased, i.e. showing parabola shape, potentially leading to corresponding change of yarn torque.

Originality/value

– In this paper, theoretical study of Solospun yarn torque is presented by linking the fiber tension in the spinning triangle to yarn torque under the assumption that the primary triangles and the primary twist are ignored. The theoretical model of the residual torque within Solospun yarn due to the fiber tension was given.
Study on textile assemblies with aluminized basalt fabrics destined for protective gloves
Authors: Hrynyk Rafal , Frydrych Iwona
Published: September 2015

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to check an applicability of aluminized basalt fabrics for production of gloves protecting simultaneously against thermal and mechanical factors.

Design/methodology/approach

– Six variants of protective gloves were manufactured using two different glove constructions: more simple and cheaper with the anatomical thumb arrangement (model A), and more ergonomic one with so called “distance gussets” (model B). Aluminized basalt fabrics were contained in the back side of all variants and in only one variant of palm side. Then the protective properties against thermal and mechanical factors were measured according to the up-to-date standards.

Findings

– The fulfillment of contact heat requirement was achieved for all glove variants at 100°C. Application of aluminized basalt fabrics in the glove back side allowed obtaining the fourth performance level in the case of resistance to small metal splashes and assuring the highest protection against the radiant heat and small metal splashes. Fulfillment of standard requirements for all examined mechanical parameters was achieved and significantly higher values than reqired for the highest performance level were registered.

Research limitations/implications

– The further research including upscalling strategy as well as industrial conditions requirements should be taking into account for basalt textiles development. Moreover functionalization of basalt yarns and fabrics seems to be promising feature.

Practical implications

– The preliminary utility trials were done and registered results are very promising, shows that this kind of gloves will be cheaper than produced so far and could be used in the glass, welder companies.

Social implications

– The basalt textiles applied for protective gloves or other personal protective equipment can ensure safety at work for end users operating in mechanical and thermal risk scenarios.

Originality/value

– Up till now the basalt fabrics have not been recognized as a material for the personal protective equipment, they were used mostly for technical purposes.
Species coexistence in simple microbial communities: unravelling the phenotypic landscape of co‐occurring Metschnikowia species in floral nectar
Authors: Pozo María I. , Herrera Carlos M. , Lachance Marc‐André , Verstrepen Kevin , Lievens Bart , Jacquemyn Hans
Published: September 2015

Identifying the ecological processes that underlie the distribution and abundance of species in microbial communities is a central issue in microbial ecology and evolution. Classical trade‐off based niche theories of resource competition predict that co‐occurrence in microbial communities is more likely when the residing species show trait divergence and complementary resource use. We tested the prediction that niche differentiation explained the co‐occurrence of two yeast species (Metschnikowia reukaufii and M. gruessii) in floral nectar. Assessment of the phenotypic landscape showed that both species displayed a significantly different physiological profile. Comparison of utilization profiles in single versus mixed cultures indicated that these two species did not compete for most carbon and nitrogen sources. In mixed cultures, M. reukaufii grew better in sucrose solutions and in the presence of the antimicrobial compound digitonin than when grown as pure culture. M. gruessii, on the other hand, grew better in mixed cultures in glucose and fructose solutions. Overall, these results provide clear evidence that M. reukaufii and M. gruessii frequently co‐occur in nectar and that they differ in their phenotypic response to variation in environmental conditions, suggesting that niche differentiation and resource partitioning are important mechanisms contributing to species co‐occurrence in nectar yeast communities.
Divinyl chlorophyll a in the marine eukaryotic protist Alexandrium ostenfeldii (Dinophyceae)
Authors: Rodríguez Francisco , Garrido José Luis , Sobrino Cristina , Johnsen Geir , Riobó Pilar , Franco José , Aamot Inga , Ramilo Isabel , Sanz Noelia , Kremp Anke
Published: September 2015

Here it is reported the first detection of DV‐chl a together with the usual chl a in the marine dinoflagellate Alexandrium ostenfeldii from the Baltic Sea. Growth response and photosynthetic parameters were examined at two irradiances (80 and 240 μmol photons m−2 s−1) and temperatures (15°C and 19°C) in a divinylic strain (AOTV‐OS20) versus a monovinylic one (AOTV‐OS16), using in vivo chl a fluorescence kinetics of PSII to characterize photosynthetic parameters by pulse amplitude modulated fluorescence, 14C assimilation rates and toxin analyses. The divinylic isolate exhibited slower growth and stronger sensitivity to high irradiance than normal chl a strain. DV‐chl a : chl a ratios decreased along time (from 11.3 to < 0.5 after 10 months) and to restore them sub‐cloning and selection of strains with highest DV‐chl a content was required. A mutation and/or epigenetic changes in the expression of divinyl reductase gene/s in A. ostenfeldii may explain this altered pigment composition. Despite quite severe limitations (reduced fitness and gradual loss of DV‐chl a content), the DV‐chl a‐containing line in A. ostenfeldii could provide a model organism in photosynthetic studies related with chl biosynthesis and evolution.
Use of a telenursing triage service by Victorian parents attending the emergency department for their child's lower urgency condition
Authors: Turbitt Erin , Freed Gary L
Published: September 2015

Objective

The Victorian Nurse‐On‐Call (NOC) service has been in use for over 8 years, though little research has been conducted investigating the service. The present study aimed to explore whether parents in Victoria presenting with their child to the ED for lower urgency conditions use the NOC before ED arrival and whether the advice given impacts their decision to attend the ED.

Methods

A survey study of 1150 parents attending one of four EDs in Victoria, Australia for their child's lower urgency condition.

Results

Few parents (20%) contacted the service before attending. Of those who did contact the service, 70% were instructed to attend the ED. Parents reported that they did not contact the service due to lack of awareness (16%) and because they perceive the service to not be helpful (53%).

Conclusions

The findings of our study show that use and awareness of NOC is low in parents attending the ED for their child's lower urgency condition. The success of NOC in the goal of deferring non‐urgent conditions from presenting to the ED appears limited. Telenursing triage services in Australia should consider assessment of their algorithms to increase the likelihood that where appropriate, lower urgency conditions are directed to primary care services rather than the ED.
APLAR rheumatoid arthritis treatment recommendations
Authors: Lau Chak Sing , Chia Faith , Harrison Andrew , Hsieh Tsu‐Yi , Jain Rahul , Jung Seung Min , Kishimoto Mitsumasa , Kumar Ashok , Leong Khai Pang , Li Zhanguo , Lichauco Juan Javier , Louthrenoo Worawit , Luo Shue‐Fen , Nash Peter , Ng Chin Teck , Park Sung‐Hwan , Suryana Bagus Putu Putra , Suwannalai Parawee , Wijaya Linda Kurniaty , Yamamoto Kazuhiko , Yang Yue , Yeap Swan Sim
Published: September 2015

Aims

Rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic inflammatory condition that affects approximately 1% of the world's population. There are a wide number of guidelines and recommendations available to support the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis; however, the evidence used for these guidelines is predominantly based on studies in Caucasian subjects and may not be relevant for rheumatoid arthritis patients in the Asia‐Pacific region. Therefore, the Asia Pacific League of Associations for Rheumatology established a Steering Committee in 2013 to address this issue.

Materials and methods

The AGREE II instrument and the ADAPTE Collaboration framework were applied to systematically identify, appraise, synthesize, and adapt international rheumatoid arthritis guidelines for use in the Asia‐Pacific region.

Results

Forty rheumatoid arthritis treatment recommendations, based on evidence and expert opinion, were drafted and are presented in this report.

Conclusion

The Asia Pacific of Associations for Rheumatology rheumatoid arthritis treatment recommendations are intended to serve as a reference for best practice management of rheumatoid arthritis in Asia‐Pacific, focusing on local issues to ensure the delivery of basic care for these patients, and to improve their outcomes. In addition, the document will serve as a reference for national rheumatology associations in Asia‐Pacific for developing guidelines in their respective countries.
Caging overrides effects of density in laboratory‐based physiological estimates of reproductivity in Listronotus bonariensis (Coleoptera: Curculionidae)
Authors: Vereijssen Jessica , Goldson Stephen L
Published: September 2015

This contribution examines the potential for error when the results from laboratory‐based experiments are extrapolated to inform field ecological analyses. The effects on the reproductivity of different population densities of Argentine stem weevil Listronotus bonariensis (Kuschel) were studied using caged populations of immature (pre‐reproductive) and mature (reproductive) adults. Three densities of weevils equivalent to 125/m2 (low), 375/m2 (medium) and 1125/m2 (high) from field‐collected pre‐ and reproductive populations were confined in plastic containers for either 11 or 21 days with ad libitum food and oviposition‐site resources. The impact of the medium and high densities on weevil reproductive physiology was assessed by dissection at 11 and 21 days. Data were collected on sexual maturity, wing muscle development, and the presence of eggs and β‐carotene crystals. Only very weak treatment effect responses were observed. A significantly higher percentage of immature females showed oöcyte resorption at high densities at 11 days, but by 21 days this had disappeared. Males had significantly less developed testes at high densities at 11 days, but again by 21 days this effect was not significant. Mature females had significantly larger wing muscles at high density after 11 days of caging; however, by 21 days this effect had gone. For both immature and mature females, there was no effect of density on the relationship between eggs per female and wing muscle index. The low density treatment was not included in this analysis due to low weevil numbers surviving at the end of the experiment. It is concluded that caging itself had a far greater effect on the physiology of the weevils than any imposed population density treatments, which is contrary to the findings of field population‐dynamics analyses. Care should be taken in extrapolating laboratory trials involving this genus, and indeed it may occur more widely, to explain field situations.
Are medical marijuana users different from recreational users? The view from primary care
Authors: Roy‐Byrne Peter , Maynard Charles , Bumgardner Kristin , Krupski Antoinette , Dunn Chris , West Imara I. , Donovan Dennis , Atkins David C. , Ries Richard
Published: September 2015

Background and Objectives

Marijuana is currently approved for medical use in 23 states. Both clinicians and the lay public have questioned whether users of marijuana for medical purposes are different from users of marijuana for recreational purposes. This study examined similarities and differences in important clinical characteristics between users of medical marijuana and users of recreational marijuana.

Methods

The sample consisted of 868 adult primary care patients in Washington State, who reported use of medical marijuana (n = 131), recreational marijuana (n = 525), or drugs other than marijuana (n = 212). Retention was over 87% at 3‐, 6‐, 9‐, and 12‐month assessments.

Results

The majority of medical, psychiatric, substance use, and service utilization characteristic comparisons were not significant. However, medical marijuana users had significantly more medical problems, a significantly larger proportion reported >15 days medical problems in the past month, and significantly smaller proportions reported no pain and no mobility limitations (p < .001). Medical marijuana users also had significantly lower drug problem severity, lower alcohol problem severity, and significantly larger proportions reported using marijuana alone and concomitant opioid use only (p < .001). There was no significant difference between medical and recreational users in the percentage using marijuana with at least two additional substances (48% vs. 58%, respectively, p = .05).

Conclusions and Scientific Significance

Although our results suggest that there are few distinct differences between medical and recreational users of marijuana, the differences observed, while mostly very small in effect size (<.2), are consistent with at least some medical users employing marijuana to relieve symptoms and distress associated with medical illness. (Am J Addict 2015;XX:1–8)
Effect of caregiving status on the sleep of older New Zealanders
Authors: Gibson Rosemary , Gander Philippa , Alpass Fiona , Stephens Christine
Published: September 2015

Aims

To investigate relationships between caregiving and subjective sleep reports among older New Zealanders.

Methods

Participants were 434 carers (177 home‐based) and 1747 non‐carers (aged 55–72 years) who completed the 2008 Health Work and Retirement survey. Sleep outcomes (feeling worn out, tired, or dissatisfied with sleep or having a diagnosed sleep disorder) were explored by caregiving status. Logistic regression was used to investigate caregiving as an independent predictor of poor sleep health after controlling for other demographic variables.

Results

Home‐based carers were more likely to report feeling tired some/all of the time than non‐carers (odds ratio 1.6, 95% confidence interval 1.1–2.2). Being Māori, a woman, younger or more socioeconomically deprived (New Zealand Deprivation Index 2006) were also significant independent predictors of poor sleep outcomes.

Conclusions

Carers are at increased risk of feeling tired in the daytime. Early recognition and management of underlying sleep problems are particularly important for older people providing care at home.
Assessing the quality of environmental design of nursing homes for people with dementia: Development of a new tool
Authors: Fleming Richard , Bennett Kirsty
Published: September 2015

Objective

To develop an environmental audit tool suitable for use across the spectrum of people with dementia.

Method

The existing Environmental Audit Tool was supplemented with items describing the environmental needs of people in the final stages of dementia. Two independent raters assessed 30 aged care homes using this draft tool and the Therapeutic Environment Screening Survey for Nursing Homes (TESS‐NH). The Environmental Audit Tool‐High Care, comprising eight sub‐scales with acceptable levels of internal reliability, was constructed. Validity was assessed against the TESS‐NH and the EAT‐HC's ability to differentiate units specifically for people with dementia from other residential care units.

Results

The EAT‐HC sub‐scales' inter‐rater reliability (ICC) ranged from 0.52 to 0.92. Correlations with the TESS‐NH were highly significant. The EAT‐HC total score differentiated between dementia‐specific homes and others.

Conclusion

The EAT‐HC can validly and reliably assess environmental features required by a wide range of people with dementia.
Incident opioid drug use among older adults with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: a population‐based cohort study
Authors: Vozoris Nicholas T. , Wang Xuesong , Fischer Hadas D. , Gershon Andrea S. , Bell Chaim M. , Gill Sudeep S. , O'Donnell Denis E. , Austin Peter C. , Stephenson Anne L. , Rochon Paula A.
Published: September 2015

Aims

The purpose of the present study was to describe the scope, pattern and patient characteristics associated with incident opioid use among older adults with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).

Methods

This was a retrospective population‐based cohort study using Ontario, Canada, healthcare administrative data. Study participants were individuals aged 66 years and older with physician‐diagnosed COPD, identified using a validated algorithm, who were not receiving palliative care. We examined the incidence of oral opioid receipt between 1 April 2003 and 31 March 2012, as well as several patterns of incident opioid drug use.

Results

Among 107 109 community‐dwelling and 16 207 long‐term care resident older adults with COPD, 72 962 (68.1%) and 8811 (54.4%), respectively, received an incident opioid drug during the observation period. Among long‐term care residents, multiple opioid dispensings (8.8%), dispensings for >30 days' duration (up to 19.8%), second dispensings (35–43%) and early refills (24.2%) were observed. Incident opioid dispensing was also observed to occur during COPD exacerbations (6.9% among all long‐term care residents; 18.1% among long‐term care residents with frequent exacerbations). These same patterns of incident opioid use occurred among community‐dwelling individuals, but with relatively lower frequencies.

Conclusions

New opioid use was high among older adults with COPD. Potential safety concerns are raised by the degree and pattern of new opioid use, but further studies are needed to evaluate if adverse events are associated with opioid drug use in this older and respiratory‐vulnerable population.
Differences in body mass index according to fat mass‐ and obesity‐associated (FTO) genotype in Mexican patients with bipolar disorder
Authors: Díaz‐Anzaldúa Adriana , Ocampo‐Mendoza Yolanda , Hernández‐Lagunas José Octavio , Díaz‐Madrid Federico Alejandro , Romo‐Nava Francisco , Juárez‐García Francisco , Ortega‐Ortiz Hiram , Díaz‐Anzaldúa Alejandro , Gutiérrez‐Mora Doris , Becerra‐Palars Claudia , Berlanga‐Cisneros Carlos
Published: September 2015

Objectives

The prevalence of obesity has dramatically increased in many countries and it is particularly high in patients with bipolar disorder (BD). A region in the first intron of the fat mass‐ and obesity‐associated (FTO) gene, encompassing markers rs9939973, rs8050136, and rs9939609, has been consistently associated with obesity and body mass index (BMI) in different populations. We sought to determine whether FTO is associated with BMI and/or obesity in patients with BD.

Methods

The sample included 129 Mexican Mestizo patients with bipolar I or bipolar II disorder. After obtaining informed consent, participants were evaluated with the Structured Clinical Interview for DSM‐IV Axis I Disorders and weight, height, and body measurements were recorded. DNA was extracted from a 5‐mL blood sample and real‐time polymerase chain reaction was performed. The results were analyzed with Haploview v4.2 and SPSS v21.

Results

Differences in mean BMI were explained by rs8050136 and rs9939609 genotypes, especially by comparing non‐carriers and carriers of two copies of the risk allele (Tukey's p ≤ 0.019), with a mean difference in BMI as high as 7.81 kg/m2. Differences in BMI were also explained by the interaction of the genotype (rs8050136 and/or rs9939609), the use of second‐generation antipsychotics, and the use of mood stabilizers (p ≤ 0.41). Obesity was also associated with these two markers when patients with and without obesity were compared.

Conclusions

In patients with BD, differences in BMI may be affected by the presence of FTO risk alleles, especially in homozygous individuals for these variants. Besides evaluating the possible metabolic effects of certain antipsychotics or mood stabilizers, it is important to evaluate the role of other factors such as FTO risk alleles.
The cognitive structure of goal emulation during the preschool years
Authors: Subiaul Francys , Patterson Eric M. , Barr Rachel
Published: September 2015

Humans excel at mirroring both others’ actions (imitation) as well as others’ goals and intentions (emulation). As most research has focused on imitation, here we focus on how social and asocial learning predict the development of goal emulation. We tested 215 preschool children on two social conditions (imitation, emulation) and two asocial conditions (trial‐and‐error and recall) using two touch screen tasks. The tasks involved responding to either three different pictures in a specific picture order (Cognitive: apple→boy→cat) or three identical pictures in a specific spatial order (Motor‐Spatial: up→down→right). Generalized linear models demonstrated that during the preschool years, Motor‐Spatial emulation is associated with social and asocial learning, while cognitive emulation is associated only with social learning, including motor‐spatial emulation and multiple forms of imitation. This result contrasts with those from a previous study using this same data set showing that motor‐spatial and cognitive imitation were neither associated with one another nor, generally, predicted by other forms of social or asocial learning. Together, these results suggests that while developmental changes in imitation are associated with multiple – specialized – mechanisms, developmental changes in emulation are associated with age‐related changes and a more unitary, domain‐general mechanism that receives input from several different cognitive and learning processes, including some that may not necessarily be specialized for social learning.
Unconscious Processes, Instrumental Music and the Experience of the Sublime: An Exploration through Messiaen's Quartet for the End of Time
Authors: Giaccardi Giorgio
Published: September 2015

In spite of the importance of music to many people and its ubiquitous presence, its symbolic function has been explored by psychoanalysis and analytical psychology far less than that of language, visual images, symptoms and dreams. In the first part of this paper, the relation between psychoanalysis and music is considered with reference to Freudian, Jungian and Lacanian approaches. An argument is then developed for the aptness of instrumental music to represent archaic, pre‐symbolic unconscious processes, thanks to its inherent properties of being rooted in the physiology of the body and affects and its happening in time. The development of instrumental music in the first half of the 20th century is then traced, following the meltdown of conventional harmonic, melodic and rhythmic structures, which led music to turn inward and further develop a capacity to represent aspects of the unrepressed unconscious such as coalescence of opposites, symmetry, repetition, lack of development, erasure of the subject. This expands the possibilities for music to convey the experience of the sublime as a breakthrough towards the ineffable, as exemplified through a detailed analysis of Messiaen's ‘techniques’ for the sublime with particular reference to his 1941 work Quartet for the End of Time.
Gender differences in portfolio risk across birth cohort and marital status
Authors: Rybczynski Kate
Published: September 2015

This paper investigates gender differences in portfolio risk among Canadian men and women and finds that, controlling for a variety of personal and household characteristics, never married men, born post‐1966, hold significantly higher risk portfolios relative to single women and married couples. Conversely, observed gender differences among pre‐1943 birth cohorts are primarily driven by disparities in characteristics rather than gender or marital status. Previously married women, born 1955–1966, have remarkably high predicted portfolio risk relative to other women and men in the same cohort.
The “public service bargain” in local government: A new way of looking at relations between municipal councils and CAOs
Authors: Siegel David
Published: September 2015

This article examines the link in local government between the mayor and councillors, on one hand, and the chief administrative officer (CAO), on the other hand. The CAO is an essential link in the accountability process that flows from the electorate through the municipal council to the public servants who work for the municipality. In practice, this delicate linkage has frequently been forged in an ad hoc manner by trial and error. This article proposes a framework for a more solid structure for this important relationship.
Research use capacity in provincial governments
Authors: Sá Creso , Hamlin Daniel
Published: September 2015

Despite advances in research‐informed public policy, research remains underutilized in government. To develop a firmer understanding of governmental capacity to use research in decision making, we investigate Canadian provincial ministries overseeing education, higher education, and science and technology. The findings from semi‐structured interviews indicate that capacity to generate and access research is limited. However, we find evidence of a recent change in which provincial agencies sought to bolster capacity with research use strategies and by leveraging relationships with researchers. Leaders’ support for well‐coordinated research use initiatives also seems critical to instilling a culture of research‐informed decision making in government agencies.
Public safety in private hands revisited: The case of Ontario's Technical Standards and Safety Authority
Authors: Winfield Mark S.
Published: September 2015

Delegated Administrative Authorities (DAAs) are widely employed for delivering public safety and consumer protection regulatory functions at the provincial level in Canada. Although strongly supported by governments, the model has been subject to considerable criticism from legislative committees and officers, non‐governmental organizations, and the media. This paper examines Ontario's DAA experience through the case of the Technical Standards and Safety Authority (TSSA). It finds that, like other jurisdictions pursuing similar new public management (NPM) reforms, the Ontario government adopted legislation significantly strengthening its oversight and control, indicating substantial concerns about the structure and performance of the TSSA and by implication Ontario's other DAAs. Even with these changes, significant gaps are identified in the TSSA's governance and accountability structures.
The People and their River, the World Bank and its Dam: Revisiting the Xe Bang Fai River in Laos
Authors: Baird Ian G. , Shoemaker Bruce P. , Manorom Kanokwan
Published: September 2015

Sustained criticism in the 1980s and 1990s resulted in a decline of World Bank funding for large hydropower dams. The Bank subsequently participated in the World Commission on Dams process, which set higher global standards for hydropower dams. In 2005, the World Bank agreed to support the Nam Theun 2 Hydropower Project (NT2) in Laos, and in 2010 NT2 began diverting water from the Theun River into the Xe Bang Fai River. The World Bank has promoted NT2 as a successful model of poverty alleviation, justifying support for other large dams. Assessing actual impacts and associated mitigation and compensation is thus timely. This article presents qualitative field research from early 2014 about the downstream impacts of NT2 in the Xe Bang Fai River basin and a description and analysis of efforts to compensate for losses. The authors consider the situation with the assistance of baseline data collected in 2001, before project approval. Findings suggest that NT2 has had a significant negative impact, including on the livelihoods of large numbers of people dependent on the river's resources. Many of those impacted view compensation and mitigation efforts as having failed to adequately address their losses. Further independent investigation and documentation are needed.
A checklist that enhances the provision of education during insulin initiation simulation: a randomized controlled trial
Authors: Taylor C. G. , Bynoe K. , Worme A. , Hambleton I. , Atherley A. , Husbands A. , Unwin N.
Published: September 2015

Aim

The study tested the hypothesis that doctors using an insulin information checklist during simulated insulin initiation would impart more information regarding insulin use.

Methods

A total of 128 simulations were conducted. Doctors (n = 64) were recruited from practitioners recently completing internship (n = 19) and those established in primary care (n = 45). Both groups of doctors were strata randomized to control (n = 32) and intervention groups (n = 32), so that each group contained equal numbers. Doctors in each group experienced two identical simulations of insulin initiation with an intervening period of 10 min. Doctors in the intervention arm were introduced to an insulin initiation checklist, which they reviewed independently and utilized in the second simulation. Trained assessors captured the provision of education in 21 predefined educational areas. Differences in the change of the total education provided between the first and second simulations were assessed using linear regression.

Results

The difference in the mean change of education provided between the first and second simulations within the 21 educational areas for the control and treatment groups was 9.7 [95% confidence interval (CI): 8.8–11.1, P < 0.001] – an increase of 46.2%. The difference for the 15 areas relevant to pen use was 7.3 (95% CI: 6.2–8.4, P < 0.001) – an increase of 51.6%.

Conclusions

The checklist resulted in doctors providing significantly more education applicable to syringe and insulin pen routes of insulin administration during simulations. Further research is needed on the checklist's impact on healthcare professionals and patient outcomes in the clinical context. (Clinical Trials Registry No: NCT02266303)
First report of Ceratocystis platani in Albania
Authors: Tsopelas P. , Palavouzis S. , Tzima A. K. , Tsopelas M. A. , Soulioti N. , Paplomatas E. J.
Published: September 2015

The fungus Ceratocystis platani was detected in various localities of the Gjirokastër prefecture in southern Albania, where it was causing widespread mortality on Platanus orientalis trees. The identification of the fungus was based on both morphological characteristics in culture and DNA sequencing. The pathogenicity of C. platani was confirmed in inoculations on seedlings of P. orientalis. To our knowledge, this is the first report of C. platani in Albania.
Cognition and brain development in children with benign epilepsy with centrotemporal spikes
Authors: Garcia‐Ramos Camille , Jackson Daren C. , Lin Jack J. , Dabbs Kevin , Jones Jana E. , Hsu David A. , Stafstrom Carl E. , Zawadzki Lucy , Seidenberg Michael , Prabhakaran Vivek , Hermann Bruce P.
Published: September 2015

Objective

Benign epilepsy with centrotemporal spikes (BECTS), the most common focal childhood epilepsy, is associated with subtle abnormalities in cognition and possible developmental alterations in brain structure when compared to healthy participants, as indicated by previous cross‐sectional studies. To examine the natural history of BECTS, we investigated cognition, cortical thickness, and subcortical volumes in children with new/recent onset BECTS and healthy controls (HC).

Methods

Participants were 8–15 years of age, including 24 children with new‐onset BECTS and 41 age‐ and gender‐matched HC. At baseline and 2 years later, all participants completed a cognitive assessment, and a subset (13 BECTS, 24 HC) underwent T1 volumetric magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans focusing on cortical thickness and subcortical volumes.

Results

Baseline cognitive abnormalities associated with BECTS (object naming, verbal learning, arithmetic computation, and psychomotor speed/dexterity) persisted over 2 years, with the rate of cognitive development paralleling that of HC. Baseline neuroimaging revealed thinner cortex in BECTS compared to controls in frontal, temporal, and occipital regions. Longitudinally, HC showed widespread cortical thinning in both hemispheres, whereas BECTS participants showed sparse regions of both cortical thinning and thickening. Analyses of subcortical volumes showed larger left and right putamens persisting over 2 years in BECTS compared to HC.

Significance

Cognitive and structural brain abnormalities associated with BECTS are present at onset and persist (cognition) and/or evolve (brain structure) over time. Atypical maturation of cortical thickness antecedent to BECTS onset results in early identified abnormalities that continue to develop abnormally over time. However, compared to anatomic development, cognition appears more resistant to further change over time.
Treatment of electrical status epilepticus in sleep: A pooled analysis of 575 cases
Authors: van den Munckhof Bart , van Dee Violet , Sagi Liora , Caraballo Roberto H. , Veggiotti Pierangelo , Liukkonen Elina , Loddenkemper Tobias , Sánchez Fernández Iván , Buzatu Marga , Bulteau Christine , Braun Kees P. J. , Jansen Floor E.
Published: September 2015

Objective

Epileptic encephalopathy with electrical status epilepticus in sleep (ESES) is a pediatric epilepsy syndrome with sleep‐induced epileptic discharges and acquired impairment of cognition or behavior. Treatment of ESES is assumed to improve cognitive outcome. The aim of this study is to create an overview of the current evidence for different treatment regimens in children with ESES syndrome.

Methods

A literature search using PubMed and Embase was performed. Articles were selected that contain original treatment data of patients with ESES syndrome. Authors were contacted for additional information. Individual patient data were collected, coded, and analyzed using logistic regression analysis. The three predefined main outcome measures were improvement in cognitive function, electroencephalography (EEG) pattern, and any improvement (cognition or EEG).

Results

The literature search yielded 1,766 articles. After applying inclusion and exclusion criteria, 112 articles and 950 treatments in 575 patients could be analyzed. Antiepileptic drugs (AEDs, n = 495) were associated with improvement (i.e., cognition or EEG) in 49% of patients, benzodiazepines (n = 171) in 68%, and steroids (n = 166) in 81%. Surgery (n = 62) resulted in improvement in 90% of patients. In a subgroup analysis of patients who were consecutively reported (585 treatments in 282 patients), we found improvement in a smaller proportion treated with AEDs (34%), benzodiazepines (59%), and steroids (75%), whereas the improvement percentage after surgery was preserved (93%). Possible predictors of improved outcome were treatment category, normal development before ESES onset, and the absence of structural abnormalities.

Significance

Although most included studies were small and retrospective and their heterogeneity allowed analysis of only qualitative outcome data, this pooled analysis suggests superior efficacy of steroids and surgery in encephalopathy with ESES.
A tale of two domains – a structural perspective of the pseudokinase, MLKL
Authors: Czabotar Peter E. , Murphy James M.
Published: September 2015

Recently, the programmed necrosis or ‘necroptosis’ cell death pathway has attracted much interest because of its implication in multiple pathologies, including inflammatory diseases and the cell death arising from ischaemia reperfusion injuries. Pharmacologically, necroptosis is an attractive target because, unlike the counterpart pathway, apoptosis, it is dispensable for mammalian development. In particular, the most terminal‐known obligate effector in the necroptosis pathway, the pseudokinase MLKL (mixed lineage kinase domain‐like), holds particular appeal because, thus far, its only known function is as a mediator of necroptotic cell death. We review the current understanding and gaps in knowledge relating to how MLKL can be activated by receptor interacting protein kinase (RIPK)3 downstream of tumour necrosis factor receptor 1:RIPK1, Toll like receptor‐3:TRIF and viral DNA: DAI (DNA‐dependent activator of interferon regulatory factors)/ZBF1. We also discuss the potential mechanism(s) by which MLKL induces necroptotic cell death, with particular emphasis on insights arising from structural studies of mouse and human MLKL.
Role of nucleotides in stabilization of the phospholamban/cardiac Ca2+ pump inhibitory complex examined with use of metal fluorides
Authors: Chen Zhenhui
Published: September 2015

Phospholamban (PLB) inhibits the activity of the cardiac calcium pump SERCA2a. We previously showed that PLB with engineered Cys residues only cross‐linked with the Ca2+‐free E2 intermediate of SERCA2a. Formation of E2•PLB prevents Ca2+ binding at the high‐affinity Ca2+ binding sites, blocking the enzyme kinetic cycle. Here we further studied the synergistic action of PLB and ATP on E2 in terms of prevention of formation of the phosphorylated E2P‐like states stabilized by metal fluorides. SERCA2a was co‐expressed in insect cell microsomes with PLB mutants of normal or super‐inhibitory strength, with cross‐linkable mutations at either the cytosolic side (N30C) or the luminal side (V49C) of PLB. For normal‐strength PLB mutants, in the absence of nucleotide, metal fluorides totally inhibited both SERCA2a enzyme activity and cross‐linking of PLB to SERCA2a at both sites, suggesting that PLB dissociates from SERCA2a in the E2P‐like states. However, under the same conditions, super‐inhibitory PLB mutants prevented total enzyme inhibition by metal fluorides. Further, the cross‐linking of super‐inhibitory PLB to SERCA2a was only partially inhibited by metal fluorides, but was drastically restored upon sequential addition of ATP. These results revealed the equilibrium between E2•PLB, E2•ATP, or E2•ATP•PLB states and E2P‐like states, suggesting that the synergistic binding of ATP and PLB to SERCA is very strong, sufficient to prevent formation of E2 phosphoenzymes, even when stabilized by metal fluorides.
Local diversity reduces infection risk across multiple freshwater host‐parasite associations
Authors: Lagrue Clement , Poulin Robert
Published: September 2015

In many host–parasite systems, infection risk can be reduced by high local biodiversity, though the mitigating effects of diversity are context dependent and not universal.

In aquatic ecosystems, local fauna can reduce the transmission success of parasite free‐swimming infective stages by preying on them, acting as decoy hosts, or physically interfering with transmission. However, most prior research has focused on the effect of a single non‐host organism at a time and/or has been performed under simplified and artificial conditions.

Here, using data on 11 trematode species sampled in different New Zealand lakes, we test whether local biodiversity affects infection risk in target second intermediate hosts, as well as total parasite population size (number of parasites per m2), under natural conditions. We considered four components of local biodiversity: total biomass of non‐host fish species, diversity (Simpson index) of non‐host benthic invertebrates, total density of zooplankton and macrophyte biomass. Our analyses also accounted for host density, a known determinant of parasite prevalence, intensity of infection and total parasite population density.

The only influence of local biodiversity we detected was a negative effect of the diversity of non‐host benthic invertebrates on the prevalence achieved by trematodes in their second intermediate hosts: that is, the proportion of individual hosts that are infected. Interestingly, this effect was discernible in all 11 trematode species considered here, even if very weak within some species.

Our findings suggest that higher non‐host benthic diversity may generally decrease infection risk for target hosts including snails, arthropods and fish. However, reduced infection success did not automatically mean smaller overall parasite population size, as other factors can maintain the parasite population in the face of high local diversity of non‐hosts.
Environmental changes affect the assembly of soil bacterial community primarily by mediating stochastic processes
Authors: Zhang Ximei , Johnston Eric R. , Liu Wei , Li Linghao , Han Xingguo
Published: September 2015

Both ‘species fitness difference’‐based deterministic processes, such as competitive exclusion and environmental filtering, and ‘species fitness difference’‐independent stochastic processes, such as birth/death and dispersal/colonization, can influence the assembly of soil microbial communities. However, how both types of processes are mediated by anthropogenic environmental changes has rarely been explored. Here we report a novel and general pattern that almost all anthropogenic environmental changes that took place in a grassland ecosystem affected soil bacterial community assembly primarily through promoting or restraining stochastic processes. We performed four experiments mimicking 16 types of environmental changes and separated the compositional variation of soil bacterial communities caused by each environmental change into deterministic and stochastic components, with a recently developed method. Briefly, because the difference between control and treatment communities is primarily caused by deterministic processes, the deterministic change was quantified as (mean compositional variation between treatment and control) – (mean compositional variation within control). The difference among replicate treatment communities is primarily caused by stochastic processes, so the stochastic change was estimated as (mean compositional variation within treatment) – (mean compositional variation within control). The absolute of the stochastic change was greater than that of the deterministic change across almost all environmental changes, which was robust for both taxonomic and functional‐based criterion. Although the deterministic change may become more important as environmental changes last longer, our findings showed that changes usually occurred through mediating stochastic processes over 5 years, challenging the traditional determinism‐dominated view.
Pre‐stroke dementia does not affect the post‐acute care functional outcome of old patients with ischemic stroke
Authors: Mizrahi Eliyahu‐Hayim , Arad Marina , Adunsky Abraham
Published: September 2015

Aim

The purpose of the present study was to evaluate whether a diagnosis of dementia before stroke onset (pre‐stroke dementia [PSD]) affects the short‐term functional outcome of elderly ischemic stroke patients.

Methods

This was a retrospective case–control study comprising of consecutive elderly ischemic stroke patients. Functional outcome was assessed by the Functional Independence Measure scale (FIM) at admission and discharge. Data was analyzed by t‐test, χ2‐test, multiple linear regression analysis and logistic regression.

Results

There were 919 patients with acute ischemic stroke, out of whom 11.5% were diagnosed with PSD on index day. Compared with non‐PSD patients, those with pre‐stroke dementia had a shorter length of stay (P < 0.001), higher rate of female patients (P < 0.001) and lower Mini‐Mental State Examination scores (P < 0.001). Both total and motor FIM scores at admission and discharge, and their respective FIM gain scores at discharge were higher in non‐PSD compared with PSD patients (P < 0.001). In logistic regression analysis to identify factors predicting successful outcome (defined as total FIM at discharge ≥80), PSD remained as significantly associated with increased risk for adverse outcome on discharge (OR 2.449, CI 1.207–4.970, P = 0.013).

Conclusions

The present findings suggest that a diagnosis of pre‐stroke dementia is associated with lower FIM scores at admission and discharge in patients with ischemic stroke. Yet, daily motor FIM gains were similar in PSD and non‐PSD patients, suggesting that these patients should not be deprived of a post‐acute rehabilitation, based on a diagnosis of dementia before stroke onset. Geriatr Gerontol Int 2016; 16: 928–933.
Social participation and self‐rated health among older male veterans and non‐veterans
Authors: Choi Namkee G , DiNitto Diana M , Marti C Nathan
Published: September 2015

Aim

To examine self‐rated health (SRH) and its association with social participation, along with physical and mental health indicators, among USA male veterans and non‐veterans aged ≥65 years.

Methods

The two waves of the National Health and Aging Trend Study provided data (n = 2845 at wave 1; n = 2235 at wave 2). Multilevel mixed effects generalized linear models were fit to test the hypotheses.

Results

Despite their older age, veterans did not differ from non‐veterans in their physical, mental and cognitive health, and they had better SRH. However, black and Hispanic veterans had lower SRH than non‐Hispanic white veterans. Formal group activities and outings for enjoyment were positively associated with better SRH for veterans, non‐veterans and all veteran cohorts.

Conclusions

Aging veterans, especially black and Hispanic veterans, require programs and services that will help increase their social connectedness. Geriatr Gerontol Int 2016; 16: 920–927.