bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Epigenetics in Myeloproliferative Neoplasms
Authors: McPherson Suzanne , McMullin Mary Frances , Mills Ken
Published: July 2017

A decade on from the description of JAK2 V617F, the MPNs are circumscribed by an increasingly intricate landscape. There is now evidence that they are likely the result of combined genetic dysregulation, with several mutated genes involved in the regulation of epigenetic mechanisms. Epigenetic changes are not due to a change in the DNA sequence but are reversible modifications that dictate the way in which genes may be expressed (or silenced). Among the epigenetic mechanisms, DNA methylation is probably the best described. Currently known MPN‐associated mutations now include JAK2, MPL, LNK, CBL, CALR, TET2, ASXL1, IDH1, IDH2, IKZF1 and EZH2. Enhancing our knowledge about the mutation profile of patients may allow them to be stratified into risk groups which would aid clinical decision making. Ongoing work will answer whether the use of epigenetic therapies as alterative pathway targets in combination with JAK inhibitors may be more effective than single agent treatment.
Virulence‐associated factors in Vibrio cholerae non‐O1/non‐O139 and V. mimicus strains isolated in ornamental fish species
Authors: Zago V , Zambon M , Civettini M , Zaltum O , Manfrin A
Published: July 2017

During recent decades, ornamental fish have proven to be one of the fastest growing categories of pets in Europe. In this framework, we evaluated both the potential pathogenic and zoonotic risks caused by 53 Vibrio cholerae non‐O1/non‐O139 and a Vibrio mimicus strain isolated from ornamental fish species mostly originating from South‐East Asia countries between 2000 and 2015 in Italy. All the strains were firstly identified at species level by biochemical, phylogenetic and mass spectrometry (matrix‐assisted laser desorption ionization time of flight) methods, and then studied to reveal the presence of the main virulence and colonization‐associated factors, as ctxA, ace, zot, stn/sto, toxR, rtxA, hlyA and tcpA by multiplex and single endpoint PCR assays. Findings showed that 21 of 54 strains harboured at least one virulence factor with a predominance for the toxR+, rtxA+ and hlyAET+ genotype. Interestingly, the V. mimicus strain harboured the colonization factor and the CTX prophage receptor, tcpA, indicating the ability to capture and integrate it in its genome increasing its pathogenicity. Although these enterotoxins can sporadically cause gastroenteritis, the results highlight their probable involvement in causing severe implications for public health, suggesting the need for an European microbiological monitoring.
Direct observations of dynamic PtCo interactions in fuel cell catalyst precursors at the atomic level using E(S)TEM
Authors: WARD M.R. , THEOBALD B. , SHARMAN J. , BOYES E.D. , GAI P.L.
Published: July 2017

Reduction reactions in practical bimetallic platinum–cobalt electrode catalyst precursors containing platinum, cobalt and cobalt oxides in hydrogen at 200, 450 and 700 °C for 6 h have been studied in situ using an aberration corrected environmental (scanning) transmission electron microscope (AC E(S)TEM). Little difference was observed in reduction at 200 °C but during and after reduction at 450 °C, small nanoparticles less than 3 nm in diameter with tetragonal PtCo structures were observed and limited Pt3Co ordering could be seen on the surfaces of larger nanoparticles. During and after reduction at 700 °C, fully ordered Pt3Co and PtCo nanoparticles larger than 4 nm were produced and the average nanoparticle size almost trebled relative to the fresh precursor. After reduction at 450 and 700 °C, most nanoparticles were disordered platinum/cobalt alloys with fcc structure. After reduction at 700 °C many of the smallest nanoparticles disappeared suggesting Ostwald ripening had occurred. Mechanisms concerning the thermal transformation of mixed cobalt and platinum species are discussed, offering new insights into the creation of bimetallic platinum–cobalt nanoparticles in fuel cell catalysts.
Management of newly diagnosed atrial fibrillation in an outpatient clinic setting—patient's perspectives and experiences
Authors: Thrysoee Lars , Strömberg Anna , Brandes Axel , Hendriks Jeroen M
Published: July 2017

Aims and objectives

To gain in‐depth knowledge of patients’ experiences of the consultation processes at a multidisciplinary atrial fibrillation outpatient clinic in a university hospital in Denmark.

Background

Atrial fibrillation is the most common cardiac arrhythmia associated with morbidity and mortality if not diagnosed and treated as recommended. Patients with newly diagnosed atrial fibrillation preferably should be managed in an outpatient setting which includes medical examination, patient education and decision‐making on medical therapy.

Design

This is a qualitative study of 14 patients newly diagnosed with atrial fibrillation, ranging from asymptomatic patients, to those with mild to severe symptoms; they were all referred from general practitioners.

Methods

Data were generated in 2013‐2015 using participant observation during each consultation, followed by individual interviews postconsultation.

Results

Patients were referred with limited information on AF and knowledge about the management consultation procedures. The consultations were performed in a professional way by the cardiologist as well as by the nurses with an emphasis on the medical aspects of atrial fibrillation. The understanding that atrial fibrillation is not a fatal disease in itself was very important for patients. At the same time, visiting the clinic was overwhelming, information was difficult to understand, and patients found it difficult to be involved in decision‐making.

Conclusions

This study indicates that patients were uncertain on what AF was before as well as after their consultation. The communication was concentrated on the medical aspects of atrial fibrillation and visiting the clinic was an overwhelming experience for the patients. They had difficulty understanding what atrial fibrillation was, why they were treated with anticoagulation, and that anticoagulating was a lifelong treatment.

Relevance for clinical practice

This study demonstrates some lack of patient‐centred care and an absence of tailored patient AF‐related education. Furthermore, the study highlights the need for and importance of active patient involvement.
Burnout and its association with resilience in nurses: A cross‐sectional study
Authors: Guo Yu‐fang , Luo Yuan‐hui , Lam Louisa , Cross Wendy , Plummer Virginia , Zhang Jing‐ping
Published: July 2017

Aims and objectives

To investigate the prevalence and extent of burnout on nurses and its association with personal resilience.

Background

With the worldwide shortage of nurses, nurse burnout is considered one of the main contributing factors and has been the focus of studies in recent years. Given the well‐documented high level of burnout among nurses, resilience is expected to be a significant predictor of nurse burnout. The association between burnout and resilience has not previously been investigated extensively.

Design

A cross‐sectional survey design was selected.

Methods

A total of 1,061 nurses from six separate three‐level hospitals in Hunan Province, China, returned self‐reported questionnaires from March–June 2015. Data were collected using a socio‐demographic sheet, Maslach Burnout Inventory‐General Survey and the Connor‐Davidson Resilience Scale.

Results

Nurses experienced severe burnout symptoms and showed a moderate level of resilience. Three metrics of burnout had significantly negative correlations with the total score and following variables of resilience. Linear regression analysis showed resilience, especially strength, demographic characteristics (exercise, alcohol use and marital status) and job characteristics (income per month, ratio of patients to nurses, shift work and professional rank) were the main predictors of the three metrics of burnout.

Conclusion

The findings of this study may help nurse managers and hospital administrators to have a better understanding of nurse burnout and resilience. The significantly negative relationship between burnout symptoms and resilience has been demonstrated, and this informs the role of resilience in influencing burnout.

Relevance to clinical practice

Adaptable and effective interventions for improving resilience are needed to relieve nurses’ burnout and reduce workplace stress. Moreover, nurse managers and hospital administrators should establish an effective management system to cultivate a healthy workplace and adopt positive attitudes and harmonious relationships.
Infertility‐related communication and coping strategies among women affected by primary or secondary infertility
Authors: Sormunen Taina , Aanesen Arthur , Fossum Bjöörn , Karlgren Klas , Westerbotn Margareta
Published: July 2017

Aim and objectives

To explore infertility‐related communication and coping strategies among women affected by primary or secondary fertility problems.

Background

Infertility is a worldwide problem and is experienced as psychologically stressful. Communication about infertility varies depending on clinical aspects, personal relationships and culture.

Methods

A quantitative cross‐sectional study design was used. One hundred and ninety‐nine women affected by primary and secondary infertility were recruited from one fertility clinic in Stockholm. A structured self‐administered questionnaire was used to collect data. The answers were compared across the two groups using the chi‐squared test for independence.

Results

The majority of the women discussed infertility‐related subjects with intimate friends and/or relatives and did not discuss the results of examinations and tests with people outside of the family. There were significant differences between the two groups. Twice as many women with secondary infertility acknowledged that they never talk about the causes or results of the tests and examinations with other people, compared with women with primary infertility. Approximately 25% of the women with primary infertility used distraction techniques, such as turning to work, as a coping strategy compared to women with secondary infertility (10%). Some women did not discuss the inability to conceive and reasons why they were childless with their spouses. Twelve percentage of the women reported that they left the room when the subjects of children were being discussed. Approximately 30% of the participants did not ask friends or relatives for advice and a few were not able to discuss how tests and treatments affected them emotionally.

Conclusion

This study indicates that a majority of infertile women discuss about infertility‐related subjects with their spouses. However, they are less likely to discuss the reason for infertility and results of tests and examinations with people outside the family.

Relevance to the clinical practice

The result of the current study can be useful regarding interventions for women affected by primary or by secondary infertility. The healthcare staff must be alert and attentive to pay attention to these possible challenges. Identification of women at risk of developing emotional problems due to communication difficulties regarding infertility‐related issues merits close attention.
Disaggregating the Corporate Headquarters: Investor Reactions to Inversion Announcements by US Firms
Authors: Slangen Arjen H. L. , Baaij Marc , Valboni Riccardo
Published: July 2017

Internationally disaggregated headquarters arise from cross‐border relocations of headquarters components. To shed more light on the business consequences of such component relocations, we analyse stock market reactions to inversion initiatives, which are plans by US firms to offshore their registered seat. Combining business economics and institutional theory, we develop an explanatory framework centred on repatriation taxes on foreign income. Since inversions enable US firms to free themselves from such taxes in the US, we hypothesize that inversions by firms that face higher US tax costs in repatriating income will be received more positively by investors, and especially so if the inversion's destination country has no repatriation tax. Yet by freeing themselves from US repatriation taxes, inverting firms deprive the US government of tax revenues and will therefore likely lose legitimacy among US officials. The risks associated with losing such legitimacy, we argue, are higher for firms that are more dependent on the US government, causing the relationship between the US tax costs of repatriating income and investor reactions to inversions to be less positive for such firms. We find substantial support for our framework in an event study of up to 117 inversions announced over the period 1990–2016. Our findings argue for a nuanced, contingency view of the business consequences of inverting and suggest that legitimacy losses are not always as hazardous as previously thought.
Association between cystine urolithiasis and neuter status of dogs within the UK
Authors: Florey J. , Ewen V. , Syme H.
Published: July 2017

Objectives

The objectives of the study were to examine the association between diagnosis of cystine urolithiasis and entireversusneutered status in male dogs and whether the strength of association varies among breeds.

Materials and Methods

A previously reported canine urolithiasis database was used, documenting all urolith submissions to Hill's Pet Nutrition UK over a 10‐year period. Uroliths were classified as cystine or non‐cystine, and only male dogs with known neuter status were included in the analysis. Breeds of dog (and an additional crossbreed group), for which there was a minimum of 10 cystine urolith submissions, were analysed individually, with all other breeds combined together to form a reference group. Results were analysed using chi‐squared and Fisher's exact tests. Logistic regression was used to assess associations between breed and neuter status and formation of cystine calculi.

Results

In multiple breeds, dogs with cystine uroliths were significantly more likely to be entire than dogs forming other types of urolith. Being an entire male, regardless of breed, was associated with an increased risk of cystine urolithiasis (odds ratio=4·5; 95% confidence interval: 3·22 to 6·37; P<0·001).

Clinical Significance

Increased odds of cystine formation in entire dogs supports further investigation of castration as a method to prevent cystine urolithiasis.
Memory encoding is impaired after multiple nights of partial sleep restriction
Authors: Cousins James N. , Sasmita Karen , Chee Michael W. L.
Published: July 2017

Sleep is important for normative cognitive functioning. A single night of total sleep deprivation can reduce the capacity to encode new memories. However, it is unclear how sleep restriction during several consecutive nights affects memory encoding. To explore this, we employed a parallel‐group design with 59 adolescents randomized into sleep‐restricted (SR) and control groups. Both groups were afforded 9 h time in bed (TIB) for 2 baseline nights, followed by 5 consecutive nights of 5 h TIB for the SR group (n = 29) and 9 h TIB for the control group (n = 30). Participants then performed a picture‐encoding task. Encoding ability was measured with a recognition test after 3 nights of 9 h TIB recovery sleep for both groups, allowing the assessment of encoding ability without the confounding effects of fatigue at retrieval. Memory was significantly worse in the sleep‐restricted group (P = 0.001), and this impairment was not correlated with decline in vigilance. We conclude that memory‐encoding deteriorates after several nights of partial sleep restriction, and this typical pattern of sleep negatively affects adolescents’ ability to learn declarative information.
George Eliot's ‘Daniel Deronda’ and the Jewish Question in Russia of the 1870s–1900s
Authors: Proskurnin Boris M.
Published: July 2017

This article studies the remarkable popularity of Daniel Deronda, George Eliot's last novel, and its reception in Russia of the 1870s–1900s, in the context of the Jewish question and Russian social, moral, political, literary and cultural life, during the period after 1861 reforms. The article notes the fact of five Russian translations of Daniel Deronda and shows that fiction – Russian translations of foreign fiction included – addressed the most urgent contemporary issues and were seen as an efficient way to educate readers socially and morally. It is also demonstrated how much translation, publishing and critical reception of the novel accorded with the dynamics of the ‘Jewish question’ in Russia. It is noted which aspects of the form and content of the novel were the most discussed by Russian critics.
Tourism and nationalism in the production of regional culture: the shaping of Majorca's popular songbook between 1837 and 1936
Authors: Vives‐Riera Antoni
Published: July 2017

This article offers a microhistorical approach to the shaping of regional cultures during the nineteenth and twentieth centuries to show that this process was not only imposed from centres of nationalisation as a complement of national identity, but that it also had to be negotiated with elites in provinces at the periphery. Specifically, the article looks at how the regional songbook of Majorca took shape between 1837 and 1936. In this process of musical regionalisation, the cultural authority of the tourism and colonial discourse about the island was strategically exploited by local musicians to gain some share of power from below in negotiating their own regional identity with nationalising institutions. In this way, the Spanish and Catalan national identities being projected over the island were ultimately decentred and transformed.
French healthcare professionals' perceived barriers to and motivation for therapeutic patient education: A qualitative study
Authors: Lelorain Sophie , Bachelet Adeline , Bertin Nicole , Bourgoin Maryline
Published: July 2017

Therapeutic patient education is effective for various patient outcomes; however, healthcare professionals sometimes lack the motivation to carry out patient education. Surprisingly, this issue has rarely been addressed in research. Therefore, this study explores healthcare professionals' perceived barriers to and motivation for therapeutic patient education. Healthcare professionals, mainly nurses, working in different French hospitals were interviewed. Thematic content analysis was performed. Findings included a lack of skills, knowledge, and disillusionment of the effectiveness of therapeutic patient education were features of a demotivated attitude. In contrast, a positive attitude was observed when therapeutic patient education met a need to work differently and more effectively. A key factor motivating professionals was the integration of therapeutic patient education in routine care within a multidisciplinary team. To keep healthcare professionals motivated, managers should ensure that therapeutic patient education is implemented in accordance with its core principles: a patient‐centered approach within a trained multidisciplinary team. In the latter case, therapeutic patient education is viewed as an efficient and rewarding way to work with patients, which significantly motivates healthcare professionals.
The impact of regulatory perspectives and practices on professional innovation in nursing
Authors: Stahlke Wall Sarah
Published: July 2017

Since at least the 1970s in Canada, there have been calls for health system reforms based on innovative roles and expanded scopes of practice for nurses. Professional regulatory organizations, through legislation, define the standards and parameters of professional nursing practice. Nursing regulators emphasize public protection over the advancement of nursing; regulatory processes and decisions tend to be conservative and risk‐averse. This study explored the impact that regulatory processes have on innovation in nursing roles. Nurses in a range of unique practice situations were interviewed, including nurses in non‐traditional roles and/or settings, those with cross‐jurisdictional career histories, and those working in interdisciplinary practices and educational settings. For these nurses, nursing practice was viewed through a traditional clinical lens, which did not fit for them. They experienced hassle, delay, and inconsistencies in regulatory practices. They felt mistreated and fearful of the regulator and lamented the ways in which ambitious, creative, capable nurses were stymied in attempting new applications for nursing knowledge. Nursing is constraining its own mandate to contribute to health care through stringent licensing processes. Healthcare reform provides an opportunity for nursing regulators to rethink their processes and provide the latitude for nurse‐driven change.
Melanoma and nonmelanoma skin cancer chemoprevention: A role for nicotinamide?
Authors: Minocha Rashi , Damian Diona L. , Halliday Gary M.
Published: July 2017

Ultraviolet radiation (UVR) causes DNA damage in melanocytes by producing photolesions such as cyclobutane pyrimidine dimers and 8‐oxo‐7‐hydrodeoxyguanosine. The production of reactive oxygen species by UVR also induces inflammatory cytokines that, together with the inherent immunosuppressive properties of UVR, propagate carcinogenesis. Nicotinamide (Vitamin B3) enhances DNA repair, modulates the inflammatory environment produced by UVR, and reduces UV‐induced immunosuppression. As nicotinamide reduces the incidence of actinic keratoses and nonmelanoma skin cancers in high‐risk individuals and enhances repair of DNA damage in melanocytes, it is a promising agent for the chemoprevention of melanoma in high‐risk populations.
The overlaps of asthma or COPD with OSA: A focused review
Authors: Owens Robert L. , Macrea Madalina M. , Teodorescu Mihaela
Published: July 2017

ABSTRACT

Asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA) are the most common respiratory disorders worldwide. Given demographic and environmental changes, prevalence for each is likely to increase. Although exact numbers are not known, based on chance alone, many people will be affected by both lower airways obstruction and concomitant upper airway obstruction during sleep. Some recent studies suggest that there is a reciprocal interaction, with chronic lung disease predisposing to OSA, and OSA worsening control and outcomes from chronic lung disease. Thus, the combination of wake and sleep respiratory disorders can create an overlap syndrome with unique pathophysiological, diagnostic and therapeutic concerns. Although much work needs to be done, given the above, Respirologists, Sleep Medicine and Primary Care providers must be vigilant for overlap syndromes. Accurate diagnosis of, for example, OSA as a cause of nocturnal symptoms in a patient with asthma is likely to limit further ineffective titration of medications for asthma. Moreover, prompt treatment of OSA in the overlap syndromes will not only offer symptomatic benefit of OSA, but also improve symptoms and healthcare resource utilization attributable to obstructive lung disease, and in COPD, it may reduce mortality.
Anaerobic antibiotic usage for pneumonia in the medical intensive care unit
Authors: Kioka Mutsumi J. , DiGiovine Bruno , Rezik Mohamed , Jennings Jeffrey H.
Published: July 2017

ABSTRACT

Background and objective

Pneumonia is a common admitting diagnosis in the intensive care unit (ICU). When aspiration is suspected, antibiotics to cover anaerobes are frequently used, but in the absence of clear risk factors, current guidelines have questioned their role. It is unknown how frequently these guidelines are followed.

Methods

We conducted a single‐centre observational study on practice patterns of anaerobic antibiotic use in consecutive patients admitted to the ICU with aspiration pneumonia (Asp), community‐acquired pneumonia (CAP) and healthcare‐associated pneumonia (HCAP).

Results

A total of 192 patients were studied (Asp: 20, HCAP: 107, CAP: 65). Overall, 59 patients received anaerobic antibiotics (Asp: 90%, HCAP: 28%, CAP 17%) but a significant proportion of these patients did not meet criteria to receive them. Inappropriate anaerobic antibiotic use was 12/20 for Asp, 27/107 for HCAP and 9/65 for CAP. Mortality probability model III at zero hours (MPM0) score and a diagnosis of Asp were predictors of receiving inappropriate anaerobic antibiotics. Receiving inappropriate anaerobic antibiotics was associated with a longer ICU length of stay (LOS; 7 days (interquartile range (IQR): 7–21) vs 4 days (IQR:2–9), P = 0.017).

Conclusion

For patients in the ICU admitted with pneumonia, there is a high occurrence of inappropriately prescribed anaerobic antibiotics, the use of which was associated with a longer ICU LOS.
Tuberculosis increases the risk of peripheral arterial disease: A nationwide population‐based study
Authors: Wang Sheng‐Huei , Chien Wu‐Chien , Chung Chi‐Hsiang , Lin Fu‐Huang , Peng Chung‐Kan , Chian Chih‐Feng , Shen Chih‐Hao
Published: July 2017

Background and objective

According to several studies, tuberculosis (TB) may be involved in the pathogenesis of cardiovascular disease. However, the relationship between TB and peripheral arterial disease (PAD) has not been studied. The aim of this study was to investigate whether patients with TB exhibit an increased risk of developing PAD.

Methods

The data assessed in this national population‐based cohort study were obtained from the Taiwan National Health Insurance Database from 2000 to 2010. Patients with newly diagnosed TB were selected using the International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision, Clinical Modification (ICD‐9‐CM) codes. The non‐TB cohort was randomly frequency‐matched to the TB cohort at a ratio of 2:1 according to age, sex and index year. Cox's proportional hazards regression models were used to analyse the risk of PAD.

Results

We enrolled 14 350 patients with TB and 28 700 controls in this study. The risk of PAD was 3.93‐fold higher in the patients with TB than in the non‐TB controls after adjusting for age, sex, co‐morbidities and socio‐economic status. Based on the subgroup analysis, the TB cohort exhibited an increased risk of developing PAD compared with the non‐TB cohort, regardless of age, sex, co‐morbidities and socio‐economic status. Patients with TB had a higher risk of developing PAD than healthy control subjects after 1 year of follow‐up.

Conclusion

Patients with TB have a significantly higher risk of developing PAD than patients without TB. TB should be considered when evaluating a patient's risk of developing PAD.
Cyber Risk Management for Critical Infrastructure: A Risk Analysis Model and Three Case Studies
Authors: Paté‐Cornell M.‐Elisabeth , Kuypers Marshall , Smith Matthew , Keller Philip
Published: July 2017

Managing cyber security in an organization involves allocating the protection budget across a spectrum of possible options. This requires assessing the benefits and the costs of these options. The risk analyses presented here are statistical when relevant data are available, and system‐based for high‐consequence events that have not happened yet. This article presents, first, a general probabilistic risk analysis framework for cyber security in an organization to be specified. It then describes three examples of forward‐looking analyses motivated by recent cyber attacks. The first one is the statistical analysis of an actual database, extended at the upper end of the loss distribution by a Bayesian analysis of possible, high‐consequence attack scenarios that may happen in the future. The second is a systems analysis of cyber risks for a smart, connected electric grid, showing that there is an optimal level of connectivity. The third is an analysis of sequential decisions to upgrade the software of an existing cyber security system or to adopt a new one to stay ahead of adversaries trying to find their way in. The results are distributions of losses to cyber attacks, with and without some considered countermeasures in support of risk management decisions based both on past data and anticipated incidents.
Analytic posteriors for Pearson's correlation coefficient
Authors: Ly Alexander , Marsman Maarten , Wagenmakers Eric‐Jan
Published: July 2017

Pearson's correlation is one of the most common measures of linear dependence. Recently, Bernardo (11th International Workshop on Objective Bayes Methodology, 2015) introduced a flexible class of priors to study this measure in a Bayesian setting. For this large class of priors, we show that the (marginal) posterior for Pearson's correlation coefficient and all of the posterior moments are analytic. Our results are available in the open‐source software package JASP.
Reasons to end the donor career: a quantitative study among stopped blood donors in the Netherlands
Authors: Klinkenberg E. F. , Romeijn B. , de Kort W. L. , Merz E.‐M.
Published: July 2017

SUMMARY

Background and Objectives

Previous work has studied barriers to donating blood or plasma among current, lapsed and non‐donors. Still, it remains unclear why donors stop donating and end their donor career voluntarily. A thorough understanding of why donors stop is necessary to develop more effective retention strategies and manage the decline in whole‐blood donors.

Methods

An online questionnaire that contained questions about reasons to stop donation was sent out to 7098 Dutch whole‐blood donors who deregistered from the donor pool in 2015 but who were not permanently deferred for medical reasons (response:N = 2490, 35%).

Results

The final sample consisted of 1865 stopped blood donors. Of the stopped blood donors, 28·4% reported that negative physical experiences were (partly) the reason to stop. This stopping reason was more often reported by women than men, those aged 19–33 years compared to older groups and those who had donated five times or less compared to those with more donations. Inconvenient opening times (26·1%) was a stopping reason more frequently reported by men compared to women, those aged 34–50 years compared to their younger and older counterparts and those who had donated more than five times.

Conclusions

We found that the stopping reasons for blood donors are dependent on gender, age and the number of donations. Stopping reasons differ substantially from barriers experienced by current, lapsed and non‐donors. More research on preventing negative physical experiences and implementing more flexible opening hours are advised.
Determination of optimum insulation thicknesses using economical analyse for exterior walls of buildings with different masses
Authors: Kon Okan
Published: July 2017

In this study, five different cities were selected from the five climatic zones according to Turkish standard TS 825, and insulation thicknesses of exterior walls of sample buildings were calculated by using optimization. Vertical perforated bricks with density of 550 kg/m3 and 1000 kg/m3 were chosen within the study content. Glass wool, expanded polystyrene (XPS), extruded polystyrene (EPS) were considered as insulation materials. Additionally, natural gas, coal, fuel oil and LPG were utilized as fuel for heating process while electricity was used for cooling.  Life cycle cost (LCC) analysis and degree-day method were the approaches for optimum insulation thickness calculations. As a result, in case of usage vertical perforated bricks with density of 550 kg/m3 and 1000 kg/m3 resulted different values in between 0.005-0.007 m (5-7 mm) in the optimum insulation thickness calculations under different insulation materials.  Minimum optimum insulation thickness was calculated in case XPS was preferred as insulation material, and the maximum one was calculated in case of using glass wool.
Effects of the I-PASS Nursing Handoff Bundle on communication quality and workflow
Authors: Starmer Amy J , Schnock Kumiko O , Lyons Aimee , Hehn Rebecca S , Graham Dionne A , Keohane Carol , Landrigan Christopher P
Published: July 2017

Background and objective

Handoff communication errors are a leading source of sentinel events. We sought to determine the impact of a handoff improvement programme for nurses.

Methods

We conducted a prospective pre-post intervention study on a paediatric intensive care unit in 2011–2012. The I-PASS Nursing Handoff Bundle intervention consisted of educational training, verbal handoff I-PASS mnemonic implementation, and visual materials to provide reinforcement and sustainability. We developed handoff direct observation and time motion workflow assessment tools to measure: (1) quality of the verbal handoff, including interruption frequency and presence of key handoff data elements; and (2) duration of handoff and other workflow activities.

Results

I-PASS implementation was associated with improvements in verbal handoff communications, including inclusion of illness severity assessment (37% preintervention vs 67% postintervention, p=0.001), patient summary (81% vs 95%, p=0.05), to do list (35% vs 100%, p<0.001) and an opportunity for the receiving nurse to ask questions (34% vs 73%, p<0.001). Overall, 13/21 (62%) of verbal handoff data elements were more likely to be present following implementation whereas no data elements were less likely present. Implementation was associated with a decrease in interruption frequency pre versus post intervention (67% vs 40% of handoffs with interruptions, p=0.005) without a change in the median handoff duration (18.8 min vs 19.9 min, p=0.48) or changes in time spent in direct or indirect patient care activities.

Conclusions

Implementation of the I-PASS Nursing Handoff Bundle was associated with widespread improvements in the verbal handoff process without a negative impact on nursing workflow. Implementation of I-PASS for nurses may therefore have the potential to significantly reduce medical errors and improve patient safety.
Numerical approximations for a three-component Cahn–Hilliard phase-field model based on the invariant energy quadratization method
Authors: Yang Xiaofeng , Zhao Jia , Wang Qi , Shen Jie
Published: July 2017

How to develop efficient numerical schemes while preserving energy stability at the discrete level is challenging for the three-component Cahn–Hilliard phase-field model. In this paper, we develop a set of first- and second-order temporal approximation schemes based on a novel “Invariant Energy Quadratization” approach, where all nonlinear terms are treated semi-explicitly. Consequently, the resulting numerical schemes lead to well-posed linear systems with a linear symmetric, positive definite at each time step. We prove that the developed schemes are unconditionally energy stable and present various 2D and 3D numerical simulations to demonstrate the stability and the accuracy of the schemes.
Asymptotics toward a nonlinear wave for an outflow problem of a model of viscous ions motion
Authors: Li Yeping , Zhu Peicheng
Published: July 2017

We shall investigate the asymptotic stability, toward a nonlinear wave, of the solution to an outflow problem for the one-dimensional compressible Navier–Stokes–Poisson equations. First, we construct this nonlinear wave which, under suitable assumptions, is the superposition of a stationary solution and a rarefaction wave. Then it is shown that the nonlinear wave is asymptotically stable in the case that the initial data are a suitably small perturbation of the nonlinear wave. The main ingredient of the proof is the [Formula: see text]-energy method that takes into account both the effect of the self-consistent electrostatic potential and the spatial decay of the stationary part of the nonlinear wave.
INFLUENCES OF CATION DISTRIBUTION OF ZINC SUBSTITUTED ON INVERSE SPINEL NICKEL FERRITE NANOPARTICLE FOR SUPERPARAMAGNETIC APPROACH
Authors: ISMAIL MUKHLIS M. , JABER NASMA A.
Published: July 2017

Sol–gel method has been employed to prepare Ni–Zn ferrite with chemical formula Ni[Formula: see text]ZnxFe2O4 where [Formula: see text] 0, 0.1, 0.2, 0.3, 0.4 and 0.5. The structural Ni–Zn ferrite was studied via the X-ray diffractometer (XRD) pattern. X-ray analysis showed that there is a small shift in peaks towards shorter angles which increases with the concentration of zinc. Experimental values of lattice constant was varied from 8.34 of Ni ferrite to 8.397[Formula: see text]nm for Ni–Zn ferrite. The crystallite size of Ni ferrite was 83[Formula: see text]nm which is decreasing with substituted Zn to it and became 43[Formula: see text]nm at [Formula: see text]. Therefore, the superparamagnetic behavior appears with substitution of Zn to Ni ferrite. The saturation magnetization, remiensis, coersivity, magnetic moment and anisotropy constant were calculated according to hysteresis loop using the result of vibrating sample magnetometer (VSM). The effect of cation distribution appeared clearly through the saturation magnetization value which was 46.8[Formula: see text]emu/gm for nickel ferrite and increased to an optimum value (59.64[Formula: see text]emu/gm) at [Formula: see text].
A constructive way to compute the Tarski number of a group
Authors: Yousofzadeh Akram
Published: July 2017

The Tarski number of a group [Formula: see text] is the minimal number of the pieces of paradoxical decompositions of that group. Using configurations along with a matrix combinatorial property, we construct paradoxical decompositions. We also compute an upper bound for the Tarski number of a given non-amenable group by counting the number of paths in a diagram associated to the group.
QUALITY ASSESSMENT OF MEDICAL IMAGE COMPRESSED BY CONTOURLET QUINCUNX AND SPIHT CODING
Authors: ISMAIL BOUKLI HACENE , SOUFIENE BENDELHOUM , BESSAID A.
Published: July 2017

In the field of medical diagnostics, interested parties have resorted increasingly to medical imaging. It is well established that the accuracy and completeness of diagnosis are initially connected with the image quality, but the quality of the image is itself dependent on a number of factors including primarily the processing that an image must undergo to enhance its quality. The quality evaluation of compressed image is necessary to judge the performance of a compression method. This paper introduces an algorithm for medical image compression based on hybrid nonsubsampled contourlet (NSCT) and quincunx wavelet transforms (QWT) coupled with set partitioning in hierarchical trees (SPIHT) coding algorithm, of which we present the objective measurements (PSNR, EDGE, WPSNR, MSSIM, VIF, and WSNR) in order to evaluate the quality of the image.
RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN TRUST IN ORGANIZATIONAL LEADERS AND ENTREPRENEURSHIP: ROLES PLAYED BY WORK AND INDIVIDUAL FACTORS
Authors: LAWAL OLUFEMI A.
Published: July 2017

This study examined the extent to which trust in organizational leadership predicts entrepreneurial intentions; and the extent to which this predictive relationship is moderated by work engagement, attitude to entrepreneurship and self-efficacy. Two hundred and twelve (212) male and female, midlevel and senior managerial staff, who had a minimum academic/professional qualification of a higher diploma with job tenures ranging from 1–30 years, were sampled across five service organizations in Lagos Nigeria with the aid of a combination of purposive and stratified random sampling techniques. Five measures (four scales and one bio-data form) were used to obtain targeted responses from the managers. Responses were analyzed with the aid of a moderated regression analysis in which it was found that trust in leadership did not have an influence on entrepreneurial intention; that personal entrepreneurship attitude and self-efficacy predicted entrepreneurial intention as expected; and that neither work engagement nor personal entrepreneurship attitude moderated the influence of trust in leadership on entrepreneurial intention. The results were discussed in light of reviewed theoretical and empirical literatures.
Variations of OCT measurements corrected for the magnification effect according to axial length and refractive error in children
Authors: Bueno-Gimeno Inmaculada , España-Gregori Enrique , Gene-Sampedro Andres , Ondategui-Parra Juan Carlos , Zapata-Rodriguez Carlos J.
Published: July 2017

Purpose: The aim of this paper was to examine the distribution of macular, retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) thickness and optic disc parameters of myopic and hyperopic eyes in comparison with emmetropic control eyes and to investigate their variation according to axial length (AL) and spherical equivalent (SE) in healthy children. Methods: This study included 293 pairs of eyes of 293 children (145 boys and 148 girls), ranging in age from 6 to 17 years. Subjects were divided according to SE in control (emmetropia, 99 children), myopia (100 children) and hyperopia (94 children) groups and according to axial AL in 68 short ([Formula: see text]22.00[Formula: see text]mm, 68), medium (from [Formula: see text]22.00[Formula: see text]mm to 25.00[Formula: see text]mm, 189) and long eyes ([Formula: see text]25.00[Formula: see text]mm, 36). Macular parameters, RNFL thickness and optic disc morphology were assessed by the CirrusTM HD-OCT. AL was measured using the IOL-Master system. Littmann’s formula was used for calculating the corrected AL-related ocular magnification. Results: Mean age ([Formula: see text][Formula: see text]SD) was 10.84[Formula: see text][Formula: see text][Formula: see text]3.05 years; mean ([Formula: see text][Formula: see text]SD) SE was [Formula: see text]0.14[Formula: see text][Formula: see text][Formula: see text]0.51 D (range from [Formula: see text]8.75 to [Formula: see text]8.25 D) and mean AL ([Formula: see text][Formula: see text]SD) was 23.12[Formula: see text][Formula: see text][Formula: see text]1.49. Average RNFL thickness, average macular thickness and macular volume decreased as AL and myopia increased. No correlations between AL/SE and optic disc parameters were found after correcting for magnification effect. Conclusions: AL and refractive error affect measurements of macular and RNFL thickness in healthy children. To make a correct interpretation of OCT measurements, ocular magnification effect should be taken into account by clinicians or OCT manufacturers.
Global total Roman domination in graphs
Authors: Amjadi J. , Nazari-Moghaddam S. , Sheikholeslami S. M.
Published: July 2017

A total Roman dominating function (TRDF) on a graph [Formula: see text] is a function [Formula: see text] satisfying the conditions (i) every vertex [Formula: see text] for which [Formula: see text] is adjacent at least one vertex [Formula: see text] for which [Formula: see text] and (ii) the subgraph of [Formula: see text] induced by the set of all vertices of positive weight has no isolated vertex. The weight of a TRDF is the sum of its function values over all vertices. A total Roman dominating function [Formula: see text] is called a global total Roman dominating function (GTRDF) if [Formula: see text] is also a TRDF of the complement [Formula: see text] of [Formula: see text]. The global total Roman domination number of [Formula: see text] is the minimum weight of a GTRDF on [Formula: see text]. In this paper, we initiate the study of global total Roman domination number and investigate its basic properties. In particular, we relate the global total Roman domination and the total Roman domination and the global Roman domination number.
Patterned sparse random matrices: A moment approach
Authors: Banerjee Debapratim , Bose Arup
Published: July 2017

We consider four specific [Formula: see text] sparse patterned random matrices, namely the Symmetric Circulant, Reverse Circulant, Toeplitz and the Hankel matrices. The entries are assumed to be Bernoulli with success probability [Formula: see text] such that [Formula: see text] with [Formula: see text]. We use the moment approach to show that the expected empirical spectral distribution (EESD) converges weakly for all these sparse matrices. Unlike the Sparse Wigner matrices, here the random empirical spectral distribution (ESD) converges weakly to a random distribution. This weak convergence is only in the distribution sense. We give explicit description of the random limits of the ESD for Reverse Circulant and Circulant matrices. As in the non-sparse case, explicit description of the limits appears to be difficult to obtain in the Toeplitz and Hankel cases. We provide some properties of these limits. We then study the behavior of the largest eigenvalue of these matrices. We prove that for the Reverse Circulant and Symmetric Circulant matrices the limit distribution of the largest eigenvalue is a multiple of the Poisson. For Toeplitz and Hankel matrices we show that the non-degenerate limit distribution exists, but again it does not seem to be easy to obtain any explicit description.
Imprints of modal metasomatism in the post-Deccan subcontinental lithospheric mantle: petrological evidence from an ultramafic xenolith in an Eocene lamprophyre, NW India
Authors: Pandey Rohit , Rao N. V. Chalapathi , Pandit Dinesh , Sahoo Samarendra , Dhote Prashant
Published: July 2017

We report here on the occurrence of an interesting mantle-derived ultramafic xenolith entrained in an Eocene (
c.
55 Ma) lamprophyre dyke from the Dongargaon area of the Chhotaudepur alkaline subprovince located within the Narmada Rift Zone, NW India. The mineralogy of the xenolith comprises olivine, clinopyroxene and mica (phlogopite), with the latter occurring essentially as rims around the clinopyroxene. Inclusions of apatite, interstitial sulphide (pyrite) and micron-scale exsolved spinel are widespread. Olivine is forsteritic (Fo
85.34
), displays little compositional variation and overlaps with that reported from worldwide mantle peridotite xenoliths. Clinopyroxene is a diopside with a compositional range of Wo
48.36
En
43.83
, Fs
6.53
and Ac
1.27
, and is conspicuous by its high CaO (up to 24.4 wt%) and TiO
2
(up to 1.6 wt%) content. Clinopyroxene is also compositionally similar to that reported from ‘enriched’ (metasomatized) peridotite xenoliths rather than those that occur in the ‘normal’ (depleted) peridotitic xenoliths. Phlogopites have a high concentration of fluorine (up to 1 wt%), whereas the apatites show an anomalous enrichment of F (up to 5 wt%), as well as enrichment in Sr (SrO up to 1.9 wt%). Our study provides the first direct petrographical evidence for the modal metasomatism in the post-Deccan subcontinental lithospheric mantle (SCLM) from this domain. From the textural and mineralogical assemblage of the xenolith, we infer that a possible olivine + garnet + orthopyroxene assemblage, in the presence of a metasomatic fluid, has given rise to clinopyroxene + phlogopite + spinel. The paragenesis of apatite essentially as inclusions suggests that it to be the earliest crystallized phase during the metasomatic event. Geothermobarometry of the clinopyroxene in the xenolith reveal temperatures of approximately 1200°C and pressures of approximately 12 kb, which are comparable with such data reported from other Deccan-related xenoliths. Preservation of phlogopite and apatite in the ultramafic xenolith imply that some of the readily fusible metasomatized portions in this domain escaped wholesale melting during the eruption of the Deccan Traps, possibly due to the variable thickness of the underlying SCLM.