bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Efficacy of selected food‐safe compounds to prevent infestation of the ham mite, Tyrophagus putrescentiae (Schrank) (Acarina: Acaridae), on southern dry‐cured hams
Authors: Abbar Salehe , Amoah Barbara , Schilling M Wes , Phillips Thomas W
Published: November 2015

BACKGROUND

Tyrophagus putrescentiae (Schrank) is a serious mite pest of dried meats and cheeses. Infestations of T. putrescentiae are controlled with the fumigant methyl bromide, which is an ozone‐depleting substance and is currently being banned in most countries. Effective alternatives to methyl bromide are needed. The objective of this research was to use laboratory assays to investigate the effectiveness of food‐safe compounds for preventing infestation of T. putrescentiae on dry‐cured hams.

RESULTS

Ham pieces dipped in solutions of either propylene glycol (1,2‐propanediol), lard, ethoxyquin or butylated hydroxytoluene prevented or significantly reduced mite population growth. Behavioral assays revealed that more mites oriented to the untreated control ham cubes, and more eggs were laid on these untreated ham cubes, compared with cubes treated with various dips. Our results also indicated that a combination of carrageenan + propylene glycol alginate + 40% propylene glycol was effective in reducing mite numbers on whole aging hams compared with untreated whole hams.

CONCLUSIONS

Several food‐safe compounds can prevent infestation of T. putrescentiae on dry‐cured hams and may represent alternatives for managing this pest. © 2015 Society of Chemical Industry
Photoluminescence dynamics of formation of electron‐hole droplets in a GaAs/AlAs type‐II superlattice
Authors: Furukawa Yoshiaki , Nakayama Masaaki
Published: November 2015

We report photoluminescence (PL) dynamics at 10 K in a GaAs/AlAs type‐II superlattice, in which electrons (holes) are confined in the AlAs (GaAs) layer, focusing on dynamical formation of electron‐hole droplets (EHDs) from electron‐hole plasma (EHP) in a gas phase. It was found from systematic time‐resolved PL (TRPL) spectra that only a broad PL band attributed to the EHP is observed in an initial time region within ∼0.4 ns, whereas the exciton‐ and biexciton‐PL bands appear and grow with time after ∼0.7 ns. In the time region after ∼14 ns, the line shape of the broad PL band hardly depends on time; namely photogenerated carriers are in quasi‐thermal equilibrium. The stability energy of the EHD was estimated to be ∼3.1 meV relative to the biexciton energy from the line‐shape analysis of the TRPL spectrum at 30 ns. Consequently, the above temporal changes of the line shape of the broad PL band demonstrate the dynamical transition from the EHP to the EHD during the PL decay process. (© 2016 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Observation of anisotropic interlayer Raman modes in few‐layer ReS2
Authors: Nagler Philipp , Plechinger Gerd , Schüller Christian , Korn Tobias
Published: November 2015

ReS2 has recently emerged as a new member in the rapidly growing family of two‐dimensional materials. Unlike MoS2 or WSe2, the optical and electrical properties of ReS2 are not isotropic due to the reduced symmetry of the crystal. Here, we present layer‐dependent Raman measurements of ReS2 samples ranging from monolayers to ten layers in the ultralow frequency regime. We observe layer breathing and shear modes which allow for easy assignment of the number of layers. Polarization‐dependent measurements give further insight into the crystal structure and reveal an energetic shift of the shear mode which stems from the in‐plane anisotropy of the shear modulus in this material. (© 2016 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH &Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Nonparametric covariate adjustment in estimating hazard ratios
Authors: Jiang Honghua , Kulkarni Pandurang M , Wang Yanping , Mallinckrodt Craig H
Published: November 2015

In randomized clinical trials with time‐to‐event outcomes, the hazard ratio is commonly used to quantify the treatment effect relative to a control. The Cox regression model is commonly used to adjust for relevant covariates to obtain more accurate estimates of the hazard ratio between treatment groups. However, it is well known that the treatment hazard ratio based on a covariate‐adjusted Cox regression model is conditional on the specific covariates and differs from the unconditional hazard ratio that is an average across the population. Therefore, covariate‐adjusted Cox models cannot be used when the unconditional inference is desired. In addition, the covariate‐adjusted Cox model requires the relatively strong assumption of proportional hazards for each covariate. To overcome these challenges, a nonparametric randomization‐based analysis of covariance method was proposed to estimate the covariate‐adjusted hazard ratios for multivariate time‐to‐event outcomes. However, empirical evaluations of the performance (power and type I error rate) of the method have not been studied. Although the method is derived for multivariate situations, for most registration trials, the primary endpoint is a univariate outcome. Therefore, this approach is applied to univariate outcomes, and performance is evaluated through a simulation study in this paper. Stratified analysis is also investigated. As an illustration of the method, we also apply the covariate‐adjusted and unadjusted analyses to an oncology trial. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Do single‐arm trials have a role in drug development plans incorporating randomised trials?
Authors: Grayling Michael J. , Mander Adrian P.
Published: November 2015

Often, single‐arm trials are used in phase II to gather the first evidence of an oncological drug's efficacy, with drug activity determined through tumour response using the RECIST criterion. Provided the null hypothesis of ‘insufficient drug activity’ is rejected, the next step could be a randomised two‐arm trial. However, single‐arm trials may provide a biased treatment effect because of patient selection, and thus, this development plan may not be an efficient use of resources. Therefore, we compare the performance of development plans consisting of single‐arm trials followed by randomised two‐arm trials with stand‐alone single‐stage or group sequential randomised two‐arm trials. Through this, we are able to investigate the utility of single‐arm trials and determine the most efficient drug development plans, setting our work in the context of a published single‐arm non‐small‐cell lung cancer trial. Reference priors, reflecting the opinions of ‘sceptical’ and ‘enthusiastic’ investigators, are used to quantify and guide the suitability of single‐arm trials in this setting. We observe that the explored development plans incorporating single‐arm trials are often non‐optimal. Moreover, even the most pessimistic reference priors have a considerable probability in favour of alternative plans. Analysis suggests expected sample size savings of up to 25% could have been made, and the issues associated with single‐arm trials avoided, for the non‐small‐cell lung cancer treatment through direct progression to a group sequential randomised two‐arm trial. Careful consideration should thus be given to the use of single‐arm trials in oncological drug development when a randomised trial will follow. Copyright © 2015 The Authors. Pharmaceutical Statistics published by JohnWiley & Sons Ltd.
Robust compensation of time delayed plant by continuous‐time high frequency periodic controller with negligible output ripples
Authors: Chakraborty Arindam , Dey Jayati
Published: November 2015

The present work addresses the problem of ensuring robust stability to time delayed plants, compensated with continuous‐time high frequency periodic controller. An efficient design methodology is proposed to synthesize the periodic controller for robust compensation of time delayed linear time‐invariant plants. The periodic controller, by virtue of its loop zero‐placement capability, is shown to achieve superior gain as well as phase/delay margin compensation, especially for non‐minimum phase plants having right half plane poles and zeros in close vicinity to each other. The periodic controller is considered in the observable canonical form which results in realizable bounded control input as well as ensuring insignificant periodic oscillations in the plant output. As a consequence, this paper, furthermore, establishes the fact that the periodic controller designed and synthesized with the proposed methodology can be implemented in real‐time with an assurance of model matching and robust zero‐error tracking. Simulation and experimental results are illustrated to establish the veracity of the claims. The closed‐loop system comprising of time‐delayed linear time‐invariant plant with the periodic controller is analyzed employing the averaging principle and presented here explicitly in a meticulous approach. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Jitter floor elimination for blind feedforward/feedback symbol‐timing recovery exploiting the extended zero‐crossing property
Authors: Gappmair Wilfried , Cioni Stefano , Corazza Giovanni E. , Koudelka Otto
Published: November 2015

Carrier‐blind and non‐data‐aided recovery of the symbol timing is of paramount importance in digital receivers, that is, detailed knowledge about carrier frequency and phase or any pilot sequence is not necessary for proper operation. In this context, feedforward algorithms are particularly helpful in packet‐oriented systems, where rapid and stable acquisition of the major transmission parameters is essential for subsequent processing stages. On the other hand, feedback algorithms are typically used to track small deviations from the stable equilibrium point. In the current paper, we propose a new approach for blind feedforward and feedback recovery of the symbol timing, which needs just one or two samples per symbol. The method is characterized by a second filter operated in parallel to the receiver‐matched filter. Under Nyquist conditions, exemplified by baseband pulses having a square‐root raised cosine spectrum, this filter exhibits an impulse response satisfying the extended zero‐crossing property, that is, it vanishes for all integer multiples of the symbol period including the origin. Using this idea for symbol‐timing recovery, it is shown that the annoying jitter floor – typical for most timing recovery schemes and caused by inter‐symbol interference – can be avoided irrespective of the selected modulation scheme. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Abrasion and chemical resistance of composite vitreous enamel coatings with hard particles
Authors: Rossi S. , Fedel M. , Deflorian F. , Parziani N.
Published: November 2015

Vitreous enamels are coatings commonly used to protect aluminium substrates, because of their very good protection properties together with aesthetical ones. The properties of this layer can be optimized changing the chemical composition of the starting frit or with mill additives. The addition of hard particles, very common method with other types of coatings, for this layer has not yet been studied. The aim of this research is to study how the addition of hard particles influences the mechanical and chemical resistance of enamels applied on AA4006 alloy. Deposits with two different kinds of particles [tungsten carbide (WC) and silicon carbide (SiC)] with two concentrations were considered. The enamel layer without particles was considered as reference. Two different kinds of abrasion test (Taber and PEI) were adopted to study the abrasion resistance. Enamel coatings' properties were characterized considering the changes in mass, gloss and roughness values before and during abrasion tests. Moreover, the observation of cross sections and surfaces permitted to evaluate the coatings' quality and to obtain information about the damage mechanisms. The most improved abrasion resistance was achieved using the concentration of 10 vol% for SiC and 5 vol% for WC. Therefore, the adding of hard particles could be a valid solution to improve the abrasion resistance of the vitreous enamels. The chemical resistance behaviour was checked with immersion into acid and basic solutions. The presence in the layer of SiC particles produced a reduction of resistance in presence of acidic solution, while enamel with WC particles resulted more resistant. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The role of social capital in endangered species management: A valuable resource
Authors: Ragland Chara J. , Bernacchi Leigh A. , Peterson Tarla Rai
Published: November 2015

The whooping crane (Grus americana) is an endangered North American species facing multiple environmental and anthropogenic threats. Even if the species thrives, it must continue to be managed after recovery because the threats will not abate. We examined how social capital serves as a resource for potential community involvement in whooping crane management by conducting semi‐structured interviews (Jul–Sep 2010) of 35 individuals, 25 of whom are concerned community members who work and/or live in the wintering grounds of the lone wild population of whooping cranes in the Texas Coastal Bend, USA. We used an iterative process of inductive analysis to examine structural and cognitive dimensions of social capital within the community. We observed networks with bonding ties within the community that are strengthened by active engagement in crane‐related activities, shared values and community identity, and institutions that have fostered leadership and service. Bridging ties between community and state, federal, academic, and nonprofit organizations offer opportunities for knowledge sharing and legitimacy. Reciprocity and trust were evident from descriptions of the community working together effectively to address environmental and crane‐related concerns. Challenges to successful community involvement include finding ways for meaningful community contributions to foster greater trust between the community and federal natural resource managers. We suggest social capital in this community provides a resource that has the potential to save time and money in addressing ongoing efforts to protect this charismatic endangered species. © 2015 The Wildlife Society.
Exotic grass alters micro‐climate and mobility for northern bobwhite chicks
Authors: Martin James A. , Burkhart Jason K. , Thackston Reggie E. , Carroll John P.
Published: November 2015

Conservation practices are designed to provide habitat conditions that meet the environmental requirements for species of conservation concern. However, exotic invasive grass species may reduce the efficacy of these practices because they disrupt biological processes. During 7 August–6 September 2001, we investigated 2 possible ecological impacts of bermudagrass (Cynodon dactylon) on northern bobwhite (Colinus virginianus) brood ecology in managed field margins (Laurens County, GA, USA)—reduction in mobility and increased thermal risk. We tested and compared movement rates using imprinted chicks as assays and the thermal environment using in situ temperature probes for bermudagrass and forb habitats. Furthermore, we built upon the existing thermal ecology of northern bobwhite literature and established thermal models to derive time‐to‐death values from our empirical data. Bermudagrass reduced movement times for chicks 5‐days old (0.45 min slower in treatments with bermudagrass), but not for chicks 10‐days old. Furthermore, temperatures reached higher daytime temperatures in bermudagrass plots (44.0° C vs. 40.1° C) and crossed the critical hyperthermia threshold more often (32% vs. 11%) than in forb‐dominated habitats. Based on simulations, chicks would reach thermal death much earlier in bermudagrass regardless of age. Collectively, our results suggest that bermudagrass reduces habitat quality for bobwhites through reduced movement efficiency and increased thermal stress. Large‐scale reductions in bermudagrass are unlikely because of its invasive nature and economic importance to agriculture. However, targeted control or suppression of bermudagrass prior to and following field fallowing is necessary to achieve the objectives of conservation programs for bobwhites and likely other ground‐dwelling birds. © 2015 The Wildlife Society.
Characterizing wolf–human conflicts in Wisconsin, USA
Authors: Olson Erik R. , Van Deelen Timothy R. , Wydeven Adrian P. , Ventura Stephen J. , Macfarland David M.
Published: November 2015

Management of human–wildlife conflict is a critical component of wildlife conservation globally, especially for large carnivores. Understanding general patterns of conflict can guide management decisions, such as whether or not to consider lethal or nonlethal controls. We used wolf–human conflicts in Wisconsin, USA (1999–2011), to analyze the 4 main classes of conflict typically associated with large carnivores. Of 1,662 reported wolf (Canis lupus) incidents, 801 incidents were verified as wolf. Incidents varied seasonally, with animal husbandry practices and wolf energy demands, and increased over time in absolute numbers. Human safety concerns and nonhunting dog complaints were classified as residential‐, wildland‐, or farm‐associated. Human presence or intervention reduced the likelihood of dog mortality (vs. injury) following a wolf attack. Some wolf packs were primarily implicated in either hunting or nonhunting dog conflicts, with nonhunting dog attacks for the most part being attributable to lone or dispersing wolves. No complaints about aggressive behavior or wolf attacks on humans were investigated during the study period; however, wolves did approach humans at close range (median = 12.5 m) and attacked pets near homes. Wolf–human conflicts cluster spatially, which could be a way to prioritize mitigation efforts. To guide management decisions, managers should determine 1) what behaviors characterize habituated wolves; 2) what characteristics of wolf–human conflict determine whether or not human safety concerns should be considered; and 3) under what conditions should lethal control be implemented. Continued detailed reporting by investigators of wildlife complaints, especially behavioral data on wildlife, domestic animal(s), and complainant, will inform management decisions and facilitate assessment of prior decisions. © 2015 The Wildlife Society.
The Gentry in England and Wales, 1500–1700
Authors: Heal Felicity , Holmes Clive
Published: November 2015

The book is the first full analysis of the gentry in the early modern period since G.E.Mingay The Gentry: the Rise and Fall of a Ruling Class (1976). It offers a synthesis of the recent specialist work on this key social and political group, but will also provide a distinctive approach to its subjects through the use of the texts and artefacts by which the gentry sought to fashion themselves.
Molekulare Grundlagen der autosomal-rezessiven primären Mikrozephalie
Authors: Yigit Gökhan , Rosin Nadine , Wollnik Bernd
Published: November 2015

Die primäre autosomal-rezessive Mikrozephalie (MCPH) ist eine genetisch sehr heterogene Erkrankung, die klinisch definiert wird durch das Vorliegen einer kongenitalen, nicht progressiven Mikrozephalie, einer mentalen Retardierung variablen Ausmaßes bei weitgehend normaler Körpergröße und das Fehlen von zusätzlichen Fehlbildungen und weiteren neurologischen Befunden. Bislang konnten Mutationen in 14 verschiedenen Genen identifiziert werden, deren Produkte auf zellulärer Ebene insbesondere bei Vorgängen der Zellteilung, der Zellzyklusregulierung und bei der Aktivierung von DNA-Reparaturmechanismen nach DNA-Schädigungen eine wichtige Rolle spielen. Darüber hinaus sind auch syndromale Formen der Mikrozephalie bekannt, zu denen u. a. das Seckel-Syndrom sowie der mikrozephale osteodysplastische primordiale Kleinwuchs Typ II (MOPD II) zählen.
High‐methionine diets accelerate atherosclerosis by HHcy‐mediated FABP4 gene demethylation pathway via DNMT1 in ApoE−/− mice
Authors: Yang An-Ning , Zhang Hui-Ping , Sun Yue , Yang Xiao-Ling , Wang Nan , Zhu Guangrong , Zhang Hui , Xu Hua , Ma Sheng-Chao , Zhang Yue , Li Gui-Zhong , Jia Yue-Xia , Cao Jun , Jiang Yi-Deng
Published: November 2015

Homocysteine (Hcy) is an independent risk factor for atherosclerosis, but the underlying molecular mechanisms are not known. We investigated the effects of Hcy on fatty acid‐binding protein 4 (FABP4), and tested our hypothesis that Hcy‐induced atherosclerosis is mediated by increased FABP4 expression and decreased methylation. The FABP4 expression and DNA methylation was assessed in the aorta of ApoE−/− mice fed high‐methionine diet for 20 weeks. Over‐expression of FABP4 enhanced accumulation of total cholesterol and cholesterol ester in foam cells. The up‐regulation of DNA methyltransferase 1 (DNMT1) promoted the methylation process and decreased FABP4 expression. These data suggest that FABP4 plays a key role in Hcy‐mediated disturbance of lipid metabolism and that DNMT1 may be a novel therapeutic target in Hcy‐related atherosclerosis.
Mapping the heparin‐binding site of the osteoinductive protein NELL1 by site‐directed mutagenesis
Authors: Takahashi Kaneyoshi , Imai Arisa , Iijima Masumi , Yoshimoto Nobuo , Maturana Andrés D. , Kuroda Shun'ichi , Niimi Tomoaki
Published: November 2015

Neural epidermal growth factor‐like (NEL)‐like 1 (NELL1) is a secretory osteogenic protein comprising an N‐terminal thrombospondin‐1‐like (TSPN) domain, four von Willebrand factor type C domains, and six epidermal growth factor‐like repeats. NELL1 shows heparin‐binding activity; however, the biological significance remains to be explored. In this report, we demonstrate that NELL1 binds to cell surface proteoglycans through its TSPN domain. Major heparin‐binding sites were identified on the three‐dimensional structural model of the TSPN domain of NELL1. Mutant analysis of the heparin‐binding sites indicated that the heparin‐binding activity of the TSPN domain is involved in interaction of NELL1 with cell surface proteoglycans.
EZH2 phosphorylation regulates Tat‐induced HIV‐1 transactivation via ROS/Akt signaling pathway
Authors: Zhang Hong-Sheng , Liu Yang , Wu Tong-Chao , Du Guang-Yuan , Zhang Feng-Juan
Published: November 2015

EZH2 plays a major role in HIV‐1 latency, however, the molecular linkage between Tat‐induced HIV‐1 transactivation and EZH2 activity is not fully understood. It was shown Tat induced HIV‐1 transactivation through inhibiting EZH2 activity. Tat decreased the levels of H3K27me3 and EZH2 occupy at the long terminal repeat (LTR) of HIV‐1. We further showed for the first time that transfected with Tat construct resulted in an increase in phosphorylated EZH2 (p‐EZH2), mediated by active Akt. ROS/Akt‐dependent p‐EZH2 was correlated with Tat‐induced transactivation. Our study reveals that novel mechanisms allow Tat‐induced HIV‐1 transactivation by ROS/Akt‐dependent downregulating the EZH2 epigenetic silencing machinery.
Uncoupling phototoxicity‐elicited neural dysmorphology and death by insidious function and selective impairment of Ran‐binding protein 2 (Ranbp2)
Authors: Cho Kyoung-in , Haney Victoria , Yoon Dosuk , Hao Yin , Ferreira Paulo A.
Published: November 2015

Morphological disintegration of neurons is coupled invariably to neural death. In particular, disruption of outer segments of photoreceptor neurons triggers photoreceptor death regardless of the pathological stressors. We show that Ranbp2−/−::Tg‐Ranbp2CLDm‐HA
mice with mutations in SUMO‐binding motif (SBM) of cyclophilin‐like domain (CLD) of Ran‐binding protein 2 (Ranbp2) expressed in a null Ranbp2 background lack untoward effects in photoreceptors in the absence of light‐stress. However, compared to wild type photoreceptors, light‐stress elicits profound disintegration of outer segments of Ranbp2−/−::Tg‐Ranbp2CLDm‐HA
with paradoxical age‐dependent resistance of photoreceptors to death and genotype‐independent activation of caspases. Ranbp2−/−::Tg‐Ranbp2CLDm‐HA
exhibit photoreceptor death‐independent changes in ubiquitin–proteasome system (UPS), but death‐dependent increase of ubiquitin carrier protein 9(ubc9) levels. Hence, insidious functional impairment of SBM of Ranbp2's CLD promotes neuroprotection and uncoupling of photoreceptor degeneration and death against phototoxicity.
Encoding of sound envelope transients in the auditory cortex of juvenile rats and adult rats
Authors: Lu Qi , Jiang Cuiping , Zhang Jiping
Published: November 2015

Accurate neural processing of time‐varying sound amplitude and spectral information is vital for species‐specific communication. During postnatal development, cortical processing of sound frequency undergoes progressive refinement; however, it is not clear whether cortical processing of sound envelope transients also undergoes age‐related changes. We determined the dependence of neural response strength and first‐spike latency on sound rise–fall time across sound levels in the primary auditory cortex (A1) of juvenile (P20–P30) rats and adult (8–10 weeks) rats. A1 neurons were categorized as “all‐pass”, “short‐pass”, or “mixed” (“all‐pass” at high sound levels to “short‐pass” at lower sound levels) based on the normalized response strength vs. rise–fall time functions across sound levels. The proportions of A1 neurons within each of the three categories in juvenile rats were similar to that in adult rats. In general, with increasing rise–fall time, the average response strength decreased and the average first‐spike latency increased in A1 neurons of both groups. At a given sound level and rise–fall time, the average normalized neural response strength did not differ significantly between the two age groups. However, the A1 neurons in juvenile rats showed greater absolute response strength, longer first‐spike latency compared to those in adult rats. In addition, at a constant sound level, the average first‐spike latency of juvenile A1 neurons was more sensitive to changes in rise–fall time. Our results demonstrate the dependence of the responses of rat A1 neurons on sound rise–fall time, and suggest that the response latency exhibit some age‐related changes in cortical representation of sound envelope rise time.
Medical Clearance for Desert and Land Sports, Adventure, and Endurance Events
Authors: Sedgwick Peter E. , Wortley George C. , Wright Justin M. , Asplund Chad , William O. Roberts , Usman Saif
Published: November 2015

Endurance events are increasing in popularity in wilderness and remote settings, and participants face a unique set of potential risks for participation. The purpose of this article is to outline these risks and allow the practitioner to better guide the wilderness adventurer who is anticipating traveling to a remote or desert environment.
Medical Evaluation for Exposure Extremes: Heat
Authors: Pryor Riana R. , Bennett Brad L. , O’Connor Francis G. , Young Justin M.J. , Asplund Chad A.
Published: November 2015

Exertional heat illness can be a serious consequence of sports or exercise in hot environments. Participants can possess intrinsic or face extrinsic risk factors that may increase their risk for heat-related illness. Knowledge of the physiology and pathology of heat illness, identification of risk factors, and strategies to combat heat accumulation will aid both the practitioner and the participant in preparing for activities that occur in hot environments. Through preparation and mitigation of risk, safe and enjoyable wilderness adventure can be pursued.
General Consideration in the History, Physical Examination, and Safety Determination
Authors: Buchanan Jonathan , Dexter William , Powell Amy , Wright Justin
Published: November 2015

A thorough medical history is perhaps the most important aspect when evaluating an athlete before wilderness adventure. A physical examination should follow focusing on conditions that may be affected by changes in atmospheric pressure, extremes of temperature, or altitude. This information can then be used to make safety recommendations ensuring that adventurers are able to safely enjoy participation in the wilderness pursuit of their choice.
Hands-on defibrillation and electrocardiogram artefact filtering technology increases chest compression fraction and decreases peri-shock pause duration in a simulation model of cardiac arrest
Authors: Fernando Shannon M. , Cheskes Sheldon , Howes Daniel
Published: November 2015

Background

Reducing pauses during cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) compressions result in better outcomes in cardiac arrest. Artefact filtering technology (AFT) gives rescuers the opportunity to visualize the underlying electrocardiogram (ECG) rhythm during chest compressions, and reduces the pauses that occur before and after delivering a shock. We conducted a simulation study to measure the reduction of peri-shock pause and impact on chest compression fraction (CCF) through AFT.

Methods

In a simulator setting, participants were given a standardized cardiac arrest scenario and were randomly assigned to perform CPR/defibrillation using the protocol from one of three experimental arms: 1) Standard of Care (pauses for rhythm analysis and shock delivery); 2) AFT (no pauses for rhythm analysis, but a pause for defibrillation); or 3) AFT with hands-on defibrillation (no pauses for rhythm analysis or defibrillation). The primary outcomes were CCF and peri-shock pause duration, with secondary outcomes of pre- and post-shock pause duration.

Results

AFT with hands-on defibrillation was found to have the highest CCF (86.4%), as compared to AFT alone (83.8%, p<0.001), and both groups significantly improved CCF in comparison with the Standard of Care (76.7%, p<0.001). AFT with hands-on defibrillation was associated with a reduced peri-shock pause (2.6 seconds) as compared to AFT alone (5.3 seconds, p<0.001), and the Standard of Care (7.4 seconds, p<0.001).

Conclusions

In this cardiac arrest model, AFT results in a greater CCF by reducing peri-shock pause duration. There is also a small but detectable improvement in CCF with the addition of hands-on defibrillation.
Device-Associated Infection Rates in 20 Cities of India, Data Summary for 2004–2013: Findings of the International Nosocomial Infection Control Consortium
Authors: Mehta Yatin , Jaggi Namita , Rosenthal Victor Daniel , Kavathekar Maithili , Sakle Asmita , Munshi Nita , Chakravarthy Murali , Todi Subhash Kumar , Saini Narinder , Rodrigues Camilla , Varma Karthikeya , Dubey Rekha , Kazi Mohammad Mukhit , Udwadia F. E. , Myatra Sheila Nainan , Shah Sweta , Dwivedy Arpita , Karlekar Anil , Singh Sanjeev , Sen Nagamani , Limaye-Joshi Kashmira , Ramachandran Bala , Sahu Suneeta , Pandya Nirav , Mathur Purva , Sahu Samir , Singh Suman P. , Bilolikar Anil Kumar , Kumar Siva , Mehta Preeti , Padbidri Vikram , Gita N. , Patnaik Saroj K. , Francis Thara , Warrier Anup R. , Muralidharan S. , Nair Pravin Kumar , Subhedar Vaibhavi R. , Gopinath Ramachadran , Azim Afzal , Sood Sanjeev
Published: November 2015

OBJECTIVE

To report the International Nosocomial Infection Control Consortium surveillance data from 40 hospitals (20 cities) in India 2004–2013.

METHODS

Surveillance using US National Healthcare Safety Network’s criteria and definitions, and International Nosocomial Infection Control Consortium methodology.

RESULTS

We collected data from 236,700 ICU patients for 970,713 bed-days

Pooled device-associated healthcare-associated infection rates for adult and pediatric ICUs were 5.1 central line–associated bloodstream infections (CLABSIs)/1,000 central line–days, 9.4 cases of ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAPs)/1,000 mechanical ventilator–days, and 2.1 catheter-associated urinary tract infections/1,000 urinary catheter–days

In neonatal ICUs (NICUs) pooled rates were 36.2 CLABSIs/1,000 central line–days and 1.9 VAPs/1,000 mechanical ventilator–days

Extra length of stay in adult and pediatric ICUs was 9.5 for CLABSI, 9.1 for VAP, and 10.0 for catheter-associated urinary tract infections. Extra length of stay in NICUs was 14.7 for CLABSI and 38.7 for VAP

Crude extra mortality was 16.3% for CLABSI, 22.7% for VAP, and 6.6% for catheter-associated urinary tract infections in adult and pediatric ICUs, and 1.2% for CLABSI and 8.3% for VAP in NICUs

Pooled device use ratios were 0.21 for mechanical ventilator, 0.39 for central line, and 0.53 for urinary catheter in adult and pediatric ICUs; and 0.07 for mechanical ventilator and 0.06 for central line in NICUs.

CONCLUSIONS

Despite a lower device use ratio in our ICUs, our device-associated healthcare-associated infection rates are higher than National Healthcare Safety Network, but lower than International Nosocomial Infection Control Consortium Report.

Infect. Control Hosp. Epidemiol. 2016;37(2):172–181
Catheter-Related Bloodstream Infections in Patients on Emergent Hemodialysis
Authors: Rojas-Moreno Christian A. , Spiegel Daniel , Yalamanchili Venkata , Kuo Elizabeth , Quinones Henry , Sreeramoju Pranavi V. , Luby James P.
Published: November 2015

OBJECTIVE

This study had 2 objectives: (1) to describe the epidemiology of catheter-related bloodstream infections (CRBSI) in patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD) who have no access to scheduled dialysis and (2) to evaluate whether a positive culture of the heparin-lock solution is associated with subsequent development of bacteremia.

DESIGN

Retrospective observational cohort design for objective 1; and prospective cohort design for objective 2.

SETTING AND PARTICIPANTS

The study was conducted in a 770-bed public academic tertiary hospital in Dallas, Texas. The participants were patients with ESRD undergoing scheduled or emergent hemodialysis.

METHODS

We reviewed the records of 147 patients who received hemodialysis between January 2011 and May 2011 and evaluated the rate of CRBSI in the previous 5 years. For the prospective study, we cultured the catheter heparin-lock solution in 62 consecutive patients between June 2012 and August 2012 and evaluated the incidence of CRBSI at 6 months.

RESULTS

Of the 147 patients on emergent hemodialysis, 125 had a tunneled catheter, with a CRBSI rate of 2.61 per 1,000 catheter days. The predominant organisms were Gram-negative rods (GNR). In the prospective study, we found that the dialysis catheter was colonized more frequently in patients on emergent hemodialysis than in those on scheduled hemodialysis. Colonization with GNR or Staphylococcus aureus was associated with subsequent CRBSI at 6 months follow-up.

CONCLUSIONS

Patients undergoing emergent hemodialysis via tunneled catheter are predisposed to Gram-negative CRBSI. Culturing the heparin-lock solution may predict subsequent episodes of CRBSI if it shows colonization with GNR or Staphylococcus aureus. Prevention approaches in this population need to be studied further.

Infect. Control Hosp. Epidemiol. 2016;37(3):301–305
Effect of the Bullying: The Power to Cope Program on Children's Response to Bullying
Authors: Markopoulos Zoe , Bernard Michael E.
Published: November 2015

This study evaluated the Bullying: The Power to Cope program (Bernard, 2012), which is designed to teach children the ideas espoused in the practice of rational emotive behaviour therapy (REBT) to employ in response to bullying. Self-report data were collected at pre- and post-test of children's cognitive, behavioural, and emotional coping responses to four written bullying vignettes. At pre-test, children's personal qualities of intrinsic resiliency were also measured. The sample consisted of 139 participants in Melbourne, Australia (n = 80 in the experimental group and n = 59 in the control group), aged from 10 to 14 years. Results indicated children in the experimental group improved in cognitive and emotional coping responses relative to children in the control group. Females showed greater improvement than males in coping responses to bullying as a consequence of the intervention. Entering levels of intrinsic resiliency did not moderate the effects of the intervention program on children's coping responses. The cognitive and emotional coping responses of females to bullying vignettes (pre-test) were significantly more negative and emotionally intense than males. The implications of these findings are discussed, as well as limitations and directions for future research.
Connected Histories: the Dynamics of Bronze Age Interaction and Trade 1500–1100bc
Authors: Kristiansen Kristian , Suchowska-Ducke Paulina
Published: November 2015

The Bronze Age was the first epoch in which societies became irreversibly linked in their co-dependence on ores and metallurgical skills that were unevenly distributed in geographical space. Access to these critical resources was secured not only via long-distance physical trade routes, making use of landscape features such as river networks, as well as built roads, but also by creating immaterial social networks, consisting of interpersonal relations and diplomatic alliances, established and maintained through the exchange of extraordinary objects (gifts). In this article, we reason about Bronze Age communication networks and apply the results of use-wear analysis to create robust indicators of the rise and fall of political and commercial networks. In conclusion, we discuss some of the historical forces behind the phenomena and processes observable in the archaeological record of the Bronze Age in Europe and beyond.
The consequences of introducing stochasticity in nutrient utilisation models: the case of phosphorus utilisation by pigs
Authors: Symeou V. , Leinonen I. , Kyriazakis I.
Published: November 2015

Simulation models of nutrient utilisation ignore that variation in pig system components can influence the predicted mean and variance of the performance of a group of pigs. The objective of this study was to develop a methodology to investigate how variation in feed composition would (a) affect the outputs of a nutrient utilisation model and (b) interact with variation that arises from the traits of individual pigs. We used a P intake and utilisation model to address these characteristics. Introduction of stochasticity gave rise to a number of methodological challenges – for example, how to generate variation in both feed composition and pigs and account for correlations between ingredients when modelling variation associated with feed mixing efficiency. Introducing variation in feed composition and pig phenotype resulted in moderate decreases in mean digested, retained and excreted P predicted for a population of pigs and an increase in their associated CV. A lower percentage of pigs in the population were predicted to meet their requirements during the feeding period considered, by comparison with the no-variation scenario. Variation in feed ingredient composition contributed more to performance variation than variation due to mixing efficiency. When variations in both feed composition and pig traits were considered, it was the former rather than the latter that had the dominant influence on variability in pig performance. The developed framework emphasises the consequences of random variability on the predictions of nutrient utilisation models. Such consequences will have a significant impact on decisions about management strategies such as feeding that are subject to variation.
Overall and Aquinas on Miracles
Authors: KOVACS DAVID K.
Published: November 2015

Christine Overall has argued that miracles, if they exist, would be an evil committed by God and therefore disprove the existence of God. However, her notion of a miracle as an intervention presupposes a view about the relation between God and creation that posits God as an ‘outsider.’ Such a view has not been held by all theists. It was not held by Thomas Aquinas. I show that Aquinas’s conception is not susceptible to Overall’s criticisms. The upshot is that theists should avoid any view of God as an ‘outsider,’ if they wish to avoid Overall’s criticisms.
Screening for antimicrobial and proteolytic activities of lactic acid bacteria isolated from cow, buffalo and goat milk and cheeses marketed in the southeast region of Brazil
Authors: Tulini Fabricio L , Hymery Nolwenn , Haertlé Thomas , Le Blay Gwenaelle , De Martinis Elaine C P
Published: November 2015

Lactic acid bacteria (LAB) can be isolated from different sources such as milk and cheese, and the lipolytic, proteolytic and glycolytic enzymes of LAB are important in cheese preservation and in flavour production. Moreover, LAB produce several antimicrobial compounds which make these bacteria interesting for food biopreservation. These characteristics stimulate the search of new strains with technological potential. From 156 milk and cheese samples from cow, buffalo and goat, 815 isolates were obtained on selective agars for LAB. Pure cultures were evaluated for antimicrobial activities by agar antagonism tests and for proteolytic activity on milk proteins by cultivation on agar plates. The most proteolytic isolates were also tested by cultivation in skim milk followed by sodium dodecyl sulphate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) analysis of the fermented milk. Among the 815 tested isolates, three of them identified asStreptococcus uberis(strains FT86, FT126 and FT190) were bacteriocin producers, whereas four other ones identified asWeissella confusaFT424,W. hellenicaFT476,Leuconostoc citreumFT671 andLactobacillus plantarumFT723 showed high antifungal activity in preliminary assays. Complementary analyses showed that the most antifungal strain wasL. plantarumFT723 that inhibitedPenicillium expansumin modified MRS agar (De Man, Rogosa, Sharpe, without acetate) and fermented milk model, however no inhibition was observed againstYarrowia lipolytica. The proteolytic capacities of three highly proteolytic isolates identified asEnterococcus faecalis(strains FT132 and FT522) andLactobacillus paracaseiFT700 were confirmed by SDS–PAGE, as visualized by the digestion of caseins and whey proteins (β-lactoglobulin and α-lactalbumin). These results suggest potential applications of these isolates or their activities (proteolytic activity or production of antimicrobials) in dairy foods production.
Utility of transcervical management of Zenker's diverticulum
Authors: Jackson B , Ahmad Z , Morton R P
Published: November 2015

Objective:

To evaluate our results in treating Zenker's diverticulum via the transcervical approach, and to compare our experiences with a recent systematic review of both open and endoscopic approaches to the pharyngeal pouch.

Method:

An audit yielded 41 consecutive cases of Zenker's diverticulum treated between 2003 and 2013.

Results:

All 41 patients underwent transcervical cricopharyngeal myotomy; 29 sacs also required ‘inversion’. The median and mean length of hospital stay was 1 night and 2.5 nights respectively. The recurrence rate was 2.4 per cent and the complication rate was 9.8 per cent.

Conclusion:

When compared to reported endoscopic techniques, transcervical cricopharyngeal myotomy (with or without inversion) in our unit resulted in: shorter hospital stay, a comparable complication rate and fewer recurrences.
The polychaete feeding guild composition in the Sishili Bay, the northern Yellow Sea, China
Authors: Han Qingxi , Jiang Xiamin , Wang Xiaobo
Published: November 2015

In this research, the feeding guild composition of the polychaete community was described and analysed in the northern Yellow Sea, China. The polychaete feeding guilds also showed a distinct seasonal abundance fluctuation that was similar to that observed for macrofauna. Burrowers were the most predominant feeding guild, whereas filter feeders and herbivores only constituted a negligible proportion of the total abundance. A Spearman rank correlation was performed to analyse the relationships between the feeding guilds and the environmental parameters. Surface deposit feeders and carnivores appeared to be vulnerable to variations of environmental conditions. However, burrowers and filter feeders were not susceptible to the natural or anthropogenic disturbances, with grain size determined to be the only conclusive factor. These results revealed that the feeding guild of polychaetes showed significant spatial and temporal changes, and spatial heterogeneity was a stronger predictor than temporal variation. The feeding guilds of polychaetes can be applied alone to discern the environmental change, which would be faster and more cost-effective with best equilibrium between the precision of the results and a decrease in taxonomic effort. Furthermore, bimonthly sampling was proved to be unessential and reduction of the sampling frequency was necessary to save expense and effort.
Are you really Financially Excluded if you Choose not to be Included? Insights from Social Exclusion, Resilience and Ecological Systems
Authors: SALIGNAC FANNY , MUIR KRISTY , WONG JADE
Published: November 2015

Around one in five people in developed countries are ‘financially excluded’. But how meaningful is this when the current definition does not differentiate between those who choose to be excluded and those who are forced to be? This conceptual paper draws on frameworks from social exclusion, resilience and ecological systems theory to critique the current definition of financial exclusion and to introduce an alternative concept. The paper argues that the emphasis of extant literature on an access-point approach has isolated the context surrounding financial exclusion and contributed to simplifying the phenomenon. It puts forward the need for a change in the way financial exclusion is conceptualised in developed countries to take broader contextual settings and a more holistic approach into account and it suggests that a shift to financial resilience may be a way forward.
Street-level Practice of Russia's Social Policymaking in Saint Petersburg: Federalism, Informal Politics, and Domestic Violence
Authors: JOHNSON JANET ELISE , KULMALA MERI , JÄPPINEN MAIJA
Published: November 2015

Despite the growth in studies of Russian social policy, the reality of the social policy process – most of which is regionally based – remains a puzzle. In this article, we stake a claim for the importance of studying street-level social service provision in Russia's regions to advance the understanding of social policymaking in authoritarian-leaning regimes. We show that – albeit in small ways in only some places – Russia has expanded its welfare state, taking on an issue neglected by the Soviet regime in response to activism. Using the lens of work against domestic violence, we conduct a case study of women's crisis centres in Saint Petersburg. We show the limitations of the two usual state-society frameworks – those looking at civil society and at the welfare state. Building on their strengths, we construct a de facto feminist framework that focuses on how much and what kind of help citizens receive from both state and societal actors. In Russia's social policymaking, shaped by federalism, we find mixed success –civic organizations have weakened, but the state has taken on civic initiatives at local levels – and point to the importance of the informal politics of speaking in code and navigating elite networks.
SPURIOUS UNANIMITY AND THE PARETO PRINCIPLE
Authors: Mongin Philippe
Published: November 2015

The Pareto principle states that if the members of society express the same preference judgement between two options, this judgement is compelling for society. A building block of normative economics and social choice theory, and often borrowed by contemporary political philosophy, the principle has rarely been subjected to philosophical criticism. The paper objects to it on the ground that it applies indifferently to those cases in which the individuals agree both on their expressed preferences and on their reasons for entertaining them, and those cases in which they agree on their expressed preferences while differing on their reasons. The latter are cases of ‘spurious unanimity’, and it is normatively inappropriate, or so the paper argues, to defend unanimity preservation at the social level for such cases: thus the Pareto principle is formulated much too broadly. The objection seems especially powerful when the principle is applied in an ex ante context of uncertainty, in which individuals can disagree on both their probabilities and utilities, and nonetheless agree on their preferences over prospects.