bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Differences in utilisation of gastroprotective drugs between 2001 and 2005 in Australia and Nova Scotia, Canada
Authors: Tett Susan E. , Sketris Ingrid , Cooke Charmaine , van Zanten Sander Veldhuyzen , Barozzi Nadia
Published: April 2013

Purpose

This study aimed to compare use of histamine H2 receptor antagonists (H2RAs) and proton pump inhibitors (PPIs), 2001–2005, in the elderly and social security beneficiaries in Australia (AUS) and Nova Scotia, Canada (NS).

Methods

Prescription dispensing data were collected for all subsidised H2RAs and PPIs. In AUS, dispensing data for concession beneficiaries were obtained from the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme database. In NS, data were sourced from the Pharmacare database. Relevant population data were used to convert to World Health Organisation Anatomic Therapeutic Chemical defined daily doses (2005) per 1000 beneficiaries per day (DDD/1000/day).

Results

Overall use of gastroprotective agents was similar and rising in NS and AUS (100–160 DDD/1000/day) over this 5‐year time window. However, the proportion of this use accounted for by PPIs was far higher in AUS (over 85% by 2005) than in NS (23% rising to 35% over the 5 years). In AUS, PPI use rose from 50 to about 140 DDD/1000/day over the 5 years, whereas PPI use in NS rose slowly to less than 60 DDD/1000/day by 2005. H2RA use in NS was always high (over 100 DDD/1000/day), whereas in AUS, H2RA use fell from 54 to around 24 DDD/1000/day over this period.

Conclusions

AUS had much higher use of PPIs than NS over 2001–2005. The proportion of PPIs in all gastroprotective agents rose in AUS to be nearly 90%. The differences in utilisation during this time window could lead to differences in health outcomes from either lower gastro‐intestinal bleeding risk or higher long‐term adverse effects of PPIs. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
High use of health services in patients with suboptimal asthma drug regimens: a population‐based assessment in British Columbia, Canada
Authors: Zhang Tingting , Smith M. Anne , Camp Pat G. , Carleton Bruce C.
Published: April 2013

Background

Despite numerous clinical guidelines on asthma management, patients often receive suboptimal drug therapy. This study identified patients who received suboptimal regimens according to the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute (NHLBI) Guidelines for the Diagnosis and Management of Asthma in a complete population (residents of British Columbia, Canada) and determined the association between patients' regimens and utilization of healthcare services.

Methods

A total of 65 345 asthma patients were identified using provincial health service utilization data (including all respiratory‐related prescription medication dispensings, physician and hospital visits) for the 2009 fiscal year. Patient‐specific regimens of inhaled short‐acting bronchodilators (SABA) with or without inhaled corticosteroids (ICS) were categorized as optimal or suboptimal. Logistic regression models were used to determine the association between regimen optimality and health service utilization, adjusted for socioeconomic status, prior year hospital and emergency department (ED) visits for asthma.

Results

Patients with suboptimal regimens had significantly greater risk of using health services than patients with optimal regimens of SABA and/or ICS. In particular, adolescents with suboptimal regimens were the most likely to have hospital admissions (odds ratio (OR) 3.8; 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.8–7.8), visit the ED (OR 2.2; 95% CI 1.6–3.1) and be high users of family physician services (OR 5.7; 95% CI 4.0–8.1) compared with patients in other age groups.

Conclusions

Suboptimal regimens are associated with significantly high usage of health services. Identifying patients with suboptimal regimens and improving their medication management in accordance with asthma clinical guidelines are likely to result in lower health service utilization. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Dynamic mechanical behavior and nanostructure morphology of hyperbranched‐modified polypropylene blends
Authors: Ganjaee Sari Morteza , Stribeck Norbert , Moradian Siamak , Zeinolebadi Ahmad , Bastani Saeed , Botta Stephan , Bakhshandeh Ehsan
Published: April 2013

Polypropylene (PP) was modified utilizing two types of polyesteramide‐based hyperbranched polymers (amphiphilic PS and hydrophilic PH). A maleicanhydride‐modified PP (PM) was used as a reactive dispersing agent to enhance the modification by grafting the hyperbranched polymers onto the PP chains. Pure PP, two different non‐reactively modified samples, i.e. excluding PM, and two different reactively modified samples, i.e. including PM, were studied. Investigating the morphology of the samples was performed by scanning electron microscopy. To follow the effect of the modification on the dynamic mechanical properties, dynamic mechanical analysis experiments both in the melt (rheometric mechanical spectrometry) and in solid state (dynamic mechanical thermal analysis) were carried out. In the next step, the nanocrystalline structure of the samples was studied by small angle X‐ray scattering (SAXS) in two different modes, i.e. static and recrystallization. Hundreds of SAXS patterns were analyzed automatically using procedures written in PV‐WAVE image‐processing software. The chord distribution function (CDF) was calculated and the long period (lp) of the crystal lamellae was extracted from the CDFs. The rheometric mechanical spectrometry results show that both hyperbranched polymers decrease complex viscosity η* and enhance liquid‐like behavior. This happens more significantly when PM is included. The dynamic mechanical thermal analysis results reveal that Tg decreases when PS and PH are added. In the reactively modified samples this reduction is compensated most probably because of the crosslinked structure formed through the grafting reaction between the hyperbranched polymers and PM. Such structure is confirmed by SAXS data and calculated CDFs in the recrystallization mode. Static SAXS data also show enhancement in the crosshatched morphology of the crystalline lamellae of PP for reactively modified samples compared with non‐reactively modified samples. © 2013 Society of Chemical Industry
Nitrile sulphides. Part 8. Polymer‐bound nitrile sulphides; generation from polymeric 1,3,4‐oxathiazol‐2‐ones, and 1,3‐dipolar cycloaddition reactions
Authors: Mortier Roy M. , Paton R. Michael , Scott Gillian , Stobie Ian
Published: April 2013

Copolymers of 5‐isopropenyl‐ and 5‐vinyl‐1,3,4‐oxathiazol‐2‐ones with styrene and methyl methacrylate have been prepared and characterised by elemental analysis, g.p.c., i.r. and 13C n.m.r. spectroscopy. On heating at 135–140°C the copolymers undergo thermal decarboxylation affording polymer‐bound nitrile sulphides, which may be trapped as their 1,3‐dipolar cycloadducts with dimethyl acetylenedicarboxylate, ethyl propiolate, ethyl cyanoformate, diethyl fumarate and chloral. The products are identified as terpolymers comprising units of styrene or methyl methacrylate, methacrylonitrile or acrylonitrile, and the respective heterocyclic cycloadducts [isothiazoles(3) and (7), l,2,4‐thiadiazole(8), isothiazoline(10), and 1,3,4‐oxathiazole(12)]. In the absence of a dipolarophile the oxathiazolone units are converted to nitriles. Treatment of polymeric ethyl thiadiazolecarboxylate(8c) with 1‐aminobutane yields amide(14c). On heating copolymer(12c) at 165°C in the presence of ethyl cyanoformate, thiadiazole(8c) is formed, presumably via cycloreversion to polymeric nitrile sulphide followed by cycloaddition to the nitrile. An alternative approach to copolymers incorporating isothiazoles and 1,2,4‐thiadiazoles is provided by copolymerisation of their 3‐isopropenyl derivatives, (16) and (17).
Glass transitions and relaxations in comb‐branch poly(di‐p‐alkoxyphenyl itaconate)s
Authors: Cowie John M. G. , Ho Chu Yat
Published: April 2013

A series of poly(diphenyl itaconate)s, in which the phenyl ring has been substituted in the para position by alkoxy units containing up to seven carbon atoms, has been synthesised and characterised. Glass transition temperatures were observed to decrease as the number of atoms in the p‐substituent rose to six, but increased when the chain became longer. Heat capacity changes, ΔCP, at Tg were measured and the value of the Wunderlich parameter ΔCp/bead was found to lie between 7 0 and 10 3 JK−1mol−1 depending on the size of the alkoxy unit. Dynamic mechanical analysis revealed up to three sub‐glass‐transition damping peaks centred on 290 K, 200 K and 110 K. These have been assigned respectively to (a) oxycarbonyl group rotation, (b) motion involving the pendant phenyl rings and (c) limited bond reorientation in the p‐alkoxy groups when these contain four or more atoms.
Acoustoelectric devices incorporating Langmuir—Blodgett films
Authors: Roberts G. G. , Holcroft B. , Ross J. , Barraud A. , Richard J.
Published: April 2013

This paper presents data for LB films coated on to acoustoelectric devices. Both bulk single crystals and surface acoustic wave oscillators have been used. Results have been obtained using a range of different materials including ω‐tricosenoic acid and substituted phthalocyanine and tetracyanoquinodimethane. Using piezoelectric quartz crystal resonators we have demonstrated the reproducibility of the LB film coating procedure and their potential use as sensors. With a specially designed s.a.w. device, we have been able to differentiate between mass loading and electric field effects due to an LB film overlay. This has enabled us to calculate the resistivity of substituted TCNQ films.
Poiy(hexamethyienebigyanidiniym chloride) as a reagent for the determination of water‐soluble naturai carboxylate and sulphate polymers
Authors: Kennedy John F. , Bradshaw Ian J.
Published: April 2013

The poly(hexamethylenebiguanidinium chloride) [PHMBH + Cl−] assay method developed originally for sodium alginate determination in solution (0 01‐0 5 %) has been applied to a wide range of other acidic polysaccharides. The simple procedure consists of the addition of a known excess of PHMBH + Cl− to precipitate the sample quantitatively and thereafter measuring the u.v. absorption of residual PHMBH + Cl− in the supernatant. Response to the method is dependent upon the acidic group‐monosaccharide molar ratio and can be conveniently altered for polysaccharides with different anionic charge densities by simple adjustment of assay conditions. For acidic polysaccharides with very low charge densities, such as propylene glycol alginates with a high degree of esterification, the response to the assay can be increased by addition of borate ions which complex with the polymer molecules to increase the negative charge. The electrostatic nature of the response also allows the assay method to be used for the determination of extent of esterification in propylene glycol alginates with up to ∼70% derivatisation. The method has been shown to be suitable for low molecular weight samples. Therefore, it is more reliable than other assay methods for acidic polysaccharides which involve a precipitation step with doubtful quantitative recovery for low molecular weight material. The simplicity, rapidity and reliability of the method makes it a suitable procedure for both carboxylated and sulphated polysaccharides in a range of applications.
Sepiolite‐supported urease
Authors: García‐Segura Juan M. , Cid Concepción , de Llano Javier Martín , Gavilanes José G.
Published: April 2013

The properties of the fibrous clay sepiolite as a support for enzyme immobilization have been studied using urease. Simple adsorption does not result in enzyme inactivation and appears to be a valuable method of immobilizing the enzyme at high ionic strength. This behaviour has been related to the existence of protein‐clay hydrophobic interactions. The sepiolite‐supported urease has been characterized in terms of pH and ionic strength dependencies, thermal and storage stability, reusability, and kinetic parameters. These studies indicate that sepiolite is a valuable support for simple adsorption of enzymes.
Photoreflectance and photocurrent measurements using pressure tuned laser diodes
Authors: Bercha Artem , Piechal Bernard , Dybala Filip , Klimczak Mariusz , Ivonyak Yurii , Trzeciakowski Witold A.
Published: April 2013

Photoreflectance (PR) and photocurrent (PC) measurements have been demonstrated in the 1250–1600 nm spectral range using an external‐cavity pressure‐tuned laser diode as the source of monochromatic light. Compared to conventional PR and PC methods using monochromated light from the lamp, it allows to achieve a smaller spot so that micro‐PR and micro‐PC are possible either directly or with fiber coupled beam. In case of PR, it also allows to eliminate spurious photoluminescence signal.
Leakage current in 808 nm laser diodes analyzed using high hydrostatic pressure and temperature
Authors: Bercha Artem , Ivonyak Yurii , Klimczak Mariusz , Dybala Filip , Piechal Bernard , Trzeciakowski Witold A. , Dabrowska Elzbieta , Teodorczyk Marian , Malag Andrzej
Published: April 2013

Threshold current in 808 nm GaAsP/AlGaAs laser diode has been measured as a function of pressure (up to 1.8 GPa) and temperature (from 80 to 300 K). The results have been analyzed in order to separate leakage current from radiative current and to determine the effective barrier for leakage and its pressure dependence. Our data indicates that both X and L minima in the barriers and in the claddings contribute to leakage.
ASSESSING THE CUMULATIVE IMPACTS OF HYDROPOWER REGULATION ON THE FLOW CHARACTERISTICS OF A LARGE ATLANTIC SALMON RIVER SYSTEM
Authors: Birkel C. , Soulsby C. , Ali G. , Tetzlaff D.
Published: April 2013

We assessed the influence of hydropower on the flow characteristics of the river Tay, one of the UK's most heavily regulated catchments and important Atlantic salmon fisheries. Hydropower developments in the mid‐20th century preceded flow data collection, resulting in knowledge gaps over how far regulated flows deviate from natural and how ecosystem functioning might have been impacted. We used 29 unregulated catchments in and around the Tay to assess the relationships between hydroclimatic conditions, landscape structure and the overall flow regime, as well as the annual, monthly and daily flow metrics. This allowed the identification of flow characteristics by using an integrated suite of regression approaches (nonlinear, MLR and random forests) to assess likely impacts at 11 regulated sites. The results showed that the impacts of regulation are highly variable in both space and time. Headwater sub‐catchments are most heavily affected, and water imports or exports as part of hydropower schemes can increase or decrease annual runoff by up to 50%, respectively. On a monthly basis, regulation primarily increased summer low flows; winter high flows increased in catchments affected by water imports and reduced where there was a net water export. At larger catchment scales, impacts were relatively small, as unregulated tributaries re‐naturalize the flows and the effects of intra‐basin transfers balance. Non‐stationarity in climate and water use in the catchment dictates that adaptive management of flows may be necessary to protect ecosystems services. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Transparente Klebstoffe für Glas‐Metall‐Verbindungen
Authors: Weller Bernhard , Wünsch Jan
Published: April 2013

Der Einsatz von lastabtragenden Klebverbindungen zählt zu den Fügetechniken des Konstruktiven Glasbaus. Dabei sind transparente und hochfeste Klebstoffe als Alternativen zu den derzeit verwendeten Silikon‐Klebstoffen von besonderem Interesse. Der vorliegende Beitrag enthält eine Ergebnisauswahl verschiedener Untersuchungen an Klebeverbindungen mit transparenten Acrylaten, Epoxidharzen und Polyurethanen. Die experimentelle Studie umfasst Analysen zu den thermomechanischen Eigenschaften der Klebstoffe sowie zu den Zugfestigkeiten und den lichttechnischen Eigenschaften der geklebten Verbindungen.

Transparent Adhesives for Glass‐and‐Metal Joints. The use of load‐bearing joints is one of the relevant joining techniques in glass construction. Here, transparent and high‐strength adhesives are alternatives to the currently used silicone adhesives. Therefore, they are of particular interest. This article contains a selection of various results from studies of adhesive joints using transparent acrylics, epoxy resins and polyurethanes. The experimental study includes analyses of the thermo mechanical behavior of the adhesives as well as investigations of the tensile strength and the optical properties of bonded joints.
DIN 18008 Teile 1‐5: Neuerungen gegenüber eingeführten Regelungen
Authors: Siebert Geralt
Published: April 2013

Nach Veröffentlichung der Endfassung für DIN 18008 Teil 1 und 2 im Dezember 2010 wurde mit Datum Oktober 2011 die Entwurfsfassung für Teile 3, 4 und 5 veröffentlicht. Damit sind für die Mehrzahl der Anwendungen nunmehr Regelungen nach dem Konzept der Teilsicherheitsbeiwerte vorhanden. Diese gehen sowohl hinsichtlich Regelungsumfang wie ‐tiefe über die aktuell eingeführten TRXV hinaus. Nach der Einspruchssitzung im ersten Halbjahr 2012 gilt es, die Veröffentlichung der Endfassungen abzuwarten. Parallel wird an der Entwurfsfassung für Teil 6 weitergearbeitet. Bei diesem Beitrag handelt es sich um eine aktualisierte Fassung des entsprechenden Beitrags aus dem Vorjahr. Die Ergebnisse der Einspruchssitzung sind berücksichtigt.

DIN 18008 parts 1‐5: New regulations compared to previous standards. After publication of DIN 18008 Part 1 and 2 in a final version in December 2010 a draft for parts 3, 4 and 5 was published in October 2011. So for most applications of architectural glass design regulations according to the modern principle of partial safety factor do exist. Compared to the existing regulations not only a wider field of application is covered but they also have a more detailed view. After objection meeting in first half of 2012 the final version of part 3, 4 and 5 will be published soon, work is continued on draft version of part 6. Meanwhile an English version of part 1 and 2 does exist.
Combating “I Hate This Stupid Book!”: Black Males and Critical Literacy
Authors: Wood Summer , Jocius Robin
Published: April 2013

Too often, instruction designed to improve literacy achievement for black male readers and writers focuses on skill‐based learning, ignoring cultural, social, and personal development. This article calls for the use of critical literacy strategies with African American male students, which can raise expectations for academic achievement by challenging traditional notions of literacy instruction, encouraging cooperative learning, and allowing students to develop a sense of social justice. Three dimensions (the 3 Cs) of critical literacy for young black males are explored: culturally relevant texts, collaboration, and critical conversations. In addition, suggestions and examples are offered to help teachers create critical literacy experiences in which black male elementary students can have the opportunity to become socially conscious text users who see themselves and their cultural histories reflected in texts.
Sharing a predator: can an invasive alien pest affect the predation on a local pest?
Authors: Bompard Anaïs , Jaworski Coline C. , Bearez Philippe , Desneux Nicolas
Published: April 2013

Invasive species can strongly affect biotic interactions in ecosystems, interacting both directly and indirectly with local species. In European tomato greenhouses, the invasive alien pest Tuta absoluta may impact the population dynamics of other pests like whiteflies. Besides inducing damages to the host plant and competing for resources with local pests, this alien species may exert a predator‐mediated interaction on local pests sharing common natural enemies. Biocontrol agents usually used against whiteflies may also prey upon T. absoluta and this could alter the dynamics of local pest populations. We evaluated possible resource competition and predator‐mediated interactions in a system involving one mirid predator Macrolophus pygmaeus and two pests, T. absoluta and a local whitefly, Bemisia tabaci, on greenhouse tomatoes. Results showed that both resource competition and predator‐mediated interactions occurred simultaneously. In the presence of the shared predator, there was a short‐term positive effect of T. absoluta on B. tabaci [up to 5.9‐fold increase of B. tabaci juveniles (egg + larvae) after four weeks]. However, in the long‐term there was a negative predator‐mediated interaction of T. absoluta on B. tabaci, i.e., after ten weeks the density of B. tabaci was 7.3‐fold lower in the presence of the invasive pest. We emphasize the critical role of generalist predators in managing both local and invasive alien pest populations and that the strength and direction of predator‐mediated indirect interactions can depend on the time scale considered.
Effect of diet delivered various concentrations of double-stranded RNA in silencing a midgut and a non-midgut gene of Helicoverpa armigera
Authors: Asokan R. , Chandra G. Sharath , Manamohan M. , Kumar N.K. Krishna
Published: April 2013

Ribonucleic acid interference (RNAi) is a sequence-specific gene silencing mechanism induced by double-stranded RNA (dsRNA). Recently, RNAi has gained popularity as a reverse genetics tool owing to its tremendous potential in insect pest management, which includes Helicoverpa armigera. However, its efficiency is mainly governed by dsRNA concentration, frequency of application, target gene, etc. Therefore, to obtain a robust RNAi response in H. armigera, we evaluated various concentrations of dsRNA and its frequency of applications delivered through diet in silencing a midgut gene, chymotrypsin and a non-midgut gene, juvenile hormone acid methyl transferase (jhamt) of H. armigera. The extent of target gene silencing was determined by employing reverse transcription quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR). Our study revealed four significant findings: (i) single application of dsRNA elicited a delayed and transient silencing, while multiple applications resulted in early and persistent silencing of the above genes; (ii) silencing of the non-midgut gene (jhamt) through diet delivered dsRNA revealed prevalence of systemic silencing probably due to communication of silencing signals in this pest; (iii) the extent of silencing of chymotrypsin was positively correlated with dsRNA concentration and was negatively correlated with jhamt; (iv) interestingly, over-expression (15–18 folds) of an upstream gene, farnesyl diphosphate synthase (fpps), in juvenile hormone (JH) biosynthetic pathway at higher concentrations of jhamt dsRNA was the plausible reason for lesser silencing of jhamt. This study provides an insight into RNAi response of target genes, which is essential for RNAi design and implementation as a pest management strategy.
Staging War: Performing Bharata Natyam in Colombo, Sri Lanka
Authors: Satkunaratnam Ahalya
Published: April 2013

This article is an ethnographic study of Bharata Natyam choreographies performed in venues across Colombo, Sri Lanka, during the ethnically divisive civil war. The compositions reveal the strategies of female choreographers who are using dance to address the war in a climate that often silences citizens from discussing the topic in public. I illuminate the discreet negotiations of ethnic identity taking place within choreographies, informed by circulating meanings ascribed to the dance, the ethnic compositions of the bodies dancing and watching, and the shifting experience of living in the city during an escalating civil war.
On the Value of Mistranslations and Contaminations: The Category of “Contemporary Choreography” in Asian Dance
Authors: Chatterjea Ananya
Published: April 2013

This article works through ideas of bad/mis-translation in order to explore some of the cultural politics that undergird the construction of the global stage with specific reference to the idea of contemporary choreography in Asian dance. Bound by contesting flows toward heterogeneity and homogeneity, the global stage begs questions about the categories that pose as neutral signifiers—categories that are deployed in organizing “global” programming, and that ultimately over-determine our reception of difference. The article works through examples of artists working with Asian dance, touring their work on the global circuit, and often engaging in some kinds of mis-alignments or bad translations, thus allowing space for complicated questions of difference to emerge.
Mapping cation entry in photoreceptors and inner retinal neurons during early degeneration in the P23H-3 rat retina
Authors: ZHU YUAN , MISTRA STUTI , NIVISON-SMITH LISA , ACOSTA MONICA L. , FLETCHER ERICA L. , KALLONIATIS MICHAEL
Published: April 2013

The proline-23-histidine line 3 (P23H-3) transgenic rat carries a human opsin gene mutation leading to progressive photoreceptor loss characteristic of human autosomal dominant retinitis pigmentosa. The aim of the present study was to evaluate neurochemical modifications in the P23H-3 retina as a function of development and degeneration. Specifically, we investigated the ion channel permeability of photoreceptors by tracking an organic cation, agmatine (1-amino-4-guanidobutane, AGB), which permeates through nonspecific cation channels. We also investigated the activity of ionotropic glutamate receptors in distinct populations of bipolar, amacrine, and ganglion cells using AGB tracking in combination with macromolecular markers. We found elevated cation channel permeation in photoreceptors as early as postnatal day 12 (P12) suggesting that AGB labeling is an early indicator of impending photoreceptor degeneration. However, bipolar, amacrine, or ganglion cells displayed normal responses secondary to ionotropic glutamate receptor activation even at P138 when about one half of the photoreceptor layer was lost and apoptosis and gliosis were observed. These results suggest that possible therapeutic windows as downstream neurons in inner retina appear to retain normal function with regard to AGB permeation when photoreceptors are significantly reduced but not lost.
‘Very Like a Whale’: Menhirs, Motifs and Myths in the Mesolithic–Neolithic Transition of Northwest Europe
Authors: Whittle Alasdair
Published: April 2013

This article suggests that the rare motif on Breton menhirs often interpreted as an axe (of ‘Mané Rutual’ type) or an axe-plough, could be the representation of a whale, and that if so, this might be a mythic creature. The character of myth and narrative is considered. It is mooted that Late Mesolithic people or their immediate descendants could have been responsible for the erection of such menhirs. The juxtaposition of the suggested whale motif with versions of animals with curved horns on the broken menhir of La Table des Marchand and Gavrinis raises the possibility of alternative or competing myths and creation stories. Other representations of natural creatures in the Mesolithic and Neolithic in Europe are briefly noted, and the possible importance of myth in the Mesolithic–Neolithic transition of northwest Europe is discussed.
Paramedic Skills And Medications: Practice Options Utilized By Local Advanced Life Support Medical Directors
Authors: Garrison Herbert G. , Benson Nicholas H. , Whitley Theodore W. , Bailey Bob W.
Published: April 2013

Local advanced life support (ALS) medical directors in North Carolina choose the skills and medications they want utilized in their jurisdiction from a list of options authorized by the State Board of Medical Examiners. We surveyed all 35 medical directors of paramedic providers in the state to determine which optional skills and medications local medical directors allow to be used and, therefore, how they tailor their prehospital practices. Information concerning the urban or rural status of the paramedic service area, annual call volume, and the specialty classification of the medical director also were obtained.

All of the medical directors surveyed responded. Twenty-one (60%) of the paramedic service areas were rural and 14 (40%) urban. Twenty-three physicians (66%) listed emergency medicine as their primary specialty. Annual call volumes ranged from 580 to 33,500. Skills allowed by >80% of the medical directors include: drawing blood, insertion of esophageal and endotracheal airways, defibrillation, cardioversion, and initiation of intravenous fluids prior to hospital contact. The majority permit the administration of bretylium, dopamine, NaCl injection, sodium bicarbonate, furosemide, sublingual nitroglycerin, diazepam, diphenhydramine, and morphine. The majority do not allow the use of positive-pressure ventilators and do not allow administration of dobutamine, nifedipine, procainamide, propranolol, local procaine, isoetharine, metaproterenol, nitroglycerin paste, 10% dextrose solution, methylprednisolone, mannitol, phenytoin, meperidine, or nitrous oxide. Nitroglycerin paste and dexamethasone were significantly (p<.05) more likely to be allowed in rural than in urban areas. No differences in utilization by medical director specialty classification or call volume were detected. The results suggest that, when given a choice, local ALS medical directors select a limited prehospital practice. Further study is warranted to determine why available skill and medication options are not utilized.
The efficacy of initial hydrocortisone administration at preventing posttraumatic distress in adult trauma patients: a randomized trial
Authors: Delahanty Douglas L. , Gabert-Quillen Crystal , Ostrowski Sarah A. , Nugent Nicole R. , Fischer Beth , Morris Adam , Pitman Roger K. , Bon John , Fallon William
Published: April 2013

Objective/Introduction

Secondary pharmacological interventions have shown promise at reducing the development of posttraumatic stress disorder symptoms (PTSS) in preclinical studies. The present study examined the preliminary efficacy of a 10-day low-dose (20 mg bid) course of hydrocortisone at preventing PTSS in traumatic injury victims.

Methods

Sixty-four traumatic injury patients (34% female) were randomly assigned in a double-blind protocol to receive either a 10-day course of hydrocortisone or placebo initiated within 12 hours of the trauma. One-month and 3-months posttrauma participants completed an interview to assess PTSS and self-report measures of depression and health-related quality of life.

Results

Hydrocortisone recipients reported fewer PTSD and depression symptoms, and had greater improvements in health-related quality of life during the first 3 months posttrauma than did placebo recipients. Hydrocortisone recipients who had never received prior mental health treatment had the lowest PTSD scores.

Conclusion

Low-dose hydrocortisone may be a promising approach to the prevention of PTSD in acutely injured trauma patients, and may be particularly efficacious in acutely injured trauma victims without a history of significant psychopathology.
Meeting defined benefit pension obligations: measurement, risk and flight paths ‐ Abstract of the London discussion
Authors: Hatchett Jon
Published: April 2013

This abstract relates to the following paper:

HatchettJ., HurdM. and ClacherI.Meeting defined benefit pension obligations: measurement, risk and flight paths.British Actuarial Journal, doi:10.1017/S1357321712000335
Zum Erleben von altersbezogenen Veränderungen im Erwachsenenalter
Authors: Wahl Hans-Werner , Konieczny Christoph , Diehl Manfred
Published: April 2013

Der vorliegenden Studie liegt das Konzept „Awareness of Age-Related Change” (AARC; Diehl & Wahl, 2010 ) und ein entsprechender Fragebogen zu Grunde. Die empirische Grundlage der Studie bildete eine Stichprobe von 265 Personen (69 % Frauen; 40 – 87 Jahre). Zunächst wurden in einer Kombination von explorativen und konfirmatorischen Analysen aus ursprünglich 60 generierten Items, die gleichermaßen Gewinne und Verluste in unterschiedlichen Bereichen altersbezogener Veränderungen beinhalteten, ein optimiertes Itemset von 2 x 16 Items identifiziert (Gewinnbasiertes AARC: Cronbachs alpha = .82; Verlustbasiertes AARC: Cronbachs alpha = .87; Interkorrelation: r = -.05; RMSEA = .045). Insgesamt zeigten sich auf dieser Messgrundlage im Wesentlichen die erwarteten Zusammenhänge. So korrelierte vor allem verlustbasiertes AARC deutlich positiv mit Neurotizismus, negativ mit Extraversion und negativ mit Indikatoren erfolgreichen Alterns. Insgesamt bestätigen die Befunde, dass Älterwerden vor allem durch ein negativ getöntes Alternsveränderungserleben charakterisiert ist.
SpoIIIE mechanism of directional translocation involves target search coupled to sequence‐dependent motor stimulation
Authors: Cattoni Diego I , Chara Osvaldo , Godefroy Cédric , Margeat Emmanuel , Trigueros Sonia , Milhiet Pierre‐Emmanuel , Nöllmann Marcelo
Published: April 2013

SpoIIIE/FtsK are membrane‐anchored, ATP‐fuelled, directional motors responsible for chromosomal segregation in bacteria. Directionality in these motors is governed by interactions between specialized sequence‐recognition modules (SpoIIIE‐γ/FtsK‐γ) and highly skewed chromosomal sequences (SRS/KOPS). Using a new combination of ensemble and single‐molecule methods, we dissect the series of steps required for SRS localization and motor activation. First, we demonstrate that SpoIIIE/DNA association kinetics are sequence independent, with binding specificity being uniquely determined by dissociation. Next, we show by single‐molecule and modelling methods that hexameric SpoIIIE binds DNA non‐specifically and finds SRS by an ATP‐independent target search mechanism, with ensuing oligomerization and binding of SpoIIIE‐γ to SRS triggering motor stimulation. Finally, we propose a new model that provides an entirely new interpretation of previous observations for the origin of SRS/KOPS‐directed translocation by SpoIIIE/FtsK.
Phosphorylation of mitophagy and pexophagy receptors coordinates their interaction with Atg8 and Atg11
Authors: Farré Jean‐Claude , Burkenroad Aaron , Burnett Sarah F , Subramani Suresh
Published: April 2013

The selective autophagy receptors Atg19 and Atg32 interact with two proteins of the core autophagic machinery: the scaffold protein Atg11 and the ubiquitin‐like protein Atg8. We found that the Pichia pastoris pexophagy receptor, Atg30, also interacts with Atg8. Both Atg30 and Atg32 interactions are regulated by phosphorylation close to Atg8‐interaction motifs. Extending this finding to Saccharomyces cerevisiae, we confirmed phosphoregulation for the mitophagy and pexophagy receptors, Atg32 and Atg36. Each Atg30 molecule must interact with both Atg8 and Atg11 for full functionality, and these interactions occur independently and not simultaneously, but rather in random order. We present a common model for the phosphoregulation of selective autophagy receptors.
Chaotic Boltzmann machines
Authors: Suzuki Hideyuki , Imura Jun-ichi , Horio Yoshihiko , Aihara Kazuyuki
Published: April 2013

The chaotic Boltzmann machine proposed in this paper is a chaotic pseudo-billiard system that works as a Boltzmann machine. Chaotic Boltzmann machines are shown numerically to have computing abilities comparable to conventional (stochastic) Boltzmann machines. Since no randomness is required, efficient hardware implementation is expected. Moreover, the ferromagnetic phase transition of the Ising model is shown to be characterised by the largest Lyapunov exponent of the proposed system. In general, a method to relate probabilistic models to nonlinear dynamics by derandomising Gibbs sampling is presented.
An analysis of splicing, actin-binding properties, heterodimerization and molecular interactions of the non-muscle α-actinins
Authors: Foley Kate S. , Young Paul W.
Published: April 2013

The non-muscle α-actinin isoforms (actinin-1 and -4) are closely related dimeric actin filament cross-linking proteins. Despite high sequence similarity, unique properties have been ascribed to actinin-4 in particular. For example, actinin-4, but not actinin-1, is essential for normal glomerular function in the kidney, is overexpressed in several cancers and can translocate to the nucleus to regulate transcription. To understand the molecular basis for such isoform-specific functions we have, for the first time, comprehensively compared these proteins in terms of alternative splicing, actin-binding properties, heterodimer formation and molecular interactions. We find that the Ca2+-insensitive variant of actinin-4 is expressed only in the nervous system and thus cannot be regarded as a smooth muscle isoform, as is the case for the Ca2+-insensitive variant of actinin-1. The actin-binding properties of actinin-1 and -4 are similar and are unlikely to explain isoform-specific functions. Surprisingly, we reveal that actinin-1/-4 heterodimers, rather than homodimers, are the most abundant form of actinin in many cell lines. Finally, we use a proteomics approach to identify potential isoform-specific interactions. The results of the present study indicate that actinin-1 and -4 can readily form heterodimers composed of monomers that may have different properties and interacting proteins. This significantly alters our view of non-muscle actinin function.
Decreased Nox4 levels in the myocardium of patients with aortic valve stenosis
Authors: Moreno María U. , Gallego Idoia , López Begoña , González Arantxa , Fortuño Ana , José Gorka San , Valencia Félix , Gómez-Doblas Juan José , de Teresa Eduardo , Shah Ajay M. , Díez Javier , Zalba Guillermo
Published: April 2013

The NADPH oxidases are a key family of ROS (reactive oxygen species)-producing enzymes which may differentially contribute to cardiac pathophysiology. Animal studies show uncertain results regarding the regulation of cardiac Nox4 by pressure overload and no data are available on human myocardial Nox4. In the present study, we evaluated Nox4 expression and its relationship with myocardial remodelling and LV (left ventricular) function in patients with severe AS (aortic valve stenosis). Endomyocardial biopsies from 34 patients with AS were obtained during aortic valve replacement surgery. LV morphology and function were assessed by echocardiography. Myocardial samples from subjects deceased of non-CVDs (cardiovascular diseases) were analysed as controls. Nox4 localization was evaluated by immunohistochemistry and quantified by Western blot. Myocardial capillary density, fibrosis and cardiomyocyte dimensions and apoptosis were assessed histologically to evaluate myocardial remodelling. Nox4 was present in samples from all subjects and expressed in cardiomyocytes, VSMCs (vascular smooth muscle cells), endothelium and fibroblasts. Nox4 levels were reduced 5-fold in AS patients compared with controls (P<0.01). Nox4 levels directly correlated with cardiomyocyte cross-sectional area (r=0.299, P<0.05) and diameter (r=0.406, P<0.05) and capillary density (r=0.389, P<0.05), and inversely with cardiomyocyte apoptosis (r=−0.316, P<0.05) in AS patients. In addition, Nox4 levels correlated with echocardiographic parameters (LV ejection fraction: r=0.353, P<0.05; midwall fractional shortening: r=0.355, P<0.05; deceleration time: r=−0.345, P<0.05) in AS patients. Nox4 is expressed in human myocardium and reduced in AS patients. The observed associations of Nox4 with cardiomyocyte parameters and capillary density in AS patients suggest a potential role of Nox4 deficiency in the myocardial remodelling present in the human pressure-overloaded heart.
Room-temperature magnetoelectric properties of Fe doped BaZr0.05Ti0.95O3
Authors: Kumari Mukesh , Prakash Chandra , Chatterjee Ratnamala
Published: April 2013

To explore the magnetoelectric effect in lead free bulk ceramics, solid solutions of BaZr0.05(FexTi1−3x/4)0.95O3 have been synthesized using conventional solid state reaction route with x = 0.000 to 0.020 in steps of 0.005. A small amount of Fe content shows an immense effect on properties of barium zirconium titanate. Room temperature X-ray diffraction studies substantiate the formation and purity of these polycrystalline samples in an orthorhombic crystal system. Temperature dependent dielectric study revealed a decrease in ferroelectric Curie temperature with a decrease in dielectric constant values as x varied from 0.000 to 0.020. Ferroelectricity is still maintained and well saturated loops are observed with Fe substitution at these levels; although the remnant polarization Pr values decrease substantially with increasing Fe content. The best value of magnetoelectric coupling coefficient (α) at room temperature is found to be 145.30 mV/cm.Oe for x = 0.015 sample. In conclusion, in a non-Pb based simple perovskite system a reasonably large magnetoelectric coupling is demonstrated.
H-H interactions from SiO2 to SiO2/Si(100) interfaces and H-induced O vacancy generation via 3-fold coordinated O in SiO2
Authors: Kato Koichi
Published: April 2013

H-H interactions and condensation of H atoms around O atoms from bulk SiO2 to SiO2/Si(100) interfaces leading to degradation modes have been extensively studied through first-principles calculations. For all charge-state-dependent H-H interactions, H atoms are found to experience mainly mutually repulsive forces in defect-free bulk SiO2, but to be attracted together near the O atoms closer to DBs in bulk SiO2 and around SiO2/Si interfaces. Through H condensation around the DBs in bulk SiO2, H-induced O vacancy generation has been found to occur even in bulk SiO2 via three-fold coordinated O atoms when a dangling bond (DB) exists in the bulk SiO2. The single DB acts as a reservoir for an extra electron, which contrasts with SiO2/Si systems that have a large reservoir for extra electrons.
Pre-selective screening for matrix elements in linear-scaling exact exchange calculations
Authors: Kussmann Jörg , Ochsenfeld Christian
Published: April 2013

We present a simple but accurate preselection method based on Schwarz integral estimates to determine the significant elements of the exact exchange matrix before its evaluation, thus providing an asymptotical linear-scaling behavior for non-metallic systems. Our screening procedure proves to be highly suitable for exchange matrix calculations on massively parallel computing architectures, such as graphical processing units, for which we present a first linear-scaling exchange matrix evaluation algorithm.
Photoelectronic behaviors of bilayer ultrathin films manganite-based heterojunctions
Authors: Gao W. W. , Hu L. , Sun Y. P. , Sun J. R. , Shen J. , Chen R. J. , Chen Y. F. , Shen B. G.
Published: April 2013

We presented a systematic study on the photoelectronic properties of the La0.67Ba0.33MnO3 (20 nm)/LaMnO3(t)/SrTiO3:0.05 wt. % Nb (LBMO/LMO(t)/STON) junctions with 0 ≤ t ≤ 30 nm. The short-circuit photocurrent (Iph) is found to show a complex dependence on the LMO buffer layer. It undergoes first a sharp drop as the layer thickness of LMO increases from 0 to 3 nm and then, after a rigid turn, a slow decrease for further increase in layer thickness. These results indicate that the coupling between LBMO and STON can be effectively depressed by a LMO layer of 3 nm. The photocurrent is further found to be temperature dependent, increasing monotonically upon cooling, and the maximal growth, occurring in the junction of t = 3 nm, can be as high as 226% when cooled from 320 K to 40 K. Meanwhile, the Iph-t dependences at different temperatures are similar, which is an indication of temperature independence for the diffusion length of the photocarriers. Analysis of the capacitance-voltage relations indicates that the change of interfacial barrier is the reason for the peculiar photoelectronic behavior observed.
Rhombohedral distortion effects on electronic structure of LaCoO3
Authors: Lee Y. , Harmon B. N.
Published: April 2013

With a first principles method, we have investigated the rhombohedral distortion effects on the electronic structure of LaCoO3. Fixed spin moment calculations show two local minima—a non-magnetic and a ∼1.3μB magnetic state. The energy difference between these states is sensitive to the rhombohedral distortion. The Generalized Gradient Approximation (GGA) calculation agrees with experimental results without the need for a U potential. The Local Density Approximation (LDA) calculation gives similar results but it needs slightly stronger distortions to reach the non-magnetic ground state. We show that the opening of a gap at EF also depends on the rhombohedral distortion.
Accurate treatment of two-dimensional non-separable hindered internal rotors
Authors: Fernández-Ramos Antonio
Published: April 2013

This work presents an accurate way for calculating partition functions of strongly coupled hindered rotors in two dimensions. The two-dimensional torsional potential is generated from electronic structure calculations and fitted to Fourier series. The kinetic energy includes off-diagonal terms which are allowed to vary with the torsional angles, and these terms were also fitted to Fourier series. The resulting Hamiltonian leads to a coupled Schrödinger equation which was solved by the variational method. Therefore, the final two-dimensional non-separable (2D-NS) partition function incorporates coupling terms in both the kinetic and the potential energy. The methodology has been tested for propane, methyl formate, and a hydrogen abstraction transition state from propanone by the OH radical. How to incorporate the 2D-NS partition function in the total vibrational-rotational partition function is also discussed.
Calculation of inhomogeneous-fluid cluster expansions with application to the hard-sphere/hard-wall system
Authors: Yang Jung Ho , Schultz Andrew J. , Errington Jeffrey R. , Kofke David A.
Published: April 2013

We examine the suitability of cluster expansion methods for the description of inhomogeneous fluids. In particular, we apply these methods to characterize the density profile, surface tension, and excess adsorption for a hard-sphere fluid near a hard wall. Coefficients for these series up to seventh order are evaluated by the Mayer-sampling Monte Carlo method. Comparison of the series to Monte Carlo simulations of these systems finds very good agreement up to bulk densities approaching the freezing point. This work indicates that knowledge of surface cluster integrals of inhomogeneous systems can be at least as useful as the bulk-phase virial expansions.
Formation of nanostructure and nano-hardness characterization on the meso-scale workpiece by a novel laser indirect shock forming method
Authors: Hu Y. , Liu H. X. , Wang X. , Shen Z. B. , Li P. , Gu C. X. , Gu Y. X. , Lu M. M. , Zhang Q.
Published: April 2013

The meso-scale workpiece with greatly enhanced mechanical properties is potential to be widely used in the electronics productions and micro-electro mechanical systems. In this study, it demonstrates that the meso-scale cup-shape workpiece with good geometry can be obtained by a novel laser indirect shock forming method. After the forming process, the mechanical properties and microstructures of the formed workpiece were characterized. By transmission electron microscope observation, it was found that a mixed refined microstructure consisting of nano-scale twins embedded in nano-sized grains was produced at the center of the formed sample. Formation of these nanograins could be mainly attributed to two mechanisms: twin-twin intersections and twin/matrix lamellae fragmentation. By nanoindentation tests, it reveals that the hardness of the sample has increased greatly after laser shock forming and the hardness increases with the laser energy. The elevated hardness originates from a considerable number of nano-scale twins and nanograins, which possess a pretty high strength due to the significant effects of grain boundary strengthening and twin boundary strengthening.