bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Watching your pain site reduces pain intensity in chronic back pain patients
Authors: Diers M. , Löffler A. , Zieglgänsberger W. , Trojan J.
Published: August 2015

Background

Chronic back pain (CBP) is a frequent debilitating and often treatment‐resistant disorder. The awareness of one's own body seems to be essential in pain reduction through visual input. Visual feedback of the back reduces experimental pain perception in CBP at this site and watching the back during repeated lumbar spine movements reduces movement‐evoked pain. In this study, we tested whether visual feedback alone can reduce habitual pain in CBP.

Methods

In a within‐subject design, 19 CBP patients participated in an online visual feedback condition, watching one's own back. This was compared to several control conditions, such as watching a neutral object (book), a video of another person of the same sex, a picture of the own back, and keeping one's eyes closed in randomized order on five separate days. In each experimental session, participants rated habitual pain intensity and unpleasantness before and after the experimental manipulation.

Results

We present evidence that visual feedback by watching the site of chronic pain on a video screen alone is sufficient to reduce habitual chronic pain. No additional manipulation or movement was necessary.

Conclusions

These results suggest that online video feedback may be helpful in alleviating chronic pain.
Multivariate modeling of settling depth of apple fruit (Red Delicious variety) in water
Authors: Kheiralipour Kamran , Marzbani Farshid
Published: August 2015

Settling depth of targets, with a density lower than the density of water, is a distance between water surface and a depth that the target reaches after dropping from a height. In this research, settling depth of apple was determined by a water column and a digital camera and then was experimentally modeled using multivariate regression program coded in MATLAB software. The considered parameters in multivariate modeling were physical characteristics (density, mass, and volume) and dropping height of the target. The characteristics were determined by standard methods. The best models were based on the density, dropping height and volume/mass with coefficient of determination (R2), and mean square error (MSE) of 0.90 and 4.08, respectively.
Influence of mRNA expression of epiregulin and amphiregulin on outcome of patients with metastatic colorectal cancer treated with 5‐FU/LV plus irinotecan or irinotecan plus oxaliplatin as first‐line treatment (FIRE 1‐trial)
Authors: Stahler A. , Heinemann V. , Giessen‐Jung C. , Crispin A. , Schalhorn A. , Stintzing S. , Fischer von Weikersthal L. , Vehling‐Kaiser U. , Stauch M. , Quietzsch D. , Held S. , von Einem J.C. , Holch J. , Neumann J. , Kirchner T. , Jung A. , Modest D.P.
Published: August 2015

Our aim was to investigate the impact of EREG and AREG mRNA expression (by RT‐qPCR) in patients with metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC). In addition, epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) expression (by immunohistochemistry) as well as RAS‐and PIK3CA‐mutations (by pyrosequencing) were assessed. Tumors of 208 mCRC patients receiving 5‐fluorouracil/leucovorin plus irinotecan (FUFIRI) or irinotecan plus oxaliplatin (mIROX) within the FIRE‐1 trial were analyzed for mutations. Molecular characteristics were correlated with response, progression‐free survival (PFS), overall survival (OS). mRNA expression was evaluated using ROC‐analysis in 192 tumors (AREG high n = 31 vs. low n = 161; EREG high n = 89 vs. low n = 103). High versus low AREG expression was associated with PFS of 10.0 versus 8.0 months (HR = 0.62, 95% CI: 0.402–0.940, p = 0.03) and OS of 24.6 versus 18.7 months (HR = 0.72, 95% CI: 0.476–1.078, p = 0.11). High versus low EREG expression correlated with prolonged PFS (9.4 vs. 6.8 months, HR = 0.62, 95% CI: 0.460–0.846, p = 0.002) and OS (25.8 vs. 15.5 months, HR = 0.48, 95% CI: 0.351–0.657, p < 0.001). The positive prognostic effect of high EREG expression was confirmed in a multivariate analysis and was neither affected by EGFR expression nor by mutations of RAS‐ and PIK3CA‐genes. EREG expression appears as an independent prognostic marker in patients with mCRC receiving first‐line irinotecan‐based chemotherapy.
The angiogenic responses induced by release of angiogenic proteins from tumor cell‐activated platelets are regulated by distinct molecular pathways
Authors: Wu Hongyan , Fan Fangtian , Liu Zhaoguo , Zhang Feng , Liu Yuping , Wei Zhonghong , Shen Cunsi , Cao Yuzhu , Wang Aiyun , Lu Yin
Published: August 2015

There is mounting evidence that tumor angiogenesis can be regulated by platelets (Plts), which serve as major sources and delivery vehicles of many proangiogenic cytokines including transforming growth factor‐β and vascular endothelial growth factor. Although considerable progress has been made in understanding the role for Plt secretion in tumor angiogenesis, very little is known about the precise mechanisms underlying cancer cell induction of Plt granule release. Here, we demonstrated that nonsmall cell lung cancer (NSCLC) cells directly induced Plt secretion of several angiogenic regulatory cytokines that promoted angiogenesis in concert. Moreover, we discovered that these Plt‐derived angiogenesis modulators were regulated by different molecular pathways and could be largely inhibited by combination of multiple signaling inhibitors. Our present studies indicated that manipulation of Plt secretion of angiogenic cytokines without compromising hemostatic functions could provide a novel option for management of tumor angiogenesis and metastasis in NSCLC patients with thrombocytosis. © 2015 IUBMB Life, 67(8):626–633, 2015
Reducing pawing in horses using positive reinforcement
Authors: Fox Adam E. , Belding Devon L.
Published: August 2015

Aversive control is a common method to reduce undesirable behavior in horses. However, it often results in unintended negative side effects, including potential abuse of the animal. Procedures based on positive reinforcement, such as differential reinforcement of other behavior (DRO), may reduce undesirable behaviors with fewer negative consequences. The current study used DRO schedules to reduce pawing using a multiple baseline design across 3 horses. Results indicated that DRO schedules were effective at reducing pawing. However, individual differences in sensitivity to DRO and reinforcer efficacy may be important considerations.
Hybrid use of combined and sequential delivery of growth factors and ultrasound stimulation in porous multilayer composite scaffolds to promote both vascularization and bone formation in bone tissue engineering
Authors: Yan Haoran , Liu Xia , Zhu Minghua , Luo Guilin , Sun Tao , Peng Qiang , Zeng Yi , Chen Taijun , Wang Yingying , Liu Keliang , Feng Bo , Weng Jie , Wang Jianxin
Published: August 2015

In this study, a multilayer coating technology would be adopted to prepare a porous composite scaffold and the growth factor release and ultrasound techniques were introduced into bone tissue engineering to finally solve the problems of vascularization and bone formation in the scaffold whilst the designed multilayer composite with gradient degradation characteristics in the space was used to match the new bone growth process better. The results of animal experiments showed that the use of low intensity pulsed ultrasound (LIPUS) combined with growth factors demonstrated excellent capabilities and advantages in both vascularization and new bone formation in bone tissue engineering. The degradation of the used scaffold materials could match new bone formation very well. The results also showed that only RGD‐promoted cell adhesion was insufficient to satisfy the needs of new bone formation while growth factors and LIPUS stimulation were the key factors in new bone formation. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part A: 104A: 195–208, 2016.
d‐AO spherical aromaticity in Ce6O8
Authors: Yu Xiaohu , Oganov Artem R. , Popov Ivan A. , Boldyrev Alexander I.
Published: August 2015

After the first introduction of π aromaticity in chemistry to explain the bonding, structure, and reactivity of benzene and its derivatives, this concept was further applied to many other compounds featuring other types of aromaticity (i.e., σ, δ). Thus far, there have been no reports on d‐AO‐based spherical σ aromaticity. Here, we predict a highly stable bare Ce6O8 cluster of a spherical shape using evolutionary algorithm USPEX and DFT + U calculations. Natural bond orbital analysis, adaptive natural density partitioning algorithm, electron localization function, and partial charge plots demonstrate that bare Ce6O8 cluster exhibits d‐AO spherical σ aromaticity, thus explaining its exotic geometry and stability. Ce6O8 complex plays an important role in many reactions and is known to exist in many forms, such as in NH4[Ce6(μ3O)5(μ3OH)3(μ2‐C6H5COO)9(NO3)3(DMF)3]*DMF*H2O compound, which is prepared under room temperature, and acts as an oxidizing agent. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
New density functional parameterizations to accurate calculations of electric field gradient variations among compounds
Authors: Santiago Régis Tadeu , Haiduke Roberto Luiz Andrade
Published: August 2015

This research provides a performance investigation of density functional theory and also proposes new functional parameterizations to deal with electric field gradient (EFG) calculations at nuclear positions. The entire procedure is conducted within the four‐component formalism. First, we noticed that traditional hybrid and long‐range corrected functionals are more efficient in the description of EFG variations for a set of elements (indium, antimony, iodine, lutetium, and hafnium) among linear molecules. Thus, we selected the PBE0, B3LYP, and CAM‐B3LYP functionals and promoted a reoptimization of their parameters for a better description of these EFG changes. The PBE0q variant developed here showed an overall promising performance in a validation test conducted with potassium, iodine, copper, and gold. In general, the correlation coefficients found in linear regressions between experimental nuclear quadrupole coupling constants and calculated EFGs are improved while the systematic EFG errors also decrease as a result of this reparameterization. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Physico‐chemical properties, antioxidant activities and antihypertensive effects of walnut protein and its hydrolysate
Authors: Wang Xiuming , Chen Haixia , Li Shuqin , Zhou Jiangchao , Xu Jiangtao
Published: August 2015

BACKGROUND

Some food proteins hydrolysates are found to possess multiple health effects. In this study, walnut protein (WP) was enzymatically hydrolysed by alcalase and trypsin under optimal conditions. The physico‐chemical properties, antioxidant and angiotensin‐converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitory activities of WP, alcalase‐generated walnut protein hydrolysate (AWPH) and trypsin‐generated walnut protein hydrolysate (TWPH) were comparatively studied. Stability properties of the walnut protein hydrolysate (WPH) and the antihypertensive activity in spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHRs) were also investigated.

RESULTS

The WPH showed higher physico‐chemical properties, antioxidant activities, ACE inhibitory activity and stability against thermal treatment and gastrointestinal digestion than WP. The results of antihypertensive effects in SHRs showed that the most potent decrease of AWPH and TWPH in the systolic blood pressure occurred at 4 h (−26 mmHg) and 6 h (−30 mmHg) after administration. The study indicated that the WPH could significantly decrease the systolic blood pressure (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSION

The WPH exhibited high physico‐chemical properties, potent inhibitory activities and high stability. TWPH was more effective than AWPH in the detected properties. The results would be helpful for the comprehensive utilisation of the walnut resources. © 2015 Society of Chemical Industry
Treatment patterns in inpatient depression care
Authors: von Wolff Alessa , Meister Ramona , Härter Martin , Kriston Levente
Published: August 2015

This study aimed to identify latent patterns of treatment combinations in inpatient depression care. A secondary analysis of routinely collected data on inpatient depression treatment from 2133 patients was conducted. Exploratory latent class modeling was used to identify distinct classes of treatment combinations based on antidepressant medication, psychotherapeutic interventions, and additional treatments. The classes were compared with regard to patient characteristics and treatment outcomes. Eight different classes of inpatient treatment combinations could be identified: 22.8% of the patients were treated with a combination labelled “standard modern antidepressants”, 14.6% with “standard tricyclic antidepressants”, 12.2% with “high intensity innovative strategies”, 12.1% with “standard selective‐reuptake‐inhibitors”, and 11.6% with “low intensity”, 9.6% with “somatic”, 8.8% with “high intensity traditional”, and 8.3% with “high intensity psychosocial” care, respectively. Patients treated with different patterns of interventions differed statistically significantly regarding demographic and clinical characteristics. Responder rates ranged from 68.4% to 86.6% across treatment classes. The presented attempt of empirical modeling of a complex multifactorial intervention by means of latent class analysis proved to be a promising way of capturing the complexity of routine inpatient depression treatment. The identified classes of treatment combinations may provide relevant information for a re‐evaluation and improvement of inpatient depression treatment strategies. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Quantitative theory for the longitudinal relaxation time of blood water
Authors: Li Wenbo , Grgac Ksenija , Huang Alan , Yadav Nirbhay , Qin Qin , van Zijl Peter C.M.
Published: August 2015

Purpose

To propose and evaluate a model for the blood water T1 that takes into account the effects of hematocrit fraction, oxygenation fraction, erythrocyte hemoglobin concentration, methemoglobin fraction, and plasma albumin concentration.

Methods

Whole blood and lysed blood T1 data were acquired at magnetic fields of 3 Tesla (T), 7T, 9.4T, and 11.7T using inversion‐recovery measurements and a home‐built blood circulation system for maintaining physiological conditions. A quantitative model was derived based on multivariable fitting of this data.

Results

Fitting of the model to the data allowed determination of the different parameters describing the blood water T1 such as those for the diamagnetic and paramagnetic effects of albumin and hemoglobin, and the contribution of methemoglobin. The model correctly predicts blood T1 at multiple fields, as verified by comparison with existing literature.

Conclusion

The model provides physical and physiological parameters describing the effects of hematocrit fraction, oxygenation, hemoglobin concentration, methemoglobin fraction, and albumin concentration on blood water T1. It can be used to predict blood T1 at multiple fields. Magn Reson Med 76:270–281, 2016. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Knowledge is power: why public knowledge matters to charities
Authors: Bourassa Maureen A. , Stang Abbey C.
Published: August 2015

The nonprofit sector is grappling with public perceptions of trust, accountability, and transparency. From the perspective of the sector, public ratings of accountability and transparency are often lower than expected, and as a result, the public's trust and its ensuing support may be dwindling. What appears to be missing from these discussions, however, is the role of knowledge. Drawing on theories and frameworks from consumer behavior and advertising, this study anticipates knowledge will moderate the effects of trust, transparency, and accountability on public support. Using telephone survey data from 3853 members of the Canadian public, the findings of this study demonstrate that knowledge does in fact have a moderating effect—for those respondents who reported high levels of knowledge about the sector, measures of trust, accountability, and transparency reliably predicted donation amount and volunteer status over and above the effect of demographic variables. For those respondents who reported low levels of knowledge, donation amount and volunteer status were predicted by demographic variables alone.

Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Crossing Borders: A Qualitative Study of How Occupational Therapy Educators and Scholars Develop and Sustain Global Partnerships
Authors: Witchger Hansen Anne Marie
Published: August 2015

The World Federation of Occupational Therapists (WFOT) and the American Occupational Therapy Association promote a globally connected profession that responds to the needs of our diverse societies. Global partnerships are grounded on the principle that cross‐cultural experiences are enriching and provide mutual benefits. The purpose of this study was to uncover how occupational therapy educators and scholars perceive and experience (1) developing and sustaining global partnerships and (2) lessons learned. In this qualitative study, 30 occupational therapy educators and researchers completed an online survey. Eight participated in an interview. Results found major themes that help develop and sustain partnerships: building relationship of trust and respect, communicating effectively, cultivating cultural competence, sharing power and resources with collaborators and creating a context for reciprocal learning. Lessons learned include a call to walking humbly, building relationships of trust and respect, establishing open and honest communication, supporting local solutions to local problems, ensuring equality of resources and learning from their global partners. The findings suggest that global partnerships have the potential to transform both partners if the partners engage with mutual understanding and respect. Limitations of this study include a small sample size and participant's pool limited to occupational therapists from United States. Recommendations for future research include qualitative studies to identify model occupational therapy programmes that sustain global partnerships using a diverse sample of international occupational therapy educators and researchers. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
High‐efficiency black silicon interdigitated back contacted solar cells on p‐type and n‐type c‐Si substrates
Authors: Ortega Pablo , Calle Eric , von Gastrow Guillaume , Repo Päivikki , Carrió David , Savin Hele , Alcubilla Ramón
Published: August 2015

This work demonstrates the high potential of Al2O3 passivated black silicon in high‐efficiency interdigitated back contacted (IBC) solar cells by reducing surface reflectance without jeopardizing surface passivation. Very low reflectance values, below 0.7% in the 300–1000 nm wavelength range, together with striking surface recombination velocities values of 17 and 5 cm/s on p‐type and n‐type crystalline silicon substrates, respectively, are reached. The simultaneous fulfillment of requirements, low reflectance and low surface recombination, paves the way for the fabrication of high‐efficiency IBC Si solar cells using black silicon at their front surface. Outstanding photovoltaic efficiencies over 22% have been achieved both in p‐type and n‐type 9‐cm2 cells. 3D simulations suggest that efficiencies of up to 24% can be obtained in the future with minor modifications in the baseline fabrication process. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Parenting concerns, quality of life, and psychological distress in patients with advanced cancer
Authors: Park Eliza M. , Deal Allison M. , Check Devon K. , Hanson Laura C. , Reeder‐Hayes Katherine E. , Mayer Deborah K. , Yopp Justin M. , Song Mi‐Kyung , Muriel Anna C. , Rosenstein Donald L.
Published: August 2015

Objective

Parents with life‐limiting illness anticipate the loss of their parental role and the long‐term consequences of their illness on their children. The purpose of this study was to examine relationships between parenting concerns, quality of life (QOL), and symptoms of depression and anxiety in parents with advanced cancer who have dependent children.

Methods

Sixty‐three parents diagnosed with a Stage IV solid malignancy completed the Hospital Anxiety Depression Scale (HADS), Parenting Concerns Questionnaire (PCQ), and Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy—General (FACT‐G). The Medical Outcomes Study Social Support Survey (social support) and Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) performance status were assessed as potential covariates. We performed descriptive statistics and multivariable linear regression models for depression, anxiety, and QOL measures.

Results

Mean PCQ score was 2.3 (SD 0.9), reflecting mild to moderate parenting concerns. Average depression and anxiety scores were 6.0 (SD 4.2) and 8.2 (SD 3.9), respectively. PCQ scores were associated with depressive symptoms (r = 0.46, p < 0.001), anxiety symptoms (r = 0.52, p < 0.0001), and QOL scores (r = −0.60, p < 0.001). The relationship of PCQ scores to anxiety symptoms (B = 1.5 p = 0.016) and QOL (B = −5.7, p = 0.02) remained significant after controlling for ECOG status, social support, and treatment status.

Conclusions

Parenting concerns are associated with anxiety and depressive symptoms and worse QOL in parents diagnosed with advanced cancer. Further studies that evaluate how parental status affects coping and psychological distress in advanced cancer are needed.Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Why do patients choose (not) to participate in an exercise trial during adjuvant chemotherapy for breast cancer?
Authors: van Waart Hanna , van Harten Wim H. , Buffart Laurien M. , Sonke Gabe S. , Stuiver Martijn M. , Aaronson Neil K.
Published: August 2015

Objective

Only between 25% and 50% of patients invited to participate in clinical trial‐based physical exercise programs during cancer treatment agree to do so. The purpose of this study was to identify factors associated significantly with the decision (not) to participate in a randomized controlled trial of physical exercise during adjuvant chemotherapy for breast cancer.

Methods

Based on questionnaire data, we compared trial participants and non‐participants on a range of sociodemographic, clinical health‐related, practical, behavioral, and attitudinal variables.

Results

Two hundred thirty of 524 patients agreed to participate in the trial (44%). The 294 (56%) non‐participants indicated that they wanted to exercise on their own or that they did not wish to exercise in the context of a trial. Those who preferred to exercise on their own were relatively similar to trial participants but were more likely to be in the maintenance exercise stage. Those non‐participants who did not wish to exercise had a significantly lower level of education, were less likely to be working, reported more fatigue and lower health‐related quality of life, had lower sense of self‐efficacy, more negative attitudes towards exercise, less social support, and perceived fewer benefits and more barriers to exercising during treatment than trial participants.

Conclusion

Minimizing practical barriers to participation, providing educational materials on the potential benefits of exercise, and giving adequate professional and social network encouragement may increase the number of patients willing to exercise during treatment and to participate in such studies. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Associations of prognostic awareness/acceptance with psychological distress, existential suffering, and quality of life in terminally ill cancer patients' last year of life
Authors: Tang Siew Tzuh , Chang Wen‐Cheng , Chen Jen‐Shi , Chou Wen‐Chi , Hsieh Chia‐Hsun , Chen Chen H.
Published: August 2015

Purpose

Whether prognostic awareness benefits terminally ill cancer patients' psychological–existential well‐being and quality of life (QOL) is unclear because of lack of well‐controlled longitudinal studies. This study longitudinally evaluated the associations of accurate prognostic awareness and prognostic acceptance with psychological distress, existential suffering, and QOL while comprehensively controlling for confounders in Taiwanese terminally ill cancer patients' last year of life.

Patients and methods

A convenience sample of 325 cancer patients was followed until death. Psychological distress and existential suffering were assessed by severe anxiety and depressive symptoms and high self‐perceived sense of burden to others, respectively. Dichotomized and continuous (QOL) outcome variables were evaluated by multivariate logistic and linear regression modeling with the generalized estimating equation, respectively.

Results

Accurate prognostic awareness was not associated with the likelihood of severe anxiety or depressive symptoms but significantly increased the likelihood of high self‐perceived sense of burden to others and was associated with poorer QOL in participants' last year of life. Participants who knew and highly accepted their prognosis were significantly less likely to experience severe anxiety symptoms than those who were unaware of or knew their prognosis but had difficulty accepting it.

Conclusion

Knowing one's poor prognosis and confronting one's impending death without full acceptance and adequate professional psycho‐spiritual support may harm more than benefit terminally ill cancer patients' psychological state, existential well‐being, and QOL. These findings highlight the importance of tailoring psycho‐spiritual support to cancer patients' psychological and existential needs when prognostic information is disclosed. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Impact of depression on health utility value in cancer patients
Authors: Fujisawa Daisuke , Inoguchi Hironobu , Shimoda Haruki , Yoshiuchi Kazuhiro , Inoue Shinichiro , Ogawa Asao , Okuyama Toru , Akechi Tatsuo , Mimura Masaru , Shimizu Ken , Uchitomi Yosuke
Published: August 2015

Objective

The quality‐adjusted life year, which is usually calculated from the health utility value, is now a standard measurement used in political decision‐making in health. Although depression is the leading cause of decrement in health utility in general population, impact of comorbid depression among cancer patients has not been studied sufficiently. Therefore, this study aimed to measure the impact of depression on cancer patients' health utility score, according to the severity of depression.

Methods

Impact of depression severity (measured by the Patient Health Questionnaire) on health utility score (measured by the EuroQoL‐5 scale) was evaluated in a sample of 328 Japanese cancer patients, controlling for performance status, symptom burden, and demographic variables.

Results

The patients with depression had significantly lower health utility value than those without depression (mean decrement = 0.14). Decrements in health utility of 0.13, 0.18, and 0.19 were observed for mild, moderate, and moderately severe to severe level of depression, respectively. The difference was significant between groups. Depression severity was a significant predictor for health utility (standardized coefficient beta = −0.25), which was comparable with physical symptom burden and performance status. Participants' age, gender, cancer stage, and comorbid illness were not significant. The model explained 37.9% of the variance.

Conclusions

Even mild level of depression caused clinically meaningful decrement in health utility value in cancer patients, which was comparable with decrements due to major physical complications of cancer. Influence of depression should be carefully investigated when interpreting the quality‐adjusted life year among cancer patients. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
False normal Lung Clearance Index in infants with cystic fibrosis due to software algorithms
Authors: Anagnostopoulou Pinelopi , Yammine Sophie , Schmidt Anne , Korten Insa , Kieninger Elisabeth , Mack Ines , Trachsel Daniel , Hafen Gaudenz , Moeller Alexander , Casaulta Carmen , Latzin Philipp
Published: August 2015

Background

Lung clearance index (LCI), a marker of ventilation inhomogeneity, is elevated early in children with cystic fibrosis (CF). However, in infants with CF, LCI values are found to be normal, although structural lung abnormalities are often detectable. We hypothesized that this discrepancy is due to inadequate algorithms of the available software package.

Aim

Our aim was to challenge the validity of these software algorithms.

Methods

We compared multiple breath washout (MBW) results of current software algorithms (automatic modus) to refined algorithms (manual modus) in 17 asymptomatic infants with CF, and 24 matched healthy term‐born infants. The main difference between these two analysis methods lies in the calculation of the molar mass differences that the system uses to define the completion of the measurement.

Results

In infants with CF the refined manual modus revealed clearly elevated LCI above 9 in 8 out of 35 measurements (23%), all showing LCI values below 8.3 using the automatic modus (paired t‐test comparing the means, P < 0.001). Healthy infants showed normal LCI values using both analysis methods (n = 47, paired t‐test, P = 0.79). The most relevant reason for false normal LCI values in infants with CF using the automatic modus was the incorrect recognition of the end‐of‐test too early during the washout.

Conclusion

We recommend the use of the manual modus for the analysis of MBW outcomes in infants in order to obtain more accurate results. This will allow appropriate use of infant lung function results for clinical and scientific purposes. Pediatr Pulmonol. 2015; 50:970–977. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Why Do Physiotherapists Do What They Do? A Study of Kuwaiti Physiotherapists
Authors: Al‐Enezi Latifa , May Stephen
Published: August 2015

Background and Purpose

Physiotherapy has an important role in the management of numerous musculoskeletal (MSK) problems. In terms of evidence‐based physiotherapy practice, little is known about the reasons for selection of treatment techniques by MSK physiotherapists or whether their treatments are evidence based. This survey aimed to explore the reasons for the choice of treatment techniques by Kuwaiti MSK physiotherapists and to identify the extent of using the evidence base from research findings as a basis for physiotherapy practice.

Methods

A self‐reported questionnaire accompanied with participant information sheet was distributed to 139 MSK physiotherapists in seven hospitals in Kuwait. The questionnaire was modified from that used in a previous study for use with Kuwaiti MSK physiotherapists to include modalities that were known to be used there by the lead author. It was piloted prior to distribution on three Kuwaiti MSc students for content and face validity.

Results

One hundred six of 139 therapists responded, of whom 22% were male and 78% were female. The study showed that undergraduate education was the main influence for all treatment techniques used by Kuwaiti MSK physiotherapists. The use of research findings as a basis for choice of treatment techniques was very limited. The use of research was not related to post‐qualification education or years of professional experience.

Conclusion

The findings of this study demonstrate that current physiotherapy practice in Kuwait is more reliant on undergraduate education and less on research evidence for the choice of treatment techniques. This has implications for undergraduate physiotherapy curricula, suggesting that evidence‐based practice must be keenly espoused. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Simulations, fabrication, and characterization of diamond‐coated Love wave‐type surface acoustic wave sensors
Authors: Talbi A. , Soltani A. , Rumeau A. , Taylor A. , Drbohlavová L. , Klimša L , Kopeček J. , Fekete L. , Krečmarová M. , Mortet V.
Published: August 2015

Diamond is an attractive material for biosensing applications due its chemical stability and biocompatibility and the recent development of various covalent attachment schemes for biomolecules. Acoustic sensors are highly sensitive with the capability to detect minute mass variation by monitoring changes in their electro‐mechanical resonance frequency. Quartz crystal microbalance (QCM) sensors are the simplest that can operate in liquids but in comparison, Love wave sensors are more sensitive acoustic detectors in comparison. In this work, we present both theoretical and experimental study of Love wave‐type surface acoustic wave (SAW) devices on AT quartz crystals substrates coated with diamond at low temperature for biosensing applications.
Zingerone activates VMAT2 during MPP+‐induced Cell Death
Authors: Choi Jae‐Sun , Bae Woom‐Yee , Park Chan , Jeong Joo‐Won
Published: August 2015

Parkinson's disease (PD) is characterized by a progressive and selective loss of dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra pars compacta (SNpc) and striatum. 1‐Methyl‐4‐phenyl‐1,2,3,6‐tetrahydropyridine (MPTP) is used to produce an animal model for PD, and it is converted to 1‐methyl‐4‐phenylpyridine (MPP+) in animals. MPP+ accumulation leads to neuronal cell death. Vesicular monoamine transporter 2 (VMAT2) regulates the accumulation of monoamine neurotransmitters into synaptic vesicles and is involved in neuroprotection against neurotoxin‐induced cell death. Recently, zingerone has been reported to reduce oxidative stress and inhibit inflammation. Therefore, we examined the effect of zingerone on neuronal cell death in a PD model. In an MPP+ and MPTP‐mediated PD model, neuronal cell survival was increased by zingerone without modifying neuroinflammation or reactive oxygen species generation. Zingerone also induced ERK activation and VMAT2 expression, leading to the attenuation of MPP+‐induced neuronal cell death. Our current results suggest that zingerone has a neuroprotective effect in a PD model. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Considering Design Features
Authors: Serafini Frank , Moses Lindsey
Published: August 2015

In this column, design features are considered and their association with comprehending contemporary picturebooks is featured.
Thick corpus callosum in the second trimester can be transient and is of uncertain significance
Authors: Shinar S. , Har‐Toov J. , Lerman‐Sagie T. , Malinger G.
Published: August 2015

Objectives

Depiction of a thick corpus callosum (CC) in utero is rare, and is generally associated with severe brain anomalies. Our aim was to describe a group of fetuses diagnosed during second‐trimester ultrasound examination as having an apparently isolated thick CC, which normalized subsequently in the cases followed to term.

Methods

Among 59 fetuses referred to the Ob‐Gyn Ultrasound Division of Lis Maternity Hospital with suspected callosal anomalies between January 2013 and June 2014, we identified nine cases with an apparently isolated thick CC for inclusion in this retrospective cohort study. Length and body thickness of the CC were compared with previously published nomograms. Fetuses with a suspected isolated thick CC were identified and followed until delivery or termination of pregnancy (TOP). Evaluation consisted of chromosomal analysis, at least one magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) examination and repeat ultrasound examinations. Postnatal evaluation included brain ultrasound examination, MRI when indicated and neurodevelopmental assessment through validated pediatric questionnaires.

Results

The nine fetuses were diagnosed with an apparently isolated thick CC at a mean gestational age of 23 + 5 (range, 21–29) weeks. Eight exhibited a CC body thickness ≥ 2SD above the mean for gestational age and one exhibited only a thickened genu. Six also exhibited a relatively short CC. Two patients opted for TOP but declined autopsy. In five of the seven remaining fetuses, the CC thickness normalized during follow‐up. In the remaining two, the increased CC thickness was a variant of the cingulate sulcus. The CC length remained ≤ 2SD in five of the six fetuses with a short CC. Fetal MRI was performed and confirmed the diagnosis in six fetuses. The karyotype was normal in all fetuses. Short‐term neurodevelopmental outcome was reported as normal in all six children with complete follow‐up.

Conclusions

Although the number of fetuses in our study is relatively small, it seems that an apparently isolated thick CC is not necessarily associated with poor prognosis. In such cases, a definitive diagnosis should not be reached based on a single measurement and repeat follow‐up examinations during the third trimester are recommended. Copyright © 2015 ISUOG. Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.
Clinical and Counseling Experiences of Early Adopters of Whole Exome Sequencing
Authors: Arora Shubhangi , Haverfield Eden , Richard Gabriele , Haga Susanne B. , Mills Rachel
Published: August 2015

Currently, there are limited data regarding the practice of genetic counseling for whole exome sequencing (WES). Improved understanding of how genetic counselors and other providers are educating, counseling, and communicating results may identify practice trends, and patient or provider needs. Between April 2013 and December 2014, we surveyed providers who ordered WES testing from GeneDx, a CLIA‐certified laboratory. Forty‐nine respondents completed the survey; 41 % of participants reported board certification in genetic counseling. Pre‐test and post‐test counseling was completed in all but one case each. Pre‐test counseling lasted less than 1 h for 53 % of cases and 1 to 2 h for 43 %. Topics discussed with all patients included consent for testing, and incidental findings; other topics were variable. In contrast to pre‐test counseling, 59 % reported post‐test counseling lasting 1 to 2 h and 33 % less than an hour; post‐testing counseling was significantly longer in cases with a definitive diagnosis than those without (p = 0.0129). The survey findings indicate some variability regarding the amount of time spent on counseling and the topics discussed during pre‐test counseling. Additional exploration, patient and provider educational resources, and potentially more specific guidelines regarding counseling for WES may be warranted.
Forced Displacement From Rental Housing: Prevalence and Neighborhood Consequences
Authors: Desmond Matthew , Shollenberger Tracey
Published: August 2015

Drawing on novel survey data of Milwaukee renters, this study documents the prevalence of involuntary displacement from housing and estimates its consequences for neighborhood selection. More than one in eight Milwaukee renters experienced an eviction or other kind of forced move in the previous two years. Multivariate analyses suggest that renters who experienced a forced move relocate to poorer and higher-crime neighborhoods than those who move under less-demanding circumstances. By providing evidence implying that involuntary displacement is a critical yet overlooked mechanism of neighborhood inequality, this study helps to clarify why some city dwellers live in much worse neighborhoods than their peers.
Inhibition of Yap2 activity by MAPKAP kinase Rck1 affects yeast tolerance to cadmium
Authors: Mazzola Daiane , Pimentel Catarina , Caetano Soraia , Amaral Catarina , Menezes Regina , Santos Claudia N. , Eleutherio Elis , Rodrigues-Pousada Claudina
Published: August 2015

Yap2 is a cadmium responsive transcription factor that interacts with MAPK‐activated protein (MAPKAP) kinase Rck1. We show that Rck1 deletion confers protection against cadmium toxicity and that the mechanism underlying this observation relies on Yap2. Rck1 removal from the yeast genome potentiates Yap2 activity by increasing protein half‐life and delaying its nuclear export. As a consequence, several Yap2 antioxidant targets are over‐activated by a mechanism that also requires Yap1. Several genes of the cell wall integrity (CWI) pathway are upregulated under cadmium stress in a Yap2 dependent way. We showed that deletion of CWI genes renders yeast cells more sensitive to cadmium. These findings led us to suggest that in response to cadmium stress Yap2 may serve a dual purpose: oxidative stress attenuation and cell wall maintenance.
NAD+‐aminoaldehyde dehydrogenase candidates for 4‐aminobutyrate (GABA) and β‐alanine production during terminal oxidation of polyamines in apple fruit
Authors: Zarei Adel , Trobacher Christopher P. , Shelp Barry J.
Published: August 2015

The last step of polyamine catabolism involves the oxidation of 3‐aminopropanal or 4‐aminobutanal via aminoaldehyde dehydrogenase. In this study, two apple (Malus x domestica)AMADH genes were selected (MdAMADH1 andMdAMADH2) as candidates for encoding 4‐aminobutanal dehydrogenase activity. Maximal activity and catalytic efficiency were obtained with NAD+ and 3‐aminopropanal, followed by 4‐aminobutanal, at pH 9.8. NAD+ reduction was accompanied by the production of GABA and β‐alanine, respectively, when 4‐aminobutanal and 3‐aminopropanal were utilized as substrates.MdAMADH2 was peroxisomal andMdAMADH1 cytosolic. These findings shed light on the potential role of apple AMADHs in 4‐aminobutyrate and β‐alanine production.
An efficient method for unfolding kinetic pressure driven VISAR data
Authors: Hess M. , Peterson K. , Harvey-Thompson A.
Published: August 2015

Velocity Interferometer System for Any Reflector (VISAR) [Barker and Hollenbach, J. Appl. Phys. 43, 4669 (1972)] is a well-known diagnostic that is employed on many shock physics and pulsed-power experiments. With the VISAR diagnostic, the velocity on the surface of any metal flyer can be found. For most experiments employing VISAR, either a kinetic pressure [Grady, Mech. Mater. 29, 181 (1998)] or a magnetic pressure [Lemke et al., Intl J. Impact Eng. 38, 480 (2011)] drives the motion of the flyer. Moreover, reliable prediction of the time-dependent pressure is often a critical component to understanding the physics of these experiments. Although VISAR can provide a precise measurement of a flyer’s surface velocity, the real challenge of this diagnostic implementation is using this velocity to unfold the time-dependent pressure. The purpose of this paper is to elucidate a new method for quickly and reliably unfolding VISAR data.
A national survey of offending behaviour amongst intellectually disabled users of mental health services in Ireland
Authors: Leonard P. , Morrison A. , Delany-Warner M. , Calvert G. J
Published: August 2015

Background

Offenders with an intellectual disability pose a major challenge to Intellectual Disability Service providers in the Republic of Ireland. This is especially so as no national Forensic Intellectual Disability Service currently exists.

The Forensic Intellectual Disability Working Group of the Irish College of Psychiatrists was established in order to take steps to address this issue by establishing the level of need for a Forensic Intellectual Disability Service in Ireland and developing a college position paper.

No previous study has been carried out to measure offending behaviour amongst persons with an intellectual disability attending mental health services in Ireland.

Methods

A postal survey was undertaken targeting the lead clinicians of all Intellectual Disability Psychiatry, General Adult Psychiatry and Forensic Psychiatry Services in the Republic of Ireland. This survey requested anonymous data regarding service users with an intellectual disability and offending behaviour in this population.

Results

Data relating to 431 service users was returned. Those reported to engage in offending behaviour were predominantly young males. Assault was the most common offence type. A significant number of serious offences such as unlawful killing, sexual assault and arson were reported.

Conclusions

There is an urgent need for the development of a Forensic Intellectual Disability Service in the Republic of Ireland. The current efforts of the National Forensic Mental Health Service to establish such a service by the creation of a post of Consultant Forensic Psychiatrist (special interest in intellectual disability) are to be welcomed.
Wave adjustment: general concept and examples
Authors: Reznik G. M.
Published: August 2015

We formulate a general theory of wave adjustment applicable to any physical system (not necessarily a hydrodynamic one), which, being linearized, possesses linear invariants and a complete system of waves harmonically depending on the time$t$. The invariants are determined by the initial conditions and are zero for the waves, which, therefore, do not transport and affect the invariants. The evolution of such a system can be represented naturally as the sum of a stationary component with non-zero invariants and a non-steady wave part with zero invariants. If the linear system is disturbed by a small perturbation (linear or nonlinear), then the state vector of the system is split into slow balanced and fast wave components. Various scenarios of the wave adjustment are demonstrated with fairly simple hydrodynamic models. The simplest scenario, called ‘fast radiation’, takes place when the waves rapidly (their group speed$c_{gr}$greatly exceeds the slow flow velocity$U$) radiate away from the initial perturbation and do not interact effectively with the slow component. As a result, at large times, after the waves propagate away, the residual flow is slow and described by a balanced model. The scenario is exemplified by the three-dimensional non-rotating barotropic flow with a free surface. A more complicated scenario, called ‘nonlinear trapping’, occurs if oscillations with small group speed$c_{gr}\leqslant U$are present in the wave spectrum. In this case, after nonlinear wave adjustment, the state vector is a superposition of the slow balanced component and oscillations with small$c_{gr}$trapped by this component. An example of this situation is the geostrophic adjustment of a three-dimensional rotating barotropic layer with a free surface. In the third scenario, called ‘incomplete splitting’, the wave adjustment is accompanied by non-stationary boundary layers arising near rigid and internal boundaries at large times. The thickness of such a layer tends to zero and cross-gradients of physical parameters in the layer tend to infinity as$t\rightarrow \infty$. The layer is an infinite number of wave modes whose group speed tends to zero as the mode number tends to infinity. In such a system, complete splitting of motion into fast and slow components is impossible even in the linear approximation. The scenario is illustrated by an example of stratified non-rotating flow between two rigid lids. The above scenarios describe, at least, the majority of known cases of wave adjustment.
The swash of solitary waves on a plane beach: flow evolution, bed shear stress and run-up
Authors: Pujara Nimish , Liu Philip L.-F. , Yeh Harry
Published: August 2015

The swash of solitary waves on a plane beach is studied using large-scale experiments. Ten wave cases are examined which range from non-breaking waves to plunging breakers. The focus of this study is on the influence of breaker type on flow evolution, spatiotemporal variations of bed shear stresses and run-up. Measurements are made of the local water depths, flow velocities and bed shear stresses (using a shear plate sensor) at various locations in the swash zone. The bed shear stress is significant near the tip of the swash during uprush and in the shallow flow during the later stages of downrush. In between, the flow evolution is dominated by gravity and follows an explicit solution to the nonlinear shallow water equations, i.e. the flow due to a dam break on a slope. The controlling scale of the flow evolution is the initial velocity of the shoreline immediately following waveform collapse, which can be predicted by measurements of wave height prior to breaking, but also shows an additional dependence on breaker type. The maximum onshore-directed bed shear stress increases significantly onshore of the stillwater shoreline for non-breaking waves and onshore of the waveform collapse point for breaking waves. A new normalization for the bed shear stress which uses the initial shoreline velocity is presented. Under this normalization, the variation of the maximum magnitudes of the bed shear stress with distance along the beach, which is normalized using the run-up, follows the same trend for different breaker types. For the uprush, the maximum dimensionless bed shear stress is approximately 0.01, whereas for the downrush, it is approximately 0.002.