bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Rancang Bangun Dapur Lebur Aluminium Kapasitas 20 Kg Skala Laboratorium
Authors: Ritonga Din Aswan Amran
Published: June 2018

Pengecoran adalah salah satu teknik pembuatan produk dimana logam dicairkan dalam tungku peleburan kemudian dituangkan kedalam rongga cetakan yang serupa dengan bentuk asli dari produk cor yang akan dibuat. Pada saat ini banyak dilakukan penelitian pengecoran logam khususnya aluminium dengan berbagai macam bahan bakar seperti minyak solar, minyak tanah, gas LPG, batu bara dan sebagainya, baik dikalangan universitas maupun di suatu badan penelitian. Untuk dapat melakukan pengecoran logam maka harus dilengkapi dengan alat peleburan yang mendukung. Hal inilah yang mendorong penulis untuk melakukan perencanaan dapur lebur aluminium dengan kapasitas 20 kg untuk skala laboratorium dengan bahan bakar gas LPG, mengingat masih minimnya fasilitas yang tersedia di Laboratorium Proses Produksi Teknik Sekolah Tinggi Teknik Harapan. Dalam melakukan perancang dapur lebur ini, penulis melakukan studi literatur dan survey lapangan untuk mempelajari dan melihat model-model rancang bangun dapur alumunium. Dari hasil perencanaan diperoleh dapur pelebur dengan tipe dapur Crucible, dengan diameter dapur 560 mm, tinggi dapur 520 mm, diameter luar cawan 220 mm, tebal cawan 20 mm, tinggi cawan 355 mm.
Vascularite à IgA (purpura rhumatoïde) de l’adulte
Authors: Pillebout E.
Published: June 2018

La vascularite à IgA (VIgA), anciennement purpura rhumatoïde (PR), est une vascularite systémique des petits vaisseaux à dépôts d’immunoglobulines A (IgA). Elle est beaucoup plus fréquente chez l’enfant que chez l’adulte (150 à 200 pour 1). La prévalence du PR chez l’adulte n’est pas connue et son incidence est estimée à 1/million. La maladie de l’adulte semble en effet différer de celle de l’enfant par l’incidence et la gravité des manifestations cliniques. La VIgA est caractérisée par l’association d’un purpura vasculaire cutané à des signes articulaires et gastro-intestinaux. Une atteinte rénale s’associe parfois à ces signes. Il s’agit alors d’une glomérulonéphrite à dépôts mésangiaux d’IgA. Plus rarement des localisations neurologiques, pulmonaires, cardiaques ou urogénitales peuvent s’observer. Sa physiopathologie demeure inconnue, mais les IgA joueraient un rôle central. Lorsque la symptomatologie est peu sévère, seul un traitement symptomatique est conseillé. À l’opposé, dans les formes digestive ou rénale sévères, des traitements plus agressifs associant, le plus souvent, des corticostéroïdes à du cyclophosphamide ont été proposés. Leur efficacité est en cours d’évaluation. Le pronostic à court terme de la maladie dépend de la sévérité de l’atteinte digestive, et à long terme de la sévérité de l’atteinte rénale. Les études ayant un suivi suffisamment prolongé montrent qu’un tiers des malades adultes évoluent vers l’insuffisance rénale terminale.
Registration of ‘TN11‐5102’ Soybean Cultivar with High Yield and High Protein Meal
Authors: Pantalone Vince , Smallwood Chris
Published: June 2018

The conventional (non‐genetically modified) soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.] line ‘TN11‐5102’ (Reg. No. CV‐526, PI 686908) was released by University of Tennessee Agricultural Research in 2017 as a cultivar because of its high seed yield potential in Tennessee and the southern US region. The objective of its development was to provide a new cultivar combining high seed yield with high protein soymeal. The rationale is that US soybeans bred for high yield typically lead to lower protein concentration. TN11‐5102 was developed from 1 of 653 F21 single plant selections within cultivar 5601T. Progeny rows were selected on the basis of adapted maturity, lodging resistance, disease resistance, and pod density. Selections were carried forward for yield testing. TN11‐5102 is resistant to southern root knot nematode and is resistant to stem canker. It has white flowers, gray pubescence, tan pod wall, and a determinate growth habit. The plants show good resistance to lodging. Averaged over 3 yr (2014–2016) of the USDA Southern Uniform Testing Program, TN11‐5102 had 421 g kg−1 protein on a dry weight basis and 216 g kg−1 oil on a dry weight basis, and it is capable of producing 490 g kg−1 protein in the soymeal. It will serve as an excellent parent line in breeding for high yield and improved protein.
Phytochemical screening and antifungal activity of Chromolaena odorata extracts against isolate of Phytophthora megakarya using agar-well diffusion method
Authors: Adeyemi Adeyemo I , Vincent Omotunlese I , Olujenyo Oni M
Published: June 2018

In-vitro study of Chromolaena odorata extracts was determined against isolated Phytophthora megakarya for the purpose of investigating the antifungal activity of ethanolic, cold-water and warm-water extracts of the medicinal plant against Phytophthora megakarya. Their antifungal effects were assessed with agar-well diffusion methods. Phytochemical screening and minimum inhibitory concentrations of the extracts were also determined. A qualitative phytochemical analysis of the extracts showed the presence of biologically active constituents such as flavonoids, phenols, tannins, sterols, amino acid and glycosinulate. Results showed that antifungal effects of Chromolaena odorata against Phytophthora megakarya were most efficient by ethanolic extracts, followed by extract of cold-water while hot water extract had no visible antifungal effect. Zones of clearance range from 15.00 mm to 32.00 mm using ethanolic extractions with concentrations from 1% to 5% while zones of clearance using cold water extract was from 5.00 mm to 30.00 mm with varying concentrations of 1% to 5%. The negative control using sterile distilled water showed no inhibitory effect on Phytophthora megakarya while 41.00 mm zone of clearance was observed in the positive control test using Metalaxyl and cuprous oxide-containing synthetic fungicide. This study provides a scientific confirmation of the use of Chromolaena odorata against cocoa pod infections by some local farmers.Asian J. Med. Biol. Res. March 2018, 4(1): 7-13
Morphometric characterization of Black Bengal Goat under farming condition in Bangladesh
Authors: Jalil MA , Choudhury MP , Kabir MM , Habib MA
Published: June 2018

The study was undertaken to characterize of Black Bengal Goat (BBG) under farming condition. Data on the different parameters were collected during July 2006 to June 2013 at BLRI goat research farm. A total of 299 animals of different ages from birth to 36 months of both sexes were included. All type of measurements were taken when goats standing freely. All measurements were taken in metric unit. Data were analyzed by SPSS version 17.0 statistical computer program. In BLRI goat herd, four different types of coat color were observed in BBG i.e. Black, Black and white, Black and brown and completely white. Body length is higher in males than that of females for all generation and age group. Male goats had higher heart girth than that of female goats irrespective of age and generations. Average adult (>24 months age) body weight of male and female goats as 29.9±1.76 and 23.6±0.81 kg, respectively. Wither height was higher in adult males than females for same age. Left and right horn length in both sexes ranged from 3.6 to 13.2 cm. Female goats had higher ear length than male goats. Tail length of Black Bengal goats ranged from 8.0±0.52 to 11.1±0.43 cm and tail breadth ranged from 2.1±0.10 to 3.6±0.43 cm for different age and sex group. Average male foreleg length in >24 months of age possessed higher than that of female. Average udder length and breadth of BBGs were 7.5±0.24, 11.7±0.44 and 14.3±0.46 and 5.9±0.16, 7.4±0.28 and 7.8±0.23 cm, respectively for age groups 6-12, 12-24 and >24 months of age. The average testis length and breadth in adult males were 9.1±0.18, 7.5±0.48 and 9.8±0.49 and 6.8±0.13, 5.2±0.27 and 6.3±0.32, cm respectively for 6-12, 12-24 and >24 months of ages groups.Asian J. Med. Biol. Res. March 2018, 4(1): 95-104
Study on the vaccination and medication program in commercial broiler farming at farmer’s level
Authors: Ratan MR Islam , Ali MH , Akter Most Sumona , Bulbul SM , Ali Md Shawkat , Sakib N , Sarker S , Ali Md Yousuf
Published: June 2018

The Geographic area of this study was 5 selected unions of Kalihati upazila in Tangail district. A total number of 50 broiler farmers were interviewed to conduct the study. The objective of the study was to know the current vaccination and medication status in the study area. The information that collected from the respondents were age, education, main occupation, family members, training, annual income, number of broiler in each batch, name of broiler strain, mortality rate, vaccination practicing rate, current situation of antibiotic and growth promoter use, use of footbath, use of disinfectant for spraying in inside and outside of the farm, percentage of antibiotic and feed withdraw rate before marketing of broiler, source of vaccine and medicine at farmer level, consultants of the farmers for vaccine and medicine specially antibiotic use, vaccination and medication cost in a batch. Commonly used vaccine and medicine list with their company name were also collected from the study area market. A correlation table was prepared to determine the relationship among some variables; education Vs age, education Vs income, income Vs no of broiler in a batch, education Vs antibiotic withdraw, income Vs antibiotic withdraw. Significant negative correlations (p<0.01) was found only with age Vs education and other all variables were positively and significantly correlated. The problems related to present vaccination and medication service and their probable solution suggested by broiler farmers were also focused in this study.Asian J. Med. Biol. Res. March 2018, 4(1): 141-148
Frequency and Site of Skeletal Metastatic Lesion Detected by Bone Scintigraphy in Newly Diagnosed Asymptomatic Cancer Patients
Authors: Sifat Taslima , Begum Fatima , Sultana Sadia , Mutsuddy Pupree , Naznin Afroza , Begum Shamim MF
Published: June 2018

Objectives: Bone is one of the most common organ for metastasis. Bone scintigraphy is widely used for staging of cancer patients before initiation of chemotherapy and adjuvant therapy and it can detect both symptomatic and asymptomatic bone metastases. The purpose of this study was to determine the frequency and site of metastatic bone lesion detected by bone scintigraphy in newly diagnosed asymptomatic cancer patients who werwe referred to National Institute of Nuclear Medicine & Allied Sciences (NINMAS) for bone scintigraphy.

Patients and Methods: This cross sectional observational type of study was carried out in NINMAS from July 2015 to June 2016. A total of 116 newly diagnosed asymptomatic cancer patients referred for the first time bone scintigraphy were included in this study.

Results: Of the total 116 patients (57 male and 59 female; mean age: 54.8 ± 14.0 years), 46 (39.7%) patients had carcinoma breast, 30 (25.9%) patients had carcinoma prostate, 12(10.3%) patients had carcinoma lung, 8(6.9%) patients had carcinoma urinary bladder, 4(3.4%) patients had renal cell carcinoma and 16(13.8%) patients had other cancer. Bone scan was found positive for metastatic disease in 44.8% patients. Most common sites of bone metastases in different types of cancer in newly diagnosed asymptomatic cancer patients were rib, then hip bone, vertebral column (lumbar vertebra, thoracic vertebra respectively), sternum and skull.

Conclusion: In this study, it was revealed that newly diagnosed asymptomatic cancer patients are frequently associated with metastatic bone disease, those can be detected by bone scintigraphy.

Bangladesh J. Nuclear Med. 20(1): 14-18, January 2017
Thyroid Hormonal Status in Newly Diagnosed Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus
Authors: Mamun Mohammad Shameem Al , Nahar Nurun , Salekin Mohammad Simoon , Rahman Mohammad Mahbubur
Published: June 2018

Objectives: Diabetes mellitus and thyroid dysfunction are the two most common endocrinopathies seen in general population. The study was done to determine whether there is any co-occurence of thyroid hormonal status alternating in newly diagnosed type 2 diabetes mellitus.

Patients and Methods: This Cross-sectional study which was carried out at National Institute of Nuclear Medicine and Allied Sciences and outpatient Department (OPD) of Endocrinology of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University, Shahbag, Dhaka during the period January 2015 to July 2016. A total of 98 newly diagnosed type 2 diabetic patients (Group I) and 98 healthy individuals (Group II) were enrolled in this study purposively. After taking written consent, history of the study subjects was taken and clinical checkup was done. Age of the subjects of both the group were 30 years and above. Glycemic status of both the group was assessed by measuring fasting blood sugar, blood sugar two hours after 75 gm oral glucose and blood for HbA1C. Patients with type 1 and other form of diabetes mellitus and any condition that may impair glycemic control were excluded from the study. Thyroid hormonal status of both the group was evaluated by measuring patients’ serum TSH by Immunoradiometric Assay (IRMA) and serum FT3 and serum FT4 by Radioimmunoassay (RIA) method in NINMAS. All the data were digitized and analyzed using SPSS – 22.0 software.

Results: In this study, mean age of the patients was 46.0 ± 9.7 years and 45.5 ± 7.7 years in group I and group II respectively. Male female ratio was 1:1.45 in group I and 1:1.08 in group II. Fasting blood sugar, blood sugar two hours after 75 gm oral glucose and HbA1c were significantly higher in group I than that of group II. Mean TSH, FT3 and FT4 were 2.37 ± 3.86 mIU/L, 6.35 ± 2.41 pmol/L and 15.79 ± 5.41 pmol/L respectively in group I whereas 2.28 ± 2.67 mIU/L, 6.59 ± 1.83 pmol/L and 16.25 ± 3.46 pmol/L respectively in group II. But there was no statistical significant difference between group I and group II. In group I, sixteen patients had thyroid disorder (seven had hyperthyroidism and nine had hypothyroidism). In group II, five patients had thyroid disorder (two had hyperthyroidism and three had hypothyroidism). The difference was statistically significant. Fasting blood sugar positively correlated with TSH, FT3 and FT4 in group I, similarly HbA1c correlated with TSH and FT4 but not with FT3 in group I.

Conclusion: Thyroid disorder was 16.3% in newly diagnosed type 2 diabetic patients and 5.1% in normal individuals.

Bangladesh J. Nuclear Med. 20(1): 27-31, January 2017
Different Imaging Modalities for Evaluating Emphysematous Pyelonephritis (EPN); a Life Threatening Urological Emergency – A case report
Authors: Afrin Rawnak , Mostofa ABM Golam , Biswas Shankar Kumar , Hossain Sadia , Hossain Sanowar
Published: June 2018

Emphysematous pyelonephritis (EPN) is a severe necrotizing infection of the renal parenchyma; it causes gas formation within the collecting system, renal parenchyma, and/or perirenal tissues. In this reported case, a female patient of 40 years was admitted in a tertiary hospital with history of severe left flank pain, lower abdominal pain, fever, vomiting and scanty micturition for three days. Ultrasonogram showed-normal right kidney but left renal bed reveals extensive air obscuring visualization of left kidney with probe tenderness in left flank. Contrast CT scan of KUB shows larger left kidney with extensive air (CT number = -1000 HU) within the renal parenchyma, collecting systems and perinephric space. This case was diagnosed as EPN. After conservative treatment patient was improved significantly.

Bangladesh J. Nuclear Med. 20(1): 63-66, January 2017
A Novel Loss-of-Function Variant in Transmembrane Protein 263 (TMEM263) of Autosomal Dwarfism in Chicken
Authors: Wu Zhou , Derks Martijn F. L. , Dibbits Bert , Megens Hendrik-Jan , Groenen Martien A. M. , Crooijmans Richard P. M. A.
Published: June 2018

Autosomal dwarfism (adw) in chickens is a growth deficiency caused by a recessive mutation. Characteristic for adw is an approximately 30% growth reduction with short shank. The adw variant was first recognized in the Cornell K-strain of White Leghorns, but the genetic causal variant remained unknown. To identify the causal variant underlying the adw phenotype, fine mapping was conducted on chromosome 1, within 52–56 Mb. This region was known to harbor the causal variant from previous linkage studies. We compared whole-genome sequence data of this region from normal-sized and adw chickens in order to find the unique causal variant. We identified a novel nonsense mutation NP_001006244.1:p.(Trp59∗), in the transmembrane protein 263 gene (TMEM263), completely associated with adw. The nonsense mutation truncates the transmembrane protein within the membrane-spanning domain, expected to cause a dysfunctional protein. TMEM263 is reported to be associated with bone mineral deposition in humans, and the protein shows interaction with growth hormone 1 (GH1). Our study presents molecular genetic evidence for a novel loss-of-function variant, which likely alters body growth and development in autosomal dwarf chicken.
Measurement and Quantification of Effective Slip Length at Solid–Liquid Interface of Roughness-Induced Surfaces with Oleophobicity
Authors: Li Yifan , Pan Yunlu , Zhao Xuezeng
Published: June 2018

Boundary conditions of the liquid–solid interface of micro/nano fluid flow are of great interest, as slippage is linked with decreased drag. However, previous studies have seldom included a systematic analysis of the effect of roughness on the measurement and quantification of slip length. For the measurement of slip length using atomic force microscopy (AFM), which is believed to be the most accurate method, a theoretical description of the drainage of thin liquid films between sphere and surface, with realistic roughness, is yet to be published. This study focuses on the measurement and quantification of slip length on rough surfaces immersed in liquids, based on AFM and laser confocal scanning microscopy. A reformulation of the boundary condition is presented, taking into account the effect of surface roughness. The correction to the effective slip length is analyzed, then surfaces with various degrees of spacing roughness Rsm were fabricated. Quantitative analysis of the effective slip length is presented. Results show that the corrected effective slip length remains constant with increased spacing roughness Rsm of surfaces. The results are discussed for the coagulation process of colloids and measurement of slip lengths on roughness-induced surfaces with AFM.
Effects of Regular Waves on Propulsion Performance of Flexible Flapping Foil
Authors: Liu Peng , Liu Yebao , Huang Shuling , Zhao Jianfeng , Su Yumin
Published: June 2018

The objective of the present study is to analyze the effects of waves on the propulsive performance and flow field evolution of flexible flapping foil, and then offer a way to take advantage of wave energy. The effects of regular waves on the propulsive performance of a two-dimensional flexible flapping foil, which imitated the motion and deformation process of a fish caudal fin, were numerically studied. Based on computational fluid dynamic theory, the commercial software Fluent was used to solve the Reynolds-averaged Navier–Stokes equations in the computational domain. Several numerical models were employed in the simulations, which included user-defined function (UDF), numerical wave tank (NWT), dynamic mesh, volume of fluid (VOF), post-processing, and analysis of the wake field. The numerical tank was also deep enough, such that the tank bottom had no influence on the surface wave profile. First, the numerical method was validated by comparing it with experimental results of rigid foil, flapping under waves. The effects of three key wave parameters on the propulsive performance of flexible and rigid foils were then investigated; the results show that higher performance can only be obtained when the motion frequency of the foil was equal to its encounter frequency with the wave. With this precondition, foils were able to generate higher thrust force at larger wave amplitudes or smaller wavelengths. Similarly, the percentage of wave energy recovery by foils was higher at smaller wave amplitudes or wavelengths. From a perspective of wake field evolution, increasing foil velocity (relative to water particles of surrounding waves), could improve its propulsive performance. In addition, flexible deformation of foil was beneficial in not only enhancing vortex intensity but also reducing the dissipation of vortices’ energy in the flow field. Therefore, flexible foils were able obtain a better propulsive performance and higher wave energy recovery ability.
Evaluation of Water Content in an Active Layer Using Penetration-Type Time Domain Reflectometry
Authors: Lee Jong-Sub , Hong Won-Taek , Park Keunbo , Hong Seung Seo , Lee Sang-Ho , Byun Yong-Hoon
Published: June 2018

The moisture condition of the active layer in Arctic regions can induce severe problems, such as ground subsidence and frost heave. Thus, the water content in the active layer needs to be estimated using a light and portable in-situ testing device. In this study, a penetration-type time domain reflectometry (PTDR) device is developed for the estimation of volumetric water content in the active layer. The developed PTDR is applied at a site for an electrical resistivity survey to characterize the water distribution along a measurement line. A PTDR consists of a PTDR module, connecting rods, and a guide with a hammer. The PTDR module can determine the dielectric constant of a material from the measurement of the travel time of electromagnetic waves. Using remolded soil samples, the dielectric constants measured from the PTDR are calibrated with the volumetric water content. The PTDR calibration demonstrates that the dielectric constant increases with the water content. For the temperature of 0.1 to 15.2 °C, the travel time only slightly depends on the temperature variance. For field application, a PTDR is pressed into the ground and measures the electromagnetic waves and temperature with depth. The results of the field tests show that the volumetric water content measured by the PTDR increases with depth due to the impermeable layer located underneath the active layer. The electrical resistivity survey conducted at the same site provides the electrical resistivity profile for a long distance and shallow depth soils. Furthermore, the electrical resistivity survey and PTDR establish a significant correlation between electrical resistivity and water content. The PTDR developed in this study can be effectively used as an advanced in-situ testing method to estimate the water distribution in the active layer.
Between Fakes, Forgeries, and Illicit Artifacts—Authenticity Studies in a Heritage Science Laboratory
Authors: Simon Stefan , Röhrs Stefan
Published: June 2018

Since its inauguration in 1888, the Rathgen Research Laboratory of the National Museums in Berlin has been challenged by authenticity questions on cultural heritage objects. In the setting of an ever-growing market, often intertwined with the increasing global impact of illicit traffic, scientific investigations can contribute equally to art-historical, or archaeological expertise when solving questions of authenticity, and should therefore always be included when significant values are at stake. Looted or stolen artifacts, copies, fakes, and forgeries have been an intrinsic element of the market since ever, and only selectively addressed in a trans-disciplinary, more holistic way. This paper makes the case for a reliable, state-of-the-art analysis and illustrates the potential benefits of such a scientific approach to authenticity questions in selected examples: 1. the case of German art forger, Wolfgang Beltracchi; 2. brass objects of alleged Benin and Ife provenance.
Noncanonical NF-κB in Cancer
Authors: Tegowski Matthew , Baldwin Albert
Published: June 2018

The NF-κB pathway is a critical regulator of immune responses and is often dysregulated in cancer. Two NF-κB pathways have been described to mediate these responses, the canonical and the noncanonical. While understudied compared to the canonical NF-κB pathway, noncanonical NF-κB and its components have been shown to have effects, usually protumorigenic, in many different cancer types. Here, we review noncanonical NF-κB pathways and discuss its important roles in promoting cancer. We also discuss alternative NF-κB-independent functions of some the components of noncanonical NF-κB signaling. Finally, we discuss important crosstalk between canonical and noncanonical signaling, which blurs the two pathways, indicating that understanding the full picture of NF-κB regulation is critical to deciphering how this broad pathway promotes oncogenesis.
Enhanced Mechanical Properties in ED-Machinable Zirconia-Tungsten Carbide Composites with Yttria-Neodymia Co-Stabilized Zirconia Matrix
Authors: Gommeringer Andrea , Kern Frank , Gadow Rainer
Published: June 2018

The electrical discharge machining-process (EDM) is a smart solution to optimize the manufacturing chain of customized and complex shaped ceramic components. To comply with the high requirements for the machine and mold design, it is necessary to improve the mechanical properties of ED-machinable ceramics. In this study, ceramic composites with a tetragonal zirconia matrix and tungsten carbide as electrically conductive dispersion were investigated. To improve the toughness of this high strength material, co-stabilized zirconia coated with yttria and neodymia as dopants were used in the compositions with 1.5/1.5 and 1.75/1.25 mol %. These recipes were compared to commercial 3Y-TZP as a reference matrix material combined with the same WC raw powder. The electrically conductive phase content was varied from 20 to 28 vol %. For all compositions, the ceramic blanks were hot pressed at identical dwell and pressure, but with various sintering temperatures (1300 °C to 1450 °C) and then tested with respect to the mechanical and electrical properties. By variation of the stabilizer system, a significantly higher toughness of up to 11.3 MPa√m compared to 5.3 MPa√m for 3Y-TZP-20WC is achieved while the bending strength stays at a comparable high level of >1500 MPa.
Cartesian Material Space with Active-Passive Densities of Complex Charges and Yin-Yang Compensation of Energy Integrals
Authors: Bulyzhenkov Igor
Published: June 2018

The non-empty space approach to Maxwell’s equations reveals the analytical solution with the continuous radial density of the extended astroparticle. The principle of equivalence works universally for active/passive masses and for active/passive electric charges. The Maxwell equations for complex continuous charges become four-vector identities for locally-compensated flows of active (yang) and passive (yin) energies. The Einstein formula for relativistic mass-energy can be supplemented by the imaginary energy of electricity. Cartesian relativistic physics should have its own non-dual analog of the Einstein equation.
Exploring Demographics and Health as Predictors of Risk-Taking in UK Help-Seeking Veterans
Authors: Ashwick Rachel , Syed Shabeer , Murphy Dominic
Published: June 2018

Risk-taking amongst veterans has severe consequences, yet few studies have examined factors that may predict risk-taking in help-seeking veteran populations. This paper presents a cross-sectional study involving a random sample of 667 UK help-seeking veterans, investigating the role of demographics, mental health and physical health presentations on the propensity for risk-taking. Out of 403 (73.4%) veterans, 350 (86.8%) reported risk-taking in the past month. We found that younger age, being in a relationship, probable PTSD, common mental health difficulties and traumatic brain injury were significantly associated with risk-taking. Additionally, a direct association was found between increased risk-taking and PTSD symptom clusters, including higher hyperarousal, elevated negative alterations in mood and cognition. Our findings provide initial evidence for demographic and mental health presentations as predictors of risk-taking in help-seeking veterans. Further research and longitudinal studies are needed to facilitate valid risk assessments, and early intervention for veteran services.
Trend Analysis of Relationship between Primary Productivity, Precipitation and Temperature in Inner Mongolia
Authors: Chen Tianyang , Xie Yichun , Liu Chao , Bai Yongfei , Zhang Anbing , Mao Lishen , Fan Siyu
Published: June 2018

This study mainly examined the relationships among primary productivity, precipitation and temperature by identifying trends of change embedded in time-series data. The paper also explores spatial variations of the relationship over four types of vegetation and across two precipitation zones in Inner Mongolia, China. Traditional analysis of vegetation response to climate change uses minimum, maximum, average or cumulative measurements; focuses on a whole region instead of fine-scale regional or ecological variations; or adopts generic analysis techniques. We innovatively integrate Empirical Mode Decomposition (EMD) and Redundancy Analysis (RDA) to overcome the weakness of traditional approaches. The EMD filtered trend surfaces reveal clear patterns of Enhanced Vegetation Index (EVI), precipitation, and temperature changes in both time and space. The filtered data decrease noises and cyclic fluctuations in the original data and are more suitable for examining linear relationship than the original data. RDA is further applied to reveal partial effect of precipitation and temperature, and their joint effect on primary productivity. The main findings are as follows: (1) We need to examine relationships between the trends of change of the variables of interest when investigating long-term relationships among them. (2) Long-term trend of change of precipitation or temperature can become a critical factor influencing primary productivity depending on local environments. (3) Synchronization (joint effect) of precipitation and temperature in growing season is critically important to primary productivity in the study area. (4) Partial and joint effects of precipitation and temperature on primary productivity vary over different precipitation zones and different types of vegetation. The method developed in this paper is applicable to ecosystem research in other regions.
phylotaR: An Automated Pipeline for Retrieving Orthologous DNA Sequences from GenBank in R
Authors: Bennett Dominic J. , Hettling Hannes , Silvestro Daniele , Zizka Alexander , Bacon Christine D. , Faurby Søren , Vos Rutger A. , Antonelli Alexandre
Published: June 2018

The exceptional increase in molecular DNA sequence data in open repositories is mirrored by an ever-growing interest among evolutionary biologists to harvest and use those data for phylogenetic inference. Many quality issues, however, are known and the sheer amount and complexity of data available can pose considerable barriers to their usefulness. A key issue in this domain is the high frequency of sequence mislabeling encountered when searching for suitable sequences for phylogenetic analysis. These issues include, among others, the incorrect identification of sequenced species, non-standardized and ambiguous sequence annotation, and the inadvertent addition of paralogous sequences by users. Taken together, these issues likely add considerable noise, error or bias to phylogenetic inference, a risk that is likely to increase with the size of phylogenies or the molecular datasets used to generate them. Here we present a software package, phylotaR that bypasses the above issues by using instead an alignment search tool to identify orthologous sequences. Our package builds on the framework of its predecessor, PhyLoTa, by providing a modular pipeline for identifying overlapping sequence clusters using up-to-date GenBank data and providing new features, improvements and tools. We demonstrate and test our pipeline’s effectiveness by presenting trees generated from phylotaR clusters for two large taxonomic clades: Palms and primates. Given the versatility of this package, we hope that it will become a standard tool for any research aiming to use GenBank data for phylogenetic analysis.
Preliminary results from the COPE study using primary-care electronic health records and environmental modelling to examine COPD exacerbations
Authors: Hashmi Maimoona , Wright Mark , Sultana Kirin , Barratt Benjamin , Chatzidiakou Lia , Moore Elizabeth , Kolozali Şefki , Jones Roderic L , Beevers Sean , Smeeth Liam , Kelly Frank J , Quint Jennifer K
Published: June 2018

Background

Chronic Obstructive Airway Disease (COPD) is marked by often severely debilitating exacerbations. Efficient patient-centric research approaches are needed to better inform health management primary-care.

Aim

The ‘COPE study’ aims to develop a method of predicting COPD exacerbations utilising personal air quality sensors, environmental exposure modelling and electronic health records through the recruitment of patients from consenting GPs contributing to the Clinical Practice Research Datalink (CPRD).

Method

The study made use of Electronic Healthcare Records (EHR) from CPRD, an anonymised GP records database to screen and locate patients within GP practices in Central London. Personal air monitors were used to capture data on individual activities and environmental exposures. Output from the monitors were then linked with the EHR data to obtain information on COPD management, severity, comorbidities and exacerbations. Symptom changes not equating to full exacerbations were captured on diary cards. Linear regression was used to investigate the relationship between subject peak flow, symptoms, exacerbation events and exposure data.

Results

Preliminary results on the first 80 patients who have completed the study indicate variable susceptibility to environmental stressors in COPD patients. Some individuals appear highly susceptible to environmental stress and others appear to have unrelated triggers.

Conclusion

Recruiting patients through EHR for a study is feasible and allows easy collection of data for long term follow up. Portable environmental sensors could now be used to develop personalised models to predict risk of COPD exacerbations in susceptible individuals. Identification of direct links between participant health and activities would allow improved health management thus cost savings.
The value of linked data: prescriptions dispensed in the community linked to the national cancer registration data in England
Authors: Henson Katherine E , Brock Rachael , Shand Brian , Coupland Victoria , Elliss-Brookes Lucy , Lyratzopoulos Georgios , McCabe Martin , Round Thomas , Wong Kwok , Rashbass Jem
Published: June 2018

Background

Improvements in cancer survival have resulted in an increasing population of cancer survivors who are managed in primary care. A partnership was established between the National Cancer Registration and Analysis Service and NHS Business Services Authority to link national cancer registration data to community dispensed prescriptions data.

Aim

We describe the linkage between these two datasets and the potential value of the resulting data resource.

Method

Community prescriptions data was collected for April – July 2015 initially. Pseudonymised prescriptions data was supplied to NCRAS for linkage at an individual patient level.

Results

1.68 million individuals, with a history of cancer and having received a prescription April–July 2015, were identified in both datasets. This was 6% of all individuals prescribed medication in that time. 90,840 patients were newly diagnosed with cancer and had prescriptions in this time period: 90% of all patients diagnosed April–July 2015. Comparison of the two datasets identified data quality issues which must be considered, and these will also be presented.

Conclusion

This linked resource has the potential to become largest of its kind and is thus crucial to primary care research. Prescribed medication and its correlation with symptom profiles or co-morbidity at time points relative to diagnosis, will offer unique insights into prescribing patterns and potential associations with earlier diagnosis. Full exploitation of this linked data offers the potential for an evidence base for empowering survivors, updating clinical follow-up guidelines and educating primary care physicians who manage the long-term care of cancer survivors.
Safety Climate measurement in Ireland: a comparison with England and Scotland
Authors: Curran Ciara , Lydon Sinead , Kelly Maureen , Murphy Andrew , Madden Caoimhe , O’Connor Paul
Published: June 2018

Background

Safety climate (SC) measurement is a key component of quality and safety initiatives in healthcare settings.

Aim

We aimed to measure SC in Irish primary care, examine whether perceptions of safety varied according to respondent characteristics, and compare responses from Irish sample to published data from England and Scotland.

Method

The PC-SafeQuest Survey was administered to all practice staff within general practices in Ireland. This survey consists of 30 items divided into five safety subscales (workload, communication, leadership, teamwork, and safety systems). Multiple regression analysis was used to identify demographic predictor variables of perceived safety. The effect size of the difference between the Irish sample and previously published English and Scottish samples was calculated for each PC-SafeQuest subscale, and the overall SC score.

Results

Response rate was 38.5% across participating practices. Workload had the lowest overall mean score for Irish responders. It was only possible to identify variables predictive of the workload subscale. GP Principals had a significantly more negative perception of the impact of workload on patient safety than administrative staff. Comparisons across the Irish, English and Scottish samples identified a medium size effect difference in Workload. Scottish responders perceived workload to have less of a negative impact on safety than Irish or English responders (d=0.602, 0.67 respectively).

Conclusion

Irish safety climate data are similar to those of England and Scotland – all emphasise the negative impact of workload. These data highlight the importance of considering workload and its impact on patient safety in primary care internationally.
A general practice provider federation in a mixed health economy in England: a case study investigation
Authors: Mitchell Jill
Published: June 2018

Background

There is an emerging debate that general practice in its current format is out-dated and there is a requirement to move to a federated model of provision where groups of Practices come together. The emergence of federations has developed over the past 5 years but the factors that influence how federations develop and the impact of this new model is an under researched area.

Aim

The study explored the rationale around why a group of independent GP practices opted to pursue an alternative business venture and the benefits that this strategy offered.

Method

A single organisational case study of a federation in the North of England was conducted between 2011–2016. Mixed methods data collection included individual and group semi-structured interviews and quantitative surveys.

Results

Federations promote collaborative working, relying on strategic coherence of multiple individual GP practices through a shared vision and common purpose. Findings revealed many complexities in implementing a common strategy across multiple independent businesses. The ability of the federation to gain legitimacy was two dimensional – externally and internally. The venture had mixed successes, but their approach to quality improvement proved innovative and demonstrated outcomes on a population basis. The study identified significant pressures that practices were experiencing and the need to seek alternative ways of working but there was no shared vision or inclination to relinquish individual practice autonomy.

Conclusion

Organisational development support is critical to reform General Practice. Whether central funding through the GP Five Year Forward View will achieve the scale of change required is yet to be evidenced.
Effects and costs of predictive risk stratification in primary care: randomised stepped wedge trial
Authors: Russell Ian , Bailey-Jones Kerry , Burge-Jones Deborah , Dale Jeremy , Diethart Bernadette , Fitzsimmons Deborah , Heaven Martin , Hutchings Hayley , John Gareth , Kingston Mark-Rhys , Lewis Leo , Phillips Ceri , Warm Daniel , Watkins Alan , Snooks Helen ,   On behalf of the PRiSMATIC (Predictive Risk Stratification Modelling: A Trial In Cymru) team
Published: June 2018

Background

The ageing UK population needs safe approaches to reduce emergency hospital admissions. Predictive risk stratification modelling (PRiSM) estimates risk that individuals will suffer emergency admission to hospital within 12 months and selects patients for preventative community care to avoid admissions.

Aim

To evaluate the introduction of (PRiSM) into primary care.

Method

Funded by NIHR, we used randomised stepped wedge design to estimate (cost) effectiveness of introducing PRiSM software into 32 participating practices in urban South Wales, supported by practice-based training, clinical support through two local ‘GP champions’, and technical support through telephone help-desk. Outcome measures included: emergency hospital admissions (primary), other hospital activity, and GP activity, all estimated from routine data; patient-reported SF-12 health-related quality of life scores; and NHS costs.

Results

Across 230,000 participants, PRiSM implementation increased: emergency hospital admission rates by 1.1% (95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.0% to 1.3%); Emergency Department attendance rates by 3.0% (95%CI = 2.8% to 3.2%); outpatient visit rates by 5.5% (95%CI = 5.1% to 5.8%); GP activity by 1.1% (95% CI = 0.7% to 1.4%); and NHS costs per patient by £76 (95%CI = £46 to £106). Questionnaires completed by 1400 randomly sampled participants showed that: PRISM improved SF-12 physical scores by 1.5 points (95%CI = 0.8 to 2.2); but not SF-12 mental scores (95%CI = −1.5 points to +0.3). The direct cost of introducing PRiSM was £0.11/patient/year.

Conclusion

The introduction of PRiSM increased emergency hospital admissions and other NHS activity without clear evidence of benefit.
Cancer patients and primary care prescribed medications: offering insights into symptoms, polypharmacy and multimorbidity
Authors: Wong Kwok F , Charman Jackie , Round Thomas , Henson Katherine E
Published: June 2018

Background

National Cancer Registration and Analysis Service (NCRAS) are responsible for registering data on all cases of cancer. For the first time individual patient level prescribing data is available, offering potential unique insights into treatment and co-morbidity.

Aim

To investigate the patterns of polypharmacy in cancer patients compared to non-cancer patients.

Method

Primary care prescriptions data (electronic and FP10) is currently available from April to July 2015 inclusive. Unique prescription items were summarised for each registered cancer patient; with an initial focus on opioids. These summaries were broken down by age of the patient at prescription for the most common cancers (invasive breast, colorectal, lung and prostate). Non-cancer patients were used as a comparison

Results

Overall 1,680,764 cancer patients were dispensed prescriptions during the period. On average, patients diagnosed with breast, colorectal, prostate and lung cancers received 7, 8, 8 and 10 unique drugs, respectively, throughout the 4 months. In all cases 2 of these unique drugs were opioids. In comparison, patients not diagnosed with cancer received 4 unique drugs on average: of which 2 were unique opioid drugs. Cancer patients aged 0–39, 40–69 and 70+, at prescription date, received 4, 6 and 8 unique prescriptions respectively compared to 3, 5 and 7, for non-cancer patients.

Conclusion

This provides insight into primary care polypharmacy for all cancer patients in England. Analysis is underway to assess the cumulative dosage of unique drugs that patients receive, and the potential use of the data as a marker of polypharmacy/co-morbidity with larger patient level datasets.
A systematic review to explore the impact of anxiety on quality of life and treatment outcomes in rheumatoid arthritis
Authors: Machin Annabelle , Haththotuwa Randula , Babatunde Opeyemi , Scott Ian , Corp Nadia , Chew-Graham Carolyn , Hider Samantha
Published: June 2018

Background

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is the commonest inflammatory arthritis. Comorbid anxiety and depression are common, but under-recognised and under-treated. Depression in RA has been linked to reduced quality of life and treatment response and increased mortality. Past research into co-morbid mood problems in RA has mainly focused on the prevalence and impact of depression.

Aim

To complete a systematic review to explore the impact of anxiety on QOL and treatment outcomes in RA.

Method

The systematic review has been registered on PROSPERO. Databases (Web of Science, PsycINFO, CINAHL, Embase and Medline) have been systematically searched for relevant studies. Titles and abstracts have been independently screened by two reviewers. Data extraction and quality appraisal of studies will be carried out using a customized and piloted data extraction tool and the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale. Disagreements will be resolved through discussion or by a third reviewer. A narrative synthesis framework will be used to develop a theory of how anxiety impacts on QOL and treatment response and a meta-analysis performed.

Results

The search has identified 6404 articles. After title screening, 284 abstracts have been reviewed and 48 full texts are being reviewed for inclusion. Full text review is ongoing, and results of the analysis will be presented.

Conclusion

Highlighting the impact of anxiety on outcomes in RA may suggest areas for future implementation studies to improve patient outcomes, potentially reducing associated morbidity and mortality.
The mediating role of medical professionalism on financial self-interest GPs
Authors: McCaffrey David , O’Riordan Chris , Kelliher Felicity
Published: June 2018

Background

While no normative definition exists, medical professionalism emphasises a set of values, behaviours and relationships that underpin public trust in a physician. The empirical setting for this study is the Irish health care system where GPs receive income through a unique mix of private fee income and state funded capitation. GPs’ income per patient has fallen by 33% under state schemes between 2008 and 2013 due to changes in health policy and national fiscal constraints.

Aim

This paper examines how general practitioners conceptualise and operationalise medical professionalism and financial self-interest in the Irish healthcare system.

Method

To address this research aim, a historical documentary analysis (2009–2016) of national and medical newspapers was used to investigate GPs’ expressions of medical professionalism and financial self-interest.

Results

The vagueness of language in differing definitions of medical professionalism may lead to a GP having a fluid interpretation depending on the situation. While general practitioners expressed core humanistic values, such as empathy and compassion, the expression of altruistic values were limited when practitioners indicated there was constraint on the financial resources of a practice.

Conclusion

Central to the analysis of a medical practitioner’s treatment of patients and receipt of fee income is the tension between medical professionalism and financial self-interest. Developing an understanding of this tension has implications for those undertaking healthcare policy initiatives and the recruitment and retention of general practitioners in primary care.