bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Insulin response and changes in composition of non-esterified fatty acids in blood plasma of middle-aged men following isoenergetic fatty and carbohydrate breakfasts
Authors: Frape D. L. , Williams N. R. , Carpenter K. L. H. , Freeman M. A. , Palmer C. R. , Fletcher R. J.
Published: May 2019

It was previously shown that a high plasma concentration of non-esterified fatty acids (NEFA) persisted after a fatty breakfast, but not after an isoenergetic carbohydrate breakfast, adversely affecting glucose tolerance. The higher concentration after the fatty breakfast may in part have been a result of different mobilization rates of fatty acids. This factor can be investigated as NEFA mobilized from tissues are monounsaturated to a greater extent than those deposited from a typical meal. Twenty-four middle-aged healthy Caucasian men were given oral glucose tolerance tests (OGTT), and for 28 d isoenergetic breakfasts of similar fat composition but of low (L) or moderate (M) fat content. The composition of NEFA in fasting and postprandial plasma was determined on days 1 and 29. No significant treatment differences in fasting NEFA composition occurred on day 29. During the OGTT and 0–1 h following breakfast there was an increase in plasma long-chain saturated NEFA but a decrease in monounsaturated NEFA (μg/100 μg total NEFA; P<0·001). Between 1 and 3 h following breakfast treatment differences occurred for total saturated and total monounsaturated fatty acids (μg/100 μg total NEFA; P<0·05), expressed as an increase in 18 : 1 and decreases in 16 : 0 and 17 : 0 in treatment M relative to treatment L (P<0·05). Serum insulin attained 35 and 65 mU/l in treatments M and L respectively during this period. Negative correlations were found between 16 : 0 in fasting plasma and both waist:hip circumference (P=0·0009) and insulin response curve area during OGTT (within treatment M, P=0·0001). It is concluded that a normal postprandial insulin response is associated with a rapid change in plasma saturated:monounsaturated NEFA. It is proposed that this change is the result of a variable suppression of fat mobilization, which may partly account for a large difference in postprandial total plasma NEFA between fatty and carbohydrate meals.
A method for separation of phosphatidylcholine, triacylglycerol, non-esterified fatty acids and cholesterol esters from plasma by solid-phase extraction
Authors: Burdge Graham C. , Wright Paul , Jones Amanda E. , Wootton Stephen A.
Published: May 2019

Efficient isolation of individual lipid classes is a critical step in the analysis of plasma and lipoprotein fatty acid compositions. Whilst good separations of total lipid extracts are possible by TLC, this method is time consuming and a major rate-limiting step when processing large numbers of specimens. A method for rapid separation of phosphatidylcholine (PC), non-esterified fatty acids (NEFA), cholesterol ester (CE) and triacylglycerol (TAG) from total plasma lipid extracts by solid-phase extraction (SPE) using aminopropyl silica columns has been developed and validated. Following initial separation of polar and neutral lipids, individual classes were isolated by application of solvents with increasing polarity. Recoveries for combined plasma extraction with chloroform–methanol and SPE were (%): PC 74·2 (SD 7·5), NEFA 73·6 (sd 8·3), CE 84·9 (sd 4·9), and TAG 86·8 (sd 4·9), which were significantly greater for TAG and NEFA than by TLC (P<0·001). Both GC–flame ionisation detector and GC-MS analysis of fatty acid methyl esters demonstrated that there was no cross-contamination between lipid classes. Measurements of repeatability of fatty acid composition for TAG, PC, CE and NEFA fractions showed similar CV for each fatty acid. The magnitude of the CV appeared to be related inversely to the fractional fatty acid concentration, and was greatest at concentrations of less than 1 g/100 g total fatty acids. There was no evidence of selective elution of individual fatty acid or CE species. In conclusion, this method represents an efficient, rapid alternative to TLC for isolation of these lipid classes from plasma.
Alexander Crummell and the Anti-Slavery Dilemma of the Episcopal Church
Authors: STRANGE THOMAS
Published: May 2019

Alexander Crummell's application to enter the General Theological Seminary in 1839 was problematic for the Episcopal Church. Admitting the African American abolitionist would have exacerbated divisions over slavery within a denomination still recovering from the American Revolution and the Second Great Awakening. The Church's increasing financial dependence on its upper-class members was a further complication. In Northern states the social elite supported anti-abolitionist violence, whilst in the South support for the Church came predominantly from slaveholders, who opposed any form of abolitionism. In order to safeguard the Episcopal Church's future, the denomination had to reject Crummell's application.
The Dividend Term Structure
Authors: Kragt Jac , de Jong Frank , Driessen Joost
Published: May 2019

We estimate a model for the term structure of discounted risk-adjusted dividend growth using prices of dividend futures for the Eurostoxx 50. A 2-factor model capturing short-term mean reversion within a year and a medium-term component reverting at the business-cycle horizon gives an excellent fit of these prices. Hence, investors update the valuation of dividends beyond the business cycle only to a limited degree. The 2-factor model, estimated on dividend futures data only, explains a large part of observed daily stock market returns. We also show that the 2 latent factors are related to various economic and financial variables.
Correlates of blood parasitism in a threatened marshland passerine: infection by kinetoplastids of the genus Trypanosoma is related to landscape metrics of habitat edge
Authors: Kubacka Justyna , Gerlée Alina , Foucher Julien , Korb Judith , Podmokła Edyta
Published: May 2019

In birds, vector-borne parasites invading the bloodstream are important agents of disease, affect fitness and shape population viability, thus being of conservation interest. Here, we molecularly identified protozoan blood parasites in two populations of the threatened Aquatic Warbler Acrocephalus paludicola, a migratory passerine nesting in open marsh. We explored whether prevalence and lineage diversity of the parasites vary by population and whether infection status is explained by landscape metrics of habitat edge and individual traits (body mass, fat score, wing length and sex). Aquatic Warblers were infected by genera Plasmodium, Leucocytozoon and Trypanosoma, with seven, one and four lineages, and 29.9, 0.7 and 12.5% prevalence, respectively. No Haemoproteus infections were detected. Prevalence did not vary between the populations, but lineage diversity was higher in Polesie than in Biebrza for all the lineages pooled and for Plasmodium. Infection by Trypanosoma decreased with patch core area and increased with density of habitat edge. Infection status was not predicted by the individual traits. Our study is the first to show an association between edge-related landscape features and blood parasitism in an open habitat bird. This finding will support informed conservation measures for avian species of the globally shrinking marshland and other treeless habitats.
“Constructing the Poor in Early Seventeenth-Century London”1
Authors: Schen Claire S.
Published: May 2019

Historians of early modern Europe have become accustomed to the dichotomy of the deserving and undeserving poor, though they still debate the origins of the transformation of attitudes toward the poor and poverty. Historians have studied less carefully the ways in which these presumably static categories flexed, as individuals and officials worked out poor relief and charity on the local level. Military, religious, and social exigencies, precipitated by war, the Reformation, and demographic pressure, allowed churchwardens and vestrymen to redraw the contours of the deserving and undeserving poor within the broader frame of the infirm, aged, and sick. International conflicts of the early seventeenth century created circumstances and refugees not anticipated by the poor law innovators of the sixteenth century. London’s responses to these unexpected developments illustrate how inhabitants constructed the categories of die deserving and undeserving poor. This construction depended upon the discretion of churchwardens and their fellow officers, who listened to the accounts and read the official documents of the poor making claims on parish relief and charity.
A review of oestrous behaviour and detection in dairy cows
Authors: Stevenson J. S.
Published: May 2019

A number of measurable physiological events characteristically occur and cause changes during the perioestrual period including the classical, diagnostic sign of standing behaviour. The onset of oestrus coincides with peak titres of oestradiol-17β that subsequently induce the preovulatory surge of LH within 1 to 3 h and ovulation of a mature follicle some 24 to 32 h after the onset of oestrus. Although detection efficiencies are consistently greater in higher producing herds, oestrus-detection efficiency generally has declined in recent years as herd size and milk production have increased. New technologies have introduced some needed assistance for detecting cows in oestrus. These include various in expensive heat mount detectors to more sophisticated electronic gadgetry, such aspedometry and radiotelemetric sensors that detect temperature, tissue impedance, and pressure. Oestrus detection aids are usually more efficient but not necessarily more accurate than visual observation. Differences in housing and environmental conditions, in addition to labor inputs, costs, and efficacies, result in variable acceptance of such technologies. Detection efficiency and accuracy can be improved by simultaneous use of synergistic technologies; those that compliment each other and monitor different indicators of oestrus. Combining technologies for simultaneous measurements of several physiological events associated specifically with the onset of oestrus and their radiotelemetrically signaling to a central computer for subsequent analysis should provide greater efficiency ofoestrus detection with fewer false positives. The ultimate goal of determining the onset of oestrus or ovulation is to predict the optimal timing for insemination. Ultimately, herd personnel must interpret information gathered by these technologies and judge whether or not and when to inseminate cows based on their visual inspection of identified cows.
Embryo survival rate in cattle: a major limitation to the achievement of high fertility
Authors: Sreenan J.M. , Diskin M.G. , Morris D.G.
Published: May 2019

Over the past 30-40 years genetic improvement and better nutrition of dairy cows have led to a significant increase in milk production per cow but this is associated with an increase in cow reproductive wastage. Reproductive wastage in the dairy herd particularly in a seasonal calving system, results in a serious financial loss. Early embryo death accounts for a significant portion of cow reproductive wastage and information is becoming available on the extent and timing of early embryo loss and on aspects of embryo growth, development, metabolism and viability. Such information is necessary to facilitate objective investigation of factors that contribute to early embryo death. For heifers and moderate yielding dairy cows published estimates of fertilisation rate of about 90%, and of average calving rates of about 55% indicate an embryonic and foetal mortality rate of about 40%. Of this total loss, 70 to 80% is sustained between days 8 and 16 after insemination, a further 10% between days 16 and 42 and a further 5-8% between day 42 and term. In high yielding cows there is some evidence of a higher increment of late embryo loss. During the period of greatest embryo loss, between days 8 and 16 after fertilisation, there is a dramatic increase in the growth rate and protein content of embryos, particularly from day 13 to day 16 when the increase is exponential. There is evidence that from day 13 to 15 cattle embryos undergo time and developmental stage-dependent changes in the rate of de-novo protein synthesis and protein phosphorylation. It seems that by the time cattle embryos have elongated they have passed their maximal synthetic activity in terms of protein synthesis and phosphorylation, which seems to occur at day 13 or earlier. While there is little published information on the causes of embryo loss it is clear that even a short-term reduction in energy intake near the time of insemination can significantly reduce embryo survival rate. Abo and low post-ovulatory systemic progesterone has been associated with increased embryo loss. Recent evidence shows that elevated systemic concentrations of ammonia and urea per se do not reduce embryo survival rate but there may be other modifying factors, such as negative energy balance, operating in the high yielding dairy cow that lead to reduced fertility when the systemic concentrations of urea and or, ammonia are high.
Physiological and genetic differences between low and high index dairy cows
Authors: Lucy M. C. , Crooker B. A.
Published: May 2019

Selection of dairy cattle for increased milk production has decreased some indices of reproductive efficiency. For example, days open are increased by one day for every 100 kg of increased milk yield per lactation. Some of the change in days open can be explained by delayed onset of oestrous cyclicity and lower conception rate to artificial insemination in cows with greater milk production. Despite these negative associations between milk production and reproduction, reproduction in herds of high producing dairy cattle is not necessarily compromised relative to reproduction in herds of low producing dairy cattle. This is because there is a large environmental effect on dairy reproduction. High producing herds generally have better management and better oestrous detection. Therefore, high producing dairy herds may partially overcome the antagonistic relationship between milk production and reproduction. Physiological mechanisms that lead to poorer reproduction in high producing cows are partially defined. Negative energy balance that occurs in high producing dairy cows can be associated with a delay in the initiation of ovarian cycles and the interval to first breeding. Many of the effects of negative energy balance on postpartum reproduction can be explained by decreased serum luteinizing hormone (LH) that is associated with negative energy balance. Serum LH increases as cows move toward positive energy balance and greater LH stimulates growth and ovulation of ovarian follicles. We have initiated studies to address physiological differences in high and low index dairy cows. The reproductive endocrinology of cows from a control line (5,900 kg milk/lactation) and a select line (10,900 kg milk/lactation) of dairy cows at the University of Minnesota was studied over a two-year period. Cows in Year 1 were similar for serum concentrations of LH, follicle stimulating hormone (FSH), and oestradiol (preovulatory period). In both years, serum concentrations of progesterone during luteal phases, however, were decreased in select cows. The Year 2 cows also had a delay in the return to oestrous cyclicity that was associated with reduced LH. The possibility that decreased progesterone causes infertility in dairy cows will require further study. Collectively, these data suggest that changes in blood progesterone concentrations may explain, partially, lower fertility in high index dairy cows.
Boundary trace of the solutions of the prescribed Gaussian curvature equation
Authors: Grillot Michele , Véron Laurent
Published: May 2019

We study the existence of a boundary trace for minorized solutions of the equation Δu + K (x) e2u = 0 in the unit open ball B2 of R2. We prove that this trace is an outer regular Borel measure on ∂B2, not necessarily a Radon measure. We give sufficient conditions on Borel measures on ∂B2 so that they are the boundary trace of a solution of the above equation. We also give boundary removability results in terms of generalized Bessel capacities.
Geometric aspects of Sturm—Liouville problems I. Structures on spaces of boundary conditions
Authors: Kong Q. , Wu H. , Zettl A.
Published: May 2019

We consider some geometric aspects of regular Sturm—Liouville problems. First, we clarify a natural geometric structure on the space of boundary conditions. This structure is the base for studying the dependence of Sturm—Liouville eigenvalues on the boundary condition, and reveals many new properties of these eigenvalues. In particular, the eigenvalues for separated boundary conditions and those for coupled boundary conditions, or the eigenvalues for self-adjoint boundary conditions and those for non-self-adjoint boundary conditions, are closely related under this structure. Then we give complete characterizations of several subsets of boundary conditions such as the set of self-adjoint boundary conditions that have a given real number as an eigenvalue, and determine their shapes. The shapes are shown to be independent of the differential equation in question. Moreover, we investigate the differentiability of continuous eigenvalue branches under this structure, and discuss the relationships between the algebraic and geometric multiplicities of an eigenvalue.
The critical Fujita number for a semilinear heat equation in exterior domains with homogeneous Neumann boundary values
Authors: Levine H. A. , Zhang Q. S.
Published: May 2019

Let D be a domain in Rn with bounded complement and let n ≠ 2. For the initial-boundary value problem

we prove that there are no non-trivial global (non-negative) solutions if 0 < n (p − 1) ≤ 2 and there exist both global non-trivial and non-global solutions if n (p − 1) > 2.
Electroclinical Analysis of Postictal Noserubbing
Authors: Wennberg Richard
Published: May 2019

Background:

Postictal noserubbing (PIN) has been identified as a good, albeit imperfect, lateralizing and localizing sign in human partial epilepsy, possibly related to ictal autonomic activation.

Methods:

PIN was studied prospectively in a group of consecutive patients admitted for video-EEG monitoring, with the laterality of noserubbing correlated with electrographic sites of seizure onset, intra- and interhemispheric spread, and sites of seizure termination.

Results:

PIN was significantly more frequent in temporal than extratemporal epilepsy (p<0.001; 23/41 (56%) patients and 41/197 (21%) seizures in temporal lobe epilepsy compared with 4/34 (12%) patients and 12/167 (7%) seizures in extratemporal epilepsy). The hand used to rub the nose was ipsilateral to the side of seizure onset in 83% of both temporal and extratemporal seizures. Seizures with contralateral PIN correlated with spread to the contralateral temporal lobe on scalp EEG (p<0.04). All extratemporal seizures with PIN showed spread to temporal lobe structures. One patient investigated with intracranial electrodes showed PIN only when ictal activity spread to involve the amygdala: seizures confined to the hippocampus were not associated with PIN. PIN was not observed in 63 nonepileptic events in 17 patients. Unexpectedly, one patient with primary generalized epilepsy showed typical PIN after 1/3 recorded absence seizures.

Conclusions:

This study confirms PIN as a good indicator of ipsilateral temporal lobe seizure onset. Instances of false lateralization and localization appear to reflect seizure spread to contralateral or ipsilateral temporal lobe structures, respectively. Involvement of the amygdala appears to be of prime importance for induction of PIN.
Epilepsy in Contemporary Fiction: Fates of Patients
Authors: Wolf Peter
Published: May 2019

Fictional accounts of epilepsy are of interest because they may convey information on images and public views of epilepsy which are not contained in medical texts. Thus, medical and nonmedical traditions together form the cultural history of epilepsy. Of the numerous possible aspects of epilepsy in fiction, this paper looks especially at the writers'background of knowledge about epilepsy; epilepsy as a handicap and a reason for social rejection, with special reference to epilepsy under the Nazi rule; threats to patients'lives; the motive of the child with epilepsy as a divine child; and epilepsy as a fate, and a reason for distinction. Literary writers may help their readers understand that a person's suffering and fighting a condition like epilepsy very much deserves our attention and sympathy. Without being exclusive, the paper pays special attention to epilepsy in the writings of Canadian authors.
Verification of AIS Data by using Video Images taken by a UAV
Authors: Zhou Fan , Pan Shengda , Jiang Jingjing
Published: May 2019

Effective technical methods for verifying the authenticity and accuracy of Automatic Identification System (AIS) data, which are important for safe navigation and traffic regulation, are still lacking. In this study, we propose a new method to verify AIS data by using video images taken by an Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV). An improved ViBe algorithm is used to extract the ship target image from the video images and the ship's spatial position is calculated using a monocular target-positioning algorithm. The positioning results are compared with the position, speed and course data of the same ship in AIS, and the authenticity and accuracy of the AIS data are verified. The results of the experiment conducted in the inland waterways of Huangpu River in Shanghai, China, show that AIS signals can be automatically checked and verified by a UAV in real time and can thus improve the supervision efficiency of maritime departments.
Diagnosis in psychiatry; a piece of cake?
Authors: Verhoeven W.M.A. , van der Heijden F.M.M.A. , Tuinier S. , Egger J.J.M.
Published: May 2019

The unrestricted use of the DSM as diagnostic instrument for psychiatric disorders results in an arbitary and over the time inconsistent application of labels whether or not accompanied by the adjective NOS. Moreover, the European psychiatric tradition is often regarded as irrelevant and the results from modern genetics, behavioural neurology and other neuroscience research are not considered. The neuropsychiatric paradigm and the need to focus on psychological dysfunctions and their putative neurobiological substrate are discussed on the basis of four case reports. This paper illustrates the pitfalls of a careless use of the DSM.
Changes in protein composition in cellular membranes of various parts of secondary dormant cucumber seeds treated with ethanol
Authors: Sreenivasulu Y. , Amritphale Dilip
Published: May 2019

Secondary seed dormancy in cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.) cv.Poinsett 76 could be broken with ethanol. Breakage of dormancy was accompanied by significant changes in the composition of membrane proteins in various seed parts. Compared to the intracellular membranes, a change in the protein composition of plasma membranes from the embryonic axis and cotyledons was evident early in the time-course of ethanol-induced germination of dormant seeds. While few alterations in the membrane protein composition in response to ethanol treatment occurred both in dormant and nondormant seeds, a number of changes occurred exclusively in ethanol-treated dormant seeds. Notably, a 14 kD protein in the plasma membrane from the embryonic axis and a 35 kD protein in the microsomal membranes from the perisperm-endosperm envelope disappeared in the ethanol-treated dormant seeds, but not in the ethanol-treated nondormant seeds. Also marked decrease in the content of a 23 kD protein in the plasma membrane from the cotyledons was observed in ethanol-treated dormant seeds only. It is suggested that the particular changes in cellular membrane proteins, which occurred in ethanol-treated dormant seeds much before the first visible indication of germination, might be related to dormancy breaking rather than to the germination process.
Bacca quo vadis: Regeneration niche differences among seven sympatricVaccinimspecies on headlands of Newfoundland
Authors: Vander Kloet Sam P. , Hill Nick M.
Published: May 2019

On headlands in Newfoundland, four of the seven sympatricVacciniumspecies co-occur frequently at the quadrat level in tundra communities. We hypothesized that differentiation at the regeneration niche level was a prerequisite for the coexistence of these sympatric congeners. After a description and quantification of parameters affecting whole berry and seed dispersal and those affecting seed germination, differentiation at these two levels of the regeneration niches of the sevenVacciniawas investigated using numerical clustering techniques. Differentiation patterns were similar in both the germination and the dispersal dendrograms; three species were most dissimilar (viz.V. angustifolium, V. boreale and V. uliginosum), and the remaining four were separated into single species groups at the 62% and 75% similarity levels by the germination and dispersal dendrograms, respectively. Overall, patterns reflect divergence in dispersal mechanisms and germination abilities among the seven species, in support of the thesis that sympatric congeners have varied regeneration strategies. Differences in the germination success observed after testing natural dispersal units (e.g. seed from scat and seed within whole berries) points to the need to conduct germination trials in ecologically relevant ways. This approach reveals how divergent regeneration strategies are possible in species having similar, palatable baccate fruits (e.g.V. angustifolium and V. uliginosum) and highlights our lack of insight into regeneration strategies of the groups. The cranberry seeds, despite germination success gauged by results from standard germination protocols, exhibit no germination in trials conducted with the natural dispersal unit, the whole berry.
Desiccation-induced dormancy in papaya (Carica papayaL.) seeds is alleviated by heat shock
Authors: Wood Christopher B. , Pritchard Hugh W. , Amritphale Dilip
Published: May 2019

The effects of desiccation and temperature on the germination capabilityof Carica papayaL. were investigated for seeds extracted from three commercial fruit batches. More than 50% of freshly isolated, cleaned (sarcotesta removed) but undried seeds germinated at 26°C. However, desiccation to approx. 20%seed RH reduced germination at this temperature to < 10%. A substantial increase in germination at alternating temperatures (33/19°C) indicated that desiccation induced seed dormancy rather than viability loss. Dormancy could be removed in a large proportion of the population by the application of a single heat shock to rehydrated seeds for 4 h at 36°C, with subsequent return to 26°C for germination. Longer (days) and shorter (minutes) periods of heat shock were less effective for releasing dormancy. Heat shock was generally applied 5 or 14 d after rehydration had started, but the treatment was equally effective after imbibition for only 1 d. Light was always applied during both imbibition and the post-heat shock treatment, but was not essential during the actual heat shock treatment. Rehydration and post-heat shock temperature treatments in the range of 16°C to 36°C revealed the same optima of 26°C. Dormancy was re-imposed in heat-shocked seeds when they were subsequently dried to seed relative humidities of 25 to 75%(5 to 11% moisture content [fresh weight basis]), but this state could be removed by a further heat shock. The longer heat-shocked seeds were held on agar-water at 26°C prior to re-drying, the greater the level of desiccation intolerance.
Dormancy-breaking and germination requirements of seeds of fourLoniceraspecies (Caprifoliaceae) with underdeveloped spatulate embryos
Authors: Hidayati Siti N. , Baskin Jerry M. , Baskin Carol C.
Published: May 2019

Dormancy-breaking requirements and types of dormancy were determined for seeds ofLonicera fragrantissimaLindl. & Paxt.,L. japonicaThunb.,L. maackii(Rupr.) Maxim. andL. morrowiiA. Gray. Seeds of all four species have underdeveloped spatulate embryos that are about 20–40%fully developed (elongated) when dispersed. Embryos in freshly matured, intact seeds grew better at 25/15°C than at 5°C. Gibberellic acid (GA3) (tested only in the light) was more effective in breaking dormancy inL. maackiiandL. morrowiithan inL. fragrantissimaandL. japonica. Warm- followed by cold stratification was required to break dormancy in seeds ofL. fragrantissima, whereas seeds ofL. japonicarequired cold stratification only. Thus, seeds ofL. fragrantissimahave deep simple morphophysiological dormancy (MPD) and those ofL. japonicanondeep simple MPD. About 50%of the seeds ofL. maackiirequired warm- or cold stratification only to come out of dormancy and 50% of those ofL. morrowiirequired warm stratification only, whereas the other 50% did not require stratification to germinate. Thus, about half of the seeds of the two species has nondeep simple MPD, and the other half has morphological dormancy (MD). In these laboratory tests, seeds ofL. japonica,L. maackii, andL. morrowiigenerally germinated to significantly higher percentages in light than in darkness; seeds ofL. fragrantissimawere not tested in darkness. Peaks of germination for seeds ofL. fragrantissima,L. japonica,L. maackiiandL. morrowiisown on a soil surface and covered withQuercusleaves under near-natural temperature conditions shortly after seed maturity and dispersal in late June 1997, late November 1997, early November 1996 and late June 1998, respectively, occurred in early March 1998, late February 1998, late March 1997 and early October 1998, respectively. The germination phenologies of seeds of the same species and seed lots buried in soil were similar to those of seeds under leaf litter. High percentages of seeds of all four species germinated both under litter (78–96%) and beneath the soil surface (78–97%). These germination patterns correspond closely with the requirements for embryo growth and dormancy break in the fourLoniceraspecies.
Curricular Skills Valued by Parents of Children Attending Special Developmental Schools in Victoria
Authors: Skora Helena , Pillay Bob , Desai Ishwar
Published: May 2019

The need for parental involvement in developing effective programs for children with disabilities is highlighted in the conceptual and research literature as well as in the legislation and policies of a number of countries. The present study was undertaken to investigate the curricular skills valued by parents of children with moderate to severe/profound intellectual disabilities attending Special Developmental Schools in Victoria, Australia. The study examined whether a significant relationship existed between selected background factors and the value parents placed on particular curricular skills. In addition, the study attempted to identify the percentage of a typical school week that parents felt should be spent on particular skills within the educational programs offered to their children.
Review of Research on Teachers’ Knowledge and Attitudes About Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)
Authors: Bekle Bruna
Published: May 2019

ADHD is a neuro‐developmental disorder that is diagnosed in 3 to 6% of the childhood population in a diversity of cultures and a variety of geographical locations. It presents as a persistent pattern of inattention and/or hyperactivity‐impulsivity, with boys being over‐represented by approximately 3 to 1. High levels of comorbidity between ADHD and a number of other disorders, including Oppositional Defiant Disorder, Conduct Disorder, and learning disabilities, have been identified. This review will examine the historical development of the understanding of ADHD, knowledge of its etiology, and most importantly contribute to raising awareness of the influence of this disorder in the school environment. The literature will be used to provide evidence of the difficulties that children diagnosed with ADHD experience in the behavioral components needed for academic success, and the role that teachers might play in the process of identification, assessment, and management of this disorder. Finally, this review will examine the implications of these findings for the provision of training of teachers in regards to ADHD.
The needs of children who witness domestic violence: A South Australian study
Authors: Bagshaw Dale , Chung Donna
Published: May 2019

There is now increasing recognition that child abuse and domestic violence are not separate phenomena and ‘witnessing’ domestic violence can seriously affect children. This paper reports on a qualitative research project undertaken by researchers from the University of South Australia from June 1998 to January 1999, as part of the Commonwealth and States’ Partnerships Against Domestic Violence initiative. The focus of the research was on assessing the needs of women, men and young people who have experienced domestic violence in South Australia. The participants identified many ‘effects’ of witnessing or experiencing domestic violence on children, along with their needs. The findings will inform early intervention campaigns as well as broader service systems in supporting and responding to the needs of these young people.
Listening to the child victim of abuse through the process of therapy: A case study
Authors: Mudaly Neerosh , Goddard Chris
Published: May 2019

When a child has been abused by his or her father or father-figure and makes the statement ‘I want Dad to come home’, whose voice are we hearing in treatment, how do we interpret and respond to what the child is saying? Understanding and responding to the voices of victims of abuse is a complex issue. This paper explores the issues of listening to and responding to a young vicitm of abuse in the context of the impact of the abuse on this young person, and how these issues emerged and were addressed in the therapeutic process. Amanda, a 13-year-old girl, disclosed sexual abuse by her stepfather. In the initial months of counselling she repeatedly expressed her wish for her stepfather to return home. Amanda’s response to therapy, the short-term and long-term impact issues that were addressed, and the various therapeutic techniques that were used to assist in her recovery, are traced in the context of theoretical considerations.
Pharmacological treatment of young children with permanent junctional reciprocating tachycardia
Authors: van Stuijvenberg Margriet , Beaufort-Krol Gertie C. M. , Haaksma Jaap , Bink-Boelkens Margreet Th. E.
Published: May 2019

Our objective was to assess the efficacy of pharmacological treatment in reducing the incidence of permanent junctional reciprocating tachycardia in young children, or to bring the mean heart rate over 24 h to a normal level.

We included 21 children with a median age of 0.05 year seen with permanent junctional reciprocating tachycardia over the period 1990 through 2001. Of these children, two had abnormal left ventricular function. Follow-up visits were made at least every 6 months. We registered the presence of the tachycardia over 24 h, the mean heart rate over 24 h, and cardiac function. Treatment was started with propafenone alone, or in combination with digoxin as the first choice. Treatment was effective in 14 cases (67%), with either complete disappearance of the tachycardia after discontinuation of medication, or continuation in sinus rhythm with medication; partially effective in 4 cases (20%) when the mean heart rate over 24 h on the last Holter recording was less than 1 standard deviation above the normal for age; but was not effective in the remaining 3 cases (14%). In 3 patients treated with propafenone, or 13 given propafenone and digoxin, treatment was effective in 12 (75%), partially effective in 2 (13%), and ineffective in the other 2 (13%).

All 21 children had a normal left ventricular function at the end of follow-up. The median duration of follow-up was 2.4 years. Permanent junctional reciprocating tachycardia had disappeared spontaneously in one-third of the children, 5 being less than 1 year old. Adverse effects, seen in 5 cases, were mild or asymptomatic. No signs of proarrhythmia were registered.

Pharmacological treatment, either with propafenone alone, or in combination with digoxin, is safe and effective in young children with permanent junctional reciprocating tachycardia. The mean heart rate is normalized, and cardiac function is restored and preserved. Radiofrequency ablation may be delayed to a safer age, with the arrhythmia disappearing spontaneously in one-third.
Practice, Experience, and Prospect of Disaster Medicine in China
Authors: Hou Shike , Fan Haojun , Zhao Yanmei
Published: May 2019

Introduction:

In recent years, the development of disaster medicine has made rapid progress in China after the Wenchuan earthquake in 2008. China formed a more systematic and specialized health emergency force. In addition, the Ministry of Emergency Management was established In 2018, which demonstrated that the Chinese government is paying more attention to the disaster rescue work. In this report, the practice, experience, and prospect of disaster medicine in China was reviewed.

Aim:

To explore the current status and prospects of disaster medicine development in China.

Methods:

The literature research method was used to analyze literature at home and abroad. It was used to retrospectively analyze the rescue experience of Chinese medical rescue teams, sort out the current situation of disaster medical disciplines and rescue teams, and propose disaster medical development recommendations suitable for China’s national conditions.

Results:

After years of construction, China has formed a more systematic and specialized health emergency force, but the personnel, equipment, plans, and training of the professional rescue team need to be improved. The discipline system of disaster medicine in China is still lagging behind, and it is still unable to meet the needs of the rescue situation at home and abroad.

Discussion:

Disaster medicine is the area of medical specialization serving the dual areas of providing health care to disaster survivors and providing medically related disaster preparation, disaster planning, disaster response, and disaster recovery leadership throughout the disaster life cycle. It requires multidisciplinary intervention, integration, and application. A forward-looking perspective must be strengthened on the discipline and team building of disaster medicine.
Code Orange: A Systematic Review of Psychosocial Disaster Response
Authors: Korman Melissa B. , Goldberg Lauren , Klein Cailtin , Khanjani Marjan , Cox Gemma , Fila Elina , Dick Alan , Ellis Janet , Moore Sophie
Published: May 2019

Introduction:

Survivors of mass casualty incidents are vulnerable to both physical and psychological injuries. Hospitals need to triage the walking wounded victims, their loved ones, and witnesses for symptoms of emotional distress to ensure that those who are traumatized benefit from proactive psychological treatment. Hospitals must also manage the influx of searching family and friends, and be able to reunite them with their loved ones, to reduce chaos and prevent hospital skipping.

Aim:

To analyze previous research on institutional psychosocial disaster response, what has or has not worked, and lessons learned in order to develop evidence-based future planning suggestions.

Methods:

A literature search was conducted on the following electronic databases: (Medline 2007 to July 2018), (Embase 2007 to July 2018), (PsycInfo 2007 to July 2018). A combination of subject headings and free text keywords were used to perform the searches. After removing duplicates, abstracts were screened independently by two reviewers for the following inclusion criteria: 1) crisis intervention (in a disaster situation), 2) mention of psychosocial response or lack thereof and lessons learned, 3)relevant outcomes, 4) OECD countries, and 5) journal articles published 2007–Present. Review articles were excluded. Primary and secondary reviewers are in the process of discussing discrepancies. Data extraction will be conducted from all articles that meet the inclusion criteria. Key themes to be analyzed include psychological casualties, searching family and friends, and family reunification plans.

Results:

The initial search yielded 6,267 results. 5,294 articles remained after duplicates were removed. Of the 4,890 reviewed thus far, 269 articles met inclusion criteria.

Discussion:

Although a wealth of existing literature notes the need for an effective psychosocial response in mass trauma and disaster situations, no prior study has analyzed the efficacy of such interventions or laid out an evidence-based plan. This study will fill this much-needed gap in the literature.
Outbreak of Toxoplasmosis in the City of Santa Maria, Brazil
Authors: Dal Ponte Silvana , Burguez Daniela , Andrioli Giordanna
Published: May 2019

Introduction:

In the first months of 2018, there was an increase in the number of cases of fever possibly related to toxoplasmosis in the city of Santa Maria, Brazil, reaching significant values. Toxoplasmosis is an autoimmune acute infection usually asymptomatic in 80-90% of immunocompetent adults. In this outbreak, the intensity of the symptoms presented warrants attention.

Objective:

To report cases of the toxoplasmosis outbreak in the city of Santa Maria, Brazil.

Methods:

This is a cross-sectional study using data on the outbreak of toxoplasmosis in Santa Maria published in bulletins by the Municipal Health Department of Santa Maria, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil.

Results:

The outbreak of toxoplasmosis in Santa Maria was confirmed on April 19, 2018. Until June 14, 2018, 510 cases were confirmed. According to the most recent bulletin released by the State Health Department on June 8, 2018, 441 occurrences are people residing in Santa Maria. Five are residents of the districts and seven cases are patients residing in neighboring counties. In a bulletin published on May 25, 2018, 1,116 cases were reported to state epidemiological surveillance by the end of May. Of these, 766 cases were still suspected (fever, headache and/or myalgia accompanied by lymphadenopathy, weakness, arthralgia, or change in vision. In the other 460 cases, there was laboratory confirmation of acute toxoplasmosis, of which 35 were pregnant, with two fetal deaths (36 and 28 weeks), and two abortions. There are also 212 cases still pending laboratory confirmation.

Discussion:

The results of this research show that the current outbreak of toxoplasmosis in the city of Santa Maria, Brazil, is the largest reported in Brazil and appears to be the largest in the world. The notification to authorities by physicians was very important for the identification of this outbreak.
Improving Emergency Department Surge Capacity in Disasters - Conception of a Medical Student Disaster Volunteer Corps
Authors: Pong Jeremy , Lim Jasmine , Wu Stella , Li Anthony , Wong Xiang Yi , Tsang Laura , Ponampalam R.
Published: May 2019

Introduction:

Civil emergencies occurring with little warning can quickly produce mass casualties. To develop an Emergency Department’s surge capacity, medical student involvement in the disaster response has been advocated. Duke-NUS Medical School in Singapore is located in proximity to Singapore General Hospital (SGH) and represents an untapped manpower resource. With appropriate training, medical students can be leveraged upon as ready and reasonably qualified manpower.

Aim:

This review provides a snapshot of the conceptualization and setting up of the Disaster Volunteer Corps (DVC) program. We discuss the overall strategy and benefits to stakeholders, emphasizing the close symbiotic relationship between academia and healthcare services.

Methods:

Duke-NUS medical students will be recruited to receive training from SGH emergency physicians. The frequency of training will be four times yearly, with ad hoc participation in disaster simulation exercises. A call-tree will be employed for DVC activation. The DVC curriculum includes disaster response principles, HAZMAT, crowd control, marshaling, logistics, psychological support, and basic first aid. Teaching methods include didactic lectures, case discussions, involvement in event medical cover, and participation in disaster simulation exercises and response planning.

Results:

To date, there are 10 medical students and four emergency physician faculty volunteers involved in the program. Support is provided by adjunct instructors from nursing, nuclear medicine, social work, and security, for training in decontamination, radiological disasters, psychological first aid, and crowd control measures respectively. Assessment by faculty will be conducted to ensure the quality of training and competency of skills.

Discussion:

The DVC provides a unique way of teaching medical students disaster medicine principles in a hands-on experiential format, while simultaneously enhancing the operational readiness of the hospital in times of disaster. This model of close collaboration between university educational and healthcare services provides a feasible model of structured volunteerism that could be replicated in other similar settings.
Effect of cooking wheat and maize on the performance of newly weaned pigs 2. Level of dairy products and sequence of feeding
Authors: Lawlor P.G. , Lynch P.B. , Caffrey P.J. , O’Doherty J.V.
Published: May 2019

The objective of this study was to assess the effect of feeding steam flaked wheat and maize in diets with high and low levels of dairy products and to examine the effect of sequence of feeding the processed cereals in diets for newly weaned pigs. In experiment 1, 96 pigs were weaned at 27 days of age, blocked on sex and weight and assigned as individually penned pigs to four dietary treatments as follows: (a) high dairy product diet (6 kg of starter diet containing 230 g/kg milk powder followed by a link diet containing 125 g/kg milk powder to 26 days) with uncooked cereal (HDP), (b) high dairy product diet with steam flaked cereal (HDPC), (c) low dairy product diet (6 kg of starter diet containing 125 g/kg milk powder followed by a link diet containing no milk powder to 26 days) with uncooked cereal (LDP) and (d) low dairy product diet with steam flaked cereal (LDPC). In experiment 2, 96 pigs were weaned at 19 to 24 days of age, blocked on sex and weight and assigned as individually penned pigs to four dietary treatments containing: (a) uncooked cereal for 26 days, (b) uncooked cereal for 14 days followed by cooked cereal to 26 days post weaning, (c) cooked cereal for 26 days and (d) cooked cereal for 14 days followed by uncooked cereal to 26 days post weaning. Steaming and flaking of wheat and maize did not significantly affect pig performance during the experimental period or at any subsequent period up to slaughter. Daily gain from day 0 to 26 post weaning was 415 and 453 g/day (s.e.13•5; P < 0•05) for low and high dairy product diets, respectively. Food conversion efficiency (FCE) from day 0 to 14 post weaning on the low and high dairy product diets was 1•86 and 1•33 g/g (s.e. 0•14; P < 0•05), respectively. Pigs given the high dairy product diets during the experimental post-weaning period reached final carcass weight 5 days earlier than pigs given the low dairy product post-weaning diets (P < 0•05). In experiment 2, treatment did not affect food intake (mean = 450 s.e. 13•2 g; P > 0•05), daily gain (mean = 382 s.e. 12•5 g; P > 0•05) or FCE (mean = 1•19 s.e. 0•02 g/g; P > 0•05). In conclusion, feeding steamed flaked wheat and maize in post-weaning diets failed to improve pig performance irrespective of dairy product or sequence of feeding cooked cereals.