bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
How a working day‐induced‐tiredness may alter some facial signs in differently‐aged Caucasian women
Authors: Flament F. , Pierre J. , Delhommeau K. , Adam A. S.
Published: March 2017

Objectives

To assess the alterations of some facial clinical signs after a working day in French Caucasian women.

Methods

Standardized photographs of full faces of 111 women of two different age classes were taken before and after a working day. Photos were submitted in blind (morning or evening) to a panel of 10 experts for scoring the severity of eight different facial signs using specific scales as established by previously published referential skin atlases. A panel of 60 naïve women gave their assessment of the overall look (more or less tired, aged, dull) from paired (morning/evening) photos given in blind. Subjects under study were asked to fill a questionnaire about their perceived state of tiredness before and after a normal working day.

Results

All subjects felt a little more tired at evening although, surprisingly a little less in the older group (55–65 year) than their younger counterparts (25–35 year). Both groups were judged slightly less ‘young’ and ‘more tired’ at evening by the assessment panel, whereas the dull aspect remained unaltered. Four facial signs, among the 8 scored, showed subtle but significant changes, according to age class. Among older women, eye bags improved at evening as compared to morning, whereas glabellar wrinkles were found slightly accentuated. In younger subjects, nasolabial fold and crow's feet wrinkles were found of an aggravated severity score.

Conclusion

A normal working day induces, in the studied women, slight but detectable changes in some facial signs that vary (location, intensity) according to age.
Effects of B‐site doped elements in the electronic‐conducting perovskite phase on the property of dual‐phase membranes
Authors: Cheng Hongwei , Xiong Xiaolu , Zhao Hongbin , Gu Ziqin , Lu Xionggang , Xu Qian , Yao Weilin
Published: March 2017

A series of dense oxygen permeable dual‐phase membranes with a composition of 60 wt% Ce0.8Gd0.2O2−δ‐40 wt% Ba0.95La0.05Fe0.9M0.10O3−δ (CGO‐ BLFM0.10, M=Fe, Nb, Zr, Zn, Sc, Y) were successfully synthesized and evaluated as potential ceramic membranes for oxy‐fuel combustion. The effects of B‐site doped elements in electronic‐conducting phase (BLFM0.10) on the crystal structure, microstructure, chemical compatibility, oxygen permeability, as well as chemical stability of CGO‐BLFM0.10 were systematically investigated. All electronic‐conducting phase BLFM0.10 oxides exhibited a pure cubic perovskite structure and showed good chemical compatibility with ionic‐conducting phase CGO. CGO‐BLFSc0.10 showed the best oxygen permeation stability under a pure CO2 atmosphere. CO2‐corrosion on the perovskite phase is the main reason for the property deterioration of fluorite‐perovskite‐typed dual‐phase membrane materials. The stability of dual‐phase membrane materials can be effectively enhanced by reducing the basicity of electronic‐conducting phase of perovskite materials.
Cutaneous phaeohyphomycosis
Authors: Caviedes Mariana P. , Torre Ana C. , Eliceche Maite Lisa , Valdivia Monteros Denise C. , Volonteri Victoria I. , Galimberti Ricardo L.
Published: March 2017

Background

Phaeohyphomycosis is an infrequent infection in human beings. However, in recent years, its prevalence has augmented in immunosuppressed patients (mostly in solid organ transplanted patients). Infection can be mucocutaneous or disseminated. In the former, the fungus inoculation occurs mainly through traumatism. Lesions may be polymorphic and asymptomatic, isolated or multiple, and are usually localized in exposed areas of the limbs and head. Treatment is not standardized. When possible, surgical resection of the lesion is combined with systemic antifungals.

Methods

We communicate three phaeohyphomycosis cases with cutaneous compromise.

Results

The cases we present show diverse clinical characteristics and varied severity and evolution.

Conclusion

It is important for dermatologists to recognize this cutaneous fungus infection because the diagnosis using microscopic examination and mycological culture depends on the clinical suspicion.
Treatment‐related reductions in catastrophizing predict return to work in individuals with post‐traumatic stress disorder
Authors: Sullivan Michael , Adams Heather , Ellis Tamra , Clark Robyn , Sully Craig , Thibault Pascal
Published: March 2017

Post‐traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) has been associated with high rates of work‐disability. In other domains of research, it has been shown that catastrophic thinking also contributes to work‐disability. The present study examined the relation between catastrophic thinking and work‐disability in individuals with PTSD. The study sample consisted of 73 work‐disabled individuals with PTSD who were referred to an occupational rehabilitation service. Participants completed measures of post‐traumatic stress symptoms, depression, pain, catastrophic thinking, and occupational disability at admission and termination of the rehabilitation intervention. Return‐to‐work was assessed 1 month following the termination of the rehabilitation intervention. Cross‐sectional analyses revealed that catastrophic thinking contributed significant unique variance to the prediction of occupational disability, even when controlling for the severity of symptoms of PTSD. Prospective analyses revealed that treatment‐related reductions in catastrophic thinking predicted successful return to work, beyond the variance accounted for by reductions in the severity of symptoms of PTSD. The findings suggest that catastrophic thinking is a determinant of occupational disability in individuals with PTSD. The findings further suggest that interventions designed to reduce catastrophic thinking might promote more successful occupational re‐integration in individuals recovering from post‐traumatic stress symptoms.
Developing and Testing a Dynamic Theory of Motor Carrier Safety
Authors: Miller Jason W. , Golicic Susan L. , Fugate Brian S.
Published: March 2017

Developing an understanding of the longitudinal relationships between different measures of motor carrier safety is important to advance theory and practice regarding this significant supply chain management and public policy issue. In this article, we combine core principles from several theoretical traditions to propose a dynamic theory of motor carrier safety that specifies the longitudinal relationships between three core measures of safety publically reported by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration: unsafe driving, hour‐of‐service compliance, and vehicle maintenance. We test this theory using four years of longitudinal data on motor carrier safety for a random sample of large, for‐hire motor carriers. Results from fitting a vector multivariate autoregressive moving average time‐series model are largely consistent with the theory we propose. We describe the implications of our research for supply chain management theory and practice, summarize limitations, and suggest directions for future research.
Reliability and Minimum Detectable Change for Common Clinical Physical Function Tests in Sarcopenic Men and Women
Authors: Jenkins Nathaniel D.M. , Cramer Joel T.
Published: March 2017

Objectives

To determine the test–retest reliability and minimum detectable change scores for seven common clinical measurements of muscle strength and physical function in a multiethnic sample of sarcopenic, malnourished men and women.

Design

Each participant visited the laboratory seven times over 25 to 26 weeks. Reliability was assessed for each measurement from Familiarization 1 to Familiarization 2 (R1), Familiarization 2 to baseline testing (R2), Familiarization 3 to 12‐week testing (R3), and Familiarization 4 to 24‐week testing (R4).

Setting

Data were collected during a clinical trial at 23 sites in the United States, Belgium, Italy, Mexico, Poland, Spain, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom.

Participants

Sarcopenic, malnourished, older adults (N = 257; n = 98 men aged 76.8 ± 6.3, n = 159 women aged 75.9 ± 6.6).

Measurements

During each visit, participants completed the Short Physical Performance Battery (SPBB) and isometric handgrip and isokinetic leg extensor and flexor strength testing at a slow (1.05 rad/s) and fast (3.15 rad/s) velocity.

Results

Handgrip strength, gait speed, SPPB score, and isokinetic leg extension and flexion peak torque (PT) had intraclass correlation coefficients (ICCs) that were significantly greater than 0 (all ≥0.59) at R1, R2, R3, and R4, although most of these variables demonstrated systematic increases at R1, and several exhibited systematic variability beyond the baseline testing session.

Conclusion

The ICCs and standard errors of the measurement (SEMs) generally improved with familiarization, which emphasizes the need for at least one familiarization trial for these measurements in sarcopenic, malnourished older adults. A three tier‐approach to interpreting the clinical importance of statistically significant results that includes null hypothesis testing, examination and interpretation of the effect magnitude, and comparison of individual changes with the SEM and minimum detectable change of the measurements used is recommended.
The fungal UmSrt1 and maize ZmSUT1 sucrose transporters battle for plant sugar resources
Authors: Wittek Anke , Dreyer Ingo , Al‐Rasheid Khaled A.S. , Sauer Norbert , Hedrich Rainer , Geiger Dietmar
Published: March 2017

The biotrophic fungus Ustilago maydis causes corn smut disease, inducing tumor formation in its host Zea mays. Upon infection, the fungal hyphae invaginate the plasma membrane of infected maize cells, establishing an interface where pathogen and host are separated only by their plasma membranes. At this interface the fungal and maize sucrose transporters, UmSrt1 and ZmSUT1, compete for extracellular sucrose in the corn smut/maize pathosystem. Here we biophysically characterized ZmSUT1 and UmSrt1 in Xenopus oocytes with respect to their voltage‐, pH‐ and substrate‐dependence and determined affinities toward protons and sucrose. In contrast to ZmSUT1, UmSrt1 has a high affinity for sucrose and is relatively pH‐ and voltage‐independent. Using these quantitative parameters, we developed a mathematical model to simulate the competition for extracellular sucrose at the contact zone between the fungus and the host plant. This approach revealed that UmSrt1 exploits the apoplastic sucrose resource, which forces the plant transporter into a sucrose export mode providing the fungus with sugar from the phloem. Importantly, the high sucrose concentration in the phloem appeared disadvantageous for the ZmSUT1, preventing sucrose recovery from the apoplastic space in the fungus/plant interface.
The α‐β circular scanning with large range and low noise
Authors: LIU J. , YOU X. , WANG Y. , GU K. , LIU C. , TAN J.
Published: March 2017

A circular‐route scanning method called α‐β circular scanning is proposed and realized using sinusoidal signals with a constant phase difference of π/2. Experiments show that the circular scanning range of α‐β circular scanning is 57% greater than the rectangular scanning range of raster scanning within an effective optical field of view. Moreover, the scanning speed is improved by 7.8% over raster scanning because the whole sine signal is utilized in α‐β circular scanning whereas the flyback area of the saw‐tooth signal needs to be discarded in raster scanning. The maximum scanning acceleration decreases by a factor of 44, drastically decreasing the high noise, which should considerably elongate the lifetime of the galvanometers while inhibiting internal vibration. The proposed α‐β circular scanning technique could be used in scanning imaging, optical tweezers and laser‐beam fabrication.
Multidie LED combined with homogenizing optics to improve frequency response and intensity for FLIM applications
Authors: LIU H.‐T. , LIN W.‐L. , FENG Y.‐L. , LIN Y. , CHEN Y.‐C.
Published: March 2017

Application of light‐emitting diodes (LEDs) in frequency‐domain fluorescence lifetime imaging microscopy (FLIM) has been limited by the trade‐off between modulation frequency and illumination intensity of LEDs, which affects the signal‐to‐noise ratio in fluorescence lifetime measurements. To increase modulation frequency without sacrificing output power of LEDs, we propose to use LEDs with multiple dice connected in series. The LED capacitance was reduced with series connection; therefore, the frequency response of multidie LED was significantly increased. LEDs in visible light, including blue, green, amber and red, were all applicable in FLIM. We also present a homogenizing optics design, so that multidie LEDs produced uniform illumination on the same focal spot. When the homogenizing optics was combined with multicolour emitters, it provides multiple colour selection in a compact and convenient design.
Unifying miscellaneous performance criteria for a prototype supercapacitor via Co(OH)2 active material and current collector interactions
Authors: WANG H.X. , ZHANG W. , DREWETT N.E. , ZHANG H.B. , HUANG K.K. , FENG S.H. , LI X.L. , KIM J. , YOO S. , DENG T. , LIU S.J. , WANG D. , ZHENG W.T.
Published: March 2017

The use of transition metal oxides and hydroxides in supercapacitors can yield high specific capacity electrodes. However, the effect of interaction between active material and current collector has remained unexplored. Here the behaviour of electrodeposited hexagonal cobalt hydroxide nanosheets on a variety of substrates was investigated, and the resulting valence bonding, morphological evolutions and phase transformations examined. It is shown that the electrochemical activity of the face centred cubic (FCC) Ni substrate dramatically decreases cyclability, the FCC Cu substrate also demonstrates decreased performance, and hexagonal carbon nanofibre (CNF) and Ti substrates exhibit far more stability. The miscellaneous roles of valence bonding, redox reactions and crystal structure mismatch between active material and current collector are examined, and their consequences discussed. Using the resulting insights into performance criteria, it was possible to select a suitable substrate for the fabrication of an asymmetric supercapacitor. The high performance and stability of the device demonstrates the usefulness of this approach, and the utility of applying these insights to energy storage devices.
A novel scale‐down cell culture and imaging design for the mechanistic insight of cell colonisation within porous substrate
Authors: GABBOTT C.M. , ZHOU Z.X. , HAN G.X. , SUN T.
Published: March 2017

At the core of translational challenges in tissue engineering is the mechanistic understanding of the underpinning biological processes and the complex relationships among components at different levels, which is a challenging task due to the limitations of current tissue culture and assessment methodologies. Therefore, we proposed a novel scale‐down strategy to deconstruct complex biomatrices into elementary building blocks, which were resembled by thin modular substrate and then evaluated separately in miniaturised bioreactors using various conventional microscopes. In order to investigate cell colonisation within porous substrate in this proof‐of‐concept study, TEM specimen supporters (10–30 μm thick) with fine controlled open pores (100∼600 μm) were selected as the modular porous substrate and suspended in 3D printed bioreactor systems. Noninvasive imaging of human dermal fibroblasts cultured on these free‐standing substrate using optical microscopes illustrated the complicated dynamic processes used by both individual and coordinated cells to bridge and segment porous structures. Further in situ analysis via SEM and TEM provided high‐quality micrographs of cell–cell and cell–scaffold interactions at microscale, depicted cytoskeletal structures in stretched and relaxed areas at nanoscale. Thus this novel scaled‐down design was able to improve our mechanistic understanding of tissue formation not only at single‐ and multiple‐cell levels, but also at micro‐ and nanoscales, which could be difficult to obtain using other methods.
Comparative study of autologous fat vs hyaluronic acid in correction of the nasolabial folds
Authors: Hu Xiaogen , Xue Zhiqiang , Qi Huijie , Chen Bo
Published: March 2017

Objective

In the article, comparison of the hyaluronic acid (HA) and autologous fat is conducted to evaluate the effectiveness and safety in correction of the nasolabial folds (NLFs).

Methods

From November 2012 to December 2015, a single‐blinded, randomized study was conducted. Sixty‐two patients were included in the study, and 57 of them completed the whole procedure. The patients were randomly allocated to receive the treatments of HA or fat in both NLFs. The Wrinkle Severity Rating Scale (WSRS) and Global Aesthetic Improvement Scale (GAIS) were used for assessment. Efficacy was assessed using two parameters: evaluation of final improvement by blinded evaluator and patient‐self using photographs. The effectiveness endpoint was improvement of scores at 1, 3, 6, 9, and 12 months from baseline. The adverse events (AEs) were recorded.

Results

In the blinded evaluator scores for NLF in accordance with WSRS, there were no significant differences between the two methods within 9 months. A statistically significant difference between the lipoinjection and HA groups was found at 12‐month follow‐up period. Subjects’ self‐assessment was similar to the results seen for the evaluator scores. The difference of AEs between the HA and fat group was obvious in the early stage of recovery. In the later stage, the AEs of the HA and fat group were similar.

Conclusions

Both HA gel and autologous fat provide augmentation of NLFs. The magnitude and duration of NLF correction appear to be similarly effective and safe within a period.
Exploring relationships of catheter‐associated urinary tract infection and blockage in people with long‐term indwelling urinary catheters
Authors: Wilde Mary H , McMahon James M , Crean Hugh F , Brasch Judith
Published: March 2017

Aims and objectives

To describe and explore relationships among catheter problems in long‐term indwelling urinary catheter users, including excess healthcare use for treating catheter problems.

Background

Long‐term urinary catheter users experience repeated problems with catheter‐related urinary tract infection and blockage of the device, yet little has been reported of the patterns and relationships among relevant catheter variables.

Design

Secondary data analysis was conducted from a sample in a randomised clinical trial, using data from the entire sample of 202 persons over 12 months' participation.

Methods

Descriptive statistics were used to characterise the sample over time. Zero‐inflated negative binomial models were employed for logistic regressions to evaluate predictor variables of the presence/absence and frequencies of catheter‐related urinary tract infection and blockage.

Results

Catheter‐related urinary tract infection was marginally associated with catheter blockage. Problems reported at least once per person in the 12 months were as follows: catheter‐related urinary tract infection 57%, blockage 34%, accidental dislodgment 28%, sediment 87%, leakage (bypassing) 67%, bladder spasms 59%, kinks/twists 42% and catheter pain 49%. Regression analysis demonstrated that bladder spasms were significantly related to catheter‐related urinary tract infection and sediment amount, and catheter leakages were marginally significantly and positively related to catheter‐related urinary tract infection. Frequencies of higher levels of sediment and catheter leakage were significantly associated with higher levels of blockage, and being female was associated with fewer blockages. Persons who need help with eating (more disabled) were also more likely to have blockages.

Conclusions

Catheter‐related urinary tract infection and blockage appear to be related and both are associated with additional healthcare expenditures. More research is needed to better understand how to prevent adverse catheter outcomes and patterns of problems in subgroups.

Relevance to clinical practice

Nurses can develop care management strategies to identify catheter blockage prior to its occurrence by tracking the amount of sediment and frequency of leakage. Bladder spasms could be an early warning of catheter‐related urinary tract infection.
A critical review of published research literature reviews on nursing and healthcare ageism
Authors: Wilson Donna M , Nam Mavis A , Murphy Jill , Victorino João P , Gondim Ellen C , Low Gail
Published: March 2017

Aims and objectives

To establish how common and impactful nursing and healthcare ageism is and whether proven interventions or prevention methods exist.

Background

Ageism has been a concern since 1969 when it was first introduced as a concept for social reform. As ageism has been linked to lower quality health services and reduced health care access, it is imperative that healthcare and nursing ageism is prevented or identified and reduced or eliminated.

Design

A qualitative narrative review of published research literature reviews using a scoping design to map all published reviews was undertaken. The EBSCO Discovery Service (providing access to articles in 271 databases, including MEDLINE and CINAHL) and Directory of Open Access Journals (providing access to over 9,000 open access journals) were used to find review articles. Using predetermined inclusion and exclusion criteria, and limited by English language and peer‐review publications, 12 eligible reviews were identified and information from them was systematically identified, assessed and synthesised.

Results

The 12 reviews did not provide clear and convincing information to determine how common and impactful nursing or healthcare ageism is, nor what can best be done to prevent or address it. Although each review had value since research literature was collected and discussed on nursing or healthcare ageism, the array of literature search and analysis methods, and diversity in conclusions reached about the evidence is highly problematic.

Conclusion

Research literature reviews offering a more balanced perspective and demonstrating greater care in finding and using quality evidence are needed.

Relevance to clinical practice

At this point in time, there is no clear understanding of how widespread and impactful nursing or healthcare ageism is, and what can best be done to prevent or address it. Nurses need to be aware that ageism may be common and impactful, and guard against it.
Improving support and education of low‐income baby boomers diagnosed with chronic hepatitis C virus infection through universal screening
Authors: Turner Barbara J , Craig Kathryn , Makanji Vidhi S , Flores Bertha E , Hernandez Ludivina
Published: March 2017

Aims and objectives

To identify support needs of low‐income baby boomers recently diagnosed with chronic hepatitis C virus infection.

Background

The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force has endorsed one‐time screening of all baby boomers (born 1945–1965) for hepatitis C because 75% of the estimated 2–3 million persons with chronic infection are in this age range. We hypothesised that persons diagnosed by routine screening would have significant psycho‐emotional, cognitive and healthcare challenges that need to be met by collaborative care and services from nurses and other healthcare personnel.

Design

Qualitative descriptive study of data from three focus groups with predominantly minority participants (N = 16). Data were analysed using qualitative content analysis, and transcribed data were categorised by three domains in a previously developed model and a new domain identified in this study. Frequencies of unique participants’ comments about each theme were calculated.

Results

Elucidated domains were as follows: (i) psycho‐emotional effects due to social stigma, shame, fear and dealing with risky behaviours; (ii) social effects due to concerns about infecting others; and (iii) cognitive deficits because of poor understanding about hepatitis C virus infection and its care. A new domain related to health care emerged reflecting the following themes: poor access to care, barriers to costly treatment, and navigating complex care for comorbidities. Despite these challenges, participants strongly endorsed universal baby boomer hepatitis C virus screening.

Conclusions

This study describes psycho‐emotional and social challenges of people dealing with a hepatitis C diagnosis which are compounded by poor knowledge and barriers to supportive care.

Relevance to clinical practice

Nursing and other allied health personnel require structured support programmes to assist older persons diagnosed with hepatitis C with addressing these common challenges with the ultimate goal of achieving a cure.
An evaluation of National Health Service England's Care Maker Programme: A mixed‐methods analysis
Authors: Zubairu Kate , Christiansen Angela , Kirkcaldy Andrew , Kirton Jennifer A , Kelly Carol A. , Simpson Paul , Gillespie Andrea , Brown Jeremy M.
Published: March 2017

Aims and objectives

To investigate the impact and sustainability of the Care Maker programme across England from the perspective of those involved in its delivery.

Background

The Care Maker programme was launched in England in 2013. It aims to support the “Compassion in Practice” strategy, with particular emphasis on the 6Cs of care, compassion, competence, communication, courage and commitment. Care Makers were recruited in an ambassadorial role. The intention was to inspire individuals throughout the National Health Service in England to bridge national policy with those delivering care.

Design

A mixed methods design was chosen, but this article focuses on two of the four distinct empirical data collection phases undertaken as part of this evaluation: a questionnaire with Care Makers; and two case studies of separate National Health Service trust sites.

Method

Data were collected for this evaluation in 2015. An online questionnaire was distributed to the total population of Care Makers across the National Health Service in England. It included a combination of open and closed questions. The case studies involved semistructured telephone interviews with a range of professionals engaged with the Care Maker programme across the trust sites.

Results

Care Makers reported that participation in the programme had offered opportunities in terms of improving the quality‐of‐care provision in the workplace as well as contributing towards their own professional development.

Conclusion

The Care Maker programme has supported and helped underpin the nursing, midwifery and care strategy “Compassion in Practice”.

Relevance to clinical practice

This model of using volunteers to embed strategy and policy could potentially be used in other areas of clinical practice and indeed in other countries.
Targeting of B‐cell receptor signalling in B‐cell malignancies
Authors: Jerkeman M. , Hallek M. , Dreyling M. , Thieblemont C. , Kimby E. , Staudt L.
Published: March 2017

Pharmacological agents that inhibit enzymes of the B‐cell receptor (BCR) pathway are of increasing importance in the treatment of B‐cell malignancies. These include inhibitors of Bruton tyrosine kinase (BTK), phosphatidylinositol 3‐kinase (PI3K), splenic tyrosine kinase and protein kinase Cβ. Two agents are already approved in the USA and Europe: ibrutinib, a BTK inhibitor, for the treatment of chronic lymphatic leukaemia (CLL), mantle cell lymphoma (MCL) and Waldenström's macroglobulinemia; and idelalisib, a PI3Kδ inhibitor, for the treatment of CLL and follicular lymphoma. In addition, the role of these drugs in diffuse large B‐cell lymphoma and marginal zone lymphoma is under investigation, as single agents and in combination with chemotherapy. In CLL, both ibrutinib and idelalisib have an established role as first‐line therapy in patients with del(17p), and in MCL, ibrutinib is a standard option for patients relapsing after chemoimmunotherapy. Unexpected toxicities have been encountered when combining these potent new agents with other drugs, including chemotherapy and lenalidomide, and based on this experience the risks and benefits of novel combinations must be evaluated carefully. In this review, we summarize the efficacy and safety results with these inhibitors and discuss novel combinations that are under study and the future role of BCR inhibitors in these disorders.
Shear and extensional rheology of commercial thickeners used for dysphagia management
Authors: Waqas Muhammad Qazi , Wiklund Johan , Altskär Annika , Ekberg Olle , Stading Mats
Published: March 2017

People who suffer from swallowing disorders, commonly referred to as dysphagia, are often restricted to a texture‐modified diet. In such a diet, the texture of the fluid is modified mainly by the addition of gum or starch‐based thickeners. For optimal modification of the texture, tunable rheological parameters are shear viscosity, yield stress, and elasticity. In this work, the flow properties of commercial thickeners obtained from major commercial suppliers were measured both in shear and extensional flow using a laboratory viscometer and a newly developed tube viscometry technique, termed Pulsed Ultrasound Velocimetry plus Pressure Drop (PUV + PD). The two methods gave similar results, demonstrating that the PUV + PD technique can be applied to study flow during the swallowing process in geometry similar to that of the swallowing tract. The thickeners were characterized in relation to extensional viscosity using the Hyperbolic Contraction Flow method, with microscopy used as a complementary method for visualization of the fluid structure. The gum‐based thickeners had significantly higher extensional viscosities than the starch‐based thickeners. The rheological behavior was manifested in the microstructure as a hydrocolloid network with dimensions in the nanometer range for the gum‐based thickeners. The starch‐based thickeners displayed a granular structure in the micrometer range. In addition, the commercial thickeners were compared to model fluids (Boger, Newtonian, and Shear‐thinning) set to equal shear viscosity at 50/s and it was demonstrated that their rheological behavior could be tuned between highly elastic, extension‐thickening to Newtonian.

Practical applications

Thickeners available for dysphagia management were characterized for extensional viscosity to improve the understanding of these thickeners in large scale deformation. Extensional deformation behavior was further explained by using microcopy as corresponding technique for better understanding of structure/rheology relationship. Moreover, the major challenge in capturing human swallowing process is the short transit times of the bolus flow (<1 s). Therefore, the ultrasound‐based rheometry method; PUV+PD which measures the real‐time flow curve in ∼50 ms was used in addition to classical shear rheometry. The two methods complimented each other indicating that the PUV+PD method can be applied to study the transient swallowing process which is part of our future research, where we are studying the flow properties of fluids in an in vitro swallowing tract.
Do Research Findings Apply to My Students? Examining Study Samples and Sampling
Authors: Cook Bryan G. , Cook Lysandra
Published: March 2017

Special educators are urged to use research findings to inform their instruction in order to improve student outcomes. However, it can be difficult to tell whether and how research findings apply to one's own students. In this article, we discuss how special educators can consider the samples and the sampling methods in studies to examine the relevance of research findings for their students. We describe two approaches for examining the degree to which research findings apply to one's students—the classical generalization model and the case–to–case transfer model. We also note additional factors and caveats to consider when evaluating the applicability of research findings, examine the implications of samples and sampling in two research studies, and provide a take–away message that educators should determine the relevance of research findings for their own students by examining studies’ samples and the sampling methods.
Sediment depth and habitat as predictors of the diversity and composition of sediment bacterial communities in an inter‐tidal estuarine environment
Authors: Cleary Daniel F. R. , Coelho Francisco J. R. C. , Oliveira Vanessa , Gomes Newton C. M. , Polónia Ana R. M.
Published: March 2017

Saltmarshes, seagrass meadows and mudflats are key habitats in estuarine ecosystems. Despite being involved in key ecological processes, the influence of different estuarine habitats on sediment bacterial communities remains understudied. Few studies have analysed and compared the bacterial communities of more than one estuarine habitat at different depths. Here, we investigated to what extent different habitats (mudflats; mono‐specific plots of seagrass [Zostera noltei] and two saltmarsh plants [Juncus maritimus and Spartina maritima]) and sampling depth (0, 5, 10 cm) influence variation in sediment bacterial composition. Our results showed significant differences in the abundance of selected higher taxa amongst habitats and depths. Surface sediment was characterized by bacteria assigned to the Acidimicrobiia, Flavobacteriia, Thiotrichales, Alteromonadales and Rhodobacterales, whereas in deeper sediment Deltaproteobacteria and Anaerolineae were dominant. Juncus sediment, in turn, presented the most distinct bacterial community, with Myxococcales abundant in this habitat. Sampling depth and habitat proved significant predictors of variation in sediment bacterial composition. The compositional dissimilarities amongst habitats and depths suggest functional divergence and complementarity, thus enhancing ecosystem functioning and health. Given the compositionally distinct communities found in different habitats and depths, our study corroborates the importance of conserving a diverse array of estuarine habitats.
A high spatial resolution synchrotron Mössbauer study of the Tazewell IIICD and Esquel pallasite meteorites
Authors: Blukis Roberts , Rüffer Rudolf , Chumakov Aleksandr I. , Harrison Richard J.
Published: March 2017

Metallic phases in the Tazewell IIICD iron and Esquel pallasite meteorites were examined using 57Fe synchrotron Mössbauer spectroscopy. Spatial resolution of ~10–20 μm was achieved, together with high throughput, enabling individual spectra to be recorded in less than 1 h. Spectra were recorded every 5–10 μm, allowing phase fractions and hyperfine parameters to be traced along transects of key microstructural features. The main focus of the study was the transitional region between kamacite and plessite, known as the “cloudy zone.” Results confirm the presence of tetrataenite and antitaenite in the cloudy zone as its only components. However, both phases were also found in plessite, indicating that antitaenite is not restricted exclusively to the cloudy zone, as previously thought. The confirmation of paramagnetic antitaenite as the matrix phase of the cloudy zone contrasts with recent observations of a ferromagnetic matrix phase using X‐ray photoemission electron spectroscopy. Possible explanations for the different results seen using these techniques are proposed.
SurR is a master regulator of the primary electron flow pathways in the order Thermococcales
Authors: Lipscomb Gina L. , Schut Gerrit J. , Scott Robert A. , Adams Michael W. W.
Published: March 2017

The sulfur response regulator, SurR, is among a handful of known redox‐active transcriptional regulators. First characterized from the hyperthermophile Pyrococcus furiosus, it is unique to the archaeal order Thermococcales. P. furiosus has two modes of electron disposal. Hydrogen gas is produced when the organism is grown in the absence of elemental sulfur (S0) and H2S is produced when grown in its presence. Switching between these metabolic modes requires a rapid transcriptional response and this is orchestrated by SurR. We show here that deletion of SurR causes severely impaired growth in the absence of S0 since genes essential for H2 metabolism are no longer activated. Conversely, a strain containing a constitutively active SurR variant displays a growth phenotype in the presence of S0 due to constitutive repression of S0‐responsive genes. During a metabolic shift initiated by addition of S0 to the growth medium, both strains demonstrate a de‐regulation of genes involved in the SurR regulon, including hydrogenase and related S0‐responsive genes. These results demonstrate that SurR is a master regulator of electron flow within P. furiosus, likely affecting the pools of ferredoxin, NADPH and NADH, as well as influencing metabolic pathways and thiol/disulfide redox balance.
Transcriptome analysis of the Dickeya dadantii PecS regulon during the early stages of interaction with Arabidopsis thaliana
Authors: Pédron Jacques , Chapelle Emilie , Alunni Benoît , Van Gijsegem Frédérique
Published: March 2017

PecS is one of the major global regulators controlling the virulence of Dickeya dadantii, a broad‐host‐range phytopathogenic bacterium causing soft rot on several plant families. To define the PecS regulon during plant colonization, we analysed the global transcriptome profiles in wild‐type and pecS mutant strains during the early colonization of the leaf surfaces and in leaf tissue just before the onset of symptoms, and found that the PecS regulon consists of more than 600 genes. About one‐half of these genes are down‐regulated in the pecS mutant; therefore, PecS has both positive and negative regulatory roles that may be direct or indirect. Indeed, PecS also controls the regulation of a few dozen regulatory genes, demonstrating that this global regulator is at or near the top of a major regulatory cascade governing adaptation to growth in planta. Notably, PecS acts mainly at the very beginning of infection, not only to prevent virulence gene induction, but also playing an active role in the adaptation of the bacterium to the epiphytic habitat. Comparison of the patterns of gene expression inside leaf tissues and during early colonization of leaf surfaces in the wild‐type bacterium revealed 637 genes modulated between these two environments. More than 40% of these modulated genes are part of the PecS regulon, emphasizing the prominent role of PecS during plant colonization.
Predictors of quality of life and depression in older people living in temporary houses 13 months after the Wenchuan earthquake in western China: A cross‐sectional study
Authors: Xie Xia , Chen Yanling , Chen Hong , Au Alma , Guo Hongxia
Published: March 2017

In this study, we explored the predictors of quality of life and depressive features in older people living in temporary housing 13 months after the Wenchuan earthquake in western China. Anonymous data were collected via questionnaires in a cross‐sectional survey of 189 older people living in temporary housing 13 months after the earthquake. To explore the predictors of the outcomes of interest, Pearson correlation and multiple linear regression analysis were used. The results indicated that interests/hobbies, subjective support, and family function were positive predictors of quality of life, whereas instrumental activities of daily living and depressive symptoms were its negative predictors. In addition, we found that a higher level of instrumental activities of daily living predicted a greater likelihood of depression. These results suggested that developing strategies to decrease the instrumental activities of daily living score of these people helps improve their quality of life and depression. To enhance the quality of life of these individuals, healthcare providers should also focus on developing their interests/hobbies and provide them with adequate social support, especially subjective support.
Mental health status and its predictors among call center employees: A cross‐sectional study
Authors: Oh Hyunjin , Park Heyeon , Boo Sunjoo
Published: March 2017

In this study, we assessed the mental health of Korean call center employees and investigated the potential predictors of their mental health status. A cross‐sectional study using self‐completing questionnaire was conducted for employees working for a credit card call center. A total of 306 call center employees completed the Depression Anxiety Stress Scale, the Emotion Labor Scale, and the Korean Occupational Stress Scale. The results showed that more than half of the participants reported high levels of depression, anxiety, and stress. A multiple regression analysis indicated that the total scores on the Depression Anxiety Stress Scale were predicted by perceived health, job satisfaction, job demands, organizational injustice, and emotional dissonance suggesting that, in the interest of improving the mental health of call center employees, their job demands and emotional dissonance should be reduced and the work environment be improved. Consideration should be given to providing routine assessments of mental health, including depression, anxiety, and stress, and the corresponding need for the development of an intervention program and other work‐related policies that would protect employees from the risk of poor mental health outcomes.
Effect of Intraoperative Dexamethasone on Pain Scores and Narcotic Consumption in Patients Undergoing Total Knee Arthroplasty
Authors: Samona Jason , Cook Carrie , Krupa Kyle , Swatsell Krystle , Jackson Andrew , Dukes Chase , Martin Sidney
Published: March 2017

Objective

To examine whether the addition of intravenous dexamethasone during total knee arthroplasty (TKA) would be effective at reducing postoperative pain scores and postoperative opioid consumption.

Methods

A total of 102 patients undergoing TKA were placed into two groups: 55 subjects received intraoperative dexamethasone 8 mg intravenously (treatment group) and 47 did not receive dexamethasone at any time during the perioperative period. Comparison was made using the 0–10 numeric pain rating scale and the amount of opioids used in each group.

Results

Patients who received dexamethasone required significantly less oral opioids compared to the control group. Pain scores at 24 h post‐surgery were significantly less for the dexamethasone group compared to the control group. There was no difference between groups in regards to patient‐controlled analgesic dose or pain scores in the post‐anesthesia care unit, at 12 or 48 h post‐surgery.

Conclusion

A single dose of dexamethasone given intraoperatively significantly decreased oral narcotic consumption and decreased pain scores 24 h postoperatively. Dexamethasone appears to be a safe modality to use to control pain in patients undergoing TKA.
Changes in Use of Family Planning among the Urban Poor: Evidence from Nairobi Slums
Authors: Beguy Donatien , Ezeh Alex C. , Mberu Blessing U. , Emina Jacques B.O.
Published: March 2017

As urbanization continues unabated in Kenya, the wellbeing of the urban poor ‐ whose majority live in slum settlements ‐ will increasingly drive national development indicators including Vision 2030, SDGs and FP2020 goals. It is therefore central to understand and identify ways to address the poor reproductive health outcomes among poor urban slum populations in the country. Taking advantage of APHRC's NCSS surveys conducted in 2000 and 2012 among a representative sample of slum households across Nairobi, we show that there has been a considerable increase in use of modern contraception among women in Nairobi slums, from 34% in 2000 to 53% in 2012, and a reduction in inequity in access through much higher increases among previously disadvantaged groups. Using decomposition analysis techniques, we show that much of the observed increase is due to behavioral changes in the effect of fertility preferences on contraceptive use; and to compositional changes in woman's education, child survival and exposure to FP information. This may be the result of efforts by the government of Kenya and its development partners to reduce the disparities in uptake and use of FP services through various programs and policies targeting the poor segments of the Kenyan population.
Evidence of Public Health Nursing Effectiveness: A Realist Review
Authors: Swider Susan M. , Levin Pamela F. , Reising Virginia
Published: March 2017

Objectives

The purpose of this realist review was to examine PHN interventions and their outcomes during the period preceding the Affordable Care Act (1990–2010), to determine what types of interventions demonstrated effectiveness, and whether these were related to target population or setting.

Design and Sample

The review focused on PHN interventions with data support documented over 20 years. A search of the published literature using CINHAL, PubMed, and ancestry methods resulted in 64 articles meeting the search criteria. The researchers reviewed each article for the relevant variables; achieved consensus for each variable; and summarized results using descriptive statistics.

Results

Documented PHN interventions targeted vulnerable populations. Interventions included health education, behavior change, and screening. There was evidence of effectiveness of PHN interventions in a number of studies; however, the study limitations and variety of intervention types make overall conclusions about PHN effectiveness challenging.

Conclusions

Despite the long history of PHN working in communities to promote and maintain the health of vulnerable populations, practice outcomes have not been well documented. Further work is needed to: strengthen the methods for documenting effectiveness of PHN practice; focus on promising PHN interventions via multisite studies; and translate evidence‐based PHN interventions to practice settings.
Calcium Control of the Sign of Phototaxis in Brown Algal Gametes of Mutimo cylindricus
Authors: Kinoshita Nana , Nagasato Chikako , Motomura Taizo
Published: March 2017

Brown algal swarmers usually exhibit positive or negative phototaxis. Such behaviors influence the increasing or decreasing dispersal distance or colonization on the new substratum. We confirmed that the sign of phototaxis (negative or positive) in male gametes of Mutimo cylindricus was affected by extracellular Ca2+ influx through Ca2+ channels. Under the control condition (10−2 m [Ca2+]), male gametes swimming with a helical rotation of their cell body mostly showed positive phototaxis. At 10−3 m [Ca2+], more than half of the male gametes showed positive phototaxis, whereas the others showed negative phototaxis. From 10−4–10−5 m [Ca2+], the phototactic sign changed to negative. When these negative phototactic gametes were transferred back to the control condition, the phototactic sign reverted to positive. At 10−6 m [Ca2+], some of male gametes showed negative phototaxis, but most showed no phototaxis or flagellar beating. Lanthanum, a Ca2+ channel blocker, affected the sign of phototaxis at 10−4 m [La3+] under 10−2 m [Ca2+], and male gametes mostly showed negative phototaxis. A further increase in [La3+] inhibited phototaxis and flagellar beating. These results pointed out the involvement of Ca2+ channels that were blocked by La3+ in phototaxis and flagellar beating.