bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Interface solution isoelectric focusing with in situ MALDI‐TOF mass spectrometry
Authors: Wang Shujun , Chen Suming , Wang Jianing , Xu Peng , Luo Yuanming , Nie Zongxiu , Du Wenbin
Published: May 2014

This paper describes a simple and reusable microfluidic device combining solution IEF (sIEF) with MALDI‐TOF MS for rapid proteomic and metabolic analysis of microliter samples. The device contains two glass plates with nanoliter microwell arrays, which can be assembled to form a fluidic path for sIEF separation, and reconfigured for dividing separated bands. One microliter samples can be loaded and separated by sIEF into static bands in 10∼30 min. After a slipping operation, the static IEF bands can be divided into nanoliter droplets in microwells without mobilization, and the device can be opened for in situ MALDI‐TOF MS detection without loss of separation resolution. The performance of the device is characterized by separating and identifying intact proteins. The applicability in metabolic analysis is demonstrated by preliminary experiments on profiling small molecular metabolites in cerebrospinal fluid microdialysates from rat brain.
Development of a method for analysis of ketamine and norketamine enantiomers in equine brain and cerebrospinal fluid by capillary electrophoresis
Authors: Theurillat Regula , Larenza M. Paula , Feige Karsten , Bettschart‐ Wolfensberger Regula , Thormann Wolfgang
Published: May 2014

Ketamine and norketamine are being transported across the blood brain barrier and are also entering from blood into cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). Enantioselective distributions of these compounds in brain and CSF have never been determined. The enantioselective CE based assay previously developed for equine plasma was adapted to the analysis of these compounds in equine brain via use of an acidic pre‐extraction of interferences prior to liquid/liquid extraction at alkaline pH. CSF can be treated as plasma. With 100 mg of brain tissue and 0.5 mL of CSF or plasma, assay conditions for up to 30 nmol/g and 6 μM, respectively, of each enantiomer with LOQs of 0.5 nmol/g and 0.1 μM, respectively, were established and the assays were applied to equine samples. CSF and plasma samples analyzed stemmed from anesthetized patient horses and brain, CSF and plasma were obtained from anesthetized horses that were euthanized with an overdose of pentobarbital. Data obtained indicate that ketamine and norketamine enantiomers are penetrating into brain and CSF with those of ketamine being more favorably transported than norketamine, whereas metabolites of norketamine are hindered. More work is required to properly investigate possible stereoselectivities of the ketamine metabolism and transport of metabolites from blood into brain tissue and CSF.
A rapid and effective method for silver staining of PCR products separated in polyacrylamide gels
Authors: Liang Qingzhi , Wen Dingqing , Xie Jianghui , Liu Liqin , Wei Yongzan , Wang Yicheng , Shi Shengyou
Published: May 2014

With the development of molecular quantitative genetics, particularly, genetic linkage map construction, quantitative trait loci mapping or genes fine mapping and association analysis etc., more and more PCR products separated in polyacrylamide gels need to be silver‐stained. However, conventional silver‐staining procedures are complicated and time‐consuming as they require a lot of preparation and handling of several solutions prior to use. In this study, a simple and rapid protocol for silver staining of PCR products was developed. The number of steps was reduced compared to conventional protocols, thus achieving detection of PCR products in 7 min, saving time and resources. Fixation and staining solution and developing solution in present staining procedure allowed a reutilization for 12 and 8 times, respectively, reducing the cost greatly. Meanwhile, the sensitivity was significantly improved with the improved method and the minimum of 0.097 ng/μL of DNA amount can be detected in denaturing polyacrylamide gel. The protocol developed in this study will facilitate the development of molecular quantitative genetics.
Mechanism of smoke suppression by melamine in rigid polyurethane foam
Authors: Xu Qianwei , Zhai Huaming , Wang Guojian
Published: May 2014

The smoke suppression of rigid polyurethane foam (RPUF) modified by melamine was investigated based on three sections: the condensed phase, the carbon layer, and the gas phase. In the condensed phase, the results of thermogravimetry, X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) N1S spectrum, and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy indicated that melamine could suppress the degradation of RPUF by reacting with the aromatic hydrocarbons. It also reduced the smoke generation because the volatilizable aromatic hydrocarbons were the principal smoke precursors in a fire. In the carbon layer, the decrease from 38.50% to 24.76% of the inner layer oxygen content identified by XPS full‐spectrum and C1S spectrum indicated that melamine could prevent oxygen from transferring into the inner foam by the formation of an enhanced surface carbon layer, and the enhanced carbon layer could also block the release of smoke precursors. In the gas phase, the content of total aromatic hydrocarbons declined to 59.12% according to pyrolysis gaseous chromatography mass spectroscopy and indicated that melamine could reduce the smoke precursors. The results of smoke density chamber and cone calorimeter tests revealed that the addition of the melamine could decrease the smoke density of burning RPUF. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Obatoclax Induces G1/G0‐Phase Arrest via p38/p21waf1/Cip1 Signaling Pathway in Human Esophageal Cancer Cells
Authors: Zhong Desheng , Gu Chunping , Shi Lili , Xun Tianrong , Li Xiaojuan , Liu Shuwen , Yu Le
Published: May 2014

Pan‐Bcl‐2 family inhibitor obatoclax has been demonstrated to be effective against various cancers, of which the mechanism of action is not fully understood. In this study, we demonstrate that obatoclax suppressed esophageal cancer cell viability with concomitant G1/G0‐phase cell cycle arrest. At the tested concentrations (1/2 IC50 and IC50), obatoclax neither induced PARP cleavage nor increased the Annexin V‐positive population, suggesting G1/G0‐phase arrest rather than apoptosis accounts for most of the reduction of cell viability produced by obatoclax. Double knockdown of Bak and Bax by small interference RNA failed to block obatoclax‐induced G1/G0‐phase arrest, implying its role in cell cycle progression is Bak/Bax‐independent. The cell cycle arresting effect of obatoclax was associated with up‐regulation of p21waf1/Cip1. Knockdown of p21waf1/Cip1 significantly attenuated obatoclax‐induced G1/G0‐phase arrest. Although obatoclax stimulated phosphorylation of Erk, p38, and JNK, pharmacological inhibition of p38 but not Erk or JNK blocked obatoclax‐induced G1/G0‐phase arrest. Moreover, knockdown of p38 abolished the cell cycle arresting effect of obatoclax. In consistent with this finding, inhibition of p38 blocked obatoclax‐induced p21waf1/Cip1 expression while inhibition of Erk or JNK failed to exert similar effect. To conclude, these findings suggest that obatoclax induced cell cycle arrest via p38/p21waf1/Cip1 signaling pathway. This study may shed a new light on the anti‐cancer activity of obatoclax in relation to cell cycle arrest. J. Cell. Biochem. 115: 1624–1635, 2014. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
The Arc‐Weighted Version of the Second Neighborhood Conjecture
Authors: Seacrest Tyler
Published: May 2014

Seymour conjectured that every oriented simple graph contains a vertex whose second neighborhood is at least as large as its first. Seymour's conjecture has been verified in several special cases, most notably for tournaments by Fisher . One extension of the conjecture that has been used by several researchers is to consider vertex‐weighted digraphs. In this article we introduce a version of the conjecture for arc‐weighted digraphs. We prove the conjecture in the special case of arc‐weighted tournaments, strengthening Fisher's theorem. Our proof does not rely on Fisher's result, and thus can be seen as an alternate proof of said theorem.
Edge Colorings and Circular Flow Numbers of Regular Graphs
Authors: Steffen Eckhard
Published: May 2014

The article characterizes ‐regular graphs with circular flow number . For this is Tutte's characterization of cubic graphs with flow number 4. The class of cubic graphs is the only class of odd regular graphs where a flow number separates the class 1 graphs from the class 2 graphs. We finally state some conjectures and relate them to Jaeger's circular flow conjecture and Tutte's 3‐flow conjecture.
Perfect Digraphs
Authors: Andres Stephan Dominique , Hochstättler Winfried
Published: May 2014

The clique number of a digraph D is the size of the largest bidirectionally complete subdigraph of D. D is perfect if, for any induced subdigraph H of D, the dichromatic number defined by Neumann‐Lara (The dichromatic number of a digraph, J. Combin. Theory Ser. B 33 (1982), 265–270) equals the clique number . Using the Strong Perfect Graph Theorem (M. Chudnovsky, N. Robertson, P. Seymour, and R. Thomas, The strong perfect graph theorem, Ann. Math. 164 (2006), 51–229) we give a characterization of perfect digraphs by a set of forbidden induced subdigraphs. Modifying a recent proof of Bang‐Jensen et al. (Finding an induced subdivision of a digraph, Theoret. Comput. Sci. 443 (2012), 10–24) we show that the recognition of perfect digraphs is co‐‐complete. It turns out that perfect digraphs are exactly the complements of clique‐acyclic superorientations of perfect graphs. Thus, we obtain as a corollary that complements of perfect digraphs have a kernel, using a result of Boros and Gurvich (Perfect graphs are kernel solvable, Discrete Math. 159 (1996), 35–55). Finally, we prove that it is ‐complete to decide whether a perfect digraph has a kernel.
Synthesis, Reactions, and Pharmacological Evaluations of Some Novel Pyridazolopyridiazine Candidates
Authors: Fayed Ahmed A. , Al‐Harbi Naif O. , Amr Abd El‐Galil E. , Kalmoush Atef A. , Shadid Khalid A. , Flefel Eman M.
Published: May 2014

Herein, we report the synthesis, characterization, and preliminary pharmacological activity of a new series of substituted pyrazolopyridazine derivatives. Compound 1 was reacted with ethoxymethylene malononitrile 2 in refluxing ethanol to give the corresponding compound 3, which was treated with hydrazine hydrate or formamide to give pyrazolo[3,4‐c]pyrazole 4 and pyrazolo pyrimidine 5 derivatives, respectively. Also, compound 3 was reacted with NH4SCN or carbon disulphide or ethyl acetoacetate to yield the corresponding pyrazolo derivatives 6, 7, 8, respectively. Additionally, compound 3 was reacted with triethyl orthoformat in acetic anhydride to give 9, which was treated with hydrazine hydrate to give hydrazino derivative 10. The latter compound transformed into the pyrazolo[4,3‐e][1,2,4]triazolo[1,5‐c]‐pyrimidine 11 via refluxing with acetic anhydride. Finally, compound 9 was reacted with benzoic acid hydrazide or mercapto acetic acid to give compounds 12 and 13, respectively. The latter compound was treated with refluxing ethanolic sodium ethoxide solution to afford the pyrazolothiazolopyrimidine 14. Some of the compounds exhibited better activities as anti‐inflammatory and antimicrobial agents than the reference controls. The detailed synthesis, spectroscopic data, anti‐inflammatory, and antimicrobial activities of the synthesized compounds was reported.
New Trimethoxybenzamides and Trimethoxyphenylureas Derived from Dimethylcarbazole as Cytotoxic Agents. Part I
Authors: Panno Antonella , Sinicropi Maria Stefania , Caruso Anna , El‐Kashef Hussein , Lancelot Jean‐Charles , Aubert Geneviève , Lesnard Aurélien , Cresteil Thierry , Rault Sylvain
Published: May 2014

A convenient synthesis of novel functionalized 1,4‐dimethylcarbazole derivatives containing 3,4,5‐trimethoxybenzamido‐ureido or N‐(3,4,5‐trimethoxyphenyl)ureido group starting from their corresponding indole derivatives is reported. Three derivatives prepared (5g, 6c, and 6g) were active against leukemia cell lines HL60. Both 5g and 6g showed potent antiproliferative activity against KB cell lines, likely associated with the inhibition of tubulin polymerization.
Raman and infrared, microwave spectra, conformational stability, adjusted r0 structural parameters, and vibrational assignments of cyclopentylamine
Authors: Darkhalil Ikhlas D. , Klaassen Joshua J. , Nagels Nick , Herrebout Wouter A. , van der Veken Benjamin J. , Gurusinghe Ranil M. , Tubergen Michael J. , Durig James R.
Published: May 2014

Fourier transform microwave spectrum of cyclopentylamine, c–C5H9NH2 has been recorded, and seven transitions have been assigned for the most abundant conformer, and the rotational constants have been determined: A = 4909.46(5), B = 3599.01(4), and C = 2932.94(4). From the determined microwave rotational constants and ab initio MP2(full)/6‐311 + G(d,p) predicted structural values, adjusted r0 parameters are reported with distances (Å): rCα–Cβ = 1.529(3), rCβ–Cγ = 1.544(3), rCγ–Cγ = 1.550(3), rCα–N = 1.470(3), and angles (°) ∠CCN = 108.7(5), ∠CβCαCβ = 101.4(5), and τCβCαCβ′Cγ′ = 42.0(5). The infrared spectra (4000–220 cm−1) of the gas have been recorded. Additionally, the variable temperature (−60 to −100 °C) Raman spectra of the sample dissolved in liquefied xenon was recorded from (3800–50 cm−1). The four possible conformers have been identified, and their relative stabilities obtained with enthalpy difference relative to t‐Ax of 211 ± 21 cm−1 for t‐Eq ≥ 227 ± 22 cm−1 for g‐Eq ≥ 255 ± 25 cm−1 for g‐Ax. The percentage of the four conformers is estimated to be 53% for the t‐Ax, 11 ± 1% for t‐Eq, 20 ± 2% for g‐Ax and 16 ± 2% for g‐Eq at ambient temperature. The conformational stabilities have been predicted from ab initio calculations by utilizing several different basis sets up to aug‐cc‐pVTZ from both MP2(full) and density functional theory calculations by the B3LYP method. Vibrational assignments have been provided for the observed bands for all four conformers, which are predicted by MP2(full)/6‐31G(d) ab initio calculations to predict harmonic force constants, wavenumbers, infrared intensities, Raman activities, and depolarization ratios for all of the conformers. The results are discussed and compared to the corresponding properties of some related molecules. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
One‐step strategy for the synthesis of a derivatized cyclodextrin‐based monolithic column
Authors: Guo Jialiang , Zhang Qiaoxuan , Yao Zhe , Zhao Xianglong , Ran Danni , Crommen Jacques , Jiang Zhengjin
Published: May 2014

Derivatized β‐cyclodextrin (β‐CD) functionalized monolithic columns were prepared by a “one‐step” strategy using click chemistry. First, the intended derivatized β‐CD monomers were synthesized by a click reaction between propargyl methacrylate and mono‐6‐azido‐β‐CD and then sulfonation or methylation was carried out. Finally, monolithic columns were prepared through a one‐step in situ copolymerization of the derivatized β‐CD monomer and ethylene glycol dimethacrylate. The sulfated β‐CD‐based monolith was successfully applied to the hydrophilic interaction liquid chromatography separation of nucleosides and small peptides, while the methylated β‐CD‐functionalized monolith was useful for the separation of nonpolar compounds and drug enantiomers in capillary reversed‐phase liquid chromatography. The structures of the monomers were characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and mass spectrometry. The physicochemical properties and column performance of monoliths were evaluated by scanning electron microscopy and micro high performance liquid chromatography. This strategy has considerable prospects for the preparation of other derivatized CD‐functionalized methacrylate monoliths.
Multimodal optical imaging can reveal changes in microcirculation and tissue oxygenation during skin wound healing
Authors: Wang Hequn , Shi Lei , Qin Jia , Yousefi Siavash , Li Yuandong , Wang Ruikang K.
Published: May 2014

Background and Objective

Faster and better wound healing is a longstanding goal. Blood flow, angiogenesis, and tissue oxygenation are important parameters in evaluating the healing process. Optical microangiography (OMAG) allows 3D imaging of tissue vasculature and can provide quantitative blood flow information down to the capillary level of resolution. Dual wavelength laser speckle imaging (DW‐LSI) can measure tissue oxygenation status.

Materials and Methods

Cutaneous wound healing of a mouse ear model using a multimodal imaging system that combines OMAG with DWLSI was studied.

Results

A complete microvasculature map of the ear in vivo was obtained. The imaging system revealed both hemodynamic and metabolic changes during acute stage wound healing. Blood flow velocity, blood flow direction, as well as changes in concentration of oxygenated hemoglobin (ΔHbO) and deoxygenated hemoglobin (ΔHb) were measured and quantified. In addition, capillary recruitment and angiogenesis were visualized during the chronic stage of repairing.

Conclusions

The combination of DW‐LSI and OMAG imaging technique may be a powerful tool to visualize and understand microvascular, hemodynamic, and metabolic changes during cutaneous wound healing. Lasers Surg. Med. 46:470–478, 2014. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Upregulation of KLF4 by methylseleninic acid in human esophageal squamous cell carcinoma cells: Modification of histone H3 acetylation through HAT/HDAC interplay
Authors: Hu Chenfei , Liu Mei , Zhang Wei , Xu Qing , Ma Kai , Chen Lechuang , Wang Zaozao , He Shun , Zhu Hongxia , Xu Ningzhi
Published: May 2014

Esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) occurs at a very high frequency in certain areas of China. Supplementation with selenium‐containing compounds was associated with a significantly lower cancer mortality rate in a study conducted in Linxia, China. Thus, selenium could be a potential anti‐esophageal cancer agent. In this study, methylseleninic acid (MSA) could inhibit cell growth of ESCC cells in vitro and in vivo. Upon treated with MSA, the activity of histone deacetylases (HDACs) was decreased and general control nonrepressed protein 5 (GCN5) was upregulated in ESCC cells. Meanwhile, a significant increase of H3K9 acetylation (H3K9ac) was detected. Upregulation of Krüppel‐like factor 4 (KLF4) was also observed after MSA treatment. Additionally, the acetylated histone H3 located more at KLF4 promoter region after MSA treatment, shown by chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP) assay. Moreover, knockdown of GCN5 decreased the protein level of both H3K9ac and KLF4, along with less cell growth inhibition. Taken all, our results indicated that MSA could inhibit ESCC cell growth, at least in part, by MSA‐HDAC/GCN5‐H3K9ac‐KLF4 axis. To our best knowledge, this is the first report that MSA induced acetylation of histone H3 at Lys9, which might depend on the activities and the balance between HDACs and HATs. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Volumes and bouts of sedentary behavior and physical activity: Associations with cardiometabolic health in obese children
Authors: Cliff Dylan P. , Jones Rachel A. , Burrows Tracy L. , Morgan Philip J. , Collins Clare E. , Baur Louise A. , Okely Anthony D.
Published: May 2014

Objective

To examine associations of volumes and bouts of sedentary behavior (SED) and moderate‐to‐vigorous physical activity (MVPA) with individual and clustered cardio‐metabolic outcomes in overweight/obese children.

Methods

Cross‐sectional data from 120 overweight/obese children (8.3 ± 1.1 years, 62% girls, 74% obese) with SED and MVPA assessed using accelerometry. Children were categorized into quartiles of mean bouts per day of SED (10, 20, and 30 min) and MVPA (5, 10, and 15 min). Associations with triglycerides, HDL cholesterol, glucose, insulin, systolic/diastolic blood pressure, and clustered cardio‐metabolic risk (cMet) were examined using linear regression, adjusted for confounders.

Results

Independent of MVPA, SED volume was inversely associated with HDL cholesterol (β [95% CI] = −0.29 [−0.52, −0.05]). MVPA volume was inversely associated with diastolic blood pressure, independent of SED (β = −0.22 [−0.44, −0.001]), and cMet (β = −0.19 [−0.36, −0.01]) although not after adjustment for SED (β = −0.14 [−0.33, 0.06]). Independent of MVPA and SED volumes, participants in the highest quartile of 30 min bouts per day of SED had 12% lower HDL cholesterol than those in the lowest quartile (d = 0.53, P = 0.046, Ptrend = 0.11).

Conclusions

In addition to increasing MVPA, targeting reduced SED and limiting bouts of SED to <30 min may contribute to improved HDL cholesterol levels and cardio‐metabolic health in overweight/obese children.
Cow's milk allergy in infants: diagnosis and management
Authors: Campbell David
Published: May 2014

Allergic reaction to proteins in cow's milk is common in infants and may be as high as 1 in 20. Here, the author discusses diagnosis, the distinction between IgE‐ and non‐IgE‐mediated reactions, and recommended management.
Uptake of NICE‐appraised medicines across the NHS
Authors: Chaplin Steve
Published: May 2014

Steve Chaplin discusses the findings of the Health and Social Care Information Centre statistical report into the use of NICE‐appraised medicines in England
Achieving better outcomes through adherence services
Authors: Riley Andrew
Published: May 2014

Our series on adherence with prescribed medications considers how it can be improved and the cost of wasted medicines reduced. Here, the author discusses how better outcomes can be achieved through adherence support services.
The application of subset correspondence analysis to address the problem of missing data in a study on asthma severity in childhood
Authors: Hendry G. , North D. , Zewotir T. , Naidoo R.N.
Published: May 2014

Non‐response in cross‐sectional data is not uncommon and requires careful handling during the analysis stage so as not to bias results. In this paper, we illustrate how subset correspondence analysis can be applied in order to manage the non‐response while at the same time retaining all observed data. This variant of correspondence analysis was applied to a set of epidemiological data in which relationships between numerous environmental, genetic, behavioural and socio‐economic factors and their association with asthma severity in children were explored. The application of subset correspondence analysis revealed interesting associations between the measured variables that otherwise may not have been exposed. Many of the associations found confirm established theories found in literature regarding factors that exacerbate childhood asthma. Moderate to severe asthma was found to be associated with needing neonatal care, male children, 8‐ to 9‐year olds, exposure to tobacco smoke in vehicles and living in areas that suffer from extreme air pollution. Associations were found between mild persistent asthma and low birthweight, and being exposed to smoke in the home and living in a home with up to four people. The classification of probable asthma was associated with a group of variables that indicate low socio‐economic status. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Diurnal and semidiurnal variability of coastal wind over Taiwanese waters
Authors: Chien Hwa , Cheng Hao‐Yuan , Yang Kang‐Hung , Tsai Yuan‐Hsiang , Chang Wan‐Ting
Published: May 2014

The Taiwan Strait is rich in offshore wind energy. Developing offshore wind farms is vital for renewable energy development. Rapid variations in the speed of offshore wind affect the capacity and operations of wind farms. On the basis of the demand for developing offshore wind farms in Taiwanese waters, this study examined in situ coastal wind data and documented the characteristics of the diurnal and semidiurnal oscillations in surface wind as well as the seasonal and spatial characteristics of these oscillations. Wavelet‐based rotary spectral analysis and significance level theory were adopted to quantify the occurrence probability and intensity of diurnal and semidiurnal wind fields. The occurrence probability of semidiurnal variations was approximately 50% greater than that of diurnal variations across Taiwan, with persistent occurrence of such variations near the southwest coast. The intensity of the diurnal phenomena was twice that of the semidiurnal phenomena, reaching an average of 27% of the wind energy variation at the potential sites located in Western Taiwan. Diurnal wind velocity oscillations were most intense during the fall but declined as the latitude moved from north to south. The instantaneous rotary spectrum was used to estimate the ellipticity of the wind vector. The analysis indicated that diurnal wind was dominated by land‐sea breezes. Moreover, the semidiurnal wind was less influenced by surface thermal effects than by diurnal phenomena. The effects of these phenomena on offshore wind energy conversion are considerable and should not be ignored. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Attitudes Towards Potentially Carrying the FMR1 Premutation: Before vs After Testing of Non‐Carrier Females with Diminished Ovarian Reserve
Authors: Pastore Lisa M. , Antero Maria , Ventura Karen , Penberthy J. Kim , Thomas Semara A. , Karns Logan B.
Published: May 2014

Diminished ovarian reserve (DOR) and premature ovarian failure are associated with elevated FMR1 CGG repeat alleles. We assessed pretest attitudes about potentially carrying the FMR1 premutation (FXP) (>55 CGG repeats) among reproductive age women compared with attitudes after learning their non‐carrier status. Ninety‐two women with DOR, regular menses and no family history of Fragile X Syndrome underwent FMR1 testing and completed attitudinal questionnaires before (T1) and 3 months after learning the test results (T2). The analysis utilized signed rank tests and α = 0.05. Very few women thought they were likely to have a FXP (6.6 %). More participants thought FMR1 premutations were “serious” at T2 (62.9 %) than at T1 (46.1 %, p < 0.0003). When asked at T1 to “describe your feelings when you consider that you are potentially a carrier” of a FXP, 10 % had negative feelings, 50 % felt ambivalent, and 40 % had positive feelings. At T2, feelings about not being a carrier were significantly more favorable (p < 0.0001): negative (0 %), ambivalent (6.5 %), positive (93 %). Corroborating prior reports, few women had a negative view of FXP, perhaps anticipating that carrying the FXP explains their infertility. Perception of the seriousness of FXP increased after learning they did not carry the FXP, which would be predicted by health belief models.
Barriers Impacting the Utilization of Supervision Techniques in Genetic Counseling
Authors: Masunga Abigail , Wusik Katie , He Hua , Yager Geoffrey , Atzinger Carrie
Published: May 2014

Clinical supervision is an essential element in training genetic counselors. Although live supervision has been identified as the most common supervision technique utilized in genetic counseling, there is limited information on factors influencing its use as well as the use of other techniques. The purpose of this study was to identify barriers supervisors face when implementing supervision techniques. All participants (N = 141) reported utilizing co‐counseling. This was most used with novice students (96.1 %) and intermediate students (93.7 %). Other commonly used techniques included live supervision where the supervisor is silent during session (98.6 %) which was used most frequently with advanced students (94.0 %), and student self‐report (64.7 %) used most often with advanced students (61.2 %). Though no barrier to these commonly used techniques was identified by a majority of participants, the most frequently reported barriers included time and concern about patient's welfare. The remaining supervision techniques (live remote observation, video, and audio recording) were each used by less than 10 % of participants. Barriers that significantly influenced use of these techniques included lack of facilities/equipment and concern about patient reactions to technique. Understanding barriers to implementation of supervisory techniques may allow students to be efficiently trained in the future by reducing supervisor burnout and increasing the diversity of techniques used.
Client Views and Attitudes to Non‐Invasive Prenatal Diagnosis for Sickle Cell Disease, Thalassaemia and Cystic Fibrosis
Authors: Hill Melissa , Compton Cecilia , Karunaratna Madhavi , Lewis Celine , Chitty Lyn
Published: May 2014

In the near future the availability of non‐invasive prenatal diagnosis (NIPD) for single gene disorders will change the prenatal diagnosis options available to couples who are carriers of conditions such as cystic fibrosis, sickle cell disorder and thalassaemia. Client opinions about NIPD are needed to inform the implementation of NIPD for single gene disorders. This qualitative study used two focus groups (n = 12) and one‐to‐one interviews (n = 16) with carriers and support group representatives of sickle cell disease, thalassaemia and cystic fibrosis. Discussions were digitally recorded, transcribed verbatim and analysed using thematic analysis. Opinions about NIPD were very positive and participants valued the opportunity to have safe and early testing. Uptake of prenatal testing is likely to increase as women who had previously declined invasive testing expressed interest in having NIPD. Participant concerns about NIPD centred on the need for accuracy to be high to be used for subsequent decision making about termination of pregnancy. Participants also raised concerns that less thought may be given to having a blood test compared to an invasive test and that the perceived ease of a blood test may bring increased pressure to have testing. Participants thought NIPD should be offered through existing specialist services to ensure appropriate genetic counseling and support. Maintaining all testing options is important as some people may prefer invasive testing over NIPD if invasive testing was more accurate or if invasive testing could give information about other conditions such as Down syndrome.
Refusal Bias in the Estimation of HIV Prevalence
Authors: Janssens Wendy , van der Gaag Jacques , Rinke de Wit Tobias F. , Tanović Zlata
Published: May 2014

In 2007, UNAIDS corrected estimates of global HIV prevalence downward from 40 million to 33 million based on a methodological shift from sentinel surveillance to population-based surveys. Since then, population-based surveys are considered the gold standard for estimating HIV prevalence. However, prevalence rates based on representative surveys may be biased because of nonresponse. This article investigates one potential source of nonresponse bias: refusal to participate in the HIV test. We use the identity of randomly assigned interviewers to identify the participation effect and estimate HIV prevalence rates corrected for unobservable characteristics with a Heckman selection model. The analysis is based on a survey of 1,992 individuals in urban Namibia, which included an HIV test. We find that the bias resulting from refusal is not significant for the overall sample. However, a detailed analysis using kernel density estimates shows that the bias is substantial for the younger and the poorer population. Nonparticipants in these subsamples are estimated to be three times more likely to be HIV-positive than participants. The difference is particularly pronounced for women. Prevalence rates that ignore this selection effect may be seriously biased for specific target groups, leading to misallocation of resources for prevention and treatment.
The role of commensal bacteria in the regulation of sensitization to food allergens
Authors: Cao Severine , Feehley Taylor J. , Nagler Cathryn R.
Published: May 2014

The prevalence of life‐threatening anaphylactic responses to food is rising at an alarming rate. The emerging role of the gut microbiota in regulating food allergen sensitization may help explain this trend. The mechanisms by which commensal bacteria influence sensitization to dietary antigens are only beginning to be explored. We have found that a population of mucosa‐associated commensal anaerobes prevents food allergen sensitization by promoting an IL‐22‐dependent barrier protective immune response that limits the access of food allergens to the systemic circulation. This early response is followed by an adaptive immune response mediated in part by an expansion of Foxp3+ Tregs that fortifies the tolerogenic milieu needed to maintain non‐responsiveness to food. Bacterial metabolites, such as short‐chain fatty acids, may contribute to the process through their ability to promote Foxp3+ Treg differentiation. This work suggests that environmentally induced alterations of the gut microbiota offset the regulatory signals conferred by protective bacterial species to promote aberrant responses to food. Our research presents exciting new possibilities for preventing and treating food allergies based on interventions that modulate the composition of the gut microbiota.
Understand me; believe in me; accept me as I am: perceptions of psychiatry of later life service
Authors: Grady T. O. , Gilrane-McGarry U. , Sweeney G. , Cryan M. , McCarthy G.
Published: May 2014

Context

The emergence of mental health services for older people is a relatively recent development in Ireland. Therefore, it is important to determine strengths and limitations of this modern-day care service. A starting point is to enquire from those who have been in receipt of their service and/or their respective carers.

Aim

This study aims to identify and describe the perceptions and experiences of past service users (SUs) and their carers, while in receipt of services from an acute mental health day hospital for Psychiatry of Later Life and to explore their needs/supports.

Methods

A qualitative, exploratory, descriptive design was employed. Purposive sampling achieved a sample of 13 SUs and six carers. Inclusion criteria set were that the SU had a diagnosis of a psychiatric disorder; had the capacity to make an informed consent and communicate verbally and the SU was discharged from the service between January and July 2011. Finally, carers of SUs in receipt of the service during this time were also included. Data were subjected to thematic, field analysis.

Findings

‘Person centredness’ emerged as an overarching theme. Six inter-related subthemes revealing how SUs and carers viewed their care emerged from the interviews: ‘therapeutic engagement’; ‘preservation of self-integrity’; ‘collaborative care’; ‘integrated care’; ‘social gains’; and ‘the relationship between the expectation, subsequent engagement and the perceived outcome of care’.

Conclusions

Findings concluded that high levels of care exist within this service. Strengths lie in the development of a therapeutic relationship, preservation of self-integrity, social gains and robust elements of person-centred holistic, integrated and collaborative care

Recommendations support the enhancement of a cohesive planned approach to admission, discharge/transition (integrated pathway).
Non-spherical osmotic motor: chemical sailing
Authors: Shklyaev Sergey , Brady John F. , Córdova-Figueroa Ubaldo M.
Published: May 2014

The behaviour of a non-spherical osmotic motor – an axisymmetric catalytic particle self-propelling in a dilute dispersion of reactant particles – is considered. In contrast to a conventional osmotic motor that creates differences in concentration, and hence in osmotic pressure, due to asymmetry in reaction rate along its surface (e.g. a Janus particle with reactive and non-reactive patches), a non-spherical particle is able to move even with uniform chemical activity on its surface. For small departures from a sphere the velocity of self-propulsion is proportional to the square of the non-sphericity or distortion of the particle shape. It is shown that the inclusion of hydrodynamic interactions (HI) may drastically change the self-propulsion. Except for very slow chemical reactions, even the direction of self-propulsion changes with and without HI. Numerical calculations at finite non-sphericity suggest that the maximum velocity of self-propulsion is obtained by a sail-like motor shape, leading to the name ‘chemical sailing’. Moreover, no saturation in the speed of propulsion is found; the motor velocity increases as the area of this ‘sail’ grows and its thickness decreases. The self-propulsion of a non-spherical particle releasing products of a chemical reaction – a constant flux motor – is also considered.
An experimental investigation of the turbulent mixing transition in the Richtmyer–Meshkov instability
Authors: Weber Christopher R. , Haehn Nicholas S. , Oakley Jason G. , Rothamer David A. , Bonazza Riccardo
Published: May 2014

The Richtmyer–Meshkov instability (RMI) is experimentally investigated in a vertical shock tube using a broadband initial condition imposed on an interface between a helium–acetone mixture and argon ($A\approx 0.7$). The interface is created without the use of a membrane by first setting up a flat, gravitationally stable stagnation plane, where the gases are injected from the ends of the shock tube and exit through horizontal slots at the interface location. Following this, the interface is perturbed by injecting gas within the plane of the interface. Perturbations form in the lower portion of this layer due to the shear between this injected stream and the surrounding gas. This shear layer serves as a statistically repeatable broadband initial condition to the RMI. The interface is accelerated by either a$M= 1.6 $or$M= 2.2 $planar shock wave, and the development of the ensuing mixing layer is investigated using planar laser-induced fluorescence (PLIF). The PLIF images are processed to reveal the light-gas mole fraction by accounting for laser absorption and laser-steering effects. The images suggest a transition to turbulent mixing occurring during the experiment. An analysis of the mole-fraction distribution confirms this transition, showing the gases begin to homogenize at later times. The scalar variance energy spectra exhibits a near$k^{-5/3}$inertial range, providing further evidence for turbulent mixing. Measurements of the Batchelor and Taylor microscales are made from the mole-fraction images, giving${\sim }150\ \mu \mathrm{m}$and 4 mm, respectively, by the latest times. The ratio of these scales implies an outer-scale Reynolds number of$6\text {--}7\times 10^4$.
Vortex shedding and heat transfer in rotationally oscillating cylinders
Authors: Sellappan Prabu , Pottebaum Tait
Published: May 2014

Wake formation and heat transfer from a rotationally oscillating circular cylinder in cross-flow at$\mathit{Re}= 750$are studied. Two aspects, the effect of cylinder forcing on vortex shedding and the effect of the wake structures on convective heat transfer, are studied. Cylinder forcing conditions range between$0.09 \leq \theta _{PP} \leq 2.09$, where$\theta _{PP}$is the peak-to-peak oscillation amplitude in radians and$0.70 \leq F_{R} \leq 3.16$, where$F_{R}$is the ratio of forcing frequency to natural shedding frequency. Digital particle image velocimetry (DPIV) is used to obtain quantitative wake structure information. Wake modes, and regions of the parameter space in which they occur, are identified for both heated and unheated cylinders. For the heated cylinder, cylinder forcing is found to affect the convective heat-transfer rate. Certain wake modes, including newly discovered wake modes synchronized over multiple oscillation cycles, are found to correlate with significant heat-transfer enhancement. Cylinder tangential velocity is also found to affect the heat-transfer rate in certain regions of the parameter space.
Integrated Phone Counselling and Text Messaging Services at Quitlines: An Acceptability Study
Authors: Abroms Lorien C. , Carroll Philip , Boal Ashley L. , Mendel Judith , Carpenter Kelly M.
Published: May 2014

Introduction: With evidence to support the use of text messaging for smoking cessation, some quitlines in North America have incorporated text messaging into their service offerings.

Aims: This study sought to evaluate whether integrated phone counselling and text messaging services are acceptable to quitline callers, and to identify strategies for improving text messaging services in the context of a quitline.

Methods: Thirty-five adult callers of the New Mexico state quitline who had enrolled in multi-call phone counselling and Text2Quit, a text messaging programme, were interviewed by phone. Interviews assessed use and acceptability of the phone counselling and text messaging interventions.

Results: Use of phone counselling and text messaging was generally high among participants. While most participants reported that they would highly recommend Text2Quit (75.8%) or phone counselling (78.8%) individually, a relatively higher proportion indicated they would highly recommend the combined services (93.9%). Suggestions for improvement focused on increased customisation and personalisation.

Conclusions: This study provides preliminary evidence for the acceptability of integrated phone counselling and text messaging services. Research is needed that explores the impact of these widely-used integrated services on smoking cessation.
Irish farms under climate change – is there a regional variation on farm responses?
Authors: SHRESTHA S. , ABDALLA M. , HENNESSY T. , FORRISTAL D. , JONES M. B.
Published: May 2014

The current paper aims to determine regional impacts of climate change on Irish farms examining the variation in farm responses. A set of crop growth models were used to determine crop and grass yields under a baseline scenario and a future climate scenario. These crop and grass yields were used along with farm-level data taken from the Irish National Farm Survey in an optimizing farm-level (farm-level linear programming) model, which maximizes farm profits under limiting resources. A change in farm net margins under the climate change scenario compared to the baseline scenario was taken as a measure to determine the effect of climate change on farms. The growth models suggested a decrease in cereal crop yields (up to 9%) but substantial increase in yields of forage maize (up to 97%) and grass (up to 56%) in all regions. Farms in the border, midlands and south-east regions suffered, whereas farms in all other regions generally fared better under the climate change scenario used in the current study. The results suggest that there is a regional variability between farms in their responses to the climate change scenario. Although substituting concentrate feed with grass feeds is the main adaptation on all livestock farms, the extent of such substitution differs between farms in different regions. For example, large dairy farms in the south-east region adopted total substitution of concentrate feed while similar dairy farms in the south-west region opted to replace only 0·30 of concentrate feed. Farms in most of the regions benefitted from increasing stocking rate, except for sheep farms in the border and dairy farms in the south-east regions. The tillage farms in the mid-east region responded to the climate change scenario by shifting arable production to beef production on farms.
JEWISH MORTALITY RECONSIDERED
Authors: STAETSKY LAURA DANIEL , HINDE ANDREW
Published: May 2014

It is known that mortality of Jews is different from the mortality of the populations that surround them. However, the existence of commonalities in mortality of different Jewish communities across the world has not received scholarly attention. This paper aims to identify common features of the evolution of Jewish mortality among Jews living in Israel and the Diaspora. In the paper the mortality of Jews in Israel is systematically compared with the mortality of the populations of developed countries, and the findings from the earlier studies of mortality of Jews in selected Diaspora communities are re-examined. The outcome is a re-formulation and extension of the notion of the ‘Jewish pattern of mortality’. The account of this pattern is based on the consistently low level of behaviourally induced mortality, the migration history of Jewish populations and the enduring influence of early-life conditions on mortality at older ages.
How we do it: the absorbable gelatin sponge cube, an effective and economical approach to packing in ear surgery
Authors: Fang S , Argiris K , Padgham N
Published: May 2014

Introduction:

There is currently a lack of robust evidence on the best form of packing for otological surgery. We describe the use of the absorbable gelatin sponge, a packing material that does not require removal and has the benefit of being considerably cheaper compared to other common forms of ear packing.

Methods:

A comparison was made of the financial cost of several forms of packing for common otological procedures. In addition, a retrospective audit of complications was undertaken of all patients in whom the absorbable gelatin sponge was used over the past three years.

Results:

The absorbable gelatin sponge was shown to be cheaper to purchase per unit and also more economical to use. It has been the exclusive form of packing used in 519 procedures over the past three years at the William Harvey Hospital in Ashford (UK), with very few complications noted at the follow-up review.

Conclusion:

We strongly advocate using the absorbable gelatin sponge, a packing material that is kinder to the patient, has similar efficacy to other forms of packing and is also much cheaper to use compared to other common forms of packing.
Recruitment of juvenile, captive-reared eastern loggerhead shrikes Lanius ludovicianus migrans into the wild population in Canada
Authors: Lagios E. L. , Robbins K. F. , Lapierre J. M. , Steiner J. C. , Imlay T. L.
Published: May 2014

High post-release survival, low dispersal and the recruitment of captive-reared individuals into the wild population are critical to the success of any reintroduction programme. Reintroducing a migratory species poses an additional challenge as success also depends on the return of captive-reared individuals to breeding grounds in subsequent years. We investigated the effects of seven husbandry and management factors on the return rate of captive-reared eastern loggerhead shrikes Lanius ludovicianus migrans and documented the recruitment of returning individuals. During 2004–2010, 564 juveniles were released in Ontario, Canada, as part of a field propagation and release programme and there were 27 confirmed sightings of returning birds during 2005–2011. Returning birds were significantly more likely to have been released in large groups of juveniles (9–10 birds) at 5.5 weeks post-fledging from the Carden field propagation site. Comparisons of the number of young fledged and survival to 2 weeks post-fledging revealed similar results for pairs comprising one captive-reared and one wild-reared individual and pairs comprising two wild individuals. These results highlight the contribution of captive-reared shrikes to the recovery of the wild population and the importance of monitoring outcomes and evaluating techniques.