bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Extraction of Aerosol-Deposited Yersinia pestis from Indoor Surfaces To Determine Bacterial Environmental Decay
Authors: Gut Ian M. , Bartlett Ryan A. , Yeager John J. , Leroux Brian , Ratnesar-Shumate Shanna , Dabisch Paul , Karaolis David K. R.
Published: March 2016

Public health and decontamination decisions following an event that causes indoor contamination with a biological agent require knowledge of the environmental persistence of the agent. The goals of this study were to develop methods for experimentally depositing bacteria onto indoor surfaces via aerosol, evaluate methods for sampling and enumerating the agent on surfaces, and use these methods to determine bacterial surface decay. A specialized aerosol deposition chamber was constructed, and methods were established for reproducible and uniform aerosol deposition of bacteria onto four coupon types. The deposition chamber facilitated the control of relative humidity (RH; 10 to 70%) following particle deposition to mimic the conditions of indoor environments, as RH is not controlled by standard heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems. Extraction and culture-based enumeration methods to quantify the viable bacteria on coupons were shown to be highly sensitive and reproducible. To demonstrate the usefulness of the system for decay studies,
Yersinia pestis
persistence as a function of surface type at 21°C and 40% RH was determined to be >40%/min for all surfaces. Based upon these results, at typical indoor temperature and RH, a 6-log reduction in titer would expected to be achieved within 1 h as the result of environmental decay on surfaces without active decontamination. The developed approach will facilitate future persistence and decontamination studies with a broad range of biological agents and surfaces, providing agent decay data to inform both assessments of risk to personnel entering a contaminated site and decontamination decisions following biological contamination of an indoor environment.

IMPORTANCE
Public health and decontamination decisions following contamination of an indoor environment with a biological agent require knowledge of the environmental persistence of the agent. Previous studies on
Y. pestis
persistence have utilized large liquid droplet deposition to provide persistence data. As a result, methods were developed to deposit aerosols containing bacteria onto indoor surfaces, reproducibly enumerate bacteria harvested from coupons, and determine surface decay utilizing
Y. pestis
. The results of this study provide foundational methods required to evaluate surface decay of bacteria and potentially other biological agents, such as viruses, in aerosol particles as a function of surface type and environment. Integrating the data from both aerosol and liquid deposition surface decay studies will provide medical and public health personnel with a more complete understanding of agent persistence on surfaces in contaminated areas for assessment of health risks and to inform decontamination decisions.
Functional Responses of Salt Marsh Microbial Communities to Long-Term Nutrient Enrichment
Authors: Graves Christopher J. , Makrides Elizabeth J. , Schmidt Victor T. , Giblin Anne E. , Cardon Zoe G. , Rand David M.
Published: March 2016

Environmental nutrient enrichment from human agricultural and waste runoff could cause changes to microbial communities that allow them to capitalize on newly available resources. Currently, the response of microbial communities to nutrient enrichment remains poorly understood, and, while some studies have shown no clear changes in community composition in response to heavy nutrient loading, others targeting specific genes have demonstrated clear impacts. In this study, we compared functional metagenomic profiles from sediment samples taken along two salt marsh creeks, one of which was exposed for more than 40 years to treated sewage effluent at its head. We identified strong and consistent increases in the relative abundance of microbial genes related to each of the biochemical steps in the denitrification pathway at enriched sites. Despite fine-scale local increases in the abundance of denitrification-related genes, the overall community structures based on broadly defined functional groups and taxonomic annotations were similar and varied with other environmental factors, such as salinity, which were common to both creeks. Homology-based taxonomic assignments of nitrous oxide reductase sequences in our data show that increases are spread over a broad taxonomic range, thus limiting detection from taxonomic data alone. Together, these results illustrate a functionally targeted yet taxonomically broad response of microbial communities to anthropogenic nutrient loading, indicating some resolution to the apparently conflicting results of existing studies on the impacts of nutrient loading in sediment communities.

IMPORTANCE
In this study, we used environmental metagenomics to assess the response of microbial communities in estuarine sediments to long-term, nutrient-rich sewage effluent exposure. Unlike previous studies, which have mainly characterized communities based on taxonomic data or primer-based amplification of specific target genes, our whole-genome metagenomics approach allowed an unbiased assessment of the abundance of denitrification-related genes across the entire community. We identified strong and consistent increases in the relative abundance of gene sequences related to denitrification pathways across a broad phylogenetic range at sites exposed to long-term nutrient addition. While further work is needed to determine the consequences of these community responses in regulating environmental nutrient cycles, the increased abundance of bacteria harboring denitrification genes suggests that such processes may be locally upregulated. In addition, our results illustrate how whole-genome metagenomics combined with targeted hypothesis testing can reveal fine-scale responses of microbial communities to environmental disturbance.
Thermal Inactivation of Mycobacterium avium subsp. paratuberculosis in Artificially Contaminated Milk by Direct Steam Injection
Authors: Peterz Mats , Butot Sophie , Jagadeesan Balamurugan , Bakker Douwe , Donaghy John
Published: March 2016

The efficiency of direct steam injection (DSI) at 105°C for 3 s to inactivate
Mycobacterium avium
subsp.
paratuberculosis
in milk at a pilot-plant scale was investigated. Milk samples were artificially contaminated with
M. avium
subsp.
paratuberculosis
and also with cow fecal material naturally infected with
M. avium
subsp.
paratuberculosis
. We also tested milk artificially contaminated with
Mycobacterium smegmatis
as a candidate surrogate to compare thermal inactivation between
M. smegmatis
and
M. avium
subsp.
paratuberculosis
. Following the DSI process, no viable
M. avium
subsp.
paratuberculosis
or
M. smegmatis
was recovered using culture methods for both strains. For pure
M. avium
subsp.
paratuberculosis
cultures, a minimum reduction of 5.6 log
10
was achieved with DSI, and a minimum reduction of 5.7 log
10
was found with
M. smegmatis
. The minimum log
10
reduction for wild-type
M. avium
subsp.
paratuberculosis
naturally present in feces was 3.3. In addition, 44 dairy and nondairy powdered infant formula (PIF) ingredients used during the manufacturing process of PIF were tested for an alternate source for
M. avium
subsp.
paratuberculosis
and were found to be negative by quantitative PCR (qPCR). In conclusion, the results obtained from this study indicate that a >7-fold-log
10
reduction of
M. avium
subsp.
paratuberculosis
in milk can be achieved with the applied DSI process.

IMPORTANCE
M. avium
subsp.
paratuberculosis
is widespread in dairy herds in many countries.
M. avium
subsp.
paratuberculosis
is the causative agent of Johne's disease in cattle, and infected animals can directly or indirectly (i.e., fecal contamination) contaminate milk. Despite much research and debate, there is no conclusive evidence that
M. avium
subsp.
paratuberculosis
is a zoonotic bacterium, i.e., one that causes disease in humans. The presence of
M. avium
subsp.
paratuberculosis
or its DNA has been reported in dairy products, including pasteurized milk, cheese, and infant formula. In light of this, it is appropriate to evaluate existing mitigation measures to inactivate
M. avium
subsp.
paratuberculosis
in dairy products. The work conducted in this study describes the efficacy of direct steam injection, a thermal process commonly used in the dairy industry, to eliminate
M. avium
subsp.
paratuberculosis
and a surrogate bacterium in milk, thus ensuring the absence of
M. avium
subsp.
paratuberculosis
in dairy products subject to these process conditions.
Management of type 2 diabetes in China: the Happy Life Club, a pragmatic cluster randomised controlled trial using health coaches
Authors: Browning Colette , Chapman Anna , Yang Hui , Liu Shuo , Zhang Tuohong , Enticott Joanne C , Thomas Shane A
Published: March 2016

Objective

To assess the effectiveness of a coach-led motivational interviewing (MI) intervention in improving glycaemic control, as well as clinical, psychosocial and self-care outcomes of individuals with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) compared with usual care.

Design

Pragmatic cluster randomised controlled trial (RCT).

Setting

Community Health Stations (CHSs) in Fengtai district, Beijing, China.

Participants

Of the 41 randomised CHSs (21 intervention and 20 control), 21 intervention CHSs (372 participants) and 18 control CHSs (296 participants) started participation.

Intervention

Intervention participants received telephone and face-to-face MI health coaching in addition to usual care from their CHS. Control participants received usual care only. Medical fees were waived for both groups.

Outcome measures

Outcomes were assessed at baseline, 6 and 12 months. Primary outcome measure was glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c). Secondary outcomes included a suite of anthropometric, blood pressure (BP), fasting blood, psychosocial and self-care measures.

Results

At 12 months, no differential treatment effect was found for HbA1c (adjusted difference 0.02, 95% CI −0.40 to 0.44, p=0.929), with both treatment and control groups showing significant improvements. However, two secondary outcomes: psychological distress (adjusted difference −2.38, 95% CI −4.64 to −0.12, p=0.039) and systolic BP (adjusted difference −3.57, 95% CI −6.08 to −1.05, p=0.005) were robust outcomes consistent with significant differential treatment effects, as supported in sensitivity analyses. Interestingly, in addition to HbA1c, both groups displayed significant improvements in triglycerides, LDL cholesterol and HDL cholesterol.

Conclusions

In line with the current Chinese primary healthcare reform, this study is the first large-scale cluster RCT to be implemented within real-world CHSs in China, specifically addressing T2DM. Although a differential treatment effect was not observed for HbA1c, numerous outcomes (including HbA1c) improved in both groups, supporting the establishment of regular, free clinical health checks for people with T2DM in China.

Trial registration number

ISRCTN01010526; Pre-results.
Observational study of the effects of traumatic injury, haemorrhagic shock and resuscitation on the microcirculation: a protocol for the MICROSHOCK study
Authors: Hutchings Sam , Naumann David N , Harris Tim , Wendon Julia , Midwinter Mark J
Published: March 2016

Introduction

The microcirculation is the physiological site of oxygen and substrate exchange. Its effectiveness during circulatory shock is vital for the perfusion of tissues, and has a bearing on subsequent organ function and prognosis. Microcirculatory dysfunction following traumatic haemorrhagic shock (THS) has been understudied compared with other pathologies such as sepsis. The aim of the MICROSHOCK study is to investigate changes seen in the microcirculation of patients following THS, and to assess its response to resuscitation. A greater understanding of the behaviour and mechanisms of microcirculatory dysfunction in this context may direct future avenues of goal-directed resuscitation for these patients.

Methods and analysis

This multicentre prospective longitudinal observational study includes patients who present as an emergency with THS. Microcirculatory parameters are recorded using sublingual incident dark field microscopy alongside measurements of global flow (oesophageal Doppler and transthoracic echocardiography). Patients are enrolled into the study as soon as feasible after they arrive in hospital, and then at subsequent daily time points. Blood samples are taken for investigation into the mechanisms of microcirculatory dysfunction. Sequential Organ Failure Assessment scores will be analysed with microcirculatory parameters to determine whether they correlate with greater fidelity than more conventional, global circulatory parameters.

Ethics and dissemination

Research Ethics Committee approval has been granted for this study (Reference: 14/YH/0078). Owing to the nature of THS, capacity for informed consent will be absent on patient enrolment. This will be addressed according to the Mental Health Capacity Act 2005. The physician in charge of the patient's care (nominated consultee) may consent on behalf of the patient. Consent will also be sought from a personal consultee (close relative or friend). After capacity is regained, the participant will be asked for their consent. Results will be submitted for publication in peer-reviewed journal format and presented at relevant academic meetings.

Trial registration number

NCT02111109; Pre-results.
Framework for evaluating risk of limited sight distance for permitted left-turn movements: case study
Authors: Osama Ahmed , Sayed Tarek , Easa Said
Published: March 2016

A reliability analysis framework is used to evaluate the risk of limited sight distance for permitted left-turn movements due to the presence of opposing left-turn vehicles. Two signalized intersection approaches in the city of Surrey were used as case studies for the framework. Geometric and traffic video data was collected and analyzed using a computer vision tool to extract the input variables probability distributions. The data was used in the reliability analysis where first-order and Importance Sampling methods were performed. The analysis showed that the probability of non-compliance was considerable at one approach due to its large left-turn lane offset. The analysis also showed that the probability of non-compliance increased substantially when the obstacle vehicle was a bus rather than a passenger car. Moreover, the time gap had a higher impact on the probability of non-compliance compared to speed. Strategies were suggested to overcome the high probability of non-compliance.
The determination of molecular scattering differential cross sections for compounds of some essential elements at 3.38 Å−1 photon momentum transfer
Authors: Akça Burcu , Erzeneoğlu Salih
Published: March 2016

Molecular scattering differential cross sections of 59.5 keV γ-rays have been measured for some compounds of Na, Mg, Al, Ca, and Fe elements at 90°. The γ-rays of Am-241 were counted using a Si(Li) detector of EDXRF (energy dispersive X-ray fluorescence) system. The experimental results have been compared with non-relativistic and relativistic theoretical values.
Effects of aluminum oxide (Al2O3) nanoparticles on ECG, myocardial inflammatory cytokines, redox state, and connexin 43 and lipid profile in rats: possible cardioprotective effect of gallic acid
Authors: El-Hussainy El-Hussainy M.A. , Hussein Abdelaziz M. , Abdel-Aziz Azza , El-Mehasseb Ibrahim
Published: March 2016

The objectives of present study were to examine the effects of aluminum oxide (Al2O3) nanoparticles on myocardial functions, electrical activities, morphology, inflammation, redox state, and myocardial expression of connexin 43 (Cx43) and the effect of gallic acid (GA) on these effects in a rat animal model. Forty male albino rats were divided into 4 equal groups: the control (normal) group; the Al2O3group, rats received Al2O3(30 mg·kg–1, i.p.) daily for 14 days; the nano-alumina group, rats received nano-alumina (30 mg·kg–1, i.p.) daily for 14 days; and the nano-alumina + GA group, rats received GA (100 mg·kg–1orally once daily) for 14 days before nano-alumina administration. The results showed disturbed ECG variables and significant increases in serum levels of LDH, creatine phosphokinase (CPK), CK-MB, triglycerides (TGs), cholesterol and LDL, nitric oxide (NO), and TNF-α and myocardial concentrations of NO, TNF-α, and malondialdehyde (MDA), with significant decreases in serum HDL and myocardial GSH, SOD, catalase (CAT), and Cx43 expression in the nano-alumina group. Pretreatment with GA improved significantly all parameters except serum and myocardial NO. We concluded that chronic administration of Al2O3NPs caused myocardial dysfunctions, and pretreatment with GA ameliorates myocardial injury induced by nano-alumina, probably through its hypolipidaemic, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant effects and upregulation of Cx43 in heart.
Beneficial effects of kinin B1 receptor antagonism on plasma fatty acid alterations and obesity in Zucker diabetic fatty rats
Authors: Talbot Sébastien , Dias Jenny Pena , El Midaoui Adil , Couture Réjean
Published: March 2016

Kinins are the endogenous ligands of the constitutive B2 receptor (B2R) and the inducible B1 receptor (B1R). Whereas B2R prevents insulin resistance, B1R is involved in insulin resistance and metabolic syndrome. However, the contribution of B1R in type 2 diabetes associated with obesity remains uncertain. The aim of the present study was to examine the impact of 1-week treatment with a selective B1R antagonist (SSR240612, 10 mg/kg per day, by gavage) on hyperglycemia, hyperinsulinemia, leptinemia, body mass gain, and abnormal plasma fatty acids in obese Zucker diabetic fatty (ZDF) rats. Treatment with SSR240612 abolished the body mass gain and reduced polyphagia, polydipsia, and plasma fatty acid alterations in ZDF rats without affecting hyperglycemia, hyperinsulinemia, and hyperleptinemia. The present study suggests that the upregulated B1R plays a role in body mass gain and circulating fatty acid alterations in ZDF rats. However, mechanisms other than B1R induction would be implicated in glucose metabolism disorder in ZDF rats, based on the finding that SSR240612 did not reverse hyperglycemia and hyperinsulinemia.
Influence of passive stretch on muscle blood flow, oxygenation and central cardiovascular responses in healthy young males
Authors: Kruse Nicholas T. , Silette Christopher R. , Scheuermann Barry W.
Published: March 2016

The aim of this study was to examine the effect of skeletal muscle stretching on peripheral, central, and autonomic cardiovascular responses in humans. Twelve healthy males completed a controlled passive stretch of the plantar flexors for 4 min at three different intensities. Doppler ultrasound velocimetry and imaging techniques assessed mean leg blood flow (MLBF), antegrade blood flow, and retrograde blood flow of the popliteal artery. Near-infrared spectroscopy assessed the concentration of deoxygenated hemoglobin + myoglobin ([HHb]) and the sum of its deoxygenated and oxygenated forms [i.e., blood volume ([Hbtot])]. Heart rate (HR) and mean arterial pressure were measured simultaneously to peripheral hemodynamic responses. During stretch there was an increase ( P < 0.05) in antegrade and retrograde blood flow along with [HHb] and [Hbtot] relative to baseline, whereas MLBF was not altered. HR increased ( P < 0.01) in a stretch intensity- and time-dependent manner, suggesting a threshold tension must be met that results in a mechanoreflex-mediated increase in HR. After stretch there was an increase ( P < 0.05) in [Hbtot] and MLBF in each condition, suggesting that stretch creates a poststretch hyperemic response. Furthermore, retrograde blood flow was decreased ( P < 0.05) after stretch in each stretch condition. Mean arterial pressure was decreased ( P < 0.05) after moderate-intensity stretching. Collectively, our data provide novel mechanistic evidence on cardiovascular responses to skeletal muscle stretching in humans. Moreover, the reductions in MAP and retrograde blood flow suggest that stretch transiently reduces myogenic vascular tone in a poststretch resting period.
Development of ASG-15ME, a Novel Antibody–Drug Conjugate TargetingSLITRK6, a New Urothelial Cancer Biomarker
Authors: Morrison Kendall , Challita-Eid Pia M. , Raitano Arthur , An Zili , Yang Peng , Abad Joseph D. , Liu Wendy , Lortie Dawn Ratay , Snyder Josh T. , Capo Linnette , Verlinsky Alla , Aviña Hector , Doñate Fernando , Joseph Ingrid B.J. , Pereira Daniel S. , Morrison Karen , Stover David R.
Published: March 2016

SLITRK6 is a member of the SLITRK family of neuronal transmembrane proteins that was discovered as a bladder tumor antigen using suppressive subtractive hybridization. Extensive immunohistochemistry showed SLITRK6 to be expressed in multiple epithelial tumors, including bladder, lung, and breast cancer as well as in glioblastoma. To explore the possibility of using SLITRK6 as a target for an antibody–drug conjugate (ADC), we generated a panel of fully human mAbs specific for SLITRK6. ADCs showed potent in vitro and in vivo cytotoxic activity after conjugation to Monomethyl Auristatin E or Monomethyl Auristatin F. The most potent ADC, ASG-15ME, was selected as the development candidate and given the product name AGS15E. ASG-15ME is currently in phase I clinical trials for the treatment of metastatic urothelial cancer. This is the first report that SLITRK6 is a novel antigen in bladder cancer and also the first report of the development of ASG-15ME for the treatment of metastatic bladder cancer. Mol Cancer Ther; 15(6); 1301–10. ©2016 AACR.
Autumn flight activity of the greater horseshoe bat at hibernacula
Authors: Jiang Tinglei , Huang Xiaobin , Wu Hui , Lin Hongjun , Hoyt Joseph , Müller Rolf , Feng Jiang
Published: March 2016

The activity patterns of vespertilionid bats at the entrances of hibernacula in temperate zones have been investigated on many occasions. However, little is known about nocturnal flight activity in autumn and its function in horseshoe bats so far. Here, we have recorded the autumn flight activity in and around the entrances of hibernacula of greater horseshoe bats,Rhinolophus ferrumequinumby behavioural observations, mistnetting, and acoustic surveys for two consecutive years. Greater horseshoe bats not only chased each other around cave entrances but also entered and left the entrance frequently. However, no mating events were directly observed in this study, normally a prominent part of swarming behaviour in vespertilionids. Therefore, it is difficult to deduce the function of the autumn flight activity of the greater horseshoe bats at hibernacula from the present data. Additionally, the recorded flight activity was positively correlated with ambient temperature and humidity. To our knowledge, our study provides the first detailed record of the pattern of autumn flight activity in horseshoe bats, and suggests that weather conditions may impact the bats’ nocturnal flight activity.
Ethnicity in Time
Authors: Singh Prerna , vom Hau Matthias
Published: March 2016

This article revisits and seeks to challenge one of the most powerful hypotheses in the political economy scholarship: the supposedly negative relationship between ethnic diversity and public goods provision. We suggest that the relative lack of attention to politics and history makes much of this literature vulnerable to endogeneity problems. In response, we develop a state-centered approach that brings time and temporality to the analytical foreground. This approach addresses issues of reverse causality and spuriousness by examining how different historical trajectories of nation-state formation, and the state strategies and capabilities to provide public goods associated with each, might have shaped both contemporary diversity and public goods provision. Bringing in politics and history and putting the analytical focus on the state also allows the article to open up the debate around how distinct manifestations of politicized ethnicity might influence state provision of public goods.
Cotton contamination detection and classification using hyperspectral fluorescence imaging
Authors: Mustafic Adnan , Jiang Yu , Li Changying
Published: March 2016

The presence of foreign matter in ginned cotton lowers the quality and ultimately the monetary value of cotton. Previous studies have shown benefits of using ultraviolet excited fluorescence to detect certain cotton contamination that is difficult to detect using other methods. The overall goal of this study was to explore the feasibility of using hyperspectral fluorescence imaging as a complementary tool for foreign matter differentiation. The mean spectra of lint and seven types of foreign matter were extracted from the hyperspectral fluorescence images using a region-of-interest-based approach. The principal component analysis was applied to select the optimal features from a total of 113 wavelengths covering the spectral range of 425–700 nm. The linear discriminant analysis with the selected wavelengths achieved an average classification rate of 90% for all samples. Therefore, this imaging method could be used as a complementary sensing modality to current instruments that are employed for cotton quality assessment in the textile industry.
Varied Responsiveness to Immigrant Community Growth among Local Governments
Authors: Rissler Grant E.
Published: March 2016

Immigration policy remains a hotly debated issue nationally in the United States, but the interaction of legislative gridlock on comprehensive reform and the actions of policy entrepreneurs push policy innovation into the arena of state and local governments. This article examines the intersection of immigration and local policy making, examining basic patterns of local responsiveness and apparent factors driving the response. Using the insights of existing research, including Rubaii-Barrett and Brenner, this article highlights political incorporation (e.g., Ramakrishnan and Gulasekaram) and bureaucratic incorporation (e.g., Marrow) as competing explanations in the literature. As an exploratory effort to evaluate the relative claims, this article reports the results of a document analysis of the local government Web sites for seventeen localities in the Richmond, VA, Metropolitan Statistical Area looking first at how localities are responding, second at indications of why and finally assessing whether initiative for responses occurs more at a bureaucratic or elected official level.
Christian Hermeneutics and Narratives of War in the Carolingian Empire
Authors: Evans Robert A.H.
Published: March 2016

The Carolingian empire in western Europe (c. AD 700–900) has long been defined by its military expansion and Christian renewal. Carolingian historical narratives portrayed their victories as divine gifts and so encouraged soldiers and commanders to interpret their actions within a theological hermeneutic. Previous scholars have seen this hermeneutic as justifying war. This paper shall argue instead that these narratives reflected and reinforced the hermeneutic with which soldiers interpreted their campaigns and the military spirituality practised as a result. It shall examine how various histories interpreted military events and how these interpretations related to their audiences’ spirituality and military experience.
Place of death in rural palliative care: A systematic review
Authors: Rainsford Suzanne , MacLeod Roderick D , Glasgow Nicholas J
Published: March 2016

Background:

There have been many studies on the actual and preferred place of care and death of palliative patients; however, most have been whole population surveys and/or urban focused. Data and preferences for terminally ill rural patients and their unofficial carers have not been systematically described.

Aim:

To describe the actual place of death and preferred place of care and/or death in rural palliative care settings.

Method:

A systematic mixed studies review using Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis guidelines.

Data source:

PubMed, PsychINFO, Scopus and CINAHL databases were searched (September to December 2014); eligible quantitative and qualitative studies included preferred and/or actual place of death/care of rural, regional or remote residents; rural data that are clearly identifiable; death due to palliative condition (malignant and non-malignant) or survey of participants with current or hypothetical life-limiting illness.

Results:

A total of 25 studies described actual place of death; 12 preferred place of care or death (2 studies reported both); most deaths occurred in hospital with home as the preferred place of care/death; however qualitative studies suggest that preferences are not absolute; factors associated with place are not adequately described as rurality was an independent variable; significant heterogeneity (rural setting and participants), however, many areas had a greater chance of home death than in cities; rural data are embedded in population reports rather than from specific rural studies.

Conclusion:

Home is the preferred place of rural death; however, more work is needed to explore influencing factors, absolute importance of preferences and experience of providing and receiving palliative care in rural hospitals which often function as substitute hospice.
Music therapy for end-of-life care: An updated systematic review
Authors: McConnell Tracey , Scott David , Porter Sam
Published: March 2016

Background:

Music therapy during palliative and end-of-life care is well established and positive benefits for patients have been reported.

Aim:

Assess the effectiveness of music therapy versus standard care alone or standard care in combination with other therapies for improving psychological, physiological and social outcomes among adult patients in any palliative care setting.

Data sources:

In order to update an existing Cochrane systematic review, we searched MEDLINE, CINAHL, EMBASE, PsycINFO, CENTRAL, ClinicalTrials.gov register and Current Controlled Trials register to identify randomised or quasi-randomised controlled trials published between 2009 and April 2015. Nine electronic music therapy journals were searched from 2009 until April 2015, along with reference lists and contact was made with key experts in music therapy. Only studies published in English were eligible for inclusion. Two reviewers independently screened titles, abstracts, assessed relevant studies for eligibility, extracted data and judged risk of bias for included studies. Disagreements were resolved through discussion with a third reviewer. Data were synthesised in Revman using the random effects model. Heterogeneity was assessed using I2.

Results:

Three studies were included in the review. Findings suggest that music therapy may be effective for helping to reduce pain in palliative care patients (standard mean deviation = −0.42, 95% confidence interval = −0.68 to −0.17, p = 0.001).

Conclusion:

Available evidence did not support the use of music therapy to improve overall quality of life in palliative care. While this review suggests that music therapy may be effective for reducing pain, this is based on studies with a high risk of bias. Further high-quality research is required.
Regulatory T Cells and Their Role in Animal Disease
Authors: Veiga-Parga T.
Published: March 2016

In humans and mouse models, Foxp3+ regulatory T cells are known to control all aspects of immune responses. However, only limited information exists on these cells’ role in diseases of other animals. In this review, we cover the most important features and different types of regulatory T cells, which include those that are thymus-derived and peripherally induced, the mechanisms by which they control immune responses by targeting effector T cells and antigen-presenting cells, and most important, their role in animal health and diseases including cancer, infections, and other conditions such as hypersensitivities and autoimmunity. Although the literature regarding regulatory T cells in domestic animal species is still limited, multiple articles have recently emerged and are discussed. Moreover, we also discuss the evidence suggesting that regulatory T cells might limit the magnitude of effector responses, which can have either a positive or negative result, depending on the context of animal and human disease. In addition, the issue of plasticity is discussed because plasticity in regulatory T cells can result in the loss of their protective function in some microenvironments during disease. Lastly, the manipulation of regulatory T cells is discussed in assessing the possibility of their use as a treatment in the future.
Editors’ Pick
Authors: Prechel Harland , Istvan Alesha
Published: March 2016

This paper develops an organizational political economy perspective to examine the effects of organizational and political-legal arrangements on environmental pollution. We focus on the largest parent companies in the electrical energy industry because parent companies have ultimate decision-making authority over their polluting facilities, and this economic sector is responsible for a high proportion of environmental pollution. The paper includes an historical analysis of how neoliberal regulatory changes transformed the political embeddedness of firms and a quantitative analysis of the relationship between organizational and political-legal arrangements and environmental pollution. The analysis moves beyond the current focus on disproportionality among economic sectors by demonstrating that variation in organizational structure and other corporate characteristics within an economic sector are associated with disproportionally higher levels of environmental pollution. In addition, the findings provide policy makers with information that can be used to enact policies that target corporate characteristics associated with high pollution.
The status and developments of leather solid waste treatment: A mini-review
Authors: Jiang Huiyan , Liu Junsheng , Han Wei
Published: March 2016

Leather making is one of the most widespread industries in the world. The production of leather goods generates different types of solid wastes and wastewater. These wastes will pollute the environment and threat the health of human beings if they are not well treated. Consequently, the treatment of pollution caused by the wastes from leather tanning is really important. In comparison with the disposal of leather wastewater, the treatment of leather solid wastes is more intractable. Hence, the treatment of leather solid wastes needs more innovations. To keep up with the rapid development of the modern leather industry, various innovative techniques have been newly developed. In this mini–review article, the major achievements in the treatment of leather solid wastes are highlighted. Emphasis will be placed on the treatment of chromium-tanned solid wastes; some new approaches are also discussed. We hope that this mini-review can provide some valuable information to promote the broad understanding and effective treatment of leather solid wastes in the leather industry.
Le concept de pression temporelle ultime et sa mesure
Authors: Gourmelen Andréa , Urien Bertrand , Le Gall-Ely Marine
Published: March 2016

Cette recherche définit la pression temporelle ultime (PTU) comme la conscience d’un temps restant à vivre limité par le rapprochement de la mort et les réactions affectives qui l’accompagnent. Il s’agit d’une nouvelle catégorie de pression temporelle se différenciant des pressions temporelles chronique (PTC) ou situationnelle (PTS). Une échelle de mesure en est proposée dont la validité nomologique est testée sur différentes motivations au bénévolat des retraités, permettant notamment d’aller au-delà de l’utilisation du temps disponible de cette population comme critère primordial de recrutement et fidélisation de bénévoles.
Transnational Advocacy Networks
Authors: Bloodgood Elizabeth A. , Clough Emily
Published: March 2016

We examine the costs and benefits of nongovernmental organization (NGO) networking using a complex systems approach and agent-based modeling to simulate the effects of NGOs’ efforts to seek influence in policy making at home and abroad. We elaborate on the boomerang model developed by Keck and Sikkink and uncover macro-level effects of multiple NGOs networking for policy influence in multiple states around multiple positions on the same issue simultaneously. The results of our model and simulations lead us to argue that the boomerang effect has interesting unexplored implications for NGO behavior and state policy worthy of further empirical testing. We find that networking is necessary for NGOs to change state policy but leads to a higher likelihood of organizational collapse for NGOs. Although networking leads to policy change, as is well demonstrated within existing literature, our model suggests that efficacy comes at a cost to NGOs, which should make analysts and academics more ambivalent about the advisability of NGO networking.
Gluing, catching and connecting: how informal childcare strengthens single mothers’ employment trajectories
Authors: Brady Michelle
Published: March 2016

Research on single mothers’ employment overwhelmingly focuses on the importance of access to formal childcare at a single point in time. However, to understand the relationship between childcare and single mothers’ employment we must consider their access to and use of multiple forms of childcare – their childcare packages – and how these change over time. Drawing on a longitudinal qualitative study and employing the concepts of ‘caringscapes’ and ‘work-time/childcare-time’, this article highlights how childcare packages shape single mothers’ employment trajectories. Informal carers play a crucial role within mixed (formal and informal) childcare packages in helping mothers bring children’s needs, work-time and childcare-time into alignment, thus strengthening their employment trajectories. Informal carers achieve this effect by: (1) increasing the total hours of non-parental care; (2) ‘gluing’ together complex jigsaws of care; (3) offering a ‘safety net’ in times of crisis; and (4) playing a ‘connector’ role during employment transitions.
Does Need for Cognition Have the Same Meaning at Different Ages?
Authors: Soubelet Andrea , Salthouse Timothy A.
Published: March 2016

Determining whether Need for Cognition (NC) has the same meaning across age may help understand why there are dramatically different age trends for cognitive abilities and for NC in adulthood. Data from 5,004 participants aged between 18 and 99 years were used to examine both internal relations and external relations of NC. Internal relations were investigated with measures of reliability, examination of factor invariance, and test–retest coefficients across three age groups. External relations were investigated by examining relations of NC with cognitive abilities, engagement, personality, self-rated cognition, and affect. Results suggest that NC may be a broad construct that could reflect motivation to seek out intellectual challenge. In addition, examination of both internal and external relations of NC indicated that the meaning of the construct may be the same across the life span. Finally, the current article showed that the strongest predictor of NC was Openness to Experience, at any age.
School-Wide Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports
Authors: Schelling Amy L. , Harris Monica L.
Published: March 2016

Implementation of school-wide positive behavioral interventions and supports (SWPBIS) in K–12 schools is well documented in the literature. However, far less documentation can be found in the literature related to its implementation with students with significant intellectual and other developmental disabilities being served in either typical or alternate school settings. The purpose of this study was to highlight features of implementation of SWPBIS in alternate educational settings serving students with significant disabilities. Special education administrators situated in alternate educational settings across one Midwestern state completed a questionnaire indicating level of implementation of various SWPBIS components. Results indicated that although most respondents were engaged in implementation of SWPBIS, overall implementation was fairly low. Limitations and implications of the study for implementing the components of SWPBIS with students with significant disabilities are discussed.
Proactive Parent Engagement in Public Schools
Authors: Moore Kevin J. , Garbacz S. Andrew , Gau Jeff M. , Dishion Thomas J. , Brown Kimbree L. , Stormshak Elizabeth A. , Seeley John R.
Published: March 2016

This study examined the viability of a brief, parent-reported strengths and needs assessment as the first step in a multiple-gating approach to proactive positive behavior support for families. The Positive Family Support–Strengths and Needs Assessment (PFS-SaNA) was designed to collaboratively engage parents early in the school year in a home–school coordinated Positive Family Support (PFS) system. In this study, we evaluated the reliability and validity of the PFS-SaNA in the context of public middle schools. Findings suggest that the 14-item, unidimensional PFS-SaNA shows convergent validity with teacher ratings of risk. It can be easily and cost-effectively used by school personnel when parents register their children for school at the beginning of each school year.
In the Scattered Fields of Memory
Authors: Bennett Andy , Rogers Ian
Published: March 2016

The live music venue has long been regarded as a space of critical importance in relation to musical experience. Like music artists themselves, venues often come to embody the zeitgeist of a particular genre or era. Liverpool’s Cavern, New York’s CBGB’s, and Brisbane’s Cloudland are but three examples of an ever-growing list of live music venues (closed down, demolished, renamed) achieving iconic status due to a connection with important and galvanizing moments in music history. Significant in this are the ways in which collective memories become textured by particular venues and how memory works to forge strong collective associations between former audiences. Drawing on theoretical frameworks utilized in space and place research and memory studies, this article will investigate the significance of unofficial, unlicensed music venues and the way in which the memory of these particular sites constitute a potent form of intangible cultural heritage in contemporary society.
Vector form intrinsic finite element analysis of the construction process of cable–strut–beam steel structures
Authors: Zhu ML , Lu JY , Guo ZX , Dong SL
Published: March 2016

The construction process is a time-consuming and dynamic process subject to a changing environment. The time and path influence should be considered for a more exact result on its mechanical behavior, especially for large-span spatial structures. This article presents a structural analysis framework called the vector form intrinsic finite element for construction simulations. The vector form intrinsic finite element based on vector mechanics is different from the traditional finite element method, which is developed from continuum mechanics. It is easy to solve problems involving nonlinearity without establishing the equilibrium matrix. The construction process, such as erection of cables, is accompanied by mechanisms and rigid body motions. Furthermore, a new element, named the traction cable element, is proposed to analyze the lifting process, and the expression of the internal element force is derived. The results obtained from the lifting of a single cable illustrate that vector form intrinsic finite element can produce an accurate analysis result. Finally, analysis of a practical project shows the capability of vector form intrinsic finite element in the construction simulation of a cable–strut–beam steel structure.
Discriminant validity of the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale, Beck Depression Inventory (II) and Beck Anxiety Inventory to confirmed clinical diagnosis of depression and anxiety in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
Authors: Phan Tina , Carter Owen , Adams Claire , Waterer Grant , Chung Li Ping , Hawkins Maxine , Rudd Cobie , Ziman Mel , Strobel Natalie
Published: March 2016

The objective of this study was to investigate the discriminant validity of commonly used depression and anxiety screening tools in order to determine the most suitable tool for patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). COPD patients ( n = 56) completed the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS), Beck Depression Inventory (BDI-II) and Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI). These scores were compared to confirmed clinical diagnoses of depression and anxiety using the Mini Neuropsychiatric Interview. HADS depression subscale (HADS-D) sensitivity/specificity was 78/81%; BDI-II 89/77%; HADS anxiety subscale (HADS-A) 71/81%; and BAI 89/62%. HADS-D sensitivity/specificity was improved (100/83%) with the removal of Q4 ‘I feel as if I am slowed down’ and adjusted cut-off (≥5). Removal of BDI-II Q21 ‘Loss of interest in sex’ with adjusted cut-off ≥12 resulted in similar improvement (100/79%). No problematic items were identified for HADS-A or BAI. Previously reported low sensitivity/specificity of the HADS for COPD patients was not replicated. Furthermore, simple modifications of the HADS-D markedly improved sensitivity/specificity for depression.

BDI-II, HADS-A and BAI produced acceptable sensitivity/specificity unmodified. Pending further research for COPD patients we recommend continued use of the HADS-A with standard cut-off (≥8) and removal of Q4 of the HADS-D with lower cut-off ≥5.
Close Encounters of a Critical Kind
Authors: Taylor Carol A.
Published: March 2016

For a number of years, new material feminists have been developing new theoretical tools, new modes of conceptual analysis, and new ethical frameworks. Object-oriented ontology, part of the speculative realism “movement,” has been engaged in something similar. Yet these endeavors have often taken place in “parallel universes,” despite sharing—or at least colliding around—a range of somewhat similar ontological and epistemological commitments. Composed as a diffractive musing encounter, the article brings Barad’s Meeting the Universe Halfway, already a “foundational” text for new material feminism, into an encounter with a speculative realist text of the same “foundational” status, Harman’s The Quadruple Object. The article develops a notion of diffractive musing as embodied, sensory struggle which instantiates intellectual generosity as a mode of critique.
Management of extremity arterial pseudoaneurysms associated with osteochondromas
Authors: Raherinantenaina Fanomezantsoa , Rakoto-ratsimba Hery Nirina , Rajaonanahary Toky Mamin'Ny Aina
Published: March 2016

Arterial pseudoaneurysms associated with osteochondromas are rare and most publications on this topic are case reports. The management of this double entity is not standardized. We wanted to update it. Literature searches on MEDLINE and EMBASE were performed using the keywords “artery pseudoaneurysm” and “osteochondroma”. Patient demographics, clinical presentations, diagnostic and therapeutic modalities were reviewed. In sum, 101 cases were analyzed. Overall, young adults represented the majority of the affected population with a masculine preponderancy (86%). Painful swelling (51%) was the most commonly physical finding. Distal femur was the most common site of the osteochondroma (86%). Multiple hereditary exostosis was seldom reported (36%). Diagnostic confirmation was dominated by arteriography (55%). Popliteal artery (77%) was the most commonly injured vessel. The treatment was open surgery with vascular repair and optimal exostectomy. Arterial repair was performed with saphenous vein grafting (40%) or lateral suture (39%). Postoperative courses were often uneventful (97%). Arterial pseudoaneurysms resulted from osteochondromas were dominated by those involving the popliteal artery. The use of arteriography to confirm the diagnosis may be limited to the benefit of non-invasive radiological methods because endovascular treatment is not relevant in the setting of osteochondroma-induced arterial pseudoaneurysm.