bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Redescription and new records of Ontholestes brasilianus Bernhauer, 1906 (Coleoptera: Staphylinidae: Staphylininae)
Authors: COSTA-SILVA VINÍCIUS , ASENJO ANGÉLICO , NEWTON ALFRED F. , THYSSEN PATRICIA J.
Published: March 2018

The genus Ontholestes Ganglbauer includes 35 species distributed mainly in Eurasia, with a few additional species in Africa and North and South America (Herman, 2001; Yang & Zhou, 2012; Smetana & Shavrin, 2013; Rougemont, 2016). According to Asenjo et al. (2013), the South American record of the Palearctic species Ontholestes murinus (Linnaeus, 1758) for Brazil made by J. Guérin (1953) seems doubtful. Ontholestes murinus was recorded for the first time outside the Palaearctic region by Smetana (1981), from Newfoundland, in Canada, as an adventive species (e.g., Downie and Arnett, 1996; Brunke et al., 2011), but its occurrence in Brazil remains to be confirmed; if the Guérin (1953) record was based on a mistaken identification or mislabeled specimen, this would reduce the number of species distributed in this region from two to one. With respect to O. brasilianus Bernhauer, although it has been confirmed for Peru, Brazil and Argentina (Herman, 2001; Asenjo et al., 2013; Newton, 2015; Newton & Caron, 2015), no specific localities of occurrence have been reported since its description in 1906. Thus, to solve problems of misidentification with Neotropical species of this genus, in this study we redescribe Ontholestes brasilianus and provide the first illustrations of the beetle including its aedeagus and a short key for South American species. Additionally, new records from South America are listed here.
Taxonomic status of Tropiocolotes cf. steudneri with a description of a new species of Tropiocolotes (Reptilia: Squamata: Gekkonidae) in southern Iran
Authors: RAJABIZADEH MAHDI , FAIZI HIVA , ANDERSON STEVEN C. , ZARRINTAB MOHAMMAD , NAZAROV ROMAN
Published: March 2018

We review the status of an Iranian gecko population previously referred to Tropiocolotes cf. steudneri and describe it as a new species, Tropiocolotes hormozganensis sp. nov. We discuss the taxonomic history of this population and compare its characters with those of the other species in the genus. The new species is distinguished from other species of Tropiocolotes by possessing weakly keeled dorsal scales and smooth ventral scales, having imbricate scales on dorsal and ventral tail, possessing clearly tricarinatesubdigital scales, 48–55 dorsal scales, two pairs of postmental shields, of which the second pair is about half of the size of the first, 100–107 scales longitudinally along underside of body, 15–19 scales across head and 16–19 subdigital lamellae.
Description of the last instar larva of Stenophylax espanioli Schmid 1957 (Trichoptera: Limnephilidae) from southern Iberian Peninsula with the barcode of the species and synoptic key for identification of the known Stenophylax larvae from the Iberian Peninsula
Authors: RUIZ-GARCÍA ANTONIO , ZAMORA-MUÑOZ CARMEN , GARZÓN ANDRÉS , FERRERAS-ROMERO MANUEL
Published: March 2018

The larva of Stenophylax espanioli Schmid 1957 is described, illustrated, and compared with morphologically similar Limnephilidae larvae from the Iberian Peninsula. In addition, the sequence of fragments of the mtCOI gene in the barcode region of two individuals are reported and registered in the GenBank Database. Finally, a synoptic key of the known larvae of Stenophylax species from the Iberian Peninsula is given.
Morphological and molecular characterization of three Helicotylenchus species from Iran
Authors: SHOKOOHI EBRAHIM , MARAIS MARIETTE , FOURIE HENDRIKA , PANAHI HADI
Published: March 2018

Three Helicotylenchus species, namely Helicotylenchus digonicus, Helicotylenchus pseudorobustus and Helicotylenchus vulgaris were identified during a nematode survey conducted in Iran. The morphological and molecular characteristics of the species were defined. In addition, phylogenetic analysis of five Iranian Helicotylenchus populations based on 28S rDNA were done and showed the unresolved position of molecularly identified H. pseudorobustus and H. digonicus. However, populations of H. vulgaris and H. digonicus were placed close to each other. Phylogenetic analysis confirmed that molecularly characterized Helicotylenchus species formed a monophyletic clade. A detailed revision of the species is, however, needed. Illustrations and measurements for all species are provided.
A new Puddle Frog, genus Phrynobatrachus (Amphibia: Anura: Phrynobatrachidae), from the eastern part of the Upper Guinea
biodiversity hotspot, West Africa
Authors: KPAN TOKOUAHO FLORA , KOUAMÉ N’GORAN GERMAIN , BAREJ MICHAEL F. , ADEBA PATRICK JOËL , EMMRICH MIKE , OFORI-BOATENG CALEB , RÖDEL MARK-OLIVER
Published: March 2018

We describe a new species of Phrynobatrachus from swamp forests in the southern border region of Ivory Coast and Ghana. The new species differs from all other known West African Phrynobatrachus by the combination of adult snout-vent-length being between 20 and 30 mm; absence of a spiny tubercle on the eyelid; presence of a dark face mask; a black throat in adult males; narrow and partly indistinct scapular ridges or comma shaped warts; distinct spinulae on males’ throats and dorsal surfaces; pronounced pedal webbing; round finger- and toe tips, not enlarged to discs; a white belly with small blackish spots in both sexes; more than one wide dark cross bar on hind legs; and rosé to reddish colour on ventral parts of hind legs in both sexes. It is further defined by its genetic and acoustic characters. It is morphologically and genetically most similar to P. liberiensis and P. intermedius.
New species of the subfamily Braconinae (Hymenoptera: Braconidae) from the Russian Far East
Authors: SAMARTSEV KONSTANTIN G.
Published: March 2018

Four new species from the Russian Far East, Bracon kasparyani sp. nov., B. kotenkoi sp. nov., B. santachezae sp. nov. and Uncobracon belokobylskii sp. nov., are described and short keys for their identification are presented.
Description of females of Chilarboreus Ruta, 2011 (Coleoptera: Scirtidae: Scirtinae)
Authors: RUTA RAFAŁ , YOSHITOMI HIROYUKI
Published: March 2018

Chilarboreus is a small genus comprising three species occurring in Nothofagus forests of Chile. The female of a single species, Chilarboreus fossulatus, was described in the original description. In the present paper we provide descriptions of females of the remaining two species for the first time. Morphology of females supports the previous division of Chilarboreus into two subgenera. Pronotal excitators are described and illustrated for the first time in Scirtidae.
Cypha norvegica nov. sp. (Coleoptera, Staphylinidae) described from Norway
Authors: ØDEGAARD FRODE , HANSSEN ODDVAR
Published: March 2018

A new staphylinid beetle, Cypha norvegica nov.sp., is described, illustrated and distinguished from similar species within the genus. The type specimens were collected, when swarming, before sunset in an extensively managed grassland in Vågå municipality, Oppland in Norway.
Theoretical Expressions for the Ascent Rate of Moist Deep Convective Thermals
Authors: Morrison Hugh , Peters John M.
Published: March 2018

An approximate analytic expression is derived for the ratio λ of the ascent rate of moist deep convective thermals and the maximum vertical velocity within them; λ is characterized as a function of two nondimensional buoyancy-dependent parameters y and h and is used to express the thermal ascent rate as a function of the buoyancy field. The parameter y characterizes the vertical distribution of buoyancy within the thermal, and h is the ratio of the vertically integrated buoyancy from the surface to the thermal top and the vertical integral of buoyancy within the thermal. Theoretical λ values are calculated using values of y and h obtained from idealized numerical simulations of ascending moist updrafts and compared to λ computed directly from the simulations. The theoretical values of [Formula: see text] 0.4–0.8 are in reasonable agreement with the simulated λ (correlation coefficient of 0.86). These values are notably larger than the [Formula: see text] from Hill’s (nonbuoyant) analytic spherical vortex, which has been used previously as a framework for understanding the dynamics of moist convective thermals. The relatively large values of λ are a result of net positive buoyancy within the upper part of thermals that opposes the downward-directed dynamic pressure gradient force below the thermal top. These results suggest that nonzero buoyancy within moist convective thermals, relative to their environment, fundamentally alters the relationship between the maximum vertical velocity and the thermal-top ascent rate compared to nonbuoyant vortices. Implications for convection parameterizations and interpretation of the forces contributing to thermal drag are discussed.
Multidecadal Changes of Upper-Ocean Thermal Conditions in the Tropical Northwest Pacific Ocean versus South China Sea during 1960–2015
Authors: Chiang Tzu-Ling , Hsin Yi-Chia , Wu Chau-Ron
Published: March 2018

By analyzing the upper-ocean properties of observation-based hydrographic data and validated oceanic reanalysis products, this study presents multidecadal changes of oceanic surface and subsurface thermal conditions in the tropical northwest Pacific Ocean (TNWP) and South China Sea (SCS) during 1960–2015. The analysis reveals that a transition of a 30-yr trend took place in 1980s during the analyzed period for both the surface and subsurface environment. Generally, the warming trend of sea surface temperature (SST) in the TNWP has a similar multidecadal change to that in the SCS. However, a huge accumulating rate of upper-ocean heat content above the 26°C isotherm (UOHC26) showed up in the TNWP (about 3 times compared to that in the SCS) in the last 30 years. In the TNWP, the southward shift of the North Equatorial Current on the multidecadal time scale induces the vertical displacement of isotherms, leading to a strong subsurface warming around the top of the thermocline. Secondarily, the Pacific decadal oscillation (PDO)-related SST regulates the thermal structure in the mixed layer. The multidecadal UOHC26 in the SCS is mainly attributed to the PDO-related SST and further modulated by the isothermal variability caused by the change of basin-scale SCS circulation.
An Ensemble Covariance Framework for Quantifying Forced Climate Variability and Its Time of Emergence
Authors: Yettella Vineel , Weiss Jeffrey B. , Kay Jennifer E. , Pendergrass Angeline G.
Published: March 2018

Climate variability and its response to increasing greenhouse gases are important considerations for impacts and adaptation. Modeling studies commonly assess projected changes in variability in terms of changes in the variance of climate variables. Despite the distant and impactful covariations that climate variables can exhibit, the covariance response has received much less attention. Here, a novel ensemble framework is developed that facilitates a unified assessment of the response of the regional variances and covariances of a climate variable to imposed external forcings and their time of emergence from an unforced climate state.

Illustrating the framework, the response of variability and covariability of land and ocean temperatures is assessed in the Community Earth System Model Large Ensemble under historical and RCP8.5 forcing. The results reveal that land temperature variance emerges from its preindustrial state in the 1950s and, by the end of the twenty-first century, grows to 1.5 times its preindustrial level. Demonstrating the importance of covariances for variability projections, the covariance between land and ocean temperature is considerably enhanced by 2100, reaching 1.4 times its preindustrial estimate. The framework is also applied to assess changes in monthly temperature variability associated with the Arctic region and the Northern Hemisphere midlatitudes. Consistent with previous studies and coinciding with sea ice loss, Arctic temperature variance decreases in most months, emerging from its preindustrial state in the late twentieth century. Overall, these results demonstrate the utility of the framework in enabling a comprehensive assessment of variability and its response to external climate forcings.
Synoptic Control over Orographic Precipitation Distributions during the Olympics Mountains Experiment (OLYMPEX)
Authors: Purnell David J. , Kirshbaum Daniel J.
Published: March 2018

The synoptic controls on orographic precipitation during the Olympics Mountains Experiment (OLYMPEX) are investigated using observations and numerical simulations. Observational precipitation retrievals for six warm-frontal (WF), six warm-sector (WS), and six postfrontal (PF) periods indicate that heavy precipitation occurred in both WF and WS periods, but the latter saw larger orographic enhancements. Such enhancements extended well upstream of the terrain in WF periods but were focused over the windward slopes in both PF and WS periods. Quasi-idealized simulations, constrained by OLYMPEX data, reproduce the key synoptic sensitivities of the OLYMPEX precipitation distributions and thus facilitate physical interpretation. These sensitivities are largely explained by three upstream parameters: the large-scale precipitation rate [Formula: see text], the impinging horizontal moisture flux I, and the low-level static stability. Both WF and WS events exhibit large [Formula: see text] and I, and thus, heavy orographic precipitation, which is greatly enhanced in amplitude and areal extent by the seeder–feeder process. However, the stronger stability of the WF periods, particularly within the frontal inversion (even when it lies above crest level), causes their precipitation enhancement to weaken and shift upstream. In contrast, the small [Formula: see text] and I, larger static stability, and absence of stratiform feeder clouds in the nominally unsaturated and convective PF events yield much lighter time- and area-averaged precipitation. Modest enhancements still occur over the windward slopes due to the local development and invigoration of shallow convective showers.
Dependence of Tropical Cyclone Intensification Rate on Sea Surface Temperature, Storm Intensity, and Size in the Western North Pacific
Authors: Xu Jing , Wang Yuqing
Published: March 2018

This study extends the statistical analysis on the dependence of tropical cyclone (TC) intensification rate (IR) on sea surface temperature (SST), storm initial intensity (maximum sustained surface wind speed Vmax), and storm size, in terms of the radius of maximum wind (RMW), the radius of 34-kt (AR34; 1 kt = 0.51 m s−1) wind, and the outer-core wind skirt parameter DR34 (= AR34 − RMW), for North Atlantic TCs to western North Pacific (WNP) TCs during 1982–2015. Results show that the relationship between the TC maximum potential intensification rate (MPIR) and SST also exists in the WNP. TC IR depends strongly on TC intensity and structure, consistent with the findings for North Atlantic TCs. TC IR is positively (negatively) correlated with storm intensity when Vmax is below (above) 70 kt and negatively correlated with the RMW. Rapid intensification (RI) occurs only in a relatively narrow range of parameter space in storm intensity and both inner- and outer-core sizes, with the highest IR appearing for Vmax = 70 kt, RMW ≦ 40 km, AR34 = 150 km, and DR34 = 100 km. The highest frequency of occurrence of intensifying TCs occurs for Vmax ~ 40–60 kt, RMW ~ 20–60 km, AR34 = 200 km, and DR34 = 120 km. Overall, these values are very similar to those for TCs in the North Atlantic. These results suggest the need for the realistic initialization of TC structure in numerical models and the inclusion of size parameters in statistical TC intensity prediction schemes.
Plain Language Summary: Hoarseness (Dysphonia)
Authors: Krouse Helene J. , Reavis Charles (Charlie) W. , Stachler Robert J. , Francis David O. , O'Connor Sarah
Published: March 2018

This plain language summary for patients serves as an overview in explaining hoarseness (dysphonia). The summary applies to patients in all age groups and is based on the 2018 “Clinical Practice Guideline: Hoarseness (Dysphonia) (Update).” The evidence‐based guideline includes research to support more effective identification and management of patients with hoarseness (dysphonia). The primary purpose of the guideline is to improve the quality of care for patients with hoarseness (dysphonia) based on current best evidence.
Uremic Toxicity: Present State of the Art
Authors: Vanholder R. , Argilés A. , Baurmeister U. , Brunet P. , Clark W. , Cohen G. , Dedeyn P.P. , Deppisch R. , Descamps-Latscha B. , Henle T. , Jörres A. , Massy Z.A. , Rodriguez M. , Stegmayr B. , Stenvinkel P. , Wratten M.L
Published: March 2018

The uremic syndrome is a complex mixture of organ dysfunctions, which is attributed to the retention of a myriad of compounds that under normal condition are excreted by the healthy kidneys (uremic toxins). In the area of identification and characterization of uremic toxins and in the knowledge of their pathophysiologic importance, major steps forward have been made during recent years. The present article is a review of several of these steps, especially in the area of information about the compounds that could play a role in the development of cardiovascular complications. It is written by those members of the Uremic Toxins Group, which has been created by the European Society for Artificial Organs (ESAO). Each of the 16 authors has written a state of the art in his/her major area of interest.
An in Vitro Physiologic Model for Cardiopulmonary Simulation: A System for ECMO Training
Authors: Habashi N.M. , Borg U.R. , Reynolds H.N.
Published: March 2018

Extracorporeal life support (ELS) systems may be run by certified perfusionists, specially trained nurses or respiratory therapy staff. Guidelines for the training, certification and retraining of ELS operators have been established by the Extracorporeal Life Support Organization. Recommendations include “… a well defined program for staff training, certification, and retraining”. Some clinicians have suggested that ELS operators be certified and recertified in an animal laboratory. But such practice involves veterinary expenses, animal use issues and considerable clean-up and disposal. We describe an alternative method of training, using an in vitro physiologic model designed to simulate various pathophysiologic states. In addition, the in vitro physiologic model may be used to evaluate membrane lung characteristics. This model's ease of construction, maintenance and use for training compared with live animal techniques are discussed. Research capabilities may be more flexible than with the use of the live animal technique. The in vitro physiologic model can be a useful and convenient asset to an extracorporeal membrane oxygenation/extracorporeal carbon dioxide removal (ECMO/ECCO2R) program.
Influence of the 3D material tailoring on snap-through and snap-back post-buckling behaviors of steel-wire-reinforced hybrid 3D graded orthotropic shallow cylindrical panels
Authors: Soltanieh Ghazaleh , Shariyat M , Kabir Mohammad Z
Published: March 2018

Simultaneous application of composite layers and steel bars/wires may considerably increase buckling strength of the civil structures. In the present paper, influence of the material heterogeneity on snap-through and snap-back post-buckling behaviors of the steel-wire-reinforced hybrid functionally graded orthotropic shallow cylindrical panels is investigated. In this regard, various arrangements are adopted for the steel-wires to constitute 3D (simultaneous radial, circumferential, and axial) gradations of the materials within some layers in addition to using some traditional composite layers in between. The non-linear governing equations of post-buckling are derived based on the principle of minimum potential energy. Sanders’ shell theory is utilized to ensure that the results are reliable in the deep post-buckling region. A nonlinear finite element scheme is employed to trace the post-buckling paths using the modified arc-length method. Finally, some parametric studies in terms of material arrangement, size of the embedded steel wires, the overall lamination scheme, and geometric parameters of the shell are performed. Results emphasize the significant effects of the steel wires on the post-buckling strength and indicate the advantage of using steel fibers with exponential or uniform longitudinal distributions and linear transverse distribution, for weight optimization.
Prophylactic function of excellent compliance with LTOT in the development of pulmonary hypertension due to COPD with hypoxemia
Authors: Xiong Wei , Zhao Yunfeng , Gong Sugang , Zhao Qinhua , Liu Jinming
Published: March 2018

The long‐term oxygen therapy (LTOT) for patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) has been shown to increase survival in patients with severe resting hypoxemia. The adherence to LTOT may also simultaneously affect the development of concomitant pulmonary hypertension (PH) due to COPD with hypoxemia. We retrospectively reviewed 276 cases of COPD with or without PH assessed by right heart catheterization (RHC) to investigate whether adherence to continuous LTOT had a prophylactic effect on the development of PH in a time interval of two years. In contrast to the patients in the non‐compliance group (PH prevalence 64.2%), patients with excellent compliance of adhering to continuous LTOT > 15 h per day in the compliance group (PH prevalence 37.6%) are more liable to postpone the development of PH due to hypoxic COPD for at least two years. Adherence to LTOT ≥ 15 h/day is strongly recommended in order to lower the risk and delay the development of consequent PH in COPD with hypoxemia.
Paediatric lung imaging: the times they are a-changin'
Authors: Tiddens Harm A.W.M , Kuo Wieying , van Straten Marcel , Ciet Pierluigi
Published: March 2018

Until recently, functional tests were the most important tools for the diagnosis and monitoring of lung diseases in the paediatric population. Chest imaging has gained considerable importance for paediatric pulmonology as a diagnostic and monitoring tool to evaluate lung structure over the past decade. Since January 2016, a large number of papers have been published on innovations in chest computed tomography (CT) and/or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) technology, acquisition techniques, image analysis strategies and their application in different disease areas. Together, these papers underline the importance and potential of chest imaging and image analysis for today's paediatric pulmonology practice. The focus of this review is chest CT and MRI, as these are, and will be, the modalities that will be increasingly used by most practices. Special attention is given to standardisation of image acquisition, image analysis and novel applications in chest MRI. The publications discussed underline the need for the paediatric pulmonology community to implement and integrate state-of-the-art imaging and image analysis modalities into their structure–function laboratory for the benefit of their patients.
Contemporary challenges for specialist nursing in interstitial lung disease
Authors: Russell Anne Marie , Olive Sandra , Lines Sarah , Murphy Anna , Hocking Julie , Newell Karen , Morris Helen , Harris Emma , Dixon Catherine , Agnew Sarah , Burge Geraldine
Published: March 2018

The role of clinical nurse specialists (CNSs) in interstitial lung disease (ILD) is evolving in response to clinical guidelines and the growth of clinical research. The role is well established in the UK, although more ILD posts are needed to ensure supply meets clinical demand. This phenomenon is also happening across Europe. An appreciation of the similarities and differences between CNS and advanced nurse practitioners is important given the challenges in defining, developing and supporting this nursing specialisation. Globally, different models exist. In some countries charitable organisations take a leading role in supporting patients. Many European centres look to the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence guidelines and quality standards as a template to develop and evaluate the role of the ILD CNS. We present a UK perspective in the context of a government subsidised healthcare system to promote professional discussion and debate regarding the future of nursing practice in the ILD specialty.

Key points

ILDs are often complex and associated with significant mortality, morbidity and co-morbid conditions that require a technical healthcare skill set

There is worldwide shortage of nurses, low retention rates and retirement of many skilled nurses

Collaboration across the ILD interdisciplinary community is needed to safeguard the future of our professions and high-quality patient care

The ILD interdisciplinary and nurse network has identified key priorities to help secure the future of the ILD clinical and academic nurse specialism

Educational aims

To explain the similarities and differences between clinical nurse specialists (CNSs) and advanced nurse practitioners (ANPs) in the context of ILD specialism

To review contemporary nursing specialism in the UK’s government subsidised healthcare system

To stimulate discussion and debate across the European/international respiratory community regarding the clinical and academic development of the ILD CNS

To identify key priorities that will support collaboration across the ILD interdisciplinary workforce in clinical practice and research
Clinical and histological features of second breast cancers following radiotherapy for childhood and young adult malignancy
Authors: Demoor-goldschmidt Charlotte , Supiot Stéphane , Mahé Marc-André , Oberlin Odile , Allodji Rodrigue , Haddy Nadia , Helfre Sylvie , Vigneron Céline , Brillaud-Meflah Victoire , Bernier Valérie , Laprie Anne , Ducassou Anne , Claude Line , Diallo Ibrahim , de Vathaire Florent
Published: March 2018

Objective:

The purpose of this study was to determine the characteristics of early second breast cancer (SBC) among survivors of childhood and young adult malignancy treated with irradiation.

Methods:

We conducted a multicenter retrospective study of women who presented with breast cancer aged 50 years or younger in nine French centers.

Results:

121 patients and 141 SBC were analyzed (invasive = 130; non-invasive = 11). The mean age at first cancer diagnosis was 15 years and at initial SBC diagnosis was 38 years. Bilateral disease before the age of 51 years was diagnosed in 16% of the females. The majority of SBC were invasive carcinomas (92%). Among the invasive carcinomas, 39% had a histoprognostic score of III, 3.1% overexpressed HER2 and 29% were triple negative. The proportion of triple negative phenotype SBC was higher in patients older at first cancer diagnosis [RR = 1.2, 95% CI (1.1–1.3)]. 94% of triple negative SBCs developed in breast tissue which had received >20 Gy.

Conclusion:

We found a high proportion of aggressive SBC following thoracic radiotherapy in childhood or early adulthood.

Advances in knowledge:

SBC screening is recommended by scientific societies for these child/young–adulthood cancer survivors in the same way as the one for high risk women because of constitutional mutations. Our results support these recommendations, not only because of a similar cumulative risk, but also because of the aggressive histological characteristics.
Characterization and stability evaluation of nanoencapsulated epoxylignans
Authors: Rifai Yusnita , Riski Radhia , Alam Gemini , Litaay Magdalena , Rahman Latifah
Published: March 2018

3',6-dimethoxy-3'',4''-(methylenedioxy)-2,5-epoxylignan-4'-ol (DMEO), an epoxylignan isolated from Piper nigrum, has currently captured attention for its potential antitumor effect. However, low stability is limiting its therapeutic application. The application of nanocapsulation would be the main strategy for overcoming this problem. DMEO-loaded nanocapsules were prepared by an emulsion-diffusion method using Eudragit RL 100 (at concentrations of 1, 1.5 and 2%) and polyvinyl alcohol. As the polymer content increased, the encapsulation efficiency and mean particle size also increased. After 6 months of storage at 25°C (0% RH), no crystalline peaks were observed in the diffraction patterns of all nanocapsules, thereby suggested that the physical stability of nanoencapsulated DMEO was not affected by the concentration ratio of the polymer−stabilizer combinations.
Digital economy
Authors: Маркова Вера , Markova Vera
Published: March 2018

This is the first edition of this kind in Russian. The article gives a General idea of the digital economy and the technologies associated with its development, describes new management objects – platforms and business ecosystems, new principles of business management and approaches to marketing, with examples from foreign and Russian practice.
For students of higher educational institutions studying in the direction of "Management", graduate students, students of programs of additional professional education, as well as for specialists in the field of management and marketing.
Supporting the spread of health technology in community services
Authors: Sitton-Kent Lucy , Humphreys Catriona , Miller Phillip
Published: March 2018

Health technology has been proposed as a route to financial savings and improved patient safety for many years within the NHS. Nurses have a key role to play in transforming care through such technology but, despite high-level endorsement, implementation of health technology has been uneven across NHS community services. This article looks at three promising applications of health technology in community nursing: mobile access to digital care records; digital imaging; and remote face-to-face consultations. Current evidence for these technologies gives some indication of what is required before health technologies can benefit patients. Rapidly changing health technologies make it difficult for community services to make fully informed decisions when implementing them. There are challenges in predicting the full financial and efficiency impacts, in making robust estimates of costs and workload implications and in anticipating the effects on patient care and staff experience. Despite these problems, there is mounting evidence of the benefits of technological innovations available to community nurses and their patients.
Chronic venous leg ulcer care: Putting the patient at the heart of leg ulcer care. Part 1: exploring the consultation
Authors: Green Julie , Jester Rebecca , McKinley Robert , Pooler Alison
Published: March 2018

This article, the first of two, summarises a study that explored the lived experiences of patients with leg ulcers and the impact of this condition on their quality of life. The study had four study phases; phases 1 and 2 employed qualitative methods and are reported here. Initially, unstructured interviews were held; these revealed significant issues for the patients including the dominance of pain, issues relating to exudate and odour, social isolation and psychological effects. A checklist based on these issues was completed by the researcher during observations of routine care for these same patients; this revealed the extent and depth to which these matters were addressed. On many occasions, significant issues were not disclosed or explored during consultations. These findings confirmed that participants with chronic venous leg ulcers have concerns far beyond wound care.
Inequalities faced by LGBT patients and staff must end
Authors: Quaile Alistair
Published: March 2018

In this article, Alistair Quaile examines the healthcare inequalties faced by lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender patients and staff, and discusses developments being made by ambulance services to address these problems.
Safe transfer of simulation-based intubation skills to patients in cardiac arrest
Authors: Nørregaard Annette , Madsen Jacob , Leutscher Peter , Lambert Per
Published: March 2018

Background:

Studies investigating the transfer of endotracheal intubation skills from simulation training to out-of-hospital patient scenarios are limited.

Aims:

The aim was to evaluate the outcome of endotracheal intubation simulation training among paramedics and the safe transfer of skills to out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) patients.

Methods:

Paramedics participated in a 1-day simulation training course including five Airtraq endotracheal intubation attempts using three different types of mannequins (n=15 attempts). Performance and outcome of transfer of intubation skills to patients were monitored for the next 35 months. European Resuscitation Council international advanced cardiopulmonary resuscitation guidelines ( Nolan et al, 2005 ) were followed to ensure patient safety.

Findings:

Endotracheal intubation was attempted in a total of 417 patients with OHCA by 51 (96%) of the 53 participating paramedics. In 366 (88%) patients, intubation was successfully performed in the first or second attempt. Aspiration, airway secretion, a high modified Cormack Lehane score and insecure verification of tube placement were the most common reasons for failed intubation.

Conclusion:

Endotracheal intubation with Airtraq in adult patients with OHCA can be performed safely by paramedics after receiving a 1-day simulation-based training course.
Pre-hospital management of major haemorrhage following trauma: part one
Authors: Renno Dale
Published: March 2018

Major haemorrhage remains the highest preventable cause of death following trauma, accounting for 30–40% of trauma mortality ( Kauvar et al, 2006 ). Therefore, pre-hospital intervention is a key aspect of paramedic practice. Paramedics are often first on the scene and have a range of local and systemic treatment options. Pre-hospital medical advances, such as the introduction of tranexamic acid, allow paramedics to deliver a higher standard of care. In addition, the number of patients on anticoagulants and antiplatelet drugs is increasing; therefore, knowledge of how these drugs interact with the haemostatic response would be beneficial. It is important that paramedics fully understand the mechanisms of drugs interacting with the haemostatic response, and the theory underpinning the management of major haemorrhage ( Kreuziger et al, 2012 ). This enables paramedics to understand why they are administering the care they are providing. This article gives a detailed overview of two physiological responses to major haemorrhage: haemostasis and blood pressure. This is followed by an explanation of how these systems are deranged and altered by major haemorrhage through pathophysiological consequences. Finally, recent research covering advances in the understanding of how deranged coagulation occurs is also discussed.
My first placement and being out on the road
Authors: Daubney Ellie
Published: March 2018

The third instalment of our student column sees Ellie Daubney recall her first placement and reflect on how important being on the road in the pre-hospital environment is to paramedic study.
The National Ambulance LGBT Network Conference 2017
Authors: Gunn Alistair , Renshaw John
Published: March 2018

In 2015, the National Ambulance Lesbian Gay Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) Network was founded to help improve the experiences of LGBT people who contact the ambulance service; expand the support offered to ambulance staff; and create a visible presence in the community. Since its formation, committee members, regional representatives and ambulance staff from across the country have worked tirelessly towards these core objectives, and to share best practice between regional ambulance LGBT networks. In August of 2017, the Network held its second annual conference to emphasise some of the health inequalities that LGBT people are known to experience when accessing health care. Over the course of the day, delegates were able to learn about interventions and support measures that are available through a series of workshops on issues such as dementia care and post-traumatic stress disorder. This conference report documents the success of the National Ambulance LGBT Network Conference 2017 and provides an overview of the engagement and support packages that are currently under development to support staff wellbeing and patient experience.
Mobile health apps are they the future?
Authors: Patel Benjamin , Akhtar Zeeshan
Published: March 2018

The pros and cons of mHealth apps, the latest trend transforming digital healthcare information.
Does choice of medical school affect a student’s likelihood of becoming a surgeon?
Authors: Twigg V , Aldridge K , McNally SA , Eardley I
Published: March 2018

Surgeons are an integral provider of elective and emergency secondary care in the UK. However, the supply of surgeons is struggling to keep up with the demand; for at least the past four years, there have remained unfilled core surgical training (CST) posts despite other specialties (eg radiology, public health medicine and ophthalmology) achieving consistent 100% fill rates. 1 , 2
Biobanking: the surgeon’s role in improving access to tissue for research
Authors: Thompson H , Cleeve S , Ng J
Published: March 2018

Can permission for use of tissue specimens be obtained during the procedural consent process?
The Form of the Good in Plato’s Timaeus
Authors: Gkatzaras Thanassis
Published: March 2018

The purpose of this paper is to provide evidence that the Form of the Good (as we know it from the Republic) is still present in the Timaeus and is ontologically independent from the Demiurge and his Paradigm. This claim is supported by selected passages from Timaeus’ text, but it is also based on Phaedo’s theory of causation and on the simile of the sun in Republic. It is also highlighted after a detailed comparison between the philosopher-kings and the Demiurge, and after the emergence of their striking similarities.
Profiling Flight Performance of Young Racing Pigeons (Columba Livia) in Training
Authors: Scullion F.T. , Scullion F.T.
Published: March 2018

Two groups of young pigeons were trained and flight parameters profiled over a flight path of approximately 90 km and a number of measures were developed to analyse their flight performances. An aerodynamic model of avian flight was fitted to the data to assess its value in predicting flight performances. Both groups, although trained and flown independent of each other, had very similar profiles through time. Race speeds home peaked between weeks 5 - 8 of training and averaged 15.0 (2.0) m/s for Group 1 and 15.6 (2.7) m/s for Group 2. Flight performance in early stages of training in this study seemed to be affected by previous health conditions but once training progressed beyond 5 weeks, young pigeons appeared to fly at a constant preferred speed.
Exact Analytical Durometer Hardness Scale Interconversion
Authors: Gilbert P. H. , Giacomin A. J.
Published: March 2018

Previous work has related Young’s modulus to durometer hardness for any standardized scale. In this paper, we build on this work to solve explicitly and exactly for the hardness in any one standardized durometer hardness scale as a function of the hardness in any other target scale. We find that when the target scale is for a flat indenter, the conversion is algebraic and straightforward. However, when the target scale is for an indenter that is not flat (conical or hemispherical), the exact explicit analytical solution requires a power series inversion, said series involving beta functions and solutions to a set of integer equations. We complete our analysis with two worked examples illustrating the use of our interconversion equations and charts.
Investigations into the use of multi-species measurements for source apportionment of the Indianapolis fossil fuel CO2 signal
Authors: Nathan Brian , Lauvaux Thomas , Turnbull Jocelyn , Gurney Kevin
Published: March 2018

Current bottom up estimates of CO2 emission fluxes are based on a mixture of direct and indirect flux estimates relying to varying degrees on regulatory or self-reported data. Hence, it is important to use additional, independent information to assess biases and lower the flux uncertainty. We explore the use of a self-organizing map (SOM) as a tool to use multi-species observations to partition fossil fuel CO2 (CO2ff) emissions by economic source sector. We use the Indianapolis Flux experiment (INFLUX) multi-species observations to provide constraints on the types of relationships we can expect to see, and show from the observations and existing knowledge of likely sources for these species that relationships do exist but can be complex. An Observing System Simulation Experiment (OSSE) is then created to test, in a pseudodata framework, the abilities and limitations of using an SOM to accurately attribute atmospheric tracers to their source sector. These tests are conducted for a variety of emission scenarios, and make use of the corresponding high-resolution footprints for the pseudo-measurements. We show here that the attribution of sector-specific emissions to measured trace gases cannot be addressed by investigating the atmospheric trace gas measurements alone. We conclude that additional a priori information such as inventories of sector-specific trace gases are required to evaluate sector-level emissions using atmospheric methods, to overcome the challenge of the spatial overlap of nearly every predefined source sector. Our OSSE additionally allows us to demonstrate that increasing the (already high) data density cannot solve the co-localization problem.
MANAGEMENT OF ENDOCRINE DISEASE: Pitfalls on the replacement therapy for primary and central hypothyroidism in adults
Authors: de Carvalho Gisah Amaral , Paz-Filho Gilberto , Mesa Junior Cleo , Graf Hans
Published: March 2018

Hypothyroidism is one of the most common hormone deficiencies in adults. Most of the cases, particularly those of overt hypothyroidism, are easily diagnosed and managed, with excellent outcomes if treated adequately. However, minor alterations of thyroid function determine nonspecific manifestations. Primary hypothyroidism due to chronic autoimmune thyroiditis is largely the most common cause of thyroid hormone deficiency. Central hypothyroidism is a rare and heterogeneous disorder characterized by decreased thyroid hormone secretion by an otherwise normal thyroid gland, due to lack of TSH. The standard treatment of primary and central hypothyroidism is hormone replacement therapy with levothyroxine sodium (LT4). Treatment guidelines of hypothyroidism recommend monotherapy with LT4 due to its efficacy, long-term experience, favorable side effect profile, ease of administration, good intestinal absorption, long serum half-life and low cost. Despite being easily treatable with a daily dose of LT4, many patients remain hypothyroid due to malabsorption syndromes, autoimmune gastritis, pancreatic and liver disorders, drug interactions, polymorphisms in DIO2 (iodothyronine deiodinase 2), high fiber diet, and more frequently, non-compliance to LT4 therapy. Compliance to levothyroxine treatment in hypothyroidism is compromised by daily and fasting schedule. Many adult patients remain hypothyroid due to all the above mentioned and many attempts to improve levothyroxine therapy compliance and absorption have been made.
A Nonsense Variant in the ACADVL Gene in German Hunting Terriers with Exercise Induced Metabolic Myopathy
Authors: Lepori Vincent , Mühlhause Franziska , Sewell Adrian C , Jagannathan Vidhya , Janzen Nils , Rosati Marco , Alves de Sousa Filipe Miguel Maximiano , Tschopp Aurélie , Schüpbach Gertraud , Matiasek Kaspar , Tipold Andrea , Leeb Tosso , Kornberg Marion
Published: March 2018

Several enzymes are involved in fatty acid oxidation, which is a key process in mitochondrial energy production. Inherited defects affecting any step of fatty acid oxidation can result in clinical disease. We present here an extended family of German Hunting Terriers with 10 dogs affected by clinical signs of exercise induced weakness, muscle pain, and suspected rhabdomyolysis. The combination of clinical signs, muscle histopathology and acylcarnitine analysis with an elevated tetradecenoylcarnitine (C14:1) peak suggested a possible diagnosis of acyl-CoA dehydrogenase very long chain deficiency (ACADVLD). Whole genome sequence analysis of one affected dog and 191 controls revealed a nonsense variant in the ACADVL gene encoding acyl-CoA dehydrogenase very long chain, c.1728C>A or p.(Tyr576*). The variant showed perfect association with the phenotype in the 10 affected and more than 500 control dogs of various breeds. Pathogenic variants in the ACADVL gene have been reported in humans with similar myopathic phenotypes. We therefore considered the detected variant to be the most likely candidate causative variant for the observed exercise induced myopathy. To our knowledge, this is the first description of this disease in dogs, which we propose to name exercise induced metabolic myopathy (EIMM), and the identification of the first canine pathogenic ACADVL variant. Our findings provide a large animal model for a known human disease and will enable genetic testing to avoid the unintentional breeding of affected offspring.
Age and Other Factors Affecting the Outcome of AABR Screening in Neonates
Authors: Johnson Lise Carolyn , Toro Margaret , Vishnja Emily , Berish Arielle , Mills Bianca , Lu Zhigang , Lieberman Ellice
Published: March 2018

BACKGROUND:

Although the utility of universal newborn hearing screening is undisputed, testing protocols vary. In particular, the impact of the infant’s age at the time of automated auditory brainstem response (AABR) screening has not been well studied.

METHODS:

We conducted a retrospective review of newborn hearing screening data in 6817 low-risk, term and late-preterm newborns at our large, urban, academic medical center for a 1-year period to analyze the impact of age and other factors on the screening failure rate and referral for diagnostic testing.

RESULTS:

AABR screening failure rates decreased with postnatal age over the first 48 hours; 13.3% failed at <24 hours versus 3.8% at ≥48 hours (P < .0001). Infants who were initially tested at ≥36 hours failed repeat testing more often than those who were tested at <36 hours (11.5% vs 18.9%; P = .03). Other factors that were associated with failure included being a boy and of a race other than white. Sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL) was diagnosed in 18.6% of infants who failed their final screening at ≥48 hours compared with 2.8% of those whose final screening occurred earlier (P = .03). SNHL was more likely in infants who failed their first screening bilaterally (21.2%) than unilaterally (4.4%); P = .03).

CONCLUSIONS:

Among healthy newborns, delaying AABR screening in the first 48 hours minimized failure rates. SNHL was 6 times as likely in infants who failed their final screening at ≥48 hours compared with those who were screened at <48 hours of age. In our study, we offer guidance for nursery directors and audiologists who determine hearing screening protocols and counsel families about results.