bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Consistency of elemental and isotope‐ratio patterns across multiple scales from individual fish
Authors: Seeley M. E. , Logan W. K. , Walther B. D.
Published: August 2017

Assays of elemental and stable‐isotope ratios across growth increments of scales have the potential to provide a non‐lethal alternative to otolith chemistry for identifying migration and ontogenetic trophic shifts. A central assumption when employing scales as otolith analogues is that any scale from an individual will provide equivalent information about the chemical history of that fish. This assumption was investigated with multiple scales from wild and captive euryhaline Atlantic tarpon Megalops atlanticus from the north‐west Gulf of Mexico. Elemental (Sr:Ca) and isotope‐ratio (δ13C and δ15N) life‐history profiles were compared among multiple scales from each fish. All three chemical proxies showed highly consistent patterns among non‐regenerated scales, while patterns in regenerated scales diverged, indicating rapid regrowth of interior scale material at the onset of regeneration. Patterns of Sr:Ca and δ13C covaried, supporting their use as salinity proxies, while δ15N patterns were consistent with ontogenetic diet shifts. Water samples taken from aquaria holding captive fish were used to calculate partition coefficients for a suite of elements in M. atlanticus scales for future quantification of migratory movements in the region. Together, these results support the assumption that non‐regenerated scales from individual M. atlanticus provide equivalent chemical histories, further validating their use as a viable non‐lethal alternative to otoliths.
Negotiating land for flood risk management : upstream‐downstream in the light of economic game theory
Authors: Machac J. , Hartmann T. , Jilkova J.
Published: August 2017

This paper discusses the use of game theory as a method to achieve land and water governance for flood retention and resilience on a catchment scale. Therefore, it addresses flood retention in river catchments by using pay‐off matrices of game theory. How do pay‐off matrices between upstream and downstream change when certain property rights are adjusted or institutional conditions are changed? What if liability issues, responsibilities, and externalities of flood protection measures are reframed? Who should pay and who profit from retention measures? Individual scenarios correspond to some basic games from the game theory. The aim of these thought experiments is to develop rules for upstream‐downstream agreements on retention and resilience within a river basin area.
SNAIL1 is essential for female gametogenesis in Arabidopsis thaliana
Authors: Hao Lihong , Wei Xiaolin , Zhu Jiulei , Shi Jiao , Liu Jingjing , Gu Hongya , Tsuge Tomohiko , Qu Li‐Jia
Published: August 2017

Two yeast Brix family members Ssf1 and Ssf2, involved in large ribosomal subunit synthesis, are essential for yeast cell viability and mating efficiency. Their putative homologs exist in the Arabidopsis genome; however, their role in plant development is unknown. Here, we show that Arabidopsis thaliana SNAIL1 (AtSNAIL1), a protein sharing high sequence identity with yeast Ssf1 and Ssf2, is critical to mitosis progression of female gametophyte development. The snail1 homozygous mutant was nonviable and its heterozygous mutant was semi‐sterile with shorter siliques. The mutation in SNAIL1 led to absence of female transmission and reduced male transmission. Further phenotypic analysis showed that the synchronic development of female gametophyte in the snail1 heterozygous mutant was greatly impaired and the snail1 pollen tube growth, in vivo, was also compromised. Furthermore, SNAIL1 was a nucleolar‐localized protein with a putative role in protein synthesis. Our data suggest that SNAIL1 may function in ribosome biogenesis like Ssf1 and Ssf2 and plays an important role during megagametogenesis in Arabidopsis.
Between Law and Transnational Social Movement Organizations: Stabilizing Expectations of Global Public Goods
Authors: Hanna Mark
Published: August 2017

This article draws on Niklas Luhmann's theory and method to present transnational social movement organizations as a solution to the problem of increased expectations of global public goods which fail to find adequate accommodation in law. As a concrete example of the limits of law in this respect, it examines the non liquet of the World Court on the question of the illegality of nuclear weapons. The trajectory of anti‐nuclear norms is traced beyond the limits of law to the alternative structure of transnational social movement organizations, and the article presents such organizations as stabilizing increased expectations of global public goods through their recursive decision making and their capacity to continuously project those expectations at the legal and political systems. This generates observations on the concept of ‘global governance ‘, the structural relations between global civil society and international law, and the role of this form of organization in the evolution of the global political system.
Proactive, Backward Analysis and Learning in Road Probabilistic Bayesian Network Models
Authors: Castillo Enrique , Grande Zacarías , Mora Elena , Xu Xiangdong , Lo Hong K.
Published: August 2017

Some probabilistic safety assessment models based on Bayesian networks have been recommended recently for safety analysis of highways and roads. These methods provide a very natural and powerful alternative to traditional approaches, such as fault and event tree based methods. In this article, we present several new and original contributions to complement the inference engine tools of these models to provide new and relevant information about safety and backward analysis on one hand, and to learn the complex multidimensional joint probabilities of all variables, on the other hand. More precisely, we show how standard tools combined with the partitioning technique can be used in new ways to solve three relevant problems (1) to prognosticate the most probable combinations of variables leading to incidents, (2) to perform a backward analysis to identify the causes of accidents, and (3) to learn the model parameters using Bayesian conjugate methods (categorical and Dirichlet families). Finally, some real examples of applications are used to illustrate the proposed methods.
Type 2 Alexander disease with a novel glial fibrillary acidic protein gene mutation and its unique clinical features
Authors: Kawahara Yuko , Yamashita Toru , Ohta Yasuyuki , Sato Kota , Nomura Emi , Takemoto Mami , Hishikawa Nozomi , Shang Jingwei , Yoshida Tomokatsu , Abe Koji
Published: August 2017

We report mother–daughter cases of type 2 Alexander disease with a novel glial fibrillary acidic protein gene mutation. The mother (proband) began to show slowly progressive gait disturbance. However, after an incidental medical checkup, it took just 9 months for the diagnosis. Different from the previous reports, she showed a unique phenotype in points of scoliosis without palatal myoclonus, decreased regional cerebral blood flow in the frontal lobe and mild cognitive impairment. Her second daughter showed mild intellectual disability. Genetic analysis of the mother and the second daughter showed the same novel glial fibrillary acidic protein gene mutation (c.371_372insAGA).
Intragastric infusion of the bitter tastant quinine suppresses hormone release and antral motility during the fasting state in healthy female volunteers
Authors: Deloose E. , Corsetti M. , Van Oudenhove L. , Depoortere I. , Tack J.
Published: August 2017

Background

Intragastric administration of the bitter tastant denatonium benzoate inhibits the increase of motilin plasma levels and antral contractility. While these findings suggest that gastrointestinal bitter taste receptors could be new targets to modulate gastrointestinal motility and hormone release, they need confirmation with other bitter receptor agonists. The primary aim was to evaluate the effect of intragastric administration of the bitter tastant quinine‐hydrochloride (QHCl) on motilin and ghrelin plasma levels. Secondly, we studied the effect on interdigestive motility.

Methods

Ten healthy female volunteers were recruited (33±4 y; 22±0.5 kg/m²). Placebo or QHCl (10 μmol/kg) was administered intragastrically through a nasogastric feeding tube after an overnight fast in a single‐blind randomized fashion. Administration started 20 min after the first phase III of the migrating motor complex. The measurement continued for another 2 h after the administration. Blood samples were collected every 10 min with the baseline sample taken 10 min prior to administration.

Key Results

The increase in plasma levels of motilin (administration; P=.04) and total ghrelin (administration; P=.02) was significantly lower after QHCl. The fluctuation of octanoylated ghrelin was reduced after QHCl (time by administration; P=.03). Duodenal motility did not differ. The fluctuation of antral activity differed over time between placebo and QHCl (time by administration; P=.03).

Conclusions and Inferences

QHCl suppresses the increase of both motilin and ghrelin plasma levels. Moreover, QHCl reduced the fluctuation of antral motility. These findings confirm the potential of bitter taste receptors as targets for modifying interdigestive motility in man.
Establishment of oral bacterial communities in germ‐free mice and the influence of recipient age
Authors: Wu Y.Y. , Westwater C. , Xiao E. , Dias Corrêa J. , Xiao W.M. , Graves D.T.
Published: August 2017

The acquisition of the oral microbiome is a complex process. We examined how the timing of microbial exposure alters bacterial colonization of the tooth surface. Germ‐free mice were conventionalized by exposure to specific pathogen‐free (SPF) mice to acquire a commensal microbiome over three distinct 4‐week periods, 0‐4 weeks of age (Conv0‐4w), 4‐8 weeks (Conv4‐8w), or 8‐12 weeks (Conv8‐12w). Bacterial DNA was extracted from the tooth surface and analyzed by 16S rDNA sequencing. Total bacteria and inflammatory cytokine expression in gingiva were determined by quantitative real‐time polymerase chain reaction. After co‐housing with SPF mice, Conv0‐4w and Conv4‐8w mice had low bacterial diversity, whereas Conv8‐12w mice had high bacterial diversity that was similar to that of SPF donor mice, as determined by both operational taxonomic units and the Shannon Index. Cluster analysis with unweighted Unifrac distance also supported these trends. This was surprising as the amount of maturation time, 4 weeks, was equal in all conventionalized mice and tooth eruption was largely completed by 4 weeks. This suggests that host factors that occur after tooth eruption have a significant effect on the microbial tooth colonization.
Thailand's Inconsistent Involvement in ASEAN: The Shifting Domestic Coalition Towards the ASEAN Free‐trade Area
Authors: Aroonpipat Sunida
Published: August 2017

Although the formation and development of economic regionalism promoted by Thailand have demonstrated some movement towards a deeper economic integration in ASEAN that had been predicted by the Eurocentric theories, it is evident that Thailand's economic regionalism has not developed in a linear fashion. Indeed, the nation's ambitious commitment as a vigorous supporter of ASEAN economic cooperation has been interrupted by backtracking and delaying commitments to economic regionalism.

This inconsistent involvement of Thailand in ASEAN has challenged the rationale of the Eurocentric theories, which claim economic interests as the basis for deepening economic integration. Since their focus on an economically oriented rationale limits the capacity to understand political and other causes (and consequences) of economic regionalism, they could not sufficiently explain the case of Thailand's unsteady progress towards regional consolidation. Particularly, the Eurocentric theories struggle to explain why different administration periods have interpreted economic interests differently and why economic interests have not always been the major cause for pursuing economic regionalism.

Given the inadequacy of Eurocentric theories, this article attempts to explore an alternative explanation of Thailand's inconsistent involvement in economic regionalism by focusing on the ASEAN Free‐Trade Area. The article applies the domestic coalition approach with a divergent institutional configuration. Instead of an economically oriented rationale, the study suggests that the rationale for deeper economic regionalism with ambitious commitment has hinged upon the liberal‐minded coalition of dominant actors, along with the relative centralization of domestic political institutions.
Cross‐Cultural Adaptation and Psychometric Validation of the Serbian Version of the Central Sensitization Inventory
Authors: Knezevic Aleksandar , Neblett Randy , Jeremic‐Knezevic Milica , Tomasevic‐Todorovic Snezana , Boskovic Ksenija , Colovic Petar , Cuesta‐Vargas Antonio
Published: August 2017

Objectives

It has been increasingly recognized that many chronic pain conditions are associated with central sensitization (CS). The Central Sensitization Inventory (CSI) is a potentially useful tool for screening patients whose presenting symptoms are suspected of being related to CS, so that additional diagnostic evaluation can be performed and appropriate treatment can be initiated. The original English version is currently not available in Serbian.

Methods

The CSI was translated into Serbian (CSI‐Serb) and then psychometrically evaluated in a sample of 363 chronic pain subjects.

Results

The CSI‐Serb showed a high degree of internal consistency (Cronbach's α = 0.909), excellent test‐retest reliability (intraclass correlation coefficient type 2.1 = 0.947), and a significant goodness of fit test result (χ2 = 888.44; P < 0.001). A factor analysis confirmed a 4‐factor solution, as found by the original authors of the CSI, with all items retained. Higher CSI‐Serb scores were associated with higher pain severity and longer pain duration. Total CSI scores distinguished between 3 subject groups with presumably different levels of CS, including fibromyalgia (53.3, SD = 11.2), chronic regional pain only (29.7, SD = 11.6), and a pain‐free control group (20.9, SD = 9.1).

Conclusions

The results of the present study indicate strong psychometric properties, including evidence of convergent and discriminant validity, of the CSI‐Serb. These results correspond with those of other translated versions of the CSI that have been psychometrically evaluated and published. Due to the current interest in CS, and its relationship with many chronic pain conditions, it is anticipated that the CSI‐Serb will benefit Serbian‐speaking clinicians in the evaluation of patients with chronic pain conditions.
Oak gall wasp infections ofQuercus roburleaves lead to profound modifications in foliage photosynthetic and volatile emission characteristics
Authors: Jiang Yifan , Veromann‐Jürgenson Linda‐Liisa , Ye Jiayan , Niinemets Ülo
Published: August 2017

Oak trees (Quercus) are hosts of diverse gall‐inducing parasites, but the effects of gall formation on the physiology and biochemistry on host oak leaves is poorly understood. The influence of infection by four species from two widespread gall wasp genera,Neuroterus(N. anthracinusandN. albipes) andCynips(C. divisaandC. quercusfolii), on foliage morphology, chemistry, photosynthetic characteristics, constitutive isoprene, and induced volatile emissions inQ. roburwas investigated. Leaf dry mass per unit area (MA), net assimilation rate per area (AA), stomatal conductance (gs), and constitutive isoprene emissions decreased with the severity of infection by all gall wasp species. The reduction inAAwas mainly determined by reducedMAand to a lower extent by lower content of leaf nitrogen and phosphorus in gall‐infected leaves. The emissions of lipoxygenase pathway volatiles increased strongly with increasing infection severity for all 4 species with the strongest emissions in major vein associated species,N. anthracinus. Monoterpene and sesquiterpene emissions were strongly elicited inN. albipesandCynipsspecies, but not inN. anthracinus. These results provide valuable information for diagnosing oak infections using ambient air volatile fingerprints and for predicting the impacts of infections on photosynthetic productivity and whole tree performance.
Three stress‐responsive NAC transcription factors from Populus euphratica differentially regulate salt and drought tolerance in transgenic plants
Authors: Lu Xin , Zhang Xiaofei , Duan Hui , Lian Conglong , Liu Chao , Yin Weilun , Xia Xinli
Published: August 2017

Stress‐responsive NAM, Arabidopsis transcription activation factor 1/2 (ATAF1/2) and CUC2 (SNAC) genes are being used to alter stress tolerance in Arabidopsis or grasses through genetic engineering. However, limited reports are available about the functional characteristics of SNAC in trees. In this study, three putative NAC proteins were identified from Populus euphratica. PeNAC034 and PeNAC045 were classified into the ATAF subgroup and PeNAC036 into the ANAC072 subgroup. These three SNAC transcription factors were localized in the nucleus and contained the transcription activation domain in their C‐terminal. Under drought and salt stresses, PeNAC036 was strongly induced in the whole plant, but PeNAC034 was significantly suppressed in the roots and stems, and PeNAC045 was inhibited in the roots. PeNAC036 overexpression in Arabidopsis wild‐type (WT) (OEPeNAC036) and PeNAC036 complementation in mutant anac072 (anac072/PeNAC036) lines increased tolerance to salt and drought, whereas PeNAC034 overexpression in WT (OEPeNAC034) and PeNAC034 complementation in mutant ataf1 (ataf1/PeNAC034) lines enhanced salt and drought sensitivity. After drought and salt treatments, the expression levels of COR47, RD29B, ERD11, RD22 and DREB2A were upregulated in OEPeNAC036 and anac072/PeNAC036 lines, but were downregulated in OEPeNAC034 and ataf1/PeNAC034 plants. Compared with WT and Vector lines, PeNAC045 overexpression in poplar WT (OEPeNAC045) led to a significant decrease in the net photosynthesis rate, stomatal conductance and transpiration rate under salinity and drought conditions. These results suggest that P. euphratica can adapt to the environment of high salinity and drought, which may be related to the differential expression patterns of SNAC genes.
Foreign direct investment as a signal
Authors: Koska Onur A. , Van Long Ngo , Stähler Frank
Published: August 2017

This paper models oligopolistic competition among potential multinational firms in an environment of firm heterogeneity, incomplete information on costs, and strategic interactions. We show that foreign direct investment is more likely if it can serve as a signal of productivity in an environment of incomplete information as firms would like to avoid sending a low productivity signal. Our model shows that this effect is strong enough such that foreign direct investment can be an optimal foreign entry mode even if trade costs are zero.
Designer Grapes: The Socio‐Technical Construction of the Seedless Table Grapes. A Case Study of Quality Control
Authors: de Castro Carlos , Torres‐Albero Cristóbal
Published: August 2017

This article focuses on agro‐food production in Murcia, Spain, and analyses the socio‐technical production processes of the seedless table grape. In the agro‐food industry, a focus on quality has driven an unstoppable process of bio‐technological innovation, which is also evident in the object of this study. Before these technological innovations, taste, colour and calibre as specific qualities of the grape were not considered a determinable characteristic. They had only emerged in the context of certain productive, technological and institutional conditions of possibility and the establishment of particular relationships between the agents implicated in its cultivation. By using Callon´s contribution to Actor Network Theory, the article examines how the different qualities of the seedless table grape are constructed through quality control procedures that try to stabilise the relationship between human (labour) and non‐human (technology, insects, fungi, water, sun) actors.
Electrodermal responses to discrete stimuli measured by skin conductance, skin potential, and skin susceptance
Authors: Bari D.S. , Aldosky H.Y.Y. , Tronstad C. , Kalvøy H. , Martinsen Ø.G.
Published: August 2017

Background/aim

Presently, electrodermal activity (EDA) is the preferred term for changes in electrical properties of the skin. Change in the skin conductance responses (SCRs) and skin potential responses (SPRs) due to external stimuli have previously been investigated in a number of studies, but very little for skin susceptance responses (SSRs) recorded simultaneously at the same skin site. This study aimed to investigate the association between the three parameters of EDA, skin conductance (SC), skin potential (SP), and skin susceptance (SS) responses generated by different types of psychological stimuli.

Methods

SCRs, SPRs, and SSRs were recorded from 20 healthy test subjects simultaneously at the same skin area. EDA responses were induced by five different external stimuli, which were shown in the form of PowerPoint slides on a PC monitor that situated in front of participants.

Results

All stimuli evoked EDA responses, but with significantly different magnitudes, dependent on stimulus type. Both SC and SP waveforms yielded positive responses with respect to the stimuli; however, SS showed negative response and its role was found to be significant at low frequency (20 Hz).

Conclusions

This study illustrated that different discrete stimuli showed different passive and active electrodermal responses at the same skin site. SCRs, SPRs, and SSRs were dependent on the stimulus type, and the highest response was associated with the sound stimulus, which can be attributed to orienting response or startle reflex. In addition, it was found that the SSRs have a significant contribution at 20 Hz. In spite of a high correlation found between average amplitude values of SCRs and SSRs, no significant association was seen between average amplitudes values of SPRs and SSRs, and between SCRs and SPRs.
HLA‐DPB1*519:01, a new allele identified by sequence‐based typing in a Korean individual
Authors: Choi H. J. , Im J. , Lee J. H. , Kim S. H. , Shin M. G.
Published: August 2017

The new allele DPB1*519:01 showed one nucleotide difference with DPB1*13:01:01 at codon 234 (GTG/ATG).
Characterization of a novel HLA‐C*04 allele, HLA‐C*04:277
Authors: Zhou X.‐Y. , Zhang L.‐Q. , Xiao Y. , Yang X.‐Q. , Cai J.‐P.
Published: August 2017

HLA‐C*04:277 has one nucleotide difference from HLA‐C*04:01:01:01 at position 1034 (G>A).
Role of de novo donor‐specific anti‐HLA antibodies in kidney graft failure: A case‐control study
Authors: Castro A. , Malheiro J. , Tafulo S. , Dias L. , Martins L. S. , Fonseca I. , Beirão I. , Castro‐Henriques A. , Cabrita A.
Published: August 2017

The role of de novo donor‐specific anti‐human leukocyte antigen (anti‐HLA) antibodies (dnDSA) within the pathways leading to graft failure remains not fully understood. We investigated 56 patients who were transplanted between 2002 and 2014 with kidney graft failure (cases), for a possible association of development of dnDSA with graft failure. The 56 patients with failed transplants were matched with 56 patients with a functioning graft at present for the variables deceased or living donor, transplant number, transplant year, recipient age and gender, donor age and gender, dialysis vintage time, transplant induction therapy. All patients had at least one serum collected 1 year before failure (in cases) or end of follow‐up (in controls). Cases and controls were very well‐matched in several baseline characteristics. Post‐transplant anti‐HLA antibodies were found in 84% of cases and only 36% of controls (P < .001), with 54% of cases and 16% of controls (P < .001) having dnDSA at time of detection. Chronic active antibody‐mediated rejection was significantly more common (P < .001) in patients with dnDSA (61% vs 12%), in 53 (47%) patients that had at least one graft biopsy performed during follow‐up. dnDSA was a significant risk factor (odds ratio [OR] = 6.06; P = .003) for graft failure in a multivariable conditional logistic regression model. dnDSA as a time‐dependent variable, was also an independent predictor [hazard ratio (HR) = 2.46; P = .002] of graft failure in a multivariable Cox regression analysis. In both statistical approaches, only dnDSA‐II (OR = 11.90; P = .006) (HR = 2.30; P = .014) was significantly associated with graft failure. Post‐transplant dnDSA was clearly associated with graft loss, particularly if against HLA class II antigens. dnDSA detection should be a tool for post‐transplant monitoring of kidney graft recipients, allowing for the identification of those with a higher risk of graft failure.
Investigations of Compressible Turbulent Flow in a High-Head Francis Turbine
Authors: Trivedi Chirag
Published: August 2017

Dynamic stability of the high-head Francis turbines is one of the challenging problems. Unsteady rotor–stator interaction (RSI) develops dynamic stresses and leads to crack in the blades. In a high-head turbine, vaneless space is small and the amplitudes of RSI frequencies are very high. Credible estimation of the amplitudes is vital for the runner design. The current study is aimed to investigate the amplitudes of RSI frequencies considering a compressible flow. The hydro-acoustic phenomenon is dominating the turbines, and the compressibility effect should be accounted for accurate estimation of the pressure amplitudes. Unsteady pressure measurements were performed in the turbine during the best efficiency point (BEP) and part load (PL) operations. The pressure data were used to validate the numerical model. The compressible flow simulations showed 0.5–3% improvement in the time-averaged pressure and the amplitudes over incompressible flow. The maximum numerical errors in the vaneless space and runner were 6% and 10%, respectively. Numerical errors in the instantaneous pressure amplitudes at the vaneless space, runner, and draft tube were ±1.6%, ±0.9%, and ±1.8%, respectively. In the draft tube, the incompressible flow study showed the pressure amplitudes up to eight times smaller than those of the compressible. Unexpectedly, the strong effect of RSI was seen in the upper and lower labyrinth seals, which was absent for the incompressible flow.
Acoustic Metamaterial With Fractal Coiling Up Space for Sound Blocking in a Deep Subwavelength Scale
Authors: Xia Baizhan , Li Liping , Liu Jian , Yu Dejie
Published: August 2017

Inspired by fractal photonic/phononic crystals, the self-similar fractal technique is applied to design acoustic metamaterial. By replacing the straight channel of coiling up space with a smaller coiling up space, a class of topological architectures with fractal coiling up space is developed. The significant effect of the fractal-inspired hierarchy on the band structure with fractal coiling up space is systematically investigated. Furthermore, sound wave propagation in the acoustic metamaterial with the fractal coiling up space is comprehensively highlighted. Our results show that the acoustic metamaterial with higher-order fractal coiling up space exhibits deep subwavelength bandgaps, in which the sound propagation will be well blocked. Thus, this work provides insights into the role of the fractal hierarchy in regulating the dynamic behavior of the acoustic metamaterial and provides opportunities for the design of a robust filtering device in a subwavelength scale.
Erratum: “On the Influence of Back Pressure and Size on the Performance of Safety Valves” [ASME 2002 Pressure Vessels and Piping Conference, Piping and Component Analysis and Diagnosis, Vancouver, BC, Canada, August 5–9, 2002, Conference Sponsors: Pressure Vessels and Piping Division, ISBN: 0-7918-4658-X, Copyright © 2002 by ASME. Paper No. PVP2002-1514, pp. 35-41; 7 pages; doi:10.1115/PVP2002-1514]
Authors: Dossena V. , Gaetani P. , Marinoni F. , Osnaghi C.
Published: August 2017

This erratum corrects errors that appeared in the paper “On the Influence of Back Pressure and Size on the Performance of Safety Valves” which was published in Proceedings of the ASME 2002 Pressure Vessels and Piping Conference, Piping and Component Analysis and Diagnosis, pp. 35–41, August 2002, PVP2002-1514, doi: 10.1115/PVP2002-1514.
Providing quality allied health placements in palliative care
Authors: Buhagiar Mark Andrew , Downes Jennifer , Shaik Abdul
Published: August 2017

Introduction: Palliative care is a complex area for student placements due to the high level of grief and loss encountered. There is limited research into allied health student experiences in palliative care. The aim of this study was to investigate the attitudes, behaviours, perceptions and personal challenges faced by allied health students in palliative care. We sought to explore student preparation for a palliative care clinical placement and the impact of the placement on their self-efficacy in the areas of communication, patient management and interdisciplinary teamwork. Methods: Eleven consecutive eligible allied health students undertaking a placement in palliative care were recruited to participate in this study. Each participant took part in a semi-structured interview at the beginning and end of their placement. Interviews were transcribed and analysed qualitatively. Questionnaires were also given to participant’s pre and post placement to identify the impact of self-efficacy and outcome expectancies on learning outcomes. Results: The analysis of the results demonstrated that most, but not all, of participants experienced anxiety prior to placement. Participants’ perception and understanding of palliative care was positively influenced by their placement, and there were a wide variety of learning experiences described. Conclusions: Allied health student placements in palliative care provide a positive environment for student learning and can be altered to maximise the learning experience. With careful planning, and by encouraging a culture of support, effective approaches and strategies can be identified to make a placement in palliative care more appealing and appropriate for individual students.
Two-dimensional grid-free compressive beamforming
Authors: Yang Yang , Chu Zhigang , Xu Zhongming , Ping Guoli
Published: August 2017

Compressive beamforming realizes the direction-of-arrival (DOA) estimation and strength quantification of acoustic sources by solving an underdetermined system of equations relating microphone pressures to a source distribution via compressive sensing. The conventional method assumes DOAs of sources to lie on a grid. Its performance degrades due to basis mismatch when the assumption is not satisfied. To overcome this limitation for the measurement with plane microphone arrays, a two-dimensional grid-free compressive beamforming is developed. First, a continuum based atomic norm minimization is defined to denoise the measured pressure and thus obtain the pressure from sources. Next, a positive semidefinite programming is formulated to approximate the atomic norm minimization. Subsequently, a reasonably fast algorithm based on alternating direction method of multipliers is presented to solve the positive semidefinite programming. Finally, the matrix enhancement and matrix pencil method is introduced to process the obtained pressure and reconstruct the source distribution. Both simulations and experiments demonstrate that under certain conditions, the grid-free compressive beamforming can provide high-resolution and low-contamination imaging, allowing accurate and fast estimation of two-dimensional DOAs and quantification of source strengths, even with non-uniform arrays and noisy measurements.
Observation of coherent elastic neutrino-nucleus scattering
Authors: Akimov D. , Albert J. B. , An P. , Awe C. , Barbeau P. S. , Becker B. , Belov V. , Brown A. , Bolozdynya A. , Cabrera-Palmer B. , Cervantes M. , Collar J. I. , Cooper R. J. , Cooper R. L. , Cuesta C. , Dean D. J. , Detwiler J. A. , Eberhardt A. , Efremenko Y. , Elliott S. R. , Erkela E. M. , Fabris L. , Febbraro M. , Fields N. E. , Fox W. , Fu Z. , Galindo-Uribarri A. , Green M. P. , Hai M. , Heath M. R. , Hedges S. , Hornback D. , Hossbach T. W. , Iverson E. B. , Kaufman L. J. , Ki S. , Klein S. R. , Khromov A. , Konovalov A. , Kremer M. , Kumpan A. , Leadbetter C. , Li L. , Lu W. , Mann K. , Markoff D. M. , Miller K. , Moreno H. , Mueller P. E. , Newby J. , Orrell J. L. , Overman C. T. , Parno D. S. , Penttila S. , Perumpilly G. , Ray H. , Raybern J. , Reyna D. , Rich G. C. , Rimal D. , Rudik D. , Scholberg K. , Scholz B. J. , Sinev G. , Snow W. M. , Sosnovtsev V. , Shakirov A. , Suchyta S. , Suh B. , Tayloe R. , Thornton R. T. , Tolstukhin I. , Vanderwerp J. , Varner R. L. , Virtue C. J. , Wan Z. , Yoo J. , Yu C.-H. , Zawada A. , Zettlemoyer J. , Zderic A. M. ,   COHERENT Collaboration
Published: August 2017

A 14.6-kilogram sodium-doped CsI scintillator is used to detect a neutrino scattering process with a 6.7σ confidence level.
Draft Genome Sequence of Flavobacterium psychrophilum Strain SSADA-1411, Isolated from an Ayu (Plecoglossus altivelis altivelis) Migrating Downriver To Spawn in the Shimanto River, Kochi, Japan
Authors: Imajoh Masayuki , Tsuji Yuto , Yamashita Hazuki , Ohgi Masayuki , Monno Shinya , Ohnishi Kouhei , Horioka Kikuo
Published: August 2017

Here, we report the draft genome sequence and annotation of
Flavobacterium psychrophilum
strain SSADA-1411. This strain was isolated from the skin ulcer of an ayu (
Plecoglossus altivelis altivelis
) migrating downriver to spawn in the lower Shimanto River, in western Kochi Prefecture on Shikoku Island in Japan.
Draft Genome Sequence of Mycobacterium peregrinum Isolated from an HIV-Positive Patient in South Africa
Authors: Omar Shaheed V. , Allam Mushal , Joseph Lavania , Mtshali Senzo , Ismail Nazir A. , Ismail Arshad
Published: August 2017

Here, we report a draft genome sequence of
Mycobacterium peregrinum
obtained from a sputum sample of a South African HIV-infected patient with suspected pulmonary tuberculosis. The genome described here comprises 6,931,852 bp, revealing 66.2% G+C content, 6,808 coding sequences, and 81 RNA genes.
Frequency of exercise-induced ST-T-segment deviations and cardiac arrhythmias in recreational endurance athletes during a marathon race: results of the prospective observational Berlin Beat of Running study
Authors: Herm Juliane , Töpper Agnieszka , Wutzler Alexander , Kunze Claudia , Krüll Matthias , Brechtel Lars , Lock Jürgen , Fiebach Jochen B , Heuschmann Peter U , Haverkamp Wilhelm , Endres Matthias , Jungehulsing Gerhard Jan , Haeusler Karl Georg
Published: August 2017

Objectives

While regular physical exercise has many health benefits, strenuous physical exercise may have a negative impact on cardiac function. The ‘Berlin Beat of Running’ study focused on feasibility and diagnostic value of continuous ECG monitoring in recreational endurance athletes during a marathon race. We hypothesised that cardiac arrhythmias and especially atrial fibrillation are frequently found in a cohort of recreational endurance athletes. The main secondary hypothesis was that pathological laboratory findings in these athletes are (in part) associated with cardiac arrhythmias.

Design

Prospective observational cohort study including healthy volunteers.

Setting and participants

One hundred and nine experienced marathon runners wore a portable ECG recorder during a marathon race in Berlin, Germany. Athletes underwent blood tests 2–3 days prior, directly after and 1–2 days after the race.

Results

Overall, 108 athletes (median 48 years (IQR 45–53), 24% women) completed the marathon in 249±43 min. Blinded ECG analysis revealed abnormal findings during the marathon in 18 (16.8%) athletes. Ten (9.3%) athletes had at least one episode of non-sustained ventricular tachycardia, one of whom had atrial fibrillation; eight (7.5%) individuals showed transient ST-T-segment deviations. Abnormal ECG findings were associated with advanced age (OR 1.11 per year, 95% CI 1.01 to 1.23), while sex and cardiovascular risk profile had no impact. Directly after the race, high-sensitive troponin T was elevated in 18 (16.7%) athletes and associated with ST-T-segment deviation (OR 9.9, 95% CI 1.9 to 51.5), while age, sex and cardiovascular risk profile had no impact.

Conclusions

ECG monitoring during a marathon is feasible. Abnormal ECG findings were present in every sixth athlete. Exercise-induced transient ST-T-segment deviations were associated with elevated high-sensitive troponin T (hsTnT) values.

Trial registration

ClinicalTrials.govNCT01428778; Results.
Seeking ambulance treatment for ‘primary care’ problems: a qualitative systematic review of patient, carer and professional perspectives
Authors: Booker Matthew J , Purdy Sarah , Shaw Alison R G
Published: August 2017

Objectives

To understand the reasons behind, and experience of, seeking and receiving emergency ambulance treatment for a ‘primary care sensitive’ condition.

Design

A comprehensive, qualitative systematic review. Medline, Embase, PsychInfo, Cumulative Index of Nursing and Allied Health, Health Management Information Systems, Healthcare Management Information Consortium, OpenSigle, EThOS and Digital Archive of Research Theses databases were systematically searched for studies exploring patient, carer or healthcare professional interactions with ambulance services for ‘primary care sensitive’ problems. Studies using wholly qualitative approaches or mixed-methods studies with substantial use of qualitative techniques in both the methods and analysis sections were included. An analytical thematic synthesis was undertaken, using a line-by-line qualitative coding method and a hierarchical inductive approach.

Results

Of 1458 initial results, 33 studies met the first level (relevance) inclusion criteria, and six studies met the second level (methodology and quality) criteria. The analysis suggests that patients define situations worthy of ‘emergency’ ambulance use according to complex socioemotional factors, as well as experienced physical symptoms. There can be a mismatch between how patients and professionals define ‘emergency’ situations. Deciding to call an ambulance is a process shaped by practical considerations and a strong emotional component, which can be influenced by the views of caregivers. Sometimes the value of a contact with the ambulance service is principally in managing this emotional component. Patients often wish to hand over responsibility for decisions when experiencing a perceived emergency. Feeling empowered to take control of a situation is a highly valued aspect of ambulance care.

Conclusions

When responding to a request for ‘emergency’ help for a low-acuity condition, urgent-care services need to be sensitive to how the patient's emotional and practical perception of the situation may have shaped their decision-making and the influence that carers may have had on the process. There may be novel ways to deliver some of the valued aspects of urgent care, more geared to the resource-limited environment.
Development of a prioritisation tool for the updating of clinical guideline questions: the UpPriority Tool protocol
Authors: Martínez García Laura , Pardo-Hernandez Hector , Niño de Guzman Ena , Superchi Cecilia , Ballesteros Monica , McFarlane Emma , Penman Katrina , Posso Margarita , Roqué i Figuls Marta , Sanabria Andrea Juliana , Selva Anna , Vernooij Robin WM , Alonso-Coello Pablo
Published: August 2017

Introduction

Due to a continuous emergence of new evidence, clinical guidelines (CGs) require regular surveillance of evidence to maintain their trustworthiness. The updating of CGs is resource intensive and time consuming; therefore, updating may include a prioritisation process to efficiently ensure recommendations remain up to date. The objective of our project is to develop a pragmatic tool to prioritise clinical questions for updating within a CG.

Methods and analysis

To develop the tool, we will use the results and conclusions of a systematic review of methodological research on prioritisation processes for updating and will adopt a methodological approach we have successfully implemented in a previous experience.

We will perform a multistep process including (1) generation of an initial version of the tool, (2) optimisation of the tool (feasibility test of the tool, semistructured interviews, Delphi consensus survey, external review by CG methodologists and users and pilot test of the tool) and (3) approval of the final version of the tool.

At each step of the process, we will (1) calculate absolute frequencies and proportions (quantitative data), (2) use content analysis to summarise and draw conclusions (qualitative data) and (3) draft a final report, discuss results and refine the previous versions of the tool. Finally, we will calculate intraclass coefficients with 95% CIs for each item and overall as indicators of agreement among reviewers.

Ethics and dissemination

We have obtained a waiver of approval from the Clinical Research Ethics Committee at the Hospital de la Santa Creu i Sant Pau (Barcelona). The results of the study will be published in peer-reviewed journal and communicated to interested stakeholders.

The tool could support the standardisation of prioritisation processes for updating CGs and therefore have important implications for a more efficient use of resources in the CG field.
Movement side effects of antipsychotic drugs in adults with and without intellectual disability: UK population-based cohort study
Authors: Sheehan Rory , Horsfall Laura , Strydom André , Osborn David , Walters Kate , Hassiotis Angela
Published: August 2017

Objectives

To measure the incidence of movement side effects of antipsychotic drugs in adults with intellectual disability and compare rates with adults without intellectual disability.

Design

Cohort study using data from The Health Improvement Network.

Setting

UK primary care.

Participants

Adults with intellectual disability prescribed antipsychotic drugs matched to a control group of adults without intellectual disability prescribed antipsychotic drugs.

Outcome measures

New records of movement side effect including acute dystonias, akathisia, parkinsonism, tardive dyskinaesia and neuroleptic malignant syndrome.

Results

9013 adults with intellectual disability and a control cohort of 34 242 adults without intellectual disability together contributed 148 709 person-years data. The overall incidence of recorded movement side effects was 275 per 10 000 person-years (95% CI 256 to 296) in the intellectual disability group and 248 per 10 000 person-years (95% CI 237 to 260) in the control group. The incidence of any recorded movement side effect was significantly greater in people with intellectual disability compared with those without (incidence rate ratio 1.30, 95% CI 1.18 to 1.42, p<0.001, after adjustment for potential confounders), with parkinsonism and akathisia showing the greatest difference between the groups. Neuroleptic malignant syndrome, although occurring infrequently, was three times more common in people with intellectual disability-prescribed antipsychotic drugs (incidence rate ratio 3.03, 95% CI 1.26 to 7.30, p=0.013). Differences in rates of movement side effects between the groups were not due to differences in the proportions prescribed first and second-generation antipsychotic drugs.

Conclusions

This study provides evidence to substantiate the long-held assumption that people with intellectual disability are more susceptible to movement side effects of antipsychotic drugs. Assessment for movement side effects should be integral to antipsychotic drug monitoring in people with intellectual disability. Regular medication review is essential to ensure optimal prescribing in this group.
Cardiovascular risk after hospitalisation for unexplained syncope and orthostatic hypotension
Authors: Yasa Ekrem , Ricci Fabrizio , Magnusson Martin , Sutton Richard , Gallina Sabina , Caterina Raffaele De , Melander Olle , Fedorowski Artur
Published: August 2017

Objective

To investigate the relationship of hospital admissions due to unexplained syncope and orthostatic hypotension (OH) with subsequent cardiovascular events and mortality.

Methods

We analysed a population-based prospective cohort of 30 528 middle-aged individuals (age 58±8 years; males, 40%). Adjusted Cox regression models were applied to assess the impact of unexplained syncope/OH hospitalisations on cardiovascular events and mortality, excluding subjects with prevalent cardiovascular disease.

Results

After a median follow-up of 15±4 years, 524 (1.7%) and 504 (1.7%) participants were hospitalised for syncope or OH, respectively, yielding 1.2 hospital admissions per 1000 person-years for each diagnosis. Syncope hospitalisations increased with age (HR, per 1 year: 1.07, 95% CI 1.05 to 1.09), higher systolic blood pressure (HR, per 10 mm Hg: 1.06, 95% CI 1.01 to 1.12), antihypertensive treatment (HR: 1.26, 95% CI 1.00 to 1.59), use of diuretics (HR: 1.77, 95% CI 1.31 to 2.38) and prevalent cardiovascular disease (HR: 1.59, 95% CI 1.14 to 2.23), whereas OH hospitalisations increased with age (HR: 1.11, 95% CI 1.08 to 1.12) and prevalent diabetes (HR: 1.82, 95% CI 1.23 to 2.70). After exclusion of 1399 patients with prevalent cardiovascular disease, a total of 473/464 patients were hospitalised for unexplained syncope/OH before any cardiovascular event. Hospitalisation for unexplained syncope predicted coronary events (HR: 1.85, 95% CI 1.49 to 2.30), heart failure (HR: 2.24, 95% CI 1.65 to 3.04), atrial fibrillation (HR: 1.84, 95% CI 1.50 to 2.26), aortic valve stenosis (HR: 2.06, 95% CI 1.28 to 3.32), all-cause mortality (HR: 1.22, 95% CI 1.09 to 1.37) and cardiovascular death (HR: 1.72, 95% CI 1.23 to 2.42). OH-hospitalisation predicted stroke (HR: 1.66, 95% CI 1.24 to 2.23), heart failure (HR: 1.78, 95% CI 1.21 to 2.62), atrial fibrillation (HR: 1.89, 95% CI 1.48 to 2.41) and all-cause mortality (HR: 1.14, 95% CI 1.01 to 1.30).

Conclusions

Patients discharged with the diagnosis of unexplained syncope or OH show higher incidence of cardiovascular disease and mortality with only partial overlap between these two conditions.