bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The importance of patients getting good information
Authors: Bennett Tina
Published: April 2015

Tina Bennett reflects on the importance of providing adequate and high-quality information to patients and their families, and the positive impact this can have on patients' ability to make decisions, as well as improve their confidence and quality of life
Applying patient-centred care to surgical intervention
Authors: Fredericks Suzanne , Lapum Jennifer L , Hui Gladys , Cockwell Daphne
Published: April 2015

Patient-centred care (PCC) is the provision of care that is responsive to the values, beliefs, and preferences of an individual. The effectiveness of PCC interventions in reducing the onset of infections and rehospitalisation was established with populations receiving minimally invasive procedures. However, the effectiveness of similar interventions delivered to patients with extended hospitalisations or who have undergone invasive surgical procedures, such as heart surgery, have not been fully demonstrated in practice. This may be due to the acuity of the illness of the individual, which may lead to the perception that PCC interventions may not be an appropriate treatment approach for patients undergoing complex procedures. This paper argues in favor of using PCC interventions to support individuals who have undergone a cardiovascular surgical procedure. Specifically, considerations for designing and evaluating PCC-based cardiovascular surgical interventions are presented, along with implications for practice.
The role of anti-arrhythmic drugs for AF rhythm control
Authors: Fhadil Sadeer , Wright Paul
Published: April 2015

Background:

Atrial fibrillation is the most common sustained cardiac arrhythmia. Although anti-arrhythmic agents have been used for over 100 years, paradoxical arrhythmias and non-cardiac toxicity, coupled with suboptimal efficacy has limited their use, creating a gap.

Current options:

Safety and efficacy of commonly used anti-arrhythmic agents were reviewed, illustrating variable long-term efficacy and undesirable side-effect profiles. A newer agent, dronedarone, addressed some of the problems associated with amiodarone use but is less effective at long-term rhythm control and has been associated with increased mortality in certain patient subgroups.

Conclusion:

It is clear that there is still a role for older anti-arrhythmic agents and although dronedarone has taken steps to rectify safety concerns, it has done so with a lower efficacy. Promising new agents are on the horizon that aim to address these limitations and transform the way in which atrial fibrillation is managed pharmacologically.
The pyschological burden of a relative's CICU admission
Authors: Eshah Nidal , Rayan Ahmad H
Published: April 2015

Background:

Individuals' emotions are challenged when encountering serious conflicts originating from having a relative admitted to the cardiac intensive care unit (CICU).

Objectives:

To assess the prevalence of depression, anxiety and stress, and to identify factors associated with these emotions among relatives of Jordanian patients admitted to CICU.

Methods:

This descriptive study recruited 164 participants through a convenience-sampling technique. Lazarus and Folkman's (1984) theory constituted the theoretical structure for the study, and psychological burdens were measured through the Depression Anxiety and Stress Scale (DASS) ( Lovibond and Lovibond, 1995 ).

Results:

33.6%, 48.2%, and 39% of participants had moderate-to-extremely severe levels of depression, anxiety, and stress respectively. Psychological burdens were associated with family members' gender and educational level, and the patient's condition. Among family members, spouses reported the highest level of psychological burden.

Conclusions:

Relatives' ability to live balanced psychological lives was significantly influenced by having a family member residing in CICU. Nurses should address relatives' psychological status in their care plans.
Undernutrition in older people in Australia
Authors: Ullrich Sandra , McCutcheon Helen , Parker Barbara
Published: April 2015

Despite being preventable and treatable, undernutrition remains a problem for many older people in tertiary healthcare settings. Nurses have a crucial role in assisting people who are unable to eat independently and are uniquely positioned to implement solutions that will lead to better nutritional care. However, what is known about the management of undernutrition is not informing nursing practice. This study used action research, underpinned by the ‘participatory world view’, to address the theory-practice gap. Data and between-method triangulation were used to collect and analyse qualitative non-participant observations and action research group data. Set Up Ready For Dining (SURFD) was developed and implemented by nurses to improve patient mealtimes. Findings show that nursing practice in nutritional care is influenced by technique within the healthcare context that emphasises operational efficiency, and by the choices that nurses made around being the patient advocate during mealtimes.
Duty to warn of risks moves to a prudent patient approach
Authors: Griffith Richard
Published: April 2015

The United Kingdom Supreme Court has ruled that nurses, and other health professionals, can no longer paternalistically decide what information about the risks inherent in treatment should be disclosed to patients when obtaining consent ( Montgomery v Lanarkshire Health Board [2015] ). Patients must instead be given sufficient information about material risks to enable them to make an informed decision about whether to accept or refuse treatment. This article considers the impact of the Supreme Court ruling on nursing practice.
Computational Strategies for Protein-Surface and Protein-Nanoparticle Interactions
Authors: Brancolini Giorgia , Polzi Laura Zanetti , Corni Stefano
Published: April 2015

Protein-nanoparticle associations have important applications in nanoscienceand nanotechnology but the recognition mechanisms and the determinantsof specificity are still poorly understood at the microscopic level. Crucialquestions remain open, related to the association mechanisms, control ofbinding events, and preservation of functionality. Gold is a promising materialin nanoparticles for nanobiotechnology applications because of the ease ofits functionalization and its tunable optical properties. We present a conciseoverview of recent computational modeling advances which were pursued inthe quest for a theoretical framework elucidating the association mechanismsand the ability to design and control the recognition events of a specificclass of systems, namely, interfaces between polypeptides/proteins and a goldsurface in the presence of water. We select two different methodologicaladvances, the first related to the effect of surfactants covering the surfaceof nanoparticles and altering their interactions with proteins and the secondrelated to the immobilization of proteins on inorganic surfaces and conservingtheir functionality. Both cases, demonstrate how the understanding of thepolypeptide-surface coupling mechanisms is essential to the control of theprocess and exploitation for biotechnological and nanotechnological purposes.
Changes of Chemical Composition, Crystallinity, and Fourier Transform Infrared Spectra of Eucalypt pellita Wood under Different Vacuum Heat Treatment Temperatures
Authors: Wang Xuehua , Wu Zhihui , Fang Lu , Wei Penglian , Fei Benhua , Liu Junliang
Published: April 2015

Heat treatment is one effective method of improving dimensional stability and durability of wood. However, it usually decreases the bending strength of wood. Vacuum heat treatment, which is one way that does not use a thermal medium, had little influence on wood elasticity or bending strength in our previous study. But until now, few studies have reported on the changing mechanism of vacuum heat–treated wood. In this article, chemical composition and crystallinity of untreated and treated Eucalypt pellita wood were investigated under vacuum heat treatment temperatures from 80°C to 280°C for 4 hours. The results showed that lignin content increased and that holocellulose and α-cellulose decreased when the temperature was raised. Alcohol benzene extractive increased at the initial stage and then decreased when the temperature was above 240°C. Crystallinity of wood increased with a temperature increase from 80°C to 200°C and reached a maximum value of 52.57 percent. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy analysis indicated that absorption intensity of a benzene skeleton at 1,600 cm−1 increased and that the hydrogen bond absorption band at 3,423 cm−1 shifted to a lower wave number as temperature increased.
Noninvasive Prenatal Diagnosis of Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy: Comprehensive Genetic Diagnosis in Carrier, Proband, and Fetus
Authors: Yoo Seong-Keun , Lim Byung Chan , Byeun Jiyoung , Hwang Hee , Kim Ki Joong , Hwang Yong Seung , Lee JoonHo , Park Joong Shin , Lee Yong-Sun , Namkung Junghyun , Park Jungsun , Lee Seungbok , Shin Jong-Yeon , Seo Jeong-Sun , Kim Jong-Il , Chae Jong Hee
Published: April 2015

BACKGROUND

Noninvasive prenatal diagnosis of monogenic disorders using maternal plasma and targeted massively parallel sequencing is being investigated actively. We previously demonstrated that comprehensive genetic diagnosis of a Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) patient is feasible using a single targeted sequencing platform. Here we demonstrate the applicability of this approach to carrier detection and noninvasive prenatal diagnosis.

METHODS

Custom solution-based target enrichment was designed to cover the entire dystrophin (DMD) gene region. Targeted massively parallel sequencing was performed using genomic DNA from 4 mother and proband pairs to test whether carrier status could be detected reliably. Maternal plasma DNA at varying gestational weeks was collected from the same families and sequenced using the same targeted platform to predict the inheritance of the DMD mutation by their fetus. Overrepresentation of an inherited allele was determined by comparing the allele fraction of 2 phased haplotypes after examining and correcting for the recombination event.

RESULTS

The carrier status of deletion/duplication and point mutations was detected reliably through using a single targeted massively parallel sequencing platform. Whether the fetus had inherited the DMD mutation was predicted correctly in all 4 families as early as 6 weeks and 5 days of gestation. In one of these, detection of the recombination event and reconstruction of the phased haplotype produced a correct diagnosis.

CONCLUSIONS

Noninvasive prenatal diagnosis of DMD is feasible using a single targeted massively parallel sequencing platform with tiling design.
Aproximación numérica del modelo epidemiológico SI para la propagación de gusanos informáticos, simulación y análisis de su error
Authors: Guevara López Pedro , Valdez Martínez Jorge Salvador , Audelo González Jesús , Delgado Reyes Gustavo
Published: April 2015

En el entorno biológico se han creado modelos epidemiológicos que tratan de explicar la dinámi­ca de propagación de una epidemia en una po­blación de individuos, para predecir el compor­tamiento de posibles epidemias que afecten a la humanidad. Esto ha servido de inspiración para estudiar las epidemias por gusanos informáticos, debido a que estos tienen la propiedad de propa­garse por sí solos, a partir de un host infectado, hacia toda la red de hosts susceptibles. En este trabajo se analizó el modelo Susceptible-Infec-tado (SI) que asume que en una comunidad con n individuos, el número de individuos en estado susceptible S(t) entran en contacto directo con el número de individuos en estado infectado I(t). Es­tos últimos pueden contagiar o cambiar a estado infeccioso con una velocidad de infección B. Este modelo, al estar basado en ecuaciones diferencia­les, no es posible implementarlo directamente en un programa de computadora, debido a la com­plejidad que esto representa por la infinidad de cálculos implicitos. Por esta razón se propuso un modelo aproximado basado en ecuaciones en di­ferencias finitas para obtener un método numérico iterativo con operaciones aritméticas elementales y lograr una simulación de la epidemia mediante teoría de conjuntos y cardinalidades. Adicional-mente, al tratarse de un modelo aproximado, se tendrá presente un error de aproximación debido a truncamiento o redondeo, el cual es analizado a partir de un caso de estudio desarrollado en Si-mulink de Matlab, comparándose los resultados del modelo basado en ecuaciones en diferencias con el modelo aproximado por diferencias finitas.
Híbrido rat-race miniaturizado para la banda ISM 2,4 GHZ
Authors: Rodríguez Páez Sebastián , Fajardo Jaimes Arturo , Páez Rueda Carlos Iván
Published: April 2015

En este artículo se presenta el diseño, la implementación y la evaluación de un híbrido Rat-race miniaturizado, construido en un substrato CER-60 con líneas de transmisión (LxTx) tipo micro­cinta, siguiendo una curva de llenado fractal no­vedosa. Este circuito es el resultado principal del proyecto de investigación PS 3206 financiado por la Vicerrectoría Académica de la Pontificia Uni­versidad Javeriana. El híbrido desarrollado logra una miniaturización del 73 %, opera en la banda ISM 2,4 GHz, con una frecuencia de operación óptima de 2,56 GHz y un ancho de banda fraccional de 17,15%.
Sistema de adquisición de datos para determinar el grupo de conexión en el transformador trifásico DL1080
Authors: Hernández Suárez César Augusto , Saavedra Víctor Alfonso Gómez , Peña Lote Robín Alejandro
Published: April 2015

Este artículo presenta el diseño y la implementa-ción de un sistema de adquisición de datos para determinar los diferentes grupos de conexión del transformador trifásico DL1080. Este diseño se basa en herramientas computacionales en hard­ware y software, como Microchip y Labview, respectivamente. En consecuencia, el prototipo medidor posee un algoritmo de alto nivel capaz de realizar el análisis vectorial de tensiones en el transformador que establecen la normatividad nacional e internacional. Además, permite un am­biente interactivo con el usuario por medio de he­rramientas gráficas, como una pantalla de cristal líquido con sus respectivos comandos y el soft­ware desarrollado en Labview llamado Indices Horarios. Estas ayudas visuales ilustran diagra­mas vectoriales, señales de tensión en tiempo real y conexión de devanados, entre otros. La anterior aplicación académica permite integrar una he­rramienta en el aprendizaje y fortalecimiento de áreas como conversión electromagnética, maqui­nas eléctricas y sistemas de potencia, entre otras. Por lo tanto, los docentes y los estudiantes podrán reforzar sus conocimientos del área, a través de un elemento didáctico para fomentar un entorno participativo y constructivista.
Efecto del contenido de agua sobre la resistencia y la velocidad de pulso ultrasónico del concreto
Authors: Quintero Ortiz Luz Amparo , Cruz Hernández Ricardo Alfredo , Peña Santos Deyci Yamile
Published: April 2015

El objetivo del presente trabajo es determinar correlaciones entre el contenido de agua del concreto, la resistencia a la compresión y la veloci­dad de pulso ultrasónico (VPU). Se estudiaron probetas cilíndricas de concreto de 200 mm de largo x 100 mm de diámetro, elaboradas a partir de una mezcla de cemento Portland tipo I y una relación agua/cemento (a/c) de 0,5. El curado de las muestras se realizó en condiciones estándar y en condiciones ambientales bajo techo, determi­nando el contenido de agua en cada probeta por diferencia de pesos y sometiendo las muestras a ensayos ultrasónicos y de resistencia a la com­presión durante los primeros 28 días después del fraguado. A partir de los resultados obtenidos, se encontró que un modelo de tipo logarítmico pue­de describir adecuadamente el comportamiento del contenido de agua, la VPU y la resistencia a la compresión en función del tiempo de curado, para cada condición estudiada. Adicionalmente, se verificó que las condiciones de curado investi­gadas afectan significativamente el contenido de agua del concreto y los valores de resistencia a la compresión y VPU alcanzados.
Visualization Techniques Through Search Interfaces in Learning Object Repositories
Authors: Gaona García Paulo Alonso , Fermoso García Ana , Sánchez Alonso Salvador , Gaona García Elvis Eduardo
Published: April 2015

In this paper, it is presented a study to evaluate and compare the effectiveness of eight different interfaces based on visualization techniques to carry out searching digital resources according to knowledge area and knowledge representation scheme. The navigation structure is based on hi­erarchical taxonomic representation through the use of Art and Architecture Thesaurus (AAT). It was adopted principles of Human Computer In­teraction (HCI) for the development of search interfaces through information visualization tech­niques. Finally, it will be presented preliminary results in order to evaluate the most representa­tive aspects to carry out the development of visu­al search interfaces of learning objects in digital repositories, according to principles of visualiza­tion techniques and hierarchic taxonomic classi­fication.
PCA/DFT como herramienta de pronóstico para series temporales de absorbancia registradas mediante captores UV-Vis en sistemas de saneamiento urbano
Authors: Plazas Nossa Leonardo , Torres Andrés
Published: April 2015

El objetivo de este trabajo es presentar un método de pronóstico para series de tiempo de espectrometría UV-Vis, combinando el análisis de componentes principales PCA (Principal Component Analysis), la transformada discreta de Fourier, DFT (Discrete Fourier Transform) y la transformada inversa de Fourier, IFFT (Inverse Fast Fourier Transform). Se utilizaron las correspondientes series de tiempo de absorbancia para tres diferentes sitios de estudio: (i) Planta de tratamiento de aguas residuales Salitre (PTAR) en Bogotá; (ii) Estación elevadora de Gibraltar en Bogotá; y (iii) Planta de tratamiento de aguas residuales San Fernando (PTAR) en Itagüí (parte sur de Medellín). Cada una de las series de tiempo tiene igual número de muestras (5705). Al reducir la dimensionalidad de las series de tiempo de absorbancia con PCA, se utilizan para cada sitio de estudio 3, 5 y 6 componentes principales, respectivamente; explicando en conjunto más de 97% de la variabilidad. Se utiliza en el procedimiento DFT e IFFT el armónico más importante y se remueven desde uno hasta la mitad de los valores de la longitud total de las series de tiempo. Por consiguiente, los errores de pronóstico para los tres sitios de estudio y para tres rangos de longitudes de onda propuestos (UV, Vis y UV-Vis) están comprendidos entre 0,01% y 34% para 95% de los casos. Sin embargo, para 100% de los casos los errores son inferiores a 37%, independientemente de la longitud de onda y del tiempo de pronóstico.
Optimización de un ruteo vehicular usando algoritmo genético simple chu-beasley
Authors: Solarte Martínez Guillermo Roberto , Castillo Sanz Andrés Gaspar , Rodríguez Gahona Guillermo
Published: April 2015

genéticos en la optimización de recursos y procesos; a continuación se establece un estudio de caso fundamentado en el ruteo vehicular y la  optimización del mismo, aplicando el algoritmo genético de Chu-Beasley. Este estudio, que inició en noviembre de 2013 y terminó en marzo de 2014, se aplicó en la ciudad de Bogotá, D.C., por ser la capital de Colombia. Esta metrópoli cuenta con innumerables zonas industriales, centros de acopio, almacenes y demás actividades comerciales. De la misma manera, el crecimiento de la capital en los últimos años ha sido significativo, lo que ha generado una extensión territorial exponencial, causando problemas de movilidad y transporte. Por ello es imperioso para algunas empresas que deben distribuir sus productos optimizar los recorridos y garantizar efectividad y eficiencia en las entregas.
La ética en la formación del ingeniero de minas: representaciones sociales de actores educativos
Authors: Pérez Gómez Raimundo Alonso , Gamboa Suárez Audin Aloiso , Hernández Suárez César Augusto
Published: April 2015

El presente artículo muestra los resultados de una investigación cualitativa que buscó comprender las representaciones sociales de docentes y estudiantes sobre la ética en una institución de educación superior en Cúcuta, Colombia. Se utilizó el método hermenéutico, lo cual posibilitó comprender un tipo de conocimiento que se construye en el diálogo, la interacción, la intersubjetividad y la cotidianidad.  La muestra fue intencional y la conformaron 25 estudiantes y 2 profesores. Los resultados del estudio evidencian que para los actores educativos la ética está relacionada con los valores de los sujetos, los cuales son aprendidos del entorno. Relacionan la ética con la sociedad y la definen como una ciencia que les da a las personas ciertos parámetros que deben seguir para cumplir con las buenas acciones dentro de la sociedad.
Analysis of the changes in vegetation of the Sapanca Lake Basin (in Turkey) using multitemporal satellite data
Authors: Ikiel Cercis , Koc Derya Evrim
Published: April 2015

The Lake Sapanca Basin is located in an area where urbanization and industrialization is rapidly increasing because of its geographical location. The Sapanca Lake Basin was opened to settlement densely after 1980 due to recreational activities for urbanization and industrialization. The aim of this study is to investigate and evaluate the changes in natural vegetation and settlement caused by the effects of human activities in the Sapanca Lake Basin. For this purpose, Landsat 5 TM (1987) and Landsat 8 (2013) satellite images have been used. These images have been analyzed using ERDAS and ArcGIS software’s and this was supported and confirmed by the carried land studies. The results showed that there has been an % 12.8 decrease in the high density green vegetation areas. It is concluded that the natural vegetation of Sapanca Lake Basin damaged rapidly in the period between the years of 1987-2013.
Developing Donor Relationships: The Role of the Breadth of Giving
Authors: Khodakarami Farnoosh , Petersen J. Andrew , Venkatesan Rajkumar
Published: April 2015

This research proposes a mechanism to develop long-term donor relationships, a major challenge in the nonprofit industry. The authors propose a metric, donation variety, which captures a donor's breadth of donations with a given nonprofit organization, controlling for the distribution of donations to different initiatives. Using donation data spanning 20 years from a major U.S. public university, the authors find that improvements in donation variety increase the likelihood that the donor will make a subsequent donation, increase the donation amount, and reduce the sensitivity of donations to negative macroeconomic shocks. In the acquisition phase, most donors give to a single initiative, and these decisions are more influenced by a donor's intrinsic motivations. In contrast, as the donor–nonprofit organization relationship develops over time, nonprofit marketing efforts have a more significant influence on a donor's decision to give to multiple initiatives. Finally, the authors conduct a field study that validates the econometric analysis and provides causal evidence that marketing efforts by nonprofit organizations can encourage donors to spread donations across multiple initiatives.
Division algebras and transitivity of group actions on buildings
Authors: Zaremsky Matthew C. B.
Published: April 2015

Let D be a division algebra with center F and degree d > 2. Let K|F be any splitting field.We analyze the action of D× and SL1(D) on the spherical and affine buildings that may be associated to GLd(K) and SLd(K), and in particular show it is never strongly transitive. In the affine case we find examples where the action is nonetheless Weyl transitive. This extends results of Abramenko and Brown concerning the d = 2 case, where strong transitivity is in fact possible. Our approach produces some explicit constructions, and we find that for d > 2 the failure of the action to be strongly transitive is quite dramatic.
Projections of del Pezzo surfaces and Calabi–Yau threefolds
Authors: Kapustka Grzegorz
Published: April 2015

We study the syzygetic structure of projections of del Pezzo surfaces in order to construct singular Calabi-Yau threefolds. By smoothing those threefolds,we obtain new examples of Calabi-Yau threefolds with Picard group of rank 1. We also give an example of type II primitive contraction whose exceptional divisor is the blow-up of the projective plane at a point.
Warum die Leistungen von Bibliotheken vergleichen?
Authors: Kreische Joachim
Published: April 2015

Die bibliothekspolitisch immer noch aktuelle Frage, ob und wie ein öffentlicher Leistungsvergleich von Bibliotheken sinnvoll und möglich ist, soll aus dem Schatten der Diskussion um die mangelnde Akzeptanz des Bibliotheksindex herausgeführt werden. Mit der Unterscheidung zwischen funktionalem und wettbewerbsorientiertem Benchmarking werden für beide unterschiedliche Werkzeuge empfohlen, die im BIX methodisch unzulässig miteinander verknüpft werden. Kritisch beleuchtet wird auch die Frage, wie mit Kennzahlen überhaupt eine Gesamtbewertung von Bibliotheksleistungen möglich ist.
Einer für alle? – Gemeinsames Befragungsdesign für vier FH-Bibliotheken in NRW im Leistungsvergleich
Authors: Fühles-Ubach Simone
Published: April 2015

Im Fokus des Projekts stand die Erstellung eines gemeinsamen Kundenfragebogens und einer daran anschließenden Leistungsmessung, die neben den individuellen Ergebnissen für die teilnehmenden Bibliotheken zu einer Meta-Auswertung geführt hat, die die eigene Leistung relativiert an der Gesamtbewertung aufzeigen konnte. Dargestellt und erläutert werden die wichtigsten Ergebnisse der Gesamtauswertung, die überwiegend positiv ausgefallen sind. In diesem Kontext sind die Ergebnisse der Frage zur Wirkungsmessung und zur zukünftigen Nutzung besonders interessant.
Weighing algorithms of classification and identification of situations
Authors: Chudnov Alexander M.
Published: April 2015

The paper gives lower bounds for the minimum number m of weighings that are necessary for identification of up to t non-standard objects out of the total number of n objects being tested. For the problem with fixed deviation of weights of non-standard objects we construct a perfect algorithms with parameters n = 11, m = 5, t = 2 corresponding to the parameters of the ternary Virtakallio-Golay code. The nonexistence of a perfect weighing code with such parameters is proved.
Arithmetic complexity of the Stirling transforms
Authors: Gashkov Sergey B.
Published: April 2015

For the linear Stirling transforms of both kinds, which are well-known in combinatorics, we obtain close to optimal estimates of the complexity of computation by vector addition chains and non-branching programs composed of arithmetic operations over real numbers. A relation between these problems and the Lagrange and Newton interpolation is discussed.
Asymptotics of the logarithm of the number of (k, l)-sum-free sets in an Abelian group
Authors: Sargsyan Vage G.
Published: April 2015

Asubset A of elements of a group G is (k, l)-sum-free if A does not contains solutions of the equation x
Multiplicative complexity of some Boolean functions
Authors: Selezneva Svetlana N.
Published: April 2015

The multiplicative (or conjunctive) complexity of a Boolean function f(x
The Influence of Word Retrieval and Planning on Phonetic Variation: Implications for Exemplar Models
Authors: Fink Angela , Goldrick Matthew
Published: April 2015

Over the past several decades, an increasing number of empirical studies have documented the interaction of information across the traditional linguistic modules of phonetics, phonology, and lexicon. For example, the frequency with which a word occurs influences its phonetic properties of its sounds; high frequency words tend to be reduced relative to low frequency words. Lexicalist Exemplar Models have been successful in accounting for this body of results through a single mechanism,exemplars– memory representations that integrate lexical, phonological, and phonetic information into a single structure. We review recent studies that suggest there are critical limitations to assuming that phonetic variation solely reflects the storage of word labels and sound structure in exemplars. Specifically, these studies show that factors related to the on-line retrieval and planning of lexical items also influence phonetic variation. The implications of these findings for exemplar models are discussed; the relationship of exemplar storage to the broader cognitive system is examined, as well as alternative theoretical frameworks incorporating gradience at all levels of linguistic representation.
Crystal structure of N-(tert-butyl)-2-(N-(2-fluorophenyl)-2-(4-nitrophenyl) acetamido)-3-oxo-3-phenylpropanamide, C27H26FN3O5
Authors: Zhang Meng-Di , Cao Yan-Tong , Tong Lin-Lin , Guo Chang-Bin
Published: April 2015

C27H26FN3O5, triclinic, P1̄ (no. 2), a = 10.8141(6) Å, b = 11.0261(6) Å, c = 11.9967(7) Å, α = 83.398(4)°, β = 65.586(3)°, γ = 81.088(4)°, V = 1284.7 Å3, Z = 2, Rgt(F) = 0.0490, wRref(F2) = 0.1519, T = 296 K.
Crystal structure of [2-(4-bromophenyl)pyridine-κ2C,N)bromo[1,3-bis- (4-methylphenyl)imidazol-2-ylidene-κC)] palladium(II), C28H23Br2N3Pd
Authors: Xu Chen , Song Ying-Li , Wang Zhi-Qiang
Published: April 2015

C28H23Br2N3Pd, monoclinic, P21/c (no. 14), a = 10.627(1) Å, b = 10.337(1) Å, c = 23.945(3) Å, β = 99.919(2)°, V = 2591.1 Å3, Z = 4, Rgt(F) = 0.0375, wRref(F2) = 0.1148, T = 296 K.
Crystal structure of bis((μ2-hydroxo)-aqua-(1,10-phenanthroline-κ2N,N’)- copper(II))bis((μ2-hydroxo)-(carbonato-κO)-(1,10-phenanthroline- κ2N,N’)-copper(II)) tetradecahydrate, C50H64Cu4N8O26
Authors: Clark Candyce , Sephton Bereneice , Sephton Abigail , Dugmore Travis , Hickson Matthew , Betz Richard
Published: April 2015

C50H64Cu4N8O26, triclinic, P1̄ (no. 2), a = 11.0000(3) Å, b = 11.2890(3) Å, c = 12.4370(4) Å, α = 107.976(1)°, β = 90.676(1)°, γ = 95.937(1)°, V = 1459.6 Å3, Z = 1, Rgt(F) = 0.0262, wRref(F2) = 0.0727, T = 200 K.
Two Infants, Same Prognosis, Different Parental Preferences
Authors: Antommaria Armand H. Matheny , Collura Christopher A. , Antiel Ryan M. , Lantos John D.
Published: April 2015

A central principle of justice is that similar cases should be decided in similar ways. In pediatrics, however, there are cases in which 2 infants have similar diagnoses and prognoses, but their parents request different treatments. In this Ethics Rounds, we present such a situation that occurred in a single NICU. Three physician-ethicists analyze the issues.
Predicting Neonatal Intubation Competency in Trainees
Authors: DeMeo Stephen D. , Katakam Lakshmi , Goldberg Ronald N. , Tanaka David
Published: April 2015

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES:

Pediatric residency training programs are graduating residents who are not competent in neonatal intubation, a vital skill needed for any pediatrician involved in delivery room resuscitations. However, a precise definition of competency during training is lacking. The objective of this study was to more precisely define the trajectory toward competency in neonatal intubation for pediatric residents, as a framework for later evaluating complementary training tools.

METHODS:

This is a retrospective single-center observational study of resident-performed neonatal intubations at Duke University Medical Center between 2005 and 2013. Using a Bayesian statistical model, intubation competency was defined when the resident attained a 75% likelihood of intubating their next patient successfully.

RESULTS:

A total of 477 unique intubation attempts by 105 residents were analyzed. The path to proficiency was defined by a categorical or milestone learning event after which all learners move toward competency in a similar manner. In our cohort, 4 cumulative successes were needed to achieve competency. Only 24 of 105 (23%) achieved competency during the study period. Residents who failed their first 2 opportunities, compared with those successful on their first 2 opportunities, needed nearly double the intubation exposure to achieve competency.

CONCLUSIONS:

Bayesian statistics may be useful to more precisely describe neonatal intubation competency in residents. Achieving competency in neonatal intubation appears to be a categorical or milestone learning event whose timing varies between residents. The current educational environment does not provide adequate procedural exposure to achieve competency for most residents.
Prognostic value of absolute monocyte count in chronic lymphocytic leukaemia
Authors: Szerafin László , Jakó János , Riskó Ferenc
Published: April 2015

Introduction: The low peripheral absolute lymphocyte and high monocyte count have been reported to correlate with poor clinical outcome in various lymphomas and other cancers. However, a few data known about the prognostic value of absolute monocyte count in chronic lymphocytic leukaemia. Aim: The aim of the authors was to investigate the impact of absolute monocyte count measured at the time of diagnosis in patients with chronic lymphocytic leukaemia on the time to treatment and overal survival. Method: Between January 1, 2005 and December 31, 2012, 223 patients with newly-diagnosed chronic lymphocytic leukaemia were included. The rate of patients needing treatment, time to treatment, overal survival and causes of mortality based on Rai stages, CD38, ZAP-70 positivity and absolute monocyte count were analyzed. Results: Therapy was necessary in 21.1%, 57.4%, 88.9%, 88.9% and 100% of patients in Rai stage 0, I, II, III an IV, respectively; in 61.9% and 60.8% of patients exhibiting CD38 and ZAP-70 positivity, respectively; and in 76.9%, 21.2% and 66.2% of patients if the absolute monocyte count was <0.25 G/l, between 0.25–0.75 G/l and >0.75 G/l, respectively. The median time to treatment and the median overal survival were 19.5, 65, and 35.5 months; and 41.5, 65, and 49.5 months according to the three groups of monocyte counts. The relative risk of beginning the therapy was 1.62 (p<0.01) in patients with absolute monocyte count <0.25 G/l or >0.75 G/l, as compared to those with 0.25–0.75 G/l, and the risk of overal survival was 2.41 (p<0.01) in patients with absolute monocyte count lower than 0.25 G/l as compared to those with higher than 0.25 G/l. The relative risks remained significant in Rai 0 patients, too. The leading causes of mortality were infections (41.7%) and the chronic lymphocytic leukaemia (58.3%) in patients with low monocyte count, while tumours (25.9–35.3%) and other events (48.1 and11.8%) occurred in patients with medium or high monocyte counts. Conclusions: Patients with low and high monocyte counts had a shorter time to treatment compared to patients who belonged to the intermediate monocyte count group. The low absolute monocyte count was associated with increased mortality caused by infectious complications and chronic lymphocytic leukaemia. The absolute monocyte count may give additional prognostic information in Rai stage 0, too. Orv. Hetil., 2015, 156(15), 592–597.
Social and Clinical Descriptors of Antipsychotic Prescription
Authors: Piccinni Carlo , Piazza Antonella , Poluzzi Elisabetta , Tarricone Ilaria , Koci Ariola , Berardi Domenico , Fioritti Angelo , de Ponti Fabrizio
Published: April 2015

Objective

To identify descriptors of Antipsychotic (AP) prescription, focusing on second generation antipsychotics (SGAs), polypharmacy, and long-acting injections (LAIs).

Methods

Outpatients of the Bologna-Community-Mental-Health-Centres with at least one AP prescription were selected. Patients' characteristics, service utilization, and AP prescriptions were collected from administrative databases. Prescriptions were grouped by class (SGA vs. First Generation Antipsychotics), drug combination (polypharmacy vs. monotherapy), and preparation (LAIs vs. regular administration). Multi-variate analyses were performed to identify prescription descriptors among socio-demographic and clinical variables.

Results

Among 6,074 patients and 41,121 AP prescriptions, SGAs were used in 70.7% of subjects, AP polypharmacy in 25.3%, and LAIs in 17.5%. SGAs were prescribed more often for young, Italian patients, with higher education, voluntary hospital-ization, and high number of visits. Descriptors of AP polypharmacy were: high number of visits and hospitalization, length of treatment, non-urban residency, male gender, unemployment. Characteristics associated to LAI prescription were: long duration of treatment, high number of visits, compulsory admissions, non-Italian nationality, male gender, age > 34, low education, unmarried status.

Conclusions

Besides illness severity, this study identified different socio-demographic descriptors of AP choices, raising concerns on the equity of treatments. Efforts should be directed to investigate appropriateness of AP treatments especially in social disadvantaged populations.
Seeing Double: Sertraline and Diplopia: A Case Report
Authors: Alao Adekola , Lewkowicz Claire
Published: April 2015

Objective

To describe the first case of sertraline-induced diplopia.

Method

Medline and PubMed data search using the words sertraline, Zoloft, diplopia, double vision. A case summary of a patient who developed diplopia from sertraline.

Result

This case describes a 34-year-old man who developed diplopia after treatment with sertraline. The diplopia resolved after discontinuation of sertraline and redeveloped upon rechallenge.

Conclusion

Although incidences of diplopia caused by citalopram, another SSRI, have been described, to the best of our knowledge, this is the first reported case of sertraline-induced diplopia. More studies are needed to describe the full mechanism of action of sertraline-induced diplopia.
M2 Macrophage Polarization Mediates Anti-inflammatory Effects of Endothelial Nitric Oxide Signaling
Authors: Lee Woo Je , Tateya Sanshiro , Cheng Andrew M. , Rizzo-DeLeon Norma , Wang Nicholas F. , Handa Priya , Wilson Carole L. , Clowes Alexander W. , Sweet Ian R. , Bomsztyk Karol , Schwartz Michael W. , Kim Francis
Published: April 2015

Endothelial nitric oxide (NO) signaling plays a physiological role in limiting obesity-associated insulin resistance and inflammation. This study was undertaken to investigate whether this NO effect involves polarization of macrophages toward an anti-inflammatory M2 phenotype. Mice with transgenic endothelial NO synthase overexpression were protected against high-fat diet (HFD)-induced hepatic inflammation and insulin resistance, and this effect was associated with reduced proinflammatory M1 and increased anti-inflammatory M2 activation of Kupffer cells. In cell culture studies, exposure of macrophages to endothelial NO similarly reduced inflammatory (M1) and increased anti-inflammatory (M2) gene expression. Similar effects were induced by macrophage overexpression of vasodilator-stimulated phosphoprotein (VASP), a key downstream mediator of intracellular NO signaling. Conversely, VASP deficiency induced proinflammatory M1 macrophage activation, and the transplantation of bone marrow from VASP-deficient donor mice into normal recipients caused hepatic inflammation and insulin resistance resembling that induced in normal mice by consumption of an HFD. These data suggest that proinflammatory macrophage M1 activation and macrophage-mediated inflammation are tonically inhibited by NO → VASP signal transduction, and that reduced NO → VASP signaling is involved in the effect of HFD feeding to induce M1 activation of Kupffer cells and associated hepatic inflammation. Our data implicate endothelial NO → VASP signaling as a physiological determinant of macrophage polarization and show that signaling via this pathway is required to prevent hepatic inflammation and insulin resistance.
Suspected Intraoperative Anaphylaxis to Gelatin Absorbable Hemostatic Sponge
Authors: Ji Joonyoung , Barrett Edward J.
Published: April 2015

Anaphylaxis under anesthesia is a life-threatening medical emergency that requires rapid identification and treatment. Allergies to agents with which the general population are likely to come into contact are usually identified, but patients are exposed to uncommon agents during anesthesia and surgery. Here, we describe a case of anaphylaxis under anesthesia implicating Gelfoam sponges.
Editorial: Open issue
Authors: Fejes Andreas , Fragoso António
Published: April 2015

In this open issue we present five papers covering different adult education and learning contexts across different geographical spaces, ranging from Spain, Germany, Eastern Europe to Canada. The topics of research range from young people to retired people, adult educators and men and women reading self-help literature.
Betalains, Phenols and Antioxidant Capacity in Cactus Pear [Opuntia ficus-indica (L.) Mill.] Fruits from Apulia (South Italy) Genotypes
Authors: Albano Clara , Negro Carmine , Tommasi Noemi , Gerardi Carmela , Mita Giovanni , Miceli Antonio , De Bellis Luigi , Blando Federica
Published: April 2015

Betacyanin (betanin), total phenolics, vitamin C and antioxidant capacity (by Trolox-equivalent antioxidant capacity (TEAC) and oxygen radical absorbance capacity (ORAC) assays) were investigated in two differently colored cactus pear (Opuntia ficus-indica (L.) Mill.) genotypes, one with purple fruit and the other with orange fruit, from the Salento area, in Apulia (South Italy). In order to quantitate betanin in cactus pear fruit extracts (which is difficult by HPLC because of the presence of two isomers, betanin and isobetanin, and the lack of commercial standard with high purity), betanin was purified from Amaranthus retroflexus inflorescence, characterized by the presence of a single isomer. The purple cactus pear variety showed very high betanin content, with higher levels of phenolics, vitamin C, and antioxidant capacity (TEAC) than the orange variety. These findings confirm the potential for exploiting the autochthonous biodiversity of cactus pear fruits. In particular, the purple variety could be an interesting source of colored bioactive compounds which not only have coloring potential, but are also an excellent source of dietary antioxidant components which may have beneficial effects on consumers’ health.
Computational Solutions of Distributed Order Reaction-Diffusion Systems Associated with Riemann-Liouville Derivatives
Authors: Saxena Ram , Mathai Arak , Haubold Hans
Published: April 2015

This article is in continuation of the authors research attempts to derive computational solutions of an unified reaction-diffusion equation of distributed order associated with Caputo derivatives as the time-derivative and Riesz-Feller derivative as space derivative. This article presents computational solutions of distributed order fractional reaction-diffusion equations associated with Riemann-Liouville derivatives of fractional orders as the time-derivatives and Riesz-Feller fractional derivatives as the space derivatives. The method followed in deriving the solution is that of joint Laplace and Fourier transforms. The solution is derived in a closed and computational form in terms of the familiar Mittag-Leffler function. It provides an elegant extension of results available in the literature. The results obtained are presented in the form of two theorems. Some results associated specifically with fractional Riesz derivatives are also derived as special cases of the most general result. It will be seen that in case of distributed order fractional reaction-diffusion, the solution comes in a compact and closed form in terms of a generalization of the Kampé de Fériet hypergeometric series in two variables. The convergence of the double series occurring in the solution is also given.
Oxidative Stress in Fungi: Its Function in Signal Transduction, Interaction with Plant Hosts, and Lignocellulose Degradation
Authors: Breitenbach Michael , Weber Manuela , Rinnerthaler Mark , Karl Thomas , Breitenbach-Koller Lore
Published: April 2015

In this review article, we want to present an overview of oxidative stress in fungal cells in relation to signal transduction, interaction of fungi with plant hosts, and lignocellulose degradation. We will discuss external oxidative stress which may occur through the interaction with other microorganisms or plant hosts as well as internally generated oxidative stress, which can for instance originate from NADPH oxidases or “leaky” mitochondria and may be modulated by the peroxiredoxin system or by protein disulfide isomerases thus contributing to redox signaling. Analyzing redox signaling in fungi with the tools of molecular genetics is presently only in its beginning. However, it is already clear that redox signaling in fungal cells often is linked to cell differentiation (like the formation of perithecia), virulence (in plant pathogens), hyphal growth and the successful passage through the stationary phase.
Biconically Tapered Fiber Optic Probes for Rapid Label-Free Immunoassays
Authors: Miller John , Castaneda Angelica , Lee Kun , Sanchez Martin , Ortiz Adrian , Almaz Ekrem , Almaz Zuleyha , Murinda Shelton , Lin Wei-Jen , Salik Ertan
Published: April 2015

We report use of U-shaped biconically tapered optical fibers (BTOF) as probes for label-free immunoassays. The tapered regions of the sensors were functionalized by immobilization of immunoglobulin-G (Ig-G) and tested for detection of anti-IgG at concentrations of 50 ng/mL to 50 µg/mL. Antibody-antigen reaction creates a biological nanolayer modifying the waveguide structure leading to a change in the sensor signal, which allows real-time monitoring. The kinetics of the antibody (mouse Ig-G)-antigen (rabbit anti-mouse IgG) reactions was studied. Hydrofluoric acid treatment makes the sensitive region thinner to enhance sensitivity, which we confirmed by experiments and simulations. The limit of detection for the sensor was estimated to be less than 50 ng/mL. Utilization of the rate of the sensor peak shift within the first few minutes of the antibody-antigen reaction is proposed as a rapid protein detection method.
Profiling Invasiveness in Head and Neck Cancer: Recent Contributions of Genomic and Transcriptomic Approaches
Authors: Nisa Lluís , Aebersold Daniel , Giger Roland , Caversaccio Marco , Borner Urs , Medová Michaela , Zimmer Yitzhak
Published: April 2015

High-throughput molecular profiling approaches have emerged as precious research tools in the field of head and neck translational oncology. Such approaches have identified and/or confirmed the role of several genes or pathways in the acquisition/maintenance of an invasive phenotype and the execution of cellular programs related to cell invasion. Recently published new-generation sequencing studies in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) have unveiled prominent roles in carcinogenesis and cell invasion of mutations involving NOTCH1 and PI3K-patwhay components. Gene-expression profiling studies combined with systems biology approaches have allowed identifying and gaining further mechanistic understanding into pathways commonly enriched in invasive HNSCC. These pathways include antigen-presenting and leucocyte adhesion molecules, as well as genes involved in cell-extracellular matrix interactions. Here we review the major insights into invasiveness in head and neck cancer provided by high-throughput molecular profiling approaches.