bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Risk of Opioid Abuse and Biopsychosocial Characteristics Associated With This Risk Among Chronic Pain Patients Attending a Multidisciplinary Pain Treatment Facility
Authors: Pagé M. Gabrielle , Saïdi Hichem , Ware Mark A. , Choinière Manon
Published: December 2015

Objectives:

The objectives of this study were to (1) determine the proportion of patients referred to a multidisciplinary pain treatment facility at risk of opioid abuse, (2) examine biopsychosocial factors associated with this risk, and (3) compare patient outcomes 6 months later across risk of opioid abuse and type of treatment (opioids vs. no opioids).

Methods:

Participants were 3040 patients (mean age=53.3±14.7 y; female=56%) enrolled in the Quebec Pain Registry between July 2012 and May 2014. Patients answered self-report and nurse-administered questionnaires (pain and psychosocial constructs, Opioid Risk Tool, pain medication, etc.) before initiating treatment at the multidisciplinary pain treatment facility and 6 months later. Data were analyzed using the Pearson χ2 tests, multivariable binary logistic regression, and multivariate general linear model.

Results:

Results showed that 81%, 13%, and 6% of patients were at low, moderate, and severe risk of opioid abuse, respectively. Civil status, pain duration, mental health-related quality of life, and cigarette smoking were significantly associated with risk of opioid abuse (P<0.001). There was a significant interaction between risk of opioid abuse and type of treatment in predicting 6-month pain outcomes and quality of life.

Discussion:

Almost 20% of patients had a moderate/severe risk of opioid abuse; whether these patients were taking opioids or not for their pain, they had worse outcomes at follow-up. These results point to the importance of assessing risk of opioid abuse in chronic pain patients and to consider how this risk may impact on their clinical evolution.
Chronological Age and Risk of Chemotherapy Nonfeasibility:
Authors: Laurent Marie , Des Guetz Gaétan , Bastuji-Garin Sylvie , Culine Stéphane , Caillet Philippe , Aparicio Thomas , Audureau Etienne , Carvahlo-Verlinde Muriel , Reinald Nicoleta , Tournigand Christophe , Landre Thierry , LeThuaut Aurélie , Paillaud Elena , Canouï-Poitrine Florence
Published: December 2015

Objectives:

To assess nonfeasibility of adjuvant-modified FOLFOX6 chemotherapy in patients with stage II or III colorectal cancer.

Methods:

Consecutive patients managed between 2009 and 2013 in 2 teaching hospitals in the Paris urban area were included in the CORSAGE (COlorectal canceR, AGe, and chemotherapy fEasability study) cohort study. Nonfeasibility was defined by the frequencies of empirical first-cycle dose reduction (>15%), early discontinuation (<12 cycles), and low relative dose intensity (RDI) (<0.85). Risk factors for chemotherapy nonfeasibility were identified using multivariate logistic regression.

Results:

Among 153 patients, 56.2% were male (median age, 65.6 y; 35.3%≥70 y; 7.3% with performance status [PS]≥2). For 5-fluorouracil (5-FU), 20.9% of patients had first-cycle dose reduction and 28.1% early discontinuation; RDI was 0.91 (25th to 75th percentiles, 0.68 to 0.99). Factors independently associated with first-cycle 5-FU dose reduction were aged 65 to 69 years versus those younger than 65 years (adjusted odds ratio [aOR], 5.5; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.5-19.9) but not age 70 years and older, PS≥2 (aOR, 6.02; 95% CI, 1.15-31.4), higher Charlson Comorbidity Index (aOR1-point increase, 1.4; 95% CI, 1.05-1.82), or larger number of medications (aOR 1-medication increase, 1.19; 95% CI, 1.00-1.42). Oxaliplatin dose reduction occurred in 52.3% of patients and early discontinuation in 62.7%; the latter was more common in the 70 years and older group (92.6% vs. 74.6% in the <65-y group; P=0.01); RDI was 0.7 (95% CI, 0.55-0.88).

Conclusions:

In the real-world setting, compared with their younger and older counterparts, patients aged 65 to 69 years given modified FOLFOX6 for stage II or III colorectal cancer had higher frequencies of 5-FU nonfeasibility defined based on first-cycle dose reduction, early discontinuation, and RDI; and these differences were independent from PS, comorbidities, and number of medications.
Immunogenicity of Influenza Vaccination in Patients With Cancer
Authors: Waqar Saiama N. , Boehmer Leigh , Morgensztern Daniel , Wang-Gillam Andrea , Sorscher Steven , Lawrence Steven , Gao Feng , Guebert Kalin , Williams Kristina , Govindan Ramaswamy
Published: December 2015

Background:

Influenza leads to significant morbidity and mortality in patients with cancer. Patients with cancer receiving chemotherapy may not mount an adequate immune response to the vaccine. We performed this pilot study to evaluate the immunogenicity of influenza vaccination in patients with cancer receiving chemotherapy.

Materials and Methods:

During the 2011 to 2012 influenza season, patients undergoing chemotherapy for solid tumors were given trivalent inactivated influenza vaccine either on the day of chemotherapy (schedule A) or a week before chemotherapy (schedule B) by a single 0.5 mL injection in the deltoid muscle region. This was not a randomized trial. Hemagglutination inhibition assays were performed on blood samples from these patients taken at baseline, and 4 weeks postvaccination. Seroconversion rate (>4-fold increase in titers) and seroprotection rates (postvaccination titers of >1:40) were calculated for each vaccine component: influenza A (H1N1), A (H3N2) and B.

Results:

A total of 18 patients received influenza vaccination as part of this pilot study. Of these, 8 patients received the vaccine on schedule A and 10 patients received the vaccine on schedule B. Geometric mean titers against each strain significantly improved after vaccination for both groups, as measured by signed rank test. Seroconversion to at least 1 strain was observed in 75% of patients on schedule A, and 70% of patients vaccinated on schedule B. Seroprotection to at least 1 strain was observed in 100% of patients in the schedule A group, and 60% of patients vaccinated on schedule B. Seroconversion and seroprotection rates against the 3 influenza strains were not significantly different between the 2 groups.

Conclusions:

Patients with nonhematological malignancies who are receiving chemotherapy mount an immune response to influenza vaccination. Timing of influenza vaccination in relation to chemotherapy does not seem to matter.
Aortic Valve Stenosis and Left Main Coronary Disease: Hybrid Approach
Authors: Al-Amodi Hussein A. , Alhabib Hamad F. , St-Amand Marc , Iglesias Ivan , Teefy Patrick , Chu Michael W. A. , Kiaii Bob
Published: December 2015

We describe a technique of combined transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR), off-pump single coronary artery bypass, and percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) in a high-risk patient presenting with unstable angina and severe heart failure. This patient had documented moderate to severe aortic stenosis, left ventricular dysfunction, and a heavily calcified ascending aorta. A robotic-assisted left internal thoracic artery harvesting was aborted owing to inability to tolerate single-lung ventilation. A median sternotomy was done, then successful off-pump single-vessel bypass, PCI, and TAVR were achieved. The patient recovered and was discharged from hospital in stable condition.
Evaluation of the Microvascular Blood Flow, Oxygenation, and Survival of Tarsoconjunctival Flaps Following the Modified Hughes Procedure
Authors: Memarzadeh Khashayar , Gustafsson Lotta , Blohmé Jonas , Malmsjö Malin
Published: December 2015

Purpose:

For the modified Hughes procedure, a tarsoconjunctival flap from the upper eyelid is used to reconstruct large, full-thickness, lower eyelid defects. The conjunctival pedicle is divided once vascularization is deemed to be adequate. The importance of maintaining a flap pedicle to ensure adequate perfusion of the graft has been questioned. The purpose of the study was to investigate the microvascular blood flow, oxygenation, and survival of a tarsoconjunctival flap in an experimental porcine model of the modified Hughes procedure.

Methods:

The modified Hughes procedure was performed in 9 pigs. Microvascular blood flow was measured by laser Doppler velocimetry. Tissue oxygenation was measured using a Licox system, and tissue survival was determined by analyzing histologic sections of biopsy specimens from the lower edge of the flap.

Results:

Blood flow and the oxygenation of the tissue decreased gradually during dissection and advancement of the tarsoconjunctival flap. At the time when the flap was sutured into place, there was virtually no blood flow or oxygenation of the tissue. However, flap survival did not seem to be compromised, as shown by the absence of pyknotic cell nuclei necrosis in the biopsy specimens, 12 hours after the procedure.

Conclusions:

The pedicle of the tarsoconjunctival flap does not seem to contribute to the nourishment of the tarsoconjunctival flap. Nourishment may be supplied by the rich vascularization of the remaining eyelid and tear film. If this is the case, single-stage grafting of a free tarsal plate may be performed, thus avoiding the eyelid-sharing stage of the procedure, without compromising the survival of the graft.
Canaliculitis With Isolation of Myroides Species
Authors: Ali Mohammad Javed , Joseph Joveeta , Sharma Savitri , Naik Milind N.
Published: December 2015

Genera Myroides belongs to the family flavobacteriaceae and are a group of Gram-negative bacilli which are nonmotile, nonfermentative, and oxidase positive. Myroides spp. are routinely found in the soil and water and rarely cause infections in the immunocompromised patients and are usually multidrug resistant. The authors describe the first case of chronic canaliculitis caused by Myroides spp. along with a brief review of literature. The patient responded to nonincisional canalicular curettage and topical moxifloxacin.
Microbiology: lessons from a first attempt at Lake Ellsworth
Authors: Pearce D. A. , Magiopoulos I. , Mowlem M. , Tranter M. , Holt G. , Woodward J. , Siegert M. J.
Published: December 2015

During the attempt to directly access, measure and sample Subglacial Lake Ellsworth in 2012–2013, we conducted microbiological analyses of the drilling equipment, scientific instrumentation, field camp and natural surroundings. From these studies, a number of lessons can be learned about the cleanliness of deep Antarctic subglacial lake access leading to, in particular, knowledge of the limitations of some of the most basic relevant microbiological principles. Here, we focus on five of the core challenges faced and describe how cleanliness and sterilization were implemented in the field. In the light of our field experiences, we consider how effective these actions were, and what can be learnt for future subglacial exploration missions. The five areas covered are: (i) field camp environment and activities, (ii) the engineering processes surrounding the hot water drilling, (iii) sample handling, including recovery, stability and preservation, (iv) clean access methodologies and removal of sample material, and (v) the biodiversity and distribution of bacteria around the Antarctic. Comparisons are made between the microbiology of the Lake Ellsworth field site and other Antarctic systems, including the lakes on Signy Island, and on the Antarctic Peninsula at Lake Hodgson. Ongoing research to better define and characterize the behaviour of natural and introduced microbial populations in response to deep-ice drilling is also discussed. We recommend that future access programmes: (i) assess each specific local environment in enhanced detail due to the potential for local contamination, (ii) consider the sterility of the access in more detail, specifically focusing on single cell colonization and the introduction of new species through contamination of pre-existing microbial communities, (iii) consider experimental bias in methodological approaches, (iv) undertake
in situ
biodiversity detection to mitigate risk of non-sample return and post-sample contamination, and (v) address the critical question of how important these microbes are in the functioning of Antarctic ecosystems.
A decade of progress in observing and modelling Antarctic subglacial water systems
Authors: Fricker Helen A. , Siegfried Matthew R. , Carter Sasha P. , Scambos Ted A.
Published: December 2015

In the decade since the discovery of active Antarctic subglacial water systems by detection of subtle surface displacements, much progress has been made in our understanding of these dynamic systems. Here, we present some of the key results of observations derived from ICESat laser altimetry, CryoSat-2 radar altimetry, Operation IceBridge airborne laser altimetry, satellite image differencing and ground-based continuous Global Positioning System (GPS) experiments deployed in hydrologically active regions. These observations provide us with an increased understanding of various lake systems in Antarctica: Whillans/Mercer Ice Streams, Crane Glacier, Recovery Ice Stream, Byrd Glacier and eastern Wilkes Land. In several cases, subglacial water systems are shown to control ice flux through the glacier system. For some lake systems, we have been able to construct more than a decade of continuous lake activity, revealing internal variability on time scales ranging from days to years. This variability indicates that continuous, accurate time series of altimetry data are critical to understanding these systems. On Whillans Ice Stream, our results from a 5-year continuous GPS record demonstrate that subglacial lake flood events significantly change the regional ice dynamics. We also show how models for subglacial water flow have evolved since the availability of observations of lake volume change, from regional-scale models of water routeing to process models of channels carved into the subglacial sediment instead of the overlying ice. We show that progress in understanding the processes governing lake drainage now allows us to create simulated lake volume time series that reproduce time series from satellite observations. This transformational decade in Antarctic subglacial water research has moved us significantly closer to understanding the processes of water transfer sufficiently for inclusion in continental-scale ice-sheet models.
The distribution of basal water between Antarctic subglacial lakes from radar sounding
Authors: Young D. A. , Schroeder D. M. , Blankenship D. D. , Kempf Scott D. , Quartini E.
Published: December 2015

Antarctica's subglacial lakes have two end member geophysical expressions: as hydraulically flat, radar reflective regions highlighted in ice surface topography and radar sounding profiles (‘definite lakes’), and as localized sites of elevation change identified from repeat elevation observations (‘active lakes’) that are often found in fast flowing ice streams or enhanced ice flow tributaries. While ‘definite lakes’ can be identified readily by high bed reflectivity in radar sounding, the identification and characterization of less distinct subglacial lakes and water systems with radar sounding are complicated by variable radio-wave attenuation in the overlying ice. When relying on repeat elevation observations, the relatively short times series and biased distribution of elevation observations, along with the episodic nature of ‘active lake’ outflow and replenishment, limit our understanding of how water flows under the ice sheet. Using recently developed methods for quantifying the radar scattering behaviour of the basal interface of the ice, we can avoid the problem of attenuation, and observe the plumbing of the subglacial landscape. In West Antarctica's Ross Sea Embayment, we confirm that extensive distributed water systems underlie these ice streams. Distributed water sheets are upstream in the onset regions of fast flow, while canal systems underly downstream regions of fast flow. In East Antarctica, we use specularity analysis to recover substantial hydraulic connectivity extending beyond previous knowledge, connecting the lakes already delineated by traditional radar sounding or surface elevation transients.
Clean subglacial access: prospects for future deep hot-water drilling
Authors: Makinson Keith , Pearce David , Hodgson Dominic A. , Bentley Michael J. , Smith Andrew M. , Tranter Martyn , Rose Mike , Ross Neil , Mowlem Matt , Parnell John , Siegert Martin J.
Published: December 2015

Accessing and sampling subglacial environments deep beneath the Antarctic Ice Sheet presents several challenges to existing drilling technologies. With over half of the ice sheet believed to be resting on a wet bed, drilling down to this environment must conform to international agreements on environmental stewardship and protection, making clean hot-water drilling the most viable option. Such a drill, and its water recovery system, must be capable of accessing significantly greater ice depths than previous hot-water drills, and remain fully operational after connecting with the basal hydrological system. The Subglacial Lake Ellsworth (SLE) project developed a comprehensive plan for deep (greater than 3000 m) subglacial lake research, involving the design and development of a clean deep-ice hot-water drill. However, during fieldwork in December 2012 drilling was halted after a succession of equipment issues culminated in a failure to link with a subsurface cavity and abandonment of the access holes. The lessons learned from this experience are presented here. Combining knowledge gained from these lessons with experience from other hot-water drilling programmes, and recent field testing, we describe the most viable technical options and operational procedures for future clean entry into SLE and other deep subglacial access targets.
Enabling clean access into Subglacial Lake Whillans: development and use of the WISSARD hot water drill system
Authors: Rack Frank R.
Published: December 2015

Clean hot water drill systems (CHWDSs) are used with clean access protocols for the exploration of subglacial lakes and other subglacial aquatic environments (e.g. ice-shelf cavities) in Antarctica. A CHWDS developed for the Whillans Ice Stream Subglacial Access Research Drilling (WISSARD) project by the Science Management Office at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln (UNL-SMO), USA, was specifically designed for use in West Antarctica, where the US Antarctic Program's South Pole Traverse could assist with logistical support. The initial goal was to provide clean access holes through ice up to 1000 m thick following environmental stewardship guidelines; however, the existing design allows this CHWDS to be used for ice thicknesses up to 2000 m following modifications to accommodate longer hose lengths. In January 2013, the WISSARD CHWDS successfully provided for the first time a clean access borehole through 800 m of ice into Subglacial Lake Whillans beneath the West Antarctic Ice Sheet for the deployment of scientific instruments and sampling tools. The development and initial use of the WISSARD CHWDS required the project team to address a number of constraints while providing contingencies to meet the defined project scope, schedule and budget.
Antarctic subglacial lake exploration: first results and future plans
Authors: Siegert Martin J. , Priscu John C. , Alekhina Irina A. , Wadham Jemma L. , Lyons W. Berry
Published: December 2015

After more than a decade of planning, three attempts were made in 2012–2013 to access, measure
in situ
properties and directly sample subglacial Antarctic lake environments. First, Russian scientists drilled into the top of Lake Vostok, allowing lake water to infiltrate, and freeze within, the lower part of the ice-core borehole, from which further coring would recover a frozen sample of surface lake water. Second, UK engineers tried unsuccessfully to deploy a clean-access hot-water drill, to sample the water column and sediments of subglacial Lake Ellsworth. Third, a US mission successfully drilled cleanly into subglacial Lake Whillans, a shallow hydraulically active lake at the coastal margin of West Antarctica, obtaining samples that would later be used to prove the existence of microbial life and active biogeochemical cycling beneath the ice sheet. This article summarizes the results of these programmes in terms of the scientific results obtained, the operational knowledge gained and the engineering challenges revealed, to collate what is known about Antarctic subglacial environments and how to explore them in future. While results from Lake Whillans testify to subglacial lakes as being viable biological habitats, the engineering challenges to explore deeper more isolated lakes where unique microorganisms and climate records may be found, as exemplified in the Lake Ellsworth and Vostok missions, are considerable. Through international cooperation, and by using equipment and knowledge of the existing subglacial lake exploration programmes, it is possible that such environments could be explored thoroughly, and at numerous sites, in the near future.
On amplitude beam splitting of tender X-rays (2–8 keV photon energy) using conical diffraction from reflection gratings with laminar profile
Authors: Jark Werner , Eichert Diane
Published: December 2015

Conical diffraction is obtained when a radiation beam impinges onto a periodically ruled surface structure parallel or almost parallel to the ruling. In this condition the incident intensity is diffracted through an arc, away from the plane of incidence. The diffracted intensity thus lies on a cone, which leads to the name `conical diffraction'. In this configuration almost no part of the ruled structure will produce any shadowing effect for the incident or the diffracted beam. Then, compared with a grating in the classical orientation, relatively higher diffraction efficiencies will be observed for fewer diffraction orders. When the incident beam is perfectly parallel to the grooves of a rectangular grating profile, the symmetry of the setup causes diffraction of the intensity symmetrically around the plane of incidence. This situation was previously tested experimentally in the VUV spectral range for the amplitude beam splitting of a radiation beam with a photon energy of 25 eV. In this case the ideally expected beam splitting efficiency of about 80% for the diffraction into the two first orders was confirmed for the optimum combination of groove depth and angle of grazing incidence. The feasibility of the amplitude beam splitting for hard X-rays with 12 keV photon energy by use of the same concept was theoretically confirmed. However, no related experimental data are presented yet, not even for lower energy soft X-rays. The present study reports the first experimental data for the conical diffraction from a rectangular grating profile in the tender X-ray range for photon energies of 4 keV and 6 keV. The expected symmetries are observed. The maximum absolute efficiency for beam splitting was measured to be only about 30%. As the reflectivity of the grating coating at the corresponding angle of grazing incidence was found to be only of the order of 50%, the relative beam splitting efficiency was thus 60%. This is to be compared also here with an ideally expected relative efficiency of 80%. It is predicted that a beam splitting efficiency exceeding 50% should be possible by use of more appropriate materials.
Characterization of a piezo bendable X-ray mirror
Authors: Vannoni Maurizio , Freijo Martín Idoia , Siewert Frank , Signorato Riccardo , Yang Fan , Sinn Harald
Published: December 2015

A full-scale piezo bendable mirror built as a prototype for an offset mirror at the European XFEL is characterized. The piezo ceramic elements are glued onto the mirror substrate, side-face on with respect to the reflecting surface. Using a nanometre optical component measuring machine and a large-aperture Fizeau interferometer, the mirror profile and influence functions were characterized, and further analysis was made to investigate the junction effect, hysteresis, twisting and reproducibility.
ID16B: a hard X-ray nanoprobe beamline at the ESRF for nano-analysis
Authors: Martínez-Criado Gema , Villanova Julie , Tucoulou Rémi , Salomon Damien , Suuronen Jussi-Petteri , Labouré Sylvain , Guilloud Cyril , Valls Valentin , Barrett Raymond , Gagliardini Eric , Dabin Yves , Baker Robert , Bohic Sylvain , Cohen Cédric , Morse John
Published: December 2015

Within the framework of the ESRF Phase I Upgrade Programme, a new state-of-the-art synchrotron beamline ID16B has been recently developed for hard X-ray nano-analysis. The construction of ID16B was driven by research areas with major scientific and societal impact such as nanotechnology, earth and environmental sciences, and bio-medical research. Based on a canted undulator source, this long beamline provides hard X-ray nanobeams optimized mainly for spectroscopic applications, including the combination of X-ray fluorescence, X-ray diffraction, X-ray excited optical luminescence, X-ray absorption spectroscopy and 2D/3D X-ray imaging techniques. Its end-station re-uses part of the apparatus of the earlier ID22 beamline, while improving and enlarging the spectroscopic capabilities: for example, the experimental arrangement offers improved lateral spatial resolution (∼50 nm), a larger and more flexible capability forin situexperiments, and monochromatic nanobeams tunable over a wider energy range which now includes the hard X-ray regime (5–70 keV). This paper describes the characteristics of this new facility, short-term technical developments and the first scientific results.
Study of the microstructure information of GaAs epilayers grown on silicon substrate using synchrotron radiation
Authors: Kumar Ravi , Dixit V. K. , Sinha A. K. , Ganguli Tapas , Mukherjee C. , Oak S. M. , Sharma T. K.
Published: December 2015

Williamson–Hall (WH) analysis is a well established method for studying the microstructural properties of epilayers grown on foreign substrates. However, the method becomes inapplicable in specific cases where the structure factor considerations and the presence of anti-phase domains forbid the data acquisition for certain reflections in conventional high-resolution X-ray diffraction (HRXRD) measurements. Here, this limitation is overcome by exploiting the large intensity (25 µW mm−2) and high photon energy (15.5 keV) of the X-ray beam obtained from a synchrotron radiation source. The lateral coherence length, vertical coherence length, tilt and micro-strain of GaAs epilayers grown on Si substrate have been successfully measured using the conventional WH analysis. The microstructure information obtained from the conventional WH analysis based on the data acquired at the synchrotron radiation source is in reasonable agreement with the results obtained from atomic force microscope and surface profiler measurements. Such information cannot be obtained on a laboratory-based HRXRD system where modification of the WH method by involving a set of parallel asymmetric crystallographic planes is found to be essential. However, the information obtained from the modified WH method is along a different crystallographic orientation.
Single-crystal diamond refractive lens for focusing X-rays in two dimensions
Authors: Antipov S. , Baryshev S. V. , Butler J. E. , Antipova O. , Liu Z. , Stoupin S.
Published: December 2015

The fabrication and performance evaluation of single-crystal diamond refractive X-ray lenses of which the surfaces are paraboloids of revolution for focusing X-rays in two dimensions simultaneously are reported. The lenses were manufactured using a femtosecond laser micromachining process and tested using X-ray synchrotron radiation. Such lenses were stacked together to form a standard compound refractive lens (CRL). Owing to the superior physical properties of the material, diamond CRLs could become indispensable wavefront-preserving primary focusing optics for X-ray free-electron lasers and the next-generation synchrotron storage rings. They can be used for highly efficient refocusing of the extremely bright X-ray sources for secondary optical schemes with limited aperture such as nanofocusing Fresnel zone plates and multilayer Laue lenses.
Site preference and lattice relaxation around 4dand 5drefractory elements in Ni3Al
Authors: Umićević Ana , Mahnke Heinz-Eberhard , Belošević-Čavor Jelena , Cekić Božidar , Schumacher Gerhard , Madjarevic Ivan , Koteski Vasil
Published: December 2015

X-ray absorption spectroscopy is employed to investigate site preference and lattice relaxation around Mo, Ru, Hf, W and Re dopants in Ni3Al. The site occupation preference and the measured distances between the refractory elements as dopants and the nearest host atoms are compared with the results ofab initiocalculations within the density functional theory. Combined experimental and theoretical results indicate that Mo, Hf, W and Re atoms reside on the Al sublattice in Ni3Al, while Ru atoms occupy the Ni sublattice. A more pronounced lattice relaxation was detected in the case of Hf and Ru doping, with a strong outward relaxation of the nearest Ni and Al atoms.
Application of mid-infrared free-electron laser tuned to amide bands for dissociation of aggregate structure of protein
Authors: Kawasaki Takayasu , Yaji Toyonari , Ohta Toshiaki , Tsukiyama Koichi
Published: December 2015

A mid-infrared free-electron laser (FEL) is a linearly polarized, high-peak powered pulse laser with tunable wavelength within the mid-infrared absorption region. It was recently found that pathogenic amyloid fibrils could be partially dissociated to the monomer form by the irradiation of the FEL targeting the amide I band (C=O stretching vibration), amide II band (N—H bending vibration) and amide III band (C—N stretching vibration). In this study, the irradiation effect of the FEL on keratin aggregate was tested as another model to demonstrate an applicability of the FEL for dissociation of protein aggregates. Synchrotron radiation infrared microscopy analysis showed that the α-helix content in the aggregate structure decreased to almost the same level as that in the monomer state after FEL irradiation tuned to 6.06 µm (amide I band). Both irradiations at 6.51 µm (amide II band) and 8.06 µm (amide III band) also decreased the content of the aggregate but to a lesser extent than for the irradiation at the amide I band. On the contrary, the irradiation tuned to 5.6 µm (non-absorbance region) changed little the secondary structure of the aggregate. Scanning-electron microscopy observation at the submicrometer order showed that the angular solid of the aggregate was converted to non-ordered fragments by the irradiation at each amide band, while the aggregate was hardly deformed by the irradiation at 5.6 µm. These results demonstrate that the amide-specific irradiation by the FEL was effective for dissociation of the protein aggregate to the monomer form.
A systematic literature review of alcohol education programmes in middle and high school settings (2000-2014)
Authors: Dietrich Timo , Rundle-Thiele Sharyn , Schuster Lisa , Connor Jason P.
Published: December 2015

Purpose

– Social marketing benchmark criteria were used to understand the extent to which single-substance alcohol education programmes targeting adolescents in middle and high school settings sought to change behaviour, utilised theory, included audience research and applied the market segmentation process. The paper aims to discuss these issues.

Design/methodology/approach

– A systematic literature review retrieved a total of 1,495 identified articles; 565 duplicates were removed. The remaining 930 articles were then screened. Articles detailing formative research or programmes targeting multiple substances, parents, families and/or communities, as well as elementary schools and universities were excluded. A total of 31 articles, encompassing 16 qualifying programmes, were selected for detailed evaluation.

Findings

– The majority of alcohol education programmes were developed on the basis of theory and achieved short- and medium-term behavioural effects. Importantly, most programmes were universal and did not apply the full market segmentation process. Limited audience research in the form of student involvement in programme design was identified.

Research limitations/implications

– This systematic literature review focused on single-substance alcohol education programmes targeted at middle and high school student populations, retrieving studies back to the year 2000.

Originality/value

– The results of this systematic literature review indicate that application of the social marketing benchmark criteria of market segmentation and audience research may represent an avenue for further extending alcohol education programme effectiveness in middle and high school settings.
Implementing the health promoting school in Denmark: a case study
Authors: Nordin Lone Lindegaard
Published: December 2015

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to provide insight into teachers’ practice in implementing school-based health promotion.

Design/methodology/approach

– This qualitative research was designed as a multiple case study. The study involved five schools, 233 pupils in the age 12-16 and 23 teachers. The primary data generation method were focus groups.

Findings

– According to the national guidelines the health education in primary schools in Denmark should be based on the critical approach to health education developed within the European Network of Health Promoting Schools. However, the study showed that teachers’ implementation of the guidelines in practice was closer to traditional health education, which focuses only lifestyle change, than to critical health education which also explores the underlying conditions for health.

Research limitations/implications

– The study explored teachers’ implementation practices, and the individual and institutional factors that influence the practice. This paper restricts itself to examining teachers’ practice against the national curriculum guidelines.

Practical implications

– The teachers were not sufficiently familiar with the curriculum guidelines or the critical approach to health education. The inclusion of the national curriculum and the principles of critical health education in the initial and in-service professional development of teachers is an urgent priority if this gap is to be reduced.

Originality/value

– This paper contributes to the debate related to the potentials and barriers for implementing of health promotion interventions in a school context.
Four drivers to enhance global virtual teams
Authors: Derven Marjorie
Published: December 2015

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to provide a framework that can be used to enhance the effectiveness of global teams.

Design/methodology/approach

– The objectives of this paper are to provide a practical, concise framework for organizations that are using or considering global virtual teams. Based on extensive consulting research and literature review, the paper describes how global virtual teams can use Diversity
&
Inclusion, structure and processes to promote desired outcomes.

Findings

– With globalization and skill shortages, global virtual teams are required to meet critical organizational objectives. Often these teams fall short of their promise, due to the complexity and lack trust and formal processes. This paper presents a framework to address these challenges.

Practical implications

– Global virtual teams can use the proposed framework presented in this paper to promote high performance in both results and relationships.

Originality/value

– This paper presents an original framework for optimal global team functioning.
Schneiderman, Perkins, and the early labor movement
Authors: Prieto Leon C. , Phipps Simone T. A. , Thompson Lemaro R. , Smith Xavier A.
Published: December 2015

Purpose

– This paper aims to depict the pivotal role played by Rose Schneiderman and Frances Perkins in early twentieth-century labor and safety reform in the USA. The paper also examines the contributions made by these notable women through the lens of stakeholder theory and the feminist ethic of care.

Design/methodology/approach

– The review process commenced with a comprehensive search for women in history who advocated labor and safety reform and campaigned for safer organizational practices in the workplace. History books, academic journals and newspaper articles, including writings from Schneiderman and Perkins, were the main sources used for this research endeavor.

Findings

– Schneiderman and Perkins were both instrumental in playing a major role in fighting for labor and safety reform in the early twentieth century, albeit in different ways. Through their work, there was a heightened understanding of organizations’ duties and obligations to their stakeholders and, in particular, to their employees. They also embodied the feminist ethic of care by being attentive to the needs of others, accepting responsibility and demonstrating competence, while being responsive to their needs.

Originality/value

– The influential women in management history are often given scant recognition or not recognized at all. This article highlights the contributions of two women who greatly impacted labor and safety through their struggle for the improvement of working conditions in the USA. The originality of this manuscript also lies in the ethical perspective in which it is grounded.
Interactions between the green and brown food web determine ecosystem functioning
Authors: Zou Kejun , Thébault Elisa , Lacroix Gérard , Barot Sébastien
Published: December 2015

The concepts of top‐down and bottom‐up controls are central to our understanding of cascading trophic effects on ecosystem functioning. Classical food web theory has focused either on food webs based on primary production (green food webs) or on food webs based on detritus (brown food webs) and generally ignored nutrient cycling.

We argue that nutrient cycling connects the two food webs, which questions the traditional concept of top‐down and bottom‐up controls.

By integrating these two food webs and nutrient cycling into simple models, we investigate the cascading effects from one food web to the other one. Both analytical calculations and simulations show that these two cascading effects depend on simple but distinct mechanisms that are derived from different ecological processes.

Predators of decomposers can affect primary production in the green food chain. The signs of these effects are determined by relative proportions of nutrient cycling within the brown food chain.

Cascading effects within the green food chain can affect decomposer production in a bottom‐up way. The carbon/nutrient limitation of decomposers determines the way the green food chain affects decomposer production.

These theoretical findings are applicable to explore real interactions and cascading effects between the green and the brown food webs, such as pelagic–benthic interactions or above‐ground–below‐ground interactions.
Is it worthwhile scaring geese to alleviate damage to crops? – An experimental study
Authors: Simonsen Caroline Ernberg , Madsen Jesper , Tombre Ingunn M , Nabe‐Nielsen Jacob
Published: December 2015

Increasing population sizes of geese are the cause of numerous agricultural conflicts in many regions of the Northern Hemisphere. Scaring is often used as a tool to chase geese away from fields, either as a means to protect vulnerable crops or as part of goose management schemes to drive geese to accommodation areas. Geese are quick to habituate to stationary scaring devices; hence, active scaring by humans is often employed. However, it remains undocumented how much effort is required for active scaring to be effective.

We explored the relationship between intensity of active human scaring on field use and behaviour by geese. Using an experimental framework, we applied four different scaring doses per day (geese were scared either 2, 5, 7 or 10 times per day), to random pastures in a pink‐footed goose spring staging area in mid‐Norway, and recorded goose flock sizes, fleeing response distances, and average weekly goose densities assessed by dropping densities. In addition, we counted droppings in fields without scaring. We used mixed models to test for changes in the effects of different scaring doses over time and compared observed with predicted dropping levels.

Cumulative dropping densities increased at different rates depending on the scaring dose. Scaring dosage did not affect flock size and fleeing response distance during the study period, but both flock sizes and fleeing response distances changed with time.

Scaring dose 2 did not show any decrease in relative goose use compared to the fields without scaring, whereas doses 5, 7 and 10 all showed 74–78% fewer droppings by the end of the spring staging period, indicating a possible threshold between dose 2 and 5. The largest effect of scaring appeared during the first week of scaring.

Synthesis and applications. This study is the first to show a dose–response relationship between active scaring and field use of flocking geese. For individual farmers, the study provides guidance on the level of scaring effort needed to be cost‐effective. If implemented as part of a management scheme with subsidy/accommodation areas in combination with systematic and persistent scaring, it can be used as a tool to keep geese away from areas where they are not wanted, thereby assisting in the alleviation of goose–agriculture conflicts. The approach in this study can be adapted and used in a wider range of wildlife interactions with human economic interests.
Inhibition of macrophage‐derived foam cell formation by ezetimibe via the caveolin‐1/MAPK pathway
Authors: Qin Li , Yang Yun‐Bo , Yang Yi‐Xin , Zhu Neng , Liu Zheng , Ni Ya‐Guang , Li Shun‐Xiang , Zheng Xi‐Long , Liao Duan‐ Fang
Published: December 2015

Ezetimibe, a selective inhibitor of intestinal cholesterol absorption, effectively reduces plasma cholesterol, but its effect on atherosclerosis is unclear. Foam cell formation has been implicated as a key mediator during the development of atherosclerosis. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of ezetimibe on foam cell formation and explore the underlying mechanism. The results presented here show that ezetimibe reduces atherosclerotic lesions in apolipoprotein E deficient (apoE‐/‐) mice by lowering cholesterol levels. Treatment of macrophages with Chol:MβCD resulted in foam cell formation, which was concentration‐dependently inhibited by the presence of ezetimibe. Mechanically, ezetimibe treatment downregulated the expression of CD36 and scavenger receptor class B1 (SR‐B1), but upregulated the expression of apoE and caveolin‐1 in macrophage‐derived foam cells, which kept consistent with our microarray results. Moreover, treatment with ezetimibe abrogated the increase of phospho‐extracellular signal regulated kinase (ERK) 1/2 and their nuclear accumulation in foam cells. Inhibition of the MAPK pathway by the MEK inhibitor PD98059 attenuated the inhibitory effect of ezetimibe on the expression of p‐ERK1/2 and caveolin‐1. Taken together, these results showed that ezetimibe suppressed foam cell formation via the caveolin‐1/MAPK signalling pathway, suggesting that inhibition of foam cell formation might be a novel mechanism underlying the anti‐atherosclerotic effect of ezetimibe.
The prevalence of unique SNPs in the renin‐angiotensin system highlights the need for pharmacogenetics in Indigenous Australians
Authors: Grimson Steven , Cox Amanda J. , Pringle Kirsty G. , Burns Christine , Lumbers Eugenie R. , Blackwell C. Caroline , Scott Rodney J.
Published: December 2015

Genetic differences between ethnic populations affect susceptibility to disease and efficacy of drugs. This study examined and compared the prevalence of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in genes of the renin–angiotensin system (RAS) in a desert community of Indigenous Australians and in non‐Indigenous Australians. The polymorphisms were angiotensinogen, AGT G‐217A (rs5049); AGT G+174A (rs4762); Angiotensin II type 1 receptor, AGTR1 A+1166C (rs5186); angiotensin converting enzyme, ACE A‐240T (rs4291), ACE T‐93C (rs4292); renin, REN T+1142C (rs5706). They were measured using allelic discrimination assays. The prevalence of REN T+1142C SNP was similar in the two populations; 99% were homozygous for the T allele. All other SNPs were differently distributed between the two populations (P < 0.0001). In non‐Indigenous Australians, the A allele at position 204 of ACE rs4291 was prevalent (61.8%) whereas in the Indigenous Australians the A allele was less prevalent (28%). For rs4292, the C allele had a prevalence of 37.9% in non‐Indigenous Australians but in Indigenous Australians the prevalence was only 1%. No Indigenous individuals were homozygous for the C allele of AGTR1 (rs5186). Thus the prevalence of RAS SNPs in this Indigenous Australian desert community was different from non‐Indigenous Australians as was the prevalence of cytokine SNPs (as shown in a previous study). These differences may affect susceptibility to chronic renal and cardiovascular disease and may alter the efficacy of drugs used to inhibit the RAS. These studies highlight the need to study the pharmacogenetics of drug absorption, distribution, metabolism and excretion in Indigenous Australians for safe prescribing guidelines.
Gender differences in mental simulation during sentence and word processing
Authors: Wassenburg Stephanie I. , de Koning Björn B. , de Vries Meinou H. , Boonstra A. Marije , van der Schoot Menno
Published: December 2015

Text comprehension requires readers to mentally simulate the described situation by reactivating previously acquired sensory and motor information from (episodic) memory. Drawing upon research demonstrating gender differences, favouring girls, in tasks involving episodic memory retrieval, the present study explores whether gender differences exist in mental simulation in children (Grades 4 to 6). In Experiment 1, 99 children performed a sentence–picture verification task measuring mental simulation at sentence level. In Experiment 2, 97 children completed a lexical decision task in which imageability of words was manipulated to measure mental simulation at word level. Only for girls we found faster reaction times for matching versus mismatching sentence–picture pairs (Experiment 1) and high‐imageability versus low‐imageability words (Experiment 2). The results suggest that girls construct more coherent and vivid mental simulations than boys and rely more heavily on these representations. The results emphasize the importance of including gender into reading comprehension research. [Correction added on 13 June 2016, after first online publication: The affiliation of author “Björn B. de Koning” was previously wrong and has been corrected in this current version.]
Sexuality Assessment Knowledge, Attitude, and Skill of Nursing Students: An Experimental Study with Control Group
Authors: Tugut Nilufer , Golbasi Zehra
Published: December 2015

Purpose

The purpose of this study was to determine sexuality assessment knowledge, attitude, and skill of student nurses before and after sexuality training.

Methods

This study was conducted experimentally in a model with a pretest to posttest control group.

Findings

In the measurements made after training, it was observed that mean scores of Sexuality Assessment Information Test, Sexual Attitude and Beliefs Scale, and Sexuality Assessment Skills Check List in the experimental group were significantly higher than mean scores of students in the control group (p < .05).

Conclusion

It was determined that sexuality assessment skills training has a positive effect on the knowledge, attitude, and behavior of nursing students.

Practice Implications

Sexuality assessment skills training can provide nurses with a guide for discussing the topic of sexual health with their patients.