bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Parvovirus B19V infection in Israel: prevalence and occurrence of acute infection between 2008 and 2013
Authors: MOR O. , OFIR I. , PAVEL R. , BASSAL R. , KRA-OZ Z. , COHEN D. , SHOHAT T. , MENDELSON E.
Published: May 2015

Differences in the seroprevalence and unique pattern of parvovirus B19 (B19V) acute infections have been documented around the world. This study was conducted to estimate the seroprevalence of anti-parvovirus B19V IgG antibodies in the Israeli population and to assess the pattern of acute infection based on data from two laboratories in Israel. The overall IgG prevalence in the 1008 representative sera samples was 61·4% and the age-adjusted prevalence rate was 58·2%. Seropositivity was significantly associated with age, ranging from 25·7% in children aged <10 years to 70% in people aged >20 years. While no significant differences in seropositivity were detected between sexes and population groups, significantly lower seroprevalence was observed in older Jews born in Africa or Asia. Acute infection rates of 4·1% (234 cases) were found based on the positive IgM results identified in samples from 5663 individuals collected between 2008 and 2013. Annual peaks of infection were observed in 2008 and 2011–2012 and major seasonal peak of B19V IgM positivity was identified in June each year. The number of requests for B19V serology was significantly higher for women aged 20–39 years while the majority IgM-positive cases were identified in young children. With more than 30% of the adult population being susceptible to B19V infection, monitoring B19V status should be considered in specific risk groups such as pregnant women.
Risk factors for incidence and case-fatality rates of healthcare-associated infections: a 20-year follow-up of a hospital-based cohort
Authors: WANG R.-F. , SHEN S.-H. , YEN A. M.-F. , WANG T.-L. , JANG T.-N. , LEE S.-H. , WANG J.-T. , CHEN H.-H.
Published: May 2015

Information is lacking on the integrated evaluation of mortality rates in healthcare-associated infections (HAIs). Our aim was to differentiate the risk factors responsible for the incidence from those for the case-fatality rates in association with HAIs. We therefore examined the time trends of both incidence and case-fatality rates over a 20-year period at a tertiary-care teaching medical centre in Taiwan and the mortality rate was expressed as the product of the incidence rate and the case-fatality rate. During the study period the overall mortality rate fell from 0·46 to 0·32 deaths/1000 patient-days and the incidence rate fell from 3·41 to 2·31/1000 patient-days, but the case-fatality rate increased marginally from 13·5% to 14·0%. The independent risk factors associated with incidence of HAIs were age, gender, infection site, admission type, and department of hospitalization. Significant prognostic factors for HAI case-fatality were age, infection site, intensive care, and clinical department. We conclude that the decreasing trend for the HAI mortality rate was accompanied by a significant decline in the incidence rate and this was offset by a slightly increasing trend in the case-fatality rate. This deconstruction approach could provide further insights into the underlying complex causes of mortality for HAIs.
Experimental pig-to-pig transmission dynamics for African swine fever virus, Georgia 2007/1 strain
Authors: GUINAT C. , GUBBINS S. , VERGNE T. , GONZALES J. L. , DIXON L. , PFEIFFER D. U.
Published: May 2015

African swine fever virus (ASFV) continues to cause outbreaks in domestic pigs and wild boar in Eastern European countries. To gain insights into its transmission dynamics, we estimated the pig-to-pig basic reproduction number (R0) for the Georgia 2007/1 ASFV strain using a stochastic susceptible-exposed-infectious-recovered (SEIR) model with parameters estimated from transmission experiments. Models showed thatR0is 2·8 [95% confidence interval (CI) 1·3–4·8] within a pen and 1·4 (95% CI 0·6–2·4) between pens. The results furthermore suggest that ASFV genome detection in oronasal samples is an effective diagnostic tool for early detection of infection. This study provides quantitative information on transmission parameters for ASFV in domestic pigs, which are required to more effectively assess the potential impact of strategies for the control of between-farm epidemic spread in European countries.
Serological survey using ELISA to determine the prevalence ofCoxiella burnetiiinfection (Q fever) in sheep and goats in Great Britain
Authors: LAMBTON S. L. , SMITH R. P. , GILLARD K. , HORIGAN M. , FARREN C. , PRITCHARD G. C.
Published: May 2015

A survey ofCoxiella burnetiiinfection (Q fever) in sheep flocks and goat herds in Great Britain was undertaken. A total of 5791 sheep (384 flocks) and 522 goats (145 herds) were examined forC. burnetiiantibodies using an ELISA. Overall, 53 sheep (37 flocks), and four goats (four herds), tested positive. Estimates of individual animal, between-flock/-herd and within-flock/-herd crude prevalences were 0·9%, 10·2% and 9·0%, respectively, for sheep, and 0·8%, 3% and 26·3%, respectively, for goats. With sheep, the likelihood of an animal testing positive increased with total flock size (P= 0·002) and number of breeding ewes in the flock (P= 0·021). It also increased with number of goats within a 10 km radius (P= 0·038). There was no evidence for spatial clustering of positive herds above that expected by chance alone. No analysis of risk factors was attempted for goats because of the paucity of positives.
The roles of actuaries in UK life offices: changes and challenges
Authors: O’Brien C. D. , Gallagher G. A. , Green R. J. , Hughes D. W. , Liang F. , Robinson S. A. , Simmons P. , Tay A. J. W. H.
Published: May 2015

We examine the roles of actuaries in UK life offices, along with trends, challenges to and opportunities for actuaries. We carry out an analysis of senior roles in life offices, a questionnaire survey and interviews with relevant senior personnel. We find that actuaries occupy many important roles in life offices and are regarded as having good industry knowledge and technical skills, especially in financial modelling. There are fewer executive directors and more non-executive directors of life offices who are actuaries compared with the position in 1990. A higher proportion of reserved roles is outsourced to consultants than was the case in 1990. Only a small number of Actuarial Function Holders are directors. Actuaries are more siloed than was the case in the past, although actuaries are well represented in the finance and risk functions of many offices. Although actuarial work in connection with the preparation for Solvency II will decline, there will be important ongoing requirements for actuaries following Solvency II implementation. We also see opportunities for actuaries in four areas: in risk management, in financial analysis and management based on Solvency II and international financial reporting standards, in connection with “big data”, and in product development and the customer proposition. There are implications for the examination syllabus, continuing professional development and research.
District wellness policies and school-level practices in Minnesota, USA
Authors: Larson Nicole , Davey Cynthia , Hoffman Pamela , Kubik Martha Y , Nanney Marilyn S
Published: May 2015

Objective

To compare the strength of district wellness policies with corresponding school-level practices reported by principals and teachers.

Design

District-level wellness policy data were collected from school district websites and, if not available online, by requests made to district administrators in the autumn of 2013. The strength of district policies was scored using the Wellness School Assessment Tool. School-level data were drawn from the 2012 Minnesota School Health Profiles principal and teacher surveys and the National Center for Education Statistics Common Core Data. Generalized estimating equations which accounted for school-level demographics and the nesting of up to two schools within some districts were used to examine ten district policy items and fourteen school-level practices of relevance to nutrition standards, nutrition education and wellness promotion, and physical activity promotion.

Setting

State-wide sample of 180 districts and 212 public schools in Minnesota, USA.

Results

The mean number of energy-dense, nutrient-poor snack foods and beverages available for students to purchase at school was inversely related to the strength of district wellness policies regulating vending machines and school stores (P=0·01). The proportion of schools having a joint use agreement for shared use of physical activity facilities was inversely related to the strength of district policies addressing community use of school facilities (P=0·03). No associations were found between the strength of other district policies and school-level practices.

Conclusions

Nutrition educators and other health professionals should assist schools in periodically assessing their wellness practices to ensure compliance with district wellness policies and environments supportive of healthy behaviours.
QuickStart radiotherapy: an inter-professional approach to expedite radiotherapy treatment in early breast cancer
Authors: Lee Grace , Dinniwell Robert E. , Purdie Thomas G. , Rahman Mohammad , Foxcroft Sophie , Fyles Anthony
Published: May 2015

Background and purpose

This study aims to develop an expedited radiotherapy (RT) process and evaluate its time savings in women requiring whole breast RT.

Material and methods

An inter-professional RT team streamlined the computed tomography (CT) simulation and treatment pathway for a ‘QuickStart’ process. Target delineation was performed by an advanced practice radiation therapist and approved by the radiation oncologist (RO) for planning. Automated breast planning software was used for treatment planning and standard quality checks were performed. To assess time savings, the initial 25 QuickStart patients were matched with women who underwent whole breast simulation on the same day (±3 days), treated using the conventional process.

Results

A total of 73 post-lumpectomy women were treated through the QuickStart process; the median consent-to-RT was 2 days (range: 0–13) and the mean CT simulation-to-RT treatment was 2 hours and 42 minutes (SD 0:30). In the subgroup analysis, QuickStart patients saved an average of 11 days from CT simulation-to-RT and had shorter median wait-times for both surgery/chemotherapy-to-RT (60 versus 38 days;p=0·002) and consultation-to-RT (7 versus 20 days;p<0·001).

Conclusions

Through inter-professional team efforts and the application of automated planning software, we have achieved a process that significantly decreases patient wait-times while maintaining the quality of whole breast RT.
Food Bank Usage Is a Poor Indicator of Food Insecurity: Insights from Canada
Authors: Loopstra Rachel , Tarasuk Valerie
Published: May 2015

This article reflects on the insights afforded by the regular measurement and monitoring of household food insecurity in Canada juxtaposed against information on food bank usage in the population. We show that the number and characteristics of people using food banks suggest that this population is a non-representative subset of the food insecure population. We also highlight how the number of people using food banks is insensitive to the level of household food insecurity in the population. Who goes to food banks is a function of the nature of food bank operations and the severity of food insecurity. Representative data on household food insecurity should be regularly collected and utilised to make policy recommendations for interventions to address the problem of insecure food access.
Do knowledge gains from public information campaigns persist over time? Results from a survey experiment on the Norwegian pension reform
Authors: FINSERAAS HENNING , JAKOBSSON NIKLAS , SVENSSON MIKAEL
Published: May 2015

Government authorities use resources on information campaigns in order to inform citizens about relevant policy changes. The motivation is usually that individuals sometimes are ill-informed about the public policies relevant for their choices. In a survey experiment where the treatment group was provided with public information material on the social security system, we assess the short- and medium-term knowledge effects. We show that the short run effects of the information on knowledge disappear completely within 4 months. The findings illustrate the limits of public information campaigns to improve knowledge about relevant policy reforms.
Is it useful to ask “Está deprimido?” (“Are you depressed?”) to terminally-ill Portuguese patients? Results from outpatient research
Authors: Julião Miguel , Nunes Baltazar , Sobral Maria Ana , Dias Daniela , Inocêncio Inês , Barbosa António
Published: May 2015

Objectives:

Depression is a serious psychological problem in the palliative care setting. Brief screening tools for depression are lacking and need to be brief and acceptable. This study aimed to identify the properties of the single Portuguese question “Está deprimido?” (“Are you depressed?”) to screen for depression.

Methods:

Retrospective study from 100 patient's medical records identifying the answers on the single Portuguese question for depression “Está deprimido?” (“Are you depressed?”) and the HADS depression sub-scale, using a score ≥11 on the latter as the gold standard for clinically significant depressive symptoms. Sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive and negative values were calculated.

Results:

Response rate for the single Portuguese question for depression was 100%. Prevalence of depression symptoms (HADS-d ≥ 11) was 43%. To the question “Está deprimido?” 60 patients responded “yes.” Sixteen patients who replied “no” to the single question had clinically significant depressive symptoms based on the HADS depression sub-scale. The single tool had 65.2% sensitivity, 49.2% specificity and 50.0% and 64.4% of positive predictive and negative values, respectively.

Significance of results:

In this first preliminary retrospective Portuguese study, the single question for depression has shown poor screening properties. Future research in larger and mixed patientś samples of Portuguese terminally ill is necessary to find more accurate and robust properties of this brief tool.
LATINA/O WHITENING?
Authors: Vargas Nicholas
Published: May 2015

Some scholars argue that Latina/os in the United States may soon become White, much like the supposed Whitening of Eastern European immigrant groups in the early twentieth century. High rates of White racial identification on surveys among Latina/os is one explanation provided for this assertion. However, personal identification is but one element of racial boundary maintenance. It is when personal identification is externally validated that it is most closely associated with group-based experiences. This article maps components of the White-Latino racial boundary that may be permeable to White expansion by examining conditions under which Latina/os self-identify as Whiteandreport that they are externally classified as White by other Americans. Employing novel data from the 2006 Portraits of American Life Study, this article shows that nearly 40% of Latina/os sometimes self-identify as White, yet a much smaller proportion—only 6%—report being externally classified as White by others. Moreover, logistic regression analyses suggest that for those with light phenotypical features and high levels of socioeconomic status, the odds of reported external Whitening are increased. Interestingly, phenotypically light Latina/os with low-socioeconomic-status levels have low probabilities of reporting external classification as White when compared to their phenotypically light and high-socioeconomic-status counterparts, suggesting that the combination of both skin color and class may be central to the White-Latino racial boundary. Results also indicate that many who report external Whitening do not prefer to self-identify as White. In sum, multidimensional measures of racial classification indicate that only a very small minority of Latina/os may be “becoming White” in ways that some previous researchers have predicted.
HOW RACIAL ATTITUDES AND IDEOLOGY AFFECT POLITICAL RIGHTS FOR FELONS
Authors: Wilson David C. , Owens Michael Leo , Davis Darren W.
Published: May 2015

This research examines the extent to which negative attitudes toward African Americans influence public reactions to restoring political rights to felons. We argue that race-neutral policies, such as felon disenfranchisement laws, are non-separable from racial considerations, as images of criminals and felons are typically associated with Blacks. Such attitudes produce collateral consequences for felons, hampering the restoration of their full political rights and, ultimately, their citizenship. Predispositions, such as racial attitudes and political ideology, provide both racial and nonracial justifications for supporting these laws, yet, there are no empirical accounts of their relational effects on opinion toward felons’ rights. Using nationally representative survey data, we find that racialized resentment and ideology exert the most influence on the reactions to policies seeking political rights for felons as well as beliefs about the value of doing so. Consistent with much of the literature on attitudes toward ameliorative racial policies, higher levels of racial resentment strongly predict lower support for felons’ political rights among both conservatives and liberals, yet, racial resentment is most influential among liberals. Conservatives exhibit the highest levels of racial resentment, but its impact is depressed more by agreement on both racial attitudes and opposition to political rights of felons.
Differential expenditure patterns of local food system participants
Authors: Jablonski Becca B.R. , Schmit Todd M.
Published: May 2015

Since 2009 the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) has funded over 2600 local food initiatives. However, the economic impacts of these policies remain unclear largely due to data deficiencies that preclude the understanding of differential expenditure patterns of farms participating in these local market channels (both in terms of what inputs they require, and where the inputs are purchased—local or not). This paper utilizes two unique data sets from samples of producers in New York State (NYS) to build expenditure profiles for local food system participants. We employ USDA Agricultural Resource Management Survey data as a robustness check on our results. The primary contribution of this paper is to provide preliminary evidence that local food system participants in NYS have different expenditure patterns than farmers who do not sell through local food markets. We show that farmers with local food sales have higher reliance on local labor and other variable expenses as primary inputs than farms without local food sales, and that local food producers spend a higher percentage of total expenditure in the local economy. Based on our results, we recommend that future economic impact assessments utilize revised expenditure profiles that more accurately reflect inter-industry linkages of the local food sector.
Sustainability of agricultural systems in the coastal zone of Bangladesh
Authors: Talukder Byomkesh , Saifuzzaman Md. , vanLoon G.W.
Published: May 2015

Transformations of the agricultural systems have been taking place in the coastal zone of Bangladesh. In different settings, farmers have become involved in massive shrimp cultivation, shrimp–rice cultivation, rice-based improved agricultural systems or shrimp–rice–vegetable-integrated systems. The long-term livelihood, food security and adaptation of the coastal people largely depend on the sustainability of these agricultural practices. In this context, assessing the level of sustainability is extremely important. The present study attempts to examine the sustainability of agricultural practices in the coastal zone of Bangladesh. A field study was carried out in fiveupazilas(counties) in the coastal zone. The data were collected through in-depth questionnaire surveys, focus groups discussions, field observation, key informants and secondary materials. A comprehensive suite of indicators was developed considering productivity, efficiency, stability, durability, compatibility and equity related to the coastal agriculture. The categories and the indicators were aggregated using Multi-Criteria Decision Analysis to measure the sustainability level of five study sites. The integrated agricultural system (shrimp–rice–vegetables) of Dumuria appeared to be the most sustainable system among agricultural practices, and other integrated systems (rice-based) of Kalaroa were also found to show a good level of sustainability. The massive shrimp cultivation system of Shyamnagar and Kaliganj appears to be the least sustainable. A traditional agriculture system with some improved methods followed in Bhola Sadar also performed in a satisfactory manner. Measuring agricultural sustainability in this way produces a useful summary of sustainability issues. The information generated from the study may be used in formulating policies for this part of the country. The holistic and interdisciplinary approach employed here has the potential to a useful framework for sustainability assessment.
Stranding of a Risso's dolphin (Cetacea, Delphinidae) on the north-eastern coast of Brazil, with comments on its distribution and threats in the Western South Atlantic
Authors: Toledo Gustavo Alves da Costa , Gurgel Filho Newton Mota , Brito Jadson Luis da Silva , Langguth Alfredo
Published: May 2015

The Risso's dolphins,Grampus griseus, are widely distributed, moderately large delphinids, inhabiting deep waters of the continental slope and outer shelf through the tropics and temperate regions. Until recently, their occurrence in the Western South Atlantic (WSA) ocean was poorly documented. This paper reports the first stranding record in the state of Paraíba (6°57′45″S 34°51′28″W), on the north-eastern coast of Brazil. Information on measurements, cause of death and the mapping of 46 records ofG. griseusare provided. The data summarized in this report suggests that the distribution ofG. griseusis continuous in the WSA, but with a higher frequency in colder waters further south. The available information for the WSA showed that negative interactions between Risso's dolphins and fisheries are more frequent in Brazil and need further investigation for conservation purposes.
Twenty-one new records of fish species (Teleostei) from Madang and Papua New Guinea (western Pacific Ocean)
Authors: Fricke Ronald
Published: May 2015

New records of fish species are reported from Papua New Guinea:Gymnothorax angusticauda(Muraenidae) from Madang,Coloconger scholesiChan 1967 (Colocongridae) from Madang and New Guinea,Acromycter longipectoralisKarmovskaya 2004 (Congridae),Doryrhamphus melanopleura(Bleeker, 1858) andFestucalex gibbsiDawson 1977 (Syngnathidae) from Madang,Lioscorpius longicepsGünther 1880 (Setarchidae) from Madang, Morobe and New Guinea,Neomerinthe megalepisFowler 1938 andPontinus rhodochrous(Günther 1872) (Scorpaenidae) from Madang and New Guinea,Parabembras curtus(Temminck & Schlegel 1843) (Parabembridae) from Morobe and New Guinea,Chrionema chryseresGilbert 1905 andPteropsaron levitoni Iwamoto2014 (Percophidae) from Madang and New Guinea,Blenniella caudolineata(Günther, 1877) andPetroscirtes xestusJordan & Seale, 1906 (Blenniidae) from Madang,Synchiropus orstomFricke 2000 (Callionymidae) from West Sepik, Sandaun and New Guinea,Rexea antefurcataParin 1989 (Gempylidae),Lepidoblepharon ophthalmolepisWeber 1913 (Citharidae),Engyprosopon macrolepis(Regan, 1908) (Bothidae),Aseraggodes kimuraiRandall & Desoutter-Meniger 2007 (Soleidae),Cynoglossus bilineatus(Lacepède, 1802) andSymphurus multimaculatusLee, Munroe & Chen 2009 (Cynoglossidae) from Madang andTylerius spinosissimus(Regan 1908) (Tetraodontidae) from Morobe and Papua New Guinea. This papers also includes new depths records forColoconger scholesi, Lioscorpius longiceps, Neomerinthe megalepis, Pontinus rhodochrous, Parabembras curtus, Chrionema chryseresandSynchiropus orstom.
Report on the occurrence of abnormal four-armed red-knobbed starfish Protoreaster linckii (Echinodermata: Astroidea), Tuticorin coast, south-east coast of India
Authors: Chelladurai G. , Balakrishnan S. , Jayanthi G. , Ajeesh Kumar K.K. , Mohanraj J.
Published: May 2015

Starfish are echinoderms that live among corals and occur from the supra-littoral to the hadal zone. Deviation from pentamerism is a rare phenomenon in starfish and was observed in the red-knobbed starfish (Protoreaster linckii) collected from the Tuticorin coast, India. Eighty-five specimens were collected and, among these, one was found to be abnormal and had only four arms. The reasons for this abnormality may be due to the changes that occur during larval metamorphosis or caused by an abnormal regeneration of the arm.
Bycatch and landings of young of the year sharks in the Malaysian South China Sea: implications for conservation
Authors: Azri Azie , Arai Takaomi
Published: May 2015

A total of 104 sharks were landed at fishing ports in the Malaysian South China Sea between 30 October and 24 December 2014, comprising the four families, Carcharhinidae, Hemiscylliidae, Sphyrnidae and Scyliorhinidae, and 11 of these shark species were examined. Measurements of size and weight were different and varied among species, ranging from 0.1 to 7.5 kg in body weight and from 31.1 to 105 cm in total length. Five of the 11 sharks,Carcharhinus sealei, Loxodon macrorhinus, Rhizoprionodon acutus, Hemigaleus microstomaandSphyrna lewini, were in the range of, or even less than, the lengths of those measured at birth in previous reports. The results suggest that these sharks were born just before they were landed.Sphyrna lewiniand H.microstomaare categorized as Endangered and Vulnerable species, respectively, and other sharks included in the landings are also categorized as Near Threatened. Thus, the current fishing methods could lead to critical levels of shark species in these waters, and even the future extinction of species. An improvement in the species selectiveness of fishing gear is needed to protect and conserve sharks in the area.
Indoor channel characterization studies for V-band gigabit wireless communications using dielectric-loaded exponentially tapered slot antenna
Authors: Ramesh S. , Rama Rao T.
Published: May 2015

Demands for very high-speed wireless communication access is rapidly growing with respect to the increasing data rates for the use of rich multimedia content in various applications of defense, enterprise, industrial, and public domains. To serve these gigabit fidelity (Gi-Fi) uses for various wireless applications, millimeter wave (MmW) wireless technology with huge bandwidth in licensed/unlicensed bands is triggering boundless avenues. In this research, the concept of substrate-integrated waveguide (SIW) and exponentially tapered slot (ETS) antenna are used together design a high-gain, efficient planar dielectric-loaded antenna for MmW-based Gi-Fi wireless communications using unlicensed 60 GHz band in the MmW family. The SIW is used to feed the antenna and a dielectric is utilized increasing the gain. The dielectric-loaded ETS antenna and compact SIW feed are fabricated on a single substrate, resulting in low cost and easy fabrication utilizing printed circuit board process. The measured gain of single-element antenna is 11.4 dB, with radiation efficiency of 96.84% at 60 GHz. Then indoor radio wave propagation studies are carried out using elliptically dielectric-loaded ETS antenna with radio frequency measurement equipment to measure and model propagation channels at 60 GHz. The attained simulations are compared with the experimental results.
Four element triangular dielectric resonator antenna for wireless application
Authors: Gangwar Ravi Kumar , Ranjan Pinku , Aigal Abhishek
Published: May 2015

A wideband four element triangular dielectric resonator antenna (TDRA) has been designed and fabricated by using 50 Ω coaxial probe feed. The input and radiation characteristics of the proposed antenna have been extracted through Ansoft HFSS and CST Microwave Studio simulation software and compared with the experimental results. The simulated results have been in good agreement with the experimental results. The proposed antenna characteristics have also been compared with the same dimensions of the single element TDRA, and found enhancement in bandwidth with lower resonant frequency. Its performance has also been compared with same area (equal to proposed antenna) of single element TDRA. The proposed antenna provides nearly 37% bandwidth (|S11| < −10 dB) at a resonant frequency of 5.45 GHz with 4.76 dBi peak gain. The symmetry and uniformity in the radiation patterns is obtained consistently for the entire operating bandwidth. The proposed antenna shows consistently symmetric monopole type radiation pattern with low cross polarization for WLAN (IEEE 802.16) and WiMAX applications. The performance of the proposed antenna has been compared with some similar type of dielectric resonator antenna (DRA) shapes and it has been observed that TDRA is taking very less radiation area for giving better performance than other DRA shapes.
The prevalence and geographic distribution of complex co-occurring disorders: a population study
Authors: Somers J. M. , Moniruzzaman A. , Rezansoff S. N. , Brink J. , Russolillo A.
Published: May 2015

Aims.

A subset of people with co-occurring substance use and mental disorders require coordinated support from health, social welfare and justice agencies to achieve diversion from homelessness, criminal recidivism and further health and social harms. Integrated models of care are typically concentrated in large urban centres. The present study aimed to empirically measure the prevalence and distribution of complex co-occurring disorders (CCD) in a large geographic region that includes urban as well as rural and remote settings.

Methods.

Linked data were examined in a population of roughly 3.7 million adults. Inclusion criteria for the CCD subpopulation were: physician diagnosed substance use and mental disorders; psychiatric hospitalisation; shelter assistance; and criminal convictions. Prevalence per 100 000 was calculated in 91 small areas representing urban, rural and remote settings.

Results.

2202 individuals met our inclusion criteria for CCD. Participants had high rates of hospitalisation (8.2 admissions), criminal convictions (8.6 sentences) and social assistance payments (over $36 000 CDN) in the past 5 years. There was wide variability in the geographic distribution of people with CCD, with high prevalence rates in rural and remote settings.

Conclusions.

People with CCD are not restricted to areas with large populations or to urban settings. The highest per capita rates of CCD were observed in relatively remote locations, where mental health and substance use services are typically in limited supply. Empirically supported interventions must be adapted to meet the needs of people living outside of urban settings with high rates of CCD.
Adult attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder and its association with substance use and substance use disorders in young men
Authors: Estévez N. , Dey M. , Eich-Höchli D. , Foster S. , Gmel G. , Mohler-Kuo M.
Published: May 2015

Background.

Functional and mental health impairments that adults with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) experience may be exacerbated by regular substance use and co-morbidity with substance use disorders (SUD). This may be especially true during young adulthood, which represents a critical stage of life associated with increased substance use and associated problems. However, previous studies investigating the association between ADHD and substance use and SUD have demonstrated inconsistent results, probably due to methodological limitations (e.g., small and non-representative samples). Thus, the relationship of ADHD with substance use and related disorders remains unclear. The aim of the present study was to examine the association between ADHD and both the use of licit and illicit substances and the presence of SUD in a large, representative sample of young men.

Method.

The sample included 5677 Swiss men (mean age 20 ± 1.23 years) who participated in the Cohort Study on Substance Use Risk Factors (C-SURF). ADHD was assessed using the adult ADHD Self Report Screener (ASRS). The association between ADHD and substance use and SUD was assessed for alcohol, nicotine, cannabis and other illicit drugs, while controlling for socio-demographic variables and co-morbid psychiatric disorders (i.e., major depression (MD) and anti-social personality disorder (ASPD)).

Results.

Men with ADHD were more likely to report having used nicotine, cannabis and other illicit drugs at some time in their life, but not alcohol. ADHD was positively associated with early initiation of alcohol, nicotine and cannabis use, the risky use of these substances, and the presence of alcohol use disorders, and nicotine and cannabis dependence. Additionally, our analyses revealed that these patterns are also highly associated with ASPD. After adjusting for this disorder, the association between ADHD and licit and illicit substance use and the presence of SUDs was reduced, but remained significant.

Conclusions.

Our findings suggest that adult ADHD is significantly associated with a propensity to experiment with licit and illicit substances, especially at earlier ages, to exhibit risky substance use patterns, and to subsequently develop SUDs. Preventive strategies that include early intervention and addressing co-morbidity with ASPD may be crucial to reducing substance use and the development of pathological substance use patterns in young men affected by ADHD and, thus, helping to prevent further illness burden later in life.
The Effects of Job Demands and Organizational Resources through Psychological Need Satisfaction and Thwarting
Authors: Gillet Nicolas , Fouquereau Evelyne , Huyghebaert Tiphaine , Colombat Philippe
Published: May 2015

In Study 1, we tested a model in which two job demands (i.e., changes in tasks and ambiguities about work) and organizational resources (i.e., interpersonal and informational justice) influence work engagement through the satisfaction of individuals’ psychological needs for autonomy, competence, and relatedness. In Study 2, we examined the indirect effects of the same job demands and organizational resources on burnout through need thwarting. We also examined the mediating role of organizational resources in the relationships of changes in tasks and ambiguities about work to need satisfaction (Study 1) and need thwarting (Study 2). Structural equation modeling performed on cross–sectional data collected from 461 workers in Study 1 and 708 employees in Study 2 provided support for the hypothesized models. Specifically, results revealed that changes in tasks and ambiguities about work have direct and indirect effects (via organizational resources) on psychological need satisfaction and need thwarting, which in turn positively predicted work engagement and burnout, respectively (p< .05). Research implications and study limitations are discussed.
Is There a Genetic Correlation Between General Factors of Intelligence and Personality?
Authors: Loehlin John C. , Bartels Meike , Boomsma Dorret I. , Bratko Denis , Martin Nicholas G. , Nichols Robert C. , Wright Margaret J.
Published: May 2015

We tested a hypothesis that there is no genetic correlation between general factors of intelligence and personality, despite both having been selected for in human evolution. This was done using twin samples from Australia, the United States, the Netherlands, Great Britain, and Croatia, comprising altogether 1,748 monozygotic and 1,329 same-sex dizygotic twin pairs. Although parameters in the model-fitting differed among the twin samples, the genetic correlation between the two general factors could be set to zero, with a better fit if the U.S. sample was excepted.
Coherent perfect absorption in deeply subwavelength films in the single-photon regime
Authors: Roger Thomas , Vezzoli Stefano , Bolduc Eliot , Valente Joao , Heitz Julius J. F. , Jeffers John , Soci Cesare , Leach Jonathan , Couteau Christophe , Zheludev Nikolay I. , Faccio Daniele
Published: May 2015

The technologies of heating, photovoltaics, water photocatalysis and artificial photosynthesis depend on the absorption of light and novel approaches such as coherent absorption from a standing wave promise total dissipation of energy. Extending the control of absorption down to very low light levels and eventually to the single-photon regime is of great interest and yet remains largely unexplored. Here we demonstrate the coherent absorption of single photons in a deeply subwavelength 50% absorber. We show that while the absorption of photons from a travelling wave is probabilistic, standing wave absorption can be observed deterministically, with nearly unitary probability of coupling a photon into a mode of the material, for example, a localized plasmon when this is a metamaterial excited at the plasmon resonance. These results bring a better understanding of the coherent absorption process, which is of central importance for light harvesting, detection, sensing and photonic data processing applications.
Plasmonic cavity-apertures as dynamic pixels for the simultaneous control of colour and intensity
Authors: Yun Hansik , Lee Seung-Yeol , Hong Keehoon , Yeom Jiwoon , Lee Byoungho
Published: May 2015

Despite steady technological progress, displays are still subject to inherent limitations in resolution improvement and pixel miniaturization because a series of colours is generally expressed by a combination of at least three primary colour pixels. Here we propose a structure comprising a metal cavity and a nanoaperture, which we refer to as a cavity-aperture, to simultaneously control the colour and intensity of transmitted light in a single pixel. The metal cavity constructs plasmonic standing waves to organize the spatial distribution of amplitudes according to wavelength, and the nanoaperture permits light with a specific wavelength and amplitude to pass through it, depending on the nanoaperature’s relative position in the cavity and the polarization state of the incident light. Therefore, the cavity-aperture has the potential to function as a dynamic colour pixel. This design method may be helpful in developing various photonic devices, such as micro-imaging systems and multiplexed sensors.
Carbonization of a stable β-sheet-rich silk protein into a pseudographitic pyroprotein
Authors: Cho Se Youn , Yun Young Soo , Lee Sungho , Jang Dawon , Park Kyu-Young , Kim Jae Kyung , Kim Byung Hoon , Kang Kisuk , Kaplan David L. , Jin Hyoung-Joon
Published: May 2015

Silk proteins are of great interest to the scientific community owing to their unique mechanical properties and interesting biological functionality. In addition, the silk proteins are not burned out following heating, rather they are transformed into a carbonaceous solid, pyroprotein; several studies have identified potential carbon precursors for state-of-the-art technologies. However, no mechanism for the carbonization of proteins has yet been reported. Here we examine the structural and chemical changes of silk proteins systematically at temperatures above the onset of thermal degradation. We find that the β-sheet structure is transformed into an sp2-hybridized carbon hexagonal structure by simple heating to 350 °C. The pseudographitic crystalline layers grew to form highly ordered graphitic structures following further heating to 2,800 °C. Our results provide a mechanism for the thermal transition of the protein and demonstrate a potential strategy for designing pyroproteins using a clean system with a catalyst-free aqueous wet process for in vivo applications.
Selectively manipulable acoustic-powered microswimmers
Authors: Ahmed Daniel , Lu Mengqian , Nourhani Amir , Lammert Paul E. , Stratton Zak , Muddana Hari S. , Crespi Vincent H. , Huang Tony Jun
Published: May 2015

Selective actuation of a single microswimmer from within a diverse group would be afirst step toward collaborative guided action by a group of swimmers. Here wedescribe a new class of microswimmer that accomplishes this goal. Our swimmer designovercomes the commonly-held design paradigm that microswimmers must usenon-reciprocal motion to achieve propulsion; instead, the swimmer ispropelled by oscillatory motion of an air bubble trapped within theswimmer's polymer body. This oscillatory motion is driven by theapplication of a low-power acoustic field, which is biocompatible with biologicalsamples and with the ambient liquid. This acoustically-powered microswimmeraccomplishes controllable and rapid translational and rotational motion, even inhighly viscous liquids (with viscosity 6,000 times higher than that of water). Andby using a group of swimmers each with a unique bubble size (and resulting uniqueresonance frequencies), selective actuation of a single swimmer from among the groupcan be readily achieved.
Mitochondrial DNA haplogroups and short-term neurological outcomes of ischemic stroke
Authors: Cai Biyang , Zhang Zhizhong , Liu Keting , Fan Wenping , Zhang Yumeng , Xie Xia , Dai Minhui , Cao Liping , Bai Wen , Du Juan , Dai Qiliang , Zhou Shuyu , Zhang Hao , Zhu Wusheng , Ma Minmin , Liu Wenhua , Liu Xinfeng , Xu Gelin
Published: May 2015

Stroke is one of the leading causes of death and long-term disability worldwide. Mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) is a potential contributor for the sex differences of ischemic stroke heritability. Although mtDNA haplogroups were associated with stroke onset, their impacts on stroke outcomes remain unclear. This study aimed to evaluate the impacts of mtDNA haplogroups on short-term outcomes of neurological functions in patients with ischemic stroke. A total of 303 patients were included and their clinical data and mtDNA sequences were analyzed. Based on the changes between baseline and 14-day follow-up stroke severity, our results showed that haplogroup N9 was an independent protective factor against neurological worsening in acute ischemic stroke patients. These findings supported that mtDNA variants play a role in post-stroke neurological recovery, thus providing evidences for future pharmacological intervention in mitochondrial function.
Atlas of tissue renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system in human: A transcriptomic meta-analysis
Authors: Nehme Ali , Cerutti Catherine , Dhaouadi Nedra , Gustin Marie Paule , Courand Pierre-Yves , Zibara Kazem , Bricca Giampiero
Published: May 2015

Tissue renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAAS) has attracted much attention because of its physiological and pharmacological implications; however, a clear definition of tissue RAAS is still missing. We aimed to establish a preliminary atlas for the organization of RAAS across 23 different normal human tissues. A set of 37 genes encoding classical and novel RAAS participants including gluco- and mineralo-corticoids were defined as extended RAAS (extRAAS) system. Microarray data sets containing more than 10 normal tissues were downloaded from the GEO database. R software was used to extract expression levels and construct dendrograms of extRAAS genes within each data set. Tissue co-expression modules were then extracted from reproducible gene clusters across data sets. An atlas of the maps of tissue-specific organization of extRAAS was constructed from gene expression and coordination data. Our analysis included 143 data sets containing 4933 samples representing 23 different tissues. Expression data provided an insight on the favored pathways in a given tissue. Gene coordination indicated the existence of tissue-specific modules organized or not around conserved core groups of transcripts. The atlas of tissue-specific organization of extRAAS will help better understand tissue-specific effects of RAAS. This will provide a frame for developing more effective and selective pharmaceuticals targeting extRAAS.
C-di-GMP regulates Pseudomonas aeruginosa stress response to tellurite during both planktonic and biofilm modes of growth
Authors: Chua Song Lin , Sivakumar Krishnakumar , Rybtke Morten , Yuan Mingjun , Andersen Jens Bo , Nielsen Thomas E. , Givskov Michael , Tolker-Nielsen Tim , Cao Bin , Kjelleberg Staffan , Yang Liang
Published: May 2015

Stress response plays an important role on microbial adaptation under hostile environmental conditions. It is generally unclear how the signaling transduction pathway mediates a stress response in planktonic and biofilm modes of microbial communities simultaneously. Here, we showed that metalloid tellurite (TeO32–) exposure induced the intracellular content of the secondary messenger cyclic di-GMP (c-di-GMP) of Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Two diguanylate cyclases (DGCs), SadC and SiaD, were responsible for the increased intracellular content of c-di-GMP. Enhanced c-di-GMP levels by TeO32– further increased P. aeruginosa biofilm formation and resistance to TeO32–. P. aeruginosa ΔsadCΔsiaD and PAO1/plac-yhjH mutants with low intracellular c-di-GMP content were more sensitive to TeO32– exposure and had low relative fitness compared to the wild-type PAO1 planktonic and biofilm cultures exposed to TeO32–. Our study provided evidence that c-di-GMP level can play an important role in mediating stress response in microbial communities during both planktonic and biofilm modes of growth.
A Network Flow-based Analysis of Cognitive Reserve in Normal Ageing and Alzheimer’s Disease
Authors: Wook Yoo Sang , Han Cheol E. , Shin Joseph S. , Won Seo Sang , Na Duk L. , Kaiser Marcus , Jeong Yong , Seong Joon-Kyung
Published: May 2015

Cognitive reserve is the ability to sustain cognitive function even with a certain amount of brain damages. Here we investigate the neural compensation mechanism of cognitive reserve from the perspective of structural brain connectivity. Our goal was to show that normal people with high education levels (i.e., cognitive reserve) maintain abundant pathways connecting any two brain regions, providing better compensation or resilience after brain damage. Accordingly, patients with high education levels show more deterioration in structural brain connectivity than those with low education levels before symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease (AD) become apparent. To test this hypothesis, we use network flow measuring the number of alternative paths between two brain regions in the brain network. The experimental results show that for normal aging, education strengthens network reliability, as measured through flow values, in a subnetwork centered at the supramarginal gyrus. For AD, a subnetwork centered at the left middle frontal gyrus shows a negative correlation between flow and education, which implies more collapse in structural brain connectivity for highly educated patients. We conclude that cognitive reserve may come from the ability of network reorganization to secure the information flow within the brain network, therefore making it more resistant to disease progress.