bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Detection of wood cell wall porosity using small carbohydrate molecules and confocal fluorescence microscopy
Authors: DONALDSON L.A. , KROESE H.W. , HILL S.J. , FRANICH R.A.
Published: April 2015

A novel approach to nanoscale detection of cell wall porosity using confocal fluorescence microscopy is described. Infiltration of cell walls with a range of nitrophenyl‐substituted carbohydrates of different molecular weights was assessed by measuring changes in the intensity of lignin fluorescence, in response to the quenching effect of the 4‐nitrophenyl group. The following carbohydrates were used in order of increasing molecular weight; 4‐nitrophenyl β‐D‐glucopyrano‐side (monosaccharide), 4‐nitrophenyl β‐D‐lactopyranoside (disaccharide), 2‐chloro‐4‐nitrophenyl β‐D‐maltotrioside (trisaccharide), and 4‐nitrophenyl α‐D‐maltopentaoside (pentasaccharide). This technique was used to compare cell wall porosity in wood which had been dewatered to 40% moisture content using supercritical CO2, where cell walls remain fully hydrated, with kiln dried wood equilibrated to 12% moisture content. Infiltration of cell walls as measured by fluorescence quenching, was found to decrease with increasing molecular weight, with the pentasaccharide being significantly excluded compared to the monosaccharide. Porosity experiments were performed on blocks and sections to assess differences in cell wall accessibility. Dewatered and kiln dried wood infiltrated as blocks showed similar results, but greater infiltration was achieved by using sections, indicating that not all pores were easily accessible by infiltration from the lumen surface. In wood blocks infiltrated with 4‐nitrophenyl α‐D‐maltopentaoside, quenching of the secondary wall was quite variable, especially in kiln dried wood, indicating limited connectivity of pores accessible from the lumen surface.
Effect of super dosing of phytase on growth performance, ileal digestibility and bone characteristics in broilers fed corn–soya‐based diets
Authors: Manobhavan M. , Elangovan A. V. , Sridhar M. , Shet D. , Ajith S. , Pal D. T. , Gowda N. K. S.
Published: April 2015

A feeding trial was designed to assess the effect of super dosing of phytase in corn–soya‐based diets of broiler chicken. One hundred and sixty‐eight day‐old broilers were selected and randomly allocated to four dietary treatment groups, with 6 replicates having 7 chicks per treatment group. Two‐phased diets were used. The starter and finisher diet was fed from 0 to 3 weeks and 4 to 5 weeks of age respectively. The dietary treatments were consisted of normal phosphorus (NP) group without any phytase enzyme (4.5 g/kg available/non‐phytin phosphorus (P) during starter and 4.0 g/kg during finisher phase), three low‐phosphorus (LP) groups (3.2 g/kg available/non‐phytin P during starter and 2.8 g/kg during finisher phase) supplemented with phytase at 500, 2500, 5000 FTU/kg diet, respectively, to full fill their phosphorus requirements. The results showed that super doses of phytase (at 2500 FTU and 5000 FTU/kg) on low‐phosphorus diet improved feed intake, body weight gain, ileal digestibility (serine, aspartic acid, calcium, phosphorus), blood P levels and bone minerals such as calcium (Ca), P, magnesium (Mg) and zinc (Zn) content. It could be concluded that super doses of phytase in low‐phosphorus diet were beneficial than the normal standard dose (at 500 FTU/kg) of phytase in diet of broiler chicken.
Involvement of Rho-Kinase/LIM Kinase/Cofilin Signaling Pathway in Corporal Fibrosis after Cavernous Nerve Injury in Male Rats
Authors: Song Sang Hoon , Park Kwanjin , Kim Soo Woong , Paick Jae-Seung , Cho Min Chul
Published: April 2015

Introduction

The molecular mechanism of corporal fibrosis leading to erectile dysfunction (ED) following cavernous nerve (CN) injury is poorly understood.

Aim

To determine whether the LIMK2/cofilin pathway, the downstream effectors of ROCK1, was involved in ED and corporal fibrosis following bilateral CN injury in male rats.

Methods

Forty-eight 10-week-old male Sprague-Dawley rats were equally divided into three groups: sham surgery (S); bilateral CN crush injury (I); and bilateral CN resection (R). Within each groups, two subgroups were analyzed at 1 and 4 weeks postoperatively.

Main Outcome Measures

Electrostimulation was performed to assess erectile function by the ratio of maximal intracavernous pressure to mean arterial pressure (ICP/MAP) and areas under the ICP curve to MAP (AUC/MAP). Penile tissue was processed for Masson's trichrome staining, Western blot (ROCK1, total LIMK2, phospho-LIMK2, total cofilin, phospho-cofilin), immunohistochemistry (alpha-SM actin [α-SMA]), and double immunofluorescent staining (ROCK1, phospho-LIMK2, vimentin).

Results

At each time point, both I and R groups showed a significantly lower percent of ICP/MAP and AUC, and decreased SM cell/collagen ratio and expression of α-SMA than S group. Densitometry revealed a significantly higher expression of ROCK1 in I and R groups compared with S group at all time points. The LIMK2 phosphorylation in I and R groups significantly increased at 1 week, but not at 4 weeks. The cofilin phosphorylation in R group significantly increased to that in S group starting at 1 week, while that in I group was increased significantly at 4 weeks. The double immunofluorescent staining noted that coexpression of vimentin with ROCK1 or phospho-LIMK2 in I and R groups was significantly increased mainly in the subtunical area at 1 week but not at 4 weeks.

Conclusions

The ROCK1/LIMK2/cofilin pathway may be involved in ED related to corporal fibrosis, and it appears to be functional particularly in the early period after CN injury.
Satiated Consumers: Allocation of Consumption Time in an Affluent Society
Authors: Fellner Wolfgang J. , Seidl Roman J.
Published: April 2015

Based on Ian Steedman's seminal contribution ‘Consumption Takes Time’, we propose a formal activity‐based model for consumer behaviour. The model simultaneously incorporates choices over consumption time, as well as quantities and qualities of products consumed. We identify and examine preconditions for satiation with products and draw implications for economic policy. Satiation with products explains the limited effects of price or income changes on demand and questions the pertinence of economic growth for development. It further highlights the relevance of working time reductions for well‐being.
Genome‐wide gene expression dynamics of the fungal pathogen Dothistroma septosporum throughout its infection cycle of the gymnosperm host Pinus radiata
Authors: Bradshaw Rosie E. , Guo Yanan , Sim Andre D. , Kabir M. Shahjahan , Chettri Pranav , Ozturk Ibrahim K. , Hunziker Lukas , Ganley Rebecca J. , Cox Murray P.
Published: April 2015

We present genome‐wide gene expression patterns as a time series through the infection cycle of the fungal pine needle blight pathogen, Dothistroma septosporum, as it invades its gymnosperm host, Pinus radiata. We determined the molecular changes at three stages of the disease cycle: epiphytic/biotrophic (early), initial necrosis (mid) and mature sporulating lesion (late). Over 1.7 billion combined plant and fungal reads were sequenced to obtain 3.2 million fungal‐specific reads, which comprised as little as 0.1% of the sample reads early in infection. This enriched dataset shows that the initial biotrophic stage is characterized by the up‐regulation of genes encoding fungal cell wall‐modifying enzymes and signalling proteins. Later necrotrophic stages show the up‐regulation of genes for secondary metabolism, putative effectors, oxidoreductases, transporters and starch degradation. This in‐depth through‐time transcriptomic study provides our first snapshot of the gene expression dynamics that characterize infection by this fungal pathogen in its gymnosperm host.
Suboptimal vitamin K status and its risk factors in a population of Chinese chronic haemodialysis patients
Authors: Feng Yunlin , Ruan Yizhe , He Qiang , Zhang Wensong , Wang Li
Published: April 2015

Aims

Vitamin K deficiency is known to be common in haemodialysis patients and associates with adverse outcomes in this population, particularly vascular calcification. We aimed to investigate the vitamin K status in a population of Chinese haemodialysis (HD) patients.

Methods

We collected demographic and biochemical data from a population of maintenance HD (MHD) patients in our unit and a control group composed of healthy subjects from our outpatient clinic. Fasting serum samples from all subjects were collected for the measurement of known vitamin K‐dependent proteins i.e. matrix Gla protein (MGP), osteocalcin (OC) and uncarboxylated osteocalcin (ucOC). We also quantified the fraction of ucOC to total OC (%ucOC). Differences of these parameters between groups were analyzed and risk factors of vitamin K deficiency based on the definition as per %ucOC were investigated.

Results

We enrolled 93 MHD patients as a test group and 93 healthy subjects as a control group. There was no significant difference in MGP between groups (4.0 ± 2.8 pg/mL in MHD vs 4.2 ± 1.2 pg/mL in control; P = 0.676). Mean %ucOC was significantly greater in the MHD patients as compared to control subjects (76.4 ± 20.0% in MHD vs 48.56 ± 15.5%; P < 0.001). Time on dialysis and low‐density lipoprotein cholesterol level appeared to be indicators of vitamin K deficiency, with the former being an independent risk factor.

Conclusions

Defining Vitamin K deficiency by %ucOC, suboptimal vitamin K levels appear common in Chinese MHD patients. Time on dialysis and LDL cholesterol level predict vitamin K deficiency.
Visualization and translocation of ternary Calcineurin‐A/Calcineurin‐B/Calmodulin‐2 protein complexes by dual‐color trimolecular fluorescence complementation
Authors: Offenborn Jan Niklas , Waadt Rainer , Kudla Jörg
Published: April 2015

Fluorescence complementation (FC) techniques are expedient for analyzing bimolecular protein–protein interactions. Here we aimed to develop a method for visualization of ternary protein complexes using dual‐color trimolecular fluorescence complementation (TriFC).

Dual‐color TriFC combines protein fragments of mCherry and mVenus, in which a scaffold protein is bilaterally fused to C‐terminal fragments of both fluorescent proteins and combined with potential interacting proteins fused to an N‐terminal fluorescent protein fragment. For efficient visual verification of ternary complex formation, TriFC was combined with a cytoplasm to plasma membrane translocation assay.

Modular vector sets were designed which are fully compatible with previously reported bimolecular fluorescence complementation (BiFC) vectors. As a proof‐of‐principle, the ternary complex formation of the PP2B protein phosphatase Calcineurin‐A/Calcineurin‐B with Calmodulin‐2 was investigated in transiently transformed Nicotiana benthamiana leaf epidermal cells. The results indicate a Calcineurin‐B‐induced interaction of Calmodulin‐2 with Calcineurin‐A.

TriFC and the translocation of TriFC complexes provide a novel tool to investigate ternary complex formations with the simplicity of a BiFC approach. The robustness of FC applications and the opportunity to quantify fluorescence complementation render this assay suitable for a broad range of interaction analyses.
Cyborgs, biotechnologies, and informatics in health care – new paradigms in nursing sciences
Authors: Monteiro Ana Paula Teixeira de Almeida Vieira
Published: April 2015

Nursing Sciences are at a moment of paradigmatic transition. The aim of this paper is to reflect on the new epistemological paradigms of nursing science from a critical approach. In this paper, we identified and analysed some new research lines and trends which anticipate the reorganization of nursing sciences and the paradigms emerging from nursing care: biotechnology‐centred knowledge; the interface between nursing knowledge and new information technologies; body care centred knowledge; the human body as a cyborg body; and the rediscovery of an aesthetic knowledge in nursing care.
Transcriptome‐wide analysis of the MADS‐box gene family in the orchid Erycina pusilla
Authors: Lin Choun‐Sea , Hsu Chen‐Tran , Liao De‐Chih , Chang Wan‐Jung , Chou Ming‐Lun , Huang Yao‐Ting , Chen Jeremy J. W. , Ko Swee‐Suak , Chan Ming‐Tsair , Shih Ming‐Che
Published: April 2015

Orchids exhibit a range of unique flower shapes and are a valuable ornamental crop. MADS‐box transcription factors are key regulatory components in flower initiation and development. Changing the flower shape and flowering time can increase the value of the orchid in the ornamental horticulture industry. In this study, 28 MADS‐box genes were identified from the transcriptome database of the model orchid Erycina pusilla. The full‐length genomic sequences of these MADS‐box genes were obtained from BAC clones. Of these, 27 were MIKC‐type EpMADS (two truncated forms) and one was a type I EpMADS. Eleven EpMADS genes contained introns longer than 10 kb. Phylogenetic analysis classified the 24 MIKCc genes into nine subfamilies. Three specific protein motifs, AG, FUL and SVP, were identified and used to classify three subfamilies. The expression profile of each EpMADS gene correlated with its putative function. The phylogenetic analysis was highly correlated with the protein domain identification and gene expression results. Spatial expression of EpMADS6, EpMADS12 and EpMADS15 was strongly detected in the inflorescence meristem, floral bud and seed via in situ hybridization. The subcellular localization of the 28 EpMADS proteins was also investigated. Although EpMADS27 lacks a complete MADS‐box domain, EpMADS27‐YFP was localized in the nucleus. This characterization of the orchid MADS‐box family genes provides useful information for both orchid breeding and studies of flowering and evolution.
Metabolic disease in 10 patients with sudden unexpected death in infancy or acute life‐threatening events
Authors: Takahashi Tomoo , Yamada Kenji , Kobayashi Hironori , Hasegawa Yuki , Taketani Takeshi , Fukuda Seiji , Yamaguchi Seiji
Published: April 2015

In order to determine the associations between sudden unexpected death in infancy (SUDI) or acute life‐threatening events (ALTE) and inborn errors of metabolism, particularly organic acidemia and fatty acid oxidation disorders, we evaluated clinical features in patients with SUDI or ALTE. The subjects were infants between the ages of 7 days and 3 years who developed SUDI or ALTE between January 2004 and December 2013. They were then diagnosed as having inborn errors of metabolism on gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC/MS) and/or tandem mass spectrometry (MS/MS). The age distribution, onset forms, and clinical findings were evaluated during the acute phase. Inborn errors of metabolism were detected in three of 196 patients with SUDI, and in seven of 167 patients with ALTE. Of these 10 patients, nine had a history of poor feeding and somnolence during the neonatal period, and symptoms of infection such as cough, fever or vomiting during infancy. Routine laboratory tests during an acute phase indicated hyperammonemia, liver dysfunction, increased blood creatine kinase, acidosis, positive ketone bodies in urine or blood, or hypoglycemia. When SUDI or ALTE are encountered in the emergency unit, it is essential that a detailed medical history is taken, particularly with regard to the neonatal period, and that specific abnormalities are investigated on routine laboratory tests. Moreover, samples such as urine, serum, and filter paper blood specimens should be collected for GC/MS and/or MS/MS of organic acids and acylcarnitines, to identify inborn metabolic disorders.
Disruption of Cerevisin via Agrobacterium tumefaciens‐mediated transformation affects microsclerotia formation and virulence of Verticillium dahliae
Authors: He X.‐J. , Li X.‐L. , Li Y.‐Z.
Published: April 2015

Agrobacterium tumefaciens‐mediated transformation (ATMT) was used to obtain a large number of Verticillium dahliae (Vd991) T‐DNA insertion mutants that were randomly integrated. Insertion mutants that produced significantly fewer microsclerotia were chosen for further analysis. Mutant T0065 was identified as having the Cerevisin gene interrupted by T‐DNA, and it was named cerevisin. The cerevisin protein showed a high amino acid sequence similarity with the vacuolar protease B. The mutant strain cerevisin displayed decreased production of microsclerotia and conidia, significantly reduced growth rate and reduction in virulence compared to the wild type. Moreover, the composition of secreted proteins differed between the cerevisin mutant and the wild type. Loss of function of Cerevisin decreased secretion of proteins of low molecular weight (14–25 kDa). Upon treatment with the secreted proteins of the mutant, the degree of leaf wilting decreased, indicating that Cerevisin is implicated in production of these proteins, which are putative pathogenicity factors of V. dahliae. The results suggest that Cerevisin is involved in controlling multiple processes of development and metabolism, plays an important role in vegetative growth and microsclerotia formation and affects virulence of V. dahliae.
Differential reproduction of Meloidogyne incognita and M. javanica in watermelon cultivars and cucurbit rootstocks
Authors: López‐Gómez M. , Talavera M. , Verdejo‐Lucas S.
Published: April 2015

The suitability of watermelon cultivars and cucurbit rootstocks as hosts to Meloidogyne incognita and M. javanica was determined in pot and field experiments. Meloidogyne incognita showed higher reproduction than did M. javanica on watermelon and cucurbit rootstocks. The watermelon cultivars did not differ in host status when challenged with these two species and supported lower nematode reproduction than the cucurbit rootstocks. Rootstocks Lagenaria siceraria cv. Pelops and Cucurbita pepo AK15 supported lower reproduction than did the squash hybrid rootstocks (C. maxima × C. moschata). Egg production increased (P < 0·05) with a rising initial inoculum level (Pi) in the non‐grafted Sugar Baby but the reproduction factor Rf (eggs per plant/Pi) was similar at two Pi levels. The total egg production in the plants grafted onto squash hybrids RS841 and Titan was greater (P < 0·05) at the higher Pi, but the Rf values were lower. The development of field‐grown non‐grafted watermelon plants was significantly stunted in plots where nematodes were detected at planting. However, no differences were observed in plots with grafted plants. In plots with nematodes, non‐grafted and Titan‐grafted plants had similar yields that were higher than that of RS841‐grafted plants. In the commercial plastic houses with grafted watermelon, the average Rf value was 42‐fold, confirming the high susceptibility of squash hybrids as rootstocks for grafted watermelon. The Titan–Sugar Baby combination was tolerant to M. javanica.
Effect of azole fungicide mixtures, alternations and dose on azole sensitivity in the wheat pathogen Zymoseptoria tritici
Authors: Dooley H. , Shaw M. W. , Spink J. , Kildea S.
Published: April 2015

The evolution of fungicide resistance in the cereal pathogen Zymoseptoria tritici is a serious threat to the sustainability and profitability of wheat production in Europe. Application of azole fungicides has been shown to affect fitness of Z. tritici variants differentially, so it has been hypothesized that combinations of azoles could slow the evolution of resistance. This work assessed the effects of dose, mixtures and alternations of two azoles on selection for isolates with reduced sensitivity and on disease control. Naturally infected field trials were carried out at six sites across Ireland and the sensitivity of Z. tritici isolates monitored pre‐ and post‐treatment. Epoxiconazole and metconazole were applied as solo products, in alternation with each other, and as a pre‐formulated mixture. Full and half label doses were tested. Isolates were partially cross‐resistant to the two azoles, with a common azole resistance principal component accounting for 75% of the variation between isolates. Selection for isolates with reduced azole sensitivity was correlated with disease control. Decreased doses were related to decreases in sensitivity but the effect was barely significant (P = 0·1) and control was reduced. Single applications of an active ingredient (a.i.) caused smaller decreases in sensitivity than double applications. Shifts in sensitivity to the a.i. applied to a plot were greater than to the a.i. not applied, and the decrease in sensitivity was greater to the a.i. applied at the second timing. These results confirm the need to mix a.i.s with different modes of action.
Performance of bottom ramps to mitigate gravel habitat bottlenecks in a channelized lowland river
Authors: Goeller Brandon , Wolter Christian
Published: April 2015

The long‐term performance of measures to restore in‐stream habitat in gravel bed rivers is uncertain in the presence of impoundments, land use pressures, and fine sediment inputs. The goal of this study was to evaluate the longer‐term performance of five bottom ramps, designed to facilitate fish passage, and constructed similarly to artificial riffles to provide compensatory gravel riverbed habitat for benthic invertebrates and lithophilic, coarse‐substrate‐preferring fish in a channelized lowland river. Bottom ramp age did not significantly influence habitat conditions indicated by a lack of correlations with the percentage of fine sediment less than 2 mm, the organic content of the substrate, and the years since construction. A significant decrease in the relative abundances of coarse‐substrate‐preferring benthic invertebrates corresponding to project construction age was found, but there were no significant differences in the density of rheophilic, fast‐flow‐preferring or lithophilic fish species among sites. This study presents substantial evidence that similarly constructed bottom ramps in comparable environmental settings provided sufficient habitat for sensitive benthic invertebrates and fish to be present for over 13 years. However, a sudden decrease in habitat suitability cannot be excluded in the long‐term if there is a fine sediment deposition threshold, which results in ramps becoming full. Nevertheless, bottom ramps are recommended as effective measures to enhance longitudinal connectivity, fish passage, and gravel habitat provision in channelized lowland rivers.
Ethical challenges in nursing homes – staff's opinions and experiences with systematic ethics meetings with participation of residents’ relatives
Authors: Bollig Georg , Schmidt Gerda , Rosland Jan Henrik , Heller Andreas
Published: April 2015

Background

Many ethical problems exist in nursing homes. These include, for example, decision‐making in end‐of‐life care, use of restraints and a lack of resources.

Aims

The aim of the present study was to investigate nursing home staffs’ opinions and experiences with ethical challenges and to find out which types of ethical challenges and dilemmas occur and are being discussed in nursing homes.

Methods

The study used a two‐tiered approach, using a questionnaire on ethical challenges and systematic ethics work, given to all employees of a Norwegian nursing home including nonmedical personnel, and a registration of systematic ethics discussions from an Austrian model of good clinical practice.

Results

Ninety‐one per cent of the nursing home staff described ethical problems as a burden. Ninety per cent experienced ethical problems in their daily work. The top three ethical challenges reported by the nursing home staff were as follows: lack of resources (79%), end‐of‐life issues (39%) and coercion (33%). To improve systematic ethics work, most employees suggested ethics education (86%) and time for ethics discussion (82%). Of 33 documented ethics meetings from Austria during a 1‐year period, 29 were prospective resident ethics meetings where decisions for a resident had to be made. Agreement about a solution was reached in all 29 cases, and this consensus was put into practice in all cases. Residents did not participate in the meetings, while relatives participated in a majority of case discussions. In many cases, the main topic was end‐of‐life care and life‐prolonging treatment.

Conclusions

Lack of resources, end‐of‐life issues and coercion were ethical challenges most often reported by nursing home staff. The staff would appreciate systematic ethics work to aid decision‐making. Resident ethics meetings can help to reach consensus in decision‐making for nursing home patients. In the future, residents’ participation should be encouraged whenever possible.
Translation and psychometric evaluation of a Swedish version of the parental stressor scale PSS: NICU
Authors: Månsson Catrin , Jakobsson Ulf , Lundqvist Pia
Published: April 2015

Aim

The aim was to translate the Parental Stressor Scale: Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (PSS: NICU) into the Swedish language and to evaluate the psychometric properties of the Swedish version.

Method

The PSS: NICU was translated into Swedish using the process of forward–backward translation. Thereafter, an internal panel of neonatal nurses (n = 10) assessed face and content validity and a panel of parents (n = 10) assessed content validity. A sample of 95 parents recruited from three different neonatal units completed the PSS: NICU and answered some open‐ended questions in which they could comment on language and wording. There were eight new items in the PSS: NICU, compared with the very first version of the instrument. These had not been psychometrically tested previously. In this study, the subscales and total scale were analysed both with and without the new items to determine whether or not to use them. Psychometric properties including internal consistency, Cronbach's alpha (if item deleted) and corrected item total were evaluated.

Result

The result indicates that the Swedish version of PSS: NICU, both with and without the nonvalidated items, has acceptable psychometric properties and can be used in clinical practice in NICUs in Sweden.

Conclusion

In order to meet the psychological needs of parents, healthcare professionals need to identify risk factors in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit that contribute to stress amongst parents. The Swedish version of the PSS: NICU can be used for this purpose.
A threat to our integrity – Meanings of providing nursing care for older patients with cognitive impairment in acute care settings
Authors: Nilsson Anita , Rasmussen Birgit H. , Edvardsson David
Published: April 2015

Background

Older people with cognitive impairment represent a large group of patients in acute care settings. Research show that these acute care environments can be unsafe and even unfriendly for frail older patients. Research and clinical experience show that being a nurse in acute/specialised medical facilities means to work in a high‐speed, technologically complex and demanding environment. When caring for older patients with cognitive impairment, nurses' workload and responsibilities have been shown to increase. This is largely dependent on how easily it is to connect with and help patients understand what to do, and what is best for them.

Aim

This study aimed to illuminate meanings of caring for older patients with cognitive impairment in acute care settings as experienced by nursing staff.

Method

A purposeful sample of thirteen nurses experienced in caring for older people with cognitive impairment in acute care settings participated in the study. Narrative interviews were conducted during autumn 2012 and interpreted using a phenomenological hermeneutic method.

Findings

Caring for older, acutely ill cognitively impaired patients was found to be very complex. The meanings of caring for these older patients seemed to change depending on the nurses' perceptions of the patients and the gap between what they could do (real) and wanted to do (ideal) in providing care for them. The greater this gap was felt to be and the more care was perceived as meaningless, the more serious was the threat to nurses' personal‐professional integrity which could be at risk, compromised or harmed.

Conclusion

The comprehensive understanding indicates that being a nurse and having to care for older patients in acute care settings means providing nursing care in an environment that does not support possibilities to protect and develop nurses' personal–professional integrity.
The perioperative dialogue – a model of caring for the patient undergoing a hip or a knee replacement surgery under spinal anaesthesia
Authors: Pulkkinen Maria , Junttila Kristiina , Lindwall Lillemor
Published: April 2015

The aim of the study was to describe how patients undergoing either a hip or a knee replacement surgery under spinal anaesthesia experienced to be a part of the perioperative dialogue as an ideal model of caring. A qualitative approach was chosen as a method. Nineteen patients undergoing either a hip or a knee replacement surgery under spinal anaesthesia participated. These patients and their nurse anaesthetists had three perioperative dialogues in the pre‐, intra‐ and postoperative phase of care. Data were collected by means of conversational interviews by four voluntary nurse anaesthetists who wrote the dialogues from each perioperative phase. The text from the collected data was analysed by qualitative, latent content analysis. The findings of the analysis show three identified themes: Suffering while waiting for surgery (preoperative dialogue), Continuity creates togetherness (intraoperative dialogue) and Uniqueness – the patient has been seen (postoperative dialogue). The findings show evidence that the perioperative dialogue is an ideal model of caring and serves the patients’ desires of individual and dignified care. The patients have a deep appreciation when there is time to develop a caring encounter with his or her own nurse. When a caring encounter has been established, the patient is involved in his or her own care. This model of caring offers the perioperative nurses a new way of caring and arouses reflections about their main task caring for the suffering patient. The continuity created by the perioperative dialogue probably has an influence on both patient satisfaction and patient safety.
Constant infusion transpulmonary thermodilution for the assessment of cardiac output in exercising humans
Authors: Calbet J. A. L. , Mortensen S. P. , Munch G. D. W. , Curtelin D. , Boushel R.
Published: April 2015

To determine the accuracy and precision of constant infusion transpulmonary thermodilution cardiac output (CITT‐Q) assessment during exercise in humans, using indocyanine green (ICG) dilution and bolus transpulmonary thermodilution (BTD) as reference methods, cardiac output (Q) was determined at rest and during incremental one‐ and two‐legged pedaling on a cycle ergometer, and combined arm cranking with leg pedaling to exhaustion in 15 healthy men. Continuous infusions of iced saline in the femoral vein (n = 41) or simultaneously in the femoral and axillary (n = 66) veins with determination of temperature in the femoral artery were used for CITT‐Q assessment. CITT‐Q was linearly related to ICG‐Q (r = 0.82, CITT‐Q = 0.876 × ICG‐Q + 3.638, P < 0.001; limits of agreement ranging from −1.43 to 3.07 L/min) and BTD‐Q (r = 0.91, CITT‐Q = 0.822 × BTD + 4.481 L/min, P < 0.001; limits of agreement ranging from −1.01 to 2.63 L/min). Compared with ICG‐Q and BTD‐Q, CITT‐Q overestimated cardiac output by 1.6 L/min (≈ 10% of the mean ICG and BTD‐Q values, P < 0.05). For Q between 20 and 28 L/min, we estimated an overestimation < 5%. The coefficient of variation of 23 repeated CITT‐Q measurements was 6.0% (CI: 6.1–11.1%). In conclusion, cardiac output can be precisely and accurately determined with constant infusion transpulmonary thermodilution in exercising humans.
Till Immigration do us Part? Public Opinion and the Dilemma between Immigration Control and Bilateral Agreements
Authors: Sciarini Pascal , Lanz Simon , Nai Alessandro
Published: April 2015

As a result of the initiative against mass immigration (MEI) Switzerland faces a dilemma between control of immigration and the continuation of bilateral agreements. This contribution raises two questions: First, have Swiss citizens' perceptions regarding the incompatibility between immigration control and bilateral agreements evolved since the vote on the MEI in February 2014? Second, what would Swiss citizens decide if they had to choose between the implementation of the MEI and the continuation of the bilateral strategy? We ground our analysis on data from the VOX surveys regarding the MEI and the more recent vote of November 2014 (Ecopop initiative). While Swiss voters still seem to be uncertain about the issue of compatibility, they nevertheless show support for the continuation of the bilateral agreements. Our analyses highlight the importance of age, trust in government and left‐right orientation for individual opinions towards the bilateral way.
Mothers’ Partnership Instability and Coparenting Among Fragile Families
Authors: Cooper Carey E. , Beck Audrey N. , Högnäs Robin S. , Swanson Jodi
Published: April 2015

Objectives

The rise in nonmarital childbearing has raised concerns about coparenting among unmarried parents with increasingly complicated relationship trajectories. We address this issue by examining associations between mothers’ partnership transitions and coparenting and the moderating role of maternal race/ethnicity and child gender.

Methods

Data from the Fragile Families Study and ordinary least squares regression techniques are used to examine whether mothers’ partnership transitions are related to coparenting. Lagged and fixed effects models are employed to test the robustness of the findings to selection.

Results

Coresidential and nonresidential dating transitions are negatively associated with coparenting, but the association is stronger for coresidential transitions than for dating transitions. Coresidential transitions are stronger predictors of coparenting for white parents than for black parents and for parents of sons than for parents of daughters.

Conclusions

Policies aimed at strengthening families should emphasize relationship stability, regardless of the type of union, to promote high‐quality coparenting among at‐risk populations.
Suspected malignant transformation of B lymphocytes in the equine cornea from immune‐mediated keratitis
Authors: Vallone Lucien V. , Neaderland Marjorie H. , Ledbetter Eric C. , Dubielzig Richard R.
Published: April 2015

Objective

To describe clinical,in vivoconfocal microscopic, histopathologic, polymerase chain reaction assay for antigen receptor rearrangement (PARR) and immunohistochemical features of a horse with suspected malignant transformation of corneal B lymphocytes in immune‐mediated keratitis (IMMK) and to also report surgical management and adjunctive treatment including topical and radiation therapies.

Case description

A 15‐year‐old Oldenburg gelding was examined for presumptive progressive stromalIMMKof the right eye which became refractory to medical management. Cornealin vivoconfocal microscopy revealed a marked infiltration of neovascularization, leukocytes, and dendritic cells. Superficial keratectomy was performed. Histopathologic and immunohistopathologic abnormalities of the cornea were restricted to the anterior and mid‐stroma and included sheets of medium‐size atypical lymphocytes which stained positively forCD79a andCD20 and also demonstrated clonal rearrangements of immunoglobulin heavy chain 2 (IGH2) and 3 (IGH3) confirming B‐cell lymphoma. Complete physical examination, complete blood count, serum chemistry, thoracic radiographs, and thoracic ultrasound were performed. No evidence of systemic metastasis was found. Adjunctive local therapy included topical dexamethasone, mitomycin C, and radiation therapy using electronic surface brachytherapy. Follow‐up at 16 months revealed a lack of corneal infiltrate and progressive clearing of corneal fibrosis and superficial pigment.

Conclusions

This case represents a unique presentation of primary corneal lymphoma in the horse. Tumor development was associated with chronicIMMKand chronic topical anti‐inflammatory therapy. Surgical excision with adjunctive therapy using mitomycin C and electronic surface brachytherapy was well tolerated and considered curative. Future immunohistochemistry andPARRwill be important in characterizing theIMMKsyndrome and its variations.
Old Friends in New Places: Exploring the Role of Extraintestinal E. coli in Intestinal Disease and Foodborne Illness
Authors: Markland S. M. , LeStrange K. J. , Sharma M. , Kniel K. E.
Published: April 2015

The emergence of new antibiotic‐resistant Escherichia coli pathotypes associated with human disease has led to an investigation in terms of the origins of these pathogens. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, unspecified agents are responsible for 38.4 million of the 48 million (80%) cases of foodborne illnesses each year in the United States. It is hypothesized that environmental E. coli not typically associated with the ability to cause disease in humans could potentially be responsible for some of these cases. In order for an environmental E. coli isolate to have the ability to cause foodborne illness, it must be able to utilize the same attachment and virulence mechanisms utilized by other human pathogenic E. coli. Recent research has shown that many avian pathogenic E. coli (APEC) isolated from poultry harbour attachment and virulence genes also currently found in human pathogenic E. coli isolates. Research also suggests that, in addition to the ability to cause gastrointestinal illnesses, APEC may also be an etiological agent of foodborne urinary tract infections (FUTIs). The purpose of this article was to evaluate the evidence pertaining to the ability of APEC to cause disease in humans, their potential for zoonotic transfer along with discussion on the types of illnesses that may be associated with these pathogens.
Antimicrobial Resistance and Multilocus Sequence Types of Finnish Campylobacter jejuni Isolates from Multiple Sources
Authors: Olkkola S. , Nykäsenoja S. , Raulo S. , Llarena A.‐K. , Kovanen S. , Kivistö R. , Myllyniemi A.‐L. , Hänninen M.‐L.
Published: April 2015

Antimicrobial susceptibility was determined for 805 domestic Campylobacter jejuni isolates obtained from broilers (n = 459), bovines (n = 120), human patients (n = 95), natural waters (n = 80), wild birds (n = 35) and zoo animals/enclosures (n = 16) with known multilocus sequence types (MLST) for 450 isolates. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) values for erythromycin, tetracycline, streptomycin, gentamicin and the quinolones ciprofloxacin and nalidixic acid were determined with the VetMIC method. MICs were compared with MLST types to find possible associations between sequence type and resistance. The proportions of resistant isolates were 5% (broilers), 6.3% (natural waters), 11.4% (wild birds), 11.6% (human patients), 16.7% (bovines) and 31.3% (zoo). The most common resistance among the human and bovine isolates was quinolone resistance alone while resistance to streptomycin alone was most often detected among the broiler isolates and tetracycline resistance was most commonly observed in the wild bird, water and zoo isolates. No or negligible resistance to erythromycin or gentamicin was detected. In all data, 12/26 of the tetracycline‐resistant isolates were also resistant to streptomycin (P < 0.001) and the clonal complex (CC) ST‐1034 CC showed a high proportion of 75% (9/12) of tetracycline‐resistant isolates, most originating from the zoo and broilers with closely associated MLST types from these sources. No association between quinolone resistance and MLST type was seen. The low percentage of resistant isolates among the domestic Campylobacter infections is most probably due to the long‐term controlled use of antimicrobials. However, the higher percentage of tetracycline resistance observed among the zoo isolates could present a risk for zoo visitors of acquisition of resistant C. jejuni. The resistance pattern of tetracycline and streptomycin most often found in ST‐1034 CC could indicate a common resistance acquisition mechanism commonly present in this CC. Overall, MLST typing was found to be a useful method in recognition of potential genetic lineages associated with resistance.
Uncertain Dynamic Responses of Fuzzy Arbitrary-Order Damped Beam
Authors: Behera Diptiranjan , Chakraverty S. , Tapaswini Smita
Published: April 2015

Uncertain dynamic responses of fuzzy fractionally damped beams have been studied using the newly developed double parametric form of fuzzy numbers subject to unit step and impulse loads. Uncertainties are assumed to be present in the initial conditions, and these are modeled through triangular convex normalized fuzzy sets. Using the alpha-cut form, the corresponding beam equation is first converted to an interval-based fuzzy equation. Next, it has been transformed to crisp form by applying a double-parametric form of fuzzy numbers. Finally, homotopy perturbation method (HPM) has been used to solve the same for obtaining the general fuzzy responses. Various numerical examples are taken into consideration. The results are plotted.
Dendrite Growth during Freezing of Millimeter-Scale Eicosane Droplets
Authors: Rahman Md Mahamudur , Hu Han , Shabgard Hamidreza , Boettcher Philipp , Sun Ying
Published: April 2015

The freezing characteristics of small diameter eicosane (Tmelt = 37°C) droplets are studied here for their use in novel dry-cooling strategies based on spray freezing of recirculating phase change materials (PCM). PCM can be used to store thermal energy with relatively small changes in temperature (due to latent heat), as well as volume (due to small density changes). 4.2 mm diameter eicosane droplets are superheated to 40°C, placed on a cold stage at 10°C, and imaged during freezing (a). Similarly, liquid eicosane is enclosed within a custom-built experimental package creating a 5 mm diameter, 100 μm thick disc geometry with a temperature controlled boundary that is rapidly dropped from 40°C to 10°C (b). In both cases the liquid-solid interface is tracked, as well as the formation and growth of long dendrite structures which have been observed to play a critical role in the freezing process. (c) and (d) show the vertical position normalized by the droplet height , y/H, and the radial position (measured inward) normalized by the disc radius, r/R, of both the interface location and the average dendrite tip location. The total freezing time is observed visually, resulting in characteristic Fourier numbers of Fo = 0.55 ± 0.15 (droplet) and Fo = 3.5 ±0.15 (disc) at identical Stefan numbers of St = 0.3 ± 0.03, where the characteristic lengths are taken as the ratio of the eicosane volume to the cooled surface area.
Characteristics of Droplet Growth Behavior on Hydrophobic Micro-textured Surfaces
Authors: Lee Jae Bin , Moon Joo Hyun , Cho Minhaeng , Lee Seong Hyuk
Published: April 2015

For occurring dropwise condensation, the droplet growth behavior such as single droplet growth, coalescence, and fall-off of large droplets play a major role in regard to condensation heat transfer and water harvesting. The present study visualized the droplet growth behavior of dropwise condensation which might be controlled by the surface tension. We used three copper plate with different hole area fraction (i.e., ϕ=0, 0.148 and 0.439). Surface texturing was conducted by using a μ-computer numerical control (μ-CNC) machine and composed of micro-holes (diameter: 300 μm, depth: 200 μm) with 691 μm, 401 μm pitch. To make the hydrophobic surfaces, the copper surfaces were coated self-assembled monolayer (SAM). From the results, it was found that for only SAM coated surface, random coalescence occurred and affected the droplet growth significantly, whereas for textured SAM coated surfaces, the droplet started to be grown up at the textured holes and coalesced near the holes, indicating that capillary effects might affect the droplet growth mechanism. In particular, the fall-off time at which a coalesced droplet is removed away from the surface increased when the textured surfaces was used, because of surface tension effect increased by the textured holes.
Elastic–Plastic Wave Propagation in Uniform and Periodic Granular Chains
Authors: Burgoyne Hayden A. , Daraio Chiara
Published: April 2015

We investigate the properties of high-amplitude stress waves propagating through chains of elastic–plastic particles using experiments and simulations. We model the system after impact using discrete element method (DEM) with strain-rate dependent contact interactions. Experiments are performed on a Hopkinson bar coupled with a laser vibrometer. The bar excites chains of 50 identical particles and dimer chains of two alternating materials. After investigating how the speed of the initial stress wave varies with particle properties and loading amplitude, we provide an upper bound for the leading pulse velocity that can be used to design materials with tailored wave propagation.
Predicting Distortion in Butt Welded Plates Using an Equivalent Plane Stress Representation Based on Inherent Shrinkage Volume
Authors: Wang Junqiang , Han Jianmin , Domblesky Joseph P. , Li Weijing , Yang Zhiyong , Zhao Yingxin
Published: April 2015

Due to the adverse effect that distortion has on assembly fit-up and fabrication costs in welded structures, the ability to predict dimensional changes represents an important engineering concern. While distortion can be analyzed using a full three-dimensional (3D) finite element (FE) model, this often proves to be computationally expensive for medium and large structures. In comparison, a two-dimensional (2D) FE model can significantly reduce the time and effort needed to analyze distortion though such analyses often have reduced accuracy. To address these issues, a 3D plane stress model using shell meshes based on the shrinkage volume approach is proposed. By inversing the plastic shrinkage zone geometry, an eccentric loading condition and equivalent plane stress representation can be developed and used to predict distortion in butt welded plates using an isothermal model. The model was validated using deflection data from welded plates and found to provide good accuracy over the range of thicknesses considered. Results obtained from welding of a large containment tank are also presented and further confirm the utility of the method.
Characterization Based Design Under Dual State Vectors
Authors: Zhang Liping , Wang Delun , Pang Guibing , Ji Tian
Published: April 2015

This paper presents an automated design that is capable of generating large number of possible design concepts of hybrid combined mechanisms by given only the kinematic functions in requirement specifications. A hybrid mechanism is captured with considering its intrinsic multiple loop kinematic behavior being viewed as several kinematic state transformations. The input and output kinematic characteristic states of a subsystem or a basic mechanism unit are represented by qualitative dual state vectors related by characteristic matrix. Each element of the matrix defines a relative transformation and the operation rules of these transformations are defined. The subsystem characteristic matrix is the product of characteristic matrices of the serialized transformation units or addition of the paralleled. The dual state vectors of all available mechanism units are identified and the combination pattern decomposition rules for subsystem are established. Each set of such basic mechanism units and unit connections is the kinematic-to-structural representation of hybrid mechanism. By successive decomposition of logical hybrid connections, a thorough design process for hybrid mechanism is established. Then, the characteristic matrix of a subsystem can be successively decomposed into various sets of characteristic matrices of basic mechanism units. Due to this modularization of kinematic components and connection patterns, a hybrid system is described in functional hierarchy at two levels as the physical mechanism units and logical combination units which facilitate to map kinematic space to characteristic space till to dual state vector routing operations. This laid a ground work for hybrid mechanism design and examples are given to illustrate the proposed design principles.