bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
bmp15l, figla, smc1bl, and larp6l are preferentially expressed in germ cells in Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar L.)
Authors: Kleppe Lene , Edvardsen Rolf Brudvik , Furmanek Tomasz , Andersson Eva , Juanchich Amélie , Wargelius Anna
Published: November 2016

Atlantic salmon is a valuable commercial aquaculture species that would benefit economically and environmentally by controlling precocious puberty and preventing escapees from reproducing with wild populations. One solution to both these challenges is the production of sterile individuals by inhibiting the formation of germ cells, but achieving this requires more information on the specific factors that control germ cell formation. Here, we identified and characterized novel factors that are preferentially expressed in Atlantic salmon germ cells by screening for gonad‐specific genes using available adult multi‐tissue transcriptomes. We excluded genes with expression in tissues other than gonads based on quantity of reads, and then a subset of genes was selected for verification in a multi‐tissue PCR screen. Four gonad‐specific genes (bmp15l, figla, smc1bl, and larp6l) were chosen for further characterization, namely: germ cell specificity, investigated by comparing mRNA abundance in wild‐type and germ cell‐free gonads by quantitative real‐time PCR, and cellular location, visualized by in situ hybridization. All four genes were expressed in both testis and ovary, and preferentially within the germ cells of both sexes. These genes may be essential players in salmon germ cell development, and could be important for future studies aiming to understand and control reproduction. Mol. Reprod. Dev. 84: 76–87, 2017. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Early Impacts of the Affordable Care Act on Health Insurance Coverage in Medicaid Expansion and Non‐Expansion States
Authors: Courtemanche Charles , Marton James , Ukert Benjamin , Yelowitz Aaron , Zapata Daniela
Published: November 2016

The Affordable Care Act (ACA) aimed to achieve nearly universal health insurance coverage in the United States through a combination of insurance market reforms, mandates, subsidies, health insurance exchanges, and Medicaid expansions, most of which took effect in 2014. This paper estimates the causal effects of the ACA on health insurance coverage in 2014 using data from the American Community Survey. We utilize difference‐in‐difference‐in‐differences models that exploit cross‐sectional variation in the intensity of treatment arising from state participation in the Medicaid expansion and local area pre‐ACA uninsured rates. This strategy allows us to identify the effects of the ACA in both Medicaid expansion and non‐expansion states. Our preferred specification suggests that, at the average pre‐treatment uninsured rate, the full ACA increased the proportion of residents with insurance by 5.9 percentage points compared to 2.8 percentage points in states that did not expand Medicaid. Private insurance expansions from the ACA were due to increases in both employer‐provided and non‐group coverage. The coverage gains from the full ACA were largest for those without a college degree, non‐whites, young adults, unmarried individuals, and those without children in the home. We find no evidence that the Medicaid expansion crowded out private coverage.
A proteomics assay to detect eight CBRN‐relevant toxins in food
Authors: Gilquin Benoit , Jaquinod Michel , Louwagie Mathilde , Kieffer‐Jaquinod Sylvie , Kraut Alexandra , Ferro Myriam , Becher François , Brun Virginie
Published: November 2016

A proteomics assay was set up to analyze food substrates for eight toxins of the CBRN (chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear) threat, namely ricin, Clostridium perfringens epsilon toxin (ETX), Staphylococcus aureus enterotoxins (SEA, SEB and SED), shigatoxins from Shigella dysenteriae and entero‐hemorragic Escherichia coli strains (STX1 and STX2) and Campylobacter jejuni cytolethal distending toxin (CDT). The assay developed was based on an antibody‐free sample preparation followed by bottom‐up LC‐MS/MS analysis operated in targeted mode. Highly specific detection and absolute quantification were obtained using isotopically labeled proteins (PSAQ standards) spiked into the food matrix. The sensitivity of the assay for the eight toxins was lower than the oral LD50 which would likely be used in a criminal contamination of food supply. This assay should be useful in monitoring biological threats. In the public‐health domain, it opens the way for multiplex investigation of food‐borne toxins using targeted LC‐MS/MS.
Offshore wind turbine clutter characteristics and identification in operational C‐band weather radar measurements
Authors: Hall Will , Rico‐Ramirez Miguel A. , Krämer Stefan
Published: November 2016

The aim of this work is to update ground‐clutter classification methods in weather radar rainfall measurements to more accurately identify clutter pixels from wind farms. Measurements from two dual‐polarised weather radars, based in the United Kingdom, will be used to determine the characteristics of multiple wind farms in the North Sea and the Irish Sea. Currently 21 of the top 25 largest offshore wind farms are located in these regions. The extensive area occupied by the wind farms creates problems for weather radars located in the neighbouring European countries. Datasets of wind‐farm, precipitation and ground‐clutter pixels were aggregated from Thurnham Radar measurements to form novel membership functions that can be used in a fuzzy logic classification system to identify wind‐farm clutter. When only ground‐clutter datasets were used for classification, areas of the radar scans taken up by wind‐farm clutter were misclassified as rainfall. The inclusion of wind‐farm measurements led to an increase in the ability of the algorithm to detect these pixels as clutter, as the Heidke Skill Score increased from 67.4 to 97.8%. However there was a slight increase in the number of precipitation pixels incorrectly classified as clutter, with the false alarm rate increasing from 0.05 to 1.24% when all variables are used. The algorithm performed slightly better when applied to another radar on Hameldon Hill, showing promise for application to the UK network without recalibration of membership functions.
Impacts from assimilation of one data stream of AMSU‐A and MHS radiances on quantitative precipitation forecasts
Authors: Zou X. , Qin Z. , Weng F.
Published: November 2016

Since the launch of the NOAA‐15 satellite in 1998, the observations from microwave temperature and humidity sounders have been routinely disseminated to user communities through two separate data streams. In the Advanced Microwave Sounding Unit‐A (AMSU‐A) data stream, brightness temperatures in 15 channels are available primarily for profiling atmospheric temperature from the Earth's surface to the low stratosphere. In the Advanced Microwave Sounding Unit‐B (AMSU‐B) or Microwave Humidity Sounder (MHS) data stream, the brightness temperatures in five channels are included for sounding water vapour in the low troposphere. Assimilation of microwave radiance data in numerical weather prediction systems has also been carried out with AMSU‐A and AMSU‐B (MHS) data in two separate data streams. A new approach is to combine AMSU‐A and MHS radiances into one data stream for their assimilation. The National Centers for Environmental Prediction Gridpoint Statistical Interpolation analysis system and the Advanced Research Weather Research and Forecast model are employed for testing the impacts of the combined datasets. It is shown that the spatial collocation between MHS and AMSU‐A fields of view in the one data stream experiment allows for an improved quality control of MHS data, especially over the conditions where the liquid‐phase clouds are dominant. As a result, a closer fit of analyses to AMSU‐A and MHS observations is obtained, especially for AMSU‐A surface‐sensitive channels. The quantitative precipitation forecast skill is improved over a 10‐day period when Hurricane Isaac made landfall.
Symplectic structure of statistical variational data assimilation
Authors: Kadakia N. , Rey D. , Ye J. , Abarbanel H. D. I.
Published: November 2016

Data assimilation variational principles (4D‐Var) exhibit a natural symplectic structure among the state variablesx(t) and. We explore the implications of this structure in both Lagrangian coordinatesand Hamiltonian canonical coordinates {x(t),p(t)} through a numerical examination of the chaotic Lorenz 1996 model in ten dimensions. We find that there are a number of subtleties associated with discretization, boundary conditions, and symplecticity, suggesting differing approaches when working in the the Lagrangian versus the Hamiltonian description. We investigate these differences in detail, and accordingly develop a protocol for searching for optimal trajectories in a Hamiltonian space. We find that casting the problem into canonical coordinates can, in some situations, considerably improve the quality of predictions.
Entropic measures of Rydberg‐like harmonic states
Authors: Dehesa Jesús S. , Toranzo Irene V. , Puertas‐Centeno David
Published: November 2016

The Shannon entropy, the desequilibrium and their generalizations (Rényi and Tsallis entropies) of the three‐dimensional single‐particle systems in a spherically symmetric potential V(r) can be decomposed into angular and radial parts. The radial part depends on the analytical form of the potential, but the angular part does not. In this article, we first calculate the angular entropy of any central potential by means of two analytical procedures. Then, we explicitly find the dominant term of the radial entropy for the highly energetic (i.e., Rydberg) stationary states of the oscillator‐like systems. The angular and radial contributions to these entropic measures are analytically expressed in terms of the quantum numbers which characterize the corresponding quantum states and, for the radial part, the oscillator strength. In the latter case, we use some recent powerful results of the information theory of the Laguerre polynomials and spherical harmonics which control the oscillator‐like wavefunctions.
Effectiveness of afatinib in lung cancer with paralytic ileus due to peritoneal carcinomatosis
Authors: Kobayashi Haruki , Wakuda Kazushige , Takahashi Toshiaki
Published: November 2016

A 61‐year‐old never‐smoking woman with stage IV lung adenocarcinoma with initially unknown epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) status, lung metastasis, pleural dissemination, and malignant pleural effusion in 2007 received 10 prior anti‐cancer regimens including gefitinib as second‐ and ninth‐line treatments, with minimal efficacy with gefitinib. EGFR mutation analysis performed in pleural effusion specimens during ninth‐line gefitinib was negative. In 2015, she developed progressive disease with peritoneal dissemination. Few/absent bowel sounds and no gross features of mechanical obstruction on the imaging led to the diagnosis of paralytic ileus. Blood test revealed elevated C‐reactive protein (CRP). EGFR mutation analysis revealed S768I point mutation in EGFR exon 20 without the T790M resistance mutation in pleural and peritoneal effusion cytology specimens. She received afatinib (20 mg once daily) as 11th‐line treatment, with resolution of peritoneal carcinomatosis and CRP normalization, confirmed by follow‐up computed tomography. At 12 months after afatinib initiation, there was no symptomatic recurrence or disease exacerbation.
Magnetic Fe3O4@SiO2/Pd and Fe3O4@SiO2/Pd‐M (M=Ag, Cu and Zn) Catalysts for Selective Hydrogenation of Phenylacetylene
Authors: Yang Lei , Chen Xiangling , Zhou Zhiming , Zhang Rui , Li Li , Cheng Zhenmin , Fang Xiangchen
Published: November 2016

Magnetic core‐shell monometallic Fe3O4@SiO2/Pd and bimetallic Fe3O4@SiO2/Pd−M (M=Ag, Cu and Zn) catalysts with low Pd loading were prepared using a modified Stöber method followed by an ion‐exchange technique, and applied to the selective hydrogenation of phenylacetylene. The structure and magnetism of the catalysts were investigated using N2 physisorption, XRD, FT‐IR, ICP‐OES, H2‐TPR, CO chemisorption, DRIFTS, HRTEM and vibrating sample magnetometer. The characterization results showed that the magnetic catalyst had smaller Pd particle size than the non‐magnetic catalyst; the thinner the silica shell of the magnetic catalyst, the stronger the magnetic intensity and hence the smaller the Pd particle size; the PdM alloy was formed for bimetallic catalysts and geometric and electronic effects occur. By comparing the activity and selectivity of different catalysts, it was found that the catalyst with smaller Pd particle size generally exhibited a higher apparent activity and selectivity to styrene but a lower specific activity, demonstrating the structure‐sensitive catalytic activity for selective hydrogenation of phenylacetylene on the magnetic Pd supported catalysts. In addition, all the bimetallic catalysts displayed higher selectivity but lower activity than the monometallic catalysts as a result of the presence of the PdM alloy. In particular, a Fe3O4@SiO2/Pd−Zn catalyst with the shell thickness of about 80 nm and the Pd and Zn loadings of 0.31 and 1.79 wt%, respectively, showed the best selectivity to styrene, being 86.1 % at above 99.5 % conversion of phenylacetylene. Furthermore, this catalyst maintained its activity and selectivity even after being reused ten times.
Progression in the Fountain Pen Approach: From 2D Writing to 3D Free‐Form Micro/Nanofabrication
Authors: Je Jung Ho , Kim Jong‐Man , Jaworski Justyn
Published: November 2016

The fountain pen approach, as a means for transferring materials to substrates, has shown numerous incarnations in recent years for creating 2D micro/nanopatterns and even generating 3D free‐form nanostructures using a variety of material “inks”. While the idea of filled reservoirs used to deliver material to a substrate via a capillary remains unchanged since antiquity, the advent of precise micromanipulation systems and functional material “inks” allows the extension of this mechanism to more high‐tech applications. Herein, the recent growth in meniscus guided fountain pen approaches for benchtop micro/nanofabrication, which has occurred in the last decade, is discussed. Particular attention is given to the theory, equipment, and experimentation encompassing this unique direct writing approach. A detailed exploration of the diverse ink systems and functional device applications borne from this strategy is put forth to reveal its rapid expansion to a broad range of scientific and engineering disciplines. As such, this informative review is provided for researchers considering adoption of this recent advancement of a familiar technology.
Conjugates of Benzoxazole and GFP Chromophore with Aggregation‐Induced Enhanced Emission: Influence of the Chain Length on the Formation of Particles and on the Dye Uptake by Living Cells
Authors: Carayon Chantal , Ghodbane Abdelhamid , Gibot Laure , Dumur Rémy , Wang Jinhui , Saffon Nathalie , Rols Marie‐Pierre , Solntsev Kyril M. , Fery‐Forgues Suzanne
Published: November 2016

Six conjugates of benzoxazole and green fluorescent protein chromophore that differ by the length of their alkyl chain (from C1 to C16) are investigated. They exhibit rigidofluorochromism and clear aggregation‐induced emission enhancement (AIEE) behavior with emission in the orange–red that is specific to the solid state. A preparation method based on solvent exchange is used to prepare particles. The self‐association properties of these molecules depend on the length of the alkyl chain. Microfibers, platelets, and rounded microparticles are successively obtained by increasing the chain length. The same method is used to prepare nanoparticles (NPs) that are fully characterized. In particular, homogeneous populations of stable NPs measuring around 70 nm are obtained with the analogs whose chains contain four to eight carbon atoms. The behavior with respect to living cells is also influenced by the nature of the compounds. Only the dyes with intermediate hydrophobicity are efficiently uptaken by both normal and tumor cells, and fluorescence only originates from dispersed dye molecules. There is no evidence for incorporation of NPs into cells. This work shows that small variations of the chemical structure must be taken into account for making the best use of AIEE compounds in view of precise applications.
Flexible formwork technologies – a state of the art review
Authors: Hawkins Will J. , Herrmann Michael , Ibell Tim J. , Kromoser Benjamin , Michaelski Alexander , Orr John J. , Pedreschi Remo , Pronk Arno , Schipper H. Roel , Shepherd Paul , Veenendaal Diederik , Wansdronk René , West Mark
Published: November 2016

Concrete is the most widely used construction material. Worldwide consumption of cement, the strength‐giving component in concrete, is now estimated to be 4.10 Gt per year, having risen from 2.22 Gt just 10 years ago. This rate of consumption means that cement manufacture alone is estimated to account for 5.2 % of global carbon dioxide emissions.

Concrete offers the opportunity to create structures with almost any geometry economically. Yet its unique fluidity is seldom capitalized upon, with concrete instead being cast in rigid, flat moulds to create non‐optimized geometries that result in structures with a high material usage and large carbon footprints. This paper will explore flexible formwork construction technologies that embrace the fluidity of concrete to facilitate the practical construction of concrete structures with complex and efficient geometries.

This paper presents the current state of the art in flexible formwork technology, highlighting practical uses, research challenges and new opportunities.
Enhanced Recovery After Surgery Programs Improve Patient Outcomes and Recovery: A Meta‐analysis
Authors: Lau Christine S. M. , Chamberlain Ronald S.
Published: November 2016

Introduction

Enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS) programs have been developed to improve patient outcomes, accelerate recovery after surgery, and reduce healthcare costs. ERAS programs are a multimodal approach, with interventions during all stages of care. This meta‐analysis examines the impact of ERAS programs on patient outcomes and recovery.

Methods

A comprehensive search of all published randomized control trials (RCTs) assessing the use of ERAS programs in surgical patients was conducted. Outcomes analyzed were length of stay (LOS), overall mortality, 30‐day readmission rates, total costs, total complications, time to first flatus, and time to first bowel movement.

Results

Forty‐two RCTs involving 5241 patients were analyzed. ERAS programs significantly reduced LOS, total complications, and total costs across all types of surgeries (p < 0.001). Return of gastrointestinal (GI) function was also significantly improved, as measured by earlier time to first flatus and time to first bowel movement, p < 0.001. There was no overall difference in mortality or 30‐day readmission rates; however, 30‐day readmission rates after upper GI surgeries nearly doubled with the use of ERAS programs (RR = 1.922; p = 0.019).

Conclusions

ERAS programs are associated with a significant reduction in LOS, total complications, total costs, as well as earlier return of GI function. Overall mortality and readmission rates remained similar, but there was a significant increase in 30‐day readmission rates after upper GI surgeries. ERAS programs are effective and a valuable part in improving patient outcomes and accelerating recovery after surgery.
Performance of Image Classification on Hyperspectral Imagery for Lithological Mapping
Authors: Rani Nisha , Mandla Venkata Ravibabu , Singh Tejpal
Published: November 2016

SVM and SAM classifiers for the lithological mapping using Hyperion data in parts of Gadag schist belt of western Dharwar craton, Karnataka, India were used. The main objective of the present study is to assess and compare the potential use of Hyperion data set for lithological mapping. Accuracy assessment of the derived thematic maps was based on the analysis of the confusion matrix statistics computed for each classification map. For consistency, the same set of validation points were used in evaluating the accuracy of the lithological thematic maps produced. On the basis of the accuracy assessment results, it appears that SVM generally outperformed the SAM classifier in both OA accuracy and individual classes’ accuracies. OA accuracy and Kc for SVM is 96.93% and 0.9655, whereas for SAM it is 74.02% and 0.7085 respectively. SVM classification is the best in describing the spatial distribution and the cover density of each lithology, as was also indicated from the statistics of the individual class results. The individual class accuracy were also analyzed for the SVM and the result show that PA ranges from 87% to 100% and UA ranges from 91% to 100%, whereas for SAM ranges from 15% to 95%, and from 31% to 100% respectively. The SVM method could effectively classify and improve on the existing geological map for the Gadag schist belt (GSB) using hyperspectral data. The results could be validated through field visits. Therefore, it is concluded that hyperspectral remote sensing data can be efficiently used to improve existing maps, especially in areas where same rock types show variable degree of alteration over smaller spatial scales.
Digital Image Processing of Multispectral ASTER Imagery for Delineation of Alteration and Related Clay Minerals in Sakoli Belt: Maharashtra – A Case Study
Authors: Ghosh Uday Kumar , Naik K. K. , Kesari M. P.
Published: November 2016

The extraction of spectral signature through remote sensing data in geological studies is very limited in Indian terrain. The present research is an attempt to delineate alteration and associated minerals using high resolution multispectral advanced space borne thermal emission and reflection (ASTER) data in Sakoli volcano-sedimentary sequence. The alteration zones are generally associated with certain types of mineral and mineral aggregates and are localized in the ground that can be mapped remotely using spectral mapping techniques. The band ratio and selective PCT were applied on calibrated ASTER image to extract spectral signature of index mineral. The results showed that high abundance of these minerals within pixels is corresponding to the alteration zones. The field observation, petrography and XRD analysis of the alteration zones confirmed the presence of dominant mineral phases that were identified remotely.
Iron deficiency anemia in the emergency department: over-utilization of red blood cell transfusion and infrequent use of iron supplementation
Authors: Spradbrow Jordan , Lin Yulia , Shelton Dominick , Callum Jeannie
Published: November 2016

Objectives

Three are no clinical practice guidelines that specifically address the management of patients with iron deficiency anemia (IDA) in the emergency department (ED). The goal of this study was to describe the characteristics of IDA patients who present to the ED, documentation of IDA by emergency physicians, utilization of iron supplementation, and the appropriateness of red blood cell (RBC) transfusions ordered in the ED.

Methods

A retrospective medical chart review was performed of IDA patients who visited the ED of a large tertiary center over a three-month period. Appropriateness of RBC transfusion was determined using a novel algorithm developed by our institution.

Results

Over the study period, there was a 0.3% (49/14,394) prevalence of IDA in the ED. In thirty (30/49; 61%) patients, IDA was documented by an emergency physician. RBC transfusions were administered to 19 patients; 10 transfusions (53%) were appropriate, 3 (16%) were appropriate for indication, but more than the required number of units were ordered, and 6 (32%) were inappropriate. Of the patients discharged, one (1/25; 4%) patient received intravenous iron in the ED and 6 of the 11 patients (55%) that were not already taking oral iron received a prescription at discharge from the ED.

Conclusions

This assessment demonstrated that management of IDA patients presenting to the ED may represent an important knowledge-to-practice gap. It revealed that RBC transfusion may be over-utilized and could be replaced by safer, lower-cost alternatives such as intravenous and oral iron. Guidelines for management of IDA in the ED may be necessary to achieve consistent IDA management and avoid inappropriate use of RBC transfusion.
Service and Policy implication of substance use disorders among adolescents in juvenile correctional facilities in Lagos, Nigeria
Authors: Atilola O. , Ola B. , Abiri G.
Published: November 2016

Background.

Lack of relevant data has continued to militate against the development of policy and practice toward identification and treatment of alcohol/substance abuse among adolescents coming in contact with the juvenile justice system in Nigeria. This study aims to provide such data, including its policy/practice implications.

Methods.

One hundred and seventy eight (178) adolescents, who are representative of adolescents within the youth correctional services of Lagos jurisdiction, were interviewed using the alcohol and substance abuse section of the Kiddies’ Schedule for Affective Disorders and Schizophrenia.

Results.

The lifetime prevalence rate of abuse of/dependence on any of alcohol or other substances was 22.5% (alcohol, 12.3%; illicit substance, 17.9%). Males were overrepresented among those with any substance use disorder, with gendered prevalence rate as high as 35%. Having had a lived-experience of being a street-child was the single most significant independent factor (Odds ratio (OR), 8.4;p= 0.007) associated with lifetime alcohol substance use disorder.

Conclusions.

Substance use disorder is highly prevalent among adolescents within the juvenile justice systems in Lagos Nigeria. There is need for deliberate incorporation of alcohol and substance abuse screening and intervention as part of individual care plan in youth correctional facilities in Nigeria. Practical steps toward achieving this were drawn from local reality and international best practices.
Revisiting the WHO “How to Handrub” Hand Hygiene Technique: Fingertips First?
Authors: Pires Daniela , Bellissimo-Rodrigues Fernando , Soule Hervé , Gayet-Ageron Angèle , Pittet Didier
Published: November 2016

Hands are implicated in the cross transmission of microbial pathogens and fingertips are the crux of the problem. A modified World Health Organization “How to Handrub” 6-step technique with “Fingertips First” showed greater efficacy than the standard technique in reducing fingertip contamination, potentially improving hand hygiene action quality.

Infect Control Hosp Epidemiol 2017;38:230–233
Association Between Storage Interval and Contamination of Reprocessed Flexible Endoscopes in a Pediatric Gastrointestinal Procedural Unit
Authors: Scanlon Patricia , Flaherty Kathleen , Reilly Erik A. , Barth Ellen G. , Potter-Bynoe Gail , Cardini Jeff , Riley Ann Marie , McAdam Alexander J. , Sandora Thomas J.
Published: November 2016

OBJECTIVE

The maximum safe storage interval after endoscope reprocessing remains unknown. We assessed the association between storage interval and endoscope contamination to evaluate the need for scope reprocessing prior to use.

METHODS

We conducted a study in 2 phases. In phase 1, we cultured 9 gastrointestinal (GI) endoscopes that had been stored for at least 7 days since reprocessing. Each scope was cultured in 3 places: external surfaces of hand piece, insertion tube, and internal channels. In phase 2, after reprocessing these scopes, we hung and cultured them prospectively in a similar fashion at 1-, 2-, 4-, 6-, and 8-week intervals without patient use. We defined clinically relevant contamination as >100 colony-forming units per milliliter (CFU/mL).

RESULTS

In phase 1, median hang time was 69 days (range, 8–555 days). Considering the 27 total cultures, 3 of 27 GI endoscopes (11.1%) had positive cultures, all with nonpathogenic skin flora at ≤100 CFU/mL. Median hang time was not statistically different between scopes with positive and negative cultures (P=.82). In phase 2, 7 of 131 prospective cultures (5.3%) from 6 of 9 GI endoscopes at varying storage intervals were positive, all at ≤100 CFU/mL. At 56 days after reprocessing (the longest storage interval studied), 1 of 24 cultures (4.2%) was positive (100 CFU/mL ofBacillusspecies from external biopsy/suction ports).

CONCLUSIONS

No endoscopes demonstrated clinically relevant contamination at hang times ranging from 7 to 555 days, and most scopes remained uncontaminated up to 56 days after reprocessing. Our data suggest that properly cleaned and disinfected GI endoscopes could be stored safely for longer intervals than currently recommended.

Infect. Control Hosp. Epidemiol.2017;38:131–135
A therapy beyond
Authors: Reid A. S.
Published: November 2016

There is an increasing recognition of the positive impact of trained animals, in particular dogs, in therapeutic settings. For the frail aged with cognitive impairment in high care settings, for children in hospital undergoing painful or prolonged treatments, for individuals suffering mental illness, or coping with physical or cognitive disabilities there is a growing body of experience and evidence of the value of therapy dogs. This paper gives fictitious case examples, based on the author’s experiences in hospitals and nursing homes. These, together with research outcomes of controlled interventions with therapy dogs, illustrate the comforting and calming effect on vulnerable residents and inpatients, and their impact in reducing agitation, aggression, depression and loneliness. The paper calls for further studies of this economical and effective form of therapy.
The main issues of the Cyrene necropolis and the use of remote sensing for monitoring in the case of the eastern necropolis
Authors: Al Raeid Fawzi , Di Valerio Eugenio , Di Antonio Maria Giorgia , Menozzi Oliva , Abdalgader El Mziene Mazen A. S. , Tamburrino Clara
Published: November 2016

Cyrene offers one of the largest and most spectacular necropoleis of the Mediterranean basin and, owing especially to its vastness, it is particularly difficult to control and protect. It reveals an extraordinary patrimony of rock-cut architecture, monumentally built around the ancient site, and also represents a zone at major risk of damage and destruction as a result of continuous looting, uncontrolled urbanisation and vandalism. Recent studies by Jim and Dorothy Thorn have presented a preliminary view and gazetteer of the architectonic monumentality, especially of the rocky chamber tombs, showing the need for survey projects in the area. A joint team of Libyan and Italian archaeologists, geologists, topographers and technicians of the local Department of Antiquities and Chieti University started in 1999 a project of surveying and mapping the southern and eastern parts of the necropolis, giving birth to a GIS using differential GPS and Robotic total station for the positioning and recording of the tombs, as well as multispectral HD satellite images, previously orthorectified and georeferred, combined with old maps and RADAR data for a highly detailed topographic base, up to DEM and DTM. From 2004, the survey and the GIS have been extended to the western and northern parts of the necropolis, at the moment counting more than 2,000 mapped and recorded tombs. An important step in the last two years has been the use of remote-sensing and photo-interpretation analysis in order to map the damages of urbanisation and modern construction in the areas of the necropolis. Using images covering the development of the situation every two to three months, mainly shots coming from Google Earth archives, in combination with further satellite images specifically bought for a more complete view of the last two to three years, it has been possible to start drawing a map of the areas under threat from building works and urbanisation. The aim of this paper is to present the main problems of this huge necropolis, which is at the moment one of the most threatened areas of Cyrene, every day at risk from the destruction of its monumental buildings.
A Continuous-Flow Gas Interface of a Thermal/Optical Analyzer With14C AMS for Source Apportionment of Atmospheric Aerosols
Authors: Agrios Konstantinos , Salazar Gary , Szidat Sönke
Published: November 2016

This article reports on the performance of a continuous-flow interface for CO2gas feeding into the ion source of a 200-kV accelerator mass spectrometer (AMS) in splitless mode. Distinct CO2fractions and subfractions produced by a commercial Sunset OC/EC (organic carbon/elemental carbon) analyzer from ambient atmospheric aerosols filters are injected into the source and then analyzed by their14C/12C ratio in real time. New features are revealed from organic aerosol subfractions, which thermally desorb close to each other and are only visible by real-time analysis. An optimized setup for this purpose is presented for the measurement of CO2amounts from 3 to 45 μg C. Efficiencies of 4.5–8.0% for the formation of C-ions from CO2are obtained for sample masses of 5–10 μg C and carbon mass flow rates below 2 µg min–1. However, this ionization efficiency is substantially suppressed at high carbon mass flow rates. The potential of this method for a refined apportionment of aerosol sources is demonstrated with ambient filter samples.
Reference gene selection and evaluation for expression analysis using qRT-PCR in Galeruca daurica (Joannis)
Authors: Tan Y. , Zhou X.-R. , Pang B.-P.
Published: November 2016

Quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR) has been used extensively to analyze gene expression and decipher gene function. To obtain the optimal and stable normalization factors for qRT-PCR, selection and validation of reference genes should be conducted in diverse conditions. In insects, more and more studies confirmed the necessity and importance of reference gene selection. In this study, eight traditionally used reference genes in Galeruca daurica (Joannis) were assessed, using qRT-PCR, for suitability as normalization genes under different experimental conditions using four statistical programs: geNorm, Normfinder, BestKeeper and the comparative ΔCt method. The genes were ranked from the most stable to the least stable using RefFinder. The optimal suite of recommended reference genes was as follows: succinate dehydrogenase (SDHA) and tubulin-alpha (TUB-α) for temperature-treated larvae; ribosomal protein L32, SDHA and glutathione S-transferase were best for all developmental stages; ACT and TUB-α for male and female adults; SDHA and TUB-α were relatively stable and expressed in different tissues, both diapause and non-diapause adults. Reference gene evaluation was validated using expression of two target genes: the P450 CYP6 gene and the heat shock protein gene Hsp70. These results confirm the importance of custom reference gene selection when studies are conducted under diverse experimental conditions. A standardized qRT-PCR analysis procedure for gene functional studies is provided that could be useful in studies on other insect species.
Development and validation of a real-time PCR assay for the glassy-winged sharpshooter Homalodisca vitripennis (Hemiptera: Cicadellidae)
Authors: Waite D.W. , Li D. , D'Souza M. , Gunawardana D.
Published: November 2016

The glassy-winged sharpshooter (Homalodisca vitripennis) is an invasive pest organism, which is found throughout Central America and has recently invaded a few countries in the Pacific Islands. As a carrier of the highly virulent plant pathogenic bacterium Xylella fastidiosa, it is of great economic significance to horticulture and is estimated to cost Californian vineyards over US$100 million per year in control and losses. New Zealand is currently free from this pest, but its recent spread through the Pacific has raised concerns of it establishing in New Zealand, potentially as a result of introduction through human travel. We report here a real-time polymerase chain reaction assay for the rapid identification of H. vitripennis. The assay was extensively validated in silico then optimized and tested against a range of Cicadellidae species, both internationally collected and local to New Zealand. This assay was able to correctly identify H. vitripennis samples, and distinguish between H. vitripennis and close relatives, such as the smoke-tree sharpshooter (Homalodisca liturata) and will be of great benefit to New Zealand biosecurity.
CATTLE DIP AND SHARK LIVER OIL IN A TECHNO-CHEMICAL COLONIAL STATE: THE POISONING AT MALANGALI SCHOOL, TANGANYIKA, 1934
Authors: KELLY CHAU JOHNSEN
Published: November 2016

In October 1934, a group of schoolgirls at Malangali School in Iringa Province, Tanganyika received doses of what the school headmistress thought was shark liver oil. Many girls began to spit and vomit the medicine, while others attempted to leave the school grounds to return home. Within three hours, several pupils had died and within three days, another 32 girls succumbed to the toxic draught. This article examines this little known and poorly understood tragedy through the lens of the scientific and social experimentation that occurred at Malangali School. As one of two government- run schools that enrolled girls, Malangali provided the colonial state with an opportunity to conduct a variety of experiments upon a captive audience. This article argues that the ‘discovery of colonial malnutrition’ in the interwar period not only depoliticized hunger but its emphasis on techno-chemical approaches to social and material problems led to tragedy.
THE HEART OF THE MATTER: INTERPRETING BLOODSUCKING ACCUSATIONS IN MAURITANIA
Authors: PETTIGREW ERIN
Published: November 2016

This article examines events involving accusations of bloodsucking in the southwestern Sahara. French colonial archives allow researchers to identify specific cases in time and location; however, this article seeks to address but then move beyond histories of colonial governance. To highlight how communities in the Saharan desert dealt with crises provoked by environmental and social change, this investigation also relies on locally-produced written legal opinions and oral testimony. Emerging from these Saharan sources is one facet of how desert communities envisioned the enchantment of their social worlds and understood difficult periods caused by famine, weak economies, and domestic tensions.
Selenium supply methods and time of application influence spring wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) yield under water deficit conditions
Authors: NAWAZ F. , ASHRAF M. Y. , AHMAD R. , WARAICH E. A. , SHABBIR R. N. , HUSSAIN R. A.
Published: November 2016

Identification of new effective strategies for improving crop yields under environmental stresses such as drought represent key priorities for researchers around the globe. In the present study, the effects of different methods of exogenous selenium (Se) supply viz. Se seed priming, Se fertigation and Se foliar spray on yield of spring wheat under normal and water deficit conditions were investigated. Two field experiments were conducted using one indigenous drought-tolerant genotype (Kohistan-97) and a sensitive genotype (Pasban-90) to understand the role of Se in improving wheat yield. The experiments were laid out in a split-split plot design with three replications during consecutive years (2011/12 and 2012/13) and the plants were exposed to water stress by withholding irrigation at two different wheat growth stages, viz. tillering and anthesis. It was noted that drought stress significantly affected the yield attributes of wheat; however, exogenous Se supply was observed to be helpful in improving the drought tolerance potential and yield of water-stressed wheat plants through maintenance of plant water status. A significant increase in wheat yield by Se supply was also noted under normal conditions. The normal plants fertigated with Se maintained the highest values for number of productive tillers, spike length, number of grains per spike, thousand-grain weight, biological and grain yield with no significant difference from Se foliar spray at the tillering stage, which was found to be the most effective method of exogenous Se supply for improving wheat yield under water deficit conditions. Moreover, Se fertigation and foliar spray resulted in the maximum accumulation of Se in shoots and gave the highest net return and cost-benefit ratio under drought stress conditions. The present study is one of the few reports on the role of Se in alleviating water stress for obtaining maximum profit in field grown spring wheat.
Constraints on dynamo action in plasmas
Authors: Helander P. , Strumik M. , Schekochihin A. A.
Published: November 2016

Upper bounds are derived on the amount of magnetic energy that can be generated by dynamo action in collisional and collisionless plasmas with and without external forcing. A hierarchy of mathematical descriptions is considered for the plasma dynamics: ideal magnetohydrodynamics (MHD), visco-resistive MHD, the double-adiabatic theory of Chew, Goldberger and Low (CGL), kinetic MHD and other kinetic models. It is found that dynamo action is greatly constrained in models where the magnetic moment of any particle species is conserved. In the absence of external forcing, the magnetic energy then remains small at all times if it is small in the initial state. In other words, a small ‘seed’ magnetic field cannot be amplified significantly, regardless of the nature of flow, as long as the collision frequency and gyroradius are small enough to be negligible. A similar conclusion also holds if the system is subject to external forcing as long as this forcing conserves the magnetic moment of at least one plasma species and does not greatly increase the total energy of the plasma (i.e. in practice, is subsonic). Dynamo action therefore always requires collisions or some small-scale kinetic mechanism for breaking the adiabatic invariance of the magnetic moment.
Simulations of the dust acoustic instability in a collisional plasma with warm dust
Authors: Quest K. , Rosenberg M. , Kercher B. , Dutreix M.
Published: November 2016

Dust acoustic (or dust density) waves have been observed in many laboratory dusty plasmas. These low-frequency waves involve the dynamics of highly charged and massive dust grains, and can be excited by the flow of ions relative to dust. In this paper, we consider the nonlinear development of the dust acoustic instability, excited by thermal ion flow, in a collisional plasma containing dust with high kinetic temperature (warm dust). It is shown that under certain conditions there may be a long-wavelength secondary instability in the nonlinear stage as dust gets heated by the waves. The characteristics of the nonlinear development are considered as a function of the relative charge density of the dust. Application to possible experimental parameters is discussed.
On the value of the reconnection rate
Authors: Comisso L. , Bhattacharjee A.
Published: November 2016

Numerical simulations have consistently shown that the reconnection rate in certain collisionless regimes can be fast, of the order of$0.1v_{A}B_{u}$, where$v_{A}$and$B_{u}$are the Alfvén speed and the reconnecting magnetic field upstream of the ion diffusion region. This particular value has been reported in myriad numerical simulations under disparate conditions. However, despite decades of research, the reasons underpinning this specific value remain mysterious. Here, we present an overview of this problem and discuss the conditions under which the ‘0.1 value’ is attained. Furthermore, we explain why this problem should be interpreted in terms of the ion diffusion region length.
Sample Preparation Methodologies forIn SituLiquid and Gaseous Cell Analytical Transmission Electron Microscopy of Electropolished Specimens
Authors: Zhong Xiang Li , Schilling Sibylle , Zaluzec Nestor J. , Burke M. Grace
Published: November 2016

In recent years, an increasing number of studies utilizingin situliquid and/or gaseous cell scanning/transmission electron microscopy (S/TEM) have been reported. Because of the difficulty in the preparation of suitable specimens, these environmental S/TEM studies have been generally limited to studies of nanoscale structured materials such as nanoparticles, nanowires, or sputtered thin films. In this paper, we present two methodologies which have been developed to facilitate the preparation of electron-transparent samples from conventional bulk metals and alloys forin situliquid/gaseous cell S/TEM experiments. These methods take advantage of combining sequential electrochemical jet polishing followed by focused ion beam extraction techniques to create large electron-transparent areas for site-specific observation. As an example, we illustrate the application of this methodology for the preparation ofin situspecimens from a cold-rolled Type 304 austenitic stainless steel sample, which was subsequently examined in both 1 atm of air as well as fully immersed in a H2O environment in the S/TEM followed by hyperspectral imaging. These preparation techniques can be successfully applied as a general procedure for a wide range of metals and alloys, and are suitable for a variety ofin situanalytical S/TEM studies in both aqueous and gaseous environments.
(No) Haircut for Hellas?
Authors: Thiele Alexander
Published: November 2016

Smouldering European debt crisis: overall public debt ratio as problem – Haircut as possible solution – Greece’s current creditors: public institutions (Member States and European Central Bank) – Insuring a sound budgetary policy as main goal of Article 125 TFEU – Consequences for a haircut by the Member States – The mandate of the European Central Bank and the prohibition of direct purchases of Member State bonds – Consequences for a haircut by the European Central Bank – Haircut as political question open for democratic debate
Emotional earthquakes in the landscape of psychosis: an interpretative phenomenology
Authors: Hutchins Jonathan , Rhodes John , Keville Saskia
Published: November 2016

Traditionally studies have neglected emotion in psychosis, possibly as a consequence of psychiatry's emphasis on psychotic symptoms rather than individuals’ lived experience of emotions before, during and after psychotic episodes. This study sought to investigate how individuals experienced their emotions and delusions in the context of psychosis. A qualitative Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA) research methodology was used. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with a purposively sampled group of eight participants recruited from a local Early Intervention in Psychosis service. Four themes were generated by the analysis. The first highlighted emotional experiences prior to the onset of psychosis: ‘struggling with life distress’. The second highlighted the intense emotional experience within psychotic experiences: ‘transformed world and intense emotion’. The third theme highlighted self-critical tendencies in the post-onset phase of psychosis: ‘blame and guilt after the breakdown’. The final theme highlighted a mixture of emotions in the post-onset phase: ‘confusion, despair and hope’. There were many clinical implications highlighted in the study including the value of normalizing participants’ emotional experiences in order to promote engagement in services and of assessing for self-criticism, despair and hope following the psychotic experience, alongside therapeutically addressing the varying levels of emotional experiences before, during and after a psychotic breakdown.