bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Aspirations of the ilium and proximal femur increase the likelihood of culturing an organism in patients with presumed septic arthritis of the hip
Authors: Schmale Gregory A. , Bompadre Viviana
Published: July 2015

Purpose

To test the hypothesis that collecting material for culture from metaphyseal bone of the ilium and proximal femur at the time of a hip aspiration will increase the sensitivity to detect an infectious organism in patients with presumed septic arthritis of the hip.

Methods

We retrospectively reviewed a series of 36 patients with presumed septic arthritis of the hip, based on clinical exam and serum inflammatory markers, who underwent aspirations of hip synovial fluid as well as blood from the ilium and proximal femur. Culture results from aspirates of synovial fluid and bone and tissue from capsule were compared to determine the sensitivities and specificities of a synovial aspirate alone versus synovial aspirate plus aspirates of the ilium and proximal femur to detect infection.

Results

The sensitivity of hip synovial fluid aspirates to detect infection via positive culture was only 63 %, though this increased significantly to 100 % when the results of cultures of aspirates of the ilium and proximal femur were included. The specificities were equivalent in both modalities (≥90 %). We conclude that obtaining aspirates of the ilium and proximal femur at the time of hip synovial fluid aspiration increases the likelihood that the procedure will return an infectious organism.

Conclusion

Positive cultures from a child with a septic hip or peri-articular hip infection help to efficiently and effectively guide antibiotic treatment. The child with a septic hip or peri-articular hip infection and positive cultures is likely to receive more narrow-spectrum therapy, potentially decreasing the overuse of broad-spectrum antibiotics.

Level of evidence: Diagnostic study level III

Development of diagnostic criteria on the basis of a series of non-consecutive patients (with universally applied reference “gold standard”).
Putative tumor suppression function of SIRT6 in endometrial cancer
Authors: Fukuda Tomohiko , Wada-Hiraike Osamu , Oda Katsutoshi , Tanikawa Michihiro , Makii Chinami , Inaba Kanako , Miyasaka Aki , Miyamoto Yuichiro , Yano Tetsu , Maeda Daichi , Sasaki Takeshi , Kawana Kei , Fukayama Masashi , Osuga Yutaka , Fujii Tomoyuki
Published: July 2015

SIRT6, a member of the sirtuin family, has been identified as a candidate tumor suppressor. To pursue the role of SIRT6 in endometrial cancer, we investigated the anti‐tumorigenic function of SIRT6. The expression of SIRT6 negatively affected the proliferation of AN3CA and KLE endometrial cancer cells. Increased expression of SIRT6 resulted in the induction of apoptosis by repressing the expression of the anti‐apoptotic protein survivin. Consistent with this result, a survivin inhibitor YM155 efficiently inhibited cellular proliferation and induced apoptosis. These results revealed that SIRT6 might function as a tumor suppressor of endometrial cancer cells.
LPS‐mediated septic shock is augmented in ceramide synthase 2 null mice due to elevated activity of TNFα‐converting enzyme
Authors: Ali Mohammad , Saroha Ashish , Pewzner-Jung Yael , Futerman Anthony H.
Published: July 2015

Tumor necrosis factor α (TNFα) is an inflammatory cytokine that plays an intimate role in septic shock. Injection of high levels of lipopolysaccharide induces septic shock and death in mice within 30 h, whereas ceramide synthase 2 (CerS2) null mice, defective in the synthesis of very‐long acyl chain ceramides, die within ∼10 h. The augmented rate of death of CerS2 null mice is due to elevated levels of TNFα secretion as a result of enhanced activity of TNFα‐converting enzyme (TACE). We discuss the relationship between the sphingolipid acyl chain length and TACE activity and the relevance of this data to septic shock.
Impact of the 2011 Revolution on Hospital Disaster Preparedness in Yemen
Authors: Aladhrai Saleem Ahmed , Djalali Ahmadreza , Della Corte Francesco , Alsabri Mohammed , El-Bakri Nahid Karrar , Ingrassia Pier Luigi
Published: July 2015

Objective

Hospitals are expected to serve the medical needs of casualties in the face of a disaster or other crisis, including man-made conflicts. The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of the 2011 Yemeni revolution on hospital disaster preparedness in the capital city of Sana’a.

Methods

The study was conducted in September 2011 and 2013. For evaluation purposes, the hospital emergency response checklist published by the World Health Organization (WHO) was used. Additional information was also obtained to determine what steps were being taken by hospital authorities to improve hospital preparedness.

Results

The study selected 11 hospitals. At the time of the first evaluation, 7 hospitals were rated “unacceptable” for level of preparedness and 4 were rated “insufficient,” receiving a WHO checklist rating of 10 to 98. At the second evaluation, 5 hospitals were rated “unacceptable,” 3 “insufficient,” and 1 “effective,” receiving a rating of 9 to 134.

Conclusions

Unfortunately, this study shows that between 2011 and 2013, no significant progress was made in hospital disaster preparedness in Sana’a. In a disaster-prone country like Yemen, the current situation calls for drastic improvement. Health system authorities must take responsibility for issuing strategic plans as well as standards, guidelines, and procedures to improve hospital disaster preparedness. (Disaster Med Public Health Preparedness. 2015;9:396–402)
Performance Assessment of a Communicable Disease Surveillance System in Response to the Twin Earthquakes of East Azerbaijan
Authors: Babaie Javad , Ardalan Ali , Vatandoost Hasan , Goya Mohammad Mehdi , Akbari Sari Ali
Published: July 2015

Objective

Following the twin earthquakes on August 11, 2012, in the East Azerbaijan province of Iran, the provincial health center set up a surveillance system to monitor communicable diseases. This study aimed to assess the performance of this surveillance system.

Methods

In this quantitative-qualitative study, performance of the communicable diseases surveillance system was assessed by using the updated guidelines of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Qualitative data were collected through interviews with the surveillance system participants, and quantitative data were obtained from the surveillance system.

Results

The surveillance system was useful, simple, representative, timely, and flexible. The data quality, acceptability, and stability of the surveillance system were 65.6%, 10.63%, and 100%, respectively. The sensitivity and positive predictive value were not calculated owing to the absence of a gold standard.

Conclusions

The surveillance system satisfactorily met the goals expected for its setup. The data obtained led to the control of communicable diseases in the affected areas. Required interventions based on the incidence of communicable disease were designed and implemented. The results also reassured health authorities and the public. However, data quality and acceptability should be taken into consideration and reviewed for implementation in future disasters. (Disaster Med Public Health Preparedness. 2015;9:367–373)
An Economic Analysis and Approach for Health Care Preparedness in a Substate Region
Authors: Stryckman Benoit , Grace Thomas L. , Schwarz Peter , Marcozzi David
Published: July 2015

Objective

To demonstrate the application of economics to health care preparedness by estimating the financial return on investment in a substate regional emergency response team and to develop a financial model aimed at sustaining community-level disaster readiness.

Methods

Economic evaluation methods were applied to the experience of a regional Pennsylvania response capability. A cost-benefit analysis was performed by using information on funding of the response team and 17 real-world events the team responded to between 2008 and 2013. By use of the results of the cost-benefit analysis as well as information on the response team’s catchment area, a risk-based insurance-like membership model was built.

Results

The cost-benefit analysis showed a positive return after 6 years of investment in the regional emergency response team. Financial modeling allowed for the calculation of premiums for 2 types of providers within the emergency response team’s catchment area: hospitals and long-term care facilities.

Conclusion

The analysis indicated that preparedness activities have a positive return on their investment in this substate region. By applying economic principles, communities can estimate their return on investment to make better business decisions in an effort to increase the sustainability of emergency preparedness programs at the regional level. (Disaster Med Public Health Preparedness. 2015;9:344–348)
Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) Behavioral Health Disaster Response App
Authors: Seligman Jamie , Felder Stephanie S. , Robinson Maryann E.
Published: July 2015

The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) in the Department of Health and Human Services offers extensive disaster behavior health resources to assist disaster survivors in preparing for, responding to, and recovering from natural and manmade disasters. One of SAMHSA’s most innovative resources is the SAMHSA Behavioral Health Disaster Response App (SAMHSA Disaster App). The SAMHSA Disaster App prepares behavioral health responders for any type of traumatic event by allowing them to access disaster-related materials and other key resources right on their phone, at the touch of a button. The SAMHSA Disaster App is available on iPhone, Android, and BlackBerry devices. (Disaster Med Public Health Preparedness. 2015;9:516–518)
On twisted group -algebras associated with FC-hypercentral groups and other related groups
Authors: BÉDOS ERIK , OMLAND TRON
Published: July 2015

We show that the twisted group $C^{\ast }$-algebra associated with a discrete FC-hypercentral group is simple (respectively, has a unique tracial state) if and only if Kleppner’s condition is satisfied. This generalizes a result of Packer for countable nilpotent groups. We also consider a larger class of groups, for which we can show that the corresponding reduced twisted group $C^{\ast }$-algebras have a unique tracial state if and only if Kleppner’s condition holds.
Identification of Recurrent Clostridium difficile Infection Using Administrative Codes: Accuracy and Implications for Surveillance
Authors: Wen Jing , Barber Grant E. , Ananthakrishnan Ashwin N.
Published: July 2015

OBJECTIVE

To develop an algorithm using administrative codes, laboratory data, and medication data to identify recurrent Clostridium difficile infection (CDI) and to examine the sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive values, and performance of this algorithm.

METHODS

We identified all patients with 2 or more International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Edition, Clinical Modification (ICD-9-CM) codes for CDI (008.45) from January 1 through December 31, 2013. Information on number of diagnosis codes, stool toxin assays (enzyme immunoassay or polymerase chain reaction), and unique prescriptions for metronidazole and vancomycin was identified. Logistic regression was used to identify independent predictors of recurrent CDI and a predictive model was developed.

RESULTS

A total of 591 patients with at least 2 ICD-9 codes for CDI were included (median age, 66 years). The derivation cohort consisted of 157 patients among whom 43 (27%) had recurrent CDI. Presence of 3 or more ICD-9 codes for CDI (odds ratio, 2.49), 2 or more stool tests (odds ratio, 2.88), and 2 or more prescriptions for vancomycin (odds ratio, 5.87) were independently associated with confirmed recurrent CDI. A classifier incorporating 2 or more prescriptions for vancomycin and either 2 or more stool tests or 3 or more ICD-9-CM codes had a positive predictive value of 41% and negative predictive value of 90%. The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve for this combined classifier was modest (0.69).

CONCLUSION

Identification of recurrent episodes of CDI in administrative data poses challenges. Accurate assessment of burden requires individual case review to confirm diagnosis.

Infect Control Hosp Epidemiol 2015;36(8):893–898
Cost of Antimicrobial Therapy Across US Children’s Hospitals
Authors: Ross Rachael K. , Hersh Adam L. , Kronman Matthew P. , Newland Jason G. , Gerber Jeffrey S.
Published: July 2015

We analyzed the cost of antimicrobial prescribing across freestanding children’s hospitals. A few specific antimicrobials accounted for a large proportion of expenditures, and antimicrobial spending varied substantially across hospitals, even within specific clinical conditions. Antimicrobial stewardship programs should consider these data to incorporate high-value antimicrobial prescribing when clinically appropriate.

Infect Control Hosp Epidemiol2015;36(10):1242–1244
Prevention of Healthcare-Associated Pneumonia with Oral Care in Individuals Without Mechanical Ventilation: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials
Authors: Kaneoka Asako , Pisegna Jessica M. , Miloro Keri V. , Lo Mel , Saito Hiroki , Riquelme Luis F. , LaValley Michael P. , Langmore Susan E.
Published: July 2015

OBJECTIVE

Evidence is lacking on the preventive effect of oral care on healthcare-associated pneumonia in hospitalized patients and nursing home residents who are not mechanically ventilated. The primary aim of this review was to assess the effectiveness of oral care on the incidence of pneumonia in nonventilated patients.

METHODS

We searched 8 databases (MEDLINE, Embase, CENTRAL, CINAHL, Web of Science, LILACS, ICHUSHI, and CiNii), in addition to trial registries and a manual search. Eligible studies were published and unpublished randomized controlled trials examining the effect of any method of oral care on reported incidence of pneumonia and/or fatal pneumonia. Relative risks (RR) and 95% confidence intervals were calculated. Risk of bias was assessed for eligible studies.

RESULTS

We identified 5 studies consisting of 1,009 subjects that met the inclusion criteria. Of these, 2 trials assessed the effect of chlorhexidine in hospitalized patients; 3 studies examined mechanical oral cleaning in nursing home residents. A meta-analysis could only be done on 4 trials; this analysis showed a significant risk reduction in pneumonia through oral care interventions (RRfixed, 0.61; 95% CI, 0.40–0.91; P=.02). The effects of mechanical oral care alone were significant when pooled across studies. (RRfixed, 0.61; 95% CI, 0.40–0.92; P=.02). Risk reduction for fatal pneumonia from mechanical oral cleaning was also significant (RRfixed, 0.41; 95% CI, 0.23–0.71; P=.002). Most studies had a high risk of bias.

CONCLUSIONS

This analysis suggests a preventive effect of oral care on pneumonia in nonventilated individuals. This effect, however, should be interpreted with caution due to risk of bias in the included trials.

Infect Control Hosp Epidemiol 2015;36(8): 899–906
Direct numerical simulation of turbulent channel flow up to
Authors: Lee Myoungkyu , Moser Robert D.
Published: July 2015

A direct numerical simulation of incompressible channel flow at a friction Reynolds number ($\mathit{Re}_{{\it\tau}}$) of 5186 has been performed, and the flow exhibits a number of the characteristics of high-Reynolds-number wall-bounded turbulent flows. For example, a region where the mean velocity has a logarithmic variation is observed, with von Kármán constant ${\it\kappa}=0.384\pm 0.004$. There is also a logarithmic dependence of the variance of the spanwise velocity component, though not the streamwise component. A distinct separation of scales exists between the large outer-layer structures and small inner-layer structures. At intermediate distances from the wall, the one-dimensional spectrum of the streamwise velocity fluctuation in both the streamwise and spanwise directions exhibits $k^{-1}$ dependence over a short range in wavenumber $(k)$. Further, consistent with previous experimental observations, when these spectra are multiplied by $k$ (premultiplied spectra), they have a bimodal structure with local peaks located at wavenumbers on either side of the $k^{-1}$ range.
Azimuthal velocity profiles in Rayleigh-stable Taylor–Couette flow and implied axial angular momentum transport
Authors: Nordsiek Freja , Huisman Sander G. , van der Veen Roeland C. A. , Sun Chao , Lohse Detlef , Lathrop Daniel P.
Published: July 2015

We present azimuthal velocity profiles measured in a Taylor–Couette apparatus, which has been used as a model of stellar and planetary accretion disks. The apparatus has a cylinder radius ratio of ${\it\eta}=0.716$, an aspect ratio of ${\it\Gamma}=11.74$, and the plates closing the cylinders in the axial direction are attached to the outer cylinder. We investigate angular momentum transport and Ekman pumping in the Rayleigh-stable regime. This regime is linearly stable and is characterized by radially increasing specific angular momentum. We present several Rayleigh-stable profiles for shear Reynolds numbers $\mathit{Re}_{S}\sim O(10^{5})$, for both ${\it\Omega}_{i}>{\it\Omega}_{o}>0$ (quasi-Keplerian regime) and ${\it\Omega}_{o}>{\it\Omega}_{i}>0$ (sub-rotating regime), where ${\it\Omega}_{i,o}$ is the inner/outer cylinder rotation rate. None of the velocity profiles match the non-vortical laminar Taylor–Couette profile. The deviation from that profile increases as solid-body rotation is approached at fixed $\mathit{Re}_{S}$. Flow super-rotation, an angular velocity greater than those of both cylinders, is observed in the sub-rotating regime. The velocity profiles give lower bounds for the torques required to rotate the inner cylinder that are larger than the torques for the case of laminar Taylor–Couette flow. The quasi-Keplerian profiles are composed of a well-mixed inner region, having approximately constant angular momentum, connected to an outer region in solid-body rotation with the outer cylinder and attached axial boundaries. These regions suggest that the angular momentum is transported axially to the axial boundaries. Therefore, Taylor–Couette flow with closing plates attached to the outer cylinder is an imperfect model for accretion disk flows, especially with regard to their stability.
Influence of airfoil thickness on unsteady aerodynamic loads on pitching airfoils
Authors: Motta Valentina , Guardone Alberto , Quaranta Giuseppe
Published: July 2015

The influence of the airfoil thickness on aerodynamic loads is investigated numerically for harmonically pitching airfoils at low incidence, under the incompressible and inviscid flow approximation. Force coefficients obtained from finite-volume unsteady simulations of symmetrical 4-digit NACA airfoils are found to depart from the linear Theodorsen model of an oscillating flat plate. In particular, the value of the reduced frequency resulting in the inversion – from clockwise to counter-clockwise – of the lift/angle-of-attack hysteresis curve is found to increase with the airfoil thickness. Both the magnitude and direction of the velocity vector due to pitching over the airfoil surface differ from their flat-plate values. During the upstroke, namely nose-up rotation, phase, this results in a decrease (increase) of the normal velocity magnitude over the upper (lower) surface of the airfoil. The opposite occurs during the downstroke phase. This is confirmed by comparing the computed pressure distribution to the flat-plate linear Küssner model. Therefore, beyond the inversion frequency, the lift coefficient of a finite-thickness airfoil is higher during upstroke and lower during downstroke than its flat-plate counterpart. A similar dependence is also found for the quarter-chord moment coefficient. Accordingly, a modification to the classical Theodorsen model is proposed to take into account the effects of the airfoil thickness on unsteady loads. The new model is found to accurately predict the unsteady aerodynamics of a thick symmetric and a slightly cambered airfoil with a maximum thickness in the range 4–24 %. The limits of the present inviscid flow analysis are assessed by means of numerical simulation of high Reynolds number ($\mathit{Re}=10^{6}$) flows.
The effects of surface tension on the initial development of a free surface adjacent to an accelerated plate
Authors: Uddin J. , Needham D. J.
Published: July 2015

When a vertical rigid plate is uniformly accelerated horizontally from rest into an initially stationary layer of inviscid incompressible fluid, the free surface will undergo a deformation in the locality of the contact point. This deformation of the free surface will, in the early stages, cause a jet to rise up the plate. An understanding of the local structure of the free surface in the early stages of motion is vital in many situations, and has been developed in detail by King & Needham (J. Fluid Mech., vol. 268, 1994, pp. 89–101). In this work we consider the effects of introducing weak surface tension, characterized by the inverse Weber number $\mathscr{W}$, into the problem considered by King & Needham. Our approach is based upon matched asymptotic expansions as $\mathscr{W}\rightarrow 0$. It is found that four asymptotic regions are needed to describe the problem. The three largest regions have analytical solutions, whilst a numerical method based on finite differences is used to solve the time-dependent harmonic boundary value problem in the last region. Our results identify the local structure of the jet near the vicinity of the contact point, and we highlight a number of key features, including the height of this jet as well as its thickness and strength. We also present some preliminary experimental results that capture the spatial structure near the contact point, and we then show promising comparisons with the theoretical results obtained within this paper.
Linear stability of Taylor–Couette flow of shear-thinning fluids: modal and non-modal approaches
Authors: Agbessi Y. , Alibenyahia B. , Nouar C. , Lemaitre C. , Choplin L.
Published: July 2015

In this paper, the response of circular Couette flow of shear-thinning fluids between two infinitely long coaxial cylinders to weak disturbances is addressed. It is highlighted by transient growth analysis. Both power-law and Carreau models are used to describe the rheological behaviour of the fluid. The first part of the paper deals with the asymptotic long-time behaviour of three-dimensional infinitesimal perturbations. Using the normal-mode approach, an eigenvalue problem is derived and solved by means of the spectral collocation method. An extensive description and the classification of eigenspectra are presented. The influence of shear-thinning effects on the critical Reynolds numbers as well as on the critical azimuthal and axial wavenumbers is analysed. It is shown that with a reference viscosity defined with the characteristic scales$\hat{{\it\mu}}_{ref}=\hat{K}(\hat{R}_{1}\hat{{\it\Omega}}_{1}/\hat{d})^{(n-1)}$for a power-law fluid and$\hat{{\it\mu}}_{ref}=\hat{{\it\mu}}_{0}$for a Carreau fluid, the shear-thinning character is destabilizing for counter-rotating cylinders. Moreover, the axial wavenumber increases with$\mathit{Re}_{2}$and with shear-thinning effects. The second part investigates the short-time behaviour of the disturbance using the non-modal approach. For the same inner and outer Reynolds numbers, the amplification of the kinetic energy perturbation becomes much more important with increasing shear-thinning effects. Two different mechanisms are used to explain the transient growth, depending on whether or not there is a stratification of the angular momentum. On the Rayleigh line and for Newtonian fluids, the optimal perturbation is in the form of azimuthal streaks, which transform into Taylor vortices through the anti-lift-up mechanism. In the other cases, the optimal perturbation is initially oriented against the base flow, then it tilts to align with the base flow at optimal time. The scaling laws for the optimal energy amplification proposed in the literature for Newtonian fluids are extended to shear-thinning fluids.
Heat transfer in a turbulent channel flow with square bars or circular rods on one wall
Authors: Leonardi S. , Orlandi P. , Djenidi L. , Antonia R. A.
Published: July 2015

Direct numerical simulations (DNS) are carried out to study the passive heat transport in a turbulent channel flow with either square bars or circular rods on one wall. Several values of the pitch (${\it\lambda}$) to height ($k$) ratio and two Reynolds numbers are considered. The roughness increases the heat transfer by inducing ejections at the leading edge of the roughness elements. The amounts of heat transfer and mixing depend on the separation between the roughness elements, an increase in heat transfer accompanying an increase in drag. The ratio of non-dimensional heat flux to the non-dimensional wall shear stress is higher for circular rods than square bars irrespectively of the pitch to height ratio. The turbulent heat flux varies within the cavities and is larger near the roughness elements. Both momentum and thermal eddy diffusivities increase relative to the smooth wall. For square cavities (${\it\lambda}/k=2$) the turbulent Prandtl number is smaller than for a smooth channel near the wall. As ${\it\lambda}/k$ increases, the turbulent Prandtl number increases up to a maximum of 2.5 at the crests plane of the square bars (${\it\lambda}/k=7.5$). With increasing distance from the wall, the differences with respect to the smooth wall vanish and at three roughness heights above the crests plane, the turbulent Prandtl number is essentially the same for smooth and rough walls.
Cultural variation in early feeding pattern and maternal perceptions of infant growth
Authors: van Eijsden Manon , Meijers Claire M. C. , Jansen Jessica E. , de Kroon Marlou L. A. , Vrijkotte Tanja G. M.
Published: July 2015

The perception of healthy growth and weight may differ between cultures, which could influence feeding practises and consequently affect the development of overweight. The present study examined ethnic variation in maternal perceptions of growth and their influence on feeding practises among Turkish and Dutch infants aged 0–6 months. Data were obtained from the mothers of 143 Turkish and 143 Dutch healthy, singleton, term infants with birth weights appropriate for gestational age, using structured interviews at 1, 4 and 6 months after birth. Compared with Dutch mothers, mothers of Turkish descent perceived a chubby infant more often as pretty (43v. 22 %), and were more often worried about their infant's growth (13v. 4 %). Turkish mothers were more likely to give full breast-feeding (BF) until at least 6 months (adjusted OR (aOR) 2·1, 95 % CI 1·0, 4·3) and to start introducing complementary feeding, including rice flour porridge, at the age of 6 months (aOR 2·4, 95 % CI 1·1, 4·9). Infants of Turkish descent were fed on average one milk feeding more during the day and, if introduced to complementary foods before 6 months, were more often given uncommon types of foods (e.g. yogurt and cookies) (aOR 2·1, 95 % CI 1·1, 4·3). The differences in perceptions affected differences in feeding practises only to a small extent. Preventive advice offered to Turkish mothers in Child Health Care should include discussing choices of complementary foods and frequency of feeding from an early age onwards. In Dutch mothers, support for the continuation of BF remains an important issue.
DINING AND OBLIGATION IN VALERIUS MAXIMUS: THE CASE OF THE SACRA MENSAE
Authors: Lennon Jack
Published: July 2015

The phrase sacra mensae appears in only a select number of instances from the first century a.d. onwards. This paper seeks to demonstrate that references to sacra mensae are not coincidental, and that they were employed deliberately by authors such as Valerius Maximus and, after him, Quintilian, Tacitus and Seneca, based on an assumed shared understanding of their significance on the part of Roman audiences. Although it appears across a variety of literary works and in a range of contexts, the phrase does not seem to have been used in reference to a specific rite or rites performed at the table. Instead, sacra mensae appears to have been used primarily in a metaphorical sense, designed to epitomize the customs and respect attached to dining in Roman culture. Religion certainly played an important part in creating the aura surrounding the table, which was subject to various rituals and superstitions that were discussed by ancient authors. However, beyond the sphere of religion there was the equally important social emphasis on dining, which enforced notions of conviviality and personal obligation between hosts and guests. Disregard of such traditions came to be identified as a hallmark of tyranny, which provided the writers of the Principate with an opportunity to use the sacra mensae as a powerful literary device against those who failed to respect established customs of hospitality.
Cognitive–behavioural suicide prevention for male prisoners: a pilot randomized controlled trial
Authors: Pratt D. , Tarrier N. , Dunn G. , Awenat Y. , Shaw J. , Ulph F. , Gooding P.
Published: July 2015

Background.

Prisoners have an exceptional risk of suicide. Cognitive–behavioural therapy for suicidal behaviour has been shown to offer considerable potential, but has yet to be formally evaluated within prisons. This study investigated the feasibility of delivering and evaluating a novel, manualized cognitive–behavioural suicide prevention (CBSP) therapy for suicidal male prisoners.

Method.

A pilot randomized controlled trial of CBSP in addition to treatment as usual (CBSP; n = 31) compared with treatment as usual (TAU; n = 31) alone was conducted in a male prison in England. The primary outcome was self-injurious behaviour occurring within the past 6 months. Secondary outcomes were dimensions of suicidal ideation, psychiatric symptomatology, personality dysfunction and psychological determinants of suicide, including depression and hopelessness. The trial was prospectively registered (number ISRCTN59909209).

Results.

Relative to TAU, participants receiving CBSP therapy achieved a significantly greater reduction in suicidal behaviours with a moderate treatment effect [Cohen's d = −0.72, 95% confidence interval −1.71 to 0.09; baseline mean TAU: 1.39 (s.d. = 3.28) v. CBSP: 1.06 (s.d. = 2.10), 6 months mean TAU: 1.48 (s.d. = 3.23) v. CBSP: 0.58 (s.d. = 1.52)]. Significant improvements were achieved on measures of psychiatric symptomatology and personality dysfunction. Improvements on psychological determinants of suicide were non-significant. More than half of the participants in the CBSP group achieved a clinically significant recovery by the end of therapy, compared with a quarter of the TAU group.

Conclusions.

The delivery and evaluation of CBSP therapy within a prison is feasible. CBSP therapy offers significant promise in the prevention of prison suicide and an adequately powered randomized controlled trial is warranted.
Childhood maltreatment and transition to psychotic disorder independently predict long-term functioning in young people at ultra-high risk for psychosis
Authors: Yung A. R. , Cotter J. , Wood S. J. , McGorry P. , Thompson A. D. , Nelson B. , Lin A.
Published: July 2015

Background.

Individuals identified as at ultra-high risk (UHR) for psychosis are at risk of poor functional outcome regardless of development of psychotic disorder. Studies examining longitudinal predictors of poor functioning have tended to be small and report only medium-term follow-up data. We sought to examine clinical predictors of functional outcome in a long-term longitudinal study.

Method.

Participants were 268 (152 females, 116 males) individuals identified as UHR 2–14 years previously. A range of clinical and sociodemographic variables were assessed at baseline. Functioning at follow-up was assessed using the Social and Occupational Functioning Assessment Scale (SOFAS).

Results.

Baseline negative symptoms, impaired emotional functioning, disorders of thought content, low functioning, past substance use disorder and history of childhood maltreatment predicted poor functioning at follow-up in univariate analyses. Only childhood maltreatment remained significant in the multivariate analysis (p < 0.001). Transition to psychosis was also significantly associated with poor functioning at long-term follow-up [mean SOFAS score 59.12 (s.d. = 18.54) in the transitioned group compared to 70.89 (s.d. = 14.00) in the non-transitioned group, p < 0.001]. Childhood maltreatment was a significant predictor of poor functioning in both the transitioned and non-transitioned groups.

Conclusions.

Childhood maltreatment and transition to psychotic disorder independently predicted poor long-term functioning. This suggests that it is important to assess history of childhood maltreatment in clinical management of UHR individuals. The finding that transition to psychosis predicts poor long-term functioning strengthens the evidence that the UHR criteria detect a subgroup at risk for schizophrenia.
“Being speculative is better than to not do it at all”: an interview with Natalie Zemon Davis
Authors: Roitman Jessica , Fatah-Black Karwan
Published: July 2015

Jessica Roitman and Karwan Fatah-Black meet Natalie Zemon Davis outside the University Library in Leiden for lunch and an interview. Although Davis is eager to study a Sranan-German dictionary she retrieved from the library, the three of them sit down for an engaging conversation on the historian’s craft, its societal relevance and the future of early modern studies.
(WHEN) DO LONG AUTOREGRESSIONS ACCOUNT FOR NEGLECTED CHANGES IN PARAMETERS?
Authors: Demetrescu Matei , Hassler Uwe
Published: July 2015

To construct forecasts for time series exhibiting breaks, the paper examines long autoregressions, where the number of lags is growing with T, and possible breaks are simply ignored. The paper shows that the OLS estimators are still elementwise consistent for the true autoregressive coefficients when neglecting a break in mean, but the sum of the estimators converges to unity. Thanks to this unit-root like behavior of the fitted model, the resulting conditional forecasts are consistent for the true values. As long as the dynamic structure is invariant, the robustness property of the forecasts holds a) under data-dependent lag length selection, b) for a piecewise smoothly varying mean function, and c) under general autoregressive dynamics of possibly infinite order including stationary long memory. Under breaks in the dynamic structure, however, estimators are asymptotically biased, and the forecasts from long autoregressions are biased themselves even in the limit.
Investigation of an outbreak of vomiting in nurseries in South East England, May 2012
Authors: NICHOLLS M. , PURCELL B. , WILLIS C. , AMAR C. F. L. , KANAGARAJAH S. , CHAMBERLAIN D. , WOOLDRIDGE D. , MORGAN J. , McLAUCHLIN J. , GRANT K. A. , HARVEY-VINCE L. , PADFIELD M. , MEARKLE R. , CHOW J. Y.
Published: July 2015

On 30 May 2012, Surrey and Sussex Health Protection Unit was called by five nurseries reporting children and staff with sudden onset vomiting approximately an hour after finishing their lunch that day. Over the following 24 h 50 further nurseries supplied by the same company reported cases of vomiting (182 children, 18 staff affected). Epidemiological investigations were undertaken in order to identify the cause of the outbreak and prevent further cases. Investigations demonstrated a nursery-level attack rate of 55 out of 87 nurseries (63·2%, 95% confidence interval 52·2–73·3). Microbiological tests confirmed the presence ofBacillus cereusin food and environmental samples from the catering company and one nursery. This was considered microbiologically and epidemiologically consistent with toxin from this bacterium causing the outbreak. Laboratory investigations showed that the conditions used by the caterer for soaking of pearl haricot beans (known as navy bean in the USA) used in one of the foods supplied to the nurseries prior to cooking, was likely to have provided sufficient growth and toxin production ofB. cereusto cause illness. This large outbreak demonstrates the need for careful temperature control in food preparation.
Whole genome sequencing provides an unambiguous link between Salmonella Dublin outbreak strain and a historical isolate
Authors: MOHAMMED M. , DELAPPE N. , O'CONNOR J. , McKEOWN P. , GARVEY P. , CORMICAN M.
Published: July 2015

Salmonella enterica subsp. enterica serovar Dublin is an uncommon cause of human salmonellosis; however, a relatively high proportion of cases are associated with invasive disease. The serotype is associated with cattle. A geographically diffuse outbreak of S. Dublin involving nine patients occurred in Ireland in 2013. The source of infection was not identified. Typing of outbreak associated isolates by pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) was of limited value because PFGE has limited discriminatory power for S. Dublin. Whole genome sequencing (WGS) showed conclusively that the isolates were closely related to each other, to an apparently unrelated isolate from 2011 and distinct from other isolates that were not readily distinguishable by PFGE.
Classical lambda calculus in modern dress
Authors: HYLAND J.M.E.
Published: July 2015

Recent developments in the categorical foundations of universal algebra have given an impetus to an understanding of the lambda calculus coming from categorical logic: an interpretation is a semi-closed algebraic theory. Scott's representation theorem is then completely natural and leads to a precise Fundamental Theorem showing the essential equivalence between the categorical and more familiar notions.
Nailing Down Metaphors in CBT: Definition, Identification and Frequency
Authors: Mathieson Fiona , Jordan Jennifer , Carter Janet D. , Stubbe Maria
Published: July 2015

Background: Metaphors are common in psychotherapy and have potential to enhance therapy in numerous ways. However, the empirical study of metaphors in cognitive behaviour therapy (CBT) has tended to be put in the “too hard basket”, confined to being part of the art rather than the science of therapy. The lack of research is largely due to problems with definition, lack of a consistent, reliable approach to metaphor identification and the challenges of finding appropriate methodology to study this language-based activity. Aims: This study aimed to assess the frequency of metaphors in CBT in a large sample of therapy sessions and to evaluate the reliability and utility of the discourse dynamics approach to metaphor identification. Method: The discourse dynamics approach, recently developed by linguists, was used to identify metaphors in 48 CBT session transcripts (from 12 clients and 3 therapists) and the reliability of this approach was evaluated, using an independent rater. Results: The total frequency of metaphors was 31.5 (range 17–49) per 1000 words of therapy conversation. Therapists produced metaphors twice as often (21.2, range 7–36) as clients (10.3, range 3–24). Reliability of the Discourse Dynamics approach was adequate. Conclusions: Metaphors clearly occur in CBT sessions, with therapists using them at a higher rate than clients. While Discourse Dynamics is currently the most detailed identification approach available for investigating metaphor in CBT sessions, it is challenging to acquire skill in it and we found only adequate reliability. Ways to improve reliability and future research possibilities are discussed.
The legibility of food package information in France: an equal challenge for young and elderly consumers?
Authors: Droulers Olivier , Amar Jennifer
Published: July 2015

Objective

The present study investigated whether food package information is legible in a real purchase context; more specifically, it examined the level of legibility of non-mandatory, mandatory and nutritional information as well as the influence of age on legibility. This is an important issue, especially for older consumers who are usually advised to pay attention to their diet.

Design

An in-store study was conducted in a French hypermarket. Descriptive statistics were used to measure the overall level of legibility and then ANOVA tests were carried out to examine the influence of age on the legibility of information. Complementary results included the influence of level of education.

Setting

Participants were asked to read information on four food packages when they were food shopping.

Subjects

The sample included 196 consumers aged 18–82 years.

Results

An asymmetry was observed between the extremely high level of legibility of non-mandatory information and the low level of legibility of mandatory and nutritional information provided on food packages. Elderly respondents performed significantly worse than their younger counterparts. An interaction effect was found between age and level of education on the legibility of mandatory information.

Conclusions

Legibility of mandatory information is clearly unsatisfactory. There appears to be a hierarchy between significant, but non-mandatory, company information and important mandatory and nutritional information. The first type of information is promoted on food packages whereas the last two are all but concealed to older and less educated consumers.
Stigma and discrimination related to mental illness in low- and middle-income countries
Authors: Semrau M. , Evans-Lacko S. , Koschorke M. , Ashenafi L. , Thornicroft G.
Published: July 2015

Aims.

This paper aims to provide an overview of evidence from low- and middle-income countries (LAMICs) worldwide to address: the nature of stigma and discrimination, relevant context-specific factors, global patterns of these phenomena and their measurement and quantitative and qualitative evidence of interventions intended to reduce their occurrence and impact. The background to this study is that the large majority of studies concerned with identifying effective interventions to reduce stigma and discrimination originate in high-income countries (HICs). This paper therefore presents such evidence from, and relevant to, LAMICs.

Methods.

Conceptual overview of the relevant peer-reviewed and grey literature on stigma and discrimination related to mental illness in LAMICs are available in English, Spanish, French and Russian.

Results.

Few intervention studies were identified related to stigma re-education in LAMICs. None of these addressed behaviour change/discrimination, and there were no long-term follow-up studies. There is therefore insufficient evidence at present to know which overall types of intervention may be effective and feasible and in LAMICs, how best to target key groups such as healthcare staff, and how far they may need to be locally customised to be acceptable for large-scale use in these settings. In particular, forms of social contacts, which have been shown to be the most effective intervention to reduce stigma among adults in HICs, have not yet been assessed sufficiently to know whether these methods are also effective in LAMICs.

Conclusion.

Generating information about effective interventions to reduce stigma and discrimination in LAMICs is now an important mental health priority worldwide.
Evidence of liquid–liquid transition in glass-forming La50Al35Ni15 melt above liquidus temperature
Authors: Xu Wei , Sandor Magdalena T. , Yu Yao , Ke Hai-Bo , Zhang Hua-Ping , Li Mao-Zhi , Wang Wei-Hua , Liu Lin , Wu Yue
Published: July 2015

Liquid–liquid transition, a phase transition of one liquid phase to another with the same composition, provides a key opportunity for investigating the relationship between liquid structures and dynamics. Here we report experimental evidences of a liquid–liquid transition in glass-forming La50Al35Ni15 melt above its liquidus temperature by 27Al nuclear magnetic resonance including the temperature dependence of cage volume fluctuations and atomic diffusion. The observed dependence of the incubation time on the degree of undercooling is consistent with a first-order phase transition. Simulation results indicate that such transition is accompanied by the change of bond-orientational order without noticeable change in density. The temperature dependence of atomic diffusion revealed by simulations is also in agreement with experiments. These observations indicate the need of two-order parameters in describing phase transitions of liquids.
Single-step fabrication of quantum funnels via centrifugal colloidal casting of nanoparticle films
Authors: Kim Jin Young , Adinolfi Valerio , Sutherland Brandon R. , Voznyy Oleksandr , Kwon S. Joon , Kim Tae Wu , Kim Jeongho , Ihee Hyotcherl , Kemp Kyle , Adachi Michael , Yuan Mingjian , Kramer Illan , Zhitomirsky David , Hoogland Sjoerd , Sargent Edward H.
Published: July 2015

Centrifugal casting of composites and ceramics has been widely employed to improve the mechanical and thermal properties of functional materials. This powerful method has yet to be deployed in the context of nanoparticles—yet size–effect tuning of quantum dots is among their most distinctive and application-relevant features. Here we report the first gradient nanoparticle films to be constructed in a single step. By creating a stable colloid of nanoparticles that are capped with electronic-conduction-compatible ligands we were able to leverage centrifugal casting for thin-films devices. This new method, termed centrifugal colloidal casting, is demonstrated to form films in a bandgap-ordered manner with efficient carrier funnelling towards the lowest energy layer. We constructed the first quantum-gradient photodiode to be formed in a single deposition step and, as a result of the gradient-enhanced electric field, experimentally measured the highest normalized detectivity of any colloidal quantum dot photodetector.
Landau level splitting in Cd3As2 under high magnetic fields
Authors: Cao Junzhi , Liang Sihang , Zhang Cheng , Liu Yanwen , Huang Junwei , Jin Zhao , Chen Zhi-Gang , Wang Zhijun , Wang Qisi , Zhao Jun , Li Shiyan , Dai Xi , Zou Jin , Xia Zhengcai , Li Liang , Xiu Faxian
Published: July 2015

Three-dimensional topological Dirac semimetals (TDSs) are a new kind of Dirac materials that exhibit linear energy dispersion in the bulk and can be viewed as three-dimensional graphene. It has been proposed that TDSs can be driven to other exotic phases like Weyl semimetals, topological insulators and topological superconductors by breaking certain symmetries. Here we report the first transport experiment on Landau level splitting in TDS Cd3As2 single crystals under high magnetic fields, suggesting the removal of spin degeneracy by breaking time reversal symmetry. The detected Berry phase develops an evident angular dependence and possesses a crossover from non-trivial to trivial state under high magnetic fields, a strong hint for a fierce competition between the orbit-coupled field strength and the field-generated mass term. Our results unveil the important role of symmetry breaking in TDSs and further demonstrate a feasible path to generate a Weyl semimetal phase by breaking time reversal symmetry.