bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Diabetes and thyroid disorders
Authors: Reismann Péter , Somogyi Anikó
Published: March 2011

Both diabetes mellitus and thyroid disorders are common diseases. According to epidemiologic studies the prevalence of specific thyroid disorders in diabetic subjects is two times higher. Risk factors are age, female gender and autoimmune diabetes mellitus. However, thyroid disorders are diagnosed only half of the cases in diabetic population. The review briefly summarizes the association of autoimmune diabetes mellitus and thyreoiditis, the risk of thyroid disorders in type 1 diabetic pregnant women. Furthermore, the influence of obesity in the risk on thyroid cancer and the effect of glucagon-like peptide 1 analogue on thyroid medullary C-cells are discussed. Orv. Hetil., 2011, 152, 516–519.
Clinical aspects of the link between diabetes and depression
Authors: Nagy Géza , Rosta Klára , Szémán Barbara , Sasvári-Székely Mária , Somogyi Anikó
Published: March 2011

Diabetes mellitus and depression are public health concerns of the present and, as predicted, also the future. The observation that depression is seen more frequently in diabetic patients compared to the non-diabetic population has been proven by several recent studies. The co-occurrence carries further risks for the affected patients, as depression in diabetics may affect sufficient treatment of diabetes and enhance the development of diabetic complications. These may further worsen depressive symptoms causing a vicious cycle in these patients. In the present paper authors discuss in detail the theoretic and practical issues of the complex two directional relationships between diabetes and depression. Their goal is to draw attention to depression as co-morbidity of diabetes that may interfere with the optimization of diabetic patient’s carbohydrate metabolism. If sufficient glycaemic control is not achieved using routine clinical methods depression should be evaluated as a probable cause. If needed, depression should be treated to improve the medical outcomes and quality of life of diabetic patients. Orv. Hetil., 2011, 152, 498–504.
Diabetes mellitus and Alzheimer’s disease
Authors: Salacz Pál , Csibri Éva
Published: March 2011

The incidence of Alzheimer’s disease and diabetes is increasing with age. Thus, in light of demographic change and aging societies, they are becoming a growing issue for public health. Further, there are linkages between the two diseases. In particular, risk assessment studies suggest that type 2 diabetes mellitus is a risk factor of Alzheimer’s disease. Hence, even though Alzheimer’s disease can only be influenced to a limited extent, optimal treatment of diabetes mellitus may have also a positive effect on Alzheimer’s disease. While the relationship between the two diseases is not yet completely clear, in addition to the known vascular effects of diabetes mellitus recent results shed light on central nervous system effects directly influencing the neurodegenerative process. Treatment of central insulin resistance, a phenomenon explored in recent years, may be a promising avenue, not only in addressing metabolic disorder, but also Alzheimer’s disease. Orv. Hetil., 2011, 152, 512–515.
Comorbidity of metabolic syndrome, diabetes and schizophrenia: theoretical and practical considerations
Authors: Réthelyi János , Sawalhe Anna-Dalal
Published: March 2011

Schizophrenia is a psychiatric disorder characterized by heterogeneous symptoms, affecting 0.8-1% of the population worldwide. It usually begins in early adulthood and demonstrates a chronic course. In recent years research interest has turned to the increased burden of somatic illness in schizophrenia, with special emphasis on metabolic syndrome and diabetes. In this article I review the theoretical and practical aspects of the comorbidity of schizophrenia with metabolic syndrome and diabetes mellitus. Epidemiological studies demonstrate the occurrence of metabolic syndrome between 22% and 66%, while the prevalence of diabetes is at least threefold compared to the non-psychiatric population in all age groups. Etiologically it is not clear to what extent these alterations are caused by direct genetic and biological effects in contrast to environmental factors. Among the latter the role of atypical antipsychotics should be emphasized. Clinical management of prediabetic conditions and diabetes in schizophrenia warrants the close cooperation of professionals working in the areas of psychiatry and diabetology. This cooperation should include close metabolic monitoring, lifestyle and dietary training, moreover careful modification and in some cases switching of antipsychotic medication. Persisting metabolic symptoms or diabetes require treatment with oral antidiabetics, fibrates, and statins. Orv. Hetil., 2011, 152, 505–511.
On generalized surjective codes
Authors: Quistorff Jörn , Schlage-Puchta Jan-Christoph
Published: March 2011

We consider generalized surjective codes, together with their connection to covering codes and covering arrays. We prove new bounds on σq(n; s; r), the minimal cardinality of a q-ary code of length n, which is s-surjective with radius r. For covering codes we deduce the new records K6(10, 7) ≦ 18 and K6(9, 6) ≦ 24.
Using Quality and Safety Education for Nurses (QSEN) as a Pedagogical Structure for Course Redesign and Content
Authors: Brady Debra S
Published: March 2011

The safety and quality issues identified in the United States healthcare system have resulted in a call to transform healthcare education, preparing graduates to work in teams and within systems that promote patient safety. Responding from funding by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, a National Nursing Advisory Board and the American Association of Colleges of Nurses created six Quality and Safety Education for Nurses (QSEN) competencies for nursing: patient-centered care, teamwork and collaboration, evidence based practice, safety, quality improvement, and informatics. These competencies provided a systematic pedagogical structure for course redesign and content to prepare nurses to value quality and safety in caring for patients. The course redesign incorporated a wide variety of active learning modalities, simulation being an ideal education technique to implement QSEN because of the multiple levels of knowledge, skills, and attitudes that can be practiced and evaluated in each competency.
Becoming Real: Using the Artistic Pedagogical Technology of Photovoice as a Medium to Becoming Real to One Another in the Online Educative Environment
Authors: Janzen Katherine J , Perry Beth A , Edwards Margaret
Published: March 2011

Over the past decade, online education has become common place. Critics of online education point to the possible loss of social interaction and interpersonal connections in this educational medium. Broadly, our research focus is how human to human interactions can be sustained and even enhanced in online classrooms. Specifically, this paper focuses on how one Artistic Pedagogical Technology called Photovoice (Perry & Edwards, 2010) may support these valued social interactions. Using a purposive sample of 46 graduate students in a large online university, online interactions resulting from the teaching strategy of Photovoice were analyzed for presence of authentic voice and authentic interaction. Lincoln and Guba’s (1985) authenticity criteria were adapted to evaluate Photovoice as an authentic medium. The results of this study show support for the use of Photovoice as a medium for becoming “real” or authentic to one another and as a modality of sustaining authentic interaction in the online environment.
Student Nurse Perceptions of Effective Medication Administration Education
Authors: Krautscheid Lorretta C , Orton Valorie J , Chorpenning Lori , Ryerson Rachel
Published: March 2011

Nursing faculty strive to educate students in a manner that prevents errors, promoting quality, patient-centered care. This endeavor is dependent upon meaningful and effective education that incorporates educational experiences reflective of the service sector. Anecdotal reports from clinical faculty and student nurses suggest that academic medication administration education may not optimally prepare students for safe entry into clinical practice. The aim of this phenomenologic qualitative research is to understand student nurse perceptions regarding teaching strategies and learning activities that prepared them for safe medication administration in acute care clinical settings. Focus group interviews resulted in two broad themes that are identified as Effective Education and Gaps in Education. Within these broad themes, findings revealed that students value faculty demonstrations, peer-learning opportunities, and repetitive practice with timely feedback. Study findings also pointed to educational gaps. Students reported needing to learn communication and conflict resolution strategies that would help them manage real-world interruptions, distractions, and computer generated alerts. Study findings recommend implementing relevant decision-support technology within academic lab learning activities.
A new curve for temperature-time relationship in compartment fire
Authors: Blagojevic Milan , Pesic Dusica
Published: March 2011

An idealized temperature curve of compartment fire has three, distinct
phases: growth phase, steady-burning (or fully developed) phase, and decay
phase. Standard temperature-time curves are not suitable for describing the
fire phenomena because it does not take into account fire load nor
ventilation conditions, and fire according to these curves never decays. The
temperature curve of compartment fire, especially the growth phase, may be
treated like pulse phenomena. This means that it is possible to approximate
the fire development with some suitable function that satisfactory describes
the pulse phenomena. The shape of the time-temperature curve for fire with
flashover has characteristic peak before the decay phase, or slow decreases
before the decay phase - in absence of flashover. In this paper we propose
the definition of the time-temperature curve by means of a unique function in
which the quantities of fuel and ventilation conditions are defined with
parameters. This function is very convenient for approximation of the
development of compartment fire with flashover, for smouldering combustion
which has fire curve without characteristic peak, this function can be used
only for approximation of growth period of fire.
Thermal analysis of heat pipe using self rewetting fluids
Authors: Senthilkumar Rathinasamy , Vaidyanathan Subaiah , Balasubramanian Sivaramanb
Published: March 2011

This paper discuses the use of self rewetting fluids in the heat pipe. In
conventional heat pipes, the working fluid used has a negative
surface-tension gradient with temperature. It is an unfavourable one and it
decreases the heat transport between the evaporator section and the condenser
section. Self rewetting fluids are dilute aqueous alcoholic solutions which
have the number of carbon atoms more than four. Unlike other common liquids,
self-rewetting fluids have the property that the surface tension increases
with temperature up to a certain limit. The experiments are conducted to
improve the heat-transport capability and thermal efficiency of capillary
assisted heat pipes with the self rewetting fluids like aqueous solutions of
n-Butanol and n-Pentanol and its performance is compared with that of pure
water. The n-Butanol and n-Pentanol are added to the pure water at a
concentration of 0.001moles/lit to prepare the self rewetting fluids. The
heat pipes are made up of copper container with a two-layered stainless steel
wick consisting of mesh wrapped screen. The experimental results show that
the maximum heat transport of the heat pipe is enhanced and the thermal
resistances are considerably decreased than the traditional heat pipes filled
with water. The fluids used exhibit an anomalous increase in the surface
tension with increasing temperature.
Recombinant Human Leptin Treatment Does Not Improve Insulin Action in Obese Subjects With Type 2 Diabetes
Authors: Mittendorfer Bettina , Horowitz Jeffrey F. , DePaoli Alex M. , McCamish Mark A. , Patterson Bruce W. , Klein Samuel
Published: March 2011

OBJECTIVE

Leptin therapy improves insulin sensitivity in people with leptin deficiency, but it is not known whether it improves insulin action in people who are not leptin deficient. The purpose of the current study was to determine whether leptin treatment has weight loss–independent effects on insulin action in obese subjects with type 2 diabetes.

RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS

We conducted a randomized, placebo-controlled trial in obese subjects (BMI: 35.4 ± 0.6 kg/m2; mean ± SE) with newly diagnosed type 2 diabetes. Subjects were randomized to treatment with placebo (saline), low-dose (30 mg/day), or high-dose (80 mg/day) recombinant methionyl human (r-Met hu) leptin for 14 days. Multiorgan insulin sensitivity before and after treatment was evaluated by using the hyperinsulinemic-euglycemic clamp procedure in conjunction with stable isotopically labeled tracer infusions to measure glucose, glycerol, and fatty acid kinetics.

RESULTS

Low-dose and high-dose leptin treatment resulted in a threefold (P < 0.01) and 150-fold (P < 0.001) increase in basal plasma leptin concentrations, respectively. However, neither low-dose nor high-dose therapy had an effect on insulin-mediated suppression of glucose, glycerol, or palmitate rates of appearance into plasma compared with placebo. In addition, leptin treatment did not increase insulin-mediated stimulation of glucose disposal compared with placebo (14.3 ± 3.1, 18.4 ± 3.6, 16.7 ± 2.4 vs. 17.5 ± 2.5, 20.7 ± 3.0, 19.1 ± 3.3 μmol/kg body wt/min before vs. after treatment in the placebo, low-dose, and high-dose leptin groups, respectively).

CONCLUSIONS

r-Met hu leptin does not have weight loss–independent, clinically important effects on insulin sensitivity in obese people with type 2 diabetes.
Ginseng and Ginsenoside Re Do Not Improve β-Cell Function or Insulin Sensitivity in Overweight and Obese Subjects With Impaired Glucose Tolerance or Diabetes
Authors: Reeds Dominic N. , Patterson Bruce W. , Okunade Adewole , Holloszy John O. , Polonsky Kenneth S. , Klein Samuel
Published: March 2011

OBJECTIVE

Ginseng and its active component, ginsenoside Re, are popular herbal products that are advocated for treatment of diabetes. The purpose of this study was to determine whether ginseng or ginsenoside Re improves β-cell function and insulin sensitivity (IS) in insulin-resistant subjects.

RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS

Overweight or obese subjects (BMI = 34 ± 1 kg/m2) with impaired glucose tolerance or newly diagnosed type 2 diabetes were randomized to 30 days of treatment with ginseng root extract (8 g/day), ginsenoside Re (250–500 mg/day), or placebo. β-Cell function was assessed as the disposition index (DI) and measured by a frequently sampled oral glucose tolerance test, and IS was assessed as the relative increase in glucose disposal during a hyperinsulinemic-euglycemic clamp procedure plus stable isotope tracer infusion.

RESULTS

Values for DI and IS after therapy (Post) were not different from values before therapy (Pre) in the placebo (DI: Pre, 5.8 ± 0.9 × 10−3 and Post, 5.8 ± 0.8 × 10−3, P = 0.99; IS: Pre,165 ± 29% and Post, 185 ± 24%, P = 0.34), ginseng (DI: Pre, 7.7 ± 2.0 × 10−3 and Post, 6.0 ± 0.8 × 10−3, P = 0.29; IS: Pre, 171 ± 72% and Post,137 ± 59%, P = 0.88), and ginsenoside Re (DI: Pre, 7.4 ± 3.0 × 10−3 and Post, 5.9 ± 1.1 × 10−3, P = 0.50; IS: Pre, 117 ± 31% and Post, 134 ± 34%, P = 0.44) groups. Ginsenosides Re, Rb1, and Rb2 were not detectable in plasma after treatment with ginseng root extract or ginsenoside Re.

CONCLUSIONS

Oral ginseng or ginsenoside Re therapy does not improve β-cell function or IS in overweight/obese subjects with impaired glucose tolerance or newly diagnosed diabetes. Poor systemic bioavailability might be responsible for the absence of a therapeutic effect.
The Ritual of American Consensus
Authors: Bercovitch Sacvan
Published: March 2011

I discovered America in 1968. By then, I had been living in the United States for a few years; but that was a different matter. As Elizabeth Peabody, the transcendentalist, said, after she walked into a tree : "I saw it, but I did not quite realize it." Ten years ago, I realized that I was living inside the myth of America. Not of North America, for the myth stopped short at the Canadian and Mexican borders, but of a country that despite its arbitrary frontiers, despite its bewildering mix of race and creed, could believe in something called the true America, and could invest that patent fiction with all the moral and emotional appeal of a religious symbol. I felt then like Sancho Panza in a land of Don Quixotes. Here was the Jewish anarchist, Paul Goodman, berating the Mid-West for abandoning the dream; here, the descendant of American slaves, Martin Luther King, denouncing injustice as a violation of the American Way; here, an endless debate about national destiny, full of rage and faith, conservatives scaveng- ing for un-Americans, New Left historians recalling the country to its sacred mission. Their problem was not what is usually called identity. They never asked "Who are we?" but—as though deliberately avoiding that common- sense question—"When is our errand to be fulfilled? How long, O Lord, how long?" And their answers invariably joined celebration and lament in reaffirming America's mission.
Simulations de mesures de politique économique : une typologie
Authors: Bureau Dominique , Norotte Michel
Published: March 2011

Simulations de mesures de politique économique : une typologie,

par Dominique Bureau, Michel Norotte.

Les échantillons de variantes réalisées avec les deux modèles de l'administration Metric et Dms, dans le cadre d'un exercice d'optimisation de l'emploi pour le VIIIe Plan, sont étudiés par des méthodes d'analyse des données. On met en évidence la possibilité de ramener la plupart des variantes des modèles à quelques grands types pour lesquels les mécanismes keynésiens sont toujours centraux. Le fait que la trame d'ensemble soit semblable pour les deux modèles, permet ensuite de dégager quelques éléments de comparaison entre eux.

La première partie décrit la méthodologie et les données utilisées.

La seconde résume les résultats des analyses factonelles et des classifications hiérarchiques, ces dernières se révèlent les plus riches pour dégager un cadre global d'analyse et faire le lien avec la théorie macroéconomique.

La troisième vise à élucider la divergence d'appréciation entre les deux modèles sur les liens entre déficit budgétaire et déficit extérieur. Elle donne l'occasion de mettre en lumière certains éléments quantitatifs beaucoup plus généraux.
Prestations vieillesse du régime général : évolution rétrospective et prévisions à l'horizon 1986
Authors: Cendron Jean-Pierre
Published: March 2011

Prestations vieillesse du Régime général: évolution rétrospective et prévisions à l'horizon 1986,

par Jean- Pierre Cendron.

Après une brève analyse de l'évolution rétrospective des prestations vieillesse du régime général, l'article expose la méthode utilisée pour effectuer des prévisions. L'évolution des effectifs est calculée, dans la plupart des cas, à partir du vieillissement de la pyramide des âges des pensionnés, à laquelle vient s'ajouter le flux des nouveaux entrants. Celle du montant moyen des allocations est déterminée par les revalorisations annuelles et le niveau du salaire de base des nouveaux retraités. Elle se combine avec la précédente pour aboutir à un taux de croissance des différentes prestations versées par le régime.

Le résultat des prévisions montre qu'après une phase de vive croissance entre 1970 et 1978, suivie d'un ralentissement entre 1979 et 1983, le montant des prestations vieillesse du Régime général a repris une croissance rapide, sous la double influence de l'abaissement de l'âge de la retraite et de la fin des classes creuses.
Public Opinion of Pharmacists and Pharmacist Prescribing
Authors: Perepelkin Jason
Published: March 2011

Background:

Pharmacists generally enjoy a high ranking when members of the general public are asked to rate the most trusted professions. While it is a good thing that the pharmacy profession appears to be trustworthy, it is not clear whether the public fully appreciates what pharmacists can do.

Methods:

A telephone survey in the province of Saskatchewan was conducted between February 25 and March 2, 2010. The questionnaire consisted of 43 items.

Results:

A total of 1283 people were contacted; 403 (31.4%) agreed to participate. A majority of respondents were female (253, 62.8%). Two-thirds (262, 65%) felt they were a “customer” when visiting a pharmacy; only 14.9% (60) felt they were a “patient.” There was some limited support for an expanded role for pharmacists.

Conclusions:

Gender appears to play a role in public perceptions of pharmacists; women tended to have a more favourable view of the profession than men. Lower education and income level were associated with a more positive view of pharmacists. This study adds to our understanding of the public perceptions of pharmacists and the potential for increased scope of practice. Respondents in this study, as in similar studies, generally had a positive view of the pharmacy profession, but there is still some variation, perhaps showing that an inconsistent message is being communicated to the general public about the role of pharmacists.
ACHIEVEMENTS OF LITHUANIAN SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT DURING THE INTEGRATION PROCESS INTO THE EUROPEAN UNION
Authors: Liobikienė Genovaitė , Mandravickaitė Justina
Published: March 2011

After the collapse of the Soviet Union, Lithuania rapidly started turning towards European trade patterns averting from those of the former communist regime. However, European integration has had an effect not only on convergence of gross domestic product (GDP) but also on convergence of prices as well as on alteration of living standards. The goals of Lithuanian integration to the EU were noted in the National Lithuanian Sustainable Development Strategy. The key objective of sustainable development in Lithuania was to achieve the present developmental level of the EU countries according to indicators of economic and social development. Therefore, the paper compares the convergence across the old and newer member-states of the EU in terms of GDP, household final consumption expenditure and comparative price level indices. In addition, it is revealed that Lithuanian expenditure patterns rapidly approach those of the old member-states of the EU. Consequently, Lithuanian integration to the EU contributes to approaching the EU-15 level what means the successful achievements of Sustainable Development Strategy as well. So, the aim of this paper is to show how successful are Lithuanian sustainable development achievements in terms of GDP, comparative price level and household expenditure within framework of integration to the EU.
Análisis bibliométrico de las publicaciones científicas españolas en la categoría Metallurgy & Metallurgical Engineering de la base de datosWeb of Science (1997-2008)
Authors: Rojas-Sola J. I. , San Antonio-Gómez C.
Published: March 2011

El análisis de las publicaciones científicas desde un punto de vista bibliométrico puede considerarse como una herramienta muy útil a la hora de diseñar estrategias desde el punto de vista institucional, en aras de potenciar la visibilidad internacional de sus investigaciones científicas o de diseñar nuevas líneas de trabajo. Este trabajo persigue un objetivo principal, como ha sido el de realizar una revisión de los trabajos publicados en revistas en el área de Metallurgy & Metallurgical Engineering para el período 1997-2008 a través de la base de datos del Web of Science (WoS), para presentar un estudio bibliométrico a nivel institucional. Otros trabajos realizados en esa línea y de gran interés que caracterizan otra de las grandes áreas de creciente desarrollo como es Materials Science, Ceramics, han sido publicados recientemente en la revista Boletín de la Sociedad Española de Cerámica y Vidrio (CSIC).
Otro objetivo del presente estudio, es caracterizar el área de conocimiento de Ciencia de losMateriales e Ingeniería Metalúrgica de las Universidades y Centros de Investigación españoles, área de gran importancia para el desarrollo de un país.
Electrochemical Behavior of Biologically Important Indole Derivatives
Authors: Karaaslan Cigdem , Suzen Sibel
Published: March 2011

Voltammetric techniques are most suitable to investigate the redox properties of a new drug. Use of electrochemistry is an important approach in drug discovery and research as well as quality control, drug stability, and determination of physiological activity. The indole nucleus is an essential element of a number of natural and synthetic products with significant biological activity. Indole derivatives are the well-known electroactive compounds that are readily oxidized at carbon-based electrodes, and thus analytical procedures, such as electrochemical detection and voltammetry, have been developed for the determination of biologically important indoles. This paper explains some of the relevant and recent achievements in the electrochemistry processes and parameters mainly related to biologically important indole derivatives in view of drug discovery and analysis.
Metabolic Syndrome and Renal Injury
Authors: Sheen Yi-Jing , Sheu Wayne Huey-Herng
Published: March 2011

Both metabolic syndrome (MetS) and chronic kidney disease (CKD) are major global health issues. Current clinical markers used to reflect renal injury include albuminuria and estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR). Given the same eGFR level, urine albumin might be a better risk marker to predict progression of CKD and future development of cardiovascular diseases (CVDs). Serum Cystatin C is emerging as a new biomarker for early detection of renal injury associated with MetS and cardiovascular risk. In addition to each component, MetS per se influences the incidence and prognosis of renal injury and the odds ratios increased with the increase in the number of metabolic abnormalities. Hyperinsulinemia, activation of rennin-angiotensin-aldosterone system, increase of oxidative stress, and inflammatory cytokines are proposed to be the plausible biological link between MetS and CKD. Weight control, stick control of blood pressure, glucose, and lipids disorders may lead to lessening renal injury and even the subsequent CVD.
Whole genome fine mapping of quantitative trait loci for ultrasound and carcass merit traits in beef cattle
Authors: Nalaila Sungael , Stothard Paul , Moore Stephen , Wang Zhiquan , Li Changxi
Published: March 2011

Nalaila, S. M., Stothard, P., Moore, S. S., Wang, Z. and Li, C. 2011. Whole genome fine mapping of quantitative trait loci for ultrasound and carcass merit traits in beef cattle. Can. J. Anim. Sci. 91: 61–73. Quantitative trait loci (QTL) mapped to large chromosomal regions have limited utility as DNA markers for marker-assisted selection (MAS) and are less informative as a reference for the identification of the underlying causative quantitative trait nucleotides (QTN). The objective of this study was to conduct a whole genome fine mapping of QTL for ultrasound and carcass merit traits in beef cattle using a greater density of single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) markers, and to identify SNP markers within the QTL regions that are associated with the traits. A total of 418 steers from 28 sires were used in this study with nine ultrasound and seven carcass merit traits that were collected as part of a feedlot trial conducted from 2003 to 2005 at the University of Alberta Kinsella ranch. Sires and their progeny were genotyped for a total of 4592 SNP markers distributed across all 29 bovine autosomes (BTA). Across-family analyses detected 12 QTL for five ultrasound traits on nine chromosomes and 18 QTL for six carcass merit traits on 10 chromosomes (P<0.05). Within-family analyses identified 78 significant QTL for nine ultrasound and seven carcass merit traits (P<0.01). The use of a denser panel of SNP markers allowed fine mapping of QTL to smaller chromosomal regions ranging from 0.6 to 11 cM compared with relatively larger QTL regions of 4 to 24 cM reported in previous studies. Furthermore, single SNP marker association analyses identified 22 SNPs that were significantly associated with three ultrasound and four carcass merit traits under 12 QTL regions (P<0.05). These identified SNP markers significantly associated with the traits under the fine mapped QTL regions provide genomic tools for potential application of MAS and a reference to assist with the identification of QTN causing variations in ultrasound and carcass merit traits in beef cattle.
Disarmament and Non-Nuclear Stability in Tomorrow's World
Authors: Ford Christopher A
Published: March 2011

DOI: 10.5564/mjia.v0i14.29Mongolian Journal of International Affairs No.14 2007 pp.96-101
Australian Refugee Discourse: "Case for De-securitization of Refugees"?
Authors: Ulziilkham E
Published: March 2011

DOI: 10.5564/mjia.v0i15-16.33Mongolian Journal of International Affairs No.15-16 2008-2009 pp.108-133
The July 1st Event and Beyond - Human Rights Situation in Mongolia
Authors: Munkhzorig B
Published: March 2011

DOI: 10.5564/mjia.v0i15-16.36Mongolian Journal of International Affairs No.15-16 2008-2009 pp.201-204
A Call for PrEP Discussions With Black Women—Be a Gardener
Authors: Irie Whitney C. , Blackstock Oni J.
Published: May 2024

This Viewpoint discusses the importance of proactively discussing preexposure prophylaxis (PrEP) with Black cisgender women.
Digital Engagement Strategy and Health Care Worker Mental Health
Authors: Agarwal Anish K. , Southwick Lauren , Gonzales Rachel E. , Bellini Lisa M. , Asch David A. , Shea Judy A. , Mitra Nandita , Yang Lin , Josephs Michael , Kopinksy Michael , Kishton Rachel , Balachandran Mohan , Benjamin Wolk Courtney , Becker-Haimes Emily M. , Merchant Raina M.
Published: May 2024

Importance

The health care workforce continues to experience high rates of depression and anxiety. Finding ways to effectively support the mental health and well-being of health care workers is challenging.

Objective

To test the effectiveness of remote, pushed digital assessments and engagement to improve depression and anxiety among health care workers compared with usual care.

Design, Setting, and Participants

This was a 9-month randomized clinical trial with a 6-month intervention period. Participants were health care workers with self-reported daily access to a smartphone and at least 4 clinical hours per week. Participants were randomized to usual care or the intervention between January 2022 and March 2023. Data analyses were conducted between May and July 2023.

Interventions

All participants completed baseline, 6-month, and 9-month mental health, well-being, and burnout assessments. The control group had open access to a web-based mental health platform. Participants in the intervention group received monthly text messaging about mental health, mental health assessments, and linkages to care.

Main Outcomes and Measures

The primary outcomes were mean change in depression and anxiety scores at 6 months from baseline. Secondary outcomes include mean change in well-being, burnout, and self-reported workplace productivity.

Results

In this study, 1275 participants were randomized (642 [50.4%] to the intervention group and 633 [49.6%] to control group). Participants had a mean (SD) age of 38.6 (10.9) years, 1063 participants (83.4%) were female, 320 (25.1%) self-identified as Black, and 793 (62.2%) self-identified as White. Across the groups, the mean difference in depression score was significantly different at 6 months (−0.96 [95% CI, −1.52 to −0.40]) and at 9 months (−1.14 [95% CI, −1.69 to −0.58]). The mean difference in anxiety score from baseline to 6 months was statistically significantly larger for those in the intervention group vs usual care (−0.71 [95% CI, −1.25 to −0.17]) and held true at 9 months (−1.06 [95% CI, −1.59 to −0.52]).

Conclusions and Relevance

In a trial of health care workers, a proactive digital engagement strategy, including pushed text messaging, mobile mental health assessments, and connection to care, improved depression and anxiety over a 6-month period compared with simply making the same resources available for individuals to find and use.

Trial Registration

ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT05028075
Preterm and Early-Term Delivery After Heat Waves in 50 US Metropolitan Areas
Authors: Darrow Lyndsey A. , Huang Mengjiao , Warren Joshua L. , Strickland Matthew J. , Holmes Heather A. , Newman Andrew J. , Chang Howard H.
Published: May 2024

Importance

Heat waves are increasing in frequency, intensity, and duration and may be acutely associated with pregnancy outcomes.

Objective

To examine changes in daily rates of preterm and early-term birth after heat waves in a 25-year nationwide study.

Design, Setting, and Participants

This cohort study of singleton births used birth records from 1993 to 2017 from the 50 most populous US metropolitan statistical areas (MSAs). The study included 53 million births, covering 52.8% of US births over the period. Data were analyzed between October 2022 and March 2023 at the National Center for Health Statistics.

Exposures

Daily temperature data from Daymet at 1-km2 resolution were averaged over each MSA using population weighting. Heat waves were defined in the 4 days (lag, 0-3 days) or 7 days (lag, 0-6 days) preceding birth.

Main Outcomes and Measures

Daily counts of preterm birth (28 to <37 weeks), early-term birth (37 to <39 weeks), and ongoing pregnancies in each gestational week on each day were enumerated in each MSA. Rate ratios for heat wave metrics were obtained from time-series models restricted to the warm season (May to September) adjusting for MSA, year, day of season, and day of week, and offset by pregnancies at risk.

Results

There were 53 154 816 eligible births in the 50 MSAs from 1993 to 2017; 2 153 609 preterm births and 5 795 313 early-term births occurring in the warm season were analyzed. A total of 30.0% of mothers were younger than 25 years, 53.8% were 25 to 34 years, and 16.3% were 35 years or older. Heat waves were positively associated with daily rates of preterm and early-term births, showing a dose-response association with heat wave duration and temperatures and stronger associations in the more acute 4-day window. After 4 consecutive days of mean temperatures exceeding the local 97.5th percentile, the rate ratio for preterm birth was 1.02 (95% CI, 1.00-1.03), and the rate ratio for early-term birth was 1.01 (95% CI, 1.01-1.02). For the same exposure, among those who were 29 years of age or younger, had a high school education or less, and belonged to a racial or ethnic minority group, the rate ratios were 1.04 (95% CI, 1.02-1.06) for preterm birth and 1.03 (95% CI, 1.02-1.05) for early-term birth. Results were robust to alternative heat wave definitions, excluding medically induced deliveries, and alternative statistical model specifications.

Conclusions and Relevance

In this cohort study, preterm and early-term birth rates increased after heat waves, particularly among socioeconomically disadvantaged subgroups. Extreme heat events have implications for perinatal health.
Virtual Scribes and Physician Time Spent on Electronic Health Records
Authors: Rotenstein Lisa , Melnick Edward R. , Iannaccone Christine , Zhang Jianyi , Mugal Aqsa , Lipsitz Stuart R. , Healey Michael J. , Holland Christopher , Snyder Richard , Sinsky Christine A. , Ting David , Bates David W.
Published: May 2024

Importance

Time on the electronic health record (EHR) is associated with burnout among physicians. Newer virtual scribe models, which enable support from either a real-time or asynchronous scribe, have the potential to reduce the burden of the EHR and EHR-related documentation.

Objective

To characterize the association of use of virtual scribes with changes in physicians’ EHR time and note and order composition and to identify the physician, scribe, and scribe response factors associated with changes in EHR time upon virtual scribe use.

Design, Setting, and Participants

Retrospective, pre-post quality improvement study of 144 physicians across specialties who had used a scribe for at least 3 months from January 2020 to September 2022, were affiliated with Brigham and Women’s Hospital and Massachusetts General Hospital, and cared for patients in the outpatient setting. Data were analyzed from November 2022 to January 2024.

Exposure

Use of either a real-time or asynchronous virtual scribe.

Main Outcomes

Total EHR time, time on notes, and pajama time (5:30 pm to 7:00 am on weekdays and nonscheduled weekends and holidays), all per appointment; proportion of the note written by the physician and team contribution to orders.

Results

The main study sample included 144 unique physicians who had used a virtual scribe for at least 3 months in 152 unique scribe participation episodes (134 [88.2%] had used an asynchronous scribe service). Nearly two-thirds of the physicians (91 physicians [63.2%]) were female and more than half (86 physicians [59.7%]) were in primary care specialties. Use of a virtual scribe was associated with significant decreases in total EHR time per appointment (mean [SD] of 5.6 [16.4] minutes; P < .001) in the 3 months after vs the 3 months prior to scribe use. Scribe use was also associated with significant decreases in note time per appointment and pajama time per appointment (mean [SD] of 1.3 [3.3] minutes; P < .001 and 1.1 [4.0] minutes; P = .004). In a multivariable linear regression model, the following factors were associated with significant decreases in total EHR time per appointment with a scribe use at 3 months: practicing in a medical specialty (−7.8; 95% CI, −13.4 to −2.2 minutes), greater baseline EHR time per appointment (−0.3; 95% CI, −0.4 to −0.2 minutes per additional minute of baseline EHR time), and decrease in the percentage of the note contributed by the physician (−9.1; 95% CI, −17.3 to −0.8 minutes for every percentage point decrease).

Conclusions and Relevance

In 2 academic medical centers, use of virtual scribes was associated with significant decreases in total EHR time, time spent on notes, and pajama time, all per appointment. Virtual scribes may be particularly effective among medical specialists and those physicians with greater baseline EHR time.
Is allostery a fuzzy concept?
Authors: Morea Veronica , Angelucci Francesco , Bellelli Andrea
Published: May 2024

Allostery is an important property of biological macromolecules which regulates diverse biological functions such as catalysis, signal transduction, transport, and molecular recognition. However, the concept was expressed using two different definitions by J. Monod and, over time, more have been added by different authors, making it fuzzy. Here, we reviewed the different meanings of allostery in the current literature and found that it has been used to indicate that the function of a protein is regulated by heterotropic ligands, and/or that the binding of ligands and substrates presents homotropic positive or negative cooperativity, whatever the hypothesized or demonstrated reaction mechanism might be. Thus, proteins defined to be allosteric include not only those that obey the two‐state concerted model, but also those that obey different reaction mechanisms such as ligand‐induced fit, possibly coupled to sequential structure changes, and ligand‐linked dissociation‐association. Since each reaction mechanism requires its own mathematical description and is defined by it, there are many possible ‘allosteries’. This lack of clarity is made even fuzzier by the fact that the reaction mechanism is often assigned imprecisely and/or implicitly in the absence of the necessary experimental evidence. In this review, we examine a list of proteins that have been defined to be allosteric and attempt to assign a reaction mechanism to as many as possible.
Exploring gene regulatory interaction networks and predicting therapeutic molecules for hypopharyngeal cancer and EGFR‐mutated lung adenocarcinoma
Authors: Bhattacharjya Abanti , Islam Md Manowarul , Uddin Md Ashraf , Talukder Md Alamin , Azad AKM , Aryal Sunil , Paul Bikash Kumar , Tasnim Wahia , Almoyad Muhammad Ali Abdulllah , Moni Mohammad Ali
Published: May 2024

Hypopharyngeal cancer is a disease that is associated with EGFR‐mutated lung adenocarcinoma. Here we utilized a bioinformatics approach to identify genetic commonalities between these two diseases. To this end, we examined microarray datasets from GEO (Gene Expression Omnibus) to identify differentially expressed genes, common genes, and hub genes between the selected two diseases. Our analyses identified potential therapeutic molecules for the selected diseases based on 10 hub genes with the highest interactions according to the degree topology method and the maximum clique centrality (MCC). These therapeutic molecules may have the potential for simultaneous treatment of these diseases.
AATOD Update from New York: Mobile vans, more
Authors: Knopf Alison
Published: May 2024

At the American Association for the Treatment of Opioid Dependence (AATOD) meeting in Las Vegas last week, Allegra Schorr, M.S., delegate to the AATOD borad from New York, presented highlights from key initiatives for her state. Schorr is President of the Coalition of Medication Assisted Treatment Providers and Advocates (COMPA) and owner and vice president of West Midtown Medical Group, and opioid treatment program (OTP), outpatient substance use disorder treatment program, and primary care provider.
Schorr at AATOD: Making the system ‘kinder’
Authors: Knopf Alison
Published: May 2024

The AATOD conference was a great success, noted Allegra Schorr, B.S., who is President of the Coalition of Medication Assisted Treatment Providers and Advocates (COMPA) and owner and vice president of West Midtown Medical Group, an opioid treatment program (OTP), outpatient substance use disorder treatment program, and primary care program in New York City. The board meeting centered on changes to the guidelines (42 CFR Part 8) for OTPs, with widespeard agreement that the federal changes are “extremely positive,” Schorr told ADAW. “There was some discussion regarding interpretation of the change to the counseling requirement,” she said, adding that there is a need for greater clarification.
Mechanical Properties, Energy Absorption, and Shape Memory Behavior of 3D Printed PLA‐MXene Nanocomposites and Gyroid Lattices
Authors: Srinivas Pooja , Jacob Liya , Shebeeb C Muhammed , Butt Haider , Barsoum Imad , Abu Al‐Rub Rashid K. , Zaki Wael
Published: May 2024

This work investigates the influence of MXene content on the mechanical and functional response of PLA‐MXene composites fabricated additively using fused deposition modeling. The mechanical, thermal, and microstructural properties of the fabricated samples are investigated considering dense and architected triply periodic minimal surfaces (TPMS) gyroid specimens. Overall, the addition of 0.25–0.5 wt% MXene is found to improve the stiffness, fracture strength, and energy absorption capabilities of the PLA. However, further increasing MXene content to 1 wt% becomes detrimental to the general performance of the composite. In terms of functional behavior, the PLA‐MXene blends developed in this work are shown to display a shape memory effect, wherein deformed samples are shown to recover their shape when submerged in hot water. The reported results provide insights into the use of PLA‐MXene in engineering applications, namely those involving impact shielding or energy absorption.
Preliminary Evaluation of the Influence of Hydrogen on the Fracture Toughness of an X65 Gas‐Transmission Pipeline Steel
Authors: Chowdhury Md Fahdul Wahab , Tapia‐Bastidas Clotario V. , Hoschke Joshua , Venezuela Jeffrey , Liu Ting , Djukic Milos B. , Depover Tom , Verbeken Kim , Mcinnes Lenny , Roethig Maximilian , Karimi Amir , Atrens Andrej
Published: May 2024

Previous research has indicated that hydrogen decreases the fracture toughness of gas‐transmission pipeline steels. This study produced two values of fracture toughness for the X65 steel in the Dampier Bunbury natural gas‐transmission pipeline in air (JQof 590 and 778 kJ m−2; equivalent toKQof 369 and 487 MPa) and two essentially American Society for Testing of Materials–valid values of fracture toughness ofKJ1Cof 150 and 189 MPa for X65 subjected to in situ hydrogen charging thought to be equivalent to a hydrogen gas pressure of 200 bar. The fracture toughness for hydrogen‐charged specimens was lower than in air. The large spread of the fracture toughness in air was attributable to the fact that theseJQvalues were dependent on testing details. The spread of fracture toughness values in hydrogen was attributed to the variability of fracture toughness in hydrogen under these hydrogen‐charging conditions. There was considerable stable crack growth. The energy for stable crack growth increased with crack length. The fractography in the presence of hydrogen showed significant ductility, consistent with hydrogen‐assisted plastic fracture. The values of fracture toughness in air and with hydrogen were consistent with literature values.
Elevating Charge Transport Layer for Stable Perovskite Light‐Emitting Diodes
Authors: Yi Chang , Wang Airu , Cao Chensi , Kuang Zhiyuan , Tao Xiangru , Wang Zekun , Zhou Fuyi , Zhang Guolin , Liu Ziping , Huang Heyong , Cao Yu , Li Renzhi , Wang Nana , Huang Wei , Wang Jianpu
Published: May 2024

Ion migration is a major factor affecting the long term stability of perovskite light‐emitting diodes (LEDs), which limits their commercialization potential. The accumulation of excess halide ions at the grain boundaries of perovskite films is a primary cause of ion migration in these devices. Here, it is demonstrated that the channels of ion migrations can be effectively impeded by elevating the hole transport layer between the perovskite grain boundaries, resulting in highly stable perovskite LEDs. The unique structure is achieved by reducing the wettability of the perovskites, which prevents infiltration of the upper hole‐transporting layer into the spaces of perovskite grain boundaries. Consequently, nanosized gaps are formed between the excess halide ions and the hole transport layer, effectively suppressing ion migration. With this structure, perovskite LEDs with operational half‐lifetimes of 256 and 1774 h under current densities of 100 and 20 mA cm−2 respectively are achieved. These lifetimes surpass those of organic LEDs at high brightness. It is further found that this approach can be extended to various perovskite LEDs, showing great promise for promoting perovskite LEDs toward commercial applications.
A Class of Chiral‐Bridged Biphenyl Monophosphine Ligands with Benzofuran Moiety and The Application in Diastereo‐ and Enantioselective Au(I)‐Catalyzed Cycloaddition
Authors: He Xiaobo , Pan Bendu , Zhang Yaqi , Chen Bin , Jiang Long , Qiu Liqin
Published: May 2024

A class of novel chiral‐bridged biphenyl monophosphine ligands with a benzofuran moiety (He‐phos) has been successfully synthesized and reported. These ligands exhibited good performance in the gold‐catalyzed enantioselective cycloaddition reaction of 2‐(1‐alkynyl)‐2‐en‐1‐ones with nitrones, resulting in the successful preparation of a series of polyaryl‐substituted heterocyclic compounds with high enantioselectivities (up to 99% yield, 98% ee). The wide substrate adaptability (53 examples) and mild reaction conditions demonstrate the practicability of He‐phos in this reaction.