bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Alcoholytic Cleavage of Polyhydroxyalkanoate Chains by Class IV Synthases Induced by Endogenous and Exogenous Ethanol
Authors: Hyakutake Manami , Tomizawa Satoshi , Mizuno Kouhei , Abe Hideki , Tsuge Takeharu
Published: December 2013

Polyhydroxyalkanoate (PHA)-producing
Bacillus
strains express class IV PHA synthase, which is composed of the subunits PhaR and PhaC. Recombinant
Escherichia coli
expressing PHA synthase from
Bacillus cereus
strain YB-4 (PhaRC
YB-4
) showed an unusual reduction of the molecular weight of PHA produced during the stationary phase of growth. Nuclear magnetic resonance analysis of the low-molecular-weight PHA revealed that its carboxy end structure was capped by ethanol, suggesting that the molecular weight reduction was the result of alcoholytic cleavage of PHA chains by PhaRC
YB-4
induced by endogenous ethanol. This scission reaction was also induced by exogenous ethanol in both
in vivo
and
in vitro
assays. In addition, PhaRC
YB-4
was observed to have alcoholysis activity for PHA chains synthesized by other synthases. The PHA synthase from
Bacillus megaterium
(PhaRC
Bm
) from another subgroup of class IV synthases was also assayed and was shown to have weak alcoholysis activity for PHA chains. These results suggest that class IV synthases may commonly share alcoholysis activity as an inherent feature.
Lineage-Specific Distribution of Insertion Sequence Excision Enhancer in Enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli Isolated from Swine
Authors: Kusumoto Masahiro , Fukamizu Dai , Ogura Yoshitoshi , Yoshida Eiji , Yamamoto Fumiko , Iwata Taketoshi , Ooka Tadasuke , Akiba Masato , Hayashi Tetsuya
Published: December 2013

Insertion sequences (ISs) are the simplest transposable elements and are widely distributed in bacteria; however, they also play important roles in genome evolution. We recently identified a protein called IS excision enhancer (IEE) in enterohemorrhagic
Escherichia coli
(EHEC) O157. IEE promotes the excision of IS elements belonging to the IS
3
family, such as IS
629
, as well as several other families. IEE-mediated IS excision generates various genomic deletions that lead to the diversification of the bacterial genome. IEE has been found in a broad range of bacterial species; however, among sequenced
E. coli
strains, IEE is primarily found in EHEC isolates. In this study, we investigated non-EHEC pathogenic
E. coli
strains isolated from domestic animals and found that IEE is distributed in specific lineages of enterotoxigenic
E. coli
(ETEC) strains of serotypes O139 or O149 isolated from swine. The
iee
gene is located within integrative elements that are similar to SpLE1 of EHEC O157. All
iee
-positive ETEC lineages also contained multiple copies of IS
629
, a preferred substrate of IEE, and their genomic locations varied significantly between strains, as observed in O157. These data suggest that IEE may have been transferred among EHEC and ETEC in swine via SpLE1 or SpLE1-like integrative elements. In addition, IS
629
is actively moving in the ETEC O139 and O149 genomes and, as in EHEC O157, is promoting the diversification of these genomes in combination with IEE.
Assessing the Mechanisms Responsible for Differences between Nitrogen Requirements of Saccharomyces cerevisiae Wine Yeasts in Alcoholic Fermentation
Authors: Brice Claire , Sanchez Isabelle , Tesnière Catherine , Blondin Bruno
Published: December 2013

Nitrogen is an essential nutrient forSaccharomyces cerevisiaewine yeasts during alcoholic fermentation, and its abundance determines the fermentation rate and duration. The capacity to ferment under conditions of nitrogen deficiency differs between yeasts. A characterization of the nitrogen requirements of a set of 23 strains revealed large differences in their fermentative performances under nitrogen deficiency, and these differences reflect the nitrogen requirements of the strains. We selected and compared two groups of strains, one with low nitrogen requirements (LNRs) and the other with high nitrogen requirements (HNRs). A comparison of various physiological traits indicated that the differences are not related to the ability to store nitrogen or the protein content. No differences in protein synthesis activity were detected between strains with different nitrogen requirements. Transcriptomic analysis revealed expression patterns specific to each of the two groups of strains, with an overexpression of stress genes in HNR strains and a stronger expression of biosynthetic genes in LNR strains. Our data suggest that differences in glycolytic flux may originate from variations in nitrogen sensing and signaling under conditions of starvation.
Comparative Phylogenomics and Evolution of the Brucellae Reveal a Path to Virulence
Authors: Wattam Alice R. , Foster Jeffrey T. , Mane Shrinivasrao P. , Beckstrom-Sternberg Stephen M. , Beckstrom-Sternberg James M. , Dickerman Allan W. , Keim Paul , Pearson Talima , Shukla Maulik , Ward Doyle V. , Williams Kelly P. , Sobral Bruno W. , Tsolis Renee M. , Whatmore Adrian M. , O'Callaghan David
Published: December 2013

Brucella
species include important zoonotic pathogens that have a substantial impact on both agriculture and human health throughout the world. Brucellae are thought of as “stealth pathogens” that escape recognition by the host innate immune response, modulate the acquired immune response, and evade intracellular destruction. We analyzed the genome sequences of members of the family
Brucellaceae
to assess its evolutionary history from likely free-living soil-based progenitors into highly successful intracellular pathogens. Phylogenetic analysis split the genus into two groups: recently identified and early-dividing “atypical” strains and a highly conserved “classical” core clade containing the major pathogenic species. Lateral gene transfer events brought unique genomic regions into
Brucella
that differentiated them from
Ochrobactrum
and allowed the stepwise acquisition of virulence factors that include a type IV secretion system, a perosamine-based O antigen, and systems for sequestering metal ions that are absent in progenitors. Subsequent radiation within the core
Brucella
resulted in lineages that appear to have evolved within their preferred mammalian hosts, restricting their virulence to become stealth pathogens capable of causing long-term chronic infections.
Two Small (p)ppGpp Synthases in Staphylococcus aureus Mediate Tolerance against Cell Envelope Stress Conditions
Authors: Geiger Tobias , Kästle Benjamin , Gratani Fabio Lino , Goerke Christiane , Wolz Christiane
Published: December 2013

The stringent response is a conserved global regulatory mechanism that is related to the synthesis of (p)ppGpp nucleotides. Gram-positive bacteria, such as
Staphylococcus aureus
, possess three (p)ppGpp synthases: the bifunctional RSH (RelA/SpoT homolog) protein, which consists of a (p)ppGpp synthase and a (p)ppGpp hydrolase domain, and two truncated (p)ppGpp synthases, designated RelP and RelQ. Here, we characterized these two small (p)ppGpp synthases. Biochemical analyses of purified proteins and
in vivo
studies revealed a stronger synthetic activity for RelP than for RelQ. However, both enzymes prefer GDP over GTP as the pyrophosphate recipient to synthesize ppGpp. Each of the enzymes was shown to be responsible for the essentiality of the (p)ppGpp hydrolase domain of the RSH protein. The staphylococcal RSH-hydrolase is an efficient enzyme that prevents the toxic accumulation of (p)ppGpp. Expression of (p)ppGpp synthases in a hydrolase-negative background leads not only to growth arrest but also to cell death. Transcriptional analyses showed that
relP
and
relQ
are strongly induced upon vancomycin and ampicillin treatments. Accordingly, mutants lacking
relP
and
relQ
showed a significantly reduced survival rate upon treatments with cell wall-active antibiotics. Thus, RelP and RelQ are active (p)ppGpp synthases in
S. aureus
that are induced under cell envelope stress to mediate tolerance against these conditions.
Characteristics of urinary tract infection pathogens and their in vitro susceptibility to antimicrobial agents in China: data from a multicenter study
Authors: Qiao Lu-Dong , Chen Shan , Yang Yong , Zhang Kai , Zheng Bo , Guo Hong-Feng , Yang Bo , Niu Yuan-Jie , Wang Yi , Shi Ben-Kang , Yang Wei-Min , Zhao Xiao-Kun , Gao Xiao-Feng , Chen Ming , Tian Ye
Published: December 2013

Objective

This study assessed the characteristics of pathogens identified in clinical isolates from patients with urinary tract infection (UTI) and their in vitro sensitivity to commonly used antibiotics in the clinical setting in China.

Design and setting

Multicenter study was conducted between January and December 2011 in 12 hospitals in China.

Participants

Urine samples were collected from 356 symptomatic patients treated in the study hospitals for acute uncomplicated cystitis, recurrent UTI or complicated UTI.

Primary and secondary outcome measures

Minimal inhibitory concentrations (MICs) were measured using broth microdilution according to the Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute 2011 guidelines. Thirteen antimicrobial agents were tested: fosfomycin tromethamine, levofloxacin, moxifloxacin, cefdinir, cefixime, cefaclor, cefprozil, cefuroxime, amoxicillin/clavulanic acid, cefotaxime, azithromycin, nitrofurantoin and oxacillin.Escherichia coliisolates were screened and extended spectrum β-lactamases (ESBL) production was confirmed by a double-disk synergy test.

Results

198 urine samples were culture-positive and 175 isolates were included in the final analysis.E coliwas detected in 50% of cultures, followed byStaphylococcus epidermidis(9%),Enterococcus faecalis(9%) andKlebsiella pneumoniae(5%). The detection rate of ESBL-producingE coliwas 53%. Resistance to levofloxacin was the most common among all the isolates. Nitrofurantoin and fosfomycin tromethamine had the greatest activity againstE coli; overall, 92% and 91% of isolates were susceptible to these antimicrobials.E faecalishad the highest susceptibility rates to fosfomycin tromethamine (100%).

Conclusions

The most frequently identified pathogens in our patients were ESBL-producingEcoliandE faecalis. Fosfomycin tromethamine and nitrofurantoin showed a good antimicrobial activity against UTI pathogens. They may represent good options for the empiric treatment of patients with UTI.
Errors in after-hours phone consultations: a simulation study
Authors: Joffe Erel , Turley James P , Hwang Kevin O , Johnson Todd R , Johnson Craig W , Bernstam Elmer V
Published: December 2013

Background

After-hours out-of-hospital phone consultations require physicians to make decisions based on information provided by a nurse over the phone.

Methods

We conducted a simulation study to evaluate physicians’ actions following communication of key information. 22 nurses were asked to call physicians with six cases based on the six most common reasons for after-hours phone calls. We evaluated physicians’ actions following the communication of key clinical information: Asituation cuedescribed a patient's problem (eg, confusion). Abackground cuedescribed a specific clinical finding regarding the cause of the problem (eg, patient's sodium is low). For each cue we defined a list of indicators, based on the medical literature, to ascertain whether physicians acted upon the provided information (which was defined as addressing at least one of the indicators).

Results

A total of 108 phone consultations (containing 88 situation and 93 background cues) were analysed. Situation cues were communicated in 90% (79/88) of the calls and background cues in 33% (31/93). Physician acted upon the provided information in 57% (45/79) and 48% (15/31) of the communicated situation and background cues, respectively. When the background cues were not communicated, physicians asked questions expected to elicit the cue in 12% of the cases. Responding to the situation cue was associated with longer conversations and active inquiry by the physician.

Conclusions

After-hours phone calls are error prone. Both nurse communication and physician decision-making are problematic. Efforts to improve patient safety in this setting must address both communication and decision-making.
Interactive questioning in critical care during handovers: a transcript analysis of communication behaviours by physicians, nurses and nurse practitioners
Authors: Rayo Michael F , Mount-Campbell Austin F , O'Brien James M , White Susan E , Butz Alexandra , Evans Kris , Patterson Emily S
Published: December 2013

Objective

Although there is a growing recognition of the importance of active communication behaviours from the incoming clinician receiving a patient handover, there are currently no agreed-upon measures to objectively describe those behaviours. This study sought to identify differences in incoming clinician communication behaviours across levels of clinical training for physicians and nurses.

Methods

Handover observations were conducted during shift changes for attending physicians, resident physicians, registered nurses and nurse practitioners in three medical intensive care units from July 2011 to August 2012. Measures were the number of interjections from the incoming clinician and the communication mode of those interjections. Each collaborative cross-check, a specific type of interactive question, was subsequently classified by level of assertiveness.

Results

133 patient handovers were analysed. Statistical differences were found in both measures. Higher levels of training were associated with fewer interjections, and a higher proportion of interactive questioning to detect erroneous assessments and actions by the incoming provider. All groups were observed to use the least assertive level of a collaborative cross-check, which contributed to misunderstandings. Nurses used less assertive collaborative cross-checks than physicians.

Conclusions

Differences across clinician type and levels of clinical training were found in both measures during patient handovers. The findings suggest that training could enable physicians and nurses to learn communication competencies during patient handovers which were used more frequently by more experienced practitioners, including interjecting less frequently and using interactive questioning strategies to clarify understanding, and assertively question the appropriateness of diagnoses, treatment plans and prognoses. Accompanying cultural change initiatives might be required to routinely employ these strategies in the clinical setting, particularly for nursing personnel.
Correlation of caecal intubation rate to volume: colonoscopists should undertake at least 120 procedures per year
Authors: Verma Ajay M , Dixon Andrew D , Chilton Andrew P
Published: December 2013

Introduction

The measurement of the quality of colonoscopy has been in the vanguard of quality improvement. The Joint Advisory Group on Gastrointestinal endoscopy (JAG) has issued guidance for practitioners to achieve caecal intubation rates (CIR) of ≥90% and to undertake ≥100 colonoscopies per annum. The British Society of Gastroenterology National Colonoscopy Audit published in 2012–2013 demonstrated a combined CIR of 92.3%. In 2012, we published data from 16 064 colonoscopies showing a combined CIR of 90.57%—both meeting JAG's standard. Analysis of our audit looked at the relationship of volume and outcome. CIR of operators performing ≥100 procedures per annum was 91.76%; those performing <100 was 87.77%. The 2-year data we collected involved 120+ operators. This provided an opportunity to study the correlation between volume and CIR in detail.

Methods

We analysed 129 operator records who had undertaken 20–399 procedures per annum (total 12 594). Each operator's volume was plotted against CIR as individuals and groups of operators undertaking a similar annual volume. 9859 procedures (78.3%) were performed by operators undertaking 20–199 procedures per annum (120 operators); this subgroup was further analysed.

Results

When plotting individuals and groups of individuals who have undertaken a similar annual volume against CIR, the trend-lines cross a 90% CIR at a volume of 120–125 procedures. The subgroup analysis showed the trend-line crossing at 110–120 procedures.

Conclusions

This detailed analysis of 12 594 colonoscopies over 2 years suggests that JAG should advise operators to undertake ≥120 procedures per annum to support the quality standard for CIR of ≥90%.
Perspectives and attitudes of young patients with inflammatory bowel disease: symptoms, burden of disease and communication with their healthcare professionals
Authors: Alexakis C , Davies G , Stephens J , Clark S , Rogers S , Poullis A
Published: December 2013

Introduction

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) affects a significant proportion of young patients in the UK. The role of the healthcare professional, and their relationship with the young patient is particularly important at this difficult stage of their life, when education, social integration and career planning, can be dramatically affected by this consuming condition.

Objectives

To address the attitudes, experiences and erspectives of young patients suffering from IBD, focusing particularly on the relationship between sufferer and healthcare provider.

Methods

Crohn's and Colitis UK invited its young members to respond to a detailed internet based questionnaire addressing various aspects of patients' disease and their relationship with respective healthcare workers.

Results

1081 patients aged 29 years or less responded. Self reported burden of illness was high with only 12% respondents free from a disease flare in the previous 12 months with almost half being hospitalised in the same period. Quality of ommunication with healthcare providers was generally high, with three-quarters of patients feeling appropriately empowered in their healthcare decisions. The IBD nurse specialist was highlighted as a particularly valuable member of the team, scoring the highest of the professional groups in communication comfort scores, as well as being nominated by the patients as the preferred professional group to discuss their disease with.

Conclusions

The results emphasize the considerable impact of the disease that this group is encumbered with, and identifies areas in the patient-professional relationship that can be augmented to improve the overall healthcare of this complex and fragile subgroup of patients.
The preventive effect of the Nordic hamstring exercise on hamstring injuries in amateur soccer players: study protocol for a randomised controlled trial
Authors: van der Horst Nick , Smits Dirk Wouter , Petersen Jesper , Goedhart Edwin A , Backx Frank J G
Published: December 2013

Background

Hamstring injuries are the most common muscle injury in male amateur soccer players and have a high rate of recurrence, often despite extensive treatment and long rehabilitation periods. Eccentric strength and flexibility are recognised as important modifiable risk factors, which have led to the development of eccentric hamstring exercises, such as the Nordic hamstring exercise. As the effectiveness of the Nordic hamstring exercise in reducing hamstring injuries has never been investigated in amateur soccer players, the aim of this study is to investigate the effect of this exercise on the incidence and severity of hamstring injuries in male amateur soccer players. An additional aim is to determine whether flexibility is associated with hamstring injuries.

Study design

Cluster-randomised controlled trial with soccer teams as the unit of cluster.

Methods

Dutch male amateur soccer players, aged 18–40 years, were allocated to an intervention or control group. Both study groups continued regular soccer training during 2013, but the intervention group additionally performed the Nordic hamstring exercise (25 sessions over 13 weeks). Primary outcomes are the incidence of initial and recurrent hamstring injury and injury severity. Secondary outcomes are hamstring-and-lower-back flexibility and compliance. Compliance to the intervention protocol was also monitored.

Discussion

Eccentric hamstring strength exercises are hypothesised to reduce the incidence of hamstring injury among male amateur soccer players by 70%. The prevention of such injuries will be beneficial to soccer players, clubs, football associations, health insurance companies and society.

Trial Registration

NTR3664.
Cross-sectional study: CagA–positiveHelicobacter pyloriinfection, acute coronary artery disease and systemic levels of B-type natriuretic peptide
Authors: Figura Natale , Palazzuoli Alberto , Vaira Dino , Campagna Mariastella , Moretti Elena , Iacoponi Francesca , Giordano Nicola , Clemente Salvatore , Nuti Ranuccio , Ponzetto Antonio
Published: December 2013

Background

B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP) determination is routinely used to evaluate the severity of congestive heart failure, a possible consequence of coronary artery disease (CAD). CAD originates from vascular atherosclerotic processes and is stimulated by inflammatory events, which may also be triggered by chronic bacterial infections.

Aim

To explore the effect ofHelicobacter pyloriinfection upon systemic BNP, tumour necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and interleukin-6 (IL-6) levels and linear homology between cardiac peptides andH pylori.

Methods

A group of 103 consecutive patients with a diagnosis of non-ST elevation acute CAD (ACAD) and no other concomitant pathology was examined. BNP was measured by a commercial solid-phase sandwich immunoradiometric assay.H pyloriinfection, CagA serological status and circulating levels of IL-6 and TNF-α, were determined by ELISA assays. Amino acid sequence homology between human cardiac andH pyloripeptides was investigated by Basic Local Alignment Search Tool (BLAST) analysis.

Results

Circulating levels of BNP and IL-6, in pg/mL (interquartile difference), among infected patients with anti-CagA serum antibodies, respectively 781 (1899) and 37.7 (137.6), were significantly increased in respect to those measured in uninfected patients, respectively 325 (655) and 7.7 (23.5), (p<0.01 and p=0.025), and, with regard to BNP alone, also in patients infected by CagA negativeH pyloristrains, 305 (593), (p<0.01). TNF-α levels were raised in CagA positive in respect to uninfected patients. Tropomyosin and Ca2+ transporting ATPases showed strong similarities toH pyloriproteins, suggesting the existence of molecular mimicry phenomena.

Conclusions

Chronic infection byH pyloriexpressing CagA correlates with high circulating levels of BNP and IL-6 in patients with ACAD.
Breastfeeding duration and cognitive, language and motor development at 18 months of age: Rhea mother–child cohort in Crete, Greece
Authors: Leventakou Vasiliki , Roumeliotaki Theano , Koutra Katerina , Vassilaki Maria , Mantzouranis Evangelia , Bitsios Panos , Kogevinas Manolis , Chatzi Leda
Published: December 2013

Background

Breast feeding duration has been associated with improved cognitive development in children. However, few population-based prospective studies have evaluated dose–response relationships of breastfeeding duration with language and motor development at early ages, and results are discrepant.

Methods

The study uses data from the prospective mother–child cohort (‘Rhea’ study) in Crete, Greece. 540 mother–child pairs were included in the present analysis. Information about parental and child characteristics and breastfeeding practices was obtained by interview-administered questionnaires. Trained psychologists assessed cognitive, language and motor development by using the Bayley Scales of Infant Toddler Development (3rd edition) at the age of 18 months.

Results

Duration of breast feeding was linearly positively associated with all the Bayley scales, except of gross motor. The association persisted after adjustment for potential confounders with an increase of 0.28 points in the scale of cognitive development (β=0.28; 95% CI 0.01 to 0.55), 0.29 points in the scale of receptive communication (β=0.29; 95% CI 0.04 to 0.54), 0.30 points in the scale of expressive communication (β=0.30; 95% CI 0.04 to 0.57) and 0.29 points in the scale of fine motor development (β=0.29; 95% CI 0.02 to 0.56) per accumulated month of breast feeding. Children who were breast fed longer than 6 months had a 4.44-point increase in the scale of fine motor development (β=4.44; 95% CI 0.06 to 8.82) compared with those never breast fed.

Conclusions

Longer duration of breast feeding was associated with increased scores in cognitive, language and motor development at 18 months of age, independently from a wide range of parental and infant characteristics. Additional longitudinal studies and trials are needed to confirm these results.
The influence of ethnicity on breastfeeding rates in Ireland: a cross-sectional study
Authors: Ladewig Emma L , Hayes Catherine , Browne John , Layte Richard , Reulbach Udo
Published: December 2013

Background

Historically, breastfeeding rates in Ireland have been low compared with international averages. It has been suggested that maternal ethnicity and citizenship may influence breastfeeding rates, with ethnic minorities thought more likely to breast feed.

Aim

The aim of this study is to investigate the association among maternal citizenship, ethnicity, birthplace and breast feeding. It is hypothesised that Irish mothers (identified through Irish citizenship, self-identified Irish ethnicity or Irish birthplace) are less likely to breast feed than non-Irish mothers.

Methods

The study population ofGrowing Up in Ireland: the National Longitudinal Study of Childrenwas used for this study. Analysis was restricted to 11 092 biological mother and infant pairs with a complete breastfeeding history. Logistic regression analysis was used to estimate ORs and 95% CIs for breast feeding relative to maternal citizenship and ethnicity, controlling for the confounding effects of other maternal variables.

Results

Results indicated that 55.9% (6202 of 11 092) of mothers had initiated breast feeding, with only 7.9% (874 of 11 092) of mothers currently breast feeding their infant (at 9 months of age). Irish citizens (4693 of 9368, 50.0%) were significantly less likely to have initiated breast feeding compared with non-Irish citizens (1503 of 1695, 88.7%). Irish born mothers (4179 of 8627, 48.8%) were also significantly less likely to have initiated breast feeding than mothers born elsewhere (2023 of 2462, 82.2%).

Conclusions

Maternal citizenship and ethnicity appear to be the strongest influencing factors on breastfeeding initiation and duration. However, this raises a possibility that the increase in breastfeeding rates seen recently may be the result of increased immigration into Ireland, rather than the success of policy and research efforts.
Heaviness, health and happiness: a cross-sectional study of 163066 UK Biobank participants
Authors: Ul-Haq Zia , Mackay Daniel F , Martin Daniel , Smith Daniel J , Gill Jason M R , Nicholl Barbara I , Cullen Breda , Evans Jonathan , Roberts Beverly , Deary Ian J , Gallacher John , Hotopf Matthew , Craddock Nick , Pell Jill P
Published: December 2013

Background

Obesity is known to increase the risk of many diseases and reduce overall quality of life. This study examines the relationship with self-reported health (SRH) and happiness.

Methods

We conducted a cross-sectional study of the 163 066 UK Biobank participants who completed the happiness rating. The association between adiposity and SRH and happiness was examined using logistic regression. SRH was defined as good (excellent, good), or poor (fair, poor). Self-reported happiness was defined as happy (extremely, very, moderately) or unhappy (moderately, very, extremely).

Results

Poor health was reported by 44 457 (27.3%) participants. The adjusted ORs for poor health were 3.86, 2.92, 2.60 and 6.41 for the highest, compared with lowest, deciles of Body Mass Index, waist circumference, waist to hip ratio and body fat percent, respectively. The associations were stronger in men (p<0.001). Overall, 7511 (4.6%) participants felt unhappy, and only class III obese participants were more likely to feel unhappy (adjusted OR 1.33, 95% CI 1.15 to 1.53, p<0.001) but the associations differed by sex (p<0.001). Among women, there was a significant association between unhappiness and all levels of obesity. By contrast, only class III obese men had significantly increased risk and overweight and class I obese men were less likely to be unhappy.

Conclusions

Obesity impacts adversely on happiness as well as health, but the association with unhappiness disappeared after adjustment for self-reported health, indicating this may be mediated by health. Compared with obese men, obese women are less likely to report poor health, but more likely to feel unhappy.
Adverse effects of public health interventions: a conceptual framework
Authors: Lorenc Theo , Oliver Kathryn
Published: December 2013

Public health interventions may have a range of adverse effects. However, there is limited guidance as to how evaluations should address the possibility of adverse effects. This discussion paper briefly presents a framework for thinking about the potential harms of public health interventions, focusing on the following categories: direct harms; psychological harms; equity harms; group and social harms; and opportunity harms. We conclude that the possibility of adverse effects needs to be taken into account by those implementing and evaluating interventions, and requires a broad perspective on the potential impacts of public health strategies.
Development of a Croatian version of the US Hospital Survey on Patient Safety Culture questionnaire: dimensionality and psychometric properties
Authors: Brborović Hana , Šklebar Ivan , Brborović Ognjen , Brumen Vlatka , Mustajbegović Jadranka , Bajić Žarko , Komerički Mirjana , Babić Nikola
Published: December 2013

Background

The Hospital Survey on Patient Safety Culture (HSOPSC), originally developed in the USA, is used worldwide to assess patient safety culture in hospitals. A limited number of studies have provided data on psychometric properties outside of the US healthcare system. Our aim was to determine if all 12 dimensions of the US HSOPSC were applicable, valid and reliable to Croatian healthcare workers.

Methods

The study was conducted from September 2010 to April 2011. Questions were translated into Croatian and then translated back into English. The questionnaires (ie, the Croatian translation of the US HSOPSC) were distributed in unmarked envelopes along with a consent form to all the doctors and nurses in four Croatian hospitals. The responses were analysed using explorative factor analyses, reliability testing, and confirmatory factor analyses.

Results

The study included 561 healthcare workers in four Croatian hospitals—a response rate of 32.69%. Our results are similar to the original US sample, but with some differences: 11 dimensions with acceptable reliability scores were identified by exploratory factor analysis compared with the original 12 in the US sample; five of 12 dimensions had a Cronbach’s α higher than 0.7, suggesting a reasonable fit to the original US HSOPSC; the dimensions ‘Staffing’ and ‘Organisational learning—continuous improvement’ were found to have a Cronbach’s α <0.6. The use of confirmatory factor analysis confirmed a good fit to the original US model.

Conclusions

Results show that the Croatian translation of the US HSOPSC is compatible in 11 of the original 12 dimensions. Results suggest that for the purposes of research in Croatia, the dimensions ‘Staffing’, ‘Communication openness’, and ‘Organisational learning—continuous improvement’ should be revised. For example, the use of question A7 (‘We use more agency/temporary staff than is best for patient care’) in the context of European healthcare systems should be adapted or removed for the Croatian version of the US HSOPSC questionnaire.
Postoperative Clostridium difficile infection with PCR ribotype 078 strain identified at necropsy in five Thoroughbred racehorses
Authors: Niwa H. , Kato H. , Hobo S. , Kinoshita Y. , Ueno T. , Katayama Y. , Hariu K. , Oku K. , Senoh M. , Kuroda T. , Nakai K.
Published: December 2013

Clostridium difficile is an important cause of acute enterocolitis in horses. We describe five cases of C difficile infection occurring postoperatively in Thoroughbred racehorses. Following diarrhoea or colic accompanied by a marked increase in packed cell volume (to ≥60 per cent) and leucopenia (≤4000 cells/μl) within two to four days after surgery in all five horses, four of them died or were euthanased because of colitis or severe diarrhoea. In these four horses, necrotising entero‐typhlo‐colitis was revealed by postmortem examination, and C difficile was recovered from the contents of the small and/or large intestine. The remaining horse was euthanased because of marked decline in general condition and the presence of a lung abscess, from which C difficile was isolated. The horse had had severe postoperative diarrhoea before the onset of respiratory disorder; laboratory tests for C difficile were not performed on the faeces. All C difficile isolates were toxin‐A‐positive, toxin‐B‐positive and actin‐specific ADP‐ribosyltransferase (CDT)‐positive. The isolates were indistinguishable by pulsed field gel electrophoresis analysis, PCR ribotyping, and slpA sequence typing, and the slpA sequences and PCR ribotype patterns were identical to those of known PCR type 078. This case sequence might have been healthcare‐associated infection, although there was about a four‐month interval between each disease onset.
Detection of anomalies in diaphragm walls with crosshole sonic logging
Authors: Spruit Rodriaan , van Tol Frits , Broere Wout , Slob Evert , Niederleithinger Ernst
Published: December 2013

Crosshole sonic logging (CSL) can be used to determine the quality of joints in a diaphragm wall. Tests conducted on laboratory models have provided reference information for interpretation of field data. During two large construction projects, CSL has been implemented for quality control of diaphragm walls. The field experiences have shown the benefits of the tests and the predictive value of the reference measurements.
Effective Markovian description of decoherence in bound systems
Authors: Sanz A.S.
Published: December 2013

Effective descriptions accounting for the evolution of quantum systems that are acted on by a bath are desirable. As the number of bath degrees of freedom increases and full quantum simulations turn out computationally prohibitive, simpler models become essential to understand and gain an insight into the main physical mechanisms involved in the system dynamics. In this regard, vibrational decoherence of an I2 diatomics is tackled here within the framework of Markovian quantum state diffusion. The I2 dynamics are analyzed in terms of an effective decoherence rate, Λ, and the specific choice of the initial state, in particular, Gaussian wave packets and two-state superpositions. It is found that, for Markovian baths, the relevant quantity regarding decoherence is the product of friction (η) and temperature (T); there is no distinction between varying one or the other. It is also observed that decoherence becomes faster as the energy levels involved in the system state correspond to higher eigenvalues. This effect is due to a population redistribution during the dynamical process and an eventual irreversible loss of the initial coherence. These results have been compared with those available in the literature from more detailed semiclassical IVR simulations, finding a good agreement.
Influence of electrostatic force and the van der Waals attraction on the pull-in instability of the CNT-based probe–actuator
Authors: Fazli Norodin , Koochi Ali , Kazemi Asieh Sadat , Abadyan Mohamadreza
Published: December 2013

In recent years, carbon nanotubes (CNTs) have attracted great attention in the fabrication of probe tips and actuators for scanning microscopes. Herein, the pull-in instability of CNT-based probe is investigated using a nanoscale continuum model. The Euler–Bernoulli beam theory is applied to model the elastic response of the CNT. The van der Waals attraction is computed from the simplified Lennard-Jones potential. Two analytical methods (i.e., Homotopy perturbation method and Adomian decomposition method) are applied to solve the nonlinear governing equation of the system. Furthermore, the obtained results are validated by comparing with experimental results in the literature as well as numerical solutions of the finite difference method. The pull-in parameters are determined and effect of van der Waals force and a geometrical parameter effect on the instability behavior of the CNT is discussed. Moreover, the detachment length and minimum initial gap of the freestanding CNT probe are determined.
EXISTENCE OF GROUND STATES FOR NEGATIVE IONS AT THE BINDING THRESHOLD
Authors: BELLAZZINI JACOPO , FRANK RUPERT L. , LIEB ELLIOTT H. , SEIRINGER ROBERT
Published: December 2013

As the nuclear charge Z is continuously decreased an N-electron atom undergoes a binding-unbinding transition. We investigate whether the electrons remain bound and whether the radius of the system stays finite as the critical value Zc is approached. Existence of a ground state at Zc is shown under the condition Zc < N - K, where K is the maximal number of electrons that can be removed at Zc without changing the energy.
STUDYING THE ROLE OF SYNCHRONIZED AND CHAOTIC SPIKING NEURAL ENSEMBLES IN NEURAL INFORMATION PROCESSING
Authors: ROSSELLÓ JOSEP L. , CANALS VICENS , OLIVER ANTONI , MORRO ANTONI
Published: December 2013

The brain is characterized by performing many diverse processing tasks ranging from elaborate processes such as pattern recognition, memory or decision making to more simple functionalities such as linear filtering in image processing. Understanding the mechanisms by which the brain is able to produce such a different range of cortical operations remains a fundamental problem in neuroscience. Here we show a study about which processes are related to chaotic and synchronized states based on the study of in-silico implementation of Stochastic Spiking Neural Networks (SSNN). The measurements obtained reveal that chaotic neural ensembles are excellent transmission and convolution systems since mutual information between signals is minimized. At the same time, synchronized cells (that can be understood as ordered states of the brain) can be associated to more complex nonlinear computations. In this sense, we experimentally show that complex and quick pattern recognition processes arise when both synchronized and chaotic states are mixed. These measurements are in accordance with in vivo observations related to the role of neural synchrony in pattern recognition and to the speed of the real biological process. We also suggest that the high-level adaptive mechanisms of the brain that are the Hebbian and non-Hebbian learning rules can be understood as processes devoted to generate the appropriate clustering of both synchronized and chaotic ensembles. The measurements obtained from the hardware implementation of different types of neural systems suggest that the brain processing can be governed by the superposition of these two complementary states with complementary functionalities (nonlinear processing for synchronized states and information convolution and parallelization for chaotic).
DYNAMICS OF COLLECTIVE MULTI-STABILITY IN MODELS OF MULTI-UNIT NEURONAL SYSTEMS
Authors: KOPPERT MARC , KALITZIN STILIYAN , VELIS DEMETRIOS , LOPES DA SILVA FERNANDO , VIERGEVER MAX A.
Published: December 2013

In this study, we investigate the correspondence between dynamic patterns of behavior in two types of computational models of neuronal activity. The first model type is the realistic neuronal model; the second model type is the phenomenological or analytical model. In the simplest model set-up of two interconnected units, we define a parameter space for both types of systems where their behavior is similar. Next we expand the analytical model to two sets of 90 fully interconnected units with some overlap, which can display multi-stable behavior. This system can be in three classes of states: (i) a class consisting of a single resting state, where all units of a set are in steady state, (ii) a class consisting of multiple preserving states, where subsets of the units of a set participate in limit cycle, and (iii) a class consisting of a single saturated state, where all units of a set are recruited in a global limit cycle. In the third and final part of the work, we demonstrate that phase synchronization of units can be detected by a single output unit.
THE EFFECT OF HIGH AND LOW FREQUENCY CORTICAL STIMULATION WITH A FIXED OR A POISSON DISTRIBUTED INTERPULSE INTERVAL ON CORTICAL EXCITABILITY IN RATS
Authors: BUFFEL INE , MEURS ALFRED , RAEDT ROBRECHT , DE HERDT VEERLE , DECORTE LEEN , BERTIER LAURENCE , DELBEKE JEAN , WADMAN WYTSE , VONCK KRISTL , BOON PAUL
Published: December 2013

Neurostimulation is a promising treatment for refractory epilepsy. We studied the effect of cortical stimulation with different parameters in the rat motor cortex stimulation model. High intensity simulation (threshold for motor response - 100 μA), high frequency (130 Hz) stimulation during 1 h decreased cortical excitability, irrespective of the interpulse interval used (fixed or Poisson distributed). Low intensity (10 μA) and/or low frequency (5 Hz) stimulation had no effect. Cortical stimulation appears promising for the treatment of neocortical epilepsy if frequency and intensity are high enough.
BOUNDING THE VOLUMES OF SINGULAR WEAK LOG DEL PEZZO SURFACES
Authors: JIANG CHEN
Published: December 2013

We give an optimal upper bound for the anti-canonical volume of an ϵ-lc weak log del Pezzo surface. Moreover, we consider the relation between the bound of the volume and the Picard number of the minimal resolution of the surface. Furthermore, we consider blowing up several points on a Hirzebruch surface in general position and give some examples of smooth weak log del Pezzo surfaces.
Effective strategy of adding links for improving network transport efficiency on complex networks
Authors: Zhang Shuai , Liang Man-Gui , Jiang Zhong-Yuan , Wu Jia-Jing
Published: December 2013

In this paper, we propose an efficient strategy to enhance the network transport efficiency by adding links to the existing networks. In our proposed strategy, we consider both the node betweenness centrality (BC) and the shortest path length (L) as two important factors. The overall traffic capacity of a network system can be evaluated by the critical packet generating rate Rc. Simulation results show that the proposed strategy can bring better traffic capacity and shorter average shortest path length than the low-degree-first (LDF) strategy and the low-betweenness-first (LBF) strategy. This work is helpful for designing and optimizing of realistic networks.
An original traffic flow model with signal effect for energy dissipation
Authors: Zhu Wen-Xing , Zhang Li-Dong
Published: December 2013

We proposed an original traffic flow model with a consideration of signal effect based on Bando's optimal velocity model. The optimal velocity function was improved more realistically in describing the motion process of vehicles moving on a road with signals. Based on the improved model, we derived the mathematical expression for energy dissipation. Simulations are conducted to verify the energy dissipation laws in traffic flow with signals. Numerical results show that energy dissipation (rate) can be affected not only by traffic density, but also traffic signal control parameters: split and cycle.
Pair-dependent rejection rate and its impact on traffic flow in a scale-free network
Authors: Lamzabi S. , Lazfi S. , Ez-Zahraouy H. , Benyoussef A. , Rachadi A. , Ziti S.
Published: December 2013

In this paper, we propose a pair-dependent rejection rate of packet information between routers in the framework of the minimal traffic model applied to scale-free networks. We have shown that the behavior of the transition point from the phase where the system balances the inflow of new information packets with successful delivery of the old ones to the congested phase depends on the underlying mechanism of packet rejection. It is possible to achieve larger values for the critical load by varying the rejection of the packets issued from a given node by its neighbors. We have proposed an asymmetric protocol, where we found the existence of a whole interval where the packet rejection is strongly beneficial to the overall performance of the system. We have also shown that for the dynamic protocol, the transition point is shifted toward higher values permitting the network to handle more traffic load, despite the fact that the critical load decreases when increasing the rejection parameter.
Fractal analysis of permeability near the wall in porous media
Authors: Liang Mingchao , Yu Boming , Li Li , Yang Shanshan , Zou Mingqing
Published: December 2013

In this paper, a fractal model for permeability of porous media is proposed based on Tamayol and Bahrami's method and the fractal theory for porous media. The proposed model is expressed as a function of the mean particle diameter, the length along the macroscopic pressure drop in the medium, porosity, fractal dimensions for pore space and tortuous capillaries, and the ratio of the minimum pore size to the maximum pore size. The relationship between the permeability near the wall and the dimensionless distance from the wall under different conditions is discussed in detail. The predictions by the present fractal model are in good agreement with available experimental data. The present results indicate that the present model may have the potential in comprehensively understanding the mechanisms of flow near the wall in porous media.
ROBUST AUTONOMOUS HELICOPTER STABILIZER TUNED BY PARTICLE SWARM OPTIMIZATION
Authors: DANAPALASINGAM KUMERESAN A.
Published: December 2013

Autonomous helicopter stabilization in the presence of a wind disturbance is presented. A controller is designed based on the nonlinear adaptive output regulation and robust stabilization of a chain of integrators by a saturated feedback to stabilize the position and velocity of a helicopter. The controller is able to adaptively estimate the wind disturbance whose measurements are not made available. In addition to robustness against the external disturbance input the control design is carried out to handle helicopter parameter uncertainties. The cost of the robustly stabilizing control strategy is the challenge to tune 13 controller parameters for a desired output response. Particle swarm optimization (PSO), a metaheuristic optimization algorithm is applied to automate the tuning process. Simulation results demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed control and tuning methods in the robust stabilization of the helicopter motion.
ℤSn-MODULES AND POLYNOMIAL IDENTITIES WITH INTEGER COEFFICIENTS
Authors: GORDIENKO ALEXEY , JANSSENS GEOFFREY
Published: December 2013

We show that, like in the case of algebras over fields, the study of multilinear polynomial identities of unitary rings can be reduced to the study of proper polynomial identities. In particular, the factors of series of ℤSn-submodules in the ℤSn-modules of multilinear polynomial functions can be derived by the analog of Young's (or Pieri's) rule from the factors of series in the corresponding ℤSn-modules of proper polynomial functions. As an application, we calculate the codimensions and a basis of multilinear polynomial identities of unitary rings of upper triangular 2 × 2 matrices and infinitely generated Grassmann algebras over unitary rings. In addition, we calculate the factors of series of ℤSn-submodules for these algebras. Also we establish relations between codimensions of rings and codimensions of algebras and show that the analog of Amitsur's conjecture holds in all torsion-free rings, and all torsion-free rings with 1 satisfy the analog of Regev's conjecture.