bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Association Between Physical Performance and Sense of Autonomy in Outdoor Activities and Life‐Space Mobility in Community‐Dwelling Older People
Authors: Portegijs Erja , Rantakokko Merja , Mikkola Tuija M. , Viljanen Anne , Rantanen Taina
Published: March 2014

Objectives

To study the relationship between physical performance and sense of autonomy in outdoor activities with life‐space mobility—the spatial area a person purposefully moves through in daily life—in community‐dwelling older people.

Design

Cross‐sectional analyses of baseline data of the Life‐Space Mobility in Old Age cohort study.

Setting

Structured interviews in participants' homes.

Participants

Community‐dwelling people aged 75 to 90 (N = 848).

Measurements

Sense of autonomy outdoors (Impact on Participation and Autonomy questionnaire subscale), life‐space mobility (Life‐Space Assessment; University of Alabama, Birmingham Study of Aging), and Short Physical Performance Battery.

Results

The median score for life‐space mobility was 64.0. In linear regression models, poorer physical performance and more‐limited sense of autonomy were independently associated with more restrictions in life‐space mobility, explaining approximately one‐third of the variation in life‐space mobility. Physical performance also had an indirect effect on life‐space mobility through sense of autonomy outdoors. Subgroup analyses of 5‐year age groups and sex revealed that the associations were somewhat stronger in women and the oldest age group.

Conclusion

Physical performance and sense of autonomy in outdoor activities explained a substantial portion of the variation in life‐space mobility in healthy older people, indicating that physical and psychosocial factors play a role in maintaining mobility in old age.
Fluorescent Visualisation of the Hypothalamic Oxytocin Neurones Activated by Cholecystokinin‐8 in Rats Expressing c‐fos‐Enhanced Green Fluorescent Protein and Oxytocin‐Monomeric Red Fluorescent Protein 1 Fusion Transgenes
Authors: Katoh A. , Shoguchi K. , Matsuoka H. , Yoshimura M. , Ohkubo J.‐I. , Matsuura T. , Maruyama T. , Ishikura T. , Aritomi T. , Fujihara H. , Hashimoto H. , Suzuki H. , Murphy D. , Ueta Y.
Published: March 2014

The up‐regulation of c‐fos gene expression is widely used as a marker of neuronal activation elicited by various stimuli. Anatomically precise observation of c‐fos gene products can be achieved at the RNA level by in situ hybridisation or at the protein level by immunocytochemistry. Both of these methods are time and labour intensive. We have developed a novel transgenic rat system that enables the trivial visualisation of c‐fos expression using an enhanced green fluorescent protein (eGFP) tag. These rats express a transgene consisting of c‐fos gene regulatory sequences that drive the expression of a c‐fos‐eGFP fusion protein. In c‐fos‐eGFP transgenic rats, robust nuclear eGFP fluorescence was observed in osmosensitive brain regions 90 min after i.p. administration of hypertonic saline. Nuclear eGFP fluorescence was also observed in the supraoptic nucleus (SON) and paraventricular nucleus (PVN) 90 min after i.p. administration of cholecystokinin (CCK)‐8, which selectively activates oxytocin (OXT)‐secreting neurones in the hypothalamus. In double transgenic rats that express c‐fos‐eGFP and an OXT‐monomeric red fluorescent protein 1 (mRFP1) fusion gene, almost all mRFP1‐positive neurones in the SON and PVN expressed nuclear eGFP fluorescence 90 min after i.p. administration of CCK‐8. It is possible that not only a plane image, but also three‐dimensional reconstruction image may identify cytoplasmic vesicles in an activated neurone at the same time.
Early Motherhood and Long‐Term Economic Outcomes: Findings From a 30‐Year Longitudinal Study
Authors: Gibb Sheree J. , Fergusson David M. , Horwood L. John , Boden Joseph M.
Published: March 2014

This study examined linkages between early motherhood (before age 20) and long‐term economic disadvantage, using data from a birth cohort of 509 New Zealand‐born women followed to age 30. Associations between early motherhood and economic outcomes were examined using linear and logistic regression models and were adjusted for a range of prepregnancy factors. The findings suggested that early motherhood was associated with several indicators of economic disadvantage at age 30, including working fewer hours, welfare dependence, lower personal incomes, and exposure to economic hardship. These associations remained statistically significant even after extensive adjustment for confounding factors. These findings suggest that having a child before age 20 leads to long‐term economic disadvantage that persists for at least a decade.
The role of pleiotropy and linkage in genes affecting a sexual ornament and bone allocation in the chicken
Authors: Johnsson M. , Rubin C.‐J. , Höglund A. , Sahlqvist A.‐S. , Jonsson K. B. , Kerje S. , Ekwall O. , Kämpe O. , Andersson L. , Jensen P. , Wright D.
Published: March 2014

Sexual selection and the ornaments that inform such choices have been extensively studied, particularly from a phenotypic perspective. Although more is being revealed about the genetic architecture of sexual ornaments, much still remains to be discovered. The comb of the chicken is one of the most widely recognized sexual ornaments, which has been shown to be correlated with both fecundity and bone allocation. In this study, we use a combination of multiple intercrosses between White Leghorn populations and wild‐derived Red Junglefowl to, first, map quantitative trait loci (QTL) for bone allocation and, second, to identify expression QTL that correlate and colocalize with comb mass. These candidate quantitative genes were then assessed for potential pleiotropic effects on bone tissue and fecundity traits. We identify genes that correlate with both relative comb mass and bone traits suggesting a combination of both pleiotropy and linkage mediates gene regulatory variation in these traits.
Evaluation of demographic history and neutral parameterization on the performance of FST outlier tests
Authors: Lotterhos Katie E. , Whitlock Michael C.
Published: March 2014

FST outlier tests are a potentially powerful way to detect genetic loci under spatially divergent selection. Unfortunately, the extent to which these tests are robust to nonequilibrium demographic histories has been understudied. We developed a landscape genetics simulator to test the effects of isolation by distance (IBD) and range expansion on FST outlier methods. We evaluated the two most commonly used methods for the identification of FST outliers (FDIST2 and BayeScan, which assume samples are evolutionarily independent) and two recent methods (FLK and Bayenv2, which estimate and account for evolutionary nonindependence). Parameterization with a set of neutral loci (‘neutral parameterization’) always improved the performance of FLK and Bayenv2, while neutral parameterization caused FDIST2 to actually perform worse in the cases of IBD or range expansion. BayeScan was improved when the prior odds on neutrality was increased, regardless of the true odds in the data. On their best performance, however, the widely used methods had high false‐positive rates for IBD and range expansion and were outperformed by methods that accounted for evolutionary nonindependence. In addition, default settings in FDIST2 and BayeScan resulted in many false positives suggesting balancing selection. However, all methods did very well if a large set of neutral loci is available to create empirical P‐values. We conclude that in species that exhibit IBD or have undergone range expansion, many of the published FST outliers based on FDIST2 and BayeScan are probably false positives, but FLK and Bayenv2 show great promise for accurately identifying loci under spatially divergent selection.
THE WELFARE STATE: A REGULATORY PERSPECTIVE
Authors: LEVI‐FAUR DAVID
Published: March 2014

The role of regulation and the regulatory state in social policy, redistribution, and the reforms of the welfare state are increasingly important but often underestimated and misunderstood. These problems are evident in Majone's highly influential work where the regulatory state and the ‘positive’ state stand as two alternative monomorphic forms of state. This article offers a polymorphic alternative where the regulatory state may come to the rescue of the welfare state, allowing independent extension, retrenchment, and stagnation of welfare via social regulation. The article extends a regulatory governance perspective into the core of the welfare state, clarifies the relations between fiscal and regulatory instruments, and demonstrates that the boundaries of the regulatory state are wider than are usually understood. It turns our understanding of the welfare state on its head, highlighting first the less visible regulatory layer, and then the more visible layer of fiscal transfers.
Targeting the intrinsic apoptosis pathway as a strategy for melanoma therapy
Authors: Mohana‐Kumaran Nethia , Hill David S. , Allen John D. , Haass Nikolas K.
Published: March 2014

Melanoma drug resistance is often attributed to abrogation of the intrinsic apoptosis pathway. Targeting regulators of apoptosis is thus considered a promising approach to sensitizing melanomas to treatment. The development of small‐molecule inhibitors that mimic natural antagonists of either antiapoptotic members of the BCL‐2 family or the inhibitor of apoptosis proteins (IAPs), known as BH3‐ or SMAC‐mimetics, respectively, are helping us to understand the mechanisms behind apoptotic resistance. Studies using BH3‐mimetics indicate that the antiapoptotic BCL‐2 protein MCL‐1 and its antagonist NOXA are particularly important regulators of BCL‐2 family signaling, while SMAC‐mimetic studies show that both XIAP and the cIAPs must be targeted to effectively induce apoptosis of cancer cells. Although most solid tumors, including melanoma, are insensitive to these mimetic drugs as single agents, combinations with other therapeutics have yielded promising results, and tests combining them with BRAF‐inhibitors, which have already revolutionized melanoma treatment, are a clear priority.
The Eyelid Sign: A Clue to Bed Bug Bites
Authors: Quach Kim A. , Zaenglein Andrea L.
Published: March 2014

In pediatric patients, determining the culprit insect in arthropod assaults can be challenging. The patient’s history may be vague, the causative insect may not be readily associated with the bites, and the clinical appearance of bites can be variable. Six pediatric patients from the Penn State Milton S. Hershey Medical Center dermatology offices with bed bug bites were identified. All had bites involving the face, trunk, and extremities. Five patients demonstrated papules on one upper eyelid associated with erythema and edema. One patient had papules on both upper eyelids. When an arthropod assault is suspected, the “eyelid sign,” i.e., bites involving the upper eyelid associated with erythema and edema, may point to bed bugs.
Does executive control relate to sacrificial behavior during conflicts of interests?
Authors: PRONK TILA M. , KARREMANS JOHAN C.
Published: March 2014

Why is it that some people are better able to sacrifice their own immediate interest for the sake of their partner than others? We conducted two studies to test whether an individual's level of executive control plays a role in answering this question. Study 1 demonstrated that executive control is related to the tendency to continue a frustrating task to benefit one's partner. Study 2 replicated this effect by using two different indicators of sacrifice: a behavioral sacrifice measure and a questionnaire on the intention to make major sacrifices for one's partner. Together, our findings suggest that higher levels of executive control facilitate prorelational behavior when facing various conflicts of interests in a romantic relationship.
State‐Sponsored Terrorism: In Decline, Yet Still a Potent Threat
Authors: Collins Stephen D.
Published: March 2014

State sponsorship has played a significant facilitating role in terrorist violence. The scope and impact of state support has not, however, remained fixed; nor has its threat potential. This article identifies and depicts three distinct phases of state sponsorship: the peak (1970s‐80s), intermediate (1990‐2001), and low (2001‐present) phases. The causal factors behind the steady pattern of decline in the number of states sponsoring terrorism and the intensity of support provided to terrorist clients are analyzed here. Despite this clear contraction, state sponsorship continues to merit close attention as the salience of state‐sponsored terrorism relates not only to the number of sponsors and level of support, but also to the threat potential of the support sponsors can provide. Therefore, paradoxically, at a time when the number of state sponsors is at its nadir, the threat potential of terrorism is at its apex, as the proliferation of nuclear technology to terrorist sponsors has significantly elevated the potential consequences of state sponsorship.

Related Articles

Owens, John. 2006. “” Politics & Policy 34 (): 258‐303. http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/j.1747‐1346.2006.00015.x/abstract

Dumbrell, John. 2006. “.” Politics & Policy 34 (): 452‐472. http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/j.1747‐1346.2006.00021.x/abstract

Maggio, J. 2007. “.” Politics & Policy 34 (): 810‐835. http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/j.1747‐1346.2007.00085.x/abstract

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. 2013. “.” http://belfercenter.ksg.harvard.edu/topic/6/nuclear_terrorism.html

. 2013. “.” http://www.cfr.org/issue/state‐sponsors‐of‐terrorism/ri151
Public Accounts Committees in Eastern and Southern Africa: A Comparative Analysis
Authors: Pelizzo Riccardo , Kinyondo Abel
Published: March 2014

This article provides the first and most comprehensive analysis of Public Accounts Committees (PACs) from Eastern and Southern Africa building on the work of McGee, Jacobs, Stapenhurst, and Staddon. By analyzing an original set of data, this article shows that PACs in these two regions are bigger, have more staff members, and are more likely to be chaired by opposition Members of Parliament than they have in other countries and regions. Furthermore, the data show that Eastern and Southern African PACs are more active than their counterparts elsewhere. However, lack of political will and limits to the range of powers that they enjoy as well as the dearth of quality technical support from parliamentary staff significantly undermines the effectiveness of these committees and their ability to play a greater role in curbing corruption.

Related Articles

Jones, Kate, and Kerry Jacobs. 2009. “.” Politics & Policy 39 (): 1023‐1046. http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/j.1747‐1346.2009.00209.x/abstract

Pelizzo, Riccardo. 2010. “.” Politics & Policy 38 (): 117‐137. http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/j.1747‐1346.2009.00231.x/abstract

Pelizzo, Riccardo, Rick Staphenhurst, Vinod Sahgal, and William Woodley. 2006. “.” Politics & Policy 34 (): 774‐793. http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/j.1747‐1346.2006.00040.x/abstract

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African Videos. 2013. “.” http://www.africanvid.com/uganda/frustrated‐parliamentary‐public‐accounts‐committee‐gives‐up‐on‐interrogating‐geoffrey‐kazinda/

Mokone, Thabo. 2012. “.” Sowetan Live. http://www.sowetanlive.co.za/news/2012/06/14/presidency‐grilled‐for‐over‐spending
Deciphering the mechanisms involved in Portulaca oleracea (C4) response to drought: metabolic changes including crassulacean acid‐like metabolism induction and reversal upon re‐watering
Authors: D'Andrea Rodrigo Matías , Andreo Carlos Santiago , Lara María Valeria
Published: March 2014

Portulaca oleracea is a C4 plant; however, under drought it can change its carbon fixation metabolism into a crassulacean acid metabolism (CAM)‐like one. While the C3‐CAM shift is well known, the C4‐CAM transition has only been described in Portulaca. Here, a CAM‐like metabolism was induced in P. oleracea by drought and then reversed by re‐watering. Physiological and biochemical approaches were undertaken to evaluate the drought and recovery responses. In CAM‐like plants, chlorophyll fluorescence parameters were transitory affected and non‐radiative energy dissipation mechanisms were induced. Induction of flavonoids, betalains and antioxidant machinery may be involved in photosynthetic machinery protection. Metabolic analysis highlights a clear metabolic shift, when a CAM‐like metabolism is induced and then reversed. Increases in nitrogenous compounds like free amino acids and urea, and of pinitol could contribute to withstand drought. Reciprocal variations in arginase and urease in drought‐stressed and in re‐watered plants suggest urea synthesis is strictly regulated. Recovery of C4 metabolism was accounted by CO2 assimilation pattern and malate levels. Increases in glycerol and in polyamines would be of importance of re‐watered plants. Collectively, in P. oleracea multiple strategies, from induction of several metabolites to the transitory development of a CAM‐like metabolism, participate to enhance its adaptation to drought.
Variability in the Management of Lithium Poisoning
Authors: Roberts Darren M. , Gosselin Sophie
Published: March 2014

Three patterns of lithium poisoning are recognized: acute, acute‐on‐chronic, and chronic. Intravenous fluids with or without an extracorporeal treatment are the mainstay of treatment; their respective roles may differ depending on the mode of poisoning being treated. Recommendations for treatment selection are available but these are based on a small number of observational studies and their uptake by clinicians is not known. Clinician decision‐making in the treatment of four cases of lithium poisoning was assessed at a recent clinical toxicology meeting using an audience response system. Variability in treatment decisions was evident in addition to discordance with published recommendations. Participants did not consistently indicate that hemodialysis was the first‐line treatment, instead opting for a conservative approach, and continuous modalities were viewed favorably; this is in contrast to recommendations in some references. The development of multidisciplinary consensus guidelines may improve the management of patients with lithium poisoning but prospective randomized controlled trials are required to more clearly define the role of extracorporeal treatments.
Eccentric exercise training in chronic mid‐portion Achilles tendinopathy: A systematic review on different protocols
Authors: Habets B. , van Cingel R. E. H.
Published: March 2014

Although eccentric exercise training has shown favorable results in chronic mid‐portion Achilles tendinopathy, the optimum dosage remains unknown. A systematic review of the literature was performed in accordance with the PRISMA guidelines, in order to describe different exercise protocols and to determine the most effective training parameters. An extensive search in MEDLINE, EMBASE, CINAHL, and CENTRAL revealed 14 randomized and clinical controlled trials. Strong evidence was found for the Alfredson exercise protocol. In this 12‐week protocol, exercises are performed 3 × 15 repetitions twice daily, both with a straight and bent knee. Exercises are performed at slow speed, and load is increased when exercises are without pain. Strong evidence was also found for gradual onset of exercises during the first week of the Alfredson program, but no uniformity of protocols exists. Other exercise protocols did achieve similar results, but many studies had some methodological shortcomings or lacked a detailed description of their training parameters. Because of the heterogeneity of study populations and outcome measures, and lack of reporting of training compliance data, a definitive conclusion regarding the most effective training parameters could not be made. Further research comparing the content of different exercise protocols is warranted.
Achilles tendon rupture – treatment and complications: A systematic review
Authors: Holm C. , Kjaer M. , Eliasson P.
Published: March 2014

Achilles tendon rupture is a frequent injury with an increasing incidence. Until now, there is no consensus regarding optimal treatment. The aim of this review was to illuminate and summarize randomized controlled trials comparing surgical and non‐surgical treatment of Achilles tendon ruptures during the last 10 years. Seven articles were found and they were all acceptable according to international quality assessment guidelines. Primary outcomes were re‐ruptures, other complications, and functional outcomes. There was no significant difference in re‐ruptures between the two treatments, but a tendency to favoring surgical treatment. Further, one study found an increased risk of soft‐tissue‐related complications after surgery. Patient satisfaction and time to return to work were significantly different in favor of surgery in one study, and there was also better functional outcome after surgery in some studies. These seven studies indicate that surgical patients have a faster rehabilitation. However, the differences between surgical and non‐surgical treatment appear to be subtle and it could mean that rehabilitation is more important, rather than the actual initial treatment. Therefore, further studies will be needed in regard to understanding the interplay between acute surgical or non‐surgical treatment, and the rehabilitation regimen for the overall outcome after Achilles tendon ruptures.
Hepatitis B virus nucleic acid amplification testing of Australian blood donors highlights the complexity of confirming occult hepatitis B virus infection
Authors: Kiely Philip , Margaritis Angelo R. , Seed Clive R. , Yang Hung ,   Australian Red Cross Blood Service NAT Study Group
Published: March 2014

Background

We present an analysis of the first 2 years of hepatitis B virus (HBV) nucleic acid testing (NAT) of the Australian donor population.

Study Design and Methods

Between July 5, 2010, and July 4, 2012, all blood donations were screened for HBV DNA and hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg). Donors who tested HBsAg negative but HBV NAT positive were assessed as occult hepatitis B infections (OBI) if reactive for antibodies to HBV core antigen (anti‐HBc). Donors who were anti‐HBc reactive but with nonrepeatable or nondiscriminated NAT results were assessed as HBV inconclusive pending follow‐up testing.

Results

During the study period a total of 2,673,521 donations were screened for HBV. Forty‐two chronic OBI infections (5.55/100,000 donors) were identified compared to eight acute serologic window period infections (1.06/100,000 donors). Of the 42 OBI cases, 23 (54.8%) were detected the first time they were screened for HBV DNA while 19 (45.2%) gave one or more HBV NAT–nonreactive results before detection. Of 68 donors initially assessed as HBV inconclusive and available for follow‐up, 10 later confirmed as OBI cases while 51 were NAT nonreactive but remained anti‐HBc reactive and OBI could not be excluded.

Conclusion

This study demonstrated a substantially higher prevalence of OBI compared to acute serologic window period HBV infections in Australian blood donors. Follow‐up testing of OBI cases indicates that HBV DNA is often only intermittently detectable in OBI, highlighting the importance of including anti‐HBc to optimize the HBV testing algorithm.
Detection of malarial DNA in blood donors – evidence of persistent infection
Authors: Kitchen A. D. , Chiodini P. L. , Tossell J.
Published: March 2014

Background and Objectives

The English transfusion service has screened donations from malaria‐risk donors for malarial antibodies for over 10 years. The donor population includes migrants from many malaria‐endemic countries and, from our experiences with post‐transfusion malaria, some of these may remain parasitaemic and need clinical review.

Materials and Methods

Malarial antibody screen‐reactive donations with serological evidence of malaria identified by the reference laboratory were further investigated for the presence of malarial DNA.

Results

Malarial DNA was found in 14 of 1955 samples investigated; three P. falciparum, five P. vivax, three P. ovale, two P. malariae and one dual parasitaemia P. falciparum/P. malariae. All of these were donors whose malaria risk was residency rather than travel.

Conclusion

Malarial parasitaemia in healthy donors occurs, and donor malaria‐risk strategies must take into account the possibility of such donors presenting. Countries not utilizing malarial antibody screening should consider carefully the collection of donations from donors previously resident in endemic countries; temporary deferral is insufficient.
Hepatitis E Virus Antibody Prevalence in Wildlife in Poland
Authors: Larska M. , Krzysiak M. K. , Jabłoński A. , Kęsik J. , Bednarski M. , Rola J.
Published: March 2014

Hepatitis E is an important public health problem mostly in developing but occasionally also in industrialized countries. Domestic and wildlife animals are considered reservoirs of the hepatitis E virus (HEV). Since no information on the prevalence of autochthonous HEV infections in human and animal in Poland is available, the aim of the study was to investigate the HEV seroprevalence of different wildlife species as potential virus reservoirs in the country. No HEV antibodies were found in any of the sera collected from the red deer (Cervus elaphus), European bison (Bison bonasus), roe deer (Capreolus capreolus), elk (Alces alces), fallow deer (Dama dama), sika deer (Cervus nippon), Tatra chamois (Rupicapra rupicapra tatrica) or brown bear (Ursus arctos). HEV‐specific antibodies were detected in 44.4% (95% CI 38.3–50.7) serum samples originated only from wild boars. The percentage of seropositive wild boars differed significantly between the provinces and was positively correlated with the wild boar density and rurality of the area. This study showed that HEV circulates among wild boar population in Poland, and this species should be considered as an important reservoir of the virus.
Contamination mitigation of hydrogen silsesquioxane resist processed with Na+-containing developer for nanoscale CMOS device patterning
Authors: Brink Markus , Lauer Isaac , Engelmann Sebastian U. , Majumdar Amlan , Cohen Stephan A. , Kratschmer Ernst , Guillorn Michael A.
Published: March 2014

Research on continued complementary metal–oxide–semiconductor (CMOS) scaling has sparked an interest in fabricating silicon-based devices with features in the sub-30 nm pitch regime. Electron beam lithography using hydrogen silsesquioxane (HSQ) resist processed with developers that contain ionic salts, e.g., Na+, has demonstrated a way to cleanly pattern features in the 20–30 nm pitch regime. Contamination concerns, however, have prevented the application of salty developed HSQ to silicon CMOS device integration in laboratories with stringent contamination controls. This paper details the results of a study aimed at understanding and reducing the residual contamination of salty developer to a level suitable for continued processing in a CMOS device research line. Data from total reflection x-ray fluorescence measurements shows that significant levels of Na+ as well as other unexpected metal contaminants remain on substrates after the develop process. Capacitance versus voltage measurements of capacitor structures were used to demonstrate that the Na+ contamination can be removed through a rigorous rinsing protocol. However, the metal contaminants proved harder to eliminate and required formulation of the developer solution using high purity constituent components. Using these protocols, integrated FinFET capacitors with a minimum Silicon fin pitch of 30 nm were successfully fabricated. The data from these devices show nominal device characteristics with no indication of ionic or metal contamination.
Contribution of NAC Transcription Factors to Plant Adaptation to Land
Authors: Xu Bo , Ohtani Misato , Yamaguchi Masatoshi , Toyooka Kiminori , Wakazaki Mayumi , Sato Mayuko , Kubo Minoru , Nakano Yoshimi , Sano Ryosuke , Hiwatashi Yuji , Murata Takashi , Kurata Tetsuya , Yoneda Arata , Kato Ko , Hasebe Mitsuyasu , Demura Taku
Published: March 2014

From Drips to Tubes

In the evolutionary transition from aquatic to terrestrial habitats, plants acquired internal systems to transport water and provide structural support.

Xu
et al.

(p.
1505
, published online 20 March) studied a family of genes and the cells they control to better understand the innovations required to adapt to dry land. In
Arabidopsis
, specific transcription factors regulate development of xylem—the plant tissue that transports water. The moss
Physcomitrella patens
has similar genes, which regulate development of hydroids and stereids, cells specialized in water transport and structural support. The similarity in the genes and their functions suggests the evolutionary origins of land-plant vascular systems.
Draft Genome Sequence of Pseudomonas aeruginosa SG17M, an Environmental Isolate Belonging to Clone C, Prevalent in Patients and Aquatic Habitats
Authors: Lee Changhan , Peters Verena , Melefors Öjar , Römling Ute
Published: March 2014

Pseudomonas aeruginosa
SG17M is an environmental isolate recovered from river water in the city of Mulheim, Germany. SG17M belongs to clone C, which is distributed worldwide. This is the first clone C strain whose genome sequence has been determined.
Draft Genome Sequences of Cyclodextrin-Producing Alkaliphilic
Bacillus
Strains JCM 19045, JCM 19046, and JCM 19047
Authors: Kudo Toshiaki , Sakamoto Kazuaki , Akinaga Masashi , Kawauchi Ayumi , Nakahara Tomomi , Zhang Xiaochi , Yamada Akinori , Oshima Kenshiro , Suda Wataru , Kuwahara Hirokazu , Nakamura Nobuyuki , Nogi Yuichi , Kitamura Keiko , Yuki Masahiro , Iida Toshiya , Moriya Shigeharu , Inoue Tetsushi , Hongoh Yuichi , Hattori Masahira , Ohkuma Moriya
Published: March 2014

Bacillus
strains JCM 19045, JCM 19046, and JCM 19047 are alkaliphiles that produce β-cyclodextrin from starch. They are related to
Bacillus xiaoxiensis
and
Bacillus lehensis
. The genome information for these three strains will be useful for studies of the physiological role of cyclodextrin and cyclodextrin production.
Need factors for utilisation of institutional delivery services in Nepal: an analysis from Nepal Demographic and Health Survey, 2011
Authors: Karkee Rajendra , Lee Andy H , Khanal Vishnu
Published: March 2014

Objective

This study aims to assess the role of need factors with respect to the utilisation of institutional delivery services in Nepal.

Design

An analytic study was conducted using a subset of 4079 ever married women from the 2011 Nepal Demographic and Health Survey, which utilised two-stage cluster sampling. Logistic regression with complex sample analysis was performed to evaluate the effects of antenatal care visits and birth preparedness activities on facility delivery.

Outcome measures

Facility delivery.

Results

Overall facility delivery rate was low at 36.9% (95% CI 33.5% to 40.2%, SE 1.69). Only half (50.1%) of the women made four or more antenatal care visits while 62.9% (95% CI 59.9% to 65.8%, SE 1.51) did not indicate any of the four birth preparation activities. After adjusting for external, predisposing and enabling factors, women who made more than four antenatal care visits were five times more likely to deliver at a health facility when compared to those who paid no visit (adjusted OR 4.94, 95% CI 3.14 to 7.76). Similarly, the likelihood for facility delivery increased by 3.4-fold among women who prepared for at least two of the four activities compared to their counterparts who made no preparation (adjusted OR 3.41, 95% CI 2.01 to 5.58).

Conclusions

The perceived need, as expressed by the frequency of antenatal care visits and birth preparedness activities, plays an important role in institutional delivery service utilisation for Nepali women. These findings have implications for behavioural interventions to change their intention to deliver at a health facility.
Reoperation after oesophageal cancer surgery in relation to long-term survival: a population-based cohort study
Authors: van der Schaaf Maartje , Derogar Maryam , Johar Asif , Rutegård Martin , Gossage James , Mason Robert , Lagergren Pernilla , Lagergren Jesper
Published: March 2014

Objectives

The influence of reoperation on long-term prognosis is unknown. In this large population-based cohort study, it was aimed to investigate the influence of a reoperation within 30 days of oesophageal cancer resection on survival even after excluding the initial postoperative period.

Design

This was a nationwide population-based retrospective cohort study.

Setting

All hospitals performing oesophageal cancer resections during the study period (1987–2010) in Sweden.

Participants

Patients operated for oesophageal cancer with curative intent in 1987–2010.

Primary and secondary outcomes

Adjusted HRs of all cause, early and late mortality up to 5 years after reoperation following oesophageal cancer resection.

Results

Among 1822 included patients, the 200 (11%) who were reoperated had a 27% increased HR of all-cause mortality (adjusted HR 1.27, 95% CI 1.05 to 1.53) and 28% increased HR of disease-specific mortality (adjusted HR 1.28, 95% CI 1.04 to 1.59), compared to those not reoperated. Reoperation for anastomotic insufficiency in particular was followed by an increased mortality (adjusted HR 1.82, 95% CI 1.19 to 2.76).

Conclusions

This large and population-based nationwide cohort study shows that reoperation within 30 days after primary oesophageal resection was associated with increased mortality, even after excluding the initial 3 months after surgery. This finding stresses the need to consider any actions that might prevent complications and reoperation after oesophageal cancer resection.
Paramedic-supplied ‘Take Home’ Naloxone: protocol for cluster randomised feasibility study
Authors: Moore Chris , Lloyd Gregory , Oretti Rossana , Russell Ian , Snooks Helen
Published: March 2014

Introduction

‘Take Home’ Naloxone (THN) kits for use by peers in the event of an opioid overdose may reduce further overdose and deaths, but distribution through Drugs Services may not reach those at highest risk. Attendance by paramedics at emergency calls for patients who have suffered an overdose presents an opportunity to distribute THN kits. In this feasibility study we will assess the acceptability of this intervention, and gather data to inform definitive trial planning.

Methods and analysis

Cluster randomised trial with staggered allocation of paramedics (clusters) to groups. We will invite paramedics in an urban area of south Wales, UK to take part. We will randomly allocate those that accept to training sessions during the first 4 months of the trial. Patients attended by paramedics who have been trained and issued THN kits will fall into the intervention group. Patients attended by paramedics following usual practice (until they receive their training and THN kits) will fall into the control group. We will gather data about processes and outcomes of care: numbers of patients eligible for intervention, offered and accepted THN, attended emergency department, suffered further overdose, died within 3 months and about follow-up rates: numbers of patients consented, completed (postal or telephone) questionnaire. We will gather qualitative data about acceptability to patients and paramedics through interviews and focus groups.

Ethics and dissemination

Ethical approval for this study was granted on 7 December 2011, by South East Wales Research Ethics Committee, Panel C. Results of this study will be reported through peer-reviewed scientific journals, conference presentations and internal organisational report. We will also seek to report our findings through local and national substance misuse networks and publications.

Trial registration number

ISRCTN98216498.
Validation of a teamwork perceptions measure to increase patient safety
Authors: Keebler Joseph R , Dietz Aaron S , Lazzara Elizabeth H , Benishek Lauren E , Almeida Sandra A , Toor Phyllis A , King Heidi B , Salas Eduardo
Published: March 2014

Background

TeamSTEPPS (Team Strategies and Tools to Enhance Performance and Patient Safety) is a team-training intervention which shows promise in aiding the mitigation of medical errors. This article examines the construct validity of the TeamSTEPPS Teamwork Perceptions Questionnaire (T-TPQ), a self-report survey that examines multiple dimensions of perceptions of teamwork within healthcare settings.

Method

Using survey-based methods, 1700 multidisciplinary healthcare professionals and support staff were measured on their perceptions of teamwork. Confirmatory factor analysis was conducted to examine the relationship between the five TeamSTEPPS dimensions: Leadership, Mutual Support, Situation Monitoring, Communication, and Team Structure.

Results

The analysis indicated that the T-TPQ measure is more reliable than previously thought (Cronbach's α=0.978). Further, our final tested model showed a good fit with the data (x2(df) 3601.27 (546), p<0.0001, Tucker–Lewis Index (TLI)=0.942, Comparative fit index (CFI)=0.947, root mean square error of approximation (RMSEA)=0.057), indicating that the measure appears to have construct validity. Further, all dimensions correlated with one another, but were shown to be independent constructs.

Conclusions

The T-TPQ is a construct-valid instrument for measuring perceptions of teamwork. This has beneficial implications for patient safety and future research that studies medical teamwork.
Interventions to improve the management of pain in emergency departments: systematic review and narrative synthesis
Authors: Sampson F C , Goodacre S W , O'Cathain A
Published: March 2014

Introduction

Pain management in emergency departments (ED) is often inadequate despite the availability of effective analgesia, with many patients receiving insufficient and untimely analgesia. We conducted a systematic literature review to identify interventions that could improve pain management in the ED.

Methods

We systematically searched seven databases for studies reporting pain management outcomes after intervention to change professional practice to improve pain management in the ED, compared with pain management before or without intervention. Data was synthesised using principles of narrative synthesis.

Results

We identified 43 relevant studies, including 40 uncontrolled before-and-after studies. Interventions included implementation of guidelines and protocols, educational interventions, pain scoring tools and changes in nursing roles, with many multifaceted interventions incorporating two or more of these elements. Interventions aimed to improve assessment and documentation of pain, knowledge and awareness of pain management and reduce time to analgesia. Due to the high probability of bias in study design and significant variation between studies, it was not possible to estimate the overall effectiveness of interventions, or identify which had the greatest impact. Intervention to improve pain management was reported to have some positive impact in most studies, but these findings may be explained by limitations in study design.

Conclusions

Many interventions reported improvements in pain management, but current evidence is insufficient to recommend any for widespread adoption. In order to improve pain management we need to understand more about the theory underlying interventions, the context in which interventions work, and develop interventions based on this stronger theoretical understanding.
Enterprise stenting for intracranial aneurysm treatment induces dynamic and reversible age-dependent stenosis in cerebral arteries
Authors: Gao Bulang , Safain Mina G , Malek Adel M
Published: March 2014

Background

Although intracranial stenting has been associated with in-stent stenosis, the vascular response of cerebral vessels to the deployment of the Enterprise vascular reconstruction device is poorly defined.

Objective

To evaluate the change in parent vessel caliber that ensues after Enterprise stent placement.

Methods

Seventy-seven patients with 88 aneurysms were treated using Enterprise stent-assisted coil embolization and underwent high-resolution three-dimensional rotational angiography followed by three-dimensional edge-detection filtering to remove windowing-dependence measurement artifact. Orthogonal diameters and cross-sectional areas (CSAs) were measured proximal and distal on either side of the leading stent edge (points A, B), trailing stent edge (points D, E), and at mid-stent (point C).

Results

Enterprise stent deployment caused an instant increase in the parent artery CSA by 8.98% at D, which was followed 4–6 months later by significant in-stent stenosis (15.78% at A, 27.24% at B, 10.68% at C, 32.12% at D, and 28.28% at E) in the stented artery. This time-dependent phenomenon showed resolution which was complete by 12–24 months after treatment. This target vessel stenosis showed significant age dependence with greater response in the young. No flow-limiting stenosis requiring treatment was observed in this series.

Conclusions

Use of the Enterprise stent is associated with a significant dynamic and spontaneously resolvable age-dependent in-stent stenosis. Further study is warranted on the clinical impact, if any, of this occurrence.
Effect of load eccentricity and stress level on monopile support for offshore wind turbines
Authors: Klinkvort Rasmus Tofte , Hededal Ole
Published: March 2014

Currently monopiles are the most common foundation solution for offshore wind turbines. The design of monopiles relies on empirical data from tests performed on long, slender, small-diameter piles loaded predominantly in shear. In contrast, a monopile is a large-diameter, relatively short pile on which load is applied with a large eccentricity. With centrifuge tests as the basis, this paper investigates the behaviour of a rigid pile loaded with a high eccentricity. A test series was carried out to simulate idealized monotonic load cases for monopiles supporting an offshore wind turbine. Centrifuge tests were performed on model monopiles subjected to stress distributions equal to prototype monopiles with pile diameters ranging from 1–5 m and eccentricities ranging from 8.25–17.75 pile diameters. It was possible to identify a unified response of all of these tests by using dimensional analysis and Rankine’s passive earth pressure coefficient as a normalization parameter. The normalized ultimate soil resistance was unaffected by acceleration level and load eccentricity, indicating that the failure mechanism was the same for all tests. Based on the centrifuge tests, a reformulation of soil–pile interaction curves is presented. The normalized initial stiffness of the soil–pile resistance curves was seen to increase linearly with depth in the centrifuge tests. The reformulation differs from current guidelines in terms of the shape of the interaction curve and magnitude of ultimate resistance.
AUXIN BINDING PROTEIN 4 is involved in the Ca2+/auxin-regulated expression ofZCAX3gene in maize (Zea mays)
Authors: Jurišić-Knežev Dejana , Bergougnoux Véronique , Milde David , Fellner Martin
Published: March 2014

As a second messenger, calcium is involved in auxin signaling, and previous studies demonstrated that Arabidopsis CAX1 (Ca2+/H+exchanger) is involved in the auxin transduction pathway. This study was performed to investigate the possible role of auxin-binding proteins ABP1 and ABP4 in Ca2+/auxin-regulated growth in maize (Zea mays L.). We identified and cloned two AtCAX1 homologs in maize, ZCAX2 and ZCAX3. Using maize loss-of-function abp1 and abp4 mutants, the role of ABPs in Ca2+-dependent growth and in the Ca2+/auxin-regulated expression of the CAX genes was investigated in etiolated maize seedlings. Exogenous Ca2+enhanced mesocotyl but not coleoptile growth in WT, abp1, abp4, and abp1/abp4 mutants, but the maximum stimulation was in abp4. As well, in the abp4 mutant, maximum accumulation of Ca2+was observed when seedlings were exposed to exogenous Ca2+. In the mesocotyl of abp4 and double mutants, the expression of ZCAX3 was significantly reduced in the absence of exogenous Ca2+, whereas exogenous Ca2+significantly up-regulated its expression in both mutants. This effect of Ca2+was not observed in the coleoptile. In the absence of NAA, knockout of ABP4 led to significant drop of ZCAX3 expression in the mesocotyl, and exogenous auxin significantly inhibited expression of the ZCAX3 in WT, but not in abp mutants. This effect of auxin was not observed in the coleoptile. Our results indicate that in the absence of NAA, functional ABP4 is required for ZCAX3 expression and that ABP4 mediates the inhibitory effect of NAA on ZCAX3 expression. We provided evidence for a cross talk between ABP4, exogenous auxin, Ca2+, and ZCAX3 during growth of etiolated maize mesocotyl.
A unified mode decomposition method for physical fields in homogeneous cosmology
Authors: Avetisyan Zhirayr G.
Published: March 2014

The methods of mode decomposition and Fourier analysis of classical and quantum fields on curved spacetimes previously available mainly for the scalar field on Friedman–Robertson–Walker (FRW) spacetimes are extended to arbitrary vector bundle fields on general spatially homogeneous spacetimes. This is done by developing a rigorous unified framework which incorporates mode decomposition, harmonic analysis and Fourier analysis. The limits of applicability and uniqueness of mode decomposition by separation of the time variable in the field equation are found. It is shown how mode decomposition can be naturally extended to weak solutions of the field equation under some analytical assumptions. It is further shown that these assumptions can always be fulfilled if the vector bundle under consideration is analytic. The propagator of the field equation is explicitly mode decomposed. A short survey on the geometry of the models considered in mathematical cosmology is given and it is concluded that practically all of them can be represented by a semidirect homogeneous vector bundle. Abstract harmonic analytical Fourier transform is introduced in semidirect homogeneous spaces and it is explained how it can be related to the spectral Fourier transform. The general form of invariant bi-distributions on semidirect homogeneous spaces is found in the Fourier space which generalizes earlier results for the homogeneous states of the scalar field on FRW spacetimes.
Ab initio calculations of SrTiO3, BaTiO3, PbTiO3, CaTiO3, SrZrO3, PbZrO3 and BaZrO3 (001), (011) and (111) surfaces as well as F centers, polarons, KTN solid solutions and Nb impurities therein
Authors: Eglitis R. I.
Published: March 2014

In this paper, the review of recent results of calculations of surface relaxations, energetics, and bonding properties for ABO 3 perovskite (001), (011) and (111) surfaces using mostly a hybrid description of exchange and correlation is presented. Both AO and BO 2-terminations of the nonpolar (001) surface and A , BO , and O terminations of the polar (011) surface, as well as B and AO 3-terminations of the polar (111) surface were considered. On the AO -terminated (001) surface, all upper-layer A atoms relax inwards, while all second layer atoms relax outwards. For the BO 2-terminated (001) surface, in most cases, the largest relaxations are on the second-layer metal atoms. For almost all ABO 3 perovskites, the surface rumpling is much larger for the AO -terminated than for the BO 2-terminated (001) surface, but their surface energies are always quite similar. In contrast, different terminations of the (011) ABO 3 surface lead to very different surface energies for the O -terminated, A -terminated, and BO -terminated (011) surface, respectively. A considerable increase in the Ti – O or Zr – O , respectively, chemical bond covalency near the (011) surface as compared both to the bulk and to the (001) surface in ABO 3 perovskites were predicted. According to the results of ab initio calculations for Nb doped SrTiO 3, Nb is a shallow donor; six nearest O ions are slightly displaced outwards from the Nb ion. The F center in ABO 3 perovskites resembles electron defects in the partially-covalent SiO 2 crystal rather than usual F centers in ionic crystals like MgO and alkali halides. The results of calculations for several perovskite KNb x Ta 1-x O 3 (KTN) solid solutions, as well as hole and electron polarons in ABO 3 perovskites are analyzed.