bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Quality of handwritten surgical operative notes from surgical trainees: a noteworthy issue
Authors: Nzenza Tatenda C. , Manning Todd , Ngweso Simeon , Perera Marlon , Sengupta Shomik , Bolton Damien , Lawrentschuk Nathan
Published: November 2017

Background

Surgical operation notes are crucial for medical record keeping and information flow in continued patient care. In addition to inherent medical implications, the quality of operative notes also has important economic and medico‐legal ramifications. Further, well‐documented records can also be useful for audit purposes and propagation of research, facilitating the improvement of delivery of care to patients. We aimed to assess the quality of surgical operation notes written by junior doctors and trainees against a set standard, to ascertain whether these standards were met.

Method

We undertook an audit of Urology and General Surgery operation notes handwritten by junior doctors and surgical trainees in a tertiary teaching hospital over a month period both in 2014 and 2015. Individual operative notes were assessed for quality based on parameters described by the Royal College of Surgeons of England guidelines.

Results

Based on the Royal College of Surgeons of England guidelines, a significant proportion of analysed surgical operative notes were incomplete, with information pertaining to the time of surgery, name of anaesthetist and deep vein thrombosis prophylaxis in particular being recorded less than 50% of the time (22.42, 36.36 and 43.03%, respectively).Overall, 80% compliance was achieved in 14/20 standards and 100% compliance was attained in only one standard.

Conclusions

The quality of surgical operation notes written by junior doctors and trainees demonstrated significant deficiencies when compared against a set standard. There is a clear need to educate junior medical staff and to provide systems and ongoing education to improve quality. This would involve leadership from senior staff, ongoing audit and the development of systems that are part of the normal workflow to improve quality and compliance.
Development of Functional Electrical Stimulation Rowing: The Rowstim Series
Authors: Andrews Brian , Gibbons Robin , Wheeler Garry
Published: November 2017

Potentially, functional electrical stimulation (FES)‐assisted exercise may have an important therapeutic role in reducing comorbidities associated with spinal cord injury (SCI). Here, we present an overview of these secondary life‐threatening conditions, discuss the rationale behind the development of a hybrid exercise called FES rowing, and describe our experience in developing FES rowing technology. FES rowing and sculling are unique forms of adaptive rowing for those with SCI. The paralyzed leg musculature is activated by multiple channels of electrical pulses delivered via self‐adhesive electrodes attached to the skin. The stimulated muscle contractions are synchronized with voluntary rowing movements of the upper limbs. A range of steady‐state FES rowing exercise intensities have been demonstrated from 15.2 ± 1.8 mL/kg/min in tetraplegia to 22.9 ±7.1 mL/kg/min in paraplegia. We expect that such high levels may help some to achieve significant reductions in the risks to their health, particularly where a dose‐response relationship exists as is the case for cardiovascular disease and Type II diabetes. Furthermore, preliminary results suggest that cyclical forces more than 1.5 times body weight are imposed on the leg long bones which may help to reduce the risk of fragility fractures. We have demonstrated the feasibility of FES rowing on land and water using adapted rowing technology that includes; a fixed stretcher indoor ergometer (adapted Concept 2, Model E), a floating stretcher indoor ergometer (adapted Concept 2 Dynamic), a turbine powered water rowing tank, a custom hydraulic sculling simulator and a single scull (adapted Alden 16). This has involved volunteers with paraplegia and tetraplegia with SCI ranging from C4 to T12 AIS A using at least 4‐channels of surface electrical stimulation. FES rowers, with SCI, have competed alongside non‐SCI rowers over the Olympic distance of 2000 m at the British Indoor Rowing Championships in 2004, 2005, and 2006 and the World Indoor Rowing Championships in 2006 (CRASH‐B's) in Boston, MA, USA. The best 2000 m FES rowing performance to date has been achieved by a 23‐year‐old male, Tom Aggar T12 AIS A, in 10 min 28 s. Moreover, two of our FES rowers with complete paraplegia have gone on to successfully compete in the Adaptive Rowing arms‐only category (AM1x) at the World Rowing Championships and Paralympic Games.
Step Ergometer Training Augmented With Functional Electrical Stimulation in Individuals With Chronic Spinal Cord Injury: A Feasibility Study
Authors: Tefertiller Candy , Gerber Don
Published: November 2017

Spinal cord injury (SCI) often results in loss of upright mobility and independence subsequently challenging rehabilitation practitioners for meaningful intervention strategies. The objective of this study was to evaluate the feasibility and potential impact on walking function of the stimulation and ergometer training protocol (STEP) in chronic SCI. Fourteen individuals with a chronic motor incomplete SCI (>1‐year post injury) were enrolled in the study. The intervention consisted of a 12‐week walking training program delivered three times per week from 20 up to 45 min in combination with 10 channels of FES on a step ergometer. Subsequent to this training, 30 min over ground walking training was performed. Ten out of the 14 participants completed the trial (71%). All participants who completed the intervention increased their walking speed by an average of 0.13 m/s (0.08) and walking endurance by an average of 117 ft (84 ft). For those who completed the trial, 50% demonstrated increases on the Walking Index for Spinal Cord Injury II by at least one level while 60% demonstrated an increase in lower extremity motor scores; all completing the Timed Up and Go Test at baseline demonstrated a reduction in time to complete during post‐test evaluation. Recruitment objectives were attained. Overall retention was lower than anticipated with 29% withdrawing secondary to issues with lower extremity pain and exertional demands; however, no other adverse events occurred. Improvements in mobility outcomes generated by the STEP show promise in the context of feasibility and warrant further investigation to evaluate efficacy in comparison to other walking recovery interventions. The STEP was well‐tolerated by participants who were >1 year and less than 10 years post SCI. Those completing the protocol exhibited improvements in commonly used SCI walking outcome measures.
Children's Use of Multiple Categorisations in Practice in a Multicultural Setting
Authors: Woods Ruth
Published: November 2017

Little is known about whether and how children combine categories of race, ethnicity, language and religion in multicultural settings where more than one of these dimensions is salient. Ethnographic data from a multicultural London primary school found that children usually organised multiple categories congruently (e.g. ‘If you're Indian you are Sikh’), despite strong opposition from teachers. This congruent organisation may originate in an undifferentiated experience of categories in the family and/or represent the best ‘fit' with a local population in which categories were correlated. Children used congruent organisation to infer peers’ group membership, which may amplify intergroup contrasts.
Inhaled corticosteroids and the risks of low‐energy fractures in patients with chronic airway diseases: A propensity score matched study
Authors: Tsai Chun‐Hao , Liao Lin‐Yu , Lin Cheng‐Li , Chung Wei‐Sheng
Published: November 2017

Background and Aims

Inhaled corticosteroids (ICSs) are crucial anti‐inflammatory medications for chronic airway diseases. Studies investigating the relationship between ICSs and fractures in Asian populations are scant. We investigated whether ICSs increased the risk of low‐energy fractures in patients with chronic airway diseases.

Methods

We used the Longitudinal Health Insurance Database to select patients aged 20 years and older with chronic airway diseases (asthma and COPD) between 2000 and 2011 as the base cohort. We identified ICS users and ICS non‐users matched by propensity score method at 1:1 ratio. Cox proportional hazard regression models were used to calculate the adjusted hazard ratio (aHR) and 95% confidence interval (CI) for factors associated with the risk of fracture.

Results

A total of 1,182 ICS users and 1,182 controls were enrolled. After adjustment for age, gender, annual exacerbation number of acute respiratory events, comorbidity and medications, the risk of fracture was 1.10 for ICS users (aHR = 1.20; 95% CI = 1.10‐1.31) compared with ICS non‐users. The ICS users exhibited significantly 1.63‐fold risk of hip fracture and 1.24‐fold risk of ulna and radius fracture than did the ICS non‐users. Patients with medium and high doses of ICS use were associated with significantly increased risks of fracture (aHR = 1.48, 95% CI = 1.25‐1.76 for medium dose and aHR = 1.55, 95% CI = 1.39‐1.72 for high dose) compared with those in ICS non‐users.

Conclusions

Patients with medium and high doses of ICS use are associated with an increased risk of fracture.
Severe subvalvular pulmonic stenosis due to a ball‐shaped accessory tissue in an asymptomatic woman with congenitally corrected transposition of great arteries and mesocardia: A rare case report
Authors: Nabati Maryam , Dabirian Mozhdeh
Published: November 2017

Congenitally corrected transposition of great arteries (CCTGA) is a rare anomaly described by atrioventricular and ventriculoarterial discordance. On the other hand, mesocardia that is extremely rare includes two relatively well‐defined apexes defined by each ventricle with the major axis of the heart lies in the midline. We describe a rare case of an asymptomatic 20‐year‐old woman with mesocardia, CCTGA, and severe subvalvular pulmonic stenosis due to a ball‐shaped accessory tissue in left ventricular outflow tract.
Integranular corrosion susceptibility analysis in austeno‐ferritic (duplex) stainless steels
Authors: Iacoviello F. , Di Cocco V. , Franzese E.
Published: November 2017

Duplex stainless steels (DSSs) are characterized by a really good generalized corrosion resistance in many environments and by really interesting mechanical properties, considering both static or quasi‐static and cyclic loading conditions. DSSs are characterized by secondary phases, nitrides, and carbides precipitation phenomena, with consequent age hardening and embrittlement. These mainly occur inside ferritic grains and next to ferrite‐austenite grain boundaries, with a consequent DSS susceptibility to intergranular and/or localized corrosion phenomena and the initiation and propagation of intergranular cracks. In this work, the influence of the secondary phases, nitrides, and carbides precipitation phenomena on intergranular and localized DSS corrosion resistance was investigated, considering both the lower and higher critical temperature ranges and steel chemical composition.
Reliable Determination of Ge in Solid Environmental Samples Using a Chemical Preparation Procedure Developed for Si Isotopes and ICP‐MS Analysis
Authors: Delvigne Camille , Angeletti Bernard , Guihou Abel , Basile‐Doelsch Isabelle , Meunier Jean‐Dominique
Published: November 2017

Germanium (Ge) exists at trace levels in the Earth's crust and is a powerful geochemical tracer of the silicon (Si) cycle. This study proposes a simple and reliable method for determining Ge contents in environmental samples using ICP‐MS. As Si and Ge have very similar chemical properties, we investigated the applicability of the chemical preparation procedure developed for Si isotopes for the determination of Ge in environmental samples. Advantages of this procedure are as follows: (a) efficient removal of the matrix and main interferences affecting Ge determinations by ICP‐MS, (b) a low limit of detection (6 ng l−1), (c) relative repeatability of approximately 3% obtained on 74Ge and (d) robustness and accuracy based on agreement within errors with the published Ge values for rock reference materials (BHVO‐2, AGV‐2 and BCR‐2). This procedure allowed revision of the Ge values of three soil reference materials (1.67 ± 0.09 μg g−1, 2.41 ± 0.18 μg g−1, 1.89 ± 0.10 μg g−1 for GBW 07401, GBW 07404 and GBW 07407, respectively) and proposal of a value for the plant reference material ERM‐CD281 (70 ± 3 μg g−1). This method provides a convenient procedure for determining Ge mass fractions in environmental samples and opens the possibility of coupling two tracers of the Si biogeochemical cycle with a single measurement procedure.
Comparison of releasing bound phenolic acids from wheat bran by fermentation of three Aspergillus species
Authors: Yin Zhina , Wu Wenjia , Sun Chongzhen , Lei Zhuogui , Chen Huamin , Liu Huifan , Chen Wenbo , Ma Juanjuan , Min Tian , Zhang Mengmeng , Wu Hui
Published: November 2017

Wheat bran was fermented at 28 °C for 7 days under 70% humidity by Aspergillus niger, Aspergillus oryzae and Aspergillus awamori. Total phenolic content (TPC) of the unfermented sample was 1531.5 μg g−1 wheat bran. After the fermentation of Aspergillus awamori, Aspergillus oryzae and Aspergillus niger, TPC reached 5362.1, 7462.6 and 10 707.5 μg g−1, respectively. The antioxidant activity in the extractions of fermented wheat bran also increased significantly compared with the unfermented sample (P < 0.05). Aspergillus niger showed the greatest capacity to release bound ferulic acid (416.6 μg g−1). Aspergillus oryzae and Aspergillus awamori had the advantages of releasing more chlorogenic acid (84.0 μg g−1) and syringic acid (142.3 μg g−1), respectively. The destructive effect of Aspergillus niger on wheat bran structure was the strongest, followed by that of Aspergillus oryzae. This effect of Aspergillus niger may be due to its higher cellulase, xylanase, arabinofuranosidase and β‐xylosidase activities. Besides, Aspergillus oryzae possessed higher β‐glucosidase activity, and Aspergillus awamori had higher α‐amylase and feruloyl esterase activities. Aspergillus niger may be the best to release bound phenolic acids in the three Aspergillus species. These will provide the helpful information for understanding mechanism of the fermentation by Aspergillus species releasing bound phenolic in wheat bran.
Feasibility of percutaneous left atrial appendage closure using a novel LAmbre occluder in patients with atrial fibrillation: Initial results from a prospective cohort registry study
Authors: Chen Shaojie , Schmidt Boris , Bordignon Stefano , Bologna Fabrizio , Nagase Takahiko , Tsianakas Nikolaos , Perrotta Laura , Chun K. R. Julian
Published: November 2017

Background

The LAmbre™ occluder is a novel device for percutaneous left atrial appendage closure (LAAC). The presented study aimed to report the initial experience in implantation of the novel LAmbre for LAAC in patients with nonvalvular AF.

Methods

We conducted a prospective, observational, cohort registry study to evaluate the feasibility of percutaneous LAAC using the LAmbre system.

Results

Thirty patients (15 female, mean age 77.6 ± 8.9 years) who had high risks of stroke and contraindications for oral anticoagulation were prospectively enrolled in this registry study. The mean CHA2DS2‐VaSc was 3.9 ± 1.5, and the mean HAS‐BLED score was 4.1 ± 1.0. Twenty (66.7%) patients had chicken‐wing LAA morphology. The implant success rate was 100%. The mean fluoroscopic time and procedure time were 3.5 ± 1.9 and 29.0 ± 10.1 minutes, respectively. No significant procedure‐related complications were observed during in‐hospital and acute clinical follow‐up.

Conclusion

In this preliminary study, the LAmbre occluder showed an excellent implant success rate, favorable implant property, and very low incidence of complications. Larger sample, randomized studies are further warranted.
Metformin protects against intestinal barrier dysfunction via AMPKα1‐dependent inhibition of JNK signalling activation
Authors: Deng Jun , Zeng Lishan , Lai Xueying , Li Jing , Liu Le , Lin Qianyun , Chen Ye
Published: November 2017

Disruption of the intestinal epithelial barrier, that involves the activation of C‐Jun N‐terminal kinase (JNK), contributes to initiate and accelerate inflammation in inflammatory bowel disease. Metformin has unexpected beneficial effects other than glucose‐lowering effects. Here, we provided evidence that metformin can protect against intestinal barrier dysfunction in colitis. We showed that metformin alleviated dextran sodium sulphate (DSS)‐induced decreases in transepithelial electrical resistance, FITC‐dextran hyperpermeability, loss of the tight junction (TJ) proteins occludin and ZO‐1 and bacterial translocation in Caco‐2 cell monolayers or in colitis mice models. Metformin also improved TJ proteins expression in ulcerative colitis patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus. We found that metformin ameliorated the induction of colitis and reduced the levels of pro‐inflammatory cytokines IL‐6, TNF‐a and IL‐1β. In addition, metformin suppressed DSS‐induced JNK activation, an effect dependent on AMP‐activated protein kinase α1 (AMPKα1) activation. Consistent with this finding, metformin could not maintain the barrier function of AMPKα1‐silenced cell monolayers after DSS administration. These findings highlight metformin protects against intestinal barrier dysfunction. The potential mechanism may involve in the inhibition of JNK activation via an AMPKα1‐dependent signalling pathway.
Editorial Perspective: Whatever happened to temperament?
Authors: Carey William B.
Published: November 2017

A recent editorial in this journal supported our need to be ‘mindful of the field's strict adherence to the disease model of psychopathology, and wondered (not for the first time) whether our total allegiance to this model has obscured important information.’ Dr. Burt pointed to studies in which normal behavioral style traits such as activity and resilience may have been significant factors in the outcome. These traits bear a close relationship to two of the nine normal temperament traits described by Chess and Thomas in their New York Longitudinal Study starting in 1956. Despite past acceptance, their important contribution to outcomes has been largely ignored for some time. However, lately there has been an unexpected revival of them. All nine of the NYLS traits have individually been shown to matter sometimes in mental health outcomes. It is not just activity and resilience or adaptability but all the rest: irregularity, inhibition, intensity, irritability, persistence, distractibility, and sensitivity. Should we not consider all normal temperamental predispositions as possible risk or protective factors in appraisals of behavioral outcomes and not just pathological nature and/or nurture contributions?
Use of Resin‐Based Provisional Material to Create the Posterior Palatal Seal in Complete Denture Definitive Impressions
Authors: de Souza Batista Victor Eduardo , Vechiato‐Filho Aljomar José , Pellizzer Eduardo Piza , Verri Fellippo Ramos
Published: November 2017

The purpose of this article was to present an alternative procedure using resin‐based provisional material to create the posterior palatal seal (PPS). This method offers more practicality in clinical routine and increased control for addition of material to create the PPS when compared to traditional techniques such as the use of impression wax.
Acute worsening of chronic abdominal pain and vomiting in an adolescent girl
Authors: Marshall Samual , Abel Christian , Deshpande Aniruddh
Published: November 2017

See Answer
A newborn with a wrinkled abdominal wall
Authors: Beasley Spencer W
Published: November 2017

See Answer
Rebranding ex‐convicts
Authors: Kim Young‐Chul , Loury Glenn C.
Published: November 2017

We develop a theoretical model explaining how the problem of poor labor market outcomes for ex‐convicts might be alleviated by an external intervention. While employers wish to avoid associating with those who will end up returning to crime, they cannot be certain from the available information which convicts will reoffend and which will not. We illustrate that, notwithstanding this informational asymmetry, a government (or a civic society) can nevertheless design a costly, yet net socially beneficial program through which some ex‐convicts can credibly convey their good intentions to employers. Such a “rebranding” program can help more ex‐convicts find legitimate work, with fewer electing to return to crime than would otherwise have been the case.
Studies on the curcumin phospholipid complex solidified with Soluplus®
Authors: Wang Jianan , Wang Lulu , Zhang Lan , He Dandan , Ju Jianming , Li Weiguang
Published: November 2017

Objectives

With the purpose of developing a curcumin phospholipid complex (CPC) formulation with high performance, the CPC was prepared and solidified with Soluplus® in this study.

Methods

Soluplus® was used as a carrier to solidify CPC. The structures of the CPC and curcumin phospholipid complex – Soluplus® solidified powder (CSP) – were also characterized by differential scanning electron microscope, differential scanning calorimetry, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and X-ray diffractometer, and flowability, in-vitro dissolution and oral bioavailability were also investigated.

Key findings

All analysis indicated that curcumin was completely converted from crystalline to amorphous state in solidified powder. The angle of repose calculated in flowability study indicated a marked improvement from ‘cannot be measured’ to ‘37°’. Meanwhile, the dissolution study showed that in phosphate buffer condition, the dissolution rate of CSP had released 76.34% in pH 6.8 and the 78.19% in pH 1.2. Furthermore, in pharmacokinetic study, significant (P < 0.01) improvement of AUC0–∞ value was observed between CPC and CSP groups, and the results showed that AUC0–∞ value was increased from 205.84 ± 50.46 μg h/ml to 330.47 μg h/ml.

Conclusions

A simple and convenient solidifying process was used in this study, and the data suggested that this process not only could improve the flowability and dissolution of phospholipid complex, but also increased the oral bioavailability of curcumin.
Inhibiting MT2‐TFE3‐dependent autophagy enhances melatonin‐induced apoptosis in tongue squamous cell carcinoma
Authors: Fan Tengfei , Pi Huifeng , Li Min , Ren Zhenhu , He Zhijing , Zhu Feiya , Tian Li , Tu Manyu , Xie Jia , Liu Mengyu , Li Yuming , Tan Miduo , Li Gaoming , Qing Weijia , Reiter Russel J. , Yu Zhengping , Wu Hanjiang , Zhou Zhou
Published: November 2017

Autophagy modulation is a potential therapeutic strategy for tongue squamous cell carcinoma (TSCC). Melatonin possesses significant anticarcinogenic activity. However, whether melatonin induces autophagy and its roles in cell death in TSCC are unclear. Herein, we show that melatonin induced significant apoptosis in the TSCC cell line Cal27. Apart from the induction of apoptosis, we demonstrated that melatonin‐induced autophagic flux in Cal27 cells as evidenced by the formation of GFP‐LC3 puncta, and the upregulation of LC3‐II and downregulation of SQSTM1/P62. Moreover, pharmacological or genetic blockage of autophagy enhanced melatonin‐induced apoptosis, indicating a cytoprotective role of autophagy in melatonin‐treated Cal27 cells. Mechanistically, melatonin induced TFE3(Ser321) dephosphorylation, subsequently activated TFE3 nuclear translocation, and increased TFE3 reporter activity, which contributed to the expression of autophagy‐related genes and lysosomal biogenesis. Luzindole, a melatonin membrane receptor blocker, or MT2‐siRNA partially blocked the ability of melatonin to promote mTORC1/TFE3 signaling. Furthermore, we verified in a xenograft mouse model that melatonin with hydroxychloroquine or TFE3‐siRNA exerted a synergistic antitumor effect by inhibiting autophagy. Importantly, TFE3 expression positively correlated with TSCC development and poor prognosis in patients. Collectively, we demonstrated that the melatonin‐induced increase in TFE3‐dependent autophagy is mediated through the melatonin membrane receptor in TSCC. These data also suggest that blocking melatonin membrane receptor‐TFE3‐dependent autophagy to enhance the activity of melatonin warrants further attention as a treatment strategy for TSCC.
Pathology in a Permian parareptile: congenital malformation of sacral vertebrae
Authors: Turner M. L. , Sidor C. A.
Published: November 2017

Pareiasaurs were a group of herbivorous reptiles that lived during the middle to late Permian (265–252 Ma). About 20 species are currently recognized from a fossil record spanning Europe, Asia, South America, and Africa. All pareiasaurs have a peculiar vertebral anatomy characterized by ‘swollen’ neural arches. Some species grew to large body size (e.g., 600 kg) and evolved up to five sacral vertebrae, but the detailed anatomy of the sacral region is poorly documented. Vertebral elements referable to the derived pareiasaur subclade Velosauria were recently recovered from the upper Madumabisa Mudstone Formation (Luangwa Basin) of Zambia and are described here. The specimen exhibits an abnormal morphology: the neural arches of the second, third, and fourth sacral vertebrae share a single, elongate centrum that is fused anteriorly with a ‘normal’ first sacral vertebra, and articulates posteriorly with a slightly disarticulated first caudal vertebra. We suggest two distinct pathologies are responsible for this morphology: (1) spondyloarthropathy (re‐ossified intervertebral joint) and (2) congenital block vertebra. The processes of development of neural arches and centra, while evolutionarily independent in origin, have been found to be conserved in all amniotes. While paleopathological morphologies can provide insight into environmental and disease‐based etiologies, pathological congenital malformations are particularly rare in fossil record and have the potential to be informative for understanding the evolution of vertebral development. The anatomy described here sheds light on pareiasaurian sacral morphology and provides insight into the pathology in one of the earliest clades of large‐bodied reptiles near the base of the amniote tree.
Singing our song: the affordances of singing in an intergenerational, multimodal literacy programme
Authors: Heydon Rachel , McKee Lori , O'Neill Susan
Published: November 2017

This exploratory case study examined the affordances of singing as a multimodal literacy practice within ensembles that featured art, singing and digital media produced in an intergenerational programme that served a class of kindergarten children and community elders. The programme that was set up by the study in collaboration with a rural school and elders' organisation saw participants meet one afternoon a week for most of a school year. Study questions concerned the meaning making and relationship‐building opportunities afforded to the participants as they worked through chains of multimodal projects. Data were collected using ethnographic tools in an elders' home where the projects were completed and in the kindergarten where project content and tools were introduced to the children and extended by the classroom teacher. Themes were identified through the juxtaposition of data in relation to the literature and study questions. Results indicate that singing provided opportunities for participants to form relationships and make meaning as a group while combining modes. Study findings foreground the communicative power of singing and suggest how singing, when viewed through a multimodal lens, might be a potent tool for multimodal literacy learning.
Multilevel heterogeneity of biliary tract cancers may affect the modelling of prognosis
Authors: Cardinale Vincenzo , Carpino Guido
Published: November 2017

See Article on Page 1852
Forecasting Macroeconomic Labour Market Flows: What Can We Learn from Micro‐level Analysis?
Authors: Wilke Ralf A.
Published: November 2017

Forecasting labour market flows is important for budgeting and decision‐making in government departments and public administration. Macroeconomic forecasts are normally obtained from time series data. In this article, we follow another approach that uses individual‐level statistical analysis to predict the number of exits out of unemployment insurance claims. We present a comparative study of econometric, actuarial and statistical methodologies that base on different data structures. The results with records of the German unemployment insurance suggest that prediction based on individual‐level statistical duration analysis constitutes an interesting alternative to aggregate data‐based forecasting. In particular, forecasts of up to six months ahead are surprisingly precise and are found to be more precise than considered time series forecasts.
Adolescents' and mothers' conflict management constellations: Links with individual and relational functioning
Authors: MISSOTTEN LIES , LUYCKX KOEN , VANHALST JANNE , NELEMANS STEFANIE A. , BRANJE SUSAN
Published: November 2017

In the present multi‐informant study, we examined dyadic combinations of adolescent and maternal conflict management styles through stepwise latent class analysis. We investigated how these dyadic conflict classes related to adolescents' and mothers' perceptions of individual and relational functioning (depressive symptoms, self‐esteem, conflict frequency, relationship satisfaction, parenting), both concurrently and over time. Four conflict styles were investigated: positive problem solving, withdrawal, conflict engagement, and compliance. Questionnaires were completed by 526 adolescents and mothers. Findings pointed to four meaningful conflict management constellations: Dyadic Positive Management, Unbalanced Management, Adolescent Negative Management and Dyadic Negative Management. These constellations were differentially related to individual and relational factors. This study emphasized the importance of a typological dyadic approach in examining conflict management.
The List Experiment for Measuring Abortion: What We Know and What We Need
Authors: Moseson Heidi , Treleaven Emily , Gerdts Caitlin , Diamond‐Smith Nadia
Published: November 2017

Measuring abortion incidence and prevalence is often difficult because of under‐reporting and other biases, complicated research designs, and other issues. Recently, family planning researchers have introduced a new method called the list experiment, adopted from political science and economics, to measure abortion. Three completed studies and at least four studies currently underway use this method to measure abortion in several countries. We discuss the lessons learned from completed studies, when the list experiment may and may not be appropriate, and open questions regarding the use of the list experiment for abortion research. This method has the potential to improve measures of abortion prevalence and incidence, which could translate to better‐informed interventions to increase abortion access and reduce unmet need for family planning. Future research should further clarify the advantages and limitations of the list experiment for measuring abortion.
Vasovagal reactions in blood donors: risks, prevention and management
Authors: Thijsen A. , Masser B.
Published: November 2017

This narrative review examines current research on risk factors, prevention methods and management strategies for vasovagal reactions (VVRs) that occur during or as a result of blood donation. VVRs are important to blood collection agencies (BCAs) as they negatively impact the number of completed collections, perceptions of the safety of blood donation and rates of donor return. There has been significant progress in understanding and preventing VVRs in blood donation in recent years, with a multitude of risk factors identified. This has resulted in many BCAs implementing evidence‐based strategies, such as donor age and weight restrictions. However, the profile of our most vulnerable donors and features of the donation setting that may protect these donors from experiencing a VVR have not been identified. Furthermore, an increased number of trials of physiological and psychological prevention interventions to reduce both immediate and delayed VVRs have been reported. However, a lack of methodological consistency in operationalising interventions to reduce or prevent VVRs means that the identification of effective VVR prevention strategies remains a challenge for practitioners. Furthermore, research is still required to determine how to successfully implement prevention and management strategies into standard operating procedures within collection centres. Finally, research in the management and mitigation of the effect of VVRs is currently only suggestive of what should be done to care for the donor who reacts and how to empower those donors to return. Collectively, research into these aspects of VVRs will provide support to donors and BCAs and improve the safety of blood donation.
The political economy of non‐tariff measures
Authors: Herghelegiu Cristina
Published: November 2017

This paper examines the extent to which non‐tariff measures (NTMs) are set for protectionist purposes. Our main focus is on developing countries. Overall results show that NTMs reflect protectionist forces, in particular for those that have been subject to trade concerns at the World Trade Organization (WTO). For the other measures, there is no evidence that protectionism is the driving force behind their adoption, suggesting that their determinants may be associated with legitimate goals such as consumer health and safety. Furthermore, transnational lobbying, defined as the participation of national business groups at the Ministerial Conferences—the highest authority of the WTO—is positively associated with the probability of adopting NTMs.
Observations by Evaluating the Uncertainty of Stress Distribution in Truss Structures Based on Probabilistic and Possibilistic Methods
Authors: Li Sushan , Platz Roland
Published: November 2017

Load-bearing mechanical structures like trusses face uncertainty in loading along with uncertainty in stress and strength, which are due to uncertainty in their development, production, and usage. According to the working hypothesis of the German Collaborative Research Center SFB 805, uncertainty occurs in processes that are not or only partial deterministic and can only be controlled in processes. The authors classify, compare, and evaluate four different direct methods to describe and evaluate the uncertainty of normal stress distribution in simple truss structures with one column, two columns, and three columns. The four methods are the direct Monte Carlo (DMC) simulation, the direct quasi-Monte Carlo (DQMC) simulation, the direct interval, and the direct fuzzy analysis with α-cuts, which are common methods for data uncertainty analysis. The DMC simulation and the DQMC simulation are categorized as probabilistic methods to evaluate the stochastic uncertainty. On the contrary, the direct interval and the direct fuzzy analysis with α-cuts are categorized as possibilistic methods to evaluate the nonstochastic uncertainty. Three different truss structures with increasing model complexity, a single-column, a two-column, and a three-column systems are chosen as reference systems in this study. Each truss structure is excited with a vertical external point load. The input parameters of the truss structures are the internal system properties such as geometry and material parameters, and the external properties such as magnitude and direction of load. The probabilistic and the possibilistic methods are applied to each truss structure to describe and evaluate its uncertainty in the developing phase. The DMC simulation and DQMC simulation are carried out with full or “direct” sample sets of model parameters such as geometry parameters and state parameters such as forces, and a sensitivity analysis is conducted to identify the influence of every model and state input parameter on the normal stress, which is the output variable of the truss structures. In parallel, the direct interval and the direct fuzzy analysis with α-cuts are carried out without altering and, therefore, they are direct approaches as well. The four direct methods are then compared based on the simulation results. The criteria of the comparison are the uncertainty in the deviation of the normal stress in one column of each truss structure due to varied model and state input parameters, the computational costs, as well as the implementation complexity of the applied methods.
The electromagnetic analogy of a ball on a rotating conical turntable
Authors: Zengel Keith
Published: November 2017

A ball on a flat rotating turntable executes circular orbits analogous to those of a charged particle in a uniform magnetic field. Stable circular orbits are also possible on rotating conical turntables and are analogous to those of a charged particle in an axial magnetic field superimposed on a radial electric field. The existence and stability of these orbits is derived and discussed. Further, parallels are drawn between the mechanical and electromagnetic cases, with particular attention to the magnetic vector potential. Finally, an experimental confirmation is reported and discussed.
Student understanding of first order RC filters
Authors: Coppens Pieter , Van den Bossche Johan , De Cock Mieke
Published: November 2017

A series of interviews with second year electronics engineering students showed several problems with understanding first-order RC filters. To better explore how widespread these problems are, a questionnaire was administered to over 150 students in Belgium. One question asked to rank the output voltage of a low-pass filter with an AC or DC input signal while a second asked to rank the output voltages of a high-pass filter with doubled or halved resistor and capacitor values. In addition to a discussion of the rankings and students' consistency, the results are compared to the most common reasoning patterns students used to explain their rankings. Despite lecture and laboratory instruction, students not only rarely recognize the circuits as filters, but also fail to correctly apply Kirchhoff's laws and Ohm's law to arrive at a correct answer.
Alternative thermodynamic cycle for the Stirling machine
Authors: Romanelli Alejandro
Published: November 2017

We develop an alternative thermodynamic cycle for the Stirling machine, where the polytropic process plays a central role. Analytical expressions for pressure and temperatures of the working gas are obtained as a function of the volume and the parameter that characterizes the polytropic process. This approach achieves closer agreement with the experimental pressure-volume diagram and can be adapted to any type of Stirling engine.
“Einstein’s Playground”: An Interactive Planetarium Show on Special Relativity
Authors: Sherin Zachary , Tan Philip , Fairweather Heather , Kortemeyer Gerd
Published: November 2017

The understanding of many aspects of astronomy is closely linked with relativity and the finite speed of light, yet relativity is generally not discussed in great detail during planetarium shows for the general public. One reason may be the difficulty to visualize these phenomena in a way that is appropriate for planetariums; another may be their distance from everyday experiences that makes it hard for audiences to connect with the presentation. In this paper, we describe an effort to visualize special relativity phenomena in an immersive “everyday” scenario. In order to bring special relativity to human scale, we simulate a universe in which the speed of light is slower, so that “everyday” speeds become relativistic. We describe the physics and the technical details of our first planetarium show, “Einstein’s Playground,” which premiered at the Museum of Science, Boston.
Pondering astronomy’s perplexingly preposterous propositions
Authors: Slater Tim
Published: November 2017

Astronomy is one of those ideas that naturally makes one wonder. Questions of how big? how far? how many? and how long? are just a few ideas that naturally present themselves when one contemplates the night sky and the universe. Despite astronomy’s inherent ability to captivate students’ interest, even master teachers need an evolving toolkit of innovative strategies to intellectually engage students, particularly in the domain of critical thinking.
Enhancing physics demos using iPhone slow motion
Authors: Lincoln James
Published: November 2017

Slow motion video enhances our ability to perceive and experience the physical world. This can help students and teachers especially in cases of fast moving objects or detailed events that happen too quickly for the eye to follow. As often as possible, demonstrations should be performed by the students themselves and luckily many of them will already have this technology in their pockets. The “S” series of iPhone has the slow motion video feature standard, which also includes simultaneous sound recording (somewhat unusual among slow motion cameras). In this article I share some of my experiences using this feature and provide advice on how to successfully use this technology in the classroom.
Stochastic sediment property inversion in Shallow Water 06
Authors: Michalopoulou Zoi-Heleni
Published: November 2017

Received time-series at a short distance from the source allow the identification of distinct paths; four of these are direct, surface and bottom reflections, and sediment reflection. In this work, a Gibbs sampling method is used for the estimation of the arrival times of these paths and the corresponding probability density functions. The arrival times for the first three paths are then employed along with linearization for the estimation of source range and depth, water column depth, and sound speed in the water. Propagating densities of arrival times through the linearized inverse problem, densities are also obtained for the above parameters, providing maximum a posteriori estimates. These estimates are employed to calculate densities and point estimates of sediment sound speed and thickness using a non-linear, grid-based model. Density computation is an important aspect of this work, because those densities express the uncertainty in the inversion for sediment properties.
Vibrio parahaemolyticus and Vibrio vulnificus Recovered from Oysters during an Oyster Relay Study
Authors: Elmahdi Sara , Parveen Salina , Ossai Sylvia , DaSilva Ligia V. , Jahncke Michael , Bowers John , Jacobs John
Published: November 2017

Vibrio parahaemolyticus
and
Vibrio vulnificus
are naturally occurring estuarine bacteria and are the leading causes of seafood-associated infections and mortality in the United States. Though multiple-antibiotic-resistant
V. parahaemolyticus
and
V. vulnificus
strains have been reported, resistance patterns in vibrios are not as well documented as those of other foodborne bacterial pathogens. Salinity relaying (SR) is a postharvest processing (PHP) treatment to reduce the abundances of these pathogens in shellfish harvested during the warmer months. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the antimicrobial susceptibility (AMS), pathogenicity, and genetic profiles of
V. parahaemolyticus
and
V. vulnificus
recovered from oysters during an oyster relay study. Isolates (
V. parahaemolyticus
[
n
= 296] and
V. vulnificus
[
n
= 94]) were recovered from oysters before and during the 21-day relaying study to detect virulence genes (
tdh
and
trh
) and genes correlated with virulence (
vcgC
) using multiplex quantitative PCR (qPCR). AMS to 20 different antibiotics was investigated using microbroth dilution, and pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) was used to study the genetic profiles of the isolates. Twenty percent of
V. vulnificus
isolates were
vcgC
+
, while 1 and 2% of
V. parahaemolyticus
were
tdh
+
and
trh
+
, respectively. More than 77% of the
V. vulnificus
isolates and 30% of the
V. parahaemolyticus
isolates were resistant to at least one antimicrobial. Forty-eight percent of
V. vulnificus
and 8% of
V. parahaemolyticus
isolates were resistant to two or more antimicrobials. All isolates demonstrated a high genetic diversity, even among those isolated from the same site and having a similar AMS profile. No significant effects of the relaying process on AMS, virulence genes, or PFGE profiles of
V. vulnificus
and
V. parahaemolyticus
were observed.

IMPORTANCE
Analysis of the antibiotic resistance profiles of
V. vulnificus
and
V. parahaemolyticus
isolated from oysters during this study indicated that more than 48% of
V. vulnificus
isolates were resistant to two or more antimicrobials, including those recommended by the CDC for treating
Vibrio
infections. Also, the
V. parahaemolyticus
isolates showed high MICs for some of the
Vibrio
infection treatment antibiotics. Monitoring of AMS profiles of this bacterium is important to ensure optimal treatment of infections and improve food safety. Our study showed no significant differences in the AMS profiles of
V. vulnificus
(
P
= 0.26) and
V. parahaemolyticus
(
P
= 0.23) isolated from the oysters collected before versus after relaying. This suggests that the salinity of the relaying sites did not affect the AMS profiles of the
Vibrio
isolates, although it did reduce the numbers of these bacteria in oysters (S. Parveen et al., J Food Sci 82:484–491, 2017,
https://doi.org/10.1111/1750-3841.13584
).
Low-Molecular-Weight Thiols and Thioredoxins Are Important Players in Hg(II) Resistance in Thermus thermophilus HB27
Authors: Norambuena J. , Wang Y. , Hanson T. , Boyd J. M. , Barkay T.
Published: November 2017

Mercury (Hg), one of the most toxic and widely distributed heavy metals, has a high affinity for thiol groups. Thiol groups reduce and sequester Hg. Therefore, low-molecular-weight (LMW) and protein thiols may be important cell components used in Hg resistance. To date, the role of low-molecular-weight thiols in Hg detoxification remains understudied. The mercury resistance (
mer
) operon of
Thermus thermophilus
suggests an evolutionary link between Hg(II) resistance and low-molecular-weight thiol metabolism. The
mer
operon encodes an enzyme involved in methionine biosynthesis, Oah. Challenge with Hg(II) resulted in increased expression of genes involved in the biosynthesis of multiple low-molecular-weight thiols (cysteine, homocysteine, and bacillithiol), as well as the thioredoxin system. Phenotypic analysis of gene replacement mutants indicated that Oah contributes to Hg resistance under sulfur-limiting conditions, and strains lacking bacillithiol and/or thioredoxins are more sensitive to Hg(II) than the wild type. Growth in the presence of either a thiol-oxidizing agent or a thiol-alkylating agent increased sensitivity to Hg(II). Furthermore, exposure to 3 μM Hg(II) consumed all intracellular reduced bacillithiol and cysteine. Database searches indicate that
oah2
is present in all
Thermus
sp.
mer
operons. The presence of a thiol-related gene was also detected in some alphaproteobacterial
mer
operons, in which a glutathione reductase gene was present, supporting the role of thiols in Hg(II) detoxification. These results have led to a working model in which LMW thiols act as Hg(II)-buffering agents while Hg is reduced by MerA.

IMPORTANCE
The survival of microorganisms in the presence of toxic metals is central to life's sustainability. The affinity of thiol groups for toxic heavy metals drives microbe-metal interactions and modulates metal toxicity. Mercury detoxification (
mer
) genes likely originated early in microbial evolution in geothermal environments. Little is known about how
mer
systems interact with cellular thiol systems.
Thermus
spp. possess a simple
mer
operon in which a low-molecular-weight thiol biosynthesis gene is present, along with
merR
and
merA
. In this study, we present experimental evidence for the role of thiol systems in mercury resistance. Our data suggest that, in
T. thermophilus
, thiolated compounds may function side by side with
mer
genes to detoxify mercury. Thus, thiol systems function in consort with
mer
-mediated resistance to mercury, suggesting exciting new questions for future research.