bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Athlete Sleep Screening Questionnaire: a new tool for assessing and managing sleep in elite athletes
Authors: Samuels Charles , James Lois , Lawson Doug , Meeuwisse Willem
Published: May 2015

Background/aim

The purpose of this study was to develop a subjective, self-report, sleep-screening questionnaire for elite athletes. This paper describes the development of the Athlete Sleep Screening Questionnaire (ASSQ).

Methods

A convenience sample of 60 elite athletes was randomly distributed into two groups; 30 athletes completed a survey composed of current psychometric tools, and 30 athletes completed a revised survey and a sleep specialist structured clinical interview. An item analysis was performed on the revised survey with comparison to clinical decisions regarding appropriate intervention based on a sleep specialist assessment.

Results

A comparison of existing sleep-screening tools with determination of clinical need from a sleep specialist showed low consistency, indicating that current sleep-screening tools are unsuitable for assessing athlete sleep. A new 15-item tool was developed (ASSQ) by selecting items from existing tools that more closely associated with the sleep specialist's reviews. Based on test-retest percentage agreement and the κ-statistic, we found good internal consistency and reliability of the ASSQ. To date, 349 athletes have been screened, and 46 (13.2%) identified as requiring follow-up consultation with a sleep specialist. Results from the follow-up consultations demonstrated that those athletes identified by the ASSQ as abnormal sleepershaverequired intervention.

Conclusions

The research developed a new athlete-specific sleep-screening questionnaire. Our findings suggest that existing sleep-screening tools are unsuitable for assessing sleep in elite athletes. The ASSQ appears to be more accurate in assessing athlete sleep (based on comparison with expert clinical assessment). The ASSQ can be deployed online and provides clinical cut-off scores associated with specific clinical interventions to guide management of athletes’ sleep disturbance. The next phase of the research is to conduct a series of studies comparing results from the ASSQ to blinded clinical reviews and to data from objective sleep monitoring to further establish the validity of the ASSQ as a reliable sleep screening tool for elite athletes.
A quantitative analysis of the prevalence of clinical depression and anxiety in patients with prostate cancer undergoing active surveillance
Authors: Watts Sam , Leydon Geraldine , Eyles Caroline , Moore Caroline M , Richardson Alison , Birch Brian , Prescott Philip , Powell Catrin , Lewith George
Published: May 2015

Objective

To quantitatively determine the prevalence of anxiety and depression in men on active surveillance (AS).

Design

Cross-sectional questionnaire survey.

Setting

Secondary care prostate cancer (PCa) clinics across South, Central and Western England.

Participants

313 men from a total sample of 426 with a histological diagnosis of PCa currently managed with AS were identified from seven UK urology departments. The mean age of respondents was 70 (51–86) years with the majority (76%) being married or in civil partnerships. 94% of responders were of white British ethnicity.

Primary outcome measures

The prevalence of clinically meaningful depression and anxiety as assessed by the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS; score ≥8/21).

Secondary outcome measures

Patient demographic data (age, employment, relationship, ethnic and educational status). Each demographic variable was cross-tabulated against patients identified as depressed or anxious to allow for the identification of variables that were significantly associated with depression and anxiety. In order to determine predictors for depression and anxiety among the demographic variables, logistic regression analyses were conducted, with p<0.05 considered as indicating statistical significance.

Results

The prevalence of clinical anxiety and depression as determined via the HADS (HADS ≥8) was 23% (n=73) and 12.5% (n=39), respectively. Published data from men in the general population of similar age has shown prevalence rates of 8% and 6%, respectively, indicating a twofold increase in depression and a threefold increase in anxiety among AS patients. Our findings also suggest that AS patients experience substantially greater levels of anxiety than patients with PCa treated radically. The only demographic predictor for anxiety or depression was divorce.

Conclusions

Patients with PCa managed with AS experienced substantially higher rates of anxiety and depression than that expected in the general population. Strategies to address this are needed to improve the management of this population and their quality of life.
Diuretic versus placebo in normotensive acute pulmonary embolism with right ventricular enlargement and injury: a double-blind randomised placebo controlled study. Protocol of the DiPER study
Authors: Gallet Romain , Meyer Guy , Ternacle Julien , Biendel Caroline , Brunet Anne , Meneveau Nicolas , Rosario Roger , Couturaud Francis , Sebbane Mustapha , Lamblin Nicolas , Bouvaist Helene , Coste Pierre , Maitre Bernard , Bastuji-Garin Sylvie , Dubois-Rande Jean-Luc , Lim Pascal
Published: May 2015

Introduction

In acute pulmonary embolism (PE), poor outcome is usually related to right ventricular (RV) failure due to the increase in RV afterload. Treatment of PE with RV failure without shock is controversial and usually relies on fluid expansion to increase RV preload. However, several studies suggest that fluid expansion may worsen acute RV failure by increasing RV dilation and ischaemia, and increase left ventricular compression by RV dilation. By reducing RV enlargement, diuretic treatment may break this vicious circle and provide early improvement in normotensive patients referred for acute PE with RV failure.

Methods and analysis

TheDiuretic versus placebo inPulmonaryEmbolism withRight ventricular enlargement trial (DiPER) is a prospective, multicentre, randomised (1:1), double-blind, placebo controlled study assessing the superiority of furosemide as compared with placebo in normotensive patients with confirmed acute PE and RV dilation (diagnosed on echocardiography or CT of the chest) and positive brain natriuretic peptide result. The primary end point will be a combined clinical criterion derived from simplified Pulmonary Embolism Severity Index (PESI) score and evaluated at 24 h. It will include: (1) urine output >0.5 mL/kg/min for the past 24 h; (2) heart rate <110 bpm; (3) systolic blood pressure >100 mm Hg and (4) arterial oxyhaemoglobin level >90%. Thirty-day major cardiac events defined as death, cardiac arrest, mechanical ventilation, need for catecholamine and thrombolysis, will be evaluated as a secondary end point. Assuming an increase of 30% in the primary end point with furosemide and a β risk of 10%, 270 patients will be required.

Ethics and dissemination

Ethical approval was received from the ethical committee of Ile de France (2014-001090-14). The findings of the trial will be disseminated through peer-reviewed journals, and national and international conference presentations.

Trial registration number

NCT02268903.
Teamwork, communication and safety climate: a systematic review of interventions to improve surgical culture
Authors: Sacks Greg D , Shannon Evan M , Dawes Aaron J , Rollo Johnathon C , Nguyen David K , Russell Marcia M , Ko Clifford Y , Maggard-Gibbons Melinda A
Published: May 2015

Objectives

To define the target domains of culture-improvement interventions, to assess the impact of these interventions on surgical culture and to determine whether culture improvements lead to better patient outcomes and improved healthcare efficiency.

Background

Healthcare systems are investing considerable resources in improving workplace culture. It remains unclear whether these interventions, when aimed at surgical care, are successful and whether they are associated with changes in patient outcomes.

Methods

PubMed, Cochrane, Web of Science and Scopus databases were searched from January 1980 to January 2015. We included studies on interventions that aimed to improve surgical culture, defined as the interpersonal, social and organisational factors that affect the healthcare environment and patient care. The quality of studies was assessed using an adapted tool to focus the review on higher-quality studies. Due to study heterogeneity, findings were narratively reviewed.

Findings

The 47 studies meeting inclusion criteria (4 randomised trials and 10 moderate-quality observational studies) reported on interventions that targeted three domains of culture: teamwork (n=28), communication (n=26) and safety climate (n=19); several targeted more than one domain. All moderate-quality studies showed improvements in at least one of these domains. Two studies also demonstrated improvements in patient outcomes, such as reduced postoperative complications and even reduced postoperative mortality (absolute risk reduction 1.7%). Two studies reported improvements in healthcare efficiency, including fewer operating room delays. These findings were supported by similar results from low-quality studies.

Conclusions

The literature provides promising evidence for various strategies to improve surgical culture, although these approaches differ in terms of the interventions employed as well as the techniques used to measure culture. Nevertheless, culture improvement appears to be associated with other positive effects, including better patient outcomes and enhanced healthcare efficiency.

Trial registration number

CRD42013005987.
Infection prevention and control in nursing homes: a qualitative study of decision-making regarding isolation-based practices
Authors: Cohen Catherine Crawford , Pogorzelska-Maziarz Monika , Herzig Carolyn T A , Carter Eileen J , Bjarnadottir Ragnhildur , Semeraro Patricia , Travers Jasmine L , Stone Patricia W
Published: May 2015

Background

Isolation-based practices in nursing homes (NHs) differ from those in acute care. NHs must promote quality of life while preventing infection transmission. Practices used in NHs to reconcile these goals of care have not been characterised.

Purpose

To explore decision-making in isolation-based infection prevention and control practices in NHs.

Methods

A qualitative study was conducted with staff (eg, staff nurses, infection prevention directors and directors of nursing) employed in purposefully sampled US NHs. Semistructured, role-specific interview guides were developed and interviews were digitally recorded, transcribed verbatim and analysed using directed content analysis. The research team discussed emerging themes in weekly meetings to confirm consensus.

Results

We inferred from 73 interviews in 10 NHs that there was variation between NHs in practices regarding who was isolated, when isolation-based practices took place, how they were implemented, and how they were tailored for each resident. Interviewees’ decision-making depended on staff perceptions of acceptable transmission risk and resident quality of life. NH resources also influenced decision-making, including availability of private rooms, extent to which staff can devote time to isolation-based practices and communication tools. A lack of understanding of key infection prevention and control concepts was also revealed.

Conclusions and implications

Current clinical guidelines are not specific enough to ensure consistent practice that meets care goals and resource constraints in NHs. However, new epidemiological research regarding effectiveness of varying isolation practices in this setting is needed to inform clinical practice. Further, additional infection prevention and control education for NH staff may be required.
Endoscopic biliary stenting in irretrievable common bile duct stones: stent exchange or expectant management—tertiary-centre experience and systematic review
Authors: Mohammed Noor , Pinder Matthew , Harris Keith , Everett Simon M
Published: May 2015

Introduction

Conventional endoscopic duct clearance may not be possible in up to 10%–15% of common bile duct stones (CBDS). Sphincterotomy and biliary drainage by endoprosthesis have for many years been the mainstay of management in irretrievable stones. Recent years have seen the advent of sphincteroplasty or cholangioscopically-guided electrohydraulic lithotripsy (EHL) permitting duct clearance in majority of cases. However, when bile duct clearance is not possible, options include long-term stenting followed by elective stent exchange (ESE) 6–12 monthly or permanent stent insertion (PSI) in selected cases, but it is not clear which management strategy among ESE and PSI is preferable.

Methods and aims

A retrospective review of all patients in Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust who underwent plastic stent insertion for biliary access for difficult CBDS from January 2006 to December 2011 was undertaken. Adult patients with irretrievable CBDS who had plastic stent insertions throughout the follow-up period were included. Patients who underwent PSI and ESE annually were retrospectively reviewed to determine the long-term outcomes. A detailed systematic review was also performed, examining the outcomes of CBDS managed with stents.

Results

During the study period, 674 patients underwent 1769 biliary-stent-related procedures; of which, 246 patients met our inclusion criteria. 201 patients had subsequent duct clearance. 45 patients were, therefore, included in the final analysis, 28 of whom underwent annual ESEs and 17 PSIs. Patients in the PSI group had higher American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) scores compared with the ESE group. In the PSI group, 9/17 patients presented acutely with blocked stents, 5 of whom presented within 12 months. 2/9 patients were severely ill and died within a fortnight following the repeat endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP). In the ESE group, 4/28 patients had duct clearance in subsequent ERCPs, 1/28 patient presented with a blocked stent, and no biliary-related deaths were observed. The mean numbers of ERCPs performed were 0.52 and 1.95 in the PSI and ESE groups, respectively.

Conclusions

Over 50% of patients treated with long-term stenting re-presented acutely with stent blockage, though many of these were before 12 months, meaning planned stent exchange would not have affected the outcome. Duct clearance using all possible modalities is the preferred option, but where not possible, management with biliary stenting either with elective exchange or permanent stenting remains a possibility for carefully selected patients, though maybe best suited to those with limited life expectancy.
A randomised controlled trial of low-dose aspirin for the prevention of fractures in healthy older people: protocol for the ASPREE-Fracture substudy
Authors: Barker Anna L , McNeil John J , Seeman Ego , Ward Stephanie A , Sanders Kerrie M , Khosla Sundeep , Cumming Robert G , Pasco Julie A , Bohensky Megan A , Ebeling Peter R , Woods Robyn L , Lockery Jessica E , Wolfe Rory , Talevski Jason
Published: May 2015

Background

Disability, mortality and healthcare burden from fractures in older people is a growing problem worldwide. Observational studies suggest that aspirin may reduce fracture risk. While these studies provide room for optimism, randomised controlled trials are needed. This paper describes the rationale and design of the ASPirin in Reducing Events in the Elderly (ASPREE)-Fracture substudy, which aims to determine whether daily low-dose aspirin decreases fracture risk in healthy older people.

Methods

ASPREE is a double-blind, randomised, placebo-controlled primary prevention trial designed to assess whether daily active treatment using low-dose aspirin extends the duration of disability-free and dementia-free life in 19 000 healthy older people recruited from Australian and US community settings. This substudy extends the ASPREE trial data collection to determine the effect of daily low-dose aspirin on fracture and fall-related hospital presentation risk in the 16 500 ASPREE participants aged ≥70 years recruited in Australia. The intervention is a once daily dose of enteric-coated aspirin (100 mg) versus a matching placebo, randomised on a 1:1 basis. The primary outcome for this substudy is the occurrence of any fracture—vertebral, hip and non-vert-non-hip—occurring post randomisation. Fall-related hospital presentations are a secondary outcome.

Discussion

This substudy will determine whether a widely available, simple and inexpensive health intervention—aspirin—reduces the risk of fractures in older Australians. If it is demonstrated to safely reduce the risk of fractures and serious falls, it is possible that aspirin might provide a means of fracture prevention.

Trial registration number

The protocol for this substudy is registered with the Australian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry (ACTRN12615000347561).
Neighbourhood racial/ethnic composition and segregation and trajectories of cognitive decline among US older adults
Authors: Kovalchik Stephanie A , Slaughter Mary E , Miles Jeremy , Friedman Esther M , Shih Regina A
Published: May 2015

Background

The influence of the sociodemographic context of one's environment on cognitive ageing is not well understood.

Methods

We examined differences in cognitive trajectories according to the racial/ethnic characteristics of the residential environment. On the basis of 63 996 person-years of data from a nationally representative cohort of 6150 adults over the age of 50 years from the Health and Retirement Study, we used multivariate linear mixed models to determine the effect of neighbourhood racial/ethnic composition and county-level segregation on cognitive function and cognitive decline over a 10-year period.

Results

In models adjusting for individual demographic and health characteristics, Hispanic composition had a significant positive association with cognitive function (standardised β=0.136, p<0.05) and moderate evidence of an association with greater cognitive decline (standardised β=−0.014, p=0.09). Greater Hispanic-white segregation was associated with statistically significant higher cognitive function at baseline (standardised β=0.099, p<0.001) and greater cognitive decline (standardised β=−0.011, p<0.01). For a 20 percentage-point increase in Hispanic composition and segregation, the observed associations implied 1 and 1.25 additional years of cognitive ageing over 10 years, respectively. These effects did not differ by individual race/ethnicity and were not explained by neighbourhood socioeconomic status or neighbourhood selection. Black composition and black-white segregation did not have a significant influence on cognitive ageing.

Discussion

This study demonstrates disparities in the progression of cognitive ageing according to racial/ethnic characteristics of the neighbourhood environment.
Groin complications in endovascular mechanical thrombectomy for acute ischemic stroke: a 10-year single center experience
Authors: Shah Veer A , Martin Coleman O , Hawkins Angela M , Holloway William E , Junna Shilpa , Akhtar Naveed
Published: May 2015

Background

The increasing utilization of balloon guide catheters (BGCs) in thrombectomy therapy for ischemic stroke has led to concerns about large-bore sheaths causing vascular groin complications.

Objective To retrospectively assess the impact of large large-bore sheaths and vascular closure devices on groin complication rates at a comprehensive stroke center over a 10-year period.

Methods

Radiological and clinical records of patients with acute ischemic stroke who underwent mechanical endovascular therapy with an 8Fr or larger sheaths were reviewed. A groin complication was defined as the formation of a groin hematoma, retroperitoneal hematoma, femoral artery pseudoaneurysm, or the need for surgical repair. Information collected included size of sheath, type of hemostatic device, and anticoagulation status of the patient. Blood bank records were also analyzed to identify patients who may have had an undocumented blood transfusion for a groin hematoma.

Results

A total of 472 patients with acute ischemic stroke who underwent mechanical thrombectomy with a sheath and BGC sized 8Fr or larger were identified. 260 patients (55.1%) had tissue Plasminogen Activator (tPA) administered as part of stroke treatment. Vascular closure devices were used in 97.9% of cases (n=462). Two patients were identified who had definite groin complications and a further two were included as having possible complications. There was a very low rate of clinically significant groin complications (0.4–0.8%) associated with the use of large-bore sheaths.

Conclusions

These findings suggest that concerns for groin complications should not preclude the use of BGCs and large-bore sheaths in mechanical thrombectomy for acute ischemic stroke.
Troponins and other biomarkers in the early diagnosis of acute myocardial infarction
Authors: Maznyczka Annette , Kaier Thomas , Marber Michael
Published: May 2015

Chest pain is a common presenting symptom; however, the majority of emergency chest pain admissions are not due to acute myocardial infarction (AMI). AMI can be life threatening and early diagnosis or rule out of AMI might potentially improve morbidity and mortality, as well as reduce time to decision and therefore overall treatment costs. High-sensitivity troponin (hs-troponin) assays have been developed that enable precise quantification of extremely low troponin concentrations. Such hs-troponin assays are recommended in early rule-out protocols for AMI, when measured at presentation and again at 3–6 h. However, troponin is less than ideally suited for early diagnosis of acute myocardial injury because of its slow rise, late peak and low specificity for coronary plaque rupture. A new biomarker with a more rapid elevation to peak concentration than hs-troponin and lower background levels in patients with chronic cardiovascular conditions would be a preferred diagnostic test. This review discusses the development of hs-troponin assays and other biomarkers, evaluates their place in the early diagnosis of AMI, discusses troponin elevation without AMI and discusses current guideline recommendations.
Lebrikizumab in moderate-to-severe asthma: pooled data from two randomised placebo-controlled studies
Authors: Hanania Nicola A , Noonan Michael , Corren Jonathan , Korenblat Phillip , Zheng Yanan , Fischer Saloumeh K , Cheu Melissa , Putnam Wendy S , Murray Elaine , Scheerens Heleen , Holweg Cecile TJ , Maciuca Romeo , Gray Sarah , Doyle Ramona , McClintock Dana , Olsson Julie , Matthews John G , Yen Karl
Published: May 2015

Introduction

In a subset of patients with asthma, standard-of-care treatment does not achieve disease control, highlighting the need for novel therapeutic approaches. Lebrikizumab is a humanised, monoclonal antibody that binds to and blocks interleukin-13 activity.

Methods

LUTE and VERSE were replicate, randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled studies, evaluating multiple doses of lebrikizumab in patients with uncontrolled asthma despite the use of medium-to-high-dose inhaled corticosteroid and a second controller. Patients received lebrikizumab 37.5, 125, 250 mg or placebo subcutaneously every four weeks. The primary endpoint was the rate of asthma exacerbations during the placebo-controlled period. Analyses were performed on prespecified subgroups based on baseline serum periostin levels. Following the discovery of a host-cell impurity in the study drug material, protocols were amended to convert from phase III to phase IIb. Subsequently, dosing of study medication was discontinued early as a precautionary measure. The data collected for analysis were from a placebo-controlled period of variable duration and pooled across both studies.

Results

The median duration of treatment was approximately 24 weeks. Treatment with lebrikizumab reduced the rate of asthma exacerbations, which was more pronounced in the periostin-high patients (all doses: 60% reduction) than in the periostin-low patients (all doses: 5% reduction); no dose–response was evident. Lung function also improved following lebrikizumab treatment, with greatest increase in FEV1 in periostin-high patients (all doses: 9.1% placebo-adjusted improvement) compared with periostin-low patients (all doses: 2.6% placebo-adjusted improvement). Lebrikizumab was well tolerated and no clinically important safety signals were observed.

Conclusions

These data are consistent with, and extend, previously published results demonstrating the efficacy of lebrikizumab in improving rate of asthma exacerbations and lung function in patients with moderate-to-severe asthma who remain uncontrolled despite current standard-of-care treatment.

Trial registration numbers

The LUTE study was registered under NCT01545440 and the VERSE study under NCT01545453 at http://www.clinicaltrials.gov
Retaining vets in farm animal practice: a cross‐sectional study
Authors: Adam K. , Baillie S. , Rushton J.
Published: May 2015

Concerns have been raised about a potential shortage of farm animal vets in the UK. There is no apparent lack of new graduates willing to work with farm animals, but practices report difficulties in recruiting and retaining experienced farm animal vets. Retention of vets in farm animal practice has been identified as a key issue for the sustainability of veterinary businesses and livestock health. A cross‐sectional study design was used to identify factors associated with vets remaining in farm animal practice. Data were collected via an online questionnaire covering employment, education, personal background and future plans. The target population was vets with experience of farm animal work in the UK. 380 responses were included in the analysis. Working in a practice where accommodation was provided and an increasing number of years since graduation were associated with significantly lower odds of remaining in farm animal practice, while working in a practice where staff appraisals were carried out; coming from a family with a commercial farm; spending more time on farm work and being on call with an experienced vet in the first job after graduation increased the odds of remaining in farm work. Gender was not significantly associated with retention.
Evaluation of a Context-Aware Voice Interface for Ambient Assisted Living
Authors: Vacher Michel , Caffiau Sybille , Portet François , Meillon Brigitte , Roux Camille , Elias Elena , Lecouteux Benjamin , Chahuara Pedro
Published: May 2015

This article presents an experiment with seniors and people with visual impairment in a voice-controlled smart home using the Sweet-Homesystem. The experiment shows some weaknesses in automatic speech recognition that must be addressed, as well as the need for better adaptation to the user and the environment. Users were disturbed by the rigid structure of the grammar and were eager to adapt it to their own preferences. Surprisingly, while no humanoid aspect was introduced in the system, the senior participants were inclined to embody the system. Despite these aspects to improve, the system has been favorably assessed as diminishing most participant fears related to the loss of autonomy.
Speech Interaction with Personal Assistive Robots Supporting Aging at Home for Individuals with Alzheimer’s Disease
Authors: Rudzicz Frank , Wang Rosalie , Begum Momotaz , Mihailidis Alex
Published: May 2015

Increases in the prevalence of dementia and Alzheimer’s disease (AD) are a growing challenge in many nations where healthcare infrastructures are ill-prepared for the upcoming demand for personal caregiving. To help individuals with AD live at home for longer, we are developing a mobile robot, called ED, intended to assist with activities of daily living through visual monitoring and verbal prompts in cases of difficulty. In a series of experiments, we study speech-based interactions between ED and each of 10 older adults with AD as the latter complete daily tasks in a simulated home environment. Traditional automatic speech recognition is evaluated in this environment, along with rates of verbal behaviors that indicate confusion or trouble with the conversation. Analysis reveals that speech recognition remains a challenge in this setup, especially during household tasks with individuals with AD. Across the verbal behaviors that indicate confusion, older adults with AD are very likely to simply ignore the robot, which accounts for over 40% of all such behaviors when interacting with the robot. This work provides a baseline assessment of the types of technical and communicative challenges that will need to be overcome for robots to be used effectively in the home for speech-based assistance with daily living.
Semantic enrichment and analysis of movement data
Authors: Fileto Renato , Bogorny Vania , May Cleto , Klein Douglas
Published: May 2015

The widespread use of sensors and information systems, frequently via mobile devices, allows gathering large amounts of movement data, such as trajectories of moving objects and sequences of users posts on social media. These data can enable several applications, but some of them involve understanding what is going on with moving objects (e.g., exact places and/or events of interest, activities performed, reasons for stops and moves). Thus, there is a demand to enrich with well-defined semantics the potentially imprecise spatiotemporal coordinates of movement data, which are sometimes tied together with text (e.g., comments, tags). This paper provides an overview of proposals and possible developments in semantic enrichment and analysis of movement data. It also presents some details of our current methods to associate movement data with concepts and/or instances described in ontologies or Linked Open Data (LOD). Our experiments with methods to associate tweets with places visited by the users who posted them show that textual contents of some tweets can contribute to make correct associations. In addition, the experience suggests that a variety of techniques can be helpful for semantically enriching movement data in several analysis dimensions. It poses many research challenges, some of them multidisciplinary.
Functionalizing Microporous Membranes for Protein Purification and Protein Digestion
Authors: Dong Jinlan , Bruening Merlin L.
Published: May 2015

This review examines advances in the functionalization of microporous membranes for protein purification and the development of protease-containing membranes for controlled protein digestion prior to mass spectrometry analysis. Recent studies confirm that membranes are superior to bead-based columns for rapid protein capture, presumably because convective mass transport in membrane pores rapidly brings proteins to binding sites. Modification of porous membranes with functional polymeric films or TiO2nanoparticles yields materials that selectively capture species ranging from phosphopeptides to His-tagged proteins, and protein-binding capacities often exceed those of commercial beads. Thin membranes also provide a convenient framework for creating enzyme-containing reactors that afford control over residence times. With millisecond residence times, reactors with immobilized proteases limit protein digestion to increase sequence coverage in mass spectrometry analysis and facilitate elucidation of protein structures. This review emphasizes the advantages of membrane-based techniques and concludes with some challenges for their practical application.
Infrared Imaging and Spectroscopy Beyond the Diffraction Limit
Authors: Centrone Andrea
Published: May 2015

Progress in nanotechnology is enabled by and dependent on the availability of measurement methods with spatial resolution commensurate with nanomaterials' length scales. Chemical imaging techniques, such as scattering scanning near-field optical microscopy (s-SNOM) and photothermal-induced resonance (PTIR), have provided scientists with means of extracting rich chemical and structural information with nanoscale resolution. This review presents some basics of infrared spectroscopy and microscopy, followed by detailed descriptions of s-SNOM and PTIR working principles. Nanoscale spectra are compared with far-field macroscale spectra, which are widely used for chemical identification. Selected examples illustrate either technical aspects of the measurements or applications in materials science. Central to this review is the ability to record nanoscale infrared spectra because, although chemical maps enable immediate visualization, the spectra provide information to interpret the images and characterize the sample. The growing breadth of nanomaterials and biological applications suggest rapid growth for this field.
The Genetics of Soft Connective Tissue Disorders
Authors: Vanakker Olivier , Callewaert Bert , Malfait Fransiska , Coucke Paul
Published: May 2015

Over the last few years, the field of hereditary connective tissue disorders has changed tremendously. This review highlights exciting insights into three prototypic disorders affecting the soft connective tissue: Ehlers-Danlos syndrome, pseudoxanthoma elasticum, and cutis laxa. For each of these disorders, the identification and characterization of several novel but related conditions or subtypes have widened the phenotypic spectrum. In parallel, the vast underlying molecular network connecting these phenotypes is progressively being uncovered. Identification and characterization (both clinical and molecular) of new phenotypes within the connective tissue disorder spectrum are often key to further unraveling the pathways involved in connective tissue biology and delineating the clinical spectrum and pathophysiology of the disorders. Although difficult challenges remain, recent findings have expanded our pathophysiological understanding and may lead to targeted therapies in the near future.
nuSTORM and a Path to a Muon Collider
Authors: Adey David , Bayes Ryan , Bross Alan D. , Snopok Pavel
Published: May 2015

This article reviews the current status of the nuSTORM facility and shows how it can be utilized to perform the next step on the path toward the realization of a μ+μ−collider. This review includes the physics motivation behind nuSTORM, a detailed description of the facility and the neutrino beams it can produce, and a summary of the short-baseline neutrino oscillation physics program that can be carried out at the facility. The basic idea for nuSTORM (the production of neutrino beams from the decay of muons in a racetrack-like decay ring) was discussed in the literature more than 30 years ago in the context of searching for noninteracting (sterile) neutrinos. However, only in the past 5 years has the concept been fully developed, motivated in large part by the facility's unmatched reach in addressing the evolving data on oscillations involving sterile neutrinos. Finally, this article reviews the basics of the μ+μ−collider concept and describes how nuSTORM provides a platform to test advanced concepts for six-dimensional muon ionization cooling.
Epidemiology and Population Biology of Pseudoperonospora cubensis: A Model System for Management of Downy Mildews
Authors: Ojiambo Peter S. , Gent David H. , Quesada-Ocampo Lina M. , Hausbeck Mary K. , Holmes Gerald J.
Published: May 2015

The resurgence of cucurbit downy mildew has dramatically influenced production of cucurbits and disease management systems at multiple scales. Long-distance dispersal is a fundamental aspect of epidemic development that influences the timing and extent of outbreaks of cucurbit downy mildew. The dispersal potential of Pseudoperonospora cubensis appears to be limited primarily by sporangia production in source fields and availability of susceptible hosts and less by sporangia survival during transport. Uncertainty remains regarding the role of locally produced inoculum in disease outbreaks, but evidence suggests multiple sources of primary inoculum could be important. Understanding pathogen diversity and population differentiation is a critical aspect of disease management and an active research area. Underpinning advances in our understanding of pathogen biology and disease management has been the research capacity and coordination of stakeholders, scientists, and extension personnel. Concepts and approaches developed in this pathosystem can guide future efforts when responding to incursions of new or reemerging downy mildew pathogens.
Practical Benefits of Knowing the Enemy: Modern Molecular Tools for Diagnosing the Etiology of Bacterial Diseases and Understanding the Taxonomy and Diversity of Plant-Pathogenic Bacteria
Authors: Bull Carolee T. , Koike Steven T.
Published: May 2015

Knowing the identity of bacterial plant pathogens is essential to strategic and sustainable disease management in agricultural systems. This knowledge is critical for growers, diagnosticians, extension agents, and others dealing with crops. However, such identifications are linked to bacterial taxonomy, a complicated and changing discipline that depends on methods and information that are often not used by those who are diagnosing field problems. Modern molecular tools for fingerprinting and sequencing allow for pathogen identification in the absence of distinguishing or conveniently tested phenotypic characteristics. These methods are also useful in studying the etiology and epidemiology of phytopathogenic bacteria from epidemics, as was done in numerous studies conducted in California's Salinas Valley. Multilocus and whole-genome sequence analyses are becoming the cornerstones of studies of microbial diversity and bacterial taxonomy. Whole-genome sequence analysis needs to become adequately accessible, automated, and affordable in order to be used routinely for identification and epidemiology. The power of molecular tools in accurately identifying bacterial pathogenesis is therefore of value to the farmer, diagnostician, phytobacteriologist, and taxonomist.
Impact of Diseases on Export and Smallholder Production of Banana
Authors: Ploetz Randy C. , Kema Gert H.J. , Ma Li-Jun
Published: May 2015

Banana (Musa spp.) is one of the world's most valuable primary agricultural commodities. Exported fruit are key commodities in several producing countries yet make up less than 15% of the total annual output of 145 million metric tons (MMT). Transnational exporters market fruit of the Cavendish cultivars, which are usually produced in large plantations with fixed infrastructures and high inputs of fertilizers, pesticides, and irrigation. In contrast, smallholders grow diverse cultivars, often for domestic markets, with minimal inputs. Diseases are serious constraints for export as well as smallholder production. Although black leaf streak disease (BLSD), which is present throughout Asian, African, and American production areas, is a primary global concern, other diseases with limited distributions, notably tropical race 4 of Fusarium wilt, rival its impact. Here, we summarize recent developments on the most significant of these problems.
Soil Health Paradigms and Implications for Disease Management
Authors: Larkin Robert P.
Published: May 2015

Soil health has been defined as the capacity of soil to function as a vital living system to sustain biological productivity, maintain environmental quality, and promote plant, animal, and human health. Building and maintaining soil health are essential to agricultural sustainability and ecosystem function. Management practices that promote soil health, including the use of crop rotations, cover crops and green manures, organic amendments, and conservation tillage, also have generally positive effects on the management of soilborne diseases through a number of potential mechanisms, including increasing soil microbial biomass, activity, and diversity, resulting in greater biological suppression of pathogens and diseases. However, there also may be particular disease issues associated with some soil health management practices. In this review, research and progress made over the past twenty years regarding soil health, sustainability, and soil health management practices, with an emphasis on their implications for and effects on plant disease and disease management strategies, are summarized.
(Invited) Advances in Oxide Thin-Film Transistors in Recent Decade and Their Future
Authors: Kumomi Hideya , Kamiya Toshio , Hosono Hideo
Published: May 2015

Electronic devices using oxide semiconductor based thin-film transistors (TFTs) were commercialized for the first time in 2012 as backplane active-matrix circuits for flat-panel displays after almost half a century from their first demonstration in 1964. Such a miraculous revival was induced by discovery of high-mobility semiconductor materials made from amorphous oxides of post-transition metals and invention of TFTs using them for their channel materials in 2004. The present paper provides a historical review of oxide semiconductor based TFTs, their recent advances in the recent decade along the strategy and scenario, and a prediction of their future.
(Invited) Reliability Enhancement of High-Mobility Amorphous Indium-Tungsten Oxide Thin Film Transistor
Authors: Liu Po-Tsun , Chang Chih-Hsiang , Chang Chih-Jui
Published: May 2015

In this work, a high-mobility amorphous In-W-O thin transistor (a-IWO TFT) is studied for flat panel displays applications. The effects of oxygen content on the electrical performance and reliability of a-IWO TFTs are mainly investigated by modulating oxygen partial pressure during IWO channel deposition. Experimental results show the high oxygen partial pressure will degrade the electrical stability and cause a large threshold voltage shift (ΔVT
) in the a-IWO TFT device. To elucidate the origin of electrical instabilities, the interface trap densities, Dit
, at the interface between gate insulator and IWO layer as well as bulk trap density, Nt
, in the bulk of IWO film were extracted for comparisons. It shows that the interface states are increased as increasing oxygen partial pressures. The enhanced trapping of electron due to the increased interface states is considered to lead to large ΔVT
in the TFT with increasing oxygen partial pressures.
Analysis for Extremely Low Off-State Current in CAAC-IGZO FETs
Authors: Tsubuku Masashi , Matsubayashi Daisuke , Takeuchi Toshihiko , Honda Ryunosuke , Murakawa Tsutomu , Matsuda Shinpei , Yamamoto Yoshitaka , Yamazaki Shunpei
Published: May 2015

A field effect transistor (FET) using c-axis aligned crystalline In–Ga–Zn–O (CAAC-IGZO) for an active layer has an extremely low off-state current, which is much lower than an off-state current of a silicon FET. As we measured and analyzed the off-state current, the voltage drop caused by the off-state current in a memory device was found to approach to a stretched exponential function. This is because in the off-state CAAC-IGZO FET, a small number of carriers move discretely and current does not flow uniformly. The low off-state current was also maintained even when its channel length was scaled down to approximately 50 nm.
The Stability of Noise Behavior in Amorphous Indium Gallium Zinc Oxide Thin Film Transistors under Illumination
Authors: Chang Chun-Yi , Tai Ya-Hsiang
Published: May 2015

In this paper, the effects of light illumination on the noise are rarely discussed. In order to find out the noise behavior of a-IGZO TFTs under light and its change owing to the induced instability, we investigate the noise spectrum density of the a-IGZO TFTs under illumination conditions.
(Invited) The Behavior of C-axis-aligned A-b-plane-anchored Crystal (CAA Crystal)
Authors: Yamazaki Shunpei
Published: May 2015

A c-axis-aligned crystalline InGaZn oxide, CAAC-IGZO, which we have developed in 2009 has a layered structure of (Ga, Zn)O layers and InO2 layers with c-axis alignment, and has no clear grain boundaries. We propose a deposition model in which nanocrystals (pellets) with a (Ga, Zn)O/InO2/(Ga, Zn)O structure that are ejected from a target by sputtering are arranged on the deposition surface. The results of the first-principles calculations suggest that atomic particles promote lateral growth of the pellets.
(Invited) Doping and Defect Passivation in In-Ga-Zn-O by Fluorine
Authors: Furuta Mamoru , Jiang Jingxin , Tatsuoka Gengo , Wang Dapeng
Published: May 2015

High performance and highly-stable In-Ga-Zn-O thin-film transistor (IGZO TFT) have been achieved by using fluorine passivation method of defects in an IGZO. Degradations under positive gate bias and temperature stress and negative gate bias with illumination stress were almost suppressed by the fluorinated IGZO TFT. Proposed method is advantageous for improving reliability of oxide TFTs for next generation displays.
(Invited) Solution-process Oxide TFTs for Hybrid Low-Voltage CMOS Applications
Authors: Hong Yongtaek , JI Seon-Beom , Im Hwarim , Seong Narkhyun , Park Yoonhwan , Kim Hyunggyu
Published: May 2015

Solution-processed indium-gallium-zinc-oxide (IGZO) TFTs were fabricated and used for hybrid low-voltage CMOS inverters, where the IGZO TFT and organic or carbon nanotube TFT were used as n- and p-type TFT, respectively. Use of high-k dielectric rendered the inverter to operate at voltages lower than 5 V supply voltage. High gain of -7.5 and -12.5 V/V were obtained for the hybrid inverters with organic and carbon nanotube p-type TFTs, respectively. Optimization of the current ratio of driver and load TFTs, depending on the field effect mobility of each TFT, is expected to further improve the performance of the hybrid inverter circuit and printing process can further lower the fabrication cost for more complicated digital/analog circuits.
(Invited) Integrated Gate Driver Circuits Using a-Si TFT and Oxide TFT
Authors: Jang Yong Ho , Choi Seung Chan , Kim Binn , Bae Jong Uk , Park Kwon-sik
Published: May 2015

The gate driver circuits using the a-Si TFT and oxide TFT are reviewed. Based on the analysis of the failure behavior of a shift register circuit, various schematics designed for enhanced stability are given with the introduction of clamping voltage as a measure of the degradation of a circuit. For embedding oxide TFT circuits, the scheme for applying offset bias is suggested and its effect on stability is described. Finally, practical issues such as the circuits for smaller area and the optimum design in a confined area for better performance is discussed.
High Current Stress-Induced Heating Effects in Thin-Film Transistors on Plastic: Oxide Vs. Ltps
Authors: Lee Suhui , Mativenga Mallory , Jang Jin
Published: May 2015

We report high current stress (HCS)-induced heating effects in amorphous-indium-gallium-zinc-oxide (a-IGZO) thin-film transistors (TFTs) fabricated on plastic substrates. For comparison, TFTs fabricated on glass substrates are also investigated. HCS, which is achieved by biasing the TFTs in the on state with high gate and high drain voltages, induces a lager threshold-voltage shift (ΔVTH) in TFTs on plastic compared to those on glass. The positive HCS-induced ΔVTH is attributed to joule-heating, which causes electron trapping into the gate-insulator by thermionic emission. For a drain current of 400 µA, the temperature of the active a-IGZO layer is found to reach ~221℃ for devices on plastic and only 128℃ for those on glass, which explains the larger ΔVTH induced in the devices on glass. The difference in temperature is attributed to lower heat dissipation of plastic compared to the glass, given that the former has a lower thermal conductivity than the latter. Low-temperature polysilicon (LTPS) TFTs are also investigated for comparison, and the temperature of the LTPS is found exceed that of a-IGZO – consistent with the lower thermal conductivity of LTPS. Results presented herein, therefore, provide useful information for design and modelling of oxide TFT-based flexible electronics.