bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Complexities in pyroxene compositions derived from absorption band centers: Examples from Apollo samples, HED meteorites, synthetic pure pyroxenes, and remote sensing data
Authors: Moriarty D. P. , Pieters C. M.
Published: January 2016

We reexamine the relationship between pyroxene composition and near‐infrared absorption bands, integrating measurements of diverse natural and synthetic samples. We test an algorithm (PLC) involving a two‐part linear continuum removal and parabolic fits to the 1 and 2 μm bands—a computationally simple approach which can easily be automated and applied to remote sensing data. Employing a suite of synthetic pure pyroxenes, the PLC technique is shown to derive similar band centers to the modified Gaussian model. PLC analyses are extended to natural pyroxene‐bearing materials, including (1) bulk lunar basalts and pyroxene separates, (2) diverse lunar soils, and (3) HED meteorites. For natural pyroxenes, the relationship between composition and absorption band center differs from that of synthetic pyroxenes. These differences arise from complexities inherent in natural materials such as exsolution, zoning, mixing, and space weathering. For these reasons, band center measurements of natural pyroxene‐bearing materials are compositionally nonunique and could represent three distinct scenarios (1) pyroxene with a narrow compositional range, (2) complexly zoned pyroxene grains, or (3) a mixture of multiple pyroxene (or nonpyroxene) components. Therefore, a universal quantitative relationship between band centers and pyroxene composition cannot be uniquely derived for natural pyroxene‐bearing materials without additional geologic context. Nevertheless, useful relative relationships between composition and band center persist in most cases. These relationships are used to interpret M3 data from the Humboldtianum Basin. Four distinct compositional units are identified (1) Mare Humboldtianum basalts, (2) distinct outer basalts, (3) low‐Ca pyroxene‐bearing materials, and (4) feldspathic materials.
Effect of a synchrotron X‐ray microtomography imaging experiment on the amino acid content of a CM chondrite
Authors: Friedrich Jon M. , Glavin Daniel P. , Rivers Mark L. , Dworkin Jason P.
Published: January 2016

X‐ray microcomputed tomography and synchrotron X‐ray microcomputed tomography (μCT) are becoming popular tools for the reconnaissance imaging of chondrites. However, there are occasional concerns that the use of μCT may be detrimental to organic components of a chondrite. Soluble organic compounds represent ~2–10% of the total solvent extractable carbon in CI and CM carbonaceous chondrites and amino acids are among the most abundant compounds in the soluble organic fraction. We irradiated two samples of the Murchison CM2 carbonaceous chondrite under conditions slightly harsher (increased beam exposure time) than those typically used for x‐ray μCT imaging experiments to determine if detectable changes in the amino acid abundance and distribution relative to a nonexposed control sample occurred. After subjecting two meteorite portions to ionizing radiation dosages of 1.1 kiloGray (kGy) and 1.2 kGy with 48.6 and 46.6 keV monochromatic X‐rays, respectively, we analyzed the amino acid content of each sample. Within analytical errors, we found no differences in the amino acid abundances or enantiomeric ratios when comparing the control samples (nonexposed Murchison) and the irradiated samples. We show with calculations that any sample heating due to x‐ray exposure is negligible. We conclude that a monochromatic synchrotron X‐ray μCT experiment at beamline 13‐BM‐D of the Advanced Photon Source, which imparts ~1 kGy doses, has no detectable effect on the amino acid content of a carbonaceous chondrite. These results are important for the initial reconnaissance of returned samples from the OSIRIS‐REx and Hayabusa 2 asteroid sample return missions.
A review of linked health data in Australian nephrology
Authors: Kotwal Sradha , Webster Angela C , Cass Alan , Gallagher Martin
Published: January 2016

Linked health data bring together data about one person from varying sources such as administrative health datasets, death registries and clinical registries using a process that maintains patient privacy. Linked health data have been used for burden of disease estimates and health‐care planning and is being increasingly use as a research methodology to study health service utilisation and patient outcomes. Within Australian nephrology, there has been limited understanding and use of linked health data so far, but we expect that with the increasing availability of data and the growing complexity of health care, the use of such data will expand. This is especially pertinent for the growing elderly population with advanced kidney disease, who are poorly represented in other types of research studies. This article summarizes the history of linked health data in Australia, the nature of available datasets in Australia, the methods of access to these data, privacy and ethical issues, along with strengths, limitations and implications for the future.
Plant community controls on short‐term ecosystem nitrogen retention
Authors: de Vries Franciska T. , Bardgett Richard D.
Published: January 2016

Retention of nitrogen (N) is a critical ecosystem function, especially in the face of widespread anthropogenic N enrichment; however, our understanding of the mechanisms involved is limited. Here, we tested under glasshouse conditions how plant community attributes, including variations in the dominance, diversity and range of plant functional traits, influence N uptake and retention in temperate grassland.

We added a pulse of 15N to grassland plant communities assembled to represent a range of community‐weighted mean plant traits, trait functional diversity and divergence, and species richness, and measured plant and microbial uptake of 15N, and leaching losses of 15N, as a short‐term test of N retention in the plant–soil system.

Root biomass, herb abundance and dominant plant traits were the main determinants of N retention in the plant–soil system: greater root biomass and herb abundance, and lower root tissue density, increased plant 15N uptake, while higher specific leaf area and root tissue density increased microbial 15N uptake.

Our results provide novel, mechanistic insight into the short‐term fate of N in the plant–soil system, and show that dominant plant traits, rather than trait functional diversity, control the fate of added N in the plant–soil system.
Three FLOWERING LOCUS T‐like genes function as potential florigens and mediate photoperiod response in sorghum
Authors: Wolabu Tezera W. , Zhang Fei , Niu Lifang , Kalve Shweta , Bhatnagar‐Mathur Pooja , Muszynski Michael G. , Tadege Million
Published: January 2016

Sorghum is a typical short‐day (SD) plant and its use in grain or biomass production in temperate regions depends on its flowering time control, but the underlying molecular mechanism of floral transition in sorghum is poorly understood.

Here we characterized sorghum FLOWERING LOCUS T (SbFT) genes to establish a molecular road map for mechanistic understanding. Out of 19 PEBP genes, SbFT1, SbFT8 and SbFT10 were identified as potential candidates for encoding florigens using multiple approaches.

Phylogenetic analysis revealed that SbFT1 clusters with the rice Hd3a subclade, while SbFT8 and SbFT10 cluster with the maize ZCN8 subclade. These three genes are expressed in the leaf at the floral transition initiation stage, expressed early in grain sorghum genotypes but late in sweet and forage sorghum genotypes, induced by SD treatment in photoperiod‐sensitive genotypes, cooperatively repressed by the classical sorghum maturity loci, interact with sorghum 14‐3‐3 proteins and activate flowering in transgenic Arabidopsis plants, suggesting florigenic potential in sorghum.

SD induction of these three genes in sensitive genotypes is fully reversed by 1 wk of long‐day treatment, and yet, some aspects of the SD treatment may still make a small contribution to flowering in long days, indicating a complex photoperiod response mediated by SbFT genes.
Prostaglandin J2: a potential target for halting inflammation‐induced neurodegeneration
Authors: Figueiredo‐Pereira Maria E. , Corwin Chuhyon , Babich John
Published: January 2016

Prostaglandins (PGs) are produced via cyclooxygenases, which are enzymes that play a major role in neuroinflammation. Epidemiological studies show that chronic treatment with low levels of cyclooxygenase inhibitors (nonsteroidal anti‐inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)) lowers the risk for Alzheimer's disease (AD) and Parkinson's disease (PD) by as much as 50%. Unfortunately, inhibiting cyclooxygenases with NSAIDs blocks the synthesis of downstream neuroprotective and neurotoxic PGs, thus producing adverse side effects. We focus on prostaglandin J2 (PGJ2) because it is highly neurotoxic compared to PGA1, D2, and E2. Unlike other PGs, PGJ2 and its metabolites have a cyclopentenone ring with reactive α,β‐unsaturated carbonyl groups that form covalent Michael adducts with key cysteines in proteins and GSH. Cysteine‐binding electrophiles such as PGJ2 are considered to play an important role in determining whether neurons will live or die. We discuss in vitro and in vivo studies showing that PGJ2 induces pathological processes relevant to neurodegenerative disorders such as AD and PD. Further, we discuss our work showing that increasing intracellular cAMP with the lipophilic peptide PACAP27 counteracts some of the PGJ2‐induced detrimental effects. New therapeutic strategies that neutralize the effects of specific neurotoxic PGs downstream from cyclooxygenases could have a significant impact on the treatment of chronic neurodegenerative disorders with fewer adverse side effects.
Vision loss in juvenile neuronal ceroid lipofuscinosis (CLN3 disease)
Authors: Ouseph Madhu M. , Kleinman Mark E. , Wang Qing Jun
Published: January 2016

Juvenile neuronal ceroid lipofuscinosis (JNCL; also known as CLN3 disease) is a devastating neurodegenerative lysosomal storage disorder and the most common form of Batten disease. Progressive visual and neurological symptoms lead to mortality in patients by the third decade. Although ceroid‐lipofuscinosis, neuronal 3 (CLN3) has been identified as the sole disease gene, the biochemical and cellular bases of JNCL and the functions of CLN3 are yet to be fully understood. As severe ocular pathologies manifest early in disease progression, the retina is an ideal tissue to study in the efforts to unravel disease etiology and design therapeutics. There are significant discrepancies in the ocular phenotypes between human JNCL and existing murine models, impeding investigations on the sequence of events occurring during the progression of vision impairment. This review focuses on current understanding of vision loss in JNCL and discusses future research directions toward molecular dissection of the pathogenesis of the disease and associated vision problems in order to ultimately improve the quality of patient life and cure the disease.
Adenomatoid odontogenic tumour: A rare mandibular presentation
Authors: Perks A.C. , Adam S. , Ahad S.A. , Patel M.
Published: January 2016

Adenomatoid odontogenic tumours (AOT) are uncommon, benign tumours that account for about 2–7% of all odontogenic tumours. There is a strong predilection to be found in the maxilla, and predominantly in young females. In this case, we report an unusual finding of an adenomatoid odontogenic tumour in the anterior mandible of a 13‐year‐old male patient. We discuss the radiographic and histological findings, in addition to the surgical management. The AOT is commonly mistaken for a dentigerous cyst, hence the importance of histopathological examination is emphasised. Furthermore, this case report will refresh practitioners on the differential diagnosis of AOT when dealing with lesions of the jaw.
Compound Heterozygous Triadin Mutation Causing Cardiac Arrest in Two Siblings
Authors: WALSH MARK A. , STUART ALAN G. , SCHLECHT HELENE B. , JAMES ANDREW F. , HANCOX JULES C. , NEWBURY‐ECOB RUTH A.
Published: January 2016

We present the case of two siblings who both presented with an out‐of‐hospital cardiac arrest at 2 years of age. Both siblings underwent internal cardiac defibrillator implantation and both had recurrent episodes of ventricular fibrillation (VF). A compound heterozygous mutation in the triadin gene was discovered; one of these mutations has been described previously in the homozygous state, and the other one is unreported. The combination of these mutations has resulted in a particularly arrhythmogenic phenotype, with cardiac arrest occurring at a very young age and recurrent episodes of VF despite β‐blockade. Flecainide seems to have been very effective in preventing clinical arrhythmias for this particular mutation.
Effect of 90° counterclockwise rotation of the endotracheal tube on its advancement through the larynx during nasal fiberoptic intubation in children: a randomized and blinded study
Authors: Choudhry Dinesh K. , Brenn B. Randall , Lutwin‐Kawalec Malgorzata , Sacks Karen , Nesargi Susmita , He Zhaoping
Published: January 2016

Background

Resistance to the passage of the endotracheal tube (ETT) is frequently encountered in children as it is advanced over the fiberoptic scope for placement into the trachea because it gets hung up at the laryngeal inlet. Literature in adults indicates that a 90° counterclockwise rotation (CCR) of the ETT before advancing results in smooth passage. We found no literature in children.

Objectives

Our aim was to study if a 90° counterclockwise rotation (CCR) of the ETT before advancement leads to smooth passage of the ETT into the larynx in children.

Methods

Following IRB approval, we performed this study in two parts: Part 1: An unblinded, observational, pilot study on 20 children scheduled for oral rehabilitation where we concurrently used a fiberoptic scope nasally and GlideScope orally. We visualized the ETT path and observed that 90° CCR allowed smooth passage without hang up. Part 2: A blinded and randomized study on 40 children to confirm if 90° CCR from the outset would improve passage of the ETT during nasal intubation with a fiberoptic scope in children. All children were divided into two groups: group S, ETT bevel facing left; group R, ETT bevel facing down.

Results

In Part 1, we observed that the ETT got hung up in 57% of children with standard bevel direction (facing left) and in 0% of children when prerotated. In Part 2, efficacy of prerotation was confirmed; the ETT got hung up in 50% of children in group S but in only 10.5% of children in group R.

Conclusion

A change in ETT tip orientation from bevel facing left to facing down by 90° CCR, leads to a significantly higher first‐attempt success rate by nasal approach in children. We believe the ETT should be rotated before insertion into the nostril to ensure that full 90° CCR of the tip has been accomplished.
Usefulness of stroke volume variation to assess blood volume during blood removal for autologous blood transfusion in pediatric patients
Authors: Tadokoro Takahiro , Kakinohana Manabu , Fukumoto Chihiro , Kawabata Tetsuya , Yoza Kouji
Published: January 2016

Background

Dynamic variables based on the heart–lung interaction induced by positive pressure ventilation have not been shown to be useful in assessing cardiac preload in pediatric patients.

Objective

To evaluate whether stroke volume variation (SVV) obtained from the FloTrac/VigileoTM monitoring system can reflect a change in blood volume during the blood removal and fluid replacement protocol in acute normovolemic hemodilution (ANH).

Methods

Sixteen pediatric patients scheduled for elective cranioplasty were recruited. In the ANH protocol, 10 ml·kg−1 blood removal and fluid replacement were performed. SVV, heart rate, mean blood pressure, and femoral venous pressure were recorded. Differences at four time points (T0: baseline, T1: 5 ml·kg−1 blood loss, T2: 10 ml·kg−1 blood loss, and T3: after fluid replacement) during ANH were compared. The blood volume (EBV) was estimated as 70 ml·kg−1 at T0 and decreased to 60 ml·kg−1 at T2.

Results

Of the 16 patients, four were excluded and 12 were analyzed. Significant differences in all of the parameters were observed between each time point. The SVV significantly increased after the blood removal and decreased after the fluid replacement (P < 0.01, Bonferroni adjustment). In addition, the increases in SVV during the blood removal, T0–T1 and T0–T2, were 70% ± 40% and 159% ± 91%, respectively. SVV showed a significant correlation with EBV during the blood removal in ANH (rs = −0.68, 95% confidence interval −0.73 to −0.63, P < 0.001).

Conclusion

Stroke volume variation obtained from the FloTrac/VigileoTM monitoring system revealed a strong correlation with EBV during ANH without surgical stimulation. The usefulness of this device as an indicator of cardiac preload under hypovolemic or normovolemic conditions in children during surgery remains to be determined.
Postoperative pain control with paravertebral catheters after pediatric total pancreatectomy and islet autotransplantation: a retrospective cohort study
Authors: Hutchins Jacob , Castro Chandra , Wang Qi , Chinnakotla Srinath
Published: January 2016

Background

Total pancreatectomy and islet autotransplantation (TPIAT) has been used to treat pediatric patients with chronic pancreatitis. The primary symptom of this disease is extreme poorly controlled pain. This results in significant alterations in the quality of life of the patient. We sought to determine if the addition of bilateral thoracic paravertebral catheters with continuous ropivacaine infusion would improve postoperative opioid use and pain control.

Methods

The medical records of 32 patients who underwent TPIAT from March 2011 to July 2014 were analyzed retrospectively (15 without paravertebral catheters and 17 with paravertebral catheters). Maximum and minimum pain scores, opioid use (mg·kg−1·day−1), percent opioid use above baseline, length of stay, and complications were recorded.

Results

Those patients who had bilateral thoracic paravertebral catheters had decreased total opioid use in the first 7 days postoperatively when compared to those who did not (612 (95% CI: 432–792) vs 943.7 (95% CI: 650–1237) mg of morphine equivalents; P = 0.043). The total opioid use remained significantly decreased when corrected for weight (12.53 (95% CI: 9.19–15.44) vs 18.85 (95% CI: 13.69–24.03) mg·kg−1 of morphine equivalents; P = 0.03). In addition, those on preoperative opioids had less percent opioid use above baseline on postoperative days 1, 2, and 7 as well as decreased opioid use (mg·kg−1·day−1) on postoperative days 1, 2, 3, and 7. There were no differences in complications or length of stay.

Conclusions

Bilateral paravertebral catheters may provide decreased opioid use and improved postoperative pain control after TPIAT.
Preoperative evaluation and comprehensive risk assessment for children with Down syndrome
Authors: Lewanda Amy Feldman , Matisoff Andrew , Revenis Mary , Harahsheh Ashraf , Futterman Craig , Nino Gustavo , Greenberg Jay , Myseros John S. , Rosenbaum Kenneth N. , Summar Marshall
Published: January 2016

Down syndrome is a common chromosome disorder affecting all body systems. This creates unique physiologic concerns that can affect safety during anesthesia and surgery. Little consensus exists, however, on the best way to evaluate children with Down syndrome in preparation for surgery. We review a number of salient topics affecting these children in the perioperative period, including cervical spine instability, cardiovascular abnormalities, pulmonary hypertension, upper airway obstruction, hematologic disturbances, prematurity, low birth weight, and the use of supplements and alternative therapies. Recommendations include obtaining a complete blood count to detect an increased risk for bleeding or stroke, and cardiology evaluation to identify patients with pulmonary hypertension, as well as undiagnosed or residual heart disease. Pediatric cardiac anesthesiologists and intensivists should be involved as needed. The potential for cervical spine instability should be considered, and the anesthesiologist may wish to have several options available both for the medications and equipment used. The child's family should always be asked if he or she is on any nutritional supplements, as some products marketed to families may have secondary effects such as inhibition of platelet function. Using this evaluation in presurgical planning will allow physicians to better consider the individual circumstances for their patients with Down syndrome. Our goal was to optimize patient safety by choosing the most appropriate setting and perioperative personnel, and to mitigate those risk factors amenable to intervention.
Libertarianism, the Rollback Argument, and the Objective Probability of Free Choices
Authors: Furlong Peter
Published: January 2016

It is widely assumed that candidates for free, undetermined choices must have objective probabilities prior to their performance. Indeed although this premise figures prominently in a widely discussed argument against libertarianism, few libertarians have called it into question. In this article, I will investigate whether libertarians ought to reject it. I will conclude that doing so should not be tempting to event‐causal libertarians or most agent‐causal ones, because the added costs outweigh the benefits.
Russell's Revenge: A Problem for Bivalent Fregean Theories of Descriptions
Authors: Heylen Jan
Published: January 2016

Fregean theories of descriptions as terms have to deal with improper descriptions. To save bivalence various proposals have been made that involve assigning referents to improper descriptions. While bivalence is indeed saved, there is a price to be paid. Instantiations of the same general scheme, viz. the one and only individual that is F and G is G, are not only allowed but even required to have different truth values.
Objective assessment of sleep status and its correlates in hospitalized children with cancer: Exploratory study
Authors: Setoyama Ami , Ikeda Mari , Kamibeppu Kiyoko
Published: January 2016

Background

Children with cancer are known to have sleep problems. Although hospitalization and psychosocial factors are considered to be the factors affecting children's sleep, few studies have confirmed these effects. The aims of this study were to describe the sleep status of hospitalized children with cancer and to explore the correlates.

Methods

The sleep status of 11 hospitalized children (aged 2–12 years) with cancer was measured using actigraph and sleep diary during hospitalization and a short home stay. Possible correlates were assessed using a questionnaire.

Results

The participants had significantly longer sleep onset latency, earlier bedtime, and poorer self‐evaluated sleep quality during hospitalization than the short home stay. They had shorter total sleep time, longer wake time after sleep onset, and less sleep efficiency at home, compared with healthy historical controls. Children's age, symptoms, hospitalization period, Cognitive Fatigue, Procedural Anxiety, Treatment Anxiety, Social Anxiety, and Separation Anxiety, as well as caregiver anxiety, Receptive and Focused Attitude, and Regimented Attitude were significantly correlated with sleep variables.

Conclusions

Hospitalization decreased self‐evaluated sleep quality, and difficulty falling asleep. The sleep of the participants at home was disturbed compared with that of healthy children. Hospitalization, patient characteristics, disease‐related, and some psychosocial factors were associated with sleep variables. Medical professionals should develop a favorable environment for falling asleep in hospital for individual children. Children with cancer in the early period of hospitalization need increased care to facilitate good sleep.
Invasive candidiasis in liver transplant patients: Incidence and risk factors in a pediatric cohort
Authors: De Luca M. , Green M. , Symmonds J. , Klieger S. B. , Soltys K. , Fisher B. T.
Published: January 2016

Prolonged OR, re‐transplantation, and high‐volume intraoperative transfusion have been associated with increased risk for IC in adult LT recipients. Antifungal prophylaxis is recommended for adult patients with these risk factors. There are limited data on the incidence of and risk factors for IC in pediatric LT recipients. A retrospective cohort study of all pediatric LT patients at the CHOP between 2000 and 2012 and the CHP between 2004 and 2012 was performed to define the incidence of IC within 30 days of LT. A 3:1 matched case–control study with incidence density sampling was performed. Conditional logistic regression analyses were used to explore risk factors associated with IC. Among 397 recipients, the incidence of IC was 2.5%. Bivariate analyses showed that ICU admission prior to transplant, OR > 10 h, intraoperative volume infusion of >300 mL/kg, and broad‐spectrum antibiotics were significantly associated with IC. In a multivariate model, only ICU admission remained significantly associated with IC. Antifungal prophylaxis was not significantly protective against IC. The low incidence of IC and lack of an identified protective effect from antifungal prophylaxis suggest that prophylaxis in pediatric LT recipients should not be routinely recommended to prevent IC events in the first 30 days post‐transplant.
Governing Small‐Town America Today: The Promise and Dilemma of Dense Networks
Authors: Catlaw Thomas J. , Stout Margaret
Published: January 2016

This essay examines the governance of small towns in the United States. Small towns have received little attention in the public administration literature to date, yet 1 in 10 Americans still lives in one, representing roughly 75 percent of all municipalities in the United States and some 33 million people. Small towns are characterized as dense, multiplex networks that lend unique dynamics to local politics. However, they face significant social, economic, technological, and demographic trends that compromise towns’ prevailing frame of reference, fracture their networks, and alter the traditional setting of small‐town governance. In the face of these issues, “thicker,” more active ways of engaging the public are needed to reknit community bonds and build civic capacity. Service learning for master of public administration students is proposed as a way to develop the emotional intelligence necessary to make sense of the complex social dynamics of small towns and to facilitate the hard work of building enabling relationships.
Systematics of the Neotropical braconid wasps of the Pedinotus genus group (Doryctinae)
Authors: SAMACÁ‐SÁENZ ERNESTO , BELOKOBYLSKIJ SERGEY A. , QUICKE DONALD L. J. , ZALDÍVAR‐RIVERÓN ALEJANDRO
Published: January 2016

The braconid subfamily Doryctinae (Hymenoptera) is a cosmopolitan, species‐rich group of parasitoid wasps whose known species richness and morphological diversity is mainly concentrated in the Neotropical region. Among the doryctine taxa that are endemic to this region, there is a group of six genera (the Pedinotus genus group) that are mainly characterized by having lateral, posteriorly converging or subparallel grooves on the second metasomal tergite (including Gymnobracon Szépligeti, Hybodoryctes Szépligeti, Lamquetia Braet et van Achterberg, Osmophila Szépligeti, Pedinotus Szépligeti and Trigonophasmus Enderlein). Most of these genera were described more than a century ago, and thus their limits and diagnostic morphological features are not well defined. We present an analysis of the phylogenetic relationships among various representative species of five of the six genera belonging to the Pedinotus genus group based on one mitochondrial (cytochrome oxidase I) and two nuclear (28S, Wingless) gene markers. We also estimated the timing of origin and diversification within the group and investigated the external morphology of the genera involved in order to determine reliable identification characters. The group as a whole, whilst being recovered as monophyletic with the inclusion of Acanthorhogas Szépligeti, was not statistically supported. However, the respective monophyly of all of the morphologically supported genera are confirmed, as are the intergeneric relationships (Gymnobracon, Trigonophasmus) ((Acanthorhogas, Osmophila) (Lamquetia, Pedinotus)). We propose that the pattern of sublateral grooves or depressions appears to be a useful systematic character for recognition of an endemic Neotropical radiation that could have originated c. 41–27 Ma. We redescribe six of the seven genera that we recognize for the Pedinotus genus group and provide a key to enable their identification.
The impact of medical student surgical conferences
Authors: Al Omran Yasser , Chandrakumar Charmilie , Jawad Ali , Ahmed Shafi , Ghanem Ali M
Published: January 2016

Background

Recent reports have shown that in the UK there has been a decrease in interest towards pursuing a surgical career, whereas early exposure to surgery may increase interest. We aimed to assess the effect of a 1‐day medical school surgical conference in encouraging attendees to pursue a surgical career.

Methods

All attendees of the 2014 Barts and The London National Undergraduate Surgical conference were invited to participate in an online survey. Data were collected and analysed to evaluate students’ reasons for attending the conference, and attitudes to careers in surgery before and after the conference.

Results

Of 229 students, 130 (56.8%) completed the survey. Year‐12 high‐school and preclinical medical students showed a statistically significant difference in interest in pursuing a surgical career after the conference than before it (p = 0.0002 and p = 0.0027, respectively), but clinical medical students demonstrated no such change.

Conclusion

Attendance at surgical conferences designed for medical students can significantly increase the desire of high‐school students and preclinical medical students to pursue a surgical career, but may not have the same effect for clinical medical students. Surgical conferences may act as an effective means of recruiting students towards choosing a surgical career for a certain subset of students.
Improved continuity of care in a resident clinic
Authors: Butler Melissa , Kim Hyungkoo , Sansone Randy
Published: January 2016

Background

For residents in the out‐patient clinic, continuity in patient care is an integral and vital aspect of internal medicine training, but is frequently compromised by resident in‐patient schedules, the structure of the out‐patient clinic and the need to comply with the increasing regulation of duty hours.

Method

In this study, we examined whether the creation and implementation of a new team approach, the Firms Model, would improve the continuity of patient care in the internal medicine resident out‐patient clinic.

Results

Before the implementation of the Firms Model, an examination of a consecutive clinic sample indicated that patients were seen by their assigned resident providers 41.9 per cent of the time (n = 1319 clinic visits). After implementation of the Firms Model, an examination of a consecutive clinic sample indicated that patients were seen by their assigned Firm resident providers 88.9 per cent of the time (n = 1341 clinic visits).

Conclusion

Implementation of the Firms Model resulted in a statistically significant increase in the percentage of patients seen by assigned resident providers in an internal medicine out‐patient clinic, culminating in a substantial improvement in continuity of care within our resident out‐patient clinic. We discuss the implications of these findings.

Continuity in patient care is an integral and vital aspect of internal medicine training, but is frequently compromised
Is There Evidence for a Mixture of Processes in Speed‐Accuracy Trade‐Off Behavior?
Authors: van Maanen Leendert
Published: January 2016

The speed‐accuracy trade‐off (SAT) effect refers to the behavioral trade‐off between fast yet error‐prone respones and accurate but slow responses. Multiple theories on the cognitive mechanisms behind SAT exist. One theory assumes that SAT is a consequence of strategically adjusting the amount of evidence required for overt behaviors, such as perceptual choices. Another theory hypothesizes that SAT is the consequence of the mixture of multiple categorically different cognitive processes. In this paper, these theories are disambiguated by assessing whether the fixed‐point property of mixture distributions holds, in both simulations and data. I conclude that, at least for perceptual decision making, there is no evidence for a mixture of different cognitive processes to trade off accuracy of responding for speed.
Antibodies to human neutrophil antigen HNA‐4b implicated in a case of neonatal alloimmune neutropenia
Authors: Mraz G.A. , Crighton G.L. , Christie D.J.
Published: January 2016

BACKGROUND

Maternal alloantibodies directed against human neutrophil antigens (HNAs) can cause moderate‐severe neutropenia in the newborn in a condition known as neonatal alloimmune neutropenia (NAIN). Neonates with NAIN can present with sepsis or be asymptomatic. NAIN has previously been reported as caused by antibodies against HNA‐1a, ‐1b, and ‐1c; CD16b, ‐2, ‐3a, ‐4a, and ‐5a; and HLA, but not by antibodies against HNA‐4b. We report a case of NAIN due to anti‐ HNA‐4b alloimmunization in a term neonate.

CASE REPORT

An infant with persistent and marked neutropenia was suspected of having neonatal alloimmune neutropenia. Blood samples from both parents were investigated for HNA and HLA incompatibilities by molecular typing techniques and the mother for the presence of HNA and HLA antibodies by serologic techniques.

RESULTS

Initial results indicated the presence of granulocyte antibodies in the maternal serum, the specificity of which were shown to be anti‐HNA‐4b. Subsequently, the mother was genotyped as HNA‐4b negative and the father as heterozygous HNA‐4ab. The child was shown to have inherited the incompatible HNA‐4b allele.

CONCLUSION

We have demonstrated the first case of NAIN due to maternal alloimmunization against HNA‐4b, pending ratification by the International Granulocyte Immunobiology Workshop.
Abnormal coagulation factor VIII transcript in a Tennessee Walking Horse colt with hemophilia A
Authors: Norton Elaine M. , Wooldridge Anne A. , Stewart Allison J. , Cusimano Layla , Schwartz Dean D. , Johnson Calvin M. , Boudreaux Mary K. , Christopherson Pete W.
Published: January 2016

Hemophilia A is an X‐chromosome‐linked disorder caused by a deficiency in factor VIII (FVIII). Although foals have been diagnosed with hemophilia A based on deficiency in FVIII activity, causative gene mutations have not been identified. The genomic DNA and cDNA encoding FVIII of a Tennesee Walking Horse colt affected with hemophilia A and the genomic DNA of his dam and a normal unrelated horse were analyzed with no splice site or coding sequence abnormalities identified in any of the horses. Polymerase chain reactions (PCR) were then performed on hepatic cDNA from the affected colt and an unrelated normal horse, and no product was obtained for the sequence between and including exon 1 and exon 2 in the affected colt. Based on these results, suspected mutations were identified in the noncoding region of FVIII (intron 1), and genomic sequencing of intron 1 in the dam and the affected colt suggested maternal inheritance.
Intracorneal stromal hemorrhage in dogs and its associations with ocular and systemic disease: 39 cases
Authors: Violette Nathaniel P. , Ledbetter Eric C.
Published: January 2016

Objective

To describe clinical features of dogs diagnosed with stromal intracorneal hemorrhage (ICH).

Animals studied

Retrospective case series of 39 dogs (44 eyes) withICH.

Procedures

Medical records of dogs evaluated by the Cornell University ophthalmology service were searched to identify animals with a clinical diagnosis ofICHbetween 2005 and 2014. Signalment and clinical details, including concurrent ocular disease, concurrent systemic disease, diagnostic tests performed, outcome of hemorrhage, presenting client complaint, and treatment, were recorded.

Results

Intracorneal hemorrhage was identified in 44 eyes of 39 dogs. The mean (±standard deviation) age of dogs was 11.5 years (±2.8 years). The Bichon Frise breed and older dogs were statistically over‐represented relative to the entire ophthalmology service canine referral population during the same time period. Concurrent ocular disease was present in 40 eyes (91%) and included keratoconjunctivitis sicca, cataracts, and corneal ulcers. Twenty‐three dogs (59%) suffered from concurrent systemic disease, most frequently diabetes mellitus, hyperadrenocorticism, hypothyroidism, and systemic hypertension. Less commonly, life‐threatening systemic conditions were identified in dogs withICHincluding immune‐mediated hemolytic anemia, immune‐mediated thrombocytopenia, metastatic neoplasia, and sepsis. Intracorneal hemorrhage was found in all corneal locations, and corneal vascularization was present in each affected eye.

Conclusions

Intracorneal hemorrhage is an uncommon condition in dogs that occurs in association with corneal vascularization. The risk ofICHmay be increased due to certain ocular and systemic diseases. Although uncommon,ICHmay also be an ocular manifestation of severe immune‐mediated, infectious, and neoplastic systemic diseases in dogs.
Outcomes of an Oral Care Protocol in Postmechanically Ventilated Patients
Authors: Chipps Esther M. , Carr Michele , Kearney Rachel , MacDermott Jennifer , Von Visger Tania , Calvitti Kristin , Vermillion Brenda , Weber Michele L. , Newton Cheryl , St. Clair Jamie , Harper Dorina , Yamokoski Todd , Belcher Marcia , Ali Naeem , Hoet Armando E. , Van Balen Joany , Holloman Christopher , Landers Timothy
Published: January 2016

Background

Oral care is standard practice to prevent hospital‐associated infections while patients are intubated and in the intensive care unit. Following extubation and transfer, infections remain an important risk for patients, but less attention is paid to oral care. Few studies have assessed the impact of oral care in recently extubated acutely ill patients.

Aims

To develop an evidence‐based oral care protocol for hospitalized patients and determine the impact of this protocol on health outcomes in recently extubated patients.

Methods

In this randomized controlled trial, subjects were randomized to usual care or an intervention protocol that included tooth brushing, tongue scraping, flossing, mouth rinsing, and lip care. Major outcome measures were the revised THROAT (R‐THROAT; oral cavity assessment) and overall prevalence of methicillin‐sensitive Staphylococcus aureus and methicillin‐resistant S. aureus on oral cultures.

Results

Seventy‐four subjects were randomized. As measured by the R‐THROAT, oral cavity health improved over time in both groups, but the intervention group demonstrated significantly more improvement than the control group (R‐THROAT score improved by 1.97 intervention vs. 0.87 control; p = .04). Two categories, tongue and mouth comfort, demonstrated the most significant improvement. There was no difference in MSSA/MRSA colonization between the groups at the conclusion of the study. Overall, subjects in the intervention group were more satisfied with their protocol than subjects in the usual care group.

Linking Evidence to Action

This study offers an important evaluation of an oral care protocol after extubation. Results demonstrated improvement in the oral cavity assessment with the designed oral care protocol. Patients expressed a preference for the intervention protocol, which included a battery‐operated toothbrush, higher‐quality toothpaste and mouth rinse, tongue scraper, floss, and lip balm. The implementation of an oral care protocol specifically addressing patients in the immediate postintubation is essential.
A Systematic Review of Journal Clubs for Nurses
Authors: Häggman‐Laitila Arja , Mattila Lea‐Riitta , Melender Hanna‐Leena
Published: January 2016

Background

Two previous systematic reviews describe studies on journal clubs from 1995 to 2007.

Aims

To gather, assess, and synthesize the current empirical evidence on implementation of journal clubs, influencing factors, and outcomes of journal clubs in promoting evidence‐based nursing.

Design

: A systematic review based on the procedure of the Centre for Reviews and Dissemination.

Data Sources and Methods

Cochrane, CINAHL, and PubMed Medline databases were sought from 2008 to 2015. The final data consisted of 10 studies. Articles’ references were searched manually. The quality appraisal was made according to study design. Data were analyzed by qualitative content analysis and narrative synthesis.

Results

The analyses produced four main categories with 14 subcategories that described the journal clubs: organization, conduct of meetings, influencing factors, and intervention outcomes. Journal clubs had been carried out in a fairly uniform manner in different nursing communities. There remains a lack of evidence on journal clubs’ impact on evidence‐based nursing (EBN) implementation, which challenges the development of journal clubs’ content and methods.

Linking Evidence to Action

Because journal clubs have achieved a uniform and easy‐to‐follow manner that is suitable for different nursing contexts and provide multiple positive outcomes, they are recommended for EBN. In work communities, journal clubs should be combined with other well‐known factors that promote EBN implementation. The assessment of the outcomes of journal clubs should cover all learning categories of EBN with a focus on medium‐ to long‐term effectiveness. The evaluation of the effectiveness of journal clubs on patient care is of great importance for future studies.
Investigation of Pile-Up Behavior for Thermal Barrier Coatings Under Elevated-Temperature Indentation
Authors: Qu Zhaoliang , Pei Yongmao , He Rujie , Fang Daining
Published: January 2016

The elevated-temperature indentation has been utilized to measure the elevated-temperature mechanical properties of thermal barrier coatings (TBCs), which have a major influence on their thermomechanical characteristics and failures. In this paper, the pile-up phenomenon of TBCs under elevated-temperature indentation was investigated, and a characterization method for Young's modulus of TBCs was proposed. According to the dimensional analysis and finite-element method, a critical temperature-dependent factor was conducted as the criterion for pile-up behavior. Some experiment results agreed fairly well with the criterion. Then, the pile-up behavior of TBCs at elevated temperature was studied. It was found that the pile-up behavior depended on the temperature-dependent factor and got larger with increasing temperature. Finally, a characterization method was proposed to extract the Young's modulus of TBCs, which was found to be more suitable for elevated-temperature indentation.
Global Synthesis for Face Milled Spiral Bevel Gears With Zero Transmission Errors
Authors: Wang Peng , Zhang Yidu , Wan Min
Published: January 2016

Local synthesis establishes a relationship between the relative motion and the local geometry properties of gear and pinion surfaces at one single (mean) point. Theoretically, local synthesis design of spiral bevel and hypoid gears cannot ensure the contact performance along the entire contact point path (CPP) resulting in uncontrolled contact ellipses with different sizes and unavoidable transmission errors (TEs). Based on local synthesis, tooth contact analysis (TCA) and third-order contact analysis provide supplementary methods for improvement but still cannot directly control the entire CPP. A global synthesis approach is proposed to directly design the entire CPP by which it is possible to design each instantaneous contact ellipse (ICE) for load capacity and to achieve any function of TEs. A detailed implementation based on a free-form five-axis machine is presented in which the machine settings are obtained by definite relative position and motion between the tool and the workpiece at every instant. An example and the results obtained from the authors’ implementation are also provided for illustration and validation and show better control of contact ellipses and remarkable reduction of TEs to near zero.
Soft Origami: Classification, Constraint, and Actuation of Highly Compliant Origami Structures
Authors: Wheeler Charles M. , Culpepper Martin L.
Published: January 2016

Herein, we discuss the folding of highly compliant origami structures—“Soft Origami.” There are benefits to be had in folding compliant sheets (which cannot self-guide their motion) rather than conventional rigid origami. Example applications include scaffolds for artificial tissue generation and foldable substrates for flexible electronic assemblies. Highly compliant origami has not been contemplated by existing theory, which treats origami structures largely as rigid or semirigid mechanisms with compliant hinges—“mechanism-reliant origami.” We present a quantitative metric—the origami compliance metric (OCM)—that aids in identifying proper modeling of a homogeneous origami structure based upon the compliance regime it falls into (soft, hybrid, or mechanism-reliant). We discuss the unique properties, applications, and design drivers for practical implementation of Soft Origami. We detail a theory of proper constraint by which an ideal soft structure's number of degrees-of-freedom may be approximated as 3n, where n is the number of vertices of the fold pattern. Buckling and sagging behaviors in very compliant structures can be counteracted with the application of tension; we present a method for calculating the tension force required to reduce sagging error below a user-prescribed value. Finally, we introduce a concept for a scalable process in which a few actuators and stretching membranes may be used to simultaneously fold many origami substructures that share common degrees-of-freedom.
Overview of NIST Activities on Subsize and Miniaturized Charpy Specimens: Correlations With Full-Size Specimens and Verification Specimens for Small-Scale Pendulum Machines
Authors: Lucon Enrico , McCowan Chris N. , Santoyo Raymond L.
Published: January 2016

NIST in Boulder, CO investigated the correlations between impact test results obtained from standard, full-size Charpy V-notch (CVN) specimens and specimens with reduced thickness (subsize Charpy V-notch specimens (SCVN)) or reduced or scaled cross section dimensions (miniaturized Charpy V-notch specimens (MCVN)). A database of instrumented impact test results was generated from four line pipe steels: two quenched alloy steels, a tempered alloy steel, and a 18 Ni maraging steel. Correlations between specimen types were established and compared with the previously published relationships, considering absorbed energy (KV), ductile-to-brittle transition temperature (DBTT), and upper shelf energy (USE). Acceptable correlations were found for the different parameters, even though the uncertainty of predictions appears exacerbated by the expected significant experimental scatter. Furthermore, we report on the development of MCVN specimens for the indirect verification of small-scale pendulum machines (with potential energies between 15 J and 50 J), which cannot be verified with full-size verification specimens. Small-scale pendulum machines can now be verified at room temperature with certified reference specimens of KLST type (3 mm × 4 mm × 27 mm), supplied by NIST at three certified KV levels (low energy (LL), 1.59 J; high energy (HH), 5.64 J; and super-high (SH) energy, 10.05 J). These specimens can also be used to verify the performance of instrumented Charpy strikers through certified maximum force values. Certified reference values for both KV and maximum force were established by means of an interlaboratory comparison (Round-Robin), which involved nine qualified and experienced international laboratories.