bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The ability to self‐monitor cognitive performance during 60 h total sleep deprivation and following 2 nights recovery sleep
Authors: Boardman Johanna M. , Bei Bei , Mellor Alix , Anderson Clare , Sletten Tracey L. , Drummond Sean P. A.
Published: November 2017

We aimed to investigate whether self‐monitoring of performance is altered during 60 h of total sleep deprivation, following 2 nights of recovery sleep, and by task difficulty and/or subjective sleepiness. Forty adults (22 females, aged 19–39 years) underwent a 5‐day protocol, with a well‐rested day, 66 h total sleep deprivation (last test session at 60 h), and 2 nights of 8 h recovery sleep. An arithmetic task (MATH) with three difficulty levels assessed working memory. The Psychomotor Vigilance Task assessed sustained attention. Arithmetic accuracy and Psychomotor Vigilance Task median reaction time measured objective performance. Subjective performance was measured with self‐reported accuracy and speed. Objective–subjective differences assessed self‐monitoring ability. The performance on both tasks declined during total sleep deprivation and improved following recovery. During total sleep deprivation, participants accurately self‐monitored performance on the Psychomotor Vigilance Task; however, they overestimated cognitive deficits on MATH, self‐reporting performance as worse than actually observed. Following recovery, participants overestimated the extent of performance improvement on the Psychomotor Vigilance Task. Task difficulty influenced self‐monitoring ability, with greater overestimation of performance deficits during total sleep deprivation as difficulty increased. Subjective sleepiness predicted subjective performance ratings at several time points, only for the Psychomotor Vigilance Task. The ability to self‐monitor performance was impaired during total sleep deprivation for working memory and after recovery sleep for the Psychomotor Vigilance Task, but was otherwise accurate. The development of self‐monitoring strategies, assessing both subjective perceptions of performance and subjective sleepiness, within operational contexts may help reduce the consequences of sleep‐related impairments.
Mapping the Role of Women in Indian Agriculture
Authors: MAJUMDER JOYDEEP , SHAH PRIYANKA
Published: November 2017

Women provide crucial support in Indian agriculture and household livelihood; however, they remain confined as workers. Designed farm tools available are mainly used by male farmers, and rural women are left to use traditional tools and procedures resulting in low efficiency, drudgery, occupational health risks, and low income. Their contributions fall under indirect material income and go unacknowledged even in decision making. Illiteracy, lack of knowledge among rural women, improper training, and less opportunity for skill development worsen their subdued existence. Formal education, availability of economically viable agricultural machinery for women, training, extension services, social engineering, and gender budgeting is need of the hour. Gender budgeting would assess the quantity and adequacy of allocation of resources for women and establish the extent to which gender commitments are translated into budgetary commitments. Active participation of rural women would boost their socioeconomic recognition, confidence in economic competence, and promulgate sustainable societal growth.
Functional differences in transport properties of natural HKT1;1 variants influence shoot Na+ exclusion in grapevine rootstocks
Authors: Henderson Sam W. , Dunlevy Jake D. , Wu Yue , Blackmore Deidre H. , Walker Rob R. , Edwards Everard J. , Gilliham Matthew , Walker Amanda R.
Published: November 2017

Under salinity, Vitis spp. rootstocks can mediate salt (NaCl) exclusion from grafted V. vinifera scions enabling higher grapevine yields and production of superior wines with lower salt content. Until now, the genetic and mechanistic elements controlling sodium (Na+) exclusion in grapevine were unknown.

Using a cross between two Vitis interspecific hybrid rootstocks, we mapped a dominant quantitative trait locus (QTL) associated with leaf Na+ exclusion (NaE) under salinity stress. The NaE locus encodes six high‐affinity potassium transporters (HKT). Transcript profiling and functional characterization in heterologous systems identified VisHKT1;1 as the best candidate gene for controlling leaf Na+ exclusion.

We characterized four proteins encoded by unique VisHKT1;1 alleles from the parents, and revealed that the dominant HKT variants exhibit greater Na+ conductance with less rectification than the recessive variants. Mutagenesis of VisHKT1;1 and TaHKT1.5‐D from bread wheat, demonstrated that charged amino acid residues in the eighth predicted transmembrane domain of HKT proteins reduces inward Na+ conductance, and causes inward rectification of Na+ transport.

The origin of the recessive VisHKT1;1 alleles was traced to V. champinii and V. rupestris. We propose that the genetic and functional data presented here will assist with breeding Na+‐tolerant grapevine rootstocks.
Bleomycin‐induced flagellate erythema after venous malformation sclerosis—Case report and brief review
Authors: Pinto Cristina , Lorca‐Garcia Concepción , Berenguer Beatriz , De Tomás Palacios Maria Elena
Published: November 2017

Bleomycin‐induced flagellate erythema is a rare but typical skin toxicity of bleomycin. We report the case of a boy with a left foot venous malformation who developed this skin rash after two sessions of bleomycin intralesional injection. We discuss the mechanism and characteristics of this reaction to bleomycin, which is usually benign and self‐limited. We conclude that, although rare, flagellate pigmentation can occur when bleomycin is used as a sclerosant in children.
Severe Stevens‐Johnson syndrome/toxic epidermal necrolysis overlap syndrome—beyond skin involvement
Authors: Milheiro Silva Tiago , Farela Neves João , Casimiro Ana , Varandas Luís , Gouveia Catarina
Published: November 2017

Stevens–Johnson syndrome (SJS) and toxic epidermal necrolysis (TEN) are rare but serious dermatologic diseases with many potential multisystem complications. We describe the case of an 8‐year‐old girl who developed severe SJS/TEN overlap syndrome (25% of her body surface area was affected) complicated by pancreatitis and bronchiolitis obliterans. These rare complications emphasize the need for careful, intensive monitoring of possible complications and an interdisciplinary team approach to provide optimal treatment and follow‐up.
Breathing space: the inspired ecosystem of Paradise Lost
Authors: Taylor Whitney B.
Published: November 2017

This essay argues that John Milton's Paradise Lost devises its poetic inspiration out of the combined theological and environmental concepts of a broader inspired creation as a space that breathes. Milton activates his vision of inspiration beyond the epic's proems to realize a more general shared breathing among humans, the divine, other creatures, and their environment. Many scholarly considerations of Milton's invocations have focused on poetic authority in the epic or anxieties that Milton's muse will usurp his voice. Reading an inspired ecosystem in Paradise Lost significantly recasts these questions in light of a much more pressing and immediate need for inspiration: the possibility that an inspired epic can offer the poet and his readers access to divine creation in the salvific form of poetry.
Xyloglucan in the primary cell wall: assessment by FESEM, selective enzyme digestions and nanogold affinity tags
Authors: Zheng Yunzhen , Wang Xuan , Chen Yuning , Wagner Edward , Cosgrove Daniel J.
Published: November 2017

Xyloglucan has been hypothesized to bind extensively to cellulose microfibril surfaces and to tether microfibrils into a load‐bearing network, thereby playing a central role in wall mechanics and growth, but this view is challenged by newer results. Here we combined high‐resolution imaging by field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM) with nanogold affinity tags and selective endoglucanase treatments to assess the spatial location and conformation of xyloglucan in onion cell walls. FESEM imaging of xyloglucanase‐digested cell walls revealed an altered microfibril organization but did not yield clear evidence of xyloglucan conformations. Backscattered electron detection provided excellent detection of nanogold affinity tags in the context of wall fibrillar organization. Labelling with xyloglucan‐specific CBM76 conjugated with nanogold showed that xyloglucans were associated with fibril surfaces in both extended and coiled conformations, but tethered configurations were not observed. Labelling with nanogold‐conjugated CBM3, which binds the hydrophobic surface of crystalline cellulose, was infrequent until the wall was predigested with xyloglucanase, whereupon microfibril labelling was extensive. When tamarind xyloglucan was allowed to bind to xyloglucan‐depleted onion walls, CBM76 labelling gave positive evidence for xyloglucans in both extended and coiled conformations, yet xyloglucan chains were not directly visible by FESEM. These results indicate that an appreciable, but still small, surface of cellulose microfibrils in the onion wall is tightly bound with extended xyloglucan chains and that some of the xyloglucan has a coiled conformation.
Talking with the Scientists: Promoting Scientific Citizenship at School through Participatory and Deliberative Approach
Authors: Cornali Federica
Published: November 2017

Unceasing and pervasive, techno-scientific innovation has changed the social demand for science education over the last few decades. Science education is no longer asked only to train specialists for the technical and scientific professions or for research, but strives to spread science for the citizen. The challenge is to make most people capable of seeing and understanding the impact of science and technology in everyday life, of thinking critically about them and making informed decisions. In recent decades, moreover, the frequent controversies (e.g. on genetic engineering) – as well as the string of alarming events (such as the climate change) where science and politics failed to provide decisive solutions – have stimulated lively interest in public participation in fields traditionally dominated by specialists expertise. This paper, after a brief introduction to the concept of civic scientific literacy and its recent developments, will focus on practices of deliberative democracy that allow citizens to participate directly in decision-making about socio-scientific issues. Starting from an analysis of an initiative conducted in Italian high schools, the paper discusses the contribution that introducing participatory and deliberative practices in a school setting can play in promoting scientific citizenship.
Dynamic Analysis of a Spatial Mechanism Including Frictionless Spherical Clearance Joint With Flexible Socket
Authors: Hou Jianhong , Yao Guofeng , Huang Huili
Published: November 2017

In this paper, the dynamic response of a spatial four-bar mechanism with a spherical clearance joint with flexible socket is investigated. Previous research treats the socket as a whole rigid part and neglects the flexibility of the socket. In order to better describe the influence of the spherical clearance joint, a rigid-flexible coupling model of a four-bar mechanism is established, in which the socket of the spherical clearance joint is treated as flexible body. The dynamic responses of this spatial mechanism are discussed for the mechanism with a flexible socket and the case with traditional rigid socket. Furthermore, the effects of clearance size and driving speed are also separately discussed. The results demonstrated that the dynamic response of mechanism is affected by the clearance joint. The socket flexibility can relieve the undesired effects of the clearance on the responses of the mechanism with clearance. The flexible socket acts as a suspension for the mechanism with clearance joint.
Condensation of a Quiescent Vapor by a Stagnation-Point Liquid Flow
Authors: Balasubramaniam R. , Ramé E.
Published: November 2017

We analyze the condensation of a quiescent vapor, that is in equilibrium with its liquid, induced by a stagnation point flow in the liquid. The liquid flow brings subcooled liquid from far away to the interface. The ensuing heat transfer causes the vapor to condense. A similarity formulation for the liquid and vapor flow fields and the liquid temperature field is pursued, and a perturbation solution is performed when the ratio of the product of viscosity and density of the vapor to that of the liquid is small. A two-term higher order asymptotic solution is shown to be in excellent agreement with numerical results. The reduction in the rate of condensation due to the presence of a noncondensable gas in the vapor that is insoluble in the liquid is also analyzed.
Characteristics of Volcanic Ash in a Gas Turbine Combustor and Nozzle Guide Vanes
Authors: Jiang Lei-Yong , Han Yinghua , Patnaik Prakash
Published: November 2017

To understand the physics of volcanic ash impact on gas turbine hot-components and develop much-needed tools for engine design and fleet management, the behaviors of volcanic ash in a gas turbine combustor and nozzle guide vanes (NGV) have been numerically investigated. High-fidelity numerical models are generated, and volcanic ash sample, physical, and thermal properties are identified. A simple critical particle viscosity—critical wall temperature model is proposed and implemented in all simulations to account for ash particles bouncing off or sticking on metal walls. The results indicate that due to the particle inertia and combustor geometry, the volcanic ash concentration in the NGV cooling passage generally increases with ash size and density, and is less sensitive to inlet velocity. It can reach three times as high as that at the air inlet for the engine conditions and ash properties investigated. More importantly, a large number of the ash particles entering the NGV cooling chamber are trapped in the cooling flow passage for all four turbine inlet temperature conditions. This may reveal another volcanic ash damage mechanism originated from engine cooling flow passage. Finally, some suggestions are recommended for further research and development in this challenging field. To the best of our knowledge, it is the first study on detailed ash behaviors inside practical gas turbine hot-components in the open literature.
Probabilistic Fracture Mechanics for Heavy-Duty Gas Turbine Rotor Forgings
Authors: Kadau Kai , Gravett Phillip W. , Amann Christian
Published: November 2017

We developed and successfully applied a direct simulation Monte Carlo (MC) scheme to quantify the risk of fracture for heavy-duty rotors commonly used in the energy sector. The developed probabilistic fracture mechanics (FM), high-performance computing methodology, and code ProbFM routinely assess relevant modes of operation for a component by performing billions of individual FM simulations. The methodology can be used for new design and life optimization of components, as well as for the risk of failure RoF quantification of in service rotors and their requalifications in conjunction with nondestructive examination techniques, such as ultrasonic testing (UT). The developed probabilistic scheme integrates material data, UT information, duty-cycle data, and finite element analysis (FEA) in order to determine the RoF. The methodology provides an integrative and robust measure of the fitness for service and allows for a save and reliable operation management of heavy-duty rotating equipment.
‘David and Goliath’ weather eyes set forlaunch
Authors: Hand Eric
Published: November 2017

Microwave-sensing CubeSats could bolster fragile polar weather satellite
system
Skin color variation in Africa
Authors: Tang Hua , Barsh Gregory S.
Published: November 2017

Genetics of skin color has implications for pigmentary biology and human evolution
Nuclear hyaluronidase 2 drives alternative splicing of
CD44
pre-mRNA to determine profibrotic or antifibrotic cell phenotype
Authors: Midgley Adam C. , Oltean Sebastian , Hascall Vincent , Woods Emma L. , Steadman Robert , Phillips Aled O. , Meran Soma
Published: November 2017

Hyaluronidase 2 displaces the splicing machinery to favor the production of an antifibrotic isoform of the cell surface protein CD44.
Living with Crohn’s disease: an exploratory cross-sectional qualitative study into decision-making and expectations in relation to autologous haematopoietic stem cell treatment (the DECIDES study)
Authors: Cooper Joanne , Blake Iszara , Lindsay James O , Hawkey Christopher J
Published: November 2017

Background/Objectives

Severe Crohn’s disease impacts negatively on individual quality of life, with treatment options limited once conventional therapies have been exhausted. The aim of this study was to explore factors influencing decision-making and expectations of people considering or participating in the Autologous Haematopoietic Stem Cell Treatment trial.

Methods

An international, cross-sectional qualitative study, involving semistructured face to face interviews across five sites (four UK and one Spain). 38 participants were interviewed (13 men, 25 women; age range 23–67 years; mean age 37 years). The mean age at diagnosis was 20 years. Interviews were audio recorded and transcribed verbatim and transcripts were analysed using a framework approach.

Results

Four themes emerged from the analysis: (1) ‘making your mind up’—a determination to receive stem cell treatment despite potential risks; (2) communicating and understanding risks and benefits; (3) non-participation—your choice or mine? (4) recovery and reframing of personal expectations.

Conclusions

Decision-making and expectations of people with severe Crohn’s disease in relation to autologous haematopoietic stem cell treatment is a complex process influenced by participants’ histories of battling with their condition, a frequent willingness to consider novel treatment options despite potential risks and, in some cases, a raised level of expectation about the benefits of trial participation. Discussions with patients who are considering novel treatments should take into account potential ‘therapeutic misestimation’, thereby enhancing shared decision-making, informed consent and the communication with those deemed non-eligible.

ASTIC trial EudraCT Number

2005-003337-40: results.
A new risk locus inCHCHD5for hypertension and obesity in a Chinese child population: a cohort study
Authors: Wu Lijun , Gao Liwang , Zhao Xiaoyuan , Zhang Meixian , Wu Jianxin , Mi Jie
Published: November 2017

Objective

Coiled-coil-helix-coiled-coil-helix domain containing 5 (CHCHD5), a mitochondrial protein, is involved in the oxidative folding process in the mitochondrial intermembrane space. A previous study identified a hypertension-related single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP), rs3748024, inCHCHD5in adults, but there are no reports regarding the association betweenCHCHD5and obesity, which is a known risk factor for hypertension. The aim of the present study is to investigate the associations of the SNP rs3748024 with hypertension and obesity.

Design

Cohort study.

Setting

Institute of Pediatrics in China.

Participants

We genotyped the SNP rs3748024 in the Beijing Child and Adolescent Metabolic Syndrome study. A total of 3503 children participated in the study.

Primary and secondary outcome measures

Genotyping of rs3748024 was conducted using the TaqMan Allelic Discrimination Assay. Lipids and glucose were analysed by an automatic biochemical analyser using a kit assay. The levels of adipocytokines (leptin, adiponectin and resistin) were measured by ELISA techniques.

Results

There was a statistically significant association between rs3748024 and systolic blood pressure (SBP) (β=−0.853, 95% CI −1.482 to −0.024, p=0.044) under an additive model adjusted for age, gender and body mass index (BMI) after correction for multiple testing. The SNP was also significantly associated with BMI (β=−0.286, 95% CI −0.551 to −0.021, p=0.043), obesity (OR=0.828, 95% CI 0.723 to 0.949, p=0.018) and triglycerides (β=−0.039, 95% CI −0.070 to −0.007, p=0.044) after correction for multiple testing.

Conclusions

We demonstrate for the first time that the SNP rs3748024 inCHCHD5is associated with SBP, BMI, obesity and triglycerides in Chinese children. Our study identifies a new risk locus for hypertension and obesity in a child population. The function of CHCHD5 remains to be further studied to help elucidate the pathogenic role of CHCHD5 in hypertension and obesity.
Cross-sectional comparative study of risky sexual behaviours among HIV-infected persons initiated and waiting to start antiretroviral therapy in rural Rakai, Uganda
Authors: Nakiganda Lydia Jacenta , Nakigozi Gertrude , Kagaayi Joseph , Nalugoda Fred , Serwadda David , Sewankambo Nelson , Gray Ronald , Ndyanabo Anthony , Muwanika Richard , Asamoah Benedict Oppong
Published: November 2017

Objectives

To compare risky sexual behaviours between HIV-positive persons initiated on antiretroviral therapy (ART) (ART-experienced) and persons waiting to start on ART (ART-naive) and assess predictors of risky sexual behaviours among HIV-infected patients in rural Rakai district, Uganda.

Study design

This is a cross-sectional study that used data from the Rakai Community Cohort Study (RCCS) database between 2013 and 2014. A structured questionnaire was used for data collection. We used stepwise logistic regression as an index to estimate the adjusted ORs for the association between risky sexual behaviours and ART treatment status.

Study setting

This study was conducted in Rakai district, located in south-western Uganda. The data for this study were extracted from the RCCS. RCCS is an open prospective cohort of approximately 15 000 consenting participants aged 15–49 years.

Participants

HIV-positive participants aged 18–49 years who had sex at least once a month with any partner prior to the start of the study.

Main outcome measures

Inconsistent/no condom use in the last 12 months, alcohol use at last sexual encounter, and two or more sexual partners.

Results

ART-naive participants were more likely to report inconsistent condom use (OR=1.74, 95% CI 1.11 to 2.73) and more likely to drink alcohol at last sexual encounter (OR=1.65, 95% CI 1.11 to 2.46), compared with ART-experienced patients. ART treatment status (p<0.001) was a significant predictor of risky sexual behaviours. Both marital status (p=0.016) and occupation level (p=0.009) were positively associated with inconsistent condom use, while sex (p<0.001) correlated with alcohol use at last sexual encounter.

Conclusion

ART-naive participants were more likely to exhibit risky sexual behaviours than the ART-experienced participants. The intensity of risk reduction counselling should be increased for HIV-positive persons waiting to start ART but already in HIV care.
Cost-effectiveness of planned birth in a birth centre compared with alternative planned places of birth: results of the Dutch Birth Centre study
Authors: Hitzert Marit , Hermus Marieke, MAA , Boesveld Inge, IC , Franx Arie , van der Pal-de Bruin Karin, KM , Steegers Eric, EAP , van den Akker-van Marle EIske, ME
Published: November 2017

Objectives

To estimate the cost-effectiveness of a planned birth in a birth centre compared with alternative planned places of birth for low-risk women. In addition, a distinction has been made between different types of locations and integration profiles of birth centres.

Design

Economic evaluation based on a prospective cohort study.

Setting

21 Dutch birth centres, 46 hospital locations where midwife-led birth was possible and 110 midwifery practices where home birth was possible.

Participants

3455 low-risk women under the care of a community midwife at the start of labour in the Netherlands within the study period 1 July 2013 to 31 December 2013.

Main outcome measures

Costs and health outcomes of birth for different planned places of birth. Healthcare costs were measured from start of labour until 7 days after birth. The health outcomes were assessed by the Optimality Index-NL2015 (OI) and a composite adverse outcomes score.

Results

The total adjusted mean costs for births planned in a birth centre, in a hospital and at home under the care of a community midwife were €3327, €3330 and €2998, respectively. There was no difference between the score on the OI for women who planned to give birth in a birth centre and that of women who planned to give birth in a hospital. Women who planned to give birth at home had better outcomes on the OI (higher score on the OI).

Conclusions

We found no differences in costs and health outcomes for low-risk women under the care of a community midwife with a planned birth in a birth centre and in a hospital. For nulliparous and multiparous low-risk women, planned birth at home was the most cost-effective option compared with planned birth in a birth centre.
Data quality and 30-day survival for out-of-hospital cardiac arrest in the UK out-of-hospital cardiac arrest registry: a data linkage study
Authors: Rajagopal Sangeerthana , Booth Scott J , Brown Terry P , Ji Chen , Hawkes Claire , Siriwardena A Niroshan , Kirby Kim , Black Sarah , Spaight Robert , Gunson Imogen , Brace-McDonnell Samantha J , Perkins Gavin D
Published: November 2017

Objectives

The Out-of-Hospital Cardiac Arrest Outcomes (OHCAO) project aims to understand the epidemiology and outcomes of out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) across the UK. This data linkage study is a subproject of OHCAO. The aim was to establish the feasibility of linking OHCAO data to National Health Service (NHS) patient demographic data and Office for National Statistics (ONS) date of death data held on the NHS Personal Demographics Service (PDS) database to improve OHCAO demographic data quality and enable analysis of 30-day survival from OHCA.

Design and setting

Data were collected from 1 January 2014 to 31 December 2014 as part of a prospective, observational study of OHCA attended by 10 English NHS Ambulance Services. 28 729 OHCA cases had resuscitation attempted by Emergency Medical Services and were included in the study. Data linkage was carried out using a data linkage service provided by NHS Digital, a national provider of health-related data. To assess data linkage feasibility a random sample of 3120 cases was selected. The sample was securely transferred to NHS Digital to be matched using OHCAO patient demographic data to return previously missing demographic data and provide ONS date of death data.

Results

A total of 2513 (80.5%) OHCAO cases were matched to patients in the NHS PDS database. Using the linkage process, missing demographic data were retrieved for 1636 (72.7%) out of 2249 OHCAO cases that had previously incomplete demographic data. Returned ONS date of death data allowed analysis of 30-day survival status. The results showed a 30-day survival rate of 9.3%, reducing unknown survival status from 46.1% to 8.5%.

Conclusions

In this sample, data linkage between the OHCAO registry and NHS PDS database was shown to be feasible, improving demographic data quality and allowing analysis of 30-day survival status.
Patient and practice characteristics predicting attendance and completion at a specialist weight management service in the UK: a cross-sectional study
Authors: Blane David N , McLoone Philip , Morrison David , Macdonald Sara , O’Donnell Catherine A
Published: November 2017

Objective

To determine the association between patient and referring practice characteristics and attendance and completion at a specialist health service weight management service (WMS).

Design

Cross-sectional study.

Setting

Regional specialist WMS located in the West of Scotland.

Participants

9677 adults with obesity referred between 2012 and 2014; 3250 attending service and 2252 completing.

Primary and secondary outcome measures

Primary outcome measure was attendance at the WMS; secondary outcome was completion, defined as attending four or more sessions.

Analysis

Multilevel binary logistic regression models constructed to determine the association between patient and practice characteristics and attendance and completion.

Results

Approximately one-third of the 9677 obese adults referred attended at least one session (n=3250, 33.6%); only 2252 (23%) completed by attending four or more sessions. Practice referrals ranged from 1 to 257. Patient-level characteristics were strongest predictors of attendance; odds of attendance increased with age (OR 4.14, 95% CI 3.27 to 5.26 for adults aged 65+ compared with those aged 18–24), body mass index (BMI) category (OR 1.83, 95% CI 1.56 to 2.15 for BMI 45+ compared with BMI 30–35) and increasing affluence (OR 1.96, 95% CI 1.17 to 3.28). Practice-level characteristics most strongly associated with attendance were being a non-training practice, having a larger list size and not being located in the most deprived areas.

Conclusions

There was wide variation in referral rates across general practice, suggesting that there is still much to do to improve engagement with weight management by primary care practitioners. The high attrition rate from referral to attendance and from attendance to completion suggests ongoing barriers for patients, particularly those from the most socioeconomically deprived areas. Patient and practice-level characteristics can help us understand the observed variation in attendance at specialist WMS following general practitioner (GP) referral and the underlying explanations for these differences merit further investigation.
Effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of duloxetine added to usual care for patients with chronic pain due to hip or knee osteoarthritis: protocol of a pragmatic open-label cluster randomised trial (the DUO trial)
Authors: van den Driest Jacoline J , Schiphof Dieuwke , Luijsterburg Pim A J , Koffeman Aafke R , Koopmanschap Marc A , Bindels Patrick J E , Bierma-Zeinstra Sita M A
Published: November 2017

Introduction

Osteoarthritis (OA) is a highly prevalent painful condition of the musculoskeletal system. The effectiveness of current analgesic options has proven to be limited and improved analgesic treatment is needed. Several randomised placebo-controlled trials have now demonstrated the efficacy of duloxetine, an antidepressant with a centrally acting effect, in the treatment of OA pain. The aim of the current study is to investigate if duloxetine is effective and cost-effective as a third-choice analgesic added to usual care for treating chronic pain compared with usual care alone in general practice.

Methods and analysis

A pragmatic open, cluster randomised trial is conducted. Patients with pain due to hip or knee OA on most days of the past 3 months with insufficient benefit of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs or contraindications or intolerable side effects are included. General practices are randomised to either (1) duloxetine and usual care or (2) usual care only. Primary outcome is pain at 3 months measured on the Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC) pain subscale. Secondary outcomes at 3 months and 1 year are pain (WOMAC, at 1 year), function (WOMAC), adverse reactions, quality of life and modification of the response to treatment by the presence of centrally sensitised pain (modified PainDETECT). At 1 year, medical and productivity costs will be assessed. Analyses will be performed following the intention-to-treat principle taking the cluster design into account.

Ethics and dissemination

The study is approved by the local Medical Ethics Committee (2015–293). Results will be published in a scientific peer-reviewed journal and will be communicated at conferences.

Trial registration number

Dutch Trial Registry(ntr4798); Pre-results.
Energy-dependent harmonic oscillator in noncommutative space: A path integral approach
Authors: Benchikha A. , Merad M.
Published: November 2017

In the context of noncommutative quantum mechanics, the energy-dependent harmonic oscillator problem is solved via path integral approach. The propagator of the system is calculated using polar coordinates. The normalized wave functions and the energy eigenvalues are obtained in two different cases.
Novel Distributed Scheduling Algorithms for mmWave Mesh Networks
Authors: Ibrahim Muhammad K. , Ismail Mahmoud H. , El-Kharashi M. Watheq
Published: November 2017

This paper addresses throughput improvement in millimeter-wave (mmWave) mesh networks via two novel distributed scheduling algorithms. The first one uses packet aggregation and block acknowledgment (ACK) that were introduced in the IEEE Std 802.11e-2005 for WiFi. Specifically, a distributed time-division multiplexing scheduling algorithm, which targets increasing the network capacity via reserving as many contiguous slots as possible for each node, is proposed thus enabling packet aggregation. This algorithm achieves its goal when the operating signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) is significantly high. If that is not the case, the second proposed algorithm can be used. It is a distributed one that starts initially with a random feasible schedule determined cooperatively between nodes. The algorithm then tries to reach better feasible schedules via parallel and successive local searches without violating feasibility constraints. Extensive simulations show that the first algorithm improves the network throughput by almost [Formula: see text] compared to the well-known memory-guided directional medium access control (MDMAC) due to reducing the transmission overhead. The second proposed algorithm is shown to increase the number of reserved slots by about [Formula: see text] over MDMAC. Both algorithms are shown to either increase or almost maintain the same degree of fairness among the nodes as quantified by Jain’s fairness index.
A Novel Design and FPGA Implementation of Filters Adapted Using LMS Variants
Authors: Sakshi  , Kumar Ravi
Published: November 2017

Adaptive filters have wide range of applications in areas such as echo or interference cancellation, prediction and system identification. Due to high computational complexity of adaptive filters, their hardware implementation is not an easy task. However, it becomes essential in many cases where real-time execution is needed. This paper presents the design and hardware implementation of a variable step size 40 order adaptive filter for de-noising acoustic signals. To ensure an area efficient implementation, a novel structure is being proposed. The proposed structure eliminates the requirement of extra registers for storage of delayed inputs thereby reducing the silicon area. The structure is compared with direct-form and transposed-form structures by adapting the filter coefficients using four different variants of the least means square (LMS) algorithm. Subsequently, the filters are implemented on three different field programmable gate arrays (FPGAs) viz. Spartan 6, Virtex 6 and Virtex 7 to find out the best device family that can be used to implement an Adaptive noise canceller (ANC) by comparing speed, power and area utilization. The synthesis results clearly reveal that ANC designed using the proposed structure has resulted in a reduction in silicon area without incurring any significant overhead in terms of power or delay.
Calculations of the decay transitions of the modified Pöschl–Teller potential model via Bohr Hamiltonian technique
Authors: Soheibi Nahid , Hamzavi Majid , Eshghi Mahdi , Ikhdair Sameer M.
Published: November 2017

We calculate the eigenvalues and their corresponding eigenfunctions of the Bohr’s collective Hamiltonian with the help of the modified Pöschl–Teller (MPT) potential model within [Formula: see text]-unstable structure. Our numerical results for the ground state (g.s.) [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text] band heads, together with the electric quadrupole [Formula: see text] transition rates, are displayed and compared with the available experimental data.
Navigating Critical Thresholds in Natural Resource Management: A Case Study of Olympic National Park
Authors: Petersen Brian , Stuart Diana
Published: November 2017

As global climate change brings an increasing number of ecosystems closer to critical thresholds, land managers face new challenges regarding how to avoid and/or adapt to these dramatic changes. This paper focuses on park management for wildlife species in Olympic National Park, United States. The Olympic Marmot (Marmota olympus) and anadromous fish species are of specific concern, as ecosystems near thresholds due to warming temperatures, change in species interactions, and the loss or degradation of critical habitat. Interviews with 30 park managers and government agency staff indicate that there are many barriers to successfully navigating ecological thresholds. Park managers have limited resources for monitoring and priorities still focus on current conditions rather than anticipating future ecosystem change. In addition, many drivers of ecological change take place outside of park boundaries and require larger-scale approaches. In order to proactively navigate thresholds and protect wildlife species, park managers will need more resources, flexibility, and cooperation outside of park boundaries.
Urinary bladder hypertrophy characteristic of male ROMK Bartter’s mice does not occur in female mice
Authors: Kim Jun-Mo , Xu Shuhua , Guo Xiaoyun , Hu Haiyan , Dong Ke , Wang Tong
Published: November 2017

The renal outer medullary potassium channel (ROMK; Kir1.1) plays an important role in Na+and K+homeostasis. ROMK knockout (KO) mice show a similar phenotype to Bartter’s syndrome of salt wasting and dehydration due to reduced Na-2Cl-K-cotransporter activity but not in ROMK1 KO mice. ROMK KO mice also show hydronephrosis; however, the mechanism of this phenotype has not been understood. We have previously demonstrated a gender-sex difference in hydronephrosis and PGE2production in ROMK KO mice. In this study we compared the gender-sex difference in bladder hypertrophy and hydronephrosis in ROMK KO mice. The bladder weight, bladder capacity, and the thickness of urothelium in male ROMK KO showed average increased two to approximately fourfold greater than wild-type (WT) mice, but there was no difference in either female or ROMK1 KO mice. The thickness of the urothelium was 648.8 ± 33.2 µm vs. 302.7 ± 16.5 µm ( P < 0.001) and the detrusor muscle 1,940.7 ± 98.9 µm vs. 1,308.2 ± 102.1 µm ( P = 0.013), respectively, in 12-mo male ROMK KO mice compared with the same age WT mice. Western blotting detected ROMK expression at 45~48 kDa, and both ROMK1 and ROMK2 mRNA were detected by quantitative PCR in the bladder. Immunofluorescence staining showed ROMK stained in the bladder, ureter, and urethra in WT but not in KO. In addition, there was a correlation between the severity of hydronephrosis and the bladder weight in male but not in female ROMK KO mice. In conclusion, ROMK expressed in the urinary tract at both protein and mRNA levels; significant enlargement and hypertrophy of the bladder may contribute to hydronephrosis in male ROMK KO mice.
Reconstruction of the Cenozoic History of Hydrocarbon Fluids from Rifting Stage to Passive Continental Margin Stage in the Huizhou Sag, the Pearl River Mouth Basin
Authors: Li Yajun , Jiang Shu , Jiang Zhenglong , Liu Hao , Li Bingxi
Published: November 2017

The Eocene lacustrine sediments are the primary source rocks in the Huizhou Sag of the Pear River Mouth Basin. This study employs basin modeling for four representative wells and two profiles in the Huizhou Sag to reconstruct the process of generation, expulsion, migration, and accumulation of hydrocarbon fluids. The Eocene source rocks started to generate hydrocarbon at 33.9 Ma and are currently in a mid-mature and postmature stage. Hydrocarbons are mainly expelled from the Eocene Wenchang Fm, and the contribution of the Eocene Enping formation is minor. Under the driving forces of buoyancy and excess pressure, major hydrocarbons sourced from the Eocene source rocks firstly migrated laterally to the adjacent Eocene reservoirs during the postrift stage, then vertically via faults to Oligo-Miocene carrier beds, and finally laterally to the structural highs over a long distance during the Pliocene-Quaternary Neotectonic stage, which is controlled by both structural morphology and heterogeneity of carrier beds. Fault is the most important conduit for hydrocarbon fluid migration during the Neotectonic stage. Reactivation of previous faults and new-formed faults caused by the Dongsha Movement (9.8–4.4 Ma) served as vertical migration pathways after 10.0 Ma, which significantly influenced the timing of hydrocarbon accumulation in the postrift traps.
Protecting Private Data by Honey Encryption
Authors: Yin Wei , Indulska Jadwiga , Zhou Hongjian
Published: November 2017

The existing password-based encryption (PBE) methods that are used to protect private data are vulnerable to brute-force attacks. The reason is that, for a wrongly guessed key, the decryption process yields an invalid-looking plaintext message, confirming the invalidity of the key, while for the correct key it outputs a valid-looking plaintext message, confirming the correctness of the guessed key. Honey encryption helps to minimise this vulnerability. In this paper, we design and implement the honey encryption mechanisms and apply it to three types of private data including Chinese identification numbers, mobile phone numbers, and debit card passwords. We evaluate the performance of our mechanism and propose an enhancement to address the overhead issue. We also show lessons learned from designing, implementing, and evaluating the honey encryption mechanism.
Development of an Analytical Protocol for Determination of Cyanide in Human Biological Samples Based on Application of Ion Chromatography with Pulsed Amperometric Detection
Authors: Jaszczak Ewa , Ruman Marek , Narkowicz Sylwia , Namieśnik Jacek , Polkowska Żaneta
Published: November 2017

A simple and accurate ion chromatography (IC) method with pulsed amperometric detection (PAD) was proposed for the determination of cyanide ion in urine, sweat, and saliva samples. The sample pretreatment relies on alkaline digestion and application of Dionex OnGuard II H cartridge. Under the optimized conditions, the method showed good linearity in the range of 1–100 μg/L for urine, 5–100 μg/L for saliva, and 3–100 μg/L for sweat samples with determination coefficients (R)>0.992. Low detection limits (LODs) in the range of 1.8 μg/L, 5.1 μg/L, and 5.8 μg/L for urine, saliva, and sweat samples, respectively, and good repeatability (CV < 3%, n=3) were obtained. The proposed method has been successfully applied to the analysis of human biological samples.
Comunicação e gestão de mudanças: estudo de caso em uma indústria química
Authors: Felisbino Patrícia
Published: November 2017

Este artigo discute e analisa as contribuições da comunicação na gestão de mudanças em contextos empresariais e seu papel na obtenção da participação e comprometimento dos funcionários. Foi investigada a adoção da perspectiva humanista de comunicação que considera os funcionários como agentes na construção do futuro e da cultura organizacionais. A autora demonstra os resultados da investigação empírica, com estudo de caso sobre mudança realizada numa indústria química. As conclusões evidenciam que o emprego de ações de comunicação facilita a condução de mudanças organizacionais.
Guia de pesquisa e medição para elaborar e avaliar uma função excelente de Relações Públicas
Authors: Grunig James E.
Published: November 2017

Para que departamentos e programas de Relações Públicas sejam excelentes eles devem ser administrados da mesma forma como a pesquisa é realizada. Pesquisa formativa é necessária para planejar Relações Públicas e avaliar. Pesquisa avaliatória é necessária para estabelecer seu valor. Diversos tipos de pesquisa são necessários nos níveis de análise do programa, da sua funcionalidade e dos aspectos organizacionais e sociais. Este artigo fornece diretrizes para a realização desses diferentes tipos de pesquisas em Relações Públicas.
Metodologia e ações estratégicas no campo da Comunicação e da cultura visando desenvolvimento local sustentável
Authors: Pereira Carlos Alberto Messeder , Herschmann Micael
Published: November 2017

Análise do papel da Comunicação e da cultura como ferramentas para se construir diagnósticos capazes de oferecer subsídios para a elaboração de planos de ação e gestão que alavanquem o desenvolvimento local sustentável. Apresentação de uma metodologia de pesquisa que vem sendo empregada na análise de dois importantes Arranjos Produtivos Locais (APLs) que estão sendo implementados no Estado do Rio de Janeiro, com o apoio das principais agências de fomento e políticas públicas do País: o de Pedras Decorativas de Sto. Antônio de Pádua e de Moda Praia de Cabo Frio.
O e-mail nas organizações: recosntrução da sociabilidade perdida
Authors: Roman Artur
Published: November 2017

Este artigo discute os novos padrões de sociabilidade criados nas organizações com a introdução das Tecnologias de Informação e Comunicação (TICs). Propõe, também, um modelo explanatório de significados – para funcionários – do ato de produzir, ler e distribuir e-mails por meio das redes corporativas, com conteúdos considerados inúteis.
Weblogs na empresa: um guia para começar
Authors: Orihuela José Luis
Published: November 2017

Os weblogs têm sido usados como instrumento de comunicação das empresas, principalmente na Europa. Em forma de um guia com seis passos, o professor e blogueiro José Luis Orihuela, da Universidade de Navarra, Espanha, destaca a importância da implantação e uso dos blogs para a comunicação estratégica de empresas.
Relaciones Públicas y Tecnología de la Comunicación. Analisys de los sitios de prensa virtuales
Authors: Esparcia Antonio Castillo , Martínez Ana Almansa
Published: November 2017

Las salas de prensa virtuales se han convertido en uno de los principales instrumentos de relación entre organizaciones y medios de comunicación. Mediante las tecnologías, el trabajo de los relaciones-públicas mejora en rapidez, interacción y acciones dirigidas a públicos específicos. Este estudio analiza las salas de prensa de las diez empresas con mayor facturación en España para ver cómo se estructura la comunicación con los periodistas.
Estudo sobre assessorias de comunicação social na esfera pública estadual: práticas profissionais e processo comunicacional
Authors: Wels Ana Maria Córdova
Published: November 2017

Na década de 1970, seguindo o modelo adotado, em nível federal, pela Assessoria Especial de Relações Públicas (Aerp), surgiram as primeiras assessorias de comunicação social junto a órgãos públicos no ramo executivo do Estado do Rio Grande do Sul. Para maiorinterlocução com a sociedade, tais assessorias tinham, entre suas principais atividades,a intermediação entre governos e mídia para o fornecimento de informações sobre atos governamentais e a consequente difusão da imagem pública.
Relações Públicas na gestão da responsabilidade social: desafio e oportunidade
Authors: Oliveira Maria José Da Costa , Nader Silvana
Published: November 2017

O artigo tem o propósito de analisar o papel da área de Relações Públicas na gestão da responsabilidade social. Enfatiza-se, de início, o novo posicionamento das organizações frente às transformações que vêm ocorrendo na sociedade e a relevância de manter relacionamentos estratégicos com os diversos públicos como base para o estabelecimento de políticas de responsabilidade social. Enfatiza-se, ainda, a necessidade do profissional de Relações Públicas entender e assumir seu papel na gestão estratégica das políticas de responsabilidade social, visando ao alinhamento e equilíbrio entre os interesses da sociedade, das organizações e, principalmente, ao exercício da cidadania.