bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Impact of leptin on memory function and hippocampal structure in mild cognitive impairment
Authors: Witte A. Veronica , Köbe Theresa , Graunke Anders , Schuchardt Jan Philipp , Hahn Andreas , Tesky Valentina A. , Pantel Johannes , Flöel Agnes
Published: August 2016

Metabolic changes have been suggested to contribute to dementia and its precursor mild cognitive impairment (MCI), yet previous results particularly for the “satiety hormone” leptin are mixed. Therefore, we aimed to determine if MCI patients show systematic differences in leptin, independent of sex, adipose mass, age, and glucose and lipid metabolism, and whether leptin levels correlated with memory performance and hippocampal integrity. Forty MCI patients (20 females, aged 67 years ± 7 SD) were compared to 40 healthy controls (HC) that were pair‐wise matched for sex, age, and body fat. Memory performance was assessed using the auditory verbal learning test. Volume and microstructure of the hippocampus were determined using 3T‐neuroimaging. Fasting serum markers of leptin, glucose and lipid metabolism, and other confounding factors were assayed. MCI patients, compared with HC, showed lower serum leptin, independent of sex, age, and body fat (P < 0.001). Glucose and lipid markers did not attenuate these results. Moreover, MCI patients exhibited poorer memory and lower volume and microstructural integrity within hippocampal subfields. While leptin and memory were not significantly correlated, mediation analyses indicated that lower leptin contributed to poorer memory through its negative effect on right hippocampus volume and left hippocampus microstructure. We demonstrated that MCI is associated with lower serum leptin independent of sex, age, body fat, glucose, and lipid metabolism. Our data further suggest that inefficient leptin signaling could partly contribute to decreases in memory performance through changes in hippocampus structure, a hypothesis that should now be verified in longitudinal studies. Hum Brain Mapp 37:4539–4549, 2016. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Identifying Chiral Molecules and their Enantiomeric Excesses in Extraterrestrial Samples: An Experimental Journey
Authors: Pizzarello Sandra
Published: August 2016

Extraterrestrial materials have showered the Earth since it formed and may be as diverse as small presolar grains of stellar origins, larger bodies made of dust and water, such as km‐sized comets, and stony meteorites of various sizes and composition broken off asteroids. Between these, carbonaceous chondrites have the distinction of containing up to 30 % carbon, most of which is present as organic material. This review follows studies over nearly half a century, and in particular, chronicles the progress toward understanding the enantiomeric distributions in some of their chiral organic molecules through innovative methodologies, from the seminal design of chiral stationary phases for GC columns by Gil‐Av to the optimization of their use through compound‐specific isolation and derivatization techniques developed for meteorite samples.
Novel porous poly(propylene fumarate‐co‐caprolactone) scaffolds fabricated by thermally induced phase separation
Authors: Guo Ji , Liu Xifeng , Lee Miller A. , Waletzki Brian E. , Yaszemski Michael J. , Lu Lichun
Published: August 2016

Scaffolds with porous structures are highly applicable for tissue engineering and regenerative medicine. In the present study, 3‐dimensional poly(propylene fumarate‐co‐caprolactone) [P(PF‐co‐CL)] scaffolds were fabricated from a P(PF‐co‐CL)–dioxane‐water ternary system through thermally induced phase separation (TIPS). Cloud points of P(PF‐co‐CL) in dioxane‐water solutions increased with increased solute concentration, but increased dioxane composition decreased cloud point. Among 3 polymer concentrations (4, 8, and 12 wt%), 8 wt% P(PF‐co‐CL) scaffolds exhibited the best pore interconnectivity, with large, regular sized pores. Scaffolds were formed in 3 solutions with different dioxane‐water ratios (74/26, 78/22, and 82/18 wt/wt); the 78/22 wt/wt scaffold had finger‐shaped patterns with better interconnectivity than scaffolds from the other two ratios. Higher dioxane‐water ratios resulted in a larger contact angle and thus less wettability for the fabricated scaffold, while scaffolds fabricated from higher concentrations of P(PF‐co‐CL) or high dioxane‐water ratios had better biomineralization after soaking in simulated body fluid. In vitro cell viability testing showed the scaffolds had good biocompatibility with both bone and nerve cells. The results indicate that the polymer concentration and solvents ratio significantly affect the formation of porous structures, and optimum processing parameters were found to be 8% polymer concentration and 22% to 24% water content. These porous P(PF‐co‐CL) scaffolds fabricated via TIPS may be useful in various tissue engineering applications © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part A: 105A: 226–235, 2017.
Isolated effect of material stiffness on valvular interstitial cell differentiation
Authors: Coombs Kent E. , Leonard Alexander T. , Rush Matthew N. , Santistevan David A. , Hedberg‐Dirk Elizabeth L.
Published: August 2016

Previous methods for investigating material stiffness on cell behavior have focused on the use of substrates with limited ranges of stiffness and/or fluctuating surface chemistries. Using the co‐polymer system of n‐octyl methacrylate crosslinked with diethylene glycol dimethacrylate (DEGDMA/nOM), we developed a new cell culture platform to analyze the isolated effects of stiffness independent from changes in surface chemistry. Materials ranging from 25 kPa to 4,700 kPa were fabricated. Surface analysis including goiniometry and X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) confirmed consistent surface chemistry across all formulations examined. The mechanosensitive cell type valvular interstitial cell (VIC) was cultured DEGDMA/nOM substrates of differing stiffness. Results indicate that order of magnitude changes in stiffness do not increase gene expression of VIC alpha‐smooth muscle actin (αSMA). However, structural organization of αSMA is altered on stiffer substrates, corresponding with the appearance of the osteoblastic marker osteocalcin and nodule formation. This research presents the co‐polymer DEGDMA/nOM as ideal substrate to investigate the influence of stiffness on VIC differentiation without the confounding effects of changing material surface chemistry. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part A: 105A: 51–61, 2017.
Description of excited states in [Re(Imidazole)(CO)3(Phen)]+ including solvent and spin‐orbit coupling effects: Density functional theory versus multiconfigurational wavefunction approach
Authors: Fumanal Maria , Daniel Chantal
Published: August 2016

The low‐lying electronic excited states of [Re(imidazole)(CO)3(phen)]+ (phen = 1,10‐phenanthroline) ranging between 420 nm and 330 nm have been calculated by means of relativistic spin‐orbit time‐dependent density functional theory (TD‐DFT) and wavefunction approaches (state‐average‐CASSCF/CASPT2). A direct comparison between the theoretical absorption spectra obtained with different methods including SOC and solvent corrections for water points to the difficulties at describing on the same footing the bands generated by metal‐to‐ligand charge transfer (MLCT), intraligand (IL) transition, and ligand‐to‐Ligand‐ charge transfer (LLCT). While TD‐DFT and three‐roots‐state‐average CASSCF (10,10) reproduce rather well the lowest broad MLCT band observed in the experimental spectrum between 420 nm and 330 nm, more flexible wavefunctions enlarged either by the number of roots or by the number of active orbitals and electrons destabilize the MLCT states by introducing IL and LLCT character in the lowest part of the absorption spectrum. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Population PK Modeling and Target Attainment Simulations to Support Dosing of Ceftaroline Fosamil in Pediatric Patients With Acute Bacterial Skin and Skin Structure Infections and Community‐Acquired Bacterial Pneumonia
Authors: Riccobene Todd A. , Khariton Tatiana , Knebel William , Das Shampa , Li James , Jandourek Alena , Carrothers Timothy J. , Bradley John S.
Published: August 2016

Ceftaroline, the active form of the prodrug ceftaroline fosamil, is approved for use in adults with community‐acquired bacterial pneumonia (CABP) or acute bacterial skin and skin structure infections (ABSSSI) in the United States and for similar indications in Europe. Pharmacokinetic (PK) data from 5 pediatric (birth to <18 years) studies of ceftaroline fosamil were combined with PK data from adults to update a population PK model for ceftaroline and ceftaroline fosamil. This model, based on a data set including 305 children, was used to conduct simulations to estimate ceftaroline exposures and percentage of time that free drug concentrations were above the minimum inhibitory concentration (%fT>MIC) for pediatric dose regimens. With dose regimens of 8 mg/kg every 8 hours (q8h) in children aged 2 months to <2 years and 12 mg/kg (up to a maximum of 400 mg) q8h in children aged 2 years to <18 years or 600 mg q12h in children aged 12 to <18 years, >90% of children were predicted to achieve a target of 36% fT>MIC at an MIC of 2 mg/L, and >97% were predicted to achieve 44% fT>MIC at an MIC of 1 mg/L. Thus, high PK/pharmacodynamic target attainment would be maintained in children for targets associated with 1‐log kill of Staphylococcus aureus and Streptococcus pneumoniae. The predicted ceftaroline exposures for these dose regimens were similar to those in adults given 600 mg q12h ceftaroline fosamil. This work contributed to the approval of dose regimens for children aged 2 months to <18 years by the FDA and EMA, which are presented.
Auto‐calibration of a projector–camera stereo system for projection mapping
Authors: Deglint Jason , Cameron Andrew , Scharfenberger Christian , Sekkati Hicham , Lamm Mark , Wong Alexander , Clausi David A.
Published: August 2016

Standard camera and projector calibration techniques use a checkerboard that is manually shown at different poses to determine the calibration parameters. Furthermore, when image geometric correction must be performed on a three‐dimensional (3D) surface, such as projection mapping, the surface geometry must be determined. Camera calibration and 3D surface estimation can be costly, error prone, and time‐consuming when performed manually. To address this issue, we use an auto‐calibration technique that projects a series of Gray code structured light patterns. These patterns are captured by the camera to build a dense pixel correspondence between the projector and camera, which are used to calibrate the stereo system using an objective function, which embeds the calibration parameters together with the undistorted points. Minimization is carried out by a greedy algorithm that minimizes the cost at each iteration with respect to both calibration parameters and noisy image points. We test the auto‐calibration on different scenes and show that the results closely match a manual calibration of the system. We show that this technique can be used to build a 3D model of the scene, which in turn with the dense pixel correspondence can be used for geometric screen correction on any arbitrary surface.
Comparison of neoadjuvant versus a surgery first approach for gastric and esophagogastric cancer
Authors: Russell Maria C.
Published: August 2016

Gastric cancer remains a significant worldwide health concern. While surgery is required for cure, all but the earliest of cancers will require multimodality therapy. Chemotherapy and chemoradiation in the neoadjuvant and adjuvant settings have shown to improve overall survival, but the sequencing of treatment is controversial. As healthcare expenses surge, it is increasingly important to impart value to these treatments. This review will look at the intersection of effective treatment and costs for gastric cancer. J. Surg. Oncol. 2016;114:296–303. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
A comparison of questionnaires for assessing physical function in patients with lower extremity bone metastases
Authors: Janssen Stein J. , Paulino Pereira Nuno Rui , Raskin Kevin A. , Ferrone Marco L. , Hornicek Francis J. , van Dijk C. Niek , Lozano‐Calderón Santiago A. , Schwab Joseph H.
Published: August 2016

Objectives

To assess, (i) the degree to which the: PROMIS Physical Function Cancer, PROMIS Neuro‐QoL Mobility, Toronto Extremity Salvage Score (TESS), Lower Extremity Function Score (LEFS), and Musculoskeletal Tumor Society score (MSTS), measure physical function; (ii) differences in coverage and reliability; and (iii) difference in completion time.

Methods

One hundred of 115 (87%) patients with lower extremity metastases participated in this prospective study. We used exploratory factor analysis—correlating questionnaires with an underlying trait—to assess if questionnaires measure the same. Coverage was assessed by floor and ceiling effect and reliability by the standard error of measurement (SEM). Completion time was compared using the Friedman test.

Results

All questionnaires measured the same concept; demonstrated by high correlations (>0.7). Floor effect was absent, while ceiling effect was present in all, but highest for the PROMIS Neuro‐QoL Mobility (7%). The SEM was below the threshold—indicating reliability—over a wide range of ability levels for the PROMIS‐Physical Function, TESS, and LEFS. Completion time differed between questionnaires (P < 0.001) and was shortest for the PROMIS questionnaires.

Conclusions

The PROMIS Physical Function is the most useful questionnaire. This is due to its reliability over a wide range of ability levels, validity, brevity, and good coverage. J. Surg. Oncol. 2016;114:691–696. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Breaking Malus’ law: Highly efficient, broadband, and angular robust asymmetric light transmitting metasurface
Authors: Zhang Cheng , Pfeiffer Carl , Jang Taehee , Ray Vishva , Junda Maxwell , Uprety Prakash , Podraza Nikolas , Grbic Anthony , Guo L. Jay
Published: August 2016

High efficiency, broad bandwidth, and robust angular tolerance are key considerations in photonic device design. Here, a few‐layer, asymmetric light transmitting metasurface that simultaneously satisfies all the above requirements is reported. The metasurface consists of coupled metallic sheets. It has a measured transmission efficiency of 80%, extinction ratio of 13.8 dB around 1.5 μm, and a full width half maximum bandwidth of 1.7 μm. It is as thin as 290 nm, has good performance tolerance against the angle of incidence and constituent nano‐structure geometry variations. This work demonstrates a practical asymmetric light transmission device with optimal performance for large scale manufacturing.

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Homogeneous Acetylation of Cellulose in the New Solvent Triethyloctylammonium Chloride in Combination with Organic Liquids
Authors: Achtel Christian , Heinze Thomas
Published: August 2016

In the context of our studies on new cellulose solvents, triethyloctylammonium chloride (N2228Cl) in combination with acetone and N,N‐dimethylacetamide (DMAc) has been investigated for homogeneous acetylation of cellulose. In addition to the new solvent systems, the reaction has also been examined in 1‐butyl‐3‐methylimidazolium chloride (BMIMCl) and LiCl/DMAc to determine the influence of the different solvents on the degree of substitution (DS). By reaction of dissolved cellulose with acetyl chloride (AC) or acetic anhydride (AA) at comparable reaction conditions and by applying different molar ratios, cellulose acetates (CA) with different DS have been obtained. The analysis of the samples by NMR spectroscopy reveals a functionalization mainly in the order O–6 > O–2 > O–3. The cellulose acetates synthesized by reaction with AC reveal similar DS values compared to samples prepared in the solvents LiCl/DMAc and BMIMCl. On the contrary, using AA as acylation agent results in lower DS values depending on the solvent applied.

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Mathematical modeling of compact anisotropic relativistic fluid spheres in higher spacetime dimensions
Authors: Sen Banashree , Grammenos Theophanes , Bhar Piyali , Rahaman Farook
Published: August 2016

Completing previous work, a new class of interior solutions for compact static fluid spheres exhibiting pressure anisotropy, admitting conformal motion, and having 7, 8, 9, and 10 spacetime dimensions, respectively, is presented. Einstein's field equations without cosmological constant are solved for a particular energy density distribution function, assuming non‐commutative geometry of spacetime. The behavior of the physical quantities obtained does not exclude the possible existence of ultra‐compact, though rather exotic, stars in higher spacetime dimensions. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Clinical‐pathologic correlations in voltage‐gated Kv1 potassium channel complex‐subtyped autoimmune painful polyneuropathy
Authors: Lahoria Rajat , Pittock Sean J. , Gadoth Avi , Engelstad Janean K. , Lennon Vanda A. , Klein Christopher J.
Published: August 2016

Introduction: Voltage‐gated Kv1 potassium channel complex (VGKC) autoantibodies subtyped for leucine‐rich glioma‐inactivated 1 (LGI1), contactin‐associated‐proteinlike 2 (CASPR2), and Kv IgGs have a spectrum of neurological presentations. Painful polyneuropathy is seen in some patients, but nerve pathology descriptions are lacking. Methods: Clinicopathologic features were studied in subtyped VGKC‐autoantibody‐seropositive patients who had undergone nerve biopsies. Results: Five patients were identified, 1 LGI1 IgG positive and 1 CASPR2 IgG positive, but all negative for Kv1.1‐, 1.2‐, 1.6‐subtyped IgG autoantibodies. Median symptom duration was 17 months. Pain was the predominant symptom; 3 had mild sensory loss and/or weakness. Histopathological abnormalities were limited to axonal loss in 3. None had mononuclear cellular infiltrates. Electron micrographs revealed no interstitial abnormalities. Three patients reported marked improvement in pain with immunotherapy. Conclusions: The nerve biopsy histopathology of patients subtyped for LGI1 and CASPR2 IgGs within the VGKC‐complex spectrum disorders shows either normal density or axonal fiber loss without inflammatory infiltrates. A reversible neural hyperexcitable mechanism is considered to be the cause of this painful polyneuropathy. Muscle Nerve 55: 520–525, 2017
Psychometric equivalence of electronic and telephone completion of the ICIQ modules
Authors: Uren Alan D. , Cotterill Nikki , Parke Sophie E. , Abrams Paul
Published: August 2016

Aims

To assess the equivalence of touch‐screen (hand‐held iPad) and telephone completion of patient‐completed International Consultation on Incontinence Questionnaire (ICIQ) modules by comparison with corresponding data collected using conventional paper‐and‐pencil methods.

Methods

Men and women, attending urology outpatients complaining of LUTS, were randomised to one of three groups which determined the order in which they completed three administrations of the same questionnaire: paper, iPad and telephone. Four ICIQ questionnaires were evaluated: ICIQ‐MLUTS, ICIQ‐LUTSqol, ICIQ‐OABqol and ICIQ‐UI SF.

Results

From August 2012 to October 2014 a total of 448 out of 491 (91%) recruits completed the first two administrations and were included in the analysis. Three hundred forty‐eight out of 491 (71%) completed the phone administration. The intra‐class correlation coefficient (ICC) and Kappa statistic were calculated where appropriate between completed pairs of administrations. Mean ICC correlations were high (>0.8) between paper and iPad administrations. Paired paper and phone administrations were less well correlated, although still high (mean ICC>0.75). This may be partly due to the practical limitation that the phone interview was completed up to a week later than the initial two administrations. There was no evidence that potential moderator effects (gender, age and experience with computers or touch screen devices) significantly affected overall reliability of scores between administrations.

Conclusions

We can recommend the interchangeable use of ICIQ electronic or paper based questionnaires in a clinical or research setting. Self‐report is preferable to telephone delivery where possible. Neurourol. Urodynam. 9999:XX–XX, 2016. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Healthcare Professionals’ Preferences and Perceived Barriers for Routine Assessment of Patient‐Reported Outcomes in Pediatric Oncology Practice: Moving Toward International Processes of Change
Authors: Schepers Sasja A. , Haverman Lotte , Zadeh Sima , Grootenhuis Martha A. , Wiener Lori
Published: August 2016

Background

Using patient‐reported outcomes (PROs) in clinical practice has been shown to enhance detection of health‐related quality of life problems and satisfaction with care in children with cancer. This study seeks to identify which PRO information healthcare professionals (HCPs) find useful and what the perceived barriers for routinely assessing PROs are.

Procedure

A total of 352 pediatric HCPs (43% male) from 52 countries completed a semistructured online 28‐item questionnaire. Descriptive statistics (percentages) were used to identify highly important PRO information and perceived barriers. HCPs’ perceived barriers were compared according to gender, years of work experience, and country using a Fishers exact test.

Results

The five highest ranked PRO topics relevant in routine assessment by HCPs were as follows: pain (98%), feeling sad or depressed (96%), overall physical symptoms (95%), problems with therapy adherence (94%), and overall emotional issues (93%). Five lowest ranked topics were as follows: difficulties praying (50%), other spiritual concerns (55, 56, and 60%), and feeling bored (60%). Barriers for assessing PROs included: time (58%), insufficient staff (49%), logistics (32%), and financial resources (26%). Providers from developing countries more often reported barriers concerning insufficient staff, logistics, and financial resources.

Conclusions

HCPs strongly value the use of physical and psychosocial PROs within pediatric oncology practice, but mainly perceive organizational barriers for routine assessment. To successfully integrate PROs, efforts should be made to address HCP‐perceived barriers, such that patient‐reported problems can be detected and timely referrals made.
Delays in diagnosis and treatment of childhood cancer in Indonesia
Authors: Handayani K. , Sitaresmi M. N. , Supriyadi E. , Widjajanto P. H. , Susilawati D. , Njuguna F. , van de Ven P. M. , Kaspers G. J. L. , Mostert S.
Published: August 2016

Background

Emphasizing timely diagnosis and treatment of cancer are important themes in pediatric cancer management, as delays adversely impact survival. This study explores various delay types among children with cancer and determines factors that influence delays.

Methods

This cross‐sectional study was conducted at an Indonesian academic hospital. Parents of newly diagnosed patients were interviewed between October 2013 and September 2014 using semistructured questionnaires. Patient, physician, diagnosis, treatment, healthcare system (HCS), and total delay were analyzed.

Results

Parents of 145 children (response rate 89%) with cancer were interviewed. Median total delay was 70 days (range 5–4,055). Patient delay (median 5 days, range 0–189) was significantly shorter than HCS delay (median 49 days, range 4–4,025, P < 0.001). Diagnosis delay (median 58 days, range 3–4,015) was significantly longer than treatment delay (median 3 days, range 1–89, P < 0.001). Older age at diagnosis significantly lengthened patient delay (P = 0.044). Using alternative treatment was associated with significantly longer patient and total delay (P = 0.025, 0.024, respectively). Cancer type significantly influenced physician, diagnosis, treatment, HCS, and total delay (P = 0.001, P = 0.004, P < 0.001, P < 0.001, P < 0.001, respectively). Neurological tumors had the longest delays, whereas hematological tumors had the shortest. Sex, parents’ education or income level, disease stage at diagnosis, health insurance status, distance from hospital, and first attended health‐facility type did not significantly impact the length of any delay type.

Conclusions

Healthcare providers need training to improve recognition of cancer symptoms and speed up subsequent diagnostic processes. Using alternative treatment increased patient and total delays. Community campaigns to encourage families to seek conventional cancer treatments are recommended.
Composition‐dependent underwater adhesion of catechol‐bearing hydrogels
Authors: Wu Haosheng , Sariola Veikko , Zhao Jingsi , Ding Hangjun , Sitti Metin , Bettinger Christopher J
Published: August 2016

Interfacial adhesion‐mediated transfer printing processes can integrate functional electronic microstructures with polymeric substrates that are bendable and stretchable. Transfer printing has also been extended to catechol‐bearing adhesive hydrogels. This study presents indentation adhesion tests between catechol‐bearing hydrogel substrates with catechol concentrations varying from 0 to 10% (mol/mol) and thin‐film materials commonly used in microelectronic fabrication including polymers, noble metals and oxides. The results indicate that the interfacial adhesion of catechol‐bearing hydrogels is positively correlated with the concentration of catechol‐bearing monomers as well as the retraction velocity during transfer printing. This study can inform transfer printing processes for microfabricated structures to compliant hydrated substrates such as hygroscopic monomers, mesoporous polymer networks and hydrogels. © 2016 Society of Chemical Industry
Metal‐assisted chemical etching of CIGS thin films for grain size analysis
Authors: Xue Chaowei , Loi Huu‐Ha , Duong Anh , Parker Magdalena
Published: August 2016

Grain size of the CIGS absorber is an important monitoring factor in the CIGS solar cell manufacturing. Electron backscatter diffraction (EBSD) analysis is commonly used to perform CIGS grain size analysis in the scanning electron microscope (SEM). Although direct quantification on SEM image using the average grain intercept (AGI) method is faster and simpler than EBSD, it is hardly applicable on CIGS thin films. The challenge is that, not like polycrystalline silicon, to define grain boundaries by selective chemical etching is not easily realizable for the multi‐component CIGS alloy. In this Letter, we present direct quantification of CIGS thin film grain size using the AGI method by developing metal‐assisted wet chemical etching process to define CIGS grain boundaries. The calculated value is similar to EBSD result.

The CIGS thin film surface morphology before and after the wet chemical etching. Grain boundaries are well defined after the processing.

magnified image

The CIGS thin film surface morphology before and after the wet chemical etching. Grain boundaries are well defined after the processing.
Influence ofLumbricus terrestrisandFolsomia candidaon N2O formation pathways in two different soils – with particular focus on N2emissions
Authors: Schorpp Quentin , Riggers Catharina , Lewicka‐Szczebak Dominika , Giesemann Anette , Well Reinhard , Schrader Stefan
Published: August 2016

Rationale

The gaseous N losses mediated by soil denitrifiers are generally inferred by measuring N2O fluxes, but should include associated N2emissions, which may be affected by abiotic soil characteristics and biotic interactions. Soil fauna, particularly anecic earthworms and euedaphic collembola, alter the activity of denitrifiers, creating hotspots for denitrification. These soil fauna are abundant in perennial agroecosystems intended to contribute to more sustainable production of bioenergy.

Methods

Two microcosm experiments were designed to evaluate gaseous N emissions from a silty loam and a sandy soil, both provided with litter from the bioenergy cropSilphium perfoliatum(cup‐plant) and inoculated with an anecic earthworm (Lumbricus terrestris), which was added alone or together with an euedaphic collembola (Folsomia candida).In experiment 1, litter‐derived N flux was determined by adding15N‐labelled litter, followed by mass spectrometric analysis of N2and N2O isotopologues. In experiment 2, the δ18O values and15N site preference of N2O were determined by isotope ratio mass spectrometry to reveal underlying N2O formation pathways.

Results

Lumbricus terrestrissignificantly increased litter‐derived N2emissions in the loamy soil, from 174.5 to 1019.3 μg N2‐N kg−1soil, but not in the sandy soil (non‐significant change from 944.7 to 1054.7 μg N2‐N kg−1soil). Earthworm feeding on plant litter resulted in elevated N2O emissions in both soils, derived mainly from turnover of the soil mineral N pool during denitrification.Folsomia candidadid not affect N losses but showed a tendency to redirect N2O formation pathways from fungal to bacterial denitrification. The N2O/(N2 + N2O) product ratio was predominantly affected by abiotic soil characteristics (loamy soil: 0.14, sandy soil: 0.26).

Conclusions

When feeding onS. perfoliatumlitter, the anecicL. terrestris, but not the euedaphicF. candida, has the potential to cause substantial N losses. Biotic interactions between the species are not influential, but abiotic soil characteristics have an effect. The coarse‐textured sandy soil had lower gaseous N losses attributable to anecic earthworms. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Evidence-Based Continence Care: An Integrative Review
Authors: Cave Christine E.
Published: August 2016

Purpose:

The purpose of this integrative review is to identify the best nurse-managed continence care strategies among rehabilitation patients from the current body of evidence.

Design:

The newly designed 2015 Competency Model for Professional Rehabilitation Nursing serves as a conceptual framework to categorize evidence-based recommendations for continence care into the four domains of the model.

Methods:

A search of the evidence was completed in December 2015. Literature reviewed was limited to articles published from 2005–2015 in the English language. Search priority was given to systematic reviews and randomized controlled trials.

Findings:

Nurse-led interventions include evidence-based clinical assessments with use of validated instruments following step-wise algorithms derived from clinical practice guidelines. The interprofessional team emphasizes role-based continence interventions with shared work to reach goals. Leadership recommendations call for administrative support and allocation of resources for continence care and also empower select bedside nurses to become continence champions. Finally, nurse-patient education and caregiver training target the promotion of successful living. System-based continence recommendations are identified to include rehab-oriented electronic documentation systems, written continence policies and procedures, and ongoing nursing education emphasizing accountability to high performance standards.

Conclusions:

Rehabilitation nurses are the team leaders in promoting continence in the rehabilitation setting. They are the cultivators of hope and foster resilience among patients to move forward despite acute or chronic illness and disability. This article is intended to support rehabilitation nurses in their review of clinical evidence in effort to move toward a more uniform approach to bowel and bladder management.

Clinical Relevance:

This review equips rehabilitation nurses who seek to improve their practice by identifying the best evidence-based approaches to continence care.
Fast Targeting and Cancer Cell Uptake of Luminescent Antibody‐Nanozeolite Bioconjugates
Authors: Marega Riccardo , Prasetyanto Eko Adi , Michiels Carine , De Cola Luisa , Bonifazi Davide
Published: August 2016

Understanding the targeted cellular uptake of nanomaterials is an essential step to engineer and program functional and effective biomedical devices. In this respect, the targeting and ultrafast uptake of zeolite nanocrystals functionalized with Cetuximab antibodies (Ctxb) by cells overexpressing the epidermal growth factor receptor are described here. Biochemical assays show that the cellular uptake of the bioconjugate in the targeted cancer cells already begins 15 min after incubation, at a rate around tenfold faster than that observed in the negative control cells. These findings further show the role of Ctxb exposed at the surfaces of the zeolite nanocrystals in mediating the targeted and rapid cellular uptake. By using temperature and pharmacological inhibitors as modulators of the internalization pathways, the results univocally suggest a dissipative uptake mechanism of these nanomaterials, which seems to occur using different internalization pathways, according to the targeting properties of these nanocrystals. Owing to the ultrafast uptake process, harmless for the cell viability, these results further pave the way for the design of novel theranostic tools based on nanozeolites.
A Practical Tool for Evaluating the Potential of ESOL Textbooks to Promote Learning Transfer
Authors: James Mark A.
Published: August 2016

For teaching English to speakers of other languages (ESOL) to be seen as having substantial impact, learning that occurs in the classroom must transfer to situations outside the classroom. Unfortunately, education research shows that transfer can be difficult to promote. Therefore, ESOL teachers may want to ensure that their classes are as conducive as possible to transfer. In the many ESOL contexts in which textbooks play a central role in classes, this will mean ensuring that the textbooks used help as much as possible to promote transfer. However, evaluating the potential of ESOL textbooks to help promote transfer may not be straightforward with existing published resources. Therefore, this article describes and demonstrates a new textbook evaluation tool that was designed based on key ideas in scholarly work on learning transfer and patterns in current ESOL textbooks. The aim is to provide a practical tool that teachers can use to evaluate the potential of ESOL textbooks to promote learning transfer.
Technology in Teaching English Language Learners: The Case of Three Middle School Teachers
Authors: Andrei Elena
Published: August 2016

This study looks at how three middle school teachers of English as a second language (ESL) use technology in the classroom. Technology use in the ESL classroom has the potential of supporting the English and content learning of English language learners, but the availability of technology does not necessarily lead to technology integration that supports student learning. Teacher attitudes and beliefs toward technology as well as lack of time and adequate resources may deter teachers from integrating technology in their lessons. The researcher conducted teacher interviews and classroom observations of each of the language arts classes taught by three ESL teachers. Available technology at the classroom, ESL department, and school levels was diverse: digital boards, overhead projectors for the digital boards, document cameras, laptops, desktops, iPods, iPads, and internet connection for all the devices. The teachers seemed to be comfortable users of the available technology despite scarce training, lack of time and technology support, and several episodes of technology malfunction. However, the use of technology could be expanded. The researcher makes several recommendations, such as additional time for planning lessons that use technology and further professional development related to technology use.
Correlated positions in protein evolution and engineering
Authors: Franceus Jorick , Verhaeghe Tom , Desmet Tom
Published: August 2016

Statistical analysis of a protein multiple sequence alignment can reveal groups of positions that undergo interdependent mutations throughout evolution. At these so-called correlated positions, only certain combinations of amino acids appear to be viable for maintaining proper folding, stability, catalytic activity or specificity. Therefore, it is often speculated that they could be interesting guides for semi-rational protein engineering purposes. Because they are a fingerprint from protein evolution, their analysis may provide valuable insight into a protein’s structure or function and furthermore, they may also be suitable target positions for mutagenesis. Unfortunately, little is currently known about the properties of these correlation networks and how they should be used in practice. This review summarises the recent findings, opportunities and pitfalls of the concept.
Diagnosis and management of growth disorders in Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries
Authors: Al Herbish Abdullah S. , Almutair Angham , Abbas Bassam Bin , Alsagheir Afaf , Alqahtani Mohammed , Kaplan Walid , Deeb Asma , El-Awwa Ahmed , Khawari Mona Al , Koledova Ekaterina , Savagej Martin O.
Published: August 2016

Diagnosis and management of growth disorders comprises an important area of pediatric practice. Current procedures in the different stages of the identification, referral, investigation, and treatment of growth disorders in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries have been summarized. Evidence-based procedures, relating specifically to height screening for identification of short stature, auxological criteria for patient referral from primary to secondary pediatric care, and general and endocrine investigations and diagnosis have been discussed and outlined. The management issues related to key disorders that are licensed for growth hormone (hGH) therapy, namely GH deficiency, Turner syndrome, short stature related to birth size small for gestational age (SGA), and idiopathic short stature are discussed with recommendations described for best practice. Finally, two key components of short stature management, namely transitional care for the transfer of patients from pediatric to adult endocrinology services and adherence to recommended therapy with hGH, have been addressed with current practice outlines and recommendations presented.
The Road to Resilience: Insights on Training Community Coalitions in the Los Angeles County Community Disaster Resilience Project
Authors: Cha Biblia S. , Lawrence Rachel I. , Bliss Jesse C. , Wells Kenneth B. , Chandra Anita , Eisenman David P.
Published: August 2016

Objective

Local health departments (LHDs) have little guidance for operationalizing community resilience (CR). We explored how community coalitions responded to 4 CR levers (education, engagement, partnerships, and community self-sufficiency) during the first planning year of the Los Angeles County Community Disaster Resilience (LACCDR) Project.

Methods

Sixteen communities were selected and randomly assigned to the experimental CR group or the control preparedness group. Eight CR coalitions met monthly to plan CR-building activities or to receive CR training from a public health nurse. Trained observers documented the coalitions’ understanding and application of CR at each meeting. Qualitative content analysis was used to analyze structured observation reports around the 4 levers.

Results

Analysis of 41 reports suggested that coalitions underwent a process of learning about and applying CR concepts in the planning year. Groups resonated with ideas of education, community self-sufficiency, and engagement, but increasing partnerships was challenging.

Conclusions

LHDs can support coalitions by anticipating the time necessary to understand CR and by facilitating engagement. Understanding the issues that emerge in the early phases of planning and implementing CR-building activities is critical. LHDs can use the experience of the LACCDR Project’s planning year as a guide to navigate challenges and issues that emerge as they operationalize the CR model. (Disaster Med Public Health Preparedness. 2016;10:812–821)
Improving Long-Term Care Facility Disaster Preparedness and Response: A Literature Review
Authors: Pierce J. Rush , Morley Sarah K. , West Theresa A. , Pentecost Percy , Upton Lori A. , Banks Laura
Published: August 2016

Long-term care facilities (LTCFs) and their residents are especially susceptible to disruptions associated with natural disasters and often have limited experience and resources for disaster planning and response. Previous reports have offered disaster planning and response recommendations. We could not find a comprehensive review of studied interventions or facility attributes that affect disaster outcomes in LTCFs and their residents. We reviewed articles published from 1974 through September 30, 2015, that studied disaster characteristics, facility characteristics, patient characteristics, or an intervention that affected outcomes for LTCFs experiencing or preparing for a disaster. Twenty-one articles were included in the review. All of the articles fell into 1 of the following categories: facility or disaster characteristics that predicted preparedness or response, interventions to improve preparedness, and health effects of disaster response, most often related to facility evacuation. All of the articles described observational studies that were heterogeneous in design and metrics. We believe that the evidence-based literature supports 6 specific recommendations for facilities, governmental agencies, health care communities and academia. These include integrated and coordinated disaster planning, staff training, careful consideration before governments order mandatory evacuations, anticipation of the increased medical needs of LTCF residents following a disaster, and the need for more outcomes research. (Disaster Med Public Health Preparedness. 2017;11:140–149)
An Assessment of Coherence Between Early Warning and Response Systems and Serious Cross-Border Health Threats in the European Union and Turkey
Authors: Ekmekci Perihan Elif
Published: August 2016

Disease outbreaks have attracted the attention of the public health community to early warning and response systems (EWRS) for communicable diseases and other cross-border threats to health. The European Union (EU) and the World Health Organization (WHO) have published regulations in this area. Decision 1082/2013/EU brought a new approach the management of public health threats in EU member states. Decision 1082/2013/EU brought several innovations, which included establishing a Health Security Committee; preparedness and response planning; joint procurement of medical countermeasures; ad hoc monitoring for biological, chemical, and environmental threats; EWRS; and recognition of an emergency situation and interoperability between various sectors. Turkey, as an acceding country to the EU and a member of the WHO, has been improving its national public health system to meet EU legislations and WHO standards. This article first explains EWRS as defined in Decision 1082/2013/EU and Turkey’s obligations to align its public health laws to the EU acquis. EWRS in Turkey are addressed, particularly their coherence with EU policies regarding preparedness and response, alert notification, and interoperability between health and other sectors. Finally, the challenges and limitations of the current Turkish system are discussed and further improvements are suggested. (Disaster Med Public Health Preparedness. 2016;10:883–892)
Knowledge of and Preparedness for Use of Environmental Assessments in Shelters During Disasters: Results of the 2013 State and Territorial Use of Shelter Assessments Survey
Authors: Cruz Miguel A. , Rubens Muni , Garcia Stephanie J. , Malilay Josephine , Levin Karen L. , Williams O. Dale
Published: August 2016

Objective

Environmental health assessments of disaster shelters are critical for monitoring the living conditions of the occupants. However, knowledge and levels of utilization of these assessments have never been estimated in the United States or its territories. We aimed to conduct a cross-sectional survey to ascertain knowledge and Utilization of environmental health disaster shelter assessments.

Methods

The State and Territorial Use of Shelter Assessments Survey (STUSA) of environmental health department directors (N=56) was carried out in 2013.

Results

Survey responses were received from 55 of 56 targeted jurisdictions. Of those respondents, 92% of state jurisdictions and 100% of territories reported having knowledge about shelter assessments. However, only 40% of states and 60% of territories reported receiving formal training, and 53% of states and 50% of territories reported having operational procedures for shelter assessments. High levels of knowledge and familiarity and low levels of training and processes for operationalizing assessments were assessed.

Conclusions

Because environmental health assessments may provide useful information in disaster settings, we need to understand the barriers to their implementation. The results of these assessments may also help to validate their usefulness in protecting shelter occupants during disasters. (Disaster Med Public Health Preparedness. 2017;11:11–14)
The earliest member of Neocricetodon (Rodentia: Cricetidae): a redescription of N. moldavicus from Eastern Europe, and its bearing on the evolution of the genus
Authors: Sinitsa Maxim V. , Delinschi Andrian
Published: August 2016

The genus Neocricetodon represents one of the most diverse radiations of extinct cricetines. Its early evolution remains unclear, mainly owing to the incomplete fossil record. One of the earliest and least known species of this genus is N. moldavicus described from the early late Miocene localities Bujor 1 and Calfa, Moldova. We reexamined the type material of this species and compared it with other species of Neocricetodon. Despite its old geological age, N. moldavicus demonstrates rather advanced dental morphology including the anterocone of M1 being deeply split; mesolophs and mesolophids partially reduced; and the labial spur of the anterolophule, ectomesolophids, and lingual anterolophid of m2 lacking. The phylogenetic analysis of 15 Neocricetodon species based on 22 dental characters revealed three synapomorphies for the genus: presence of the M1 labial anterolophule, the four-rooted M2, and presence of the labial anterolophulid of m1. “Kowalskia cf. schaubi” from Rudabánya and “Kowalskia sp.” from Vösendorf, formerly considered as the earliest finds of Neocricetodon, do not possess these characters and rather represent the genus Democricetodon. Our study also suggests that Kowalskia complicidens is a member of Sinocricetus, and that N. neimengensis and N. zhengi are junior synonyms of N. polonicus. The recognition of N. moldavicus as the earliest member of the genus within the clade containing the species of Neocricetodon from France and Spain supports the hypothesis of the Eastern European origin of the Western European Neocricetodon species.
DID DAMASUS WRITE THECARMEN CONTRA PAGANOS? THE EVIDENCE OFET
Authors: Green Roger
Published: August 2016

In Alan Cameron's long-awaited and epoch-making studyThe Last Pagans of Rome, a typically erudite and stimulating chapter is devoted to the anonymous poem generally known today asCarmen contra paganos(CCP), written in the late fourth or (some have argued) early fifth century. This poem (of 122 lines)—of which the text is still in many places uncertain, in spite of a wealth of critical attention from the time when it was brought fully to light by Delisle in 1867 to the present day—is a blistering invective against worshippers of the traditional gods and their practices, and against one person in particular, whose identity has been much debated. Cameron has brought forward a battery of strong arguments, many of them new, against the claims of Virius Nicomachus Flavianus, for a long time the front runner, whose name used to be given confidently in the poem's title, and, like Ellis and Cracco Ruggini, has strongly championed the claims of Vettius Agorius Praetextatus, the grandee who was consul designate for the year 385 but did not live to take up the office.