bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
On some models in linear thermo-elasticity with rational material laws
Authors: Mukhopadhyay S , Picard R , Trostorff S , Waurick M
Published: December 2014

In the present work, we shall consider some common models in linear thermo-elasticity within a common structural framework. Due to the flexibility of the structural perspective we will obtain well-posedness results for a large class of generalized models allowing for more general material properties such as anisotropies, inhomogeneities, etc.
A study of the viability of exploiting memory content similarity to improve resilience to memory errors
Authors: Levy Scott , Ferreira Kurt B , Bridges Patrick G , Thompson Aidan P , Trott Christian
Published: December 2014

Building the next-generation of extreme-scale distributed systems will require overcoming several challenges related to system resilience. As the number of processors in these systems grow, the failure rate increases proportionally. One of the most common sources of failure in large-scale systems is memory. In this paper, we propose a novel runtime for transparently exploiting memory content similarity to improve system resilience by reducing the rate at which memory errors lead to node failure. We evaluate the viability of this approach by examining memory snapshots collected from eight high-performance computing (HPC) applications and two important HPC operating systems. Based on the characteristics of the similarity uncovered, we conclude that our proposed approach shows promise for addressing system resilience in large-scale systems.
The tumor suppressor WW domain-containing oxidoreductase modulates cell metabolism
Authors: Abu-Remaileh Muhannad , Aqeilan Rami I
Published: December 2014

The WW domain-containing oxidoreductase ( WWOX) encodes a tumor suppressor that is frequently altered in cancer. WWOX binds several proteins and thus is postulated to be involved in a variety of cellular processes. Interestingly, Wwox-knockout mice develop normally in utero but succumb to hypoglycemia and other metabolic defects early in life resulting in their death by 3–4 weeks of age. Cumulative evidence has linked WWOX with cellular metabolism including steroid metabolism, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) metabolism, bone metabolism and, more recently, glucose metabolism. In this review, we discuss these evolving functions for WWOX and how its deletion affects cellular metabolism and neoplastic progression.
What proportions of focal liver lesions detected by unenhanced ultrasound are inconclusive?
Authors: Willits Iain , Burn Julie , Cole Helen , Hoare Tim , Sims Andrew
Published: December 2014

In August 2012, the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence produced positive diagnostics guidance on the ultrasound contrast agent SonoVue®, but recommended further research involving an estimation of the proportion of unenhanced ultrasound scans reporting, but not characterising, focal liver lesions, particularly in cirrhotic livers. Patient records from the Radiology Information System of an acute hospital trust were progressively filtered based on categorical fields and keywords in the free text reports, to obtain ultrasound records including the liver that were appropriate for manual analysis. In total, 21,731 records referred from general practice or out-patient clinics were analysed. Patients described as having cirrhosis were analysed as a subgroup. After automatic exclusion of records considered likely to be negative, 5812 records were manually read and categorised as focal liver lesion inconclusive, benign or malignant. In the general practice cohort of 9175 records, 746 reported the presence of one or more focal liver lesions, with 18.4% (95% CI 15.7% to 21.3%) of these records mentioning an inconclusive focal liver lesion. In the out-patient cohort of 12,556 records, 1437 reported one or more focal liver lesions, and 29.4% (95% CI 26.9% to 32.0%) of these were inconclusive. Cirrhosis was reported in 10.8% of the out-patient scans that also reported a focal liver lesion, and 47.4% (95% CI 39.3% to 55.6%) of these scans had an inconclusive focal liver lesion, compared with 27.3% (95% CI 24.9% to 29.8%) that were inconclusive in non-cirrhotic livers (odds ratio 2.4; 95% CI 1.7 to 3.4). This retrospective study indicates that unenhanced ultrasound scans, in which a focal liver lesion is detected, are frequently inconclusive, with the probability of an inconclusive scan being greater in out-patient than general practice referrals. Inconclusive focal liver lesions were also reported in greater proportions of cirrhotic than non-cirrhotic livers. The results of this research will inform future updates of National Institute for Health and Care Excellence diagnostics guidance.
Thermoregulatory central venous catheter-associated thrombus – echocardiographic detection and novel approach to management
Authors: Gillon Stuart , Ammar Thoraya , Adlam Michael , Pahl Clemens
Published: December 2014

An extensive caval thrombus was incidentally detected in a neurosurgical patient by clinician-delivered critical care echocardiography. Recent intracranial haemorrhage prevented therapeutic anticoagulation; the very proximal nature of the thrombus precluded standard deployment of an inferior vena cava filter. We describe the novel radiological technique employed to manage the thrombus, and examine whether a thermoregulatory central venous catheter inserted as part of standard neuro-critical care may have contributed to the risk and extent of the caval thrombus.
Social deprivation and adult blunt chest trauma: A retrospective study
Authors: Battle Ceri , Hutchings Hayley , Bouamra Omar , Evans Phillip A
Published: December 2014

Introduction

The relationship between socioeconomic status and various components of health is well established. Research has also highlighted that social deprivation can affect patterns of injury and outcome after trauma. The interaction between outcomes following blunt chest trauma and socioeconomic status has received limited attention in trauma research. The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between socioeconomic factors, mechanisms of injury and outcomes following blunt chest trauma using deprivation measures calculated on the basis of domicile postcodes.

Methods

A retrospective study design was used in order to examine the medical notes of all blunt chest wall trauma patients who presented to the ED of a large regional trauma centre in South West Wales in 2012 and 2013. Baseline characteristics were presented as median and interquartile range or numbers and percentages. Differences between the baseline characteristics were analysed using Mann–Whitney U test and Fisher’s exact test. Odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals were presented from the univariable analysis. Multivariable logistic regression analysis was used to identify significant predictors for the development of complications.

Results

Patients in the ‘more deprived’ group were more likely to be the victims of assault ( p < 0.001) and were more likely to have an unplanned re-attendance at the Emergency Department than the patients in the ‘less deprived’ group ( p < 0.001). On multivariable analysis, social deprivation was not a risk factor for the development of complications, but it was a significant risk factor for prolonged length of stay ( p < 0.05).

Conclusions

This is the first study in which social deprivation has been investigated as a risk factor for complications following isolated blunt chest wall trauma. Residing in a ‘more deprived’ area in South West Wales is not associated with the development of complications following isolated blunt chest wall trauma.
Benchmarking rehabilitation practice in the intensive care unit
Authors: Knott Anna , Stevenson Matt , Harlow Stephanie KM
Published: December 2014

Introduction

Early rehabilitation in critically ill patients has been demonstrated to be safe and is associated with many positive outcomes. Despite this, there are inconsistencies in the early active rehabilitation that patients receive on intensive care units. The aims of this study were to quantify the amount of active rehabilitation provided for patients in a District General Hospital intensive care unit and to identify specific barriers encountered.

Methods

Data were collected over a six-week period during March and April 2013. All patients admitted to the intensive care unit at St Peter’s Hospital for more than 48 h were included. For every treatment session, the treating physiotherapist recorded what type of treatment took place. Treatments were classified as either non-active or active rehabilitation. Non-active rehabilitation included chest physiotherapy, passive range of movement exercises and hoisting to a chair. Active rehabilitation was defined as any treatment including active/active-assisted exercises, sitting on the edge of the bed, sitting to standing, standing transfers, marching on the spot or ambulation. Classification of rehabilitation was based upon internationally agreed intensive care unit activity codes and definitions. All barriers to active rehabilitation were also recorded.

Results

The study included 35 patients with a total of 194 physiotherapy treatment sessions. Active rehabilitation was included in 51% of all treatment sessions. The median time to commencing active rehabilitation from intensive care unit admission was 3 days (range 3–42 [IQR 3–7]). The most frequent barriers to active rehabilitation were sedation and endotracheal tubes, which together accounted for 50% of the total barriers.

Conclusion

The study provides useful benchmarking of current rehabilitation activity in a District General Hospital intensive care unit and highlights the most common barriers encountered to active rehabilitation. Longer duration studies incorporating larger sample sizes are warranted. Future studies should utilise the internationally agreed intensive care unit activity codes to improve comparability.
Raised cardiac troponin in intensive care patients with sepsis, in the absence of angiographically documented coronary artery disease: A systematic review
Authors: Zochios Vasileios , Valchanov Kamen
Published: December 2014

Elevated cardiac troponin in the critically ill has been associated with increased hospital mortality. However, in critically ill patients with sepsis the results are heterogeneous and less easy to interpret. The objectives of this systematic review were to describe the pathophysiology, clinical relevance and prognostic significance of raised troponin in intensive care patients with sepsis. Articles were identified through a detailed MEDLINE search and additional references were retrieved from the selected studies. A growing body of clinical evidence suggests that although troponins are sensitive biomarkers with prognostic value, they are not independent predictors of mortality. However, vigilance for objective evidence of coronary artery disease is required and patients with atherosclerotic risk factors and elevated troponins may benefit from cardiac imaging. In patients with low pre-test probability for coronary artery disease and elevated troponins, therapy should target management of sepsis and optimisation of myocardial oxygen demand/supply balance.
Depression following critical illness: Analysis of incidence and risk factors
Authors: Battle Ceri , James Karen , Temblett Paul
Published: December 2014

Purpose

Depression is common in ICU survivors and is known to negatively affect health-related quality of life. The reported risk factors for depression include increasing age, gender and hospital and ICU length of stay. The aim of this study was to investigate the risk factors for depression in survivors of critical illness.

Materials and methods

Patients attending the ICU Follow-up Clinic completed the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale and data were also collected from their medical records. Risk factors investigated included age, gender, Apache II score, ICU length of stay and a diagnosis of sepsis during ICU admission.

Results

A total of 63 patients participated, with 29 (46%) patients suffering with depression. On multivariable logistic regression, the only significant risk factor for depression was sepsis (p < 0.05, odds ratio: 6.8; 95% CI: 1.8–25.8). Age, gender and ICU length of stay were not found to be risk factors for depression.

Conclusions

There are a number of potential causative factors as to why sepsis would cause long-term depression and this needs further investigation.
Thyroid storm causing placental abruption: Cardiovascular and management complications for the Intensivist
Authors: Lane Andrew S , Tarvade Sanjay
Published: December 2014

Thyroid storm is a rare and serious complication of pregnancy which can lead to spontaneous abortion, preterm delivery, preeclampsia and cardiac failure. It is also associated with high maternal and foetal mortality if not diagnosed and managed promptly. The diagnosis of thyroid storm in pregnancy can pose significant challenges due to its presentation being similar to other pregnancy-related complications. We present a patient who developed thyroid storm at 29 weeks of pregnancy, which resulted in pre-term delivery, cardiac failure and thyroidectomy. We discuss the treatment of thyroid storm in pregnancy, the decision making involved in proceeding to thyroidectomy or to use radio-iodine, and foetal thyroid status in thyrotoxicosis.
Primary anti-phospholipid antibody syndrome causing recurrent venous thrombosis and thrombocytopenia in a patient with Addison’s disease
Authors: Elebrashy Ibrahim , Yousief Elham , Saif Aasem
Published: December 2014

Lesson

We report a case of Addison's disease presenting with recurrent deep venous thrombosis and thrombocytopenia and proved to have primary anti-phospholipid antibody syndrome. The case report highlights the shared autoimmune nature of both diseases.
Consent and co-operation in community supervision – Denmark and Norway
Authors: Johnsen Berit , Storgaard Anette
Published: December 2014

Neither Danish nor Norwegian legislation has explicit references to European Rules on Community Sanctions and Measures (ERCSM), No. 31 or European Probation Rules (EPR), No. 6, on consent and co-operation. Attention is drawn to similarities and differences between Denmark and Norway in relation to legal regulations and practices concerning consent and co-operation. The analyses focus upon community supervision by the Probation Service and include the main forms of community sanctions in both countries. It is found that in spite of legal differences between the countries, their practices have a lot in common. The scope of discretionary power that is entrusted to the Probation Service regarding judgement of the offender’s suitability for community sanctions is debated; and the relationship between the rules on consent and co-operation in the ERCSM and EPR and the European Convention on Human Rights on the presumption of innocence and the prohibition of forced labour is questioned.
Institutionalizing a Coalitional System and Games within Coalitions in India (1996–2014)
Authors: Kailash K.K.
Published: December 2014

Rather than looking at coalition formation as a single-shot game, this article attempts a more dynamic analysis by exploring the interactive processes between different experiments over time. Comparing coalition experiments since 1996, it finds that there is an inbuilt tension in the nature of the coalition formations in India. India’s federalized party system created a distinctive coalition formation pattern in which territory played a significant part. Its coalitions primarily involved the coming together of two types of parties, polity-wide and single-state parties. The organizational logic of the two categories of parties is different and consequently the incentives that drive them vary. While their coming together in a coalition does help fulfil some ‘mutual needs’ there is also an element of competition about issues including how much and whose needs are being fulfilled. While polity-wide parties would prefer to govern alone or have a system in which the role of the coalitionable is negligible, this article argues that the combined effect of both federalization of the party system and an institutionalization of a coalitional system has decreased the possibility of single-party governments in the short run. The article also notes that incongruent majorities in the two houses, the need to get policy passed and the changing composition of the Rajya Sabha during the tenure of the Lok Sabha will encourage the formation of large coalitions and/or surplus coalitions.
Book Review: Shrikant Paranjpe, India’s Strategic Culture: The Making of National Security Policy and Chris Ogden, Hindu Nationalism and the Evolution of Contemporary Indian Security: Portents of Power
Authors: Sidhu Waheguru Pal Singh
Published: December 2014

Shrikant Paranjpe, India’s Strategic Culture: The Making of National Security Policy. New Delhi: Routledge. 2013. 184 pages. ₹ 695. And Chris Ogden, Hindu Nationalism and the Evolution of Contemporary Indian Security: Portents of Power. New Delhi: Oxford University Press. 2014. 257 pages. ₹ 795.
Book Review: Suryakant Waghmore, Civility against Caste: Dalit Politics and Citizenship in Western India
Authors: Shrimankar Dishil
Published: December 2014

Suryakant Waghmore, Civility against Caste: Dalit Politics and Citizenship in Western India. New Delhi: SAGE Publications. 2013. 235 pages. ₹ 750.
An Overview of the Major Phenomena of the Localization of Sound Sources by Normal-Hearing, Hearing-Impaired, and Aided Listeners
Authors: Akeroyd Michael A.
Published: December 2014

Localizing a sound source requires the auditory system to determine its direction and its distance. In general, hearing-impaired listeners do less well in experiments measuring localization performance than normal-hearing listeners, and hearing aids often exacerbate matters. This article summarizes the major experimental effects in direction (and its underlying cues of interaural time differences and interaural level differences) and distance for normal-hearing, hearing-impaired, and aided listeners. Front/back errors and the importance of self-motion are noted. The influence of vision on the localization of real-world sounds is emphasized, such as through the ventriloquist effect or the intriguing link between spatial hearing and visual attention.
Utilization of triangle nanosilver to prepare spherical nanosilver and quantitatively detect trace titanium by SERS
Authors: Liu Qingye , Wen Guiqing , Zhang Xinghui , Liang Aihui , Jiang Zhiliang
Published: December 2014

The blue triangle nanosilver (BAgNP) sol was prepared by the two reducers of NaBH4 and H2O2. Using BAgNP as the precursor, a small spherical nanosilver (AgNP) sol in yellow was synthesized by addition of suitable amounts of X
− (X = Cl, Br, and I). The oxidization process of BAgNP to AgNP was studied in detail by resonance Rayleigh scattering (RRS), surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS), laser scattering, surface plasmon resonance (SPR) absorption, and microscope techniques. It has been observed that NaCl accelerated the oxidizing BAgNP to form AgNP, and an oxidizing mechanism and quasi-nanograting Raman-scattering enhanced mechanism were developed to explain the phenomena. Using the BAgNP sol as substrate and based on the catalysis of Ti(IV) on the BrO3
− oxidizing safranine T (ST) molecular probe with a strong SERS peak at 1,535 cm−1, a new catalytic SERS quantitative method was developed for the determination of 1.0 to 100 ng/mL Ti, with a detection limit of 0.4 ng/mL.
Real-time deflection and friction force imaging by bimorph-based resonance-type high-speed scanning force microscopy in the contact mode
Authors: Cai Wei , Fan Haiyun , Zhao Jianyong , Shang Guangyi
Published: December 2014

We report herein an alternative high-speed scanning force microscopy method in the contact mode based on a resonance-type piezoelectric bimorph scanner. The experimental setup, the modified optical beam deflection scheme suitable for smaller cantilevers, and a high-speed control program for simultaneous data capture are described in detail. The feature of the method is that the deflection and friction force images of the sample surface can be obtained simultaneously in real time. Images of various samples (e.g., a test grating, a thin gold film, and fluorine-doped tin oxide-coated glass slides) are acquired successfully. The imaging rate is 25 frames per second, and the average scan speed reaches a value of approximately 2.5 cm/s. The method combines the advantages of both observing the dynamic processes of the sample surface and monitoring the frictional properties on the nanometer scale.

PACS

07.79.Lh; 07.79.Sp; 68.37.Ps
Co-enhancement of fluorescence and singlet oxygen generation by silica-coated gold nanorods core-shell nanoparticle
Authors: Ke Xuebin , Wang Dong , Chen Changqing , Yang Anqi , Han Yu , Ren Lei , Li Donghui , Wang Hongjun
Published: December 2014

Metal-enhanced fluorescence (MEF) as a newly recognized technology has been attracting considerable attention and is widely used in fluorescence-based technology. In this paper, we reported a novel distance-dependent MEF and metal-enhanced singlet oxygen generation phenomenon based on silica-coated gold nanorods (AuNRs@SiO2) core-shell structure with tetra-substituted carboxyl aluminum phthalocyanine (AlC4Pc) that serve as both fluorophore and photosensitizer. When the AlC4Pc was linked on the surface of AuNRs@SiO2, the fluorescence intensity and singlet oxygen productivity varied with the thickness difference of silica shell from 2.1 to 28.6 nm. The co-enhancement effect reached the maximum of 7-fold and 2.1-fold, respectively, when the separation distance was 10.6 nm. These unique characteristics make the prepared core-shell nanoparticles promising for MEF-based biological imaging and photodynamics therapy.
K

r
/K

c
but not d

N
/d

S
correlates positively with body mass in birds, raising implications for inferring lineage-specific selection
Authors: Weber Claudia C , Nabholz Benoit , Romiguier Jonathan , Ellegren Hans
Published: December 2014

Background

The ratio of the rates of non-synonymous and synonymous substitution (d
N
/d
S
) is commonly used to estimate selection in coding sequences. It is often suggested that, all else being equal, d
N
/d
S
should be lower in populations with large effective size (Ne) due to increased efficacy of purifying selection. As Ne is difficult to measure directly, life history traits such as body mass, which is typically negatively associated with population size, have commonly been used as proxies in empirical tests of this hypothesis. However, evidence of whether the expected positive correlation between body mass and d
N
/d
S
is consistently observed is conflicting.

Results

Employing whole genome sequence data from 48 avian species, we assess the relationship between rates of molecular evolution and life history in birds. We find a negative correlation between d
N
/d
S
and body mass, contrary to nearly neutral expectation. This raises the question whether the correlation might be a method artefact. We therefore in turn consider non-stationary base composition, divergence time and saturation as possible explanations, but find no clear patterns. However, in striking contrast to d
N
/d
S
, the ratio of radical to conservative amino acid substitutions (K
r
/K
c
) correlates positively with body mass.

Conclusions

Our results in principle accord with the notion that non-synonymous substitutions causing radical amino acid changes are more efficiently removed by selection in large populations, consistent with nearly neutral theory. These findings have implications for the use of d
N
/d
S
and suggest that caution is warranted when drawing conclusions about lineage-specific modes of protein evolution using this metric.
A positive fixed point theorem with applications to systems of Hammerstein integral equations
Authors: Cabada Alberto , Cid José Ángel , Infante Gennaro
Published: December 2014

We present new criteria on the existence of fixed points that combine some monotonicity assumptions with the classical fixed point index theory. As an illustrative application, we use our theoretical results to prove the existence of positive solutions for systems of nonlinear Hammerstein integral equations. An example is also presented to show the applicability of our results.

MSC: 47H10, 34B10, 34B18, 45G15, 47H30.
Efffect of desensitizing agents on the bond strength of dental adhesive systems
Authors: Andreatti Luciene Santana , Lopes Murilo Baena , Guiraldo Ricardo Danil , Borges Alvaro Henrique , Dorilêo Maura Cristiane Orçati , Gonini Alcides
Published: December 2014

The exposure of dentin to the oral environment leads to dentinal sensitivity, the treatment of which exposes the substrate to various substances that can alter its interaction with adhesive restorative materials. The objective of this study was to analyze whether the prior use of desensitizing agents interferes with the bond strength of resin restorative materials. A total of 48 molars were divided into six groups, according to conventional application (CV) of the adhesive systems Scotchbond Multipurpose (SB) and Clearfil SE Bond (CF) and their association with bioglass (BG/Biosilicate®) or arginine (AR/Sensitive Pro-Relief/TM). Bond strength was assessed by a microshear mechanical test, using a composite resin as restorative material (Filtek Z350 XT). Mechanical testing was performed at a speed of 0.5 mm/min in a universal testing machine, and the data were submitted to two-way ANOVA and Tukey’s test (α = 0.05). The bond strength (MPa) was 17.03 for SBCV; 21.19 for SBAR; 26.24 for SBBG; 21.37 for CFCV; 27.09 for CFAR and 29.51 for CFBG group. A significant increase in bond strength (p <0.05) was observed when Biosilicate® was used prior to the conventional and self-etching adhesive systems. Fracture pattern analysis by means of optical microscopy showed a predominance of mixed type fractures, with the exception of the CFCV group, where adhesive fractures predominated. It is concluded that arginine did not interfere with the bond strength with dentin, while the use of Biosilicate® tended to strengthen the bond between dentin and the adhesive systems used.
Foxp3-mediated inhibition of Akt inhibits Glut1 (glucose transporter 1) expression in human T regulatory cells
Authors: Basu Samik , Hubbard Britany , Shevach Ethan M
Published: December 2014

CD4+CD25+Foxp3+ Tregs have a diminished capacity to activate the PI3K/Akt pathway. Although blunted Akt activity is necessary to maintain Treg function, the consequences of this altered signaling are unclear. Glut1 is a cell-surface receptor responsible for facilitating glucose transport across plasma membranes, whose expression is tightly coupled to costimulatory signals and Akt phosphorylation. Freshly isolated human Tregs were unable to up-regulate Glut1 in response to TCR and costimulatory signals compared with Tconv. Consequently, the ability of Tregs to use glucose was also reduced. Introduction of Foxp3 into Tconv inhibited Akt activation and Glut1 expression, indicating that Foxp3 can regulate Glut1. Finally, pharmacologic activation of Akt in Tregs can induce Glut1, overcoming the effects of Foxp3. Together, these results illustrate the molecular basis behind differential glucose metabolism in Tregs.
Pitfalls in the seismic interpretation of fault shadow events — Vicksburg formation of south Texas
Authors: Bain Richard C.
Published: December 2014

Reliance on prestack time-migrated seismic data to define structural highs without incorporating all subsurface data and without taking into account the regional and local lateral depositional trends may result in dry holes or poorly positioned production wells due to local velocity changes, which are usually caused by some depositional or structural phenomenon. Tying check-shot control to depositional units may reveal those phenomena and permit assumptions to be made about velocities in areas beyond check-shot control points. We discovered a significant gas accumulation in an area surrounded by dry holes and marginal wells in the Vicksburg Formation in McAllen Ranch Field, Hidalgo County, Texas, by treating a seismic velocity anomaly as a geologic problem and by simple application of arithmetic and geometry to a 3D velocity model. Due to the effects of the anomaly, seismic data displayed in time gave no indication of the existence of a 325 ha (800 ac), 150 BCFG anticlinal structure. A subsurface model that accounted for the velocity anomaly was able to predict its extent and severity by readily identifiable thickness changes in the anomalous units. The resulting discovery yielded a sevenfold increase in field production within a two-year time span.
Vegetation wakes and wake interaction shaping aquatic landscape evolution
Authors: Kondziolka John M. , Nepf Heidi M.
Published: December 2014

Lay Abstract

Vegetation found in marshes and tidal systems influences the flow of water through these systems. Vegetation blocks the flow of water, leading to areas of low water velocity immediately downstream of a vegetation patch and areas of high water velocity at the sides of a patch. Areas of lower velocity provide good habitat for young plants and seedlings, and thus encourage plant growth such that the patch expands in the downstream direction. The addition of more vegetation near the original patch further reduces the local velocity that further promotes growth, creating a system of feedbacks. Recently, studies have found that when several patches of vegetation are near each other, they can change the shape and extent of the low‐velocity regions downstream. Based on these findings, the present study develops a model to evaluate how a field of vegetation might evolve over many years and the final distribution patterns that result. The model initially evaluates the water velocity based on a simple theoretical model and then modifies the velocity field to incorporate reduction of flow downstream of the patches, based on laboratory observations. Once the velocity at every point is calculated, vegetation is added probabilistically, with areas of high velocity having a low probability of growth and areas of low velocity having a high probability of growth. The number of initial vegetation patches and the limiting velocity (the velocity above which no plants can grow) were varied, and three different types of landscapes were produced: full vegetation coverage, channeled, and sparse. The effect of vegetation on the velocity field in the wake (i.e., downstream) of the vegetation is shown to accelerate landscape development.
Identifying Hybridisation in Pinus Species Using near Infrared Spectroscopy of Foliage
Authors: Meder Roger , Kain Dominic , Ebdon Nicholas , Macdonell Paul , Brawner Jeremy T.
Published: December 2014

Near infrared (NIR) spectra from foliage of the tropical pine species Pinus caribaea var. hondurensis, P. elliottii var. elliottii and their hybrids have been used to classify the extent of hybridisation for the F1 and backcross progeny. Comparison of results for F1 hybrids with simulated hybrids, made from admixtures of pure parent foliage samples, showed increased variation in the NIR spectra of the F1 hybrids as evidenced by greater scatter in the principal component analysis scores plot. Both partial least-squares–discriminant analysis and soft independent modelling of class analogy using the foliage spectra provide identification of the hybrid individuals from the parent taxa. In addition, it is possible to visualise the extent of genetic additive effect in hybrid-parent backcrosses. NIR spectra from foliage samples of P. radiata, a temperate pine species, were clearly discriminated from P. elliottii and P. caribaea. Near infrared spectroscopy has the potential to confirm and assess the extent of hybridisation in softwood species. In extreme situations whereby trial records are lost or trial plot labelling is missing, it might be possible to use NIR spectra from foliage to recover taxon information of seedlings.
Rapid Identification of Tissue Paper Made from Blended Recycled Fibre by Fourier Transform near Infrared Spectroscopy
Authors: Xin Li-Ping , Chai Xin-Sheng , Barnes Donald , Chen Chun-Xia , Chen Run-Quan
Published: December 2014

This paper presents a Fourier transform near infrared spectroscopic method, coupled with principal-component analysis (PCA) and partial least-squares discriminate analysis (PLS-DA) techniques, for discriminating between paper products made of virgin fibre only and those made of virgin fibres blended with recycled fibres. The PLS-DA method was used to construct the discrimination models based on PCA. The study showed that the effects of the number of layers of samples, texture and moisture content can be reduced to acceptable levels by using >72 layers of papers, pressing them against a glass plate and subjecting the spectral data to preprocessing algorithms using standard normal variate analysis, multiplicative scattering correction and first-derivative calculations (FDC). The PLS-DA model based on an FDC transformation provided the best discrimination between the virgin-fibre samples and the samples blended with recycled fibre. The present method is non-destructive and enables a particularly fast classification response, without sample pretreatment. Above all, it does not consume chemicals and reagents or require a qualified laboratory technician and laboratory-grade facilities. Therefore, it appears to be suitable for use in identifying blended recycled-fibre tissue paper samples both at the manufacturer stage and in point-of-sale samples from commercial markets.
Quantitative Analysis of Ingredients of Blueberry Fruits by near Infrared Spectroscopy
Authors: Bai Wenming , Yoshimura Norio , Takayanagi Masao
Published: December 2014

Near infrared spectroscopy was used to estimate the contents of sugars, organic acids and anthocyanins in blueberry fruit. The contents of the fruit determined by high-performance liquid chromatography were used to construct models to estimate these ingredients by partial least-squares regression. The dependence of the accuracy of estimation on the mode of measurement, i.e. transmission mode vs. diffuse reflectance mode, and on the position of measurement on the fruit, i.e. the calyx or a position not on the calyx, was examined. The fruit contents were found to be estimated with practical accuracy by choosing the mode and the position of measurement appropriately for each target. Sugar and anthocyanin contents could be estimated from spectra measured in either mode at any fruit position. Estimation of the fruit contents by a model constructed from all spectra, regardless of the position of measurements, was also found to be possible. The organic acid content should be estimated from spectra measured in the diffuse reflectance mode by the model constructed for the specific position of measurements, which could be inferred by the principal-component analysis score plots of the observed spectra. The accuracy of the estimation of organic acid content based on spectra measured in transmission mode was found to be very low.
Is time reversible?
Authors: Shramko Yaroslav
Published: December 2014

This paper presents an elementary logical proof of time irreversibility. To this effect, we construct a simple mathematical model of a process, which can demonstrably be shown to be irreversible in the sense that it cannot be reproduced in a backward direction by the very conditions of its construction. To model this process we employ a puzzle problem (paradox) referred to in the literature as “Austin’s Dog” or “Trojan Fly”.
A convex urostomy pouch with adhesive border: a patient survey
Authors: McPhail Jacqueline , Nichols Thom , Menier Melissa
Published: December 2014

Patients previously using a standard-wear convex skin barrier urostomy pouch were invited by letter from a Dispensing Appliance Contractor to evaluate a similar pouching system, but with the addition of an extended-wear convex barrier and adhesive border. A total of 47 patients agreed to take part. Patients were asked to try three pouches and complete one evaluation form. Study participants found the addition of an extended-wear convex barrier and adhesive border, was easy to use, provided them with security and the potential for longer wear time.
Brain tumours in children: importance of early identification
Authors: Fry Charles William , Perrow Rachel , Paul Siba Prosad
Published: December 2014

A Brain tumours account for a quarter of all childhood cancers in the UK but are the leading cause of cancer-related deaths in children. Studies have previously shown that there is a delay in diagnosing brain tumours in children in the UK. The HeadSmart campaign was launched to increase awareness among health professionals working in different settings regarding brain tumour symptoms in children. Although headache is considered to be one of the most important symptoms, it is not often reported in paediatric practice, especially if the child is young. The HeadSmart symptom card is a useful resource and should be used when dealing with a child with symptoms suggestive of brain tumours. Nurses working in different settings play a vital role in early identification of brain tumours and also in supporting the child and his/her family through the child's journey following diagnosis of a brain tumour. The HeadSmart campaign has led to a reduction in the total diagnostic interval, to 7 weeks, and the ultimate aim is to reduce it further to 5 weeks which will be on a par with the time taken to diagnose brain tumours in children in other developed countries.
Best interests of adults who lack capacity part 1 : key concepts
Authors: Griffith Richard
Published: December 2014

Best interests is the standard by which the law judges the propriety of care and treatment for adults who lack decision-making capacity. Since the introduction of mental capacity legislation, determining best interests has moved from a paternalistic risk-benefit analysis to a holistic approach where the wishes, views and values of the patient and their relatives must be considered. In this two-part series, the author discusses the concept of best interests and how nurses should approach the determination of best interests to meet the needs of an incapable person.
Signing up to safety: can the nursing profession contribute?
Authors: Glasper Alan
Published: December 2014

Professor Alan Glasper of the University of Southampton discusses a campaign led by the Secretary of State for Health to improve the safety and quality of care delivered to patients and to reduce costs in the NHS
The impact of chronic venous leg ulcers: a systematic review
Authors: Green J. , Jester R. , McKinley R. , Pooler A.
Published: December 2014

• Objective

Chronic venous leg ulcers are common, intractable and often recurrent, but care tends to be wound focused, potentially overlooking the significant impact the condition has on patients' lives. A systematic review was undertaken to explore the factors that impact on the quality of life of patients with chronic venous leg ulceration.

• Method

Eligible articles published between 1990 and 2013 were identified via electronic searches of research databases (MEDLINE, CINAHL, BNI, EMBASE, PsycINFO, AMED and HMIC, Cochrane Collaboration database and Google Scholar).

• Results

There were 23 studies (11 qualitative and 12 quantitative) that met the inclusion criteria. There were then the subject of a full review. The qualitative studies were collapsed into four core themes: physical, psychological, social implications and the nurse–patient relationship. The quantitative studies were grouped according to the tool applied. The review demonstrated that chronic venous leg ulcers impact negatively upon all areas of daily living. Pain, exudate, odour and the impact on mobility were daily challenges. The ability to engage with everyday functioning was restricted either owing to the ulcer, the dressing or to a self-imposed isolation in response to the impact of symptoms. Depression and low mood were common and yet, despite this, some studies reported that participants remained hopeful.

• Conclusion

Studies suggest that chronic venous leg ulceration negatively affects the quality of life of the patient and that such issues receive inadequate attention during current consultations. If such negative implications are to be effectively addressed, key issues need to be considered during every consultation.

• Declaration of interest

This study was funded by West Midlands Strategic Health Authority. The authors have no conflicts of interest to declare.
Wound swab use and misuse at a regional general hospital
Authors: Fenech M. , Abela R. , Chetcuti Zammit S. , Mercieca L. , Gauci J. , Edwards N. , Carachi E. , Mifsud M. , Piscopo T.
Published: December 2014

Objective:

Guidelines for swab use at our centre cover lower-limb wounds, ulcers and postoperative wound infections but not all types of wound. The objective of this study was to assess current practices in wound management at Mater Dei Hospital and to identify areas for improvement.

Method:

Wound swabs received at the microbiology department between February and April 2013 from adult inpatients departments were included. Wound swabs from the ophthalmology and paediatric departments were excluded. Patient comorbidities, detailed wound descriptions, acknowledgement of and documentation of culture and sensitivity results, and antibiotic changes during treatment were collected. Indictors of infection including white cell counts (WCCs) and C-reactive protein (CRP) were recorded.

Results:

The study included 134 patients. Diabetes mellitus (61.9%, n=83) was the most common underlying comorbidity. Postoperative wounds were the most common type of wounds swabbed (34.3%). The wound swab characteristics were not fully documented in 27 patients (20.1%). The CRP results were not recorded in 39.6% and WCCs were not taken in 10.4% of patients. Wound swab results were not acknowledged in the medical notes of 76% of cases.

Conclusion:

Wound swabs that were not indicated, lack of documentation and untimely acknowledgement of results were evident. This suggests that a significant proportion of wound swabs may not have been justified and had no impact on wound management. Our study clearly underlines the need for a more comprehensive guideline.

Declaration of interest:

There was no sponsorship of this study. The authors have no conflict of interest to declare.
Utility-Based Early Modulation of Processing Distracting Stimulus Information
Authors: Wendt Mike , Luna-Rodriguez Aquiles , Jacobsen Thomas
Published: December 2014

Humans are selective information processors who efficiently prevent goal-inappropriate stimulus information to gain control over their actions. Nonetheless, stimuli, which are both unnecessary for solving a current task and liable to cue an incorrect response (i.e., “distractors”), frequently modulate task performance, even when consistently paired with a physical feature that makes them easily discernible from target stimuli. Current models of cognitive control assume adjustment of the processing of distractor information based on the overall distractor utility (e.g., predictive value regarding the appropriate response, likelihood to elicit conflict with target processing). Although studies on distractor interference have supported the notion of utility-based processing adjustment, previous evidence is inconclusive regarding the specificity of this adjustment for distractor information and the stage(s) of processing affected. To assess the processing of distractors during sensory-perceptual phases we applied EEG recording in a stimulus identification task, involving successive distractor-target presentation, and manipulated the overall distractor utility. Behavioral measures replicated previously found utility modulations of distractor interference. Crucially, distractor-evoked visual potentials (i.e., posterior N1) were more pronounced in high-utility than low-utility conditions. This effect generalized to distractors unrelated to the utility manipulation, providing evidence for item-unspecific adjustment of early distractor processing to the experienced utility of distractor information.
Antigen Dependently Activated Cluster of Differentiation 8-Positive T Cells Cause Perforin-Mediated Neurotoxicity in Experimental Stroke
Authors: Mracsko Eva , Liesz Arthur , Stojanovic Ana , Lou Wilson Pak-Kin , Osswald Matthias , Zhou Wei , Karcher Simone , Winkler Frank , Martin-Villalba Ana , Cerwenka Adelheid , Veltkamp Roland
Published: December 2014

Neuroinflammation plays a key role in secondary brain damage after stroke. Although deleterious effects of proinflammatory cytokines are well characterized, direct cytotoxic effects of invading immune cells on the ischemic brain and the importance of their antigen-dependent activation are essentially unknown. Here we examined the effects of adaptive and innate immune cells—cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTLs) and natural killer (NK) cells—that share the direct perforin-mediated cytotoxic pathway on outcome after cerebral ischemia in mice. Although CTLs and NK cells both invaded the ischemic brain, only brain-infiltrating CTLs but not NK cells were more activated than their splenic counterparts. Depletion of CTLs decreased infarct volumes and behavioral deficit in two ischemia models, whereas NK cell depletion had no effect. Correspondingly, adoptive CTL transfer from wild-type into Rag1 knock-out mice increased infarct size. Adoptive CTL transfer from perforin knock-out or interferon-γ knock-out mice into Rag1 knock-out mice revealed that CTL neurotoxicity was mediated by perforin. Accordingly, CTLs isolated from wild-type or interferon-γ knock-out but not from perforin knock-out mice induced neuronal cell deathin vitro. CTLs derived from ovalbumin-specific T-cell receptor transgenic mice were not activated and infiltrated less into the ischemic brain compared with wild-type CTLs. Their transfer did not increase the infarct size of Rag1 knock-out mice, indicating antigen-dependent activation as an essential component of CTL neurotoxicity. Our findings underscore the importance of antigen-dependent, direct cytotoxic immune responses in stroke and suggest modulation of CTLs and their effector pathways as a potential new strategy for stroke therapy.
Initial Investigation of the Effects of an Experimentally Learned Schema on Spatial Associative Memory in Humans
Authors: van Buuren Mariët , Kroes Marijn C.W. , Wagner Isabella C. , Genzel Lisa , Morris Richard G.M. , Fernández Guillén
Published: December 2014

Networks of interconnected neocortical representations of prior knowledge, “schemas,” facilitate memory for congruent information. This facilitation is thought to be mediated by augmented encoding and accelerated consolidation. However, it is less clear how schema affects retrieval. Rodent and human studies to date suggest that schema-related memories are differently retrieved. However, these studies differ substantially as most human studies implement pre-experimental world-knowledge as schemas and tested item or nonspatial associative memory, whereas animal studies have used intraexperimental schemas based on item-location associations within a complex spatial layout that, in humans, could engage more strategic retrieval processes. Here, we developed a paradigm conceptually linked to rodent studies to examine the effects of an experimentally learned spatial associative schema on learning and retrieval of new object-location associations and to investigate the neural mechanisms underlying schema-related retrieval. Extending previous findings, we show that retrieval of schema-defining associations is related to activity along anterior and posterior midline structures and angular gyrus. The existence of such spatial associative schema resulted in more accurate learning and retrieval of new, related associations, and increased time allocated to retrieve these associations. This retrieval was associated with right dorsolateral prefrontal and lateral parietal activity, as well as interactions between the right dorsolateral prefrontal cortex and medial and lateral parietal regions, and between the medial prefrontal cortex and posterior midline regions, supporting the hypothesis that retrieval of new, schema-related object-location associations in humans also involves augmented monitoring and systematic search processes.