bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Voices used by nurses when communicating with patients and relatives in a department of medicine for older people—An ethnographic study
Authors: Johnsson Anette , Boman Åse , Wagman Petra , Pennbrant Sandra
Published: March 2018

Aims and objectives

To describe how nurses communicate with older patients and their relatives in a department of medicine for older people in western Sweden.

Background

Communication is an essential tool for nurses when working with older patients and their relatives, but often patients and relatives experience shortcomings in the communication exchanges. They may not receive information or are not treated in a professional way. Good communication can facilitate the development of a positive meeting and improve the patient's health outcome.

Design

An ethnographic design informed by the sociocultural perspective was applied.

Methods

Forty participatory observations were conducted and analysed during the period October 2015–September 2016. The observations covered 135 hours of nurse–patient–relative interaction. Field notes were taken, and 40 informal field conversations with nurses and 40 with patients and relatives were carried out. Semistructured follow‐up interviews were conducted with five nurses.

Results

In the result, it was found that nurses communicate with four different voices: a medical voice described as being incomplete, task‐oriented and with a disease perspective; a nursing voice described as being confirmatory, process‐oriented and with a holistic perspective; a pedagogical voice described as being contextualised, comprehension‐oriented and with a learning perspective; and a power voice described as being distancing and excluding. The voices can be seen as context‐dependent communication approaches. When nurses switch between the voices, this indicates a shift in the orientation or situation.

Conclusion

The results indicate that if nurses successfully combine the voices, while limiting the use of the power voice, the communication exchanges can become a more positive experience for all parties involved and a good nurse–patient–relative communication exchange can be achieved.

Relevance to clinical practice

Working for improved communication between nurses, patients and relatives is crucial for establishing a positive nurse–patient–relative relationship, which is a basis for improving patient care and healthcare outcomes.
Exploring staff perceptions and experiences of volunteers and visitors on the hospital ward at mealtimes using an ethnographic approach
Authors: Ottrey Ella , Palermo Claire , Huggins Catherine E. , Porter Judi
Published: March 2018

Aims and objectives

To explore multiple perspectives and experiences of volunteer and visitor involvement and interactions at hospital mealtimes. In addition, to understand how the volunteer and visitor role at mealtimes is perceived within the hospital system.

Background

Mealtime assistance can improve patients’ food intake and mealtime experience. Barriers to providing mealtime assistance include time pressures, staff availability and inadequate communication. Volunteers and visitors can encourage and assist patients at mealtimes. There is a lack of evidence on the relationship between hospital staff, volunteers and visitors.

Design

A qualitative, ethnographic approach.

Methods

Sixty‐seven hours of fieldwork were conducted on two subacute wards within an Australian healthcare network in 2015. Mealtime practices and interactions of hospital staff, volunteers and visitors were observed. Sixty‐one staff, volunteers and visitors were interviewed in 75 ethnographic and semi‐structured interviews. Data were inductively and thematically analysed.

Results

Three key themes emerged as follows: “help”—volunteers and visitors were considered helpful when they assisted patients at mealtimes, supported well‐being and aided staff–patient communication; “hindrance”—staff perceived visitors as negative presences when they inhibited patient progress and impacted staff work practices; and “reality of practice”—visiting hours, visitor engagement in patient therapy and communication between staff, volunteers and visitors were important practical considerations of mealtime involvement.

Conclusions

The findings show how and why volunteers and visitors can be helpful and unhelpful at hospital mealtimes on subacute wards. More research on the role and contribution of volunteers and visitors on hospital wards will inform future practice in healthcare settings.

Relevance to clinical practice

This healthcare organisation should continue to encourage volunteer and visitor involvement at hospital mealtimes. More effort is needed to educate visitors about patients’ therapeutic goals and the importance of nutrition. The working relationship between hospital staff, volunteers and visitors should be strengthened to improve nutritional care.
Hypertension among adults living in Haiti: An integrative review
Authors: Baptiste Diana‐Lyn , Hamilton Jill B. , Foronda Cynthia , Sloand Elizabeth , Fahlberg Beth , Pfaff Teresa , Delva Sabianca , Davidson Patricia M.
Published: March 2018

Aims and objectives

To determine what is known about hypertension among adults living in Haiti.

Background

Hypertension is the leading cause of morbidity, the identified cause of heart failure in 45% of patients and is associated with more than 70% of cardiovascular disease‐related hospital admissions in Haiti.

Design

An integrative review of the literature.

Methods

Searching four databases from 2007 to 2018, Whittemore and Knafl's method was used to review the literature. Three nurse researchers independently reviewed and appraised each publication applying the Johns Hopkins Evidence‐based Practice Appraisal tool.

Results

Eight publications were identified and appraised for level and quality of evidence. The synthesis of the literature yielded common themes of (i) high prevalence of hypertension among adults living in rural areas, (ii) public health challenges, (iii) lack of knowledge and awareness of hypertension and (iv) barriers to effective treatment.

Conclusion

Hypertension is a highly prevalent disease in Haiti that is understudied and warrants attention. To better serve this vulnerable population, culturally tailored prevention strategies and disease management programmes are recommended.

Relevance to clinical practice

There is a lack of quality evidence to guide nurses in the management of hypertension for this vulnerable population. Identification of barriers to effective treatment among this underserved population will assist nurses and other healthcare professionals in identifying best possible practices for patient care in clinical settings across Haiti.
Scoping review: Hospital nursing factors associated with 30‐day readmission rates of patients with heart failure
Authors: Jun Jin , Faulkner Kenneth M.
Published: March 2018

Aims and objectives

To review the current literature on hospital nursing factors associated with 30‐day readmission rates of patients with heart failure.

Background

Heart failure is a common, yet debilitating chronic illness with high mortality and morbidity. One in five patients with heart failure will experience unplanned readmission to a hospital within 30 days. Given the significance of heart failure to individuals, families and healthcare system, the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services has made reducing 30‐day readmission rates a priority.

Design

Scoping review, which maps the key concepts of a research area, is used.

Methods

Published primary studies in English assessing factors related to nurses in hospitals and readmission of patients with heart failure were included. Other inclusion criteria were written in English and published in peer‐reviewed journals.

Results

The search resulted in 2,782 articles. After removing duplicates and reviewing the inclusion and exclusion criteria, five articles were selected. Three nursing workforce factors emerged as follows: (i) nursing staffing, (ii) nursing care and work environment, and (iii) nurses’ knowledge of heart failure.

Conclusions

This is the first scoping review examining the association between hospital nursing factors and 30‐day readmission rates of patients with heart failure. Further studies examining the extent of nursing structural and process factors influencing the outcomes of patients with heart failure are needed.

Relevance to clinical practice

Nurses are an integral part of the healthcare system. Identifying the factors related to nurses in hospitals is important to ensure comprehensive delivery of care to the chronically ill population. Hospital administrators, managers and policymakers can use the findings from this review to implement strategies to reduce 30‐day readmission rates of patients with heart failure.
Association between dehydration on admission and postoperative complications in older persons undergoing orthopaedic surgery
Authors: Chan Helen Y L , Cheng Anthony , Cheung Susana S S , Pang Wai‐wah , Ma Wai‐yiu , Mok Long‐chau , Wong Wai‐kuen , Lee Diana T F
Published: March 2018

Aim and objectives

To examine the prevalence of dehydration upon hospital admission and its association with postoperative complications in older persons undergoing orthopaedic surgery.

Background

Ageing‐related physiological and pathological changes, as well as suboptimal care quality, can render older persons vulnerable to dehydration. However, few empirical studies have been conducted to examine the association between dehydration and care outcomes in this population.

Design

Retrospective documentary review.

Methods

The medical records of patients who were aged 65 years or above and admitted for orthopaedic surgery at an acute hospital in Hong Kong over the period of January 2013 to June 2013 were reviewed. The sociodemographic characteristics, health conditions, laboratory results during index hospitalisation, postoperative care and 1‐month survival were analysed. Dehydration status was defined on the basis of the ratio of blood urea nitrogen to creatinine upon admission.

Results

Of 310 reviewed records, 216 records were included in the analysis. A total of 21.8% of the patients in the included cases were defined as dehydrated and 35.2% were defined as at risk of dehydration. There were significantly more patients in the dehydrated group were female, having diuretic medication, swallowing difficulty, oedema, tube feeding, diaper or urinary catheter use, with postoperative complications in respiratory, gastrointestinal and haematological systems, and died within 30 days than those in the euhydrated group.

Conclusions

The findings of this study reveal that dehydration is highly prevalent among older persons on admission. Female gender and swallowing difficulty were found to be significantly associated with dehydration, although causal inference could not be delineated through this retrospective study.

Relevance to clinical practice

Given its significant influence on care outcomes and postoperative recovery, hydration care that promotes early recognition and timely management of dehydration is an integral part of fundamental care for older persons.
Effects of mannan‐oligosaccharides and Lactobacillus acidophilus supplementation on growth performance, nutrient utilization and faecal characteristics in Murrah buffalo calves
Authors: Sharma A. N. , Kumar S. , Tyagi A. K.
Published: March 2018

A study of 120 days was undertaken to ascertain the effect of mannan‐oligosaccharides (MOS) and Lactobacillus acidophilus supplementation on growth performance, nutrient utilization and faecal characteristics in Murrah buffalo calves. Twenty Murrah buffalo calves of 5–7 days old and 31 ± 2.0 kg of body weight (BW) were randomly assigned into four groups. Group I served as the control (CON) in which only basal diet (concentrate mixture and green fodder) was provided, without any supplementation. Mannan‐oligosaccharides at 4 g/calf/day were supplemented as prebiotic to Group II (PRE), whereas Group III (PRO) received Lactobacillus acidophilus in the form of fermented milk as probiotic at 200 ml/calf/day having 108 CFU/ml and Group IV (SYN) was supplemented with both MOS and Lactobacillus acidophilus as synbiotic at similar dose. Final BW (kg), dry matter intake, average daily gain, feed conversion efficiency and structural growth measurements were improved (p < .05) in the treatment groups compared to control. Digestibility of neutral detergent fibre was higher (p < .05) in SYN followed by PRE and PRO than control. The faecal lactobacilli and bifidobacterium population was higher (p < .05) in all the supplemented groups with a concomitant reduction in faecal coliform count as compared to control. Faecal ammonia, lactate and pH were also altered favourably (p < .05) in all the supplemented groups as compared to CON. The faecal volatile fatty acids were higher (p < .05) in PRE, PRO and SYN group than CON. The incorporation of MOS and Lactobacillus acidophilus in diet either individually or in combination as synbiotic has the potential to improve the performance and faecal characteristics in Murrah buffalo calves; however, the observed responses among the treatment groups were more evident in the synbiotic fed group compared to individual supplementation of MOS and Lactobacillus acidophilus.
Computer Vision and Machine Learning for Human Rights Video Analysis: Case Studies, Possibilities, Concerns, and Limitations
Authors: Aronson Jay D.
Published: March 2018

Citizen video and other publicly available footage can provide evidence of human rights violations and war crimes. The ubiquity of visual data, however, may overwhelm those faced with preserving and analyzing it. This article examines how machine learning and computer vision can be used to make sense of large volumes of video in advocacy and accountability contexts. These technologies can enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of human rights advocacy and accountability efforts, but only if human rights organizations can access the technologies themselves and learn how to use them to promote human rights. As such, computer scientists and software developers working with the human rights community must understand the context in which their products are used and act in solidarity with practitioners. By working together, practitioners and scientists can level the playing field between the human rights community and the entities that perpetrate, tolerate, or seek to cover up violations.
Can monetary policy tame Harrodian instability?
Authors: Franke Reiner
Published: March 2018

The paper introduces monetary policy into the canonical Kaleckian growth model with a built‐in Harrodian instability. It abstains, however, from the simple and immediately stabilizing interest rate inverse IS curve. Instead, more indirect effects are examined, which realistically will take time to work out. In particular, (a) the trend rate of growth governing the investment decisions additionally responds to the difference between the profit rate and the real rate of interest; and (b) the real interest rate may enter dynamic adjustments of the price markup. The main finding is that the Harrodian forces could still be overcome and stability of the steady state position is re‐established provided that the profitability motive in (a) and the responsiveness in the Taylor policy rule are both sufficiently strong. By contrast, the indirect feedback effects produced by (b) broaden the scope for instability. In sum, monetary policy in this extended framework can favour stability but is not necessarily the stabilizing panacea that the New Consensus considers it to be.
Does audiovisual distraction reduce dental anxiety in children under local anesthesia? A systematic review and meta‐analysis
Authors: Zhang C , Qin D , Shen L , Ji P , Wang J
Published: March 2018

Objectives

To perform a systematic review and meta‐analysis on the effects of audiovisual distraction on reducing dental anxiety in children during dental treatment under local anesthesia.

Methods

The authors identified eligible reports published through August 2017 by searching PubMed, EMBASE, and Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials. Clinical trials that reported the effects of audiovisual distraction on children’s physiological measures, self‐reports, and behavior rating scales during dental treatment met the minimum inclusion requirements. The authors extracted data and performed a meta‐analysis of appropriate articles.

Results

Nine eligible trials were included and qualitatively analyzed; some of these trials were also quantitatively analyzed. Among the physiological measures, heart rate or pulse rate was significantly lower (p = .01) in children subjected to audiovisual distraction during dental treatment under local anesthesia than in those who were not; a significant difference in oxygen saturation was not observed. The majority of the studies using self‐reports and behavior rating scales suggested that audiovisual distraction was beneficial in reducing anxiety perception and improving children’s cooperation during dental treatment.

Conclusion

The audiovisual distraction approach effectively reduces dental anxiety among children. Therefore, we suggest the use of audiovisual distraction when children need dental treatment under local anesthesia.
Combining mutations at genes encoding key enzymes involved in starch synthesis affects the amylose content, carbohydrate allocation and hardness in the wheat grain
Authors: Botticella Ermelinda , Sestili Francesco , Sparla Francesca , Moscatello Stefano , Marri Lucia , Cuesta‐Seijo Jose A. , Falini Giuseppe , Battistelli Alberto , Trost Paolo , Lafiandra Domenico
Published: March 2018

Modifications to the composition of starch, the major component of wheat flour, can have a profound effect on the nutritional and technological characteristics of the flour's end products. The starch synthesized in the grain of conventional wheats (Triticum aestivum) is a 3:1 mixture of the two polysaccharides amylopectin and amylose. Altering the activity of certain key starch synthesis enzymes (GBSSI, SSIIa and SBEIIa) has succeeded in generating starches containing a different polysaccharide ratio. Here, mutagenesis, followed by a conventional marker‐assisted breeding exercise, has been used to generate three mutant lines that produce starch with an amylose contents of 0%, 46% and 79%. The direct and pleiotropic effects of the multiple mutation lines were identified at both the biochemical and molecular levels. Both the structure and composition of the starch were materially altered, changes which affected the functionality of the starch. An analysis of sugar and nonstarch polysaccharide content in the endosperm suggested an impact of the mutations on the carbon allocation process, suggesting the existence of cross‐talk between the starch and carbohydrate synthesis pathways.
Leaf and canopy photosynthesis of a chlorophyll deficient soybean mutant
Authors: Sakowska Karolina , Alberti Giorgio , Genesio Lorenzo , Peressotti Alessandro , Delle Vedove Gemini , Gianelle Damiano , Colombo Roberto , Rodeghiero Mirco , Panigada Cinzia , Juszczak Radosław , Celesti Marco , Rossini Micol , Haworth Matthew , Campbell Benjamin W. , Mevy Jean‐Philippe , Vescovo Loris , Cendrero‐Mateo M. Pilar , Rascher Uwe , Miglietta Franco
Published: March 2018

The photosynthetic, optical, and morphological characteristics of a chlorophyll‐deficient (Chl‐deficient) “yellow” soybean mutant (MinnGold) were examined in comparison with 2 green varieties (MN0095 and Eiko). Despite the large difference in Chl content, similar leaf photosynthesis rates were maintained in the Chl‐deficient mutant by offsetting the reduced absorption of red photons by a small increase in photochemical efficiency and lower non‐photochemical quenching. When grown in the field, at full canopy cover, the mutants reflected a significantly larger proportion of incoming shortwave radiation, but the total canopy light absorption was only slightly reduced, most likely due to a deeper penetration of light into the canopy space. As a consequence, canopy‐scale gross primary production and ecosystem respiration were comparable between the Chl‐deficient mutant and the green variety. However, total biomass production was lower in the mutant, which indicates that processes other than steady state photosynthesis caused a reduction in biomass accumulation over time. Analysis of non‐photochemical quenching relaxation and gas exchange in Chl‐deficient and green leaves after transitions from high to low light conditions suggested that dynamic photosynthesis might be responsible for the reduced biomass production in the Chl‐deficient mutant under field conditions.
Arabidopsis nonresponding to oxylipins locus NOXY7 encodes a yeast GCN1 homolog that mediates noncanonical translation regulation and stress adaptation
Authors: Izquierdo Yovanny , Kulasekaran Satish , Benito Pablo , López Bran , Marcos Ruth , Cascón Tomás , Hamberg Mats , Castresana Carmen
Published: March 2018

Stress adaptation and translational regulation was studied using noxy7 (nonresponding to oxylipins7) from a series of Arabidopsis thaliana mutants. We identified the noxy7 mutation in At1g64790, which encodes a homolog of the yeast translational regulator General Control Nonderepressible1 (GCN1) that activates the GCN2 kinase; GCN2 in turn phosphorylates the α subunit of the translation initiation factor eIF2. This regulatory circuit is conserved in yeast and mammals, in which phosphorylated eIF2α (P‐eIF2α) facilitates stress adaptation by inhibiting protein synthesis. In phenotypic and de novo protein synthesis studies with Arabidopsis mutants, we found that NOXY7/GCN1 and GCN2 mediate P‐eIF2α formation and adaptation to amino acid deprivation; however, P‐eIF2α formation is not linked to general protein synthesis arrest. Additional evidence suggested that NOXY7/GCN1 but not GCN2 regulates adaptation to mitochondrial dysfunction, high boron concentration, and activation of plant immunity to infection by Pseudomonas syringae pv tomato (Pst). In these responses, NOXY7/GCN1 acts with GCN20 to regulate translation in a noncanonical pathway independently of GCN2 and P‐eIF2α. These results show the lesser functional relevance of GCN2 and P‐eIF2α in plants relative to other eukaryotes and highlight the prominent role of NOXY7/GCN1 and GCN20 in regulation of translation and stress adaptation in plants.
Macrocephaly diagnosed during well child visits
Authors: Yılmazbaş Pınar , Gökçay Gülbin , Eren Tijen , Karapınar Esra , Kural Bahar
Published: March 2018

Background

The measurement of head circumference (HC) provides valuable anthropometric data for a child's growth during well child visits. There are few studies on the characteristics of macrocephaly (MC) diagnosed during well child visits. The aim of this study was to identify the characteristics of children with MC diagnosed during the well‐child visits.

Methods

This descriptive clinical study was carried out in the well child unit of a medical faculty hospital. The health records of all children who were followed up between 2004 and 2014 were reviewed. The records of children with the diagnosis of MC were evaluated. All children with MC had cranial ultrasonography, measurement of parental HC, and biochemistry. The HC measurements were carried out until 3 years of age in the unit.

Results

Ninety of 9,758 children (0.9%) had the diagnosis of MC. Of these children, 61% were male. Mean age at diagnosis was 2.7 months. The majority of children (63.3%) had familial MC. The other leading findings were isolated MC and hydrocephalus: two of eight children with hydrocephalus had delayed neuromotor development.

Conclusion

MC was not rare in the present well child unit population. The evaluation of parental HC and cranial ultrasonography might be important for the differential diagnosis.
Complications in pediatric intestine transplantation in the absence of peri‐operative donor or recipient bowel decontamination
Authors: Clouse Jared W. , Kubal Chandrashekhar A. , Fridell Jonathan A. , Mangus Richard S.
Published: March 2018

This study reports the clinical complication and infection rates of an active pediatric IT program that has never utilized bowel decontamination in either the donor or the recipient. All patients undergoing IT from 2003 to 2015 at a single pediatric IT center were reviewed. Post‐transplant surgical, infectious, and immunosuppressive complications are reported. There were 52 patients who underwent IT during the study period. Among these patients, 4% developed a postoperative abscess, one developed an enteric fistula (2%), and one had an enteric or anastomotic leak (2%). The rate of any bacterial infection was 90% in the first year, with a wound infection rate of 23%. Any fungal infection occurred in 25% of patients. Any viral infection occurred in 75% of patients. Gastrointestinal viruses were diagnosed in 52% of patients, and cytomegalovirus infections occurred in 17%. Rejection rates were 39% at any time post‐transplant (isolated 44% and 35% for multivisceral patients). At this center in which no bowel decontamination was used, rates of surgical complications, infections, and rejection were similar to those reported by other centers. These findings suggest bowel decontamination may provide no significant benefit in this population of high‐risk transplant patients.
QUANTUM YIELDS OF TRIPLET AND O2(1∆g) FORMATION OF 4‐THIOURIDINE IN WATER AND ACETONITRILE
Authors: HEIHOFF K. , REDMOND R. W. , BRASLAVSKY S. E. , ROUGÉE M. , SALET C. , FAVRE A. , BENSASSON R. V.
Published: March 2018

The quantum yield of triplet formation, ΦT, and that of the photosensitized formation of singlet molecular oxygen, Φ∆, were determined for a rare nucleoside, 4‐thiouridine (4t‐Urd), in water and in acetonitrile, using singlet molecular oxygen phosphorescence, laser‐induced optoacoustics and time‐resolved thermal lensing. These yields, ΦT and Φ∆, the latter in aerated solutions, were found to be, respectively, in water: 0.67 ± 0.17 and 0.18 ± 0.04 and in acetonitrile: 0.61 ± 0.15 and 0.50 ± 0.20. The fraction of the 4t‐Urd triplet molecules quenched by oxygen leading to singlet molecular oxygen, S∆, was calculated to be between 0.7 and unity in both solvents, this value being indicative of a ππ* character for the lowest triplet state of 4t‐Urd.
PHOTODYNAMIC THERAPY DOSIMETRY IN POSTMORTEM AND in vivo RAT TUMORS AND AN OPTICAL PHANTOM
Authors: ARNFIELD M. R. , TULIP J. , McPHEE M. S.
Published: March 2018

Dosimetry in photodynamic therapy as currently practiced is empirical in that it does not account for optical properties of the target lesion. However, since light attenuation in tissue is unpredictable, measurements of optical properties are needed to ensure optimal light dose delivery. Further improvements in the uniformity of light dose distribution in tumors can be afforded by implanting multiple light sources. A technique is described in which the use of multiple cylindrical sources was combined with measurements of light energy fluence rate in the tumor. Six sources were placed within translucent plastic needles, which were inserted into tumors in a parallel array. Tumor attenuation characteristics were measured by placing a miniature light detector in one needle, while illuminating a cylindrical source in another, nearby, needle. This process was repeated for different needle pairs. In one postmortem and two in vivo tumors the absorption coefficient, transport scattering coefficient and penetration depth ranged from 0.56–0.81 cm 1, 9.4–15.2 cm 1 and 1.7–2.3 mm. respectively. Apparent penetration depths for in vivo tumors changed with time, during experiments. Predictions of dosimetry were generally consistent with direct measurements of light in tumors. Somewhat better agreement was observed in an optical phantom.
THE RESOLUTION OF CHLOROPHYLL a/b BINDING PROTEINS BY A PREPARATIVE METHOD BASED ON FLAT BED ISOELECTRIC FOCUSING
Authors: DAINESE PAOLA , HOYER-HANSEN GUNILLA , BASSI ROBERTO
Published: March 2018

We describe a new fractionation method for intrinsic membrane proteins based on flat bed isoelectric focusing (IEF) in granulated gel. The characteristics of the separation in the presence of the non‐ionic detergent dodecylmaltoside are considered. The method has been applied to the fractionation of chlorophyll a/b binding proteins from chloroplast grana membranes. Several Light Harvesting Complexes II (LHC II) have been resolved showing differences in their polypeptide composition. Probing with monoclonal and polyclonal antibodies showed that polypeptides belonging to different [EF fractions with the same mobility in denaturing sodium dodecyl sulphate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, are immunologically distinct polypeptides. This is the first report of the presence in the thylakoid membrane of a number of LHCII polypeptides that may reflect the genetic complexity of the Cab genes. Moreover preparative amounts have been obtained of the minor chlorophyll a/b proteins CP 29, CP 26 and CP 24 that have been recently described. The analysis of a currently used LHCII preparation by the present method shows that this fraction is actually contaminated by two minor chlorophyll a/b proteins.
RUTHENIUM RED INHIBITION OF OXYGEN EVOLUTION AND SPECIFIC RELEASE OF THE EXTRINSIC 16 kDa POLYPEPTIDE IN A PHOTOSYSTEM II PREPARATION
Authors: JURSINIC PAUL , MILLER NATHALIE , CARPENTIER ROBERT
Published: March 2018

The inhibitory effect of the dye ruthenium red was studied in photosystem II‐enriched submembrane fractions. A number of distinct types of interaction were found, which differed in their concentration range and required incubation time. Ruthenium red instantaneously quenches the initial chlorophyll a fluorescence level (F0) and the maximum fluorescence level (Fm) by enhancing radiationless deactivation in the chlorophyll light harvesting complex. Associated with this quenching of fluorescence is an instantaneous decrease in the quantum yield of oxygen evolution. Ruthenium red also inhibited the light saturated rate of oxygen evolution and the variable fluorescence, monitored 80 µs after a saturating excitation‐flash. These inhibitions increased with incubation time and became greater than 50% within 5 min. Although ruthenium red was known to affect Ca2+ or Cl− sites specifically, the inhibitory action was more pronounced than simple Ca2+ or Cl− depletion. Incubation with ruthenium red for 5 min blocks the Z P680+ → Z+ P680 charge transfer reaction. Upon mixing with the photosystem II preparation, ruthenium red induced specific release of the extrinsic 16 kDa polypeptide associated with water‐splitting without release of Mn. It is proposed that the inhibitor produces an ionic imbalance which alters the configuration of the donor side of photosystem II.
Evidence of early defence to Ascochyta lentis within the recently identified Lens orientalis resistance source ILWL180
Authors: Dadu R. H. R. , Ford R. , Sambasivam P. , Gupta D.
Published: March 2018

In plant–pathogen interactions, strong structural and biochemical barriers may induce a cascade of reactions in planta, leading to host resistance. The kinetic speed and amplitudes of these defence mechanisms may discriminate resistance from susceptibility to necrotrophic fungi. The infection processes of two Ascochyta lentis isolates (FT13037 and F13082) on the recently identified ascochyta blight (AB)‐resistant Lens orientalis genotype ILWL180 and two cultivated genotypes, ILL7537 (resistant) and ILL6002 (susceptible), were assessed. Using histopathological methods, significant differences in early behaviour of the isolates and the subsequent differential defence responses of the hosts were revealed. Irrespective of virulence, both isolates had significantly lower germination, shorter germ tubes and delayed appressorium formation on the resistant genotypes (ILWL180 and ILL7537) compared to the susceptible genotype (ILL6002); furthermore, these were more pronounced on genotype ILWL180 than on genotype ILL7537. Subsequently, host perception of pathogen entry led to the faster accumulation and notably higher amounts of reactive oxygen species and phenolic compounds at the penetration sites of the resistance genotypes ILWL180 and ILL7537. In contrast, genotype ILL6002 responded slowly to the A. lentis infection and reaffirmed previous gross disease symptomology reports as highly susceptible. Interestingly, quantification of H2O2 was markedly higher in ILWL180 particularly at 12 h post‐inoculation compared to ILL7537, potentially indicative of its superior resistance capability. Faster recognition of A. lentis is likely to be a major contribution to the superior resistance observed in genotype ILWL180 to the highly aggressive isolates of A. lentis assessed.
Cardiac measures of nuclear power plant operator stress during simulated incident and accident scenarios
Authors: Pakarinen Satu , Korpela Jussi , Torniainen Jari , Laarni Jari , Karvonen Hannu
Published: March 2018

Maintaining optimal performance in demanding situations is challenged by stress‐induced alterations in performance. Here, we quantified the stress of nuclear power plant (NPP) operators (N = 20) during a full‐scale simulator training for incident and accident scenarios. We compared the ambulatory electrocardiography measurements of heart rate (HR) and heart rate variability (HRV), and self‐reported stress during baselines and simulated scenarios. Perceived (scale 0–10) and physiologically measured stress were low during baseline after the scenarios and normal NPP operation (means 1.8–2.2, mean HR 75–80 bpm). During a cognitively challenging scenario simulating a sensor malfunction, the operators' stress was mild to moderate (mean 3.4; HR + 12% from baseline). During simulations of severe accidents of fire and radioactive steam leakage, the experienced stress and cardiac activity were on a moderate to high level (means 4.2 and 4.6; HR + 23% and + 14% from baseline, respectively). Cardiac activity paralleled the self‐reported stress: correlation of self‐reported stress to HR was 0.61 (p < .001) and to HRV features RMSSD, HF, LF/HF, SD1, and SD1/SD2 were −0.26, −0.28, 0.35, −0.40, and −0.39 (p < .01), respectively. The low shared variance (22%) between HR and physical activity further support the interpretation that the cardiac activity was strongly linked to the experience of stress and not accountable by operators' movement within the simulator. Cardiac measurements in naturalistic settings can thus reveal relevant information on acute stress with the benefit of not interrupting the primary task.
Visualizing Rate of Change: An Application to Age-specific Fertility Rates
Authors: Shang Han Lin
Published: March 2018

Visualization methods help in the discovery of characteristics that might not have been apparent by using mathematical models and summary statistics. However, visualization methods have not received much attention in demography, with the exceptions of scatter plots and Lexis surfaces. We utilize a phase plane plot to visualize the rate of change, obtained from derivatives of a continuous function. The phase plane plot bears a resemblance to hysteresis loops, isogrowth curves and solutions to differential equations. Using Australian and Chilean fertility, we present phase plane plots. Similarly to the scatter plot and Lexis surface, the phase plane plot identifies the age with maximum fertility rate and displays skewness of the fertility distribution. Unlike the scatter plot and Lexis surface, the phase plane plot identifies the age with maximum positive or negative velocity (i.e. the trend) and can compare the magnitude of the rate of change between any two years on the basis of the size of the radius of circles. The phase plane plot enables visualization of dynamic changes in fertility for a given age over the years and is potentially useful for visualizing dynamic changes in birth cohort fertility. Via the animate package in LATEX, a dynamic phase plane plot is also proposed to visualize changes in fertility over age or year.
Auxiliary Gradient-Based Sampling Algorithms
Authors: Titsias Michalis K. , Papaspiliopoulos Omiros
Published: March 2018

We introduce a new family of Markov chain Monte Carlo samplers that combine auxiliary variables, Gibbs sampling and Taylor expansions of the target density. Our approach permits the marginalization over the auxiliary variables, yielding marginal samplers, or the augmentation of the auxiliary variables, yielding auxiliary samplers. The well-known Metropolis-adjusted Langevin algorithm MALA and preconditioned Crank–Nicolson–Langevin algorithm pCNL are shown to be special cases. We prove that marginal samplers are superior in terms of asymptotic variance and demonstrate cases where they are slower in computing time compared with auxiliary samplers. In the context of latent Gaussian models we propose new auxiliary and marginal samplers whose implementation requires a single tuning parameter, which can be found automatically during the transient phase. Extensive experimentation shows that the increase in efficiency (measured as the effective sample size per unit of computing time) relative to (optimized implementations of) pCNL, elliptical slice sampling and MALA ranges from tenfold in binary classification problems to 25 fold in log-Gaussian Cox processes to 100 fold in Gaussian process regression, and it is on a par with Riemann manifold Hamiltonian Monte Carlo sampling in an example where that algorithm has the same complexity as the aforementioned algorithms. We explain this remarkable improvement in terms of the way that alternative samplers try to approximate the eigenvalues of the target. We introduce a novel Markov chain Monte Carlo sampling scheme for hyperparameter learning that builds on the auxiliary samplers. The MATLAB code for reproducing the experiments in the paper is publicly available and an on-line supplement to this paper contains additional experiments and implementation details.
Sociophonetics: The Role of Words, the Role of Context, and the Role of Words in Context
Authors: Hay Jennifer
Published: March 2018

This paper synthesizes a wide range of literature from sociolinguistics and cognitive psychology, to argue for a central role for the “word” as a vehicle of language variation and change. Three crucially interlinked strands of research are reviewed—the role of context in associative learning, the word‐level storage of phonetic and contextual detail, and the phonetic consequences of skewed distributions of words across different contexts. I argue that the human capacity for associative learning, combined with attention to fine‐phonetic detail at the level of the word, plays a significant role in predicting a range of subtle but systematically robust observed socioindexical patterns in speech production and perception.
Abstract Concepts and Pictures of Real‐World Situations Activate One Another
Authors: McRae Ken , Nedjadrasul Daniel , Pau Raymond , Lo Bethany Pui‐Hei , King Lisa
Published: March 2018

Abstract concepts typically are defined in terms of lacking physical or perceptual referents. We argue instead that they are not devoid of perceptual information because knowledge of real‐world situations is an important component of learning and using many abstract concepts. Although the relationship between perceptual information and abstract concepts is less straightforward than for concrete concepts, situation‐based perceptual knowledge is part of many abstract concepts. In Experiment 1, participants made lexical decisions to abstract words that were preceded by related and unrelated pictures of situations. For example, share was preceded by a picture of two girls sharing a cob of corn. When pictures were presented for 500 ms, latencies did not differ. However, when pictures were presented for 1,000 ms, decision latencies were significantly shorter for abstract words preceded by related versus unrelated pictures. Because the abstract concepts corresponded to the pictured situation as a whole, rather than a single concrete object or entity, the necessary relational processing takes time. In Experiment 2, on each trial, an abstract word was presented for 250 ms, immediately followed by a picture. Participants indicated whether or not the picture showed a normal situation. Decision latencies were significantly shorter for pictures preceded by related versus unrelated abstract words. Our experiments provide evidence that knowledge of events and situations is important for learning and using at least some types of abstract concepts. That is, abstract concepts are grounded in situations, but in a more complex manner than for concrete concepts. Although people's understanding of abstract concepts certainly includes knowledge gained from language describing situations and events for which those concepts are relevant, sensory and motor information experienced during real‐life events is important as well.
Red blood cells treated with the amustaline (S‐303) pathogen reduction system: a transfusion study in cardiac surgery
Authors: Brixner Veronika , Kiessling Arndt‐Holger , Madlener Katharina , Müller Markus M. , Leibacher Johannes , Dombos Sarah , Weber Iuliia , Pfeiffer Hans‐Ulrich , Geisen Christof , Schmidt Michael , Henschler Reinhard , North Anne , Huang Norman , Mufti Nina , Erickson Anna , Ernst Christine , Rico Salvador , Benjamin Richard J. , Corash Laurence M. , Seifried Erhard
Published: March 2018

BACKGROUND

Nucleic acid–targeted pathogen inactivation technology using amustaline (S‐303) and glutathione (GSH) was developed to reduce the risk of transfusion‐transmitted infectious disease and transfusion‐associated graft‐versus‐host disease with red blood cell (RBC) transfusion.

STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS

A randomized, double‐blind, controlled study was performed to assess the in vitro characteristics of amustaline‐treated RBCs (test) compared with conventional (control) RBCs and to evaluate safety and efficacy of transfusion during and after cardiac surgery. The primary device efficacy endpoint was the postproduction hemoglobin (Hb) content of RBCs. Exploratory clinical outcomes included renal and hepatic failure, the 6‐minute walk test (a surrogate for cardiopulmonary function), adverse events (AEs), and the immune response to amustaline‐treated RBCs.

RESULTS

A total of 774 RBC unis were produced. Mean treatment difference in Hb content was –2.27 g/unit (95% confidence interval, –2.61 to –1.92 g/unit), within the prespecified equivalence margins (±5 g/unit) to declare noninferiority. Amustaline‐treated RBCs met European guidelines for Hb content, hematocrit, and hemolysis. Fifty‐one (25 test and 26 control) patients received study RBCs. There were no significant differences in RBC usage or other clinical outcomes. Observed AEs were within the spectrum expected for patients of similar age undergoing cardiovascular surgery requiring RBCs transfusion. No patients exhibited an immune response specific to amustaline‐treated RBCs.

CONCLUSION

Amustaline‐treated RBCs demonstrated equivalence to control RBCs for Hb content, have appropriate characteristics for transfusion, and were well tolerated when transfused in support of acute anemia. Renal impairment was characterized as a potential efficacy endpoint for pivotal studies of RBC transfusion in cardiac surgery.
A preliminary study of serum IgE against cross‐reactive carbohydrate determinants (CCD) in client‐owned atopic dogs
Authors: Levy Britt J. , DeBoer Douglas J.
Published: March 2018

Background

Cross‐reactive carbohydrate determinants (CCD) are defined carbohydrate portions of glycoprotein cell surface molecules common to many plant and insect species. Mammalian species recognize CCD as foreign antigens and can mount humoral immune responses against them. Approximately 20–37% of grass and venom allergic people possess circulating IgE against CCD; these antibodies are generally considered clinically irrelevant. Anti‐CCD IgE is, however, recognized as a cause of false positive, clinically incongruent serum allergen test results in people; this phenomenon has not been investigated in animals.

Objective

To determine if anti‐CCD IgE could be detected in sera of client‐owned atopic dogs and how frequently it is found.

Animals

Sera from 38 dogs with a clinical diagnosis of atopic dermatitis and prior serological evidence of IgE antibodies, defined as a positive result to at least one mite and pollen (of any type).

Methods

Sera were analysed for IgE against CCD and environmental allergens with a commercially available multiplex enzyme‐labelled allergen‐specific IgE assay.

Results

Anti‐CCD IgE was detected in nine of 38 (24%) of atopic dog sera. As with their human counterparts, all dogs with anti‐CCD IgE had strong serological reactivity to grass pollens.

Conclusions and Clinical Importance

Anti‐CCD IgE can confound serological allergen testing in people; the same might be true in dogs. Further studies are warranted to investigate the clinical implications of anti‐CCD IgE in dogs, including the potential for these antibodies to affect serum allergen‐specific IgE assays used for clinical diagnosis, and whether they are relevant to clinical disease.
Laser postionization of neutral molecules sputtered using bismuth and argon cluster primary ions
Authors: Heeger Marcel , Tyler Bonnie J. , Körsgen Martin , Arlinghaus Heinrich F.
Published: March 2018

In this study, the influence of two different cluster primary ions in laser secondary neutral mass spectrometry (Laser-SNMS) has been investigated. Despite the many advantages of Laser-SNMS, fragmentation of neutral organic molecules during both sputtering and photoionization has limited its efficiency for the study of large organic and biological molecules. Cluster ion sputtering, and in particular large argon gas cluster sputtering, has been proposed as a means of reducing this fragmentation. Molecules of 9-fluorenylmethoxycarbonyl-pentafluoro-l-phenylalanine were sputtered using Bi3+ and Ar2000+ cluster primary ions, and the desorbed neutral species (“secondary neutrals”) were postionized using a 7.87 eV vacuum ultraviolet laser light fluorine excimer laser. By varying timing parameters and laser power density, time-of-flight and laser power density distributions were obtained to investigate the fragmentation and energy distributions of the sputtered neutral species. Changing from 30 keV Bi3+ sputtering to 10 keV Ar2000+ resulted in a significant reduction in fragmentation of the molecule as well as a suppression of the high background that results from metastable decay of highly excited ions, yielding significantly improved detection of the intact molecule and characteristic fragments. Analysis of the influence of laser power density and laser pulse delay time indicates a reduction of fragmentation in both the sputtering phase and the photoionization phase. This study demonstrates the importance of soft desorption for efficient laser postionization of large organic molecules and shows the potential for improving the efficiency of laser postionization by using large gas cluster ion sputtering.