bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Utilizing Three-Dimensional Printing Technology to Assess the Feasibility of High-Fidelity Synthetic Ventricular Septal Defect Models for Simulation in Medical Education
Authors: Costello John P. , Olivieri Laura J. , Krieger Axel , Thabit Omar , Marshall M. Blair , Yoo Shi-Joon , Kim Peter C. , Jonas Richard A. , Nath Dilip S.
Published: June 2014

Background:

The current educational approach for teaching congenital heart disease (CHD) anatomy to students involves instructional tools and techniques that have significant limitations. This study sought to assess the feasibility of utilizing present-day three-dimensional (3D) printing technology to create high-fidelity synthetic heart models with ventricular septal defect (VSD) lesions and applying these models to a novel, simulation-based educational curriculum for premedical and medical students.

Methods:

Archived, de-identified magnetic resonance images of five common VSD subtypes were obtained. These cardiac images were then segmented and built into 3D computer-aided design models using Mimics Innovation Suite software. An Objet500 Connex 3D printer was subsequently utilized to print a high-fidelity heart model for each VSD subtype. Next, a simulation-based educational curriculum using these heart models was developed and implemented in the instruction of 29 premedical and medical students. Assessment of this curriculum was undertaken with Likert-type questionnaires.

Results:

High-fidelity VSD models were successfully created utilizing magnetic resonance imaging data and 3D printing. Following instruction with these high-fidelity models, all students reported significant improvement in knowledge acquisition ( P < .0001), knowledge reporting ( P < .0001), and structural conceptualization ( P < .0001) of VSDs.

Conclusions:

It is feasible to use present-day 3D printing technology to create high-fidelity heart models with complex intracardiac defects. Furthermore, this tool forms the foundation for an innovative, simulation-based educational approach to teach students about CHD and creates a novel opportunity to stimulate their interest in this field.
“Isolated Atrial Inversion” Without Transposition Physiology: Yet Another “Twisted Heart”
Authors: Gupta Saurabh Kumar , Gulati Gurpreet Singh , Saxena Anita , Ho Siew Yen , Juneja Rajnish
Published: June 2014

Atrial inversion (or mirror-imaged atrial arrangement) occurring in isolation, that is, without corresponding mirror imagery of the viscera, has been previously shown with discordant atrioventricular connections resulting in transposition physiology. We hereby report a case of “isolated atrial inversion” wherein atrioventricular connections were concordant owing to the presence of criss-crossing of the ventricular inflows.
A Novel Technique for Repair of Complete Atrioventricular Canal Defect
Authors: Douglas William I. , Doshi Unnati
Published: June 2014

Background:

Two-patch, single-patch, and modified single-patch repairs are accepted techniques for repair of complete atrioventricular (AV) canal defects. We propose a novel, alternative technique: the central patch technique.

Methods:

For the central patch technique, the superior and inferior bridging leaflets are attached with simple sutures to the right and left of their coaptation point. Both bridging leaflets are incised along a line above the ventricular crest, similar to a traditional single-patch technique. An oval pericardial patch is sewn to the central defect created in the AV valve tissue. Interrupted, horizontal mattress sutures are placed along the ventricular crest, through the midline of the central patch and through the edge of the atrial septal defect (ASD) patch. Tying the sutures simultaneously closes the ventricular septal defect (VSD) and secures the ASD patch to the ventricular crest. Repair of the left AV valve and ASD closure are performed in the routine fashion.

Results:

Five patients underwent the central patch technique repair of complete AV canal defect. Weight was 4.8 to 6.3 kg; age was four to eight months. Cardiopulmonary bypass and myocardial times averaged 137 minutes and 109 minutes, respectively. No patient had more than mild left AV valve regurgitation or trivial residual VSD at completion of repair. No patient developed left ventricular outflow tract obstruction.

Conclusion:

The central patch technique is applicable to all forms of complete AV canal defect. Subjectively, it offers technical advantages compared to standard techniques and may result in a shorter learning curve for junior congenital heart surgeons. Results are preliminary but are consistent with standard techniques.
On the sum of the two largest Laplacian eigenvalues of trees
Authors: Guan Mei , Zhai Mingqing , Wu Yongfeng
Published: June 2014

For

S
(
T
)

, the sum of the two largest Laplacian eigenvalues of a tree T, an upper bound is obtained. Moreover, among all trees with

n
≥
4

vertices, the unique tree which attains the maximal value of

S
(
T
)

is determined.

MSC:05C50.
A note on the almost sure central limit theorem for the product of some partial sums
Authors: Chen Yang , Tan Zhongquan , Wang Kaiyong
Published: June 2014

Let

(

X
n

)

be a sequence of i.i.d., positive, square integrable random variables with

E
(

X
1

)
=
μ
>
0

,

Var
(

X
1

)
=

σ
2

. Denote by

S

n
,
k

=

∑

i
=
1

n

X
i

−

X
k

and by

γ
=
σ
/
μ

the coefficient of variation. Our goal is to show the unbounded, measurable functions g, which satisfy the almost sure central limit theorem, i.e.,

lim

N
→
∞

1

log
N

∑

n
=
1

N

1
n

g

(

(

∏

k
=
1

n

S

n
,
k

(
n
−
1
)

n

μ
n

)

1

γ

n

)

=

∫
0
∞

g
(
x
)

d
F
(
x
)

a.s.
,

where

F
(
⋅
)

is the distribution function of the random variable

e
N

and "Equation missing" is a standard normal random variable.

MSC:60F15, 60F05.
Variability in CRP, regulatory T cells and effector T cells over time in gynaecological cancer patients: a study of potential oscillatory behaviour and correlations
Authors: Madondo Mutsa T , Tuyaerts Sandra , Turnbull Brit B , Vanderstraeten Anke , Kohrt Holbrook , Narasimhan Balasubramanian , Amant Frederic , Quinn Michael , Plebanski Magdalena
Published: June 2014

Background

The inflammatory marker, C reactive protein has been proposed to also be a biomarker for adaptive immune responses in cancer patients with a possible application in time based chemotherapy. Fluxes in serum CRP levels were suggested to be indicative of a cyclical process in which, immune activation is followed by auto-regulating immune suppression. The applicability of CRP as a biomarker for regulatory or effector T cells was therefore investigated in a cohort of patients with gynaecological malignancies.

Methods

Peripheral blood samples were obtained from a cohort of patients at 7 time points over a period of 12 days. Serum and mononuclear cells were isolated and CRP levels in serum were detected using ELISA while regulatory and effector T cell frequencies were assessed using flow cytometry. To test periodicity, periodogram analysis of data was employed while Pearson correlation and the Wilcoxon signed rank test were used to determine correlations.

Results

The statistical analysis used showed no evidence of periodic oscillation in either serum CRP concentrations or Teff and Treg frequencies. Furthermore, there was no apparent correlation between serum CRP concentrations and the corresponding frequencies of Tregs or Teffs. Relative to healthy individuals, the disease state in the patients neither significantly affected the mean frequency of Tregs nor the mean coefficient of variation within the Treg population over time. However, both Teff mean frequency and mean coefficient of variation were significantly reduced in patients.

Conclusion

Using our methods we were unable to detect CRP oscillations that could be used as a consistent serial biomarker for time based chemotherapy.
Roles of ASIC3, TRPV1, and NaV1.8 in the Transition from Acute to Chronic Pain in a Mouse Model of Fibromyalgia
Authors: Chen Wei-Nan , Lee Cheng-Han , Lin Shing-Hong , Wong Chia-Wen , Sun Wei-Hsin , Wood John N , Chen Chin-Cheng
Published: June 2014

Background:

Tissue acidosis is effective in causing chronic muscle pain. However, how muscle nociceptors contribute to the transition from acute to chronic pain is largely unknown.

Results:

Here we showed that a single intramuscular acid injection induced a priming effect on muscle nociceptors of mice. The primed muscle nociceptors were plastic and permitted the development of long-lasting chronic hyperalgesia induced by a second acid insult. The plastic changes of muscle nociceptors were modality-specific and required the activation of acid-sensing ion channel 3 (***ASIC3) or transient receptor potential cation channel V1 (TRPV1). Activation of ASIC3 was associated with increased activity of tetrodotoxin (TTX)-sensitive voltage-gated sodium channels but not protein kinase Cε (PKCε) in isolectin B4 (IB4)-negative muscle nociceptors. In contrast, increased activity of TTX-resistant voltage-gated sodium channels with ASIC3 or TRPV1 activation in NaV1.8-positive muscle nociceptors was required for the development of chronic hyperalgesia. Accordingly, compared to wild type mice, NaV1.8-null mice showed briefer acid-induced hyperalgesia (5 days vs. >27 days).

Conclusion:

ASIC3 activation may manifest a new type of nociceptor priming in IB4-negative muscle nociceptors. The activation of ASIC3 and TRPV1 as well as enhanced NaV1.8 activity are essential for the development of long-lasting hyperalgesia in acid-induced, chronic, widespread muscle pain.
Asymmetric c-Fos Expression in the Ventral Orbital Cortex is Associated with Impaired Reversal Learning in a Right-Sided Neuropathy
Authors: Leite-Almeida Hugo , Guimarães Marco Rafael , Cerqueira João José , Ribeiro-Costa Nuno , Anjos-Martins Helena , Sousa Nuno , Almeida Armando
Published: June 2014

Background:

Recently we showed that unilateral peripheral neuropathic lesions impacted differentially on rat's emotional/cognitive behavior depending on its left/right location; importantly, this observation recapitulates clinical reports. The prefrontal cortex (PFC), a brain region morphofunctionally affected in chronic pain conditions, is involved in the modulation of both emotion and executive function and displays functional lateralization. To test whether the PFC is involved in the lateralization bias associated with left/right pain, c-fos expression in medial and orbital areas was analyzed in rats with an unilateral spared nerve injury neuropathy installed in the left or in the right side after performing an attentional set-shifting, a strongly PFC-dependent task.

Results:

SNI-R animals required more trials to successfully terminate the reversal steps of the attentional set-shifting task. A generalized increase of c-fos density in medial and orbital PFC (mPFC/OFC), irrespectively of the hemisphere, was observed in both SNI-L and SNI-R. However, individual laterality indexes revealed that contrary to controls and SNI-L, SNI-R animals presented a leftward shift in c-fos density in the ventral OFC (VO). None of these effects were observed in the neighboring primary motor area.

Conclusions:

Our results demonstrate that chronic neuropathic pain is associated with a bilateral mPFC and OFC hyperactivation. We hypothesize that the impaired performance of SNI-R animals is associated with a left/right activity inversion in the VO, whose functional integrity is critical for reversal learning.
Antityphoid and radical scavenging properties of the methanol extracts and compounds from the aerial part of Paullinia pinnata
Authors: Lunga Paul Keilah , Tamokou Jean de Dieu , Fodouop Simeon PC , Kuiate Jules-Roger , Tchoumboue Joseph , Gatsing Donatien
Published: June 2014

Paullinia pinnata Linn (Sapindaceae) is a medicinal plant, locally used in the West Region of Cameroon for the treatment of typhoid fever. This work was designed to evaluate the antityphoid and antioxidant activities of the extracts and compounds of P. pinnata.

The methanol extracts of the leaves and stems were tested for antityphoid and antioxidant activities. Compounds were isolated, and their structures elucidated by analysis of spectroscopic data in conjuction with literature data and tested for the same activities. The leaf extract was also tested in vivo for its antityphoid potential in a Salmonella typhimurium-induced typhoid fever model in Wistar rats.

Seven known compounds: methylinositol (1), β-sitosterol (2), friedelin (3), 3β-(β-D-Glucopyranosyloxy)stigmast-5-ene (4), (3β)-3-O-(2′-Acetamido-2′-deoxy-β-D-glucopyranosyl) oleanolic acid (5), (3β,16α- hydroxy)-3-O-(2′-Acetamido-2′-deoxy-β-D-glucopyranosyl) echinocystic acid (6) and (3β,)-3-O-[β-D-glucopyranosyl-(1″-3′)-2′-acetamido-2′-deoxy-β-D-galactopyranosyl]oleanolic acid (7) were isolated. Compounds 5 and 1 showed the highest antibacterial (MIC = 0.781-1.562 μg/ml) and DPPH radical scavenging (RSa50 = 19.27 ± 4.43 μg/ml) activities respectively. The maximum extract dose (446.00 mg/kg bw) had comparable activity with ciprofloxacin (7.14 mg/kg bw) and oxytetracycline (5 mg/kg bw). The extract induced significant dose-dependent increase of WBCs and lymphocytes.

These results support the ethnomedicinal use of P. pinnata and its isolated Compounds could be useful in the standardization of antityphoid phytomedicine from it.
Does the design of correspondence studies influence the measurement of discrimination?
Authors: Carlsson Magnus , Fumarco Luca , Rooth Dan-Olof
Published: June 2014

Correspondence studies can identify the extent of discrimination in hiring as typically defined by the law, which includes discrimination against ethnic minorities and females. However, as Heckman and Siegelman (1993) show, if employers act upon a group difference in the variance of unobserved variables, this measure of discrimination may not be very informative. This issue has essentially been ignored in the empirical literature until the recent methodological development by Neumark (2012). We apply Neumark’s method to a number of already published correspondence studies. We find the Heckman and Siegelman critique relevant for empirical work and give suggestions on how future correspondence studies may address this critique.

JEL classification

J71
Monitoring the effects of dexamethasone treatment by MRI using in vivo iron oxide nanoparticle-labeled macrophages
Authors: Gramoun Azza , Crowe Lindsey A , Maurizi Lionel , Wirth Wolfgang , Tobalem Frank , Grosdemange Kerstin , Coullerez Geraldine , Eckstein Felix , Koenders Marije I , Van den Berg Wim B , Hofmann Heinrich , Vallée Jean-Paul
Published: June 2014

Introduction

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic disease causing recurring inflammatory joint attacks. These attacks are characterized by macrophage infiltration contributing to joint destruction. Studies have shown that RA treatment efficacy is correlated to synovial macrophage number. The aim of this study was to experimentally validate the use of in vivo superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticle (SPION) labeled macrophages to evaluate RA treatment by MRI.

Methods

The evolution of macrophages was monitored with and without dexamethasone (Dexa) treatment in rats. Two doses of 3 and 1 mg/kg Dexa were administered two and five days following induction of antigen induced arthritis. SPIONs (7 mg Fe/rat) were injected intravenously and the knees were imaged in vivo on days 6, 10 and 13. The MR images were scored for three parameters: SPION signal intensity, SPION distribution pattern and synovial oedema. Using 3D semi-automated software, the MR SPION signal was quantified. The efficacy of SPIONs and gadolinium chelate (Gd), an MR contrast agent, in illustrating treatment effects were compared. Those results were confirmed through histological measurements of number and area of macrophages and nanoparticle clusters using CD68 immunostaining and Prussian blue staining respectively.

Results

Results show that the pattern and the intensity of SPION-labeled macrophages on MRI were altered by Dexa treatment. While the Dexa group had a uniform elliptical line surrounding an oedema pocket, the untreated group showed a diffused SPION distribution on day 6 post-induction. Dexa reduced the intensity of SPION signal 50-60% on days 10 and 13 compared to controls (P = 0.00008 and 0.002 respectively). Similar results were found when the signal was measured by the 3D tool. On day 13, the persisting low grade arthritis progression could not be demonstrated by Gd. Analysis of knee samples by Prussian blue and CD68 immunostaining confirmed in vivo SPION uptake by macrophages. Furthermore, CD68 immunostaining revealed that Dexa treatment significantly decreased the area and number of synovial macrophages. Prussian blue quantification corresponded to the macrophage measurements and both were in agreement with the MRI findings.

Conclusions

We have demonstrated the feasibility of MRI tracking of in vivo SPION-labeled macrophages to assess RA treatment effects.
Automatic protective ventilation using the ARDSNet protocol with the additional monitoring of electrical impedance tomography
Authors: Pomprapa Anake , Schwaiberger David , Pickerodt Philipp , Tjarks Onno , Lachmann Burkhard , Leonhardt Steffen
Published: June 2014

Introduction

Automatic ventilation for patients with respiratory failure aims at reducing mortality and can minimize the workload of clinical staff, offer standardized continuous care, and ultimately save the overall cost of therapy. We therefore developed a prototype for closed-loop ventilation using acute respiratory distress syndrome network (ARDSNet) protocol, called autoARDSNet.

Methods

A protocol-driven ventilation using goal-oriented structural programming was implemented and used for 4 hours in seven pigs with lavage-induced acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). Oxygenation, plateau pressure and pH goals were controlled during the automatic ventilation therapy using autoARDSNet. Monitoring included standard respiratory, arterial blood gas analysis and electrical impedance tomography (EIT) images. After 2-hour automatic ventilation, a disconnection of the animal from the ventilator was carried out for 10 seconds, simulating a frequent clinical scenario for routine clinical care or intra-hospital transport.

Results

This pilot study of seven pigs showed stable and robust response for oxygenation, plateau pressure and pH value using the automated system. A 10-second disconnection at the patient-ventilator interface caused impaired oxygenation and severe acidosis. However, the automated protocol-driven ventilation was able to solve these problems. Additionally, regional ventilation was monitored by EIT for the evaluation of ventilation in real-time at bedside with one prominent case of pneumothorax.

Conclusions

We implemented an automatic ventilation therapy using ARDSNet protocol with seven pigs. All positive outcomes were obtained by the closed-loop ventilation therapy, which can offer a continuous standard protocol-driven algorithm to ARDS subjects.
Distinct and overlapping control of 5-methylcytosine and 5-hydroxymethylcytosine by the TET proteins in human cancer cells
Authors: Putiri Emily L , Tiedemann Rochelle L , Thompson Joyce J , Liu Chunsheng , Ho Thai , Choi Jeong-Hyeon , Robertson Keith D
Published: June 2014

Background

The TET family of dioxygenases catalyze conversion of 5-methylcytosine (5mC) to 5-hydroxymethylcytosine (5hmC), but their involvement in establishing normal 5mC patterns during mammalian development and their contributions to aberrant control of 5mC during cellular transformation remain largely unknown. We depleted TET1, TET2, and TET3 in a pluripotent embryonic carcinoma cell model and examined the impact on genome-wide 5mC, 5hmC, and transcriptional patterns.

Results

TET1 depletion yields widespread reduction of 5hmC, while depletion of TET2 and TET3 reduces 5hmC at a subset of TET1 targets suggesting functional co-dependence. TET2 or TET3 depletion also causes increased 5hmC, suggesting these proteins play a major role in 5hmC removal. All TETs prevent hypermethylation throughout the genome, a finding dramatically illustrated in CpG island shores, where TET depletion results in prolific hypermethylation. Surprisingly, TETs also promote methylation, as hypomethylation was associated with 5hmC reduction. TET function is highly specific to chromatin environment: 5hmC maintenance by all TETs occurs at polycomb-marked chromatin and genes expressed at moderate levels; 5hmC removal by TET2 is associated with highly transcribed genes enriched for H3K4me3 and H3K36me3. Importantly, genes prone to hypermethylation in cancer become depleted of 5hmC with TET deficiency, suggesting that TETs normally promote 5hmC at these loci. Finally, all three TETs, but especially TET2, are required for 5hmC enrichment at enhancers, a condition necessary for expression of adjacent genes.

Conclusions

These results provide novel insight into the division of labor among TET proteins and reveal important connections between TET activity, the chromatin landscape, and gene expression.
A two stage model for moisture-induced deformations in expansive soils
Authors: Ito Maki , Azam Shahid , Hu Yafei
Published: June 2014

Background

Moisture-induced suction changes in expansive soils due to infiltration and evaporation result in failure of civil infrastructure. The objective of this paper was to develop a two stage deformation model by simultaneously calculating soil suction and stress state. The model predictions were validated using a one-year field monitoring data.

Results

Deformations in expansive soils closely match cyclical suction changes corresponding to seasonal weather variations. Volume changes fluctuated close to the ground surface and gradually decreased with depth (overburden pressure) due to isolation from meteorological effects. The top 2 m depth was found to be the active zone susceptible to moisture variations.

Conclusions

The model agreed well with the monitoring data trends with deviations attributed to analytical assumptions in the equations, ineffective capture of antecedent soil conditions, possible soil heterogeneity and anisotropy, and hysteresis in soil saturation and desaturation.
Phospholipase D Activity Underlies Very-Low-Density Lipoprotein (VLDL)-induced Aldosterone Production in Adrenal Glomerulosa Cells
Authors: Tsai Ying-Ying , Rainey William E. , Pan Zhi-qiang , Frohman Michael A. , Choudhary Vivek , Bollag Wendy B.
Published: June 2014

Aldosterone is the mineralocorticoid responsible for sodium retention, thus increased blood volume and pressure. Excessive production of aldosterone results in high blood pressure as well as renal disease, stroke, and visual loss via both direct effects and effects on blood pressure. Weight gain is often associated with increased blood pressure, but it remains unclear how obesity increases blood pressure. Obese patients typically have higher lipoprotein levels; moreover, some studies have suggested that aldosterone levels are also elevated and represent a link between obesity and hypertension. Very-low-density lipoprotein (VLDL) functions to transport triglycerides from the liver to peripheral tissues. Although previous studies have demonstrated that VLDL can stimulate aldosterone production, the mechanisms underlying this effect are largely unclear. Here we show for the first time that phospholipase D (PLD) is involved in VLDL-induced aldosterone production in both a human adrenocortical cell line (HAC15) and primary cultures of bovine zona glomerulosa cells. Our data also reveal that PLD mediates steroidogenic acute regulatory (StAR) protein and aldosterone synthase (CYP11B2) expression via increasing the phosphorylation (activation) of their regulatory transcription factors. Finally, by using selective PLD inhibitors, our studies suggest that both PLD1 and PLD2 isoforms play an important role in VLDL-induced aldosterone production.
Dual-Energy X-Ray Absorptiometry Is a Valid Method to Estimatimate Visceral Adipose Tissue in Adult Patients With Prader-Willi Syndrome During Treatment With Growth Hormone
Authors: Olarescu Nicoleta Cristina , Jørgensen Anders Palmstrøm , Godang Kristin , Jurik Anne Grethe , Frøslie Kathrine Frey , Bollerslev Jens
Published: June 2014

Context:

Visceral adipose tissue (VAT) is established as a risk factor for type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease, but the radiation exposure and cost of computed tomography (CT) measurements limits its daily clinical use.

Objective:

The main objective of this study was to compare the degree of agreement between VAT measurements by a new dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) application and one of the standard methods, CT, in a population of patients with Prader-Willi syndrome (PWS) before and after GH treatment. Furthermore, we tested whether VAT estimations by these two methods are equivalent in assessing the metabolic risk in this population.

Design and Patients:

Data from the Norwegian population of a multicenter study in adults with genetically proven PWS were used. Subjects with complete anthropometry, biochemical, and imagistic measurements at all study visits (baseline and after 12 and 24 months of GH treatment) (n = 14, six men) were included. VAT was quantified both using CT scans (GE Lightspeed 16 Pro) of the abdomen at L2-L3 level and a total body DXA scan (GE Healthcare Lunar Prodigy).

Results:

VAT DXA was strongly associated with VAT CT at baseline (r = 0.97) and after 12 (r = 0.90) and 24 months (r = 0.89) of GH treatment (all P < .001). We found moderate to strong positive correlations between VAT by both methods, and blood pressure, weight, body mass index, waist circumference, glucose metabolism, and other fat depots (arms, legs, android, trunk, total body) but no association with age, gender, blood lipids, and IGF-I. Adiponectin was negatively associated with the amount of VAT. At baseline, the highest correlation with homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) was found for VAT DXA (r = 0.76, P = .001) and VAT CT (r = 0.75, P = .002), respectively.

Conclusion:

VAT can be accurately estimated by DXA, in patients with PWS, and might contribute to the assessment of the metabolic risk.
Dramatic Effect of Atmosphere on Product Distribution from Steady-State Photolysis of Triarylphosphines
Authors: Yasui Shinro , Ogawa Yuya , Shioji Kosei , Mishima Masaaki , Yamazaki Shoko
Published: June 2014

The steady-state photolysis of triarylphosphines using a xenon lamp was carried out under various conditions. Product analysis by gas-chromatography and gas-chromatography mass spectrometry as well as 1H and 31P NMR spectroscopies showed that the irradiation of light (>310 nm) in air results in oxidation of triarylphosphine to triarylphosphine oxide in moderate to quantitative yield. In sharp contrast, photolysis under deoxygenated conditions, in which air was replaced by argon gas, gave products resulting from homolytic cleavage of a P–C bond in the triarylphosphine, namely, diaryl(cyanomethyl)phosphine (from the photolysis in acetonitrile) and 1,1,2,2-tetraaryldiphosphine, except for the photolysis of triphenylphosphine where triarylphosphine oxide was formed quantitatively. Dependence of the conversion of triarylphosphine on the wavelength of the irradiating light demonstrates that the reaction is initiated by photoexcitation of triarylphosphine to the singlet excited state, which, directly or after intersystem crossing to the triplet state, undergoes the homolytic cleavage of a P–C bond. Meanwhile, in the presence of oxygen, electron transfer from the phosphine in the excited state to O2 in the ground state is dominant, the resulting triarylphosphine radical cation undergoing radical coupling with O2 to eventually afford the phosphine oxide.
Aziridine Formation with Retention of Configuration from a Pentacoordinated 1,2-Thiazetidine Bearing Two Chiral Centers at the 3- and 4-Positions
Authors: Daicho Yuya , Watanabe Yuki , Kano Naokazu , Yukimoto Mariko , Minoura Mao , Kawashima Takayuki
Published: June 2014

Tetracoordinated and pentacoordinated 1,2-thiazetidines bearing the Martin ligand, trans-5 and trans-6, were synthesized as stable compounds. The X-ray crystallographic analyses showed that trans-5 and trans-6 have distorted pseudotrigonal bipyramidal (pseudo-TBP) and TBP structures, respectively, and that the two phenyl groups at the 3- and 4-positions of both compounds are cis to each other. Thermal isomerization of the aziridine cis-11, which is considered a thermolysis product of trans-6, occurred even at relatively low temperature (100 °C) in solution and made it difficult to determine the stereochemistry of the aziridine formation from trans-6 in solution. Flash vacuum pyrolysis, which potentially prevents the isomerization of the product, was applied to trans-6 to give eventually the stereochemistry-retained aziridine cis-11. This result indicates a ligand coupling pathway in the aziridine formation process from trans-6.
Holistic wound assessment in primary care
Authors: Cornforth Amber
Published: June 2014

Wound care is expensive and can cause immeasurable stress and inconvenience to patients and their significant others. It is therefore in the best interest of the patient, their significant others and the NHS as a whole that wounds are expertly assessed, managed and healed in the quickest timeframe possible. Nurses play a pivotal role in the process of accurate holistic wound assessment, evaluation and treatment. This article aims to help further develop and enhance both professional and clinical wound care assessment and evaluation skills. Pertinent wound care literature is critically reviewed and the crucial nature and important components of comprehensive wound assessment for facilitating the highest possible quality wound care to patients are presented alongside recommendations regarding how the enhanced knowledge and skills could be applied into everyday wound care practice.
Drawtex: breaking the vicious circle of cellular and molecular imbalances
Authors: Brown Annemarie , Yorke Mandy
Published: June 2014

Uncontrolled cellular and molecular activity in the inflammatory phase of healing will determine whether a wound becomes chronic. Assessment and interventions designed to remove the barriers to healing are essential in order to break the vicious cycle and to kick-start healing in chronic wounds. This product focus gives an overview of the inflammatory phase of the wound healing continuum; discusses how the imbalance of matrix metalloproteinases/tissue inhibitors of matrix metalloproteinases occurs; how this imbalance manifests itself clinically within the wound; and what health professionals can do in order to tip the balance in favour of healing. It discusses a new wound dressing, Drawtex, which combines three modes of action to maintain a moist wound environment in order to debride, manage exudate and reduce bioburden by locking harmful proteases into its core. Case studies are presented where Drawtex has been used to achieve healing in wounds that were not responding to treatment.
Vitamin C: a wound healing perspective
Authors: Moores Jane
Published: June 2014

Vitamin C, also known as ascorbic acid (AA), is involved in all phases of wound healing. In the inflammatory phase it is required for neutrophil apoptosis and clearance. During the proliferative phase, AA contributes towards synthesis, maturation, secretion and degradation of collagen. Deficiencies affect the maturation phase by altering collagen production and scar formation. The body strives to maintain homeostasis of AA, thereby ensuring availability for collagen synthesis. After wounding, plasma and tissue levels of AA diminish and, as a consequence, supplements may be useful for healing, although levels beyond saturation are excreted. Clinicians need to be aware of both the nutritional status of patients with either acute or chronic wounds and the possibility of any AA deficiency which may hinder healing.
Social media use by employees
Authors: Pillinger Amanda
Published: June 2014

There has been a big increase in the use of social media recently. While a lot of employees have their own social media profiles, many dental practices are now seeing the benefits of using social media to promote their business
Tooth whitening: the law and procedures
Authors: Dawson Trudie
Published: June 2014

Tooth whitening or bleaching is one of the most popular aesthetic dental treatments, and can be carried out in the surgery or in the patient's home. The procedure offers opportunities for dental nurses to increase their scope of practice and boost a practice's business
Dental lasers: principles and practice of safety
Authors: Hart Graham
Published: June 2014

Lasers have great potential to improve treatment and are being increasingly used in dentistry. Patients, practice staff and visitors need to be protected from their potentially harmful effects on the skin and eyes, so dental staff need to understand and apply safety principles
Caring for smiles: improving the oral health of residents
Authors: Welsh Sheila
Published: June 2014

In 2013, Scotland's National Older People's Oral Health Improvement Group launched a guide to help care homes improve the oral health services they provide residents. Sheila Welsh explains why care homes in Scotland and the UK need to make this a priority
Attitudes towards individuals with halitosis
Authors: Walley Siân
Published: June 2014

de Jongh A, van Wijk AJ, Horstman M (2013) Attitudes towards individuals with halitosis: an online cross sectional survey of the Dutch general population. Br Dent J 215: E8
Towards a more positive outlook
Authors: Robinson Effie
Published: June 2014

When Effie Robinson began her SCPHN course, she encountered a number of worries. But after completing a semester, she feels far more confident in herself and her studies.
Supporting vulnerable families
Authors: Oldman Crystal
Published: June 2014

The QNI has long supported practitioners working with homeless families, and is now extending its network to help other marginalised groups, says Crystal Oldman.
Park here for fun times
Authors: Harries Jude
Published: June 2014

The second article in a series providing ideas for activities to try outside as the summer weather continues and the holidays start. This month: opportunities for art, poetry, science and maths in a local park or on an outing.
Step up (and down) to it
Authors: Hampshire Viv
Published: June 2014

Activities involving stairs help children develop movement skills, take managed risks and explore the many different types of steps, staircases and ladders in the setting, at home and other environments.
Avaliação pelos Pares Percurso Normativo da Avaliação do Desempenho Docente em Portugal
Authors: Machado Eusébio André , Abelha Marta , Barreira Carlos , Salgueiro Ana
Published: June 2014

O principal propósito deste artigo é dar conta, segundo uma lógica diacrónica, do enquadramento normativo da avaliação pelos pares em Portugal, principalmente, desde 2008, embora sem esquecer os vários sistemas de avaliação de desempenho anteriores. Parte‑se de uma tipologia na qual se identificam os vários tipos de avaliadores de acordo com as modalidades de avaliação: a autoavaliação (o avaliador é o próprio avaliado); heteroavaliação (o avaliador é um “outro”, quer com um estatuto interno, quer com um estatuto externo) e a coavaliação (ausência da dicotomia avaliador‑avaliado, seguindo‑se uma lógica de avaliação mútua). Tendo como base esta tipologia, realiza‑se uma descrição dos vários sistemas de avaliação do desempenho docente, concluindo‑se que a evolução diacrónica do discurso normativo é caracterizada por um trânsito de um sistema marcado pela hegemonia da autoavaliação (até 2008) para um sistema que consagra uma lógica de heteroavaliação interna baseada na avaliação pelos pares. Por último, considera‑se que a análise deste percurso normativo assume um caráter heurístico, pelo que se recenseiam várias questões em abertorelativamente a esta problemática.
Satisfação e Motivação no Trabalho: Um Estudo sobre os Docentes do Ensino Superior em Portugal
Authors: Machado Maria De Lourdes , Soares Virgílio Meira , Ferreira José Brites , Gouveia Odília
Published: June 2014

Os académicos constituem um importante grupo nas Instituições de Ensino Superior (IES), dada a relevância do seu papel na prossecução dos objetivos das instituições. A centralidade do papel do corpo docente faz dos académicos como que escultores da cultura institucional com implicações na qualidade da instituição e no sucesso dos estudantes. Existem muitos fatores que contribuem para minar o empenho do pessoal docente para com as suas instituições e as suas carreiras. A satisfação no trabalho é importante para a revitalização da motivação dos docentes e para manter vivo o seu entusiasmo. Conhecem‑se vários estudos internacionais sobre este tema, contudo muito pouco é conhecido no contexto do ensino superior em Portugal. Este artigo refere‑se a um estudo em curso, financiado pela FCT, que incide sobre a satisfação e motivação do pessoal docente das IES em Portugal.
British applied linguistics: impacts of and impacts on
Authors: Cook, Guy
Published: June 2014

This article critically examines the demand that academic research should be assessed by its impact, and universities' compliance with that demand. Although the discussion centres mainly on the UK, it will have relevance to any academic context where government and/or business seek to control academics. The article begins by briefly examining the meaning of impact. It next considers the role of applied linguistics in shaping language-teaching revolutions, and suggests it was commercial and political interests which had the greatest impact. Moving on to the current wider scope of applied linguistics, it suggests that while the discipline has had positive influence in some areas, it has failed to influence government policy, but that this failure is not a measure of its worth. In the second part of the article, the focus changes to a consideration of impacts on applied linguistics by public relations (PR) models of language, and government interference in academic affairs. It notes the growth and power of PR units within British universities, and wonders why applied linguistics fails to challenge the vapid and often incorrect assertions made by these communication ‘experts’ about language use. It links this ‘PR turn’ in universities, and the vague language which surrounds it, to the tightening stranglehold of current and recent UK governments on university activity, comparing this briefly to the more open recruitment of applied linguistics to serve national security interests in the USA. The overall conclusions of the article are that impact is not necessarily a measure of academic worth, and that informed critique of establishment values should remain one of the main roles of academics. While these conclusions are relevant to all academic disciplines they are of particular poignancy for applied linguistics, given the role of language in establishing control and undermining academic freedoms.
Text trajectories, legal discourse and gendered inequalities
Authors: Ehrlich, Susan
Published: June 2014

Following Blommaert (2005), this paper examines what he calls a ‘forgotten’ context within Critical Discourse Analysis (CDA) and Conversation Analysis (CA) – that of text trajectories. For Blommaert, a limitation of both CDA and CA is their focus on “the unique, one-time” instance of a given text and, by extension, the (limited) context associated with such an instance of text. Such a focus, according to Blommaert, ignores a salient feature of communication in contemporary societies – the fact that texts and discourses move around, are repeatedly recontextualized in new interpretive spaces, and in the process undergo significant transformations in meaning. The text trajectory investigated in this paper begins in a legal institution, more specifically, with a 2004 American rape trial, Maouloud Baby v. the State of Maryland. This legal case garnered much media attention and, as a result of such exposure, references to the case have appeared in both mainstream and social media outlets. Hence, as a ‘text’ that has displayed considerable movement across different contexts within the legal system and, subsequently, beyond the legal system to mainstream and popular forms of media, the Maouloud Baby trial constitutes fertile ground for the exploration of a text's trajectory. Indeed, in keeping with Blommaert's claims, I show how this trial's ‘text’ undergoes significant transformations in meaning as it is recontextualized in different kinds of interpretive spaces (both within the legal system and outside of it) and how these transformations in meaning reproduce larger patterns of gendered inequalities.
The production of relevant scales: Social identification of migrants during rapid demographic change in one American town
Authors: Wortham, Stanton , Rhodes, Catherine
Published: June 2014

This essay explores the question of relevant scale: which of the many potentially relevant processes – from interactional through local through global, from nearly instantaneous through those emergent over months, years or centuries – in fact contributes to social identification in any given case, and how do these heterogeneous processes interrelate? Contemporary answers to this question have moved beyond the détente of the “micro-macro dialectic,” in which purportedly homogeneous “macro” processes constrain events and actions, while being simultaneously constituted by “micro” events and actions. We review contemporary work on these issues, with particular reference to the use of language in social identification, and we argue that an adequate account must go beyond “micro” and “macro.” We illustrate our argument with data from a seven-year ethnographic project in an American town that has received thousands of Mexican immigrants over the past decade, focusing on two types of narratives that residents tell about immigrants: stories about “payday muggings” in which immigrants are victimized, and stories about the town's historical trajectory and immigrants' role in it. These narratives emerge and move across different scales, and they are an important resource for residents as they socially identify themselves and others.
Considering what we know and need to know about second language writing
Authors: Belcher, Diane
Published: June 2014

The relatively young field of second language (L2) writing has come a long way in the past few decades but still has far to go if it wishes to broaden its research foci to consider a greater diversity of writing contexts. As a largely pedagogically-motivated area, L2 writing has so far mainly focused on writing in English as a second language, especially that of young adults in English-medium universities. Far less investigated by L2 writing researchers have been the needs of younger L2 writers, at primary and secondary-school levels, and adults outside of universities. Still less examined have been the teaching and learning of writing in foreign language contexts, most notably in languages other than English. These gaps have important implications for knowledge construction in L2 writing.
Shifting cognitive processes while composing in an electronic environment: A study of L2 graduate writing
Authors: Stapleton, Paul
Published: June 2014

The current shift from a pen-and-paper environment to a digital one in which multiple electronic tools and resources assist the writer in both generating ideas and transforming them into words and sentences may represent a significant transition in the way we compose. Such a shift has implications for the cognitive processes used by student authors as they set fingers to keyboards. The present study explores the composing behaviors of 30 L2 graduate students who responded to a questionnaire inquiring about the extent of their use of electronic tools and resources as they wrote academic papers for their courses. Findings revealed that the students were heavy users of digital media and software as they composed and that such usage may be having an impact on their cognitive processes. Emerging from this understanding of how students compose in an electronic environment is a clearer picture about a variety of areas including how to best teach students to use the tools and resources and how to avoid plagiarism.
On the roles of repetition in language teaching and learning
Authors: Larsen-Freeman, Diane
Published: June 2014

Repetition is common in language use. Similarly, having students repeat is a common practice in language teaching. After surveying some of the better known contributions of repetition to language learning, I propose an innovative role for repetition from the perspective of complexity theory. I argue that we should not think of repetition as exact replication, but rather we should think of it as iteration that generates variation. Thus, what results from iteration is a mutable state. Iteration is one way that we create options in how to make meaning, position ourselves in the world as we want, understand the differences which we encounter in others, and adapt to a changing context.
Cognitivism, adaptive intelligence, and second language acquisition
Authors: Atkinson, Dwight
Published: June 2014

There is no doubt that the “cognitive revolution,” in tandem with a focus on second language teaching, gave birth to the organized study of second language acquisition (SLA). In this sense, SLA studies has always been a cognitive science, although calls have recently been made to reemphasize and strengthen the connection. This paper: 1) reviews the cognitivist vision of mind/brain which has historically dominated both cognitive science and SLA studies; 2) describes how cognitive science has changed in recent years; and 3) introduces an alternative paradigm in cognitive science, adaptive intelligence, which may help us to better understand SLA.
Migrant ethnic identities, mobile language resources: Identification practices of Sri Lankan Tamil youth
Authors: Canagarajah, A. Suresh
Published: June 2014

In the context of multilingualism and migration, the place of ethnic identities has come into question. Applied linguists have to contend with the possibility that ethnic identities have to be redefined in the light of changing orientations in the field. The critique of essentialism, the dismantling of the ”one language = one community” equation, and the fluidity of translanguaging have raised the question whether ethnic identities can be treated as real anymore. In the face of these changes, one group of activist scholars invokes values of ecological preservation and language rights to insist on traditional ethnic identities. Another treats ethnic identities as transient and playful under labels such as ludic ethnicities and metroethnicities. Interpreting the identification practices of Sri Lankan Tamil diaspora youth in UK, USA, and Canada, this article argues for a middle position of strategic constructivism. That is, though the Tamil youth are multilingual, and do not claim full proficiency in Tamil language, they use their mix of codes to construct Tamil ethnicity in situated uses of their repertoire. The article argues that ethnicity should be treated as a changing construct, with different codes employed to index identity in changing times and places.