bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Genetic variability related to serum uric acid concentration and risk of Parkinson's disease
Authors: González‐Aramburu Isabel , Sánchez‐Juan Pascual , Jesús Silvia , Gorostidi Ana , Fernández‐Juan Eduardo , Carrillo Fátima , Sierra María , Gómez‐Garre Pilar , Cáceres‐Redondo María T. , Berciano José , Ruiz‐Martínez Javier , Combarros Onofre , Mir Pablo , Infante Jon
Published: May 2013

Background

Low serum uric acid (UA) levels have been associated with increased Parkinson's disease (PD) risk and accelerated disease progression. We analyzed the effect of polymorphisms in 9 genes influencing serum UA concentration on the risk of PD.

Methods

We genotyped SLC2A9 rs734553, ABCG2 rs2231142, SLC17A1 rs1183201, SLC22A11 rs17300741, SLC22A12 rs505802, GCKR rs780094, PDZK1 rs12129861, LRRC16A+SCGN rs742132, and SLC16A9 rs12356193 in 1061 PD patients and 754 controls. For each subject we calculated a cumulative genetic risk score (GRS), defined as the total number of PD‐risk alleles (range, 2–15) associated to lower serum UA levels. Serum UA levels were measured in a subgroup of 365 PD cases and 132 controls.

Results

Serum UA levels were significantly lower in men with PD than in controls. Subjects (both men and women) carrying more than 9 risk alleles (third GRS tertile) had a 1.5 higher risk of developing PD than subjects with less than 8 risk alleles (first GRS tertile). An inverse correlation was observed between higher GRS and lower serum UA concentration in both men and women.

Conclusions

Genetic variability influencing serum UA levels might modify susceptibility to PD. © 2013 International Parkinson and Movement Disorder Society
Moore Curve Fractal‐Shaped Miniaturized Complementary Spiral Resonator
Authors: Ghatak, Rowdra , Pal, Manimala , Goswami, Chiranjib , Poddar D R
Published: May 2013

In this article, a novel design of complementary spiral resonators as miniaturized metamaterial particles based on Moore curve fractal shape is presented. The proposed design of metamaterial unit cell is investigated using a microstrip line loaded with series gap discontinuities and implementing fractal shape complementary spiral resonator in ground plane that behaves as a composite right left hand transmission line. It is observed that Moore curve fractal‐shaped spiral resonator provides 49% size reduction as compared to conventional split ring resonators. An equivalent lumped element circuit model of the proposed composite right left handed transmission line is developed to analyze the proposed topology. A close agreement between electromagnetic simulation, circuit simulation, and measurement is obtained. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Microwave Opt Technol Lett 55:1950–1954, 2013
System Design Considerations of a Generic Integrated Frequency‐Modulation Continuous‐Wave Radar Front‐End
Authors: Li Zhaolong , Chen Rushan , Wu Ke
Published: May 2013

Integrated frequency‐modulation continuous‐wave radars are attractive to a wide range of industrial and commercial applications. The design considerations unique to such an integrated radar front end are studied in this work. Theoretical models as well as experiment results are presented, which verify the effectiveness of the proposed design approach. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Microwave Opt Technol Lett 55:1907–1912, 2013
A Wide‐Stopband Bandpass Filter Using < λ/16 Capacitive‐Coupled Short‐Circuited Resonators in Wide‐Gap Coplanar Waveguide Structure
Authors: Kim Jin‐Sup , Lee Kyu‐Bok , Shin Hyunchol
Published: May 2013

A compact bandpass filter (BPF) using a very short capacitively coupled resonator exhibits wide‐stopband characteristics. It is based on two <λ/16 short‐circuited resonators built on a coplanar waveguide (CPW) having unusually wide gap. The filter's input/output ports are connected to the resonator through microstrip‐to‐CPW broadside‐coupled transition structure. The proposed filter is simple and compact without employing any additional structural elements that are often used in conventional approaches. It is found that the stopband characteristic can be significantly extended only by properly setting the coupling capacitance of the broadside coupling structure, the length of the resonator, and the CPW gap. A second‐order BPF with a center frequency (f0) of 2.45 GHz and a 3‐dB bandwidth of 10.6% is fabricated on a liquid crystal polymer substrate, demonstrating dramatically extended stopband suppression of 30 dB up to 9.8f0. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Microwave Opt Technol Lett 55:1752–1755, 2013
Integrated Phase‐Interrogation LN Optical Waveguide Sensor
Authors: Twu Ruey‐Ching , Hou Hong‐Yao
Published: May 2013

We develop a phase interrogation optical waveguide sensor by integrating a phase modulator and a sensing transducer fabricated with the same Zn‐indiffused lithium niobate substrate. The proposed sensing chip effectively reduces the footprint of the measurement setup and has the potential to provide a compact module for a portable metrology system. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Microwave Opt Technol Lett 55:1821–1823, 2013
Design of A CPW‐FED C‐Shaped Slot Array Antenna for Coal Mine/Tunnel Applications
Authors: Zhao Yang , Zhang Zhijun , Feng Zhenghe
Published: May 2013

This article proposes a C‐shaped slot array antenna for coal mine or tunnel communications fed by a coplanar waveguide slot line. Each antenna element has a short‐ended C‐shaped slot pair. Instead of working at the basic mode, in the way that traditional half‐wavelength straight slots do, the proposed C‐shaped slot pair of each element operates at the first high‐order mode to realize maximum bidirectional radiation at boresight. The design procedure is generalized, and some influential parameters are studied. A four‐element C‐shaped slot array antenna sample is designed, fabricated, and measured. The measured impedance bandwidth for |S11| ≤ −10 dB is 230 MHz (2.37 GHz to 2.60 GHz), and the measured in‐band maximum gains lie in the range of 9.0–11.1 dBi. The measured bidirectional radiation patterns remain stable without main beam tilting across the 2.4‐GHz WLAN band. The measured and the simulated results show good agreement. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Microwave Opt Technol Lett 55:1784–1789, 2013
A Novel Multiobjective Taguchi's Optimization Technique for Multibeam Array Synthesis
Authors: Pelosi Giuseppe , Selleri Stefano , Taddei Ruggero
Published: May 2013

Taguchi's method is a quality design technique recently expanded to multiobjective optimization and electromagnetic engineering problems. This novel technique is applied here to multibeam array synthesis and compared to a standard multiobjective genetic algorithm. Results indicate fast convergence, good spreading, and a good number of nondominated solutions. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Microwave Opt Technol Lett 55:1836–1840, 2013
Solutions to conjectures on the (k,ℓ)‐rainbow index of complete graphs
Authors: Cai Qingqiong , Li Xueliang , Song Jiangli
Published: May 2013

The ‐rainbow index of a graph G was introduced by Chartrand et al. (Network 54(2) (2009), 75–81; 55 (2010), 360–367). For the complete graph Kn of order , they showed that for . Furthermore, they conjectured that for every positive integer , there exists a positive integer N such that for every integer . More generally, they conjectured that for every pair of positive integers k and with , there exists a positive integer N such that for every integer . This article provides solutions to these conjectures. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. NETWORKS,
Vol. 62(3), 220–224 2013
Creative market segmentation: understanding the bugs in consumer behavior
Authors: Robson Karen , Pitt Leyland , Wallstrom Asa
Published: May 2013

Marketers are concerned with the factors that shape and determine consumer behavior because an understanding of this facilitates the market segmentation that is so essential to the formulation of marketing strategy. This paper discusses why certain consumers are willing to share viral content, and argues that segmenting and targeting markets is key to the shareability (and therefore virality) of marketing messages. Physiological and biological determinants of behavior are largely overlooked in market segmentation; this paper introduces readers to the latent prevalence of a long‐lived and common brain parasite, Toxoplasma gondii, that explains a statistically significant portion of the variance in many behavioral and cultural variables. We introduce the academic marketing and public affairs community to this biological predictor and its potential effects on willingness to share viral content. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Parallel evolution of tumour subclones mimics diversity between tumours
Authors: Martinez Pierre , Birkbak Nicolai Juul , Gerlinger Marco , McGranahan Nicholas , Burrell Rebecca A , Rowan Andrew J , Joshi Tejal , Fisher Rosalie , Larkin James , Szallasi Zoltan , Swanton Charles
Published: May 2013

Intratumour heterogeneity (ITH) may foster tumour adaptation and compromise the efficacy of personalized medicine approaches. The scale of heterogeneity within a tumour (intratumour heterogeneity) relative to genetic differences between tumours (intertumour heterogeneity) is unknown. To address this, we obtained 48 biopsies from eight stage III and IV clear cell renal cell carcinomas (ccRCCs) and used DNA copy‐number analyses to compare biopsies from the same tumour with 440 single tumour biopsies from the Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA). Unsupervised hierarchical clustering of TCGA and multi‐region ccRCC samples revealed segregation of samples from the same tumour into unrelated clusters; 25% of multi‐region samples appeared more similar to unrelated samples than to any other sample originating from the same tumour. We found that the majority of recurrent DNA copy number driver aberrations in single biopsies were not present ubiquitously in late‐stage ccRCCs and were likely to represent subclonal events acquired during tumour progression. Such heterogeneous subclonal genetic alterations within individual tumours may impair the identification of robust ccRCC molecular subtypes classified by distinct copy number alterations and clinical outcomes. The co‐existence of distinct subclonal copy number events in different regions of individual tumours reflects the diversification of individual ccRCCs through multiple evolutionary routes and may contribute to tumour sampling bias and impact upon tumour progression and clinical outcome. Copyright © 2013 Pathological Society of Great Britain and Ireland. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Characterisation of the Polyphenol Content in the Kiwifruit (Actinidia deliciosa) Exocarp for the Calibration of a Fruit‐sorting Optical Sensor
Authors: Pinelli Patrizia , Romani Annalisa , Fierini Elisa , Remorini Damiano , Agati Giovanni
Published: May 2013

Introduction

Kiwifruit contains high amounts of anti‐oxidants beneficial to health. Its quality is influenced by ripening time, genotype, cultivation techniques, climate and storage conditions after harvest.

Objective

The aim of the present study was to characterise the phenolic content by HPLC methods and to evaluate the performance of a portable optical sensor (Multiplex 3), for in vivo non‐destructive phenolic compound assessment in kiwifruits.

Methods

Kiwifruits peel extracts were characterised by reverse‐phase (RP) HPLC with diode‐array detector (DAD) and electrospray ionisation (ESI) with MS using the Zorbax SB‐Aq. column from Agilent. The fluorimetric sensor method is based on the screening of fruit chlorophyll fluorescence excitation and allows the UV absorbance of intact fruit skin to be measured. The flavonol index, FLAV, was calculated as log(FRFR/FRFUV), where FRFR and FRFUV are the chlorophyll fluorescence excited with red and UV light.

Results

Hydroxycinnamic acids, procyanidins, and quercetin glycosides were the main polyphenol classes detected by HPLC–DAD–ESI/MS in the kiwifruit skin. A good linear regression (R2 = 0.88) was found between the fluorimetric sensor FLAV index and flavonol chromatographic analysis of the fruits. The FLAV index was able to detect the higher content of flavonols in sun‐exposed fruits with respect to mid‐shaded and shaded ones in accordance with the destructive analysis.

Conclusion

The fluorimetric sensor represents a rapid and non‐invasive tool to: (i) monitor the flavonol accumulation in kiwifruit and to assess its quality concerning the healthy anti‐oxidant properties; (ii) evaluate the effect of environmental and agronomical factors related to the fruit quality; and (iii) select fruits with the largest flavonol content, and consequently less susceptible to pathogen attack, in order to improve their storage durability. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The positive aspects of caregiving for cancer patients: a critical review of the literature and directions for future research
Authors: Li Qiuping , Loke Alice Yuen
Published: May 2013

Objective

Although there is a vast body of studies exploring the negative aspects of spousal caregiving for cancer patients, there have also been reports on the positive aspects. The objective of this review was to summarize and appraise the positive aspects of spousal caregiving and to identify directions for future research.

Methods

A systematic search was conducted to identity articles published in English or Chinese from January 1996 to July 2012. Studies were located using an electronic search, a manual search, and an author search.

Results

A total of 35 articles were identified and included in this review. The focus of these studies and their results were described on the basis of the Conceptual Framework of the Positive Aspects of Caregiving. The findings revealed that spousal caregivers for cancer patients experienced various positive aspects of caregiving, such as an enhanced relationship with the care‐receiver, the feeling of being rewarded, a sense of personal growth, and a perception of personal satisfaction. Daily enrichment events and self‐efficacy on the part of the caregivers were identified as the determining factors in the positive aspects of caregiving.

Conclusions

All of the three domains of the positive aspects of caregiving are interdependent and worked together to contribute to the positive outcomes experienced by spousal caregivers. An intervention program specially designed to enhance the positive aspects of caregiving will support spouses caring for cancer patients. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Counting Nomads: British Census Attempts and Tent Counts of the Negev Bedouin 1917 to 1948
Authors: Frantzman Seth J. , Levin Noam , Kark Ruth
Published: May 2013

The census of nomadic populations poses a challenge for governing authorities. In 1945, the British Mandatory government of Palestine developed a novel method to enumerate the nomadic Bedouin population of the Negev. By using aerial reconnaissance photography to augment conventional methods, they counted the tents of the tribesmen and marked them on a small scale map. This represented the culmination of years of British efforts to estimate the nomadic population of Palestine's largest administrative area, the Beersheba subdistrict of the Negev Desert, between 1917 and 1948. The aims of this paper were to chronicle, examine, and evaluate the British Mandatory estimates and censuses of the Bedouin population of the Negev undertaken in 1922, 1931, and 1946, and to compare them with their aerial survey of Bedouin tents in 1945. This study brings together a body of primary source material to examine a topic that has not been adequately addressed by researchers, and briefly touches on British strategic interests to invest in this activity. We assess the importance and accuracy of this mapping as well as its implications for the study of the Bedouin population of the Negev. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Kinetics of the Austenite‐to‐Ferrite Phase Transformation – Simulations and Experiments
Authors: Gamsjäger Ernst , Werner Robert E. , Schiller Wolfgang , Buchmayr Bruno
Published: May 2013

Sharp as well as thick interface models have been developed to describe austenite‐to‐ferrite transformation kinetics. By comparing the results of these models it turns out that the diffusion processes in the interface can be described by an effective mobility, which is several orders of magnitude smaller than the intrinsic one. For a sufficiently low amount of substitutional solutes the interface velocity is not influenced by bulk diffusion of substitutional components. This work confirms that diffusion processes in the interface (solute drag) and diffusion of interstitial components like carbon control the kinetics of the austenite‐to‐ferrite transformation in low‐alloyed steels. As an example the austenite‐to‐ferrite transformation kinetics for a dual phase steel grade is simulated. The models are compared with and verified by the results of experimental investigations.
Processing of virus‐derived cytoplasmic primary‐microRNAs
Authors: Shapiro Jillian S.
Published: May 2013

MicoRNAs (miRNAs) are small noncoding RNAs that associate with Argonaute (AGO) family member proteins to mediate silencing of host mRNA transcripts. A number of DNA viruses and a single retrovirus exploit this pathway to generate their own miRNAs in an effort to self regulate or combat the host immune response to infection. While natural examples of viral miRNAs have been limited to nuclear viruses, manipulation of cytoplasmic‐restricted RNA virus genomes revealed the ability of these vectors to produce abundant levels of mature, functional miRNAs, exclusively within the cytoplasm. This novel processing mechanism is found to be dependent upon the ribonuclease (RNAse) III proteins Drosha and Dicer, while processing is able to proceed in the absence of the canonical dsRNA binding proteins DiGeorge syndrome critical region gene 8 (DGCR8), Tar RNA binding protein 2 (TRBP2), and protein kinase R activating protein (PACT). Processing of cytoplasmic restricted primary‐miRNA transcripts (c‐pri‐miRNAs) corresponds with virus‐induced redistribution of Drosha, implicating the formation of a noncanonical microprocessor. This review will discuss c‐pri‐miRNA processing, the mechanism of miRNA production, and the implications of a virus‐induced cytoplasmic microprocessor. WIREs RNA 2013, 4:463–471. doi: 10.1002/wrna.1169

This article is categorized under:

RNA Processing > Processing of Small RNAs

Regulatory RNAs/RNAi/Riboswitches > RNAi: Mechanisms of Action

Regulatory RNAs/RNAi/Riboswitches > Regulatory RNAs
RNA protein interactions governing expression of the most abundant protein in human body, type I collagen
Authors: Stefanovic Branko
Published: May 2013

Type I collagen is the most abundant protein in human body. The protein turns over slowly and its replacement synthesis is low. However, in wound healing or in pathological fibrosis the cells can increase production of type I collagen several hundred fold. This increase is predominantly due to posttranscriptional regulation, including increased half‐life of collagen messenger RNAs (mRNAs) and their increased translatability. Type I collagen is composed of two α1 and one α2 polypeptides that fold into a triple helix. This stoichiometry is strictly regulated to prevent detrimental synthesis of α1 homotrimers. Collagen polypeptides are co‐translationally modified and the rate of modifications is in dynamic equilibrium with the rate of folding, suggesting coordinated translation of collagen α1(I) and α2(I) polypeptides. Collagen α1(I) mRNA has in the 3′ untranslated region (UTR) a C‐rich sequence that binds protein αCP, this binding stabilizes the mRNA in collagen producing cells. In the 5′ UTR both collagen mRNAs have a conserved stem‐loop (5′ SL) structure. The 5′ SL is critical for high collagen expression, knock in mice with disruption of the 5′ SL are resistant to liver fibrosis. the 5′ SL binds protein LARP6 with strict sequence specificity and high affinity. LARP6 recruits RNA helicase A to facilitate translation initiation and associates collagen mRNAs with vimentin and nonmuscle myosin filaments. Binding to vimentin stabilizes collagen mRNAs, while nonmuscle myosin regulates coordinated translation of α1(I) and α2(I) mRNAs. When nonmuscle myosin filaments are disrupted the cells secrete only α1 homotrimers. Thus, the mechanism governing high collagen expression involves two RNA binding proteins and development of cytoskeletal filaments. WIREs RNA 2013, 4:535–545. doi: 10.1002/wrna.1177

This article is categorized under:

RNA Interactions with Proteins and Other Molecules > Protein–RNA Interactions: Functional Implications

Translation > Translation Regulation

RNA Processing > 3' End Processing

RNA Turnover and Surveillance > Regulation of RNA Stability
A Prospective Study of Patient Reported Outcomes in Pancreatic and Peri‐ampullary Malignancy
Authors: Rees J. R. E. , Macefield R. C. , Blencowe N. S. , Alderson D. , Finch‐Jones M. D. , Blazeby J. M.
Published: May 2013

Background

The purpose of the present study was to describe the impact of treatment of pancreatic and peri‐ampullary malignancy on patient reported outcomes (PRO). However, limited data are available describing the impact of curative or palliative therapy on pancreatic/peri‐ampullary malignancy and quality of life.

Methods

Patients selected for pancreaticoduodenectomy (PD) completed the European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer QLQ‐C30 questionnaire pre‐surgery and 6 weeks, 3, 6, 12, 18, and 24 months postoperatively. Patients selected for palliative treatments completed the same questionnaire before treatment and monthly thereafter. Mean scores and 95 % confidence intervals (CI) were calculated for functional scales. Symptom scales and single items were categorized as either minimal or severe, and they were reported as proportions of patients experiencing severe symptoms with 95 % CI.

Results

A total of 100 patients (53 planned PD, 47 palliative) were enrolled. Of the 53 patients planned for surgery, 12 had tumors that were unresectable and 41 underwent pancreatoduodenectomy (PD). Seven patients were excluded because of benign histology or concurrent malignancy. Baseline questionnaire compliance was 70 %. For those undergoing PD, there were 53 complications, 7 deaths at 1 year, and 14 deaths at 2 years. Post‐surgery most functions and symptoms deteriorated. Recovery in global health and most symptoms occurred by 3 months, and functional scales recovered by 6 months. Recovery of PRO was maintained in the survivors at 2 years. Palliative patients had poorer function and more symptoms at baseline; however, poor follow‐up questionnaire compliance prevented further analysis of this group.

Conclusions

Pancreaticoduodenectomy has a short‐term negative impact on PRO that recovers within 6 months and is maintained at 2 years in survivors. Further work evaluating palliative and curative treatment in larger patient groups with disease‐specific questionnaires is necessary.
Indications for Microsurgical Reconstruction of Congenital Hand Anomalies by Toe-To-Hand Transfers
Authors: Jones Neil F. , Kaplan Jesse
Published: May 2013

Background

The indications for microsurgical toe-to-hand transfers in congenital hand surgery have not been defined as clearly as for posttraumatic reconstruction of thumb and finger amputations. The purpose of this study was to develop simple guidelines for referral of children with congenital absent digits for consideration of microsurgical reconstruction with toe-to-hand transfers, based on the morphological or radiographic anatomy of the hand anomaly, not on embryological classifications.

Methods

From a consecutive series of 204 children referred with congenital absence of the thumb and fingers, 100 toe-to-hand transfers were performed. The indications for microsurgical reconstruction of these children were analyzed retrospectively.

Results

Forty-one thumbs were reconstructed in 38 children—15 children with an absent thumb distal to the metacarpal base but with four relatively normal fingers; 12 children with an absent thumb and only one or two digits remaining on the ulnar side of the hand; and 11 children with complete absence of all five digits. Twenty-nine second toes and 12 great toes were transferred to reconstruct congenital absent thumbs. Fifty-nine fingers in 52 children were reconstructed mostly with single second toe transfers—41 children with a thumb but absence of all four fingers and 11 children with absence of all five digits.

Conclusions

The morphological or radiographic anatomy of a child's hand with congenital absent digits is a more logical indication for microsurgical reconstruction than any embryological classification. The three most common indications for toe transfers for reconstruction of congenital absent thumbs are (1) absent thumb distal to the carpometacarpal joint with four relatively normal fingers, (2) absent thumb with only one or two fingers remaining on the ulnar border of the hand, and (3) complete absence of the thumb and all four fingers. The two indications for toe transfers for reconstruction of congenital absent fingers are (1) absence of all four fingers but with a normal thumb remaining and (2) complete absence of all five digits.
Maximum Flow Rates Achievable Through Peripherally Inserted Central Catheters Using Standard Hospital Infusion Pumps
Authors: Royer Timothy
Published: May 2013

Purpose: To determine maximum flow rates through peripherally inserted central catheters (PICCs) using a standard hospital infusion pump.

Background: Two questions asked with the use of PICCs and flow rates are (1) can a PICC be used to give nonemergent fluid boluses, and (2) can standard hospital infusion pumps develop enough pressure to rupture a catheter?

Methods: New PICCs of different brands and gauges were gathered. Six standard hospital infusion pumps and tubing of the same brand and model were used. The pressure sensor was set at 600 mm Hg. The pumps were connected through the access ports of each intravenous tube in a series fashion. The PICC end was submerged under 5 cm of water. All equipment and fluids were at 70° F. PICCs were trimmed to 45 cm. Fluids were run starting with the first pump at 999 mL/hour and then additional pumps were added until the pump's 600 mm Hg limit stopped the infusion or catheter rupture. Tests with the same PICC were repeated and recorded.

Results: Flow rates varied with the type, size, gauge, and brand of PICC catheter. Flows were achieved from 2,100 mL/hour to >6,000 mL/hour. None of the PICCs ruptured.

Conclusions: Maximum flow rates through PICCs were limited by the maximum pressure allowed by the standard hospital infusion pump. A standard hospital infusion pump cannot generate enough pressure to rupture a new-out-of-the-package catheter.

Implication for Practice: Nonemergent fluid boluses can be given through PICCs and standard infusion pumps will not rupture a PICC.
Evaluation of a Luer-Activated Intravenous Administration System
Authors: Edwards Crystal , Johnson Chad
Published: May 2013

Needlestick and other sharps-related injuries are largely preventable with proper education, training, and the use of safety-engineered devices. In 2009, a review of clinical practice was completed at Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre. The review revealed that despite needle-free legislation, numerous years of education on the dangers of using needles, and the availability and importance of using safety devices, nurses and physicians continued to use needles when accessing intravenous tubing to administer medication.

During 2010, a luer-activated intravenous administration system was introduced to replace the current split-septum intravenous administration system. Implementation of the luer-activated system was expected to decrease needlestick injuries, positively affect nursing practice, and demonstrate a commitment to a safe working environment. Reported needlestick injuries were reviewed and analysed pre- and post-implementation and a survey on nurse perception of the new system and organizational safety was distributed.

Results showed that there was a 46% decrease in needlestick injuries post-implementation, along with 80% of nursing staff reporting that the new system had a positive influence on their nursing practice and belief that the organization was committed to providing a safe work environment.

The results of this study emphasize and support the replacement of needles with alternative needleless products to improve the safety of the work environment.
Disability Employment Services in Australia: A Brief Primer
Authors: Byrnes Catherine , Lawn Sharon
Published: May 2013

This review aims to highlight how the chronic condition self-management support (CCSMS) field might inform and enhance the skills of the disability employment services (DES) workforce, particularly in its interactions with clients with complex disability needs. The approach we have taken involves a consideration of current education and training, recruitment of staff into DES and issues of concern arising from these processes. The main findings of our review are that the current DES workforce may not have the required skills to fully meet the needs of the populations they serve given the growing burden of chronic conditions, generally. We conclude by calling for greater consideration of CCSMS education and training as core required skills for the DES workforce, so that they might integrate their practice more collaboratively alongside other support providers.
Dot immunogold filtration assay (DIGFA) for the rapid detection of specific antibodies against the rat lungwormAngiostrongylus cantonensis(Nematoda: Metastrongyloidea) using purified 31-kDa antigen
Authors: Eamsobhana P. , Gan X.X. , Ma A. , Wang Y. , Wanachiwanawin D. , Yong H.S.
Published: May 2013

A rapid dot immunogold filtration assay (DIGFA) was adopted for specific immunodiagnosis of human cerebral angiostrongyliasis, using purified 31-kDa glycoprotein specific toAngiostrongylus cantonensisas diagnostic antigen and protein A colloidal gold conjugate as antigen–antibody detector. A total of 59 serum samples were assayed – 11 samples from clinically diagnosed patients with detectableA. cantonensis-specific antibody in immunoblotting; 23 samples from patients with other related parasitic diseases, i.e. gnathostomiasis (n= 8), cysticercosis (n= 5), toxocariasis (n= 2), filariasis (n= 4), paragonimiasis (n= 2) and malaria (n= 2); and 25 samples from normal healthy subjects. The sensitivity and specificity of DIGFA to detect anti-A. cantonensisspecific antibodies in serologically confirmed angiostrongyliasis cases, were both 100%. No positive DIGFA was observed in cases with other parasitic diseases, and the healthy control subjects. The 3-min DIGFA is as sensitive and specific as the 3-h immunoblot test in angiostrongyliasis confirmed cases that revealed a 31-kDa reactive band. The gold-based DIGFA is more rapid and easier to perform than the traditional enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The test utilizing purifiedA.cantonensisantigen is reliable and reproducible for specific immunodiagnosis of human infection withA. cantonensis– thus can be applied as an additional routine test for clinical diagnostic support. Large-scale sero-epidemiological studies in endemic communities in north-east Thailand are under way to evaluate its usefulness under field conditions.
Gravitational instability on propagation of MHD waves in astrophysical plasma
Authors: CHERKOS ALEMAYEHU MENGESHA , TESSEMA S. B.
Published: May 2013

We determine the general dispersion relation for the propagation of magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) waves in astrophysical plasma by considering the effect of gravitational instability and viscosity with anisotropic pressure tensor and heat-conducting plasma. Basic MHD equations have been derived and linearized by the method of perturbation to develop the general form of dispersion relation equation. Our result indicates that the transverse propagation of waves in such a plasma is affected by the inclusion of heat conduction. For wave propagation, parallel to the magnetic field direction, we find that the fairhose mode is unaffected, whereas the mode corresponding to the gravitational instability is modified in astrophysical plasma with anisotropic pressure tensor being stable in the presence of viscosity and strong magnetic field at considerable wavelength.
Nonlinear ion acoustic excitations in relativistic degenerate, astrophysical electron–positron–ion plasmas
Authors: RAHMAN ATA-UR , ALI S. , MUSHTAQ A. , QAMAR A.
Published: May 2013

The dynamics and propagation of ion acoustic (IA) waves are considered in an unmagnetized collisionless plasma, whose constituents are the relativistically degenerate electrons and positrons as well as the inertial cold ions. At a first step, a linear dispersion relation for IA waves is derived and analysed numerically. For nonlinear analysis, the reductive perturbation technique is used to derive a Korteweg–deVries equation, which admits a localized wave solution in the presence of relativistic degenerate electrons and positrons. It is shown that only compressive IA solitary waves can propagate, whose amplitude, width and phase velocity are significantly modified due to the positron concentration. The latter also strongly influences all the relativistic plasma parameters. Our present analysis is aimed to understand collective interactions in dense astrophysical objects, e.g. white dwarfs, where the lighter species electrons and positrons are taken as relativistically degenerate.
‘Unwept, unhonoured and unsung’: Britain's import surcharge, 1964–1966, and currency crisis management
Authors: Roberts Richard
Published: May 2013

This article examines Britain's temporary import surcharge introduced in October 1964, a largely overlooked but significant dimension of the 1964 sterling crisis. Import surcharges (temporary supplementary tariff) were illegal under GATT rules and aroused fury among trading partners. Britain's surcharge is placed in context by consideration of the use of import surcharges by other countries under Bretton Woods as currency crisis management and balance of payments measures, notably Canada's import surcharge of 1962–3 that inspired Britain's. Developed by the Conservative administration from 1963, a 15 per cent surcharge was introduced by the newly elected Wilson government as a radical alternative to deflation or devaluation to help correct the record balance of payments deficit and meet the gathering sterling crisis. As a currency crisis management measure the surcharge worked in Canada but in Britain it made matters worse and was soon supplanted by conventional measures. Deemed a failure and discredited, the surcharge was eventually lifted in November 1966 ‘unwept, unhonoured and unsung’ (Financial Times). Nevertheless, while in place the surcharge provided significant temporary assistance to the improvement of Britain's balance of payments.
Verbal memory resources predict iconic gesture use among monolinguals and bilinguals
Authors: SMITHSON LISA , NICOLADIS ELENA
Published: May 2013

Researchers have speculated that gesture use may be linked to working memory capacity. The purpose of this study was to determine whether the architectures of working memory differ among monolinguals and bilinguals, and to investigate whether individual differences in working memory predict gesture use. Participants relayed a narrative and their gesture production was assessed. Working memory capacity was tested using the Automated Working Memory Assessment (Alloway, 2007). The results provide evidence for different working memory architectures among monolinguals and bilinguals. Additionally, verbal memory significantly predicted iconic gesture use in both language groups, although in slightly different ways. These results are discussed with respect to the functional roles that working memory and gestures serve among monolingual and bilingual populations.
The Two Dimensions of Motivation and a Reciprocal Model of the Creative Process
Authors: Forgeard Marie J. C. , Mecklenburg Anne C.
Published: May 2013

Past research investigating the role of motivation in creativity has closely examined the role of intrinsic (i.e., process-focused) and extrinsic (i.e., outcome-focused) motivation. Results from this literature have shown that the effects of social factors on creativity (e.g., social inhibition or facilitation effects) are at least partially explained by their effect on intrinsic and extrinsic motivation. The present review seeks to broaden the scientific understanding of the role of motivation in creativity by proposing that a second dimension of motivation needs to be taken into account. In addition to creators’ locus of motivation (i.e., whether they focus on the intrinsic process and/or extrinsic outcomes), creative behavior also appears to be driven by its intended beneficiaries (i.e., the self and/or others). Supporting the importance of this second dimension, recent empirical research has begun to investigate the relationship between prosocial motivation (i.e., the desire to contribute to other people's lives) and creativity. Thus, a combined look at research on these two dimensions of motivation highlights the bidirectional nature of the social processes at play in creativity: While studies investigating creators’ locus of motivation have examined the influence of others on creators, recent studies considering creators’ intended beneficiaries have stressed the importance of also understanding how creators wish to affect others in return. To integrate these two perspectives, we propose a reciprocal model of the creative process in which creators’ general motivational orientations (falling along the dimensions outlined above) are translated into specific motivational goals, and we review possible psychological mechanisms explaining how motivation may guide creative cognition.
An Ecological Approach to Psychology
Authors: Heft Harry
Published: May 2013

Even though the term “ecology” was introduced into scientific discourse in the 1860s, and by century's end much of experimental psychology had embraced an evolutionary perspective, it took more than another half century before proposals for an ecological psychology began to appear. Even so, ecological psychology was marginalized from the mainstream of the discipline, and it remains so today. This disjunction between psychology's embrace of evolutionary theory and its resistance to ecological thinking can be explained, in large part, historically. It was Herbert Spencer's evolutionary framework, that assumes an environment-mind dichotomy, which was embraced by most early psychologists, and its influence remains today. A Darwinian perspective, in contrast, stresses the activity of an organism in the context of the dynamic mutual relations of its econiche. At the heart of Darwinian thinking, and in turn ecological psychology, are dynamic organism-environment relations, functionally meaningful environmental properties, as well as change and variation. An ecological psychology also recognizes that humans, like other living things, adapt to their econiche, in part, by altering it and thereby modifying the econiche's functional properties. The human econiche, in particular, is characterized by functionally significant, socially normative meanings owing to the sociocultural systems that naturally stem from the character of hominid evolution.
Unifying Psychology through Situational Realism
Authors: Petocz Agnes , Mackay Nigel
Published: May 2013

We propose that a coherent and thoroughgoing version of realism, known as situational realism, offers a unifying program for psychology. This realism emerges from the conditions of being that enable knowledge and discourse. Because this research originated largely in a century's work by Australian psychologists and philosophers, we will introduce and explain research and vocabulary that might be unfamiliar to some readers. The approach is characterized by seven themes: ontological egalitarianism; situational complexity and process orientation; a network or field view of causality; a realist logic; a view of relations as nonconstitutive; an externalist relational approach to mind; and acceptance of critical inquiry as the core scientific method. The combination of these features offers psychology the following: a metatheoretical framework that resolves current tensions; expansion into the field of meanings and reintegration with hermeneutics and semiotics; clarification and redirection of mainstream cognitive neuroscience and information processing; an integrative approach to personality; expansion, redirection and unification of psychological research methods; and revision and expansion in psychological practice and teaching.
Neorealism: Unifying Cognition and Environment
Authors: Tonneau François
Published: May 2013

Recent trends in psychology have revealed increasing discontent toward representational explanations of behavior. However, whether these trends have the conceptual resources to address the full range of cognitive phenomena remains unclear. Here, I defend neorealism ( Holt, 1914 ) as the missing philosophical link between radically embodied cognitive science and a more encompassing psychology. Neorealism identifies cognitive contents, however subjective or unreal in appearance, with portions or cross sections of the objective environment. These portions are extended in time and they sustain causal and historical relations to current behavior. I sketch how neorealist concepts can help psychologists to address phenomena such as dreams and imagery in fully environmental terms.
A global S. cerevisiae small ubiquitin‐related modifier (SUMO) system interactome
Authors: Srikumar Tharan , Lewicki Megan C , Raught Brian
Published: May 2013

The small ubiquitin‐related modifier (SUMO) system has been implicated in a number of biological functions, yet the individual components of the SUMO machinery involved in each of these activities were largely unknown. Here we report the first global SUMO system interactome. Using affinity purification coupled with mass spectrometry, we identify >450 protein–protein interactions surrounding the SUMO E2, Siz type E3s and SUMO‐specific proteases in budding yeast. Exploiting this information‐rich resource, we validate several Siz1‐ and Siz2‐specific substrates, identify a nucleoporin required for proper Ulp1 localization, and uncover important new roles for Ubc9 and Ulp2 in the maintenance of ribosomal DNA.
Phosphoproteome dynamics reveal novel ERK1/2 MAP kinase substrates with broad spectrum of functions
Authors: Courcelles Mathieu , Frémin Christophe , Voisin Laure , Lemieux Sébastien , Meloche Sylvain , Thibault Pierre
Published: May 2013

The ERK1/2 MAP kinase pathway is an evolutionarily conserved signaling module that controls many fundamental physiological processes. Deregulated activity of ERK1/2 MAP kinases is associated with developmental syndromes and several human diseases. Despite the importance of this pathway, a comprehensive picture of the natural substrate repertoire and biochemical mechanisms regulated by ERK1/2 is still lacking. In this study, we used large‐scale quantitative phosphoproteomics and bioinformatics analyses to identify novel candidate ERK1/2 substrates based on their phosphorylation signature and kinetic profiles in epithelial cells. We identified a total of 7936 phosphorylation sites within 1861 proteins, of which 155 classify as candidate ERK1/2 substrates, including 128 new targets. Candidate ERK1/2 substrates are involved in diverse cellular processes including transcriptional regulation, chromatin remodeling, RNA splicing, cytoskeleton dynamics, cellular junctions and cell signaling. Detailed characterization of one newly identified substrate, the transcriptional regulator JunB, revealed that ERK1/2 phosphorylate JunB on a serine adjacent to the DNA‐binding domain, resulting in increased DNA‐binding affinity and transcriptional activity. Our study expands the spectrum of cellular functions controlled by ERK1/2 kinases.
Institutionalizing Operational Risk Management: An Empirical Study
Authors: Hsu Carol , Backhouse James , Silva Leiser
Published: May 2013

This paper examines the development of operational risk management (ORM) in a financial organization, focusing in particular on the role of IT in institutionalizing the new regime. Through an interpretive case study in a major US financial institution, the paper uses Giddens’ structuration theory to examine how it adjusts to the demands of protecting itself against new operational risks. The discussion and results of our study are expressed in three propositions: (1) the regulatory context and technological development affect the shape and the outcome of ORM; (2) implementing ORM is a process of reflexive monitoring and transforming organizational practices in a financial institution; (3) the role of IT in ORM is contingent on the extant organizational structure and on the choice of risk management approach.
Transport properties and electrical device characteristics with the TiMeS computational platform: Application in silicon nanowires
Authors: Sharma D. , Ansari L. , Feldman B. , Iakovidis M. , Greer J. C. , Fagas G.
Published: May 2013

Nanoelectronics requires the development of a priori technology evaluation for materials and device design that takes into account quantum physical effects and the explicit chemical nature at the atomic scale. Here, we present a cross-platform quantum transport computation tool. Using first-principles electronic structure, it allows for flexible and efficient calculations of materials transport properties and realistic device simulations to extract current-voltage and transfer characteristics. We apply this computational method to the calculation of the mean free path in silicon nanowires with dopant and surface oxygen impurities. The dependence of transport on basis set is established, with the optimized double zeta polarized basis giving a reasonable compromise between converged results and efficiency. The current-voltage characteristics of ultrascaled (3 nm length) nanowire-based transistors with p-i-p and p-n-p doping profiles are also investigated. It is found that charge self-consistency affects the device characteristics more significantly than the choice of the basis set. These devices yield source-drain tunneling currents in the range of 0.5 nA (p-n-p junction) to 2 nA (p-i-p junction), implying that junctioned transistor designs at these length scales would likely fail to keep carriers out of the channel in the off-state.
Replacing serum in culture medium with albumin and insulin, transferrin and selenium is the key to successful bovine embryo development in individual culture
Authors: Wydooghe E. , Heras S. , Dewulf J. , Piepers S. , Van den Abbeel E. , De Sutter P. , Vandaele L. , Van Soom A.
Published: May 2013

Individual culture of bovine embryos is usually associated with low blastocyst development. However, during preliminary experiments in our laboratory we observed high blastocyst development after individual embryo culture in a serum-free culture system. We therefore hypothesised that serum has a negative effect on embryos cultured individually whereas embryos in groups can counteract this. First, we determined whether the timing of removal of serum (during maturation or culture) had an influence on individual embryo development. The results clearly showed that removal of serum during embryo culture was the main contributing factor since high blastocyst development was observed after individual culture in synthetic oviductal fluid supplemented with bovine serum albumin (BSA) and insulin, transferrin and selenium (ITS), independent of the maturation medium. Second, we investigated whether an individual factor of the ITS supplement was essential for individual embryo development. We demonstrated that repeatable high blastocyst percentages were due to the synergistic effect of ITS. Finally, we investigated if a group-culture effect can still be observed under serum-free conditions. Group culture generated blastocysts with higher total cell numbers and less apoptosis. These data show that individual culture in serum-free conditions leads to high blastocyst development, but group culture still improves blastocyst quality.