bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Optical Absorption and Thermoluminescence in Calcium Fluoride Doped with Manganese and Cerium
Authors: Jassemnejad B. , McKeever S.W.S. , Abbundi R.J. , Mathur V.K. , Brown M.D.
Published: February 2017

Optical absorption curves of CaF2 singly doped with Mn or Ce, and doubly doped with both Mn and Ce, show complex arrays of absorption bands after irradiation. In the Mn-only doped samples the absorption can be clearly related to Mn, whereas various forms of Ce centre dominate the radiation-induced absorption in the Ce-doped samples. However, in the doubly doped speciments only the Ce related absorptions can be seen. From these observations, along with thermal and optical bleaching measurements, we suggest that the Mn-related centres are Mn/F centre complexes. These are believed to be the centres responsible for the TL in dosimetry grade CaF2:Mn. Possible mechanisms for the TL production process are discussed.
The Induction of Chromosome Aberrations in Human Lymphocytes by 24 keV Neutrons
Authors: Edwards A.A. , Lloyd D.C. , Prosser J.S.
Published: February 2017

This paper describes an experiment to measure the yield of chromosome aberrations in human lymphocytes produced by a beam of predominantly 24 keV neutrons. The yield of dicentrics is linear with dose with a slope coefficient a of 0.821 ±0.031 dicentrics. cell-1. Gy-1. This coefficient is very close to that observed for fission neutrons of mean energy of 0.9 MeV. The main interaction of 24 keV neutrons with tissue is the production of protons of energy 24 keV and less which have a maximum range of 0.5 µm. Thus the experiment investigates the biological effectiveness of the track ends of higher energy protons. Previously inferred predictions of the relationships between the coefficient a and LET and between a and lineal energy, y, determined in 1 µm spheres, showed that analysis based on LET is much superior to that based on y. The findings are consistent with results using low energy X rays to investigate the biological effects of short range low energy electron tracks. Both experiments indicate that energy deposited in volumes of dimension much smaller that 1 µm is relevant for explaining biological effects.
The Microdosimetry of Radon Daughters and its Significance
Authors: Brenner D.J.
Published: February 2017

The value of the quality factor for radon daughter alpha particles is of some societal significance. The quality factor is usually taken to be the result of folding a radiation quality descriptor function with an appropriate weighting function. In this work we (a) calculate radiation quality descriptors (microdosimetric spectra) as a function of depth in the epithelium, (b) calculate a relevant weighting factor, QT(y) for oncogenic transformation, and (c) fold these together to get an estimate of the low dose relative effectiveness of the alpha particles as a function of depth. The results show a considerable variation with depth, and are also very sensitive to the saturation characteristics of QT(y), implying that more experimental data are needed in the range from 150 to 350 keV.µm-1.
The Role of Microdosimetry in Radiotherapy
Authors: Wambersie A. , Pihet P. , Menzel (INVITED) H.G.
Published: February 2017

Some of the practical problems encountered in radiation therapy, and in which microdosimetry has contributed or may contribute towards solutions, are reviewed. Microdosimetric methods are especially useful for high LET radiation therapy due to the requirement of quantitative specification of radiation quality. In neutron therapy, a large number of microdosimetric measurements have been carried out including a systematic set of measurements at European treatment facilities. The correlation with available radiobiological data enabled a pragmatic solution for the specification of radiation quality for fast neutron therapy to be established. Heavy ion therapy requires several parameters to be optimised as a function of the individual clinical situation, the type of particles, the particle energy and the width of the spread-out Bragg peak. The experience gained in fast neutron therapy may provide a suitable basis for employing microdosimetric methods for the specification of radiation quality also in this field. Results of microdosimetric measurements at pi-meson therapy facilities are briefly reported. The measured spectra reveal the presence of a large low LET dose component and furthermore a marked dependence on irradiation parameters. Finally, microdosimetry provides useful information also in the field of low LET radiation therapy, for example in the context of selecting the clinical RBE of 200 kv X-rays and 125I relative to 60Co gamma rays.
Variance-Covariance Measurements of the Dose Mean Lineal Energy in Beams for Radiotherapy
Authors: Honoré H.B. , Jessen K.A. , Nielsen H.H.
Published: February 2017

An experimental arrangement to perform variance-covariance measurements, based on tissue-equivalent proportional counters, is described. Results in a narrow beam geometry for 8 and 16 MV X rays from a medical linear accelerator are given and compared with data from the literature. It is concluded that the method is applicable but the detectors have to be changed or modified before measurements in normal therapeutic beams at the isocentre of the accelerator or in phantoms can be performed for beam quality characterisation in radiotherapy dosimetry.
Experimental Determination of the TL Response for Protons and Deuterons in Various Detector Materials
Authors: Schmidt P. , Fellinger J. , Hübner K.
Published: February 2017

Relative light conversion factors ? and ?total were experimentally determined for various LiF detectors after irradiation with protons and deuterons. The experimental results are used for finding the function ? (Ei) in a wide energy range. This function is quite different for peaks 5 and 7 of all LiF materials investigated. The relative light conversion factor of peak 7 is clearly greater than unity which is of practical importance in neutron dosimetry.
Fast Reader for Thermostimulated Exoelectron Dosemeters Used for Beta Ray Routine Dosimetry
Authors: Petel M. , Barthe J. , Kriegseis W. , Portal G. , Scharmann A. , Siriex G.
Published: February 2017

The beryllium oxide exo-dosemeters developed for beta ray dosimetry led to the development of a fast reader for thermostimulated exoelectron emission (TSEE) measurements in routine dosimetry. The reader system consists of a rotating element which transfers the detector onto a first pre-heating plate and shortly after onto a second heating plate measurements and annealing. The reader head positioned above this second heater is of the multi-needle counter type with a detector range capable of handling 106 cps without missing any events. Transfer parameters have been optimised for fast reading.
Laser-Induced Optically Stimulated M Centre Luminescence in LiF
Authors: Miller S.D. , Endres G.W.R.
Published: February 2017

Highly purified LiF crystals have long been used as optical windows. Optical grade LiF is known for its excellent transmission from the deep ultraviolet through the infrared. Radiation dosimetry applications have so far been restricted to high level Mega-Rad gamma dosimetry using radiation-induced absorption peaks measured using a spectrophotometer. However, absorption measurements are a very insensitive way to measure these radiation damage centres. A more sensitive method of measuring radiation damage can be accomplished by measuring the M centre luminescence. At the Pacific Northwest Laboratory, excitation with a 442 nm He-Cd laser has significantly amplified the luminescence yield of the M centre. The He-Cd laser was the preferred excitation laser because absorption measurements in LiF indicate the peak of the M centre absorption occurs at 443 nm. Laser stimulation produces an excited state of the M centre, which undergoes a very strong Stokes' shift. The peak of the M centre emission spectrum occurs at 665 nm with a half-width of 0.36 eV. Since the excitation wavelength differs significantly from the emission wavelength, measurement of the deep red emission can be done simultaneously with the excitation. Therefore, readout of the LiF can be accomplished in a fraction of a second.
Li2B4O7:Mn and CaSO4:Dy TL Preparations at PSPKR-BATAN, Indonesia, and their Dosimetric Properties
Authors: Abubakar R. , Untung S. , Oberhofer M.
Published: February 2017

In recent years at the Centre for Standardization and Radiological Research (PSPKR) of the National Atomic Energy Agency (BATAN), Indonesia, intensive efforts have been made to produce Li,2B4O7:Mn and CaSO4:Dy TL phosphors with dosimetric qualities in sufficient quantity to satisfy the national needs for such materials in hospitals (radiotherapy) and in the radiation protection field (personnel dosimetry and environmental radiation control). The production procedures are briefly described and the dosimetric characteristics presented in detail. The Li2B4O7:Mn phosphor can be used for doses as low as 0.06 Gy up to 104 Gy, where saturation occurs. Unlike other Li2B4O7:Mn preparations no supralinearity has been observed. Linearity consequently extends from 0.06 Gy up to 103 Gy. No fading of the dosimetric peak within the first three weeks is observed. The CaSO4 preparations are 15% more sensitive than the corresponding Harshaw material. Their lower threshold dose is 25 µGy and dose can be measured linearly from 1 mGy up to 102 Gy. Fading of the phosphor is 1 to 3% per month initially.
SkinnerTrax: high-throughput behavior-dependent optogenetic stimulation ofDrosophila
Authors: Stern Ulrich , Yang Chung-Hui
Published: February 2017

While red-shifted channelrhodopsin has been shown to be highly effective in activating CNS neurons in freely movingDrosophila, there were no existing high-throughput tools for closed-loop, behavior-dependent optogenetic stimulation ofDrosophila. Here, we present SkinnerTrax to fill this void. SkinnerTrax stimulates individual flies promptly in response to their being at specific positions or performing specific actions. Importantly, SkinnerTrax was designed for and achieves significant throughput with simple and inexpensive components.
Intercellular calcium signaling is regulated by morphogens duringDrosophilawing development
Authors: Brodskiy Pavel A. , Wu Qinfeng , Huizar Francisco J. , Soundarrajan Dharsan K. , Narciso Cody , Levis Megan K. , Arredondo-Walsh Ninfamaria , Chen Jianxu , Liang Peixian , Chen Danny Z. , Zartman Jeremiah J.
Published: February 2017

Organ development is driven by a set of patterned inductive signals. However, how these signals are integrated to coordinate tissue patterning is still poorly understood. Calcium ions (Ca2+) are critical signaling components involved in signal integration and are regulated by a core Ca2+signaling toolkit. Ca2+signaling encodes a significant fraction of information in cells through both amplitude and frequency-dependent regulation of transcription factors and key regulatory enzymes. A range of intercellular Ca2+transients, including coordinated oscillations, recently have been reported inDrosophilawing discs. In an accompanying paper, we show that impaired Ca2+signaling impacts the final size and shape of the wing. Here, we discover specific spatiotemporal signatures of Ca2+transients during wing disc development. To do so, we developed a new neural-network-based approach for registration of oscillatory signals in organs that frequently move during imaging, and a pipeline for spatiotemporal analysis of intercellular Ca2+oscillations. As a specific test case, we further demonstrated that the morphogen pathway, Hedgehog, controls frequencies of Ca2+oscillations uniformly in the tissue and is required for spatial patterning of oscillation amplitudes. Thus, the time-averaged dynamics of spontaneous intercellular Ca2+transients reflect the morphogenetic signaling state of the tissue during development. This suggests a general mechanism of physiological signaling that provides a memory of morphogenetic patterns. Additionally, our study provides a powerful approach for registering and quantifying oscillatory dynamics in developing organs.
Conserved properties ofDrosophilaInsomniac link sleep regulation and synaptic function
Authors: Li Qiuling , Kellner David A. , Hatch Hayden A. M. , Yumita Tomohiro , Sanchez Sandrine , Machold Robert P. , Andrew Frank C. , Stavropoulos Nicholas
Published: February 2017

Sleep is an ancient animal behavior that is regulated similarly in species ranging from flies to mammals. Various genes that regulate sleep have been identified in invertebrates, but whether the functions of these genes are conserved in mammals remains poorly explored.Drosophila insomniac (inc)mutants exhibit severely shortened and fragmented sleep. Inc protein physically associates with the Cullin-3 (Cul3) ubiquitin ligase, and neuronal depletion of Inc or Cul3 strongly curtails sleep, suggesting that Inc is a Cul3 adaptor that directs the ubiquitination of neuronal substrates that regulate sleep. Three proteins similar to Inc exist in vertebrates—KCTD2, KCTD5, and KCTD17—but are uncharacterized within the nervous system and their functional conservation with Inc has not been addressed. Here we show that Inc and its mouse orthologs exhibit striking biochemical and functional interchangeability within Cul3 complexes. Remarkably, KCTD2 and KCTD5 restore sleep toincmutants, indicating that they can substitute for Inc in vivo and engage its neuronal targets that impact sleep. Inc and its orthologs traffic similarly within fly and mammalian neurons and are present at synapses, suggesting that their substrates include synaptic proteins. Consistent with such a mechanism,incmutants exhibit defects in synaptic structure and physiology, indicating that Inc is vital for both synaptic function and sleep. Our findings reveal that molecular functions of Inc are conserved through ~600 million years of evolution and support the hypothesis that Inc and its orthologs participate in an evolutionarily conserved ubiquitination pathway that links synaptic function and sleep regulation.

Author summary

Sleep is ubiquitous among animals and is regulated in a similar manner across phylogeny, but whether conserved molecular mechanisms govern sleep is poorly defined. The Insomniac protein is vital for sleep inDrosophilaand is a putative adaptor for the Cul3 ubiquitin ligase. We show that two mammalian orthologs of Insomniac can restore sleep to flies lacking Insomniac, indicating that the molecular functions of these proteins are conserved through evolution. Our comparative analysis reveals that Insomniac and its mammalian orthologs localize to neuronal synapses and that Insomniac impacts synaptic structure and physiology. Our findings suggest that Insomniac and its mammalian orthologs are components of an evolutionarily conserved ubiquitination pathway that links synaptic function and the regulation of sleep.
Managing care integration during the implementation of large-scale reforms
Authors: Dickinson Helen , Carey Gemma
Published: February 2017

Purpose

The National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) is a new program for the provision of support to people with disabilities in Australia. The purpose of this paper is to explore the early implementation experience of this scheme, with a particular focus on the implications of this scheme for issues of care integration.

Design/methodology/approach

Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 26 policymakers in the Commonwealth government charged with the design and implementation of the NDIS.

Findings

The authors find somewhat of a lack of clarity concerning the boundaries of the NDIS and how it will work with a range of different services in the provision of seamless and consumer-directed care. Many of the same kinds of debates about interfaces with services were detected in this study as have been highlighted in relation to UK individual funding schemes. If the NDIS is truly to support individuals with disabilities to achieve choice and control, important work will need to be undertaken in to overcome organizational and institutional boundaries.

Originality/value

There is little empirical data relating to the implementation of the NDIS to date. This is the first study to explore boundary issues in relation to care integration.
Open‐label, randomized, multicenter, phase III study to evaluate the safety and efficacy of benzoyl peroxide gel in long‐term use in patients with acne vulgaris: A secondary publication
Authors: Kawashima Makoto , Nagare Toshitaka , Katsuramaki Tsuneo
Published: February 2017

An open‐label, randomized, multicenter study was conducted to evaluate the safety and efficacy of long‐term use of 2.5% and 5% benzoyl peroxide (BPO) gels administrated once daily for 52 weeks to Japanese patients with acne vulgaris. The efficacy of the study drugs was evaluated by counting inflammatory lesions and non‐inflammatory lesions. Safety was evaluated based on adverse events, local skin tolerability scores and laboratory test values. In total, 458 subjects were included in the efficacy and safety analyses. The total lesion count, the efficacy end‐point, was similarly changed both in the 2.5% and 5% BPO groups over the course of the study. The median rates of reduction from baseline to week 12 were approximately 65%. Thereafter, the counts were maintained at a reduced level without increasing until week 52. The median rates at week 52 were approximately 80%. Similar trends were observed for inflammatory and non‐inflammatory lesion counts. Bacteriological evaluation indicated similar distribution of the minimum inhibitory concentration of each of the antibacterial drugs against Propionibacterium acnes between the values at baseline and at week 52, suggesting that long‐term use did not result in changes in the drug sensitivity. The incidence of adverse events was 84.0% in the 2.5% BPO group and 87.2% in the 5% BPO group. Many of the adverse events occurred within the first month and were mild or moderate in severity and transient. The results suggest that both 2.5% and 5% BPO gels are effective and safe for long‐term treatment of patients with acne vulgaris.
Bridging of cryptic Borrelia cycles in European songbirds
Authors: Heylen Dieter , Krawczyk Aleksandra , Lopes de Carvalho Isabel , Núncio Maria Sofia , Sprong Hein , Norte Ana Cláudia
Published: February 2017

The principal European vector for Borrelia burgdorferi s.l., the causative agents of Lyme disease, is the host‐generalist tick Ixodes ricinus. Almost all terrestrial host‐specialist ticks have been supposed not to contribute to the terrestrial Borrelia transmission cycles. Through an experiment with blackbirds, we show successful transmission by the widespread I. frontalis, an abundant bird‐specialized tick that infests a broad range of songbirds. In the first phase of the experiment, we obtained Borrelia‐infected I. frontalis (infection rate: 19%) and I. ricinus (17%) nymphs by exposing larvae to wild blackbirds that carried several genospecies (Borrelia turdi, B. valaisiana, B. burgdorferi s.s.). In the second phase, pathogen‐free blackbirds were exposed to these infected nymphs. Both tick species were able to infect the birds, as indicated by the analysis of xenodiagnostic I. ricinus larvae which provided evidence for both co‐feeding and systemic transmission (infection rates: 10%‐60%). Ixodes frontalis was shown to transmit B. turdi spirochetes, while I. ricinus transmitted both B. turdi and B. valaisiana. Neither species transmitted B. burgdorferi s.s. European enzootic cycles of Borrelia between songbirds and their ornithophilic ticks do exist, with I. ricinus potentially acting as a bridging vector towards mammals, including man.
Bidirectional relationship between alcohol intake and sensitivity to social defeat: association with Tacr1 and Avp expression
Authors: Nelson Britta S. , Sequeira Michelle K. , Schank Jesse R.
Published: February 2017

While epidemiological studies show that alcohol abuse is often co‐morbid with affective disorders, the causal direction of this association is unclear. We examined this relationship using mouse models including social defeat stress (SDS), social interaction (SI) and voluntary alcohol consumption. C57BL6/J mice exposed to SDS segregate into two subpopulations, those that express depressive‐like phenotypes (‘susceptible’) and those that do not (‘resilient’). First, we stratified SDS‐exposed mice and measured their voluntary alcohol consumption. Next, we determined whether SI behavior in alcohol‐naïve mice could predict alcohol intake. Finally, we assessed the effect of binge‐like alcohol exposure on sensitivity to SDS. We quantified Tacr1 (neurokinin‐1 receptor gene) and Avp (vasopressin peptide gene) mRNA in brain regions involved in depression, addiction and social behavior. We found that susceptible mice consumed more alcohol compared with resilient mice, suggesting that depression‐like phenotypes associate with increased alcohol intake. Interestingly, we observed a negative correlation between SI and alcohol intake in stress‐ and alcohol‐naïve mice, suggesting that individual differences in SI associate with alcohol preference. Finally, alcohol pre‐treatment increased sensitivity to SDS, indicating that alcohol exposure alters sensitivity to social stress. Quantification of mRNA revealed that increased expression of Tacr1 and Avp generally associated with decreased SI and increased alcohol intake. C57BL6/J mice are an inbred strain; thus, it is likely that individual differences in behavior and gene expression are driven by epigenetic factors. Collectively, these results support a bidirectional relationship between alcohol exposure and susceptibility to stress that is associated with variations in neuropeptide expression.
Letter: should direct‐acting antiviral drugs be used concomitantly with chemotherapeutic drugs in hepatitis C virus‐infected patients with cancer? Authors’ reply
Authors: Economides M. P. , Shigle T. L. , Torres H. A.
Published: February 2017

Linked Content

This article is linked to Economides et al and Jiang et al papers. To view these articles visit https://doi.org/10.1111/apt.13825 and https://doi.org/10.1111/apt.13918.
Health behaviour change interventions for couples: A systematic review
Authors: Arden‐Close Emily , McGrath Nuala
Published: February 2017

Objectives

Partners are a significant influence on individuals’ health, and concordance in health behaviours increases over time in couples. Several theories suggest that couple‐focused interventions for health behaviour change may therefore be more effective than individual interventions.

Design

A systematic review of health behaviour change interventions for couples was conducted.

Methods

Systematic search methods identified randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and non‐randomized interventions of health behaviour change for couples with at least one member at risk of a chronic physical illness, published from 1990–2014.

Results

We identified 14 studies, targeting the following health behaviours: cancer prevention (6), obesity (1), diet (2), smoking in pregnancy (2), physical activity (1) and multiple health behaviours (2). In four out of seven trials couple‐focused interventions were more effective than usual care. Of four RCTs comparing a couple‐focused intervention to an individual intervention, two found that the couple‐focused intervention was more effective.

Conclusions

The studies were heterogeneous, and included participants at risk of a variety of illnesses. In many cases the intervention was compared to usual care for an individual or an individual‐focused intervention, which meant the impact of the couplebased content could not be isolated. Three arm studies could determine whether any added benefits of couple‐focused interventions are due to adding the partner or specific content of couple‐focused interventions.

Statement of contribution

What is already known on this subject?

Health behaviours and health behaviour change are more often concordant across couples than between individuals in the general population.

Couple‐focused interventions for chronic conditions are more effective than individual interventions or usual care (Martire, Schulz, Helgeson, Small, & Saghafi, ).

What does this study add?

Identified studies targeted a variety of health behaviours, with few studies in any one area.

Further assessment of the effectiveness of couple‐focused versus individual interventions for those at risk is needed.

Three‐arm study designs are needed to determine benefits of targeting couples versus couple‐focused intervention content.
Role of PVAT in coronary atherosclerosis and vein graft patency: friend or foe?
Authors: Fernández‐Alfonso M S , Gil‐Ortega M , Aranguez I , Souza D , Dreifaldt M , Somoza B , Dashwood M R
Published: February 2017

Perivascular adipose tissue (PVAT) releases numerous factors and adipokines with paracrine effects on both vascular structure and function. These effects are variable as they depend on regional differences in PVAT among blood vessels and vary with changes in adiposity. There is considerable evidence demonstrating an association between coronary PVAT and the development and progression of coronary artery disease, which is associated with inflammation, oxidative stress, angiogenesis, vascular remodelling and blood clotting. However, PVAT also has a protective role in vascular grafts, especially the no‐touch saphenous vein, in patients undergoing coronary artery bypass. This beneficial influence of PVAT involves factors such as adipocyte‐derived relaxing factor, nitric oxide (NO), leptin, adiponectin, prostanoids, hydrogen sulphide and neurotransmitters, as well as mechanical protection. This article aims to highlight and compare the dual role of PVAT in the development and progression of coronary atherosclerosis, as well as in increased graft patency. Different deleterious and protective mechanisms of PVAT are also discussed and the inside‐outside signalling paradigm of atherosclerosis development re‐evaluated. The bidirectional communication between the arterial and venous wall and their surrounding PVAT, where signals originating from the vascular wall or lumen can affect PVAT phenotype, has been shown to be very complex. Moreover, signals from PVAT also influence the structure and function of the vascular wall in a paracrine manner.

Linked Articles

This article is part of a themed section on Molecular Mechanisms Regulating Perivascular Adipose Tissue – Potential Pharmacological Targets? To view the other articles in this section visit http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/bph.v174.20/issuetoc
Seabird mortality induced by land‐based artificial lights
Authors: Rodríguez Airam , Holmes Nick D. , Ryan Peter G. , Wilson Kerry‐Jayne , Faulquier Lucie , Murillo Yovana , Raine André F. , Penniman Jay F. , Neves Verónica , Rodríguez Beneharo , Negro Juan J. , Chiaradia André , Dann Peter , Anderson Tracy , Metzger Benjamin , Shirai Masaki , Deppe Lorna , Wheeler Jennifer , Hodum Peter , Gouveia Catia , Carmo Vanda , Carreira Gilberto P. , Delgado‐Alburqueque Luis , Guerra‐Correa Carlos , Couzi François‐Xavier , Travers Marc , Corre Matthieu Le
Published: February 2017

Artificial lights at night cause high mortality of seabirds, one of the most endangered groups of birds globally. Fledglings of burrow‐nesting seabirds, and to a lesser extent adults, are attracted to and then grounded (i.e., forced to land) by lights when they fly at night. We reviewed the current state of knowledge of seabird attraction to light to identify information gaps and propose measures to address the problem. Although species in families such as Alcidae and Anatidae can be grounded by artificial light, the most affected seabirds are petrels and shearwaters (Procellariiformes). At least 56 species of Procellariiformes, more than one‐third of them (24) threatened, are subject to grounding by lights. Seabirds grounded by lights have been found worldwide, mainly on oceanic islands but also at some continental locations. Petrel breeding grounds confined to formerly uninhabited islands are particularly at risk from light pollution due to tourism and urban sprawl. Where it is impractical to ban external lights, rescue programs of grounded birds offer the most immediate and employed mitigation to reduce the rate of light‐induced mortality and save thousands of birds every year. These programs also provide useful information for seabird management. However, these data are typically fragmentary, biased, and uncertain and can lead to inaccurate impact estimates and poor understanding of the phenomenon of seabird attraction to lights. We believe the most urgently needed actions to mitigate and understand light‐induced mortality of seabirds are estimation of mortality and effects on populations; determination of threshold light levels and safe distances from light sources; documentation of the fate of rescued birds; improvement of rescue campaigns, particularly in terms of increasing recovery rates and level of care; and research on seabird‐friendly lights to reduce attraction.
Repositioning in the global apparel value chain in the post‐MFAera: Strategic issues and evidence from Sri Lanka
Authors: Athukorala Prema‐chandra , Ekanayake Raveen
Published: February 2017

This article examines structural adjustment in the world apparel trade following the abolition of Multi‐Fibre Arrangement (MFA) quotas through a case study of the apparel industry in Sri Lanka. The evidence suggests that, in a quota‐free global market, individual exporting countries have room for carving out a niche in specific products. The Sri Lankan apparel industry has managed to maintain growth dynamism through specialization in intimate apparel and upmarket casualwear. The expansion of the industry and its adjustment toMFAabolition was aided by an easily trainable domestic workforce and collaborative actions of industry associations and the government, with foreign buyers playing a pivotal role in linking the Sri Lankan firms to the global value chain.
An evaluation of donor agencies’ policies on participatory development: The case of Ghana
Authors: Danquah Joseph Kwadwo , Analoui Farhad , Koomson Yvonne Ekua Deiba
Published: February 2017

This article critically evaluates guidelines concerning participatory development by the World Bank and the United States Agency for International Development (USAID). It focuses on the different conceptual frameworks adopted in order to examine the different ways of incorporating participation in their development agenda.

A literature‐based method was adopted and the analysis included evaluation of five documented experiences, including the Ghana Secondary Education Improvement Project and Ghana Water Sanitation and Hygiene Project from both the World Bank andUSAID. Baum project cycle stages have been taken as activities for project participation. The findings show the need for better planning, ensuring sustainability and involving beneficiaries.
Measuring learning outcomes
Authors: Caspersen Joakim , Smeby Jens‐Christian , Olaf Aamodt Per
Published: February 2017

The growing interest for measurement of learning outcomes relates to long lines of development in higher education, the request for accountability, intensified through international reforms and movements such as the development and implementation of qualifications frameworks. In this article, we discuss relevant literature on different approaches to measurement and how learning outcomes are measured, what kinds of learning outcomes are measured, and why learning outcomes are measured. Three dimensions are used to structure the literature: Whether the approaches emphasise generic or disciplinary skills and competence, self‐assessment or more objective test based measures (including grades), and how the issue of the contribution from the education program or institution (the value‐added) are discussed. It is pointed out that large scales initiatives that compare institutions and even nations seem to fall short because of the implicit and explicit differences in context, whilst small‐scale approaches suffer from a lack of relevance outside local contexts. In addition, competence (actual level of performance) is often confused with learning (gain and development) in many approaches, laying the ground for false assumptions about institutional process‐quality in higher education.
Incidence and prognostic significance of isolated trisomies in adult acute myeloid leukemia: A population‐based study from the Swedish AML registry
Authors: Lazarevic Vladimir Lj , Rosso Aldana , Juliusson Gunnar , Antunovic Petar , Derolf Åsa Rangert , Deneberg Stefan , Möllgård Lars , Uggla Bertil , Wennström Lovisa , Wahlin Anders , Höglund Martin , Lehmann Sören , Johansson Bertil
Published: February 2017

Objectives and Methods

To ascertain the incidence/clinical implications of isolated autosomal trisomies in adult acute myeloid leukemia (AML), all such cases were retrieved from the Swedish AML Registry.

Results

Of the 3179 cytogenetically informative AMLs diagnosed January 1997‐May 2015, 246 (7.7%) had isolated trisomies. The frequency increased by age (2.4% at age 18‐60 years vs. 23% at >60 years; P<.0001); the median age was 69 years. The five most common were +8 (4.0%), +13 (0.9%), +11 (0.8%), +21 (0.7%), and +4 (0.5%). Age and gender, types of AML and treatment, and complete remission and early death rates did not differ between the single trisomy and the intermediate risk (IR) groups or among cases with isolated gains of chromosomes 4, 8, 11, 13, or 21. The overall survival (OS) was similar in the single trisomy (median 1.6 years) and IR groups (1.7 years; P=.251). The OS differed among the most frequent isolated trisomies; the median OS was 2.5 years for +4, 1.9 years for +21, 1.5 years for +8, 1.1 years for +11, and 0.8 years for +13 (P=.013).

Conclusion

AML with single trisomies, with the exception of +13, should be grouped as IR.
Seminal microbiome in men with and without prostatitis
Authors: Mändar Reet , Punab Margus , Korrovits Paul , Türk Silver , Ausmees Kristo , Lapp Eleri , Preem Jens‐Konrad , Oopkaup Kristjan , Salumets Andres , Truu Jaak
Published: February 2017

Objectives

To profile the seminal microbiome applying next generation sequencing.

Methods

Semen samples of 67 men were involved in the study (21 men with and 46 men without prostatitis). Seminal microbiomes were profiled applying the method that uses combinatorial sequence tags attached to polymerase chain reaction primers that amplify the ribosomal ribonucleic acid V6 region. Amplified polymerase chain reaction products were sequenced using an Illumina paired‐end protocol on HiSeq2000 platform.

Results

The most abundant phylum in semen was Firmicutes, comprising nearly half of the sequences found (median 41.7%, quartiles 28.5–47.2%) followed by Bacteroidetes, Proteobacteria and Actinobacteria. The counts of lactobacilli were higher in healthy men than prostatitis patients (27% [20.2–34.6%] vs 20.2% [4.9–25.0%]; P = 0.05), especially for Lactobacillus iners. Proteobacteria comprised higher proportions in prostatitis patients than healthy men. The species richness was higher in prostatitis patients than healthy men (inverted Simpson index 13.5 ± 5.8 vs 10.3 ± 4.0).

Conclusions

The semen of chronic prostatitis patients contains fewer health‐supporting lactobacilli, and has higher species diversity than that of healthy men. Firmicutes (especially lactobacilli), Bacteroidetes, Proteobacteria and Actinobacteria comprise the highest proportion of seminal microbiome.
An ethnography of managing emotions when talking about life‐threatening illness
Authors: Ayers N.E. , Vydelingum V. , Arber A.
Published: February 2017

Aim

This ethnographic study was concerned with how dying patients, palliative care staff and family caregivers communicate about life‐threatening illness in a palliative care setting in Ethiopia.

Background

Ethiopia, as a developing country, had few resources for caring for those requiring end‐of‐life care. However, palliative care was supported by local champions in Ethiopia and by the Federal Ministry of Health.

Introduction

The disclosure of bad news was discouraged because it was believed that such disclosure may lead to unnecessary distress and to loss of hope.

Methods

Non‐participant observation amounting to 276 h of observation and ethnographic interviews with four patients, six family caregivers and five palliative care staff during two periods of data collection (November 2011–January 2012 and May 2012–August 2012) in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

Findings

Although palliative care staff create openness in communication with patients and family caregivers about terminal illness and dying, ultimately palliative care staff deferred to family wishes about significant news disclosures, in order to avoid upset. Family caregivers were found to avoid disclosing news of a terminal illness to their family member and wished to keep the patient in closed awareness. In contrast, an open awareness context existed between palliative care staff and family caregivers.

Discussion

In managing truth telling in different cultural settings, medical and nursing staff as well as health policy makers need to take into account the various awareness contexts highlighted in this study. Palliative care staff should consider how actions such as protecting patients from upset may inadvertently deny the patient the right to exercise control.

Conclusion and implications for policy

Health policy makers should ensure that the design and implementation of palliative care services should not be a wholesale adoption of Western style services but ensure that such services are adapted to reflect the religious, cultural and social needs of the community. Foreign workers and volunteers who deliver palliative care services and education in Ethiopia should reflect local religious and cultural sensitivities.
Structural and emission properties of Eu3+‐doped alkaline earth zinc‐phosphate glasses for white LED applications
Authors: Jha Kaushal , Jayasimhadri Mula
Published: February 2017

Quaternary alkaline earth zinc‐phosphate glasses in molar composition (40 − x)ZnO – 35P2O5 – 20RO – 5TiO2 – xEu2O3 (where x=1 and R=Mg, Ca, Sr, and Ba) were prepared by melt quenching technique. These glasses were studied with respect to their thermal, structural, and photoluminescent properties. The maximum value of the glass transition temperature (Tg) was observed for BaO network modifier mixed glass and minimum was observed for MgO network modifier glass. All the glasses were found to be amorphous in nature. The FT‐IR suggested the glasses to be in pyrophosphate structure, which matches with the theoretical estimation of O/P atomic ratio and the maximum depolymerization was observed for glass mixed with BaO network modifier. The intense emission peak was observed at 613 nm (5D0→7F2) under excitation of 392 nm, which matches well with excitation of commercial n‐UV LED chips. The highest emission intensity and quantum efficiency was observed for the glass mixed with BaO network modifier. Based on these results, another set of glass samples was prepared with molar composition (40 − x)ZnO – 35P2O5 – 20BaO – 5TiO2 – xEu2O3 (x=3, 5, 7, and 9) to investigate the optimized emission intensity in these glasses. The glasses exhibited crystalline features along with amorphous nature and a drastic variation in asymmetric ratio at higher concentration (7 and 9 mol%) of Eu2O3. The color of emission also shifted from red to reddish orange with increase in the concentration of Eu2O3. These glasses are potential candidates to use as a red photoluminsecent component in the field of solid‐state lighting devices.
Integrating demography, dispersal and interspecific interactions into bird distribution models
Authors: Zurell Damaris
Published: February 2017

Species’ ranges are primarily limited by the physiological (abiotic) tolerance of the species, described by their fundamental niche. Additionally, demographic processes, dispersal, and interspecific interactions with other species are shaping species distributions, resulting in the realised niche. Understanding the complex interplay between these drivers is vital for making robust biodiversity predictions to novel environments. Correlative species distribution models have been widely used to predict biodiversity response but also remain criticised, as they are not able to properly disentangle the abiotic and biotic drivers shaping species’ niches. Recent developments have thus focussed on 1) integrating demography and dispersal into species distribution models, and on 2) integrating interspecific interactions. Here, I review recent demographic and multi‐species modelling approaches and discuss critical aspects of these models that remain underexplored in general and in respect to birds, for example, the complex life histories of birds and other animals as well as the scale dependence of interspecific interactions. I conclude by formulating modelling guidelines for integrating the abiotic and biotic processes that limit species’ ranges, which will help to disentangle the complex roles of demography, dispersal and interspecific interactions in shaping species niches. Throughout, I pinpoint complexities of avian life cycles that are critical for consideration in the models and identify data requirements for operationalizing the different modelling steps.
Nutrient intakes and compliance with nutrient recommendations in children aged 1–4 years in Ireland
Authors: Walton J. , Kehoe L. , McNulty B. A. , Nugent A. P. , Flynn A.
Published: February 2017

Background

The early childhood years represent a period of rapid growth and development characterised by unique requirements for energy and individual nutrients.

Methods

The present study uses data from the National Pre‐School Nutrition Survey, a nationally representative sample of Irish children (1–4 years) (n = 500), aiming to estimate energy and nutrient intakes across age and compliance with recommendations (UK and European). A 4‐day weighed food‐record was used to collect dietary data and statistical modelling (National Cancer Institute method) was applied to estimate usual nutrient intakes.

Results

Intakes of carbohydrate [48–50% energy (E)], protein (15–16%E), total fat (32–34%E), dietary fibre (2.5 g MJ−1), α‐linolenic acid (0.45%E) and most micronutrients were in good compliance with recommendations. However, intakes of long chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (LCPUFA) (65–80 mg) were low and significant proportions of children had inadequate intakes (< estimated average requirement) of vitamin D and iron. Small proportions of children with intakes exceeding the upper level for retinol, folic acid, zinc, copper and iodine, are unlikely to give rise to adverse health effects. Mean intakes of free sugars (12%E) and salt (3.1 g day−1) exceeded recommendations and increased with age, whereas mean intake of saturated fat (15%E) decreased with age. By the age of 4 years, patterns established for intakes of salt, saturated fat and free sugars were unfavourable and similar to those observed in the diets of older children.

Conclusions

Further research is needed to identify dietary strategies that improve the quality of the diet in young children, particularly in relation to excess of saturated fat, free sugars and salt, as well as inadequacy of iron, vitamin D and LCPUFA.
Nitrogen balance in patients with hemiparetic stroke during the subacute rehabilitation phase
Authors: Wada A. , Kawakami M. , Otsuka T. , Aoki H. , Anzai A. , Yamada Y. , Liu F. , Otaka E. , Akaboshi K. , Liu M.
Published: February 2017

Background

In highly invasive diseases, metabolism commonly changes. Hypercatabolism is frequent in acute stroke, and nitrogen balance tends to be negative. However, there has been no study describing nitrogen balance in subacute and chronic stroke patients. The present study aimed to examine nitrogen balance in the subacute and chronic phases and to identify the factors related to it.

Methods

Nitrogen balance was calculated from the collected urine of 56 patients with subacute stroke [mean (SD) 53.8 (18.4) days post‐stroke] who were admitted for rehabilitation for their first‐ever ischaemic or nonsurgical haemorrhagic stroke. In the first experiment, their nitrogen balance was measured during the rehabilitation phase, and factors (type, severity of hemiparesis, activities of daily living, dysphagia and malnutrition status) related to it were evaluated. The second experiment was performed to describe the time course of nitrogen balance in 31 consecutive patients, with assessments made at admission and at discharge.

Results

Nitrogen balance was positive in all patients in the subacute phase. A significant difference was seen in nitrogen balance between high and low fat‐free mass in male patients. In the chronic phase, nitrogen balance was positive in 96% of the patients. There was no significant difference in nitrogen balance between discharge and admission.

Conclusions

In the subacute and chronic phases of stroke, it was confirmed that hypercatabolism had resolved and that intensive rehabilitation is possible in the convalescent period of stroke.
Exchange Rates and Monetary Policy Uncertainty
Authors: MUELLER PHILIPPE , TAHBAZ‐SALEHI ALIREZA , VEDOLIN ANDREA
Published: February 2017

We document that a trading strategy that is short the U.S. dollar and long other currencies exhibits significantly larger excess returns on days with scheduled Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) announcements. We show that these excess returns (i) are higher for currencies with higher interest rate differentials vis‐à‐vis the United States, (ii) increase with uncertainty about monetary policy, and (iii) increase further when the Federal Reserve adopts a policy of monetary easing. We interpret these excess returns as compensation for monetary policy uncertainty within a parsimonious model of constrained financiers who intermediate global demand for currencies.
Prenatal assessment of coronary artery anatomy using color Doppler in cases of D‐transposition of the great arteries: Case reports
Authors: Kaji Takashi , Hayabuchi Yasunobu , Maeda Kazuhisa , Nakayama Soichiro , Irahara Minoru
Published: February 2017

Abnormal coronary artery (CA) anatomy is common in cases of D‐transposition of the great arteries (TGA) and can be a significant risk factor during the arterial switch operation. Here, we report three cases of TGA in which CA anatomy was assessed prenatally using color Doppler imaging. All CA, except the left circumflex CA in one case, were identified. CA anatomy was completely correctly diagnosed in one of our three cases. In the two remaining cases, the left circumflex CA could not be visualized in one patient, and the origin of the left anterior descending CA was not correctly diagnosed in the other. We found that prenatal assessment of CA anatomy using color Doppler in TGA was feasible, but the diagnostic accuracy was limited. We anticipate that more experience with the advancing technology will improve accuracy.