bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Submarine Slope Failures in Gassy Soils
Authors: Kar Shantanu , Phillips Ryan
Published: October 2015

This paper investigates the stability of a submarine gassy slope triggered by tidal variations. Under tidal variations on an unsaturated slope, failure may occur under specific combinations of increasing degree of saturation and soil permeability, and decreasing tidal period. A novel physical model test in a geotechnical centrifuge was undertaken of a submarine slope containing gassy sediments. The model preparation techniques, measurement systems and preliminary results are presented. The response observed in the model test is discussed and further developments proposed. Existing numerical simulations may provide a basis for verification and validation of future physical model test results.
Experimental RAO’s Analysis of a Monolithic Concrete SPAR Structure for Offshore Floating Wind Turbines
Authors: Campos Alexis , Molins Climent , Gironella Xavier , Trubat Pau , Alarcón Daniel
Published: October 2015

Nowadays the offshore wind energy market is clearly oriented to be extended around the world. Bottom fixed solutions for supporting offshore wind turbines are useful in shallow waters which are available in a limited extent unless a continental shelf exists. Considering the Oil & Gas background knowledge, move from bottom fixed solutions to floating solutions is not a technical challenge, but the cost of each structure in terms of industry profit is currently the main issue for its commercial implementation. That point has induced huge research efforts on the topic.

Recently, a new concept consisting of a monolithic concrete SPAR platform was experimentally and numerically studied in the framework of the AFOSP KIC-InnoEnergy project (Alternative Floating Platform Designs for Offshore Wind Towers using Low Cost Materials) [1] [2]. The studies comprised a set of hydrodynamic tests performed in the CIEM wave flume facility at UPC, with a 1:100 scaled model assuming Froude similitude.

The whole test campaign includes free decay tests, RAO’s determination, regular and irregular waves with and without wind mean force. For the determination of the platform RAO’s, a set of 21 regular waves trains with periods ranging from 0.8s up to 4.8s were applied. The 6 DOF motions of the platform were measured with an infrared stereoscopic vision system.

In this paper, a summary of pitch and heave RAO’s tests will be presented with the main objective to calibrate and validate the accuracy of the Morison-based numerical model for floating wind turbine platforms developed at the Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya.

Because the wave flume spatial constraints, both Airy and Stokes wave theories are necessary to reproduce the correct wave kinematics. The numerical model includes both theories and a comparison between them has been done, checking the validity range of each one.

The simulations revealed a reasonable good agreement with the experimental results, as well with the computed RAO’s in commercial software.
Motion RAOs of a SSCV at Deep and Inconvenient Draft Using CFD
Authors: Ottens Harald , Pistidda Alessio
Published: October 2015

As an offshore contractor Heerema Marine Contractors (HMC) is specialized in the transportation and installation of offshore structures such as jackets, topsides and subsea infrastructure. Semi-Submersible Crane Vessels (SSCVs) are a part of the fleet currently operated. These vessels are mainly used for heavy lift and subsea construction operations in deep water. However, in recent years heavy lift operations in shallow waters have been increased. In very shallow waters the lift operation cannot be performed on the standard deep operational draft and shallower drafts are required, to maintain sufficient bottom clearance.

Diffraction programs using potential theory are a quick and effective method in calculating wave forces and ship motions. However for shallow drafts, where only a small layer of water is present on top of a submerged body, diffraction calculations typically overpredict motion and wave load RAOs. This shortcoming of diffraction programs is well known and observed after conducting model tests on a free floating SSCV at a shallow draft. As such, from a numerical point of view, these shallow drafts can be considered “inconvenient drafts”.

To verify whether CFD is able to predict the SSCV motions at these inconvenient drafts, CFD simulations are performed on a SSCV in waves. The SSCV is free to heave, roll and pitch. The focus will be on beam incoming waves with the SSCV at different drafts ranging from a deep draft, where potential theory is able to predict the motions very well to shallow drafts, where potential theory typically overpredicts the motions.

To limit the simulation domain an Euler Overlay Method is used where in the vicinity of the SSCV the domain is simulated using CFD by overlaying an Euler solution defined at the outer domain. To allow the SSCV to heave, roll and pitch within the domain the overset mesh method is used.
Hydrodynamic Characteristics of ROVs During Deployment Through Wave-Affected Zones
Authors: Bashir Musa B. , Menon Mahesh , Benson Simon D. , Eastwood Rob , Murphy Alan J. , Cunny Daniel , van Zwanenberg Michael
Published: October 2015

The prediction of wave-induced loads on Remotely Operated Vehicles (ROVs) during deployment through the splash zone is an important requirement to the design of a launch and recovery system. This paper presents the results of numerical and experimental hydrodynamic analysis of the motion response and wave-induced loads on a subsea trencher ROV during its deployment through the splash zone. The main focus of the study is to determine the maximum wave-induced loads and also to establish the maximum range of sea conditions in which the ROV can be operated safely. The numerical measurement of the hydrodynamic responses is completed using a 3D potential theory–based solver. The results obtained are compared with the predicted experimental responses measured using a 1/12 scale model of the ROV in a wave tank. A further comparison of the numerical responses with a box-shaped model of approximately similar overall dimensions to the ROV is performed in order to establish the validity of using a simplified shape to represent the actual ROV in various modelling scenarios. The result of this comparison shows that using a box-shaped model grossly over-predicts the responses and can lead to overly conservative load prediction.
Improvements in the Prediction of the Wave Making Resistance From Potential Flow by Using Transverse Wave Cut Methods
Authors: Will Johannes , Kömpe Anja
Published: October 2015

The reliable and correct determination of the wave resistance is the key to an efficient ship design, as the wave resistance is one on the major factors concerning building and operational costs. In this paper the authors present a new approach to transverse wave cut analysis to overcome the major shortcoming of the resistance prediction from potential flow: a numerically stable and physically sound estimate for the magnitude of the wave making resistance.
Ramp Tests: A Novel Approach to VIV Model Testing of Flexible Cylinders Using Continuously Varying Towing Speeds
Authors: Resvanis Themistocles L. , Vandiver J. Kim , Fu Shixiao
Published: October 2015

In this paper we present a small portion of the results from the 2011 SHELL tests at the MARINTEK basin. The tests involved towing densely instrumented flexible cylinders at Reynolds numbers up to 150,000 in order to study the Vortex-Induced Vibration (VIV) response in uniform current profiles.

This paper presents the experimental results collected from a series of tests where the towing speed was continuously varied while the cylinder and carriage traversed the basin. As the cylinder is accelerated (or decelerated) the incident current speed is continuously changing which means that multiple modes can be excited consecutively in a single tow through the basin. These varying towing speed tests are collectively referred to as ‘ramp tests’.

The response data collected in these ‘ramp tests’ are presented in terms of CF response amplitudes and strains and are carefully compared with the response data collected during conventional steady towing speed tests. The data shows that when the acceleration of the carriage is kept below a critical value the ‘ramp tests’ are then able to provide VIV response information which is equivalent to that obtained from many constant speed tests. One ramp test provides the equivalent response data of (up to) 10 constant speed tests in a single run.

This paper also introduces a dimensionless parameter γ, which determines if the proposed acceleration for a ramp test is within acceptable limits and may be used as a substitute for many constant speed tests. The parameter can be used to determine the appropriate acceleration or deceleration rate in order to ensure that a ramp test will yield suitable VIV response data. The parameter also allows one to know quickly whether or not fully developed VIV is possible in a given set of unsteady flow conditions.
Thermal diffusivity imaging
Authors: Gfroerer Tim , Phillips Ryan , Rossi Peter
Published: October 2015

The tip of a rod is heated with a torch and brought into contact with the center of a metal sheet. A thermal camera is then used to image the temperature profile of the surface as a function of time. The infrared camera is capable of recording radiometric data with 1 mK resolution in nearly 105 pixels, so thermal diffusion can be monitored with unprecedented precision. With a frame rate of approximately 10 Hz, the pace of the data acquisition minimizes the loss of accuracy due to inevitable cooling mechanisms. We report diffusivity constants equal to 1.23 ± 0.06 cm2/s in copper and 0.70 ± 0.05 cm2/s in aluminum. The behavior is modeled with a straightforward but oddly under-utilized one-dimensional finite difference method.
A LEGO Watt balance: An apparatus to determine a mass based on the new SI
Authors: Chao L. S. , Schlamminger S. , Newell D. B. , Pratt J. R. , Seifert F. , Zhang X. , Sineriz G. , Liu M. , Haddad D.
Published: October 2015

A global effort to redefine our International System of Units (SI) is underway, and the change to the new system is expected to occur in 2018. Within the newly redefined SI, the present base units will still exist but be derived from fixed numerical values of seven reference constants. In particular, the unit of mass (the kilogram) will be realized through a fixed value of the Planck constant h. A so-called watt balance, for example, can then be used to realize the kilogram unit of mass within a few parts in 108. Such a balance has been designed and constructed at the National Institute of Standards and Technology. For educational outreach and to demonstrate the principle, we have constructed a LEGO tabletop watt balance capable of measuring a gram-level masses to 1% relative uncertainty. This article presents the design, construction, and performance of the LEGO watt balance and its ability to determine h.
Understanding nonlinear effects on wave shapes: Comment on “An experimental analysis of a vibrating guitar string using high-speed photography” [Am. J. Phys. 82(2), 102–109 (2014)]
Authors: Rowland David R.
Published: October 2015

In a recent paper, Whitfield and Flesh found unusual bowing behavior in the waveform of a guitar string for large amplitude plucks. This Comment discusses the theory needed to understand this nonlinear effect, and it is shown that this theory provides reasonably good qualitative agreement with the observed wave form. This theory is interesting because: (i) it allows one to quantify the boundary between linear and nonlinear behavior in terms of key physical parameters; (ii) it reveals the importance of taking into account longitudinal displacements even when they are much smaller than the associated transverse displacements; and (iii) it reveals that dispersion due to tension changes and dispersion due to flexural rigidity have very similar functional forms, which leads to the question of when one effect can be neglected in comparison to the other.
Cochlear implant users' spectral ripple resolution
Authors: Jeon Eun Kyung , Turner Christopher W. , Karsten Sue A. , Henry Belinda A. , Gantz Bruce J.
Published: October 2015

This study revisits the issue of the spectral ripple resolution abilities of cochlear implant (CI) users. The spectral ripple resolution of recently implanted CI recipients (implanted during the last 10 years) were compared to those of CI recipients implanted 15 to 20 years ago, as well as those of normal-hearing and hearing-impaired listeners from previously published data from Henry, Turner, and Behrens [J. Acoust. Soc. Am. 118, 1111–1121 (2005)]. More recently, implanted CI recipients showed significantly better spectral ripple resolution. There is no significant difference in spectral ripple resolution for these recently implanted subjects compared to hearing-impaired (acoustic) listeners. The more recently implanted CI users had significantly better pre-operative speech perception than previously reported CI users. These better pre-operative speech perception scores in CI users from the current study may be related to better performance on the spectral ripple discrimination task; however, other possible factors such as improvements in internal and external devices cannot be excluded.
Black Girls Run: Facilitating a Connection for Black Women to the “White” Sport of Running
Authors: Wegner Christine E. , Jordan Jeremy S. , Funk Daniel C. , Clark Brianna Soule
Published: October 2015

In the current study the researchers investigated the creation of an identity for Black female runners through their psychological and behavioral involvement in a national running organization for Black women. A repeated measures design was used with 756 members, surveying them twice over a 14-month period regarding their involvement both with the organization and with the activity of running. We found that members’ psychological and behavioral involvement with running increased over time, and that this change was more salient for members who did not consider themselves runners before they joined the organization. These findings provide initial support for the facilitation of a running identity through membership in this running organization.
Second bid for brain observatory
Authors: Underwood Emily
Published: October 2015

Workshop explores facilities to give neuroscience access to high-tech tools.
Europe's food watchdog embraces transparency
Authors: Rabesandratana Tania
Published: October 2015

Industry uneasy at European Food Safety Authority pledge to make data underlying its decisions public.
Electron paramagnetic resonance of individual atoms on a surface
Authors: Baumann Susanne , Paul William , Choi Taeyoung , Lutz Christopher P. , Ardavan Arzhang , Heinrich Andreas J.
Published: October 2015

EPR, one atom at a time

Electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) usually detects atoms with unpaired electrons as ensemble averages. Baumann
et al.
used a spin-polarized scanning tunneling microscope tip to measure EPR spectra of single iron atoms adsorbed on a magnesium oxide surface at cryogenic temperatures. The measurement depends on the atomic orbital symmetry; no signal was observed for cobalt atoms under the same conditions

Science
, this issue p.
417
Cells of a common developmental origin regulate REM/non-REM sleep and wakefulness in mice
Authors: Hayashi Yu , Kashiwagi Mitsuaki , Yasuda Kosuke , Ando Reiko , Kanuka Mika , Sakai Kazuya , Itohara Shigeyoshi
Published: October 2015

Neurons that regulate sleep stages

Just what sleep is for remains a bit of a mystery. During sleep, we switch several times between so-called rapid eye movement (REM) and non-REM sleep. Hayashi
et al.
used sophisticated developmental cell fate mapping to look at the neurons involved in the two types of sleep in mice (see the Perspective by Vyazovskiy). They identified a genetically marked population of neurons that promote non-REM sleep at the expense of REM sleep.

Science
, this issue p.
957
; see also p.
909
Transcriptional control of tissue formation throughout root development
Authors: Moreno-Risueno Miguel A. , Sozzani Rosangela , Yardımcı Galip Gürkan , Petricka Jalean J. , Vernoux Teva , Blilou Ikram , Alonso Jose , Winter Cara M. , Ohler Uwe , Scheres Ben , Benfey Philip N.
Published: October 2015

Multifunctional root regulators

The growing plant root undergoes a variety of developmental steps that determine thickness and branching as the roots elaborate. Moreno-Risueno
et al.
identify a suite of transcription factors, some of which mobilize between cells, that regulate shifting fates during root growth. The same set of transcription factors governs identity and proliferation of the stem cells as well as the fates of daughter cells.

Science
, this issue p.
426
The storytelling scientist
Houston, We Have a Narrative
Randy Olson
University of Chicago Press, 2015. 260 pp.
Authors: Luna Rafael E.
Published: October 2015

Practical tools for crafting compelling scientific narratives
Chiral anomaly without relativity
Authors: Burkov Anton
Published: October 2015

A condensed matter system exhibits an effect usually associated with particle physics

[Also see Report by

Xiong
et al.

]
The unknowns of cognitive enhancement
Authors: Farah Martha J.
Published: October 2015

Can science and policy catch up with practice?
Smart villages
Authors: Holmes John , Jones Bernie , Heap Brian
Published: October 2015

Last month in New York, the world adopted the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), defining the global development agenda for the next 15 years. Among the 17 goals is Goal 7's aim to ensure “access to affordable, reliable, sustainable and modern energy for all.” Given that an estimated 1.3 billion people have no access to electricity and that 70% of the world's poor live off-grid in the countryside, this is indeed ambitious. How do we ensure that these remote communities have access to energy?
Genome Sequence of “
Candidatus
Thioglobus singularis” Strain PS1, a Mixotroph from the SUP05 Clade of Marine Gammaproteobacteria
Authors: Marshall Katharine T. , Morris Robert M.
Published: October 2015

Mixotrophic marine bacteria from the SUP05 clade are ubiquitous in the ocean. Here, we announce the complete genome sequence of “
Candidatus
Thioglobus singularis” strain PS1, the first cultured mixotrophic representative from the SUP05 clade.
Draft Genome Sequence of Sporosarcina globispora W 25
T
(DSM 4), a Psychrophilic Bacterium Isolated from Soil and River Water
Authors: Wang Jie-ping , Liu Bo , Liu Guo-hong , Xiao Rong-feng , Zheng Xue-fang , Shi Huai , Ge Ci-bin
Published: October 2015

Sporosarcina globispora
W 25
T
(DSM 4) is a Gram-positive, round-spore-forming, and psychrophilic bacterium. Here, we report the 5.66-Mb genome sequence of
S. globispora
W 25
T
, which will accelerate the application of this psychrophile and provide useful information for genomic taxonomy and phylogenomics of
Bacillus
-like bacteria.
Draft Genome Sequence of Komagataeibacter europaeus CECT 8546, a Cellulose-Producing Strain of Vinegar Elaborated by the Traditional Method
Authors: Valera María José , Poehlein Anja , Torija María Jesús , Haack Frederike S. , Daniel Rolf , Streit Wolfgang R. , Mateo Estibaliz , Mas Albert
Published: October 2015

The present article reports the draft genome sequence of the strain
Komagataeibacter europaeus
CECT 8546, an acetic acid bacterium characterized by its ability to overproduce cellulose. This species is highly resistant to acetic acid and commonly found during vinegar elaboration.
Draft Genome Sequence of Chlamydia trachomatis Strain 54, Isolated from the Urogenital Tract of a Male in Japan
Authors: Yamazaki Tomohiro , Matsuo Junji , Kikuchi Momoka , Miyamoto Kentaro , Oka Kentaro , Takahashi Motomichi , Takahashi Satoshi , Okubo Torahiko , Yamaguchi Hiroyuki
Published: October 2015

We report the draft genome sequence of
Chlamydia trachomatis
strain 54, isolated from the urogenital tract of a male in Japan, with unique polymorphic membrane proteins. Detailed genomic analysis will aid our understanding of the selective pressures that lead to sexual differentiation in chlamydial adaptive evolution.
Genome Sequence of Type Strain Bacillus decisifrondis E5HC-32
T
(DSM 11725
T
), Isolated from Soil Underlying the Decaying Leaf Litter of a Slash Pine Forest
Authors: Liu Guo-hong , Liu Bo , Wang Jie-ping , Chen Qian-Qian , Che Jian-Mei , Zheng Xue-fang , Ge Ci-bin
Published: October 2015

Bacillus decisifrondis
E5HC-32
T
(DSM 11725
T
) is a Gram-positive, subterminal spherical spore-forming, strictly aerobic bacterium. Here, we report the 5,613,728-bp genome sequence of
B. decisifrondis
E5HC-32
T
, which is the first genome information of this species and will provide useful information for genomic taxonomy and phylogenomics of
Bacillus
-like bacteria.
Extramedullary plasmacytoma mimicking colon carcinoma: an unusual presentation and review of the literature
Authors: Parnell Kaela , Ahmed Mashrafi , Smalligan Roger D , Nadesan Suhasini
Published: October 2015

A 72-year-old woman presented to outpatient clinic with fatigue, light-headedness, dyspnoea and dark stool suggestive of lower gastrointestinal bleeding. She was previously diagnosed with multiple myeloma and completed 9 cycles of chemotherapy with bortezomib, lenalidomide and dexamethasone. She had very good partial response. A CT scan of the abdomen revealed a 9 cm mass at the hepatic flexure of the large intestine with an apple core deformity causing a marked narrowing of the lumen. Colonoscopy confirmed a large, nearly obstructing ulcerative mass in the distal right colon. The patient underwent a right hemicolectomy, distal ileal resection and lymph node dissection. Histopathology confirmed the mass as a plasmacytoma. Postoperatively, the patient was started with bortezomib and liposomal doxorubicin followed by carfilzomib. She showed excellent response to the chemotherapy.
Central and peripheral nervous system involvement in neuromelioidosis
Authors: Arif Muhammad A , Abid Muhammad H , Renganathan Radhakrishnan , Siddiqui Khurram A
Published: October 2015

We report a case of a 33-year-old Sri Lankan man who presented with flaccid quadriparesis with brainstem signs and acute motor axonal polyneuropathy. MRI of the brain showed multiple abscesses with ring enhancement seen predominantly in the brainstem and upper cervical cord. The patient was initially treated with intravenous immunoglobulin, considering this to be a form of Guillain-Barré syndrome. Cerebrospinal fluid, however, showed lymphocytic pleocytosis with raised protein. Tests forBrucella, tuberculosis, toxoplasmosis, syphilis and HIV were negative. Chest X-ray revealed a cavity in the left lung, which, on bronchoscopy, showed a collection of purulent secretions. Culture of these secretions grewBurkholderia pseudomallei. The patient was treated with two courses of intravenous antibiotics, with resultant radiological improvement; however, with significant morbidity.
A STAT1-gain-of-function mutation causing Th17 deficiency with chronic mucocutaneous candidiasis, psoriasiform hyperkeratosis and dermatophytosis
Authors: Nielsen Jakob , Kofod-Olsen Emil , Spaun Eva , Larsen Carsten S , Christiansen Mette , Mogensen Trine Hyrup
Published: October 2015

During recent years, inborn errors of human IL-17 immunity have been demonstrated to underlie primary immunodeficiencies with chronic mucocutaneous candidiasis (CMC). Various defects in receptors responsible for sensing ofCandida albicansor downstream signalling to IL-17 may lead to susceptibility toCandidainfection. While CMC is common in patients with profound T cell immunodeficiencies, CMC is also recognised as part of other immunodeficiencies in syndromic CMC, or as relatively isolated CMC disease. We describe a 40-year-old woman with a clinical picture involving cutaneous bacterial abscesses, chronic oral candidiasis and extensive dermatophytic infection of the feet. By whole exome sequencing, we identified a STAT1-gain-of-function mutation. Moreover, the patient's peripheral blood mononuclear cells displayed severely impaired Th17 responses. The patient was treated with antifungals and prophylactic antibiotics, which led to resolution of the infection. We discuss the current knowledge within the field of Th17 deficiency and the pathogenesis and treatment of CMC.
HbM methaemoglobinaemia as a rare case of early neonatal benign cyanosis
Authors: Elboraee Mohamed Sabry , Clarke Gwen , Belletrutti Mark J , Escoredo Sandra
Published: October 2015

Early neonatal central cyanosis that is unrelated to cardiopulmonary causes, alerts clinicians to possibility of methaemoglobinaemia. Congenital methaemoglobinaemia due to haemoglobin M is an autosomal dominant disorder characterised by lifelong cyanosis. We report a case presentation and review of diagnostic pitfalls of a newborn who presented with central cyanosis; investigations revealed a low methaemoglobin reductase (2.2 IU/g Hb), with normal maternal levels (9.1 IU/g Hb). Therefore, haemoglobinopathy investigations were completed on the mother and her baby, which showed an α-globin variant in both. The maternal α2 globin gene sequencing showed heterozygosity for haemoglobin M Boston (α58 His→Tyr).
Fitness predicts long-term survival after a cardiovascular event: a prospective cohort study
Authors: Barons Martine J , Turner Sally , Parsons Nicholas , Griffiths Frances , Bethell Hugh , Weich Scott , Thorogood Margaret
Published: October 2015

Objectives

To identify the role of fitness, fitness change, body mass index and other factors in predicting long-term (>5 years) survival in patients with coronary heart disease.

Design

Cohort study of patients with coronary heart disease recruited from 1 January 1993 to 31 December 2002, followed up to March 2011 (1 day to 18 years 3 months, mean 10.7 years).

Setting

A community-based National Health Service (NHS) cardiac rehabilitation programme serving the Basingstoke and Alton area in Hampshire, UK.

Participants

An unselected cohort of NHS patients, 2167 men and 547 women aged 28–88 years, who attended the rehabilitation programme following acute myocardial infarction, an episode of angina or revascularisation, and had a baseline fitness test.

Main outcome measures

Cardiovascular mortality and all-cause mortality.

Results

A high level of fitness (VO2≥22 mL/kg/min for men, VO2≥19 mL/kg/min for women) at completion of the programme was associated with decreased all-cause death, as was a prescription for statins or aspirin, and female gender. Increase in all-cause mortality was associated with higher age and ACE inhibitors prescription. Higher risk of cardiovascular mortality was associated with increasing age, prescriptions for ACE inhibitor, and diagnosis of myocardial infarction or angina as compared with the other diagnoses.

Conclusions

Prior fitness and fitness improvement are strong predictors of long-term survival in patients who have experienced a cardiac event or procedure. Some secondary prevention medications make a significant contribution to reducing all-cause mortality and cardiovascular mortality in these patients. This study supports public health messages promoting fitness for life.
Adaptation and uptake evaluation of an SMS text message smoking cessation programme (MiQuit) for use in antenatal care
Authors: Naughton Felix , Cooper Sue , Bowker Katharine , Campbell Katarzyna , Sutton Stephen , Leonardi-Bee Jo , Sloan Melanie , Coleman Tim
Published: October 2015

Objectives

To adapt a tailored short message service (SMS) text message smoking cessation intervention (MiQuit) for use without active health professional endorsement in routine antenatal care settings, to estimate ‘real-world’ uptake and test the feasibility of its use.

Design

Single-site service evaluation.

Setting

A Nottinghamshire (UK) antenatal clinic.

Participants

Pregnant women accessing the antenatal clinic (N=1750) over 6 months.

Intervention

A single-sheet A5 leaflet provided in the women's maternity notes folder describing the MiQuit text service. Similar materials were left on clinic desks and noticeboards.

Outcome measures

MiQuit activation requests and system interactions were logged for two time frames: 6 months (strict) and 8 months (extended). Local hospital data were used to estimate the denominator of pregnant smokers exposed to the materials.

Results

During the strict and extended time frames, 13 and 25 activation requests were received, representing 3% (95% CI 2% to 5%) and 4% (95% CI 3% to 6%) of estimated smokers, respectively. Only 11 (44%) of the 25 requesting activation sent a correctly formatted initiation text. Of those activating MiQuit, and invited to complete tailoring questions (used to tailor support), 6 (67%) completed all 12 questions by text or website and 5 (56%) texted a quit date to the system. Of the 11 activating MiQuit, 5 (45%, 95% CI 21% to 72%) stopped the programme prematurely.

Conclusions

A low-intensity, cheap cessation intervention promoted at very low cost, resulted in a small but potentially impactful uptake rate by pregnant smokers.
‘Speaking up’ about patient safety concerns and unprofessional behaviour among residents: validation of two scales
Authors: Martinez William , Etchegaray Jason M , Thomas Eric J , Hickson Gerald B , Lehmann Lisa Soleymani , Schleyer Anneliese M , Best Jennifer A , Shelburne Julia T , May Natalie B , Bell Sigall K
Published: October 2015

Objective

To develop and test the psychometric properties of two new survey scales aiming to measure the extent to which the clinical environment supports speaking up about (a) patient safety concerns and (b) unprofessional behaviour.

Method

Residents from six large US academic medical centres completed an anonymous, electronic survey containing questions regarding safety culture and speaking up about safety and professionalism concerns.

Results

Confirmatory factor analysis supported two separate, one-factor speaking up climates (SUCs) among residents; one focused on patient safety concerns (SUC-Safe scale) and the other focused on unprofessional behaviour (SUC-Prof scale). Both scales had good internal consistency (Cronbach's α>0.70) and were unique from validated safety and teamwork climate measures (r<0.85 for all correlations), a measure of discriminant validity. The SUC-Safe and SUC-Prof scales were associated with participants’ self-reported speaking up behaviour about safety and professionalism concerns (r=0.21, p<0.001 and r=0.22, p<0.001, respectively), a measure of concurrent validity, while teamwork and safety climate scales were not.

Conclusions

We created and provided evidence for the reliability and validity of two measures (SUC-Safe and SUC-Prof scales) associated with self-reported speaking up behaviour among residents. These two scales may fill an existing gap in residency and safety culture assessments by measuring the openness of communication about safety and professionalism concerns, two important aspects of safety culture that are under-represented in existing metrics.
“COMPREHENSIVE CARE MODEL” FOR DIABETES WITHIN A PRIMARY CARE CLINIC: PRE-VISIT PLANNING, AT-VISIT EFFICIENCY, AND INTER-VISIT CARE
Authors: Hariharan Jaishree , Fischer Gary , Simak Debbie
Published: October 2015

Background

UPP-GIM, a large urban academic primary-care practice and a patient-centered medical home, treats approximately 1800 diabetics. Despite multiple interventions, the number of patients with A1C=9% remained at 14%, and dilated retina exam (DRE) rate was only 64%.

Objectives

1. Create a comprehensive team-based model that engages patients throughout their continuum of care, focusing on patients with A1C=9%.

2. Incrementally improve glycemic control, diabetes outcomes and DRE rate.

Methods

In January 2014, a multi-disciplinary diabetes team was created to redesign care. A comprehensive care model was established and implemented in phases. All clinic staff and physicians participated. It included engaging patients with a pre-visit phone call, improving at-visit efficiency to maximize addressing all patient needs, including downloading and printing glucose meter reports and adding tele-ophthalmology, and intensifying inter-visit care with algorithm-based medication titration. (see figure)

Processes and outcomes were tracked over 18 months. Control charts were used to evaluate processes and outcome measures as phases were implemented and quarterly reports for outcomes.

Results

Mean A1C in the cohort of patients starting with A1C=9% (n=246) improved from 10.8 (±1.7) to 9.5 (±1.9). Appointment show rate improved from 68% to 73%.Encounters with diabetic educators rose from 20% to 54%. Meter download compliance reached almost 90% and DRE rates improved from 64% to 76%.

Conclusions

Engaging uncontrolled diabetic patients before, during, and after visits with a team-based approach and novel day-of-visit efficiencies improved glycemic control and eye exam rates. Continued monitoring is needed to ensure the durability of these gains.

Figure 1

Comprehensive Care Model: Phases and Timeline.

Figure 2

Patient characteristics.

Figure 3

Control Charts showing results of Pre-Visit planning (PVP), Glucometer downloads (At-Visit), Trend of A1C ≥9%, and eye exam rates in our diabetes population.

Figure 4

Insulin Titration Algorithm used by Diabetic educators for inter-visit care.
REDUCING INTRAVENTRICULAR HEMORRHAGE IN A LEVEL III NEONATAL INTENSIVE CARE UNIT
Authors: Christ Lori , Barber Jessica , Murray Ashley , Dunleavy Melissa , Stoller Jason , Taha Dalal , Brown-Jackson Loretta , McElroy Meredith , Posencheg Michael
Published: October 2015

Background

Intraventricular hemorrhage (IVH) is a common complication of prematurity and has been associated with adverse short and long term outcomes. Despite the identification of risk factors for IVH, the overall rate has remained stable during the last decade.

Objectives

Our aim was to reduce the incidence of severe IVH in preterm infants (<30 weeks) in our NICU from 8% to 4% between October 2014 and December 2015.

Methods

A multidisciplinary team drafted a charter using the Model for Improvement (fig 1). Implementation began in October 2014. Ongoing interventions include: midline head positioning (MHP) during the first week of life, a minimal handling bundle inclusive of a multidisciplinary admission huddle (fig 2), increasing IVH awareness using a web-based risk calculator (www.neoqic.org/sivh-calculator), and standardizing infusion rates for boluses/blood products.

Outcome measures include number of severe and overall IVH by birth month and fiscal year rate (%). Process measures include compliance with MHP and admission huddle (%), and discussion of IVH risk (%). Balancing measure is the rate of unplanned extubation.

Results

The average monthly rate of severe IVH has decreased from 8.3% in FY14 to 5.1% in FY15 (fig 3). We report 227 days and 37 infants <30 weeks without severe IVH despite infants with similar IVH risk during the intervention period. MHP and admission huddle compliance for infants <30 weeks have recently reached 100% (fig 4).

Conclusions

By implementing potentially better practices, we have measurably reduced severe IVH. Future directions include delayed cord clamping, prophylactic indomethacin for IVH prevention, and reviewing IVH cases with providers.

Figure 1

Driver diagram.

Figure 2

Admission huddle checklist. The admission huddle occurs within 15 minutes of admission. The infant is assessed by the nursing and medical teams, followed by a brief recap of the history and the admission plan for the infant with special attention to the items below. This is the 7th version of the admission huddle form.

Figure 3

Number of severe IVH, by month. This figure denotes the number of severe IVH diagnoses according to birth month for patients <30 weeks gestational age admitted to the HUP ICN from January 2014 to June 2015. The median number of severe IVH cases is 1 per month, with an average of 6 infants born <30 weeks gestational age (range 2–12). Specific interventions/PDSA components are indicated as below.

Figure 4

Admission huddle compliance, by month.
COLLABORATIVE IMPROVEMENT AND INNOVATION NETWORK: INCREASING CAPACITY OF DATA SYSTEMS TO HELP SAVE BABIES' LIVES
Authors: Selk Sabrina , Finnerty Patricia , Fitzgerald Elaine , Levesque Zandra , Taylor Jane
Published: October 2015

Background

Infant mortality (IM) is a key barometer of a nation's health, and the US IM rate is almost three times higher than other developed countries. The national expansion of the Collaborative Improvement and Innovation Network (CoIIN) aims to extend, nationwide, early successes, in HRSA Regions IV and VI, of using Quality Improvement (QI) to decrease IM.

Objectives

A key objective of the IM CoIIN is to build states' capacity to utilize QI, using vital records data they already collect, to inform improvement efforts around infant health.

Methods

National experts, improvement advisors, and federal and state partners created a common set of measures accessible to all states. Surveillance data were identified by pilot states as critical in tracking their progress around infant health. To increase state buy-in, we developed key indicators utilizing publicly available vital records data and are working with states to achieve quarterly (rather than annual) reporting. Applying QI has shown state stakeholders that QI techniques are valuable to understand existing data in more real-time ways.

Results

States are utilizing rapid cycles to produce quarterly vital statistics, as opposed to standard minimum time lags of one year. More than a third of the 47 states participating in data entry for the IM CoIIN entered quarterly data based on vital statistics.

Conclusions

Moving to a new model can be resource intensive and there is resistance to changing surveillance data and their usage. However, momentum is growing across states to increase their access and capacity to provisional vital statistics and application of QI statistical techniques.

Figure 1

National Sudden Unexpected Infant Death Rate per 1,000 live births from 1990-2013 using annual data from CDC Wonder.

Figure 2

National Sudden Unexpected Infant Death Rate per 1,000 live births for the duration of the IM CoIIN work from 2009–2013 using quarterly data from CDC Wonder.

Figure 3

Funnel chart of Sudden Unexpected Infant Deaths (SUID) by State for 2013, with states organized from lowest number of births to highest number of births across the x axis.

Figure 4

Data provided by states (n=15) demonstrating SUID rate, provided quarterly for the IM CoIIN.
IMPROVING HANDOFFS BETWEEN TRIAGE AND LABOR AND DELIVERY AT A UNIVERSITY HOSPITAL: A PILOT STUDY
Authors: Colwill Alyssa , Lee Daniel , O'Rourke Kate , Romanos April , Teel Joseph , Srinivas. Sindhu
Published: October 2015

Background

Labor and Delivery (LD) is a high turnover unit with approximately 300 triage admission handoffs monthly. This results in a high potential for errors, inefficiency and decreased staff and patient satisfaction.

Objectives

Our objective was to improve efficiency, communication and safety through collaboration and standardization of the process for patients being admitted from triage to LD.

Methods

An interdisciplinary team developed and implemented the standardized process at a University Hospital. The process was developed to communicate critical information prior to transferring a patient from triage to LD utilizing hard stops. Once transferred, a bedside safety huddle with the patient, nurse and provider was implemented to review the care plan utilizing a newly devised safety board. Times from decision to admit to communication of plan (DTC) and plan implementation (DTI) were assessed. Pre (N=104) and post (N=52) surveys assessed staff perception of handoffs. Kruskall-wallis tests were used to compare groups.

Results

During the initial 4-week implementation, we decreased DTC from 155 to 87 minutes (p=0.18) and DTI from 202 to 154 minutes (p=0.6). The staff perception of incomplete handoffs was decreased by 45%. The perception that incomplete handoffs negatively affect patient care always or often decreased from 10% pre to 0% post.

Conclusions

Our data demonstrates that our process decreases DTC and DTI while improving the perception of incomplete handoffs. We plan to pursue continued education of the process and an expansion to all admissions to labor and delivery with continued tracking of process compliance and metrics.
Challenging the dogma of traumatic cardiac arrest management: a military perspective
Authors: Smith J E , Le Clerc S , Hunt P A F
Published: October 2015

Attempts to resuscitate patients in traumatic cardiac arrest (TCA) have, in the past, been viewed as futile. However, reported outcomes from TCA in the past five years, particularly from military series, are improving. The pathophysiology of TCA is different to medical causes of cardiac arrest, and therefore, treatment priorities may also need to be different. This article reviews recent literature describing the pathophysiology of TCA and describes how the military has challenged the assumption that outcome is universally poor in these patients.
Applying social theory to understand health-related behaviours
Authors: Holman Daniel , Borgstrom Erica
Published: October 2015

Health-related behaviours are a concern for contemporary health policy and practice given their association with a range of illness outcomes. Many of the policies and interventions aimed at changing health-related behaviours assume that people are more or less free to choose their behaviour and how they experience health. Within sociology and anthropology, these behaviours are viewed not as acts of choice but as actions and practices situated within a larger sociocultural context. In this paper, we outline three theoretical perspectives useful in understanding behaviours that may influence one's health in this wider context: theories of social practice, social networks and interactionism. We argue that by better understanding how health-related behaviours are performed in people's everyday lives, more suitable interventions and clinical management can be developed.
Errors in veterinary practice: preliminary lessons for building better veterinary teams
Authors: Kinnison T. , Guile D. , May S. A.
Published: October 2015

Case studies in two typical UK veterinary practices were undertaken to explore teamwork, including interprofessional working. Each study involved one week of whole team observation based on practice locations (reception, operating theatre), one week of shadowing six focus individuals (veterinary surgeons, veterinary nurses and administrators) and a final week consisting of semistructured interviews regarding teamwork. Errors emerged as a finding of the study. The definition of errors was inclusive, pertaining to inputs or omitted actions with potential adverse outcomes for patients, clients or the practice. The 40 identified instances could be grouped into clinical errors (dosing/drugs, surgical preparation, lack of follow‐up), lost item errors, and most frequently, communication errors (records, procedures, missing face‐to‐face communication, mistakes within face‐to‐face communication). The qualitative nature of the study allowed the underlying cause of the errors to be explored. In addition to some individual mistakes, system faults were identified as a major cause of errors. Observed examples and interviews demonstrated several challenges to interprofessional teamworking which may cause errors, including: lack of time, part‐time staff leading to frequent handovers, branch differences and individual veterinary surgeon work preferences. Lessons are drawn for building better veterinary teams and implications for Disciplinary Proceedings considered.
Experimental investigations of the soil–concrete interface: physical mechanisms, cyclic mobilization, and behaviour at different temperatures
Authors: Di Donna Alice , Ferrari Alessio , Laloui Lyesse
Published: October 2015

Behaviour of the pile–soil interface is important to correctly predict the response of floating piles in terms of displacement and lateral friction. Regarding energy piles, which couple the structural roles of deep foundations with the principle of shallow geothermal energy, the response of pile–soil interfaces is influenced by seasonal and daily cyclic thermal variations. Accordingly, the goal of this paper is to experimentally investigate the response of the pile–soil interface at different temperatures. This experimental campaign aims to analyse (i) the cyclic mobilization of the shear strength of the soil–pile interface that is induced by thermal deformation of the pile and (ii) the direct influence of temperature variations on the soil and soil–pile interface behaviour. In this study, a direct shear device was developed and calibrated for nonisothermal soil–structure interface testing. It appears that the sand–concrete interface was affected by cyclic degradation but not affected directly by temperature. Conversely, the response of the clay–concrete interface changed at different temperatures, showing an increase of strength with increasing temperature, presumably due to the effects of temperature on clay deformation.
Exploration of the antioxidant system and photosynthetic system of a marine algicidal Bacillus and its effect on four harmful algal bloom species
Authors: Hou Shaoling , Shu Wanjiao , Tan Shuo , Zhao Ling , Yin Pinghe
Published: October 2015

A novel marine bacterium, strain B1, initially showed 96.4% algicidal activity against Phaeocystis globosa. Under this situation, 3 other harmful algal species (Skeletonema costatum, Heterosigma akashiwo, and Prorocentrum donghaiense) were chosen to study the algicidal effects of strain B1, and the algicidal activities were 91.4%, 90.7%, and 90.6%, respectively. To explore the algicidal mechanism of strain B1 on these 4 harmful algal species, the characteristics of the antioxidant system and photosynthetic system were studied. Sensitivity to strain B1 supernatant, enzyme activity, and gene expression varied with algal species, while the algicidal patterns were similar. Strain B1 supernatant increased malondialdehyde contents; decreased chlorophyll a contents; changed total antioxidant and superoxide dismutase activity; and restrained psbA, psbD, and rbcL genes expression, which eventually resulted in the algal cells death. The algicidal procedure was observed using field emission scanning electron microscopy, which indicated that algal cells were lysed and cellular substances were released. These findings suggested that the antioxidant and photosynthetic system of these 4 algal species was destroyed under strain B1 supernatant stress. This is the first report to explore and compare the mechanism of a marine Bacillus against harmful algal bloom species of covered 4 phyla.
JOINT LESIONS IN TAIWAN NATIVE COLORED BROILER CHICKEN WITH NATURAL AND EXPERIMENTALSTAPHYLOCOCCUS AUREUSORS. COHNIIINFECTION
Authors: Tsai Shinn-Shong , Chen Lee-Jen , Shih Chin-Yuan , Chang Tsung-Chou , Chiou Ming-Tang , Chuang Kuo Pin
Published: October 2015

A total of 14 isolates of Staphylococcus aureus and 10 isolates of Staphylococcus cohnii subsp. urealyticum were isolated from 90 field cases of arthritis. Joint lesions that were induced by both staphylococci could not be distinguished and were characterized by fibrinopurulent arthritis and tenosynovitis, associated with synovial cell hyperplasia. Additional changes included chondronecrosis and osteomyelitis. Similar lesions were induced by artificial intravenous inoculation of native colored broilers with the two pathogens. Both species were identified using API Staph kits and detection of 16[Formula: see text]S rRNA genes. Based on a phylogenetic analysis of gap, our isolates of S. cohnii subsp. urealyticum could be divided into two groups. This study is the first report on joint lesions due to S. cohnii subsp. urealyticum infection in broiler chickens.