bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Early indicators of change: divergent climate envelopes between tree life stages imply range shifts in the western United States
Authors: Bell David M. , Bradford John B. , Lauenroth William K.
Published: October 2013

Aim

To determine if differences in climate envelopes for six coniferous tree species and two life stages (trees and seedlings) suggest a potential for species range contractions, expansions or shifts in response to climate change and if these patterns differ between subalpine (i.e. cool‐climate) and montane (i.e. warm‐climate) species.

Location

The dry domain of the western United States.

Methods

Using data from the Forest Inventory and Analysis National Program, we quantified the relationship between probability of occurrence and climate for adults and seedlings of each species with a Bayesian logistic regression. Assuming that distributional differences between life stages highlight shifting regeneration patterns relative to adult trees, we assessed differences between seedlings and adult trees based on predicted probabilities of occurrence and climate envelope boundaries.

Results

Differences between occurrence probabilities for seedlings and adults were greatest for montane, as opposed to subalpine, species and along range margins, especially in the southern and western portions of the study area. Climate envelope boundaries of seedlings differed from adult trees most frequently in montane species and often suggested range contractions or range shifts, as opposed to range expansion.

Main conclusions

Our results indicated that climate‐induced contractions and shifts in seedling distribution in response to recent change are already under way and are particularly severe in montane tree species. While adult trees may persist for hundreds of years without significant regeneration, tree species ranges will eventually contract where tree regeneration fails.
Assessing the Impact of Chlorinated‐Solvent Sites on Metropolitan Groundwater Resources
Authors: Brusseau Mark L. , Narter Matthew
Published: October 2013

Chlorinated‐solvent compounds are among the most common groundwater contaminants in the United States. A majority of the many sites contaminated by chlorinated‐solvent compounds are located in metropolitan areas, and most such areas have one or more chlorinated‐solvent contaminated sites. Thus, contamination of groundwater by chlorinated‐solvent compounds may pose a potential risk to the sustainability of potable water supplies for many metropolitan areas. The impact of chlorinated‐solvent sites on metropolitan water resources was assessed for Tucson, Arizona, by comparing the aggregate volume of extracted groundwater for all pump‐and‐treat systems associated with contaminated sites in the region to the total regional groundwater withdrawal. The analysis revealed that the aggregate volume of groundwater withdrawn for the pump‐and‐treat systems operating in Tucson, all of which are located at chlorinated‐solvent contaminated sites, was 20% of the total groundwater withdrawal in the city for the study period. The treated groundwater was used primarily for direct delivery to local water supply systems or for reinjection as part of the pump‐and‐treat system. The volume of the treated groundwater used for potable water represented approximately 13% of the total potable water supply sourced from groundwater, and approximately 6% of the total potable water supply. This case study illustrates the significant impact chlorinated‐solvent contaminated sites can have on groundwater resources and regional potable water supplies.
Characterization of F8 defects in haemophilia A in Pakistan: investigation of correlation between mutation type and the in vitro thrombin generation assay
Authors: Khanum F. , Collins P. W. , Harris R. L. , Bowen D. J.
Published: October 2013

Hereditary haemophilia A is an X‐linked bleeding disorder caused by mutations in the coagulation factor VIII gene (FVIII abbreviates protein, gene symbol F8). The mutation spectrum has been reported in various populations but not in Pakistan. The aims of this study were to (i) characterize F8 mutations in a large haemophilia A cohort from Pakistan and to (ii) investigate whether in vitro thrombin generation (TG) differs according to mutation type (null compared with missense) in severe haemophilia A. One hundred individuals diagnosed with haemophilia A and 100 healthy controls were recruited in Pakistan. Phenotypic measurements were re‐evaulated in Cardiff; the essential regions of F8 were screened for the causative defect. A diagnosis of haemophilia A was confirmed for 92 individuals, 7 were found to have haemophilia B and 1 did not have haemophilia. The F8 defects were characterized for 80 of the 92 haemophilia A individuals and comprised point mutations, inversions (intron 22 and intron 1) and frameshifts. Point mutations (41%) were the most frequent, followed by the intron 22 inversion (20%). Thirty novel variants were identified. Comparison of in vitro TG parameters [velocity index (VI) and peak] was made between severe individuals who had a null mutation (no FVIII) and those with a missense change (dysfunctional FVIII), no significant difference was observed. The spectrum of F8 defects in Pakistan is heterogenous; VI and peak in severe haemophilia A are not influenced by whether the underlying mutation gives rise to dysfunctional FVIII or no coagulation factor at all.
Acquired von Willebrand syndrome in patients with overt hypothyroidism: a prospective cohort study
Authors: Stuijver D. J. F. , Piantanida E. , van Zaane B. , Galli L. , Romualdi E. , Tanda M. L. , Meijers J. C. M. , Büller H. R. , Gerdes V. E. A. , Squizzato A.
Published: October 2013

Numerous case reports have been published on acquired von Willebrand syndrome (aVWS) in patients with hypothyroidism, but no prospective studies have been published. The aim of this study was to investigate laboratory and clinical characteristics of aVWS in patients with newly diagnosed overt hypothyroidism. An observational cohort study was performed between May 2007 and February 2012. Consecutive hypothyroid patients before or within the first 48 h of replacement therapy were enrolled. At inclusion, blood was sampled for coagulation tests and bleeding history was documented by means of a standardized bleeding questionnaire. Repeat samples were obtained after restoration of euthyroidism. The prevalence of aVWS, defined as von Willebrand factor antigen (VWF:Ag) ≤50% and/or VWF ristocetin activity (VWF:RCo) ≤50%, was calculated. Patients with aVWS were subsequently divided into severe (VWF:Ag and/or VWF:RCo ≤10%), moderate (VWF:Ag and/or VWF:RCo between 10 and 30%) or mild (VWF:Ag and/or VWF:RCo between 30 and 50%). A total of 90 patients were included among whom a prevalence of aVWS of 33% was found. There were no patients with severe aVWS. Eight patients (9%) had moderate aVWS and 21 (23%) had mild aVWS. Bleeding score was negatively correlated with both VWF:Ag (β −0.32, P = 0.03) and VWF:RCo (β −0.32, P = 0.02). After restoration of euthyroidism, VWF:Ag had significantly increased by 44%, VWF:RCo by 36%, factor VIII by 39%, and endogenous thrombin potential by 10%. aVWS has a high prevalence in hypothyroid patients. Highest bleeding scores in patients with lower VWF levels suggest clinical relevance.
Issues in the ageing individual with haemophilia and other inherited bleeding disorders: understanding and responding to the patients’ perspective
Authors: Smith N. , Bartholomew C. , Jackson S.
Published: October 2013

An increasing number of individuals with haemophilia and other severe bleeding disorders who are ≥40 years of age are entering uncharted territory with respect to the identification and management of medical, physical and social issues relevant to ageing with a bleeding disorder. This is because the population experienced considerable mortality during theHIV/AIDs and hepatitis C epidemic due to exposure to tainted blood products for treatment of bleeding. As a result, few older individuals with this disorder survive today. To provide insight for how the comprehensive care team can adapt to the changing needs of the adult haemophiliac we evaluated the patient perspective. The objective of this study was to identify key themes of importance in the ageing population with haemophilia and other inherited bleeding disorders. For this study all subjects with a diagnosis of haemophilia A or B, von Willebrand disease or rare bleeding disorders 40 years or older from a single clinic were invited to participate. Audio‐recordings of groups of six to eight participants were conducted by an independent investigator without content expertise. Transcripts were analysed using N*vivo (v. 8) software using thematic content analysis. Overall, 32 subjects, 18 men/14 women, with a mean age of 57.5 years (median 56.0 years) and range of 40–77 years, participated. Three major themes emerged: (i) reflection on living an active life, (ii) ‘normal’ ageing vs. disease‐specific impacts and (iii) the health system, and its ability to respond to their needs as ageing individuals with bleeding disorders. We found some anticipated themes and some unexpected ones, confirming that true perspective can only be provided by the patients themselves. Knowledge of these important themes has informed the development of new programmes aimed at this growing segment of the patient population.
The role of disease severity in influencing body mass index in people with haemophilia: a single‐institutional cross‐sectional study
Authors: McNamara M. , Antun A. , Kempton C. L.
Published: October 2013

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of haemophilia disease severity and potential intermediaries on body mass index (BMI) in patients with haemophilia. A secondary analysis of a cross‐sectional study of 88 adults with haemophilia was undertaken. On bivariate analysis, persons with severe haemophilia had 9.8% lower BMI (95% CI −17.1, −3.0) than persons with non‐severe haemophilia. The effect of haemophilia severity on BMI varied significantly by human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) status. Among HIV‐positive subjects, haemophilia severity was not associated with BMI (+5.0%, 95% CI −22.4, 41.9). Among HIV‐negative subjects, severe haemophilia was associated with 15.1% lower BMI (95% CI, −23.6, −5.7). Older (>41 years) HIV‐negative subjects with severe haemophilia had a BMI that was 24.8% lower (95% CI −39.1, −7.0) than those with non‐severe haemophilia. No statistically significant association was detected between BMI and severe vs. non‐severe haemophilia for younger HIV‐negative subjects. Although joint disease, as measured by the World Federation of Hemophilia (WFH) joint score, did not influence the association between haemophilia disease severity and BMI, adjustment for the atrophy component of the WFH score reduced the association between haemophilia severity and BMI by 39.1–69.9%. This suggested that muscle atrophy mediated at least part of the relationship between haemophilia severity and BMI. Haemophilia disease severity is associated with BMI and appears to be mediated by muscle atrophy of surrounding joints. This association appears to be modified by HIV status and possibly age.
Serum Antibody Against Helicobacter pylori FlaA and Risk of Gastric Cancer
Authors: Tian Wenjing , Jia Yunhe , Yuan Kexin , Huang Lina , Nadolny Christina , Dong Xiaoqun , Ren Xiyun , Liu Jingjing
Published: October 2013

Background

Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infection is a major risk factor for gastric cancer (GC); however, only a minority of infected individuals develops GC. We aim to assess the association between serostatus of antibody against H. pylori flagellin A (FlaA) and risk of GC and to evaluate the value of serum FlaA antibody as a novel screening biomarker for GC risk.

Methods

A hospital‐based case–control study including 232 cases and 264 controls was conducted. Logistic regression was adopted to analyze the association between the serostatus of FlaA antibody and risk of GC. Serum FlaA antibody was measured by an enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was used to evaluate the screening efficacy and to identify a cutoff point of serum FlaA antibody level.

Results

Helicobacter pylori infection was associated with an increased risk of GC (p = .007). A positive association between serum FlaA antibody and GC risk was observed in overall subjects and H. pylori‐positive subjects (OR [95% CI]: 6.8 [4.3–10.7] and 6.9 [3.6–13.4], respectively; p < .001). The seropositivity of FlaA antibody was strongly related to GC risk in a dose‐dependent manner (p for trend < .001). The optimal cutoff value (OD) was 0.1403, providing a sensitivity of 74.1% and a specificity of 64.4%. The area under the ROC curve (AUC) was 0.74 in overall subjects and 0.73 in H. pylori‐positive subjects, respectively.

Conclusions

FlaA was an independent risk factor for H. pylori‐related GC. Serum FlaA antibody may serve as a novel noninvasive biomarker for early detection of GC.
Consumer involvement in cancer research: example from a Cancer Network
Authors: Arain Mubashir , Pyne Sarah , Thornton Nigel , Palmer Susan , Sharma Ricky A.
Published: October 2013

Background

The involvement of consumers and the general public in improving cancer services is an important component of health services. However, consumer involvement in cancer research is relatively unexplored. The objective of this study was to explore different ways of involving consumers in cancer research in one regional network.

Methods

Thames Valley Cancer Network Consumer Research Partnership (CRP) group was formed in 2009. The group consists of consumers and professionals to help in promoting consumer involvement in Cancer Research in the Thames Valley. This study evaluated the project of consumer involvement in cancer research in the Thames Valley from March 2010 to March 2011. We used different indices to judge the level of consumer involvement: number of projects involving consumers through the group, types of projects, level of involvement (ranged from consultation on research documents to collaborating in preparing grant applications) and the methods of involving consumers in cancer research.

Results

Fifteen projects were submitted to the CRP group during the 12‐month period studied. Of these, eight projects were clinical trials, three were qualitative research projects, two were patients' surveys and two were non‐randomized interventional studies. Seven projects requested consumer involvement on patient information sheets for clinical trials. Of these seven applications, three also requested consumers' help in designing research questionnaires and another three requested that consumers should be involved in their project management group. In addition, four projects involved consumers in the proposal development phase and another four projects asked for advice on how to increase trial recruitment, conduct patient interviews or help with grant applications.

Conclusions

The creation of the CRP and this audit of its activity have documented consumer involvement in cancer research in the Thames Valley. We have clearly shown that consumers can be involved in designing and managing cancer research projects.
Supporting a person‐centred approach in clinical guidelines. A position paper of the Allied Health Community – Guidelines International Network (G‐I‐N)
Authors: van Dulmen Simone A. , Lukersmith Sue , Muxlow Josephine , Santa Mina Elaine , Nijhuis‐van der Sanden Maria W.G. , van der Wees Philip J. ,   G‐I‐N Allied Health Steering Group
Published: October 2013

Background

A person‐centred approach in the context of health services delivery implies a biopsychosocial model focusing on all factors that influence the person's health and functioning. Those wishing to monitor change should consider this perspective when they develop and use guidelines to stimulate active consideration of the person's needs, preferences and participation in goal setting, intervention selection and the use of appropriate outcome measures.

Objective

To develop a position paper that promotes a person‐centred approach in guideline development and implementation.

Design, setting and participants

We used three narrative discussion formats to collect data for achieving consensus: a nominal group technique for the Allied Health Steering Group, an Internet discussion board and a workshop at the annual G‐I‐N conference. We analysed the data for relevant themes to draft recommendations.

Results

We built the position paper on the values of the biopsychosocial model. Four key themes for enhancing a person‐centred approach in clinical guidelines emerged: (i) use a joint definition of health‐related quality of life as an essential component of intervention goals, (ii) incorporate the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF) as a framework for considering all domains related to health, (iii) adopt a shared decision‐making method, and (iv) incorporate patient‐reported health outcome measures. The position statement includes 14 recommendations for guideline developers, implementers and users.

Conclusion

This position paper describes essential elements for incorporating a person‐centred approach in clinical guidelines. The consensus process provided information about barriers and facilitators that might help us develop strategies for implementing person‐centred care.
1. AT HOME AND IN THE WORKPLACE: A HISTORICAL INTRODUCTION TO THE “SPATIAL TURN”
Authors: KÜMIN BEAT , USBORNE CORNELIE
Published: October 2013

This introduction places the forum contributions in the wider context of the “spatial turn” within the humanities and social sciences. Following a survey of the historical trajectories of the field, a review of impulses from different disciplines, and a sketch of general developments over the last few decades, the editors exemplify key approaches, methods, and conceptual advances with reference to gender studies. The focus then turns to the structure, main themes, and specific contents of this collection, which features both case studies and theoretical reflections. In conclusion, the essay underlines the significance and further potential of the “spatial turn.”
5. WHAT DO MEDIEVAL BUILDINGS MEAN?
Authors: JOHNSON MATTHEW H.
Published: October 2013

The aim of this article is to review and reconsider what scholars, including historians, archaeologists, and those in other disciplines, are trying to get at when they attempt a “social interpretation” of English late medieval domestic buildings. I focus on the definition and interpretation of “meaning,” and I examine critically a series of concepts routinely deployed in social interpretations in the past, including my own work, such as type, zeitgeist, and intention. I argue that some of these concepts and interpretive moves are problematic and rather than aiding in our understanding, raise further questions in their turn about how buildings were lived in and understood by their medieval inhabitants. I argue for a shift in language and jargon away from “planning” and “meaning” to that of “lived experience”. I explore such a possible shift with reference to different understandings of and debates over the late medieval castle of Bodiam in southeastern England. Such a shift from meaning to lived experience raises fresh challenges for the development and empirical evaluation of interdisciplinary research on medieval buildings, but it also raises fresh possibilities and insights.
6. SPACE: A USELESS CATEGORY FOR HISTORICAL ANALYSIS?
Authors: JERRAM LEIF
Published: October 2013

Much fuss has been made of the “spatial turn” in recent years, across a range of disciplines. It is hard to know if the attention has been warranted. A confusion of terms has been used—such as space, place, spatiality, location—and each has signified a cluster of often contradictory and confusing meanings. This phenomenon is common to a range of disciplines in the humanities. This means, first, that it is not always easy to recognize what (if anything) is being discussed under the rubric of space, and second, that over‐extended uses of the cultural turn have stymied meaningful engagement with (or even a language of) materiality in discussions of space. This article shows how materiality has been marginalized both by a casual vocabulary and a vigorous a priori epistemological holism on the part of scholars, and how the spatial turn has been too closely linked to the cultural turn to allow it to develop its fullest explanatory potential. It demonstrates how historians might profitably theorize the significance of place and space in their work (borrowing techniques from geographers and anthropologists, and referring to the phenomenological tradition), and sets out some challenges for using space more effectively in explanatory systems. Inspired by environmental history, sociology, and science and technology studies, I propose a way of establishing space as different from conventional historical handling of materiality, and end by identifying some methodological problems that need to be solved if we are to proceed on a surer footing.
A HISTORY OF THE SPECIES?1
Authors: Jonsson Fredrik Albritton
Published: October 2013

By rejecting the old divide between prehistory and history, the group of scholars behind Deep History opens a new window on the problem of the unity and diversity of human experience over the very long run. Their use of kinship metaphors suggests not only a link between modern society and the deep past, but also perhaps a way to imagine the common legacy of the human species. But what emerges from Deep History is hardly a sunny story about the distant origins of social justice and ecological harmony. The other central metaphor of the book—the fractal—uncovers the slow prelude to the Anthropocene. Rather than seeing a sharp break in the Industrial Revolution from an “organic” to a fossil fuel‐burning economy, these scholars stress the history of environmental destruction that has accompanied human expansion. My critical reading presents an alternative understanding of deep history as an arena for a new politics of species. Here a cornucopian understanding of human adaptation clashes with a new pessimism about the climatic fragility of Neolithic civilization.
Climate Change and Complacency
Authors: Doan Michael D.
Published: October 2013

In this paper I engage interdisciplinary conversation on inaction as the dominant response to climate change, and develop an analysis of the specific phenomenon of complacency through a critical‐feminist lens. I suggest that Chris Cuomo's discussion of the “insufficiency” problem and Susan Sherwin's call for a “public ethics” jointly point toward particularly promising harm‐reduction strategies. I draw upon and extend their work by arguing that extant philosophical accounts of complacency are inadequate to the task of sorting out what it means to be complacent on climate change. I offer a sketch for an alternative account, which I take to be a start in the direction of mapping out a diverse array of “motivational vices” that need to be named, grappled with, and (hopefully) remedied.
Annual survival of adult Atlantic Puffins Fratercula arctica is positively correlated with Herring Clupea harengus availability
Authors: Breton André R. , Diamond Antony W.
Published: October 2013

Atlantic Herring is a keystone species in several marine ecosystems, supporting intensive fisheries as well as many predators including seabirds. Biomass of this stock in eastern North America has declined considerably in recent years, potentially putting at risk populations of its predators. Although adult survival in seabirds is considered robust to moderate changes in food availability, it is also the life‐history component most critical to sustaining populations of long‐lived birds. To investigate the possibility that Atlantic Puffin survival has been affected by reduced abundance of its main prey, we analysed the encounter histories of 2999 Atlantic Puffins ringed on Machias Seal Island to estimate annual adult survival for the years 1999–2011 and assess trends in survival and the effects of several biological and environmental covariates. Features of Puffin biology and resighting procedures likely to introduce heterogeneity into our resighting probabilities were accounted for and models of survival were assessed using standard methods. We used the variance components procedure in Program MARK and survival estimates from a time‐varying model to estimate the process variance (biological variation in survival) accounted for by suspected covariates of survival. Two proxies of food availability each explained more than half of the variation in annual survival: fishery landings of Atlantic Herring (52%) and per cent (by mass) of 1‐group Herring in the diet of Puffin chicks (51%). In addition to these proxies, May sea‐surface temperature accounted for 37% of variance in survival, but winter values of North Atlantic Oscillation showed no effect. Of those parameters of Puffin biology examined, chick growth rate explained 19% of the process variance in annual survival; laying date, fledging condition and fledging date all explained no variance. A decline in fishery landings of Herring since the early 1990s, and a concurrent decline in adult Puffin survival, reinforces concern for the health of the population of Herring, a keystone forage fish in this region, and of the community of marine predators in the Gulf of Maine that rely on Herring for their survival and reproduction.
Early age at first breeding and high natal philopatry in the Red‐necked Nightjar Caprimulgus ruficollis
Authors: Camacho Carlos
Published: October 2013

Recruitment rates, natal philopatry and the onset of breeding activity are documented for the first time for the order Caprimulgiformes. Of 171 Red‐necked Nightjars Caprimulgus ruficollis ringed as fledglings in southwestern Spain between 2008 and 2011, 31 (18%) were later recovered. Females tended to disperse slightly further (680 m) than males (570 m), and no individual from the study site or nearby locations was ever recovered outside the area where it hatched, suggesting high natal philopatry. Most males (94%) and females (73%) recruited into the breeding population in their first year of life, and only a few individuals were not recovered until their second (10%) or third (7%) year of life. In contrast to most long‐lived birds, nearly all (95.5%) Red‐necked Nightjars started to reproduce in their first potential breeding season.
Preparation and Characterization of Copper Gallium Diselenide Thin Films from the Solgel‐Derived Precursors
Authors: Liu Zhi‐Liang , Lin Shin‐Hom , Lu Chung‐Hsin
Published: October 2013

A simple process for preparing CuGaSe2 (CGS) absorber layers was developed in this study. The solgel‐derived Cu‐Ga‐O precursor paste with variable Ga3+/Cu2+ ratios was coated on glass substrates using a doctor‐blade technique. The precursor films were selenided with a selenium vapor at the temperature ranging from 250 to 550°C. The GIXRD patterns showed that single‐phase CuGaSe2 through the whole films was obtained at a Ga3+/Cu2+ molar ratio of 1.5 on selenization at 450°C. The Raman measurements also indicated that the grown CuGaSe2 thin films exhibited the chalcopyrite structure. The SEM images of the films reveal that with an increase in Ga/Cu ratio in the films, the amount of Cu2Se particles on the surface of the film was reduced. The resistivity of the films was increased with the increase in Ga content in the films. The formation mechanism of CuGaSe2 thin films was proposed based on the XRD and Raman measurements of the films. The binary copper selenides are formed first, and then these phases lead to the formation of CuGaSe2.
Synthesis and Characterization of TiN‐coated Cubic Boron Nitride Powders
Authors: Chen Deliang , Liu Zhongsheng , Fan Bingbing , Li Jian , Cao Wenbo , Wang Hailong , Lu Hongxia , Xu Hongliang , Zhang Rui
Published: October 2013

Titanium nitride‐coated cubic boron nitride (TiN/cBN) composite powders were prepared by nitridizing TiO2/cBN powders in a NH3 flow at 950°C. The TiO2/cBN powders were synthesized via a sol‐gel process using tetra‐butyl titanate and concentrated‐HNO3‐treated BN powders as starting materials. The techniques of XRD, SEM, TEM, FT‐IR, and TG‐DTA were used to characterize the products and their intermediates. The cBN powders were uniformly coated with TiN nanoparticles. During the nitridization, the morphology of the TiO2/cBN powders is unchanged. The TiN/cBN powders can be used as starting materials to prepare polycrystalline cBN compacts, or as reinforcements to strengthen metal‐matrix composites.
Optimisation of processing conditions and rheological properties using stephan mixer as conche in small‐scale chocolate processing
Authors: Aidoo Roger P. , Clercq Nathalie De , Afoakwa Emmanuel O. , Dewettinck Koen
Published: October 2013

This study investigated the suitability of Stephan mixer for use as conche during small‐scale chocolate production in an attempt to reduce cost and processing time. Molten chocolate was processed using the Stephan mixer under different temperature and time combinations and Buhler Elk'Olino conche (as reference), and the flow properties (Casson plastic viscosity, Casson yield stress and thixotropy) were studied using a shear‐rate‐controlled rheometer. Optimum settings of 65 °C for 10 min at 443 g dry conching followed by 50 °C for 15 min at 443 g wet conching in the Stephan mixer resulted in similar flow properties as the reference sample. Increasing the blade rotary speed for both dry and wet conching resulted in a decrease in flow properties. The Stephan mixer proved to be suitable for conching small‐scale (approximately 1 kg) chocolate productions and could be explored as a fast and cost‐effective method for small‐scale chocolate conching processes.
Co‐extrusion of pearl millet‐whey protein concentrate for expanded snacks
Authors: Yadav Deep N. , Anand Tanupriya , Navnidhi  , Singh Ashish K.
Published: October 2013

A study was conducted to develop pearl millet‐based extruded snacks with whey protein concentrate (WPC) to enhance its acceptability and nutritional value. Pearl millet grits (841 μ) was extruded with different levels (0%, 2.5%, 5.0% and 7.5%) of WPC at constant feed rate (10.5 kg h−1) and moisture content (14%). Addition of whey protein at 7.5% level significantly (P ≤ 0.05) increased Tg from 75.1 ± 0.26 °C to 120.5 ± 1.28 °C and Tm from 89.1 ± 1.51 °C to 158.7 ± 1.37 °C, which resulted in less expanded and harder extrudates. The expansion index of extrudates was negatively correlated (P ≤ 0.05) with protein (r = −0.940), bulk density (r = −0.949), hardness (r = −0.971) and breaking strength (r = −0.921), while positively correlated (P ≤ 0.05) with overall acceptability (OAA; r = 0.988). Keeping in view the nutritional, textural and consumer's acceptability, incorporation of 5% WPC in pearl millet grits (841 μ) was recommended for preparation of acceptable expanded snacks.
Effects of laurel and myrtle extracts on the sensory, chemical and microbiological properties of vacuum‐packed and refrigerated European eel (Anguilla anguilla) fillets
Authors: Ozogul İlyas , Polat Abdurrahman , Özogul Yesim , Boga Esmeray K. , Ozogul Fatih , Ayas Deniz
Published: October 2013

The effects of extracted natural antioxidant (laurel and myrtle) on the sensory, chemical (TVB‐N, TBARS, PV, FFA and pH) and microbiological (total viable count, psychrotrophic bacteria and Enterbacteriaceae counts) properties of vacuum‐packaged European eel (Anguilla anguilla) stored at 4 ± 1 °C were investigated. The TBARS values of myrtle were significantly lower than that of other groups. The peroxide value was low for European eel treated with myrtle and laurel extract. The FFA‐free fatty acid concentration increased from 0.44 (% oleic acid) (2.03) in the eel during 24 days of storage. The values of pH showed statistically significant (P < 0.05) changes for all groups. The myrtle significantly reduced bacterial growth in fillets (P < 0.05). The microbiological limit of 7 log cfu per gram did not exceed in the treated groups. Data showed that the extracts of myrtle and laurel contain substances that inhibit oxidation of lipids and growth of bacteria in European eel, indicating the potential value of these extracts to extend the shelf life of fish.
Effect of establishing pain committee on the pain assessment skills of paediatric nurses
Authors: Farahani Pouran Varvani , Alhani Fatemeh , Mohammadi Eisa
Published: October 2013

Successful pain management relies on pain assessment. The purpose of this study is to investigate the effect of establishing pain committee on pain assessment skills of paediatric nurses. We used a quasi‐experimental design. The study was conducted in surgery, emergency and orthopaedic wards of two teaching hospitals selected through simple random sampling. The intervention consisted of establishing a pain committee, the steps of which included organizing (3 months), holding workshop (five sessions) and clinical training (1 week). We found that the scores in the intervention group were significantly higher than those in the control group. Therefore, establishing pain committee in the management level of nursing improves nurses' pain assessment skills.
Being altered by the unexpected: Understanding the perioperative patient's experience: A case study
Authors: Rudolfsson Gudrun
Published: October 2013

The present paper focuses on the process of understanding the patient in the context of perioperative caring and reports a story narrated by a perioperative nurse as well as her emerging understanding of the patient prior to surgery at an operating department. This qualitative case study had a dual purpose; firstly, to describe how the perioperative nurse's understanding of the patient emerged and, secondly, to establish how the researcher interpreted the situation. As a perioperative nurse and researcher, the author is both the narrator and interpreter. To date we have rarely discussed the fact that, in a perioperative context, the patient might feel ashamed of his/her body, even before arriving at the operating department. This new understanding emerged from the hermeneutical dialogue in the present study.
Nursing students' experiences of being video‐recorded during examination in a fictive emergency care situation
Authors: Nyström Anita , Pålsson Ylva , Hofsten Anna , Häggström Elisabeth
Published: October 2013

Promoting undergraduate nursing students' learning in simulated care can be achieved through dynamic scenario‐based training sessions that are documented using simple video equipment. One valuable aspect of this kind of training is the subsequent reflective dialogue that takes place between the teacher and the students during the examination.

The aim of the present paper is to describe bachelor nursing students' experiences of being video‐recorded during an examination with a simulated patient in emergency care.

The study was descriptive in design and used a qualitative approach with written answers to open‐ended questions; 44 undergraduate nursing students participated.

A latent content analysis resulted in three themes: (i) visualization might cause nervousness at first; (ii) visualization promotes dialogue and acknowledgement; and (iii) visualization promotes increased self‐knowledge and professional growth.

The conclusion is that video‐recording is a good way for undergraduate nursing students to develop skills in emergency care situations and to understand their own actions; it might also help them increase their self‐knowledge.
Nurses' knowledge and attitudes on comfort nursing care for hospitalized patients
Authors: Hou Yan‐Fang , Zhao Ai‐Ping , Feng Ya‐Xin , Cui Xiao‐Ning , Wang Ling‐Ling , Wang Le‐Xin
Published: October 2013

To investigate the knowledge and attitudes of practicing nurses on comfort care for hospitalized patients, a survey was conducted in 311 registered nurses from a major teaching hospital. A total of 212 (68.1%) of the participants showed an adequate knowledge of comfort care. Participants who had 6 years or more working experience returned a higher mean scores on physiological and psychological aspects of comfort care (P < 0.05). The total scores were the highest among participants from intensive care unit and the lowest among participants from the oncology department. Although 282 (90.7%) participants were involved in comfort care, only 210 (67.5%) received formal hospital‐based training in this practice. We conclude that there was a large difference in the knowledge between nurses from different departments on comfort care. Continuing education programmes are required to improve the knowledge and skills in comfort care.
Nursing professionalism: A national survey of professionalism among Japanese nurses
Authors: Tanaka Michiko , Yonemitsu Yoshikazu , Kawamoto Rieko
Published: October 2013

The aim of this study was to quantify the professionalism of nurses in Japan. The Japanese version of the Behavioural Inventory for Professionalism in Nursing was conducted as a national survey. Computer‐generated random selection of nurses in Japan obtained responses from 1501 nurses. A descriptive design examined the levels of and differences in nursing professionalism. Comparisons of the total level of professionalism in educational preparation, current position, years of experience, and current practice setting were analysed by one‐way analysis of variance and post hoc Tukey–Kramer multiple comparison test. The results revealed that Japanese nurses had low levels of professionalism, and professionalism was related significantly to higher educational preparation, years of experience as a nurse, and current position as a nursing administrator or faculty. The results can be used as a benchmark for continued assessments of the level of nursing professionalism and for further development of nursing professionalism.
Relationship between self‐compassion and emotional intelligence in nursing students
Authors: Şenyuva Emine , Kaya Hülya , Işik Burçin , Bodur Gönül
Published: October 2013

Nursing focuses on meeting physical, social and emotional health‐care needs of individuals, families and society. In health care, nurses directly communicate with patients and try to empathize with them. Nurses give care under emotionally intense conditions where the individual undergoes pain and distress. Research is aimed at analysing the correlation of self‐compassion and emotional intelligence of nursing students. The population of the research consisted of all the undergraduate students (571 students) of the 2010–2011 fall semester of the department of nursing. An information form, Self‐compassion Scale and Emotional Intelligence Assessment Scale were utilized to obtain data for the research. For the assessment of the findings of research, Statistical Package for Social Sciences 16.0 for Windows was utilized for statistical analysis. Results indicated that there is a correlation between self‐compassion and emotional intelligence and that emotional intelligence, which includes the individual perceiving one's emotions and using the knowledge one gained from them to function while directing thoughts, actions and professional applications, has positive contributions to the features of nurses with developed self‐compassion.
Multicenter, randomized, sham‐controlled study on the efficacy of magnetic stimulation for women with urgency urinary incontinence
Authors: Yamanishi Tomonori , Homma Yukio , Nishizawa Osamu , Yasuda Kosaku , Yokoyama Osamu ,   SMN‐X Study Group
Published: October 2013

Objectives

To evaluate the efficacy and safety of magnetic stimulation for the treatment of urinary incontinence in women with overactive bladder.

Methods

A total of 151 women with urgency incontinence were randomized to the active stimulation group or the sham stimulation group in a 2:1 order. An armchair type magnetic stimulator was used for 25‐min magnetic stimulation twice a week, with the maximum magnetic flux density of 560 mT peak at 10 Hz. The sham device was set to deliver in a 5‐s “on”‐5‐s “off” pulsing manner with the maximum intensity of 20.4% of active stimulation at 1 Hz. The study consisted of a baseline period for 1 week, and a treatment period for 6 weeks. The primary end‐point was the number of leaks/week from the bladder diary. The secondary end‐points were the number of voids and urgency/24 h, mean and maximum voided volume, and the quality of life assessment.

Results

Changes from baseline in the active and sham group, respectively, were −13.08 ± 11.00 and −8.68 ± 13.49 in leaks/week (P = 0.038), −2.65 ± 2.52 and −1.53 ± 2.39 in number of urgency/24 h (P = 0.011), and 14.03 ± 34.53 mL and −4.15 ± 40.60 mL in mean voided volume (P = 0.0056). As for safety, except for diarrhea and constipation, no patients experienced any device‐related adverse event.

Conclusions

Magnetic stimulation is effective for the treatment of urgency incontinence in female patients with overactive bladder.
Interaction of disulfiram with antiretroviral medications: Efavirenz increases while atazanavir decreases disulfiram effect on enzymes of alcohol metabolism
Authors: McCance‐Katz Elinore F. , Gruber Valerie A. , Beatty George , Lum Paula , Ma Qing , DiFrancesco Robin , Hochreiter Jill , Wallace Paul K. , Faiman Morris D. , Morse Gene D.
Published: October 2013

Background and Objectives

Alcohol abuse complicates treatment of HIV disease and is linked to poor outcomes. Alcohol pharmacotherapies, including disulfiram (DIS), are infrequently utilized in co‐occurring HIV and alcohol use disorders possibly related to concerns about drug interactions between antiretroviral (ARV) medications and DIS.

Method

This pharmacokinetics study (n = 40) examined the effect of DIS on efavirenz (EFV), ritonavir (RTV), or atazanavir (ATV) and the effect of these ARV medications on DIS metabolism and aldehyde dehydrogenase (ALDH) activity which mediates the DIS‐alcohol reaction.

Results

EFV administration was associated with decreased S‐Methyl‐N‐N‐diethylthiocarbamate (DIS carbamate), a metabolite of DIS (p = .001) and a precursor to the metabolite responsible for ALDH inhibition, S‐methyl‐N,N‐diethylthiolcarbamate sulfoxide (DETC–MeSO). EFV was associated with increased DIS inhibition of ALDH activity relative to DIS alone administration possibly as a result of EFV‐associated induction of CYP 3A4 which metabolizes the carbamate to DETC–MeSO (which inhibits ALDH). Conversely, ATV co‐administration reduced the effect of DIS on ALDH activity possibly as a result of ATV inhibition of CYP 3A4. DIS administration had no significant effect on any ARV studied.

Discussion/Conclusions

ATV may render DIS ineffective in treatment of alcoholism.

Future Directions

DIS is infrequently utilized in HIV‐infected individuals due to concerns about adverse interactions and side effects. Findings from this study indicate that, with ongoing clinical monitoring, DIS should be reconsidered given its potential efficacy for alcohol and potentially, cocaine use disorders, that may occur in this population. (Am J Addict 2014;23:137–144)
Psychotria elephantina sp. nov. (Rubiaceae) an endangered rainforest shrub from Cameroon
Authors: Cheek Martin , Lachenaud Olivier
Published: October 2013

Psychotria elephantina Lachenaud & Cheek is described as a new species. It is placed in P. sect. Involucratae (Petit) Verdc., endemic to the South West Region of Cameroon and is assessed as ‘Endangered’ (EN) using the IUCN criteria. The species is distinctive in P. sect. Involucratae due to its long petioles (6.5–12.0 cm), involucres of two pairs of large free bracts and green corollas with included stamens in both longistylous and brevistylous flowers.
An annotated checklist of the orchids of Nepal
Authors: Rokaya Maan Bahadur , Raskoti Bhakta Bahadur , Timsina Binu , Münzbergová Zuzana
Published: October 2013

An annotated checklist comprised of 458 taxa of orchids known from Nepal is provided, including 104 genera, 437 species, 16 varieties, 3 subspecies and 2 forma and 18 endemic species. In Nepal, orchid species are distributed from 60–5200 m a.s.l. In the checklist, notes on altitudinal ranges, habit, habitat, global distribution, phenology, etc. are presented.
Supplementing cryopreservation media with reduced glutathione increases fertility and prolificacy of sows inseminated with frozen‐thawed boar semen
Authors: Estrada E. , Rodríguez‐Gil J. E. , Rocha L. G. , Balasch S. , Bonet S. , Yeste M.
Published: October 2013

The main aim of this work was to evaluate how supplementing freezing media with reduced glutathione (GSH) affected the ‘in vivo’ fertilizing ability of boar semen subjected to cryopreservation procedures. With this purpose, 12 ejaculates coming from 12 boars were cryopreserved in the presence or absence of 2 mm GSH, whereas the same number of extended ejaculates coming from the same boars was used as negative/farm controls. Eight different sperm parameters (levels of free‐cysteine residues in sperm nucleoproteins, DNA fragmentation, sperm viability, acrosome‐membrane integrity, intracellular peroxide and superoxide levels, and total and progressive sperm motility) were evaluated before freezing and after 30 and 240 min of thawing. In addition, a total of 180 multiparous sows were used in the field fertility trials, the females being randomly divided into three groups and inseminated with extended, frozen‐thawed control or frozen‐thawed semen supplemented with 2 mm GSH. The presence of GSH in the freezing media significantly (p < 0.05) increased farrowing rates and the number of total born piglets and alive born piglets, and partially counteracted the cryopreservation‐induced damages inflicted on frozen‐thawed spermatozoa. We can thus conclude that supplementing freezing media with 2 mm GSH greatly improves boar sperm cryopreservation technology, as it significantly improves the fertilizing ability of frozen‐thawed spermatozoa.
Can biodiversity hotspots protect more than tropical forest plants and vertebrates?
Authors: Stork Nigel E. , Habel Jan Christian
Published: October 2013

Conservation International's biodiversity hotspots are areas of high vascular plant endemism combined with high levels of habitat destruction and land use change. Although such hotspots have also been shown to be centres for terrestrial vertebrate endemism, much less is known about how well these areas function as hotspots for other less well‐studied groups, including the hyperdiverse arthropods, other invertebrates and fungi. Because there is a close evolutionary and ecological relationship between insects and plants, we suggest that the potential role of plants as umbrella species for herbivorous insects, potentially herbivorous fungi and nematodes, and parasitic insects should be explored. Finally, we reflect on the increasing social, economic, human conflict and governance issues and the impacts of increasing land use change and global climate change that threaten the biodiversity hotspot system.