bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Thin layer chromatography‐autography‐high resolution mass spectrometry analysis: accelerating the identification of acetylcholinesterase inhibitors
Authors: Ramallo I. Ayelen , Salazar Mario O. , Furlan Ricardo L. E.
Published: June 2015

Introduction

The prevailing treatment for Alzheimer's disease is the use of acetylcholinesterase (AChE) inhibitors. Natural extracts are the principal source of AChE's inhibitors. However, their chemical complexity demands for simple, selective and rapid assays.

Objective

To develop a strategy for identification of AChE inhibitors present in mixtures employing high resolution mass spectrometry (HRMS) and thin layer chromatography (TLC)‐biological staining.

Methodology

The strategy uses an autographic assay based on the α‐naphthyl acetate – fast blue B system for the detection of AChE activity. The immobilisation of AChE in agar allowed the extraction of the compounds for analysis by HRMS. Three TLC experiments employing different solvent systems were used in parallel and the mass spectra of the compounds extracted from the inhibition halos, were compared. The analysis was performed under MatLab environment.

Results

The strategy was used to detect the presence of physostigmine in an extract of Brassica rapa L. spiked with the inhibitor. Similarly, caffeine was straightforwardly spotted as responsible for the inhibitory properties of an extract of Ilex paraguariensis Saint‐Hilaire. Comparison of the HRMS profiles lead to the facile identification of the [M+H]+ and [M+Na]+ of the compounds responsible for the inhibition.

Conclusion

The proposed methodology, coupling TLC‐AChE autography‐HRMS, illustrates the feasibility of assigning molecular formulas of active compounds present in complex mixtures directly from autography. The new AChE agar‐immobilised assay presented a more homogenous colour and a better definition than direct spraying methods, reducing the cost of the assay and improving its sensitivity. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Rapid separation of three proanthocyanidin dimers from Iris lactea Pall. var. Chinensis (Fisch.) Koidz by high‐speed counter‐current chromatography with continuous sample load and double‐pump balancing mode
Authors: Lv Huanhuan , Yuan Zhenzhen , Wang Xiaoyan , Wang Zhenhua , Suo Yourui , Wang Honglun
Published: June 2015

Introduction

The dried seeds of Iris lactea have been used in traditional Chinese medicine. Previous studies have been focused on irisquinones while other chemical components are rarely reported.

Objective

To establish an efficient high‐speed counter‐current chromatography (HSCCC) separation method with continuous sample load (CSL) and double‐pump balancing (DPB) mode to isolate proanthocyanidins from I. lactea.

Methods

Firstly, an ethyl acetate extract of I. lactea was pre‐fractionated by silica column chromatography for the enrichment of proanthocyanidins. Secondly, the enriched proanthocyanidins sample (EPS) was further fractionated by HSCCC with a two‐phase solvent system ethyl acetate:n‐butanol:water (9:1:10, v/v/v) using DPB mode. The flow rate of the two phases was 2.2 mL/min, the revolution speed was 900 rpm, the separation temperature was 30 °C and the detection wavelength was 280 nm. Finally, the structures of the three isolated proanthocyanidins were elucidated by spectroscopic methods and compared with published data.

Results

Under the optimized conditions, 600 mg of the EPS with six continuous injections (100 mg/time) was fractionated, yielding 57 mg of prodelphinidin B3, 198 mg of procyanidin B3, and 162 mg of procyanidin B1, at purities of 97.2%, 98.1% and 97.3%, respectively.

Conclusions

The HSCCC separation method with CSL and DPB proved to be rapid, convenient and economical, constituting an efficient strategy for the isolation of proanthocyanidins. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
TEAM CRISIS: SCHOOL PSYCHOLOGISTS AND NURSES WORKING TOGETHER
Authors: Dwyer Kevin P. , Osher David , Maughan Erin D. , Tuck Christine , Patrick Kathleen
Published: June 2015

Schools are often the geographic and sociological center of a community. Given modern community emergencies and challenges, schools should make the most of this role and best allocate their resources to maximize the positive impact they have during difficult times. This article uses the vantage point of school psychologists and school nurses from across the country, discussing real life examples of community crises to focus on lessons learned and the “best practices” that can be replicated. This article provides information concerning the skills incorporated to protect and support children in schools and to prevent and respond to school crises. It focuses on the strength of teaming, coordination, and collaboration of school and community in team crisis prevention, response and intervention, with a focus on the professions of school psychology and nursing. This information is important to ensure that all schools have appropriately utilized school nurses and school psychologists in their community's emergency response teams.
Brownian dynamics simulation of two‐dimensional nanosheets under biaxial extensional flow
Authors: Xu Yueyi , Green Micah J.
Published: June 2015

The morphology dynamics of two‐dimensional nanosheets under extensional flow are investigated using a coarse‐grained model. Nanosheets (graphene, BNNS, MX2) are promising materials for a variety of materials and electronics applications. Extensional flow fields are often present during dispersion processing, such as spin coating. Both nanosheet properties (e.g., moduli, size) and processing parameters (e.g., extension rate) can have a significant impact on the nanosheet morphology and thus, the structure and properties of the bulk material. Our previously developed dimensionless Brownian dynamics methodology is used to explore biaxial extensional flow. Nanosheets exhibit a flat conformation under extensional flow for high bending moduli and an extended “washrag” conformation for low bending moduli. Intrinsic extensional viscosity increases with strain before reaching a plateau. The intrinsic viscosity exhibits a weak power law with nanosheet molecular weight. These simulation results allow for experimental control over morphology as a function of nanosheet properties and flow type and strength. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part B: Polym. Phys. 2015, 53, 1247–1253
Recent progress in electrospun nanofibers: Reinforcement effect and mechanical performance
Authors: Mohammadzadehmoghadam Soheila , Dong Yu , Jeffery Davies Ian
Published: June 2015

Composite materials are becoming increasingly important as structural materials for aeronautical and space engineering, naval, automotive, and civil engineering, sporting goods, and other consumer products. Fiber‐based reinforcement represents one of the most effective manufacturing strategies for enhancing the mechanical strength and other properties of composite materials. Electrospinning has gained widespread interest in the last two decades because of its ability to fabricate continuous ultrafine nanofibers with unique characteristics. The impact of electrospinning on fiber synthesis and processing, characterization, and applications in drug delivery, nanofiltration, tissue scaffolding, and electronics has been extensively studied in the past. In this article, the authors have focused on a comprehensive review of the mechanical performance and properties of electrospun nanofibers as potential reinforcements as well as their advanced nanocomposites. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part B: Polym. Phys.2015,53, 1171–1212
Role of peptide self‐assembly in antimicrobial peptides
Authors: Tian Xibo , Sun Fude , Zhou Xi‐Rui , Luo Shi‐Zhong , Chen Long
Published: June 2015

Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) are considered as potential antibiotic substitutes because of their potent activities. Previous studies mainly focused on the effects of peptide charges and secondary structures, but the self‐assembly of AMPs was neglected. As more and more researchers notice the roles of peptide self‐assembly in AMPs, it has been considered as another important property. In this review, we will discuss the influences of peptide self‐assembly on the activity and mode of action, and some specific features it introduces to the AMPs, such as particular responsiveness, improved cell selectivity and stability and sustained release. In addition, some methods to design self‐assembling AMPs are primarily discussed. With further understanding about the self‐assembling regularity, design of particular self‐assembling AMPs will be very helpful for their applications, especially in the fields of drug delivery and biomedical engineering. Copyright © 2015 European Peptide Society and John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Going Back to Pakistan for Education? The Interplay of Return Mobilities, Education, and Transnational Living
Authors: Erdal Marta Bivand , Amjad Anum , Bodla Qamar Zaman , Rubab Asma
Published: June 2015

This paper explores the ways in which experiences with return migration are intertwined with considerations about education. How is education a part of returnees' stories about return to Pakistan, and what are the implications that can be drawn to better understand return mobilities and transnational living? While the academic discussion of education in relation to migration has been pre‐occupied with integration concerns, bringing together literatures on transnational parenting, return migration, and integration, with the intersecting theme of education, provides valuable synergies. The paper draws on 21 semi‐structured interviews with returnees from Norway in Pakistani Punjab and focus groups with returnees from Europe and with non‐migrants in returnee‐areas in Pakistan. We argue that education is one of a few reoccurring issues that return migrants mention as a motivation for returning, alongside various family considerations. For many returnees, education is as much about the cultural Pakistani, or religious Islamic dimensions, as it is about purely academic objectives. Seven different ways in which education and return migration are intertwined are identified and discussed. The paper shows the ways in which education and mobility choices are closely connected, for a particular sub‐group of Pakistani migrants' who over their lifespan lead transnational lives. © 2015 The Authors.Population, Space and Placepublished by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.
Bayesian response adaptive randomization using longitudinal outcomes
Authors: Hatayama Tomoyoshi , Morita Satoshi , Sakamaki Kentaro
Published: June 2015

The response adaptive randomization (RAR) method is used to increase the number of patients assigned to more efficacious treatment arms in clinical trials. In many trials evaluating longitudinal patient outcomes, RAR methods based only on the final measurement may not benefit significantly from RAR because of its delayed initiation. We propose a Bayesian RAR method to improve RAR performance by accounting for longitudinal patient outcomes (longitudinal RAR). We use a Bayesian linear mixed effects model to analyze longitudinal continuous patient outcomes for calculating a patient allocation probability. In addition, we aim to mitigate the loss of statistical power because of large patient allocation imbalances by embedding adjusters into the patient allocation probability calculation. Using extensive simulation we compared the operating characteristics of our proposed longitudinal RAR method with those of the RAR method based only on the final measurement and with an equal randomization method. Simulation results showed that our proposed longitudinal RAR method assigned more patients to the presumably superior treatment arm compared with the other two methods. In addition, the embedded adjuster effectively worked to prevent extreme patient allocation imbalances. However, our proposed method may not function adequately when the treatment effect difference is moderate or less, and still needs to be modified to deal with unexpectedly large departures from the presumed longitudinal data model. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Cd3[B2P4O14(OH)4]: A 3D Open‐Framework Cadmium Borophosphate with Unique Twisted 8‐Ring Channels
Authors: Zhang Dan , Feng Yuquan , Li Guanghua , Yuan Hongming
Published: June 2015

Abstract. The cadmium borophosphate compound Cd3[B2P4O14(OH)4] was synthesized under mild hydrothermal conditions. The crystal structure was determined by single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction [triclinic, space group P$\bar{1}$ (no. 2), a = 5.4362(11) Å, b = 8.2190(16) Å, c = 8.3918(17) Å, and α = 111.87(3)°, β = 104.63(3)°, γ = 90.73(3)°, V = 334.29(12) Å3 and Z = 1]. The 3D open framework of the title compound is constructed from BO3(OH) tetrahedra and 2D layers along the [100] direction. The resulting framework contains twisted eight‐membered rings that form 1D channels.
Les déterminants de l'auto-évaluation de la santé à Dakar. Une étude anthropo-biologique exploratoire
Authors: Macia E. , Duboz P. , Gueye L.
Published: June 2015

L'auto-évaluation de la santé est une variable largement utilisée dans les recherches en santé, mais elle n'a donné lieu qu'à de rares études en Afrique Sub-saharienne, et aucune au Sénégal sur la population générale. L'objectif de cette étude était donc d'analyser les principaux déterminants de l'auto-évaluation de la santé à Dakar, en tenant compte des facteurs socio-démographiques et économiques, des relations sociales et l'état de santé physique et mentale des individus. Pour cela, un échantillon de 600 individus, représentatif de la population âgée de 20 ans et plus vivant dans le département de Dakar, a été constitué par la méthode des quotas croisés. Les résultats des analyses bivariées et multivariées ont montré que l'auto-évaluation de la santé est à la fois un bon indicateur de l'état de santé physique et mentale des Dakarois, et un outil utile pour évaluer les inégalités sociales face à la santé. Cependant, d'importantes différences entre hommes et femmes ont été observées lors d'analyses différentielles selon le genre. Ces résultats ont été discutés dans un cadre anthropo-biologique insistant sur la dimension culturelle de la santé subjective et dans une perspective comparative entre hommes et femmes.
Brief report: Ethnic identity and aggression in adolescence: A longitudinal perspective
Authors: Benish‐Weisman Maya
Published: June 2015

Ethnic identity has been found to relate to many positive psychological outcomes, such as self‐esteem and well‐being, but little has been said about negative social outcomes such as aggression, nor have these relations been tested across time. The current study examined the concurrent and longitudinal relations between ethnic identity and peer nominated aggression at two time points with a two‐year interval (8th and 10th grades) in a sample of 125 Israeli adolescents with an immigration background (56.8% girls). As hypothesized, ethnic identity related negatively to aggression at both T1 and T2. In addition, ethnic identity predicted a relative decrease in future aggression. Given these findings, the article suggests the importance of strengthening ethnic identity through interventions and educational programs.
PKCδ stabilizes TAp63 to promote cell apoptosis
Authors: Li Decai , Li Chenghua , Wu Min , Chen Qiongqiong , Wang Qiao , Ren Jian , Zhang Yujun
Published: June 2015

PKCδ and p63 are respectively reported to play important roles in cell apoptosis. But there is no report on interaction between them in regulation of apoptosis. In the present study, we found that PKCδ can directly associate and up‐regulate TA isoforms of p63 (TAp63) proteins via increasing their stability. PKCδ kinase activity and Thr157 site in TAp63 are crucial for this PKCδ‐induced accumulation of TAp63. PKCδ can also enhance TAp63‐mediated transcription and cell apoptosis. Taken together, our data indicate that PKCδ phosphorylates TAp63 proteins at Thr157 to stabilize them and promote cell apoptosis.
E3 ubiquitin ligase Cbl‐b suppresses human ORMDL3 expression through STAT6 mediation
Authors: Yang Wei-Xia , Jin Rui , Jiang Chun-Ming , Wang Xiao-Hua , Shu Jin , Li Ling , Zhu Liang-Hua , Zhuang Li-Li , Gao Chao , Zhou Guo-Ping
Published: June 2015

Orosomucoid 1‐Like Protein 3 (ORMDL3) is an asthma candidate gene and Casitas B lineage lymphoma b (Cbl‐b), an E3 ubiquitin ligase, is a critical factor in maintaining airway immune tolerance. However, the association of Cbl‐b with ORMDL3 for asthma is unclear. Here, we show that expression of ORMDL3 is significantly increased and shows a strong linear correlation with decreased Cbl‐b in the peripheral blood of recurrent wheeze patients. To elucidate the molecular mechanisms underlying this correlation, we identified that Cbl‐b suppressed the transcriptional activity and mRNA expression of ORMDL3 in vivo. Further investigation showed that phosphorylation of signal transducer and activator of transcription 6 (STAT6) was induced by interleukin 4 bound to the ORMDL3 promoter, while Cbl‐b reduced the phosphorylation of STAT6. Our results show that Cbl‐b suppresses human ORMDL3 expression through STAT6.
Task shifting in maternal and newborn health care: Key components from policy to implementation
Authors: Deller Barbara , Tripathi Vandana , Stender Stacie , Otolorin Emmanuel , Johnson Peter , Carr Catherine
Published: June 2015

Task shifting in various forms has been adopted extensively around the world in an effort to expand the reach of lifesaving services to the women, newborns, and families who need them. The emerging global literature, as well as Jhpiego's field experiences, supports the importance of addressing several key components that facilitate effective task shifting in maternal and newborn health care. These components include: (1) policy and regulatory support; (2) definition of roles, functions, and limitations; (3) determination of requisite skills and qualifications; (4) education and training; and (5) service delivery support, including management and supervision, incentives and/or remuneration, material support (e.g. commodities), and referral systems. Jhpiego's experiences with task shifting also provide illustrations of the complex interplay of these key components at work in the field. Task shifting should be considered as a part of the larger health system that needs to be designed to equitably meet the needs of mothers, newborns, children, and families.
A facility birth can be the time to start family planning: Postpartum intrauterine device experiences from six countries
Authors: Pfitzer Anne , Mackenzie Devon , Blanchard Holly , Hyjazi Yolande , Kumar Somesh , Lisanework Kassa Serawit , Marinduque Bernabe , Mateo Marie Grace , Mukarugwiro Beata , Ngabo Fidele , Zaeem Shabana , Zafar Zonobia , Smith Jeffrey Michael
Published: June 2015

Initiation of family planning at the time of birth is opportune, since few women in low‐resource settings who give birth in a facility return for further care. Postpartum family planning (PPFP) and postpartum intrauterine device (PPIUD) services were integrated into maternal care in six low‐ and middle‐income countries, applying an insertion technique developed in Paraguay. Facilities with high delivery volume were selected to integrate PPFP/PPIUD services into routine care. Effective PPFP/PPIUD integration requires training and mentoring those providers assisting women at the time of birth. Ongoing monitoring generated data for advocacy. The percentages of PPIUD acceptors ranged from 2.3% of women counseled in Pakistan to 5.8% in the Philippines. Rates of complications among women returning for follow‐up were low. Expulsion rates were 3.7% in Pakistan, 3.6% in Ethiopia, and 1.7% in Guinea and the Philippines. Infection rates did not exceed 1.3%, and three countries recorded no cases. Offering PPFP/PPIUD at birth improves access to contraception.
Evolution of malaria in pregnancy control: Jhpiego's 10‐year contribution
Authors: Roman Elaine , Ngindu Augustine , Orji Bright , Zoungrana Jérémie , Robbins Sarah , Brieger William
Published: June 2015

Malaria continues to be a life‐threatening illness throughout Sub‐Saharan Africa, with pregnant women and children being particularly vulnerable and an estimated 10 000 women and 200 000 newborns dying each year as a result of malaria in pregnancy (MIP). Since 2004, WHO has supported a three‐pronged MIP approach: (1) intermittent preventive treatment with sulfadoxine‐pyrimethamine; (2) use of insecticide‐treated bed nets; and (3) effective case management. The present article identifies benchmarks in Jhpiego's 10‐plus years of MIP experience at the regional and national levels that have contributed to its global MIP leadership and aligned programs and policies with global approaches toward malaria elimination. As countries continue to develop and expand MIP programming, support will continue to be essential in the following eight MIP program areas: integration, policy, capacity development, community engagement, quality assurance, commodities, monitoring and evaluation, and financing.
Scaling up high‐impact interventions: How is it done?
Authors: Smith Jeffrey Michael , de Graft‐Johnson Joseph , Zyaee Pashtoon , Ricca Jim , Fullerton Judith
Published: June 2015

Building upon the World Health Organization's ExpandNet framework, 12 key principles of scale‐up have emerged from the implementation of maternal and newborn health interventions. These principles are illustrated by three case studies of scale up of high‐impact interventions: the Helping Babies Breathe initiative; pre‐service midwifery education in Afghanistan; and advanced distribution of misoprostol for self‐administration at home births to prevent postpartum hemorrhage. Program planners who seek to scale a maternal and/or newborn health intervention must ensure that: the necessary evidence and mechanisms for local ownership for the intervention are well‐established; the intervention is as simple and cost‐effective as possible; and the implementers and beneficiaries of the intervention are working in tandem to build institutional capacity at all levels and in consideration of all perspectives.
Best practices for a successful MNCH partnership that an external evaluation could never find: Experiences from the Maternal and Child Health Integrated Program
Authors: Agarwal Koki , Caiola Nancy , Gibson Anita
Published: June 2015

Partnerships for maternal, newborn, and child health (MNCH) are increasingly prevalent, yet little has been published about the possible reasons for their success or failure. In this commentary, we assess the presence of four principles for a successful collaborative partnership—clear goals, clear roles, trust, and commitment—within the Maternal and Child Health Integrated Program (MCHIP), an MNCH partnership among eight implementing organizations that was funded by USAID from 2008 to 2014. MCHIP made substantial strides in developing clear goals and partner roles, and despite external constraints, to develop the trust and commitment needed to work in an interdependent manner. Future collaborative MNCH partnerships should pursue a shared understanding of these four principles as early and often as possible to ensure success.
Vouchers for family planning and sexual and reproductive health services: A review of voucher programs involving Marie Stopes International among 11 Asian and African countries
Authors: Eva Gillian , Quinn Andrew , Ngo Thoai D.
Published: June 2015

Objectives

To evaluate provision of vouchers for family planning and sexual and reproductive health (SRH) services.

Methods

A review was conducted to assess the effects of 24 voucher programs in Marie Stopes International programs across 11 countries in Asia and Africa between 2005 and the present. The outcome measures were uptake of services; service use among specific subgroups; user satisfaction with service quality; and efficiency of service delivery.

Results

Twelve of the 24 programs covered family planning only, whereas the other 12 programs covered family planning and/or SRH. Service uptake increased following implementation, although voucher redemption rates varied by program (44.1%–92.4%). Most programs were successful in reaching subgroups, such as the poor and young (under 25 years), although this outcome depended on the targeting approach. Most programs recorded high user satisfaction; however, the evidence regarding efficiency was mixed.

Conclusions

Vouchers increased uptake of services and, in some cases, improved service quality and reach to specific groups. Nevertheless, robust evaluation designs are required to measure efficiency.
An automatic 3D CAD model errors detection method of aircraft structural part for NC machining
Authors: Huang Bo , Xu Changhong , Huang Rui , Zhang Shusheng
Published: June 2015

Feature-based NC machining, which requires high quality of 3D CAD model, is widely used in machining aircraft structural part. However, there has been little research on how to automatically detect the CAD model errors. As a result, the user has to manually check the errors with great effort before NC programming. This paper proposes an automatic CAD model errors detection approach for aircraft structural part. First, the base faces are identified based on the reference directions corresponding to machining coordinate systems. Then, the CAD models are partitioned into multiple local regions based on the base faces. Finally, the CAD model error types are evaluated based on the heuristic rules. A prototype system based on CATIA has been developed to verify the effectiveness of the proposed approach.

Highlights The 3D CAD model of an aircraft structural part is partitioned into multiple local regions in terms of the base faces. The fillet association level graph is proposed to represent the local region for exploring the CAD model errors. An automatic CAD model error detection method based on heuristics rule is proposed.
Evidence for Intensive Aphasia Therapy: Consideration of Theories From Neuroscience and Cognitive Psychology
Authors: Dignam Jade K. , Rodriguez Amy D. , Copland David A.
Published: June 2015

Treatment intensity is a critical component to the delivery of speech‐language pathology and rehabilitation services. Within aphasia rehabilitation, however, insufficient evidence currently exists to guide clinical decision making with respect to the optimal treatment intensity. This review considers perspectives from 2 key bodies of research, the neuroscience and cognitive psychology literature, with respect to the scheduling of aphasia rehabilitation services. Neuroscience research suggests that intensive training is a key element of rehabilitation and is necessary to achieve functional and neurologic changes after a stroke occurs. In contrast, the cognitive psychology literature suggests that optimal long‐term learning is achieved when training is provided in a distributed or nonintensive schedule. These perspectives are evaluated and discussed with respect to the current evidence for treatment intensity in aphasia rehabilitation. In addition, directions for future research are identified, including study design, methods of defining and measuring treatment intensity, and selection of outcome measures in aphasia rehabilitation.
Physical Activity Level Among Stroke Patients Hospitalized in a Rehabilitation Unit
Authors: Lacroix Justine , Daviet Jean‐Christophe , Borel Benoit , Kammoun Benjamin , Salle Jean‐Yves , Mandigout Stéphane
Published: June 2015

Background

The current literature contains little information about the level of physical activity of hospitalized patients who have had a stroke. Improving knowledge in the area could help optimize rehabilitation.

Objectives

To determine the level of physical activity of hospitalized patients who have had a stroke to discover if they achieved the recommended 30 minutes of physical activity per day (equivalent to 142 kcal) during sessions of 10 consecutive minutes.

Setting

Physical and Rehabilitation Medicine Unit of the Jean Rebeyrol Hospital, Limoges, France.

Participants

All patients (N = 88) who had sustained a stroke within the previous 6 months were included over a period of 7 months.

Main Outcome Measures

The duration of physical activity and related energy expenditure were estimated using a SenseWear armband (BodyMedia [Jawbone]). Subjects wore the sensor on the nonparetic arm for 2 consecutive days from 9 am to 4:30 pm, corresponding to the period spent daily on rehabilitation. The Fisher simple correlation test and Mann‐Whitney nonparametric test were performed.

Results

A total of 88 patients aged 66 ± 17 years with a mean poststroke period of 43 ± 34 days and a mean Barthel Index of 61 ± 25/100 were enrolled in the study. Between 9 am and 4:30 pm, patients took part in an average of 23 ± 30 minutes of physical activity (equivalent to 91 ± 122 kcal). Correlations were found between physical activity time in the hospital and physical activity before the stroke occurred (r = 0.345, P < .0001), the Barthel Index (r = 0.284, P = .0002), body mass index (r = −0.440, P < .0001), and time to hospital release (r = −0.183, P = .0194).

Conclusion

It was found that 62% of patients did not achieve the recommended amount of physical activity. Sessions dedicated to physical activity could motivate patients who have had a stroke and help them meet recommendations before leaving the rehabilitation unit.
A Randomized Controlled Trial of the Effects of Isolated Lumbar Extension Exercise on Lumbar Kinematic Pattern Variability During Gait in Chronic Low Back Pain
Authors: Steele James , Bruce‐Low Stewart , Smith Dave , Jessop David , Osborne Neil
Published: June 2015

Background

Chronic low back pain (CLBP) is a multifactorial condition with a variety of symptoms, one of which is abnormal gait. The lumbar spine and its musculature are important in controlling gait, and in CLBP the lumbar extensors are often deconditioned. Because of this specific isolated lumbar extension, exercise often is recommended. It was therefore of interest to examine its effects of upon gait variability.

Objective

To examine the effects of isolated lumbar extension resistance training on lumbar kinematic variability during gait in participants with CLBP.

Design

Randomized controlled trial.

Setting

University Health, Exercise and Sport Science Laboratory.

Participants

Twenty‐four participants with nonspecific CLBP.

Interventions

Participants were randomly allocated to a 12‐week isolated lumbar extension exercise intervention (1×/week performing a single set to momentary muscular failure using a load equal to 80% max tested torque) or nontraining control period.

Main Outcome Measurements

Lumbar kinematics during gait, including angular displacement, kinematic waveform pattern (CVp), and offset (CVo) variability, were examined via 3‐dimensional analyses.

Results

No significant changes in displacement or CVo were found as a result of the intervention; however, a small but significant reduction in sagittal plane CVp (−20.90 ± 3.53%, effect size = 0.48, P = .044) occurred, indicating improved motor pattern replication through this movement plane.

Conclusions

Considering the role of the lumbar extensors in gait, and their common deconditioning in CLBP, an isolated lumbar extension resistance exercise intervention may reduce gait variability. These results suggest isolated lumbar extension exercise may specifically reduce sagittal plane variability, indicating improved motor pattern replication through this movement plane, perhaps attributable to the plane of movement used during the exercise.
Coping with painful sex: Development and initial validation of the CHAMP Sexual Pain Coping Scale
Authors: Flink Ida K. , Thomtén Johanna , Engman Linnéa , Hedström Stina , Linton Steven J.
Published: June 2015

Background and purpose

Recurrent vulvar pain is a common and debilitating condition which has received remarkably little attention in pain research. For instance, little is known about how these women cope with sexual activities, and there are no structured assessment tools. The purpose of this study was to explore coping strategies in this group, with a view to develop a measure to assess how women with vulvar pain cope with sexual activities.

Methods

The current study is based on a subsample from a longitudinal study about vulvar pain in a student sample consisting of women between 18 and 35 years old (N = 964). Only data from the ones reporting recurrent vulvar pain during the last six months (N = 289) were used in the analyses. First, the CHAMP Sexual Pain Coping Scale (CSPCS) was created, with the aim of assessing how women with vulvar pain cope with sexual activities. The scale was inspired by previous research on women with vulvar pain as well as well-known coping strategies in other pain populations. Second, the psychometric properties of the scale were explored by analyzing the factor structure and internal reliability. Third, validity features were examined in terms of criterion validity and construct validity.

Results

The analyses supported a three-factor solution, embracing the strategies endurance, avoidance and alternative coping. The internal reliability of the subscales turned out to be good, and the criterion validity was supported for all three subscales. The construct validity was clearly supported for the endurance and the avoidance subscales, but not for the alternative coping subscale.

Conclusions

The findings support the CSPCS as an instrument for assessing how women with vulvar pain cope with sexual activities. The strategies endurance, avoidance and alternative coping correspond with findings from earlier research. Endurance reflects a tendency to engage in and continue with sexual activities despite pain, while attempting to minimize or suppress thoughts of pain. Avoidance, on the other hand, involves efforts to stay away from sexual activities, in particular vaginal penetration, because of fear of pain. Alternative coping refers to endeavours to find alternative sexual activities that do not necessarily involve vaginal penetration. Even though this first study indicates that the CSPCS may be psychometrically sound, more studies are needed to confirm the psychometric properties and clinical application of this instrument. In particular, the construct validity of the alternative coping subscale needs to be further evaluated.

Implications

A valid instrument for assessing strategies for coping with sexual activities in this population has important clinical implications, since it provides a method that may enhance assessment procedures, be used in research, and stimulate the development of treatment.
“These Our Games” – Sport and the Church of Scotland Mission to Kenya, c. 1907–1937
Authors: Cunningham Tom
Published: June 2015

In this article I use oral and documentary evidence gathered during recent fieldwork and archival research in the UK and Kenya to explore the ways in which the Church of Scotland Mission to Kenya attempted to use sport to “civilize” and “discipline” the people of Central Kenya. I make a case for the important contributions the topic of sport can make to the study of African and colonial history, and offer a comprehensive critique of the only book-length work which explores the history of sport in colonial Kenya, John Bale and Joe Sang’sKenyan Running(1996).
Difference in Death? A Lost Neolithic Inhumation Cemetery with Britain’s Earliest Case of Rickets, at Balevullin, Western Scotland
Authors: Armit Ian , Shapland Fiona , Montgomery Janet , Beaumont Julia
Published: June 2015

Recent radiocarbon dating of a skeleton from Balevullin, Tiree, excavated in the early twentieth century, demonstrates that it dates to the Neolithic period, rather than the Iron Age as originally expected. Osteological examination suggests that the individual was a young adult woman, exhibiting osteological deformities consistent with vitamin D deficiency, most likely deriving from childhood rickets; an exceptionally early identification of the disease in the UK with potentially significant social implications. Isotopic analysis supports the osteological evidence for physiological stress in childhood and further suggests that the woman was most probably local to the islands. Analysis of the surviving written archive reveals that the surviving skeleton was one of several originally recovered from the site, making Balevullin an exceptionally rare example of a British Neolithic inhumation cemetery.
The effect of zinc supplementation on pregnancy outcomes: a double-blind, randomised controlled trial, Egypt
Authors: Nossier Samia A. , Naeim Noha E. , El-Sayed Nawal A. , Abu Zeid Azza A.
Published: June 2015

The present randomised controlled trial (RCT) was conducted to evaluate the effect of two regimens of Zn supplementation on pregnancy outcomes in Alexandria, Egypt. Healthy pregnant women aged 20–45 years and having low serum Zn level below the estimated median for the gestational age were eligible to participate in the trial. Of 1055 pregnant women assessed for the eligibility of low serum Zn level, 675 were eligible. These women were randomly assigned to one of the three groups: the Zn alone group (n 225) received a daily dose of 30 mg ZnSO4, the combined group (n 227) received 30 mg ZnSO4 plus multivitamins (B1, B6, D3, C and E) and the control group (n 223) received placebo (270 mg lactose). They were followed up from the time of recruitment till 1 week after delivery. Overall, there was no detectable difference in the mean birth weight between the three groups (mean 2929·12 (sd 330·28), 2922·22 (sd 324·05) and 2938·48 (sd 317·39) g for the placebo, Zn and Zn plus multivitamin groups, respectively, P= 0·88). Both the single and the combined Zn supplements were almost equally effective in reducing second- and third-stage complications (relative risk (RR) 0·43, 95 % CI 0·31, 0·60 for the Zn group and RR 0·54, 95 % CI 0·40, 0·73 for the combined group). Stillbirth and preterm delivery were significantly lower among the two supplemented groups than the placebo group (P= 0·001). Early neonatal morbidity was also significantly lower in the supplemented groups (RR 0·23, 95 % CI 0·15, 0·35 for the Zn group and RR 0·25, 95 % CI 0·16, 0·37 for the combined group). Collectively, Zn supplementation was effective in reducing pregnancy complications and early neonatal infection among the Zn-deficient women of the present trial.
The Political Legacies of Combat: Attitudes Toward War and Peace Among Israeli Ex-Combatants
Authors: Grossman Guy , Manekin Devorah , Miodownik Dan
Published: June 2015

Recent research has highlighted combat's positive effects for political behavior, but it is unclear whether they extend to attitudes toward the conflict itself. We exploit the assignment of health rankings determining combat eligibility in the Israel Defense Forces to examine the effect of combat exposure on support for peaceful conflict resolution. Given the centrality of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict to global affairs, and its apparent intractability, the political consequences of combat become all the more pressing. We find that exposure to combat hardens attitudes toward the rival and reduces support for negotiation and compromise. Importantly, these attitudes translate into voting behavior: combatants are likely to vote for more hawkish parties. These findings call for caution in emphasizing the benign effects of combat and underscore the importance of reintegrating combatants during the transition from conflict to peace.
Patterned vegetation, tipping points, and the rate of climate change
Authors: CHEN YUXIN , KOLOKOLNIKOV THEODORE , TZOU JUSTIN , GAI CHUNYI
Published: June 2015

When faced with slowly depleting resources (such as decrease in precipitation due to climate change), complex ecological systems are prone to sudden irreversible changes (such as desertification) as the resource level dips below a tipping point of the system. A possible coping mechanism is the formation of spatial patterns, which allows for concentration of sparse resources and the survival of the species within “ecological niches” even below the tipping point of the homogeneous vegetation state. However, if the change in resource availability is too sudden, the system may not have time to transition to the patterned state and will pass through the tipping point instead, leading to extinction. We argue that the deciding factors are the speed of resource depletion and the amount of the background noise (seasonal climate changes) in the system. We illustrate this phenomenon on a model of patterned vegetation. Our analysis underscores the importance of, and the interplay between, the speed of climate change, heterogeneity of the environment, and the amount of seasonal variability.
Subcutaneous fluid and drug delivery: safe, efficient and inexpensive
Authors: Duems-Noriega Oscar , Ariño-Blasco Sergio
Published: June 2015

Patients with difficult venous access or oral intolerance and clinical situations with inadequate response to oral therapy have generated the need for alternative routes of delivery for drugs and fluids.

The purpose of this study was to conduct a systematic review examining the evidence for subcutaneous (SC) administration of drugs and/or fluids.

We used a broad search strategy using electronic databases CINAHL, EMBASE, PubMed and Cochrane library, key terms and ‘Medical Subject Headings’ (MeSH) such as ‘subcutaneous route’, ‘hypodermoclysis’ and the name/group of the most used drugs via this route (e.g. ‘ketorolac, morphine, ceftriaxone’, ‘analgesics, opioids, antibiotics’).

We conclude that the SC route is an effective alternative for rehydration in patients with mild–moderate dehydration and offers a number of potential advantages in appropriately selected scenarios. Experience of administering drugs by this route suggests that it is well tolerated and is associated with minimal side-effects.
Textual entailment graphs
Authors: KOTLERMAN LILI , DAGAN IDO , MAGNINI BERNARDO , BENTIVOGLI LUISA
Published: June 2015

In this work, we present a novel type of graphs for natural language processing (NLP), namely textual entailment graphs (TEGs). We describe the complete methodology we developed for the construction of such graphs and provide some baselines for this task by evaluating relevant state-of-the-art technology. We situate our research in the context of text exploration, since it was motivated by joint work with industrial partners in the text analytics area. Accordingly, we present our motivating scenario and the first gold-standard dataset of TEGs. However, while our own motivation and the dataset focus on the text exploration setting, we suggest that TEGs can have different usages and suggest that automatic creation of such graphs is an interesting task for the community.
High-quality sandwiched black phosphorus heterostructure and its quantum oscillations
Authors: Chen Xiaolong , Wu Yingying , Wu Zefei , Han Yu , Xu Shuigang , Wang Lin , Ye Weiguang , Han Tianyi , He Yuheng , Cai Yuan , Wang Ning
Published: June 2015

Two-dimensional materials such as graphene and transition metal dichalcogenides have attracted great attention because of their rich physics and potential applications in next-generation nanoelectronic devices. The family of two-dimensional materials was recently joined by atomically thin black phosphorus which possesses high theoretical mobility and tunable bandgap structure. However, degradation of properties under atmospheric conditions and high-density charge traps in black phosphorus have largely limited its actual mobility thus hindering its future applications. Here, we report the fabrication of stable sandwiched heterostructures by encapsulating atomically thin black phosphorus between hexagonal boron nitride layers to realize ultra-clean interfaces that allow a high field-effect mobility of ∼1,350 cm2V−1 s−1 at room temperature and on–off ratios exceeding 105. At low temperatures, the mobility even reaches ∼2,700 cm2V−1 s−1 and quantum oscillations in black phosphorus two-dimensional hole gas are observed at low magnetic fields. Importantly, the sandwiched heterostructures ensure that the quality of black phosphorus remains high under ambient conditions.
Interlayer orientation-dependent light absorption and emission in monolayer semiconductor stacks
Authors: Heo Hoseok , Sung Ji Ho , Cha Soonyoung , Jang Bo-Gyu , Kim Joo-Youn , Jin Gangtae , Lee Donghun , Ahn Ji-Hoon , Lee Myoung-Jae , Shim Ji Hoon , Choi Hyunyong , Jo Moon-Ho
Published: June 2015

Two-dimensional stacks of dissimilar hexagonal monolayers exhibit unusual electronic, photonic and photovoltaic responses that arise from substantial interlayer excitations. Interband excitation phenomena in individual hexagonal monolayer occur in states at band edges (valleys) in the hexagonal momentum space; therefore, low-energy interlayer excitation in the hexagonal monolayer stacks can be directed by the two-dimensional rotational degree of each monolayer crystal. However, this rotation-dependent excitation is largely unknown, due to lack in control over the relative monolayer rotations, thereby leading to momentum-mismatched interlayer excitations. Here, we report that light absorption and emission in MoS2/WS2 monolayer stacks can be tunable from indirect- to direct-gap transitions in both spectral and dynamic characteristics, when the constituent monolayer crystals are coherently stacked without in-plane rotation misfit. Our study suggests that the interlayer rotational attributes determine tunable interlayer excitation as a new set of basis for investigating optical phenomena in a two-dimensional hexagonal monolayer system.
A mosquito lipoxin/lipocalin complex mediates innate immune priming in Anopheles gambiae
Authors: Ramirez Jose Luis , de Almeida Oliveira Giselle , Calvo Eric , Dalli Jesmond , Colas Romain A. , Serhan Charles N. , Ribeiro Jose M. , Barillas-Mury Carolina
Published: June 2015

Exposure of Anopheles gambiae mosquitoes to Plasmodium infection enhances the ability of their immune system to respond to subsequent infections. However, the molecular mechanism that allows the insect innate immune system to ‘remember’ a previous encounter with a pathogen has not been established. Challenged mosquitoes constitutively release a soluble haemocyte differentiation factor into their haemolymph that, when transferred into Naive mosquitoes, also induces priming. Here we show that this factor consists of a Lipoxin/Lipocalin complex. We demonstrate that innate immune priming in mosquitoes involves a persistent increase in expression of Evokin (a lipid carrier of the lipocalin family), and in their ability to convert arachidonic acid to lipoxins, predominantly Lipoxin A4. Plasmodium ookinete midgut invasion triggers immune priming by inducing the release of a mosquito lipoxin/lipocalin complex.
Spatial and temporal imaging of long-range charge transport in perovskite thin films by ultrafast microscopy
Authors: Guo Zhi , Manser Joseph S. , Wan Yan , Kamat Prashant V. , Huang Libai
Published: June 2015

Charge carrier diffusion coefficient and length are important physical parameters for semiconducting materials. Long-range carrier diffusion in perovskite thin films has led to remarkable solar cell efficiencies; however, spatial and temporal mechanisms of charge transport remain unclear. Here we present a direct measurement of carrier transport in space and in time by mapping carrier density with simultaneous ultrafast time resolution and ∼50-nm spatial precision in perovskite thin films using transient absorption microscopy. These results directly visualize long-range carrier transport of ∼220 nm in 2 ns for solution-processed polycrystalline CH3NH3PbI3 thin films. Variations of the carrier diffusion coefficient at the μm length scale have been observed with values ranging between 0.05 and 0.08 cm2 s−1. The spatially and temporally resolved measurements reported here underscore the importance of the local morphology and establish an important first step towards discerning the underlying transport properties of perovskite materials.