bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Mission Groups and the New Politics of British Higher Education
Authors: Filippakou Ourania , Tapper Ted
Published: January 2015

This article explores the emergence and impact of the mission groups in British higher education. The central argument is that given the development of a mass and diversified model of higher education it was inevitable that the higher education institutions would form pressure groups, while increased marketisation and growing inter‐institutional competition have helped to sustain their presence. With particular reference to their input into the policy making process, it analyses how they contribute to a new politics of policy‐making and concludes by considering the future of the mission groups in the light of the recent demise of the 1994 Group.
University Admissions and the Prediction of Degree Performance: an Analysis in the Light of Changes to the English Schools’ Examination System
Authors: Johnston Ron , Manley David , Jones Kelvyn , Harris Richard , Hoare Anthony
Published: January 2015

The United Kingdom's Department for Education has recently changed the nature of the AS‐level examinations normally taken by students aspiring to enter higher education degree courses one year into their post‐compulsory education. In the face of protests from universities and other institutions that this would both harm students’ progression towards the A‐level qualifications, on which entry to English universities is normally based, and make it difficult for universities determining which of their applicants were best placed to benefit from their degree courses, the Department conducted research which it claimed showed that degree outcome could be predicted as well from the results of GCSE examinations taken one year before AS‐levels as from AS‐levels themselves. This paper critiques those analyses and their conclusions showing, through a re‐analysis and extended interpretation of the Department's data, that AS‐levels provide a more reliable predictor of degree performance in 2011 than GCSEs and that many students who performed better at AS‐level than at GCSE gained a place, and performed well, at a university with high entrance standards.
Teaching Democracy: Folkways Records and Cold War Education
Authors: Donaldson Rachel C.
Published: January 2015

By the waning years of the 1940s America had lost much of what remained of its postwar optimism as fears of Communism came to dominate the national political conversation. Left-leaning citizens had particular cause for disillusionment as politicians continued to trample many vestiges of New Deal programs and ideals in their rightward trek. The passage of the antilabor Taft-Hartley Act in 1947 and Progressive Party presidential candidate Henry Wallace's abysmal failure at the polls in the 1948 election hammered more nails into the coffin of leftwing activism. What ultimately caused the Old Left to retreat from mainstream political discourse was, of course, the new ideological war that loomed on the horizon. While U.S. foreign policy focused on containing Communism abroad, local and federal governlnent agencies and civilian vigilante groups rallied to fight suspected communists at home, Government agencies and private organizations compiled lists of alleged subversives, such asRed Channels: The Report of Communist Influence in Radio and Televisionthat the right-wing publicationCounterattackreleased in 1950. The attacks on those in the media and government were well documented, as news sources reported the trials of iconic groups like the Hollywood Ten and televised the Army-McCarthy hearings. At the same time that anticommunists focused on rooting out subversives in the State Department, organized labor, and the entertainment industry, they also turned their attention to education. Many political leaders, both liberal and conservative, viewed education as the “key factor” in securing American victory in the Cold War; as a result, between the end of WWII and the 1960s, anticommunists devoted an unprecedented amount of scrutiny to public schools, administrators, and teachers.
MALE AND FEMALE MARRIAGE RETURNS TO SCHOOLING
Authors: Bruze Gustaf
Published: January 2015

A collective marriage matching model is estimated and calibrated to quantify the share of returns to schooling that is realized through marriage. The predictions of the model are matched with detailed Danish household data on the relationship between schooling and wage rates, the division of time and goods within the household, and the extent to which men and women sort positively on several traits in marriage. Counterfactual analysis conducted with the model suggests that Danish men and women are earning on the order of half of their returns to schooling through improved marital outcomes.
Preparation of Silicon Nitride Hollow Quasi‐Spheres by RF Thermal Plasma
Authors: Lu Chen , Fan Junmei , Zhang Yanchang , Yuan Fangli , Yao Mingshui
Published: January 2015

Silicon nitride hollow quasi‐spheres (SNHQSs) are prepared via a two‐step method: producing micrometer‐sized agglomerated granules with β‐Si3N4, and sintering additives of nano‐alumina and nano‐yttria by spray‐drying and then hollowing the spray‐dried granules (SDGs) by radio frequency thermal plasma sintering. Five kinds of slurry with different content of sintering additives are prepared for spray‐drying, and the attained five kinds of SDGs have similar morphology and properties. However, different SDGs generate diverse hollow structures via plasma sintering. The cavity formation mechanism of the SNHQSs is deeply investigated. In addition, the obtained SNHQSs possess low apparent density (0.371–0.481 g/mL), high compressive strength (up to 50 MPa), and good thermal stability (up to 1600°C), which will enable their promising applications in porous ceramics.
Política de la legislación laboral en el sur de China. Las cámaras de comercio y otros organismos extranjeros ante las leyes sobre negociación colectiva
Authors: HUI Elaine Sio‐Ieng , CHAN Chris King‐Chi
Published: January 2015

En 2010, tras la huelga en Honda, hubo protestas laborales en toda China. Los gobiernos de Shenzhen y Guangdong reaccionaron desempolvando los proyectos de Decreto sobre consulta colectiva y de Normativa sobre gestión democrática de las empresas, retirados con anterioridad. Pero tras la oposición frontal de cámaras de comercio y organismos gubernamentales extranjeros, hongkoneses y taiwaneses, volvieron a retirarse. Mediante entrevistas, los autores revelan los medios de influencia en la legislación laboral china de estos actores, cuyas actitudes dependen de la posición de las empresas representadas en las cadenas mundiales de producción y del modelo de relaciones laborales de su país o territorio de origen.
Optical and Structural Properties of ZnO and ZnO:Cd Particles Grown by the Hydrothermal Method
Authors: Guzmán‐Embús Diego A. , Vargas‐Charry Maria F. , Vargas‐Hernández Carlos
Published: January 2015

Here, we examine the structural, vibrational, optical, and morphological properties of ZnO particles synthesized by the hydrothermal method, incorporating cadmium at different concentrations through the molar ratio Rm = Cd+2/Zn+2 and a thermal treatment at 500°C. The X‐ray diffraction results demonstrated the high crystallinity of the ZnO compound with a wurtzite‐type hexagonal structure. The Raman scattering spectra demonstrated that the ZnO vibrational modes occur in the region between 200 and 1300 cm−1, which is associated with different vibrational configurations characteristic of the ZnO molecule: E2(Low), E2(M), A1(TO) E1(TO), 2B1(High), E2(High), and TA + LO. The modes that were most affected by the incorporation of Cd2+ were those assigned to 2E2(Low), E2(M), and 2B1(High), and this effect was associated with a greater displacement of Zn2+ ions. The optical study showed a reduction in the band gap and a decrease in the crystalline quality due to the substitution of Cd2+ in the ZnO lattice. Cadmium incorporation affected the morphology of the ZnO:Cd particles, changing the lengths and diameters of the ZnO rods; when the Cd concentration was increased, the ZnO rods shortened, forming coin‐type hexagonal structures.
Systematic review of systematic reviews for the management of urinary incontinence and promotion of continence using conservative behavioural approaches in older people in care homes
Authors: Roe Brenda , Flanagan Lisa , Maden Michelle
Published: January 2015

Aim

To synthesize evidence from systematic reviews on the management of urinary incontinence and promotion of continence using conservative/behavioural approaches in older people in care homes to inform clinical practice, guidelines and research.

Background

Incontinence is highly prevalent in older people in care home populations.

Design

Systematic review of systematic reviews with narrative synthesis.

Data sources

Electronic searches of published systematic reviews in English using MEDLINE and CINAHL with no date restrictions up to September 2013. Searches supplemented by hand searching and electronic searching of Cochrane Library and PROSPERO.

Review methods

PRISMA statement was followed, as were established methods for systematic review of systematic reviews.

Results

Five systematic reviews of high quality were included, three specific to intervention studies and two reviewed descriptive studies. Urinary incontinence was the primary outcome in three reviews with factors associated with the management of urinary incontinence the primary outcome for the other reviews.

Conclusion

Toileting programmes, in particular prompted voiding, with use of incontinence pads are the main conservative behavioural approach for the management of incontinence and promotion of continence in this population with evidence of effectiveness in the short term. Evidence from associated factors; exercise, mobility, comorbidities, hydration, skin care, staff perspectives, policies and older people's experiences and preference are limited. The majority of evidence of effectiveness are from studies from one country which may or may not be transferable to other care home populations. Future international studies are warranted of complex combined interventions using mixed methods to provide evidence of effectiveness, context of implementation and economic evaluation.
The Source and Impact of Appearance Teasing: An Examination by Sex and Weight Status Among Early Adolescents From the Czech Republic
Authors: Almenara Carlos A. , Ježek Stanislav
Published: January 2015

BACKGROUND

Some adolescents are victims of negative appearance‐related feedback, and this may have lasting adverse effects on their self‐evaluation. The aim of this study was to examine the frequency and impact of appearance teasing across sex and weight status.

METHODS

The participants were 570 Czech adolescents (47.9% girls) evaluated at age 13 during the European Longitudinal Study of Pregnancy and Childhood. Instruments used were body mass index and an adapted version of the Physical Experiences Survey that measures appearance teasing sources (parents, peers, among others), body part teased, and the impact of teasing. Chi‐square test and multivariate analyses of variance were conducted to compare groups by sex and weight status. Logistic regression was then used for adjusted analyses.

RESULTS

Girls were more likely to report appearance teasing than boys. Overweight adolescents, both girls and boys, were more likely to be teased than non‐overweight adolescents. Overweight adolescents compared with non‐overweight adolescents reported higher levels of impact of body‐related teasing.

CONCLUSIONS

Czech adolescents continue to adopt the societal standards of Western countries, stigmatizing overweight peers. This may affect more obese adolescents. Future research has to evaluate different sources of appearance‐related teasing. Interventions in schools are suitable for the reduction of appearance‐related prejudices.
Walking School Buses as a Form of Active Transportation for Children—A Review of the Evidence
Authors: Smith Liz , Norgate Sarah H. , Cherrett Tom , Davies Nigel , Winstanley Christopher , Harding Mike
Published: January 2015

BACKGROUND

Walking school buses (WSBs) offer a potentially healthier way for children to get to school while reducing traffic congestion. A number of pressing societal challenges make it timely to evaluate evidence of their value.

METHODS

Studies that focused solely on WSBs were identified through online and manual literature searches. Twelve WSB studies involving a total of 9169 children were reviewed. Study aims, designs, methods, outcomes, and barriers and facilitators were examined.

RESULTS

WSBs were found to be associated with increased prevalence of walking to school and general activity levels although not always significantly. Time constraints emerged as barriers to WSBs, impacting on recruitment of volunteers and children to the WSBs. Facilitators of WSBs included children enjoying socializing and interacting with the environment.

CONCLUSIONS

Preliminary evidence of the health value of WSBs was demonstrated, along with recommendations for the design of future studies. By tackling barriers of time constraints, volunteer recruitment, and parents' safety concerns while at the same time, increasing convenience and time savings for families, future WSBs are likely to be more sustainable and taken up by more schools. Implications for future innovation in school health were identified.
Psychoeducational Program for Parents of Adolescents With Intellectual Disabilities
Authors: Picard Isabelle , Morin Diane , De Mondehare Laurence
Published: January 2015

A psychoeducational program was developed in response to the needs expressed most frequently in a province‐wide survey conducted in Quebec, Canada, of more than 560 parents of people with intellectual disabilities. Parents of adolescents expressed the greatest needs for support. A program was therefore created specifically for this group and tested with 25 parents of adolescents. This program was then compared with another type of intervention often used with parents: a self‐help support group. The results indicated overall satisfaction with both types of interventions, such that offering both options to parents is justified. In addition, it would be desirable to offer such programs earlier in the lives of the parents as many expressed frustration at learning only in their child's adolescence about resources that could have been useful for them earlier.
The Political Geography of Distributive Politics
Authors: Clemens Austin C. , Crespin Michael H. , Finocchiaro Charles J.
Published: January 2015

Distributive politics plays an integral role in theories of legislative politics because it represents a fundamental aspect of legislators' electoral connection to constituents. We argue that because distributive politics is at its core a constituency‐centered process, it is essential to take geography into account in both substantive and statistical terms. Our analysis, which employsGeographicWeightedRegression, reveals substantial spatial heterogeneity in traditional models of pork‐barreling. The results challenge the implicit assumption that one size fits all when modeling the behavior of members ofCongress in the realm of distributive politics.
Health‐Related Quality of Life in children with perceived and diagnosed food hypersensitivity
Authors: Venter Carina , Sommer Isolde , Moonesinghe Harriet , Grundy Jane , Glasbey Gillian , Patil Veeresh , Dean Taraneh
Published: January 2015

Background

The few studies measuring health‐related quality of life (HRQL) in food hypersensitivity (FHS) have found significantly reduced HRQL in patients and their families, particularly in the areas of family and social activities, emotional issues and family economy. One aspect that has not been studied is the effect of suspected FHS (food allergy/intolerance) vs. diagnosed FHS [based on a food challenge or a positive skin prick test (SPT) and good clinical history] on HRQL. Therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate the HRQL in children with a proven diagnosis of FHS vs. those with reported FHS.

Methods

We have utilized the 10‐yr old follow‐up cohort of the Food Allergy and Intolerance Research (FAIR) study from the Isle of Wight and assessed the child's HRQL with the Food Allergy Quality of Life Questionnaire – Parent form (FAQLQ‐PF) which measures HRQL using four domains: food anxiety, emotional impact, social and dietary limitation.

Results

When comparing the two groups of children (proven FHS vs. perceived FHS), no difference in HRQL was found, although food anxiety showed a p‐value of (p = 0.062). This was also the case when correcting for all confounding factors identified.

Conclusion

We have found that having a clear diagnosis of FHS is not an independent predictor of HRQL. Future studies are required comparing two more similar groups. We also need to focus more on the effect of continuous input from the multidisciplinary team on HRQL and which particular factors of FHS management affect HRQL.
Rhinitis in children: Common clinical presentations and differential diagnoses
Authors: Rotiroti G. , Roberts G. , Scadding G. K.
Published: January 2015

Rhinitis is a common presentation in childhood. Acute virally induced rhinitis is generally self‐limiting and usually does not require medical attention. Whilst allergic rhinitis is the focus of the paediatric allergist, the presentation of other diseases or comorbidities that can complicate or mimic allergic rhinitis needs to be considered. Effects on the child's quality of life also need to be addressed. Rhinitis can be associated with asthma and other significant comorbidities: importantly, non‐allergic rhinitis can sometimes be a consequence of systemic immune impairment. The diagnosis of rhinitis is based on clinical findings with directed investigations. Nasal nitric oxide measurement is an emerging diagnostic tool and helpful particularly in relation to evaluating the differential diagnosis in more difficult rhinitis. Successfully identifying the cause of rhinitis in childhood and associated comorbidities can ensure that the patient is successfully treated as described in the recently published EAACI Pediatric Rhinitis Position Paper.
DEVELOPING A TECHNIQUE FOR ULTRASOUND‐GUIDED INJECTION OF THE ADULT CANINE HIP
Authors: Bergamino Chiara , Etienne Anne‐Laure , Busoni Valeria
Published: January 2015

An accurate method for guiding injections into the canine hip would facilitate diagnostic localization of lameness and targeted treatments. Ultrasound‐guided hip injections are commonly used in humans and large animals. Aims of this prospective study were to describe ultrasound (US) anatomy of the adult canine hip and determine the feasibility and accuracy of intra‐articular placement of injectate using US‐guidance. Seven adult dogs were used to describe US anatomy, five dog cadavers were used to assess the feasibility of the injection technique and 11 dog cadavers were used to assess accuracy of injections. For the accuracy test, 22 joints were injected with iodinated contrast medium by three operators with different experience. With dogs in lateral recumbency, the hyperechoic femoral head surface was identified by following the femoral neck from the greater trochanter or the acetabular rim was localized by following caudally the ilium from the iliac wing.  An anechoic gap between the femoral head and acetabular surface represented the joint. The capsule was visible as a triangular echoic structure and the femoral head articular cartilage appeared as an anechoic band. The needle was inserted axial to the greater trochanter and directed in a dorsolateral–ventromedial direction toward the joint space and then pushed through the capsule. Based on postinjection radiography, accuracy was 81.8% at first attempt and 100% at second attempt. This study indicated that US‐guided injection is a feasible and accurate technique for injecting the adult canine hip. Future studies in live dogs are needed to assess safety and efficacy.
Articulatory reduction and coarticulation in Catalan three-consonant sequences
Authors: Recasens Daniel , Mira Meritxell
Published: January 2015

Electropalatographic and acoustic data on Catalan /Ck#C/ sequences where # is a word boundary and /k/ is preceded by /l, s, r/ and followed by /b, m, d, l, n, z, r, ʎ/ were collected in order to test the hypothesis that the velar stop is most prone to be reduced and deleted next to consonants involving high articulatory and aerodynamic demands. Analysis results reveal the absence of a velar stop closure in about half of the sequence tokens, mostly so when /k/ occurs after /s/ and before an oral stop presumably due to the high manner of articulation requirements involved. On the other hand, /Ck#C/ sequences where a /k/ closure period is available show a prominent realization of the velar stop mostly next to /s, z/. This scenario points to two different production mechanisms for three-consonant sequences with contextual obstruents: articulatory reduction and elision, and a slowing down and an increase in articulatory salience, of the velar stop. /Ck#C/ sequences lacking an acoustic closure for /k/ were found to show a residual velar stop articulation which was implemented through an increase in cluster duration and in dorsopalatal contact at the approximate /k/ location in comparison to identical /C#C/ sequences with no /k/.
Sound propagation over soft ground without and with crops and potential for surface transport noise attenuation
Authors: Bashir Imran , Taherzadeh Shahram , Shin Ho-Chul , Attenborough Keith
Published: January 2015

Growing demand on transportation, road, and railway networks has resulted in increased levels of annoyance from road traffic. Optimized use of green surfaces in combination with vegetation may be desirable as a method for reducing the noise impact of road traffic in urban and rural environments. Sound propagation over soft ground and through crops has been studied through outdoor measurements at short and medium ranges and through predictions. At lower frequencies, ground effect is dominant, and there is little or no attenuation due to crops. At higher frequencies above 3–4 kHz, the attenuation in crops is dominant. It was also found that the ground effects and the influence of crops can be treated independently and can be added to obtain the total effect. Sound attenuation by crops is the result of multiple scattering between the stems and leaves, loss of coherence, and viscous and thermal losses due to foliage. The major contribution is associated with viscous and thermal losses. A model for sound attenuation by vegetation is proposed. Insertion losses for a typical road traffic noise source have been calculated that result either by replacing hard ground with different types of acoustically soft ground or by growing crops along the road sides.
Additional results for “Joint entropy of continuously differentiable ultrasonic waveforms” [J. Acoust. Soc. Am. 133(1), 283–300 (2013)]
Authors: Hughes M. S. , Marsh J. N. , Wickline S. A. , McCarthy J. E.
Published: January 2015

Previous results on the use of joint entropy for detection of targeted nanoparticles accumulating in the neovasculature of MDA435 tumors [Fig. 7 of M. S. Hughes et al., J. Acoust. Soc. Am. 133, 283–300 (2013)] are extended, with sensitivity improving by nearly another factor of 2. This result is obtained using a “quasi-optimal” reference waveform in the computation of the joint entropy imaging technique used to image the accumulating nanoparticles.
Audio-visual speech scene analysis: Characterization of the dynamics of unbinding and rebinding the McGurk effect
Authors: Nahorna Olha , Berthommier Frédéric , Schwartz Jean-Luc
Published: January 2015

While audiovisual interactions in speech perception have long been considered as automatic, recent data suggest that this is not the case. In a previous study, Nahorna et al. [(2012). J. Acoust. Soc. Am. 132, 1061–1077] showed that the McGurk effect is reduced by a previous incoherent audiovisual context. This was interpreted as showing the existence of an audiovisual binding stage controlling the fusion process. Incoherence would produce unbinding and decrease the weight of the visual input in fusion. The present paper explores the audiovisual binding system to characterize its dynamics. A first experiment assesses the dynamics of unbinding, and shows that it is rapid: An incoherent context less than 0.5 s long (typically one syllable) suffices to produce a maximal reduction in the McGurk effect. A second experiment tests the rebinding process, by presenting a short period of either coherent material or silence after the incoherent unbinding context. Coherence provides rebinding, with a recovery of the McGurk effect, while silence provides no rebinding and hence freezes the unbinding process. These experiments are interpreted in the framework of an audiovisual speech scene analysis process assessing the perceptual organization of an audiovisual speech input before decision takes place at a higher processing stage.
The softest sound levels of the human voice in normal subjects
Authors: Šrámková Hana , Granqvist Svante , Herbst Christian T. , Švec Jan G.
Published: January 2015

Accurate measurement of the softest sound levels of phonation presents technical and methodological challenges. This study aimed at (1) reliably obtaining normative data on sustained softest sound levels for the vowel [a:] at comfortable pitch; (2) comparing the results for different frequency and time weighting methods; and (3) refining the Union of European Phoniatricians' recommendation on allowed background noise levels for scientific and equipment manufacturers' purposes. Eighty healthy untrained participants (40 females, 40 males) were investigated in quiet rooms using a head-mounted microphone and a sound level meter at 30 cm distance. The one-second-equivalent sound levels were more stable and more representative for evaluating the softest sustained phonations than the fast-time-weighted levels. At 30 cm, these levels were in the range of 48−61 dB(C)/41−53 dB(A) for females and 49 − 64 dB(C)/35−53 dB(A) for males (5% to 95% quantile range). These ranges may serve as reference data in evaluating vocal normality. In order to reach a signal-to-noise ratio of at least 10 dB for more than 95% of the normal population, the background noise should be below 25 dB(A) and 38 dB(C), respectively, for the softest phonation measurements at 30 cm distance. For the A-weighting, this is 15 dB lower than the previously recommended value.
Simulation of sound propagation over porous barriers of arbitrary shapes
Authors: Ke Guoyi , Zheng Z. C.
Published: January 2015

A time-domain solver using an immersed boundary method is investigated for simulating sound propagation over porous and rigid barriers of arbitrary shapes. In this study, acoustic propagation in the air from an impulse source over the ground is considered as a model problem. The linearized Euler equations are solved for sound propagation in the air and the Zwikker-Kosten equations for propagation in barriers as well as in the ground. In comparison to the analytical solutions, the numerical scheme is validated for the cases of a single rigid barrier with different shapes and for two rigid triangular barriers. Sound propagations around barriers with different porous materials are then simulated and discussed. The results show that the simulation is able to capture the sound propagation behaviors accurately around both rigid and porous barriers.
Three-dimensional parabolic equation model for low frequency sound propagation in irregular urban canyons
Authors: Doc Jean-Baptiste , Lihoreau Bertrand , Félix Simon , Faure Cédric , Dubois Guillaume
Published: January 2015

A three-dimensional wide-angle parabolic equation (3DPE) is used to model low frequency sound propagation in irregular urban canyons at low computational cost. This one-way wave equation is solved using the Alternating Direction Implicit method. A finite difference scheme adapted to the geometry of the urban environment is then developed. Abrupt variations of the street width are treated as a single scattering problem using the Kirchhoff approximation. Numerical results are compared with experimental data obtained on a scale model of a street. Comparisons show the ability of the 3DPE model to provide reliable transmitted fields even for large irregularities.
Complete Genome Sequence of Bacillus pumilus Strain WP8, an Efficient Plant Growth-Promoting Rhizobacterium
Authors: Kang Yijun , Shen Min , Wang Huanli , Zhao Qingxin
Published: January 2015

Bacillus pumilus
strain WP8 is an efficient plant growth-promoting rhizobacterium. Here, we present the complete genome of WP8 and its genes involved in plant growth promotion and biocontrol.
Full-Length Genome Sequence of Type M/
emm83
Group A Streptococcus pyogenes Strain STAB1101, Isolated from Clustered Cases in Brittany
Authors: Soriano Nicolas , Vincent Pascal , Auger Gabriel , Cariou Marie-Estelle , Moullec Séverine , Lagente Vincent , Ygout Jean-François , Kayal Samer , Faili Ahmad
Published: January 2015

Here, we announce the complete annotated genome sequence of a
Streptococcus pyogenes
M
/emm83
strain, STAB1101, isolated from clustered cases in homeless persons in Brittany (France). The genome is composed of 1,709,790 bp, with a G+C content of 38.4% and 1,550 identified coding sequences (CDS), and it harbors a Tn
916
-like transposon.
Bifidobacterium pseudolongum Strain PV8-2, Isolated from a Stool Sample of an Anemic Kenyan Infant
Authors: Vazquez-Gutierrez Pamela , Lacroix Christophe , Chassard Christophe , Klumpp Jochen , Stevens Marc J. A. , Jans Christoph
Published: January 2015

The complete genome sequence of
Bifidobacterium pseudolongum
PV8-2, isolated from feces of an anemic Kenyan infant, was determined using single-molecule real-time (SMRT) technology. The genome consists of a 2-Mbp chromosome and a 4-kb plasmid.
Draft Genome Sequence of Rhodovulum sp. Strain NI22, a Naphthalene-Degrading Marine Bacterium
Authors: Brown Lisa M. , Gunasekera Thusitha S. , Bowen Loryn L. , Ruiz Oscar N.
Published: January 2015

Rhodovulum sp. strain NI22 is a hydrocarbon-degrading member of the genus Rhodovulum. The draft genome of Rhodovulum sp. NI22 is 3.8 Mb in size, with 3,756 coding sequences and 64.4% G+C content. The catechol and gentisate pathways for naphthalene degradation are predicted to be present in Rhodovulum sp. NI22.
Total testosterone levels are often more than three times elevated in patients with androgen-secreting tumours
Authors: Glintborg Dorte , Altinok Magda L , Petersen Kresten R , Ravn Pernille
Published: January 2015

Hirsutism is present in up to 25% reproductive aged women and is most often caused by polycystic ovary syndrome. Less than 5% of patients with hirsutism are diagnosed with rare endocrine diseases including ovarian or adrenal androgen-producing tumours, but these tumours may be malignant and need surgery. Terminal hair growth on lip and chin gradually increases after menopause, which complicates distinction from normal physiological variation. Precise testosterone assays have just recently become available in the daily clinic. We present three women diagnosed with testosterone-producing tumours. Gold standard techniques were used to measure testosterone levels. All tumours originated from the ovaries. Based on the present cases and the existing literature, we suggest that androgen-producing tumours should be suspected in patients with rapid progression of hyperandrogen symptoms, particularly when total testosterone levels are above three times the upper reference limit.
Hyponatraemic encephalopathy: an unusual stroke mimic
Authors: Wareing William , Dhotore Bhagyashree , Mahawish Karim
Published: January 2015

We present a case of a 74-year-old man who was admitted to our stroke unit with symptoms and signs suggestive of a left total anterior circulation stroke. Subsequent MRI failed to support this diagnosis and, furthermore, correction of an incidental finding of hyponatraemia due to syndrome of inappropriate antidiuretic hormone secretion led to a complete recovery of symptoms. Investigation and subsequent exclusion of other potential differential diagnoses confirmed the diagnosis of hyponatraemia mimicking acute stroke.
Deep colonic endoscopic submucosal dissection using a modified clip and snare method incorporating a pre-looping technique
Authors: Ota Ryosuke , Doyama Hisashi , Tsuji Kunihiro , Yamada Shinya
Published: January 2015

Endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) is more difficult to perform for colorectal cancer than for early gastric cancer. The use of traction to facilitate direct submucosal layer visualisation is promising in reducing the procedure's time and complication rate. We report a case in which deep colonic ESD was performed with a modified clip and snare method. A 57-year-old man was admitted for ESD of a laterally spreading caecal lesion 25 mm in size (classified as LST-GM) that had been found on colonoscopy. The clip and snare method was previously developed for ESD of gastric cancer; we improved on this method and applied our pre-looping technique in the deep colon. The procedure lasted 40 min and was without complications. Our pre-looping technique represents a modification of the clip and snare method, enabling its performance in the deep colon. We expect that our technique will be applicable to colorectal tumours.
The effects of auricular acupuncture on weight reduction and feeding-related cytokines: a pilot study
Authors: Ito Hisayuki , Yamada Osamu , Kira Yuji , Tanaka Takeshi , Matsuoka Rumiko
Published: January 2015

Objective

Auricular acupuncture is a common therapy used to control appetite; however, the underlying mechanism(s) of action is unclear. The present study examined changes in feeding behaviour and in the levels of several appetite-related hormones in response to auricular acupuncture, and attempted to identify the mechanism(s) by which this traditional medical treatment exerts its effects.

Methods

Ten healthy adult volunteers (nine female and one male) were recruited by the KOSAI Oriental Healthcare Center. The participants were randomly assigned to one of two groups (n=5 per group): an acupuncture group and a placebo group. Each received detention needle stimulus on a weekly basis for 1 month. Changes in diet, body weight, blood pressure and blood biochemistry were evaluated before treatment and at 1 week after the start of treatment.

Results

The difference in weight before treatment and after 1 week of treatment was significant for all participants in the acupuncture group (p=0.02). The percentage changes in active ghrelin in the acupuncture group were no significant changes observed in active ghrelin levels at 1 week after acupuncture in any individual participant (p=0.89). By contrast, the percentage changes in active ghrelin levels in the placebo group at 1 week after the start of acupuncture were significant (p=0.04). The insulin, adrenocorticotropic hormone, leptin and adiponectin levels did not change significantly in either group.

Conclusions

There was a statistically significant difference in the percentage change in body weight and active ghrelin levels in each individual participant in auricular acupuncture groups. This is a pilot study and the sample number is small; however, auricular acupuncture may reduce appetite by suppressing ghrelin production.
Real-time continuous glucose monitoring versus conventional glucose monitoring in critically ill patients: a systematic review study protocol
Authors: Zhu Weidong , Jiang Libing , Jiang Shouyin , Ma Yuefeng , Zhang Mao
Published: January 2015

Introduction

Stress-induced hyperglycaemia, which has been shown to be associated with an unfavourable prognosis, is common among critically ill patients. Additionally, it has been reported that hypoglycaemia and high glucose variabilities are also associated with adverse outcomes. Thus, continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) may be the optimal method to detect severe hypoglycaemia, hyperglycaemia and decrease glucose excursion. However, the overall accuracy and reliability of CGM systems and the effects of CGM systems on glucose control and prognosis in critically ill patients remain inconclusive. Therefore, we will conduct a systematic review and meta-analysis to clarify the associations between CGM systems and clinical outcome.

Methods and analysis

We will search PubMed, EMBASE and the Cochrane Library from inception to October 2014. Studies comparing CGM systems with any other glucose monitoring methods in critically ill patients will be eligible for our meta-analysis. The primary endpoints include the incidence of hypoglycaemia and hyperglycaemia, mean glucose level, and percentage of time within the target range. The second endpoints include intensive care unit (ICU) mortality, hospital mortality, duration of mechanical ventilation, length of ICU and hospital stay, and the Pearson correlation coefficient and the results of error grid analysis. In addition, we will record all complications (eg, acquired infections) in control and intervention groups and local adverse events in intervention groups (eg, bleeding or infections).

Ethics and dissemination

Ethics approval is not required as this is a protocol for a systematic review. The findings will be disseminated in a peer-reviewed journal and presented at a relevant conference.

Trial registration number

PROSPERO registration number: CRD42014013488.
Nutritional assessment in elderly care: a MUST!
Authors: Frank Madeleine , Sivagnanaratnam Aravinth , Bernstein Jo
Published: January 2015

Malnutrition affects over three million people in the UK with associated health costs exceeding £13 billion annually.[1] In hospital, malnutrition has been shown to increase complication rates, morbidity, mortality, hospital readmissions, and length of hospital stay.[2] To screen for malnutrition, a reliable and validated screening tool such as the malnutrition universal screening tool (MUST) should be used.[3] We believe that improved patient outcomes and significant savings to the trust can be achieved, not only by ensuring that every patient has a MUST score documented, but that it is calculated correctly and the appropriate interventions are implemented.

We have carried out the audit three times (May, July, and November 2013). The study included the patients on the elderly care ward of Watford General Hospital (n=64, 62, and 63 respectively). MUST scores documented in nursing notes for each patient were noted. We re-calculated each MUST score ourselves for comparison. We went through patient notes and nursing information and noted which recommended nutritional interventions were being implemented.

Our results highlighted several issues:

1) Patients did not consistently have a MUST score documented

2) MUST scores were calculated incorrectly. This was generally due to BMIs calculated incorrectly, and patients’ weights from six months ago not being known

3) High MUST scores not being acted on appropriately.

Our interventions have involved liaising with various teams within the hospital to maximise the efficacy of the MUST score. This has included encouraging the trust to provide regular training to nurses because of high nursing staff turnover. Following our audit, the dietitian department agreed to undertake weekly ward rounds to screen for patients at risk of malnutrition. Our interventions so far have resulted in increased proportion of MUST scores being calculated (73 to 97%), and increased rates of patients being referred to dietitians (62 to 86% in the second audit cycle).
Ultrasound credentialing in North American emergency department systems with ultrasound fellowships: a cross-sectional survey
Authors: Bellamkonda Venkatesh R , Shokoohi Hamid , Alsaawi Abdulmohsen , Ding Ru , Campbell Ronna L , Liu Yiju Teresa , Boniface Keith S
Published: January 2015

Objective

To describe the credentialing systems of North American emergency department systems (EDS) with emergency ultrasound (EUS) fellowship programmes.

Methods

This is a prospective, cross-sectional, survey-based study of North American EUS fellowships using a 62-item, pilot-tested, web-based survey instrument assessing credentialing and training systems. The American College of Emergency Physicians (ACEP) distributed the surveys using SNAP survey (Snap Surveys Ltd, Portsmouth, New Hampshire, USA).

Results

Over 6 months, 75 eligible programmes were surveyed, 55 responded (73% response rate); 1 declined to participate leaving 54 participating programmes. Less than 20% of EDS credential nurses, physician assistants, nurse practitioners and students in EUS. Respondent EDS reported having an average of 4.2±3.3 ultrasound faculty members (faculty identifying their career focus as EUS). The median number of annual point-of-care ultrasounds reported was 5000 (IQR 3000–8000). 30 EDS (56%) credential each examination individually and 48 EDS (89%) use ACEP credentialing criteria. 61% of fellowship leadership believe their credentialing system is either satisfactory or very satisfactory (Cronbach's coefficient α=0.84).

Conclusions

The data show heterogeneity among North American EDS with EUS fellowship programmes with regard to credentialing systems despite published guidelines from the ACEP and Canadian Emergency Ultrasound Society.
Black holes and Boyle's law — The thermodynamics of the cosmological constant
Authors: Dolan Brian P.
Published: January 2015

When the cosmological constant, Λ, is interpreted as a thermodynamic variable in the study of black hole thermodynamics a very rich structure emerges. It is natural to interpret Λ as a pressure and define the thermodynamically conjugate variable to be the thermodynamic volume of the black hole (which need not bear any relation to the geometric volume). Recent progress in this new direction for black hole thermodynamics is reviewed.
Energy scale of inflation from the recurrence time of the universe
Authors: Ropotenko K.
Published: January 2015

It is shown that the de Sitter equilibrium cosmology predicts the energy scale of inflation that significantly exceeds the Planck scale. An alternative calculation of the probability for a fluctuation into an inflationary universe is proposed which gives a more realistic energy scale of inflation. An interpretation of the cosmological constant problem in the de Sitter equilibrium cosmology is briefly discussed.
Submental negative pressure application decreases collapsibility of the passive pharyngeal airway in nonobese women
Authors: Kato Shinichiro , Isono Shiroh , Amemiya Megumi , Sato Shin , Ikeda Aya , Okazaki Junko , Sato Yumi , Ishikawa Teruhiko
Published: January 2015

The pharyngeal airway is surrounded by soft tissues that are also enclosed by bony structures such as the mandible, maxilla, and cervical spine. The passive pharyngeal airway is therefore structurally analogous to a collapsible tube within a rigid box. Cross-sectional area of the tube is determined by transmural pressure, the pressure difference between intraluminal and extraluminal pressures. Due to a lack of knowledge on the influence of extraluminal soft tissue pressure on the human pharyngeal airway patency, we hypothesized that application of negative external pressure to the submental region decreases collapsibility of the passive pharynx, and that obese individuals have less response to the intervention than nonobese individuals. Static mechanical properties of the passive pharynx were compared before and during application of submental negative pressure in 10 obese and 10 nonobese adult women under general anesthesia and paralysis. Negative pressure was applied through use of a silicone collar covering the entire submental region and a vacuum pump. In nonobese subjects, application of submental negative pressure (−25 and −50 cmH2O) significantly decreased closing pressures at the retropalatal airway by 2.3 ± 3.2 cmH2O and 2.0 ± 3.0 cmH2O, respectively, and at the retroglossal airway by 2.9 ± 2.7 cmH2O and 3.7 ± 2.6 cmH2O, respectively, and the intervention stiffened the retroglossal pharyngeal airway wall. No significant mechanical changes were observed during application of submental negative pressure in obese subjects. Conclusively, application of submental negative pressure was found to decreases collapsibility of the passive pharyngeal airway in nonobese Japanese women.
Single-fiber expression and fiber-specific adaptability to short-term intense exercise training of Na+-K+-ATPase α- and β-isoforms in human skeletal muscle
Authors: Wyckelsma V. L. , McKenna M. J. , Serpiello F. R. , Lamboley C. R. , Aughey R. J. , Stepto N. K. , Bishop D. J. , Murphy R. M.
Published: January 2015

The Na+-K+-ATPase (NKA) plays a key role in muscle excitability, but little is known in human skeletal muscle about fiber-type-specific differences in NKA isoform expression or adaptability. A vastus lateralis muscle biopsy was taken in 17 healthy young adults to contrast NKA isoform protein relative abundance between type I and IIa fibers. We further investigated muscle fiber-type-specific NKA adaptability in eight of these adults following 4-wk repeated-sprint exercise (RSE) training, comprising three sets of 5 × 4-s sprints, 3 days/wk. Single fibers were separated, and myosin heavy chain (I and IIa) and NKA (α1–3and β1–3) isoform abundance were determined via Western blotting. All six NKA isoforms were expressed in both type I and IIa fibers. No differences between fiber types were found for α1-, α2-, α3-, β1-, or β3-isoform abundances. The NKA β2-isoform was 27% more abundant in type IIa than type I fibers ( P < 0.05), with no other fiber-type-specific trends evident. RSE training increased β1in type IIa fibers (pretraining 0.70 ± 0.25, posttraining 0.84 ± 0.24 arbitrary units, 42%, P < 0.05). No training effects were found for other NKA isoforms. Thus human skeletal muscle expresses all six NKA isoforms and not in a fiber-type-specific manner; this points to their different functional roles in skeletal muscle cells. Detection of elevated NKA β1after RSE training demonstrates the sensitivity of the single-fiber Western blotting technique for fiber-type-specific intervention effects.
Effect of breath holding on cerebrovascular hemodynamics in normal pregnancy and preeclampsia
Authors: van Veen Teelkien R. , Panerai Ronney B. , Haeri Sina , Zeeman Gerda G. , Belfort Michael A.
Published: January 2015

Preeclampsia (PE) is associated with endothelial dysfunction and impaired autonomic function, which is hypothesized to cause cerebral hemodynamic abnormalities. Our aim was to test this hypothesis by estimating the difference in the cerebrovascular response to breath holding (BH; known to cause sympathetic stimulation) between women with preeclampsia and a group of normotensive controls. In a prospective cohort analysis, cerebral blood flow velocity (CBFV) in the middle cerebral artery (transcranial Doppler), blood pressure (BP, noninvasive arterial volume clamping), and end-tidal carbon dioxide (EtCO2) were simultaneously recorded during a 20-s breath hold maneuver. CBFV changes were broken down into standardized subcomponents describing the relative contributions of BP, cerebrovascular resistance index (CVRi), critical closing pressure (CrCP), and resistance area product (RAP). The area under the curve (AUC) was calculated for changes in relation to baseline values. A total of 25 preeclamptic (before treatment) and 25 normotensive women in the second half of pregnancy were enrolled, and, 21 patients in each group were included in the analysis. The increase in CBFV and EtCO2 was similar in both groups. However, the AUC for CVRi and RAP during BH was significantly different between the groups (3.05 ± 2.97 vs. −0.82 ± 4.98, P = 0.006 and 2.01 ± 4.49 vs. −2.02 ± 7.20, P = 0.037), indicating an early, transient increase in CVRi and RAP in the control group, which was absent in PE. BP had an equal contribution in both groups. Women with preeclampsia have an altered initial CVRi response to the BH maneuver. We propose that this is due to blunted sympathetic or myogenic cerebrovascular response in women with preeclampsia.