bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Assessing the psychosocial factors associated with adherence to exercise referral schemes: A systematic review
Authors: Eynon Michael , Foad Jessica , Downey John , Bowmer Yasmin , Mills Hayley
Published: February 2019

This paper aimed to systematically review the evidence base to uncover the key psychosocial factors that underpin adherence to an exercise referral scheme (ERS). Databases PsycINFO, MEDLINE, SPORTDiscus, Web of Science, PubMed, PsycARTICLES, Open Grey, and PsycEXTRA were systematically searched. A parallel results‐based convergent synthesis was performed by identifying key themes from quantitative and qualitative studies separately. After applying inclusion and exclusion criteria, the review included 24 eligible studies. Key findings showed intrinsic motivation, psychological need satisfaction, social support, and self‐efficacy to be the prominent psychosocial factors associated with ERS adherence. In addition, lower expectations for change when entering the scheme was associated with ERS adherence. This review should serve as a catalyst to provide evidence‐based ERS and as such ERS providers should seek to place an emphasis on participants’ expectations and beliefs when entering the scheme. Moreover, targeting the key factors of intrinsic motivation, psychological need satisfaction, social support, and self‐efficacy throughout the duration of an ERS should serve to facilitate adherence.
Psychological situations illuminate the meaning of human behavior: Recent advances and application to social influence processes
Authors: Halevy Nir , Kreps Tamar A. , De Dreu Carsten K.W.
Published: February 2019

Psychologists have long sought to understand how people experience, think, and communicate about situations. Psychology's protracted journey toward understanding psychological situations recently took a momentous turn toward more rigorous conceptualization and measurement of situational characteristics along multiple dimensions. We provide a selective review of recent developments in research on psychological situations and highlight the value that these recent contributions deliver for researchers interested in human cognition, emotion, and behavior. We illustrate this value with an application of insights and instruments from the CAPTION and DIAMONDS models to social influence processes in groups. Specifically, we demonstrate how utilizing validated multidimensional scales of situational characteristics can illuminate the psychological meaning of brokering behaviors. We conclude by discussing current challenges and promising future directions for research on psychological situations.
Knowing more than their students: Characterizing secondary science teachers’ subject matter knowledge
Authors: Nixon Ryan S. , Toerien Rene , Luft Julie A.
Published: February 2019

Despite agreement among teacher educators, scholars, and policymakers on the importance of teachers’ subject matter knowledge (SMK), existing models provide limited information about the nature of this foundational component of teacher knowledge. The common assumption is that teachers need to know more about the science subject matter than their students are expected to learn, but what and how much more is underspecified. In order to more characterize science teachers’ SMK, we present the science knowledge for teaching (SKT) model, which has been adapted from the mathematics education literature to apply to science education. The SKT model includes three domains: core content knowledge, specialized content knowledge, and linked content knowledge. We used this model to explore the SMK new secondary chemistry teachers in South Africa and the United States drew on when they explained the conservation of mass and analyzed a related teaching scenario, two important tasks of teaching. Findings indicated these new teachers drew on knowledge from all three SKT domains in order to engage in these tasks of teaching. This result suggests the potential of the SKT model to characterize the nature of science teachers’ SMK and thereby better inform teacher preparation and professional development programs.
Transfusion service knowledge and immunohaematological practices related to sickle cell disease and thalassemia
Authors: Fasano R. M. , Branscomb J. , Lane P. A. , Josephson C. D. , Snyder A. B. , Eckman J. R.
Published: February 2019

Objectives

To assess current knowledge of National Heart, Lung and Blood Institutes (NHLBI) and Thalassemia International Federation (TIF) recommendations, blood banking practices and perceived challenges among transfusion services in the management of patients with haemoglobinopathies.

Background

Previous reports have demonstrated variations in transfusion practices for sickle cell disease (SCD) and thalassemia patients. Recently, NHLBI/TIF have provided transfusion recommendations for patients with haemoglobinopathies.

Methods

A cross‐sectional survey was conducted of transfusion services from the state of Georgia previously identified as having SCD/thalassemia populations. The survey assessed transfusion service practices in pre‐transfusion testing and blood product selection; awareness/implementation of NHLBI/TIF transfusion‐based recommendations and perceived challenges in transfusing haemoglobinopathy patients.

Results

Responses were received from 35 of 49 (71%) institutions. Only institutions indicating transfusing SCD or thalassemia patients (32) were included in analysis. Seventy‐one percent of non‐sickle cell treatment centres (SCTCs) and 20% of non‐thalassemia treatment centres follow NHLBI and TIF recommendations to perform a red blood cell phenotype beyond ABO/Rh(D) and provide Rh and Kell prophylactically matched units for SCD and thalassemia patients, respectively. Forty percent of institutions (33% of non‐SCTCs) employ RBC genotyping to evaluate the red cell phenotype for SCD patients. Over 77% of institutions do not utilise a reliable method to identify SCD patients prior to transfusion, such as a required question/answer field on type/screen or crossmatch orders.

Conclusion

Many healthcare systems' transfusion practices for haemoglobinopathy patients are discordant with NHLBI/TIF recommendations. Efforts are needed to increase awareness and implementation of current recommendations among all transfusion services seeing these patients.
Immunotherapy: the good, the bad, the ugly, and the really ugly
Authors: Branch Donald R.
Published: February 2019

See article on page 730–737, in this issue
Contextual factors influencing donor recruitment and cord blood collection: perspectives of frontline staff of the Canadian Blood Services' Cord Blood Bank
Authors: Haw Jennie , Polzer Jessica , Devine Dana V.
Published: February 2019

BACKGROUND

Umbilical cord blood (CB) is an important source of hematopoietic stem cells that are used to treat blood‐ and immune‐system disorders. Public CB banks aim to build inventories with high‐quality CB units to meet healthcare needs. While research has noted the influence of broader contextual factors on donor recruitment and CB collection processes, to date, no published study has identified the specific contextual factors and challenges to donor recruitment and CB collection. This paper addresses this gap in the literature.

STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS

A qualitative case study focusing on donor recruitment and CB collection processes was conducted to identify the contextual factors influencing these processes. This paper reports the findings from in‐depth, semi‐structured interviews conducted with 15 frontline staff of the Canadian Blood Services' Cord Blood Bank. Interview data were analyzed using inductive interpretive methods to identify the contextual conditions and factors that influence recruitment and collection.

RESULTS

Frontline staff described various social factors that influenced and challenged the processes of donor recruitment and CB collection. These were categorized into four overlapping contexts: birthing context, hospital context, CB bank organizational context, and sociocultural context.

CONCLUSION

Consideration of social context is necessary in order to effectively address the factors and challenges that influence the successful development of high‐quality CB inventories, and to guide resource allocation. Further examination of contextually‐rooted factors and their interactions is necessary to optimize donor recruitment and CB collection processes.
Is surgical volume still the most accurate indicator of blood usage in the United States?
Authors: Savinkina Alexandra , Sapiano Mathew R. P. , Berger James , Basavaraju Sridhar V.
Published: February 2019

BACKGROUND

Estimates of blood collection and use in the United States derived from the National Blood Collection and Utilization Survey (NBCUS) call for application of robust statistical methods in the analysis of survey data. Since 1993, annual inpatient surgical volume has been used as the main stratification variable for sampling and estimation. However, recent NBCUS results have shown a decrease in blood use in surgical settings, raising the possibility that inpatient surgical volume may no longer be the optimal stratification variable. The objective of this study is to explore factors affecting hospital blood utilization.

STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS

A multivariate generalized linear regression with a negative binomial distribution was used to determine which hospital characteristics best explained allogeneic red blood cell (RBC) use, using data from the 2015 NBCUS to determine hospital blood use and the 2013 annual American Hospital Association database to identify hospital characteristics.

RESULTS

Annual inpatient surgical volume explained the most variation in allogeneic RBC use among hospitals (pseudo‐R2 of 70.8%). Additional variables, such as presence of an oncology service, were also statistically significant in the models but explained little additional variability in blood use.

CONCLUSION

These findings suggest that annual inpatient surgical volume is an appropriate indicator for estimating blood utilization in the United States. As trends in blood utilization continue to evolve, ongoing analytic efforts to understand indicators of blood use are necessary.
Computed tomographic features of intra‐abdominal hypertension in three dogs
Authors: Jang Min , Choi Sooyoung , Lee In , Lee Inhyung
Published: February 2019

Objective

To describe computed tomographic (CT) features of intra‐abdominal hypertension (IAH) in 3 dogs with abdominal distension.

Case Summary

Three dogs with anorexia, distended abdomen, or labored breathing were presented for CT imaging. All 3 dogs were premedicated with IV butorphanol (0.2 mg/kg). A Foley urinary catheter was aseptically placed and the transvesical technique was used to obtain intra‐abdominal pressure (IAP). The IAP measurements were obtained with the dogs in a standing position after a stabilization period of 5 minutes. The mean IAP values for each of the 3 dogs were 26.0, 12.0, and 13.0 mm Hg. Anesthesia was induced with IV propofol (2.0–4.0 mg/kg, to effect) in all 3 dogs and maintained with sevoflurane in 2 dogs. Compression of the caudal vena cava and elevation of the diaphragm were observed in all 3 dogs, whereas renal compression and the extension of peritoneal fluid to the vaginal canal and cavity were seen in the dog with the highest IAP.

New or Unique Information Provided

Compression of the caudal vena cava, direct renal compression, and the extension of peritoneal fluid into the vaginal canal and vaginal cavity are consistent with a diagnosis of IAH. Measurement of IAP and detection of these CT features should alert clinicians to the possible presence of IAH in veterinary patients.
Clinical and pathological findings in three dogs with a corneocentric presentation of nodular granulomatous episcleritis
Authors: Hamzianpour Negar , Heinrich Christine , Jones R. Gareth , McElroy Peter , Wilson Neil , Scurrell Emma
Published: February 2019

Purpose

To describe the clinical signs, management, histopathologic findings, and outcome of three dogs with a corneocentric presentation of nodular granulomatous episcleritis (NGE).

Methods

Three dogs of varying breeds were presented for a unilateral, nonpainful, and infiltrative corneal lesion in the dorsal aspect of the eye. Clinical response to symptomatic topical treatment directed at a presumed inflammatory or immune‐mediated cause was poor. Due to this, and concerns of neoplasia, ultrasonography (n = 1), incisional biopsy (n = 2), and/or enucleation (n = 2) were performed.

Results

The inflammatory infiltrate observed on histopathology was identical to that seen in nodular granulomatous episcleritis in all three cases. However, atypically the inflammation was confined to the cornea and limbus, without episcleral or conjunctival involvement. Inflammation of the cornea was full thickness to Descemet's membrane. Following enucleation (n = 2), there were no postoperative complications, and no reported ophthalmic disease in the remaining eye. Currently, the single non‐enucleated case remains controlled with systemic and topical immunosuppression.

Conclusion

To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this is the first report of an NGE condition purely affecting the full thickness of the cornea, without episcleral or conjunctival involvement. The authors propose this to represent an atypical corneocentric variant of NGE. This clinical presentation can resemble neoplasia; incisional biopsy is recommended for a definitive diagnosis. Further research into the optimal treatment strategies for this variant of NGE is required.
Intake design attributes and submerged vanes effects on sedimentation and shear stress
Authors: Karami Moghadam Mehdi , Amini Ata , Keshavarzi Alireza
Published: February 2019

Physical modelling was used to assess the effects of the inlet shape, angle, diverted flow discharge and submerged vanes on the rate of sediment entry, erosion and shear stress of the intake. Experiments were conducted in a 55−degree intake channel branched from a rectangular channel. The mouth of the intake was chosen in two forms of sharp and rounded edge. Sedimentation and erosion values were measured in discharges of 11 and 16.6 l/s in the main channel with the four diversion flow ratios as 0.2, 0.4, 0.6 and 0.8. The submerged vanes were used in parallel and zigzag arrangements at angles of 10° and 30°. The results showed that making the mouth of the intake as rounded edge causes increase in the erosion and decrease in the sedimentation and hence reduction in deposited sediments. The shear stress was less in the presence of submerged vanes compared to the mode without installing the vanes.
Development of Venturi-Tube With Spiral-Shaped Fin for Water Treatment
Authors: Ho Shin Dong , Gim Yeonghyeon , Kee Sohn Dong , Seo Ko Han
Published: February 2019

Detailed numerical data were presented for the development of a venturi-type water purifier which had a cavitation nozzle to enhance turbulent kinetic energy and vapor volume fraction. Numerical analysis for cavitation was conducted in multiphase flow using the software, cfx. The numerical method used in this study was verified by the experimental data of pressure distribution in tube and the observation of cavitation from previous studies. From the result of the numerical analysis, a logarithmic relation between the vapor volume fraction and volume flow rate of water according to the area ratio between the throat and the entrance of a venturi-tube was derived. In addition, spiral-shaped fins were developed to enhance the turbulent kinetic energy in the body of a venturi-tube. Thus, it was confirmed that the volume fraction and turbulent kinetic energy of the developed water purifier were enhanced compared with the normal venturi-tube without the spiral-shaped fin. Finally, the improved water treatment performance of the advanced design of the venturi-tube was confirmed by the removal test of the representative solutions.
Dissecting the Cell Entry Pathway of Baculovirus by Single-Particle Tracking and Quantitative Electron Microscopic Analysis
Authors: Qin Fujun , Xu Congrui , Hu Jia , Lei Chengfeng , Zheng Zhenhua , Peng Ke , Wang Hanzhong , Sun Xiulian
Published: February 2019

Baculoviruses are used widely as environmentally benign pesticides, protein expression systems, and potential mammalian gene delivery vectors. Despite the significant application value, little is known about the cell entry and endocytic trafficking pathways of baculoviruses. In this study, we demonstrated that the alphabaculovirus AcMNPV exhibited actin- and microtubule-dependent transport for nucleocapsid release predominantly from within early endosomes. In contrast to AcMNPV transduction in mammalian cells, its infection in host insect cells is facilitated by actin polymerization for internalization and microtubules for endocytic trafficking within early endosomes, implying that AcMNPV exhibits cell type specificity in the requirement of the cytoskeleton network. In addition, experimental depolymerization of microtubules impaired the progression of infection beyond enlarged early endosomes. This is the first study that dissects the cell entry pathway of baculoviruses in host cells at the single-particle level, which advances our understanding of the early steps of baculovirus entry.
Adaptation of an R5 Simian-Human Immunodeficiency Virus Encoding an HIV Clade A Envelope with or without Ablation of Adaptive Host Immunity: Differential Selection of Viral Mutants
Authors: Zhou Mingkui , Humbert Michael , Mukhtar Muhammad M. , Scinto Hanna B. , Vyas Hemant K. , Lakhashe Samir K. , Byrareddy Siddappa N. , Maurer Gregor , Thorat Swati , Owuor Joshua , Lai Zhao , Chen Yidong , Griffiths Anthony , Chenine Agnès-Laurence , Gumber Sanjeev , Villinger François , Montefiori David , Ruprecht Ruth M.
Published: February 2019

In this study, we constructed a simian-human immunodeficiency virus carrying an R5 Kenyan HIV-1 clade Aenv(SHIV-A). To bypass host immunity, SHIV-A was rapidly passaged in naive macaques or animals depleted of both CD8+and B cells. Next-generation sequencing identified different mutations that resulted from optimization of viral replicative fitness either in the absence of adaptive immunity or due to pressure from adaptive immune responses.
Nucleotide Resolution Comparison of Transcription of Human Cytomegalovirus and Host Genomes Reveals Universal Use of RNA Polymerase II Elongation Control Driven by Dissimilar Core Promoter Elements
Authors: Parida Mrutyunjaya , Nilson Kyle A. , Li Ming , Ball Christopher B. , Fuchs Harrison A. , Lawson Christine K. , Luse Donal S. , Meier Jeffery L. , Price David H.
Published: February 2019

Human cytomegalovirus infects more than half of humans, persists silently in virtually all tissues, and produces life-threatening disease in immunocompromised individuals. HCMV is also the most common infectious cause of birth defects and the leading nongenetic cause of sensorineural hearing loss in the United States. Because there is no vaccine and current drugs have problems with potency, toxicity, and antiviral drug resistance, alternative treatment strategies that target different points of viral control are needed. Our current study contributes to this goal by applying newly developed methods to examine transcription of the HCMV and host genomes at nucleotide resolution in an attempt to find targetable differences between the two. After a thorough analysis of productive elongation and of core promoter element usage, we found that some mechanisms of regulating transcription are shared between the host and HCMV but that others are distinctly different. This suggests that HCMV transcription may be a legitimate target for future antiviral therapies and this might translate to other herpesviruses.
A Genome-Wide Analysis of Adhesion in
Caulobacter crescentus
Identifies New Regulatory and Biosynthetic Components for Holdfast Assembly
Authors: Hershey David M. , Fiebig Aretha , Crosson Sean
Published: February 2019

Bacteria routinely encounter biotic and abiotic materials in their surrounding environments, and they often enlist specific behavioral programs to colonize these materials. Adhesion is an early step in colonizing a surface.
Caulobacter crescentus
produces a structure called the holdfast which allows this organism to attach to and colonize surfaces. To understand how the holdfast is produced, we performed a genome-wide search for genes that contribute to adhesion by selecting for mutants that could not attach to cheesecloth. We discovered complex interactions between genes that mediate surface contact and genes that contribute to holdfast development. Our genetic selection identified what likely represents a comprehensive set of genes required to generate a holdfast, laying the groundwork for a detailed characterization of the enzymes that build this specialized adhesin.
ACBD3 Is an Essential Pan-enterovirus Host Factor That Mediates the Interaction between Viral 3A Protein and Cellular Protein PI4KB
Authors: Lyoo Heyrhyoung , van der Schaar Hilde M. , Dorobantu Cristina M. , Rabouw Huib H. , Strating Jeroen R. P. M. , van Kuppeveld Frank J. M.
Published: February 2019

Similar to all other positive-strand RNA viruses, enteroviruses reorganize host cellular membranes for efficient genome replication. A host lipid kinase, PI4KB, plays an important role in this membrane rearrangement. The exact mechanism of how enteroviruses recruit PI4KB was unclear. Here, we revealed a role of a Golgi-residing protein, ACBD3, as a mediator of PI4KB recruitment upon enterovirus replication. ACBD3 is responsible for proper localization of enteroviral 3A proteins in host cells, which is important for 3A to recruit PI4KB. By testing ACBD3 and PI4KB mutants that abrogate the ACBD3-PI4KB interaction, we showed that this interaction is crucial for enterovirus replication. The importance of specific domains of ACBD3 was evaluated for the first time, and the domains that are essential for enterovirus replication were identified. Our findings open up a possibility for targeting ACBD3 or its interaction with enteroviruses as a novel strategy for the development of broad-spectrum antienteroviral drugs.
A Highly Polymorphic Receptor Governs Many Distinct Self-Recognition Types within the
Myxococcales
Order
Authors: Cao Pengbo , Wei Xueming , Awal Ram Prasad , Müller Rolf , Wall Daniel
Published: February 2019

Many biological species distinguish self from nonself by using different mechanisms. Higher animals recognize close kin via complex processes that often involve the five senses, cognition, and learning, whereas some microbes achieve self-recognition simply through the activity of a single genetic locus. Here we describe a single locus,
traA
, in myxobacteria that governs cell-cell recognition within natural populations. We found that
traA
is widespread across the order
Myxococcales
. TraA is highly polymorphic among diverse myxobacterial isolates, and such polymorphisms determine selectivity in self-recognition. Through bioinformatic and experimental analyses, we showed that
traA
governs many distinct recognition groups within
Myxococcales
. This report provides an example in which a single locus influences social recognition across a wide phylogenetic range of natural populations.
Complete Genome Sequence of O/VN1/2014, a Foot-and-Mouth Disease Virus of Serotype O Isolated in Vietnam in 2014
Authors: Lee HyunJi , Nah JinJu , Ryoo Soyoon , Kim Taeseong , Lee Sumee , Jung Semin , Lee Jinwoo , Park Hye-jin , Ha Byeong-suk , Lee Jeong-won , Nguyen Tho Dang , To Long Thanh , Wee Sung-Hwan , Ku Bok Kyung
Published: February 2019

In this article, we report the complete genome sequence of foot-and-mouth disease virus (FMDV) strain O/VN1/2014 isolated in Vietnam (Lao Cai) in 2014. The virus belongs to serotype O, topotype South East Asia (SEA), and genotype Mya-98 (O/SEA/Mya-98).
First Draft Genome Sequence of Leishmania (Viannia) lainsoni Strain 216-34, Isolated from a Peruvian Clinical Case
Authors: Lin Wuling , Batra Dhwani , Narayanan Vidhya , Rowe Lori A. , Sheth Mili , Zheng Yueli , Juieng Phalasy , Loparev Vladimir , de Almeida Marcos
Published: February 2019

We present here the first draft genome sequence of
Leishmania
(
Viannia
)
lainsoni
strain 216-34, sequenced using PacBio and MiSeq platforms. PacBio contigs were generated from
de novo
assemblies using CANU version 1.6 and polished using Illumina reads.
Calour: an Interactive, Microbe-Centric Analysis Tool
Authors: Xu Zhenjiang Zech , Amir Amnon , Sanders Jon , Zhu Qiyun , Morton James T. , Bletz Molly C. , Tripathi Anupriya , Huang Shi , McDonald Daniel , Jiang Lingjing , Knight Rob
Published: February 2019

Calour allows us to identify interesting microbial patterns and generate novel biological hypotheses by interactively inspecting microbiome studies and incorporating annotation databases and convenient statistical tools. Calour can be used as a first-step tool for microbiome data exploration.
Mindfulness-based and cognitive-based stress prevention in student teachers (startklar): study protocol of a randomised controlled trial
Authors: Eskic Jasmina , Kuhlmann Sophie Merle , Kreinbihl Katharina , Hammerle Florian
Published: February 2019

Introduction

Teachers and student teachers in Germany are a high-risk population for stress and stress-related mental health problems. This often leads to early retirement in subsequent professional life. Various trials have demonstrated positive effects of stress prevention training on the perceived stress and stress-related symptoms of teachers. Although many studies show positive effects of mindfulness-based stress interventions, there is not yet any mindfulness-based intervention for teachers or student teachers in Germany. The aim of this trial is to evaluate a training that combines mindfulness-based and cognitive interventions into one programme, addressing to the specific burdens of student teachers.

Methods and analysis

This study protocol presents a prospective block-randomised controlled trial. Assessment will take place at three time points (baseline, post-intervention, 3-month follow-up) for an intervention and waiting control group, and at a fourth assessment point for the waiting control group after receiving the training. The aim is to evaluate the effects of mindfulness-based stress prevention on stress, psychological morbidity, burnout and self-efficacy using validated measures. Participants are student teachers from German teacher training colleges and participation will be voluntary. The targeted total sample size is 96 at 3-month follow-up. The training will comprise three 4-hour sessions conducted every 2 weeks. The control group will participate in the training after the 3-month follow-up. The allotment will be randomised with a stratified allocation ratio by gender. After descriptive statistics have been evaluated, inferential statistical analysis will be conducted using repeated measures analysis of variance with interactions between time and group. Effect sizes will be calculated using partial η2values.

Ethics and dissemination

Results will be disseminated at conferences, in specialist magazines and through peer-reviewed publications. The trial has been approved by the ethics review board of the local medical association, Mainz, Germany, under the reference number 837.192.16 (10511).

Trial registration number

DRKS00010897.
Factors associated with receiving surgical treatment for menorrhagia in England and Wales: findings from a cohort study of the National Heavy Menstrual Bleeding Audit
Authors: Geary Rebecca Sally , Gurol-Urganci Ipek , Kiran Amit , Cromwell David A , Bansi-Matharu Loveleen , Shakespeare Judy , Mahmood Tahir , van der Meulen Jan
Published: February 2019

Objective

To examine the factors associated with receiving surgery for heavy menstrual bleeding (HMB) in England and Wales.

Design

National cohort study.

Setting

National Health Service hospitals.

Participants

Women with HMB aged 18–60 who had a new referral to secondary care.

Methods

Patient-reported data linked to administrative hospital data. Risk ratios (RR) estimated using multivariable Poisson regression.

Primary outcome measure

Surgery within 1 year of first outpatient clinic visit.

Results

14 545 women were included. At their first clinic visit, mean age was 42 years, mean symptom severity score was 62 (scale ranging from 0 (least) to 100 (most severe)), 73.9% of women reported having symptoms for >1 year and 30.4% reported no prior treatment in primary care. One year later, 42.6% had received surgery. Of these, 57.8% had endometrial ablation and 37.2% hysterectomy. Women with more severe symptoms were more likely to have received surgery (most vs least severe quintile, 33.1% vs 56.0%; RR 1.6, 95% CI 1.5 to 1.7). Surgery was more likely among those who reported prior primary care treatment compared with those who did not (48.0% vs 31.1%; RR 1.5, 95% CI 1.4 to 1.6). Surgery was less likely among Asian and more likely among black women, compared with white women. Surgery was not associated with socioeconomic deprivation.

Conclusions

Receipt of surgery for HMB depends on symptom severity and prior treatment in primary care. Referral pathways should be locally audited to ensure women with HMB receive care that addresses their individual needs and preferences, especially for those who do not receive treatment in primary care.
The influence of perceived medical risks and psychosocial concerns on photoprotection behaviours among adults with xeroderma pigmentosum: a qualitative interview study in the UK
Authors: Morgan Myfanwy , Anderson Rebecca , Walburn Jessica , Weinman John , Sarkany Robert
Published: February 2019

Background

A high level of photoprotection is required by people with xeroderma pigmentosum (XP), a rare skin disease, to reduce skin cancer and other risks. However poor photoprotection is thought to be widespread.

Purpose

This study examines the influences on photoprotection behaviours in adults with XP.

Design

Inductive qualitative study with semistructured interviews. Analysis employed a framework approach.

Setting

National sample recruited through a specialist XP centre in London.

Methods

Semistructured interviews at patients’ homes. All transcripts were coded and themes charted for each participant. Comparisons within and across cases identified common themes and differing motivations and approaches to photoprotection. Credibility of interpretations assessed through patient/carer input and clinic adherence scores.

Participants

25 adults (17 male, eight female) aged 16–63 years with diagnosed XP attending a specialist centre. 18 lived outside London.

Results

Awareness of risks of ultraviolet radiation (UVR) and photoprotection was high. However, photoprotection behaviours varied according to perceived necessity and concerns. Three behavioural responses were identified: (1)‘dominated’by planning and routines to achieve a high level of photoprotection with significant activity restrictions and psychosocial impacts. (2) ‘resistant’to photoprotection with priority given to avoiding an illness identity and enjoying a normal life. (3) Photoprotection’integrated’ with an individual’s life with little psychosocial impact. These responses were influenced by illness, personal and contextual factors including age, life stage and social support. Only the ‘integrated’ group achieved an equilibrium between perceived ‘necessity’ and ‘concerns’.

Conclusions

The personal balance between perceived risks of UVR and social/psychological ‘concerns’ led to differing behavioural responses and contributes to an understanding of adaptation and normalisation in chronic illness. The study will also inform a series of individualised behavioural interventions to reduce measured UVR exposure among people with XP that are potentially applicable to other conditions with high risks of skin cancer.
Family Violence Curricula in Europe (FAVICUE): a cross-sectional descriptive study protocol
Authors: Gómez Bravo Raquel , Lygidakis Charilaos , Feder Gene , Reuter Robert A P , Vögele Claus
Published: February 2019

Introduction

Family violence (FV) is a widespread public health problem of epidemic proportions and serious consequences. Doctors may be the first or only point of contact for victims who may be hesitant or unable to seek other sources of assistance, and they tend not to disclose abuse to doctors if not specifically asked. A comprehensive healthcare response is key to a coordinated community-wide approach to FV, but most of the practising physicians have received either no or insufficient education or training in any aspect of FV. Training of medical students concerning FV is often delivered in an inconsistent or ad hoc manner.

The main aim of this project, Family Violence Curricula in Europe (FAVICUE), is to (1) describe current FV education delivery in European medical universities (undergraduate period) and during the specialist training in general practice (GP)/family medicine (FM) (postgraduate residency programme), and (2) compare it with WHO recommendations for FV curriculum.

Methods and analysis

This is the protocol of a cross-sectional descriptive study consisting of two self-report online surveys (for undergraduate and postgraduate training, respectively) with 40 questions each. For both surveys, general practitioners, residents, medical students and professionals involved in their education from countries of the European region will be identified through the European Regional Branch of the World Organization of National Colleges, Academies and Academic Associations of General Practitioners/Family Physicians (WONCA Europe) and will be invited to provide information regarding the training on FV. Descriptive tests will be carried out and a thematic analysis will be conducted on the open-ended questions.

Ethics and dissemination

Ethics approval has been obtained by the University of Luxembourg (ERP 17–015 FAVICUE). The results will provide important information concerning current curricula on FV, and can be used for mapping the educational needs and planning the implementation of future training interventions. They will be published and disseminated through WONCA Europe and its networks.
Respiratory chain polymorphisms and obesity in the Spanish population, a cross-sectional study
Authors: de Marco Griselda , Garcia-Garcia Ana Barbara , Real Jose Tomas , Gonzalez-Albert Veronica , Briongos-Figuero Laisa-Socorro , Cobos-Siles Marta , Lago-Sampedro Ana , Corbaton Arturo , Teresa Martinez-Larrad Maria , Carmena Rafael , Martin-Escudero Juan Carlos , Rojo-Martínez Gemma , Chaves Felipe Javier
Published: February 2019

Objective

To study the association of genes involved in the mitochondrial respiratory chain (MRC) pathway with body mass index (BMI) and obesity risk.

Design

This work studies three cross-sectional populations from Spain, representing three provinces: HORTEGA (Valladolid, Northwest/Centre), SEGOVIA (Segovia, Northwest/centre) and PIZARRA (Malaga,South).

Setting

Forty-eight single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) from MRC genes were selected and genotyped by SNPlex method. Association studies with BMI and obesity risk were performed for each population. These associations were then verified by analysis of the studied population as a whole (3731 samples).

Participants

A total of 3731 Caucasian individuals: 1502 samples from HORTEGA, 988 from PIZARRA and 1241 from SEGOVIA.

Results

rs4600063 (SDHC), rs11205591 (NDUFS5) and rs10891319 (SDHD) SNPs were associated with BMI and obesity risk (p values for BMI were 0.04, 0.0011 and 0.0004, respectively, and for obesity risk, 0.0072, 0.039 and 0.0038). However, associations between rs4600063 and BMI and between these three SNPs and obesity risk are not significant if Bonferroni correction is considered. In addition, rs11205591 and rs10891319 polymorphisms showed an additive interaction with BMI and obesity risk.

Conclusions

Several polymorphisms from genes coding MRC proteins may be involved in BMI variability and could be related to the risk to become obese in the Spanish general population.
Are more experienced clinicians better able to tolerate uncertainty and manage risks? A vignette study of doctors in three NHS emergency departments in England
Authors: Lawton Rebecca , Robinson Olivia , Harrison Rebecca , Mason Suzanne , Conner Mark , Wilson Brad
Published: February 2019

Background

Risk aversion among junior doctors that manifests as greater intervention (ordering of tests, diagnostic procedures and so on) has been proposed as one of the possible causes for increased pressure in emergency departments (EDs). Here we tested the prediction that doctors with more experience would be more tolerant of uncertainty and therefore less risk-averse in decision making.

Methods

In this cross-sectional, vignette-based study, doctors working in three EDs were asked to complete a questionnaire measuring experience (length of service in EDs), reactions to uncertainty (Gerrity et al, 1995) and risk aversion (responses about the appropriateness of patient management decisions).

Results

Data from 90 doctors were analysed. Doctors had worked in the ED for between 5 weeks and 21 years. We found a large association between experience and risk aversion so that more experienced clinicians made less risk-averse decisions (r=0.47, p<0.001). We also found a large association between experience and reactions to uncertainty (r=−0.50, p<0.001), with more experienced doctors being much more at ease with uncertainty. Mediation analyses indicated that tolerance of uncertainty partially mediated the relationship between experience and lower risk aversion, explaining about a quarter of the effect.

Conclusion

While we might be tempted to conclude from this research that experience and the ability to tolerate uncertainty lead to positive outcomes for patients (less risk-averse management strategies and higher levels of safety netting), what we are unable to conclude from this design is that these less risk-averse strategies improve patient safety.
Exhaustion of the immune system by Group A Streptococcus necrotizing fasciitis: the occurrence of late secondary infections in a retrospective study
Authors: Nawijn Femke , Wassenaar Emma C E , Smeeing Diederik P J , Vlaminckx Bart J M , Reinders Jan Siert K , Wille Jan , Leenen Luke P H , Hietbrink Falco
Published: February 2019

Background

Necrotizing fasciitis is a potentially lethal condition for which early and adequate treatment with surgical debridement and broad-spectrum intravenous antibiotics are essential for survival. It is hypothesized that Group A Streptococcus (GAS) necrotizing fasciitis causes exhaustion of the immune system, making these patients more susceptible for late secondary infections.

Methods

A retrospective study was conducted of all patients with necrotizing fasciitis between 2002 and 2016. Patients with necrotizing fasciitis based on macroscopic findings, positive Gram staining, culture or fresh frozen section of fascia biopsies were included. Patients with necrotizing fasciitis were divided into two groups based on the presence of GAS. Of both groups, clinical course, outcome and occurrence of late secondary infections were analyzed. For the occurrence of secondary infections, pneumonia was chosen as reference for late secondary infections.

Results

Eighty-one patients with necrotizing fasciitis were included of which 38 (47%) had GAS necrotizing fasciitis and 43 (53%) had non-GAS necrotizing fasciitis. Patients with GAS necrotizing fasciitis were younger (50 vs. 61 years, p=0.023) and more often classified as ASA I (45% vs. 14%, p=0.002) compared with patients with non-GAS necrotizing fasciitis. In-hospital mortality rate for necrotizing fasciitis was 32%. Patients with comorbidities were more likely to die of necrotizing fasciitis compared with patients without comorbidities (OR 7.41, 95% CI 1.58 to 34.63). Twelve patients (39%) with GAS necrotizing fasciitis developed pneumonia compared with four patients (13%) with non-GAS necrotizing fasciitis (p=0.017; OR 4.42, 95% CI 1.124 to 15.79). Median time from diagnosis to development of pneumonia in patients with GAS necrotizing fasciitis was 10 days (IQR 9).

Conclusion

Patients with GAS necrotizing fasciitis have an increased risk to develop late secondary infections during initial treatment for necrotizing fasciitis compared with patients with necrotizing fasciitis without involvement of GAS. This suggests exhaustion of the immune system after severe GAS infection.

Level of evidence

III
Copper iodide and ZnO nanoparticles catalyzed multicomponent synthesis of 1,3-cyclopentadiene: study of antioxidant activity
Authors: Ezzatzadeh Elham , Hossaini Zinatossadat , Varasteh Moradi Ali , Salimifard Masoomeh , Afshari-Sharif Abad Saeid
Published: February 2019

Zinc oxide (ZnO) nanoparticles, as a simple and recyclable catalyst, were easily synthesized and used for the synthesis of 1,3-cyclopentadiene derivatives by a four-component reaction of terminal alkynes, sulfonyl azides, activated acetylenic compounds, and isocyanides in the presence of copper iodide in acetonitrile at room temperature. In these reactions, 1,3-cyclopentadiene derivatives were obtained in good yield and in a short reaction time. In this research, antioxidant activity was investigated for the some newly synthesized compounds such as 5a–5d using the DPPH radical trapping and reducing potential tests of ferric ion and comparing results with synthetic antioxidants (TBHQ and BHT). In this study, compounds 5a–5d show good DPPH radical trapping and excellent reducing power of ferric ion.
How to make assisted driving Hamiltonian useful in quantum adiabatic computation?
Authors: Sun Jie , Lu Songfeng , Li Li
Published: February 2019

It is known that when the initial state has no overlap with the final state in an adiabatic computation, an extra assisted driving Hamiltonian has to be used to avoid the failure of quantum adiabatic algorithm. This assisted Hamiltonian has a relatively fixed form, which can be seen in the related literature but the mechanism behind it is still not clear enough. In this paper, we discuss the usefulness of a generalized form of assisted driving Hamiltonian in adiabatic evolution which may shed light on this problem.
Visual Exploration of Air Quality Data with a Time-correlation-partitioning Tree Based on Information Theory
Authors: Guo Fangzhou , Gu Tianlong , Chen Wei , Wu Feiran , Wang Qi , Shi Lei , Qu Huamin
Published: February 2019

Discovering the correlations among variables of air quality data is challenging, because the correlation time series are long-lasting, multi-faceted, and information-sparse. In this article, we propose a novel visual representation, called Time-correlation-partitioning (TCP) tree, that compactly characterizes correlations of multiple air quality variables and their evolutions. A TCP tree is generated by partitioning the information-theoretic correlation time series into pieces with respect to the variable hierarchy and temporal variations, and reorganizing these pieces into a hierarchically nested structure. The visual exploration of a TCP tree provides a sparse data traversal of the correlation variations and a situation-aware analysis of correlations among variables. This can help meteorologists understand the correlations among air quality variables better. We demonstrate the efficiency of our approach in a real-world air quality investigation scenario.
Web Portals for High-performance Computing
Authors: Calegari Patrice , Levrier Marc , Balczyński Paweł
Published: February 2019

This article addresses web interfaces for High-performance Computing (HPC) simulation software. First, it presents a brief history, starting in the 1990s with Java applets, of web interfaces used for accessing and making best possible use of remote HPC resources. It introduces HPC web-based portal use cases. Then it identifies and discusses the key features, among functional and non-functional requirements, that characterize such portals. A brief state of the art is then presented. The design and development of Bull extreme factory Computing Studio v3 (XCS3) is chosen as a common thread for showing how the identified key features can all be implemented in one software: multi-tenancy, multi-scheduler compatibility, complete control through an HTTP RESTful API, customizable user interface with Responsive Web Design, HPC application template framework, remote visualization, and access through the Authentication, Authorization, and Accounting security framework with the Role-Based Access Control permission model. Non-functional requirements (security, usability, performance, reliability) are discussed, and the article concludes by giving perspective for future work.
Network Management of Multicluster RT-WiFi Networks
Authors: Leng Quan , Chen Wei-Ju , Huang Pei-Chi , Wei Yi-Hung , Mok Aloysius K. , Han Song
Published: February 2019

Applying wireless technologies in cyber-physical systems (CPSs) has received significant attention in recent years. In our previous work, a high-speed and flexible real-time wireless communication protocol called RT-WiFi was designed to support a wide range of CPSs, and we presented an implementation with a single access point (AP). To serve the CPS applications with communication nodes geographically distributed over a large area, multicluster RT-WiFi networks with multiple APs need to be deployed. Although effective scheduling algorithms have been designed to schedule tasks in RT-WiFi networks with a single AP, uncoordinated packet transmissions from multicluster RT-WiFi networks may suffer from cochannel interferences that cause performance degradation. The multicluster RT-WiFi network management problem is to resolve the cochannel interference through channel assignment for clusters and through phasing assignment for communication tasks. In this article, we first derive a conjunctive normal form encoding of the problem and design a TScheduler that searches feasible solutions through the SAT solver. A novel LRTree Scheduler is further designed to solve the problem in chain graphs while keeping the number of used channels small and the network management overhead low. A testbed of the multicluster RT-WiFi network is deployed to validate the design of the multicluster RT-WiFi network and evaluate the performance of the proposed scheduling algorithms compared to the contention-based methods in regular WiFi networks. Performance of these scheduling algorithms in large-scale networks is further evaluated through extensive simulations on both static and dynamic multicluster RT-WiFi networks.
Optimal Rate Control for Energy-Harvesting Systems with Random Data and Energy Arrivals
Authors: Jia Riheng , Zhang Jinbei , Liu Xiao-Yang , Liu Peng , Fu Luoyi , Wang Xinbing
Published: February 2019

Due to the random and dynamic energy-harvesting process, it is challenging to conduct optimal rate control in Energy-Harvesting Communication Systems (EHCSs). Existing works mainly focus on two cases: (1) the traffic load is infinite (as long as there is energy, there is data to transmit), in which the objective is to optimize the rate control policy subject to the dynamic energy arrivals, thus maximizing the average system throughput; and (2) the traffic load is finite, in which the objective is to optimize the rate control policy, thus minimizing the time by which all packets are delivered. In this work, we focus on the optimal rate control of EHCSs from another important and practical perspective, where the data and energy arrivals are both random. Given any deadline of
T
, our goal is to maximize the total throughput in [0,
T
]. Specifically, two scenarios are considered: (1) energy is ready before the transmission; and (2) energy arrives randomly during the transmission. In both scenarios, we assume that the data arrive randomly during the transmission. For the first scenario, we develop a novel Stepwise Searching Algorithm (SSA) based on the cumulative curve methodology, which is shown to achieve the optimal solution and the complexity grows only linearly with the problem size. In addition, the SSA can provide a simple and appealing graphical visualization of approximating the optimal solution. For the second scenario, we provide a simplified case study that can be solved by the SSA with low computation overhead and demonstrate the difficulties in solving the general setting, which initiates a first step toward the full understanding of the scenario when energy arrives randomly during the transmission.