bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Managing Transboundary Crises: The Emergence ofEuropeanUnion Capacity
Authors: Boin Arjen , Rhinard Mark , Ekengren Magnus
Published: May 2014

TheEuropeanUnion (EU) has modest but promising capacities to assist member states overwhelmed by disaster through itsCivilProtectionMechanism. TheEUalso routinely sends civil and military missions to hotspots outsideEUterritory. But these capacities do not suffice in the face of transboundary crises: threats that cross geographical and policy borders within theUnion. Examples include epidemics, financial crises, floods, and cyber terrorism. Nation states cannot cope with these threats without international collaboration. In this article, we explore theEU's efforts to develop transboundary crisis management capacities. We describe these budding capacities, explain their policy origins, and explore their future potential.
Pilot study assessing the novel use of musculoskeletal ultrasound in patients with rheumatoid arthritis to improve patient attitudes and adherence to medication
Authors: Joplin Samantha K. , van der Zwan Rick , Bagga Hanish , Joshua Fred , Wong Peter K. K.
Published: May 2014

Objective

To determine if showing patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) ultrasound (US) images of their inflamed joints: (i) increased belief in the necessity of medication; (ii) encouraged patient activation, that is, confidence and understanding in managing their health; and (iii) facilitated medication adherence.

Method

Eighteen patients aged ≥ 18 years old with active RA (DAS28 [Disease Activity Score of 28 joints] > 2.6) requiring increased immunosuppression were included. The following questionnaires were administered at baseline (T1), 3 days post‐US (T2) and 10 days post‐US (T3): (i) Beliefs about Medicines Questionnaire (BMQ) to measure the cost‐benefit analysis made by patients regarding the necessity versus concern of medication; (ii) Patient Activation Measure (PAM‐13) to assess patient activation; (iii) Compliance Questionnaire‐Rheumatology (CQR) to measure medication adherence; and (iv) Routine Assessment of Patient Index‐3 (RAPID3) to assess physical function, pain and global status. US of ≥ 1 clinically affected joints was performed on one occasion with an explanation of findings.

Results

Patient cost‐benefit decisions shifted positively following US, that is, favored belief in the necessity of medication with a mean ± SD cost‐benefit ratio (possible range − 20 to + 20) at T1 of 1.17 ± 6.10 which increased to 2.54 ± 5.38 at T2 and 4.06 ± 5.76 at T3, P = 0.043 by analysis of variance (anova). PAM‐13, CQR and RAPID3 scores remained stable (all P > 0.05 by anova).

Conclusion

Showing patients with RA ‘real‐time’ US images of clinically inflamed joints resulted in a more favorable cost‐benefit analysis, that is, increased patient belief in the necessity of medication versus concern about taking medication. There was no change in patient activation, medication adherence or disease severity.
Variations of the sciatic nerve anatomy and blood supply in the gluteal region: a review of the literature
Authors: Kanawati Andrew James
Published: May 2014

Variations of the sciatic nerve anatomy and blood supply are complex and largely not dealt with in common anatomy texts. Variations of the sciatic nerve anatomy can be divided into the height of division of its branches, relation of the branches to the piriformis muscle, and its blood supply. These variations should be well known to any surgeon operating in this anatomical region. It is unknown whether these variations increase the risk of surgical injury and consequent morbidity. This paper will review the current knowledge regarding anatomical variations of the sciatic nerve and its blood supply.
Effect of Geometrical Parameters on the Performance of Longitudinal Functionally Graded Femoral Prostheses
Authors: Oshkour Azim Ataollahi , Talebi Hossein , Seyed Shirazi Seyed Farid , Yau Yat Huang , Tarlochan Faris , Abu Osman Noor Azuan
Published: May 2014

This study aimed to assess the performance of different longitudinal functionally graded femoral prostheses. This study was also designed to develop an appropriate prosthetic geometric design for longitudinal functionally graded materials. Three‐dimensional models of the femur and prostheses were developed and analyzed. The elastic modulus of these prostheses in the sagittal plane was adjusted along a gradient direction from the distal end to the proximal end. Furthermore, these prostheses were composed of titanium alloy and hydroxyapatite. Results revealed that strain energy, interface stress, and developed stress in the femoral prosthesis and the bone were influenced by prosthetic geometry and gradient index. In all of the prostheses with different geometries, strain energy increased as gradient index increased. Interface stress and developed stress decreased. The minimum principal stress and the maximum principal stress of the bone slightly increased as gradient index increased. Hence, the combination of the femoral prosthetic geometry and functionally graded materials can be employed to decrease stress shielding. Such a combination can also be utilized to achieve equilibrium in terms of the stress applied on the implanted femur constituents; thus, the lifespan of total hip replacement can be prolonged.
G‐Factor, a Suitable Tool for Characterization of Ancient Ceramics: Application to Monitoring Amphorae Phase Transformations in Firing
Authors: Compana J. M. , Cabeza A. , Macias J. , Aranda M. A. G. , León‐Reina L.
Published: May 2014

The thick Pliocene clay beds located along the mouth of the Guadalhorce River in Malaga were used in the Roman era for amphorae production related to the ever‐growing production of garum and salted fish. As a first step in their archaeometric characterization, a series of firing tests on the potential raw material have been carried out. The main aim of this work is to obtain a suitable tool for estimating the firing temperatures of those amphorae, as well as to make a comprehensive evaluation of the potential of an innovative external‐standard method for measuring the amorphous content of a pottery sample, the G‐factor method. The obtained results emphasize a highly amorphous content, over 50 wt% in some samples, which varies with the firing temperature. This shows the potential of this technique, which allows straightforward fully quantitative mineralogical analysis and a mineralogical comparison even between samples fired at very different temperatures.
A Distributed Model: Redefining a Robust Research Subject Advocacy Program at the Harvard Clinical and Translational Science Center
Authors: Winkler Sabune J. , Cagliero Enrico , Witte Elizabeth , Bierer Barbara E.
Published: May 2014

The Harvard Clinical and Translational Science Center (“Harvard Catalyst”) Research Subject Advocacy (RSA) Program has reengineered subject advocacy, distributing the delivery of advocacy functions through a multi‐institutional, central platform rather than vesting these roles and responsibilities in a single individual functioning as a subject advocate. The program is process‐oriented and output‐driven, drawing on the strengths of participating institutions to engage local stakeholders both in the protection of research subjects and in advocacy for subjects’ rights. The program engages stakeholder communities in the collaborative development and distributed delivery of accessible and applicable educational programming and resources. The Harvard Catalyst RSA Program identifies, develops, and supports the sharing and distribution of expertise, education, and resources for the benefit of all institutions, with a particular focus on the frontline: research subjects, researchers, research coordinators, and research nurses.
Clinical and Translational Research Capacity Building Needs in Minority Medical and Health Science Hispanic Institutions
Authors: Estapé‐Garrastazu Estela S. , Noboa‐Ramos Carlamarie , De Jesús‐Ojeda Lizbelle , De Pedro‐Serbiá Zulmarie , Acosta‐Pérez Edna , Camacho‐Feliciano Delia M.
Published: May 2014

A preliminary needs assessment was conducted among faculty and students of three minority medical and health science institutions comprising the Puerto Rico Clinical and Translational Research Consortium (PRCTRC). The Web‐based survey was focused on evaluating the training interests in the clinical and translational research core areas and competencies developed by the National Institutes of Health‐Clinical and Translational Sciences Award. The survey was the result of a team effort of three PRCTRC key function's leaderships: Multidisciplinary Training and Career Development, Tracking and Evaluation and Community Research and Engagement. The questionnaire included 45 items distributed across five content areas including demographics, research training needs, training activities coordination and knowledge about the services offered by the PRCTRC. Analysis of research needs includes a sample distribution according to professor, assistant/associate professor and graduate students. The thematic area with highest response rate among the three groups was: “Identify major clinical/public health problems and relevant translational research questions,” with the competency “Identify basic and preclinical studies that are potential testable clinical research hypothesis.” These preliminary results will guide the training and professional development of the new generation of clinical and translational researchers needed to eliminate health disparities.
An assessment of riparian restoration outcomes in two rural catchments in south‐western Victoria: Focusing on tree and shrub species richness, structure and recruitment characteristics
Authors: Wevill Tricia , Florentine Singarayer K.
Published: May 2014

Riparian ecosystems are among the most degraded systems in the landscape, and there has been substantial investment in their restoration. Consequently, monitoring restoration interventions offers opportunities to further develop the science of riparian restoration, particularly how to move from small‐scale implementation to a broader landscape scale. Here, we report on a broad range of riparian revegetation projects in two regions of south‐western Victoria, the Corangamite and Glenelg‐Hopkins Catchment Management Areas. The objectives of restoration interventions in these regions have been stated quite broadly, for example, to reinstate terrestrial habitat and biodiversity, control erosion and improve water quality. This study reports on tree and shrub composition, structure and recruitment after restoration works compared with remnant vegetation found regionally. Within each catchment, a total of 57 sites from six subcatchments were identified, representing three age‐classes: <4, 4–8 and >8–12 years after treatment, as well as untreated (control) sites. Treatments comprised fencing to exclude stock, spraying or slashing to reduce weed cover, followed by planting with tube stock. Across the six subcatchments, 12 reference (remnant) sites were used to provide a benchmark for species richness, structural and recruitment characteristics and to aid interpretation of the effects of the restoration intervention. Vegetation structure was well developed in the treated sites by 4–8 years after treatment. However, structural complexity was higher at remnant sites than at treated or untreated sites due to a higher richness of small shrubs. Tree and shrub recruitment occurred in all remnant sites and at 64% of sites treated >4 years ago. Most seedling recruitment at treatment sites was by Acacia spp. This assessment provides data on species richness, structure and recruitment characteristics following restoration interventions. Data from this study will contribute to longitudinal studies of vegetation processes in riparian landscapes of south‐western Victoria.
Microsite factors influencing Eucalyptus regeneration in temperate woodlands
Authors: Wilson Nicholas , Gibbons Philip
Published: May 2014

Natural regeneration of Eucalyptus is a major problem for the restoration and preservation of temperate woodlands. South‐eastern Australia experienced a period of above average rainfall from mid‐2010 to early 2011, creating favourable conditions for localised Eucalyptus regeneration. We conducted a case–control study comparing sites where natural regeneration from seed was present and absent. Vegetation cover, soil condition and hydrophobicity, as well as shelter objects and landscape position, were recorded to identify what influences natural regeneration from seed. Using conditional logistic regression, we found the odds of regeneration occurring increased with uphill slope angle and herbaceous cover. Our results suggest that, during periods of high rainfall, stable microsites that capture seed and resources are most likely to support Eucalyptus regeneration.
Using electrographic sleep elements to determine outcome of critically ill patients with acute encephalopathy
Authors: Legriel S. , Young G. B.
Published: May 2014

Click here to view the accompanying paper in this issue.
X‐ray structure of a novel l‐ribose isomerase acting on a non‐natural sugar l‐ribose as its ideal substrate
Authors: Yoshida Hiromi , Yoshihara Akihide , Teraoka Misa , Terami Yuji , Takata Goro , Izumori Ken , Kamitori Shigehiro
Published: May 2014

l‐Ribose, a pentose, is not known to exist in nature. Although organisms typically do not have a metabolic pathway that uses l‐ribose as a carbon source, prokaryotes use various sugars as carbon sources for survival. Acinetobacter sp. DL‐28 has been shown to express the novel enzyme, l‐ribose isomerase (AcL‐RbI), which catalyzes reversible isomerization between l‐ribose and l‐ribulose. AcL‐RbI showed the highest activity to l‐ribose, followed by d‐lyxose with 47% activity, and had no significant amino acid sequence similarity to structure‐known proteins, except for weak homology with the d‐lyxose isomerases from Escherichia coli O157 : H7 (18%) and Bacillus subtilis strain (19%). Thus, AcL‐RbI is expected to have the unique three‐dimensional structure to recognize l‐ribose as its ideal substrate. The X‐ray structures of AcL‐RbI in complexes with substrates were determined. AcL‐RbI had a cupin‐type β‐barrel structure, and the catalytic site was found between two large β‐sheets with a bound metal ion. The catalytic site structures clearly showed that AcL‐RbI adopted a cis‐enediol intermediate mechanism for the isomerization reaction using two glutamate residues (Glu113 and Glu204) as acid/base catalysts. In its crystal form, AcL‐RbI formed a unique homotetramer with many substrate sub‐binding sites, which likely facilitated capture of the substrate.

Database

The atomic coordinates and structure factors of AcL‐RbI/l‐ribose, AcL‐RbI/l‐ribulose, AcL‐RbI/ribitol, E204Q/l‐ribose and E204Q/l‐ribulose have been deposited in the Protein Data Bank under accession codes, 4Q0P, 4Q0Q, 4Q0S, 4Q0U and 4Q0V.

Structured digital abstract

• AcL-RbI and AcL-RbI bind by x-ray crystallography (View interaction).
Surviving the effects of barotrauma: assessing treatment options and a ‘natural’ remedy to enhance the release survival of line caught pink snapper (Pagrus auratus)
Authors: McLennan M. F. , Campbell M. J. , Sumpton W. D.
Published: May 2014

A new technique to ameliorate the effects of barotrauma was tested based on observations of pink snapper, Pagrus auratus (Forster), inadvertently piercing their everted stomach with their teeth and releasing trapped swim bladder gases. This technique was termed buccal venting and involved piercing the everted stomach protruding into the buccal cavity or out of the mouth with a 16‐gauge hypodermic needle (a practice previously not encouraged). Short‐term (~3 days) survival of buccal‐vented fish was not significantly different from laterally vented fish nor untreated controls. Both buccal and lateral venting techniques were shown to cause no harm and allowed fish to return to depth. The short‐term (1–3 days) post‐release survival of line caught snapper was 88% with no significant difference in survival across three depth ranges tested (37–50, 51–100 and 101–180 m). Survival of sublegal pink snapper (<35 cm TL) was not significantly different (P > 0.05) from that of legal‐sized fish (≥35 cm TL). Healing of the swim bladder was observed in 27% of pink snapper dissected after ≤3 days in captivity, and healing of stomachs was observed in 64% of pink snapper that had been buccal vented. Relatively high post‐release survival rates of line caught pink snapper may offer some protection for snapper stocks where high fishing pressure and legal size restrictions result in the majority of the catch having to be released.
Mediator MED18 subunit plays a negative role in transcription via the CDK/cyclin module
Authors: Kumafuji Masayuki , Umemura Hiroyasu , Furumoto Tadashi , Fukasawa Rikiya , Tanaka Aki , Ohkuma Yoshiaki
Published: May 2014

The Mediator complex (Mediator) is conserved among eukaryotes and is comprised of head, middle, tail and CDK/cyclin modules. The head module has received the most attention because its interaction with RNA polymerase II (Pol II) and the general transcription factors TFIIH and TBP facilitates phosphorylation of the carboxy‐terminal domain (CTD) of the largest subunit of Pol II. We studied the human head module subunit hMED18 to elucidate how Mediator is involved in both transcriptional activation and repression. siRNA‐mediated hMED18 depletion augmented transcription, indicating that hMED18 functions in transcriptional repression. Treatment of cells with two histone deacetylase (HDAC) inhibitors, the HDAC inhibitor trichostatin A (TSA) and the SIRT inhibitor nicotinamide showed that this repression was not caused by those HDAC activities. A screen for hMED18‐target genes showed that the promoters for cap RNA methyltransferase RNMT‐activating mini protein (RAM/FAM103A1) and divalent metal transporter 1 (DMT1/SLC11A2) genes were bound by hMED18. Depletion of hMED18 showed hMED18 and the middle module subunit hMED1 were lost from the promoters of those genes, whereas the CDK/cyclin module subunit hCDK8 remained bound. This indicates a novel transcriptional repression mechanism of hMED18 mediated by hCDK8 and further a novel positive role of free CDK/cyclin module in transcriptional activation. [Correction added on 12 June 2014, after first online publication: SLC11A2 amended from SCL11A2.]
Development and preliminary testing of an instrument to measure healthiness of lifestyle among breast cancer survivors
Authors: Wang Hsiu‐Ho , Chung Ue‐Lin , Tsay Shiow‐Luan , Hsieh Pi‐Ching , Su Hui‐Fang , Lin Kuan‐Chia
Published: May 2014

Monitoring lifestyle to maintain health is an important issue for breast cancer survivors. No multidimensional instrument has previously been available specifically for assessing overall healthiness of lifestyle among breast cancer survivors. This study aims (i) to establish the Healthy Lifestyle Instrument for Breast Cancer Survivors (HLI‐BCS) and (ii) to examine the reliability and validity of the established scale. A quantitative cross‐sectional design was used. This project was conducted in four phases. In phase I, using the Health‐Promoting Lifestyle Profile as the core concept, we created 50 preliminary measurement items. In phase II, we invited 10 breast cancer survivors and five professional experts to conduct a content validity assessment. In phases III and IV, a total of 220 breast cancer survivors were enrolled to assess the construct validity and the internal consistency and reliability. The final HLI‐BCS contains 20 items across five domains: dietary habits, environment and physiology, health responsibility and stress management, social and interpersonal relations and spiritual growth. Through the information presented in the HLI‐BCS, breast cancer survivors can assess their lifestyles on multiple dimensions and subsequently adjust their lifestyles to enhance their recovery and quality of life.
Relative income, absolute income and the life satisfaction of older adults: do retirees differ from the non‐retired?
Authors: Boodoo Umar M. A. , Gomez Rafael , Gunderson Morley
Published: May 2014

We examine life‐satisfaction of older adults using a representative sample of Canadian individuals aged 45+. Our findings confirm a long line of employment relations research on the importance of ‘relational concerns’ in that: (i) income relative to the average for a given person's gender, age, region and marital status (relative income) matters more in improving life satisfaction as a whole than does absolute personal income; (ii) the relationship between relative income and happiness is much stronger for the non‐retired than retired persons, likely reflecting the importance of comparisons among peers at the workplace; and (3) absolute personal income does have a small positive relationship with life satisfaction but only for retirees and not for the non‐retired.
First Report of Phytoplasma (16SrI) Associated with Yellow Decline Disease of Royal Palms [Roystonea regia (Kunth) O. F. Cook] in Malaysia
Authors: Naderali Neda , Vadamalai Ganesan , Nejat Naghmeh , Ling Kong L.
Published: May 2014

Royal Palms (Roystonea regia) with symptoms such as severe chlorosis, stunting, collapse of older fronds and general decline were observed in the state of Selangor, Malaysia. Using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplification with phytoplasma universal primer pair P1/P7 followed by R16F2N/R16R2 and fU5/rU3 as nested PCR primer pairs, all symptomatic plants tested positively for phytoplasma. Results of phylogenetic and virtual RFLP analysis of the 16S rRNA gene sequences revealed that the phytoplasma associated with Royal Palm yellow decline (RYD) was an isolate of ‘Candidatus Phytoplasma asteris’ belonging to a new 16SrI‐subgroup. These results show that Roystonea regia is a new host for the aster yellows phytoplasma (16SrI). This is the first report on the presence of 16SrI phytoplasma on Royal Palm trees in Malaysia.
‘It's nice to have something to do’: early‐onset dementia and maintaining purposeful activity
Authors: Roach P. , Drummond N.
Published: May 2014

Accessible summary

Prevalence of dementia is expected to increase globally, and as such, so is the demand on health, social, legal and financial services.

It is important to understand the experience and needs of families living with dementia in order to reduce the direct and indirect costs of dementia.

Maintaining purposeful activity (work or volunteering) may help to preserve the person with dementia's dignity and sense of self and also facilitate carers and family members to continue to work and support the person with dementia.

The provision of high‐quality and age‐specific day programmes for younger people with dementia can potentially play a significant role in providing this purposeful activity in a safe and supportive environment.

As the global focus on dementia care increases due to the demand on health, social, legal and financial services, it is imperative to further understand the experience of those living with a diagnosis of dementia. There is a particular lack of research focused on younger people (under the age of 65 years) with dementia and virtually none focuses on the experience of the family unit. The literature suggests that periods of transition place significant stressors on families living with dementia. One such transition is the transition out of perceived purposeful activity, be this employment or voluntary work. This transition was explored during the course of a qualitative repeated interview study with younger people with dementia and their families. Nine families (20 participants) took part in semi‐structured research interviews that were transcribed and analyzed using a Framework approach to qualitative analysis. Meaningful Activity emerged as a major theme through this analysis. Two subthemes also emerged: (1) the traumatic cessation of work; and (2) the need for purposeful activity. These themes have significant clinical implications as maintaining a purposeful role through high‐quality, age‐specific dementia services may decrease the direct and indirect costs of dementia to global economies.
Training mental health nurses to provide motivational interviewing on an inpatient eating disorder unit
Authors: Dray J. , Gilchrist P. , Singh D. , Cheesman G. , Wade T.D.
Published: May 2014

Accessible summary

Brief manualized training over a 4‐week period in motivational interviewing (MI) in conjunction with patient worksheets, session audio recordings and independent ratings of adherence and competence resulted in mental health nurses (MHNs) on an inpatient eating disorder ward significantly improving their MI adherence and competence.

Despite the brevity of the training, MHNs' satisfaction with the training was high.

When compared with a similar time period on the ward before MI training, premature discharge rates were significantly lower after MI was utilized by the nurses.

This study examined whether: (1) brief training in motivational interviewing (MI) can prepare mental health nurses (MHNs) to provide MI to patients; and (2) this MI impacts on patients with respect to premature discharge. Six MHNs on an inpatient eating disorder unit were trained in MI, and their treatment adherence and competence were evaluated at post‐training and 2‐month follow‐up. Premature discharge was examined by comparing a 3‐month period in 2009 before MI administration with 2010 when MI was being administered. MHNs significantly improved their MI adherence and competence. Satisfaction with the training was high as was patient satisfaction with MI. Premature discharge rates significantly decreased. Brief training in MI is sufficient to significantly increase competency and adherence in the practice of MI by MHNs, which may in turn be effective in improving patients' treatment adherence by reducing premature discharge rates. Future research will need to utilize a randomized controlled design in order to further investigate these findings.
Determination of physical characteristics, chemical composition and digestion coefficients of treated lemon pulp with Saccharomyces cerevisiae in goat diet
Authors: Dadvar P. , Dayani O. , Mehdipour M. , Morovat M.
Published: May 2014

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of processing of lemon pulp with Saccharomyces cerevisiae on physical properties, chemical composition, digestion coefficients and blood parameters. Eight adult male Raeini goats were used in a 28‐day period. The experimental design was a completely randomised design with two treatments and four replicates. The first 21 days were for adaptation, and the last 7 days were for collecting samples. The animals were housed in individual metabolic cages equipped with a urine–faeces separator and were fed with diet containing alfalfa hay (60%) and lemon pulp (40%) at the maintenance level. Collected data were subjected to analysis of completely randomised design. With diet containing processed lemon pulp, functional specific gravity, bulk density, soluble dry matter, percentage of crude protein, neutral detergent fibre (NDF), acid detergent fibre and crude ash were significantly increased and water‐holding capacity, insoluble dry matter, insoluble ash percentage of dry matter, organic matter, crude fat, non‐fibrous carbohydrates and nitrogen‐free extract were significantly decreased (p < 0.05). Digestion coefficient of organic matter in dry matter and metabolisable energy were also decreased in treated lemon pulp (p < 0.05). Compared with untreated lemon pulp, digestibility of crude protein and NDF was higher (p < 0.05), but digestibility of crude fat was lower (p < 0.05). In general, processing of lemon pulp with S. cerevisiae improved the physical characteristics and increased the percentage of crude protein and the digestion coefficients of protein and NDF.
Association between children's exposure to a violent event and objectively and subjectively measured sleep characteristics: a pilot longitudinal study
Authors: Spilsbury James C. , Babineau Denise C. , Frame Jennifer , Juhas Kimberly , Rork Kristine
Published: May 2014

Although sleep disturbances are commonly reported among children exposed to violence, objective evidence of such disturbances is rare. This longitudinal, home‐based study assessed the effects of a known community‐ or family‐violence incident on both actigraphy‐derived and subjectively reported sleep outcomes of an ethnically mixed, urban sample of children aged 8–16 years. We hypothesized that increased event severity (child physical assault, witnessed homicide) would be associated with lower sleep duration and poorer sleep quality both at baseline and at 3‐month follow‐up. Covariate‐adjusted analyses based on a generalized estimating equations approach showed that children physically assaulted during the event showed lower sleep duration and sleep efficiency and greater wake after sleep onset than those not physically assaulted. Physically assaulted children were more likely to have a later bedtime than non‐assaulted children, but this difference decreased at 3 months. Children witnessing a homicide showed greater wake after sleep onset at baseline and reported greater sleep problems than those witnessing a non‐homicide event, but these differences decreased at 3 months. They were also somewhat more likely to have greater nightly variation in sleep duration. Collectively, results suggest that violence exposure influences children's sleep, but that specific dimensions of sleep may exhibit different susceptibility to different characteristics of violence, especially over time.
The Effect of Kombucha Starter Culture on the Gelation Process, Microstructure and Rheological Properties during Milk Fermentation
Authors: Vukic Vladimir R. , Hrnjez Dajana V. , Kanuric Katarina G. , Milanovic Spasenija D. , Iličic Mirela D. , Torbica Aleksandra M. , Tomic Jelena M.
Published: May 2014

This study is concerned with the effect of kombucha starter culture on the rheological properties, texture and microstructure as well as on the protein fractions in different phases of milk fermentation. The results were compared with those obtained for the samples prepared with yoghurt and probiotic starters. Quality parameters in the course of fermentation at 42C were measured at the pH values of 5.4, 5.1, 4.8 and 4.6. The viscosity values measured at pH 5.4 indicate similarity of the gelation processes taking place in the samples involving kombucha and probiotics. The sample produced with kombucha had the highest value of complex modulus, which resulted in better rheological characteristics of the final product. The earlier onset of the gelation process induced significant differences among the samples in the microstructure at pH 5.4. The analysis of the protein profile revealed better stability of α and β casein fractions compared with the other protein fractions in particular phases of milk fermentation.

Practical Applications

Although the method of scanning electron microscopy (SEM) has been already used to study the properties of the final product, the studies of the microstructural changes occurring in the course of yoghurt production are still lacking. As the application of kombucha in milk fermentation is still an attractive research topic, the authors found it interesting to include SEM into the set of methods for studying milk fermentation. Therefore, the objective of this research was to investigate the changes in the viscosity and texture during milk fermentation by a nonconventional starter – kombucha inoculum – and to establish the correlation of examined properties and the microstructure of the gel. The presented results represent a significant contribution to the understanding of the process of milk fermentation using different starter cultures related to the rheological characteristics of the gel. These characteristics and their changes are of significant practical importance for the process optimization and quality enhancement of new fermented milk product obtained by kombucha application.
GAMBLING IN CONTESTS WITH REGRET
Authors: Feng Han , Hobson David
Published: May 2014

This paper discusses the gambling contest introduced in Seel and Strack (2013, Gambling in Contests, Journal of Economic Theory, 148(5), 2033–2048) and considers the impact of adding a penalty associated with failure to follow a winning strategy. The Seel and Strack model consists of n‐agents each of whom privately observes a transient diffusion process and chooses when to stop it. The player with the highest stopped value wins the contest, and each player's objective is to maximize her probability of winning the contest. We give a new derivation of the results of Seel and Strack based on a Lagrangian approach. Moreover, we consider an extension of the problem to a behavioral finance context in the sense of regret theory. In particular, an agent is penalized when her chosen strategy does not win the contest, but there existed an alternative strategy that would have resulted in victory.
Reanalysis suggests that genomic islands of speciation are due to reduced diversity, not reduced gene flow
Authors: Cruickshank Tami E. , Hahn Matthew W.
Published: May 2014

The metaphor of ‘genomic islands of speciation’ was first used to describe heterogeneous differentiation among loci between the genomes of closely related species. The biological model proposed to explain these differences was that the regions showing high levels of differentiation were resistant to gene flow between species, while the remainder of the genome was being homogenized by gene flow and consequently showed lower levels of differentiation. However, the conditions under which such differentiation can occur at multiple unlinked loci are restrictive; additionally, essentially, all previous analyses have been carried out using relative measures of divergence, which can be misleading when regions with different levels of recombination are compared. Here, we test the model of differential gene flow by asking whether absolute divergence is also higher in the previously identified ‘islands’. Using five species pairs for which full sequence data are available, we find that absolute measures of divergence are not higher in genomic islands. Instead, in all cases examined, we find reduced diversity in these regions, a consequence of which is that relative measures of divergence are abnormally high. These data therefore do not support a model of differential gene flow among loci, although islands of relative divergence may represent loci involved in local adaptation. Simulations using the program IMa2 further suggest that inferences of any gene flow may be incorrect in many comparisons. We instead present an alternative explanation for heterogeneous patterns of differentiation, one in which postspeciation selection generates patterns consistent with multiple aspects of the data.
Molecular data and ecological niche modelling reveal the Pleistocene history of a semi‐aquatic bug (Microvelia douglasi douglasi) in East Asia
Authors: Ye Zhen , Zhu Gengping , Chen Pingping , Zhang Danli , Bu Wenjun
Published: May 2014

This study investigated the Pleistocene history of a semi‐aquatic bug, Microvelia douglasi douglasi Scott, 1874 (Hemiptera: Veliidae) in East Asia. We used M. douglasi douglasi as a model species to explore the effects of historical climatic fluctuations on montane semi‐aquatic invertebrate species. Two hypotheses were developed using ecological niche models (ENMs). First, we hypothesized that M. douglasi douglasi persisted in suitable habitats in southern Guizhou, southern Yunnan, Hainan, Taiwan and southeast China during the LIG. After that, the populations expanded (Hypothesis 1). As the spatial prediction in the LGM was significantly larger than in the LIG, we then hypothesized that the population expanded during the LIG to LGM transition (Hypothesis 2). We tested these hypotheses using mitochondrial data (COI+COII) and nuclear data (ITS1 + 5.8S+ITS2). Young lineages, relatively deep splits, lineage differentiation among mountain ranges in central, south and southwest China and high genetic diversities were observed in these suitable habitats. Evidence of mismatch distributions and neutrality tests indicate that a population expansion occurred in the late Pleistocene. The Bayesian skyline plot (BSP) revealed an unusual population expansion that likely happened during the cooling transition between LIG and LGM. The results of genetic data were mostly consistent with the spatial predictions from ENM, a finding that can profoundly improve phylogeographic research. The ecological requirements of M. douglasi douglasi, together with the geographical heterogeneity and climatic fluctuations of Pleistocene in East Asia, could have shaped this unusual demographic history. Our study contributes to our knowledge of semi‐aquatic bug/invertebrate responses to Pleistocene climatic fluctuations in East Asia.
The impact on graft survival of interstitial inflammation in borderline change of allograft kidneys
Authors: Yamanaka Kazuaki , Kyo Masahiro , Okumi Masayoshi , Kato Taigo , Kakuta Yoichi , Ichimaru Naotsugu , Takahara Shiro , Nonomura Norio
Published: May 2014

Aim

In kidney transplantation cases, borderline change (BL) can lead to a progressive course. However, factors related to outcome and the progress of BL are not well defined. In this study, we focused specifically on interstitial inflammation as a factor influencing outcome after diagnosis of BL.

Methods

We followed 252 recipients who underwent renal transplantation between 1998 to 2012 at our hospital. Of those, we retrospectively studied 40 diagnosed with BL from allograft biopsy findings, and then classified them as BL1 and BL2 according to the level of interstitial inflammation (i) (BL1: i < 10%, BL2: i ≥ 10%).

Results

There were 21 BL1 and 19 BL2 cases, of whom 7 developed rejection during the follow‐up period. There were no significant differences for graft survival rate and the rate leading to acute rejection between the 2 groups (P = 0.44, P = 0.69). Univariate analysis showed that the grade of interstitial inflammation was not a significant risk factor for developing acute rejection (P = 0.816).

Conclusion

Our results show that the level of interstitial inflammation does not have an effect on a progressive BL course.
Early recurrence of active IgA nephropathy after kidney transplantation
Authors: Otsuka Yasuhiro , Takeda Asami , Horike Keiji , Inaguma Daijyo , Goto Norihiko , Watarai Yoshihiko , Morozumi Kunio
Published: May 2014

IgA nephropathy (IgAN) is recurrent after transplantation; however, its time of recurrence is unpredictable. To date, factors influencing IgAN recurrence have not been elucidated. We present a case of a 23‐year‐old man with end‐stage renal disease (ESRD) who underwent living‐related ABO‐identical pre‐emptive kidney transplantation (PEKT) using his 57‐year‐old mother as a donor. IgAN started when the patient was 19 years old, and renal biopsy revealed the usual pathological findings of IgAN. In spite of steroid therapy including steroid pulse and tonsillectomy, the patient developed nephrotic syndrome and progressed to ESRD in 4 years. Protocol biopsy on day 19 following PEKT revealed active recurrent IgAN. Nephrotic‐range proteinuria and mild deterioration of kidney function developed regardless of strong immunosuppressive therapy such as steroid pulse, double filtration plasmapheresis and rituximab. We report a case of refractory IgAN that recurred 19 days after transplantation. This case is considered of value to elucidate factors leading to active IgAN recurrence.
The value of long‐term protocol biopsies after kidney transplantation
Authors: Tanabe Tatsu
Published: May 2014

Protocol biopsies for the detection and treatment of subclinical rejection in the early period after kidney transplantation are useful for preventing allograft dysfunction. However, little has been reported on the relationship between subclinical rejection and long‐term protocol biopsies. In this review, we examine the potential benefits associated with long‐term allograft biopsies focusing on the issue of immunological and non‐immunological factors.

Early detection and treatment of subclinical rejection improves outcome. However, the benefit of long‐term allograft biopsies is largely unproved, and the strategy is yet to be widely implemented. The procurement of long‐term protocol biopsies for the sole purpose of detecting subclinical rejection may be unwarranted. On the other hand, the early detection of IgA nephropathy using long‐term protocol biopsy may improve graft survival. In addition, assessment of long‐term protocol biopsies is useful not only for detection of calcineurin inhibitor nephrotoxicity, but also for follow‐up after withdrawal of calcineurin inhibitor regimens. Also, identifying normal histology on a protocol biopsy may inform us about the safety of reducing overall immunosuppression. Thus, the potential benefit of long‐term protocol biopsy may be of clinical significance for the detection of graft dysfunction as a result of non‐immune factors, such as recurrence of glomerulonephritis and calcineurin inhibitor nephrotoxicity, rather than subclinical rejection.
Determinants of the pathways of litter chemical decomposition in a tropical region
Authors: Parsons Scott A. , Congdon Robert A. , Lawler Ivan R.
Published: May 2014

Litter decomposition is a key ecosystem process, yet our understanding of the drivers in chemical changes in leaves during decay is limited. Our aim was to determine the comparative differences (chemical divergence or convergence) between sites and the drivers of decay pathways.

We used the litterbag method (‘in situ’ litterfall and standardized ‘control’ leaves) in Australian tropical rainforests and near‐infrared spectrometry to show the chemical pathways during decomposition (c. 360 d; 12 control sites; 17 in situ sites). Chemical convergence/divergence was determined from spectral dissimilarity and quantile regression along a mass loss moving average. The influence of environment (climate and soil) and litter quality on decay pathways was determined between sites using correlation analysis.

Throughout the region, litter composition in both treatments converged chemically during decay. However, divergent chemical pathways were shown for some samples/sites (especially with high initial lignin, phenolics and carbon (C), poor soil phosphorus (P), sodium (Na) and more seasonal moisture), and the diversity of decay residues increased with mass loss despite overall chemical convergence.

Our study suggests that there is general chemical convergence of leaf litter during early decay, but also that divergent chemical pathways occur in locations that experience more intense seasonal drying, and contain species or conditions that promote poor‐quality litter.
Light and circadian regulation of clock components aids flexible responses to environmental signals
Authors: Dixon Laura E. , Hodge Sarah K. , van Ooijen Gerben , Troein Carl , Akman Ozgur E. , Millar Andrew J.
Published: May 2014

The circadian clock measures time across a 24 h period, increasing fitness by phasing biological processes to the most appropriate time of day. The interlocking feedback loop mechanism of the clock is conserved across species; however, the number of loops varies. Mathematical and computational analyses have suggested that loop complexity affects the overall flexibility of the oscillator, including its responses to entrainment signals.

We used a discriminating experimental assay, at the transition between different photoperiods, in order to test this proposal in a minimal circadian network (in Ostreococcus tauri) and a more complex network (in Arabidopsis thaliana).

Transcriptional and translational reporters in O. tauri primarily tracked dawn or dusk, whereas in A. thaliana, a wider range of responses were observed, consistent with its more flexible clock. Model analysis supported the requirement for this diversity of responses among the components of the more complex network. However, these and earlier data showed that the O. tauri network retains surprising flexibility, despite its simple circuit.

We found that models constructed from experimental data can show flexibility either from multiple loops and/or from multiple light inputs. Our results suggest that O. tauri has adopted the latter strategy, possibly as a consequence of genomic reduction.
Translation and psychometric testing of the Icelandic version of the MISSCARE Survey
Authors: Bragadóttir Helga , Kalisch Beatrice J. , Smáradóttir Sigríður Bríet , Jónsdóttir Heiður Hrund
Published: May 2014

Background

Missed nursing care, required standard care that is not provided, is a relatively new concept in nursing, and prior to this study, it had not been discussed in Iceland.

Aim

To successfully translate the MISSCARE Survey from US English to Icelandic.

Method

The translation and psychometric testing of the MISSCARE Survey‐Icelandic was completed in six steps: (1) forward translation, (2) revision of the translation, (3) back‐translation, (4) revision of the back‐translation, (5) pilot‐testing, (6) data collection and psychometric testing. Back‐translation included work of linguists, clinicians and scholars in the original and target country. Psychometric testing was completed on data from a pilot‐test and a national study. The target population was nursing staff providing patient care in medical, surgical and intensive care units in hospitals in Iceland. Pilot study data were collected in November–December 2011, and data for the national study were collected in March–April 2012. The MISSCARE Survey asks about missed nursing care activities (part A), and reasons for missed nursing care (part B), besides demographic and background questions.

Results

Response rate for the pilot study was 57% (67/118), and for the national study, it was 69% (599/864) with good acceptability. Overall test–retest Pearson's correlation coefficient for part A was 0.782 (p < 0.001) and 0.530 (p < 0.05) for part B. Cronbach's alpha reliability coefficient for the overall part B and subscales ranged from 0.795–0.894. Confirmatory factor analysis for part B indicated a good model fit to the three factors: Communication, Material resources and Labour resources.

Conclusion

The MISSCARE Survey was successfully translated from US English to Icelandic, using a stringent back‐translation method. The Icelandic version tested reliable and valid. This study supports global use of the MISSCARE Survey.
Ankle injuries in the Netherlands: Trends over 10–25 years
Authors: Kemler E. , van de Port I. , Valkenberg H. , Hoes A. W. , Backx F. J. G.
Published: May 2014

Ankle injuries are a common health problem; data on ankle injury rates and time trends in the population at large are scarce. Our aim was to investigate the incidence of and time trends in population‐based and emergency department‐treated ankle injuries related to sports activities and other activities related to daily living. Data were obtained from one national survey on accidents and injuries (2000–2010) and one based on emergency department data (1986–2010). Linear regression was used to determine linear trends in ankle injuries per 1000 person‐years. The number of ankle injuries related to sports activities and other activities of daily living increased from 19.0 to 26.6 per 1000 person‐years (P = 0.002). The number of sports‐related ankle injuries treated in emergency departments decreased from 4.2 to 1.5 per 1000 person‐years (P < 0.001), and from 3.2 to 2.1 per 1000 person‐years (P < 0.001) for other activities of daily living. According to our data, the incidence rates of all ankle injuries are around 5.5 times higher than those registered at emergency departments. The high incidence rates of ankle injuries highlight the need for proper ankle injury treatment and prevention.