bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Development of the Universal Form of Treatment Options (UFTO) as an alternative to Do Not Attempt Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (DNACPR) orders: a cross‐disciplinary approach
Authors: Fritz Zoë , Fuld Jonathan P.
Published: November 2014

Rationale aims and objectives

Problems exist with Do Not Attempt Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (DNACPR) orders: they are often misinterpreted by clinicians to mean that other treatments should be withheld; resuscitation decision discussions are difficult; patients remain inappropriately for resuscitation. We developed an alternative approach.

Methods

An adapted Delphi method was used. Senior clinicians were interviewed about the strengths and weakness of current practice. Teams who had initiated alternative approaches internationally were contacted. Focus groups were conducted with doctors, nurses and patients to further understand problems with DNACPR orders and establish essential aspects of a new approach. A behavioral economist and management consultant contributed advice. The resulting form was recirculated and further refined. It was: snowballed out to others with specialist expertise (palliative care physicians, intensivists, etc) for further feedback; assessed in simulated clinical encounters before being piloted; further adjusted once in clinical practice. In parallel, a patient information leaflet was developed along with education materials.

Results

Consensus was achieved that the new approach should: be universal; have discussions and clinical conditions documented first; clarify goals of overall treatment (active treatment or optimal supportive care); contextualize the resuscitation decision among other treatment decisions; have a free text box for ‘opting out’ of invasive treatments, rather than tick boxes; be green; be limited to one page.

Conclusions

The Universal Form of Treatment Options was developed iteratively with patients, doctors and nurses as an alternative approach to resuscitation decisions. This paper illustrates a cross‐disciplinary approach to developing practical alternatives in health care.
Micro‐ and Macrosurgical Techniques in the Coverage of Gingival Recession Using Connective Tissue Graft: 2 Years Follow‐Up
Authors: Nizam Nejat , Bengisu Orhun , Sönmez Şule
Published: November 2014

Objective

The aim was to evaluate the clinical results of micro‐ and macrosurgical approaches in the coverage of gingival recession using connective tissue graft.

Material and Methods

Twenty‐one teeth in microsurgical group (test group) and 21 in macrosurgical group (control group) were treated using coronally positioned flap and subgingival connective tissue graft. Recession depth (RD), recession width (RW), root surface area (RSA), keratinized tissue width (KTW), probing depth, clinical attachment level, pain level during healing, and aesthetic results were evaluated for 24 months.

Results

RD, RW, and RSA were significantly lower at 1, 3, 6, and 24th months compared with baseline in both groups. RD was also significantly lower in the 1st month compared with 24th month in control group. RD and RSA at 24th month were significantly lower in microsurgical group. KTW significantly and similarly increased by 6th month in both groups. The pain levels in the donor and the recipient area decreased earlier in the microsurgical group, and aesthetic scores improved similarly in both groups.

Conclusion

A microsurgical approach to root coverage with gingival recession is likely to preserve the clinical outcomes longer than macrosurgical approach, at least for 24 months. Healing appears to be faster using microsurgery, but aesthetic outcomes are similar.

Clinical Significance

This study evaluated the clinical results of microsurgical versus macrosurgical approaches to root coverage in cases of gingival recession. Based on the results of the study, pain levels in the donor and the recipient areas decreased earlier in the microsurgical group, and microsurgical approach resulted in significantly greater amount of root coverage at 24 months.
Membrane protein oxidation determines neuronal degeneration
Authors: Hajieva Parvana , Bayatti Nadhim , Granold Matthias , Behl Christian , Moosmann Bernd
Published: November 2014

Oxidative stress is an early hallmark in neurodegenerative disorders such as Alzheimer's and Parkinson's diseases. However, the critical biochemical effector mechanisms of oxidative neurotoxicity have remained surprisingly elusive. In screening various peroxides and potential substrates of oxidation for their effect on neuronal survival, we observed that intramembrane compounds were significantly more active than aqueous or amphiphilic compounds. To better understand this result, we synthesized a series of competitive and site‐specific membrane protein oxidation inhibitors termed aminoacyllipids, whose structures were designed on the basis of amino acids frequently found at the protein‐lipid interface of synaptic membrane proteins. Investigating the aminoacyllipids in primary neuronal culture, we found that the targeted protection of transmembrane tyrosine and tryptophan residues was sufficient to prevent neurotoxicity evoked by hydroperoxides, kainic acid, glutathione‐depleting drugs, and certain amyloidogenic peptides, but ineffective against non‐oxidative inducers of apoptosis such as sphingosine or Akt kinase inhibitors. Thus, the oxidative component of different neurotoxins appears to converge on neuronal membrane proteins, irrespective of the primary mechanism of cellular oxidant generation. Our results indicate the existence of a one‐electron redox cycle based on membrane protein aromatic surface amino acids, whose disturbance or overload leads to excessive membrane protein oxidation and neuronal death.

image

Membrane proteins have rarely been investigated as potential victims of oxidative stress in the context of neurodegeneration. This study provides evidence that excessive one‐electron oxidation of membrane proteins from within the lipid bilayer, depicted in the graphic, is a functionally decisive step toward neuronal cell death in response to different toxins.
A Dyadic Perspective on Speech Accommodation and Social Connection: Both Partners' Rejection Sensitivity Matters
Authors: Aguilar Lauren , Downey Geraldine , Krauss Robert , Pardo Jennifer , Lane Sean , Bolger Niall
Published: November 2014

Findings from confederate paradigms predict that mimicry is an adaptive route to social connection for rejection‐sensitive individuals (Lakin, Chartrand, & Arkin, 2008). However, dyadic perspectives predict that whether mimicry leads to perceived connection depends on the rejection sensitivity (RS) of both partners in an interaction. We investigated these predictions in 50 college women who completed a dyadic cooperative task in which members were matched or mismatched in being dispositionally high or low in RS. We used a psycholinguistics paradigm to assess, through independent listeners' judgments (N = 162), how much interacting individuals accommodate phonetic aspects of their speech toward each other. Results confirmed predictions from confederate paradigms in matched RS dyads. However, mismatched dyads showed an asymmetry in levels of accommodation and perceived connection: Those high in RS accommodated more than their low‐RS partner but emerged feeling less connected. Mediational analyses indicated that low‐RS individuals' nonaccommodation in mismatched dyads helped explain their high‐RS partners' relatively low perceived connection to them. Establishing whether mimicry is an adaptive route to social connection requires analyzing mimicry as a dyadic process influenced by the needs of each dyad member.
Toddler's self‐regulation strategies in a challenge context are nap‐dependent
Authors: Miller Alison L. , Seifer Ronald , Crossin Rebecca , Lebourgeois Monique K.
Published: November 2014

Early childhood represents a time of developmental changes in both sleep and self‐regulation, a construct reflecting the ability to control one's behaviour, attention and emotions when challenged. Links between sleep and self‐regulation processes have been proposed, but experimental evidence with young children is lacking. In the current study, we tested the effects of acute sleep restriction (nap deprivation) on toddlers’ self‐regulation. Healthy children (n = 12; four males; aged 30–36 months (33.9 ± 1.7)) slept on a strict schedule (verified with actigraphy and sleep diaries) for 5 days before each of two afternoon assessments following a nap and a no‐nap condition (~11‐day protocol). Children were videotaped while attempting an unsolvable puzzle, and 10 mutually exclusive self‐regulation strategies were later coded. On average, children lost ~90 min of sleep on the no‐nap versus the nap day. Nap deprivation resulted in moderate‐to‐large effects on self‐regulation strategies, with decreases in scepticism (d = 0.77; 7% change), negative self‐appraisal (d = 0.92; 5% change) and increases in physical self‐soothing (d = 0.68; 10% change), focus on the puzzle piece that would not fit (perseveration; d = 0.50; 9% change) and insistence on completing the unsolvable puzzle (d = 0.91; 10% change). Results suggest that sleep serves an important role in the way that toddlers respond to challenging events in their daily lives. After losing daytime sleep, toddlers were less able to engage effectively in a difficult task and reverted to less mature self‐regulation strategies than when they were well rested. Over time, chronically missed sleep may impair young children's self‐regulation abilities, resulting in risk for social–emotional, behavioural and school problems.
Chloroplast protrusions in leaves of Ranunculus glacialis L. respond significantly to different ambient conditions, but are not related to temperature stress
Authors: MOSER TIM , HOLZINGER ANDREAS , BUCHNER OTHMAR
Published: November 2014

The occurrence of chloroplast protrusions (CPs) in leaves of Ranunculus glacialis L. in response to different environmental conditions was assessed. CPs occur highly dynamically. They do not contain thylakoids and their physiological function is still largely unknown. Controlled in situ sampling showed that CP formation follows a pronounced diurnal rhythm. Between 2 and 27 °C the relative proportion of chloroplasts with CPs (rCP) showed a significant positive correlation to leaf temperature (TL; 0.793, P < 0.01), while irradiation intensity had a minor effect on rCP. In situ shading and controlled laboratory experiments confirmed the significant influence of TL. Under moderate irradiation intensity, an increase of TL up to 25 °C significantly promoted CP formation, while a further increase to 37 °C led to a decrease. Furthermore, rCP values were lower in darkness and under high irradiation intensity. Gas treatment at 2000 ppm CO2/2% O2 led to a significant decrease of rCP, suggesting a possible involvement of photorespiration in CP formation. Our findings demonstrate that in R. glacialis, CPs are neither a rare phenomenon nor a result of heat or light stress; on the contrary, they seem to be most abundant under moderate temperature and non‐stress irradiation conditions.
Conserved and novel heat stress‐responsive microRNAs were identified by deep sequencing in Saccharina japonica (Laminariales, Phaeophyta)
Authors: LIU FULI , WANG WENJUN , SUN XIUTAO , LIANG ZHOURUI , WANG FEIJIU
Published: November 2014

As a temperate‐cold species, Saccharina japonica often suffers heat stress when it is transplanted to temperate and subtropical zones. Study the heat stress response and resistance mechanism of Saccharina is of great significance for understanding the acclimation to heat stress under domestication as well as for breeding new cultivars with heat stress resistance. In this study, we identified a set of heat stress‐responsive miRNAs and analysed their regulation during the heat stress response. CO (control) and heat stress (HS) sRNA libraries were constructed and sequenced. Forty‐nine known miRNAs and 75 novel miRNAs were identified, of which seven known and 25 novel miRNAs were expressed differentially under heat stress. Quantitative PCR of six selected miRNAs confirmed that these loci were responsive to heat stress. Thirty‐nine and 712 genes were predicted to be targeted by the seven known miRNAs and 25 novel miRNAs, respectively. Gene function and pathway analyses showed that these genes probably play important roles in S. japonica heat stress tolerance. The miRNAs identified represent the first set of heat‐responsive miRNAs identified from S. japonica, and their identification can help elucidate the heat stress response and resistance mechanisms in S. japonica.
Polymorphism of LRP5 gene and emphysema severity are associated with osteoporosis in Japanese patients with or at risk for COPD
Authors: Chubachi Shotaro , Nakamura Hidetoshi , Sasaki Mamoru , Haraguchi Mizuha , Miyazaki Masaki , Takahashi Saeko , Tanaka Kyuto , Funatsu Yohei , Asano Koichiro , Betsuyaku Tomoko ,   the Keio COPD Comorbidity Research (K‐CCR) Group
Published: November 2014

Background and objective

Osteoporosis is an important systemic comorbidity of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). However, neither its mechanisms nor its risk factors have been fully elucidated. With regard to genetic factors, low‐density lipoprotein receptor‐related protein 5 (LRP5) A1330V is known to be associated with osteoporosis in the general population, but the influence of this polymorphism in COPD is unknown. The aim of this study was to investigate the potential risk factors of COPD‐related bone loss and fracture.

Methods

Keio University and affiliated hospitals have enrolled an observational cohort to investigate the management of COPD comorbidities. To assess risk factors for osteopenia and osteoporosis, bone mineral density (BMD) of the hip and lumbar spine, presence of vertebral fracture, quantitative data on emphysema and airway wall on computed tomography, as well as LRP5 genotype were analysed in patients with or at risk for COPD (n = 270).

Results

The percentage of subjects with osteoporosis (T‐score ≤ −2.5), osteopenia (T‐score between −1 and −2.5) and a normal BMD (T‐score ≥ −1) was 15.2%, 35.9% and 48.9%, respectively. T‐score was significantly decreased in subjects with LRP5 TT genotype (n = 15) compared with that in those with CC/CT genotype (n = 255) (−1.83 vs. −0.98, P = 0.0167). On multivariate logistic regression analysis, female gender (odds ratio (OR) 10.4; P < 0.0001), severe emphysema (OR 2.3; P = 0.013) and LRP5 TT genotype (OR 3.7; P = 0.031) independently increased the risk of osteopenia/osteoporosis.

Conclusions

This study confirmed the complex pathophysiology of COPD‐related osteoporosis, including the influence of gender, clinical phenotype and genetic factors.
On the Sources of Inflation in Kenya: A Model‐Based Approach
Authors: Andrle Michal , Berg Andrew , Morales R. Armando , Portillo Rafael , Vlcek Jan
Published: November 2014

Abstracts

We develop a semi‐structural new‐Keynesian open‐economy model – with separate food and non‐food inflation dynamics to study the sources of inflation in Kenya in recent years. To do so, we filter international and Kenyan data (on output, inflation and its components, exchange rates and interest rates) through the model to recover a model‐based decomposition of most variables into trends (or potential values) and temporary movements (or gaps) – including for the international and domestic relative price of food. We use the filtration exercise to recover the sequence of domestic and foreign macroeconomic shocks that account for business cycle dynamics in Kenya over the last few years, with a special emphasis on the various factors (international food prices, monetary policy) driving inflation. We find that while imported food price shocks have been an important source of inflation, both in 2008 and more recently, accommodating monetary policy has also played a role, most notably through its effect on the nominal exchange rate. We also discuss the implications of this exercise for the use of model‐based monetary policy analysis in sub‐Saharan African countries.
Simulation‐based education for transfusion medicine
Authors: Morgan Shanna , Rioux‐Masse Benjamin , Oancea Cristina , Cohn Claudia , Harmon James , Konia Mojca
Published: November 2014

Background

The administration of blood products is frequently determined by physicians without subspecialty training in transfusion medicine (TM). Education in TM is necessary for appropriate utilization of resources and maintaining patient safety. Our institution developed an efficient simulation‐based TM course with the goal of identifying key topics that could be individualized to learners of all levels in various environments while also allowing for practice in an environment where the patient is not placed at risk.

Study Design and Methods

A 2.5‐hour simulation‐based educational activity was designed and taught to undergraduate medical students rotating through anesthesiology and TM elective rotations and to all Clinical Anesthesia Year 1 (CA‐1) residents. Content and process evaluation of the activity consisted of multiple‐choice tests and course evaluations.

Results

Seventy medical students and seven CA‐1 residents were enrolled in the course. There was no significant difference on pretest results between medical students and CA‐1 residents. The posttest results for both medical students and CA‐1 residents were significantly higher than pretest results. The results of the posttest between medical students and CA‐1 residents were not significantly different.

Conclusion

The TM knowledge gap is not a trivial problem as transfusion of blood products is associated with significant risks. Innovative educational techniques are needed to address the ongoing challenges with knowledge acquisition and retention in already full curricula. Our institution developed a feasible and effective way to integrate TM into the curriculum. Educational activities, such as this, might be a way to improve the safety of transfusions.
TRIPLE PHASE DYNAMIC COMPUTED TOMOGRAPHIC PERFUSION CHARACTERISTICS OF SPIROCERCOSIS INDUCED ESOPHAGEAL NODULES IN NON‐NEOPLASTIC VERSUS NEOPLASTIC CANINE CASES
Authors: Kirberger Robert M. , Cassel Nicky , Stander Nerissa , McLean Melanie , Dvir Eran
Published: November 2014

Neoplastic transformation of Spirocerca lupi induced esophageal nodules carries a poor prognosis. Clinical, clinicopathological, endoscopic, and radiographic characteristics may be indicative of neoplastic transformation but variable sensitivity and specificity of these parameters makes their use questionable. We hypothesized that CT would be a better diagnostic modality to discriminate between non‐neoplastic and neoplastic nodules. In this prospective study of 38 dogs, the appearance and perfusion characteristics of confirmed spirocercosis‐induced neoplastic and non‐neoplastic esophageal nodules were described using survey CT and triple phase dynamic CT angiography (CTA). Pre‐ and post‐contrast early arterial, late arterial, and venous CTA images were evaluated. Non‐neoplastic nodules were smooth and nonmineralized with a higher proportion of hypoattenuating necropurulent cavities compared to neoplastic nodules that had a more irregular surface, with 93% having mineralized foci and rarely any hypoattenuating pockets. Non‐neoplastic nodules were significantly more perfused than neoplastic nodules with the difference being up to 23 Hounsfield units. The difference was most marked in the early and late arterial phases (P = 0.0005 and 0.00005, respectively). Ratios of the normal esophagus adjacent to the neoplastic and non‐neoplastic nodules did not differ significantly from each other. Perfusion findings demonstrated relative hypoperfusion of the esophageal sarcomas. Findings from the current study indicated that CT characteristics of relative postcontrast hypoperfusion, combined with nodule irregularity and mineralization warrant a high level of concern for neoplastic transformation in canine spirocercosis‐induced esophageal nodules.
Periods of automorphic forms: the case of
Authors: Ichino Atsushi , Yamana Shunsuke
Published: November 2014

Following Jacquet, Lapid and Rogawski, we define a regularized period of an automorphic form on $\text{GL}_{n+1}\times \text{GL}_{n}$ along the diagonal subgroup $\text{GL}_{n}$ and express it in terms of the Rankin–Selberg integral of Jacquet, Piatetski-Shapiro and Shalika. This extends the theory of Rankin–Selberg integrals to all automorphic forms on $\text{GL}_{n+1}\times \text{GL}_{n}$.
On the activation of sensorimotor systems during the processing of emotionally-laden stimuli
Authors: Marmolejo-Ramos Fernando , Dunn John
Published: November 2014

A series of experiments were devised to test the idea that sensorimotor systems activate during the processing of emotionally laden stimuli. In Experiments 1 and 2 participants were asked to judge the pleasantness of emotionally laden sentences while participants held a pen in the mouth. Experiments 3 and 4 were similar to the previous experiments, but the experimental materials were emotionally laden images. In Experiment 5 and 6 the same bodily manipulation used throughout the previous experiments was kept while participants judged facial expressions. The first pair of experiments replicated findings suggesting that sensorimotor systems are activated during the processing of emotionally laden language. However, follow-up experiments suggested that dual activation of both perceptual and motor systems is not always necessary. For the particular case of emotionally laden stimuli, results suggested that the perceptual system seems to drive the processing. It is also shown that a high resonance between sensorimotor properties afforded by the stimuli and the sensorimotor systems activated in the cogniser elicit emotional states. The results invite to review radical versions of embodiment accounts and rather support a graded-embodiment view.
Computational Conceptual Design Using Space Matrix
Authors: He Bin , Song Wei , Wang Yangang
Published: November 2014

Conceptual design is an early stage in the product design process, which has an essential effect on product innovation. This paper is devoted to computational conceptual design utilizing design synthesis. After the functional model was proposed, the physical parameter model was put forward. The integrated model of function repository and solution repository based on space matrix was built up. The computational conceptual design process based on space matrix was then proposed, including design synthesis algorithm based on space matrix, feature matching based on physical parameter, solutions constraints matching based on design catalog, functional structure design based on functional structure evolutionary model, and evaluation and selection approach based on design catalog. The conceptual design of new devices for decreasing resistance of amphibious vehicles is given as an example, which demonstrates that the methodology is helpful to produce valuable solutions for product innovation.
Fault Diagnosis of Solid Oxide Fuel Cell Based on a Supervised Self-Organization Map Model
Authors: Wu XiaoJuan , Liu Hongtan
Published: November 2014

Too high stack temperature and insufficient reactant gas flow may lead to severe and irreversible damages in a real solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) power system. Thus, fault monitoring and diagnosis technology is indispensable to improve the SOFC system reliability. A supervised self-organization map (SOM) model is proposed to diagnose the faults of the SOFC system in this paper. Using the supervised SOM model, the multidimensional testing data of the SOFC is mapped into a two-dimensional map, and the different region in the out map is represented for one fault mode. The method is evaluated using the data obtained from an SOFC mathematical model, and the results show that the supervised SOM analysis contributes on a very efficient way to the faults diagnosis of the SOFC system.
Optimization of Eight Pole Radial Active Magnetic Bearing
Authors: Lijesh K. P. , Hirani Harish
Published: November 2014

In the current paper, studies carried out to design an eight pole electromagnetic bearing have been presented. The magnetic levitation force, accounting the copper and iron losses, was maximized for the given geometric constraints. Derivation of winding constraint equation in terms of wire diameter, number of turns, and dimensions of pole has been presented. Experiments were conducted to establish the constraints related to temperature rise. Finally, the dimensions of the electromagnet for maximizing the force obtained using numerical optimization have presented.
Nonlinear Dynamic Characteristics of Variable Inclination Magnetically Coupled Piezoelectric Energy Harvesters
Authors: Cao Junyi , Zhou Shengxi , Inman Daniel J. , Lin Jing
Published: November 2014

This paper investigates the nonlinear dynamic characteristics of a magnetically coupled piezoelectric energy harvester under low frequency excitation where the angle of the external magnetic field is adjustable. The nonlinear dynamic equation with the identified nonlinear magnetic force is derived to describe the electromechanical interaction of variable inclination angle harvesters. The effect of excitation amplitude and frequency on dynamic behavior is proposed by using the phase trajectory, power spectrum, and bifurcation diagram. The numerical analysis shows that a rotating magnetically coupled energy harvesting system exhibits rich nonlinear characteristics with the change of external magnet inclination angle. The nonlinear route to and from large amplitude high-energy motion can be clearly observed. It is demonstrated numerically and experimentally that lumped parameters equations with an identified polynomials for magnetic force could adequately describe the characteristics of nonlinear energy harvester. The rotating magnetically coupled energy harvester possesses the usable frequency bandwidth over a wide range of low frequency excitation by adjusting the angular orientation.
Reliability of the Dynamic Strength Index in College Athletes
Authors: Thomas Christopher , Jones Paul A. , Comfort Paul
Published: November 2014

Purpose:

To determine the reliability of the Dynamic Strength Index (DSI) in college athletes.

Method:

Nineteen male college athletes performed the squat jump (SJ) and isometric midthigh pull (IMTP) to determine peak force, on 2 separate days. Reliability was assessed by intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC), typical error (TE), percentage change in the mean, smallest worthwhile change (SWC), and coefficient of variation (%CV).

Results:

Peak force for the SJ was 2137 ± 499 N and 2781 ± 435 N for the IMTP, resulting in a mean DSI of 0.78 ± 0.19. Peak forces in the SJ (ICC = .99, TE = 57.22 N, change in mean = 0.2%, SWC = 4.7%, CV = 2.6%) and IMTP (ICC = .95, TE = 104.22 N, change in mean = 0.5%, SWC = 3.1%, CV = 3.8%) were considered highly reliable between sessions. However, IMTP peak force was the only variable with an overall TE < SWC. The DSI was also highly reliable (ICC = .97, TE = 0.03, change in mean = −0.3%, SWC = 5.1%, CV = 4.6%) between sessions.

Conclusion:

This study demonstrates that peak force in the SJ and IMTP are reliable, resulting in a reliable assessment of dynamic-force-production capabilities via the DSI. The DSI may be used to guide individualized training interventions and monitor specific adaptations to training. Changes in SJ peak force, IMTP peak force, and DSI were >4.67%, 3.13%, and 5.13%, respectively, identifying meaningful changes in response to training or competition.
The Intraday Reliability of the Reactive Strength Index Calculated From a Drop Jump in Professional Men’s Basketball
Authors: Markwick William J. , Bird Stephen P. , Tufano James J. , Seitz Laurent B. , Haff G. Gregory
Published: November 2014

Purpose:

To evaluate the reliability of the Reactive Strength Index (RSI) and jump-height (JH) performance from multiple drop heights in an elite population.

Methods:

Thirteen professional basketball players (mean ±SD age 25.8 ± 3.5 y, height 1.96 ± 0.07 m, mass 94.8 ± 8.2 kg) completed 3 maximal drop-jump attempts onto a jump mat at 4 randomly assigned box heights and 3 countermovement-jump trials.

Results:

No statistical difference was observed between 3 trials for both the RSI and JH variable at all the tested drop heights. The RSI for drop-jump heights from 20 cm resulted in a coefficient of variation (CV) = 3.1% and an intraclass correlation (ICC α) = .96, 40 cm resulted in a CV = 3.0% and an ICC α = .95, and 50 cm resulted in a CV = 2.1% and an ICC α = .99. The JH variable at the 40-cm drop-jump height resulted in the highest reliability CV = 2.8% and an ICC α = .98.

Conclusion:

When assessing the RSI the 20-, 40-, and 50-cm drop heights are recommended with this population. When assessing large groups it appears that only 1 trial is required when assessing the RSI variable from the 20, 40-, and 50-cm drop heights.
Five-Meter Rope-Climbing: A Commando-Specific Power Test of the Upper Limbs
Authors: Dhahbi Wissem , Chaouachi Anis , Padulo Johnny , Behm David G. , Chamari Karim
Published: November 2014

Purpose:

To examine the concurrent validity and absolute and relative reliabilities of a commando-specific power test.

Participants:

21 antiterrorism commandos.

Methods:

All participants were assessed on a 5-m rope-climbing test (RCT) and the following tests: pull-ups, push-ups, estimated-1-repetition-maximum (est-1RM), medicine-ball put, and handgrip-strength test. The stopwatch method related to the execution time (ET) was validated by comparison with video motion analysis. The best individual attempt of 3 trials was kept for analysis, and the performance was expressed in absolute power output (APO) and body-mass relative power output (RPO).

Results:

Stopwatch assessment had an excellent criterion validity (r = .99, P < .001), intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC3,1) of .98, standard errors of measurement (SEM%) of 1.19%, bias ± the 95% limits of agreement of 0.03 ± 0.26 s, and minimal detectable change (MDC95) of 0.51 s. The ET, APO, and RPO were significantly correlated (P < .05) with all cited tests (absolute-value r range .55−.98), while est-1RM was not significantly correlated with the other tests. Test-retest reliability coefficients were excellent for ET, APO, and RPO (ICC3,1 > .90). The SEM% values for the ET, APO, and RPO were all under 5% (range 3.73−4.52%), all being smaller than the corresponding smallest worthwhile change. The coefficients of variation for the ET, APO, and RPO were all under 10%. %MDC95 ranged from 10.37% to 12.53%.

Conclusions:

Considering the strong concurrent validity and excellent test–retest reliability, the RCT is simple to administer, has ecological validity, and is a valid specific field test of upper-body power for commandos and, in addition, can be accurately assessed with a stopwatch.
Just one poliovirus left to go?
Authors: Roberts Leslie
Published: November 2014

Vaccinators may have wiped out the second of three strains of the virus.
No sexism in science? Not so fast, critics say
Authors: Bernstein Rachel
Published: November 2014

Study of hiring in math-heavy fields provokes outcry.
The genes that turned wildcats into kitty cats
Authors: Grimm David
Published: November 2014

Findings help show how all animals became tame.
The theoretical physicist behind
Interstellar
Authors: Clery Daniel
Published: November 2014

What Kip Thorne loved about the new science-fiction movie—and what made him cringe.
The river masters
Authors: Pennisi Elizabeth
Published: November 2014

Hippos are the nutrient kingpins of Africa's waterways.
Analysis of Changes in Diversity and Abundance of the Microbial Community in a Cystic Fibrosis Patient over a Multiyear Period
Authors: Stokell Joshua R. , Gharaibeh Raad Z. , Hamp Timothy J. , Zapata Malcolm J. , Fodor Anthony A. , Steck Todd R.
Published: November 2014

The evolution of pulmonary disease in cystic fibrosis (CF) usually begins when bacteria get trapped in mucus in the lungs and become established as a chronic infection. While most CF patients experience periods of stability, pulmonary exacerbations (PEs) can occur multiple times per year and result in permanent damage to the lungs. Little is known of the shift from a period of stability to a PE, but this shift is likely to be attributed to changes in the bacterial community. Here, we identified changes in the lung microbiota to determine if they reflect patient health, indicate the onset of exacerbations, or are related to antibiotic treatment. In contrast to most bacterial studies on CF, we collected weekly samples from an adult CF patient over a period of 3 years and performed quantitative PCR (qPCR) and Illumina sequencing on those samples. While many DNA-based studies have shown the CF microbiota to be relatively stable, we observed an increase in the total bacterial abundance over time (
P
< 0.001), while the number of different taxa (bacterial richness) and the number of different taxa and their abundances (diversity) significantly decreased over time (
P
< 0.03), which was likely due to repeated antibiotic exposure. Using genus-specific primers with qPCR, we observed an increase in the abundance of
Burkholderia multivorans
, a CF-associated pathogen, prior to the occurrence of a PE (
P
= 0.006). Combining these DNA-based techniques with frequent sampling identified a potential initiator for exacerbations and described a response of the CF microbiota to time and antibiotic treatment not observed in previous CF microbiota studies.
Comparison of GenomEra C. difficile and Xpert C. difficile as Confirmatory Tests in a Multistep Algorithm for Diagnosis of Clostridium difficile Infection
Authors: Alcalá Luis , Reigadas Elena , Marín Mercedes , Fernández-Chico Antonia , Catalán Pilar , Bouza Emilio
Published: November 2014

We compared two multistep diagnostic algorithms based on C. Diff Quik Chek Complete and, as confirmatory tests, GenomEra
C. difficile
and Xpert
C. difficile
. The sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, and negative predictive value were 87.2%, 99.7%, 97.1%, and 98.3%, respectively, for the GenomEra-based algorithm and 89.7%, 99.4%, 95.5%, and 98.6%, respectively, for the Xpert-based algorithm. GenomEra represents an alternative to Xpert as a confirmatory test of a multistep algorithm for
Clostridium difficile
infection (CDI) diagnosis.
A Lethal Murine Infection Model for Dengue Virus 3 in AG129 Mice Deficient in Type I and II Interferon Receptors Leads to Systemic Disease
Authors: Sarathy Vanessa V. , White Mellodee , Li Li , Gorder Summer R. , Pyles Richard B. , Campbell Gerald A. , Milligan Gregg N. , Bourne Nigel , Barrett Alan D. T.
Published: November 2014

The mosquito-borne disease dengue (DEN) is caused by four serologically and genetically related viruses, termed DENV-1 to DENV-4. Infection with one DENV usually leads to acute illness and results in lifelong homotypic immunity, but individuals remain susceptible to infection by the other three DENVs. The lack of a small-animal model that mimics systemic DEN disease without neurovirulence has been an obstacle, but DENV-2 models that resemble human disease have been recently developed in AG129 mice (deficient in interferon alpha/beta and interferon gamma receptor signaling). However, comparable DENV-1, -3, and -4 models have not been developed. We utilized a non-mouse-adapted DENV-3 Thai human isolate to develop a lethal infection model in AG129 mice. Intraperitoneal inoculation of six to eight-week-old animals with strain C0360/94 led to rapid, fatal disease. Lethal C0360/94 infection resulted in physical signs of illness, high viral loads in the spleen, liver, and large intestine, histological changes in the liver and spleen tissues, and increased serum cytokine levels. Importantly, the animals developed vascular leakage, thrombocytopenia, and leukopenia. Overall, we have developed a lethal DENV-3 murine infection model, with no evidence of neurotropic disease based on a non-mouse-adapted human isolate, which can be used to investigate DEN pathogenesis and to evaluate candidate vaccines and antivirals. This suggests that murine models utilizing non-mouse-adapted isolates can be obtained for all four DENVs.

IMPORTANCE
Dengue (DEN) is a mosquito-borne disease caused by four DENV serotypes (DENV-1, -2, -3, and -4) that have no treatments or vaccines. Primary infection with one DENV usually leads to acute illness followed by lifelong homotypic immunity, but susceptibility to infection by the other three DENVs remains. Therefore, a vaccine needs to protect from all four DENVs simultaneously. To date a suitable animal model to mimic systemic human illness exists only for DENV-2 in immunocompromised mice using passaged viruses; however, models are still needed for the remaining serotypes. This study describes establishment of a lethal systemic DENV-3 infection model with a human isolate in immunocompromised mice and is the first report of lethal infection by a nonadapted clinical DENV isolate without evidence of neurological disease. Our DENV-3 model provides a relevant platform to test DEN vaccines and antivirals.
Improving management of severe sepsis and uptake of sepsis resuscitation bundle in an acute setting
Authors: Kafle Sumitra , Nath Navdeep
Published: November 2014

Severe sepsis still remains a major cause of morbidity and mortality, claiming between 36,000 to 64,000 lives annually in the UK, with a mortality rate of 35%.[1,2]

The project aims to measure the management of severely septic patients in acute medical unit (AMU) in a district general hospital against best practice guidelines, before and after a set of interventions aiming to optimise patient management and outcomes.

All new admissions who met the criteria for sepsis in AMU over a two week period were evaluated. Those who met the criteria for severe sepsis were further analysed. The criteria evaluated were time to first administration of oxygen, intravenous fluids, antibiotics, the taking of blood cultures, other relevant bloods tests (including lactate) and urine output monitoring. A re-audit was completed after the introduction of a set of interventions which included a "sepsis box."

A total of 32 patients (19 Males, 13 Females) were identified in the pre-intervention group. Twenty-two of these patients met the criteria for severe sepsis. Only 15 out of 32 (47%) had their lactate measured. Ten out of 22 (45%) received fluids within an hour. Twelve out of 22 (55%) had their blood culture sample taken after administration of antibiotics and only 12 out of 22 (55%) had antibiotics administrated within an hour of medical assessment.

Post-intervention the results however improved dramatically. A total of 30 patients were identified in the post-intervention group (12 Males, 18 Females). Antibiotics administration within an hour went up by 22%. Lactate was performed in 26/30 (87%) patients presented with sepsis compared to 47% in the pre-intervention group. Similarly, identification of severe sepsis, and administration of intravenous fluids also showed improvement ultimately improving patient safety.

Following the initial success, the trial was repeated over three months period, which showed sustainable improvement.
Scheduling and rotas
Authors: Crick Jerry
Published: November 2014

No matter what you call them – rotas, schedules, rosters – making these necessary timetables can cause stress and waste time in a busy veterinary practice. Jerry Crick explains how rotas can best be organised, while preserving practice harmony.
Meaningful meetings for a successful practice
Authors: Eitel Katherine
Published: November 2014

As a business owner, if you‘ve clearly set a vision for your team and received their complete buy‐in, you are now faced with the daunting task of keeping them on track, highly trained and inspired towards that common goal. Katherine Eitel discusses four important meetings to help you achieve that unity and motivation.
Differential diagnosis and management of corneal ulceration in horses, part 1
Authors: Hartley Claudia
Published: November 2014

Corneal ulceration is a common problem seen in equine practice. Appropriate and timely treatment is important to ensure the best outcome for the patient. The eye is a delicate and unforgiving organ, requiring measured assessment, diagnosis and treatment to maintain vision and the globe. This article considers corneal anatomy and healing, the diagnostic approach to a painful equine eye, as well as differential diagnoses and treatments for the different corneal ulcerations that might be encountered. A second article, to be published in a future issue of In Practice, will consider the various aetiologies of corneal ulceration, treatments and prognoses.
Fate of a severely lame cow
Authors: Rees Gwen
Published: November 2014

THIS series gives readers the opportunity to consider and contribute to discussion of some of the ethical dilemmas that can arise in veterinary practice. Each month, a case scenario is presented, followed by discussion of some of the issues involved.

In addition, a possible way forward is suggested; however, there is rarely a cut‐and‐dried answer in such cases, and readers may wish to suggest an alternative approach. This month's dilemma, ‘Fate of a severely lame cow ’, was submitted and is discussed by Gwen Rees. Readers with comments to contribute are invited to send them as soon as possible, so that they can be considered for publication in the next issue. Discussion of the dilemma ‘Euthanasia in a no‐kill shelter’, which was published in the October issue of In Practice, appears on page 527.

The series is being coordinated by Siobhan Mullan, of the University of Bristol. It is hoped it will provide a framework that will help practices find solutions when facing similar dilemmas.
Basic veterinary management of reindeer
Authors: McSloy Alex
Published: November 2014

Reindeer are becoming increasingly popular in the UK, especially among smallholders and pet owners. They are naturally adapted for life in extreme climates in northern regions and so captivity in the UK poses many health and management issues that vets and potential future owners should be aware of and consider carefully. This article considers some of the most common reasons why reindeer are presented to veterinary practitioners and how vets can help improve the health of these animals.
ERIC‐PCR genotyping of Pseudomonas aeruginosa isolates from haemorrhagic pneumonia cases in mink
Authors: Han Ming‐ming , Mu Lian‐zhi , Liu Xu‐ping , Zhao Jing , Liu Xiao‐fei , Liu Hui
Published: November 2014

Background

Pseudomonas aeruginosa is a significant pathogen of mink and the cause of haemorrhagic pneumonia, an acute fatal disease in farmed mink.

Results

Among 90 P. aeruginosa isolates from haemorrhagic pneumonia in mink from 16 farms in Shandong province, China, 43 genotypes were identified by enterobacterial repetitive intergenic consensus PCR (ERIC‐PCR), with a diversity index of 0.96. The most prevalent ERIC‐PCR types were type 18, found in 16 isolates, and type 39, found in 15 isolates. Four serotypes were detected, with serotype G (55.6 per cent) being the most frequent.

Conclusions

These results showed that there was a high degree of clonal diversity among mink P. aeruginosa clinical isolates in this study.
Non-Hermitian model for asymmetric tunneling
Authors: Santos Roberto B. B. , da Silva Vinícius R.
Published: November 2014

We present a simple non-Hermitian model to describe the phenomenon of asymmetric tunneling between two energy-degenerate sites coupled by a non-reciprocal interaction without dissipation. The system was described using a biorthogonal family of energy eigenvectors, the dynamics of the system was determined by the Schrödinger equation, and unitarity was effectively restored by proper normalization of the state vectors. The results show that the tunneling rates are indeed asymmetrical in this model, leading to an equilibrium that displays unequal occupation of the degenerate systems even in the absence of external interactions.
Synthesis and in vitro study of new highly boronated phthalocyanine
Authors: Shmal'ko Akim V. , Efremenko Anastasija V. , Ignatova Anastasija A. , Sivaev Igor B. , Feofanov Alexey V. , Hamuryudan Esin , Gül Ahmet , Kovalenko Leonid V. , Qi Shicheng , Bregadze Vladimir I.
Published: November 2014

A new highly boronated Zn ( II )-phthalocyanine with eight cobalt bis(dicarbollide) units (144 boron atoms) was prepared and its intracellular accumulation and distribution in GL6 human glioblastoma cells were studied. It was found that the boronated phthalocyanine undergoes strong aggregation in intracellular environment.
Nanostructures formation in ferroelectrics in the process of phase transformation
Authors: Ishchuk V. , Spiridonov N. , Sobolev V.
Published: November 2014

Inhomogeneous states caused by the coexistence of the ferroelectric (FE) and antiferroelectric (AFE) phases in lead–zirconate–titanate based solid solutions have been investigated. It has been found that the domains of the FE and AFE phases with sizes of the order of 20 nm to 30 nm coexist in the bulk of the samples due to a small difference in the free energies of these phases. The coherent character of the interphase boundaries (IPBs) leads to the concentration of the elastic stresses along these boundaries. These elastic stresses cause the local decomposition of the solid solution and formation of segregates near the IPBS due to the condition that equivalent positions of the crystal lattice are occupied by the ions with different sizes. The sizes of the segregates formed in this way are of the order 8 nm to 15 nm. Some physical effects caused by the presence of these segregate nanostructures are analyzed and discussed.
Extracting information in spike time patterns with wavelets and information theory
Authors: Lopes-dos-Santos Vítor , Panzeri Stefano , Kayser Christoph , Diamond Mathew E. , Quian Quiroga Rodrigo
Published: November 2014

We present a new method to assess the information carried by temporal patterns in spike trains. The method first performs a wavelet decomposition of the spike trains, then uses Shannon information to select a subset of coefficients carrying information, and finally assesses timing information in terms of decoding performance: the ability to identify the presented stimuli from spike train patterns. We show that the method allows: 1) a robust assessment of the information carried by spike time patterns even when this is distributed across multiple time scales and time points; 2) an effective denoising of the raster plots that improves the estimate of stimulus tuning of spike trains; and 3) an assessment of the information carried by temporally coordinated spikes across neurons. Using simulated data, we demonstrate that the Wavelet-Information (WI) method performs better and is more robust to spike time-jitter, background noise, and sample size than well-established approaches, such as principal component analysis, direct estimates of information from digitized spike trains, or a metric-based method. Furthermore, when applied to real spike trains from monkey auditory cortex and from rat barrel cortex, the WI method allows extracting larger amounts of spike timing information. Importantly, the fact that the WI method incorporates multiple time scales makes it robust to the choice of partly arbitrary parameters such as temporal resolution, response window length, number of response features considered, and the number of available trials. These results highlight the potential of the proposed method for accurate and objective assessments of how spike timing encodes information.