bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The need for adequate community interpreting services in healthcare multilingual settings
Authors: Hikmet Hannouna Yasmin
Published: May 2012

Language is often a barrier to high-quality healthcare. Providing culturally and linguistically appropriate services is part of eliminating health disparities, offering quality care, and minimizing risk exposure. In the city of Al-Ain in the United Arab Emirates, residents argue for appropriate interpreting services in order to have access to quality care and good health outcomes. The focus of this study was on the need for professional interpreting services to facilitate communication between patients with no functional English and English-speaking health professionals. A survey, structured in-person and telephone interviews, and patients’ comments in four hospitals in Al-Ain were conducted and participants were asked to answer twenty open-ended questions on the state of healthcare in their city. The rate of response was 51% (62 returned surveys). The analysis of the data indicates a need for effective language services in Al-Ain healthcare institutions, and perhaps across the country. It was also found that most of the interpreting services are provided by ad hoc interpreters. This serves as a challenge to educational and medical institutions to cooperate and design programs to prepare well-trained professional interpreters so as to ensure quality interpreting services and quality patient care.
The Efficacy of Reservoir Flow Regulation for Cooling Migration Temperature for Sockeye Salmon in the Nechako River Watershed of British Columbia
Authors: Macdonald J. S. , Morrison J. , Patterson D. A.
Published: May 2012

Since the early 1980s, a water temperature management program has been in existence on the Nechako River system in central British Columbia, Canada. The program releases water based on anticipated meteorological conditions in an attempt to prevent temperature from exceeding a specified threshold of 20°C downstream during a period when spawning migrations of sockeye salmon Oncorhynchus nerka are in the Nechako River. Since the inception of the program, this threshold has been exceeded only rarely; however, the variables that influence water temperature and that are used to manage water releases in the Nechako River watershed have not been subject to an independent analysis. Increasing demand for water at other times of year and a desire to restore a more natural hydrograph to the river to meet other ecological demands have impelled this analysis. A principal components analysis that examined the factors contributing to river temperature demonstrated that the summer controlled flow releases accounted for 24% of the temperature variability and were probably a factor in maintaining compliance with the program's temperature threshold. Furthermore, during most summers, the Nechako River provided a cooling influence to input from the Stuart River tributary in a downstream reach that is used by the majority of the migrating sockeye salmon. Water temperature has a modest influence on prespawning mortality (up to 22% of the variability), suggesting that attempts to reduce summer water temperatures through releases in the upper Nechako River watershed can mitigate against poor spawning success of sockeye salmon populations that migrate through the lower reaches of the system.

Received April 19, 2011; accepted December 9, 2011
Flexible-meccano: a tool for the generation of explicit ensemble descriptions of intrinsically disordered proteins and their associated experimental observables
Authors: Ozenne Valéry , Bauer Frédéric , Salmon Loïc , Huang Jie-rong , Jensen Malene Ringkjøbing , Segard Stéphane , Bernadó Pau , Charavay Céline , Blackledge Martin
Published: May 2012

Motivation: Intrinsically disordered proteins (IDPs) represent a significant fraction of the human proteome. The classical structure function paradigm that has successfully underpinned our understanding of molecular biology breaks down when considering proteins that have no stable tertiary structure in their functional form. One convenient approach is to describe the protein in terms of an equilibrium of rapidly inter-converting conformers. Currently, tools to generate such ensemble descriptions are extremely rare, and poorly adapted to the prediction of experimental data.

Results: We present flexible-meccano—a highly efficient algorithm that generates ensembles of molecules, on the basis of amino acid-specific conformational potentials and volume exclusion. Conformational sampling depends uniquely on the primary sequence, with the possibility of introducing additional local or long-range conformational propensities at an amino acid-specific resolution. The algorithm can also be used to calculate expected values of experimental parameters measured at atomic or molecular resolution, such as nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) and small angle scattering, respectively. We envisage that flexible-meccano will be useful for researchers who wish to compare experimental data with those expected from a fully disordered protein, researchers who see experimental evidence of deviation from ‘random coil’ behaviour in their protein, or researchers who are interested in working with a broad ensemble of conformers representing the flexibility of the IDP of interest.

Availability: A fully documented multi-platform executable is provided, with examples, at http://www.ibs.fr/science-213/scientific-output/software/flexible-meccano/

Contact:  martin.blackledge@ibs.fr
The memory of surfaces: epitaxial growth on quasi-crystals
Authors: McGrath R. , Sharma H. R. , Smerdon J. A. , Ledieu J.
Published: May 2012

If crystal structures can be viewed as repositories of information, then crystal surfaces offer a pathway by which this information can be used to grow new structures through the process of epitaxy. The information transfer process is one of self-organization, and the kinetic and energetic factors influencing this are complex. They include the relative strengths of the adsorbate–adsorbate and adsorbate–substrate interactions, the flux of incoming species and the temperature of the system. In this brief review, we explore how the interplay of these factors influences the degree to which the epitaxial structures retain the ‘memory’ of the template, illustrating the discussion with examples from epitaxy on quasi-crystal surfaces.
A glimpse of quantum phenomena in optical lattices
Authors: Vishveshwara Smitha
Published: May 2012

Optical lattices in cold atomic systems offer an excellent setting for realizing quantum condensed matter phenomena. Here, a glimpse of such a setting is provided for the non-specialist. Some basic aspects of cold atomic gases and optical lattices are reviewed. Quantum many-body physics is explored in the case of interacting bosons on a lattice. Quantum behaviour in the presence of a potential landscape is examined for three different cases: a hexagonal lattice potential, a quasi-periodic potential and a disorder potential.
Unusual co-crystal of isonicotinamide: the structural landscape in crystal engineering
Authors: Tothadi Srinu , Desiraju Gautam R.
Published: May 2012

The idea of a structural landscape is based on the fact that a large number of crystal structures can be associated with a particular organic molecule. Taken together, all these structures constitute the landscape. The landscape includes polymorphs, pseudopolymorphs and solvates. Under certain circumstances, it may also include multi-component crystals (or co-crystals) that contain the reference molecule as one of the components. Under still other circumstances, the landscape may include the crystal structures of molecules that are closely related to the reference molecule. The idea of a landscape is to facilitate the understanding of the process of crystallization. It includes all minima that can, in principle, be accessed by the molecule in question as it traverses the path from solution to the crystal. Isonicotinamide is a molecule that is known to form many co-crystals. We report here a 2:1 co-crystal of this amide with 3,5-dinitrobenzoic acid, wherein an unusual N−H⋯N hydrogen-bonded pattern is observed. This crystal structure offers some hints about the recognition processes between molecules that might be implicated during crystallization. Also included is a review of other recent results that illustrate the concept of the structural landscape.
Quantitative trait loci segregating in crosses between New Hampshire and White Leghorn chicken lines: III. Fat deposition and intramuscular fat content
Authors: Nassar M. K. , Goraga Z. S. , Brockmann G. A.
Published: May 2012

In this study, a genome scan was performed to detect genomic loci that affect fat deposition in white adipose tissues and muscles in 278 F
2 males of reciprocal crosses between the genetically and phenotypically extreme inbred chicken lines New Hampshire (NHI) and White Leghorn (WL77). Genome‐wide highly significant quantitative trait loci (QTL) influencing fat deposition in white adipose tissues were found on GGA2 and 4. The peak QTL positions for different visceral and subcutaneous white adipose tissues were located between 41.4 and 112.4 Mb on GGA2 and between 76.2 and 78.7 Mb on GGA4, which explained 4.2–10.4% and 4.3–11.6% respectively of the phenotypic F
2 variances. Contrary to our expectations, the QTL allele descending from the lean line WL77 on GGA4 led to increased fat deposition. We suggest a transgressive action of the obesity allele only if it is not in the genetic background of the line WL77. Additional highly significant loci for subcutaneous adipose tissue mass were identified on GGA12 and 15. For intramuscular fat content, a suggestive QTL was located on GGA14. The analysed crosses provide a valuable resource for further fine mapping of fatness genes and subsequent gene discovery.
Autosomal genetic diversity in non‐breed horses from eastern Eurasia provides insights into historical population movements
Authors: Warmuth Vera , Manica Andrea , Eriksson Anders , Barker Graeme , Bower Mim
Published: May 2012

Many events in the history of eastern Eurasia, including the process of domestication itself, the initial spread of domestic horses and subsequent movements, are believed to have affected the genetic structure of domestic horse populations in this area. We investigated levels of within‐ and between‐population genetic diversity in ‘non‐breed horses’ (working horses sampled in remote areas) from 17 locations in Asia and parts of Eastern Europe, using 26 autosomal microsatellite loci. Non‐breed horses have not been subject to the same intensity of artificial selection and closed breeding as have most breed animals and are thus expected to better reflect the population history of domestic horses. Despite geographic distances of between 300 and 7000 km between sampling locations, pairwise
F
ST
was very low (range: <0.001 to −0.033), suggesting historically high levels of gene flow. Our analyses of non‐breed horses revealed a pattern of isolation by distance and a significant decline in genetic diversity (expected heterozygosity and allelic richness) from east to west, consistent with a westward expansion of horses out of East Asia. Although the timing of this putative expansion is unclear, our results highlight the benefit of studying animals that do not belong to particular breeds when investigating aspects of a population's history.
Allergic rhinitis is associated with otitis media with effusion: a birth cohort study
Authors: Kreiner‐Møller E. , Chawes B. L. K. , Caye‐Thomasen P. , Bønnelykke K. , Bisgaard H.
Published: May 2012

Background

Childhood otitis media with effusion is a common disease and a link to allergic diseases has been suggested.

Objective

To investigate the association between atopic disease and otitis media with effusion diagnosed according to strict objective case definitions by age 6 years.

Methods

We evaluated 291 children in the 6th year of life from the Copenhagen Prospective Studies on Asthma in Childhood (COPSAC) 2000 birth cohort. Otitis media with effusion was diagnosed based on tympanometric and objective evaluation. Asthma, eczema, allergic‐ and non‐allergic rhinitis was diagnosed prospectively by pre‐defined algorithms. Nasal mucosal swelling was assessed using acoustic rhinometry and nasal eosinophilia from scrapings.

Analyses were performed using logistic regression and adjusted for dog, cat and smoking exposure, paternal atopy, household income, older siblings, gender and number of acute otitis media episodes.

Results

Otitis media with effusion was diagnosed in 39% of the cohort and was associated with allergic rhinitis (aOR = 3.36, CI = 1.26–8.96, P = 0.02), but not with nasal mucosal swelling, nasal oeosinophilia, non‐allergic rhinitis, asthma or eczema.

Conclusion

Otitis media with effusion is closely associated with allergic rhinitis presumably caused by allergic inflammation, but not mechanical nasal mucosal swelling. These findings warrant an increased awareness of otitis media with effusion in children with allergic rhinitis.
Persistent hypereosinophilia with Wells syndrome
Authors: Powell J. , Kaur M. , Muc R. , Colloby P. , Salim A.
Published: May 2012

Since Wells and Smith first described cases of eosinophilic cellulitis (Wells syndrome; WS) in 1979, it has been noted that some but not all patients with WS present with eosinophilia. In the face of idiopathic persistent eosinophilia patients will also then fall within the hypereosinophilic syndrome (HES), which represents a multifarious spectrum of disorders of varying severity, causes and outcomes. In this article we propose that patients who present within the HES spectrum with cutaneous findings of WS and with no extracutaneous disease be classified as having ‘persistent hypereosinophilia with Wells syndrome’ (PHEWS).
Pervasive developmental disorders in children of hyperandrogenic women with polycystic ovary syndrome: a longitudinal case–control study
Authors: Palomba Stefano , Marotta Rosa , Di Cello Annalisa , Russo Tiziana , Falbo Angela , Orio Francesco , Tolino Achille , Zullo Fulvio , Esposito Rosa , Sala Giovanni Battista La
Published: May 2012

Objective

Foetal exposure to high testosterone concentrations seems to be involved in the development of mammalian brain and related to pervasive developmental disorders (PDDs). The aim of the current study was to test the hypothesis that children born from hyperandrogenic women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) are at higher risk of PDDs.

Design

Longitudinal case–control study.

Patients

Thirty pregnant PCOS patients with hyperandrogenaemia and other 45 pregnant healthy women were followed during pregnancy. All women had a healthy baby.

Measurements

Clinical evaluations and biochemical assays of the mothers during pregnancy and after delivery were performed. The children's versions of the Autism‐Spectrum Quotient (AQ‐C), the Empathy Quotient (EQ‐C) and Systemizing Quotient (SQ‐C) tests were administered.

Results

Total AQ‐C and communication scores were significantly higher for children of PCOS patients. Stratifying our population according to sex, total AQ‐C, communication and attention switching subscores were significantly higher only for daughters of PCOS patients. EQ‐C and SQ‐C scores resulted in significantly lower and higher scores, respectively, only in daughters of PCOS patients in comparison with those of healthy non‐PCOS controls. AQ‐C, EQ‐C and SQ‐C scores, irrespective of the studied group and/or subclassification by gender, were significantly influenced by amniotic testosterone levels.

Conclusions

Daughters of mothers affected by hyperandrogenic PCOS seem to have a higher risk for PDDs probably due to an unbalanced prenatal exposure to high levels of testosterone.
Mussel responses to flood pulse frequency: the importance of local habitat
Authors: NEGISHI JUNJIRO N. , SAGAWA SHIRO , KAYABA YUICHI , SANADA SEIJI , KUME MANABU , MIYASHITA TETSUYA
Published: May 2012

1. Understanding mechanisms behind the distribution of organisms along a gradient of hydrological connectivity is crucial for sustainable management of river–floodplain systems. We tested the hypothesis that frequency of flood pulses exerts a direct influence on the distribution of freshwater mussels (Unionoida) by creating a local environment that limits their fitness.

2. Multiscale habitat analyses combined with transplant‐rearing experiments were carried out with a focus on abundance, presence/absence, survival rates and growth rates of mussels. Sixty‐nine floodplain waterbodies (FWBs) were surveyed within a 15‐km lowland segment of the Kiso River in Japan.

3. The abundance of mussels significantly increased with increased frequency of inundation associated with flood pulses at the among‐FWB scale, while the probability of occurrence of mussels was negatively predicted by the amount of benthic organic matter at the within‐FWB scale.

4. Field‐rearing experiments showed that survival rates were low and growth rates nearly zero in infrequently inundated FWBs (these FWBs had no naturally occurring resident mussels). In such FWBs, hypoxia (DO < 2 mg L−1) was frequently observed near the bottom when temperature was optimal for mussel growth (>15 °C).

5. These findings demonstrated that flood pulse frequency was the most important factor in determining mussel distribution in FWBs because it directly limits mussels’ fitness by mediating local environmental factors, possibly dissolved oxygen (DO) levels. Successful restoration efforts for mussel habitat conservation should focus on processes that lead to improved local conditions.
The weekend matters: exploring when and how nurses best recover from work stress
Authors: Drach‐Zahavy Anat , Marzuq Nabil
Published: May 2012

drach‐zahavy a. & marzuq n. (2013) The weekend matters: exploring when and how nurses best recover from work stress. Journal of Advanced Nursing69(3), 578–589. doi: 10.1111/j.1365‐2648.2012.06033.x

Aim.  This article is a report of a comparative study examining nurses’ levels of emotional exhaustion and vigour after a short respite taken on weekends as compared with two midweek days taken off.

Background.  Recovery from work stress – a respite experience that generates replenishing of psychological and physical resources that have been depleted by meeting effortful demands – is crucial to offset future deleterious consequences to mental and physical health.

Design.  Longitudinal panel survey.

Method.  Nurses (n = 400) completed questionnaires during 2010–2011 on three occasions: (1) Before the respite (weekend or midweek), we measured the timing of the respite and emotional exhaustion and vigour; (2) during the respite we measured respite experiences; and (3) after the respite we re‐measured emotional exhaustion and vigour.

Results.  Nurses’ emotional exhaustion was significantly lower and their vigour significantly higher after a short weekend respite than after two‐midweek‐days taken off. Specific experiences during the respite can compensate for the inferior recovery process on weekdays compared with weekends: emotional exhaustion levels of nurses who experienced high relaxation during their respite did not differ whether the respite was at the midweek or weekend. Vigour levels of nurses who experienced control during their respite did not differ whether their respite was midweek or at the weekend.

Conclusions.  Insights gained on leisure experiences carry important practical implications for nurses and nursing managers. Staff nurses and their managers should be educated in how to recover from work during leisure time, including preferring weekend on midweek respites and engagement in relaxation and control experiences as much as possible.
Nurses’ competence in genetics: a mixed method systematic review
Authors: Skirton Heather , O’Connor Anita , Humphreys Ann
Published: May 2012

skirton h., o’connor a. & humphreys a. (2012) Nurses’ competence in genetics: a mixed method systematic review. Journal of Advanced Nursing68(11), 2387–2398.

Aim.  To ascertain the extent to which nurses are achieving the core competences in genetics appropriate for nursing practice.

Background.  There is an increasing focus on genetics in nursing, and relevant core competences have been developed. However, it is unclear whether nurses are achieving these competences.

Data sources.  Four databases (CINAHL, Medline, The Allied and Complementary Medicine Database, and British Nursing Index) were searched. Hand searching of relevant reference lists and author names was also conducted.

Design. Systematic review.

Review methods.  The systematic review was undertaken using methods described by the Centre for Reviews and Dissemination (University of York, 2008). Research studies published in English between January 2000–January 2011 reporting data focussing on nurse competence in genetics were eligible for inclusion. Data were abstracted for inclusion in a table and subjected to thematic analysis: due to diversity of studies, a meta‐analysis was not performed.

Results.  Of 269 papers retrieved, 13 were eligible for inclusion. There were five main themes: knowledge, experience in using skills, ethical practice, perceived relevance, and confidence. Although the majority of participants believed genetics was relevant to their role, their knowledge of genetic concepts was generally poor; however, most studies measured self‐reported knowledge rather than assessing actual knowledge.

Conclusions.  There is little evidence on this topic, but it does appear from the available evidence that nurses are not demonstrating the competences needed to offer holistic health care to people with genetic conditions. Pre‐ and postregistration programmes must be enhanced to include genetic health care.
Development and psychometric testing of a new tool for detecting moral distress: the Moral Distress Thermometer
Authors: Wocial Lucia D. , Weaver Michael T.
Published: May 2012

Aim.  To report the development and psychometric testing of the Moral Distress Thermometer. The Moral Distress Thermometer is a new screening tool to measure moral distress in nurses who practise in the hospital setting.

Background.  Moral distress occurs when one knows the ethically correct thing to do, but is prevented from acting on that perceived obligation. It is a well documented phenomenon with negative consequences that may be experienced by nurses. Creating an instrument to effectively and efficiently measure moral distress in a timely way has been identified as a priority for nursing.

Design.  This study used a cross‐sectional survey design.

Methods.  Data collection for this research occurred in 2009. Participants simultaneously completed either the adult or pediatric version of the Moral Distress Scale version 2009 and the Moral Distress Thermometer. A total of 529 participants from various clinical areas completed both tools.

Results.  Coefficients alpha were adequate for both Adult (0·90) and Pediatric (0·92) Moral Distress Scale 2009 scales. Statistically significant Pearson correlations were found for the Moral Distress Thermometer with Adult Moral Distress Scale 2009 and Pediatric Moral Distress Scale 2009 and higher Moral Distress Thermometer, Adult Moral Distress Scale 2009 and Pediatric Moral Distress Scale 2009 means for participants who had left or who considered leaving a position because of moral distress.

Conclusion.  These findings provide support for the validity of the Moral Distress Thermometer.
Principle‐based analysis of the concept of telecare
Authors: Solli Hilde , Bjørk Ida Torunn , Hvalvik Sigrun , Hellesø Ragnhild
Published: May 2012

Aim.  To report a concept analysis of telecare.

Background.  Lately telecare has become a worldwide, modern way of giving care over distance by means of technology. Other concepts, like telemedicine, e‐health, and telehealth, focus on the same topic though the boundaries between them seem to be blurred.

Data sources.  Sources comprise 44 English language research articles retrieved from the database of Medline and Cinahl (1995–October 2011).

Design.  Literature Review.

Method.  A principle‐based analysis was undertaken through content analysis of the definitions, attributes, preconditions, and outcomes of the concept.

Results.  The attributes are well described according to the use of technology, caring activity, persons involved, and accessibility. Preconditions and outcomes are well described concerning individual and health political needs and benefits. The concept did not hold its boundaries through theoretical integration with the concept of telemedicine and telehealth. The definition of telecare competes with concepts like home‐based e‐health, telehomecare, telephonecare, telephone‐based psychosocial services, telehealth, and telemedicine. Assessment of the definitions resulted in a suggestion of a new definition: Telecare is the use of information, communication, and monitoring technologies which allow healthcare providers to remotely evaluate health status, give educational intervention, or deliver health and social care to patients in their homes.

Conclusion.  The logical principle was assessed to be partly immature, whereas the pragmatical and linguistical principles were found to be mature. A new definition is suggested and this has moved the epistemological principle forward to maturity.
Latitudinal variation in blue tit and great tit nest characteristics indicates environmental adjustment
Authors: Mainwaring Mark C. , Hartley Ian R. , Bearhop Stuart , Brulez Kaat , du Feu Christopher R. , Murphy Gerald , Plummer Kate E. , Webber Simone L. , James Reynolds S. , Deeming D. Charles
Published: May 2012

Aim  The laying of eggs and the building of a nest structure to accommodate them are two of the defining characteristics of members of the class Aves. Nest structures vary considerably across avian taxa and for many species the structure of the completed nest can have important consequences both for parents and their offspring. While nest characteristics are expected to vary adaptively in response to environmental conditions, large‐scale spatial variation in nest characteristics has been largely overlooked. Here, we examine the effects of latitudinal variation in spring temperatures on nest characteristics, including insulatory properties, and reproductive success of blue tits, Cyanistes caeruleus, and great tits, Parus major.

Location  Great Britain.

Methods  Nests and reproductive data were collected from seven study sites, spread over 5° of latitude. The nest insulatory properties were then determined before the nests were separated into nest base material and cup lining material.

Results  As spring temperatures increased with decreasing latitude, the mass of the nest base material did not vary in either species, while the mass of the cup lining material and nest insulatory properties decreased in both species. This suggests that in response to increasing temperatures the breeding female reduces the mass of the cup lining material, thereby maintaining an appropriate microclimate for incubating and brooding. The mean first egg date of both species advanced with decreasing latitude and increasing spring temperatures, although clutch size and brood size at hatching and fledging did not vary.

Main conclusions  This is the first study to demonstrate that the nest‐construction behaviour of birds varies in response to large‐scale spatial variation in ambient temperatures. Therefore, nest composition reliably indicates environmental conditions and we suggest that studies of nest structure may be sentinels for the early signs of rapid climate change.
The tempo of genetic evolution in birds: body mass and climate effects
Authors: Gillman Len N. , McCowan Luke S. C. , Wright Shane D.
Published: May 2012

Aim  Negative relationships between body mass and substitution rates have previously been reported. However, most of these studies have involved contrasted taxa that, due to their highly divergent phylogenetic histories, also differ in many additional characteristics other than mass. In particular, there has been little examination of the potentially confounding effects of climate or population size. Here we test for differences in rates of microevolution among bird species that, although differing in mass, are nonetheless very closely related phylogenetic pairs. We additionally tested for latitudinal/elevational and population size effects across these contrasts.

Location  Global.

Methods  The tempo of microevolution within the cytochrome b gene of mitochondrial DNA was compared between closely related bird species that differed in body mass, using 130 phylogenetically independent species pairs. In order to minimize climate effects, pairs not having overlapping latitudinal ranges were discarded. In addition, a subset of pairs was identified and analysed that involved comparisons between species that have different latitudinal or elevational midpoints.

Results  Species with smaller mass had substitution rates marginally faster than those with larger mass (small : large median ratio = 1.05). However, this result was only statistically significant when data were pruned to eliminate comparisons in which population or range size also varied substantially between contrasted species. Latitude and elevation had a much stronger association with substitution rates than body mass within the subset of pairs (n = 30) that also differed in their spatial distributions: lower elevation or latitude species had substantially more substitutions than those at higher latitudes or elevations (low : high ratio = 1.35). Furthermore, when the dataset was pruned of pairs in which body mass was confounded by latitude or elevation, the body mass effect was eliminated.

Main conclusions  Body mass is known to correlate with latitude, so that the latitudinal/elevational association with microevolution we found might either be additive to, or causal of, the body mass effect. These results are consistent with the evolutionary speed hypothesis, which suggests that latitudinal diversity gradients derive from variation in the rate of microevolution. Our findings also serve to raise concerns about biogeographical studies that use genetic distances between taxa to estimate time since divergence.
Validation of the Verbal and Social Interaction questionnaire: carers' focus in the carer–resident relationship in supported housing facilities for persons with psychiatric disabilities (VSI‐SH)
Authors: BRUNT D. , RASK M.
Published: May 2012

Accessible summary

A questionnaire to measure the verbal and social interactions between carers and residents in supported housing facilities for persons with psychiatric disabilities has been developed from an earlier version for use in forensic psychiatric settings.

The aim of the present study was to investigate how valid and reliable this new adapted version of the questionnaire is for use in supported housing facilities.

A factor analysis was performed resulting in six factors. The number of items was reduced from the original 47 to 30. The resulting six factors and the items were compared to the conceptual model and four of the six factors corresponded well with the categories in this original theoretical model.

The questionnaire can be a useful contribution to the study of interactions between carers and residents in supported housing facilities for persons with psychiatric disabilities.

A questionnaire to measure the verbal and social interactions between carers and residents in supported housing facilities for persons with psychiatric disabilities has been developed. It is an adaptation of a questionnaire originally used in a forensic psychiatric setting. The aim of the present study was thus to investigate the construct validity and the reliability of this new version of the Verbal and Social Interactions questionnaire for use in supported housing facilities (VSI‐SH). Two hundred and twenty‐three carers from municipal and privately run housing facilities completed the questionnaire. A factor analysis was performed, which resulted in six factors. The number of items was reduced from the original 47 to 30 in order to minimize factorial complexity and multiple loadings. The reliability was tested with Cronbach's alpha and good internal consistency for the questionnaire and five of the six factors was found. The resulting six factors and the items were compared to the conceptual model and four of the six factors corresponded well with the categories in this original theoretical model. The questionnaire can be a useful contribution to the study of interactions between carers and residents in supported housing facilities for persons with psychiatric disabilities.
The Alps in the Cretaceous: a doubly vergent pre‐collisional orogen
Authors: Zanchetta Stefano , Garzanti Eduardo , Doglioni Carlo , Zanchi Andrea
Published: May 2012

Terra Nova, 24, 351–356, 2012

Current palaeotectonic models see the Alps chiefly as a collisional orogen, with the Southalpine retrobelt developed only as a post‐collisional feature. New structural and geochronological data show, instead, that the continental margin of Africa‐Adria was being structured as a doubly vergent orogen during subduction of Alpine Tethys in the Cretaceous, tens of million years before collision with Europe. Subduction is envisaged here to have nucleated in the latest Albian/Cenomanian within the attenuated Adriatic margin. Most continental slivers exhumed as eclogites in the axial part of the Cretaceous orogen contain gabbros and relics of HT/LP metamorphic rocks, indicating inheritance from Permian to Jurassic rifting. Cretaceous shortening in the Southalpine retrobelt is indicated by several lines of evidence, including orogen‐derived turbidites and syn‐sedimentary compressional activity since the Cenomanian, Upper Cretaceous pseudotachylytes dating major S/SE‐verging thick‐skinned thrusts, and widespread fold‐and‐thrust deformation cut by Eocene plutons and dikes.
PHO1 expression in guard cells mediates the stomatal response to abscisic acid in Arabidopsis
Authors: Zimmerli Céline , Ribot Cécile , Vavasseur Alain , Bauer Hubert , Hedrich Rainer , Poirier Yves
Published: May 2012

Stomatal opening and closing are driven by ion fluxes that cause changes in guard cell turgor and volume. This process is, in turn, regulated by environmental and hormonal signals, including light and the phytohormone abscisic acid (ABA). Here, we present genetic evidence that expression of PHO1 in guard cells of Arabidopsis thaliana is required for full stomatal responses to ABA. PHO1 is involved in the export of phosphate into the root xylem vessels and, as a result, the pho1 mutant is characterized by low shoot phosphate levels. In leaves, PHO1 was found expressed in guard cells and up‐regulated following treatment with ABA. The pho1 mutant was unaffected in production of reactive oxygen species following ABA treatment, and in stomatal movements in response to light cues, high extracellular calcium, auxin, and fusicoccin. However, stomatal movements in response to ABA treatment were severely impaired, both in terms of induction of closure and inhibition of opening. Micro‐grafting a pho1 shoot scion onto wild‐type rootstock resulted in plants with normal shoot growth and phosphate content, but failed to restore normal stomatal response to ABA treatment. PHO1 knockdown using RNA interference specifically in guard cells of wild‐type plants caused a reduced stomatal response to ABA. In agreement, specific expression of PHO1 in guard cells of pho1 plants complemented the mutant guard cell phenotype and re‐established ABA sensitivity, although full functional complementation was dependent on shoot phosphate sufficiency. Together, these data reveal an important role for phosphate and the action of PHO1 in the stomatal response to ABA.
Scientific productivity of OECD countries in dermatology journals within the last 10‐year period
Authors: Tasli Levent , Kacar Nida , Aydemir Ertugrul H.
Published: May 2012

Background  Scientific productivity is closely related to gross income, population, and cultures of the countries. Every country, more or less, has a responsibility of contributing to science.

Materials and methods  The publications, citations received, and the h‐index under the category of “dermatology” in 43 journals between the years of 1999–2003 and 2004–2008 according to the ISI JCR data of 2008 were examined individually for each OECD country.

Results  In the journals under the category of “dermatology” between the years of 1999 and 2008, there were 89,319 publications, 76,899 of which were published by OECD countries. USA ranks first with 27,109 publications and 196,002 citations; Germany, Japan, England, and France are the other countries among the top five, respectively. Regarding the number of publications, Turkey and Korea are among the top 10 by surpassing many Northern European countries. With regard to h‐index and citations, Northern European countries and Canada rank among the top 10, while Japan, Spain, Turkey, and Korea rank behind. The number of publications showed a significant correlation with the number of citations, population, gross domestic product, and h‐index.

Conclusions  Nearly half of all publications were performed by the European origin OECD countries, and one‐third of all publications were performed by USA. Journals from Germany and France, which are published in their own language, receive fewer citations, but they contribute a lot to these countries with respect to the number of publications.
Atopic dermatitis: correlation between non‐damaged skin barrier function and disease activity
Authors: Addor Flavia A.S. , Takaoka Roberto , Rivitti Evandro A. , Aoki Valeria
Published: May 2012

Background  Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a chronic dermatosis, predominant in childhood, characterized by pruritus and eczematous‐type lesions with xerosis as the prominent clinical sign.

Objectives  To analyze the correlation between biophysical measurements of skin barrier function and other assessment criteria of clinical severity according to Rajka and Langeland’s criteria.

Methods  Biophysical measurements [transepidermal water loss (TEWL) and corneometry] were obtained from 120 patients with the diagnosis of AD. Serum levels of IgE were also evaluated.

Results  A significant correlation between corneometry, TEWL, and clinical severity of AD was found. Data showed an inverse correlation between corneometry, TEWL, and AD severity, and a significant difference (P < 0.001) between mean of corneometry and TEWL and AD severity (mild, moderate, and severe). As for IgE levels, corneometry had significant negative correlation, in contrast with TEWL, which showed a significant positive correlation (P < 0.001).

Conclusion  Biophysical measurements of skin barrier in non‐lesional skin of AD may work as an evaluation factor for AD severity.
Natural coniferous resin salve used to treat complicated surgical wounds: pilot clinical trial on healing and costs
Authors: Sipponen Arno , Kuokkanen Opri , Tiihonen Raine , Kauppinen Harri , Jokinen Janne J.
Published: May 2012

Resin is a natural product of coniferous trees. Salves manufactured from spruce resin (Picea abies) have been used for centuries to treat wounds and skin infections. We report a pilot clinical trial designed to investigate healing rates, factors that contribute to delayed wound healing, cost‐effectiveness, and incidence of allergic reactions when resin salve is used to treat complicated surgical wounds. The trial involved 23 patients in whom wound healing after surgery was delayed. These patients were assigned to resin salve treatment. The primary outcome measure was the number of days to complete wound healing. Secondary objectives included an assessment of factors contributing to delayed wound healing, an estimation of associated costs, and an investigation into the occurrence of allergic reactions related to resin salve therapy. The study achieved a healing rate of 100%. The mean ± SD healing time was 43 ± 24 days. The mean ± SD wound size (length × width × depth) was (29 ± 19) × (12 ± 7) × (4 ± 3) mm. Wound size, use of corticosteroids or other immunosuppressants, and immobilization were statistically significant (P < 0.05) contributors to delayed wound healing and impaired re‐epithelialization. The total mean ± SD costs of the resin salve treatment were €45.0 ± 26.0 per patient during the entire treatment period and €1.2 ± 0.5 per treatment day. The rate of allergic reactions was 0%. The results of this pilot trial indicate that complicated surgical wounds may be treated successfully with resin salve. The treatment method is clinically effective and cost‐effective, and the rate of allergic reactions is low.
Identification of a novel HLA‐DPB1 allele, DPB1*138:01, by sequence‐based typing
Authors: Perrone M. P. , Andreani M. , Gesuiti P. , Condello R. , Testi M.
Published: May 2012

The new allele differs from HLA‐DPB1*23:01 in exon 3.
Novel Genetic Markers of the Carbonic Anhydrase II Gene Associated with Egg Production and Reproduction Traits in Tsaiya Ducks
Authors: Chang M‐T , Cheng Y‐S , Huang M‐C
Published: May 2012

Contents

In our previous cDNA microarray study, we found that the carbonic anhydrase II (CA2) gene is one of the differentially expressed transcripts in the duck isthmus epithelium during egg formation period. The aim of this study was to identify the single‐nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the CA2 gene of Tsaiya ducks. The relationship of SNP genotype with egg production and reproduction traits was also investigated. A total of 317 ducks from two lines, a control line with no selection and a selected line, were employed for testing. Three SNPs (C37T, A62G and A65G) in the 3′‐untranslated region of the CA2 gene were found. SNP–trait association analysis showed that SNP C37T and A62G were associated with duck egg weight besides fertility. The ducks with the CT and AG genotypes had a 1.46 and 1.62 g/egg lower egg weight as compared with ducks with the CC and AA genotypes, respectively (p < 0.05). But the ducks with CT and AG genotypes had 5.20% and 4.22% higher fertility than those with CC and AA genotypes, respectively (p < 0.05). Diplotype constructed on these three SNPs was associated with duck fertility, and the diplotype H1H4 was dominant for duck fertility. These findings might provide the basis for balanced selection and may be used in marker‐assisted selection to improve egg weight and fertility simultaneously in the Tsaiya ducks.
Detection of Neurotrophin‐4 (NT‐4) in Ejaculated Bull Spermatozoa and its Effect on Spermatozoa Mitochondrial Activity
Authors: Wang C‐Q , Zhang J , Sun Y‐F , Wang D , Li C‐J , Li W‐H , Lu C , Liu Z , Wu H , Hou X‐F , Chen C , Zhou X
Published: May 2012

Contents

Recently, we demonstrated that two members of neurotrophins, nerve growth factor and brain‐derived neurotrophic factor, and two types of receptor, tyrosine kinase A (TrkA) and tyrosine kinase (TrkB), exist in ejaculated bull spermatozoa, and play a crucial role in the normal function of spermatozoa. Neurotrophin‐4 (NT‐4) is another neurotrophic factor that signals predominantly through the TrkB receptor tyrosine kinase, and no reports of detection of NT‐4 in spermatozoa have been published. In the present study, the presence of NT‐4 in mature bull spermatozoa was investigated using RT‐PCR, immunofluorescence and Western blotting. The result shows that there was no RT‐PCR evidence for NT‐4 transcripts in bovine spermatozoa. However, the NT‐4 protein was present in bovine spermatozoa, and the NT‐4 immunoreactivity was localized to the equatorial segment and midpiece of bovine spermatozoa. In addition, effects of NT‐4 on function of spermatozoa were studied. Significant increased mitochondria activity of mature bovine spermatozoa was observed in response to 300 or 500 ng/ml exogenous NT‐4 (p < 0.05), in comparison with the control, while addition of inhibitors (40 ng/ml k252α) specific for tyrosine protein kinase significantly blocked the increase of mitochondria activity. However, NT‐4 had no effects on the viability or acrosome reaction of spermatozoa (p > 0.05). Consequently, this study provided evidence that NT‐4 protein was presented in the mature bull spermatozoa and can influence the mitochondrial activity of bovine spermatozoa through TrkB tyrosine kinase–dependent pathways.
Response of riparian vegetation to the removal of the invasive forb, Solidago gigantea, and its litter layer
Authors: SAITO TATSUYA I. , TSUYUZAKI SHIRO
Published: May 2012

In order to explore the methods of recovering native grasses into exotic vegetation, the response of riparian vegetation to the removal of the above‐ground shoots and/or litter of Solidago gigantea in a flood plain in Hokkaido, northern Japan, was investigated. The four treatments were: the removal of the above‐ground shoots of S. gigantea (A); the removal of the litter of S. gigantea (L); the removal of both the above‐ground shoots and litter of S. gigantea (AL); and a control (C). The vegetation cover and S. gigantea cover decreased in the A and AL treatments and increased in the L and C treatments. The understory plant cover increased in the A and AL treatments, but did not change in the L and C treatments. The increases in the understory cover in the A and AL treatments were associated with increases in Phalaris arundinacea. The seedling emergence of P. arundinacea was promoted by AL. In a greenhouse, the S. gigantea litter tended to decrease the seed germination of P. arundinacea. The AL treatment also increased the abundance of the other exotic plant, Solidago altissima. The continuous removal of the above‐ground shoots and litter of S. gigantea long term is effective for promoting the recovery and emergence of native riparian grassland vegetation. However, this method also promotes the recovery of other exotics.
Life estimation model of a cantilevered beam subjected to complex random vibration
Authors: PAULUS M. , DASGUPTA A. , HABTOUR ED
Published: May 2012

An analytic methodology was developed to predict the fatigue life of a structure experiencing stationary, Gaussian random vibration excitation. This method allows the estimation of fatigue life using a frequency domain method, where only the input power spectral density and damping factor are required. The methodology uses linear elastic fracture mechanics for fatigue crack propagation and accounts for the frequency shifting that occurs due to fatigue crack evolution. Good results have been obtained comparing the analytic model to both finite element analysis (FEA) and experimental results, for mild‐steel cantilever beams.
Diversity of thalamic progenitor cells and postmitotic neurons
Authors: Nakagawa Yasushi , Shimogori Tomomi
Published: May 2012

The vertebrate thalamus contains multiple sensory nuclei, and relays sensory information to corresponding cortical areas. Moreover, the thalamus actively regulates information transmission to the cortex by modulating the response magnitude, firing mode and synchrony of neurons according to behavioral demands. The thalamus serves many other functions including motor control, learning and memory, and emotion. Such functional importance of the thalamus necessitates a better understanding of its developmental mechanisms. In this review, we will first describe the morphological organization of the developing thalamus. We will then discuss how neuronal diversity is generated and nuclei are formed during thalamic development. The first step in generating neuronal diversity is the formation of spatial diversity of thalamic progenitor cells, which is controlled by locally‐expressed signaling molecules such as Sonic hedgehog (Shh), Wnt proteins and Fgf8. Lastly we will describe the roles of several transcription factors in specification of neuronal identity and nuclei formation in the thalamus. Our review will provide a molecular perspective for the organization of the thalamus prior to thalamus–cortex circuit formation.