bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Insecticide‐mediated behavioral avoidance by bean bug, Riptortus pedestris (Heteroptera: Alydidae)
Authors: Maharjan Rameswor , Jung Chuleui
Published: July 2015

Bean bug, Riptortus pedestris (Fabricius) (Heteroptera: Alydidae), is an economically important pest of soybean and tree fruit. Behavioral responses of R. pedestris to olfactory cues from insecticide‐treated foliage were assessed in a Y‐tube olfactometer. Ten insecticides were applied to kidney bean plants at the recommended dosage, and then bug avoidance was assessed at 0, 3, 5, 7 and 13 days after treatment (DAT). Each bug was allowed 5 min to choose one of the olfactometer's arms. Even though the degree of avoidance was variable to the insecticides tested, bean bugs significantly avoided the insecticide‐treated leaf. The pyrethroid bifenthrin was the most avoided of the insecticides tested. In all treatments, avoidance decreased as DAT increased. Also, the movement speed was higher to the untreated leaf than to the insecticide‐treated leaf. The degree of avoidance was positively correlated to the vapor pressure of the chemical; this finding implies the interaction of the treated chemicals and plant volatiles may be used as cues for bean bug selection of the host‐plant.
Visualizing the relevance of bacterial blue‐ and red‐light receptors during plant–pathogen interaction
Authors: Ricci Ada , Dramis Lucia , Shah Rashmi , Gärtner Wolfgang , Losi Aba
Published: July 2015

The foliar pathogen Pseudomonas syringae pv. tomato DC3000 (Pst) leads to consistent losses in tomato crops, urging to multiply investigations on the physiological bases for its infectiveness. As other P. syringae pathovars, Pst is equipped with photoreceptors for blue and red light, mimicking the photosensing ability of host plants. In this work we have investigated Pst strains lacking the genes for a blue‐light sensing protein (PstLOV), for a bacteriophytochrome (PstBph1) or for heme‐oxygenase‐1. When grown in culturing medium, all deletion mutants presented a larger growth than wild‐type (WT) Pst under all other light conditions, with the exception of blue light which, under our experimental conditions (photon fluence rate = 40 μmol m−2 s−1), completely suppressed the growth of the deletion mutants. Each of the knockout mutants shows stronger virulence towards Arabidopsis thaliana than PstWT, as evidenced by macroscopic damages in the host tissues of infected leaves. Mutated bacteria were also identified in districts distant from the infection site using scanning electron microscopy. These results underscore the importance of Pst photoreceptors in responding to environmental light inputs and the partial protective role that they exert towards host plants during infection, diminishing virulence and invasiveness.
Normality of stock returns with event time clocks
Authors: Ling Xin
Published: July 2015

We introduce a different way to measure time using event clocks, with which we can observe a normal distribution of intraday stock returns. Most finance studies employ a ‘default’ time measurement that uses a calendar clock. Cumulative evidence from prior literature shows that returns with a calendar clock follow a distribution with an excess kurtosis and a heavier tail, relative to a normal distribution. We examine the distribution of intraday stock returns using different clocks. We find that returns do not follow a normal distribution with a traditional calendar clock, but do follow a normal distribution when event clocks are applied.
Effect of breastfeeding on malocclusions: a systematic review and meta‐analysis
Authors: Peres Karen Glazer , Cascaes Andreia Morales , Nascimento Gustavo Giacomelli , Victora Cesar Gomes
Published: July 2015

Aim

The objective of this systematic review was to investigate whether breastfeeding decreases the risk of malocclusions.

Methods

Six databases were systematically searched to the end of October 2014. Observational and interventional studies were included. Breastfeeding was evaluated in three categories: (i) ever versus never; (ii) exclusive versus absence of exclusive; and (iii) longer periods versus shorter periods. All types of malocclusion were considered as the outcome. Pooled adjusted odds ratio and its 95% confidence interval (95%CI) were obtained from meta‐analyses. Heterogeneity was assessed with both the Q‐test and the I‐square. Funnel plots and Egger's test were employed to assess publication bias.

Results

Forty‐eight studies were included in the systematic review, and 41 were included in the overall meta‐analysis (n = 27 023 participants). Subjects who were ever breastfed were less likely to develop malocclusions than those never breastfed (OR 0.34; 95% CI 0.24; 0.48), those who were exclusively breastfed presented lower risk to present malocclusion than those with absence of exclusive breastfeeding (OR 0.54; 95% CI 0.38; 0.77), and subjects longer breastfed were less likely to have malocclusions than those shorter breastfed (OR 0.40; 95% CI 0.29; 0.54).

Conclusion

Breastfeeding decreases the risk of malocclusions.
Pharmacogenetic testing prior to carbamazepine treatment of epilepsy: patients' and physicians' preferences for testing and service delivery
Authors: Powell Graham , Holmes Emily A. F. , Plumpton Catrin O. , Ring Adele , Baker Gus A. , Jacoby Ann , Pirmohamed Munir , Marson Anthony G. , Hughes Dyfrig A.
Published: July 2015

Aim

Pharmacogenetic studies have identified the presence of the HLA‐A*31:01 allele as a predictor of cutaneous adverse drugs reactions (ADRs) to carbamazepine. This study aimed to ascertain the preferences of patients and clinicians to inform carbamazepine pharmacogenetic testing services.

Methods

Attributes of importance to people with epilepsy and neurologists were identified through interviews and from published sources. Discrete choice experiments (DCEs) were conducted in 82 people with epilepsy and 83 neurologists. Random‐effects logit regression models were used to determine the importance of the attributes and direction of effect.

Results

In the patient DCE, all attributes (seizure remission, reduction in seizure frequency, memory problems, skin rash and rare, severe ADRs) were significant. The estimated utility of testing was greater, at 0.52 (95% CI 0.19, 1.00) than not testing at 0.33 (95% CI –0.07, 0.81). In the physician DCE, cost, inclusion in the British National Formulary, coverage, negative predictive value (NPV) and positive predictive value (PPV) were significant. Marginal rates of substitution indicated that neurologists were willing to pay £5.87 for a 1 percentage point increase in NPV and £3.99 for a 1 percentage point increase in PPV.

Conclusion

The inclusion of both patients' and clinicians' perspectives represents an important contribution to the understanding of preferences towards pharmacogenetic testing prior to initiating carbamazepine. Both groups identified different attributes but had generally consistent preferences. Patients' acceptance of a decrease in treatment benefit for a reduced chance of severe ADRs adds support for the implementation of HLA‐A*31:01 testing in routine practice.
Conventional versus accelerated corneal collagen cross‐linking in the treatment of keratoconus
Authors: Ng Alex Lap Ki , Chan Tommy CY , Cheng Arthur CK
Published: July 2015

Background

This study aims to compare the effect of conventional corneal collagen cross‐linking (CXL) with accelerated corneal collagen cross‐linking in treatment of keratoconus.

Design

A comparative interventional study was employed.

Participants

Participants were consecutive cases of progressive keratoconus receiving either conventional (3 mW/cm2 irradiance for 30 min) or accelerated CXL (9 mW/cm2 irradiance for 10 min).

Methods

Clinical and topographic parameters were compared between the two groups. Postoperative corneal stromal demarcation line was measured using anterior segment optical coherence tomography.

Main Outcome Measures

Clinical and topographic parameters such as corrected distant visual acuity (CDVA), maximum keratometry (Kmax), mean keratometry (Kmean), demarcation line depth were gathered from medical records.

Results

There were a total of 26 eyes with an average follow up of 13.9 ± 6.3 months. Fourteen eyes received conventional CXL, and 12 eyes had accelerated CXL. In the conventional CXL group, CDVA improved significantly (P = 0.021). There was also a significant reduction in Kmax (P = 0.003) and Kmean (P = 0.002). In the accelerated CXL group, no significant changes were found in CDVA (P = 0.395), Kmax (P = 0.388) and Kmean (P = 0.952) postoperatively. A significantly greater reduction in Kmax and Kmean were seen in conventional CXL compared to its accelerated counterpart (P = 0.001 and 0.015, respectively). The demarcation line was deeper in eyes with conventional CXL (P = 0.013), and the depth correlated significantly with the change in Kmean (r = −0.432, P = 0.045).

Conclusion

Conventional and accelerated CXL are effective in stabilizing keratoconus progression after a mean of 12 months. Patients undergoing conventional CXL showed clinical improvement with greater corneal flattening, which correlated with a deeper corneal stromal demarcation line. This current study is the first to report such correlation.
Evaluation of a dentoalveolar model for testing mouthguards: stress and strain analyses
Authors: Verissimo Crisnicaw , Costa Paulo Victor Moura , Santos‐Filho Paulo César Freitas , Fernandes‐Neto Alfredo Júlio , Tantbirojn Daranee , Versluis Antheunis , Soares Carlos José
Published: July 2015

Background/Aim

Custom‐fitted mouthguards are devices used to decrease the likelihood of dental trauma. The aim of this study was to develop an experimental bovine dentoalveolar model with periodontal ligament to evaluate mouthguard shock absorption, and impact strain and stress behavior.

Methods

A pendulum impact device was developed to perform the impact tests with two different impact materials (steel ball and baseball). Five bovine jaws were selected with standard age and dimensions. Six‐mm mouthguards were made for the impact tests. The jaws were fixed in a pendulum device and impacts were performed from 90, 60, and 45° angles, with and without mouthguard. Strain gauges were attached at the palatal surface of the impacted tooth. The strain and shock absorption of the mouthguards was calculated and data were analyzed with 3‐way anova and Tukey's test (α = 0.05). Two‐dimensional finite element models were created based on the cross‐section of the bovine dentoalveolar model used in the experiment. A nonlinear dynamic impact analysis was performed to evaluate the strain and stress distributions.

Results

Without mouthguards, the increase in impact angulation significantly increased strains and stresses. Mouthguards reduced strain and stress values.

Conclusions

Impact velocity, impact object (steel ball or baseball), and mouthguard presence affected the impact stresses and strains in a bovine dentoalveolar model. Experimental strain measurements and finite element models predicted similar behavior; therefore, both methodologies are suitable for evaluating the biomechanical performance of mouthguards.
Ecopedagogy and Citizenship in the Age of Globalisation: connections between environmental and global citizenship education to save the planet
Authors: Misiaszek Greg William
Published: July 2015

Teaching the connections between environmentally‐harmful acts and social conflict is essential but is often ignored in education. This article presents two ways in which these are not taught because of the policies of those who benefit from the ignorance of these connections: first, the avoidance of teaching global‐local connectivity and second, the devaluing of non‐dominant cultures. Ecopedagogy is a democratic, transformative pedagogy centred on increasing justice by critically teaching the politics of environmental issues. I argue that global citizenship education (GCE) must be an element of ecopedagogy to contextually learn globalisation's effects upon local communities. In addition, GCE's goal is to increase students' understanding of diverse cultures to respect them. Ecopedagogy is also essential to GCE to fully teach social conflicts resulting from environmentally harmful acts. I offer policy and pedagogical changes to disrupt reproductive environmental pedagogies that help to sustain environmental ills for ecopedagogy‐GCE models to emerge.
Design rules for autofrettage of an aluminium valve body
Authors: Sellen S. , Maas S. , Andreas T. , Plapper P. , Zürbes A. , Becker D.
Published: July 2015

The following paper is intended to improve the fatigue behaviour of a complex aluminium valve geometry under high internal cyclic pressure loading. The autofrettage process helps to increase the fatigue durability and a simple, but efficient design method for this process is deployed. Based on non‐linear material's behaviour, finite element simulations of the crack‐free geometry help to determine the minimum and maximum autofrettage pressure to be used, without iterative crack simulations, which would require higher computational effort. Material tests under inverse plastifications were performed in order to determine the correct material model. The derived design method was validated with simplified specimens subjected to different autofrettage pressure levels and subsequent cyclic fatigue tests.
Size‐balanced community reorganization in response to nutrients and warming
Authors: McElroy David J. , O'Gorman Eoin J. , Schneider Florian D. , Hetjens Hanne , Le Merrer Prune , Coleman Ross A. , Emmerson Mark
Published: July 2015

It is widely accepted that global warming will adversely affect ecological communities. As ecosystems are simultaneously exposed to other anthropogenic influences, it is important to address the effects of climate change in the context of many stressors. Nutrient enrichment might offset some of the energy demands that warming can exert on organisms by stimulating growth at the base of the food web. It is important to know whether indirect effects of warming will be as ecologically significant as direct physiological effects. Declining body size is increasingly viewed as a universal response to warming, with the potential to alter trophic interactions. To address these issues, we used an outdoor array of marine mesocosms to examine the impacts of warming, nutrient enrichment and altered top‐predator body size on a community comprised of the predator (shore crab Carcinus maenas), various grazing detritivores (amphipods) and algal resources. Warming increased mortality rates of crabs, but had no effect on their moulting rates. Nutrient enrichment and warming had near diametrically opposed effects on the assemblage, confirming that the ecological effects of these two stressors can cancel each other out. This suggests that nutrient‐enriched systems might act as an energy refuge to populations of species under metabolic constraints due to warming. While there was a strong difference in assemblages between mesocosms containing crabs compared to mesocosms without crabs, decreasing crab size had no detectable effect on the amphipod or algal assemblages. This suggests that in allometrically balanced communities, the expected long‐term effect of warming (declining body size) is not of similar ecological consequence to the direct physiological effects of warming, at least not over the six week duration of the experiment described here. More research is needed to determine the long‐term effects of declining body size on the bioenergetic balance of natural communities.
Environmental implications of the use of agro‐industrial residues for biorefineries: application of a deterministic model for indirect land‐use changes
Authors: Tonini Davide , Hamelin Lorie , Astrup Thomas F.
Published: July 2015

Biorefining agro‐industrial biomass residues for bioenergy production represents an opportunity for both sustainable energy supply and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions mitigation. Yet, is bioenergy the most sustainable use for these residues? To assess the importance of the alternative use of these residues, a consequential life cycle assessment (LCA) of 32 energy‐focused biorefinery scenarios was performed based on eight selected agro‐industrial residues and four conversion pathways (two involving bioethanol and two biogas). To specifically address indirect land‐use changes (iLUC) induced by the competing feed/food sector, a deterministic iLUC model, addressing global impacts, was developed. A dedicated biochemical model was developed to establish detailed mass, energy, and substance balances for each biomass conversion pathway, as input to the LCA. The results demonstrated that, even for residual biomass, environmental savings from fossil fuel displacement can be completely outbalanced by iLUC, depending on the feed value of the biomass residue. This was the case of industrial residues (e.g. whey and beet molasses) in most of the scenarios assessed. Overall, the GHGs from iLUC impacts were quantified to 4.1 t CO2‐eq.ha−1demanded yr−1 corresponding to 1.2–1.4 t CO2‐eq. t−1 dry biomass diverted from feed to energy market. Only, bioenergy from straw and wild grass was shown to perform better than the alternative use, as no competition with the feed sector was involved. Biogas for heat and power production was the best performing pathway, in a short‐term context. Focusing on transport fuels, bioethanol was generally preferable to biomethane considering conventional biogas upgrading technologies. Based on the results, agro‐industrial residues cannot be considered burden‐free simply because they are a residual biomass and careful accounting of alternative utilization is a prerequisite to assess the sustainability of a given use. In this endeavor, the iLUC factors and biochemical model proposed herein can be used as templates and directly applied to any bioenergy consequential study involving demand for arable land.
Macro‐ and micromineral content of wrapped forages for horses
Authors: Zhao X. , Müller C. E.
Published: July 2015

A study of macro‐ and micromineral contents in wrapped forages from farms in Sweden and Norway was conducted. Haylage samples were collected from 124 farms and analysed for contents of Ca, P, Mg, K, Na, Co, Cu, I, Fe, Mn, Se and Zn. Information on forage production was collected from each farm. Mean concentrations (standard deviations) of the samples were as follows: Ca, 5·3 (3·41); P, 2·7 (0·80); Mg, 1·8 (0·76); K, 21·8 (7·44); Na, 0·3 (0·61) g kg−1dry matter (DM); and Co, 0·09 (0·150); Cu, 4·9 (1·61); I, 0·25 (0·461); Fe, 194 (288·9); Mn, 85 (49·3); Se, 0·03 (0·054); and Zn, 23 (9·5) mg kg−1DM. Comparisons with mineral requirements of horses indicated that for Ca, Mg, K, Fe and Mn, the mean values were sufficient for maintenance requirements, but for P, Na, Co, Cu, Zn, I and Se, mean values were insufficient. For horses with requirements higher than maintenance, average contents of all minerals except Fe and Mn were insufficient. There were moderate to weak negative correlation coefficients between contents of neutral detergent fibre and Ca, P, Mg, Cu and Se. Forage harvested at late plant maturity may contain lower concentrations of these minerals.
Greater Occipital Nerve Blockade: A Safe and Effective Option for the Acute Treatment of Hemiplegic Aura
Authors: Casas‐Limón Javier , Aledo‐Serrano Ángel , Abarrategui Belén , Cuadrado María‐Luz
Published: July 2015

Background

Prolonged auras such as those of hemiplegic migraine or migraine with brainstem aura may be extremely disabling. The availability of effective treatments is limited, but two case reports described cessation of the aura symptoms after a greater occipital nerve (GON) blockade.

Case

A 26‐year‐old woman with a history of hemiplegic migraine with prolonged auras came to our office with an episode of motor and sensory aura 1 hour after onset. Both muscle strength and sensory function started to improve immediately after a GON anesthetic blockade, and the patient was fully relieved in 50 minutes.

Conclusion

GON blockade may be an effective option for the acute treatment of hemiplegic aura or other prolonged migraine auras.
Anti‐Inflammatory Effects of Capsaicin and Piperine on Helicobacter pylori‐Induced Chronic Gastritis in Mongolian Gerbils
Authors: Toyoda Takeshi , Shi Liang , Takasu Shinji , Cho Young‐Man , Kiriyama Yuka , Nishikawa Akiyoshi , Ogawa Kumiko , Tatematsu Masae , Tsukamoto Tetsuya
Published: July 2015

Background

Spices have been used for thousands of years, and recent studies suggest that certain spices confer beneficial effects on gastric disorders. The purpose of this study was to evaluate possible chemopreventive effects of spice‐derived compounds on Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori)‐induced gastritis.

Methods

We examined the inhibitory effects of curcumin, capsaicin, and piperine on H. pylori in vitro by determining the colony‐forming units and real‐time RT‐PCR in H. pylori stimulated AGS gastric cancer cells. For in vivo analysis, 6‐week‐old SPF male Mongolian gerbils were infected with H. pylori, fed diets containing 5000 ppm curcumin, 100 ppm capsaicin, or 100 ppm piperine, and sacrificed after 13 weeks.

Results

All three compounds inhibited in vitro proliferation of H. pylori, with curcumin being the most effective. Infiltration of neutrophils and mononuclear cells was suppressed by piperine both in the antrum and corpus of H. pylori‐infected gerbils. Capsaicin also decreased neutrophils in the antrum and corpus and mononuclear cell infiltration and heterotopic proliferative glands in the corpus. mRNA expression of Tnf‐α and formation of phospho‐IκB‐α in the antrum were reduced by both capsaicin and piperine. In addition, piperine suppressed expression of Il‐1β, Ifn‐γ, Il‐6, and iNos, while H. pylori UreA and other virulence factors were not significantly attenuated by any compounds.

Conclusion

These results suggest that capsaicin and piperine have anti‐inflammatory effects on H. pylori‐induced gastritis in gerbils independent of direct antibacterial effects and may thus have potential for use in the chemoprevention of H. pylori‐associated gastric carcinogenesis.
The Microstructure and Mechanical Properties of Porous Silicon Nitride Ceramics Prepared via Novel Aqueous Gelcasting
Authors: Wan Tao , Yao Dongxu , Yin Jinwei , Xia Yongfeng , Zuo Kaihui , Zeng Yuping
Published: July 2015

A novel aqueous gelcasting technique was employed to prepare porous silicon nitride ceramics using water‐soluble copolymer of isobutylene and maleic anhydride (Isobam) as both dispersant and gelling agent. The effects of fabrication parameters, including sintering additives, the second phase (BN), and pore‐forming agent (corn starch), on the microstructure and mechanical properties were separately investigated. The sample with Yb2O3 as sintering additive, having a porosity of ~48.6%, showed a high flexural strength of 233MPa and a high fracture toughness of 2.72 MPa·m1/2. With addition of 2.5wt% BN, the sample exhibited a high flexural strength of 211 MPa due to the uniform microstructure with β‐Si3N4 grains. A high porosity of ~60% and a flexural strength of 110 MPa were obtained by adding 20wt% starch into the sample.
Preparation of Organic/Inorganic Composite Phenolic Resin and Application in Al2O3‐C Refractories
Authors: Wang Fucheng , Zhao Lei , Fang Wei , He Xuan , Liang Feng , Chen Hui , Chen Huan , Du Xing
Published: July 2015

An organic/inorganic composite phenolic resin (CPR) was synthesized via silicon particles in situ composite with water‐soluble lignin–phenolic resin. It was observed that silicon particles were uniformly dispersed in the organic matrix. The oxidation activation energies of the pyrolytic products from CPR and commercial phenol formaldehyde resin (PF) were calculated as 173.3 kJ/mol and 102.4 kJ/mol, respectively, by nonisothermal kinetics method. Dumbbell‐shaped silicon carbide nanowires were formed on the surface of the pyrolytic carbon from CPR at high temperature. The oxidation resistance and mechanical properties of the Al2O3‐C refractories bonded with CPR were improved.
Burden of benign prostatic hyperplasia among men in Japan: Patient‐reported outcomes among those diagnosed and experiencing symptoms
Authors: Yoshida Masaki , Flores Natalia M , Vietri Jeffrey , Lee Matthew , Murakami Masahiro
Published: July 2015

Objectives

To quantify the burden of benign prostatic hyperplasia among Japanese men according to patient‐reported outcomes. A secondary aim was to quantify the incremental burden of nocturia among these men.

Methods

Survey data representative of the Japanese population by age and sex were analyzed (total n = 59 997). All measures were self‐reported, including the revised Medical Outcomes Study 12‐Item Short Form Health Survey or the revised Medical Outcomes Study 36‐Item Short Form Health Survey, Work Productivity and Activity Impairment questionnaire, and 6‐month healthcare use. Men aged ≥50 years were organized into three analysis groups according to diagnosis of benign prostatic hyperplasia and International Prostate Symptom Score total: diagnosed benign prostatic hyperplasia (n = 1183); undiagnosed benign prostatic hyperplasia with moderate to severe symptoms (International Prostate Symptom Score total ≥8; n = 3141); and controls (no benign prostatic hyperplasia diagnosis and International Prostate Symptom Score total <8; n = 9468). Subgroup analyses were carried out according to frequency of nocturia. Generalized linear models adjusted for potential confounders.

Results

Relative to controls, diagnosed and undiagnosed benign prostatic hyperplasia respondents had reduced health‐related quality of life, with mean decrements of ≥3.1 points for mental component summary scores, ≥2.0 for physical component summary scores and ≥0.05 for health utility scores (all P < 0.001). Mean absenteeism, impairment at work and non‐work activity impairment among the diagnosed and undiagnosed groups were ≥1.4‐fold those of the control group (P < 0.01). Both diagnosed and undiagnosed groups used significantly more healthcare than controls. The outcomes of undiagnosed men were worse than diagnosed patients on many measures. Frequent nocturia (≥3 voids per night) was associated with worse health‐related quality of life.

Conclusions

Benign prostatic hyperplasia impacts health‐related quality of life, work productivity and healthcare use of Japanese men, with more impact among undiagnosed men experiencing lower urinary tract symptoms and frequent nocturia.
Mapping Ceramics Research and Its Evolution
Authors: Deville Sylvain , Stevenson Adam J.
Published: July 2015

We show here how a simple data mining of bibliographic records can be used to follow and help understand the evolution of a research domain, at a level that cannot be captured by reading individual papers in a field of this size. We illustrate the approach by investigating 43 yr of research on ceramic materials, covered by 253 000 bibliographic records. The patterns of keywords used reveal the trends and the evolution of research ideas and priorities within the field. Simple, interactive tools based on co‐word network analysis help us better appreciate the organization and relationships of ideas or individuals, and hopefully allow identification of unexplored concepts, connections, or approaches on a given topic.
Structural, Electrical, and Ferroelectric Properties of Nb‐Doped Na0.5Bi4.5Ti4O15 Thin Films
Authors: Raghavan Chinnambedu Murugesan , Kim Jin Won , Kim Sang Su
Published: July 2015

Ferroelectric Na0.5Bi4.5Ti4O15 (NaBTi) and donor Nb‐doped Na0.5Bi4.5Ti3.94Nb0.06O15 (NaBTiNb) thin films were prepared on Pt(111)/Ti/SiO2/Si(100) substrates using a chemical solution deposition method. The doping with Nb5+‐ions leads to tremendous improvements in the ferroelectric properties of the NaBTiNb thin film. Room‐temperature ferroelectricity with a large remnant polarization (2Pr) of 64.1 μC/cm2 and a low coercive field (2Ec) of 165 kV/cm at an applied electric field of 475 kV/cm was observed for the NaBTiNb thin film. The polarization fatigue study revealed that the NaBTiNb thin film exhibited good fatigue endurance compared with the NaBTi thin film. Furthermore, the NaBTiNb thin film showed a low leakage current density, which was 1.48 × 10−6 A/cm2 at an applied electric field of 100 kV/cm.
Prevalence and Risk Factors of Hypertension in Urban Areas of Cameroon: A Nationwide Population‐Based Cross‐Sectional Study
Authors: Kingue Samuel , Ngoe Constant Ndong , Menanga Alain Patrick , Jingi Ahmadou M. , Noubiap Jean Jacques N. , Fesuh Betrand , Nouedoui Christophe , Andze Gervais , Muna Walinjom F. T.
Published: July 2015

Accurate estimates of the prevalence rate of hypertension and determinants in Cameroon are crucial to inform efficient prevention and control policies. The authors carried out a cluster‐specific cross‐sectional survey in urban areas of the 10 regions of Cameroon to assess the prevalence and risk factors of hypertension in Cameroonian adults using the WHO STEPwise approach to Surveillance (STEPS). Sociodemographic data were collected and blood pressure and glycemia were measured using standardized methods. Participants were adults of both sexes aged 16 years or older. A total of 15,470 participants were surveyed. The age‐standardized prevalence rate of hypertension was 29.7%. The awareness rate was 14.1%. Independent correlates of hypertension included higher age, male sex, obesity, hyperglycemia, and living in the Savannah zone. The prevalence of hypertension is high in urban areas of Cameroon, with very low awareness. Prevention and control strategies should emphasize on improvement and vulgarization of population opportunistic screening and education.
Is Daytime Systolic Load an Important Risk Factor for Target Organ Damage in Pediatric Hypertension?
Authors: Conkar Seçil , Yılmaz Ebru , Hacıkara Şükriye , Bozabalı Sibel , Mir Sevgi
Published: July 2015

The aim of this study was to compare ambulatory blood pressure (BP) monitoring (ABPM) data and determine which hypertension type is a risk factor in target organ damage. A total of 82 children (47 boys) with suspected hypertension based on office BP measurements and considered hypertensive by ABPM were studied. Target organ damage included the following: 35.3% hypertensive retinopathy, 25.6% microalbuminuria, 15.8% increased left ventricular mass index, 29.2% increased carotid intima‐media thickness (cIMT), 24.3% high augmentation index (AIx), and 19.5% high pulse wave velocity (PWV). The association between BP load, PWV, and cIMT was statistically significant. There were significant correlations between daytime systolic BP load, PWV, AIx, and cIMT. A statistically significant difference was also detected between nighttime systolic BP load, PWV, and cIMT values and nighttime diastolic BP load levels and values of AIx and cIMT. There was also a statistically significant difference between the high level of nighttime diastolic BP load and cIMT. The authors found that target organ damage was seen more often in children with primary hypertension who had systolic loads.
Appropriateness of diagnostic effort in hospital emergency room attention for episodes of COPD exacerbation
Authors: Rivas‐Ruiz Francisco , Redondo Maximino , González Nerea , Vidal Silvia , García Susana , Lafuente Iratxe , Bare Marisa , Cano Aguirre María del Puerto , Quintana‐López José María ,   Grupo IRYSS‐COPD
Published: July 2015

Rationale, aims and objectives

To assess the adequacy of diagnostic effort in the emergency departments of Spanish hospitals with respect to episodes of exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).

Methods

A descriptive cross‐sectional study, conducted between 2007 and 2010 in 15 hospitals in Andalusia, Catalonia, Madrid and the Basque Country. The study population included cases of COPD exacerbation attended at the emergency departments of the participating hospitals. Diagnostic efforts were considered sufficient and appropriate when the emergency room conducted a clinical evaluation including electrocardiogram, chest X‐ray, arterial blood gas analysis and spirometry.

Results

2852 episodes of COPD exacerbation attended in hospital emergency departments were assessed. 91.4% of the patients were male, with a mean age of 72.8 (SD 9.5) years, and 45.6% had had a previous emergency admission. The diagnostic effort was considered adequate in 60.1% of the episodes (95% CI: 58.3–61.9). The inter‐hospital range of variation25–75 was 1.67 and the coefficient of variation was 28.3%. In multivariate analysis, adjusting for hospital, date of admission and previous hospitalization, among the male patients, the OR for adequate diagnostic effort was 1.38 (95% CI: 1.04–1.84)

Conclusion

With respect to diagnostic effort, inequities were observed in our assessment of episodes of COPD exacerbation attended in the emergency departments of Spanish public hospitals. In a high percentage of cases (40%), proper assessment was not conducted. Moreover, inter‐individual and inter‐hospital differences were observed.
Discrepancies on Medication Plans detected in German Community Pharmacies
Authors: Waltering Isabel , Schwalbe Oliver , Hempel Georg
Published: July 2015

Rationale, aims and objectives

A current medication plan was identified as important patient safety factor. Information is needed on how many patients possess such a plan and what problems can be identified with its use. This study tried to define factors that influence accuracy of medication plans and to detect discrepancies from planned and actually administered medication in polypharmacy patients.

Methods

Participants of the ‘Apo‐AMTS’ course in Germany evaluated medication plans from their patients during performing medication reviews in community pharmacies. Discrepancies were defined as additional or missing drugs and deviations in dosage and drug names for Rx drugs and missing or additional self‐medication.

Results

Eighty per cent of the patients possessed a medication plan mainly written by general practitioners. Only 6.5% of the plans showed no discrepancies. Most discrepancies were seen on medication plans written by medical specialists and general practitioners, mainly name aberrations (41%) followed by additional drugs taken (30%) and prescribed drugs no longer taken (18%). Dosage variance was seen in 11% of all discrepancies. Deviations from the plan were observed frequently with antihypertensives (31.4%), analgesics (11.3%) and antidepressants/hypnotics as well as lipid‐lowering drugs (6.7%). Four hundred thirty‐three OTC drugs were not listed, mainly analgesics, mineral supplements and laxatives.

Conclusion

Many patients possess a medication plan but most of these plans showed discrepancies which limits the use as patient safety indicator. Community pharmacies offering medication reviews have an essential position to use the medication plan as a central link between patients and their prescribers, and therefore improve patient safety.
Haemoglobin levels correlates with the presence of coronary artery disease
Authors: Doganer Yusuf C. , Rohrer James E. , Aydogan Umit , Bernard Matthew E. , Barcin Cem
Published: July 2015

Rationale, aims and objectives

Although the condition of low haemoglobin (Hb) levels has been established as a risk factor in the development of coronary artery disease (CAD), it is still a debate particularly in patients with angiographically documented disease. In the present study, we sought to identify the relationship between Hb levels and the presence of CAD.

Methods

The study consisted of 356 consecutive patients referred for elective coronary angiography (CAG). Exclusion criteria included a history of prior MI within last 3 months, presence of neoplastic disorders or any inflammatory diseases or overt diabetes mellitus. Blood samples for haematologic and biochemical measurements were collected on admission following at least 12 hours of overnight fasting. Patients were divided into four groups based on the quartiles of Hb (quartile I < 13.50 g/dL, quartile II 13.50–14.70 g/dL, quartile III 14.71–15.74 g/dL, quartile IV > 15.74 g/dL). Additionally, patients filled out a questionnaire of asking their brief medical histories and baseline characteristics.

Results

Lower Hb quartiles were independently related to the presence of CAD in subjects who were referred to elective CAG. The patients with older age [P = 0.008, odds ratio (OR) = 1.042], male gender (P = 0.007, OR = 3.408), in quartile I (P = 0.003, OR = 5.697), in quartile II (P < 0.001, OR = 8.767), in quartile III (P = 0.011, P = 3.076), higher white blood cells count (P = 0.037, OR = 1.208), lower platelet count (P = 0.049, OR = 0.995), condition of current smoker (P = 0.030, OR = 2.548), higher value of fasting glucose (P = 0.014, OR = 1.038), estimated glomerular filtration rate < 60 (mL/min/1.73 m2; P = 0.004, OR = 3.269) were more likely associated with the risk of the presence of CAD.

Conclusions

The present study revealed that lower quartiles of Hb levels were independently related to the presence of CAD in subjects who were referred to elective CAG. Hb levels, which can be measured easily in almost all medical centres, may be considered as a potential predictor for the presence of CAD in patients at high risk for CAD.
Under Pressure: Financial Effect of the Hospital‐Acquired Conditions Initiative–A Statewide Analysis of Pressure Ulcer Development and Payment
Authors: Meddings Jennifer , Reichert Heidi , Rogers Mary A. M. , Hofer Timothy P. , McMahon Laurence F. , Grazier Kyle L.
Published: July 2015

Objectives

To assess the financial effect of the 2008 Hospital‐Acquired Conditions Initiative (HACI) pressure ulcer payment changes on Medicare, other payers, and hospitals.

Design

Retrospective before‐and‐after study of all‐payer statewide administrative data for more than 2.4 million annual adult discharges in 2007 and 2009 using the Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project State Inpatient Datasets for California. How often and by how much the 2008 payment changes for pressure ulcers affected hospital payment was assessed.

Setting

Nonfederal acute care California hospitals (N = 311).

Participants

Adults discharged from acute‐care hospitals.

Measurements

Pressure ulcer rates and hospital payment changes.

Results

Hospital‐acquired pressure ulcer rates were low in 2007 (0.28%) and 2009 (0.27%); present‐on‐admission pressure ulcer rates increased from 2.3% in 2007 to 3.0% in 2009. According to clinical stage of pressure ulcer (available in 2009), hospital‐acquired Stage III and IV ulcers occurred in 603 discharges (0.02%); 60,244 discharges (2.42%) contained other pressure ulcer diagnoses. Payment removal for Stage III and IV hospital‐acquired ulcers reduced payment in 75 (0.003%) discharges, for a statewide payment decrease of $310,444 (0.001%) for all payers and $199,238 (0.001%) for Medicare. For all other pressure ulcers, the Hospital‐Acquired Conditions Initiative reduced hospital payment in 20,246 (0.81%) cases (including 18,953 cases with present‐on‐admission ulcers), reducing statewide payment by $62,538,586 (0.21%) for all payers and $47,237,984 (0.32%) for Medicare.

Conclusion

The total financial effect of the 2008 payment changes for pressure ulcers was negligible. Most payment decreases occurred by removal of comorbidity payments for present‐on‐admission pressure ulcers other than Stages III and IV. The removal of payment for hospital‐acquired Stage III and IV ulcers by implementation of the HACI policy was 1/200th that of the removal of payment for other types of pressure ulcers that occurred in implementation of the Hospital‐Acquired Conditions Initiative.
Preinjury Physical Function and Frailty in Injured Older Adults: Self‐ Versus Proxy Responses
Authors: Maxwell Cathy A. , Dietrich Mary S. , Minnick Ann F. , Mion Lorraine C.
Published: July 2015

Objectives

To determine the extent to which proxy respondents can provide reliable reports.

Design

Prospective cohort study.

Setting

Level I trauma center.

Participants

Seventy‐seven older adults (≥65, median 73.0, interquartile range 67–80; 53% female) admitted to three services (trauma, geriatrics, orthopedics) with primary injury diagnoses over a 6‐month period and their proxies (43% spouses, 44% children, 5% siblings, 8% friends or other relatives).

Measurements

Three brief screening instruments (Vulnerable Elders Survey‐13 (VES‐13), modified Barthel Index (mBI), Life Space Assessment (LSA)) for physical function and frailty were administered to older adults and their proxies within 48 hours of admission. Data analysis included frequencies, percentages, intraclass correlations, and Kappa statistics.

Results

Approximately 47% (n = 36) of the proxies lived with the older adults. Perfect agreement and 90% agreement between older adults and proxies: There was perfect agreement for 39 (51%) dyads and a difference of 1 or less (range 1–10) for 66 (86%) on the VES‐13, perfect agreement for 48 (62%) and a difference of two or less (range 0–20) for 69 (89%) on the mBI, and perfect agreement for 27 (35%) and a difference of 12 or less (range 0–120) for 55 (71%) on the LSA.

Conclusion

Proxy reports of older adults’ preinjury physical function and frailty are in an acceptable range of agreement with those of the older adults. Using proxy reports when people cannot provide information on themselves may facilitate care management and goal setting.
Perceived safety and benefit of community water fluoridation: 2009 HealthStyles survey
Authors: Mork Nathan , Griffin Susan
Published: July 2015

Objectives

To describe perceived benefits and safety of community water fluoridation (CWF) and investigate factors associated with those perceptions of CWF among respondents to a proprietary survey in the United States.

Methods

We obtained data from the 2009 HealthStyles survey, a convenience sample of 4,556 respondents. Pearson's chi‐squared and logistic regression were used to determine the associations between certain socio‐demographic factors and perceptions regarding the safety and health benefits of CWF.

Results

The majority of respondents (55.3 percent) strongly agreed/agreed that CWF was safe, while 31.5 percent were neutral, and 13.2 percent disagreed/strongly disagreed. Twenty‐seven percent of respondents reported CWF had no health benefit, 57.3 percent reported some benefit, and 15.5 percent reported great benefit. Perceived CWF safety and benefit in the bivariate analyses were associated with gender, age, race/ethnicity, education, marital status, income, sealant knowledge, CWF knowledge, past year dental utilization, and perceived vaccine safety. Respondents with knowledge of CWF (47.9 percent) were more likely to agree that it was safe (69.8 percent) than those who reported no knowledge (41.3 percent). Among respondents who said childhood vaccines were not safe (4.0 percent), almost half disagreed that CWF was safe. Logistic regression results indicated that perceived CWF safety and benefits increased with CWF knowledge, perceived vaccine safety, and income.

Conclusions

Although only a minority of the US population perceived CWF as unsafe or providing no benefit to health, perceptions regarding CWF varied by knowledge of CWF and socio‐demographic factors. Oral health promotion activities should consider these differing perceptions of CWF among groups to tailor oral health messaging appropriately.
Service users' experiences of participation in decision making in mental health services
Authors: Dahlqvist_Jönsson P. , Schön U.‐K. , Rosenberg D. , Sandlund M. , Svedberg P.
Published: July 2015

Accessible summary

Despite the potential positive impact of shared decision making on service users knowledge and experience of decisional conflict, there is a lack of qualitative research on how participation in decision making is promoted from the perspective of psychiatric service users.

This study highlights the desire of users to participate more actively in decision making and demonstrates that persons with SMI struggle to be seen as competent and equal partners in decision‐making situations. Those interviewed did not feel that their strengths, abilities and needs were being recognized, which resulted in a feeling of being omitted from involvement in decision‐making situations.

The service users describe some essential conditions that could work to promote participation in decision making. These included having personal support, having access to knowledge, being involved in a dialogue and clarity about responsibilities.

Mental health nurses can play an essential role for developing and implementing shared decision making as a tool to promote recovery‐oriented mental health services.

Service user participation in decision making is considered an essential component of recovery‐oriented mental health services. Despite the potential of shared decision making to impact service users knowledge and positively influence their experience of decisional conflict, there is a lack of qualitative research on how participation in decision making is promoted from the perspective of psychiatric service users. In order to develop concrete methods that facilitate shared decision making, there is a need for increased knowledge regarding the users' own perspective. The aim of this study was to explore users' experiences of participation in decisions in mental health services in Sweden, and the kinds of support that may promote participation. Constructivist Grounded Theory (CGT) was utilized to analyse group and individual interviews with 20 users with experience of serious mental illness. The core category that emerged in the analysis described a ‘struggle to be perceived as a competent and equal person’ while three related categories including being the underdog, being controlled and being omitted described the difficulties of participating in decisions. The data analysis resulted in a model that describes internal and external conditions that influence the promotion of participation in decision making. The findings offer new insights from a user perspective and these can be utilized to develop and investigate concrete methods in order to promote user's participation in decisions.
Risk of Damage to the Somatic Innervation of the Penis During the AdVance™ Procedure: An Anatomical Study
Authors: Hogewoning Cornelis R.C. , Elzevier Henk W. , Pelger Rob C.M. , Bekker Milou D. , DeRuiter Marco C.
Published: July 2015

Introduction

One of the methods to treat post radical prostatectomy stress urinary incontinence is the AdVance™ (American Medical Systems®, Minnetonka, MN, USA) male sling procedure. During this procedure, the somatic innervation of the penis may be at risk for injury. Six AdVance™ procedures were performed in six donated bodies at the Anatomy and Embryology Department of the Leiden University Medical Centre. The pelves were dissected and the shortest distance between the sling and the dorsal nerve of the penis (DNP) was documented.

Aim

The aim of this study was to describe the anatomical relation between the AdVance™ male sling and penile nerves based on the dissection of six adult male pelves.

Methods

The AdVance™ male sling procedure was conducted in six donated male bodies. After placement, the pelves were dissected and the shortest distance between sling and the DNP was documented.

Main Outcome Measure

The main outcome measure was the distance between the AdVance™ male sling and the DNP.

Results

The mean distance of the sling to the DNP was 4.1 mm and was found situated directly next to the nerve (distance 0 mm) in 4 out of 12 (33%) hemipelves. The distance of the sling to the obturator neurovascular bundle was 30 mm or more in all six bodies.

Conclusions

Damage to the DNP caused by the AdVance™ male sling procedure appears to be an extremely rare complication, which has not been described in current literature. The proximity of the AdVance™ to the DNP could, however, pose a risk that should be taken into consideration by physicians and patients when opting for surgery.