bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
An update on the growing evidence base for peer support
Authors: Bellamy Chyrell , Schmutte Timothy , Davidson Larry
Published: April 2017

Purpose

As peer support services have become increasingly used in mental health settings as a recovery-oriented practice, so has the body of published research on this approach to care. The purpose of this paper is to provide an update on the current evidence base for peer support for adults with mental illness in two domains: mental health and recovery, and physical health and wellness.

Design/methodology/approach

To provide a robust, non-redundant, and up-to-date review, first the authors searched for meta-analyses and systematic reviews. Second, the authors found individual studies not included in any of the reviews.

Findings

Peer services are generally equally effective to services provided by non-peer paraprofessionals on traditional clinical outcomes. Although some studies found peer services to be effective at reducing hospitalization rates and symptom severity, as a whole, the current evidence base is confounded by heterogeneity in programmatic characteristics and methodological shortcomings. On the other hand, the evidence is stronger for peer support services having more of a positive impact on levels of hope, empowerment, and quality of life.

Research limitations/implications

In addition to the need for further high-quality research on peer support in mental and physical health domains, the authors also question whether measures of hope, empowerment, and integration into the community are more relevant to recovery than traditional clinical outcomes.

Originality/value

This paper provides an original, robust, and up-to-date review of the evidence for peer services.
On the role of different annealing heat treatments on mechanical properties and microstructure of selective laser melted and conventional wrought Ti-6Al-4V
Authors: Khorasani AmirMahyar , Gibson Ian , Goldberg Moshe , Littlefair Guy
Published: April 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this study was to conduct various heat treatments (HT) such as stress relief annealing, mill annealing, recrystallization (α + β) annealing and β annealing followed by furnace cooling (FC) that were implemented to determine the effect of these on mechanical properties and the microstructure of selective laser melted and wrought samples. The mentioned annealings have been carried out to achieve the related standards in the fabrication of surgery implants.

Design/methodology/approach

In this paper, based on F2924-14 ASTM standard SLM and conventionally wrought parts were prepared. Then HT was performed and different characteristics such as microstructure, mechanical properties, macro-hardness and fracture surface for selective laser melted and wrought parts were analysed.

Findings

The results show that the high cooling rate in selective laser melting (SLM) generates finer grains. Therefore, tensile strength and hardness increase along with a reduction in ductility was noticed. Recrystallization annealing appears to give the best combination of ductility, strength and hardness for selective laser melted parts, whilst for equivalent wrought samples, increasing HT temperature results in reduction of mechanical properties.

Originality/value

The contributions of this paper are discussing the effect of different annealing on mechanical properties and microstructural evolution based on new ASTM standards for selective laser melted samples and comparing them with wrought parts.
Bond and part strength in fused deposition modeling
Authors: Coogan Timothy J. , Kazmer David Owen
Published: April 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate the factors governing bond strength in fused deposition modeling (FDM) compared to strength in the fiber direction.

Design/methodology/approach

Acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS) boxes with the thickness of a single fiber were made at different platform and nozzle temperatures, print speeds, fiber widths and layer heights to produce multiple specimens for measuring the strength.

Findings

Specimens produced with the fibers oriented in the tensile direction had 95 per cent of the strength of the constitutive filament. Bond strengths ranged from 40 to 85 per cent of the filament strength dependent on the FDM processing conditions. Diffusion, wetting and intimate contact all separately affect bond strength.

Practical implications

This study provides processing recommendations for producing the strongest FDM parts. The needs for higher nozzle temperatures and more robust feed motors are described; these recommendations can be useful for companies producing FDM products as well as companies designing FDM printers.

Originality/value

This is the first study that discusses wetting and intimate contact separately in FDM, and the results suggest that a fundamental, non-empirical model for predicting FDM bond strength can be developed based on healing models. Additionally, the role of equilibration time at the start of extrusion as well as a motor torque limitation while trying to print at high speeds are described.
Approaches to minimize overhang angles of SLM parts
Authors: Cloots Michael , Zumofen Livia , Spierings Adriaan Bernardus , Kirchheim Andreas , Wegener Konrad
Published: April 2017

Purpose

For geometries exhibiting overhanging surfaces, support structures are needed to dissipate process heat and to minimize geometrical distortions attributed to internal stresses. The use of support structures is often time- and cost-consuming. For this reason, this study aims to propose an approach which minimizes the use of such structures.

Design/methodology/approach

For minimizing the use of support structures, process parameters in combination with a contour-like exposure strategy are developed to realize support-less overhanging structures of less than 35°. These parameters are implemented in a shell-core strategy, which follows the idea of applying different processing strategies to the critical (overhanging) shell and the uncritical core of the part. Thereby, the core is processed with standard parameters, aiming a dense material. On the critical shell, optimized processing parameters are applied, reaching good results in terms of surface quality, especially at extreme overhang situations.

Findings

The results show that the selective laser melting (SLM) technology is able to realize support-less overhanging surfaces by choosing suitable scan strategies and process parameters. Particularly good results are always obtained when the exposure direction of the shell is parallel to the contour of the sample.

Originality/value

The validity of the results is demonstrated through the successful reproduction of the build strategy on two commercial SLM machines, reaching support-free builds of surfaces with an angle to the horizontal of less than or equal to 30°.
Modeling porous structures with fractal rough topography based on triply periodic minimal surface for additive manufacturing
Authors: Xu Zhijia , Wang Qinghui , Li Jingrong
Published: April 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to develop a general mathematic approach to model the microstructures of porous structures produced by additive manufacturing (AM), which will result in fractal surface topography and higher roughness that have greater influence on the performance of porous structures.

Design/methodology/approach

The overall shapes of pores were modeled by triply periodic minimal surface (TPMS), and the micro-roughness details attached to the overall pore shapes were represented by Weierstrass–Mandelbrot (W-M) fractal representation, which was integrated with TPMS along its normal vectors. An index roughly reflecting the irregularity of fractal TPMS was proposed, based on which the influence of the fractal parameters on the fractal TPMS was qualitatively analyzed. Two complex samples of real porous structures were given to demonstrate the feasibility of the model.

Findings

The fractal surface topography should not be neglected at a micro-scale level. In addition, a decrease in the fractal dimension Ds may exponentially make the topography rougher; an increase in the height-scaling parameter G may linearly increase the roughness; and the number of the superposed ridges has no distinct influence on the topography. Furthermore, the synthesis method is general for all implicit surfaces.

Practical implications

The method provides an alternative way to shift the posteriori design paradigm of porous media to priori design mode through numeric simulation. Therefore, the optimization of AM process parameters, as well as the porous structure, can be potentially realized according to specific functional requirement.

Originality/value

The synthesis of TPMS and W-M fractal geometry was accomplished efficiently and was general for all implicit freeform surfaces, and the influence of the fractal parameters on the fractal TPMS was analyzed more systematically.
Direct-print photopolymerization for 3D printing
Authors: Vatani Morteza , Choi Jae-Won
Published: April 2017

Purpose

This work aims to present a guideline for ink development used in extrusion-based direct-write (DW) (also referred to as direct-print [DP]) technique and combine the extrusion with instant photopolymerization to present a solvent-free DP photopolymerization (DPP) method to fill the gap between 3D printing and printing multi-functional 3D structures.

Design/methodology/approach

A DP process called DPP was developed by integration of a screw-driven micro-dispenser into XYZ translation stages. The process was equipped with direct photopolymerization to facilitate the creation of 3D structures. The required characteristics of inks used in this technique were simulated through dispersion of fumed silica particles into photocurable resins to transform them into viscoelastic inks. The characterization method of these inks and the required level of shear thinning and thixotropic properties is presented.

Findings

Shear thinning and thixotropic properties are necessary components of the inks used in DPP process and other DP techniques. These properties are desirable to facilitate printing and filament shape retention. Extrusion of viscoelastic inks out of a nozzle generates a filament capable of retaining its geometry. Likewise, instant photopolymerization of the dispensed filaments prevents deformation due to the weight of filaments or accumulated weight of layers.

Originality/value

The DPP process with material-reforming methods has been shown, where there remain many shortcomings in realizing a DP-based 3D printing process with instant photopolymerization in existing literature, as well as a standard guideline and material requirements. The suggested method can be extended to develop a new commercial 3D printing system and printable inks to create various functional 3D structures including sensors, actuators and electronics, where nanoparticles are involved for their functionalities. Particularly, an original contribution to the determination of a rheological property of an ink is provided.
Microstructure and mechanical property of selective laser melted Ti6Al4V dependence on laser energy density
Authors: Han Jie , Yang Jingjing , Yu Hanchen , Yin Jie , Gao Ming , Wang Zemin , Zeng Xiaoyan
Published: April 2017

Purpose

This paper aims to investigate the influence of laser energy density on microstructure and mechanical properties of the selective laser melted (SLMed) Ti6Al4V to complement the existing knowledge in additive manufacturing of Ti6Al4V for future application of selective laser melting (SLM) in fabricating Ti6Al4V parts.

Design/methodology/approach

Ti6Al4V alloy is fabricated by SLM by adopting various energy densities. Microstructures and mechanical properties of the Ti6Al4V deposited using different energy densities are characterized.

Findings

Both high relative densities and microhardness can be obtained in the optimized processing window. The decrease of martensite width and spacing can improve the microhardness on both XOY and XOZ sections when the applied EV (defined as the laser energy per unit volume) increases. The width of the columnar grain increases with EV, resulting in a stronger anisotropy in microhardness between XOY and XOZ sections. Residual tensile stresses exist in the SLMed Ti6Al4V and increase with an increasing EV. A tensile strength of 1,268 MPa, a yield strength of 1,030 MPa, and an elongation of 4% can be obtained by using the optimized range of EV.

Originality/value

The microstructure of SLMed Ti6Al4V is quantitatively analysed by measuring the size of columnar grains and the martensites. The anisotropy of microstructures and properties in SLMed Ti6Al4V is characterized and its dependence on laser energy density is established. The residual stress in SLMed Ti6Al4V is characterized and its dependence on laser energy density is established. An optimized processing window to deposit Ti6Al4V alloy by SLM is proposed.
A boutique personal librarian program for transfer students
Authors: Lafrance Helene , Kealey Shannon B.
Published: April 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to discuss the planning, implementation and assessment of a personal librarian (PL) program for transfer students at a four-year private university. It highlights best practices to ensure the success of such a program, emphasizes the importance of collaboration with other campus units and explores the possible applications for other underserved student populations.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper explains why the PL model is particularly appropriate to serve the needs of transfer students. It clearly describes the assessment methods to evaluate such a program and proposes best practices to ensure success and sustainability.

Findings

Transfer students respond very positively to a PL program as shown by the number of interactions they have with their PLs and their responses to a survey. Librarians also appreciate the chance to develop meaningful relationships with students despite the addition to their workload.

Practical implications

Institutions looking at ways to reach out to transfer students or other underserved populations can easily adapt the PL program described here.

Originality/value

The PL concept is not new but, to the best of the authors’ knowledge, it is the first time it has been applied to transfer students. The program described here is also unique because of its “boutique” approach, which emphasizes customization and personalization.
Information literacy needs of community college students in transition: a literature review
Authors: Nelson Elizabeth
Published: April 2017

Purpose

This literature review aims to look at the unique role of community colleges as they address the information literacy needs of their students, who are by nature continuously in transition to and from the institution.

Design/methodology/approach

Library science databases and online sources were reviewed for relevant information.

Findings

Community colleges are addressing the needs of their various student populations in a variety of ways.

Originality/value

The role of the community college library is underrepresented in the literature. This review provides more information about the unique role that community colleges fill in the higher education ecosystem.
Cooperation in microbial communities and their biotechnological applications
Authors: Cavaliere Matteo , Feng Song , Soyer Orkun S. , Jiménez José I.
Published: April 2017

Microbial communities are increasingly utilized in biotechnology. Efficiency and productivity in many of these applications depends on the presence of cooperative interactions between members of the community. Two key processes underlying these interactions are the production of public goods and metabolic cross‐feeding, which can be understood in the general framework of ecological and evolutionary (eco‐evo) dynamics. In this review, we illustrate the relevance of cooperative interactions in microbial biotechnological processes, discuss their mechanistic origins and analyse their evolutionary resilience. Cooperative behaviours can be damaged by the emergence of ‘cheating’ cells that benefit from the cooperative interactions but do not contribute to them. Despite this, cooperative interactions can be stabilized by spatial segregation, by the presence of feedbacks between the evolutionary dynamics and the ecology of the community, by the role of regulatory systems coupled to the environmental conditions and by the action of horizontal gene transfer. Cooperative interactions enrich microbial communities with a higher degree of robustness against environmental stress and can facilitate the evolution of more complex traits. Therefore, the evolutionary resilience of microbial communities and their ability to constraint detrimental mutants should be considered to design robust biotechnological applications.
Manganese transport is essential for N2‐fixation by Rhizobium leguminosarum in bacteroids from galegoid but not phaseoloid nodules
Authors: Hood Graham , Ramachandran Vinoy , East Alison K. , Downie J. Allan , Poole Philip S.
Published: April 2017

Rhizobium leguminosarum has two high‐affinity Mn2+ transport systems encoded by sitABCD and mntH. In symbiosis, sitABCD and mntH were expressed throughout nodules and also strongly induced in Mn2+‐limited cultures of free‐living cells. Growth of a sitA mntH double mutant was severely reduced under Mn2+ limitation and sitA and mntH single mutants were more sensitive to oxidative stress. The double sitA mntH mutant of R. leguminosarum was unable to fix nitrogen (Fix‐) with legumes belonging to the galegoid clade (Pisum sativum, Vicia faba and Vicia hirsuta). The presence of infection thread‐like structures and sparsely‐packed plant cells in nodules suggest that bacteroid development was blocked, either at a late stage of infection thread progression or during bacteroid‐release. In contrast, a double sitA mntH mutant was Fix+ on common bean (Phaseoli vulgaris), a member of the phaseoloid clade of legumes, indicating a host‐specific symbiotic requirement for Mn2+ transport.
Genome‐wide identification of pathogenicity, conidiation and colony sectorization genes in Metarhizium robertsii
Authors: Zeng Guohong , Chen Xiaoxuan , Zhang Xing , Zhang Qiangqiang , Xu Chuan , Mi Wubin , Guo Na , Zhao Hong , You Yue , Dryburgh Farah‐Jade , Bidochka Michael J. , St. Leger Raymond J. , Zhang Lei , Fang Weiguo
Published: April 2017

Metarhizium robertsii occupies a wide array of ecological niches and has diverse lifestyle options (saprophyte, insect pathogen and plant symbiont), that renders it an unusually effective model for studying genetic mechanisms for fungal adaptation. Here over 20,000 M. robertsii T‐DNA mutants were screened in order to elucidate genetic mechanism by which M. robertsii replicates and persists in diverse niches. About 287 conidiation, colony sectorization or pathogenicity loci, many of which have not been reported in other fungi were identified. By analysing a series of conidial pigmentation mutants, a new fungal pigmentation gene cluster, which contains Mr‐Pks1, Mr‐EthD and Mlac1 was identified. A conserved conidiation regulatory pathway containing Mr‐BrlA, Mr‐AbaA and Mr‐WetA regulates expression of these pigmentation genes. During conidiation Mr‐BlrA up‐regulates Mr‐AbaA, which in turn controls Mr‐WetA. It was found that Hog1‐MAPK regulates fungal conidiation by controlling the conidiation regulatory pathway, and that all three pigmentation genes exercise feedback regulation of conidiation. This work provided the foundation for deeper understanding of the genetic processes behind M. robertsii adaptive phenotypes, and advances our insights into conidiation and pigmentation in this fungus.
Land‐use influences phosphatase gene microdiversity in soils
Authors: Neal Andrew L. , Rossmann Maike , Brearley Charles , Akkari Elsy , Guyomar Cervin , Clark Ian M. , Allen Elisa , Hirsch Penny R.
Published: April 2017

Phosphorus cycling exerts significant influence upon soil fertility and productivity – processes largely controlled by microbial activity. We adopted phenotypic and metagenomic approaches to investigate phosphatase genes within soils. Microbial communities in bare fallowed soil showed a marked capacity to utilise phytate for growth compared with arable or grassland soil communities. Bare fallowed soil contained lowest concentrations of orthophosphate. Analysis of metagenomes indicated phoA, phoD and phoX, and histidine acid and cysteine phytase genes were most abundant in grassland soil which contained the greatest amount of NaOH‐EDTA extractable orthophosphate. Beta‐propeller phytase genes were most abundant in bare fallowed soil. Phylogenetic analysis of metagenome sequences indicated the phenotypic shift observed in the capacity to mineralise phytate in bare fallow soil was accompanied by an increase in phoD, phoX and beta‐propeller phytase genes coding for exoenzymes. However, there was a remarkable degree of genetic similarity across the soils despite the differences in land‐use. Predicted extracellular ecotypes were distributed across a greater range of soil structure than predicted intracellular ecotypes, suggesting that microbial communities subject to the dual stresses of low nutrient availability and reduced access to organic material in bare fallowed soils rely upon the action of exoenzymes.
Vexatious Claims: Challenging the Case for Employment Tribunal Fees
Authors: Adams Abi , Prassl Jeremias
Published: April 2017

Since July 2013, recourse to Employment Tribunals in the United Kingdom has attracted fees of up to £1,200 for single claimants. The impact of this reform has been dramatic: within a year, claims dropped by nearly 80 per cent. This paper suggests that this fee regime is in clear violation of domestic and international norms, including Article 6(1) ECHR and the EU principle of effective judicial protection. Drawing on rational choice theory and empirical evidence, we argue that the resulting payoff structures, negative for the majority of successful claimants, strike at the very essence of these rights. The measures are, furthermore, disproportionate in light of the Government's stated policy aims: fees have failed to transfer cost away from taxpayers, have failed to encourage early dispute resolution, and have failed to deter vexatious litigants. The only vexatious claims, we find, appear to be those which motivated the reforms in the first place.
Bounded Discretion in EU Law: A Limited Judicial Paradigm in a Changing EU
Authors: Mendes Joana
Published: April 2017

Against the background of the reinforcement of the EU executive pursuant to the post‐2008 economic and financial market regulatory reforms, this article deconstructs the prevailing distinction between an executive body's discretion to make policy choices and its discretion when conducting technical assessments. This distinction, which arises out of the current judicial paradigm for discretion, has contributed to the re‐allocation of executive authority within the EU (sanctioned in UK v Parliament and Council and Gauweiler v Deutscher Bundestag). The article traces the distinction's roots in legal conceptions that have shaped legal‐administrative thinking since the early days of the Etat de Droit or Rechstaat. It proposes a public‐interest‐regarding conception of discretion where, in an institutional context where courts’ reviewing role may be limited, discretion's relationship to law is a matter of how legal norms may operate in the spheres of discretion that they attribute to decision‐makers, rather than how courts may review an exercise of discretion.
Insurance Fraud and the Role of the Civil Law
Authors: Rawlings P. J. , Lowry J. P.
Published: April 2017

Two UK Supreme Court decisions have considered insurance fraud. The first, Versloot Dredging BV v HDI‐Gerling Industries Versicherung (The DC Merwestone), concerned the use of a fraudulent device being harnessed to support a legitimate claim which, in the view of the majority, was an area of insurance law in need of re‐evaluation. The second, Haywood v Zurich Insurance Co, concerned the use of fraud to increase the settlement paid by the insurer and whether an insurer, which suspects fraud but has nevertheless chosen to settle a claim, is entitled to set aside the settlement under the tort of deceit where it subsequently discovers proof that it was in fact fraudulent. This case note examines not only the legal implications of the decisions and their likely impact on industry practice, it also focuses on the broader issue of the proper province of the civil law and whether general deterrence can be justified as a proper objective where the criminal law is deficient in punishing fraud because of its higher standard of proof.
Confirmation of buffalo tallow in anhydrous cow milk fat using gas liquid chromatography in tandem with species‐specific polymerase chain reaction
Authors: Sharma Vivek , Hazra Tanmay , Kandhol Rakesh , Sharma Rekha , Arora Sumit
Published: April 2017

Confirmation of buffalo tallow in anhydrous cow milk fat (cow ghee) is a major problem to date. In the present investigation, a novel strategy has been developed to detect and confirm the buffalo tallow in cow ghee. It involved coupling the gas liquid chromatography (GLC) of triglycerides with the rapid species‐specific polymerase chain reaction (PCR) to confirm the presence of buffalo tallow in anhydrous cow milk fat. Adulteration of cow ghee with buffalo tallow at 10% level could be confirmed using the standardised protocol. The standardised protocol can help in countering the cases of cow ghee adulteration with buffalo tallow.
Improve Toolmarks' Impressions in Soft Wax
Authors: Finkelstein Nir , Volkov Nikolai , Tsach Tsadok
Published: April 2017

When the forensic toolmarks laboratory receives for examination and comparison a tool that is suspected of having been involved in a crime, the expert performs tests designed to determine whether or not the specific tool generates the same toolmarks as those found at the crime scene. This is performed by testing tool striation on a piece of soft metal, such as lead, and examining the marks left by the tool. Studies have shown that wax may be an optimal material for this purpose. This study examines the use of wax at different temperatures and shows that quality of results is better when the wax is cooled (recommended temperature is −18°C). At this temperature, the wax is flexible enough but does not smear and is not sticky. This makes the obtained marks clearer and of better quality.
INTERROGATING RACE, CRIME, AND JUSTICE IN A TIME OF UNEASE AND RACIAL TENSION
Authors: PETERSON RUTH D.
Published: April 2017

This address has a twofold purpose. First, as the first African American to serve as president of the American Society of Criminology (ASC), I celebrate the contributions of scholars of color to the study of crime and criminal justice and to the ASC. I do so by pointing out the accomplishments of several African American scholars whose contributions are numerous and exemplary. I also emphasize that African Americans are joined in their efforts by scholars of multiple other colors, including, Latinos/as, Native Americans, and Asians. Second, in view of responses to apparent unrest and racial tension in U.S. society that is signaled by lethal violence between police and U.S. residents of color, I offer four recommendations regarding how we might proceed with our research, and report our findings, in ways that improve the likelihood of helping to inform societal debates and policy developments around crime and justice issues. In my conclusion, I encourage the ASC to 1) continue to grow the diversity of its membership and to integrate the research and findings of scholars of color into the mainstream of criminology; and 2) take further steps to conduct research and share findings with diverse audiences to ensure that post‐truth does not become normative regarding crime and justice issues.
Transcriptional response ofEscherichia colito ammonia and glucose fluctuations
Authors: Simen Joana Danica , Löffler Michael , Jäger Günter , Schäferhoff Karin , Freund Andreas , Matthes Jakob , Müller Jan , Takors Ralf ,   RecogNice‐Team
Published: April 2017

In large‐scale production processes, metabolic control is typically achieved by limited supply of essential nutrients such as glucose or ammonia. With increasing bioreactor dimensions, microbial producers such asEscherichia coliare exposed to changing substrate availabilities due to limited mixing. In turn, cells sense and respond to these dynamic conditions leading to frequent activation of their regulatory programmes. Previously, we characterized short‐ and long‐term strategies of cells to adapt to glucose fluctuations. Here, we focused on fluctuating ammonia supply while studying a continuously running two‐compartment bioreactor system comprising a stirred tank reactor (STR) and a plug‐flow reactor (PFR). The alarmone ppGpp rapidly accumulated inPFR, initiating considerable transcriptional responses after 70 s. About 400 genes were repeatedly switched on/off whenE. colireturned to theSTR.E. colirevealed highly diverging long‐term transcriptional responses in ammonia compared to glucose fluctuations. In contrast, the induction of stringent regulation was a common feature of both short‐term responses. CellularATPdemands for coping with fluctuating ammonia supply were found to increase maintenance by 15%. The identification of genes contributing to the increasedATPdemand together with the elucidation of regulatory mechanisms may help to create robust cells and processes for large‐scale application.
A comparison of individual‐based genetic distance metrics for landscape genetics
Authors: Shirk A. J. , Landguth E. L. , Cushman S. A.
Published: April 2017

A major aim of landscape genetics is to understand how landscapes resist gene flow and thereby influence population genetic structure. An empirical understanding of this process provides a wealth of information that can be used to guide conservation and management of species in fragmented landscapes and also to predict how landscape change may affect population viability. Statistical approaches to infer the true model among competing alternatives are based on the strength of the relationship between pairwise genetic distances and landscape distances among sampled individuals in a population. A variety of methods have been devised to quantify individual genetic distances, but no study has yet compared their relative performance when used for model selection in landscape genetics. In this study, we used population genetic simulations to assess the accuracy of 16 individual‐based genetic distance metrics under varying sample sizes and degree of population genetic structure. We found most metrics performed well when sample size and genetic structure was high. However, it was much more challenging to infer the true model when sample size and genetic structure was low. Under these conditions, we found genetic distance metrics based on principal components analysis were the most accurate (although several other metrics performed similarly), but only when they were derived from multiple principal components axes (the optimal number varied depending on the degree of population genetic structure). Our results provide guidance for which genetic distance metrics maximize model selection accuracy and thereby better inform conservation and management decisions based upon landscape genetic analysis.
Fusarium fujikuroi associated with stem rot of red‐fleshed dragon fruit (Hylocereus polyrhizus) in Malaysia
Authors: Masratul Hawa M. , Nurul Faziha I. , Nik Mohamad Izham M.N. , Latiffah Z.
Published: April 2017

Stem rot was recorded as one of serious diseases of red‐fleshed dragon fruit, (Hylocereus polyrhizus), in Malaysia. Fusarium fujikuroi was recovered from stem rot lesion of H. polyrhizus and the species was identified using TEF1‐α sequence and mating study. From maximum likelihood phylogenetic tree using combined TEF1‐α and β‐tubulin sequences, the F. fujikuroi isolates from stem rot were grouped according to three geographical locations, namely Peninsular Malaysia, Sabah and Sarawak. Phylogenetic analysis indicated that F. fujikuroi isolates from stem rot of H. polyrhizus were clustered separately from F. fujikuroi isolates from rice because of intraspecific variation. From amplification of MAT allele‐specific primers, 20% of the isolates carried MAT‐1 allele while 80% carried MAT‐2 allele. From isolates that carried MAT‐1 allele, 65% crossed‐fertile with MP‐C (mating population of F. fujikuroi) tester strain while for MAT‐2 allele, 56% crossed‐fertile with MP‐C. None of the isolates were identified as MP‐D (mating population of F. proliferatum). Pathogenicity test conducted on 40 representative isolates showed that the stem rot symptoms were similar with the symptoms observed in the field, and can be categorized as low, moderate and high aggressiveness, which indicated variation in pathogenicity and virulence among the isolates. This study provides novel findings regarding Fusarium species associated with stem rot of H. polyrhizus and indicated that F. fujikuroi as a new causal pathogen of the disease.
A Novel Approach to Study Medical Decision Making in the Clinical Setting: The “Own‐point‐of‐view” Perspective
Authors: Pelaccia Thierry , Tardif Jacques , Triby Emmanuel , Charlin Bernard
Published: April 2017

Background

Making diagnostic and therapeutic decisions is a critical activity among physicians. It relies on the ability of physicians to use cognitive processes and specific knowledge in the context of a clinical reasoning. This ability is a core competency in physicians, especially in the field of emergency medicine where the rate of diagnostic errors is high. Studies that explore medical decision making in an authentic setting are increasing significantly. They are based on the use of qualitative methods that are applied at two separate times: 1) a video recording of the subject's actual activity in an authentic setting and 2) an interview with the subject, supported by the video recording. Traditionally, activity is recorded from an “external perspective”; i.e., a camera is positioned in the room in which the consultation takes place. This approach has many limits, both technical and with respect to the validity of the data collected.

Objectives

The article aims at 1) describing how decision making is currently being studied, especially from a qualitative standpoint, and the reasons why new methods are needed, and 2) reporting how we used an original, innovative approach to study decision making in the field of emergency medicine and findings from these studies to guide further the use of this method. The method consists in recording the subject's activity from his own point of view, by fixing a microcamera on his temple or the branch of his glasses. An interview is then held on the basis of this recording, so that the subject being interviewed can relive the situation, to facilitate the explanation of his reasoning with respect to his decisions and actions.

Results

We describe how this method has been used successfully in investigating medical decision making in emergency medicine. We provide details on how to use it optimally, taking into account the constraints associated with the practice of emergency medicine and the benefits in the study of clinical reasoning.

Conclusion

The “own‐point‐of‐view” video technique is a promising method to study clinical decision making in emergency medicine. It is a powerful tool to stimulate recall and help physicians make their reasoning explicit, thanks to a greater psychological immersion.
Job satisfaction and intention to stay within community and residential aged care employees
Authors: Radford Katrina , Meissner Ellen
Published: April 2017

Objective

This study investigated the different facets of job satisfaction that influence community care and residential care employees’ intention to stay in the aged care workforce.

Methods

A survey of four organisations in Australia was undertaken. t‐Tests were conducted to analyse differences between groups. Regression analyses were performed to examine the factors influencing intentions to stay in the workforce.

Results

Community care workers were more satisfied with various facets of job satisfaction including work on their present job, supervision, people in their present job and the job in general. There was a difference between how the various facets of job satisfaction influenced intentions to stay for residential care compared to community care workers.

Conclusions

Both workers were satisfied with their work conditions and work to different extents. There is an opportunity for residential care to look to the practices within the community care sector to improve employees’ intentions to stay.
The effect of canaloplasty with suprachoroidal drainage combined with cataract surgery – 1‐year results
Authors: Seuthe Anna‐Maria , Januschowski Kai , Mariacher Siegfried , Ebner Martina , Opitz Natalia , Szurman Peter , Boden Karl
Published: April 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this study was to investigate the safety and efficacy of phacocanaloplasty with suprachoroidal drainage (PCscD) and to compare its intraocular pressure (IOP)‐lowering and drug‐sparing effect to canaloplasty with suprachoroidal drainage (CscD).

Methods

The study retrospective interventional study included patients with open‐angle glaucoma or secondary forms of glaucoma who underwent either CscD or PCscD between the year 2011 and 2014 in Knappschaft Eye Clinic Sulzbach. Primary end‐points were IOP reduction and the number of IOP‐lowering medication after 12 months. Secondary end‐points were intraoperative and postoperative complications.

Results

A total of 328 eyes were included, 193 were treated with CscD and 135 underwent PCscD. Canaloplasty with scD achieved an IOP reduction of 37.0% (from 20.9 ± 3.6 mmHg to 13.2 ± 2.6 mmHg) after 1 year, whereas PCscD showed a significant higher reduction of 47.4% (from 23.2 ± 5.1 mmHg to 12.2 ± 1.7 mmHg). Reduction in IOP‐lowering medication was higher after PCscD (from 3.6 ± 0.6 to 0.2 ± 0.5) than after CscD (from 3.5 ± 0.8 to 0.7 ± 1.0). Twelve months after surgery 55.5% in the CscD group and 80.2% in the PCscD group were free of IOP‐lowering medication. In both groups, no severe or sight‐threatening complications occurred.

Conclusion

Combining cataract surgery and CscD achieves a higher IOP reduction, and patients postoperatively need less IOP‐lowering medication than after CscD alone.
Transfusion research priorities for blood services in sub‐Saharan Africa
Authors: Bates Imelda , Hassall Oliver , Mapako Tonderai
Published: April 2017

Evidence to support many blood transfusion policies and practices in sub‐Saharan Africa (SSA) is weak or lacking. SSA cannot extrapolate from wealthy countries’ research findings because its environment, users and structures are very different and SSA has critical blood shortages. SSA needs to generate its own evidence but research funds are very scarce and need to be carefully targeted to match need. This study aimed to define this need by determining research priorities for blood services in SSA. Thirty‐five stakeholders representing diverse blood services’ interests and expertise participated in a workshop. An adapted ‘consensus development method’ was used to identify, agree and justify research priorities under five themes through small group and plenary discussion, and cumulative voting. Research priorities covered traditional research areas, such as clinical use of blood and infection screening, but also highlighted many new, under‐researched topics, mostly concerning blood service ‘systems’, such as economics, blood components and regulation. Lack of electronic information management systems was an important hindrance to the blood services’ ability to generate robust research data. This study has identified and prioritised novel research that will help blood services in SSA to address their own needs including their most urgent problem: the lack of access to adequate blood supplies. To catalyse this research blood services in SSA need to enhance their capacity to conduct, commission and manage research and to strengthen their collaborations within and beyond Africa.
The Sheffield Learning Disabilities Outcome Measure: a factor analysis
Authors: Delahunty Lauren , McCrohan Fiona , Kidd Gill
Published: April 2017

Background

The Sheffield Learning Disabilities Outcome Measure (SLDOM) is routinely used across clinical services in theUK, despite not yet showing evidence of psychometric reliability or validity. However, it is reported that theSLDOMdemonstrates good face validity, and represents a valuable tool for providing useful information around the parent‐child relationship in the context of having a child with a Learning Disability (LD).

Method

This study involved 263 parents or carers of a child withLDwho completed theSLDOM. Data from this study were subjected to factor analysis.

Results

These findings suggest that theSLDOMcould be viewed as a tool that measures two concepts: (1) internal factors central to the parent/carer in relation to having a child withLDand (2) external factors in terms of the context and environment surrounding a child withLD. To our knowledge, this study is one of the first to investigate the psychometric properties of theSLDOM.

Conclusions

This has implications in terms of building evidence to support the clinical and research use of this tool; to provide evidence‐based clinical services, and overall, to gain a better understanding of patients and their families, which will allow for optimum service provision.
Breast milk IgA to foods has different epitope specificity than serum IgA—Evidence for entero‐mammary link for food‐specific IgA?
Authors: Seppo A. E. , Savilahti E. M. , Berin M. C. , Sampson H. A. , Järvinen K. M.
Published: April 2017

Background

We have previously shown that maternal cow's milk (CM) elimination results in downregulation of CM‐specific IgA antibody levels in BM, but not in serum, suggesting that an entero‐mammary link may exist for food‐specific antibody‐secreting cells.

Objective

We sought to investigate whether food‐specific IgA epitope profiles differ intra‐individually between mother's serum and BM. We also examined how infants’ food epitope‐specific IgA develops in early infancy and the relationship of IgA epitope recognition with development of cow's milk allergy (CMA).

Methods

We measured specific IgA to a series of overlapping peptides in major CM allergens (αs1‐, αs2‐, β‐ and κ‐caseins and β‐lactoglobulin) in paired maternal and infant serum as well as BM samples in 31 mother‐infant dyads within the first 15 post‐partum months utilizing peptide microarray.

Results

There was significant discordance in epitope specificity between BM and maternal sera ranging from only 13% of sample pairs sharing at least one epitope in αs1‐casein to 73% in κ‐casein. Epitope‐specific IgA was detectable in infants’ sera starting at less than 3 months of age. Sera of mothers with a CMA infant had increased binding of epitope‐specific IgA to CM proteins compared to those with a non‐CMA infant.

Conclusion & Clinical Relevance

These findings support the concept that mother's milk has a distinct antifood antibody repertoire when compared to the antibody repertoire of the peripheral blood. Increased binding of serum epitope‐specific IgA to CM in mothers of infants with CMA may reflect inherited systemic immunogenicity of CM proteins in these families, although specific IgA in breast milk was not proportionally up‐regulated.
Serum phosphorus levels and fracture following renal transplantation
Authors: Aleksova Jasna , Wong Phillip , Mulley William R. , Choy Kay Weng , McLachlan Robert , Ebeling Peter R. , Kerr Peter G. , Milat Frances
Published: April 2017

Purpose

Increased fracture rates are observed in renal transplant recipients (RTRs) compared with the general population. Risk factors include age, diabetes, dialysis vintage, immunosuppression and mineral and bone disorders.1 Low serum phosphorus levels occur post‐transplantation; however, its relationship with fracture risk has not been evaluated. The purpose of this study was to evaluate risk factors for fracture in RTRs at a single tertiary referral centre.

Methods

A retrospective cross‐sectional analysis of 146 patients (75 M, 71 F) who had been referred for dual energy X‐ray densitometry (DXA) post‐renal transplantation was performed. Aetiology of end stage kidney disease (ESKD), duration of dialysis, parathyroidectomy history, immunosuppression regimen, bone mineral density (BMD), biochemistry and fractures were documented. Statistical analyses included univariable and multivariable regression.

Results

The mean age of patients was 54 years and mean time post‐transplantation 6.7 years. A total of 79 fractures occurred in 52 patients (35%), with 40 fractures occurring post‐transplantation. Ankle/foot fractures were most common (48%). Lower serum phosphorus levels and declining femoral neck (FN) T‐score and were associated with fractures in both univariable and multivariable regression analyses after adjusting for age, gender, weight, estimated glomerular filtration rate and pre‐transplant history of fracture (P=.011 and P=.042 respectively). The relationship between serum phosphorus and fracture remained significant independent of FN T‐score, parathyroid hormone levels, parathyroidectomy status and prednisolone use.

Conclusion

Fracture was common post‐renal transplantation. Lower serum phosphorus levels and declining FN T‐scores were associated with fractures. The mechanism of this previously unreported observation requires further evaluation in prospective studies.
Naloxone rescheduling in Australia: Processes, implementation and challenges with supply of naloxone as a ‘pharmacist only’ over‐the‐counter medicine
Authors: Pricolo Angelo , Nielsen Suzanne
Published: April 2017

Issues

Numerous studies and systematic reviews have concluded that naloxone for take‐home use is an effective intervention to reduce overdose morbidity and mortality, with few side effects and no abuse potential. One barrier to supply is that naloxone has traditionally been a prescription medication. In May 2015, the Therapeutic Goods Administration of Australia announced the intention to down‐schedule naloxone when used for the treatment of opioid overdose, enabling sale in pharmacies without a prescription. The aim of this article is to describe process of rescheduling of naloxone and some of the challenges observed.

Approach

We describe the process of rescheduling from initial proposal development to gaining support and submissions from a range of individuals and professional bodies to support this change. The implications of the change, particularly for pharmacy supply of naloxone, are discussed, including next steps to facilitate implementation of this change in the Australian context.

Key Findings

A submission to reschedule naloxone was successfully instigated by a member of the public. The change may help remove access barriers to naloxone by allowing pharmacist supply. Cost, pharmacist training, existing naloxone formulation, presentation and packaging remain challenges to address.

Implications and Conclusion

Naloxone down‐scheduling has opened up an additional way to supply naloxone through community pharmacy. Further expansion of naloxone availability may be achieved through addressing cost as a barrier, and making naloxone more widely accessible through needle syringe programs, and other services that do not have medical staff.