bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Ketamine Continuous Infusions in Critically Ill Infants and Children
Authors: Golding Charles L. , Miller Jamie L. , Gessouroun Morris R. , Johnson Peter N.
Published: January 2016

Objective: To review the role of ketamine continuous infusions (CINs) in critically ill children for sedation and analgesia, withdrawal, and bronchospasm. Data Sources: Relevant articles were identified using MEDLINE (1946 to December 2015), EMBASE (1988 to December 2015), International Pharmaceutical Abstracts (1970 to December 2015), and the Cochrane Library (1996 to December 2015) using the terms ketamine, children, and CIN. Study Selection and Data Extraction: All English-language articles in humans identified from data sources were evaluated. Three studies and 8 case reports/series representing 74 patients were included. Data Synthesis: Ketamine is an N-methyl-d-aspartate (NMDA) receptor antagonist that blocks glutamate in the limbic system, resulting in sedation and analgesia. Additionally, it provides bronchodilation by increasing catecholamine transmission and stimulation of β2 receptors. The majority of reports evaluated ketamine for bronchospasm in children with status asthmaticus or bronchospasm refractory to conventional treatments. A total of 72 patients (97.3%) received a loading dose ranging from 0.2 to 2 mg/kg prior to CIN initiation. The CIN dosing range was 0.2 to 3.6 mg/kg/h. Children who received ketamine for sedation or opioid withdrawal received a lower dose than children initiated on it for bronchospasm: 0.24 to 0.9 versus 0.2 to 3.6 mg/kg/h, respectively. Duration of use ranged from 1 to 96 hours. Six of the reports mentioned that the ketamine CIN was tapered prior to discontinuation. Approximately 10.8% of patients included in the analysis experienced adverse events, with only 3 children (4.1%) experiencing emergence phenomenon. Conclusions: Limited evidence was noted, so ketamine CINs could be considered an adjunct therapy at this time. Further prospective studies should be conducted to determine ketamine’s role in sedation and analgesia, withdrawal treatment, and bronchospasm treatment.
Cost and Consequences of Nonadherence With Oral Bisphosphonate Therapy
Authors: Sharman Moser Sarah , Yu Jingbo , Goldshtein Inbal , Ish-Shalom Sofia , Rouach Vanessa , Shalev Varda , Modi Ankita , Chodick Gabriel
Published: January 2016

Background: Adherence to osteoporosis treatment remains poor despite available treatments and physician and patient education. This study aims to determine the effect of low adherence in real-world data. Objective: To examine the association between adherence with oral bisphosphonate therapy and fracture risk as well as health care resource utilization. Methods: Women included in this retrospective analysis were 55 years or older and had started oral bisphosphonate therapy between 2005 and 2011 in a large not-for-profit health care center in Israel. Adherence to therapy was measured by the medication possession ratio (MPR) during the first year from therapy initiation. Patients with MPR lower than 70% were considered nonadherent. Study outcomes were osteoporotic fracture events and health care utilization (including physician visits and hospitalizations) during the second year from therapy initiation. Results: Among the 17 770 women included in the analysis (mean age = 66.5 years; SD = ±8.3 years), 48.9% were nonadherent to therapy during the first year of treatment. Osteoporotic fracture risks during the second year among adherent and nonadherent patients were 2.1% and 2.5%, respectively ( P = 0.1). When analysis was limited to patients 75 years or older, nonadherence with bisphosphonates was associated with an adjusted odds ratio of 1.49 (95% CI = 1.08-2.04) for osteoporotic fractures compared with adherent patients. Nonadherent patients had 13.4% higher medical costs than their adherent counterparts among patients 75 years and older ( P = 0.002). Conclusions: In patients 75 years and older, nonadherence with oral bisphosphonates can be associated with significantly greater short-term risk of osteoporotic fractures and higher utilization of health care services.
Some theorems on linear theory of thermoelasticity for an anisotropic medium under an exact heat conduction model with a delay
Authors: Kumari Bharti , Mukhopadhyay Santwana
Published: January 2016

The present work is concerned with a very recently proposed heat conduction model—an exact heat conduction model with a delay term for an anisotropic and inhomogeneous material—and some important theorems within this theory. A generalized thermoelasticity theory was proposed based on the heat conduction law with three phase-lag effects for the purpose of considering the delayed responses in time due to the micro-structural interactions in the heat transport mechanism. However, the model defines an ill-posed problem in the Hadamard sense. Subsequently, a proposal was made to reformulate this constitutive equation of heat conduction theory with a single delay term and the spatial behavior of the solutions for this theory have been investigated. A Phragmen–Lindelof type alternative was obtained and it has been shown that the solutions either decay in an exponential way or blow-up at infinity in an exponential way. The obtained results are extended to a thermoelasticity theory by considering the Taylor series approximation of the equation of heat conduction to the delay term and a Phragmen–Lindelof type alternative was obtained for the forward and backward in time equations. In the present work, we consider the basic equations concerning this new theory of thermoelasticity for an anisotropic and inhomogeneous material and make an attempt to establish some important theorems in this context. A uniqueness theorem has been established for an anisotropic body. An alternative characterization of the mixed initial-boundary value problem is formulated and a variational principle as well as a reciprocity principle is established.
Noteworthy Literature in 2015
Authors: Twite Mark , Ing Richard J.
Published: January 2016

This article is a review of the literature published during the 12 months of 2015, which is of interest to the congenital cardiac anesthesiologist. While the review is not exhaustive, it identifies 7 themes in the literature for 2015 and cites 78 peer-reviewed publications.
Comparison of Protection Factors for Selected Medical, Industrial and Military Masks
Authors: Kournikakis Bill , Harding R. Kent , Tremblay J. R. A. , Simpson Maureen
Published: January 2016

Personal protection against infectious or toxic aerosols is a growing area of concern among many different occupational groups. Selection of appropriate respiratory protection should be based upon the level of risk present and the degree of protection afforded by the different types of protective masks available. In this study we have determined the relative protection factors for various commercial and military respiratory protective devices when challenged with a polydispersed submicron to micron sized particulate aerosol.
Bacterial Survival on Respirator Filters and Surgical Masks
Authors: Brosseau Lisa M. , McCullough Nicole Vars , Vesley Donald
Published: January 2016

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recently developed recommendations for respirators worn to minimize exposures to Mycobacterium tuberculosis. These recommendations include criteria for filters and facial fit, but do not address how respirators are worn or disposed of. Handling may increase the risk of infection if loaded organisms remain viable.

Respirator filters were challenged with aerosols containing three bacteria: Mycobacterium abscessus, Staphylococcus epidermidis, and Bacillus subtilis subsp. niger. Elution and surface contact sampling were used to recover organisms from filters after loading and following 5 days storage at 85% RH.

Almost all filters showed culturable organisms immediately after loading. After storage, filters showed the least culturability for M. abscessus (20% of all filters) followed by S. epidermidis (61%), while B. subtilis remained highly culturable (98%). A slimilar trend was seen for the number of organisms recovered before and after storage (M abscessus demonstrated the least survival and B. subtilis the most).
Mars Sample Return and Biocontainment
Authors: Race Margaret S.
Published: January 2016

In its continuing exploration of the solar system, NASA currently has plans to launch a sample return mission to Mars as early as 2005. The design of such a mission will utilize a variety of contamination control measures, both on the outbound flight to Mars and during the return to Earth of the spacecraft and sample return canister. Biocontainment and quarantine will most certainly be required at a receiving facility where a comprehensive battery of tests will be done to determine if any living, replicating entities are included in the samples and whether the returned materials are harmful in any way to Earth's biota or ecosystems. The task of developing hardware, facilities, laboratory protocols, operations plans and certification standards for extraterrestrial materials will require input from many disciplines, including biosafety and public health experts. By combining basic principles of biocontainment with information about the nature and capabilities of microorganisms, a preliminary protocol has been developed for handling, containing and testing extraterrestrial samples. Plans for biocontainment facilities, quarantine and testing methods for Mars sample return missions will also be important in planning future extraterrestrial sample returns from comets, moons and asteroids which also have the potential for harboring life.
Predicting Biocontainment Requirements for the Future
Authors: Barkley W. Emmett
Published: January 2016

This paper was first presented as one of four keynote addresses at the 5th National Symposium on Biosafety held in Atlanta, Georgia on January 17–20, 1998 (Richmond, 1998). The Symposium was sponsored by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the American Biological Safety Association (ABSA). The original title of the address “Where are we going?” was selected by the Symposium's planning committee. While contemplation of the future can be an enjoyable intellectual exercise, predictions about the course of science and the corresponding future requirements of biocontainment will yield only uncertain results. Contemporary science has demonstrated that revolutions in science occur with spontaneity. The best recent example is the revolution in the biomedical sciences brought about by recombinant DNA in the 1970s. Scientists cannot predict the next revolution, but they are keenly vigilant to discern its occurrence. Biological safety professionals must be equally prepared to recognize major scientific advancements since the future may require swift changes in the practice of biocontainment as was evident in the recombination DNA revolution. To be prepared, biological safety professionals must establish a continuing and meaningful dialogue with scientists. For this to happen, the biological safety professional must become better informed of current knowledge and strive to gain the trust and respect of the scientific community. Biological safety professionals, as partners in science, can ensure that biocontainment keeps pace with new requirements that will most certainly occur in the future.
Respirator Filter Reuse Test Using the Laboratory Simulant Mycobacterium Tuberculosis (H37RA Strain)
Authors: Johnson Barbara , Winters Douglas R. , Shreeve Thomas R. , Coffey Christopher C.
Published: January 2016

All respirators certified under Title 42, Code of Federal Regulations, Part 84, can be used by healthcare workers for protection against Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb). Questions have been raised regarding the possibility of the respirator becoming contaminated with Mtb or other organisms due to reuse, handling, and storage in plastic bags. This study was conducted to: (1) determine whether, and for how long, avirulent Mtb (strain H37Ra) survives on respirator material, and (2) measure levels of contamination (assess contamination by environmental bacteria and fungi due to storage in airtight bags) potentially spread to the respirator's interior surface due to normal mechanical handling (removal and re-insertion of the respirator into airtight bag). Six models of filtering facepiece respirators were challenged with a concentration of 105 to 106 colony forming units (CFUs) H37Ra per liter of air in a steady flow system. Respirator interior and exterior surfaces were swab sampled on days -1 (prior to exposure), 0 (day of exposure), 1, 3, 7, 10, 14, 21, and 28. Between samplings, each respirator was stored at room temperature in a Zip-lock™ bag. Seven days after exposure the number of viable organisms decreased from a mean range of 27 to 131 colony forming units per square centimeter (CFU/cm2) to zero CFU/cm2 on the exterior of the different respirator models. While several respirators had interior contamination immediately following challenge, no transfer of exterior H37Ra was observed. Some colony growth was recoverable from day 14 to 28 indicating there was some incidental contamination with environmental bacteria to the interior of the respirator after repeated handling and storage.
Life after a humanities degree
Authors: Masola Athambile
Published: January 2016

This article explores the experiences of a humanities graduate after leaving the academy. The author considers her own education in light of the historical changes in South Africa's education system. The article is a personal account of the questions and challenges encountered in choosing a humanities degree in a context where a tertiary education is crucial for future opportunities. The article explores life as a teacher in an education system that is assessment-driven and seems to sacrifice critical thinking. The article also considers the future of the humanities in a political and economic climate that highlights degrees directly linked to engineering and commerce.
The role of the Humanities in decolonising the academy
Authors: Prinsloo Estelle H
Published: January 2016

This short paper argues that the #RhodesMustFall movement, which originated at the University of Cape Town, has brought renewed attention to the need to decolonise the academy in South Africa. It further argues that the Humanities are ideally placed to engage with the intellectual problems and questions presented by the decolonisation debate. Deep understanding of these questions are necessary to prevent more of the same ‘techno-bureaucratic fixes’, which, until now, have left South Africa’s universities largely untransformed. While seeking change, however, scholars should avoid performing what Tack and Yang call ‘moves to innocence’ – strategies that distract or deflect attention away from conversations about decolonisation to assuage White guilt.
To be or not to be: No longer at ease1
Authors: Ndebele Njabulo S
Published: January 2016

This essay examines the changing range of descriptors available for black South African experience from the 1960s through to the present and shows the changing implications of ‘black’, ‘African’, ‘citizen’ and ‘human being’, with particular reference to the formative structures of education, and the enabling (or disabling) effects of literary studies in their Eurocentric and Afrocentric forms. In a general continental context in which the post-colony replicates the oppressive structures of the extractive instrumentalization of colonialism, it argues that emphasis is now best placed on ideas of the human being and citizen.
A guideline-based program may improve the outcome of stroke among illiterate patients
Authors: Ni Jun , Yao Ming , Zhou Lixin , Zhu Yicheng , Peng Bin , Cui Liying
Published: January 2016

Background

Education level is considered as an important factor for post-stroke functional outcome. Our previous study confirms the feasibility of SMART program to improve adherence of secondary stroke prevention in China.

Aims

We aim to investigate whether this program can influence the impact of educational level on post-stroke functional outcome in this sub-group analysis of SMART study.

Methods

We enrolled 3722 patients with acute ischemic stroke from multicenter ( n = 47) SMART cohort. Patient’s educational level was categorized as three: illiterate, 6th grade or lower, and 7th grade or higher. Functional outcome at six-month post-stroke was assessed by Modified Rankin Scale (mRS) and categorized as favorable (mRS: 0–2) or poor (mRS: 3–5). Binary logistic model, adjusting for age, gender, stroke history, hypertension, diabetes, hyperlipidemia, educational level, and NIHSS was performed, respectively, in SMART group and usual care group to evaluate the effect of the SMART program on stroke functional outcome among different educated patients.

Results

In both groups, logistic regression analysis showed that poor functional outcome was independently associated with older age [OR(95% CI):1.81(1.41–2.33), p < 0.001(SMART); OR (95% CI):1.38 (1.09–1.73), p = 0.007(usual care)], higher baseline NIHSS [OR (95% CI): 2.90 (2.38–3.53), p < 0.001(SMART); OR (95% CI): 2.82 (2.32–3.44), p < 0.001(usual care)], and diabetes [OR(95% CI):1.88 (1.18–3.00), p = 0.008(SMART); OR (95%CI):1.68 (1.03–2.73), p = 0.037(usual care)]. Compared to illiterate, higher educational levels were independently associated with favorable outcome in usual care group [OR (95% CI): 0.43 (0.20–0.93), p = 0.032 (6th grade or lower) and OR (95% CI): 0.40 (0.19–0.84), p = 0.016 (7th Grade or higher)], but not in SMART group ( p = 0.806 and p = 0.889, respectively).

Conclusions

This study demonstrates that implementation of SMART program may improve post-stroke functional outcome among illiterate. This suggests special attention should be paid to illiterate patients with intensive education in order to improve post-stroke disability.
Beware the stone in the duplex: Use of CT intravenous pyelogram (CT IVP) in detecting calculi in duplex ureteric systems
Authors: Gunawardena Shamen , Ranasinghe Weranja KB , McCahy Philip
Published: January 2016

The current practice guidelines determine that non-contrast computed tomography kidney, ureter and bladder (CT KUB) is the gold standard for detecting urolithiasis in the setting of renal colic. However, there are a number of drawbacks of CT KUB.

We present two recent cases of missed stones in complete duplex ureteric systems with inadequate preoperative imaging. Although ureteric calculi were initially confirmed on CT KUB in both patients, the presence of duplex systems was missed resulting in unremarkable ureteroscopy. Unchanged calculi were detected on follow-up imaging requiring later intraoperative diagnoses of duplex systems and successful removal of the stones.

Stones seen on CT KUB with no stone on ureteroscopy should raise clinical suspicion for duplex ureteric systems. Contrast imaging can be useful in endoscopic treatment of ureteral, and renal, calculi, which could save time and prevent incorrect conclusions.
Discretion and Disproportionality
Authors: Grissom Jason A. , Redding Christopher
Published: January 2016

Students of color are underrepresented in gifted programs relative to White students, but the reasons for this underrepresentation are poorly understood. We investigate the predictors of gifted assignment using nationally representative, longitudinal data on elementary students. We document that even among students with high standardized test scores, Black students are less likely to be assigned to gifted services in both math and reading, a pattern that persists when controlling for other background factors, such as health and socioeconomic status, and characteristics of classrooms and schools. We then investigate the role of teacher discretion, leveraging research from political science suggesting that clients of government services from traditionally underrepresented groups benefit from diversity in the providers of those services, including teachers. Even after conditioning on test scores and other factors, Black students indeed are referred to gifted programs, particularly in reading, at significantly lower rates when taught by non-Black teachers, a concerning result given the relatively low incidence of assignment to own-race teachers among Black students.
CD8+ T cells mediate antibody-independent platelet clearance in mice
Authors: Arthur Connie M. , Patel Seema R. , Sullivan H. Cliff , Winkler Annie M. , Tormey Chris A. , Hendrickson Jeanne E. , Stowell Sean R.
Published: January 2016

Key Points

Previous studies suggest that immune-mediated platelet clearance following transfusion represents an antibody-mediated process. The results of this study demonstrate that CD8+ T cells can mediate platelet clearance independent of anti-platelet alloantibodies.
4Pipe4 – A 454 data analysis pipeline for SNP detection in datasets with no reference sequence or strain information
Authors: Pina-Martins Francisco , Vieira Bruno M. , Seabra Sofia G. , Batista Dora , Paulo Octávio S.
Published: January 2016

Background

Next-generation sequencing datasets are becoming more frequent, and their use in population studies is becoming widespread. For non-model species, without a reference genome, it is possible from a panel of individuals to identify a set of SNPs that can be used for further population genotyping. However the lack of a reference genome to which the sequenced data could be compared makes the finding of SNPs more troublesome. Additionally when the data sources (strains) are not identified (e.g. in datasets of pooled individuals), the problem of finding reliable variation in these datasets can become much more difficult due to the lack of specialized software for this specific task.

Results

Here we describe 4Pipe4, a 454 data analysis pipeline particularly focused on SNP detection when no reference or strain information is available. It uses a command line interface to automatically call other programs, parse their outputs and summarize the results. The variation detection routine is built-in in the program itself. Despite being optimized for SNP mining in 454 EST data, it is flexible enough to automate the analysis of genomic data or even data from other NGS technologies. 4Pipe4 will output several HTML formatted reports with metrics on many of the most common assembly values, as well as on all the variation found. There is also a module available for finding putative SSRs in the analysed datasets.

Conclusions

This program can be especially useful for researchers that have 454 datasets of a panel of pooled individuals and want to discover and characterize SNPs for subsequent individual genotyping with customized genotyping arrays. In comparison with other SNP detection approaches, 4Pipe4 showed the best validation ratio, retrieving a smaller number of SNPs but with a considerably lower false positive rate than other methods.

4Pipe4’s source code is available at https://github.com/StuntsPT/4Pipe4.
Consecutive First-Morning Urine Samples to Measure Change in the Albumin-to-Creatinine Ratio: A Pilot Study of a Home Urine Collection Protocol
Authors: Sontrop Jessica M. , Garg Amit X. , Li Lihua , Gallo Kerri , Schumann Virginia , Winick-Ng Jennifer , Clark William F. , Weir Matthew A.
Published: January 2016

Background:

Multiple first-morning urine samples are recommended for measuring the urine albumin-to-creatinine ratio (ACR); however, this can be challenging in community-based research.

Methods:

The objectives of the study are to pilot-test a home urine collection protocol and examine how the average and variance of ACR varied with the number of urine collections and time to laboratory analysis. This is a prospective observational pilot study. This study was conducted in London, Ontario, Canada at the London Health Sciences Centre (2012–2013). The patients were adults with chronic kidney disease (mean estimated glomerular filtration rate, 36 mL/min/1.73 m2). Participants collected a first-morning 20-mL urine sample on three consecutive days. This process was repeated after 3 months. Samples were picked up by hospital courier and analyzed for ACR on the same day; additional aliquots were analyzed after a delay of 24–48 h (stored at 4 °C) and 3–9 months (stored at −80 °C). The geometric mean of the percentage change in ACR between baseline and 3 months was calculated and compared between single samples and the average of two vs. three consecutive samples.

Results:

Of 31 patients enrolled, 26 (83.9 %) submitted all six urine samples. The geometric mean of ACR for three consecutive samples at baseline was 87, 83, and 80 mg/mmol, and the corresponding percentage increase from baseline to 3 months was 15 % (95 % confidence interval (CI), −9 to 46 %), 33 % (95 % CI, 10 to 59 %), and 22 % (95 % CI, −6 to 57 %). Compared with single urine collections at baseline and follow-up, averaging ACR values from two consecutive first-morning urine samples improved the sample variance and reduced the required sample size to detect a given treatment effect by approximately 30 %. No further gain in statistical efficiency was achieved with three urine samples. Results were similar when the laboratory analysis was delayed by 24–48 h, but a delay of 3–9 months resulted in systematic overestimation of the ACR. Our study's generalizability is limited by its small sample size and reliance on a clinic-based population from a single urban center.

Conclusions:

We successfully used a home urine collection protocol to obtain multiple first-morning urine samples in patients with chronic kidney disease. Statistical efficiency was improved by averaging ACR values from two consecutive first-morning urine samples at baseline and follow-up.
Turn “Off–On” Fluorescent Recognition of Cu2+ and Cys in Aqueous Medium: Implementation of Molecular Logic Gate and Cell Imaging Studies
Authors: Kumar Virendra , Kumar Ajit , Diwan Uzra , Singh Manish Kumar , Upadhyay K K
Published: January 2016

The present communication incorporates utilization of a simple Schiff base (RO) fruitfully for the turn “off-on” successive fluorescent recognition of Cu2+ and Cys in aqueous media. The single crystal of RO-Cu2+ ensemble revealed a binding pattern which ultimately leads to quenching of the green fluorescence of RO. Interestingly the quenched fluorescence of the RO-Cu2+ ensemble was revived selectively in the presence of Cys via Cu2+ displacement approach. The selective “off-on” behavior of RO towards Cu2+ and Cys was consequently used as inputs to build up an implication (IMP) logic gate. Moreover, the RO exhibited successful bio-imaging of Cu2+ and Cys also in E. coli cells.
Direct Matrix-Assisted Laser Desorption Ionization Time-of-Flight Mass Spectrometric Analysis of Lysozyme Contained in Hen Egg White
Authors: Smolira Anna , Hałas Stanisław
Published: January 2016

As a natural antibacterial peptide, lysozyme (LZ) is widely used in medicine and the food industry. Despite many years of research on this compound, its new antibacterial properties are still to be determined. The primary aim of this work is to demonstrate the application of the matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization (MALDI) time-of-flight mass spectrometric analysis of LZ directly in hen egg white samples without extraction thereof. The egg white samples were kept over 10 weeks at room temperature and measured every week. The resulting positive and negative ion mass spectra were then compared to determine the intensity of the LZ mass peak. Storage of the egg white for over 10 weeks did not influence the LZ mass peak intensity (both positive and negative). It can be concluded that the LZ concentration in the egg white samples did not vary with time. The effect of the matrix/sample ratio on LZ detection was also examined, and it was found to be different in the case of positive and negative ionization. The mass peaks of LZ oligomeric forms were observed in all mass spectra, so the MALDI method could be used in subsequent studies.
Identification and Quantification of Unknown Antioxidants in Plastic Materials by Ultrasonic Extraction and Ultra-Performance Liquid Chromatography Coupled with Quadrupole Time-of-Flight Mass Spectrometry
Authors: Wang Hang , Yuan Jiaojian
Published: January 2016

Mass spectrometry has been applied to the targeted analysis of commonly used additives (such as Irganox 1010, Irganox 1076, Irgafos 168 etc.) in plastic materials, but a fast and straightforward method for the non-targeted identification and quantification of unusual or potentially new antioxidant additives is still unavailable. In this study, a novel and simple method for the identification and quantification of unknown antioxidant additives in plastic food packaging using ultrasonic extraction and ultra-performance liquid chromatography coupled with quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry has been developed. A method for the Irganox series analyzed here has not been reported previously. Unknown antioxidant additives have been identified by accurate m/z determination, MS2 fragments and comparison with synthesized standards. The mass fragmentation patterns and structural assignments of these antioxidants have been studied. Parameters affecting the efficiency of the process, such as extraction solvents, extraction volume, extraction time and chromatographic conditions, have been studied and optimized. Ultrasonic extraction of plastic materials (40 mg) with dichloromethane (0.5 mL) at 25 °C was applied as optimal. Limits of detection of the target additives ranged from 0.5 ng g−1 to 1.5 ng g−1, and the detection was linear over the range studied (0.01–1.5 μg mg−1, r2 > 0.99). The accuracy of the method has been tested by relative recovery experiments with spiked samples, with results ranging from 94.3% to 104.8%, and the precision (relative standard deviation) was within 11.0% ( n = 3). Finally, the method has been successfully applied to the determination of antioxidants in several real plastic samples.
Supermetallization of Peptides and Proteins with Tetravalent Metal Th(IV)
Authors: Kostyukevich Yury , Kononikhin Alexey , Popov Igor , Kukaev Eugene , Shiea Jentaie , Nikolaev Eugene
Published: January 2016

Supermetallization is the recently observed phenomenon of the formation of complex ions of peptide–metal in the gas phase when the peptide accepts an unexpectedly large number of metal atoms. It has been found that supermetallization takes place during electrospray ionization when charged droplets are evaporating at relatively high temperature ( ca 400 °C). In the present paper, we demonstrate supermetallized complexes of small protein ubiquitin and two peptides with Th(IV). We have observed complexes of ubiquitin with up to five thorium atoms, and attaching each Th(IV) requires the removal of four hydrogen atoms. To our knowledge, this is the first demonstration of gas-phase complexes of peptides and proteins with tetravalent metal atoms.
Development of a Handheld Spectrometer Based on a Linear Variable Filter and a Complementary Metal-Oxide-Semiconductor Detector for Measuring the Internal Quality of Fruit
Authors: Yu Xinyang , Lu Qipeng , Gao Hongzhi , Ding Haiquan
Published: January 2016

Visible and near infrared spectroscopy has long been used to predict fruit internal quality, with portable instrumentation advantageous for in-field use. We developed a handheld spectrometer using a linear variable filter (LVF) and a complementary metal-oxide-semiconductor (CMOS) linear detector array. The LVF is a bandpass filter with a centre wavelength changing linearly in one direction and can replace a grating as the light-dispersion component. An LVF was designed and fabricated specifically to work in the 620–1080 nm region and for the analysis of fruit. The optical design used an improved collimator and an LVF to yield a compact, stable and low-cost optical engine. By using a CMOS detector and other suitable electronics, the spectrometer achieved a low power consumption. The spectrometer can analyse spectral data using an onboard prediction model and can be operated from a remote smartphone, tablet or laptop computer. This paper details the design of the spectrometer and the results of its resolution and stability tests. The spectrometer operated with a resolution of less than 1.5% centre wavelength and a signal-to-noise ratio of up to 5000. The spectrometer was then used to predict the sugar content in pears. The optimised model provided an R2c value of 0.96, standard error of calibration value of 0.29 °Bx and standard error of prediction value of 0.46 °Bx. The results indicated that this LVF-based spectrometer is promising for measuring the internal quality of fruit.
Preface to the special issue of ESUKA – JEFUL “Aspects of speech studies”
Authors: Sahkai Heete , Mihkla Meelis , Pajupuu Hille
Published: January 2016

Preface to the special issue of ESUKA – JEFUL “Aspects of speech studies”.
Saatesõna ESUKA – JEFUL erinumbrile “Kõneuurimise suundi”
Authors: Sahkai Heete , Mihkla Meelis , Pajupuu Hille
Published: January 2016

Saatesõna ESUKA – JEFUL erinumbrile “Kõneuurimise suundi”.
Emfaas ja fookus eesti keeles
Authors: Sahkai Heete , Mihkla Meelis , Kalvik Mari-Liis
Published: January 2016

Artiklis tutvustatakse uurimust, mille eesmärk on selgitada välja lauselõpulist kitsast fookust laiast fookusest eristava emfaatilise primaarse lauserõhu akustilised korrelaadid eesti keeles. Tähenduseristust kandvat emfaasi vaadeldakse ka lause eelviimasel sõnal, kus selle realiseerumist ei mõjuta prosoodilise piiri korrelaadid. Uurimus täiendab varasemat uurimust, milles testiti emfaasi korrelaate piirieelses positsioonis. Uurimuse tulemusena leitakse, et piirieelses positsioonis ebaoluliseks osutunud põhitooniga seotud korrelaadid on mittepiirieelses kontekstis osaliselt olulised. Mõlemas kontekstis on oluline sihtsõna suhteline intensiivsus lauses. Lisaks vaadeldakse, kuidas emfaasi peamiseks korrelaadiks osutunud pikenemine sõnas realiseerub ning suhestub väldet signaliseerivate kestussuhetega jalas. Leitakse, et mittepiirieelses kontekstis toimub pikenemine kestussuhetele vastavalt (esimeses ja teises vältes) või seda suurendades ja vältetunnust võimendades (kolmandas vältes). Piirieelses positsioonis on emfaatiline pikenemine esimeses vältes kestussuhtele vastav, teises ja kolmandas vältes aga suurendab seda.Abstract. Heete Sahkai, Meelis Mihkla, and Mari-Liis Kalvik: Emphasis and focus in Estonian. The paper examines the acoustic correlates of the emphatic nuclear accent that differentiates sentence-final narrow focus from broad focus in Estonian. The emphatic accent is also examined in pre-final position, where it is not affected by a prosodic boundary. The study complements a previous study testing the potential correlates of emphasis in pre-boundary context. The results show that F0-related correlates, which are not significant in final position, are partly significant pre-finally. A significant feature in both contexts is the relative intensity of the emphatic word in the clause. The study confirms lengthening as the primary correlate of emphasis and examines its realisation and interaction with the duration relations in the foot, which are the correlates of the Estonian three-way quantity distinction. The lengthening is mostly found either to correspond to the characteristic duration ratio of the quantity degree, or to increase it.Keywords: Estonian, focus, sentence stress, emphasis, duration, fundamental frequency, intensity, the Estonian quantity
Predicate-argument structure and verb accentuation in Estonian
Authors: Sahkai Heete , Veismann Ann
Published: January 2016

This paper reports the results of a production study whose aim was to ascertain whether Estonian exhibits the regularity whereby verbs are unaccented when they are in focus together with an adjacent object. The study also examined whether this regularity holds when the verb is in sentence-final position, or when it is separated from the object by an intervening adjunct. The results suggest that in all these cases the verb is unaccented, unlike when it is complemented only by an adjunct. More generally, these results show that Estonian belongs to the category of languages with plastic sentence accent placement, and that predicate-argument structure is one of the factors that determine sentence accent placement in Estonian. The results also raise questions for future research concerning the theoretical interpretation of the descriptive observations made in the study.Kokkuvõte. Heete Sahkai ja Ann Veismann: Argumentstruktuur ja verbi lauserõhulisus eesti keeles. Artiklis tutvustatakse uurimust, mille eesmärk oli kindlaks teha, kas eesti keeles kehtib levinud seaduspära, et koos objektiga fookuses olev verb ei kanna lauserõhku. Uurimuses kontrolliti seaduspära kehtimist ka juhtudel, kus verb asub lause lõpus või ei paikne objektiga kõrvuti, vaid on lahutatud sellest vaba laiendiga. Tulemused näitavad, et kõigil neil juhtudel on verb rõhutu, erinevalt juhtumist, kus verbi laiendab üksnes vaba määrus. Uurimuse üldisem tulemus on, et eesti keel kuulub tüpoloogiliselt plastilise lauserõhu asukohaga keelte hulka ning et argumentstruktuur on üks neist teguritest, mis määravad lauserõhu asukohta eesti keeles. Tulemused tõstatavad ka edasist uurimist nõudvaid küsimusi, mis puudutavad eelkõige kirjeldatud seaduspärade teoreetilist tõlgendamist.Märksõnad: eesti keel, lauserõhk, deaktsentueerimine, argumentstruktuur
Hääliku-, silbi- ning jalavälde: ühe nähtuse mitu tahku
Authors: Prillop Külli
Published: January 2016

Eesti väldete fonoloogiline esitus on huvi pakkunud väga paljudele teadlastele ja olnud inspiratsiooniks fonoloogiateooria arendamisel. Artiklis võrdlen erinevaid moorateoreetilisi vältekäsitlusi väldete foneetilise kirjeldusega. Foneetiliste faktidega sobib kõige paremini käsitlus, mille järgi III välte rõhuline silp täidab kogu jala, kuid I ja II välte puhul koosneb jalg kahest silbist. III välte silbi lõpu ja I välte jala lõpu pikenemist seletab prominentse moora paiknemine nimetatud positsioonides. Prominentsed moorad on vajalikud ka isuri keele Soikola murde fonoloogilises kirjelduses.Abstract. Külli Prillop: Segment quantity, syllable quantity and foot quantity – different facets of one phenomenon. Phonological representation of Estonian quantity degrees have aroused the interest of many researchers and provided a stimulus for developing phonological theory. In this article, I compare various moraic representations of the quantity degrees with the phonetical description of the quantities. Phonetical facts show best compatibility with the treatment according to which the stressed syllable of Q3 fills the whole foot, whereas in the case of Q1 and Q2 the foot consists of two syllables. The syllable-final lengthening of Q3 and the foot-final lengthening of Q1 can be explained by the presence of the strong mora in the corresponding positions. I show that strong moras are also necessary for the phonological description of the Soikola Ingrian.Keywords: Estonian, Ingrian, Soikola, quantity, overlength, foot-final lengthening, strong mora, moraic theory
Ants Oras: Did He Know Russian “Formalists”?
Authors: Tarlinskaja Marina
Published: January 2016

The article compares two approaches to studying line segmentation in verse. Line segmentation probably corresponded to pauses in declamation. The Estonian scholar Ants Oras studied syntactic breaks in Elizabethan dramas using punctuation as a signal of a “pause”. His research yielded valuable results, and his method has recently been followed by Professors Mac Donald P. Jackson and Douglas Bruster: places of punctuation can be quickly found by a computer. However, punctuation came from the random choices of copiers, editors and typesetters, therefore it is not too reliable. The Russian school of thought to which I belong looks for places of syntactic breaks of various strength. These do not change from edition to edition. Ants Oras’s tables at first glance remind us of those by Russian “Formalists”, for example, Boris Tomashevsky. However, no Russian scholar is quoted in Oras’s works, so the question is: did he know about the Russian works?
Ancient World of the Poet and Performance in Translations by Ants Oras
Authors: Päll Janika
Published: January 2016

This paper studies the means by which Ants Oras, scholar and professor of English and world literature, literary critic and translator, recreates the poetic space of ancient Greek hymns in his translations. The paper analyses his use of deictics (local, personal and temporal) in his translations of three Homeric Hymns: the 1st part of Hymn No. 3, to Delian Apollo, the Hymn No. 19, to Pan, and especially Hymn No 5 to Aphrodite. The special focus is on the initial and final parts of the hymns, where the Greek text reflects performance context, whereas Oras presents the poems in a more general, hymnal setting, leaving out the references which reveal the function of these hymns as epic prooemium.The analysis of the deictics within the Hymn to Aphrodite reveals that Oras does not adhere strictly to the third person viewpoint of the narrator (as opposed to first person in direct speeches of the characters), but enlivens his narration by frequent deictics which refer to narrator’s viewpoint, the poet’s ‘I’, or ‘here’ and ‘now’. This can only be occasionally explained with metrical reasons (preference to use monosyllabic deictics). This pattern of enlivening is in accordance to other practices, used by Oras in these translations: frequent personification of impersonalia (flight, mind) and multiplication of actors (objects of action becoming subjects, passive constructions turned active, and so on).
Breaking the Syllabic-accentual Monotony
Authors: Lotman Mihhail
Published: January 2016

Ants Oras’s innovation was not confined to the sphere of language, he also has an important role in the enrichment of Estonian metrics and systems of versification. His sources were mainly the forms of different European poetic cultures, which he introduced in his translations. In the paper, two meters are studied, which Oras tried to create in his translation of Goethe’s Faust, in order to adequately convey the original’s rhythm. These verse meters are German national form, Knittelvers, and adoneus derived from ancient and medieval verse. One common characteristic for these meters is the breaking of syllabic-accentual monotony.
Attracting Attention in a Limited Attention World: Exploring the Causes and Consequences of Extreme Positive Earnings Surprises
Authors: Koester Allison , Lundholm Russell , Soliman Mark
Published: January 2016

We investigate why extreme positive earnings surprises occur and the consequences of these events. We posit that managers know before analysts when extremely good earnings news is developing, but can have incentives to allow the earnings news to surprise the market at the earnings announcement. In particular, managers can use an extreme positive earnings surprise to attract investor attention when they believe their stock is neglected and future performance is expected to be strong. Analysts, who must allocate scarce resources across many firms, can also be inattentive and miss signals that suggest good performance is going to be announced. Using various proxies for extreme positive earnings surprises, management expectations for future performance and desire for attention, and analyst neglect, we find evidence that an extreme positive earnings surprise is a predictable event. These findings are incremental to controlling for a firm’s information environment, earnings volatility, and operating leverage. Finally, we show that extreme positive earnings surprises are a successful method for attracting attention, with significant increases in the number of institutional owners, the number of analysts, and trading volume during the subsequent three years.

This paper was accepted by Mary Barth, accounting.
Getting to the Top of Mind: How Reminders Increase Saving
Authors: Karlan Dean , McConnell Margaret , Mullainathan Sendhil , Zinman Jonathan
Published: January 2016

We provide evidence from field experiments with three different banks that reminder messages increase commitment attainment for clients who recently opened commitment savings accounts. Messages that mention both savings goals and financial incentives are particularly effective, whereas other content variations such as gain versus loss framing do not have significantly different effects. Nor do we find evidence that receiving additional late reminders has an additive effect. These empirical results do not map neatly into existing models, so we provide a simple model where limited attention to exceptional expenses can generate undersaving that is in turn mitigated by reminders.

Data, as supplemental material, are available at http://dx.doi.org/10.1287/mnsc.2015.2296 .

This paper was accepted by Teck-Hua Ho, behavioral economics.
Skin-to-skin contact after elective caesarean section: Investigating the effect on breastfeeding rates
Authors: Gregson Sarah , Meadows Jean , Teakle Paula , Blacker Jonathan
Published: January 2016

Objective:

To determine whether kangaroo care (skin-to-skin contact) between mother and baby in the operating theatre can affect breastfeeding outcomes following an elective caesarean section.

Method:

A randomised controlled trial recruited 366 women (182 in study group, 187 in control) having an elective caesarean section at term (≥37 completed weeks of pregnancy) who chose to breastfeed their baby at birth. Babies in the study group had immediate skin-to-skin contact in the operating theatre. The control group had standard care (skin-to-skin following the operation).

Results:

There was a 5% increase in breastfeeding rates at 48 hours (88% vs 83%) and 7% at 6 weeks (53% vs 46%); however, these differences were not statistically significant (P = 0.25 and 0.44). There was a significant correlation between the length of time for which skin-to-skin was performed and continuing to breastfeed at 48 hours (P = 0.04).

Conclusion:

Skin-to-skin contact in the operating theatre following an elective caesarean section is a simple intervention associated with a trend towards an increase in breastfeeding rates at 48 hours and 6 weeks. There is a correlation between length of time for which skin-to-skin is performed during the first 24 hours and the continuation of breastfeeding at 48 hours (P = 0.04).
Maternity care for undocumented migrant women: The impact of charging for care
Authors: Feldman Rayah
Published: January 2016

Maternity care in the NHS is chargeable for most women without indefinite leave to remain in the UK, despite evidence that recent migrants face higher risks of adverse pregnancy outcomes than the general population. Maternity care must be offered regardless of a woman's ability to pay but, in practice, charging deters many pregnant women from accessing maternity care, or results in late booking and missed appointments. Standard midwifery policy stresses the importance of early booking and continuity of midwifery care, especially for women with high-risk pregnancies due to underlying medical conditions and complex social factors. The government has justified charging ‘overseas visitors’ to prevent ‘health tourism’ and to save costs, but there is no evidence to support the claim of ‘health tourism’ or that charging actually saves the NHS money. Midwives need to be well-informed about women's entitlements to maternity care and the importance of ensuring that care is provided.
Together towards tomorrow
Authors: Sporek Paulina Ewa
Published: January 2016

The Deaf Nest project, which aims to support women with hearing loss to access high-quality maternity care, is hosting a conference in March, reports Paulina Sporek.
An overview of equine respiratory diseases
Authors: Watson Rebecca
Published: January 2016

Rebecca Watson, MSc RVN, Clinical specialist EMEA for Midmark Animal Health, discusses the prevention and treatment of some of the more common respiratory diseases
Bandaging for protection and for support
Authors: Watson Rebecca
Published: January 2016

Rebecca Watson, MSc RVN, clinical specialist EMEA for Midmark Animal Health, examines how, when and why we bandage our horses' legs
A coordinated approach
Authors: Rogers Jan
Published: January 2016

Jan Rogers head of development at the British Equestrian Federation explains their new biosecurity initiative in preventing the spread of disease