bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Quantitative Risk Assessment of Norovirus Transmission in Food Establishments: Evaluating the Impact of Intervention Strategies and Food Employee Behavior on the Risk Associated with Norovirus in Foods
Authors: Duret Steven , Pouillot Régis , Fanaselle Wendy , Papafragkou Efstathia , Liggans Girvin , Williams Laurie , Van Doren Jane M.
Published: March 2017

We developed a quantitative risk assessment model using a discrete event framework to quantify and study the risk associated with norovirus transmission to consumers through food contaminated by infected food employees in a retail food setting. This study focused on the impact of ill food workers experiencing symptoms of diarrhea and vomiting and potential control measures for the transmission of norovirus to foods. The model examined the behavior of food employees regarding exclusion from work while ill and after symptom resolution and preventive measures limiting food contamination during preparation. The mean numbers of infected customers estimated for 21 scenarios were compared to the estimate for a baseline scenario representing current practices. Results show that prevention strategies examined could not prevent norovirus transmission to food when a symptomatic employee was present in the food establishment. Compliance with exclusion from work of symptomatic food employees is thus critical, with an estimated range of 75–226% of the baseline mean for full to no compliance, respectively. Results also suggest that efficient handwashing, handwashing frequency associated with gloving compliance, and elimination of contact between hands, faucets, and door handles in restrooms reduced the mean number of infected customers to 58%, 62%, and 75% of the baseline, respectively. This study provides quantitative data to evaluate the relative efficacy of policy and practices at retail to reduce norovirus illnesses and provides new insights into the interactions and interplay of prevention strategies and compliance in reducing transmission of foodborne norovirus.
Safe‐haven currency: An empirical identification
Authors: Lee Kang‐Soek
Published: March 2017

This paper attempts to empirically identify strong safe havens among six currencies: the Swiss franc, Japanese yen, British pound, euro, Canadian dollar and Norwegian krone. Using Markov regime‐switching vector autoregressive models, we test whether the currencies are negatively related to risky assets and whether the negative relation is stronger in times of crisis than in times of growth. We find that (1) the Swiss franc and Japanese yen qualify as strong safe havens, and (2) the other currencies qualify as “equity‐like” or risky currencies.
Effect of habitual exercise on urinary liver‐type fatty acid‐binding protein levels in middle‐aged and older adults
Authors: Kosaki K. , Kamijo‐Ikemori A. , Sugaya T. , Tanahashi K. , Sawano Y. , Akazawa N. , Ra S.‐G. , Kimura K. , Shibagaki Y. , Maeda S.
Published: March 2017

The purpose of this study was to examine the effect of habitual exercise on urinary liver‐type fatty acid‐binding protein (L‐FABP), which can reflect the degree of various stresses on renal proximal tubule related to the progression of renal disease, in middle‐aged and older adults. Cross‐sectional and interventional approaches were used to comprehensively achieve this purpose. In the cross‐sectional study, we investigated the relationship between physical activity levels and urinary L‐FABP levels in 130 middle‐aged and older adults. In the interventional study, subjects (n=31) were divided into two groups: exercise (n=19) and control group (n=12), whereby we examined the effects of 12‐week aerobic exercise training on urinary L‐FABP levels. The cross‐sectional study showed that the urinary L‐FABP levels were significantly lower in the higher physical activity group than in the lower physical activity group (P<.05). In the interventional study, 12‐week aerobic exercise training significantly decreased urinary L‐FABP levels (P<.01). Furthermore, the relative changes in urinary L‐FABP levels were significantly correlated with the relative changes in physical activity levels and mean arterial pressure after intervention (r=−.374 and r=.530, respectively). Our results revealed that the urinary L‐FABP levels were lower in the higher physical activity individuals, and aerobic exercise training decreased urinary L‐FABP levels. These results suggest that habitual exercise appears to be associated with a decrease in the degree of several stresses on renal proximal tubule and to be beneficial for kidney health in middle‐aged and older adults.
From bias to coverage: What explains how news organizations treat social movements
Authors: Amenta Edwin , Elliott Thomas Alan , Shortt Nicole , Tierney Amber Celina , Türkoğlu Didem , Vann Burrel
Published: March 2017

Why do newspapers cover social movement actors, and why is this coverage sometimes favorable? Early scholarship saw the news media mainly as a source of data on collective action, and sought to ascertain its biases, but scholarship has increasingly focused directly on why movements gain coverage, especially coverage that can advance their goals. To understand why and how newspapers cover movement actors, we start with the insight that movements rely on the news media for many reasons, but their coverage is largely in the control of news institutions. In this review, we focus on perspectives that specify 3‐way interactions between the characteristics of newspapers, social movement actors, and the social and political contexts, but we begin with how news media institutions are organized. We conclude with suggestions for future research that take advantage of the digital revolution of the last generation.
DIJKSTRA-ANT COLONY OPTIMIZATION ALGORITHM FOR SHORTEST AND SAFEST EVACUATION IN HIGH RISE BUILDING
Authors: Mohd Sabri Nor Amalina , Hasan Basari Abd Samad , Hussin Burairah , Abu Samah Khyrina Airin Fariza
Published: March 2017

The successfulness of evacuation is defined by the ability of the evacuees to escape from the danger place safely in a short time. The three problems highlighted in this study are evacuees do not know the right route should they take to safe themselves especially in high rise building due to the complexity of the building. Moreover, the provided evacuation map in the building is commonly not showing the shortest and safest path to assist evacuees in choosing the best route. Furthermore, the shortest path algorithm needs additional features to support the directed graph in order to obtain the best result. The objectives of this study are to design and develop the evacuation route via the shortest path algorithm and to evaluate the evacuation route model in high rise building evacuation maps. The methods used are modelling the evacuation route from the original floor plan into 2D floor plan, and then generating the directed graph based on the distance between nodes and coordinate of nodes to generate the shortest and safest path based on the utilisation of Dijkstra’s algorithm and Dijkstra-Ant Colony Optimization (DACO). The results obtained are proven consistent in generating the shortest and safest path with the same distance.
SUITABILITY ANALYSIS OF CORRECTIVE ACTIONS TO PREVENT MAJOR CHEMICAL PROCESS ACCIDENTS
Authors: Hussin Nor Afina Eidura , Kidam Kamarizan , Johari Anwar , Hashim Haslenda
Published: March 2017

Recent accident analyses show that accident rates in the chemical process industry (CPI) are still increasing. The identified contributing factor to the scenario is poor learning from accidents which allows occurrence and recurrence of major chemical accidents. The paper examines the suitability on the recommended corrective actions to prevent accident by resolving various types of accident contributors (i.e. external factors, design errors, technical errors, human errors and organisational errors). Therefore, 468 major accident reports were retrieved from several accident databases to analyse accident contributors and their corresponding corrective actions. In this research, the suitability analysis is conducted using accident contributor - corrective action logic matrix. The matrix is constructed based on initial capital, operating cost, reliability, and complexity; and the ability to correct root causes, reduce risks in terms of likelihood and/consequence, and afterwards monitoring/maintenance. From the analysis, about 46% of the corrective actions are considered as unsuitable (i.e. less suitable or not suitable). As the contributors are inadequately/wrongly corrected, thus contributing to non-decreasing accident rates of the industry.
EFFECTS OF NUMBER OF CONNECTIONS AND PIPE LENGTH TO THE WATER LOSSES IN MELAKA
Authors: Hussein Munirah , Yoneda Kenichi , Othman Nor'Azizi , Mohd Zaki Zuhaida , Mohd Yusof Mohamed Hilmi
Published: March 2017

One of the major challenges facing our water utilities is the high level of Non-Revenue Water (NRW) in the distribution networks. This paper assessed the performance of current management practices by Syarikat Air Melaka Berhad (SAMB) to deal with NRW. Information and NRW management data (from 2012 to 2013) were gathered and analysed. Statistical methods were used to evaluate the effects of pipe length and number of connections of the distribution network to the leakage level; and to determine the causes of leakage (water loss). In 2014, Melaka’s NRW percentage was 21.4% as compared to the national average of 35.6%, which is the second lowest rate among the states in Malaysia. Results of the study revealed significant positive relationships between average MNF (L/s) with number of connections and pipe length, with the prediction model of average MNF (L/s)=-4.42+1.088*10-2(NC)+1.07*10-4(PL), R2= 73.19%. The results also indicated that in a compact and urbanized city like Melaka, number of connections in the network appears to be most influential to the average MNF (water loss) (shown by a strong positive relationship, r = 0.847) as compared to the less compact zone (such as Perak) where pipe length appears to be more influential.
MECHANICAL PROPERTIES OF SELF-COMPACTING GEOPOLYMER CONCRETE CONTAINING SPENT GARNET AS REPLACEMENT FOR FINE AGGREGATE
Authors: Muttashar Habeeb Lateef , Hussin Mohd Warid , Mohd Ariffin Mohd Azreen , Mirza Jahangir , Hasanah Nor , Shettima Ali Umara
Published: March 2017

Millions of tons of spent garnet, a by-product of surface treatment operations, are disposed of in landfills, oceans, rivers, and quarries, among others every year, thus it causes environmental problems. The main objective of this study is to evaluate spent garnet as a sand replacement in concrete prepared with ground granulated blast furnace slag (GGBS)-based self-compacting geopolymer concrete (SCGC). Concrete mixtures containing 0%, 25%, 50%, 75% and 100% spent garnet as a replacement for river sand were prepared with a constant Liquid/Binder (L/B) mass ratio equal to 0.4. Compressive, flexural and splitting tensile strengths as well as workability tests (slump, L-box, U-box and T50) were conducted on concrete containing spent garnet. As per specification and guidelines for self-compacting concrete (EFNARC) standard, the test results showed that the concrete’s workability increased with the increase of spent garnet, while all the other strength values were consistently lower than conventional concrete (SCGC) at all stages of replacement. The results recommended that spent garnet should be used in concrete as a sand replacement up to 25% to reduce environmental problems, costs and the depletion of natural resources.
Engaging Underrepresented High School students in Data Driven Storytelling: An Examination of Learning Experiences and Outcomes for a Cohort of Rising Seniors Enrolled in the Gaining Early Awareness and Readiness for Undergraduate Program (GEAR UP)
Authors: Dierker Lisa , Ward Nadia , Alexander Jalen , Donate Emmanuel
Published: March 2017

Background: Upward trends in data-oriented careers threaten to further increase the underrepresentation of both females and individuals from racial minority groups in programs focused on data analysis and applied statistics. To begin to develop the necessary skills for a data-oriented career, project-based learning seems the most promising given its focus on real-world activities that are aimed at engaging student interest and enthusiasm. Method: Using pre and post survey data, the present study examines student background characteristics, learning experiences and course outcomes for a cohort of 33 rising high school seniors involved in a two-week, accelerated version of a project-based data analysis and applied statistics curriculum. Results: On average, students rated the experience as rewarding and the vast majority (78.1%) felt that they had accomplished more than they had expected. Based on responses to both the pre and post course surveys, roughly half of the students reported increases in confidence in applied skills (i.e. developing a research question, managing data, choosing the correct statistical test, effectively presenting research results, and conducting a statistical analysis of data), while more than 80% reported increased confidence in writing code to run statistical analyses. Fully 84.4% of students reported interest in one or more follow-up courses with interest in computer programming being endorsed by the largest number of students (53.1%). Conclusions: These findings support previous research showing that real-world, project-based experiences afford the best hope for achieving the kind of analytic and statistical literacy necessary for meaningful engagement in research, problem solving and professional development.
No art without propaganda: la constitución de NYKino contra la institución documental.
Authors: Rodríguez Granell Ana
Published: March 2017

Este artículo analiza a través de fuentes históricas y obras de historia cultural, la emergencia de colectivos de cine y documental militante durante el periodo del New Deal estadounidense teniendo en cuenta las tensiones entre éstos y las políticas documentalistas institucionales o las directrices realistas de los años treinta. Se plantea así que, ante la eclosión de nuevas tecnologías audiovisuales, y la organización de redes de cooperación al margen de los estudios cinematográficos, algunas posiciones críticas no sólo retan ciertas políticas estéticas hegemónicas si no que también establecen nuevos diálogos con narrativas instituidas a la vez que retan los modelos de organización del trabajo de la industria cultural. Para ello se tendrá en cuenta el caso de NYKino, como plataforma escindida que reformulará los preceptos del dogmatismo anti-vanguardista del PCUSA o la pretendida objetividad del documentalismo institucional, llevando a cabo una crítica del trabajo en los espacios de la militancia. De este modo, intentaremos insertar estas prácticas en el marco del modernismo estadounidense. 
Optimal Power Dispatch and Control of an Integrated Wind Turbine and Battery System
Authors: Ma Zheren , Shaltout Mohamed L. , Chen Dongmei
Published: March 2017

Battery energy storage systems (BESSs) have been integrated with wind turbines to mitigate wind intermittence and make wind power dispatchable as traditional power sources. This paper presents two phases of optimizations, namely, power scheduling and real-time control that allows an integrated wind turbine and BESS to provide the grid with consistent power within each dispatch interval. In the power scheduling phase, the desired battery state of charge (SOC) under each wind speed is first determined by conducting an offline probabilistic analysis on historical wind data. With this information, a computationally efficient one-step-ahead model predictive approach is developed for scheduling the integrated system power output for the next dispatch interval. In the real-time control phase, novel control algorithms are developed to make the actual system power output match the scheduled target. A wind turbine active power controller is proposed to track the reference power set point obtained by a steady-state optimization approach. By combining an internal integral torque control and a gain-scheduled pitch control, the proposed active power controller can operate around a desired tip speed ratio (TSR) without an accurate knowledge of turbine power coefficient curve. Compared to the conventional power scheduling and real-time controller, implementing the new methodology significantly reduces the ramp rate, generator torque changing rate, battery charging rate, and the power output deviation from the scheduled target. BESSs with various capacities and different wind profiles are considered to demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed algorithms on battery sizing.
On Temperature Jump Condition for Slip Flow in a Microchannel With Constant Wall Temperature
Authors: Asako Yutaka , Hong Chungpyo
Published: March 2017

The analytical solution in the fully developed region of a slip flow in a circular microtube with constant wall temperature is obtained to verify the conventional temperature jump boundary condition when both viscous dissipation (VD) and substantial derivative of pressure (SDP) terms are included in the energy equation. Although the shear work term is not included in the conventional temperature jump boundary condition explicitly, it is verified that the conventional temperature jump boundary condition is valid for a slip flow in a microchannel with constant wall temperature when both viscous dissipation and substantial derivative of pressure terms are included in the energy equation. Numerical results are also obtained for a slip flow in a developing region of a circular tube. The results showed that the maximum heat transfer rate decreases with increasing Mach number.
Comparison of two treatment approaches for prostate cancer: intensity‐modulated radiation therapy combined with seed‐implant brachytherapy or seed‐implant brachytherapy alone
Authors: Song Yulin , Chan Maria F. , Burman Chandra , Cann Donald
Published: March 2017

The purpose of the present study was to assess the results of two different treatment approaches for clinically localized prostate cancer: intensity‐modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) followed by seed‐implant brachytherapy and seed‐implant brachytherapy alone. We studied our 30 most recent consecutive patients. The sample population consisted of 15 cases treated with IMRT (50.4 Gy) followed by seed‐implant boost (95 Gy), and 15 cases treated with seed implant only (144 Gy). We analyzed established dosimetric indices and various clinical parameters. In addition, we also evaluated and compared the acute urinary morbidities of the two treatment approaches, as assessed by the international prostate symptom score (IPSS). In our series, acute urinary morbidity was slightly increased with IMRT followed by seed‐implant brachytherapy as compared with seed‐implant brachytherapy alone. In addition, we observed no statistically significant correlation between the IPSS and the maximum or mean urethral dose. The combination of IMRT and seed‐implant brachytherapy presents an alternative opportunity to treat clinically localized prostate cancer. The full potential of the procedure needs to be further investigated.

PACS number: 87.53.Tf
Dosimetric evaluation of Plastic Water Diagnostic Therapy
Authors: Ramaseshan Ramani , Kohli Kirpal , Cao Fred , Heaton Robert
Published: March 2017

High‐precision radiotherapy planning and quality assurance require accurate dosimetric and geometric phantom measurements. Phantom design requires materials with mechanical strength and resilience, and dosimetric properties close to those of water over diagnostic and therapeutic ranges. Plastic Water Diagnostic Therapy (PWDT: CIRS, Norfolk, VA) is a phantom material designed for water equivalence in photon beams from 0.04 MeV to 100 MeV; the material has also good mechanical properties. The present article reports the results of computed tomography (CT) imaging and dosimetric studies of PWDT to evaluate the suitability of the material in CT and therapy energy ranges.

We characterized the water equivalence of PWDT in a series of experiments in which the basic dosimetric properties of the material were determined for photon energies of 80 kVp, 100 kVp, 250 kVp, 4 MV, 6 MV, 10 MV, and 18 MV. Measured properties included the buildup and percentage depth dose curves for several field sizes, and relative dose factors as a function of field size. In addition, the PWDT phantom underwent CT imaging at beam qualities ranging from 80 kVp to 140 kVp to determine the water equivalence of the phantom in the diagnostic energy range. The dosimetric quantities measured with PWDT agreed within 1.5% of those determined in water and Solid Water (Gammex rmi, Middleton, WI). Computed tomography imaging of the phantom was found to generate Hounsfield numbers within 0.8% of those generated using water. The results suggest that PWDT material is suitable both for regular radiotherapy quality assurance measurements and for intensity‐modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) verification work. Sample IMRT verification results are presented.

PACS number: 87.53Dq
Papers of note in
Science Translational Medicine
9
(378)
Authors: Ferrarelli Leslie K.
Published: March 2017

This week’s articles describe a way to limit colonization of the skin by
Staphylococcus aureus
, a potential therapy for bladder cancer patients, and that autoimmunity associated with type 1 diabetes may begin in infancy.
Improved tissue cryopreservation using inductive heating of magnetic nanoparticles
Authors: Manuchehrabadi Navid , Gao Zhe , Zhang Jinjin , Ring Hattie L. , Shao Qi , Liu Feng , McDermott Michael , Fok Alex , Rabin Yoed , Brockbank Kelvin G. M. , Garwood Michael , Haynes Christy L. , Bischof John C.
Published: March 2017

A scalable technology using iron oxide nanoparticles and inductive radiofrequency heating rapidly and uniformly rewarms vitrified tissues.
Rx for Innovation: A path forward for us all
Authors: Anderson Margaret
Published: March 2017

The health citizenship movement can provide a platform for citizens—healthy and ill—to engage with researchers, industry, and regulators.
Enhancing cognitive behavioral therapy: Is the finish line in sight?
Authors: Michopoulos Vasiliki
Published: March 2017

Augmentation of cognitive behavioral therapy with D-cycloserine (DCS) for anxiety disorders results in a small decrease in symptom severity.
A Localized Complex of Two Protein Oligomers Controls the Orientation of Cell Polarity
Authors: Perez Adam M. , Mann Thomas H. , Lasker Keren , Ahrens Daniel G. , Eckart Michael R. , Shapiro Lucy
Published: March 2017

Signaling hubs at bacterial cell poles establish cell polarity in the absence of membrane-bound compartments. In the asymmetrically dividing bacterium
Caulobacter crescentus
, cell polarity stems from the cell cycle-regulated localization and turnover of signaling protein complexes in these hubs, and yet the mechanisms that establish the identity of the two cell poles have not been established. Here, we recapitulate the tripartite assembly of a cell fate signaling complex that forms during the G
1
-S transition. Using
in vivo
and
in vitro
analyses of dynamic polar protein complex formation, we show that a polymeric cell polarity protein, SpmX, serves as a direct bridge between the PopZ polymeric network and the cell fate-directing DivJ histidine kinase. We demonstrate the direct binding between these three proteins and show that a polar microdomain spontaneously assembles when the three proteins are coexpressed heterologously in an
Escherichia coli
test system. The relative copy numbers of these proteins are essential for complex formation, as overexpression of SpmX in
Caulobacter
reorganizes the polarity of the cell, generating ectopic cell poles containing PopZ and DivJ. Hierarchical formation of higher-order SpmX oligomers nucleates new PopZ microdomain assemblies at the incipient lateral cell poles, driving localized outgrowth. By comparison to self-assembling protein networks and polar cell growth mechanisms in other bacterial species, we suggest that the cooligomeric PopZ-SpmX protein complex in
Caulobacter
illustrates a paradigm for coupling cell cycle progression to the controlled geometry of cell pole establishment.

IMPORTANCE
Lacking internal membrane-bound compartments, bacteria achieve subcellular organization by establishing self-assembling protein-based microdomains. The asymmetrically dividing bacterium
Caulobacter crescentus
uses one such microdomain to link cell cycle progression to morphogenesis, but the mechanism for the generation of this microdomain has remained unclear. Here, we demonstrate that the ordered assembly of this microdomain occurs via the polymeric network protein PopZ directly recruiting the polarity factor SpmX, which then recruits the histidine kinase DivJ to the developing cell pole. Further, we find that overexpression of the bridge protein SpmX in
Caulobacter
disrupts this ordered assembly, generating ectopic cell poles containing both PopZ and DivJ. Together, PopZ and SpmX assemble into a cooligomeric network that forms the basis for a polar microdomain that coordinates bacterial cell polarity.
Genome Sequence of the Thermotolerant Foodborne Pathogen Salmonella enterica Serovar Senftenberg ATCC 43845 and Phylogenetic Analysis of Loci Encoding Increased Protein Quality Control Mechanisms
Authors: Nguyen Scott V. , Harhay Gregory P. , Bono James L. , Smith Timothy P. L. , Harhay Dayna M.
Published: March 2017

Thermal interventions are commonly used in the food industry as a means of mitigating pathogen contamination in food products. Concern over heat-resistant food contaminants has recently increased, with the identification of a conserved locus shown to confer heat resistance in disparate lineages of Gram-negative bacteria. Complete sequence analysis of a historical isolate of
Salmonella enterica
serovar Senftenberg, used in numerous studies because of its novel heat resistance, revealed that this important strain possesses two distinct copies of this conserved thermotolerance locus, residing on a multireplicon IncHI2/IncHI2A plasmid. Phylogenetic analysis of these loci in comparison with homologs identified in various bacterial genera provides an opportunity to examine the evolution and distribution of loci conferring resistance to environmental stressors, such as heat and desiccation.
A rash and a rare cause of unilateral diaphragmatic paralysis
Authors: Ashkir Zakariye M , Tsaknis George
Published: March 2017

A 61-year-old man who was an ex-heavy smoker presented to our ambulatory care centre with a 4-week history of dyspnoea on mild exertion. 2 weeks prior to his symptoms, he had developed right-sided cervical herpes zoster for which he was prescribed oral acyclovir by his general practitioner. On examination, a rash over the right C4–5 dermatomes was noted and dullness on percussion of the right mid and lower zones with markedly reduced air entry. His chest radiograph showed a raised right hemi-diaphragm with associated right middle and lower lobe collapse. Further investigation with CT and bronchoscopy did not identify a cause and showed no evidence of underlying malignancy or endobronchial obstruction. An ultrasound ‘sniff test’ was performed to confirm diaphragmatic paralysis. We present a rare case of cervical herpes-induced diaphragmatic paralysis, and summarise our approach and the current understanding of this interesting condition.
Unusual Morel-Lavallee lesion of the knee region in an elderly patient
Authors: EL Kininy Walid , Davy Shane , Sayana Murali
Published: March 2017

The Morel-Lavallee lesion (MLL) of the knee region has been described in the Orthopaedic literature, and all of those were fit and healthy young participants sustaining sports-related trauma to the knee. We describe a case of an elderly woman, on aspirin and prophylactic clexane, who sustained a low-energy injury to the right knee and developed an MLL of the knee region. A delayed recognition, led to the persistence of the MLL as a diffuse haematoma, which subsequently became colonised with methicillin-resistantStaphylococcus aureus. We discuss the management of a case and highlight the importance of early identification and management of MLL of the knee region. Further evidence needs to be collected about MLL lesions in elderly, frail patients who are anticoagulated, and have increased risk of falls. This cohort of patients is more vulnerable to bleeding and infection than a fit, young adult population.
Case of polyostotic primary bone lymphoma successfully treated with immunochemotherapy and consolidation radiotherapy
Authors: Ahmad Irfan , Chufal Kundan Singh , Goyal Nidhi , Bhatt Chandi Prasad
Published: March 2017

A 47-year-old woman presented with symptoms of sharp pain over the left anterior thigh with radiation from the groin to the knee. She subsequently developed numbness in that region and reduced motor strength in extensors of the left knee. Plain radiography of the spine and knee was normal. An MRI of the spine revealed an irregular extramedullary mass with intradural and extradural components, extending from the L3 to L5 vertebrae. She underwent a laminectomy and posterior spinal decompression based on a working diagnosis of nerve sheath tumour. Histopathology revealed a primary bone lymphoma. A positron emission tomography CT (PET-CT) performed as part of the staging workup revealed fluorodeoxyglucose avid lesions in the spine and left femur. She received immunochemotherapy (Rituximab-Cyclophosphamide, Hydroxydaunorubicin, Oncovin and Prednisone) for eight cycles with an interim PET-CT revealing complete response. Subsequently, she received consolidation radiotherapy, 36 Gy in 20 fractions over 4 weeks to both lesions. She is now disease-free on follow-up for the past 1 year.
Randomised controlled trial of a livestock productive asset transfer programme to improve economic and health outcomes and reduce intimate partner violence in a postconflict setting
Authors: Glass Nancy , Perrin Nancy A , Kohli Anjalee , Campbell Jacquelyn , Remy Mitima Mpanano
Published: March 2017

Background

Diverse economic empowerment programmes (eg, microcredit, village-led savings and loan, cash and productive asset transfers) for the poor have demonstrated mixed results as vehicles for improved economic stability, health and women's empowerment. However, limited rigorous evaluations exist on the impact of financial and non-financial outcomes of these programmes, especially in conflict-affected areas.

Methods

The team evaluated the effectiveness of an innovative livestock productive asset transfer intervention—Pigs for Peace (PFP)—on economic, health and women's empowerment outcomes with participants in households in 10 villages in Eastern Democratic Republic of Congo. Residual change analysis was used to examine the amount of change from baseline to 18 months between the intervention and delayed control groups, controlling for baseline scores.

Findings

The majority of the 833 household participants were women (84%), 25 years of age or older, married, had on average 3 children and had never attended school. At 18 months postbaseline, the number of participants in the PFP households having outstanding credit/loans was 24.7% lower than households in the control group (p=0.028), and they had an 8.2% greater improvement in subjective health (p=0.026), a 57.1% greater reduction in symptoms of anxiety (p=0.020) and a 5.7% greater improvement in symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder (p<−0.001). At 18 months postbaseline, partnered women and men reported a reduction in experience and perpetration of all forms of intimate partner violence, although not statistically significant between groups.

Interpretation

The findings support scalability of a livestock productive asset transfer programme in rural and conflict-affected settings where residents have extremely limited access to financial institutions or credit programmes, health or social services and where social norms that sustain gender inequality are strong.

Trial registration number

NCT02008708.
Emergency medical services responders’ perceptions of the effect of stress and anxiety on patient safety in the out-of-hospital emergency care of children: a qualitative study
Authors: Guise Jeanne-Marie , Hansen Matthew , O'Brien Kerth , Dickinson Caitlin , Meckler Garth , Engle Phil , Lambert William , Jui Jonathan
Published: March 2017

Objective

Prehospital emergency medical services (EMS) providers report anxiety as the second most common contributor to paediatric patient safety events. The objective of this study was to understand how EMS providers perceive the effect of stress and anxiety on paediatric out-of-hospital patient safety.

Setting

This was a nationwide study of EMS providers from 44 of 50 (88%) US states.

Participants

A total of 753 eligible EMS professionals, including emergency medical technicians, emergency department physicians and nurses (general and paediatric), and respiratory therapists who participate in out-of-hospital transports.

Primary and secondary outcome measures

Outcomes included responses to: (1) clinical situations where heightened stress or anxiety was likely to contribute to safety events, (2) aspects of these clinical situations that cause stress or anxiety and (3) how stress or anxiety may lead to paediatric safety events.

Results

EMS providers reported that the clinical situations where stress and anxiety were more likely to contribute to paediatric patient safety events were trauma, respiratory distress and cardiac issues. Key themes were: (1) provider sympathy or identification with children, (2) difficulty seeing an innocent child hurt and the inherent value of children and (3) insufficient exposure to paediatric emergencies.

Conclusions

Caring for paediatric emergencies creates unique stresses on providers that may affect patient safety. Many of the factors reported to cause provider stress and anxiety are inherent attributes of children and therefore not modifiable. Tools that support care during stressful conditions such as cognitive aids may help to mitigate anxiety in the prehospital care of children. Further research is needed to identify opportunities for and attributes of interventions.
Evaluating process and clinical outcomes of a primary care mental health integration project in rural Rwanda: a prospective mixed-methods protocol
Authors: Smith Stephanie L , Misago Claire Nancy , Osrow Robyn A , Franke Molly F , Iyamuremye Jean Damascene , Dusabeyezu Jeanne D'Arc , Mohand Achour A , Anatole Manzi , Kayiteshonga Yvonne , Raviola Giuseppe J
Published: March 2017

Introduction

Integrating mental healthcare into primary care can reduce the global burden of mental disorders. Yet data on the effective implementation of real-world task-shared mental health programmes are limited. In 2012, the Rwandan Ministry of Health and the international healthcare organisation Partners in Health collaboratively adapted the Mentoring and Enhanced Supervision at Health Centers (MESH) programme, a successful programme of supported supervision based on task-sharing for HIV/AIDS care, to include care of neuropsychiatric disorders within primary care settings (MESH Mental Health). We propose 1 of the first studies in a rural low-income country to assess the implementation and clinical outcomes of a programme integrating neuropsychiatric care into a public primary care system.

Methods and analysis

A mixed-methods evaluation will be conducted. First, we will conduct a quantitative outcomes evaluation using a pretest and post-test design at 4 purposively selected MESH MH participating health centres. At least 112 consecutive adults with schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, depression or epilepsy will be enrolled. Primary outcomes are symptoms and functioning measured at baseline, 8 weeks and 6 months using clinician-administered scales: the General Health Questionnaire and the brief WHO Disability Assessment Scale. We hypothesise that service users will experience at least a 25% improvement in symptoms and functioning from baseline after MESH MH programme participation. To understand any outcome improvements under the intervention, we will evaluate programme processes using (1) quantitative analyses of routine service utilisation data and supervision checklist data and (2) qualitative semistructured interviews with primary care nurses, service users and family members.

Ethics and dissemination

This evaluation was approved by the Rwanda National Ethics Committee (Protocol #736/RNEC/2016) and deemed exempt by the Harvard University Institutional Review Board. Results will be submitted for peer-reviewed journal publication, presented at conferences and disseminated to communities served by the programme.
Evaluating the effectiveness, impact and safety of live attenuated and seasonal inactivated influenza vaccination: protocol for the Seasonal Influenza Vaccination Effectiveness II (SIVE II) study
Authors: Simpson Colin R , Lone Nazir I , Kavanagh Kimberley , Robertson Chris , McMenamin Jim , von Wissmann Beatrix , Vasileiou Eleftheria , Butler Chris , Ritchie Lewis D , Gunson Rory , Schwarze Jürgen , Sheikh Aziz
Published: March 2017

Introduction

Seasonal (inactivated) influenza vaccination is recommended for all individuals aged 65+ and in individuals under 65 who are at an increased risk of complications of influenza infection, for example, people with asthma.Live attenuated influenza vaccine (LAIV) was recommended for children as they are thought to be responsible for much of the transmission of influenza to the populations at risk of serious complications from influenza. A phased roll-out of the LAIV pilot programme began in 2013/2014. There is limited evidence for vaccine effectiveness (VE) in the populations targeted for influenza vaccination. The aim of this study is to examine the safety and effectiveness of the live attenuated seasonal influenza vaccine programme in children and the inactivated seasonal influenza vaccination programme among different age and at-risk groups of people.

Methods and analysis

Test negative and cohort study designs will be used to estimate VE. A primary care database covering 1.25 million people in Scotland for the period 2000/2001 to 2015/2016 will be linked to the Scottish Immunisation Recall Service (SIRS), Health Protection Scotland virology database, admissions to Scottish hospitals and the Scottish death register. Vaccination status (including LAIV uptake) will be determined from the primary care and SIRS database. The primary outcome will be influenza-positive real-time PCR tests carried out in sentinel general practices and other healthcare settings. Secondary outcomes include influenza-like illness and asthma-related general practice consultations, hospitalisations and death. An instrumental variable analysis will be carried out to account for confounding. Self-controlled study designs will be used to estimate the risk of adverse events associated with influenza vaccination.

Ethics and dissemination

We obtained approval from the National Research Ethics Service Committee, West Midlands—Edgbaston. The study findings will be presented at international conferences and published in peer-reviewed journals.

Trial registration number

ISRCTN88072400; Pre-results.
Roselle supplementation prevents nicotine-induced vascular endothelial dysfunction and remodelling in rats
Authors: Si Lislivia Yiang-Nee , Kamisah Yusof , Ramalingam Anand , Lim Yi Cheng , Budin Siti Balkis , Zainalabidin Satirah
Published: March 2017

Vascular endothelial dysfunction (VED) plays an important role in the initiation of cardiovascular diseases. Roselle, enriched with antioxidants, demonstrates high potential in alleviating hypertension. This study was undertaken to investigate the effects of roselle supplementation of VED and remodelling in a rodent model with prolonged nicotine administration. Male Sprague–Dawley rats (n = 6 per group) were administered with 0.6 mg/kg nicotine for 28 days to induce VED. The rats were given either aqueous roselle (100 mg/kg) or normal saline orally 30 min prior to nicotine injection daily. One additional group of rats served as control. Thoracic aorta was isolated from rats to measure vascular reactivity, vascular remodelling and oxidative stress. Roselle significantly lowered aortic sensitivity to phenylephrine-induced vasoconstriction (Endo-(+) Cmax = 234.5 ± 3.9%, Endo-(–) Cmax = 247.6 ± 5.2%) compared with untreated nicotine group (Endo-(+) Cmax = 264.5 ± 6.9%, Endo-(–) Cmax = 276.5 ± 6.8%). Roselle also improved aortic response to endothelium-dependent vasodilator, acetylcholine (Endo-(+) Rmax = 73.2 ± 2.1%, Endo-(–) Rmax = 26.2 ± 0.8%) compared to nicotine group (Endo-(+) Rmax = 57.8 ± 1.7%, Endo-(–) Rmax = 20.9 ± 0.8%). In addition, roselle prevented an increase in intimal media thickness and elastic lamellae proliferation to preserve vascular architecture. Moreover, we also observed a significantly lowered degree of oxidative stress in parallel with increased antioxidant enzymes in aortic tissues of the roselle-treated group. This study demonstrated that roselle prevents VED and remodelling, and as such it has high nutraceutical value as supplement to prevent cardiovascular diseases.
Simultaneous estimation of biomass models for 13 tree species: effects of compatible additivity requirements
Authors: Nord-Larsen Thomas , Meilby Henrik , Skovsgaard Jens Peter
Published: March 2017

A desirable feature of biomass models distinguishing different tree components is compatible additivity of the component functions. Due to forcing of parameter estimates, such additivity is achieved at an expense of precision of the component functions. This study aimed to analyse the loss of precision incurred by forcing of parameters in tree biomass models due to (i) additivity constraints, (ii) combining global and species-specific parameters, and (iii) estimating component functions simultaneously as a system instead of as individual equations. Based on biomass data from 697 trees including 13 different species, we estimated a set of compatibly additive, nonlinear biomass models using simultaneous estimation and compared these with less restricted model systems. In line with other similar studies, the overall model system explained 88%–99% of the variation in individual biomass components. Compared with the unrestricted model, restricting parameters to obtain compatible additivity resulted in a change in RMSE of –0.6% to 5.4%. When restricting parameter estimates using both species-specific and global parameters, RMSE increased by 1.7%–13.1%. Estimating model parameters using simultaneous estimation (nonlinear iterated seemingly unrelated regression, NSUR) increased model bias compared with ordinary least squares estimation (OLS) for most biomass components. Contrary to expectations, NSUR estimation did not lead to a reduction in the standard error of estimates.
Review of LHC dark matter searches
Authors: Kahlhoefer Felix
Published: March 2017

This review discusses both experimental and theoretical aspects of searches for dark matter at the LHC. An overview of the various experimental search channels is given, followed by a summary of the different theoretical approaches for predicting dark matter signals. A special emphasis is placed on the interplay between LHC dark matter searches and other kinds of dark matter experiments, as well as among different types of LHC searches.
New indication on scaling properties of strangeness production in pp collisions at RHIC
Authors: Tokarev M. V. , Zborovský I.
Published: March 2017

Experimental data on transverse momentum spectra of strange particles [Formula: see text] produced in [Formula: see text] collisions at [Formula: see text] obtained by the STAR and PHENIX collaborations at RHIC are analyzed in the framework of [Formula: see text]-scaling approach. The concept of the [Formula: see text]-scaling is based on fundamental principles of self-similarity, locality, and fractality of hadron interactions at high energies. General properties of the data [Formula: see text]-presentation are studied. Self-similarity of fractal structure of protons and fragmentation processes with strange particles is discussed. A microscopic scenario of constituent interactions developed within the [Formula: see text]-scaling scheme is used to study the dependence of momentum fractions and recoil mass on the collision energy, transverse momentum and mass of produced inclusive particle, and to estimate the constituent energy loss. We consider that obtained results can be useful in study of strangeness origin, in searching for new physics with strange probes, and can serve for better understanding of fractality of hadron interactions at small scales.
Phenomenological signatures of mixed complex scalar WIMP dark matter
Authors: Kakizaki Mitsuru , Santa Akiteru , Seto Osamu
Published: March 2017

We discuss phenomenological aspects of models whose scalar sector is extended by an isospin doublet scalar and a complex singlet scalar as an effective theory of supersymmetric models with mixed sneutrinos. In such models, the lighter of the mixed neutral scalars can become a viable dark matter (DM) candidate by imposing a global U(1) symmetry. We find that the thermal WIMP scenario is consistent with the cosmological DM abundance when the mass of the scalar is half of that of the discovered Higgs boson or larger than around 100 GeV. We also point out that, with an additional isospin singlet Majorana fermion mediator, even the mass of the scalar WIMP less than around 5 GeV is compatible with the observed DM abundance. We show that such cosmologically allowed regions can be explored at future collider experiments and DM detections.
Design of microwave signal source for CS chip-scale atomic clock
Authors: Lei Ji , Zhi Meng Hui , Li Xin Wei , Liang Tang , Qiao Dong Hai
Published: March 2017

Nowadays, some countries have already invented chip-scale atomic clock (CSAC) based on coherent population trapping (CPT), and it has been applied in every areas. According to its working principle, the microwave signal source is one of the decisive factors affecting its stability. Usually the microwave signal source is a phase-locked loop circuit, it mainly includes a frequency synthesizer, a voltage controlled oscillator (VCO) and a loop filter. This paper aims to develop a microwave signal source for Cs CSAC. First, a VCO should be designed, in order to validate the characteristic of the designed VCO, the VCO needs to be tested at high and low temperatures, and the results show that it has good stability of high and low temperatures. Second, for the purpose of verifying that the design and production consistency of the VCO are in good condition, 1000 VCOs are test, respectively. The statistical distribution of the phase noise at 1 kHz offset would be painted a curve. Finally, the designed VCO (PN: 61.01dBc/Hz@1kHz) will be applied in phase-locked loop, the test results show that the phase noise is −83.57dBc/Hz@300Hz, it is much better than −43dBc/Hz@300Hz which is the spec of CSAC. If the microwave signal source would be used in CSAC, its stability would be greatly improved.