bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Informal Networks in Disaster Medicine
Authors: Bdeir Fadl , Crawford John W , Hossain Liaquat 
Published: December 2016

AbstractObjectiveOur study of informal networks aimed to explore information-sharing environments for the management of disaster medicine and public health preparedness. Understanding interagency coordination in preparing for and responding to extreme events such as disease outbreaks is central to reducing risks and coordination costs.MethodsWe evaluated the pattern of information flow for actors involved in disaster medicine through social network analysis. Social network analysis of agencies can serve as a basis for the effective design and reconstruction of disaster medicine response coordination structures. This research used new theoretical approaches in suggesting a framework and a method to study the outcome of complex inter-organizational networks in coordinating disease outbreak response. We present research surveys of 70 health professionals from different skill sets and organizational positions during the swine influenza A (H1N1) PDM09 2009 pandemic. The survey and interviews were designed to collect both qualitative and quantitative data in order to build a comprehensive and in-depth understanding of the dynamics of the inter-organizational networks that evolved during the pandemic.ResultsThe degree centrality of the informal network showed a positive correlation with performance, in which the ego’s performance is related to the number of links he or she establishes informally—outside the standard operating structure during the pandemic. Informal networks facilitate the transmission of both strong (ie, infections, confirmed cases, deaths in hospital or clinic settings) and weak (ie, casual acquaintances) ties.ConclusionsThe results showed that informal networks promoted community-based ad hoc and formal networks, thus making overall disaster medicine and public health preparedness more effective. (Disaster Med Public Health Preparedness. 2017;11:343–354)
Area and mass changes of Siachen Glacier (East Karakoram)
Authors: AGARWAL VIBHOR , BOLCH TOBIAS , SYED TAJDARUL H. , PIECZONKA TINO , STROZZI TAZIO , NAGAICH RISHABH 
Published: December 2016

ABSTRACTHere, we present a comprehensive assessment of Siachen Glacier (East Karakoram), in terms of its area and elevation change, velocity variations and mass budget, utilizing different satellite datasets including Landsat, Hexagon, Cartosat-I, Shuttle Radar Topography Mission, Envisat Advanced Synthetic Aperture Radar and Japanese Advanced Land Observing Satellite Phased Array-type L-band SAR. The total areal extent of Siachen Glacier did not change significantly between 1980 and 2014; however the exposed-ice area decreased during that period. The terminus of the glacier has experienced substantial downwasting (on average 30 m) over the period of 1999–2007, followed by a retreat of the transition between exposed and debris-covered ice by a distance of 1.3 km during the short span 2007–14. The spatial patterns of the elevation difference and velocity are heterogeneous over the large areal extent of Siachen Glacier. The average velocity of the entire glacier, as computed between 11 December 2008 and 26 January 2009, was 12.3 ± 0.4 cm d−1, while those estimated separately for the accumulation and ablation regions were 9.7 ± 0.4 cm d−1 and 20.4 ± 0.4 cm d−1, respectively. The mass budget of Siachen Glacier is estimated to be –0.03 ± 0.21 m w.e. a−1 for the period of 1999–2007.
Marine Reservoir Effects Deduced from 14C Dates on Pottery Residues, Bones, and Molluskan Shells from the Hamanaka 2 Archaeological Site, Rebun Island, Hokkaido, Japan
Authors: Miyata Yoshiki , Horiuchi Akiko , Kondo Megumi , Onbe Shin , Yoshida Kunio , Nagao Seiya ,   Paleo Labo AMS Dating Group, Nishimoto Toyohiro 
Published: December 2016

AbstractThis article investigates the marine reservoir effects from apparent age differences among molluskan shells, birds, and sea mammals from the Hamanaka 2 archaeological site, Rebun Island, Japan, which was occupied during the latter half of the Late Jomon period (1300−1200 cal BC). The radiocarbon ages were younger in the order of charred wood<marine molluskan shells<Alcidae<Japanese sea lion≤charred materials on potsherds. According to data from molluskan shells from the site, the local marine reservoir correction (ΔR) for the Soya Warm Current, which flows near Rebun Island, was 172±39 14C yr. ΔR values of bone collagen for Alcidae (a family of seabirds) and Japanese sea lion were 289 and 389 14C yr, respectively. A ΔR value of 447±55 14C yr was obtained on charred material from the inner surfaces of potsherds at Hamanaka 2. The different reservoir effects relate to the differences in the diets or habitats of the shellfish, sea lion, and seabird remains at the site.
Increased vascular endothelial growth factor expression predicts a worse prognosis for laryngeal cancer patients: a meta-analysis
Authors: Zhang L-P , Chen H-L 
Published: December 2016

AbstractObjective:This study assessed the relationship between vascular endothelial growth factor expression and the laryngeal cancer prognosis.Methods:Systematic computerised searches of PubMed were performed up to 31 January 2015. Prognostic endpoints were overall survival and disease-free survival. The pooled hazard ratios for overall survival and disease-free survival were also calculated.Results:Seven studies containing 975 patients were included. The pooled hazard ratio was 1.703 (95 per cent confidence interval, 1.373 to 2.112; z score = 4.85, p = 0.000) for overall survival and was 1.918 (95 per cent confidence interval, 1.410 to 2.609; z score = 4.15, p = 0.000) for disease-free survival. No significant publication bias was found. A sensitivity analysis showed that the results were robust. Power analyses also showed there was enough power to detect the calculated hazard ratios.Conclusion:The study found that vascular endothelial growth factor overexpression predicted a worse prognosis for laryngeal cancer patients. This supports a strategy of targeted therapy by blocking the vascular endothelial growth factor receptor.
Accumulation by Forced Removal: The Thinning of Rio de Janeiro's Favelas in Preparation for the Games
Authors: FREEMAN JAMES , BURGOS MARCOS 
Published: December 2016

AbstractIn this article we argue that the pacification of strategic Rio de Janeiro favelas is a case of what David Harvey calls accumulation by dispossession, allowing for capital accumulation at multiple scales. Drawing on multi-year participant observation, we seek to show the particular form that this process takes as it works through Rio's social and spatial structures. Unlike the mass removals of the 1960s and 1970s, favela families have more recently been displaced through a process of thinning, in the context of a neoliberal development programme centred on a series of mega-events. Removal is carried out through a combination of threats, promises, disinformation, and the intentional generation of insecurity that together constitute a form of psychological terror.
Assessing causality in associations between cannabis use and schizophrenia risk: a two-sample Mendelian randomization study
Authors: Gage S. H. , Jones H. J. , Burgess S. , Bowden J. , Davey Smith G. , Zammit S. , Munafò M. R. 
Published: December 2016

BackgroundObservational associations between cannabis and schizophrenia are well documented, but ascertaining causation is more challenging. We used Mendelian randomization (MR), utilizing publicly available data as a method for ascertaining causation from observational data.MethodWe performed bi-directional two-sample MR using summary-level genome-wide data from the International Cannabis Consortium (ICC) and the Psychiatric Genomics Consortium (PGC2). Single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) associated with cannabis initiation (p < 10−5) and schizophrenia (p < 5 × 10−8) were combined using an inverse-variance-weighted fixed-effects approach. We also used height and education genome-wide association study data, representing negative and positive control analyses.ResultsThere was some evidence consistent with a causal effect of cannabis initiation on risk of schizophrenia [odds ratio (OR) 1.04 per doubling odds of cannabis initiation, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.01–1.07, p = 0.019]. There was strong evidence consistent with a causal effect of schizophrenia risk on likelihood of cannabis initiation (OR 1.10 per doubling of the odds of schizophrenia, 95% CI 1.05–1.14, p = 2.64 × 10−5). Findings were as predicted for the negative control (height: OR 1.00, 95% CI 0.99–1.01, p = 0.90) but weaker than predicted for the positive control (years in education: OR 0.99, 95% CI 0.97–1.00, p = 0.066) analyses.ConclusionsOur results provide some that cannabis initiation increases the risk of schizophrenia, although the size of the causal estimate is small. We find stronger evidence that schizophrenia risk predicts cannabis initiation, possibly as genetic instruments for schizophrenia are stronger than for cannabis initiation.
Ponderomotive self-focusing of linearly polarized laser beam in magnetized quantum plasma
Authors: Rathore N. S. , Kumar P. 
Published: December 2016

AbstractPonderomotive non-linearities arising by propagation of a linearly polarized laser beam through high-density quantum plasma are studied. The intense laser beam sets the plasma electrons in quiver motion and consequently ponderomotive non-linearity sets in leading to electron density perturbation inside the plasma. The interaction formalism has been built using the quantum hydrodynamic model. Laser beam traversing through high-density quantum plasma acquires an additional focusing tendency due to the perturbation induced by ponderomotive force in the plasma density. The ponderomotive force causes the beam to focus and the quantum effects contribute in focusing. The transverse magnetization of quantum plasma enhances the self-focusing and increase in magnetic field limits the spot size.
Trends and risk factors for human Q fever in Australia, 1991–2014
Authors: SLOAN-GARDNER T. S. , MASSEY P. D. , HUTCHINSON P. , KNOPE K. , FEARNLEY E. 
Published: December 2016

SUMMARYAustralian abattoir workers, farmers, veterinarians and people handling animal birthing products or slaughtering animals continue to be at high risk of Q fever despite an effective vaccine being available. National Notifiable Diseases Surveillance System data were analysed for the period 1991–2014, along with enhanced risk factor data from notified cases in the states of New South Wales and Queensland, to examine changes in the epidemiology of Q fever in Australia. The national Q fever notification rate reduced by 20% [incident rate ratio (IRR) 0·82] following the end of the National Q fever Management Program in 2006, and has increased since 2009 (IRR 1·01–1·34). Highest rates were in males aged 40–59 years (5·9/100 000) and 87% of Q fever cases occurred in New South Wales and Queensland. The age of Q fever cases and proportion of females increased over the study period. Based on the enhanced risk factor data, the most frequently listed occupation for Q fever cases involved contact with livestock, followed by ‘no known risk’ occupations. More complete and comparable enhanced risk factor data, at the State/Territory and national levels, would aid in further understanding of the epidemiology of Q fever.
The effects of needle-sharing and opioid substitution therapy on incidence of hepatitis C virus infection and reinfection in people who inject drugs
Authors: AITKEN C. K. , AGIUS P. A. , HIGGS P. G. , STOOVÉ M. A. , BOWDEN D. S. , DIETZE P. M. 
Published: December 2016

SUMMARYAlthough high hepatitis C virus (HCV) prevalence has been observed in people who inject drugs (PWID) for decades, research suggests incidence is falling. We examined whether PWIDs’ use of opioid substitution therapy (OST) and their needle-and-syringe sharing behaviour explained HCV incidence. We assessed HCV incidence in 235 PWID in Melbourne, Australia, and performed discrete-time survival with needle-sharing and OST status as independent variables. HCV infection, reinfection and combined infection/reinfection incidences were 7·6 [95% confidence interval (CI) 4·8–11·9], 12·4 (95% CI 9·1–17·0) and 9·7 (95% CI 7·4–12·6) per 100 person-years, respectively. Needle-sharing was significantly associated with higher incidence of naive HCV infection [hazard ratio (HR) 4·9, 95% CI 1·3–17·7] but not reinfection (HR 1·85, 95% CI 0·79–4·32); however, a cross-model test suggested this difference was sample specific. Past month use of OST had non-significant protective effects against naive HCV infection and reinfection. Our data confirm previous evidence of greatly reduced HCV incidence in PWID, but not the significant protective effect of OST on HCV incidence detected in recent studies. Our findings reinforce the need for greater access to HCV testing and prevention services to accelerate the decline in incidence, and HCV treatment, management and support to limit reinfection.
Recruitment and Retention of New Emergency Medical Technician (EMT)-Basics and Paramedics
Authors: Chapman Susan A. , Crowe Remle P. , Bentley Melissa A. 
Published: December 2016

AbstractObjectivesThe purpose of this paper is to describe factors important for the recruitment and retention of Emergency Medical Technician (EMT)-Basics and EMT-Paramedics new to the Emergency Medical Services (EMS) field (defined as two years or less of EMS employment) through an analysis of 10 years of Longitudinal EMT Attributes and Demographic Study (LEADS) data.MethodsData were obtained from 10 years of LEADS surveys (1999-2008). Individuals new to the profession were identified through responses to a survey item. Their responses were analyzed using weights reflecting each individual’s probability of selection. Means, proportions, and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were determined and used to identify statistically significant differences.ResultsThere were few changes in the demographic characteristics of new EMT-Basics and Paramedics across survey years. New EMT-Basics tended to be older and less likely to have a college degree than new EMT-Paramedics. More new EMT-Basics than EMT-Paramedics worked in rural areas and small towns and reported that they were working as a volunteer. There were differences between new EMT-Basics and EMT-Paramedics in several of the reasons for entering the profession and in facets of job satisfaction.ConclusionsThe findings provide guidance for recruiters, educators, employers, and governmental EMS policy organizations and will provide better insight into how to attract and retain new entrants to the field.ChapmanSA, CroweRP, BentleyMA. Recruitment and retention of new Emergency Medical Technician (EMT)-Basics and Paramedics. Prehosp Disaster Med. 2016;31(Suppl. 1):s70–s86.
Hospitals: Soft Target for Terrorism?
Authors: De Cauwer Harald , Somville Francis , Sabbe Marc , Mortelmans Luc J. 
Published: December 2016

AbstractIn recent years, the world has been rocked repeatedly by terrorist attacks. Arguably, the most remarkable were: the series of four coordinated suicide plane attacks on September 11, 2001 on buildings in New York, Virginia, and Pennsylvania, USA; and the recent series of two coordinated attacks in Brussels (Belgium), on March 22, 2016, involving two bombings at the departure hall of Brussels International Airport and a bombing at Maalbeek Metro Station located near the European Commission headquarters in the center of Brussels.This statement paper deals with different aspects of hospital policy and disaster response planning that interface with terrorism. Research shows that the availability of necessary equipment and facilities (eg, personal protective clothing, decontamination rooms, antidotes, and anti-viral drugs) in hospitals clearly is insufficient. Emergency teams are insufficiently prepared: adequate and repetitive training remain necessary.Unfortunately, there are many examples of health care workers and physicians or hospitals being targeted in both political or religious conflicts and wars. Many health workers were kidnapped and/or killed by insurgents of various ideology. Attacks on hospitals also could cause long-term effects: hospital units could be unavailable for a long time and replacing staff could take several months, further compounding hospital operations. Both physical and psychological (eg, posttraumatic stress disorder [PTSD]) after-effects of a terrorist attack can be detrimental to health care services. On the other hand, physicians and other hospital employees have shown to be involved in terrorism. As data show that some offenders had a previous history with the location of the terror incident, the possibility of hospitals or other health care services being targeted by insiders is discussed.The purpose of this report was to consider how past terrorist incidents can inform current hospital preparedness and disaster response planning.De CauwerH,SomvilleF,SabbeM,MortelmansLJ.Hospitals: soft target for terrorism?Prehosp Disaster Med.2017;32(1):94–100.
Development of a Mass-Gathering Triage Tool: An Australian Perspective
Authors: Cannon Matt , Roitman Rebecca , Ranse Jamie , Morphet Julia 
Published: December 2016

AbstractMany health service organizations deploy first responders and health care professionals to mass gatherings to assess and manage injuries and illnesses. Patient presentation rates (PPRs) to on-site health services at a mass gathering range from 0.48-170 per 10,000 participants. Transport to hospital rates (TTHRs) range from 0.035-15 per 10,000 participants. The aim of this report was to outline the current literature pertaining to mass-gathering triage and to describe the development of a mass-gathering triage tool for use in the Australian context by first responders. The tool is based on the principles of triage, previous mass-gathering triage tools, existing Australian triage systems, and Australian contextual considerations. The model is designed to be appropriate for use by first responders.CannonM, RoitmanR, RanseJ, MorphetJ. Development of a mass-gathering triage tool: an Australian perspective. Prehosp Disaster Med. 2017;32(1): 101–105.
Non-amyloidogenic effects of α2 adrenergic agonists: implications for brimonidine-mediated neuroprotection
Authors: Nizari Shereen , Guo Li , Davis Benjamin M , Normando Eduardo M , Galvao Joana , Turner Lisa A , Bizrah Mukhtar , Dehabadi Mohammad , Tian Kailin , Cordeiro M Francesca 
Published: December 2016

AbstractThe amyloid beta (Aβ) pathway is strongly implicated in neurodegenerative conditions such as Alzheimer’s disease and more recently, glaucoma. Here, we identify the α2 adrenergic receptor agonists (α2ARA) used to lower intraocular pressure can prevent retinal ganglion cell (RGC) death via the non-amyloidogenic Aβ-pathway. Neuroprotective effects were confirmed in vivo and in vitro in different glaucoma-related models using α2ARAs brimonidine (BMD), clonidine (Clo) and dexmedetomidine. α2ARA treatment significantly reduced RGC apoptosis in experimental-glaucoma models by 97.7% and 92.8% (BMD, P<0.01) and 98% and 92.3% (Clo, P<0.01)) at 3 and 8 weeks, respectively. A reduction was seen in an experimental Aβ-induced neurotoxicity model (67% BMD and 88.6% Clo, both P<0.01, respectively), and in vitro, where α2ARAs significantly (P<0.05) prevented cell death, under both hypoxic (CoCl2) and stress (UV) conditions. In experimental-glaucoma, BMD induced ninefold and 25-fold and 36-fold and fourfold reductions in Aβ and amyloid precursor protein (APP) levels at 3 and 8 weeks, respectively, in the RGC layer, with similar results with Clo, and in vitro with all three α2ARAs. BMD significantly increased soluble APPα (sAPPα) levels at 3 and 8 weeks (2.1 and 1.6-fold) in vivo and in vitro with the CoCl2 and UV-light insults. Furthermore, treatment of UV-insulted cells with an sAPPα antibody significantly reduced cell viability compared with BMD-treated control (52%), co-treatment (33%) and untreated control (27%). Finally, we show that α2ARAs modulate levels of laminin and MMP-9 in RGCs, potentially linked to changes in Aβ through APP processing. Together, these results provide new evidence that α2ARAs are neuroprotective through their effects on the Aβ pathway and sAPPα, which to our knowledge, is the first description. Studies have identified the need for α-secretase activators and sAPPα-mimetics in neurodegeneration; α2ARAs, already clinically available, present a promising therapy, with applications not only to reducing RGC death in glaucoma but also other neurodegenerative processes involving Aβ.
Inflammation and Notch signaling: a crosstalk with opposite effects on tumorigenesis
Authors: Fazio Chiara , Ricciardiello Luigi 
Published: December 2016

AbstractThe Notch cascade is a fundamental and highly conserved pathway able to control cell-fate. The Notch pathway arises from the interaction of one of the Notch receptors (Notch1–4) with different types of ligands; in particular, the Notch pathway can be activated canonically (through the ligands Jagged1, Jagged2, DLL1, DLL3 or DLL4) or non-canonically (through various molecules shared by other pathways). In the context of tumor biology, the deregulation of Notch signaling is found to be crucial, but it is still not clear if the activation of this pathway exerts a tumor-promoting or a tumor suppressing function in different cancer settings. Untill now, it is well known that the inflammatory compartment is critically involved in tumor progression; however, inflammation, which occurs as a physiological response to damage, can also drive protective processes toward carcinogenesis. Therefore, the role of inflammation in cancer is still controversial and needs to be further clarified. Interestingly, recent literature reports that some of the signaling molecules modulated by the cells of the immune system also belong to or interact with the canonical and non-canonical Notch pathways, delineating a possible link between Notch activation and inflammatory environment. In this review we analyze the hypothesis that specific inflammatory conditions can control the activation of the Notch pathway in terms of biological effect, partially explaining the dichotomy of both phenomena. For this purpose, we detail the molecular links reported in the literature connecting inflammation and Notch signaling in different types of tumor, with a particular focus on colorectal carcinogenesis, which represents a perfect example of context-dependent interaction between malignant transformation and immune response.
Engineering the magnetic coupling and anisotropy at the molecule–magnetic surface interface in molecular spintronic devices
Authors: Campbell Victoria E. , Tonelli Monica , Cimatti Irene , Moussy Jean-Baptiste , Tortech Ludovic , Dappe Yannick J. , Rivière Eric , Guillot Régis , Delprat Sophie , Mattana Richard , Seneor Pierre , Ohresser Philippe , Choueikani Fadi , Otero Edwige , Koprowiak Florian , Chilkuri Vijay Gopal , Suaud Nicolas , Guihéry Nathalie , Galtayries Anouk , Miserque Frederic , Arrio Marie-Anne , Sainctavit Philippe , Mallah Talal 
Published: December 2016

AbstractA challenge in molecular spintronics is to control the magnetic coupling between magnetic molecules and magnetic electrodes to build efficient devices. Here we show that the nature of the magnetic ion of anchored metal complexes highly impacts the exchange coupling of the molecules with magnetic substrates. Surface anchoring alters the magnetic anisotropy of the cobalt(II)-containing complex (Co(Pyipa)2), and results in blocking of its magnetization due to the presence of a magnetic hysteresis loop. In contrast, no hysteresis loop is observed in the isostructural nickel(II)-containing complex (Ni(Pyipa)2). Through XMCD experiments and theoretical calculations we find that Co(Pyipa)2 is strongly ferromagnetically coupled to the surface, while Ni(Pyipa)2 is either not coupled or weakly antiferromagnetically coupled to the substrate. These results highlight the importance of the synergistic effect that the electronic structure of a metal ion and the organic ligands has on the exchange interaction and anisotropy occurring at the molecule–electrode interface.