bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Structure of polyelectrolyte brushes studied by coarse grain simulations
Authors: Washizu Hitoshi , Kinjo Tomoyuki , Yoshida Hiroaki 
Published: March 2014

Abstract
As an example of a very low friction system, Monte Carlo Brownian dynamics simulations have been used to calculate equilibrium structures of a polyelectrolyte brush grafted onto planes. The polymers were calculated in a semi-flexible coarse-grain model that is appropriate to treat the charge density of the polyion. The effect of linear charge density on the polyion ξ, the surface negative charge, and added salts were studied. In salt-free solution, scaling theories predicted the structure well in the low — region. In the high ξ region, additional shrinkage was found from the theories due to counterion condensation. The effect of surface charge showed not only the repulsion of the polyion from the surface but also the shrinkage in the high ξ region due to the additional counterions required for electrical neutrality. The addition of salts led to the shrinkage of the brush heights, and in the high ξ region, additional extension was found. The computational strategy for calculating the friction dynamics of the system is also discussed.
Schooling Ecologically: An Inquiry Into Teachers’ Ecological Understanding in ‘Alternative’ Schools
Authors: Wright David 
Published: March 2014

AbstractThis article reports on an inquiry into ecological understanding and the professional practice of a selection of teachers in alternative and/or independent non-systemic schools in Australia, Canada and the United States. Through a reflective, participatory framework, based on the premise that it is one thing to observe ‘an ecology’, another to understand one's self as part of it, as actively involved in ‘bringing forth our world’, the project sought to understand if and how teachers employ systemic, ecological insights in their teaching. The project looked at the underlying ecological principle of ‘connection’ and how teachers work with this, through teacher education and options for further education in ecological understanding, at the responsibilities schools hold for ecological understanding, and at ways in which individual teachers have worked with this form of knowledge. Data was gathered through semi-structured interviews with small numbers of teachers in five schools. The philosophical underpinnings of these schools were considered in relation to the teachers’ capacities to facilitate ecological understanding and the organisational setting in which these schools operate. Teacher perspectives are reported and discussed through a structured presentation of selected responses to a series of questions on the overlapping themes of ecological insight and formal and informal learning processes.
Bridges to Global Citizenship: Ecologically Sustainable Futures Utilising Children's Literature in Teacher Education
Authors: Bradbery Debbie 
Published: March 2014

AbstractDeveloping an understanding of the importance of a sustainable future is vital in helping children to become ‘global citizens’. Global citizens are those willing to take responsibility for their own actions, respect and value diversity and see themselves as contributors to a more peaceful and sustainable world. Children's literature — picture and story books in particular — can be used as a powerful tool to help even the youngest citizens become aware of the need to assume responsibility for creating and enjoying a sustainable future through global citizenship. Children's literature can be utilised to help children examine and change personal lifestyles to secure a sustainable future; to identify, investigate, evaluate and undertake appropriate action to maintain, protect and enhance local and global environments; to challenge preconceived ideas, accept change and acknowledge uncertainty and to work cooperatively and in partnerships with others. This article explores and examines ways in which some examples of Australasian children's literature, specificallyStorm Boy(Thiele, 1963),Lester and Clyde(Reece, 1991),The Waterhole(Base, 2001),Window(Baker, 1991) andBelonging(Baker, 2004), have been used in a literacy focused preservice teacher education course to assist preservice teachers entering their internship school placements to develop children's understandings of an ecologically sustainable future. It provides further insight into methods for embedding teaching for a sustainable future into pre-service teacher education.
Classifying Infectious Disease Outbreaks to Improve Timeliness and Efficiency of Response
Authors: Posid Joseph M. , Goodman Richard A. , Khan Ali S. 
Published: March 2014

AbstractFollowing the intentional dissemination of B.anthracis through the U.S. Postal Service in 2001, use of the term “naturally occurring” to classify some infectious disease outbreaks has become more evident. However, this term is neither a scientific nor an epidemiologic classification that is helpful in describing either the source or the mode of transmission in outbreaks. In this paper, the authors provide examples of how and when the public health community has recognized potentially flawed or misleading taxonomy in the past and taken steps to improve the taxonomy's accuracy and usefulness. We also offer examples of alternative terms for classifying outbreaks since inaccurate descriptions of outbreaks could potentially lead to a flawed or incomplete set of underlying assumptions about the outbreak's causal factors. This, in turn, could lead to implementing a flawed or incomplete intervention or response strategy which could extend the duration of the outbreak, resulting in avoidable morbidity and mortality. (Disaster Med Public Health Preparedness. 2014;0:1–6)
Attitudes and experiences of nursing staff to the Mental Health Act 2001: lessons for future mental health legislation
Authors: Doherty A. M. , Jabbar F. , Kelly B. D. 
Published: March 2014

ObjectivesThe Mental Health Act 2001 was implemented in 2006 to bring Ireland into line with international practice and United Nations Conventions on Human Rights. Previous studies have reported some practical difficulties for the professionals involved. We wished to examine the experiences of nursing staff and the impact of the Act on clinical nursing practice since its implementation.MethodThis cross-sectional survey was conducted by questionnaire. It contained questions examining training in and attitudes to the Act, and any resultant changes in nursing practise.ResultsA total of 317 questionnaires were returned. Of the nurses, 92% reported having received training in the Act, and 56% of nursing staff believed that their workload had increased as a result of the change in legislation. Of those who made a comment, 76.5% were negative, with increased paper work, lack of clarity and an excessive focus on legalities being the most common difficulties reported.ConclusionsNursing staff have shown mixed attitudes to the Mental Health Act 2001, but many of the difficulties encountered are similar to those experienced by other professionals.
Effects of lifestyle changes and high-dose β-blocker therapy on exercise capacity in children, adolescents, and young adults with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy
Authors: Bratt Ewa-Lena , Östman-Smith Ingegerd 
Published: March 2014

AbstractAim: The use of β-blocker therapy in asymptomatic patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy is controversial. This study evaluates the effect of lifestyle changes and high-dose β-blocker therapy on their exercise capacity. Methods and results: A total of 29 consecutive newly diagnosed asymptomatic patients with familial hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, median age 15 years (range 7–25), were recruited. In all, 16 patients with risk factors for sudden death were treated with propranolol if no contraindications, or equivalent doses of metoprolol; 13 with no risk factors were randomised to metoprolol or no active treatment. Thus, there were three treatment groups, non-selective β-blockade (n=10, propranolol 4.0–11.6 mg/kg/day), selective β-blockade (n=9, metoprolol 2.7–5.9 mg/kg/day), and randomised controls (n=10). All were given recommendations for lifestyle modifications, and reduced energetic exercise significantly (p=0.002). Before study entry, and after 1 year, all underwent bicycle exercise tests with a ramp protocol. There were no differences in exercise capacity between the groups at entry, or follow-up, when median exercise capacity in the groups were virtually identical (2.4, 2.3, and 2.3 watt/kg and 55, 55, and 55 watt/(height in metre)2 in control, selective, and non-selective groups, respectively. Maximum heart rate decreased in the selective (−29%, p=0.04) and non-selective (−24%, p=0.002) groups. No patient developed a pathological blood-pressure response to exercise because of β-blocker therapy. Boys were more frequently risk-factor positive than girls (75% versus 33%, p=0.048) and had higher physical activity scores than girls at study-entry (p=0.011). Conclusions: Neither selective nor non-selective β-blockade causes significant reductions in exercise capacity in patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy above that induced by lifestyle changes.
Noncommutative motives of Azumaya algebras
Authors: Tabuada Gonçalo , Van den Bergh Michel 
Published: March 2014

AbstractLet$k$be a base commutative ring,$R$a commutative ring of coefficients,$X$a quasi-compact quasi-separated$k$-scheme, and$A$a sheaf of Azumaya algebras over$X$of rank$r$. Under the assumption that$1/r\in R$, we prove that the noncommutative motives with$R$-coefficients of$X$and$A$are isomorphic. As an application, we conclude that a similar isomorphism holds for every$R$-linear additive invariant. This leads to several computations. Along the way we show that, in the case of finite-dimensional algebras of finite global dimension, all additive invariants are nilinvariant.
The experience of being an informal “carer” for a person with cancer: A meta-synthesis of qualitative studies
Authors: Seal Karen , Murray Craig D. , Seddon Lesley 
Published: March 2014

AbstractObjective:Increasingly, family or friends are providing care to those with cancer. However, the majority of those assuming the caring role have no prior knowledge related to the provision of care. The present study aimed to explore the experiences of informal carers with respect to their role, thus determining ways that services may support transition to this role.Method:In order to obtain an in-depth view of such experience, a qualitative meta-synthesis was employed to review the findings of 17 studies.Results:Out of this synthesis, three main concepts were developed: (1) identity and adopting the caring role, (2) the perception of care tasks, and (3) relationship dynamic changes as a result of caring.Significance of Results:The implications for professional practice are discussed.
RETRACTED ARTICLE: Zebrafish Noxa promotes mitosis in early embryonic development and regulates apoptosis in subsequent embryogenesis
Authors: Zhong J-X , Zhou L , Li Z , Wang Y , Gui J-F 
Published: March 2014

AbstractNoxa functions in apoptosis and immune system of vertebrates, but its activities in embryo development remain unclear. In this study, we have studied the role of zebrafish Noxa (zNoxa) by using zNoxa-specifc morpholino knockdown and overexpression approaches in developing zebrafish embryos. Expression pattern analysis indicates that zNoxa transcript is of maternal origin, which displays a uniform distribution in early embryonic development until shield stage, and the zygote zNoxa transcription is initiated from this stage and mainly localized in YSL of the embryos. The zNoxa expression alterations result in strong embryonic development defects, demonstrating that zNoxa regulates apoptosis from 75% epiboly stage of development onward, in which zNoxa firstly induces the expression of zBik, and then cooperates with zBik to regulate apoptosis. Moreover, zNoxa knockdown also causes a reduction in number of mitotic cells before 8 h.p.f., suggesting that zNoxa also promotes mitosis before 75% epiboly stage. The effect of zNoxa on mitosis is mediated by zWnt4b in early embryos, whereas zMcl1a and zMcl1b suppress the ability of zNoxa to regulate mitosis and apoptosis at different developmental stages. In addition, mammalian mouse Noxa (mNoxa) mRNA was demonstrated to rescue the arrest of mitosis when zNoxa was knocked down, suggesting that mouse and zebrafish Noxa might have similar dual functions. Therefore, the current findings indicate that Noxa is a novel regulator of early mitosis before 75% epiboly stage when it translates into a key mediator of apoptosis in subsequent embryogenesis.
Thermal-safety margins and the necessity of thermoregulatory behavior across latitude and elevation
Authors: Sunday Jennifer M. , Bates Amanda E. , Kearney Michael R. , Colwell Robert K. , Dulvy Nicholas K. , Longino John T. , Huey Raymond B. 
Published: March 2014

Significance
We find that most terrestrial ectotherms are insufficiently tolerant of high temperatures to survive the warmest potential body temperatures in exposed habitats and must therefore thermoregulate by using shade, burrows, or evaporative cooling. Our results reveal that exposure to extreme heat can occur even at high elevations and latitudes and show why heat-tolerance limits are relatively invariant in comparison with cold limits. To survive climate warming, ectotherms in most areas may need to rely on behaviors—and have access to habitats—that provide a reprieve from extreme operative temperatures.
Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder and autism spectrum disorder in children born to mothers with thyroid dysfunction: a Danish nationwide cohort study
Authors: Andersen SL , Laurberg P , Wu CS , Olsen J 
Published: March 2014

ObjectiveTo examine the association between maternal hyper‐ and hypothyroidism and the risk of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and autism spectrum disorder (ASD) in the child.DesignA population‐based cohort study.SettingSingletons liveborn in Denmark between 1991 and 2004.PopulationA total of 857 014 singletons alive and living in Denmark at the age of 3 years.MethodsInformation on the diagnosis and/or treatment of maternal thyroid disease and the neurodevelopmental disorders ADHD and ASD in the child was obtained from Danish nationwide registers. The Cox proportional hazards model was used to estimate the hazard ratio (HR) with 95% confidence interval (95% CI) for risk of ADHD and ASD in children born to mothers with thyroid dysfunction, adjusting for potential confounding factors.Main outcome measuresADHD and ASD in the child.ResultsAltogether, 30 295 singletons (3.5%) were born to mothers with thyroid dysfunction. Maternal hyperthyroidism diagnosed and treated for the first time after the birth of the child increased the risk of ADHD in the child (adjusted HR 1.23; 95% CI 1.05–1.44), whereas hypothyroidism increased the risk of ASD (adjusted HR 1.34; 95% CI 1.14–1.59). No significant association was seen for maternal diagnosis and treatment prior to the birth of the child.ConclusionsChildren born to mothers diagnosed and treated for the first time for thyroid dysfunction after their birth may have been exposed to abnormal levels of maternal thyroid hormone already present during the pregnancy, and this untreated condition could increase the risk of specific neurodevelopmental disorders in the child.
Positron emission tomography/computed tomography imaging and rheumatoid arthritis
Authors: Wang Shi‐Cun , Xie Qiang , LV Wei‐Fu 
Published: March 2014

AbstractRheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a phenotypically heterogeneous, chronic, destructive inflammatory disease of the synovial joints. A number of imaging tools are currently available for evaluation of inflammatory conditions. By targeting the upgraded glucose uptake of infiltrating granulocytes and tissue macrophages, positron emission tomography/computed tomography with fluorine‐18 fluorodeoxyglucose (18F‐FDG PET/CT) is available to delineate inflammation with high sensitivity. Recently, several studies have indicated thatFDGuptake in affected joints reflects the disease activity ofRA. In addition, usage ofFDG PETfor the sensitive detection and monitoring of the response to treatment has been reported. CombinedFDG PET/CTenables the detailed assessment of disease in large joints throughout the whole body. These unique capabilities ofFDG PET/CTimaging are also able to detectRA‐complicated diseases. Therefore,PET/CThas become an excellent ancillary tool to assess disease activity and prognosis inRA.
Magnitude of efficacy measurements in grass allergy immunotherapy trials is highly dependent on pollen exposure
Authors: Durham S. R. , Nelson H. S. , Nolte H. , Bernstein D. I. , Creticos P. S. , Li Z. , Andersen J. S. 
Published: March 2014

AbstractBackgroundThe objective was to evaluate the association between grass pollen exposure, allergy symptoms and impact on measured treatment effect after grass sublingual immunotherapy (SLIT)‐tablet treatment.MethodsThe association between grass pollen counts and total combined rhinoconjunctivitis symptom and medication score (TCS) was based on a post hoc analysis of data collected over six trials and seven grass pollen seasons across North America and Europe, including 2363 subjects treated with grass SLIT‐tablet or placebo. Daily pollen counts were obtained from centralized pollen databases. The effect of treatment on the relationship between the TCS and pollen counts was investigated, and the relative difference between grass SLIT‐tablet and placebo as a function of average grass pollen counts was modelled by linear regression.ResultsThe magnitude of treatment effect based on TCS was greater with higher pollen exposure (P < 0.001). The relative treatment effect in terms of TCS for each trial was correlated with the average grass pollen exposure during the first period of the season, with predicted reduction in TCS = 12% + 0.35% × pollen count (slope significantly different from 0, P = 0.003; R2 = 0.66). Corresponding correlations to the entire grass pollen season and to the peak season were equally good, whereas there was a poor correlation between difference in measured efficacy and pollen exposure during the last part of the season.ConclusionsIn seasonal allergy trials with grass SLIT‐tablet, the observed treatment effect is highly dependent on pollen exposure with the magnitude being greater with higher pollen exposure. This is an important relationship to consider when interpreting individual clinical trial results.
Brain‐derived neurotrophic factor promotes angiogenic tube formation through generation of oxidative stress in human vascular endothelial cells
Authors: Usui T. , Naruo A. , Okada M. , Hayabe Y. , Yamawaki H. 
Published: March 2014

AbstractAimBrain‐derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), a major type of neurotrophins, plays a role in the regulation of synaptic function. Recent studies suggest that BDNF promotes angiogenesis through its specific receptor, tropomyosin‐related kinase B (TrkB). However, the detailed mechanisms for this still remain to be determined. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation contributes to the regulation of angiogenesis. Thus, we investigated the mechanisms by which BDNF regulates angiogenesis with focusing on ROS in cultured human vascular endothelial cells (ECs).Methods and resultsIn human umbilical vein ECs, BDNF increased ROS generation as measured fluorometrically using 2′ 7′‐dichlorofluorescein diacetate as well as NADPH oxidase (NOX) activity as measured by lucigenin assay. BDNF‐induced ROS generation and NOX activity were inhibited by K252a, a TrkB receptor inhibitor. BDNF induced phosphorylation of p47 phox, a regulatory component of NOX, which was inhibited by K252a as measured by Western blotting. BDNF increased angiogenic tube formation in ECs, which was completely inhibited by K252a or gp91ds‐tat, a NOX inhibitor. BDNF caused Akt phosphorylation in ECs, which was inhibited by K252a or gp91ds‐tat.ConclusionThe present results for the first time demonstrate that BDNF induces NOX‐derived ROS generation through activation of p47 phox in a TrkB receptor‐dependent manner, which leads to the promotion of angiogenic tube formation possibly via Akt activation.
The ameliorative effect of ascorbic acid on the oxidative status, live weight and recovery rate in road transport stressed goats in a hot humid tropical environment
Authors: Nwunuji Tanko Polycarp , Mayowa Opeyemi Onilude , Yusoff Sabri Mohd , Bejo Siti‐Khairani , Salisi Shahrom , Mohd Effendy Abd. Wahid 
Published: March 2014

AbstractThe ameliorative effect of ascorbic acid (AA) on live weight following transportation is vital in animal husbandry. This study investigated the influence ofAAon live weight, rectal temperature (rt), and oxidative status of transport stressed goats in a hot humid tropical environment. Twenty‐four goats were divided into four groups,A,B,CandDof six animals each. GroupAwere administeredAA100 mg/kg intramuscularly 30 min prior to 3.5 h transportation. GroupBwas administeredAAfollowing transportation. GroupCwere transported but not administeredAAas positive controls while groupDwere not transported but were administered normal saline as negative controls. Live weight, rt and blood samples were collected before, immediately post‐transport (pt), 24 h, 3 days, 7 days and 10 days pt. Plasma was used for malondialdehyde (MDA) analysis while hemolysates were used for superoxide dismutase (SOD) analysis. There was minimal live weight loss in group A compared to groupsBandC. GroupArecorded reducedMDAactivities and increasedSODactivities compared to groupsBandCwhich recorded significantly highMDAactivities. This study revealed thatAAadministration ameliorated the stress responses induced by transportation in animals in hot humid tropical environments. The administration ofAAto goats prior to transportation could ameliorate stress and enhance productivity.