bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Nitrous oxide emissions from pastures during wet and cold seasons
Authors: Uchida Yoshitaka , Clough Timothy J. 
Published: May 2015

AbstractGrazed pastures contribute significantly to the global nitrous oxide (N2O) budget. In grazed pastures, the highest N2O emission rates are often reported during winter when soils are wet. This review discusses the current knowledge about factors controlling winter N2O emissions in grazed pastures. High N2O emissions from pastures during winter are also observed from winter‐housed animal feeding systems. At near‐zero temperature, N2O producing microbial activity is limited but some soil microbial communities adjust to low temperature better than others. Soil microbiological studies focusing on the identification of cold‐tolerant denitrifiers and/or changes in microbial community structures under cold conditions are required. In winter‐grazed pastures, the availability of substrates, such as nitrate () and labile organic carbon (C), for soil microbes producing N2O is influenced by factors such as animal wintering system, effluent management systems and plant activity. When animals are housed, N2O emissions during the winter storage of manures and the emissions after their application are important contributors to N2O inventories. The activity of pasture during winter and its relationship to N2O emissions requires further study in order to understand the competition between plants and N2O producing microbes for nitrogen, and the role of root exudation. Additionally, the effect of low temperatures on nutrient availability under urine patches is still not well known. The reduction of N2O to dinitrogen is regulated by an enzyme N2O reductase and its encoding gene (nosZ) expression needs to be studied in more detail to investigate the mechanisms behind winter N2O emissions. To mitigate N2O emissions during winter, restricted grazing regimes and the use of nitrification inhibitors have been studied; however, little is known about the effectiveness of these methods in mitigating N2O emissions during freeze/thaw cycles and during periods of snow‐cover.
Brachial‐cephalic fistula recovered with drainage for the basilic vein: Case report
Authors: Sousa Clemente Neves , Norton de Matos António , Rocha Ana , Almeida Paulo , Xavier Eva 
Published: May 2015

AbstractVascular access is essential for the implementation of hemodialysis (HD). The arteriovenous fistula (AVF) can be constructed in various locations using various veins. However, the quality of the veins will influence the construction site, as well as the functioning of the AVF. Careful analysis of the vascular network allows options for the development of new fistulas presentations. We present and discuss the case of a woman aged 69 years in HD in which a brachial‐cephalic fistula with drainage to basilic vein was created, through rotation of the cephalic vein on the forearm level. This kind of access serves to prolong the time spent dialyzing through native fistulae, with their reduced complications and greater cost‐effectiveness.
Lived experiences of breast cancer survivors after diagnosis, treatment and beyond: qualitative study
Authors: Williams Faustine , Jeanetta Stephen C. 
Published: May 2015

AbstractBackgroundThe number of breast cancer survivors has increased since 1990 due to advances in biomedical technology that lead to an increase in early diagnosis and treatment. Research on survivorship has focused on the psychological and treatment aspects of the disease. The goal of this study was focused on exploring the lived experiences of breast cancer survivors from diagnosis, treatment and beyond.ObjectiveTo understand the lived experiences of women who are breast cancer survivors.Design, Setting and ParticipantsA purposive sampling strategy was used to recruit participants from two Missouri cancer centres. A total of 15 women breast cancer survivors were interviewed.FindingsThree major themes emerged that described the lived experiences of the women. These were factors from the diagnosis and treatment management impacting survivorship, relationship and support system and implication of survivorship. Participants noted that coping with the diagnosis and treatment was a stressful journey and required lots of adjustment and changes. Some developed various techniques such as journaling their activities which provided comfort. In addition, support from family was shared as the key which gave them strength and courage through the different stages of treatment. However, they found it difficult to articulate what survivorship meant.ConclusionUsing in‐depth interview techniques, this study shed light on the experiences of women who were diagnosed with breast cancer and have completed treatment. They acknowledged frustration with their diagnosis and body changes. Support received from family and friends helped them cope through their treatment. However, they felt abandoned once the treatment phase was over and were uncertain what survivorhood meant to them.
Patients' perspectives on the role of their complaints in the regulatory process
Authors: Bouwman Renée , Bomhoff Manja , Robben Paul , Friele Roland 
Published: May 2015

AbstractBackgroundGovernments in several countries are facing problems concerning the accountability of regulators in health care. Questions have been raised about how patients' complaints should be valued in the regulatory process. However, it is not known what patients who made complaints expect to achieve in the process of health‐care quality regulation.ObjectiveTo assess expectations and experiences of patients who complained to the regulator.DesignInterviews were conducted with 11 people, and a questionnaire was submitted to 343 people who complained to theDutchHealth‐careInspectorate. The Inspectorate handled 92 of those complaints. This decision was based on the idea that the Inspectorate should only deal with complaints that relate to ‘structural and severe’ problems.ResultsThe response rate was 54%. Self‐reported severity of physical injury of complaints that were not handled was significantly lower than of complaints that were. Most respondents felt that their complaint indicated a structural and severe problem that theInspectorate should act upon. The desire for penalties or personal satisfaction played a lesser role. Only a minority felt that their complaint had led to improvements in health‐care quality.ConclusionsPatients and the regulator share a common goal: improving health‐care quality. However, patients' perceptions of the complaints' relevance differ from the regulator's perceptions. Regulators should favour more responsive approaches, going beyond assessing against exclusively clinical standards to identify the range of social problems associated with complaints about health care. Long‐term learning commitment through public participation mechanisms can enhance accountability and improve the detection of problems in health care.
CAN THERE BE A BOURDIEUSIAN THEORY OF CRISIS? ON HISTORICAL CHANGE AND SOCIAL THEORY
Authors: Reed Isaac Ariail 
Published: May 2015

ABSTRACTPhilip Gorski's edited book engages the question of how Bourdieu's concepts can aid historical analysis, and in particular, account for change as well as reproduction. From a fascinating set of papers, this review essay takes special notice of two that theorize crisis. One, by Ivan Ermakoff, engages the question of whether disruption creates the opportunity for more conscious calculation on the part of actors; a second, by Gisele Sapiro, considers how a crisis reverberates through a specific field. This leads to further reflection on Bourdieu's work on power and the state, as well as a call for crisis hermeneutics in social theory.
Prostatic arterial embolization for the treatment of lower urinary tract symptoms as a result of large benign prostatic hyperplasia: A prospective single‐center investigation
Authors: Wang Maoqiang , Guo Liping , Duan Feng , Yuan Kai , Zhang Guodong , Li Kai , Yan Jieyu , Wang Yan , Kang Haiyan , Wang Zhijun 
Published: May 2015

ObjectiveTo evaluate the effectiveness and safety of prostatic arterial embolization as a primary treatment for patients with lower urinary tract symptoms as a result of large benign prostatic hyperplasia.MethodsA total of 64 patients with prostates >80 mL were included in the study. Prostatic arterial embolization was carried out using a combination of 50‐µm and 100‐µm particles. Clinical follow up was carried out using the International Prostate Symptom Score, quality of life, peak urinary flow, postvoid residual volume, International Index of Erectile Function Short Form, prostate‐specific antigen, and prostatic volume at 1, 3, 6 and every 6 months thereafter.ResultsProstatic arterial embolization was technically successful in 60 of 64 patients (93.8%). Follow‐up data were available for 60 patients with a mean of 18 months. A clinical improvement, defined as reduction of International Prostate Symptom Score and increase of peak urinary flow, at 1 month, 3 months, 6 months, 12 months and 24 months, was achieved in 95.0%, 95.0%, 93.3%, 92.6% and 90.5%, respectively. A total of 42 patients had completed the follow up at 24 months after prostatic arterial embolization. There was an improvement in terms of mean International Prostate Symptom Score (pre‐prostatic arterial embolization vs post‐prostatic arterial embolization 27.0 vs 8.0; P < 0.01), mean quality of life (5.5 vs 2.0; P < 0.01), mean peak urinary flow (7.0 vs 13.0; P < 0.01), mean postvoid residual volume (130 vs 45.0; P < 0.05) and prostatic volume (121.0 vs 71.5, reduction of 40.9%; P < 0.01) were significantly different with respect to baseline.ConclusionProstatic arterial embolization seems to be a safe and effective treatment method for patients with lower urinary tract symptoms as a result of large benign prostatic hyperplasia, and it might play an important role for patients in whom medical therapy has failed, who are not candidates for surgical treatment.
Iterated local search algorithms for the Euclidean Steiner tree problem in n dimensions
Authors: do Forte Vinícius Leal , Montenegro Flávio Marcelo Tavares , Brito José André de Moura , Maculan Nelson 
Published: May 2015

AbstractWe propose algorithmic frameworks based on the iterated local search (ILS) metaheuristic to obtain good‐quality solutions for the Euclidean Steiner tree problem (ESTP) in n dimensions. This problem consists in finding a tree with minimal total length that spans p points given in an n‐dimensional Euclidean space and, eventually, also some additional points whose insertion contributes to reduce the total length of the tree. These ILS approaches make use of both the tree enumeration structure, called topology‐describing vector, and the exact minimization step of a well‐known branch‐and‐bound method for the ESTP. Computational results are provided.
Infrared Radiation and Microwave Vacuum Combined Drying Kinetics and Quality of Raspberry
Authors: Si Xu , Chen Qinqin , Bi Jinfeng , Yi Jianyong , Zhou Linyan , Wu Xinye 
Published: May 2015

AbstractInfrared radiation and microwave vacuum combined drying (IR‐MVD) kinetics and quality of raspberries under different microwave powers (400, 600, 800 W) and vacuum pressures (45, 65, 85 kPa) were investigated. Drying processes were found to be well fitted with Henderson and Pabis model for infrared radiation drying (IRD) and Midilli model for microwave vacuum drying (MVD). Drying time was reduced and moisture effective diffusivity (Deff) was promoted with the increase of microwave power. In terms of vacuum pressure, the most rapid moisture diffusion was noted at 65 kPa. IR‐MVD led to brighter products but caused decreases in redness values. The highest a* value (11.33), lowest ΔE value (12.66) and largest h° value (9.01) were noted at the condition of 600 W and 85 kPa. No significant difference was found between crispness values for different IR‐MVD conditions. Good rehydration property was obtained under the strongest microwave power and the highest vacuum pressure. Additionally, anthocyanin losses happened and antioxidant activity declined during dehydration. The highest anthocyanin retention (66.24%) was obtained at the condition of 600 W and 65 kPa. The maximum retention of the antioxidant capacity determined by ABTS (2,2′‐azinobis‐(3‐ethylbenzthiazoline‐6‐sulfonic acid)), DPPH (1,1‐diphenyl‐2‐picrylhydrazyl) and FRAP (ferric reducing ability of plasma) were 72.12, 75.03 and 55.19%, respectively, at the vacuum pressure of 85 kPa and microwave power of 600 W. By comparison, the time IR‐MVD used was only 55.56% of IRD; moreover, raspberries dried by IR‐MVD showed 25.63% higher rehydration ratio, 2.4 times higher crispness value, 17.55% higher anthocyanin retention and 21.21% higher DPPH radical‐scavenging activity than IRD.Practical ApplicationsFresh raspberries, with juicy and soft texture, are highly perishable fruits and are frequently dehydrated so that they are available to consumers throughout the year. Dehydrated raspberries are also desirable as ingredients in dairy and bakery products. Infrared radiation and microwave vacuum combined drying (IR‐MVD) was adopted for raspberry dehydration in order to achieve dehydrated products with high drying efficiency and good quality. The effects of the drying parameters, including microwave powers and vacuum pressures, on the drying characteristics and quality of raspberries were studied. The results showed that drying under high microwave power increased drying rate. High vacuum pressure promoted better product color and rehydration property as well as anthocyanin preservation and antioxidant activity. IR‐MVD was proved to improve the rehydration properties, anthocyanin retention and antioxidant capacity of products in comparison with infrared radiation drying alone. Therefore, IR‐MVD is a promising method to promote drying efficiency and protect the quality of raspberries. The results of this study contribute to the technological application of IR‐MVD for raspberry dehydration and preservation.
Role of rice cytosolic hexokinase OsHXK7 in sugar signaling and metabolism
Authors: Kim Hyun‐Bi , Cho Jung‐Il , Ryoo Nayeon , Shin Dong‐Ho , Park Youn‐Il , Hwang Yong‐Sic , Lee Sang‐Kyu , An Gynheung , Jeon Jong‐Seong 
Published: May 2015

AbstractWe characterized the function of the rice cytosolic hexokinase OsHXK7 (Oryza sativa Hexokinase7), which is highly upregulated when seeds germinate under O2‐deficient conditions. According to transient expression assays that used the promoter:luciferase fusion construct, OsHXK7 enhanced the glucose (Glc)‐dependent repression of a rice α‐amylase gene (RAmy3D) in the mesophyll protoplasts of maize, but its catalytically inactive mutant alleles did not. Consistently, the expression of OsHXK7, but not its catalytically inactive alleles, complemented the Arabidopsis glucose insensitive2‐1 (gin2‐1) mutant, thereby resulting in the wild type characteristics of Glc‐dependent repression, seedling development, and plant growth. Interestingly, OsHXK7‐mediated Glc‐dependent repression was abolished in the O2‐deficient mesophyll protoplasts of maize. This result provides compelling evidence that OsHXK7 functions in sugar signaling via a glycolysis‐dependent manner under normal conditions, but its signaling role is suppressed when O2 is deficient. The germination of two null OsHXK7 mutants, oshxk7‐1 and oshxk7‐2, was affected by O2 deficiency, but overexpression enhanced germination in rice. This result suggests the distinct role that OsHXK7 plays in sugar metabolism and efficient germination by enforcing glycolysis‐mediated fermentation in O2‐deficient rice.
Team‐Based Learning for Midwifery Education
Authors: Moore‐Davis Tonia L. , Schorn Mavis N. , Collins Michelle R. , Phillippi Julia , Holley Sharon 
Published: May 2015

IntroductionMany US health care and education stakeholder groups, recognizing the need to prepare learners for collaborative practice in complex care environments, have called for innovative approaches in health care education. Team‐based learning is an educational method that relies on in‐depth student preparation prior to class, individual and team knowledge assessment, and use of small‐group learning to apply knowledge to complex scenarios. Although team‐based learning has been studied as an approach to health care education, its application to midwifery education is not well described.MethodsA master's‐level, nurse‐midwifery, didactic antepartum course was revised to a team‐based learning format. Student grades, course evaluations, and aggregate American Midwifery Certification Board examination pass rates for 3 student cohorts participating in the team‐based course were compared with 3 student cohorts receiving traditional, lecture‐based instruction.ResultsStudents had mixed responses to the team‐based learning format. Student evaluations improved when faculty added recorded lectures as part of student preclass preparation. Statistical comparisons were limited by variations across cohorts; however, student grades and certification examination pass rates did not change substantially after the course revision. Although initial course revision was time‐consuming for faculty, subsequent iterations of the course required less effort.DiscussionTeam‐based learning provides students with more opportunity to interact during on‐site classes and may spur application of knowledge into practice. However, it is difficult to assess the effect of the team‐based learning approach with current measures. Further research is needed to determine the effects of team‐based learning on communication and collaboration skills, as well as long‐term performance in clinical practice. This article is part of a special series of articles that address midwifery innovations in clinical practice, education, interprofessional collaboration, health policy, and global health.
Characterization of dopamine releasable and reserve pools in Drosophila larvae using ATP/P2X2‐mediated stimulation
Authors: Xiao Ning , Venton B. Jill 
Published: May 2015

AbstractDopaminergic signaling pathways are conserved between mammals and Drosophila, but the factors important for maintaining the functional pool of synaptic dopamine are not fully understood in Drosophila. In this study, we characterized the releasable and reserve dopamine pools in Drosophila larvae using ATP/P2X2‐mediated stimulation. Dopamine release was stable with stimulations performed at least every 5 min but decayed with stimulations performed 2 min apart or less, indicating the replenishment of the releasable pool occurred on a time scale between 2 and 5 min. Dopamine synthesis or uptake was pharmacologically inhibited with 3‐iodotyrosine and cocaine, respectively, to evaluate their contributions to maintain the releasable dopamine pool. We found that both synthesis and uptake were needed to maintain the releasable dopamine pool, with synthesis playing a major part in long‐term replenishment and uptake being more important for short‐term replenishment. These effects of synthesis and uptake on different time scales in Drosophila are analogous to mammals. However, unlike in mammals, cocaine did not activate a reserve pool of dopamine in Drosophila when using P2X2 stimulations. Our study shows that both synthesis and uptake replenish the releasable pool, providing a better understanding of dopamine regulation in Drosophila.
image
The maintenance of the releasable dopamine pool was examined in Drosophila larva. Both synthesis and uptake were needed to maintain the releasable dopamine pool, with synthesis being most important on a longer time scale and uptake on a shorter time scale. Dopamine release was stimulated by applying ATP which activated P2X2 channels specifically expressed in dopaminergic neurons.
Selective actions of Lynx proteins on different nicotinic acetylcholine receptors in the locust, Locusta migratoria manilensis
Authors: Wang Xin , Bao Haibo , Sun Huahua , Zhang Yixi , Fang Jichao , Liu Qinghong , Liu Zewen 
Published: May 2015

AbstractNicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs) are major neurotransmitter receptors and targets of neonicotinoid insecticides in the insect nervous system. The full function of nAChRs is often dependent on associated proteins, such as chaperones, regulators and modulators. Here, three Lynx (Ly‐6/neurotoxin) proteins, Loc‐lynx1, Loc‐lynx2 and Loc‐lynx3, were identified in the locust, Locusta migratoria manilensis. Co‐expression with Lynx resulted in a dramatic increase in agonist‐evoked macroscopic currents on nAChRs Locα1/β2 and Locα2/β2 in Xenopus oocytes, but no changes in agonist sensitivity. Loc‐lynx1 and Loc‐lynx3 only modulated nAChRs Locα1/β2 while Loc‐lynx2 modulated Locα2/β2 specifically. Meanwhile, Loc‐lynx1 induced a more significant increase in currents evoked by imidacloprid and epibatidine than Loc‐lynx3, and the effects of Loc‐lynx1 on imidacloprid and epibatidine were significantly higher than those on acetylcholine. Among three lynx proteins, only Loc‐lynx1 significantly increased [3H]epibatidine binding on Locα1/β2. The results indicated that Loc‐lynx1 had different modulation patterns in nAChRs compared to Loc‐lynx2 and Loc‐lynx3. Taken together, these findings indicated that three Lynx proteins were nAChR modulators and had selective activities in different nAChRs. Lynx proteins might display their selectivities from three aspects: nAChR subtypes, various agonists and different modulation patterns.
imageInsect Lynx (Ly‐6/neurotoxin) proteins act as the allosteric modulators on insect nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs), the important targets of insecticides. We found that insect lynx proteins showed their selectivities from at least three aspects: nAChR subtypes, various agonists and different modulation patterns.
Misconceptions about smoking in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus: a qualitative analysis
Authors: Chau Tin Kin , Fong Daniel Yee Tak , Chan Sophia Siu Chee , Wong Janet Yuen Ha , Li William Ho Cheung , Tan Kathryn Choon Beng , Leung Angela Yee Man , Wong David Chung Ngok , Leung Doris Yin Ping , Lam Tai Hing 
Published: May 2015

Aims and objectivesTo investigate the smoking behaviours, perceptions about quitting smoking and factors associated with intention to quit in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus.BackgroundSmoking causes type 2 diabetes mellitus. There has been limited research on the needs and concerns of smokers with type 2 diabetes mellitus about quitting smoking.DesignThe study used a qualitative design.MethodsPatients diagnosed with type 2 diabetes mellitus who had a history of smoking were recruited at the outpatient diabetic clinics of two major local hospitals in Hong Kong for a semi‐structured interview (n = 42), guided by the theory of planned behaviour.ResultsAt data saturation, 22 current smokers and 20 ex‐smokers with type 2 diabetes mellitus were recruited. The current smokers reported they had not quit smoking because of satisfaction with present health status, and misconceptions about the association between diabetes and smoking, and the perceived hazards of quitting. In contrast, ex‐smokers had a positive opinion about quitting smoking, accepted advice about quitting from health professionals and received more family support than current smokers. Psychological addiction and weight gain after cessation made quitting challenging.ConclusionsSatisfaction with health status, inadequate knowledge about the relationship between type 2 diabetes mellitus and smoking, and misconceptions about quitting smoking resulted in negative attitudes toward quitting by type 2 diabetes mellitus smokers. Smoking peers, psychological addiction and post‐cessation weight gain hindered the quitting process.Relevance to clinical practiceEducation on the causal link between smoking, type 2 diabetes mellitus and its complications is important to raise health awareness and counter misconceptions about quitting smoking. Behavioural counselling with weight control strategies should be part of a comprehensive smoking cessation intervention for type 2 diabetes mellitus smokers.