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Area-level factors may partly explain the heterogeneity in risk factors and disease distribution. Yet, there are a limited number of studies that focus on the development and validation of the area level construct and are primarily from high-income countries. The main objective of the study is to provide a methodological approach to construct and validate the area level construct, the Area Level Deprivation Index in low resource setting. A total of 14652 individuals from 11,203 households within 383 clusters (or areas) were selected from 2016-Nepal Demographic and Health survey. The index development involved sequential steps that included identification and screening of variables, variable reduction and extraction of the factors, and assessment of reliability and validity. Variables that could explain the underlying latent structure of area-level deprivation were selected from the dataset. These variables included: housing structure, household assets, and availability and accessibility of physical infrastructures such as roads, health care facilities, nearby towns, and geographic terrain. Initially, 26-variables were selected for the index development. A unifactorial model with 15-variables had the best fit to represent the underlying structure for area-level deprivation evidencing strong internal consistency (Cronbach's alpha = 0.93). Standardized scores for index ranged from 58.0 to 140.0, with higher scores signifying greater area-level deprivation. The newly constructed index showed relatively strong criterion validity with multi-dimensional poverty index (Pearson's correlation coefficient = 0.77) and relatively strong construct validity (Comparative Fit Index = 0.96; Tucker-Lewis Index = 0.94; standardized root mean square residual = 0.05; Root mean square error of approximation = 0.079). The factor structure was relatively consistent across different administrative regions. Area level deprivation index was constructed, and its validity and reliability was assessed. The index provides an opportunity to explore the area-level influence on disease outcome and health disparity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Micro aerial vehicles are making a large impact in applications such as search-and-rescue, package delivery, and recreation. Unfortunately, these diminutive drones are currently constrained to carrying small payloads, in large part because they use propellers optimized for larger aircraft and inviscid flow regimes. Fully realizing the potential of emerging microflyers requires next-generation propellers that are specifically designed for low Reynolds number conditions and that include new features advantageous in highly viscous flows. One aspect that has received limited attention in the literature is the addition of roughness to propeller blades as a method of reducing drag and increasing thrust. To investigate this possibility, we used direct numerical simulation to conduct a numerical investigation of smooth and rough propellers. Our results indicate that roughness produces a 2% increase in thrust and a 5% decrease in power relative to a baseline smooth propeller operating at the same Reynolds number of Rec = 6500, held constant by rotational speed. We complement our numerical findings using thrust-stand-based experiments of 3D-printed propellers identical to those of the numerical simulations. Our study indicates that surface roughness is an additional parameter within the design space for micro-propellers, which may offer improved drone efficiencies and payloads. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims: Prazosin is an antihypertensive medication which can be used to help with post‐traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms. Little data is currently available on its safety in pregnancy. The aim of this study was to assess the fetal and pregnancy safety associated with prazosin exposures in early pregnancy. Methods: Subjects were 11 patients who took prazosin during pregnancy and were counselled at the FRAME clinic in London Health Sciences Centre (Ontario, Canada) between 1 January 2000 and 31 December 2021. Data on their other exposures and pregnancy outcomes were collected from medical records and through telephone questionnaires. Results: It was found that 6/11 (54.5%) subjects did not report any adverse outcomes and experienced uneventful pregnancies. There were two miscarriages. Birthweights were within the normal range for the remaining nine pregnancies. Adverse events reported were consistent with background population expectation, including: one postpartum haemorrhage, one case of preeclampsia, one preterm birth, two NICU admissions, and two caesarean sections. Conclusions: For these 11 subjects, pregnancy outcomes after exposure to prazosin were consistent with typical outcomes from unexposed pregnancies. More data are needed to conclude that prazosin is safe for use in pregnant subjects. However, the lack of adverse effects above baseline is reassuring to future patients who may be unintentionally exposed to prazosin while pregnant. Therefore, this study contributes valuable data towards monitoring safety of prazosin in pregnancy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Study Question: Does AZD5904, a myeloperoxidase inhibitor (MPOi), have any effect on human sperm function in vitro?Summary Answer: AZD5904 improves sperm function in an in vitro model of oxidative stress (OS) and potentially offers a novel treatment approach for male infertility.What Is Known Already: Male infertility is an underlying or contributory cause in half of all couples experiencing difficulties conceiving, yet there is currently no effective treatment or cure. OS is a common pathology in a significant proportion of infertile men. It can negatively affect sperm motility and the ability to fertilize a mature oocyte, as well as DNA integrity, and therefore represents an attractive target for therapeutic intervention.Study Design, Size, Duration: This study included population-based samples from men (23-50 years) attending Ninewells Assisted Conception Unit, Dundee for diagnostic semen analysis, July 2017-September 2018. Semen samples (n = 47) from 45 patients were used.Participants/materials, Setting, Methods: Neutrophils activated using zymosan were incubated with prepared human spermatozoa for 2 h (T2) and 24 h (T24) to create an in vitro model of OS. Parallel samples were co-incubated with AZD5904, an MPOi, to examine its effects. Sperm motility was assessed by computer-assisted sperm analysis at T2 and T24. Functional motility was assessed by sperm penetration assay. Statistical analysis was performed using GraphPad Prism.Main Results and the Role Of Chance: There was no significant difference in total or progressive sperm motility between any treatment and control groups at T2 or T24. Nonetheless, significant positive effects on sperm function were observed with AZD5904, with 16/45 (35.6%) samples (with both normal and abnormal baseline semen analysis characteristics) displaying a ≥20% increase in sperm penetrated through viscous media (P < 0.003).Limitations, Reasons For Caution: This was an in vitro study.Wider Implications Of the Findings: Treatment with AZD5904 resulted in significant increased sperm penetration in one of three samples treated, which is likely to represent improvement in sperm function required for fertilization. We are now planning a clinical trial to validate these results and hope that this could represent a new treatment for male infertility.Study Funding/competing Interest(s): AZD5904 was shared through the AstraZeneca Open Innovation program. The study was funded by AstraZeneca and sponsored by the University of Dundee. Additional funding was provided by Chief Scientist Office/NHS Research Scotland (S.J.M.d.S.). A.W. and H.J.S. are both full time employees of AstraZeneca. A.W. and H.J.S. are inventors on a patent filed by AstraZeneca titled MPOi for use in medicine which includes MPOi for use in the treatment of male infertility (WO 2019/016074 Al). S.J.M.d.S. is Associate Editor of Human Reproduction and Editorial Board member of Reproduction & Fertility. C.L.R.B. is Editor of RBMO and has received lecturing fees from Merck and Ferring and is on the Scientific Advisory Panel for Ohana BioSciences. C.L.R.B. was chair of the World Health Organization Expert Synthesis Group on Diagnosis of Male infertility (2012-2016). C.L.R.B. has a patent WO2013054111 A1 issued. The other authors declare no conflict of interest.Trial Registration Number: N/A. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Context: Lamb producers are currently limited in their ability to make informed on-farm management changes with respect to disease and defects identified at processing. This is due to the limited accuracy and detail of information included in disease and defect feedback supplied by processors. Increasing transparency of the feedback can allow producers to make more informed on-farm decisions, and, subsequently, improve productivity and animal welfare. Aims: Using arthritis as a case study, the aim was to develop a scoring system that estimates hot standard carcass weight (HSCW) losses due to trimming at processing, so as to improve feedback to lamb producers. Methods: An observational cross-sectional study was conducted at a southern New South Wales commercial processing facility, over 6 months and in five week-long blocks, from 21 February 2019 to 5 July 2019. Carcass trim components removed due to the presence of arthritis (shank or leg) were recorded for 217 of the 42 164 lamb carcasses processed. Utilising average lot HSCWs, the total proportion of HSCW lost due to arthritis trimming (TPL) was calculated for each arthritic carcass. Linear regression analysis, with a logit-transform of TPL, was fitted to the data. Key results: Processing lot and trim-component category were found to be significant (P << 0.001) explanatory variables for variation in TPL. Trim-component categories that were not significantly (P > 0.05) different were combined, with final categories being assigned arthritis trim scores as follows: 1, any forequarter shank; 2, any hindquarter shank; 3, any forequarter leg; and 4, any hindquarter leg. At an over-the-hooks carcass price of AU$7.83/kg and an average HSCW of 23.13 kg, these scores were used to estimate producer revenue losses per carcass (range AU$2.95–AU$18.08). Conclusions: The accuracy and detail of information provided as feedback to lamb producers can be improved. For arthritis, this can be achieved using a trim-scoring system. Implications: Altering feedback to include HSCW losses for processed lots in both kilograms and dollars against the associated disease or defect will better equip producers to make cost-effective on-farm management changes and reduce the impact on the lamb supply chain. Ten of the most important disease and defects are estimated to cost the Australian small-stock industries AU$110 million per annum. Current disease and defect feedback provided to lamb producers is limited in informing corrective management changes on farm. In response to this, an arthritis trim-scoring system was developed, which estimates carcass losses and producer revenue loss encountered at processing. Such a system can be used by processors to provide more informative and accurate feedback to producers, enabling cost-effective management changes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Streptococcus mutans and Candida albicans exhibit a symbiotic relationship to form polymicrobial biofilms that exacerbate oral infections including early‐childhood caries, periodontitis and candidiasis. Rhamnus prinoides (gesho) has traditionally been used for the treatment of a variety of illnesses and was recently found to inhibit Gram‐positive bacterial biofilm formation. We hypothesized that Rhamnus prinoides extracts have anti‐biofilm activity against S. mutans and C. albicans mono‐ and dual‐species biofilms. Ethanol extracts were prepared from gesho stems and leaves; then anti‐biofilm activity was assessed using crystal violet, resazurin and XTT staining. Ethanol extracts significantly inhibited Streptococcus mutans and Candida albicans mono‐species biofilm formation up to 97 and 75%, respectively. The stem ethanol extract disrupted S. mutans and C. albicans co‐culture synergism, with 98% less polymicrobial biofilm formation than the untreated control. Additionally, this extract inhibited planktonic S. mutans cell growth and decreased biofilm polysaccharide production up to 99%. The reduction in polysaccharide production is likely a contributing factor in the anti‐biofilm activity of GSE. These findings indicate that gesho or gesho‐derived compounds may have potential as additives to oral hygiene products. Significance and Impact of the Study: Oral Streptococcus mutans and Candida albicans biofilms are associated with a variety of illnesses. When occurring together, the resulting infections are especially challenging to treat due to enhanced biofilm formation and antibiotic resistance. More therapeutics that can effectively prevent polymicrobial biofilm formation and disrupt interspecies synergism are needed. Rhamnus prinoides ethanol extracts significantly inhibited dual‐species biofilm formation and disrupted interspecies synergism. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives Refugees are most vulnerable to mental health problems of all migrant groups, and an understanding of the role of postdisplacement social factors in refugee emotional well-being can help to shape the future interventions for this group. We aimed to investigate the effect of social determinants, such as employment, language ability and accommodation, on mental health in refugees in the UK. Study design This prospective longitudinal cohort study was set in the UK. The study population of new UK refugees was drawn from an existing data set of the Longitudinal Survey of New Refugees (n = 5678), in which all new UK refugees (2005-2007) were sent a postal questionnaire at four time points across 2 years. Methods Ordered logistic regression models were used to evaluate associations between social determinants and the dependent variables, emotional well-being or change in emotional well-being, using a question from the Short Form-36 Health Survey Questionnaire. Results Refugees who were unemployed in the UK, could not speak English well or were unsatisfied with their accommodation had significantly higher odds of poorer emotional well-being in the cross-sectional analysis (P < 0.05 at all time points measured). Conclusions Postdisplacement social factors, including language ability, employment status and accommodation satisfaction, were important determinants of refugee emotional well-being. Changes in these social determinants have the potential to improve refugee mental health, making them legitimate, modifiable targets for important public health interventions. Accounting for this, further research into how to improve refugee well-being is crucial given the increase in refugee numbers around the developed world. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: This paper assesses whether cloning horses is ethical by reviewing ethical arguments against cloning of nonequine species and determining whether they apply to horses, analysing ethical arguments about horse cloning which do not apply to noncompetitive species and considering the ethical dilemmas faced by veterinarians involved in horse cloning. The author concludes that concerns about the health and welfare of cloned horses render the technique ethically problematic and that the onus is on those providing commercial equine cloning services to collate data and provide a stronger evidence base for ethical decision‐making. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article reviews of some of the key topics and challenges in quality, safety, and the measurement and improvement of outcomes in anaesthesia. The topics were selected based on the perspective of an individual with quality and safety expertise and recent experience of the specialty in both the UK and USA. The review does not seek to be exhaustive or systematic, but to highlight current areas of concern and potential solutions. The topic is subdivided into sections where the system of health care is viewed from different levels. These levels are as follows: the microsystem or patient and individual clinician perspective; the meso or hospital perspective; and the macro or government and policy perspective. Topics covered include medication safety, changes in approaches to patient safety, payment reform, longer term measurement of outcomes, large-scale improvement programmes, the ageing population, and burnout. The article begins with a section on the success of the specialty of anaesthesia in improving the quality, safety, and outcomes for our patients, and ends with a look to future developments, including greater use of technology and patient engagement. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We have developed and built a small porous-plug burner based on the original McKenna burner design. The new burner generates a laminar premixed flat flame for use in studies of combustion chemistry and soot formation. The size is particularly relevant for space-constrained, synchrotronbased X-ray diagnostics. In this paper, we present details of the design, construction, operation, and supporting infrastructure for this burner, including engineering attributes that enable its small size. We also present data for charactering the flames produced by this burner. These data include temperature profiles for three premixed sooting ethylene/air flames (equivalence ratios of 1.5, 1.8, and 2.1); temperatures were recorded using direct one-dimensional coherent Raman imaging. We include calculated temperature profiles, and, for one of these ethylene/air flames, we show the carbon and hydrogen content of heavy hydrocarbon species measured using an aerosol mass spectrometer coupled with vacuum ultraviolet photoionization (VUV-AMS) and soot-volume-fraction measurements obtained using laser-induced incandescence. In addition, we provide calculated mole-fraction profiles of selected gas-phase species and characteristic profiles for seven mass peaks from AMS measurements. Using these experimental and calculated results, we discuss the differences between standard McKenna burners and the new miniature porous-plug burner introduced here. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Historically, community engagement (CE) in research has been implemented in the fields of public health, education and agricultural development. In recent years, international discussions on the ethical and practical goals of CE have been extended to human genomic research and biobanking, particularly in the African context. While there is some consensus on the goals and value of CE generally, questions remain about the effectiveness of CE practices and how to evaluate this. Under the auspices of the Human Heredity and Health in Africa Initiative (H3Africa), the H3Africa CE working group organized a workshop in Stellenbosch, South Africa in March 2016 to explore the extent to which communities should be involved in genomic research and biobanking and to examine various methods of evaluating the effectiveness of CE. In this paper, we present the key themes that emerged fromthe workshop and make a case for the development of a rigorous application, evaluation and learning around approaches for CE that promote a more systematic process of engaging relevant communities. We highlight the key ways in which CE should be embedded into genomic research and biobanking projects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Deformation patterns of Paleozoic and Mesozoic strata in eastern Australia are evidence of a structural and tectonic history that included multiple periods of deformation with variable strain intensities and orientations. Detailed analysis of structural data from the Bowen Basin in northeastern Australia reveals previously undescribed, north–south elongate, Type-1 fold-interference patterns. The Bowen Basin structures have similar orientations to previously described interference patterns of equivalent scale in upper Paleozoic strata of the New England Orogen and Sydney Basin of eastern Australia. The east Australian folds with north–south-trending axes most likely formed during late stages of the Permian–Triassic Hunter–Bowen Orogeny, and they were subsequently refolded around east–west axes during post 30 Ma collision of the Indo-Australian plate with the Eurasian and Pacific plates. The younger, east–west-trending folds have orientations that are well aligned with the present-day horizontal stress field of much of eastern Australia, raising the possibility that they are active structures. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

We have designed and constructed a Hencken-type burner that produces a 38-mm-long linear laminar partially premixed co-flow diffusion flame. This burner was designed to produce a linear flame for studies of soot chemistry, combining the benefit of the conventional Hencken burner's laminar flames with the advantage of the slot burner's geometry for optical measurements requiring a long interaction distance. It is suitable for measurements using optical imaging diagnostics, line-of-sight optical techniques, or off-axis optical-scattering methods requiring either a long or short path length through the flame. This paper presents details of the design and operation of this new burner. We also provide characterization information for flames produced by this burner, including relative flow-field velocities obtained using hot-wire anemometry, temperatures along the centerline extracted using direct one-dimensional coherent Raman imaging, soot volume fractions along the centerline obtained using laser-induced incandescence and laser extinction, and transmission electron microscopy images of soot thermophoretically sampled from the flame. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article introduces an algorithm that determines the thermodynamic conditions behind incident and reflected shocks in aerosol-laden flows. Importantly, the algorithm accounts for the effects of droplet evaporation on post-shock properties. Additionally, this article describes an algorithm for resolving the effects of multiple-component-fuel droplets. This article presents the solution methodology and compares the results to those of another similar shock calculator. It also provides examples to show the impact of droplets on post-shock properties and the impact that multi-component fuel droplets have on shock experimental parameters. Finally, this paper presents a detailed uncertainty analysis of this algorithm's calculations given typical experimental uncertainties. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We report on the design, construction and evaluation of a low-cost digital environmental monitoring system based on a popular micro-computer board and mass market digital sensors. The system is based around the use of open source software and readily available digital sensors, providing key parameters required for environmentally-controlled calibration laboratories: air temperature, pressure and humidity. Each system logs data at set intervals with front-panel display, web page graphical display and email alerting when exceeding set tolerances. The sensors have been calibrated at the National Physical Laboratory using standards traceable to the SI. Long term stability of the system is estimated and in addition to monitoring of laboratory environments for regulatory purposes, the systems can also be used to provide on-demand values for local refractive index with an expanded ( k = 2) uncertainty of 1.1 × 10 −7 as required for many optical-based measuring systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Several techniques have been developed for obtaining long, constant-pressure test times in reflected shock wave experiments in a shock tube, including the use of driver inserts, driver gas tailoring, helium gas diaphragm interfaces, driver extensions, and staged driver gas filling. These techniques are detailed here, including discussion on the most recent strategy, staged driver gas filling. Experiments indicate that this staged filling strategy increases available test time by roughly 20 % relative to single-stage filling of tailored driver gas mixtures, while simultaneously reducing the helium required per shock by up to 85 %. This filling scheme involves firstly mixing a tailored helium-nitrogen mixture in the driver section as in conventional driver filling and, secondly, backfilling a low-speed-of-sound gas such as nitrogen or carbon dioxide from a port close to the end cap of the driver section. Using this staged driver gas filling, in addition to the other techniques listed above, post-reflected shock test times of up to 0.102 s (102 ms) at 524 K and 1.6 atm have been obtained. Spectroscopically based temperature measurements in non-reactive mixtures have confirmed that temperature and pressure conditions remain constant throughout the length of these long test duration trials. Finally, these strategies have been used to measure low-temperature n-heptane ignition delay times. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Texas Orocline is a prominent orogenic curvature that developed during the early Permian in the southern New England Orogen. Outliers preserving lower Permian sedimentary successions (Bondonga, Silver Spur, Pikedale, Terrica, Alum Rock and Ashford beds) approximately outline the oroclinal structure, but the tectonic processes responsible for the development of these basinal successions, and their relationships to the Texas Orocline, are unclear. Here we address this shortcoming by providing new U–Pb detrital and primary zircon ages from these successions, as well as detailed stratigraphic and structural data from the largest exposed succession (Bondonga beds). Field observations and U–Pb geochronological data suggest that the lower Permian successions in the Texas Orocline are remnants of a single, formerly larger basin that was deposited afterca302 Ma. Time constraints for formation of this basin are correlative with constraints from the lower Permian Nambucca Block, which was likely deposited in response to regional back-arc extension during and/or after the development of the Texas Orocline. The conclusion that the lower Permian sedimentary basins in the Texas Orocline belong to this back-arc extensional system supports the suggestion that oroclinal bending in the New England Orogen was primarily controlled by trench retreat and associated overriding-plate extension. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cluster randomized trials are increasingly common in general practice (family medicine). This paper will consider the design and analysis of such trials and emphasize the similarities and differences with trials in education, heath promotion and public health. Issues discussed are the estimation and range of values of the intra-cluster correlation coefficient found in general practice, and the associated sample size problems. There are problems with widely varying numbers of subjects per cluster, which leads to planning and analysis difficulties. Ethical issues in these trials, and considerations such as the principle of intention to treat are also considered. An example of the type of analysis available for a continuous outcome variable is given, and the available software is summarized briefly. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Welfare problems related to the way horses are bred, whether by coitus or by the application of artificial reproduction techniques (ARTs), have been given no discrete consideration within the academic literature. This paper reviews the existing knowledge base about welfare issues in horse breeding and identifies areas in which data is lacking. We suggest that all methods of horse breeding are associated with potential welfare problems, but also that the judicious use of ARTs can sometimes help to address those problems. We discuss how negative welfare effects could be identified and limited and how positive welfare effects associated with breeding might be maximised. Further studies are needed to establish an evidence base about how stressful or painful various breeding procedures are for the animals involved, and what the lifetime welfare implications of ARTs are for future animal generations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To compare the glycemic and metabolic responses to simulated intermittent games activity and continuous running exercise in type 1 diabetes. Nine patients (seven male, two female; 35 ± 4 years; HbA1c 8.1 ± 0.2%/65 ± 2 mmol/mol) treated on a basal-bolus regimen completed two main trials, a continuous treadmill run ( CON) or an intermittent running protocol ( INT). Patients arrived to the laboratory fasted at ∼ 08:00 h, replicating their usual pre-exercise meal and administering a 50% reduced dose of rapid-acting insulin before exercising. Blood glucose ( BG), K+, Na++, pH, triglycerides, serum cortisol and NEFA were measured at baseline and for 60 min post-exercise. Interstitial glucose was measured for a further 23 h under free-living conditions. Following exercise, BG declined under both conditions but was less under INT ( INT −1.1 ± 1.4 vs CON −5.3 ± 0.4 mmol/L, P = 0.037), meaning more patients experienced hypoglycemia ( BG ≤ 3.5 mmol/L; CON n = 3 vs INT n = 2) but less hyperglycemia ( BG ≥ 10.9 mmol/L; CON n = 0 vs INT n = 6) under CON. Blood lactate was significantly greater, and pH lower, with a temporal delay in K+ under INT ( P < 0.05). No conditional differences were observed in other measures during this time, or in interstitial glucose concentrations during the remaining 23 h after exercise. Simulated games activity carries a lower risk of early, but not late-onset hypoglycemia than continuous running exercise in type 1 diabetes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: The determinants of health and mortality inequalities in New Zealand and Australia have been subjected to research, with the influence of a range of socio-economic and demographic influences (deprivation, social class, ethnicity) receiving notable attention. Both countries are considered privileged, positioned amongst the world leaders in rankings of mortality and life expectancy. This paper reports on observed rates of mortality and views how the countries have fared over time with respect to one another. Study design, observational, methods: This study derives comparable rates of mortality for both New Zealand and Australia, disaggregated by age and sex for the time period 1948-2008. The age-standardised rates are visualised using the Lexis mapping software program, showing the relative differences between the countries over time whilst simultaneously highlighting age, period and cohort effects. Results: Relative to Australia, New Zealand had advantageous rates of mortality across almost all age groups between the years 1948 and 1980 (approximately). For both sexes, a dramatic reversal of fortunes in New Zealand has followed relative to Australia. For example, for younger males in New Zealand, the reversal is startling. Over the time period observed, males aged 10-20 years in New Zealand have moved from an advantageous position of having a mortality rate 20% lower than Australia to a relative position of 50% higher. Conclusions: The social and economic forces in both New Zealand and Australia which may have driven the divergence require further scrutiny. It is argued here, that the changing fortunes of the populations are linked to the process of selective migration and the largescale population movements between the countries facilitated by the Trans-Tasman Travel Arrangement. These findings have important implications for policy formation and service planning, if the inequality in mortality between the areas of study is to be addressed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We investigate the various methods currently available for distinguishing between the Central Pacific (CP) El Niño (or 'El Niño Modoki') and the canonical El Niño by considering nine different methods and five sea surface temperature (SST) datasets from 1880 to 2010. This is aimed to demonstrate the variety which exists between different classification methods as well as to help identify years which can be more confidently classified as CP events. Classifying CP El Niños based on the greatest convergence between methods and between SST datasets provides a more robust identification of these events. Analysis of the SST patterns of the CP years identified demonstrates several misclassifications, stressing the importance of not relying solely on indices. After removal, 14 years which are classified the most consistently as CP events include the following: 1885/1886, 1914/1915, 1940/1941, 1958/1959, 1963/1964, 1968/1969, 1977/1978, 1986/1987, 1990/1991, 1991/1992, 1994/1995, 2002/2003, 2003/2004, and 2004/2005. Our findings also indicate the intermittent appearance of CP events throughout the time period investigated, inciting the role of multidecadal natural climate variability in generating CP El Niños. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Tackling smoking is an integral component of efforts to improve health outcomes in Aboriginal communities. Social marketing is an effective strategy for promoting healthy attitudes and influencing behaviours; however, there is little evidence for its success in reducing smoking rates in Aboriginal communities. This paper outlines the development, implementation and evaluation of Kick the Habit Phase 2, an innovative tobacco control social marketing campaign in Aboriginal communities in New South Wales (NSW). The Aboriginal Health & Medical Research Council worked with three Aboriginal communities and a creative agency to develop locally tailored, culturally relevant social marketing campaigns. Each community determined the target audience and main messages, and identified appropriate local champions and marketing tools. Mixed methods were used to evaluate the campaign, including surveys and interviews with community members and Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Service staff. Community survey participants demonstrated high recall of smoking cessation messages, particularly for messages and images specific to the Kick the Habit campaign. Staff participating in interviews reported an increased level of interest from community members in smoking cessation programs, as well as increased confidence and skills in developing further social marketing campaigns. Aboriginal community-driven social marketing campaigns in tobacco control can build capacity, are culturally relevant and lead to high rates of recall in Aboriginal communities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A new technique to ameliorate the effects of barotrauma was tested based on observations of pink snapper, Pagrus auratus (Forster), inadvertently piercing their everted stomach with their teeth and releasing trapped swim bladder gases. This technique was termed buccal venting and involved piercing the everted stomach protruding into the buccal cavity or out of the mouth with a 16-gauge hypodermic needle (a practice previously not encouraged). Short-term (~3 days) survival of buccal-vented fish was not significantly different from laterally vented fish nor untreated controls. Both buccal and lateral venting techniques were shown to cause no harm and allowed fish to return to depth. The short-term (1-3 days) post-release survival of line caught snapper was 88% with no significant difference in survival across three depth ranges tested (37-50, 51-100 and 101-180 m). Survival of sublegal pink snapper (<35 cm TL) was not significantly different (P > 0.05) from that of legal-sized fish (≥35 cm TL). Healing of the swim bladder was observed in 27% of pink snapper dissected after ≤3 days in captivity, and healing of stomachs was observed in 64% of pink snapper that had been buccal vented. Relatively high post-release survival rates of line caught pink snapper may offer some protection for snapper stocks where high fishing pressure and legal size restrictions result in the majority of the catch having to be released. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Performing a surgical procedure in weightlessness has been shown not to be any more difficult than in a 1g environment if the requirements for the restraint of the patient, operator, and surgical hardware are observed. The feasibility of performing a laparoscopic surgical procedure in weightlessness, however, has been questionable. Concerns have included the impaired visualization from the lack of gravitational retraction of the bowel and from floating debris such as blood.Methods: In this project, laparoscopic surgery was performed on a porcine animal model in the weightlessness of parabolic flight.Results: Visualization was unaffected due to the tethering of the bowel by the elastic mesentery and the strong tendency for debris and blood to adhere to the abdominal wall due to surface tension forces.Conclusions: There are advantages to performing a laparoscopic instead of an open surgical procedure in a weightless environment. These will become important as the laparoscopic support hardware is miniaturized from its present form, as laparoscopic technology becomes more advanced, and as more surgically capable crew medical officers are present in future long-duration space-exploration missions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Embryo transfer ( ET) is an accepted and successful technique for obtaining foals from mares without interrupting their competition careers. Recent research, however, suggests that the potential of factors including heat, exercise, repeated embryo flushing and repeated manipulation of the reproductive cycle using exogenous hormones to have a negative impact on fertility may have been underestimated. This paper reviews the evidence base for involvement of these factors in repeated failures to recover embryos from nongeriatric competition mares without obvious clinical or pathological indications of reproductive abnormalities. It concludes that, for some mares at least, a cessation of exercise for the periovulatory period and the period between ovulation and embryo flushing, combined with careful management of flushing-induced endometritis, and minimal hormonal manipulation of the reproductive cycle, may be necessary to optimise embryo recovery rates. Mare owners may have been encouraged to request ET for their mares following high-profile examples in the media of elite mares that have produced foals by ET whilst competing. The veterinarian should educate mare owners about the multiple factors that may affect the chances of recovering an embryo from their mares, and should manage the expectations of mare owners so that they do not approach ET programmes in the expectation that there will be no disruption to their training and competition plans. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We have developed a shock tube that features a sliding gate valve in order to mechanically constrain the reactive test gas mixture to an area close to the shock tube endwall, separating it from a specially formulated non-reactive buffer gas mixture. This second-generation Constrained Reaction Volume (CRV) strategy enables near-constant-pressure shock tube test conditions for reactive experiments behind reflected shocks, thereby enabling improved modeling of the reactive flow field. Here we provide details of the design and operation of the new shock tube. In addition, we detail special buffer gas tailoring procedures, analyze the buffer/test gas interactions that occur on gate valve opening, and outline the size range of fuels that can be studied using the CRV technique in this facility. Finally, we present example low-temperature ignition delay time data to illustrate the CRV shock tube's performance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: To investigate the recent epidemiological patterns and costs of road traffic casualties (RTCs) in Strathclyde, Scotland. Study design: Retrospective record-linkage epidemiological study using routine data sources. Methods: A linked police-hospital database was analysed to describe the epidemiology of RTCs from 2004 to 2009. Using UK government methodology, the costs of road casualties to the National Health Service (NHS) and society were assessed. Results: RTC rates declined over the study period. Males were at higher risk than females as were those residing in more socially deprived addresses. The estimated costs of RTCs in Strathclyde amounted to £400 million annually. Of this, around one twentieth (£20 million per year), was attributable to direct NHS costs. Conclusions: Road casualties remain a major public health threat in Strathclyde, and contribute to health inequalities. RTC costs to society amount to almost a tenth of NHS revenue expenditure. Cost-effective road safety measures should be deployed more widely. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Psychological therapies with a proven efficacy in the general population are being adapted for use with people who have intellectual disabilities in community settings. Methods A systematic review of peer-reviewed literature published between 1980 and 2010 was carried out, to identify the evidence base for effective psychological interventions in challenging behaviour. Relevant databases were searched using applied key terms. Evidence was graded, according to the quality of the research. A best-evidence Matrix was produced to improve guidance for service providers and practitioners in the range, volume and quality of psychological interventions. Results There is a limited amount of efficacy research that meets the most stringent standards of empirical evidence. Conclusions It is important to broaden the evidence base and consider the context of psychological interventions, alongside the values underpinning care and treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mitochondrial genetic variability among populations of the blackfish genus Dallia (Esociformes) across Beringia was examined. Levels of divergence and patterns of geographic distribution of mitochondrial DNA lineages were characterized using phylogenetic inference, median-joining haplotype networks, Bayesian skyline plots, mismatch analysis and spatial analysis of molecular variance ( SAMOVA) to infer genealogical relationships and to assess patterns of phylogeography among extant mitochondrial lineages in populations of species of Dallia. The observed variation includes extensive standing mitochondrial genetic diversity and patterns of distinct spatial segregation corresponding to historical and contemporary barriers with minimal or no mixing of mitochondrial haplotypes between geographic areas. Mitochondrial diversity is highest in the common delta formed by the Yukon and Kuskokwim Rivers where they meet the Bering Sea. Other regions sampled in this study host comparatively low levels of mitochondrial diversity. The observed levels of mitochondrial diversity and the spatial distribution of that diversity are consistent with persistence of mitochondrial lineages in multiple refugia through the last glacial maximum. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A study was conducted to determine serum copper (Cu) concentrations and hematological values of 174 sheep from four medium sized farms, pertaining to physiological stage, in the late dry and late wet seasons of Central Trinidad. Serum Cu was significantly lower in the dry than in the wet season (P < 0.001) with a corresponding high percentage of samples with low Cu levels in the former. 31% of dry nonpregnant sheep exhibited a nonregenerative anaemia. Also, hemoglobin and packed cell volume values varied (P < 0.001) including lymphocyte (P < 0.01) counts, among growing animals compared with other physiological stages. Significant variations also occurred among neutrophil (P < 0.05) and eosinophil (P < 0.05) values in sheep. Highest haemoglobin and packed cell volume, white blood cell counts, and lymphocyte values in growing sheep compared with other stages were probably age related. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

There is little information regarding the presentation, biologic behaviour, treatment and prognosis in cats with chronic lymphocytic leukaemia ( CLL), and further investigation is needed to characterize this disease in cats. The goal of this study was to describe the clinical presentation, response to treatment and prognosis of feline CLL. A multi-institutional retrospective study of 18 cats diagnosed with CLL between 2000 and 2010 was performed. CLL was defined as the presence of a mature lymphocytosis ( >9000 lymphocytes µL−1) and confirmation of an immunophenotypically monomorphic or clonal lymphoid population. Each patient was required to also have at least one of the two following criteria: (1) concurrent cytopenia of at least one cell line and/or (2) >15% mature lymphocytes in the bone marrow. Data on signalment, history, clinical signs, clinicopathologic features and response to treatment were reviewed. Median age of the cats at initial presentation was 12.5 years (range: 5-20 years). The most common presenting complaint was chronic weight loss, which was present in 8/18 (44%) cats. Sixteen of 18 (89%) cats were treated with chlorambucil and prednisolone; four of these cats also received vincristine. Two (11%) cats were treated with multi-agent injectable chemotherapy ( L- CHOP, l-asparaginase, cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, vincristine, prednisolone). Eighty-eight percent of cats evaluable for response achieved a complete (nine cats) or partial (six cats) remission. Median overall remission was 15.7 months (range: 1.3-22.8 months). The median overall survival in the 17 cats with follow-up data was 14.4 months (range: 0.9-25.3 months). Results of this study suggest that CLL affects older-aged cats and responds favourably to treatment with oral chlorambucil and prednisolone. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The author reflects on the human use and abuse of horses in equestrian sport. The author mentions that the use of animal becomes an abuse if welfare standards are not met. The author notes that ethical and reasonable use of horses for sport requires the identification of the causes of risk and development of ways to minimise the risk.

Abstract: Objective: To investigate the association between fast-food restaurant density and adult body mass index (BMI) in Canada. Methods: Individual-level BMI and confounding variables were obtained from the 2007–2008 Canadian Community Health Survey master file. Locations of the fast-food and full-service chain restaurants and other non-chain restaurants were obtained from the 2008 Infogroup Canada business database. Food outlet density (fast-food, full-service and other) per 10,000 population was calculated for each Forward Sortation Area (FSA). Global (Moran's I) and local indicators of spatial autocorrelation of BMI were assessed. Ordinary least squares (OLS) and spatial auto-regressive error (SARE) methods were used to assess the association between local food environment and adult BMI in Canada. Results: Global and local spatial autocorrelation of BMI were found in our univariate analysis. We found that OLS and SARE estimates were very similar in our multivariate models. An additional fast-food restaurant per 10,000 people at the FSA-level is associated with a 0.022kg/m2 increase in BMI. On the other hand, other restaurant density is negatively related to BMI. Conclusions: Fast-food restaurant density is positively associated with BMI in Canada. Results suggest that restricting availability of fast-food in local neighborhoods may play a role in obesity prevention. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Background Improvements in cancer detection and treatment and an increase in retirement age mean more people may experience cancer during their working lives. Aims To examine the impact of cancer on work activities, sources of advice and support for return-to-work decisions and the role of employers in supporting employees with cancer. Methods A cross-sectional survey of a randomly selected sample of people from two cancer registries was conducted in England. Eligible individuals were invited to participate via their general practitioners (April–October 2011) and completed a questionnaire online or by telephone interview. Survey weights were applied before statistical analysis, ensuring responses were representative of cancer survivors in the random sample. Results A total of 382 people completed the survey, 27% of those invited to participate. Full-time employment fell from 53% prior to diagnosis to 33% after diagnosis, and average working hours reduced from 38 to 32h per week. Only 48% discussed employment issues with their oncology treatment team, and this was associated with more hours worked (36.7 versus 29.4h). Seventy-six per cent of employers were perceived to have been very supportive and 56% receptive to a phased return-to-work. Conclusions This is one of the largest UK registry-based surveys on this subject. Following treatment for cancer, there were significant falls in full-time working and hours worked. Just under half the sample discussed employment issues with their treatment team, and these participants worked significantly more hours. This indicates scope for improvement such as encouraging health professionals to raise work-related issues within time-limited consultations. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Background Referrals to the Greater Glasgow Community Autism Team (CAT) made before the child's sixth birthday were analysed to obtain an estimation of the proportion of children in Greater Glasgow with childhood autism and investigate whether there were any variations in diagnosis rates, or in age at referral and diagnosis, depending on deprivation or geographical location. Methods An analysis was made of the database recording referrals to Greater Glasgow CAT, between 2004 and 2007 inclusive, of children referred by age 6 years, comprising 584 cases. Cumulative incidence was calculated for childhood autism. Ages at referral and diagnosis were also analysed. Results For this subset of children, there were 246 diagnosed cases of childhood autism, a cumulative incidence from 2004 until 2007 of 11.1 per year per 10 000 children aged 0-6 years. Of children with an eventual diagnosis of autism by age 6, 72% were referred by the age of 4 years. Deprivation was found to have an association with referral and diagnostic rates, with higher rates seen in the most deprived. There was geographical variation in the cumulative incidence of autism. Conclusion Given that the populations were not known to differ in any manner that would lead to a true variation, the geographical variation in the cumulative incidence of autism in children up to 6 years in Greater Glasgow observed in this study is likely to represent differences in the care pathway between areas. Such differences may also explain the observed association with deprivation. Reasons for the variation are being explored. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Several mechanisms for the development of depression have been proposed, and a comparative examination reveals considerable overlap. This paper begins by summarizing the conclusions drawn in the literature on the major biological theories: HPA-axis hyperactivity, the monoamine theory, the cytokine hypothesis/ macrophage theory, and structural changes to relevant brain regions and neurons. It then discusses the role of psychosocial stress as a bridge between the pathophysiology of depression and its predominantly psychosocial risk factors, touching upon theories offered in psychology and in population health. This paper further proposes a unifying framework which integrates the major theories. The multiple systems involved, and the directional complexity among them, likely help to explain the wide-ranging symptoms associated with depression, and the wide variety of comorbid medical conditions. They may also contribute to challenges in treatment, the diversity in symptoms and treatment outcomes among individuals, and the high rates of symptom persistence and relapse. The apparent bi-directionality of associations may suggest the existence of positive-feedback loops which aggravate symptoms; however, further bench research is required to confirm such phenomena. A better understanding of these interweaving associations is warranted. Additionally, given the significant influence of socioeconomic and psychosocial factors on the aetiology of depression, population-level interventions that address the social determinants of health are required. Current individual-level pharmacologic approaches are designed to treat pathophysiology once it is underway, and current individual-level non-pharmacologic interventions (such as talk therapy) are designed to moderate the relationship between psychosocial stress and pathophysiology. In contrast, a key strategy for primary prevention lies in population-level interventions that address the predominantly social causes of one of depression's most notable risk factors: chronic psychosocial stress. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Incubation temperature influences the phenotype of the hatchling turtles. The aims of the present study were to investigate the daily fluctuations in temperature to which eggs of the freshwater turtle Elusor macrurus are exposed to in the wild and examine how these fluctuations may affect the phenotype and performance of the hatchlings. Eggs in the wild experienced an overall mean daily fluctuation of 5.7° C throughout the incubation period, but on particular days, the variation was as low as 2° C and as high as 22° C. Fifty-four eggs were collected from the wild and incubated in the laboratory at one constant (28° C) and two fluctuating (28 ± 3 and 28 ± 6° C) thermal regimes. Egg mass, incubation length and hatching success (89%) were similar for the 28 and 28 ± 3° C groups, whereas the 28 ± 6° C group only had a 5% hatching success, and the incubation length was 10 days longer. Upon hatching, there was no significant difference in body mass or straight carapace length between the 28 and 28 ± 3° C groups, and within the first 8 weeks of hatching, there was no significant difference in growth rate, self-righting time, crawling speed and swimming performance. A single survivor from the 28 ± 6° C group had a body mass that was 27% less compared with the other two groups and it did considerably poorer in all the performance tests. The study findings illustrated that daily fluctuations in incubation temperature up to 6° C had no effect upon hatchling E. macrurus phenotype, but there was a limit (12° C) by which the extent and recurrence of these fluctuations became detrimental. These thermal regimes are not yet apparent in the wild but will occur within the geographical range of this species according to climate change predictions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Characterization studies of the metal micro-detector TimePix measuring dose distribution at the Minibeam Radiation Therapy setup (Bio-Medical Beamline ID17, ESRF) were performed. The results obtained for high intensity synchrotron radiation minibeams illustrate an excellent performance of the TimePix providing in real time 2D image of the dose distribution over many beams in a 14×14mm2 area. Peak-to-Valley–Dose–Ratios measured by TimePix and gafhromic films agree well. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

The article presents a study on Central Pacific (CP) El Niño classification. It mentions methods based on sea surface temperature anomalies (SSTA) that can be used in classifying different events in the Pacific regions. Results reveal the CP events incidence in the dataset and the increase in the agreement in the classification in the later part of the 20th century.

Summary The objective of this study was to conduct a systematic review and meta-analysis of the published literature to evaluate the efficacy of vaccines in reducing faecal shedding of Escherichia coli O157 in ruminants. A systematic search of eight databases and land-grant university research reports using an algorithm adapted from a previous systematic review of pre-harvest interventions against E. coli O157 was conducted to locate all reports of in vivo trials of E. coli O157 vaccines in ruminants published between 1990 and 2010. All located references were screened by two independent reviewers, and data were extracted from all relevant papers, with treatment effect measured in odds ratios. For trials with a faecal prevalence outcome that did not involve mixing of treated and untreated cattle in the same pen, efficacy was explored using random-effects meta-analysis. Funnel plots were used to evaluate publication bias, and random-effects meta-regression was performed to explore heterogeneity. The search located 20 relevant manuscripts which detailed 24 trials and 46 treatment comparisons; all but one trial involved cattle. There were 9 deliberate challenge trials (19 comparisons), and 15 natural exposure trials (27 comparisons). For Type III protein vaccines, there were 9 natural exposure trials detailing 17 comparisons, and meta-analysis of 8 comparisons revealed that vaccine treatment resulted in a statistically significant reduction in E. coli O157 faecal prevalence [odds ratio (OR) = 0.38, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 0.29, 0.51]. Siderophore receptor and porin protein (SRP) vaccines (three trials/four comparisons) also reduced faecal prevalence (OR = 0.42, 95% CI = 0.20, 0.61); however, none of the bacterin vaccine trials ( n = 3, six comparisons) resulted in a statistically significant reduction in prevalence. The results suggest that Type III protein and SRP vaccines significantly reduce faecal shedding in cattle; however, caution should be taken in interpreting the results because of the heterogeneity in the results. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

It is unclear how predicted rises in ambient temperature associated with climate change will impact upon the survivorship of oviparous reptiles. Given that the incubation temperature can influence hatchling phenotype, understanding how elevated temperatures during development can affect the ability of hatchlings to undertake routine behaviours is important, especially for threatened species. Here we tested if raising mean incubation temperature above natural levels altered the physiology of hatchlings to an extent that behavioural function was impaired. Firstly, incubation temperatures were recorded from nests of the freshwater turtle ( Elusor macrurus) in the wild, and the observed thermal range (26-31 °C) used to define the experimental protocol. Then, freshly laid E. macrurus eggs were collected and incubated at three constant temperatures (26, 29 and 32 °C). Embryos incubated at 32 °C had the lowest hatching success. Those that did hatch were smaller than the other groups and had a reduced post-hatch growth rate. On land, the ability of hatchling turtles to right themselves is critical, and the turtles incubated at 32 °C took 30-times longer to do this than those incubated at 26 °C. Once in the water, hatchling turtles must be able to swim effectively to evade predation and obtain food items. During swimming trials the 32 °C group exhibited a lower mean stroke force (10.5±0.3 mN) and spent less time swimming (133.7±17.7 s) compared with hatchlings incubated at 29 °C (13.4±0.4 mN, 281.3±25.7 s) and 26 °C (15.7±0.5 mN, 270.8±28.5 s). The results of the present study illustrate that even slight rises in the mean incubation temperature, over that observed in the wild, can impact upon a hatchling's performance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: To assess the seasonality of medical contacts in children with asthma, to compare England with Scotland, and to assess the impact of medication compliance on the frequency of medical contacts. Study design: A retrospective study taken from the General Practice Research Database of daily medical contacts from 1999 to 2005 in a population of school-aged (5-16 years) children with a diagnosis of asthma, and age- and gender-matched controls. Primary outcome measure: All unscheduled medical contacts. Prescription frequency for inhaled corticosteroids over the same period was also assessed. Results: Data from 76,924 children were analyzed. There was an increase in unscheduled medical contacts for all children on return to school in September. Unscheduled medical contacts occurred almost twice as frequently in children with asthma compared with nonasthmatic children. The frequency of medical contacts in children with asthma could be predicted from the frequency of medical contacts in non-asthmatic children. In the 3 months from September to December, unscheduled medical contacts were disproportionately greater than would be predicted for children with asthma relative to nonasthmatic children in both England and Scotland. The rise in medical contacts in Scotland preceded that in England by approximately 14 days, reflecting the earlier date for returning to school. The number of prescriptions for inhaled corticosteroids decreased in August. A higher incidence of unscheduled medical contacts was noted during September in those not receiving a prescription in August. Conclusions: Returning to school after the summer break is associated with a sharp increase in unscheduled medical contacts in school-aged children, particularly in those with asthma. This follows a decrease in the number of prescriptions for inhaled corticosteroids. It is suggested that at least part of the excess numbers of unscheduled contacts in children with asthma is because they do not maintain their inhaled corticosteroids over the summer holidays. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Timepix chips were evaluated for imaging low energy ion beams and as candidates for building an ‘electronic focal plane’ of a laser mass-spectrometer. The uniformity of response of the pixel matrix with respect to ion mass, energy and detection position has been studied. Two samples each of hybrid silicon pixel detectors and metal micro-pixel detectors (using bare readout chip input electrodes) were used. The results obtained illustrate that both detector types can be used as an ‘electronic focal plane’ of a mass-spectrometer. Two-dimensional imaging of the charge/mass distribution of ion beams accordingly to their charge/mass distribution can improve the mass-spectrometer resolution. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]