Force fluctuations at the transition from quasi-static to inertial granular flow.

We analyse the rheology of gravity-driven, dry granular flows in experiments where individual forces within the flow bulk are measured. We release photoelastic discs at the top of an incline to create a quasi-static erodible bed over which flows a steady 2D avalanche. The flowing layers we produce are dense (φ ≈ 0.8), thin (h ≈ 10d), and in the slow to intermediate flow regime (I = 0.1 to 1). Using particle tracking and photoelastic force measurements we report coarse-grained profiles for packing fraction, velocity, shear rate, inertial number, and stress tensor components. In addition, we define a quantitative measure for the rate of generation of new force chain networks and we observe that fluctuations extend below the boundary between dense flow and quasi-static layers. Finally, we evaluate several existing definitions for granular fluidity, and make comparisons among them and the behaviour of our experimentally-measured stress tensor components. Our measurements of the non-dimensional stress ratio µ show that our experiments lie within the local rheological regime, yet we observe rearrangements of the force network extending into the quasi-static layer where shear rates vanish. This elucidates why non-local rheological models rely on the notion of stress diffusion, and we thus propose non-local effects may in fact be dependent on the local force network fluctuation rate.

Improving consultations in oncology: the development of a novel consultation aid.

BACKGROUND: The way in which patients receive bad news in a consultation can have a profound effect in terms of anxiety, depression and subsequent adjustment. Despite investment in well-researched communication skills training and availability of decision-making aids, communication problems in oncology continue to be encountered. METHODS: We conducted a mixed-methods study in a large UK Cancer Centre to develop a novel consultation aid that could be used jointly by patients and doctors. Consultations were audio-recorded and both the doctors and the patients were interviewed. We used conversation analysis to analyse the consultation encounter and interpretative phenomenological analysis to analyse the interviews. Key themes were generated to inform the design of the aid. RESULTS: A total of 16 doctors were recruited into the study along with 77 patients. Detailed analysis from 36 consultations identified key themes (including preparation, information exchange, question-asking and decision making), which were subsequently addressed in the design of the paper-based aid. CONCLUSIONS: Using detailed analysis and observation of oncology consultations, we have designed a novel consultation aid that can be used jointly by doctors and patients. It is not tumour-site specific and can potentially be utilised by new and follow-up consultations.

Patient preferences for the delivery of bad news - the experience of a UK Cancer Centre.

The primary aim of this study was to assess how patients would prefer to be given their cancer diagnosis in a typical UK cancer centre. Two hundred and forty-four patients attending the oncology outpatient department at the Leicester Royal Infirmary, UK, were recruited. Patients were invited to complete the Measure of Patients' Preferences questionnaire, write comments on their own experience of the breaking bad news consultation and choose their preferred role in decision making. Over 90% of questionnaires were completed. Patients rated the items addressing the message content of the consultation as more important than the facilitative or the supportive aspects. Over 80% of patients wrote a detailed account of their experiences, of which 60% were satisfied with the consultation. Most of the patients who were dissatisfied commented on the unsympathetic or pessimistic manner of the doctor. The majority of patients wanted a collaborative role in decision making. Regarding the cancer diagnosis, the majority of patients have information needs, want to be involved in treatment decisions and know their prognosis. The difficulty for physicians is how to meet individual information needs, give hope, but not deliver unrealistic expectations.

Regional nutrient decrease drove redox stabilisation and metazoan diversification in the late Ediacaran Nama Group, Namibia.

The late Ediacaran witnessed an increase in metazoan diversity and ecological complexity, marking the inception of the Cambrian Explosion. To constrain the drivers of this diversification, we combine redox and nutrient data for two shelf transects, with an inventory of biotic diversity and distribution from the Nama Group, Namibia (~550 to ~538 Million years ago; Ma). Unstable marine redox conditions characterised all water depths in inner to outer ramp settings from ~550 to 547 Ma, when the first skeletal metazoans appeared. However, a marked deepening of the redoxcline and a reduced frequency of anoxic incursions onto the inner to mid-ramp is recorded from ~547 Ma onwards, with full ventilation of the outer ramp by ~542 Ma. Phosphorus speciation data show that, whilst anoxic ferruginous conditions were initially conducive to the drawdown of bioavailable phosphorus, they also permitted a limited degree of phosphorus recycling back to the water column. A long-term decrease in nutrient delivery from continental weathering, coupled with a possible decrease in upwelling, led to the gradual ventilation of the Nama Group basins. This, in turn, further decreased anoxic recycling of bioavailable phosphorus to the water column, promoting the development of stable oxic conditions and the radiation of new mobile taxa.

Reporting of faculty time: an accounting perspective.

Controversial federal regulations requiring universities to report 100 percent of the activities performed by faculty members encounter severe theoretical difficulties of allocation that pervade accounting and that at present are insoluble. Yet it is only natural for universities and government agencies to desire that such allocations be made. Accounting practitioners have faced such reporting dilemmas for generations; their experiences suggest ways of palliating the federal requirements.

Long-term Cryptosporidium typing reveals the aetiology and species-specific epidemiology of human cryptosporidiosis in England and Wales, 2000 to 2003.

To improve understanding of the aetiology and epidemiology of human cryptosporidiosis, over 8,000 Cryptosporidium isolates were submitted for typing to the species level over a four year period. The majority were either Cryptosporidium parvum (45.9%) or Cryptosporidium hominis (49.2%). Dual infection occurred in 40 (0.5%) cases and six other known Cryptosporidium species or genotypes were found in 67 (0.9%) cases. These were Cryptosporidium meleagridis, Cryptosporidium felis, Cryptosporidium canis, and the Cryptosporidium cervine, horse and skunk genotypes. The remaining 3.5% were not typable. Epidemiology differed between infecting species. C. parvum cases were younger, although C. hominis was more prevalent in infants under one year and in females aged 15 to 44 years. Spring peaks in cases reported to national surveillance were due to C. parvum, while C. hominis was more prevalent during the late summer and early autumn as well as in patients reporting recent foreign travel. Temporal and geographical differences were observed and a decline in C. parvum cases persisted from 2001. Typing of isolates allowed outbreaks to be more clearly delineated, and demonstrated anthroponotic spread of C. parvum as well as C. hominis. Our findings suggest that national surveillance for Cryptosporidium should be conducted at the species level.

Photoelastic study of dense granular free-surface flows.

In this study, we perform experiments that reveal the distribution of dynamic forces in the bulk of granular free-surface flows. We release photoelastic disks from an incline to create steady two-dimensional avalanches. These gravity-driven dry granular flows are in the slow to intermediate regime (I≤1), dense (φ≈0.8), and thin (h≈10d). The transition between solidlike (quasisteady) and fluidlike (inertial) regimes is observable for certain experimental settings. We measure constant density and quasilinear velocity profiles through particle tracking at several points down the chute, for two different basal topographies. The photoelastic technique allows the visualization and quantification of instantaneous forces transmitted between particles during individual collisions. From the measured forces we obtain coarse-grained profiles of all stress tensor components at various positions along the chute. The discreteness of the system leads to highly fluctuating individual force chains which form preferentially in the directions of the bulk external forces: in this case, gravity and shear. The behavior of the coarse-grained stress tensor within a dynamic granular flow is analogous to that of a continuous fluid flow, in that we observe a hydrostatic increase of the mean pressure with depth. Furthermore, we identify a preferential direction for the principal stress orientation, which depends on the local magnitudes of the frictional and gravitational forces. These results allow us to draw an analogy between discrete and continuous flow models.

Prevalence, Factors, and Outcome of Physical Violence against Mental Health Professionals at a Nigerian Psychiatric Hospital.

OBJECTIVES: This cross-sectional study aimed to assess the prevalence, factors, and consequences of physical violence by mentally ill patients against mental health professionals. METHODS: 124 of 145 mental health professionals at a Nigerian neuropsychiatric hospital satisfactorily completed a questionnaire on their experiences with physical assault. RESULTS: 77 (62.1%) staff had been assaulted during their whole career; 38 (30.6%) of them were assaulted in the past 12 months. The most common type of assault was pushing (32.9%). The most common antecedent event to assault was calming an aggressive patient (44.1%). In their whole career, 22.1% of assaulted staff sustained injuries that required medical attention; 42.4% of assaulted staff sometimes or frequently/always experienced posttraumatic stress disorder symptoms. Physical assault in the whole career was associated with older age (p = 0.04), longer years of practice (p = 0.01), and job dissatisfaction (p = 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Physical violence encountered by mental health professionals at a Nigerian neuropsychiatric hospital is substantial. Policy review of staff safety, training, and support is recommended.

Potential applications of fish oils rich in omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids in the management of gastrointestinal cancer.

BACKGROUND & AIMS: Despite advances in chemotherapeutic agents and surgical approaches for its management, gastrointestinal cancer still accounts for 27% of new cancer cases and 35% of cancer related mortality worldwide. Omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) specifically eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) have anti-inflammatory and anticancer activities and are used as immuno-nutrients. METHODS: A literature search was conducted to identify primary research reporting on applications of the omega-3 PUFAs in gastrointestinal cancer. RESULTS: Reported laboratory studies indicate a clear role for omega-3 PUFAs in preventing cancer development at various stages including cancer cell proliferation, survival, angiogenesis, inflammation and metastasis. In clinical settings, omega-3 PUFAs have been reported to improve the immune response, maintain lean body mass, improve quality of life and improve overall survival in patients with colorectal and pancreatic cancer. In contrast to other GI cancers, there is a strong connection between inflammation and oesophageal cancer. CONCLUSIONS: Little work has been done exploring the role for omega-3 PUFAs in oesophageal cancer prevention and management. The authors are conducting a clinical trial investigating the use of parenteral omega-3 PUFAs supplementary to the standard of care (epirubicin, oxaliplatin and capecitabine palliative chemotherapy) in patients with advanced oesophagogastric cancer as a promising new therapeutic approach.

Plasma and erythrocyte uptake of omega-3 fatty acids from an intravenous fish oil based lipid emulsion in patients with advanced oesophagogastric cancer.

BACKGROUND: It has been demonstrated that short term intravenous (IV) administration of omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) is more effective than oral supplementation at promoting incorporation of the bioactive omega-3 PUFAs eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) into plasma, blood cells and tissues. The effect of repeated short term IV infusion of omega-3 PUFAs was investigated in patients with advanced oesophagogastric cancer during palliative chemotherapy. METHODS: Patients with advanced oesophagogastric cancer (n = 21) were recruited into a phase II pilot clinical trial. All patients were scheduled for an intravenous infusion of Omegaven® (fish oil supplement containing EPA and DHA) at a rate of 2 ml/kg body weight for 4 h once a week for up to six months. Blood samples were collected to assess omega-3 PUFA uptake into plasma non-esterified fatty acids (NEFAs) and phosphatidylcholine (PC) and into red blood cell (RBC) membranes. Fatty acid profiles were analysed by gas chromatography. RESULTS: Twenty patients received at least one Omegaven® treatment and were included in the analysis. Each infusion of omega-3 PUFAs resulted in increased EPA and DHA in plasma NEFAs, but there was little effect on PUFAs within plasma PC during the infusions. However, with repeated weekly infusion of omega-3 PUFAs, the EPA content of plasma PC and of RBC membranes increased. CONCLUSION: Repeated weekly omega-3 PUFA infusion is effective in enriching plasma PC and RBC membranes in EPA in patients with advanced oesophagogastric cancer receiving palliative chemotherapy. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Clinical Trials.Gov NCT01870791.

Sample prevalence and molecular characterisation of Cryptosporidium andersoni within a dairy herd in the United Kingdom.

Bovine cryptosporidiosis is usually an acute diarrhoeal disease of young calves caused by Cryptosporidium parvum. However, chronic infection with Cryptosporidium andersoni has been associated with gastritis, reduced milk yield and poor weight gain in adult cattle. Here we describe the first genetic confirmation and characterisation of C. andersoni from cattle in the United Kingdom and its sample prevalence within a dairy herd. Oocysts measured 7.5+/-0.4 microm x 5.5+/-0.4 microm (7.0-8.5 microm x 4.5-6.5 microm) with a length-to-width ratio of 1.37 (1.08-1.60). The within-herd sample prevalence was 16% (95% confidence intervals=10.4-21.6%). Nested polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) and sequence analysis of the small subunit rDNA was used to confirm the species and characterise the isolates. Due to the lack of overt, acute, clinical symptoms, the incidence, prevalence and importance of this parasite is probably currently underestimated in cattle in the UK. The potential for zoonotic transmission is unknown.

Fruit Composition of Elderberry (Sambucus spp.) Genotypes Grown in Oregon and Missouri, USA.

Twelve Sambucus nigra subsp. canadensis genotypes were grown at two Missouri and one Oregon (USA) locations to characterize fruit composition in 2004, 2005, and 2006. Fruit was also sampled from an additional 10 genotypes of subsp. canadensis and nigra grown in Oregon. Soluble solids content ranged from 8.9 to 12.5 °Brix, and titratable acid (as citric acid) was 0.4 to 1.7 g/100ml. Ferric ion reducing activity potential (FRAP) values were 15.6 to 30.7 µmol/g trolox equivalents. Total anthocyanin content ranged from 85 to 385 mg/100 g cyanidin-3-glucoside equivalents (C3GE) and total phenolic content was 421 to 719 mg/100 g gallic acid equivalents (GAE). Of the genotypes sampled in three locations, six genotypes were high (250-350), and four were very low in total anthocyanin (<150 mg/100 g C3GE), respectively. 'Barn' and 'Scotia' were highest, and 'Nova' lowest in total anthocyanin content among genotypes grown in Oregon. Of the total antioxidant tests used, total phenolics was the best quick test, as it is the easiest of the assays, showed the least change among years, and correlated highly with FRAP.

Horticultural Performance of Eight American Elderberry Genotypes at Three Missouri Locations.

American elderberry (Sambucus nigra subsp. canadensis) is being increasingly cultivated in North America for its edible and medicinal fruit and flowers, yet remains largely undeveloped as a horticultural crop. Productive genotypes with desirable horticultural attributes, including disease and insect resistance, precocity, uniform fruit ripening, and large berry size are needed in order to advance the commercial production of elderberries. A four-year study of eight elderberry genotypes was established in 2008 at three diverse Missouri (USA) locations. Phenology, plant morphology, pest susceptibility, productivity, and fruit characteristics data were collected over three growing seasons, 2009-2011. Significant differences for most phenological, horticultural, and fruit juice characteristics were observed among the three sites, three years, and eight genotypes. The genotype 'Ozark' was the earliest to break bud, produced fruit with high levels of soluble solids, and out-yielded most other genotypes at the three sites over the three-year study. None of the new genotypes produced berries as large as or larger than the standard 'York' which is known for its large fruit. Some of the genotypes tested, especially 'Ozark' show promise as potential cultivars and as breeding stock for further development of elderberry as a commercially-viable horticultural crop.

Ocular manifestations of canine transmissible venereal tumour: a retrospective study of 25 cases in Greece.

Transmissible venereal tumour (TVT) is a sexually transmitted neoplasm that frequently affects dogs of either sex, in tropical and subtropical regions. TVT primarily involves the external genitalia, although extragenital sites have also been reported. This study describes the ocular manifestations of TVT in 25 naturally infected dogs and their response to treatment. Seventeen male and eight female dogs were included in the study. TVT ocular lesions were either unilateral (21 dogs) or bilateral (four dogs). Ocular lesions as the single manifestation of TVT were seen in 22 animals. One dog presented external genitalia involvement while two others were found to have tumours in the oral and nasal mucosa. Variably sized multilobular tumour masses with irregular surface were noticed on the bulbar conjunctiva of the nictitating membrane in 17 dogs, on the conjunctiva of the upper eyelid in five dogs and on the conjunctiva of the lower eyelid and adjacent skin in three dogs. Deep ulcerative keratitis was observed in eight animals. TVT diagnosis was based on cytology and histopathology. The large eye masses were surgically excised. All dogs were treated with a single chemotherapeutic agent (vincristine). After four weeks of treatment, complete remission of the tumours was evident in all but one animal. Extragenital primary ophthalmic TVT can be completely eliminated by vincristine chemotherapy, while any further ocular damage is prevented with the combination of the above treatment and surgical excision.

Occurrence of Polyphenols, Organic Acids, and Sugars among Diverse Elderberry Genotypes Grown in Three Missouri (USA) Locations.

Elderberry (Sambucus spp.) is an emerging horticultural crop used in a variety of foods, wines, and dietary supplements. A better understanding of the elderberry juice complex including its putative health-promoting compounds in relation to genetic and environmental parameters is needed. A multi-location planting of nine elderberry genotypes was established in 2008 at three geographically-diverse sites in Missouri, USA. Fruits were harvested from replicated plots 2009-2011, frozen, and later prepared for laboratory analysis. Polyphenols, organic acids, and sugars were quantified by HPLC and the results evaluated for response to genotype, site, and year. The American genotypes 'Ocoee' and 'Ozark' were consistently higher in chlorogenic acids compared to other genotypes, whereas 'Ocoee' was significantly higher in rutin than 'Ozark'. The European 'Marge' was significantly higher in isoquercitrin and other flavonoids compared to most North American genotypes. Significant differences in polyphenols were also detected among sites and production years. Malic, citric, and tartaric acids varied significantly among genotypes, sites, and years, whereas succinic, shikimic, and fumaric acids generally did not. Levels of lactic, acetic, and propionic acids were negligible in most samples. The American genotype 'Ocoee' was higher in citric and tartaric acids, while lower in malic acid. The sugars glucose and fructose also responded significantly to genotype, site, and year. 'Ocoee', 'Ozark', and 'Marge' perform very well in Missouri horticulturally and appear to have additional potential as cultivars based on their unique juice characteristics.

'Marge': a European Elderberry for North American Producers.

Elderberries are being increasingly produced and consumed in North America for their edible and medicinal flowers and fruits. The American elderberry (Sambucus nigra subsp. canadensis) is native to, and most often cultivated in North America. The European elderberry (S. nigra subsp. nigra) has been developed into an economically-important horticultural crop in Europe, but most European cultivars do not perform well in the midwestern USA. The genotype S. nigra subsp. nigra 'Marge' is an open-pollinated seedling of S. nigra subsp. nigra 'Haschberg', which is one of the most popular elderberry cultivars grown in Europe. In a four-year study (one establishment year followed by 3 production years; 2008-2011) at three Missouri (USA) locations, 'Marge' significantly out-performed and out-yielded eight American elderberry genotypes within the same replicated field plots. Across 3 production years at all three sites, 'Marge' achieved budbreak later, flowered earlier, suffered less Eriophyid mite damage, was taller, produced larger berries, and yielded significantly greater amounts of fruit compared with all eight American elderberry genotypes in the study. At one site, 'Marge' produced three times the yield (1.89 kg/plant) compared with the next highest-producing American elderberry genotype (0.65 kg/plant). It is an exceptionally robust and drought-resistant elderberry. The phenotypic attributes of 'Marge' are similar to that of European elderberry except that it performs exceptionally well in the midwestern USA. DNA marker results, along with phenological and morphological characteristics, indicate that 'Marge' is a European elderberry (S. nigra subsp. nigra). As with most European genotypes, 'Marge' does not fruit on first-year wood, and will therefore require a different pruning regimen compared with American elderberry for success in North American production. We do not yet know how 'Marge' will perform outside the midwestern USA, but it is so productive, unique, and mite resistant, that it merits introduction as a cultivar.

Determination of Anthocyanins and Total Polyphenols in a Variety of Elderberry Juices by UPLC-MS/MS and Other Methods.

Elderberry (Sambucus spp.) juice contains a variety of polyphenols, mostly anthocyanins. In order to understand the variation of polyphenol levels by genotype, various elderberry juice samples were analyzed for total phenolics (TP), total monomeric anthocyanins (TMA) and individual anthocyanin content. The Folin-Ciocalteu total phenolic method and pH differential method were used to measure the TP and TMA content, respectively. The TP and TMA concentrations of elderberry were found to vary greatly among different genotypes. TMA content varied from 2.1% for 'Sperandio' to 60.6% for the 'Bob Gordon' cultivar. In addition, ultra-performance liquid chromatography with triple quadrupole mass spectrometry was used to separate and detect individual anthocyanins from samples prepared by solid phase extraction. Multiple-reaction-monitoring was used to process data for the reduction of false positives, maximizing selectivity, and reliable quantification. The quantitative performance of the method was validated, and a detection limit of 0.3 ng·ml-1 for cyanidin 3-O-glucoside was determined. This newly developed method may serve to characterize and profile various anthocyanins in elderberry juices for quality control, assessment of dietary intake, and anthocyanin-based biomedical studies.

Effects of Elderberry Juice from Different Genotypes on Oxidative and Inflammatory Responses in Microglial Cells.

Many species of berries are nutritious food and offer health benefits. However, among the different types of berries, information on health effects of American elderberries (Sambucus nigra subsp. canadensis) has been lacking and little is known about whether elderberry consumption can confer neuroprotective effects on the central nervous system. Microglial cells constitute a unique class of immune cells and exhibit characteristic properties to carry out multifunctional duties in the brain. Activation of microglial cells has been implicated in brain injury and in many types of neurodegenerative diseases. Our recent studies demonstrated the ability for endotoxin (lipopolysaccharide, LPS) and interferon gamma (IFNγ) to induce reactive oxygen species (ROS) and nitric oxide (NO) in murine microglial cells (BV-2) through activating NADPH oxidase and the MAPK pathways. In this study, BV-2 microglial cells were used to examine effects of elderberry juice obtained from different genotypes on oxidative and inflammatory responses induced by LPS and IFNγ. Results show that 'Wyldewood' extract demonstrated antioxidant properties by inhibiting IFNγ-induced ROS production and p-ERK1/2 expression. On the other hand, most juice extracts exerted small effects on LPS-induced NO production and some extracts showed an increase in NO production upon stimulation with IFNγ. The disparity of responses on ROS and NO production from different extracts suggests possible presence of unknown endogenous factor(s) in the extract in promoting the IFNγ-induced iNOS synthesis pathway.