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Aims. We derived galaxy colour selections from Euclid and ground-based photometry, aiming to accurately define background galaxy samples in cluster weak-lensing analyses. These selections have been implemented in the Euclid data analysis pipelines for galaxy clusters. Methods. Given any set of photometric bands, we developed a method for the calibration of optimal galaxy colour selections that maximises the selection completeness, given a threshold on purity. Such colour selections are expressed as a function of the lens redshift. Results. We calibrated galaxy selections using simulated ground-based griz and EuclidYEJEHE photometry. Both selections produce a purity higher than 97%. The griz selection completeness ranges from 30% to 84% in the lens redshift range zl ∈ [0.2, 0.8]. With the full grizYEJEHE selection, the completeness improves by up to 25 percentage points, and the zl range extends up to zl = 1.5. The calibrated colour selections are stable to changes in the sample limiting magnitudes and redshift, and the selection based on griz bands provides excellent results on real external datasets. Furthermore, the calibrated selections provide stable results using alternative photometric aperture definitions obtained from different ground-based telescopes. The griz selection is also purer at high redshift and more complete at low redshift compared to colour selections found in the literature. We find excellent agreement in terms of purity and completeness between the analysis of an independent, simulated Euclid galaxy catalogue and our calibration sample, except for galaxies at high redshifts, for which we obtain up to 50 percentage points higher completeness. The combination of colour and photo-z selections applied to simulated Euclid data yields up to 95% completeness, while the purity decreases down to 92% at high zl. We show that the calibrated colour selections provide robust results even when observations from a single band are missing from the ground-based data. Finally, we show that colour selections do not disrupt the shear calibration for stage III surveys. The first Euclid data releases will provide further insights into the impact of background selections on the shear calibration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Roughly 10% of children aged 3 -17 in the USA are diagnosed with attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), and minorities are less likely to initiate common pharmacologic treatment. We conducted a review of the literature to examine meditation as a safe, effective, and low-cost alternative. Methods: We searched PubMed and other journals using "meditation," "mindfulness," "minority," related keywords, and relevant MeSH terms. Eligible studies involved racial/ethnic minorities in the USA, reported quantitative psychosocial outcomes, and were published in a peer-reviewed, English-language journal. Results: Out of 119 "hits," 111 were eliminated as duplicates or were not relevant. A full-text review of the remaining eight revealed that none fully met our eligibility criteria. Besides the obvious lack of studies, those reviewed reported incomplete demographic and clinical data. They also employed different and inconsistent research methodologies, interventions and modalities, and statistical analyses. This hindered understanding exactly which populations may benefit from meditation, and for which specific symptoms. Conclusion: We recommend a socio-ecological model in examining intervention modalities, especially in the context of intrapersonal, interpersonal, organizational, environmental, and policy domains. We also suggest the possible inclusion of research older than 10 years, conducted outside of the USA, on minority and non-minority populations, for supplementary and confirmatory data. We advocate for consistency in study design and data collection, which would help align research conducted in different countries. Searches should also include variations of meditation such as "mindfulness" and "guided imagery," and associated symptoms and comorbidities of ADHD, including "learning disorder" and "behavioral problems."

Objective Insights about what actions contributed to the development of an interprofessional learning and working culture were lacking for nursing homes. This study aimed to provide insight into the context and actions that trigger mechanisms for the development of an interprofessional learning and working culture in nursing homes.Study design Realist evaluation action research was conducted from 2019 to 2023.Setting and participants 11 teams in 6 Dutch nursing homes.Primary and secondary outcome measures Questionnaires, focus group interviews and observations were used to identify actions, context factors and mechanisms. We used retroductive analysis to discuss how actions were related to the development of the culture. Actions were evaluated in terms of context and manner in which they contribute to the development.Results 21 actions were identified and clustered into two themes. Theme 1: improving person-centred care. Actions activated the mechanisms of critical reflective behaviour and collective ownership in a context of, among other things, clear roles and tasks, a stable and competent team, the presence of case managers and facilitating organisational factors such as time for reflection. Theme 2: getting to know and understand each other’s expertise. Actions activated respectful relationships, collective ownership of goals and feeling appreciated for your work in a context of, among other things, team members who meet regularly and management supporting interprofessional working.Conclusions This research sheds light on how and in what manner-specific actions contribute to the development of an interprofessional learning and working culture in nursing homes. Depending on the context, the actions triggered the following mechanisms: critical reflective behaviour, collective ownership of goals, respectful/caring relationships and feeling appreciated for your work. These mechanisms are the underlying drivers of an interprofessional learning and working culture. This study provides valuable guidance for fostering collaborative and effective interprofessional dynamics in nursing homes.

Solution precursor plasma spraying is used to produce catalytic trimetallic coatings containing Ni, Fe and Mo directly onto stainless‐steel mesh, Ni foam and carbon paper. The resulting material is mostly comprised of face centered cubic FeNi3 alloy forming a highly porous coating with nanostructured features. The addition of Mo (up to ≈14 at%) generates no new crystal phases but only an increase in the lattice parameter, indicating the formation of FeNi3Mox solid solutions. The FeNi3Mox solid solutions are used as electrocatalyst for the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) in alkaline media. The addition of Mo increases the HER activity significantly reaching an optimum performance at ≈9 at% Mo (FeNi3Mo0.40) with an overpotential at −10 mA cm−2 of 112 mV and a Tafel slope of 109 mV dec−1. The enhanced HER activity is attributed to the formation of a FeNi3Mox solid solution with an increased work function that is correlated to smaller hydrogen adsorption energies. Theoretical activity maps reveal that sites near superficial Mo atoms forms catalytic hot spots and are responsible for the observed activity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

One-dimensional tellurium nanostructures can exhibit distinct electronic properties from those seen in bulk Te. The electronic properties of nanostructured Te are highly dependent on their morphology, and thus controlled synthesis processes are required. Here, highly crystalline tellurium nanowires were produced via physical vapour deposition. We used growth temperature, heating rate, flow of the carrier gas, and growth time to control the degree of supersaturation in the region where Te nanostructures are grown. The latter leads to a control in the nucleation and morphology of Te nanostructures. We observed that Te nanowires grow via the vapour–solid mechanism where a Te particle acts as a seed. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and electron diffraction studies revealed that Te nanowires have a trigonal crystal structure and grow along the (0001) direction. Their diameter can be tuned from 26 to 200 nm with lengths from 8.5 to 22 μm, where the highest aspect ratio of 327 was obtained for wires measuring 26 nm in diameter and 8.5 μm in length. We investigated the use of bismuth as an additive to reduce the formation of tellurium oxides, and we discuss the effect of other growth parameters. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A detailed study of the oxidation of Cu substrates was carried out under controlled conditions by regulating the pressure, atmosphere composition, process time, and temperature. By tuning the synthesis conditions, the formation of cuprous oxide (Cu2O) or cupric oxide (CuO) could be preferentially promoted. The oxidation temperature was varied from 400 to 1050 °C, and a gradual oxidation of metallic Cu to Cu2O was achieved at mild oxidation conditions (400–600 °C), while the formation of CuO was only observed at higher temperatures (≥900 °C). The surface morphology was also affected changing from a highly granular texture (400 °C) with grain sizes between 0.59 ± 0.15 µm to smooth large crystallites (≥900 °C) with a size within 2.76 ± 0.97 µm. We also show that by controlling the oxidation temperature (400–1050 °C), it is possible to tune the work function and the ionization potential of the resulting Cu2O/CuO film, properties that are important for various optoelectronic applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

English ivy (Hedera helix) is an important resource for wildlife in rural and urban ecosystems. It provides pollen and nectar for flower-visiting insects during autumn and fruits for frugivores during winter and spring. A requirement of insect pollination for fruit set in ivy implies that recent declines in pollinator populations can threaten food supply for frugivores. This study investigated the link between pollination services and the quantity and quality of fruit produced in ivy, and how that could in turn influence frugivore feeding choices, in a mixed woodland and an urban garden habitat respectively. Surveys on pollinator community and activity were conducted to assess the overall level of pollination. A set of experiments involving insect exclusion, open pollination, and extra pollen supplementation was performed to reveal the level of pollinator dependence and pollination deficit in ivy. Additionally, the removal of these fruits by frugivores was measured to test whether frugivore feeding preferences are influenced by the initial level of pollination. Our results showed that the quantity and quality (size) of fruit produced in ivy were significantly reduced under insect exclusion, which is strong evidence for pollinator dependence. Pollination deficit was also identified at both sites. Furthermore, the data indicate that frugivores can display some degree of preference for well-pollinated ivy fruits. Taken together, our study shows that declines in pollination services will have direct impacts on the availability and quality of ivy fruits for frugivores. Maintaining the health of pollinator communities in both urban and rural habitats could therefore ensure healthy ecosystem functioning.

Abstract Background Studies on care networks of home-dwelling older adults often focus on network composition. However, looking at network mechanisms (negotiation, navigation and contagion) can be helpful to improve the support generated by the care network. A European study on diabetes patients identified network types based on interaction, which can be beneficial (generative, proxy) or detrimental (struggling, avoidant) to support. This study explored whether these network types are present in care networks of home-dwelling older adults in the Netherlands, and how these types manifest in composition or mechanisms. Methods The present study is a cross‐sectional qualitative study of care networks supporting 19 home‐dwelling older adults. Face-to-face interviews were conducted with the older adult and their informal and formal caregivers between March and September 2016. Network composition and mechanisms were abstracted from content analysis of interview transcripts, then network type was determined for each network. Results Three of the 19 networks had only one respondent and were excluded, yielding 16 for analysis: eight proxy networks, three generative networks, two avoidant networks, one struggling network, and two possibly hybrid networks. In the proxy networks, all negotiation and navigation were centralised by the proxy. In generative networks, negotiation was possible if the older adult could reciprocate, and the network supported this. In avoidant networks, informal and formal caregivers had to deal with an older adult who refused support. In the struggling network, the underlying problem could not be addressed. Furthermore, two networks could either be hybrid network types or networks in a transition process from generative to proxy network. Conclusion Our results suggest that the network typology developed in the context of diabetes patients is relevant and mostly replicable in networks of multi-morbid older adults. We found that a care network typology based on mechanisms offered additional information beyond network composition. It also appears that the network type can change over time, but more research is needed to confirm this. This study suggests that interventions in avoidant or struggling networks are difficult. Also, actions of network participants seemed aimed at developing proxy networks. Interventions designed to develop or maintain generative networks seem underused.

Background Little is known about hospital pricing for coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG). Using new price transparency data, we assessed variation in CABG prices across US hospitals and the association between higher prices and hospital characteristics, including quality of care. Methods and Results Prices for diagnosis related group code 236 were obtained from the Turquoise database and linked by Medicare Facility ID to publicly available hospital characteristics. Univariate and multivariable analyses were performed to assess factors predictive of higher prices. Across 544 hospitals, median commercial and self‐pay rates were 2.01 and 2.64 times the Medicare rate ($57 240 and $75 047, respectively, versus $28 398). Within hospitals, the 90th percentile insurer‐negotiated price was 1.83 times the 10th percentile price. Across hospitals, the 90th percentile commercial rate was 2.91 times the 10th percentile hospital rate. Regional median hospital prices ranged from $35 624 in the East South Central to $84 080 in the Pacific. In univariate analysis, higher inpatient revenue, greater annual discharges, and major teaching status were significantly associated with higher prices. In multivariable analysis, major teaching and investor‐owned status were associated with significantly higher prices (+$8653 and +$12 200, respectively). CABG prices were not related to death, readmissions, patient ratings, or overall Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services hospital rating. Conclusions There is significant variation in CABG pricing, with certain characteristics associated with higher rates, including major teaching status and investor ownership. Notably, higher CABG prices were not associated with better‐quality care, suggesting a need for further investigation into drivers of pricing variation and the implications for health care spending and access.

Abstract Background Chronic disease management is important in primary care. Disease management programmes focus primarily on the respective diseases. The occurrence of multimorbidity and social problems is addressed to a limited extent. Person-centred integrated care (PC-IC) is an alternative approach, putting the patient at the centre of care. This asks for additional competencies for healthcare professionals involved in the execution of PC-IC. In this scoping review we researched which competencies are necessary for healthcare professionals working in collaborative teams where the focus lies within the concept of PC-IC. We also explored how these competencies can be acquired. Methods Six literature databases and grey literature were searched for guidelines and peer-reviewed articles on chronic illness and multimorbidity in primary care. A data synthesis was carried out resulting in an overview of the competencies that healthcare professionals need to deliver PC-IC. Results Four guidelines and 21 studies were included and four core competencies could be derived through the synthesis: 1. interprofessional communication, 2, interprofessional collaborative teamwork, 3. leadership and 4. patient-centred communication. Included papers mostly lack a clear description of the competencies in terms of knowledge, skills and attitudes which are necessary for a PC-IC approach and on how these competencies can be acquired. Conclusion This review provides insight on competencies necessary to provide PC-IC within primary care. Research is needed in more depth on core concepts of these competencies which will then benefit educational programmes to ensure that healthcare professionals in primary care are better equipped to deliver PC-IC for patients with chronic illness and multimorbidity.

Background: Art-making-as-therapy has been used by occupational therapists in mental health since the inception of the profession. It aims to enable people to gain mastery and produce art. This review synthesizes the research on the use of art-making as therapy by occupational therapists in adult mental health practice. Method: Arksey and O’Malley’s 5-stage framework was used. A search of four databases was conducted with the inclusion criteria of papers from 1980 – 2020 using the keywords of occupational therapy, mental health or illness, and art. Thematic analysis was used to analyze the data. Results Results: Of the 847 articles initially identified, 21 were included in the review. Three themes were identified: (a) the benefits of occupational participation in arts-making-as-therapy for consumers, (b) the environmental context of the art-making-as-therapy experience, and (c) using artmaking-as-therapy to inform professional reasoning, including assessing and enhancing therapeutic relationships. The paucity of literature (n = 21) means that results should be interpreted with caution. Conclusion: There is evidence for the benefits of art-making-as-therapy for consumers and occupational therapists in mental health settings. Further research is necessary into the efficacy of using art-making-as-therapy in practice from the perspective of people who live with mental illness.

There is a growing body of literature on forensic transcription of covert recordings obtained by clandestine law enforcement operations. Due to the nature of these operations, the quality of the recordings, particularly those obtained by planting listening devices in a car or a house, is often extremely poor. When tendering such recordings as evidence in court for prosecuting an alleged crime, a transcript will often accompany the recording to assist the triers of fact (i.e., judges and jurors) to hear better. In the context of multilingual and multicultural Australia, often such forensic recordings may contain languages other than English, and therefore a translation into English is required to facilitate understanding of the verbal exchanges in the recording. Little is known, however, about the people engaged by law enforcement to undertake these forensic translation tasks, what qualification and training they possess, how they carry out the tasks, and if there is a system to safeguard the quality and reliability of their translation output. This paper reports on an online survey conducted in Australia on professional interpreters and translators who have been engaged to perform this type of work. Descriptive statistics and thematic analysis of text answers provide a qualitative account of the status quo which has not been documented before. Deficiencies of the current practice and its associated risks are identified. Recommendations are proposed as the first step to address the issues identified.

IntroductionSuppressor of cytokine signaling 3 (SOCS3) is a critical component of the negative feedback regulation that controls signaling by cytokines and other factors thereby ensuring that important processes such as hematopoiesis and inflammation occur at appropriate levels.MethodsTo gain further insights into SOCS3 function, the zebrafish socs3b gene was investigated through analysis of a knockout line generated using CRISPR/Cas9-mediated genome editing.ResultsZebrafish socs3b knockout embryos displayed elevated numbers of neutrophils during primitive and definitive hematopoiesis but macrophage numbers were not altered. However, the absence of socs3b reduced neutrophil functionality but enhanced macrophage responses. Adult socs3b knockout zebrafish displayed reduced survival that correlated with an eye pathology involving extensive infiltration of neutrophils and macrophages along with immune cell dysregulation in other tissues.DiscussionThese findings identify a conserved role for Socs3b in the regulation of neutrophil production and macrophage activation.

Abstract Background The SF-6Dv2 classification system assesses health states in six domains—physical functioning, role function, bodily pain, vitality, social functioning, and mental health. Scores have previously been derived from the SF-36v2® Health Survey. We aimed to develop a six-item stand-alone SF-6Dv2 Health Utility Survey (SF-6Dv2 HUS) and evaluate its comprehensibility. Methods Two forms of a stand-alone SF-6Dv2 HUS were developed for evaluation. Form A had 6 questions with 5–6 response choices, while Form B used 6 headings and 5–6 statements describing the health levels within each domain. The two forms were evaluated by 40 participants, recruited from the general population. Participants were randomized to debrief one form of the stand-alone SF-6Dv2 HUS during a 75-min interview, using think-aloud techniques followed by an interviewer-led detailed review. Participants then reviewed the other form of SF-6Dv2 and determined which they preferred. Any issues or confusion with items was recorded, as was as overall preference. Data were analyzed using Microsoft Excel and NVivo Software (v12). Results Participants were able to easily complete both forms. Participant feedback supported the comprehensibility of the SF-6Dv2 HUS. When comparing forms, 25/40 participants preferred Form A, finding it clearer and easier to answer when presented in question/response format. The numbered questions and underlining of key words in Form A fostered quick and easy comprehension and completion of the survey. However, despite an overall preference for Form A, almost half of participants (n = 19) preferred the physical functioning item in Form B, with more descriptive response choices. Conclusion The results support using Form A, with modifications to the physical functioning item, as the stand-alone SF-6Dv2 HUS. The stand-alone SF-6Dv2 HUS is brief, easy to administer, and comprehensible to the general population.

This paper reports on a study which investigates the current status of chuchotage, or whispered interpreting, as a technique performed by community interpreters in Australia. The objective of the study is to understand the interpreters’ experience in providing this form of interpreting and identify the associated challenges. The aim is to inform future education for aspiring interpreters and continuous professional development for practitioners on this interpreting technique. Traditionally, chuchotage has predominantly been performed in international meetings and conferences. Therefore, it has been a staple skill taught as part of conference interpreting courses. This form of interpreting works more effectively than the consecutive mode in certain community settings, such as some healthcare consultations and courtroom hearings. In Australia, chuchotage is an essential skill for community interpreters operating at the professional level, and therefore has been added to the new certification testing that the National Accreditation Authority for Translators and Interpreters (NAATI) has implemented since 2018. Prior to 2018, NAATI did not assess interpreters for this skill and, thus, when the new certification system was introduced, NAATI offered a one-day workshop as gap training, providing accredited interpreters with the foundations required for community settings. Through a post-workshop questionnaire, data were collected from 741 participant interpreters. Quantitative and qualitative data analyses provide insights into who among the practitioners performed this form of interpreting, the community settings where they provided such service, their self-appraised level of skilfulness, and the client feedback they received. Recommendations for future training in this technique are made based on the results.

Objective Synthesising evidence of the effects of interventions to improve work participation among people with health problems is currently difficult due to heterogeneity in outcome measurements. A core outcome set for work participation is needed.Study design and setting Following the Core Outcome Measures in Effectiveness Trials methodology, we used a five-step approach to reach international multistakeholder consensus on a core outcome set for work participation. Five subgroups of stakeholders took part in two rounds of discussions and completed two Delphi voting rounds on 26 outcomes. A consensus of ≥80% determined core outcomes and 50%–80% consensus was required for candidate outcomes.Results Fifty-eight stakeholders took part in the Delphi rounds. Core outcomes were: ‘any type of employment including self-employment’, ‘proportion of workers that return to work after being absent because of illness’ and ‘time to return to work’. Ten candidate outcomes were proposed, among others: ‘sustainable employment’, ‘work productivity’ and ‘workers’ perception of return to work’.Conclusion As a minimum, all studies evaluating the impact of interventions on work participation should include one employment outcome and two return to work outcomes if workers are on sick leave prior to the intervention.

Abstract Background Diagnostic mammography projections (DxMM) have been traditionally used in the assessment of women recalled after a suspicious screening mammogram. Digital breast tomosynthesis (DBT) reduces the tissue overlap effect, thus improving image assessment. Some studies have suggested DBT might replace DxMM with at least equivalent performance. Objective To evaluate the replacement of DxMM with DBT in women recalled at screening. Methods We searched PubMed, EMBASE, and the Cochrane Library databases to identify diagnostic paired cohort studies or RCTs comparing DBT vs DxMM, published in English that: reported accuracy outcomes, recruited women recalled for assessment at mammography screening, and included a reference standard. Subgroup analysis was performed over lesion characteristics. We provided pooled accuracy estimates and differences between tests using a quadrivariate model. We assessed the certainty of the evidence using the GRADE approach. Results We included ten studies that reported specificity and sensitivity. One study included 7060 women while the remaining included between 52 and 738 women. DBT compared with DxMM showed a pooled difference for the sensitivity of 2% (95% CI 1%–3%) and a pooled difference for the specificity of 6% (95%CI 2%–11%). Restricting the analysis to the six studies that included women with microcalcification lesions gave similar results. In the context of a prevalence of 21% of breast cancer (BC) in recalled women, DBT probably detects 4 (95% CI 2–6) more BC cases and has 47 (95%CI 16–87) fewer false‐positive results per 1000 assessments. The certainty of the evidence was moderate due to risk of bias. Conclusion The evidence in the assessment of screen‐recalled findings with DBT is sparse and of moderate certainty. DBT probably has higher sensitivity and specificity than DxMM. Women, health care providers and policymakers might value as relevant the reduction of false‐positive results and related fewer invasive diagnostic procedures with DBT, without missing BC cases.

Abstract Background In 2017, the European Commission’s Joint Research Centre (JRC) started developing a methodological framework for a guideline-based quality assurance (QA) scheme to improve cancer quality of care. During the first phase of the work, inconsistency emerged about the use of terminology for the definition, the conceptual underpinnings and the way QA relates to health questions that are answered in guidelines. The objective of this final of three articles is to propose a conceptual framework for an integrated approach to guideline and QA development and clarify terms and definitions for key elements. This work will inform the upcoming European Commission Initiative on Colorectal Cancer (ECICC). Methods A multidisciplinary group of 23 experts from key organizations in the fields of guideline development, performance measurement and quality assurance participated in a mixed method approach including face-to-face dialogue and several rounds of virtual meetings. Informed by results of a systematic literature review that indicated absence of an existing framework and practical examples, we first identified the relations of key elements in guideline-based QA and then developed appropriate concepts and terminology to provide guidance. Results Our framework connects the three key concepts of quality indicators, performance measures and performance indicators integrated with guideline development. Quality indicators are constructs used as a guide to monitor, evaluate, and improve the quality of the structure, process and outcomes of healthcare services; performance measures are tools that quantify or describe measurable elements of practice performance; and performance indicators are quantifiable and measurable units or scores of practice, which should be guided by guideline recommendations. Conclusions The inconsistency in the way key terms of QA are used and defined has confused the field. Our conceptual framework defines the role, meaning and interactions of the key elements for improving quality in healthcare. It directly builds on the questions asked in guidelines and answered through recommendations. These findings will be applied in the forthcoming ECICC and for the future updates of ECIBC. These are large-scale integrated projects aimed at improving healthcare quality across Europe through the development of guideline-based QA schemes; this will help in implementing and improving our approach.

Abstract Background Although quality indicators are frequently derived from guidelines, there is a substantial gap in collaboration between the corresponding parties. To optimise workflow, guideline recommendations and quality assurance should be aligned methodologically and practically. Learning from the European Commission Initiative on Breast Cancer (ECIBC), our objective was to bring the key knowledge and most important considerations from both worlds together to inform European Commission future initiatives. Methods We undertook several steps to address the problem. First, we conducted a feasibility study that included a survey, interviews and a review of manuals for an integrated guideline and quality assurance (QA) scheme that would support the European Commission. The feasibility study drew from an assessment of the ECIBC experience that followed commonly applied strategies leading to separation of the guideline and QA development processes. Secondly, we used results of a systematic review to inform our understanding of methodologies for integrating guideline and QA development. We then, in a third step, used the findings to prepare an evidence brief and identify key aspects of a methodological framework for integrating guidelines QA through meetings with key informants. Results Seven key themes emerged to be taken into account for integrating guidelines and QA schemes: (1) evidence-based integrated guideline and QA frameworks are possible, (2) transparency is key in clearly documenting the source and rationale for quality indicators, (3) intellectual and financial interests should be declared and managed appropriately, (4) selection processes and criteria for quality indicators need further refinement, (5) clear guidance on retirement of quality indicators should be included, (6) risks of an integrated guideline and QA Group can be mitigated, and (7) an extension of the GIN-McMaster Guideline Development Checklist should incorporate QA considerations. Discussion We concluded that the work of guideline and QA developers can be integrated under a common methodological framework and we provided key findings and recommendations. These two worlds, that are fundamental to improving health, can both benefit from integration.

Abstract Laccases belong to a family of multicopper enzymes able to oxidize a broad spectrum of organic compounds. Despite the well‐known property of laccases to carry out bleaching and degradation of industrial dyes and polyphenolic compounds, their industrial use is often limited by the high cost, low efficiency, or instability of these enzymes. To look for new microorganisms which produce laccases that are potentially suitable for industrial applications, we have isolated several fungal strains from a cave in northern Spain. Their phenotypic analysis on agar plates supplemented with ABTS (2,2′‐azino‐bis(3‐ethylbenzothiazoline‐6‐sulfonic acid)) disclosed two laccase‐positive strains. Further genotyping revealed that they belonged to the Gliomastix murorum and Conidiobolus thromboides species. The secretion of G. murorum and C. thromboides laccase‐like enzymes was then confirmed by zymography. Further identification of these polypeptides by mass‐spectroscopy revealed the nature of the laccases and made it possible to predict their functional domains and other features. In addition, plate assays revealed that the laccases secreted by both G. murorum and C. thromboides were capable of degrading industrial dyes (Congo Red, Indigo, and Eriochrome Black T). Homology modeling and substrate docking predicted the putative structure of the currently uncrystallized G. murorum enzyme as well as its amino acid residues potentially involved in interactions with these dyes. In summary, new biochemical and structural insights into decolorization mediated by G. murorum laccase as well as identification of laccase‐like oxidase in C. thromboides point to a promising future for these enzymes in biotechnology.

Abstract Background During healthcare guideline development, panel members often have implicit, different definitions of health outcomes that can lead to misunderstandings about how important these outcomes are and how to balance benefits and harms. McMaster GRADE Centre researchers developed ‘health outcome descriptors’ for standardizing descriptions of health outcomes and overcoming these problems to support the European Commission Initiative on Breast Cancer (ECIBC) Guideline Development Group (GDG). We aimed to determine which aspects of the development, content, and use of health outcome descriptors were valuable to guideline developers. Methods We developed 24 health outcome descriptors related to breast cancer screening and diagnosis for the European Commission Breast Guideline Development Group (GDG). Eighteen GDG members provided feedback in written format or in interviews. We then evaluated the process and conducted two health utility rating surveys. Results Feedback from GDG members revealed that health outcome descriptors are probably useful for developing recommendations and improving transparency of guideline methods. Time commitment, methodology training, and need for multidisciplinary expertise throughout development were considered important determinants of the process. Comparison of the two health utility surveys showed a decrease in standard deviation in the second survey across 21 (88%) of the outcomes. Conclusions Health outcome descriptors are feasible and should be developed prior to the outcome prioritization step in the guideline development process. Guideline developers should involve a subgroup of multidisciplinary experts in all stages of development and ensure all guideline panel members are trained in guideline methodology that includes understanding the importance of defining and understanding the outcomes of interest.

Bisphenol-A (BPA) is a ubiquitous precursor of polycarbonate plastics that is found in the blood and serum of >92% of Americans. While BPA has been well documented to act as a weak estrogen receptor (ER) agonist, its effects on cellular stress are unclear. Here, we demonstrate that high-dose BPA causes stress granules (SGs) in human cells. A common estrogen derivative, β-estradiol, does not trigger SGs, indicating the mechanism of SG induction is not via the ER pathway. We also tested other structurally related environmental contaminants including the common BPA substitutes BPS and BPF, the industrial chemical 4-nonylphenol (4-NP) and structurally related compounds 4-EP and 4-VP, as well as the pesticide 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D). The variable results from these related compounds suggest that structural homology is not a reliable predictor of the capacity of a compound to cause SGs. Also, we demonstrate that BPA acts primarily through the PERK pathway to generate canonical SGs. Finally, we show that chronic exposure to a low physiologically relevant dose of BPA suppresses SG assembly upon subsequent acute stress. Interestingly, this SG inhibition does not affect phosphorylation of eIF2α or translation inhibition, thus uncoupling the physical assembly of SGs from translational control. Our work identifies additional effects of BPA beyond endocrine disruption that may have consequences for human health.

Multisensory environments are increasingly being used in health care settings with reported benefits including relaxation, supporting self-regulation, enhancing mood, and reducing chronic pain. However, limited research exists that explores the impact of multisensory environment design on engagement. In response, this article presents a qualitative study exploring the creative design attributes that cultivated participant engagement and shaped their overall experience of spending time in an artistically created multisensory environment: the Sensory-Art Space (SAS). A maximum variation approach to sampling was used to select 18 participants. Data were gathered via semi-structured interviews and were audio-recorded and transcribed verbatim before being analyzed thematically. Our findings produced three key themes. The first two themes were: the ambience of everything and variation: it’s always my choice , which identified aspects of the artistic design that fostered engagement and the sense of connection and ownership of the SAS captured in the third theme, a space that’s yours. Based on analysis of participant responses, creative design considerations were identified that could assist the development of future multisensory spaces and highlighted the importance of a holistic and curatorial approach to enhance engagement value.

Background: Colony-stimulating factor 3 (CSF3), more commonly known as granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF), acts via a specific cell surface receptor CSF3R (or G-CSFR) to regulate hematopoiesis, with a particularly key role in the myeloid cell lineage where it impacts the development and function of neutrophilic granulocytes. Zebrafish possess a conserved CSF3R homologue, Csf3r, which is involved in both steady-state and emergency myelopoiesis, as well as regulating early myeloid cell migration. Two CSF3 proteins have been identified in zebrafish, Csf3a and Csf3b. Methods: This study investigated the roles of the Csf3a and Csf3b ligands as well as the downstream Janus kinase (JAK) and phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K) pathways in mediating the effects of Csf3r in early myeloid cell development and function using gene knockdown and pharmacologic approaches. Results: This study revealed that both Csf3a and Csf3b contribute to the developmental and emergency production of early myeloid cells, but Csf3a is responsible for the developmental migration of early neutrophils whereas Csf3b plays the major role in their wounding-induced migration, differentially participated in these responses, as did several downstream signaling pathways. Both JAK and PI3K signaling were required for developmental production and migration of early myeloid cells, but PI3K signaling was required for emergency production and initial migration in response to wounding, while JAK signaling mediated retention at the site of wounding. Conclusions: This study has revealed both distinct and overlapping functions for Csf3a and Csf3b and the downstream JAK and PI3K signaling pathways in early myeloid cell production and function.

Cell wall structural modifications through pectin cross-linkages between calcium ions and/or boric acid may be key to mitigating dehydration stress and fungal pathogens. Water loss was profiled in a pure pectin system and in vivo. While calcium and boron reduced water loss in pure pectin standards, the impact on Allium species was insignificant (p > 0.05). Nevertheless, synchrotron X-ray microscopy showed the localization of exogenously applied calcium to the apoplast in the epidermal cells of Allium fistulosum. Exogenous calcium application increased viscosity and resistance to shear force in Allium fistulosum, suggesting the formation of calcium cross-linkages (“egg-box” structures). Moreover, Allium fistulosum (freezing tolerant) was also more tolerant to dehydration stress compared to Allium cepa (freezing sensitive). Furthermore, the addition of boric acid (H3BO3) to pure pectin reduced water loss and increased viscosity, which indicates the formation of RG-II dimers. The Arabidopsis boron transport mutant, bor1, expressed greater water loss and, based on the lesion area of leaf tissue, a greater susceptibility to Colletotrichum higginsianum and Botrytis cinerea. While pectin modifications in the cell wall are likely not the sole solution to dehydration and biotic stress resistance, they appear to play an important role against multiple stresses.

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Abstract Mechano growth factor (MGF) is a splice variant of IGF-1 first described in skeletal muscle. MGF induces muscle cell proliferation in response to muscle stress and injury. In control mice we found endogenous expression of MGF in neurogenic areas of the brain and these levels declined with age. To better understand the role of MGF in the brain, we used transgenic mice that constitutively overexpressed MGF from birth. MGF overexpression significantly increased the number of BrdU+ proliferative cells in the dentate gyrus (DG) of the hippocampus and subventricular zone (SVG). Although MGF overexpression increased the overall rate of adult hippocampal neurogenesis at the proliferation stage it did not alter the distribution of neurons at post-mitotic maturation stages. We then used the lac-operon system to conditionally overexpress MGF in the mouse brain beginning at 1, 3 and 12 months with histological and behavioral observation at 24 months of age. With conditional overexpression there was an increase of BrdU+ proliferating cells and BrdU+ differentiated mature neurons in the olfactory bulbs at 24 months when overexpression was induced from 1 and 3 months of age but not when started at 12 months. This was associated with preserved olfactory function. In vitro, MGF increased the size and number of neurospheres harvested from SVZ-derived neural stem cells (NSCs). These findings indicate that MGF overexpression increases the number of neural progenitor cells and promotes neurogenesis but does not alter the distribution of adult newborn neurons at post-mitotic stages. Maintaining youthful levels of MGF may be important in reversing age-related neuronal loss and brain dysfunction.

OBJECTIVE: Our aim was to compare the periodontal conditions in a group of juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) patients with those in a control group of healthy subjects (CTR). MATERIAL AND METHODS: Thirty-two patients with JIA and 24 controls were selected. The measurements used to diagnose periodontal disease included plaque and bleeding scores, probing depths (PDs) and clinical attachment loss (CAL). Laboratory indicators of JIA activity included the erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) and capsule-reactive protein (CRP). The Mann-Whitney test was used to evaluate the data (alpha = 0.05). RESULTS: The mean ages were 15.9 (+/- 2.7) years and 14.7 (+/- 2.3) years for groups JIA and CTR, respectively. The median ESR was 42 mm/h 13 mm/h in the CTR group (p = 0.032) and the median CRP was 1.9 and 0.4 mg/l, respectively (p = 0.001). The prevalence of patients with a proximal attachment loss of 2mm or more in the JIA group was 25% and in controls it was 4.2%. The mean percentages of visible plaque and marginal bleeding were similar in the JIA (54 +/- 22 and 30 +/- 16, respectively) and CTR groups (44 +/- 18 and 29 +/- 11, respectively). The mean percentages of sites with PD > or = 4 mm were significantly higher in the JIA group (3 +/- 4.7) than in the CTR group (0.4 +/- 1.7) (p = 0.012). The mean percentages of sites with proximal CAL > or = 2 mm were 0.7 (+/- 1.4) in the JIA group and 0.001 (+/- 0.2) in the CTR group (p = 0.022). CONCLUSION: Adolescents with JIA present more periodontal attachment loss than healthy controls, in spite of similar plaque and marginal bleeding levels. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The volcanic and sedimentary rocks of the Passamaquoddy Bay (PB) area of southeastern New Brunswick are part of the Silurian–Devonian Coastal Volcanic Belt (CVB), an extensive belt of bimodal volcanic rocks. The PB sequence is 4 km thick, has four cycles of mafic and felsic volcanism, and is intruded by mafic dykes at all levels. There are two ages of dykes, those related to the Late Silurian PB volcanism (PB dykes) and Mesozoic dykes (the Minister Island Dyke) related to the opening of the North Atlantic. The PB mafic dykes are subalkalic basalt to basaltic andesite, within-plate tholeiites. The dykes are moderately to highly evolved (Mg# = 66.6 to 26.6), with trends of major and trace elements typical of the fractionation of olivine, pyroxene, plagioclase, and ilmenite. The PB mafic dyke swarm comprises over 155 dykes which represent a greater range of compositions than the associated flows, suggesting that they give a more complete representation of the Late Silurian PB mafic magmas. They exhibit incompatible element characteristics best accounted for by crustal contamination. The dykes plot on a linear array away from mantle mixing lines between depleted and enriched mantle sources and toward the composition of the PB felsic units, suggesting that these felsic units are representative of partial melts and fractionates of the source contaminate. The variable TiO[sub 2] contents (1.2–4.3 wt.%) and incompatible element ratio trends plotted against a fractionation index suggest that mantle metasomatism, either fluid or melt derived, may also have influenced the mantle source of the dykes. The dykes dip steeply and have a relatively consistent strike to the north. Most dykes range in thickness from 0.5 to 2 m, but range up to 9 m. The single orientation of the dykes, along with their chemical characteristics and volume, and association with a bimodal intraplate volcanic sequence, are consistent with an extensional tectonic setting. Constraints of the regional geology suggest that this extension was associated with convergence, perhaps in a back-arc setting.Les roches volcaniques et sédimentaires de la région de la baie de Passamaquoddy (PB) du sud-est du Nouveau-Brunswick font partie de la Ceinture volcanique côtière (CVB), datant du Silurien–Dévonien. Il s'agit d'une une vaste ceinture de roches volcaniques bimodales. La séquence de PB a une épaisseur de 4 km; elle présente quatre cycles de volcanisme mafique et felsique et des dykes mafiques la pénètrent à tous les niveaux. Il y a deux âges de dykes, ceux reliés au volcanisme PB, au Silurien tardif, (dykes PB) et ceux datant du Mésozoïque (le dyke Minister Island) reliés à l'ouverture de l'Atlantique Nord. La composition des dykes mafiques PB varie de basalte subalcalin à andésite basaltique, des tholéiites intraplaques. Les dykes sont moyennement à hautement évolués (Mg# = 66,6 à 26,6) et les tendances des éléments traces et majeurs sont typiques du fractionnement de l'olivine, du pyroxène, du plagioclase et de l'ilménite. L'essaim de dykes mafiques PB comprend plus de 155 dykes qui représentent une plus grande gamme de compositions que les coulées qui y sont associées, suggérant qu'ils représentent plus complètement les magmas mafiques PB du Silurien tardif. Ils montrent des caractéristiques d'éléments incompatibles qui sont le mieux expliquées par une contamination crustale. Les dykes mis en graphique forment un arrangement linéaire situé à l'écart des lignes de mélanges de la croûte entre les sources enrichies et appauvries du manteau et se rapprochant de la composition des unités PB felsiques, suggérant ainsi que ces unités felsiques représentent des fusions partielles et des fractionnements du contaminant de la source. Le contenu variable en TiO[sub 2] (1,2 à 4,3 % en poids) et la tendance du rapport des éléments incompatibles compilés en fonction d'un indice de fractionnement suggèrent que le métasomatisme du manteau, soit fluide ou dérivé de la fusion, peut avoir influencé la source mantellique des dykes. Les dykes ont un pendage abrupt et une direction relativement uniforme vers le nord. La plupart des dykes ont une épaisseur de 0,5 à 2 mètres mais cette épaisseur peut atteindre 9 mètres. L'orientation unique des dykes, combinée à leurs caractéristiques chimiques, leur volume et leur association avec une séquence volcanique intraplaque bimodale concorde avec une tectonique d'extension. Les contraintes de la géologie régionale portent à croire que cette extension était accompagnée de convergence, peut-être dans un environnement d'arrière-arc.[Traduit par la Rédaction] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Informal caregivers and formal care providers support home-dwelling older people in a care network, in order to stabilize the health situation and optimize quality of life of the older person. Many studies have focused on the network constellation and less on functioning of the network. Our study focuses on the functioning of the care network, in particular on network mechanisms as navigation to resources, negotiation in the care network and contagion of behaviours and practices. In a first study, we evaluated how participants in care networks acted in regard of these network mechanisms. This study revealed areas in which the functioning of the care network and delivered support could be improved. Care networks showed themselves as closed system in which participants navigated towards existing contacts. Formal care providers did not use the two-step-reach in order to make the full potential of the network of organisations admissible for their clients. Both informal caregivers and formal care providers found navigating to non-organized informal care in the neighbourhood difficult and connecting to new (potential) informal caregivers time-consuming and full of pitfalls. Thus enlarging the support network was hindered. Furthermore, participants did not have network meetings in which the older person, informal care and informal care participated, also they did not anticipate future care. Reciprocity was underused, both the older person as the other participants did not know how to shape reciprocity when the older person was not physically able. Dilemmas were not discussed between the older person, informal care and formal care. Contagion factors from outside the network, for example seeing the older person as not being able to change, were not recognized, thus not open for intervention. Methods: The research questions are: which interventions aimed at network mechanisms in care networks of home-dwelling older persons contribute to using the network in order to 1) generate (potential) support, and 2) improve perceived health and quality of life of the home-dwelling older person? To develop a support program for care networks, this study follows the first steps of the systematic process of intervention mapping: logic model of the problem, logic model of change and program design. In multidisciplinary focus groups with older persons, informal caregivers and formal care providers the areas for the support program will be discussed. On every area a logic model of the problem is prepared in the research team, with an older person as co-researcher. Subsequently, we organize 3 focus group interviews, the results of the focus groups are input for two meetings with an expert group with knowledge of elderly care and education of professionals. Results: The focus group and expert meetings are planned in October-December 2018, results are available in April 2019. Future research: The developed support program will be tested with 20 professionals in the context of education, in which they will try to improve the functioning of the care network of one of their older clients. And contribute to better support.

As the roles of a pharmacist continue to evolve, leadership is an imperative skill for pharmacists to advance in their profession. To advance leadership behaviors, a number of tools, programs, and services have been developed worldwide to encourage the use of these behaviors in practice. A brief summary of different leadership opportunities around the globe are provided. A continuing professional development process and tool for developing and mentoring leaders that are ready to take the next step in their growth journey is introduced. This tool can be used in a live or online setting and is amenable to a longitudinal environment for leadership development and mentoring. A detailed process for implementing an online leadership development program and opportunities for future development are also described. While leadership skills can be developed in many ways, it is still unclear which methods and tools are the most effective in training pharmacists to maximize their leadership abilities. Additional research on effectiveness and impact of tools and processes for development are needed. Individuals and organizations are encouraged to consider implementing easily accessible leadership development and mentoring programs to advance the leadership skills of interested individuals.

BACKGROUND:Long-term fatigue with detrimental effects on daily functioning often occurs following acute Q-fever. Following the 2007-2010 Q-fever outbreak in the Netherlands with over 4000 notified cases, the emphasis on long-term consequences of Q-fever increased. The aim of this study was to provide an overview of all relevant available literature, and to identify knowledge gaps regarding the definition, diagnosis, background, description, aetiology, prevention, therapy, and prognosis, of fatigue following acute Q-fever. DESIGN:A systematic review was conducted through searching Pubmed, Embase, and PsycInfo for relevant literature up to 26th May 2015. References of included articles were hand searched for additional documents, and included articles were quality assessed. RESULTS:Fifty-seven articles were included and four documents classified as grey literature. The quality of most studies was low. The studies suggest that although most patients recover from fatigue within 6-12 months after acute Q-fever, approximately 20% remain chronically fatigued. Several names are used indicating fatigue following acute Q-fever, of which Q-fever fatigue syndrome (QFS) is most customary. Although QFS is described to occur frequently in many countries, a uniform definition is lacking. The studies report major health and work-related consequences, and is frequently accompanied by nonspecific complaints. There is no consensus with regard to aetiology, prevention, treatment, and prognosis. CONCLUSIONS:Long-term fatigue following acute Q-fever, generally referred to as QFS, has major health-related consequences. However, information on aetiology, prevention, treatment, and prognosis of QFS is underrepresented in the international literature. In order to facilitate comparison of findings, and as platform for future studies, a uniform definition and diagnostic work-up and uniform measurement tools for QFS are proposed.

The study of histology and morphology of seeds of genus Passiflora has been of high utility for the classification of species. In seeds of sweet granadilla, the histological characteristics and methodologies for their study are unknown. This study was aimed to know the tissue and morphological characteristics of the seed coats of seeds of sweet granadilla and to be able to determine its value in the differentiation of accessions. Five accessions collected in producing zones of the Province of Huila, Colombia, were analyzed. In morphological analysis, all accessions presented falsifoveate ornamentation and entire margin. The seeds presented high change in weight and size for every accession; there stood out the seeds of the accession PmN for presenting major size (7.42 mm long), weight (35.62 mg), homogeneity in these variables and a typical orange color. For the histological analysis, a protocol was adapted to realize sections of seed coats in parafin, by means of which one managed to obtain sections (7 μ) that in the optical microscope show clearly three well differentiated layers, belonging, possibly, to exotegmen (internal layer), mesotesta (medium layer) and exotesta (external layer). Every layer presented differences in the form of the cells, color and thickness, between the sections of the basal and medium parts of the seeds, but the differences between the analyzed accessions were not observed. The majority of seeds had a thickness of seed coats that varied among 235 and 475 μ.

Hjalmar Söderberg’s Short Story Titles This article examines short story titles by Hjalmar Söderberg (1869–1941). Like many short story writers in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, Söderberg uses very short titles. The majority of his titles are comprised of one or two nouns and a definite article. For example: ”Pelsen” [”The Fur Coat”], ”Kyssen” [”The Kiss”] and ”Kinesen” [”The Chinese”]. In comparison to other short story writers of the same period, Söderberg uses a broad variety of titles: he may use a double title in an ”exotic” travel story, or a dichotomous title in a debate-driven story. Generic titles are comprised mostly of compound words or of a phrase. The most common generic term is ”history”. Personal names appear only occasionally in Söderberg’s short story titles; instead generalized names are used. Several of Söderberg’s short story titles are allusive, as is common in the case of early twentieth-century short stories.

RMIT University, Translating and Interpreting Program in partnership with the Victorian Multicultural Commission (VMC, formerly Victorian Office of Multicultural Affairs or VOMA), has been offering a National Australian Authority for Translators and Interpreters (NAATI) approved Diploma of Interpreting program in rare and emerging languages since 2002. In addition to the usual challenges of starting a program from scratch such as recruiting teaching staff, developing bilingual training materials, the training in these languages present some unique challenges which required modified and/or alternative approaches. This paper will introduce the two languages delivered by RMIT Diploma of Interpreting in 2008, namely Burmese and Swahili, and present the findings of a case study. The paper will also share some of the experiences of the authors who have both acted as coordinators of the program. The findings of this study have implications for the provision of interpreter training programs for rare and emerging languages. It has also implications for both teachers and students in the area of cross cultural management.

This paper examines two assessment methodologies used for large-scale translating and interpreting accreditation testing: error analysis / deduction and descriptors. A report by the Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology (RMIT University) (Turner and Ozolins, 2007) showed that the UK Institute of Linguists and the American Translators Association are among international testing bodies that have moved or are moving towards using descriptors or combining negative marking and descriptors. This paper explores whether the Australian National Accreditation Authority for Translators and Interpreters (NAATI) might be able to move to a descriptor approach to assessment without risk to the reliability or accountability of its public examination system. The NAATI assessment system is used as a benchmark to compare it with assessment outcomes using the descriptor-based translation component of the U.K. Institute of Linguists Diploma of Public Service Interpreting (DPSI). The most significant finding of the research is that there was a high correlation between assessment outcomes in the two assessment systems, indicating that a descriptor system might be as reliable and accountable as the current NAATI system.

A detailed study of the oxidation of Cu substrates was carried out under controlled conditions by regulating the pressure, atmosphere composition, process time, and temperature. By tuning the synthesis conditions, the formation of cuprous oxide (Cu2O) or cupric oxide (CuO) could be preferentially promoted. The oxidation temperature was varied from 400 to 1050 °C, and a gradual oxidation of metallic Cu to Cu2O was achieved at mild oxidation conditions (400–600 °C), while the formation of CuO was only observed at higher temperatures (≥900 °C). The surface morphology was also affected changing from a highly granular texture (400 °C) with grain sizes between 0.59 ± 0.15 µm to smooth large crystallites (≥900 °C) with a size within 2.76 ± 0.97 µm. We also show that by controlling the oxidation temperature (400–1050 °C), it is possible to tune the work function and the ionization potential of the resulting Cu2O/CuO film, properties that are important for various optoelectronic applications.

One-dimensional tellurium nanostructures can exhibit distinct electronic properties from those seen in bulk Te. The electronic properties of nanostructured Te are highly dependent on their morphology, and thus controlled synthesis processes are required. Here, highly crystalline tellurium nanowires were produced via physical vapour deposition. We used growth temperature, heating rate, flow of the carrier gas, and growth time to control the degree of supersaturation in the region where Te nanostructures are grown. The latter leads to a control in the nucleation and morphology of Te nanostructures. We observed that Te nanowires grow via the vapour–solid mechanism where a Te particle acts as a seed. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and electron diffraction studies revealed that Te nanowires have a trigonal crystal structure and grow along the (0001) direction. Their diameter can be tuned from 26 to 200 nm with lengths from 8.5 to 22 μm, where the highest aspect ratio of 327 was obtained for wires measuring 26 nm in diameter and 8.5 μm in length. We investigated the use of bismuth as an additive to reduce the formation of tellurium oxides, and we discuss the effect of other growth parameters.