bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Quality characteristics of outer leaves of Kimchi cabbage according to various blanching treatment conditions
Authors: Hong Joo-Heon , Hwang Tae-Young
Published: February 2017

The aim of this study was to establish an optimum blanching condition for outer cabbage leaves to increase utilization of the byproduct. Outer leaves of Kimchi cabbages were cut to size (4×4 cm) and blanched at 80, 90, 100°C for 1, 3, and 5 min. Subsequently, weight loss, pH, total bacteria, coliform and texture properties were investigated. Sensory evaluation of a ready-to-cook soup prepared from blanched outer leaves was investigated to determine whether the quality of the blanched outer leaves was acceptable. Both weight loss and pH of outer leaves of Kimchi cabbage were increased by blanching. Compared to raw samples, total bacterial counts decreased and coliform bacteria were not detected. The hardness of raw leaf samples was 1.5 kg·force (N). Sample hardness was 18.7~21.7% lower after blanching for 3 min and 34.8~36.7% after blanching for 5 min. Sensory evaluation of outer leaves blanched at 100°C for 5 min revealed significant differences from the other treatments (p<0.05). In addition, sensory evaluation scores for texture and appearance of outer leaves blanched at 100°C for 3 min were higher than those for commercially available products. The results of this study indicate that blanching can be effective for developing a food product from the outer leaves of Kimchi cabbage.
Comparative quality analysis of kimchi products manufactured in Korea, Japan, and China
Authors: Lee Hyejin , Jeong Suyeon , Kim Jaehwan , Yoo SeungRan
Published: February 2017

The objective of the present study was to investigate differences in quality of kimchi products produced in Korea, Japan, and China. Kimchi products from kimchi-producing countries with high consumer consumption such as Japan and China along with local products from Korea, where exporting has not yet started, were collected. Product pH, acidity, salinity, package pressure, gas production were assessed, and microbiological analyses and sensory evaluations were performed on kimchi products that were stored at either 4˚C for 63 d or 15˚C for 20 d. The pH and acidity results showed that as Japanese and Chinese kimchi had higher pH and lower acidity than that of Korean kimchi, which was determined to be indicative of insufficient microbial fermentation following kimchi production. Japanese kimchi had different microbial properties than those of Korean kimchi, which is due to differences in their manufacturing processes. Overall preferences derived from sensory evaluations were: Korean kimchi>Chinese kimchi>Japanese kimchi. The results of this study demonstrate the sensory superiority of Korean kimchi and may be useful when predicting consumers’ acceptance level of Korean kimchi exported to other countries.
Anoxia-Induced VEGF-Release from Rat Cardiomyocites Promotes Vascular Differentiation of Human Mesenchymal Stem Cells
Authors: Gutierrez-Lanza R. , Campa V.M.
Published: February 2017

Background

Albeit several studies show that cellular therapy with bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BM-hMSCs) improves cardiac function after myocardial infarction (MI), the underlying mechanism is subject of controversy. Here we hypothesized that soluble factors, including VEGF, secreted by cardiomyocytes and BM-hMSCs under a low oxygen environment promote vascular differentiation of BM-hMSCs.

Methods

Human BM-MSCs were isolated and expandedin vitroby the same procedure we employed to prepare cells suitable for cardiac cell therapy. BM-hMSCs were characterized by flow cytometry and functional analysis. Vascular differentiation was induced by VEGF or by conditioned media from neonate rat ventricular cardiomyocytes (NRVCs) cultured in anoxia and confirmed by immunostaining, tube formation over matrigel and cell migration across transwells. Presence of VEGF in conditioned media was determined by ELISA and activation of VEGF signaling by Western blot.

Results

BM-hMSCs used in this study met the criteria recommended by International Society for Cellular Therapy for defining mesenchymal stromal cells. Von Willebrand factor (vWF) expression and tube formation in matrigel indicate that these cells had the capacity to differentiate into the endothelial lineage, which was further enhanced by VEGF and conditioned media from NRVCs cultured in anoxia. Furthermore, condition media and VEGF stimulated cell migration across transwells, which demonstrates the migratory capacity of BM-hMSCs. Finally, when VEGF signaling was blocked by neutralizing anti-VEGF, vascular differentiation of BM-hMSCs was reduced to basal levels.

Conclusions

Soluble VEGF released in the culture media after exposure to low oxygen conditions is responsible for endothelial differentiation of BM-hMSCs.
Innovation assurance using BACUP and Jobs Theory
Authors: Fulbright Ron
Published: February 2017

Purpose

Companies and organizations use various innovation governance structures, processes and metrics to make decisions about allocation of resources to the development of an innovative idea. Although many metrics measuring the process of innovation and the performance of the enterprise have been developed, a fundamentally solid and complete metric speaking to the quality and viability of the innovative idea itself is lacking. The business, applied innovation, creativity, unmet user needs and problem-solving (BACUP) model of innovation quality is proposed as such a metric based on viewing innovation from the five different viewpoints mentioned in its definition. BACUP is shown to facilitate discussion and analysis in innovation theory and is proposed as a tool allowing any innovation governance structure to achieve innovation assurance by mitigating risk and uncertainty and maximizing an innovation’s chance for success.

Design/methodology/approach

The BACUP framework was inspired by researching definitions of innovation and coming upon a survey in which different definitions were obtained from several different roles in companies and organizations. To use BACUP as a metric, the author and research assistants made qualitative judgments about innovations. Several judgments were obtained independently and consensus was plotted on the BACUP graphs.

Findings

BACUP can be used to illustrate and discuss major concepts in innovation theory. BACUP can be used to compare the relative viability of different innovative ideas. BACUP can be used to detect vulnerabilities in innovative ideas and provide information to innovation management and governance so that corrective measures can be taken. BACUP can be extended by other researchers and practitioners.

Research limitations/implications

In its current form, BACUP is not a quantitative tool; however, the authors envision other researchers applying existing quantitative tools and incorporating them into the BACUP framework.

Practical implications

BACUP is an innovative idea quality metric employable in any existing innovation management/governance structure or methodology. BACUP also gives practitioners a way to engineer innovative ideas into successful innovations.

Social implications

BACUP can lead to predictable and repeatable improved innovation outcomes, resulting in superior solutions to problems in all domains.

Originality/value

The BACUP framework is a novel, multi-dimensional view of innovation. Application of BACUP as a metric yields a new type of capability for innovation governance called innovation assurance.
Optimal CBM policy with two sampling intervals
Authors: Naderkhani Farnoosh , Jafari Leila , Makis Viliam
Published: February 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to propose a novel condition-based maintenance (CBM) policy with two sampling intervals for a system subject to stochastic deterioration described by the Cox’s proportional hazards model (PHM).

Design/methodology/approach

In this paper, the new or renewed system is monitored using a longer sampling interval. When the estimated hazard function of the system exceeds a warning limit, the observations are taken more frequently, i.e., the sampling interval changes to a shorter one. Preventive maintenance is performed when either the hazard function exceeds a maintenance threshold or the system age exceeds a pre-determined age. A more expensive corrective maintenance is performed upon system failure. The proposed model is formulated in the semi-Markov decision process (SMDP) framework.

Findings

The optimal maintenance policy is found and a computational algorithm based on policy iteration for SMDP is developed to obtain the control thresholds as well as the sampling intervals minimizing the long-run expected average cost per unit time.

Research limitations/implications

A numerical example is presented to illustrate the whole procedure. The newly proposed maintenance policy with two sampling intervals outperforms previously developed maintenance policies using PHM. The paper compares the proposed model with a single sampling interval CBM model and well-known age-based model. Formulas for the conditional reliability function and the mean residual life are also derived for the proposed model. Sensitivity analysis has been performed to study the effect of the changes in the Weibull parameters on the average cost.

Practical implications

The results show that considerable cost savings can be obtained by implementing the maintenance policy developed in this paper.

Originality/value

Unlike the previous CBM policies widely discussed in the literature which use sequential or periodic monitoring, the authors propose a new sampling strategy based on two sampling intervals. From the economic point of view, when the sampling is costly, it is advantageous to monitor the system less frequently when it is in a healthy state and more frequently when it deteriorates and enters the unhealthy state.
An exploratory analysis of quality costing in Greek F&B enterprises
Authors: Chatzipetrou Evrikleia , Moschidis Odysseas
Published: February 2017

Purpose

Given the fact that the Greek food and beverage (F&B) sector, along with the tourism sector, is the basis of Greek economy, the purpose of this paper is to depict the extent to which Greek F&B enterprises have embraced quality costing, as a means toward economic development and quality assurance. Since no previous research has taken place in this area, the paper aims to analyze whether the quality costing approach has been adopted, in order to achieve quality improvement and a reduction of production costs.

Design/methodology/approach

As the variables in this research are mostly nominal, and no similar work has been previously conducted in Greece, an exploratory approach is adopted, specifically multiple correspondence analysis. This approach enables the researcher not only to analyze the phenomenon in a more holistic way, but also to highlight potential issues and questions that have not been previously identified.

Findings

The research concludes that Greek F&B enterprises have not yet accepted the assumption that quality costing leads to a reduction of production costs and to quality improvement. Furthermore, a second analysis highlights that “turnover” and “ISO-HACCP systems” are the most dominant demographic variables, which have a direct relationship to prevention and internal failure costs.

Originality/value

Since the Greek F&B industry constitutes the larger “employer” of domestic manufacturing, this research sheds light on the role that quality costing plays in the development and success of the Greek F&B sector, by exploring the approach that has been adopted by F&B enterprises, as well as the economic outcome of this process.
Mowing exacerbates the loss of ecosystem stability under nitrogen enrichment in a temperate grassland
Authors: Zhang Yunhai , Loreau Michel , He Nianpeng , Zhang Guangming , Han Xingguo
Published: February 2017

Global reactive nitrogen (N) is projected to further increase in the coming years. Previous studies have demonstrated that N enrichment weakens the temporal stability of the ecosystem and the primary productivity through decreased biodiversity and species asynchrony. Mowing is a globally common practise in grasslands; and infrequent mowing can maintain or increase plant diversity under N enrichment conditions. However, it is unclear how infrequent mowing affects ecosystem stability in the face of N enrichment.

By independently manipulating the frequency (twice vs. monthly additions per year) and rate (i.e. 0, 1, 2, 3, 5, 10, 15, 20, and 50 g N m−2 year−1) of NH4NO3 inputs and mowing (unmown vs. mown) over 3 years (2011–2013) in a temperate grassland of northern China, we aimed to examine the interactive effects of N enrichment and mowing on ecosystem stability.

The results show that mowing maintained a positive relationship between species richness and ecosystem stability despite N addition, but that it exacerbated the negative effects of N addition on ecosystem stability. Mowing increased mean primary productivity and plant species richness, but it also increased the synchrony of population fluctuations and the variability of primary productivity under N enrichment, thereby contributing to a decline in the ecosystem stability.

Thus, our study reveals that infrequent mowing can buffer the negative effects of N enrichment on biodiversity to some extent and further increase the primary productivity, but it exacerbates the loss of ecosystem stability with N enrichment, thereby threatening local and/or semiarid regional food security.
Treatment integrity of elaborated semantic feature analysis aphasia therapy delivered in individual and group settings
Authors: Kladouchou Vasiliki , Papathanasiou Ilias , Efstratiadou Eva A. , Christaki Vasiliki , Hilari Katerina
Published: February 2017

Background & Aims

This study ran within the framework of the Thales Aphasia Project that investigated the efficacy of elaborated semantic feature analysis (ESFA). We evaluated the treatment integrity (TI) of ESFA, i.e., the degree to which therapists implemented treatment as intended by the treatment protocol, in two different formats: individual and group therapy.

Methods & Procedures

Based on the ESFA manual, observation of therapy videos and TI literature, we developed two ESFA integrity checklists, for individual and group therapy, and used them to rate 15 videos of therapy sessions, delivered by three speech–language therapists (SLTs). Thirteen people with aphasia (PwA) were involved in this study. Reliability of the checklists was checked using Kappa statistics. Each session's TI was calculated. Differences in TI scores between the two therapy approaches were calculated using independent sample t‐tests. Treating SLTs’ views on what facilitates TI were also explored through a survey.

Outcomes & Results

Inter‐ and intra‐rater reliability were excellent (.75 ≤ κ ≤ 1.00) for all but one video (κ = .63). Overall, a high TI level (91.4%) was achieved. Although both approaches’ TI was high, TI for individual therapy sessions was significantly higher than for group sessions (94.6% and 86.7% respectively), t(13) = 2.68, p = .019. SLTs found training, use of the treatment manual, supervision and peer support useful in implementing ESFA therapy accurately.

Conclusions & Implications

ESFA therapy as delivered in Thales is well described and therapists can implement it as intended. The high TI scores found enhance the internal validity of the main research project and facilitate its replication. The need for more emphasis on the methodological quality of TI studies is discussed.
Manifestations and Medicolegal Significance of Loeys–Dietz Syndrome
Authors: Byard Roger W.
Published: February 2017

Loeys–Dietz syndrome is a recently described autosomal dominant disorder with underlying vasculopathy characterized by aortic and other vascular aneurysmal dissection/rupture. A 61‐year‐old man is reported who died suddenly and unexpectedly and at autopsy was found to have a ruptured abdominal aortic aneurysm. Additional findings included dolichostenomelia, high‐arched palate, and pectus excavatum. There was a strong family history of Loeys–Dietz syndrome, although the decedent had never been tested. Death was, therefore, due to a ruptured abdominal aortic aneurysm in a case of probable Loeys–Dietz syndrome. Although Loeys–Dietz syndrome shares common characteristics with Marfan and other connective tissue syndromes, it is a distinct entity with a much more aggressive clinical course. Lethal events may not occur until later adult life; however, the identification of the syndrome and differentiation from other connective tissue disorders at autopsy is important so that genetic investigation of close relatives can be undertaken with prophylactic surgical treatment if necessary.
1H‐NMR with Multivariate Analysis for Automobile Lubricant Comparison
Authors: Kim Siwon , Yoon Dahye , Lee Dong‐Kye , Yoon Changshin , Kim Suhkmann
Published: February 2017

Identification of suspected automobile‐related lubricants could provide valuable information in forensic cases. We examined that automobile lubricants might exhibit the chemometric characteristics to their individual usages. To compare the degree of clustering in the plots, we co‐plotted general industrial oils that were highly dissimilar with automobile lubricants in additive compositions. 1H‐NMR spectroscopy was used with multivariate statistics as a tool for grouping, clustering, and identification of automobile lubricants in laboratory conditions. We analyzed automobile lubricants including automobile engine oils, automobile transmission oils, automobile gear oils, and motorcycle oils. In contrast to the general industrial oils, automobile lubricants showed relatively high tendencies of clustering to their usages. Our pilot study demonstrated that the comparison of known and questioned samples to their usages might be possible in forensic fields.
Household vulnerability to food price increases: the 2008 crisis in urban Southern Africa
Authors: McCordic Cameron , Frayne Bruce
Published: February 2017

Volatile food prices represent a common hazard to the food security of poor urban households. In trying to understand the impact of this hazard, income poverty is widely accepted as the principal predictive variable. But could other variables be important in understanding household vulnerability to food price shocks? This analysis uses survey data collected from 11 cities in Southern Africa by the African Food Security Urban Network during the 2008 food price crisis. As expected, the data show that household income is a significant predictor of the negative impact of rising food prices on household food security. However, other variables are significant predictors of household vulnerability to food insecurity as a result of food price increases. The analysis demonstrated how these diverse variables facilitated our classification of different households according to food price shocks using a CHAID decision tree. Demonstrating that household income is not the only significant predictor of household vulnerability to food price volatility, these findings broaden our understanding of the complex factors that can predispose households to food insecurity in the context of rising food prices.
Identifying conserved genomic elements and designing universal bait sets to enrich them
Authors: Faircloth Brant C.
Published: February 2017

Targeted enrichment of conserved genomic regions is a popular method for collecting large amounts of sequence data from non‐model taxa for phylogenetic, phylogeographic and population genetic studies. For example, two available bait sets each allow enrichment of thousands of orthologous loci from >20 000 species (Faircloth et al. Systematic Biology, 61, 717–726, 2012; Molecular Ecology Resources, 15, 489–501, 2015). Unfortunately, few open‐source workflows are available to identify conserved genomic elements shared among divergent taxa and to design enrichment baits targeting these regions. Those that do exist require extensive bioinformatics expertise and significant amounts of time to use. These shortcomings limit the application of targeted enrichment methods to additional organismal groups.

Here, I describe a universal workflow for identifying conserved genomic regions in available genomic data and for designing targeted enrichment baits to collect data from these conserved regions. These methods require less expertise, less time and better use commonly available information to identify conserved loci and design baits to capture them.

I apply this computational approach to the understudied arthropod groups Arachnida, Coleoptera, Diptera, Hemiptera or Lepidoptera to identify thousands of conserved loci in each group and design target enrichment baits to capture these loci. I then use in silico analyses to demonstrate that targeted enrichment of the conserved loci can be used to reconstruct the accepted relationships among genome sequences from the focal arthropod orders.

The software workflow I created allowed me to identify thousands of conserved loci in five diverse arthropod groups and design sequence capture baits to target them. This suite of capture bait designs should enable collection of phylogenomic data from >900 000 arthropod species. Although the examples in this manuscript focus on understudied arthropod groups, the approach I describe is applicable to all organismal groups having some form of pre‐existing genomic information (e.g. other invertebrates, plants, fungi and microbes). Finally, the documentation, design steps, software code and bait sets developed here are available under an open‐source license for restriction‐free testing, use, and additional modification by any research group.
Racial Resentment, Hurricane Sandy, and the Spillover of Racial Attitudes into Evaluations of Government Organizations
Authors: Sheagley Geoffrey , Chen Philip , Farhart Christina
Published: February 2017

This study explores the relationship between individuals’ racial attitudes, exposure to information cuing them to think about President Obama, and evaluations of the government's response to Hurricane Sandy. Using a split ballot experiment embedded in a large internet panel fielded during the 2012 presidential election, we show that respondents’ evaluations of President Obama's response to Hurricane Sandy were based on their racial attitudes. We next examined the possibility for racial attitudes to “spill over” into how people evaluate governmental institutions and organizations associated with President Obama. We found evidence that respondents who were cued to think about President Obama and were impacted by Hurricane Sandy were more likely to base their evaluations of the Federal Emergency Management Agency's response to the disaster on their racial attitudes. In short, linking President Obama to Hurricane Sandy led people to ground their evaluations of an organization tasked with coordinating the response to Hurricane Sandy in their racial attitudes. Our research suggests that racial attitudes are important predictors of how individuals perceive President Obama's effectiveness as well as the efficacy of related government organizations.
Initial medication non‐adherence: prevalence and predictive factors in a cohort of 1.6 million primary care patients
Authors: Aznar‐Lou Ignacio , Fernández Ana , Gil‐Girbau Montserrat , Fajó‐Pascual Marta , Moreno‐Peral Patricia , Peñarrubia‐María María Teresa , Serrano‐Blanco Antoni , Sánchez‐Niubó Albert , March‐Pujol María Antonia , Jové Anna Maria , Rubio‐Valera Maria
Published: February 2017

Aims

Adherence to medicines is vital in treating diseases. Initial medication non‐adherence (IMNA) – defined as not obtaining a medication the first time it is prescribed – has been poorly explored. Previous studies show IMNA rates between 6 and 28% in primary care (PC). The aims of this study were to determine prevalence and predictive factors of IMNA in the most prescribed and expensive pharmacotherapeutic groups in the Catalan health system.

Methods

This is a retrospective, register‐based cohort study which linked the Catalan PC System (Spain) prescription and invoicing databases. Medication was considered non‐initiated when it was not collected from the pharmacy by the end of the month following the one in which it was prescribed. IMNA prevalence was calculated using July 2013–June 2014 prescription data. Predictive factors related to patients, general practitioners and PC centres were identified through multilevel logistic regression analyses. Missing data were attributed using simple imputation.

Results

Some 1.6 million patients with 2.9 million prescriptions were included in the study sample. Total IMNA prevalence was 17.6% of prescriptions. The highest IMNA rate was observed in anilides (22.6%) and the lowest in angiotensin‐converting‐enzyme (ACE) inhibitors (7.4%). Predictors of IMNA are younger age, American nationality, having a pain‐related or mental disorder and being treated by a substitute/resident general practitioner in a resident‐training centre.

Conclusions

The rate of IMNA is high when all medications are taken into account. Attempts to strengthen trust in resident general practitioners and improve motivation to initiate a needed medication in the general young and older immigrant population should be addressed in Catalan PC.
Antigenic burden and serum IgG concentrations influence rituximab pharmacokinetics in rheumatoid arthritis patients
Authors: Lioger Bertrand , Edupuganti Soujanya Ratna , Mulleman Denis , Passot Christophe , Desvignes Céline , Bejan‐Angoulvant Théodora , Thibault Gilles , Gouilleux‐Gruart Valérie , Mélet Julien , Paintaud Gilles , Ternant David
Published: February 2017

Aims

Rituximab is a monoclonal antibody directed against CD20, which is approved in rheumatoid arthritis (RA). This study aimed at assessing the influence of CD19+ cell counts as target‐antigen amount, and of immunoglobulin G (IgG) serum concentrations on rituximab pharmacokinetics in RA patients.

Methods

In a cohort of 64 RA patients who had received repetitive courses of rituximab, the influence of CD19+ cell count, IgG serum concentration, body surface area, sex and disease activity score in 28 joints on rituximab pharmacokinetic parameters was assessed using a population pharmacokinetic analysis.

Results

A two‐compartment model, with first‐order distribution and elimination best described the data. The volume of distribution of central compartment and clearance of rituximab were estimated at 4.7 l and 0.56 l day–1, respectively. Distribution and elimination half‐lives were 0.9 days and 17.3 days, respectively. As expected, the central volume of distribution increased with body surface area (P = 0.012) and was higher in male than in female (P = 0.004). We found that the elimination rate constant (k10) increased with CD19+ count (P = 0.00022) and IgG concentration (P = 7.4 × 10−8), and that k10 decreased with time (P = 0.00015), partly explained by a change in target‐antigen amount.

Conclusions

The association between CD19+ count and k10 may be explained by target‐mediated drug disposition, while the association between IgG serum concentration and k10 may be explained by a saturation of the neonatal Fc receptor at high IgG concentrations, resulting in decreased recycling of rituximab.
Establishment and growth responses of Nile tilapia embryonic stem‐like cell lines under feeder‐free condition
Authors: Fan Zhenhua , Liu Linyan , Huang Xiaohuan , Zhao Yang , Zhou Linyan , Wang Deshou , Wei Jing
Published: February 2017

Embryonic stem (ES) cells provide an invaluable tool for molecular analysis of vertebrate development and a bridge linking genomic manipulations in vitro and functional analysis of target genes in vivo. Work towards fish ES cells so far has focused on zebrafish (Danio renio) and medaka (Oryzias latipes). Here we describe the derivation, pluripotency, differentiation and growth responses of ES cell lines from Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus), a world‐wide commercial farmed fish. These cell lines, designated as TES1‐3, were initiated from blastomeres of Nile tilapia middle blastula embryos (MBE). One representative line, TES1, showed stable growth and phenotypic characteristics of ES cells over 200 days of culture with more than 59 passages under feeder‐free conditions. They exhibited high alkaline phosphatase activity and expression of pluripotency genes including pou5f3 (the pou5f1/oct4 homologue), sox2, myc and klf4. In suspension culture together with retinoic acid treatment, TES1 cells formed embryoid bodies, which exhibited expression profile of differentiation genes characteristics of all three germ cell layers. Notably, PKH26‐labeled TES1 cells introduced into Nile tilapia MBE could contribute to body compartment development and led to hatched chimera formation with an efficacy of 13%. These results suggest that TES1 cells have pluripotency and differentiation potential in vitro and in vivo. In the conditioned DMEM, all of the supplements including the fetal bovine serum, fish embryonic extract, fish serum, basic fibroblast growth factor and non‐protein supplement combination 5N were mitogenic for TES1 cell growth. This study will promote ES‐based biotechnology in commercial fish.
Hippocampal‐prefrontal theta phase synchrony in planning of multi‐step actions based on memory retrieval
Authors: Ishino Seiya , Takahashi Susumu , Ogawa Masaaki , Sakurai Yoshio
Published: February 2017

Planning of multi‐step actions based on the retrieval of acquired information is essential for efficient foraging. The hippocampus (HPC) and prefrontal cortex (PFC) may play critical roles in this process. However, in rodents, many studies investigating such roles utilized T‐maze tasks that only require one‐step actions (i.e., selection of one of two alternatives), in which memory retrieval and selection of an action based on the retrieval cannot be clearly differentiated. In monkeys, PFC has been suggested to be involved in planning of multi‐step actions; however, the synchrony between HPC and PFC has not been evaluated. To address the combined role of the regions in planning of multi‐step actions, we introduced a task in rats that required three successive nose‐poke responses to three sequentially illuminated nose‐poke holes. During the task, local field potentials (LFP) and spikes from hippocampal CA1 and medial PFC (mPFC) were simultaneously recorded. The position of the first hole indicated whether the following two holes would be presented in a predictable sequence or not. During the first nose‐poke period, phase synchrony of LFPs in the theta range (4–10 Hz) between the regions was not different between predictable and unpredictable trials. However, only in trials of predictable sequences, the magnitude of theta phase synchrony during the first nose‐poke period was negatively correlated with latency of the two‐step ahead nose‐poke response. Our findings point to the HPC‐mPFC theta phase synchrony as a key mechanism underlying planning of multi‐step actions based on memory retrieval rather than the retrieval itself.
Risk of vigabatrin‐associated brain abnormalities on MRI in the treatment of infantile spasms is dose‐dependent
Authors: Hussain Shaun A. , Tsao Jackie , Li Menglu , Schwarz Madeline D. , Zhou Raymond , Wu Joyce Y. , Salamon Noriko , Sankar Raman
Published: February 2017

Objective

Although the link between vigabatrin (VGB) and retinotoxicity is well known, little attention has been focused on the risk of VGB‐associated brain abnormalities on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) (VABAM), namely reversible—and largely asymptomatic—signal changes in the thalami, basal ganglia, brainstem tegmentum, and cerebellar nuclei. Using a large infantile spasms cohort, we set out to identify predictors of these phenomena.

Methods

Children with infantile spasms were retrospectively identified. Brain MRI reports were serially reviewed without knowledge of VGB exposure. Upon VABAM discovery, records were systematically reviewed to ascertain presence of symptoms attributable to VGB. Separately, progress notes were sequentially reviewed to identify and quantify VGB exposure.

Results

We identified 507 brain MRI studies among 257 patients with infantile spasms. VGB treatment was documented in 143 children, with detailed exposure data available for 104, of whom 45 had at least one MRI study during VGB treatment. Among the limited subset of asymptomatic children who underwent MRI (n = 40), 6 exhibited VABAM. Risk of asymptomatic VABAM was dose‐dependent, as peak (but not cumulative) VGB dosage was strongly associated with asymptomatic VABAM (p = 0.0028). In an exploratory analysis, we encountered 4 children with symptomatic VABAM among 104 patients with detailed VGB exposure data. Risk of symptomatic VABAM was seemingly dose‐independent, and potentially associated with concomitant hormonal therapy (i.e., prednisolone and adrenocorticotropic hormone [ACTH]) (p = 0.039).

Significance

We have demonstrated dose‐dependent risk of asymptomatic VABAM and uncovered a possible association between symptomatic VABAM and concomitant hormonal therapy. Caution should be exercised in the use of high VGB dosage (i.e., >175 mg/kg/day), and further study is warranted to confirm the potential impact of hormonal therapy.
Effects of calcination atmosphere on monodispersed spherical particles for highly optical transparent yttria ceramics
Authors: Jung Wook Ki , Ma Ho Jin , Jung Se Woon , Kim Do Kyung
Published: February 2017

Highly sinterable powders are required for the fabrication of transparent ceramics. Here, we studied the effects of calcination atmosphere on the characteristics of monodispersed spherical Y2O3 powders, such as crystallite size and particle density, for high optical transparent ceramics. It was found that vacuum calcination around the crystallization temperature is the crucial step to eliminate intragranular pores in the spherical particle. The fast decomposition rate in a vacuum creates smaller crystallites, and the following higher calcination temperature results in the enhancement of pore elimination. The in‐line transmittance of the transparent Y2O3 ceramics, vacuum sintered at 1750°C, was improved by increasing the particle density of the as‐calcined powders. This result indicates that the high‐density starting particles effectively enhance the pore elimination during the fabrication of transparent Y2O3 ceramics.
Residents’ engagement in everyday activities and its association with thriving in nursing homes
Authors: Björk Sabine , Lindkvist Marie , Wimo Anders , Juthberg Christina , Bergland Ådel , Edvardsson David
Published: February 2017

Aim

To describe the prevalence of everyday activity engagement for older people in nursing homes and the extent to which engagement in everyday activities is associated with thriving.

Background

Research into residents’ engagement in everyday activities in nursing homes has focused primarily on associations with quality of life and prevention and management of neuropsychiatric symptoms. However, the mere absence of symptoms does not necessarily guarantee experiences of well‐being. The concept of thriving encapsulates and explores experiences of well‐being in relation to the place where a person lives.

Design

A cross‐sectional survey.

Method

A national survey of 172 Swedish nursing homes (2013–2014). Resident (n = 4831) symptoms, activities and thriving were assessed by staff using a study survey based on established questionnaires. Descriptive statistics, simple and multiple linear regression, and linear stepwise multiple regression were performed.

Results

The most commonly occurring everyday activities were receiving hugs and physical touch, talking to relatives/friends and receiving visitors, having conversation with staff not related to care and grooming. The least commonly occurring everyday activities were going to the cinema, participating in an educational program, visiting a restaurant and doing everyday chores. Positive associations were found between activity engagement and thriving, where engagement in an activity program, dressing nicely and spending time with someone the resident likes had the strongest positive association with resident thriving.

Conclusions

Engagement in everyday activities can support personhood and thriving and can be conceptualized and implemented as nursing interventions to enable residents to thrive in nursing homes.
Nurses’ response to parents’ ‘speaking‐up’ efforts to ensure their hospitalized child's safety: an attribution theory perspective
Authors: Bsharat Sondos , Drach‐Zahavy Anat
Published: February 2017

Aim

To understand how attribution processes (control and stability), which the nurse attributes to parental involvement in maintaining child safety, determine the nurse's response to a safety alert.

Background

Participation of parents in maintaining their child's safety is shown to reduce the incidence of and risk of clinical errors. Unless nurses respond appropriately to parents’ safety alerts, this potential source of support could diminish.

Design

A 2 (controllability: high vs. low) × 2 (consistency: high vs. low) factorial design.

Methods

Data were collected during the period 2013–2014 in paediatric wards. Four variants of scenarios were created corresponding to the different combinations of these variables. A total of 126 nurses read a scenario and completed self‐report questionnaires measuring their response to the parent's safety alert. Additional data were collected about the manipulation check, safety norms in the ward and demographic variables. Data were analysed using analysis of variance.

Findings

Results showed a main effect of stability and a significant two‐way interaction effect of stability and controllability, on a nurse's tendency to help the parent and fix the safety problem. Furthermore, safety norms were significantly related to nurses’ response.

Conclusion

These findings contribute to the understanding of antecedents that affect nurses’ responses to parents’ speaking‐up initiatives: whether nurses will reject or heed the alert. Theoretical and practical implications for promoting parents’ engagement in their safety are discussed.
What is the impact of shift work on the psychological functioning and resilience of nurses? An integrative review
Authors: Tahghighi Mozhdeh , Rees Clare S. , Brown Janie A. , Breen Lauren J. , Hegney Desley
Published: February 2017

Aim

To synthesize existing research to determine if nurses who work shifts have poorer psychological functioning and resilience than nurses who do not work shifts.

Background

Research exploring the impact of shift work on the psychological functioning and resilience of nurses is limited compared with research investigating the impact of shifts on physical outcomes.

Design

Integrative literature review.

Data Sources

Relevant databases were searched from January 1995–August 2016 using the combination of keywords: nurse, shift work; rotating roster; night shift; resilient; hardiness; coping; well‐being; burnout; mental health; occupational stress; compassion fatigue; compassion satisfaction; stress; anxiety; depression.

Review Methods

Two authors independently performed the integrative review processes proposed by Whittemore and Knafl and a quality assessment using the mixed‐methods appraisal tool by Pluye et al.

Results

A total of 37 articles were included in the review (32 quantitative, 4 qualitative and 1 mixed‐methods). Approximately half of the studies directly compared nurse shift workers with non‐shift workers. Findings were grouped according to the following main outcomes: (1) general psychological well‐being/quality of life; (2) Job satisfaction/burnout; (3) Depression, anxiety and stress; and (4) Resilience/coping. We did not find definitive evidence that shift work is associated with poorer psychological functioning in nurses. Overall, the findings suggest that the impact of shift work on nurse psychological functioning is dependent on several contextual and individual factors.

Conclusion

More studies are required which directly compare the psychological outcomes and resilience of nurse shift workers with non‐shift workers.
Conceptual and analytical worldviews shape differences about global avian biogeography
Authors: Cracraft Joel , Claramunt Santiago
Published: February 2017

In a recent paper, we generated a new time tree of modern birds and integrated it with biogeographic and palaeontological information to formulate a model for their biogeographic history. We postulated that modern birds originated in West Gondwanan continents, from where they dispersed around the world. Mayr suggested that our selective use of the fossil record may have biased our ancestral area reconstructions. We argue that the use of the fossil record must be selective in order to avoid the influence of its severe geographic bias: rock formations with numerous high‐quality fossil birds are found only in North America and Europe. An indiscriminate use of the avian fossil record would bias any biogeographic analysis towards these two continents. Our biogeographic model is perfectly consistent with the existence of diverse fossil avifaunas in the Eocene of North America and Europe because dispersion out of South America occurred earlier, in the Palaeocene.
Crosstalk between Smad2/3 and specific isoforms of ERK in TGF‐β1‐induced TIMP‐3 expression in rat chondrocytes
Authors: Zhu Yanhui , Gu Jianhua , Zhu Tong , Jin Chen , Hu Xiaopeng , Wang Xiang
Published: February 2017

This study investigated the roles of ERK1 and ERK2 in transforming growth factor‐β1 (TGF‐β1)‐induced tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinases‐3 (TIMP‐3) expression in rat chondrocytes, and the specific roles of ERK1 and ERK2 in crosstalk with Smad2/3 were investigated to demonstrate the molecular mechanism of ERK1/2 regulation of TGF‐β1 signalling. To examine the interaction of specific isoforms of ERK and the Smad2/3 signalling pathway, chondrocytes were infected with LV expressing either ERK1 or ERK2 siRNA and stimulated with or without TGF‐β1. At indicated time‐points, TIMP‐3 expression was determined by real‐time PCR and Western blotting; p‐Smad3, nuclear p‐Smad3, Smad2/3, p‐ERK1/2 and ERK1/2 levels were assessed. And then, aggrecan, type II collagen and the intensity of matrix were examined. TGF‐β1‐induced TIMP‐3 expression was significantly inhibited by ERK1 knock‐down, and the decrease in TIMP‐3 expression was accompanied by a reduction of p‐Smad3 in ERK1 knock‐down cells. Knock‐down of ERK2 had no effect on neither TGF‐β1‐induced TIMP‐3 expression nor the quantity of p‐Smad3. Moreover, aggrecan, type II collagen expression and the intensity of matrix were significantly suppressed by ERK1 knock‐down instead of ERK2 knock‐down. Taken together, ERK1 and ERK2 have different roles in TGF‐β1‐induced TIMP‐3 expression in rat chondrocytes. ERK1 instead of ERK2 can regulate TGF‐β/Smad signalling, which may be the mechanism through which ERK1 regulates TGF‐β1‐induced TIMP‐3 expression.
Reliability and validity of the Chinese version of the Self‐care Ability Scale for the Elderly
Authors: Gao Han , Söderhamn Ulrika , Cliffordson Christina , Guo Lina , Guo Qiyun , Liu Kun
Published: February 2017

Aims and objectives

To translate the Self‐care Ability Scale for the Elderly into Simplified Chinese and to test the Chinese version of the scale regarding its reliability and validity among older people.

Background

Self‐care is an important topic in nursing. When assessing older people's self‐care ability, it is essential that a reliable and valid instrument is used.

Design

This study employed across‐sectional design.

Methods

We translated the English version of the Self‐care Ability Scale for the Elderly into Simplified Chinese according to Brislin's translation guidelines and carried out a questionnaire survey among 610 older people, including both community‐dwelling people and hospital patients, in Jinzhou City, People's Republic of China. Eighty participants completed the instrument twice for test–retest reliability. Data analyses were performed using spss 17.0 and Mplus, version 5, to assess reliability and validity.

Results

A Cronbach's alpha coefficient of .89 and statistically significant item‐to‐total correlations showed evidence of homogeneity. An intraclass correlation coefficient of .99 for the test–retest between total scores and intraclass correlation coefficients between .87–.99 for the test–retest scores of each item explained the almost perfect test–retest reliability noted in this study. Content validity was found to be good, and a three‐factor model was obtained in an exploratory factor analysis (explaining a variance of 57%) and modified in a confirmatory factor analysis (χ2 = 261.559, df = 98, root mean square error of approximation = 0.074; standardised root mean square residual = 0.059), which reflected an acceptable construct validity.

Conclusions

This study shows that the Chinese version of the Self‐care Ability Scale for the Elderly has sufficient psychometric properties for assessing self‐care ability among older people in China.

Relevance to clinical practice

A reliable and valid instrument is available to assess the self‐care ability of older Chinese people.
Nasal infestation by Linguatula serrata in a dog in the UK: a case report
Authors: Villedieu E. , Sanchez R. F. , Jepson R. E. , Ter Haar G.
Published: February 2017

A two‐year‐old, female neutered, cross‐breed dog imported from Romania was diagnosed with nasal infestation of Linguatula serrata after she sneezed out an adult female. The dog was presented with mucopurulent/sanguinous nasal discharge, marked left‐sided exophthalmia, conjunctival hyperaemia and chemosis. Computed tomography and left frontal sinusotomy revealed no further evidence of adult parasites. In addition, there was no evidence of egg shedding in the nasal secretions or faeces. Clinical signs resolved within 48 hours of sinusotomy, and with systemic broad‐spectrum antibiotics and non‐steroidal anti‐inflammatory drugs. Recommendations are given in this report regarding the management and follow‐up of this important zoonotic disease.
CDKL5 deficiency entails sleep apneas in mice
Authors: Lo Martire Viviana , Alvente Sara , Bastianini Stefano , Berteotti Chiara , Silvani Alessandro , Valli Alice , Viggiano Rocchina , Ciani Elisabetta , Zoccoli Giovanna
Published: February 2017

A recently discovered neurodevelopmental disorder caused by the mutation of the cyclin‐dependent kinase‐like 5 gene (CDKL5) entails complex autistic‐like behaviours similar to Rett syndrome, but its impact upon physiological functions remains largely unexplored. Sleep‐disordered breathing is common and potentially life‐threatening in patients with Rett syndrome; however, evidence is limited in children with CDKL5 disorder, and is lacking altogether in adults. The aim of this study was to test whether the breathing pattern during sleep differs between adult Cdkl5 knockout (Cdkl5‐KO) and wild‐type (WT) mice. Using whole‐body plethysmography, sleep and breathing were recorded non‐invasively for 8 h during the light period. Sleep apneas occurred more frequently in Cdkl5‐KO than in WT mice. A receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis discriminated Cdkl5‐KO significantly from WT mice based on sleep apnea occurrence. These data demonstrate that sleep apneas are a core feature of CDKL5 disorder and a respiratory biomarker of CDKL5 deficiency in mice, and suggest that sleep‐disordered breathing should be evaluated routinely in CDKL5 patients.