bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
An essay on life, care and death in the Brave New World after 1984
Authors: Klinger Cornelia
Published: May 2018

Purpose

In order to explore the impact of the recent wave of a technological revolution on global culture and society, the purpose of this paper is to re-read the two most outstanding dystopian novels of the mid-twentieth century. George Orwell and Aldous Huxley observe and anticipate technological development in relation to questions of human nature and culture, individual identity and close relationships, matters of care, privacy and private life. The totalitarian regimes both authors experienced in their time have disappeared, yet today the two fields of high technology that fueled their fantasy are reaching levels of development to surpass Orwell’s and Huxley’s daunting visions.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper approaches the recent innovations in the information and communication technology as well as the upsurge of life sciences and bio-technology from a philosophical perspective, considering their impact on the social structure (division of labor, distribution of wealth) as well as on the symbolic order of advanced industrial societies (the sign and the body, life and death).

Findings

Taking up Michel Foucault’s distinction between ancient sovereign rule and modern biopolitics, the author suggests discerning a third stage of domination: bio economics plus culture industries. In contrast to the two previous forms of domination, this new regime does not endeavor to suppress but to foster and unleash life. Therefore, it instigates less resistance and opposition but meets with more approval and compliance. Domination in this neoliberal-libertarian guise may prove not less dangerous than the former totalitarian variant. It forces the author to re-think ways of resistance and critique.

Originality/value

This paper makes a theoretical contribution to the analysis of care, society and democracy.
Attitudes toward mammography: questionnaire psychometric properties
Authors: Pahlevan Sharif Saeed , Abaeian Vahideh , Khanekharab Jasmine
Published: May 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to evaluate the Persian version of the Attitude toward Breast Cancer Screening Procedures Scale (ABCSPS) among Iranian women.

Design/methodology/approach

In this methodological study, 1,000 Iranian women completed a demographic questionnaire and the 14-item Persian ABCSPS. The scale’s construct validity was evaluated using exploratory and confirmatory factor analysis. Internal consistency and reliability were assessed using Cronbach’s α and McDonald’s coefficient ω.

Findings

The exploratory factor analysis revealed a two-factor solution accounting for 55.1 percent of the variance. The two-factor measurement model had a good fit with all factor loadings greater than 0.5, which were statistically significant. The results showed good reliability and internally consistency (α=0.767 and 0.872; ω =0.979 and 0.997). Moreover, model structure was invariant across different income groups.

Originality/value

The Persian ABCSPS translation demonstrated good validity and reliability among Iranian women. The results also showed that the scale had a multidimensional structure. Regarding proper psychometric properties, the validated scale can be used in future studies as a reliable and relevant breast cancer screening attitude measure.
Modifying pre-operative antibiotic overuse in gynecologic surgery
Authors: Shapiro Robert , Laignel Rose , Kowcheck Caitlin , White Valerie , Hashmi Mahreen
Published: May 2018

Purpose

Previous studies indicate adherence to pre-operative antibiotic prophylaxis guidelines has been inadequate. The purpose of this paper is to determine adherence rates to current perioperative antibiotic prophylaxis guidelines in gynecologic surgery at a tertiary care, academic institution. As a secondary outcome, improving guidelines after physician re-education were analyzed.

Design/methodology/approach

A retrospective chart review (2,463 patients) was completed. The authors determined if patients received perioperative antibiotic prophylaxis in accordance with current guidelines from the America College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. Data were obtained before and after physician tutorials. Quality control was implemented by making guideline failures transparent. Statistical analysis used Fisher’s exact and agreement tests.

Findings

In total, 23 percent of patients received antibiotics not indicated across all procedures. This decreased to 9 percent after physician re-education and outcome transparency (p<0.0001). Laparoscopy was the procedure with the lowest guideline compliance prior to education. The compliance improved from 52 to 92 percent (p<0.0001) after re-education.

Practical implications

Gynecologic surgeons overuse antibiotics for surgical prophylaxis. Physician re-education and transparency were shown to enhance compliance.

Originality/value

Educational tutorials are an effective strategy for encouraging physicians to improve outcomes, which, in turn, allows the healthcare system a non-punitive way to monitor quality and mitigate cost.
Hospital accreditation: staff experiences and perceptions
Authors: Bogh Søren Bie , Blom Ane , Raben Ditte Caroline , Braithwaite Jeffrey , Thude Bettina , Hollnagel Erik , Plessen Christian von
Published: May 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to understand how staff at various levels perceive and understand hospital accreditation generally and in relation to quality improvement (QI) specifically.

Design/methodology/approach

In a newly accredited Danish hospital, the authors conducted semi-structured interviews to capture broad ranging experiences. Medical doctors, nurses, a quality coordinator and a quality department employee participated. Interviews were audio recorded and subjected to framework analysis.

Findings

Staff reported that The Danish Healthcare Quality Programme affected management priorities: office time and working on documentation, which reduced time with patients and on improvement activities. Organisational structures were improved during preparation for accreditation. Staff perceived that the hospital was better prepared for new QI initiatives after accreditation; staff found disease specific requirements unnecessary. Other areas benefited from accreditation. Interviewees expected that organisational changes, owing to accreditation, would be sustained and that the QI focus would continue.

Practical implications

Accreditation is a critical and complete hospital review, including areas that often are neglected. Accreditation dominates hospital agendas during preparation and surveyor visits, potentially reducing patient care and other QI initiatives. Improvements are less likely to occur in areas that other QI initiatives addressed. Yet, accreditation creates organisational foundations for future QI initiatives.

Originality/value

The authors study contributes new insights into how hospital staff at different organisational levels perceive and understand accreditation.
Portuguese university hospital patient satisfaction and service quality
Authors: Silva Alexandre Gomes G. , Ferreira Pedro Lopes , Daniel Fernanda Bento
Published: May 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate Portuguese hospital inpatient satisfaction.

Design/methodology/approach

The study was conducted at a major university hospital in Portugal. Using the IAQH-IA mailed questionnaire, data were collected over three months (March to June 2015) from patients and families. From 1,500 former inpatients, 434 participated (29 percent response rate). Using the structural equation modeling, the authors derived satisfaction models and analyzed the relationship between quality, satisfaction and patient attitudes. Inferential statistics (bivariate analysis) were used to deal with global satisfaction determinants.

Findings

The satisfaction model was confirmed using factor analysis. Results show that developing a system for delivering timely information to both patient and relatives is relevant. Communication is a fundamental aspect for patients, which to date, seems to have been neglected by hospital managers. Education and current perceived health are important global satisfaction determinants.

Practical implications

Hospital managers can use the authors’ findings to measure and improve operational performance.

Originality/value

Knowledge about patient perception and satisfaction leads to continuing improvement in healthcare quality.
Evidence-based management – healthcare manager viewpoints
Authors: Janati Ali , Hasanpoor Edris , Hajebrahimi Sakineh , Sadeghi-Bazargani Homayoun
Published: May 2018

Purpose

Hospital manager decisions can have a significant impact on service effectiveness and hospital success, so using an evidence-based approach can improve hospital management. The purpose of this paper is to identify evidence-based management (EBMgt) components and challenges. Consequently, the authors provide an improving evidence-based decision-making framework.

Design/methodology/approach

A total of 45 semi-structured interviews were conducted in 2016. The authors also established three focus group discussions with health service managers. Data analysis followed deductive qualitative analysis guidelines.

Findings

Four basic themes emerged from the interviews, including EBMgt evidence sources (including sub-themes: scientific and research evidence, facts and information, political-social development plans, managers’ professional expertise and ethical-moral evidence); predictors (sub-themes: stakeholder values and expectations, functional behavior, knowledge, key competencies and skill, evidence sources, evidence levels, uses and benefits and government programs); EBMgt barriers (sub-themes: managers’ personal characteristics, decision-making environment, training and research system and organizational issues); and evidence-based hospital management processes (sub-themes: asking, acquiring, appraising, aggregating, applying and assessing).

Originality/value

Findings suggest that most participants have positive EBMgt attitudes. A full evidence-based hospital manager is a person who uses all evidence sources in a six-step decision-making process. EBMgt frameworks are a good tool to manage healthcare organizations. The authors found factors affecting hospital EBMgt and identified six evidence sources that healthcare managers can use in evidence-based decision-making processes.
Housing, Wealth, Income and Consumption: China and Homeownership Heterogeneity
Authors: Chen Jie , Hardin William , Hu Mingzhi
Published: May 2018

Impacts on consumer spending in urban China associated with housing value, housing equity, financial assets and household income are evaluated using longitudinal data from the China Family Panel Studies (CFPS) survey. Findings suggest that the housing wealth effect on household consumption in China is much larger than has been shown for developed economies. The larger impact is prospectively related to structural limits on investing which favor real estate ownership, along with the dominant position of housing in total household wealth. We also find that a household's consumption varies across housing tenure. Homeowners having joint ownership of property on average have the highest consumption propensity, while those having sole ownership of property consume the most in response to appreciation in housing wealth.
Cannabidiol reverses attentional bias to cigarette cues in a human experimental model of tobacco withdrawal
Authors: Hindocha Chandni , Freeman Tom P. , Grabski Meryem , Stroud Jack B. , Crudgington Holly , Davies Alan C. , Das Ravi K. , Lawn William , Morgan Celia J. A. , Curran H. Valerie
Published: May 2018

Background and Aims

Cannabidiol (CBD), a non‐intoxicating cannabinoid found in cannabis, may be a promising novel smoking cessation treatment due to its anxiolytic properties, minimal side effects and research showing that it may modify drug cue salience. We used an experimental medicine approach with dependent cigarette smokers to investigate if (1) overnight nicotine abstinence, compared with satiety, will produce greater attentional bias (AB), higher pleasantness ratings of cigarette‐related stimuli and increased craving and withdrawal; and (2) CBD in comparison to placebo, would attenuate AB, pleasantness of cigarette‐related stimuli, craving and withdrawal and not produce any side effects.

Design

Randomized, double‐blind cross‐over study with a fixed satiated session followed by two overnight abstinent sessions.

Setting

UK laboratory.

Participants

Thirty non‐treatment‐seeking, dependent cigarette smokers recruited from the community.

Intervention and comparator

800 mg oral CBD, or matched placebo (PBO) in a counterbalanced order

Measurements

AB to pictorial tobacco cues was recorded using a visual probe task and an explicit rating task. Withdrawal, craving, side effects, heart rate and blood pressure were assessed repeatedly.

Findings

When participants received PBO, tobacco abstinence increased AB (P = 0.001, d = 0.789) compared with satiety. However, CBD reversed this effect, such that automatic AB was directed away from cigarette cues (P = 0.007, d = 0.704) and no longer differed from satiety (P = 0.82). Compared with PBO, CBD also reduced explicit pleasantness of cigarette images (P = 0.011; d = 0.514). Craving (Bayes factor = 7.08) and withdrawal (Bayes factor = 6.95) were unaffected by CBD, but greater in abstinence compared with satiety. Systolic blood pressure decreased under CBD during abstinence.

Conclusions

A single 800‐mg oral dose of cannabidiol reduced the salience and pleasantness of cigarette cues, compared with placebo, after overnight cigarette abstinence in dependent smokers. Cannabidiol did not influence tobacco craving or withdrawal or any subjectively rated side effects.
Patient‐reported outcome instruments that evaluate adherence behaviours in adults with asthma: a systematic review of measurement properties
Authors: Gagné Myriam , Boulet Louis‐Philippe , Pérez Norma , Moisan Jocelyne
Published: May 2018

Aim

The aim of the present study was to identify systematically the measurement properties of patient‐reported outcome instruments (PROs) that evaluate adherence to inhaled maintenance medication in adults with asthma.

Methods

We conducted a systematic review of six databases. Two reviewers independently included studies on the measurement properties of PROs that evaluated adherence in asthmatic participants aged ≥18 years. Based on the COnsensus‐based Standards for the selection of health Measurement INstruments (COSMIN), the reviewers: (i) extracted data on internal consistency, reliability, measurement error, content validity, structural validity, hypotheses testing, cross‐cultural validity, criterion validity and responsiveness; (ii) assessed the methodological quality of the included studies; (iii) assessed the quality of the measurement properties (positive or negative); and (iv) summarized the level of evidence (limited, moderate or strong).

Results

We screened 6068 records and included 15 studies (14 PROs). No studies evaluated measurement error or responsiveness. Based on methodological and measurement property quality assessments, we found limited positive evidence of: (i) internal consistency of the Adherence Questionnaire, Refined Medication Adherence Reason (MAR) scale, Medication Adherence Report Scale for Asthma (MARS‐A) and Test of the Adherence to Inhalers (TAI); (ii) reliability of the TAI; and (iii) structural validity of the adherence questionnaire, MAR scale, MARS‐A and TAI. We also found limited negative evidence of: (i) hypotheses testing of the Adherence Questionnaire; (ii) reliability of the MARS‐A; and (iii) criterion validity of the MARS‐A and TAI.

Conclusions

Our results highlighted the need to conduct further high‐quality studies to evaluate the reliability, validity and responsiveness of the available PROs.
Multifaceted DNA metabarcoding: Validation of a noninvasive, next‐generation approach to studying bat populations
Authors: Swift Joel F. , Lance Richard F. , Guan Xin , Britzke Eric R. , Lindsay Denise L. , Edwards Christine E.
Published: May 2018

As multiple species of bats are currently experiencing dramatic declines in populations due to white‐nose syndrome (WNS) and other factors, conservation managers have an urgent need for data on the ecology and overall status of populations of once‐common bat species. Standard approaches to obtain data on bat populations often involve capture and handling, requiring extensive expertise and unavoidably resulting in stress to the bats. New methods to rapidly obtain critical data are needed that minimize both the stress on bats and the spread of WNS. Guano provides a noninvasive source of DNA that includes information from the bat, but also dietary items, parasites, and pathogens. DNA metabarcoding is a high‐throughput, DNA‐based identification technique to assess the biodiversity of environmental or fecal samples. We investigated the use of multifaceted DNA metabarcoding (MDM), a technique combining next‐generation DNA sequencing (NGS), DNA barcodes, and bioinformatic analysis, to simultaneously collect data on multiple parameters of interest (bat species composition, individual genotype, sex ratios, diet, parasites, and presence of WNS) from fecal samples using a single NGS run. We tested the accuracy of each MDM assay using samples in which these parameters were previously determined using conventional approaches. We found that assays for bat species identification, insect diet, parasite diversity, and genotype were both sensitive and accurate, the assay to detect WNS was highly sensitive but requires careful sample processing steps to ensure the reliability of results, while assays for nectivorous diet and sex showed lower sensitivity. MDM was able to quantify multiple data classes from fecal samples simultaneously, and results were consistent whether we included assays for a single data class or multiple data classes. Overall, MDM is a useful approach that employs noninvasive sampling and a customizable suite of assays to gain important and largely accurate information on bat ecology and population dynamics.
Fabrication of translucent AlN ceramics with MgF2 additive by spark plasma sintering
Authors: Son Hyoung‐Won , Kim Byung‐Nam , Suzuki Tohru S. , Suzuki Yoshikazu
Published: May 2018

Translucent AlN ceramics with 0‐2 wt.% MgF2 additive were prepared by spark plasma sintering. AlN powder was heated temporarily up to 2000°C, before holding at 1850°C for 20 minutes in N2 gas. The sintered ceramics consisted of a single phase of hexagonal AlN, and showed a transgranular fracture mode. The total transmittance was improved remarkably by the additive, to reach 74% at a wavelength of 800 nm for 1 wt.% MgF2. For 2 wt.% MgF2, the transmittance was slightly lower than that for 1 wt.% MgF2, and an absorption band was observed apparently at around 400 nm. The addition of MgF2 along with the temporary heating at higher temperatures than the sintering temperature contributed to improve the transmittance remarkably.
Parenting and Family Relationships in Chinese Families: A Critical Ecological Approach
Authors: Chuang Susan S. , Glozman Jenny , Green David S. , Rasmi Sarah
Published: May 2018

Scholars have recently been paying greater attention to cultural and cross‐cultural research. However, studies have primarily been on between‐group comparisons, using White North American samples as a baseline. This approach results in misleading conclusions that overemphasize intergroup and underemphasize intragroup differences. We focus on Chinese families because they account for one‐fifth of the world's population, yet the understanding of Chinese families is limited. Our broad objective is a call to action, emphasizing the importance of moving beyond global and superficial assessments of Chinese parenting. On the basis of Bronfenbrenner's bioecological model, we critically explore the intra‐ and intergroup intricacies of Chinese parenting to illustrate how the study of culture and Chinese parenting has developed over the years. We provide in‐depth context for the various Chinese societies (i.e., China, Hong Kong, and Taiwan) and recent social transformations that emphasize the importance of considering the exo‐ and macrosystems.
Politics of Respectability, Colorism, and the Terms of Social Exchange in Family Research
Authors: Landor Antoinette , Barr Ashley
Published: May 2018

In this article, we consider the utility of social exchange theory when centering the material and cultural realities of people and families of color. We draw on critical race and intersectionality scholarship to argue that this work challenges some of the core assumptions of social exchange theory (while reifying others) and offers novel avenues of inquiry and expanded foci for family researchers employing a social exchange framework. We illustrate our points by focusing on existing research and offering new empirical evidence on African Americans, yet we note that our revisioning has broader relevance for relationships between and within other groups and positionalities.
Myocardial extracellular volume quantified by magnetic resonance is increased in cirrhosis and related to poor outcome
Authors: Wiese Signe , Hove Jens , Mo Silje , Mookerjee Rajeshwar P. , Petersen Claus L. , Vester‐Andersen Marianne K. , Mygind Naja D. , Goetze Jens P. , Kjær Andreas , Bendtsen Flemming , Møller Søren
Published: May 2018

Background & Aims

The underlying pathogenesis of cirrhotic cardiomyopathy remains unclear. Structural myocardial changes including diffuse fibrosis may be involved and can be accurately assessed by cardiac MRI (CMR) with quantification of the extracellular volume (ECV).This is the first application of this technique in patients with cirrhosis. We aimed to investigate the presence of diffuse myocardial fibrosis and to determine the relation to disease severity, cardiac function and outcome.

Methods

A prospective study including 52 cirrhotic patients and 10 healthy controls. All patients underwent CMR with ECV quantification, tissue Doppler echocardiography, and biochemical assessments. Patients were followed up for a median of 25 months with registration of death and liver transplantation (LT).

Results

Myocardial ECV was higher in the patients compared with healthy controls (31.2 ± 6 vs 27.4 ± 3%, P = .04). Furthermore, ECV increased across the Child Pugh A/B/C classes (26.9 ± 4/31.5 ± 5/34.4 ± 6%, P = .02). Four‐teen patients experienced the composite end‐point of death/LT during follow‐up and these patients had higher ECV (33.2 ± 4 vs 30.4 ± 6%, P = .04). In a univariate Cox regression analysis ECV was associated with poor transplant‐free survival (HR 3.6 [1.1‐11.6]; P = .03). However, MELD and CRP remained the strongest predictors in a multivariate analysis. ECV correlated with cardiac index (r = 0.44, P = .001), CRP (r = 0.46, P = .001), proANP (r = 0.50, P < .001), and proBNP (r = 0.40, P = .005).

Conclusions

Myocardial ECV is increased in patients with cirrhosis and seems related to disease severity and transplant‐free survival. These changes most likely reflect subclinical diffuse myocardial fibrosis and may represent a structural element of cirrhotic cardiomyopathy.
Vasomotion as an oscillatory sign of functional impairment in the human internal thoracic artery: A study based on risk factors and vessel reactivity
Authors: Fonseca Diogo A. , Antunes Pedro E. , Antunes Manuel J. , Cotrim Maria Dulce
Published: May 2018

New Findings

What is the central question of this study?

Vasomotion has been viewed as a rhythmic oscillation of the vascular tone that is physiologically important for optimal tissue perfusion. Also, it has been studied primarily in the microcirculation. However, the precise underlying mechanisms and the physiological significance remain unknown.

What is the main finding and its importance?

Vasomotion is not specific to the microcirculation, as shown by our findings. In human arteries from patients undergoing cardiac surgery, an increased incidence was associated with endothelial dysfunction settings. Therefore, this oscillatory behaviour might be a signal of functional impairment and not of integrity.

Vasomotion has been defined as the rhythmic oscillation of the vascular tone, involved in the control of the blood flow and subsequent tissue perfusion. Our aims were to study the incidence of vasomotion in the human internal thoracic artery and the correlation of this phenomenon with the clinical profile and parameters of vascular reactivity. In our study, vasomotion was elicited with a single‐dose contractile stimulation of noradrenaline (10 μm) in internal thoracic artery segments, from patients undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting, mounted in tissue organ bath chambers. The incidence was 29.1%. Vessel samples with vasomotion presented significantly higher contractility in response to both potassium chloride (maximal response or Emax of 7.65 ± 5.81 mN versus 4.52 ± 3.73 mN in control vessels, P = 0.024) and noradrenaline (Emax of 7.60 ± 5.93 mN versus 2.96 ± 4.41 mN in control vessels, P < 0.001). Predictive modelling through multivariable logistic regression analysis showed that female sex (odds ratio = 9.82) and increasing maximal response to noradrenaline (odds ratio = 1.19, per 1 mN increase) were associated with a higher probability of the occurrence of vasomotion, whereas increasing kidney function (expressed as estimated glomerular filtration rate) was associated with a lower probability (odds ratio = 0.97, per 1 ml min−1 (1.73 m)−2]. Our results provide a characterization of the phenomenon of vasomotion in the internal thoracic artery and suggest that vasomotion might be associated with endothelial dysfunction settings, as determined by a multivariable analysis approach. Considering the associations observed in our results, vasomotion might be a signal of functional impairment and not of integrity.
Quantitative Analysis of Tissue Damage Evolution in Porcine Liver With Interrupted Mechanical Testing Under Tension, Compression, and Shear
Authors: Chen Joseph , Brazile Bryn , Prabhu Raj , Patnaik Sourav S. , Bertucci Robbin , Rhee Hongjoo , Horstemeyer M. F. , Hong Yi , Williams Lakiesha N. , Liao Jun
Published: May 2018

In this study, the damage evolution of liver tissue was quantified at the microstructural level under tensile, compression, and shear loading conditions using an interrupted mechanical testing method. To capture the internal microstructural changes in response to global deformation, the tissue samples were loaded to different strain levels and chemically fixed to permanently preserve the deformed tissue geometry. Tissue microstructural alterations were analyzed to quantify the accumulated damages, with damage-related parameters such as number density, area fraction, mean area, and mean nearest neighbor distance (NND). All three loading states showed a unique pattern of damage evolution, in which the damages were found to increase in number and size, but decrease in NND as strain level increased. To validate the observed damage features as true tissue microstructural damages, more samples were loaded to the above-mentioned strain levels and then unloaded back to their reference state, followed by fixation. The most major damage-relevant features at higher strain levels remained after the release of the external loading, indicating the occurrence of permanent inelastic deformation. This study provides a foundation for future structure-based constitutive material modeling that can capture and predict the stress-state dependent damage evolution in liver tissue.
Hip Joint Contact Pressure Distribution During Pavlik Harness Treatment of an Infant Hip: A Patient-Specific Finite Element Model
Authors: Vafaeian Behzad , Adeeb Samer , El-Rich Marwan , Zonoobi Dornoosh , Hareendranathan Abhilash R. , Jaremko Jacob L.
Published: May 2018

Developmental dysplasia of the hip (DDH) in infants under 6 months of age is typically treated by the Pavlik harness (PH). During successful PH treatment, a subluxed/dislocated hip is spontaneously reduced into the acetabulum, and DDH undergoes self-correction. PH treatment may fail due to avascular necrosis (AVN) of the femoral head. An improved understanding of mechanical factors accounting for the success/failure of PH treatment may arise from investigating articular cartilage contact pressure (CCP) within a hip during treatment. In this study, CCP in a cartilaginous infant hip was investigated through patient-specific finite element (FE) modeling. We simulated CCP of the hip equilibrated at 90 deg flexion at abduction angles of 40 deg, 60 deg, and 80 deg. We found that CCP was predominantly distributed on the anterior and posterior acetabulum, leaving the superior acetabulum (mainly superolateral) unloaded. From a mechanobiological perspective, hypothesizing that excessive pressure inhibits growth, our results qualitatively predicted increased obliquity and deepening of the acetabulum under such CCP distribution. This is the desired and observed therapeutic effect in successful PH treatment. The results also demonstrated increase in CCP as abduction increased. In particular, the simulation predicted large magnitude and concentrated CCP on the posterior wall of the acetabulum and the adjacent lateral femoral head at extreme abduction (80 deg). This CCP on lateral femoral head may reduce blood flow in femoral head vessels and contribute to AVN. Hence, this study provides insight into biomechanical factors potentially responsible for PH treatment success and complications.
Internal Viscosity-Dependent Margination of Red Blood Cells in Microfluidic Channels
Authors: Ahmed Faisal , Mehrabadi Marmar , Liu Zixiang , Barabino Gilda A. , Aidun Cyrus K.
Published: May 2018

Cytoplasmic viscosity-dependent margination of red blood cells (RBC) for flow inside microchannels was studied using numerical simulations, and the results were verified with microfluidic experiments. Wide range of suspension volume fractions or hematocrits was considered in this study. Lattice Boltzmann method for fluid-phase coupled with spectrin-link method for RBC membrane deformation was used for accurate analysis of cell margination. RBC margination behavior shows strong dependence on the internal viscosity of the RBCs. At equilibrium, RBCs with higher internal viscosity marginate closer to the channel wall and the RBCs with normal internal viscosity migrate to the central core of the channel. Same margination pattern has been verified through experiments conducted with straight channel microfluidic devices. Segregation between RBCs of different internal viscosity is enhanced as the shear rate and the hematocrit increases. Stronger separation between normal RBCs and RBCs with high internal viscosity is obtained as the width of a high aspect ratio channel is reduced. Overall, the margination behavior of RBCs with different internal viscosities resembles with the margination behavior of RBCs with different levels of deformability. Observations from this work will be useful in designing microfluidic devices for separating the subpopulations of RBCs with different levels of deformability that appear in many hematologic diseases such as sickle cell disease (SCD), malaria, or cancer.
Space-resolved plasma diagnostics in a hybrid (Cr,Al)N process
Authors: Bobzin Kirsten , Brögelmann Tobias , Kruppe Nathan C. , Engels Martin
Published: May 2018

The concurrent usage of direct current magnetron sputtering (dcMS) and high power pulsed magnetron sputtering (HPPMS), the so-called dcMS/HPPMS hybrid technology, enables the combination of the advantages of both technologies. These are well known to be a higher deposition rate, compared to HPPMS processes, as well as an improved roughness, microstructure, and mechanical properties, compared to dcMS processes. However, there have not been investigations which thematically focus on the understanding of the influence of different dcMS/HPPMS plasma zones on the deposition rate and the coating properties. Hence, in the present work, a dcMS/HPPMS hybrid (Cr,Al)N process was analyzed regarding the plasma and coating properties. The measurements were carried out in an industrial scale physical vapor deposition coating unit. The plasma was analyzed space-resolved and substrate oriented to map the entire area in front and beside of the cathodes. The mean ion energy decreased from the area in front and beside of the HPPMS cathode to the dcMS cathode. An interaction between the HPPMS and dcMS plasma as well as the spatial distribution of the plasma could be identified. Furthermore, (Cr,Al)N coatings were deposited on samples with fixed positions within the coating unit. The deposition rate exhibited a variation D = 0.2–13 μm/h. The morphology changed from a dense to a partially bending columnar microstructure, depending on the zones of high and low energetic plasma and the line of sight.
REVIEWS OF ACOUSTICAL PATENTS
Authors: Fulop Sean A. , Rice Lloyd
Published: May 2018

The purpose of these acoustical patent reviews is to provide enough information for a Journal reader to decide whether to seek more information from the patent itself. Any opinions expressed here are those of the reviewers as individuals and are not legal opinions. Printed copies of United States Patents may be ordered at $3.00 each from the Commissioner of Patents and Trademarks, Washington, DC 20231. Patents are available via the Internet at http://www.uspto.gov.
Musician effect on perception of spectro-temporally degraded speech, vocal emotion, and music in young adolescents
Authors: Başkent Deniz , Fuller Christina D. , Galvin John J. , Schepel Like , Gaudrain Etienne , Free Rolien H.
Published: May 2018

In adult normal-hearing musicians, perception of music, vocal emotion, and speech in noise has been previously shown to be better than non-musicians, sometimes even with spectro-temporally degraded stimuli. In this study, melodic contour identification, vocal emotion identification, and speech understanding in noise were measured in young adolescent normal-hearing musicians and non-musicians listening to unprocessed or degraded signals. Different from adults, there was no musician effect for vocal emotion identification or speech in noise. Melodic contour identification with degraded signals was significantly better in musicians, suggesting potential benefits from music training for young cochlear-implant users, who experience similar spectro-temporal signal degradations.
First observation of the quantized exciton-polariton field and effect of interactions on a single polariton
Authors: Cuevas Álvaro , López Carreño Juan Camilo , Silva Blanca , De Giorgi Milena , Suárez-Forero Daniel G. , Sánchez Muñoz Carlos , Fieramosca Antonio , Cardano Filippo , Marrucci Lorenzo , Tasco Vittorianna , Biasiol Giorgio , del Valle Elena , Dominici Lorenzo , Ballarini Dario , Gigli Giuseppe , Mataloni Paolo , Laussy Fabrice P. , Sciarrino Fabio , Sanvitto Daniele
Published: May 2018

Polaritons reach the quantum limit, providing a new and promising platform of strongly coherent and interacting particles.
Experimental entanglement of 25 individually accessible atomic quantum interfaces
Authors: Pu Yunfei , Wu Yukai , Jiang Nan , Chang Wei , Li Chang , Zhang Sheng , Duan Luming
Published: May 2018

As an important step toward quantum networking, a record-high number of atomic quantum interfaces are entangled together.
Mutant Variants of the Substrate-Binding Protein DppA from Escherichia coli Enhance Growth on Nonstandard γ-Glutamyl Amide-Containing Peptides
Authors: Kuenzl Tilmann , Li-Blatter Xiaochun , Srivastava Puneet , Herdewijn Piet , Sharpe Timothy , Panke Sven
Published: May 2018

The import of nonnatural molecules is a recurring problem in fundamental and applied aspects of microbiology. The dipeptide permease (Dpp) of
Escherichia coli
is an ABC-type multicomponent transporter system located in the cytoplasmic membrane, which is capable of transporting a wide range of di- and tripeptides with structurally and chemically diverse amino acid side chains into the cell. Given this low degree of specificity, Dpp was previously used as an entry gate to deliver natural and nonnatural cargo molecules into the cell by attaching them to amino acid side chains of peptides, in particular, the γ-carboxyl group of glutamate residues. However, the binding affinity of the substrate-binding protein dipeptide permease A (DppA), which is responsible for the initial binding of peptides in the periplasmic space, is significantly higher for peptides consisting of standard amino acids than for peptides containing side-chain modifications. Here, we used adaptive laboratory evolution to identify strains that utilize dipeptides containing γ-substituted glutamate residues more efficiently and linked this phenotype to different mutations in DppA.
In vitro
characterization of these mutants by thermal denaturation midpoint shift assays and isothermal titration calorimetry revealed significantly higher binding affinities of these variants toward peptides containing γ-glutamyl amides, presumably resulting in improved uptake and therefore faster growth in media supplemented with these nonstandard peptides.

IMPORTANCE
Fundamental and synthetic biology frequently suffer from insufficient delivery of unnatural building blocks or substrates for metabolic pathways into bacterial cells. The use of peptide-based transport vectors represents an established strategy to enable the uptake of such molecules as a cargo. We expand the scope of peptide-based uptake and characterize in detail the obtained DppA mutant variants. Furthermore, we highlight the potential of adaptive laboratory evolution to identify beneficial insertion mutations that are unlikely to be identified with existing directed evolution strategies.
Effects of Ceftiofur and Chlortetracycline on the Resistomes of Feedlot Cattle
Authors: Weinroth Margaret D. , Scott H. Morgan , Norby Bo , Loneragan Guy H. , Noyes Noelle R. , Rovira Pablo , Doster Enrique , Yang Xiang , Woerner Dale R. , Morley Paul S. , Belk Keith E.
Published: May 2018

Treatment of food-producing animals with antimicrobial drugs (AMD) is controversial because of concerns regarding promotion of antimicrobial resistance (AMR). To investigate this concern, resistance genes in metagenomic bovine fecal samples during a clinical trial were analyzed to assess the impacts of treatment on beef feedlot cattle resistomes. Four groups of cattle were exposed, using a 2-by-2 factorial design, to different regimens of antimicrobial treatment. Injections of ceftiofur crystalline-free acid (a third-generation cephalosporin) were used to treat all cattle in treatment pens or only a single animal, and either chlortetracycline was included in the feed of all cattle in a pen or the feed was untreated. On days 0 and 26, respectively, pre- and posttrial fecal samples were collected, and resistance genes were characterized using shotgun metagenomics. Treatment with ceftiofur was not associated with changes to β-lactam resistance genes. However, cattle fed chlortetracycline had a significant increase in relative abundance of tetracycline resistance genes. There was also an increase of an AMR class not administered during the study, which is a possible indicator of coselection of resistance genes. Samples analyzed in this study had previously been evaluated by culture characterization (
Escherichia coli
and
Salmonella
) and quantitative PCR (qPCR) of metagenomic fecal DNA, which allowed comparison of results with this study. In the majority of samples, genes that were selectively enriched through culture and qPCR were not identified through shotgun metagenomic sequencing in this study, suggesting that changes previously documented did not reflect changes affecting the majority of bacterial genetic elements found in the predominant fecal resistome.

IMPORTANCE
Despite significant concerns about public health implications of AMR in relation to use of AMD in food animals, there are many unknowns about the long- and short-term impact of common uses of AMD for treatment, control, and prevention of disease. Additionally, questions commonly arise regarding how to best measure and quantify AMR genes in relation to public health risks and how to determine which genes are most important. These data provide an introductory view of the utility of using shotgun metagenomic sequencing data as an outcome for clinical trials evaluating the impact of using AMD in food animals.
Characterization of Chlamydial Rho and the Role of Rho-Mediated Transcriptional Polarity during Interferon Gamma-Mediated Tryptophan Limitation
Authors: Ouellette Scot P. , Messerli Parker R. , Wood Nicholas A. , Hajovsky Heather
Published: May 2018

As an obligate intracellular, developmentally regulated bacterium,Chlamydiais sensitive to amino acid fluctuations within its host cell. When human epithelial cells are treated with the cytokine interferon gamma (IFN-γ), the tryptophan (Trp)-degrading enzyme, indoleamine-2,3-dioxygenase, is induced. Chlamydiae within such cells are starved for Trp and enter a state of so-called persistence.Chlamydialacks the stringent response used by many eubacteria to respond to this stress. Unusually, chlamydial transcription is globally elevated during Trp starvation with transcripts for Trp codon-containing genes disproportionately increased. Yet, the presence of Trp codons destabilized 3′ ends of transcripts in operons or large genes. We initially hypothesized that ribosome stalling on Trp codons rendered the 3′ ends sensitive to RNase activity. The half-life of chlamydial transcripts containing different numbers of Trp codons was thus measured in untreated and IFN-γ-treated infected cells to determine whether Trp codons influenced the stability of transcripts. However, no effect of Trp codon content was detected. Therefore, we investigated whether Rho-dependent transcription termination could play a role in mediating transcript instability. Rho is expressed as a midcycle gene product, interacts with itself as predicted, and is present in all chlamydial species. Inhibition of Rho via the Rho-specific antibiotic, bicyclomycin, and overexpression of Rho are detrimental to chlamydiae. Finally, when we measured transcript abundance 3′ to Trp codons in the presence of bicyclomycin, we observed that transcript abundance increased. These data are the first to demonstrate the importance of Rho inChlamydiaand the role of Rho-dependent transcription polarity during persistence.
CUREcasts: An Innovative Mechanism to Increase Communication of Scientific Outcomes to Novice and Expert Audiences within the Context of Course-Based Undergraduate Research Experiences
Authors: Olimpo Jeffrey T. , Rodriguez Ruth , Lougheed Vanessa L. , Tweedie Craig E.
Published: May 2018

The recent advent of course-based undergraduate research experiences (CUREs) has provided a unique platform for immersing students in the process of scientific discovery. Inherent of this process and of the CURE paradigm is the expectation that the data obtained from such investigations have broader applications beyond the boundaries of the classroom. However, few studies have explored the mechanisms for dissemination of CURE student-generated results aside from in-class poster and/or oral presentations. In this article, we describe the creation of CUREcasts, which harness the power of video podcast media to effectively and succinctly capture the types of research upper-level Arctic/Polar science CURE students are engaged in and the methodologies used to conduct their investigations. We likewise illustrate how the EdPuzzle platform can be used to create educational tools for instructors and scientists alike. Lastly, Student Perceptions of Learning Gains (SPLG) data are presented to demonstrate the effectiveness of the CUREcast initiative in enhancing CURE student knowledge and affect in the domain.
The
Tigriopus
CURE – A Course-Based Undergraduate Research Experience with Concomitant Supplemental Instruction
Authors: Fisher Ginger R. , Olimpo Jeffrey T. , McCabe Thomas M. , Pevey Ryan S.
Published: May 2018

Evidence indicates that students who participate in scientific research during their undergraduate experience are more likely to pursue careers in the STEM disciplines and to develop increased scientific reasoning and literacy skills. One avenue to increase student engagement in research is via their enrollment in course-based undergraduate research experiences (CUREs), where they are able to conduct authentic research as part of the laboratory curriculum. The information presented herein provides an example of a CURE which was developed and implemented in an introductory cell and molecular biology course at the University of Northern Colorado. In addition to describing the
Tigriopus
CURE curriculum itself, we also present evidence regarding the effectiveness of the CURE in promoting students’ development of confidence in science process skills, quantitative reasoning skills, and written communication skills. The curricular details of the
Tigriopus
CURE are provided in this article to provide instructors who are interested in CUREs the opportunity to implement this specific CURE in their own course.
Microbiology in Nursing and Allied Health (MINAH) Undergraduate Curriculum Guidelines: A Call to Retain Microbiology Lecture and Laboratory Courses in Nursing and Allied Health Programs
Authors: Norman-McKay Lourdes ,   the ASM MINAH Undergraduate Curriculum Guidelines Committee
Published: May 2018

This position paper presents the
Microbiology in Nursing and Allied Health (MINAH) Undergraduate Curriculum Guidelines
(
Appendix 1
) that were developed by a committee effort of the American Society for Microbiology (ASM). These guidelines differ from the 2012
General Microbiology Undergraduate Curriculum Guidelines
presented by a separate ASM taskforce. The fact that some U.S. nursing programs are eliminating microbiology courses from their curriculum prompted the development of curriculum guidelines focused on nursing and allied health.

Here we review: 1) factors that have shifted microbiology’s place in health professions curricula (with a focus on nursing associate degree programs); 2) resources to support microbiology’s inclusion in nursing and allied health programs; and 3) recommendations for maintaining microbiology as a full course (lecture and laboratory) in nursing and allied health undergraduate curricula.
Hollywood-Style Movie Trailers Increase Student Interest
Authors: Goudsouzian Lara K.
Published: May 2018

The implementation of clickers and clicker questions into classroom teaching is a well-established active-learning technique that provides more interactive classrooms and engages students with course content. Throughout the years, however, the actual clickers themselves have undergone an evolution from physical hand-held devices to web-based applications. This review explores the general advantages and disadvantages of two-main clicker styles, dedicated physical devises and web enabled clickers.