bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Influence of coupling agent on the microstructure and dielectric properties of free-standing ceramic-polymer composites
Authors: Tong Yang , Li Leyi , Liu Jiachen , Zhang Kewei , Jiang Yong
Published: July 2019

The influence of a commercial coupling agent on the dielectric properties and microstructure of ceramic-polymer nanocomposites are studied. Free-standing BaTiO3-P(VDF-CTFE) films were fabricated using a simple solution-casting process, and the good wettability between fillers and polymer matrix was obtained by using 3-Aminopropyltriethoxysilane as coupling agent. It is found that the coating of a small amount of coupling agent on the surface of BaTiO3 fillers results in an enhanced dielectric constant, a higher breakdown strength and a larger energy-storage efficiency. When an excessive amount of coupling agent was used, the non-attached coupling agent molecules participated in the complex reactions and result in the aggregation of fillers and the reduction of dielectric constant. It is also found that the surface modification of fillers has a complicated influence on its dielectric behavior which leads to an increase in the dielectric loss of the nanocomposites. When an appropriate amount of coupling agent is coated on fillers, the energy storage density of the nanocomposite is improved due to the enhanced dielectric constant and higher breakdown strength. A maximal discharged energy-storage density of about 4.0 J cm−3 was obtained from the nanocomposite film containing 15 vol% of surface modified BaTiO3 fillers with 1 wt% of KH550, which is about 3 times of that for the nanocomposite without coupling agent.
Geometry of alternating links on surfaces
Authors: Howie Joshua , Purcell Jessica
Published: July 2019

We consider links that are alternating on surfaces embedded in a compact 3-manifold. We show that under mild restrictions, the complement of the link decomposes into simpler pieces, generalising the polyhedral decomposition of alternating links of Menasco. We use this to prove various facts about the hyperbolic geometry of generalisations of alternating links, including weakly generalised alternating links described by the first author. We give diagrammatical properties that determine when such links are hyperbolic, find the geometry of their checkerboard surfaces, bound volume, and exclude exceptional Dehn fillings.
Differential Expression of Mucins in Murine Olfactory Versus Respiratory Epithelium
Authors: Kennel Christopher , Gould Elizabeth A , Larson Eric D , Salcedo Ernesto , Vickery Thad , Restrepo Diego , Ramakrishnan Vijay R
Published: July 2019

Mucins are a key component of the surface mucus overlying airway epithelium. Given the different functions of the olfactory and respiratory epithelia, we hypothesized that mucins would be differentially expressed between these 2 areas. Secondarily, we evaluated for potential changes in mucin expression with radiation exposure, given the clinical observations of nasal dryness, altered mucus rheology, and smell loss in radiated patients. Immunofluorescence staining was performed to evaluate expression of mucins 1, 2, 5AC, and 5B in nasal respiratory and olfactory epithelia of control mice and 1 week after exposure to 8 Gy of radiation. Mucins 1, 5AC, and 5B exhibited differential expression patterns between olfactory and respiratory epithelium (RE) while mucin 2 showed no difference. In the olfactory epithelium (OE), mucin 1 was located in a lattice-like pattern around gaps corresponding to dendritic knobs of olfactory sensory neurons, whereas in RE it was intermittently expressed by surface goblet cells. Mucin 5AC was expressed by subepithelial glands in both epithelial types but to a higher degree in the OE. Mucin 5B was expressed by submucosal glands in OE and by surface epithelial cells in RE. At 1-week after exposure to single-dose 8 Gy of radiation, no qualitative effects were seen on mucin expression. Our findings demonstrate that murine OE and RE express mucins differently, and characteristic patterns of mucins 1, 5AC, and 5B can be used to define the underlying epithelium. Radiation (8 Gy) does not appear to affect mucin expression at 1 week.

Level of Evidence

N/A (Basic Science Research).

IACUC-approved study [Protocol 200065].
A case report of atrial myxoma presenting with systemic embolization and myocardial infarction
Authors: Latifi Ahmad Nawid , Ibe Uzochukwu , Gnanaraj Joseph
Published: July 2019

Background

Cardiac myxomas are the most common benign primary tumour of the heart. Clinical presentation is variable and ranges from constitutional symptoms to clinical features due to intracardiac obstruction, such as mitral stenosis, coronary embolization, or systemic embolization. Surgical resection is the only effective treatment to prevent its debilitating and catastrophic complication.

Case summary

A 61-year-old woman presented with an-hour history of bilateral leg pain, numbness, lightheadedness, dyspnoea, and diaphoresis. Physical exam was remarkable for pale and cold lower extremities. Arterial pulse was not palpable in the right femoral, popliteal, and posterior tibial and dorsalis pedis arteries bilaterally. Electrocardiogram demonstrated normal sinus rhythm with T-wave inversion in lead I, V2, V3, and V4. Laboratory investigations were remarkable for leucocytosis and elevated troponin. Computed tomography angiogram showed emboli with acute infarcts involving the spleen and kidneys, acute embolic occlusion of right external and internal iliac arteries, and left distal common femoral artery. She underwent emergent bilateral cut-down and femoral artery thrombectomies. Transthoracic echocardiogram demonstrated wall motion abnormalities. Computed tomography angiography of the chest revealed an atrial mass and transoesophageal echocardiography was obtained which confirmed an atrial myxoma. Coronary angiography demonstrated no significant coronary artery disease, raising the possibility of myxoma embolization to the coronary arteries as the cause of her troponin elevation and wall motion abnormality. Subsequently she underwent successful resection of the atrial myxoma.

Discussion

The majority of cardiac myxomas are sporadic and arise from the left atrium as an isolated lesion in middle-aged women. Echocardiography is the diagnostic procedure of choice. The long-term survival after surgical resection is excellent and recurrence is rare.
Gene therapy of hemoglobinopathies: progress and future challenges
Authors: Ikawa Yasuhiro , Miccio Annarita , Magrin Elisa , Kwiatkowski Janet L , Rivella Stefano , Cavazzana Marina
Published: July 2019

Recently, gene therapy clinical trials have been successfully applied to hemoglobinopathies, such as sickle cell disease (SCD) and β-thalassemia. Among the great discoveries that led to the design of genetic approaches to cure these disorders is the discovery of the β-globin locus control region and several associated transcription factors, which determine hemoglobin switching as well as high-level, erythroid-specific expression of genes at the ß-globin locus. Moreover, increasing evidence shows that lentiviral vectors are efficient tools to insert large DNA elements into nondividing hematopoietic stem cells, showing reassuring safe integration profiles. Alternatively, genome editing could restore expression of fetal hemoglobin or target specific mutations to restore expression of the wild-type β-globin gene. The most recent clinical trials for β-thalassemia and SCD are showing promising outcomes: patients were able to discontinue transfusions or had reduced transfusion requirements. However, toxic myeloablation and the high cost of current ex vivo hematopoietic stem cell gene therapy platforms represent a barrier to a widespread application of these approaches. In this review, we summarize these gene therapy strategies and ongoing clinical trials. Finally, we discuss possible strategies to improve outcomes, reduce myeloablative regimens and future challenges to reduce the cost of gene therapy platform.
Risk factors for subarachnoid haemorrhage: a nationwide cohort of 950 000 adults
Authors: Sundström Johan , Söderholm Martin , Söderberg Stefan , Alfredsson Lars , Andersson Martin , Bellocco Rino , Björck Martin , Broberg Per , Eriksson Maria , Eriksson Marie , Forsberg Bertil , Fransson Eleonor I , Giedraitis Vilmantas , Theorell-Haglöw Jenny , Hallqvist Johan , Hansson Per-Olof , Heller Susanne , Håkansson Niclas , Ingelsson Martin , Janson Christer , Järvholm Bengt , Khalili Payam , Knutsson Anders , Lager Anton , Lagerros Ylva Trolle , Larsson Susanna C , Leander Karin , Leppert Jerzy , Lind Lars , Lindberg Eva , Magnusson Cecilia , Magnusson Patrik K E , Malfert Mauricio , Michaëlsson Karl , Nilsson Peter , Olsson Håkan , Pedersen Nancy L , Pennlert Johanna , Rosenblad Andreas , Rosengren Annika , Torén Kjell , Wanhainen Anders , Wolk Alicja , Engström Gunnar , Svennblad Bodil , Wiberg Bernice
Published: July 2019

Background

Subarachnoid haemorrhage (SAH) is a devastating disease, with high mortality rate and substantial disability among survivors. Its causes are poorly understood. We aimed to investigate risk factors for SAH using a novel nationwide cohort consortium.

Methods

We obtained individual participant data of 949 683 persons (330 334 women) between 25 and 90 years old, with no history of SAH at baseline, from 21 population-based cohorts. Outcomes were obtained from the Swedish Patient and Causes of Death Registries.

Results

During 13 704 959 person-years of follow-up, 2659 cases of first-ever fatal or non-fatal SAH occurred, with an age-standardized incidence rate of 9.0 [95% confidence interval (CI) (7.4–10.6)/100 000 person-years] in men and 13.8 [(11.4–16.2)/100 000 person-years] in women. The incidence rate increased exponentially with higher age. In multivariable-adjusted Poisson models, marked sex interactions for current smoking and body mass index (BMI) were observed. Current smoking conferred a rate ratio (RR) of 2.24 (95% CI 1.95–2.57) in women and 1.62 (1.47–1.79) in men. One standard deviation higher BMI was associated with an RR of 0.86 (0.81–0.92) in women and 1.02 (0.96–1.08) in men. Higher blood pressure and lower education level were also associated with higher risk of SAH.

Conclusions

The risk of SAH is 45% higher in women than in men, with substantial sex differences in risk factor strengths. In particular, a markedly stronger adverse effect of smoking in women may motivate targeted public health initiatives.
Generalised BGP Reflection Functors via the Grothendieck Construction
Authors: Dyckerhoff Tobias , Jasso Gustavo , Walde Tashi
Published: July 2019

Inspired by work of Ladkani and Groth–Šťovíček, we explain how to construct generalisations of the classical reflection functors of Bernšteĭn, Gel′fand, and Ponomarev by means of the Grothendieck construction.
HLA-I Associated Adaptation Dampens CD8 T-Cell Responses in HIV Ad5-Vectored Vaccine Recipients
Authors: Boppana Sushma , Sterrett Sarah , Files Jacob , Qin Kai , Fiore-Gartland Andrew , Cohen Kristen W , De Rosa Stephen C , Bansal Anju , Goepfert Paul A
Published: July 2019

HLA-I–associated human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) adaptation is known to negatively affect disease progression and CD8 T-cell responses. We aimed to assess how HLA-I–associated adaptation affects HIV vaccine–induced CD8 T-cell responses in 2 past vaccine efficacy trials. We found that vaccine-encoded adapted epitopes were less immunogenic than vaccine-encoded nonadapted epitopes, and adapted epitope-specific responses were less polyfunctional than nonadapted epitope-specific responses. Along those lines, vaccine recipients with higher HLA-I adaptation to the Gag vaccine insert mounted less polyfunctional CD8 T-cell responses at the protein level. Breadth of response, which correlated with viral control in recipients who became infected, is also dampened by HLA-I adaptation. These findings suggest that HLA-I–associated adaptation is an important consideration for strategies aiming to induce robust CD8 T-cell responses.
Isolation and Lack of Potential Mates may Threaten an Endangered Arid-Zone Acacia
Authors: Forrest Cairo N , Roberts David G , Denham Andrew J , Ayre David J
Published: July 2019

Clonality may provide reproductive assurance for many threatened plants while limiting sexual reproductive success either through energetic tradeoffs or because clones are self-incompatible. Most stands of the Australian arid-zone plant Acacia carneorum, flower annually but low seed set and an absence of sexual recruitment now suggest that this species and other, important arid-zone ecosystem engineers may have low genotypic diversity. Indeed, our recent landscape-scale genetic study revealed that stands are typically monoclonal, with genets usually separated by kilometers. An inability to set sexually produced seed or a lack of genetically diverse mates may explain almost system-wide reproductive failure. Here, using microsatellite markers, we genotyped 100 seeds from a rare fruiting stand (Middle-Camp), together with all adult plants within it and its 4 neighboring stands (up to 5 km distant). As expected, all stands surveyed were monoclonal. However, the Middle-Camp seeds were generated sexually. Comparing seed genotypes with the single Middle-Camp genotype and those of genets from neighboring and other regional stands (n = 26), revealed that 73 seeds were sired by the Middle-Camp genet. Within these Middle-Camp seeds we detected 19 genotypes in proportions consistent with self-fertilization of that genet. For the remaining 27 seeds, comprising 8 different genotypes, paternity was assigned to the nearest neighboring stands Mallee and Mallee-West, approximately 1 km distant. Ironically, given this species’ vast geographic range, a small number of stands with reproductively compatible near neighbors may provide the only sources of novel genotypes.
Getting Tagged, Getting Involved with News? A Mixed-Methods Investigation of the Effects and Motives of News-Related Tagging Activities on Social Network Sites
Authors: Kümpel Anna Sophie
Published: July 2019

Coming across news on social network sites (SNS) largely depends on news-related activities in one’s network. Although there are many different ways to stumble upon news, limited research has been conducted on how distinct news curation practices influence users’ intention to consume encountered content. In this mixed-methods investigation, using Facebook as an example, we first examine the results of an experiment (study 1, n = 524), showing that getting tagged in comments to news posts promotes news consumption the most. Based on this finding, we then focus on actively tagging users by investigating news tagging motives/practices with interactive qualitative interviews centered on participants’ Facebook activity logs (study 2, n = 13). Overall, the findings show how news tagging, albeit a strong catalyst for reading and interacting with news, mostly favors users already interested in news, thus challenging the optimistic assumption that SNS might foster incidental learning among less interested audiences.
Comparison of Electric Resistive Heating Pads and Forced-Air Warming for Pre-hospital Warming of Non-shivering Hypothermic Subjects
Authors: Hurrie Daryl M G , Hildebrand Emily , Arnould Scott M , Plett Jeremy , Bellan Daniel , Buchel Al , Giesbrecht Gordon G
Published: July 2019

Introduction

Victims of severe hypothermia require external rewarming, as self-rewarming through shivering heat production is either minimal or absent. The US Military commonly uses forced-air warming in field hospitals, but these systems require significant power (600–800 W) and are not portable. This study compared the rewarming effectiveness of an electric resistive heating pad system (requiring 80 W) to forced-air rewarming on cold subjects in whom shivering was pharmacologically inhibited.

Materials and Methods

Shivering was inhibited by intravenous meperidine (1.5 mg/kg), administered during the last 10 min of cold-water immersion. Subjects then exited from the cold water, were dried and lay on a rescue bag for 120 min in one of the following conditions: spontaneous rewarming only (rescue bag closed); electric resistive heating pads (EHP) wrapped from the anterior to posterior torso (rescue bag closed); or, forced-air warming (FAW) over the anterior surface of the body (rescue bag left open and cotton blanket draped over warming blanket). Supplemental meperidine (to a maximum cumulative dose of 3.3 mg/kg) was administered as required during rewarming to suppress shivering.

Results

Six healthy subjects (3 m, 3 f) were cooled on three different occasions, each in 8°C water to an average nadir core temperature of 34.4 ± 0.6°C (including afterdrop). There were no significant differences between core rewarming rates (spontaneous; 0.6 ± 0.3, FAW; 0.7 ± 0.2, RHP; 0.6 ± 0.2°C/h) or post-cooling afterdrop (spontaneous; 1.9 ± 0.4, FAW; 1.9 ± 0.3, RHP; 1.6 ± 0.2°C) in any of the 3 conditions. There were also no significant differences between metabolic heat production (S; 74 ± 20, FAW; 66 ± 12, RHP; 63 ± 9 W). Total heat gain was greater with FAW (36 W gain) than EHP (13 W gain) and spontaneous (13 W loss) warming (p < 0.005).

Conclusions

Total heat gain was greater in FAW than both EHP, and spontaneous rewarming conditions, however, there were no observed differences found in rewarming rates, post-cooling afterdrop or metabolic heat production. The electric heat pad system provided similar rewarming performance to a forced-air warming system commonly used in US military field hospitals for hypothermic patients. A battery-powered version of this system would not only relieve pressure on the field hospital power supply but could also potentially allow extending use to locations closer to the field of operations and during transport. Such a system could be studied in larger groups in prospective trials on colder patients.
Finding binary star fractions in any distribution
Authors: Akter Suraiya , Goodwin Simon P
Published: July 2019

Candidate visual binary systems are often found by identifying two stars that are closer together than would be expected by chance. However, in regions with non-trivial density distributions, the ‘random’ distances between stars varies because of the background distribution, as well as the presence of binaries. We show that when no binaries are present, the distribution of the ratios of the distances to the nearest and tenth nearest neighbours, d1/d10, is always well approximated by a Gaussian with mean 0.2–0.3 and variance 0.16–0.19 for any underlying density distribution. The introduction of binaries causes some (or all) nearest neighbours to become closer than expected by random chance, introducing a component to the distribution where d1/d10 is much lower than expected. We show how a simple single or double Gaussian fit to the distribution of d1/d10 can be used to find the binary fraction in any underlying density distribution quickly and simply.
Soft excess in the quiescent Be/X-ray pulsar RX J0812.4–3114
Authors: Zhao Yue , Heinke Craig O , Tsygankov Sergey S , Ho Wynn C G , Potekhin Alexander Y , Shaw Aarran W
Published: July 2019

We report a 72 ks XMM–Newton observation of the Be/X-ray pulsar (BeXRP) RX J0812.4–3114 in quiescence ($L_X \approx 1.6\times 10^{33}\, \mathrm{erg\, s^{-1}}$). Intriguingly, we find a two-component spectrum, with a hard power-law (Γ ≈ 1.5) and a soft blackbody-like excess below ≈1 keV. The blackbody component is consistent in kT with a prior quiescent Chandra observation reported by Tsygankov et al. and has an inferred blackbody radius of ≈10 km, consistent with emission from the entire neutron star (NS) surface. There is also mild evidence for an absorption line at $\approx 1$ and/or $\approx 1.4\, \mathrm{keV}$. The hard component shows pulsations at P ≈ 31.908 s (pulsed fraction 0.84 ± 0.10), agreeing with the pulse period seen previously in outbursts, but no pulsations were found in the soft excess (pulsed fraction $\lesssim \!31\, {\rm per\, cent}$). We conclude that the pulsed hard component suggests low-level accretion on to the NS poles, while the soft excess seems to originate from the entire NS surface. We speculate that, in quiescence, the source switches between a soft thermal-dominated state (when the propeller effect is at work) and a relatively hard state with low-level accretion, and use the propeller cut-off to estimate the magnetic field of the system to be $\lesssim\! 8.4\times 10^{11}\, \mathrm{G}$. We compare the quiescent thermal LX predicted by the standard deep crustal heating model to our observations and find that RX J0812.4–3114 has a high thermal LX, at or above the prediction for minimum cooling mechanisms. This suggests that RX J0812.4–3114 either contains a relatively low-mass NS with minimum cooling, or that the system may be young enough that the NS has not fully cooled from the supernova explosion.
Detailed dust modelling in the L-Galaxies semi-analytic model of galaxy formation
Authors: Vijayan Aswin P , Clay Scott J , Thomas Peter A , Yates Robert M , Wilkins Stephen M , Henriques Bruno M
Published: July 2019

We implement a detailed dust model into the L-Galaxies semi-analytical model which includes: injection of dust by type II and type Ia supernovae (SNe) and AGB stars; grain growth in molecular clouds; and destruction due to supernova-induced shocks, star formation, and reheating. Our grain growth model follows the dust content in molecular clouds and the inter-cloud medium separately, and allows growth only on pre-existing dust grains. At early times, this can make a significant difference to the dust growth rate. Above z ∼ 8, type II SNe are the primary source of dust, whereas below z ∼ 8, grain growth in molecular clouds dominates, with the total dust content being dominated by the latter below z ∼ 6. However, the detailed history of galaxy formation is important for determining the dust content of any individual galaxy. We introduce a fit to the dust-to-metal (DTM) ratio as a function of metallicity and age, which can be used to deduce the DTM ratio of galaxies at any redshift. At z ≲ 3, we find a fairly flat mean relation between metallicity and the DTM, and a positive correlation between metallicity and the dust-to-gas (DTG) ratio, in good agreement with the shape and normalization of the observed relations. We also match the normalization of the observed stellar mass–dust mass relation over the redshift range of 0–4, and to the dust mass function at z = 0. Our results are important in interpreting observations on the dust content of galaxies across cosmic time, particularly so at high redshift.
Herbivory alters thermal responses of algae
Authors: Tseng Michelle , Yangel Evgeniya , Zhou Yi Lin
Published: July 2019

The temperature-size rule (TSR) describes the widespread pattern in which organisms grown at higher temperatures mature at smaller adult sizes, or exhibit smaller cell sizes in the case of microbes. Although the TSR has been shown in a wide range of taxa, most TSR studies have been conducted in the absence of species interactions such as competitors, parasites or predators. Given that these interactions are ubiquitous in nature, here we examine how the presence of a live herbivore (Daphnia pulex) affects the response of a cosmopolitan green algae (Scenedesmus obliquus) to the thermal environment. In the absence of direct herbivory, algae exhibited the characteristic TSR, exhibiting smaller cells, and smaller colonies at higher temperatures. However, in the presence of Daphnia herbivory, we saw no evidence of the TSR. Rather, both cell and colony size were uniform across the three rearing temperatures. These results suggest that Daphnia consume larger-sized algae at cooler temperatures, and smaller-sized algae at higher temperatures. Overall this study demonstrates that species interactions such as herbivory can alter the response of primary producers to the thermal environment, and suggests that the TSR may be readily modified in the natural world, where predators, herbivores and competitors abound.
Variation in Preoperative and Postoperative Physical Therapist Management of Patients Opting for Elective Abdominal Surgery
Authors: van Beijsterveld Christel A , Heldens Aniek F , Bongers Bart C , van Meeteren Nico L
Published: July 2019

Background

Evidence about the role of physical therapy in perioperative care pathways to improve postoperative outcomes is growing. However, it is unclear whether research findings have been translated into daily practice.

Objective

The objectives of this study were to describe the current content and between-hospital variability of perioperative physical therapist management for patients undergoing colorectal, hepatic, or pancreatic resection in the Netherlands and to compare currently recommended state-of-the-art physical therapy with self-reported daily clinical physical therapist management.

Design

This was a cross-sectional survey study.

Methods

Hospital physical therapists were asked to complete an online survey about pre- and postoperative physical therapy at their hospital. To explore the variability of perioperative physical therapist management between hospitals, frequency variables were clustered to determine the level of uniformity. Latent class analysis was performed to identify clusters of hospitals with certain homogeneous characteristics on a 19-item dichotomous scale.

Results

Of 82 eligible Dutch hospitals, 65 filled out the survey (79.3%). Preoperative physical therapy was performed in 34 hospitals (54.0%; 2/65 responding hospitals were excluded from the data analysis). Postoperative physical therapy was performed in all responding hospitals, focusing mainly on regaining independent physical functioning. Latent class analysis identified a 3-class model. Hospitals in classes I and II were more likely to provide preoperative physical therapist interventions than hospitals in class III.

Limitations

The use of self-reported answers can lead to bias.

Conclusions

There was a wide degree of variability between hospitals regarding pre- and postoperative clinical physical therapist practice for patients opting for major abdominal surgery. Three different classes of daily practice were identified. Further translation of key research findings into clinical physical therapist practice is advised, especially for hospitals in which the physical therapist is not involved preoperatively. Moreover, improving uniformity by developing up-to-date clinical guidelines is recommended.
Human osteoarthritic synovial fluid increases excitability of mouse dorsal root ganglion sensory neurons: an in-vitro translational model to study arthritic pain
Authors: Chakrabarti Sampurna , Jadon Deepak R , Bulmer David C , Smith Ewan St. John
Published: July 2019

Objectives

Knee OA is a leading global cause of morbidity. This study investigates the effects of knee SF from patients with OA on the activity of dorsal root ganglion sensory neurons that innervate the knee (knee neurons) as a novel translational model of disease-mediated nociception in human OA.

Methods

Dissociated cultures of mouse knee neurons were incubated overnight or acutely stimulated with OA-SF (n = 4) and fluid from healthy donors (n = 3, Ctrl-SF). Electrophysiology and Ca2+-imaging determined changes in electrical excitability and transient receptor potential channel function, respectively.

Results

Incubation with OA-SF induced knee neuron hyperexcitability compared to Ctrl-SF: the resting membrane potential significantly increased (F(2, 92) = 5.6, P = 0.005, ANOVA) and the action potential threshold decreased (F(2, 92) = 8.8, P = 0.0003, ANOVA); TRPV1 (F(2, 445) = 3.7, P = 0.02) and TRPM8 (F(2, 174) = 11.1, P < 0.0001, ANOVA) channel activity also increased. Acute application of Ctrl-SF and OA-SF increased intracellular Ca2+ concentration via intra- and extracellular Ca2+ sources.

Conclusion

Human OA-SF acutely activated knee neurons and induced hyperexcitability indicating that mediators present in OA-SF stimulate sensory nerve activity and thereby give rise to knee pain. Taken together, this study provides proof-of-concept for a new method to study the ability of mediators present in joints of patients with arthritis to stimulate nociceptor activity and hence identify clinically relevant drug targets for treating knee pain.
News Media Trends in the Framing of Immigration and Crime, 1990–2013
Authors: Harris Casey T , Gruenewald Jeff
Published: July 2019

Few social problems engender as much public and political debate as the alleged link between immigration and crime. Contrary to the findings of much empirical literature, the majority of the public believe that immigration increases crime and that the foreign born are especially prone to offending. Among many factors, the way prominent news media describe the immigration-crime link may help explain the disconnectedness of scholarship and public opinion over the past several decades. Using a unique database of over 2,200 news stories drawn from among the highest circulation national papers for 1990 through 2013, the current study employs time-series trend analyses to examine the prevalence of different media frames used to explain the immigration-crime link and whether those frames have changed systematically over time. Our results reveal that most immigration-crime news stories describe immigrants as especially crime-prone or as increasing aggregate crime rates. Moreover, this framing has increased in prevalence over time, as have narratives inaccurately describing undocumented immigration as a crime itself, while framing immigrants as victims of crime has declined significantly over the 1990–2013 period. These changes occurred systematically in only some newspapers. We discuss implications for research, policy, and the public engagement of scientific evidence.
Overexpression of PtrbHLH, a basic helix-loop-helix transcription factor from Poncirus trifoliata, confers enhanced cold tolerance in pummelo (Citrus grandis) by modulation of H2O2 level via regulating a CAT gene
Authors: Geng Jingjing , Wei Tonglu , Wang Yue , Huang Xiaosan , Liu Ji-Hong
Published: July 2019

The basic helix-loop-helix (bHLH) family of transcription factors (TFs) plays a crucial role in regulating plant response to abiotic stress by targeting a large spectrum of stress-responsive genes. However, the physiological mechanisms underlying the TF-mediated stress response are still poorly understood for most of the bHLH genes. In this study, transgenic pummelo (Citrus grandis) plants overexpressing PtrbHLH, a TF previously identified from Poncirus trifoliata, were generated via Agrobacterium-mediated transformation. In comparison with the wild-type plants, the transgenic lines exhibited significantly lower electrolyte leakage and malondialdehyde content after cold treatment, thereby resulting in a more tolerant phenotype. Meanwhile, the transgenic lines accumulated dramatically lower reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels, consistent with elevated activity and expression levels of antioxidant enzymes (genes), including catalase (CAT), peroxidase and superoxide dismutase. In addition, PtrbHLH was shown to specifically bind to and activate the promoter of PtrCAT gene. Taken together, these results demonstrated that overexpression of PtrbHLH leads to enhanced cold tolerance in transgenic pummelo, which may be due, at least partly, to modulation of ROS levels by regulating the CAT gene.
Traditional Masculinity
Authors: Rivera Ashley , Scholar Jonas
Published: July 2019

The toxicity of traditional masculinity has become a heated topic of mainstream media debate since the American Psychological Association's release of psychological treatment guidelines for men and boys. To recognize how traditional masculinity is toxic, there needs to be greater understanding of the social norms and gender socialization behind traditional masculinity. Gender-based social norms and gender socialization have had dire consequences on how men behave, act in relationships, and care for their health. There is a need to reform the perception of masculinity in the contemporary social climate.
Frequency of mutations in BRAF, NRAS, and KIT in different populations and histological subtypes of melanoma: a systemic review
Authors: Gutiérrez-Castañeda Luz Dary , Nova John A. , Tovar-Parra José D.
Published: July 2019

The presence of mutations of BRAF, NRAS, and KIT genes is recognized as playing a role during carcinogenesis. Our study aims to evaluate and review other studies that present the frequency of mutations of BRAF, NRAS, and KIT genes for different populations, and analyse correlation to their clinical-pathological characteristics and to the demographics of melanoma. Thirty-two articles were selected from a collection of published literature studying 6299 patients. The parameters for correlation to different variables were calculated by odds ratio, for random and single effects. 38.5% of patients present BRAF gene mutations, 16.4% in NRAS, and 10% in KIT. Mutations of the BRAF gene were correlated to superficial spreading melanoma (odds ratio = 1.31), localization in the torso (odds ratio = 1.42) and presence of metastases. Mutations in NRAS were correlated to nodular melanoma (odds ratio = 1.57), localized in the limbs (odds ratio = 1.31). Mutations of the KIT gene were correlated to mucosal melanoma (odds ratio = 1.59). Populations in Brazil, the US, Sweden, Italian, and Australia were found to be correlated to mutations of BRAF and melanoma. Populations in Italy, Sweden, Spain, and the US were found to be correlated to mutations of NRAS. Populations in Japan, China, Turkey, Canada, and Russia were found to be correlated to mutations of KIT. Data correlated to the presence of melanoma and population type is due to the amount of studies performed across of globe.
Validation of a Photonumeric Assessment Scale for Grading the Slope of the Asian Forehead
Authors: Yu Chao Yates Yen , Chhabra Chiranjiv , Corduff Niamh , Fabi Sabrina Guillen , Hornfeldt Carl S. , Kerscher Martina , Lam Stephanie , Pavicic Tatjana , Peng Peter H.L. , Pooth Rainer , Rzany Berthold , Seo Kyle , Suwanchinda Atchima , Tseng Fang-Wen , Geister Thorin L.
Published: July 2019

BACKGROUND

As the number of aesthetic treatments has grown, so have the number of photonumeric assessment scales used to compare the effectiveness of these aesthetic treatments in specific anatomical areas; however, these are primarily based on Caucasian features.

OBJECTIVE

To assess the validity of the first aesthetic scale for assessing the slope of the Asian forehead. A secondary objective was to correlate this scale with subject demographics and baseline characteristics.

METHODS

During 2 validation sessions, 13 raters assessed full frontal and lateral facial images of female (n = 28; 56.0%) and male (n = 22; 44%) subjects. For each subject, the severity of forehead sloping was graded from 0 (convex forehead, optimal forehead volume) to 4 (concave forehead, very severe sloping). Raters also assessed the age of each subject and the estimated aesthetic treatment effort required to treat each subject.

RESULTS

Inter-rater reliability was “substantial” with scores of 0.67 and 0.68 for the first and second validation sessions, indicating high reliability. BMI showed the highest correlation with the scale and was a significant predictor in the final regression model.

CONCLUSION

This photonumeric assessment scale will be useful for assessing the slope of the Asian forehead in both clinical and research settings.
Exploring Experiences of Organizational Socialization Among Physical Therapy and Athletic Training Junior Faculty Members
Authors: Barrett Jessica L. , Mazerolle Stephanie M. , Rizzo Jon J.
Published: July 2019

Introduction.

Organizational socialization is a process by which institutions assist new faculty members' transition to their expected roles. These may include orientation sessions, mentoring pairings, and ongoing faculty development opportunities. There is a paucity of research identifying the experiences and perceptions of organizational socialization for physical therapy and athletic training junior faculty members. The purpose of this study is to gain a better understanding of the organizational socialization process for these two groups.

Subjects.

Junior faculty members in the fields of physical therapy (13) and athletic training (13) participated in this phenomenological qualitative study.

Methods.

Data were collected in a single phone interview, which was digitally recorded and transcribed verbatim. Transcripts were analyzed following the steps of Interpretive Phenomenological Analysis. Expert review, multiple analyst triangulation, and member checking served to ensure trustworthiness of the findings.

Results.

Organizational socialization of junior faculty in athletic training and physical therapy revolves around the components of orientation activities and collegial workplace environments. Orientation activities are part of the onboarding process and usually include a formal session to learn about roles and responsibilities. Orientation can positively impact a faculty member's understanding of their role and integration to the culture of their institution. Collegial work environments are those where experienced faculty play an active role in supporting junior members. Because they provide junior faculty some freedom and flexibility in choice of mentor, informal mentoring relationships seem to be integral to this collegial environment.

Conclusion.

Though these areas may form an important foundation for organizational socialization, additional solutions are needed to optimize the processes by which new faculty are trained. Administrators and institutions should strive to create innovative orientation and onboarding programs that aid newly hired educator's integration.
Effect of Oval Window Blockage on Bone Conduction in Cadaver Heads
Authors: Chen Keguang , Chen Yongzheng , Lyu Huiying , Yin Dongming , Yang Lin , Zhang Tianyu , Dai Peidong
Published: July 2019

Objective:

This study aimed to explore the feasibility of medical adhesive in the molding of oval window (OW) blockage in cadaver heads and to study the effect on bone conduction (BC).

Methods:

Four cadaver heads were selected to establish OW blockage model. The daub type of medical adhesive was used to immobilize OW. The vibration properties of the round window membrane (VRWM) in response to the acoustic stimulation, and the vibration properties of the round window membrane and cochlear promontory (VCP) in response to the BC transducer B-71 stimulation were assessed by laser Doppler vibrometer in both pre-OW blockage and post-OW blockage.

Results:

After blocking the oval window, the mean values of the sound-induced velocities amplitude responses of the round window membrane by air conduction were decreased significantly beyond 30 dB in all measured frequencies (p < 0.05). The round window membrane relative velocity (VRWM/VCP) shows a decrease of about 1 dB at 1 and 3 kHz frequencies and a slight increase of around 0.5 dB from 4 to 8 kHz frequencies in post-OW blockage. However, it should also be noted that the VRWM/VCP is a significant decrease of 1.2 dB at 3 kHz in post-OW blockage compared with pre-OW blockage (p < 0.05).

Conclusion:

Medical adhesive was available for the immobilization of oval window. In cadaver heads, the effect of OW blockage on the BC was the notching at 3 kHz.
The endoscopically assisted transcrestal sinus floor elevation with platelet-rich fibrin at an immediate implantation of periapical lesion site
Authors: Wang Hanchi , Wang Jia , Guo Tianqi , Ding Xinxin , Yu Wanqi , Zhao Jinghui , Zhou Yanmin
Published: July 2019

Rationale:

The traditional maxillary sinus floor elevation has serious postoperative complications and long healing periods, for patients with insufficient residual bone height (RBH). The endoscopic technique improves the blind nature of the sinus floor elevation procedure. Platelet-rich fibrin (PRF) can promote tissue healing and prevent perforation.

Patient concern:

A 25-year-old female with residual roots in the maxillary right second molar visited our hospital for dental implants.

Diagnose:

CBCT results showed a low-density shadow at the root tip, and the height of the periapical distance from the maxillary sinus floor was less than 1 mm.

Intervention:

Patient was immediately subjected to implant after root extraction. Two-step sinus floor elevation was performed under endoscopy. A 12 mm-long implant was installed.

Outcomes:

At 10 months after surgery, the hard and soft tissues were stable, and a full-ceramic crown was placed.

Lessons:

Immediate implant and endoscope-guided sinus floor elevation through a transcrestal approach by using PRF as the only grafting material is viable in periapical infected sites with a RBH of less than 1 mm.
Medical Practice Consolidation and Physician Shared Patient Network Size, Strength, and Stability
Authors: O’Hanlon Claire E. , Whaley Christopher M. , Freund Deborah
Published: July 2019

Background:

Properties of social networks and shared patient networks of physicians are associated with important outcomes, including costs, quality, information exchange, and organizational effectiveness.

Objectives:

To determine whether practice consolidation affects size, strength, and stability of US practice-based physician shared patient networks.

Research Design:

We used a dynamic difference-in-differences (event study) design to determine how 2 types of vertical consolidation (hospital and health system practice acquisition) and 2 types of horizontal consolidation (medical group membership and practice-practice mergers) affect individual shared patient network characteristics, controlling for physician fixed effects and geographic market (metropolitan statistical area).

Subjects:

Practice-based US physicians whose practices consolidated 2009–2014 are identified via health system, hospital, and medical group affiliation information and appearance/disappearance of listed practice affiliations in the SK&A Physician Database.

Measures:

Outcomes measured were network size (number of individual physicians with whom a physician shares patients within 30 d), strength (average number of shared patients within those relationships), and stability (percent of shared patient relationships that persist in the current and prior year), all generated from Medicare Shared Patient Patterns (30-d) data.

Results:

Shared patient network stability increases significantly after acquisition of practices by horizontal practice-practice mergers [β
t=1=0.041 (P<0.001), β
t=2=0.047 (P<0.001), β
t=3=0.041 (P<0.001), β
t=4=0.031 (P<0.05), where t is the number of years after the consolidation event]. These effects were robust to sensitivity analyses. Shared patient network size and strength are not observably associated with practice consolidation events.

Conclusions:

Practice consolidation can increase the stability of physician networks, which may have positive implications for organizational effectiveness.
Hospital-to-Homecare Videoconference Handoff
Authors: Knight Suzanne W. , Trinkle Julie , Tschannen Dana
Published: July 2019

Transitions of care between settings and clinicians are a time of vulnerability for patients, and can result in fragmented care, medication errors, avoidable readmissions, and patient/nurse dissatisfaction. Through the use of technology and a structured face-to-face handoff, the patient and family can be engaged in the transition across settings. The purpose of this project was to determine the feasibility and effectiveness of videoconference handoffs between inpatient, case management, and home care nurses, and the patients/families during transitions of care from hospital to home care. Videoconferences were conducted for 2 months with patients transitioning from two pediatric inpatient units to the hospital-based home care agency. The nurses and patient/family connected through a secure cloud-based videoconferencing platform. Participants discussed the patient's status, safety concerns, ongoing plan of care, what the patient/family could expect at home, and the coordination of equipment/supply needs and postdischarge visits. Videoconference handoffs (n = 10) were found to be feasible and address gaps in communication, coordination of care, and patient/family engagement during transitions from hospital to home care. Postpilot, nurses agreed the videoconference handoffs should continue with minimal modifications.
Eye Movements of Drivers with Glaucoma on a Visual Recognition Slide Test
Authors: Lee Samantha Sze-Yee , Black Alex A. , Wood Joanne M.
Published: July 2019

SIGNIFICANCE

Glaucoma has been shown to impair hazard detection ability and increase crash risk compared to controls. Differences in visual search behavior of the driving scene may explain these differences; however, there has been limited investigation of this issue with inconsistent findings.

PURPOSE

Through eye movement tracking of older drivers with glaucoma, we explored their visual search behavior in comparison with controls while performing the DriveSafe, a slide recognition test purported to predict fitness to drive.

METHODS

Thirty-one drivers with glaucoma (mean age, 71.7 ± 6.3 years; average better-eye mean defect,−3 dB; average worse-eye mean defect,−12 dB) and 25 age-matched controls underwent measurements of their visual acuity, contrast sensitivity, visual fields, and useful field of view (visual processing speeds). Participants' eye movements were recorded while they completed the DriveSafe test, which consists of brief presentations of static, real-world driving scenes containing various road users (pedestrians, bicycles, vehicles). Participants reported the types, positions, and direction of travel of road users in each image; the score was the total number of correctly reported items (maximum, 128).

RESULTS

Drivers with glaucoma had significantly worse DriveSafe scores (P = .03), fixated on road users for shorter durations (P < .001), and exhibited smaller saccades (P = .02) compared with controls. For all participants, longer fixation times on road users (P < .001) was the eye movement measure most strongly associated with better DriveSafe scores; this relationship was not significantly different between groups. Useful field-of-view divided attention was the strongest visual predictor of DriveSafe scores.

CONCLUSIONS

Eye movement changes in the glaucoma group may reflect increased difficulty in identifying relevant objects in the visual scene, which may be related to their lower DriveSafe scores. Given the DriveSafe’s potential utility in assessing drivers with visual impairment before on-road testing, further investigations on how DriveSafe performance and eye movement patterns compare to those during on-road driving are warranted.