bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Barriers and enablers to accessing dental services for people experiencing homelessness: A systematic review
Authors: Paisi Martha , Kay Elizabeth , Plessas Anastasios , Burns Lorna , Quinn Cath , Brennan Nicola , White Sandra
Published: January 2019

Objectives

The aim of this systematic review was to identify and conceptualize the barriers and enablers to accessing dental services for people experiencing homelessness in the United Kingdom.

Methods

A literature search for studies relevant to homelessness and dental care was conducted. The PRISMA and ENTREQ guidelines were followed. Electronic databases (EMBASE, MEDLINE, DOSS, CINAHL, SOCINDEX and PsycINFO) and grey literature sources (Electronic Theses Online Service – EThOS, Kings Fund, NICE Evidence, Open Grey, Google and the Health Foundation) were searched up to 28 August 2018. The critical appraisal was conducted using CASP and an adjusted version of a JBI Critical Appraisal tool. Thematic analysis was used to develop the themes and domains.

Results

Twenty‐eight papers were included. Barriers to homeless people accessing dental care stemmed both from the lived experience of homelessness and the healthcare system. Within homelessness, the themes identified included complexity, emotions and knowledge. Regarding the healthcare system, identified themes included staff encounter, accessibility and organization issues.

Conclusion

Homelessness can actively contribute to both an increased need for dental care and barriers to accessing that care. The arrangement of dental healthcare services can also act as barriers to care. This is the first systematic review to conceptualize the factors associated with access to dental care for people who are homeless. It provides a set of recommendations for overcoming the main barriers for homeless people to accessing dental care. It also offers directions for future research, policy and commissioning.
On‐site identification of psychoactive drugs by portable Raman spectroscopy during drug‐checking service in electronic music events
Authors: Gerace Enrico , Seganti Fabrizio , Luciano Clemente , Lombardo Tonia , Di Corcia Daniele , Teifel Heino , Vincenti Marco , Salomone Alberto
Published: January 2019

Introduction and Aims

Hundreds of new psychoactive substances (NPS) have burst into the marketplace, making both the scientific community and people who use drugs lacking of adequate information about their diffusion and effects. In this scenario, drug‐checking services have been recently proposed to assist harm reduction policies and provide a global description of the circulating drugs.

Design and Methods

The results obtained by a portable Raman spectroscopy device on 472 alleged drugs within the first formal implementation of drug checking in Italy, are reported. The testing was made through a plastic bag held by the applicant and containing the alleged drug. The substance identification was executed by comparison with a spectral library.

Results

Illicit substances were detected in 304 samples. Findings included MDMA (106 samples), ketamine (87 samples), cocaine (51 samples), amphetamine (47 samples), methamphetamine (two samples), heroin (two samples) and NPS (nine samples). Two samples were identified as precursors of psychoactive substances. Identification of a non‐controlled substance occurred in 38 samples. Output of inconclusive result was recorded from 128 samples tested on‐site, from which the applicant allowed us to collect a small portion in 68 cases, for a delayed laboratory analysis by GC–MS or LC–MS/MS.

Discussion and Conclusions

Drug checking by Raman spectroscopy proved effective to identify psychoactive drugs including NPS and track the drug distribution in various recreational settings. The field testing activity revealed the presence of several NPS in the nightlife scenario, often in replacement of traditional illicit drugs, thus posing a high overdose risk and a life‐threatening situation.
The reflection problem in network effect estimation
Authors: Rysman Marc
Published: January 2019

This paper discusses the empirical identification of network effects in light of the reflection problem of Manski. I argue that models of indirect network effects present reasonable exclusion restrictions to address the challenges of the reflection problem.
Horizontal mergers between multisided platforms: Insights from Cournot competition
Authors: Correia‐da‐Silva Joao , Jullien Bruno , Lefouili Yassine , Pinho Joana
Published: January 2019

This paper discusses the literature on horizontal mergers between multisided platforms and argues that the Cournot model can provide useful insights into the welfare effects of such mergers. To illustrate those insights, we develop a simple model in which two‐sided platforms offer a homogeneous service and compete à la Cournot, and derive the effects of “average‐marginal‐cost‐preserving” mergers on consumers on both sides of the market. We conclude with a discussion of several research avenues that could be explored to understand better the impact of horizontal mergers between multisided platforms.
Hypertension Treatment and Control and Risk of Falls in Older Women
Authors: Margolis Karen L. , Buchner David M. , LaMonte Michael J. , Zhang Yuzheng , Di Chongzhi , Rillamas‐Sun Eileen , Hunt Julie , Ikramuddin Farha , Li Wenjun , Marshall Steve , Rosenberg Dori , Stefanick Marcia L. , Wallace Robert , LaCroix Andrea Z.
Published: January 2019

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES

A lower risk of falls is commonly cited as a reason to treat hypertension conservatively in older individuals. We examined the effect of hypertension treatment and control status and measured blood pressure (BP) level on the risk of falls in older women.

DESIGN/SETTING

Prospective cohort study.

PARTICIPANTS

A total of 5971 women (mean age 79 years; 50.4% white, 33.1% black, 16.5% Hispanic/Latina) enrolled in the Women's Health Initiative and Objective Physical Activity and Cardiovascular Health study.

MEASUREMENTS

BP was measured by trained nurses, and hypertension treatment was assessed by medication inventory. Participants mailed in monthly calendars to self‐report falls for 1 year.

RESULTS

Overall, 70% of women had hypertension at baseline (53% treated and controlled, 12% treated and uncontrolled, 5% untreated). There were 2582 women (43%) who reported falls in the 1 year of surveillance. Compared with nonhypertensive women, when adjusted for fall risk factors and lower limb physical function, the incidence rate ratio (IRR) for falls was 0.82 (confidence interval [CI] = 0.74‐0.92) in women with treated controlled hypertension (p = .0008) and 0.73 (CI = 0.62‐0.87) in women with treated uncontrolled hypertension (p = .0004). Neither measured systolic nor diastolic BP was associated with falls in the overall cohort. In women treated with antihypertensive medication, higher diastolic BP was associated with a lower risk of falls in a model adjusted for fall risk factors (IRR = 0.993 per mm Hg; 95% CI = 0.987‐1.000; p = .04). The only class of antihypertensive medication associated with an increased risk of falls compared with all other types of antihypertensive drugs was β‐blockers.

CONCLUSION

Women in this long‐term research study with treated hypertension had a lower risk of falls compared with nonhypertensive women. Diastolic BP (but not systolic BP) is weakly associated with fall risk in women on antihypertensive treatment (<1% decrease in risk per mm Hg increase). J Am Geriatr Soc, 2019. J Am Geriatr Soc 67:726–733, 2019.
Injury to hypothalamic Sim1 neurons is a common feature of obesity by exposure to high‐fat diet in male and female mice
Authors: Nyamugenda Eugene , Trentzsch Marcus , Russell Susan , Miles Tiffany , Boysen Gunnar , Phelan Kevin D. , Baldini Giulia
Published: January 2019

The hypothalamus is essential for regulation of energy homeostasis and metabolism. Feeding hypercaloric, high‐fat (HF) diet induces hypothalamic arcuate nucleus injury and alters metabolism more severely in male than in female mice. The site(s) and extent of hypothalamic injury in male and female mice are not completely understood. In the paraventricular nucleus (PVN) of the hypothalamus, single‐minded family basic helix‐loop helix transcription factor 1 (Sim1) neurons are essential to control energy homeostasis. We tested the hypothesis that exposure to HF diet induces injury to Sim1 neurons in the PVN of male and female mice. Mice expressing membrane‐bound enhanced green fluorescent protein (mEGFP) in Sim1 neurons (Sim1‐Cre:Rosa‐mEGFP mice) were generated to visualize the effects of exposure to HF diet on these neurons. Male and female Sim1‐Cre:Rosa‐mEGFP mice exposed to HF diet had increased weight, hyperleptinemia, and developed hepatosteatosis. In male and female mice exposed to HF diet, expression of mEGFP was reduced by > 40% in Sim1 neurons of the PVN, an effect paralleled by cell apoptosis and neuronal loss, but not by microgliosis. In the arcuate nucleus of the Sim1‐Cre:Rosa‐mEGFP male mice, there was decreased alpha‐melanocyte‐stimulating hormone in proopiomelanocortin neurons projecting to the PVN, with increased cell apoptosis, neuronal loss, and microgliosis. These defects were undetectable in the arcuate nucleus of female mice exposed to the HF diet. Thus, injury to Sim1 neurons of the PVN is a shared feature of exposure to HF diet in mice of both sexes, while injury to proopiomelanocortin neurons in arcuate nucleus is specific to male mice.

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PRESUMPTIVE TAXATION METHODS: A REVIEW OF THE EMPIRICAL LITERATURE
Authors: Bucci Valeria
Published: January 2019

This paper reviews the empirical literature studying the effect of the introduction of presumptive taxation methods on taxpayers’ behavior. Although the concept of presumptive taxation entails numerous alternative methods to determine tax liabilities, I survey two main areas of the literature: indirect tax assessment methods and presumptive minimum taxes. The review investigates efficiency and equity implications of presumptive taxation methods. Conflicting conclusions emerge about the effectiveness of presumptive policy tools in achieving different goals, such as the increase of voluntary tax compliance, the growth of tax revenues, and the reduction of shadow economy and fiscal evasion.
RETRACTED: Comparison between 200, 400 and 600 microgram rectal misoprostol before cesarian section: A randomized clinical trial
Authors: Sweed Mohamed , El‐Said Mourad , Abou‐Gamrah Amgad , Ali Mohamad
Published: January 2019

Aim

Compare the effectiveness of administration of different doses of rectal misoprostol before cesarean section to reduce intra‐ and postoperative blood loss.

Methods

A double‐blind randomized clinical trial including 453 term pregnant woman scheduled for elective cesarean section where participants received either 200‐, 400‐ or 600‐μg misoprostol rectally before cesarean section. Study medications were administered after catheter insertion and shortly before skin incision. Primary outcome measures were intraoperative blood loss.

Results

The intraoperative blood loss was higher in patients who received 200‐μg misoprostol (464.6 ± 143.1 mL) than those who received 400 or 600 μg, yet, no statistical difference was found between the 400‐ (359.3 ± 120.9 mL) and 600‐μg groups (330.8 ± 133.8 mL). The incidence of side effects as fever and chills increases with increasing the dose of misoprostol.

Conclusion

Rectal administration of misoprostol for the prevention of post‐partum hemorrhage and decreasing intraoperative blood loss during caesarian section is a good alternative to other uterotonics. Yet, the best dose to be used needs further research to be agreed upon.
Responses of foraminifera communities to aquaculture‐derived organic enrichment as revealed by environmental DNA metabarcoding
Authors: He Xiaoping , Sutherland Terri F. , Pawlowski Jan , Abbott Cathryn L.
Published: January 2019

Current monitoring methods to assess benthic impacts of marine finfish aquaculture are based on complex biological indices and/or geochemistry data. The former requires benthic macrofauna morpho‐taxonomic characterization that is time‐ and cost‐intensive, while the latter provides rapid assessment of the organic enrichment status of sediments but does not directly measure biotic impacts. In this study, sediment samples were collected from seven stations at six salmon farms in British Columbia, Canada, and analyzed for geochemical parameters and by eDNA metabarcoding to investigate linkages between geochemistry and foraminifera. Sediment texture across farm sites ranged from sand to silty loam, while the maximum sediment pore‐water sulphide concentration at each site ranged from 1,000 to 13,000 μM. Foraminifera alpha diversity generally increased with distance from cage edge. Adonis analyses revealed that farm site explained the most variation in foraminifera community, followed by sediment type, enrichment status, and distance from cage edge. Farm‐specific responses were observed in diversity analyses, taxonomic difference analyses, and correlation analyses. Results demonstrated that species diversity and composition of foraminifera characterized by eDNA metabarcoding generated signals consistent with benthic biodiversity being impacted by finfish farming activities. This substantiates the validity of eDNA metabarcoding for augmenting current approaches to benthic impact assessments by providing more cost‐effective and practicable biotic measures than traditional morpho‐taxonomy. To capitalize on this potential, further work is needed to design a new nomogram that combines eDNA metabarcoding data and geochemistry data to enable accurate monitoring of benthic impacts of fish farming in a time‐ and cost‐efficient way.
Agricultural Partnership for Dairy Farming
Authors: Hsu Vernon N. , Lai Guoming , Liang Guitian
Published: January 2019

This paper studies an innovative agricultural partnership model in the dairy industry. In developing regions, farmers are constrained by limited resources, while it is costly for an enterprise to set up new facilities and raise dairy animals all on its own. Under the partnership model, dairy animals are raised by individual farmers during the maturing stage and then by the enterprise during the milking stage. This can lower the enterprise’s investment cost, ensure milk quality, and also expand the farmers’ capacity given that a new batch can be raised when the old batch goes to the enterprise’s facilities. We find that from the enterprise’s perspective, the performance of this model depends on the farmers’ original capacity and capacity expansion ratio (i.e., how much it can expand under partnership). The profitability of the enterprise can either increase in the farmers’ original capacity if the expansion ratio is small or decreases otherwise. Compared with the conventional decentralized model and the independent integrated model, the partnership model is particularly preferred when the enterprise’s market size is intermediate. Several extensions of our model show that the government quality subsidy offered to the farmers may sometimes lower dairy product quality as well as the enterprise’s profit; when the enterprise aims to maximize the total profit of the partnership, it will contract with more farmers and produce more dairy products; and if the farmers have more bargaining power, the partnership model will benefit the farmers more but be less preferable to the enterprise.
Phenotyping Kariega × Avocet S doubled haploid lines containing individual and combined adult plant stripe rust resistance loci
Authors: Maree G. J. , Prins R. , Bender C. M. , Boshoff W. H. P. , Negussie T. G. , Pretorius Z. A.
Published: January 2019

The bread wheat cultivar Kariega has maintained its stripe rust resistance since the first detection of Puccinia striiformis f. sp. tritici (Pst) in South Africa during 1996. Doubled haploid mapping population (MP) lines derived from a Kariega × Avocet S cross, carrying consistently detected adult plant resistance (APR) quantitative trait loci (QTLs)/gene combinations, were phenotyped at macroscopic and microscopic levels. Field data obtained over four seasons revealed that MP lines carrying a combination of any two of the APR loci QYr.sgi‐2B.1, QYr.sgi‐4A.1 or Yr18 displayed low coefficients of infection. Lines MP 45 and MP 65, carrying all three gene regions, showed leaf area infected and host reaction type ratings similar to Kariega. The microphenotype of lines was studied in flag leaves sampled from field plots during two seasons using fluorescence microscopy. Pst colony length, number of haustorial mother cells per colony and hypersensitivity index supported the phenotypic data. All three microscopy variables attested to low levels of disease in lines containing multiple stripe rust resistance loci. Lines MP 51 and MP 223 with a single QYr.sgi‐2B.1 and Yr18, respectively, also showed adequate resistance, in contrast to lines carrying only QYr.sgi‐4A.1 which showed significantly more disease symptoms. Host cell necrosis and lignification were revealed as mechanisms of resistance in some lines.
In vitro evaluation of cryopreserved bovine sperm and its relation to field fertility in fixed‐time artificial insemination
Authors: Okano Denise S. , Penitente‐Filho Jurandy M. , Gomez León Victor E. , Maitan Paula P. , Silveira Camila O. , Waddington Bruna , Díaz‐Miranda Edgar A. , da Costa Eduardo P. , Guimarães Simone E. F. , Guimarães José D.
Published: January 2019

Contents

This study aimed to assess characteristics of bovine cryopreserved sperm and evaluate its relation to field fertility in fixed‐time artificial insemination (FTAI). Semen samples of 16 bulls were used to inseminate 811 Nellore cows, and four of these bulls were also used to inseminate 101 Nellore heifers. Samples of the same ejaculate used for FTAI from each bull were analysed in the laboratory after thawing. Sperm motility and vigour were subjectively assessed by light microscope, and integrity of the plasma and acrosome membranes, and H2O2 production were evaluated by flow cytometer. Relation among sperm characteristics and pregnancy rate of cows and heifers were evaluated by univariate and multivariate logistic regression. Subjective sperm motility and vigour did not affect the probability of pregnancy in cows or heifers. In univariate analysis for pregnancy in cows, sperm traits related to acrosome injury positively affected probability of pregnancy mainly when associated with plasma membrane integrity; H2O2 production seems to be less important than plasma membrane integrity in affecting probability of pregnancy. In multivariate analysis, sperm traits related to injured acrosome positively affected probability of cow and heifer pregnancies while intact acrosome was negatively related to cow pregnancy. Intact plasma membrane and high H2O2 production were positively related to cow pregnancy but negatively related to heifer pregnancy. Results suggest that a capacitation‐like status of the acrosome may benefit probability of pregnancy in cows.
Work addiction is associated with increased stress and reduced quality of life: Validation of the Bergen Work Addiction Scale in Danish
Authors: Lichtenstein Mia Beck , Malkenes Maiken , Sibbersen Christian , Hinze Cecilie Juul
Published: January 2019

Addiction to work is defined as a compulsion or an uncontrollable need to work incessantly. Only few measures exist to identify work addiction and the health consequences are sparsely explored. The Bergen Workaholic Scale (BWAS) measures seven core elements of work addiction and has been used in Norway, Hungary, Brazil, Italy, USA and Poland. The aim of this study was to validate the BWAS in a Danish sample and to investigate if high risk of work addiction was associated with stress and reduced quality of life. We conducted an online screening survey with 671 participants aged 16–68 years with the Danish translation of the BWAS. We added the perceived stress scale (PSS) and the quality of life scale EQ‐5D‐5L. Those with high risk of work addiction reported significantly higher mean PSS scores (20.0 points) compared to those with low risk of addiction (12.5 points) and poorer quality of life (61.9) compared to the low risk group (81.3). Furthermore, work addiction was associated with more weekly working hours (44.0 vs. 35.6 hours/week) and having more leadership responsibility. A preliminary estimate of work addiction prevalence was 6.6%. The BWAS demonstrated good reliability (α = 0.83), and factor analyses pointed at a single factor structure. Work addiction seems to be associated with health problems in terms of stress and poorer quality of life. The BWAS is recommended as a reliable and valid tool to identify work addiction in Danish.
Current hand hygiene education is suboptimal
Authors: Birnbach David J. , Rosen Lisa F. , Fitzpatrick Maureen , Arheart Kristopher L. , Everett‐Thomas Ruth
Published: January 2019

Background

To address the low levels of hand hygiene compliance (HHC) at our academic medical centre, we developed an annual patient safety course required for all incoming third‐year medical students. Based on previous observations of medical students, it was determined that hand hygiene (HH) would be a central component of the course.

Methods

Over a 1‐year period (2015/16), we observed third‐ and fourth‐year medical students who had participated in the annual patient safety course entering three intensive care units (ICUs) at two teaching hospitals. A total of 150 medical students failed to perform HH on entry and were subsequently asked why they did not comply.

Results

Of the 150 medical students observed entering an ICU without performing HH, 74.7% were male and 25.3% were female. Males cited inadequate time (21.4%), lack of role models (10.7%) and provided incorrect information regarding HH requirements (58.9%). Females cited concerns about dry or cracked skin (34.2%) and forgetting (23.7%).

Discussion

Our study demonstrates that even when medical students receive intensive HH education, compliance remains low. Of note, males and females offered different reasons for why they failed to perform HH. To address the suboptimal HHC, we developed an annual patient safety course required for all third‐year medical students immediately prior to beginning clinical rotations. In this study, we sought to understand why medical students’ HH remains suboptimal even after an intensive course.
Temporary end‐on colostomy as a treatment for anastomotic dehiscence after a transanal rectal pull‐through procedure in a dog
Authors: Cinti Filippo , Pisani Guido
Published: January 2019

Objective

To describe a temporary end‐on colostomy to treat the dehiscence of a transanal rectal pull‐through in a dog.

Study design

Case report

Animal

A 7‐year‐old intact female Australian shepherd dog that was treated for a rectal adenocarcinoma with a transanal rectal pull‐through.

Methods

Partial dehiscence of the previous end‐to‐end colorectal anastomosis and formation of a perianal sinus tract were diagnosed 4 days after surgery. A pararectal approach was used to revise the surgery with debridement of the sinus tract, rectal wall reconstruction with single interrupted sutures, and placement of a passive drain. Dehiscence occurred 2 days later. The colon was transected cranial to the pelvic brim, and each stump was oversewn prior to salvage temporary end‐on colostomy. Postoperative care included analgesia, antibiotic therapy, and local care of the perineal/perianal area and colostomy site. After 90 days, the perineal/perianal sinus tract had healed, the colostomy was eliminated, and an end‐to‐end anastomosis of the colon was performed.

Results

Management of postoperative complications focused on dermatitis of the stoma and perineal/perianal area, stoma incontinence, and perineal/perianal medications of the sinus tract. One year after the final surgery, the dog had occasional episodes of fecal incontinence and a good quality of life without other complications.

Conclusion

Use of a temporary end‐on colostomy prior to revision surgery led to a satisfactory outcome but required long and challenging postoperative management.

Clinical significance

Temporary end‐on colostomy may be an option to manage dehiscence and potential recurrent stenosis after transanal rectal pull‐through in dogs.
A Qualitative Study on the Perceptions of Administrators and Teachers on Procrastination Behavior and Workload of School Administrators
Authors: Cömert Melike , Dönmez Burhanettin
Published: January 2019

In the research, a total of 12 school administrators and 18 teachers working in six different schools including three primary schools and three secondary schools were interviewed by using "case study" of qualitative research techniques in order to get in-depth knowledge about school administrators and teachers' perceptions of postponement behaviors and workloads. When the managers and teachers to be interviewed were determined, the maximum diversity sampling method which is one of the purpose sampling methods was used. The qualitative data obtained in the research were collected by using semi-structured manager and teacher interview forms that prepared by the researcher. Within the scope of the research, in the context of the qualitative findings obtained from interviews with school administrators; all of the interviewed school administrators (f = 12) stated that they did not postpone the work related to students, staff and education in the school, but they pointed out that sometimes there could be delayed situations. A large number of interviewed teachers (f = 13) indicated that the managers postpone many jobs in the school. In this context, internalization of managers, not only external sanctions, but also effective time management and internal supervision skills can be improved. In this context, internalization of managers, not just external sanctions, but effective time management and internal audit skills can be improved.
Interplay between diet, exercise and the molecular circadian clock in orchestrating metabolic adaptations of adipose tissue
Authors: Dollet Lucile , Zierath Juleen R.
Published: January 2019

Disruption of circadian rhythmicity induced by prolonged light exposure, altered sleep patterns and shift work is associated with the development of obesity and related metabolic disorders, including type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular diseases. White and brown adipose tissue activity shows circadian rhythmicity, with daily variations in the regulation of metabolic processes such as lipolysis, glucose and lipid uptake, and adipokine secretion. The role of the circadian clock in the regulation of energy homeostasis has raised interest in clock‐related strategies to mitigate metabolic disturbances associated with type 2 diabetes, including ‘resynchronizing’ metabolism through diet or targeting a particular time of a day to potentiate the effect of a pharmacological or physiological treatment. Exercise is an effective intervention to prevent insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes. Beyond its effect on skeletal muscle, exercise training also has a profound effect on adipose tissue. Adipose tissue partly mediates the beneficial effect of exercise on glucose and energy homeostasis, via its metabolic and endocrine function. The interaction between zeitgeber time and diet or exercise is likely to influence the metabolic response of adipose tissue and therefore impact the whole‐body phenotype. Understanding the impact of circadian clock systems on human physiology and how this is regulated by exercise in a tissue‐specific manner will yield new insights for the management of metabolic disorders.
Drude and Kukharskii mobility of doped semiconductors extracted from Fourier-transform infrared ellipsometry spectra
Authors: Zollner Stefan , Paradis Pablo P. , Abadizaman Farzin , Samarasingha Nuwanjula S.
Published: January 2019

The factorized plasmon-phonon polariton description of the infrared dielectric function is generalized to include an additional factor to account for the effects of interband electronic transitions. This new formalism is superior to the usual Drude–Lorentz summation of independent oscillators, especially in materials with large transverse-longitudinal optical phonon splittings, multiple infrared-active phonon modes, or high concentrations of free carriers, if a broadband description of the dielectric function from the far-infrared to the vacuum-ultraviolet spectral region is desired. After a careful comparison of both approaches, the factorized description is applied to the dielectric function of undoped and doped semiconductors (GaAs, GaSb, and InAs) and metal oxides from 0.03 to 9.0 eV. Specifically, the authors find that both descriptions of the far-infrared dielectric function yield the same carrier density and mobility, at least for a single species of carriers. To achieve valid results for moderately high doping concentrations, measurements to lower energies would be helpful.
Partial devoicing of voiced geminate stops in Tokyo Japanese
Authors: Hussain Qandeel , Shinohara Shigeko
Published: January 2019

Tokyo Japanese has a constraint against voiced geminate stops in its native lexicon. The present study investigates whether recently introduced word-medial voiced geminate stops [C1V1C(C)2V2] are differentiated from voiceless geminates and voiced singletons in terms of duration, voicing during closure, and spectral moments of stop release bursts. The findings suggest that the voiceless and voiced singleton stops were clearly differentiated by C2 duration. In contrast, C2 duration of the voiceless and voiced geminate stops was not significantly different. The devoicing of the word-medial stops was not only observed in voiced geminates, but voiced singletons also showed devoicing. The duration of the preceding vowel (V1) distinguished the voicing contrast in both singleton and geminate stops. The first four spectral moments of C2 stop release bursts did not distinguish the length and voicing contrasts in stops. These results indicate that, although word-medial voiced geminate stops are fully or partially devoiced, the Tokyo Japanese speakers lengthen the preceding vowels (V1) to maintain a voicing contrast. Production patterns of the voiced geminates are considered in relation to marginal or intermediate phonological contrast.
Antimicrobial Activity of Omadacycline Tested against Clinical Bacterial Isolates from Hospitals in Mainland China, Hong Kong, and Taiwan: Results from the SENTRY Antimicrobial Surveillance Program (2013 to 2016)
Authors: Carvalhaes Cecilia G. , Huband Michael D. , Reinhart Harald H. , Flamm Robert K. , Sader Helio S.
Published: January 2019

Omadacycline is a derivative of minocycline and the first agent of the aminomethylcycline class. A total of 3,282 organisms (1 per patient) were consecutively collected from patients hospitalized in China (including Hong Kong) and Taiwan.
Validation of a Norwegian version of SURgical PAtient Safety System (SURPASS) in combination with the World Health Organizations’ Surgical Safety Checklist (WHO SSC)
Authors: Storesund Anette , Haugen Arvid Steinar , Wæhle Hilde Valen , Mahesparan Rupavathana , Boermeester Marja A , Nortvedt Monica Wammen , Søfteland Eirik
Published: January 2019

Introduction

Surgical safety checklists may contribute to reduction of complications and mortality. The WHO’s Surgical Safety Checklist (WHO SSC) could prevent incidents in operating theatres, but errors also occur before and after surgery. The SURgical PAtient Safety System (SURPASS) is designed to intercept errors with use of checklists throughout the surgical pathway.

Objective

We aimed to validate a Norwegian version of the SURPASS’ preoperative and postoperative checklists for use in combination with the already established Sign In, Time Out and Sign Out parts of the WHO SSC.

Methods and materials

The validation of the SURPASS checklists content followed WHOs recommended guidelines. The process consisted of six steps: forward translation; testing the content; focus groups; expert panels; back translation; and approval of the final version. Qualitative content analysis was used to identify codes and categories for adaption of the SURPASS checklist items throughout Norwegian surgical care. Content validity index (CVI) was used by expert panels to score the relevance of each checklist item. The study was carried out in a neurosurgical ward in a large tertiary teaching hospital in Norway.

Results

Testing the preoperative and postoperative SURPASS checklists was performed in 29 neurosurgical procedures. This involved all professional groups in the entire surgical patient care pathway. Eight clinical focus groups revealed two main categories: ‘Adapt the wording to fit clinical practice’ and ‘The checklist items challenge existing workflow’. Interprofessional scoring of the content validity of the checklists reached >80% for all the SURPASS checklists.

Conclusions

The first version of the SURPASS checklists combined with the WHO SSC was validated for use in Norwegian surgical care with face validity confirmed and CVI >0.80%.

Trial registration number

NCT01872195.
Reproductive control by others: means, perpetrators and effects
Authors: Rowlands Sam , Walker Susan
Published: January 2019

Background

Reproductive control of women by others comprises a wide range of behaviours, from persuasion to pressure such as emotional blackmail, societal or family expectations, through to threats of or actual physical violence. It is defined as behaviours that interfere with women’s reproductive autonomy as well as any actions that pressurise or coerce a woman into initiating or terminating a pregnancy

Method

Narrative review based on a search of medical and social science literature.

Results

Reproductive control by others includes control or coercion over decisions about becoming pregnant and also about continuing or terminating a pregnancy. It can be carried out by intimate partners, the wider family, or as part of criminal behaviour. One form is contraceptive sabotage, which invalidates the consent given to sex. Contraceptive sabotage includes the newly-described behaviour of ‘stealthing’: the covert removal of a condom during sex. Reproductive control by others is separate from intimate partner violence but there are similarities and the phenomena overlap. Reproductive control by others is reported by as many as one quarter of women attending sexual and reproductive healthcare services. Those treating such women should be familiar with the concept and how to ameliorate its effects. Screening questions for its detection have been developed as well as interventions to reduce its risk.

Conclusions

Reproductive control by others is common and those working in women’s health should be familiar with the concept and with screening tools used to detect it.
In response to Ballantyne and Schaefer’s ‘Consent and the ethical duty to participate in health data research’
Authors: Hepgul Nilay , Sleeman Katherine E , Firth Alice M , Johnston Anna , Teo James T H , Bernal William , Dobson Richard J B , Higginson Irene J
Published: January 2019

We welcome Ballantyne & Schaefer’s discussion of the issues concerning consent and use of health data for research. In response to their acknowledgement of the need for public debate and discussion, we provide evidence from our own public consultation on this topic.
Knockdown of the small heat-shock protein p26 by RNA interference modifies the diapause proteome ofArtemia franciscana
Authors: Malitan Hajer Salem , Cohen Alejandro M. , MacRae Thomas H.
Published: January 2019

Embryos of the crustacean Artemia franciscana may arrest as gastrulae, forming cysts that enter diapause, which is a state of reduced metabolism and enhanced stress tolerance. Diapausing cysts survive physiological stresses for years due, in part, to molecular chaperones. p26, a small heat-shock protein, is an abundant diapause-specific molecular chaperone in cysts, and it affects embryo development and stress tolerance. p26 is therefore thought to influence many proteins in cysts, and this study was undertaken to determine how the loss of p26 by RNA interference (RNAi) affects the diapause proteome of A. franciscana. The proteome was analyzed by shot-gun proteomics coupled to differential isotopic labeling and tandem mass spectrometry. Proteins in the diapause proteome included metabolic enzymes, antioxidants, binding proteins, structural proteins, transporters, translation factors, receptors, and signal transducers. Proteins within the diapause proteome either disappeared or were reduced in amount when p26 was knocked down, or conversely, proteins appeared or increased in amount. Those proteins that disappeared may be p26 substrates, whereas the synthesis of those proteins that appeared or increased may be regulated by p26. This study provides the first global characterization of the diapause proteome of A. franciscana and demonstrates that the sHsp p26 influences proteome composition.
Copper nanoparticles supported on charcoal mediated one-pot three-component synthesis of N-substituted-2H-indazoles via consecutive condensation C–N and N–N bond formation
Authors: Khalifeh Reza , Karimzadeh Faranak
Published: January 2019

An efficient and straightforward protocol for direct synthesis of 2H-indazoles is achieved from consecutive condensation of 2-halobenzaldehydes, primary amines, and sodium azide catalyzed by heterogeneous copper nanoparticles on charcoal (Cu/C) is achieved. The recoverable heterogeneous copper nanoparticles on charcoal (Cu/C) catalyst exhibited an impressive activity for the title reaction without any additives (expensive ligands, etc.). A series of structurally diverse 2H-indazoles were prepared in good to excellent yields from easily accessible starting materials by employing this protocol.
Foliations between crooked planes in 3-dimensional Minkowski space
Authors: Burelle Jean-Philippe , Francoeur Dominik
Published: January 2019

We show that any two disjoint crooked planes in [Formula: see text] are leaves of a crooked foliation. This answers a question asked by Charette and Kim [V. Charette and Y. Kim, Foliations of Minkowski [Formula: see text] spacetime by crooked planes, Int. J. Math. 25(9) (2014) 1450088.].
The structure of mixed weight Hilbert modular forms
Authors: Aoki Hiroki , Takemori Sho
Published: January 2019

In this paper, we determine the structure of some modules of mixed weight Hilbert modular forms. We mainly discuss Hilbert modular forms with discriminant 5 and then with discriminant 8 in the last section.
PROAFTN Classifier for Feature Selection with Application to Alzheimer Metabolomics Data Analysis
Authors: Belacel Nabil , Cuperlovic-Culf Miroslava
Published: January 2019

Early and accurate Alzheimer’s disease (AD) diagnosis remains a challenge. Recently, increasing efforts have been focused towards utilization of metabolomics data for the discovery of biomarkers for screening and diagnosis of AD. Several machine learning approaches were explored for classifying the blood metabolomics profiles of cognitively healthy and AD patients. Differentiation between AD, mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and cognitively healthy subjects remains difficult. In this paper, we propose a new machine learning approach for the selection of a subset of features that provide an improvement in classification rates between these three levels of cognitive disorders. Our experimental results demonstrate that utilization of these selected metabolic markers improves the performance of several classifiers in comparison to the classification accuracy obtained for the complete metabolomics dataset. The obtained results indicate that our algorithms are effective in discovering a panel of biomarkers of AD and MCI from metabolomics data suggesting the possibility to develop a noninvasive blood diagnostic technique of AD and MCI.
Dynamical Behaviors of a Pest Epidemic Model with Impulsive Control Over a Patchy Environment
Authors: Yang Zhichun , Chen Cheng , Zhang Lanzhu , Huang Tingwen
Published: January 2019

An epidemic model for pest management with impulsive control over a patchy environment is proposed in this paper. We investigate the dynamical behaviors on extinction and permanence and obtain the threshold value [Formula: see text] of dynamics for the impulsive system by utilizing a small amplitude perturbation method, matrix spectral analysis and persistence theory. We prove that the periodic pest-eradication solution of the system is globally asymptotically stable if [Formula: see text], while the system is persistent if [Formula: see text]. Furthermore, by discussion on the two-patch case, we analyze the effects of the dispersal and impulsive control on dynamical behaviors of the system. Some numerical examples are given to illustrate the effectiveness of the obtained results and to demonstrate the complexity such as chaotic characteristic of the system.
HUMAN POPULATION EFFECTS ON THE ULSOOR LAKE FISH SURVIVAL
Authors: TIWARI PANKAJ KUMAR , BULAI IULIA MARTINA , BONA FRANCESCA , VENTURINO EZIO , MISRA ARVIND KUMAR
Published: January 2019

In this paper, we introduce a model to study the effects of human populations on fish survival in aquatic media. Directly, this occurs by fishing. Indirectly instead this is related to other human actions that lead to organic pollution and consequently low dissolved oxygen(DO) levels, thereby harming the aquatic fauna. Mathematically, we consider various nonlinear processes involving human population, organic pollutants, bacteria, DO and fish population. In the present study, our aim is to investigate the effect of depleted level of DO on the survival of fish populations in such an aquatic system. The case study in consideration is represented by the Ulsoor lake, Bengaluru, India. Into it, huge amounts of sewage were discharged and resulted in reduction of DO level and massive fish mortality. Equilibria are analyzed for feasibility and stability, substantiated via numerical simulations. Global sensitivity analysis identifies the important parameters having a significant impact on the fish population. The Partial Rank Correlation Coefficients (PRCCs) values of fish population in the lake with respect to input parameters of the system show that the growth rate of humans in the lake watershed has maximum negative correlation while the growth in the fish population due to DO has maximum positive correlation with the density of fish population in the lake. The results show that increase in human population may decrease fish population in the system to very low values. However, by controlling additional dissolved organic loads coming from domestic sewage, farm waste and many other sources, the level of DO can be brought back to values that allow fish survival. Maintaining it at these levels would preserve the ecosystem.
Gravitational collapse in General Relativity and in R2-gravity: A comparative study
Authors: Astashenok Artyom V. , Mosani Karim , Odintsov Sergey D. , Samanta Gauranga C.
Published: January 2019

We compare the gravitational collapse of homogeneous perfect fluid with various equations of state in the framework of General Relativity and in [Formula: see text] gravity. We make our calculations using dimensionless time with characteristic timescale [Formula: see text], where [Formula: see text] is a density of collapsing matter. The cases of matter, radiation and stiff matter are considered. We also account the possible existence of vacuum energy and its influence on gravitational collapse. In a case of [Formula: see text] gravity, we have additional degree of freedom for initial conditions of collapse. For barotropic equation of state (EoS) [Formula: see text], the result depends from the value of parameter [Formula: see text]: for [Formula: see text] the collapse occurs slowly in comparison with General Relativity while for [Formula: see text], we have the opposite situation. Vacuum energy as expected slows down the rate of collapse and for some critical density gravitational contraction may change to expansion. It is interesting to note that for General Relativity such expansion is impossible. We also consider the collapse in the presence of so-called phantom energy. For description of phantom energy, we use Lagrangian in the form [Formula: see text] (where [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text] are the kinetic and potential energy of the field, respectively) and consider the corresponding Klein–Gordon equation for phantom scalar field.
N-doped porous carbon derived from walnut shells with enhanced electrochemical performance for supercapacitor
Authors: Wang Yunfeng , Jiang Honghui , Ye Shewen , Zhou Jiaming , Chen Jiahao , Zeng Qinqin , Yang Hui , Liang Tongxiang
Published: January 2019

As the low-cost, natural multi-component for elemental doping and environment-friendly characteristics, biomass-derived porous carbon for energy storage attracts intense attention. Herein, walnut shells-based porous carbon has been obtained through carbonization, hydrothermal and activation treatment. The corresponding porous carbon owns superior electrochemical performances with specific capacitance reaching up to 462[Formula: see text]F[Formula: see text]g[Formula: see text] at 1[Formula: see text]A[Formula: see text]g[Formula: see text], and shows excellent cycling stability (5000 cycles, [Formula: see text]94.2% of capacitance retention at 10[Formula: see text]A[Formula: see text]g[Formula: see text]). Moreover, the symmetry supercapacitor achieves high specific capacitance (197[Formula: see text]F[Formula: see text]g[Formula: see text] at 1[Formula: see text]A[Formula: see text]g[Formula: see text]), relevant electrochemical cycling stability (5000 cycles, 89.2% of capacitance retention at 5[Formula: see text]A[Formula: see text]g[Formula: see text]) and high power/energy density (42.8[Formula: see text]W[Formula: see text]h[Formula: see text]kg[Formula: see text] at 1249[Formula: see text]W[Formula: see text]kg[Formula: see text]). Therefore, the facile synthesis approach and superb electrochemical performance ensure that the walnut shells-derived porous carbon is a promising electrode material candidate for supercapacitors.
Archean granitoids of the Bastar Craton, Central India
Authors: Mondal M. E. A. , Hussain M. Faruque , Ahmad Talat
Published: January 2019

Archean granitoids of the Bastar Craton mainly occur as gneisses (3.56, 3.50 Ga) and undeformed granitoids (
c.
2.5–2.48 Ga). Based on detailed geochemical characteristics two compositional types of gneisses: tonalite–trondhjemite–granodiorite (TTG) and transitional TTG (t-TTG) have been identified. The TTG rocks are further classified into low-HREE (heavy rare earth element) type and high-HREE type. It is proposed that melting of a thick enriched oceanic plateau basalt at deeper level may have generated the low-HREE TTG, whereas melting at shallower depth of the thick plateau can explain the geochemical signatures of the high-HREE TTG. The t-TTG was formed as a result of reworking of the older TTG crust. These two gneisses were probably formed at different time at 3.56 and 3.50 Ga as manifested from the age of the gneisses. The granitoids were formed at a later stage (
c.
2.5–2.48 Ga) by reworking of the pre-existing gneissic crust consisting of TTG and t-TTG. Presence of a small 3.58 Ga undeformed K-rich granitoid from the northern part of the craton might indicate yet another earlier crustal reworking event.