bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Vibrio cholerae type VI secretion system: toxins, regulators and consequences
Authors: Crisan Cristian V. , Hammer Brian K.
Published: March 2020

The type VI secretion system (T6SS) is a proteinaceous weapon used by many Gram‐negative bacteria to deliver toxins into adjacent target cells. Vibrio cholerae, the bacterium responsible for the fatal water‐borne cholera disease, uses the T6SS to evade phagocytic eukaryotes, cause intestinal inflammation, and compete against other bacteria with toxins that disrupt lipid membranes, cell walls and actin cytoskeletons. The control of T6SS genes varies among V. cholerae strains and typically includes inputs from external signals and cues, such as quorum sensing and chitin availability. In the following review, we highlight the repertoire of toxic T6SS effectors and the diverse genetic regulation networks among different isolates of V. cholerae. Finally, we discuss the roles played by the T6SS of V. cholerae in both natural environments and hosts.
A Mixture Model for the Number of Gunshot Residues Found on Suspects' Hands
Authors: Benzaquen Daniel , Mandel Micha , Israelsohn Azulay Osnat , Zidon Yigal , Cohen Yaron
Published: March 2020

Quantifying the strength of gunshot residue (GSR) evidence requires scientific knowledge about the number of particles expected to be found on individuals who were or were not involved in a shooting. However, controlled experiments demand expensive resources in terms of microscope time and labor, which restricts the data of most studies to only a small group of individuals. We suggest a novel method that exploits data collected routinely on suspects during the daily work of forensic laboratories. These observational data relate to both persons who were involved in a shooting and innocent individuals. We suggest a mixture approach with different models for the number of gunshot residue particles in each group and develop an iterative algorithm to estimate the probabilities of observing the evidence under the defense proposition that the suspect is innocent and under the prosecution assumption that he is not. The method is applied to data of more than 500 suspects collected by the Israel National Police Division of Identification and Forensic Science. The analysis shows that the probability of finding three or more GSR particles on the hands of innocent suspects is very small, less than 1.5 in 1000 cases. Our new method enables researchers to use data on real cases, possibly supplemented by experimental data, in order to estimate the probabilities of a given GSR finding under the defense and prosecution propositions.
Push or pull? Performance‐pay, incentives, and information
Authors: Rietzke David , Chen Yu
Published: March 2020

We study a principal‐agent model wherein the agent is better informed of the prospects of the project, and the project requires both an observable and unobservable input. We characterize the optimal contracts, and explore the trade‐offs between high‐ and low‐powered incentive schemes. We discuss the implications for push and pull programs used to encourage Research and Development (R&D) activity, but our results are relevant in other contexts.
metan: An R package for multi‐environment trial analysis
Authors: Olivoto Tiago , Lúcio Alessandro Dal'Col
Published: March 2020

Multi‐environment trials (MET) are crucial steps in plant breeding programs that aim at increasing crop productivity to ensure global food security. The analysis of MET data requires the combination of several approaches including data manipulation, visualization and modelling. As new methods are proposed, analysing MET data correctly and completely remains a challenge, often intractable with existing tools.

Here we describe the metan R package, a collection of functions that implement a workflow‐based approach to (a) check, manipulate and summarize typical MET data; (b) analyse individual environments using both fixed and mixed‐effect models; (c) compute parametric and nonparametric stability statistics; (d) implement biometrical models widely used in MET analysis and (e) plot typical MET data quickly.

In this paper, we present a summary of the functions implemented in metan and how they integrate into a workflow to explore and analyse MET data. We guide the user along a gentle learning curve and show how adding only a few commands or options at a time, powerful analyses can be implemented.

metan offers a flexible, intuitive and richly documented working environment with tools that will facilitate the implementation of a complete analysis of MET datasets.
Fire frequency effects in a grassy woodland: Trees and grasses
Authors: Morris E. Charles , Watson Penny J.
Published: March 2020

Our study investigated the effects of fire frequency on the tree and grass components of Cumberland Plain Woodland, an endangered grassy eucalypt woodland in eastern Australia. We located three sites within each of three fire frequency classes (high, moderate, low) based on fire history and a similar time since last fire. For trees, we asked whether fire frequency affected density, eucalypt population structure, basal area and spatial patterning. For grasses, we tested for fire frequency effects on total abundance and the abundance of two common species. Density of trees was not significantly affected by fire frequency for juveniles, saplings or adult trees and neither was basal area per hectare. Features of a recruitment bottleneck model were present for eucalypts. There was a large pool of suppressed juveniles making up more than half the population at each fire frequency. Saplings were the smallest group and were susceptible to fire‐induced stem mortality, with particularly low numbers relative to juveniles and small trees where fire was frequent or intense. Despite this difference in sapling mortality, numbers of small trees did not differ with fire frequency. Saplings could transition to small trees in equal numbers if they did so more quickly at high than at lower fire frequencies, and if recruitment of saplings into the tree layer was controlled independently of fire frequency. The size hierarchy of small to medium eucalypt trees was homogeneous over eight of the nine sites, spatial patterning of adult trees was random tending to regular, and mean tree size decreased with density at all sites. These features of eucalypt population structure are indicative of possible resource competition which could regulate tree recruitment. Total grass cover index was high across all fire frequencies, with Themeda triandra dominating at high and moderate fire frequencies and Microlaena stipoides at low fire frequency.
Medicine’s collision with false hope: The False Hope Harms (FHH) argument
Authors: Eijkholt Marleen
Published: March 2020

The goal of this paper is to introduce the false hope harms (FHH) argument, as a new concept in healthcare. The FHH argument embodies a conglomerate of specific harms that have not convinced providers to stop endorsing false hope. In this paper, it is submitted that the healthcare profession has an obligation to avoid collaborating or participating in, propagating or augmenting false hope in medicine. Although hope serves important functions—it can be ‘therapeutic’ and important for patients’ ‘self‐identity as active agents’— the presentation of false hope along the hope continuum entails a misconstrued balancing act. By not speaking up against unrealistic patient and family requests—including some requests for rights to try, resuscitative efforts in terminally ill patients, or other demands for non‐beneficial treatments—healthcare providers precipitate harms, i.e., the FHH. These harms arise on both individual and communal levels and cannot be ignored. The goal of this paper is not to offer a definition of false hope, because the phenomenon of false hope is too complex for any simple definition. Instead, this paper seeks to make four points while outlining the FHH argument: consumer medicine and false hope are connected; providers and patients are very vulnerable in the system of consumer medicine; providers have a responsibility to stand up against false hope; and how the FHH argument could perhaps offer a footing to resist giving in to false hope.
Dissecting the role of the CXCL12/CXCR4 axis in acute myeloid leukaemia
Authors: Ladikou Eleni E , Chevassut Timothy , Pepper Chris J , Pepper Andrea GS
Published: March 2020

Acute myeloid leukaemia (AML) is the most common adult acute leukaemia with the lowest survival rate. It is characterised by a build‐up of immature myeloid cells anchored in the protective niche of the bone marrow (BM) microenvironment. The CXCL12/CXCR4 axis is central to the pathogenesis of AML as it has fundamental control over AML cell adhesion into the protective BM niche, adaptation to the hypoxic environment, cellular migration and survival. High levels of CXCR4 expression are associated with poor relapse‐free and overall survival. The CXCR4 ligand, CXCL12 (SDF‐1), is expressed by multiple cells types in the BM, facilitating the adhesion and survival of the malignant clone. Blocking the CXCL12/CXCR4 axis is an attractive therapeutic strategy providing a ‘multi‐hit’ therapy that both prevents essential survival signals and releases the AML cells from the BM into the circulation. Once out of the protective niche of the BM they would be more susceptible to destruction by conventional chemotherapeutic drugs. In this review, we disentangle the diverse roles of the CXCL12/CXCR4 axis in AML. We then describe multiple CXCR4 inhibitors, including small molecules, peptides, or monoclonal antibodies, which have been developed to date and their progress in pre‐clinical and clinical trials. Finally, the review leads us to the conclusion that there is a need for further investigation into the development of a ‘multi‐hit’ therapy that targets several signalling pathways related to AML cell adhesion and maintenance in the BM.
Highlights into the pharmacology of nutraceuticals
Authors: Andrew Ruth , Izzo Angelo A.
Published: March 2020

LINKED ARTICLES

This article is part of a themed section on The Pharmacology of Nutraceuticals. To view the other articles in this section visit http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/bph.v177.6/issuetoc
Non–clinical efficacy, safety and stable clinical cell processing of induced pluripotent stem cell‐derived anti–glypican‐3 chimeric antigen receptor‐expressing natural killer/innate lymphoid cells
Authors: Ueda Tatsuki , Kumagai Ayako , Iriguchi Shoichi , Yasui Yutaka , Miyasaka Tadayo , Nakagoshi Kengo , Nakane Kazuki , Saito Keigo , Takahashi Mari , Sasaki Aki , Yoshida Shinsuke , Takasu Naoko , Seno Hiroshi , Uemura Yasushi , Tamada Koji , Nakatsura Tetsuya , Kaneko Shin
Published: March 2020

The use of allogeneic, pluripotent stem‐cell‐derived immune cells for cancer immunotherapy has been the subject of recent clinical trials. In Japan, investigator‐initiated clinical trials will soon begin for ovarian cancer treatment using human leukocyte antigen (HLA)‐homozygous‐induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC)‐derived anti–glypican‐3 (GPC3) chimeric antigen receptor (CAR)‐expressing natural killer/innate lymphoid cells (NK/ILC). Using pluripotent stem cells as the source for allogeneic immune cells facilitates stringent quality control of the final product, in terms of efficacy, safety and producibility. In this paper, we describe our methods for the stable, feeder‐free production of CAR‐expressing NK/ILC cells from CAR‐transduced iPSC with clinically relevant scale and materials. The average number of cells that could be differentiated from 1.8‐3.6 × 106 iPSC within 7 weeks was 1.8‐4.0 × 109. These cells showed stable CD45/CD7/CAR expression, effector functions of cytotoxicity and interferon gamma (IFN‐γ) production against GPC3‐expressing tumor cells. When the CAR‐NK/ILC cells were injected into a GPC3‐positive, ovarian‐tumor‐bearing, immunodeficient mouse model, we observed a significant therapeutic effect that prolonged the survival of the animals. When the cells were injected into immunodeficient mice during non–clinical safety tests, no acute systemic toxicity or tumorigenicity of the final product or residual iPSC was observed. In addition, our test results for the CAR‐NK/ILC cells generated with clinical manufacturing standards are encouraging, and these methods should accelerate the development of allogeneic pluripotent stem cell‐based immune cell cancer therapies.
Moderate renal impairment does not preclude the accuracy of 24‐hour urine normetanephrine measurements for suspected pheochromoctyoma
Authors: Kline Gregory A. , Boyd Jessica , Leung Alex A. , Tang Andrew , Sadrzadeh Hossein M.
Published: March 2020

Objective

A 24‐hour urine nor/metanephrine (urine NM‐MN) measurements are a recommended first step in pheochromocytoma diagnosis. We hypothesized the presence of renal impairment (CKD) significantly confounds the results obtained in a urine NM‐MN collection, giving artificially lower measurements.

Design

Retrospective review of a comprehensive laboratory database with all urine NM‐MN results from Southern Alberta from 2010 to 2018 (n = 15 505). After excluding high probability pheochromocytoma cases, results from patients with three levels of CKD (n = 796) were compared to those without CKD to determine the potential CKD effect.

Patients

All patients having urine NM‐MN collection during the time period, irrespective of ordering physician or test indication.

Measurements

Urine NM‐MN was measured by liquid chromatography‐tandem mass spectrometry and glomerular filtration rate determined within a median of 1.9 days, as estimated by CKD‐EPI equation.

Results

In subjects with mild‐to‐moderate renal impairment, there was no continuous gradient between subnormal renal function and urine NM‐MN measures. When the estimated GFR was < 15 mL/min/m2, the hypothesized effect on lowered urine NM‐MN became apparent.

Conclusions

A 24‐hour urine NM‐MN measurement is unlikely to be affected by mild‐to‐moderate renal impairment and may be used as a reliable diagnostic test. With more advanced renal impairment, CKD‐specific reference ranges or an alternative test may be needed.
Keeping children safe? Advancing social care assessments to address harmful sexual behaviour in schools
Authors: Lloyd Jenny , Walker Joanne , Firmin Carlene
Published: March 2020

International evidence suggests that schools are locations where systems, practices, and cultures can enable harmful sexual behaviours. However, in England, welfare assessments primarily used by statutory social services largely target young people and their families, with limited capacity to assess environments beyond the home. Where young people display harmful sexual behaviours within educational settings, social care systems are yet to assess the factors within schools that may accelerate risks associated with harmful sexual behaviours. This exploratory article presents evidence on the opportunities for school assessment using cumulative learning from two studies. The first investigated enablers and barriers to addressing harmful sexual behaviour in schools. The second employed the learning from the first through an action research study to develop school context assessments within a child protection system. Both studies employed a mixed‐methods approach including observations, case review, focus groups, surveys, and policy reviews to access data. Synthesized findings highlight the value of exploring school contexts when assessing the nature of extrafamilial abuse; the opportunities and challenges of utilizing research methods for assessing school environments; and the role new assessment frameworks could play in supporting the inclusion of school contexts, and research methods, into welfare assessments of extrafamilial abuse.
Peripheral compound odontoma: A rare case report and literature review
Authors: da Silva Rocha Ondina Karla Mousinho , da Silva Barros Caio César , da Silva Luiz Arthur Barbosa , de Souza Júnior Erasmo Freitas , de Morais Hécio Henrique Araújo , da Costa Miguel Márcia Cristina
Published: March 2020

Peripheral odontoma is a very rare odontogenic hamartoma arising in soft tissues. Here, we report a case of peripheral odontoma in a pediatric patient and review the cases published in the literature. An 11‐year‐old male patient presented a nodular lesion in the anterior region of the palate for over 1 year. Under the clinical hypothesis of fibroma, an excisional biopsy was performed. Histopathological examination revealed the presence of tooth‐like structures, formed by enamel, and dentin matrix, occasionally associated with the dental papilla and surrounding pulp tissue, thus, the histopathological diagnosis of peripheral odontoma was established. The patient has been undergoing follow‐up for 6 months without any signs of lesion recurrence. Peripheral odontomas are uncommon lesions that usually affect young patients and display a preference for the maxilla and limited growth potential. The recognition of the clinical and histopathological features of the peripheral odontoma is indispensable for the establishment of its diagnosis.
Posthumanist Perspectives on Racialized Life and Human Difference Pedagogy
Authors: Mikulan Petra , Rudder Adam
Published: March 2020

This discussion begins from the speculation that evaluating formulations of life has become one of the leading prerogatives of “novel” turns to matter, materiality, and the posthuman. However, moving with the Other (rather than simply representing them) has proven a difficult task for scholars in education concerned with decolonizing pedagogies by critiquing epistemological and ontological regimes of power disengaged from the interrogation of the metaphysics of race and sex at the center of Western metaphysical foundations of thought. There is an ongoing need for sustained engagement with the assumption of human primacy that runs through the nearly ubiquitous assertions of what Claire Colebrook calls active vitalism, which is characteristic of humanist approaches to education. In other words, the new conceptualizations of posthumanism only rarely challenge the lingering humanist concept of life itself. In this article, Petra Mikulan and Adam Rudder argue that posthumanist and neo‐vitalist materialist approaches to ontology must consider that racism is vitalist in the active sense because it begins with bodies (as bounded organisms always autopoetic and self‐proximate) and that vitalism is racist because it then distributes and discriminates racialized bodies according to their function as parts in a whole.
The role of key workers in improving physical health in first episode psychosis: A scoping review
Authors: Lim Jayleigh , McCombe Geoff , Harrold Aine , Brown Katherine , Clarke Mary , Hanlon David , Hennessy Liam , O'Brien Sinead , Lyne John , Corcoran Ciaran , McGorry Patrick , Cullen Walter
Published: March 2020

Aim

Studies have demonstrated that a majority of the decline in health status and functioning emerges during the first few years following the onset of psychosis. This knowledge led to the development of specialized early intervention services (EIS) targeting patients experiencing their first episode of psychosis (FEP). The central component of EIS is often assertive case management delivered by a multidisciplinary team, where an appointed key worker is responsible for coordinating treatment and delivering various psychosocial interventions to service users. The aim of this scoping review was to examine how key workers can enhance the physical health outcomes in people with FEP by addressing the factors associated with increased mortality in this population.

Methods

The scoping review framework comprised a five‐stage process developed by Arksey and O'Malley. The search process was guided by the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta‐Analyses.

Results

A total of 27 studies conducted across 10 countries were analysed. These studies discussed the various ways in which key workers can mediate enhancements in the various factors contributing to the increased mortality rates in FEP patients.

Conclusions

A broad range of key worker‐mediated outcomes was identified, which were broadly classified into three themes: influences on lifestyle, influences on effects of psychosis and influences on organizational barriers. Our findings suggest that key workers primarily mediated the amelioration of psychosis‐induced effects and the reduction of organizational barriers. Further trials of key worker interventions to enhance physical health outcomes in this cohort are warranted.
Storm impacts on phytoplankton community dynamics in lakes
Authors: Stockwell Jason D. , Doubek Jonathan P. , Adrian Rita , Anneville Orlane , Carey Cayelan C. , Carvalho Laurence , De Senerpont Domis Lisette N. , Dur Gaël , Frassl Marieke A. , Grossart Hans‐Peter , Ibelings Bas W. , Lajeunesse Marc J. , Lewandowska Aleksandra M. , Llames María E. , Matsuzaki Shin‐Ichiro S. , Nodine Emily R. , Nõges Peeter , Patil Vijay P. , Pomati Francesco , Rinke Karsten , Rudstam Lars G. , Rusak James A. , Salmaso Nico , Seltmann Christian T. , Straile Dietmar , Thackeray Stephen J. , Thiery Wim , Urrutia‐Cordero Pablo , Venail Patrick , Verburg Piet , Woolway R. Iestyn , Zohary Tamar , Andersen Mikkel R. , Bhattacharya Ruchi , Hejzlar Josef , Janatian Nasime , Kpodonu Alfred T. N. K. , Williamson Tanner J. , Wilson Harriet L.
Published: March 2020

In many regions across the globe, extreme weather events such as storms have increased in frequency, intensity, and duration due to climate change. Ecological theory predicts that such extreme events should have large impacts on ecosystem structure and function. High winds and precipitation associated with storms can affect lakes via short‐term runoff events from watersheds and physical mixing of the water column. In addition, lakes connected to rivers and streams will also experience flushing due to high flow rates. Although we have a well‐developed understanding of how wind and precipitation events can alter lake physical processes and some aspects of biogeochemical cycling, our mechanistic understanding of the emergent responses of phytoplankton communities is poor. Here we provide a comprehensive synthesis that identifies how storms interact with lake and watershed attributes and their antecedent conditions to generate changes in lake physical and chemical environments. Such changes can restructure phytoplankton communities and their dynamics, as well as result in altered ecological function (e.g., carbon, nutrient and energy cycling) in the short‐ and long‐term. We summarize the current understanding of storm‐induced phytoplankton dynamics, identify knowledge gaps with a systematic review of the literature, and suggest future research directions across a gradient of lake types and environmental conditions.
Endoscopic submucosal dissection for superficial esophageal neoplasms in elderly patients: A single‐center, large‐scale, retrospective study
Authors: Noh Jin Hee , Gong Eun Jeong , Kim Do Hoon , Na Hee Kyong , Ahn Ji Yong , Lee Jeong Hoon , Jung Kee Wook , Choi Kee Don , Song Ho June , Lee Gin Hyug , Jung Hwoon‐Yong
Published: March 2020

Aim

The number of elderly patients with superficial esophageal neoplasms has steadily increased, but few studies have focused on the clinical outcomes of esophageal endoscopic submucosal dissection in these patients. Therefore, the aim of our study was to investigate the feasibility and safety of endoscopic submucosal dissection among elderly patients with superficial esophageal neoplasms.

Methods

Patients who underwent endoscopic submucosal dissection for superficial esophageal neoplasms between December 2005 and December 2017 were eligible. The patients were divided into two groups according to age: Not‐old (<75 years, n = 369) and Old (≥75 years, n = 44). Clinical features and treatment outcomes were retrospectively investigated by reviewing medical records.

Results

In total, 413 patients with 459 lesions were enrolled in to this study. Comorbidities, except for a previous history of malignancy, were not significantly different between the two groups. Procedure‐related characteristics and the rate of adverse events were similar in the two groups. During a median follow‐up period of 33.4 months, the overall survival rate was lower in the Old group (P = 0.046), and the cumulative recurrence rate did not differ significantly between the two groups (P = 0.334).

Conclusion

Based on these favorable outcomes, endoscopic submucosal dissection is as feasible and effective for the treatment of superficial esophageal neoplasms among elderly patients as it is among non‐elderly patients. Geriatr Gerontol Int 2020; 20: 430–435.
Integrated photonic materials for the mid‐infrared
Authors: Yadav Anupama , Agarwal Anuradha Murthy
Published: March 2020

While silicon photonic integrated circuits for the near‐infrared (IR) telecommunication band have attracted great research interest in the past decade, recent advances offer opportunities to extend the operational wavelength to the mid‐IR (2.5‐20 μm) for free space communications, sensing, environmental monitoring and much more. In this study, we will comprehensively review the current status of materials available for mid‐IR waveguides and waveguide integrated photodetectors, with a few application oriented examples to illustrate the technological importance and significant growth opportunity for integrated photonics in the mid‐IR regime. However, this wavelength regime also presents new material design and fabrication challenges. Therefore, we will discuss the critical issues prior to commercialization and will briefly summarize the outlook on future research topics along with opportunities.
Speculations on the evolution of humoral adaptive immunity
Authors: Horton Miles B , Hawkins Edwin D , Heinzel Susanne , Hodgkin Philip D
Published: March 2020

The protection of a multicellular organism from infection, at both cell and humoral levels, has been a tremendous driver of gene selection and cellular response strategies. Here we focus on a critical event in the development of humoral immunity: The transition from principally innate responses to a system of adaptive cell selection, with all the attendant mechanical problems that must be solved in order for it to work effectively. Here we review recent advances, but our major goal is to highlight that the development of adaptive immunity resulted from the adoption, reuse and repurposing of an ancient, autonomous cellular program that combines and exploits three titratable cellular fate timers. We illustrate how this common cell machinery recurs and appears throughout biology, and has been essential for the evolution of complex organisms, at many levels of scale.
Influence of human wound exudate on the bactericidal efficacy of antiseptic agents in quantitative suspension tests on the basis of European Standards (DIN EN 13727)
Authors: Radischat Nadine , Augustin Matthias , Herberger Katharina , Wille Andreas , Goroncy‐Bermes Peter
Published: March 2020

The antimicrobial efficacy of antiseptics used in wound management is tested in vitro under standardised conditions according to DIN EN 13727, with albumin and sheep erythrocytes used as organic challenge. However, these testing conditions do not adequately simulate the wound bed environment. Thus, the aim of this study was to compare the efficacy of different antiseptics such as octenidine dihydrochloride (OCT), chlorhexidine digluconate (CHX), polyhexamethylene biguanide (PHMB), and povidone‐iodine under challenge with human wound exudate instead of standardised organic load in an in vitro setting according to DIN EN 13727. Moreover, protein contents, pH, and temperature were compared with standardised testing conditions. The tested antiseptic agents were reduced to different extents based on their bactericidal efficacy, when challenged with human wound exudate compared with standardised conditions. Overall, 0.10% OCT showed the highest effects reaching full efficacy after 30 seconds. CHX and PHMB were the least efficient. Next to the protein content, other components of wound exudate, such as the microflora, seem to influence the efficacy of antiseptics. In summary, the optimisation of in vitro testing conditions in future applications, to more adequately simulate the wound bed environment, will allow a more realistic picture on the potential performance of antiseptics in clinical practice.
The way forward to understand aortic disease
Authors: Wanhainen A. , Mani K.
Published: March 2020

Content List ‐ Read more articles from the symposium: “Uppsala Aortic summit”.
No More Babies without Help for Whom? Education, Division of Labor, and Fertility Intentions
Authors: Cheng Yen‐hsin Alice , Hsu Chen‐Hao
Published: March 2020

Objective

This study examines whether the impact of husbands' involvement in childcare and housework on wives' fertility intentions varies by wives' education in Taiwan.

Background

Recent research has pointed to the positive influence of a more egalitarian division of labor on wives' fertility intentions, yet existing literature often fails to examine educational variations in such linkages.

Method

This paper analyzed reports of time spent on domestic work (i.e., housework and childcare) for both spouses in the 2016 Women's Marriage, Fertility, and Employment Survey. The analytical sample included all married respondents with at least one child. Regression models and counterfactual analyses were adopted.

Results

The findings showed that husbands of tertiary‐educated wives shared more housework and childcare. Furthermore, wives' fertility intentions beyond parity‐one increased with more input from husbands in helping with childcare, but not housework sharing. This positive childcare‐sharing effect was particularly salient among tertiary‐educated wives—who tended to be more economically empowered and to have higher expectations for gender equality at home. Finally, counterfactual analyses using a propensity score matching method indicated that non‐tertiary‐educated wives would not increase their fertility intentions even if they had received more help from husbands.

Conclusion

Such educational variations have been little explored in past theory and research. Pro‐natalist policies aiming to boost fertility will likely attain optimal effectiveness if different combinations of parental‐leave and financial aid packages are offered to women with varying education. This study also contributes to the limited research on how division of labor affects fertility intentions in East Asia.
Prosthodontic Resident Selection by Postdoctoral Dental Matching Program: A National Survey by Participating Program Director
Authors: Lee Damian J. , Yuan Judy Chia‐Chun , Zheng Fengyuan , Wee Alvin G. , Caradine‐Poinsett Linda , Tuminelli Frank J. , Sukotjo Cortino
Published: March 2020

Purpose

The purpose of this study was to obtain information about the resident selection and Match process that occurred for the Commission on Dental Accreditation (CODA)‐accredited Advanced Education in Prosthodontics program in North America from the program directors’ perspective, after the first year of implementation.

Materials and Methods

The list of Advanced Education in Prosthodontics program in CODA‐accredited North American institutions was obtained from the ACP central office, and the directors of each program were identified. The surveys were distributed to 48 program directors online and results were compiled.

Results

Out of 48 programs, 43 directors responded to and completed the survey (90.0%), where 35 programs participated in the Match process, 5 did not, and 3 were omitted due to incomplete surveys. While the majority of programs did not see any changes in their applicant pool or their quality, 10 programs (25.0%) observed a number of increases in the application and 13 programs (32.5%) observed an increase in the quality of the applications. Among the 35 programs that participated in the Match process, the main reasons for their participation were “fairness” (48.2%), “did not want to keep moving up interview dates” (23.2%), and “have applicants come to interview as planned” (21.4%). Thirty‐three programs reported that 75% to 100% of the invited applicants came to the interview (76.7%). The majority of programs that participated in Match expressed satisfaction with the process (29/33, 80.6%). Sixteen programs (45.7%) reported that they matched with 100% of their first selections.

Conclusion

Overall response of reintroduction of the Match process for advanced prosthodontic resident selection was very positive for majority of the program directors.
Effects of Scanning Strategy and Scanner Type on the Accuracy of Intraoral Scans: A New Approach for Assessing the Accuracy of Scanned Data
Authors: Oh Kyung Chul , Park Ji‐Man , Moon Hong Seok
Published: March 2020

Purpose

This study aimed to determine the most reliable scanning strategy and scanner type, using a new protocol for assessing the accuracy (trueness and precision) of intraoral scan data.

Materials and Methods

Five different maxillary and mandibular typodont pairs (n = 10) and 2 intraoral scanners were used for the study. A reference scan for each arch was obtained with an industrial scanner. Scanning strategies were classified into 2 continuous methods—continuous scan in horizontal direction (CH group) and continuous scan with vertical rotation in anterior region (CV group)—and 1 segmental method (S group). In the CH group, the scanner head was maintained mostly in a horizontal position. In the CV group, the scanners were rotated 180° around the anterior tooth region to allow smooth scanning through the area. The intraoral scan data were individually superimposed over their corresponding reference scan data. Raw data of the distances between paired surface points were extracted from the superimposed pairs of datasets, with (original distance values) or without consideration (absolute distance values) of the value signs. Trueness values were calculated using absolute distance values, while precision values were obtained from original distance values. Data were analyzed with a 2‐way repeated‐measures analysis of variance using α = 0.05 as the level of significance.

Results

The CV group produced significantly inferior outcomes compared to the CH and S groups in terms of trueness (p < 0.001, F = 24.67), whereas no significant differences were observed among the 3 scanning strategies with respect to precision (p = 0.451, F = 0.83). Scanner type did not produce significant differences in terms of either trueness (p = 0.058, F = 4.72) or precision (p = 0.742, F = 0.12).

Conclusions

The segmental approach for scanning the region of interest first and continuous scanning with the scanner head held mostly in a horizontal position are both acceptable as full‐arch scanning strategies. However, vertical rotation of intraoral scanners should be minimized.
Fibre guiding scaffolds for periodontal tissue engineering
Authors: Staples Reuben J. , Ivanovski Saso , Vaquette Cedryck
Published: March 2020

The periodontium is a highly hierarchically organized organ composed of gingiva, alveolar bone, periodontal ligament and cementum. Periodontitis leads to the destruction of hard and soft tissues ultimately leading to a loss of the teeth supporting apparatus. Current treatments are capable of limiting the disease progression; however, true regeneration, characterized by perpendicularly oriented periodontal ligament fibre attachment to cementum on the root surface remains challenging. Tissue engineering approaches have been developed to enhance regeneration via micro‐engineered topographical features, purposely designed to guide the insertion of the regenerated ligament to the root surface. This review reports on the recent advancements in scaffold manufacturing methodologies for generating fibre guiding properties and provides a critical insight in the current limitations of these techniques for the formation of functional periodontal attachment.
Pasting, rheological, and dough mixing behavior of rice flour as affected by the addition of native and partially hydrolyzed β‐glucan concentrate
Authors: Dangi Nidhi , Yadav Baljeet S. , Yadav Ritika B.
Published: March 2020

This study was aimed at evaluating the potential of barley β‐glucan concentrates (native and partially hydrolyzed) in modifying the techno‐functionality of rice flour dough. β‐Glucan concentrate was partially hydrolyzed to obtain a low molecular weight polymer and their influence on the pasting, rheological, and thermal properties of rice dough were assessed. Hydration, thermal, and pasting properties were significantly modified with the added β‐glucans. The rice dough supplemented with β‐glucan concentrates showed improved viscoelastic and creep behavior and the effectiveness of β‐glucans in imparting strength to rice dough depended on its molecular weight. Hydrolyzed β‐glucan concentrates having low molecular weight increased dough elasticity to the greater extent in comparison to native β‐glucan concentrates. The micrographs of supplemented dough showed a strong and dense network indicating improved structure and strength.
Where to look for the most frequent biases?
Authors: Jager Kitty J. , Tripepi Giovanni , Chesnaye Nicholas C. , Dekker Friedo W. , Zoccali Carmine , Stel Vianda S.
Published: March 2020

Study quality depends on a number of factors, one of them being internal validity. Such validity can be affected by random and systematic error, the latter also known as bias. Both make it more difficult to assess a correct frequency or the true relationship between exposure and outcome. Where random error can be addressed by increasing the sample size, a systematic error in the design, the conduct or the reporting of a study is more problematic. In this article, we will focus on bias, discuss different types of selection bias (sampling bias, confounding by indication, incidence‐prevalence bias, attrition bias, collider stratification bias and publication bias) and information bias (recall bias, interviewer bias, observer bias and lead‐time bias), indicate the type of studies where they most frequently occur and provide suggestions for their prevention.
Illuminating nursing's shadow side through a Jungian analysis of the film Fog in August
Authors: McAllister Margaret , Brien Donna Lee
Published: March 2020

Fog in August is a German film based on Robert Domes' historical novel of the same name. The film provides a fictionalized account of the institutionalization and eventual killing of children and adults labelled as a burden on the State and unworthy of life. On one level, this is a story of good versus evil, where innocent patients are manipulated by callous doctors and nurses. At a deeper level, however, it is possible to read the characters as more complex and such a reading gives an insight into the paradox of how a genocidal policy was able to be systematically implemented by health care professionals who had previously taken an oath to provide care to all people. Carl Jung argued that powerful stories, told across generations, contain mythical archetypes that help drive the plot and convey beliefs about humanity. The aims of this paper are to explore Jungian ideas within Fog in August that help the historical story it is based on resonate with viewers today, and demonstrate how the application of these insights can help health care professionals more fully understand morally distressing events and, as a result, support and improve the safety of patients.
Nurses' experiences of busyness in their daily work
Authors: Govasli Laila , Solvoll Betty‐Ann
Published: March 2020

The purpose of this study is to explore and illuminate the phenomenon of busyness as experienced by nurses. The daily work of nursing practice is often characterized by a hectic pace in the execution of tasks. Previous research shows that busyness can potentially lead to a reduction in the quality of nursing. Little has been explored about nurses' own experiences of busyness. This study has a qualitative design. The method chosen is a phenomenological hermeneutical exploration of personal experiences. Results reveal that busyness is experienced as a disparity between perceived necessary tasks and time available to accomplish them. Busyness has an outer dimension of events and a dimension of internal processes. Busyness is experienced as acceptable to some extent, but feels strongly uncomfortable if important tasks remain undone. The intolerable busyness raises negative emotions, steals energy and weakens health. Coping with busyness seems to be a personal and individual struggle, even though health service enterprises are a collective matter.
Percutaneous Pedicle Screw Placement Aided by a New Drill Guide Template Combined with Fluoroscopy: An Accuracy Study
Authors: Wu Chao , Deng Jiayan , Li Tao , Tan Lun , Yuan Dechao
Published: March 2020

Objective

To evaluate the accuracy of percutaneous pedicle screw (PPS) placement aided by a new drill guide template.

Methods

The patients were divided into guide template group and conventional perspective group. In the conventional perspective group, the screws were placed by hand under fluoroscopy. In the guide template group, the screw placement was aided by a new drill guide template, and the drill guide template is designed according to the patient's ideal pedicle screw, but not based on skin morphology. The accuracy was evaluated by comparing the following parameters between the two groups: pedicle breach level, inclination angle deviation between the left and right screws, sagittal angle deviation between the left and right screws, and position deviation of the left and right screw entry points. The consistency of the postoperative screw angle and the corresponding guide template inclination angle was compared in the guide template group. The operative time, blood loss, and radiation times were compared between the groups.

Results

A total of 146 patients (876 screws) were enrolled in our study including 79 (474 screws) in the guide template group and 67 (402 screws) in the conventional perspective group. The pedicle breach level in the guide template group (22/474) was significantly lower than that in the conventional perspective group (47/402) (P < 0.05). The position and direction deviations of the left and right screws in the guide template group (2.06 ± 1.02 mm, 1.23 ± 1.25 mm, 1.83° ± 1.49°) were significantly less than those in the conventional perspective group (5.33 ± 2.99 mm, 4.32 ± 3.25 mm, 2.87° ± 1.56°). The operation time, blood loss, and radiation times were significantly lower in the guide template group (80.49 ± 9.14 min, 50.42 ± 8.9 mL, 11.02 ± 2.44) than those in the conventional perspective group (108.1 ± 21.18 min, 71.7 ± 17.09 mL, 23.53 ± 4.54). There were no significant differences between the postoperative screw angle and the corresponding guide template angle in the guide template group.

Conclusion

PPS placement aided by a new drill guide template yielded higher screw accuracy and less operative time, blood loss, and radiation exposure than traditional screw placement.
Washing with water alone versus soap in maintaining remission of eczema
Authors: Inuzuka Yusuke , Natsume Osamu , Matsunaga Mayumi , Monna Yoko , Okada Eisaku , Kato Yukiko , Taguchi Tomohide
Published: March 2020

Background

There is no consensus on the use of soap in skin care for atopic dermatitis in Japan. Thus, this study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of soap to maintain eczema remission in atopic dermatitis patients during the fall‐winter period in Japan.

Methods

This assessor‐blinded, pragmatic randomized, non‐inferiority study enrolled atopic dermatitis patients whose eczema was controlled by regular steroid ointment application less than or equal to 2 days / week (tacrolimus ointment was permitted). For 8 ± 3 weeks, participants washed their upper and lower limbs on one side with soap (soap side) and on the other side with water alone (water side). The primary outcome was an Eczema Area and Severity Index score at week 8 ± 3.

Results

Twenty‐nine participants were analyzed. The Eczema Area and Severity Index scores at week 8 ± 3 of the water and soap sides were 0.0 (0.0–0.4) and 0.0 (0.0–0.4), respectively (P = 0.18). The difference between both sides was −0.02 (−0.11–0.08), and the limits of the 95% confidence interval did not reach the prespecified non‐inferiority margin. The average Patient‐Oriented Eczema Measure score was 1.27 ± 1.7 and 1.32 ± 1.8 for the water and soap sides, respectively (P = 0.92). The total number of additional steroid ointment applications was four (0–20) times and six (0–23) times, respectively (P = 0.98). Participants were categorized according to self‐assessments of the usefulness of soap, with 2, 24, and 3 participants in the water‐effective, invariant, and soap‐effective groups, respectively.

Conclusions

For children with controlled atopic dermatitis, washing with water alone was not inferior to washing with soap for maintaining remission of eczema during the fall‐winter period in Japan.
On a Wrong Picture of Knowing: On Certainty and Wittgenstein's Conception of Philosophy1
Authors: Brenner William H.
Published: March 2020

My procedure in this paper will be to arrange remarks from Wittgenstein's own later writings, especially On Certainty, often in the form of a dialogue between a Wittgensteinian voice and an interlocutor. My hope is to provide an arrangement of materials that brings out how they hang together and how they show us what's wrong with a picture of knowing that has motivated much of our epistemology.
Disturbance is more important than seeding or grazing in determining soil microbial communities in a semiarid grassland
Authors: Farrell Hannah L. , Barberán Albert , Danielson Rachel E. , Fehmi Jeffrey S. , Gornish Elise S.
Published: March 2020

A primary goal of ecological restoration is often to return processes and functions to degraded ecosystems. Soil, while often ignored in restoration, supports diverse communities of organisms and is a fundamental actor in providing ecosystem processes and services. We investigated the impact of seeding and livestock grazing on plant communities, soil microorganisms, and soil fertility 3 years after the restoration of a disturbed pipeline corridor in southeastern Arizona. The initial soil disturbance and topsoil treatment, regardless of seeding or grazing, was the most influential factor in determining differences in both plant and microbial communities. Compared with the control, the disturbed and restored sites had greater plant species richness, greater total herbaceous plant cover, greater soil organic matter, higher pH, and differed in soil nutrients. Bacteria and fungi appeared to generally correlate with micro‐environment and soil physiochemical properties rather than specific plant species. The undisturbed control had a smaller proportion of bacterial functional groups associated with the breakdown of plant biomass (polysaccharide decomposition) and a smaller proportion of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) compared with disturbed and restored sites. The ability of the unseeded disturbed site to recover robust vegetation may be due in part to the high presence of AMF. These differences show selection for soil microorganisms that thrive in disturbed and restored sites and may contribute to increased plant productivity. Restoration of specific plant species or ecological processes and services would both benefit from better understanding of the impacts of disturbance on soil microorganisms and soil fertility.