bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Pain catastrophizing may moderate the association between pain and secondary hyperalgesia
Authors: Pressman Alexander J. , Peterlin B. Lee , Tompkins David Andrew , Salas Rachel E. , Buenaver Luis F. , Haythornthwaite Jennifer A. , Campbell Claudia M.
Published: March 2017

Catastrophizing, a persistent negative mental set characterized by helplessness, rumination, and magnification of pain sensations, has a potent effect on pain report and clinical outcomes. Previous studies have documented an association between cognitive factors and central sensitization. The current analysis sought to test the potential modulating effect of pain catastrophizing on the association between capsaicin pain and the region of secondary hyperalgesia. Thirty‐eight healthy individuals (50% women, mean age = 25.7, SD = 5.3) completed the Pain Catastrophizing Scale (PCS), then underwent topical application of 10% capsaicin, which was covered by a thermode maintained at 40°C for 90‐min. Following removal of the capsaicin, the region of secondary hyperalgesia was determined. Hayes’ PROCESS macro was employed to examine catastrophizing's potential moderating effect, which did not reveal a significant association between capsaicin pain ratings and the region of secondary hyperalgesia (β = 15.1, p = .06). Though PCS was not associated with area of secondary hyperalgesia (β = 23.9, p = .29), a significant interaction was present between PCS and capsaicin pain ratings (β = 3.7, p = .0004). Specifically, those endorsing higher catastrophizing levels and higher pain ratings experienced the greatest areas of secondary hyperalgesia. The Johnson‐Neyman technique was used to determine the regional effect of the moderation, which indicated that when PCS scores were ≥10.6, capsaicin pain significantly moderated the association between pain and area of secondary hyperalgesia. These results suggest that catastrophizing plays an important role in the area of secondary hyperalgesia, and potentially central sensitization, warranting further testing in future research.
A systematic review of the effectiveness of psychological approaches in the treatment of sex offenders with intellectual disabilities
Authors: Jones Emma , Chaplin Eddie
Published: March 2017

Background

Despite considerable advance and growth in the evidence base for psychological interventions as treatment for sex offenders with intellectual disabilities (ID), there remains limited evidence to support their effectiveness. This systematic review seeks to evaluate the effectiveness of psychological interventions on reducing reoffending rates for sex offenders with ID.

Methods

A search of ten electronic databases, grey literature and reference lists was conducted using PRISMA methodology.

Results

A number of studies appeared to establish positive treatment outcomes, demonstrated by improvements in attitudinal change, victim empathy and sexual knowledge. However, reductions in sexual reoffending during the follow‐up period were not consistent across the studies. No studies with an adequate control comparison were identified during the search.

Conclusions

The current review provides limited evidence on the effectiveness of psychological interventions for sex offenders with ID, while also highlighting the need for further research.
Measure accurately, Act rapidly, and Partner with patients: An intuitive and practical three‐part framework to guide efforts to improve hypertension control
Authors: Boonyasai Romsai T. , Rakotz Michael K. , Lubomski Lisa H. , Daniel Donna M. , Marsteller Jill A. , Taylor Kathryn S. , Cooper Lisa A. , Hasan Omar , Wynia Matthew K.
Published: March 2017

Hypertension is the leading cause of cardiovascular disease in the United States and worldwide. It also provides a useful model for team‐based chronic disease management. This article describes the M.A.P. checklists: a framework to help practice teams summarize best practices for providing coordinated, evidence‐based care to patients with hypertension. Consisting of three domains—Measure Accurately; Act Rapidly; and Partner With Patients, Families, and Communities—the checklists were developed by a team of clinicians, hypertension experts, and quality improvement experts through a multistep process that combined literature review, iterative feedback from a panel of internationally recognized experts, and pilot testing among a convenience sample of primary care practices in two states. In contrast to many guidelines, the M.A.P. checklists specifically target practice teams, instead of individual clinicians, and are designed to be brief, cognitively easy to consume and recall, and accessible to healthcare workers from a range of professional backgrounds.
EZH2‐mediated repression of Dkk1 promotes hepatic stellate cell activation and hepatic fibrosis
Authors: Yang Yang , Chen Xiao‐xia , Li Wan‐xia , Wu Xiao‐qin , Huang Cheng , Xie Juan , Zhao Yu‐xin , Meng Xiao‐ming , Li Jun
Published: March 2017

EZH2, a histone H3 lysine‐27‐specific methyltransferase, is involved in diverse physiological and pathological processes including cell proliferation and differentiation. However, the role of EZH2 in liver fibrosis is largely unknown. In this study, it was identified that EZH2 promoted Wnt pathway‐stimulated fibroblasts in vitro and in vivo by repressing Dkk‐1, which is a Wnt pathway antagonist. The expression of EZH2 was increased in CCl4‐induced rat liver and primary HSCs as well as TGF‐β1‐treated HSC‐T6, whereas the expression of Dkk1 was reduced. Silencing of EZH2 prevented TGF‐β1‐induced proliferation of HSC‐T6 cells and the expression of α‐SMA. In addition, knockdown of Dkk1 promoted TGF‐β1‐induced activation of HSCs. Moreover, silencing of EZH2 could restore the repression of Dkk‐1 through trimethylation of H3K27me3 in TGF‐β1‐treated HSC‐T6 cells. Interestingly, inhibition of EZH2 had almost no effect on the activation of HSC when Dkk1 was silenced. Collectively, EZH2‐mediated repression of Dkk1 promotes the activation of Wnt/β‐catenin pathway, which is an essential event for HSC activation.
Nurses' contribution to short‐term humanitarian care in low‐ to middle‐income countries: An integrative review of the literature
Authors: Dawson Sonja , Elliott Doug , Jackson Debra
Published: March 2017

Aims and objectives

To appraise the literature related to voluntary humanitarian work provided by international nurses in low‐ to middle‐income countries.

Background

Nurses and other health professionals are engaged with both governmental and nongovernmental organisations to provide care within international humanitarian relief and development contexts. Current literature describes accounts of charitable health professional activity within short‐term health‐focused humanitarian trips; however, there is minimal research describing the care that nurses provide and the professional roles and tasks they fulfil whilst participating in international volunteer healthcare service.

Design

Integrative review.

Methods

A search of articles published between 1995–2015 was conducted using seven bibliographic databases. Inclusion criteria incorporated nurses and allied health professionals' involvement in a volunteer short‐term medical team capacity. Papers describing military and/or disaster response with a service‐learning focus were excluded. Nineteen papers were selected for review, description and discussion of findings.

Results

Findings revealed limited data describing the care nurses provide and the professional roles and tasks they fulfil within the context of international humanitarian short‐term medical trips. Issues raised included a description of demographic data regarding participants and sending agencies, motivation for volunteer participation, perceptions of effectiveness of particular programmes and sustainability issues related to cultural, ethical or moral obligations of foreign health professionals working in a low‐ to middle‐income countries.

Conclusion

Study findings highlighted that although nurses are recruited and participate in health‐focused humanitarian activities in low‐ to middle‐income countries, there is extremely limited documented research about the amount and type of care that nurses specifically provide in this context. Furthermore, when identified, it is most often hidden within studies outlining services provided by healthcare teams and not specific to the discipline of nursing. Further research is therefore required to enable greater understanding of nursing care in this context and to inform prospective volunteers of expected nursing practice.

Relevance to clinical practice

This article provides an analysis of available literature describing nursing involvement within the particular context of short‐term medical teams delivering charitable health care.
Social support and depression across the perinatal period: A longitudinal study
Authors: Li Yang , Long Zhouting , Cao Danfeng , Cao Fenglin
Published: March 2017

Aims and objectives

To report changes in the prevalence of depression and the level of social support at three different time points in the perinatal period (late pregnancy, 1 week postpartum and 4 weeks postpartum) and to examine the relationship between depression and social support at these points in time.

Background

Social support is a modifiable factor for depression. Existing research is limited to examining social support at a single time point in relation to antepartum or postpartum depression.

Design

A longitudinal study.

Methods

In total, 240 pregnant women were recruited from the prenatal clinic at a general hospital in China between June–September 2013. The Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale and Perceived Social Support Scale were used to measure the risk of depression and perceived social support at late pregnancy, within the first week postpartum, and at 4 weeks postpartum.

Results

The Perceived Social Support Scale scores within the first week after birth were higher than scores at the late pregnancy and postpartum week 4, while the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale scores at late pregnancy were higher than scores at the two postpartum times. Women who had higher Perceived Social Support Scale scores at late pregnancy had less likelihood of developing antepartum depression, and women with higher Perceived Social Support Scale scores at postpartum week 4 were less likely to have postpartum depression. However, the Perceived Social Support Scale scores at late pregnancy did not predict the risk of postpartum depression.

Conclusion

The study revealed that social support perceived by women changed over the perinatal period. Social support at each stage of the perinatal period was an important buffer against depression at this stage.

Relevance to clinical practice

An increased focus on the relationship between social support and depression at each stage of the perinatal period is necessary for future research and practice.
Yoga, breast cancer‐related lymphoedema and well‐being: A descriptive report of women's participation in a clinical trial
Authors: Loudon Annette , Barnett Tony , Williams Andrew
Published: March 2017

Aims and objectives

To describe the experiences of women taking part in a yoga intervention trial for breast cancer‐related lymphoedema.

Background

Around 20% of women will experience lymphoedema as a consequence of treatment for breast cancer. Specialist lymphoedema clearing, along with self‐management, remains the mainstay of therapy. Yoga, an increasingly popular complementary therapeutic practice, may provide another tool to augment self‐management.

Design

A qualitative, descriptive design.

Methods

Interviews were conducted with 15 women with stage one breast cancer‐related lymphoedema who had completed an 8‐week yoga intervention trial. The intervention consisted of a weekly teacher‐led 1.5‐hr yoga class and a daily home practice using a 45‐min DVD. Interviews were audio‐taped and transcribed. These data were then analysed using an iterative‐thematic approach.

Results

Participants reported improved well‐being, increased awareness of their physical body as well as improved physical, mental and social functioning. They gained from being part of the yoga group that also provided a forum for them to share their experiences. Nine women felt empowered to describe their yoga participation as a transformative journey through illness.

Conclusion

When safe to do so, the holistic practice of yoga may augment and provide additional benefit to current self‐management and treatment practices for women with breast cancer‐related lymphoedema.

Relevance to clinical practice

Patients with breast cancer‐related lymphoedema may seek advice and guidance from nurses and other healthcare professionals on a range of complementary therapies to help relieve symptoms and promote recovery. Patients who choose to augment their treatment of breast cancer‐related lymphoedema by practicing yoga should be carefully assessed, be taught an appropriate technique by a qualified yoga teacher/therapist and its impact monitored by their yoga teacher/therapist, breast care nurse, lymphoedema therapist or treating clinician.
Strategies for healthcare professionals to facilitate patient illness understanding
Authors: Nunstedt Håkan , Rudolfsson Gudrun , Alsén Pia , Pennbrant Sandra
Published: March 2017

Aims and objectives

To describe how healthcare professionals facilitate patient illness understanding.

Background

Healthcare professionals and patients differ in their illness understanding. If the information provided by healthcare professionals is not adapted to the patient's daily life, it may be unusable for the patient. Previous research has found that healthcare professionals should individualise the information to enable the patient to apply the knowledge to the personal situation and to develop illness understanding. However, little is known of how healthcare professionals can facilitate patient illness understanding.

Method

A qualitative descriptive study based on individual, semi‐structured, open‐ended and face‐to‐face interviews was conducted with healthcare professionals (n = 11) concerning how they facilitate patients illness understanding. Three health centres were involved during the period of March to November 2014. The interviews were analysed with qualitative content analysis.

Results

The result identified a continuous and collaborative process with three strategies used by healthcare professionals to facilitate the patient's illness understanding: (i) assess the patient's illness understanding, (ii) interact with the patient to develop illness understanding and (iii) support the patient's personal development for illness understanding. The steps in the process depend on each other.

Conclusions

The results of our analysis indicate that healthcare professionals can use the continuous and collaborative process to enhance the patient's self‐care ability and turn his or her knowledge into action for improving illness understanding.

Relevance to clinical practice

The three continuous and collaborative process strategies involving pedagogical approaches can create conditions for healthcare professionals to obtain a holistic view of the patient's life and to be a key resource for person‐centred care.
Perspectives of health and self‐care among older persons—To be implemented in an interactive information and communication technology‐platform
Authors: Göransson Carina , Wengström Yvonne , Ziegert Kristina , Langius‐Eklöf Ann , Eriksson Irene , Kihlgren Annica , Blomberg Karin
Published: March 2017

Aim and objectives

To acquire knowledge regarding the contents to be implemented in an interactive information and communication technology‐platform perceived to be relevant to health and self‐care among older persons based on the literature, healthcare professionals and the older persons themselves.

Background

The growing ageing population places demands on the healthcare system to promote healthy ageing and to strengthen the older person's self‐care ability. This requires innovative approaches to facilitate communication between the older person and healthcare professionals, and to increase the older person's participation in their care. An information and communication technology‐platform could be used for this purpose, but the content needs to be relevant to both the older persons and the healthcare professionals.

Design

Descriptive qualitative design.

Methods

This study was based on three samplings: a scoping review of the literature (n = 20 articles), interviews with healthcare professionals (n = 5) and a secondary analysis of interviews with older persons (n = 8) and nursing assistants (n = 7). The data were analysed using qualitative content analysis.

Results

Four areas were identified to be of relevance to older persons’ perceived health: frame of mind, having relationships and social activities, physical ability and concerns, and maintaining self‐care. Self‐care was described in the literature and by the healthcare professionals more than by the older persons.

Conclusions

The results show a concordance in the data samplings that give a clear indication of the areas relevant to older persons’ health and self‐care that can be integrated in an interactive information and communication technology‐platform for use in regular daily care assessments. Descriptions of self‐care were limited indicating a possible gap in knowledge that requires further research.

Relevance to clinical practice

Areas relevant to older persons’ health and self‐care could be used for regular assessment to support and promote healthy ageing.
Are low sun exposure habits a genuine strong risk factor for all‐cause mortality or the result of bias?
Authors: Lindqvist P. G. , Olsson H.
Published: March 2017

Click here to view the Letter to the Editor by Dr. Hoffmann & Sobotzki
Why Do Firms Use Insurance to Fund Worker Health Benefits? The Role of Corporate Finance
Authors: Dalton Christina M. , Holland Sara B.
Published: March 2017

When a firm offers health benefits to workers, it exposes the firm to the risk of making payments when workers get sick. A firm can either pay health expenses out of its general assets, keeping the risk inside the firm, or it can purchase insurance, shifting the risk outside the firm. Using data on insurance decisions, we find that smaller firms, firms with more investment opportunities, and firms that face a convex tax schedule are more likely to hedge the risk of health benefit payments. We show how firms trade off the benefits that come from financing and investment characteristics with the costs of regulation when choosing insurance. We provide understanding of how firms’ policy and financial characteristics affect firm outcomes as the Affordable Care Act provisions impacting plan funding continue to evolve.
Differences in survival outcome for severely injured paediatric trauma by type of trauma centre
Authors: Mitchell Rebecca J , Curtis Kate , Testa Luke , Holland Andrew JA , SV Soundappan Soundappan , Adams Sarah
Published: March 2017

Aim

Whether treatment at paediatric trauma centres (PTCs) provides a survival advantage for injured children over treatment at adult trauma centres (ATCs) remains inconclusive. This study examines the association between trauma centre type and in‐hospital mortality for severely injured paediatric trauma patients in New South Wales, Australia.

Methods

A retrospective examination of paediatric patient characteristics (aged ≤15 years), treatment and injury outcome was conducted using data from the New South Wales Trauma Registry for 2009–2014. Logistic regression was used to examine the association of in‐hospital mortality and type of trauma centre.

Results

There were 1230 children who were severely injured (i.e. Injury Severity Score; ISS > 12) and 81.0% received definitive care at a PTC. Two‐thirds were male, 37.8% were aged 11–15 years and falls represented 32.0% of the injuries. Almost half (48.9%) the injured children had an ISS between 16 and 24, 31.9% between 25 and 39 and 3.8% an ISS between 40 and 75. The mean and median hospital length of stay was 17.5 and 5 days, respectively. Fifty percent of children that received definitive care at a PTC were admitted to an ICU compared to 23.9% at a Level 1 ATC. There were 119 (9.7%) in‐hospital deaths. Children aged ≤15 years who were treated at a Level 1 ATC had 6.1 times higher odds of not surviving their injuries than if treated at a PTC.

Conclusion

Children who received definitive care at a PTC had a survival advantage compared to those treated at a Level 1 ATC. Prospectively examining the processes of care for severely injured children may assist in identification of quality and system changes required to ensure optimal trauma care within the health‐care system.
Fruit Malformation of Satsuma Mandarin (Citrus unshiu Marc.) Infected by Citrus Yellow Vein Clearing Virus
Authors: Li Xing‐Tao , Su Hua‐Nan , Tan Ke‐Gang , Tong Xiao‐Nan , Zhong Ba‐Lian
Published: March 2017

In 2013–2014, malformed young Satsuma mandarin (Citrus unshiu Marc.) fruits were found in Xunwu County, Jiangxi Province, China. Common disease symptoms include slightly curled and backward‐twisted spring leaves, cracked and deformed leaf edges, thickly grown spring twigs with twisted and slightly bent shoots, and malformed young fruits where groovelike depression forms from the upper portion and resembles a pumpkin. On the basis of the morphological characteristics, sequencing results and phylogenetic analysis of the infected plant, we identified the disease as citrus yellow vein clearing, which is caused by Citrus yellow vein clearing virus (CYVCV). To our knowledge, this study is the first to report CYVCV infecting Satsuma mandarin.
Genetic Diversity of Fusarium oxysporum f.sp. lentis Population Affecting Lentil in Syria
Authors: Husien Al‐Husien Naiem , Hamwieh Aladdin , Ahmed Seid , Bayaa Bassam
Published: March 2017

Lentil (Lens culinaris Medik.) is an important food legume crop in Syria. Fusarium wilt (Fusarium oxysporum f.sp. lentis – Fol) is a key yield‐limiting factor in the country. The genetic diversity of Fol population was studied using 96 isolates collected from different parts of the country using molecular markers. A total of 16 markers, random amplified polymorphic DNA, simple sequence repeats and inter‐simple sequence repeats were used and 218 polymorphic markers (scorable bands) were obtained. Cluster and structure analyses grouped the isolates into three major groups and subgroups indicating high genetic diversity in the pathogen populations. The molecular variance within the population accounted 87% of the total variation indicating high diversity within population than among geographic locations. The result of this study showed that no alleles were linked to specific province, and therefore, screening for the Fusarium wilt in one location using virulent isolates could be enough to save time and resources.
Role of Pear Fruit Cuticular Wax and Surface Hydrophobicity in Regulating the Prepenetration Phase of Alternaria alternata Infection
Authors: Tang Ying , Li Yongcai , Bi Yang , Wang Yi
Published: March 2017

The role of cuticular wax and the surface hydrophobicity of the fruit of the ‘Zaosu’ pear (Pyrus bretschneideri Rehd) in regulating the prepenetration phase of Alternaria alternata infection were analysed in vivo and in vitro. Results showed that cuticular wax on an intact fruit surface, as well as wax extracts mounted on silanized glass slides or onion epidermis, favoured the formation of short, differentiated germ tubes and large numbers of appressoria (APP) or infected hyphae (IH). Dewaxed fruits or no wax extract mounted on in vitro surfaces, however, enhanced germ tube elongation and inhibited or delayed the formation of infection structure. High surface hydrophobicity resulting from cuticular wax also stimulated infection structure formation, as contact angle (hydrophobicity) was positively correlated with APP formation but negatively correlated with germ tube elongation. Alternaria alternata cutinase enzyme activity was also induced by cuticular wax, both in vivo and in vitro. These findings suggest that the chemical composition and hydrophobicity of pear fruit cuticular wax are essential in facilitating fungal invasion by regulating the growth and differentiation of A. alternata during the prepenetration phase.
Resting Spore Dormancy and Infectivity Characteristics of the Potato Powdery Scab Pathogen Spongospora subterranea
Authors: Balendres Mark A. , Tegg Robert S. , Wilson Calum R.
Published: March 2017

The soil‐borne potato pathogen Spongospora subterranea persists in soil as sporosori, which are aggregates of resting spores. Resting spores may germinate in the presence of plant or environmental stimuli, but direct evidence for resting spore dormancy is limited. A soilless tomato bait plant bioassay and microscopic examination were used to examine features of S. subterranea resting spore dormancy and infectivity. Dried sporosori inocula prepared from tuber lesions and root galls were infective after both short‐ and long‐term storage (1 week to 5 years for tuber lesions and 1 week to 1 year for root galls) with both young and mature root galls inocula showing infectivity. This demonstrated that a proportion of all S. subterranea resting spores regardless of maturity exhibit characteristics of stimuli‐responsive dormancy, germinating under the stimulatory conditions of the bait host plant bioassay. However, evidence for constitutive dormancy within the resting spore population was also provided as incubation of sporosorus inoculum in a germination‐stimulating environment did not fully exhaust germination potential even after 2.4 years. We conclude that S. subterranea sporosori contain both exogenous (stimuli‐responsive) and constitutively dormant resting spores, which enables successful host infection by germination in response to plant stimuli and long‐term persistence in the soil.
Combined application of Er:YAG and Nd:YAG lasers in treatment of chronic periodontitis. A split‐mouth, single‐blind, randomized controlled trial
Authors: Sağlam M. , Köseoğlu S. , Taşdemir İ. , Erbak Yılmaz H. , Savran L. , Sütçü R.
Published: March 2017

Background

The aim of the present study was to compare the effectiveness of combined Er:YAG and Nd:YAG laser therapy to that of scaling and root planing with hand instruments in non‐surgical treatment of chronic periodontitis.

Material and Methods

Twenty‐five systemically healthy patients with chronic periodontitis were selected for this study. The quadrants were randomly allocated in a split‐mouth design to either combined Er:YAG (160 mJ/pulse, 10 Hz) and Nd:YAG laser (100 mJ/pulse, 20 Hz) therapy (test group) or scaling and root planing alone (control group). At baseline, 1 month and 3 months after treatment, plaque index, gingival index, probing depth, clinical attachment level and bleeding on probing (%), were recorded and gingival crevicular fluid and subgingival plaque samples were taken. The gingival crevicular fluid levels of interleukin‐1β and tumor necrosis factor‐α were analyzed by enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay. Quantitative analysis of red complex bacteria was performed using quantitative real‐time polymerase chain reaction.

Results

The clinical parameters had significantly improved for both groups after treatment. There were statistically significant differences in probing depth and clinical attachment level between the test and control groups only for deep pockets (≥7 mm) (P<.05). No significant differences between the two groups were observed for the biochemical and microbiological parameters at any time points (P>.05).

Conclusions

The present study suggests that a combined course of Er:YAG and Nd:YAG laser therapy may be beneficial particularly in inaccessible areas such as deep pockets on a short‐term basis. Further, well‐designed studies are required to assess the effectiveness of the combination of these lasers.
Sex and ancestry determine the free‐running circadian period
Authors: Eastman Charmane I. , Tomaka Victoria A. , Crowley Stephanie J.
Published: March 2017

The endogenous, free‐running circadian period (τ) determines the phase relationship that an organism assumes when entrained to the 24‐h day. We found a shorter circadian period in African Americans compared to non‐Hispanic European Americans (24.07 versus 24.33 h). We speculate that a short circadian period, closer to 24 h, was advantageous to humans living around the equator, but when humans migrated North out of Africa, where the photoperiod changes with seasons, natural selection favoured people with longer circadian periods. Recently, in evolutionary terms, immigrants came from Europe and Africa to America (‘the New World’). The Europeans were descendents of people who had lived in Europe for thousands of years with changing photoperiods (and presumably longer periods), whereas Africans had ancestors who had always lived around the equator (with shorter periods). It may have been advantageous to have a longer circadian period while living in Europe early in the evolution of humans. In our modern world, however, it is better to have a shorter period, because it helps make our circadian rhythms earlier, which is adaptive in our early‐bird‐dominated society. European American women had a shorter circadian period than men (24.24 versus 24.41), but there was no sex difference in African Americans (24.07 for both men and women). We speculate that selection pressures in Europe made men develop a slightly longer period than women to help them track dawn which could be useful for hunters, but less important for women as gatherers.
Sensory texture analysis of thickened liquids during ingestion
Authors: Chambers Edgar , Jenkins Alicia , Mertz Garcia Jane
Published: March 2017

Practitioners support the use of thickened liquids for many patients with disordered swallowing. Although physical measures have highlighted differences among products there are questions about the ability of the measures to fully explain the sensory texture effects during swallowing of thickened liquids. This study used a trained sensory panel to describe the textural aspects of liquids during ingestion and swallowing. The lexicon was able to characterize differences in beverages, thickeners, and thickness levels with the most important attribute being viscosity, which loaded heavily in the almost one‐dimensional space that resulted from the sensory analysis of these beverages. Other effects, such as slipperiness provided some minimal additional information on the products.

Practical applications

Trained sensory panelists were shown to be useful in the measurement of differences in thickened liquid products prescribed for patients with dysphagia. They were able to differentiate products based on perceived differences related to flow speed, viscosity, and other parameters suggesting their use in further studies of swallowing behavior and for development of products for disordered swallowing should be considered. Understanding how these variables might relate to clinical decision making about product selection or modification to best meet the nutritional needs of a person with disordered swallowing could be helpful. This is especially true given the difficulties in measuring texture instrumentally in these products.
The Optimal Distribution of Practice for the Acquisition of L2 Morphology: A Conceptual Replication and Extension
Authors: Suzuki Yuichi
Published: March 2017

This study examined optimal learning schedules for second language (L2) acquisition of a morphological structure. Sixty participants studied the simple and complex morphological rules of a novel miniature language system so as to use them for oral production. They engaged in four training sessions in either shorter spaced (3.3‐day interval) or longer spaced (7‐day interval) learning conditions. From the beginning of the third training session, the 3.3‐day interval group started to provide more accurate target rules than the 7‐day interval group. This superior performance by the 3.3‐day interval group was maintained on both 7‐ and 28‐day delayed posttests with small to medium effect sizes. No significant difference was found between the two groups for utterance speed, nor did linguistic complexity exert an influence on the effectiveness of different distributions of learning conditions.

Open Practices

This article has been awarded an Open Materials badge. All materials are publicly accessible in the IRIS digital repository athttp://www.iris-database.org. Learn more about the Open Practices badges from the Center for Open Science:https://osf.io/tvyxz/wiki.
When I grow up: assessing American children's perspectives on college and career readiness through drawings
Authors: Turner Jennifer Danridge , Albro Jennifer
Published: March 2017

College and career readiness has become a key educational priority in the United States. Framed by neoliberal discourses, current conceptions of college and career readiness narrowly define literacy as discrete sets of cognitive skills and curricular knowledge and reduce literacy learning to scores on high‐stakes assessments. To disrupt these neoliberal ideologies, we invited 24 American children in a summer reading programme to share their perspectives on college and career readiness. Twelve boys and 12 girls created a series of drawings depicting their dream careers, the people helping them achieve their career goals and the specific literacy skills they perceived as necessary for future career success. Afterwards, the children discussed the meanings of their drawings through interviews. Analyses revealed that American children visually represented and verbally articulated college and career readiness as (1) aspiring towards productive professional work, (2) envisioning complex professional literacy repertories and (3) acknowledging the importance of family, community and school in college and career preparation. Our findings urge American schools to shift from standardised, high‐stakes measures of college and career readiness towards multiple, learner‐oriented measures which make visible the creativity, critical thinking and communicative literacies that children will need to fulfill their personal and professional aspirations.
Super‐replication in fully incomplete markets
Authors: Dolinsky Yan , Neufeld Ariel
Published: March 2017

In this work, we introduce the notion of fully incomplete markets. We prove that for these markets, the super‐replication price coincides with the model‐free super‐replication price. Namely, the knowledge of the model does not reduce the super‐replication price. We provide two families of fully incomplete models: stochastic volatility models and rough volatility models. Moreover, we give several computational examples. Our approach is purely probabilistic.
Pollinator identity and spatial isolation influence multiple paternity in an annual plant
Authors: Rhodes Matthew K. , Fant Jeremie B. , Skogen Krissa A.
Published: March 2017

The occurrence and extent of multiple paternity is an important component of variation in plant mating dynamics. However, links between pollinator activity and multiple paternity are generally lacking, especially for plant species that attract functionally diverse floral visitors. In this study, we separated the influence of two functionally distinct floral visitors (hawkmoths and solitary bees) and characterized their impacts on multiple paternity in a self‐incompatible, annual forb, Oenothera harringtonii (Onagraceae). We also situated pollinator‐mediated effects in a spatial context by linking variation in multiple paternity to variation in plant spatial isolation. We documented pronounced differences in the number of paternal sires as function of pollinator identity: on average, the primary pollinator (hawkmoths) facilitated mating with nearly twice as many pollen donors relative to the secondary pollinator (solitary bees). This effect was consistent for both isolated and nonisolated individuals, but spatial isolation imposed pronounced reductions on multiple paternity regardless of pollinator identity. Considering that pollinator abundance and pollen dispersal distance did not vary significantly with pollinator identity, we attribute variation in realized mating dynamics primarily to differences in pollinator morphology and behaviour as opposed to pollinator abundance or mating incompatibility arising from underlying spatial genetic structure. Our findings demonstrate that functionally distinct pollinators can have strongly divergent effects on polyandry in plants and further suggest that both pollinator identity and spatial heterogeneity have important roles in plant mating dynamics.
Deep Learning‐Based Crack Damage Detection Using Convolutional Neural Networks
Authors: Cha Young‐Jin , Choi Wooram , Büyüköztürk Oral
Published: March 2017

A number of image processing techniques (IPTs) have been implemented for detecting civil infrastructure defects to partially replace human‐conducted onsite inspections. These IPTs are primarily used to manipulate images to extract defect features, such as cracks in concrete and steel surfaces. However, the extensively varying real‐world situations (e.g., lighting and shadow changes) can lead to challenges to the wide adoption of IPTs. To overcome these challenges, this article proposes a vision‐based method using a deep architecture of convolutional neural networks (CNNs) for detecting concrete cracks without calculating the defect features. As CNNs are capable of learning image features automatically, the proposed method works without the conjugation of IPTs for extracting features. The designed CNN is trained on 40 K images of 256 × 256 pixel resolutions and, consequently, records with about 98% accuracy. The trained CNN is combined with a sliding window technique to scan any image size larger than 256 × 256 pixel resolutions. The robustness and adaptability of the proposed approach are tested on 55 images of 5,888 × 3,584 pixel resolutions taken from a different structure which is not used for training and validation processes under various conditions (e.g., strong light spot, shadows, and very thin cracks). Comparative studies are conducted to examine the performance of the proposed CNN using traditional Canny and Sobel edge detection methods. The results show that the proposed method shows quite better performances and can indeed find concrete cracks in realistic situations.
Association between resting heart rate just before starting the first dialysis session and mortality: A multicentre prospective cohort study
Authors: Inaguma Daijo , Koide Shigehisa , Takahashi Kazuo , Hayashi Hiroki , Hasegawa Midori , Yuzawa Yukio ,   AICOPP group
Published: March 2017

Aim

Some observational studies of the general population showed that resting heart rate was associated with mortality. However, the relationship was unclear in dialysis patients.

Methods

The study was a multicentre prospective cohort analysis including 1102 patients. Patients were classified into four groups based on resting heart rate just before starting the first dialysis session: <60/min; 60–79/min; 80–100/min; and ≥101/min. All‐cause mortality, cardiovascular (CV) related mortality, and incidences of CV events after dialysis initiation were compared using the log‐rank test. All‐cause mortality rates for patients with heart rates <60, 60–79, and ≥101/min were compared to those for patients with heart rates 80–100/min, using multivariate Cox proportional hazard regression analysis. Moreover, we compared the outcomes among patients without use of β‐blocker or heart failure symptom at the first dialysis session.

Results

Significant differences were observed in the all‐cause mortality rates among the four groups (P = 0.007). Multivariate analysis revealed that all‐cause mortality was significantly higher in patients with heart rate ≥ 101/min than in patients with heart rate 80–100/min (hazard ratio [HR] = 2.30, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.25–4.23). Subgroup analysis showed that among patients without use of b‐blocker or heart failure symptom, all‐cause mortality rates for those with heart rates ≥101/min were significantly higher than in patients with heart rate 80–100/min (HR = 2.98, 95% CI: 1.51–5.88, HR = 3.65, 95% CI: 1.59–8.36, respectively).

Conclusion

The resting heart rate just before starting the first dialysis session was associated with all‐cause mortality after dialysis initiation.
Defining and challenging the new nationalism
Authors: Valluvan Sivamohan
Published: March 2017

Sivamohan Valluvan argues that to understand how the idea of nation has recovered its lustre, we need to re‐examine the core historical principles of European nationalism, and the place of race and racism within them; stop assuming the primacy of economic developments; and address the multiple ideological forms within the new nationalism.
Seed testa micromorphology of thirty‐eight species of Allium (Amaryllidaceae) from central Asia, and its taxonomic implications
Authors: Lin Chen‐Yi , Tan Dun‐Yan
Published: March 2017

Micromorphological characteristics of the seed testa of 38 species belonging to 19 sections and seven subgenera of Allium from central Asia have been evaluated with a scanning electron microscope (SEM). Several taxonomically significant characters were found. The results showed that the epidermis consists of polygonal cells with different dimensions, that the cellular arrangement is tight or loose with or without reticulate tissue, and that the arrangement of cells is regular or irregular. The main variation was found in the anticlinal walls, of which the outline could be straight, straight to arched, arched or undulating like an S or U. Convex and (or) concave verrucate periclinal walls occurred in all species investigated. Based on the characteristics of the anticlinal and periclinal walls of the 38 species, six groups of Allium were distinguished, and a dichotomous key for them is presented. The cellular arrangement and periclinal and anticlinal wall traits of the 38 species of Allium were found stable and distinct within a species, but showed great differences among species. We conclude that seed epidermal characteristics provide useful and important information for distinguishing species of Allium, and thus they have taxonomic significance.
Comparative leaf anatomy of wild Manihot Mill. species (Euphorbiaceae) from Chapada Diamantina, Bahia, Brazil
Authors: Neto Israel Lopes da Cunha , Martins Fabiano Machado , Martins Márcio Lacerda Lopes , de Oliveira Silva Lucimara Reis
Published: March 2017

The leaf anatomy of nine species of Manihot Mill. has been studied with the objective of finding anatomical features that contribute to our understanding of the taxonomy of the genus. Leaf samples were collected in the field and from herbarium specimens, and standardized methods were used for both light and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The following species were studied: M. bellidifolia P. Carvalho & M. Martins, M. brachyandra Pax & K. Hoffm., M. caerulescens Pohl, M. diamantinensis Allem, M. elongata sp. nov. ined., M. jacobinensis Müll. Arg. (I), M. jacobinensis Müll. Arg. (II), M. longiracemosa P. Carvalho & M. Martins, M. maracasensis Ule, M. reniformis Pohl, M. tripartita (Spreng) Müll. Arg. and Manihot sp. Anatomically, the analysis revealed differences that indicate the importance of leaf anatomy in the species‐level taxonomy. Presence of fibers in the bundle sheath, and presence or absence of papillae and fibers in the midrib are diagnostic characters. Although these characteristics were not enough to separate all of the species, or to group them into a section, they did show taxonomic importance at the species level. In addition, morphoanatomical differences and geographical distribution support Manihot sp. as a distinct species.
The mitochondrial pentatricopeptide repeat protein PPR19 is involved in the stabilization of NADH dehydrogenase 1 transcripts and is crucial for mitochondrial function and Arabidopsis thaliana development
Authors: Lee Kwanuk , Han Ji Hoon , Park Youn‐Il , Colas des Francs‐Small Catherine , Small Ian , Kang Hunseung
Published: March 2017

Despite the importance of pentatricopeptide repeat (PPR) proteins in organellar RNA metabolism and plant development, the functions of many PPR proteins remain unknown. Here, we determined the role of a mitochondrial PPR protein (At1g52620) comprising 19 PPR motifs, thus named PPR19, in Arabidopsis thaliana.

The ppr19 mutant displayed abnormal seed development, reduced seed yield, delayed seed germination, and retarded growth, indicating that PPR19 is indispensable for normal growth and development of Arabidopsis thaliana. Splicing pattern analysis of mitochondrial genes revealed that PPR19 specifically binds to the specific sequence in the 3′‐terminus of the NADH dehydrogenase 1 (nad1) transcript and stabilizes transcripts containing the second and third exons of nad1. Loss of these transcripts in ppr19 leads to multiple secondary effects on accumulation and splicing of other nad1 transcripts, from which we can infer the order in which cis‐ and trans‐spliced nad1 transcripts are normally processed.

Improper splicing of nad1 transcripts leads to the absence of mitochondrial complex I and alteration of the nuclear transcriptome, notably influencing the alternative splicing of a variety of nuclear genes.

Our results indicate that the mitochondrial PPR19 is an essential component in the splicing of nad1 transcripts, which is crucial for mitochondrial function and plant development.
Measuring Business Cycles Intra‐Synchronization in US: A Regime‐switching Interdependence Framework
Authors: Leiva‐Leon Danilo
Published: March 2017

This paper proposes a Markov‐switching framework to endogenously identify periods where economies are more likely to (i) synchronously enter recessionary and expansionary phases, and (ii) follow independent business cycles. The reliability of the framework is validated with simulated data in Monte Carlo experiments. The framework is applied to assess the time‐varying intra‐country synchronization in the US. The main results report substantial changes over time in the cyclical affiliation patterns of US states, and show that the more similar the economic structures of states, the higher the correlation between their business cycles. A synchronization‐based network analysis discloses a change in the propagation pattern of aggregate contractionary shocks across states, suggesting that the US has become more internally synchronized since the early 1990s.
Knowledge Spillovers, ICT and Productivity Growth
Authors: Corrado Carol , Haskel Jonathan , Jona‐Lasinio Cecilia
Published: March 2017

This paper looks at the channels through which intangible assets affect productivity growth. The econometric analysis exploits a new data set on intangible investment (INTAN‐Invest) in conjunction with EUKLEMS productivity estimates for 10 EU member states from 1998 to 2007. We find that (a) the output elasticity of intangible capital depends upon ICT intensity, consistent with complementarities between ICT and intangible capital; (b) non‐R&D intangible capital has a higher estimated output elasticity than its factor share, as does (c) an index of labour composition. The last two findings are consistent with growth spillovers from investments in knowledge‐based/intangible capital and skills.