bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Embodying person‐centred being and doing: Leading towards person‐centred care in nursing homes as narrated by managers
Authors: Backman Annica , Ahnlund Petra , Sjögren Karin , Lövheim Hugo , McGilton Katherine S. , Edvardsson David
Published: October 2019

Aims and objectives

To explore how managers describe leading towards person‐centred care in Swedish nursing homes.

Background

Although a growing body of research knowledge exists highlighting the importance of leadership to promote person‐centred care, studies focused on nursing home managers' own descriptions of leading their staff towards providing person‐centred care is lacking.

Design

Descriptive interview study. COREQ guidelines have been applied.

Methods

The study consisted of semi‐structured interviews with 12 nursing home managers within 11 highly person‐centred nursing homes purposively selected from a nationwide survey of nursing homes in Sweden. Data collection was performed in April 2017, and the data were analysed using content analysis.

Results

Leading towards person‐centred care involved a main category; embodying person‐centred being and doing, with four related categories: operationalising person‐centred objectives; promoting a person‐centred atmosphere; maximising person‐centred team potential; and optimising person‐centred support structures.

Conclusions

The findings revealed that leading towards person‐centred care was described as having a personal understanding of the PCC concept and how to translate it into practice, and maximising the potential of and providing support to care staff, within a trustful and innovative work place. The findings also describe how managers co‐ordinate several aspects of care simultaneously, such as facilitating, evaluating and refining the translation of person‐centred philosophy into synchronised care actions.

Relevance to clinical practice

The findings can be used to inspire nursing home leaders' practices and may serve as a framework for implementing person‐centred care within facilities. A reasonable implication of these findings is that if organisations are committed to person‐centred care provision, care may need to be organised in a way that enables managers to be present on the units, to enact these strategies and lead person‐centred care.
Women living with HIV in high‐income settings and breastfeeding
Authors: Moseholm E. , Weis N.
Published: October 2019

Guidelines in high‐income settings recommend breastfeeding avoidance amongst women living with HIV (WLWH). Increasingly, WLWH in high‐income settings, who are well‐treated with fully suppressed viral loads, are choosing to breastfeed their infants, even with these recommendations. The purpose of this article is to review existing research and guidance on infant feeding amongst WLWH in high‐income countries and to identify gaps in this evidence that require further investigation. Current evidence on the risk of HIV transmission through breastfeeding in the context of antiretroviral therapy (ART), the significance of cell‐associated virus, transmission risk factors, retention in care and adherence postpartum, infant prophylaxis and antiretroviral exposure, and monitoring of the breastfeeding WLWH are summarized. A latent HIV reservoir is persistently present in breast milk, even in the context of ART. Thus, suppressive maternal ART significantly reduces, but does not eliminate, the risk of postnatal transmission of HIV. There are currently limited data to guide the optimal frequency of virologic monitoring and the clinical actions to take in case of maternal detectable viral load whilst breastfeeding. Moreover, retention in care and adherence to ART in the postpartum period may be difficult and more research is needed to understand what clinical and psychosocial support would benefit these mothers so that successful engagement in care can be achieved. The long‐term effects of antiretroviral drug exposure in the infants also need further exploration. Thus, there is a need for collecting enhanced surveillance data on WLWH who breastfeed and their infants to augment clinical guidance in high‐income settings.
School‐Located Influenza Vaccination: Do Vaccine Clinics at School Raise Vaccination Rates?
Authors: Szilagyi Peter G. , Schaffer Stanley , Rand Cynthia M. , Goldstein Nicolas PN , Hightower A. Dirk , Younge Mary , Albertin Christina S. , DiBitetto Kristine , Yoo Byung‐Kwang , Humiston Sharon G.
Published: October 2019

BACKGROUND

Only half of US schoolchildren receive influenza vaccine. School‐located influenza vaccination (SLIV) might raise vaccination rates but conducting flu vaccine clinics at schools is challenging to implement. We compared 2 school‐based programs designed to raise influenza vaccination rates: parent reminder/educational messages sent to parents from schools which is a low‐intensity intervention vs the combination of reminder/educational messages plus SLIV clinics which is a high‐intensity intervention.

METHODS

We assigned 36 schools (6 school districts, 2 per group) to 3 groups: (1) control, ie, no SLIV and no parent reminder/education, (2) parent reminder/education emailed by schools, and (3) parent reminder/education plus SLIV clinics. Some schools had SLIV clinics in prior years. Health department nurses conducted SLIV clinics.

RESULTS

Among 24,832 children at 36 schools, vaccination rates were control (51.3%), parent reminder/education‐only (41.2%), and reminder/education + SLIV (58.7%). On multivariate analyses which controlled for vaccination in prior seasons, children in reminder/education + SLIV schools had higher vaccination rates (OR 1.27, 95% CI 1.10‐1.47), but children in reminder/education‐only schools had lower rates (OR 0.87, 95% CI 0.75‐1.00) than children in control schools.

CONCLUSIONS

Parent reminder/education combined with SLIV clinics raise vaccination rates, but parent reminder/education alone does not.
Flavor and mouthfeel of pseudo‐cocoa liquor: Effects of polyphenols, fat content, and training method
Authors: Hamada Terianne Y. , Brown Allison , Hopfer Helene , Ziegler Gregory R.
Published: October 2019

Current theories of astringency propose that this sensation is a result of delubrication in the oral cavity due to precipitation of salivary proteins. Astringency, commonly described as a drying or puckering sensation, is a main driving factor for rejection of certain foods. Previous studies have shown that fat plays a role in moderating astringency in foods. To investigate the role that polyphenols and fat play in astringency perception, we used modified cocoa powders to produce pseudo‐cocoa liquor systems that were rated for taste and flavor attributes on generalized Labeled Magnitude Scales by semi‐trained consumers. Our results show significant differences among the cocoa liquors, resulting from acetone–water extraction of free polyphenols and fat content variation. No significant differences resulted from training with oil‐based vis‐à‐vis water‐based reference solutions.

Practical Applications

Astringency is a prominent sensation commonly experienced by individuals who consume cocoa and chocolate products. It is of the utmost importance to the cocoa and chocolate industry because consumers typically reject products that are highly astringent. Therefore, study of the perception of astringency and the role that polyphenols and fat play would benefit our understanding of these fat‐based products. Training with aqueous‐based references, which was easier than oil‐based references, yielded equivalent results.
miR‐4510 blocks hepatocellular carcinoma development through RAF1 targeting and RAS/RAF/MEK/ERK signalling inactivation
Authors: Ghousein Amani , Mosca Nicola , Cartier Flora , Charpentier Justine , Dupuy Jean‐William , Raymond Anne‐Aurélie , Bioulac‐Sage Paulette , Grosset Christophe F.
Published: October 2019

Background

Therapeutic outcomes using the multikinase inhibitors, sorafenib and regorafenib, remain unsatisfactory for patients with advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Thus, new drug modalities are needed. We recently reported the remarkable capacity of miR‐4510 to impede the growth of HCC and hepatoblastoma through Glypican‐3 (GPC3) targeting and Wnt pathway inactivation.

Methods

To identify new targets of miR‐4510, we used a label‐free proteomic approach and reported down‐regulation of RAF proto‐oncogene serine/threonine‐protein kinase (RAF1) by miR‐4510. Because the tumourigenic role of RAF1 in HCC is controversial, we further studied RAF1:miR‐4510 interactions using cellular, molecular as well as functional approaches and a chicken chorioallantoic membrane (CAM) xenograft model.

Results

We found an increase in RAF1 protein in 59.3% of HCC patients and a specific up‐regulation of its transcript in proliferative tumours. We showed that miR‐4510 inactivates the RAS/RAF/MEK/ERK pathway and reduces the expression of downstream targets (ie c‐Fos proto‐oncogene [FOS]) through RAF1 direct targeting. At a cellular level, miR‐4510 inhibited HCC cell proliferation and migration and induced senescence in part by lowering RAF1 messenger RNA (mRNA) and protein expression. Finally, we confirmed the pro‐tumoural function of RAF1 protein in HCC cells and its ability to sustain HCC tumour progression in vitro and in vivo.

Conclusions

In this work, we confirm that RAF1 acts as an oncogene in HCC and further demonstrate that miR‐4510 acts as a strong tumour suppressor in the liver by targeting many proto‐oncogenes, including GPC3 and RAF1, and subsequently controlling key biological and signalling pathways among which Wnt and RAS/RAF/MEK/ERK signals.
Cystine import is a valuable but risky process whose hazards Escherichia coli minimizes by inducing a cysteine exporter
Authors: Korshunov Sergey , Imlay Karin R. Chonoles , Imlay James A.
Published: October 2019

The structure of free cysteine makes it vulnerable to oxidation by molecular oxygen; consequently, organisms that live in oxic habitats have acquired the ability to import cystine as a sulfur source. We show that cystine imported into Escherichia coli can transfer disulfide bonds to cytoplasmic proteins. To minimize this problem, the imported cystine is rapidly reduced. However, this conversion of cystine to cysteine precludes product inhibition of the importer, so cystine import continues into cells that are already sated with cysteine. The burgeoning cysteine pool is itself hazardous, as cysteine promotes the formation of reactive oxygen species, triggers sulfide production and competitively inhibits a key enzyme in the isoleucine biosynthetic pathway. The Lrp transcription factor senses the excess cysteine and induces AlaE, an export protein that pumps cysteine back out of the cell until transcriptional controls succeed in lowering the amount of the importer. While it lasts, the overall phenomenon roughly doubles the NADPH demand of the cell. It comprises another example of the incompatibility of the reduced cytoplasms of microbes with the oxic world in which they dwell. It also reveals one natural source of cytoplasmic disulfide stress and sheds light on a role for broad‐spectrum amino acid exporters.
Peroxiredoxin 1 as an inflammatory marker in diarrhea‐predominant and postinfectious irritable bowel syndrome
Authors: Zhang Yu , Wu Xia‐Xin , Li Shuang , Wu Jin‐Feng , Han Sen , Lin Zhi‐Jie , Ding Shi‐Zhen , Gong Wei‐Juan
Published: October 2019

Background

Low‐grade inflammation occurs in some patients with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). However, the exact inflammatory markers of IBS and the relationship of these markers with IBS subtypes and symptoms are poorly defined. Peroxiredoxin 1 (PRDX1) plays an important role in inflammatory responses, including intestinal inflammation. We investigated whether PRDX1 is associated with the diagnosis, subtypes, and symptom severity of IBS.

Methods

A total of 177 IBS patients and 174 sex‐ and age‐matched healthy controls (HCs) were recruited. The PRDX1 levels in the sera and colonic mucosa of the participants were detected by enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assays and immunohistochemistry. The severity of IBS symptoms was assessed using the IBS Severity Scoring System (SSS) questionnaire.

Results

The PRDX1 levels in the sera (F = 71.81, P < .001) and colonic mucosa (F = 5.359, P < .001) of postinfectious (PI‐IBS) and diarrhea‐predominant IBS (IBS‐D) groups were significantly higher than those of the other three IBS subtypes and HC group. The PRDX1 level in the serum and colonic mucosa of IBS‐D (serum, P < .01, mucosa, P < .001) and PI‐IBS (serum, P < .05, mucosa, P < .001) groups with the most severe symptoms was significantly higher than that in the groups with mild and moderate symptoms. Correlation analysis revealed that in patients with IBS‐D (P < .001) and PI‐IBS (P < .05), the levels of PRDX1 and TNF‐α in sera had a significant positive correlation with IBS‐SSS.

Conclusion

Elevated PRDX1 in the serum and colon mucosa may be closely related to the progression of IBS (especially IBS‐D and PI‐IBS) and the expression of gastrointestinal symptoms.
Chinese Perceptions of Threats from the United States and Japan
Authors: Sinkkonen Elina , Elovainio Marko
Published: October 2019

People's threat perceptions play a role in influencing foreign policies towards perceived adversary countries. Earlier research has identified multiple components shaping mass‐level threat perceptions including military power, adversary country's perceived intentions, and national identities. On the individual level, education, use of media, and interest in politics have been shown to influence threat perceptions. However, most studies on perceptions of security threats fail to include both contextual and individual‐level explanatory factors and to consider that different national threats may be constructed differently. This research bridges formation of threat perceptions on the individual level to wider societal processes and provides an empirical perspective to understanding threat perceptions among the educated section of the Chinese population. To analyze threat perceptions, students from leading Chinese universities (N = 771) took part in a survey in the autumn of 2011 and spring of 2012. Respondents who followed conventional media were more likely to perceive both the United States and Japan as threatening, and the effect of media consumption was particularly strong with regards to perceived threat from Japan. In addition, each threat perception was significantly associated with threat‐specific explanatory factors. Potential explanatory factors of threat perceptions were explored with linear regression models.
Growth of Sphagnum is strongly rhythmic: contribution of the seasonal, circalunar and third components
Authors: Mironov Victor L. , Kondratev Aleksei Y. , Mironova Anna V.
Published: October 2019

Among the bryophytes, biological growth rhythms have not yet been identified due to a lack of long‐term precision observations. Here, we carry out precision field monitoring of the growth of the peat moss Sphagnum riparium using the recent geotropic curvature method. For 4 years, using the observation intervals of 2–5 days, we measured 116 469 shoots and received 4493 estimates of growth rates. We found three rhythmic growth components. The seasonal rhythm of growth has a period of about 180 days, which coincides with the seasonal temperature cycle. The circalunar growth rhythm has a period of about 29.5 days and coincides with the synodic lunar cycle. There is an acceleration near the new moon, and a slowdown in growth near the full moon. The third rhythm has a period of 7–16 days and is always synchronized with the circalunar growth rhythm. From the models of the sums of sinusoids, we found that the total contribution of all three rhythms to the growth rate is R2 = 0.51–0.78, and without taking into account the seasonal rhythm, R2 = 0.36–0.42. Thus, our study provides the first data on the biological rhythms and the contribution of these rhythms to the growth process of bryophytes. We attribute the unexpectedly high contribution of rhythms to the synchronous growth of the Sphagnum mat, which is necessary to reduce the loss of moisture.
Circadian misalignment impairs ability to suppress visual distractions
Authors: Smit Andrea N. , Michalik Mateusz , Livingstone Ashley C. , Mistlberger Ralph E. , McDonald John J.
Published: October 2019

Evening‐type individuals often perform poorly in the morning because of a mismatch between internal circadian time and external social time, a condition recognized as social jet lag. Performance impairments near the morning circadian (~24 hr) trough have been attributed to deficits in attention, but the nature of the impairment is unknown. Using electrophysiological indices of attentional selection (N2pc) and suppression (PD), we show that evening‐type individuals have a specific disability in suppressing irrelevant visual distractions. More specifically, evening‐type individuals managed to suppress a salient distractor in an afternoon testing session, as evidenced by a PD, but were less able to suppress the distractor in a morning testing session, as evidenced by an attenuated PDand a concomitant distractor‐elicited N2pc. Morning chronotypes, who would be well past their circadian trough at the time of testing, did not show this deficit at either test time. These results indicate that failure to filter out irrelevant stimuli at an early stage of perceptual processing contributes to impaired cognitive functioning at nonoptimal times of day and may underlie real‐world performance impairments, such as distracted driving, that have been associated with circadian mismatch.
Comparison of two point of care whole blood coagulation analysis devices and conventional coagulation tests as a predicting tool of perioperative bleeding in adult cardiac surgery—a pilot prospective observational study in Japan
Authors: Terada Rui , Ikeda Toshiyuki , Mori Yoshiteru , Yamazaki Sho , Kashiwabara Kosuke , Yamauchi Haruo , Ono Minoru , Yamada Yoshitsugu , Okazaki Hitoshi
Published: October 2019

BACKGROUND

It is widely accepted that Point‐of Care Test (PoCT) devices are useful in the detection of coagulopathies in situations of massive bleeding such as major cardiac surgery. These devices contribute to the reduction of blood transfusion. However, their implementation remains limited in Japan because of their cost and lack of health insurance support.

STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS

Conventional coagulation tests and thromboelastography (TEG)/Sonoclot values were measured in 50 consecutive cardiac surgery cases. Clinical background information such as operative procedures was obtained from electronic medical records, and the theoretical perioperative total blood loss was calculated by measuring the hemoglobin content and total red blood cell transfusion volume. The correlation between perioperative total blood loss and the measured laboratory values or clinical parameters was evaluated by a multivariate linear regression analysis. The risk factors of the total amount of platelet transfusion and postoperative drain bleeding volume were similarly evaluated.

RESULTS

No significant association between the estimated perioperative total blood loss (eTBL) and the laboratory measurements including conventional coagulation tests, TEG and Sonoclot was observed. On the other hand, postoperative drain bleeding volume was significantly associated with postoperative Sonoclot CR (p = 0.039) as well as preoperative use of oral anticoagulants and cell saver treated blood volume. Platelet transfusion amount was significantly associated with post‐CBP PF and time to peak value of Sonoclot (p = 0.014 and 0.001, respectively).

CONCLUSION

Sonoclot measurements may be useful to estimate the risks of postoperative bleeding and platelet transfusion in cardiac surgeries in Japan.
Financial market development in host and source countries and their effects on bilateral foreign direct investment
Authors: Donaubauer Julian , Neumayer Eric , Nunnenkamp Peter
Published: October 2019

We study an underexplored research question, namely whether financial market development in both host and source countries has an effect on bilateral stocks of foreign direct investment (FDI) and, particularly, whether the effect of financial market development in one member of the country pair conditions the effect of financial market development in the other member. We estimate gravity‐type models in a global sample of 43 source and 137 host countries over the period 2001–12. We address reverse causality concerns by restricting the sample to observations where reverse causality, if existent, should be less relevant. Our major and robust findings are that bilateral FDI increases with better developed financial markets in both the host and the source country and that for developing host countries, financial market development in source and host countries functions as substitutes for each other.
Do LSP Textbooks Meet the Communicative Needs of L2 Learners?
Authors: Beaulieu Suzie
Published: October 2019

Needs analysis and description of language use in target situations are used to define the communicative demands of the target situation (Basturkmen & Elder, 2004). In spite of these steps taken in designing LSP courses, many L2 learners still face communication challenges in the workplace. Such is the case of L2 nursing students who experience various language related issues in their clinical placements. These results are not surprising given that L2 instruction traditionally targets the acquisition of the standard norm of the target language (Valdman, 2000). Indeed, L2 textbooks appear heavily influenced by the prescriptive view of language. This study focuses on the content analysis of French L2 commercial textbooks for nursing students. The materials were analyzed to identify the language use domains presented to students as well as the language features recommended to perform them. The results were then compared to transcriptions of 15 hours of recorded professional interactions between bilingual French-English nurses and French-speaking patients in a nursing home in Western Canada. The analysis reveals that commercial materials do not fulfill students’ communicative needs. The concept of pedagogical norm (Valdman, 1976, 2000) appears as a useful tool to improve the communicative content of LSP textbooks.
Nurses’ Assertive Communication: A Review and Future Directions
Authors: Haladin Nur’ain Balqis , Ibrahim Noor Aireen , Rajab Azizah
Published: October 2019

Nurses interact with patients, colleagues and other health care professionals on a daily basis and this interaction is improved when nurses have good communication skills. Becoming more assertive can lead to increased respect and recognition as a person and as a nurse. This paper aims to gain more insights on nurses’ assertive communication at the workplace by reviewing current research on assertiveness and nursing. There is an abundance of studies to support the use of assertiveness skills in clinical settings. Although forms of assertive behaviour have been investigated in many situations, there is still insufficient empirical evidence with regard to the frequency and the use of assertiveness skills by nurses in clinical settings. Moreover, there is also a lack of research describing potential barriers to this, and it has been suggested that the factors in nurses’ work settings that promote or inhibit assertive behaviour need to be explored and identified. This paper will conclude with a discussion of a proposed study which will examine the level of assertiveness among nurses in Malaysia, the influence of workplace factors, the factors supporting the use of assertive behaviour and the factors that hinders the use of assertive behaviour.
The Effect of Extensive Reading on Vocabulary Acquisition
Authors: Subramaniam Saratha , Zainal Zaidah
Published: October 2019

This study investigated the benefits of extensive reading to learners in acquiring vocabulary and improving their attitude towards reading. It examined the effectiveness of using a series of Graded Readers and whether it is instrumental in achieving vocabulary acquisition. The sample of the study consisted of 30 students aged 14 from one intact class in form two of a Malaysian school. A treatment was administered for two weeks which consisted of extensive reading of graded books for thirty minutes outside the school timetable. A quasi-experiment design was used to measure the effectiveness of extensive reading. The instruments included pre-test and post-test, interview and questionnaire. The results of the data analysis indicated that using Graded Readers in extensive reading helps in improving and acquiring vocabulary among the students. Extensive reading also assisted in promoting positive attitude towards reading and this was seen through the analysis of the questionnaire and interview. The study concludes that extensive reading using Graded Readers brings benefit to the students’ enrichment of vocabulary knowledge. Furthermore, it is also discovered that these students exhibited positive attitude toward reading.
ESP Classes: Sharing a Report
Authors: Bonyadi Alireza , Samuel Moses
Published: October 2019

English for specific purposes, ESP, has been taught in Iran’s higher educational centers for years. For certain reasons, however, these courses have been marginalized and less exposed to expert’s criticism and evaluation. To evaluate the effectiveness of these courses in assisting the students to achieve the desired educational objectives, non-participant observations of ESP classes in two of the country’s institutions of higher education were carried out. Based on our observations, we found that developing the reading skills was the main objective of these classes. Moreover, it was found that the students in their struggle to comprehend the assigned reading texts had problems in recognizing the basic sentence structure, the grammatical functions of gerunds, polysemous words and passive voice. The level of difficulty of the texts was found to be the source of reading problems as well. Considering the findings from the observed classes, the paper offers some practical suggestions for qualitative promotion of the classes.
HIV Communication Challenges Faced by HIV Specialist Nurses in Malaysia Government Hospitals
Authors: Haladin Nur’ain Balqis , Ibrahim Noor Aireen , Rajab Azizah
Published: October 2019

HIV counselling is a communication process between a trained nurse and patient to discuss HIV-related problems with a view to assist the patient to manage these problems adequately and appropriately. Lack of communication about HIV-related problems exists and the fact that nurses do not address these problems appropriately could be associated with the sensitive issues involved or the lack of knowledge as how to overcome these problems. Previous studies have identified the challenges health care workers face in disseminating HIV-related information. However, there is an apparent lack of research examining the challenges faced by HIV specialist nurses in Malaysia. Hence, this paper aims to explore the communication challenges faced by HIV specialist nurses in three general hospitals in Malaysia. Five focus group discussions (25 HIV specialist nurses) have been recorded, transcribed and translated. Thirteen communication challenges have been identified and contended for further research exploring communication during HIV counselling by focusing on the impact of these challenges towards HIV specialist nurses’ advice and information giving.
The Influence of Content Familiarity, Gender Difference and Proficiency Level on Reading Comprehension Performance: A Study on Malaysian Undergraduate Students in UPM
Authors: Alkelani Waseem , Habil Hadina
Published: October 2019

Much research has been done on the influence of several variables individually on Reading comprehension, but the influence of these variables as a whole was not given much attention. The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between reading comprehension as a dependent variable and three independent variables namely: gender differences, English language proficiency level and content familiarity. An additional goal was to examine the interrelation between the three independent variables. The participants were 127 male and female Malaysian students attending English language proficiency classes at the English language department in University Putra Malaysia (UPM). The study employed a quantitative approach and the data was collected through a questionnaire which was of three main parts: two reading passages (one is content-familiar and the other one is content- unfamiliar texts) and a written interview. All participants were asked to answer the whole survey and then they were classified on the basis of their proficiency level and gender. The major findings revealed that there was a direct relation between content familiarity and reading comprehension while there was an indirect relation between each of gender differences and English language proficiency level on one side and reading comprehension on the other side.
Speeding of oxygen uptake kinetics is not different following low‐intensity blood‐flow‐restricted and high‐intensity interval training
Authors: Corvino Rogério B. , Oliveira Mariana F. M. , Denadai Benedito S. , Rossiter Harry B. , Caputo Fabrizio
Published: October 2019

New Findings

What is the central question of this study?

Can interval blood‐flow‐restricted (BFR) cycling training, undertaken at a low intensity, promote a similar adaptation to oxygen uptake () kinetics to high‐intensity interval training?

What is the main finding and its importance?

Speeding of pulmonary on‐kinetics in healthy young subjects was not different between low‐intensity interval BFR training and traditional high‐intensity interval training. Given that very low workloads are well tolerated during BFR cycle training and speed on‐kinetics, this training method could be used when high mechanical loads are contraindicated.

Low‐intensity blood‐flow‐restricted (BFR) endurance training is effective to increase aerobic capacity. Whether it speeds pulmonary oxygen uptake (), CO2 output () and ventilatory () kinetics has not been examined. We hypothesized that low‐intensity BFR training would reduce the phase 2 time constant (τp) of , and by a similar magnitude to traditional high‐intensity interval training (HIT). Low‐intensity interval training with BFR served as a control. Twenty‐four participants (25 ± 6 years old; maximal 46 ± 6 ml kg−1 min−1) were assigned to one of the following: low‐intensity BFR interval training (BFR; n = 8); low‐intensity interval training without BFR (LOW; n = 7); or high‐intensity interval training without BFR (HIT; n = 9). Training was 12 sessions of two sets of five to eight × 2 min cycling and 1 min resting intervals. LOW and BFR were conducted at 30% of peak incremental power (Ppeak), and HIT was at ∼103% Ppeak. For BFR, cuffs were inflated on both thighs (140–200 mmHg) during exercise and deflated during rest intervals. Six moderate‐intensity step transitions (30% Ppeak) were averaged for analysis of pulmonary on‐kinetics. Both BFR (pre‐ versus post‐training τp = 18.3 ± 3.2 versus 14.5 ± 3.4 s; effect size = 1.14) and HIT (τp = 20.3 ± 4.0 versus 13.1 ± 2.9 s; effect size = 1.75) reduced the τp (P < 0.05). As expected, there was no change in LOW ( τp = 17.9 ± 6.2 versus 17.7 ± 4.3 s; P = 0.9). The kinetics of and were speeded only after HIT (38.5 ± 10.6%, P < 0.001 and 31.2 ± 24.7%, P = 0.004, respectively). Both HIT and low‐intensity BFR training were effective in speeding moderate‐intensity kinetics. These data support the findings of others that low‐intensity cycling training with BFR increases muscle oxidative capacity.
On the Optimal Resolution of Inverse Kinematics for Redundant Manipulators Using a Topological Analysis
Authors: Ferrentino Enrico , Chiacchio Pasquale
Published: October 2019

The redundancy resolution schemes based on the optimization of an integral performance index are investigated from the topological point of view. The topological notions of self-motion manifold, C-path-homotopy and extended aspect are clarified in relation to the limitations of the necessary conditions of optimality provided by calculus of variations. On one hand, they do not guarantee the achievement of the optimal solution, and on the other hand, they translate into a two-point boundary value problem (TPBVP), whose resolution, under certain circumstances, may not lead to a feasible solution at all. In response to the limitations of calculus of variations, a dynamic-programming-inspired formalism is developed, which is based on the discretization of the state space and on its representation in the form of multiple grids. Building upon the topological analysis, effective algorithms are designed that are able to find the optimal solution in any condition, across all C-path homotopy classes and self-motion manifolds, with no limitation due to the passage through singularities. Moreover, if the grids are representative of the manipulator’s extended aspects, the topological notion of the transitional point can be used to reduce the computational complexity of the optimal redundancy resolution algorithm. The results are demonstrated on a canonical 4R planar robot in two different scenarios.
A Framework for Offshore Load Environment Modeling1
Authors: Glavind Sebastian T. , Faber Michael H.
Published: October 2019

This paper presents a novel decision analytical framework for systems modeling in the context of the risk-informed integrity management of offshore facilities. Our focus concerns the development of system models representing environmental loads associated with storm events. Appreciating that system models in general serve to facilitate the optimal ranking of decision alternatives, we formulate the problem of systems modeling as an optimization problem to be solved jointly with the ranking of integrity management decision alternatives. Taking offset in recent developments in structure learning and Bayesian regression techniques, a generic approach for the modeling of environmental loads is established, which accommodates for a joint utilization of phenomenological understanding and knowledge contained in databases of observations. In this manner, we provide a framework and corresponding techniques supporting the combination of bottom-up and top-down modeling. Moreover, since phenomenological understanding and analysis of databases may lead to the identification of several competing system models, we include these in the formulation of the optimization problem. The proposed framework and utilized techniques are illustrated in an example. The example considers systems modeling and decision optimization in the context of a possible evacuation of an offshore facility in the face of an emerging storm event.
Biological actions of Cu/Zn coimplanted TiN on Ti-6Al-4V alloy
Authors: Li Qingling , Li Li , Zhao Mengli , Dong Lei , Wu Jie , Li Dejun
Published: October 2019

Ti-6Al-4V alloy, as a widely used orthopedic and dental implant, has excellent biocompatibility and machinability. However, its poor corrosion resistance and antibacterial property may lead to tissue inflammation and postoperative infection, which hinders its further development. In this paper, to solve the above problems, copper (Cu) and zinc (Zn) ions were coimplanted into a titanium nitride (TiN) coated Ti-6Al-4V alloy via a plasma immersion ion implantation system (PIII). Then, the structure and composition of Cu/Zn coimplanted TiN (Cu/Zn-TiN-PIII) were characterized by scanning electron microscopy and x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. Also, the results of the corrosion test, the water contact angles test, and the protein electrophoresis experiment showed that the corrosion resistance, hydrophilicity, and the protein adsorption capacity of Cu/Zn-TiN-PIII were improved simultaneously. In addition, compared with TiN-PIII, Cu/Zn-TiN-PIII promoted both cytocompatibility and the antibacterial property according to L929 cells and Escherichia coli assays in vitro. Therefore, Cu/Zn-TiN-PIII may be a good candidate for orthopedic implants.
Short-range propagation characteristics of airgun pulses during marine seismic reflection surveys
Authors: Abadi Shima H. , Freneau Ellory
Published: October 2019

Marine seismic reflection surveys use airguns to generate repetitive high energy sound signals to image the structure of the seafloor. To better mitigate against the impact of airgun pulses on marine mammals, safety criteria are defined to ensure marine mammals are not exposed to high levels of acoustic energy. Accurate prediction of the sound received levels away from the airguns is required for conducting effective marine mammal monitoring. In this study, measurements by a horizontal hydrophone array towed by the R/V Marcus G. Langseth behind a seismic source array have been used to characterize short-range propagation of airgun pulses and predict the acoustic energy radiated from a seismic source. Data from the Cascadia Open-Access Seismic Transects seismic reflection survey are used to train a linear regression (LR) and a random forest (RF) model to estimate sound exposure levels (SELs) in short ranges from the airguns. Results show that the LR model does not account for all the variance in data. However, the RF model is able to estimate the SELs with a high coefficient of determination and a low mean squared error. Results from the LR model show that the rate at which SELs decrease in deep water does not match either of the cylindrical or spherical spreading models. Simulations are undertaken to understand this inconsistency as well as the effect of hydrophone group-averaging on data recorded by a seismic hydrophone array.
Waveguide dispersion curves identification at low-frequency using two actuators and phase perturbations
Authors: Vered Yoav , Gabai Ran , Bucher Izhak
Published: October 2019

Dispersion curves of fluid-filled elastic-tubes are used for non-destructive measurement of material acoustic properties. The underlying physics leads to a singular numerical procedure when several modes or long-wavelength scenarios take part in the tube dynamics. The literature describes several methods to identify dispersion curves that require a large ratio of samples per length. Described is a method to enrich the amount of available information of an otherwise ill-posed problem, by multiple boundary phase perturbations at each excitation frequency. The method uses two actuators, one at either end of the waveguide to produce different relative phases, followed by a nonlinear model fitting procedure. Presented are a model-based derivation and experimental verification of the proposed approach on an air-filled elastic-tube. The latter shows the capability of the method to recover the dispersion curves even for very weak structural-acoustic coupling and at low frequencies. The portrayed scheme can be applied on various waveguides by using two actuators and only a single sensor, and hence makes dispersion curve estimation realistic in formerly inaccessible cases.
Impact of Polarized Versus Threshold Training on Fat Metabolism and Neuromuscular Variables in Ultrarunners
Authors: Pérez Andrés , Ramos-Campo Domingo J. , Marín-Pagan Cristian , Martínez-Noguera Francisco J. , Chung Linda H. , Alcaraz Pedro E.
Published: October 2019

Purpose: To compare the effects of 2 different intensity distribution training programs (threshold [THR] and polarized [POL]) on fat metabolism and neuromuscular variables. Methods: Twenty ultrarunners were allocated to POL (n = 11; age 40.6 [9.7] y, weight 73.5 [10.8] kg, VO2max 55.8 [4.9] mL·kg−1·min−1) or THR group (n = 9; age 36.8 [9.2] y, weight 75.5 [10.4] kg, VO2max 57.1 [5.2] mL·kg−1·min−1) and performed a 12-week training program that consisted of 5 running sessions, 2 strength sessions, and 1 day of full rest per week. Both groups performed similar total training duration and load but with different intensity distribution during running sessions. Resting metabolic rate, fat metabolism, isometric rate of force development (RFD; N·s−1) and maximal voluntary contraction in the knee extensor, and electromyographic amplitude were measured before and after each program. Results: A significant decrease in RFD0–100 ms (Δ −13.4%; P ≤ .001; effect size [ES] = 1.00), RFD0–200 ms (Δ −11.7%; P ≤ .001; ES = 1.4), and RFDpeak (Δ −18%; P ≤ .001; ES = 1.4) were observed in the POL group. In THR group, a significant increase in mean electromyographic amplitude (Δ 24.4%; P = .02; ES = 1.4) was observed. There were no significant differences between groups in any of the variables. Conclusions: Similar adaptations in fat metabolism and neuromuscular performance can be achieved after 12 weeks of POL or THR intensity distribution. However, THR distribution appears to better maintain strength (RFD) and improve mean electromyographic amplitude. Nevertheless, the combination of both running and maximum strength training could influence on results because of the residual fatigue thus inducing suboptimal adaptations in the POL group.
Our future in the fjords
Authors: Voosen Paul
Published: October 2019

How fast will seas rise? A closely observed Greenland glacier could hold an answer.
Migratory DCs activate TGF-β to precondition naïve CD8
+
T cells for tissue-resident memory fate
Authors: Mani Vinidhra , Bromley Shannon K. , Äijö Tarmo , Mora-Buch Rut , Carrizosa Esteban , Warner Ross D. , Hamze Moustafa , Sen Debattama R. , Chasse Alexandra Y. , Lorant Alina , Griffith Jason W. , Rahimi Rod A. , McEntee Craig P. , Jeffrey Kate L. , Marangoni Francesco , Travis Mark A. , Lacy-Hulbert Adam , Luster Andrew D. , Mempel Thorsten R.
Published: October 2019

Some naïve T cell fates are sealed

Tissue-resident memory T (T
RM
) cells constitute a subpopulation of memory cells that reside in tissues instead of recirculating. CD8
+
epithelial TRM (eT
RM
) cells, which occupy the epithelium of sites like the skin, require transforming growth factor–β (TGF-β) for their development. Mani
et al.
found that α
V
integrin–expressing dendritic cells, which activate and present TGF-β, are key (see the Perspective by Farber). Surprisingly, this interplay did not occur in the skin or draining lymph nodes during T cell priming. Rather, resting naïve CD8
+
T cells interacted with α
V
integrin–expressing migratory dendritic cells during immune homeostasis, reversibly preconditioning them to become eT
RM
cells upon activation. A potent cytokine is thus controlled in a context-dependent manner and preimmune T cell repertoires may be less uniform than previously presumed.

Science
, this issue p.
eaav5728
; see also p.
188
Axonal transport: Driving synaptic function
Authors: Guedes-Dias Pedro , Holzbaur Erika L. F.
Published: October 2019

From trafficking to maintenance

Neurons are remarkably polarized in that proteins made in the cytosol often need to travel many tens or hundreds of cell body lengths along axons to their sites of action in the synapse. Axonal transport of these components is driven by molecular motors along axonal microtubules. Guedes-Dias and Holzbaur review the cell biology of axonal transport and highlight the roles this fundamental process plays in organismal health.

Science
, this issue p.
eaaw9997
Shisa7 is a GABA
A
receptor auxiliary subunit controlling benzodiazepine actions
Authors: Han Wenyan , Li Jun , Pelkey Kenneth A. , Pandey Saurabh , Chen Xiumin , Wang Ya-Xian , Wu Kunwei , Ge Lihao , Li Tianming , Castellano David , Liu Chengyu , Wu Ling-Gang , Petralia Ronald S. , Lynch Joseph W. , McBain Chris J. , Lu Wei
Published: October 2019

Fine control of brain GABA
A
receptors

GABA
A
(γ-aminobutyric acid type A) receptors are ligand-gated anion channels that mediate fast inhibitory transmission in the mammalian brain. Han
et al.
investigated if a protein called SHISA7 was involved in regulating GABA
A
receptor expression and function (see the Perspective by Rudolph and Moss). SHISA7 was found at GABA-releasing synapses, where it interacted with GABA
A
receptors, controlled receptor concentration at the synapse, sped up receptor deactivation kinetics, and modulated some behavioral properties of benzodiazepines. SHISA7 thus affects surface expression, gating kinetics, and pharmacology of GABA
A
receptors in the brain.

Science
, this issue p.
246
; see also p.
185
Societal burdens of nature loss
Authors: Balvanera Patricia
Published: October 2019

Interdisciplinary science and international policy collaborate to stem inequities
Rapid Growth and Metabolism of Uropathogenic Escherichia coli in Relation to Urine Composition
Authors: Reitzer Larry , Zimmern Philippe
Published: October 2019

Uropathogenic
Escherichia coli
(UPEC) strains cause a majority of urinary tract infections (UTIs). Since UPEC strains can become antibiotic resistant, adjunct or alternate therapies are urgently needed. UPEC strains grow extremely rapidly in patients with UTIs. Thus, this review focuses on the relation between urine composition and UPEC growth and metabolism.
Molecular Detection of Filamentous Fungi in Formalin-Fixed Paraffin-Embedded Specimens in Invasive Fungal Wound Infections Is Feasible with High Specificity
Authors: Ganesan Anuradha , Wells Justin , Shaikh Faraz , Peterson Philip , Bradley William , Carson M. Leigh , Petfield Joseph L. , Klassen-Fischer Mary , Akers Kevin S. , Downing Kevin , Bialek Ralf , Tribble David R. , Wickes Brian L.
Published: October 2019

Trauma-related invasive fungal wound infections (IFIs) are associated with significant morbidity and mortality. Early identification and treatment are critical. Traditional identification methods (e.g., fungal cultures and histopathology) can be delayed and insensitive. We assessed a PCR-based sequencing assay for rapid identification of filamentous fungi in formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded (FFPE) specimens obtained from combat casualties injured in Afghanistan.
SOS and IP Modifications Predominantly Affect the Yield but Not Other Properties of SOSIP.664 HIV-1 Env Glycoprotein Trimers
Authors: Ringe Rajesh P. , Colin Philippe , Torres Jonathan L. , Yasmeen Anila , Lee Wen-Hsin , Cupo Albert , Ward Andrew B. , Klasse P. J. , Moore John P.
Published: October 2019

Recombinant trimeric proteins based on HIV-1
env
genes are being developed for vaccine trials in humans. A feature of these proteins is their mimicry of the envelope glycoprotein structure on virus particles that is targeted by neutralizing antibodies, i.e., antibodies that prevent cells from becoming infected. One vaccine concept under exploration is that recombinant trimers may be able to elicit virus-neutralizing antibodies when delivered as immunogens. A commonly used design is designated SOSIP.664, a term reflecting the sequence changes that are used to stabilize the trimers and allow their production in practically useful amounts. Here, we show that these stabilizing changes act to increase trimer yield during the biosynthesis process within the producer cell but have little impact on the properties of purified trimers.
Regulation of Amino Acid Transport in Saccharomyces cerevisiae
Authors: Bianchi Frans , van’t Klooster Joury S. , Ruiz Stephanie J. , Poolman Bert
Published: October 2019

We review the mechanisms responsible for amino acid homeostasis in
Saccharomyces cerevisiae
and other fungi. Amino acid homeostasis is essential for cell growth and survival. Hence, the
de novo
synthesis reactions, metabolic conversions, and transport of amino acids are tightly regulated.