bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
“My child will actually say ‘I am upset’ … Before all they would do was scream”: Teaching parents emotion validation in a social care setting
Authors: Lambie John A. , Lambie Hugo J. , Sadek Susan
Published: May 2020

Background

Emotion validation by parents has positive outcomes for children's emotional development, particularly in vulnerable families, but there is a lack of research on supporting health workers to teach emotion validation to parents whose children are open to early help and children's social services. There is also a theoretical debate about how best to conceptualize emotion validation and why it is beneficial to children. The purpose of the study was to test the feasibility of teaching emotion validation skills to parents and family workers in a social care setting and to examine the effects of such teaching on children's emotion awareness and emotion regulation.

Methods

This small scale qualitative feasibility study involved 11 parents (with children aged 2–5 years) who were receiving early help social services and five family workers. All parents took part in a 4‐week course teaching emotionally validating parenting: either in a group class (six parents) or one–one delivery at home via a family worker (five parents). Effects on parents, children, and family workers were assessed using semi‐structured interviews.

Results

Six themes were identified in qualitative analysis: (1) parent became more validating, (2) parent's own vulnerability affected their ability to use the skills, (3) child became more aware of emotions, (4) child became calmer and more accepting of negative emotions, (5) child transferred emotion validation to others, and (6) family workers incorporated emotion validation techniques into their professional practice.

Conclusion

Results demonstrated the feasibility of teaching emotional validation skills to parents via both delivery methods, with positive outcomes reported for parents and children and positive impact reported on family worker practice. Qualitative analysis suggested that parental acceptance of child's negative emotions may be linked with greater self‐awareness of negative emotions in the child.
Integration of AI with reduced order generalized integrator controller for power system harmonic reduction
Authors: Mandava Srihari , Medarametla Praveen Kumar , Gudipalli Abhishek , Saravanan M , Sudheer P
Published: May 2020

The increased use of electronics for control and use of nonlinear type loads by consumers in the present power system network are injecting harmonics into the power signal, due to which the power quality issue has become more challenge for the present researchers. In this work, the reduced order generalized integrator (ROGI) and fuzzy logic control (FLC) are collectively used to reduce the current harmonics in the power system. FLC‐SVM technique is used to maintain the process of SAF—Shunt active filter with fixed switching frequency. This proposed control technique consists of control loop for current to have fast and effective control. The Proportional Resonant controller is used to have control on voltage for a slow and effective control process which is also used to compensate reactive power. The shunt active filter is designed with the help of ROGI by integrating PI controller for fuzzy‐based SVM to reduce the current harmonics on the load side. The results are achieved in MATLAB/SIMULINK software.
Gravitational search algorithm‐based optimization of hybrid wind and solar renewable energy system
Authors: Geleta Diriba Kajela , Manshahia Mukhdeep Singh
Published: May 2020

Due to the issue of environmental protection coupled with high energy demand, there was an initiation for exploration of different renewable energy sources. This article aims to optimize the total annual cost of hybrids of wind and solar renewable energy system to satisfy the predesigned load. Minimization of the total annual cost of the system by determining appropriate numbers of the components, so that the desired load can be economically and reliably satisfied under the given constraints. Gravitational Search Algorithm (GSA) was employed for the optimization process. GSA is a recently proposed metaheuristic algorithm which is based on Newton's universal gravitational law of gravity and mass interactions. It uses stochastic rules to escape local optima and find the global optimal solutions. MATLAB codes were designed for the developed fitness function and employed algorithm. The proposed methodology was run for the fitness function through the code and the results were discussed. The result was compared with the results of Particle Swarm Optimization (PSO) and also shown that: GSA has some advantage over PSO algorithm. Even though, the algorithm has several parameters to be adjusted, it is strong in both local and global optimal searches.
Receipt of training about medication for opioid use disorder from pharmaceutical manufacturers: A preliminary study of Florida criminal problem‐solving and dependency court staff
Authors: Andraka‐Christou Barbara , Atkins Danielle , Madeira Jody , Silverman Ross D.
Published: May 2020

Introduction and Aims

People with opioid use disorder are prevalent in criminal problem‐solving courts and dependency courts, which have rehabilitative aims. Medication for opioid use disorder (MOUD) is the standard of care. Court staff set treatment policies for court clients. They may receive training from MOUD manufacturers, but no studies have examined court staff receipt of such training.

Design and Methods

To examine receipt of training from MOUD manufacturers, we designed a cross‐sectional survey for court staff. We distributed it online to all Florida court staff in criminal problem‐solving or dependency courts (n = 585). Outcome variables were receipt of training from one or more MOUD manufacturers and training source. Covariates included dichotomous measures of court type, staff role, gender and rurality. Logistic regression models estimated the relationship between receipt of training and covariates.

Results

Twenty‐one percent of Florida criminal problem‐solving and dependency court staff completed the survey. The most common receipt of training was from the manufacturer of extended‐release naltrexone (36%), followed by buprenorphine (24%) and methadone (11%). Fifty‐seven percent of those who received training received it from more than one MOUD manufacturer. Criminal problem‐solving court staff were more likely than dependency court staff to receive training from MOUD manufacturers. Court program co‐ordinators were more likely than other staff roles to receive training from MOUD manufacturers.

Discussion and Conclusions

A large minority of respondents received training from a MOUD manufacturer, primarily from extended‐release naltrexone's manufacturer, raising concerns regarding information accuracy and conflicts of interest. Court staff should seek MOUD training from academic institutions and non‐profit organisations instead.
Developmental constraints on fin diversity
Authors: Enny Alyssa , Flaherty Kathleen , Mori Shunsuke , Turner Natalie , Nakamura Tetsuya
Published: May 2020

The fish fin is a breathtaking repository full of evolutionary diversity, novelty, and convergence. Over 500 million years, the adaptation to novel habitats has provided landscapes of fin diversity. Although comparative anatomy of evolutionarily divergent patterns over centuries has highlighted the fundamental architectures and evolutionary trends of fins, including convergent evolution, the developmental constraints on fin evolution, which bias the evolutionary trajectories of fin morphology, largely remain elusive. Here, we review the evolutionary history, developmental mechanisms, and evolutionary underpinnings of paired fins, illuminating possible developmental constraints on fin evolution. Our compilation of anatomical and genetic knowledge of fin development sheds light on the canalized and the unpredictable aspects of fin shape in evolution. Leveraged by an arsenal of genomic and genetic tools within the working arena of spectacular fin diversity, evolutionary developmental biology embarks on the establishment of conceptual framework for developmental constraints, previously enigmatic properties of evolution.
Local political chief turnover and economic growth: Evidence from China
Authors: Wu Jing , Li Hao , Li Keyang
Published: May 2020

It is widely believed that the rotation and promotion system of local political chiefs plays an important role in China's economic miracle. In this paper, however, we focus on the potential cost of the inherent frequent turnover of local chiefs. Based on a new manually collected dataset on prefectural‐level local chiefs between 1983 and 2012, our empirical results suggest that the turnover of the local Chinese Communist Party (CCP) chief would lead to a 0.48 percentage point decrease in the local GDP growth rate in the current year. This effect is especially concentrated on more government‐affected fields, such as domestic investments, consumption and government expenditures. We also provide evidence that organization friction, especially the successor CCP chiefs’ unfamiliarity with the city, his/her new colleagues and/or the working conditions, is one of the major potential reasons for such a negative turnover effect.
Generalising indirect defence and resistance of plants
Authors: Pearse Ian S. , LoPresti Eric , Schaeffer Robert N. , Wetzel William C. , Mooney Kailen A. , Ali Jared G. , Ode Paul J. , Eubanks Micky D. , Bronstein Judith L. , Weber Marjorie G.
Published: May 2020

Indirect defence, the adaptive top‐down control of herbivores by plant traits that enhance predation, is a central component of plant–herbivore interactions. However, the scope of interactions that comprise indirect defence and associated ecological and evolutionary processes has not been clearly defined. We argue that the range of plant traits that mediate indirect defence is much greater than previously thought, and we further organise major concepts surrounding their ecological functioning. Despite the wide range of plant traits and interacting organisms involved, indirect defences show commonalities when grouped. These categories are based on whether indirect defences boost natural enemy abundance via food or shelter resources, or, alternatively, increase natural enemy foraging efficiency via information or alteration of habitat complexity. The benefits of indirect defences to natural enemies should be further explored to establish the conditions in which indirect defence generates a plant–natural enemy mutualism. By considering the broader scope of plant–herbivore–natural enemy interactions that comprise indirect defence, we can better understand plant‐based food webs, as well as the evolutionary processes that have shaped them.
Short‐term response of threatened small macropods and their predators to prescribed burns in subtropical Australia
Authors: McHugh Darren , Goldingay Ross L. , Parkyn Jonathan , Goodwin Allan , Letnic Mike
Published: May 2020

Fire is an important ecological process that shapes vegetation structure and habitat for faunal assemblages globally. Prescribed burns are increasingly being used in conservation and management to restore fire regimes in fire‐suppressed vegetation communities. Small threatened macropods require structurally complex habitat that allows them to evade detection by predators. Given that fire can alter vegetation structure, it can be viewed as a strong ecological force in shifting the dynamics between predator and prey species. Previous studies in temperate Australia have shown that prescribed burns in the presence of European Red Fox (Vulpes vulpes) and feral Cat (Felis catus) can have negative impacts on small macropods and medium‐sized mammals. Post‐fire response of threatened small macropods and their predators has not been experimentally examined in subtropical Australia despite this region providing refugia for the Long‐nosed Potoroo (Potorous tridactylus) and Red‐legged Pademelon (Thylogale stigmatica). We conducted a before‐after‐control‐impact fire experiment at two paired sites after low–moderate intensity burns typical of cool season prescribed burns. We used camera trapping to investigate changes in activity of threatened small macropods and their predators. We also recorded vegetation change. Despite large reductions in ground and shrub cover, activity of small macropods and the Dingo (Canis dingo) did not change in response to fires. Therefore, the threat of dingo predation appears to have remained unchanged following the fires. Although feral cats and foxes were present, they showed negligible activity across our sites. Our study suggests that small‐scale patchy ecological burns may not lead to increased predation of small macropods in our landscape. We attribute this to sufficient post‐fire refugia and very low densities of foxes.
Female reproductive factors and the risk of dementia: a nationwide cohort study
Authors: Yoo J. E. , Shin D. W. , Han K. , Kim D. , Won H.‐S. , Lee J. , Kim S. Y. , Nam G. E. , Park H. S.
Published: May 2020

Background and purpose

The aim was to investigate whether female reproductive factors are associated with dementia.

Methods

In all, 4 696 633 post‐menopausal women without dementia were identified using the Korean National Health Insurance System database. Data on reproductive factors were collected using a self‐administered questionnaire. Dementia was determined using dementia diagnosis codes and anti‐dementia drug prescription. Cox proportional hazards regression was conducted to assess the hazard ratio (HR) for dementia according to reproductive factors.

Results

During a median follow‐up of 5.74 years, there were 212 227 new cases of all‐cause dementia (4.5%), 162 901 cases of Alzheimer’s disease (3.5%) and 24 029 cases of vascular dementia (0.5%). The HR of dementia was 1.15 [95% confidence interval (CI) 1.03–1.16] for menarcheal age ≥17 years compared with menarcheal age 13–14 years, 0.79 (0.77–0.81) for menopausal age ≥55 years compared with menopausal age <40 years, and 0.81 (0.79–0.82) for fertility duration ≥40 years compared with fertility duration <30 years. Whilst being of parity one (HR 0.89, 95% CI 0.85–0.94) and breastfeeding <6 months (HR 0.92, 95% CI 0.88–0.95) was associated with lower risk of dementia, being of parity two or more (HR 1.04, 95% CI 0.99–1.05) and breastfeeding ≥12 months (HR 1.14, 95% CI 1.01–1.07) was associated with a higher risk of dementia than women without parity or breastfeeding history. Use of hormone replacement therapy and oral contraceptives independently reduced the dementia risk by 15% and 10%, respectively.

Conclusions

Female reproductive factors are independent risk factors for dementia incidence, with higher risk associated with shorter lifetime endogenous estrogen exposure.
Firm vertical boundaries, internal capital markets, and firm performance
Authors: Shenoy Jaideep
Published: May 2020

We investigate how vertical relatedness between business segments of firms affects capital allocation within internal capital markets. Using a battery of tests including exogenous import tariff reductions, we show that investments flow toward segments with better investment opportunities in firms with significant vertical relatedness between segments. This benefit of vertical relatedness is more pronounced in economic environments prone to information problems and in imperfectly competitive industries. Firms with significant inter‐segment vertical relatedness also exhibit superior productivity and operating profitability. Overall, we show that superior capital allocation is a channel through which vertical integration impacts real outcomes of firms.
Learning accountability in the public sector: The experience of Kerala
Authors: Arun Thankom , Adhikari Pawan , Mohan Ram
Published: May 2020

Given that learning has become a core element in addressing the ever‐increasing complexities in public sector accountability, we investigate two issues in this paper: (a) how learning was involved in the process of disseminating a competency framework (CF) in four state departments in Kerala, India; and (b) an analysis of the challenges involved in this process, using the theoretical insights from learning accountability. Although the CF would revitalise governance and accountability mechanisms by establishing a conducive environment for administrators to learn in, the nuances of the existing administrative structure limited the scope of this learning exercise. The CF in Kerala generated fear, tension, and resistance amongst the administrators, due to a perceived gap between the very objectives of the CF and the administrative settings, in which learning was insignificant. The paper argues that imposing public administrators’ accountability reforms, such as the CF, would be meaningless until an emphasis is placed on learning accountability. Furthermore, there is a need to “unlearn” or “discard” the prevailing traditional learning and accountability practices; unless this is achieved, a conducive environment for learning accountability cannot be institutionalised, nor can reforms such as the CF be materialised.
Variation in the phenology of photosynthesis among eastern white pine provenances in response to warming
Authors: Fréchette Emmanuelle , Chang Christine Yao‐Yun , Ensminger Ingo
Published: May 2020

In higher‐latitude trees, temperature and photoperiod control the beginning and end of the photosynthetically active season. Elevated temperature (ET) has advanced spring warming and delayed autumn cooling while photoperiod remains unchanged. We assessed the effects of warming on the length of the photosynthetically active season of three provenances of Pinus strobus L. seedlings from different latitudes, and evaluated the accuracy of the photochemical reflectance index (PRI) and the chlorophyll/carotenoid index (CCI) for tracking the predicted variation in spring and autumn phenology of photosynthesis among provenances. Seedlings from northern, local and southern P. strobus provenances were planted in a temperature‐free‐air‐controlled enhancement (T‐FACE) experiment and exposed to ET (+1.5/3°C; day/night). Over 18 months, we assessed photosynthetic phenology by measuring chlorophyll fluorescence, gas exchange, leaf spectral reflectance and pigment content. During autumn, all seedlings regardless of provenance followed the same sequence of phenological events with the initial downregulation of photosynthesis, followed by the modulation of non‐photochemical quenching and associated adjustments of zeaxanthin pool sizes. However, the timing of autumn downregulation differed between provenances, with delayed onset in the southern provenance (SP) and earlier onset in the northern relative to the local provenance, indicating that photoperiod at the provenance origin is a dominant factor controlling autumn phenology. Experimental warming further delayed the downregulation of photosynthesis during autumn in the SP. A provenance effect during spring was also observed but was generally not significant. The vegetation indices PRI and CCI were both effective at tracking the seasonal variations of energy partitioning in needles and the differences of carotenoid pigments indicative of the stress status of needles. These results demonstrate that PRI and CCI can be useful tools for monitoring conifer phenology and for the remote monitoring of the length of the photosynthetically active season of conifers in a changing climate.
The role of agencification in achieving value‐for‐money in public spending
Authors: Cingolani Luciana , Fazekas Mihály
Published: May 2020

Agencification has been pursued globally under the promise of increasing public administration performance. In spite of ample theoretical arguments, the empirical evidence on the causal link between agencification and performance remains scarce and methodologically contested. We contribute to this debate by empirically testing the impacts of agencification across Germany, Spain, and the United Kingdom on value‐for‐money, competitiveness, and timeliness during the period 2006–2016. We use unique administrative datasets, enabling objective and granular measurements of reforms and their effects, employing quasi‐experimental methods. Findings suggest heterogeneous effects both across countries and outcomes. On average, value‐for‐money improves by 2.8% or 1.7 billion EUR over a decade, while outputs and processes change only marginally. Recently agencified organizations barely improve their performance, while older agencies achieve substantial improvements. The three countries' heterogeneous administrative contexts play a critical role as mediating factors, with the biggest changes occurring in higher new public management take‐up countries.
Impact of motion artefacts and motion‐artefact correction on diagnostic accuracy of apical periodontitis in CBCT images: an ex vivo study in human cadavers
Authors: Spin‐Neto R. , Kruse C. , Hermann L. , Kirkevang L.‐L. , Wenzel A.
Published: May 2020

Aim

To assess the impact of motion artefacts and motion‐artefact correction on diagnostic accuracy of apical periodontitis (AP) in CBCT images.

Methodology

Based on clinical and radiographic inspection of 40 formalin‐fixated human jaw specimens, 77 roots in 45 teeth (molars and premolars), with various disease and treatment state, were selected. The specimens were mounted on a robot simulating 3‐mm movement types (nodding, lateral rotation and tremor). CBCT images with and without (controls) movements were acquired in four CBCT units: without motion‐artefact correction in Cranex 3Dx, Orthophos SL 3D, and Promax 3D Mid, and with motion‐artefact correction in Promax 3D Mid and X1. Three observers blindly assessed (i) whether the images were interpretable and (ii) if AP was present (5‐step probability index). Histopathology provided the reference standard for presence of AP. Weighted Kappa statistics described inter‐observer agreement. Estimates of diagnostic accuracy were assessed by means of receiver operator characteristic (ROC) curve analysis. Area under the curve (AUC) provided a measure of accuracy, and paired‐sample AUC difference tests compared differences amongst the CBCT units and movement types.

Results

Observer agreement was substantial for control images, moderate for motion‐artefact corrected images and fair for images without motion‐artefact correction. When movement was present, motion‐artefact correction reduced the percentage of images scored as noninterpretable or with uncertain disease state (score 3 in the 5‐step probability index). Control images were not perfectly accurate (both false‐positive and false‐negative results were present; AUC 0.750–0.799). Images acquired with movement and without motion‐artefact correction (AUC 0.541–0.709) were associated with significantly lower accuracy than control images (P < 0.05). With motion‐artefact correction, accuracy was comparable to that observed in control images (AUC 0.732–0.790).

Conclusions

Diagnostic accuracy of apical periodontitis in CBCT images was dependent on the presence of motion artefacts (i.e. lower accuracy associated with the presence of movement). Motion‐artefact correction systems positively influenced image interpretability and diagnostic accuracy.
Synthesis and mechanical properties of lightweight hybrid geopolymer foams reinforced with carbon nanotubes
Authors: Yan Shu , Zhang Fanyong , Li Haochen , Gao Bo , Xing Pengfei , He Peigang , Jia Dechang
Published: May 2020

A lightweight hybrid geopolymer foams reinforced with carbon nanotubes (CNTs) was exploited by adding the CNTs into geopolymeric matrix through hydrogen peroxide method. The synergistic effects of nanotubes and foaming agent on the phase evolution, microstructure, and mechanical properties were investigated. After introduction of nanotubes, the geopolymer foams reinforced with CNTs (CNTs/KGP) still showed amorphous structure. Porosity of the foams increased with the H2O2 content and decreased with the increase in CNTs content. The addition of CNTs (1‐9 wt%) in foams refined the distribution of pore size from 523 to 352 μm. Compression strength of the CNTs/KGP samples elevated with the increasing content of CNTs, which was contributed to the crack propagation and bridging of CNTs in foams. The CNTs/KGP foams with considerable porosity show potential applications in adsorption, filtration, membrane supports, other industries, etc
The reciprocal relationship between body mass index categories and physical fitness: A 4‐year prospective cohort study of 20 000 Chinese children
Authors: Ho Frederick K. , So Hung‐Kwan , Wong Rosa S. , Tung Keith T. S. , Louie Lobo H. T. , Tung Joanna , Mirpuri Sheena , Chow Bik , Wong Wilfred H. S. , Lee Albert , Ip Patrick
Published: May 2020

Introduction

Body mass index (BMI) categories and physical fitness are associated but the reciprocal relationship between BMI categories and physical fitness has not been investigated. This study aims to investigate the longitudinal reciprocal relationship between BMI categories and physical fitness.

Methods

This is a population‐based 4‐year cohort study in 48 elementary schools. Children aged 6 to 9 years at recruitment were included. BMI categories and physical fitness including handgrip strength, core muscle endurance, flexibility, and cardiorespiratory fitness were measured using standard equipment and protocol.

Results

Among 26 392 eligible participants, 19 504 (73.9%) were successfully followed for 3 years. Baseline obesity prevalence was 5.9%. After 3 years, those who were unfit at baseline had an increased risk of obesity (risk ratio [RR] 1.41, 95% CI 1.16‐1.71, P < .001) and those who were fit at baseline had a decreased risk of obesity (RR 0.69, 95% CI 0.60‐0.80, P < .001) compared with moderately fit children. Furthermore, improvement of fitness predicted decreased risk of obesity. Similarly, normal body weight also predicted better physical fitness. The path analysis confirmed a strong reciprocal relationship between physical fitness and obesity.

Conclusions

Better physical fitness was prospectively associated with normal weight and vice versa. Physically fit children were more likely to maintain a healthy weight and those with a healthy weight were more likely to be physically fit, which is important for healthy development.
Effectiveness of an avatar educational application for improving heart failure patients’ knowledge and self‐care behaviors: A pragmatic randomized controlled trial
Authors: Wonggom Parichat , Nolan Paul , Clark Robyn A. , Barry Tracey , Burdeniuk Christine , Nesbitt Katie , O'Toole Kathryn , Du Huiyun
Published: May 2020

Aim

To evaluate the effectiveness of education using avatars for improving patients’ heart failure knowledge and self‐care.

Background

A lack of knowledge and self‐care contributes to poor outcomes and rehospitalization for people with heart failure.

Design

A multi‐centred, non‐blinded pragmatic randomized controlled trial.

Methods

Heart failure patients were randomly assigned to intervention (avatar education application) or usual care groups. Participants were followed up at baseline, 30 and 90 days. ANCOVA was used to compare the scores of heart failure knowledge and self‐care, between the two groups. Fisher's exact test was used to compare the two groups’ heart failure‐cause readmission. Bivariate exact binary logistic regression was used to identify the predictors associated with baseline levels of knowledge.

Results

A total of 36 participants were recruited (between October 2018 ‐ March 2019). The mean age of participants was 67.5 (SD 11.3) years. At enrolment, approximately half (47.2%) have been living with Heart Failure for over 5 years. Two groups were comparable at baseline in their demographic and clinical characteristics. At 90 days, the intervention group participants had a higher increase in knowledge score on the Dutch Heart Failure Knowledge Scales compared with the control group (22.2% versus 3.7% P = .002, partial η2 = 0.262, 95% CI −2.755 to −0.686). There was no between‐group difference observed at 30‐ or 90‐day follow‐up, on self‐care behaviour (Self‐care of heart failure index) or healthcare use. Overall satisfaction with the avatar app was 91.3%.

Conclusion

The addition of a co‐designed avatar app to usual care improved knowledge in our group of Heart Failure participants at 30 days and continued to increase up to 90 days. The results suggest that our avatar app was perceived as an enjoyable and engaging means of delivering critical knowledge and self‐care information.

Impact

Heart failure is associated with poor clinical outcomes (i.e., readmission rates and mortality rate) and substantial economic burden. The effectiveness of Heart Failure patient education using avatar have not been investigated previously. In this study, the avatar app improved knowledge and self‐care behaviours. This innovation could be used at the bedside, at home by nurses, patients and families.

Trial Registration: Australian New Zealand Trial Registry ACTRN12617001403325.
Negotiating Brexit: The Cultural Sources of British Hard Bargaining
Authors: Martill Benjamin , Staiger Uta
Published: May 2020

Though the UK is weaker than the EU on key metrics of bargaining power, the British approach to the first phase of the Brexit negotiations has been characterized by hard bargaining. Efforts to explain this puzzle have focused on constraints at the domestic level, but have not engaged with the cultural sources of bargaining style highlighted by constructivist scholars. Drawing on a series of interviews, this article suggests a number of cultural factors have influenced the UK's decision to adopt a hard bargaining strategy, including the country's majoritarian institutional culture, its weak socialization into the EU, overstated perceptions of its own capabilities, the prevailing conservative political ideology, and a longstanding preference for ‘divide and rule’ diplomatic strategies. Our findings suggest not only that the UK's choice of negotiating strategy is sub‐optimal but also that theories of bargaining need to pay attention to cultural factors predisposing actors to particular strategies.
Processing Proximal Processes: What Bronfenbrenner Meant, What He Didn't Mean, and What He Should Have Meant
Authors: Merçon‐Vargas Elisa Avellar , Lima Rebeca Fernandes Ferreira , Rosa Edinete Maria , Tudge Jonathan
Published: May 2020

Although Bronfenbrenner's bioecological theory is heavily cited, one of its major concepts—proximal processes—has received relatively little attention. We explore the definition and properties of proximal process as the “engines of development,” analyze how proximal processes are distinguished from Bronfenbrenner's discussions of “process,” and consider whether proximal processes are always positive. Bronfenbrenner viewed proximal processes as having positive effects on development (by increasing competency or buffering dysfunction); to expand this concept, we propose the notion of inverse proximal processes, which in higher levels produce dysfunction and reduce competency. In keeping with Bronfenbrenner's thinking, these inverse proximal processes would have stronger effects in disadvantaged environments. We thus offer a broader framework for understanding the impact of everyday activities and interactions occurring over time in human development. Discussions of the sort we propose here are essential to the advancement of theories of human development, and, we hope, their more appropriate use.
Nasogastric tube feeding in line with new dietetic guidelines for the treatment of anorexia nervosa in a specialist children and adolescent inpatient unit: a case series
Authors: Falcoski P. , Philpot U. , Tan J. , Hudson L. D. , Fuller S. J.
Published: May 2020

Background

The present study reports a case series where three adolescent patients with anorexia nervosa (AN) (two cases with typical AN and one case atypical AN) received nasogastric tube feeding under restraint in line with new dietetic clinical guidelines.

Methods

Three cases were chosen out of 61 admitted patients over the period of 1 year who were fed via a nasogastric tube under restraint in a specialist eating disorders unit for children and adolescents. These cases were chosen to highlight a range of clinical scenarios that clinicians may encounter. They also represent clinical scenarios where decisions to feed patients under restraint were rendered more complex by additional concerns.

Results

Despite the complexity of the cases, all patients tolerated the feeds well and were discharged home eating solid food.

Conclusions

The decision to feed a patient against their will is never an easy one. Sadly, there have been some recent high‐profile deaths of adult patients on medical wards where treatment opinion was not considered, and the patient received no or minimal nutrition when awaiting specialist treatment. Dietetic guidelines have been published to help inform clinicians for whom feeding under restraint may be out of the scope of their daily practice. This case series highlights clinical scenarios that illustrate the utility of the guidelines, which we hope will support clinicians when making, potentially lifesaving decisions in children and young people.
WRKY transcription factors WRKY12 and WRKY13 interact with SPL10 to modulate age‐mediated flowering
Authors: Ma Zhenbing , Li Wei , Wang Houping , Yu Diqiu
Published: May 2020

WRKY12 and WRKY13 are two WRKY transcription factors that play important roles in the control of flowering time under short‐day (SD) conditions. The temporally regulated expression of WRKY12 and WRKY13 indicates that they may be involved in the age‐mediated flowering pathway. However, their roles in this pathway are poorly understood. Here, we show that the transcription of WRKY12 and WRKY13 is directly regulated by SQUAMOSA PROMOTER BINDING–LIKE 10 (SPL10), a transcription factor downstream of the age pathway. Binding and activation analyses revealed that SPL10 functions as a positive regulator of WRKY12 and a negative regulator of WRKY13. Further mechanistic investigation revealed that WRKY12 and WRKY13 physically interact with SPL10 and that both of them bind to the promoter of miR172b. Thus, the WRKY12‐SPL10 and WRKY13‐SPL10 interactions facilitate and inhibit SPL10 transcriptional function, respectively, to regulate miR172b expression. Together, our results show that WRKY12 and WRKY13 participate in the control of age‐mediated flowering under SD conditions though physically interacting with SPLs and co‐regulating the target gene miR172b.
Cancer diagnoses among older people with intellectual disability compared with the general population: a national register study
Authors: Satgé D. , Axmon A. , Trétarre B. , Sandberg M. , Ahlström G.
Published: May 2020

Background

Cancer occurrence among older people with intellectual disability (ID) is poorly documented, so we investigated the frequency and distribution of cancer in older people with ID compared with the general population.

Method

People with ID who were ≥55years old and alive at the end of 2012 (n = 7936; ID cohort) were identified through a national register of people with ID who received social services in Sweden to optimise the individual's opportunity for good living conditions in daily life. An equally large reference cohort from the general population (gPop cohort) was matched by year of birth and sex. Cancer diagnoses registered in inpatient and outpatient specialist care were collected for 2002–2012 from the ID cohort and compared with diagnoses in the gPop cohort.

Results

A lower total cancer frequency was observed in the ID cohort, which contained 555 cancers, compared with 877 cancers in the gPop cohort [odds ratio (OR): 0.63; 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.57–0.70]. Women accounted for 60% of cancers in the ID cohort. Breast and gynaecological organ cancers had similar or slightly lower frequencies in the ID cohort than in the general population, with breast OR of 0.95, uterine corpus OR of 1.00 and ovary OR of 0.73. Surprisingly, cancer frequency of the digestive organs (OR: 0.67), including the colon (OR: 0.82), was lower than in the general population. Cancers of the prostate (OR: 0.25), urinary tract (OR: 0.42) and lung were less frequent than in the general population.

Conclusions

Cancer was diagnosed less frequently in the ID cohort than in the gPop cohort. However, cancers of the breast and colon‐rectum remain frequent in people with ID and therefore warrant prevention policies, monitoring and screening similar to those of the general population.
Association between painful temporomandibular disorders and sleep quality: A systematic review
Authors: Dreweck Fabiana Dias Simas , Soares Simone , Duarte Joyce , Conti Paulo César Rodrigues , De Luca Canto Graziela , Luís Porporatti André
Published: May 2020

This review aimed to systematically evaluate the association between painful temporomandibular disorders (TMD) and sleep quality in adults. Observational case‐control studies using either RDC/TMD or DC/TMD for TMD diagnostic and validated questionnaires for sleep quality were selected by two reviewers in a two‐phase process. A systematic review was conducted in accordance with the PRISMA statement. The search was performed in PubMed/MEDLINE, LILACS, SCOPUS, PsycINFO, Web of Science and Grey literature (ProQuest, Google Scholar and OpenGrey). To be eligible, studies had to include adults (>18 years old), with no language, gender or time of publication restrictions. The quality of the papers was assessed using the Newcastle‐Ottawa Scale (NOS). Eight case‐control studies were included, with high (4) and moderate (4) quality assessment. Seven studies reported a significant association between the presence of painful TMD and sleep quality (P < .05), while the other found impaired sleep in participants with higher sensitivity to heat pain (P < .001). When pain levels were concerned, using different pain scales, six studies found differences when compared to control groups. One study showed that in non‐painful TMD, the PSQI values were not different when compared to the control group. An association exists between painful TMD and sleep quality. The presence of pain seems to strongly impact the sleep quality in TMD patients.
Extensively expanded murine‐induced hepatic stem cells maintain high‐efficient hepatic differentiation potential for repopulation of injured livers
Authors: Yu Bing , Li Hengyu , Chen Jie , He Zhiying , Sun Haixiang , Yang Guangshun , Shang Changzhen , Wang Xin , Li Chuanjiang , Chen Yajin , Hu Yiping
Published: May 2020

Background & Aim

Shortage of donor hepatocytes limits hepatocyte transplantation for clinical application. Induced hepatic stem cells (iHepSCs) have capacities of self‐renewal and bipotential differentiations. Here, we investigated whether iHepSCs could be extensively expanded, and whether they could differentiate into sufficient functional hepatocytes as donors for transplantation therapy after their extensive expansions.

Methods

Murine extensively expanded iHepSCs (50‐55 passages) were induced to differentiate into iHepSC‐Heps under a chemically defined condition. iHepSC‐Heps were proved for carrying morphological hepatocyte characters and hepatocytic functions including low‐density lipoprotein uptake, glycogen storage, CLF secretion, ICG uptake and release, Alb secretion, urea synthesis and metabolism‐relative gene expressions respectively. Next, both iHepSCs and iHepSC‐Heps were transplanted into Fah‐/‐ mice respectively. Both liver repopulation and alleviation of liver function were compared between two transplantation groups.

Results

Murine iHepSCs still maintained the capacities of self‐renewal and bipotential differentiations after extensive expansion. The efficiency for the functional hepatocyte differentiation from extensively expanded iHepSCs reached to 72.64%. Transplantations of both extensively expanded iHepSCs and iHepSC‐Heps resulted in liver engraftment in Fah‐/‐ mice. Survival rate of Fah‐/‐ mice recipients and level of liver repopulation were 50% and 20.32 ± 4.58% respectively in iHepSC‐Heps group, while 33% and 10.4 ± 4.3% in iHepSCs group.

Conclusions

Extensively expanded iHepSCs can efficiently differentiate into hepatocytes in chemical defined medium. Transplantation of iHepSC‐Heps was more effective and more efficient than transplantation of iHepSCs in Fah‐/‐ mice. Our results suggested an innovative system to obtain sufficient hepatocytes through hepatic differentiation of iHepSCs generated by lineage reprogramming.
New insights into bsr‐d1‐mediated broad‐spectrum resistance to rice blast
Authors: Zhu Ziwei , Yin Junjie , Chern Mawsheng , Zhu Xiaobo , Yang Chao , He Kaiwei , Liu Yuchen , He Min , Wang Jing , Song Li , Wang Long , Wei Yingjie , Wang Jichun , Liu Jiali , Qing Hai , Bi Yu , Li Mingwu , Hu Kun , Qi Tuo , Hou Qingqing , Chen Xuewei , Li Weitao
Published: May 2020

bsr‐d1, an allele encoding a transcription factor identified from the rice cultivar Digu, confers durable, broad‐spectrum resistance to infections by strains of Magnaporthe oryzae. bsr‐d1 was predicted to inhibit M. oryzae‐induced expression of Bsr‐d1 RNA and degradation of hydrogen peroxide to achieve resistance to M. oryzae. However, the global effect of biological process and molecular function on blast resistance mediated by Bsr‐d1 remains unknown. In this study, we compared transcriptomic profiling between Bsr‐d1 knockout (Bsr‐d1KO) lines and the wild type, TP309. Our study revealed that bsr‐d1 mainly regulates the redox state of plant cells, but also affects amino acid and unsaturated fatty acid metabolism. We further found that BSR‐D1 indirectly regulates salicylic acid biosynthesis, metabolism, and signal transduction downstream of the activation of H2O2 signalling in the bsr‐d1‐mediated immune response. Furthermore, we identified a novel peroxidase‐encoding gene, Perox3, as a new BSR‐D1 target gene that reduces resistance to M. oryzae when overexpressed in TP309. These results provide new insights into the bsr‐d1‐mediated blast resistance.
Efficiency of six different octenol‐baited traps for collecting horseflies (Diptera: Tabanidae)
Authors: Bučanović T. , Kovačević J. , Krčmar S.
Published: May 2020

The efficiency and the potential species preference for six different horsefly trap types was studied. A total of 2401 horseflies were collected during this study. The most effective trap was the modified box trap with (27.9%), followed by the Nzi trap with (24.5%), Malaise trap (Townes design 1972) with (22.5)%, canopy trap with (17.9%), modified small canopy trap with (7.0%) and Malaise trap (Townes design 1962) with (0.2%). The Nzi and Malaise trap (Townes design 1972) did not differ significantly in the number of collected horseflies. The comparison of all other traps revealed significant differences in the number of collected horseflies.Tabanus bromiuswas the most abundant species with (58.6%) of the collected sample. The modified box trap was the most successful in collecting ofT. bromius, while the Malaise trap (Townes design 1972) was the most successful in collecting the speciesHaematopota pluvialis,T. maculicornisandT. tergestinus. This study demonstrated that different trap designs influenced the quantity, species and taxonomic diversity of horseflies that were collected. Variables in the trap design included cloth type and colour and size and shape of trap. More detailed studies should be done to determine which factor or factors are most significant.
Non‐inasive vagus nerve stimulation—Hope or hype?
Authors: Farmer Adam D.
Published: May 2020

The vagus nerve is the tenth and longest of the cranial nerves, whose course runs from the brainstem to the splenic flexure. It is the main neural substrate of the parasympathetic nervous system and has both afferent and efferent pathways, although the former predominate (80%). An increasing body of evidence has demonstrated it has a central role in modulating gastrointestinal pain, inflammation, and motility. Within this issue of the Journal, Gottfried‐Blackmore and colleagues report the results from an open‐label pilot study examining the role of non‐invasive vagus nerve stimulation (VNS) in idiopathic gastroparesis. This mini review provides a contemporaneous summary of the current methods by which non‐invasive VNS can be achieved, its potential indications within the field particularly with respect to gastroparesis. In addition, this review also addresses some of the pitfalls and propose the outstanding questions which may inform and guide the future research agenda.
Devastating intimacy: the cell biology of plant–Phytophthora interactions
Authors: Boevink Petra C. , Birch Paul R. J. , Turnbull Dionne , Whisson Stephen C.
Published: May 2020

An understanding of the cell biology underlying the burgeoning molecular genetic and genomic knowledge of oomycete pathogenicity is essential to gain the full context of how these pathogens cause disease on plants. An intense research focus on secreted Phytophthora effector proteins, especially those containing a conserved N‐terminal RXLR motif, has meant that most cell biological studies into Phytophthora diseases have focussed on the effectors and their host target proteins. While these effector studies have provided novel insights into effector secretion and host defence mechanisms, there remain many unanswered questions about fundamental processes involved in spore biology, host penetration and haustorium formation and function.
A Phytophthora effector protein promotes symplastic cell‐to‐cell trafficking by physical interaction with plasmodesmata‐localised callose synthases
Authors: Tomczynska Iga , Stumpe Michael , Doan Tu Giang , Mauch Felix
Published: May 2020

Pathogen effectors act as disease promoting factors that target specific host proteins with roles in plant immunity. Here, we investigated the function of the RxLR3 effector of the plant‐pathogen Phytophthora brassicae.

Arabidopsis plants expressing a FLAG‐RxLR3 fusion protein were used for co‐immunoprecipitation followed by liquid chromatography‐tandem mass spectrometry to identify host targets of RxLR3. Fluorescently labelled fusion proteins were used for analysis of subcellular localisation and function of RxLR3.

Three closely related members of the callose synthase family, CalS1, CalS2 and CalS3, were identified as targets of RxLR3. RxLR3 co‐localised with the plasmodesmal marker protein PDLP5 (PLASMODESMATA‐LOCALISED PROTEIN 5) and with plasmodesmata‐associated deposits of the β‐1,3‐glucan polymer callose. In line with a function as an inhibitor of plasmodesmal callose synthases (CalS) enzymes, callose depositions were reduced and cell‐to‐cell trafficking was promoted in the presence of RxLR3.

Plasmodesmal callose deposition in response to infection was compared with wild‐type suppressed in RxLR3‐expressing Arabidopsis lines. Our results implied a virulence function of the RxLR3 effector as a positive regulator of plasmodesmata transport and provided evidence for competition between P. brassicae and Arabidopsis for control of cell‐to‐cell trafficking.