bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Adaptable legged-magnetic adhesion tracked wheel robotic platform for misaligned mooring chain climbing and inspection
Authors: Dissanayake Mahesh , Sattar Tariq Pervez , Lowe Shehan , Pinson Ivan , Gan Tat-hean
Published: October 2018

Purpose

Mooring chains used to stabilise offshore floating platforms are often subjected to harsh environmental conditions on a daily basis, i.e. high tidal waves, storms, etc. Therefore, the integrity assessment of chain links is vital, and regular inspection is mandatory for offshore structures. The development of chain climbing robots is still in its infancy due to the complicated climbing structure presented by mooring chains. The purpose of this paper is to establish an automated climbing technique for mooring chain inspection.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper presents a Cartesian legged tracked-wheel crawler robot developed for mooring chain inspection. The proposed robot addresses the misalignment condition of the mooring chains which is commonly evident in in situ conditions.

Findings

The mooring chain link misalignment is investigated mathematically and used as a design parameter for the proposed robot. The robot is validated with laboratory-based climbing experiments.

Practical implications

Chain breaking can lead to vessel drift and serious damage such as riser rupture, production shutdown and hydrocarbon release. Currently, structural health monitoring of chain links is conducted using either remotely operated vehicles which come at a high cost or by manual means which increase the danger to human operators. The robot can be used as a platform to convey equipment, i.e. tools for non-destructive testing/evaluation applications.

Originality/value

This study has upgraded a previously designed magnetic adhesion tracked-wheel mooring chain climbing robot to address the misalignment issues of operational mooring chains. As a result of this study, the idea of an orthogonally placed Cartesian legged-magnetic adhesion tracked wheel robotic platform which can eliminate concerns related to the misaligned mooring chain climbing has been established.
How communication departments contribute to corporate success
Authors: Zerfass Ansgar , Volk Sophia Charlotte
Published: October 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to clarify and demonstrate the core contributions of communication departments to organizational success beyond traditional ideas of messaging or information distribution. The main aim is to develop a better understanding of the different facets of value that the communication function delivers by introducing a distinction between strategic and operational contributions, following established management models.

Design/methodology/approach

The research is based on an extensive literature review at the nexus of communication management and strategic management research and ten qualitative case studies in large, internationally operating German organizations from different industries, combining in-depth interviews and document analyses.

Findings

The newly developed Communications Contributions Framework demonstrates that communications serve the corporation in four strategic and operational dimensions and emphasizes the critical role of communications in reflecting and adjusting organizational strategies, i.e. through identifying opportunities to innovate or securing intangible assets.

Practical implications

The paper outlines different application scenarios for how the new framework can be used in practice, i.e. as a multi-faceted rationale for explaining the impact of communication departments in the language of top management and reporting communication success in the logic of business.

Originality/value

The framework provides the first theoretically and empirically based “big picture” of communications’ contributions to corporate success, designed to lay ground for further discussions both in academia and in practice.
Where in the world do bacteria experience oxidative stress?
Authors: Imlay James A.
Published: October 2018

Reactive oxygen species – superoxide, hydrogen peroxide and hydroxyl radicals – have long been suspected of constraining bacterial growth in important microbial habitats and indeed of shaping microbial communities. Over recent decades, studies of paradigmatic organisms such as Escherichia coli, Salmonella typhimurium, Bacillus subtilis and Saccharomyces cerevisiae have pinpointed the biomolecules that oxidants can damage and the strategies by which microbes minimize their injuries. What is lacking is a good sense of the circumstances under which oxidative stress actually occurs. In this MiniReview several potential natural sources of oxidative stress are considered: endogenous ROS formation, chemical oxidation of reduced species at oxic–anoxic interfaces, H2O2 production by lactic acid bacteria, the oxidative burst of phagocytes and the redox‐cycling of secreted small molecules. While all of these phenomena can be reproduced and verified in the lab, the actual quantification of stress in natural habitats remains lacking – and, therefore, we have a fundamental hole in our understanding of the role that oxidative stress actually plays in the biosphere.
‘Routine is a blind alley’ (C. G. Jung): on the similarities between artistic‐creative and psychoanalytic work
Authors: Wolf Stefan
Published: October 2018

The transformation processes in artistic‐creative work and those of the analytic process can be considered to be comparable. To illustrate the relatedness of the two, the author describes three self‐states that characterized the artist Alberto Giacometti's creative process. With reference to Jungian concepts, the author subsequently illustrates how these states of mind can be found in the analyst during the analytic encounter. By comparing both processes, he explores the temptations and denials that accompany the analyst's struggle for an analytic attitude.
The Language of Constitutionalism and the Royal Prerogative in the English Parliament of 1593: James Morice's Speech on the Ex Officio Proceedings and his Constitutional Thought
Authors: Giurato Rocco
Published: October 2018

In the parliamentary speech on the ex officio proceedings delivered in 1593 by James Morice, a prominent Elizabethan common lawyer, there appeared an original interpretation of the relationship between the royal prerogative and the law. Morice's speech, aimed at declaring illegal the ex officio oath, resulted from the strengthening of the authority of the monarchy and state in the late 16th century, a distinctive feature of the last decade of Elizabeth I's reign. The oath was imposed in particular by the court of high commission for causes ecclesiastical, whose judges received their powers from the crown by means of letters patent. In order to achieve his objective, Morice introduced two bills in the attempt to curb the abuses of the ecclesiastical judges through legislation, one of the ordinary prerogatives. In parliament, he deployed powerful legal and political arguments to move the queen to protect and guarantee the subjects’ rights by virtue of the royal prerogative. The exercise of the prerogative in the last decade of the Elizabethan reign is a key to understanding the transformation in governmentality that caused Morice's parliamentary action, which anticipates the strategies later enacted by common lawyers – most notably Edward Coke – in reaction to the expanding authority of the English state and monarchy.
A Tragic Tory Leader and His Diaries
Authors: Lexden Alistair
Published: October 2018

Sir Stafford Northcote, a tory with many liberal instincts, was leader of the Conservative Party in the Commons from 1876 to 1885 (outranking the leader in the Lords after 1881). Subjected to much harsh criticism during this period, his significant achievements over his long political career as a whole have been largely forgotten. His diaries contain a great deal of information about his activities in, and beyond, politics. Most of them exist today only in typescript copies. By a set of curious chances, four of the original diaries came into the possession of a lawyers’ clerk. In 2017, they were added to Northcote's surviving papers in the British Library. All four relate to travel, mainly on important public business outside Europe. The final section of this note provides an indication of the interest and significance of these diaries.
Pediatric Telemedicine Use in United States Emergency Departments
Authors: Brova Monica , Boggs Krislyn M. , Zachrison Kori S. , Freid Rachel D. , Sullivan Ashley F. , Espinola Janice A. , Boyle Tehnaz P. , Camargo Carlos A.
Published: October 2018

Introduction

The receipt of remote clinical care for children via telecommunications (pediatric telemedicine) appears to improve access to and quality of care in U.S. emergency departments (EDs), but the actual prevalence and characteristics of pediatric telemedicine receipt remain unclear. We determined the prevalence and current applications of pediatric telemedicine in U.S. EDs, focusing on EDs that received telemedicine from clinicians at other facilities.

Methods

We surveyed all 5,375 U.S. EDs to characterize emergency care in 2016. We then randomly surveyed 130 (39%) of the 337 EDs who reported receiving pediatric telemedicine. The second survey was administered by phone to ED directors primarily. It confirmed that the ED received pediatric telemedicine services in 2017 and asked about ED staffing and the nature, purpose, and concerns with pediatric telemedicine implementation.

Results

The first survey (4,507/5,375, 84% response) showed that 337 (8%) EDs reported receiving pediatric telemedicine. Among the randomly sampled EDs completing the second survey (107/130, 82% response), 96 (90%) confirmed 2016 use and 89 (83%) confirmed 2017 use. Reasons for discontinuation included technical and scheduling concerns. Almost all who confirmed their pediatric telemedicine use in 2017 also reported 24/7 availability (98%). The most widely reported use was for patient placement and transfer coordination (80%). Many EDs (39%) reported no challenges with implementing pediatric telemedicine and described its utility. However, the most frequently reported challenges were process concerns (30%), such as concerns about slowing or interrupting providers’ work flow and technological concerns (14%).

Conclusion

Few EDs receive telemedicine for the delivery of pediatric emergency care nationally. Among EDs that do use telemedicine for pediatric care, many report process concerns. Addressing these barriers through focused education or interventions may support EDs in further developing and optimizing this technological adjunct to pediatric emergency care.
Opioid prescribing in orthopaedic and neurosurgical specialties in a tertiary hospital: a retrospective audit of hospital discharge data
Authors: Stanley Beata , Norman Amanda F. , Collins Lisa J. , Zographos George A. , Lloyd‐Jones David M. , Bonomo Anthony , Bonomo Yvonne A.
Published: October 2018

Background

To understand patterns of opioid prescribing on discharge in the orthopaedic and neurosurgical wards of a tertiary metropolitan hospital.

Methods

A retrospective audit of medical records and discharge summaries for all orthopaedic and neurosurgical patients admitted for at least 2 days on two surgical wards over a 6‐month period between 1 January and 30 June 2017.

Results

A combined total of 355 patients (281 orthopaedic and 74 neurosurgical patients) were included in the audit. Approximately 82% were discharged on opioids. Of patients discharged on opioids, 71.4% of the orthopaedic group and 73.8% of the neurosurgical group were discharged on combinations of two or more opioids (immediate release together with slow release). Around 65% of the sample discharged on opioids was opioid naïve on admission. About 32.5% of the orthopaedic patients and 68.9% of the neurosurgical patients were discharged on a combination of opioid and other pharmacotherapy that could potentiate the central nervous system depressant effect of the opioids. Only 6.9% of orthopaedic patients and 11.5% of the neurosurgical patients had discharge summaries that included any reference to opioid management after discharge.

Conclusion

Orthopaedic and neurosurgical units had high opioid prescribing rates on discharge from hospital. This highlights the need for clear communication of the intended medication management plan post‐discharge in order to minimize inappropriate and ongoing use of opioids post‐surgery.
New era of robotic surgical systems
Authors: Gosrisirikul Chawawat , Don Chang Ki , Raheem Ali Abdel , Rha Koon Ho
Published: October 2018

Introduction

To provide an update on the current status of robotic systems for surgery and the companies that produce these systems.

Methods

A non‐systematic literature review was performed by using the PubMED/MEDLINE electronic search engines. Existing patents for robotic companies and devices were researched by using the Google search engine.

Results

Since the da Vinci Surgical System's patent expired, we have been able to predict the future of robotic companies based on the various robotic systems being developed. Currently, various attempts are being made to create consoles, robotic arms, cameras, handles, and instruments and to implement specific functions (e.g. haptic feedback, eye tracking). Herein, the benefits and limitations of each technology are identified, and likely future developments are described.

Conclusions

The robotic surgical systems are continually being developed by various companies around the world. New technologies have been increasingly implemented to improve on the capabilities of previously established systems and surgical ergonomics. Future studies may need to evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of each robotic surgical system.
Countering Youth's Negative Stereotypes of Teens Fosters Constructive Behavior
Authors: Qu Yang , Pomerantz Eva M. , Wu Guohong
Published: October 2018

Adolescence can be a time of unconstructive behavior for many youth. This research examined if an intervention countering youth's stereotypes of teens as irresponsible fosters their constructive behavior. In two experimental intervention studies (Ns = 124 and 319) with seventh graders, stereotypes of teens as irresponsible were described as inaccurate portrayals; youth then provided their own observations of teens acting responsibly. Youth in this counterstereotyping intervention (vs. the control) held higher intentions for academic engagement and performed better on an academic task (i.e., a word‐search puzzle). Over the 3 days following the intervention, their academic engagement was higher. Youth's risk taking was also reduced. Redirecting youth to see teens as responsible has the potential to provide a foundation for flourishing.
A defence against the arrows of the disturbance to come: royal protection and the consolidation of monastic reform under Count Arnulf I of Flanders (918–65)
Authors: Meijns Brigitte
Published: October 2018

Monastic immunities have been much studied in recent years, but the royal protection (tuitio) that was often associated with them in the documents has been comparatively neglected. This article examines King Lothar's diplomas for Flemish monasteries in the years 962–6, texts in which royal protection played a major role. It argues that the issuing of these documents reflected a conjunctural political alliance between the king and the Flemish count Arnulf I, but also that their juridical content in general, and the bestowal of protection in particular, was valued by the recipient institutions. In this way the article makes the case for a more rounded understanding of tuitio in the tenth‐century West Frankish kingdom.
Acca of Hexham through the eyes of the Venerable Bede
Authors: Hilliard Paul
Published: October 2018

Acca of Hexham was the main patron and bishop for the prolific eighth‐century Northumbrian scholar, the Venerable Bede. The nature of their relationship and where these two men sit in the ecclesio‐political landscape of the late seventh and eighth century has been the subject of an ongoing debate. After reviewing the historiography, this study places the relationship between these two men in rich historical and textual contexts. It concludes that it is best to see the bishop and the monk as friendly collaborators in the reforms of the Northumbrian church, thereby challenging one of the prevailing scholarly opinions on the factions of the eighth century.
Treatment‐as‐Usual for Couples: Trajectories Before and After Beginning Couple Therapy
Authors: Owen Jesse , Rhoades Galena K. , Stanley Scott M. , Markman Howard J. , Allen Elizabeth S.
Published: October 2018

Couple therapy has been shown to be a meaningful way to improve couples’ relationships. However, less information is known about couples’ functioning prior to entering treatment in community settings, as well as how their relationship functioning changes from initiating therapy onward. This study examined 87 couples who began community‐based couple therapy during a longitudinal study of couples in the military. The couples were assessed six times over the course of 3 years, including time points before and after starting couple therapy. Using an interrupted‐time series design, we examined trajectories across the start of couple therapy in relationship satisfaction, divorce proneness, and negative communication. The results demonstrated that couples’ relationship satisfaction was declining and both divorce proneness and negative communication were increasing prior to entering couple therapy. After starting couple therapy, couples’ functioning on all three variables leveled off but did not show further change, but previous experience in relationship education moderated these effects. Specifically, those who were assigned to the relationship education program (vs. control) demonstrated greater reductions in divorce proneness and greater increases marital satisfaction after starting therapy; however, they also started more distressed.
Recent advances in medical management of hepatocellular carcinoma
Authors: Ikeda Kenji
Published: October 2018

Transcatheter arterial therapies for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) have developed during the last decade. A fine powder formulation of cisplatin and the new platinum agent miriplatin became standard medicines in addition to anthracyclines in transcatheter arterial chemoembolization (TACE) in Japan. Recent prospective and retrospective studies supported the usefulness of platinum agents as a chemotherapeutic at the time of varied TACE therapy. Although balloon‐occluded TACE is an effective therapy for localized HCC and drug‐eluting microspheres seemed to show a higher response rate in certain HCCs, the definite advantages of those procedures still remain uncertain. Intermediate stage HCC, or Barcelona Clinic Liver Cancer stage B, is regarded as a heterogeneous category with a wide spectrum of tumors and patients, and several subclassifications of the stage have been proposed to show different prognoses; there are also different recommended therapies in each subgroup. Authors have subclassified patients based on combinations of tumor size, tumor number, and liver function, with or without performance status. Because of differences of available medical resources and techniques in treatment procedures between countries, the most ideal and useful subgrouping remains inconclusive at present. Recently, a few systemic chemotherapies proved to be effective for advanced stage HCC in phase III studies: lenvatinib as the first line of therapy, and regorafenib, cabozantinib, and ramucirumab as second‐line therapy. Other molecular‐targeted and immune‐oncological medicines are expected to follow in the near future. Some studies have suggested an advantage of early introduction of molecular‐targeted therapy for TACE‐resistant HCC in the intermediate stage.
STRUCTURAL EMPIRICAL EVALUATION OF JOB SEARCH MONITORING
Authors: van den Berg Gerard J. , van der Klaauw Bas
Published: October 2018

To evaluate search effort monitoring of unemployed workers, it is important to take account of post‐unemployment wages and job‐to‐job mobility. We structurally estimate a model with search channels, using a controlled trial in which monitoring is randomized. The data include registers and survey data on search behavior. We find that the opportunity to move to better‐paid jobs in employment reduces the extent to which monitoring induces substitution toward formal search channels in unemployment. Job mobility compensates for adverse long‐run effects of monitoring on wages. We examine counterfactual policies against moral hazard, like reemployment bonuses and changes of the benefits path.
Measuring and reporting the actuarial obligations of the Canada Pension Plan
Authors: Billig Assia , Ménard Jean‐Claude
Published: October 2018

The processes used to assess the financial sustainability of the Canada Pension Plan (CPP) and the corresponding reporting are recognized internationally as “best practices”. In the context of the international and multi‐disciplinary debate about the most appropriate methodology for the measuring and reporting of social security assets and obligations, the experience and practices of Canada offer a number of important policy lessons. The article analyses the assets and obligations of the CPP using different actuarial balance sheet methodologies, i.e. open and closed group. It concludes that the balance sheets under the closed‐group with and without future benefit accruals methodologies do not reflect the nature of the partial funding approach of the CPP, whereby future contributions represent a major source of financing for future expenditures. As such, it is inappropriate to reach a conclusion regarding the Plan's financial sustainability considering only the asset shortfalls determined under the closed group with and without future accruals balance sheets. The article asserts that measuring the Plan's assets and obligations using the open‐group approach provides information that properly reflects how changing demographic and economic environments affect the long‐term sustainability of the CPP. In contrast, using the closed group without future accruals approach may provide incomplete or even misleading information. Finally, the article discusses approaches used to report the financial state of the CPP, including both actuarial and financial reporting. It highlights the comprehensive disclosures approach adopted for the purpose of CPP annual reports and the Public Accounts of Canada.
Towards a fair assessment of social security liabilities under pay‐as‐you‐go and partially funded schemes
Authors: Drouin Anne , Plamondon Pierre , Lloret Cristina
Published: October 2018

This article provides insights into methodological and measurement considerations and challenges from an actuarial and social security policy perspective with reference to actuarial valuation work undertaken in the recent period. It aims at supporting the global discussion to improve the transparency of the reporting of financial liabilities of social security schemes linked to employment‐based obligations (contributory), as these are often guaranteed by the government following social security funding rules such as pay‐as‐you‐go and partially funded approaches. The article supports the actuarial profession's engagement with experts in national accounting and public finance statistics towards providing improved guidance to national governments in presenting a fair and accurate picture of the financial position of their social security schemes with due and unbiased recognition of the social security policy approach decision of any given country. While the reflection of the financial position of social security schemes guaranteeing long‐term benefits payable for life is most important in terms of possible public finance implications, care must be exercised in adopting a valuation methodology and indicators that are not biased and which do not distort the interpretation of its financial position. In this respect, challenges remain and there is ample scope for refining methodologies and adopting coherent accounting approaches encompassing policy decisions for funding purposes.
Milk carton with integrated paper‐based microfluidics for milk quality rapid test
Authors: Fan Yiqiang , Wang Hongliang , Liu Shicheng , Zhang Boyang , Zhang Yajun
Published: October 2018

This study integrated paper‐based microfluidic device on a milk carton for a rapid milk quality check. The microfluidic device was printed on the outer surface of milk carton using commercial wax printer. The testing process is fully automatic, after apply one drop of milk on the loading point, milk was driven by capillary force in the porous paper fiber in wax‐defined microchannels to reach the preload reactants for chromogenic reaction. The proposed integration method provides a simple, low cost and rapid onsite milk quality check technique for milk consumers, and also have wide potential applications in food industry.

Practical applications

Microfluidics has been widely used in the chemical and biological field for analysis or synthesis, in this research, the microfluidic devices were integrated on the outer surface of a milk carton for a rapid and low‐cost milk quality test, and the test result could be easily read using mobile phone app. The proposed research is of significant application prospect in food industry for rapid and onsite food quality test using the microfluidic devices integrated on paper packaging. The fabrication method of the microfluidic devices proposed in this research using wax printing is also low cost and nontoxic, and could be easily integrated with the current paper packaging production line.
Digital Learning Resources for Prosthodontic Education: The Perspectives of a Long‐Term Dental Educator Regarding 4 Key Factors
Authors: Goodacre Charles J.
Published: October 2018

Technological advances have led to the introduction of 3D education programs specifically designed for dentistry, leading to the author's use of these programs in the education of dental students. Based on this usage, this paper proposes there are 4 key factors that can enhance student education (spatial ability, interactivity, critical thinking, and clinical correlations with integration of multiple dental disciplines). These key factors can be incorporated into student learning through the use of 3D education programs in class. Lessons learned from using these programs include the importance of regular use in class as well as testing students both visually and textually on the content present in such programs. In this way, students will use the program and thereby enhance their 3D visualization skills while learning the required didactic information. Simply providing students with access to such programs without regular use in class and without testing the students on the content leads to these programs’ lack of use. As a result, the students miss an opportunity to enhance their ability to visualize structures three dimensionally and manipulate them in their minds, a process known as spatial ability that is linked to success in the sciences.
Polyphyletic Alyssum cuneifolium (Brassicaceae) revisited: Morphological and genome size differentiation of recently recognized allopatric taxa
Authors: Španiel Stanislav , Marhold Karol , Zozomová‐Lihová Judita
Published: October 2018

Alyssum cuneifolium has been recognized as a perennial alpine species growing in five isolated European mountain ranges: the Pyrenees, Western Alps, Apennines, Pirin Mts and Mt Smolikas. Recent molecular systematic studies revealed that the disjunct populations from distant mountains are not closely related and belong to five independent species: A. cacuminum (Spain, Pyrenees), A. cuneifolium (Italy, Apennines), A. flexicaule (France, Western Alps), A. pirinicum (Bulgaria, Pirin Mts), and A. spruneri (Greece, Mt Smolikas). The present study brings the thorough morphometric analysis of the segregated taxa. We found minor morphological differences between them. Whereas A. pirinicum can be clearly distinguished, the other taxa are recognizable only at the level of population means of investigated characters. The morphological similarity of these distantly related species is obviously the result of adaptation to similar high‐alpine scree habitats. It is not clear, however, whether this adaptation is environmentally controlled or whether it is also genetically fixed and whether it reflects parallel evolution towards similar morphotypes. The observed morphological patterns and their assumed correlation with environmental factors are discussed using examples from other Alyssum taxa. Three different ploidy levels have been reported for the species under study. In the present article, we examine variation in relative nuclear genome size. The Alpine and Pyrenean species have larger relative monoploid genome sizes than the Apennine and Balkan ones, probably reflecting the evolutionary history of the group. A nomenclatural account of the study species is presented, and lectotypes of A. cuneifolium and of two other names are selected.
Polycomb repressive complex 2 attenuates ABA‐induced senescence in Arabidopsis
Authors: Liu Chunmei , Cheng Jingfei , Zhuang Yili , Ye Luhuan , Li Zijuan , Wang Yuejun , Qi Meifang , Xu Lin , Zhang Yijing
Published: October 2018

The phytohormone abscisic acid (ABA)‐induced leaf senescence facilitates nutrient reuse and potentially contributes to enhancing plant stress tolerance. However, excessive senescence causes serious reductions in crop yield, and the mechanism by which senescence is finely tuned at different levels is still insufficiently understood. Here, we found that the double mutant of core enzymes of the polycomb repressive complex 2 (PRC2) is hypersensitive to ABA in Arabidopsis thaliana. To elucidate the interplay between ABA and PRC2 at the genome level, we extensively profiled the transcriptomic and epigenomic changes triggered by ABA. We observed that H3K27me3 preferentially targets ABA‐induced senescence‐associated genes (SAGs). In the double, but not single, mutant of PRC2 enzymes, these SAGs were derepressed and could be more highly induced by ABA compared with the wild‐type, suggesting a redundant role for the PRC2 enzymes in negatively regulating ABA‐induced senescence. Contrary to the rapid transcriptomic changes triggered by ABA, the reduction of H3K27me3 at these SAGs falls far behind the induction of their expression, indicating that PRC2‐mediated H3K27me3 contributed to long‐term damping of ABA‐induced senescence to prevent an oversensitive response. The findings of this study may serve as a paradigm for a global understanding of the interplay between the rapid effects of a phytohormone such as ABA and the long‐term effects of the epigenetic machinery in regulating plant senescence processes and environmental responses.
A new species of Chapalania (Acari: Mesostigmata: Laelapidae) from Peru
Authors: Gwiazdowicz Dariusz J. , Nemati Alireza
Published: October 2018

A new species of the previously monotypic genus Chapalania Hoffmann & Lopez-Campos is described based on female specimens collected from the body of an unidentified passalid beetle from Panguana, Peru. The genus is redefined in consideration of this new species.
Use of Objective Measures to Estimate Sedentary Time in Youth
Authors: Crouter Scott E. , Hibbing Paul R. , LaMunion Samuel R.
Published: October 2018

The purpose of this study was to conduct a comprehensive evaluation of the ActiGraph GT3X+ (AG) and activPAL (AP) for assessing time spent in sedentary behaviors (SB) in youth using structured and free-living activities. Forty-four participants (Mage, 12.7±0.8 yrs) completed up to eight structured activities and approximately 2 hrs of free-living activity while wearing an AG (right hip) and AP (right thigh). A Cosmed K4b2 was used for measured energy expenditure (METy; activity VO2 ÷ resting VO2). Direct observation was used during the structured activities. SB time was estimated using the inclinometer function of the AP and AG, and count thresholds with AG (<75 vector magnitude [VM] counts/10-s; <25 vertical axis [VA] counts/10-s; and <50, 100, 150, and 200 VA counts/min). For the structured activities, the AG inclinometer and AP correctly classified supine rest about 45% of the time, seated activities 54.6% and 65.1% of the time, respectively, and walking and running >96% of the time. For the free-living measurement, the VA <25 counts/10-s had the lowest RMSE (20.6 min), while the VM <75 counts/10-s had the lowest MAPE (69.2%). The AG inclinometer was within 0.2 minutes of measured time, but had the highest MAPE (107.1%). The AP was within 1.6 minutes of measured time, but had the highest RMSE (28.5 minutes). Compared to measured SB time, the VA <25 counts/10-s and VM <75 counts/10-s provided the most precise estimates of SB during free-living activity. Further refinement is needed to improve the AP and AG posture estimates.
Validity of Garmin Vívofit 1 and Garmin Vívofit 3 for School-Based Physical Activity Monitoring
Authors: Šimůnek Adam , Dygrýn Jan , Jakubec Lukáš , Neuls Filip , Frömel Karel , Welk Gregory John
Published: October 2018

Purpose: Activity trackers are useful tools for physical activity promotion in adolescents, but robust validity evaluations have not been done under free-living conditions. This study evaluated the validity of the Garmin Vívofit 1 (G1) and Garmin Vívofit 3 (G3) in different settings and contexts. Methods: The participants (girls: 52%, age: 15.9 [1.9] y) wore the G1 and G3 on their nondominant wrist and the Yamax pedometer on their right hip for a period of 1 week. Validity was examined in 4 discrete segments (before school, in school, after school, and whole day). The criterion method was the Yamax pedometer. Results: Both the G1 and G3 could be considered equivalent to the Yamax pedometer regarding the before school, in school, and whole day segments. The G1 showed wider limits of agreement than G3. Conclusions: The G1 and G3 trackers exhibited acceptable validity for 3 of the 4 segments (before school, in school, and whole day measurements). The results were less accurate during the after-school segment. The evidence that the validity of the monitors varied depending on the setting and context is an important consideration for research on adolescent activity patterns.
DNA printers poised to jump from paragraphs to pages
Authors: Service Robert F.
Published: October 2018

Enzymes that write DNA could turbocharge synthetic biology and data storage.
Technology Feature | Replacing the replacements: Animal model alternatives
Authors: Powell Kendall
Published: October 2018

Advances in biosensors and microfluidic devices are driving a quiet revolution in biomedical research, which could lead to the reduction or elimination of animal use in many experiments..
Glia as architects of central nervous system formation and function
Authors: Allen Nicola J. , Lyons David A.
Published: October 2018

Glia constitute roughly half of the cells of the central nervous system (CNS) but were long-considered to be static bystanders to its formation and function. Here we provide an overview of how the diverse and dynamic functions of glial cells orchestrate essentially all aspects of nervous system formation and function. Radial glia, astrocytes, oligodendrocyte progenitor cells, oligodendrocytes, and microglia each influence nervous system development, from neuronal birth, migration, axon specification, and growth through circuit assembly and synaptogenesis. As neural circuits mature, distinct glia fulfill key roles in synaptic communication, plasticity, homeostasis, and network-level activity through dynamic monitoring and alteration of CNS structure and function. Continued elucidation of glial cell biology, and the dynamic interactions of neurons and glia, will enrich our understanding of nervous system formation, health, and function.
Going the Distance: Optimizing RNA-Seq Strategies for Transcriptomic Analysis of Complex Viral Genomes
Authors: Depledge Daniel P. , Mohr Ian , Wilson Angus C.
Published: October 2018

Transcriptome profiling has become routine in studies of many biological processes. However, the favored approaches such as short-read Illumina RNA sequencing are giving way to long-read sequencing platforms better suited to interrogating the complex transcriptomes typical of many RNA and DNA viruses.
Multisector governance for nutrition and early childhood development: overlapping agendas and differing progress in Pakistan
Authors: Zaidi Shehla , Bhutta Zulfiqar , Hussain Syed Shahzad , Rasanathan Kumanan
Published: October 2018

This paper compares the policy trajectories of Nutrition and Early Childhood Development (ECD) in Pakistan, identifying enablers that led to better multisector progress for Nutrition over ECD. Specifically, it deliberates on (1) multisector policy adoption in terms of instigation, construct and stakeholder coalitions; and (2) horizontal coordination in terms of capacity, incentives and structures. The analysis builds on existing work of the authors, supplementing this with further document review and expert insights. Nutrition and ECD initiatives in Pakistan, while overlapping agendas, differed in terms of buy-in and structural grounding. A favourable policy window for Nutrition was successfully managed through coordinated advocacy, programmatic support and investment in networks, while capture of policy opportunities was not seen in case of ECD. A vague construct for ECD confined its activities narrowly to the education sector while a Nutrition discourse specifying roles for other sectors resulted in a broader coalition and expanded activities. Both Nutrition and ECD faced powerful disincentives to coordination, but Nutrition overcame this through cofinancing of different sectors and creation of structural platform in supraplanning ministries. Both Nutrition and ECD share common capacity constraints for horizontal coordination, raising concerns for effective implementation. We conclude that multisector action for child well-being requires deliberative action and investment to unlock opportunities. The analysis from Pakistan highlights four governance areas for progressing multisector action: (1) opportune management of policy windows; (2) a clear and inclusive menu of actions for stakeholder coalitions; (3) availability of cofinancing and structural platforms for catalysing coordination; and (4) investment in horizontally placed human resource and integrated tracking systems.
Making sense of recovery after traumatic brain injury through a peer mentoring intervention: a qualitative exploration
Authors: Kersten Paula , Cummins Christine , Kayes Nicola , Babbage Duncan , Elder Hinemoa , Foster Allison , Weatherall Mark , Siegert Richard John , Smith Greta , McPherson Kathryn
Published: October 2018

Objective

To explore the acceptability of peer mentoring for people with a traumatic brain injury (TBI) in New Zealand.

Design

This is a qualitative descriptive study exploring the experiences reported by mentees and mentors taking part in a feasibility study of peer mentoring. Interviews with five mentees and six mentors were carried out. Data were analysed using conventional content analysis.

Setting

The first mentoring session took place predischarge from the rehabilitation unit. The remaining five sessions took place in mentees’ homes or community as preferred.

Participants

Twelve people with TBI took part: six mentees (with moderate to severe TBI; aged 18–46) paired with six mentors (moderate to severe TBI >12 months previously; aged 21–59). Pairing occurred before mentee discharge from postacute inpatient brain injury rehabilitation. Mentors had been discharged from rehabilitation following a TBI between 1 and 5 years previously.

Intervention

The peer mentoring programme consisted of up to six face-to-face sessions between a mentee and a mentor over a 6-month period. The sessions focused on building rapport, exploring hopes for and supporting participation after discharge through further meetings and supported community activities.

Results

Data were synthesised into one overarching theme: making sense of recovery. This occurred through the sharing of experiences and stories; was pivotal to the mentoring relationship; and appeared to benefit both mentees and mentors. Mentors were perceived as valued experts because of their personal experience of injury and recovery, and could provide support in ways that were different from that provided by clinicians or family members. Mentors required support to manage the uncertainties inherent in the role.

Conclusions

The insight mentors developed through their own lived experience established them as a trusted and credible source of hope and support for people re-engaging in the community post-TBI. These findings indicate the potential for mentoring to result in positive outcomes.
A holistic optimization framework for forest machine trail network design accounting for multiple objectives and machines
Authors: Hosseini Ahmad , Lindroos Ola , Wadbro Eddie
Published: October 2018

Ground-based mechanized forestry requires the traversal of terrain by heavy machines. The routes that they take are often called “machine trails” and are created by removing trees from the trail and placing the logs outside it. Designing an optimal machine trail network is a complex locational problem that requires understanding how forestry machines can operate on the terrain, as well as the trade-offs between various economic and ecological aspects. Machine trail designs are currently created manually based on intuitive decisions about the importance, correlations, and effects of many potentially conflicting aspects. Badly designed machine trail networks could result in costly operations and adverse environmental impacts. Therefore, this study was conducted to develop a holistic optimization framework for machine trail network design. Key economic and ecological objectives involved in designing machine trail networks for mechanized cut-to-length operations are presented, along with strategies for simultaneously addressing multiple objectives while accounting for the physical capabilities of forestry machines, the impact of slope, and the operating costs. Ways of quantitatively formulating and combining these different aspects are demonstrated, together with examples showing how the optimal network design changes in response to various inputs.
Doxorubicin induces de novo expression of N-terminal-truncated matrix metalloproteinase-2 in cardiac myocytes
Authors: Chan Brandon Y.H. , Roczkowsky Andrej , Moser Nils , Poirier Mathieu , Hughes Bryan G. , Ilarraza Ramses , Schulz Richard
Published: October 2018

Anthracyclines, such as doxorubicin, are commonly prescribed antineoplastic agents that cause irreversible cardiac injury. Doxorubicin cardiotoxicity is initiated by increased oxidative stress in cardiomyocytes. Oxidative stress enhances intracellular matrix metalloproteinase-2 (MMP-2) by direct activation of its full-length isoform and (or) de novo expression of an N-terminal-truncated isoform (NTT-MMP-2). As MMP-2 is localized to the sarcomere, we tested whether doxorubicin activates intracellular MMP-2 in neonatal rat ventricular myocytes (NRVM) and whether it thereby proteolyzes two of its identified sarcomeric targets, α-actinin and troponin I. Doxorubicin increased oxidative stress within 12 h as indicated by reduced aconitase activity. This was associated with a twofold increase in MMP-2 protein levels and threefold higher gelatinolytic activity. MMP inhibitors ARP-100 or ONO-4817 (1 μM) prevented doxorubicin-induced MMP-2 activation. Doxorubicin also increased the levels and activity of MMP-2 secreted into the conditioned media. Doxorubicin upregulated the mRNA expression of both full-length MMP-2 and NTT-MMP-2. α-Actinin levels remained unchanged, whereas doxorubicin downregulated troponin I in an MMP-independent manner. Doxorubicin induces oxidative stress and stimulates a robust increase in MMP-2 expression and activity in NRVM, including NTT-MMP-2. The sarcomeric proteins α-actinin and troponin I are, however, not targeted by MMP-2 under these conditions.
Generalized potential functions in differential geometry and information geometry
Authors: Ciaglia F. M. , Marmo G. , Pérez-Pardo J. M.
Published: October 2018

Potential functions can be used for generating potentials of relevant geometric structures for a Riemannian manifold such as the Riemannian metric and affine connections. We study whether this procedure can also be applied to tensors of rank four and find a negative answer. We study this from the perspective of solving the inverse problem and also from an intrinsic point of view.
Physiotherapist–patient communication in entry-level physiotherapy education: A national survey in Nigeria
Authors: Abaraogu Ukachukwu Okoroafor , Aguji Kaosisochukwu Rachael , Duru Deborah Onyinyechukwu , Okafor Udoka Chris , Ezeukwu Antoninus Obinna , Igwe Sylvester Emeka
Published: October 2018

Background: Clinical communication impacts on physiotherapy treatment outcome and its competence warrants being assessed during training for physiotherapists given the increasing need to improve patient outcomes.

Objective: This study aimed to investigate the assessment of clinical communication in entry-level physiotherapy programs in Nigeria.

Methods: In a cross-sectional survey, questionnaires were sent by e-mail or hand-delivered to the heads of physiotherapy programs, asking them to consult with faculty members involved in the assessment of clinical communication in undergraduate education.

Results: Six of seven physiotherapy programs responded (an 86% response rate). Assessment of clinical communication and methods of assessing clinical communication by the programs showed wide variation. There was an average of two assessments per year. The objective structured clinical examination with patients (21; 38%) and written communications (report/chart) (13; 23%) were the most commonly used assessment methods. Perceived challenges included a lack of facilities, validity, inexperienced examiners, and difficulties in integrating processes and content.

Conclusion: A variety of assessment methods are being used in entry-level physiotherapy programs in Nigeria, which target different components of clinical communication skills acquisition. More effort is needed to improve limited facilities and human resources training to enhance clinical communication assessment in Nigerian physiotherapy programs.
Shear Strength and Compression Coefficient for Conditioned Sand Subjected to Earth Chamber Stress Levels
Authors: Yang Yi , Li Xinggao , Li Xingchun
Published: October 2018

Ground conditioning agents are often needed when performing earth pressure balance shield tunneling in sand soils due to its high internal friction, low plastic ductility, and low compressibility. In this work, vane shear and compression tests for standard sand were performed using a homemade test device, and three types of conditioning agents composed of foam, bentonite slurry, and polymer were used in the tests. The effects of the agents on shear strength and compressibility of the conditioned soils were investigated under a typical earth chamber stress level as high as 2 bar. The measured results show that foam does better in reducing shear strength and improving the compressibility of the conditioned soils than bentonite slurry and polymer. Significant increases in the compressibility of foam‐conditioned soils can be achieved using foam, and the shear strength of the conditioned sand can be decreased by more than 30% with an initial injection ratio of 40% foam. The bentonite‐ and polymer‐conditioned sands have similar compressibility. The HPMC (hydroxypropyl methylcellulose) polymer does better in decreasing the shear strength of the conditioned soils than other liquid soil conditioners. The influences of the device shear rate on the shear strength of the conditioned soils are also presented.