bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Hairdressers’ occupational skin diseases in the Finnish Register of Occupational Diseases in a period of 14 years
Authors: Pesonen Maria , Koskela Kirsi , Aalto‐Korte Kristiina
Published: October 2020

Background

Hairdressers have a high risk of occupational contact dermatitis caused by exposure to wet work and allergens in hairdressing chemicals.

Objectives

To examine the distribution of diagnoses of occupational skin diseases (OSDs) and their main causes in hairdressers based on a national register data on occupational diseases.

Methods

We retrieved cases of recognized OSDs in hairdressers from the Finnish Register of Occupational Diseases (FROD) in years 2005‐2018.

Results

During the 14‐year period, a total of 290 cases of recognized OSD in hairdressers were registered in the FROD. Allergic contact dermatitis (ACD) was diagnosed in 54%, irritant contact dermatitis in 44%, and contact urticaria (CU) in 5% of them. ACD was most commonly caused by hair dye products and their ingredients (N = 57), persulfates (N = 35), and preservatives (N = 35; mainly isothiazolinones). Acrylates emerged as hairdressers’ occupational contact allergens (N = 8) probably due to introduction of structure nails into hair salons. Persulfates was the most common cause of CU.

Conclusions

ACD was the most common OSD in hairdressers. Our analysis confirms that preservatives are important causes of ACD in hairdressers in addition to hair dye products and persulfates. Acrylates emerged as hairdressers’ occupational contact allergens, but contact allergy to perming agents remained rare.
Allocation Policies to Fulfil Heterogeneous Service Requirements under Resource Pooling
Authors: Abbasi Babak , Fadaki Masih , Hosseinifard Zahra , Jahani Hamed , Thomas Douglas J.
Published: October 2020

Designing effective settings for performance measures (e.g., fill rate) of a service‐level agreement (SLA) is challenging. This challenge is intensified when a firm adopts the pooling inventory model to allocate inventory/capacity to multiple buyers. Each buyer has its own service‐level contract outlining the required service level, the penalty structures, and the performance review period (PRP) length, which might not be the same as other buyers. This means the supplier requires an effective resource allocation policy whereby the different requirements of multiple buyers are integrated into a pooling model and capacities/inventories are allocated in the most effective way. Given a base‐stock replenishment policy and finite time horizon PRP, in this study we propose two new (anticipative) allocation policies—foresight linear programming (FLP) and two‐stage stochastic (TS)—and compare them with existing allocation policies. These allocation policies are developed for different penalty structures of linear, lump‐sum, hybrid, and no‐penalty settings. Results show that suppliers benefit from longer PRPs if linear or hybrid penalty structures are employed. We also find that when the length of PRP of buyers is not identical, TS is the recommending policy. Further, results provide a guideline for selecting the best resource allocation policy under various SLA terms, in particular, where buyers' PRP lengths are not identical.
An exploration of amygdala‐prefrontal mechanisms in the intergenerational transmission of learned fear
Authors: Silvers Jennifer A. , Callaghan Bridget L. , VanTieghem Michelle , Choy Tricia , O'Sullivan Kaitlin , Tottenham Nim
Published: October 2020

Humans learn about their environments by observing others, including what to fear and what to trust. Observational fear learning may be especially important early in life when children turn to their parents to gather information about their world. Yet, the vast majority of empirical research on fear learning in youth has thus far focused on firsthand classical conditioning, which may fail to capture one of the primary means by which fears are acquired during development. To address this gap in the literature, the present study examined observational fear learning in youth (n = 33; age range: 6–17 years) as they watched videos of their parent and an “unfamiliar parent” (i.e., another participant's parent) undergo fear conditioning. Youth demonstrated stronger fear learning when observing their parent compared to an unfamiliar parent, as indicated by changes in their self‐reported liking of the stimuli to which their parents were conditioned (CS+, a geometric shape paired with an aversive noise; CS‐, a geometric shape never paired with an aversive noise) and amygdala responses. Parent trait anxiety was associated with youth learning better (i.e., reporting a stronger preference for the CS‐ relative to CS+), and exhibiting stronger medial prefrontal‐amygdala connectivity. Neuroimaging data were additionally acquired from a subset of parents during firsthand conditioning, and parental amygdala and mPFC activation were associated with youth's neural recruitment. Together, these results suggest that youth preferentially learn fears via observation of their parents, and this learning is associated with emotional traits and neural recruitment in parents.
Evaluation of fatigue damage parameters for Ni‐based super alloys Inconel 825 steel notched specimen using stochastic approach
Authors: Gope Prakash Chandra , Mahar Chetan Singh
Published: October 2020

In the present investigation, temperature dependence fatigue strength behavior of Ni‐based Inconel 825 super alloys is investigated. Based on the experimental results, different S–N models have been derived and a suitable model for the prediction of fatigue strength has been proposed. An inverse power as well as exponential relation between the fatigue strength and absolute temperature is demonstrated. The proposed models are used to predict the fatigue life using the well‐known Palmgren–Miner rule. Based on high to low load steps and low to high load steps datasets under identical test conditions, the damage constant of Miner rule is stochastically modeled for fatigue life prediction. The statistical model is developed combining the probabilistic nature of Miner rule damage constant and stress–life–temperature relation. It is also validated through sets of experimental data and found to be useful in reliability‐based design.
Serial acquirers and decreasing returns: Do bidders’ acquisition patterns matter?
Authors: Morillon Thibaut G.
Published: October 2020

This paper examines the phenomenon of declining announcement returns of serial acquirers. Using a classification of acquirers based on their patterns of acquisition, I find that decreasing returns occur mostly within “blocks” of acquisitions. This trend is driven by bidders who acquire targets quickly in chunks. In contrast, I find no evidence of any such decline in returns for the most active acquirers in the market of corporate control. I test several theories proposed by the prior literature to explain declining returns and find evidence consistent with temporary overvaluation, agency costs, and bidder learning as likely drivers.
When two anomalies meet: Volume and timing effects on earnings announcements
Authors: Wong Mark , Wai Kong Cheung Adrian , Hu Wei
Published: October 2020

This study investigates the joint effect of trade volume and report timing on earnings‐announcement premiums. We find that high trading volume effect adds to early announcement effect but not vice versa. After controlling for firm characteristics, late timing and high trade volume have a positive joint effect; stocks with late announcements and low trade volume earn the largest but short‐lived premium. We cannot find evidence to support the notion that early announcements result in superior premiums; the unusual volume effect is much greater in magnitude, longevity, and significance than the timing effect.
Ranks and Pseudo‐ranks—Surprising Results of Certain Rank Tests in Unbalanced Designs
Authors: Brunner Edgar , Konietschke Frank , Bathke Arne C. , Pauly Markus
Published: October 2020

Rank‐based inference methods are applied in various disciplines, typically when procedures relying on standard normal theory are not justifiable. Various specific rank‐based methods have been developed for two and more samples and also for general factorial designs (e.g. Kruskal–Wallis test or Akritas–Arnold–Brunner test). It is the aim of the present paper (1) to demonstrate that traditional rank procedures for several samples or general factorial designs may lead to surprising results in case of unequal sample sizes as compared with equal sample sizes, (2) to explain why this is the case and (3) to provide a way to overcome these disadvantages. Theoretical investigations show that the surprising results can be explained by considering the non‐centralities of the test statistics, which may be non‐zero for the usual rank‐based procedures in case of unequal sample sizes, while they may be equal to 0 in case of equal sample sizes. A simple solution is to consider unweighted relative effects instead of weighted relative effects. The former effects are estimated by means of the so‐called pseudo‐ranks, while the usual ranks naturally lead to the latter effects. A real data example illustrates the practical meaning of the theoretical discussions.
Development and psychometric properties of an instrument for the Assessment of Sexual Behaviour and Knowledge of people with Intellectual Disability
Authors: Gil‐Llario María Dolores , Morell‐Mengual Vicente , Fernández‐García Olga , Castro‐Calvo Jesús , Ballester‐Arnal Rafael
Published: October 2020

Background

This paper presents psychometric properties of an instrument for the Assessment of Sexual Behaviour and Knowledge of people with Intellectual Disability (ASBKID), other‐reported by professionals who are in daily contact with them.

Methods and procedures

Assessments of 236 individuals with intellectual disability were obtained from 100 professionals.

Results

Confirmatory factor analysis revealed a four‐factor structure: concern about the user's inappropriate or uninhibited sexual behaviour; perception of the user's knowledge about privacy and social norms; perception of the user's knowledge about sexuality; and concerns about the user's sexuality. A multi‐group CFA was also conducted in men and women, confirming the adequacy of this four‐factor structure by gender. The reliability of the factors ranged from 0.74 to 0.92.

Conclusions

The psychometric results obtained support the use of the ASBKID as a valid and reliable measure for the assessment of sexual behaviour and knowledge in both men and women with intellectual disability.
Suicide in children: Concept analysis using Rodgers's evolutionary approach
Authors: Desmarais Michèle , Montreuil Marjorie
Published: October 2020

Topic

Although the concept of suicide in children and adolescents is widely present in the literature, its conceptual definition varies according to context, discipline, and time. How this concept is defined impacts the delivery of care to children and adolescents regarding suicide prevention in mental health settings and in the community.

Purpose

Using Rodgers's evolutionary method, we examined the antecedents, attributes, and consequences of “suicide in children” through temporal trends, and geographic locations.

Sources

In total, 106 articles were included. Searches were performed using CINAHL, PsycINFO, and Medline, as well as Google Scholar as a complementary tool.

Conclusions

Through a thematic analysis, we identified three themes: (1) developmental perspectives, (2) factors predicting suicide in children, and (3) the emancipation of children as active agents in society. Recent literature shows a movement toward acknowledging the voice of children and adolescents regarding suicide. We address clinical and future implications for the development of this concept.
Sirtuin 5 regulates the proliferation, invasion and migration of prostate cancer cells through acetyl‐CoA acetyltransferase 1
Authors: Guan Jingqian , Jiang Xizi , Gai Junda , Sun Xiaodan , Zhao Jinming , Li Ji , Li Yizhuo , Cheng Ming , Du Tengjiao , Fu Lin , Li Qingchang
Published: October 2020

Sirtuin 5 (SIRT5) is a NAD+‐dependent class III protein deacetylase, and its role in prostate cancer has not yet been reported. Therefore, to explore the diagnosis and treatment of prostate cancer, we investigated the effect of SIRT5 on prostate cancer. Sirtuin 5 was assessed by immunohistochemistry in 57 normal and cancerous prostate tissues. We found that the tissue expression levels of SIRT5 in patients with Gleason scores ≥7 were significantly different from those in patients with Gleason scores <7 (P < .05, R > 0). Further, mass spectrometry and pathway screening experiments showed that SIRT5 regulated the activity of the mitogen‐activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathway, which in turn modulated the expression of MMP9 and cyclin D1. Being a substrate of SIRT5, acetyl‐CoA acetyltransferase 1 (ACAT1) was regulated by SIRT5. SIRT5 also regulated MAPK pathway activity through ACAT1. These results revealed that SIRT5 promoted the activity of the MAPK pathway through ACAT1, increasing the ability of prostate cancer cells to proliferate, migrate and invade. Overall, these results indicate that SIRT5 expression is closely associated with prostate cancer progression. Understanding the underlying mechanism may provide new targets and methods for the diagnosis and treatment of the disease.
When are randomized trials unnecessary? A signal detection theory approach to approving new treatments based on non‐randomized studies
Authors: Djulbegovic Benjamin , Razavi Marianne , Hozo Iztok
Published: October 2020

Rationale, aims and objectives

New therapies are increasingly approved by regulatory agencies such as the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the European Medicines Agency (EMA) based on testing in non‐randomized clinical trials. These treatments have typically displayed “dramatic effects” (ie, effects that are considered large enough to obviate the combined effects of biases and random errors that may affect the study results). The agencies, however, have not identified how large these effects should be to avoid the need for further testing in randomized controlled trials (RCTs). We investigated the effect size that would circumvent the need for further RCTs testing by the regulatory agencies. We hypothesized that the approval of therapeutic interventions by regulators is based on heuristic decision making whose accuracy can be best characterized by the application of signal detection theory (SDT).

Methods

We merged the EMA and FDA database of approvals based on non‐RCT comparisons. We excluded duplicate entries between the two databases. We included a total of 134 approvals of drugs and devices based on non‐RCTs. We integrated Weber‐Fechner law of psychophysics and recognition heuristics within SDT to provide descriptive explanations of the decisions made by the FDA and EMA to approve new treatments based on non‐randomized studies without requiring further testing in RCTs.

Results

Our findings suggest that when the difference between novel treatments and the historical control is at least one logarithm (base 10) of magnitude, the veracity of testing in non‐RCTs seems to be established.

Conclusion

Drug developers and practitioners alike can use the change in one logarithm of effect size as a benchmark to decide if further testing in RCTs should be pursued, or as a guide to interpreting the results reported in non‐randomized studies. However, further research would be useful to better characterize the threshold of effect size above which testing in RCTs is not needed.
Genome‐wide analysis of Toll‐like receptors in zebrafish and the effect of rearing temperature on the receptors in response to stimulated pathogen infection
Authors: Chen Hong , Liang Yue , Han Yawen , Liu Tengfei , Chen Shulin
Published: October 2020

Water temperature has a major influence on the host innate immune defence and the infectivity of pathogens in ectothermic teleosts. Toll‐like receptors (TLRs) are the first and well‐characterized innate immune receptors that are conserved in vertebrates. However, little is known about the effect of temperature variation on TLRs in fish species. In this study, we used adult zebrafish as a research model to investigate the effect of water temperature on TLRs. Whole genome searches identified 20 TLR homologue genes in zebrafish. Multiple sequence alignment and protein structure analysis revealed the conserved domains for these TLR proteins. To identify TLR genes related to temperature variation, TLR family genes from 12 species with different body temperatures were assigned to conduct phylogenetic analyses. Based on the phylogenetic relationships, TLR3, TLR4, TLR5 and TLR20~21 were selected as candidate genes. Immunostimulation data indicated that TLR3, TLR5, and TLR21 were more sensitive to temperature variation and their expression levels were affected in response to pathogen stimulation. Taken together, our results provide a new opportunity to understand the roles of temperature on host innate immune response in fishes and have broader implications for disease prevention in aquaculture.
A multi‐biomarker study on Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar L.) affected by the emerging Red Skin Disease in the Baltic Sea
Authors: Weichert Fabian G. , Axén Charlotte , Förlin Lars , Inostroza Pedro A. , Kammann Ulrike , Welling Annikki , Sturve Joachim , Asker Noomi
Published: October 2020

For half a decade, the Atlantic salmon in the Baltic Sea has been facing severe health issues. Clinical signs like haemorrhage, erosions and ulcerative/necrotic skin conditions in returning adults have been reported from different Swedish rivers. These primary disease signs precede a secondary, terminal fungal infection. As initial investigations of the disease did not provide conclusive answers regarding the pathogenesis, this study was initiated to gain insight into a possible link between this so‐called Red Skin Disease and anthropogenic influences. Therefore, returning salmon were caught in rivers along the Swedish coast and different tissues were sampled. The focus was put on the measurements of a battery of biomarkers as well as biochemical and haematological parameters, which were analysed using multivariate statistics. The main findings were a severe osmotic haemodilution, an immune response and an alteration of the carbohydrate metabolism in diseased fish. Furthermore, oxidative stress does not seem to be a likely factor in the pathogenesis. Concluding, certain changes in physiological parameters were shown to be indicative for the disease patterns, while others were ruled out as significant factors. Thus, this study contributes to the understanding of the Red Skin Disease and may act as a hypothesis generator for future studies.
Early identification of patients with acute gastrointestinal bleeding using natural language processing and decision rules
Authors: Shung Dennis , Tsay Cynthia , Laine Loren , Chang David , Li Fan , Thomas Prem , Partridge Caitlin , Simonov Michael , Hsiao Allen , Tay J Kenneth , Taylor Andrew
Published: October 2020

Background and Aim

Guidelines recommend risk stratification scores in patients presenting with gastrointestinal bleeding (GIB), but such scores are uncommonly employed in practice. Automation and deployment of risk stratification scores in real time within electronic health records (EHRs) would overcome a major impediment. This requires an automated mechanism to accurately identify (“phenotype”) patients with GIB at the time of presentation. The goal is to identify patients with acute GIB by developing and evaluating EHR‐based phenotyping algorithms for emergency department (ED) patients.

Methods

We specified criteria using structured data elements to create rules for identifying patients and also developed multiple natural language processing (NLP)‐based approaches for automated phenotyping of patients, tested them with tenfold cross‐validation for 10 iterations (n = 7144) and external validation (n = 2988) and compared them with a standard method to identify patient conditions, the Systematized Nomenclature of Medicine. The gold standard for GIB diagnosis was the independent dual manual review of medical records. The primary outcome was the positive predictive value.

Results

A decision rule using GIB‐specific terms from ED triage and ED review‐of‐systems assessment performed better than the Systematized Nomenclature of Medicine on internal validation and external validation (positive predictive value = 85% confidence interval:83%–87% vs 69% confidence interval:66%–72%; P < 0.001). The syntax‐based NLP algorithm and Bidirectional Encoder Representation from Transformers neural network‐based NLP algorithm had similar performance to the structured‐data fields decision rule.

Conclusions

An automated decision rule employing GIB‐specific triage and review‐of‐systems terms can be used to trigger EHR‐based deployment of risk stratification models to guide clinical decision making in real time for patients with acute GIB presenting to the ED.
The Healthy, Aging, and Diseased Kidney: Relationship with Cardiovascular Disease
Authors: Morcos Ramez , Lazar Ira , Kucharik Michael , Lavin Arye , Fahmy Andrew , Chandrasekhar Sanjay , Ibrahim Amira , Neupane Aashish , Khalili Houman , Maini Brijeshwar , Ouslander Joseph G.
Published: October 2020

The cardiovascular and renal systems share an intimate physiological relationship, wherein a perturbance in one system may have an adverse effect on the other. Since the burden of renal disease increases with age, there is a considerable interest in the pathophysiology of kidney disease in the geriatric patient population. This review will explore the physiological dynamics behind the increased susceptibility to kidney disease in this population. A better understanding of these pathophysiological changes may lead to improved prevention and management strategies.
Tracking oral health in a standardized, evidence‐based, prevention‐focused dental care system
Authors: White Joel M. , Brandon Ryan G. , Mullins Joanna M. , Simmons Kristen L. , Kottek Aubri M. , Mertz Elizabeth A.
Published: October 2020

Objectives

Learning health‐care systems are foundational for measuring and achieving value in oral health care. This article describes the components of a preventive dental care program and the quality of care in a large dental accountable care organization.

Methods

A retrospective study design describes and evaluates the cross‐sectional measures of process of care (PoC), appropriateness of care (AoC), and outcomes of care (OoC) extracted from the electronic health record (EHR), between 2014 and 2019. Annual and composite measures are derived from EHR‐based clinical decision support for risk determination, diagnostic and treatment terminology, and decayed‐missing‐filled‐teeth (DMFT) measures.

Results

Annually, 253,515 ± 27,850 patients were cared for with 618,084 ± 80,559 visits, 209,366 ± 22,300 exams, and 2,072,844 ± 300,363 clinical procedures. PoC metrics included provider adherence (98.3 percent) in completing caries risk assessments and patient receipt (96.9 percent) of a proactive dental care plan. AoC metrics included patients receiving prevention according to the risk‐based protocol. The percent of patients at risk for caries receiving fluoride varnish was 95.4 ± 0.4 percent. OoC metrics included untreated decay and new decay. The 6‐year average prevalence of untreated decay was 11.3 ± 0.3 percent, and average incidence of new decay was 13.6 ± 0.5 percent, increasing with risk level: low = 7.5 percent, medium = 18.8 percent, high = 29.4 percent, and extreme = 28.1 percent.

Conclusions

The preventive dental care system demonstrates excellent provider adherence to the evidence‐based prevention protocol, with measurably better dental outcomes by patient risk compared to national estimates. These achievements are enabled by a value‐centric, accountable model of care and incentivized by a compensation model aligned with performance measures.
Keratose‐dominated sponge grounds from temperate mesophotic ecosystems (NW Mediterranean Sea)
Authors: Enrichetti Francesco , Bavestrello Giorgio , Betti Federico , Coppari Martina , Toma Margherita , Pronzato Roberto , Canese Simonepietro , Bertolino Marco , Costa Gabriele , Pansini Maurizio , Bo Marzia
Published: October 2020

Differently from the North Atlantic Ocean, only few examples of sponge grounds are known from the Mediterranean Sea, mainly thriving in the deep sea. In this study, a novel temperate mesophotic ecosystem dominated by massive keratose sponges is reported from the Ligurian deep continental shelf. An extensive Remotely Operated Vehicle (ROV) survey allowed to study the structure and large‐scale distribution of this biocoenosis. The sponge grounds here described are highly fragmented, being formed by a large number of dense, discrete aggregations of Sarcotragus foetidus (up to 7.7 specimens/m2) and other sponges, including Spongia lamella and Axinella polypoides. They mainly occur on flat, patchy and highly silted hardgrounds between 40 and 70 m depth. These sponge‐dominated ecosystems have an exceptionally wide spatial distribution, estimated to cover up to nearly 200 hectares, with the largest sponge grounds occurring along the westernmost part of the Ligurian coast, probably in relation to more suitable oceanographic conditions. The dominant sponge species reach considerable heights (up to 65 cm), greatly increasing the habitat three‐dimensionality and acting as poles of attraction for a diverse sessile and vagile fauna. In addition, the high abundance of the keratose sponge grounds at mesophotic depths might represent a larval source for shallow‐water populations that in the last decades have been stricken by several mass mortality events.
Neuropathological features of cognitive decline in Lewy body dementia
Authors: Sengoku Renpei
Published: October 2020

Parkinson's disease (PD) is associated with mild cognitive impairment and dementia. The causes of cognitive impairment in PD are diverse, and some remain unclear. Cognitive impairment in PD is thought to be caused by abnormal protein accumulation, neurotransmitter circuit dysfunction, synaptic dysfunction, neuroinflammation, mitochondrial dysfunction, and/or changes in microglia and astroglia. PD with dementia (PDD) and dementia with Lewy bodies (DLB) are defined as dementia syndromes that have many overlapping clinical features and underlying genetics. As such, it is difficult to distinguish between PDD and DLB neuropathologically. In this paper, we will use the term “Lewy body dementia” to refer to the dementia syndromes of both diseases. Furthermore, we will describe the cognitive impairment that accompanies PDD and DLB from a neuropathological perspective according to recent research.
Flourishing at work: Nurses' motivation through daily communication – An ethnographic approach
Authors: Ahlstedt Carina , Eriksson Lindvall Carin , Holmström Inger K. , Muntlin Åsa
Published: October 2020

Shortage and turnover of registered nurses are worldwide challenges, and work motivation is one factor in retaining staff in the healthcare sector. The aim of this study was to explore registered nurses' motivation expressed in daily communication, using the basic needs in self‐determination theory as a framework. A secondary analysis of ethnographic data, collected through participant observations, informal interviews during observations, and individual interviews, was used. A total sample of all registered nurses employed at a hospital unit in Sweden (n = 10) participated. The data were analyzed thematically through the lens of the basic needs in self‐determination theory: autonomy, competence, and relatedness. Self‐regulation of learning, the possibilities to discuss work‐related challenges with colleagues, and having registered nurses lead dialogues with physicians were factors connected to autonomy. Having a registered nurse and physician solve problems together was a factor connected to competence. A sense of belonging and security in a permissive climate between registered nurses was connected to relatedness. This paper has implications for increased awareness of the three basic motivational needs, which could be used in the development of attractive workplaces.
Agrobacterium T‐DNA integration in somatic cells does not require the activity of DNA polymerase θ
Authors: Nishizawa‐Yokoi Ayako , Saika Hiroaki , Hara Naho , Lee Lan‐Ying , Toki Seiichi , Gelvin Stanton B.
Published: October 2020

Integration of Agrobacterium tumefaciens transferred DNA (T‐DNA) into the plant genome is the last step required for stable plant genetic transformation. The mechanism of T‐DNA integration remains controversial, although scientists have proposed the participation of various nonhomologous end‐joining (NHEJ) pathways. Recent evidence suggests that in Arabidopsis, DNA polymerase θ (PolQ) may be a crucial enzyme involved in T‐DNA integration.

We conducted quantitative transformation assays of wild‐type and polQ mutant Arabidopsis and rice, analyzed T‐DNA/plant DNA junction sequences, and (for Arabidopsis) measured the amount of integrated T‐DNA in mutant and wild‐type tissue.

Unexpectedly, we were able to generate stable transformants of all tested lines, although the transformation frequency of polQ mutants was c. 20% that of wild‐type plants. T‐DNA/plant DNA junctions from these transformed rice and Arabidopsis polQ mutants closely resembled those from wild‐type plants, indicating that loss of PolQ activity does not alter the characteristics of T‐DNA integration events. polQ mutant plants show growth and developmental defects, perhaps explaining previous unsuccessful attempts at their stable transformation.

We suggest that either multiple redundant pathways function in T‐DNA integration, and/or that integration requires some yet unknown pathway.
Sleep‐disordered breathing in pediatric heart transplant recipients
Authors: Powell Weston T. , Chen Maida , Kraft Danielle , Albers Erin
Published: October 2020

Background

Sleep‐disordered breathing is commonly found in adults with heart failure both before and after HTx. Untreated sleep‐disordered breathing post‐transplant has been linked to late graft dysfunction, reduced quality of life, and increased morbidity. Sleep‐disordered breathing has not been investigated in pediatric HTx recipients.

Methods

We conducted retrospective review of patients <21yo who underwent primary HTx at our center from 2009 to 2019 to describe clinical characteristics, cardiac history, and PSG results.

Results

One hundred and fifty patients were included; 60% had congenital heart disease, and 40% had cardiomyopathy. Fifty patients had PSG performed at median age of 6.1 years. Forty‐one were referred for symptoms of sleep‐disordered breathing. Obstructive sleep apnea was diagnosed in 45 patients and central sleep apnea in 3 patients. Of those with first PSG post‐transplant (n = 36), median AHI was 9.1/h, and 19 (53%) were diagnosed with moderate or severe sleep apnea. Patients diagnosed with obstructive sleep apnea on PSG had more post‐transplant ventilator days (median 3 vs 2 days, P < .05) and longer post‐transplant lengths of stay (median 28 vs 22 days, P < .05).

Conclusions

In this single‐center cohort of pediatric HTx recipients, sleep‐disordered breathing was common and associated with longer peri‐transplant respiratory support and length of stay. Given the high incidence of moderate and severe OSA detected in this population, clinicians should regularly screen for SDB and consider PSG testing more frequently in children who have undergone HTx. Further study into the long‐term impact of sleep‐disordered breathing in pediatric HTx recipients is needed.
Printing Spare Parts at Remote Locations: Fulfilling the Promise of Additive Manufacturing
Authors: Westerweel Bram , Basten Rob , denBoer Jelmar , vanHoutum Geert‐Jan
Published: October 2020

We investigate the benefits of on‐site printing at remote geographic locations, where access to spare parts is intermittent and supplies are replenished at fixed intervals. Organizations typically have no solution to spare parts shortages other than expensive expediting orders, or waiting for a part to arrive with the next replenishment. We investigate whether on‐site three‐dimensional (3D) printing of spare parts can bring relief. Our work extends dual‐sourcing literature with fixed order cycles by considering two emergency supply options: expediting regular parts and 3D printing lower quality parts. We model the replenishment and emergency supply decisions as a Markov decision process and find that the optimal inventory control policy consists of two thresholds that control when to expedite, when to print and when to wait for regular parts via the next replenishment. We apply our model to a case study of the Royal Netherlands Army (RNLA) for her United Nations peacekeeping mission in Mali. Our results show that on‐site 3D printing, much more so than expediting, leads to large operational cost savings through on‐site inventory reductions and increased asset availability, thus increasing the ability of the RNLA to operate in remote locations. These results extend to many other organizations that operate in remote locations, for example, those in the mining and offshore industry.
Co‐culture model reveals the characteristics of theca cells and the effect of granulosa cells on theca cells at different stages of follicular development
Authors: Gan Xiang , Wang Yushi , Gao Shanyan , Chen Xi , Hu Shenqiang , Wang Jiwen , Hu Jiwei , Li Liang , Han Chunchun
Published: October 2020

Theca cells (TCs) play an important role in follicular development, which cannot be separated from granulosa cells (GCs). However, compared with mammals, the TCs and the effects of GCs on TCs at different follicular development stages (FDSs) have specific characteristics in avian species, but none of them have been clearly defined. In this study, we established an in vitro co‐culture (with GC at the corresponding stage) model of goose TCs at different FDSs (pre‐hierarchical, hierarchical and F1) by using a transwell system. The properties of TCs in co‐culture at the three FDSs, including cell morphology, activity and intracellular lipid content, as well as the expression of key genes involved in de novo lipogenesis, steroidogenesis, proliferation and apoptosis, were examined and defined. We further compared the mono‐culture and co‐culture groups. After co‐culture, the activity of TCs showed significant (p < .01) increases in all stages; moreover, in pre‐hierarchical TCs, the expression levels of FAS, SREBP, 3β‐HSD and CCND1 were promoted, and PPARγ, CYP19, BCL2 and CAS3 were inhibited (p < .05); in the hierarchical TCs, the expression levels of PPARγ, FAS, CYP19, CCND1 and BCL2 were promoted, and SREBP, STAR, 3β‐HSD and CAS3 were inhibited (p < .05), whereas in the F1 TCs, the expression levels of PPARγ, FAS, 3β‐HSD, CYP19 and CCND1 were promoted, and STAR and CAS3 were inhibited (p < .05). These results suggested that GCs at the three FDSs have dynamic and complex influences on the physiological characteristics of TCs, and the influences on TCs at the three FDSs were varied.
Religion in African literature: Representation, critique and imagination
Authors: van Klinken Adriaan
Published: October 2020

The study of religion and literature has emerged as a field of considerable academic interest. Although some work has been done on religion and African literature, research in this area tends to be fragmented and dispersed over various fields and disciplines. Reviewing available scholarship in this area, this article explores what engaging with African literary writing brings to the table of the study of religion in Africa. Focussing on postcolonial and contemporary African literature, it identifies a three‐fold contribution: first, the creative representation of religious traditions and dynamics; second, the critique of religious beliefs and institutions, and third, the imagination of alternative religious possibilities. It illustrates these contributions by specifically focussing on issues of (neo)colonialism, gender and sexuality. Hence the article foregrounds the importance of engaging with religion for interpreting African literary texts, and the significance of literary writing for understanding religion as part of African social and cultural life.
Political origins of financial structure in developing countries
Authors: Ghardallou Wafa
Published: October 2020

The structure of the financial system refers to the way funding is shared between banks and financial markets. This paper investigates the determinants of the financial structure variability across emerging economies. It particularly seeks to study the effects of democratic versus autocratic political regimes on the financial system structure. The results provide evidence that democracy is associated with higher market‐based financial systems. In this line, democracy tends to promote financial systems where stock markets are more active and efficient than banks. Therefore, policymakers are recommended to strengthen democratic institutions through reinforcing political rights and civil liberties, as part of a strategy of stock markets development.
An Ethos of Affirmative Laughter in Nietzsche’sZarathustra
Authors: Hurst Andrea
Published: October 2020

InThus Spoke Zarathustra(2006), Nietzsche presents Zarathustra as a sage and parodic prophet, who acquires and offers insight over the narrated journey of his spiritual development. Nietzsche’s conception ofZarathustraas a gift (to “all and none”) endorses learning as the kind of emulation condensed into Zarathustra’s complex formulation: rather than “corpses that I carry with me wherever I want . . . I need living companions who follow me because they want to follow themselves—wherever I want.” Thus I aim, firstly, to follow the text closely to see what is given. However, noting thatZarathustrais deeply imbued with figures of laughter, I also impose an interpretation. “Repeating differently,” as demanded by Zarathustra, I outline a practicable, spiral‐shaped “learning curve” of traversal and return to various “shades of laughter,” advancing from the worst laughters to “goldenlaughter,” which embraces complexity. This represents what it means to laugh well. In so doing, I hope to demonstrate that the complex ethos of affirmative laughter inZarathustraremains strikingly pertinent for a contemporary era urgently tasked with embracing complexity.
Fearlessness about death predicts adolescent suicide attempt: A preliminary analysis
Authors: Ferm Mikael S. , Frazee Laura A. , Kennard Betsy D. , King Jessica D. , Emslie Graham J. , Stewart Sunita M.
Published: October 2020

Objective

Several theories of suicide suggest that people will only attempt suicide if they have both the desire to die and the capability for suicide. Fearlessness about death is a key component of capability for suicide. There is little information in the literature about the prospective relationship between fearlessness about death and suicide attempt in adolescents.

Method

We obtained baseline fearlessness about death from adolescents (N = 122; ages 12–18; 80% girls; 82% Caucasian) who received intensive outpatient treatment for active suicidal ideation and/or a recent attempt. We tested if fearlessness about death at treatment entry predicted an attempt (n = 14) between entry and six‐month follow‐up after discharge from the program.

Results

Fearlessness about death significantly predicted the presence of an attempt between treatment entry and six‐month follow‐up after controlling for common covariates (Quade F = 2.15, p < .02).

Conclusions

In a preliminary analysis of a group of suicidal adolescents, fearlessness about death was a significant independent predictor of attempt between treatment entry and six months post‐discharge, even when controlling for other commonly cited risk factors.
An appraisal of Turkey's voluntary individual pension system from a perspective of pension equality
Authors: Babat Sertac , Gultekin‐Karakas Derya , Hisarciklilar Mehtap
Published: October 2020

Since 2003, Turkey's pension policy has been increasingly based on facilitation of individual savings administered by private pension funds. The introduction of private pensions is expected to reinforce inequalities as a result of socio‐demographic features and pension system design. This article evaluates voluntary individual pension system with a perspective on pension equality. Monthly contributions to pension accounts are explored on the basis of socio‐economic and demographic characteristics of the customers of a currently operating pension company. Findings reveal that differences in people's saving capacities have become a source for pension inequality. Furthermore, state subsidies, which increase in proportion to individual contributions, strengthen unequal distributional dynamics. Pension privatization harms social solidarity as it intensifies existing social inequalities.
Impacts of professional development focused on teaching engineering applications of mathematics and science
Authors: Hammack Rebekah , Gannon Paul , Foreman Christine , Meyer Elijah
Published: October 2020

With the recent national emphasis on preparing children for future careers in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics, K‐12 teachers are being called upon to include engineering in their instruction. This study explores the impacts of a summer professional development (PD) program focused on the engineering applications of mathematics and science on in‐service K‐12 teachers' (a) personal engineering efficacy, (b) engineering teaching efficacy, and (c) perceived barriers to teaching engineering. This quantitative study revealed that a single engineering‐focused PD could increase teachers' personal engineering efficacy and engineering teaching efficacy and reduce particular perceived barriers to teaching engineering. No differences existed in pre‐ to post workshop assessment scores based on grade level taught, gender, or years of teaching experiences. However, pre‐ to post workshop assessment differences existed between participants depending on the discipline they taught and wether or not they had previously used engineering activities in their classrooms. These findings suggest that a single engineering PD can have significant impacts on in‐service teachers' personal engineering efficacy, engineering teaching efficacy, and perceived barriers to teaching engineering, but a one‐size‐fits‐all approach to such PD is not equally effective for all participants.
Providing ability to probability: Reducing cognitive load through worked‐out examples
Authors: Hadfield KimberLeigh Felix
Published: October 2020

Undergraduate students tend to struggle with probability in their introductory statistics course. Probability problem solving requires several steps. First, students must make sense of the probability scenario, then determine the appropriate probability rules, and finally, execute the procedures to solve the problem. With no previous exposure to probability, this presents too great a cognitive load for many students. Using worked‐out problems then transitioning to partially worked‐out problems in an introductory statistics course at a large university helped students succeed at solving probability problems. The worked‐out problems included writing prompts to encourage self‐explanation of students' thinking through studying the worked‐out examples. This paper explains the use of these instructional principles and their implementation in an introductory statistics course for non‐STEM majors, resulting in higher student achievement and understanding.
TACO‐BEL‐3: a feasibility study and a retrospective audit of diuretics for patients receiving blood transfusion at ten hospitals
Authors: Khandelwal Aditi , Lin Yulia , Cserti‐Gazdewich Christine , Al Moosawi Muntadhar , Armali Chantal , Arnold Donald , Callum Jeannie , Dallas Karen L. , Lieberman Lani , Pavenski Katerina , Rioux‐Massé Benjamin , Shehata Nadine , Shih Andrew W. , Pendergrast Jacob
Published: October 2020

Background and Objectives

Transfusion‐associated circulatory overload (TACO) is the leading cause of transfusion‐related morbidity and mortality. A recently completed pilot trial randomized patients to pre‐transfusion furosemide versus placebo but had a slower than expected enrollment rate. We sought to determine whether the lack of recruitment was due to a paucity of eligible patients or excessively restrictive eligibility criteria.

Materials and Methods

At 10 sites, eligible patients were retrospectively identified by first screening blood bank databases over one month for all transfusion episodes meeting trial inclusion criteria, defined as non‐surgical patients receiving single RBC unit transfusions. The age threshold was decreased from 65 to 50 years. The first 10 patients meeting inclusion criteria then underwent detailed chart review for the exclusion criteria. The incidence of TACO and furosemide use was also recorded.

Results

At the 10 sites, 11 969 red cell units were transfused over 1 month and 1356 met the inclusion criteria. Of the 100 charts reviewed, 60 (60%) had no exclusion criteria. Active bleeding was the most common reason for ineligibility. There were 813 eligible transfusion episodes. Of the eligible patients, 17 (28·3%) had evidence of congestive heart failure, and furosemide was prescribed in 24 (40%). Despite the use of a lower age threshold, three cases of TACO were detected with an incidence of 3%.

Conclusion

A large number of transfusion episodes met eligibility criteria. With a 3% incidence of TACO, 50% decrease through the use pre‐transfusion furosemide and a target consent rate of 30%, a definitive trial of approximately 3000 patients could be completed within 1 year.
Putting the spotlight on donation‐related risks and donor safety – are we succeeding in protecting donors?
Authors: Mikkelsen Christina , Mori Gaia , van Walraven Suzanna M. , Castrén Johanna , Zahra Sharon , MacLennan Sheila , Seidel Kirsten , Fontana Stefano , Veropalumbo Eva , Cannata Livia , Pupella Simonetta , Kvist Maria , Happel Marjan , Korkalainen Piia , Wulff Birgit , Fernandez‐Sojo Jesus , Eguizabal Cristina , Urbano Fernando , Vesga Miguel Angel , Pozenel Primoz , van Kraaij Marian , Hansen Morten Bagge , Slot Ed , Ullum Henrik
Published: October 2020

Background and objective

The European consortium project TRANSPOSE (TRANSfusion and transplantation: PrOtection and SElection of donors) aimed to assess and evaluate the risks to donors of Substances of Human Origin (SoHO), and to identify gaps between current donor vigilance systems and perceived risks.

Materials and methods

National and local data from participating organizations on serious and non‐serious adverse reactions in donors were collected from 2014 to 2017. Following this, a survey was performed among participants to identify risks not included in the data sets. Finally, participants rated the risks according to severity, level of evidence and prevalence.

Results

Significant discrepancies between anticipated donor risks and the collected data were found. Furthermore, many participants reported that national data on adverse reactions in donors of stem cells, gametes, embryos and tissues were not routinely collected and/or available.

Conclusions

These findings indicate that there is a need to further develop and standardize donor vigilance in Europe and to include long‐term risks to donors, which are currently underreported, ensuring donor health and securing the future supply of SoHO.