bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Empirical verification of the “TACT” framework for teaching rigour in qualitative research methodology
Authors: Daniel Ben Kei
Published: March 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to present a framework intended to guide students and novice researchers in learning about the necessary dimensions for assessing the rigour of qualitative research studies. The framework has four dimensions – (T)rustworthiness, (A)uditability, (C)redibility and (T)ransferability. The development of TACT is informed by various discourses of rigour in the qualitative research methods literature. Results of an empirical verification of TACT suggests that postgraduate students and faculty learning qualitative research found the framework useful for learning rigour in qualitative research methods. TACT also serves as an important theoretical tool for setting directions for further discourses on teaching and learning critical aspects of rigour in qualitative research methodology.

Design/methodology/approach

The formal verification of the TACT started with a development of a rating tool. The tool consisted of a total of 16 items, 4 items per each dimension. The items were ranked on five-scale Likert points (1=very important, 2=important, 3=neutral, 4=less important, 5=not important). The instrument was piloted and tested for reliability revealing an overall Cronbach’s α (α=0.86), which indicates a good level of internal consistency (George and Mallery, 2003) among the dimensions. The tool was put online and sent out to participants enroled in workshops on “assessing rigour in qualitative research studies”.

Findings

Overall, participants found TACT to be a useful framework for learning different dimensions for assessing qualitative research. They saw various benefits associated with the use of the framework including providing a better process for undertaking and reporting outcomes of qualitative research and for exploring different dimensions of rigour. Participants also indicated that using TACT facilitates reflexivity and fosters dependability of research outcomes. They stated that TACT could help researchers think about their personal relationship with a phenomenon being studied as well as the quality of data collected. Others said that TACT allows researchers to think about achieving transference and gaining confidence in the research findings.

Research limitations/implications

TACT is best suited as a teaching toolkit in qualitative research methodology courses. It is also useful as a platform for fostering a shared language in undertaking peer-review of methodological dimensions of qualitative research studies.

Practical implications

Though a general framework for accessing rigour in qualitative research studies is highly desirable, the usefulness of TACT in rendering rigour is subject to a particular academic tradition.

Social implications

TACT facilitates the exploration of different dimensions for assessing the outcome of qualitative research.

Originality/value

TACT is a general framework drawn from the literature and teaching practice and empirically validated.
Influence of intersections on the performance of position-based routing protocols for VANETs
Authors: Mansoor Ali Mohammed , Sarea Adel Mohammed , Md Sabri Aznul Qalid
Published: March 2018

Purpose

The vehicular ad hoc network (VANET) is an emerging area for smart cities as observed in last few decades. However, some hurdles for VANET exist that need to be resolved before its full implementation in smart cities. Routing is one of the main factors for having effective communication between smart vehicles that urgently needs to be addressed. One factor that affects communication between the vehicles is the intersection points that obstruct the communication. The paper aims to discuss these issues.

Design/methodology/approach

The conventional routing schemes fail to address the intersection problems that occur during the two points of communication. Therefore, this paper analyses the performance of existing position-based routing protocol for inter-vehicle ad hoc networks, considering the impact of a number of intersections. This simulation evaluates different position-based routing protocols such as Intersection-based Distance and Traffic-Aware Routing (IDTAR), Greedy Traffic-Aware Routing, Anchor-based Street and Traffic-Aware Routing and Geographic Source Routing, based on road topology and the number of intersections.

Findings

As a result, the protocol IDTAR has a lower end-to-end delay and high packet delivery ratio in terms of the number of intersections as a case study of smart cities. This concludes that IDTAR can be adaptive to smart cities communication, although some questions need to be considered in terms of its security, compatibility, reliability and robustness.

Practical implications

The role of VANET has been highlighted in smart cities due to its implications in day-to-day life. The vehicles in VANET are equipped with wireless communication nodes to provide network connectivity. Such types of network operate without the legacy infrastructure, as well as legacy client/servers.

Originality/value

Additionally, the study contributes to smart cities by measuring the performance of position-based routing protocols for VANETs.
Environmental-related patent technology transfer effectiveness
Authors: Ferreira João J. , Fernandes Cristina , Ratten Vanessa
Published: March 2018

Purpose

Environmental-related technology transfer is increasingly being viewed as a policy issue and a business goal to be pursued by countries in order to increase their global competitiveness. Despite this policy importance, the research analysing environmental-related technology transfer comparing international rates of participation is limited. The paper aims to discuss this issue.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors analyse the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) data using econometric analysis to compare environmental-related technology patents between Portugal and Australia in terms of environmental management, water-related adaptation, and climate change mitigation.

Findings

The results suggest that environmental-related patents, in turn, are always registered in greater numbers by Australia than by Portugal but with both countries outpaced by the OECD average.

Research limitations/implications

The research implications are that Australia has more international cooperation around the development of environmental-related technology patents than Portugal.

Practical implications

The authors find that overall these patents do not have any statistically significant effect on predicting gross domestic product growth but there has been a higher number of patents for Australia focusing on water-related adaptation technology than for Portugal, which may be a result of policies aimed at increasing effective use of water in Australia.

Originality/value

The results of the analysis suggest that the OECD member state cooperation increases the number of environmental-related technology patents and serves as a mechanism to facilitate internationalisation.
eDNA Sampler: A fully integrated environmental DNA sampling system
Authors: Thomas Austen C. , Howard Jesse , Nguyen Phong L. , Seimon Tracie A. , Goldberg Caren S.
Published: March 2018

Species monitoring using environmental DNA (eDNA) is a powerful new technique for natural resource scientists and the number of research groups employing eDNA detection is growing rapidly. However, current eDNA sampling technologies consist mainly of do‐it‐yourself solutions, and the lack of purpose‐built sampling equipment is limiting the efficiency and standardization of eDNA studies.

Here, we describe the first fully integrated sampling system (Smith‐Root eDNA Sampler) designed by a team of molecular ecologists and engineers for high‐throughput eDNA sample collection. It consists of a backpack portable pump that integrates sensor feedback, a pole extension with remote pump controller, custom‐made filter housings in single‐use packets for each sampling site and onboard sample storage. The system is optimized for sampling speed and replicability, while minimizing risk of contamination.

We present an example pilot study designed to identify optimal eDNA Sampler system parameter values (i.e. pump pressure, flow rate, filter pore size, sample volume) in a new sampling environment. We identified a peak in filtration efficiency at a flow rate threshold of 1.0 L/m, and found that 5 μm filters captured significantly more target eDNA than 1 μm filters. Results also suggest that high filtration pressures may reduce eDNA retention, which implies that pressure should be standardized to avoid biasing detection data.

Similar to the technological evolution of backpack electrofishers, eDNA sampling technology is in the process of transitioning from a nascent phase to professionally engineered research tools. Such innovations will be essential as eDNA monitoring becomes one of the industry standard methods used for species detection and management.
Quantitative measurements of various gases in high and ultrahigh vacuum
Authors: Yoshida Hajime , Arai Kenta
Published: March 2018

Two calibration methods for ionization gauges, a measurement method for the effective pumping speed of turbomolecular pumps, and a method for introducing low gas flow rates into vacuum chambers were examined. Twenty-four gases were used, including inert gases, hydrocarbons, oxygen, carbon oxide, chlorofluorocarbons, and liquid vapors. Direct comparison with a reference spinning rotor gauge and incorporation of the standard conductance element into the conductance modulation methods were tested as calibration methods in the range from 10−6 to 10−3 Pa. The effective pumping speed of a turbomolecular pump with a nominal pumping speed of 0.37 m3/s for N2 was measured using the modified conductance modulation method. A standard conductance element, which is a porous plug fabricated from sintered stainless steel, was tested in the range of 10−8 to 10−4 Pa m3/s to quantitatively introduce gas into a vacuum chamber. The obtained results were compared with previously reported values.
Do Applicants Care? Assessing the Influence of Socially Responsible Communication on Job Seekers in the Sport Industry
Authors: Hayduk Ted , Walker Matt
Published: March 2018

Human-resource management is a unique challenge for professional sport franchises (PSFs). A lack of research on full-time employees in sport means we know little about the perceptions of those most connected to PSFs despite the unique nature of the sport industry. This paper investigates whether communicating socially responsible behavior (SRB) in sport job postings generates more prospective person–organization fit (POFit) and greater application intention. Uncovering these relationships will help sport practitioners optimize their hiring process by targeting recruitment messages. The analysis does not support the idea that communicating SRB in a sport job posting enhances prospective POFit or application intentions, even for socially conscious applicants. These findings contradict similar exercises carried out in other industries, highlighting the distinctiveness of professional sport.
IOC Consensus Statement: Dietary Supplements and the High-Performance Athlete
Authors: Maughan Ronald J. , Burke Louise M. , Dvorak Jiri , Larson-Meyer D. Enette , Peeling Peter , Phillips Stuart M. , Rawson Eric S. , Walsh Neil P. , Garthe Ina , Geyer Hans , Meeusen Romain , van Loon Luc , Shirreffs Susan M. , Spriet Lawrence L. , Stuart Mark , Vernec Alan , Currell Kevin , Ali Vidya M. , Budgett Richard G.M. , Ljungqvist Arne , Mountjoy Margo , Pitsiladis Yannis , Soligard Torbjørn , Erdener Uğur , Engebretsen Lars
Published: March 2018

Nutrition usually makes a small but potentially valuable contribution to successful performance in elite athletes, and dietary supplements can make a minor contribution to this nutrition program. Nonetheless, supplement use is widespread at all levels of sport. Products described as supplements target different issues, including the management of micronutrient deficiencies, supply of convenient forms of energy and macronutrients, and provision of direct benefits to performance or indirect benefits such as supporting intense training regimens. The appropriate use of some supplements can offer benefits to the athlete, but others may be harmful to the athlete’s health, performance, and/or livelihood and reputation if an anti-doping rule violation results. A complete nutritional assessment should be undertaken before decisions regarding supplement use are made. Supplements claiming to directly or indirectly enhance performance are typically the largest group of products marketed to athletes, but only a few (including caffeine, creatine, specific buffering agents and nitrate) have good evidence of benefits. However, responses are affected by the scenario of use and may vary widely between individuals because of factors that include genetics, the microbiome, and habitual diet. Supplements intended to enhance performance should be thoroughly trialed in training or simulated competition before implementation in competition. Inadvertent ingestion of substances prohibited under the anti-doping codes that govern elite sport is a known risk of taking some supplements. Protection of the athlete’s health and awareness of the potential for harm must be paramount, and expert professional opinion and assistance is strongly advised before embarking on supplement use.
Pacific Rim
and exoskeletons
Authors: Murphy Robin R.
Published: March 2018

The giant robots in the
Pacific Rim
movies could take lessons from advances in legged robots and real-world exoskeletons.
Hidden agendas: Clonal hematopoiesis accelerates heart failure
Authors: Lavine Kory
Published: March 2018

Clonal hematopoiesis driven by TET2 deficiency accelerates post-infarct remodeling and heart failure through the NLRP3 inflammasome and IL-1β production.
Shigella sonnei Does Not Use Amoebae as Protective Hosts
Authors: Watson Jayne , Jenkins Claire , Clements Abigail
Published: March 2018

Shigella flexneri
and
Shigella sonnei
bacteria cause the majority of all shigellosis cases worldwide. However, their distributions differ, with
S. sonnei
predominating in middle- and high-income countries and
S. flexneri
predominating in low-income countries. One proposed explanation for the continued range expansion of
S. sonnei
is that it can survive in amoebae, which could provide a protective environment for the bacteria. In this study, we demonstrate that while both
S. sonnei
and
S. flexneri
can survive coculture with the free-living amoebae
Acanthamoebae castellanii
, bacterial growth is predominantly extracellular. All isolates of
Shigella
were degraded following phagocytosis by
A. castellanii
, unlike those of
Legionella pneumophila
, which can replicate intracellularly. Our data suggest that
S. sonnei
is not able to use amoebae as a protective host to enhance environmental survival. Therefore, alternative explanations for
S. sonnei
emergence need to be considered.

IMPORTANCE
The distribution of
Shigella
species closely mirrors a country's socioeconomic conditions. With the transition of many populous nations from low- to middle-income countries,
S. sonnei
infections have emerged as a major public health issue. Understanding why
S. sonnei
infections are resistant to improvements in living conditions is key to developing methods to reduce exposure to this pathogen. We show that free-living amoebae are not likely to be environmental hosts of
S. sonnei
, as all
Shigella
strains tested were phagocytosed and degraded by amoebae. Therefore, alternative scenarios are required to explain the emergence and persistence of
S. sonnei
infections.
Genome Sequence of Coxiella-Like Endosymbiont Strain CLE-RmD, a Bacterial Agent in the Cattle Tick (Rhipicephalus microplus) Deutsch Strain
Authors: Ramaiah Arunachalam , Dasch Gregory A.
Published: March 2018

We report a partial genome sequence for the
Coxiella
-like endosymbiont strain CLE-RmD, assembled from metagenomics data obtained from the southern cattle tick (
Rhipicephalus microplus
) Deutsch strain.
Complete Genome Sequences of Six Measles Virus Strains
Authors: Phan My V. T. , Schapendonk Claudia M. E. , Oude Munnink Bas B. , Koopmans Marion P. G. , de Swart Rik L. , Cotten Matthew
Published: March 2018

Genetic characterization of wild-type measles virus (MV) strains is a critical component of measles surveillance and molecular epidemiology. We have obtained complete genome sequences of six MV strains belonging to different genotypes, using random-primed next generation sequencing.
Draft Genome Sequence of Escherichia coli KL53
Authors: Soltys Katarina , Vavrova Silvia , Budis Jaroslav , Palkova Lenka , Minarik Gabriel , Grones Jozef
Published: March 2018

Here, we report the draft genome sequence of a clinical isolate of the uropathogenic strain
Escherichia coli
KL53. A total of 5,083,632 bp was
de novo
assembled into 170 contigs containing 89 RNAs and 5,034 protein-coding genes. Remarkable is the presence of the tellurite resistance (
ter
) operon on a plasmid.
Coxiella burnetii Subverts p62/Sequestosome 1 and Activates Nrf2 Signaling in Human Macrophages
Authors: Winchell Caylin G. , Dragan Amanda L. , Brann Katelynn R. , Onyilagha Frances I. , Kurten Richard C. , Voth Daniel E.
Published: March 2018

Coxiella burnetii
is the causative agent of human Q fever, a debilitating flu-like illness that can progress to chronic disease presenting as endocarditis. Following inhalation,
C. burnetii
is phagocytosed by alveolar macrophages and generates a lysosome-like replication compartment termed the parasitophorous vacuole (PV). A type IV secretion system (T4SS) is required for PV generation and is one of the pathogen's few known virulence factors. We previously showed that
C. burnetii
actively recruits autophagosomes to the PV using the T4SS but does not alter macroautophagy. In the current study, we confirmed that the cargo receptor p62/sequestosome 1 (SQSTM-1) localizes near the PV in primary human alveolar macrophages infected with virulent
C. burnetii
. p62 and LC3 typically interact to select cargo for autophagy-mediated degradation, resulting in p62 degradation and LC3 recycling. However, in
C. burnetii
-infected macrophages, p62 was not degraded when cells were starved, suggesting that the pathogen stabilizes the protein. In addition, phosphorylated p62 levels increased, indicative of activation, during infection. Small interfering RNA experiments indicated that p62 is not absolutely required for intracellular growth, suggesting that the protein serves a signaling role during infection. Indeed, the Nrf2-Keap1 cytoprotective pathway was activated during infection, as evidenced by sustained maintenance of Nrf2 levels and translocation of the protein to the nucleus in
C. burnetii
-infected cells. Collectively, our studies identify a new p62-regulated host signaling pathway exploited by
C. burnetii
during intramacrophage growth.
Salmonella-Mediated Inflammation Eliminates Competitors for Fructose-Asparagine in the Gut
Authors: Wu Jikang , Sabag-Daigle Anice , Borton Mikayla A. , Kop Linnea F. M. , Szkoda Blake E. , Deatherage Kaiser Brooke L. , Lindemann Stephen R. , Renslow Ryan S. , Wei Siwei , Nicora Carrie D. , Weitz Karl K. , Kim Young-Mo , Adkins Joshua N. , Metz Thomas O. , Boyaka Prosper , Gopalan Venkat , Wrighton Kelly C. , Wysocki Vicki H. , Ahmer Brian M. M.
Published: March 2018

Salmonella enterica
elicits intestinal inflammation to gain access to nutrients. One of these nutrients is fructose-asparagine (F-Asn). The availability of F-Asn to
Salmonella
during infection is dependent upon
Salmonella
pathogenicity islands 1 and 2, which in turn are required to provoke inflammation. Here, we determined that F-Asn is present in mouse chow at approximately 400 pmol/mg (dry weight). F-Asn is also present in the intestinal tract of germfree mice at 2,700 pmol/mg (dry weight) and in the intestinal tract of conventional mice at 9 to 28 pmol/mg. These findings suggest that the mouse intestinal microbiota consumes F-Asn. We utilized heavy-labeled precursors of F-Asn to monitor its formation in the intestine, in the presence or absence of inflammation, and none was observed. Finally, we determined that some members of the class
Clostridia
encode F-Asn utilization pathways and that they are eliminated from highly inflamed
Salmonella
-infected mice. Collectively, our studies identify the source of F-Asn as the diet and that
Salmonella
-mediated inflammation is required to eliminate competitors and allow the pathogen nearly exclusive access to this nutrient.
Degradation of a Novel DNA Damage Response Protein, Tankyrase 1 Binding Protein 1, following Adenovirus Infection
Authors: Chalabi Hagkarim Nafiseh , Ryan Ellis L. , Byrd Philip J. , Hollingworth Robert , Shimwell Neil J. , Agathanggelou Angelo , Vavasseur Manon , Kolbe Viktoria , Speiseder Thomas , Dobner Thomas , Stewart Grant S. , Grand Roger J.
Published: March 2018

Infection by most DNA viruses activates a cellular DNA damage response (DDR), which may be to the detriment or advantage of the virus. In the case of adenoviruses, they neutralize antiviral effects of DDR activation by targeting a number of proteins for rapid proteasome-mediated degradation. We have now identified a novel DDR protein, tankyrase 1 binding protein 1 (TNKS1BP1) (also known as Tab182), which is degraded during infection by adenovirus serotype 5 and adenovirus serotype 12. In both cases, degradation requires the action of the early region 1B55K (E1B55K) and early region 4 open reading frame 6 (E4orf6) viral proteins and is mediated through the proteasome by the action of cullin-based cellular E3 ligases. The degradation of Tab182 appears to be serotype specific, as the protein remains relatively stable following infection with adenovirus serotypes 4, 7, 9, and 11. We have gone on to confirm that Tab182 is an integral component of the CNOT complex, which has transcriptional regulatory, deadenylation, and E3 ligase activities. The levels of at least 2 other members of the complex (CNOT3 and CNOT7) are also reduced during adenovirus infection, whereas the levels of CNOT4 and CNOT1 remain stable. The depletion of Tab182 with small interfering RNA (siRNA) enhances the expression of early region 1A proteins (E1As) to a limited extent during adenovirus infection, but the depletion of CNOT1 is particularly advantageous to the virus and results in a marked increase in the expression of adenovirus early proteins. In addition, the depletion of Tab182 and CNOT1 results in a limited increase in the viral DNA level during infection. We conclude that the cellular CNOT complex is a previously unidentified major target for adenoviruses during infection.

IMPORTANCE
Adenoviruses target a number of cellular proteins involved in the DNA damage response for rapid degradation. We have now shown that Tab182, which we have confirmed to be an integral component of the mammalian CNOT complex, is degraded following infection by adenovirus serotypes 5 and 12. This requires the viral E1B55K and E4orf6 proteins and is mediated by cullin-based E3 ligases and the proteasome. In addition to Tab182, the levels of other CNOT proteins are also reduced during adenovirus infection. Thus, CNOT3 and CNOT7, for example, are degraded, whereas CNOT4 and CNOT1 are not. The siRNA-mediated depletion of components of the complex enhances the expression of adenovirus early proteins and increases the concentration of viral DNA produced during infection. This study highlights a novel protein complex, CNOT, which is targeted for adenovirus-mediated protein degradation. To our knowledge, this is the first time that the CNOT complex has been identified as an adenoviral target.
Ethnic differences in the progression of chronic kidney disease and risk of death in a UK diabetic population: an observational cohort study
Authors: Mathur Rohini , Dreyer Gavin , Yaqoob Magdi M , Hull Sally A
Published: March 2018

Objective

To determine ethnic differences in the progression of chronic kidney disease (CKD) and risk of end-stage renal failure (ESRF) and death in adults with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), and to identify predictors of rapid renal decline.

Design

Observational community-based cohort study undertaken from 2006 to 2016 with nested case–control study.

Setting

135 inner London primary care practices contributing to the east London Database.

Participants

General practice-registered adults aged 25–85 years with established T2DM and CKD at baseline.

Outcomes

The annual rate of renal decline was compared between white, south Asian and black groups, and stratified by proteinuria and raised blood pressure (BP) at baseline. Predictors of rapid renal decline were identified in a nested case–control study. Cox proportional hazards regression was used to determine ethnic differences in the risk of ESRF and death.

Results

Age–sex adjusted annual decline was greatest in the Bangladeshi population. There was stepwise increase in the rate of decline when stratifying the cohort by baseline proteinuria and BP control, with south Asian groups being most sensitive to the combined effect of proteinuria and raised BP after accounting for key confounders.

The odds of rapid renal decline were increased for individuals of Bangladeshi, African and Caribbean ethnicity, those with hypertension, proteinuria, cardiovascular disease and with increasing duration of diabetes. Rapid progression was more frequent in younger age groups. Risk of developing ESRF was highest in the black group compared with the white group (HR 1.88, 95% CI 1.11 to 3.19). Risk of death from any cause was 29% lower in the south Asian group compared with the white group (HR 0.71, 95% CI 0.56 to 0.91).

Conclusions

Proteinuria and hypertension trigger accelerated estimated glomerular filtration rate decline differentially by ethnicity. Active monitoring of younger adults, who have greater odds of rapid progression and the most to gain from interventions, is essential.
Lifestyle advice to cancer survivors: a qualitative study on the perspectives of health professionals
Authors: Koutoukidis Dimitrios A , Lopes Sonia , Fisher Abigail , Williams Kate , Croker Helen , Beeken Rebecca J
Published: March 2018

Objectives

Adoption of healthy lifestyle behaviours has shown promising effectiveness in reducing the high morbidity burden of cancer survivors. Health professionals (HPs) are well suited to provide lifestyle advice but few survivors report receiving guidance from them. This study aimed to explore HPs’ perspective of lifestyle advice (on healthy eating, physical activity, smoking, and alcohol) for cancer survivors.

Design

In-depth semistructured qualitative interviews were conducted by telephone or face to face. Data were analysed using qualitative content analysis.

Setting and participants

Twenty-one UK HPs working in secondary care with breast, prostate or colorectal cancer survivors were interviewed.

Results

The overarching theme was that HPs’ desire to provide lifestyle advice was not necessarily matched by knowledge and action. Three main themes were identified: (1) survivorship-centred barriers to provision, (2) HP-centred barriers to provision, and (3) optimal delivery of lifestyle advice. Results suggested that HPs’ perceptions of survivors’ current status of practising health behaviours, their perceived socioeconomic barriers and ability to practise health behaviours, and HPs’ fear for potential loss of connection with the patient influenced provision of lifestyle advice. Further factors included HPs’ knowledge of healthy lifestyle guidelines, feeling that they were not the ‘right person’ to provide advice, and lack of time and resources. HPs stressed that the optimal delivery of lifestyle advice should (1) be tailored to the individual and delivered throughout the cancer journey, (2) be focused on small and achievable changes framed as part of their treatment regimen and (3) be cost-effective for wide-scale implementation.

Conclusions

Incorporation of the identified barriers when developing HP training programmes and lifestyle interventions could increase the probability of successful behavioural change, and thus improve outcomes for cancer survivors.
Migraine and the risk of cardiovascular and cerebrovascular events: a meta-analysis of 16 cohort studies including 1 152 407 subjects
Authors: Mahmoud Ahmed N , Mentias Amgad , Elgendy Akram Y , Qazi Abdul , Barakat Amr F , Saad Marwan , Mohsen Ala , Abuzaid Ahmed , Mansoor Hend , Mojadidi Mohammad K , Elgendy Islam Y
Published: March 2018

Objectives

To perform an updated meta-analysis to evaluate the long-term cardiovascular and cerebrovascular outcomes among migraineurs.

Setting

A meta-analysis of cohort studies performed according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines.

Data sources

The MEDLINE, Web of Science and Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials databases were searched for relevant articles.

Participants

A total of 16 cohort studies (18 study records) with 394 942 migraineurs and 757 465 non-migraineurs were analysed.

Primary and secondary outcome measures

Major adverse cardiovascular and cerebrovascular events (MACCE), stroke (ie, ischaemic, haemorrhagic or non-specified), myocardial infarction (MI) and all-cause mortality. The outcomes were reported at the longest available follow-up.

Data analysis

Summary-adjusted hazard ratios (HR) were calculated by random-effects Der-Simonian and Liard model. The risk of bias was assessed by the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale.

Results

Migraine was associated with a higher risk of MACCE (adjusted HR 1.42, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.26 to 1.60, P<0.001, I2=40%) driven by a higher risk of stroke (adjusted HR 1.41, 95% CI 1.25 to 1.61, P<0.001, I2=72%) and MI (adjusted HR 1.23, 95% CI 1.03 to 1.43, P=0.006, I2=59%). There was no difference in the risk of all-cause mortality (adjusted HR 0.93, 95% CI 0.78 to 1.10, P=0.38, I2=91%), with a considerable degree of statistical heterogeneity between the studies. The presence of aura was an effect modifier for stroke (adjusted HR aura 1.56, 95% CI 1.30 to 1.87 vs adjusted HR no aura 1.11, 95% CI 0.94 to 1.31, Pinteraction=0.01) and all-cause mortality (adjusted HR aura 1.20, 95% CI 1.12 to 1.30 vs adjusted HR no aura 0.96, 95% CI 0.86 to 1.07, Pinteraction<0.001).

Conclusion

Migraine headache was associated with an increased long-term risk of cardiovascular and cerebrovascular events. This effect was due to an increased risk of stroke (both ischaemic and haemorrhagic) and MI. There was a moderate to severe degree of heterogeneity for the outcomes, which was partly explained by the presence of aura.

PROSPERO registration number

CRD42016052460.
Impacts of smoke-free public places legislation on inequalities in youth smoking uptake: study protocol for a secondary analysis of UK survey data
Authors: Anyanwu Philip Emeka , Craig Peter , Katikireddi Srinivasa Vittal , Green Michael James
Published: March 2018

Introduction

Smoke-free public places legislation has been introduced in many countries to protect the public from the harmful effects of secondhand smoking. While evaluations of smoke-free policies have demonstrated major public health benefits, the impact on youth smoking and inequalities in smoking remains unclear. This project aims to evaluate how smoke-free public places legislation in the UK has impacted on inequalities in youth smoking uptake, and how much of any impact is via changes in parental smoking behaviour.

Methods and analysis

The study will constitute secondary analyses of UK data (from the British Household Panel Survey and the Understanding Society study). Merging these datasets gives coverage of the period from 1994 to 2016. Missing data will be handled using multiple imputation. The primary outcomes are the rates and inequalities in initiation, experimentation, escalation to daily smoking and quitting among youths aged 11–15 years. Secondary outcomes include the prevalence of smoking among parents of these youths. Discrete-time event history analysis will be conducted to examine whether changes in the probability of youth smoking transitions are associated with the implementation of the smoke-free public places legislation; and whether any observed effects differ by socioeconomic position and parental smoking. A multilevel logistic regression model will be used to investigate whether there is a step change or change in trend for the prevalence of parental smoking after the policy was implemented. The models will be adjusted for relevant factors (including cigarette taxation, the change in the legal age for purchase of cigarettes and e-cigarette prevalence) that may be associated with the implementation of the legislation.

Ethics and dissemination

This project will use anonymised survey data which have been collected following independent ethical review. The dissemination of the study findings will adopt multiple communication channels targeting both scientific and non-scientific audiences.
Sugar maple (Acer saccharum) at its northeastern range limit: a fire-resilient tree species
Authors: Payette Serge , Frégeau Mathieu , Couillard Pierre-Luc , Pilon Vanessa , Laflamme Jason
Published: March 2018

The long-standing hypothesis that sugar maple (Acer saccharum Marshall) communities are maintained at equilibrium by present climate and small-scale disturbances is questioned because empirical evidence is accumulating about the ability of the species to withstand several stand-scale disturbances. The fire history of a sugar maple site at the northeastern range limit of the species (Gaspé Peninsula, eastern Canada) was documented to test the hypothesis that this forest type is resilient to fire disturbance. The fire history was reconstructed using radiocarbon-dated soil macrocharcoals. Two main fire periods were recorded during the Holocene. The oldest period occurred between 9055 and 8265 cal. years BP, and was characterized by the presence of conifers, including spruce. After 6900 years of fire-free activities, the second period covered the last 1335 years, and was characterized by the presence of sugar maple in the charcoal assemblage. The dominance of sugar maple after more than 1000 years of recurrent fires underlines the species resilience to frequent site disturbances. The soil of the forest stand was heavily disturbed by earthworms. However, the dense seedling and sapling bank of sugar maple suggests that earthworms do not affect negatively the regeneration and survival of the species.
Eroding productivity of walleye populations in northern Wisconsin lakes
Authors: Rypel Andrew L. , Goto Daisuke , Sass Greg G. , Vander Zanden M. Jake
Published: March 2018

Managing fisheries through rapid environmental change requires diverse approaches for identifying and adapting to novel ecological conditions. For the Wisconsin Ceded Territory, we calculated 473 adult walleye (Sander vitreus) production (P), biomass (B), and P/B estimates for 1990–2012. Frequency distributions for production statistics were right-skewed, indicating the fishery is generally dominated by low production populations. Mean P, B, and P/B were significantly elevated in natural recruitment (NR) lakes compared with combination (NR + stocking) and stocked-only lakes. Furthermore, combination populations had significantly higher production compared with stocked-only lakes. In NR lakes, walleye productivity changed little over time; however, the proportion of NR populations has declined over time. In combination and stocked-only populations, there were significant temporal declines in P, B, and P/B, and the proportion of these lakes has increased through time. This study reveals the crucial link between fish recruitment potential and fish production, helping to explain why the regional walleye fishery is struggling. Causes for walleye recruitment and production declines remain unclear, but long-term shifts in fish habitats are likely involved (e.g., from climate change and indirect food web effects). Decreasing walleye production is an important and emerging fishery management challenge in the region and portends a need to adapt fisheries management systems collaboratively for future sustainability.
The Biology of Canadian Weeds: 156.Daphne laureolaL.
Authors: Strelau M. , Clements D.R. , Webb C. , Prasad R.
Published: March 2018

Daphne (Daphne laureola L.) is a perennial evergreen shrub native to Eurasia and northern Africa. Introduced to North America as an ornamental shrub, the plant has readily absconded gardens and can now be found throughout suitable habitats on both the east and west coasts of the continent. In Canada, daphne has naturalized in southwestern British Columbia including Vancouver, southern Vancouver Island, and the Gulf Islands. Daphne is of particular concern to the endangered Garry oak (Quercus garryana Douglas ex Hook.) because it invades shady woodland areas, forming dense mono-specific stands that can suppress and inhibit native vegetation. The berries and all other parts of the daphne plant contain a mixture of toxic chemicals that can be fatal to humans or animals if ingested. Removal teams suggest using gloves for elimination and handling of daphne because of its corrosive sap and oil. Widespread planting combined with a lack of public knowledge regarding the species’ invasiveness has created great concern over its potential to spread. Various methods of control (chemical, manual, and biological) have been developed. The most commonly applied approach in Canada is manual control, but care must be taken to avoid contact with skin and follow-up monitoring and control is advised. A promising biocontrol agent is the fungus Phomopsis sp. denovo, which has been observed to cause high levels of mortality in D. laureola under both laboratory and field conditions.
The Biology of Canadian Weeds: 157.Hedera helixL. andHedera hibernica(G. Kirchn.) Bean
Authors: Strelau M. , Clements D.R. , Benner J. , Prasad R.
Published: March 2018

Two related species of Hedera spp. exist throughout Canada: English Ivy (Hedera helix L.) and Irish Ivy [Hedera hibernica (G. Kirchn.) Bean]. These species are difficult to distinguish taxonomically and clear distinctions are not always made in the literature, so we largely discuss them as a single taxon in this account. Ivy is an evergreen perennial with two distinct forms: woody vine (juvenile form) or shrub (adult form). In Canada, Hedera spp. are found naturalized along the southern coast of British Columbia (Vancouver, Vancouver Island, and the Gulf Islands) and in southwestern Ontario. During the past century, ivies have greatly expanded their ranges along the Pacific and Atlantic coasts of North America and in New Zealand, Australia, South Africa, Brazil, and Hawaii. Ivy is physiologically plastic, invading both semi-open and deeply shaded forests. It forms a dense ground cover that can inhibit native vegetation. It grows up on tree trunks and competes for soil nutrients, frequently leading to tree damage or even tree fall. Invasive characteristics include its evergreen habit, persistence, and vegetative reproductive capabilities. Humans have accelerated the spread of ivy by planting it along highway embankments and medians to control soil erosion and through widespread sale as an ornamental plant. There is debate among horticulturalists and ecologists over the destructive and advantageous effects of ivy growth and sale within North America. Various methods of control (chemical, manual, biological, and integrated) may be used to manage this species, but more research is needed to design better control techniques.
QPSK Modulation Scheme Based on Orthogonal Gaussian Pulses for IR-UWB Communication Systems
Authors: Khalesi Hassan , Ghods Vahid
Published: March 2018

A new impulse radio-ultra wideband (IR-UWB) communication system with quadrature phase shift keying (QPSK) modulation scheme was presented in this research. The system utilized orthogonal property of fourth- and fifth-order derivatives of Gaussian pulses for modulation and time hopping (TH) multiple-access scheme. This system was compared with conventional TH-PPM and TH-BPSK systems at the same condition. The simulation results in multipath channel showed that the proposed system can provide better bit rate performance compared with the conventional IR-UWB system. A very low power and low complexity circuit for generation of the fourth-order derivative of Gaussian pulse was also proposed. The circuits of fourth- and fifth-order derivatives of Gaussian pulses were simulated using a 0.18[Formula: see text][Formula: see text]m CMOS technology. The core chip size was only 0.015[Formula: see text]mm2. The output amplitude pulse yielded 135[Formula: see text]mV peak to peak under a supply voltage of 1.8[Formula: see text]V. The energy consumption of the fourth- and fifth-order derivatives of Gaussian pulses circuits were 8[Formula: see text]pJ/pulse for 200[Formula: see text]MHz pulse-repeating frequency (PRF).
A Highly-Integrated Low-Noise MICS Band Receiver RF Front-End IC with AC-Coupled Current Mirror Amplifier
Authors: Cha Hyouk-Kyu
Published: March 2018

This work presents a low-noise, low-power receiver RF front-end integrated circuit (IC) for 402–405[Formula: see text]MHz medical implant communications service (MICS) band applications using 0.18-[Formula: see text]m CMOS process. The proposed front-end employs an AC-coupled current mirroring amplifier in between the low-noise current-reuse transconductor amplifier and a single-balanced IQ mixer for improved gain and noise performance in comparison to previous works. The designed front-end IC achieves a simulated performance of 36.5[Formula: see text]dB conversion gain, 1.85[Formula: see text]dB noise figure, and IIP3 of [Formula: see text][Formula: see text]dBm while consuming 440[Formula: see text][Formula: see text]W from 1-V voltage supply. The consumed core layout area, including I/Q LO generation and current bias circuits, is only 0.29[Formula: see text]mm2.
An effective theory with Lorentz violation and minimum length
Authors: Leite E. V. B. , Belich H.
Published: March 2018

We have made an initial investigation of an effective theory with Lorentz violation with Minimum Length. We investigate a scenario of anisotropy generated by a Lorentz symmetry breaking term which appears in Standard Model Extension (SME) on the even gauge sector with deformed Heisenberg algebra associated to the Minimum Length (ML). To study such possible correction of the gauge sector of SME, we analyze the dispersion relations of this model.
A quest for a “direct” observation of the Unruh effect with classical electrodynamics: In honor of Atsushi Higuchi 60th anniversary
Authors: Cozzella Gabriel , Landulfo André G. S. , Matsas George E. A. , Vanzella Daniel A. T.
Published: March 2018

The Unruh effect is essential to keep the consistency of quantum field theory in inertial and uniformly accelerated frames. Thus, the Unruh effect must be considered as well-tested as quantum field theory itself. In spite of it, it would be nice to realize an experiment whose output could be directly interpreted in terms of the Unruh effect. This is not easy because the linear acceleration needed to reach a temperature of 1[Formula: see text]K is of order [Formula: see text]. We discuss here a conceptually simple experiment reachable under present technology, which may accomplish this goal. The inspiration for this proposal can be traced back to Atsushi Higuchi’s Ph.D. thesis, which makes it particularly suitable to pay tribute to him on occasion of his [Formula: see text]th anniversary.
Fast radio bursts: Superpulsars, magnetars, or something else?
Authors: Popov Sergei , Postnov Konstantin , Pshirkov Maxim
Published: March 2018

We briefly review main observational properties of fast radio bursts (FRBs) and discuss two most popular hypothesis for the explanation of these enigmatic intense millisecond radio flashes. FRBs most probably originate on extragalactic distances, and their rate on the sky is about a few thousand per day with fluences above [Formula: see text]1[Formula: see text]Jy[Formula: see text]ms (or with fluxes larger than few tenths of Jy). Two leading scenarios describing these events include strong flares of magnetars and supergiant pulses of young radio pulsars with large rotational energy losses, correspondingly. At the moment, it is impossible to choose between these models. However, new telescopes can help to solve the puzzle of FRBs in near future.
MHD simulation of laboratory jets and comparison with laser experiments
Authors: Toropina O. D. , Bisnovatyi-Kogan G. S. , Moiseenko S. G.
Published: March 2018

The results of MHD simulations of the formation and development of magnetized jets on a NEODIM laser installation are presented. We simulated a plasma flow and chose the numerical method, boundary and initial conditions. We investigated the picture of the flow and compared it with the experiment.
Chandra observations of gamma-ray emitting radio galaxies
Authors: Zargaryan D. , Sahakyan N. , Harutyunian H.
Published: March 2018

Important information on the evolution of a jet can be obtained by comparing the physical state of the plasma at its propagation through the broad-line region (where the jet is most likely formed) into the intergalactic medium, where it starts to decelerate significantly. This approach can be fruitfully applied to sources having a large-scale jet long enough to be resolved by Chandra telescope. This is why, from the Fermi Large Area Telescope (Fermi LAT) third source catalog we have selected radio galaxies that have a knot or hot-spot structure in their large-scale jet. We compare the constraints on the physical parameters in the innermost ([Formula: see text] pc) and outer ([Formula: see text] kpc) regions of the same jet by means of a detailed multiwavelength analysis and theoretical modeling of the broadband spectra of M87, Pictor A, 3C 303, 3C 275.1, NGC 6251, 3C 207, 3C 111 and 3C 120.
MICROSTRUCTURE PERFORMANCE AND SYNTHESIS OF THE ARGON-ARC CLAD COBALT BASE COMPOSITE COATING
Authors: LI JIANING , SU MOLIN , ZHANG LIWEI
Published: March 2018

Composite coating was obtained by argon-arc clad (AAC) of the Stellite20-Si3N4 pre-placed mixed powders on a TA7 titanium alloy substrate, which increased the micro-hardness of the substrate surface significantly; then this produced coating was re-melted by an argon arc, forming a hard layer on the coating surface. The AAC and re-melted coatings were investigated using a scanning electron microscope and high-resolution transmission electron microscope, indicating that amorphous and nanocrystalline phases were produced in the coating surface after an argon-arc re-melting process, which increased the wear resistance of such coatings significantly.