bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Abnormal bone mineralization in a puppy fed an imbalanced raw meat homemade diet diagnosed and monitored using dual‐energy X‐ray absorptiometry
Authors: Dodd Sarah , Barry Maureen , Grant Caitlin , Verbrugghe Adronie
Published: May 2019

A 4‐month‐old male Old English Sheepdog was presented for evaluation of a raw meat‐based homemade diet after a 1‐month history of progressive lameness. Marked dietary deficiencies were detected, which included calcium, phosphorus and vitamin D. Hypovitaminosis D and hypocalcaemia were diagnosed by serum analysis. Evidence of severe diffuse osteopenia was noted on survey radiographs. Dual‐energy X‐ray absorptiometry (DEXA) was used to quantify bone mineral content and density and compare to published reference ranges. The puppy's initial bone mineralization was markedly subnormal, with bone mineral density 66% lower than expected, and bone mineral content 40% lower than expected. Subsequent DEXA scans were performed at intervals during the puppy's recovery to document the rate of bone re‐mineralization and guide therapeutic recommendations. Marked improvement was achieved within 4 months through exercise control and feeding of a diet appropriately formulated for large breed puppy growth and development. This report reinforces the necessity of thorough dietary history and highlights the potential for malnutrition in pets fed homemade and raw meat‐based diets. Use of DEXA has rarely been reported in clinical cases, yet can be a valuable tool for diagnosing and monitoring cases with abnormal bone mineralization. Further studies using DEXA to track bone mineralization in healthy puppies are encouraged to develop a more robust reference range of bone mineralization in growing dogs of varying sizes, weights and ages.
The effect of oral tactile sensitivity on texture perception and mastication behavior
Authors: Shupe Grace E. , Wilson Arran , Luckett Curtis R.
Published: May 2019

Mastication is a notable source of interindividual variation in texture perception and could be linked to oral tactile sensitivity. To better understand the influence of oral tactile sensitivity on mastication behavior, this study measured masticatory behavior and texture discrimination in participants of high (n = 20) and low (n = 21) oral tactile sensitivity. Overall, there was no significant difference between high and low sensitivity participants in their ability to distinguish texture changes (p = .486). However, there were significant differences found between the groups based on their masticatory behaviors including chewing pattern and overall number of chewing cycles. Additionally, those in the high sensitivity group used more stochastic chewing movements, while those in the low sensitivity group were found to use crescent‐shaped chewing cycles. It was also noted that in the high sensitivity group, the jaw moved further distances in all phases and moved at a higher velocity when opening but not when closing, when compared to the low sensitivity group. These results show what particular aspects of mastication are most influenced by oral tactile feedback. Chewing patterns have been shown to influence texture and flavor perception, as well as energy intake. However, much of the person‐to‐person variability in chewing patters comes from unknown sources. This study shows which chewing behaviors are different between a group of individuals with high oral tactile sensitivity and another with low oral tactile sensitivity. These findings highlight the manner in which tactile feedback from the mouth influences chewing.
The hidden curriculum in nursing education: a scoping study
Authors: Raso Annalisa , Marchetti Anna , D'Angelo Daniela , Albanesi Beatrice , Garrino Lorenza , Dimonte Valerio , Piredda Michela , De Marinis Maria Grazia
Published: May 2019

Context

The hidden curriculum is a learning dimension made up of culturally acquired, unintended lessons. Although nurse educators are not fully aware of it, through the hidden curriculum students are prepared for adult professional roles, internalising professional values and developing a professional identity. However, academic nursing education has paid relatively scarce attention to it. The objective was to map the nursing education literature about the hidden curriculum and to identify and verify to which of the four areas suggested by Hafferty (institutional policies, resource allocation decisions, institutional slang and evaluation) it refers.

Methods

A scoping study was conducted. In July 2018, a search was performed in MEDLINE/PubMed, Scopus, EBSCO/ Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature (CINAHL) and Cochrane Library databases, without time or language restrictions. Two authors independently performed the selection of studies, which followed the preferred reporting items for systematic reviews and meta‐analysis (PRISMA) flowchart. Data charting was conducted with both an analytical and a narrative approach.

Results

The study included 18 articles, 13 of which were published during the last 5 years. A total of 12 were research articles, 10 of which used qualitative methodology. Regarding the area of analysis, all four areas could be identified within nursing education literature. The most widely explored area proved to be institutional policies, mentioned by 15 articles, predominantly to highlight the negative effect of the hidden curriculum. Some relational aspects, attributed to the hidden curriculum within nursing literature, belong to the informal curriculum.

Conclusions

The hidden curriculum in nursing education remains a largely overlooked topic. It appears to be a broader concept than that theorised by Hafferty, often also encompassing the informal curriculum. Furthermore, the literature reviewed mostly highlights the negative consequences of the hidden curriculum, such as the difficulty of transmitting professional values and ethics. Conversely, future researchers should concentrate on its positive consequences as a way to limit the loss of professional values.
Adults who stutter and metronome synchronization: evidence for a nonspeech timing deficit
Authors: Sares Anastasia G. , Deroche Mickael L. D. , Shiller Douglas M. , Gracco Vincent L.
Published: May 2019

Speech timing deficits have been proposed as a causal factor in the disorder of stuttering. The question of whether individuals who stutter have deficits in nonspeech timing is one that has been revisited often, with conflicting results. Here, we uncover subtle differences in a manual metronome synchronization task that included tempo changes with adults who stutter and fluent speakers. We used sensitive circular statistics to examine both asynchrony and consistency in motor production. While both groups displayed a classic negative mean asynchrony (tapping before the beat), individuals who stutter anticipated the beat even more than their fluent peers, and their consistency was particularly affected at slow tempi. Surprisingly, individuals who stutter did not have problems with interval correction at tempo changes. We also examined the influence of music experience on synchronization behavior in both groups. While music perception and training were related to synchronization behavior in fluent participants, these correlations were not present for the stuttering group; however, one measure of stuttering severity (self‐rated severity) was negatively correlated with music training. Overall, we found subtle differences in paced auditory−motor synchronization in individuals who stutter, consistent with a timing problem extending to nonspeech.
Functional magnetic resonance imaging activation in response to prompts of romantically disillusioning events
Authors: Niehuis Sylvia , Reifman Alan , Al‐Khalil Kareem , Oldham Cary R. , Fang Dan , O'Boyle Michael , Davis Tyler H.
Published: May 2019

To differentiate romantic disillusionment from similar constructs of dissatisfaction and regret, functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging (fMRI) data obtained when romantically involved individuals (N = 39) were reminded of relationship events representing these emotions were analyzed. Whole‐brain activations suggested disillusionment‐linked processes not observed for dissatisfaction or regret. Compared to dissatisfying events, disillusioning ones showed greater activity in regions pertaining to evaluation, reflection, and reconciling conflicting information (e.g., anterior cingulate cortex). No regions showed significantly more activation for dissatisfying than disillusioning events. Compared to regret‐inducing events, disillusioning events showed greater activation in areas thought pertinent to detail processing and decision making (occipital fusiform and lingual gyrus). Regret‐inducing events activated regions suggesting the planning and thoughts of how one could have acted differently (e.g., prefrontal cortex).
Bankruptcy costs, economic policy uncertainty, and FDI entry and exit
Authors: Zhu Jiaqing , Jia Fansheng , Wu Han
Published: May 2019

In this paper, we examine how the effect of economic policy uncertainty on foreign direct investment (FDI) entry and exit varies with the cost of bankruptcy resolution. Using a sample of bilateral FDI entry and exit for 23 countries and areas from 2004 to 2012, we find that an increase in bankruptcy costs in a country exacerbates the dampening effect of economic policy uncertainty on both FDI entry and exit. Subsample analysis reveals that the bankruptcy resolution channel only exists in high political risk countries. We also find that the bankruptcy resolution channel does not exist for foreign portfolio investment, which is consistent with real option theory. Broadly put, our contribution is at the nexus of institutional theory and FDI, as we identify the bankruptcy resolution channel through which economic policy uncertainty affects FDI entry and exit.
The Impact of Public Works Programme on Child Labour in Ethiopia
Authors: Dinku Yonatan
Published: May 2019

Given the conventional wisdom that poverty and associated income shocks are the fundamental causes of child labour, from a policy perspective, there is a perception that social safety net programmes can play a vital role in reducing child labour. While there is extensive evidence that shows the prevalence of child labour is low among beneficiaries of conditional cash transfer programmes, the impact of workfare programs on child labour has been rarely investigated in the economics literature. This paper addresses the issue by evaluating the impact of the public works component of the Productive Safety Net Programme implemented in Ethiopia in 2005. The programme aims to help poor households to build assets and develop resilience to shocks through employment in public projects. Results from child fixed effects estimations show that children in programme beneficiary households are significantly less likely than their counterparts in non‐beneficiary households to be involved in child labour. The findings suggest that, if well targeted, even safety net programmes that do not primarily target child outcomes can be useful in addressing child labour problems.
A digital resource to assess clinical competency
Authors: Cham Kwang Meng , Cochrane Anthea L
Published: May 2019

Background

Objective structured clinical examinations (OSCEs) are integral to clinical competency‐based assessment in health care disciplines. Traditional paper‐based OSCEs require considerable administration time and students typically receive an assessment outcome with minimal feedback. We developed and implemented an iPad‐based OSCE assessment system in optometry that delivered timely and specific e‐feedback.

Methods

The electronic assessment system contains all of the features of a paper‐based OSCE format, including a checklist score, a global score section and pre‐written feedback. It was trialed in a year‐3 OSCE assessment. We evaluated students and examiners’ perceptions of this digital resource via surveys and focus group interviews.

Results

Over 90% of the students reported that the e‐feedback was timely, facilitated self‐reflection and was appropriate for assessment. Students’ focus group interviews highlighted the importance of the timeliness of feedback, and students found both verbal and written feedback useful. All examiners were satisfied with the features of the assessment system and felt confident using it for assessment.

Discussion

The iPad‐based OSCE assessment system has enabled timely feedback to be delivered efficiently. This study has provided a model of what constitutes good e‐feedback. The technology was well received by both students and examiners. It has helped to close the assessment loop by delivering usable and developmental feedback to meet students’ learning needs.
Canine Pruritus Visual Analog Scale: how does it capture owners’ perception of their pet's itching level?
Authors: Young Amanda J. , Torres Sheila M. F. , Koch Sandra N. , Eisenschenk Melissa N. C. , Rendahl Aaron K.
Published: May 2019

Background

Accurate measurement of pruritus severity is difficult in veterinary medicine.

Objectives

To determine how the changes in Pruritus Visual Analog Scale (PVAS) scores at follow‐up visits agree with the owners’ perceptions of improvement of their pet's pruritus.

Animals

One hundred and ninety two pruritic dogs were included in the prospective study and 196 in the retrospective study.

Methods and materials

Owners were randomly assigned into five groups and PVAS scores were recorded during two consecutive visits. Group A: previous scores were shown before completing the PVAS; Group B: PVAS was completed then owners were shown previous scores and asked to repeat the PVAS; Group C: PVAS was completed as reported previously; Group D: PVAS and a 0–10 verbal scale (VS) were completed. Retrospectively, PVAS scores were analysed during at least three consecutive visits. The average percentage and kappa agreements were calculated for all groups. In addition, PVAS and VS scores were compared in Group D.

Results

The average percentage and kappa agreements were higher in groups A (96%; 0.81), B [before (80%; 0.54), after (82%; 0.59) previous score] and D (85%; 0.47). Group C (79%; 0.37) had the lowest agreement. PVAS and VS scores were not significantly different (P = 0.56) in Group D. The average percentage and kappa agreements for the retrospective study were 50.8% and 0.25. The highest values (63%; 0.355) were noted at 30–60 day visit intervals.

Conclusions and Clinical importance

Showing owners previous scores could improve how PVAS captures the owner's perception of their dog's itching level.
Three‐dimensional T1‐weighted gradient echo is a suitable alternative to two‐dimensional T1‐weighted spin echo for imaging the canine brain
Authors: Fleming Kathryn L. , Maddox Thomas W. , Warren‐Smith Christopher M. R.
Published: May 2019

Volumetric imaging (VOL), a three‐dimensional magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) technique, has been described in the literature for evaluation of the human brain. It offers several advantages over conventional two‐dimensional (2D) spin echo (SE), allowing rapid, whole‐brain, isotropic imaging with submillimeter voxels. This retrospective, observational study compares the use of 2D T1‐weighted SE (T1W SE), with T1W VOL, for the evaluation of dogs with clinical signs of intracranial disease. Brain MRI images from 160 dogs who had T1W SE and T1W VOL sequences acquired pre‐ and postcontrast, were reviewed for presence and characteristics of intracranial lesions. Twenty‐nine of 160 patients were found to have intracranial lesions, all visible on both sequences. Significantly better grey‐white matter (GWM) differentiation was identified with T1W VOL (P < .001), with fair agreement between the two sequences (weighted κ = 0.35). Excluding a mild reduction in lesion intensity in three dogs precontrast on the T1W VOL images compared to T1W SE, and meningeal enhancement noted on the T1W VOL images in one dog, not identified on T1W SE, there was otherwise complete agreement between the two sequences. The T1W VOL sequence provided equivalent lesion evaluation and significantly improved GWM differentiation. Images acquired were of comparable diagnostic quality to those produced using a conventional T1W SE technique, for assessment of lesion appearance, number, location, mass effect, and postcontrast enhancement. T1W VOL, therefore, provides a suitable alternative T1W sequence for canine brain evaluation and can facilitate a reduction in total image acquisition time.
Implementation of total body photon irradiation as part of an institutional bone marrow transplant program for the treatment of canine lymphoma and leukemias
Authors: Gieger Tracy L. , Nolan Michael W. , Roback Donald M. , Suter Steven E.
Published: May 2019

A total body irradiation (TBI) protocol was developed to support a bone marrow transplant (BMT) program for the treatment of canine hematologic malignancies. The purpose of this prospective study is to describe implementation of the protocol and resultant dosimetry. Nongraphic manual treatment planning using 6 MV photons, isocentric delivery, 40 × 40 cm field size, wall‐mounted lasers to verify positioning, a lucite beam spoiler (without use of bolus material), a dose rate of 8.75 cGy/min at patient isocenter, and a source‐to‐axis distance of 338 cm were used for TBI. A monitor unit calculation formula was derived using ion chamber measurements and a solid water phantom. Five thermoluminescent dosimeters (TLDs) were used at various anatomic locations in each of four cadaver dogs, to verify fidelity of the monitor unit formula prior to clinical implementation. In vivo dosimetric data were then collected with five TLDs at various anatomic locations in six patients treated with TBI. A total dose of 10 Gy divided into two 5 Gy fractions was delivered approximately 16 h apart, immediately followed by autologous stem cell transplant. The mean difference between prescribed and delivered doses ranged from 99% to 109% for various sites in cadavers, and from 83% to 121% in clinical patients. The mean total body dose in cadavers and clinical patients when whole body dose was estimated by averaging doses measured by variably placed TLDs ranged from 98% to 108% and 93% to 102% of the prescribed dose, respectively, which was considered acceptable. This protocol could be used for institutional implementation of TBI.
Reviewer Acknowledgements
Authors: Smith Robert
Published: May 2019

Journal of Education and Training Studies (JETS) would like to acknowledge the following reviewers for their assistance with peer review of manuscripts for this issue. Many authors, regardless of whether JETS publishes their work, appreciate the helpful feedback provided by the reviewers. Their comments and suggestions were of great help to the authors in improving the quality of their papers. Each of the reviewers listed below returned at least one review for this issue.Reviewers for Volume 7, Number 6Benmarrakchi Fatimaezzahra, Chouaib Doukkali University, MoroccoEnisa Mede, Bahcesehir University, TurkeyIntakhab Khan, King Abdulaziz University, Saudi ArabiaIoannis Syrmpas, University of Thessaly, GreeceJohn Bosco Azigwe, Bolgatanga Polytechnic, GhanaJohn Cowan, Edinburgh Napier University, UKJonathan Chitiyo, University of Pittsburgh Bradford, USALorna T. Enerva, Polytechnic University of the Philippines, PhilippinesMan-fung Lo, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong KongMatt Varacallo, University of Kentucky, USANicole Celestine, The University of Western Australia, AustraliaRichard Penny, University of Washington Bothell, USASadia Batool, Preston University Islamabad, PakistanSandro Sehic, Oneida BOCES, USAShu-wen Lin, Sojo University, JapanRobert SmithEditorial AssistantOn behalf of,The Editorial Board of Journal of Education and Training StudiesRedfame Publishing9450 SW Gemini Dr. #99416Beaverton, OR 97008, USAURL: http://jets.redfame.com
A Primary Computational Fluid Dynamics Study of Pre- and Post-TEVAR With Intentional Left Subclavian Artery Coverage in a Type B Aortic Dissection
Authors: Qiao Yonghui , Fan Jianren , Ding Ying , Zhu Ting , Luo Kun
Published: May 2019

The impact of left subclavian artery (LSA) coverage during thoracic endovascular aortic repair (TEVAR) on the circulatory system is not fully understood. Here, we coupled a single-phase non-Newtonian model with fluid–structure interaction (FSI) technique to simulate blood flow in an acute type B aortic dissection. Three-element Windkessel model was implemented to reproduce physiological pressure waves, where a new workflow was designed to determine model parameters with the absence of measured data. Simulations were carried out in three geometric models to demonstrate the consequence of TEVAR with the LSA coverage; case A: pre-TEVAR aorta; case B: post-TEVAR aorta with the disappearance of LSA; case C: post-TEVAR aorta with virtually adding LSA. Results show that the blood flow through the compressed true lumen is only 8.43%, which may lead to ischemia in related organs. After TEVAR, the wall pressure on the stented segment increases and blood flow in the supra-aortic branches and true lumen is improved. Meantime, the average deformation of the aorta is obviously reduced due to the implantation of the stent graft. After virtually adding LSA, significant changes in the distribution of blood flow and two indices based on wall shear stress are observed. Moreover, the movement of residual false lumen becomes stable, which could contribute to patient recovery. Overall, this study quantitatively evaluates the efficacy of TEVAR for acute type B aortic dissection and demonstrates that the coverage of LSA has a considerable impact on the important hemodynamic parameters.
Application of a Priori Hyper-Reduction to the Nonlinear Dynamic Finite Element Simulation of a Rolling Car Tire
Authors: De Gregoriis Daniel , Naets Frank , Kindt Peter , Desmet Wim
Published: May 2019

The a priori multi-expansion modal (MEM) hyper-reduction method for nonlinear structural dynamics finite element (FE) problems is described, extended, and applied to the dynamic nonlinear FE simulation of a car tire rolling over a rough road surface, including geometrical, material, follower force, and contact nonlinearities. Rather than using time-domain training simulation data, a priori calculated static nonlinear contact configurations and eigenmodes are used as a reduction basis and to perform the hyper-reduction element sampling. The hyper-reduction element sampling is performed by solving an L1 optimization problem subject to a set of equality constraints. This yields a reduced set of elements with an a priori known cardinality, which depends on the amount of constraints taken into consideration and the reduction basis dimension. It is shown that care has to be taken during the hyper-reduction process when considering distributed contact constraints, as is the case for, e.g., a tire rolling over a rough road surface. Large speedup factors can be obtained while still retaining a relatively high accuracy, making application of the MEM method suitable to, for instance, industrial design optimization cases.
The Effect of Carrier Gas and Reactor Pressure on Gallium Nitride Growth in MOCVD Manufacturing Process
Authors: Jumaah Omar , Jaluria Yogesh
Published: May 2019

Gallium nitride (GaN) is an attractive material for manufacturing light emitting diodes and other electronic devices due to its wide band-gap and superb optoelectronic performance. The quality of GaN thin film determines the reliability and durability of these devices. Metal-organic chemical vapor deposition (MOCVD) is a common technique used to fabricate high-quality GaN thin films. In this paper, GaN growth rate and uniformity in a vertical rotating disk MOCVD reactor are investigated on the basis of a three-dimensional computational fluid dynamics (CFD) model. GaN growth rate is investigated under the influence of reactor pressure, precursor concentration ratio, and composition of the carrier gas mixture. The numerical simulation shows that the carrier gas mixture and the reactor pressure have significant effects on growth rate and uniformity of GaN thin films. It is also found that an appropriate mixture of N2 and H2 may be employed as the carrier gas to improve the flow field characteristic in the reactor. This results in an improved crystal growth of GaN thin films.
Feasibility and Acute Safety Study of Radiofrequency Energy Delivery to the Vena Caval Wall Via an Inferior Vena Cava Filter in Swine
Authors: Seifabadi Reza , Pritchard William F. , Leonard Shelby , Bakhutashvili Ivane , Woods David L. , Esparza-Trujillo Juan A. , Karanian John W. , Wood Bradford J.
Published: May 2019

Retrievable inferior vena cava (IVC) filters are self-expanding metallic devices implanted in the IVC to prevent migration of thrombi from the deep veins of the legs and pelvis to the lungs. The risk of complications from the filters increases with duration of implantation, but retrieval may be difficult due to intimal hyperplasia around the components of the filter. In this study, the potential for delivery of radiofrequency (RF) energy to the IVC wall via the filter was investigated. IVC filters were deployed in four swine while attached to a snare connected to a 480 kHz RF generator. Energy ranging from 0 to 48 kJ was applied via the filter followed by resheathing and withdrawal of the filter while connected to a force measurement device. Resheathing forces for the zero-energy cohort and pooled data from the 6–24 kJ cohorts were 4.50 ± 0.70 N and 4.50 ± 0.75 N, respectively. Petechial hemorrhages and variable nonocclusive thrombi were noted in some cohorts including the zero-energy cohort, consistent with delivery and acute retrieval of an IVC filter. Histologically, the extent of RF-induced injury was subtle at 6 kJ with focal areas of homogenized collagen while the 12 kJ cohort showed segmental tissue charring with coagulation necrosis, which was more extensive for the 24 kJ cohort. The 48 kJ energy caused more extensive and nontarget organ damage. The study demonstrated feasibility of delivery of RF to the IVC wall via a deployed filter, supporting further study of the ability of local RF heating of the IVC wall to inhibit the neointimal hyperplasia or as an aid in retrieval.
On the Selection of Sensitivity Analysis Methods in the Context of Tolerance Management
Authors: Heling Björn , Oberleiter Thomas , Schleich Benjamin , Willner Kai , Wartzack Sandro
Published: May 2019

Although mass production parts look the same at first sight, every manufactured part is unique, at least on a closer inspection. The reason for this is that every manufactured part is inevitable subjected to different scattering influencing factors and variation in the manufacturing process, such as varying temperatures or tool wear. Products, which are built from these deviation-afflicted parts, consequently show deviations from their ideal properties. To ensure that every single product nevertheless meets its technical requirements, it is necessary to specify the permitted deviations. Furthermore, it is crucial to estimate the consequences of the permitted deviations, which is done via tolerance analysis. During this process, the imperfect parts are assembled virtually and the effects of the geometric deviations can be calculated. Since the tolerance analysis enables engineers to identify weak points in an early design stage, it is important to know which contribution every single tolerance has on a certain quality-relevant characteristic to restrict or increase the correct tolerances. In this paper, four different methods to calculate the sensitivity are introduced and compared. Based on the comparison, guidelines are derived which are intended to facilitate a selection of these different methods. In particular, a newly developed approach, which is based on fuzzy arithmetic, is compared to the established high–low–median method, a variance-based method, and a density-based approach. Since all these methods are based on different assumptions, their advantages and disadvantages are critically discussed based on two case studies.
Psychology's reproducibility solution fails first test
Authors: Adam David
Published: May 2019

Published research often strays from preregistered plans.
The calm before the storms
Authors: Scoles Sarah
Published: May 2019

Scientists studying the 11-year solar cycle are trying to predict when a quiet sun will next turn violent.
SEA Change honors diversity efforts by universities
Authors: Korte Andrea
Published: May 2019

AAAS program aims to inspire institutions nationwide to make transformative changes
Are hormones a “female problem” for animal research?
Authors: Shansky Rebecca M.
Published: May 2019

Outdated gender stereotypes are influencing experimental design in laboratory animals
Modern math meets fairy-tale physics
The Universe Speaks in Numbers
Graham Farmelo
Basic Books, 2019. 332 pp.
Authors: Robinson Andrew
Published: May 2019

No longer seen as a simple tool, today's math is a font for new ideas in theoretical physics
Losing ground in protected areas?
Authors: Naughton-Treves Lisa , Holland Margaret Buck
Published: May 2019

Saving biodiversity requires reducing extractive pressures and engaging local communities in management
Pharmacodynamics of Ceftazidime plus Avibactam against KPC-2-Bearing Isolates of
Klebsiella pneumoniae
in a Hollow Fiber Infection Model
Authors: Drusano G. L. , Shields Ryan K. , Mtchedlidze Nino , Nguyen M. Hong , Clancy Cornelius J. , Vicciarelli Michael , Louie Arnold
Published: May 2019

Ceftazidime-avibactam (CAZ/AVI) combines ceftazidime with a diazabicyclooctane non-β-lactam β-lactamase inhibitor. This has potent inhibitory activity against KPC-type enzymes. We studied activity of clinically relevant regimens of CAZ/AVI against two KPC-2-bearing
Klebsiella pneumoniae
isolates (sequence type 258 recovered sequentially from the same patient) with and without
omp
K36 mutations in a hollow fiber infection model. The baseline total bacterial burden exceeded 10
9
CFU.
Chemogenomic Profiling of Antileishmanial Efficacy and Resistance in the Related Kinetoplastid Parasite Trypanosoma brucei
Authors: Collett Clare F. , Kitson Carl , Baker Nicola , Steele-Stallard Heather B. , Santrot Marie-Victoire , Hutchinson Sebastian , Horn David , Alsford Sam
Published: May 2019

The arsenal of drugs used to treat leishmaniasis, caused by
Leishmania
spp., is limited and beset by toxicity and emergent resistance. Furthermore, our understanding of drug mode of action and potential routes to resistance is limited. Forward genetic approaches have revolutionized our understanding of drug mode of action in the related kinetoplastid parasite
Trypanosoma brucei
.
Risk of invasive bacterial infections by week of age in infants: prospective national surveillance, England, 2010–2017
Authors: Ladhani Shamez N , Henderson Katherine L , Muller-Pebody Berit , Ramsay Mary E , Riordan Andrew
Published: May 2019

Objective

To estimate the incidence of laboratory-confirmed, invasive bacterial infections (IBIs) by week of age in infants over a 7-year period.

Design

Analysis of prospective national surveillance data for England.

Setting

National Health Service hospitals in England.

Patients

Infants aged <1 year who were hospitalised with IBI.

Main outcome measures

IBI incidence by week of age, incidence rate ratio (IRR) at 8, 12 and 16 weeks compared with the first week of life, and the main pathogens responsible for IBI.

Results

There were 22 075 IBI episodes between 2010/2011 and 2016/2017. The lowest annual cases were in 2011/2012 (n=2 799; incidence, 412/100 000 population), increasing year-on-year to 3 698 cases in 2016/2017 (incidence, 552/100 000 population). The incidence was highest in the first week of life and then declined rapidly. In 2016/2017, compared with the first week of life, weekly IBI incidence was 92% lower at 8 weeks (IRR 0.08; 95% CI 0.06 to 0.10) and 96% lower at 16 weeks of age (IRR 0.04; 95% CI 0.03 to 0.06). In 2016/2017, Escherichia coli was the most prevalent pathogen responsible for IBI (n=592, 16.0%), followed by group B Streptococci (n=493, 13.3%), Staphylococcus aureus (n=400, 10.8%) and Enterococci (n=304, 8.2%). The other pathogens were individually responsible for <5% of total cases. There were differences in age distribution of the pathogens with increasing age.

Conclusion

IBI incidence declines rapidly after the first week of life, such that infants have a very low risk of IBI by the time they are eligible for their routine immunisations from 8 weeks of age.
Releasing forced grasp reflex by use of concomitant imitation behaviour during rehabilitation of a stroke patient
Authors: Watanabe Daisuke , Matsunobe Ikue , Okuma Yasuyuki , Nagaoka Masanori
Published: May 2019

An 80-year-old woman had a stroke during treatment for diffuse large B cell lymphoma. She exhibited left hemispatial inattention, forced grasping with her left hand and moderate left hemiplegia. She always grasped the guard rail of the bed with her left hand, which prevented her from standing up and performing activities of daily living (ADL) centred on move and transfer operations. During a medical examination, she showed an imitation behaviour (IB), mimicking gestures visually presented by the examiner, such as holding up. By using her IB in rehabilitation training, flexor-dominated posture of the upper arm was gradually reduced and performance of ADL improved. Her brain lesion was localised in the right middle frontal gyrus. Based on our experience of concomitant appearance of forced grasping and IB in this case, the pathophysiological involvement of the lesion was discussed.
Association between consumption of ultra-processed foods and all cause mortality: SUN prospective cohort study
Authors: Rico-Campà Anaïs , Martínez-González Miguel A , Alvarez-Alvarez Ismael , Mendonça Raquel de Deus , de la Fuente-Arrillaga Carmen , Gómez-Donoso Clara , Bes-Rastrollo Maira
Published: May 2019

Objective

To evaluate the association between consumption of ultra-processed foods and all cause mortality.

Design

Prospective cohort study.

Setting

Seguimiento Universidad de Navarra (SUN) cohort of university graduates, Spain 1999-2018.

Participants

19 899 participants (12 113 women and 7786 men) aged 20-91 years followed-up every two years between December 1999 and February 2014 for food and drink consumption, classified according to the degree of processing by the NOVA classification, and evaluated through a validated 136 item food frequency questionnaire.

Main outcome measure

Association between consumption of energy adjusted ultra-processed foods categorised into quarters (low, low-medium, medium-high, and high consumption) and all cause mortality, using multivariable Cox proportional hazard models.

Results

335 deaths occurred during 200 432 persons years of follow-up. Participants in the highest quarter (high consumption) of ultra-processed foods consumption had a higher hazard for all cause mortality compared with those in the lowest quarter (multivariable adjusted hazard ratio 1.62, 95% confidence interval 1.13 to 2.33) with a significant dose-response relation (P for linear trend=0.005). For each additional serving of ultra-processed foods, all cause mortality relatively increased by 18% (adjusted hazard ratio 1.18, 95% confidence interval 1.05 to 1.33).

Conclusions

A higher consumption of ultra-processed foods (>4 servings daily) was independently associated with a 62% relatively increased hazard for all cause mortality. For each additional serving of ultra-processed food, all cause mortality increased by 18%.

Study registration

ClinicalTrials.govNCT02669602.
Effect of a 2-hour interval between dinner and bedtime on glycated haemoglobin levels in middle-aged and elderly Japanese people: a longitudinal analysis of 3-year health check-up data
Authors: Maw Su Su , Haga Chiyori
Published: May 2019

Introduction

There is a need for evidence-based measures to examine the risk factors for lifestyle-related diseases. In Japan, a 2-hour interval between dinner and sleep is recommended as a healthy practice. However, the effect of an appropriate duration between dinner and bedtime on glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c) levels remains unclear. This study aimed to identify the effect of a duration of 2 hours or shorter between dinner and bedtime on HbA1c levels in middle-aged and elderly Japanese individuals.

Methods

A longitudinal analysis of health check-up data (2012, 2013 and 2014) was performed. Lifestyle and anthropometric data of individuals aged 40–74 years who did not have any pre-diabetic and diabetic conditions were collected for multilevel analysis. Univariate analysis was performed to assess the influence of each lifestyle variable. Then, two-level random intercept models were created using statistical software SAS 9.3 (SAS Institute Inc, Cary, NC, USA).

Results

The cohort comprised 1573 individuals in 2012, two-thirds of whom were women. The mean HbA1c level was 5.20% in 2012 and 5.58% in 2013 and 2014. A total of 83 (16.1%) men and 70 (7.5%) women fell asleep within 2 hours after dinner. The influence of ensuring a 2-hour interval between dinner and bedtime did not have a remarkable effect on increasing HbA1c levels. The regression coefficient of 2-hour interval and HbA1c levels over time was −0.02 (p=0.45). Smoking (p=0.013), alcohol consumption (p=0.010) and higher body mass index (BMI) (p<0.001) may have influenced HbA1c trends.

Conclusion

Durations of 2 hours or shorter between dinner and bedtime did not influence HbA1c changes in middle-aged and elderly Japanese people. Instead, the focus should be on maintaining a normal BMI and abstaining from smoking and consuming alcohol to ensure stable HbA1c patterns in the long term.
Nutrition and lifestyle intervention in type 2 diabetes: pilot study in the Netherlands showing improved glucose control and reduction in glucose lowering medication
Authors: Pot Gerda K , Battjes-Fries Marieke CE , Patijn Olga N , Pijl Hanno , Witkamp Renger F , de Visser Marianne , van der Zijl Nynke , de Vries Maaike , Voshol Peter J
Published: May 2019

Introduction

Prevalence of type 2 diabetes (T2D) is increasing rapidly and lifestyle interventions to reverse diabetes are seen as a possible solution to stop this trend. New practice-based evidence is needed to gain more insight in the actual, and above all scientific, basis for these claims.

Methods

This observational study with a pretest post-test design aimed to pilot a 6-month multicomponent outpatient group-based nutrition and lifestyle intervention programme on glycaemic control and use of glucose lowering medication in motivated T2D patients with a body mass index (BMI) >25 kg/m2in the Netherlands (February 2015–March 2016).

Results

74 T2D patients (56% female) aged 57.4±8.0 years with mean BMI 31.2±4.2 kg/m2and mean waist circumference 105.4±10.2 cm were included in the study. Compared with baseline, mean HbA1c levels at 6 months were 5 mmol/mol lower (SD=10, p<0.001) and the number of participants with HbA1c levels ≤53 mmol/mol after intervention had increased (from 36% (n=26/72) to 60% (n=43/72)). At baseline, 90% of participants were taking at least one type of glucose lowering medication. At 6 months, 49% (n=35/72) of the participants had reduced their medication or eliminated it completely (13%). Secondary outcomes were significantly lower fasting glucose levels (− 1.2±2.6 mmol/L), body weight (−4.9±5.1 kg), BMI (−1.70±1.69 kg/m2) and waist circumference (−9.4±5.0 cm). Plasma lipids remained unchanged except for a decrease in triglyceride levels. Furthermore, self-reported quality of life was significantly higher while experienced fatigue and sleep problems were significantly lower.

Conclusion

This pilot study showed that a 6-month multicomponent group-based program in a routine care setting could improve glycaemic control and reduce the use of glucose lowering medication in motivated T2D diabetics. A fully scaled study is needed to confirm these results.
Improving the waiting times within a hospice breathlessness service
Authors: Sime Caroline , Milligan Stuart , Rooney Kevin Donal
Published: May 2019

Background

Breathlessness, a common symptom in advanced disease, is a distressing, complex symptom that can profoundly affect the quality of one’s life. Evidence suggests that specialist palliative care breathlessness intervention services can improve physical well-being, personal coping strategies and quality of life. In the UK, the use of quality improvement methods is well documented in the National Health Service. However, within the independent hospice sector there is a lack of published evidence of using such methods to improve service provision.

Aim

The aim of this project was to reduce the waiting time from referral to service commencement for a hospice breathlessness service by 40%—from a median of 19.5 to 11.5 working days.

Methods

Using a quality planning and systems thinking approach staff identified barriers and blockages in the current system and undertook plan-do-study-act cycles to test change ideas. The ideas tested included offering home visits to patients on long-term oxygen, using weekly team ‘huddles’, streamlining the internal referral process and reallocating staff resources.

Results

Using quality improvement methods enabled staff to proactively engage in positive changes to improve the service provided to people living with chronic breathlessness. Offering alternatives to morning appointments; using staff time more efficiently and introducing accurate data collection enabled staff to monitor waiting times in real time. The reduction achieved in the median waiting time from referral to service commencement exceeded the project aim.

Conclusions

This project demonstrates that quality improvement methodologies can be successfully used in a hospice setting to improve waiting times and meet the specific needs of people receiving specialist palliative care.
Fine-scale genetic diversity and relatedness in fungi associated with the mountain pine beetle
Authors: Tsui Clement K.-M. , Beauseigle Stéphanie , Ojeda Alayon Dario I. , Rice Adrianne V. , Cooke Janice E.K. , Sperling Felix A.H. , Roe Amanda D. , Hamelin Richard C.
Published: May 2019

The mountain pine beetle (MPB; Dendroctonus ponderosae Hopkins, 1902) forms beneficial symbiotic associations with fungi. Here we explored the fine-scale spatial genetic structure of three of those fungi using single nucleotide polymorphism. We found that single mated pairs of beetles carry not only multiple fungal species, but also multiple genotypes of each species into their galleries. We observed genetic diversity at a fine spatial scale. Most of the diversity was found within and among galleries with nonsignificant diversity among trees. We observed clonal propagation almost exclusively within galleries. Ophiostoma montium (Rumbold) Arx possessed a larger expected number of multilocus genotypes and lower linkage disequilibrium than Grosmannia clavigera (Rob.-Jeffr. & R.W. Davidson) Zipfel, Z.W. de Beer & M.J. Wingf. and Leptographium longiclavatum S.W. Lee, J.J. Kim & C. Breuil. More than 80% of fungal samples were genetically unrelated, a result that parallels what has been observed in the beetles. The proportion of genetically related samples within galleries was higher in O. montium (40%) than in G. clavigera (20%) or L. longiclavatum (6%), likely the consequence of within-gallery sexual recombination in O. montium. The underlying genetic diversity reported here and the differences among fungal species could enable the symbiont community to quickly respond to new environmental conditions or changes in the host, enhancing the maintenance of this multipartite relationship and allowing the MPB to colonize new habitats.
Improved phase-field-based lattice Boltzmann models with a filtered collision operator
Authors: Otomo Hiroshi , Zhang Raoyang , Chen Hudong
Published: May 2019

In this study, a phase-field lattice Boltzmann model based on the Allen–Cahn equation with a filtered collision operator and high-order corrections in the equilibrium distribution functions is presented. Here, we show that in addition to producing numerical results consistent with prior numerical methods, analytic solutions, and experiments with the density ratio of 1000, previous numerical deficiencies are resolved. Specifically, the new model is characterized by robustness at low viscosity, accurate prediction of shear stress at interfaces, and removal of artificial dense bubbles and rarefied droplets, etc.
Hypernetwork models based on random hypergraphs
Authors: Hu Feng , Guo Jin-Li , Li Fa-Xu , Zhao Hai-Xing
Published: May 2019

Hypernetworks are ubiquitous in real-world systems. They provide a powerful means of accurately depicting networks of different types of entity and will attract more attention from researchers in the future. Most previous hypernetwork research has been focused on the application and modeling of uniform hypernetworks, which are based on uniform hypergraphs. However, random hypernetworks are generally more common, therefore, it is useful to investigate the evolution mechanisms of random hypernetworks. In this paper, we construct three dynamic evolutional models of hypernetworks, namely the equal-probability random hypernetwork model, the Poisson-probability random hypernetwork model and the certain-probability random hypernetwork model. Furthermore, we analyze the hyperdegree distributions of the three models with mean-field theory, and we simulate each model numerically with different parameter values. The simulation results agree well with the results of our theoretical analysis, and the findings indicate that our models could help understand the structure and evolution mechanisms of real systems.
Lattice Boltzmann simulation of dynamics of droplet impact on inclined walls
Authors: Hoseinpour Batool , Sarreshtehdari Ali , Ashorynejad Hamid Reza
Published: May 2019

In this study, phase field method of Lattice Boltzmann method (LBM) is employed to simulate the collision of a droplet with inclined dry walls under gravitational force. At first, dynamic behavior of moving droplet in a horizontal channel, through this method, has been investigated to verify convective boundary condition as the outlet one. Relatedly, falling of a droplet in vertical channel under gravity without any obstacle in certain Ohnesorge number (Oh) and Eotvos number (Eo), as related dimensionless numbers, is enquired. Then, breakup of a falling drop in the range of Eo [Formula: see text], Oh [Formula: see text], various angles of solid walls [Formula: see text], different sizes of the drop diameter [Formula: see text], influence of density ratio and parameter [Formula: see text] corresponding to surface tension are investigated. The results indicated that by increase in Eo, the breakup and deformation of droplet increased after collision while by growing Oh, the droplet retained its spherical shape. Change in the [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text] has effect only on the size of generated fragments. Furthermore, higher density ratio reinforced gravitational force and resulted in more deformation of the droplet and its resistance was enhanced by higher parameter [Formula: see text].
Character networks and book genre classification
Authors: Holanda Adriano J. , Matias Mariane , Ferreira Sueli M. S. P. , Benevides Gisele M. L. , Kinouchi Osame
Published: May 2019

We compared the social character networks of biographical, legendary and fictional texts in search for marks of genre differentiation. We examined the degree distribution of character appearance and found a power-law-like distribution that does not depend on the literary genre. We also analyzed local and global complex network measures, in particular, correlation plots between the recently introduced Lobby index and degree, betweenness and closeness centralities. Assortativity plots, which previous literature claims to separate fictional from real social networks, were also studied. We found no relevant differences among genres for the books studied when applying these network measures and we provide an explanation why the previous assortativity result is not correct.