bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
When Peer Performance Matters: Effects of Expertise and Traits on Children's Self‐Evaluations After Social Comparison
Authors: Lapan Candace , Boseovski Janet J.
Published: August 2017

The present research examined the influence of peer characteristics on children's reactions to upward social comparisons. In Experiment 1, one hundred twenty‐six 5‐, 8‐, and 10‐year‐olds were told that they were outperformed by an expert or novice peer. Older children reported higher self‐evaluations after comparisons with an expert rather than a novice, whereas 5‐year‐olds reported high self‐evaluations broadly. In Experiment 2, ninety‐eight 5‐ to 6‐year‐olds and 9‐ to 10‐year‐olds were told that the peer possessed a positive or negative trait that was task relevant (i.e., intelligence) or task irrelevant (i.e., athleticism). Older children reported higher self‐evaluations after hearing about positive rather than negative traits, irrespective of relevance. Younger children reported high self‐evaluations indiscriminately. Results inform the understanding of social comparison development in childhood.
Mismatch negativity to pitch pattern deviants in schizophrenia
Authors: Haigh Sarah M. , Matteis Mario De , Coffman Brian A. , Murphy Timothy K. , Butera Christiana D. , Ward Kayla L. , Leiter‐McBeth Justin R. , Salisbury Dean F.
Published: August 2017

Simple mismatch negativity (MMN) to infrequent pitch deviants is impaired in individuals with long‐term schizophrenia (Sz). The complex MMN elicited by pattern deviance often manifes is cut from here]‐>ts later after deviant onset than simple MMN and can ascertain deficits in abstracting relationships between stimuli. Sz exhibit reduced complex MMN, but so far this has only been measured when deviance detection relies on a grouping rule. We measured MMN to deviants in pitch‐based rules to see whether MMN is also abnormal in Sz under these conditions. Three experiments were conducted. Twenty‐seven Sz and 28 healthy matched controls (HC) participated in Experiments 1 and 2, and 24 Sz and 26 HC participated in Experiment 3. Experiment 1 was a standard pitch MMN task, and Sz showed the expected MMN reduction (~ 115 ms) in the simple pitch deviant compared to HC. Experiment 2 comprised standard groups of six tones that ascended in pitch, and deviant groups where the last tone descended in pitch. Complex MMN was late (~ 510 ms) and significantly blunted in Sz. Experiment 3 comprised standard groups of 12 tones (six tones ascending in pitch followed by six tones descending in pitch, like a scale), and deviant groups containing two repetitions of six ascending tones (the scale restarted midstream). Complex MMN was also late (~ 460 ms) and significantly blunted in Sz. These results identify a late pitch pattern deviance‐related MMN that is deficient in schizophrenia. This suggests specific deficits in later more complex deviance detection in schizophrenia for abstract patterns.
Trait impulsiveness is related to smaller post‐commissural putamen volumes in males but not females
Authors: Caravaggio Fernando , Plitman Eric , Chung Jun Ku , Gerretsen Philip , Kim Julia , Iwata Yusuke , Chakravarty Mallar , Remington Gary , Graff‐Guerrero Ariel
Published: August 2017

Impulsivity is considered a vulnerability trait for addiction. Recently, we found trait non‐planning impulsiveness measured with the Karolinska Scales of Personality was negatively correlated with dopamine D2/3 receptor availability in the ventral striatum of healthy humans. While also observed in rodents, human studies have failed to find this association with other measures of trait impulsivity. We explored whether another rodent finding, reduced ventral striatum volume with greater impulsivity, could also be observed in humans using this scale. Non‐planning impulsiveness was measured in 52 healthy subjects (21 female; mean age: 33.06 ± 9.69) using the Karolinska Scales of Personality. Striatal subregion volumes, including the globus pallidus, were acquired using the Multiple Automatically Generated Templates (MAGeT‐Brain) algorithm. Although failing to support our a priori hypothesis, there was a significant sex interaction in the post‐commissural putamen with impulsiveness. Exploratory analyses revealed impulsiveness was negatively correlated with post‐commissural putamen volumes in males, but positively correlated in females. We replicated this finding in males in an increased sample (including all 52 previous subjects) who provided impulsiveness measured by the Temperament and Character Inventory (n = 73; 32 female; mean age: 33.48 ± 9.75). These correlations by sex were statistically different from one another, the main finding with the Kasolinksa Scales of Personality surviving correction for multiple comparisons. While impulsivity may be related to reduced ventral striatal D2/3 receptors across sexes, males but not females may show significant reductions in post‐commissural putamen volume. These findings have important implications for understanding biological markers underlying sex differences in drug addiction vulnerability.
A proteomic analysis of contextual fear conditioned rats reveals dynamic modifications in neuron and oligodendrocyte protein expression in the dentate gyrus
Authors: Houyoux Nicolas , Wattiez Ruddy , Ris Laurence
Published: August 2017

Contextual memory is an intricate process involving synaptic plasticity and network rearrangement. Both are governed by many molecular processes including phosphorylation and modulation of protein expression. However, little is known about the molecules involved in it. Here, we exploited the advantages of a quantitative proteomic approach to identify a great number of molecules in the rat dentate gyrus after a contextual fear conditioning session. Our results allowed us to highlight protein expression patterns, not only related to neuroplasticity, but also to myelin structure, such as myelin basic protein and myelin proteolipid protein showing a decrease in expression. Validation of the modification in protein expression reveals a dynamic profile during the 48 h following the fear conditioning session. The expression of proteins involved in neurite outgrowth, such as BASP‐1 and calcineurin B1, and in synaptic structure and function, VAMP2 and RAB3C, was increased in the dentate gyrus of rats submitted to fear conditioning compared to controls. We showed that the increase in BASP‐1 protein was specific to fear conditioning learning as it was not present in immediate‐shock rats, neither in rats exposed to a novel environment without being shocked. As myelin is known to stabilise synaptic network, the decrease in myelin proteins suggests a neuroglia interactive process taking place in the dentate gyrus in the 24 h following contextual fear learning, which has never been demonstrated before. These results therefore open the way to the study of new plasticity mechanisms underlying learning and memory.
Olfactory bulb drives respiration‐coupled beta oscillations in the rat hippocampus
Authors: Lockmann André L. V. , Laplagne Diego A. , Tort Adriano B. L.
Published: August 2017

The synchronization of neuronal oscillations has been suggested as a mechanism to coordinate information flow between distant brain regions. In particular, the olfactory bulb (OB) and the hippocampus (HPC) have been shown to exhibit oscillations in the beta frequency range (10–20 Hz) that are likely to support communication between these structures. Here, we further characterize features of beta oscillations in OB and HPC of rats anesthetized with urethane. We find that beta oscillations simultaneously appear in HPC and OB and phase‐lock across structures. Moreover, Granger causality analysis reveals that OB beta activity drives HPC beta. The laminar voltage profile of beta in HPC shows the maximum amplitude in the dentate gyrus (DG), spatially coinciding with olfactory inputs to this region. Finally, we also find that the respiratory cycle and respiration‐coupled field potential rhythms (1–2 Hz)—but not theta oscillations (3–5 Hz)—modulate beta amplitude in OB and HPC. In all, our results support the hypothesis that beta activity mediates the communication between olfactory and hippocampal circuits in the rodent brain.
Reversed patent ductus arteriosus and multiple congenital malformations in an 8‐day‐old Arabo‐Friesian foal
Authors: Dufourni A. , Decloedt A. , De Clercq D. , Saey V. , Chiers K. , van Loon G.
Published: August 2017

An 8‐day‐old Arabo‐Friesian filly was presented with signs of severe dyspnoea, tachypnoea, coughing and cyanotic mucous membranes. On auscultation, a bilateral grade V/VI continuous heart murmur and heart rate of 155 beats/min (sinus tachycardia) were detected. Lung ultrasonography revealed pronounced comet tail artefacts indicating lung oedema. Echocardiography showed right ventricular hypertrophy, a 1.2 cm muscular ventricular septal defect with a left‐to‐right shunt, a stenotic bicuspid pulmonary valve and severe mitral and tricuspid valve regurgitation. Tricuspid regurgitation peak velocity indicated a right ventricular systolic pressure of 119 mmHg. The pulmonary artery was severely dilated and a 1 cm diameter patent ductus arteriosus was found. Colour flow Doppler showed systolic ductal flow reversal with right‐to‐left shunting through the ductus. Arterial partial oxygen pressure and saturation were lower in the metatarsal artery (25 mmHg, saturation 52.6%) than in the carotid artery (31 mmHg, saturation 64.3%). Due to the poor prognosis, the foal was subjected to euthanasia and necropsy confirmed the ultrasonographic findings. Patent ductus arteriosus is a rare condition and occurs most frequently in combination with tetralogy and pentalogy of Fallot. A genetic basis for congenital cardiac disease, especially for ventricular septal defects, in Arabians and for aortic rupture and aorto‐pulmonary fistulation in Friesians has been reported. Whether cross‐breeding leads to an increased prevalence is unknown. This is the first case report with echocardiographic visualisation of reversed ductal flow in a neonatal Arabo‐Friesian foal.
Red clover varieties of Mattenklee type have higher production, protein yield and persistence than Ackerklee types in grass–clover mixtures
Authors: Hoekstra N. J. , De Deyn G. B. , Xu Y. , Prinsen R. , Van Eekeren N.
Published: August 2017

Dairy farmers have increased interest in multiyear red clover–ryegrass ley pasture swards because of their high productivity and protein concentration but the adoption of such mixtures has been restricted because of poor persistency of many red clover cultivars currently used. We aimed (i) to assess dry‐matter yield (DMY), persistence and nutritive value of four Mattenklee and four Ackerklee cultivars and (ii) to investigate the underlying plant morphological traits. We conducted a 4‐year field experiment with red clover–ryegrass mixtures, in combination with a short‐term pot experiment in which the red clover cultivars were grown both in monoculture and in mixture with Lolium perenne L. In the field, Mattenklees showed higher production (on average 42% higher) and clover content (on average 34% higher) in the third and fourth year of production compared to Ackerklees. In the fourth year, Mattenklees had slightly lower digestibility and lower protein concentration compared to Ackerklees cultivars; however, the digestible DMY and the protein yield were higher for Mattenklees. Both persistence and nutritive value of the different red clover cultivars were closely correlated with plant morphological traits. For stem length, there was close correlation (r > .77) between the results from the pot experiment and the field experiment, suggesting that stem length may be an important trait for plant breeding.
After globalisation: A reconceptualisation of transnational Higher Education governance in Singapore and Hong Kong
Authors: Lo William Yat Wai
Published: August 2017

Research on transnational Higher Education governance has provided a thesis explaining how East Asian states have successfully selectively blended elements of globalisation in Higher Education with their pre‐existing regulatory regimes. However, this paper argues that the thesis overlooks the significance of local politics in understanding the formulation of Higher Education policy, thus insufficiently acknowledging the indeterminacy that arises in the globalisation process. To address this argument, this paper examines the transnational Higher Education development in Singapore and Hong Kong and explains how political resistance and corresponding policy changes that emerged in these two societies help reconceptualise transnational Higher Education governance.
Interrogating the Relationship between Remigration and Sustainable Return
Authors: Kuschminder Katie
Published: August 2017

Assisted voluntary return is a central component of many countries managed migration policies. Within these programmes achieving a sustainable return is a common policy goal, which is often measured through remigration. In this paper, it is argued that remigration is not a valid indicator to measure sustainable return. A new definition and approach to defining and measuring sustainable return is presented based on a multidimensional return and reintegration index, which is tested with a sample of 118 returnees in six countries. Due to small sample size a chi‐square test is used to examine the correlation between the return and reintegration index and remigration intentions. The results demonstrate the relationship between having a concrete remigration plan and the return and reintegration index is insignificant. This relationship between remigration and sustainable return is further interrogated throughout the paper.
Swiss S1 guideline for the treatment of rosacea
Authors: Anzengruber F. , Czernielewski J. , Conrad C. , Feldmeyer L. , Yawalkar N. , Häusermann P. , Cozzio A. , Mainetti C. , Goldblum D. , Läuchli S. , Imhof L. , Brand C. , Laffitte E. , Navarini A.A.
Published: August 2017

Rosacea (in German sometimes called ‘Kupferfinne’, in French ‘Couperose’ and in Italian ‘Copparosa’) is a chronic and frequently relapsing inflammatory skin disease primarily affecting the central areas of the face. Its geographic prevalence varies from 1% to 22%. The differential diagnosis is wide, and the treatment is sometimes difficult and varies by stage of rosacea. For erythematous lesions and telangiectasia, intense pulsed light (IPL) therapy and lasers are popular treatment option. In addition, a vasoconstrictor agent, brimonidine, has recently been developed. For papulopustular rosacea, topical antibiotics, topical and systemic retinoids, as well as systemic antibiotics are used. A topical acaricidal agent, ivermectin, has undergone clinical development and is now on the market. In the later stages, hyperplasia of the sebaceous glands develops, resulting in phymatous growths such as the frequently observed bulbous nose or rhinophyma. Ablative laser treatments have largely replaced classical abrasive tools. Here, we reviewed the current evidence on the treatment of rosacea, provide a guideline (S1 level) and discuss the differential diagnosis of rosacea.
Function But Not Multimorbidity at The Cornerstone of Geriatric Medicine
Authors: Abizanda Pedro , Rodríguez‐Mañas Leocadio
Published: August 2017

See the Reply by Debora Rizzuto et al.
New Perspectives on an Old Issue: A Comparative MS‐CASPT2 and OM2‐MRCI Study of Polyenes and Protonated Schiff Bases
Authors: Dokukina Irina , Marian Christel M. , Weingart Oliver
Published: August 2017

Polyenic systems are involved in light perception of numerous living organisms. Although a π‐conjugated backbone is a common feature of all polyenes, their photophysics may vary. We provide a comparative quantum mechanical study of low‐lying S1 and S2 excited states in short (3‐5 double bonds) symmetric all‐trans linear polyenes and corresponding protonated Schiff bases. In our investigation, we use the well‐established ab initio multireference CASPT2 approach and benchmark the efficient semiempirical OM2‐MRCI approach against it. For all protonated Schiff bases, MS‐CASPT2 results in two distinct S1 minima with inverted and noninverted bond length pattern, respectively. We find that OM2‐MRCI is a computationally affordable and reliable alternative to MS‐CASPT2 for investigations of polyenic systems, particularly when highly demanding calculations (e.g. excited‐state dynamics) need to be performed.
Eradication of invasive Carpobrotus sp.: effects on soil and vegetation
Authors: Chenot Julie , Affre Laurence , Gros Raphael , Dubois Laura , Malecki Sarah , Passetti Aurélie , Aboucaya Annie , Buisson Elise
Published: August 2017

Invasive species management (eradication or control) can be used to promote native plant restoration. The objective of this study is to evaluate different treatments to guide the selection of future modalities for the eradication (i.e. elimination of all individuals in a population) of Carpobrotus sp. from a strict nature reserve. Two removal methods were tested: (1) living Carpobrotus removal; (2) living Carpobrotus and litter removal. To assess the effectiveness of each treatment, we studied the recolonization of native vegetation, the recolonization of Carpobrotus, and soil erosion and compared these metrics to those taken in native vegetation and in patches of intact Carpobrotus. We also tested the capacity of a 50‐cm‐wide Carpobrotus strip to retain soil. The removal of Carpobrotus together with its litter led to high rates of soil erosion. The Carpobrotus strips were found to retain the soil rather well. Removing live Carpobrotus while leaving its litter in place reduced soil erosion and led to higher native plant species recolonization. The composition of the vegetation 10 months after applying the treatments was biased in favor of native pioneer species. These are typically the first species to establish (Aetheoriza bulbosa and Arisarum vulgare resprouted, Frankenia hirsuta and Lotus cytisoides germinated, and Sonchus sp. benefited from long‐distance dispersal). Few weedy species were recorded (e.g. Sonchus asper asper). Whatever the treatment, the risk of reinvasion from the seed bank or from resprouting stems is nonnegligible, so long‐term monitoring is vital to the ultimate success of the eradication program.
A theory of participation: what makes stakeholder and public engagement in environmental management work?
Authors: Reed Mark S. , Vella Steven , Challies Edward , de Vente Joris , Frewer Lynne , Hohenwallner‐Ries Daniela , Huber Tobias , Neumann Rosmarie K. , Oughton Elizabeth A. , Sidoli del Ceno Julian , van Delden Hedwig
Published: August 2017

This article differentiates between descriptive and explanatory factors to develop a typology and a theory of stakeholder and public engagement. The typology describes different types of public and stakeholder engagement, and the theory comprises four factors that explain much of the variation in outcomes (for the natural environment and/or for participants) between different types of engagement. First, we use a narrative literature search to develop a new typology of stakeholder and public engagement based on agency (who initiates and leads engagement) and mode of engagement (from communication to coproduction). We then propose a theory to explain the variation in outcomes from different types of engagement: (1) a number of socioeconomic, cultural, and institutional contextual factors influence the outcomes of engagement; (2) there are a number of process design factors that can increase the likelihood that engagement leads to desired outcomes, across a wide range of sociocultural, political, economic, and biophysical contexts; (3) the effectiveness of engagement is significantly influenced by power dynamics, the values of participants, and their epistemologies, that is, the way they construct knowledge and which types of knowledge they consider valid; and (4) engagement processes work differently and can lead to different outcomes when they operate over different spatial and temporal scales. We use the theoretical framework to provide practical guidance for those designing engagement processes, arguing that a theoretically informed approach to stakeholder and public engagement has the potential to markedly improve the outcomes of environmental decision‐making processes.
Palatal perforation and chemical ulcers of the tongue in a blind patient
Authors: Pinheiro Tiago Novaes , Fayad Flavio , Júnior Luiz Roberto Magalhães , Nichthauser Brigitte , Braga Francisco , Passos Shirley Maria
Published: August 2017

We report a unique case of a potassium aluminum sulfate oral dissolution leading to palatal chemical necrosis and extensive chemical ulcers on the tongue. The patient, a 47‐year‐old white, blind male, denied using cocaine or other illegal drugs that could cause such lesions. His self‐medication started as a treatment for a traumatic ulcerative lesion on the hard palate. After palatal perforation, he started another self‐medication routine, mixing corticoid cream and tandrilax tablets with a gauze obturator. Our treatment comprised the removal of all chemical factors, a surgical debridement, and a prosthetic obturator to resolve the communication. The 1‐year follow‐up showed no complications.
Confidence Intervals for the Current Status Model
Authors: Groeneboom Piet , Hendrickx Kim
Published: August 2017

We discuss a new way of constructing pointwise confidence intervals for the distribution function in the current status model. The confidence intervals are based on the smoothed maximum likelihood estimator, using local smooth functional theory and normal limit distributions. Bootstrap methods for constructing these intervals are considered. Other methods to construct confidence intervals, using the non‐standard limit distribution of the (restricted) maximum likelihood estimator, are compared with our approach via simulations and real data applications.
Depression Mediates the Relationship Between Distress Tolerance and Nonsuicidal Self‐Injury Among Adolescents: One‐Year Follow‐Up
Authors: Lin Min‐Pei , You Jianing , Wu Yung Wei , Jiang Yongqiang
Published: August 2017

Through a one‐year follow‐up design, this study examined whether distress tolerance would increase the risk for nonsuicidal self‐injury (NSSI), mediated through depression in a representative sample of adolescents. Participants (N = 2,170) were recruited from senior high schools throughout Taiwan using both stratified and cluster sampling in time 1 (T1), and 1,832 students were followed‐up one year later (T2). Structure equation modeling results revealed that after controlling NSSI measured at T1, NSSI (T2) was significantly predicted by distress tolerance (T1) and fully mediated through depression (T2). The mediating role of depression in the relationship between distress tolerance and NSSI are discussed.
Suicide Crisis Syndrome Mediates the Relationship Between Long‐term Risk Factors and Lifetime Suicidal Phenomena
Authors: Cohen Lisa Janet , Ardalan Firouz , Yaseen Zimri , Galynker Igor
Published: August 2017

In recent years, there has been growing attention to the distinction between acute and long‐term suicidal risk factors. We have previously characterized an acute, negative affect state, termed the suicide crisis syndrome (SCS), as a marker of near‐term suicidal risk. Here, we test whether documented long‐term risk factors (i.e., trait vulnerabilities), including perfectionism, impulsivity, chronic substance abuse, insecure attachment, poor social support, and childhood trauma, associate to suicidal phenomena through a pathway of the SCS. A sample of 207 psychiatric inpatients were administered a battery of eight scales, including the Suicide Trigger Scale (STS‐3) as a measure of the SCS. While both STS‐3 and all trait vulnerabilities were associated with lifetime suicidal ideation and attempts, only STS‐3 was related to pre‐admission suicide attempts. The STS‐3 significantly mediated the effect of each trait vulnerability on lifetime suicidal phenomena (combining ideation and behavior), with the proportion of mediating effect ranging from .29 to .56. Reverse mediation analyses were only significant for insecure attachment, supporting a largely unidirectional mediation effect. The SCS appears to serve as an acute risk factor for suicidal behavior in psychiatric inpatients and may act as a mechanism by which long‐term risk factors increase suicidal risk.
Media Narratives Versus Evidence in Economic Policy Making: The 2008–2009 Financial Crisis*
Authors: McBeth Mark K. , Tokle Robert J. , Schaefer Susan
Published: August 2017

Objective

Economic policy in late 2008 and through 2009 led to unprecedented media coverage and debate. This debate played out on the 24‐hour news cycle of cable news networks. Traditionally, media has been viewed as merely reporting the news, but today evidence suggests that the media is an active player for or against certain policies. This study asks: “How did the three major cable news networks cover the economic crisis of 2008–2009 and how did this coverage converge or diverge from the impacts that economists thought these policies actually had on the economy?”

Methods

We content analyzed 50 news transcripts each from Fox News, CNN, and MSNBC.

Results

We found that MSNBC primarily constructed Democratic Party officials and their allies as heroes (fixers of the problem), and that Fox News primarily constructed Democratic Party officials and their allies as villains (the cause of the problem). Fox News when discussing the economic policies constructed more costs (victims) than benefits (beneficiaries), whereas both MSNBC and CNN constructed more benefits (beneficiaries) than costs (victims). Overall, MSNBC was the most pro‐Democratic Party in its narratives, with Fox News the most pro‐Republican Party, and CNN leaning Democratic but also mixed in its narratives. Nonpartisan economic analyses showed that despite the pessimistic narratives about financial reform found in Fox News, the economic policies had a positive impact on the economy.

Conclusions

This study concludes with an analysis of the potential impact of media coverage on U.S. public policy making as a new U.S. president takes office.
A vascularized preputial free flap for labial reconstruction in a dog
Authors: Liu Chi‐Hsin , Yeh Lih‐Seng
Published: August 2017

Objective

To describe the clinical application of a vascularized preputial free flap in the reconstruction of a large facial‐labial defect.

Study design

Case report.

Animals

An adult neutered male mongrel dog with a large left facial‐labial defect.

Methods

A preputial free flap was created by elevating the cranial part of the prepuce, using the ipsilateral caudal superficial epigastric vessels as a vascular pedicle. The flap was transferred to the facial‐labial defect and the donor vessels anastomosed to the sublingual artery and vein, using standard microvascular technique.

Results

The free flap survived, leading to good cosmetic and functional outcomes. No major complications were encountered at either the donor or recipient sites after 2 years of follow‐up.

Conclusion

Vascularized preputial free flaps can be used to manage composite facial and oral cavity defects involving large areas of skin and mucosa.
Perfect complexes on algebraic stacks
Authors: Hall Jack , Rydh David
Published: August 2017

We develop a theory of unbounded derived categories of quasi-coherent sheaves on algebraic stacks. In particular, we show that these categories are compactly generated by perfect complexes for stacks that either have finite stabilizers or are local quotient stacks. We also extend Toën and Antieau–Gepner’s results on derived Azumaya algebras and compact generation of sheaves on linear categories from derived schemes to derived Deligne–Mumford stacks. These are all consequences of our main theorem: compact generation of a presheaf of triangulated categories on an algebraic stack is local for the quasi-finite flat topology.
Volume loading augments cutaneous vasodilatation and cardiac output of heat stressed older adults
Authors: Gagnon Daniel , Romero Steven A. , Ngo Hai , Sarma Satyam , Cornwell William K. , Poh Paula Y. S. , Stoller Douglas , Levine Benjamin D. , Crandall Craig G.
Published: August 2017

Key points

Age‐related changes in cutaneous microvascular and cardiac functions limit the extent of cutaneous vasodilatation and the increase in cardiac output that healthy older adults can achieve during passive heat stress.

However, it is unclear if these age‐related changes in microvascular and cardiac functions maximally restrain the levels of cutaneous vasodilatation and cardiac output that healthy older adults can achieve during heat stress.

We observed that rapid volume loading, performed during passive heat stress, augments both cutaneous vasodilatation and cardiac output in healthy older humans.

These findings demonstrate that the microcirculation of healthy aged skin can further dilate during passive heat exposure, despite peripheral limitations to vasodilatation.

Furthermore, healthy older humans can augment cardiac output when cardiac pre‐load is increased during heat stress.

Primary ageing markedly attenuates cutaneous vasodilatation and the increase in cardiac output during passive heating. However, it remains unclear if these responses are maximally restrained by age‐related changes in cutaneous microvascular and cardiac functions. We hypothesized that rapid volume loading performed during heat stress would increase cardiac output in older adults without parallel increases in cutaneous vasodilatation. Twelve young (Y: 26 ± 5 years) and ten older (O: 69 ± 3 years) healthy adults were passively heated until core temperature increased by 1.5°C. Cardiac output (thermodilution), forearm vascular conductance (FVC, venous occlusion plethysmography) and cutaneous vascular conductance (CVC, laser‐Doppler) were measured before and after rapid infusion of warmed saline (15 mL kg−1, ∼7 min). While heat stressed, but prior to saline infusion, cardiac output (O: 6.8 ± 0.4 vs. Y: 9.4 ± 0.6 L min−1), FVC (O: 0.08 ± 0.01 vs. Y: 0.17 ± 0.02 mL (100 mL min−1 mmHg−1)−1), and CVC (O: 1.29 ± 0.34 vs. Y: 1.93 ± 0.30 units mmHg−1) were lower in older adults (all P < 0.01). Rapid saline infusion increased cardiac output (O: +1.9 ± 0.3, Y: +1.8 ± 0.7 L min−1), FVC (O: +0.015 ± 0.007, Y: +0.048 ± 0.013 mL (100 mL min−1 mmHg−1)−1), and CVC (O: +0.28 ± 0.10, Y: +0.29 ± 0.16 units mmHg−1) in both groups (all P < 0.01). The absolute increase in cardiac output and CVC were similar between groups, whereas FVC increased to a greater extent in young adults (P < 0.01). These results demonstrate that healthy older adults can achieve greater levels of cutaneous vasodilatation and cardiac output during passive heating.
Tissue Cutting With Microserrated Biopsy Punches
Authors: Giovannini Marco , Ren Huaqing , Wang Xingsheng , Ehmann Kornel
Published: August 2017

This paper investigates the application of bioinspired serrated cutting edges in tissue cutting by biopsy punches (BPs) to reduce the insertion force. BPs are frequently used as a diagnostic tool in many minimally invasive procedures, for both tissue extraction and the delivery of medical fluids. The proposed work is inspired by the mosquito's maxilla that features microserrations on its cutting edges with the purpose of painlessly puncturing the human skin. The objective of this paper is to study the application of maxillalike microserrations on commercial BPs. The fundamental goal is the minimization of the puncture force at the BP tip during insertion procedures. Microserrations were created on the cutting edge by using a picosecond laser while cutting tests were implemented on a customized testbed on phantom tissue. A reduction of 20–30% in the insertion forces has been achieved with microserrated punches with different texture depths encouraging, thereby, further studies and applications in biomedical devices. Three-dimensional (3D) and two-dimensional (2D) finite element simulations were also developed to investigate the impact of microserrated cutting edges on the stresses in the contact area during soft tissue cutting.
A Control-Oriented Framework for Direct Impulse-Based Rendering of Haptic Contacts
Authors: Mohtat Arash , Gallacher Colin , Kövecses József
Published: August 2017

In many haptic applications, producing a sharp feeling of impact is crucial for high-fidelity force feedback rendering of virtual objects (VOs). Although suitable for rendering collision-rich haptic interactions, impulse-based methods are rarely used in a pure form. Instead, they are combined with penalty-based elements in different forms such as virtual couplings (VCs) and hybridization. In this paper, we first propose the direct impulse-based paradigm for rendering haptic contacts using a new sampled-data interpretation of the impact problem. Then, we cast this interpretation into a systematic framework entitled the generalized contact controller (GCC). This enables us to implement different contact rendering methods as controllers and to improve them by appropriating a wide array of analysis and design tools developed in the control field. We specifically show how to apply position and velocity corrections to the purely impulse-based contact controller for enhancing its energy and sustained contact characteristics, and how to add an anti-windup compensator (AWC) for meeting actuation limits. These propositions are validated via simulation and experiments, as well as via human perception studies. Results show the promising aspects of the proposed impulse-based methods for generating a sharper unfiltered feeling of rigid-body contacts even at low sampling rates.
Cost-Effective Light-Mixing Module for Solar-Lighting System Appended With Auxiliary RGBW Light-Emitting Diodes
Authors: Chi Wei An , Chieh Lo Shih , Lee Ju-Yi , Yeh Hong-Yih
Published: August 2017

A light-mixing module consisting of a compound parabolic concentrator (CPC) and a light-mixing tube is proposed herein to realize a uniform and efficient solar-lighting system. In this lighting system, the sunlight collected into a fiber and then guided to an indoor destination is the principal light source, while an auxiliary light source including multiple red, green, blue, and white (RGBW) light-emitting diodes (LEDs) is controlled by an auto-compensating module. To mix the principal and the auxiliary sources and to realize the uniform illumination, the light-mixing tube was coated with BaSO4 and optimized as a cylindrical tube. The design of the light-mixing tube is described and discussed in this article. According to the simulated results, the uniformity and the optical efficiency of the designed light-mixing tube are 82.9% and 85.7%, respectively, while from the experimental results, the uniformity of 85.9% and the optical efficiency of 83.3% have been obtained. In terms of the common indoor-lighting standards and the specifications of commercial components used in lighting systems, the proposed light-mixing module has demonstrated the high uniformity and acceptable optical efficiency. Additionally, since the main components of the light-mixing module can be designed as plastic optics, a cost-effective light-mixing module and a profitable lighting system can be realized. Thus, the performance and the price of the proposed light-mixing module fit the demands of the illumination market, while the proposed system shows the potential for indoor solar-lighting applications.
Clear speech and lexical competition in younger and older adult listeners
Authors: Van Engen Kristin J.
Published: August 2017

This study investigated whether clear speech reduces the cognitive demands of lexical competition by crossing speaking style with lexical difficulty. Younger and older adults identified more words in clear versus conversational speech and more easy words than hard words. An initial analysis suggested that the effect of lexical difficulty was reduced in clear speech, but more detailed analyses within each age group showed this interaction was significant only for older adults. The results also showed that both groups improved over the course of the task and that clear speech was particularly helpful for individuals with poorer hearing: for younger adults, clear speech eliminated hearing-related differences that affected performance on conversational speech. For older adults, clear speech was generally more helpful to listeners with poorer hearing. These results suggest that clear speech affords perceptual benefits to all listeners and, for older adults, mitigates the cognitive challenge associated with identifying words with many phonological neighbors.
Mycoplasma pneumoniae-induced rash and mucositis: a recently described entity
Authors: Santos Rui Pedro , Silva Marta , Vieira Ana Paula , Brito Celeste
Published: August 2017

Mycoplasmapneumoniaeis a common cause of respiratory infections. Although most cases are mild, some patients have extrapulmonary complications including mucocutaneous eruptions including Stevens-Johnson syndrome (SJS), toxic epidermal necrolysis (TEN) and erythemamultiforme (EM). Recently, a new entity, calledM. pneumoniae-induced rash and mucositis (MIRM) was described. The authors present a clinical case difficult to classify attending to the classical classification of epidermolytic syndromes that meets the criteria proposed for the diagnosis of MIRM. The mucocutaneous disease associated withM. pneumoniaepresents predominant mucositis, with scarce or absent cutaneous involvement. Because of the distinct morphology, pathophysiology and benign clinical course, MIRM should be considered as a new entity, distinct from SJS/TEN and EM.
Safety and feasibility of transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) combined with sensorimotor retraining in chronic low back pain: a protocol for a pilot randomised controlled trial
Authors: Ouellette Adam Louis , Liston Matthew B , Chang Wei-Ju , Walton David M , Wand Benedict Martin , Schabrun Siobhan M
Published: August 2017

Introduction

Chronic low back pain (LBP) is a common and costly health problem yet current treatments demonstrate at best, small effects. The concurrent application of treatments with synergistic clinical and mechanistic effects may improve outcomes in chronic LBP. This pilot trial aims to (1) determine the feasibility, safety and perceived patient response to a combined transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) and sensorimotor retraining intervention in chronic LBP and (2) provide data to support a sample size calculation for a fully powered trial should trends of effectiveness be present.

Methods and analysis

A pilot randomised, assessor and participant-blind, sham-controlled trial will be conducted. Eighty participants with chronic LBP will be randomly allocated to receive either (1) active tDCS + sensorimotor retraining or (2) sham tDCS + sensorimotor retraining. tDCS (active or sham) will be applied to the primary motor cortex for 20 min immediately prior to 60 min of supervised sensorimotor retraining twice per week for 10 weeks. Participants in both groups will complete home exercises three times per week. Feasibility, safety, pain, disability and pain system function will be assessed immediately before and after the 10-week intervention. Analysis of feasibility and safety will be performed using descriptive statistics. Statistical analyses will be conducted based on intention-to-treat and per protocol and will be used to determine trends for effectiveness.

Ethics and dissemination

Ethical approval has been gained from the institutional human research ethics committee (H10184). Written informed consent will be provided by all participants. Results from this pilot study will be submitted for publication in peer-reviewed journals.

Trial registration number

ACTRN12616000624482
Accuracy and reliability of the sensory test performed using the laryngopharyngeal endoscopic esthesiometer and rangefinder in patients with suspected obstructive sleep apnoea hypopnoea: protocol for a prospective double-blinded, randomised, exploratory study
Authors: Giraldo-Cadavid Luis Fernando , Bastidas Alirio Rodrigo , Padilla-Ortiz Diana Marcela , Concha-Galan Diana Carolina , Bazurto María Angelica , Vargas Leslie
Published: August 2017

Introduction

Patients with obstructive sleep apnoea hypopnoea syndrome (OSA) might have varying degrees of laryngopharyngeal mechanical hyposensitivity that might impair the brain’s capacity to prevent airway collapse during sleep. However, this knowledge about sensory compromises in OSA comes from studies performed using methods with little evidence of their validity. Hence, the purpose of this study is to assess the reliability and accuracy of the measurement of laryngopharyngeal mechanosensitivity in patients with OSA using a recently developed laryngopharyngeal endoscopic esthesiometer and rangefinder (LPEER).

Methods and analysis

The study will be prospective and double blinded, with a randomised crossover assignment of raters performing the sensory tests. Subjects will be recruited from patients with suspected OSA referred for baseline polysomnography to a university hospital sleep laboratory. Intra-rater and inter-rater reliability will be evaluated using the Bland–Altman’s limits of agreement plot, the intraclass correlation coefficient, and the Pearson or Spearman correlation coefficient, depending on the distribution of the variables. Diagnostic accuracy will be evaluated plotting ROC curves using standard baseline polysomnography as a reference. The sensory threshold values ​​for patients with mild, moderate and severe OSA will be determined and compared using ANOVA or the Kruskal–Wallis test, depending on the distribution of the variables. The LPEER could be a new tool for evaluating and monitoring laryngopharyngeal sensory impairment in patients with OSA. If it is shown to be valid, it could help to increase our understanding of the pathophysiological mechanisms of this condition and potentially help in finding new therapeutic interventions for OSA.

Ethics and dissemination

The protocol has been approved by the Institutional Review Board of Fundacion Neumologica Colombiana. The results will be disseminated through conference presentations and peer-reviewed publication.

Trial registration

This trial was registered at Clinical Trials Accuracy of the sensory test using the lLaryngopharyngeal endoscopic esthesiometer in obstructive sleep apnea. Protocol ID: 201611-22405. ClinicalTrials.gov ID:NCT03109171.
Making a balanced plate for pregnant women to improve birthweight of infants: a study protocol for a cluster randomised controlled trial in rural Bangladesh
Authors: Chowdhury Morseda , Raynes-Greenow Camille , Alam Ashraful , Dibley Michael J
Published: August 2017

Objectives

Low birthweight significantly contributes to neonatal mortality, morbidities and psychosocial debilities throughout the course of life. A large proportion of infants (36–55%) in Bangladesh is born with low birthweight. Nutritional status of women during pregnancy is critical for optimal growth and development of the fetus. Nutrition education has been found to improve maternal nutritional status. Our study aims to determine whether nutrition education with a practical demonstration during pregnancy is an effective intervention for improving the birthweight of infants compared with standard nutrition education only.

Methods and analysis

We will conduct a community-based cluster randomised controlled trial in one rural district of Bangladesh. Treatments will be allocated evenly between the study clusters (n=36). Participants in the intervention clusters receive ‘balanced plate nutrition education’ with a practical demonstration from community health workers 4–7 times throughout their entire pregnancy, starting from the first trimester. The control clusters will receive standard nutrition education delivered by public and other healthcare providers as per ongoing antenatal care protocol. Our sample size would be 900 pregnant women to determine 100 g differences in mean birthweight, considering 5% type 1 error, 80% power and an intra-cluster correlation coefficient of 0.03. The primary outcome of the trial is birthweight of the infants and the secondary outcomes include daily caloric intake and dietary diversity score among the pregnant women. Outcomes will be measured at enrolment, third to ninth month of gestation (monthly) and at delivery. Community health workers blinded to the study hypothesis will collect all data.

Ethics and dissemination

The study was approved by the James P Grant School of Public Health, BRAC University Ethical Review Committee, Dhaka, Bangladesh. We will communicate the final results to relevant research and public health groups and publish research papers in peer-reviewed journals.

Trial registration number

ACTRN12616000080426.
Validation of newly developed and redesigned key indicator methods for assessment of different working conditions with physical workloads based on mixed-methods design: a study protocol
Authors: Klussmann Andre , Liebers Falk , Brandstädt Felix , Schust Marianne , Serafin Patrick , Schäfer Andreas , Gebhardt Hansjürgen , Hartmann Bernd , Steinberg Ulf
Published: August 2017

Introduction

The impact of work-related musculoskeletal disorders is considerable. The assessment of work tasks with physical workloads is crucial to estimate the work-related health risks of exposed employees. Three key indicator methods are available for risk assessment regarding manual lifting, holding and carrying of loads; manual pulling and pushing of loads; and manual handling operations. Three further KIMs for risk assessment regarding whole-body forces, awkward body postures and body movement have been developed de novo. In addition, the development of a newly drafted combined method for mixed exposures is planned. All methods will be validated regarding face validity, reliability, convergent validity, criterion validity and further aspects of utility under practical conditions.

Methods and analysis

As part of the joint project MEGAPHYS (multilevel risk assessment of physical workloads), a mixed-methods study is being designed for the validation of KIMs and conducted in companies of different sizes and branches in Germany. Workplaces are documented and analysed by observations, applying KIMs, interviews and assessment of environmental conditions. Furthermore, a survey among the employees at the respective workplaces takes place with standardised questionnaires, interviews and physical examinations. It is intended to include 1200 employees at 120 different workplaces. For analysis of the quality criteria, recommendations of the COSMIN checklist (COnsensus-based Standards for the selection of health Measurement INstruments) will be taken into account.

Ethics and dissemination

The study was planned and conducted in accordance with the German Medical Professional Code and the Declaration of Helsinki as well as the German Federal Data Protection Act. The design of the study was approved by ethics committees. We intend to publish the validated KIMs in 2018. Results will be published in peer-reviewed journals, presented at international meetings and disseminated to actual users for practical application.