bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Factors associated with the decision to investigate child protective services referrals: A systematic review
Authors: Damman Jeri L. , Johnson‐Motoyama Michelle , Wells Susan J. , Harrington Kelly
Published: March 2020

Limited resources for child protection create challenging decision situations for child protective services (CPS) workers at the point of intake. A body of research has examined the factors associated with worker decisions and processes using a variety of methodological approaches to gain knowledge on decision‐making. However, few attempts have been made to systematically review this literature. As part of a larger project on decision‐making at intake, this systematic review addressed the question of the factors associated with worker decisions to investigate alleged maltreatment referrals. Quantitative studies that examined factors associated with screening decisions in CPS practice settings were included in the review. Database and other search methods were used to identify research published in English over a 35‐year period (1980–2015). Of 1,147 identified sources, 18 studies were selected for full data extraction. The studies were conducted in the United States, Canada, and Sweden and varied in methodological quality. Most studies examined case factors with few studies examining other domains. To inform CPS policy and practice, additional research is needed to examine the relationships between decision‐making factors and case outcomes. Greater attention needs to be given to the organizational and external factors that influence decision‐making.
Stability of screw‐retention in two‐piece zirconia implants: An in vitro study
Authors: Joos Marc , Sailer Irena , Filippi Andreas , Mukaddam Khaled , Rosentritt Martin , Kühl Sebastian
Published: March 2020

Objectives

To compare the stability of a screw‐retained connection in a novel two‐piece zirconia implant to a conventional titanium‐based connection in an in vitro chewing simulation including artificial ageing.

Material and methods

Incisor (I) and molar (M) shaped monolithic zirconia crowns were screw‐retained on either two‐piece zirconia (test) or two‐piece titanium (control) implants resulting in 4 groups of 8 samples (titanium implants with incisor‐shaped crowns (T‐I), titanium implants with molar‐shaped crowns (T‐M), zirconia implants with incisor‐shaped crowns (Z‐I) and zirconia implants with molar‐shaped crowns (Z‐M). These were subjected to artificial ageing by thermal cycling (TC: 2 × 3000 × 5°C/55°C cycles of 2 min) and mechanical loading (ML: 1.2 × 106 cycles of 50 N, f = 1 Hz). Surviving samples additionally underwent a fracture force test. Kaplan–Meier plots were drawn, and two‐way ANOVA was calculated taking anatomical localisation and material variables as factors.

Results

The mean corresponding survival times were lower for T‐M (0.86 × 106 ± 0.31 × 106 cycles) and Z‐I (0.84 × 106 ± 0.21 × 106 cycles) compared to T‐I (1.14 × 106 ± 0.10 × 106 cycles) and Z‐M (1.20 × 106 ± 0.10 × 106 cycles). In one‐way ANOVAs for survival time dependent on either location or material, no statistically significant differences could be found (location: p = .31; material: p = .62) in one‐way ANOVAs. The interaction of location and material showed significant differences (F = 21.3, p < .001).

Conclusion

The connection of the tested screw‐retained zirconia crowns in two‐piece zirconia implants is comparable to standard titanium implants in the specific in vitro testing.
Female representation on boards andCEOperformance‐induced turnover: Evidence from Russia
Authors: Kim Oksana , Kuang Yu Flora , Qin Bo
Published: March 2020

Research Question/Issue

This study examines the influence of female board representation on CEO turnover and firm value. We focus on Russia, a patriarchal country with vast gender differences, where empathy, patience, and supportiveness are considered fundamental qualities of females.

Research Findings/Insights

Using a sample of public firms listed on the Moscow Exchange from 2006 to 2015, we find that female representation on boards is associated with lower CEO turnover–performance sensitivity. Further, female boards appear to add firm value, as we find that CEO retention decisions are associated with improved future firm value when the decision is made by a female board. Furthermore, we identify that female representation on boards is associated with greater diligence (i.e., hold more board meetings) after retaining their underperforming CEOs.

Theoretical/Academic Implications

Our findings suggest that female boards tend to develop a long‐term view of CEO performance and that such boards exercise greater diligence and supportiveness, thereby adding shareholder value. Our results also indicate that patience and collaboration of corporate boards afford opportunities to develop strategic thinking, which is particularly valuable for a firm in times of crisis. Our study contributes to the research on what qualities of a board affect its decision making and effectiveness. Our research also adds to the literature on female board representation. We study Russia, where gender differences are prominent, and female representation occurs by happenstance rather than regulatorily / intentionally. Overall, we are able to attribute our findings to female representation on boards.

Practitioner/Policy Implications

Our study contributes to the burgeoning research on corporate governance in Russia. Although the Russian economy has demonstrated unprecedented growth among emerging markets, research on corporate governance in Russia remains scarce. Our study is among the first efforts to understand how female boards perform in a patriarchal country. Our investigation, therefore, offers important insights for policymakers and practitioners.
Intermediate hyperglycaemia and 10‐year mortality in resource‐constrained settings: the PERU MIGRANT Study
Authors: Lazo‐Porras M. , Ruiz‐Alejos A. , Miranda J. J. , Carrillo‐Larco R. M. , Gilman R. H. , Smeeth L. , Bernabé‐Ortiz A.
Published: March 2020

Aim

To determine whether intermediate hyperglycaemia, defined by fasting plasma glucose and HbA1c criteria, is associated with mortality in a 10‐year cohort of people in a Latin American country.

Methods

Analysis of the PERU MIGRANT Study was conducted in three different population groups (rural, rural‐to‐urban migrant, and urban). The baseline assessment was conducted in 2007/2008, with follow‐up assessment in 2018. The outcome was all‐cause mortality, and the exposure was intermediate hyperglycaemia, using three definitions: (1) impaired fasting glucose, defined according to American Diabetes Association criteria [fasting plasma glucose 5.6–6.9 mmol/l (100–125 mg/dl)]; (2) intermediate hyperglycaemia defined according to American Diabetes Association criteria [HbA1c levels 39–46 mmol/mol (5.7–6.4%)]; and (3) intermediate hyperglycaemia defined according to the International Expert Committee criteria [HbA1c levels 42–46 mmol/mol (6.0–6.4%)]. Crude and adjusted hazard ratios and 95% CIs were estimated using Cox proportional hazard models.

Results

At baseline, the mean (sd) age of the study population was 47.8 (11.9) years and 52.5% of the cohort were women. The study cohort was divided into population groups as follows: 207 people (20.0%) in the rural population group, 583 (59.7%) in the rural‐to‐urban migrant group and 198 (20.3%) in the urban population group. The prevalence of intermediate hyperglycaemia was: 6%, 12.9% and 38.5% according to the American Diabetes Association impaired fasting glucose definition, the International Expert Committee HbA1c‐based definition and the American Diabetes Association HbA1c‐based definition, respectively, and the mortality rate after 10 years was 63/976 (7%). Intermediate hyperglycaemia was associated with all‐cause mortality using the HbA1c‐based definitions in the crude models [hazard ratios 2.82 (95% CI 1.59–4.99) according to the American Diabetes Association and 2.92 (95% CI 1.62–5.28) according to the International Expert Committee], whereas American Diabetes Association‐defined impaired fasting glucose was not [hazard ratio 0.84 (95% CI 0.26–2.68)]. In the adjusted model, however, only the American Diabetes Association HbA1c‐based definition was associated with all‐cause mortality [hazard ratio 1.91 (95% CI 1.03–3.53)], whereas the International Expert Committee HbA1c‐based and American Diabetes Association impaired fasting glucose‐based definitions were not [hazard ratios 1.42 (95% CI 0.75–2.68) and 1.09 (95% CI 0.33–3.63), respectively].

Conclusions

Intermediate hyperglycaemia defined using the American Diabetes Association HbA1c criteria was associated with an elevated mortality rate after 10 years in a cohort from Peru. HbA1c appears to be a factor associated with mortality in this Peruvian population.
Unsupervised clustering for phenotypic stratification of clinical, demographic, and stress attributes of cardiac risk in patients with nonischemic exercise stress echocardiography
Authors: Omar Alaa Mabrouk Salem , Ramirez Roberto , Haddadin Faris , Sabharwal Basera , Khandaker Mariam , Patel Yash , Argulian Edgar
Published: March 2020

Introduction and aim

Patients undergoing exercise echocardiography with no evidence of myocardial ischemia are considered a low‐risk group; however, this group is likely heterogeneous in terms of short‐term adverse events and subsequent cardiac testing. We hypothesized that unsupervised cluster modeling using clinical and stress characteristics can detect heterogeneity in cardiovascular risk and need for subsequent cardiac testing among these patients.

Methods

We retrospectively studied 445 patients who had exercise echocardiography results negative for myocardial ischemia. All patients were followed for adverse cardiovascular events, subsequent cardiac testing, and nonacute coronary syndrome (ACS) revascularization. The heterogeneity of the study subjects was tested using computational clustering, an exploratory statistical method designed to uncover invisible natural groups within data. Clinical and stress predictors of adverse events were extracted and used to construct 3 unsupervised cluster models: clinical, stress, and combined. The study population was split into training (357 patients) and testing sets (88 patients).

Results

In the training set, the clinical, stress, and combined cluster models yielded 5, 4, and 3 clusters, respectively. Each model had 1 high‐risk and 1 low‐risk cluster while other clusters were intermediate. The combined model showed a better predictive ability compared to the clinical or stress models alone. The need for future testing mirrored the pattern of adverse cardiovascular events. A risk score derived from the combined cluster model predicted end points with acceptable accuracy. The patterns of risk and the calculated risk scores were preserved in the testing set.

Conclusions

Patients with no evidence of ischemia on exercise stress echocardiography represent a heterogeneous group. Cluster‐based modeling using combined clinical and stress characteristics can expose this heterogeneity. The findings can help better risk‐stratify this group of patients and aid cost‐effective healthcare utilization toward better diagnostics and therapeutics.
ENVIRONMENTALISM, STIMULUS, AND INEQUALITY REDUCTION THROUGH INDUSTRIAL POLICY: DID CASH FOR CLUNKERS ACHIEVE THE TRIFECTA?
Authors: Miller Keaton S. , Wilson Wesley W. , Wood Nicholas G.
Published: March 2020

The 2009 American Cash for Clunkers program, which subsidized consumers who scrapped old vehicles and purchased new vehicles, was promoted by appealing to multiple constituencies. We evaluate the policy and alternatives according to its stated goals: emissions reductions, economic stimulus, and reducing inequality. We calibrate a dynamic partial equilibrium portfolio model to match consumer expenditure data from 1998 to 2011 focusing on heterogeneity across cars and trucks. We find the program generated $0.17 in environmental benefits, $0.28 in consumer surplus, and $0.31 in net discounted additional spending per subsidy dollar. Since subsidies largely went to middle‐income infra‐marginal consumers, the program exacerbated consumption inequality. We evaluate alternative policy designs and find no policy which simultaneously improves all outcomes. (JEL H23, L52, L92, D63)
The modified DYMUS questionnaire is a reliable, valid and easy‐to‐use tool in the assessment of dysphagia in multiple sclerosis
Authors: Printza A. , Boziki M. , Bakirtzis C. , Nikolaidis I. , Kalaitzi M. , Triaridis S. , Grigoriadis N.
Published: March 2020

Background and purpose

Many patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) present swallowing difficulties. Dysphagia is associated with significant morbidity and mortality, has a profound impact on the quality of life but is under‐reported by patients. The objective was to investigate the psychometric properties of the Dysphagia in Multiple Sclerosis (DYMUS) questionnaire and examine whether item reduction improves them.

Methods

The participants, 153 patients with MS and 104 healthy controls, completed the DYMUS and the Eating Assessment Tool 10 (EAT‐10). The study consisted of factor, reliability and validity analysis of DYMUS, and item reduction, reliability, validity analysis and normative data generation for the modified DYMUS (mod‐DYMUS).

Results

The internal consistency of DYMUS was excellent (Cronbach’s alpha 0.886). Test–retest reliability was good for all the items. Factor and reliability analysis, along with other psychometric features, supported item reduction. The mod‐DYMUS (consisting of items 1 and 3–7) showed improved internal consistency (Cronbach’s alpha 0.903) and inter‐item correlation coefficients (0.558–0.657), good test–retest reliability, excellent criterion validity and improved convergent validity. Patients had significantly higher mean mod‐DYMUS score than controls (P < 0.001), and dysphagic patients (EAT‐10 ≥ 3) had significantly higher mod‐DYMUS than non‐dysphagic patients (P < 0.001). A strong positive and significant correlation was noted between the mod‐DYMUS and the EAT‐10 (P < 0.001). A mod‐DYMUS score of 1 or higher indicates dysphagia.

Conclusions

Item reduction improves the psychometric properties of DYMUS. The mod‐DYMUS is a valid, reliable, low‐burden, screening tool for the detection of dysphagia in MS, which can enhance personalized assessment and guide management decisions that better respond to individual patients’ needs.
Non‐motor symptom burden is strongly correlated to motor complications in patients with Parkinson’s disease
Authors: Santos‐García D. , de Deus Fonticoba T. , Suárez Castro E. , Aneiros Díaz A. , McAfee D. , Catalán M. J. , Alonso‐Frech F. , Villanueva C. , Jesús S. , Mir P. , Aguilar M. , Pastor P. , García Caldentey J. , Esltelrich Peyret E. , Planellas L. L. , Martí M. J. , Caballol N. , Hernández Vara J. , Martí Andrés G. , Cabo I. , Ávila Rivera M. A. , López Manzanares L. , Redondo N. , Martinez‐Martin P. ,   COPPADIS Study Group, McAfee D.
Published: March 2020

Background and purpose

The objective of this study was to analyze the relationship between motor complications and non‐motor symptom (NMS) burden in a population of patients with Parkinson’s disease (PD) and also in a subgroup of patients with early PD.

Methods

Patients with PD from the COPPADIS cohort were included in this cross‐sectional study. NMS burden was defined according to the Non‐Motor Symptoms Scale (NMSS) total score. Unified Parkinson’s Disease Rating Scale (UPDRS) part IV was used to establish motor complication types and their severity. Patients with ≤5 years of symptoms from onset were included as patients with early PD.

Results

Of 690 patients with PD (62.6 ± 8.9 years old, 60.1% males), 33.9% and 18.1% presented motor fluctuations and dyskinesia, respectively. The NMS total score was higher in patients with motor fluctuations (59.2 ± 43.1 vs. 38.3 ± 33.1; P < 0.0001) and dyskinesia (63.5 ± 40.7 vs. 41.4 ± 36.3; P < 0.0001). In a multiple linear regression model and after adjustment for age, sex, disease duration, Hoehn & Yahr stage, UPDRS‐III score and levodopa equivalent daily dose, UPDRS‐IV score was significantly related to a higher NMSS total score (β = 0.27; 95% confidence intervals, 2.81–5.61; P < 0.0001), as it was in a logistic regression model on dichotomous NMSS total score (≤40, mild or moderate vs. >40, severe or very severe) (odds ratio, 1.31; 95% confidence intervals, 1.17–1.47; P < 0.0001). In the subgroup of patients with early PD (n = 396; mean disease duration 2.7 ± 1.5 years), motor fluctuations were frequent (18.1%) and similar results were obtained.

Conclusions

Motor complications were frequent and were associated with a greater NMS burden in patients with PD even during the first 5 years of disease duration.
Long‐term behavioral repeatability in wild adult and captive juvenile turtles (Terrapene carolina): Implications for personality development
Authors: Carlson Bradley E. , Tetzlaff Sasha J.
Published: March 2020

Animal personality can be defined as conspecific individuals consistently differing in behavioral tendencies. Personality is typically identified by behavioral repeatability, which occurs when within‐individual variance is low relative to among‐individual variance in the population. Intraspecific comparisons of behavioral repeatability in juveniles and adults within and across years are rare, but would be useful for testing hypotheses related to origins of animal personality and whether individuals exhibit stable or diverging behavior with ontogeny. To examine within‐ and across‐year behavioral repeatability for eastern box turtles (Terrapene carolina), we assessed boldness (movement latency after brief confinement) of captive‐born juveniles twice within three days when eight months old. We then repeated these tests for the same individuals one year later. Juveniles exhibited repeatable boldness within and across years. Although increasing body temperature was slightly associated with decreased movement latency, test year (1 or 2), or housing experience (being raised in an enriched or unenriched condition) had no effects on boldness. We also assessed across‐year repeatability of boldness (head emergence from the shell after brief confinement) for wild adults at 1–3 year intervals. Adults also exhibited repeatable across‐year boldness that was of similar magnitude to juveniles. We found no indication that sex class or whether adults had been radio‐tracked influenced boldness. Our results suggest eastern box turtles demonstrate consistent individuality in boldness from an early age that is largely unaffected by temporal or environmental variation, and these behavioral differences can be maintained for multiple years in captivity and the wild, contrasting with theoretical expectations for personality development. These findings add to recent accumulating evidence demonstrating juvenile and adult box turtles exhibit multiple repeatable behaviors over the short‐ and long‐term. We suggest this species is quickly gaining traction as a model organism for studying the proximate and ultimate causes of personality development within long‐lived animals.
Site‐specific functionality and tryptophan mimicry of lipidation in tetraspanin CD9
Authors: Neviani Viviana , van Deventer Sjoerd , Wörner Tobias P. , Xenaki Katerina T. , van de Waterbeemd Michiel , Rodenburg Remco N. P. , Wortel Inge M. N. , Kuiper Jeroen K. , Huisman Sofie , Granneman Joke , van Bergen en Henegouwen Paul M. P. , Heck Albert J. R. , van Spriel Annemiek B. , Gros Piet
Published: March 2020

Lipidation of transmembrane proteins regulates many cellular activities, including signal transduction, cell–cell communication, and membrane trafficking. However, how lipidation at different sites in a membrane protein affects structure and function remains elusive. Here, using native mass spectrometry we determined that wild‐type human tetraspanins CD9 and CD81 exhibit nonstochastic distributions of bound acyl chains. We revealed CD9 lipidation at its three most frequent lipidated sites suffices for EWI‐F binding, while cysteine‐to‐alanine CD9 mutations markedly reduced binding of EWI‐F. EWI‐F binding by CD9 was rescued by mutating all or, albeit to a lesser extent, only the three most frequently lipidated sites into tryptophans. These mutations did not affect the nanoscale distribution of CD9 in cell membranes, as shown by super‐resolution microscopy using a CD9‐specific nanobody. Thus, these data demonstrate site‐specific, possibly conformation‐dependent, functionality of lipidation in tetraspanin CD9 and identify tryptophan mimicry as a possible biochemical approach to study site‐specific transmembrane‐protein lipidation.
The rise of a marine generalist predator and the fall of beta diversity
Authors: Ellingsen Kari E. , Yoccoz Nigel G. , Tveraa Torkild , Frank Kenneth T. , Johannesen Edda , Anderson Marti J. , Dolgov Andrey V. , Shackell Nancy L.
Published: March 2020

Determining the importance of physical and biological drivers in shaping biodiversity in diverse ecosystems remains a global challenge. Advancements have been made towards this end in large marine ecosystems with several studies suggesting environmental forcing as the primary driver. However, both empirical and theoretical studies point to additional drivers of changes in diversity involving trophic interactions and, in particular, predation. Moreover, a more integrated but less common approach to the assessment of biodiversity changes involves analyses of spatial β diversity, whereas most studies to date assess only changes in species richness (α diversity). Recent research has established that when cod, a dominant generalist predator, was overfished and collapsed in a northwest Atlantic food web, spatial β diversity increased; that is, the spatial structure of the fish assemblage became increasingly heterogeneous. If cod were to recover, would this situation be reversible, given the inherent complexity and non‐linear dynamics that typify such systems? A dramatic increase of cod in an ecologically similar large marine ecosystem may provide an answer. Here we show that spatial β diversity of fish assemblages in the Barents Sea decreased with increasing cod abundance, while decadal scale changes in temperature did not play a significant role. These findings indicate a reversibility of the fish assemblage structure in response to changing levels of an apex predator and highlight the frequently overlooked importance of trophic interactions in determining large‐scale biodiversity patterns. As increased cod abundance was largely driven by changes in fisheries management, our study also shows that management policies and practices, particularly those involving apex predators, can have a strong effect in shaping spatial diversity patterns, and one should not restrict the focus to effects of climate change alone.
Contrasting acclimation responses to elevated CO2 and warming between an evergreen and a deciduous boreal conifer
Authors: Dusenge Mirindi E. , Madhavji Sasha , Way Danielle A.
Published: March 2020

Rising atmospheric carbon dioxide (CO2) concentrations may warm northern latitudes up to 8°C by the end of the century. Boreal forests play a large role in the global carbon cycle, and the responses of northern trees to climate change will thus impact the trajectory of future CO2 increases. We grew two North American boreal tree species at a range of future climate conditions to assess how growth and carbon fluxes were altered by high CO2 and warming. Black spruce (Picea mariana, an evergreen conifer) and tamarack (Larix laricina, a deciduous conifer) were grown under ambient (407 ppm) or elevated CO2 (750 ppm) and either ambient temperatures, a 4°C warming, or an 8°C warming. In both species, the thermal optimum of net photosynthesis (ToptA) increased and maximum photosynthetic rates declined in warm‐grown seedlings, but the strength of these changes varied between species. Photosynthetic capacity (maximum rates of Rubisco carboxylation, Vcmax, and of electron transport, Jmax) was reduced in warm‐grown seedlings, correlating with reductions in leaf N and chlorophyll concentrations. Warming increased the activation energy for Vcmax and Jmax (EaV and EaJ, respectively) and the thermal optimum for Jmax. In both species, the ToptA was positively correlated with both EaV and EaJ, but negatively correlated with the ratio of Jmax/Vcmax. Respiration acclimated to elevated temperatures, but there were no treatment effects on the Q10 of respiration (the increase in respiration for a 10°C increase in leaf temperature). A warming of 4°C increased biomass in tamarack, while warming reduced biomass in spruce. We show that climate change is likely to negatively affect photosynthesis and growth in black spruce more than in tamarack, and that parameters used to model photosynthesis in dynamic global vegetation models (EaV and EaJ) show no response to elevated CO2.
Adding to the knowledge on Patient and Public Involvement: Reflections from an experience of co‐research with carers of people with dementia
Authors: Di Lorito Claudio , Godfrey Maureen , Dunlop Marianne , Bosco Alessandro , Pollock Kristian , van der Wardt Veronika , Harwood Rowan H.
Published: March 2020

Background

Patient and Public Involvement (PPI) in research ensures that publicly funded research reflects the priorities of the people who will be affected by its results. Co‐research, a branch of PPI, is equal partnership between academic researchers and members of the public, who steer and conduct research together.

Objectives

To propose a model for good practice in co‐researching with carers of people with dementia, by reporting and synthesizing the personal reflections of the academic and lay researchers around the methodological issues, benefits, and challenges of co‐research.

Design

An academic researcher and two lay researchers with lived experience of caring with someone with dementia collaborated in all stages of a qualitative research study, including development of the research protocol and topic guide, data collection, analysis and synthesis, and dissemination of findings. Throughout the study, the academic and lay researchers annotated reflections of their experience in personal diaries. Data from the diaries were synthesized and mapped out in a model for good practice in co‐research.

Results

Co‐research yielded benefits for all those involved and on research outputs. There were practicalities and challenges that required extra resources, in order to make the involvement of lay researchers meaningful and effective.

Discussion

The model for good practice illustrates overarching and stage‐specific guidelines, which can inform researchers and members of the public wishing to undertake good practice in co‐research.
The association between body mass index trajectories and cardiometabolic risk in young children
Authors: Li Xuedi , Keown‐Stoneman Charles D.G. , Lebovic Gerald , Omand Jessica A. , Adeli Khosrow , Hamilton Jill K. , Hanley Anthony J. , Mamdani Muhammad , McCrindle Brian W. , Sievenpiper John L. , Tremblay Mark S. , Maguire Jonathon L. , Parkin Patricia C. , Birken Catherine S. ,   for the TARGet Kids! Collaboration
Published: March 2020

Background

Rapid growth is associated with increased cardiometabolic risk (CMR) in adolescence and adulthood. Little is known about whether the association between rapid growth and increased CMR originates in early childhood.

Objectives

To identify age and sex standardized body mass index (zBMI) trajectories and to examine the association between zBMI trajectories and CMR outcomes in children 0 to 60 months.

Study design

A longitudinal cohort study was conducted through The Applied Research Group for Kids (TARGet Kids!) in Toronto, Canada. Participants had repeated measures of weight and length or height performed from birth to 60 months of age. Latent class mixed modelling was used to identify the zBMI trajectories. Linear regressions were performed to determine the association between zBMI trajectories and the primary outcome, a CMR score, quantified as the sum of age‐ and sex‐ standardized waist circumference, systolic blood pressure, glucose, log‐triglycerides and negative high‐density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL‐C), divided by √5. Secondary outcomes were the individual components of the CMR formula as well as diastolic blood pressure and non‐HDL‐C.

Results

Four BMI trajectories were identified among the 1166 children. After adjusting for all covariates, children in the rapidly accelerating trajectory had increased total CMR score (β = 1.38, 95% CI 0.77; 1.99, P < .001) and increased waist circumference score (β = 2.39, 95% CI 1.92; 2.86, P < .001) compared to the stable low group.

Conclusions

Rapid growth during early childhood is associated with increased CMR in preschool children, largely driven by larger waist circumference.
Relationship between microstructure and electromagnetic properties of SiC fibers
Authors: Mo Ran , Yin Xiaowei , Li Mingxing , Ye Fang , Fan Xiaomeng , Cheng Laifei
Published: March 2020

The microstructure and electromagnetic (EM) properties of four kinds of SiC fibers have been studied. These fibers are composed of amorphous SiCxOy, SiC nanocrystallines, free carbon, and nanopores, whose volume fractions are analyzed quantitatively. The content of free carbon notably affects the fiber's conductivity: the logarithm of conductivity increases linearly with the increase in the free carbon content when the volume fraction sum of free carbon and SiC exceed the percolation threshold. The EM loss mechanism is mainly composed of the conduction loss caused by free carbon and the polarization loss caused by SiC nanocrystallines. The content of free carbon is the decisive factor for the type of EM loss mechanism: the proportion of conduction loss increases linearly with the increase in free carbon content. Conduction loss is necessary for good EM absorption property, and polarization loss favors broadband absorption. For SiC fibers dominated by polarization loss, excellent absorption properties can be obtained in composites with higher fiber volume fraction (>20 vol%), which is crucial for structural absorbing materials.
Efficient removal of bacteria from aqueous media with kaolinite and diatomaceous earth products
Authors: Johnson T. , Brineman R. , Schultze C. , Barkovskii A.L.
Published: March 2020

Aims

To understand the relationships between physical and chemical parameters of kaolinite and diatomaceous earth, and their capacities to remove bacteria from aqueous media. To determine the optimal aqueous media parameters for use of these products in water disinfection processes.

Methods and Results

Seven kaolinite and three diatomaceous earth products were evaluated. Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Staphylococcus aureus and Bacillus megaterium were used as proxy for bacterial pathogens. Fully calcined kaolin and amorphous diatomaceous earth demonstrated the highest extent and consistency in removing all the bacteria. The removal depended on ionic strength and pH of aqueous media with 100 mmol l−1 pH 5 potassium hydrogen phthalate buffer revealing the highest (2 log per gram) extent of the removal. Al3+ cations enhanced sorption up to 4 log per gram.

Conclusions

Calcined kaolin and amorphous diatomaceous earth are excellent sorbents for bacteria.

Significance and Impact of the Study

Fully calcined kaolin and amorphous diatomaceous earth are perspective tools for wastewater and water disinfection against waterborne bacterial pathogens.
Psychometric testing of perceived implicit rationing of nursing care (PIRNCA)
Authors: Kalánková Dominika , Suhonen Riitta , Stolt Minna , Kurucová Radka , Katajisto Jouko , Žiaková Katarína , Gurková Elena
Published: March 2020

Aims

To evaluate the psychometric properties of the Perceived Implicit Rationing of Nursing Care (PIRNCA) instrument and to report the prevalence of rationed care at university and faculty hospitals.

Design

A cross‐sectional study.

Methods

The study was carried out at two university and five faculty hospitals in the Slovak Republic. Participants were 895 Registered Nurses recruited by the purposive sampling method between December 2017–July 2018. Data were collected using the PIRNCA instrument. Construct validity and reliability of the instrument were tested.

Results

The prevalence of rationed care at university and faculty hospitals was identified as being 42.1%. Furthermore, 87.6% of nurses reported rationing one or more nursing care activities. Using both statistical methods when evaluating the PIRNCA resulted in the confirmation that the tool is valid and reliable.

Conclusion

Rationed care is a common phenomenon at university and faculty hospitals. The PIRNCA is a suitable instrument to measure the phenomenon in adult acute care units because of its high reliability and validity. We recommend using the instrument in different contexts, not only for specific conditions that were presented for this study.

Impact

Rationed care at university and faculty hospitals has never been reported. Psychometric properties of the instrument that measures nurses´ perception of rationed care have never been evaluated by using different approaches. The most frequently rationed nursing care activities are those that nurses are competent to initiate on the basis of their knowledge and skills – the independent ones. The PIRNCA is a valid and reliable instrument. Hospital management can use the instrument to explore the prevalence of rationed care, followed by the application of prevention strategies. Our findings represent the base for further exploration of rationed care using the PIRNCA.
CXCR4‐SF1 bifunctional adipose‐derived stem cells benefit for the treatment of Leydig cell dysfunction‐related diseases
Authors: Li Xue , Xu Ao , Li Kai , Zhang Jie , Li Qin , Zhao Gang , Zhang Yue , Yuan Hang , Guo Yafei , Lin Ping , Huang Lugang
Published: March 2020

Stem cell transplantation is a candidate method for the treatment of Leydig cell dysfunction‐related diseases. However, there are still many problems that limit its clinical application. Here, we report the establishment of CXCR4‐SF1 bifunctional adipose‐derived stem cells (CXCR4‐SF1‐ADSCs) and their reparative effect on Leydig cell dysfunction. CD29+ CD44+ CD34− CD45− ADSCs were isolated from adipose tissue and purified by fluorescence‐activated cell sorting (FACS). Infection with lentiviruses carrying the CXCR4 and SF1 genes was applied to construct CXCR4‐SF1‐ADSCs. The CXCR4‐SF1‐ADSCs exhibited enhanced migration and had the ability to differentiate into Leydig‐like cells in vitro. Furthermore, the bifunctional ADSCs were injected into BPA‐mediated Leydig cell damage model mice via the tail vein. We found that the CXCR4‐SF1‐ADSCs were capable of homing to the injured testes, differentiating into Leydig‐like cells and repairing the deficiency in reproductive function caused by Leydig cell dysfunction. Moreover, we investigated the mechanism underlying SF1‐mediated differentiation and testosterone synthesis in Leydig cells, and the B‐box and SPRY Domain Containing Protein (BSPRY) gene was proposed to be involved in this process. This study provides insight into the treatment of Leydig cell dysfunction‐related diseases.
Coronary artery bypass grafting is associated with immunoparalysis of monocytes and dendritic cells
Authors: Perros Alexis J. , Esguerra‐Lallen Arlanna , Rooks Kelly , Chong Fenny , Engkilde‐Pedersen Sanne , Faddy Helen M. , Hewlett Elise , Naidoo Rishendran , Tung John‐Paul , Fraser John F. , Tesar Peter , Ziegenfuss Marc , Smith Susan , O’Brien Donalee , Flower Robert L. , Dean Melinda M.
Published: March 2020

Coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) triggers a systemic inflammatory response that may contribute to adverse outcomes. Dendritic cells (DC) and monocytes are immunoregulatory cells potentially affected by CABG, contributing to an altered immune state. This study investigated changes in DC and monocyte responses in CABG patients at 5 time‐points: admission, peri‐operative, ICU, day 3 and day 5. Whole blood from 49 CABG patients was used in an ex vivo whole blood culture model to prospectively assess DC and monocyte responses. Lipopolysaccharide (LPS) was added in parallel to model responses to an infectious complication. Co‐stimulatory and adhesion molecule expression and intracellular mediator production was measured by flow cytometry. CABG modulated monocyte and DC responses. In addition, DC and monocytes were immunoparalysed, evidenced by failure of co‐stimulatory and adhesion molecules (eg HLA‐DR), and intracellular mediators (eg IL‐6) to respond to LPS stimulation. DC and monocyte modulation was associated with prolonged ICU length of stay and post‐operative atrial fibrillation. DC and monocyte cytokine production did not recover by day 5 post‐surgery. This study provides evidence that CABG modulates DC and monocyte responses. Using an ex vivo model to assess immune competency of CABG patients may help identify biomarkers to predict adverse outcomes.
Influence of bleaching agents on the color change and translucency of resin matrix ceramics
Authors: Öztürk Caner , Çelik Ersan , Özden Asiye Nehir
Published: March 2020

Objective

The aim of this study was to investigate the color change, translucency, and whiteness index of three different resin matrix ceramics and a resin composite subjected to different bleaching agents.

Materials and Methods

Twenty disc‐shaped specimens (A2 shaded) for three different resin matrix ceramic brands (Groups Ena, Ulti, and Cera) (totally 60) were prepared using the CAD/CAM technique and 20 nanofiller composite specimens (Group Comp) (A2 shaded) with the same dimensions were prepared as the control group. The color change (∆E00), relative translucency parameter (RTP), and whiteness index (WID) of the specimens initial and after different bleaching procedures (home‐bleaching and office‐bleaching) were calculated using ∆E00, TP00, and WID formulas. Two‐way analysis of variance (ANOVA) and multiple comparison test with Bonferroni correction (α = .05) at the significance level of P < .05 were performed for the comparisons of ∆E00 values. The RTP and WID values were evaluated by using repeated measures ANOVA and multiple‐comparison test with Bonferroni corrections (α = .05) at the significance level of P < .05.

Results

Bleaching procedure and material type were found to be significant regardless of bleaching type for RTP and WID values. Material type has a significant effect on the ∆E00 values. The highest color change values were determined in Group Comp (P < .05).

Conclusions

Bleaching procedures significantly affected the RTP values of Groups Ulti and Cera (P < .05). ∆E00 values for the resin matrix ceramics after the bleaching procedures were below the clinically acceptable values, regardless of the bleaching agent.

Clinical Significance

Optically, materials such as resin matrix ceramics have properties different from not only enamel and dentin but also among themselves. The possible effect of bleaching agents on these materials should be considered carefully while choosing the restorative material.
Thixotropy of sweetened condensed milk applied to flow fluid dynamics analysis of cylindrical pipes
Authors: Guimarães Bianca , Martins Maria J. N. , Flauzino Rodrigo D. , Basso Rodrigo C. , Telis Romero Javier
Published: March 2020

Understanding the rheological behavior of fluids and the parameters related to flow fluid dynamics is important for better designing equipment and enhancing processes in the food industry. Thus, the objective of this study was to characterize the rheological behavior of sweetened condensed milk (SCM) in the temperature range of 278.15 to 343.15 K, investigate the friction factor in laminar flow for this fluid, and evaluate the correlation between the rheological behavior obtained from fluid dynamics data and that obtained from rheological assays. The rheological properties of the SCM were determined in triplicate using an AR 2000 controlled tension rotational rheometer with a parallel‐plate and cone‐and‐plate geometry and the pressure drop measurement system consisting of stainless steel pipes connected to a 0.1 m3stainless steel cylindrical tank. Pseudoplastic behavior with thixotropy was observed, and the friction factor in laminar flow diverged from the theoretical value, with a maximum relative deviation of 42.4% for the data in the descending curve. The maximum relative deviation between the calculated pressure drop and the experimental values was 36.8%. A satisfactory correlation was obtained between the SCM rheological behaviors obtained using rheometer data and pressure drop assays.

Practical Applications

Sweetened condensed milk is one of the main products used in the production of sweets and desserts. Its production involves unity operations, for example, pumping and heat treatments. Correctly designing the equipment used in these operations, as well as enhancing the processing parameters, requires the understanding of fluid rheological behavior, specifically the changes induced when shear rates are applied to the fluid. In the present study, the correlation between the rheology of SCM indicated by fluid dynamics data obtained using a pipe and pumping system and the rheological parameters obtained via rheological tests using a rheometer was investigated to evaluate the behavior of this fluid during its flowing.
IL‐28B variant as a predictor in patients with advanced hepatocellular carcinoma treated with hepatic arterial infusion chemotherapy
Authors: Terashima Takeshi , Honda Masao , Toyama Tadashi , Shimakami Tetsuro , Shimizu Ryogo , Takatori Hajime , Arai Kuniaki , Kawaguchi Kazunori , Kitamura Kazuya , Yamashita Taro , Sakai Yoshio , Yamashita Tatsuya , Mizukoshi Eishiro , Kaneko Shuichi
Published: March 2020

Background and Aim

Single‐nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of the interleukin‐28B (IL‐28B) gene are associated with the effectiveness of interferon therapy for chronic hepatitis C infection. Whether the IL‐28B genotype affects the course of treatment and the outcomes of patients with advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is unknown.

Methods

We detected the IL‐28B SNP (rs8099917) using TaqMan PreDesigned SNP Genotyping Assays to assess the effects of the IL‐28B genotype on treatment efficacy and prognosis of patients with advanced HCC treated with hepatic arterial infusion chemotherapy (HAIC) between September 2003 and January 2015.

Results

The study included 154 patients who received HAIC to treat advanced HCC, among which 27 (17.5%) had the minor genotype, IL‐28B rs8099917 TG or GG, and the others had the major genotype, IL‐28B rs8099917 TT. The objective response rates of patients with the minor or major genotype were 51.9% and 29.1% (P = 0.022), respectively. Multivariate analysis revealed that the minor genotype remained associated with the response to HAIC (odds ratio, 2.620; P = 0.026). The median overall survival of patients with major or minor genotypes was 14.1 and 16.9 months, respectively, and the overall survival of patients with the major genotype was significantly shorter than that of patients with the minor genotype (P = 0.027). Multivariate analysis revealed that the major genotype was an independent, unfavorable prognostic factor (hazard ratio, 1.720; P = 0.024). Consistent results were obtained in selected populations after propensity score matching analysis.

Conclusions

The IL‐28B SNP (rs8099917) will serve as a useful predictor of the outcomes of patients with advanced HCC treated with HAIC.
Father Involvement Among Nonresident Dads: Does Paternity Leave Matter?
Authors: Pilkauskas Natasha V. , Schneider William J.
Published: March 2020

Objective

This article examines whether paternity leave influences father involvement among nonresident fathers, if associations differ by coresidential status, and whether leave is a stronger predictor of nonresident father involvement than other indicators of father identity or interest.

Background

Fathering promotes child development, yet many children are born to unmarried parents and do not live with their fathers. Paternity leave may increase fathering among nonresident fathers, but extant research has largely overlooked these fathers.

Method

Using the Fragile Families and Child Wellbeing Study (N∼2,000), a longitudinal birth cohort of largely low‐income families, this study examines the link between paternity leave and parenting using regression analyses.

Results

Leave‐taking was associated with higher reports of engagement for both coresident and nonresident fathers, but for maternal reports of trust, coparenting, and responsibility, the positive associations with leave‐taking were concentrated among nonresident fathers. Nonresident fathers who took leave were more likely to provide in‐kind child support but not monetary support. Although leave, prenatal involvement, and being at the birth were all associated with greater involvement among nonresident fathers, mothers' reports of fathering were more strongly influenced by prenatal involvement and being at the hospital for the birth than leave.

Conclusion

Leave‐taking is associated with maternal reports of trust, coparenting, and responsibility for nonresident fathers but not coresident fathers. Leave and prenatal involvement predict nonresident father involvement.
Association between temporomandibular joint disc position evaluated by magnetic resonance imaging and mandibular condyle inclination evaluated by computed tomography
Authors: De Stefano Adriana A. , Guercio‐Monaco Elisabetta , Hernández‐Andara Adalsa , Galluccio Gabriella
Published: March 2020

Temporomandibular joint disc displacement is common in the world's population and could be associated with bone and functional characteristics of the temporomandibular joint. The aim of these study was to analyse the association between temporomandibular joint disc position evaluated by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and the inclination of the mandibular condyle evaluated by computed tomography (CT). One hundred and seventy temporomandibular joints (TMJ) were retrospectively analysed. The temporomandibular disc position was evaluated by MRI and classified into three types: normal (N), disc displacement with reduction (DDWR) and disc displacement without reduction (DDWoR). The mandibular condyle measurements evaluated by CT included horizontal, sagittal and coronal inclination. ANOVA followed by post hoc Tukey's test was used to evaluate the interaction between condylar inclination and disc position. There was an association between disc position and the horizontal and sagittal condylar inclination (P < .05). There are statistically significant differences in the mean of horizontal and sagittal inclination of the mandibular condyle between the DDWoR and the other disc positions (P = .002 and P = .004). Disc position was not statistical associated with coronal inclination of condyle (P > .05). These results indicate that the inclination of the mandibular condyle may be different in TMJ with various disc position. A more medial horizontal inclination and a more posterior sagittal inclination of the mandibular condyle are associated with DDWoR.
Taxation of capital income in overlapping generations economies
Authors: Andersen Torben M.
Published: March 2020

Whether capital income should be taxed in overlapping generations economies is vividly discussed. It is shown that intergenerational lump‐sum taxes cannot implement the Golden Rule allocation when agents have private information on their earnings potential. Hence, the seminal Atkinson–Stiglitz result that optimal income taxation pre‐empts any role for indirect taxation cannot be interpreted to imply that capital income taxation (affecting intertemporal relative prices) should not be taxed. Specifically, capital income should unambiguously be taxed in small open economies, and the optimal tax rate depends inversely on the elasticity of total savings to disposable income and the after‐tax rate of return.