bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Do Parents' Educational Expectations in Adolescence Predict Adult Life Satisfaction?
Authors: Jung Eunjoo , Hwang Woosang , Zhang Yue , Zhang Ying
Published: May 2018

Objective

To examine the extent to which parents' educational expectations for adolescents are associated with children's life satisfaction in adulthood and whether that association is mediated by adolescents' individual characteristics.

Background

Life satisfaction is acknowledged to be an important goal in a child's developmental path. However, less is known about the long‐term influence of parental expectations on adolescents' positive life outcomes and how functioning in adolescents aside from parental expectations is related to these long‐term associations.

Method

Using data from the 2 cohorts of high school students and their parents who participated in the Longitudinal Study of American Youth from 1991 to 2010 (N = 2,289), direct and indirect paths from parental expectations to adulthood life satisfaction were tested within the structural equation modeling framework.

Results

Parents' higher educational expectations for adolescents were positively related to their children's life satisfaction 2 decades later via children's expectations, self‐esteem, and educational attainment. Parents' expectations were associated with higher self‐esteem in the adolescent years through adolescents' expectations, which ultimately predicted adolescents' life satisfaction as adults.

Conclusion

The level of expectations parents have for their children are related to their adolescents' life satisfaction 2 decades later, perhaps because expectations are associated with adolescents' educational attainment and self‐esteem.

Implications

Family practitioners and educators are encouraged to educate adolescents' parents about the link between their educational expectations and long‐term educational attainment and life satisfaction for their children in adulthood.
Relationship between autoantibody associated with rheumatoid arthritis and tooth loss
Authors: Hayashi Yuko , Taylor George , Yoshihara Akihiro , Iwasaki Masanori , Gansky Stuart A. , Miyazaki Hideo
Published: May 2018

Introduction

This study evaluated the relationship between serum Rheumatoid Factor (RF) levels and tooth loss in a community‐dwelling elderly Japanese women. It was hypothesised that women with high baseline RF levels would experience greater tooth loss over 10 years than age‐matched women with lower baseline serum RF levels.

Materials and methods

The study population consisted of 197 women aged 70 years with ≥12 teeth at baseline. One hundred and twenty‐four participants completed a 10‐year follow‐up and were divided into 2 groups according to their baseline serum RF levels as follows: RF negative (<15 U/mL; n = 114) and RF positive (>15 U/mL; n = 10). Negative binomial regression was used to investigate the relationship between baseline RFs and tooth lost over the 10‐year period. RF and its interaction with the baseline number of teeth were independent variables, with 9 other adjustment covariates.

Results

Baseline RFs were significantly associated with tooth loss (P = .035). In addition, a statistical interaction between baseline RFs and baseline number of teeth was identified (P = .023), modifying the association between RFs and tooth loss. The adjusted incidence rate ratio (IRR) for RF‐positive participants with 21 baseline teeth was 1.88 (95% confidence interval (95% CI): 0.76, 4.65). IRRs obtained for participants who had 25 baseline teeth (3.02; 95% CI: 1.03, 8.83) or 30 baseline teeth (5.47; 95% CI: 1.29, 23.13) suggested that RF‐positive participants with a high number of baseline teeth would exhibit greater tooth loss than RF‐negative participants.

Conclusion

High serum RF levels were associated with a greater IRR for future tooth loss in elderly Japanese women.
Effects of metal doping agent on the properties of Nb2−xMxO5 (M = Mn, Fe, and Ni) system
Authors: Raba Angela , Barba‐Ortega José , Joya Miryam
Published: May 2018

In order to improve the behavior Niobium pentoxide on oxidation‐reductionreactions to degrade organic compounds in aqueous solutions, we developed the synthesis of Niobium pentoxide with the metal doping agents: manganese,iron, and nickel (Nb2−xMxO5), respectively, and analyzing its effects on the structural and vibrational properties. The synthesis of the Nb2−xMxO5 (M = Mn, Fe, and Ni; x = 0.02 and 0.05) was performed according the Pechini method, but before the annealing, the samples were submitted to Thermogravimetric analysis study showing better pre‐calcination annealing temperatures at 500 and 700°C for the materials. Then, we performed the crystal structural analysis by X‐ray Diffraction, obtaining crystallite sizes between 15 and 47 nm, the accurate size analysis was calculated by Scherrer equation. Structural analysis was also performed by IR spectroscopy to evaluate the vibrational modes of synthetized samples. The dopping effects were evaluated by UV‐Vis spectrophotometry through the energy band gap values, showing that doped samples with manganese and iron had lower values than undoped, except the sample doped with nickel. However, samples doped with iron at 2.5% showed better photocatalytic performance.
Greening up because of god: The relations among religion, sustainable consumption and subjective well‐being
Authors: Minton Elizabeth A. , Jeffrey Xie Hu , Gurel‐Atay Eda , Kahle Lynn R.
Published: May 2018

Although prior research has explored religion, sustainable consumption, and subjective well‐being as isolated constructs, research has yet to explore the relations among these constructs. With religion as an enduring, wide‐reaching consumer value system, this research investigates how religious values inform attitudes toward and behaviors associated with sustainable consumption as well as resulting perceptions of subjective well‐being. Results from a survey conducted using a representative online panel revealed that religiosity has a positive influence on sustainable consumption practices, as well as showed that such sustainability positively influences consumer subjective well‐being.
Newborn adipokines and early childhood growth
Authors: Yeung E. H. , Sundaram R. , Xie Y. , Lawrence D. A.
Published: May 2018

Background

While adipokines can regulate satiety and energy metabolism, whether they are associated with childhood growth is unclear.

Objective

To evaluate whether adipokine levels at birth are associated with growth.

Methods

A total of 2264 singletons and 1144 twins from Upstate KIDS (born 2008–2010) had adiponectin, leptin, resistin and complement factor D measured in newborn blood spots. Parents reported anthropometry from paediatric visits via questionnaires every 4–6 months. Generalized linear mixed effects models were used to estimate growth trajectories through 3 years of age.

Results

Among singletons, resistin and leptin were associated with greater weight‐for‐age (0.12 z‐score units (95%CI: 0.04, 0.20) [p = 0.003] and 0.15 (0.06, 0.24) [p = 0.001], respectively) and BMI z‐score (0.11; 0.02, 0.20 [p = 0.02] and 0.18; 0.07, 0.28 [p = 0.002], respectively). After adjusting for birthweight, resistin and a ratio of resistin‐to‐adiponectin remained associated with weight through 3 years of age and odds of being overweight at 3 years of age in a subgroup of singletons. Among twins, adiponectin was associated with increased weight‐for‐age and length‐for‐age z‐scores even after adjusting for birthweight (0.18; 0.08, 0.28 [p = 0.0006]; 0.20; 0.07, 0.33 [p = 0.003], respectively).

Conclusions

Levels of adipokines were associated with early childhood growth in small magnitudes. Resistin may be relevant for further examination in paediatric obesity.
Minimum Cash Wages, Tipped Restaurant Workers, and Poverty
Authors: Sabia Joseph J. , Burkhauser Richard V. , Mackay Taylor
Published: May 2018

This is the first study to examine the effect of increases in the tipped minimum cash wage—the wage employers must pay to tipped employees—on poverty. Using March Current Population Survey data (1988–2014), we find that tipped minimum cash wage increases are associated with declines in the risk of a tipped restaurant worker living in a poor family (elasticities around –0.2). However, we find little evidence of poverty‐alleviating effects when using the household rather than the family as the sharing unit. This result is consistent with evidence that a substantial share of tipped workers who live in a poor family live in a nonpoor household with persons unrelated by blood, marriage, or adoption who contribute to the household's income. Furthermore, we find that tipped minimum cash wage hikes are associated with increases in the risk of a younger, less‐educated individual living in a poor family or household. Adverse labor demand effects that redistribute income among low‐skilled individuals drive these results. We conclude that raising the tipped minimum cash wage is a poorly targeted policy to deliver income to poor restaurant workers.
The effects of platelet‐rich plasma on hypertrophic scars fibroblasts
Authors: Nam Seung Min , Kim Yong Bae
Published: May 2018

We hypothesised that a feedback mechanism of the transforming growth factor (TGF)‐β1 signalling pathway, triggered by high‐level TGF‐β1, activates platelet‐rich plasma (PRP) release to reduce connective tissue growth factor (CTGF) production and expression of CTGF mRNA in hypertrophic scar dermal fibroblasts. Primary dermal fibroblasts were isolated from cultures of hypertrophic scars. Cells were cultured after addition of serum‐free Dulbecco's modified Eagle's medium supplemented with 5% (wt/vol) PRP or platelet‐poor plasma (PPP). At 1, 4, 6, 8, 11, and 13 days after addition of PRP or PPP, the TGF‐β1 and CTGF levels in supernatants were determined using solid‐phase enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assays. Quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reactions were performed to quantify TGF‐β1 and CTGF mRNA expression levels. TGF‐β1 mRNA expression in the PRP groups was lower than in the PPP groups from 4 to 13 days of culture, and there was statistically significant difference (P < .01). CTGF level and mRNA expression in the PRP groups was lower than in the PPP groups, and there were statistically significant differences (P < .01). Although further experiments will focus on clarifying the second messenger of the TGF‐β1 negative feedback mechanism, the in vitro data presented show that PRP can potentially reduce CTGF and CTGF gene transcription by triggering the TGF‐β1 signalling negative feedback mechanism.
Dy and Eu activated Ca3B2O6 phosphors for near ultraviolet‐based light‐emitting diodes
Authors: Shi Meiling , Zhu Chaofeng , Lu Meng , Meng Xiangeng , Wei Mingzhi
Published: May 2018

The Dy‐ and Eu‐activated Ca3B2O6 phosphors were synthesized by a high‐temperature solid‐state reaction technique and their structural and luminescent properties were investigated. The phosphors are characterized by X‐ray diffraction, photoluminescence spectra, and Commission International de I'Eclairage (CIE) chromaticity coordinates. It is found that the charge compensator Na+ plays an important role in modifying the emission spectral profiles of Dy and Eu ions in the phosphors. The ratio of the emission located at the yellow wavelength portion to that located at the blue wavelength region of the Dy3+ ions can be apparently tuned by changing the Na+ content. The luminescence intensity of the phosphors can be enhanced with introducing Na+ ions as well. The emission colors of Dy/Eu codoped phosphors change from blue to white and successfully acquire the superior white light emission (x = 0.330, y = 0.329) by appropriately tuning the Na+/Dy3+ content and the excitation wavelength. The energy transfer process from Eu2+ to Dy3+ and Eu3+ occurs in the Dy/Eu codoped phosphors, providing a further approach to modify the emission spectral profile of the examined phosphors. The phosphors presented here have promising applications in the fields of light‐emitting diodes.
Common and distinctive electrocardiographic characteristics and effective catheter ablation of idiopathic ventricular arrhythmias originating from different areas of ventricular septum adjacent to atrioventricular annulus
Authors: Zhang Su‐Qin , Zheng Cheng , Li Yue‐Chun , Ji Kang‐Ting , Yin Ri‐Peng , Lin Jia‐Feng , Li Jia
Published: May 2018

Objective

To investigate electrocardiographic (ECG) characteristics and radiofrequency catheter ablation (RFCA) efficacy for premature ventricular complexes (PVCs) and idiopathic ventricular tachycardias (IVTs) originating from ventricular septum areas adjacent to atrioventricular annulus (VS‐AVA).

Methods

Among 1,505 consecutive PVCs/IVTs cases, 106 (7.04%) were confirmed as origin of VS‐AVA guided by both fluoroscopy and three‐dimensional mapping system during RFCA. Characteristics of surface 12‐lead ECG were analyzed.

Results

The overall success rate for RFCA of PVCs/IVTs originating from VS‐AVA was 82.08% (87/106), common ECG characteristics were: mainly positive R wave on lead I; dominant‐positive R on aVL (91/106, 85.85%) for most, r (1/106, 0.94%) or qr (14/106, 13.21%) in few; QS or qs on aVR; and decreasing R wave amplitude and increasing S wave depth on II, III, and aVF from superior to inferior septum; and S wave on at least one inferior lead (generally III). Distinctive ECG features were: precordial transition zone before or after V2 for septum adjacent to mitral (MA, 19/19, 100.0%) or tricuspid (TA, 74/87,85.05%) annulus origin; initial r wave and rS on V1 for superior septum near TA (above His bundle) origin (9/10, 90.0%) with no initial r wave for most other origins; and QS on V1 for mid‐inferior septum near TA origin (73/77, 94.81%) and QR (Qr, qR or qr) on V1 for septum near MA origin (17/19, 89.47%).

Conclusion

Distinctive ECG characteristics of PVCs/IVTs originating from VS‐AVA aid in origin localization guiding effective RFCA.
Supporting advanced dementia in people with Down syndrome and other intellectual disability: consensus statement of the International Summit on Intellectual Disability and Dementia
Authors: McCarron M. , McCallion P. , Coppus A. , Fortea J. , Stemp S. , Janicki M. , Wtachman K.
Published: May 2018

Background

The International Summit on Intellectual Disability and Dementia (Glasgow, Scotland; October 2016) noted that advanced dementia can be categorised as that stage of dementia progression characterised by significant losses in cognitive and physical function, including a high probability of further deterioration and leading to death.

Method

The question before the Summit was whether there were similarities and differences in expressions of advanced dementia between adults with intellectual disability (ID) and adults in the general population.

Results

The Summit noted challenges in the staging of advanced dementia in people with ID with the criteria in measures designed to stage dementia in the general population heavily weighted on notable impairment in activities of daily living. For many people with an ID, there is already dependence in these domains generally related to the individuals pre‐existing level of intellectual impairment, that is, totally unrelated to dementia. Hence, the Summit agreed that as was true in achieving diagnosis, it is also imperative in determining advanced dementia that change is measured from the person's prior functioning in combination with clinical impressions of continuing and marked decline and of increasing co‐morbidity, including particular attention to late‐onset epilepsy in people with Down syndrome. It was further noted that quality care planning must recognise the greater likelihood of physical symptoms, co‐morbidities, immobility and neuropathological deterioration.

Conclusions

The Summit recommended an investment in research to more clearly identify measures of person‐specific additional decline for ascertaining advanced dementia, inform practice guidelines to aid clinicians and service providers and identify specific markers that signal such additional decline and progression into advanced dementia among people with various levels of pre‐existing intellectual impairment.
An Inflation‐Predicting Measure of the Output Gap in the Euro Area
Authors: JAROCIŃSKI MAREK , LENZA MICHELE
Published: May 2018

Using a small Bayesian dynamic factor model of the euro area, we estimate the deviations of output from its trend that are consistent with the behavior of inflation. We label these deviations the output gap. In order to pin down the features of the model, we evaluate the accuracy of real‐time inflation forecasts from different model specifications. The version that forecasts inflation best implies that after the 2011 sovereign debt crisis, the output gap in the euro area has been much larger than the official estimates. Versions featuring a secular stagnation‐like slowdown in trend growth, and hence a small output gap after 2011, do not adequately capture the inflation developments.
Sovereign to Corporate Risk Spillovers
Authors: AUGUSTIN PATRICK , BOUSTANIFAR HAMID , BRECKENFELDER JOHANNES , SCHNITZLER JAN
Published: May 2018

The first Greek bailout on April 11, 2010 triggered a significant reevaluation of sovereign credit risk across Europe. We exploit this event to examine the transmission of sovereign to corporate credit risk. A 10% increase in sovereign credit risk raises corporate credit risk on average by 1.1% after the bailout. The evidence is suggestive of risk spillovers from sovereign to corporate credit risk through a financial and a fiscal channel, as the effects are more pronounced for firms that are bank or government dependent. We find no support for indirect risk transmission through a deterioration of macroeconomic fundamentals.
The Efficacy of Emotionally Focused Couples Therapy and Behavioral Couples Therapy: A Meta‐Analysis
Authors: Rathgeber Maren , Bürkner Paul‐Christian , Schiller Eva‐Maria , Holling Heinz
Published: May 2018

Behavioral couple therapy (BCT) and emotionally focused couples therapy (EFCT) are well‐established treatments to reduce couple distress. This meta‐analysis summarizes the current state of knowledge on the efficacy of these two therapy methods by focusing on randomized controlled trials only. A literature search revealed 33 suitable primary studies (2,730 participants in total), all of them measuring relationship satisfaction. Robust‐variance random‐effects meta‐analysis revealed medium effect sizes at post‐test (overall: g = 0.60; BCT: g = 0.53; EFCT: g = 0.73) and small effect sizes of 6 months after treatment (overall: g = 0.44; BCT: g = 0.35; EFCT: g = 0.66), but these gains were not maintained after 12 months (BCT only: g = 0.06). Between the two therapy methods, no significant effect size differences could be found. Results have to be interpreted with caution due to potential publication bias.
Improving self‐management for persons with Parkinson's disease through education focusing on management of daily life: Patients’ and relatives’ experience of the Swedish National Parkinson School
Authors: Hellqvist Carina , Dizdar Nil , Hagell Peter , Berterö Carina , Sund‐Levander Märta
Published: May 2018

Aims and objective

To identify and describe experiences valuable for managing daily life after participation in the NPS self‐management intervention. The second part was to explore the applicability of the Self‐ and family management framework by Grey and colleagues for persons with Parkinson's Disease and their relatives.

Background

The impact of PD is evident on the lives of both patients and relatives. The National Parkinson School (NPS) is a Swedish self‐management programme designed for patients and relatives, aiming at teaching strategies helpful for the ability of self‐management, in order to promote life satisfaction.

Design

Qualitative explorative with inductive and deductive analysis.

Methods

Five group discussions with NPS participants were audio‐recorded. Verbatim transcriptions were analysed inductively with thematic analysis according to Braun and Clarke, and the findings were then applied deductively to the existing model for patients with chronic disease.

Results

Through the first step of inductive analysis, three themes capturing the meaning, value and experience of being a participant at the NPS were identified: exchanging experiences and feeling support, adjustment and acceptance of PD for managing daily life and promoting life satisfaction. The deductive analysis applied the inductive findings to the Self‐ and family management framework of chronically ill to explore the fit to persons with PD and relatives attending the NPS programme.

Conclusions

The NPS programme is a promising approach for helping persons with PD and their relatives to achieve better self‐management of disease and improved life satisfaction. Further evaluations of programme outcomes in clinical practice are warranted.

Relevance of clinical practice

Self‐management programmes like the NPS is a promising approach in facilitating a positive mindset and outlook on life and gain knowledge to understand, adapt and handle chronic disease, such as PD, better.
Tongue pressure measurement in children with mouth‐breathing behaviour
Authors: Azevedo N. D. , Lima J. C. , Furlan R. M. M. M. , Motta A. R.
Published: May 2018

The tongue plays an important role in oral functions. Reduced tongue strength is often noted among children with mouth‐breathing behaviour. The purposes of this study were to measure the tongue pressure in children with mouth‐breathing behaviour, to compare these values to those of children with nasal‐breathing behaviour and to analyse the relationship between age and tongue pressure in children with a mouth‐breathing pattern and in children with a nasal‐breathing pattern. In this cross‐sectional analytical observational study, we enroled 40 children aged 5‐12 years who either exhibited mouth‐breathing behaviour (n = 20) or nasal‐breathing behaviour (gender‐ and age‐matched [±2 years] controls; n = 20). Tongue pressure was evaluated using the Iowa Oral Performance Instrument; 3 measurements were recorded for each participant, with a 30‐seconds rest interval. The average tongue pressure in the mouth‐breathing group was lower than that in the nasal‐breathing group. There was no difference in tongue pressure between genders. There was a strong and direct correlation between tongue pressure and age in the nasal‐breathing group. The breathing pattern impacts tongue pressure development.
Differential diagnosis of jaw pain using informatics technology
Authors: Nam Y. , Kim H.‐G. , Kho H.‐S.
Published: May 2018

This study aimed to deduce evidence‐based clinical clues that differentiate temporomandibular disorders (TMD)‐mimicking conditions from genuine TMD by text mining using natural language processing (NLP) and recursive partitioning. We compared the medical records of 29 patients diagnosed with TMD‐mimicking conditions and 290 patients diagnosed with genuine TMD. Chief complaints and medical histories were preprocessed via NLP to compare the frequency of word usage. In addition, recursive partitioning was used to deduce the optimal size of mouth opening, which could differentiate TMD‐mimicking from genuine TMD groups. The prevalence of TMD‐mimicking conditions was more evenly distributed across all age groups and showed a nearly equal gender ratio, which was significantly different from genuine TMD. TMD‐mimicking conditions were caused by inflammation, infection, hereditary disease and neoplasm. Patients with TMD‐mimicking conditions frequently used “mouth opening limitation” (P < .001), but less commonly used words such as “noise” (P < .001) and “temporomandibular joint” (P < .001) than patients with genuine TMD. A diagnostic classification tree on the basis of recursive partitioning suggested that 12.0 mm of comfortable mouth opening and 26.5 mm of maximum mouth opening were deduced as the most optimal mouth‐opening cutoff sizes. When the combined analyses were performed based on both the text mining and clinical examination data, the predictive performance of the model was 96.6% with 69.0% sensitivity and 99.3% specificity in predicting TMD‐mimicking conditions. In conclusion, this study showed that AI technology‐based methods could be applied in the field of differential diagnosis of orofacial pain disorders.
Meta‐analysis of brain mechanisms of chewing and clenching movements
Authors: Lin C‐S.
Published: May 2018

Functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) is widely used for investigating brain activation patterns associated with chewing and clenching movements. Whether studies consistently identify similar brain loci engaged in these movements remains unknown. We investigated the consistency with which specific brain loci were reported to be activated during teeth‐occluding movements, using the activation likelihood estimation (ALE) meta‐analysis. Twenty fMRI studies that used fMRI to investigate brain activation during a chewing or clenching task in healthy participants were included. Data from the selected studies were pooled, and ALE methods were used to estimate the likelihood of finding a locus associated with the movements. We found that (i) The bilateral primary motor cortex/supplementary motor area/thalamus, the right primary somatosensory cortex (S1)/secondary somatosensory cortex and the posterior cerebellum (lobule VI) have been identified as reliable loci that show consistently activation when teeth occlude. (ii) The right S1 showed a significant likelihood of activation associated with both chewing and clenching, while the left S1 showed a greater likelihood of activation in chewing than in clenching. (iii) Both younger and older participants showed a significant likelihood of activation in the cerebellum. No significant cluster was identified in the contrast analysis. The fMRI studies reliably identified the sensorimotor cortex, the thalamus and the cerebellum as brain loci associated with chewing and clenching and illustrated a differential activation pattern between chewing and clenching. These findings support the use of fMRI as a potential tool for assessing brain activation patterns related to oral sensorimotor functions in humans.
Complexities in the spatial scope of agglomeration economies
Authors: Verstraten Paul , Verweij Gerard , Zwaneveld Peter J.
Published: May 2018

This paper argues that the spatial scope of agglomeration economies is more complex than is often assumed in the literature. We provide insight into this issue by showing that agglomeration on short distances (<5 km) does not significantly affect wages, whereas it has a significant and positive effect on medium distances (5–10 km). This effect attenuates rapidly across geographic space, becoming insignificant after 40–80 km. We offer several explanations for this observed distance decay pattern. The results do not imply, however, that nearby agglomeration is irrelevant to the wage formation: only highly urbanized areas benefit from agglomeration on longer distances. Furthermore, this article finds no evidence that foreign economic mass affects wages in the Netherlands, which suggests that national borders are still a substantial barrier for economic interaction.
Impact of consumer associations, emotions, and appropriateness for use on food acceptability: A CATA and liking evaluation of vegetable and berry beverages
Authors: Waehrens Sandra S. , Grønbeck Marlene S. , Olsen Karsten , Byrne Derek V.
Published: May 2018

With increasing attention toward understanding underlying factors of food acceptability, it was investigated how different sensory profiles of berry and vegetable beverages impacted consumers' associations, emotions, view of appropriateness, and consequently liking acquisition. In total, 216 (F = 161, M = 55) subjects (18–66 years) participated in a CATA and liking evaluation. The beverages evoked associations, emotions, and appropriateness for use and these varied with changes of the perceptual properties of the product. Thus, CATA was an appropriate method to collect information about consumer responses beyond liking. Health was most frequently used to describe the beverages. However, associations related to excitement (delicious, good, and summery) and sensory perception (refreshing, mild, and fresh made) of the beverages had the largest influence on liking acquisition with delicious being most influential.

Practical implications

CATA including consumers' associations, emotions, and appropriateness for use questions was a suitable and valuable method for gathering information on consumer responses in order to move beyond basic liking indications. The outcome highlighted the importance of sensory quality, as the consumers found deliciousness more important for food acceptability than health when evaluating beverages.
Data analyses of a multiple‐samples sensory ranking test and its duplicated test: A review
Authors: Carabante Kennet M. , Prinyawiwatkul Witoon
Published: May 2018

A multiple‐samples ranking test is a quick, simple, and useful tool to assess differences in preference or sensory attribute intensity among multiple products. In this test, each panelist evaluates and ranks a complete set of samples once, generating one vector of multiple dependent data. To fit this ordinal dependency, the nonparametric Friedman's test is required. Duplicated ranking tests require a statistical analysis method that accounts for an additional level of dependency between duplicates. The study of duplicated ranking testing has not received much attention until recently. This review discusses historical development of methods and statistical analysis of sensory ranking tests, leading to current practices, alternative procedures including duplicated ranking testing, some factors that induce errors, and statistical considerations for the duplicated multiple‐samples ranking test.

Practical applications

A multiple‐samples sensory ranking test has been used to compare multiple samples on the basis of ranks of preference or attribute intensity. Most of the applications of sensory ranking tests include early product sorting or screening in a product development process, studies in which children and elderly are target subjects, and descriptive panel screening. In some cases, to reduce the number of subjects, time and cost, duplicated ranking tests are performed and data are analyzed using the nonparametric Friedman's test, not taking into consideration additional dependency between duplicates. Duplicated ranking testing can be beneficial if data analysis is properly handled, which is discussed in this review article.
Effects of melatonin on thymic and oxidative stress dysfunctions during Trypanosoma cruzi infection
Authors: Brazão Vânia , Colato Rafaela Pravato , Santello Fabricia Helena , Vale Gabriel Tavares do , Gonzaga Natália de Almeida , Tirapelli Carlos Renato , Prado José Clóvis do
Published: May 2018

Although the exact etiology of Chagas disease is not completely elucidated, thymic atrophy and oxidative stress are believed to be important contributors to the pathogenesis during acute Trypanosoma cruzi (T. cruzi) infection. We hypothesized that exogenous melatonin, administered by gavage (5 mg/kg, p.o., gavage) to young (5 weeks old) and middle‐aged (18 months old) male Wistar rats, would modulate thymic oxidative damage and reverse the age‐related thymus regression during T. cruzi acute infection. Increased levels of superoxide anion (O2−) were detected in the thymus of infected animals, and treatment with melatonin reverted this response. We found reduced TBARS levels as well as a significant increase in superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity in the thymus of all middle‐aged melatonin‐treated animals, infected or not with T. cruzi. Furthermore, melatonin increased the thymic expression of SOD1 and SOD2 in middle‐aged control animals. Nox2 expression was not affected by melatonin treatment in young or middle‐aged animals. Melatonin reverted the age‐related thymic regression as revealed by the increase in thymus weight, total number of thymocytes, and reduction in age‐related accumulation of double‐negative thymocytes. This is the first report to directly examine the effects of melatonin treatment on the thymic antioxidant/oxidant status and thymic changes during T. cruzi infection. Our results revealed new antioxidant features that turn melatonin a potentially useful compound for the treatment of Chagas disease, a condition in which an excessive oxidative damage occurs.
Quality Choice and Product Differentiation in Monopoly Theory: An Application to the Puritan Church
Authors: Mixon Franklin G. , Upadhyaya Kamal P.
Published: May 2018

French engineer and transport economist Jules Dupuit (1804–1866) conjectured more than 150 years ago that, in the context of a three‐part tariff concerning French railroads, a discriminating monopolist will find it most profitable to distort product (service) quality at each of the two ends of the quality spectrum in order to prevent consumers in the middle class (i.e., the second of three classes) from defecting to either end (i.e., first or third class). This study extends a branch of the literature on the economics of religion by arguing that 17th‐century Puritan theologians in colonial America used, in a way that is consistent with Dupuit's insights, Puritan religious doctrines related to eternal salvation and witchcraft to distort the quality, at both ends of the quality spectrum in a three‐part tariff construct, of the religious services they provided to their parishioners. In doing so, we employ economic modeling from seminal studies of the medieval Roman Catholic Church.
Using the Number Line to Promote Understanding of Fractions for Struggling Fifth Graders: A Formative Pilot Study
Authors: Schumacher Robin F. , Jayanthi Madhavi , Gersten Russell , Dimino Joseph , Spallone Samantha , Haymond Kelly S.
Published: May 2018

A formative pilot study of a fractions intervention was conducted to address the intervention's potential for improving fifth‐grade struggling students’ knowledge of fractions, and to identify any logistical or instructional design issues, before scaling up for a randomized control trial. In the first section, we provide details of the formative pilot study and present preliminary data that demonstrate the potential of the intervention. Intervention lessons—adapted from a commercially available program—emphasize consistent use of the number line in conjunction with concrete representations to scaffold learning and facilitate understanding of grade‐level and foundational fractions content. We explain how intervention revisions were guided by the formative evaluation. In the second section, we present key concepts that distinguish understanding fractions principles from understanding whole number principles. These concepts relate to understanding foundations of fractions (e.g., magnitude, equivalence, part‐whole, and measurement) and the four operations. We present these key concepts and show how the fractions intervention addressed them as a guide to practitioners for teaching new and difficult fractions content, as students integrate fractions understanding with their understanding of whole numbers.
Routinely collected infant feeding data: Time for global action
Authors: Whitford Heather , Hoddinott Pat , Amir Lisa H. , Chamberlain Catherine , East Christine E. , Jones Leanne , Renfrew Mary J.
Published: May 2018

The importance of breastfeeding is clear. However, global action to support breastfeeding is hindered by the lack of reliable standard data, which continues to impede progress. Routinely collected data can monitor the effectiveness of health policy, evaluate interventions, and enhance international research collaboration and comparisons. Use of routine data to support effective public health initiatives such as smoking cessation has been demonstrated. However, the data collected about infant feeding practices worldwide is inconsistent in timing, methods, definitions, detail, storage, and consistency. Improvements to the reach and quality of routinely collected data about infant feeding are needed to strengthen the global evidence and policy base. An international collaborative effort is called for to progress this.
Role of brain‐derived neurotrophic factor in the pathogenesis of distention‐associated abdominal pain in bowel obstruction
Authors: Fu Y. , Lin Y. M. , Winston J. H. , Radhakrishnan R. , Huang L.‐Y. M. , Shi X. Z.
Published: May 2018

Background

Previous studies found that visceral sensitivity is increased in bowel obstruction (BO). We hypothesized that mechanical stress‐induced expression ofBDNFin smooth muscle cells (SMC) of the distended bowel plays a critical role in visceral hypersensitivity inBOby altering voltage‐gated K+channel (Kv) activity in sensory neurons.

Methods

Partial colon obstruction was maintained in rats for 7 days. Colon‐projecting neurons in the dorsal root ganglia (DRG, T13 to L2) were isolated for electrophysiological and gene expression studies.

Key Results

Compared to controls, membrane excitability of colon‐projectingDRGneurons was markedly enhanced inBO. The densities of total Kvand transient A‐type (IA) K+currents, but not sustained delayedIKcurrent, were significantly reduced in the neurons inBO. ThemRNAexpression ofIAsubtype Kv1.4 in colon neurons was down‐regulated inBO. Expression ofBDNF mRNAand protein was dramatically increased in colonic smooth muscle of the distended segment, but not in the non‐distended aboral segment. Mechanical stretch of colonSMCin vitro increasedBDNFexpression. Treatment with anti‐BDNFantibody restored total KvandIAcurrents of neurons fromBOrats. Administration of Trk B inhibitorANA‐12 blockedBO‐associated changes of neuronal excitability, Kvactivity and gene expression in obstruction.

Conclusions and Inferences

Mechanical stress‐induced expression ofBDNFin colonSMCplays a critical role in visceral hypersensitivity inBOby suppressing A‐type K+currents and gene expression in sensory nerve. These findings help to identify therapeutic targets for distention‐associated abdominal pain in the gut.
Musical rhythm and reading development: does beat processing matter?
Authors: Ozernov‐Palchik Ola , Patel Aniruddh D.
Published: May 2018

There is mounting evidence for links between musical rhythm processing and reading‐related cognitive skills, such as phonological awareness. This may be because music and speech are rhythmic: both involve processing complex sound sequences with systematic patterns of timing, accent, and grouping. Yet, there is a salient difference between musical and speech rhythm: musical rhythm is often beat‐based (based on an underlying grid of equal time intervals), while speech rhythm is not. Thus, the role of beat‐based processing in the reading–rhythm relationship is not clear. Is there is a distinct relation between beat‐based processing mechanisms and reading‐related language skills, or is the rhythm–reading link entirely due to shared mechanisms for processing nonbeat‐based aspects of temporal structure? We discuss recent evidence for a distinct link between beat‐based processing and early reading abilities in young children, and suggest experimental designs that would allow one to further methodically investigate this relationship. We propose that beat‐based processing taps into a listener's ability to use rich contextual regularities to form predictions, a skill important for reading development.
Weight loss interventions for adults with overweight/obesity and chronic musculoskeletal pain: a mixed methods systematic review
Authors: Cooper L. , Ryan C. G. , Ells L. J. , Hamilton S. , Atkinson G. , Cooper K. , Johnson M. I. , Kirwan J. P. , Martin D.
Published: May 2018

Worldwide prevalence of adult overweight and obesity is a growing public health issue. Adults with overweight/obesity often have chronic musculoskeletal pain. Using a mixed‐methods review, we aimed to quantify the effectiveness and explore the appropriateness of weight loss interventions for this population. Electronic databases were searched for studies published between 01/01/90 and 01/07/16. The review included 14 randomized controlled trials that reported weight and pain outcomes and three qualitative studies that explored perceptions of adults with co‐existing overweight/obesity and chronic musculoskeletal pain. The random‐effects pooled mean weight loss was 4.9 kg (95%CI:2.9,6.8) greater for intervention vs control. The pooled mean reduction in pain was 7.3/100 units (95%CI:4.1,10.5) greater for intervention vs control. Study heterogeneity was substantial for weight loss (I2 = 95%, tau = ±3.5 kg) and pain change (I2 = 67%, tau = ±4.1%). Meta‐regression slopes for the predictors of study quality, mean age and baseline mean weight on mean study weight reduction were shallow and not statistically significant (P > 0.05). The meta‐regression slope between mean pain reduction and mean weight lost was shallow, and not statistically significant, −0.09 kg per unit pain score change (95%CI:−0.21,0.40, P = 0.54). Meta‐synthesis of qualitative findings resulted in two synthesized findings; the importance of healthcare professionals understanding the effects of pain on ability to control weight and developing management/education programmes that address comorbidity.
Poetics of repetition
Authors: Wennerscheid Sophie
Published: May 2018

The aim of this article is to explore the movement of repetition as a dynamic with unpredictable effects, ravelling the alleged order of past, present, and future. To this end, the article presents Søren Kierkegaard's notion of repetition as one he counterposes to Plato's understanding of reminiscence and shows the impact of this notion on Gilles Deleuze's reflections on “difference and repetition.” In addition, Jean François Lyotard's ethical understanding of anamnesis and rewriting is examined. Finally, the article deals with Jeanette Winterson's literary vision of “twisted time” as presented in her science fiction novel The Stone Gods (2007). This novel features a human–posthuman intimate relationship in recurring periods in the history of mankind. Since acts of rewriting and rereading fixed identity positions are not only negotiated thematically in the novel but are also part of its poetic form, special attention will be paid to the novel's “queer structure.” It will be shown how this structure dismantles the idea of straight relationships and linear progress and replaces it with the vision of repetition as a movement towards an indefinite future.
Cardiac autonomic modulation and long‐term use of amiodarone in patients with chronic Chagasic cardiopathy
Authors: Fortes Silva Henriette Elena , de Almeida Renan Sandoval , Silveira Danilo Batista , Llaguno Maurício , Resende Luiz Antônio Pertili Rodrigues , Dias da Silva Valdo José , Correia Dalmo
Published: May 2018

Background

Patients with chronic Chagas cardiopathy (CCC), which may be associated with cardiac arrhythmias, frequently use amiodarone, an antiarrhythmic drug that, experimentally, appears to modulate the cardiac autonomic function.

Objective

The present cross‐sectional observational study aimed to evaluate autonomic cardiac modulation in patients with CCC undergoing chronic amiodarone therapy.

Methods

Three groups were investigated: Group 1 included patients with CCC not treated with amiodarone (n = 27); Group 2 included patients with CCC with prolonged use (at least 6 months) of amiodarone (n = 16); and Group 3 included non‐Chagasic control patients (n = 23). All patients underwent a complete clinical and laboratory assessment, followed by autonomic function tests, consisting of a basal continuous electrocardiogram in the resting supine position for 10 minutes, followed by a change the orthostatic posture for a further 5 minutes. Heart rate variability (HRV) parameters (median and interquartile interval) were quantified using linear methods in the time‐ and frequency‐domains (autoregressive spectral analysis) and nonlinear methods, including symbolic analysis.

Results

Patients with CCC using amiodarone had changes in HRV suggestive of an offset in the sympatho‐vagal balance with a vagal modulation predominance (normalized HF, 49.7[27.4] vs 31.1[22.8] [P < 0.05]; and percentage 2V, 40.1 [14.6] vs 21.5 [13.4] [P < 0.05] vs untreated CCC group). These changes were further accompanied by increases in parameters indicative of greater complexity of HRV.

Conclusions

The deviation in the sympatho‐vagal balance and the increase in the complexity of HRV strongly suggest that amiodarone may have a cardioprotective effect, in addition to its antiarrhythmic effects, which could increase the survival of these patients.
A homozygous SCN5A mutation associated with atrial standstill and sudden death
Authors: Tan Reina Bianca , Gando Ivan , Bu Lei , Cecchin Frank , Coetzee William
Published: May 2018

Background

Atrial standstill is an arrhythmogenic condition characterized by the absence of spontaneous electrical and mechanical atrial activity or in response to stimulation. There are few reported familial cases which have been associated with SCN5A mutations cosegregating with GJA5 or RYR2; however, isolated SCN5A mutations are rare.

Objective

The purpose of this study was to determine the clinical and biophysical consequence of a novel SCN5A mutation identified in a family with progressive atrial standstill and sudden death.

Methods

The family of a sporadic case of congenital atrial standstill underwent genetic screening. Human Embryonic Kidney 293 cells were transfected with wild‐type (WT) or mutant SCN5A cDNAs. Biophysical properties were studied using whole‐cell using patch clamp methods.

Results

A novel homozygous SCN5A mutation, p.V1340L, was identified in the proband and her sister. The proband had complete atrial standstill whereas the sister had partial atrial standstill. Heterozygous mutations were identified in the mother, father, and brother. All three had normal sinus rhythm and were asymptomatic. The mutant Nav1.5(V1340L) reduced Nav1.5 current density as well as showed a depolarizing shift in the voltage‐dependent steady‐state activation (WT: −35.3 ± 1.62 mV; V1340L: −22.4 ± 2.59 mV; P  =  0.001).

Conclusions

A homozygous loss‐of‐function SCN5A mutation likely results in atrial standstill and sudden death due to suppression of initiation of action potential.