bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A Case Report: Rapid Micro‐Induction of Buprenorphine/Naloxone to Administer Buprenorphine Extended‐Release in an Adolescent With Severe Opioid Use Disorder
Authors: Azar Pouya , Wong James S.H. , Jassemi Sara , Moore Eva , Vo Dzung X. , Nikoo Mohammadali , Young Samantha
Published: April 2020

Background and Objectives

Buprenorphine extended‐release (BUP‐XR) is a monthly injectable form of opioid agonist therapy. Before its administration, a minimum 7‐day induction period with a transmucosal buprenorphine‐containing product is recommended.

Methods

Case report (n = 1).

Results

A 16‐year‐old female with active, severe opioid use disorder (OUD) and stimulant use disorder, hepatitis C virus, co‐occurring mental health disorders, and complex social stressors had five recent overdoses requiring naloxone. She had previously been treated with methadone and several trials of sublingual buprenorphine/naloxone, but would quickly discontinue the treatment. Using a rapid micro‐induction protocol, buprenorphine/naloxone was administered for 3 days. On day 4, 300 mg BUP‐XR was administered subcutaneously. Minimal withdrawal symptoms occurred, despite recent fentanyl use.

Discussion and Conclusions

A rapid sublingual buprenorphine/naloxone micro‐induction was successfully used to initiate BUP‐XR, thereby eliminating the abstinence period prior to buprenorphine/naloxone administration, shortening the induction period, and minimizing withdrawal.

Scientific Significance

This is the first reported case of using rapid micro‐induction as a bridge to initiate BUP‐XR. By reducing the length of induction to 4 days and minimizing withdrawal, this induction method can make BUP‐XR more accessible to patients who would otherwise refuse the medication due to concerns of enduring withdrawal. (Am J Addict 2020;29:531–535)
Assessment of advanced glycation end products in the peri‐implant sulcular fluid among moderate cigarette‐smokers and nonsmokers with peri‐implantitis
Authors: Al‐Aali Khulud A. , AlHelal Abdulaziz , Alhamoudi Nawaf , Alhenaki Aasem M. , Javed Fawad , Abduljabbar Tariq
Published: April 2020

Background

It is hypothesized that the levels of advanced glycation end products (AGEs) are higher in the peri‐implant sulcular fluid (PISF) of cigarette‐smokers than nonsmokers with peri‐implantitis.

Purpose

The purpose was to compare the levels of AGEs in the PISF among moderate cigarette‐smokers and nonsmokers with peri‐implantitis.

Materials and methods

Cigarette‐smokers and nonsmokers with peri‐implantitis and nonsmokers without peri‐implantitis were included. A questionnaire was used to gather information related to smoking habit, duration of implants in function and demographic traits. In all groups, peri‐implant plaque index (PI), gingival index (GI), crestal bone loss (CBL) and probing depth (PD). The PISF was collected and levels of AGEs were measured. Group comparisons were performed and P < .01 was nominated as pointer of statistical significance.

Results

Fourteen smokers with peri‐implantitis (12 males and 2 females), 15 nonsmokers with peri‐implantitis (14 males and 1 female) and 15 nonsmokers without peri‐implantitis (13 males and 2 females) were included. Smokers with peri‐implantitis had a smoking history of 22.7 ± 0.3 pack years. The mesial and distal CBL, PI, and PD were significantly higher in smokers with peri‐implantitis than nonsmokers with (P < .01) and without peri‐implantitis (P < .01). The GI was significantly higher in smokers (P < .01) and nonsmokers with peri‐implantitis (P < .01) compared with nonsmokers without peri‐implantitis. The levels of AGEs were significantly higher among smokers with peri‐implantitis (552.8 ± 87.2 pg/mL) (P < .01) compared with nonsmokers with (141.6 ± 64.9 pg/mL) and without (88.1 ± 27.3 pg/mL) peri‐implantitis. The levels of AGEs were significantly higher among nonsmokers with (141.6 ± 64.9 pg/mL) (P < .01) than without (88.1 ± 27.3 pg/mL) peri‐implantitis.

Conclusion

The levels of AGEs expressed in the PISF are higher among moderate cigarette‐smokers than nonsmokers with peri‐implantitis.
Epidemiological trends in surgery for rectal prolapse in England 2001–2012: an adult hospital population‐based study
Authors: El‐Dhuwaib Y. , Pandyan A. , Knowles C. H.
Published: April 2020

Aim

To analyse trends in admission and surgery for rectal prolapse in adults in England between 2001 and 2012 as well as prolapse reoperation rates.

Method

Analysis of data derived from a comparative longitudinal population‐based cohort study using Hospital Episode Statistics (HES).

Results

During the study period, a total of 25 238 adults, of median age 73 [interquartile range (IQR: 58–83] years, underwent a total of 29 379 operations for rectal prolapse (mean: 2662 per annum). The female to male ratio of this group of patients was 7:1. Median length of hospital stay was 3 (IQR: 1–7) days with an overall in‐hospital mortality rate of 0.9%. Total number of admissions (4950 in 2001/2002 vs 8927 in 2011/2012) and of patients undergoing prolapse surgery (2230 in 2001/2002 vs 2808 in 2011/2012) significantly increased over the study period (P < 0.001 for trends). The overall increase in prolapse surgery (of 33% overall and of 44% for elective procedures) was dwarfed by an increase in popularity of laparoscopic surgery (of 15‐fold). Overall prolapse reoperation rate was 12.7%. The lowest recurrence rate was observed for elective open resection (9.1%) but this had the highest mortality (1.9%). Laparoscopic and perineal fixations were also associated with low reoperation rates (< 11%) and the lowest mortality rates, of 0.3%, when these procedures were elective. These data refute a trend towards subspecialization (by surgeon or hospital) during the study period.

Conclusion

Admissions for rectal prolapse increased in England between 2001 and 2012, together with increases in rectal prolapse surgery. Surgical decision making has changed over this period and may be reflected in outcome.
Pin1 promotes pancreatic cancer progression and metastasis by activation of NF‐κB‐IL‐18 feedback loop
Authors: Sun Qiqing , Fan Guixiong , Zhuo Qifeng , Dai Weixing , Ye Zeng , Ji Shunrong , Xu Wenyan , Liu Wensheng , Hu Qiangsheng , Zhang Zheng , Liu Mengqi , Yu Xianjun , Xu Xiaowu , Qin Yi
Published: April 2020

Objectives

Accumulated evidence suggests that Pin1 contributes to oncogenesis of diverse cancers. However, the underlying mechanism of oncogenic function of Pin1 in PDAC requires further exploration.

Materials and Methods

IHC was performed using PDAC tissues. Western blot, PCR, immunofluorescence and transwell were performed using cell lines. GSEA were applied for possible downstream pathways. ChIP assay and dual luciferase were used for assessment of transcriptional activity.

Results

Both Pin1 and IL‐18 levels are increased in primary PDAC tissues and that their levels are positively correlated. High expression of IL‐18 is a predictor of poor prognoses. Pin1 promoted pancreatic cancer cell proliferation and motility by increasing IL‐18 expression, while Pin1 knockdown also inhibited the tumour‐promoting effect of IL‐18. Both Pin1 and IL‐18 could enhance the NFκB activity in pancreatic cancer cells. When bound to the p65 protein, Pin1 promoted p65 phosphorylation and its nuclear translocation. In the nucleus, Pin1 and p65 simultaneously bound to the IL‐18 promoter and enhanced IL‐18 transcription. In addition, recruitment of p65 to the IL‐18 promoter was decreased in Pin1‐silenced cells.

Conclusions

Our study improves the understanding of Pin1 in tumour‐promoting inflammation in PDAC, which is a hallmark of cancer; Pin1 interacted with p65 in PDAC and enhanced NF‐κB signalling and downstream transcriptional activation of IL‐18, with increased IL‐18 continuously activating NF‐κB signalling, which then forms a positive feedback loop.
Megafauna decline have reduced pathogen dispersal which may have increased emergent infectious diseases
Authors: Doughty Christopher E. , Prys‐Jones Tomos O. , Faurby Søren , Abraham Andrew J. , Hepp Crystal , Leshyk Victor , Fofanov Viacheslav Y. , Nieto Nathan C. , Svenning Jens‐Christian , Galetti Mauro
Published: April 2020

The Late Quaternary extinctions of megafauna (defined as animal species > 44.5 kg) reduced the dispersal of seeds and nutrients, and likely also microbes and parasites. Here we use body‐mass based scaling and range maps for extinct and extant mammal species to show that these extinctions led to an almost seven‐fold reduction in the movement of gut‐transported microbes, such as Escherichia coli (3.3–0.5 km2 d−1). Similarly, the extinctions led to a seven‐fold reduction in the mean home ranges of vector‐borne pathogens (7.8–1.1 km2). To understand the impact of this, we created an individual‐based model where an order of magnitude decrease in home range increased maximum aggregated microbial mutations 4‐fold after 20 000 yr. We hypothesize that pathogen speciation and hence endemism increased with isolation, as global dispersal distances decreased through a mechanism similar to the theory of island biogeography. To investigate if such an effect could be found, we analysed where 145 zoonotic diseases have emerged in human populations and found quantitative estimates of reduced dispersal of ectoparasites and fecal pathogens significantly improved our ability to predict the locations of outbreaks (increasing variance explained by 8%). There are limitations to this analysis which we discuss in detail, but if further studies support these results, they broadly suggest that reduced pathogen dispersal following megafauna extinctions may have increased the emergence of zoonotic pathogens moving into human populations.
The effect of partial pulpotomy with iRoot BP Plus in traumatized immature permanent teeth: A randomized prospective controlled trial
Authors: Yang YingTing , Xia Bin , Xu Zheng , Dou Guili , Lei Yue , Yong Wei
Published: April 2020

Background/Aim

A new bioceramic material iRoot BP Plus has been introduced and reported to have good biocompatibility, sealing ability and antibacterial activity. It has also been reported to be successfully used for procedures such as pulpotomy, pulp floor perforation repair and so on. However, there are only a few reports on the use of iRoot BP Plus in the management of traumatized teeth with an exposed pulp. The aim of this study was to investigate the clinical and radiographic outcomes of partial pulpotomy with iRoot BP Plus in immature permanent teeth with complicated crown fracture or complicated crown‐root fracture.

Material and Methods

The study was prospectively designed, and 110 immature permanent teeth with complicated crown fracture or complicated crown‐root fracture were randomly allocated into two groups (n = 55). All teeth were clinically and radiographically assessed at 1, 3, 6, 12, 18 and 24 months after partial pulpotomy with iRoot BP Plus (experimental group, n = 50) or calcium hydroxide (control group, n = 49) as the pulp capping agent. Eleven cases were lost during follow up, and 99 teeth were finally analysed.

Results

There were no intergroup differences in the survival rate, survival time, root length and dentin wall thickness. The calcific bridge was significantly thinner in the iRoot BP Plus group than in the calcium hydroxide group (0.97 ± 0.13 mm vs 1.36 ± 0.12 mm;F = 5.128,P = .029).

Conclusions

iRoot BP Plus may be an effective capping material for partial pulpotomy.
Ontogenic colour change, survival, and mating in the damselfly Agriocnemis pygmaea Rambur (Insecta: Odonata)
Authors: Joshi Shantanu , Agashe Deepa
Published: April 2020

1. Damselflies often show intra‐specific colour variation, which may represent genetic polymorphism or age‐related (ontogenic) colour changes.

2. Such variation has distinct implications for the species' ecology and evolution. Colour variation in females of the damselfly Agriocnemis pygmaea was studied, which range from blue male‐like individuals (andromorphs) to those with a distinct red colour (heteromorphs). From preliminary observations, it was hypothesised that this species exhibits ontogenic colour change from heteromorph to andromorph coloration.

3. Mark–recapture experiments and egg counts of dissected females suggested that immature females are heteromorphic and gradually begin to resemble males as they attain sexual maturity.

4. Reflectance spectra of field‐caught individuals indicated that, although males are indistinguishable from andromorphs, they could be easily differentiated from heteromorphs.

5. Finally, field observations and mate choice experiments showed that males rarely attempt to mate with heteromorphic females and prefer andromorphs. Together, this study's results suggest that the observed colour variation in A. pygmaea females is ontogenic and is associated with sexual maturity.
Taxonomic and functional analysis of soil microbial communities in a mining site across a metal(loid) contamination gradient
Authors: Navas Mariela , Pérez‐Esteban Javier , Torres Miguel‐Angel , Hontoria Chiquinquira , Moliner Ana
Published: April 2020

Soil microorganisms surviving in mining sites have developed metal‐resistance mechanisms to biotransform metals. Their use as biofertilizers can improve phytoremediation efficiency in contaminated soils by reducing metal toxicity while promoting plant growth. We analysed through whole‐metagenome shotgun sequencing the composition, diversity and function of microbial communities present in a contaminated mine soil along a gradient of metals (As, Cu, Fe, Mn, Pb, Zn) to identify tolerant species carrying metal‐resistance functional genes that can be used in association with plants for phytoremediation. Soil samples were collected from an abandoned copper mine, across three areas with different levels of metal contamination (unaffected, moderately contaminated and highly contaminated). The relative abundance of Proteobacteria, especially genus Bradyrhizobium, increased in the highly contaminated area, whereas Actinobacteria dominated in the unaffected area. Archaea (Euryarchaeota) predominated in the moderately contaminated area, Haloarcula, Halobacterium and Halorubrum being the most abundant genera. The fungi Basidiomycota did not exhibit differences among the areas, whereas Ascomycota, especially the genus Aspergillus, increased in areas with low metal concentrations. Metal‐resistance genes associated with Fe (acn, furA, dpsA), Cu (cop‐unnamed, copF, actP, copA, mmco, cutO) and As (arsT, arsC, aioA/aoxB) metabolism were the most abundant and were affected by the gradient of soil contamination. Those associated with Cu predominated in the most contaminated area, whereas As and Fe genes were more abundant in the least contaminated. Among the carriers of these metal‐resistance genes, Bradyrhizobium diazoefficiens, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Halorubrum trapanicum, Aspergillus fumigatus and A. fischeri were dominant in the most contaminated area. These species could give rise to promising biofertilizers to be used in association with suitable plants for the phytoremediation of contaminated mining sites.

Highlights

Metals affect differentially abundance, diversity and function of microorganisms in a mine soil.

Proteobacteria dominated in contaminated areas and Actinobacteria in the less contaminated.

Most abundant metal‐resistance genes were associated with Cu, As and Fe.

Bradyrhizobium diazoefficiens and other species are promising biofertilizers for phytoremediation.
Nest box revealed habitat preferences of arboreal mammals in box‐ironbark forest
Authors: Goldingay Ross L. , Quin Darren G. , Talamo Orlando , Mentiplay‐Smith Janice
Published: April 2020

Habitat preferences need to be understood if species are to be adequately managed or conserved. Habitat preferences are presumed to reflect requirements for food, shelter and breeding, as well as interactions with predators and competitors. However, one or more of these requirements may dominate. Tree‐cavity‐dependent wildlife species are one example where shelter or breeding site requirements may dominate. We installed 120 nest boxes across 40 sites to target the vulnerable Brush‐tailed Phascogale (Phascogale tapoatafa) and the non‐threatened Sugar Glider (Petaurus breviceps). The provision of shelter sites where few of quality are available may enable better resolution of habitat preferences. Over three years, we observed the Brush‐tailed Phascogale at 17 sites, whereas the Sugar Glider was observed at 39 sites. We tested four broad hypotheses (H1–H4) relating to habitat that may influence occupancy by these species. There was no influence of hollow (cavity) abundance (H1) on either species suggesting our nest boxes had satisfied their shelter requirements. There was no influence of habitat structure (canopy and tree proximity) (H2) immediately around the nest box trees. We found no influence of distance to the forest edge (H3). Variables at and away from the nest box site that appear to reflect foraging substrates (H4) were influential on the Brush‐tailed Phascogale. Sugar Glider occupancy was only influenced by a single variable at the nest box site. The lack of influence of any other variables is consistent with the very high occupancy observed, suggesting most of the forest habitat is suitable when shelter sites are available. We found no evidence that the Sugar Glider reduced site use by the Brush‐tailed Phascogale.
Tattling with Chinese Characteristics: Norm Sensitivity, Moral Anxiety, and “The Genuine Child”
Authors: Xu Jing
Published: April 2020

Based on twelve months of ethnographic fieldwork in Shanghai, this article examines Chinese preschool children's tattling behavior as well as educators’ interpretations of it. Tattling is defined as the reporting to an authority figure of other children's counternormative behavior. My research revealed distinctive characteristics of tattling in the Chinese context: the popularity of third‐party (bystander) instead of second‐party (victim) tattling, the entanglement between tattling and pleasing authority, and adults’ moralistic concerns about tattlers’ motivations and character, encapsulated in the discourse of “the genuine child.” I further contextualized adults’ concerns in widespread moral anxiety in a changing Chinese society and connected them to historical notions of childhood and morality. Taken together, these findings illuminate cultural influences on children's everyday sociomoral life in light of the continuities and changes of Chinese conceptualizations of “the child.” This article facilitates conversations between anthropology and psychology and demonstrates valuable linkages between psychological anthropology and Chinese studies.
Saturated and aromatic aldehydes originating from skin and cutaneous bacteria activate the Nrf2‐keap1 pathway in human keratinocytes
Authors: Ron‐Doitch Sapir , Soroka Yoram , Frusic‐Zlotkin Marina , Barasch Dinorah , Steinberg Doron , Kohen Ron
Published: April 2020

Skin homeostasis is constantly challenged by environmental factors, affecting its delicate redox balance. The skin is also home to a wide variety of bacterial species, including Staphylococci. The cutaneous redox state is governed by the Nrf2‐keap1 pathway, which is responsible for the induction of phase II cytoprotective enzymes, thus sustaining a healthy oxidative state. As part of normal metabolism, both bacteria and cutaneous tissue emit copious amounts of volatile organic compounds (VOCs), one subgroup of which are aldehydes. α,β‐unsaturated aldehydes are known activators of Nrf2‐keap1 pathway by direct oxidation of the keap1 protein. However, we did not encounter reports of Nrf2 activation by saturated or aromatic aldehydes, neither bacteria nor skin‐derived. We hypothesized that non–α,β‐unsaturated aldehydes derived from skin or cutaneous bacteria may act as Nrf2‐keap1 pathway activators and therefore afford protection against environmental insults. The saturated aldehydes nonanal and decanal (known skin metabolites) and the aromatic aldehyde benzaldehyde (known skin and Staphylococcus epidermidis metabolite) were shown to induce the Nrf2‐keap1 pathway in human keratinocytes. We also identified a newly described aromatic aldehyde, 3‐furaldehyde (3‐FA), emitted from S. aureus and S. epidermidis cultures, which also activated the pathway. Moreover, Nrf2‐keap1 induction led to a significant protection against UVB‐induced apoptosis. The mechanism involved in this activation has been partially elucidated. This work emphasizes the importance of cutaneous bacteria, as well as healthy skin lipid peroxidation processes in the maintenance and regulation of the cellular antioxidant response, namely with regard to coping with environmental stressors.
Using the tools of genetic epidemiology to understand sex differences in neuropsychiatric disorders
Authors: Merikangas Alison K. , Almasy Laura
Published: April 2020

Many neuropsychiatric disorders exhibit differences in prevalence, age of onset, symptoms or course of illness between males and females. For the most part, the origins of these differences are not well understood. In this article, we provide an overview of sex differences in psychiatric disorders including autism spectrum disorder (ASD), attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), anxiety, depression, alcohol and substance abuse, schizophrenia, eating disorders and risk of suicide. We discuss both genetic and nongenetic mechanisms that have been hypothesized to underlie these differences, including ascertainment bias, environmental stressors, X‐ or Y‐linked risk loci, and differential liability thresholds in males and females. We then review the use of twin, family and genome‐wide association approaches to study potential genetic mechanisms of sex differences and the extent to which these designs have been employed in studies of psychiatric disorders. We describe the utility of genetic epidemiologic study designs, including classical twin and family studies, large‐scale studies of population registries, derived recurrence risks, and molecular genetic analyses of genome‐wide variation that may enhance our understanding sex differences in neuropsychiatric disorders.
Effect of renin–angiotensin system on senescence
Authors: Mogi Masaki
Published: April 2020

The renin–angiotensin system (RAS) plays crucial roles in the control of blood pressure and sodium homeostasis. Moreover, RAS also acts as a key player in cell and organ senescence, mainly by activation of the classical axis of angiotensin (Ang) converting enzyme (ACE)/Ang II/Ang II type 1 receptor via overproduction of reactive oxygen species. Overactivation of the classical RAS axis induces organ dysfunction in the vasculature, brain, kidney and skeletal muscle, resulting in atherosclerosis, stroke, chronic kidney disease and sarcopenia. Moreover, RAS has been shown to regulate lifespan, using gene‐modification models. Recently, mice lacking the Ang II type 1 receptor were shown to exhibit an increase in lifespan compared with control mice. Here, the effect of RAS on age‐related tissue dysfunction in several organs is reviewed, including not only the classical axis but also protective functions of RAS such as the ACE2/Ang (1–7)/Mas axis. Geriatr Gerontol Int 2020; ••: ••–••.
Gut dysbiosis associated with clinical prognosis of patients with primary biliary cholangitis
Authors: Furukawa Masanori , Moriya Kei , Nakayama Jiro , Inoue Takako , Momoda Rie , Kawaratani Hideto , Namisaki Tadashi , Sato Shinya , Douhara Akitoshi , Kaji Kosuke , Kitade Mitsuteru , Shimozato Naotaka , Sawada Yasuhiko , Saikawa Soichiro , Takaya Hiroaki , Kitagawa Koh , Akahane Takemi , Mitoro Akira , Yamao Junichi , Tanaka Yasuhito , Yoshiji Hitoshi
Published: April 2020

Aim

Although some relationships between gut microbiota and liver diseases have been reported, it remains uncertain whether changes in gut microbiota owing to differences in race, food and living environment have similar effects. Response to ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA) may predict the long‐term prognosis of patients with primary biliary cholangitis (PBC); however, little is known about the significance of the gut microbiome in patients with PBC. We elucidated the relationships among clinical profiles, biochemical response to UDCA and gut microbiome composition in patients with PBC.

Methods

Fecal samples from 76 patients with PBC treated at our hospital were collected; patients whose UDCA intake period was <1 year were excluded. The microbiome structures of patients were determined using 16S ribosomal RNA gene sequencing and were statistically compared with those of healthy subjects. The structures of patients in the UDCA responder (n = 43) and non‐responder (n = 30) groups were compared according to the Nara criteria (reduction rate of gamma‐glutamyl transpeptidase, ≥69%, after 1 year).

Results

Compared with healthy subjects, bacterial diversity was lower in patients with PBC, with a decreased abundance of the order Clostridiales and increased abundance of Lactobacillales. The UDCA non‐responder group had a significantly lower population of the genus Faecalibacterium, known as butyrate‐producing beneficial bacteria (P < 0.05), although no significant differences in gender, body mass index, medicated drugs or other serological data were indicated between these two groups.

Conclusions

Gut dysbiosis with loss of beneficial Clostridiales commensals was observed in patients with PBC. Decrease in Faecalibacterium abundance might predict the long‐term prognosis of patients with PBC.
Community pharmacist workflow: Space for Pharmacy-based Interventions and Consultation TimE study protocol
Authors: Karia Ajay Mahendrarai , Balane Christine , Norman Richard , Robinson Suzanne , Lehnbom Elin , Durakovic Iva , Laba Tracey-Lea , Joshi Rohina , Webster Ruth
Published: April 2020

Background

Pharmacists’ roles are expanding to delivering a wider set of professional services including medication management optimisation, vaccinations and screening services. Robust research determining whether pharmacists have the capacity to offer such services in the Australian community pharmacy setting is lacking. This protocol details a mixed methods study that investigates the variation in pharmacists’ daily tasks and the workspace they work in as a measure of their workload capacity for expanding pharmacy services.

Methods

An observational time and motion study will be conducted in up to twenty community pharmacies in metropolitan and rural regions of Australia. A trained observer will follow a pharmacist and record the type, location and duration of tasks undertaken over the course of their working day. Data will be collected and analysed using the electronic Work Observation Method By Activity Timing (WOMBAT) tool. Pharmacists’ work patterns will be described as time for each task, and by proportionating multitasking and interruptions. This information will be combined with workspace data collected using floor plans, photographs and a qualitative assessment of the working environment completed by the observer. Analysis will include heat-mapped floor plans visually highlighting pharmacist movements.

Discussion

Pharmacists may provide solutions to the strained health workforce and system. There is limited quantitative evidence on whether pharmacists have the time or work setting to support such needs. The use of time and motion methodology is novel to Australian community pharmacy research, and the findings will provide a better understanding of pharmacists’ capacity and work environment.
Complexity and heuristics for the weighted max cut‐clique problem
Authors: Bourel Mathias , Canale Eduardo , Robledo Franco , Romero Pablo , Stábile Luis
Published: April 2020

In market basket analysis (MBA), the goal is to understand human behavior to maximize sales. A clear behavior is buying correlated items. As a consequence, the determination of a set of items with a high correlation with others is a valuable tool for MBA. In this work, we address a combinatorial optimization problem with valuable applications to MBA, especially in marketing and product placement. The focus will be on the combinatorial problem and not on specific applications. For any given undirected graph (where the nodes are items and the edges represent correlation), we aim to find the clique such that the number of edges shared between and is maximized. This problem is known in the literature as the max cut‐clique (MCC) problem. We can generalize this problem by considering the weights associated with each edge. In this context, we are interested in finding the clique such that the weighted sum associated with each edge shared between and is maximized. The weighted version of the MCC problem is known as the maximum edge‐weight neighborhood clique (MEWNC) problem. The main contributions of this paper are threefold. First, the computational complexity of both the MCC and MEWNC problems is established. Specifically, we prove that the MCC and MEWNC problems belong to the class of ‐complete problems. Second, an exact integer linear programming (ILP) formulation for the MEWNC problem is proposed. Third, a full greedy randomized adaptive search procedure/variable neighborhood descent methodology enriched with a tabu search is here developed, where the main components are novel neighborhood structures and a restricted candidate list that trade greediness for randomization in a multistart fashion. A dynamic tabu list considers a bounding technique based on the previous analysis. Finally, a fair comparison between our hybrid algorithm and a globally optimal solution using the ILP formulation confirms that a globally optimal solution is found by our heuristic for graphs with hundreds of nodes, but it is more efficient than the exact solution in terms of time and memory requirements.
A fractal analysis of crack branching in borosilicate glass
Authors: DeLellis Daniel P. , Mecholsky Nicholas A. , Mecholsky John J. , Quinn George D.
Published: April 2020

Many fractography techniques involve precise measurements of features on the fracture surface and can be difficult to perform in the field, or rapidly. Macroscopic crack branching observations offer a more robust and forgiving method of analysis, but often are not strongly correlated with standard fractography techniques. In this study, the crack branching patterns of annealed borosilicate glass disks previously fractured in biaxial tension were analyzed using fractal methods and compared with more typical fracture surface measurement techniques. The results confirm that the fractal dimension of macroscopic crack branching (called the Crack Branching Coefficient) increases with increasing failure stress, as has been shown with other brittle materials. In addition, the existence of a threshold stress previously reported was confirmed using new techniques. The findings herein can be used to further increase the fidelity of fractography‐based failure analysis of brittle materials.
The impact of bedside handovers on relevant clinical indicators: A matched‐controlled multicentre longitudinal study
Authors: Malfait Simon , Eeckloo Kristof , Van Opdorp Lara , Van Biesen Wim , Van Hecke Ann
Published: April 2020

Aim

To investigate the effects of bedside handover, as contrasted with traditional handovers, on length of hospital stay, unplanned readmission, hospital‐acquired pressure ulcers (HAPUs), patient falls, unscheduled intravenous reinfusion and pain.

Design

A multicentre matched‐controlled longitudinal design.

Method

Bedside handover was implemented at five intervention wards in a convenience sample of four hospitals (three surgical/medical wards and two wards for medical rehabilitation). Four control wards continued to use their traditional handover (two surgical‐medical wards, one medical rehabilitation ward and one mixed surgical‐medical rehabilitation ward; one for each hospital). Patient records, including reports on individual patients in the electronic incident reporting systems, were consulted (N intervention = 509; N control = 265). The study was carried out between May 2016–February 2018 and data were collected between March 2018–June 2018. The data were analysed using generalized linear mixed‐model analysis.

Results

No significant differences in length of stay, unplanned readmission, HAPUs, unnecessary intravenous drips, pain or patients falls could be attributed to the use of bedside handovers, whether over time or between the intervention and the control groups.

Conclusion

No long‐term effects were found on patient safety arising from bedside handover. This lack of significance possibly indicates that: (a) caution is needed when generalizing the results of previous smaller‐scale studies; and that (b) bedside handovers do not create hazardous situations for patients.

Impact

Nurses traditionally perform change‐of‐shift handovers without the patient. However, the growth in attention paid to reducing adverse events and the demand for more participative and patient‐centred approaches in health care both suggest that bedside handovers might be a logical intervention. This study could not confirm the positive results found in the international literature on the impact of bedside handovers on patient safety. Bedside handover should thus be considered as an equally safe, more patient‐centred alternative to traditional handover models.

Trial registration

ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT02714582).
Comparison of longitudinal change in sST2 vs BNP to predict major adverse cardiovascular events in asymptomatic patients in the community
Authors: Watson Chris J. , Tea Isaac , O'Connell Eoin , Glezeva Nadezhda , Zhou Shuaiwei , James Stephanie , Gallagher Joe , Snider James , Januzzi James L. , Ledwidge Mark T. , McDonald Ken M.
Published: April 2020

Biomarker‐based preventative and monitoring strategies are increasingly used for risk stratification in cardiovascular (CV) disease. The aim of this study was to investigate the utility of longitudinal change in B‐type natriuretic peptide (BNP) and sST2 concentrations for predicting incident major adverse CV events (MACE) (heart failure, myocardial infarction, arrhythmia, stroke/transient ischaemic attack and CV death) in asymptomatic community‐based patients with risk factors but without prevalent MACE at enrolment. The study population consisted of 282 patients selected from the longitudinal STOP‐HF study of asymptomatic patients with risk factors for development of MACE. Fifty‐two of these patients developed a MACE. The study was run in two phases comprising of an initial investigative cohort (n = 195), and a subsequent 2:1 (No MACE: MACE) propensity matched verification cohort (n = 87). BNP and sST2 were quantified in all patients at two time points a median of 2.5 years apart. Results highlighted that longitudinal change in sST2 was a statistically significant predictor of incident MACE, (AUC 0.60). A one‐unit increment in sST2 change from baseline to follow up corresponded to approximately 7.99% increase in the rate of one or more incident MACE, independent of the baseline or follow‐up concentration. In contrast, longitudinal change value of BNP was not associated with MACE. In conclusion, longitudinal change in sST2 but not BNP was associated with incident MACE in asymptomatic, initially event‐free patients in the community. Further work is required to evaluate the clinical utility of change in sST2 in risk prediction and event monitoring in this setting.
Non‐competes, business dynamism, and concentration: Evidence from a Florida case study
Authors: Kang Hyo , Fleming Lee
Published: April 2020

Most research on non‐competes has focused on employees; here we study how non‐competes affect firm location choice, growth, and consequent regional concentration, using Florida's 1996 legislative change that eased restrictions on their enforcement. Difference‐in‐differences models show that following the change, establishments of large firms were more likely to enter Florida; they also created a greater proportion of jobs and increased their share of employment in the state. Entrepreneurs or establishments of small firms, in contrast, were less likely to enter Florida following the law change; they also created a smaller proportion of new jobs and decreased their share of employment. Consistent with these location and job creation dynamics, regional business concentration increased following the law change in Florida. Nationwide cross‐sections demonstrate consistent correlations between state‐level non‐compete enforcement and the location, employment, and concentration dynamics illustrated in Florida.
Interannual variability of distribution, abundance and population dynamics of the smooth hammerheadSphyrna zygaena(Linnaeus, 1758) in the central‐southeast Pacific Ocean
Authors: López‐Martínez Juana , Cabanilla‐Carpio Carmen , Ruiz Choez Walter , Arzola‐Sotelo Edgar Arnoldo
Published: April 2020

This study provides information on the population dynamics of the smooth hammerhead sharkSphyrna zygaenain the central‐southeast Pacific Ocean. The samples were obtained from artisanal fisheries from 2008 to 2013 to analyse cohorts, growth, mortality, abundance and recruitment using methods based on length and relative age and an inference multi‐model. According to the von Bertalanffy growth model, the results indicated that the species showed from three to seven cohorts annually and slow growth (Wi= 57.20%):L∞= 292.86 cm,K= 0.141 per year andt0= −2.26. Length of sexual maturity was 239.30 and 209.10 cm at first capture; the average natural mortality value was 0.231 per year, by fishing 0.051 per year with a total mortality of 0.26 1 per year and exploitation rate of 0.15. Interannual variability was recorded in biomass with an average of 7367.24 tonnes, as well as a spatial permanence pattern. The results suggest that the La Niña event biologically favours the population in the area. The information from this study is essential for better understanding the species population and serves as a basis for future actions of management and conservation ofS. zygaena.
Proteolytic activity of Vibrio harveyi YeaZ is related with resuscitation on the viable but non-culturable state
Authors: Zhao R. , Chen J. , Wang Y. , Li Y. , Kong X. , Han Y.
Published: April 2020

The YeaZ protein of Vibrio harveyi was expressed in Escherichia coli and purified. The purified recombinant protein YeaZ exhibited the protease activity. The proteolytic activities with azocasein as substrate were 39 130 U mg−1. The mutation of the amino acid in active sites such as Asp88, Ser185 and Trp169 was performed. The enzyme activities of the purified mutant proteins with Asp88-Ala, Ser185-Leu and Trp169-Glu were decreased to 24·28, 35·27 and 41·66%, respectively. The mutant protein with two amino acid residues (Asp88-Ala/Ser185-Leu) lost the protease activity completely. Addition of the purified recombinant YeaZ increased resuscitation of the viable but non-culturable state (VBNC) cells to culturable state, and the culturable cell count increased from 1·35 × 102 to 3·10 × 106 CFU per ml. While addition of the mutant YeaZ without protease activities did not show obvious promoting effect on resuscitation of VBNC cells. Moreover, the purified YeaZ also showed lower muralytic activity, and the activities of proteins with single amino acids mutation (Thr71 and Asp112) were reduced from 7·05 to 4·75 and 2·50 U mg−1, the resuscitation-promoting effect on VBNC cells was not affected by these mutant proteins. These results implied that resuscitation-promoting effect of YeaZ on VBNC cell was partly related to its protease activities, but not with the muralytic activity.

Significance and Impact of the Study

Vibrio harveyi is a major pathogen of marine animals. The bacterium could enter into a viable but non-culturable state (VBNC) state when exposed to harsh conditions, and retains its pathogenicity after resuscitation. In this work, we analysed the enzyme activities of a resuscitation-promoting factor YeaZ and the relationship of protease activities with its promoting effect on the resuscitation of VBNC cells. The results partly revealed the promoting mechanism of the YeaZ on the bacterial resuscitation from VBNC state. The protein could be used as a new drug target and vaccine candidate.
Chalmers v Chalmers*
Authors: Stoljar Daniel
Published: April 2020

This paper brings out an inconsistency between David Chalmers's dualism, which is the main element of his philosophy of mind, and his structuralism, which is the main element of his epistemology. The point isad hominem, but the inconsistency if it can be established is of considerable independent interest. For the best response to the inconsistency, I argue, is to adopt what Chalmers calls ‘type‐C Materialism’, a version of materialism that has been much discussed in recent times because of its promise to move us beyond the stand‐off between standard versions of materialism and dualism. In turn, if that version of materialism is true,bothdualismandstructuralism should be rejected.
Drifting Further Apart? How Exposure to Media Portrayals of Muslims Affects Attitude Polarization
Authors: Schmuck Desirée , Heiss Raffael , Matthes Jörg
Published: April 2020

Political discourses about Muslim immigration in the media and on social networking sites (SNSs) are highly contentious and have the potential to further polarize societal segments, which may ultimately harm democratic processes. Especially on SNSs, politicians and citizens can circumvent journalistic filters often resulting in blatant and emotionally charged content. Using a two‐wave panel design (N = 559), we investigated how positive and negative portrayals of Muslims in traditional media outlets and on SNSs influence anti‐Muslim immigration attitudes among people who either agree or disagree with the encountered information. Our findings indicate that exposure to negative portrayals further reinforces anti‐Muslim immigration attitudes among those who agree with the encountered information. In contrast, for those who disagree with the negative information, a backfire effect emerges, showing that anti‐Muslim attitudes even decrease. This effect occurs for both SNSs and traditional media. Positive information about Muslims did not result in attitude polarization.
Modeling Undetected Live Poliovirus Circulation After Apparent Interruption of Transmission: Borno and Yobe in Northeast Nigeria
Authors: Kalkowska Dominika A. , Thompson Kimberly M.
Published: April 2020

Silent circulation of polioviruses complicates the polio endgame by affecting the confidence with which we can certify successful eradication (i.e., the end of transmission everywhere) given a long enough period of time with active surveillance and no observed detections. The Global Polio Eradication Initiative continues to use three years without observing paralytic cases caused by wild poliovirus (WPV) infection as an indication of sufficient confidence that poliovirus circulation stopped (assuming good surveillance). Prior modeling demonstrated the complexities of real populations and the imperfect nature of real surveillance systems, and highlighted the need for modeling the specific last reservoirs of undetected circulation. We use a poliovirus transmission model developed for Borno and Yobe to characterize the probability of undetected poliovirus circulation once apparent die‐out occurs (i.e., in the absence of epidemiological signals) for WPV serotypes 1 and 3. Specifically, we convert the model to a stochastic form that supports estimates of confidence about no circulation given the time since the last detected event and considering the quality of both immunization and surveillance activities for these states. We find high confidence of no WPV3 circulation, and increasing confidence of WPV1 circulation, which we anticipate will imply high confidence in the absence of any detected cases in mid‐2020 so long as Borno and Yobe maintain similar or achieve improved conditions. Our results confirm that gaps in poliovirus surveillance or reaching elimination with borderline sufficient population immunity can substantially increase the time to reach a high confidence about no undetected poliovirus transmission.
Sustainable Recovery of the Taquari River Riparian Forest: Public Ministry in the Defense of Collective Interests
Authors: Barros Andrea Almeida , Turatti Luciana , Jasper André
Published: April 2020

Riparian forest, an Area of Permanent Preservation, has suffered anthropic pressure for decades, which makes its recovery imperative. To preserve it, the Constitution has established the responsibility of the Public Prosecutor's Office to ensure diffuse environmental rights. Therefore, under the 1965 Forest Code, the Program for the Sustainable Development of Riparian Forest of Taquari River (PRSMCRT in the Portuguese acronym) was implemented in 14 marginal municipalities, whose areas are part of the Atlantic Forest Biome supported by methodology which was developed for it observing the regional characteristics and coordinated by the Public Ministry of the Rio Grande do Sul State (MPRS). This paper uses a qualitative approach with bibliographic research and analysis of the documents. It is exploratory in its objectives, descriptive about the methodology referred and purposeful in the end, because shows the results of the documentary analysis carried out by the Civil Inquiry that covered the Program and records the methodology developed by UNIVATES for the recovery the riparian area, which served as a basis for combining the required environmental protection, albeit in a smaller area than the legally foreseen in that time, with the constitutional right to property. Results show the recovery of riparian zones after the MPRS and counties work defending the collective rights. The other hand, researches need to be developed in the riparian zone of Taquari river to verify the efficient of the methodology which was created and applied in the PRSMCRT, especially about ecosystem services. Regardless of that, it is possible to replicate the global idea elsewhere.
Neuronal hypertrophy dampens neuronal intrinsic excitability and stress responsiveness during chronic stress
Authors: Matovic Sara , Ichiyama Aoi , Igarashi Hiroyuki , Salter Eric W. , Sunstrum Julia K. , Wang Xue Fan , Henry Mathilde , Kuebler Eric S. , Vernoux Nathalie , Martinez‐Trujillo Julio , Tremblay Marie‐Eve , Inoue Wataru
Published: April 2020

Key points

The hypothalamic‐pituitary‐adrenal (HPA) axis habituates to repeated stress exposure.

We studied hypothalamic corticotropin‐releasing hormone (CRH) neurons that form the apex of the HPA axis in a mouse model of stress habituation using repeated restraint.

The intrinsic excitability of CRH neurons decreased after repeated stress in a time course that coincided with the development of HPA axis habituation.

This intrinsic excitability plasticity co‐developed with an expansion of surface membrane area, which increased a passive electric load and dampened membrane depolarization in response to the influx of positive charge.

We report a novel structure–function relationship for intrinsic excitability plasticity as a neural correlate for HPA axis habituation.

Encountering a stressor immediately activates the hypothalamic‐pituitary‐adrenal (HPA) axis, but this stereotypic stress response also undergoes experience‐dependent adaptation. Despite the biological and clinical importance, how the brain adjusts stress responsiveness in the long term remains poorly understood. We studied hypothalamic corticotropin‐releasing hormone neurons that form the apex of the HPA axis in a mouse model of stress habituation using repeated restraint. Using patch‐clamp electrophysiology in acute slices, we found that the intrinsic excitability of these neurons substantially decreased after daily repeated stress in a time course that coincided with their loss of stress responsiveness in vivo. This intrinsic excitability plasticity co‐developed with an expansion of surface membrane area, which increased a passive electric load, and dampened membrane depolarization in response to the influx of positive charge. Multiphoton imaging and electron microscopy revealed that repeated stress augmented ruffling of the plasma membrane, suggesting an ultrastructural plasticity that may efficiently accommodate the membrane area expansion. Overall, we report a novel structure–function relationship for intrinsic excitability plasticity as a neural correlate for adaptation of the neuroendocrine stress response.