bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Molecular structure and the role of high‐temperature requirement protein 1 in skeletal disorders and cancers
Authors: Li Yihe , Yuan Jinbo , Rothzerg Emel , Wu Xinghuo , Xu Huazi , Zhu Sipin , Xu Jiake
Published: December 2019

Human high‐temperature requirement protein 1 (HTRA1) is a member of serine proteases and consists of four well‐defined domains—an IGFBP domain, a Kazal domain, a protease domain and a PDZ domain. HTRA1 is a secretory protein and also present intracellularly and associated with microtubules. HTRA1 regulates a broad range of physiological processes via its proteolytic activity. This review examines the role of HTRA1 in bone biology, osteoarthritis, intervertebral disc (IVD) degeneration and tumorigenesis. HTRA1 mediates diverse pathological processes via a variety of signalling pathways, such as TGF‐β and NF‐κB. The expression of HTRA1 is increased in arthritis and IVD degeneration, suggesting that HTRA1 protein is attributed to cartilage degeneration and disease progression. Emerging evidence also suggests that HTRA1 has a role in tumorigenesis. Further understanding the mechanisms by which HTRA1 displays as an extrinsic and intrinsic regulator in a cell type–specific manner will be important for the development of HTRA1 as a therapeutic target.
Promoting Value Practice in Museums Creates Impact
Authors: Robbins Nina
Published: December 2019

This article examines how museological value discussion can offer a tool for museum professionals to engage themselves in the current discourse regarding building sustainable futures. The focus of the article is on collection care and collection development. It describes the latest interview and workshop results regarding museum values in the field of collection development among Finnish museum professionals and students. In addition, it emphasizes the integration of theoretical knowledge and its practical application. Promoting and creating opportunities for value discussion among museum professionals increases the ability of these professionals to further engage in such value‐related discourse with various stakeholders. Eventually, the benefits of this kind of value‐based discussions are to be seen in the more coherent and focused ones regarding museological values between and among various parties, be they museum professionals, politicians, students or museum visitors. The initial idea for the interviews, and subsequently the workshops as well, emerged from a collection development survey conducted in 2012 among Finnish art museums, which was published in 2016 by the author. Based on the material analyzed at that time, it became clear that the issue of active values in Finnish museums would need further study.
Network structure reveals clusters of associations between childhood adversities and development outcomes
Authors: Sheridan Margaret A. , Shi Feng , Miller Adam B. , Salhi Carmel , McLaughlin Katie A.
Published: December 2019

Exposure to childhood adversity is common and associated with a host of negative developmental outcomes. The most common approach used to examine the consequences of adversity exposure is a cumulative risk model. Recently, we have proposed a novel approach, the dimensional model of adversity and psychopathology (DMAP), where different dimensions of adversity are hypothesized to impact health and well‐being through different pathways. We expect deprivation to primarily disrupt cognitive processing, whereas we expect threat to primarily alter emotional reactivity and automatic regulation. Recent hypothesis‐driven approaches provide support for these differential associations of deprivation and threat on developmental outcomes. However, it is not clear whether these patterns would emerge using data‐driven approaches. Here we use a network analytic approach to identify clusters of related adversity exposures and outcomes in an initial study (Study 1: N = 277 adolescents aged 16–17 years; 55.1% female) and a replication (Study 2: N = 262 children aged 8–16 years; 45.4% female). We statistically compare our observed clusters with our hypothesized DMAP model and a clustering we hypothesize would be the result of a cumulative stress model. In both samples we observed a network structure consistent with the DMAP model and statistically different than the hypothesized cumulative stress model. Future work seeking to identify in the pathways through which adversity impacts development should consider multiple dimensions of adversity.
The importance of the initial period of basal insulin titration in people with diabetes
Authors: Khunti Kamlesh , Giorgino Francesco , Berard Lori , Mauricio Didac , Harris Stewart B.
Published: December 2019

Achieving target glycaemic control is essential in people with diabetes to minimize the risk of long‐term complications, and many people with type 2 diabetes will ultimately require basal insulin (BI) therapy to achieve their individualized glycaemic targets. Usually, the first 12 weeks following initiation of BI therapy represents the period when the greatest dose increases and glycaemic reductions occur. Effective glycaemic control combined with minimizing the risk of hypoglycaemia is important to enable the achievement of glycaemic control in the longer term. However, substantial therapeutic inertia exists in clinical practice, both in initiation and up‐titration of BI, owing to patient‐, physician‐ and healthcare system‐related barriers, including fear of hypoglycaemia and the perception of a burdensome regimen. The more prolonged duration of action, reduced glycaemic variability and lower risk of hypoglycaemia seen with second‐generation versus first‐generation BI analogues may help alleviate patients’ and physicians’ concerns and facilitate titration. In turn, optimal BI titration and subsequent metabolic benefits may help improve therapy adherence and self‐management. This review details the clinical implications of prompt titration of BI to achieve early glycaemic control, and the importance of minimizing hypoglycaemia risk within the initial titration period. Facilitation of patients’ self‐management of BI is also addressed.
A robust and efficient convolutional deep learning framework for age‐invariant face recognition
Authors: Yousaf Adeel , Khan Muhammad Junaid , Khan Muhammad Jaleed , Siddiqui Adil M. , Khurshid Khurram
Published: December 2019

Extensive research has been carried out in the past on face recognition, face detection, and age estimation. However, age‐invariant face recognition (AIFR) has not been explored that thoroughly. The facial appearance of a person changes considerably over time that results in introducing significant intraclass variations, which makes AIFR a very challenging task. Most of the face recognition studies that have addressed the ageing problem in the past have employed complex models and handcrafted features with strong parametric assumptions. In this work, we propose a novel deep learning framework that extracts age‐invariant and generalized features from facial images of the subjects. The proposed model trained on facial images from a minor part (20–30%) of lifespan of subjects correctly identifies them throughout their lifespan. A variety of pretrained 2D convolutional neural networks are compared in terms of accuracy, time, and computational complexity to select the most suitable network for AIFR. Extensive experimental results are carried out on the popular and challenging face and gesture recognition network ageing dataset. The proposed method achieves promising results and outperforms the state‐of‐the‐art AIFR models by achieving an accuracy of 99%, which proves the effectiveness of deep learning in facial ageing research.
A 3D full‐field study of cracks in a nuclear graphite under mode I and mode II cyclic dwell loading conditions
Authors: Wigger Tim , Lin Bing , Lupton Colin , Marrow James , Tong Jie
Published: December 2019

Three‐dimensional (3D) full‐field deformation around crack tips in a nuclear graphite has been studied under mode I and mode II cyclic dwell loading conditions using digital volume correlation (DVC) and integrated finite element (FE) analysis. A cracked Brazilian disk specimen of Gilsocarbon graphite was tested at selected loading angles to achieve mode I and mode II cyclic dwell loading conditions. Integrated FE analysis was carried out with the 3D displacement fields measured by DVC injected into the FE model, from which the crack driving force J‐integral was obtained using a damaged plasticity material model. The evolution of near‐tip strains and the J‐integral during the cyclic dwell loading was examined. Under cyclic dwell, residual strain accumulation was observed for the first time. The results shed some light on the effect of dwell time on the 3D crack deformation and crack driving force in Gilsocarbon under cyclic mode I and II loading conditions.
Causes of Daphnia midsummer decline in two deep meromictic subalpine lakes
Authors: Patelli Martina , Leoni Barbara , Lepori Fabio
Published: December 2019

Daphnia are key organisms in pelagic food webs, acting as a food resource for fish and predatory zooplankton and regulating phytoplankton through grazing. Its population dynamic follows regular seasonal patterns, with spring peaks followed by summer population declines (midsummer declines, MSDs). Midsummer declines show high inter‐annual variation, which has been attributed to different causes. However, the mechanisms controlling the MSD remain poorly understood, especially in deep stratified lakes.

We tried to disentangle the factors causing Daphnia MSDs in Lake Lugano and Lake Iseo (in Switzerland and Italy), two deep peri‐alpine lakes with similar trophic status and vertical mixing dynamics, characterised by phosphorus accumulation in the hypolimnion and variable mixing during late‐winter turnovers.

Specifically, we assessed the effects of three different hypothetical pathways according to which: (1) winter air temperature controls MSDs by influencing mixing depth during turnovers and epilimnetic phosphorus replenishment; (2) vernal air temperature influences MSD by accelerating the timing of spring population peak; and (3) summer temperature influences MSDs by increasing fish predation. We assessed the relative strength of these pathways using structural equation modelling on long‐term datasets for the two lakes (29 years for Lake Lugano and 19 years for Lake Iseo).

Between the hypothesised pathways, the one driven by winter air temperature (through P replenishment) influenced Daphnia abundance in spring in both lakes, but the effects propagated to summer Daphnia abundance only in Lake Lugano. Additionally, summer Daphnia abundance was influenced by the summer air temperature through a positive (although weak) effect. By comparison, vernal air temperature had no detectable effects on summer Daphnia abundance.

The results revealed marked differences between the meromictic study lakes and the shallow hypertrophic water bodies that were the focus of previous research on Daphnia MSD, and also between the two study lakes. The influence of epilimnetic P replenishment on the summer Daphnia abundance in Lake Lugano, which was recovering from past eutrophication, may have reflected the greater susceptibility of deep, stratified lakes to P depletion after spring compared to shallow hypertrophic lakes or reservoirs. This effect might not have been detected in Lake Iseo because P was more consistently depleted during the study period (i.e. variance in the predictor was too low to detect an effect).

This study highlighted the complexity of the effects of climate variability on Daphnia MSD in deep lakes, showing that the responses can differ even between two neighbouring lakes with similar vertical mixing dynamics and trophic status. At the same time, the results suggest that future increases in winter air temperature, caused by global warming, may cause critically low densities of Daphnia during spring and summer and compromise the ability of zooplankton to control phytoplankton biomass.
Queer geographies of spatial media
Authors: Mearns Graeme W.
Published: December 2019

Digital media scholarship is burgeoning. However, there remains a paucity of queer geographies accounting for hybridity and multi‐directionality of coexisting, variegated and embodied spaces produced through spatial media nor the technologies that enable these media (smartphones, tablet computers, and self‐tracking devices). Bringing together literatures on sexuality and the first and second iterations of the internet, this article extends debate about the uneven and paradoxical queer geographies of location‐aware applications (Tinder and Grindr) and other spatial media now often taken as “composite” of queer cultures globally. The article encourages those with interest in the interrelationships between sexualities and space to emphasise further the historical, cultural, and political specificities of the places in which these diverse media are designed, developed, and consumed. The purpose of doing so, I contend, is to deepen knowledge of heightened commercialisation whilst unravelling complex questions of data ownership, privacy and cultural norms that could exacerbate disparities in sexual citizenship.
Enhancing competitive advantage in Hong Kong higher education: Linking knowledge sharing, absorptive capacity and innovation capability
Authors: Lo Man Fung , Tian Feng
Published: December 2019

This study aims to investigate the relationship between knowledge sharing, absorptive capacity, innovation capability and competitive advantage in Hong Kong Higher Education Industry. A theoretical framework was developed to examine the relationship between knowledge sharing and competitive advantage, mediated by absorptive capacity and innovation capability. A questionnaire was used to survey a randomly selected sample of academics from higher education institutions in Hong Kong. A total of 166 usable responses were received and analysed. PLS‐SEM was utilised to test the hypotheses in the theoretical model. The result exhibits that significant positive relationships were identified between knowledge sharing and absorptive capacity, between absorptive capacity and innovation capability and between innovation capability and competitive advantage. Practically, senior management from higher education institutions should develop strategic measures, especially on knowledge sharing, absorptive capacity and innovation capability, in order to gain competitive advantage. Policymakers could also develop policies to facilitate knowledge sharing among local and regional higher education institutions. This study contributes to existing literature by identifying the significant mediating role of absorptive capacity in the linkage between knowledge sharing and innovation capability and by strengthening the positive association between innovation capability and competitive advantage.
Reasoning in the valuation of health‐related quality of life: A qualitative content analysis of deliberations in a pilot study
Authors: Gansen Fabia , Klinger Julian
Published: December 2019

Background

Group deliberation can be a pathway to understanding reasons behind judgement decisions. This pilot study implemented a deliberative process to elicit public values about health‐related quality of life. In this study, participants deliberated scales and weights for a German adaption of the Short‐Form Six‐Dimension (SF‐6D) Version 2 from a public perspective.

Objective

This article examines the reasons participants stated for health state valuations and investigates the feasibility of eliciting public reasons for judgement decisions in a deliberative setting.

Methods

The 1‐day deliberation was guided by MACBETH as a method of multi‐criteria decision analysis and involved qualitative comparisons of SF‐6D health states and dimensions. Participants deliberated in parallel small groups and a subsequent plenary assembly. A qualitative content analysis was conducted to assess the value judgements and reasons behind them.

Results

A total of 34 students participated in the study. Common reasoning was the level of impairment, marginal benefit, possibility of adjustment and expectation satisfaction. While the small groups agreed on scales for the SF‐6D dimensions, the plenary assembly did not reach consensus on one scale and dimension weights. When dimensions were prioritized, these were pain and mental health.

Conclusions

While no consented value set was derived, this pilot study presents a promising approach for eliciting public reasoning behind judgements on health state values. Furthermore, it demonstrates that participants consider diverse motives when valuing health‐related quality of life.
Resveratrol attenuates cerebral ischaemia reperfusion injury via modulating mitochondrial dynamics homeostasis and activating AMPK‐Mfn1 pathway
Authors: Gao Jinbao , Wang Haijiang , Li Yunjun , Li Wende
Published: December 2019

The pathogenesis of cerebral ischaemia reperfusion injury (IRI) has not been fully described. Accordingly, there is little effective drug available for the treatment of cerebral IRI. The aim of our study was to explore the exact role played by Mfn1‐mediated mitochondrial protection in cerebral IRI and evaluate the beneficial action of resveratrol on reperfused brain. Our study demonstrated that hypoxia‐reoxygenation (HR) injury caused N2a cell apoptosis and this process was highly affected by mitochondrial dysfunction. Decreased mitochondrial membrane potential, increased mitochondrial oxidative stress, and an activated mitochondrial apoptosis pathway were noted in HR‐treated N2a cells. Interestingly, resveratrol treatment could attenuate N2a cell apoptosis via sustaining mitochondrial homeostasis. Further, we found that resveratrol modulated mitochondrial performance via activating the Mfn1‐related mitochondrial protective system. Knockdown of Mfn1 could abolish the beneficial effects of resveratrol on HR‐treated N2a cells. Besides, we also report that resveratrol regulated Mfn1 expression via the AMPK pathway; inhibition of AMPK pathway also neutralized the anti‐apoptotic effect of resveratrol on N2a cells in the setting of cerebral IRI. Taken together our results show that mitochondrial damage is closely associated with the progression of cerebral IRI. In addition we also demonstrate the protective action played by resveratrol on reperfused brain and show that this effect is achieved via activating the AMPK‐Mfn1 pathway.
High‐temperature flexural strength of SiC ceramics prepared by additive manufacturing
Authors: Xu Teng‐Teng , Cheng Su , Jin Lai‐Zhen , Zhang Kun , Zeng Tao
Published: December 2019

Silicon carbide (SiC) ceramics, as a kind of candidate material for aero‐engine, its high‐temperature performance is a critical factor to determine its applicability. This investigation focuses on studying the high‐temperature properties of SiC ceramics fabricated by using additive manufacturing technology. In this paper, SiC ceramics were prepared by combining selective laser sintering (SLS) with precursor infiltration and pyrolysis (PIP) technique. The microstructure, phase evolution, and failure mechanism after high‐temperature tests were explored. SiC ceramic samples tested at room temperature (RT), 800°C, 1200°C, 1400°C, and 1600°C demonstrated bending strengths of 220.0, 226.1, 234.9, 215.5, and 203.7 MPa, respectively. The RT strength of this material can be maintained at 1400°C, but it decreased at 1600°C. The strength retention at 1400°C and 1600°C were 98% and 92%, respectively. The results indicate that the mechanical properties of SiC ceramics prepared using this method have excellent stability. As the temperature increases, the bending strength of the specimens increased slightly and reached the peak value at 1200°C, and dropped to 203.7 MPa at 1600°C. Such an evolution could be mainly due to the crack healing, and the softening of the glassy phase.
Measurement of the silica glass fatigue limit
Authors: Aaldenberg Jared S. , Lezzi Peter J.
Published: December 2019

The static fatigue limit, or the threshold stress intensity factor, Ko, for first subcritical crack growth has been measured directly in silica glass for T ≥ 600°C using the double cantilever beam (DCB) crack growth technique. Values measured ranged from 0.48 to 0.61 MPa·m1/2 for a temperature range of 600°C‐850°C, respectively. Cracks growing near the static fatigue limit had a time‐dependence, where the crack growth decreased and appeared to stop at K ≈ Ko. Slow crack growth curves (K‐v) have been measured from room temperature, 50% RH, up to 850°C with subcritical crack growth not measurable for T > 900°C. Increasing temperature was found to first increase, and then decrease the slope of Region I, and a peak in fatigue resistance was found around 150°C‐300°C. At T > 600°C subcritical crack growth was observed for K higher than previously measured KIC values. This observation and the static fatigue limit in silica are explained by a water‐assisted stress relaxation mechanism at the crack tip.
Solid‐state synthesis of multicomponent equiatomic rare‐earth oxides
Authors: Pianassola Matheus , Loveday Madeline , McMurray Jake W. , Koschan Merry , Melcher Charles L. , Zhuravleva Mariya
Published: December 2019

Phase formation in multicomponent rare‐earth oxides is determined by a combination of composition, sintering atmosphere, and cooling rate. Polycrystalline ceramics comprising various combinations of Ce, Gd, La, Nd, Pr, Sm, and Y oxides in equiatomic proportions were synthesized using solid‐state sintering. The effects of composition, sintering atmosphere, and cooling rate on phase formation were investigated. Single cubic or monoclinic structures were obtained with a slow cooling of 3.3°C/min, confirming that rare‐earth oxides follow a different structure stabilization process than transition metal high‐entropy oxides. In an oxidizing atmosphere, both Ce and Pr induce a cubic structure, while only Ce plays that role in an inert or reducing atmosphere. Samples without Ce or Pr develop a single monoclinic structure. The structures formed at initial synthesis may be converted to a different one, when the ceramics are annealed in an additional atmosphere. Phase evolution of a five‐cation composition was also studied as a function of sintering temperature. The binary oxides used as raw materials completely dissolve into a single cubic structure at 1450°C in air.
Scaling behavior of dynamic hysteresis of PMN‐PT relaxor ferroelectric ceramics near the morphotropic phase boundary
Authors: Xia Xiang , Li Chunbo , Zeng Jiangtao , Zheng Liaoying , Li Guorong
Published: December 2019

Due to the feature of domains, ferroelectric materials display hysteresis behavior with respect to the change of the applied electric field. Every ferroelectric material has its own unique hysteresis loop reflecting the information of domain reversal under an electric field. In this work, the scaling behaviors of dynamic hysteresis in relaxor (1‐x)Pb(Mg1/3Nb2/3)O3‐xPbTiO3 (PMN‐PT) ceramics with different compositions were studied systemically. Our results showed that the evolution of scaling behavior in PMN‐PT ceramics can be divided into three stages, which is independent of the phase structure of the ceramics and the testing electric field frequency. The relationship between hysteresis area  and field amplitude E0 obeys the power law ∝ in the low and high E0 regions, where the reorientations of 180° and non‐180° domain are dominant, respectively. However, the dynamic hysteresis area  does not follow the power law in the intermediate E0 regions, which is attributed to the interaction of different domain reversal mechanisms. Furthermore, the hysteresis area  decreases gradually with increasing frequency at a certain E0 and the time‐dependent domain reversal process was also discussed.
Development and psychometric evaluation of the Group Home Culture Scale
Authors: Humphreys Lincoln , Bigby Christine , Iacono Teresa , Bould Emma
Published: December 2019

Background

Organizational culture in group homes for people with intellectual disabilities has been identified as influencing staff behaviour and residents’ quality of life (QOL). Despite this influence, culture has been under‐researched, with no published and validated instrument to measure its dimensions in group homes. The aim was to develop such a measure.

Method

The Group Home Culture Scale (GHCS) was developed using a theory‐driven approach. Items were generated from the research literature, which were reviewed by experts and tested in cognitive interviews. Data from 343 front‐line staff were used for exploratory factor analysis.

Results

The content and face validity of the GHCS were found to be acceptable. Exploratory factor analysis indicated that the GHCS measured seven dimensions of group home culture. Cronbach's alpha for the dimensions ranged from 0.81 to 0.92.

Conclusions

The GHCS has potential use in research to determine whether dimensions of group home culture predict the quality of staff support and residents’ QOL.
Efficacy of adjunctive therapies in patients with gingival inflammation: A systematic review and meta‐analysis
Authors: Figuero Elena , Roldán Silvia , Serrano Jorge , Escribano Marta , Martín Conchita , Preshaw Philip M.
Published: December 2019

Aim:

To evaluate the efficacy of adjunctive therapies in reducing gingivitis and plaque by means of a systematic review of randomized clinical trials (RCTs).

Material and Methods:

A search protocol was designed to identify 6‐month RCTs that investigated the efficacy of adjuncts to mechanical plaque control on gingivitis and plaque. Following screening, relevant information was extracted, and quality and potential risk of bias were estimated. Mean treatment differences were calculated to obtain standardized mean differences and weighted mean differences (SMD and WMD) as appropriate.

Results:

Meta‐analyses included 70 studies of adjunctive antiseptics. Compared with mechanical plaque control alone, adjuncts yielded statistically significant reductions in gingival index (n = 72; SMD = −1.268; 95% CI [−1.489; −1.047]; p < .001; I2 = 96.2%), bleeding (%) (n = 26, WMD=−14.62%; 95% CI [−18.01%; −11.23%]; p < .001; I2 = 95.1%), plaque index (n = 93, SMD = −1.017; 95% CI [−1.194; −0.840]; p < .001; I2 = 95.3%) and plaque (%) (n = 23; WMD = −18.20%; 95% CI [−24.00%; −12.50%]; p < .001; I2 = 96.9%). Mouthrinses resulted in greater reductions in per cent plaque compared with dentifrices (meta‐regression, coefficient = 13.80%; 95% CI [2.40%; 25.10%]; p = .020). The antiseptic agents were similarly effective in reducing gingivitis and plaque in patients with dental plaque‐induced gingivitis (intact periodontium) or previously treated periodontitis with gingival inflammation.

Conclusion:

Adjunctive antiseptics in mouthrinses and dentifrices provide statistically significant reductions in gingival, bleeding and plaque indices.
Cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma with incomplete margins demonstrate higher tumour grade on re‐excision
Authors: Spyropoulou G.‐A. , Pavlidis L. , Trakatelli M. , Foroglou P. , Pagkalos A. , Tsimponis A. , Lampros E. , Delimpaltas A. , Demiri E.
Published: December 2019

Background

We retrospectively evaluated all our cases of re‐excised cutaneous squamous cell carcinomas (CSCCs) in the last 10 years to examine whether they change grade in re‐excision histology reports.

Methods

The medical files of 525 patients, which had surgical excision of CSCCs in the Plastic Surgery Department of Aristotle University of Thessaloniki between January 2007 and December 2017 were retrospectively evaluated. All primary and recurrent tumours that were incompletely excised were included in the study. The tumour's grade of both the initial and re‐excision histological reports (Broders classification: well, moderate, or poor), age, sex, tumour location, size, infiltration borders (deep or lateral), and perineural invasion was documented.

Results

From a total number of 525 CSCCs, 24 patients with 24 incompletely excised lesions were identified. Perineural invasion was noticed in 16 (66%) of patients. In 15 cases (62, 5%), poorer differentiation was recorded following re‐excision (group A), whilst in nine patients (37, 5%), the grade remained the same (group B). No statistical significance was observed on age (P = 0.106), tumour size (P = 0.382) and perineural invasion (P = 0.658) in both groups. A positive correlation between male gender and infiltrated border location (deep) and change of grade was observed (P = 0.014, P = 0.000).

Conclusions

We would strongly advise re‐excision in incompletely excised lesions except in patients that are unwilling or unfit to undergo another surgical procedure as incompletely excised lesions may change into a poorer degree of differentiation in re‐excision histology reports.
Health literacy assessment: Translation and cultural adaptation to the Portuguese population
Authors: Espírito‐Santo Margarida , Nascimento Tânia , Pinto Ezequiel , De Sousa‐Coelho Ana Luísa , Newman Jeff
Published: December 2019

Rationale, aims, and objectives

Health literacy (HL) has been widely referenced as a determinant of health outcomes, making the assessment of low HL a fundamental step to plan educational interventions. This study aimed to translate and adapt the Short Assessment of Health Literacy—Spanish and English (SAHL‐S&E) questionnaire into European Portuguese.

Methods

The SAHL‐S&E questionnaire was translated using the recommendations of the International Society for Pharmacoeconomics and Outcomes Research. One hundred fifty‐three Portuguese native speakers aged over 18 years old were included in this study, enrolled among users of community pharmacies in the Algarve region (Portugal).

Results

The translation of the questionnaire used showed a good internal consistency (Cronbachα: .812), and a statistically significant (F= 5.05P< .001) interrater reliability. Over a third of subjects (37.9%) achieved a score less than or equal to 14, which is indicative of low HL.

Conclusion

This tool, intended to be used in the European Portuguese population, can be used for low HL screening.
Drying characteristics of maize grain in solar bubble dryer
Authors: Asemu Aynadis M. , Habtu Nigus G. , Delele Mulugeta A. , Subramanyam Bhadriraju , Alavi Sajid
Published: December 2019

A newly designed solar bubble dryer was used to study the drying behavior of freshly harvested maize grain. The performance of the dryer was tested at sample loads of 10.87 kg/m2 (thin layer), 16.3 kg/m2 (medium layer), and 21.74 kg/m2 (thick layer) under two mixing conditions, 2 and 3 hr intervals. BH‐540 and BH‐660 maize varieties at 22–29% (w.b.) moisture content were used. A temperature rise of about 30°C was recorded in the dryer with respect to the ambient air. The required drying time was highly dependent on sample load. About 24 hr were required to dry the grain to 13% (w.b.) moisture in thin layer compared to 39 hr in thick layer. More frequent mixing of grain (2 hr interval) shortened the drying time by 5–17%. The thin layer experimental data were fitted to drying models and the goodness fit of each model was evaluated using R2, sum square error, and root mean square error. The Verma et al. and diffusion approach models gave better prediction for both varieties and mixing conditions. Fick's second law and anomalous diffusion models were considered for effective diffusion (Deff) calculation. The anomalous diffusion mechanism fitted the experimental data better than Fick's second law and showed a subdiffusive behavior (α < 1).

Practical Applications

In developing countries, there is a high percentage of postharvest loss of grains due to traditional/open sun drying method after maturity stage of the plant. Solar drying is a good option to reduce the loss and to produce good quality grains after harvesting. In this study, the performance of newly designed solar bubble dryer and a thin‐layer drying mathematical modeling for freshly harvested maize grain is presented. This study will be useful not only for small holder farmers, but also for all agricultural cooperatives in giving a sustainable and low‐cost grain drying technology. It will be important to produce safe grain products for consumers and for different food industries. In addition, it may be helpful in the design, modeling, and performance assessment of solar dryers and can be used as a reference for solar drying applications for grain crops.
Removal of Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium and Cronobacter sakazakii biofilms from food contact surfaces through enzymatic catalysis
Authors: Ripolles‐Avila Carolina , Ríos‐Castillo Abel G. , Fontecha‐Umaña Fabio , Rodríguez‐Jerez José J.
Published: December 2019

Bacterial biofilms are highly difficult to control, hence significant economic resources have been allocated to develop strategies to eradicate them. This study evaluated the effect of an enzymatic treatment to be used as a cleaning product to control the presence of biofilms. Two different materials used in the food industry, polystyrene and stainless steel, were tested using Salmonella Typhimuirum and Cronobacter sakazakii. Biofilm formation was carried out by inoculating the surfaces with a standardized concentration of 4 log (CFU cm−2) and incubated for 48 hr with renewal of nutrients. The biofilm formation and subsequent enzymatic treatment were quantified using fluorescence microscopy and the conventional culture method. The enzymatic treatment showed significant reductions of 2–3 log (CFU cm−2) in biofilm cells, which was attributed to the degradation of the extracellular matrix and the further detachment of both microorganisms. The maximum biofilm detachment obtained with the preventive formula was 46.67%; however, this percentage could be increased by applying an aggressive treatment or by adding a subsequent disinfection step that would eliminate adhered microbial cells. Further, the enzymatic cleaning treatment could be exploited as a potent technology to control bacterial adherence and biofilm formation in the food industry.
Deprescribing in Older People Approaching End of Life: A Randomized Controlled Trial Using STOPPFrail Criteria
Authors: Curtin Denis , Jennings Emma , Daunt Ruth , Curtin Sara , Randles Mary , Gallagher Paul , O'Mahony Denis
Published: December 2019

OBJECTIVES

Older people approaching end of life are commonly prescribed multiple medications, many of which may be inappropriate or futile. Our objective was to examine the effect of applying the STOPPFrail, a recently developed deprescribing tool, to the medication regimens of older patients with advanced frailty.

DESIGN

Randomized controlled trial.

SETTING

Two acute hospitals in Ireland.

PARTICIPANTS

Adults 75 years or older (n = 130) with advanced frailty and polypharmacy (five or more drugs), transferring to long‐term nursing home care.

INTERVENTION

A STOPPFrail‐guided deprescribing plan was presented to attending physicians who judged whether or not to implement recommended medication changes.

MEASUREMENTS

The primary outcome was the change in the number of regular medications at 3 months. Secondary outcomes included unscheduled hospital presentations, falls, quality of life, monthly medication costs, and mortality.

RESULTS

Intervention (n = 65) and control group (n = 65) participants were prescribed a mean (plus or minus standard deviation [SD]) of 11.5 (±3.0) and 10.9 (±3.5) medications, respectively, at baseline. The mean (SD) change in the number of medications at 3 months was −2.6 (±2.73) in the intervention group and −.36 (±2.60) in the control group (mean difference = 2.25 ± .54; 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.18‐3.32; P < .001). The mean change in monthly medication cost was –$74.97 (±$148.32) in the intervention group and –$13.22 (±$110.40) in the control group (mean difference $61.74 ± $26.60; 95% CI = 8.95‐114.53; P = .02). No significant differences were found between groups for any of the other secondary outcomes.

CONCLUSION

STOPPFrail‐guided deprescribing significantly reduced polypharmacy and medication costs in frail older people. No significant differences between groups were observed with regard to falls, hospital presentations, quality of life, and mortality, although the trial was likely underpowered to detect differences in these outcomes. J Am Geriatr Soc 68:762–769, 2020
Pain Patterns and Treatment Among Nursing Home Residents With Moderate‐Severe Cognitive Impairment
Authors: Ersek Mary , Nash Princess V. , Hilgeman Michelle M. , Neradilek Moni B. , Herr Keela A. , Block Phoebe R. , Collins Amber N.
Published: December 2019

OBJECTIVES

To examine the frequency and severity of pain and use of pain therapies among long‐term care residents with moderate to severe dementia and to explore the factors associated with increased pain severity.

DESIGN

Prospective individual data were collected over 1 to 3 days for each participant.

SETTING

Sixteen long‐term care facilities in Alabama, Georgia, Pennsylvania, and New Jersey.

PARTICIPANTS

Residents with moderate to severe cognitive impairment residing in a long‐term care facility for at least 7 days were enrolled (N = 205). Residents were 47% female, predominantly white (69%), and 84 years old, on average (SD = 10 years).

MEASUREMENTS

A comprehensive pain assessment protocol was used to evaluate pain severity and characteristics through medical record review, interviews with nursing home staff, physical examinations, as well as pain observation tools (Mobilization‐Observation‐Behavior‐Intensity‐Dementia Pain Scale and Pain Intensity Measure for Persons With Dementia). Known correlates were also assessed (agitation, depression, and sleep).

RESULTS

Experts' pain evaluations indicated that residents' usual pain was mild (mean = 1.6/10), and most experienced only intermittent pain (70%). However, 45% of residents experienced moderate to severe worst pain. Of residents, 90% received a pain therapy, with acetaminophen (87%) and opioids (32%) commonly utilized. Only 3% had a nondrug therapy documented in the medical record. The only resident characteristic that was significantly associated with pain severity was receipt of an opioid in the past week.

CONCLUSION

Using a comprehensive pain assessment protocol, we found that most nursing home residents with moderate to severe dementia had mild usual, intermittent pain and the vast majority received at least one pain therapy in the previous week. Although these findings reflect improvements in pain management compared with older studies, there is still room for improvement in that 45% of the sample experienced moderate to severe pain at some point in the previous week. J Am Geriatr Soc 68:794–802, 2020
New insight into the iliofemoral ligament based on the anatomical study of the hip joint capsule
Authors: Tsutsumi Masahiro , Nimura Akimoto , Akita Keiichi
Published: December 2019

The iliofemoral ligament, which plays an important role in hip joint stability, is formed on the anterosuperior region of the hip joint capsule. Although the tendon and deep aponeurosis of the gluteus minimus and iliopsoas are partly connected to the same region of the capsule, the precise location of the connections between the joint capsule and the tendons and deep aponeuroses remains unclear. The locations of the tendinous and aponeurotic connections with the joint capsule may clarify whether the iliofemoral ligament can be regarded as the dynamic stabilizer. This study investigated the relationships between the anterosuperior region of the joint capsule and the tendon and deep aponeurosis of the gluteus minimus and iliopsoas. Fourteen hips from nine cadavers (five males; four females; mean age at death 76.7 years) were analyzed. Ten hips were macroscopically analyzed, and four were histologically analyzed. During macroscopic analysis, the joint capsule was detached from the acetabular margin and the femur, and its local thickness was measured using microcomputed tomography (micro‐CT). The gluteus minimus tendon was connected to the joint capsule, and the lateral end of this connection was adjoined with the tubercle of the femur at the superolateral end of the intertrochanteric line. The deep aponeurosis of the iliopsoas was also connected to the joint capsule, and the inferomedial end of its anterior border corresponded with the inferomedial end of the intertrochanteric line. In the micro‐CT analysis, capsular thickening was observed at the base of the connection to the gluteus minimus tendon and at the anterior border of the deep aponeurosis of the iliopsoas. A histological study showed that the gluteus minimus tendon and the deep aponeurosis of the iliopsoas were continuous with the hip joint capsule. Based on the morphology of the tendinous and aponeurotic connections, local capsular thickening and histological continuity, the transverse and descending parts of the iliofemoral ligament were the joint capsules, with fibers arranged according to the connection with the gluteus minimus tendon and the deep aponeurosis of the iliopsoas, respectively. Therefore, the so‐called iliofemoral ligament could be regarded as the dynamic stabilizer, with the ability to transmit the muscular power to the joint via the capsular complex. This anatomical knowledge provides a better understanding of the hip stabilization mechanism.
The anti‐inflammatory and anti‐apoptotic effects of advanced anti‐inflammation composition (AAIC) in heat shock‐induced human HaCaT keratinocytes
Authors: Woo Yong‐Kyu , Park Jungha , Ryu Jin‐Hyeob , Cho Hyun‐Jeong
Published: December 2019

Background

The development of natural cosmetic materials without side effects to protect skin from heat shock is necessary. We recently reported that advanced cooling composition (ACC) has anti‐inflammatory effect in RAW 264.7 cells stimulated with lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and strong anti‐microbial effect against Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Staphylococcus aureus, MRSA (Methicillin‐resistant Staphylococcus aureus), Candida albicans, and Streptococcus mutans.

Aims

To further investigate whether advanced anti‐inflammation composition (AAIC), newly developed from existing ACC has beneficial effects in heat shock‐induced immortalized human keratinocytes (HaCaT cells), HaCaT cells were pretreated with AAIC before heat shock treatment.

Methods

Cell viability for heat shock treatment and different concentrations of AAIC in HaCaT cells were assessed by MTT assay. Anti‐oxidative activity of AAIC was measured using the DPPH assay. The protein expression in heat shock‐induced HaCaT cells treated with AAIC was evaluated by immunofluorescence staining and western blot analysis.

Results

AAIC, which is effective at 100 µg/mL concentration, was nontoxic in HaCaT cells and had an anti‐oxidative effect demonstrated by scavenging DPPH free radicals. AAIC treatment significantly attenuated the aberrant levels of pro‐inflammatory and pro‐apoptotic signaling molecules in heat shock‐induced HaCaT cells compared with control cells.

Conclusion

AAIC potentially includes effective anti‐oxidative activity, anti‐inflammatory, and anti‐apoptotic properties against heat shock‐induced keratinocytes, suggesting that it can be provided as a raw material for imparting skin health.
Does Monetary Aid Catalyse New Business Creation? Analysing the Impact of Global Aid Flows on Formal and Informal Entrepreneurship
Authors: Moore Elizabeth M. , Dau Luis Alfonso , Doh Jonathan
Published: December 2019

Official development aid – monetary transfers to developing countries to promote social and economic development – reached more than $140 billion in 2016. However, traditional forms of government bilateral aid continue to decline, while private aid is rising. Nevertheless, the impact of this aid, including its potential to stimulate economic development through new business formation, remains uncertain. In this study, we examine the impact of three sources of monetary aid flows on formal and informal entrepreneurship. Drawing from the international political economy literature we argue that bilateral aid and private aid are associated with higher levels of informal entrepreneurship, while multilateral aid is accompanied by lower levels. Moreover, we show that bilateral and private aid are linked with lower levels of formal entrepreneurship, while multilateral aid has no impact. The analyses of a panel of 313 observations from 49 countries provide robust support for these arguments.
The Association between Whole‐Brain MR Spectroscopy and IDH Mutation Status in Gliomas
Authors: Goryawala Mohammed , Saraf‐Lavi Efrat , Nagornaya Natalia , Heros Deborah , Komotar Ricardo , Maudsley Andrew A.
Published: December 2019

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Mutations in isocitrate dehydrogenase (IDH) have a direct effect on gliomagenesis. The purpose of this study is to quantify differences in brain metabolites due to IDH mutations.

METHODS

Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopic Imaging (MRSI) was performed in 35 patients with gliomas of different grade and varied IDH mutation status. Volumes of interest (VOIs) for active tumor (tVOI), peritumoral area (pVOI), and contralateral normal‐appearing white matter (cVOI) were created. Metabolite ratios of Choline (Cho) to both N‐acetylaspartate (NAA) and Creatine (Cr) were estimated. Ratios of Glutamate/Glutamine complex (Glx) and myoinositol (mIno) to Cr were also quantified. General linear models (GLMs) were used to estimate the effects of IDH mutation on metabolite measures, with age, gender, and tumor grade used as covariates.

RESULTS

GLM analysis showed that maximum Cho/NAA and Cho/Cr in the tVOI were significantly (P < .05) higher in IDH mutant lesions as compared to wild‐type. In the pVOI, mean Cho/Cr was found to be significantly different among IDH mutant and wild‐type gliomas. Mean Cho/NAA (P = .306) and Cho/Cr (P = .292) within the tVOI were not significantly different. Ratios of Glx/Cr and mIno/Cr in any region showed no significant differences between IDH mutant and wild‐type gliomas. No significant differences in metabolite ratios were seen in the cVOI between IDH mutants and wild‐types.

CONCLUSION

IDH mutation's effect in gliomas show an increase in Cho in the tumor and perilesional regions as compared to wild‐type lesions but do not show widespread changes across the brain.
Culture and personality revisited: Behavioral profiles and within‐person stability in interdependent (vs. independent) social orientation and holistic (vs. analytic) cognitive style
Authors: Na Jinkyung , Grossmann Igor , Varnum Michael E. W. , Karasawa Mayumi , Cho Youngwon , Kitayama Shinobu , Nisbett Richard E.
Published: December 2019

Objective

We test the proposition that both social orientation and cognitive style are constructs consisting of loosely related attributes. Thus, measures of each construct should weakly correlate among themselves, forming intraindividually stable profiles across measures over time.

Method

Study 1 tested diverse samples of Americans (N = 233) and Japanese (N = 433) with a wide range of measures of social orientation and cognitive style to explore correlations among these measures in a cross‐cultural context, using demographically heterogeneous samples. Study 2 recruited a new sample of 485 Americans and Canadians and examined their profiles on measures of social orientation and cognitive style twice, one month apart, to assess the stability of individual profiles using these variables.

Results

Despite finding typical cross‐cultural differences, Study 1 demonstrated negligible correlations both among measures of social orientation and among measures of cognitive style. Study 2 demonstrated stable intraindividual behavioral profiles across measures capturing idiosyncratic patters of social orientation and cognitive style, despite negligible correlations among the same measures.

Conclusion

The results provide support for the behavioral profile approach to conceptualizing social orientation and cognitive style, highlighting the need to assess intraindividual stability of psychological constructs in cross‐cultural research.