bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The processes of public megaproject cost estimation: The inaccuracy of reference class forecasting
Authors: Themsen Tim Neerup
Published: July 2019

Governments worldwide are introducing “reference class forecasting” to improve the accuracy of megaproject cost estimation and thus ultimately the ability to deliver megaprojects on budget without altering the project specifications and/or changing the time schedule. In contrast to current findings, which show that reference class forecasting leads to more accurate project cost estimates by counteracting human cognitive and organizational biases, this article indicates the contrary, that reference class forecasting doesnotlead to more accurate cost estimates. The article theorizes that reference class forecasting fails to produce more accurate project cost estimates because estimates are always a relational network effect of human and nonhuman actors’ “biased” efforts to establish them. This finding challenges the existing literature by pointing to a more complex understanding of project cost estimation and biases. The finding is based on a longitudinal case study of a 23.6‐billion‐kroner Danish public megaproject, which failed to meet its objectives despite the application of reference class forecasting.
When calculative practices are no more: On the de‐accountingization of the operational level of a public sector agency
Authors: Holmgren Caicedo Mikael , Höglund Linda , Mårtensson Maria
Published: July 2019

This study reports on an attempt to remove management accounting's calculative practices at the operational level of a Swedish Public Agency. Using a Habermasian perspective, the study shows how the agency has attempted to replace the previous accounting practice, which involved target setting, performance management and measurement with a new leadership philosophy, and accounting practices that aim at generalizing the individual's private interest toward organizational interests. The result is interpreted as an attempt to make the individual responsible for the welfare of the collective in which, in its absence, the kind of validity that accounting's calculative practices enable is very much present as a longing to soothe the anxiety and uncertainty brought about by the responsibility to lead oneself.
Burkholderia pseudomallei d‐alanine‐d‐alanine ligase; detailed characterisation and assessment of a potential antibiotic drug target
Authors: Díaz‐Sáez Laura , Torrie Leah S. , McElroy Stuart P. , Gray David , Hunter William N.
Published: July 2019

Burkholderia pseudomallei is a serious, difficult to treat Gram‐negative pathogen and an increase in the occurrence of drug‐resistant strains has been detected. We have directed efforts to identify and to evaluate potential drug targets relevant to treatment of infection by B. pseudomallei. We have selected and characterised the essential enzyme d‐alanine‐d‐alanine ligase (BpDdl), required for the ATP‐assisted biosynthesis of a peptidoglycan precursor. A recombinant supply of protein supported high‐resolution crystallographic and biophysical studies with ligands (AMP and AMP+d‐Ala‐d‐Ala), and comparisons with orthologues enzymes suggest a ligand‐induced conformational change occurring that might be relevant to the catalytic cycle. The detailed biochemical characterisation of the enzyme, development and optimisation of ligand binding assays supported the search for novel inhibitors by screening of selected compound libraries. In a similar manner to that observed previously in other studies, we note a paucity of hits that are worth follow‐up and then in combination with a computational analysis of the active site, we conclude that this ligase represents a difficult target for drug discovery. Nevertheless, our reagents, protocols and data can underpin future efforts exploiting more diverse chemical libraries and structure‐based approaches.
Interactions between fisheries and cetaceans in the Thracian sea (Greece) and management proposals
Authors: Milani Cristina B. , Vella Adriana , Vidoris Pavlos , Christidis Aristidis , Kamidis Nikolaos , Leykaditou Eygenia
Published: July 2019

Greek fisheries (purse seine, trawling and small‐scale coastal, by order of importance) mostly operate in the Thracian Sea, which despite its relatively small size relative to the Aegean Sea (≈4.4%) is the most productive region in Greek waters due to its elevated nutrient concentration. The Thracian Sea is also vital to several species of cetaceans, mainly bottlenose dolphin, Tursiops truncatus (Montagu), and common dolphin, Delphinus delphis L. The area has been proposed as a potential cetacean conservation hotspot. For this reason, the interactions between fishing activities and local cetacean populations have been investigated through reports of stranded dolphins, interviews with fishers, surveys and detailed dolphin stomach content analysis. Reports of stranded cetaceans and interviews with fishers revealed cases of cetacean entanglement in fishing nets, as well as frequent dolphin damage to fishing nets. Necropsy stomach analysis of stranded dolphins revealed a preference for fish and cephalopods of low commercial value, indicating a low trophic overlap between cetaceans and commercial fisheries. Recommendations for the management of fisheries–cetacean interactions in the Thracian Sea are provided.
Social determinants of the association among cerebrovascular disease, hearing loss and cognitive impairment in a middle‐aged or older population: Recurrent neural network analysis of the Korean Longitudinal Study of Aging (2014–2016)
Authors: Lee Kwang‐Sig , Park Kun Woo
Published: July 2019

Aim

The present study used a deep learning model (recurrent neural network) for testing: (i) whether social determinants are major determinants of the association among cerebrovascular disease, hearing loss and cognitive impairment in a middle‐aged or older population (hypothesis 1); and (ii) whether the association among the three diseases is very strong in the middle‐aged or older population (hypothesis 2).

Methods

Data came from the Korean Longitudinal Study of Aging (2014–2016), with 6060 participants aged ≥53 years. The association among the three diseases was divided into eight categories: one category for having no disease, three categories for having one disease, three categories for having two diseases and one category for having three diseases. Variable importance, the effect of a variable on model performance, was used for evaluating the two hypotheses. Hypothesis 1 was based on whether family support, socioeconomic status and social activity in the year 2014 were the top 10 determinants of the association in the year 2016. Hypothesis 2 was based on whether cerebrovascular disease, hearing loss and cognitive impairment in the year 2014 were the top five determinants of the association in the year 2016.

Results

Based on variable importance from the recurrent neural network, cerebrovascular disease (0.0386), cognitive impairment (0.0151) and hearing loss (0.0092) in 2014 were the top three determinants of the association in 2016. Children alive (0.0072), education (0.0049), income (0.0075), friendship activity (0.0042) and marriage (0.0036) in 2014 were the top 10 determinants of the association in 2016.

Conclusions

The findings of the present study support the two hypotheses, highlighting the importance of preventive measures, family support, socioeconomic status and friendship activity for managing the three diseases. Geriatr Gerontol Int 2019; 19: 711–716.
Comparison of non‐invasive liver reserve and fibrosis models: Implications for surgery and prognosis for hepatocellular carcinoma
Authors: Sonohara Fuminori , Yamada Suguru , Tanaka Nobutake , Tashiro Mitsuru , Sunagawa Yuki , Morimoto Daishi , Tanaka Haruyoshi , Takami Hideki , Hayashi Masamichi , Kanda Mitsuro , Tanaka Chie , Kobayashi Daisuke , Nakayama Goro , Koike Masahiko , Fujiwara Michitaka , Kodera Yasuhiro
Published: July 2019

Aim

This study aimed to assess the clinical utility of preoperative evaluation of liver fibrosis using platelet–albumin–bilirubin (PALBI) grade, Fibrosis‐4 index (FIB‐4), and aspartate transaminase‐to‐platelet ratio index (APRI) for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) patients and explore the clinical impact of these models with regard to perioperative risks and HCC prognosis.

Methods

Between January 2003 and December 2018, 305 consecutive patients who underwent hepatectomy for HCC were enrolled.

Results

The APRI showed the most robust diagnostic performance through each fibrosis stage among three models (PALBI, FIB‐4, and APRI): fibrosis stage 3 (f3), area under the curve [AUC] = 0.55, 0.72, and 0.76; and f4, AUC = 0.51, 0.71, and 0.76, respectively). In addition, survival analysis revealed that all three models were significantly associated with HCC prognosis. PALBI (grade 1 vs. 2, 3): recurrence‐free survival (RFS): median survival time (MST), 34 vs. 17 months, 0.007; overall survival (OS): MST, 115 vs. 68, 0.02. FIB‐4 (grade 1, 2 vs. 3): RFS: MST, 34 vs. 22, 0.004, OS: MST, 120 vs. 63, 0.0001. APRI (grade 1, 2 vs. 3), RFS: MST, 30 vs. 20, 0.0005; OS: MST, 107 vs. 55, 0.0003. Among three scoring systems, only PALBI grade was significantly associated with both operative time (median, 303 vs. 340 min, 0.01) and intraoperative blood loss (median, 581 vs. 859 mL, 0.03).

Conclusions

This study showed robust performances of selected liver reserve and fibrosis models to predict HCC prognosis. Of them, PALBI might be used for assessing perioperative risks for hepatectomy for HCC.
Rituximab as an adjuvant therapy for pemphigus: experience in 61 patients from a single center with long‐term follow‐up
Authors: Sharma Vinod K. , Gupta Vishal , Bhari Neetu , Singh Vishwajeet
Published: July 2019

Background

Rituximab is increasingly being used as an adjuvant treatment for recalcitrant or relapsed pemphigus, but information on its use as a first‐line agent is limited. We describe the long‐term effectiveness and safety of rituximab in the treatment of pemphigus and compare the treatment outcomes when rituximab is used as first‐line treatment vis‐à‐vis after treatment failure or relapse.

Methods

This was a retrospective review of 61 patients with pemphigus treated with rituximab at our center from March 2012 to October 2018.

Results

Of the 61 patients, 51 achieved complete remission (on or off treatment) and 10 had partial remission. Forty‐nine (80.33%) patients achieved complete remission off prednisolone over a mean period of 8.08 ± 4.45 (range 3–20) months. Seventeen (27.9%) patients relapsed after a mean period of 23.94 ± 13.15 months after first rituximab cycle and 15.97 + 13.7 months after stopping prednisolone. Treatment‐related serious adverse effects were noted in six (9.8%) patients. Eighteen (29.5%) patients were administered rituximab as the first‐line adjuvant, while 43 (70.5%) patients received it after treatment failure or relapse. In both groups, remission rates on prednisolone (88.9%, 81.4%) and off prednisolone (88.9%, 76.7%) were comparable (P > 0.05). Relapse rates in the group which received rituximab as first‐line treatment were about half of those who received rituximab after relapse or treatment failure (16.7% vs. 32.6%, P = 0.348). No statistically significant difference was seen in the times to different treatment endpoints (disease control, complete remission on and off prednisolone, and relapse) between the two groups.

Conclusions

Rituximab is a safe and effective adjuvant in the treatment of pemphigus. Treatment outcomes were better for patients who received rituximab as first‐line treatment, but the difference was not statistically significant.
High‐salt diet promotes crystal deposition through hypertension in Dahl salt‐sensitive rat model
Authors: Nakazawa Yusuke , Inoue Shinya , Nakamura Yuka , Iida Yasuo , Ishigaki Yasuhito , Miyazawa Katsuhito
Published: July 2019

Objectives

To study the promotive effect of salt‐induced hypertension on crystal deposition and urolithiasis using a salt‐sensitive rat hypertension model.

Methods

Hyperoxaluria and hypercalciuria were induced in male Dahl salt‐sensitive rats with administration of ethylene glycol and alfacalcidol. Hypertension was induced by a high‐salt diet. Eplerenone, a selective mineralocorticoid receptor antagonist, was given. Blood and urine were collected to evaluate renal function, electrolytes and the blood renin–angiotensin–aldosterone system. Renal calcium content was also evaluated. Histological examination, transcriptome analysis with DNA microarray and semiquantitative reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction were carried out.

Results

A high‐salt diet increased crystal deposition in Dahl salt‐sensitive rats with hypertension, and eplerenone administration significantly suppressed it. The mRNA expression profile was associated with crystal formation, growth, adhesion and cellular injury, and it was regulated in the group exposed to a high‐salt diet and ethylene glycol.

Conclusions

A high‐salt diet has a promotive effect on salt‐sensitive hypertension and urolithiasis. This promotive effect can be prevented by eplerenone administration. Hence, salt‐sensitive hypertension has promotive effects on crystal deposition in Dahl salt‐sensitive rats.
Robot‐assisted single‐port radical prostatectomy: A phase 1 clinical study
Authors: Ng Chi‐Fai , Teoh Jeremy Yuen‐Chun , Chiu Peter Ka‐Fung , Yee Chi‐Hang , Chan Chi‐Kwok , Hou Simon See‐Ming , Kaouk Jihad , Chan Eddie Shu‐Yin
Published: July 2019

Objective

To investigate the safety and feasibility of robot‐assisted single‐port radical prostatectomy using the da Vinci single‐port surgical system.

Methods

This was a prospective phase 1 clinical study of prostate cancer patients undergoing robot‐assisted single‐port radical prostatectomy using the da Vinci single‐port surgical system. Primary outcome measures included the conversion rate and 30‐day complications after surgery. Secondary outcome measures included operative time, blood loss, hospital stay, duration of catheterization, final pathological outcomes and number of lymph nodes yielded at pelvic lymphadenectomy.

Results

From February to August 2017, 20 patients were included in the present study. The mean age was 67.7 ± 6.0 years. The mean preoperative prostate‐specific antigen level was 15.3 ± 11.3 ng/mL, and the mean prostate size was 36.6 ± 15.5 mL. Preoperatively, 12 (60%) patients had a Gleason score of 6, four (20%) had a Gleason score of 7 and four (20%) had a Gleason score of 8–10. The mean operative time was 208.9 ± 35.2 min, and the mean blood loss was 296.3 ± 220.7 mL. None of the patients required conversion. The mean hospital stay was 5.0 ± 1.7 days. Among the patients, six (15%) had T2a disease, one (5%) had T2b disease, seven (35%) had T2c disease and nine (45%) had T3a disease on final pathology. A mean number of 8.3 ± 7.1 lymph nodes were yielded at pelvic lymphadenectomy. There were no intraoperative complications. The observed postoperative complications were Clavien grade I–II, and all resolved with conservative management.

Conclusion

Robot‐assisted single‐port radical prostatectomy using the da Vinci surgical system is safe and technically feasible.
Share or perish: Social media and the International Journal of Mental Health Nursing
Authors: McNamara Paul , Usher Kim
Published: July 2019

The impact of published research is sometimes measured by the number of citations an individual article accumulates. However, the time from publication to citation can be extensive. Years may pass before authors are able to measure the impact of their publication. Social media provides individuals and organizations a powerful medium with which to share information. The power of social media is sometimes harnessed to share scholarly works, especially journal article citations and quotes. A non‐traditional bibliometric is required to understand the impact social media has on disseminating scholarly works/research. The International Journal of Mental Health Nursing (IJMHN) appointed a social media editor as of 1 January 2017 to implement a strategy to increase the impact and reach of the journal's articles. To measure the impact of the IJMHN social media strategy, quantitative data for the eighteen months prior to the social media editor start date, and the eighteen months after that date (i.e.: from 01 July 2015 to 30 June 2018) were acquired and analysed. Quantitative evidence demonstrates the effectiveness of one journal's social media strategy in increasing the reach and readership of the articles it publishes. This information may be of interest to those considering where to publish their research, those wanting to amplify the reach of their research, those who fund research, and journal editors and boards.
Delayed endothelialization of watchman device identified with cardiac CT
Authors: Sivasambu Bhradeev , Arbab‐Zadeh Armin , Hays Allison , Calkins Hugh , Berger Ronald D.
Published: July 2019

Background

Left atrial appendage (LAA) closure with the Watchman device is increasingly used in patients with nonvalvular atrial fibrillation for stroke prevention. Though clinical trials have shown a similar combined risk of ischemic and hemorrhagic stroke, there is an increased risk of ischemic stroke in patients with a Watchman device compared with anticoagulation. Some ischemic strokes are related to a device‐related thrombus (DRT), which may be attributable to delayed endothelialization of exposed fabric and metal.

Methods and Results

Patients undergoing Watchman LAA occlusion between January 2016 and June 2018 were enrolled in a prospective registry. From this cohort, 46 patients who had both transesophageal echocardiogram (TEE) and computed tomography (CT) at 45 days follow‐up were selected for this study. The degree of LAA occlusion and type of leak were assessed by CT and TEE. TEE identified no patients with a significant (>5 mm) peri‐device leak, 27 (58.6%) with nonsignificant peri‐device leak (<5 mm), and 19 (41.4%) with complete occlusion. CT identified contrast in the LAA in 28 (60%) patients. However, in 10 (21.8%) of these patients, contrast entered the LAA through the fabric rather than around the device. No DRT were identified.

Conclusion

These data reveal that the Watchman device remains porous 6 weeks after implantation in a substantial percentage of patients, suggesting delayed endothelialization of the device. Cardiac CT may help to differentiate between peri‐device and trans‐fabric leak. Additional studies are required to test whether prolonged anticoagulation in patients with trans‐fabric leak may help to reduce the risk of DRT and ischemic stroke.
Allopatric and sympatric diversification within roach (Rutilus rutilus) of large pre‐alpine lakes
Authors: Rieder Jessica M. , Vonlanthen Pascal , Seehausen Ole , Lucek Kay
Published: July 2019

Intraspecific differentiation in response to divergent natural selection between environments is a common phenomenon in some northern freshwater fishes, especially salmonids and stickleback. Understanding why these taxa diversify and undergo adaptive radiations while most other fish species in the same environments do not, remains an open question. The possibility for intraspecific diversification has rarely been evaluated for most northern freshwater fish species. Here, we assess the potential for intraspecific differentiation between and within lake populations of roach (Rutilus rutilus)—a widespread and abundant cyprinid species—in lakes in which salmonids have evolved endemic adaptive radiations. Based on more than 3,000 polymorphic RADseq markers, we detected low but significant genetic differentiation between roach populations of two ultraoligotrophic lakes and between these and populations from other lakes. This, together with differentiation in head morphology and stable isotope signatures, suggests evolutionary and ecological differentiation among some of our studied populations. Next, we tested for intralacustrine diversification of roach within Lake Brienz, the most pristine lake surveyed in this study. We found significant phenotypic evidence for ecological intralacustrine differentiation between roach caught over a muddy substrate and those caught over a rocky substrate. However, evidence for intralacustrine genetic differentiation is at best subtle and phenotypic changes may therefore be mostly plastic. Overall, our findings suggest roach can differ between ecologically distinct lakes, but the extent of intralacustrine ecological differentiation is weak, which contrasts with the strong differentiation among endemic species of whitefish in the same lakes.
Entrepreneurs’ Legal Status Choices and the C Corporation Survival Penalty
Authors: Satterthwaite Emily A.
Published: July 2019

Foundational to the American Dream is the ability to easily and rapidly start a new business. Over the past quarter‐century, the limited liability company (LLC) dramatically shifted the choice of legal status calculus for entrepreneurs, and in its wake a consensus against the use of traditional C corporations by closely‐held firms emerged. The C corporation, scholars argued, had fatal drawbacks despite its simplicity: tax disadvantages as well as governance inflexibility. Due to historically limited sources of data, there has been little empirical research on choice of entity generally and none that explores the anti‐C corporation thesis in particular. Have C corporations underperformed as compared to similarly situated businesses with alternative legal statuses? This article exploits a large panel dataset that contains legal status, owner, business, financing, and other firm‐specific information collected from an eight‐year survey of nearly 5,000 enterprises that were formed in 2004. It presents four main results. First, C corporation status is associated with firm failure rates that are 38 percent higher (significant at 0.1 percent) than those of non‐C corporations with similar characteristics. Second, this C corporation survival penalty persists at nearly the same magnitude and significance even after a subset of “anticipated cash‐exit” C corporations with (a) venture capital investors or (b) employee stock option plans are separated out. Third, nonwhite and foreign‐born entrepreneurs have a significantly higher likelihood of choosing C corporation status. Fourth, within the subset of firms that appear eligible to elect out of the default (subchapter C) corporate tax classification and into the tax‐advantaged subchapter S classification, nonwhite and older entrepreneurs are significantly more likely to remain in C corporation status. These findings suggest that increasing legal status complexity is unlikely to be neutral from a distributive perspective, and may be disproportionately burdensome for marginalized entrepreneurs.
Determination of pasteurization treatment of liquid whole egg by measuring physical and rheological properties of cake cream
Authors: Uysal Reyhan S. , Boyaci Ismail H. , Sumnu Gulum
Published: July 2019

The aim of this study is to determine whether liquid whole egg (LWE) is pasteurized by measuring the physical and rheological properties of cake cream. The applicability of the method was demonstrated on the creams prepared using unpasteurized and pasteurized LWE (ranging from 60 to 68°C for 2 and 5 min). Foaming capacities (%) of the LWE samples were measured. Physical (specific gravity) and rheological properties (shear rate–shear stress and shear rate–viscosity) of the creams were measured. A statistically difference (decrease from 740 to 531) was found between the foaming capacity of unpasteurized and other LWE (pasteurized). The specific gravity of the control cream (containing unpasteurized LWE) was statistically found different from the other creams (containing pasteurized LWE) since it had more air bubbles. In addition, consistency index (K, decrease from 12.27 to 3.31 Pa.sn) and flow behavior index (n) of the control cream were found significantly different from the other creams due to the formation of less volume. A high correlation (r = .90) between the foaming capacity of LWE and consistency index of the cream was found. The results suggest that proposed method can be used as an alternative procedure to determine pasteurization treatment and foaming ability of LWE.

Practical Applications

Egg is one of the essential ingredients in cake batter formulation due to its ability to form foam. In recent years, liquid egg product (LEP) is more preferred thanks to its microbial safety and ease of use. On the other hand, LEP may damage the physical structure of bakery products because of the pasteurization treatment in LEP process. Pasteurization process may lead to a disruptive effect on foaming functions of egg proteins, which is ended in less volume of batter. Therefore, a practicable and reliable method is required to determine whether liquid egg is pasteurized or not. In present study, pasteurized liquid whole egg (LWE) could be determined by taking physical and rheological measurements of cake cream. In addition, a rapid and reliable analysis via rheological measurement of the cream can be proposed as an alternative to determine the foaming ability of egg.
Younger‐ vs Older‐Old Patients with Heart Failure with Preserved Ejection Fraction
Authors: Matsushita Kenichi , Harada Kazumasa , Miyazaki Tetsuro , Miyamoto Takamichi , Kohsaka Shun , Iida Kiyoshi , Yamamoto Yoshiya , Nagatomo Yuji , Yoshino Hideaki , Yamamoto Takeshi , Nagao Ken , Takayama Morimasa
Published: July 2019

OBJECTIVES

Heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) is now recognized as a geriatric syndrome with multifactorial pathophysiology and clinical heterogeneity rather than a solely left ventricular diastolic dysfunction. Because the pathophysiology of HFpEF is suggested to differ by age, this study compared the clinical characteristics and prognostic factors between HFpEF patients aged 65 to 84 years and those aged 85 years or older.

DESIGN

Retrospective cohort study.

SETTING

The Tokyo CCU Network including 73 hospitals in Tokyo, Japan.

PARTICIPANTS

Individuals aged 65 years or older with HFpEF (N = 4305).

MEASUREMENTS

Very old patients were defined as those aged 85 years or older. Potential risk factors for in‐hospital mortality were selected by univariate analyses, and those with a P value <.10 were used in multivariate Cox regression analysis with forward selection (likelihood ratio) to identify significant factors.

RESULTS

Prevalence of hypertension was significantly higher in very old patients, whereas prevalence of coronary artery disease, diabetes mellitus, hyperlipidemia, and smoking was significantly higher in patients aged 65 to 84 years. In very old patients, low systolic blood pressure (hazard ratio [HR] = .988), high serum creatinine level (HR = 1.34), and coexisting chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD; HR = 2.01) were identified as independent risk factors for in‐hospital mortality. In contrast, low systolic blood pressure (HR = .987) and low body mass index (HR = .935) were identified as independent risk factors in patients aged 65 to 84 years.

CONCLUSION

Significant differences were observed in the clinical characteristics and prognostic factors for in‐hospital mortality between HFpEF patients aged 65 to 84 and those 85 years and older. Of note, coexisting COPD was associated with significantly lower survival rate only in patients aged 85 years and older, suggesting the prognostic impact of concomitant pulmonary disease in HFpEF may increase with age. These results have implications for future research and management of older HFpEF patients. J Am Geriatr Soc 00:1–6, 2019. J Am Geriatr Soc 67:2123–2128, 2019
Examining Consumer Purchase Behaviors and Attitudes toward Condom and Pharmacy Vending Machines in Italy: A Qualitative Study
Authors: DeMaria Andrea L. , Ramos‐Ortiz Jaziel , Faria Amy A. , Wise Gabrielle M.
Published: July 2019

Unplanned births in Italy have significantly declined over the past 30 years, distinguishing Italy from other Western countries. Italy's success may be attributed to condom vending machines (CVMs), which contribute to minimizing embarrassment in contraceptive purchases. This study examined consumer perceptions toward CVMs and their impact on condom purchasing attitudes and behaviors among Italian women. Semi‐structured interviews were conducted among participants living in Florence, Italy, a popular region for these machines. Grounded theory and a constant comparative method were used for qualitative theme development. Data suggest participants feel positively toward machines, considering them a convenient purchase outlet. Participants noted barriers and facilitators to machine use, offering improvement opportunities for consumer behavior researchers, marketers, and machine retailers (i.e., alternate CVM placement, diversified product offerings, product quality guarantees), potentially contributing to their efficacy as viable condom purchasing alternatives. Findings expand consumer behavior and embarrassment literature and offer insight for future CVM implementation.
Does pre‐eclampsia without proteinuria lead to different pregnancy outcomes than pre‐eclampsia with proteinuria?
Authors: Tochio Azusa , Obata Soichiro , Saigusa Yusuke , Shindo Ryosuke , Miyagi Etsuko , Aoki Shigeru
Published: July 2019

Aims

The Japanese Society for the Study of Hypertension in Pregnancy revised the diagnostic criteria for pre‐eclampsia (PE) to conform to those of the International Society for the Study of Hypertension in Pregnancy (ISSHP) in 2018. This study aimed to investigate whether pregnancy outcomes differ based on the presence of proteinuria and validate the adoption of the ISSHP criteria in Japan.

Methods

This is a retrospective study involving 308 women diagnosed with hypertensive disorders of pregnancy at a tertiary center. They were divided into the following groups: PE with proteinuria (n = 218), PE without proteinuria (n = 45) and gestational hypertension (n = 45) according to the ISSHP criteria for comparison of pregnancy outcomes.

Results

Applying the ISSHP criteria increased the number of pregnant women diagnosed as having PE by 14.6% (45 women). The difference in the rate of composite maternal complications between the two groups was unremarkable, with 33 cases (15.1%) in the PE with proteinuria group and 9 cases (20%) in the PE without proteinuria group. Moreover, composite neonatal complications occurred in 37 cases (17%) of PE with proteinuria group and 6 cases (13.3%) of PE without proteinuria group, showing remarkably similar incidence rate in the two groups. Women with PE with and without proteinuria had significantly earlier deliveries and lower neonatal birth weight than those with gestational hypertension.

Conclusion

Pregnancy outcomes of PE with and without proteinuria were almost similar although their incidence increased, confirming its validity for adaptation of the ISSHP criteria in Japan.
Effectiveness of maternal immunization with trivalent inactivated influenza vaccine in pregnant women and their infants
Authors: Mølgaard‐Nielsen D. , Fischer T.K. , Krause T.G. , Hviid A.
Published: July 2019

Background

In randomized trials, it has been found that maternal influenza vaccination reduces influenza infections in both women and their infants. However, these trials have been performed in low‐resource settings, and evidence from high‐resource settings is limited.

Methods

Nested within a register‐based cohort of all women giving birth in Denmark between 2010 and 2016 (n = 357 810 births), we conducted two case–control studies using a test‐negative design of all pregnant women and their infants, respectively, tested for influenza virus with reverse transcriptase‐polymerase chain reaction. Influenza virus‐positive cases were matched (1:1) with influenza virus‐negative controls for calendar time and (gestational or infant) age at testing. The effectiveness of maternal immunization with trivalent inactivated influenza vaccine was estimated from the odds ratios of vaccination among cases versus controls using logistic regression with adjustment for potential confounders.

Results

Among 313 pregnant women positive for influenza virus, 16 (5.1%) were vaccinated; by comparison, 34 (10.9%) pregnant women were vaccinated among 313 matched influenza virus‐negative controls. The effectiveness of vaccination against laboratory‐confirmed influenza infection in pregnant women was 63.9% [95% confidence interval (CI), 29.1 to 81.6]. Among 460 infants positive for influenza virus, 23 (5.0%) were offspring of women vaccinated during pregnancy; by comparison, 52 (11.3%) infants were the offspring of women vaccinated during pregnancy among 460 matched influenza virus‐negative controls. The effectiveness of maternal vaccination against laboratory‐confirmed influenza infection in infants younger than 6 months of age was 56.8% (95% CI, 25.0 to 75.1).

Conclusions

Seasonal trivalent inactivated influenza vaccination in pregnancy was associated with a statistically significant reduced risk of laboratory‐confirmed influenza infections in pregnant women and their infants in a high‐resource setting.
Child Sex Composition, Parental Sex Preferences, and Marital Outcomes: Evidence From a Matrilineal Context
Authors: Smith‐Greenaway Emily , Weitzman Abigail , Chilungo Abdallah
Published: July 2019

Objective

The authors study matrilineal settings in rural Malawi, a southeast African country, to assess if women experience better marital outcomes in the presence of daughters and if so whether daughter preference plays a role.

Background

A provocative finding in family sociology is that couples with sons experience better marital outcomes relative to those with daughters. Sociologists contend that these marital benefits are attributable to the gender system fostering greater closeness between fathers and sons, a preference for sons, or economic, cultural, and social incentives for fathers to invest more in unions that have produced sons. Extrapolating these arguments beyond son‐inspired marital benefits in patriarchal settings suggests that the reverse process—daughter‐inspired marital benefits—could prevail in matrilineal contexts.

Method

The authors analyze three rounds of the nationally representative Malawi Demographic and Health Survey. They estimate three series of parity‐specific, multivariable logistic regression models to assess the associations between child sex composition and marital outcomes (two forms of relationship abuse and polygyny) and model each outcome among the full sample of women with one to four children and control for number of children, thus conveying the average effect of sex composition across parities.

Results

Women with daughters—particularly women with only daughters—in predominately matrilineal, rural communities in the central and southern regions of Malawi are more likely to be in monogamous versus polygynous unions and are less likely to have experienced emotionally abusive and controlling behaviors. We find little evidence that women and men explicitly prefer or pursue daughters.

Conclusion

The study shows that a matrilineal gender system can influence marital dynamics in the presence of daughters even without fostering an overwhelming preference for them.
Intergenerational Religious Participation in Adolescence and Provision of Assistance to Older Mothers
Authors: Silverstein Merril , Zuo Dongmei , Wang Jinpu , Bengtson Vern L.
Published: July 2019

Objective

This investigation examined the association between intergenerational religious activities in adolescence and provision of assistance to older mothers up to 45 years later.

Background

Guided by perspectives of the life course and intergenerational solidarity, this research tested whether children's early religious participation with mothers predicted the amount of assistance children later provided, whether mothers' disability and widowhood served as moderators of this relationship, and whether any such moderation was mediated by emotional closeness, geographic proximity, and eldercare norms.

Method

Data were derived from 220 adolescents who participated in the Longitudinal Study of Generations in 1971 and up to four follow‐up surveys between 1997 and 2016, yielding 608 person‐year observations. Multilevel regression predicted the amount of assistance provided to older mothers as a function of early religious participation with mothers, physical and social vulnerability of mothers, and dimensions of intergenerational solidarity with mothers in later life.

Results

The results revealed elevated levels of assistance provided by children who earlier engaged in intermittent and regular religious activities with mothers. The relationship between regular religious activities and assistance was stronger for assistance to widowed mothers than to married mothers, and this moderation was partially mediated by emotional closeness and geographic proximity.

Conclusion

This research confirmed that early family conditions structure informal resources available to older parents. Religious socialization during an impressionable period of life produced emergent benefits at a point in the family lifecycle when intergenerational solidarity becomes important for well‐being in later life.
Cerebral Gray and White Matter Involvement in Anorexia Nervosa Evaluated by T1, T2, and T2* Mapping
Authors: Boto José , Askin Nurten Ceren , Regnaud Alice , Kober Tobias , Gkinis Georgios , Lazeyras François , Lövblad Karl‐Olof , Vargas Maria Isabel
Published: July 2019

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Changes in the brain composition of anorexics could potentially be expected, opening the door to new imaging approaches where quantitative and qualitative MRI have a role. Our purpose was to investigate anorexia‐related brain dehydration and myelin depletion by analyzing T1, T2, and T2* relaxation times of different brain structures in anorexics and controls.

METHODS

Thirty‐eight anorexic female patients (mean age, 26.2 years; age range, 16.2‐48.7 years; mean BMI, 14.5 kg/m2; BMI range, 10.0‐18.4 kg/m2) underwent brain MRI between August 2014 and August 2018. Controls were 16 healthy females (mean age, 28.0 years; age range, 22.3‐34.7 years; mean BMI, 20.9 kg/m2; BMI range, 18.4‐26.6 kg/m2). T1, T2, and T2* relaxation times were obtained for different brain structures in anorexics and controls as part of this retrospective case‐control study.

RESULTS

The T1 relaxation times of gray and white matter were significantly lower in anorexics (P = .009), whereas the T2 relaxation times of gray matter were higher (P < .001). There were no statistically significant differences in gray matter T2* relaxation times or in white matter T2 and T2* relaxation times between anorexics and controls. Occipital lobe gray matter showed the shortest T1, T2, and T2* relaxation times of all brain regions (P < .05).

CONCLUSIONS

T1 shortening in anorexics suggests both dehydration and myelin loss, whereas T2 prolongation points toward myelin loss (myelin water has lower T2), which seems to be less discernible in white matter. Shorter overall relaxation times in the most posterior regions of the brain suggest higher iron content.
Digital planning workflow for partial maxillectomy using an osteotomy template and immediate rehabilitation of maxillary Brown II defects with prosthesis
Authors: Wang Yang , Yang Xudong , Gan Ronglin , Liu Huifen , Wu Guofeng , Yu Qing , Wang Zhiyong , Lu Xiaolin , Jing Jianlong , Ma Wenjie , Quan Yi , Sun Ziang , Fan Lei , Wang Yuxin
Published: July 2019

Background

There is increasing evidence of benefits for the rehabilitation of Brown II defects with prosthesis in surgery. However, the current literature is sparse for maxillary tumour resection using osteotomy templates.

Objectives

To assess the accuracy of maxillectomy using a custom fabricated osteotomy template and to evaluate the prosthesis for surgical accuracy, appearance and functioning (speech, swallowing and occlusal force).

Methods

Ten patients with Brown II defects caused by tumour resection were treated with precise partial maxillectomy using an osteotomy template. The immediate rehabilitation of the Brown II defect was completed with a prefabricated prosthesis. The post‐operative three‐dimensional images and the pre‐operative virtual images were superimposed, and average deviation and maximum deviation were calculated. Speech intelligibility, swallowing, appearance and University of Washington Quality of Life Questionnaire (UW‐QoL) were examined at 1, 3 and 6 months after surgery. Occlusal force was examined post‐operatively at 6 months.

Results

The maximum deviation between the actual and virtual surgery was 5.12 ± 0.44 mm, with an average of 1.02 ± 0.17 mm. Speech intelligibility, swallowing and UW‐QoL improved significantly (P < .05) after wearing the prosthesis. The recovery index of the occlusal force on the affected side was 20.19%‐32.28%. The skewed degree of the mouth corner, the difference in the height of the left and right lips, the maximum deviation distance and the change area volume decreased significantly (P < .05).

Conclusion

The precise rehabilitation of maxillary Brown II defects can be achieved using a prosthesis fabricated with an osteotomy template. The prosthesis restored appearance and functional capabilities (such as speech and occlusal force).
Breakfast Is Brain Food? The Effect on Grade Point Average of a Rural Group Randomized Program to Promote School Breakfast
Authors: Hearst Mary O. , Jimbo‐Llapa Fanny , Grannon Katherine , Wang Qi , Nanney Marilyn S. , Caspi Caitlin E.
Published: July 2019

BACKGROUND

Adolescents frequently miss breakfast which may impact cognitive, academic, and health outcomes. This analysis describes the effect of a trial to assess school level changes to increase breakfast consumption on grade point average (GPA).

METHODS

Sixteen rural Minnesota high schools were randomized to a policy and environmental change intervention or delayed intervention (control) group. Baseline screening identified, randomly selected and enrolled 9th and 10th grade students who eat breakfast ≤3 times per school week for assessment. Mean unweighted GPA was provided by 13 schools for 636 students. Student‐level and administrative data were used for sociodemographic and free or reduced‐price meals (FRPM). Linear mixed models and latent class analysis (LCA) were used to assess change in GPA.

RESULTS

Students were 54% female, 76% white, and 34% received FRPM. Unweighted cumulative GPA mean = 2.82 (0.78) at baseline. There was no significant intervention effect on GPA postintervention or 1‐year follow‐up. LCA revealed two classes: “higher” (N = 495) and “lower” (N = 141) resource. There was an intervention effect among low‐resource students from baseline to 1‐year post only among the control condition (delayed intervention).

CONCLUSIONS

In combination with the full study results, increasing breakfast consumption may have an impact particularly for low resource students.
The impact of peer ratings on cooperation: The role of information and cost of rating
Authors: Faillo Marco , Grieco Daniela , Zarri Luca
Published: July 2019

In this study, we experimentally analyze the effectiveness of payoff‐irrelevant peer‐to‐peer ratings as a cooperation enforcement device in a finitely repeated public goods game setting. We run two treatments that differ in the amount of information on own and others' received rating points provided to the players, whereas, in a third treatment, we analyze peer approval when assigning ratings to others is costly. In particular, we wonder whether, even under anonymity and in the absence of reputational concerns, (a) players rate others' contribution decisions in the expected direction and (b) the peer rating mechanisms under study foster cooperation and welfare. Our findings reveal that, in the two costless rating treatments, peer rating concerns lead to higher contributions and efficiency, compared to our control. Introducing a small fixed cost for assigning rating points results in a very high percentage of subjects deciding not to rate others' behavior, so that cooperation cannot be enforced.
Culture storage age and fungal re‐isolation from host‐tissue influence Colletotrichum spp. virulence to pepper fruits
Authors: Balendres Mark Angelo , De Torres Rachele , Dela Cueva Fe
Published: July 2019

Using resistant cultivars is the most sustainable and practical approach against plant diseases. Plant germplasm and breeding lines are selected and assayed against, usually, the most aggressive or virulent strains of a pathogen (e.g., fungus) that causes the disease. However, prolong storage of the pathogen in culture media could affect virulence that, consequently, also influence the outcome of the resistance assay. This study demonstrates that long‐term storage (at least a year) of Colletotrichum truncatum and C. scovillei, causal agents of pepper anthracnose, in potato dextrose agar (PDA) medium decreased the aggressiveness and virulence of the fungus in host‐pepper fruits. However, reintroduction of the pathogen to the host and isolation of the pathogen as the new inoculum, prior to inoculation assays, increased the virulence of the fungi. These findings suggest that re‐inoculation and re‐isolation of Colletotichum truncatum and C. scovillei that have been stored for at least 1 year in PDA medium are necessary when using fungal cultures in pathogenicity and plant resistance assays to achieve desirable, comparable and reliable results.
Cordycepin regulates body weight by inhibiting lipid droplet formation, promoting lipolysis and recruiting beige adipocytes
Authors: Xu Hongyue , Wu Bingjie , Wang Xueyan , Ma Fangxue , Li Yan , An Yanan , Wang Chao , Wang Xuefei , Luan Wenjing , Li Shulin , Liu Mingyuan , Xu Jianyi , Wang Hongjuan , Tang Xudong , Yu Lu
Published: July 2019

Objective

To explore the effect of cordycepin on reducing lipid droplets in adipocytes.

Methods

Rats were fed a 60% high-fat diet to construct a hyperlipidaemia animal model and then treated with cordycepin at different concentrations for 8 weeks. Adipocytes were extracted, and BODIPY staining was used to detect the size of the lipid droplets. The adipocyte membrane proteins ASC-1, PAT2 and P2RX5 were assessed to determine the transformation of white adipocytes to beige and brown adipocytes. In an in vitro study, 3T3-L1 cells were cultured, and Western blotting was used to determine the expression of the lipid droplet-related genes Fsp27, perilipin 3, perilipin 2, PPAR-γ, Rab5, Rab7, Rab11, perilipin 1, ATGL and CGI-58.

Results

We found that cordycepin could promote the transformation of white adipocytes into beige and brown adipocytes. Cordycepin also downregulated the lipid droplet-associated genes Fsp27, perilipin 3, perilipin 2, Rab5, Rab11 and perilipin 1. Moreover, cordycepin reduced the expression of protein CGI-58, which inhibits lipid droplet degradation. In addition, cordycepin significantly increased the expression of ATGL, suggesting that cordycepin might stimulate lipolysis by upregulating the expression of ATGL instead of CGI-58 and by downregulating the expression of perilipin 1.

Conclusions

Cordycepin could blockade lipid droplet formation and promote lipid droplet degradation.