bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Developmental trajectories of illicit drug use, prescription drug misuse and cannabis practices among young adult cannabis users in Los Angeles
Authors: Fedorova Ekaterina V. , Schrager Sheree M. , Robinson Lucy F. , Roth Alexis M. , Wong Carolyn F. , Iverson Ellen , Lankenau Stephen E.
Published: May 2020

Introduction and Aims

Young adults have the highest rates of drug use and contribute significantly to the growing population of medical cannabis patients (MCP). This study examined relationships between longitudinal patterns of illicit/prescription drug use/misuse and cannabis practices among young adult cannabis users.

Design and Methods

In 2014–2015, 210 young adult MCP and 156 nonpatient users were recruited in Los Angeles and surveyed annually over four waves. The analytical sample was limited to completers of all four waves (n = 301). Distinct developmental trajectories of illicit drug use and prescription drug misuse were identified. Fixed effects regression analysis evaluated changes in cannabis practices by trajectory groups.

Results

Results supported two‐trajectory solutions (high/low) for illicit drug use and prescription drug misuse. Decreases in use within all four trajectories occurred by wave 4. Low illicit drug use trajectory members were more likely to self‐report medical cannabis use. Membership in both types of high‐use trajectories was associated with use of concentrates and edibles. The prevalence of MCP, edibles use and cannabis days decreased significantly by wave 4.

Discussion and Conclusions

While alternative cannabis forms use was associated with membership in high drug use trajectories, self‐reported medical cannabis use (not MCP) was negatively associated with high illicit drug use trajectory membership. Reductions in the prevalence of MCP, cannabis days, edibles use and other drug use by wave 4 alongside stable levels of self‐reported medical cannabis use might reflect the changing legal status of cannabis in California, maturing out phenomenon and safer patterns of cannabis use.
Review of insect pathogen risks for the black soldier fly (Hermetia illucens) and guidelines for reliable production
Authors: Joosten Lotte , Lecocq Antoine , Jensen Annette Bruun , Haenen Olga , Schmitt Eric , Eilenberg Jørgen
Published: May 2020

Black soldier fly [BSF; Hermetia illucens L. (Diptera: Stratiomyidae)] larvae are very effective in transforming low‐grade food waste into valuable high‐end proteins and fat, in intensive production facilities. The production output of this species is growing quickly, but upscaling brings risks to the health status of the reared insects. Until now, not a single major case of disease outbreak caused by a pathogen in a BSF production unit has been reported. This contrasts with data on other species of mass‐produced insects, which have experienced various disease outbreaks, indicating that BSFs are comparatively resistant to insect diseases. Further, there are no records of natural infections caused by entomopathogens in BSF. In this review, the known entomopathogens of Diptera, especially BSF, and their potential risks for causing disease in these insects are summarized.
Association between body mass index and stroke severity in acute ischaemic stroke with non‐valvular atrial fibrillation
Authors: Cho B‐H. , Cheon K. , Lee K‐Y. , Jung Y. H. , Han S.W. , Park J. H. , Choi H‐Y. , Cho H‐J. , Park H. J. , Nam H. S. , Heo J. H. , Lee H. S. , Kim S. , Kim Y. D.
Published: May 2020

Background and purpose

The objective of this study was to investigate the association between body mass index (BMI) and both initial stroke severity at presentation and functional outcomes after acute ischaemic stroke (AIS) in patients with non‐valvular atrial fibrillation (NVAF).

Methods

Patients were categorized on the basis of their BMI into underweight (BMI <18.5, n = 111), normal (18.5 ≤ BMI <25, n = 1036) and overweight to obese (BMI ≥25, n = 472) groups. Initial stroke severity was assessed using the National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) score and functional outcomes were assessed using the modified Rankin Scale score at discharge. The differences in stroke severity and functional outcomes were compared between groups using robust log‐linear regression with a Poisson distribution and binary logistic regression analysis.

Results

A total of 1619 AIS patients with NVAF from six hospitals were included. Compared with the NIHSS scores [median 5, interquartile range (IQR) 2–14] of normal‐weight patients, the NIHSS scores (median 9, IQR 4–19) of underweight patients were more likely to be higher, whereas those of overweight to obese patients were lower (median 4, IQR 1–12) (P < 0.001). In terms of functional outcomes after stroke, underweight patients had a higher risk of poor functional outcomes (odds ratio 1.78, 95% confidence interval 1.09–2.56, P = 0.01) but overweight to obese patients had no significant difference in functional outcomes compared with normal‐weight patients.

Conclusion

An inverse association was found between BMI and stroke severity in AIS patients with NVAF. This suggests the presence of an obesity paradox for short‐term outcomes in patients with NVAF.
Category learning in rodents using touchscreen‐based tasks
Authors: Broschard Matthew B. , Kim Jangjin , Love Bradley C. , Freeman John H.
Published: May 2020

Categorization is a fundamental cognitive function that organizes our experiences into meaningful “chunks.” This category knowledge can then be generalized to novel stimuli and situations. Multiple clinical populations, including people with Parkinson's disease, amnesia, autism, ADHD and schizophrenia, have impairments in the acquisition and use of categories. Although rodent research is well suited for examining the neural mechanisms underlying cognitive functions, many rodent cognitive tasks have limited translational value. To bridge this gap, we use touchscreens to permit greater flexibility in stimulus presentation and task design, track key dependent measures, and minimize experimenter involvement. Touchscreens offer a valuable tool for creating rodent cognitive tasks that are directly comparable to tasks used with humans. Touchscreen tasks are also readily used with cutting‐edge neuroscientific methods that are difficult to do in humans such as optogenetics, chemogenetics, neurophysiology and calcium imaging (using miniscopes). In this review, we show advantages of touchscreen‐based tasks for studying category learning in rats. We also address multiple factors for consideration when designing category learning tasks, including the limitations of the rodent visual system, experimental design, and analysis strategies.
Competition and service quality: Evidence from Swedish residential care homes
Authors: Broms Rasmus , Dahlström Carl , Nistotskaya Marina
Published: May 2020

Against a backdrop of increased levels of marketization of welfare services in OECD countries, this article aims to shed light on the separate effects of private ownership and competition for the market on service quality. Using residential elder care homes in Sweden as our case, we leverage unique panel data of ownership and competition against a set of indicators, pertaining to the structure, process, and outcome dimensions of care quality. The main finding of our analyses is that competition for the market does surprisingly little for quality: private entrepreneurs perform neither better nor worse under stiff competition and the quality of care is approximately the same in those nursing homes that are exposed to the market as in those that are not.
The effects of stage of maturity and lactic acid bacteria inoculants on the ensiling characteristics, aerobic stability and in vitro digestibility of whole‐crop oat silages
Authors: Jia Tingting , Wang Bing , Yu Zhu , Wu Zhe
Published: May 2020

This study evaluated the effect of three isolated lactic acid bacteria (LAB) inoculants on the ensiling characteristics, aerobic stability and in vitro digestibility of low dry matter whole‐crop oat silages (WCOS). The oats were harvested at two stages of maturity, boot and filling stages, and then inoculated with 1 × 106 cfu/g fresh material of Lactobacillus plantarum (LP), Lactobacillus rhamnosus (LR) and Lactobacillus buchneri (LB). After 45 days of ensiling, the three LAB inoculants increased lactic acid (LA) concentrations (p < .05) and decreased ammonia nitrogen (NH3‐N) content (p < .05) for both of the two stages of WCOS; the LP‐ and LR‐treated silages exhibited lower pH values and higher Flieg's points than the control and LB‐treated silages (p < .05); LB‐treated silages resulted in higher acetic acid contents than in the other treated silages (p < .05). After exposure to air for 7 days, the control and LB treatments had higher aerobic stability than the LP and LR treatments (p < .05). The Flieg's points and aerobic stability at the filling stage were greater than that at the boot stage. With no LAB inoculants, the in vitro dry matter digestibility (IVDMD) at the boot stage was higher than that at the filling stage. At the filling stage, LB‐ and LR‐treated silages had higher IVDMD than the control and LP‐treated silages (p < .05). It was concluded that the fermentation quality and aerobic stability of oats harvested at the filling stage was higher than that at the boot stage. LP and LR inoculants improved the fermentation quality but reduced the aerobic stability of WCOS. The IVDMD of WCOS at the filling stage was improved by adding LB and LR inoculants.
Assessment of NMR Logging for Estimating Hydraulic Conductivity in Glacial Aquifers
Authors: Kendrick Alexander K. , Knight Rosemary , Johnson Carole D. , Liu Gaisheng , Knobbe Steven , Hunt Randall J. , Butler James J.
Published: May 2020

Glacial aquifers are an important source of groundwater in the United States and require accurate characterization to make informed management decisions. One parameter that is crucial for understanding the movement of groundwater is hydraulic conductivity, K. Nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) logging measures the NMR response associated with the water in geological materials. By utilizing an external magnetic field to manipulate the nuclear spins associated with 1H, the time‐varying decay of the nuclear magnetization is measured. This logging method could provide an effective way to estimate K at submeter vertical resolution, but the models that relate NMR measurements to K require calibration. At two field sites in a glacial aquifer in central Wisconsin, we collected a total of four NMR logs and obtained measurements of K in their immediate vicinity with a direct‐push permeameter (DPP). Using a bootstrap algorithm to calibrate the Schlumberger‐Doll Research (SDR) NMR‐K model, we estimated K to within a factor of 5 of the DPP measurements. The lowest levels of accuracy occurred in the lower‐K (K < 10−4 m/s) intervals. We also evaluated the applicability of prior SDR model calibrations. We found the NMR calibration parameters varied with K, suggesting the SDR model does not incorporate all the properties of the pore space that control K. Thus, the expected range of K in an aquifer may need to be considered during calibration of NMR‐K models. This study is the first step toward establishing NMR logging as an effective method for estimating K in glacial aquifers.
Ventricular ejection fraction over time in patients on intensive home hemodialysis: A retrospective cohort study
Authors: Girsberger Michael , Trinh Emilie , Chan Christopher T.
Published: May 2020

Introduction

Intensive hemodialysis has been demonstrated to have several beneficial cardiovascular effects. There is a paucity of studies examining the effect of intensive home hemodialysis (IHHD) on left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF).

Methods

We conducted a retrospective cohort study at the Toronto General Hospital including all IHHD patients between 1999 and 2017 with baseline and follow‐up echocardiograms for at least a year. Patients were categorized according to LVEF at follow‐up: patients with normal and patients with abnormal LVEF and/or a decline in LVEF. Normal LVEF was defined as ≥55% and a decline as ≥5% at follow‐up compared to baseline Cox regression analyses were performed to ascertain the association between reduced LVEF and reaching the composite endpoint of death, cardiovascular hospitalization, and technique failure, respectively. Multivariate logistic analysis was used to investigate possible risk factors for changes in LVEF.

Findings

A total of 154 patients were included in the study. At baseline, 18.8% (29/154) of patients had reduced LVEF. After a mean follow‐up of 3.9 years, overall mean LVEF did not change (59.3% [at follow‐up] vs. 59.9% [baseline], P = 0.45). Seventeen out of the 130 patients with normal LVEF (13.1%) and nine out of the 24 with abnormal LVEF (37.9%) reached the composite endpoint of death, cardiovascular hospitalization, or technique failure. Reduced LVEF at baseline odds ratio ((OR) 13.26 [95% confidence interval (CI) 4.62–38.05]) as well as coronary heart disease (OR 7.82 [95% CI 1.92–31.82]) were associated with reduced ejection fraction at follow‐up. When adjusted for age and diabetes, patients with abnormal LVEF were more likely to reach the composite endpoint hazard ratio ((HR) 3.85, 95% CI 1.70–8.71). We did not identify a risk factor associated with progression or worsening of LVEF.

Discussion

Preserved LVEF occurs in most patients on IHHD and is associated with better clinical outcomes. Further studies are needed to identify the mechanism affecting left ventricular function in patients undergoing intensive hemodialysis.
A comparison study: Periodontal practice approach of dentists and dental hygienists
Authors: Patel Tulsi , Vayon Deborah , Ayilavarapu Srinivas , Zhu Liang , Jensen Sarah , Lee Chun‐Teh
Published: May 2020

Objectives

The aim of this study was to investigate periodontal practice methods of dentists and dental hygienists to compare their knowledge and treatment approach in managing periodontal disease.

Methods

An electronic survey was designed to assess and capture three aspects of data: (a) knowledge of periodontics; (b) practice approaches in non‐surgical periodontal therapy; and (c) factors affecting clinical care. The survey was distributed to dentists and dental hygienists who graduated from the same dental school within 5 years (2012‐2016). Results were analysed by chi‐square test, Fisher's exact test and logistic regression model.

Results

Out of total 117 participants, 111 of them reported their profession (n = 77 in the dental programme, n = 34 in the dental hygiene programme). The results showed no statistical difference in basic periodontal knowledge between dentists and dental hygienists (P = .12). Only 13% of the surveyed population identified appropriate recall intervals for periodontal maintenance and more dental hygienists reported periodontal re‐evaluations being performed within their offices compared with dentists (91% vs 70%, P = .02). Almost half of the participants who reportedly performed periodontal re‐evaluations (46%) charged for the re‐evaluation procedure, despite it not being covered by dental insurance. More hygienists reported being familiar with and performing adjunct therapy compared to dentists in the study (P < .01).

Conclusion

In general, dentists and hygienists in the study were found to have similar periodontal knowledge and practice approaches. However, differences in performing periodontal re‐evaluation and adjunct therapy were significant. Further studies are needed to investigate clinical barriers that impact evidence‐based periodontal care.
Partitioning of rare earths in multiphase nuclear waste glass‐ceramics
Authors: Chen Hua , Marcial José , Ahmadzadeh Mostafa , Patil Deepak , McCloy John
Published: May 2020

Alumino‐borosilicate glass‐ceramics (GCs) containing alkali (Na), alkaline earth (Ca), rare earth (RE) (one of La … Lu, Y), and transition metals (Zr and Mo) were formulated to test the effects of composition and RE cation size on the crystallization of simulated nuclear waste GCs. Eight‐oxide glasses were formulated in the peraluminous ([Na2Oexcess]=[Na2O]‐[Al2O3]‐[ZrO2]<0) region with 10 mol.% RE2O3 and 15 mol.% B2O3. Glasses were melted and quenched, reheated, and slow‐cooled to promote crystallization, and then characterized using quantitative X‐ray diffraction and electron probe microanalysis. Transition metal phases [powellite (Ca,Na,RE)MoO4 and zirconia (Zr,RE)O2 or zircon (Zr,RE)SiO4] always formed, while borosilicate (RE3BSi2O10) or silicate [oxyapatite (RE,Ca,Na)10Si6O26 or keiviite (RE2Si2O7)] plus borate (REBO3) phases also formed, depending on the size of the RE cation and hence its preferred coordination number. All crystalline phases were found to contain RE elements, and often phases incorporated other cations (Zr, Ca, B) which were not nominally part of their pure stoichiometry. These results suggested that the glass formulation and RE size strongly influenced the RE environment in the glass and hence the crystal phases formed. The formation of RE borosilicate, versus separate RE borate and RE silicate phases, also suggested original differences in the glass structure.
Willingness to fake: Examining the impact of competitive climate and hiring situations
Authors: Ho Jordan L. , Powell Deborah M. , Spence Jeffrey R. , Perossa Andrew
Published: May 2020

Applicants may be willing to fake in job interviews with the aim of creating a positive impression. In two vignette‐based experiments, we examined if a competitive—versus noncompetitive—climate (Study 1) and hiring situation (Study 2) increased participants' willingness to fake. We also examined if Honesty–Humility and Competitive Worldviews moderated the relation between willingness to fake and how competitive participants believed they must be in order to secure the job. Results demonstrated that a competitive climate and hiring situation increased willingness to fake. Honesty–Humility and Competitive Worldviews were related to willingness to fake, but these relations did not change substantially at different levels of perceived need for competitiveness. Overall, results lend some theoretical support to propositions about applicant faking.
Is mental illness associated with placement into solitary confinement in correctional settings? A systematic review and meta‐analysis
Authors: Dellazizzo Laura , Luigi Mimosa , Giguère Charles‐Édouard , Goulet Marie‐Hélène , Dumais Alexandre
Published: May 2020

The aim of this meta‐analysis was to examine the association between any mental health problem and the risk of being placed into solitary confinement in correctional settings. PubMed, PsycINFO, Web of Science and Google Scholar were searched from each database’s inception date to November 2019. All publications assessing both mental health problems and placement into solitary confinement in a sample of adult inmates in correctional settings were included. The meta‐analysis was performed using random‐effects models. Heterogeneity among study point estimates was assessed with Q statistics and quantified with I2 index. Publication bias was assessed with funnel plots. Guidelines from Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta‐Analyses (PRISMA) were followed throughout. After screening 2777 potential studies, 11 studies were included amounting to a total of 163 414 inmates. Included studies comprised of a mix of mental disorders rather than a specific diagnosis per se. The odds ratio (OR) from the pooled studies was 1.62 (confidence interval (CI) = 1.21–2.15). The observed relationship remained unchanged regardless of the removal of outliers (OR = 1.63, CI = 1.47–1.80) and regardless of the adjustment of confounders (OR = 1.58, CI = 1.32–1.88). The present study shows a moderate association between any mental health problem and placement into solitary confinement within a considerable sample of inmates. As more individuals suffering from mental illness enter the correctional system, it is essential that correction officials create new safe interventions to manage these inmates and offer them proper mental health care to limit the use of solitary confinement, which may have deleterious effects.
No Blame No Gain? From a No Blame Culture to a Responsibility Culture in Medicine
Authors: Parker Joshua , Davies Ben
Published: May 2020

Healthcare systems need to consider not only how to prevent error, but how to respond to errors when they occur. In the United Kingdom’s National Health Service, one strand of this latter response is the ‘No Blame Culture’, which draws attention from individuals and towards systems in the process of understanding an error. Defences of the No Blame Culture typically fail to distinguish between blaming someone and holding them responsible. This article argues for a ‘responsibility culture’, where healthcare professionals are held responsible in cases of foreseeable and avoidable errors. We demonstrate how healthcare professionals can justifiably be held responsible for their errors even though they work in challenging circumstances. We then review the idea of ‘responsibility without blame’, applying this to cases of error in healthcare. Sensitive to the undesirable effects of blaming healthcare professionals and to the moral significance of holding individuals accountable, we argue that a responsibility culture has significant advantages over a No Blame Culture due to its capacity to enhance patient safety and support medical professionals in learning from their mistakes, while also recognising and validating the legitimate sense of responsibility that many medical professionals feel following avoidable error, and motivating medical professionals to report errors.
Cross‐firm return predictability and accounting quality
Authors: Chen Wen , Khan Mozaffar , Kogan Leonid , Serafeim George
Published: May 2020

We test the hypothesis that if poor accounting quality (AQ) is associated with poor investor understanding of firms’ revenue and cost structures, then poor AQ stocks likely respond more slowly than good AQ stocks to new non‐idiosyncratic information that affects both sets of firms. Consistent with this, results indicate that stock returns of good AQ firms significantly positively predict one‐month‐ahead stock returns to industry‐ and size‐matched poor AQ firms. In testing a delayed‐information‐processing mechanism behind the cross‐firm return predictability, we find that: (i) analyst earnings forecast revisions (FR) mimic the return patterns, as FR of good AQ firms significantly positively predict one‐month‐ahead FR of matched poor AQ firms; (ii) cross‐firm return predictability is concentrated in months with substantial news arrival, including months with Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) rate announcements, but not in no‐news months; (iii) cross‐firm return predictability is stronger when the good AQ predictor firms have a richer information environment than poor AQ firms as proxied by analyst following, institutional ownership, and the presence of a Big 4 auditor. Collectively, the results uncover a new relation between accounting quality and stock return dynamics.
Bmp2 regulates Serpinb6b expression via cAMP/PKA/Wnt4 pathway during uterine decidualization
Authors: Yu Hai‐Fan , Zheng Lian‐Wen , Yang Zhan‐Qing , Wang Yu‐Si , Huang Ji‐Cheng , Liu Shu , Yue Zhan‐Peng , Guo Bin
Published: May 2020

Serpinb6b is a novel member of Serpinb family and found in germ and somatic cells of mouse gonads, but its physiological function in uterine decidualization remains unclear. The present study revealed that abundant Serpinb6b was noted in decidual cells, and advanced the proliferation and differentiation of stromal cells, indicating a creative role of Serpinb6b in uterine decidualization. Further analysis found that Serpinb6b modulated the expression of Mmp2 and Mmp9. Meanwhile, Serpinb6b was identified as a target of Bmp2 regulation in stromal differentiation. Treatment with rBmp2 resulted in an accumulation of intracellular cAMP level whose function in this differentiation program was mediated by Serpinb6b. Addition of PKA inhibitor H89 impeded the Bmp2 induction of Serpinb6b, whereas 8‐Br‐cAMP rescued the defect of Serpinb6b expression elicited by Bmp2 knock‐down. Attenuation of Serpinb6b greatly reduced the induction of constitutive Wnt4 activation on stromal cell differentiation. By contrast, overexpression of Serpinb6b prevented this inhibition of differentiation process by Wnt4 siRNA. Moreover, blockage of Wnt4 abrogated the up‐regulation of cAMP on Serpinb6b. Collectively, Serpinb6b mediates uterine decidualization via Mmp2/9 in response to Bmp2/cAMP/PKA/Wnt4 pathway.
Diversity in CRISPR‐based immunity protects susceptible genotypes by restricting phage spread and evolution
Authors: Common Jack , Walker‐Sünderhauf David , van Houte Stineke , Westra Edze R.
Published: May 2020

Diversity in host resistance often associates with reduced pathogen spread. This may result from ecological and evolutionary processes, likely with feedback between them. Theory and experiments on bacteria–phage interactions have shown that genetic diversity of the bacterial adaptive immune system can limit phage evolution to overcome resistance. Using the CRISPR–Cas bacterial immune system and lytic phage, we engineered a host–pathogen system where each bacterial host genotype could be infected by only one phage genotype. With this model system, we explored how CRISPR diversity impacts the spread of phage when they can overcome a resistance allele, how immune diversity affects the evolution of the phage to increase its host range and if there was feedback between these processes. We show that increasing CRISPR diversity benefits susceptible bacteria via a dilution effect, which limits the spread of the phage. We suggest that this ecological effect impacts the evolution of novel phage genotypes, which then feeds back into phage population dynamics.
The target of selection matters: An established resistance—development‐time negative genetic trade‐off is not found when selecting on development time
Authors: Bartlett Lewis J. , Visher Elisa , Haro Yazmin , Roberts Katherine E. , Boots Mike
Published: May 2020

Trade‐offs are fundamental to evolutionary outcomes and play a central role in eco‐evolutionary theory. They are often examined by experimentally selecting on one life‐history trait and looking for negative correlations in other traits. For example, populations of the moth Plodia interpunctella selected to resist viral infection show a life‐history cost with longer development times. However, we rarely examine whether the detection of such negative genetic correlations depends on the trait on which we select. Here, we examine a well‐characterized negative genotypic trade‐off between development time and resistance to viral infection in the moth Plodia interpunctella and test whether selection on a phenotype known to be a cost of resistance (longer development time) leads to the predicted correlated increase in resistance. If there is tight pleiotropic relationship between genes that determine development time and resistance underpinning this trade‐off, we might expect increased resistance when we select on longer development time. However, we show that selecting for longer development time in this system selects for reduced resistance when compared to selection for shorter development time. This shows how phenotypes typically characterized by a trade‐off can deviate from that trade‐off relationship, and suggests little genetic linkage between the genes governing viral resistance and those that determine response to selection on the key life‐history trait. Our results are important for both selection strategies in applied biological systems and for evolutionary modelling of host–parasite interactions.
Outcomes and Patient Goals: Comment on Chronic Disease Decision Making and “What Matters Most”
Authors: Falzer Paul R.
Published: May 2020

See the Reply by Fried et al.
Quality attributes of partially hydrolyzed collagen in a liquid formulation used for skin care
Authors: Mejía‐Calvo Ignacio , López‐Juárez Leonardo E. , Vázquez‐Leyva Said , López‐Morales Carlos A. , Montoya‐Escutia Daniel , Merlos Rivera Pamela G. , Herbert‐Pucheta José Enrique , Zepeda‐Vallejo Luis Gerardo , Velasco‐Velázquez Marco , Pavón Lenin , Pérez‐Tapia Sonia M. , Medina‐Rivero Emilio
Published: May 2020

Background

The deterioration of the skin accentuates over time, affecting its aesthetic appearance. This is characterized by the weakening of the mechanisms involved in the regeneration and repair of the dermal matrix. Consequently, the skin losses elasticity and smoothness resulting in the formation of wrinkles. The alternatives for facial rejuvenation include surgery, injection of botulinum toxin, and the application of masks. Topic products are less invasive, can be self‐applied, and have an increased benefit/risk relationship.

Aim

We developed a liquid formulation containing collagen hydrolyzed and evaluated the product by cutting‐edge technology in order to define proper its quality attributes.

Methods

We employed nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), size‐exclusion chromatography (SEC), and mass spectrometry (MS). Additionally, we analyzed its cosmetical effect in five volunteers and we demonstrate the product safety.

Results

Our results demonstrate the following: (a) a stable secondary structure identity associated to the known triple helix arrangement in liquid and solid states; (b) a typical conformational flexibility depending on its hydration state; (c) thermal stability confirmed by liquid‐ and solid‐state nuclear magnetic resonance schemes; and (d) a molecular mass distribution of peptides between 0.5 and 19.5 kDa. The product faded wrinkles in the forehead, an effect that remained after removing the mask. The formula was non‐irritating and hypoallergenic.

Conclusion

We characterized, using state‐of‐the‐art methodologies, the quality attributes that are critical for the safety and beneficial effect of a new collagen‐containing formula.
Economic Crises, Crisis of Labour Law? Lessons from Weimar
Authors: Coutu Michel
Published: May 2020

Labour law has been thrown into turmoil in many large industrialized countries with democratic tradition and market economies. In fact, rapid economic globalization resulted in an irremediable decline in collective bargaining in most of the states that entered into the sphere of Anglo‐Saxon capitalism. On a first reading, the financial crisis of 2008 exacerbated this retreat of labour law back to its initial individualist and contractual forms. In analysing the contemporary crisis of labour law, the historical‐comparative method can be highly fruitful, especially if one considers the precedent of the economic crisis of 1929. On this basis, I first consider an influential text by Hugo Sinzheimer on the ‘crisis of labour law’ in Weimar Germany and a study by Otto Kahn‐Freund on the changing function of labour law in the same context. These works can be connected to the concept of the ‘labour constitution’, which Max Weber notably developed in an empirical sense, and which finds its extension in the later works of Thilo Ramm, a labour scholar of international reputation.
Political CSR at the Coalface – The Roles and Contradictions of Multinational Corporations in Developing Workplace Dialogue
Authors: Reinecke Juliane , Donaghey Jimmy
Published: May 2020

While political CSR scholarship has focused on the role of dialogue between MNCs and civil society actors at the transnational level in creating global governance standards, we seek to understand how political CSR might play out at the ‘coalface’ where labour rights violations occur. We draw on insights from Industrial Democracy to examine how political CSR may be extended to enable democratic processes at the workplace level. Studying the introduction of workplace dialogue in Bangladesh apparel factories, we highlight how MNCs leverage their position as lead actors in the supply chain in three ways: as guarantors, capacity‐builders and enforcers of workplace dialogue. Our findings also show that dialogue reveals dialectical tensions emerging from the structured antagonism of the supply chain relationship. Our contribution focuses on understanding how MNCs may enable deliberative spaces in their supply chain, but also how this is likely to change the nature of pCSR.
Determination of poly‐β‐hydroxybutyrate assimilation by postlarval whiteleg shrimp, Litopenaeus vannamei using stable 13C isotope tracing
Authors: Ludevese‐Pascual Gladys , Ahmed Farhana , De Troch Marleen , Amar Edgar , Laranja Joseph Leopoldo , Bode Samuel , Boeckx Pascal , Bossier Peter , De Schryver Peter
Published: May 2020

A preliminary study was conducted to demonstrate fate of the bacterial storage compound poly‐β‐hydroxybutyrate (PHB) once ingested and degraded in vivo in crustaceans. The 2% supplementation of 13C‐labeled Ralstonia eutropha DSM545 containing 75% PHB on dry weight in postlarval whiteleg shrimp, Litopenaeus vannamei resulted in consistent enrichment of two fatty acids (containing 14–24 carbons [C] in length) pentadecanoic acid (15:0) and palmitic acid (16:0) in all lipid fractions. This could indicate that 13C signal may not only originate from the PHB but partly from the structural components of the bacterial cell. There was a trend of lower 13C enrichment in various lipid fractions of the postlarvae as compared to the diet. These findings may have important implications as to potential of PHB as energy source rather than as building block. There was a rapid transfer of 13C in the postlarvae as seen by the significant 13C enrichment in the tissues 4 hr after feeding with labeled bacterial cells. Overall, the assimilation of PHB in crustacean tissues is demonstrated for the first time. Our results indicate that PHB once ingested is rapidly assimilated in the tissues and could probably act as an energy source rather than as a building block.
The Ecclesial Ethics of John Howard Yoder’s Abuse
Authors: Villegas Isaac Samuel
Published: May 2020

In the last decade – now that his sexual abuse is no longer deniable – Christian ethicists have had to reconsider John Howard Yoder’s theological contributions in the late twentieth century. This essay considers how the witness of the women who survived his abuse exposes the sexism latent in his development of a framework for moral discernment and community discipline. Yoder designed an ecclesiology that was congruent with his pursuit of unaccountable power over the women he used as subjects for working out his exploitative sexuality. His theological contributions, I argue, cannot be separated from his behavior.
Volume and position change of the stomach during gastric accommodation and emptying: A detailed three‐dimensional morphological analysis based on MRI
Authors: Banerjee Sreerup , Pal Anupam , Fox Mark
Published: May 2020

Background

The proximal and distal regions of the stomach are thought to have different roles during gastric accommodation and emptying; however, regional changes in gastric structure and function during and after a meal have not been described in detail. This study applied non‐invasive imaging to study changes in regional gastric volume and morphology during accommodation and emptying of a liquid nutrient meal.

Method

MRI studies were performed on 16 healthy volunteers. Three‐dimensional (3D) gastric morphology was reconstructed by validated image processing technology. The 3D models were segmented into seven regions. The relative contribution of each region to gastric accommodation and emptying was assessed. Changes in morphology were documented by tracking movements of four distinct gastric landmarks.

Key Results

The initial 100 mL liquid nutrient increases distal stomach volume more than that of other gastric regions (∆V7 = 28 ± 6% ∆TGV; P ≤ .05). Subsequent volume is accommodated mainly in the proximal stomach (∆V1 = 42 ± 10% ∆TGV; P ≤ .05). Early‐phase emptying occurs from distal stomach with proximal stomach volume remaining stable. Subsequently, distal stomach volume remains stable while proximal stomach volume decreases progressively. During gastric filling, the stomach elongates and expands anteriorly and inferiorly (15.2 ± 7.4 mm and 32.3 ± 8.4 mm, respectively, for the incisural midpoint) with torsion indicated by ~70° difference in the movements of proximal and distal gastric landmarks.

Conclusions and Inferences

Non‐invasive MRI describes volume change and distribution of a liquid meal within proximal and distal stomach during gastric accommodation and emptying. Additionally, novel observations of changes to 3D gastric morphology within the abdomen are documented.
Niche conservatism promotes speciation in cycads: the case of Dioon merolae (Zamiaceae) in Mexico
Authors: Gutiérrez‐Ortega José Said , Salinas‐Rodríguez María Magdalena , Ito Takuro , Pérez‐Farrera Miguel Angel , Vovides Andrew P. , Martínez José F. , Molina‐Freaner Francisco , Hernández‐López Antonio , Kawaguchi Lina , Nagano Atsushi J. , Kajita Tadashi , Watano Yasuyuki , Tsuchimatsu Takashi , Takahashi Yuma , Murakami Masashi
Published: May 2020

Niche conservatism is the tendency of lineages to retain the same niche as their ancestors. It constrains biological groups and prevents ecological divergence. However, theory predicts that niche conservatism can hinder gene flow, strengthen drift and increase local adaptation: does it mean that it also can facilitate speciation? Why does this happen? We aim to answer these questions.

We examined the variation of chloroplast DNA, genome‐wide single nucleotide polymorphisms, morphological traits and environmental variables across the Dioon merolae cycad populations. We tested geographical structure, scenarios of demographic history, and niche conservatism between population groups.

Lineage divergence is associated with the presence of a geographical barrier consisting of unsuitable habitats for cycads. There is a clear genetic and morphological distinction between the geographical groups, suggesting allopatric divergence. However, even in contrasting available environmental conditions, groups retain their ancestral niche, supporting niche conservatism.

Niche conservatism is a process that can promote speciation. In D. merolae, lineage divergence occurred because unsuitable habitats represented a barrier against gene flow, incurring populations to experience isolated demographic histories and disparate environmental conditions. This study explains why cycads, despite their ancient lineage origin and biological stasis, have been able to diversify into modern ecosystems worldwide.
Comparison of Patient Satisfaction Between Medial Pivot Prostheses and Posterior‐Stabilized Prostheses in Total Knee Arthroplasty
Authors: Lin Yuanyuan , Chen Xueyan , Li Li , Li Zhenxing , Zhang Yu , Fan Pei
Published: May 2020

Objective

To compare medial pivot (MP) prostheses to two types of posterior‐stabilized (PS) prostheses (NexGen and NRG) in terms of patient satisfaction, causes of dissatisfaction, and risk factors for dissatisfaction after total knee arthroplasty (TKA).

Methods

A total of 453 patients who underwent primary TKA by one senior surgeon from August 2016 to August 2018 were investigated in a retrospective study, including 121, 219, and 113 patients in the MP, NexGen, and NRG groups, respectively. The mean age and follow‐up time of patients were 70.82 ± 7.06 years and 20.64 ± 3.88 months. A survey was designed and responses were collected by telephone, WeChat, and outpatient follow up. Patient satisfaction, causes of dissatisfaction, post‐TKA pain on a numeric rating scale (NRS), and range of motion (ROM) were compared among groups, and risk factors were investigated. Patient satisfaction included a five‐level satisfaction rating (very satisfied, satisfied, neutral, dissatisfied, or very dissatisfied), with five options for causes of dissatisfaction (persistent pain, limited ROM, knee instability, asthenia, and/or other factors).

Results

Overall, 89.84% of patients were satisfied with the results of primary TKA. There were no significant differences among the three groups regarding the side of the operation, the length of hospitalization in days, or the average follow‐up time. Patient satisfaction was similar among the MP (87.38%), NexGen (89.89%), and NRG groups (90.32%). Persistent pain after TKA was the major cause of dissatisfaction (32/40), but no difference in the frequency of this complaint was found among the groups (P = 0.663). The NRS score (P = 0.598) and the ROM (P = 0.959) of the MP group were not significantly different from those of the NexGen and NRG groups. Gender, length of hospitalization, and follow‐up time were all uncorrelated with patient satisfaction, but age showed a very weak correlation with patient satisfaction (r = 0.110, P = 0.033). Moreover, the NRS score (r = 0.459, P < 0.000) and the ROM (r = −0.175, P = 0.001) were significantly correlated with patient dissatisfaction. The odds ratio of dissatisfaction was 6.37 (P < 0.000) in patients with moderate to severe pain (NRS ≥ 3) compared to patients with mild pain (NRS < 3).

Conclusion

Patient satisfaction and function were not found to be higher in the MP group than in the two PS groups, and persistent pain was the major cause of and an important risk factor for patient dissatisfaction.
Tracing the patterns of non‐marine turtle richness from the Triassic to the Palaeogene: from origin to global spread
Authors: Cleary Terri J. , Benson Roger B. J. , Holroyd Patricia A. , Barrett Paul M.
Published: May 2020

Turtles are key components of modern vertebrate faunas and their diversity and distributions are likely to be affected by anthropogenic climate change. However, there is limited baseline data on turtle taxonomic richness through time or assessment of their past responses to global environmental change. We used the extensive Triassic–Palaeogene (252–223 Ma) fossil record of terrestrial and freshwater turtles to investigate diversity patterns, finding substantial variation in richness through time and between continents. Globally, turtle richness was low from their Triassic origin until the Late Jurassic. There is strong evidence for high richness in the earliest Cretaceous of Europe, becoming especially high following the Cretaceous Thermal Maximum and declining in all continents by the end‐Cretaceous. At the K–Pg boundary, South American richness levels changed little while North American richness increased, becoming very high during the earliest Palaeogene (Danian). Informative data are lacking elsewhere for this time period. However, the Selandian–Thanetian interval, approximately 5 myr after the K–Pg mass extinction, shows low turtle richness in Asia, Europe and South America, suggesting that the occurrence of exceptional turtle richness in the post‐extinction Paleocene fauna of North America is not globally representative. Richness decreased over the Eocene–Oligocene boundary in North America but increased to its greatest known level for Europe, implying very different responses to dramatic climatic shifts. Time series regressions suggest number of formations sampled and palaeotemperature are the primary influencers of face‐value richness counts, but additional factors not tested here may also be involved.
Incorporating Message Framing into Narrative Persuasion to Curb E‐Cigarette Use Among College Students
Authors: Liu Sixiao , Yang Janet Z.
Published: May 2020

This study examines the interaction effect of message format (narrative vs. nonnarrative) and message framing (gain vs. loss) in e‐cigarette prevention targeting young adults. Results of a two‐way experiment (N = 439) revealed that transportation and discrete emotions mediated message effect on risk perception and behavioral intention. Compared to the gain‐framed nonnarrative, the gain‐framed narrative reduced feelings of guilt, and guilt was negatively related to risk perception and positively related to behavioral intention. Thus, the gain‐framed narrative achieved desirable persuasive outcome through guilt—increasing risk perception and decreasing intention to use e‐cigarette. Similarly, the loss‐framed narrative evoked greater sadness, which also led to increased risk perception and decreased behavioral intention. Transportation and discrete emotions mediated message effect in a serial order. This research not only contributes to the literature on narrative persuasion and emotion, but also provides insight for health communication designed for e‐cigarette prevention.
Reviewer Acknowledgements
Authors: Howard Nina
Published: May 2020

International Journal of English and Cultural Studies (IJECS) would like to acknowledge the following reviewers for their assistance with peer review of manuscripts for this issue. Many authors, regardless of whether IJECS publishes their work, appreciate the helpful feedback provided by the reviewers. Their comments and suggestions were of great help to the authors in improving the quality of their papers. Each of the reviewers listed below returned at least one review for this issue.Reviewers for Volume 3, Number 1 Ali Dabbagh, Gonbad Kavous University, IranChia-Cheng Lee, Portland State University, USAEllie Boyadzhieva, South-West University, Blagoevgrad, BulgariaJerald Sagaya Nathan, St. Joseph’s College, IndiaLeo H. Aberion, Niversity of San Jose-Recoletos, PhilippinesShashi Naidu, Ball State University, United StatesSangeeta Bagga-Gupta, Jönköping University, SwedenJelena Timotijevic, University of Brighton, United Kingdom
Imbalanced Kernel Extreme Learning Machines for Fault Detection of Aircraft Engine
Authors: Zhao Yong-Ping , Chen Yao-Bin , Hao Zhao , Wang Hao , Yang Zhe , Tan Jian-Feng
Published: May 2020

To deal with class imbalance learning (CIL) problems, a novel algorithm is proposed based on kernel extreme learning machine (KELM), named KELM-CIL. To solve it, two algorithms are developed from the dual and primal spaces, respectively, thus yielding D-KELM-CIL and P-KELM-CIL. However, both D-KELM-CIL and P-KELM-CIL are not sparse algorithms. Hence, a sparse strategy based on Cholesky factorization is utilized to realize their sparseness, producing CD-KELM-CIL and CP-KELM-CIL. For large-size problems, a probabilistic trick is applied to accelerate them further, hence obtaining PCD-KELM-CIL and PCP-KELM-CIL. To test the effectiveness and efficacy of the proposed algorithms, experiments on benchmark datasets are carried out. When the proposed algorithms are applied to fault detection of aircraft engine, they show good generalization performance and real-time performance, especially for CP-KELM-CIL and PCP-KELM-CIL, which indicates that they can be developed as candidate techniques for fault detection of aircraft engine.
A Mathematical Model on Heat Mass Transfer Including Relaxation Time for Different Geometries During Drying of Foods
Authors: Upadhyay Subrahamanyam , Rai K. N.
Published: May 2020

In this paper, a single phase lag model on heat mass transfer in application of food drying has been developed. The present model is a generalization of the diffusion model. The whole analysis is presented in nondimensional form. The effects of shape parameter, relaxation time parameters, Luikov number, Kirpichev number, Biot number, Kossovich number, and Predvoditelev number on heat and mass transfer are discussed in detail. For experimental validation, we have taken examples of banana, mango, and cassava. Our simulations show that the present model is more suitable than diffusion model. The present model is in good agreement with experimental data. The moisture potential of slab food is higher than cylindrical food and moisture potential of cylindrical food is higher than spherical food for boundary condition of first, second, and third kinds. It has been observed that the moisture potential is highest in boundary condition of second kind and lowest in boundary condition of the third kind while in between in boundary condition of the first kind. We conclude that for complete drying, the spherical shape foods takes lesser time than cylindrical shape and cylindrical shape takes lesser time than slab shape.
Ultrasonography and SARS-CoV 2 infection: a review of what we know and do not yet know
Authors: Dudea Sorin M.
Published: May 2020

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