bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Delayed hypersensitivity to palladium dichloride: 15‐year retrospective study in a skin allergy unit
Authors: González‐Ruiz Lucía , Vergara De Caso Eduardo , Peña‐Sánchez Roberto , Silvestre‐Salvador Juan F.
Published: June 2019

Background

Metal allergies are the most frequent causes of allergic contact dermatitis. Although the use of palladium is increasing, it is not included in any baseline series.

Objective

To assess the prevalence of hypersensitivity to palladium and to describe the clinical and demographic characteristics of patients who are sensitized to palladium dichloride (PdCl2).

Methods

A single‐centre, retrospective study of 15 years of patch testing with the Spanish baseline series supplemented with PdCl22% pet. was performed. We collected clinical and demographic data and data on co‐sensitization among the metals studied, and we compared patients who were sensitized to palladium, with or without co‐sensitization to nickel, with the rest of the study population.

Results

Among the 3678 included patients, 730 (19.9%) were sensitized to nickel sulfate. The prevalence of sensitization to PdCl2(n= 316, 8.6%) was higher than the prevalence of sensitization to potassium dichromate (n = 240, 6.5%) and similar to the prevalence of sensitization to cobalt chloride (n = 353, 9.6%). Only 26 (8.2%) of the patients sensitized to palladium were not co‐sensitized to nickel. The percentage of men and patients aged ≥40 years was higher in this subgroup than in the patients with nickel co‐sensitization.

Conclusions

Given the high prevalence of hypersensitivity to PdCl2, this metal salt should be included in the Spanish baseline series, notwithstanding the frequency of co‐sensitization to nickel.
An automated approach for the recognition of intended messages in grouped bar charts
Authors: Burns Richard , Carberry Sandra , Elzer Schwartz Stephanie
Published: June 2019

Information graphics (bar charts, line graphs, grouped bar charts, etc) often appear in popular media such as newspapers and magazines. In most cases, the information graphic is intended to convey a high‐level message. This message plays a role in facilitating the discourse purpose of the document but is seldom repeated in the document's text, headlines, or captions. We present a methodology and an implemented system for recognizing the intended message of a grouped bar chart. The recognition system relies on the following components: (1) a linguistic classifier that processes text in the graphic and predicts the most linguistically salient entity from those that are mentioned in text, (2) a cognitive model that estimates the relative perceptual effort required for an individual to recognize some high‐level message in a graph, and (3) a Bayesian network that captures the probabilistic relationship between the high‐level intended message of a graphic and its communicative signals. This research contributes to three applications: accessibility of information graphics for sight‐impaired individuals, retrieval of information graphics from a digital library, and summarization of multimodal documents.
BRCA1‐associated protein (BAP1)‐inactivated melanocytic tumors
Authors: Zhang Arianna J. , Rush Patrick S. , Tsao Hensin , Duncan Lyn M.
Published: June 2019

Although discussed using variable terminology, cutaneous BRCA1‐associated protein (BAP1)‐inactivated melanocytic tumor (BIMT) has been considered a discrete diagnostic entity since 2011. Here, we review the initial genomic studies that identified these distinct melanocytic tumors and the clinical and histopathological features that define these tumors. These epithelioid, predominantly dermal, and melanocytic tumors present as erythematous nodules and histopathologically have features that may overlap with Spitz nevi and nevoid melanoma. There is no sex predilection, and cutaneous BIMTs can appear at any age; however, in most familial (germline mutant) cases patients have multiple cutaneous tumors with a first diagnosis in the second or third decade of life; ocular melanoma and other tumors are increasingly identified in these kindreds with germline BAP1 mutation. These tumors have been described with a myriad of terms including: Wiesner nevus, nevoid melanoma‐like melanocytic proliferation (NEMMP), BAP1 mutant Spitz nevus, BAP1 mutant nevoid melanoma, cutaneous BAPoma, and most recently cutaneous BIMT.
Efficient clearance of intractable biliary calculi by combination of mechanical clamping and electrohydraulic lithotripsy
Authors: Wen Xu‐dong , Ren Li‐na , Liu Wei‐hui
Published: June 2019

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Hurricane Harvey and Greater Houston households: comparing pre‐event preparedness with post‐event health effects, event exposures, and recovery
Authors: Grineski Sara E. , Flores Aaron B. , Collins Timothy W. , Chakraborty Jayajit
Published: June 2019

Most disaster studies rely on convenience sampling and ‘after‐only’ designs to assess impacts. This paper, focusing on Hurricane Harvey (2017) and leveraging a pre‐/post‐event sample of Greater Houston households (n=71) in the United States, establishes baselines for disaster preparedness and home structure flood hazard mitigation, explores household‐level ramifications, and examines how preparedness and mitigation relate to health effects, event exposures, and recovery. Between 70 and 80 per cent of participants instituted preparedness measures. Mitigation actions varied: six per cent had interior drainage systems and 83 per cent had elevated indoor heating/cooling components. Sixty per cent reported home damage. One‐half highlighted allergies and two‐thirds indicated some level of post‐traumatic stress (PTS). Three‐quarters worried about family members/friends. The results of generalised linear models revealed that greater pre‐ event mitigation was associated with fewer physical health problems and adverse experiences, lower PTS, and faster recovery. The study design exposed the broad benefits of home structure flood hazard mitigation for households after Harvey.
Comparing earthquake insurance programmes: how would Japan and California have fared after the 2010–11 earthquakes in New Zealand?
Authors: Nguyen Cuong Nhu , Noy Ilan
Published: June 2019

Earthquakes are insured in high‐risk high‐income countries only if the public sector is involved. Prototypical examples are the insurance schemes in California (United States), Japan, and New Zealand, but each is structured differently. This paper examines these variations using a concrete case study: the sequence of earthquakes in Christchurch, New Zealand, in 2010–11—the most heavily insured seismic event in history. It assesses what would have been the outcome had the Christchurch insurance system been different, focusing on the California Earthquake Authority (CEA) programme and Japan Earthquake Reinsurance (JER). Overall, the aggregate cost of the earthquake to the New Zealand public insurer (Earthquake Commission) was USD 6.2 billion. If a similar‐sized disaster had occurred in Japan and California, homeowners would have received around USD 1.6 billion and USD 0.7 billion, respectively. This paper describes the distributive and spatial patterns of these scenarios and discusses some key policy questions that emerge from this comparison.
Flooding and the ‘new normal’: what is the role of gender in experiences of post‐disaster ontological security?
Authors: Haney Timothy J. , Gray‐Scholz Daran
Published: June 2019

Disaster researchers have long analysed disruption to affected residents' ontological security, often represented by routines and familiar landmarks. Surprisingly little of this work, though, assesses who is most likely to experience feelings of disruption. Using a representative set of survey data, complemented by follow‐up interview data from 40 residents affected by the Southern Alberta Flood of June 2013, this paper explores how demographic characteristics, such as gender and place attachment, impact on residents' sense of disruption and loss. The findings indicate that women and people with stronger emotional and social ties to their neighbourhoods are most likely to experience disrupted ontological security; home flooding and evacuation orders are also significant predictors. The qualitative interview data reveal that many participants felt unsettled and disrupted by myriad factors, such as ongoing construction, which prevented them from establishing a ‘new normal’. The paper concludes by discussing the implications of these findings for policymakers and service providers.
Mapping the public first‐aid training landscape: uptake, knowledge, confidence and willingness to deliver first aid in disasters/emergencies—a scoping review
Authors: Heard Claire Louise , Pearce Julia M. , Rogers M. Brooke
Published: June 2019

The above article from Disasters, published online on 24 June 2019 in Wiley Online Library (http://wileyonlinelibrary.com) has been withdrawn by agreement among the authors, the Journal editors and John Wiley & Sons Inc. on behalf of ODI. The withdrawal has been agreed because this is a duplicate of an article that has been published in Disasters Volume 44 Issue 1.
Estimated glomerular filtration rate and risk of poor outcomes after stroke
Authors: Vart P. , Barlas R. S. , Bettencourt‐Silva J. H. , Metcalf A. K. , Bowles K. M. , Potter J. F. , Myint P. K.
Published: June 2019

Background and purpose

The relationship of the estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) with complications after stroke has not been fully characterized for the entire clinical spectrum of eGFR and for the fluctuation in eGFR during hospital stay.

Methods

Data from the Norfolk and Norwich Stroke Registry recorded between January 2003 and April 2015 were analysed. eGFR was categorized into six clinically relevant categories as per the Kidney Disease Improving Global Outcomes guidelines. The change in eGFR during acute admission was categorized into the following: within 5% change (reference), 5%–20% decline, >20% decline, 5%–20% increase and >20% increase. All‐cause mortality, recurrent stroke, incident myocardial infarction, prolonged hospital stay and stroke disability at discharge were outcomes of interest.

Results

In all, 10 329 stroke patients (mean age 77.8 years) were followed for a mean of 2.9 years (30 126 person‐years). Multivariable adjusted hazard ratios (95% confidence interval) for all‐cause mortality were 0.91 (0.80–1.04), 0.96 (0.83–1.11), 1.23 (1.06–1.43), 1.54 (1.31–1.82) and 2.38 (1.91–2.97) for eGFR levels 60–89, 45–59, 30–44, 15–29 and <15 respectively, compared to eGFR ≥ 90 ml/min/1.73 m2. The hazard ratios (95% confidence interval) for eGFR change were 1.56 (1.36–1.79), 1.17 (1.05–1.30), 1.47 (1.32–1.62) and 1.71 (1.55–1.88) for >20% decline, 5%–20% decline, 5%–20% increase and >20% increase, respectively, compared to change within 5%. Results were similar for other outcomes except recurrent stroke.

Conclusions

Stroke patients with eGFR < 45 ml/min/1.73 m2 at hospital admission and >5% decline or increase in eGFR during hospital stay were at substantially higher risk of poor outcomes, particularly all‐cause mortality, myocardial infarction, prolonged hospital stay and disability at discharge.
Nationwide survey on cerebral amyloid angiopathy in Japan
Authors: Sakai K. , Ueda M. , Fukushima W. , Tamaoka A. , Shoji M. , Ando Y. , Yamada M.
Published: June 2019

Background and purpose

A nationwide survey was conducted to understand the epidemiology of cerebral amyloid angiopathy‐related intracerebral hemorrhage (CAA‐related ICH) and cerebral amyloid angiopathy‐related inflammation/vasculitis (CAA‐ri) in Japan.

Methods

To estimate the total number and clinical features of patients with CAA‐related ICH and CAA‐ri between January 2012 and December 2014 and to analyze their clinical features, questionnaires were sent to randomly selected hospitals in Japan.

Results

In the first survey, 2348 of 4657 departments responded to the questionnaire (response rate 50.4%). The total numbers of reported patients with CAA‐related ICH and CAA‐ri were 1338 and 61, respectively, and their total numbers in Japan were estimated to be 5900 [95% confidence interval (CI) 4800–7100] and 170 (95% CI 110–220), respectively. The crude prevalence rates were 4.64 and 0.13 per 100 000 population, respectively. The clinical information of 474 patients with CAA‐related ICH obtained in the second survey was as follows: (i) the average age of onset was 78.4 years; (ii) the prevalence increased with age; (iii) the disease was common in women; and (iv) hematoma most frequently occurred in the frontal lobe. Sixteen patients with CAA‐ri for whom data were collected in the second survey had the following characteristics: (i) median age of onset was 75 years; (ii) cognitive impairment and headache were the most frequent initial manifestations; and (iii) focal neurological signs, such as motor paresis and visual disturbance, were frequently observed during the clinical course.

Conclusions

The numbers of patients with CAA‐related ICH and CAA‐ri in Japan were estimated.
A robust hybrid artificial neural network double frontier data envelopment analysis approach for assessing sustainability of power plants under uncertainty
Authors: Yousefi Saeed , Soltani Roya , Bonyadi Naeini Ali , Farzipoor Saen Reza
Published: June 2019

To assess sustainability of power plants, this paper presents a novel hybrid method. To this end, self‐organizing map method of artificial neural networks is employed. Then, a double frontier data envelopment analysis is developed to rank power plants in each cluster of decision‐making units. Because outputs of power plants might be uncertain, a robust optimization approach is incorporated into proposed double frontier data envelopment analysis model to present ranks that are robust against different uncertainties. A case study is given to validate the proposed model. The case study shows that the proposed model can present improvement solutions that guide power plants towards efficient frontier and far from inefficient frontier. Given the results, decision makers can decide on which power plants should be closed and which power plants should be expanded.
On the interaction of normal and shear stresses in multiaxial fatigue damage
Authors: Sharifimehr Shahriar , Fatemi Ali
Published: June 2019

One of the important issues in assessing multiaxial fatigue damage is interactions between different components of stress such as normal and shear stresses. The present study investigated this interaction effect on the fatigue behavior of materials with shear failure mode when subjected to multiaxial loading conditions. A method is introduced to model this interaction based on the idea that two types of influence are caused by the normal stress acting on the critical plane orientation. These two types of influence are affecting roughness induced closure, as well as fluctuating normal stress which affects the growth of small cracks in mode II. Shear‐based critical plane damage models which use normal stress as a secondary input, such as FS damage model, could then use the summation of these terms. In order to investigate the effect of the method, constant amplitude load paths with different levels of interaction between the normal and shear stresses, as well as variable amplitude tests with histories both taken from service loading conditions and generated using random numbers were designed for an experimental program. The proposed method was observed to result in improved fatigue life estimations where significant interactions between normal and shear stresses exist.
Accounting for crack tip cyclic plasticity and creep reversal in estimating (Ct)avg during creep‐fatigue crack growth
Authors: Saxena Ashok , Narasimhachary Santosh B.
Published: June 2019

Creep‐fatigue crack growth (C‐FCG) rates in a P91 steel at 625°C were correlated as the average time rate of crack growth during hold time, (da/dt)avg, with (Ct)avg. At 60‐second hold time, the rates were lower than for 600‐second hold time. At 600‐second hold time, the crack growth rates converged on to the creep crack growth rate (CCGR) trend. Thus, the CCGR trend represents the upper bound for time‐dependent crack growth rates in P91 materials. The analytical expressions based on considering just the elastic and secondary creep deformation rates overestimated the magnitudes of (Ct)avg by as much as a factor of 10 for the 600‐second hold time tests. After accounting for the effects of cyclic plasticity during unloading, and accounting for only partial reversal of creep strains accumulated during hold time, the estimates of (Ct)avg compared well with the measured values. CR represents the extent of crack tip creep strain reversal, and tpl is the time required for the crack tip creep zone during the hold time to become equivalent in size to the cyclic plastic zone in terms of stress carried by that region. Together, these parameters accurately account for the effects of crack tip cyclic plasticity on the magnitude of (Ct)avg.

Both tpl and CR depend on material properties, and the latter also depends on the hold time. A parameter ϕ is introduced that is dependent only on material properties and from which CR can be estimated for a given hold time. tpl and ϕ can be reported as part of the test results from C‐FCG testing.
Response Evaluation Criteria in Cancer of the Liver version 5 (RECICL 2019 revised version)
Authors: Kudo Masatoshi , Ikeda Masafumi , Ueshima Kazuomi , Sakamoto Michiie , Shiina Shuichiro , Tateishi Ryosuke , Hasegawa Kiyoshi , Furuse Junji , Miyayama Shiro , Murakami Takamichi , Yamashita Tatsuya , Kokudo Norihiro
Published: June 2019

Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors (RECIST) is inappropriate to assess the direct effects of treatment on hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) by locoregional therapies, such as radiofrequency ablation and transarterial chemoembolization. Therefore, establishment of response evaluation criteria solely devoted to HCC is needed in clinical practice, as well as in clinical trials of HCC treatment, such as systemic therapies, which cause necrosis of the tumor. Response Evaluation Criteria in Cancer of the Liver (RECICL) was revised in 2019 by the Liver Cancer Study Group of Japan based on the 2015 version of RECICL, which was commonly used in Japan. The major revised points of the RECICL 2019 are as follows: (i) CEA and CA19‐9 have been newly added as tumor markers that should be recorded for use as criteria in the response evaluation for intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma; (ii) the criteria now state that the details of molecular targeted therapy should be specified; and (iii) specific methods for overall evaluation are now described. Also, as an assessment of overall TE4 requires that TE4 is achieved in all nodules (even non‐target lesions), the same calculation methods described above are used. We hope this new treatment response criteria, RECICL, proposed by the Liver Cancer Study Group of Japan will benefit the HCC treatment response evaluation in the setting of daily clinical practice and clinical trials as well, not only in Japan, but also internationally.
Effects of processing on the phenolic contents, antioxidant activity and volatile profile of wheat bran tea
Authors: Wang Haoxin , Sun Hongyi , Zhang Pangzhen , Fang Zhongxiang
Published: June 2019

Wheat bran is a major milling by‐product with significant nutritional importance. This study investigated the influence of processing on the antioxidant activity and volatile profile of wheat bran tea. The processing protocol involved two different pretreatments: soaking and cellulase treatment, followed by steaming and roasting. The results indicated that total phenolic content and antioxidant activity were reduced post both pretreatments, but increased after steaming, and dramatically increased after roasting. The cellulase‐roasted samples had significantly higher antioxidant activity compared to soak‐roasted samples. A total of forty key volatile compounds were identified in the wheat bran tea. The total volatile compounds were significantly increased by both soaking and cellulase treatments and steaming, but reduced by roasting. Compared to soaking pretreatment, cellulase pretreated samples had significantly higher total volatile compounds at each processing step. This study offers a practical method in processing of wheat bran into novel grain tea products.
Burnout and perceived social support: The mediating role of secondary traumatization in nurses vs. physicians
Authors: Hamama Liat , Hamama‐Raz Yaira , Stokar Yaffa N. , Pat‐Horenczyk Ruth , Brom Danny , Bron‐Harlev Efrat
Published: June 2019

Aims

The study aimed to examine differences between paediatric nurses and physicians regarding burnout syndrome, secondary traumatic stress (STS) and perceived social support (PSS).

Background

Paediatric nurses and physicians encounter cumulative effects of treating sick and injured children and helping their families, in situations that might promote burnout and STS.

Design

Cross‐sectional design.

Method

Nurses (n = 158) and physicians (N = 76) completed self‐report questionnaires on STS, PSS and burnout.

Results

Nurses and physicians had similar rates of STS and burnout but showed significant differences in PSS. Furthermore, STS mediated the association between PSS and burnout for both groups; however, the effect was stronger for nurses in comparison to physicians.

Conclusion

Paediatric nurses and physicians would benefit from participating in interventions geared towards reducing STS, thus minimizing burnout. Moreover, advocating social support within the organization is needed to bolster the ability for coping with sources of stress.

Impact statement

Nurses' and physicians' involvement in the physical, physiological and mental needs of their paediatric patients might lead to burnout and secondary traumatic stress (STS). However, research on social support in the context of burnout and STS among nurses and physicians is scant. Secondary traumatic stress and burnout were similar for nurses and physicians, though perceived social support (PSS) was higher for nurses. Secondary traumatic stress plays a mediating role in the association between PSS and burnout among nurses and physicians. However, the mediation effect was stronger for nurses. Policy makers would be wise to advocate institutional stress management interventions to reduce secondary traumatic and to reinforce organizational support for nurses and physicians.
Left ventricular sensing in cardiac resynchronization devices—opportunities and pitfalls for device programming
Authors: Haeberlin Andreas , Ploux Sylvain , Noel Antoine , Chauvel Rémi , Welte Nicolas , Marchand Hugo , Haissaguerre Michel , Ritter Philippe , Bordachar Pierre
Published: June 2019

Introduction

Some cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) device manufacturers (Biotronik, Germany; Boston Scientific, United States) have implemented left ventricular (LV) sensing functionality to prevent pacing into the vulnerable phase. Physicians are only partially aware of programming pitfalls related to LV sensing and general programming advice is lacking.

Methods and Results

We provide an illustrative case–series‐based review of the variety of potential problems with LV sensing. LV sensing may inappropriately impair CRT delivery due to LV‐sensing issues or improper device programming. This can cause beat‐wise loss of resynchronization but also ongoing desynchronization. On the other hand, LV sensing provides additional diagnostic information, which may reveal intermittent problems of the LV lead such as capture loss.

We summarize the available evidence to provide manufacturer‐specific recommendations on device programming and troubleshooting for daily clinical practice.

Conclusion

CRT devices with LV sensing may suffer from impaired resynchronization due to programming pitfalls. If LV sensing is active (nominal setting in Biotronik and Boston Scientific devices), careful lookout for related problems and resynchronization percentage is required. Optimization is mandatory and even deactivation of LV sensing may have to be considered.
Chronotropic incompetence as a risk predictor in children and young adults with catecholaminergic polymorphic ventricular tachycardia
Authors: Franciosi Sonia , Roston Thomas M. , Perry Frances K.G. , Knollmann Bjorn C. , Kannankeril Prince J. , Sanatani Shubhayan
Published: June 2019

Introduction

Risk stratification tools for catecholaminergic polymorphic ventricular tachycardia (CPVT) are limited. The exercise stress test (EST) is the most important diagnostic and prognostic test. We aimed to determine whether heart rate (HR) and blood pressure (BP) response during EST were associated with the risk of arrhythmias.

Materials and Methods

We studied the association between HR and BP response and ventricular arrhythmia burden on EST in 20 CPVT patients. HR reserve values <80% and ≤62% were used to define chronotropic incompetence (CI) off and on therapy, respectively. Symptoms and ventricular arrhythmia score (VAS) in all patients with respect to CI and BP during index EST off therapy and on maximal therapy were compared.

Results

CI in CPVT patients off therapy was associated with a worse VAS during EST (P = .046). Patients with CI also more frequently presented with syncope and/or cardiac arrest compared to patients with a normal chronotropic response (P = .008). Once on therapy, patients with CI had similar VAS compared to patients without CI (P = .50), suggesting that treatment attenuates risk related to CI. Patients with CI also had a lower peak systolic BP (P = .041) which persisted on maximal therapy (P = .033).

Conclusion

Untreated CPVT patients with CI have more ventricular arrhythmias than those without CI. This may serve as a simple disease prognosticator that can be modified by antiarrhythmic therapy. A mechanistic link between CI and arrhythmia susceptibility remains unknown. Larger studies are needed to confirm and establish the mechanism of these findings.
Intraindividual variability of sleep/wake patterns in adolescents with and without attention‐deficit/hyperactivity disorder
Authors: Langberg Joshua M. , Breaux Rosanna P. , Cusick Caroline N. , Green Cathrin D. , Smith Zoe R. , Molitor Stephen J. , Becker Stephen P.
Published: June 2019

Background

Prior studies examining the sleep of adolescents with and without attention‐deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) have relied on mean values such as average sleep duration, which masks intraindividual variability (IIV). The objective was to investigate whether adolescents with ADHD have greater IIV of sleep/wake patterns than adolescents without ADHD using actigraphy and daily sleep diaries.

Method

Adolescents (ages 13.17 ± 0.40 years; 45% female) with (n = 162) and without (n = 140) ADHD were recruited from middle schools at two sites. Participants wore actigraphs and completed sleep diaries for an average of 2 weeks.

Results

Multilevel models were conducted with sex, sleep medication use, ADHD medication use, number of days with data, and social jetlag controlled for in analyses. For actigraphy, adolescents with ADHD had greater variability for time in bed, sleep onset and offset, and wake after sleep onset than adolescents without ADHD. For sleep diary data, adolescents with ADHD had greater variability in bedtime, wake time, sleep duration, sleep onset latency, sleep quality, and night wakings than adolescents without ADHD. Social jetlag was a significant predictor of variability in sleep measures based on both actigraph and daily diaries; however, ADHD status was not associated with social jetlag.

Conclusions

This is the first study to show that adolescents with ADHD have more variable sleep/wake patterns than their peers using both objective and subjective sleep measures. IIV of sleep/wake patterns may be important for clinicians to assess and monitor as part of treatment. Research is needed to understand the mechanisms underlying increased IIV of sleep/wake patterns in adolescents with ADHD and potential consequences for daytime functioning.
Sample sizes and statistical methods in interventional studies on individuals with spinal cord injury: A systematic review
Authors: Zimmermann Georg , Bolter Lisa‐Maria , Sluka Ronny , Höller Yvonne , Bathke Arne C. , Thomschewski Aljoscha , Leis Stefan , Lattanzi Simona , Brigo Francesco , Trinka Eugen
Published: June 2019

Aim

Prevalence and incidence of spinal cord injury (SCI) are low. However, sample sizes have not been systematically examined yet, although this might represent useful information for study planning and power considerations. Therefore, our objective was to determine the median sample size in clinical trials on SCI individuals. Moreover, within small‐sample size studies, statistical methods and awareness of potential problems regarding small samples were examined.

Methods

We systematically reviewed all studies on human SCI individuals published between 2014 and 2015, where the effect of an intervention on one or more health‐related outcomes was assessed by means of a hypothesis test. If at least one group had a size <20, the study was classified as a small sample size study. PubMed was searched for eligible studies; subsequently, data on sample sizes and statistical methods were extracted and summarized descriptively.

Results

Out of 8897 studies 207 were included. Median total sample size was 18 (range 4‐582). Small sample sizes were found in 167/207 (81%) studies, resulting limitations and implications for statistical analyses were mentioned in 109/167 (65%) studies.

Conclusions

Although most recent SCI trials have been conducted with small samples, the consequences on statistical analysis methods and the validity of the results are rarely acknowledged.
Effects of leaf conditions and flight activity on the behaviour of Platypus quercivorus (Murayama) (Coleoptera: Platypodidae)
Authors: Pham Duy Long , Ito Yasuto , Okada Ryuichi , Ikeno Hidetoshi , Isagi Yuji , Yamasaki Michimasa
Published: June 2019

The important role of semiochemicals in the interactions between plants and insects has been extensively investigated. The volatiles produced by oak trees are thought to attract the ambrosia beetle Platypus quercivorus (Murayama), which causes wilt disease in Quercus trees, resulting in widespread damage. In the present study, we hypothesized that (a) P. quercivorus is attracted to the leaf volatiles emitted by host trees and (b) the response of P. quercivorus to leaf volatiles is affected by flight. An experiment was performed to survey the preferences of both sexes of P. quercivorus for the leaf volatiles of Quercus crispula Blume at various stages of leaf deterioration, represented by different number of days after cutting. Additionally, the effect of flight on both sexes was evaluated by testing the beetle flight on a flight mill. The results showed that P. quercivorus was attracted to the volatiles emitted from fresh leaves and was not attracted to those emitted from dry leaves. This suggests that leaf volatiles from healthy hosts are primary attractants for P. quercivorus. Further, males exhibited increased olfactory responses to leaf volatiles as their flight duration increased, whereas the opposite pattern was observed in females. These results suggest that the different ecological roles of the sexes contribute to differences in olfactory responses.
Effects of experimental warming on wild and transgenic oriental fruit fly, Bactrocera dorsalis
Authors: Chiu Ming‐Chih , Ni Yu‐Han , Lu Kuang‐Hui , Kuo Mei‐Hwa
Published: June 2019

Climate change may influence the application efficiency of transgenic marking, such as in mark–release–recapture (MRR) experiments or sterile insect technique (SIT). Wild and transgenic fruit flies of Bactrocera dorsalis were subjected to oscillating regimes that represent current temperature conditions (mean: 28.6°C) and various future possible scenarios (means: 30.0, 32.5 and 35.0°C). As the temperature was increased to 30.0°C, the negative effects on adult fecundity and demographic parameters (net reproductive rate and intrinsic rate of increase) of only the transgenic cohorts increased. With a moderate warming (32.5°C), negative effects were observed on the net reproductive rate for both fly strains, and these effects on the life‐history traits (adult fecundity and longevity) and intrinsic rate of increase were stronger in the transgenic than in the wild cohorts, with reference to the trait values at 30.0°C. A severe warming (35.0°C) resulted in the failure of all individuals of both fly strains to reach adulthood. We suggest parametrical adjustments or decreased differences in fitness with refined transgenesis under current and future climate conditions, which can reduce the marking limitations of pest management and eradication programmes.
Prolactin receptor expression in mouse dorsal root ganglia neuronal subtypes is sex‐dependent
Authors: Patil Mayur , Hovhannisyan Anahit H. , Wangzhou Andi , Mecklenburg Jennifer , Koek Wouter , Goffin Vincent , Grattan David , Boehm Ulrich , Dussor Gregory , Price Theodore J. , Akopian Armen N.
Published: June 2019

Sensory neurones exhibit sex‐dependent responsiveness to prolactin (PRL). This could contribute to sexual dimorphism in pathological pain conditions. The present study aimed to determine the mechanisms underlying sex‐dependent PRL sensitivity in sensory neurones. A quantitative reverse transcriptase‐polymerase chain reaction shows that prolactin receptor (Prlr) long and short isoform mRNAs are expressed at comparable levels in female and male mouse dorsal root ganglia (DRG). In Prlrcre/+;Rosa26LSL‐tDTomato/+ reporter mice, percentages of Prlr+ sensory neurones in female and male DRG are also similar. Characterisation of Prlr+ DRG neurones using immunohistochemistry and electrophysiology revealed that Prlr+ DRG neurones are mainly peptidergic nociceptors in females and males. However, sensory neurone type‐dependent expression of Prlr is sex dimorphic. Thus, Prlr+ populations fell into three small‐ and two medium‐large‐sized sensory neuronal groups. Prlr+ DRG neurones are predominantly medium‐large sized in males and are proportionally more comprised of small‐sized sensory neurones in females. Specifically, Prlr+/IB4+/CGRP+ neurones are four‐ to five‐fold higher in numbers in female DRG. By contrast, Prlr+/IB4−/CGRP+/5HT3a+/NPYR2− are predominant in male DRG. Prlr+/IB4−/CGRP−, Prlr+/IB4−/CGRP+ and Prlr+/IB4−/CGRP+/NPYR2+ neurones are evenly encountered in female and male DRG. These differences were confirmed using an independently generated single‐cell sequencing dataset. Overall, we propose a novel mechanism by which sensory neurone type‐dependent expression of Prlr could explain the unique sex dimorphism in responsiveness of nociceptors to PRL.
A complex pattern of post‐divergence expansion, contraction, introgression, and asynchronous responses to Pleistocene climate changes in two Dipelta sister species from western China
Authors: Tian Bin , Fu Yi , Milne Richard I. , Mao Kang‐Shan , Sun Yong‐Shuai , Ma Xiang‐Guang , Sun Hang
Published: June 2019

The well‐known vicariance and dispersal models dominate in understanding the allopatric pattern for related species and presume the simultaneous occurrence of speciation and biogeographic events. However, the formation of allopatry could postdate the species divergence. We examined this hypothesis using DNA sequence data from three chloroplast fragments and five nuclear loci of Dipelta floribunda Maxim. and D. yunnanensis Franch, two shrub species with the circum Sichuan Basin distribution, combining the climatic niche modeling approach. The best‐fit model supported by the approximate Bayesian computation analysis indicated that D. floribunda and D. yunnanensis diverged during the mid‐Pleistocene period, consistent with the largest glacial period in the Qinghai–Tibet Plateau. The historically interspecific gene flow was identified, but seemed to have ceased after the last interglacial period, when the range of D. floribunda moved northward from the south of the Sichuan Basin. Furthermore, populations of D. floribunda had expanded obviously in the north of the Sichuan Basin after the last glacial maximum (LGM). Relatively, the range of D. yunnanensis expanded before the LGM, and reduced during the post‐LGM especially in the north of the Sichuan Basin, reflecting the asynchronous responses of related species to contemporary climate changes. Our results suggested that complex topography should be considered in understanding distributional patterns, even for closely related species and their demographic responses.
The role of island physiography in maintaining genetic diversity in the endemic Tyrrhenian wall lizard (Podarcis tiliguerta)
Authors: Senczuk G. , Castiglia R. , Colangelo P. , Delaugerre M. , Corti C.
Published: June 2019

Sea level oscillations occurred during the Pleistocene have strongly affected islands’ physiography by changing area, elevation, and even the number of islands rising above the sea level. Such changes had direct consequences on island genetic diversity by promoting genetic admixture during glacial marine regressions while fragmentation or even extinctions occurred because of marine transgressions. Here we investigated the effect of islands’ physiographic changes on the mitochondrial diversity of 84 individuals of the Tyrrhenian wall lizard (Podarcis tiliguerta) from different islands and island groups surrounding Corsica and Sardinia. The La Maddalena Archipelago that is the more complex of the studied island groups, showed the highest genetic diversity, while we detected decreasing genetic diversity in island groups with lower number of islands and elevation. The genetic imprint we found seems to have been shaped by eustatic changes occurred in the Mediterranean basin during Mid‐Pleistocene times. Indeed, a relevant component of ancient lineages was found on those island groups among which elevation of at least one island allowed populations to survive during the Mid‐Pleistocene marine transgressions. In contrast, we found evidence of recent gene flow between populations inhabiting islands or island groups characterized by low elevation. Our results suggest that many features such as number of islands and their elevation, may provide predictive information to identify those islands or “archipelagos” that deserve special attention in terms of conservation priority.
Social, behavioural and temporal components of wolf (Canis lupus) responses to anthropogenic landscape features in the central Apennines, Italy
Authors: Mancinelli S. , Falco M. , Boitani L. , Ciucci P.
Published: June 2019

Understanding large carnivores’ behavioural adaptations to habitat modifications is critical for their persistence in human‐modified environments. Based on 10 Global Positioning System‐collared wolves in a protected area of central Italy, we investigated wolf responses to anthropogenic features such as roads and settlements by using Step and Resource Selection Functions. We revealed that responses by wolves to anthropogenic features varied according to behavioural state (travelling vs. resting) and social affiliation (pack members vs. floaters), while accounting for seasonal and circadian effects. During summer, pack members strongly avoided roads and settlements throughout all day, both when travelling and resting, and complemented this response by selecting forested areas and shrublands. Conversely, during fall and winter, pack members relaxed the avoidance towards anthropogenic features by travelling closer to main roads and settlements, but they still selected resting sites farther from anthropogenic features and located them in denser cover and along steeper slopes. Compared to pack members, floaters, when travelling, showed a weaker avoidance of main roads and settlements and did not show any selection pattern towards environmental variables. When resting, contrary to pack members, floaters selected sites closer to main roads and settlements, even though these were still located along denser cover and steeper slopes. Our findings suggest that wolves living in human‐modified landscapes adapt behaviourally to the spatial and temporal distribution of perceived interference by humans and that their response is complementary to the expected seasonal and circadian variation in human activity. These adaptations appear to be aided by the selection of habitat features that enhance security and allow segregation from humans. Maintenance of such habitat characteristics appears of critical importance to ensure the functionality of behavioural adaptations by wolves living in human‐modified landscapes.
How Are Symbols and Nonsymbolic Numerical Magnitudes Related? Exploring Bidirectional Relationships in Early Numeracy
Authors: Goffin Celia , Ansari Daniel
Published: June 2019

What is the nature of the relationship between different lower‐level numerical skills and their role in developing arithmetic skills? We consider the hypothesis of a reciprocal relationship between the development of symbolic (e.g., Arabic numerals) and nonsymbolic (e.g., arrays of objects) numerical magnitude processing. Evidence for bidirectional relationships between symbolic and nonsymbolic numerical magnitude skill development is examined. Overall, present evidence is more indicative of an influence of symbolic numerical magnitude skills on the development of nonsymbolic numerical magnitude skills than vice versa. Looking forward, methodological issues pertinent to measuring the direction of such relationships are discussed. Also discussed is the important role that training studies need to play to further understand the complex relationships between basic number skills, and in turn their relationship with arithmetic. It is important that assumptions about relationships between lower and higher‐level cognitive skills are tested empirically and that seemingly counterintuitive relationships are given serious consideration.
A spatio‐temporal ensemble method for large‐scale traffic state prediction
Authors: Liu Yang , Liu Zhiyuan , Vu Hai L. , Lyu Cheng
Published: June 2019

How to effectively ensemble multiple models while leveraging the spatio‐temporal information is a challenging but practical problem. However, there is no existing ensemble method explicitly designed for spatio‐temporal data. In this paper, a fully convolutional model based on semantic segmentation technology is proposed, termed as spatio‐temporal ensemble net. The proposed method is suitable for grid‐based spatio‐temporal prediction in dense urban areas. Experiments demonstrate that through spatio‐temporal ensemble net, multiple traffic state prediction base models can be combined to improve the prediction accuracy.
Serum antibodies against Toxoplasma gondii and Neospora caninum in southeast Queensland dugongs
Authors: Wong Arthur , Lanyon Janet M. , O'Handley Ryan , Linedale Richard , Woolford Lucy , Long Trevor , Leggatt Graham R.
Published: June 2019

The dugong (Dugong dugon) is an herbivorous marine mammal that inhabits tropical inshore waters and thus may be vulnerable to pollutants and terrestrial pathogens as a result of coastal runoff. In this study, serum samples collected from live, wild dugongs (n = 114) in an embayment located on the urbanized southeast Queensland coast of Australia during 2008–2014, were measured for IgG antibody levels specific to Toxoplasma gondii and Neospora caninum. An ELISA used to measure T. gondii tachyzoite antibodies indicated a non‐Gaussian distribution of antibody level, with five dugongs identified as high outliers. Mean levels of antibodies specific for T. gondii in dugongs sampled in 2014 were significantly higher than in 2010 (p = .006) and 2011 (p = .009) with an elevation in mean antibody levels after a major 2011 flood event relative to antibody levels prior to the flood (p < .0001). A competitive ELISA to detect N. caninum antibody indicated a normal distribution of antibody with no high outliers. Mean antibody level for N. caninum was highest in 2012 and declined significantly in 2014 (p = .004). This is the first survey of antibodies directed against T. gondii and N. caninum in dugongs and suggests future health monitoring of this species.
Exploring associations between water, sanitation, and anemia through 47 nationally representative demographic and health surveys
Authors: Kothari Monica T. , Coile Amanda , Huestis Arja , Pullum Tom , Garrett Dean , Engmann Cyril
Published: June 2019

Globally, no countries are on track to achieve the adopted global nutrition targets set for anemia in 2025. Given the linkages between water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) and nutrition, this secondary data analysis explores potential associations with anemia. Forty‐seven demographic and health surveys were used to explore the association between unimproved water and sanitation and anemia in women and children with adjusted odds ratios (ORs) calculated by country and cumulatively. In over 60% of countries, children with off‐premises water access had significantly increased odds of anemia. In over a quarter of countries, children exposed to surface water had higher odds of anemia. In Burundi, children were 1.65 times more likely to be anemic when reported to be living in households using surface water. However, in India, a protective effect was noted (adjusted OR: 0.70,P< 0.001) for surface water. In 60% and 65% of countries, women and children exposed to an open sanitation facility had higher odds of being anemic, respectively. There is evidence of an association between selected water and sanitation indicators and anemia. Promoting policies, practices and research that strengthen access to improved WASH should be considered for reducing anemia prevalence alongside standard nutrition interventions.
Hemoglobin concentration and anemia diagnosis in venous and capillary blood: biological basis and policy implications
Authors: Neufeld Lynnette M. , Larson Leila M. , Kurpad Anura , Mburu Sheila , Martorell Reynaldo , Brown Kenneth H.
Published: June 2019

Anemia is an important public health challenge and accurate prevalence estimates are needed for program planning and tracking progress. While venous blood assessed by automated hematology analyzers is considered gold standard, most population‐based surveys use point‐of‐care diagnostics and capillary blood to estimate population prevalence of anemia. Several factors influence hemoglobin (Hb) concentration, including human and analytic error, analysis method, and type of instrument, but it is unclear whether biological variability exists between venous and capillary blood. The objective of this paper was to systematically review sources of Hb variability and the potential biological basis for venous and capillary differences. We use data from a recent survey in the state of Uttar Pradesh, India, to illustrate the implications on anemia prevalence estimates. Significant differences in Hb concentration between capillary and venous blood samples are common. Most but not all find capillary Hb concentration to be higher than venous. Instrument/method variability and human error play an important role, but cannot fully explain these differences. A normative guide to data collection, analysis, and anemia diagnosis is needed to ensure consistent and appropriate interpretation. Further research is needed to fully understand the biological implications of venous and capillary Hb variability.