bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A critical narrative approach to openness: The impact of open development on structural transformation
Authors: Bentley Caitlin M. , Chib Arul , Poveda Sammia
Published: September 2018

Openness has become an important, all‐encompassing term denoting activities facilitated by sharing, using, producing, and redistributing information and communication resources within digital information systems. We compare theoretical advancements that emphasize processes and characteristics of openness with the limitations of extant approaches that have largely focused on improvements to productivity and efficiency. Based on Foucault and Bruner's ideas, this paper contributes a new critical narrative approach to understanding openness explicitly focused on structural transformation and power. The analysis focuses on the case of open development, examining 20 key studies based primarily on developing countries. The critical narrative approach unpacked the production of power/knowledge across actors, intentions, and outcomes of openness research and practice. We find that discursive formations are reliant on technocentric and normative ideals of researchers, leading to narratives of hypothetical outcomes that exclude marginalized perspectives. We propose hermeneutic composability and contesting normative narratives of openness as analytical techniques for an integrated, mutually constitutive conception of interactions between individuals, open artefacts, and open social praxis.
Dementia caregiver interventions in Chinese people: A systematic review
Authors: Wu Bei , Petrovsky Darina V. , Wang Jing , Xu Hanzhang , Zhu Zheng , McConnell Eleanor S. , Corrazzini Kirsten N.
Published: September 2018

Aims

The aim of this systematic review was to examine the characteristics and the efficacy of dementia caregiving interventions among the Chinese population.

Background

In recent years, an increasing number of dementia caregiving interventions have been developed for Chinese older adults living in Asia that aim to reduce caregivers’ burden, depression and distress, and enhance quality of life. Little is known, however, on the nature and the efficacy of these interventions.

Design

Systematic review with narrative summary.

Data sources

We searched four databases for studies published in English between 1 January 1994–30 December 2017. Nineteen studies reported in 23 articles were included in the final analysis.

Review methods

We used a set of criteria from the Cochrane Collaboration tool to assess for the risk of bias across studies.

Results

We found that interventions varied in length, frequency, approach, and content, making comparisons across studies challenging. Caregivers’ burden, depression, and distress were improved among most included studies. All studies that examined quality of life of caregivers (N = 6) showed improvement. Most of the interventions showed beneficial effects on care recipients’ behavioural symptoms, agitation, and depression; cognitive function, however, failed to improve.

Conclusion

Although the review found mixed results on intervention outcomes, the majority of interventions showed a potential to improve the health and well‐being of dementia caregivers and care recipients. This review provides suggestions for future dementia caregiving research in the Chinese population, such as inclusion of relevant theoretical frameworks and more rigorous research designs.
An open label discontinuation trial of long‐term used off‐label antipsychotic drugs in people with intellectual disability: The influence of staff‐related factors
Authors: de Kuijper Gerda M. , Hoekstra Pieter J.
Published: September 2018

Background

Results of discontinuation of antipsychotics in people with intellectual disability are variable and may depend on staff factors.

Method

We attempted to taper off antipsychotics in 14 weeks after which participants were free to restart. We investigated the influence of support professionals’ feelings towards challenging behaviour, their knowledge of psychotropic drugs and clinicians’ judgements of participants’ behavioural functioning on whether or not antipsychotics were completely discontinued after 16, 28 and 40 weeks.

Results

Of the 129 participants, 61% achieved discontinuation at 16 weeks; at 28 and 40 weeks, 46% and 40% were completely discontinued. Staff's feelings of Depression/Anger towards their client's behaviour, less knowledge about psychotropic medication and clinicians’ judgements of behavioural worsening were negatively associated with achievement of discontinuation.

Conclusions

To enhance discontinuation off‐label drug use, staff's feelings should be explored, their knowledge of psychotropic drugs improved and reasons for clinicians’ judgements of participants’ behavioural worsening investigated.
Integration of computer vision and colorimetric sensor array for nondestructive detection of mango quality
Authors: Huang Xingyi , Lv Riqin , Wang Sun , Aheto Joshua H. , Dai Chunxia
Published: September 2018

A method of digital image and odor information processing has been proposed by integrating computer vision and colorimetric sensor array (CSA) for rapid and accurate evaluation of mango quality. Wholesome mango fruits, about 70–80% maturity were procured and stored in a constant temperature‐humidity chamber, 12 ± 0.5°C and 85–90%, respectively. Hardness and Total Soluble Solid (TSS) of the mango samples were measured by both conventional techniques and new nondestructive method developed combing computer vision and CSA. All data were analyzed using principal component analysis to reduce dimensionality. Support vector classification (SVC) models were established for qualitative discrimination of mango quality. Moreover, support vector regression (SVR) was applied to indicate the relationship between results got from nondestructive methods and conventional methods. SVC model was used to classify mango samples into three grades, the accuracy rates were 98.75 and 97.5% for the training and prediction sets, respectively. The SVR correlation coefficients for hardness were 0.9051 and 0.8897 for the training and prediction sets, respectively, and 0.9515 and 0.9241 for training set and prediction sets, respectively, in respect of TSS. Results showed that it is feasible to predict hardness and TSS of mango by the combination of computer vision and CSA.

Practical applications

Mango (Mangifera indica L.) is one of the world's famous tropical fruits and enjoys the reputation of “tropical fruit king.” Mango is considered a climacteric fruit because during ripening it displays a surge of respiration and ethylene production which tends to hasten the ripening process. To keep the mango fruit fresh, it is very important to monitor the quality during transportation and storage. In this study, an innovative approach was developed, in which computer vision and colorimetric sensor array (CSA) were employed simultaneously to get more accurate result. This method simplified detection steps and shorten the detection time. The results showed that the integration of computer vision and CSA could serve as a rapid nondestructive testing method for mango quality detection. The method can be applied for rapid detection of mango products by both government department and food company.
Dielectric properties of raw milk as influenced by frequency, salts, and salt contents
Authors: Zhu Xinhua , Liu Qiang , Guo Wenchuan
Published: September 2018

To understand the effect of salts and salt contents on dielectric properties (dielectric constant ε′ and dielectric loss factor ε″) of milk, dielectric properties of raw cow's milk samples at the total salt content (in mass) of 0.75–0.87%, 0.75–0.93%, and 0.75–0.90% by adding NaCl, MgCl2, and KCl, respectively, were obtained from 19 to 3,000 MHz at 25 °C using an impedance analyzer. The results showed that ε′ decreased with increasing frequency, and ε″ changed with “V” shape and had minimums at about 1,500 MHz. At a given frequency and the same salt addition level in molar, the milk added with NaCl and MgCl2 had the smallest and the biggest ε″, respectively. At about 40 MHz, ε′ had a very good positive linear relationship with the total salt content of milk, whose coefficients of determination were 0.96, 0.98, and 0.95 for NaCl, MgCl2, and KCl, respectively. ε″ increased linearly with increasing total salt contents with the coefficients of determination higher than 0.99 below about 900 MHz and higher than 0.86 above 900 MHz no matter for which salt.

Practical applications

This work shows that there were linear relationships between dielectric properties and total salt contents. The study is helpful to understand the influence of salts and salt content on dielectric properties of raw cow's milk, and it offers useful information for developing portable salt detector based on dielectric properties in the future.
Oral nutrition support interventions for patients who are malnourished or at risk of malnutrition: a survey of clinical practice amongst UK dietitians
Authors: Gibbs M. , Drey N. , Baldwin C.
Published: September 2018

Background

Guidance on choosing oral nutritional support strategies varies and the evidence for different approaches is discordant. The present study aimed to examine opinion and practice in the use of oral nutritional support amongst UK dietitians and to assess the factors that influence these clinical decisions.

Methods

The study comprised a cross‐sectional, anonymous, national survey of UK dietitians.

Results

There were 207 completed responses (3% response rate). More dietitians reported using combined approaches (COMB) [n = 129 (62%)] over food‐based (FB) strategies [n = 70 (34%)] or oral nutritional supplements (ONS) alone [n = 8 (4%)] (N = 207, P < 0.001). Intervention choice was associated with clinical setting and clinical speciality; community dietitians reported more frequent use of FB or ONS alone [n = 48 (59%)] versus COMB [n = 34 (41%)] compared to acute dietitians [COMB: n = 83 (78%) COMB versus FB or ONS alone: n = 24 (22%)] (N = 207, P < 0.0001). Specialist nutrition support dietitians reported more frequent use of FB or ONS alone [n = 22 (54%)] versus COMB [n = 19 (46%)] compared to nonspecialists [FB or ONS alone: n = 17 (45%) versus COMB: n = 21 (55%)] and other specialist dietitians [FB or ONS: n = 39 (30%) alone versus COMB: n = 89 (70%)] (P = 0.017). The greatest influences on choice were ease of implementation [n = 192 (93%)], departmental protocols [n = 184 (89%)], professional management pathways [n = 179 (87%)] and published research [n = 165 (80%)]. Patient circumstances [n = 117 (57%) and n = 99 (48%)] and ease of implementation [n = 35 (17%) and n = 48 (24%)] were reported as most influential in the first and second case scenarios, respectively.

Conclusions

There is a need for further research on approaches to the dietetic management of adult malnutrition.
Farmer knowledge across the commodification spectrum: Rice, cotton, and vegetables in Telangana, India
Authors: Flachs Andrew , Stone Glenn Davis
Published: September 2018

Crop seeds are a factor of production that can be produced on farm or bought, commodified in varying ways and degrees, and that can change slowly or rapidly—all of which directly impact the crucial process of farmer “skilling.” Seed choices also offer a unique empirical window through which farmer knowledge may be studied. Although other studies have examined the differences between cash and food crops, this research provides new insights into varyingly commodified crops within the same agrarian system. When planting rice, genetically modified hybrid cotton seeds, and garden vegetables, farmers in Telangana, India, face different constraints and opportunities to learn about their seeds and practice that knowledge in the field. These differences arise from agronomic properties of the seeds themselves as well as from the sociocultural meaning that structures the context in which farmers buy, grow, and save them. This measurable discrepancy in farmer knowledge and experience presents an opportunity to examine the variable impact of seed commodification as it is experienced by the same group of farmers across several different crops. Building on theories of commodification and agricultural knowledge, we propose that the different ways in which farmer knowledge operates in these crops reflect a spectrum on which knowledge and commodification are inversely related.
The challenge of pain assessment in children with cognitive disabilities: Features and clinical applicability of different observational tools
Authors: Cascella Marco , Bimonte Sabrina , Saettini Francesco , Muzio Maria Rosaria
Published: September 2018

Children with cognitive disabilities are at greater risk of experiencing pain. It has been shown that this paediatric population often receive inadequate pain management. Pain may be very difficult to assess, especially in a defined subgroup with non‐communicating intellectual disability or severe cognitive disability. Accordingly, several observational pain assessment tools have been proposed to overcome this issue. Due to the absence of an ideal measurement tool, accurate pain assessment requires, after a case‐by‐case analysis, selecting the more appropriate tool or a variety of combined instruments. The aim of this work is to provide a comprehensive review of the pain assessment tools commonly used in cognitively impaired children. Critical discussion on features and clinical applicability may suggest how to overcome this difficult challenge. Furthermore, this review will help further research aiming to design new instruments and to improve already‐in‐use tools.
Thymol in the intestinal tract of broiler chickens after sustained administration of thyme essential oil in feed
Authors: Oceľová Vladimíra , Chizzola Remigius , Battelli Giovanna , Pisarcikova Jana , Faix Stefan , Gai Francesco , Placha Iveta
Published: September 2018

Plant compounds occurring in phytogenic feed additives are involved in different pharmacological activities in the animal organism. Since the digestive tract acts as a first line of defence against foreign compounds, it is necessary to outline its response to dietary supplementation with bioactive plant components. Little information is available on the bioactivity of thymol as the main bioactive compound of Thymus vulgaris L. essential oil (TEO). The main objective of the present study was to provide a detailed view of the concentrations of thymol in plasma and the content of individual intestinal segments (duodenum, jejunum, ileum, caecum and colon) of broiler chickens after 4 weeks of dietary supplementation with different TEO concentrations. 32 one‐day old Ross 308 hybrid broilers were randomly divided into four dietary treatment groups (0.00%, 0.01%, 0.05%, 0.1% w/w of TEO in the diet). Thymol concentrations in the duodenal chyme presented around 7% on average from the thymol amount administered in the feed. A significantly increased thymol amount was observed after 0.1% TEO addition to the diet compared with 0.01% TEO enrichment in the duodenal wall and gut content of jejunum, ileum, caecum and colon (p < 0.05). Thymol levels in the colon were significantly higher than in the ileum and about 1.7 times higher on average than those in the caecum. Significant coefficient of correlation was observed between thymol concentrations in plasma and feed, gut content of all intestinal segments as well as duodenal wall. Our results point to intensive thymol absorption in the initial sections of the digestive tract. In the current study, the role of intestine in biotransformation of thymol was observed, and it would be desirable to investigate whether thymol itself or thymol metabolites are responsible for beneficial effects in intestine.
Factors influencing diet barriers among outpatients with poorly‐controlled type 2 diabetes: A descriptive correlational study
Authors: Cheng Ling Jie , Wu Vivien Xi , Dawkes Susan , Lim Suan Tee , Wang Wenru
Published: September 2018

The aim of the present descriptive correlational study was to investigate diet barriers and their influencing factors among outpatients with poorly‐controlled type 2 diabetes in Singapore. One hundred and ten patients with poorly‐controlled type 2 diabetes were recruited from a tertiary hospital in Singapore. The Personal Diabetes Questionnaire and Appraisal of Diabetes Scale were used to measure the study variables. Our participants reported that the most common diet barriers were eating out, followed by food cravings. Eating problems and negative diabetes appraisal were identified as significant predictors of diet barriers. The findings laid the groundwork with preliminary findings for the development of culturally‐tailored and patient‐centered education programs to enhance eating behaviors and promote positive appraisal.
Overlapping vitamin A interventions in the United States, Guatemala, Zambia, and South Africa: case studies
Authors: Tanumihardjo Sherry A. , Kaliwile Chisela , Boy Erick , Dhansay Muhammad A. , van Stuijvenberg Martha E.
Published: September 2018

Vitamin A (VA) deficiency is a serious public health problem, especially in preschool children who are at risk of increased mortality. In order to address this problem, the World Health Organization recommends periodic high‐dose supplementation to children 6–59 months of age in areas of highest risk. Originally, supplementation was meant as a short‐term solution until more sustainable interventions could be adopted. Currently, many countries are fortifying commercialized common staple and snack foods with retinyl palmitate. However, in some countries, overlapping programs may lead to excessive intakes. Our review uses case studies in the United States, Guatemala, Zambia, and South Africa to illustrate the potential for excessive intakes in some groups. For example, direct liver analysis from 27 U.S. adult cadavers revealed 33% prevalence of hypervitaminosis A (defined as ≥1 μmol/g liver). In 133 Zambian children, 59% were diagnosed with hypervitaminosis A using a retinol isotope dilution, and 16% had ≥5% total serum VA as retinyl esters, a measure of intoxication. In 40 South African children who frequently consumed liver, 72.5% had ≥5% total serum VA as retinyl esters. All four countries have mandatory fortified foods and a high percentage of supplement users or targeted supplementation to preschool children.
Comparison of perioperative strategies in ICD patients: The perioperative ICD management study (PIM study)
Authors: Neubauer Horst , Wellmann Malte , Herzog‐Niescery Jennifer , Wutzler Alexander , Weber Thomas Peter , Mügge Andreas , Vogelsang Heike
Published: September 2018

Background

The prevalence of patients with implanted cardioverter defibrillators (ICDs) and the frequency of surgery on these patients are steadily on the rise. Guidelines recommend preoperative ICD reprogramming, although this is sometimes difficult in clinical practice. Placing a magnet on the ICD is a practical alternative and even no inactivation is possible in selected cases.

Methods

In this prospective observational study, we compared different perioperative ICD management strategies depending on the location of the surgery and the type of electrocautery used. Patients undergoing surgery above the umbilicus with monopolar electrocautery had their ICD therapy inactivated by reprogramming. When surgery below the navel or surgery above the navel with bipolar electrocautery was completed, ICD inactivation was performed using a magnet. No inactivation was performed on patients undergoing lower extremity surgery with bipolar electrocautery. Only ICD patients who were not pacemaker dependent were enrolled. After surgery, the ICDs were assessed regarding documented arrhythmias and parameters.

Results

Out of 101 patients included in this study, the ICD was preoperatively reprogrammed in 42 patients (41.6%), a magnet was used on 45 patients (44.5%), and ICDs were not deactivated at all in 14 patients (13.9%). No intraoperative electromagnetic interference was detected. Postoperative ICD analysis demonstrated no changes of preset parameters.

Conclusions

All three tested ICD management strategies were proved safe in this study. Keeping the location of surgery and the type of electrocautery in mind, an intraoperative magnet or even no ICD deactivation at all could be feasible alternatives in surgery on patients with ICDs.
Who are the high achievers at work? Perceived motivational climate, goal orientation profiles, and work performance
Authors: Nerstad Christina G. L. , Richardsen Astrid M. , Roberts Glyn C.
Published: September 2018

The purpose of this study was to respond to the call for research on goal orientation (mastery and performance orientation) profiles in work contexts. Among 8,282 engineers and technologists, Latent profile analyses indicated that four different goal orientation profiles existed – primarily mastery oriented, indifferent, moderate multiple goals, and success oriented. Both success oriented employees and employees who are primarily mastery oriented indicated the highest individual work performance. Further, mastery and performance climates were found to be relevant antecedents of employees’ goal orientation profiles. Supplementary analyses suggested that a primarily mastery oriented profile seems to be more beneficial for the facilitation of employee well‐being. The practical implications of these findings and directions for future research are presented.
Weaving nets: Housing and leadership in two Italian cities
Authors: Galanti Maria Tullia
Published: September 2018

As part of local welfare in Italy, housing policies underwent reforms that emphasized the role of local governments—and cities in particular—in the definition of the problem and in the elaboration of possible solutions. Housing is quite neglected in the political debate, but it is increasingly important for responding to citizens' demands in times of economic crisis. This paper reconstructs the policy process in two Italian cities, Turin (1997–2011) and Florence (1995–2011). The paper argues that policy change in housing can be fostered by a local political leadership that invests ideational, relational, and positional resources in policy making to spread new ideas, build networks of public and private actors at the local level, and attract fiscal resources while taking advantage of windows of opportunity at different institutional levels. Moreover, collaboration with local bureaucratic leadership proves fundamental to promoting innovative policies.
Ordering results of the smallest and largest order statistics from independent heterogeneous exponentiated gamma random variables
Authors: Fang Longxiang , Xu Tingtao
Published: September 2018

In this paper, we discuss stochastic comparisons of lifetimes of series and parallel systems with heterogeneous exponentiated gamma components. The results established here are developed in two directions. First, when a system possibly has different shape and scale parameters and the matrix of those different parameters following the chain majorization order, we study the reversed hazard rate order of parallel systems and the usual stochastic order of series systems. Next, by using the concept of vector majorization, we establish the usual stochastic order of series systems and the reversed hazard rate order of parallel systems.
Probability puppets
Authors: Groth Randall E. , Austin Jathan W. , Naumann Madeline , Rickards Megan
Published: September 2018

We describe how we used puppets as tools to draw 9 to 10‐year‐old students into conversations about probability. Puppets supported classroom discourse by putting forth probabilistic arguments for critique, introducing extreme and unusual examples of concepts, and introducing an element of surprise.
Immunoglobulin (Ig)G antibodies against IgE identified by basophil activation test as the putative causative agent of a serious allergic transfusion reaction: potential utility of the test as a new safety measure for allergic transfusion reactions
Authors: Yasui Kazuta , Matsuyama Nobuki , Kimura Takafumi , Fujimura Yoshihiro , Hirayama Fumiya
Published: September 2018

BACKGROUND

In most cases of allergic transfusion reactions (ATRs), the causative agents have not been identified and the mechanisms are largely unknown, with a few exceptions. The basophil activation test (BAT) was recently introduced in the field of transfusion to investigate the causal relationships between ATRs and transfusion, as well as the mechanisms behind them.

STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS

The BAT was used to screen the residual supernatants (SNs) of 43 blood components associated with serious ATRs for those that can activate basophils of many healthy volunteers. The SNs were then fractionated by centrifugal ultrafiltration and protein G column chromatography and each separated fraction was reexamined by the BAT.

RESULTS

Of the 43 such blood components, one activated basophils from 19 of 21 healthy volunteers. In the blood component, the IgG antibody against IgE was identified as a putative causative agent.

CONCLUSION

Blood donors who possessed the IgG antibody against IgE may be dangerous to transfusion recipients. The BAT would be useful in identifying such high‐risk blood donors, when it is used to screen the blood components associated with serious ATRs for residual SNs that can activate the basophils of many healthy volunteers.
Standardization of prophylactic platelet transfusion dosing in a pediatric oncology population: a quality improvement project
Authors: Leibowitz Michael , Wolfe Heather , Flynn Andrea , Waanders Angela , Burlingame Caroline , Aumaier Brenna , Friedman David , Lambert Michele P.
Published: September 2018

BACKGROUND

Oncology patients are frequent recipients of prophylactic platelet transfusions. Recent studies have demonstrated that lower prophylactic doses of platelets were not associated with a higher incidence of bleeding. At our institution, we found wide variation in platelet dosing due to lack of guidance and support for standardized dosing.

STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS

A collaborative process improvement project between oncology, hematology, intensivists, and the transfusion service established guidelines for dosing of prophylactic platelet transfusions in nonbleeding oncology patients: 10 mL/kg or less of apheresis platelets for patients weighing up to 20 kg and 1 unit of apheresis platelets patients weighing 20 kg or more, with our stated goal of standardizing transfusion practice. A graphic data display tool that draws on the electronic medical record to monitor platelet ordering was created, with a target goal of greater than 80% compliance with the dosing guidelines. We implemented decision support for dosing consistent with the guideline, and provided educational materials to prescribers at various levels of training within oncology over multiple plan‐do‐study‐act cycles.

RESULTS

We were able to consistently achieve between 85 and 90% compliance of prophylactic platelet transfusion orders without an increase in the number of emergency department visits for bleeding or platelet transfusions or changing the time between platelet transfusions after guideline implementation.

CONCLUSION

This project demonstrates that reducing the volume of prophylactic platelet transfusions to doses consistent with published studies was safe and that a process of guideline consensus based on published studies, well‐designed decision support for computerized physician order entry, and targeted educational efforts, were effective in changing practice at a large academic hospital.
Kidd blood group system: outwardly simple with hidden complexity
Authors: Hamilton Janis R.
Published: September 2018

The basics of the Kidd blood group system have been well described. Two of the three antigens, Jka and Jkb, are polymorphic. The third, Jk3, is of very high prevalence in all populations except in individuals of Polynesian and Finnish extraction. Jk (a−b−) red cells do not express Jk3. The antigens are encoded by SLC14A1 gene on chromosome 18. JK*01 allele differs from JK*02 at nt 838 (G/A) and in the protein, at amino acid 280, Jka expression is associated with aspartate and asparagine is associated with Jkb. The genetic background of the dominantly inherited In(Jk) Jk(a−b−) is due to an 84 bp deletion in ZFN850 on chromosome 19. Antibodies against all three antigens are clinically important. They can cause immediate haemolytic transfusion reactions and are a frequent cause of delayed transfusion reactions. Haemolytic disease of the foetus and newborn due to JK antibodies is generally much less severe than the response to incompatible transfusion. The JK protein on red cells functions as a urea transporter. Complexity in the system is due to the number of alternate alleles described. ISBT recognizes 24 alleles that silence Jka/Jkb expression and 7 alleles causing weak or partial expression of Jka or Jkb. These alleles can result in serological typing discrepancies, discordant serological/molecular results and production of an apparent Kidd alloantibody by an antigen‐positive individual. JK antigens may serve as minor histocompatibility antigens. The antibodies may play a role in renal graft survival when a JK‐incompatible donor kidney is transplanted.
A comparative study on treatment of wastewaters with various biodegradability and various pH values using single‐chamber microbial fuel cells
Authors: Safwat Safwat M. , Rozaik Ehab , Abdel‐Halim Hisham
Published: September 2018

This work assessed the performance of a single‐chamber microbial fuel cell (MFC) with various substrates. Primary settled domestic wastewaters were used to simulate wastewaters of high biodegradability; while phenol‐based wastewaters and benzene‐based wastewaters were used to simulate wastewaters of low biodegradability. Experiments were performed at initial pH values of 6, 7 and 8. The maximum voltage production, power density and removal of substrate were obtained using primary settled domestic wastewater, whereas the lowest values were obtained using phenol‐based wastewater. The maximum chemical oxygen demand removal efficiency, phenol removal efficiency and benzene removal efficiency were 80.8, 63.3 and 77.8%, respectively. The performance of the MFC was enhanced by increasing the influent pH. The lowest coulombic efficiencies were obtained from phenol‐based wastewater and benzene‐based wastewater, which indicated that electrogenic bacteria were not the primary microorganisms responsible for the biodegradation of low biodegradable wastewater.
Topical nicotinic receptor activation improves wound bacterial infection outcomes and TLR2‐mediated inflammation in diabetic mouse wounds
Authors: Kishibe Mari , Griffin Tina M. , Goslawski Melissa , Sinacore James , Kristian Sascha A. , Radek Katherine A.
Published: September 2018

The cholinergic anti‐inflammatory pathway can directly affect skin antibacterial responses via nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs). In particular, α7 nAChR (CHRNA7) present in the epidermis modulates the host response to wounding and/or wound bacterial infection. While physiologic inflammation is required to initiate normal wound repair and can be triggered by Toll‐like receptor (TLR) activation, chronic inflammation is frequently observed in diabetic wounds and can occur, in part, via excessive TLR2 activation or production. Consequently, this can delay physiologic wound healing responses and increase diabetic host susceptibility to bacterial infection. In this study, we demonstrate that topical nAChR activation diminishes bacterial survival and systemic dissemination in a mouse model of diabetic wound infection, while reducing wound TLR2 production, relative to control mice. We further determined that the antimicrobial peptide activity of diabetic mouse wounds is increased compared to control mice, but this effect is lost following topical nAChR activation. Finally, we observed that human diabetic wounds exhibit impaired α7 nAChR (CHRNA7) abundance and localization relative to human control (nondiabetic) skin. These findings suggest that topical administration of nAChR agonists may improve wound healing and infection outcomes in diabetic wounds by dampening TLR2‐mediated inflammation and antimicrobial peptide response, and that the diabetic microenvironment may promote aberrant CHRNA7 production/activation that likely contributes to diabetic wound pathogenesis.
Applying Machine Learnt Explicit Algebraic Stress and Scalar Flux Models to a Fundamental Trailing Edge Slot
Authors: Sandberg R. D. , Tan R. , Weatheritt J. , Ooi A. , Haghiri A. , Michelassi V. , Laskowski G.
Published: September 2018

Machine learning was applied to large-eddy simulation (LES) data to develop nonlinear turbulence stress and heat flux closures with increased prediction accuracy for trailing-edge cooling slot cases. The LES data were generated for a thick and a thin trailing-edge slot and shown to agree well with experimental data, thus providing suitable training data for model development. A gene expression programming (GEP) based algorithm was used to symbolically regress novel nonlinear explicit algebraic stress models and heat-flux closures based on either the gradient diffusion or the generalized gradient diffusion approaches. Steady Reynolds-averaged Navier–Stokes (RANS) calculations were then conducted with the new explicit algebraic stress models. The best overall agreement with LES data was found when selecting the near wall region, where high levels of anisotropy exist, as training region, and using the mean squared error of the anisotropy tensor as cost function. For the thin lip geometry, the adiabatic wall effectiveness was predicted in good agreement with the LES and experimental data when combining the GEP-trained model with the standard eddy-diffusivity model. Crucially, the same model combination also produced significant improvement in the predictive accuracy of adiabatic wall effectiveness for different blowing ratios (BRs), despite not having seen those in the training process. For the thick lip case, the match with reference values deteriorated due to the presence of large-scale, relative to slot height, vortex shedding. A GEP-trained scalar flux model, in conjunction with a trained RANS model, was found to significantly improve the prediction of the adiabatic wall effectiveness.
The Level of Mental Health Literacy Among Athletic Staff in Intercollegiate Sport
Authors: Sullivan Philp , Murphy Jessica , Blacker Mishka
Published: September 2018

Mental health literacy (MHL), the knowledge and attitudes that aid in recognition, management and prevention of mental health issues, could help maintain positive mental health within the athletic community. As coaches and athletic therapists (ATs) frequently and routinely interact with athletes, this study focused on the MHL of these individuals. Eighty participants (24 females, 54 males; 57 coaches, 18 ATs) completed an on-line version of the MHL Scale. Average MHL score was 131.48, which, is relatively equal to scores seen in university students and a general population. No significant difference was detected between coaches and ATs but females reported significantly higher MHL scores than males. There was a significant negative correlation between MHL and total experience. These results have potentially strong clinical ramifications as increased MHL in this context can affect facilitators and barriers towards seeking help in a high-risk population.
Metagenomic Insights into the Degradation of Resistant Starch by Human Gut Microbiota
Authors: Vital Marius , Howe Adina , Bergeron Nathalie , Krauss Ronald M. , Jansson Janet K. , Tiedje James M.
Published: September 2018

Manipulation of gut microbiota is increasingly recognized as a promising approach to reduce various noncommunicable diseases, such as obesity and type 2 diabetes. Specific dietary supplements, including resistant starches (RS), are often a focus, yet comprehensive insights into functional responses of microbiota are largely lacking. Furthermore, unresponsiveness in certain individuals is poorly understood. Our data indicate that distinct parts of microbiota work jointly to degrade RS and successively form health-promoting fermentation end products. It highlights the need to consider both primary degraders and specific more-downstream-acting bacterial groups in order to achieve desired intervention outcomes. The gained insights will assist the design of personalized treatment strategies based on an individual's microbiota.
Transcriptional and Functional Analysis of Bifidobacterium animalis subsp. lactis Exposure to Tetracycline
Authors: Morovic Wesley , Roos Paige , Zabel Bryan , Hidalgo-Cantabrana Claudio , Kiefer Anthony , Barrangou Rodolphe
Published: September 2018

Bifidobacterium animalis
subsp.
lactis
is widely used in human food and dietary supplements. Although well documented to be safe,
B. animalis
subsp.
lactis
strains must not contain transferable antibiotic resistance elements. Many
B. animalis
subsp.
lactis
strains have different resistance measurements despite being genetically similar, and the reasons for this are not well understood. In the current study, we sought to examine how genomic differences between two closely related industrial
B. animalis
subsp.
lactis
strains contribute to different resistance levels. This will lead to a better understanding of resistance, identify future targets for analysis of transferability, and expand our understanding of tetracycline resistance in bacteria.
Parental opinion of consent in neonatal research
Authors: McCarthy Karen Nora , Ryan Niamh C , O’Shea Darragh T , Doran Kieran , Greene Richard , Livingstone Vicki , Ryan C Anthony , Boylan Geraldine B , Dempsey Eugene M
Published: September 2018

Background

Neonatal research, particularly neonatal emergency research is a challenging area, notably in relation to obtaining valid prospective informed consent. The aim of this study is to determine parental perceptions of the consent process involved in performing research in newborn care, to explore methods used to obtain consent and their acceptability to parents.

Methods

A parental questionnaire was developed that examined attitudes towards research and hypothetical research studies, in which the acceptability of various methods of consent was examined (informed, waived, deferred). These research scenarios were of varying time sensitivity and perceived risk level. The study setting was an Irish maternity hospital.

Results

There were 600 responses to the questionnaire. In 93% of cases, parents felt that their involvement in the consent process was essential. In emergency situations, 52% felt full prospective informed consent was necessary; however, almost 28% of parents would feel pressure to consent. Most (75%) parents would prefer to be approached to discuss neonatal research studies antenatally, irrespective of study type and 40% of parents felt that neonates involved in research studies received overall better care. Acceptability of deferred consent was greater than waived, and was highest for the more emergency-based scenarios presented.

Discussion

Parents feel that they should play a central role in research involving their children. There were differences in the acceptability of various consent methods with strongest agreement for informed consent and lowest agreement for waived consent. Parents were more willing to accede to deferred consent in the cardiopulmonary resuscitation scenario study. These findings provide useful insights to consent strategies in future newborn research studies.
Menstrual restriction prevalence and association with intimate partner violence among Nepali women
Authors: Cardoso Lauren F , Clark Cari Jo , Rivers Kelsey , Ferguson Gemma , Shrestha Binita , Gupta Jhumka
Published: September 2018

Introduction

Emerging research has linked women’s sanitation and menstrual hygiene experiences with increased vulnerability to violence outside the home. Few studies, however, have investigated the relationship between menstruation and violence perpetrated by family members. This type of violence may be linked specifically to restrictions placed on women during menstruation, which are common in some regions of Nepal owing to shared power differentials that disfavour women, and societal norms that stigmatise menstruation.

Objective

To record the prevalence of menstrual restrictions experienced by married women and examine potential associations between intimate partner violence (IPV) in the past year and menstrual restrictions imposed by husbands and/or in-laws among women in three districts of Nepal: Nawalparasi, Kapilvastu and Chitwan.

Methods

Baseline data from a larger randomised control trial aiming to reduce IPV in three districts of the Terai region of Nepal (n=1800) were used to assess the prevalence of menstrual restrictions and the association with IPV.

Results

Nearlythree out of four women (72.3%) reported experiencing high menstrual restriction, or two or more types of menstrual restriction. When controlling for demographic variables and IPV, no type of IPV was associated with high menstrual restrictions.

Conclusion

The experience of menstrual restriction was widespread in this sample of women in Nepal. Future research should seek to identify how best to capture menstrual stigma and deviations around such norms. The global health and development community should prioritise integration with existing water and sanitation programmes to reduce stigma and ensure the well-being of menstruating women and girls.

Trial registration number

NCT02942433.
Common variants at 5q33.1 predispose to migraine in African-American children
Authors: Chang Xiao , Pellegrino Renata , Garifallou James , March Michael , Snyder James , Mentch Frank , Li Jin , Hou Cuiping , Liu Yichuan , Sleiman Patrick M A , Hakonarson Hakon
Published: September 2018

Background

Genome-wide association studies (GWASs) have identified multiple susceptibility loci for migraine in European adults. However, no large-scale genetic studies have been performed in children or African Americans with migraine.

Methods

We conducted a GWAS of 380 African-American children and 2129 ancestry-matched controls to identify variants associated with migraine. We then attempted to replicate our primary analysis in an independent cohort of 233 African-American patients and 4038 non-migraine control subjects.

Results

The results of this study indicate that common variants at 5q33.1 associated with migraine risk in African-American children (rs72793414, p=1.94×10−9). The association was validated in an independent study (p=3.87×10−3) for an overall meta-analysis p value of 3.81×10−10. eQTL (Expression quantitative trait loci) analysis of the Genotype-Tissue Expression data also shows the genotypes of rs72793414 were strongly correlated with the mRNA expression levels of NMUR2 at 5q33.1. NMUR2 encodes a G protein-coupled receptor of neuromedin-U (NMU). NMU, a highly conserved neuropeptide, participates in diverse physiological processes of the central nervous system.

Conclusions

This study provides new insights into the genetic basis of childhood migraine and allow for precision therapeutic development strategies targeting migraine patients of African-American ancestry.
Consequences of compliant walls for peristaltic transportation in a channel having porous medium and porous boundaries
Authors: Shahzadi Iqra , Nadeem S.
Published: September 2018

The current communication addresses the two-dimensional peristaltic transport of viscous fluid in a channel having porous medium as well as porous boundaries. The walls of the channel are assumed to be compliant to represent the driving mechanism of the muscle. The equations of motion are considered for the deformable boundaries and the fluid to investigate the fluid–solid interaction problem. The zeroth-, first-, and second-order solutions of stream function for a small amplitude ratio are determined by using regular perturbation. Impact of related parameters on quantities D1, D2, mean velocity perturbation function, and mean velocity distribution function are interpreted graphically. One fundamental finding of the considered examination is that the increase in permeability parameter increases the amplitude of the velocity distribution function.
Three-dimensional trajectory tracking control of an underactuated autonomous underwater vehicle with a robust adaptive algorithm
Authors: Jiang Yunbiao , Guo Chen , Yu Haomiao
Published: September 2018

This paper investigates the problem of three-dimensional trajectory tracking control for an underactuated autonomous underwater vehicle in the presence of uncertain disturbances. The concept of virtual velocity control is adopted and desired velocities are designed using the backstepping method. Then, the trajectory tracking problem is transformed into a stabilization problem of virtual velocity errors. Dynamic control laws are developed based on non-singular terminal sliding mode control to stabilize virtual velocity errors, and adaptive laws are introduced to deal with parameter perturbation and current disturbances. The stability of the closed-loop control system is analyzed based on Lyapunov stability theory. Two sets of typical simulations are carried out to verify the effectiveness and robustness of the trajectory tracking control algorithm under uncertain disturbances.
Pilgrim dark energy in f(G, T) gravity
Authors: Sharif M. , Saba Saadia
Published: September 2018

In this paper, we analyze the reconstruction paradigm for pilgrim dark energy model with f(G, T) gravity using Hubble horizon as IR-cutoff. To accomplish this, we use correspondence scheme for dust fluid configuration with flat FRW universe. The cosmological behavior of reconstructed model is examined through cosmic diagnostic parameters and phase planes. It is found that the deceleration parameter indicates accelerated phase while equation of state parameter represents phantom regime. The squared speed of sound parameter gives stable model for analyzing current cosmic evolutionary paradigm. The trajectories of [Formula: see text] plane gives the thawing region, whereas r[Formula: see text]s phase plane corresponds to Chaplygin gas model. We conclude that the resulting model represents aggressive phantom-like universe for u[Formula: see text]0 (with odd choices only), as well as self-consistent PDE f(G, T) model.
Generating sets of Reidemeister moves of oriented singular links and quandles
Authors: Bataineh Khaled , Elhamdadi Mohamed , Hajij Mustafa , Youmans William
Published: September 2018

We give a generating set of the generalized Reidemeister moves for oriented singular links. We then introduce an algebraic structure arising from the axiomatization of Reidemeister moves on oriented singular knots. We give some examples, including some non-isomorphic families of such structures over non-abelian groups. We show that the set of colorings of a singular knot by this new structure is an invariant of oriented singular knots and use it to distinguish some singular links.
The self-smoothing number of knots and links
Authors: Takioka Hideo
Published: September 2018

We call smoothing a self-crossing point of an oriented link diagram self-smoothing. By self-smoothing repeatedly, we obtain an oriented link diagram without self-crossing points. In this paper, we show that every knot has an oriented diagram which becomes a two-component oriented link diagram without self-crossing points by a single self-smoothing.