bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Influence of yttrium oxide addition and sintering temperature on properties of alumina‐based ceramic cores
Authors: Zhao Zhijia , Yang Zhigang , Yu Zihao , Fan Mengjia , Bai Jinyue , Yu Jianbo , Ren Zhongming
Published: November 2019

Al2O3‐based ceramic cores with a uniform microstructure were fabricated successfully by a traditional pressing forming method, in which Al2O3 powders were used as matrix and yttrium oxide as additive. The influences of yttrium oxide content and sintering temperature on properties of ceramic cores were studied carefully. Results indicated that a higher sintering temperature benefited the preparation of ceramic cores with excellent properties. As the temperature was above 1400°C, the reaction of Al2O3 and yttrium oxide occurred, leading to the formation of YAG phases. And, YAG was uniformly adhered on the surface of Al2O3 particles, exerting a good role in connecting Al2O3 particles. Based on XRD analyses, it was found that the increase in the sintering temperature could promote the formation of more YAG phases. When sintering temperature was adjusted to 1600°C, with the increase in the yttrium oxide content, their relative density developed a trend of decreasing first and then increasing, while the apparent porosity had an opposite change tendency. With the increase in the sintering temperature, the line shrinkage and bending strength of Al2O3‐based ceramic cores both increased gradually. In our research, their bending strength reached to 53.5 MPa and apparent porosity was 33.9% when the ceramic cores were prepared with 9 wt% yttrium oxide at 1600°C.
Tolerance of free‐living nematode species to imidacloprid and diuron
Authors: Neury‐Ormanni Julie , Doose Caroline , Majdi Nabil , Vedrenne Jacky , Morin Soizic , Höss Sebastian , Traunspurger Walter
Published: November 2019

The neonicotinoid imidacloprid and the herbicide diuron are long‐lived pesticides commonly detected in European rivers. Both have lethal as well as sublethal effects on aquatic invertebrates dwelling in streambeds. Here, we performed lethality tests of imidacloprid and diuron on seven species of widespread, free‐living nematodes and the model organism Caenorhabditis elegans. Our results indicated that nematodes were relatively tolerant to both pesticides, and only two species (Diploscapter coronatus and Plectus opisthocirculus) showed mortality at high nominal concentrations of imidacloprid (119 mg/L) and diuron (33 mg/L). The changes observed in nematode community structure after imidacloprid and diuron exposure may have been related to trade‐offs between sensitivity to toxicants and changes in competitive abilities of the species. While the former can be tested using single‐species tests, we recommend that the latter be tested in further experiments using multispecies communities. Our results suggest that the presence of these pesticides could favor nematodes over other meiofaunal groups found in freshwater sediments.
Intraoperative peripheral nerve injury related to lithotomy positioning with steep Trendelenburg in patients undergoing robotic‐assisted laparoscopic surgery – A systematic review
Authors: Bjøro Benedikte , Mykkeltveit Ida , Rustøen Tone , Candas Altinbas Bahar , Røise Olav , Bentsen Signe Berit
Published: November 2019

Aims

To examine the incidence of intraoperative peripheral nerve injury, symptoms, risk factors, functions, and quality of life in patients undergoing robotic‐assisted laparoscopic surgery to lithotomy positioning with steep Trendelenburg.

Design

A systematic review.

Data sources

The Cochrane Library catalogue, PubMed, EMBASE, CINHAL and SveMed + databases were searched from January 2000 ‐ February 2019.

Review methods

Titles and abstracts were screened for inclusion. Full‐text assessments of each paper were conducted by two reviewers. The quality of the included papers was assessed using the Mixed Methods Appraisal Tool. Descriptive statistics and thematic analysis were used to synthesize the data.

Results

Eleven quantitative studies were included with three themes: (a) incidence of intraoperative peripheral nerve injury; (b) upper extremity intraoperative peripheral nerve injury related to steep Trendelenburg positioning; and (c) lower extremity intraoperative peripheral nerve injury related to lithotomy positioning. The overall incidence of intraoperative peripheral nerve injury in robotic‐assisted laparoscopic urologic, gynaecologic and colorectal surgery was 0.16%–10.0% and the symptoms appeared immediately after surgical procedures. Risk factors for intraoperative peripheral injury were prolonged operative time, high American Society of Anesthesiologists scores, comorbidities and high body mass index.

Conclusion

Intraoperative peripheral nerve injuries are rare, but occasionally serious when related to lithotomy positioning with steep Trendelenburg. Operating room nurses have a responsibility both for positioning patients and for being familiar with the technological developments that will influence the preoperative handling of patients.

Impact

This systematic review emphasizes the need for operating room nurses together with surgical team to have knowledge about mechanisms for injury, positioning, anatomy/physiology, and evaluation of risk factors to ensure that patients are not exposed for intraoperative peripheral nerve injuries. Increased robotic‐assisted laparoscopic surgery necessitates further research examining the incidence of intraoperative peripheral nerve injury related to positioning and how these affect patients' function and the quality of life.
LncRNA SPRY4‐IT1 regulates breast cancer cell stemness through competitively binding miR‐6882‐3p with TCF7L2
Authors: Song Xinyue , Zhang Xiaoxue , Wang Xinnan , Chen Lianze , Jiang Longyang , Zheng Ang , Zhang Ming , Zhao Lin , Wei Minjie
Published: November 2019

SPRY4‐intronic transcript 1 has been found in several kinds of cancers, but the role of SPRY4‐IT1 in breast cancer stem cells has not been studied. We investigated whether SPRY4‐IT1 is involved in the promotion of breast cancer stem cells (BCSCs). We used qRT‐PCR to detect the expression of SPRY4‐IT1 in MCF‐7 cells and MCF‐7 cancer stem cells (MCF‐7 CSCs). The effects of SPRY4‐IT1 on the proliferation and renewal ability of breast cancer cells were investigated by in vitro and in vivo assays (ie in situ hybridization, colony formation assay, sphere formation assay, flow cytometry assay, western blotting, xenograft model and immunohistochemistry). The mechanism of SPPRY4‐IT1 as a ceRNA was studied by a dual‐luciferase reporter assay and bioinformatic analysis. In our study, SPRY4‐IT1 was up‐regulated in MCF‐7 CSCs compared with MCF‐7 cells, and high SPRY4‐IT1 expression was related to reduced breast cancer patient survival. Furthermore, SPRY4‐IT1 overexpression promoted breast cancer cell proliferation and stemness in vitro and in vivo. In addition, SPRY4‐IT1 knockdown suppressed BCSC renewal ability and stemness maintenance in vivo and in vitro. The dual‐luciferase reporter assays indicated that SPRY4‐IT1 as a sponge for miR‐6882‐3p repressed transcription factor 7‐like 2 (TCF7L2) expression. Taken together, these findings demonstrated that SPRY4‐IT1 promotes proliferation and stemness of breast cancer cells as well as renewal ability and stemness maintenance of BCSCs by increasing the expression of TCF7L2 through targeting miR‐6882‐3p.
Nurse practitioners’ perceptions of their ability to enact leadership in hospital care
Authors: van Kraaij Julia , van Oostveen Catharina , Vermeulen Hester , Heinen Maud , Huis Anita , Adriaansen Marian , Peters Jeroen
Published: November 2019

Aims and objective

To gain insight into nurse practitioners’ (NP) leadership roles in Dutch hospital care, by exploring the perceptions regarding their current leadership role and the differences with their previous role as a registered specialised nurse.

Background

To meet today's challenges of the increasing healthcare demands, the employment of NPs is proliferating. NPs have the ideal position to play a pivotal role within healthcare reforms, yet full expansion of their scope of practice and expertise is having limited success. Long‐term sustainability of NPs depends on the ability to perform and develop a leading role.

Design and methods

This qualitative descriptive study was conducted in fifteen Dutch hospitals. Data were collected from April–July 2018, and purposive sampling was used for eighteen semi‐structured interviews. This study is conducted and reported according to the COREQ checklist.

Results

Three main themes concerning NPs’ current leadership role emerged, and they were all linked to a successful positioning of NPs. All themes seemed to be of influence on NPs’ scope of daily practice. Direct patient care was emphasised, and leadership on other levels appeared to be underused. Most NPs desired to reshape their profession. However, unprofitable use of their leadership skills especially on professional and organisational level and lack of supportive factors seemed to hinder them.

Conclusions

An adequate use of leadership is crucial for role development and positioning of NPs. Further development of the NP profession can help to better differentiate between the tasks of registered specialised nurses and NPs.

Relevance to clinical practice

Leadership in nursing contributes to the improvement of the quality and efficiency of health care. Further positioning of the NP profession depends on a profitable use of leadership competencies. Besides, NPs should collaborate with healthcare organisations, educational institutions and professional associations to value the NP profession in the current healthcare system.
Development and validation of an assessment tool for nursing workload in emergency departments
Authors: Iordache Steluta , Elseviers Monique , De Cock Rita , Van Rompaey Bart
Published: November 2019

Aims

To develop the Workload Assessment of Nurses on Emergency (WANE) tool and to test its validity and reliability to measure nursing workload in the emergency departments.

Background

Ensuring safe nursing staffing in emergency departments is a worldwide concern. There is no valid tool to measure emergency nursing workload in order to determine the needed nurse staffing in the emergency departments.

Design

A two‐year, cross‐sectional, multicenter study.

Methods

Workload was operationalised as the time nurses spent with nursing activities, classified into direct and indirect care. A board of experts provided content validity. Construct validity was evaluated by examining the WANE's correlations and group‐discriminations patterns within the network of variables known to determine nursing workload. Reliability was assessed by the tool's ability to yield consistent results across repeated measurements. Reporting of this research adheres to STROBE guidelines.

Results

Seven emergency departments, including 3,024 patients, were involved in the first year and 18 emergency departments and 7,442 patients in the second year. Direct care time correlated positively and significantly with patient dependency on nursing care, age and length of emergency department stay and discriminated between the categories of dependency on nursing care, age and hospitalisation. Both direct and indirect care time discriminated between the emergency departments according to different patient care profiles and unit characteristics. WANE showed consistent results across measurements.

Conclusions

Results support the WANE's reliability and validity to measure emergency nursing workload. This tool could be used to determine, on patient and unit, a baseline nurse staffing and the nursing skill mix in the emergency departments. WANE is also an evidence‐based management tool for benchmarking purposes.

Relevance to clinical practice

The use of an evidence‐based workload tool in making staffing decisions in emergency departments is crucial to ensure safe patient care and prevent work overload in nursing staff.
A courageous journey: Experiences of migrant Philippine nurses in Norway
Authors: Nortvedt Line , Lohne Vibeke , Dahl Kari
Published: November 2019

Aims and objectives

To explore how Philippine‐educated nurses explain their choice of Norway as their migration destination and their experience with the credential assessment process in Norway.

Background

Norway has an increasing need for nurses, and nurses educated in non‐EU countries are an important resource for the Norwegian health service. Philippine nurses compose the largest group of internationally educated nurses from outside the EU, but their Philippine nursing education is only credited as equivalent to 2 years in Norway. Migration is known to engender stressful experiences amongst migrant nurses, which may affect their health. However, studies on Philippine nurses' experiences of migrating to and working in Norway are lacking.

Design and methods

The study used a hermeneutic design, conducting qualitative research interviews with ten Philippine nurses. All of them had a certification as auxiliary nurses, but not as registered nurses. The Consolidated Criteria for Reporting Qualitative Research is used.

Results

The nurses' choice of a migration country appeared to be both random and based on the opportunity to find well‐paid work, as well as having acquaintances who had already migrated to Norway. The migrated Philippine nurses seemed experienced and competent. In Norway, they were disappointed as they felt undervalued. The nurses struggled to learn Norwegian, while striving for survival when acquiring jobs or accommodations. They were excluded from acting as legal nurses in the Norwegian healthcare system; they fulfilled the governmental requirements, but they were repeatedly rejected. The informants saw this as harsh, but still hoped to be successful.

Conclusions

There is a need to facilitate effective language training and a well‐founded, predictable system of credentialing.

Relevance to clinical practice

Attention should be paid to the integration of immigrants and safeguarding and strengthening the professional competence the nurses bring with them.
Efficacy of different copper compounds in the control of Xanthomonas citri subsp. citri pathotypes A and A*
Authors: Heydarpanah Sareh , Rezaei Rasool , Taghavi Seyed Mohsen , Charehgani Habiballah
Published: November 2019

Citrus canker disease is one of the most devastating diseases that attacks citrus, especially limes in the Southern parts of Iran, and is caused by Xanthomonas citri subsp. citri (Xcc). The efficacy of several formulations of copper compounds including Bordeaux mixture, copper oxychloride and copper sulphate in controlling Xcc in Key lime was estimated in vitro and in planta using artificial inoculation. Specific primers were used to detect copper‐resistant genes copA, copB and copL in 30 isolates of Xcc. The copA and copL genes were present in all isolates, and copB was detected only in 6 strains. In this study, we observed a very good in vitro growth inhibition activity of copper compounds against Xcc pathotype A. S14 strain (pathotype A*) was the sole isolate that grew on media amended with 2/4 mM of Bordeaux mixture, copper oxychloride and copper sulphate. All other strains (pathotype A) failed to grow on media amended with this concentration. Bordeaux mixture exhibited high efficacy in controlling Xcc in both conditions. However, there were no significant differences in the efficacy of copper oxychloride and copper sulphate at 1.2 mM concentration in planta. A significantly minimum canker necrotic spot and highest disease control was achieved with Bordeaux mixture and copper oxychloride. There was a significant difference in disease severity of the type strain LMG9322 (pathotype A) and Xcc strain S14 (pathotype A*). Our experiments showed that Bordeaux mixture exhibited satisfactory efficacy in controlling the causal agent of citrus canker.
Assessment of simultaneous addition of sucrose and xanthan effects on the thermal, pasting, and rheological behavior of corn starch
Authors: Zolelmein Aida , Movahhed Sara , Azizi Mohammad Hossein , Ahmadi Chenarbon Hossein
Published: November 2019

Thermal, pasting, and rheological properties of starch‐based systems are the key characteristics for its processing. This study aimed to investigate the main and interactive effects of sucrose and xanthan on the thermal, pasting, and rheological behavior of corn starch. A central composite design (CCD) was used to evaluate the effect of simultaneous addition of sucrose and xanthan on some processing properties of starch‐based systems. The results showed that besides the xanthan and sucrose effects (p < .001), the interactions played a significant role in all considered properties of corn starch except the flow behavior index (p < .05). Adding xanthan and sucrose increased the transition temperatures and the enthalpy change (ΔH) of the starch gelatinization, while they increased all pasting properties except setback viscosity. Statistical analysis results revealed the synergistic effects due to adding xanthan and sucrose on the thermal and pasting properties of starch. These were ascribed to the first‐ and second‐order interaction effects (p < .05). Regression models proposed for prediction of all considered properties of the starch‐based mixtures in the range of selected factors (R2 > 0.88). The Fourier‐transform infrared (FTIR) spectra revealed an increase in hydrogen bonding by increasing xanthan and sucrose. Since the formation of hydrogen bonds between mixture components could be affected the considered properties of the starch pastes.

Practical applications

Starch‐based foods are the most frequently consumed kind of foods in the developing countries, which provide a great deal of energy, and nutrients in a healthy diet. Therefore, the production of these kinds of food products is of great importance. The gelatinization, pasting, and rheological properties of starch‐based foods are imperative aspects in its processing. These properties show differences according to the presence of other ingredients such as hydrocolloids and sweeteners. Since the addition of xanthan as hydrocolloid and sugar as a common sweetener in starch‐based foods, affect optimal processing condition. Knowing the effects of the hydrocolloid and sweetener addition on thermal, pasting, and rheological properties of starch systems, help to improve the process and finding optimal process conditions for the production of sauces, baby foods, bread, confectionery, etc.
Dynamically consistent alpha‐maxmin expected utility
Authors: Beissner Patrick , Lin Qian , Riedel Frank
Published: November 2019

The alpha‐maxmin model is a prominent example of preferences under Knightian uncertainty as it allows to distinguish ambiguity and ambiguity attitude. These preferences are dynamically inconsistent for nontrivial versions of alpha. In this paper, we derive a recursive, dynamically consistent version of the alpha‐maxmin model. In the continuous‐time limit, the resulting dynamic utility function can be represented as a convex mixture between worst and best case, but now at the local, infinitesimal level.

We study the properties of the utility function and provide an Arrow–Pratt approximation of the static and dynamic certainty equivalent. We then derive a consumption‐based capital asset pricing formula and study the implications for derivative valuation under indifference pricing.
Persistence of an endangered native duck, feral mallards, and multiple hybrid swarms across the main Hawaiian Islands
Authors: Wells Caitlin P. , Lavretsky Philip , Sorenson Michael D. , Peters Jeffrey L. , DaCosta Jeffrey M. , Turnbull Stephen , Uyehara Kimberly J. , Malachowski Christopher P. , Dugger Bruce D. , Eadie John M. , Engilis Andrew
Published: November 2019

Interspecific hybridization is recognized as an important process in the evolutionary dynamics of both speciation and the reversal of speciation. However, our understanding of the spatial and temporal patterns of hybridization that erode versus promote species boundaries is incomplete. The endangered, endemic koloa maoli (or Hawaiian duck, Anas wyvilliana) is thought to be threatened with genetic extinction through ongoing hybridization with an introduced congener, the feral mallard (A. platyrhynchos). We investigated spatial and temporal variation in hybrid prevalence in populations throughout the main Hawaiian Islands, using genomic data to characterize population structure of koloa, quantify the extent of hybridization, and compare hybrid proportions over time. To accomplish this, we genotyped 3,308 double‐digest restriction‐site‐associated DNA (ddRAD) loci in 425 putative koloa, mallards, and hybrids from populations across the main Hawaiian Islands. We found that despite a population decline in the last century, koloa genetic diversity is high. There were few hybrids on the island of Kauaʻi, home to the largest population of koloa. By contrast, we report that sampled populations outside of Kauaʻi can now be characterized as hybrid swarms, in that all individuals sampled were of mixed koloa × mallard ancestry. Further, there is some evidence that these swarms are stable over time. These findings demonstrate spatial variation in the extent and consequences of interspecific hybridization, and highlight how islands or island‐like systems with small population sizes may be especially prone to genetic extinction when met with a congener that is not reproductively isolated.
How to Deceive by Way of the Truth: Marx and the Critique of Political Theology
Authors: Turner Denys
Published: November 2019

Four ways of deceiving, whether in individuals or structurally embodied in social practices, contribute to a generic notion of a performative contradiction – an intentional structure of behavior such that a person or a social practice in declaring something, p, does something to do which is to declare the contradictory of p. Such is the formal structure of “ideology” as Marx conceives of it, and in two successive and different assessments of Christianity, in 1843 (atheist and much influenced by Feuerbach) and 1844 post‐atheist, he deems Christianity to be inherently and so unrescuably to possess that ideological form. Christian theologians need to deal with this meta‐critique of Christianity before attempting any formulation of a political theology, affirmative or negative.
‘The Only Creature God Willed For Its Own Sake’: Anthropocentrism in Laudato Si’ and Gaudium et Spes
Authors: Grey Carmody T. S.
Published: November 2019

The Second Vatican Council’s constitution Gaudium et Spes stated that man is ‘the only creature on earth that God has willed for its own sake’. Post‐conciliar Catholic teaching on the environment largely reproduced this anthropocentric theology. Pope Francis’ encyclical letter Laudato Si’, however, appears directly to contradict this well‐established tradition with its repeated assertions of the intrinsic value of nonhuman life and its critical approach to the term ‘anthropocentrism’.

Questioning this putative discontinuity, this article challenges the perception that Laudato Si’ has definitively rejected anthropocentrism. It suggests that the claim for the intrinsic value of nonhuman life, and the traditional assertion that man is the only creature willed for its own sake, can be seen to converge in light of the traditional theological anthropology of the human being as microcosm. On this view, the centrality of the human person in the order of creation is constituted by its gathering up of the sakes of creatures. The distinctive place of the human does not come at the expense of the rest of creation, but rather is the means of creation’s movement towards the unity and harmony to which God calls it. Laudato Si’ is distinguished not by its rejection of anthropocentrism, but by its refusal to set human and nonhuman over against one another. In contrast, the language of ‘intrinsic value’ is criticised for conceiving created value as a zero‐sum game, as though human and nonhuman value are in competition with one another; the language of ‘stewardship’ is criticised for its extrinsicist conception of the human being in the natural order.
Stress‐induced modulation of vagal afferents
Authors: Browning Kirsteen N.
Published: November 2019

Vagally dependent gastric functions, including motility, tone, compliance, and emptying rate, play an important role in the regulation of food intake and satiation. Vagal afferent fibers relay sensory information from the stomach, including meal‐related information, centrally and initiate co‐ordinated autonomic efferent responses that regulate upper gastrointestinal responses. The purpose of this mini‐review is to highlight several recent studies which have uncovered the remarkable degree of neuroplasticity within gastric mechanosensitive vagal afferents and the recent study by Li et al, in this issue of Neurogastroenterology and Motility, who show that the mechanosensitivity of gastric vagal afferents is dysregulated in a murine model of chronic stress. The authors demonstrate that both gastric mucosal and tension afferents are hypersensitive following chronic stress, and responses to mucosal stroking and muscle stretch are enhanced significantly. As gastric distension and volumetric signaling is important in satiety signaling and meal termination, this may provide a mechanistic basis for the gastric hypersensitivity associated with stress‐associated clinical problems such as functional dyspepsia.
Cyclophilin OsCYP20‐2 with a novel variant integrates defense and cell elongation for chilling response in rice
Authors: Ge Qiang , Zhang Yuanyuan , Xu Yunyuan , Bai Mingyi , Luo Wei , Wang Bo , Niu Yuda , Zhao Yuan , Li Shanshan , Weng Yuxiang , Wang Zhiyong , Qian Qian , Chong Kang
Published: November 2019

Coordinating stress defense and plant growth is a survival strategy for adaptation to different environments that contains a series of processes, such as, cell growth, division and differentiation. However, little is known about the coordination mechanism for protein conformation change.

A cyclophilin OsCYP20‐2 with a variant interacts with SLENDER RICE1 (SLR1) and OsFSD2 in the nucleus and chloroplasts, respectively, to integrate chilling tolerance and cell elongation in rice (Oryza sativa) (FSD2, Fe-superoxide dismutase 2).

Mass spectrum assay showed that OsNuCYP20‐2 localized at the nucleus (nuclear located OsCYP20‐2) was a new variant of OsCYP20‐2 that truncated 71 amino‐acid residues in N‐terminal. The loss‐of function OsCYP20‐2 mutant showed sensitivity to chilling stress with accumulation of extra reactive oxygen species (ROS). In chloroplasts, the full‐length OsCYP20‐2 promotes OsFSD2 forming homodimers which enhance its activity, eliminating the accumulation of ROS under chilling stress. However, the mutant had shorter epidermal cells in comparison with wild‐type Hwayoung (HY). In the nucleus, OsCYP20‐2 caused conformation change of SLR1 to promote its degradation for cell elongation.

Our data reveal a cyclophilin with a variant with dual‐localization in chloroplasts and the nucleus, which mediate chilling tolerance and cell elongation.
Inhibitory effect of serotype a of Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans on the increased destructive potential of serotype b
Authors: Rojas Leticia , Melgar‐Rodríguez Samanta , Díaz‐Zúñiga Jaime , Alvarez Carla , Monasterio Gustavo , Rojas Carolina , Cafferata Emilio A. , Hernández Marcela , Cortéz Cristian , Carvajal Paola , Vernal Rolando
Published: November 2019

Objective

The serotype b of Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans (A. actinomycetemcomitans) induces higher cytokine production in dendritic cells (DCs) compared with the other serotypes. However, this increased immunostimulatory potential was modified when DCs were co‐infected with the other A. actinomycetemcomitans serotypes. This study aimed to analyze whether the production of interferon gamma (IFN‐γ), C‐reactive protein (CRP), matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)‐2, and MMP‐9, as well as the activity of osteoclasts, also varies when DCs are co‐infected with the A. actinomycetemcomitans serotypes.

Materials and Methods

Human DCs were stimulated with the A. actinomycetemcomitans serotypes using the following stimulatory conditions: serotype a/b/c/a+b/a+c/b+c/a+b+c. The IFN‐γ, CRP, and MMP‐2 levels were quantified by ELISA. The active form of MMP‐9 was quantified using fluorescent functional assays. The MMP‐2 gelatinolytic activity was identified by zymogram. The osteoclast activity was determined by quantifying the TRAP expression and resorption‐pit formation using cytochemistry and osteoassays.

Results

Higher levels of IFN‐γ, CRP, MMP‐2, MMP‐9, and osteoclast activity were detected when DCs were stimulated with the serotype b of A. actinomycetemcomitans compared with the others. This increased immunostimulatory potential attributed to serotype b diminished when DCs were co‐infected with the serotype a.

Conclusions

This study provides new insights into the virulence of A. actinomycetemcomitans and reveals important differences in the immunostimulatory and pro‐destructive potential among its serotypes.
Does Organizational Forgetting Affect Quality Knowledge Gained Through Spillover?—Evidence from the Automotive Industry
Authors: Agrawal Anupam , Mukherjee Ujjal , Muthulingam Suresh
Published: November 2019

In the automotive industry, when firms develop quality knowledge at their suppliers to address quality issues, some of the knowledge can spill over to other firms that use the same suppliers. We investigate how organizational forgetting affects such quality gains obtained from spillover. We analyze the quality data of 191 suppliers who supply similar products to two distinct businesses: a car and a commercial vehicle manufacturer. A latent class analysis identifies that the spillover of quality knowledge is significant at 93 of the 191 shared suppliers. Spillover is more likely at shared suppliers when there are higher product and process commonality between the components supplied to the different buyers, but less likely when suppliers use multiple facilities to cater to the requirements of the different buyers. Further investigation of the retention of quality knowledge of 93 suppliers with significant spillover reveals that forgetting erodes the quality gains obtained from spillover by 19.09% annually. This effect is larger than the depreciation of quality gains obtained from working directly with suppliers (10.93%). Moreover, the impact of forgetting depends on where the quality knowledge is retained: the quality knowledge embedded in routines erodes faster than the quality knowledge embedded in technology or organizational members. Furthermore, the impact of forgetting on spillover depends on where the quality improvement initiatives are implemented: gains from initiatives in the output activities depreciate less than gains from efforts in the in‐process activities. Our work provides managers guidance on managing the spillover of quality knowledge at suppliers.
Identification of 33 novel HLA alleles in Arab potential bone marrow donors
Authors: Bishara Amal , Brautbar Chaim , Cereb Nezih , Israel Shoshana
Published: November 2019

Between 2008 and April 2018, we recruited more than 37 000 potential Arab donors to the Hadassah Bone Marrow Donor Registry, all of whom were typed for high resolution HLA‐A, ‐B, and ‐DRB1. In addition, more than 22% of them were also typed for their HLA‐C and ‐DQB1 alleles. A comparison of the sequences obtained from these donors with the IPD‐IMGT/HLA Database showed 33 novel alleles from five loci (HLA‐A, ‐B, ‐C, ‐DR, ‐DQ). All of these novel HLA alleles were detected in the local Arab communities; 79% of these alleles have not been described in other groups yet and remain unique to the local Arab communities.
Naming, race, and white supremacy in the teaching of religion and Islam: Incorporating intersectional interventions
Authors: Nguyen Martin
Published: November 2019

The need to confront issues of race and white supremacy in our teaching of religion is critically important, but through the pedagogical convention of naming, we take the first step in inviting our students to understand the hows and whys of it. I will explore the ways that Charles Long's theory of signification and counter‐signification can be pedagogically deployed to incorporate intersectional interventions in the teaching of religion in America, specifically in the case of an Islam in America course.
Religious studies and fake scholarship: An experimental approach to constructing theory
Authors: Herman Jonathan R.
Published: November 2019

One of three short companion essays to Terry Shoemaker's “World Religion and Fake News: A Pedagogical Response in an Age of Post‐Truth,” published in this issue of the journal.
Lived religious practices: Response to Terry Shoemaker's “World religion and fake news”
Authors: Kamath Harshita Mruthinti
Published: November 2019

One of three short companion essays to Terry Shoemaker's “World Religion and Fake News: A Pedagogical Response in an Age of Post‐Truth,” published in this issue of the journal.
Time, structure, and teaching as an adjunct
Authors: Lee Hoon J.
Published: November 2019

Contingent teaching has become the norm in most institutions. While the use of adjuncts and other non‐tenure track professors shows no sign of slowing down, the nature of contingent teaching is less known. This article examines how contingent teaching directly impacts the professor's teaching. My experience teaching religious studies courses from 2014 to the present has shown how contingent status affects significant issues such as the time and structure of teaching. Time is an essential component in teaching well. How the course is structured is equally important, or perhaps even more so, and has significant ramifications for a course. However, the nature of contingent labor impacts how time and structure is implemented in a course. This influences how I interact with the course material, the students, the department, and my ability to teach. See companion essays published in this issue of the journal by Adam Wirrig, Bradley Burroughs, Kyle Schenkewitz, and Charles Harrell.
The learning community: An essential for education as the practice of freedom
Authors: Parker Evelyn L.
Published: November 2019

One of four short essays published in this issue of the journal to celebrate the 25th anniversary of bell hooks's classic book, Teaching to Transgress (1994). The authors reflect on the importance of this text for their teaching, when they discovered it, and how it has shaped their approach to the classroom, as illustrated in a particular teaching strategy or assignment that they have used that is inspired by the book.
Practicing Teaching to Transgress
Authors: Williams Montague R.
Published: November 2019

One of four short essays published in this issue of the journal to celebrate the 25th anniversary of bell hooks's classic book, Teaching to Transgress (1994). The authors reflect on the importance of this text for their teaching, when they discovered it, and how it has shaped their approach to the classroom, as illustrated in a particular teaching strategy or assignment that they have used that is inspired by the book.
Laparoscopic resection of an exostosis of the os pubis in a horse
Authors: Delcazo Mario , Geburek Florian , Köhler Kernt , Röcken Michael , Theiss Felix
Published: November 2019

Objective

To report the diagnostic findings and laparoscopic removal of an exostosis of the os pubis in a horse.

Study design

Case report.

Animal

One 12‐year‐old Black Forest draught gelding.

Methods

History included recurrent colic before and during urination and poor performance. Findings at rectal examination included a pointed osseous prominence adjacent to the symphysis of the pecten ossis pubis. Cystoscopy revealed that this prominence caused a protrusion of the bladder wall into the lumen. Standing laparoscopy and laparoscopy under general anesthesia were performed.

Results

After a failed attempt at standing laparoscopy, the horse was anesthetized, and the exostosis of the os pubis was removed laparoscopically without complications. No recurrence of clinical signs associated with the exostosis was detected 12 months postoperatively.

Conclusion

Minimally invasive surgical resection of an exostosis of the os pubis was achieved under general anesthesia with appropriately designed instruments. This treatment alleviated symptoms associated with the exostosis, including potential injury of the urinary bladder wall.
Identification of cutaneous arteries of the perineal and caudal thigh region: A cadaveric study in 12 cats
Authors: Andries Courtney V. , Degner Daniel A. , Ibrahim Mohammed
Published: November 2019

Objective

To describe the location of the dorsal perineal artery in cats and identify landmarks for axial pattern flaps based on this vessel.

Study design

Anatomic study.

Animals

Twelve feline cadavers.

Methods

Nonselective barium sulfate angiography was performed via injection of the descending aorta. Skin excised from the perineum and thighs was evaluated via gross inspection and radiography to identify angiosomes.

Results

The dorsal perineal artery had a robust angiosome on the caudal thigh in 10 of 12 cadavers. The artery exited the ischiorectal fossa along the muscular furrow between the biceps femoris and semitendinosus muscles and passed sagittally toward the popliteal fossa in those 10 specimens. All cadavers had a consistent angiosome based on the ventral perineal artery, which was located on the caudomedial thigh. All cadavers also had a consistent angiosome from a cutaneous branch of the popliteal artery, which traveled in a distal to proximal direction starting at the popliteal fossa.

Conclusion

The dorsal perineal artery had a large cutaneous angiosome on the caudal thigh, which was consistent in most cats. The ventral perineal artery and cutaneous branch of the popliteal artery had consistent but smaller cutaneous angiosomes.

Clinical significance

The axial pattern flaps of the cutaneous branches of the dorsal and ventral perineal arteries and the popliteal artery provide a robust arterial blood supply to the skin of the perineum and the caudal thigh. These three flaps may therefore have adequate vascular supply to consistently survive in most cats.
Stimulation of autophagy improves vascular function in the mesenteric arteries of type 2 diabetic mice
Authors: Choi Soo‐Kyoung , Kwon Youngin , Byeon Seonhee , Lee Young‐Ho
Published: November 2019

New Findings

What is the central question of this study?

What is the role of autophagy in vascular dysfunction in type 2 diabetes?

What is the main finding and its importance?

Autophagy is decreased in the mesenteric arteries of type 2 diabetic mice, and stimulation of autophagy using rapamycin and trehalose improves vascular function, which is associated with normalization of myogenic response and endothelium‐dependent relaxation.

Vascular dysfunction is a major complication in type 2 diabetes (T2D). It has been suggested that dysregulation of autophagy is associated with various cardiovascular diseases. However, the relationship between autophagy and vascular dysfunction in T2D remains unclear. Thus, we examined whether reduced autophagy is involved in vascular dysfunction and whether stimulation of autophagy could improve vascular function in diabetes. Ten‐ to twelve‐week‐old male type 2 diabetic (db−/db−) mice and their control (db−/db+) mice were treated with rapamycin or trehalose. Mesenteric arteries (MAs) were mounted for arteriography and their diameter was measured. Western blot analysis and immunofluorescence staining were assessed. Myogenic response (MR) was significantly increased, whereas endothelium‐dependent relaxation (EDR) was significantly attenuated in the MAs of diabetic mice. These results were associated with increased expression of LC3II, p62 and beclin‐1 in diabetic mice. Treatment with autophagy stimulators significantly reduced the potentiation of MR and improved EDR in the diabetic mice. Furthermore, autophagy stimulation normalized expression of LC3II, p62 and beclin‐1 in the diabetic mice. In addition, phosphorylation level of endothelial nitric oxide synthase was decreased in diabetic mice and was restored by rapamycin and trehalose. T2D impairs vascular function by dysregulated autophagy. Therefore, autophagy could be a potential target for overcoming diabetic microvascular complications.
Infrared spectroscopic ellipsometry and optical spectroscopy of plasmons in classic 3D topological insulators
Authors: Mamedov Nazim T. , Alizade Elvin H. , Jahangirli Zakir A. , Aliev Ziya S. , Abdullayev Nadir A. , Mammadov Samir N. , Amiraslanov Imamaddin R. , Shim Yong-Gu , Wakita Kazuki , Ragimov Sadiyar S. , Bayramov Ayaz I. , Babanly Mahammad B. , Shikin Alexander M. , Chulkov Evgueni V.
Published: November 2019

Narrow bandgap Bi2Se3, Bi2Te3, and Sb2Te3, commonly referred to as classic 3D topological insulators, were studied at room temperature by spectroscopic ellipsometry and optical reflection spectroscopy over the mid-IR–near-infrared photon energy range. Complementarily, Hall measurements were performed. Plasmons in optical loss function and reflection coefficient were identified. The conventional approach based on the high frequency dielectric constant was shown to work well in the description of plasmons in Bi2Se3 and Sb2Te3 and to fail in the case of a similar compound, Bi2Te3. The obtained results are discussed in terms of single- and multivalley approaches to the studied samples with taking the details of the calculated band structure into account.
Sputter deposition and thermal evaporation of Li2O, Li2S, and Li2Se films
Authors: Lorger Simon , Fischer Dieter , Usiskin Robert , Maier Joachim
Published: November 2019

Thin layers containing lithium oxide (Li2O), lithium sulfide (Li2S), or lithium selenide (Li2Se) are relevant for many electrochemical processes in lithium-based batteries. As a step toward understanding the electrochemical properties of such layers, this work demonstrates the growth of dense single-phase films by both sputter deposition (for Li2O and Li2S) and thermal evaporation (for Li2S and Li2Se). The dependence of morphology and grain size on the growth conditions is characterized. Reactive deposition is found to be faster and more practical than direct deposition, and both sputtered S8 and heated SnS2 are shown to be viable sulfur precursors for growing sulfides. These results enable the preparation of Li2O, Li2S, and Li2Se films suitable for future electrochemical studies. An initial set of conductivity data from an evaporated Li2S film is also presented.
Current Evidence and Practical Applications of Flywheel Eccentric Overload Exercises as Postactivation Potentiation Protocols: A Brief Review
Authors: Beato Marco , McErlain-Naylor Stuart A. , Halperin Israel , Dello Iacono Antonio
Published: November 2019

Purpose: To summarize the evidence on postactivation potentiation (PAP) protocols using flywheel eccentric overload (EOL) exercises. Methods: Studies were searched using the electronic databases PubMed, Scopus, and Institute for Scientific Information Web of Knowledge. Results: In total, 7 eligible studies were identified based on the following results: First, practitioners can use different inertia intensities (eg, 0.03–0.11 kg·m2), based on the exercise selected, to enhance sport-specific performance. Second, the PAP time window following EOL exercise seems to be consistent with traditional PAP literature, where acute fatigue is dominant in the early part of the recovery period (eg, 30 s), and PAP is dominant in the second part (eg, 3 and 6 min). Third, as EOL exercises require large force and power outputs, a volume of 3 sets with the conditioning activity (eg, half-squat or lunge) seems to be a sensible approach. This could reduce the transitory muscle fatigue and thereby allow for a stronger potentiation effect compared with larger exercise volumes. Fourth, athletes should gain experience by performing EOL exercises before using the tool as part of a PAP protocol (3 or 4 sessions of familiarization). Finally, the dimensions of common flywheel devices offer useful and practical solutions to induce PAP effects outside of normal training environments and prior to competitions. Conclusions: EOL exercise can be used to stimulate PAP responses to obtain performance advantages in various sports. However, future research is needed to determine which EOL exercise modalities among intensity, volume, and rest intervals optimally induce the PAP phenomenon and facilitate transfer effects on athletic performances.
Physical Activity in the Hospital: Documentation and Influence on Venous Thromboembolism Prophylaxis
Authors: Pavon Juliessa M. , Sloane Richard J. , Pieper Carl F. , Colón-Emeric Cathleen S. , Gallagher David , Cohen Harvey J. , Hall Katherine S. , Morey Miriam C. , McCarty Midori , Ortel Thomas L. , Hastings Susan N.
Published: November 2019

This study describes the availability of physical activity information in the electronic health record, explores how electronic health record documentation correlates with accelerometer-derived physical activity data, and examines whether measured physical activity relates to venous thromboembolism (VTE) prophylaxis use. Prospective observational data comes from community-dwelling older adults admitted to general medicine (n = 65). Spearman correlations were used to examine association of accelerometer-based daily step count with documented walking distance and with duration of VTE prophylaxis. Only 52% of patients had documented walking in nursing and/or physical therapy/occupational therapy notes during the first three hospital days. Median daily steps recorded via accelerometer was 1,370 (interquartile range = 854, 2,387) and correlated poorly with walking distance recorded in physical therapy/occupational therapy notes (median 33 feet/day [interquartile range = 12, 100];r = .24;p = .27). Activity measures were not associated with use or duration of VTE prophylaxis. VTE prophylaxis use does not appear to be directed by patient activity, for which there is limited documentation.
Antimicrobial Therapy in the Context of the Damage-Response Framework: the Prospect of Optimizing Therapy by Reducing Host Damage
Authors: Pirofski Liise-anne , Casadevall Arturo
Published: November 2019

By design, antimicrobial agents act directly on microbial targets. These drugs aim to eliminate microbes and are remarkably effective against susceptible organisms. Nonetheless, some patients succumb to infectious diseases despite appropriate antimicrobial therapy. Today, with very few exceptions, physicians select antimicrobial therapy based on its activity against the targeted organism without consideration of how the regimen affects patients’ immune responses.
Changes in Aphid Host Plant Diet Influence the Small-RNA Expression Profiles of Its Obligate Nutritional Symbiont,Buchnera
Authors: Thairu Margaret W. , Hansen Allison K.
Published: November 2019

In general, the genomes of intracellular bacterial symbionts are reduced compared to those of free-living relatives and lack many key regulatory genes. Many of these reduced genomes belong to obligate mutualists of insects that feed on a diet that is deficient in essential nutrients, such as essential amino acids. It is unclear if these symbionts respond with their host to changes in insect diet, because of their reduced regulatory capacity. Emerging evidence suggests that these symbionts express small RNAs (sRNAs) that regulate gene expression at the posttranscriptional level. Therefore, in this study, we sought to determine if the reduced genome of the nutritional symbiontBuchnerain the pea aphid responds to changes in the aphid’s host plant diet. This study demonstrates for the first time thatBuchnerasRNAs, some conserved in two or moreBuchneralineages, are differentially expressed when aphids feed on different plant species and potentially target genes within essential amino acid biosynthesis pathways.