bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Service system well-being: conceptualising a holistic concept
Authors: Leo Wei Wei Cheryl , Laud Gaurangi , Yunhsin Chou Cindy
Published: November 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to develop a concept of service system well-being by presenting its collective conceptualisation and ten key domains.

Design/methodology/approach

Service system well-being domains were established using multi-level theory and a qualitative case study research design. To validate the domains initially developed from the literature, 19 in-depth interviews were conducted across two case studies that represented the service systems of a hospital and a multi-store retail franchise chain. A multi-stakeholder approach was used to explore the actor’s perspectives about service system well-being. Key domains of service system well-being were identified using deductive categorisation analysis.

Findings

The findings found evidence of ten key domains of well-being, namely strategic, governance, leadership, resource, community, social, collaborative, cultural, existential and transformational, among service system stakeholders.

Research limitations/implications

Service system well-being is a collective concept comprising ten domains that emerged at different levels of the service system. The propositions outlined the classification of and interlinkages between the domains. This exploratory study was conducted in a limited service context and focussed on ten key domains.

Practical implications

Service managers in commercial and social organisations are able to apply the notion of service system well-being to identify gaps and nurture well-being deficiencies within different domains of service-system well-being.

Originality/value

Based on multi-level theory, the study is the first to conceptualise and explore the concept of service system well-being across multiple actors.
The human impact on the emergence of firm supply chain agility: a multilevel framework
Authors: Golgeci Ismail , Bouguerra Abderaouf , Rofcanin Yasin
Published: November 2019

Purpose

The human element, especially its multilevel manifestation, has been overlooked in research investigating the antecedents of firm supply chain agility (FSCA). The purpose of this paper is to explore how a firm’s entrepreneurial orientation and market orientation affect FSCA through individual capabilities and actions within the boundary conditions of individual identification with the firm and organizational work climate.

Design/methodology/approach

Following a multilevel approach and drawing on a cross-disciplinary reading of the literature, the authors analyze drivers and enablers of FSCA and advance a framework explaining the emergence of FSCA within the boundary conditions of transformational leadership, individual identification and organizational work climate.

Findings

The authors advance that relevant individual capabilities and intraorganizational actions underlie FSCA in the firms’ pursuit of realizing their strategic orientations as increased agile capacities. The effectiveness of individual capabilities and actions for the emergence of FSCA is contingent upon the extent to which managers identify themselves with their firm, transformational leadership and the nature of organizational work climate.

Originality/value

The original contribution of the paper is to explain the interplay between the multilayered attitudinal, behavioral and structural enablers of FSCA and incorporate the human element into the research on the antecedents of FSCA.
The development of a conical screw-based extrusion deposition system and its application in fused deposition modeling with thermoplastic polyurethane
Authors: Leng Jie , Wu Junjie , Chen Ning , Xu Xiang , Zhang Jie
Published: November 2019

Purpose

This paper aims to develop an integrated and portable desktop 3D printer using direct extruding technology to expand applied material field. Different from conventional fused deposition modeling (FDM) which uses polymer filaments as feedstock, the developed system can fabricate products directly using polymer pellets. And its printing properties are also investigated.

Design/methodology/approach

A conical screw-based extrusion deposition (CSBED) system was developed with a large taper conical screw to plasticize and extrude fed materials. The 3D printer was developed with assistance of precision positioning and controlling system. Biocompatible thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) pellets were selected as raw materials for experiments. The influences of four processing parameters: nozzle temperature, fill vector orientation, layer thickness and infill density on the product’s internal structure and tensile properties were investigated.

Findings

It is concluded that the customized system has a high manufacturing accuracy with a diminutive global size and is suitable for printing soft materials such as TPU. Theoretical calculation shows the developed conical screw is more effective in plasticizing and extruding compared with conventional screw. Printed samples can achieve applicable tensile properties under harmonious parameter cooperation. Deposited materials are found to have voids among adjacent roads under unbefitting parameters.

Originality/value

The developed system efficiently improves material limitations compared to commercial FDM systems and exhibits great potential in medical field because soft materials such as biocompatible TPU pellets can be directly used.
Characterisation of Staphylococcus aureus strains from milk and goat cheese and evaluation of their inhibition by gallic acid, nisin and velame of the Brazilian caatinga
Authors: Oliveira Anay Priscilla David de , Costa Mateus Matiuzzi da , Nogueira Daniel Maia , Dias Francesca Silva
Published: November 2019

Twenty isolates from milk and goat cheese were confirmed as Staphylococcus aureus. These isolates were characterised for phenotypic properties related to cell adhesion and for the presence of enterotoxin production, intercellular adhesion and β‐lactam resistance genes. Staphylococcus aureus L47 showed cell adhesion ability and positivity for the sec, sed, icaD, mecA and blaZ genes. Three antimicrobial compounds were tested singly or in pairs for growth control of strain L47: gallic acid (GA), nisin and essential oil (EO) of Croton heliotropiifolius (velame). At 24 h, EO and EO + nisin showed higher inhibitory activity against S. aureus L47 in goat milk.
How Do Cultural Worldviews Shape Food Technology Perceptions? Evidence from a Discrete Choice Experiment
Authors: Yang Yang , Hobbs Jill E.
Published: November 2019

Agricultural biotechnology (genetic modification) has encountered resistance from many consumers, resulting in disparate regulatory approaches across different jurisdictions. The recent advent of CRISPR‐Cas9, or gene editing, offers the potential for significant improvements in plant breeding. However, little is known currently about consumer responses to the technology. A factor often omitted from previous economic analyses of consumer acceptance of new food technologies is underlying human values or worldviews. Drawing upon cultural cognition theory and using data from a survey of Canadian consumers, we examine the influence of cultural values on food choice behaviours. Respondents’ pre‐existing cultural values are measured on two dimensions: hierarchy‐egalitarianism and individualism‐communitarianism. Choice behaviours are captured using a discrete choice experiment featuring a sliced apple product with two consumer‐oriented attributes (non‐browning and antioxidant‐enhanced) and three novel food technologies (gene editing, genetic modification, edible coating). Using a random parameters logit model with error components we find pre‐existing cultural values to be significant determinants of choice behaviours. Individuals pre‐disposed towards a hierarchical worldview are more accepting of novel food technologies, as are individuals with a communitarian worldview. While the use of gene editing results in negative marginal utilities in a food choice situation, the effect is not as large as with genetic modification, suggesting there is scope to ameliorate potentially negative reactions to the technology with value‐compatible messages.
Detection of homozygous genotypes for a putatively lethal recessive mutation in the porcine argininosuccinate synthase 1 (ASS1) gene
Authors: Mármol‐Sánchez E. , Luigi‐Sierra M.G. , Quintanilla R. , Amills M.
Published: November 2019

The sequencing of the pig genome revealed the existence of homozygous individuals for a nonsense mutation in the argininosuccinate synthase 1 (ASS1) gene (rs81212146, c.944T>A, L315X). Paradoxically, an AA homozygous genotype for this polymorphism is expected to abolish the function of the ASS1 enzyme that participates in the urea cycle, leading to citrullinemia, hyperammonemia, coma and death. Sequencing of five Duroc boars that sired a population of 350 Duroc barrows revealed the segregation of the c.944T>A polymorphism, so we aimed to investigate its phenotypic consequences. Genotyping of this mutation in the 350 Duroc barrows revealed the existence of seven individuals homozygous (AA) for the nonsense mutation. These AA pigs had a normal weight despite the fact that mild citrullinemia often involves impaired growth. Sequencing of the region surrounding the mutation in TT, TA and AA individuals revealed that the A substitution in the second position of the codon (c.944T>A) is in complete linkage disequilibrium with a C replacement (c.943T>C) in the first position of the codon. This second mutation would compensate for the potentially damaging effect of the c.944T>A replacement. In fact, this is the most probable reason why pigs with homozygous AA genotypes at the 944 site of the ASS1 coding region are alive. Our results illustrate the complexities of predicting the consequences of nonsense mutations on gene function and phenotypes, not only because of annotation issues but also owing to the existence of genetic mechanisms that sometimes limit the penetrance of highly harmful mutations.
Depot medroxyprogesterone acetate and norethisterone enanthate differentially impact T‐cell responses and expression of immunosuppressive markers
Authors: Matubu Allen , Hillier Sharon L. , Meyn Leslie A. , Stoner Kevin A. , Mhlanga Felix , Mbizvo Mike , Maramba Aaron , Chirenje Zvavahera M. , Achilles Sharon L.
Published: November 2019

Problem

Injectable contraceptive use may impact immune cell responsiveness and susceptibility to infection. We measured responsiveness of T‐cells from women before and after initiating depot medroxyprogesterone acetate (DMPA) or norethisterone enanthate (Net‐En).

Method of study

Peripheral blood mononuclear cells collected from women aged 18‐34 years prior to, at steady state, and nadir concentrations after initiating DMPA (n = 30) or Net‐En (n = 36) and from women initiating copper intrauterine device (CU‐IUD; n = 32) were stimulated with phorbol myristate acetate and analyzed using flow cytometry. We evaluated percentage change in T‐cells expressing programmed cell death‐1 (PD‐1) and cytotoxic T‐lymphocyte associated protein‐4 (CTLA‐4).

Results

Compared to baseline, there were decreased numbers of CD4+CTLA4+ (P < .001) and CD8+CTLA4+ (P < .01) T‐cells following ex vivo stimulation challenge at steady state DMPA concentrations and no differences at nadir concentrations (P = .781 and P = .463, respectively). In Net‐En users, no differences in CD4+CTLA4+ T‐cells at steady state (P = .087) and nadir concentrations (P = .217) were observed. DMPA users had fewer CD4+PD‐1+ (P < .001) and CD8+PD‐1+ (P < .001) T‐cells at nadir concentrations. Number of CD4+PD‐1+ and CD8+PD‐1+ T‐cells decreased at steady state concentration (P = .002 and P = .001, respectively) and at nadir concentrations after Net‐En initiation (P < .001 and P < .001). In CU‐IUD users, there were no changes in number of CD4+CTLA4+ (P = .426) and CD8+CTLA4+ (P = .169) and no changes in CD4+PD‐1+ (P = .083) and CD8+PD‐1+ (P = .936) compared to baseline.

Conclusion

Activation of T‐cells in response to ex vivo stimulation is suppressed at steady state DMPA concentration and resolves at nadir concentration, suggesting DMPA immunosuppressive effects may be transient.
Reconstructing subsistence at the Yingpanshan and Gaoshan sites in Sichuan province, China: Insights from isotope analysis on bone samples and charred crop remains
Authors: Lee C.‐Y. , Lin K.‐C. , Zhou Z. , Chen J. , Liu X. , Yuan H. , Wang P.‐L.
Published: November 2019

During the Neolithic period, the Chengdu Plain was a key region where two important crops, rice and millet, were cultivated together. Millet was probably introduced from north‐western China c.3500–3300 cal. bce, and rice came from the Middle Yangtze River c.2600 cal. bce. In this study, human and faunal remains, as well as charred crop grains, were collected from the Yingpanshan (3300–2600 cal. bce) and Gaoshan (2500–2000 cal. bce) sites where the dominant crop was millet and rice, respectively. Carbon and nitrogen isotope analyses were conducted on human bones and the ecofact samples in order to reconstruct the subsistence at the sites. The results indicate that the diets of two individuals recovered from the Yingpanshan site consisted of both C3‐ and C4‐based foods, predominantly the former. By contrast, Yingpanshan pigs consumed a large quantity of C4 fodder. This result, combined with the ecofact evidence, suggests that millet was the main crop at the Yingpanshan site. It also highlights the fact that the two Yingpanshan individuals might be non‐locals and/or belonged to later periods. On the other hand, the diet of the Gaoshan community was dominated by C3‐based foods. When considering the archaeobotanical evidence at Baodun, a site contemporaneous with and near to the Gaoshan site, it can be stated that rice was an important food resource for the Gaoshan community. This study also suggests how crops were managed at the two sites. The Yingpanshan people might have used manure for growing millet. Both manuring and irrigation might have also been practised by Gaoshan's rice farmers. However, more studies are required to understand the extent of manuring and irrigation in their agricultural economies.
A temporally stratified extension of space‐for‐time Cormack–Jolly–Seber for migratory animals
Authors: Hance Dalton J. , Perry Russell W. , Plumb John M. , Pope Adam C.
Published: November 2019

Understanding drivers of temporal variation in demographic parameters is a central goal of mark‐recapture analysis. To estimate the survival of migrating animal populations in migration corridors, space‐for‐time mark–recapture models employ discrete sampling locations in space to monitor marked populations as they move past monitoring sites, rather than the standard practice of using fixed sampling points in time. Because these models focus on estimating survival over discrete spatial segments, model parameters are implicitly integrated over the temporal dimension. Furthermore, modeling the effect of time‐varying covariates on model parameters is complicated by unknown passage times for individuals that are not detected at monitoring sites. To overcome these limitations, we extended the Cormack–Jolly–Seber (CJS) framework to estimate temporally stratified survival and capture probabilities by including a discretized arrival time process in a Bayesian framework. We allow for flexibility in the model form by including temporally stratified covariates and hierarchical structures. In addition, we provide tools for assessing model fit and comparing among alternative structural models for the parameters. We demonstrate our framework by fitting three competing models to estimate daily survival, capture, and arrival probabilities at four hydroelectric dams for over 200 000 individually tagged migratory juvenile salmon released into the Snake River, USA.
One‐step targeted maximum likelihood estimation for time‐to‐event outcomes
Authors: Cai Weixin , van der Laan Mark J.
Published: November 2019

Researchers in observational survival analysis are interested in not only estimating survival curve nonparametrically but also having statistical inference for the parameter. We consider right‐censored failure time data where we observe n independent and identically distributed observations of a vector random variable consisting of baseline covariates, a binary treatment at baseline, a survival time subject to right censoring, and the censoring indicator. We assume the baseline covariates are allowed to affect the treatment and censoring so that an estimator that ignores covariate information would be inconsistent. The goal is to use these data to estimate the counterfactual average survival curve of the population if all subjects are assigned the same treatment at baseline. Existing observational survival analysis methods do not result in monotone survival curve estimators, which is undesirable and may lose efficiency by not constraining the shape of the estimator using the prior knowledge of the estimand. In this paper, we present a one‐step Targeted Maximum Likelihood Estimator (TMLE) for estimating the counterfactual average survival curve. We show that this new TMLE can be executed via recursion in small local updates. We demonstrate the finite sample performance of this one‐step TMLE in simulations and an application to a monoclonal gammopathy data.
The palaeobiology of belemnites – foundation for the interpretation of rostrum geochemistry
Authors: Hoffmann René , Stevens Kevin
Published: November 2019

Belemnites are an extinct group of Mesozoic coleoid cephalopods with a fossil record ranging from the early Late Triassic [about 240 million years ago (Mya)] to the Cretaceous/Palaeogene boundary (65 Mya). Belemnites were widely distributed, highly abundant and diverse, and an important component of Mesozoic marine food webs. Their internal shells, specifically their low‐Mg calcite rostra, have been used as palaeoenvironmental carbonate archives for the last 70 years. This is primarily due to the assumption that the rostrum calcite formed in equilibrium with the oxygen isotope composition of ambient sea water. Of prime importance for the reliable interpretation of isotope data derived from these biogenic carbonates is a robust reconstruction of the palaeobiology of their producers. Here we provide a critical assessment of published reconstructions of belemnite soft‐body organization and their lifestyle and habitats. Different lines of evidence, including sedimentological, geochemical, morphological, and biomechanical data, point towards an outer shelf habitat of belemnites, for some taxa also including the littoral area. Belemnite habitat temperatures, oxygen content, salinities, and life span are constrained based on observations of the ecology and life history of modern coleoids. Belemnite habitat depth might have been largely controlled by food and temperature, with a temperature optimum between 10°C and 30°C. The distribution of modern coleoids is for most species restricted to well‐oxygenated water masses and a salinity between 27 and 37 psu. The trophic position of belemnites as both predators and prey is documented by unique fossil finds of stomach contents and soft tissue preservation, such as jaws, hooks, and ink sacs. Belemnites were medium‐sized predators in the epipelagic zone (not deeper than ∼200 m) hunting for crustaceans, other cephalopods, and fishes. Taxa with elongated rostra probably were fast and highly manoeuvrable swimmers. Forms with conical rostra represent slow but highly manoeuvrable swimmers, and forms with depressed rostra likely had a bottom‐related life habit. Predators of adult belemnites were sharks, bony fishes, and marine reptiles. Belemnites, like most of the modern coleoids, were relatively short lived, most likely living only for 1–2 years. Understanding the biomineralization of belemnite rostra is highly relevant for an improved interpretation of their geochemistry. Here we confirm that belemnite rostra are composed of low Mg‐calcite fibres, but they do not contain distinct types of laminae. These fibres are composed of two distinct calcite phases. One phase is a filigree network of tetrahedral organic‐rich calcite and the second phase is represented by organic‐poor calcite.
Commercial Gentrification, Ethnicity, and Social Mixedness: The Case of Javastraat, Indische Buurt, Amsterdam
Authors: Sakızlıoğlu Bahar , Lees Loretta
Published: November 2019

In this paper, we investigate the ethnic politics of commercial gentrification. We discuss how ethnicity is conceived of, managed by, and integrated into urban policy; and how the changing ethnic composition of the neighborhood is perceived and lived by entrepreneurs with different ethnic and class backgrounds. We employ the notion of “mixed embeddedness,” coined by Kloosterman et al., to understand the changes gentrification brings about for ethnic minority entrepreneurs and to explain their responses to these changes. Using the case study of a gentrifying street in Amsterdam, namely, Javastraat in Indische Buurt, we draw on an analysis of ethnic packaging at the policy level as well as in depth interviews with ethnically Dutch and ethnic minority entrepreneurs. Our findings shed light on how ethnic minorities survive and manage commercial gentrification on their doorsteps as well as the complexity of social mixedness in gentrifying neighborhoods.
Influence of bio‐aging on corrosion behavior of different implant materials
Authors: Zhou Wen , Peng Xian , Zhou Xuedong , Li Mingyun , Ren Biao , Cheng Lei
Published: November 2019

Background

Dental implants and abutments are exposed to challenging oral environment. Corrosion of these materials can affect the overall performance of titanium implants.

Purpose

To investigate the effects of biofilm‐induced bio‐aging on corrosion behavior of different implant materials surface.

Materials and Methods

Commercial polished titanium (Polish), sand‐blasted, large grit, acid‐etched surface treated titanium (SLA), microarc oxidation (MAO), and hydroxyapatite (HA) coated titanium were bio‐aged with saliva biofilm for 30 days. Titanium surfaces topography, chemical composition, roughness, and water contact angle changes were evaluated. In addition, human gingival fibroblasts (HGFs) adhesion, Streptococcus sanguinis (S. sanguinis) biofilm formation were determined.

Results

Surface topography, roughness, and chemical composition have no significant changes for all groups after bio‐aging (P > .05). Water contact angle of bio‐aged SLA was greatly increased (P < .05). While other groups showed no sign of change (P > .05). Adhesion and proliferation of HGFs on the bio‐aged SLA titanium surfaces were decreased (P < .05), but increased on bio‐aged Polish and HA titanium (P < .05). S. sanguinis biofilm viability was promoted with bio‐aging in HA group (P < .05).

Conclusions

Biological characteristics of Polish, SLA, and HA titanium surfaces were influenced by bio‐aging. While MAO group was relatively resistant to saliva biofilm bio‐aging.
Update of inflammasome activation in microglia/macrophage in aging and aging‐related disease
Authors: Hu Meng‐yan , Lin Yin‐yao , Zhang Bing‐jun , Lu Dan‐li , Lu Zheng‐qi , Cai Wei
Published: November 2019

Aging and aging‐related CNS diseases are associated with inflammatory status. As an efficient amplifier of immune responses, inflammasome is activated and played detrimental role in aging and aging‐related CNS diseases. Macrophage and microglia display robust inflammasome activation in infectious and sterile inflammation. This review discussed the impact of inflammasome activation in microglia/macrophage on senescence “inflammaging” and aging‐related CNS diseases. The preventive or therapeutic effects of targeting inflammasome on retarding aging process or tackling aging‐related diseases are also discussed.
Using vertebrate environmental DNA from seawater in biomonitoring of marine habitats
Authors: Sigsgaard Eva Egelyng , Torquato Felipe , Frøslev Tobias Guldberg , Moore Alec B. M. , Sørensen Johan Mølgård , Range Pedro , Ben‐Hamadou Radhouane , Bach Steffen Sanvig , Møller Peter Rask , Thomsen Philip Francis
Published: November 2019

Conservation and management of marine biodiversity depends on biomonitoring of marine habitats, but current approaches are resource‐intensive and require different approaches for different organisms. Environmental DNA (eDNA) extracted from water samples is an efficient and versatile approach to detecting aquatic animals. In the ocean, eDNA composition reflects local fauna at fine spatial scales, but little is known about the effectiveness of eDNA‐based monitoring of marine communities at larger scales. We investigated the potential of eDNA to characterize and distinguish marine communities at large spatial scales by comparing vertebrate species composition among marine habitats in Qatar, the Arabian Gulf (also known as the Persian Gulf), based on eDNA metabarcoding of seawater samples. We conducted species accumulation analyses to estimate how much of the vertebrate diversity we detected. We obtained eDNA sequences from a diverse assemblage of marine vertebrates, spanning 191 taxa in 73 families. These included rare and endangered species and covered 36% of the bony fish genera previously recorded in the Gulf. Sites of similar habitat type were also similar in eDNA composition. The species accumulation analyses showed that the number of sample replicates was insufficient for some sampling sites but suggested that a few hundred eDNA samples could potentially capture >90% of the marine vertebrate diversity in the study area. Our results confirm that seawater samples contain habitat‐characteristic molecular signatures and that eDNA monitoring can efficiently cover vertebrate diversity at scales relevant to national and regional conservation and management.
Predicting In Vivo Efficacy from In Vitro Data: Quantitative Systems Pharmacology Modeling for an Epigenetic Modifier Drug in Cancer
Authors: Bouhaddou Mehdi , Yu Li J. , Lunardi Serena , Stamatelos Spyros K. , Mack Fiona , Gallo James M. , Birtwistle Marc R. , Walz Antje‐Christine
Published: November 2019

Reliably predicting in vivo efficacy from in vitro data would facilitate drug development by reducing animal usage and guiding drug dosing in human clinical trials. However, such prediction remains challenging. Here, we built a quantitative pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic (PK/PD) mathematical model capable of predicting in vivo efficacy in animal xenograft models of tumor growth while trained almost exclusively on in vitro cell culture data sets. We studied a chemical inhibitor of LSD1 (ORY‐1001), a lysine‐specific histone demethylase enzyme with epigenetic function, and drug‐induced regulation of target engagement, biomarker levels, and tumor cell growth across multiple doses administered in a pulsed and continuous fashion. A PK model of unbound plasma drug concentration was linked to the in vitro PD model, which enabled the prediction of in vivo tumor growth dynamics across a range of drug doses and regimens. Remarkably, only a change in a single parameter—the one controlling intrinsic cell/tumor growth in the absence of drug—was needed to scale the PD model from the in vitro to in vivo setting. These findings create a framework for using in vitro data to predict in vivo drug efficacy with clear benefits to reducing animal usage while enabling the collection of dense time course and dose response data in a highly controlled in vitro environment.
Changes in severity and impact of drooling after submandibular gland botulinum neurotoxin A injections in children with neurodevelopmental disabilities
Authors: Van Hulst Karen , Van Der Burg Jan JW , Jongerius Peter H , Geurts Alexander CH , Erasmus Corrie E
Published: November 2019

Aims

To examine changes in objective and subjective drooling severity measures after submandibular botulinum neurotoxin A injection in children with neurodevelopmental disabilities, explore their relationship, and evaluate if clinically relevant responses relate to changes in the impact of drooling.

Method

This longitudinal, observational cohort study involved 160 children (92 males, 68 females; 3–17y, mean 9y 1mo, SD 3y 6mo) treated between 2000 and 2012 at the Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, the Netherlands. Repeated measures analysis of variance was used to compare the 5‐minute Drooling Quotient (DQ5) and Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) for drooling severity pretreatment and posttreatment, and Pearson’s rho to assess their association. A parent questionnaire was used to assess drooling impact in responders (defined as ≥50% reduction in DQ5 and/or ≥2 SD reduction in VAS for drooling severity 8wks postintervention) and non‐responders.

Results

One hundred and twelve children (70%) were responders. Their mean VAS for drooling severity and DQ5 scores were significantly lower 32 weeks postintervention compared to baseline. At baseline, the VAS for drooling severity‐DQ5 relationship was ‘weak’ (rs=0.15, p=0.060), whereas it was ‘fair’ at 8 weeks (rs=0.43, p=0.000) and 32 weeks (rs=0.30, p=0.000). For responders, a significant change was found regarding the impact of drooling on daily care and social interactions at 8 weeks after intervention; most of these effects were maintained at 32 weeks.

Interpretation

A clinically relevant response based on a combination of objective and subjective measures of drooling severity was accompanied by positive changes regarding the impact of drooling on daily care and social interactions.

What this paper adds

Botulinum neurotoxin A injection into the submandibular glands reduced drooling severity in 70% of children with neurodevelopmental disabilities.

Objective (5‐minute Drooling Quotient) and subjective (Visual Analogue Scale for drooling severity) measures correlated 8 and 32 weeks after treatment.

Objective and subjective measures complemented each other when changes in drooling severity were assessed.

Reduced drooling severity was accompanied by positive changes with regard to the impact of drooling.
Observational analyses from ADVANCE and ADVANCE‐ON
Authors: Chalmers John , Woodward Mark
Published: November 2019

Aims

To explain, and document, the epidemiological work associated with the action in diabetes and vascular disease: preterax and diamicron‐modified release controlled evaluation (ADVANCE) clinical trial.

Materials and methods

ADVANCE was designed as a randomized controlled multicentre factorial trial in high‐risk patients with diabetes. The two interventions were blood pressure lowering medications versus placebo, and intensive glucose control versus standard glucose control. Following termination of the trial, an observational study of surviving participants, able to join, was mounted: the ADVANCE ‐ observational study (ADVANCE‐ON). Other epidemiological analyses that were undertaken treated the trial as a cohort study, including using biomarkers from the blood samples taken from ADVANCE subjects as risk exposures.

Results

More than 50 publications have reported epidemiological results from ADVANCE. The main results from ADVANCE‐ON suggested attenuated benefits of ADVANCE's blood pressure lowering treatment on all‐cause and cardiovascular death, but no such long‐term benefits for intensive glucose control, although this did give persistent benefit for end‐stage renal disease. The other epidemiological studies found, amongst other things, strong effects of NT‐terminal pro‐B‐type natriuretic peptide and high‐sensitivity cardiac troponin T on macrovascular events, microvascular events and all‐cause death.

Conclusions

Embedding post‐randomization and epidemiological analyses into clinical trials is worthwhile and can be highly productive in advancing scientific knowledge.
Urinalysis in patients with neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder
Authors: Chen Z. G. , Huang J. , Fan R. , Weng R. H. , Shinohara R. T. , Landis J. R. , Chen Y. , Jiang Y.
Published: November 2019

Background and purpose

Increasing evidence has demonstrated that aquaporin‐4 (AQP4) immunoglobulin G causes damage to the kidney in neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD). However, changes in urinalysis in NMOSD have not been investigated thus far. Our objective was to evaluate the changes in urinalysis in NMOSD patients.

Methods

Case data were collected from 44 patients with AQP4 antibody‐positive NMOSD, 53 patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) and 79 age‐ and sex‐matched healthy controls. Analyses of early morning urine and 24‐h urine samples comparing NMOSD with MS patients were conducted.

Results

In the acute phase, urine pH levels (P < 0.001) and urine specific gravity levels (P < 0.001) from NMOSD patients were significantly higher and lower, respectively, than for MS patients. 24‐h urine sodium and 24‐h urine volume from NMOSD patients were significantly higher than for MS patients (both P = 0.001). A 24‐h urine volume higher than 2500 ml (odds ratio 11.7, 95% confidence interval 1.863–73.066) and a 24‐h urine sodium higher than 200 mmol (odds ratio 16.0, 95% confidence interval 2.122–120.648) are more likely to occur in NMOSD patients in the acute phase than in MS patients.

Conclusions

The urinalysis results were significantly different between NMOSD patients and MS patients. The pathophysiological changes in AQP4 antibody‐positive NMOSD patients were not limited to the central nervous system.
A novel optimal PID controller autotuning design based on the SLP algorithm
Authors: Pongfai Jirapun , Su Xiaojie , Zhang Huiyan , Assawinchaichote Wudhichai
Published: November 2019

A novel optimal proportional integral derivative (PID) autotuning controller design based on a new algorithm approach, the “swarm learning process” (SLP) algorithm, is proposed. It improves the convergence and performance of the autotuning PID parameter by applying the swarm and learning algorithm concepts. Its convergence is verified by two methods, global convergence and characteristic convergence. In the case of global convergence, the convergence rule of a random search algorithm is employed to judge, and Markov chain modelling is used to analyse. The superiority of the proposed method, in terms of characteristic convergence and performance, is verified through the simulation based on the automatic voltage regulator and direct current motor control system. Verification is performed by comparing the results of the proposed model with those of other algorithms, that is, the ant colony optimization with a new constrained Nelder–Mead algorithm, the genetic algorithm (GA), the particle swarm optimization (PSO) algorithm, and a neural network (NN). According to the global convergence analysis, the proposed method satisfies the convergence rule of the random search algorithm. With respect to the characteristic convergence and performance, the proposed method provides a better response than the GA, the PSO, and the NN for both control systems.
Structural basis of the strong cell‐cell junction formed by cadherin‐23
Authors: Singaraju Gayathri S. , Sagar Amin , Kumar Anuj , Samuel Jesse S. , Hazra Jagadish P. , Sannigrahi Malay K. , Yennamalli Ragothaman M. , Ashish   , Rakshit Sabyasachi
Published: November 2019

Cadherin‐23, a giant atypical cadherin, form homophilic interactions at the cell–cell junction of epithelial cells and heterophilic interactions with protocadherin‐15 at the tip links of neuroepithelial cells. While the molecular structure of the heterodimer is solved, the homodimer structure is yet to be resolved. The homodimers play an essential role in cell–cell adhesion as the downregulation of cadherin‐23 in cancers loosen the intercellular junction resulting in faster migration of cancer cells and a significant drop in patient survival. In vitro studies have measured a stronger aggregation propensity of cadherin‐23 compared to typical E‐cadherin. Here, we deciphered the unique trans‐homodimer structure of cadherin‐23 in solution and show that it consists of two electrostatic‐based interfaces extended up to two terminal domains. The interface is robust, with a low off‐rate of ~ 8 × 10−4 s−1 that supports its strong aggregation propensity. We identified a point mutation, E78K, that disrupts this binding. Interestingly, a mutation at the interface was reported in skin cancer. Overall, the structural basis of the strong cadherin‐23 adhesion may have far‐reaching applications in the fields of mechanobiology and cancer.
No support for the emergence of lichens prior to the evolution of vascular plants
Authors: Nelsen Matthew P. , Lücking Robert , Boyce C. Kevin , Lumbsch H. Thorsten , Ree Richard H.
Published: November 2019

The early‐successional status of lichens in modern terrestrial ecosystems, together with the role lichen‐mediated weathering plays in the carbon cycle, have contributed to the long and widely held assumption that lichens occupied early terrestrial ecosystems prior to the evolution of vascular plants and drove global change during this time. Their poor preservation potential and the classification of ambiguous fossils as lichens or other fungal–algal associations have further reinforced this view. As unambiguous fossil data are lacking to demonstrate the presence of lichens prior to vascular plants, we utilize an alternate approach to assess their historic presence in early terrestrial ecosystems. Here, we analyze new time‐calibrated phylogenies of ascomycete fungi and chlorophytan algae, that intensively sample lineages with lichen symbionts. Age estimates for several interacting clades show broad congruence and demonstrate that fungal origins of lichenization postdate the earliest tracheophytes. Coupled with the absence of unambiguous fossil data, our work finds no support for lichens having mediated global change during the Neoproterozoic‐early Paleozoic prior to vascular plants. We conclude by discussing our findings in the context of Neoproterozoic‐Paleozoic terrestrial ecosystem evolution and the paleoecological context in which vascular plants evolved.
Differential tolerance and selectivity of herbicides in forages of the genus Cynodon
Authors: Brighenti Alexandre Magno , Souza Sobrinho Fausto , Benites Flávio Rodrigo Gandolfi
Published: November 2019

Plant recovery due to herbicide symptoms of phytotoxicity characterizes an additional waste of energy that should not be accepted as a natural physiologic response; therefore, it might result in yield losses. Herbicide‐tolerant forages and the use of less phytotoxic products on pastures provide improvements in chemical weed control and increases in forage yield. The objectives of this study were to test differences between Tifton 85 (Cynodon spp.) and African star grass (Cynodon nlemfuensis) in relation to their degree of tolerance to herbicides, as well as the selectivity of herbicides for both species. The experimental design was completely randomized, in a 2 × 8 factorial, with four replicates. Two species of Cynodon and eight herbicide treatments were evaluated. The tolerance and selectivity of herbicides for Tifton 85 and African star grass are a function of each species and the type and dose of herbicide applied. Among the two species of Cynodon, Tifton 85, in general, was more tolerant to the applied herbicides than was the African star grass and consequently with less probability to occur forage yield losses. The most phytotoxic herbicides for both forages were fluroxypyr + aminopyralid (160.0 + 80.0 g ae/ha [grams of acid equivalent per hectare]), fluroxypyr + triclopyr (320.0 + 960.0 g ae/ha) and glyphosate (180 g ae/ha). The most selective herbicides were bentazon (720.0  g ai/ha [grams of active ingredient per hectare]), imazapyr (25.0 g ai/ha) and MSMA (1,440.0 g ai/ha), which have potential for use in fields of Tifton 85 and African star grass.
Effects of the ABCDE bundle on the prevention of post‐intensive care syndrome: A retrospective study
Authors: Lee YoonMi , Kim Kyunghee , Lim Changwon , Kim Ji‐Su
Published: November 2019

Aim

To identify the effects of each domain of the early and modified ABCDE bundle on post‐intensive care syndrome (PICS).

Design

This is a retrospective study.

Methods

We analysed the data from electronic medical records of 91 intensive care patients who received therapeutic interventions in stages, based on the early ABCDE bundle (admitted to the intensive care unit [ICU] from June – August 2013) and 94 patients who received interventions using a modified ABCDE bundle developed through continuous quality improvement activities (admitted to the ICU from June to August 2014).

Results

In the ABC domain, the percentage of patients showing sedation levels of alertness and calmness increased significantly from 58.2% using the early ABCDE bundle to 72.4% using the modified ABCDE bundle. Coma prevalence decreased significantly from 45.1% using the early ABCDE bundle to 28.7% using the modified ABCDE bundle. In the E domain, the percentage of patients receiving early mobility interventions increased significantly from 11% using the early ABCDE bundle to 54.3% using the modified ABCDE bundle.

Conclusion

The ABCDE bundle in the ICU helped prevent PICS by reducing deep sedation and immobilization among intensive care patients. To effectively use the ABCDE bundle, it is necessary for institutions to develop suitable protocols for each constituent element and to test their effectiveness.

Impact

The ABCDE bundle was a suitable tool to support evidence‐based practice in intensive care patients, including oversedation and immobilization, which is related to the prevention of PICS. Individual institutions will need to actively use the ABCDE bundle in the ICU, by developing protocols and testing their effectiveness.
MiR‐485‐3p modulates neural stem cell differentiation and proliferation via regulating TRIP6 expression
Authors: Gu Juxian , Shao Rusheng , Li Meng , Yan Qiuyue , Hu Hongwei
Published: November 2019

Recent references have showed crucial roles of several miRNAs in neural stem cell differentiation and proliferation. However, the expression and role of miR‐485‐3p remains unknown. In our reference, we indicated that miR‐485‐3p expression was down‐regulated during NSCs differentiation to neural and astrocytes cell. In addition, the TRIP6 expression was up‐regulated during NSCs differentiation to neural and astrocytes cell. We carried out the dual‐luciferase reporter and found that overexpression of miR‐485‐3p decreased the luciferase activity of pmirGLO‐TRIP6‐wt but not the pmirGLO‐TRIP6‐mut. Ectopic expression of miR‐485‐3p decreased the expression of TRIP6 in NSC. Ectopic miR‐485‐3p expression suppressed the cell growth of NSCs and inhibited nestin expression of NSCs. Moreover, elevated expression of miR‐485‐3p decreased the ki‐67 and cyclin D1 expression in NSCs. Furthermore, we indicated that miR‐485‐3p reduced proliferation and induced differentiation of NSCs via targeting TRIP6 expression. These data suggested that a crucial role of miR‐485‐3p in self‐proliferation and differentiation of NSCs. Thus, altering miR‐485‐3p and TRIP6 modulation may be one promising therapy for treating with neurodegenerative and neurogenesis diseases.
The interaction between temperature and dose on the efficacy and biochemical response of Atlantic salmon to hydrogen peroxide treatment for amoebic gill disease
Authors: Wynne James W. , Stratford Chris , Slinger Joel , Samsing Francisca , Rigby Megan , McCulloch Russell , Quezada‐Rodriguez Petra , Taylor Richard S.
Published: November 2019

Hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) is a commonly used treatment for a range of parasitic diseases of marine finfish, including amoebic gill disease (AGD). While this treatment is partially effective at reducing parasite load, H2O2 can have detrimental effects on the host under certain conditions. Treatment temperature and dose concentration are two factors that are known to influence the toxicity of H2O2; however, their impact on the outcome of AGD treatment remains unclear. Here, we investigated the effects of treatment temperature (8, 12 or 16°C) and dose concentration (750, 1,000, 1,250 mg/L) on the efficacy of H2O2 to treat AGD. We demonstrated that a 20‐min bath treatment of H2O2 at all doses reduced both parasite load and gross gill score significantly. Parasite load and gross gill score were lowest in the 1,000 mg/L treatment performed at 12°C. At the high dose and temperature combinations, H2O2 caused moderate gill damage and a significant increase in the plasma concentration of electrolytes (sodium, chloride and potassium). Taken together, our study demonstrates that higher H2O2 treatment temperatures can adversely affect the host and do not improve the effectiveness of the treatment.
Optimization and characteristics of extruded puffed snacks with Agaricus bisporus powder and rice flour
Authors: Huang Yulu , Liang Jin
Published: November 2019

Using rice flour and Agaricus bisporus powder as raw materials, a puffed snack was developed by twin‐screw extrusion technology. The Box–Behnken design method was used to optimize the process variables with three factors in three levels. The experimental variables were included temperature (135°C–155°C), moisture (13%–17%) and the addition amount of A. bisporus powder (3%–7%). The extrudate properties were evaluated by determining the expansion ratio. The optimization results indicated that the extrusion temperature was adjusted to 149°C, the moisture content of raw materials was 14.4%, and the addition of A. bisporus powder was 4.2%. Under these conditions, the expansion rate of the product was up to 3.41. The obtained extruded snacks had good taste, high expansion ratio and loose porosity. Compared with snacks without A. bisporus powder, the puffed snacks had better characteristics (high consumer tasting score, relatively low hardness).

Practical applications

After making the puffed snacks, fruits and vegetables were easy to store and transport and enrich the products of A. bisporus. The puffing rate, consumer evaluation and hardness of A. bisporus snacks were studied, which provided a theoretical basis for optimizing the processing characteristics of A. bisporus. Agaricus bisporus and rice flour provided great space for the development of puffed food.
The effects of vitamin D supplementation on muscle strength and mobility in postmenopausal women: a systematic review and meta‐analysis of randomised controlled trials
Authors: Abshirini M. , Mozaffari H. , Kord‐Varkaneh H. , Omidian M. , Kruger M.C
Published: November 2019

Background

The results obtained from previous trials regarding the effects of vitamin D supplementation on muscle strength and mobility in postmenopausal women have been inconsistent. This systematic review and meta‐analysis of randomised controlled trials (RCTs) aimed to investigate the effect of vitamin D supplementation on muscle strength and mobility in postmenopausal women.

Methods

A comprehensive search on EMBASE, PubMed, MEDLINE and SCOPUS was performed to identify relevant articles published up to 28 March 2019. RCTs published in English measuring the effect of all forms and doses of vitamin D supplementation with or without calcium on muscle strength and mobility outcomes in postmenopausal women were included.

Results

In total, 29 eligible studies were included in the systematic review. The pooled findings using a random effects model showed that vitamin D supplementation insignificantly increased hand grip strength (HGS) as the measurement of muscle strength (MD = 0.656; 95% confidence interval = −0.037 to 1.350, P = 0.06). However, it did not affect timed‐up‐and‐go (TUG) as the measurement of mobility (MD = 0.118; 95% confidence interval = −0.655 to 0.892, P = 0.76). The subgroup analyses showed that vitamin D supplementation improved HGS with respect to dosages >1000 IU day−1 (P = 0.016), a treatment duration of 3 months (P ˂ 0.001) and subjects with baseline vitamin D <30 ng mL−1 (P = 0.033).

Conclusions

The present review demonstrates that vitamin D supplementation resulted in small but nonsignificant improvements in muscle strength compared to control in postmenopausal women. No significant effect was observed in mobility after vitamin D administration.