bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Setting an Agenda for Positive Psychology in SLA: Theory, Practice, and Research
Authors: MACINTYRE PETER D. , GREGERSEN TAMMY , MERCER SARAH
Published: February 2019

In this article we introduce Positive Psychology (PP), a relatively new subfield of psychology, and outline its development since the year 2000. We describe ways in which PP represents an exciting addition to the Second Language Acquisition (SLA) literature and the ways it is already influencing trends in education generally, thus creating promising expectations of its impact on language teaching and learning. After reviewing the progress made thus far under the rubric of PP in SLA, we offer suggestions for an agenda to move forward with theory, research, and practice.
Tissue‐specific study across the stem reveals the chemistry and transcriptome dynamics of birch bark
Authors: Alonso‐Serra Juan , Safronov Omid , Lim Kean‐Jin , Fraser‐Miller Sara J. , Blokhina Olga B. , Campilho Ana , Chong Sun‐Li , Fagerstedt Kurt , Haavikko Raisa , Helariutta Ykä , Immanen Juha , Kangasjärvi Jaakko , Kauppila Tiina J. , Lehtonen Mari , Ragni Laura , Rajaraman Sitaram , Räsänen Riikka‐Marjaana , Safdari Pezhman , Tenkanen Maija , Yli‐Kauhaluoma Jari T. , Teeri Teemu H. , Strachan Clare J. , Nieminen Kaisa , Salojärvi Jarkko
Published: February 2019

Tree bark is a highly specialized array of tissues that plays important roles in plant protection and development. Bark tissues develop from two lateral meristems; the phellogen (cork cambium) produces the outermost stem–environment barrier called the periderm, while the vascular cambium contributes with phloem tissues. Although bark is diverse in terms of tissues, functions and species, it remains understudied at higher resolution.

We dissected the stem of silver birch (Betula pendula) into eight major tissue types, and characterized these by a combined transcriptomics and metabolomics approach. We further analyzed the varying bark types within the Betulaceae family.

The two meristems had a distinct contribution to the stem transcriptomic landscape. Furthermore, inter‐ and intraspecies analyses illustrated the unique molecular profile of the phellem. We identified multiple tissue‐specific metabolic pathways, such as the mevalonate/betulin biosynthesis pathway, that displayed differential evolution within the Betulaceae. A detailed analysis of suberin and betulin biosynthesis pathways identified a set of underlying regulators and highlighted the important role of local, small‐scale gene duplication events in the evolution of metabolic pathways.

This work reveals the transcriptome and metabolic diversity among bark tissues and provides insights to its development and evolution, as well as its biotechnological applications.
Medial Open‐wedge Osteotomy with Double‐plate Fixation for Varus Malunion of the Distal Femur
Authors: He Qi‐fang , Wang Han‐xu , Sun Hui , Zhan Yu , Zhang Bin‐bin , Xie Xue‐tao , Luo Cong‐feng
Published: February 2019

Objective

To present our clinical experience of treating varus malunion of the distal femur through a medial open‐wedge osteotomy with double‐plate fixation.

Methods

A prospective cohort study was performed. From January 2005 to February 2015, 15 consecutive patients with varus malunion following distal femur fractures were surgically treated at a single level I trauma center. The coronal and sagittal deformity were corrected by a medial open‐wedge osteotomy of the distal femur. A medial buttress plate was used to maintain the realignment. A lateral locking plate was additionally used as a protection plate. The mean age of patients at the time of the surgery was 35.5 years (range, 22–58 years). The radiographical evaluation included the mechanical femorotibial angle, the mechanical lateral distal femoral angle, the anatomic posterior distal femoral angle, and the leg length discrepancy. Clinical outcome evaluation consisted of the range of motion (ROM) and Hospital for Special Surgery (HSS) score.

Results

Mean follow‐up was 7.4 years (range, 4–11.5 years). Varus and flexion malalignment and limb discrepancy were adequately corrected in all patients. The mechanical femorotibial angle, the mechanical lateral distal femoral angle, and the anatomic posterior distal femoral angle were restored from 17.5° (range, 13°–25°) to 2.3° (range, − 2°–7°), 102.3° (range, 95°–112°) to 85.2° (range, 81°–92°), and 77.1° (range, 65°–87°) to 82.7° (range, 76°–88°), respectively. The leg length discrepancy was diminished from 3.4 cm (range, 2.4–4.5 cm) to 0.8 cm (range, 0–1.7 cm). The average bone healing time was 4.1 months (range, 2.5–6 months). The average ROM of the affected knees at 24‐month follow‐up was 3.4°–112.55°. The score of HSS at 4‐years follow‐up was 76.1 (range, 64–88). No internal fixation failure or secondary operation was noted until the last follow‐up.

Conclusion

Medial open‐wedge osteotomy can adequately correct the posttraumatic varus malunion of the distal femur. With fixation of the double plate, non‐displaced bone healing and good functional outcome are expected.
The interplay between relationship effectiveness, life stress, and sleep: A prospective study
Authors: Huelsnitz Chloe O. , Simpson Jeffry A. , Rothman Alexander J. , Englund Michelle M.
Published: February 2019

Research has shown that greater stress responses predict worse sleep and that the quality of one's current romantic relationship predicts one's sleep. Despite these established links, research has not examined connections between ongoing patterns of interpersonal experiences and competencies (relationship effectiveness) and stress exposure on sleep. Participants in the Minnesota Longitudinal Study of Risk and Adaptation (MLSRA) completed measures assessing relationship effectiveness and stress exposure at ages 23 and 32 years, as well as sleep quality/duration at age 37 years. Analyses demonstrate that relationship effectiveness at age 23 years positively predicts sleep quality—but not sleep duration—at age 37 years via reduced stress exposure at age 32 years. These findings highlight the effects of relationship effectiveness and stress exposure across early to middle adulthood on sleep.
Within‐ and between‐individual variation in fathers’ emotional expressivity in Chinese families: Contributions of children’s emotional expressivity and fathers’ emotion‐related beliefs and perceptions
Authors: Li Danli , Li Xuan
Published: February 2019

Parental emotion socialization is a dynamic process encompassing moment‐to‐moment fluctuations in parents’ emotional displays and responsiveness. This study attempted to examine the within‐ and between‐individual variation in fathers’ emotional expressivity during a real‐time father–child interaction in Chinese families. Eighty‐five children (Mage = 7.58 years,SD = 0.50 years, 47.1% boys) from east China and their biological fathers participated in the study. Fathers’ and children’s emotional expressivity were observed during a problem‐solving interaction task. Fathers’ beliefs about children’s negative emotions and fathers’ perceptions of their children’s emotion regulation ability were assessed via self‐report questionnaires. Results showed that (1) At the within‐individual level, fathers’ and children’s emotional expressivity covariated with each other in concurrent intervals when controlling for their emotional expressivity in previous intervals; fathers’ emotional expressivity gradually became less positive over time whereas children’s emotional expressivity did not change significantly over time; (2) At the between‐individual level, fathers’ perceptions of children’s emotion regulation accounted for the between‐individual variance in the dynamics of fathers’ emotional expressivity. These findings chart the dynamics of paternal emotion expressivity during father–child interactions and shed light on the relevant roles of children’s emotional expressivity and fathers’ emotion‐related beliefs and perceptions.
An appearance‐preserving simplification method for complex 3D building models
Authors: She Jiangfeng , Gu Xiaoyan , Tan Junzhong , Tong Ming , Wang Chaofan
Published: February 2019

The simplification of 3D building models to effectively reduce model complexity and improve rendering efficiency is an important component of 3D GIS. To reduce the data volume while preserving the model appearance, this article proposes a novel simplification method for complex 3D building models. Texture discontinuities are addressed by developing a new data model that records the mapping relation between the texture coordinates of each vertex and its neighboring triangles. The surface mesh of the building model is then segmented into regions, guided by topology and appearance. Finally, the mesh segmentation information is used to derive an improved error metric that considers both geometric and texture errors, and the texture coordinates are adjusted after each simplification operation. A series of comparative experiments alongside traditional methods demonstrates that our approach achieves a good balance between geometric fidelity and texture preservation, and produces simplified 3D building models with better visual quality.
Progress in US hemovigilance: can we still learn from others?
Authors: Whitaker Barbee I. , Belov Artur , Anderson Steven A.
Published: February 2019

See article on page 524–533, in this issue
Quantification and rep‐PCR characterization of Salmonella spp. in retail meats and hospital patients in Northern Thailand
Authors: Prasertsee Teerarat , Chokesajjawatee Nipa , Santiyanont Pannita , Chuammitri Phongsakorn , Deeudom Manu , Tadee Pakpoom , Patchanee Prapas
Published: February 2019

Human salmonellosis is a major public health problem worldwide. Infections can pass to humans by contact with contaminated substances in the food chain. This study aimed to determine the prevalence and contamination levels of Salmonella isolated from pork, chicken and beef sold in different types of retail stores in Chiang Mai and Lamphun provinces and to investigate the genetic relatedness among Salmonella isolates in food chains in that area. A total of 360 meat samples from supermarkets, mini‐grocery stores and fresh markets were obtained. Salmonella Rissen and S. Weltevreden were found in all meat sample types and in human cases. The overall prevalence of Salmonella in the chicken, pork and beef samples was 34.17%, 32.50% and 3.33%, respectively. Quantitatively, Salmonella contamination was highest in pork (1.24 log10MPN/g), followed by chicken (1.08 log10MPN/g), and beef (0.75 log10MPN/g). The highest frequency of Salmonella contamination was found at the fresh markets (85.71%), whereas the highest quantity of contamination level was from mini‐grocery stores (1.27 log10MPN/g). The rep‐PCR analysis results revealed that some of the Salmonella from meat samples and human cases were identical clones.
The increase in muscle force after 4 weeks of strength training is mediated by adaptations in motor unit recruitment and rate coding
Authors: Del Vecchio Alessandro , Casolo Andrea , Negro Francesco , Scorcelletti Matteo , Bazzucchi Ilenia , Enoka Roger , Felici Francesco , Farina Dario
Published: February 2019

Key points

Previous studies have indicated that several weeks of strength training is sufficient to elicit significant adaptations in the neural drive sent to the muscles.

There are few data, however, on the changes elicited by strength training in the recruitment and rate coding of motor units during voluntary contractions. We show for the first time that the discharge characteristics of motor units in the tibialis anterior muscle tracked across the intervention are changed by 4 weeks of strength training with isometric voluntary contractions.

The specific adaptations included significant increases in motor unit discharge rate, decreases in the recruitment‐threshold force of motor units and a similar input–output gain of the motor neurons.

The findings suggest that the adaptations in motor unit function may be attributable to changes in synaptic input to the motor neuron pool or to adaptations in intrinsic motor neuron properties.

The strength of a muscle typically begins to increase after only a few sessions of strength training. This increase is usually attributed to changes in the neural drive to muscle as a result of adaptations at the cortical or spinal level. We investigated the change in the discharge characteristics of large populations of longitudinally tracked motor units in tibialis anterior before and after 4 weeks of strength training the ankle‐dorsiflexor muscles with isometric contractions. The adaptations exhibited by 14 individuals were compared with 14 control subjects. High‐density electromyogram grids with 128 electrodes recorded the myoelectric activity during isometric ramp contractions to the target forces of 35%, 50% and 70% of maximal voluntary force. The motor unit recruitment and derecruitment thresholds, discharge rate, interspike intervals and estimates of synaptic inputs to motor neurons were assessed. The normalized recruitment‐threshold forces of the motor units were decreased after strength training (P < 0.05). Moreover, discharge rate increased by 3.3 ± 2.5 pps (average across subjects and motor units) during the plateau phase of the submaximal isometric contractions (P < 0.001). Discharge rates at recruitment and derecruitment were not modified by training (P < 0.05). The association between force and motor unit discharge rate during the ramp‐phase of the contractions was also not altered by training (P < 0.05). These results demonstrate for the first time that the increase in muscle force after 4 weeks of strength training is the result of an increase in motor neuron output from the spinal cord to the muscle.
Structural Synthesis of Baranov Trusses With Up to 13 Links
Authors: Huang Peng , Ding Huafeng
Published: February 2019

The structural synthesis of Baranov trusses is still an open problem, although Baranov trusses are widely used in the design and analysis of mechanisms and robots. This paper proposes a systematic method for the structural synthesis of Baranov trusses. First, the definition review and the graph-form representations of Baranov trusses are proposed. Second, seven propositions on structural characteristics of Baranov trusses are concluded. Then, based on the set of constraint equations and a rigid subchain detection algorithm, a systematic method is presented to synthesize the complete set of Baranov trusses with a specified number of links. Finally, the synthesis results of contracted graphs (including valid and rigid contracted graphs) and topological graphs of Baranov trusses with up to 13 links are provided, and the synthesis methods and results between ours and the ones in the existing literature are compared and discussed in detail.
Layer-Jamming Suction Grippers With Variable Stiffness
Authors: Bamotra Abhishek , Walia Pushpinder , Prituja Avataram Venkatavaradan , Ren Hongliang
Published: February 2019

The soft grippers driven by pneumatics have an advantage of effectively lifting soft materials and heavier objects with clean air. They provide multiplanar compliant stability when compared with standard claw-like grippers because of the larger contact area. Such grippers can work on objects with a greater surface area than the gripper itself. However, until now, to enhance the gripping on heavier objects, multiple suction cups are used, which involve tubing and a vacuum pump for each individual cup, which ultimately makes the setup bulky and immovable. Furthermore, using a bigger suction gripper requires bigger tubing and higher negative pressure. To tackle this limitation, we are introducing layer-jamming suction grippers with kirigami pattern for stiffness tuning. The kirigami-patterned base and sheets make a channel from the air tubing to each hole that acts as multiple suction cups. The sheets incorporated within the suction cups, working as layer-jamming, control the stiffness of the prototype. Results highlight that the gripper has the capability of lifting 200 times its own weight with a planar surface and has a strength and durability to withstand a maximum force of 87 N. One important characteristic of the gripper is its adaptability to the curved surfaces, which has an enhanced grasp and is able to lift 154 times its own weight. The ease of fabrication, low cost, and higher lifting capabilities open up a wide area of opportunities to see the advancements in technologies with the suction grippers.
Heat Transfer Coefficient and Film Cooling Effectiveness on the Partial Cavity Tip of a Gas Turbine Blade
Authors: Jeong Jin Young , Kim Woobin , Kwak Jae Su , Park Jung Shin
Published: February 2019

Leakage flow between the rotating turbine blade tip and the fixed casing causes high heat loads and thermal stress on the tip and near the tip region. For this study, new squealer tips called partial cavity tips, which combine the advantages of plane and squealer tips, were suggested, and the effects of the cavity shape on the tip heat transfer coefficient and film cooling effectiveness were investigated experimentally in a low-speed linear cascade. The suggested blade tips had a flat surface near the leading edge and a squealer cavity from the mid-chord to trailing edge region to achieve the advantages of both blade tip types. The heat transfer coefficient was measured via the 1-D transient heat transfer technique using an IR camera, and the film cooling effectiveness was obtained via the pressure-sensitive paint (PSP) technique. Results showed that the heat transfer coefficient and film cooling effectiveness on the partial cavity tips strongly depended on the cavity shape. Near the leading edge, the heat transfer coefficients for the partial cavity tip cases were lower than that for the squealer tip case. However, the heat transfer coefficient on the cavity surface was higher for the partial cavity tip cases. The D10 tip showed a similar distribution of film cooling effectiveness to that of the plane (PLN) tip near the leading edge and the double side squealer (DSS) tip near the mid-chord region. However, the overall average film cooling effectiveness of the DSS tip was higher than that of the D10 tip.
Evaluating Laser-Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy Sensor Technology for Rapid Source Characterization of Rare Earth Elements
Authors: Hartzler Daniel A. , Bhatt Chet R. , Jain Jinesh C. , McIntyre Dustin L.
Published: February 2019

A prototype laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS) sensor is tested for the determination of rare earth elements (Eu and Yb) in liquid and solid samples. The sensor head, built using a monolithic passively Q-switched (PQSW) Nd:YAG laser, produced a 1064 nm laser beam with ns pulses and an energy of 4.2 mJ. The measurements show good calibration linearity for both Eu and Yb with R2 values above 0.99 for all analyzed spectral lines in liquid and solid samples. Limits of detection (LODs) obtained were as low as 1 ppm, which are comparable to or better than those reported previously by using table top actively Q-switched systems. This study aims to develop a high sensitivity, field deployable sensor for characterizing existing and new sources of rare earth elements.
Assessment of the Reliability of Two-Equation URANS Models in Predicting a Precessing Flow
Authors: Chen Xiao , Tian Zhao F. , Nathan G. J.
Published: February 2019

A systematic assessment of unsteady Reynolds-averaged Navier–Stokes (URANS) models in predicting the complex flow through a suddenly expanding axisymmetric chamber is reported. Five types of URANS models assessed in the study comprise the standard k–ε model, the modified k–ε (1.6) model, the modified k–ε (1.3) model, the renormalization group (RNG) k–ε model, and the shear stress transport (SST) model. To assess the strengths and limitations of these models in predicting the velocity field of this precessing flow, the numerical results are assessed against available experimental results. Good agreement with the flow features and reasonable agreement with the measured phase-averaged velocity field, energy of total fluctuation and precession frequency can be achieved with both the standard k–ε and the SST models. The degree of accuracy in predicting the rate of both spreading and velocity decay of the jet was found to greatly influence the prediction of the precession motion.
Calibration Zone for the Parameters of the Differential Evolution Algorithm and Its Application to a Real Burst Location Problem
Authors: Pérez-González A. , Badillo-Olvera A. , Begovich O. , Ruíz-León J.
Published: February 2019

Numerical problems are usually solved using heuristic algorithms, due to their simplicity and easy understanding. Nevertheless, most of these methods have calibration parameters that do not count with selection premises oriented to obtain the best performance for the algorithm. This paper introduces an iterative technique that deals with this problem, searching for the calibration parameters that improve the Differential Evolution (DE) algorithm. The application of the proposed technique is illustrated on a real burst location problem in a pipeline prototype. The obtained results show the good performance of the methodology proposed for the burst location task, including the mapping of the calibration parameters that ameliorate the searching process.
Parametric Study of the Frequency of Bubble Formation at a Single Orifice With Liquid Cross-Flow
Authors: Balzan Miguel A. , Hernandez Franz , Lange Carlos F. , Fleck Brian A.
Published: February 2019

The bubble formation frequency from a single-orifice nozzle subjected to the effects of a crossflowing liquid was investigated using high-speed shadowgraphy, combined with image analysis and signal processing techniques. The effects of the nozzle dimensions, orientation within the conduit, liquid cross-flow velocity, and gas mass flow rate were evaluated. Water and air were the working fluids. Existing expressions in the literature were compared to the experimental values obtained. The expressions showed modest agreement with the experimental mean average frequency magnitude. It was found that increasing the gas injection diameter could decrease the bubbling frequency approximately 12% until reaching a certain value (0.52 mm). Further increasing the nozzle dimensions increase the frequency by around 20%. Bubbling frequency is more sensitive to the liquid velocity where changes up to 63% occurred when the velocity was raised from 3.1 to 4.3 m/s. Increasing gas mass flow rates decreased the gas jet breakup frequency in all cases. This phenomenon was primarily attributed to changes in the bubbling mode from discrete bubbling to pulsating and jetting modes. The nozzle orientation plays a role in modifying the bubbling frequency, having a higher magnitude when oriented against gravity.
Targeting NOTCH activation in small cell lung cancer through LSD1 inhibition
Authors: Augert Arnaud , Eastwood Emily , Ibrahim Ali H. , Wu Nan , Grunblatt Eli , Basom Ryan , Liggitt Denny , Eaton Keith D. , Martins Renato , Poirier John T. , Rudin Charles M. , Milletti Francesca , Cheng Wei-Yi , Mack Fiona , MacPherson David
Published: February 2019

Epigenetic therapy may induce tumor-suppressive Notch signaling in patients with small cell lung cancer.
Inhibition of T cell activation and function by the adaptor protein CIN85
Authors: Kong Mei Suen , Hashimoto-Tane Akiko , Kawashima Yusuke , Sakuma Machie , Yokosuka Tadashi , Kometani Kohei , Onishi Reiko , Carpino Nick , Ohara Osamu , Kurosaki Tomohiro , Phua Kia Kien , Saito Takashi
Published: February 2019

The adaptor CIN85 inhibits T cell activation through its association with the phosphatase Sts-2 after TCR stimulation.
Autophagy-independent p62 in metastatic melanoma
Authors: Ferrarelli Leslie K.
Published: February 2019

By pairing up with RNA-binding proteins, p62 promotes melanoma progression.
The Nitrogen Regulator GlnR Directly Controls Transcription of the
prpDBC
Operon Involved in Methylcitrate Cycle in Mycobacterium smegmatis
Authors: Liu Wei-Bing , Liu Xin-Xin , Shen Meng-Jia , She Guo-Lan , Ye Bang-Ce
Published: February 2019

The success of mycobacteria survival in macrophage depends on its ability to assimilate fatty acids and cholesterol from the host. The cholesterol and fatty acids are catabolized via β-oxidation to generate propionyl coenzyme A (propionyl-CoA), which is then primarily metabolized via the methylcitrate cycle. Here, we found a typical GlnR binding box in the
prp
operon, and the affinity is much stronger than that of PrpR, a transcriptional activator of methylcitrate cycle. Furthermore, GlnR repressed the transcription of the
prp
operon. Deletion of
glnR
significantly enhanced the growth of
Mycobacterium tuberculosis
in propionate or cholesterol medium, as well as viability in macrophages. These findings provide new insights into the regulatory mechanisms underlying the cross talk of nitrogen and carbon metabolisms in mycobacteria.
tRNA Modification Profiles and Codon-Decoding Strategies in Methanocaldococcus jannaschii
Authors: Yu Ningxi , Jora Manasses , Solivio Beulah , Thakur Priti , Acevedo-Rocha Carlos G. , Randau Lennart , de Crécy-Lagard Valérie , Addepalli Balasubrahmanyam , Limbach Patrick A.
Published: February 2019

While many posttranscriptional modifications in
M. jannaschii
tRNAs are also found in bacteria and eukaryotes, several that are unique to archaea were identified. By RNA modification mapping, the modification profiles of
M. jannaschii
tRNA anticodon loops were characterized, allowing a comparative analysis with
H. volcanii
modification profiles as well as a general comparison with bacterial and eukaryotic decoding strategies. This general comparison reveals that
M. jannaschii
, like
H. volcanii
, follows codon-decoding strategies similar to those used by bacteria, although position 37 appears to be modified to a greater extent than seen in
H. volcanii
.
Draft Genome Sequence of Microcystis aeruginosa NIES-4285, Isolated from Brackish Water (Lake Abashiri, Japan)
Authors: Tanabe Yuuhiko , Yamaguchi Haruyo
Published: February 2019

Microcystis aeruginosa
is a bloom-forming cyanobacterium found in fresh and brackish waters worldwide. We sequenced the whole genome of
M. aeruginosa
NIES-4285, isolated from Lake Abashiri, Japan.
The Foliar Endophyte
Phialocephala scopiformis
DAOMC 229536 Proteome When Grown on Wood Used as the Sole Carbon Source
Authors: Bhatnagar Jennifer M. , Sabat Grzegorz , Cullen Daniel
Published: February 2019

The conifer needle endophyte
Phialocephala scopiformis
DAOMC 229536 was cultivated in medium containing ground
Pinus contorta
wood as the sole carbon source. Mass spectrometry analyses identified 590 proteins.
First Complete Genome Sequence of Human Coronavirus HKU1 from a Nonill Bat Guano Miner in Thailand
Authors: Joyjinda Yutthana , Rodpan Apaporn , Chartpituck Pongtorn , Suthum Krairerk , Yaemsakul Suphaluk , Cheun-Arom Thaniwan , Bunprakob Saowalak , Olival Kevin J. , Stokes Martha M. , Hemachudha Thiravat , Wacharapluesadee Supaporn
Published: February 2019

Human coronavirus HKU1 (HCoV-HKU1) was first detected in a patient with viral pneumonia from Hong Kong in 2004. Here, we report the first complete genome sequence of HCoV-HKU1 from Thailand, obtained from a nonill person who worked in a bat cave.
Whole-Genome Sequence of Multidrug-Resistant Bibersteinia trehalosi Strain OADDL-BT1
Authors: Narayanan Sai , Bates Haley , Confer Anthony , Couger Brian , Ramachandran Akhilesh
Published: February 2019

The genome of a multidrug-resistant strain ofBibersteinia trehalosiisolated from a calf with chronic pneumonia is presented. The draft genome sequences have been deposited at DDBJ/ENA/GenBank.
Harmful algae and export production collapse in the equatorial Atlantic during the zenith of Middle Eocene Climatic Optimum warmth
Authors: Cramwinckel Marlow J. , van der Ploeg Robin , Bijl Peter K. , Peterse Francien , Bohaty Steven M. , Röhl Ursula , Schouten Stefan , Middelburg Jack J. , Sluijs Appy
Published: February 2019

New palynological, sedimentological, and geochemical records spanning the Middle Eocene Climatic Optimum (MECO; ca. 40 Ma) in the equatorial Atlantic Ocean indicate that peak warming was associated with upper-ocean stratification, decreased export production, and possibly harmful algal blooms, followed by slight oxygen minimum zone expansion. Combining these findings with published MECO records suggests that export production collapse and benthos starvation during the zenith of MECO warmth were widespread in the Atlantic. Furthermore, comparison to records across the Paleocene-Eocene thermal maximum (ca. 56 Ma) at the same site suggests a similar system response to warming, but with different impact on benthic communities.
Neonatal cardiopulmonary transition in an ovine model of congenital diaphragmatic hernia
Authors: Kashyap Aidan J , Crossley Kelly J , DeKoninck Philip L J , Rodgers Karyn A , Thio Marta , Skinner Sasha M , Deprest Jan A , Hooper Stuart B , Hodges Ryan J
Published: February 2019

Objective

Infants with a congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH) are at high risk of developing pulmonary hypertension after birth, but little is known of their physiological transition at birth. We aimed to characterise the changes in cardiopulmonary physiology during the neonatal transition in an ovine model of CDH.

Methods

A diaphragmatic hernia (DH) was surgically created at 80 days of gestational age (dGA) in 10 fetuses, whereas controls underwent sham surgery (n=6). At 138 dGA, lambs were delivered via caesarean section and ventilated for 2 hours. Physiological and ventilation parameters were continuously recorded, and arterial blood gas values were measured.

Results

DH lambs had lower wet lung-to-body-weight ratio (0.016±0.002vs0.033±0.004), reduced dynamic lung compliance (0.4±0.1mL/cmH2O vs1.2±0.1 mL/cmH2O) and reduced arterial pH (7.11±0.05vs7.26±0.05), compared with controls. While measured pulmonary blood flow (PBF) was lower in DH lambs, after correction for lung weight, PBF was not different between groups (4.05±0.60mL/min/gvs4.29±0.57 mL/min/g). Cerebral tissue oxygen saturation was lower in DH compared with control lambs (55.7±3.5vs67.7%±3.9%).

Conclusions

Immediately after birth, DH lambs have small, non-compliant lungs, respiratory acidosis and poor cerebral oxygenation that reflects the clinical phenotype of human CDH. PBF (indexed to lung weight) was similar in DH and control lambs, suggesting that the reduction in PBF associated with CDH is proportional to the degree of lung hypoplasia during the neonatal cardiopulmonary transition.
Patients and informal caregivers’ experiences of burden of treatment in lung cancer and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD): a systematic review and synthesis of qualitative research
Authors: Lippiett Kate Alice , Richardson Alison , Myall Michelle , Cummings Amanda , May Carl R
Published: February 2019

Objective

To identify, characterise and explain common and specific features of the experience of treatment burden in relation to patients living with lung cancer or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and their informal caregivers.

Design

Systematic review and interpretative synthesis of primary qualitative studies. Papers were analysed using constant comparison and directed qualitative content analysis.

Data sources

CINAHL, EMBASE, MEDLINE, PsychINFO, Scopus and Web of Science searched from January 2006 to December 2015.

Eligibility criteria for selecting studies

Primary qualitative studies in English where participants were patients with lung cancer or COPD and/or their informal caregivers, aged >18 years that contain descriptions of experiences of interacting with health or social care in Europe, North America and Australia.

Results

We identified 127 articles with 1769 patients and 491 informal caregivers. Patients, informal caregivers and healthcare professionals (HCPs) acknowledged lung cancer’s existential threat. Managing treatment workload was a priority in this condition, characterised by a short illness trajectory. Treatment workload was generally well supported by an immediacy of access to healthcare systems and a clear treatment pathway. Conversely, patients, informal caregivers and HCPs typically did not recognise or understand COPD. Treatment workload was balanced with the demands of everyday life throughout a characteristically long illness trajectory. Consequently, treatment workload was complicated by difficulties of access to, and navigation of, healthcare systems, and a fragmented treatment pathway. In both conditions, patients’ capacity to manage workload was enhanced by the support of family and friends, peers and HCPs and diminished by illness/smoking-related stigma and social isolation.

Conclusion

This interpretative synthesis has affirmed significant differences in treatment workload between lung cancer and COPD. It has demonstrated the importance of the capacity patients have to manage their workload in both conditions. This suggests a workload which exceeds capacity may be a primary driver of treatment burden.

PROSPERO registration number

CRD42016048191.
Guidance for reporting outcomes in clinical trials: scoping review protocol
Authors: Butcher Nancy J , Mew Emma J , Saeed Leena , Monsour Andrea , Chee-a-tow Alyssandra , Chan An-Wen , Moher David , Offringa Martin
Published: February 2019

Introduction

Patients, families and clinicians rely on published research to help inform treatment decisions. Without complete reporting of the outcomes studied, evidence-based clinical and policy decisions are limited and researchers cannot synthesise, replicate or build on existing research findings. To facilitate harmonised reporting of outcomes in published trial protocols and reports, the Instrument for reporting Planned Endpoints in Clinical Trials (InsPECT) is under development. As one of the initial steps in the development of InsPECT, a scoping review will identify and synthesise existing guidance on the reporting of trial outcomes.

Methods and analysis

We will apply methods based on the Joanna Briggs Institute scoping review methods manual. Documents that provide explicit guidance on trial outcome reporting will be searched for using: (1) an electronic bibliographic database search; (2) a grey literature search; and (3) solicitation of colleagues for guidance documents using a snowballing approach. Reference list screening will be performed for included documents. Search results will be divided between two trained reviewers who will complete title and abstract screening, full-text screening and data charting. Captured trial outcome reporting guidance will be compared with candidate InsPECT items to support, refute or refine InsPECT content and to assess the need for the development of additional items. Data analysis will explore common features of guidance and use quantitative measures (eg, frequencies) to characterise guidance and its sources.

Ethics and dissemination

A paper describing the review findings will be published in a peer-reviewed journal. The results will be used to inform the InsPECT development process, helping to ensure that InsPECT provides an evidence-based tool for standardising trial outcome reporting.
Tuberculosis notification in a private tertiary care teaching hospital in South India: a mixed-methods study
Authors: Siddaiah Archana , Ahmed Mohammad Naseer , Kumar Ajay M V , D’Souza George , Wilkinson Ewan , Maung Thae Maung , Rodrigues Rashmi
Published: February 2019

Objectives

India contributes approximately 25% of the ‘missing’ cases of tuberculosis (TB) globally. Even though ~50% of patients with TB are diagnosed and treated within India’s private sector, few are notified to the public healthcare system. India’s TB notification policy mandates that all patients with TB are notified through Nikshay (TB notification portal). We undertook this study in a private hospital to assess the proportion notified and factors affecting TB notifications. We explored barriers and probable solutions to TB notification qualitatively from health provider’s perspective.

Study setting

Private, tertiary care, teaching hospital in Bengaluru, South India.

Methodology

This was a mixed-methods study. Quantitative component comprised a retrospective review of hospital records between 1 January 2015 and 31 December 2017 to determine TB notifications. The qualitative component comprised key informant interviews and focus groups to elicit the barriers and facilitators of TB notification.

Results

Of 3820 patients diagnosed and treated, 885 (23.2%) were notified. Notifications of sputum smear-positive patients were significantly more likely, while notifications of children were less likely. Qualitative analysis yielded themes reflecting the barriers to TB notification and their solutions. Themes related to barriers were: (1) basic diagnostic procedures and treatment promote notification; (2) misconceptions regarding notification and its process are common among healthcare providers; (3) despite a national notification system other factors have prevented notification of all patients; and (4) establishing hospital systems for notification will go a long way in improving notifications.

Conclusions

The proportion of patients with TB notified by the hospital was low. A comprehensive approach both by the hospital management and the national TB programme is necessary for improving notification. This includes improving awareness among healthcare providers about the requirement for TB notifications, establishing a single notification portal in hospital, digitally linking hospital records to Nikshay and designating one person to be responsible for notification.
What proportion of initially prescribed antidepressants is still being prescribed chronically after 5 years in general practice? A longitudinal cohort analysis
Authors: Verhaak Peter F M , de Beurs Derek , Spreeuwenberg Peter
Published: February 2019

Objectives

Antidepressant prescribing almost doubled in the Netherlands between 1996 and 2012, which could be accounted for by longer continuation after the first prescription. This might be problematic given a growing concern of large-scale antidepressant dependence. We aimed to assess the extent and determinants of chronic antidepressant prescribing among patient aged 18 years and older. We hypothesise a relatively large prevalence of chronic (>2 years) prescription.

Design

A longitudinal observational study based on routinely registered prescription data from general practice.

Setting

189 general practices in the Netherlands.

Participants

326 025 patients with valid prescription data for all 5 years of the study.

Outcome measures

Primary outcome measure: the number of patients (N) receiving at least four antidepressant prescriptions in 2011, as well as during each of the four subsequent years. Secondary outcome measure: the above, but specified for selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors and for tricyclic antidepressants.

Results

Antidepressants were prescribed to almost 7% of our 326 025 participants each year. They were prescribed for depression (38%), anxiety (17%), other psychological disorders (20%) and non-psychological indications (25%). Antidepressants were prescribed in all 5 years to the 42% of the population who had at least four prescriptions dispensed in 2011. Chronic prescribing was higher among women than men, for those aged 45–64 years than for those aged >65 years and for those treated for depression or anxiety than for non-psychological indications (eg, neuropathic pain). Chronic prescribing also varied markedly among general practices.

Conclusion

Chronic antidepressant use is common for depression and for anxiety and non-psychological diagnoses. Once antidepressants have been prescribed, general practitioners and other prescribers should be aware of the risks associated with long-term use and should provide annual monitoring of the continued need for therapy.
Frailty in patients undergoing transcatheter aortic valve implantation: a protocol for a systematic review
Authors: Li Zhe , Dawson Emily , Moodie Jessica , Martin Janet , Bagur Rodrigo , Cheng Davy , Kiaii Bob , John-Baptiste Ava
Published: February 2019

Introduction

Aortic stenosis is a significant cause of morbidity and mortality in older patients. The advent of transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) offers an alternative to surgical aortic valve replacement for patients with severe symptomatic aortic stenosis who are at high or intermediate risk of adverse events. Existing evidence highlights the importance of frailty as a predictor of poor outcomes post-TAVI. The objective of this study is to review the operationalisation of frailty instruments for TAVI recipients and determine clinical outcomes and the change in quality of life in frail patients undergoing TAVI.

Methods and analysis

Methods are reported according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis Protocols 2015 checklist. We will search relevant databases to identify published, completed but unpublished and ongoing studies. We will include studies of patients with aortic stenosis, diagnosed as frail and who underwent a TAVI procedure that report mortality, clinical outcomes or health-related quality of life. Retrospective or prospective cohort studies, randomised controlled trials and non-randomised controlled trials will be eligible for inclusion. Two researchers will independently screen articles for inclusion, with disagreements resolved by a third reviewer. One researcher will extract data with audit by a second researcher. The risk of bias in studies will be evaluated using the Quality in Prognosis Studies tool. Meta-analysis of mortality, survival curve and the change in quality of life will be performed if appropriate. Subgroup analysis, sensitivity analysis and meta-regression will be performed if necessary.

Ethics and dissemination

Due to the nature of this study, no ethical issues are foreseen. We will disseminate the results of our systematic review through a peer-reviewed journal.

Trial registration number

CRD42018090597.
Alcohol consumption in Spanish primary health care providers: a national, cross-sectional study
Authors: Romero-Rodríguez Esperanza , Pérula de Torres Luis Ángel , Fernández García José Ángel , Parras Rejano Juan Manuel , Roldán Villalobos Ana , Camarelles Guillén Francisco
Published: February 2019

Aim

To estimate the prevalence of alcohol consumption and analyse the drinking patterns among primary healthcare (PHC) providers.

Design

Observational, cross-sectional, descriptive study.

Setting

PHC centres in the Spanish National Health System (SNHS).

Participants

Doctors and nurses who completed an online questionnaire which explored their alcohol intake, using the Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT-C) alcohol assessment tool. The study population was recruited by random sampling stratified by regions of the SNHS PHC centres.

Primary and secondary outcome measures

Frequency of alcohol consumption, number of alcohol drinks on a typical day, frequency of more than six standard drinks (SDs) intake.

Results

A total of 1760 PHC providers completed the questionnaire. The frequency of alcohol consumption was: abstention (12%, 95% CI 10.4% to 13.5%); one or less SDs/month (26%, 95% CI 23.8% to 27.9%); 2–4 SDs/month (32.2%, 95% CI 29.7% to 34.1%); 2–3 SDs/week (17.9%, 95% CI 16.0% to 19.6%); four or more SDs/week (11.9%, 95% CI 10.3% to 13.3%). The number of drinks on a typical day was: none (45.6%, 95% CI 42.9% to 47.6%); 1–2 drinks (47.3%, 95% CI 23.8% to 27.9%); 3–4 drinks (6.5%, 95% CI 5.3% to 7.6%). The percentage of hazardous drinking, according to AUDIT-C criteria, was 32% (95% CI 26.7 to 37.3), with a greater frequency of intake in older professionals (p<0.001), in contrast to a higher number of drinks consumed on a typical day by younger providers (p<0.001). Intake was higher among males (p<0.001), primary care physicians (p<0.001) and resident trainers (p<0.001).

Conclusions

Our study discloses the most up-to-date portrait of current alcohol consumption among Spanish PHC providers, showing a higher prevalence of alcohol intake, compared with the general population. Preventive strategies should be implemented to improve the awareness and training of PHC professionals towards alcohol consumption.
Assessing the readability and patient comprehension of rheumatology medicine information sheets: a cross-sectional Health Literacy Study
Authors: Oliffe Michael , Thompson Emma , Johnston Jenny , Freeman Dianne , Bagga Hanish , Wong Peter K K
Published: February 2019

Objectives

Patients are often provided with medicine information sheets (MIS). However, up to 60% of patients have low health literacy. The recommended readability level for health-related information is ≤grade 8. We sought to assess the readability of MIS given to patients by rheumatologists in Australia, the UK and Canada and to examine Australian patient comprehension of these documents.

Design

Cross-sectional study.

Setting

Community-based regional rheumatology practice.

Participants

Random sample of patients attending the rheumatology practice.

Outcome measures

Readability of MIS was assessed using readability formulae (Flesch Reading Ease formula, Simple Measure of Gobbledygook scale, FORCAST (named after the authors FORd, CAylor, STicht) and the Gunning Fog scale). Literal comprehension was assessed by asking patients to read various Australian MIS and immediately answer five simple multiple choice questions about the MIS.

Results

The mean (±SD) grade level for the MIS from Australia, the UK and Canada was 11.6±0.1, 11.8±0.1 and 9.7±0.1 respectively. The Flesch Reading Ease score for the Australian (50.8±0.6) and UK (48.5±1.5) MIS classified the documents as ‘fairly difficult’ to ‘difficult’. The Canadian MIS (66.1±1.0) were classified as ‘standard’. The five questions assessing comprehension were correctly answered by 9/21 patients for the adalimumab MIS, 7/11 for the methotrexate MIS, 6/28 for the non-steroidal anti-inflammatory MIS, 10/11 for the prednisone MIS and 13/24 for the abatacept MIS.

Conclusions

The readability of MIS used by rheumatologists in Australia, the UK and Canada exceeds grade 8 level. This may explain why patient literal comprehension of these documents may be poor. Simpler, shorter MIS with pictures and infographics may improve patient comprehension. This may lead to improved medication adherence and better health outcomes.