bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Cross‐cultural adaptation and validation of the Chinese Comfort, Afford, Respect, and Expect scale of caring nurse–patient interaction competence
Authors: Chung Hui‐Chun , Hsieh Tsung‐Cheng , Chen Yueh‐Chih , Chang Shu‐Chuan , Hsu Wen‐Lin
Published: November 2017

Aims and objectives

To investigate the construct validity and reliability of the Chinese Comfort, Afford, Respect, and Expect scale, which can be used to determine clinical nurses’ competence. The results can also serve to promote nursing competence and improve patient satisfaction.

Background

Nurse–patient interaction is critical for improving nursing care quality. However, to date, no relevant validated instrument has been proposed for assessing caring nurse–patient interaction competence in clinical practice. This study adapted and validated the Chinese version of the caring nurse–patient interaction scale.

Design

A cross‐cultural adaptation and validation study.

Methods

A psychometric analysis of the four major constructs of the Chinese Comfort, Afford, Respect, and Expect scale was conducted on a sample of 356 nurses from a medical centre in China. Item analysis and exploratory factor analysis were adopted to extract the main components, both the internal consistency and correlation coefficients were used to examine reliability and a confirmatory factor analysis was adopted to verify the construct validity.

Results

The goodness‐of‐fit results of the model were strong. The standardised factor loadings of the Chinese Comfort, Afford, Respect, and Expect scale ranged from 0.73–0.95, indicating that the validity and reliability of this instrument were favourable. Moreover, the 12 extracted items explained 95.9% of the measured content of the Chinese Comfort, Afford, Respect, and Expect scale.

Conclusions

The results serve as empirical evidence regarding the validity and reliability of the Chinese Comfort, Afford, Respect, and Expect scale.

Relevance to clinical practice

Hospital nurses increasingly demand help from patients and their family members in identifying health problems and assisting with medical decision‐making. Therefore, enhancing nurses’ competence in nurse–patient interactions is crucial for nursing and hospital managers to improve nursing care quality. The Chinese caring nurse–patient interaction scale can serve as an effective tool for nursing and hospital managers to evaluate the caring nurse–patient interaction confidence of nurses and improve inpatient satisfaction and quality of care.
Prediction of no‐reflow and major adverse cardiovascular events with a new scoring system in STEMI patients
Authors: Bayramoğlu Adil , Taşolar Hakan , Kaya Ahmet , Tanboğa İbrahim Halil , Yaman Mehmet , Bektaş Osman , Günaydın Zeki Yüksel , Oduncu Vecih
Published: November 2017

Background

No‐reflow is associated with a poor prognosis in STEMI patients. There are many factors and mechanisms that contribute to the development of no‐reflow, including age, reperfusion time, a high thrombus burden, Killip class, long stent use, ejection fraction ≤40, and a high Syntax score. In this study, we aimed to evaluate the parameters associated with no‐reflow prediction by creating a new scoring system.

Methods

The study included 515 consecutive STEMI patients who underwent PCI; 632 STEMI patients who had undergone PCI in another center were included in the external validation of the scoring system. The correlations between 1‐year major adverse cardiac events and low/high risk score were assessed.

Results

In this study, seven independent variables were used to build a risk score for predicting no‐reflow. The predictors of no‐reflow are age, EF ≤40, SS ≥22, stent length ≥20, thrombus grade ≥4, Killip class ≥3, and pain‐balloon time ≥4 h. In the derivation group, the optimal threshold score for predicting no‐reflow was >10, with a 75% sensitivity and 77.7% specificity (Area under the curve (AUC) = 0.809, 95%CI: 0.772‐0.842, P < 0.001). In the validation group, AUC was 0.793 (95%CI: 0.760‐0.824, P < 0.001).

Conclusion

This new score, which can be calculated in STEMI patients before PCI and used to predict no‐reflow in STEMI patients, may help physicians to estimate the development of no‐reflow in the pre‐PCI period.
Anti-inflammatory and anti-apoptotic effects of the combination of Ligusticum chuanxiong and Radix Paeoniae against focal cerebral ischaemia via TLR4/MyD88/MAPK/NF-κB signalling pathway in MCAO rats
Authors: Gu Junfei , Su Shulan , Guo Jianming , Zhu Yue , Zhao Ming , Duan Jin-ao
Published: November 2017

Objective

This study was performed to assess the anti-inflammatory and anti-apoptotic effects of the combination of Ligusticum chuanxiong and Radix Paeoniae (XS) on focal cerebral ischaemic stroke.

Methods

MCAO rats were used to evaluate the effect of XS on stroke. Cerebral water content was measured, and the levels of IFN-γ, IL-1β, IL-6 and IL-12 in serum and brain were assessed by ELISA kits. Protein expressions including p-p38, p-38, TLR-4, p-ERK, ERK, TLR-5, NF-κBp65, Myd88, Caspase-3 and Caspase-12 were examined by WB and IHC. Q-PCR was applied to examine IL-1β and IL-6 mRNA levels in the rat brain of each group.

Key findings

XS treatment remarkedly decreased the levels of IFN-γ, IL-1β, IL-6 and IL-12 in serum and brain tissues of MCAO rats. In the ischaemic brain, the expressions of TLR-4, TLR-5, p-p38, p-ERK, Myd88, NF-κBp65, Caspase-3 and Caspase-12 were increased significantly, while the treatment attenuated the activated expressions by MCAO. XS also downregulated Caspase-3 and Caspase-12 expressions. IL-1β and IL-6 mRNA levels in MCAO brain tissue were decreased by XS treatment.

Conclusions

XS could protect MCAO rats by anti-inflammation and anti-apoptosis through TLR4/MyD88/MAPK/NF-κB signalling pathway. Furthermore, the combination has a more meaningful improvement on focal cerebral ischaemic stroke.
Transfer rates of aflatoxins from herbal medicines to decoctions determined by an optimized high-performance liquid chromatography with fluorescence detection method
Authors: Nian Yujiao , Wang Haiwei , Ying Guangyao , Yang Meihua , Wang Ze , Kong Weijun , Yang Shihai
Published: November 2017

Objectives

This study aimed to explore the transfer rates of aflatoxins from several contaminated herbal medicines by fungi to their decoctions.

Methods

Five types of commonly used herbal medicines including Lilii Bulbus, Hordei Fructus Germinatus, Nelumbinis Semen, Polygalae Radix and Bombyx Batryticatus were selected as the examples. Raw herbal medicine samples were treated by ultrasonication-assisted extraction with 70% methanol and immunoaffinity column clean-up, and the decoctions were prepared following the commonly used boiling method with water for 2 h. Then, the optimized high-performance liquid chromatography with fluorescence detection (HPLC-FLD) method was validated for the quantitative analysis of four aflatoxins (AFG2, AFG1, AFB2 and AFB1) after postcolumn photochemical derivatization, which was proved to be reliable and sensitive.

Key findings

Aflatoxins were detected to be transferred from the herbal medicines to decoctions with significantly different transfer rates in the five types of herbal medicines. Quietly high transfer rates of 7.26–115.36% for AFG2, 4.37–26.37% for AFB1 and 9.64–47.68% for AFB2 were obtained. AFB1 as the most toxic aflatoxin expressed the lowest transfer rate, but still exhibited high amount in the samples.

Conclusions

Therefore, the monitoring of aflatoxins in herbal medicines and their decoctions is in great urgency to ensure the security of consumers taking decoctions.
Distribution of ABO/Rh blood groups and their association with hepatitis B virus infection in 3.8 million Chinese adults: A population‐based cross‐sectional study
Authors: Liu J. , Zhang S. , Liu M. , Wang Q. , Shen H. , Zhang Y.
Published: November 2017

ABO and Rh blood groups play a vital role in blood transfusion safety and clinical practice and are thought to be linked with disease susceptibility. The results from previous studies that focused on the association between blood groups and HBV infection remain controversial. China has the world's largest burden of HBV infection. We assessed the distribution of ABO/Rh blood groups in Chinese adults and examined the association between these groups and HBV infection. We did a nationwide cross‐sectional study using data from a physical check‐up programme from 31 provinces examined between 2010 and 2012. ELISA was used to test for HBsAg in serologic samples. Multivariable logistic regression was used to estimate aOR of the association between ABO and Rh blood groups and HBV infection. Among 3 827 125 participants, the proportion of participants with blood group A was highest (30.54%), followed by O (30.37%), B (29.42%) and AB (9.66%). A total of 38 907 (1.02%) were Rh‐D negative. The prevalence of HBsAg in blood groups O, A, B and AB were 6.34%, 5.55%, 5.18% and 5.06%, respectively. HBsAg prevalence was 5.65% in Rh‐D‐positive and 3.96% in Rh‐D‐negative participants. After controlling for other potential risk factors, multivariate models showed that participants with blood group O (adjusted OR = 1.22, 95% CI: 1.20‐1.25) were at higher risk of HBV infection compared with group AB. Rh‐D‐positive participants (adjusted OR = 1.44, 95% CI: 1.37‐1.52) were at higher risk of HBV infection than Rh‐D‐negative participants. The associations between ABO/Rh blood groups and HBV infection were similar in subgroup analysis. The proportions of O, A, B and AB blood groups were approximately 3:3:3:1, and nearly 1 in 100 people was Rh‐D negative among Chinese adults. Blood group O and Rh‐D positivity were both associated with increased HBV infection. The risk of HBV infection and blood safety should be taken into consideration in clinical practice, especially when transfusing those with blood group O. Awareness and prevention of HBV infection is of particular importance for individuals with blood group O.
Temporal trend and risk determinants of hepatocellular carcinoma in chronic hepatitis B patients on entecavir or tenofovir
Authors: Hsu Yao‐Chun , Ho Hsiu‐J. , Lee Teng‐Yu , Huang Yen‐Tsung , Wu Ming‐Shiang , Lin Jaw‐Town , Wu Chun‐Ying , El‐Serag Hashem B.
Published: November 2017

This study aimed to elucidate the temporal change and determinants for the risk of HCC in patients with chronic hepatitis B continuously receiving NUC. Through analysis of the national healthcare database in Taiwan, we screened a total of 65 426 infected patients receiving entecavir or tenofovir for at least 3 months and excluded those with lamivudine, adefovir or telbivudine exposure, malignancy, end‐stage renal failure or a diagnosis of HCC within 3 months of starting treatment. Eligible patients (N = 27 820) were followed until HCC occurrence, completion of the allowed 3‐year regimen or 31 December 2013. During a median follow‐up of 25.1 (12.1‐35.6) months, 802 patients developed HCC, with 1‐, 2‐ and 3‐year cumulative incidence of 1.82% (95% CI, 1.66‐1.99%), 3.05% (95% CI, 2.82‐3.28%) and 4.06% (95% CI, 3.77‐4.36%), respectively. HCC annual incidence decreased with an adjusted IRR of 0.73 (95% CI, 0.66‐0.80) per yearly interval and was associated with cirrhosis (IRR, 10.07; 95% CI, 6.00‐16.90 in age <40 years; 4.69; 95% CI, 3.94‐5.59 in age ≧40 years), age (IRR, 3.38; 95% CI, 2.10‐5.47 for 40‐50 years; 6.92; 95% CI, 4.27‐11.21 for 50‐60 years; 12.50; 95% CI, 7.71‐20.25 for ≧60 years; <40 years as reference), male sex (IRR, 1.71; 95% CI, 1.44‐2.04), HCV coinfection (IRR, 1.27; 95% CI, 1.02‐1.58) and diabetes (IRR, 1.24; 95% CI, 1.05‐1.45). In conclusion, the risk of HCC in patients with chronic hepatitis B receiving entecavir or tenofovir declines over time and is determined by cirrhosis, age, male sex, HCV coinfection and diabetes.
Safety and efficacy of telbivudine in late pregnancy to prevent mother‐to‐child transmission of hepatitis B virus: A multicenter prospective cohort study
Authors: Hu Y. , Xu C. , Xu B. , Hu L. , Liu Q. , Chen J. , Liu J. , Liu L. , Yang J. , Chen T. , Wen J. , Jiang N. , Zhang Y. , Cao M. , Feng J. , Lin X. , Wang Z. , Xu B. , Zhou Y. ‐H.
Published: November 2017

Infection of hepatitis B virus (HBV) occurs in ~10% of infants of HBV‐infected mothers with positive hepatitis B e antigen (HBeAg) after immunoprophylaxis. We aimed to evaluate the safety and efficacy of telbivudine used during late pregnancy for preventing mother‐to‐child transmission of HBV. We conducted a multicenter prospective cohort study in 5 hospitals from 2012 to 2014, which enrolled HBV‐infected singleton pregnant women with positive HBeAg. By their choice, women were divided into therapy (telbivudine 600 mg/day, from gestation 28‐32 weeks to 3‐4 weeks postpartum) and control (no antiviral agent) groups. Infants received passive‐active immunoprophylaxis and follow‐up at the age of 7‐14 months. Totally, 328 pregnant women were included: 149 in the telbivudine group and 179 in the control group. Baseline HBV DNA levels were similar in the 2 groups (7.43 vs 7.37 log10 IU/mL, P = .711). At delivery, HBV DNA levels in the telbivudine and control groups were 3.80 and 7.26 log10 IU/mL, respectively (P < .0001). Of the infants, 128 (85.9%) in the telbivudine group and 156 (87.2%) in the control group were followed up. No infant in the telbivudine group had chronic infection, while 2 (1.28%) infants in the control group did (P = .503). Three (2.34%) infants in the telbivudine group, but none in the control group, had severe congenital or developmental abnormalities (P = .090). The data indicate that telbivudine may block perinatal HBV transmission. However, larger studies are required to clarify whether anti‐HBV therapy in pregnancy is associated with severe adverse effects in the foetuses and infants.
Are the big and beautiful less bold? Differences in avian fearfulness between the sexes in relation to body size and colour
Authors: Guay P.‐J. , Leppitt R. , Weston M. A. , Yeager T. R. , van Dongen W. F. D. , Symonds M. R. E.
Published: November 2017

Conspicuousness towards predators may influence escape behaviour (or ‘fearfulness’) among animals, with more conspicuous species initiating escape behaviour earlier. Among birds, for example, body size and colour may influence differences in escape behaviour between species, and possibly between the sexes of dimorphic species. We examined 19 bird species with varying degrees of body size and colour dimorphism (including individually marked and sexed monomorphic species), to examine whether these two potential measures of conspicuousness influence sex differences in flight‐initiation distance (FID). Starting Distance (the distance at which an observer commenced approaching a bird, which is an artefact of investigator behaviour; SD) was not correlated with dimorphism, so we used phylogenetically controlled models which explored the correlation between dimorphism and FID. Modelling indicated that only sex differences in SD correlated with sex differences in FID in these birds, and that dimorphism in either plumage or body size does not apparently correlate with sex differences in FID. These results suggest that, among the 19 bird species investigated, apparent differences in the conspicuousness to predators between the sexes do not influence escape behaviour. This suggests that either conspicuousness to predators does not influence escape distances in these species, or that sex differences in conspicuousness were too subtle to result in variation in FIDs.
Testing for Statistical Discrimination Based on Gender
Authors: Lesner Rune V.
Published: November 2017

Gender wage gaps are a prevailing feature of the labour market. Statistical discrimination has been highlighted as a potential source. However, the evidence is scarce. The employer learning literature provides a testable framework. This paper develops an employer learning model which incorporates screening discrimination, stereotyping and prejudiced beliefs. Implications of screening discrimination are found not to be consistent with wage dynamics in the Danish labour market. Stereotyping with prejudiced beliefs is argued to be a more plausible candidate. Workplace characteristics, such as the fraction of women in high‐ranking positions, do not affect the level of screening discrimination by gender.
Efficient Infrastructure Restoration Strategies Using the Recovery Operator
Authors: González Andrés D. , Chapman Airlie , Dueñas‐Osorio Leonardo , Mesbahi Mehran , D'Souza Raissa M.
Published: November 2017

Infrastructure systems are critical for society's resilience, government operation, and overall defense. Thereby, it is imperative to develop informative and computationally efficient analysis methods for infrastructure systems, which reveal system vulnerabilities and recoverability. To capture practical constraints in systems analyses, various layers of complexity play a role, including limited element capacities, restoration resources, and the presence of interdependence among systems. High‐fidelity modeling such as mixed integer programming and physics‐based modeling can often be computationally expensive, making time‐sensitive analyses challenging. Furthermore, the complexity of recovery solutions can reduce analysis transparency. An alternative, presented in this work, is a reduced‐order representation, dubbed a recovery operator, of a high‐fidelity time‐dependent recovery model of a system of interdependent networks. The form of the operator is assumed to be a time‐invariant linear dynamic model apt for infrastructure restoration. The recovery operator is generated by applying system identification techniques to numerous disaster and recovery scenarios. The proposed compact representation provides simple yet powerful information regarding systemic recovery dynamics, and enables generating fast suboptimal recovery policies in time‐critical applications.
Provitamin A biofortification of cassava enhances shelf life but reduces dry matter content of storage roots due to altered carbon partitioning into starch
Authors: Beyene Getu , Solomon Felix R. , Chauhan Raj D. , Gaitán‐Solis Eliana , Narayanan Narayanan , Gehan Jackson , Siritunga Dimuth , Stevens Robyn L. , Jifon John , Van Eck Joyce , Linsler Edward , Gehan Malia , Ilyas Muhammad , Fregene Martin , Sayre Richard T. , Anderson Paul , Taylor Nigel J. , Cahoon Edgar B.
Published: November 2017

Storage roots of cassava (Manihot esculenta Crantz), a major subsistence crop of sub‐Saharan Africa, are calorie rich but deficient in essential micronutrients, including provitamin A β‐carotene. In this study, β‐carotene concentrations in cassava storage roots were enhanced by co‐expression of transgenes for deoxy‐d‐xylulose‐5‐phosphate synthase (DXS) and bacterial phytoene synthase (crtB), mediated by the patatin‐type 1 promoter. Storage roots harvested from field‐grown plants accumulated carotenoids to ≤50 μg/g DW, 15‐ to 20‐fold increases relative to roots from nontransgenic plants. Approximately 85%–90% of these carotenoids accumulated as all‐trans‐β‐carotene, the most nutritionally efficacious carotenoid. β‐Carotene‐accumulating storage roots displayed delayed onset of postharvest physiological deterioration, a major constraint limiting utilization of cassava products. Large metabolite changes were detected in β‐carotene‐enhanced storage roots. Most significantly, an inverse correlation was observed between β‐carotene and dry matter content, with reductions of 50%–60% of dry matter content in the highest carotenoid‐accumulating storage roots of different cultivars. Further analysis confirmed a concomitant reduction in starch content and increased levels of total fatty acids, triacylglycerols, soluble sugars and abscisic acid. Potato engineered to co‐express DXS and crtB displayed a similar correlation between β‐carotene accumulation, reduced dry matter and starch content and elevated oil and soluble sugars in tubers. Transcriptome analyses revealed a reduced expression of genes involved in starch biosynthesis including ADP‐glucose pyrophosphorylase genes in transgenic, carotene‐accumulating cassava roots relative to nontransgenic roots. These findings highlight unintended metabolic consequences of provitamin A biofortification of starch‐rich organs and point to strategies for redirecting metabolic flux to restore starch production.
Genome‐wide discovery of tissue‐specific miRNAs in clusterbean (Cyamopsis tetragonoloba) indicates their association with galactomannan biosynthesis
Authors: Tyagi Anshika , Nigam Deepti , S. V. Amitha Mithra , Solanke Amolkumar U. , Singh Nagendra K. , Sharma Tilak R. , Gaikwad Kishor
Published: November 2017

Owing to the presence of 80% soluble dietary fibre, high protein content and high value gum, clusterbean (Cyamopsis tetragonoloba) has recently emerged as an economically important legume. The developing clusterbean seeds accumulate 90% galactomannans in the endosperm and, therefore, can be used as a model crop to understand galactomannan biosynthesis and its regulation. miRNAs are tiny master regulators of their corresponding target genes, resulting in variations in the amounts of their metabolic end products. To understand the role of these regulators in galactomannan biosynthesis regulation, small RNA libraries were prepared and sequenced from five tissues of clusterbean genotype RGC‐936, and miRanalyzer and DSAP programs were used to identify conserved miRNAs and novel small RNAs. A total of 187 known and 171 novel miRNAs were found to be differentially expressed, of which 10 miRNAs were validated. A complicated network topology and 35% sharing of the target mRNAs between known and novel miRNAs suggest random evolution of novel miRNAs. The gene ontology (GO) annotation of potential target genes revealed the genes coding for signalling and carbohydrate metabolism (50.10%), kinases and other enzymes (20.75%), transcription factors (10.20%), transporters (8.35%) and other targets (10.6%). Two novel unigenes were annotated as ManS (mannosyltransferase/mannan synthase) and UGE (UDP‐ D‐glucose 4‐epimerase) and validated as targets for three novel miRNAs, that is Ct‐miR3130, Ct‐miR3135 and Ct‐miR3157. Our findings reveal that these novel miRNAs could play an important role in the regulation of the galactomannan pathway in C. tetragonoloba and possibly other galactomannan‐producing species.
A Micro Model of Problem Definition and Policy Choice: Issue Image, Issue Association, and Policy Support of Power Plants
Authors: Liu Xinsheng , Robinson Scott , Vedlitz Arnold
Published: November 2017

Past research on problem definition and public policy primarily focuses on the macro‐system level. In this study, we propose a micro model of problem definition and policy choice at the individual level. We argue that while individual citizens' problem definitions and policy preferences are rooted in and filtered through their predisposition characteristics (such as socioeconomic status, political orientation, and informational base), their policy choices also strongly depend on how they define public issues, particularly how they perceive the image of an issue at hand and how they associate the issue with other public issues. Our empirical analyses, based on data from a national public survey on energy and power plant issues, support the key propositions derived from our theoretical model. Key contributions to and implications for policy studies are discussed in conclusion.
Spatially Representing Vulnerability to Extreme Rain Events Using Midwestern Farmers’ Objective and Perceived Attributes of Adaptive Capacity
Authors: Gardezi Maaz , Arbuckle J. Gordon
Published: November 2017

Potential climate‐change‐related impacts to agriculture in the upper Midwest pose serious economic and ecological risks to the U.S. and the global economy. On a local level, farmers are at the forefront of responding to the impacts of climate change. Hence, it is important to understand how farmers and their farm operations may be more or less vulnerable to changes in the climate. A vulnerability index is a tool commonly used by researchers and practitioners to represent the geographical distribution of vulnerability in response to global change. Most vulnerability assessments measure objective adaptive capacity using secondary data collected by governmental agencies. However, other scholarship on human behavior has noted that sociocultural and cognitive factors, such as risk perceptions and perceived capacity, are consequential for modulating people's actual vulnerability. Thus, traditional assessments can potentially overlook people's subjective perceptions of changes in climate and extreme weather events and the extent to which people feel prepared to take necessary steps to cope with and respond to the negative effects of climate change. This article addresses this knowledge gap by: (1) incorporating perceived adaptive capacity into a vulnerability assessment; (2) using spatial smoothing to aggregate individual‐level vulnerabilities to the county level; and (3) evaluating the relationships among different dimensions of adaptive capacity to examine whether perceived capacity should be integrated into vulnerability assessments. The result suggests that vulnerability assessments that rely only on objective measures might miss important sociocognitive dimensions of capacity. Vulnerability indices and maps presented in this article can inform engagement strategies for improving environmental sustainability in the region.
Signalling Profiles of Blood Leucocytes in Sepsis and in Acute Pancreatitis in Relation to Disease Severity
Authors: Kuuliala K. , Penttilä A. K. , Kaukonen K.‐M. , Mustonen H. , Kuuliala A. , Oiva J. , Hämäläinen M. , Moilanen E. , Pettilä V. , Puolakkainen P. , Kylänpää L. , Repo H.
Published: November 2017

Intracellular signalling in blood leucocytes shows multiple aberrations in acute pancreatitis (AP) complicated by organ dysfunction (OD). We studied whether the aberrations associate with severity of AP and occur in sepsis complicated by OD. The study comprises 14 sepsis patients (11 with shock), 18 AP patients (nine mild; six moderately severe; three severe) and 28 healthy volunteers. Within 48 h after admission to hospital, phosphorylation of nuclear factor‐ĸB (NF‐ĸB), signal transducers and activators of transcription (STATs) 1,3, and extracellular signal‐regulated kinases 1/2 were measured from stimulated or non‐stimulated leucocytes using phosphospecific whole blood flow cytometry. In sepsis, as compared with healthy subjects, phosphorylated NF‐ĸB levels of monocytes promoted by bacterial lipopolysaccharides, tumour necrosis factor or Escherichia coli cells were lower (P < 0.001 for all), pSTAT1 levels of monocytes promoted by IL‐6 were lower (P < 0.05 for all), and STAT3 was constitutively phosphorylated in monocytes, neutrophils and lymphocytes (P < 0.001 for all). In AP, severity was associated with proportions of pSTAT1‐positive monocytes and lymphocytes promoted by IL‐6 (P < 0.01 for both), constitutive STAT3 phosphorylation in neutrophils (P < 0.05), but not with any of the pNF‐ĸB levels. Monocyte pSTAT3 fluorescence intensity, promoted by IL‐6, was lower in sepsis and AP patients with OD than in AP patients without OD (P < 0.001). Collectively, signalling aberrations in sepsis with OD mimic those described previously in AP with OD. Possibility that aberrations in STAT1 and STAT3 pathways provide novel markers predicting evolution of OD warrants studies including patients presenting without OD but developing it during follow‐up.
Influence of population size, density, and proximity to talent clubs on the likelihood of becoming elite youth athlete
Authors: Rossing N. N. , Stentoft D. , Flattum A. , Côté J. , Karbing D. S.
Published: November 2017

Previous studies have found significant differences in the likelihood of becoming an elite athlete depending on community population sizes and densities, an effect known as the place of early development, or birthplace effect. However, the results have not been consistent between sports or European countries. As both professional and voluntary clubs are vital to the talent development systems in Europe, the proximity of an athlete's place of early development to the location of talent clubs may be an important predictor of the likelihood of becoming an elite athlete. Therefore, the primary purpose of this study was to investigate the place of early development effect and the effect of proximity to talent clubs. The samples included elite youth league athletes (579 football and 311 handball) and national youth athletes (85 football and 80 handball) and a comparison group of 147 221 football and 26 290 handball youth athletes. Odds ratios showed variations in the optimal community size and density across sports. Geospatial analyses of proximity to talent clubs highlighted a trend indicating that most national and elite youth league athletes in both sports had their place of early development in their sport near a talent club. The results suggest that proximity is an important predictor in the development of expertise across sports, but future studies need to clarify if proximity is important in other countries and sports.
Minimally invasive lag screw fixation of sacroiliac luxation/fracture using a dedicated novel instrument system: Apparatus and technique description
Authors: Déjardin Loïc M. , Fauron Albane H. , Guiot Laurent P. , Guillou Reunan P.
Published: November 2017

Objective

To describe a novel Sacroiliac Luxation Instrument System (SILIS™) and its application in minimally invasive osteosynthesis (MIO) of sacroiliac luxations/fractures (SIL/F). The SILIS was designed to provide stable SIL/F reduction and accurate sacral screw placement while reducing personnel exposure to ionizing radiation during intraoperative fluoroscopy.

Study design

Descriptive, proof of concept cadaveric study.

Methods

A right SIL and a left SIL/F were created on a Labrador Retriever that had died of natural causes. Bilateral sacroiliac lag screw fixation was performed under fluoroscopic guidance with the SILIS, which consists of dedicated reduction and fixation instruments rigidly linked to table‐bound 6‐axis arms.

Results

Throughout surgery, the SILIS facilitated and maintained stable reduction and allowed accurate placement of a custom designed drill guide over the sacral body without the surgeon's manual holding of any reduction or fixation instruments. The surgical team was therefore able to step away from the C‐arm when acquiring fluoroscopic images, thus reducing exposure to radiation. Dorsoventral and craniocaudal screw deviation from an ideal trajectory ranged from 0.9° to 3.8°. Both screws were fully located within the sacral body.

Conclusion

The SILIS addresses limitations associated with MIO of SIL/F, including maintenance of reduction throughout surgery along with reliable and accurate sacral screw placement. Distance from the X‐ray source is the most effective protection against radiation. Use of the SILIS allows the surgical team to move away from the C‐arm during fluoroscopy, thereby reducing personnel exposure to dangerous direct and back‐scattered ionizing radiation.
Reviewer Acknowledgements
Authors: Willianms Ellery
Published: November 2017

Business and Management Studies (BMS) would like to acknowledge the following reviewers for their assistance with peer review of manuscripts for this issue. Many authors, regardless of whether BMS publishes their work, appreciate the helpful feedback provided by the reviewers. Their comments and suggestions were of great help to the authors in improving the quality of their papers. Each of the reviewers listed below returned at least one review for this issue.Reviewers for Volume 3, Number 4 Abdul-Kahar Adam, University of Education,Winneba, GhanaAndrzej Niemiec, Poznań University of Economics and Business, PolandAshford Chea, Benedict College, USAChrister Thörnqvist, University of Skövde, SwedenDaiane Miranda Freitas, FACISA/Univicosa, BrazilDalia Susniene, Kaunas University of Technology, LithuaniaFlorin Peci, University of Peja, KosovoGabriela O. Chiciudean, University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine Cluj-Napoca, RomaniaIulia Cristina Muresan, University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine Cluj-Napoca, RomaniaKenichi Shimizu, Technical University of Braunschweig, GermanyLucie Andreisová, University of Economics in Prague, CzechMarica Ion Dumitrasco, Academy of Sciences of Moldova, MoldovaMike Rayner, University of Portsmouth, UKMythili Kolluru, College of Banking and Financial Studies, OmanRashedul Hasan, International Islamic University Malaysia, MalaysiaRegina Lenart-Gansiniec, Jagiellonian University, PolandRocsana Tonis, Spiru Haret University, RomaniaSammy Kimunguyi , Office of The Auditor-General, KenyaTetiana Paientko, Kyiv National Economic Univercity, UkraineYanzhe Zhang, University of Canberra, AustraliaZeki Atıl Bulut, Dokuz Eylul University, TurkeyZoran Mastilo, University of East Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina Ellery WillianmsEditorial AssistantOn behalf of,The Editorial Board of Business and Management StudiesRedfame Publishing9450 SW Gemini Dr. #99416Beaverton, OR 97008, USAURL: http://bms.redfame.com
Reviewer Acknowledgements
Authors: Young James
Published: November 2017

International Journal of Social Science Studies (IJSSS) would like to acknowledge the following reviewers for their assistance with peer review of manuscripts for this issue. Many authors, regardless of whether IJSSS publishes their work, appreciate the helpful feedback provided by the reviewers. Their comments and suggestions were of great help to the authors in improving the quality of their papers. Each of the reviewers listed below returned at least one review for this issue.Reviewers for Volume 5, Number 12 Agboola O. Paul, Universiti Teknologi Malaysia, MalaysiaAmanda ElBassiouny, Spring Hill College, USAAmany Albert, Beni-Suef University, EgyptAriela Francesca Pagani, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, ItalyE.Ozan Aksoz, Anadolu University, TurkeyFroilan Mobo, Philippine Merchant Marine Academy, PhilippinesJadranka Svarc, Institute of Social Sciences Ivo Pilar, Zagreb, CroatiaJoan Garcia Garriga, Institut de Paleoecologia Humana i Evolució Social (IPHES) / Universitat Oberta de Catalunya (UOC), SpainJulia M. Mack, Gannon University, USAK.O. Aramide, The Polytechnic Ibadan, NigeriaMaría Cecilia Pallo, National Scientific and Technical Research Council, ArgentinaMickey Langlais, University of Nebraska – Kearney, USAMiriam Parise, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, ItalySandro Serpa, University of the Azores, PortugalXiaojie Zhang, Northeastern University, China
Resurgent sodium current promotes action potential firing in the avian auditory brainstem
Authors: Hong Hui , Lu Ting , Wang Xiaoyu , Wang Yuan , Sanchez Jason Tait
Published: November 2017

Key points

Auditory brainstem neurons of all vertebrates fire phase‐locked action potentials (APs) at high rates with remarkable fidelity, a process controlled by specialized anatomical and biophysical properties.

This is especially true in the avian nucleus magnocellularis (NM) – the analogue of the mammalian anteroventral cochlear nucleus.

In addition to high voltage‐activated potassium (KHVA) channels, we report, using whole cell physiology and modelling, that resurgent sodium current (INaR) of sodium channels (NaV) is equally important and operates synergistically with KHVA channels to enable rapid AP firing in NM.

Anatomically, we detected strong NaV1.6 expression near hearing maturation, which was less distinct during hearing development despite functional evidence of INaR, suggesting that multiple NaV channel subtypes may contribute to INaR.

We conclude that INaR plays an important role in regulating rapid AP firing for NM neurons, a property that may be evolutionarily conserved for functions related to similar avian and mammalian hearing.

Auditory brainstem neurons are functionally primed to fire action potentials (APs) at markedly high rates in order to rapidly encode the acoustic information of sound. This specialization is critical for survival and the comprehension of behaviourally relevant communication functions, including sound localization and distinguishing speech from noise. Here, we investigated underlying ion channel mechanisms essential for high‐rate AP firing in neurons of the chicken nucleus magnocellularis (NM) – the avian analogue of bushy cells of the mammalian anteroventral cochlear nucleus. In addition to the established function of high voltage‐activated potassium channels, we found that resurgent sodium current (INaR) plays a role in regulating rapid firing activity of late‐developing (embryonic (E) days 19–21) NM neurons. INaR of late‐developing NM neurons showed similar properties to mammalian neurons in that its unique mechanism of an ‘open channel block state’ facilitated the recovery and increased the availability of sodium (NaV) channels after depolarization. Using a computational model of NM neurons, we demonstrated that removal of INaR reduced high‐rate AP firing. We found weak INaR during a prehearing period (E11–12), which transformed to resemble late‐developing INaR properties around hearing onset (E14–16). Anatomically, we detected strong NaV1.6 expression near maturation, which became increasingly less distinct at hearing onset and prehearing periods, suggesting that multiple NaV channel subtypes may contribute to INaR during development. We conclude that INaR plays an important role in regulating rapid AP firing for NM neurons, a property that may be evolutionarily conserved for functions related to similar avian and mammalian hearing.
A Graphics Processor Unit-Accelerated Freeform Surface Offsetting Method for High-Resolution Subtractive Three-Dimensional Printing (Machining)
Authors: Hossain Mohammad M. , Nath Chandra , Tucker Thomas M. , Vuduc Richard W. , Kurfess Thomas R.
Published: November 2017

Machining is one of the major manufacturing methods having very wide applications in industries. Unlike layer-by-layer additive three-dimensional (3D) printing technology, the lack of an easy and intuitive programmability in conventional toolpath planning approach in machining leads to significantly higher manufacturing cost for direct computer numerical control (CNC)-based prototyping (i.e., subtractive 3D printing). In standard computer-aided manufacturing (CAM) packages, general use of B-rep (boundary representation) and non-uniform rational basis spline (NURBS)-based representations of the computer-aided design (CAD) interfaces make core computations of tool trajectories generation process, such as surface offsetting, difficult. In this work, the problem of efficient generation of freeform surface offsets is addressed with a novel volumetric (voxel) representation. It presents an image filter-based offsetting algorithm, which leverages the parallel computing engines on modern graphics processor unit (GPU). The compact voxel data representation and the proposed computational acceleration on GPU together are capable to process voxel offsetting at four-fold higher resolution in interactive CAM application. Additionally, in order to further accelerate the offset computation, the problem of offsetting with a large distance is decomposed into successive offsetting using smaller distances. The performance trade-offs between accuracy and computation time of the offset algorithms are thoroughly analyzed. The developed GPU implementation of the offsetting algorithm is found to be robust in computation, and demonstrates a 50-fold speedup on single graphics card (NVIDIA GTX780Ti) relative to prior best-performing algorithms developed for multicores central processing units (CPU). The proposed offsetting approach has been validated for a variety of complex parts produced on different multi-axis CNC machine tools including turning, milling, and compound turning-milling.
Mechanics-Based Integrated Product and Process Design for Incremental Forming
Authors: Lingam Rakesh , Bansal Ankush , Prakash Om , Venkata Reddy N.
Published: November 2017

Incremental sheet forming (ISF) is a low cost, die-less forming process suitable for low volume production. In case of components with multiple features, the accuracy of formed component depends on the sequence in which the features are formed. In addition, sheet spring-back, tool deflection, and rigid-body displacement (RBD) also affect the accuracy of formed components. Predicting the component geometry using finite element analysis (FEA) is computationally expensive and time consuming. Simple mechanics-based methodology is presented in this work to predict the geometry of components having single, multiple features, and high-wall angle components formed using single and/or multistage forming. Predictions using proposed methodology are used to select the best forming sequence in case of multiple feature components. Results presented show that the formed component geometry can be predicted with an average error of 225 μm and maximum error of 700 μm. In addition, a methodology is developed to achieve uniform thickness distribution with good accuracy in high wall angle components formed using multistage strategy. Hemispherical component is formed with 100 μm variation in thickness except at the component opening and maximum profile deviation of 350 μm. This thickness prediction capability helps the designer to choose intermediate stages and to form components with engineered thickness with reasonable accuracy.
Electronic transport and Raman spectroscopic properties of Co doped (110) PrBa2Cu3O7 thin film
Authors: Kandel Hom , Chen TarPin , Li Zhongrui
Published: November 2017

The authors deposited Co doped (110) PrBa2 Cu3O7 (PBCCO) epitaxial thin film using pulsed laser deposition technique and investigated its electronic transport and Raman spectroscopic properties. The authors observed an increase in electrical resistivity by a factor of 50 at 77 K and the existence of three-dimensional variable range hopping mechanism among the localized electronic states on the (110) PBCCO thin film. The activation energies for hopping of the (110) PBCCO thin film was calculated to be 168 meV at 300 K and 75 meV at 77 K suggesting that the hopping was mainly thermally assisted. The Raman spectroscopy measurement on the (110) PBCCO thin film revealed a Raman mode at ∼620 cm−1 as an evidence of Cu ion replacement with Co ions at the Cu-O chain site of the PBCO. The replacement of the Cu ions with the Co ions induced disorder and localization of the charge carriers at the chain sites, thereby increasing the electrical resistivity of the (110) PBCCO thin film. In view of higher electrical resistivity and structural and chemical compatibility with YBa2Cu3O7 (YBCO), (110) PBCCO thin film could serve as an excellent insulator on YBCO based trilayer Josephson junction.
Optimal bounds for attenuation of elastic waves in porous fluid-saturated media
Authors: Glubokovskikh Stanislav , Gurevich Boris
Published: November 2017

Explicit expressions for bounds on the effective bulk and shear moduli of mixture of an elastic solid and Newtonian fluid are derived. Since in frequency domain the shear modulus of the Newtonian fluid is complex valued, the effective mixture moduli are, in general, also complex valued and, hence, the bounds are curves in the complex plane. From the general expressions for bounds of effective moduli of viscoelastic mixtures, it is shown that effective bulk and shear moduli of such mixtures must lie between the real axis and a semicircle in the upper half-plane connecting formal lower and upper Hashin-Shtrikman bounds of the mixture of the solid and inviscid fluid of the same compressibility as the Newtonian fluid. Furthermore, it is shown that the bounds on the effective complex bulk and shear moduli of the mixture are optimal; that is, the moduli corresponding to any point on the bounding curves can be attained by the Hashin sphere assemblage penetrated by a random distribution of thin cracks. The results are applicable to a variety of solid/fluid mixtures such as fluid-saturated porous materials and particle suspensions.
Identification of Fitness Determinants during Energy-Limited Growth Arrest in
Pseudomonas aeruginosa
Authors: Basta David W. , Bergkessel Megan , Newman Dianne K.
Published: November 2017

Microbial growth arrest can be triggered by diverse factors, one of which is energy limitation due to scarcity of electron donors or acceptors. Genes that govern fitness during energy-limited growth arrest and the extent to which they overlap between different types of energy limitation are poorly defined. In this study, we exploited the fact that
Pseudomonas aeruginosa
can remain viable over several weeks when limited for organic carbon (pyruvate) as an electron donor or oxygen as an electron acceptor. ATP values were reduced under both types of limitation, yet more severely in the absence of oxygen. Using transposon-insertion sequencing (Tn-seq), we identified fitness determinants in these two energy-limited states. Multiple genes encoding general functions like transcriptional regulation and energy generation were required for fitness during carbon or oxygen limitation, yet many specific genes, and thus specific activities, differed in their relevance between these states. For instance, the global regulator RpoS was required during both types of energy limitation, while other global regulators such as DksA and LasR were required only during carbon or oxygen limitation, respectively. Similarly, certain ribosomal and tRNA modifications were specifically required during oxygen limitation. We validated fitness defects during energy limitation using independently generated mutants of genes detected in our screen. Mutants in distinct functional categories exhibited different fitness dynamics: regulatory genes generally manifested a phenotype early, whereas genes involved in cell wall metabolism were required later. Together, these results provide a new window into how
P. aeruginosa
survives growth arrest.

IMPORTANCE
Growth-arrested bacteria are ubiquitous in nature and disease yet understudied at the molecular level. For example, growth-arrested cells constitute a major subpopulation of mature biofilms, serving as an antibiotic-tolerant reservoir in chronic infections. Identification of the genes required for survival of growth arrest (encompassing entry, maintenance, and exit) is an important first step toward understanding the physiology of bacteria in this state. Using Tn-seq, we identified and validated genes required for fitness of
Pseudomonas aeruginosa
when energy limited for organic carbon or oxygen, which represent two common causes of growth arrest for
P. aeruginosa
in diverse habitats. This unbiased, genome-wide survey is the first to reveal essential activities for a pathogen experiencing different types of energy limitation, finding both shared and divergent activities that are relevant at different survival stages. Future efforts can now be directed toward understanding how the biomolecules responsible for these activities contribute to fitness under these conditions.