bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Medication‐overuse headache detoxification reduces headache disability – the Akershus study of chronic headache
Authors: Kristoffersen E. S. , Grande R. B. , Aaseth K. , Russell M. B. , Lundqvist C.
Published: May 2018

Background and purpose

Medication‐overuse headache (MOH) is a chronic headache (≥15 days/month) associated with overuse of acute headache medication. The objective was to investigate headache‐related disability before and after self‐detoxification from MOH in the general population, as well as possible predictors for successful outcome.

Methods

This was a prospective cohort study. Participants were identified in a cross‐sectional epidemiological sample of 30 000 persons aged 30–44 from the general Norwegian population. People with MOH received short information about the possible role of medication overuse in headache chronification. A total of 108 of the 128 participants (84%) were eligible for follow‐up 1.5 years later.

Results

Using the Migraine Disability Assessment (MIDAS), people with MOH in the general population were heavily disabled (mean MIDAS score 42.1, 95% confidence interval 31.7–52.6) with a majority in the severe disability class. The MIDAS score was significantly reduced at follow‐up (P < 0.001) for those with successful self‐detoxification. In multivariate analyses, co‐occurrence of migraine (P = 0.044) and lower headache frequency at baseline (P = 0.001) increased the odds for successful self‐detoxification and reversion to episodic headache.

Conclusion

Medication‐overuse headache causes substantial disability in the general population. Self‐detoxification leads to reduced headache frequency and disability, although 24% of the participants did not complete self‐detoxification. Detoxification should be offered to MOH patients as early as possible with a focus on headache frequency, disability and psychological distress.
DNA replication licensing factor MCM2, geminin, and Ki67 define proliferative state and are linked with survival in oral squamous cell carcinoma
Authors: Al‐Hazmi Nadia , Alhazzazi Turki , Williams Gareth , Stoeber Kai , Al‐Dabbagh Raghad
Published: May 2018

Oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) is still an unabated global killer with little advancement in its survival rate. DNA replication licensing proteins and Aurora kinase A are biomarkers that play important roles in genomic stability. The expression profile of minichromosomal maintenance protein 2 (MCM2), Ki67, geminin, and Aurora‐A were linked to clinicopathological and outcome parameters, survival, and DNA content in 125 cases of OSCC. Oral fibroepithelial polyps (OFEP) were controls. The OSCC tumour cells were in a rapidly proliferating state, as assessed by the increased expression profile of MCM2, Ki67, geminin, and Aurora‐A and of the geminin/Ki67 ratio, and the decrease of the MCM2/Ki67 ratio, in OSCC compared with OFEP (P < 0.000). There was an association between expression of MCM2, Ki67, and geminin and tumour histologic and invasive front grade (P < 0.05). A total of 82% of the OSCC assessed had aneuploid DNA content, which was associated with increased expression intensity of Aurora‐A (P = 0.01). Geminin and the geminin/Ki67 ratio were associated with TNM staging (P < 0.05), and weak expression of MCM2, Ki67, geminin, and Aurora‐A were predictive of OSCC survival (P < 0.05). Dysregulation of the origin licensing pathway and the mitotic pathway are important events in OSCC, and the combined analysis of these proteins may contribute to improved treatment decisions.
Fatigue prediction for hoist cables over sheaves in large mining shovel application
Authors: Wokem C. , Joseph T. G. , Curley M.
Published: May 2018

Cables are used in many engineering applications, whether considered as stationary or running cables. In the latter, ropes are subjected to repeated tension and bending as they run over a sheave wheel. Such loading scenarios are seen for large mining equipment such as draglines and shovel hoist ropes. Fretting fatigue failure often occurs after several cycles of loading because of wires rubbing against each other and external wires rubbing against sheave wheels. It is also pertinent to understand the behaviour of cables subjected to bending over sheaves, to be able to predict fretting fatigue life, so as to set preventive maintenance activities to avoid catastrophic failure in such systems. In this paper, the behaviour of 2 specific configuration strands, composing either 7 or 19 wires, bent over a sheave is investigated numerically. To aid preventive maintenance inspection, critical locations of stress concentrations are identified as a function of applied load or tensile stress. The investigation also considers the impact of groove size, diameter of sheave to diameter of cable ratio, and contact length, enabling the application to infer fatigue life.
Influence of land use on the trophic niche overlap of dung beetles in the semideciduous Atlantic forest of Argentina
Authors: Giménez Gómez Victoria C. , Verdú José R. , Gómez‐Cifuentes Andrés , Vaz‐de‐Mello Fernando Z. , Zurita Gustavo A.
Published: May 2018

The degradation and replacement of natural ecosystems affect species abundance, diversity and interspecific interaction through the modification of resource availability and environmental conditions. Land uses preserving the forest canopy show higher species richness and similarity to the native forest.

In this study, we explored changes in the trophic niche overlap of dung beetles between the native forest and different land uses in the semideciduous Atlantic forest, under the hypothesis that trophic niche overlap increases with species richness.

We sampled dung beetles in protected native forests and four land uses (pine plantations, agroforestry parklands, silvo‐pastoral systems and open pastures), using seven potential food sources (monkey, feline, tapir and deer dung, decomposing fruit, decomposing fungi and carrion). The species richness of each habitat, the trophic niche overlap and the relation between both measures were analysed. Also, we explored species trophic preferences in each habitat to explain and discuss the results obtained in trophic niche overlap measures.

As expected, our results showed a positive relation between species richness and trophic niche overlap. Moreover, the addition of different resources in open habitats did not increase species richness, suggesting that resource availability may not be the main mechanism explaining the empoverished dung beetle community observed in open habitats. Other mechanisms, such as physiological restrictions, may play a role in limiting the use of these habitats. Studies on the mechanisms leading to the patterns of species abundance and diversity observed in land uses are necessary to propose management recommendations that increase the sustainability of open habitats.
Tepid massage for febrile children: A systematic review and meta‐analysis
Authors: Lim Junghee , Kim Juyoung , Moon Bora , Kim Gaeun
Published: May 2018

Aim

This study aimed to examine the effect of tepid massage in febrile children comparing with other fever management.

Methods

Experimental studies published in English were included; quasi‐experimental research studies were also included in consideration of rare experimental studies in Korean. The search strategy sought to identify published research reports in the English language and covered all major databases up to 2016. The methodological quality of each study was assessed by 2 independent reviewers using a Scottish Intercollegiate Guidelines Network's Methodology Checklist. Means and standard deviations were used for continuous variables, and standardized mean difference was used for variables of different scales. Heterogeneity was assessed using the I2 statistics after visual reviewing with forest plots.

Results

This study reviewed mainly the effect of tepid massage on temperature compared with the use of antipyretics, along with other adverse effects in relation with fever management. The results revealed no significant effect of tepid massage on temperature in febrile children. In addition, incidence rates of adverse effects including chills, goose pimples, and discomfort were higher in tepid massage groups.

Conclusion

This meta‐analysis showed the need for re‐verification of commonly used practice including the use of tepid massage and proper body temperature measurement.
Do Women Ask?
Authors: Artz Benjamin , Goodall Amanda H. , Oswald Andrew J.
Published: May 2018

Females typically earn less than males. The reasons are not fully understood. This paper re‐examines the idea that women “don't ask,” which potentially assigns part of the responsibility for the gender pay gap onto female behavior. Such an account cannot readily be tested with standard datasets. This paper is the first to be able to use matched employer–employee data in which workers are questioned about their asking behavior. It concludes that males and females ask equally often for promotions and raises. The paper's empirical results suggest, however, that while women do now ask they “don't get.”
Rheology of simulated radioactive waste slurry and cold cap during vitrification
Authors: McCarthy Benjamin P. , George Jaime L. , Dixon Derek R. , Wheeler Michelle , Cutforth Derek A. , Hrma Pavel , Linn Diana , Chun Jaehun , Hujova Miroslava , Kruger Albert A. , Pokorny Richard
Published: May 2018

During the vitrification of radioactive waste in a Joule‐heated melter, aqueous melter feed slurry forms a cold cap, a reacting and melting material, which floats on the surface of the molten glass. The rheological behavior of the feed affects cold cap formation and shape, and is vital for modeling the feed‐to‐melt conversion process. We used slurry feed simulant and fast‐dried slurry solids representing the cold cap to investigate the rheological behavior of the feed as it transforms into glass. Both low‐temperature and high‐temperature rheometry were performed and a new scheme was applied to estimate the feed viscosity. This study shows that the conversion advances in four sequential stages that form distinct regions in the cold cap: (i) a fast‐spreading boiling slurry from which water evaporates, (ii) a porous solid region (viscosity > 108 Pa s) containing reacting solids and molten salts, (iii) a plastic region in which glass‐forming melt connects the refractory solids (~108 to ~106 Pa s), and (iv) a viscous foam layer in which the viscosity drops from ~105 to ~101 Pa s. The implications for the mathematical modeling of the cold cap are discussed.
Subnational Government and Transnational Networking: The Rationalist Logic of Local Level Europeanization
Authors: Huggins Christopher
Published: May 2018

The involvement of subnational actors in EU politics has become an increasingly recognized facet of European integration. However, this highlights an interesting puzzle: subnational authorities in unitary and centralized polities usually lack the formal competence and have limited resources to engage beyond their territorial limits. Why, then, do they engage at the European level? This article addresses this question by exploring their motivations for participation in European transnational networking. These motivations are assessed against a Europeanization framework, exploring whether subnational authorities adopt the ‘logic of consequentialism’ or the ‘logic of appropriateness’ when engaging in transnational networking. The article argues that subnational authorities are rational actors, maximizing the opportunities presented by the EU without subscribing to its normative aims. In a context marked by financial pressures and Brexit, these findings provide a useful foundation for analyzing the on‐going EU–local relationship, and for explaining changes to subnational authorities’ approaches to European engagement.
What difference do brain images make in US criminal trials?
Authors: Hardcastle Valerie Gray , Lamb Edward
Published: May 2018

One of the early concerns regarding the use of neuroscience data in criminal trials is that even if the brain images are ambiguous or inconclusive, they still might influence a jury in virtue of the fact that they appear easy to understand. By appearing visually simple, even though they are really statistically constructed maps with a host of assumptions built into them, a lay jury or a judge might take brain scans to be more reliable or relevant than they actually are. Should courts exclude brain scans for being more prejudicial than probative? Herein, we rehearse a brief history of brain scans admitted into criminal trials in the United States, then describe the results of a recent analysis of appellate court decisions that referenced 1 or more brain scans in the judicial decision. In particular, we aim to explain how courts use neuroscience imaging data: Do they interpret the data correctly? Does it seem that scans play an oversized role in judicial decision‐making? And have they changed how criminal defendants are judged? It is our hope that in answering these questions, clinicians and defence attorneys will be able to make better informed decisions regarding about how to manage those incarcerated.
Efficacy of a shower cream and a lotion with skin‐identical lipids in healthy subjects with atopic dry skin
Authors: Berardesca Enzo , Mortillo Susan , Cameli Norma , Ardigo Marco , Mariano Maria
Published: May 2018

Background

Atopic dermatitis is a chronic, pruritic inflammatory skin disease that adversely affects quality of life.

Aims

The current study evaluates the efficacy of a shower cream and a lotion, each with skin‐identical lipids and emollients, in the treatment of atopic dry skin of subjects with a history of atopic condition.

Methods

In all, 40 healthy females with clinically dry skin on the lower legs were enrolled in the study and underwent 4 weeks of daily use of the shower cream and 2 additional weeks of both the shower cream and the body lotion. Subjects were evaluated at day 0, week 4, and week 6. Skin barrier function was assessed by Tewameter®, skin hydration by Corneometer®, smoothness and desquamation by Visioscan®, and stratum corneum architecture by reflectance confocal microscopy (RCM). The investigator assessed the degree of dryness, roughness, redness, cracks, tingling and itch, and subjective self‐assessment evaluated the perception of skin soothing, smoothness, and softness.

Results

Skin barrier function and skin moisture maintenance were significantly improved using the shower cream. The lotion with physiological lipids, together with the shower cream, also improved skin barrier function and moisture. Both the shower cream and the body lotion reduced clinical dryness, roughness, redness, cracks, tingling and itch, according to the dermatologist, and increased soothing, smoothness, and softness, according to the subjects of the study.

Conclusion

The combination of a shower cream and a lotion with physiological lipids efficiently restores skin barrier function and increases skin hydration, becoming an effective skin‐care option for patients with atopic dry skin.
Clinical results after the implementation of cell‐free fetal DNA detection in maternal plasma
Authors: Martínez‐Payo Cristina , Bada‐Bosch Isabel , Martínez‐Moya María , Pérez‐Medina Tirso
Published: May 2018

Aim

Detection of cell‐free fetal DNA in maternal blood is a type of noninvasive prenatal diagnosis test (NIPT), which has already been known for some time but has not yet been introduced in most of public hospitals in Spain. How the implementation of cell‐free fetal DNA (cffDNA) in a contingent protocol has influenced the aneuploidy screening in our hospital is described.

Methods

Two cohorts of patients with positive combined screening were compared: the first one (years 2012–2013, 5747 patients) from a period of time in which the protocol valid until March 2016 – that included the use of invasive procedures – was applied; and the second one in which the current protocol – that included NIPT versus invasive procedures – was applied (first 7 months after protocol implementation, 898 patients).

Results

Comparison of both periods resulted in a 60.5% reduction of invasive procedures (P < 0,001) preserving the same chromosomopathy detection rate. The ratio of positive invasive procedures–indicated invasive procedures was improved by 15% in the first period to 50% in the second period (P = 0.01).

Conclusion

NIPT introduction has caused a significant reduction of 60.5% of IP in high chromosomopathy risk patients after combined screening without modifying detection rate.
Treponema denticola chymotrypsin‐like proteinase is present in early‐stage mobile tongue squamous cell carcinoma and related to the clinicopathological features
Authors: Listyarifah Dyah , Nieminen Mikko T. , Mäkinen Laura K. , Haglund Caj , Grenier Daniel , Häyry Valtteri , Nordström Dan , Hernandez Marcela , Yucel‐Lindberg Tülay , Tervahartiala Taina , Ainola Mari , Sorsa Timo , Hagström Jaana
Published: May 2018

Background

Certain periodontopathogenic bacteria have been linked to cancers. Treponema denticola (Td) is associated with severe periodontitis. Chymotrypsin‐like proteinase (CTLP), a major virulence factor of Td, can degrade various host proteins and peptides, and modulate inflammatory responses. However, the role of Td in the tongue carcinogenesis remains unknown. This study aimed to investigate the presence of Td‐CTLP in early‐stage mobile tongue squamous cell carcinoma (MTSCC) and its relation to clinical and pathological characteristics.

Methods

The immunopositivity of Td‐CTLP was assessed in samples obtained from 60 patients with MTSCC and associated with their clinicopathological data. Additionally, Td‐CTLP expression was compared with immunoexpression of matrix metalloproteinases (MMP‐8 and MMP‐9), toll‐like receptors (TLR‐2, TLR‐4, TLR‐7 and TLR‐9), c‐Myc, Ki‐67, Bmi‐1 and Snail.

Results

Treponema denticola‐chymotrypsin‐like proteinase was present in 95% of MTSCC tumours of which many (40.4%) showed high immunopositivity. Td‐CTLP positivity was significantly associated with invasion depth, tumour diameter and the expression of TLR‐7, TLR‐9 and c‐Myc. High Td‐CTLP immunopositivity in younger patients (≤ 60 years old) predicted early relapse.

Conclusion

Our data indicate that Td and its CTLP are present in early‐stage MTSCC carcinoma and may contribute to carcinogenesis, and therefore provide novel perspectives into intervention and therapeutic measures of MTSCC.
Professional sporting events and traffic: Evidence from U.S. cities
Authors: Humphreys Brad R. , Pyun Hyunwoong
Published: May 2018

Sporting events concentrate people in facilities on game day. No evidence currently exists linking sporting events to traffic conditions. We analyze urban mobility data from 25 metropolitan areas with Major League Baseball (MLB) teams over the period 1990–2014. MLB‐related travel accounts for at most 0.5 percent of annual metropolitan area vehicle‐miles traveled (VMT). Instrumental variable regression results indicate MLB attendance causes an increase of about 5 million VMT, about 28,000 additional annual hours of traffic delay, and over $7 million annually in social costs from CO2 emissions in host cities. MLB games generate congestion externalities.
Evaluation of a paediatric clinical ethics service
Authors: Jansen Melanie A , Schlapbach Luregn J , Irving Helen
Published: May 2018

Aim

To evaluate a paediatric clinical ethics service incorporating both normative and empirical analysis.

Methods

Section 1: Review of consensus guidelines to identify emerging standards for clinical ethics services (CES) and evaluation of the service in relation to these. Section 2: Description of service activity data. Section 3: Feedback from clinical staff involved in clinical ethics consultations was collected using a web‐based survey.

Results

Four guideline documents were reviewed, and clear emerging consensus standards were identified. Our service fulfils identified knowledge and skill core competencies and at least partially fulfils all of the identified service‐level standards. Clinicians report that clinical ethics consultation decreases their moral distress.

Conclusions

There is emerging consensus for staff competencies and service‐level standards for CES. The role of CES in staff well‐being needs to be explored. Collaborative, multi‐modal research to develop standards and evaluate CES is needed.
From Prophecy to Practice: Mutual Selection Cycles in the Routinization of Charismatic Authority
Authors: Schoon Eric W. , West A. Joseph
Published: May 2018

We examine how culture and structure intersect in mediating competing claims to authority during the routinization of charisma. Using archival data, we trace the mechanisms of routinization in the early Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints during the succession crisis that followed the death of the prophet Joseph Smith in 1844, which resulted in the ascension of a new leader and shaped the institutional development of the religion. Combining in‐depth historical analysis and social network analysis, we identify key processes that led to the ultimate resolution of the crisis. These processes show that the way church members interpreted and enacted prophecies and theological teachings directly affected social networks within the community. In turn, this increased the importance of these particular teachings within the community and in the religious organization in a cycle that shaped the social mechanisms of the crisis resolution. Generalizing our findings, we introduce the concept of mutual selection cycles as a framework for explaining how prophecy and practice interact in institutionalizing charismatic authority.
Assessing the Impact of Religious Registration
Authors: Finke Roger , Mataic Dane R , Fox Jonathan
Published: May 2018

Religious groups often rely on a registration process to receive the legal status needed to operate openly. Yet, the registration process has become a recent source of controversy. This research uses case studies, trend data from three global collections, and fixed effects models using 19 waves of data to test for the consequences of introducing registration requirements within a nation. The case studies help us to understand the controversies and to identify how registration requirements have been used to increase restrictions on religions in the past, while the trend data document the increasing use of these requirements for discriminating against religions. Finally, the fixed effects models find that introducing registration requirements within a nation was followed by increased religious restrictions, especially for minority religions.
Balanced Bootstrap Joint Confidence Bands for Structural Impulse Response Functions
Authors: Bruder Stefan , Wolf Michael
Published: May 2018

Constructing joint confidence bands for structural impulse response functions based on a VAR model is a difficult task because of the non‐linear nature of such functions. We propose new joint confidence bands that cover the entire true structural impulse response function up to a chosen maximum horizon with a pre‐specified probability (1−α), at least asymptotically. Such bands are based on a certain bootstrap procedure from the multiple testing literature. We compare the finite‐sample properties of our method with those of existing methods via extensive Monte Carlo simulations. We also investigate the effect of endogenizing the lag order in our bootstrap procedure on the finite‐sample properties. Furthermore, an empirical application to a real dataset is provided.
Chaucer and the future of world literature
Authors: Warren Michelle R.
Published: May 2018

Translations of Geoffrey Chaucer's The Canterbury Tales raise timely questions for World Literature and the discipline of Comparative Literature. Chaucer exemplifies tensions at the heart of literary study under globalization: local particularities are highly valued in a global marketplace even as global circulation demands universal appeal. This afterword explores this tension by assessing Chaucer's place in World Literature anthologies alongside references to the World Literature canon in this cluster of essays about The Canterbury Tales. The conclusion proposes Ngũgĩ wa Thiong'o's concept of globalectics as a path forward for medieval literature within Comparative Literature.
Illustrating Chaucer in Denmark 1943–1958: Artistry and visual interpretation
Authors: Klitgård Ebbe
Published: May 2018

In this chapter, five Danish Chaucer publications from the period 1943–1958 are treated, with a special emphasis on the illustrations. First, it is noted that the most significant Danish translation of Chaucer's Canterbury Tales, Børge Johansen's Geoffrey Chaucer: Canterburyfortællingerne I–II from 1958, does not contain illustrations, which is well in line with the fact that both the translation and the preface place Chaucer in a somewhat highbrow literary context. In contrast, the other four translations are richly illustrated, often foregrounding erotic elements in the tales. This is particularly true of Ludmilla Balfour's illustrations accompanying Boisen's prose translation of The Canterbury Tales from 1952 and Erik Christensen's woodcuts in a de luxe edition of three tales, translated by Jørgen Sonne in 1949/1950. I show how the illustrations generally support the interpretation of the tales and even at points enter into a dialog with the content. Thus, my analysis shows how Ib Spang Olsen in 1946 underlines the death motif in his illustrations of Thorbjørnsen's De tre drikkebrødre (), her translation of Chaucer's Pardoner's Tale. Also Poul Christensen, with his simple depiction of The Wife of Bath's life with five husbands, well supports Flemming Bergsøe's elegant poetic translation of Chaucer's probably best known tale.
Nursing students’ experience with fall risk assessment in older adults
Authors: Patton Susan Kane , Henry Leah Jean
Published: May 2018

The purpose of this study was to examine the perceptions of nursing students regarding barriers and facilitators to integrating falls risk evaluation and management into practice as well as effective strategies for learning falls prevention. The qualitative research method of thematic analysis was adopted to collect data through semi‐structured interviews with senior nursing students. Open and axial coding was used to analyze the data and those with greatest support generated final categories. Thematic analysis identified five central themes (learning to do a fall risk assessment, addressing health beliefs of older adults, barriers to fall assessment, and overcoming barriers) that describe nursing student perceptions of incorporating fall prevention into practice. Results of this study indicate that an online program enhanced with opportunity for hands‐on practice provides an effective strategy for learning fall prevention that can be incorporated into nursing practice. Further research is needed to understand how to overcome barriers to integrating fall prevention into practice.
Efficacy of needleless transcutaneous electroacupuncture in synchronization with breathing for symptomatic idiopathic gastroparesis: A blinded and controlled acute treatment trial
Authors: Song G. , Sun Y. , Bashashati M. , Quezada A. , Sigaroodi S. , Sarosiek I. , Chen J. D. Z. , McCallum R. W.
Published: May 2018

Background

Needleless transcutaneous electroacupuncture (TEA) improves nausea and myoelectrical activity in diabetic gastroparesis (GP). Synchronized TEA (STEA), which combines synchronized breathing with TEA, is more potent than TEA in enhancing vagal activity in healthy subjects.

Aims

To investigate whether STEA improves symptoms, electrogastrogram (EGG) and vagal activity in idiopathic gastroparesis (IGP).

Methods

Eighteen IGP subjects underwent 2 randomized visits (sham at non‐acupoints or real STEA at acupoints) consisted of a 30‐minute baseline, an Ensure challenge to provoke nausea, followed by 60‐minute treatment with sham or real STEA, and 15‐minute observation period. Severity of nausea, EGG, and vagal activity (based on electrocardiogram and serum Pancreatic Polypeptide, PP) were recorded.

Results

In sham or STEA, the nausea scores of 2.7 ± 0.5 and 1.9 ± 0.5 at fasting baseline, respectively, increased to 5.9 ± 0.4 and 5.8 ± 0.3 during Ensure test (P < .05, vs baseline), subsequently reduced to 3.4 ± 0.6 with sham or 3.6 ± 0.6 with STEA, respectively (P < .05, vs Ensure period). Experiments with sham and STEA started with similar % of normal waves on EGG (66.4 ± 3.9 and 61.8 ± 3.0, respectively); decreased to 63. 5 ± 4.1 and 58.2 ± 2.8 during the Ensure test. After STEA, there was ~24% increase in % of normal waves, significantly different from the sham (6.0%) (P < .01). In sham or STEA, vagal activity was identical at baseline and after the Ensure. STEA induced a 3‐fold increase in vagal activity compared with sham (P < .01). Ensure increased serum PP levels, and both treatments decreased the PP

Conclusions

In IGP, STEA is not superior to Sham in decreasing nausea, but is more effective in improving gastric dysrhythmia.
Cannabinoids and gastrointestinal motility: Pharmacology, clinical effects, and potential therapeutics in humans
Authors: Camilleri M.
Published: May 2018

Background

Cannabinoid agents and cannabis are frequently used for relief of diverse gastrointestinal symptoms.

Purpose

The objective of this article is to increase the awareness of gastroenterologists to the effects of cannabinoids on gastrointestinal motility, as gastroenterologists are likely to encounter patients who are taking cannabinoids, or those with dysmotility that may be associated with cannabinoid mechanisms. The non‐selective cannabinoid agonist, dronabinol, retards gastric emptying and inhibits colonic tone and phasic pressure activity. In addition to the well‐recognized manifestations of cannabinoid hyperemesis, cannabinoid mechanisms result in human and animal models of gastrointestinal and colonic dysmotility. Decreased enteric FAAH activity is associated with colonic inertia in slow transit constipation and, conversely, the orphan G protein‐coupled receptor, GPR55, is overexpressed in streptozotocin‐induced gastroparesis, suggesting it is involved in inhibition of antral motility. Experimental therapies in gastrointestinal motility and functional disorders are focused predominantly on pain relief mediated through cannabinoid 2 receptors or inhibition of DAGLα to normalize colonic transit. In summary, cannabinoid mechanisms and pharmacology are relevant to the current and future practice of clinical gastroenterology.
Genetic influences on musical specialization: a twin study on choice of instrument and music genre
Authors: Mosing Miriam A. , Ullén Fredrik
Published: May 2018

Though several studies show that genetic factors influence individual differences in musical engagement, aptitude, and achievement, no study to date has investigated whether specialization among musically active individuals in terms of choice of instrument and genre is heritable. Using a large twin cohort, we explored whether individual differences in instrument choice, instrument category, and the type of music individuals engage in can entirely be explained by the environment or are partly due to genetic influences. About 10,000 Swedish twins answered an extensive questionnaire about music‐related traits, including information on the instrument and genre they played. Of those, 1259 same‐sex twin pairs reported to either play an instrument or sing. We calculated the odds ratios (ORs) for concordance in music choices (if both twins played) comparing identical and nonidentical twin pairs, with significant ORs indicating that identical twins are more likely to engage in the same type of music‐related behavior than are nonidentical twins. The results showed that for almost all music‐related variables, the odds were significantly higher for identical twins to play the same musical instrument or music genre, suggesting significant genetic influences on such music specialization. Possible interpretations and implications of the findings are discussed.
An examination of refreshing in between‐category sequences
Authors: Langerock Naomi , Wisniewski David , Brass Marcel , Vergauwe Evie
Published: May 2018

The present study focused on refreshing within a working memory (WM) context. Refreshing refers to the mechanism that brings back information into the focus of attention in order to counteract forgetting of memory traces. Despite some research on this topic, the exact nature of refreshing remains unclear. The present study investigated refreshing by means of the cognitive load (CL) effect. This effect is typically observed in complex span tasks, which combine processing and storage demands. It refers to the observation that WM performance depends on the CL of concurrent processing, defined as the proportion of time between list items that is occupied by concurrent processing and therefore not available to refresh memory items. Traditionally, the CL effect has been demonstrated using within‐category memory sequences in which all memory items are drawn from one category (e.g., all words). Here, we show that the CL effect also applies to between‐category memory sequences in which memory items are drawn from different categories (e.g., words, orientations, faces, etc.). The ensemble of the results adds to the domain‐generality of the CL effect. Implications concerning the specific nature of refreshing and future research directions are discussed.
Formalization and consistency heighten organizational rule following: Experimental and survey evidence
Authors: Borry Erin L. , DeHart‐Davis Leisha , Kaufmann Wesley , Merritt Cullen C. , Mohr Zachary , Tummers Lars
Published: May 2018

This study examines the attributes of organizational rules that influence rule following. Rule following fosters organizational effectiveness by aligning individual behaviours with organizational preference. While a range of theoretical explanations have been offered for rule following, the characteristics of rule design and implementation have received less empirical attention. Borrowing from the green tape theory of effective rules, this study examines the influence of two particular characteristics—rule formalization and rule consistency—on rule following. Three studies, which include two vignette experiments and a survey of two local government organizations, provide the data for the research. The results suggest that rule formalization and rule consistency independently increase rule following, with mixed evidence of interaction effects. The broad implication is that public managers must attend to both rule design and implementation to foster organizational rule following.
Quantitative trait loci mapping of forage agronomic traits in six mapping populations derived from European elite maize germplasm
Authors: Leng Pengfei , Ouzunova Milena , Landbeck Matthias , Wenzel Gerhard , Eder Joachim , Darnhofer Birte , Lübberstedt Thomas
Published: May 2018

Four agronomic traits were analysed including dry matter concentration (DMC) and dry matter yield (DMY) for stover, plant height (PHT) and days from planting to silking (DPS). We mapped quantitative trait loci (QTL) in three populations with doubled haploid lines (DHL), one RIL population and two testcross (TC) populations derived from crosses between two of the four populations mentioned above to elite tester lines, based on field phenotyping at multiple locations and years for each; 146–168 SSRs were used for genotyping of the four mapping populations. Significant high phenotypic and genotypic correlations were found for all traits at two locations, while DMC was negatively correlated with the other traits. A total of 42, 41, 54, and 45 QTL were identified for DMC, DMY, PHT, and DPS, respectively, with 9, 7, 12, and 7 major QTL for each trait. Most detected QTL displayed significant interactions with environment. Major QTL detected in more than two populations will contribute to marker‐assisted breeding and also to fine mapping candidate genes associated with maize agronomic traits.
Paroxysmal complete atrioventricular block in pediatric heart transplant recipients following cardiac catheterization: A case series
Authors: Magnetta Defne A. , Feingold Brian , Beerman Lee B. , Blasiole Brian , Arora Gaurav
Published: May 2018

Late‐onset paroxysmal AVB has been described as a rare complication after HT and has been associated with AR or CAV. We describe 4 pediatric HT recipients who developed paroxysmal AVB hours after routine cardiac catheterization in the absence of AR, CAV, or underlying conduction system disease. Four pediatric HT recipients who were >1 year post‐transplant had episodes of paroxysmal AVB hours after surveillance cardiac catheterization with EMB. Telemetry demonstrated high‐grade block, ranging from 2:1 AVB to complete AVB without ventricular escape for several seconds. None of the patients had significant AR or rapidly progressive CAV. Supplemental testing did not reveal underlying conduction system disease. Three of the 4 patients received permanent pacemakers, although subsequent interrogations showed minimal ventricular pacing. These pediatric HT recipients had paroxysmal AVB hours after cardiac catheterization in the absence of significant AR, CAV, or underlying conduction system disease. Subsequent pacemaker interrogations showed minimal ventricular pacing, suggesting these were isolated episodes. These cases suggest that mechanisms in addition to AR and CAV may cause paroxysmal AVB in pediatric HT recipients, warranting further investigation.
Behavioral health care in solid organ transplantation in a pediatric setting
Authors: Thomson Katharine , McKenna Kristine , Bedard‐Thomas Katherine , Oliva Melisa , Ibeziako Patricia
Published: May 2018

This study examined the demographic, medical, and psychiatric characteristics of transplant patients across organ groups seen by transplant psychology/psychiatry clinicians at a pediatric institution between 2008 and 2014. Chart reviews were conducted to better understand the behavioral health care provided to SOT patients and the role of transplant‐dedicated psychology and psychiatry clinicians. Transplant psychology/psychiatry was consulted a total of 1060 times on 399 unique SOT patients over a 6‐year period. There were no significant differences in the distribution of age, sex, or ethnicity across organ groups. Common reasons for a consultation included pretransplant evaluation, anxiety, depression, agitation, and general coping. Rates varied by organ groups. Twenty percent of consults also received a psychopharmacological evaluation, with differences in rates between organ groups. Roughly one‐third of patients required high frequency of transplant psychology/psychiatry involvement. Lung and heart patients had the highest utilization. Psychiatric diagnosis rates were identified, with adjustment (41.0%) and anxiety disorders (30.1%) being the most common. Pediatric psychology and psychiatry clinicians offer developmentally informed biopsychosocial approaches to treatment for SOT patients. Clarifying the prevalence and nature of behavioral health care provided by organ group can help pediatric providers better understand appropriate psychosocial interventions and resources utilized by this patient population and ultimately guide centers toward a more unified approach to care.
Should Government Go It Alone or With a Partner? A Comparison of Outcomes from a Work Release Program Using Different Policy Tools
Authors: Jung Haeil , Malatesta Deanna , LaLonde Robert J.
Published: May 2018

This article compares labor market outcomes from two different approaches to a work release program in Illinois: direct provision by a government and a purchase‐of‐service (POS) contract between government and a public charity. Significantly better employment and earnings outcomes were associated with the POS contract. To better understand the reasons for the success of the POS contract, the authors further examined the specific terms of the contract, organizational expertise, and the political context of POS contracts. The results are organized according to the main theoretical assertions. Findings add to the weight of evidence that contractors, like public charities, can be valuable government partners for addressing challenging social policies and programs.
Glacier mapping in the Cordillera Blanca, Peru, tropical Andes, using Sentinel‐2 and Landsat data
Authors: Veettil Bijeesh K
Published: May 2018

Sentinel‐2 images were used for mapping debris‐free glaciers for the first time in Cordillera Blanca. Landsat‐8 and Sentinel‐2 data were compared for glacier area estimation in 2016, obtaining comparable results. It was observed that normalized difference snow index method for glacier mapping using MSI data is less sensitive to cast shadows and steep terrain compared with Landsat data. Estimated total glacier areas in 1975, 1994, and 2016 were 726 ± 20.3 km2, 576.9 ± 15.1 km2 and 482.8 ± 7.4 km2, respectively. Glacier area in 2016 using Landsat was slightly lower (475.7 ± 16.8 km2) compared to the area estimated using MSI data. Observed glacier shrinkage between 1975 and 2016 was 33.5 per cent, which is lower compared to observed glacier area loss in the eastern cordilleras of Peru. Glacier shrinkage was higher at northern and northeastern slopes (47.9 per cent and 48.1 per cent, respectively) compared to the south‐western slopes (11.1 per cent).
Presynaptic inhibition decreases when estrogen level rises
Authors: Hoffman M. A. , Doeringer J. R. , Norcross M. F. , Johnson S. T. , Chappell P. E.
Published: May 2018

The objective was to determine estrogen's influence on control of a skeletal muscle through measurements of motorneuron excitability (H:M ratio) and presynaptic inhibition (PI). Estrogen serum concentrations were measured at menses and ovulation of female subjects and compared to male controls. Data were analyzed from 12 women and 13 men reporting no history of knee ligament injury. Women reported regular menstrual cycles and no hormone‐based contraceptive use for the previous year. Women were tested at menses (Time1) and ovulation (Time2). Men were tested twice, approximately 14 days apart. Analysis indicated no difference in the H:M ratio between the sexes at either time point. A significant difference for the sexes was detected in the magnitude of estrogen change (∆EST) between observations. At Time1, the male and female estrogen concentrations were not different; however, they were different at Time2, primarily due to the large rise observed in the women. A significant difference between the sexes was also seen in the magnitude of change for PI (∆PI) between observations. As with EST, the levels of PI between the sexes at Time1 were not different; however, a difference existed at Time 2. Estrogen interacts with GABA at several nervous system locations affecting inhibition of synaptic transmission. This is the first study to investigate changes in PI of a skeletal muscle between times of low and high estrogen. Improving the understanding of estrogen's influence on skeletal muscles may provide answers to why noncontact anterior cruciate ligament injuries of the knee occur more frequently in women.
Epidemiological evaluation of Leishmania infantum zoonotic transmission risk in the recently established endemic area of Northwestern Italy
Authors: Ferroglio E. , Battisti E. , Zanet S. , Bolla C. , Concialdi E. , Trisciuoglio A. , Khalili S. , Biglino A.
Published: May 2018

Leishmania infantum infection had been expanding into new areas due to changes in vector and host biology. Zoonotic visceral leishmaniasis has become endemic in previously unsuitable areas as vectors find favourable climatic conditions and an increasing number of reservoir dogs are moved between traditionally and new endemic areas. Monitoring vector and disease expansion in areas of recent colonization is needed to understand transmission mechanisms and patterns of disease establishment. Here, we studied the infection status of 815 human blood donors and of 803 sympatric dogs from five, newly endemic, areas in Northwestern Italy. In autochthonous dogs, the seroprevalence of anti‐L. infantum antibodies, recorded by Western blot, reached 42.22%, while in humans, the seroprevalence was of 16.81%. No significant correlation between the infection status of dogs and that of their human owners was found, but L. infantum infection was recorded in the different study areas with significant levels of diversity. Restriction fragment length polymorphism showed a high genetic variability of the circulating strains and gave useful insights on patterns of disease establishment into a naïve area.
Heat Acclimation by Postexercise Hot-Water Immersion: Reduction of Thermal Strain During Morning and Afternoon Exercise-Heat Stress After Morning Hot-Water Immersion
Authors: Zurawlew Michael J. , Mee Jessica A. , Walsh Neil P.
Published: May 2018

Purpose:Recommendations state that to acquire the greatest benefit from heat-acclimation, the clock time of heat-acclimation sessions should match that of expected exercise-heat stress. It remains unknown if adaptations by postexercise hot-water immersion (HWI) demonstrate time-of-day-dependent adaptations. Thus, the authors examined whether adaptations following postexercise HWI completed in the morning were present during morning and afternoon exercise-heat stress.Methods:Ten males completed an exercise-heat stress test commencing in the morning (9:45 AM) and afternoon (2:45 PM; 40 min; 65% of maximal oxygen uptake treadmill run) before and after heat-acclimation. The 6-d heat-acclimation intervention involved a daily 40-min treadmill run (65% of maximal oxygen uptake) in temperate conditions followed by ≤40-min HWI (40°C; 6:30–11:00 AM).Results:Adaptations by 6-d postexercise HWI in the morning were similar in the morning and afternoon. Reductions in resting rectal temperature (Tre) (AM −0.34°C [0.24°C], PM −0.27°C [0.23°C];P = .002),Treat sweating onset (AM −0.34°C [0.24°C], PM −0.31°C [0.25°C];P = .001), and end-exerciseTre(AM −0.47°C [0.33°C], PM −0.43°C [0.29°C];P = .001), heart rate (AM −14 [7] beats·min−1, PM −13 [6] beats·min−1;P < .01), rating of perceived exertion (P = .01), and thermal sensation (P = .005) were not different in the morning compared with the afternoon.Conclusion:Morning heat acclimation by postexercise HWI induced adaptations at rest and during exercise-heat stress in the morning and midafternoon.
Eliciting Higher Maximal and Submaximal Cardiorespiratory Responses During a New Taekwondo-Specific Aerobic Test
Authors: Hausen Matheus , Soares Pedro Paulo , Araujo Marcus Paulo , Esteves Débora , Julio Hilbert , Tauil Roberto , Junca Marcus , Porto Flávia , Franchini Emerson , Bridge Craig Alan , Gurgel Jonas
Published: May 2018

Purpose: To propose and validate new taekwondo-specific cardiopulmonary exercise tests. Methods: Twelve male national-level taekwondo athletes (age 20 [2] y, body mass 67.5 [5.7] kg, height 175 [8] cm, and training experience 7 [3] y) performed 3 separate exercise tests in a randomized counterbalanced order: (1) a treadmill running cardiopulmonary exercise test (CPET) and (2) continuous and (3) interval taekwondo-specific cardiopulmonary exercise tests (cTKDet and iTKDet, respectively). The CPET was administered using an individualized ramp protocol. Taekwondo tests comprised sequences of turning kicks performed on a stationary target. The impacts were recorded via an electronic scoring sensor used in official competition. Stages on the cTKDet and iTKDet lasted 1 min and progressively reduced the kick interval duration. These were guided by a sound signal, starting with 4.6 s between kicks and reducing by 0.4 s every minute until the test ended. Oxygen uptake (), heart rate (HR), capillary blood lactate, and ratings of perceived exertion were measured. Results: Modest differences were identified in between the tests (F2,22 = 3.54; P = .046; effect size [ES] = 0.16). Maximal HR (HRmax) was higher during both taekwondo tests (F2,22 = 14.3; P = .001; ES = 1.14) compared with CPET. Specific tests also yielded higher responses in the first ventilatory threshold (F2,22 = 6.5; P = .04; ES = 0.27) and HR (F2,22 = 12.3; P < .001; ES = 1.06), and HR at the second ventilatory threshold (F2,22 = 5.7; P = .02; ES = 0.72). Conclusions: Taekwondo-specific cardiopulmonary tests enhance the validity of some cardiopulmonary responses and might therefore be considered to optimize routine diagnostic testing and training prescription for this athletic group.