bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Assessment of mechanical and fire resistance for hybrid nano-clay and steel fibres concrete at different curing ages
Authors: Shalby Ola Bakr , Elkady Hala Mohamed , Nasr Elsayed Abdel Raouf , Kohail Mohamed
Published: December 2019

Purpose

Nano-Clay (NC) is reported as a candidate partial replacement for cement, due to its abundance and relatively low cost - beside reported promotion of different concrete properties. On the other hand, Steel Fibres (SF) has proven to have a positive effect on post fire exposure residual strength of concrete. This paper aims to present the outcomes of a comprehensive research program assessing a hybrid mix between NC and SF in concrete mixtures (NCSF-CRETE).

Design/methodology/approach

Physical chemical and physical characterization of NC is performed using different tools as XRF spectrometer, and TEM micrograph. Fresh concrete properties of NSCF-CRETE as slump and air content are investigated. Enhancement in permeability using NSCF is verified by comparing its resistance to the penetration of chlorides resistance with regular concrete mix. Besides, the proposed NCSF-CRETE compressive strength is evaluated compared to mixes with NC and SF each used separately at different curing ages. Besides, NSCF and compared mixes are exposed to an indirect fire testing program – two hours exposure – for: 300, 450 and 600°C. Degradation in compressive strength was investigated after exposure to different temperatures and percentage of residual strength is reported.

Findings

Results indicated an improved performance of NCSF -CRETE of about 40% compared to regular concrete in compressive strength at normal conditions. This improvement extended to its behavior when subjected to indirect fire exposure NSCF also maintained 40% more strength than the residual in regular concrete mix – which suffered severe damage – after 2 h exposure to 600°C.

Originality/value

Using NCSF-Crete allows retrofitting the structure after exposure to such drastic conditions.
How trainee hospital doctors lead work-based projects
Authors: Snelling Iain , Benson Lawrence Adrian , Chambers Naomi
Published: December 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to explore how trainee hospital doctors led work-based projects undertaken on an accredited development programme in England.

Design/methodology/approach

This is a case study of a leadership programme for hospital-based specialty trainees. The programme included participants leading work-based projects which were submitted for academic accreditation. Accounts of 35 work-based projects were thematically analysed to explore how participants led their projects.

Findings

Leadership was often informal and based on a series of individual face-to-face conversations. The establishment of project teams and the use of existing communication processes were often avoided. The reasons for this approach included lack of opportunities to arrange meetings, fear of conflict in meetings and the personal preferences of the participants. The authors discuss these findings with reference to theory and evidence about conversations and informal leadership, highlighting the relevance of complexity theory.

Research limitations/implications

The data are limited and drawn from the best accounts written for a specific educational context. There is therefore limited transferability to the leadership work of hospital-based specialty trainees in general. Future research into medical leadership might explore the micro practices of leadership and change, particularly in informal settings.

Practical implications

Leadership development programmes for trainee hospital doctors might concentrate on developing skills of conversation, particularly where there are or may be perceived power imbalances. Exploring conversations within the theory of complex responsive processes should be considered for inclusion in programmes.

Originality/value

This paper adds some detail to the general understanding of learning leadership in practice.
An algorithmic approach to the multiple impact of a disk in a corner
Authors: Fassino Claudia , Pasquero Stefano
Published: December 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to present and analyze the iterative rules determining the impulsive behavior of a rigid disk having a single or possibly multiple frictionless impact with two walls forming a corner.

Design/methodology/approach

In the first part, two theoretical iterative rules are presented for the cases of ideal impact and Newtonian frictionless impact with global dissipation index. In the second part, a numerical version of both the theoretical algorithms is presented.

Findings

The termination analysis of the algorithms differentiates the two cases: in the ideal case, it is shown that the algorithm always terminates and the disk exits from the corner after a finite number of steps independently of the initial impact velocity of the disk and the angle formed by the walls; in the non-idealcase, although is not proved that the disk exits from the corner in a finite number of steps, it is shown that its velocity decreases to zero, so that the termination of the algorithm can be fixed through an “almost at rest” condition. It is shown that the stable version of the algorithm is more robust than the theoretical ones with respect to noisy initial data and floating point arithmetic computation. The outputs of the stable and theoretical versions of the algorithms are compared, showing that they are similar, even if not coincident, outputs. Moreover, the outputs of the stable version of the algorithm in some meaningful cases are graphically presented and discussed.

Originality/value

The paper clarifies the applicability of theoretical methods presented in Pasquero (2018) by analyzing the paradigmatic case of the disk in the corner.
Optimization of lupine (Lupinus albus L.) composition, feed moisture content and barrel temperatures for best quality maize based extruded snack food
Authors: Adem Muhammed , J.A. Sadik , Worku Admasu , Neela Satheesh
Published: December 2019

Purpose

This paper aims to optimize feed moisture contents, barrel temperatures, blending ratios of maize and lupine for processing of protein-rich best quality extruded product using a twin-screw extruder.

Design/methodology/approach

A three-factor three-level response surface methodology by Box-Behnken Design was applied to evaluate the effect of selected processing conditions of blending ratios of lupine (10-20 per cent), barrel temperatures (120°C-150°C) and feed moisture content (14-18 per cent) on functional, nutritional and sensory characteristics of produced snack food.

Findings

The results of functional properties such as radial expansion ratio, bulk density, water absorption index, water solubility index observed as 0.71-1.2, 0.33-0.92 g/cc, 4.4-6.4 per cent and 10.2-15.1 per cent, respectively. The snack food showed the moisture 5.6-7.2 per cent, protein 8.1-18.1 per cent, fiber 1.6-2.7 per cent, ash 1.6-2.2 per cent and carbohydrate 64.8-81.4 per cent. The independent variables (lupine blending ratio, barrel temperature and feed moisture content) posed significant effects on expansion ration (p= 0.0030), bulk density (p= 0.0026), water absorption index (p= 0.0075) and water-solubility index (p= 0.0116). Higher blending ratio of lupine was increase in the bulk density and water solubility index, but decrease in expansion ratio and water absorption index of snack food. Higher feed moisture content was led to a reduction in expansion ratio and water-soluble index of snack food. Whereas, higher feed moisture contents was lead to rise in bulk density and water absorption index. Fiber (p= 0.0145), ash (p= 0.0343) and carbohydrate (p= 0.0001) contents were significantly depended on blending ratio. Blending of lupine 15.06 per cent, barrel temperature of 150 °C and feed moisture content of 14.0 per cent produced the snack food with desirability value of 72.8 per cent.

Originality/value

Protein malnutrition is one of the major problems in child development in under developed countries including Ethiopia. Maize is a top producer in the country but least appreciated for cost. Lupine is one of the undervalued produce consumed in Ethiopia after boiling. Still data on the utilization of maize and lupine in the extruded snack preparation was very limited. Optimization of moisture and barrel temperatures for this snack was not reported clearly yet.
Removal of acetaminophen (ACT) from aqueous solution by using nanosilica adsorbent: experimental study, kinetic and isotherm modeling
Authors: Eslami Akbar , Goodarzvand Chegini Zahra , Khashij Maryam , Mehralian Mohammad , Hashemi Marjan
Published: December 2019

Purpose

A nanosilica adsorbent was prepared and characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD) and BET.

Design/methodology/approach

The optimum conditions for the highest adsorption performance were determined by kinetic modeling. The adsorbent was used for the adsorption of acetaminophen (ACT), and the parameters affecting the adsorption were discussed like pH, initial concentration, contact time and adsorbent dosage. The adsorbent have been characterized by SEM, XRD and BET analysis. The kinetic models including pseudo-first-order and pseudo-second-order with Langmuir and Freundlich isotherm models were applied to investigate the kinetic and isotherms parameters.

Findings

The adsorption of ACT increased to around 95% with the increase of nanosilica concentration to 30 g/L. Moreover, the adsorption process of ACT follows the pseudo-second-order kinetics and the Langmuir isotherm with the maximum adsorption capacity of 609 mg/g.

Practical implications

This study provided a simple and effective way to prepare of nanoadsorbents. This way was conductive to protect environmental and subsequent application for removal of emerging pollutants from aqueous solutions.

Originality/value

The novelty of the study is synthesizing the morphological and structural properties of nanosilica-based adsorbent (specific surface area, pore volume and size, shape and capability) and improving its removal rate through optimizing the synthesis method; and studying the capability of synthesis of nanosilica-based adsorbent for removal of ACT as a main emerging pharmaceutical water contaminant.
Are universities left‐wing bastions? The political orientation of professors, professionals, and managers in Europe
Authors: van de Werfhorst Herman G.
Published: December 2019

Universities are accused of being left‐wing bastions, unwelcoming to conservative and right‐wing professors. However, we know little about the political orientation of professors in comparison to other professionals, which would be the right comparison group if we want to know whether universities are potentially hostile environments to conservatives. Examining culturally and economically oriented political orientations in Europe, it is demonstrated that professors are more liberal and left‐leaning than other professionals. However, there is no greater homogeneity of political orientations among the professoriate relative to other specific professions, suggesting that there is a diversity of opinions which is similar to what professionals would find in other occupations. One exception concerns attitudes towards immigration, on which professors have more liberal orientations and comparatively low residual variance around that more liberal mean. Importantly, the difference between professors and other professionals is not so clear within graduates from the social sciences, but emerges more clearly among graduates with a medical, STEM, economics or law degree. An important political cleavage exists between professionals and managers, a group of similar social standing.
A Pilot Study on the Diagnosis of Fatal Electrocution by the Detection of Myocardial Microhemorrhages
Authors: Gentile Guendalina , Andreola Salvatore , Bailo Paolo , Boracchi Michele , Fociani Paolo , Piccinini Andrea , Zoja Riccardo
Published: December 2019

In electrocutions, death may be caused by alterations in the heart conduction system provoking ventricular fibrillation. This study aims to identify histological cardiac markers of high‐ and low‐voltage electrocution. Two groups of decedents were evaluated: group A included 14 fatalities caused by high‐ or low‐voltage electrocution and group B (control) included 14 fatalities due to other traumatic or disease causes. Myocardial sampling with microscopic examination was performed on all the hearts using the hematoxylin and eosin and Masson's trichrome stains to investigate morphological characteristics that could indicate the damage caused by high‐ and low‐voltage electrocutions. Interstitial myocardial hemorrhagic infiltration was the only differentiating finding, which was shown only in high‐voltage electrocution. This pathological finding has not been previously reported, and it may be specific to high‐voltage electrocution deaths. Further studies are warranted.
Genome of an iconic Australian bird: High‐quality assembly and linkage map of the superb fairy‐wren (Malurus cyaneus)
Authors: Peñalba Joshua V. , Deng Yuan , Fang Qi , Joseph Leo , Moritz Craig , Cockburn Andrew
Published: December 2019

The superb fairy‐wren, Malurus cyaneus, is one of the most iconic Australian passerine species. This species belongs to an endemic Australasian clade, Meliphagides, which diversified early in the evolution of the oscine passerines. Today, the oscine passerines comprise almost half of all avian species diversity. Despite the rapid increase of available bird genome assemblies, this part of the avian tree has not yet been represented by a high‐quality reference. To rectify that, we present the first high‐quality genome assembly of a Meliphagides representative: the superb fairy‐wren. We combined Illumina shotgun and mate‐pair sequences, PacBio long‐reads, and a genetic linkage map from an intensively sampled pedigree of a wild population to generate this genome assembly. Of the final assembled 1.07‐Gb genome, 975 Mb (90.4%) was anchored onto 25 pseudochromosomes resulting in a final superscaffold N50 of 68.11 Mb. This high‐quality bird genome assembly is one of only a handful which is also accompanied by a genetic map and recombination landscape. In comparison to other pedigree‐based bird genetic maps, we find that the fairy‐wren genetic map more closely resembles those of Taeniopygia guttata and Parus major maps, unlike the Ficedula albicollis map which more closely resembles that of Gallus gallus. Lastly, we also provide a predictive gene and repeat annotation of the genome assembly. This new high‐quality, annotated genome assembly will be an invaluable resource not only regarding the superb fairy‐wren species and relatives but also broadly across the avian tree by providing a novel reference point for comparative genomic analyses.
Integrated analysis identifies DUSP5 as a novel prognostic indicator for thyroid follicular carcinoma
Authors: Zhang Qian , Xing Yiqian , Jiang Shan , Xu Chunmei , Zhou Xiaojun , Zhang Rui , Xie Tianyue , Zou Zhiwei , Gong Piyun , Zhu Huangao , Zhang Dongmei , Ma Huimei , Liao Lin , Dong Jianjun
Published: December 2019

Background

Differentiated thyroid cancer involves thyroid follicular carcinoma (FTC) and papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC). Patients with FTC have a worse prognosis than those with PTC for early metastasis through blood of FTC. However, the mechanism of poor prognosis of FTC is still unclear. Here, we aim to evaluate the role of DUSP5 in the prognostic evaluation of FTC.

Method

We searched the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database for the differentially expressed genes (DEGs) between FTC and PTC, and then combined with survival analysis of cBioPortal database to locate the gene significantly related to prognosis. Tissue microarrays and clinical tissues were used to examine DUSP5 expression by immunohistochemical (IHC) staining between FTC and PTC tissues. In vitro experiment, proliferation, migration and invasion of FTC were observed after regulation of DUSP5 by transfection of siRNA and plasmids, respectively.

Results

After searching the GEO database, 26 DEGs were found. DUSP5 was significantly associated with prognosis of FTC in combination with survival analysis. Data of IHC staining showed lower expression of DUSP5 in FTC compared to PTC tissues. Furthermore, overexpression of DUSP5 inhibited the proliferation, migration and invasion accompanied with low level of MMP9 and Vimentin and high level of E‐cadherin. Nevertheless, inhibition of DUSP5 ameliorated above damaging effect on the proliferation, migration and invasion.

Conclusion

DUSP5 was differentially expressed in FTC and PTC tissues. Low level of DUSP5 in FTC participates in the high frequency of metastasis, and further contributes to poor prognosis of FTC. DUSP5 could be served as a novel therapeutic target for FTC.
Does social trust restrain firm financing violations? Evidence from China
Authors: Qiu Baoyin , Yu Junli , Chan Kam C.
Published: December 2019

We use a sample of Chinese firms to examine the impact of social trust, as an informal institution, on firm financing violations. Our findings suggest that when a firm is located in a region with high social trust, it commits fewer financing violations than those committed by firms in a region of low social trust. The results are robust for alternative measures of financing violations (fraudulent activities when issuing new shares, changing the use of new funds to uses other than the stipulated purposes, or illegally using third‐party loan guarantees), social trust, and after using instrumental variables estimation to account for endogeneity. Additional analysis suggests that the impact of social trust on restraining financing violations is more pronounced for firms having lower interest costs, facing low industry competition, located in high marketisation regions, and having good internal control. The findings show that the impact of social trust on financing violations is moderated by the economic reality of the firm (interest costs and competition), the formal institutional environment (level of marketisation), and the internal governance of a firm (internal control).
Regulatory B cells with IL‐35 and IL‐10 expression in a normal and abortion‐prone murine pregnancy model
Authors: Slawek Anna , Lorek Daria , Kedzierska Anna Ewa , Chelmonska‐Soyta Anna
Published: December 2019

Problem

Interleukin 35 is a relatively newly discovered cytokine that is produced by regulatory B cells (Bregs) and contributes to their suppressive function, which may contribute to fetal tolerance development and pregnancy maintenance. Therefore, the aim of this study was to determine the frequency of Bregs and expression of IL‐35 and IL‐10 in these cells in a normal and abortion‐prone murine pregnancy model.

Methods of study

The frequency of Bregs and expression level of IL‐35 and IL‐10 in these cells were measured in peripheral blood, uterine draining lymph nodes, uterus, and decidua using flow cytometry. The analysis was performed on days 3 and 14 of pregnancy in normal mice (CBA/JxBALB/c) and abortion‐prone (CBA/JxDBA/2J) murine pregnancy model.

Results

A decreased percentage of Breg cells expressing IL‐35 on day 3 of pregnancy in the uterine draining lymph nodes and in peripheral blood in mice from the abortion group compared with the normal pregnancy group was observed. A similar decrease was also observed in the Breg cells population producing IL‐10 in peripheral blood. In the uterus (3 dpc) and decidua (14 dpc), a lower percentage of CD19+IL‐35+ was also noted in the abortion‐prone model.

Conclusion

We indicated that the early stages of abortion‐prone pregnancy (3 dpc) in mice were characterized by diminished frequency of B cells producing IL‐35 at both local and peripheral levels. These results and the observed lower level of IL‐35 in women suffering from recurrent spontaneous abortion suggest that IL‐35 may be involved in the maintenance of pregnancy.
Resilience and workplace stress in Australian and New Zealand obstetrics and gynaecology trainees: A cross‐sectional survey
Authors: Ryder Rebecca , Kearney Lauren , Kynn Mary , Weaver Edward
Published: December 2019

Background

Obstetrics and gynaecology training is a demanding vocation; there is a paucity of data on trainee resilience and well‐being in this field.

Aim

To investigate resilience, support and perceived levels of stress and burnout in Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (RANZCOG) trainees.

Materials and Methods

A cross‐sectional survey of RANZCOG trainees in Australia and New Zealand (n = 638) was distributed electronically in May 2018.

Results

Two‐hundred and thirty‐one (36%) valid responses were received. The mean resilience score was moderate (mean = 77; SD = 11). Resilience was significantly associated with general health (F = 7.5, P = 0.007), depression in the last two weeks (F = 4.4, P = 0.013) and seriously considering leaving the program at some point (F = 15.4, P < 0.001). Most participants (204; 88%) stated improvements could be made to the level of trainee support; with over half identifying the support they received from RANZCOG to be low or very low (132; 57%). One‐third of participants (76; 33%) rated the support from their direct supervisor as low to very low. Over half of all participants identified high to very high responses to: burnout (127; 55%); personal stress (134; 58%); workplace stress (143; 62%) and depression (103; 45%).

Conclusion

RANZCOG trainees exhibit moderate resilience levels, yet they report high levels of perceived stress, depression and burnout and low‐level support from direct supervisors. This may highlight the need for enhanced support and working conditions to allow trainees to remain resilient and thrive in their careers.
Infant neurobehavioural consequences of prenatal cigarette exposure: A systematic review and meta‐analysis
Authors: Froggatt Suzanne , Covey Judith , Reissland Nadja
Published: December 2019

Aim

Prenatal exposure to cigarettes leads to alterations in brain development during pregnancy. This has an impact on postnatal psychological and behavioural processes, affecting an infant's neurobehavioural profile with little known about which aspects are affected. The evidence was synthesised to assess the effects of prenatal cigarette smoke exposure on neurobehavioural outcomes within the first year of life.

Methods

Six databases were searched (Web of Science Core Collections, MEDLINE, PsycINFO, CINAHL, EBSCOhost eBook Collection and OpenGrey) in November 2018. Eligible studies (n = 17) had to include a measure of prenatal cigarette exposure and a neurobehavioural assessment ≤1 year of age.

Results

In the first year of life, specific areas of neurobehavioural functioning are related to prenatal cigarette exposure with eight out of 10 areas of neurobehaviour having significant medium (negative affect, attention, excitability, irritability and orientation) or small (muscle tone, regulation and difficult temperament) pooled effect sizes. Only lethargy and stress did not show any significant pooled effects.

Conclusion

Prenatal cigarette exposure affects a significant range of behaviours during the first year of life.
Systematic review with meta‐analysis: mortality in acute severe ulcerative colitis
Authors: Dong Catherine , Metzger Marie , Holsbø Einar , Perduca Vittorio , Carbonnel Franck
Published: December 2019

Background

Acute severe ulcerative colitis (ASUC) is a life‐threatening condition. Mortality in ASUC decreased in published series but there is uncertainty as to whether this also applies to the real‐life setting.

Aim

To perform a systematic review and meta‐analysis of mortality in ASUC in studies from referral centres and in population‐based studies, separately and combined. A second aim was to identify risk factors of mortality in ASUC.

Methods

We searched pubmed and embase from 1998 to 2016, to identify studies that reported 3‐month or 12‐month mortalities of acute UC in adult patients treated in referral centres, and in population‐based studies.

Results

Six population‐based studies with 741 743 patients and 47 referral centre‐based studies with 2556 patients were included. The pooled 3‐month and 12‐month mortalities were respectively 0.84% and 1.01%. Advanced age was significantly associated with both 3 month and 12 month mortalities (OR = 1.15 per year, 95% CI: 1.10‐1.20 and OR = 1.19 per year, 95% CI: 1.15‐1.23 respectively). The pooled 3‐month and 12‐month mortalities were 0.78% and 0.85% in studies with median age of less than 50 and 2.81% and 4.17% in studies with median age of 50 or more, respectively. After adjustment for age, 3‐month and 12‐month mortalities did not differ between population‐based and referral centre‐based studies.

Conclusions

Mortality in acute severe ulcerative colitis is approximately 1%; it is higher in older patients. Efforts should be made to improve the care of elderly patients with severe UC.
Daratumumab in high‐risk relapsed/refractory multiple myeloma patients: adverse effect of chromosome 1q21 gain/amplification and GEP70 status on outcome
Authors: Mohan Meera , Weinhold Niels , Schinke Carolina , Thanedrarajan Sharmilan , Rasche Leo , Sawyer Jeffrey R. , Tian Erming , van Rhee Frits , Zangari Maurizio
Published: December 2019

Gain of chromosome 1q21 and the gene expression‐based GEP70 risk score are established prognostic markers for newly diagnosed Multiple Myeloma (MM) patients. Here we addressed the prognostic impact of these two markers in 81 relapsed/refractory (RR) MM patients treated with the CD38‐antibody daratumumab. Fluorescence in situ hybridization for 1q21 was performed at initial presentation, while the GEP70 score was determined at initial presentation and prior to daratumumab treatment. While the GEP70 at initial presentation showed a trend for inferior survival, the GEP70 collected prior to daratumumab treatment was significantly associated with poor outcome (P < 0·05). The worst outcome was seen for patients who were positive for gain(1q) and classified as GEP70 high risk prior to daratumumab [progression‐free (PFS) and overall survival (OS) of 0·3 years (95% CI: 0·15–1·4 years) and 0·8 years (95% CI: 0·5–1·9 years) respectively], while the median PFS and OS were not reached by patients without gain(1q) and GEP70 low‐risk status. In conclusion, gain(1q) and the GEP70 are powerful prognostic markers for RR MM patients treated with daratumumab, and patients classified as high risk according to these markers experience shorter treatment response.
Sertraline/ICG‐loaded liposome for dual‐modality imaging and effective chemo‐photothermal combination therapy against metastatic clear cell renal cell carcinoma
Authors: Lei Yuting , Zeng Li , Xie Shuqing , Fan Kui , Yu Yuan , Chen Jianwei , Zhang Siliang , Wang Zhigang , Zhong Ling
Published: December 2019

A large number of chemotherapeutic drugs, utilized in the treatment of advanced metastatic clear cell renal cell carcinoma, are typically prone to poor biocompatibility, lack of targeting specificity, and high toxicity, which mostly leads to unsatisfactory clinical outcomes. As a new drug delivery pathway, nanoliposomes have the advantages of simplifying metabolism, reducing drug side‐effects, and providing specific targeting, which can potentially improve the therapeutic effect toward tumor therapy. In this study, a clinically integrated nanoliposome containing Sertraline Hydrochloride and indocyanine green (ICG), here named as Ser/ICG@Lip, was successfully synthesized by film‐dispersion and hydration–sonication methods. The photoacoustic imaging and near‐infrared fluorescence imaging capabilities of this novel nanoliposome were validated in vitro. The high encapsulation rate of Sertraline Hydrochloride and ICG ensured the safety and therapeutic efficacy of the particle. Moreover, our results suggest that chemo‐photothermal combination therapy can be more effective than single photothermal or chemotherapy treatments against malignant tumor cells. This is the first study introducing Sertraline Hydrochloride as a liposome‐encapsulated chemotherapeutic agent, containing photothermal capabilities, for the treatment of metastatic renal clear cell cancer cells. This novel drug system has potential to evolve into an alternate treatment method for metastatic clear cell renal cell carcinoma.
Time Points: A Gestural Study of the Development of Space–Time Mappings
Authors: Burns Patrick , McCormack Teresa , Jaroslawska Agnieszka J. , O'Connor Patrick A. , Caruso Eugene M.
Published: December 2019

Human languages typically employ a variety of spatial metaphors for time (e.g., “I'm looking forward to the weekend”). The metaphorical grounding of time in space is also evident in gesture. The gestures that are performed when talking about time bolster the view that people sometimes think about regions of time as if they were locations in space. However, almost nothing is known about the development of metaphorical gestures for time, despite keen interest in the origins of space–time metaphors. In this study, we examined the gestures that English‐speaking 6‐to‐7‐year‐olds, 9‐to‐11‐year‐olds, 13‐to‐15‐year‐olds, and adults produced when talking about time. Participants were asked to explain the difference between pairs of temporal adverbs (e.g., “tomorrow” versus “yesterday”) and to use their hands while doing so. There was a gradual increase across age groups in the propensity to produce spatial metaphorical gestures when talking about time. However, even a substantial majority of 6‐to‐7‐year‐old children produced a spatial gesture on at least one occasion. Overall, participants produced fewer gestures in the sagittal (front‐back) axis than in the lateral (left‐right) axis, and this was particularly true for the youngest children and adolescents. Gestures that were incongruent with the prevailing norms of space–time mappings among English speakers (leftward and backward for past; rightward and forward for future) gradually decreased with increasing age. This was true for both the lateral and sagittal axis. This study highlights the importance of metaphoricity in children's understanding of time. It also suggests that, by 6 to 7 years of age, culturally determined representations of time have a strong influence on children's spatial metaphorical gestures.
Hemoptysis from the perspective of people with cystic fibrosis
Authors: Romàn Christina M. , Loughlin Holly C. , Aliaj Enid , Fay Robert J. , Tran Quynh T. , Borowitz Drucy
Published: December 2019

Introduction

People with cystic fibrosis (CF) are living longer, thus complications associated with age, such as hemoptysis, are increasing. The Institute of Medicine has emphasized the importance of patient‐centeredness. Although guidelines about hemoptysis in people with CF are available, these focus on management of the complication and not the patient perspective.

Objective

We sought to understand hemoptysis from the point of view of those who have experienced it.

Methods

We fielded an 11‐question survey to adults with CF and asked those who had hemoptysis to respond. Four questions had open‐ended options: (1) the person’s first experience with hemoptysis, (2) how that experience affected the way they approach their CF, (3) how they deal with hemoptysis when it occurs outside the home and (4) a free text box for general comments.

Results

Thirty‐one of 132 adults with CF who were sent a survey completed it (23% response rate); 63% F), indicated that they had experienced hemoptysis and described their triggers. In response to open questioning, 77% of respondents found their first experience with hemoptysis to be ‘scary,’ ‘frightening,’ ‘worrying’ or ‘jarring.’ Half of respondents reported quality of life being negatively affected by worsening stress or anxiety, fear of bleeding in public or other life impacts.

Conclusions

Focusing on how to cope with future episodes of hemoptysis and the associated anxiety can be helpful to patients. Proactive communication and sensitivity to patient experience may deepen physician‐patient rapport, increase self‐efficacy to cope with future episodes and lead to more comprehensive care of hemoptysis.
Seasonal variation in environmental and behavioural drivers of annual‐cycle habitat selection in a nearshore seabird
Authors: Lamb Juliet S. , Satgé Yvan G. , Jodice Patrick G. R.
Published: December 2019

Aim

Conservation of highly mobile species often requires identifying locations or time periods of elevated vulnerability. Since both extrinsic habitat conditions and intrinsic behavioural and energetic requirements contribute to habitat use at the landscape scale, identifying spatial or temporal foci for conservation intervention requires understanding how habitat needs and distributions vary across the annual cycle. Nearshore marine birds inhabit highly dynamic systems and have widely varying habitat needs among breeding, moult and non‐breeding seasons, making them a useful case study for testing the relative contributions of individual resource requirements and environmental conditions in driving annual variation in distribution patterns.

Location

Northern Gulf of Mexico (USA).

Methods

We tracked Brown Pelicans using bird‐borne GPS transmitters and used a combination of Hidden Markov Models and multivariate selectivity analysis to compare the characteristics of preferred resident habitats used throughout the annual cycle.

Results

Habitat selection was driven by dynamic oceanographic variables during all stages of the annual cycle. Key habitat characteristics varied between seasons, with particularly strong selection on high productivity, low temperature and low salinity during the breeding and post‐breeding moult periods. The post‐breeding moult also corresponded to a time of limited availability of preferred habitats, resulting in extensive overlap between breeding populations from different administrative planning areas.

Main conclusions

By incorporating seasonal variation in individual behaviour and resource requirements into our habitat models, we were able to identify the post‐breeding moult as a period of high selectivity and restricted availability of preferred habitats for Brown Pelicans. Locations meeting preferred habitat criteria during the post‐breeding period, particularly estuarine habitats with high productivity and low salinity, would therefore be high‐value targets for management and restoration. Our analysis demonstrates the importance of accounting for both intrinsic and extrinsic temporal variation in evaluating habitat selection.
Will FinTech make regional banks superfluous for small firm finance? Observations from soft information‐based lending in Germany
Authors: Flögel Franz , Beckamp Marius
Published: December 2019

Regional banks have a competitive advantage in that short distances to clients enable the use of soft information for superior lending decisions. If the ambition of FinTech start‐ups to create superior screening and monitoring technologies materialises, this advantage would be diminished and regional banks would become superfluous for small firm finance. To explore this claim, the paper in hand analyses qualitative empirical data about the lending processes and rating system use of regional German savings banks. In essence, the results from participant observation and interviews clarify the importance of “real” soft information for critical lending decisions. The context specificity and limited verifiability of “real” soft information hamper it from being hardened through the use of rating systems and other bank‐ICT. Though FinTech's scoring technologies may overcome the first limitation, it appears likely that in the course of scoring development “real” soft information will be systematically crowded out due to the manipulation problem. The paper expects improved access to finance for SMEs if FinTech solutions overcome both limitations of “real” soft information use, or if peer‐to‐peer lending and regional banks coexist. Deteriorated access to finance is expected if FinTech companies displace the relationship banking of regional banks due to enhanced competition, without preserving the advantages of “real” soft information with superior screening and monitoring technologies. The paper concludes with recommendations on how to prevent deteriorated access to finance for small firms by promoting fair competition and FinTech innovations.
Changes in the diet and body size of a small herbivorous mammal (hispid cotton rat,Sigmodon hispidus) following the late Pleistocene megafauna extinction
Authors: Tomé Catalina P. , Elliott Smith Emma A. , Lyons S. Kathleen , Newsome Seth D. , Smith Felisa A.
Published: December 2019

The catastrophic loss of large‐bodied mammals during the terminal Pleistocene likely led to cascading effects within communities. While the extinction of the top consumers probably expanded the resources available to survivors of all body sizes, little work has focused on the responses of the smallest mammals. Here, we use a detailed fossil record from the southwestern United States to examine the response of the hispid cotton ratSigmodon hispidusto biodiversity loss and climatic change over the late Quaternary. In particular, we focus on changes in diet and body size. We characterize diet through carbon (δ13C) and nitrogen (δ15N) isotope analysis of bone collagen in fossil jaws and body size through measurement of fossil teeth; the abundance of material allows us to examine population level responses at millennial scale for the past 16 ka.Sigmodonwas not present at the cave during the full glacial, first appearing at ~16 ka after ice sheets were in retreat. It remained relatively rare until ~12 ka when warming temperatures allowed it to expand its species range northward. We find variation in both diet and body size ofSigmodon hispidusover time: the average body size of the population varied by ~20% (90–110 g) and mean δ13C and δ15N values ranged between −13.5 to −16.5‰ and 5.5 to 7.4‰ respectively. A state–space model suggested changes in mass were influenced by diet, maximum temperature and community structure, while the modest changes in diet were most influenced by community structure.Sigmodonmaintained a fairly similar dietary niche over time despite contemporaneous changes in climate and herbivore community composition that followed the megafauna extinction. Broadly, our results suggest that small mammals may be as sensitive to shifts in local biotic interactions within their ecosystem as they are to changes in climate and large‐scale biodiversity loss.
Ant assemblage composition explains high predation pressure on artificial caterpillars during early night
Authors: Liu Xiang , Wang Zhenghong , Huang Chenyu , Li Manru , Bibi Farkhanda , Zhou Shurong , Nakamura Akihiro
Published: December 2019

1. Predator–prey interactions, especially those involving herbivorous insects, are of great importance in maintaining biodiversity. Predation pressure varies temporally in response to prey availability and activity. However, little is known about the patterns and drivers of fluctuations in predation pressure at fine temporal scales.

2. Artificial caterpillars (placed on plant leaves at breast height) were used to assess changes in predation pressure across four time intervals of the day in a monsoonal tropical rainforest in south‐west China. The study examined how assemblage composition of arboreal ants, the dominant predators, changed across the same time intervals. The potential linkages between biotic (arboreal ants) and abiotic (temperature and light intensity) factors with predation rate were evaluated.

3. Predation rate on caterpillars during the early part of the night (19.00–01.00 hours) was significantly higher than in the morning, afternoon, or late night. Ant assemblage composition, rather than species richness or total abundance, best explained the variations in predation rate on artificial caterpillars.

4. The results help to strengthen understanding of trophic interactions by demonstrating that predation pressure fluctuates at finer timescales than previously tested, and that a particular set of ant species may play major roles in predation on caterpillars and possibly other organisms.
Increased mirror overflow movements in ADHD are associated with altered EEG alpha/beta band desynchronization
Authors: McAuliffe Danielle , Hirabayashi Kathryn , Adamek Jack H. , Luo Yu , Crocetti Deana , Pillai Ajay S. , Zhao Yi , Crone Nathan E. , Mostofsky Stewart H. , Ewen Joshua B.
Published: December 2019

Children with ADHD show developmentally abnormal levels of mirror overflow—unintentional movements occurring symmetrically opposite of intentional movements. Because mirror overflow correlates with ADHD behavioral symptoms, the study of disinhibition in motor control may shed light on physiologic mechanisms underlying impaired behavioral/cognitive control. This is a case–controlled study of EEG recording from 25 children with ADHD and 25 typically developing (TD) controls performing unilateral sequential finger tapping, with overflow movements measured using electronic goniometers. Consistent with previously published findings, children with ADHD showed increased mirror overflow as compared with TD peers. EEG findings revealed less lateralized alpha modulation (event‐related desynchronization; ERD) and decreased magnitude of beta ERD in ADHD; both alpha and beta ERD reflect cortical activation. Moderation analysis revealed a significant association between beta ERD and overflow, independent of diagnosis; and an equivocal (p = .08) effect of diagnosis on the relationship between alpha ERD and overflow, with a significant effect in children with ADHD but not TD children. These results suggest two mechanisms involved with mirror overflow: one reflected in beta ipsilateral to the intentional movement and relevant to both children with ADHD and controls, and the other seemingly more specific to ADHD (alpha, contralateral to movement).
Are Dutch dental students and dental‐care providers competent prescribers of drugs?
Authors: Brinkman David J. , Nijland Nina , van Diermen Denise E. , Bruers Josef J.M. , Ligthart Willianne S.M. , Rietveld Patrick J. , Tams Jan , Vissink Arjan , Wilhelm Abraham J. , Rozema Frederik R. , Tichelaar Jelle , van Agtmael Michiel A.
Published: December 2019

Dental students and dental‐care providers should be able to prescribe drugs safely and effectively. As it is unknown whether this is the case, we assessed and compared the prescribing competence of dental students and dental‐care providers in the Netherlands. In 2017, all Dutch final‐year dental students and a random sample of all qualified general dental practitioners and dental specialists (oral and maxillofacial surgeons and orthodontists) were invited to complete validated prescribing knowledge‐assessment and skills‐assessment instruments. The knowledge assessment comprised 40 multiple‐choice questions covering important drug topics. The skills assessment comprised three common clinical case scenarios. For the knowledge assessment, the response rates were 26 (20%) dental students, 28 (8%) general dental practitioners, and 19 (19%) dental specialists, and for the skills assessment the response rates were 14 (11%) dental students, eight (2%) general dental practitioners, and eight (8%) dental specialists. Dental specialists had higher knowledge scores (78% correct answers) than either dental practitioners (69% correct answers) or dental students (69% correct answers). A substantial proportion of all three groups made inappropriate treatment choices (35%–49%) and prescribing errors (47%–70%). Although there were some differences, dental students and dental‐care providers in the Netherlands lack prescribing competence, which is probably because of poor prescribing education during under‐ and postgraduate dental training. Educational interventions are urgently needed.
Local anaesthetics for regional and intra‐articular analgesia in the horse
Authors: Schumacher J. , Boone L.
Published: December 2019

During the course of a lameness examination, intra‐articular or perineural administration of a local anaesthetic is often necessary to isolate the source of pain causing lameness. Local anaesthetics are useful for intraoperative and post‐operative pain relief and may allow for elimination of, or a decrease in, general anaesthesia. Within recent years, new information has become available concerning the use of local anaesthetics for localisation of pain and for palliation of pain. New information indicates that

Lidocaine is less efficacious than mepivacaine or ropivacaine in ameliorating lameness caused by pain.

After administering a nerve block, loss of skin sensation may not correlate with loss of pain causing lameness.

Local anaesthetic solution must be deposited within the sheath of the neurovascular bundle to be effective.

The dose of a local anaesthetic, which is a factor of volume and concentration, affects potency and duration of a nerve block.

Local anaesthetics are toxic to chondrocytes and synoviocytes. Lidocaine and bupivacaine appear to be more toxic than mepivacaine or ropivacaine. The clinical significance of the toxic effect of a single intra‐articular injection of local anaesthetic is yet to be determined.

Sodium bicarbonate can be added to a local anaesthetic solution to increase its potency and speed of onset.

Epinephrine added to local anaesthetic solution prolongs and intensifies its analgesic effect.

Mixing quick‐acting, short‐duration and slow‐acting, long‐duration local anaesthetics will not result in a quick‐acting, long‐duration drug combination.
Supporting Military Family Resilience at the Transition to Parenthood: A Randomized Pilot Trial of an Online Version of Family Foundations
Authors: Feinberg Mark E. , Boring Jesse , Le Yunying , Hostetler Michelle L. , Karre Jennifer , Irvin Jamie , Jones Damon E.
Published: December 2019

Objective

This article examines whether family resilience can be enhanced among military families via an online prevention program for military couples at the transition to parenthood.

Background

Military families experience normative stressors similar to those of civilian families, as well as military‐specific stressors, such as deployment, frequent moves, and uncertainty.

Method

Participants were 56 heterosexual couples who, at the time of recruitment, were expecting their first child and were living together (regardless of marital status). Mothers and fathers completed measures online: Pretest was administered upon recruitment during pregnancy, and posttest was administered at 6 months postpartum. After pretest, couples were randomized to control and intervention conditions; intervention couples were provided access to the online version of Family Foundations.

Results

Although outcomes require replication given the sample size and issues with attrition, results indicated significant program impact, with moderate to strong effect sizes, on parent depression, mothers' report of coparenting support, and infant mood and soothability.

Conclusion

These results suggest online delivery of prevention programming is a potentially effective means of enhancing military family well‐being—and thus resilience.

Implications

Low‐cost and effective support for military families is possible via online modalities.