bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Role of ionic polarization and dielectric decrement in the estimation of surface potential of clay particles
Authors: Liu Xinmin , Tian Rui , Ding Wuquan , Wu Laosheng , Li Hang
Published: February 2019

The surface potential of clay particles plays a pivotal role in soil mineral–water interfacial reactions. A new model to estimate surface potential was established taking into account dielectric decrement extracted from the Langevin equation and taking account of ion polarization under a strong electric field. The intensity of ion polarization was quantified through the effective charges of counterions, which are from 1 to 1.036 for Na+ and from 1 to 1.534 for Cs+ at the montmorillonite surface in aqueous solutions. The effective charges were overestimated because the dielectric decrement was disregarded. The surface potential decreases with increasing ion polarizability and dielectric constant. The clay–ion interaction energies were estimated from the effective charges of ions and surface potentials. We observed that the strong additional energies from ion polarization depended on the electron configuration of the counterions at charged surfaces, which not only results from the dispersion interactions, but also the strong induction interactions. The contributions of the latter to the total energy were much stronger than those of the dispersion interactions for Cs+. The strong electric field near the clay surface clearly enhanced the polarizability of Cs+. The energies of non‐valence electrons of ions at the charged surfaces were substantially understated in electrolyte solutions. The experimental adhesive forces between silica and mica surfaces in different cation species can be predicted correctly through the surface potential calculated using the new model.

Highlights

A model to estimate surface potential was established considering ion polarization and dielectric decrement.

Ion polarizability at the clay surface was quantified in the presence of dielectric decrement.

The contributions of ion polarization and dielectric decrement to surface potential were quantified.

The dielectric decrement affects surface potential by influencing ion polarizability.
Starting ketamine for neuroprotection earlier than its current use as an anesthetic/antiepileptic drug late in refractory status epilepticus
Authors: Fujikawa Denson G.
Published: February 2019

Ketamine is currently being used as an anesthetic/antiepileptic drug in refractory status epilepticus. To validate its use, 2 clinical trials are recruiting patients. However, preclinical studies of its use in chemically induced status epilepticus in rodents have shown that it is remarkably neuroprotective, through N‐methyl‐d‐aspartate–receptor blockade, even when given after the onset of status epilepticus. Human studies have shown that status epilepticus–induced brain damage can be caused by a glutamate analogue and that it occurs in the same brain regions as in the animal studies. We therefore propose that ketamine be started early in the course of human status epilepticus as a neuroprotectant and that it be continued until epileptic discharges are eliminated. Using it as an anesthetic/antiepileptic drug late in the course of refractory status epilepticus only ensures that it is given after widespread brain damage has occurred.
From Internet to social safety net: The policy consequences of online participation in China
Authors: Jiang Junyan , Meng Tianguang , Zhang Qing
Published: February 2019

Internet‐based platforms are increasingly being used by governments around the world to facilitate public engagement with citizens. However, it remains an open question whether participation through these platforms can actually enable citizens to influence policies. We address this question by studying the patterns and consequences of online participation at a major electronic petition platform in China, a country with the world's largest Internet‐using population. Content analysis of over 900,000 petitions reveals that a substantial share of them concern lower‐class issues and are originated from less developed rural and suburban areas. Linking variations in petition volumes to an original data set of government policy priorities, we further show that online participation led governments to place greater emphasis on social welfare policies and to increase the coverage of a key low‐income assistance program. These results underscore the potential of online participation as an important mechanism to improve the quality of governance.
Correction of pulmonary hypertension with intensive hemodialysis: A case report
Authors: Girsberger Michael , Thenganatt John , Chan Christopher T.
Published: February 2019

Pulmonary hypertension (PH) defined as a mean pulmonary arterial pressure ≥25 mmHg is a common complication in hemodialysis occurring in up to 58% of patients. PH is classified according to its etiology. We report in a patient with severe PH of mixed etiology (connective tissue disease and left‐sided heart failure) who improved after initiation of intensive home hemodialysis. We postulated that the use of a frequent mode of hemodialysis may ameliorate PH via enhanced volume control. Thereby, an intensive hemodialysis schedule may be preferred renal replacement modality in this patient population.
Caring for aged people: The influence of personal resilience and workplace climate on ‘doing good’ and ‘feeling good’
Authors: McNeil Nicola , Bartram Timothy , Cregan Christina , Ellis Julie , Cooke Fang Lee
Published: February 2019

Aims

This study examines the impact of personal resilience on the well‐being of care workers and how perceptions of the quality of care provided and the social climate in the organization influences this relationship. We examine quality of patient care as both a mediating and outcome variable to better understand if ‘doing good’ (quality of care) leads to ‘feeling good’ (personal well‐being).

Background

As an ageing population and the care for the older people has become an increasing challenge to many societies, developing and retaining a professional care workforce through effective management is vital in providing care services.

Design

A cross‐sectional regression design was used in the study.

Methods

In 2017 we surveyed care workers in 20 Australian aged care facilities. The sample consist of 194 usable questionnaires. Using regression techniques, we constructed an interaction term (resilience × social climate) and investigated its impact on well‐being (the outcome variable) and quality of care (the mediator variable).

Results

Our results reveal that quality of care is important as an outcome variable particularly in a supportive climate where high personal resilience positively influences quality of care. Quality of care is also important as a mediating variable as it provides a conduit through which high personal resilience fosters well‐being, especially in a supportive climate. Our results support the argument that ‘doing good’ leads to ‘feeling good’.

Conclusion

These findings contribute to our appreciation of the important outcomes of resilience in the aged care context and its influence on perceived performance and carer well‐being.
Inhibition of the amino‐acid transporter LAT1 demonstrates anti‐neoplastic activity in medulloblastoma
Authors: Cormerais Yann , Pagnuzzi‐Boncompagni Marina , Schrötter Sandra , Giuliano Sandy , Tambutté Eric , Endou Hitoshi , Wempe Michael F. , Pagès Gilles , Pouysségur Jacques , Picco Vincent
Published: February 2019

Most cases of medulloblastoma (MB) occur in young children. While the overall survival rate can be relatively high, current treatments combining surgery, chemo‐ and radiotherapy are very destructive for patient development and quality of life. Moreover, aggressive forms and recurrences of MB cannot be controlled by classical therapies. Therefore, new therapeutic approaches yielding good efficacy and low toxicity for healthy tissues are required to improve patient outcome. Cancer cells sustain their proliferation by optimizing their nutrient uptake capacities. The L‐type amino acid transporter 1 (LAT1) is an essential amino acid carrier overexpressed in aggressive human cancers that was described as a potential therapeutic target. In this study, we investigated the therapeutic potential of JPH203, a LAT1‐specific pharmacological inhibitor, on two independent MB cell lines belonging to subgroups 3 (HD‐MB03) and Shh (DAOY). We show that while displaying low toxicity towards normal cerebral cells, JPH203 disrupts AA homeostasis, mTORC1 activity, proliferation and survival in MB cells. Moreover, we demonstrate that a long‐term treatment with JPH203 does not lead to resistance in MB cells. Therefore, this study suggests that targeting LAT1 with JPH203 is a promising therapeutic approach for MB treatment.
Predicting overall survival of patients with hepatocellular carcinoma using a three‐category method based on DNA methylation and machine learning
Authors: Dong Rui‐Zhao , Yang Xuan , Zhang Xin‐Yu , Gao Ping‐Ting , Ke Ai‐Wu , Sun Hui‐chuan , Zhou Jian , Fan Jia , Cai Jia‐bin , Shi Guo‐Ming
Published: February 2019

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is closely associated with abnormal DNA methylation. In this study, we analyzed 450K methylation chip data from 377 HCC samples and 50 adjacent normal samples in the TCGA database. We screened 47,099 differentially methylated sites using Cox regression as well as SVM‐RFE and FW‐SVM algorithms, and constructed a model using three risk categories to predict the overall survival based on 134 methylation sites. The model showed a 10‐fold cross‐validation score of 0.95 and satisfactory predictive power, and correctly classified 26 of 33 samples in testing set obtained by stratified sampling from high, intermediate and low risk groups.
Chemerin/ChemR23 axis promotes inflammation of glomerular endothelial cells in diabetic nephropathy
Authors: Shang Jin , Wang Luyao , Zhang Ya , Zhang Shiyi , Ning Lina , Zhao Jifang , Cheng Genyang , Liu Dong , Xiao Jing , Zhao Zhanzheng
Published: February 2019

Diabetic nephropathy (DN) is characterized by inflammation of renal tissue. Glomerular endothelial cells (GEnCs) play an important role in inflammation and protein leakage in urine in DN patients. Chemerin and its receptor ChemR23 are inducers of inflammation. The aim of this study was to investigate the function of chemerin/ChemR23 in GEnCs of DN patients. Immunohistochemical staining and qRT‐PCR were used to measure the expression of chemerin, ChemR23 and inflammatory factors in renal tissues of DN patients. Db/db mice were used as animal model. ChemR23 of DN mice was knocked down by injecting LV3‐shRNA into tail vein. Inflammation, physiological and pathological changes in each group was measured. GEnCs were cultured as an in vitro model to study potential signalling pathways. Results showed that expression of chemerin, ChemR23 and inflammatory factors increased in DN patients and mice. LV3‐shRNA alleviated renal damage and inflammation in DN mice. GEnCs stimulated by glucose showed increased chemerin, ChemR23 and inflammatory factors and decreased endothelial marker CD31. Both LV3‐shRNA and SB203580 (p38 MAPK inhibitor) attenuated chemerin‐induced inflammation and injury in GEnCs. Taken together, chemerin/ChemR23 axis played an important role in endothelial injury and inflammation in DN via the p38 MAPK signalling pathway. Suppression of ChemR23 alleviated DN damage.
Effect of UV aging on translucency of currently used esthetic CAD‐CAM materials
Authors: Turgut Sedanur , Kılınç Hamiyet , Bağış Bora
Published: February 2019

Objectives

To evaluate the relative translucency parameter (RTP) values of computer‐aided design (CAD)‐computer‐aided manufacturing (CAM) materials after UV aging.

Materials and methods

70 specimens (n = 10) of Bruxzir Anterior (BA); E.max Cad (EC); Lava Ultimate (LU); Cerasmart (CE); Vita Enamic (VE); Vita Suprinity (VS); Vita Mark II (VM) were prepared (1 mm ± 0.01 mm). Color measurements were performed using a spectrofotometer (VITA Easyshade). RTP values of the specimens before (RTP1) and after UV aging (RTP2) were evaluated. Statistical analyses were done with repeated measurements of two‐way‐ANOVA with Bonferroni test (P < 0.05).

Results

Evaluating RTP1 and RTP2 values; significant differences were found (P < 0.05). There were no significant difference between the RTP1 values of CE and VS (P = 0.779); EC and VM (P = 0.952); VM and LU (P = 0.995); EP and LU (P = 0.653). Evaluating RTP2 values; VE and BA were found significantly different from the others (P < 0.05). For all evaluated groups TP values decreased after UV aging (P < 0.05). The most RTP reduction was observed for LU; while VM and EC were less affected.

Conclusion

Glass ceramic VE showed the highest RTP and zirconia‐based BA was the most opaque restorative CAD‐CAM material. UV aging caused the CAD‐CAM materials get more opaque.

Clinical significance

In cases where translucency is needed chosing VE would give better esthetic results; while zirconia‐based BA should be used if more opaque restoration is needed. Clinicians should be aware of that restorations get more opaque after usage.
Serum Mac‐2‐binding protein glycosylation isomer and risk of hepatocellular carcinoma in entecavir‐treated chronic hepatitis B patients
Authors: Mak Lung‐Yi , Ko Michael , To Elvis , Wong Danny Ka‐Ho , Ma Justin Hei‐Chun , Hui Teresa Lok‐Yee , Seto Wai‐Kay , Fung James , Lai Ching‐Lung , Yuen Man‐Fung
Published: February 2019

Background and Aim

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) can still develop in chronic hepatitis B (CHB) patients receiving antiviral treatment. Serum Mac‐2‐binding protein glycosylation isomer (M2BPGi) is a novel marker for liver fibrosis. We investigated its role on incidence of HCC in entecavir (ETV)‐treated CHB patients.

Methods

We identified HCC cases diagnosed at ≥ 1 year of ETV treatment. CHB patients without HCC (matched for age, gender, baseline hepatitis B virus‐DNA, and duration of ETV treatment) were identified in approximately 1:2 ratio (HCC: non‐HCC) for comparison. Serum samples were retrieved at baseline (initiation of ETV), 3, and 5 years of ETV for serum M2BPGi measurement (expressed in cut‐off index [COI]).

Results

One hundred HCC cases were matched with 185 CHB patients without HCC (median age 56.7 years, 78.9% male, baseline hepatitis B virus‐DNA 5.6 logIU/mL, and median follow‐up 7.1 years). Median time from ETV initiation to incident HCC was 3.9 years. Serum M2BPGi levels were significantly higher in HCC cases compared with controls at baseline and year 3 (1.25 vs 0.98 [P = 0.004], 0.89 vs 0.74 [P = 0.018] COI, respectively). Multivariate analysis showed that baseline M2BPGi was the only independent factor associated with incident HCC (odds ratio 1.241, 95% confidence interval 1.039–1.482, P = 0.017). Using a cut‐off value of 1.15 COI, the sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, and negative predictive value of baseline serum M2BPGi in cirrhotic patients to predict incident HCC were 90%, 53.8%, 69.6%, and 82.1%, respectively.

Conclusions

Baseline and 3‐year serum M2BPGi may be useful to identify high risk patients on antiviral treatment for subsequent HCC development.
The Dual Legality of Marijuana in the United States: Implications of Conflicting Government Policies on Consumer Well‐being
Authors: Simkins Travis J. , Geiger‐Oneto Stephanie
Published: February 2019

Academics have recently become interested in the process by which socially controversial behaviors or practices (i.e., gambling, cosmetic procedures, drug use) become acceptable or legitimate. This article examines the “dual legality” of marijuana and its impact on consumer‐related hazards through the lens of current legislation and extant literature. Simply stated, what are the implications of conflicting government policies for consumers' well‐being? The intended contributions of this work are to offer significant insights into an issue of current topical and public policy importance for consumers' interests. Importantly, this work will serve as a foundation for future research on this unique product in its implications for consumers who are fundamentally altering the way in which a product is viewed and regulated.
Surgical perioperative pathways—Patient experiences of unmet needs show that a person‐centred approach is needed
Authors: Kaptain Kirsten , Ulsøe Marie‐Louise , Dreyer Pia
Published: February 2019

Aim

To explore patients’ and healthcare professionals’ experiences of patients’ surgical pathways in a perioperative setting.

Background

Elective surgical pathways have improved over the past decades due to fast‐track programmes, but patients desire more personalised and coordinated care and treatment. There is little knowledge of how healthcare professionals’ collaboration and communication affect patients’ pathways.

Design

The overall framework was complex intervention method. A phenomenological‐hermeneutic approach was used for data analyses. COREQ checklist was used as a guideline to secure accurate and complete reporting of the study.

Methods

Field observations (120 hr) and semi‐structured interviews (24 patients) were undertaken during 2016–2017. Healthcare professionals involved in the pathways were interviewed: (a) 13 single interviews and (b) 13 focus group interviews (37 healthcare professionals) were conducted. The Consolidated Criteria for Reporting Qualitative Research checklist was used.

Results

Patients asked for individualised information adapted to their life and illness experiences. Furthermore, healthcare professionals need access to a quick overview of individual patients and their perioperative pathway in the electronic patient journal (EPJ). Agreements made with patients did not always reach the right receiver, there was poor interpersonal communication and the complex teamwork between many healthcare professionals made pathways incoherent and uncoordinated. Healthcare professionals who had the time to talk about other subjects than the disease with smiles and good humour gave patients a feeling of security.

Conclusion

Patients wanted to be treated as individuals, but often they received standard treatment. Healthcare professionals had the intention of treating patients individually, but the EPJ and information provided to patients were not easy to access.

Relevance to clinical practice

Visible information about the patient's whole pathway could improve healthcare professionals’ care and treatment. In addition, systematic feedback from patients’ could make it possible to adjust information, care and treatment to achieve a more coherent pathway. Particular attention needs to be paid to how electronic healthcare systems can underpin relational coordination in pathways.
Nursing people with intellectual disability and dementia experiencing pain: An integrative review
Authors: Dillane Imelda , Doody Owen
Published: February 2019

Aims and objectives

To explore the current evidence of nurses caring for people with intellectual disability and dementia who experience pain.

Background

People with intellectual disability are ageing and are experiencing age‐related health conditions including dementia and conditions associated with pain, but at an earlier age. Addressing the needs of people with intellectual disability who develop dementia is a new challenge for nurses.

Design

An integrative literature review.

Methods

A systematic search of databases: CINAHL, MEDLINE, PsycINFO, Cochrane, EMBASE, Academic Search Complete, Scopus and Web of Science between 27 October 2017–7 November 2017. Hand searching and review of secondary references were also undertaken. Quality appraisal (Crowe Critical Appraisal Tool), thematic data analysis (Braun and Clarke, Qualitative Research in Psychology, 3, 2006, 77) and reporting using the PRISMA guidelines.

Results

Seven papers met the inclusion criteria, and three themes emerged from this review: nurses knowledge of ageing, dementia and pain; recognising pain in people with intellectual disability and dementia; and the role of nurse education. People with intellectual disability and dementia have difficulty communicating their pain experience compounded by pre‐existing communication difficulties.

Conclusions

A pain experience can present similar to behavioural and psychological symptoms of dementia, and diagnostic overshadowing often occurs whereby a pain need is misinterpreted as behavioural and psychological symptoms resulting in inappropriate treatment. Nurses need greater knowledge about the presence of pain and potential causes in people with intellectual disability and dementia, and education can be effective in addressing this knowledge deficit.

Relevance to clinical practice

Pain assessment tools for people with intellectual disability and dementia need to include behavioural elements, and baseline assessments are required to identify changes in presentation. Nurses need to recognise and respond to pain based on the evidence in order to deliver quality care.
Optimal Contracting, Corporate Finance, and Valuation with Inalienable Human Capital
Authors: BOLTON PATRICK , WANG NENG , YANG JINQIANG
Published: February 2019

A risk‐averse entrepreneur with access to a profitable venture needs to raise funds from investors. She cannot indefinitely commit her human capital to the venture, which limits the firm's debt capacity, distorts investment and compensation, and constrains the entrepreneur's risk sharing. This puts dynamic liquidity and state‐contingent risk allocation at the center of corporate financial management. The firm balances mean‐variance investment efficiency and the preservation of financial slack. We show that in general the entrepreneur's net worth is overexposed to idiosyncratic risk and underexposed to systematic risk. These distortions are greater the closer the firm is to exhausting its debt capacity.
Managing care for people with diabetes undergoing dialysis
Authors: Gregory Sarah , Jenkins Karen
Published: February 2019

Background

Caring for patients with diabetes undergoing dialysis often proves challenging for staff working in haemodialysis units as they are not experts in diabetes and unfamiliar with insulin dosing regimens and the impact dialysis can have on blood sugar levels and lifestyle adjustment. There is a need to improve the knowledge base of renal healthcare professionals to better understand the physiology of diabetes, its relationship with end stage kidney disease, and potential changes that can take place when commencing dialysis.

Objectives

The aim of this paper is to improve the understanding of the epidemiology of diabetes, associated risk factors, and complications associated with combined kidney disease & diabetes. In addition, readers will learn about the impact of dialysis on this complex patient group; adjustments which need to be made to accommodate haemodialysis schedules e.g. timing of meals and insulin requirements; treatment time including travel; the monitoring of blood glucose levels: increased risk of hypoglycaemia; review of oral glycaemic medication and the need to maintain regular health checks and contact with diabetes teams.

Recommendations for practice

Specialist evidence based guidelines for the management of patients with diabetes receiving haemodialysis are readily available and can be used to support clinical practice. One of the key components to improving the patient experience is to maintain collaborative working relationship between renal and diabetes teams.

Learning outcomes

After reading this paper the reader will be able to

Understand the risk factors and complications of diabetes and relate to patients in their care

Critically review the management of patients undergoing dialysis with diabetes

Gain knowledge and understanding of changes in the dosing of insulin needed for patients receiving dialysis

Understand how clinical guidelines can be applied in practice
Development and evaluation of dedicated low clearance transplant clinics for patients with failing kidney transplants
Authors: Arshad Adam , Jackson‐Spence Francesca , Sharif Adnan
Published: February 2019

Background

Recipients with failing kidney transplants (RFKTs) may receive sub‐optimal care compared with patients with native kidney disease. The aim of this study is to compare the outcomes of RFKTs managed in a dedicated low clearance transplant clinic (LCTC) compared with those attending a general transplant clinic.

Methods

We undertook a retrospective analysis of patients with failing kidney transplants comparing two clinics—a LCTC versus a general transplant clinic. Kidney transplant recipients with an eGFR < 20 ml/min were included. A cross‐sectional analysis was undertaken of all patients with two consecutive follow‐up visits between the dates of January and July 2016 in either clinic, with follow‐up to event or December 2017.

Results

Data were analysed for 141 kidney transplant recipients; 60 in the LCTC and 81 in the general transplant clinic. More patients in the LCTC cohort were non‐white and early transplant recipients. A significantly greater proportion of LCTC versus general transplant patients had received documented discussions regarding their hepatitis vaccine status (63.3% vs. 17.3%, p < 0.001), counselled regarding dialysis modality (98.3% vs. 55.6%, p < 0.001) and had documented decision regarding re‐transplantation (80.0% vs. 58.0%, p = 0.006). No difference was noted in the comparison of any clinical or biochemical parameters. More patients seen in the LCTC lost their kidney allograft (HR: 2.09, 95%CI: 1.17–3.72, p = 0.013) but patient survival was equivalent (p = 0.343).

Conclusion

Our data suggest the management of RFKTs within LCTCs can focus attention on renal replacement therapy planning and counselling, but further work is warranted to investigate for any benefit in hard outcomes such as survival.
Amino acid status in dogs with protein‐losing nephropathy
Authors: Parker Valerie J. , Fascetti Andrea J. , Klamer Brett G.
Published: February 2019

Background

Proteinuria in dogs with kidney disease can contribute to protein‐energy wasting and malnutrition. Little is known about amino acid (AA) status in dogs with protein‐losing nephropathy (PLN).

Objectives

The purpose of our study was to further elucidate AA status in PLN dogs, with the hypothesis that PLN dogs would have altered AA status as compared to healthy dogs.

Animals

Thirty client‐owned PLN dogs were compared to 10 healthy control dogs.

Methods

Prospective observational study. Dogs with PLN that were presented to the teaching hospital were enrolled. Plasma AA profiles were measured using an automated high‐performance liquid chromatography AA analyzer.

Results

Compared to control dogs, PLN dogs had significantly lower concentrations of leucine, threonine, histidine, glycine, proline, asparagine, tyrosine, o‐hydroxyproline, and serine, as well as sums of both essential and nonessential AA (P < .05). Dogs with PLN had significantly lower ratios of tyrosine‐to‐phenylalanine and glycine‐to‐serine (P < .05), and a significantly greater ratio of valine‐to‐glycine (P < .05).

Conclusions and Clinical Importance

Dogs with PLN have altered AA status compared to healthy dogs. These findings could have therapeutic implications in determining optimal management of PLN dogs, such as providing AA supplementation along with other standard treatment.
Using Computer Simulations to Measure the Effect of Gerrymandering on Electoral Competition in the U.S. Congress
Authors: Cottrell David
Published: February 2019

Recent research has leveraged computer simulations to identify the effect of gerrymandering on partisan bias in U.S. legislatures. As a result of this method, researchers are able to distinguish between the intentional partisan bias caused by gerrymandering and the natural partisan bias that stems from the geographic sorting of partisan voters. However, this research has yet to explore the effect of gerrymandering on other biases like reduced electoral competition and incumbency protection. Using a computer algorithm to design a set of districts without political intent, I measure the extent to which the current districts have been gerrymandered to produce safer seats in Congress. I find that gerrymandering only has a minor effect on the average district, but does produce a number of safe seats for both Democrats and Republicans. Moreover, these safe seats tend to be located in states where a single party controls the districting process.
Improving wheat as a source of iron and zinc for global nutrition
Authors: Balk J. , Connorton J. M. , Wan Y. , Lovegrove A. , Moore K. L. , Uauy C. , Sharp P. A. , Shewry P. R.
Published: February 2019

Wheat is the staple food crop in temperate countries and increasingly consumed in developing countries, displacing traditional foods. However, wheat products are typically low in bioavailable iron and zinc, contributing to deficiencies in these micronutrients in countries where wheat is consumed as a staple food. Two factors contribute to the low contents of bioavailable iron and zinc in wheat: the low concentrations of these minerals in white flour, which is most widely consumed, and the presence of phytates in mineral‐rich bran fractions. Although high zinc types of wheat have been developed by conventional plant breeding (biofortification), this approach has failed for iron. However, studies in wheat and other cereals have shown that transgenic (also known as genetically modified; GM) strategies can be used to increase the contents of iron and zinc in white flour, by converting the starchy endosperm tissue into a ‘sink’ for minerals. Although such strategies currently have low acceptability, greater understanding of the mechanisms which control the transport and deposition of iron and zinc in the developing grain should allow similar effects to be achieved by exploiting naturally induced genetic variation. When combined with conventional biofortification and innovative processing, this approach should provide increased mineral bioavailability in a range of wheat products, from white flour to wholemeal.
Use of non‐adapted quantitative trait loci for increasing Fusarium head blight resistance for breeding semi‐dwarf wheat
Authors: Miedaner Thomas , Herter Cathérine P. , Ebmeyer Erhard , Kollers Sonja , Korzun Viktor
Published: February 2019

Semi‐dwarf wheat is an important prerequisite for releasing a successful commercial cultivar in high‐yielding environments. In Northern Europe, this aim is achieved by using one of the dwarfing genes Rht‐B1 (formerly known as Rht‐1) or Rht‐D1 (Rht‐2). Both genes, however, result in a higher susceptibility to Fusarium head blight (FHB). We analysed the possibility to use the two non‐adapted FHB resistance quantitative trait loci Fhb1 and Fhb5 (syn. QFhs.ifa‐5A) to counterbalance the negative effect of the dwarfing allele Rht‐D1b in a winter wheat population of 585 doubled‐haploid (DH) lines segregating for the three loci. All lines were inoculated with Fusarium culmorum at four locations and analysed for FHB severity, plant height, and heading date. The DH population showed a significant (p < 0.001) genotypic variation for FHB severity ranging from 3.6% to 65.9% with a very high entry‐mean heritability of 0.95. The dwarfing allele Rht‐D1b reduced plant height by 24 cm, but nearly doubled the FHB susceptibility (24.74% vs. 12.74%). The resistance alleles of Fhb1 and Fhb5 reduced FHB susceptibility by 6.5 and 11.3 percentage points, respectively. Taken all three loci together, Fhb5 alone was already able to reduce FHB susceptibility to the same extent as Rht‐D1b increased it. This opens new avenues for selecting semi‐dwarf wheat by marker‐assisted introgression of Fhb5 without the enhancement of FHB susceptibility.
Does feedback matter for job search self‐regulation? It depends on feedback quality
Authors: Chawla Nitya , Gabriel Allison S. , da Motta Veiga Serge P. , Slaughter Jerel E.
Published: February 2019

Job search represents a dynamic process through which job seekers must consistently engage in effective self‐regulation. Although scholars have increasingly begun to theorize and conceptualize the job search in this manner, little is known about what fosters effective self‐regulation week‐to‐week. In light of this theoretical gap, we integrate self‐regulation theory with the feedback literature to examine how feedback quality influences affective, cognitive, and behavioral regulatory processes in job search. Furthermore, we examine feedback self‐efficacy (i.e., how efficacious a job seeker feels with respect to processing and implementing feedback received during the job search) as a stable, person‐level moderator of these within‐person relationships. In a sample of job seekers surveyed once a week for seven weeks, results indicate that receiving high‐quality feedback has a direct influence on positive and negative affective reactions tied to the job search, influencing subsequent positive (i.e., metacognitive strategies) and negative (i.e., affective rumination) cognitive processes. Metacognitive strategies, in turn, impact both the number of résumés sent and hours spent job seeking each week. Moreover, lower feedback self‐efficacy amplifies the relationship between feedback quality and negative affective reactions. Our results highlight the importance of high‐quality feedback in helping job seekers effectively regulate week‐to‐week.
Hematopoietic stem cell transplantation in children with sickle cell anemia: The parents’ experience
Authors: Cavadini Raphaël , Drain Elise , Bernaudin Françoise , D'Autume Clémence , Giannica Davide , Giraud François , Baubet Thierry , Taïeb Olivier
Published: February 2019

Genoidentical HSCT is currently the only curative treatment for SCA, preventing further vascular complications in high‐risk children. Studies on the psychological implications of HSCT for recipient, sibling donor, and the rest of the family have been limited in SCA. This study enrolled ten families and used semi‐structured interviews to explore the parents' experience at three time points: first before transplantation, then 3 months later, and 1 year later. Three themes emerged from the results: (a) the presence of anxiety, experienced throughout the process, and alleviated by coping strategies (positive thinking, family support, praying); (b) the ability to remain parents to recipient and other family members, despite apprehension and feelings of helplessness, reinforced by the mobilization of important resources at the individual/family levels; (c) the ability to acknowledge the opportunity for their child to be cured of the disease, despite feelings of guilt toward families without a donor, or their own families back home. Overall, the parental experience with HSCT is complex, involving intra‐psychic, familial, cultural, religious, and existential factors. Thus, it is important for medical teams to be cognizant of these issues in order to provide the best support to families during the HSCT process.
Psychotropic medication use trends in a large pediatric and young adult solid organ transplant population
Authors: Samsel Chase , Tapsak Sara , Thomson Katharine , McKenna Kristine , McGregor Kerry , Forbes Peter , Ibeziako Patricia
Published: February 2019

Introduction

This study describes psychotropic medication use in a pediatric and young adult solid organ transplant population.

Methods

We conducted a retrospective review of the lifetime incidence of psychotropic medication use and associated characteristics in patients seen over a 6‐year period at a large pediatric transplant center utilizing univariate and multivariate statistical analyses.

Results

The lifetime incidence of psychotropic medication use was 36.5% in 393 patients. Transplant psychiatry provided psychopharmacological consultation to 21.9% of patients. Controlling for age and sex, there were significant associations between psychotropic use and thoracic organ disease (heart/lung) (AOR = 2.14; 95% CI: 1.2‐3.8; P = 0.01), White race (P = 0.0002), histories of depressive/mood disorders (AOR = 3.68; 95% CI: 1.8‐7.7; P = 0.0005), attention/learning disorders (AOR = 3.30; 95% CI: 1.6‐6.9; P = 0.001), acute and post‐traumatic stress disorders (AOR = 10.54; 95% CI: 2.6‐42.8; P = 0.001), and experiencing bullying (AOR = 2.16; 95% CI: 1.03‐4.55; P = 0.04). In unadjusted tests, significant associations were found between lifetime psychotropic usage and patient anxiety history (OR = 2.26; 95% CI: 1.5‐3.5; P = 0.0002), end‐of‐life disease progression (OR = 3.04; 95% CI: 1.7‐5.4; P = 0.0002), family psychiatric history (OR = 2.17; 95% CI: 1.4‐3.4; P = 0.0007), and adherence concerns (OR = 2.67; 95% CI: 1.7‐4.1; P < 0.0001).

Discussion

The lifetime incidence of psychotropic medication use among pediatric and young adult transplant patients is substantial. Patients with thoracic organ disease, end‐of‐life illness, individual/family psychiatric histories, trauma, and bullying histories have particularly high rates. Integrating child psychiatry as part of pediatric transplant teams should be an important consideration for the care of these patients.
Technology and Manufacturing in China before the Industrial Revolution and Glimpses of the Future
Authors: Singhal Kalyan , Singhal Jaya
Published: February 2019

We have four goals in this study. First, we chronicle China's history of technology and manufacturing before the Industrial Revolution. This history of monumental developments is scattered in dozen of books and hundreds of articles, but it is not available in a concise form. Although, this history is relevant to all disciplines in social sciences, science, and technology, it is most relevant to the discipline this journal represents. Second, we analyze the role of exports in improving quality of goods and improving manufacturing. Before the Industrial Revolution, China was the world leader in inventions and the world's largest manufacturer. Despite its strengths, it failed to become a major exporter. Exports could have helped it to unleash a quality evolution and to expand its economy further. Third, we describe the role of international relations and wars in economic development and economic decay. During the Industrial Revolution, China's manufacturing output decreased, and its economy took a big hit because of military conquests by Britain and the resulting dynamics of international relations. We also point out that China missed the opportunity to become a naval power before the Industrial Revolution, which contributed to its fate during the Industrial Revolution. Fourth, we briefly describe the dramatic changes in international relations after World War II, and China's emergence once gain as the world's largest manufacturer. We point out that exports have been a major driver of China's phenomenal economic growth. We also speculate on China's current options which may lead to a promising future for China and the world.
Japanese Old Stories Cognitive Scale: a screening test to detect cognitive disease and prompt visiting a memory clinic
Authors: Honjo Yasuyuki , Takechi Hajime
Published: February 2019

Background

Early detection and diagnosis is critical in enhancing treatment outcomes for those with cognitive disease. However, most Japanese patients are averse to visiting mental health clinics or taking cognitive screening examinations. A new simple screening test is needed that is acceptable to patients and encourages them to visit a memory clinic if indicated.

Methods

We developed a brief screening examination, consisting of four common Japanese old stories, for detection of cognitive disease. A total of 311 patients at three outpatient memory clinics completed the screening test, responding to a 10‐question, fill‐in‐the‐blanks assessment. Questions were read aloud to patients with visual impairment, and we transcribed the spoken responses of patients who were physically incapable of writing. The Hasegawa Dementia Scale‐Revised (HDS‐R) and Mini‐Mental State Examination (MMSE) were administered at the same time.

Results

Using the developed Japanese Old Stories Cognitive Scale (JOSS), we found significant differences between dementia and control or mild cognitive impairment (MCI) groups. The JOSS was less affected by education level than the HDS‐R or MMSE, possibly because Japanese old stories are usually learned from family members during preschool years. The JOSS may be able to detect remote memory disturbance in addition to other cognitive dysfunctions.

Conclusions

Most patients with AD, even in advanced stages, are averse to visiting a memory clinic because it can be difficult to accept any resulting diagnosis of cognitive disease. JOSS is a quick and simple screening tool to gather evidence of cognitive dysfunction and prompt a referral to a memory clinic. Patients with cognitive disease found the JOSS acceptable, and its high specificity could be useful in encouraging patients to visit already‐crowded memory clinics for formal diagnosis and intervention.
Emergence of artistic talent in progressive nonfluent aphasia: a case report
Authors: Hamauchi Akiko , Hidaka Yosuke , Kitamura Izumi , Yatabe Yusuke , Hashimoto Mamoru , Yonehara Toshiro , Fukuhara Ryuji , Ikeda Manabu
Published: February 2019

Some patients with frontotemporal lobar degeneration have developed artistic skills after the onset mainly in painting and music. Most of these cases have semantic dementia (SD), one of the frontotemporal lobar degeneration subtypes. In previously reported cases, the paintings made by patients with SD were usually hyper realistic, without a significant symbolic or abstract component. Here, we report on a patient with progressive nonfluent aphasia (PNFA), another frontotemporal lobar degeneration subtype, who started making creative bamboo crafts after PNFA onset. His techniques were completely his original; he devised the shapes of the crafts and made them without samples. His work did not become an obsessive preoccupation. The artistic style expressed by patients with PNFA differs from that expressed by patients with SD. Therefore, the underlying mechanisms for the emergence of artistic talent might differ between SD and PNFA.
A new look at conditional probability with belief functions
Authors: Meester Ronald , Kerkvliet Timber
Published: February 2019

We discuss repeatable experiments about which various agents may have different information. This information can vary from a full probabilistic description of the experiment in the sense that the probabilities of all outcomes are known to the agent, to having no information whatsoever, except the collection of possible outcomes. We argue that belief functions are very suitable for modeling the type of information we have in mind. We redevelop and rederive various notions of conditional belief functions, using a viewpoint of relative frequencies. We call the two main forms of conditioning contingent and necessary conditioning, respectively. The former is used when the conditioning event may also have not occurred, whereas the latter is used when it turns out that the event on which we condition occurs necessarily. Our approach unifies various notions in the literature into one conceptual framework, namely, the updated belief functions of Fagin and Halpern, the unnormalized conditional belief function of Smets, and the notions of updating and focusing as used by Dubois and Prade. We show that the original Dempster–Shafer definition of conditional belief functions cannot be interpreted directly in our framework. We give a number of examples illustrating our interpretation, as well as the differences between the various notions of conditioning.
On the so‐calledAbsentive– inGerman
Authors: Fortmann Christian , Wöllstein Angelika
Published: February 2019

This investigation targets a syntactic phenomenon of German which is commonly referred to as theabsentive construction. The absentive is considered a universal grammatical category denoting absence. Its syntax is characterised by the occurrence of an auxiliary or copula verb accompanied by a non‐finiteVPcontaining a main verb. The expression of absence, predicated over the clausal subject, is assumed to be based on a constructional meaning. Reviewing a wide range of syntactic and interpretive properties of this structure in German, we will demonstrate that certain empirical claims about the construction are not well founded and that its seemingly idiosyncratic properties are indeed available for compositional analyses. We will propose a structural analysis of its core syntactic and interpretive properties: The predication expresses the localisation of the subject at the location of the event, denoted by the infinitival verb. The interpretation of absence, then, can be explained by an implicature.
Transfusion of HIV‐infected blood products despite highly sensitive nucleic acid testing
Authors: Cappy Pierre , Barlet Valérie , Lucas Quentin , Tinard Xavier , Pillonel Josiane , Gross Sylvie , Tiberghien Pierre , Laperche Syria
Published: February 2019

BACKGROUND

In France, the risk of HIV transmission by transfusion was reduced by implementing pooled nucleic acid testing (NAT) in 2001 and individual NAT in 2010. We report here the first case in France of transfusion of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)‐infected blood donated during HIV pre–ramp‐up phase that tested individual NAT negative.

METHODS

Blood donations are screened for HIV antibodies and HIV RNA (ProcleixUltrio, Grifols; limit of detection at 95%, 23 copies/mL). When a repeat donor tests positive for HIV, a repository sample from the previous donation is tested with the Cobas Taqman HIV‐1 test (CTM, Roche; limit of detection at 95%, 17 copies/mL).

RESULTS

In August 2017, a 57‐year‐old male repeat donor was screened positive for HIV antibodies and RNA (plasma viral load, 11,599 copies/mL). The previous donation had tested negative with Ultrio in March 2017 but was positive with an unquantifiable plasma viral load when tested with CTM. Sequencing showed no mismatch between Ultrio primers/probes and the target sequence. HIV transmission was excluded by lookback studies in the recipient of platelets, which had been pathogen reduced, but not in the recipient of RBCs due to premature death.

CONCLUSION

This case demonstrates that the risk of contaminated donations due to the early HIV infection phase going undetected by highly sensitive NAT is real but exceptional. The absence of transmission to the platelets recipient could be due to the very low viral inoculum and/or to the efficacy of the viral inactivation. This case also highlights the additional value of a systematic donation archiving and the importance of donor education and predonation selection.
Identification of Obstacles and Drivers of Smallholder Rubber Farmers to Become Members of A Processing and Marketing Unit in Indonesia
Authors: Antoni Mirza , Tokuda Hiromi
Published: February 2019

The low quality of Indonesian smallholders’ rubber material has encouraged the government to make a policy to establish Processing and Marketing Units (PMUs). However, after 10 years of running the policy, the number of smallholder rubber farmers who are members of a PMU is still very small, even though by becoming a member of a PMU, farmers’ income increases as a result of rising prices. There have been no studies of the reasons why smallholders have not joined as members of a PMU. Therefore this study tries to discern these reasons and PMUs’ performance. The study population comprised 240 smallholders, half of whom represented PMU members and the other half non-members. These were interviewed to record the smallholders’ reasons to join or not join a PMU in South Sumatera Province, the largest rubber production area in Indonesia. Constraints for smallholders to join a PMU include already having a customer middleman, debt with the middleman, and the distance from the farmer’s house to the middleman’s house. Major supports for smallholders to join a PMU include the rubber material price, easily procured support from the government, and the distance of the farmer’s house. PMUs’ performance did not significantly affect the participation of farmers in becoming or not becoming members. Even though PMUs’ performance was good, the interest of smallholders in becoming PMU members did not increase.