bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Research on soldering AlN ceramics with Cu substrate using Sn-Ag-Ti solder
Authors: Koleňák Roman , Kostolný Igor , Drápala Jaromír , Kusý Martin , Pašák Matej
Published: April 2019

Purpose

This study aims to solder AlN ceramics with a Cu substrate using an active type Sn-Ag-Ti solder. Soldering was performed with power ultrasound. The Sn3.5Ag2Ti alloy was first studied.

Design/methodology/approach

It was found to contain a Sn matrix, where both Ag phase – ɛ-Ag3Sn – and Ti phases ɛ-Ti6Sn5 and Ti2Sn3 – were identified. Ti contained in these phases is distributed to the interface with ceramic material. A reaction layer was thus formed. This layer varies in thickness from 0.5 to 3.5 µm and ensures the wettability of an active solder on the surfaces of ceramic materials.

Findings

X-ray diffraction analysis proved the presence of new NTi and AlTi2 phases on the fractured surface. Sn plays the main role in bond formation when soldering the Cu substrate with Sn-Ag-Ti solder. The Cu3Sn and Cu6Sn5 phases, which grow in direction from the phase interface to solder matrix, were found in all cases within the solder/Cu substrate interface. The combination of AlN ceramics/Cu joint maintained a shear strength of 29.5 MPa, whereas the Cu/Cu joint showed a somewhat higher shear strength of 39.5 MPa.

Originality/value

The present study was oriented towards soldering of AlN ceramics with a Cu substrate by the aid of ultrasound, and the fluxless soldering method was applied. Soldering alloy type Sn-Ag-Ti was analysed, and the interactions between the solder and ceramic and/or Cu substrate were studied. The shear strength of fabricated soldered joints was measured.
Optimum two-plane balancing of rigid rotor using discrete optimization algorithm
Authors: Singh Prem , Chaudhary Himanshu
Published: April 2019

Purpose

This paper aims to present the optimum two-plane discrete balancing procedure for rigid rotor. The discrete two-plane balancing in which rotor is balanced to minimize the residual effects or the reactions on the bearing supports using discrete parameters such as masses and their angular positions on two balancing planes.

Design/methodology/approach

Therefore as a multi-objective optimization problem is formulated by considering reaction forces on the bearing supports as a multi objective functions and discrete parameters on each balancing plane as design variables. These multi-objective functions are converted into a single-objective function using appropriate weighting factors. Further, this optimization problem is solved using discrete optimization algorithm, based on Jaya algorithm.

Findings

The performance of the discrete Jaya algorithm is compared to genetic algorithm (GA) algorithm. It is found that Jaya algorithm is computationally more efficient than GA algorithm. A number of masses per plane are used to balance the rotor. A comparison of reaction forces using number of masses per plane is investigated.

Originality/value

The effectiveness of the proposed methodology is tested by the balancing problem of rotor available in the literature. The influence of a number of balance masses on bearing forces and objective function are discussed. ADAMS software is used for validation of a developed balancing approach.
Cutaneous histopathology of the tick‐bite region in severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome
Authors: Sato Takaoki , Nishida Haruto , Goto Mizuki , Sho Yuriko , Yamate Tomoko , Daa Tsutomu , Yokoyama Shigeo , Kurosawa Keiko , Matsunari Osamu , Sakamoto Teruo , Matsumoto Hiroyuki , Suzuki Tadaki , Hasegawa Hideki , Takeo Naoko , Hatano Yutaka
Published: April 2019

A case of severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome (SFTS) in which a skin biopsy from the tick‐bite region was analyzed is reported. The patient was a 72‐year‐old woman who developed fever and thrombocytopenia after a tick bite. SFTS was diagnosed from polymerase chain reaction (PCR) analysis of a blood sample. Histopathological analysis of a skin biopsy specimen from the tick‐bite region showed CD20‐positive perivascular and interstitial immunoblastic cells, which were positive to anti‐SFTS virus (SFTSV) nucleoprotein antibody. In addition, SFTSV RNA was detected by real‐time PCR from this biopsy specimen. Moreover, hemophagocytosis was also found in the tick‐bite region. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report to analyze the details of the tick‐bite region of skin in SFTS, and the first to detect virus‐infected cells in the skin. The present findings may help elucidate the mechanisms of entry of SFTSV.
Nitric oxide modulates μ‐opioid receptor function in vitro
Authors: Huang Lillian , Wyse Bruce D. , Williams Craig M. , Smith Maree T.
Published: April 2019

Painful diabetic neuropathy (PDN) is a type of peripheral neuropathic pain that develops as a consequence of prolonged hyperglycaemia‐induced injury to the long nerves. Apart from pain,PDNis also characterized by morphine hyposensitivity. Intriguingly, in streptozotocin (STZ)‐induced diabetic rats exhibiting marked morphine hyposensitivity, dietary administration of the nitric oxide (NO) precursor, L‐arginine at 1 g/d, progressively rescued morphine efficacy and potency over an 8‐week treatment period. In earlier work, single bolus doses of the furoxan nitric oxide (NO) donor,PRG150 (3‐methylfuroxan‐4‐carbaldehyde), evoked dose‐dependent pain relief inSTZ‐diabetic rats but the efficacious doses were 3‐4 orders of magnitude higher in advanced diabetes than that required in earlySTZdiabetes. Together, these findings suggested a role forNOin the modulation of μ‐opioid (MOP) receptor signalling. Therefore, the present study was designed to assess a role forNOreleased fromPRG150, in modulatingMOPreceptor function in vitro. Here, we show an absolute requirement for theMOPreceptor, but not the δ‐opioid (DOP) or the κ‐opioid (KOP) receptor, to transduce the cellular effects ofPRG150 on forskolin‐stimulatedcAMPresponses in vitro.PRG150 did not interact with the classical naloxone‐sensitive binding site of theMOPreceptor, and its effects oncAMPresponses inHEK‐MOPcells were also naloxone‐insensitive. Nevertheless, the inhibitory effects ofPRG150 on forskolin‐stimulatedcAMPresponses inHEK‐MOPcells were dependent upon pertussis toxin (PTX)‐sensitive Gi/oproteins as well as membrane lipid rafts and src kinase. Together, our findings implicate a role forNOin modulatingMOPreceptor function in vivo.
Plant listening: How North American herbalists learn to pay attention to plants
Authors: BOKE CHARIS
Published: April 2019

What kinds of relationships enable plants to become medicines? Can humans communicate with plants – and if so, how? In this article, the author engages with Western herbalists in the rural northeast of the United States as they transmit knowledge about medicinal plants. She focuses on herbalist teachings which use ‘the doctrine of signatures’ as a framework for the learning process of attuning bodily attention to plants. Herbalist modes of learning how to attend to, and thereby enable, communicative relationships of different sorts with plants have implications for the ways that humans understand the interconnectedness between human life and other kinds of life. Cross‐disciplinary multispecies studies may learn from herbalist practices as well, opening up a more vibrant set of possibilities for thinking about the connection, communication and relationship between humans and other‐than‐humans. The broader context of this cross‐species attention lies in the question of how humans and other beings can learn to attend to one another and mutually thrive in a time of environmental disruption.
Expressing Uncertainty in Dental Age Estimation: A Comparison between Two Methods of Calculating the “Average” Standard Deviation
Authors: Draft Derek , Lucas Victoria S. , McDonald Fraser , Andiappan Manoharan , Roberts Graham
Published: April 2019

The expression of uncertainty is defined by the standard deviation and is usually expressed in multiples of the standard deviation (±1sd, ±2sd, and ±3sd). The objective was to use weighting of the sd calculation by the number or count of subjects for each tooth development stage. A comparison shows the difference between the range of uncertainty using the unweighted sd and the weighted sd. The range of uncertainty related to Dental Age Estimation is statistically significantly greater (p < 0.001) for the weighted sd compared to the unweighted sd. It is concluded that the number of subjects for each Tooth Development Stage in the Reference Data set should be included in the calculation for a single Dental Age Estimation using the Simple Average Method when presenting the uncertainty associated with the point estimate of the “mean” for Dental Age Estimation of a single subject of unknown age.
Phylogenomics using low‐depth whole genome sequencing: A case study with the olive tribe
Authors: Olofsson Jill K. , Cantera Isabel , Van de Paer Céline , Hong‐Wa Cynthia , Zedane Loubab , Dunning Luke T. , Alberti Adriana , Christin Pascal‐Antoine , Besnard Guillaume
Published: April 2019

Species trees have traditionally been inferred from a few selected markers, and genome‐wide investigations remain largely restricted to model organisms or small groups of species for which sampling of fresh material is available, leaving out most of the existing and historical species diversity. The genomes of an increasing number of species, including specimens extracted from natural history collections, are being sequenced at low depth. While these data sets are widely used to analyse organelle genomes, the nuclear fraction is generally ignored. Here we evaluate different reference‐based methods to infer phylogenies of large taxonomic groups from such data sets. Using the example of the Oleeae tribe, a worldwide‐distributed group, we build phylogenies based on single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) obtained using two reference genomes (the olive and ash trees). The inferred phylogenies are overall congruent, yet present differences that might reflect the effect of distance to the reference on the amount of missing data. To limit this issue, genome complexity was reduced by using pairs of orthologous coding sequences as the reference, thus allowing us to combine SNPs obtained using two distinct references. Concatenated and coalescence trees based on these combined SNPs suggest events of incomplete lineage sorting and/or hybridization during the diversification of this large phylogenetic group. Our results show that genome‐wide phylogenetic trees can be inferred from low‐depth sequence data sets for eukaryote groups with complex genomes, and histories of reticulate evolution. This opens new avenues for large‐scale phylogenomics and biogeographical analyses covering both the extant and the historical diversity stored in museum collections.
Diagnostic value of serum high‐mobility group box‐1 in pediatric systemic lupus erythematosus
Authors: Hossny Elham , El‐Ghoneimy Dalia , Soliman Dina A. , Ashour Ayman
Published: April 2019

Background

High‐mobility group box‐1 (HMGB1) acts as a damage‐associated molecular pattern or as an alarmin and it stimulates inflammatory and immunological activities.

Aim

We sought to investigate serum HMGB1 protein expression in patients with pediatric systemic lupus erythematosus (pSLE) in relation to the disease characteristics and activity.

Patients and methods

This is a controlled cross‐sectional study which comprised 50 children and adolescents with Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and 50 age‐ and sex‐matched healthy subjects who served as a control group. Study measurements included clinical assessment, laboratory workup for SLE (complete blood count, erythrocyte sedimentation rate, serum creatinine, creatinine clearance and 24‐hour urinary protein, C3 and anti‐double‐stranded DNA, lupus anticoagulant and anticardiolipin antibodies) and measurement of serum HMGB1 by enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay in patients and controls.

Results

Serum HMGB1 expression was significantly higher in the pSLE patients than the control group (P < 0.001). Patients with lupus nephritis (LN) had significantly higher serum HMGB1 as compared to those with normal kidneys (P < 0.04). Serum HMGB1 in LN patients correlated positively to the SLE Disease Activity Index (P < 0.0001), and 24 hours urinary proteins and negatively to creatinine clearance (P < 0.001). At a cut‐off point of ≥40 µg/L, serum HMGB1 showed good diagnostic value for pSLE with sensitivity and specificity of 98% and 95%, respectively.

Conclusion

Serum HMGB1 seems to be a reliable biomarker for diagnosis of pSLE and monitoring disease status, especially in LN. HMBG1 might prove to be a potential therapeutic target in LN.
Melanoma risk stratification of individuals with a high‐risk naevus phenotype – A pilot study
Authors: Rishpon Ayelet , Navarrete‐Dechent Cristian , Marghoob Ashfaq A , Dusza Stephen W , Isman Gila , Kose Kivanc , Halpern Allan C , Marchetti Michael A
Published: April 2019

Background/Objectives

High a naevus counts and atypical naevi are risk factors for cutaneous melanoma. However, many individuals with a high‐risk naevus phenotype do not develop melanoma. In this study, we describe the clinical and dermoscopic attributes of naevi associated with melanoma in a high‐risk naevus phenotype population.

Methods

This single‐centre, hospital‐based case–control study included 54 prospectively enrolled adult patients ≥18 years old with a high‐risk naevus phenotype (18 cases with a history of melanoma and 36 age‐ and gender‐matched controls without a history of melanoma). We analysed clinical and dermoscopic images of the 20 largest naevi for each participant.

Results

Cases had a higher mean age than controls (48.2 vs. 39.1 years, P = 0.007) but there was no difference in the male‐to‐female ratio between groups. Nearly, all participants (97%) were Fitzpatrick skin type II or III. Naevi in cases were more likely to be truncal, (72.6% vs. 53.6%, P = 0.01), particularly anterior truncal, (29.2% vs. 14.4%, P < 0.001) and larger than 8 mm (17.4% vs. 7.8%%, P = 0.01) compared to controls. CASH score of naevi did not differ between groups. Naevi in cases were more likely to have a multicomponent dermoscopic pattern than in controls (18.4% vs. 12.6%, P = 0.02).

Conclusion

Larger naevi, truncal naevi, and naevi, with a multicomponent dermoscopic pattern may be risk factors for melanoma among individuals with a high‐risk naevus phenotype. Further studies are needed to validate these findings.
Eosinophils capture viruses, a capacity that is defective in asthma
Authors: Sabogal Piñeros Yanaika S. , Bal Suzanne M. , Dijkhuis Annemiek , Majoor Christof J. , Dierdorp Barbara S. , Dekker Tamara , Hoefsmit Esmée P. , Bonta Peter I. , Picavet Daisy , van der Wel Nicole N. , Koenderman Leo , Sterk Peter J. , Ravanetti Lara , Lutter René
Published: April 2019

Background

Activated eosinophils cause major pathology in stable and exacerbating asthma; however, they can also display protective properties like an extracellular antiviral activity. Initial murine studies led us to further explore a potential intracellular antiviral activity by eosinophils.

Methods

To follow eosinophil‐virus interaction, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) and influenza virus were labeled with a fluorescent lipophilic dye (DiD). Interactions with eosinophils were visualized by confocal microscopy, electron microscopy, and flow cytometry. Eosinophil activation was assessed by both flow cytometry and ELISA. In a separate study, eosinophils were depleted in asthma patients using anti‐IL‐5 (mepolizumab), followed by a challenge with rhinovirus‐16 (RV16).

Results

DiD‐RSV and DiD‐influenza rapidly adhered to human eosinophils and were internalized and inactivated (95% in ≤ 2 hours) as reflected by a reduced replication in epithelial cells. The capacity of eosinophils to capture virus was reduced up to 75% with increasing severity of asthma. Eosinophils were activated by virus in vitro and in vivo. In vivo this correlated with virus‐induced loss of asthma control.

Conclusions

This previously unrecognized and in asthma attenuated antiviral property provides a new perspective to eosinophils in asthma. This is indicative of an imbalance between protective and cytotoxic properties by eosinophils that may underlie asthma exacerbations.
Associations of nadir haemoglobin level and red blood cell transfusion with mortality and length of stay in surgical specialties: a retrospective cohort study
Authors: Trentino K. M. , Leahy M. F. , Sanfilippo F. M. , Farmer S. L. , Hofmann A. , Mace H. , Murray K.
Published: April 2019

Few studies have investigated if, and how, red cell transfusion and anaemia interact. We analysed 60,955 admissions to three metropolitan hospitals in Western Australia between 2008 and 2017 to determine whether the relationship between red cell transfusion and outcomes in surgical patients differed by lowest (nadir) level of haemoglobin. At levels above 100 g.l−1, in‐hospital, 30‐day and 1‐year mortality were higher with transfusion, the adjusted odds ratios (ORs) (95%CI) being 8.80 (4.43–17.45) p < 0.001 and 3.68 (1.93–7.02) p < 0.001 and the adjusted hazard ratio (95%CI) being 1.83 (1.28–2.61) p = 0.001, respectively. Likewise, between 90 g.l−1 and 99 g.l−1, in‐hospital, 30‐day and 1‐year mortality were higher with transfusion, the adjusted odds ratio (95%CI) being 3.76 (2.23–6.34) p < 0.001 and 1.96 (1.23–3.12) p < 0.001 and the adjusted hazard ratio (95%CI) being 1.34 (1.05–1.70) p = 0.017, respectively. Length of stay was longer with transfusion at nadir haemoglobin levels above 100 g.l−1 and in the following ranges: 90–99 g.l−1, 80–89 g.l−1, 70–79 g.l−1 and 60–69 g.l−1, the adjusted rate ratio (95%CI) being 1.38 (1.25–1.53) p < 0.001, 1.18 (1.10–1.27) p < 0.001, 1.17 (1.13–1.22) p < 0.001, 1.07 (1.02–1.12) p = 0.003 and 1.24 (1.13–1.36) p < 0.001, respectively. Mortality was higher with red cell transfusion at haemoglobin levels greater than 90 g.l−1, whereas at all levels below 90 g.l−1 mortality was not significantly higher or lower. Length of stay was longer with transfusion at nadir haemoglobin levels of 60 g.l−1 or above. Our results suggest that nadir haemoglobin modified the relationship between red cell transfusion and outcomes and adds to the evidence recommending caution before transfusing red cells.
The association between sperm head elongation and semen quality
Authors: Chen F. , Gao L. , Zhou H. , Guo L. , Chen Q. , Gan Y. , Sun X. , Li Q. , Wang K.
Published: April 2019

Background

Previous studies suggested that sperm head shape may serve as an effective indicator of semen quality. However, there lacks research with large sample and quantitative measurement.

Objectives

The objective of this retrospective study was to explore the association between sperm head elongation (Width/Length ratio) and routine semen parameters.

Materials and methods

From January 2012 to December 2017, 63 866 semen samples were collected from male subjects at 18–60 years of age. Sperm head elongation and routine semen parameters (semen volume, sperm concentration, motility, etc.) were examined with computer‐assisted semen analysis (CASA) systems in order to evaluate the association between elongation and semen quality.

Results

Logistic and linear regression models showed that the value of elongation is negatively correlated with sperm concentration, total sperm count, progressive motility, total motility, percentage of morphologically normal spermatozoa, and acrosin activity (all p < 0.001).

Discussion

The results suggested that higher value of elongation is generally associated with higher risks of abnormality in semen quality. The importance of elongation may be explained by abnormal acrosin activity in the round‐headed spermatozoa, which has been reported to cause failure of natural pregnancy.

Conclusions

This study provides a new insight into the sperm head shape, which may be used as a complementary parameter in clinical semen examination and academic research.
Organisational Resilience in Acquisition Integration—Organisational Antecedents and Contingency Effects of Flexibility and Redundancy
Authors: Schriber Svante , Bauer Florian , King David R.
Published: April 2019

Resilience has received increasing attention in organisational research; however, it has remained understudied in the context of acquisitions. This is surprising given acquisitions involve challenging events that would benefit from a consideration of organisational resilience. We outline how flexibility and redundancy, as dimensions of organisational resilience, influence acquisition outcomes. We find flexibility can lower negative impacts of competitor retaliation and employee resistance during acquisition integration, but this depends on a decentralised approach to managing integration. Additionally, it appears developing organisational resilience depends on acquisition experience.
OSA treatment with CPAP: Randomized crossover study comparing tolerance and efficacy with and without humidification by ThermoSmart
Authors: Boyer Laurent , Philippe Carole , Covali‐Noroc Ala , Dalloz Marie‐Amélie , Rouvel‐Tallec Anny , Maillard Dominique , Stoica Maria , d'Ortho Marie‐Pia
Published: April 2019

Objectives

Adherence to continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) remains an issue, as adverse effects (AE) such as rhinitis, dry/congested nose, dry mouth or throat are commonly experienced. The aim of the study was to compare CPAP efficacy and tolerance in severe obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) patients with or without (w/o) heated humidification using the ThermoSmart system.

Methods

Multicenter RCT study in which CPAP‐naive patients with severe OSA and meeting one or more of the following criteria: >65 years, using >1 drying medication, previous nasal symptoms or nasal surgery, were included. Patients were randomized to CPAP w/o heated humidification for 1 month and then crossed‐over to the other treatment arm for another month. Naso‐pharyngeal symptoms, Quality of life (FOSQ‐10), sleepiness (ESS) and CPAP compliance and efficacy data were collected.

Results

Forty patients were enrolled: age 62 ± 9 years, diagnostic AHI 46.7 ± 15.3/hour. About 70% were using >1 drying medication, mainly antihypertensives. Both treatment modalities were found to normalize AHI and decrease sleepiness with no differences between 2 modes, compliance (4.63 ± 0.39 vs 4.70 ± 0.36 h/night) or leaks (32.4 ± 2.0 versus 31.1 ± 1.7l/min). With heated humidification, there was a significant decrease in nasal symptoms such as dry/congested nose. At the study end, 26 patients preferred ThermoSmart ON, 3 did not have preference and 11 preferred ThermoSmart OFF.

Conclusion

ThermoSmart helps to decrease nose and throat discomfort because of CPAP therapy, these effects did not translate to better compliance but patients had a preference for ThermoSmart.
Art Philosophy: Ai Weiwei's Forever (2003)
Authors: Sinnerbrink Robert
Published: April 2019

My discussion of Ai Weiwei's Forever (2003) explores this work in response to three philosophical and aesthetic questions: the role of the artworld context in understanding a work; the idea of the artwork as philosophical; and the idea that conceptual works can also be cultural‐political. I suggest that it is the interplay of immediate perceptual encounter and background artworld knowledge that brings the meaning of the work to life. Weiwei's Forever shows how an artwork can be aesthetic (engaging our sensuous perceptual experience), philosophical (posing the question of its own status as an artwork), and cultural‐political (opening the Gallery space to the broader social realities that the work obliquely references). In these ways I claim Forever is a philosophical work that is conceptual and cultural‐political at once.
Tom Roberts, Charles Conder, and Pictorial Realism
Authors: Matthen Mohan
Published: April 2019

Tom Roberts’ Coogee Beach is a topographically meticulous rendering of a well‐known landmark. Michael Newall suggests that it is an exact rendering of the colour. According to him, a moth could camouflage itself on Robert's brushstrokes. This seems to me mistaken on two fronts. First, colour is not atomistically rendered: what the eye sees is not the same at a point as the paint that is put down there. Second, realism is not achieved point by point, each brush‐stroke matching the colour of what it attempts to reproduce. Roberts’ success has to be judged next to the sun‐flattened look of a bright summer's day, not leaf by leaf.
Impact of a brief psychoeducational intervention for reducing alcohol use and related harm in school leavers
Authors: Quinn Catherine A. , Hides Leanne , de Andrade Dominique , Pocuca Nina , Wilson Megan , Kavanagh David J.
Published: April 2019

Introduction and Aims

Many young people engage in risky partying behaviours and excessive alcohol use in the transition period following high school graduation. Despite this, there is limited longitudinal research on adolescents before and after school graduation; and limited evaluation of interventions targeting these high‐risk periods. The present study aims to address this gap in the literature by examining the impact of brief psychoeducation interventions on substance use, psychological distress and well‐being during this important life transition.

Design and Methods

Participants were 334 high school leavers (53% female, Mage = 17.14) from Queensland, Australia. They received either: (i) a psychoeducation intervention on safe partying behaviours; (ii) a reconstructed version of the psychoeducation intervention; or (iii) a standard health curriculum control. Surveys were conducted at baseline; 2 weeks, immediately following post‐graduation celebratory event ‘Schoolies’; and 4 months, immediately following university orientation ‘O‐week’.

Results

Significant time by group effects were found for problem drinking, F(2, 227) = 3.07, P < 0.05, and well‐being, F(4, 439) = 3.54, P < 0.01. There was stability in problem drinking from baseline to follow‐up for the psychoeducation groups but small increases in problem drinking for the control (d = 0.12). Both psychoeducation groups had improvements in well‐being scores from baseline to post‐Schoolies (d = 0.40; 0.20), which were maintained across time. In contrast, the control condition showed a decrease in well‐being scores from baseline to the post O‐week follow‐up (d = 0.15).

Discussion and Conclusions

Brief school‐based psychoeducational interventions may result in small improvements in well‐being, and possibly stabilise the trajectory of problematic drinking in high‐risk environments.
Diagnosis and follow‐up of idiopathic dilatation of inferior vena cava
Authors: Mordi Ify , Manian Usha , Bagur Rodrigo , Tzemos Nikolaos
Published: April 2019

In the absence of cardiac pathology, the presence of a dilated inferior vena cava (IVC) is considered idiopathic. To date, this phenomenon has only been described in athletic individuals as an adaptation to chronically augmented venous return. This is the largest prospective cohort study, following ten individuals with idiopathic dilated IVC against an age‐matched control group with annual echocardiograms and cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) imaging for a median of 55 months. No significant difference was found between echocardiography and CMR measurements in IVC diameter assessment both at baseline and at follow‐up. Over the study period, there was no significant progression of the IVC in diameter as measured either by echocardiography or CMR. None of the patients suffered any cardiovascular events, and there were no hospitalizations. Our findings indicate the benign nature of this condition and provide reassurance with regard to future clinical implications.
Stink bug rostrum length vs. stylet penetration potential
Authors: Esquivel Jesus F.
Published: April 2019

Stink bugs (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae) and related species continue to plague cotton, Gossypium hirsutum L. (Malvaceae), worldwide. Stink bugs utilize their stylets (housed within the rostrum) to feed upon cotton bolls and transmit pathogens that cause seed and boll rot of cotton. Stylet penetration potential of stink bugs is influenced by species and recent observations indicated a phenomenon whereby stink bugs with shorter rostra yielded deeper stylet penetration estimates. The objective of this study was to elucidate the relationship between rostrum length and known stylet penetration estimates for two pairs of similar‐sized pentatomid species: Chinavia hilaris (Say) vs. Euschistus servus (Say), and Oebalus pugnax (Fabricius) vs. Piezodorus guildinii Westwood. For each species, individual rostral segments were measured to yield total lengths, and measurements were compared against known stylet penetration estimates. Chinavia hilaris and P. guildinii have longer rostra than E. servus and O. pugnax, respectively, yet E. servus and O. pugnax yielded deeper stylet penetration estimates. Deeper stylet penetration by species with shorter rostra can be attributed to differences in the lengths of rostral segments 1 and 2. Euschistus servus and O. pugnax each had significantly longer rostral segments 1 and 2 than C. hilaris and P. guildinii, respectively. Also, the cumulative lengths of rostral segments 1 and 2 comprised a higher overall proportion of the entire rostrum length in E. servus and O. pugnax vs. C. hilaris and P. guildinii, respectively. Rostral segments 1 and 2 are instrumental in the feeding mechanics of these phytophagous species; it is clear that their greater length and their role in stylet penetration model calculations – including the lengths of segments 3 and 4 – override the presumption that total rostrum length equates to stylet penetration potential. This novel finding contributes to the general knowledge of stink bug feeding mechanics.
Pollution effects on disease transmission and economic stability
Authors: Bosi Stefano , Desmarchelier David
Published: April 2019

In this article, we embed a model of disease spread into a Ramsey model. A stock of pollution, viewed as a productive externality, affects both the disease transmission and the consumption demand. An eco‐friendly government levies a proportional Pigouvian tax on production to depollute. We show the coexistence of two steady states in the long run: a disease‐free and an endemic steady state. At the endemic steady state, a higher green‐tax rate always reduces the pollution level. In the short run, we show the existence of limit cycles (through a Hopf bifurcation) as well as more complex dynamics of codimension two (a Gavrilov‐Guckenheimer bifurcation). We complete the study with a numerical illustration of these bifurcations and a new facet of the Green Paradox: a higher tax rate can allow more scope for cycles by lowering the critical aversion to pollution and, thus, contribute to destabilization of the economy and promotion of the intergenerational inequalities.
Utility and safety of adenosine challenge for subtle ventricular pre‐excitation in the pediatric population
Authors: Follansbee Christopher W. , Beerman Lee B. , Wu Liwen , Bertolet Marnie , Arora Gaurav
Published: April 2019

Introduction

Adenosine challenge (AC) can be used to evaluate possible Wolff‐Parkinson‐White (WPW) pattern on an electrocardiogram (ECG). Despite the use of this technique, there is a paucity of studies in the pediatric population evaluating the efficacy, safety, and outcomes of this testing modality.

Methods and Results

All ACs performed from January 2009 to June 2017 were retrospectively reviewed. Patient demographics, adenosine dosing, results, adverse effects, and outcomes including results of electrophysiology studies (EPS) were reviewed. Analysis was conducted between AC positive and negative cohorts. ECG criteria of shortest PR interval, longest QRS duration, and the number of suspected pre‐excited leads were evaluated for inter‐rater reliability and correlation to positive AC. Fifty‐six AC (n = 51) were performed (median age, 13.8; range, 0.3‐20 years). Forty‐one AC were pre‐EPS and 15 post‐EPS due to concern for recurrent WPW. Thirty‐one (76%) pre‐EPS AC were negative, 9 (22%) positive, and 1 (2%) equivocal. EPS was performed following seven positive AC revealing 5 (71%) left posterior and 2 (29%) right posteroseptal AP. The 15 post‐EPS AC were all found to be negative. Mean effective adenosine dose was 0.2 ± 0.11 mg/kg. No adverse events were reported. Mean follow up duration after AC was 314 ± 482 days with no documented arrhythmias.

Conclusion

Adenosine challenge is an effective and safe testing modality for subtle WPW in the pediatric population. In our population, there were no adverse events or documented arrhythmias in patients following a negative study.
Using Symbolic Interactionism to Model Transitions to Adoptive Parenthood
Authors: Willis Hepp Bethany , Hrapczynski Katie , Fortner‐Wood Cheryl
Published: April 2019

This article focuses on symbolic interactionism and its utility when applied to adoptive families. We argue that Mead's (1934, 1956) theoretical concepts of self, generalized other, and shared meaning are underutilized tools for exploring prospective parents' decision of whether to adopt, the transition to adoptive parenthood, and subsequent family adjustment over time. We also advocate for the extension of salience to generalized other, in order to better understand and reflect prospective parents' perspectives of and experiences with adoption. We chose symbolic interactionism as a single theoretical framework to unify the extant adoption literature; in doing so, a conceptual model was developed to better illustrate the theoretical principles as they inform decision making and action taking across the transition to adoptive family life. The model posits six specific propositions that warrant further empirical exploration to test and refine its predictive utility.
Inflation‐Indexed Bonds and Nominal Bonds: Financial Innovation and Precautionary Motives
Authors: KANG MINWOOK
Published: April 2019

This paper introduces a two‐period monetary general equilibrium model with proportional transaction costs on nominal and inflation‐indexed bonds. This paper demonstrates that financial innovation on indexed bonds causes equilibrium interest rates of the nominal bond to increase when agents have precautionary saving motives. This result implies that ignoring precautionary motives would underestimate savers' welfare gain and overestimate borrowers' welfare gain from innovation on indexed bonds.
The dose of physical activity to minimise functional decline in older general medical patients receiving 24‐hr acute care: A systematic scoping review
Authors: Ley Lenore , Khaw Damien , Duke Maxine , Botti Mari
Published: April 2019

Aims and objectives

To identify evidence for a recommended and feasible activity dose to minimise functional decline in older hospitalised general medical patients.

Background

Quality 24‐hr care of older patients involves balancing activity to minimise functional decline, with rest to aid recovery. However, there is limited guidance regarding an optimal type and dose of activity to minimise functional decline in hospitalised elders receiving acute medical care.

Design

A systematic search and scoping review of the literature were conducted following Joanna Briggs methodological guidance.

Methods

The results were reported in accordance with the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta‐Analyses (PRISMA) Statement. Study bias was determined using the Joanna Briggs Institute Critical Appraisal Tools.

Results

Fifteen primary studies of variable design, rigour and potential for bias were included. Study contexts were general medical wards (n = 11, 73.3%), Acute care of the elderly unit (n = 3, 20%) and a nursing unit (n = 1, 6.7%) located in tertiary referral acute hospitals. Most participants were aged 75–84 years (n = 10, 66%), had variable medical diagnoses and samples were either physically capable (n = 4, 26.7%) of limited physical capability (n = 1, 6.7%) or of mixed capability to mobilise independently (n = 10, 66.7%). Walking at least twice a day for approximately 20 min in total appeared to be associated with less functional decline in older patients of variable physical capabilities, and the overall efficacy of twice‐daily exercise to reduce functional decline was supported.

Conclusion

The evidence tentatively supported walking for hospitalised elders, irrespective of physical capability, and based on one RCT, suggested likely benefits of graduated exercise in dependent elders. Insufficient evidence limits prescription of optimal doses of physical activity to minimise functional decline.

Relevance to clinical practice

This review could provide evidence for nurses to promote function in older patients by specifying a dose of physical activity to be undertaken in hospital.
Phytate degradation, intestinal microbiota, microbial metabolites and immune values are changed in growing pigs fed diets with varying calcium–phosphorus concentration and fermentable substrates
Authors: Heyer Charlotte Maria Elisabeth , Schmucker Sonja , Burbach Katharina , Weiss Eva , Eklund Meike , Aumiller Tobias , Capezzone Filippo , Steuber Julia , Rodehutscord Markus , Hoelzle Ludwig Eduard , Seifert Jana , Mosenthin Rainer , Stefanski Volker
Published: April 2019

The present study assessed effects of diets containing varying calcium–phosphorus (CaP) concentration and fermentable substrates on digestibility of diets, intestinal microbiota and immune system using 32 crossbred pigs (initial BW 54.7 kg). In a 2 × 2 factorial arrangement, pigs were fed either a corn–soybean meal (CSB) or corn–field pea (CFP) diet with either low [‐] (4.4 g Ca/kg; 4.2 g total P/kg) or high [+] (8.3 g Ca/kg; 7.5 g total P/kg; supplemented with monocalcium phosphate) CaP content for a period of 9 weeks. In week 8, blood samples were taken, and at the end of the trial, all pigs were euthanized to collect digesta and mesenteric lymphoid tissue. Apparent total tract digestibility (ATTD) of P was greater (p < 0.05) for pigs fed the CaP+ and CFP diets than CaP‐ and CSB diets. The myo‐inositol 1,2,3,4,5,6‐hexakis (dihydrogen phosphate) (InsP6) concentration in jejunal digesta was higher (p < 0.05) for CaP+ than in CaP‐ fed pigs. In addition, caecal and faecal InsP5 isomer concentration were greater (p < 0.05) for CSB than CFP diets. In the caecum, gene copy numbers of saccharolytic bacteria, such as Eubacterium rectale and Roseburia spp., as well as SCFA concentration were higher (p < 0.05) for CaP+ than CaP‐ diets. In particular, innate immune cell numbers, such as natural killer cells, dendritic cells, monocytes and neutrophils, were greater (p < 0.05) for CaP+ than CaP‐ fed pigs. Diets high in CaP resulted in higher abundance of potential beneficial bacteria and might promote the first line of defence enhancing the activation of the cellular adaptive immune response, thereby possibly decreasing the risk for intestinal disturbances. These results strongly suggest that both, CaP supply and dietary ingredients differing in fermentability, may beneficially affect gut health through increase in SCFA‐producing bacteria and/or bacteria with anti‐inflammatory properties.
Primary insomnia patients’ performances during simulated car following and urban driving in the afternoon
Authors: Perrier Joy , Amato Jean‐Noël , Berthelon Catherine , Bocca Marie‐Laure
Published: April 2019

According to epidemiological studies, insomnia is associated with an increase in risk of traffic accidents. Recent investigations revealed that patients with insomnia had driving performance impairment under monotonous conditions. However, it is unclear whether other driving abilities may be impacted by insomnia, especially those needing more attentional resources than those involved in monotonous driving. Other findings revealed that impaired performances are more likely to occur with the increase of cognitive demands. However, such tests did not reflect difficulties in situations of everyday life expressed by patients with insomnia, such as driving in an urban environment with traffic and critical situations. Therefore, behaviour in situations encountered in everyday life has to be explored. The aim of the present study was to assess driving performances of patients with insomnia in daily routine tasks such as urban and car‐following tests. For this purpose, 15 patients with insomnia and 16 good sleepers performed an urban test of driving with original risk scenarios and a car‐following test during the middle afternoon. No significant behavioural difference between patients with insomnia and good sleepers has been found in both the urban test and the car‐following test, showing that patients with insomnia have no impairment in behaviour implicated in daily contexts driving tasks of short period of time performed in the late afternoon. Although our results provide a first step towards knowledge of behavioural performance during daily routine driving tasks in patients with insomnia, future studies are needed using on‐the‐road driving tests and/or different population of patients with insomnia before generalisation.
Phenological and structural linkages to seasonality inform productivity relationships in the Amazon Rainforest
Authors: Atkins Jeff W. , Agee Elizabeth
Published: April 2019

This article is a Commentary on Smith et al., 222: 1284–1297.
Asymmetric effects of oil revenue shocks on government spending composition and productive sectors: new evidence from Nigeria
Authors: Olayungbo David Oluseun
Published: April 2019

Oil revenue plays an important role in meeting government obligations in Nigeria. It accounts for almost 90 per cent of the total export earnings and government spending. Given the high relevance of oil in Nigeria, this paper examines the asymmetric effects of oil revenue shocks on government spending and the real sectors from 1970 to 2017. We find no long‐run equilibrium relationships among oil revenue and the variables of interest. However, when we allow for non‐linear relationship, cointegration is found to exist only for negative oil revenue and the variable of interest. Both the asymmetric variance decomposition and the generalised asymmetric impulse response function show positive responses of agricultural output and capital expenditure to negative oil revenue shocks while only manufacturing output and recurrent expenditure respond negatively. We recommend that the government should not depend solely on oil exports as the major source of revenue but also create incentive in the non‐oil sectors for complementary revenue generation.
Non‐equivalent Results from Different Anteversion Measurements Methods for the Evaluation of the Acetabular Cup Orientation in Total Hip Arthroplasty
Authors: Snijders Thom E , Schlösser Tom P C , van Gaalen Steven M , Castelein Rene M , Weinans Harry , de Gast Arthur
Published: April 2019

Objective

To determine the comparability among 10 radiographic anteversion methods for acetabular cup orientation in total hip arthroplasty (THA) found in the literature and the “gold” standard of assessing the anteversion with CT.

Methods

This is a retrospective study that blindly compares 10 different conventional radiographic anteversion measurements with the “gold” standard, the measurement of anteversion on the transverse plane of the 3‐D images made with CT. The patient archiving and communications system (PACS) was systematically searched for subjects that had undergone a CT angiogram of the abdomen and lower extremities, including the pelvis, had at least one THA in situ and had undergone anterior‐posterior (AP) and cross‐lateral pelvic radiography between January 2013 and August 2016 in the Diakonessenhuis Hospital Utrecht/Zeist, a non‐academic institution. CT scans of patients (n = 16) were systematically collected. Three observers independently measured cup anteversion from radiographs, using a total of 10 different methods, and measured the “gold” standard on CT images. The outcomes of the 10 radiographic anteversion were compared in terms of linear correlation with the “gold” standard on CT images.

Results

The correlations of the radiographic measured anteversions with the “gold” standard measured on CT images were 0.528 for the method of Liaw, 0.556 for Wan, 0.562 for the cross‐lateral method, 0.586 for Hassan, 0.594 for Dorr, 0.602 for Lewinnek, 0.624 for Widmer, 0.671 for the lateral CT, 0.747 for Ackland, and 0.771 for the method of Riten Pradham.

Conclusion

Anteversion measurement methods represent different projectional angles of the acetabular cup in different planes around different axes. Therefore, they differ from the “gold” standard and are not interchangeable, as is shown by this study. We consider the anatomical anteversion in the transverse plane rotating around the longitudinal axis as the “gold” standard and recommend avoiding using the term anteversion for other projectional angles in different planes.
Comparative pharmacokinetics of tacrolimus in stable pediatric allograft recipients converted from immediate‐release tacrolimus to prolonged‐release tacrolimus formulation
Authors: Rubik Jacek , Debray Dominique , Iserin Franck , Vondrak Karel , Sellier‐Leclerc Anne‐Laure , Kelly Deirdre , Czubkowski Piotr , Webb Nicholas J. A. , Riva Silvia , D'Antiga Lorenzo , Marks Stephen D. , Rivet Christine , Tönshoff Burkhard , Kazeem Gbenga , Undre Nasrullah
Published: April 2019

This study was a Phase II, open‐label, multicenter, single‐arm, cross‐over study comparing the pharmacokinetics (PK) of tacrolimus in stable pediatric kidney, liver, or heart allograft recipients converted from immediate‐release tacrolimus (IR‐T) to prolonged‐release tacrolimus (PR‐T). In Days −30 to −1 of screening period, patients received their IR‐T‐based regimen; during Days 1‐7, patients received study IR‐T (same dose as screening). On Day 7, the first 24‐hours PK profile was taken; patients were then converted to PR‐T (1 mg:1 mg), with a second 24‐hours PK profile taken on Day 14. The primary end‐point was tacrolimus area under the blood concentration–time curve over 24 hours (AUC24); secondary end‐points were maximum concentration Cmaxand concentration at 24 hours C24. The predefined similarity interval for confidence intervals (CIs) of least squares mean (LSM) ratios was 80%‐125%. The PK analysis set comprised 74 pediatric transplant recipients (kidney, n = 45; liver, n = 28; heart, n = 1). PR‐T:IR‐T LSM ratio (90% CI) was similar overall for AUC24, max, and C24, and for kidney and liver recipients for AUC24 (LSM ratio, kidney 91.8%; liver 104.1%) and C24 (kidney 90.5%; liver 89.9%). Linear relationship was similar between AUC24 and C24, and between PR‐T and IR‐T (rho 0.89 and 0.84, respectively), suggesting that stable pediatric transplant recipients can be converted from IR‐T to PR‐T at the same total daily dose, using the same therapeutic drug monitoring method.
Effect of breakwater restoration work following the subsidence caused by the 2011 Tohoku Earthquake on the subtidal kelp population
Authors: Suzuki Haruka , Aoki Tomoya , Inomata Eri , Agatsuma Yukio , Aoki Masakazu N.
Published: April 2019

We conducted a 5‐year monitoring survey of a population of Eisenia bicyclis kelp at a coastal area that suffered subsidence from the 2011 earthquake and the subsequent breakwater restoration work. Due to subsidence, the former intertidal area sank to the subtidal zone, therefore, the density of E. bicyclis increased because of many recruits. However, after the restoration work, the area harboring the recruits was destroyed and landfilled. In an area that sank below the pre‐subsidence border of the kelp distribution, recruits were rare. Furthermore, an indirect effect of the restoration work was also observed on recruitment in the intact offshore kelp zone. Our results showed that the breakwater restoration work following subsidence had negative effects, not only to the density but also to the age structure of the E. bicyclis population.