bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The long-term effects and detection ranges of passive integrated transponders in white-clawed crayfish Austropotamobius pallipes
Authors: Nightingale Jen , Stebbing Paul , Taylor Nick , McCabe Gráinne , Jones Gareth
Published: March 2018

Individual identification of the endangered white-clawed crayfish (Austropotamobius pallipes) can provide valuable information when assessing long-term survival of animals released into the wild; currently the most effective method is the use of passive integrated transponders (PIT) tags. A 360 days ex situ experiment was undertaken on 20-month, captive-born A. pallipes of carapace length (CL): 22–31 mm, to assess growth and survival after PIT-tagging. Thirty crayfish, matched for sex and size, were PIT-tagged, with 30 untagged crayfish as a control. All crayfish survived for the first 60-day post-tagging, indicating that there was no short-term survival effect of the procedure, in controlled conditions. There was no significant difference in survival or growth over the year between tagged and untagged crayfish, indicating that A. pallipes (≥22 mm CL) can be PIT-tagged safely. A second ex situ experiment investigated the detection range of adult, wild-caught, PIT-tagged A. pallipes. Eighteen A. pallipes were tagged with either 8 mm or 12 mm tags and added to different treatments (bare tank, tank with substrate, brick refuge, pipe refuge, pipe refuge plus slate), and the distance to detection was measured. Throughout all treatments the A. pallipes tagged with 12 mm PIT tags were detected significantly further away (35.6 ± 3.8 mm) than the 8 mm PIT-tagged crayfish.
Immuncheckpointinhibition beim metastasierten Urothelkarzinom
Authors: Bedke Jens , Todenhöfer Tilman , Stenzl Arnulf
Published: March 2018

Die Behandlung des metastasierten Urothelkarzinoms (mUC) erfolgte standardmäßig durch die Applikation chemotherapiehaltiger Regime. Während in der Erstlinienbehandlung durch cisplatinbasierte Kombinationen noch relativ gute Ansprechraten und eine Verlängerung des Gesamtüberlebens erzielt werden kann, verringert sich dieses in der platinrefraktären Situation und wenn − aufgrund einer eingeschränkten Nierenfunktion oder Komorbiditäten − kein Cisplatin mehr gegeben werden kann. Die neue Substanzklasse der Immuncheckpointinhibitoren (ICI) hat die Therapie beim mUC deutlich verbessert, sowohl nach platinhaltiger Therapie als auch bei cisplatin-ungeeigneten Patienten. Aktuell sind durch die EMA Atezolizumab, Nivolumab und Pembrolizumab basierend auf Phase II- und III-Daten für die Therapie des mUC zugelassen. Zukünftige Entwicklungen fokussieren auf die Anwendung in der Erstlinie und der adjuvanten Therapie, auch in der Kombination von PD-L1-/PD-1-Antikörpern mit zusätzlichen ICI-Targets und der Kombination mit Chemotherapie. Klinischer Bedarf besteht in der Etablierung von Biomarkern in der ICI-Therapie, da die derzeitigen Ergebnisse für den PD-L1-Status heterogen sind.
Experimental evidence for stochastic switching of supercooled phases in NdNiO3 nanostructures
Authors: Kumar Devendra , Rajeev K. P. , Alonso J. A.
Published: March 2018

A first-order phase transition is a dynamic phenomenon. In a multi-domain system, the presence of multiple domains of coexisting phases averages out the dynamical effects, making it nearly impossible to predict the exact nature of phase transition dynamics. Here, we report the metal-insulator transition in samples of sub-micrometer size NdNiO3 where the effect of averaging is minimized by restricting the number of domains under study. We observe the presence of supercooled metallic phases with supercooling of 40 K or more. The transformation from the supercooled metallic to the insulating state is a stochastic process that happens at different temperatures and times in different experimental runs. The experimental results are understood without incorporating material specific properties, suggesting that the behavior is of universal nature. The size of the sample needed to observe individual switching of supercooled domains, the degree of supercooling, and the time-temperature window of switching are expected to depend on the parameters such as quenched disorder, strain, and magnetic field.
Nanosecond laser scribing of CIGS thin film solar cell based on ITO bottom contact
Authors: Kuk Seungkuk , Wang Zhen , Fu Shi , Zhang Tao , Yu Yi Yin , Choi JaeMyung , Jeong Jeung-hyun , Hwang David J.
Published: March 2018

Cu(In,Ga)Se2 (CIGS) thin films, a promising photovoltaic architecture, have mainly relied on Molybdenum for the bottom contact. However, the opaque nature of Molybdenum (Mo) poses limitations in module level fabrication by laser scribing as a preferred method for interconnect. We examined the P1, P2, and P3 laser scribing processes on CIGS photovoltaic architecture on the indium tin oxide (ITO) bottom contact with a cost-effective nanosecond pulsed laser of 532 nm wavelength. Laser illuminated from the substrate side, enabled by the transparent bottom contact, facilitated selective laser energy deposition onto relevant interfaces towards high-quality scribing. Parametric tuning procedures are described in conjunction with experimental and numerical investigation of relevant mechanisms, and preliminary mini-module fabrication results are also presented.
Maximally resolved anharmonic OH vibrational spectrum of the water/ZnO(101¯0) interface from a high-dimensional neural network potential
Authors: Quaranta Vanessa , Hellström Matti , Behler Jörg , Kullgren Jolla , Mitev Pavlin D. , Hermansson Kersti
Published: March 2018

Unraveling the atomistic details of solid/liquid interfaces, e.g., by means of vibrational spectroscopy, is of vital importance in numerous applications, from electrochemistry to heterogeneous catalysis. Water-oxide interfaces represent a formidable challenge because a large variety of molecular and dissociated water species are present at the surface. Here, we present a comprehensive theoretical analysis of the anharmonic OH stretching vibrations at the water/ZnO(101¯0) interface as a prototypical case. Molecular dynamics simulations employing a reactive high-dimensional neural network potential based on density functional theory calculations have been used to sample the interfacial structures. In the second step, one-dimensional potential energy curves have been generated for a large number of configurations to solve the nuclear Schrödinger equation. We find that (i) the ZnO surface gives rise to OH frequency shifts up to a distance of about 4 Å from the surface; (ii) the spectrum contains a number of overlapping signals arising from different chemical species, with the frequencies decreasing in the order ν(adsorbed hydroxide) > ν(non-adsorbed water) > ν(surface hydroxide) > ν(adsorbed water); (iii) stretching frequencies are strongly influenced by the hydrogen bond pattern of these interfacial species. Finally, we have been able to identify substantial correlations between the stretching frequencies and hydrogen bond lengths for all species.
Accounting for the various contributions to pyroelectricity in lead zirconate titanate thin films
Authors: Hanrahan B. , Espinal Y. , Neville C. , Rudy R. , Rivas M. , Smith A. , Kesim M. T. , Alpay S. P.
Published: March 2018

An understanding of the pyroelectric coefficient and particularly its relationship with the applied electric field is critical to predicting the device performance for infrared imaging, energy harvesting, and solid-state cooling devices. In this work, we compare direct measurements of the pyroelectric effect under pulsed heating to the indirect extraction of the pyroelectric coefficient from adiabatic hysteresis loops and predictions from Landau-Devonshire theory for PbZr0.52Ti0.48O3 (PZT 52/48) on platinized silicon substrates. The differences between these measurements are explained through a series of careful measurements that quantify the magnitude and direction of the secondary and field-induced pyroelectric effects. The indirect measurement is shown to be up to 25% of the direct measurement at high fields, while the direct measurements and theoretical predictions converge at high fields as the film approaches a mono-domain state. These measurements highlight the importance of directly measuring the pyroelectric response in thin films, where non-intrinsic effects can be a significant proportion of the total observed pyroelectricity. Material and operating conditions are also discussed which could simultaneously maximize all contributions to pyroelectricity.
Crystallization of hard spheres revisited. I. Extracting kinetics and free energy landscape from forward flux sampling
Authors: Richard David , Speck Thomas
Published: March 2018

We investigate the kinetics and the free energy landscape of the crystallization of hard spheres from a supersaturated metastable liquid though direct simulations and forward flux sampling. In this first paper, we describe and test two different ways to reconstruct the free energy barriers from the sampled steady state probability distribution of cluster sizes without sampling the equilibrium distribution. The first method is based on mean first passage times, and the second method is based on splitting probabilities. We verify both methods for a single particle moving in a double-well potential. For the nucleation of hard spheres, these methods allow us to probe a wide range of supersaturations and to reconstruct the kinetics and the free energy landscape from the same simulation. Results are consistent with the scaling predicted by classical nucleation theory although a quantitative fit requires a rather large effective interfacial tension.
Modeling antigen-antibody nanoparticle bioconjugates and their polymorphs
Authors: Desgranges Caroline , Delhommelle Jerome
Published: March 2018

The integration of nanomaterials with biomolecules has recently led to the development of new ways of designing biosensors, and through their assembly, to new hybrid structures for novel and exciting applications. In this work, we develop a coarse-grained model for nanoparticles grafted with antibody molecules and their binding with antigens. In particular, we isolate two possible states for antigen-antibody pairs during the binding process, termed as recognition and anchoring states. Using molecular simulation, we calculate the thermodynamic and structural features of three possible crystal structures or polymorphs, the body-centered cubic, simple cubic, and face-centered cubic phases, and of the melt. This leads us to determine the domain of stability of the three solid phases. In particular, the role played by the switching process between anchoring and recognition states during melting is identified, shedding light on the complex microscopic mechanisms in these systems.
Spatial variation of dynamic nuclear spin polarization probed by the non-local Hanle effect
Authors: Shiogai J. , Ciorga M. , Utz M. , Schuh D. , Kohda M. , Bougeard D. , Nojima T. , Weiss D. , Nitta J.
Published: March 2018

The spatial distribution of dynamic nuclear spin polarization (DNP) has been investigated in a lateral all-semiconductor spin-injection device based on a (Ga,Mn)As/n+-GaAs spin-Esaki diode. The DNP induced by the hyperfine interaction has been probed via satellite peaks in non-local Hanle-type spin precession signals, indicating the recovery of electron spin polarization. A quantitative analysis using the self-consistent calculation reproduces the magnetic field position of the satellite peaks as a function of spin injection bias and injector-detector separation. The distance dependence of the Hanle curves reveals that the spin-lattice relaxation rather than the hyperfine interaction is the dominant mechanism of nuclear spin relaxation in the non-local region.
Effects of gap distance and working gas on energy spectra of electrons in atmospheric pressure plasma jets
Authors: Chen Xinxian , Tan Zhenyu , Liu Yadi , Li Xiaotong , Pan Jie , Wang Xiaolong
Published: March 2018

This work presents an investigation on the effects of the gap distance and working gas on the energy spectra of electrons (ESEs) in the atmospheric pressure plasma jets, and the corresponding mechanisms are also analyzed in detail based on the energy conservation of electrons in the development of discharge. The investigation is carried out by means of the numerical simulation based on a particle-in-cell Monte Carlo collision model and gives the following results. There are the same characteristics of the spatiotemporal evolution of the energy spectrum of electrons for the considered gap distances below 1 cm. For each gap distance, there is a characteristic time (CT) in the evolution of ESE. Before the CT, the peak value of ESE decreases, the peak position shifts toward high energy, and the distribution of ESE becomes wider and wider, but the reverse is true after the CT. With the decrease in the gap distance, the CT of ESE decreases, and the average energy of electrons (AEEs) increases. Small gap distance leads to both smaller peak value of ESE and the peak position shifting toward high energy. This effect reaches its most prominent level at about 0.16 ns and then becomes evidently weak after 0.5 ns, staying at a nearly stable state where the differences between the ESEs due to different gap distances are very small. In contrast with argon, the ESE in helium is of low peak value and large distribution range, and the corresponding AEE is obviously large. These differences originate mainly from the obviously different thresholds and frequencies of inelastic collisions in argon and helium.
Electrically controlled wire-channel GaN/AlGaN transistor for terahertz plasma applications
Authors: Cywiński G. , Yahniuk I. , Kruszewski P. , Grabowski M. , Nowakowski-Szkudlarek K. , Prystawko P. , Sai P. , Knap W. , Simin G. S. , Rumyantsev S. L.
Published: March 2018

We report on a design of fin-shaped channel GaN/AlGaN field-effect transistors developed for studying resonant terahertz plasma oscillations. Unlike common two dimensional FinFET transistor design, the gates were deposited only to the sides of the two dimensional electron gas channel, i.e., metal layers were not deposited on the top of the AlGaN. This side gate configuration allowed us to electrically control the conductivity of the channel by changing its width while keeping the carrier density and mobility virtually unchanged. Computer simulations and analytical model describe well the general shape of the characteristics. The side gate control of the channel width of these transistors allowed us to eliminate the so-called oblique plasma wave modes and paves the way towards future terahertz detectors and emitters using high quality factor plasma wave resonances.
Amplitude death model exhibits control of thermoacoustic oscillations
Authors: Wolverton Mark
Published: March 2018

Simulations demonstrate different suppression effects between coupling schemes and reveal that simultaneous application of two types of coupling can suppress damaging vibrations.
Nonmonotonic spatial structure of interneuronal correlations in prefrontal microcircuits
Authors: Safavi Shervin , Dwarakanath Abhilash , Kapoor Vishal , Werner Joachim , Hatsopoulos Nicholas G. , Logothetis Nikos K. , Panagiotaropoulos Theofanis I.
Published: March 2018

Significance

The spatial structure of correlated activity of neurons in lower-order visual areas has been shown to linearly decrease as a measure of distance. The shape of correlated variability is a defining feature of cortical microcircuits, as it constrains the computational power and diversity of a region. We show here a nonmonotonic spatial structure of functional connectivity in the prefrontal cortex (PFC) where distal interactions are just as strong as proximal interactions during visual engagement of functionally similar PFC neurons. Such a nonmonotonic structure of functional connectivity could have far-reaching consequences in rethinking the nature and role of prefrontal microcircuits in various cognitive states.
Los verbos adimensionales
Authors: Fábregas Antonio
Published: March 2018

The goal of this article is the analysis of the empirical properties of change of state verbs which do not specifiy lexically the dimension where change operates – such asaumentar‘increase’,reducir‘reduce’,acrecentar‘increase’ –, and also to examine the theoretical consequences that this class has for our understanding of argument structure, the distinction between light and non-light predicates and the interconnection of structural and conceptual semantics. We will show that these verbs, which we label ‘adimensional predicates’ are sharply different from prototypical change of state verbs, and we argue that their existence supports a distinction between the syntactic structure of a verb of change of state and the conceptual operation that anchors the change to a specific cognitive domain.
The Apocalypse of Ecstasy: The Poetry of Shah Ismāᶜīl Revisited
Authors: Gallagher Amelia
Published: March 2018

This article explores the poetry of Shah Ismāᶜīl Safavī (d. 1524), the founder of the Safavid dynasty of Iran. Established as an important historical source by Vladimir Minorsky during World War II, the issues surrounding the poetic corpus of Shah Ismāᶜīl have continued to attract the attention of historians of the Safavids. With examples from the earliest and most authentic manuscript, the idea of viewing this body of works as literary sources versus political propaganda is discussed in this article.
TRRAP is a central regulator of human multiciliated cell formation
Authors: Wang Zhao , Plasschaert Lindsey W. , Aryal Shivani , Renaud Nicole A. , Yang Zinger , Choo-Wing Rayman , Pessotti Angelica D. , Kirkpatrick Nathaniel D. , Cochran Nadire R. , Carbone Walter , Maher Rob , Lindeman Alicia , Russ Carsten , Reece-Hoyes John , McAllister Gregory , Hoffman Gregory R. , Roma Guglielmo , Jaffe Aron B.
Published: March 2018

The multiciliated cell (MCC) is an evolutionarily conserved cell type, which in vertebrates functions to promote directional fluid flow across epithelial tissues. In the conducting airway, MCCs are generated by basal stem/progenitor cells and act in concert with secretory cells to perform mucociliary clearance to expel pathogens from the lung. Studies in multiple systems, including Xenopus laevis epidermis, murine trachea, and zebrafish kidney, have uncovered a transcriptional network that regulates multiple steps of multiciliogenesis, ultimately leading to an MCC with hundreds of motile cilia extended from their apical surface, which beat in a coordinated fashion. Here, we used a pool-based short hairpin RNA screening approach and identified TRRAP, an essential component of multiple histone acetyltransferase complexes, as a central regulator of MCC formation. Using a combination of immunofluorescence, signaling pathway modulation, and genomic approaches, we show that (a) TRRAP acts downstream of the Notch2-mediated basal progenitor cell fate decision and upstream of Multicilin to control MCC differentiation; and (b) TRRAP binds to the promoters and regulates the expression of a network of genes involved in MCC differentiation and function, including several genes associated with human ciliopathies.
“Antiscience Zealotry”? Values, Epistemic Risk, and the GMO Debate
Authors: Biddle Justin B.
Published: March 2018

This article argues that the controversy over genetically modified crops is best understood not in terms of the supposed bias, dishonesty, irrationality, or ignorance on the part of proponents or critics, but rather in terms of differences in values. To do this, the article draws on and extends recent work of the role of values and interests in science, focusing particularly on inductive risk and epistemic risk, and it shows how the GMO debate can help to further our understanding of the various epistemic risks that are present in science and how these risks might be managed.
The Influence of Preoperative Interventions on Postoperative Surgical Wound Healing in Patients Without Risk Factors: A Systematic Review
Authors: Geers Nikki C , Zegel Maurits , Huybregts Jeroen G J , Niessen Frank B
Published: March 2018

Background

Poor wound healing and scar formation remain critical problems in daily surgical practice. Generally, most attention is paid to intra- and postoperative interventions to improve wound healing after surgery, while preoperative interventions remain unsatisfactorily explored.

Objectives

In this systematic review, the available literature on the beneficial effects of preoperative interventions on wound healing and scar formation have been summarized and compared.

Methods

A comprehensive and systematic search has been conducted in MEDLINE, Pubmed, Embase, Web of Science, and Cochrane, supplemented by reference and citation tracking. All preoperative interventions and all clinically relevant outcome parameters have been considered for inclusion, due to the expected limited availability of literature.

Results

A total of 13 studies were included, which were all randomized trials. No cohort studies or retrospective studies have been identified. All studies described different preoperative interventions and outcome parameters and could hence not be pooled and compared. Eight studies showed significantly better wound healing after a preoperative intervention. The individual studies have been summarized in this review.

Conclusions

This systemic review shows that preoperative interventions can be beneficial in improving wound healing and scar formation. In selected cases, wound healing was found to benefit from a higher preoperative body temperature, topical vitamin E application, and low patient stress levels.

Level of Evidence: 2
Weak Containment by Restrictions of Induced Representations
Authors: Wiersma Matthew
Published: March 2018

A QSIN group is a locally compact group G whose group algebra $\mathrm L^{1}(G)$ admits a quasi-central bounded approximate identity. Examples of QSIN groups include every amenable group and every discrete group. It is shown that if G is a QSIN group, H is a closed subgroup of G, and $\pi \!: H\to \mathcal B(\mathcal{H})$ is a unitary representation of H, then $\pi$ is weakly contained in $\Big (\mathrm{Ind}_{H}^{G}\pi \Big )|_{H}$. This provides a powerful tool in studying the C*-algebras of QSIN groups. In particular, it is shown that if G is a QSIN group which contains a copy of $\mathbb{F}_{2}$ as a closed subgroup, then $\mathrm C^{\ast }(G)$ is not locally reflexive and $\mathrm C^{\ast }_{r}(G)$ does not admit the local lifting property. Further applications are drawn to the “(weak) extendability” of Fourier spaces $\mathrm A_{\pi }$ and Fourier–Stieltjes spaces $\mathrm B_{\pi }$.
A Physical Therapist–Administered Physical Activity Intervention After Total Knee Replacement: Protocol for a Randomized Controlled Trial
Authors: Christiansen Meredith B , Thoma Louise M , Master Hiral , Schmitt Laura A , Pohlig Ryan , White Daniel K
Published: March 2018

Background

The definitive treatment for knee osteoarthritis is a total knee replacement, which results in a clinically meaningful improvement in pain and physical function. However, evidence suggests that physical activity (PA) remains unchanged after total knee replacement (TKR).

Objective

The objective of this study is to investigate the efficacy, fidelity, and safety of a physical therapist–administered PA intervention for people after TKR.

Design

This study will be a randomized controlled trial.

Setting

The setting is an outpatient physical therapy clinic.

Participants

The participants are 125 individuals who are over the age of 45 and are seeking outpatient physical therapy following a unilateral TKR.

Intervention

In addition to standardized physical therapy after TKR, the intervention group will receive, during physical therapy, a weekly PA intervention that includes a wearable activity tracking device, individualized step goals, and face-to-face feedback provided by a physical therapist.

Control

The control group will receive standardized physical therapy alone after TKR.

Measurements

The efficacy of the intervention will be measured as minutes per week spent in moderate to vigorous PA at enrollment, at discharge, and at 6 months and 12 months after discharge from physical therapy. The fidelity and safety of the intervention will be assessed throughout the study.

Limitations

Participants will not be masked, PA data will be collected after randomization, and the trial will be conducted at a single site.

Conclusions

The goal of this randomized controlled trial is to increase PA after TKR. A protocol for investigating the efficacy, fidelity, and safety of a physical therapist–administered PA intervention for people after TKR is presented. The findings will be used to support a large multisite clinical trial to test the effectiveness, implementation, and cost of this intervention.
Retention of Resistance to Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. niveum in Cucurbit Rootstocks Infected by Meloidogyne incognita
Authors: Keinath Anthony P. , Agudelo Paula A.
Published: March 2018

Interspecific hybrid squash (Cucurbita maxima × C. moschata ‘Strong Tosa’) and bottle gourd (Lagenaria siceraria ‘Macis’) rootstocks are resistant to Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. niveum but susceptible to Meloidogyne incognita (Southern root-knot nematode). Coinfection of Early Prolific Straightneck summer squash (C. pepo) with root-knot nematode and F. oxysporum f. sp. niveum has been reported to increase susceptibility to Fusarium wilt. The objectives of this study were to determine whether such an interaction occurred between M. incognita and F. oxysporum f. sp. niveum races 1 and 2 on Strong Tosa, Macis, and watermelon cultivars Fascination (resistant to race 1) and Tri-X 313 (susceptible to both races). Hosts were inoculated in a greenhouse with one of four pathogen treatments: F. oxysporum f. sp. niveum, M. incognita, both pathogens, or neither pathogen. Galling was present on ≥10% of the root systems of 90% of the plants inoculated with M. incognita. Bottle gourd had less galling than interspecific hybrid squash. Plants not inoculated with F. oxysporum f. sp. niveum did not wilt. Four weeks after inoculation, incidence and severity of Fusarium wilt and recovery of F. oxysporum did not differ for any hosts inoculated with F. oxysporum f. sp. niveum alone and F. oxysporum f. sp. niveum plus M. incognita (host–treatment interactions not significant). In general, Early Prolific Straightneck grouped with the F. oxysporum f. sp. niveum-resistant rootstocks when inoculated with F. oxysporum f. sp. niveum race 2 and with the susceptible watermelon when inoculated with race 1, regardless of inoculation with M. incognita. Recovery of F. oxysporum from stems of inoculated watermelon was greater than recovery from the other three hosts, regardless of nematode inoculation. In conclusion, our experiments do not support the hypothesis that resistance to F. oxysporum f. sp. niveum in cucurbit rootstocks or resistant watermelon cultivars would be compromised when M. incognita infects the roots.
How Gender Affects Experiences With Bullying in Prelicensure BSN Programs: A Pilot Study
Authors: Vingers Julie Ann
Published: March 2018

The purpose of the study was to identify if differences existed between male and female nursing students in occurrence rates of bullying and who was perpetrating the bullying. Results of a survey of 107 nursing students found that patients, nurses, and other hospital staff bullied female nursing students significantly more than male nursing students. The findings indicate that nurse educators need to be diligent while on the clinical unit as female students are more likely to be bullied by those they are learning from in these settings.
Finding My Way
Authors: Logan Rebecca M. , Dormire Sharon
Published: March 2018

Background:

Historically, the relationship between infant and mother in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) has been the main focus of parenting research, leaving a gap in the literature regarding the paternal experience.

Purpose:

The purpose of this study was to gain an understanding of the lived experience of fathering an infant born at less than 28 weeks' gestation admitted to a level III NICU.

Methods:

Seven fathers of premature infants (25-27 weeks' gestation) participated in a semistructured interview about the experience of becoming a father to a premature infant at least 1 to 2 weeks after the NICU admission. Data were collected in 2015.

Findings:

The primary themes identified were looking in, persevering, holding, and finding my way. Fathers in this study described feeling like an outsider in the NICU while learning to trust strangers, protect the mother and the child, and continue to work and provide for the family. Holding for the first time is pivotal in this journey, as the moment of solidifying the connection with the child.

Implications for Practice:

The findings from this study bring awareness of the experiences of fathers during the NICU journey of having a premature infant. Nurses should encourage paternal participation and involvement, visitation, and facilitate kangaroo care opportunities early and often.

Implications for Research:

The findings from this study allow nurses to better understand the paternal experience of having a premature infant born at less than 28 weeks. However, future research should continue to investigate the paternal experience with other gestational ages as well as the influence of stress of fathers during this experience.
Fathers' Stress in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit
Authors: Prouhet Paula M. , Gregory Mary R. , Russell Cynthia L. , Yaeger Lauren H.
Published: March 2018

Background:

Admission to the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) is stressful for parents. Nurses often focus on maternal well-being and fail to acknowledge the stress of fathers. Research on fathers' psychological stress is limited.

Purpose:

A systematic review of the literature was completed to examine the extent of psychological stress and types of stressors in fathers with infants admitted to the NICU.

Methods/Search Strategy:

A search of Ovid MEDLINE, Cochrane Library, PsycINFO, CINAHL, and EMBASE was conducted to identify descriptive and observational studies reporting father-specific stress in the NICU. Studies using observational and descriptive designs, published in English, and reporting father-specific stress outcomes during a NICU admission were eligible for inclusion. Strengthening the Reporting of Observational Studies in Epidemiology guidelines were used for quality assessment.

Results:

Fifteen studies met inclusion criteria. Fathers find the NICU environment stressful and are more stressed than fathers of full-term, healthy infants. Parental role alteration, infant appearance, NICU environment, and staff communication are stressors.

Implications for Practice/Research:

By recognizing the extent and types of psychological stress in fathers, nurses can provide better support for fathers in their new role. Younger fathers and those with very low birth-weight premature infants may need additional support and resources. Future research on fathers' stress should include larger sample sizes, diverse populations, and tool development and evaluation.
Feeding Intervals in Premature Infants ≤1750 g
Authors: Binchy Áine , Moore Zena , Patton Declan
Published: March 2018

Background:

The timely establishment of enteral feeds and a reduction in the number of feeding interruptions are key to achieving optimal nutrition in premature infants. Nutritional guidelines vary widely regarding feeding regimens and there is not a widely accepted consensus on the optimal feeding interval.

Purpose:

To critically examine the evidence to determine whether there is a relationship to feeding intervals and feeding outcomes in premature infants.

Methods:

A systematic review of the literature in the following databases: PubMed, CINAHL, Embase and the Cochrane Library. The search strategy used the terms infant premature, low birth weight, enteral feeding, feed tolerance and feed intervals.

Results:

Search results yielded 10 studies involving 1269 infants (birth weight ≤1750 g). No significant differences in feed intolerance, growth, or incidence of necrotizing enterocolitis were observed. Evidence suggests that infants fed at 2 hourly intervals reached full feeds faster than at 3 hourly intervals, had fewer days on parenteral nutrition, and fewer days in which feedings were withheld. Decrease in the volume of gastric residuals and feeding interruptions were observed in the infants fed at 3 hourly intervals than those who were continuously fed.

Implications for Practice:

Reducing the feed interval from 3 to 2 hourly increases nurse workload, yet may improve feeding outcomes by reducing the time to achieve full enteral feeding.

Implications for Research:

Studies varied greatly in the definition and management of feeding intolerance and in how outcomes were measured, analyzed, and reported. The term “intermittent” is used widely but can refer to a 2 or 3 hourly interval.
Clinical Characteristics and Risk Factors of Recurrent Lumbar Disk Herniation
Authors: Li Zhonghai , Yang Hao , Liu Mozhen , Lu Ming , Chu Jin , Hou Shuxun , Hou Tiesheng
Published: March 2018

Study Design.

Retrospective clinical series.

Objective.

To investigate the clinical features and the risk factors for recurrent lumbar disc herniation (rLDH) in China.

Summary of Background Data.

rLDH is a common cause of poor outcomes after lumbar microdiscectomy surgery. Risk factors for rLDH are increasingly being investigated. However, results in these previous studies were not always consistent.

Methods.

Between June 2005 and July 2012, 321 consecutive patients with single-level LDH, who underwent surgery, were enrolled in this study. We divided the patients into the recurrent group (R group) and the nonrecurrent group (N group) and compared their clinical parameters and preoperative radiologic parameters. The relationships between the variables and rLDH were evaluated by univariate analysis and multiple logistic regression analysis.

Results.

There was significant difference between groups in sex (P = 0.003), age (P = 0.003), current smoking (P = 0.004), body mass index (BMI) (P = 0.04), occupational lifting (P < 0.001), trauma history (P = 0.04), procedures (P = 0.04), herniation type (P = 0.006), disc height index (DUI) (P = 0.04), facet orientation (FO) (P = 0.04), facet tropism (FT) (P = 0.04), and sagittal range of motion (from) (P = 0.04). By putting these differences in logistic regression analysis, it showed that being male, young age, current smoking, higher BMI, herniation type (transligamentous extrusion), surgical procedures (bilateral laminectomy or total laminectomy), heavy works, undergoing a traumatic event, a large from, a high DUI, a large FT, and a small FO significantly related with rLDH.

Conclusion.

Based on our data, sex, age, current smoking, BMI, occupational lifting, trauma, surgical procedures, herniation type, DUI, FO, FT, and from showed a significant correlation with the incidence of rLDH. Patients with these risk factors should be paid more attention for prevention of recurrence after primary surgery.

Level of Evidence: 3
Dysregulation of the Inflammatory Mediators in the Multifidus Muscle After Spontaneous Intervertebral Disc Degeneration SPARC-null Mice is Ameliorated by Physical Activity
Authors: James Gregory , Millecamps Magali , Stone Laura S. , Hodges Paul W.
Published: March 2018

Study Design.

A longitudinal case-control animal model.

Objective.

The aim of this study was to investigate the inflammatory pathways active in the multifidus muscle after spontaneous intervertebral disc degeneration (IDD), and whether these IDD-related muscle changes can be ameliorated by exercise.

Summary of Background Data.

A pro-inflammatory response is present in the multifidus muscle after an intervertebral disc lesion and has been proposed to drive the structural alterations present during low back pain. However, it is not known whether spontaneous IDD produces an inflammatory response. Furthermore, exercise/physical activity produces a strong anti-inflammatory response, but its effectiveness in ameliorating inflammation in the multifidus is unknown. We assessed the inflammatory profile of the multifidus and the effectiveness of physical activity as a treatment using an animal model of spontaneous model of IDD.

Methods.

Wild-type and SPARC null mice that were sedentary or housed with a running wheel were used in this study. Multifidus muscle segments were harvested from L2-L6 from the mice at 9 months of age after they had undergone a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan to determine levels with IDD. The inflammatory profile of the multifidus was examined using quantitative polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assays.

Results.

Spontaneous IDD in the SPARC-null mice caused a dysregulation of interleukin (IL)-1β, IL6, transforming growth factor-beta (TGFβ1), and adiponectin expression. More specifically, the proximity and degree of IDD was related to levels of IL-1β expression. Physical activity reduced the pro-inflammatory response to IDD in the multifidus. IL-1β, tumor necrosis factor (TNF), IL-10, adiponectin, and leptin levels were lower in the physically active group.

Conclusion.

These results reveal that spontaneous IDD causes dysregulation of the inflammatory pathways active in the multifidus muscle. These alterations were related to the severity of IDD and were prevented by physical activity.

Level of Evidence: N/A
Dynamics of Endotoxin, Inflammatory Variables, and Organ Dysfunction After Treatment With Antibiotics in an Escherichia coli Porcine Intensive Care Sepsis Model
Authors: Skorup Paul , Maudsdotter Lisa , Tano Eva , Lipcsey Miklós , Castegren Markus , Larsson Anders , Sjölin Jan
Published: March 2018

Objectives:

To investigate the dynamics of antibiotic-induced endotoxin liberation and inflammatory response in vivo in a clinically relevant large animal intensive care sepsis model and whether the addition of an aminoglycoside to a β-lactam antibiotic affects these responses.

Design:

Prospective, placebo-controlled interventional experimental study.

Setting:

University research unit.

Subjects:

Thirty-six healthy pigs administered Escherichia coli as a 3-hour infusion.

Interventions:

After 2 hours, during E. coli infusion, the animals were exposed to cefuroxime alone, the combination of cefuroxime and tobramycin, or saline.

Measurements and Main Results:

Plasma endotoxin, interleukin-6, tumor necrosis factor-α, leucocytes, and organ dysfunction were recorded for 4 hours after antibiotic treatment, and differences to the values before treatment were calculated. In vitro experiments were performed to ascertain whether endotoxin is released during antibiotic-induced bacterial killing of this E. coli strain. Despite differences between the treatment arms in vitro, no differences in plasma endotoxin were observed in vivo. Antibiotic-treated animals demonstrated a higher interleukin-6 response (p < 0.001), greater leucocyte activation (p < 0.001), and more pronounced deterioration in pulmonary static compliance (p < 0.01) over time than controls. Animals treated with the combination showed a trend toward less inflammation.

Conclusions:

Treatment with antibiotics may elicit an increased inflammatory interleukin-6 response that is associated with leucocyte activation and pulmonary organ dysfunction. No observable differences were detected in plasma endotoxin concentrations. The reduction in cefuroxime-induced endotoxin release after the addition of an aminoglycoside in vitro could not be reproduced in this model.
Repeated forced-swimming test in intact female rats: behaviour, oestrous cycle and enriched environment
Authors: Domingues Karolina , Spezia Inaê , Theindl Lais C. , Suman Patrick R. , Lima Fernanda B. , Lino de Oliveira Cilene
Published: March 2018

Psychopharmacology used animal models to study the effects of drugs on brain and behaviour. The repeated forced-swimming test (rFST), which is used to assess the gradual effects of antidepressants on rat behaviour, was standardized only in males. Because of the known sex differences in rats, experimental conditions standardized for males may not apply to female rats. Therefore, the present work aimed to standardize experimental and housing conditions for the rFST in female rats. Young or adult Wistar female rats were housed in standard or enriched environments for different experimental periods. As assessed in tested and nontested females, all rats had reached sexual maturity by the time behavioural testing occurred. The rFST consisted of a 15-min session of forced swimming (pretest), followed by 5-min sessions at 1 (test), 7 (retest 1) and 14 days (retest 2) later. The oestrous cycle was registered immediately before every behavioural session. All sessions were videotaped for further analysis. The immobility time of female rats remained similar over the different sessions of rFST independent of the age, the phase of the oestrous cycle or the housing conditions. These data indicate that rFST in female Wistar rats may be reproducible in different experimental conditions.
Use of Donor Corneas From Pseudophakic Eyes for Descemet Membrane Endothelial Keratoplasty
Authors: Lapp Thabo , Heinzelmann Sonja , Böhringer Daniel , Eberwein Philipp , Reinhard Thomas , Maier Philip
Published: March 2018

Purpose:

The prevalence of pseudophakia increases with age and affects more than 30% of people older than 80 years. Because grafts from older donors seem to be more suitable for Descemet membrane endothelial keratoplasty (DMEK) surgery rather than grafts from younger donors, eye bank technicians and corneal surgeons have to deal with corneas from pseudophakic donors for DMEK graft preparation. However, graft preparation from corneas of pseudophakic donors can be more complicated.

Methods:

We retrospectively analyzed our donor registry for the prevalence of pseudophakia. We compared grafts from phakic and pseudophakic donors concerning graft survival, rebubbling rates, and endothelial cell loss after DMEK surgery.

Results:

More than 20% of our donors were pseudophakic, of which 35% were primarily suitable for transplantation. Regarding the comparison of grafts from phakic and pseudophakic donors used for DMEK, we observed comparable survival rates (90% after 3 years) and similar endothelial cell loss (30% with an endothelial cell density above 1000 cell/mm2 after 3 years) but significantly lower rebubbling rates for grafts from pseudophakic donors (18% vs. 28%).

Conclusions:

Our data strongly suggest that pseudophakic persons should not be excluded from corneal donation because success rates after DMEK with grafts from pseudophakic eyes are comparable to those with grafts from phakic eyes. However, in the eye bank, grafts from pseudophakic donors have a higher primary discard rate because of low endothelial cell counts.
Viral Acute Respiratory Illnesses in Young Infants Increase the Risk of Respiratory Readmission
Authors: Toizumi Michiko , Suzuki Motoi , Nguyen Hien Anh Thi , Le Minh Nhat , Ariyoshi Koya , Moriuchi Hiroyuki , Hashizume Masahiro , Dang Duc Anh , Yoshida Lay-Myint
Published: March 2018

Background:

Respiratory viruses cause acute respiratory illness (ARI) in early childhood, but their effect on subsequent ARI admissions is not fully understood. This study aimed to determine the association between initial ARI admission because of viruses including human rhinovirus (HRV), respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), human adenovirus (HAdV) and human metapneumovirus (hMPV) and the risk of ARI readmission in children.

Methods:

Clinical information and nasopharyngeal swab samples were collected from children <2 years old at their initial ARI admission in Nha Trang, Vietnam, from January 2007 to April 2012. The incidence of ARI readmission during the follow-up period (initial admission to 5 years of age) was compared between children with and without 1 of 13 respiratory viruses (influenza virus A, influenza virus B, RSV, hMPV, parainfluenza virus-1, parainfluenza virus-2, parainfluenza virus-3 and parainfluenza virus-4, HRV, human coronavirus-229E, human coronavirus-OC43, HAdV and human bocavirus) at initial admission.

Results:

A total of 1941 children were enrolled in the study. Viruses were detected in 1254 (64.6%) children at enrollment; HRV, RSV, HAdV and hMPV were detected in 499 (25.7%), 439 (22.6%), 156 (8.0%) and 47 (2.4%) children, respectively. During the follow-up period (4572.7 person-years), 277 children were readmitted with ARI. Virus-related ARI initial admission was associated with an increased risk of ARI readmission for children who were initially admitted before 6 months of age (adjusted rate ratio, 1.6; 95% confidence interval: 1.1–2.5). HAdV (4.6; 1.8–11.9), hMPV (20.4; 6.2–66.9) and HRV (1.6; 1.0–2.4) were independently associated with the outcome. These associations were not observed for children whose initial admission occurred after 6 months of age.

Conclusions:

HAdV-, hMPV- and HRV-related initial ARI admissions, when occurring during early infancy, increased the risk of subsequent ARI-related readmission.
Variation in Outpatient Antibiotic Dispensing for Respiratory Infections in Children by Clinician Specialty and Treatment Setting
Authors: Agiro Abiy , Gautam Santosh , Wall Eric , Hackell Jesse , Helm Mark , Barron John , Zaoutis Theoklis , Fleming-Dutra Katherine E. , Hicks Lauri A. , Rosenberg Alan
Published: March 2018

Background:

Antibiotics are commonly prescribed for children with acute respiratory infections (ARIs). This study describes the distribution of ARI diagnoses and specifically quantifies antibiotic dispensing for bronchitis and upper respiratory infection (URI) by treatment setting and specialty.

Methods:

This retrospective, observational cross-sectional study used data from the HealthCore Integrated Research Environment containing claims from 14 commercial health plans for 2012 to 2014. Children (2–17 years) with first-episode ARI were identified by diagnosis of acute otitis media (AOM), sinusitis, pharyngitis, bronchitis or URI with no competing infections or chronic illnesses. Treatment setting was where diagnoses were made: primary care offices, urgent care centers (UCC), retail health clinics (RHCs) or emergency departments. Primary outcome measure was antibiotic prescription fills from pharmacies within 2 days of start of ARI episode.

Results:

For URI, the highest proportions in antibiotic dispensing were ordered by office-based or UCC family physicians (28% and 30%, respectively) and office-based or UCC nurse practitioners/physician assistants (30% and 29%, respectively). Across all settings and specialties, there was high proportion of antibiotic dispensing for bronchitis (75%). Overall, 48% of 544,531 children diagnosed with ARI filled antibiotics. Nurse practitioners/physician assistants in RHC made the most diagnoses of AOM (24%) and streptococcal pharyngitis (22%).

Conclusions:

Outreach efforts to decrease antibiotic dispensing for URI can be focused on office-based and UCC family physicians and nurse practitioners/physician assistants. All specialties need widespread interventions to reduce antibiotic dispensing for bronchitis. RHC nurse practitioners/physician assistants can be targeted to reduce high proportion of AOM and streptococcal pharyngitis diagnoses.