bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Risk of human exposure to animal bites in China: a clinic‐based cross‐sectional study
Authors: Chen Fan , Liu Qiaoyan , Jiang Qingqing , Shi Jun , Luba Tegene Regassa , Hundera Asefa Deressa , Fang Pengqian , Cao Shiyi , Lu Zuxun
Published: August 2019

Human exposure to animal bites is the most important public health concern in relation to rabies transmission. This study aims to determine the factors associated with human exposure to animal bites in China. A cross‐sectional study of visitors to rabies prevention clinics who were seeking treatment because of exposure to animal bites or scratches was conducted in Wuhan, China. Humans exposed to animal bites (n = 1015) were interviewed, and 87% of the bites were attributed to domestic animals. The risk types for animal bites included unprovoked aggression (31.7%), excessive play (27.5%), insufficient preparedness (26.7%), and improper care of animals (14.1%). Children aged 1–15 years (OR = 9.069, 95% CI: 4.572–17.987, P < 0.001) were more likely to be injured because of excessive play. Nonvaccinated people (OR = 2.168, 95% CI: 1.034–4.545, P = 0.040) and people who discontinued the rabies vaccine regimen (OR = 2.600, 95% CI: 1.561–4.331, P < 0.001) were at risk of rabies exposure and were more likely to be injured because of improper care of animals. This study showed that domestic animals were responsible for most animal bites. The associated factors were age, educational attainment, and animal ownership. Community health education with a special attention to schoolchildren and animal owners should be provided.
Investigating business outcomes of healthy food retail strategies: A systematic scoping review
Authors: Blake Miranda R. , Backholer Kathryn , Lancsar Emily , Boelsen‐Robinson Tara , Mah Catherine , Brimblecombe Julie , Zorbas Christina , Billich Natassja , Peeters Anna
Published: August 2019

Large changes to food retail settings are required to improve population diet. However, limited research has comprehensively considered the business implications of healthy food retail strategies for food retailers. We performed a systematic scoping review to identify types of business outcomes that have been reported in healthy food retail strategy evaluations. Peer‐reviewed and grey literature were searched. We identified qualitative or quantitative real‐world food or beverage retail strategies designed to improve the healthiness of the consumer nutrition environment (eg, changes to the “marketing mix” of product, price, promotion, and/or placement). Eligible studies reported store‐ or chain‐level outcomes for measures of commercial viability, retailer perspectives, customer perspectives, and/or community outcomes. 11 682 titles and abstracts were screened with 107 studies included for review from 15 countries. Overall item sales, revenue, store patronage, and customer level of satisfaction with strategy were the most frequently examined outcomes. There was a large heterogeneity in outcome measures reported and in favourability for retailers of outcomes across studies. We recommend more consistent reporting of business outcomes and increased development and use of validated and reliable measurement tools. This may help generate more robust research evidence to aid retailers and policymakers to select feasible and sustainable healthy food retail strategies to benefit population health within and across countries.
Individual health outcomes secondary to a nurse‐led coalition‐based health promotion program for underserved diverse populations
Authors: Simpson Vicki , Hass Zachary
Published: August 2019

Objective

This study describes the impact of various levels of participation in a nurse‐led coalition‐based wellness program on participant outcomes related to body mass index, blood pressure, diabetes risk, and lifestyle behaviors in a Midwest rural county.

Design

This descriptive study used de‐identified data collected by program staff over a 26‐month period to evaluate participant outcomes.

Sample

Participants were predominantly female with a mean age of 49 years; 41% identified as Hispanic.

Measurements/Analysis

Lifestyle behavior surveys and biometric screenings were used to collect data. Latent Growth Class Analysis and logistic regression were used to analyze the data.

Intervention

Monthly wellness programming including screenings, health education and referrals were provided to participants at various sites in a rural community.

Results

Over a 26‐month period, 3,004 visits were made by 820 participants. Four clusters for participants (n = 287) who had made three visits or more were identified, providing insight into meaningful interindividual differences for repeat participants. Overall, repeat participants either maintained or improved their blood pressure over time. Indirect outcomes including policy, system, and environmental changes were also noted.

Conclusions

Coalitions can positively affect the health of populations through these types of programs at the individual and population level.
Brain metastasis from cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma coexistent with extramammary Paget's disease: A case report
Authors: Kitano Akiko , Izumi Miki , Tamura Koichi , Tonegawa Mamoru , Etou Takafumi , Kishida Yukiko
Published: August 2019

We report a case of cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (CSCC), initially coexisting with invasive extramammary Paget's disease (EMPD), in the scrotum of an 84‐year‐old man. The patient initially had a rash and pruritus before presenting with a pedunculated scrotal mass surrounded by widespread erythema. He underwent total gastrectomy for adenocarcinoma 1 year previously and had been receiving TS‐1 (Tegafur/Gimeracil/Oteracil pottasium) orally. Histopathologically, the tumor consisted of invasive SCC, with invasive EMPD in the erythematous region. From the clinical presentation and histopathological findings, we assumed that CSCC developed in the background of the EMPD. The CSCC metastasized to several inguinal lymph nodes and to the brain in the following years. While the histogenesis of each of the tumors remains to be elucidated, the fact that the CSCC rather than the EMPD metastasized to a distant site in this patient is to be noted for future treatment considerations.
Locating U.S. Solicitors General in the Supreme Court's Policy Space
Authors: Hansford Thomas G. , Depaoli Sarah , Canelo Kayla S.
Published: August 2019

The U.S. Solicitor General (SG) is the most direct link between the executive branch and the Supreme Court. Spatial models of the SG's involvement at the Court necessitate locating the SG in the same policy space as the justices. We treat the SG's positions advocated in amicus curiae briefs as equivalent to votes in these cases and employ an item response model that yields facially valid estimates of the locations of the SGs and justices serving during the Eisenhower through Obama administrations. We find that the ideological orientation of the appointing president has a strong effect on the location of the SGs. There is mixed evidence of SGs orienting themselves toward the median justice on the Court, implying that SGs might also serve a second principal in some cases.
Architectural hybrids? Building, law and architectural design in the early modern Iberian world
Authors: Fernández‐González Laura
Published: August 2019

This article examines the regulation of building practice, construction technology and architectural design in a number of cities in the early modern Iberian world. The influence of classical trends on architecture and urban design in the Iberian world has received extensive attention. Regulatory practice of the built environment during this period in a number of Iberian cities shows the gradual inclusion of Renaissance ideals of order and proportion. However, the contribution of the pre‐existing and coeval architectural traditions of Iberia and the integration of indigenous building technologies in America or Asia deserves further scrutiny. This article examines aspects of the codification of the building trade, construction technology and architectural design as a suitable vehicle to explore acculturation and globalization processes. A comparison of the built environment of cities in both the peninsula and urban centres in the former Spanish and Portuguese imperial dominions shows an architectural landscape governed, at times, by similar processes of hybridization or amalgam. The development of urban regulations in cities in distant parts of the Iberian imperial system also challenges existing Eurocentric histories and theories of architecture and urbanism.
Emotion regulation goals: An individual difference perspective
Authors: Eldesouky Lameese , Gross James J.
Published: August 2019

Goals are widely understood to be central to the initiation, maintenance, and cessation of emotion regulation (ER). Recent studies have shown that there are profound individual differences in the types of ER goals people pursue and the extent to which they pursue them. Here, we highlight the importance of taking an individual difference approach to studying ER goals. First, we use the extended process model of ER to provide conceptual clarity on what ER goals are and describe the crucial role of goals in each stage of ER. We then identify five promising directions for future research using an individual difference approach to ER goals.
Student well‐being and the learning environment
Authors: Helou Marieka A , Keiser Victoria , Feldman Moshe , Santen Sally , Cyrus John W , Ryan Michael S
Published: August 2019

Background

Medical student well‐being is a critical issue in medical education and is linked to burnout and resilience. Understanding the impact of the clinical learning environment may be crucial to developing effective curricular interventions.

Medical student well‐being is a critical issue in medical education

Objective

To determine factors affecting medical student well‐being and perceived stress during clinical clerkships and describe any associations with the learning environment, resilience, and performance.

Methods

This was a retrospective study of one cohort of medical students surveyed at the conclusion of third‐year clinical clerkships using the Medical School Learning Environment Scale, Brief Resilience Scale, Perceived Stress Scale, and the World Health Organization Well‐Being Index. The United States Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE), Step 1 scores and clerkship performance were also collected. Analysis included Pearson correlations and linear regression.

Results

Of the 204 students completing the clerkships, 146 students completed the survey (72%). Well‐being correlated positively with learning environment (r = 0.43) and resilience (r = 0.35, p < 0.01). Stress was negatively correlated with learning environment (r = –0.34) and resilience (r = –0.53, p < 0.01). Well‐being was not significantly correlated with performance measures. However, stress demonstrated a weak positive correlation with clerkship performance (r = 0.17, p < 0.05). The overall regression models for well‐being and stress were statistically significant (p < 0.001) and explained 23% and 26% of the variance, respectively.

Conclusions

Our study found that well‐being and stress are associated with students’ resilience and perception of the learning environment in the clinical phase of medical school. However, we found no relationship between well‐being and performance and a modest positive relationship between stress and performance. This data helps to illustrate the complex relationship between these factors.
Tattoos, blood‐borne viruses and blood donors: a blood donor cohort and risk assessment
Authors: Hoad Veronica C. , Guy Rebecca J. , Seed Clive R. , Harley Robert
Published: August 2019

Background and objectives

There is conflicting evidence in the literature as to whether there is a blood‐borne virus (BBV) risk associated with tattoos in licensed premises. However, blood donors are currently deferred from blood donation in Australia for 4 months after any tattoo. We aimed to assess the incidence of BBVs in blood donors who declared tattoos and evaluate the risk to blood safety through risk modelling.

Materials and methods

Donors from 2013 to 2016 with a tattoo deferral on their blood donor file with pre‐ and post‐BBV testing were analysed to determine an incidence of BBVs using standard methods. This was compared to a 2014 cohort of whole blood donors with a deferral of 4 months due to travel to a malaria‐endemic area. Using the incidence of tattoos and BBV risk, the total residual risk estimate of allowing tattooed donors to return without restriction was calculated.

Results

The incidence rate of BBVs in blood donors following tattoo deferral was 13·26 (95% CI 2·67–38·75) per 100 000 person‐years (all were hepatitis C infections in males compared to 9·26 (95% CI 2·49–23·71) per 100 000 in blood donors following malaria deferral. If other risk factors were accounted for the risk in tattoo donors decreased to 4·4 per 100 000 person‐years. The total residual risk calculation if donors with a tattoo were allowed to donate without restriction was estimated at 1 in 34 million.

Conclusions

This residual risk indicates BBV deferral for donors post‐tattoo in Australia is not required for blood safety.
A new nanohybrid for electrochemical removal of humic acids and Cr(VI)
Authors: Sarno Maria , Scudieri Carmela , Ponticorvo Eleonora
Published: August 2019

A new nanohybrid, based on flower‐like AuPtPd‐Fe3O4, has been designed and prepared through an easy and scalable synthetic approach for the effective and simultaneous removal of humic acids (HAs) and Cr(VI). The nanocatalyst, prepared in a one‐step procedure, consists of nanoparticles with a grain size of about 40 nm, constituted of a magnetite core ca. 20 nm and petals of PtPd and Au and, after a ligand exchange process, results dispersible in water. Calibration equations were plotted for the removal evaluation in water samples. Electrochemical tests were carried out at pH 3.0 and 30 mA. HAs were highly mineralized with TOC removal efficiency of 95% after only 3‐h electrolysis, while 99% of total chromium (Cr) was removed in 3 h. A mechanism was proposed to describe the catalyst activity. The nanocatalyst shows high removal performances for HAs and Cr(VI) even after 10 times treatment, indicating good stability.
Rapid plant evolution driven by the interaction of pollination and herbivory
Authors: Ramos Sergio E. , Schiestl Florian P.
Published: August 2019

Adaptation by way of compromise

Many plants rely on animal pollinators to spread pollen and increase the genetic diversity of their offspring. However, there are trade-offs, because attracting pollinators may also attract herbivores and deterring predation may diminish floral displays. Ramos and Schiestl studied the interplay between mating system, flowers, and chemical defenses over several generations in
Brassica rapa
plants (see the Perspective by Ågren). Evolution driven by pollination and herbivory can be observed after only eight generations, suggesting that trade-offs have large evolutionary consequences.

Science
, this issue p.
193
; see also p.
122
Pseudofructophilic Leuconostoc citreum Strain F192-5, Isolated from Satsuma Mandarin Peel
Authors: Maeno Shintaro , Tanizawa Yasuhiro , Kajikawa Akinobu , Kanesaki Yu , Kubota Eri , Arita Masanori , Dicks Leon , Endo Akihito
Published: August 2019

Obligate fructophilic lactic acid bacteria (FLAB) lack the metabolic pathways used in the metabolism of most carbohydrates and differ from other lactic acid bacteria in that they prefer to ferment
d
-fructose instead of
d
-glucose. These characteristics are well conserved at the genus or species level.
Leuconostoc citreum
F192-5 shows similar growth characteristics. However, the strain is metabolically and genomically different from obligate FLAB. This is an example of a strain that evolved a pseudo-FLAB phenotype to adapt to a fructose-rich environment.
Differential Modulation of Quorum Sensing Signaling through QslA in Pseudomonas aeruginosa Strains PAO1 and PA14
Authors: Sana T. G. , Lomas R. , Gimenez M. R. , Laubier A. , Soscia C. , Chauvet C. , Conesa A. , Voulhoux R. , Ize B. , Bleves S.
Published: August 2019

Pseudomonas aeruginosa
is an opportunistic pathogen responsible for acute nosocomial infections and chronic pulmonary infections.
P. aeruginosa
strain PA14 is known to be hypervirulent in different hosts. Despite several studies in the field, the underlining molecular mechanisms sustaining this phenotype remain enigmatic. Here we provide evidence that the PA14 strain has faster quorum sensing (QS) kinetics than the PAO1 strain, due to the lack of QslA expression, an antiactivator of QS. QS is a major regulator of virulence factors in
P. aeruginosa
; therefore, we propose that the hypervirulent phenotype of the PA14 strain is, at least partially, due to the lack of QslA expression. This mechanism could be of great importance, as it could be conserved among other
P. aeruginosa
isolates.
Effect of interventions using physical activity trackers on physical activity in people aged 60 years and over: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: S Oliveira Juliana , Sherrington Cathie , R Y Zheng Elizabeth , Franco Marcia Rodrigues , Tiedemann Anne
Published: August 2019

Background

Older people are at high risk of physical inactivity. Activity trackers can facilitate physical activity. We aimed to investigate the effect of interventions using activity trackers on physical activity, mobility, quality of life and mental health among people aged 60+ years.

Methods

For this systematic review, we searched eight databases, including MEDLINE, Embase and CENTRAL from inception to April 2018. Randomised controlled trials of interventions that used activity trackers to promote physical activity among people aged 60+ years were included in the analyses. The study protocol was registered with PROSPERO, number CRD42017065250.

Results

We identified 23 eligible trials. Interventions using activity trackers had a moderate effect on physical activity (23 studies; standardised mean difference (SMD)=0.55; 95% CI 0.40 to 0.70; I
2
=86%) and increased steps/day by 1558 (95% CI 1099 to 2018 steps/day; I
2
=92%) compared with usual care, no intervention and wait-list control. Longer duration activity tracker-based interventions were more effective than short duration interventions (18 studies, SMD=0.70; 95% CI 0.47 to 0.93 vs 5 studies, SMD=0.14; 95% CI −0.26 to 0.54, p for comparison=0.02). Interventions that used activity trackers improved mobility (three studies; SMD=0.61; 95% CI 0.31 to 0.90; I
2
=10%), but not quality of life (nine studies; SMD=0.09; 95% CI −0.07 to 0.25; I
2
=45%). Only one trial included mental health outcomes and it reported similar effects of the activity tracker intervention compared with control.

Conclusions

Interventions using activity trackers improve physical activity levels and mobility among older people compared with control. However, the impact of activity tracker interventions on quality of life, and mental health is unknown.
Prognostic impact of alkaline phosphatase for in-hospital mortality in patients with acute coronary syndrome: a prospective cohort study in China
Authors: Yu Tongtong , Jiao Yundi , Song Jia , He Dongxu , Wu Jiake , Wen Zongyu , Sun Na , Duan Weili , Sun Zhijun , Sun Zhaoqing
Published: August 2019

Objectives

Alkaline phosphatase (ALP) can promote vascular calcification, but the association between ALP and in-hospital mortality in patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS) is not well defined.

Design

A prospective cohort study.

Setting and participants

A total of 6368 patients with ACS undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) from 1 January 2010 to 31 December 2017 were analysed.

Main outcome measures

In-hospital mortality was used in this study.

Results

ALP was analysed both as a continuous variable and according to three categories. After multivariable adjustment, in-hospital mortality was significantly higher in Tertile 3 group (ALP＞85 U/L) (OR: 2.399, 95% CI 1.080 to 5.333, p=0.032), compared with other two groups (Tertile 1: ＜66 U/L; Tertile 2: 66–85 U/L). When ALP was evaluated as a continuous variable, after multivariable adjustment, the ALP level was associated with an increased risk of in-hospital mortality (OR: 1.011, 95% CI 1.002 to 1.020, p=0.014). C-statistic of ALP for predicting in-hospital mortality was 0.630 (95% CI 0.618 to 0.642, p=0.001). The cut-off value was 72 U/L with a sensitivity of 0.764 and a speciﬁcity of 0.468. However, ALP could not significantly improve the prognostic performance of Global Registry of Acute Coronary Events (GRACE) score (GRACE score+ALP vs GRACE score: C-statistic: z=0.485, p=0.628; integrated discrimination improvement: 0.014, p=0.056; net reclassification improvement: 0.020, p=0.630).

Conclusions

In patients with ACS undergoing PCI, ALP was an independent predictor of in-hospital mortality. But it could not improve the prognostic performance of GRACE score.
Timing of respiratory virus molecular testing in emergency departments and its association with patient care outcomes: a retrospective observational study across six Australian hospitals
Authors: Wabe Nasir , Li Ling , Dahm Maria R , Lindeman Robert , Yimsung Ruth , Clezy Kate , Thomas Judith , Varndell Wayne , Westbrook Johanna , Georgiou Andrew
Published: August 2019

Objective

A rapid molecular diagnostic test (RMDT) offers a fast and accurate detection of respiratory viruses, but its impact on the timeliness of care in the emergency department (ED) may depend on the timing of the test. The aim of the study was to determine if the timing of respiratory virus testing using a RMDT in the ED had an association with patient care outcomes.

Design

Retrospective observational study.

Setting

Linked ED and laboratory data from six EDs in New South Wales, Australia.

Participants

Adult patients presenting to EDs during the 2017 influenza season and tested for respiratory viruses using a RMDT. The timing of respiratory virus testing was defined as the time from a patient’s ED arrival to time of sample receipt at the hospital laboratory.

Outcome measures

ED length of stay (LOS), >4 hour ED LOS and having a pending RMDT result at ED disposition.

Results

A total of 2168 patients were included. The median timing of respiratory virus testing was 224 min (IQR, 133–349). Every 30 min increase in the timing of respiratory virus testing was associated with a 24.0 min increase in the median ED LOS (95% CI, 21.8–26.1; p<0.001), a 51% increase in the likelihood of staying >4 hours in ED (OR, 1.51; 95% CI, 1.41 to 1.63; p<0.001) and a 4% increase in the likelihood of having a pending RMDT result at ED disposition (OR, 1.04; 95% CI, 1.02 to 1.05; p<0.001) after adjustment for confounders.

Conclusion

The timing of respiratory virus molecular testing in EDs was significantly associated with a range of outcome indicators. Results suggest the potential to maximise the benefits of RMDT by introducing an early diagnostic protocol such as triage-initiated testing.
CNS imaging studies in cystic fibrosis patients presenting with sudden neurological events
Authors: Ellis Samantha , Rang Catherine , Kotsimbos Tom , Keating Dominic , Finlayson Felicity , Stark Richard , Thyagarajan Dominic , Wilson John
Published: August 2019

Background

Acute neurological events may present as an extrapulmonary complication in patients with cystic fibrosis (CF). These events can be secondary to a range of different aetiologies.

Methods

A retrospective analysis of 476 medical records of CF patients attending a large teaching hospital between 2000 and 2018 was performed. Patients presenting with acute neurological events who had MRI brain imaging were evaluated. Patients who had headaches without associated neurological symptoms were excluded from this analysis.

Results

Acute neurological presentations, excluding headaches without associated neurological symptoms, were reported in 27 index patients out of the 476 patients. Of these, 16 patients had MRI brain imaging for review. Three patients suffered pathology secondary to vascular events, both ischaemic and haemorrhagic; four patients had evidence of ischaemia or infarction not consistent with a vascular territory stroke and the remaining patients experienced a range of different neurological events. The most common presentation among these patients was seizure activity, followed by a transient motor or sensory deficit.

Conclusions

Neurological complications are recognised among individuals with CF. Although rare, they can be secondary to a range of different aetiologies, including dysfunctional cell energetics. Additional studies are required to further evaluate this association.
Post hoc power analysis: is it an informative and meaningful analysis?
Authors: Zhang Yiran , Hedo Rita , Rivera Anna , Rull Rudolph , Richardson Sabrina , Tu Xin M
Published: August 2019

Power analysis is a key component for planning prospective studies such as clinical trials. However, some journals in biomedical and psychosocial sciences ask for power analysis for data already collected and analysed before accepting manuscripts for publication. In this report, post hoc power analysis for retrospective studies is examined and the informativeness of understanding the power for detecting significant effects of the results analysed, using the same data on which the power analysis is based, is scrutinised. Monte Carlo simulation is used to investigate the performance of posthoc power analysis.
Contribution of CYP27B1 and CYP24A1 genetic variations to the incidence of acute coronary syndrome and to vitamin D serum level
Authors: Fam Marina Sherif , Hassanein Sally I. , Abdel Rahman Mohamed Farouk , Assal Reem Amr , Hanafi Rasha Sayed , Gad Mohamed Zakaria
Published: August 2019

Cardiovascular diseases remain a major public health burden worldwide. It was reported that vitamin D protects the cardiovascular system through several mechanisms mainly by hindering atherosclerosis development. Genetic variations in vitamin D metabolic pathway were found to affect vitamin D levels. This study aimed at investigating the association between single nucleotide polymorphisms in genes involved in vitamin D metabolism, CYP27B and CYP24A1; 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D) levels; and susceptibility to acute coronary syndrome (ACS). One hundred and eighty-five patients and 138 healthy controls were recruited. CYP24A1 rs2762939 was genotyped using fast real-time PCR, while CYP24A1 rs4809960 and CYP27B1 rs703842 were genotyped using polymerase chain reaction followed by restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR–RFLP). 25(OH)D3 and 25(OH)D2 levels were measured using ultra-performance liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrum. Vitamin D level was significantly lower in patients than controls (p < 0.05). The GG genotype of rs2762939 was significantly associated with the risk of ACS development, but not correlated to the vitamin D level. rs4809960 and rs703842 genetic variations were not associated with ACS nor with 25(OH)D level. The genetic variant rs2762939 of CYP24A1 is remarkably associated with ACS. Meanwhile, the variants rs4809960 and rs703842 are not associated with ACS incidence.
Ampliando o debate sobre diversidade
Authors: Sarralheiro Vinicius Alves
Published: August 2019

O livro Primeiras experiências com o racismo: crianças negras, práticas parentais e midiatização coloca no centro do debate a necessidade da constante reflexão acerca da diversidade e do combate ao racismo. Utilizando metodologicamente as técnicas da grounded theory construtivista, os autores propõem um diálogo entre teorias da midiatização e os relatos de agentes parentais diante das primeiras experiências de seus filhos com o preconceito, traçando uma reflexão sobre as consequências intergeracionais e seus efeitos na sociedade.
Spotify e construção do gosto
Authors: Figueiredo Carolina Dantas de , Barbosa Renata Regina
Published: August 2019

Este artigo pretende discutir como plataformas de streaming musical podem contribuir com o gosto dos usuários a partir da sugestão de playlists. Para isso, toma-se o Spotify como referência. Por meio da aplicação de questionários, percebeu-se que há uma percepção idiossincrática entre o consumo de música, a solicitação de sugestões de outras pessoas e a aceitação das playlists indicadas pela plataforma por parte dos usuários.
MiR-126 Mediates Brain Endothelial Cell Exosome Treatment–Induced Neurorestorative Effects After Stroke in Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus Mice
Authors: Venkat Poornima , Cui Chengcheng , Chopp Michael , Zacharek Alex , Wang Fengjie , Landschoot-Ward Julie , Shen Yi , Chen Jieli
Published: August 2019

Background and Purpose—

Stroke patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) exhibit increased vascular and white matter damage and have worse prognosis compared with nondiabetic stroke patients. We investigated the neurorestorative effects of exosomes derived from mouse brain endothelial cells (EC-Exo) as treatment for stroke in T2DM mice and investigated the role of miR-126 in mediating EC-Exo–derived therapeutic benefits in T2DM-stroke mice.

Methods—

Adult, male BKS.Cg-m+/+Lepr
db
/J (T2DM) mice were subjected to photothrombotic stroke model. T2DM mice were intravenously injected at 3 days after stroke with (1) PBS; (2) liposome mimic (vehicle control, 3×10
10
); (3) EC-Exo (3×10
10
); (4) knockdown of miR-126 in EC-Exo (miR-126
−
/−
EC-Exo, 3×10
10
). Behavioral and cognitive tests were performed, and mice were sacrificed at 28 days after stroke.

Results—

Compared with non-DM stroke mice, T2DM-stroke mice exhibit significantly decreased serum and brain tissue miR-126 expression. Endothelial cells and EC-Exo contain high levels of miR-126 compared with other cell types or exosomes derived from other types of cells, respectively (smooth muscle cells, astrocytes, and marrow stromal cells). Compared with PBS or liposome mimic treatment, EC-Exo treatment of T2DM-stroke mice significantly improves neurological and cognitive function, increases axon density, myelin density, vascular density, arterial diameter, as well as induces M2 macrophage polarization in the ischemic boundary zone. MiR-126
−/−
EC-Exo treatment significantly decreases miR-126 expression in serum and brain, as well as attentuates EC-Exo treatment–induced functional improvement and does not significantly increase axon and myelin density, vascular density, arterial diameter or induce M2 macrophage polarization in T2DM-stroke mice. In vitro, EC-Exo treatment significantly increases primary cortical neuron axonal outgrowth and increases endothelial capillary tube formation whereas miR-126
−/−
EC-Exo attentuates EC-Exo induced capillary tube formation and axonal outgrowth.

Conclusions—

EC-Exo treatment of stroke promotes neurorestorative effects in T2DM mice. MiR-126 may mediate EC-Exo–induced neurorestorative effects in T2DM mice.

Visual Overview—

An online
visual overview
is available for this article.
Was Samuel Meant to Be a Nazirite? The First Chapter of Samuel and the Paradigm Shift in Textual Study of the Hebrew Bible
Authors: Aejmelaeus Anneli
Published: August 2019

This article aims to demonstrate the urgency of new methodological thinking through the analysis of one biblical passage. The main focus is on the two passages that give expression to Hannah’s vow (1 Sam 1:11 and 22–23): Was it originally meant as a Nazirite vow on behalf of an unborn child? The analysis results in the identification of editorial reworking, especially in the MT, and less so in 4QSama, whereas the Septuagint mainly represents an older Hebrew Vorlage, often in agreement with 4QSama. The chain of changes concerning Hannah’s vow in the MT seems to spring from halakic motivation. The fact that the textual evidence is found to reveal processes at work during the editorial history of the text makes it evident that the borderline between so-called “lower” and “higher” criticism no longer exists. The paradigm shift after Qumran thus means a paradigm shift for the historical-critical methodology.
On the Use of Greek Translations in Dating the Shift from Targum Proto-Jonathan to Targum Yerushalmi in Ezekiel
Authors: Steiner Richard C.
Published: August 2019

It is generally believed that there was a shift in Eretz Israel from an Ur-targum to the Prophets (“Targum Proto-Jonathan”) to a later Palestinian offshoot (“Targum Yerushalmi”), whose precise character and origin are controversial. In each of these two targumim, the Aramaic term used to render Hebrew ‮קֶסֶת‬‎ (Ezek 9:2, 3, 11) is of Greek origin. Proto-Jonathan’s rendering, preserved as ‮פִינקַס‬‎ in Targum Jonathan, comes from a Greek term (πίναξ) related to Symmachus’s Greek rendering (πινακίδιον). Targum Yerushalmi’s rendering, preserved as ‮קלמרין‬‎ in MS Sassoon 368, is equivalent to the Greek rendering (καλαμάριον) attributed to “one of the Hebrews” by Origen in his commentary on Ezekiel. These correspondences, taken together with other evidence, suggest that Targum Proto-Jonathan to Ezekiel was still being used in Eretz Israel during Symmachus’s time (late second century CE), and that the shift from Proto-Jonathan to Targum Yerushalmi in Ezekiel had at least begun by the time that Origen completed his commentary on Ezekiel (fifth decade of the third century CE).
Thermodynamic Recovery of the Pressure and Temperature Fields over Complex Terrain Using Wind Fields Derived by Multiple-Doppler Radar Synthesis
Authors: Liou Yu-Chieng , Yang Po-Chien , Wang Wen-Yuan
Published: August 2019

A new thermodynamic retrieval scheme is developed by which one can use the wind fields synthesized from multiple-Doppler radars to derive the three-dimensional thermodynamic fields over complex terrain. A cost function consisting of momentum equations and a simplified thermodynamic equation is formulated. By categorizing the analysis domain into flow and terrain regions, the variational technique is applied to minimize this cost function only within the flow region, leading to the solutions for the three-dimensional pressure and temperature perturbations immediately over terrain. Using idealized datasets generated by a numerical model, an experiment is first conducted to assess the accuracy of the proposed algorithm. The retrieval scheme is then applied to a real case that occurred during the 2008 Southwestern Monsoon Experiment (SoWMEX) conducted in Taiwan. The retrieved thermodynamic fields, verified by radiosonde data, reveal the structure of a prefrontal squall line as it approaches a mountain. The retrieved three-dimensional high-resolution pressure and temperature along with the wind fields not only allow us to better understand the thermodynamic and kinematic structure of a heavy rainfall system, but can also be assimilated into a numerical model to improve the forecast.
Spatial Heterodyne Raman Spectrometer (SHRS) for In Situ Chemical Sensing Using Sapphire and Silica Optical Fiber Raman Probes
Authors: Ottaway Joshua M. , Allen Ashley , Waldron Abigail , Paul Phillip H. , Angel S. Michael , Carter J. Chance
Published: August 2019

A spatial heterodyne Raman spectrometer (SHRS), constructed using a modular optical cage and lens tube system, is described for use with a commercial silica and a custom single-crystal (SC) sapphire fiber Raman probe. The utility of these fiber-coupled SHRS chemical sensors is demonstrated using 532 nm laser excitation for acquiring Raman measurements of solid (sulfur) and liquid (cyclohexane) Raman standards as well as real-world, plastic-bonded explosives (PBX) comprising 1,3,5- triamino- 2,4,6- trinitrobenzene (TATB) and octahydro-1,3,5,7-tetranitro-1,3,5,7-tetrazocine (HMX) energetic materials. The SHRS is a fixed grating-based dispersive interferometer equipped with an array detector. Each Raman spectrum was extracted from its corresponding fringe image (i.e., interferogram) using a Fourier transform method. Raman measurements were acquired with the SHRS Littrow wavelength set at the laser excitation wavelength over a spectral range of ∼1750 cm−1 with a spectral resolution of ∼8 cm−1 for sapphire and ∼10 cm−1 for silica fiber probes. The large aperture of the SHRS allows much larger fiber diameters to be used without degrading spectral resolution as demonstrated with the larger sapphire collection fiber diameter (330 μm) compared to the silica fiber (100 μm). Unlike the dual silica fiber Raman probe, the dual sapphire fiber Raman probe did not include filtering at the fiber probe tip nearest the sample. Even so, SC sapphire fiber probe measurements produced less background than silica fibers allowing Raman measurements as close as ∼85 cm−1 to the excitation laser. Despite the short lengths of sapphire fiber used to construct the sapphire probe, well-defined, sharp sapphire Raman bands at 420, 580, and 750 cm−1 were observed in the SHRS spectra of cyclohexane and the highly fluorescent HMX-based PBX. SHRS measurements of the latter produced low background interference in the extracted Raman spectrum because the broad band fluorescence (i.e., a direct current, or DC, component) does not contribute to the interferogram intensity (i.e., the alternating current, or AC, component). SHRS spectral resolution, throughput, and signal-to-noise ratio are also discussed along with the merits of using sapphire Raman bands as internal performance references and as internal wavelength calibration standards in Raman measurements.
An Open Source, Iterative Dual-Tree Wavelet Background Subtraction Method Extended from Automated Diffraction Pattern Analysis to Optical Spectroscopy
Authors: Chevalier Robert B. , Dwyer Jason R.
Published: August 2019

Background subtraction is a general problem in spectroscopy often addressed with application-specific techniques, or methods that introduce a variety of implementation barriers such as having to specify peak-free regions of the spectrum. An iterative dual-tree complex wavelet transform-based background subtraction method (DTCWT-IA) was recently developed for the analysis of ultrafast electron diffraction patterns. The method was designed to require minimal user intervention, to support streamlined analysis of many diffraction patterns with complex overlapping peaks and time-varying backgrounds, and is implemented in an open-source computer program. We examined the performance of DTCWT-IA for the analysis of spectra acquired by a range of optical spectroscopies including ultraviolet–visible spectroscopy (UV–Vis), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), and surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS). A key benefit of the method is that the user need not specify regions of the spectrum where no peaks are expected to occur. SER spectra were used to investigate the robustness of DTCWT-IA to signal-to-noise levels in the spectrum and to user operation, specifically to two of the algorithm parameter settings: decomposition level and iteration number. The single, general DTCWT-IA implementation performs well in comparison to the different conventional approaches to background subtraction for UV–Vis, XPS, and SERS, while requiring minimal input. The method thus holds the same potential for optical spectroscopy as for ultrafast electron diffraction, namely streamlined analysis of spectra with complex distributions of peaks and varying signal levels, thus supporting real-time spectral analysis or the analysis of data acquired from different sources.
Assessing the quality of care for paediatric depression and anxiety in Australia: A population-based sample survey
Authors: Ellis Louise A , Wiles Louise K , Selig Ruth , Churruca Kate , Lingam Raghu , Long Janet C , Molloy Charlotte J , Arnolda Gaston , Ting Hsuen P , Hibbert Peter , Dowton S Bruce , Braithwaite Jeffrey
Published: August 2019

Objective:

We examine the prevalence of quality care (as measured by adherence to recommendations in clinical practice guidelines) for Australian paediatric patients (⩽15 years) with depression and/or anxiety, using data from the CareTrack Kids study; a population-based study of the quality of healthcare practice in inpatient and ambulatory healthcare settings.

Methods:

A multistage stratified sample identified records of 6689 children. Of these, 156 records were identified for depression and 356 for anxiety. These were assessed for adherence to 15 depression and 13 anxiety indicators, respectively, using a review of medical records.

Results:

Adherence to assessment and management guidelines was low for both conditions: assessment bundle (depression = 33%, 95% confidence interval = [20, 48]; anxiety = 54%, 95% confidence interval = [43, 64] and depression management bundle = 35%, 95% confidence interval = [15, 60]). Across both conditions, the highest adherence was recorded for indicators that addressed prescription of medications (e.g. venlafaxine, 100%; benzodiazepines, 100%; selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor, 94% and antidepressants, 91%), while compliance was the lowest for ensuring children with depression had an emergency safety plan (44%), informing parents of the risks and benefits of prescribed anxiety medication (51%) and assessment for other causes (59% for depression; 68% for anxiety).

Conclusion:

These findings suggest that strategies are needed to improve guideline adherence for mental health disorders in children and adolescents, particularly among general practitioners. Learning from these indicators could inform clinical prompts in electronic medical records, as well as links to additional information, to assist in decision-making and streamline work practices.
Country-Specific Determinants of Intra-Industry Trade in India
Authors: Bagchi Sagnik , Bhattacharyya Surajit
Published: August 2019

A distinctive feature of India’s trade liberalization has been a significant rise in the magnitude of intra-industry trade (IIT). India’s total IIT is substantially large with high and upper-middle-income group countries and dominated by low vertical IIT. Particularly during the second phase of economic reforms, magnitude of India’s vertical IIT with high-income group of countries had increased; while there had been a marginal decline in horizontal IIT. This article identifies some of the determinants of India’s total IIT as well as vertical and horizontal IIT with her major trading partners from 1990 to 2014. The convergence in the level of economic development between India and her trading partner(s) positively influences total IIT and its two broad forms. Similarity in relative factor endowments and regional trade agreement through South Asian Free Trade Area (SAFTA) is found to promote horizontal IIT. Having a large market size, the distortionary impact of tariff has not been able to dampen the magnitude of India’s IIT. Relative depreciation of trading partner’s real exchange rate enhances India’s imports and inhibits the growth of total and vertical IIT. Geographical distance adversely affects all forms of IIT.

JEL Codes: C23, F14
Empirical Analysis of the Determinants of Trade Balance in Post-liberalization Ghana
Authors: Akoto Linda , Sakyi Daniel
Published: August 2019

This study investigates the determinants of trade balance in post-liberalization Ghana, covering the period 1984–2015. Specifically, we test the validity of the Marshall-Lerner condition and the J-curve effect, and further assess the effect of other macroeconomic variables including household consumption expenditure, government consumption expenditure, foreign income, money supply and domestic prices on trade balance. The bounds testing approach to cointegration and the error correction model within a symmetric and asymmetric autoregressive distributed lag (ARDL) framework is used for the estimation. Additionally, to analyse the dynamic interactions of the variables included in the estimated model, variance decomposition is applied. The results from both symmetric and asymmetric specifications show the absence of the Marshall-Lerner condition and the J-curve effect. Further, the study finds that household consumption expenditure, government consumption expenditure and domestic prices are negative and significant in the long and short run, whereas foreign income and money supply are positive and significant in the short run. Results from the variance decomposition show that innovations in household consumption expenditure highly contribute to the forecast error variance of the trade balance compared with other explanatory variables. A key finding of the study suggests that depreciation of the Ghana cedi is not an appropriate step to help in improving the country’s trade balance position.

JEL Codes: C22, F10, F31, F32
Modeling and simulation of carbon composite ballistic and blast behavior
Authors: Yen Chian-Fong , Kaste Bob , Chen Charles Chih-Tsai , Carey Nelson
Published: August 2019

The design of the next generation of aeronautical vehicles is driven by the vastly increased cost of fuel and the resultant imperative for greater fuel efficiency. Carbon fiber composites have been used in aeronautical structures to lower weight due to their superior stiffness and strength-to-weight properties. However, carbon composite material behavior under dynamic ballistic impact and blast loading conditions is relatively unknown. For aviation safety consideration, a computational constitutive model has been used to characterize the progressive failure behavior of carbon laminated composite plates subjected to ballistic impact and blast loading conditions. Using a meso-mechanics approach, a laminated composite is represented by a collection of selected numbers of representative unidirectional layers with proper layup configurations. The damage progression in a unidirectional layer is assumed to be governed by the strain-rate-dependent layer progressive failure model using the continuum damage mechanics approach. The composite failure model has been successfully implemented within LS-DYNA® as a user-defined material subroutine. In this paper, the ballistic limit velocity (V50) was first established for a series of laminates by ballistic impact testing. Correlation of the predicted and measured V50 values has been conducted to validate the accuracy of the ballistic modeling approach for the selected carbon composite material. A series of close-in shock hole blast tests on carbon composite panels were then tested and simulated using the LS-DYNA® Arbitrary-Lagrangian-Eulerian (ALE) method integrated with the Army Research Laboratory (ARL) progressive failure composite model. The computational constitutive model has been validated to characterize the progressive failure behavior in carbon laminates subjected to close-in blast loading conditions with reasonable accuracy. The availability of this modeling tool will greatly facilitate the development of carbon composite structures with enhanced ballistic impact and blast survivability.
Systematic investigation of twist generation and propagation in a modified ring spinning system
Authors: Yin Rong , Tao Xiao-Ming , Xu Bin-gang
Published: August 2019

Twisting is an important process used to form a continuous yarn from short staple fibers and to determine the structure and properties of the resultant yarn. This paper systematically examines the yarn twisting process in a modified ring spinning process based on a theoretical model proposed recently. To reduce the number of experiments, response surface methodology (RSM) involving a central composite design (CCD) in three factors—twist multiplier, speed ratio and wrap angle—was successfully employed for the study and analysis. The significant terms of the models were studied, and it was discovered that the speed ratio and wrap angle are statistically significant for the responses of twist efficiency, propagation coefficients of twist trapping, and congestion. More importantly, linear relationships were found among the three responses.