bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
New insights into the function, development, and plasticity of type 2 innate lymphoid cells
Authors: Krabbendam Lisette , Bal Suzanne M. , Spits Hergen , Golebski Korneliusz
Published: October 2018

Group 2 innate lymphoid cells (ILC2s) are the most well defined group of ILCs. ILC2 development is controlled by the GATA‐3 transcription factor and these cells produce archetypal type 2 cytokines, such as IL‐5 and IL‐13. These cytokines mediate parasite expulsion and tissue repair, but also contribute to type 2 inflammatory diseases, including allergy, asthma and chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps. In response to tightly regulated local environmental cues ILCs can generate characteristics of other subtypes, a process known as plasticity. Recent advances in the ILC2 field has led to the discovery that ILC2s can promptly shift to functional IFN‐γ‐producing ILC1s or IL‐17‐producing ILC3s, depending on the cytokines and chemokines produced by antigen presenting cells or epithelial cells. Due to yet unknown triggers, this complex network of signals may become dysregulated. In this review, we will discuss general ILC characteristic, ILC2 development, plasticity, memory function, and implications in disease.
Physical health status of older adults with severe mental illness: The PHiSMI‐E cohort study
Authors: Houben Noortje , Janssen Eveline P.C.J. , Hendriks Marike R.C. , van der Kellen Digna , van Alphen Bas P.J. , van Meijel Berno
Published: October 2018

The objective was to use various somatic parameters as basis for investigating the physical health of older adults with severe mental illnesses (SMI). A cross‐sectional study design is performed by using baseline data from the Physical Health in SMI‐elderly (PHiSMI‐E) study. Data were collected using the Nursing Monitoring of Somatic Status and Lifestyle – Mental Health instrument in adults aged over 60 with SMI in a large Dutch mental health institute. Ninety‐nine elderly SMI patients were included. Somatic comorbidity (84.8%), use of somatic medication (77.7%) and polypharmacy (67.7%) were prevalent. Extrapyramidal symptoms were experienced by 51% of patients, mainly in the subgroup with psychotic disorders (75.6%). Unhealthy diet was reported in 16.2%, obesity in 27.3%, and physical inactivity in 57.6%. Fatigue (67.7%) and dry mouth (66.6%) were the commonest reported physical symptoms. Mean VAS score (scale 0–10) indicating participants’ self‐perceived physical health was 6.7 (SD ± 1.6). After division of the total patient group into tertiles based on the VAS scores, the lowest tertile was characterized by less physical activity, unhealthier diet, more use of medication, more fatigue, somnolence, and inner agitation. In conclusion, impaired physical health status was common in these older patients with SMI. Although they had more psychiatric and somatic comorbidity than adult SMI patients described in the literature, they had a healthier lifestyle. To reduce morbidity and premature mortality in these frail patients, it is essential that healthcare providers are aware of the high prevalence of somatic comorbidity and symptoms, and of their interactions with the psychiatric disorders. This study improves our understanding of differences in vulnerability factors of older patients with SMI. The (early) detection of somatic comorbidities may improve long‐term health outcomes of these patients.
Traceability information modeling and system implementation in Chinese domestic sheep meat supply chains
Authors: Yan Cui , Huanhuan Feng , Ablikim Batur , Zheng Gu , Xiaoshuan Zhang , Jun Li
Published: October 2018

Traceability has become a prerequisite for ensuring meat quality and safety. It is the most critical requirement for developing a well‐structured traceability system to identify efficiently and model the traceability information need to be captured. This article identified Chinese domestic sheep meat supply chain and proposed the Petri nets and UML based modeling approach for identified traceability information and process. This approach followed the definition of state and transition in sheep meat production process. An in‐depth analysis was conducted for the sheep stakeholders and production flow of the sheep meat chain. The state‐transition for the production process and specific traceability information need to be captured were identified including the product, process, quality, and transformation information. Furthermore, traceability functionality requirement and system architecture were presented. System evaluation results illustrate the model can help to provide guidance for standardizing meat product flow and supporting quality traceability management in meat industry. The system can provide making‐decision for the meat product quality and safety control.

Practical applications

The proposed method could be applied widely in development of traceability system and provided making‐decision for the control of meat product quality and safety.
At‐line monitoring of industrial frying processes using ATR‐FTIR‐PLS method
Authors: Fetter Lucas Flores , Filoda Paula Freitas , Tischer Bruna , de Cassia de Souza Schneider Rosana , Teichmann Aline , Santos Roberta Oliveira , Helfer Gilson Augusto , da Costa Adilson Ben
Published: October 2018

This study investigated the application of infrared spectroscopy with multivariate calibration methods for at‐line monitoring of the degradation of soybean oil in industrial frying processes by determining when the acidity index and total polar materials (TPM). The infrared spectra (650–3,200 cm−1) were acquired using the attenuated total reflection accessory (ATR‐FTIR), with a resolution of 4 cm−1, and 16 scans. Partial least‐squares regression (PLS) models were evaluated for individual and simultaneous determination, and results were compared with reference methods. The individual calibration model showed standard error of prediction values of 0.09% (w/w) and 1.6% (w/w) for the acidity index and TPM, respectively. The simultaneous determination of the acidity index and TPM showed SEP values of 0.17% (w/w) and 1.6% (w/w), respectively. The results demonstrate that infrared spectroscopy combined with multivariate calibration techniques can be servant used in routine soybean oil quality control in industrial frying processes.

Practical applications

Foods prepared by the frying process are strongly influenced by the oil used in the process, since the product tends to absorb part of the oil during its cooking. This oil when used for a long period and exposed to high temperatures, end up suffering oxidation reactions, and can greatly reduce your shelf life. In this way the industries that use these processes for the manufacture of their products, apply a series of chemical analyzes in order to validate the quality of the oil used, these analyzes use a high amount of solvents and time. As an alternative to the use of these traditional analyzes, methods have been developed through the use of infrared spectroscopy combined with multivariate analysis tools, for the creation of partial least squares calibration models for the prediction of quality parameters of oils used in frying.
Solid–liquid extraction of bioactive compounds from yerba mate (Ilex paraguariensis) leaves: Experimental study, kinetics and modeling
Authors: Gerke Isabel Boger Bubans , Hamerski Fabiane , de Paula Scheer Agnes , da Silva Vitor Renan
Published: October 2018

The aqueous batch extraction of bioactive compounds from yerba mate leaves was evaluated in view of their potential application in the food industry. The influence of temperature (20–80 °C) and stirring (0–400 rpm) was investigated by central composite design. The concentrations of the bioactive compounds over time were investigated using three mathematical models (equilibrium‐dependent, Peleg and intra‐particle diffusion). The results indicated that higher temperatures resulted in increased extraction of the bioactive compounds, while stirring showed only a minor influence. According to the kinetics data, the extraction process approached equilibrium after around 120–180 min. The conditions that maximized the extraction were 80 °C and 400 rpm, which resulted in 591.81, 48.31, 814.90, and 122.56 mg L−1 of chlorogenic acid, rutin, caffeine, and theobromine, respectively, after a 30 min process. The Peleg model was found to be the most suitable to describe the extraction process due the best fit with the experimental data.

Practical applications

Yerba mate contains bioactive compounds that have the potential to prevent degenerative diseases. Caffeine, theobromine, chlorogenic acid, and rutin are the main compounds found in yerba mate and they have properties which are beneficial to health, such as antioxidant capacity and diuretic action. These compounds can be removed from the leaves by solid–liquid extraction and added to food products to increase their nutraceutical value. The extraction is influenced by several parameters that need to be adjusted to ensure maximum extract yield and quality. Thus, due to the significant potential of yerba mate as a source of bioactive compounds, the aim of this study was to evaluate the extraction of individual bioactive compounds from the leaves.
Influence of low methoxyl pectin on the physicochemical properties of sodium caseinate‐stabilized emulsions
Authors: Wang Jian , Souihi Sondes , Amara Chedia Ben , Dumas Emilie , Gharsallaoui Adem
Published: October 2018

Two strategies of emulsion preparation, stabilization by sodium caseinate (CAS)/low methoxyl pectin (LMP) complexes formed in advance, and stabilization by the layer‐by‐layer (LBL) method, were compared. In aqueous solution, at a constant CAS concentration (5 g/L), the gradual addition of LMP resulted in an increase in turbidity of the solution caused by the increasing formation of insoluble complexes. The zeta potential change showed that the interactions are mainly due to an electrostatic mechanism. The spectrofluorometric studies as well as the spectroscopic analysis in the UV–visible region have shown that the interactions with LMP caused a change in the secondary and tertiary structures of the protein. Then, these complexes were used for stabilizing oil/water emulsions. The emulsions stabilized by complexes formed in advance and LBL method were characterized by measuring zeta potential, dynamic viscosity, serum index, and particle size distribution. The results showed that, at low LMP concentrations, complexes‐stabilized emulsions were more stable than LBL‐stabilized ones, while at high LMP concentrations, LBL‐stabilized emulsions showed better stability.

Practical applications

These results would be useful during the development of encapsulation systems having hybrid interfaces in order to better control the release of hydrophobic active molecules like essential oils. These molecules have various benefits like antioxidant and antimicrobial activities, which could be exploited for food biopreservation. One of the major problems for application in food preservation of these active molecules is their great sensitivity to the environmental stress (temperature, pH…), their low water‐solubility, their interactions with food components, and their pronounced odor and flavor. The encapsulation of these molecules in the developed emulsions containing the proper concentration of LMP could be a suitable solution to protect and release these lipophilic molecules in foods.
The Effect of Prior Work Experiences on the Preparation and Employment of Early‐Career Midwives
Authors: Woeber Kate , Sibley Lynn
Published: October 2018

Introduction

Strategic recruitment, preparation, distribution, and retention of US midwives requires a solid body of knowledge about midwives’ education and workforce experiences. Although half of US midwifery education programs currently require or prefer prior registered nurse (RN) employment, data are lacking about whether and how these criteria influence efforts to scale up the workforce to meet reproductive care workforce shortages and maldistributions.

Methods

This cross‐sectional research used an online survey, developed using the framework of Social Cognitive Career Theory. Early‐career midwives were contacted through the American College of Nurse‐Midwives electronic mailing list and social media during the fall of 2016. Statistical analysis allowed for linkage of data related to the following constructs: personal characteristics, prior RN employment, educational experiences, employment situations, career perceptions, and future plans.

Results

All participants (N = 244) were certified nurse‐midwives. Compared with those without prior RN employment, midwives with prior RN employment were more likely to enroll part‐time in distance programs and complete single majors or degrees. During enrollment, the 2 groups experienced the same degree of mentorship and cultural support and were similarly likely to attend 30 births and to pass the certification examination on first attempt. In the workforce, those with prior RN employment were 6 years older and more likely to work full‐time. The 2 groups demonstrated no significant differences in their career perspectives or future career plans.

Discussion

Despite anecdotal concerns about training midwives who lack RN work experience, an individual without prior RN employment offers the workforce an employee who completes midwifery education at a younger age, may be educated more quickly, and is more likely to have earned a dual major or degree. Those with prior RN employment are more likely to work full‐time. Both groups may offer benefits to education and the workforce.
Segmental morphometrics of bonobos (Pan paniscus): are they really different from chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes)?
Authors: Druelle François , Schoonaert Kirsten , Aerts Peter , Nauwelaerts Sandra , Stevens Jeroen M. G. , D'Août Kristiaan
Published: October 2018

The inertial properties of body segments reflect performance and locomotor habits in primates. While Pan paniscus is generally described as more gracile, lighter in body mass, and as having relatively longer and heavier hindlimbs than Pan troglodytes, both species exhibit very similar patterns of (quadrupedal and bipedal) kinematics, but show slightly different locomotor repertoires. We used a geometric model to estimate the inertial properties for all body segments (i.e. head, trunk, upper and lower arms, hand, thigh, shank and foot) using external length and diameter measurements of 12 anaesthetized bonobos (eight adults and four immatures). We also calculated whole limb inertial properties. When we compared absolute and relative segment morphometric and inertial variables between bonobos and chimpanzees, we found that adult bonobos are significantly lighter than adult chimpanzees. The bonobo is also shorter in head length, upper and lower arm lengths, and foot length, and is generally lighter in most absolute segment mass values (except head and hand). In contrast, the bonobo has a longer trunk. When scaled relative to body mass, most differences disappear between the two species. Only the longer trunk and the shorter head of the bonobo remain apparent, as well as the lighter thigh compared with the chimpanzee. We found similar values of natural pendular periods of the limbs in both species, despite differences in absolute limb lengths, masses, mass centres (for the hindlimb) and moments of inertia. While our data contradict the commonly accepted view that bonobos have relatively longer and heavier hindlimbs than chimpanzees, they are consistent with the observed similarities in the quadrupedal and bipedal kinematics between these species. The morphological differences between both species are more subtle than those previously described from postcranial osteological materials.
Is the validity of conscientiousness stable across time? Testing the role of trait bandwidth
Authors: Harari Michael B. , Naemi Bobby , Viswesvaran Chockalingam
Published: October 2018

Although research into issues of conscientiousness bandwidth for personnel selection has compared global vs. facet validities using cross‐sectional designs, there has been an absence of longitudinal research. We provided the first empirical test of differential dynamicity between conscientiousness and its four facets across time, observing evidence suggesting dynamicity only for facets.

Practitioner points

We evaluated global and facet conscientiousness validities across four annual criterion measurement occasions.

Facet validities were more likely to change across time as compared to global conscientiousness validities.

Global conscientiousness can be incorporated into selection systems if one's goal is to predict performance across time.
Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder: Some challenging clinical scenarios
Authors: Efron Daryl
Published: October 2018

Paediatricians generally have good skills in the assessment and management of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. In most cases this is not difficult – the paediatrician's role is clear, and evidence‐based treatment can be delivered. There are however some clinical situations which present diagnostic, ethical and/or management dilemmas for paediatricians in relation to possible attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. This Viewpoint article addresses some of these scenarios.
Aetiology of childhood apraxia of speech: A clinical practice update for paediatricians
Authors: Morgan Angela T , Webster Richard
Published: October 2018

Childhood apraxia of speech (CAS) is a rare disorder of childhood that can leave a watermark of the impacts throughout the lifetime. Since being first described in the 1950s, aetiological insights have been limited. At a neurobiological level, clinical MRI scans fail to reveal overt neural anomalies in individual cases with CAS, although quantitative MRI methods have revealed subtle brain anomalies at a group level. Dramatic insights, however, occurred in the past decade from the discovery of genetic pathways underlying the phenotype. Several single genes and copy number‐variant conditions are now associated with CAS either in relative isolation, as in the case ofFOXP2variants, or most typically in association with other neurodevelopmental conditions, such as epilepsy, intellectual disability, motor impairment and autism. CAS requires careful differential diagnosis from other childhood speech disorders, but when a severe and persistent diagnosis is confirmed, a genetic aetiology should increasingly be pursued.
Sleep in children with neurodevelopmental difficulties
Authors: Heussler Helen S , Hiscock Harriet
Published: October 2018

Sleep disorders in children with neurodevelopmental disorders are complex and reflect underlying genetic/biological and behavioural components. The sleep disorders are the same as in the typically developing child, although there may be some modifications to the presentation or the frequency depending on the phenotype. Consideration of the known phenotypes and environmental issues are important in defining management strategies. Despite this complexity, defined behavioural strategies with good sleep hygiene can have a significant effect on the sleep problem and on parental management of the behaviours.
Autism: One or many spectrums?
Authors: Ure Alexandra , Rose Veronica , Bernie Charmaine , Williams Katrina
Published: October 2018

Our conceptualisation of autism spectrum disorder has changed over time, with recent classifications reflecting a heterogeneous clinical presentation now regularly encountered in routine general paediatric practice. As the prevalence of autism and associated demands for services have increased so has research into understanding the cause and trials aimed at providing best care and intervention. However, the heterogeneity of autism has meant that no single aetiology can account for all differences in presentation, and not all children benefit from broad‐based interventions. Now is the time to rethink how best to understand individual differences in order to focus research efforts and take steps towards more sophisticated strategies that go beyond the behaviours we look for when making an autism diagnosis. We suggest adopting a dimensional approach to autism assessment, with the consideration of eight spectrums of abilities, ways of thinking and behaviour. This eight‐spectrum approach will assist clinicians to consider each individual's strengths and needs and personalise interventions and support accordingly. Profiling individual skills across these dimensions may also provide researchers with a greater capacity to link causal pathways with specific phenotypes, which is needed to develop precision medicine for autism.
The aggressive child
Authors: Scott James G , Tunbridge Michael , Stathis Stephen
Published: October 2018

Aggression in children is a common transdiagnostic symptom associated with a wide range of developmental and mental health problems. It emerges early and without intervention, may increase in severity as the child grows stronger. Aggressive children are more likely to experience physical and mental illness, unemployment, poverty and forensic problems as adults. Strategies to prevent aggression must address risk factors: low maternal education, adolescent pregnancy, in utero exposure to tobacco and alcohol, poverty, coercive parenting, childhood maltreatment and bullying victimisation. The aggressive child requires a comprehensive assessment to identify and manage underlying or comorbid problems, to understand the reasons for the aggressive behaviour and to detect modifiable factors that exacerbate or perpetuate the aggression. Psychosocial interventions include parenting skills training and child‐directed cognitive behavioural therapy, whereas pharmacotherapy may be used to treat underlying developmental or mental health problems or to manage the aggression.
Transition to adult mental health services for young people with an intellectual disability
Authors: Cvejic Rachael C , Trollor Julian N
Published: October 2018

People with intellectual disabilities (ID) experience high rates of mental health problems, particularly during the period of transition to adulthood. It is therefore important that the transition from child‐ to adult‐oriented health services for people with ID is well managed to ensure appropriate orientation to ongoing adult mental health care. The purpose of this paper is to summarise the impact and experience of transition to adult mental health care for people with ID and those who support them, as well as issues related to current policy and practice in this area. Several opportunities for improvement are identified in the broad areas of policy, service structure and organisation, research and workforce capacity. Enhancements in these areas will lead to improved outcomes for young people with ID transitioning from child‐ to adult‐oriented mental health care.
To go or not to go: School refusal and its clinical correlates
Authors: Prabhuswamy Mukesh
Published: October 2018

Problematic school refusal that is child motivated is a serious but common presentation and a child psychiatric emergency. Mental health professionals, paediatricians, educators and parents are often required to work in tandem to alleviate concerns due to this. Prolonged absence from school may lead to immediate (educational backwardness) and far‐reaching effects (psycho‐social and educational maladjustment). Psychiatric morbidity is high in school‐refusing children presenting to secondary and tertiary services and is associated with temperamental, family and environmental adversities. Outcomes can vary according to their age, duration of school refusal and environmental variables.
Investigating the child with intellectual disability
Authors: Amor David J
Published: October 2018

The search for causation is a key component of the assessment of the child with intellectual disability. Historically, a specific diagnosis has been achievable in only a small minority of these children, but over the last decade, this has changed dramatically such that a specific diagnosis is now possible in about half of all children with intellectual disability. This improvement has been driven by major advances in genetic‐testing technologies, the most important of which are chromosome microarray and whole exome sequencing. Simultaneously, these technological advances have revealed many new genetic syndromes that had previously escaped clinical recognition, and demonstrated that the majority of severe intellectual disability is caused by pathogenic gene variants that arise de novo in the child. Although access to genomic testing is currently limited, evidence from health economic studies suggests that this testing is most cost effective when performed early in the patient's diagnostic journey.
Video polysomnographic findings in non‐rapid eye movement parasomnia
Authors: Drakatos Panagis , Marples Lucy , Muza Rexford , Higgins Sean , Nesbitt Alexander , Dongol Eptehal M. , Macavei Raluca , Gnoni Valentina , Perez Carbonell Laura , Duncan Iain , Birdseye Adam , Dastagir Sakina , Rosenzweig Ivana , O’Regan David , Williams Adrian J. , Leschziner Guy D. , Kent Brian D.
Published: October 2018

Although video polysomnography (vPSG) is not routinely recommended for the evaluation of typical cases of non‐rapid eye movement (NREM) parasomnias, it can aid diagnosis of unusual cases, other sleep disorders and complicated cases with REM behaviour disorder (RBD), and in differentiating parasomnias from epilepsy. In this study, we aimed to assess vPSG findings in consecutive patients with a clinical diagnosis of NREM‐parasomnia covering the whole phenotypic spectrum. Five hundred and twelve patients with a final diagnosis of NREM parasomnia who had undergone vPSG were retrospectively identified. vPSGs were analysed for features of NREM parasomnia and for the presence of other sleep disorders. Two hundred and six (40.0%) patients were clinically diagnosed with sleepwalking, 72 (14.1%) with sleep terrors, 39 (7.6%) with confusional arousals, 15 (2.9%) with sexsomnia, seven (1.4%) with sleep‐related eating disorder, 122 (23.8%) with mixed phenotype, and 51 (10.0%) with parasomnia overlap disorder (POD). The vPSG supported the diagnosis of NREM parasomnia in 64.4% of the patients and of POD in 98%. In 28.9% of the patients, obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) or/and periodic limb movements during sleep (PLMS) were identified, most commonly in older, male, sleepy and obese patients. vPSG has a high diagnostic yield in patients with NREM parasomnia and should be routinely performed when there is diagnostic doubt, or in patients where there is a suspicion of OSA and PLMS.
Are published oil price forecasts efficient?
Authors: Moghaddam Hussein , Dehnavi Jalal , Wirl Franz
Published: October 2018

Oil prices are crucial for a wide area of economic decisions ranging from households over business to economic policymaking. Therefore, oil price projections are a crucial input to economic models and to economic activity forecasts. This paper assesses the accuracy and efficiency of crude oil price forecasts published by different organisations, think tanks and companies. Since the sequence of published forecasts appears as smooth, the weak efficiency criterion is clearly violated. Even combining forecasts, cannot increase efficiency due to high correlation among various forecasts. This pattern of oil price forecasts can be attributed to combining myopia (use current oil price levels as a basis) with Hotelling‐type exponential growth. Another behavioural explanation in source of inefficiencies is that forecasters prefer to harmonise their forecasts with other forecasters in order to be not an outlier.
Anesthesia in children with osteogenesis imperfecta: Retrospective chart review of 83 patients and 205 anesthetics over 7 years
Authors: Rothschild Leelach , Goeller Jessica K. , Voronov Polina , Barabanova Alexandra , Smith Peter
Published: October 2018

Background

Osteogenesis imperfecta is the collective term for a heterogeneous group of connective tissue syndromes characterized by bone fragility with multisystem involvement and perioperative implications.

Aims

Literature review of anesthetic management of patients with osteogenesis imperfecta revealed a paucity of data on the incidence of perioperative challenges. We sought to determine the rates of these challenges in our study cohort.

Methods

Data were collected in a specialty orthopedic hospital from 2008 to 2015 for 83 osteogenesis imperfecta patients undergoing 205 surgeries: 203 orthopedic surgeries and 2 mid‐face reconstructive surgeries. Airway management, intravenous access, surgical blood loss, use of peripheral nerve blockade and/or neuraxial techniques, presence of perioperative fracture, and peak intraoperative temperature were evaluated and analyzed.

Results

Difficult airway was encountered in 3/205 (1.5%) cases and perioperative fracture in 2/205 (1%) cases. Neuraxial anesthesia was attempted in 64/205 cases with an 87.5% success rate. All peripheral nerve block attempts (33/205 cases) were successful. Difficult intravenous catheter placement was noted in 8/205 (4%) cases. Estimated blood loss >10% of estimated blood volume was considered significant, and occurred in 35/205 (17%) cases. Significant blood loss occurred more often in severe osteogenesis imperfecta types: 18/76 (23.7%) in Type III and 11/65 (16.9%) in Type IV, whereas only 4/47 (8.5%) occurred in mild Type I. In our 205 case cohort, osteogenesis imperfecta Type III had 5.6 times the odds [(95% CI = 1.8‐17.2) P = 0.003] of having an anesthetic complication as compared to osteogenesis imperfecta Type I.

Conclusion

Patients with osteogenesis imperfecta undergo frequent anesthetic exposures, but anesthetic challenges in our series were uncommon. Odds of challenges are greater in severe osteogenesis imperfecta Type III, with significant blood loss and difficulty placing intravenous catheters more likely encountered in the more severe types.
Factors influencing nursing home placement of patients with dementia: a retrospective, single‐centre study in Japan
Authors: Ota Kazumi , Arikawa Masatoshi , Ohashi Shizuko , Azekawa Takaharu , Matsumoto Toshihiko
Published: October 2018

Aim

This was an exploratory study to examine the factors influencing nursing home placement (NHP) in Japan.

Methods

For this analysis, 633 patients were selected. The data were collected from the clinical records of each patient. A log‐rank test was performed. The time from the patient's first visit to the clinic until the nursing home placement was the independent variable. Age (<80 or ≥80 years), biological sex (male or female), Clinical Dementia Rating scale (CDR) score (overall index 0.5, 1, 2, or 3), living situation (living alone or with someone), and voxel‐based specific regional analysis systems for Alzheimer's disease Z‐score (<2 or ≥2) were the dependent variables. Survival curves were obtained by using the Kaplan–Meier estimate. After the log‐rank test, we conducted a Cox proportional hazards regression analysis.

Results

The results of log‐rank test indicated that all the variables could significantly influence time to NHP. Cox proportional hazards regression analysis suggested that CDR 3 exhibited the highest hazard ratio and Z‐score showed the lowest hazard ratio. There were significant differences in age, sex, CDR 2, CDR 3, and living situation.

Conclusions

The results indicated that the voxel‐based specific regional analysis systems for Alzheimer's disease Z‐score is unlikely to influence NHP. This may suggest that even if the atrophy in the medial temporal lobe is rather progressed, patients can remain living at their own home with protective factors. Future studies need to investigate the risk and protective factors of time to NHP by combining the variables.
Beyond the recovery of women: The evolving study of gender in Tibetan Buddhism
Authors: Melnick Alison
Published: October 2018

Taking the study of women as a cousin to—but not a conflation of—the broader realm of gender studies, this article examines recent developments at the intersection of Tibetan and gender studies. Focusing specifically on the historical study of religious women, it addresses scholarship dedicated to women in Tibet as the beginning of a potentially broad conversation about how we engage with the field of gender studies in the Tibetan context. The article offers a review of recent scholarship—highlighting the themes of female inferiority, the relational nature of individual identity, and women's authorship—and makes suggestions for a more sustained focus on issues related to privilege, masculinity, and intersectional identity, in the study of Tibetan Buddhism and gender.
Phase I–II Trial Design for Biologic Agents Using Conditional Auto-Regressive Models for Toxicity and Efficacy
Authors: Muenz Daniel G. , Taylor Jeremy M. G. , Braun Thomas M.
Published: October 2018

A traditional assumption in the design of chemotherapy phase I–II trial designs is that dose increases lead to both more toxicity as well as more efficacy. This assumption of monotonic rates of toxicity and efficacy has come into question as potential cancer treatments are less likely to be chemotherapy and are instead biologic agents. These biologic agents tend to have mechanisms of action that act as ‘on–off’ switches for cancer growth, so giving more of the biologic agents will not necessarily provide any more benefit (and possibly no further risk) to the patient. We propose the use of a conditional auto-regressive (CAR) model as a way to estimate adaptively the rates of dose limiting toxicities (DLTs) and efficacy by smoothing the data collected for all doses in such a way that allows for non-increasing rates of either outcome with dose. We present the study design for our CAR model approach and compare, via simulation, the operating characteristics of our design with two existing contemporary published approaches. We demonstrate that our CAR model approach is a viable design for an adaptive phase I–II trial that can accommodate a variety of toxicity–dose and efficacy–dose patterns.
A qualitative study of home visiting as a palliative care strategy to follow‐up cancer patients by nurses in clinical setting in a developing country
Authors: Ndiok Akon , Ncama Busisiwe
Published: October 2018

Aims

The aims are to examine the effect of home visiting and resources for instituting the programme as a follow‐up strategy in integration of palliative care in daily clinical practice by nurses caring for cancer patients in Nigeria, and on how it can be used to improve care for cancer patients.

Background

Home visiting by nurses has been used as a follow‐up option in maternal and child health care globally. Most cancer patients default after diagnosis, home visiting offers potential as a strategy for follow‐up of these patients too.

Methods

This was a qualitative study which employed a focus group discussion with nurse managers and interviews with cancer in‐patients in two teaching hospitals in Nigeria. It utilised an interpretive paradigm to reach the best understanding of the problem. A total of 19 nurse managers who were directly involved with the care of cancer patients and 11 cancer patients participated in the study between July and September 2016. A qualitative content analysis was employed to analyse the data.

Findings

Nine major themes were identified in relation to perceived benefits of home visiting services and six in relation to needed resources in instituting the programme. Similar findings emerged from both the focus group discussions and the interviews with patients. Participants agreed that visiting cancer patients would ease many problems commonly encountered by patients following diagnosis of cancer, including psychological, financial, and emotional problems. Needed resources included hospital policies, adequate staff strength, staff commitment and funding.

Conclusions

Viable home visiting requires palliative care teams to carry out the service and hospital policy to direct their activities. Putting this into practice will be in line with World Health Organisation (WHO) advocacy of integrated palliative care for chronic diseases.
Editors’ Introduction and Review: Sociolinguistic Variation and Cognitive Science
Authors: Chevrot Jean‐Pierre , Drager Katie , Foulkes Paul
Published: October 2018

Sociolinguists study the interaction between language and society. Variationist sociolinguistics — the subfield of sociolinguistics which is the focus of this issue — uses empirical and quantitative methods to study the production and perception of linguistic variation. Linguistic variation refers to how speakers choose between linguistic forms that say the same thing in different ways, with the variants differing in their social meaning. For example, how frequently someone says fishin’ or fishing depends on a number of factors, such as the speaker's regional and social background and the formality of the speech event. Likewise, if listeners are asked to use a rating scale make judgements about speakers who say fishin’ or fishing, their ratings depend on what other social characteristics are attributed to the speaker. This issue aims to reflect the growing number of interactions that bring variationist sociolinguistics into contact of different branches of cognitive science. After presenting current trends in sociolinguistics, we identify five areas of contact between the two fields: cognitive sociolinguistics, sociolinguistic cognition, acquisition of variation, computational modeling, and a comparative approach of variation in animal communication. We then explain the benefits of interdisciplinary work: fostering the study of variability and cultural diversity in cognition; bringing together data and modeling; understanding the cognitive mechanisms through which sociolinguistic variation is processed; examining indexical meaning; exploring links between different levels of grammar; and improving methods of data collection and analysis. Finally we explain how the articles in this issue contribute to each of these benefits. We conclude by suggesting that sociolinguistics holds a strategic position for facing the challenge of building theories of language through integrating its linguistic, cognitive, and social aspects at the collective and individual levels.
Patient blood management
Authors: Meybohm Patrick , Choorapoikayil Suma , Regaei Anahita , Jung‐König Mona , Zacharowski Kai
Published: October 2018

More than 30% of the world's population are anaemic with serious medical consequences. Red blood cell transfusion is the mainstay to correct anaemia, but it is also one of the top five overused procedures, and carries its own risks. Patient blood management (PBM) is a patient‐centred and multidisciplinary approach to manage anaemia, minimize iatrogenic blood loss and harness tolerance to anaemia to improve patient outcome. Despite resolution, 63·12 of the World Health Organization in 2010 endorsing PBM and current guidelines with evidence‐based recommendations on the use of diagnostic and therapeutic measures, PBM is still not implemented in many hospitals. Here, we present a short review of recent developments in the field of PBM.
Effects of hydraulic retention time and proteins on sludge toxicity for 4‐chlorophenol wastewater treatment in sequencing batch reactors
Authors: Zhao Jianguo , Li Yahe , Chen Xiurong , Wang Lu , Xu Yan
Published: October 2018

Due to the higher uncertainty of environmental risk for pollutants’ treatment by activated sludge, 10 mg/L influent 4‐chlorophenol (4‐CP) treated via a sequencing batch reactor (SBR) was used as acclimated SBR. Another SBR was used as control SBR without 4‐CP. The effects of hydraulic retention time (HRT) and proteins on sludge toxicity for 4‐CP treatment were analysed, and compared to the control SBR. Results showed that the sludge toxicity in acclimated SBR was significantly higher than that of the control SBR. Shortening HRT from 12 to 8 hours was beneficial to degrade 4‐CP and lower sludge toxicity. The identified highly expressed protein of ABC transporter co‐existed in control and acclimated SBRs, while other proteins of TonB‐dependent receptor, heat shock 70 kDa protein and superoxide dismutase in acclimated sludge were overexpressed relative to the control sludge, which played an important function in degrading 4‐CP, resisting 4‐CP toxicity and eliminating sludge toxicity.
Slow periodic activity in the longitudinal hippocampal slice can self‐propagate non‐synaptically by a mechanism consistent with ephaptic coupling
Authors: Chiang Chia‐Chu , Shivacharan Rajat S. , Wei Xile , Gonzalez‐Reyes Luis E. , Durand Dominique M.
Published: October 2018

Key points

Slow periodic activity can propagate with speeds around 0.1 m s−1 and be modulated by weak electric fields.

Slow periodic activity in the longitudinal hippocampal slice can propagate without chemical synaptic transmission or gap junctions, but can generate electric fields which in turn activate neighbouring cells.

Applying local extracellular electric fields with amplitude in the range of endogenous fields is sufficient to modulate or block the propagation of this activity both in the in silico and in the in vitro models.

Results support the hypothesis that endogenous electric fields, previously thought to be too small to trigger neural activity, play a significant role in the self‐propagation of slow periodic activity in the hippocampus.

Experiments indicate that a neural network can give rise to sustained self‐propagating waves by ephaptic coupling, suggesting a novel propagation mechanism for neural activity under normal physiological conditions.

Slow oscillations are a standard feature observed in the cortex and the hippocampus during slow wave sleep. Slow oscillations are characterized by low‐frequency periodic activity (<1 Hz) and are thought to be related to memory consolidation. These waves are assumed to be a reflection of the underlying neural activity, but it is not known if they can, by themselves, be self‐sustained and propagate. Previous studies have shown that slow periodic activity can be reproduced in the in vitro preparation to mimic in vivo slow oscillations. Slow periodic activity can propagate with speeds around 0.1 m s−1 and be modulated by weak electric fields. In the present study, we show that slow periodic activity in the longitudinal hippocampal slice is a self‐regenerating wave which can propagate with and without chemical or electrical synaptic transmission at the same speeds. We also show that applying local extracellular electric fields can modulate or even block the propagation of this wave in both in silico and in vitro models. Our results support the notion that ephaptic coupling plays a significant role in the propagation of the slow hippocampal periodic activity. Moreover, these results indicate that a neural network can give rise to sustained self‐propagating waves by ephaptic coupling, suggesting a novel propagation mechanism for neural activity under normal physiological conditions.
Statistical comparison of field height correction by Z-stage movement versus height-correction hardware in a modern electron-beam lithography tool
Authors: Young Michael P.
Published: October 2018

Modern electron-beam lithography tools are expected to operate within very tight specifications [S. Babin, S. Borisov, V. Militsin, T. Komagata, and T. Wakatsuki, Proc. Soc. Photo-Opt. Instrum. 9984, 998406 (2016)], in order to meet lithographic requirements for today’s and tomorrow’s cutting-edge electronic and photonic device fabrication. Specifications for linewidth fidelity, field stitching, and absolute feature placement accuracy demand the highest levels of performance. In this work, the performance of the hardware height compensation mechanism in a modern Gaussian-beam, vector-scan lithography tool is statistically compared with the use of the Z stage to correct for height on a field-by-field basis, in order to determine the method most likely to yield the best writing performance on a nonflat substrate. A test sample is prepared by writing an array of square marks on a 4 in. Si wafer. Four marks per field are written, using the four corners of the writing field. After development, the wafer is coated with metal and the resulting marker array is formed via lift-off. The test wafer is then reloaded into the lithography tool. For each writing field, the positions of each of the four marks are found, with respect to the center of the field. The fields are visited in a spiral-out order, beginning near the center of the wafer. Location of the marks can be performed under two different conditions: fixed Z position with normal height compensation active or with Z position adjusted to bring the substrate to reference the height before locating marks in each field. No height compensation is used in the latter case. Subsequent statistical and graphical analysis of the collected data provides insight into the dynamics of the tool’s height correction capabilities and helps to inform the choice of Z-drive motion versus hardware height correction. In addition, should anomalies be observed, the analysis provides useful diagnostic information.
Coaching and Coach Education in Spain: A Critical Analysis of Legislative Evolution
Authors: Feu Sebastián , García-Rubio Javier , Antúnez Antonio , Ibáñez Sergio
Published: October 2018

The purpose of this paper is to describe the status of coaching and coach education in Spain. Particular emphasis is placed on legislative evolution of the qualifications of sport coaches and the repercussions it has had on the sport and education system. The formal training of sport coaches in Spain has undergone many legislative changes since the promulgation of the Constitution in 1978. This period of legislative changes has been long and has not ended as a single process. Transitory provisions are still being used to impart and approve training courses. The changes adopted have served to introduce sport teaching into the Spanish education system as a special education system; and to homogenize the study plans, the requisites for teachers who give the courses and the administrative procedures, among the different sport disciplines. The equalization of professional sport qualifications at the European level is now more feasible.
Uptake of azithromycin by various cells and its intracellular activity under in vivo conditions
Authors: Wildfeuer A , Laufen H , Zimmermann T
Published: October 2018

The concentrations of azithromycin in polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMNLs), monocytes, erythrocytes, and plasma were measured in six healthy volunteers after the last treatment of a 3-day regimen of 500 mg once daily. Marked enrichment of azithromycin was found in PMNLs and monocytes. The drug concentrations after the last dose amounted to 114 +/- 43 (mean +/- standard deviation) mg/liter at 12 h in PMNLs and 34 +/- 17 mg/liter at 6 h in monocytes. Fourteen days thereafter, azithromycin was still detectable in the PMNLs at 53 +/- 34 mg/liter and in the monocytes at 1 +/- 2 mg/liter, although the drug was no longer detectable in plasma (< 0.02 mg/liter). Maximum drug concentrations for azithromycin in plasma (0.40 +/- 0.30 mg/liter) and erythrocytes (0.15 +/- 0.05 mg/liter) at 3 h after the last administration were much lower and occurred earlier than those observed in the phagocytic cells. The mean enrichment factors (cellular/extracellular ratios) of azithromycin in phagocytes relative to plasma came to 231 +/- 150 and 3,924 +/- 584 at 3 and 120 h, respectively, for PMNLs and 83 +/- 55 and 523 +/- 285 at 3 and 120 h for monocytes, respectively, after the last dose. The phagocytosis tests with PMNLs separated from the blood of volunteers at various times after the last treatment confirmed the enhanced intracellular activity of these cells against staphylococci.