bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Clinical and radiographic outcomes of allogeneic block grafts for maxillary lateral ridge augmentation: A randomized clinical trial
Authors: G. F. Tresguerres Francisco , Cortes Arthur R. G. , Hernandez Vallejo Gonzalo , Cabrejos‐Azama Jatsue , Tamimi Faleh , Torres Jesusis
Published: August 2019

Background

A main drawback of bone block graft surgery is the resorption occurring in early stages of healing. To our knowledge, there are no studies comparing outcomes of freeze‐dried bone allograft (FDBA) blocks with different architecture.

Purpose

The aim of this work was to investigate different factors that can affect graft resorption and to compare the resorption rates of two different types of allogeneic blocks, corticocancellous and cancellous.

Materials and Methods

A randomized clinical trial was designed. Twenty‐eight patients referred for onlay bone augmentation prior to implant placement were included in the study. Preoperative computerized tomography (CT) was taken for all patients. Patients received FDBA blocks of either cancellous or corticocancellous bone obtained from the iliac crest. After a 4‐month follow‐up, postoperative CT was taken. Then, another surgery was performed, with the purpose to place dental implants. The aforementioned groups were compared for bone resorption and implant outcome using analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) and repeated ANOVA measures, respectively. Demographic data, trabecular bone density, and graft sites were also analyzed.

Results

A total of 93 implants were placed in the augmented bone sites over 28 patients. A 100% survival rate was achieved during a mean follow‐up period of 24 months in both groups. Higher bone resorption rate was found with cancellous bone grafts (29.2% ± 2.6) compared with corticocancellous grafts (19.3% ± 2.3). Moreover, higher resorption rates in patients with lower bone density (<185 Hounsfield Units) (31.7% ± 3.1) and smokers (26.39% ± 2.3) were observed when compared with patients with higher bone density (>185 Hounsfield Units) (16.8% ± 2.1) and nonsmokers (22.1% ± 2.3), respectively.

Conclusion

Within the limitations of this study, these findings indicate that both corticocancellous and cancellous FDBA grafts constitute a clinical acceptable alternative for bone reconstruction, although cancellous grafts present higher resorption rates. Moreover, host factors such as patient's low bone density and smoking habits may also increase graft resorption rates.
Combined with anti‐Nogo‐A antibody treatment, BDNF did not compensate the extra deleterious motor effect caused by large size cervical cord hemisection in adult macaques
Authors: Beaud Marie‐Laure , Rouiller Eric M. , Bloch Jocelyne , Mir Anis , Schwab Martin E. , Schmidlin Eric
Published: August 2019

In spinal cord injured adult mammals, neutralizing the neurite growth inhibitor Nogo‐A with antibodies promotes axonal regeneration and functional recovery, although axonal regeneration is limited in length. Neurotrophic factors such as BDNF stimulate neurite outgrowth and protect axotomized neurons. Can the effects obtained by neutralizing Nogo‐A, inducing an environment favorable for axonal sprouting, be strengthened by adding BDNF? A unilateral incomplete hemicord lesion at C7 level interrupted the main corticospinal component in three groups of adult macaque monkeys: control monkeys (n = 6), anti‐Nogo‐A antibody‐treated monkeys (n = 7), and anti‐Nogo‐A antibody and BDNF‐treated monkeys (n = 5). The functional recovery of manual dexterity was significantly different between the 3 groups of monkeys, the lowest in the control group. Whereas the anti‐Nogo‐A antibody‐treated animals returned to manual dexterity performances close to prelesion ones, irrespective of lesion size, both the control and the anti‐Nogo‐A/BDNF animals presented a limited functional recovery. In the control group, the limited spontaneous functional recovery depended on lesion size, a dependence absent in the combined treatment group (anti‐Nogo‐A antibody and BDNF). The functional recovery in the latter group was significantly lower than in anti‐Nogo‐A antibody‐treated monkeys, although the lesion was larger in three out of the five monkeys in the combined treatment group.
Biodiversity hotspots are insufficient in capturing range‐restricted species
Authors: Shrestha Nawal , Shen Xiaoli , Wang Zhiheng
Published: August 2019

Identifying hotspots of species richness/rarity is the most commonly used approach worldwide for defining areas of high conservation importance. However, the use of the hotspot method limits one's ability to protect or exclude particular species as all species are treated equally. Particularly, range‐restricted species require high conservation attention because they are more vulnerable than common species. However, the efficiency of the hotspot method in capturing range‐restricted species is yet to be explored, although it is known that this method provides low species coverage. Here, using a comprehensive database of Chinese woody plants, we mapped the diversity pattern of 11,405 species at the spatial resolution of 50 × 50 km2 and identified hotspot areas using 1, 2.5, 5, 10, 25, and 50% thresholds. We then evaluated the proportion of range‐restricted versus common species captured/missed by each hotspot threshold. We found that the commonly used hotspot thresholds (5 and 10%) failed to capture 41–45% of range‐restricted species, which indicates that using the hotspot method for conservation prioritization exposes range‐restricted species to high extinction risk. Relying entirely on the hotspot method to prioritize conservation areas, therefore, can be risky not only because it provides low species coverage but also because the missed species are mostly range‐restricted species. We advocate adopting more efficient methods, such as systematic conservation planning, rather than the hotspot method, to increase the coverage of range‐restricted species in designated priority areas and balance the needs of biodiversity conservation and economic development.
Characterising the association between positive hepatitis C virus antibody and pain among people who inject drugs
Authors: Ng Michelle , Hayashi Kanna , Voon Pauline , Shulha Hennady P. , DeBeck Kora , Milloy M.‐J. , Ti Lianping
Published: August 2019

Introduction and Aims

People who inject drugs (PWID) are a key group within the hepatitis C virus (HCV) pandemic. Chronic pain is a common condition among PWID as these individuals are often exposed to soft tissue infections due to injections and violence. This study aims to characterise the relationship between HCV exposure and pain among PWID.

Design and Methods

Data were derived from three prospective cohorts of PWID in Vancouver, Canada, between December 2011 and November 2016. The primary outcome was pain severity, which was defined based on the Euroqol EQ‐5D‐3L pain subscale. A bivariable and multivariable ordinal generalised estimating equations model was used to quantify the association between HCV exposure and pain among participants.

Results

One thousand and twelve of 2038 participants (50%) reported moderate/extreme pain at baseline. In total, 1473 (72%) participants were HCV‐antibody positive. In unadjusted analyses, HCV exposure was positively associated with increased pain [odds ratio (OR) = 1.47; 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.20–1.81]. However, once adjusted for known confounders in multivariable analyses, HCV exposure did not remain significantly associated with increased pain (adjusted OR = 1.00; 95%CI: 0.78–1.28).

Discussion and Conclusions

In this sample of PWID, HCV exposure was not significantly associated with pain once other factors were considered. These various factors may explain the elevated risk of pain among PWID and should be addressed in future initiatives when managing pain among PWID with HCV exposure. Future studies should also examine whether pain changes with changes in HCV status (i.e. active vs. cleared infection).
HbA1c determination from HemaSpot™ blood collection devices: comparison of home prepared dried blood spots with standard venous blood analysis
Authors: Hall J. M. , Fowler C. F. , Barrett F. , Humphry R. W. , Van Drimmelen M. , MacRury S. M.
Published: August 2019

Aim

To assess the clinical performance and patient acceptance of HemaSpot™ blood collection devices as an alternative blood collection method.

Methods

Adult men and women with any type of diabetes, routinely carrying out self‐monitoring of blood glucose were recruited (n = 128). Participants provided a venous blood sample and prepared two HemaSpot dried blood spots, one at clinics and one at home. HbA1c analysis was by Tosoh G8 high‐performance liquid chromatography. Participants also completed a questionnaire.

Results

Strong linear relationships been HbA1c levels in dried blood spots and venous blood were observed and a linear model was fitted to the data. Time between dried blood spot preparation and testing did not impact the model. Participants were accepting of the approach: 69.2% would use this system if available and 60.7% would be more likely to use this system than going to their general practitioner.

Conclusions

The combination of a robust desiccating dried blood spot device, home sample preparation and return by post produces HbA1c data that support the use of a time‐independent linear calibration of dried blood spot to venous blood HbA1c. A robust remote sample collection service would be valuable to people living with diabetes in urban areas who are working or house‐bound as well as those living in remote or rural locations.
Data fusion of vis–NIR and PXRF spectra to predict soil physical and chemical properties
Authors: Zhang Yakun , Hartemink Alfred E.
Published: August 2019

We tested one front‐end data fusion method to combine visible near‐infrared (vis–NIR) and portable X‐ray fluorescence (PXRF) spectra for predicting different soil properties and investigated the contribution of different sensor data. A total of 197 soil samples were collected from 25 Alfisols and Mollisols in south‐central Wisconsin, USA. Soils were analysed in the laboratory for clay, sand, silt content, total carbon (TC), total nitrogen (TN) and pH. Air‐dried soil samples were scanned with vis–NIR and PXRF spectrometers. A principal component analysis (PCA) was applied to each of the vis–NIR and PXRF spectra to extract the first 10 principal components (PCs), which were used in the Cubist model. Five types of input data were compared for constructing the models using a front‐end data fusion approach, including: (a) 10 PCs from vis–NIR spectra, (b) 10 PCs from spectra of PXRF beam 1 (XRF40), (c) 10 PCs from spectra of PXRF beam 2 (XRF10), (d) concatenating 20 PCs from two PXRF spectra (XRF40 + 10), and (e) concatenating 30 PCs from two PXRF spectra and vis–NIR spectra (XRF40 + 10 + NIR). In addition, the performances of the preprocessing methods (four smoothing methods with or without background removal) of PXRF spectra were compared. Multiple linear regression was also used to predict soil properties directly from 11 PXRF‐estimated elements. Our results suggest that smoothing should be applied to the PXRF spectra prior to developing predictive models. PXRF spectra and elemental data can predict soil texture with validation R2 > 0.85, better than using solely vis–NIR spectra, and combining vis–NIR and PXRF spectra improved the prediction. Combining PXRF and vis–NIR can also predict TC and TN moderately well. Soil pH cannot be predicted from vis–NIR or PXRF spectra in this dataset due to its weak correlations with other soil properties and elements. It is concluded that PXRF spectra can be solely used to estimate soil texture, whereas combining vis–NIR and PXRF spectra via PCA should be used to estimate TC and TN.

Highlights

The use of front‐end data fusion method to combine vis–NIR and PXRF spectra for predicting soil properties.

Different preprocessing algorithms were compared systematically for PXRF spectra.

Spectral smoothing should be applied to the PXRF spectra prior to developing predictive models.

PXRF spectra can be used solely to estimate soil texture, whereas combining vis–NIR and PXRF spectra via PCA should be used to estimate TC and TN.
Preserved brain functional plasticity after upper limb task‐oriented rehabilitation in progressive multiple sclerosis
Authors: Boffa G. , Tacchino A. , Sbragia E. , Schiavi S. , Droby A. , Piaggio N. , Bommarito G. , Girardi G. , Mancardi G. L. , Brichetto G. , Inglese M.
Published: August 2019

Background and purpose

Limited research has been dedicated to upper limb (UL) rehabilitation in progressive multiple sclerosis (PMS). The objective in this pilot study was to investigate the effect of task‐oriented UL rehabilitation in PMS and to perform explorative analyses of the magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) correlates of changes in motor performance.

Methods

Twenty‐six PMS patients with mild UL impairment were prospectively enrolled and randomized into two groups: an active treatment group (ATG,n = 13) and a passive treatment group (PTG,n = 13). At baseline and after training, patients underwent MRI scans with structural and functional imaging and were evaluated with the action research arm test, the nine‐hole peg test, the ABILHAND scale and the modified fatigue impact scale (MFIS). Measures of motor finger performance were obtained by engineered glove measuring.

Results

After rehabilitation, the ATG improved in several finger motor tasks (0.001 ≤ P ≤ 0.03, 0.72 ≤ Cohen'sd ≤ 1.22) and showed reduced MFIS scores compared with the PTG (P = 0.03). The ATG showed increased functional connectivity within the cerebellar and thalamic resting state networks compared with the PTG (P < 0.05). Correlations were found between several measures of motor improvement and thalamic and sensorimotor networks (0.87 ≤ r ≤ 0.93, 0.001 ≤ P ≤ 0.03). No changes in cerebral volumes and diffusion tensor imaging derived measures were detected.

Conclusions

Progressive multiple sclerosis patients with mild UL dysfunction benefit from task‐oriented UL rehabilitation, which seems to be more efficient than simple passive mobilization. Despite a high burden of disability and brain damage, functional adaptive capacities seem to be preserved, thus providing a rationale for the use of rehabilitative treatments in late PMS.
Wind turbine noise limits propagation of greater prairie‐chicken boom chorus, but does it matter?
Authors: Whalen Cara E. , Brown Mary Bomberger , McGee JoAnn , Powell Larkin A. , Walsh Edward J.
Published: August 2019

Acoustic signals are often critical elements of mating displays, and lekking male greater prairie‐chickens (Tympanuchus cupido pinnatus) use their boom vocalization for this purpose. We quantified the acoustic characteristics of the boom chorus created by multiple male greater prairie‐chickens vocalizing simultaneously at leks in Brown County, NE, USA, in 2013 and 2014. We used these data to evaluate (a) the role of the boom chorus in prairie‐chicken breeding dynamics and (b) the impact of a wind energy facility on the acoustic signal of the boom chorus. We sampled the chorus using audio recorders placed in transects extending from leks; the chorus exhibited an average peak frequency of 297 ± 13 Hz. The mean chorus signal‐to‐noise ratio declined from 15.7 dB (50 m) to 2.6 dB (800 m), and wind speed and direction, topography, and relative humidity caused variation in signal‐to‐noise ratio at a given distance and location. Chorus recordings from leks within 1,000 m of a wind turbine had lower signal‐to‐noise ratio (βturbine = −5.659, SE = 1.289) than leks farther from turbines. The chorus signal‐to‐noise ratio increased slightly with more males present on the lek (~0.1 dB for each additional male; βmales = 0.177; SE = 0.037) and considerably more as more females visited the lek (~1.4 dB for each additional female; βfemales = 2.498, SE = 0.235; βfemales2 = −0.309, SE = 0.039). Our results provide support for the signal enhancement hypothesis that proposes the boom chorus is influenced notably by male–male competition for females on the lek, rather than functioning solely to advertise the presence of the lek to recruit females. Our results also suggest the choruses emanating from small leks have the greatest potential to be masked by anthropogenic (wind turbine) noise, which may affect the breeding success of male and female prairie‐chickens.
Assessment of the impact of sex in intensity, skin flares and central processing of histaminergic itch—A pilot study
Authors: Mueller Simon M. , Mueller Felix , Reinhardt Julia , Itin Peter , Navarini Alexander , Stippich Christoph , Borgwardt Stefan
Published: August 2019

Itch is the commonest skin‐related symptom, and sex differences are increasingly recognised as important determinants in stratified medicine, but only little is known about sex differences in itch. Questionnaire‐based studies indicated that women perceive itch as more intensive and bothersome in comparison with men. However, data of studies using standardised itch models to objectify sex differences are scarce and inconsistent. To determine sex differences in intensity, skin flares and central processing of histaminergic itch, we compared 15 female and 15 male healthy subjects in a double‐blinded, within‐subject, placebo‐controlled study using a histamine skin prick itch model (histamine 1% applied onto the volar forearm) and functional MRI. We found trends in higher mean itch intensity (0.58 VAS, CI 95% 0.004‐1.19, P = .056) and maximum itch intensity (men 3.93 VAS ± 0.39 SD at 3 minutes, women 4.73 VAS ± 0.31 SD at 4 minutes, P = .073) in women paralleled by a trend in a stronger positive correlation between itch intensity and blood oxygen level–dependent (BOLD) activity in brain structures identified during itch in comparison with men (rs in women: .46, P = .08, rs in men: .07, P = .79). The erythema and wheal following histamine skin pricking were (non‐significantly) larger in men, indicating that higher mean itch intensities on the right volar forearm in women may not be explained by more intense flares. The comparison of the activation patterns between the sexes revealed increased activity in men compared to women in the left middle temporal gyrus (temporooccipital part)/lateral occipital cortex. Thus, our findings indicate that histaminergic itch perception and central itch processing differ between the sexes under standardised conditions.
An overview of the relationship between anaemia, iron, and venous leg ulcers
Authors: Ferris Amy E. , Harding Keith G.
Published: August 2019

The factors preventing healing in venous leg ulcers are still not fully understood. Iron‐mediated tissue damage has been hypothesised, yet anecdotally anaemia is also thought to have a negative effect on wound healing. This article summarises the current evidence for these theories and their likely effects in the context of venous ulceration. A comprehensive search of the literature was conducted. Studies suggest that a number of forms of iron including haemosiderin and ferritin are implicated in progression of venous disease, ulcer formation, and impaired healing, which is thought to be primarily free radical mediated. There is a paucity of evidence for the role of iron deficiency and anaemia on ulcer healing; however, there is likely to be a highly complex interplay between the damaging effects of iron on local tissues and the negative effects of anaemia‐mediated tissue hypoxia. Studies looking at options to increase local oxygen delivery such as topical haemoglobin suggest that this may have an impact on some aspects of healing, but findings are generally inconclusive. There is growing evidence that locally elevated iron levels may have a detrimental effect on ulcer healing and formation; however, more robust research is needed.
Nickel‐containing magnetoceramics from water vapor‐assisted pyrolysis of polysiloxane and nickel 2,4‐pentanedionate
Authors: Yang Ni , Gao Min , Li Jiefang , Lu Kathy
Published: August 2019

In this study, novel ferromagnetic Ni‐containing silicon oxycarbide (SiOC–Ni) was successfully fabricated from a base polysiloxane (PSO) with the addition of nickel 2,4‐pentanedionate. The resultant SiOC–Ni nanocomposite consists of in situ formed Ni nanocrystallites with a small amount of NiO uniformly dispersed in the amorphous SiOC matrix, and the corresponding nanocrystallite size increases with the increase of the pyrolysis temperature. The formation of nickel silicides (NixSiy) is completely suppressed by the effect of water vapor during the pyrolysis. The fundamental phase evolution process and mechanisms are explained. In an argon atmosphere, the SiOC–Ni materials pyrolyzed at 900°C are stable up to 1000°C with less than 6 wt% weight loss; they exhibit desirable electrical conductivity up to ~900°C with the highest electrical conductivity at ~247 S/m. This series of SiOC–Ni materials also demonstrates exciting ferromagnetic behaviors. Their new semiconducting behavior with soft ferromagnetism presents promising application potentials for magnetic sensors, transformers, actuators, etc.
Should supervisors communicate goals or visions? The moderating role of subordinates' psychological distance
Authors: Vanderstukken Arne , Schreurs Bert , Germeys Filip , Van den Broeck Anja , Proost Karin
Published: August 2019

There is an ongoing debate about how supervisors should communicate desired end‐states to subordinates, that is, whether they should set concrete goals (according to goal setting theory) or communicate abstract visions (according to transformational leadership theory). In this paper, we draw on construal level theory (CLT) to reconcile both views and develop a model of when supervisors communicating concrete goals versus abstract visions are seen as more effective. According to CLT, being psychologically removed from (vs. near to) an event or object makes people construe the event or object in a more abstract (vs. concrete) way, which, in turn, leads people to process abstract (vs. concrete) information more fluently and thus evaluate the sender of this information more favorably. Accordingly, supervisor effectiveness may be higher in conditions where communication and psychological distance to the supervisor converge (vision/far and goals/close) rather than diverge (vision/close and goals/far). We tested this hypothesis in two experiments, using different operationalizations of psychological distance. In these studies, we found supervisor effectiveness to be higher when vision was communicated at a far versus near distance and goals were communicated at a near versus far distance.
Mobile e‐diary application facilitates the monitoring of patient‐reported outcomes and a high treatment adherence for clinical trials in dermatology
Authors: Rijsbergen M. , Niemeyer‐van der Kolk T. , Rijneveld R. , Pinckaers J.H.F.M. , Meshcheriakov I. , Bouwes Bavinck J.N. , van Doorn M.B.A. , Hogendoorn G. , Feiss G. , Cohen A.F. , Burggraaf J. , van Poelgeest M.I.E. , Rissmann R.
Published: August 2019

Background

Assessment of treatment effects in clinical trials requires valid information on treatment adherence, adverse events and symptoms. Paper‐based diaries are often inconvenient and have limited reliability, particularly for outpatient trials.

Objectives

To investigate the utility of an electronic diary (e‐diary) application for patients with skin diseases in outpatient clinical trials.

Methods

An e‐diary application was developed and technically validated. Treatment adherence was defined as topical administration by the patient, and patient‐reported outcomes, i.e. pain and itch, were evaluated by the e‐diary in six clinical trials on newly tested topical drugs. Additionally, the proportion of patients capturing the applied topical drug by camera and filling in the pain and itch scores was defined as e‐diary adherence, and patients’ perception of usefulness and acceptability of the e‐diary were evaluated.

Results

Treatment adherence rates of the included 256 patients were high (median 98%, range 97–99%). E‐diary adherence was also high with a median of 93% (range 87–97%) for capturing the applied drug by camera, and 89% (range 87–96%) and 94% (range 87–96%) for entering respectively the itch and pain score. Daily symptom scores provided good insights into the disease burden, and patients rated the e‐diary as good to excellent with respect to user acceptability.

Conclusions

The results suggest that the e‐diary is an excellent way to ensure proper treatment administration, indicated by both the high user acceptability scores and high treatment adherence. Moreover, the e‐diary may also be valuable for frequent and reliable monitoring of patient‐reported outcomes in daily clinical practice.
Analysis of the gut microbiota in alopecia areata: identification of bacterial biomarkers
Authors: Moreno‐Arrones O.M. , Serrano‐Villar S. , Perez‐Brocal V. , Saceda‐Corralo D. , Morales‐Raya C. , Rodrigues‐Barata R. , Moya A. , Jaen‐Olasolo P. , Vano‐Galvan S.
Published: August 2019

Background

Alopecia areata is a T‐cell‐mediated autoimmune disease with an unknown etiopathogenesis. Gut microbiota has been revealed as a key modulator of systemic immunity.

Objective

To determine whether patients affected by alopecia universalis present differences in gut bacteria composition compared with healthy controls and investigate possible bacterial biomarkers of the disease.

Methods

We conducted a cross‐sectional study that involved 15 patients affected by alopecia universalis and 15 controls. Gut microbiome of the study subjects was analysed by sequencing the 16SrRNA of stool samples. We searched for bacterial biomarkers of alopecia universalis using the linear discriminant analysis effect size (LEFse) tool.

Results

In total, 30 study subjects (46.6% female; mean [SD] age, 40.1 [9.8] years) were enrolled. Neither alpha (Shannon diversity index 5.31 ± 0.43 vs. 5.03 ± 0.43, P 0.1) or beta diversity (ADONIS P value: 0.35) of gut microbiota showed statistically significant differences between cases and controls. In patients affected with alopecia, we found an enriched presence (LDA SCORE > 2) of Holdemania filiformis, Erysipelotrichacea, Lachnospiraceae, Parabacteroides johnsonii, Clostridiales vadin BB60 group, Bacteroides eggerthii and Parabacteroides distasonis. A predictive model based on the number of bacterial counts of Parabacteroides distasonis and Clostridiales vadin BB60 group correctly predicted disease status in 80% of patients (AUC 0.804 (0.633–0.976), P 0.004).

Conclusion

Alopecia universalis does not seem to affect broadly gut microbiota structure. Bacterial biomarkers found associated with the disease (Holdemania filiformis, Erysipelotrichacea, Lachnospiraceae, Parabacteroides johnsonii, Eggerthellaceae, Clostridiales vadin BB60 group, Bacteroides eggerthii and Parabacteroides distasonis) should be further studied as they could be involved in its pathophysiology or be used as diagnostic tools.
Construction of a design space for goat milk powder production using moisture sorption isotherms
Authors: Nascimento Amanda , Cavalcanti‐Mata Mario E. R. M. , Martins Duarte Maria E. , Pasquali Matheus , Lisboa Hugo M.
Published: August 2019

Industrialization of goat milk is critical to meet increasing demand. For process optimization and proper preservation of the product, information given by sorption isotherms can be fundamental. Therefore, the objective of this work was to determine the sorption isotherms of the goat milk powder and use that information to build a design space for the spray drying process. By fitting different mathematical models (GAB, Cavalcanti Mata, Thompson, and Oswin) to the experimental data, thermodynamic data was also determined as a function of equilibrium water content. The results allowed the construction of a phase diagram based on glass transition temperatures, and moisture content of 2.40% at the monolayer which provided a reference for the range of stability of water activity and a target for the final moisture content. By determination of net isosteric heat, it is clear that the values of energy for drying goat milk beyond the monolayer moisture content is much higher than for pure water vaporization enthalpy. Finally, using the fitted GAB model it was possible to construct a design space for the spray drying process of goat milk, and optimal spray drying parameters were determined.

Practical Applications

The construction of a production design space is critical for process scale‐up. On our work, we developed a new method to build such design space using the information provided by the moisture sorption isotherm and a fundamental model for the spray drying process. Therefore, a theoretical design space can be built with minimal resources which can be very useful for new products.
Efficacy of an email‐based recording and reminding system for limiting daytime non‐functional tooth contact in patients with temporomandibular disorders: A randomized controlled trial
Authors: Takeuchi‐Sato Tamiyo , Ono Yasuhiro , Funato Masahiko , Sato Hitoshi , Suganuma Takeshi , Baba Kazuyoshi
Published: August 2019

Background

Oral parafunctional activities such as daytime non‐functional tooth contact (nFTC) are considered aetiological factors for temporomandibular disorders (TMD).

Objectives

To evaluate the effectiveness of an email‐based recording and reminding system for limiting daytime nFTC in patients with TMDs.

Methods

Thirty patients with TMDs (mean age, 30.7 ± 8.7 years) were randomly assigned to three groups according to the intervention for limiting nFTC: cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) with an email‐based recording and reminding system for 20 days (e‐CBT group, n = 10), CBT with a sticky note reminder for 20 days (s‐CBT group, n = 10) and simple verbal instructions to avoid nFTC that were provided before the experimental period (control group, n = 10). The frequency of nFTC, range of pain‐free unassisted mouth opening and pain intensity during painful unassisted maximum mouth opening was evaluated before and after the experimental period.

Results

The frequency of nFTC significantly decreased after the intervention in the e‐CBT and s‐CBT groups. Among the three groups, the decrease in the nFTC frequency was the maximum in the e‐CBT group (P < .01). In addition, the range of pain‐free unassisted mouth opening showed a significant increase in all three groups, with the maximum improvement in the e‐CBT group (analysis of variance, P < .01).

Conclusions

The present findings suggest that our email‐based recording and reminding system may have the potential to effectively control daytime nFTC and could be an effective strategy for the management of TMDs.
How to Stand for Something: Toward a Genealogy of Exemplars
Authors: Stout Jeffrey
Published: August 2019

This paper responds to the focus issue on exemplarity that includes contributions by Kyle Lambelet, Brian Hamilton, and Gustavo Maya. The paper calls attention to ancient, medieval, and modern precedents that ought to inform our thinking about the ethical and political significance of exemplars.
Improv and the Angel: Disability Dance, Embodied Ethics, and Jewish Biblical Narrative
Authors: Watts Belser Julia
Published: August 2019

Disability dance lays claim to the provocative possibilities of the disabled body, raising profound questions about the politics of art, affect, and embodiment. For scholars of religion, disability dance is a powerful—and as yet unrecognized—site for probing the sacrality and ethics enacted in disability culture. This article brings the biblical tale of Jacob and the angel into conversation with a contemporary performance, “The Way You Look (at me) Tonight,” an intimate duet between choreographer and performer Jess Curtis and Clare Cunningham, an internationally acclaimed dancer who explores the artistry of lived disability experience. Using dance as a hermeneutic invitation to draw out ethical insights into risk, consent, and intimacy, I offer a disability‐sensitive reading of Genesis 32—reading the angel as a body whose presence attests to the brilliant shock of disability difference and probing the psychic and somatic transformation that unfolds when Jacob comes into kinesthetic contact with disability and the sacred.
Caregiver satisfaction with interim silver diamine fluoride applications for their children with caries prior to operating room treatment or sedation
Authors: Cernigliaro Dana , Kumar Anjali , Northridge Mary E. , Wu Yinxiang , Troxel Andrea B. , Cunha‐Cruz Joana , Balzer Jay , Okuji David M.
Published: August 2019

Objective

To ascertain caregiver satisfaction with silver diamine fluoride (SDF) application(s) as an intermediate care path for their children with caries.

Methods

Caregivers were recruited at two community health centers when they arrived for a previously scheduled operating room/sedation appointment for their children with caries who had previously been treated with SDF. They were asked to complete a survey regarding their satisfaction with SDF treatment while they waited during their children's dental treatment.

Results

Caregivers overwhelmingly reported that they were satisfied with SDF treatment (81.3%), and that the black mark was not an issue for their children (91.7%) or themselves (87.5%). Moreover, their perception of their children's oral health quality of life was high.

Conclusions

By arresting caries, SDF offers an intermediate care path for pediatric patients for whom OR/sedation treatment was not immediately available. Moreover, most caregivers were satisfied with SDF treatment for their children.
The macromolecular composition of noncalcified marine macroalgae
Authors: Fiset Catherine , Irwin Andrew J. , Finkel Zoe V.
Published: August 2019

The macromolecular composition of macroalgae influences nutrient flow and food quality in aquatic ecosystems and the value of macroalgae species for human consumption, aquaculture, biofuels, and other applications. We used literature data (125 publications, 1,117 observations) and a hierarchal Bayesian statistical model to estimate the average macromolecular composition, protein, lipid, and carbohydrate of macroalgae as a whole and at the phylum level. Our focus was on marine, noncalcified macroalgae sampled from wild‐grown populations in the field. We found that the median macromolecular composition is 9.98% protein, 2.7% lipid, 48.5% carbohydrate, and 31.8% ash as percent dry weight. We compared the median macromolecular content of macroalgae to microalgae and herbaceous plants and test for differences in macromolecular content across macroalgal phyla. Macroalgae were much more enriched in carbohydrate and minerals than the microalgae and lower in protein and lipid than many herbaceous plants. Rhodophyte macroalgae have significantly less lipid and more protein and the Ochrophyte macroalgae have significantly less protein than the average.
Empirical Characteristic Functions‐Based Estimation and Distance Correlation for Locally Stationary Processes
Authors: Jentsch Carsten , Leucht Anne , Meyer Marco , Beering Carina
Published: August 2019

In this article, we propose a kernel‐type estimator for the local characteristic function of locally stationary processes. Under weak moment conditions, we prove joint asymptotic normality for local empirical characteristic functions. For time‐varying linear processes, we establish a central limit theorem under the assumption of finite absolute first moments of the process. Additionally, we prove weak convergence of the local empirical characteristic process. We apply our asymptotic results to parameter estimation. Furthermore, by extending the notion of distance correlation to locally stationary processes, we are able to provide asymptotic theory for local empirical distance correlations. Finally, we provide a simulation study on minimum distance estimation forα‐stable distributions and illustrate the pairwise dependence structure over time of log returns of German stock prices via local empirical distance correlations.
A century of pollination success revealed by herbarium specimens of seed pods
Authors: Duan Yuan‐Wen , Ren Haibao , Li Tao , Wang Lin‐Lin , Zhang Zhi‐Qiang , Tu Yan‐Li , Yang Yong‐Ping
Published: August 2019

A widely observed pollinator decline around the world has led to the prediction that terrestrial ecosystems could be disrupted as plant pollination suffers, but declining pollination success has not been tested rigorously in wild plants, and it still remains unclear how pollination success of plant species responds differently in the context of pollinator decline.

By viewing the number of seeds per pod as a quantitative measure of successful pollination, we examined seed pods in 4637 herbarium specimens of 109 obligately outcrossing legumes collected over the past century.

We found that only 13 species showed significant temporal change with nine of those as an increase. None of the three subfamilies of legumes showed a consistent trend, and the subfamily Papilionoideae with the most specialized flowers, had increasing seed number per pod more often than decreasing.

We conclude that legume pollination in China shows no sign of disruption and the effects of plant–pollinator disruption may be more complicated than simplistic predictions have allowed.
Identification of Economic Shocks by Inequality Constraints in Bayesian Structural Vector Autoregression
Authors: Lanne Markku , Luoto Jani
Published: August 2019

Theories often make predictions about the signs of the effects of economic shocks on observable variables, thus implying inequality constraints on the parameters of a structural vector autoregression (SVAR). We introduce a new Bayesian procedure to evaluate the probabilities of such constraints, and, hence, to validate the theoretically implied economic shocks. We first estimate a SVAR, where the shocks are identified by statistical properties of the data, and subsequently label these statistically identified shocks by the Bayes factors calculated from their probabilities of satisfying given inequality constraints. In contrast to the related sign restriction approach that also makes use of theoretically implied inequality constraints, no restrictions are imposed. Hence, it is possible that only a subset or none of the theoretically implied shocks can be labelled. In the latter case, we conclude that the data do not lend support to the theory implying the signs of the effects in question. We illustrate the method by empirical applications to the crude oil market, and U.S. monetary policy.
Narrative review of reviews of preconception interventions to prevent an increased risk of obesity and non‐communicable diseases in children
Authors: Jacob Chandni Maria , Newell Marie‐Louise , Hanson Mark
Published: August 2019

Evidence for the effect of preconception and periconceptional risk factors on childhood outcomes such as obesity and other non‐communicable diseases (NCDs) in later life is growing. Issues such as maternal malnutrition need to be addressed before pregnancy, to prevent a transgenerational passage of risk of NCDs. The aim of this review was to evidence for preconception interventions to prevent obesity and other risk factors for NCDs in children. A search for systematic reviews of interventions in the preconception period published between 2006 and 2018 was conducted on academic databases. Fifteen reviews were included, two of the reviews also included pregnant women. None of the reviews directly reported on obesity or NCD outcomes in children. Results suggest that exercise‐ and diet‐based interventions significantly reduced maternal weight postpartum, weight gain during pregnancy, and improved prevention and control of gestational diabetes. Balanced protein energy supplementation during and before pregnancy was associated with an increase in mean birth weight and reduction of low birth weight babies. There is a dearth of evidence for preconception programmes that follow up on childhood outcomes related to a risk of NCDs. Nevertheless, results suggest that women who received preconception interventions were more likely to have improved pregnancy‐related and behavioural outcomes.
Further investigations of the IgE response to tetanus and diphtheria following covaccination with acellular rather than cellular Bordetella pertussis
Authors: Aalberse Rob C. , Grüber Christoph , Ljungman Margaretha , Kakat Suzan , Wahn Ulrich , Niggemann Bodo , Nilsson Lennart J.
Published: August 2019

Background

It has previously been shown in an uncontrolled study that the IgE response to vaccine antigens is downregulated by co‐vaccination with cellular Bordetella pertussis vaccine.

Methods

In the present study, we compared in a controlled trial the humoral immune response to diphtheria toxoid (D) and tetanus toxoid (T) in relation to co‐vaccinated cellular or acellular B pertussis vaccine. IgE, IgG4, and IgG to D and T were analyzed at 2, 7, and 12 months of age in sera of children vaccinated with D and T (DT, N = 68), cellular (DTPw, N = 68), 2‐ or 5‐component acellular B pertussis vaccine (DTPa2, N = 64; DTPa5, N = 65).

Results

One month after vaccination, D‐IgE was detected in 10% sera of DTPw‐vaccinated children, whereas vaccination in the absence of whole‐cell pertussis resulted in 50%‐60% IgE positivity. Six months after vaccination, the IgE antibody levels were found to be more persistent than the IgG antibodies. These diphtheria findings were mirrored by those for tetanus. Only minor differences between vaccine groups were found with regard to D‐IgG and T‐IgG. No immediate‐type allergic reactions were observed.

Conclusion

Cellular (but not acellular) B pertussis vaccine downregulates IgE to co‐vaccinated antigens in infants. We assume that the absence of immediate‐type allergic reactions is due to the high levels of IgG antibodies competing with IgE antibodies.
Home Telemonitoring Improved Pain Registration in Patients With Cancer
Authors: Knegtmans Mariëtte F. , Wauben Linda S.G.L. , Wagemans Michel F.M. , Oldenmenger Wendy H.
Published: August 2019

Introduction

For adequate pain treatment in patients with cancer, it is important to monitor and evaluate pain regularly. Although the numeric rating scale (NRS) is implemented in hospitals in the Netherlands, pain is still not systematically registered during outpatient consultations. The aim of this study was to assess whether home telemonitoring increases pain registration in medical records of outpatients with cancer.

Methods

Patients with cancer were included in the intervention group (IG) when they visited the outpatient clinic. They received a short message service and an interactive voice response on their mobile phones 3 times a week, asking them to provide their pain score (NRS). When the reported NRS pain score was ≥5, a specialized oncology nurse adapted the pain treatment when necessary. Outcomes were compared to a control group (CG) without home telemonitoring. In both groups, medical records were analyzed and data on pain and analgesics were collected.

Results

In each group, the medical records of 54 patients were analyzed on 3 consecutive outpatient visits. In the CG, pain registration or its absence was described in 60 visits (37.0%). In the IG, pain registration or its absence was reported in 83 visits (51.2%). Patients in the IG received a prescription for analgesics significantly more often (36/54 patients [66.6%]) than did patients in the CG (18/54 patients [33.3%]), P < 0.01).

Conclusion

Home telemonitoring for patients with cancer significantly increases registration of pain and prescriptions of analgesics in outpatient medical records. Home telemonitoring helps to increase the awareness of pain and its management.
Transcriptional landscape of pathogen‐responsive lncRNAs in rice unveils the role of ALEX1 in jasmonate pathway and disease resistance
Authors: Yu Yang , Zhou Yan‐Fei , Feng Yan‐Zhao , He Huang , Lian Jian‐Ping , Yang Yu‐Wei , Lei Meng‐Qi , Zhang Yu‐Chan , Chen Yue‐Qin
Published: August 2019

Plant defence is multilayered and is essential for surviving in a changing environment. The discovery of long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) has dramatically extended our understanding of post‐transcriptional gene regulation in diverse biological processes. However, the expression profile and function of lncRNAs in disease resistance are still largely unknown, especially in monocots. Here, we performed strand‐specific RNA sequencing of rice leaves infected by Xanthomonas oryzae pv. Oryzae (Xoo) in different time courses and systematically identified 567 disease‐responsive rice lncRNAs. Target analyses of these lncRNAs showed that jasmonate (JA) pathway was significantly enriched. To reveal the interaction between lncRNAs and JA‐related genes, we studied the coexpression of them and found 39 JA‐related protein‐coding genes to be interplayed with 73 lncRNAs, highlighting the potential modulation of lncRNAs in JA pathway. We subsequently identified an lncRNA, ALEX1, whose expression is highly induced by Xoo infection. A T‐DNA insertion line constructed using enhancer trap system showed a higher expression of ALEX1 and exerted a significant resistance to rice bacterial blight. Functional study revealed that JA signalling is activated and the endogenous content of JA and JA‐Ile is increased. Overexpressing ALEX1 in rice further confirmed the activation of JA pathway and resistance to bacterial blight. Our findings reveal the expression of pathogen‐responsive lncRNAs in rice and provide novel insights into the connection between lncRNAs and JA pathway in the regulation of plant disease resistance.
Formation of satellite uredinia as an important trait related to grapevine colonization by Phakopsora meliosmae‐myrianthae
Authors: Primiano I. V. , Loehrer M. , Schaffrath U. , Amorim L.
Published: August 2019

Phakopsora meliosmae‐myrianthae, the causal agent of Asian grapevine leaf rust, significantly reduces the photosynthetic efficiency of grapevine leaves in green symptomless tissues surrounding lesions. This study took a close look at grapevine leaf colonization kinetics by P. meliosmae‐myrianthae and compared it to P. pachyrhizi–soybean and Uromyces appendiculatus–bean colonization. It is already known from the literature that soybean rust, similar to grapevine rust, has a negative effect on leaf photosynthesis greater than would be expected based on visual lesions. However, in contrast to soybean and grapevine rusts, the effect of bean rust on leaf photosynthesis is proportional to the diseased leaf area. Colonization progress was monitored by fungal biomass assessed via histological staining and quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR). Individual lesions of P. meliosmae‐myrianthae on grapevine, P. pachyrhizi on soybean and U. appendiculatus on common bean leaves were evaluated every 3–4 days, and the number of uredinia was counted. Staining showed that mycelial colonization did not extend beyond the lesion border. The number of P. pachyrhizi and P. meliosmae‐myrianthae uredinia within the lesions increased over time (on average 14‐fold), whereas the number of U. appendiculatus uredinia remained the same. These findings were corroborated by qPCR, which revealed a greater increase in fungal biomass for Phakopsora spp. than for U. appendiculatus until 12 days post‐inoculation. The high number of satellite uredinia within lesions might be directly related to the impact of this pathogen in photosynthetic efficiency on symptomless areas of diseased grapevine leaves. This study identified accelerated formation of satellite uredinia as an important feature of grapevine colonization by P. meliosmae‐myrianthae.