bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Assessing the influence of sample tagging and library preparation on DNA metabarcoding
Authors: Zizka Vera M. A. , Elbrecht Vasco , Macher Jan‐Niklas , Leese Florian
Published: April 2019

Metabarcoding is increasingly used to assess species diversity by high‐throughput sequencing where millions of sequences can be generated in parallel and multiple samples can be analysed in one sequencing run. Generating amplified fragments with a unique sequence identifier ('tag') for each sample is crucial, as it allows assigning sequences to the original samples. The tagging through so‐called fusion primers is a fast and cheap alternative to commercially produced ligation‐based kits. However, little is known about potential bias and inconsistencies introduced by the long nucleotide tail attached to those primers, which could lead to deficient reports of community composition in metabarcoding studies. We therefore tested the consistency and taxa detection efficiency of fusion primers in (1) a one‐step and (2) two‐step PCR protocol as well as (3) a commercially manufactured Illumina kit using mock communities of known composition. The Illumina kit delivered the most consistent results and detected the highest number of taxa. However, success of the two‐step PCR approach was only marginally lower compared to the kit with the additional advantage of a much more competitive price per library. While most taxa were also detected with the one‐step PCR approach, the consistency between replicates including read abundance was substantially lower. Our results highlight that method choice depends on the precision needed for analysis as well as on economic considerations and recommend the Illumina kit to obtain most accurate results and the two‐step PCR approach as a much cheaper yet very robust alternative.
The impact of pre‐operative intravenous iron on quality of life after colorectal cancer surgery: outcomes from the intravenous iron in colorectal cancer‐associated anaemia (IVICA) trial
Authors: Keeler B. D. , Dickson E. A. , Simpson J. A. , Ng O. , Padmanabhan H. , Brookes M. J. , Acheson A. G. ,   the IVICA Trial Group
Published: April 2019

Anaemia is associated with a reduction in quality of life, and is common in patients with colorectal cancer . We recently reported the findings of the intravenous iron in colorectal cancer‐associated anaemia (IVICA) trial comparing haemoglobin levels and transfusion requirements following intravenous or oral iron replacement in anaemic colorectal cancer patients undergoing elective surgery. In this follow‐up study, we compared the efficacy of intravenous and oral iron at improving quality of life in this patient group. We conducted a multicentre, open‐label randomised controlled trial. Anaemic colorectal cancer patients were randomly allocated at least two weeks pre‐operatively, to receive either oral (ferrous sulphate) or intravenous (ferric carboxymaltose) iron. We assessed haemoglobin and quality of life scores at recruitment, immediately before surgery and at outpatient review approximately three months postoperatively, using the Short Form 36, EuroQoL 5‐dimension 5‐level and Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy – Anaemia questionnaires. We recruited 116 anaemic patients across seven UK centres (oral iron n = 61 (53%), and intravenous iron n = 55 (47%)). Eleven quality of life components increased by a clinically significant margin in the intravenous iron group between recruitment and surgery compared with one component for oral iron. Median (IQR [range]) visual analogue scores were significantly higher with intravenous iron at a three month outpatient review (oral iron 70, (60–85 [20–95]); intravenous iron 90 (80–90 [50–100]), p = 0.001). The Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy – Anaemia score comprises of subscales related to cancer, fatigue and non‐fatigue items relevant to anaemia. Median outpatient scores were higher, and hence favourable, for intravenous iron on the Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy – Anaemia subscale (oral iron 66 (55–72 [23–80]); intravenous iron 71 (66–77 [46–80]); p = 0.002), Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy – Anaemia trial outcome index (oral iron 108 (90–123 [35–135]); intravenous iron 121 (113–124 [81–135]); p = 0.003) and Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy – Anaemia total score (oral iron 151 (132–170 [69–183]); intravenous iron 168 (160–174 [125–186]); p = 0.005). These findings indicate that intravenous iron is more efficacious at improving quality of life scores than oral iron in anaemic colorectal cancer patients.
Effect of body position on qualitative and quantitative ultrasound assessment of gastric fluid contents
Authors: Bouvet L. , Barnoud S. , Desgranges F.‐P. , Chassard D.
Published: April 2019

We assessed the impact of raising the upper section of the bed, and patient positioning, on ultrasound assessment of gastric fluid contents. We performed ultrasound examinations in 25 subjects lying on their back, left and right sides at bed angles of 0°, 30°, 45° and 90°; this was carried out while the subjects were fasted, and repeated 10 min after drinking ≥ 50 ml water. After drinking, gastric contents were detected more frequently in the 45° semirecumbent position compared with the supine and 30° positions. The diagnostic performance of the Perlas qualitative grading scale to detect gastric fluid volume > 1.5 ml.kg−1 was improved at 45°, compared with 0° and 30° angles. The use of a composite ultrasound grading scale at a 45° angle was associated with the best performance, with a sensitivity and specificity of 82%. Antral cross‐sectional area was significantly increased when measured in the right lateral position, but there was no effect of raising the bed. In conclusion, raising the upper section of the bed significantly affected qualitative assessment of gastric fluid contents. Further studies are required to determine the most appropriate composite ultrasound grading scale and bed angle for fast and reliable qualitative ultrasound detection of fluid volumes > 1.5 ml.kg−1.
Effects of applying a VR‐based two‐tier test strategy to promote elementary students’ learning performance in a Geology class
Authors: Chang Shao‐Chen , Hsu Ting‐Chia , Kuo Wei‐Chen , Jong Morris Siu‐Yung
Published: April 2019

Science and technology are driving people’s life changes, including education and the environment. Many scholars have attempted to import technology into the classroom to help students learn in different subjects. However, students often need assistance with unfamiliar learning approaches and learning environments. This study proposed a non‐immersive virtual reality (VR) guidance system combined with a two‐tier strategy to help students learn geology knowledge. Two groups of students used different learning approaches: the experimental group students were guided by the two‐tier test VR guidance system, and the control group students learned with the conventional VR guidance system. According to the experimental result, the two‐tier test VR guidance system not only improved the students’ learning achievement in natural science, but also enhanced their learning motivation. In addition, according to the sequential results, we found that VR learning materials or environmental resources can help students answer questions and solve problems more effectively.
Random word generation reveals spatial encoding of syllabic word length
Authors: Myachykov Andriy , Chapman Ashley J. , Beal Jack , Scheepers Christoph
Published: April 2019

Existing random number generation studies demonstrate the presence of an embodied attentional bias in spontaneous number production corresponding to the horizontal Mental Number Line: Larger numbers are produced on right‐hand turns and smaller numbers on left‐hand turns (Loetscher et al.,2008, Curr. Biol., 18, R60). Furthermore, other concepts were also shown to rely on horizontal attentional displacement (Di Bono and Zorzi, 2013, Quart. J. Exp. Psychol., 66, 2348). In two experiments, we used a novel random word generation paradigm combined with two different ways to orient attention in horizontal space: Participants randomly generated words on left and right head turns (Experiment 1) or following left and right key presses (Experiment 2). In both studies, syllabically longer words were generated on right‐hand head turns and following right key strokes. Importantly, variables related to semantic magnitude or cardinality (whether the generated words were plural‐marked, referred to uncountable concepts, or were associated with largeness) were not affected by lateral manipulations. We discuss our data in terms of the ATOM (Walsh, 2015, The Oxford handbook of numerical cognition, 552) which suggests a general magnitude mechanism shared by different conceptual domains.
The Middle Pleistocene glaciolacustrine environment of an ice‐dammed mountain valley, Sudeten Mountains, Poland
Authors: Krzyszkowski Dariusz , Krzywicka Anna , Wachecka‐Kotkowska Lucyna , Sroka Waldemar
Published: April 2019

This article reports on an Early Saalian proglacial lake formed between the Scandinavian Ice Sheet and the front of the Sudeten Mountains, Poland. Sediments investigated at Mysłów point to a transition from glacifluvial to glaciolacustrine environments. The bulk of the sediments was deposited in deep‐water Gilbert‐type deltas (A–E complexes). A delta plain (topset) gradually passes into a subaerial plateau and then a clastic shoreline and the subaquatic slope of a prograding delta (foreset). The glaciolacustrine lithofacies represent a number of lake‐basin environments, from marginal subaqueous slopes to distal parts of a subaqueous fan. Glaciolacustrine and glaciodeltaic deposits locally reach ˜50–70 m in thickness. Analyses of A–E complexes indicate that the lake existed for more than 130 years and that its origin and evolution were closely connected with the ice front. This case study records lake sedimentation at an ice‐sheet margin with cohesionless gravity flows, turbidity currents, debris‐avalanching and, to a much lesser degree, parapelagic suspension fall‐out and ice‐raft dumping. In the initial stage, the lake extended more than 10 km to the south, and the deposition was relatively slow. In the second stage, recession of the ice sheet caused rapid growth of a delta. The third and ultimate stage coincided with the final glacial recession, with rapid deposition occurring only on the lake bottom. The model of the glaciolacustrine environment presented here may also be applicable to many other proglacial lakes in mountain areas.
Mucosal vaccines and technology
Authors: Miquel-Clopés A , Bentley E G , Stewart J P , Carding S R
Published: April 2019

There is an urgent and unmet need to develop effective vaccines to reduce the global burden of infectious disease in both animals and humans, and in particular for the majority of pathogens that infect via mucosal sites. Here we summarise the impediments to developing mucosal vaccines and review the new and emerging technologies aimed at overcoming the lack of effective vaccine delivery systems that is the major obstacle to developing new mucosal vaccines.
Defining and using evidence in conservation practice
Authors: Salafsky Nick , Boshoven Judith , Burivalova Zuzana , Dubois Natalie S. , Gomez Andres , Johnson Arlyne , Lee Aileen , Margoluis Richard , Morrison John , Muir Matthew , Pratt Stephen C. , Pullin Andrew S. , Salzer Daniel , Stewart Annette , Sutherland William J. , Wordley Claire F. R.
Published: April 2019

There is growing interest in evidence‐based conservation, yet there are no widely accepted standard definitions of evidence, let alone guidance on how to use it in the context of conservation and natural resource management practice. In this paper, we first draw on insights of evidence‐based practice from different disciplines to define evidence as being the “relevant information used to assess one or more hypotheses related to a question of interest.” We then construct a typology of different kinds of information, hypotheses, and evidence and show how these different types can be used in different steps of conservation practice. In particular, we distinguish between specific evidence used to assess project hypotheses and generic evidence used to assess generic hypotheses. We next build on this typology to develop a decision tree to support practitioners in how to appropriately use available specific and generic evidence in a given conservation situation. Finally, we conclude with a discussion of how to better promote and enable evidence‐based conservation in both projects and across the discipline of conservation. Our hope is that by understanding and using evidence better, conservation can both become more effective and attract increased support from society.
Physical home environment is associated with prefrontal cortical thickness in adolescents
Authors: Uy Jessica P. , Goldenberg Diane , Tashjian Sarah M. , Do Kathy T. , Galván Adriana
Published: April 2019

Biologically embedded experiences alter developmental trajectories in ways that can influence health, learning, and/or behavior. These systematic differences in experiences may contribute to different biological outcomes as individuals grow and develop, including at the neural level. Previous studies of biologically embedded experiences on neurodevelopment have focused on large‐scale institutional or economic factors (e.g. socioeconomic status [SES]) and psychosocial factors (e.g. caregiving behavior). Less attention has focused on how the quality of the immediate home settings, such as the physical home environment (PHYS), influences neurodevelopment. Moreover, no study has investigated these effects in adolescents, who undergo significant physical maturation and neurodevelopment that may influence how they respond to their physical environments. The goal of the current study was to examine whether PHYS quality is biologically embedded in the developing adolescent brain as evidenced by cognitive achievement and cortical development in 56 (48% female) healthy adolescents (14–18 years (M = 16.83 years, SD = 1.17). Using in‐home assessments of the physical home environment, anatomical brain scans, and indices of academic achievement, we found that adolescents who have more physical problems in the home (e.g. structural hazards, crowding, excessive noise, poorly lit) have thinner prefrontal cortices, which was associated with lower levels of reading achievement, independent of SES and psychosocial factors. By conducting home visits to assess physical characteristics of adolescents’ home, we highlight a typically overlooked aspect of the home environment that has relevance for adolescents’ cognitive and brain development.
ACTIVE (Ability Captured Through Interactive Video Evaluation) workspace volume video game to quantify meaningful change in spinal muscular atrophy
Authors: Alfano Lindsay N , Miller Natalie F , Iammarino Megan A , Moore Clingenpeel Melissa , Lowes Suzanne L , Dugan Margaret E , Kissel John T , Al Zaidy Samiah , Tsao Chang‐Yong , Lowes Linda P
Published: April 2019

Aim

To evaluate the utility of Ability Captured Through Interactive Video Evaluation (ACTIVE) scaled scores to quantify meaningful change in individuals with spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) types 2 or 3 due to disease progression or treatment.

Method

ACTIVE is a custom‐designed video game that measures workspace volume (WSV). Participants included 62 individuals with SMA (mean age [SD] 10y 9mo [5y], range 2y 9mo–24y) and 362 frequency‐matched controls (mean age [SD] 10y 9mo [3y 6mo], range 3y 2mo–24y 9mo). Participants completed ACTIVE, other traditional assessments, and patient‐reported outcomes. Responsiveness to change was evaluated by comparing longitudinal data on untreated participants to those receiving Spinraza.

Results

ACTIVE was significantly correlated to the Hammersmith Functional Motor Scales Expanded and Revised Upper Limb Module (ρ=0.85 and ρ=0.92 respectively; p<0.001). Relevance to patients and families was established by strong correlations to the Patient Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System self‐ and parent proxy‐measures of upper extremity ability (ρ=0.63 and ρ=0.70 respectively; p<0.001). Responsiveness to change was demonstrated by significant change in scaled scores after treatment (median 15.9 points, Wilcoxon signed‐rank test p<0.01). A preliminary minimum clinically important difference is presented.

Interpretation

These results suggest that ACTIVE WSV scores are a meaningful assessment with which to quantify change over time in individuals with SMA types 2 and 3.

What this paper adds

Ability Captured Through Interactive Video Evaluation (ACTIVE) quantifies upper extremity function in spinal muscular atrophy.

ACTIVE's scaled workspace volume strongly correlates to self‐ and parent‐report of function.

ACTIVE quantifies meaningful change after treatment.
Financial Development, Endogenous Dependence on External Financing, and Trade
Authors: Choi ByeongHwa
Published: April 2019

Influential papers on how credit constraints affect international trade have shown a tendency to assume that asset tangibility and the share of external borrowing are exogenous industry characteristics that are time‐ and country‐invariant. In the finance literature, however, the share of external borrowing is viewed as endogenous and dependent on the amount of collateral that a firm can provide (and thus, implicitly, on its asset tangibility). Drawing from the finance literature, I hypothesize that there are supply‐side factors that exert substantial influences on the share of external financing. I test this new perspective with country‐ and industry‐specific measures of asset tangibility and external borrowing. I find that (i) the share of external borrowing increases in asset tangibility, and (ii) the sectoral rankings of asset tangibility and the share of external borrowing vary significantly across countries. Further, I develop a theoretical model to investigate the impact of financial development and asset tangibility on the demand and supply of external finance and exports. The model yields theoretical predictions that are consistent with, and provide intuition for, the above results. Both the model and my empirical results demonstrate that industries with more tangible assets export more from countries with high levels of financial development.
Can veterinarians reliably apply a whole horse ridden ethogram to differentiate nonlame and lame horses based on live horse assessment of behaviour?
Authors: Dyson S. , Thomson K. , Quiney L. , Bondi A. , Ellis A. D.
Published: April 2019

A Ridden‐Horse‐Ethogram has been developed to differentiate between nonlame and lame horses, and lame horses before and after diagnostic analgesia has abolished musculoskeletal pain, based on video recordings. The objective of this prospective, observational study was to compare real‐time application of the Ridden‐Horse‐Ethogram with analysis of video recordings of the horses by a trained assessor and to determine whether veterinarians, after preliminary training, could apply the ethogram in real time in a consistent way and in agreement with an experienced assessor. Ten equine veterinarians (after preliminary training) and an experienced assessor applied the ethogram to 20 horse‐rider combinations performing a purpose‐designed dressage test (8.5 min). The horses were a convenience sample, in regular work, and capable of working ‘on the bit’. Video recordings of the test were analysed retrospectively by the experienced assessor. Lameness or abnormalities of canter, saddle fit, the presence of epaxial muscle tension/pain and rider skill level were determined by independent experts. The results were that 16 horses were lame; 11 had an ill‐fitting saddle; 14 had epaxial muscle tension/pain. The expert determined total scores of 3‐6/24 for the nonlame horses; two lame horses scored 3 and 6; 14 lame horses scored 8–16. There was no significant difference in real‐time scores and video‐based scores for the experienced assessor. There was good agreement between the expert's scores and the mean test observer scores. There was excellent consistency in overall agreement among raters (Intraclass correlation 0.97, P<0.001). There was a significant difference between ethogram scores according to lameness status for real‐time (P = 0.017) and video (P = 0.013) observations by the experienced assessor and for the test observers’ mean (P = 0.03). There was no effect of muscle pain, saddle fit or rider skill on behaviour. It was concluded that the ethogram was applied consistently by veterinarians with differentiation between nonlame and most lame horses. After appropriate training in its application, the ethogram may provide a useful tool for determining the presence of musculoskeletal pain in horses performing poorly.
Interactions between soil heterogeneity and freezing: Implications for grassland plant diversity and relative species abundances
Authors: Stover Holly J. , Henry Hugh A. L.
Published: April 2019

Plant stress resulting from soil freezing is expected to increase in northern temperate regions over the next century due to reductions in snow cover caused by climate change. Within plant communities, soil spatial heterogeneity can potentially buffer the effects of plant freezing stress by increasing the availability of soil microsites that function as microrefugia. Moreover, increased species richness resulting from soil heterogeneity can increase the likelihood of stress‐tolerant species being present in a community. We used a field experiment to examine interactions between soil heterogeneity and increased freezing intensity (achieved via snow removal) on plant abundance and diversity in a grassland. Patches of topsoil were mixed with either sand or woodchips to create heterogeneous and homogeneous treatments, and plant community responses to snow removal were assessed over three growing seasons. Soil heterogeneity interacted significantly with snow removal, but it either buffered or exacerbated the snow removal response depending on the specific substrate (sand vs. woodchips) and plant functional group. In turn, snow removal influenced plant responses to soil heterogeneity; for example, adventive forb cover responded to increased heterogeneity under ambient snow cover, but this effect diminished with snow removal. Our results reveal that soil heterogeneity can play an important role in determining plant responses to changes in soil freezing stress resulting from global climate change. While the deliberate creation of soil microsites in ecological restoration projects as a land management practice could increase the frequency of microrefugia that mitigate plant community responses to increased freezing stress, the design of these microsites must be optimized, given that soil heterogeneity also has the potential to exacerbate freezing stress responses.
Optimized microstructure with nano‐alumina and its effects on properties of corundum spinel castables
Authors: Zhu Hui , Li Xiangcheng , Chen Pingan , Zhu Boquan
Published: April 2019

The mechanical properties, thermal shock resistance, and microstructure evolution of corundum spinel castables with different nano‐alumina contents were investigated. The results show that the addition of nano‐alumina has advantages on the microstructure evolution and properties of castables. An optimum nano‐alumina amount is 2 wt%. When nano‐alumina addition changes from 0 to 2 wt%, the cold modulus of rupture (CMOR) and cold compressive strength (CCS) improved by 69.7% and 78.1% after firing at 1100°C, respectively. The CMOR and CCS increased by 42.5% and 35.2% after firing at 1500°C, respectively. Meanwhile, the hot modulus of rupture (HMOR) was enhanced by 21.5% to 13.4 MPa. The retained Young's modulus values of castables were improved from 49.6% to 59.6% after eight thermal shock cycles. Furthermore, the HMOR and the retained Young's modulus values of castables slightly reduced when nano‐alumina content up to 3 wt%. XRD, DSC, SEM, and EDS analyses revealed that the addition of nano‐alumina leads to the formation of calcium dialuminate (CaO·2Al2O3) at 1100°C and it is beneficial to the formation of more platelet hibonite (CaO·6Al2O3) at 1500°C. As a result of using nano‐alumina with large surface area, the solid phase sintering of the nanoscale particles can occur at lower temperatures. Moreover, the mechanical properties and thermal shock resistance of the castables were improved remarkably.
Factors associated with potentially inappropriate medication use in community-dwelling older adults in the United States: a systematic review†
Authors: Nothelle Stephanie K , Sharma Ritu , Oakes Allison , Jackson Madeline , Segal Jodi B
Published: April 2019

Objectives

Potentially inappropriate medication (PIM) use in older adults is a prevalent problem associated with poor health outcomes. Understanding drivers of PIM use is essential for targeting interventions. This study systematically reviews the literature about the patient, clinician and environmental/system factors associated with PIM use in community-dwelling older adults in the United States.

Methods

PRISMA guidelines were followed when completing this review. PubMed and EMBASE were queried from January 2006 to September 2017. Our search was limited to English-language studies conducted in the United States that assessed factors associated with PIM use in adults ≥65 years who were community-dwelling. Two independent reviewers screened titles and abstracts. Reviewers abstracted data sequentially and assessed risk of bias independently.

Key findings

Twenty-two studies were included. Nineteen examined patient factors associated with PIM use. The most common statistically significant factors associated with PIM use were taking more medications, female sex, and higher outpatient and emergency department utilization. Only three studies examined clinician factors, and few were statistically significant. Fifteen studies examined system-level factors such as geographic region and health insurance. The most common statistically significant association was the south and west geographic region relative to the northeast United States.

Conclusions

Amongst older adults, women and persons on more medications are at higher risk of PIM use. There is evidence that increased healthcare use is also associated with PIM use. Future studies are needed exploring clinician factors, such as specialty, and their association with PIM prescribing.
Surface crystallized Mn‐doped glass‐ceramics for tunable luminescence
Authors: Morad Ibrahim , Liu Xiaofeng , Qiu Jianrong
Published: April 2019

Monolithic luminescent glass‐ceramic is highly desirable for solid‐state lighting as it is stable and robust, while in practical light‐emitting devices only a thin luminescent layer is used for more efficient excitation and light extraction. In this paper, Mn2+‐doped glass and glass‐ceramic with the composition of 60SiO2‐8Na2O–20ZnO–12Ga2O3 were fabricated by the conventional melt‐quenching technique. We observe that the crystallization of α‐Zn2SiO4 nanocrystals takes place on the glass surface with controllable thickness after heat treatment. The glass samples show typical red emission peaking at λ = 620 nm that can be ascribed to the spin‐forbidden 4T1g(G) → 6A1g(S) transition of Mn2+ (d5) located in the octahedral coordination site of the glass host. After surface crystallization this red emission is retained and a new green emission at 528 nm is observed through the control of the crystallization temperature and duration, thus offering tunable emission characteristics promising for the lighting application. This change in the visible emission is interpreted in terms of the change of coordination state of Mn2+ from octahedral in a glass matrix to tetrahedral in the surface precipitated α‐Zn2SiO4 crystals.
The absorption and emission properties of highly transparent ZrO2‐doped Yb3+: Y2O3 ceramics
Authors: Liu Wei , Jin Lingling , Wang Shiwei
Published: April 2019

Ultra‐highly transparent ZrO2‐doped Yb3+: Y2O3 ceramics were prepared by slip casting and vacuum pressureless sintering and the transmittance reached the highest value of 80.9% for the sample doped with 8.0 at% Yb3+. There are three main absorption peaks at 905, 950, and 976 nm, corresponding to the transition from the lowest level of field splitting of 2F7/2 crystal to every splitting energy levels of 2F5/2 crystal field. We analyzed the absorption and emission spectra of transparent Yb3+: Y2O3 from the energy level structure of Yb3+, and the transmission, absorption, and emission spectra were systematically studied. There are three main absorption peaks at 905, 950, and 976 nm and four emission peaks at 1076, 1031, 1013, and 977 nm, respectively. The emission peaks at 977 and 1013 nm broaden and vanish for 8.0 and 10.0 at% Yb3+‐doped Y2O3, which may be related to the change of Y2O3 crystal field caused by high concentration.
The value of DNA image cytometry combined with brush routine cytology in diagnosing indeterminate biliary strictures: A large sample size retrospective study
Authors: Yang Xia , Sun Liqi , Guo Jiefang , Gao Li , Qin Chengyong , Jin Zhendong
Published: April 2019

Background and Aim

Brush cytology is widely applied to diagnosis indeterminate biliary stricture but suffer from low sensitivity. Changes in DNA content are a character of malignant cell and can be detected by DNA image cytometry (DNA‐ICM). The study aimed to estimate the value of routine cytology (RC), DNA‐ICM, and their combination in diagnosing indeterminate biliary strictures.

Methods

A total of 362 patients who underwent both RC and DNA‐ICM tests were analysed. Their results were retrospectively applied to final diagnoses. Diagnostic values were compared among RC, DNA‐ICM, and their combination based on the location of strictures.

Results

The DNA‐ICM and combination of two methods had higher diagnostic accuracy than RC in all strictures (63.3% vs 42.3%, P < 0.001, 64.36% vs 42.3%, P < 0.001) and in distal strictures (65.36% vs 42.81%, P < 0.001, 66.01% vs 42.81%, P < 0.001). But in proximal strictures, DNA‐ICM showed no superior (51.8% vs 42.81%, P = 0.184). Combination of two methods was not fully significant superior to RC in proximal strictures (55.36% vs 39.29%, P = 0.089). After classification of “suspicious for malignancy” as positive for malignancy, the diagnostic accuracy of DNA‐ICM was still higher than that of RC in all strictures (63.3% vs 51.9%, P = 0.002) and in distal strictures (65.36% vs 52.29%, P = 0.001). Combination of two methods was no superior to DNA‐ICM alone (64.36% vs 63.3%, P = 0.757). The utilization of DNA‐ICM was more accurate in distal strictures than in proximal strictures (65.36% vs 51.8%, P = 0.017).

Conclusion

DNA‐ICM is an objective and effective addition tool with RC, especially in distal strictures. The combination of DNA‐ICM and RC showed no superior to DNA‐ICM alone but could improve diagnostic accuracy to RC in proximal strictures although not fully significant.
Fractional CO2 laser versus combined platelet‐rich plasma and fractional CO2 laser in treatment of acne scars: Image analysis system evaluation
Authors: Galal Ola , Tawfik Abeer Attia , Abdalla Noha , Soliman Mona
Published: April 2019

Background

Fractional CO2 laser and platelet‐rich plasma (PRP) treatments have been used in the treatment of acne scars. However, an objective method of assessment has been lacking.

Objective

To evaluate the efficacy of CO2 laser versus the combination of PRP and fractional CO2 laser in treatment of acne scar.

Patients and methods

Thirty patients with atrophic acne scar lesions were included in this study. Patients were randomized to receive fractional CO2 laser therapy to one side of the face while the other side of the face was treated with fractional CO2 laser followed by intradermal PRP injection. Follow‐up using the skin analysis camera system and photography was done for three months.

Results

A dramatic improvement was observed in the scar depth on both sides of the face. However, the combined fractional CO2 laser and PRP showed more significant improvement. Improvements in the scar appearance and skin texture were reported by the patients. Although 70% of our patients were of a dark skin type, no hyperpigmentation was reported.

Conclusion

The combined use of fractional CO2 laser and PRP achieved better results. It reduced the downtime of the fractional CO2 laser. The use of the skin analysis camera provided an objective assessment of the results.
Review of sterility of reused stored dermal filler
Authors: Alharbi Mana
Published: April 2019

Objective

This review is primarily focusing on the legitimate concern about bacterial contamination after reuse of stored filling syringes and its associated risk of infections.

Methods

A comprehensive literature review was done through searching the PubMed, Medline, Google Scholar, and ResearchGate without setting a time limit. The following search terms were used soft tissue filler, hyaluronic acid, or calcium hydroxylapatite AND sterility, safety, retouch, touch up, or reuse.

Result

Immediate replacing needles used in injection with a sterile substitute before storage was associated with no growth in one study (Archives of Facial Plastic Surgery, 11, 2009, 271) and growth in another study (Dermatologic Surgery, 2017, 43, 967). There was no reported infection in the only patient‐based study that examined the adverse events among patients injected with stored hyaluronic acid filler syringes.

Conclusion

All published research showed that stored fillers are safe and do not increase the risk of biofilm formation.
Q‐switched double‐frequency Nd:YAG (532 nm) laser is an effective treatment for racial lip pigmentation
Authors: Alharbi Mana Abdullah
Published: April 2019

Introduction

Lip darkening is a relatively common condition, especially in the Middle East and Southeast Asia. It is well documented in the literature and generally considered to be multifactorial. The presentation can be physiologic or pathologic and caused by a variety of local or systemic factors.

Case presentation

A 32‐year‐old female with skin type IV presented to the clinic with concerns of darkening lips with no associated symptoms or history of disease. On examination, her lips were homogenously dark brown with the upper lip slightly darker than the lower lip.

Objective

To report effectivness of Q‐switched 532 nm laser for treatment of lip pigmentation.

Method

Topical 2.5% lidocaine/prilocaine (EMLA) cream was applied 30 minutes prior to laser therapy. The region was treated with Q‐switched 532 nm laser (Medlite).

Result

Two weeks after laser treatment , threre was satisfying subjective and objective improvment in lip pigmnetation.

Conclusion

Q‐Switched 532 nm laser effectively reduces lip pigmentation after one session with minimal adverse effects and lasting results.
Does clean air increase the demand for the consumer city? Evidence from Beijing
Authors: Sun Cong , Zheng Siqi , Wang Jianghao , Kahn Matthew E.
Published: April 2019

Cities offer a large menu of possible employment and leisure opportunities. The gains from such consumer city leisure are likely to be lower on more polluted days. We study the association between daily consumption activity and outdoor air pollution in China and find evidence in favor of the hypothesis that clean air and leaving one's home for leisure trips are complements. Given the high levels of air pollution in cities in the developing world, regulation induced improvement in environmental quality is likely to further stimulate demand for the consumer city.
Dynamics of genomic change during evolutionary rescue in the seed beetle Callosobruchus maculatus
Authors: Rêgo Alexandre , Messina Frank J. , Gompert Zachariah
Published: April 2019

Rapid adaptation can prevent extinction when populations are exposed to extremely marginal or stressful environments. Factors that affect the likelihood of evolutionary rescue from extinction have been identified, but much less is known about the evolutionary dynamics (e.g., rates and patterns of allele frequency change) and genomic basis of successful rescue, particularly in multicellular organisms. We conducted an evolve‐and‐resequence experiment to investigate the dynamics of evolutionary rescue at the genetic level in the cowpea seed beetle, Callosobruchus maculatus, when it is experimentally shifted to a stressful host plant, lentil. Low survival (~1%) at the onset of the experiment caused population decline. But adaptive evolution quickly rescued the population, with survival rates climbing to 69% by the F5 generation and 90% by the F10 generation. Population genomic data showed that rescue likely was caused by rapid evolutionary change at multiple loci, with many alleles fixing or nearly fixing within five generations of selection on lentil. Selection on these loci was only moderately consistent in time, but parallel evolutionary changes were evident in sublines formed after the lentil line had passed through a bottleneck. By comparing estimates of selection and genomic change on lentil across five independent C. maculatus lines (the new lentil‐adapted line, three long‐established lines and one case of failed evolutionary rescue), we found that adaptation on lentil occurred via somewhat idiosyncratic evolutionary changes. Overall, our results suggest that evolutionary rescue in this system can be caused by very strong selection on multiple loci driving rapid and pronounced genomic change.
Response of plasmodesmata formation in leaves of C4 grasses to growth irradiance
Authors: Danila Florence R. , Quick William Paul , White Rosemary G. , von Caemmerer Susanne , Furbank Robert T.
Published: April 2019

Rapid metabolite diffusion across the mesophyll (M) and bundle sheath (BS) cell interface in C4 leaves is a key requirement for C4 photosynthesis and occurs via plasmodesmata (PD). Here, we investigated how growth irradiance affects PD density between M and BS cells and between M cells in two C4 species using our PD quantification method, which combines three‐dimensional laser confocal fluorescence microscopy and scanning electron microscopy. The response of leaf anatomy and physiology of NADP‐ME species, Setaria viridis and Zea mays to growth under different irradiances, low light (100 μmol m−2 s−1), and high light (1,000 μmol m−2 s−1), was observed both at seedling and established growth stages. We found that the effect of growth irradiance on C4 leaf PD density depended on plant age and species. The high light treatment resulted in two to four‐fold greater PD density per unit leaf area than at low light, due to greater area of PD clusters and greater PD size in high light plants. These results along with our finding that the effect of light on M‐BS PD density was not tightly linked to photosynthetic capacity suggest a complex mechanism underlying the dynamic response of C4 leaf PD formation to growth irradiance.
Post-Selection Estimation and Testing Following Aggregate Association Tests
Authors: Heller Ruth , Meir Amit , Chatterjee Nilanjan
Published: April 2019

The practice of pooling several individual test statistics to form aggregate tests is common in many statistical applications where individual tests may be underpowered. Although selection by aggregate tests can serve to increase power, the selection process invalidates inference based on the individual test statistics, making it difficult to identify those that drive the signal in follow-up inference. Here, we develop a general approach for valid inference following selection by aggregate testing. We present novel powerful post-selection tests for the individual null hypotheses which are exact for the normal model and asymptotically justified otherwise. Our approach relies on the ability to characterize the distribution of the individual test statistics after conditioning on the event of selection. We provide efficient algorithms for computation of the post-selection maximum likelihood estimates and suggest confidence intervals which rely on a novel switching regime for good coverage guarantees. We validate our methods via comprehensive simulation studies and apply them to data from the Dallas Heart Study, demonstrating that single-variant association discovery following selection by an aggregate test is indeed possible in practice.
Oral health care for patients with Alzheimer's disease: An update
Authors: Marchini Leonardo , Ettinger Ronald , Caprio Thomas , Jucan Adina
Published: April 2019

Alzheimer's disease and related disorders (ADRD) are among the age‐associated chronic conditions that are most challenging to health care systems around the globe, as patients with dementia require full‐time, intensive care for multiple years. Oral health care is negatively impacted by cognitive decline, and consequently poor oral health is common among people with ADRD. Poor oral health status is linked with many undesirable consequences for the well‐being of people with ADRD, from excruciating local pain to life‐threatening conditions, as aspiration pneumonia. In this paper, the authors provide an update on the most current concepts about Alzheimer's disease epidemiology, etiology, and management, current oral health care for patients with Alzheimer's disease, oral health promotion strategies for this population, as well as current research and future direction for improving oral health care for patients with Alzheimer's disease. It concludes that oral health care should be included in the patient's routine health care as early as possible in the progression of Alzheimer's disease for preventing rapid oral health deterioration. Establishing oral hygiene routines and providing dental treatment that is customized to the patients’ individual needs and disease stage are important to achieve good oral health outcomes and prevent quality of life decline.
Observations of nursing staff compliance to a checklist for person‐centred handovers – a quality improvement project
Authors: Sharp Lena , Dahlén Carina , Bergenmar Mia
Published: April 2019

Nursing shift‐to‐shift handovers are important as they impact the care quality indicators such as safety, patient satisfaction and continuity. However, nurses’ handovers have also been criticised and described as unstructured and ineffective. To improve the handovers and involve patients and their loved ones in the process, a person‐centred handover (PCH) model performed at bedside has been developed and tested at Karolinska University Hospital, Sweden. This study reports on the nursing staffs’ compliance to a checklist used for the newly introduced PCH model. A total of 43 PCH sessions were observed at two acute care wards, using a structured observation protocol. None of the observed handover sessions included all the 13 PCH checklist subcomponents. The checklist was used in 18 (44%) of the observed handover sessions. A statistically significant higher number of subcomponents were observed when the nurses used the PCH checklist (6.4 vs. 4.5 subcomponents, p < 0.05). The mean time spent on each PCH was 6 minutes. In 56% of the sessions, the patients were observed to actively participate in the handover. Overall, the nursing staffs’ compliance to the PCH checklist needs to be improved. The observations suggest that training on communication‐oriented tasks would be beneficial to establish a person‐centred handover process.
Leisure‐time physical activity and participation in organized sports: Changes from 1985 to 2014 in Finland and Norway
Authors: Mathisen Frida K. S. , Kokko Sami , Tynjälä Jorma , Torsheim Torbjørn , Wold Bente
Published: April 2019

Participation in organized sports is a popular and important part of the lives of children and adolescents and is associated with improved psychological and social health, as well as an increased likelihood of meeting physical activity (PA) recommendations. Changes in modern society, including increased car ownership and use of technology and electronic media, have led to an additional focus on the importance of health‐enhancing PA among children and adolescents. The aim of this article was to study the secular changes in self‐reports of participation in organized sports clubs and leisure‐time vigorous physical activity (LVPA), and whether the relationship between participation in organized sports clubs and LVPA has changed from 1985 to 2014. Questionnaire data were collected in two cross‐sectional samples of Finnish and Norwegian 11‐, 13‐ and 15‐year‐olds in 1985/1986 (n = 7137) and 2014 (n = 9218). Overall, participation in organized sports clubs and level of LVPA appears to have changed in the same direction in the two Nordic countries. The proportion of 11‐year‐olds reporting to be participants in organized sports clubs increased from 1985/1986 to 2014. There was an overall increase in self‐reported LVPA. The association between participation in sports clubs and LVPA was stronger in 2014 than in 1985/1986. The findings indicated subgroup differences, in particular with regard to a steeper increase in LVPA and participation in sports clubs among Finnish girls. We suggest that attention should be given to the role of organized sports to better understand secular changes in PA.
Glitter Bombs Aren’t Rocket Science
Authors: Lawrence Carol
Published: April 2019

Fed up of the mail left in front of his house getting stolen every so often, a California-based engineer Mark Rober built a glitter bomb to trick parcel thieves. The glitter bomb certainly did that, surprising and shaming local package thieves. Yet it is only the latest success for Rober. Over the past seven years, he has parlayed his penchant for complex and zany devices—and slick videos that explain how they work—into a career as a celebrity YouTube personality.
Experimental Investigation of the Effect of Shale Anisotropy Orientation on the Main Drilling Parameters Influencing Oriented Drilling Performance in Shale
Authors: Abugharara A. N. , Mohamed Bashir , Hurich C. , Molgaard J. , Butt S. D.
Published: April 2019

The influence of shale anisotropy and orientation on shale drilling performance was studied with an instrumented laboratory drilling rig with a 38.1-mm dual-cutter polycrystalline diamond compact (PDC) bit, operating at a nominally fixed rotational speed with a constant rate of flow of drilling fluid—water. However, the rate of rotation (rpm) was affected by the weight on bit (WOB), as was the torque (TRQ) produced. The WOB also affected the depth of cut (DOC). All these variables, WOB, rpm, TRQ, and DOC, were monitored dynamically, for example, rpm with a resolution of one-third of a revolution (samples at time intervals of 0.07 s.) The shale studied was from Newfoundland and was compared with similar tests on granite, also from a local site. Similar tests were also conducted on the concrete made with fine aggregate, used as “rock-like material” (RLM). The shale samples were embedded (laterally confined) in the concrete while drilled in directions perpendicular, parallel, and at 45 deg orientations to bedding planes. Cores were produced from all three materials in several directions for the determination of oriented physical properties derived from ultrasonic testing and oriented unconfined compressive strength (OUCS). In the case of shale, directions were set relative to the bedding. In this study, both primary (or compression) velocity Vp and shear ultrasonic velocity Vs were found to vary with orientation on the local shale samples cored parallel to bedding planes, while Vp and Vs varied, but only slightly, with orientation in tests on granite and RLM. The OUCS data for shale, published elsewhere, support the OUCS theory of this work. The OUCS is high perpendicular and parallel to shale bedding, and is low oblique to shale bedding. Correlations were found between the test parameters determined from the drilling tests on local shale. As expected, ROP, DOC, and TRQ increase with increasing WOB, while there are inverse relationships between ROP, DOC, and TRQ with rpm on the other hand. All these parameters vary with orientation to the bedding plane.