bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Static assessment of plain/notched polylactide (PLA) 3D‐printed with different infill levels: Equivalent homogenised material concept and Theory of Critical Distances
Authors: Ahmed Adnan A. , Susmel Luca
Published: November 2018

A novel approach based on the equivalent homogenised material concept and the theory of critical distances is formulated to perform static assessment of plain/notched objects of polylactide (PLA) when this polymer is additively manufactured with different infill levels. The key idea is that the internal net structure resulting from the 3D‐printing process can be modelled by keeping treating the material as linear elastic, continuum, homogenous, and isotropic, with the effect of the internal voids being taken into account in terms of change in mechanical/strength properties. This idea is initially used to assess the detrimental effect of the manufacturing voids on the static strength of the plain (ie, unnotched) material. This is done by addressing this problem in a Kitagawa‐Takahashi setting via the Theory of Critical Distances. Subsequently, this approach is extended to the static assessment of notched components of 3D‐printed PLA; ie, it is used to take into account simultaneously the effect of both manufacturing voids and macroscopic geometrical features. The accuracy and reliability of this design methodology were checked against a large number of experimental data generated by testing, under axial loading, plain specimens, as well as notched samples (including open notches) of PLA. These specimens were manufactured by making the infill level vary in the rage 10% to 90%. This validation exercise allowed us to demonstrate that the proposed approach is highly accurate, returning estimates falling within an error interval of ±20%. This remarkable level of accuracy strongly supports the idea that static assessment of 3D‐printed materials with complex geometries and manufactured with different infill levels can be performed by simply post‐processing conventional linear elastic finite element (FE) solid models, ie, without the need for modelling explicitly the detrimental effect of the manufacturing voids.
An interaction between climate change and infectious disease drove widespread amphibian declines
Authors: Cohen Jeremy M. , Civitello David J. , Venesky Matthew D. , McMahon Taegan A. , Rohr Jason R.
Published: November 2018

Climate change might drive species declines by altering species interactions, such as host–parasite interactions. However, few studies have combined experiments, field data, and historical climate records to provide evidence that an interaction between climate change and disease caused any host declines. A recently proposed hypothesis, the thermal mismatch hypothesis, could identify host species that are vulnerable to disease under climate change because it predicts that cool‐ and warm‐adapted hosts should be vulnerable to disease at unusually warm and cool temperatures, respectively. Here, we conduct experiments on Atelopus zeteki, a critically endangered, captively bred frog that prefers relatively cool temperatures, and show that frogs have high pathogen loads and high mortality rates only when exposed to a combination of the pathogenic chytrid fungus (Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis) and high temperatures, as predicted by the thermal mismatch hypothesis. Further, we tested various hypotheses to explain recent declines experienced by species in the amphibian genus Atelopus that are thought to be associated with B. dendrobatidis and reveal that these declines are best explained by the thermal mismatch hypothesis. As in our experiments, only the combination of rapid increases in temperature and infectious disease could account for the patterns of declines, especially in species adapted to relatively cool environments. After combining experiments on declining hosts with spatiotemporal patterns in the field, our findings are consistent with the hypothesis that widespread species declines, including possible extinctions, have been driven by an interaction between increasing temperatures and infectious disease. Moreover, our findings suggest that hosts adapted to relatively cool conditions will be most vulnerable to the combination of increases in mean temperature and emerging infectious diseases.
Adherence to prophylactic haemophilic treatment in young patients transitioning to adult care: A qualitative review
Authors: Lee Mortensen Gitte , Strand Anne Mette , Almén Lisa
Published: November 2018

Recombinant prophylactic treatment (PTX) has greatly improved morbidity, mortality and health‐related quality of life (HRQoL) in patients with severe haemophilia. Yet, treatment adherence appears suboptimal in adolescents and young adults with haemophilia (YWH). Young patients experience major biopsychosocial changes challenging their adherence through the transition from parental to self‐care, from paediatric to adult care. In clinical practice, a systematic approach to transition is rarely used and there is little evidence on best practices. This qualitative review was based on a systematic literature search including quantitative as well as qualitative research reports to examine all relevant factors influencing adherence to PTX in YWH. We aimed to gain comprehensive insight into main drivers and barriers to adherence by exploring them in the context of YWH’s disease perceptions, characteristics, HRQoL and needs. The outcome is an overview of the latest published recommendations to support treatment adherence in YWH during the transition from family‐oriented care to self‐care and from paediatric to adult care. The literature suggests that adherence to PTX is best supported when individual patient needs and preferences are taken into consideration when planning treatment. Preserving normality is a main priority in young patients making it crucial to support patients from early childhood in considering PTX as enabling rather than hindering a normal social and physically active life. Education in self‐management should include psychosocial support of patients as well as caregivers. This requires systematic transition planning including milestone assessments and ongoing multidisciplinary support until full self‐management is secured.
Inhibitory effects of Sanguisorba officinalis root extract on HYBID (KIAA1199)‐mediated hyaluronan degradation and skin wrinkling
Authors: Yoshida H. , Yamazaki K. , Komiya A. , Aoki M. , Kasamatsu S. , Murata T. , Sayo T. , Cilek M. Z. , Okada Y. , Takahashi Y.
Published: November 2018

Objectives

Hyaluronan (HA), an important constituent of extracellular matrix in the skin, has many biological activities such as hydration that contributes to firmness and bounciness of the skin. We have reported that reduction in HA in the papillary dermis and over‐expression of HYBID (HYaluronan Binding protein Involved in hyaluronan Depolymerization, alias KIAA1199 or CEMIP), a key molecule for HA degradation in skin fibroblasts, are implicated in facial skin wrinkling in Japanese and Caucasian women. However, little or no information is available for substances which inhibit the HYBID‐mediated HA degradation.

Methods

Inhibition of Sanguisorba officinalis root extract and ziyuglycoside I, one of the components of Sanguisorba officinalis root extract, to the HYBID‐mediated HA degradation was assessed by size‐exclusion chromatography of HA depolymerized by stable transfectants of HYBID in HEK293 cells (HYBID/HEK293 cells) or normal human skin fibroblasts (Detroit 551 cells and NHDF‐Ad cells). The HYBID mRNA and protein expression was examined by quantitative real‐time PCR and immunoblotting in the skin fibroblasts treated with Sanguisorba officinalis root extract, and size distribution of newly produced HA was evaluated by preparing metabolically radiolabelled HA. A double‐blind, randomized and placebo‐controlled study was carried out in the 21 healthy Japanese women, who were topically treated with the formulation containing Sanguisorba officinalis root extract or the placebo on each side of the face including crow's foot area.

Results

Sanguisorba officinalis root extract, but not ziyuglycoside I, abolished HYBID‐mediated HA degradation by HYBID/HEK293 cells. Sanguisorba officinalis root extract also inhibited HYBID‐mediated HA degradation in skin fibroblasts by down‐regulating HYBID mRNA and protein expression. Although control untreated skin fibroblasts produced polydispersed HA, the cells treated with Sanguisorba officinalis root extract produced only high‐molecular‐weight HA. Treatment with Sanguisorba officinalis root extract‐formulated lotion significantly improved skin elasticity, and reduced skin wrinkling scores at the outer eye corner compared with the placebo formulation.

Conclusion

Sanguisorba officinalis root extract showed an anti‐HYBID‐mediated HA degradation activity and anti‐wrinkle activity on human facial skin, which is accompanied by the improvement in elasticity. Our study provides the possibility of a new strategy to inhibit HYBID‐mediated HA degradation for anti‐wrinkle care.
Inclusion and exclusion in foreign language education: A critical overview, with illustrations from studies of a German classroom for young secondary learners and of five Polish textbooks
Authors: Sunderland Jane
Published: November 2018

The foreign language classroom is in many ways feminine and heteronormative. But if male students feel excluded, late 20th century studies showed mixed‐sex classroom interaction to be dominated by boys, and women's and girls’ representation in textbooks to be lacking. Relatedly, students who do not identify as heterosexual can be ‘othered’, and are absent from textbooks. I provide brief, illustrative accounts of two empirical studies—of gender and classroom interaction, with data from a German classroom, and textbook representation of gender, using selected Polish EFL textbooks. The findings of the classroom interaction study are nuanced. Those of the textbook study point to an improving gender (but not sexuality) representation. I argue that analysts seeking sexual diversity in representation should focus on ‘degrees of heteronormativity’.
Religion’s influence on consumer response to moral vs. justice message appeals
Authors: Minton Elizabeth A. , Bret Leary R. , Upadhyaya Shikha
Published: November 2018

Building from past research on religion and self‐construal, this research is the first known research to explore the relationships among religion (Western vs. Eastern vs. nonreligious), moral vs. justice message appeals, and ethical consumption. In two studies utilizing the context of Fair Trade products, we show differences in the effectiveness of moral and justice message appeals to encourage ethical consumption based on one’s religious or nonreligious affiliation. Study 1 uses an Amazon’s Mechanical Turk (MTurk) sample of 197 adults, finding through MANOVAs that moral (justice) appeals are the most effective at increasing purchase intentions for ethical goods among Western (nonreligious) consumers. Study 2 extends these questions to Western and Eastern religious consumers using a Qualtrics panel sample of 279 adults, finding through MANOVAs that moral (justice) appeals are more effective for Western (Eastern) religious consumers. Equally important, Study 2 results show that these effects occur regardless of religiosity level, emphasizing the need to understand consumers’ religious affiliation more so than religiosity level. Results from both studies also show that change efficacy positively influences Fair Trade purchase intentions which, surprisingly, encourages ethical disengagement. Results also examine the purchase motives of customers, finding nonreligious and Eastern religious consumers to be motivated by concern for others, while Western religious consumers are motivated out of concern for self. In sum, marketing practitioners desiring to encourage ethical consumption should use self‐based moral appeals (e.g., “do this because it is the right thing to do for yourself”) when targeting Western religious consumers or countries with predominantly Western religious followers, while using others‐based justice appeals (e.g., “do this because it is the fair thing to do for others”) when targeting Eastern or nonreligious consumers or countries mostly representing these affiliates.
Is buying counterfeit sinful? Investigation of consumers’ attitudes and purchase intentions of counterfeit products in a Muslim country
Authors: Souiden Nizar , Ladhari Riadh , Zarrouk Amri Anissa
Published: November 2018

The study investigates the effect of individuals’ ethics (i.e., idealism and relativism), religiosity (i.e., fear of divine punishment, interest in religion and practices, and beliefs in religion), and attitudes toward counterfeits (i.e., economic benefits and hedonic benefits) on purchase intentions of counterfeit products. Data were collected in Tunisia, a Muslim country showing a mixture of modern and conservative values. The analysis of variance on the data, collected among 217 participants, shows that religiosity, ethics, and attitudes, all influence the intent to buy counterfeits. The analysis further supports the stronger effect of perceived economic benefits on intentions of buying counterfeits. The study contributes to the development of knowledge about the effect of religiosity and ethics on consumption behavior.
Religiosity, materialism, consumer environmental predisposition. Some insights on vegan purchasing intentions in Italy
Authors: Raggiotto Francesco , Mason Michela Cesarina , Moretti Andrea
Published: November 2018

This paper explores the effects of environmental predisposition on purchasing intentions. The proposed model considers religiosity as a determinant of consumer environmental predisposition, adopting a multidimensional view entailing both intrinsic and extrinsic religiosity. Further, the effects of materialism are investigated, as it has been recognized as one of the most relevant hampering factors in determining consumer environmental predispositions and behaviors. Such factors appear intimately related, as materialism has been indicated as largely antithetical with respect to religion. Literature has suggested religiosity to be a key determinant of consumer environmental predispositions and behaviors. This might be even more important for specific, environmentally relevant consumer lifestyles. This work is hence set within vegan consumption. Veganism has been mostly related to specific religious beliefs (like Buddhism), according to which it represents a core component of larger worldviews. A structural equation model is proposed, based on a sample of 842 Italian consumers. Results show that religiosity exerts some effect on consumer environmental predisposition, and that, in turn, such predisposition determines vegan purchasing intentions. A split model is then proposed considering Christian and Buddhist consumers. Results of multigroup analysis show that religious influxes on consumer environmental predispositions might vary according to different religious faiths. Given the lack of previous empirical research, results of this study require further validation; still, they might provide some insights for managers, as markets related to environmentally relevant products and services are exhibiting a sustained growth.
Multicast routing under quality of service constraints for vehicular ad hoc networks: mathematical formulation and a relax‐and‐fix heuristic
Authors: Ribeiro Celso C. , Santos Tiago de A. , de Souza Cid C.
Published: November 2018

In this paper, we investigate a multicast routing problem with quality of service constraints on ad hoc vehicular networks. An integer programming formulation for the problem is proposed that forms the basis of a relax‐and‐fix heuristic designed with the goal of producing feasible solutions of good quality. In addition, preprocessing procedures relying on simple and constrained shortest paths are developed that reduce the model size to the point of making it viable to compute. Computational experiments on benchmark instances generated to mimic realistic settings are reported. The results highlight the effectiveness of the relax‐and‐fix heuristic and the importance of the preprocessing routines for the computability of the proposed mathematical model.
ABPI reporting and compression recommendations in global clinical practice guidelines on venous leg ulcer management: A scoping review
Authors: Weller Carolina D. , Team Victoria , Ivory John D. , Crawford Kimberley , Gethin Georgina
Published: November 2018

Clinical practice guidelines (CPGs) for venous leg ulcer (VLU) management recommend below‐knee compression to improve healing outcomes after calculating the ankle‐brachial pressure index (ABPI) to rule out significant arterial disease. This systematic scoping review aimed to complete a qualitative and quantitative content analysis of international CPGs for VLU management to determine if consensus existed in relation to recommendations for compression application based on an ABPI reading and clinical assessment. Our review shows that there is a lack of consensus across 13 VLU CPGs and a lack of clear guidance in relation to the specific ABPI range of compression therapy that can be safely applied. An area of uncertainty and disagreement exists in relation to an ABPI between 0.6 and 0.8, with some guidelines advocating that compression is contraindicated and others that there should be reduced compression. This has implications in clinical practice, including when it is safe to apply compression. In addition, the inconsistency in the levels of evidence and the grades of recommendation makes it difficult to compare across various guidelines.
A New Poverty Measure Aims for Consensus
Authors: Purdam Kingsley , Garratt Elisabeth , Whitham Graham
Published: November 2018

The Social Metrics Commission wants all parties to agree on its approach to measuring poverty. Kingsley Purdam, Elisabeth Garratt and Graham Whitham assess its chances of success
Data Rights and Wrongs
Authors: Langkjær-Bain Robert
Published: November 2018

“Big data” is gradually revealing its potential to both help and harm us. But the rights and wrongs of what to do about this are hard to pin down. Robert Langkjær-Bain looks at the work under way to ensure the data revolution does not leave ethics behind
Synchronicity and the Search for Significance
Authors: Sawyer Kim
Published: November 2018

Coincidence – or synchronicity – is common to the human experience. But where some see only randomness at work, others perceive greater meaning. Kim Sawyer describes his attempts to make sense of the seemingly improbable
Spatial difference of drought effect on photosynthesis of leaf subtending to cotton boll and its relationship with boll biomass
Authors: Zhao Wenqing , Wang Rui , Hu Wei , Zhou Zhiguo
Published: November 2018

The leaf subtending to a cotton boll (LSCB) is vital to boll development and biomass, but few studies have examined the effects of drought on the source capacity of LSCBs on different fruiting branches (FBs). To investigate the response of LSCB photosynthesis on different FBs and the relationship of boll biomass to drought, a drought experiment was performed with three treatments: well‐watered (WW, soil water relative content [SRWC] 75 ± 5%), mild drought (MD, SRWC 60 ± 5%), and severe drought (SD, SRWC 45 ± 5%). Despite photosynthetic active radiation increasing under drought conditions, the pre‐dawn leaf water potential, net photosynthesis rate (Pn), stomatal conductance (Gs), transpiration rate (Tr), and maximum quantum yield in PSII (Fv/Fm) under MD and SD significantly decreased when compared with WW, with a more pronounced decrease observed on upper FBs. Additionally, the maximum sucrose and hexose levels in LSCBs increased under drought conditions, whereas the maximum starch content decreased on FB10–11, but showed a varied trend on FB2–3 and FB6–7. Although carbohydrate levels in the LSCBs increased, biomass per cotton boll decreased. More importantly, the ratio of cotton boll biomass was significantly correlated to the maximum sucrose content ratio on each FB, indicating that sucrose allocation was important to cotton boll biomass. Cotton boll biomass notably decreased on upper FBs, but was maintained on lower FBs, indicating that drought promoted carbon allocation in older bolls. Thus, LSCBs and cotton bolls on upper FBs were more affected under drought conditions due to decreased photosynthesis and carbohydrate allocation.
Phylogenetic diversity in the Western Ghats biodiversity hotspot reflects environmental filtering and past niche diversification of trees
Authors: Bose Ruksan , Ramesh Brahmasamudra Ranganna , Pélissier Raphaël , Munoz François
Published: November 2018

Aim

We examined how contrasted climatic conditions influenced the ecological and phylogenetic diversity of tropical trees at the regional scale. Beyond the basic expectation of greater environmental filtering in currently stressful contexts, we addressed how biogeographic history and past climates contributed to shaping the distribution and diversity of extant taxa.

Location

Evergreen forests of Western Ghats, India.

Methods

We evaluated the relative importance of niche‐based, historical, and spatial processes on community phylogenetic structure and turnover in 297 plots including 459 species. If niche conservatism prevails, we expected greater phylogenetic clustering under harsher or historically less stable climates, and overdispersion in opposite conditions. To test the role of environmental filtering in shaping local communities, we assessed species’ climatic niches and congruence between niche and phylogenetic diversity. To assess the imprint of ancient versus recent evolutionary constraints, we calculated mean pair‐wise (MPD) and nearest‐taxon (MNTD) phylogenetic distances, respectively.

Results

We found non‐random phylogenetic structure depending on both current and past climatic variation. Basal community phylogenetic structure (MPD) was related to niche diversity and varied according to hydric stress: (a) northern environments filtered more closely related species, while (b) phylogenetic overdispersion suggested greater niche differentiation in stable, least‐seasonal southern habitats and at high elevations. Terminal phylogenetic structure (MNTD) did not show overdispersion. Phylogenetic turnover was driven by current abiotic factors, not space.

Main conclusions

The patterns of ecological and phylogenetic diversity likely reflect the Miocene climate shift to increasing seasonality northwards. Phylogenetic clustering under hydric stress or historical instability suggests the influence of functional conservatism, whereas overdispersion in southern forests supports the persistence of old lineages in an ancient rain forest refugium as an evolutionary museum. Overdispersion in fragmented montane forests reflects a mixture of biogeographically distinct species pools, both tropical and temperate, that characterise environmentally contrasted cores and fringes. Low phylogenetic turnover along the seasonality gradient suggests recent ecological diversification across forests with contrasted rainfall seasonality.
Protease‐activated receptor‐1 contributes to renal injury and interstitial fibrosis during chronic obstructive nephropathy
Authors: Waasdorp Maaike , de Rooij Dennis M. , Florquin Sandrine , Duitman JanWillem , Spek C. Arnold
Published: November 2018

End‐stage renal disease, the final stage of all chronic kidney disorders, is associated with renal fibrosis and inevitably leads to renal failure and death. Transition of tubular epithelial cells (TECs) into mesenchymal fibroblasts constitutes a proposed mechanism underlying the progression of renal fibrosis and here we assessed whether protease‐activated receptor (PAR)‐1, which recently emerged as an inducer of epithelial‐to‐mesenchymal transition (EMT), aggravates renal fibrosis. We show that PAR‐1 activation on TECs reduces the expression of epithelial markers and simultaneously induces mesenchymal marker expression reminiscent of EMT. We next show that kidney damage was reduced in PAR‐1‐deficient mice during unilateral ureter obstruction (UUO) and that PAR‐1‐deficient mice develop a diminished fibrotic response. Importantly, however, we did hardly observe any signs of mesenchymal transition in both wild‐type and PAR‐1‐deficient mice suggesting that diminished fibrosis in PAR‐1‐deficient mice is not due to reduced EMT. Instead, the accumulation of macrophages and fibroblasts was significantly reduced in PAR‐1‐deficient animals which were accompanied by diminished production of MCP‐1 and TGF‐β. Overall, we thus show that PAR‐1 drives EMT of TECs in vitro and aggravates UUO‐induced renal fibrosis although this is likely due to PAR‐1‐dependent pro‐fibrotic cytokine production rather than EMT.
Identification of a 4‐mRNA metastasis‐related prognostic signature for patients with breast cancer
Authors: Xie Xinhua , Wang Jianwei , Shi Dingbo , Zou Yutian , Xiong Zhenchong , Li Xing , Zhou Jianhua , Tang Hailin , Xie Xiaoming
Published: November 2018

Metastasis‐related mRNAs have showed great promise as prognostic biomarkers in various types of cancers. Therefore, we attempted to develop a metastasis‐associated gene signature to enhance prognostic prediction of breast cancer (BC) based on gene expression profiling. We firstly screened and identified 56 differentially expressed mRNAs by analysing BC tumour tissues with and without metastasis in the discovery cohort (GSE102484, n = 683). We then found 26 of these differentially expressed genes were associated with metastasis‐free survival (MFS) in the training set (GSE20685, n = 319). A metastasis‐associated gene signature built using a LASSO Cox regression model, which consisted of four mRNAs, can classify patients into high‐ and low‐risk groups in the training cohort. Patients with high‐risk scores in the training cohort had shorter MFS (hazard ratio [HR] 3.89, 95% CI 2.53‐5.98; P < 0.001), disease‐free survival (DFS) (HR 4.69, 2.93‐7.50; P < 0.001) and overall survival (HR 4.06, 2.56‐6.45; P < 0.001) than patients with low‐risk scores. The prognostic accuracy of mRNAs signature was validated in the two independent validation cohorts (GSE21653, n = 248; GSE31448, n = 246). We then developed a nomogram based on the mRNAs signature and clinical‐related risk factors (T stage and N stage) that predicted an individual's risk of disease, which can be assessed by calibration curves. Our study demonstrated that this 4‐mRNA signature might be a reliable and useful prognostic tool for DFS evaluation and will facilitate tailored therapy for BC patients at different risk of disease.
Effect of a computerized decision support system on potentially inappropriate medication prescriptions for elderly patients in Thailand
Authors: Prasert Vanida , Shono Aiko , Chanjaruporn Farsai , Ploylearmsang Chanuttha , Boonnan Keerataphan , Khampetdee Apinan , Akazawa Manabu
Published: November 2018

Rationale, aims, and objectives

The prescription of potentially inappropriate medication (PIM) is a global issue associated with increased adverse drug events, mortality, and health care expenditure. Computerized decision support system (CDSS) for the detection of PIM is a novel alert system in Thailand for reducing PIM prescriptions. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of a CDSS on PIM prescriptions for elderly patients in Thai community hospitals.

Methods

The study design comprised two phases with a duration of 12 months each: pre‐CDSS implementation (October 2015‐March 2016) and post‐CDSS implementation (October 2016‐March 2017). Medical services and prescription claims data from four hospitals were used to calculate the prevalence of PIM prescriptions among elderly patients aged 60 years and older. Chi‐square tests were used to analyse changes in PIM prescriptions across hospitals post CDSS.

Results

The overall prevalence of PIM prescriptions post‐CDSS implementation significantly decreased from 87.7% to 74.4%. The severity of mild and moderate PIMs was significantly reduced from 71.9% to 49.0% and from 64.5% to 48.7%, respectively. All hospitals had only one severe PIM, which was hyoscine. It was reduced from 4.7% to 1.5%, but the change was not significant (P = 0.74). The proportion of frequently prescribed PIMs in all PIM levels was significantly decreased, regardless of existing alternative medications.

Conclusions

Specific CDSS for PIM in community hospital setting was associated with a reduction of PIM prescription in elderly patients. This CDSS can change physician's prescription behaviour to avoid inappropriate medications.
Population ageing in a globalized world: Risks and dilemmas?
Authors: Khan Hafiz T.A.
Published: November 2018

Rationale, aims, and objectives

This article aims to examine global population ageing and to evaluate the likely risks and dilemmas of demographic ageing within the context of the health and well‐being of individuals.

Methods

This paper is based on the author's research in the field of social gerontology, demography, and public health. In addition, a literature review has been carried out focused on the objectives of the research.

Results

The study has identified potential risks and dilemmas that the older people may face in the globalized world. There are four main aspects that contribute to an unequal distribution of risks in later life: (a) burden of disease in epidemiological transition, (b) financial security in retirement, (c) familial resources for older peoples' care, and (d) availability of workforce for older peoples' care. Whilst population ageing is a global trend, its impact is not equal across the world, and this is highlighted in this research. There are some important dilemmas which are identified in this paper that may also fuel the potential risks and challenges facing ageing societies.

Conclusions

It is apparent that older people will face numerous risks in later life and those in developing countries are likely to face more challenges than those in developed countries. The findings may be useful to policymakers for formulating future plans and policy implementation. Further research is required to identify the number of health care workers needed to tackle the challenges of an ageing societies across the globe.
Implementing guideline‐checklists: Evaluating health care providers intentional behaviour using an extended model of the theory of planned behaviour
Authors: Appleby Ben E.
Published: November 2018

Objectives

Internationally, clinical guidelines as checklists are increasingly used in acute ward practice to standardize the delivery and raise the quality of care on acute hospital wards. However, when guideline‐checklists are implemented repeatedly, health providers' intentions to carry out this type of behaviour are not well understood. Therefore, the objective of this study was to evaluate nurses' and health care assistants' (HCAs) intentions to implement a “care round checklist”; a guideline‐intervention repeated hourly on hospital wards. Furthermore, an extended Theory of Planned Behaviour (TPB) model's usefulness in explaining this type of behaviour was also evaluated.

Methods

A theory‐informed questionnaire, guided by the TPB, habit, and clinical context variables, was developed to measure the guideline‐checklist behaviour. Quantitative questionnaire data were analysed using descriptive and inferential tests to establish differences in nurses' and HCAs' intentions and the predictive value of the model.

Results

A sample of 270 nurses and HCAs returned questionnaires from 24 wards in a major hospital in England. The extended TPB model explained 20% of nurses and 24% of HCAs reported intentions to implement a care round checklist, a modest proportion of intent. Attitude and perceived control best predicted nurses' intentions, and attitude and practice habit HCAs' intentions. TPB belief variables helped explain why nurses and HCAs intentions were different.

Conclusions

Statistically, the extended TPB model highlighted that nurses and HCAs intentions to implement this type of guideline are predicted by different variables. This implied professional “role” as an important variable in explaining differences in intentions, which should be evaluated and integrated into the future design of this type of checklist. Further variables could be added to explain and learn more about intentional thinking for this type of behaviour and should help to develop a theoretical understanding of intentions underpinning this type of behaviour and ultimately improve patient care.
Establishment of a novel testicular cell line from sterlet Acipenser ruthenus and evaluation of its applications
Authors: Sun Ai , Zhu Hua , Dong Ying , Wang Wei , Hu Hong Xia
Published: November 2018

In this study, a cell line, designated as Acipenser ruthenus testis (ART), was successfully established from testis tissues of the sterlet Acipenser ruthenus and characterized by studying and comparing the expression of specific genes between the cell line and the parent gonad tissues. The results suggested that the developed ART cell line was composed of a mixture of germ cells and somatic cells. Ploidy analysis indicated that the cell line exhibited a high degree of genetic stability and that the cells remained in a good proliferating state after being subcultured to passage 80.
Exploring the physical, functional, thermal, and textural properties of bee pollen from different botanical origins of India
Authors: Thakur Mamta , Nanda Vikas
Published: November 2018

Bee pollen from different botanical sources (viz., coconut, coriander, rapeseed, and multi‐floral) of India were first time evaluated to determine the physical, functional, thermal, and textural properties. Coriander pollen showed the highest equivalent diameter (2.72 mm), surface area (23.28 mm2), 1,000‐pollen pellet weight (8.14 g), and porosity (66.67%) among all samples. The analysis of functional properties revealed the maximum water‐ and oil‐holding capacity (0.72% and 2.13 g/g, respectively) and emulsion activity and stability (46.76 and 26.32%, respectively) in coconut pollen. Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) indicated the similar pattern of thermal degradation among samples on heating from 40 to 700 °C. Texture profile analysis (TPA) showed the maximum hardness (39.88 N) and gumminess (1,572.66 N) in coconut pollen whereas cohesiveness showed a positive correlation with springiness (r = .98) and chewiness (r = .95). Principal component analysis identified four principal components (92.02% variance) to differentiate the bee pollen and cluster analysis classified the pollen samples into four groups successfully.

Practical applications

Currently, the bee pollen has been consumed as a natural dietary supplement in the form of either fresh or dried pellet. The present investigation explores the physical, functional, thermal, and textural properties of bee pollen to demonstrate its potential in food processing. Data of this study may help the engineers to design the equipment for cleaning, grading, separation, drying, storage, and transportation of bee pollen. Results indicated the potential of bee pollen as a mouthfeel‐enhancing and flavor retaining agent and recommended its exploitation as a natural food additive in products like ice‐cream, cake, marshmallow, mousse, whipped cream, etc., to improve their nutritional, functional, and textural characteristics.
Flood‐risk analysis based on a stochastic differential equation method
Authors: Dai Ling , Zhou Jianzhong , Chen Lu , Huang Kangdi , Wang Quansen , Zha Gang
Published: November 2018

During flood control reservoir operation, uncertainties in inflow forecast, the reservoir discharge capacity curve, and the reservoir storage curve significantly impact the reservoir operation processes and cause flood risk. This article proposes an improved stochastic differential equation (SDE) method for flood‐risk analysis. The uncertainties mentioned above were quantified, and the mean and variance of the water level at each time step were calculated, then the flood risk was estimated and the impact of these uncertainties on flood control reservoir operation was evaluated. The Three Gorges Reservoir (TGR) was selected as a case study. Results show that the variance of the water level at each time step does not monotonically increase over time. Inflow forecast and flood hydrograph shape work together and have a great influence on the flood risk. The method provides a way for flood‐risk assessment for flood control reservoir operation.
Trends in Hospital Deaths in Denmark from 1980 to 2014, at Ages 50 and Older
Authors: Carollo Angela , Verdiell Nuria Calduch , Hale Jo Mhairi , Andersen‐Ranberg Karen , Lindahl‐Jacobsen Rune , Oksuzyan Anna
Published: November 2018

Objectives

To explore temporal trends and individual‐level determinants of hospital deaths at ages 50 and older in Denmark from 1980 to 2014.

Design

Individual‐level register‐based retrospective study.

Setting

Denmark, 1980 to 2014.

Participants

All deaths that occurred in Denmark from 1980 to 2014 among individuals 50 years or older (N = 1 834 437), extracted from population registers.

Measurements

A death was defined as a hospital death if the individual was admitted to the hospital as an inpatient and the date of discharge from the hospital is equal to the date of death.

Results

The percentage of hospital deaths decreased in both sexes (all ages combined, men: 56% to 44%; women: 49% to 39%) and at ages 50 to 79, remained almost unchanged at ages 80 to 89, and increased in the oldest age group (90+ men: 27% to 32%; women: 18% to 24%). We observed increasing trends of hospital deaths for three groups, people 90 years and older, dying from respiratory diseases, and who had terminal hospitalizations lasting 1 to 3 days. Subanalysis of all hospital deaths according to length of the terminal hospitalizations suggests that the overall reduction of hospital deaths might be driven by a reduction in hospitalizations that were longer than 1 week. Persons who are married, have middle or high income, have a history of hospitalizations in the year before death, or die because of respiratory diseases have higher odds of dying in a hospital.

Conclusion

Results provide evidence that Danes 50 years and older are increasingly dying outside the hospital context. We find three age‐specific patterns in the proportion of hospital deaths. Changes in healthcare and social systems implemented in Denmark during the observation period may underlie the broader reduction in hospital deaths in the country. J Am Geriatr Soc 67:471–476, 2019.
Omaha System‐based discharge guidance improves knowledge and behavior in Mainland Chinese patients with angina who are not receiving interventional treatment: A randomized controlled trial
Authors: Xiao Shiqi , Fan Ling , Dai Heng
Published: November 2018

Aim

To test the effectiveness of discharge guidance based on the theoretical framework of the Omaha System on Mainland Chinese patients with angina without interventional treatment.

Methods

A randomized controlled trial was conducted on 150 Mainland Chinese patients with angina without interventional treatment between December, 2015 and September, 2016. The participants were randomly allocated to discharge guidance based on the Omaha System or usual care. The participants were assessed with the self‐designed Problem Rating Survey Scale, including three dimensions and seven items. The Cronbach's alpha coefficient was 0.81. The 7‐item‐level content validity index was 0.80–1.00 and the scale‐level content validity index was 0.94.

Results

The scores of the outcome measures differed significantly between the two groups at all three time points (admission day; 3 days before discharge; discharge day) and increased gradually. Improvements in knowledge, behavior , and the total score of the intervention group were significantly higher than those of the control group. An improvement in status did not differ significantly.

Conclusion

The Omaha System‐based discharge guidance is effective at enhancing knowledge and behavior in patients from Mainland China with angina without interventional treatment.
From stem cells protection to skin microbiota balance: Orobanche rapum extract, a new natural strategy
Authors: Meunier Marie , Scandolera Amandine , Chapuis Emilie , Lambert Carole , Jarrin Cyrille , Robe Patrick , Chajra Hanane , Auriol Daniel , Reynaud Romain
Published: November 2018

Background

Healthy skin is a delicate balance between skin renewal and microbiota homeostasis, and its imbalance promotes premature aging and dermatological disorders. Skin stem cells are key actors in this process but their sensitivity to aging and external stressors such as UV reduces the skin renewal power. The skin microbiota has been recently described as active in the healthy skin, and its imbalance could trigger some disorders.

Aims

We hypothesized that reactivation of stem cells and maintenance of microbiota could be a disruptive strategy for younger and healthier skin. We thus developed a new plant extract that restores the entire skin renewal process by sequential activation from stem cells stimulation to microbiota protection.

Methods

We studied stem cells comportment in the presence of Orobanche rapum extract by survivin immunocytochemistry and caspases 3 and 9 dosages. We also analyzed epidermal differentiation markers by immunohistochemistry and lipids organization by GC/MS At the clinical level, we investigated the impact of O. rapum extract on microbiota and on skin aspect.

Results

We demonstrated an active protection of skin stem cells through the maintenance of their clone‐forming capacity and resistance to UV through the overexpression of survivin coupled to caspases inhibition. Furthermore, we showed the restoration of epidermal differentiation markers and ceramide biosynthesis favorable to orthorhombic organization. Clinical studies, including microbiota analysis, showed an active skin surface renewal coupled with microbiota protection.

Conclusion

We evidenced that our active ingredient is able to stimulate skin rejuvenation while protecting the cutaneous microbiota, creating healthier skin and thereby beauty.
Colletotrichum species associated with cassava anthracnose in China
Authors: Liu Xianbao , Shi Tao , Li Boxun , Cai Jimiao , Li Chaoping , Huang Guixiu
Published: November 2018

Anthracnose caused by Colletotrichum (CAD) is an economically important disease of cassava; however, research on its species diversity and geographical distribution of Colletotrichum in China remains limited. In this study, we investigated the phylogenetic diversity of Colletotrichum isolates associated with symptomatic leaf tissues of cassava from Guangxi and Yunnan provinces in China and aimed to confirm their identification using advanced techniques. Based on multi‐locus phylogenetic analyses and phenotypic characteristics, we identified four species from the isolates, comprising C. plurivorum, C. karstii, C. fructicola and C. siamense, and we found variation in degrees of virulence among the species and between cassava varieties. Our results are the first to report these species from cassava, and they provide a basis for the development of management strategies for CAD in cassava.
Association of food insecurity with early childhood caries
Authors: Angelopoulou Matina V. , Shanti S. D. , Gonzalez Cesar D. , Love Ashley , Chaffin Jeffrey
Published: November 2018

Objectives

The aim of this study was to examine the association of food insecurity on the prevalence of dental caries in preschool children.

Methods

Eighty‐two children, aged 12‐71 months old, from the Marquette University School of Dentistry Community South Clinic and their caregivers participated in this cross‐sectional study. Following informed consent, parents completed the validated six‐item US Department of Agriculture food insecurity questionnaire and questions regarding demographic information and family structure. Upon clinical examination caries was recorded using the decayed, missing, filled teeth (dmft) index based on the International Caries Detection and Assessment System criteria.

Results

The correlation between dmft and food insecurity was found statistically significant (P = 0.002, R2 = 0.115), and children of higher food insecurity demonstrated higher levels of dental caries. Food insecurity was also positively correlated with parental age (P = 0.034), whereby higher levels of food insecurity were associated with the father being less than 25 years of age. Results from the questionnaire revealed that 58.5 percent of the families were fully secure, 11.0 percent had marginal, 24.4 percent had low, and 6.1 percent had very low food security. Results from clinical examination reported dmft 4.09 ± 4.38, dt 2.20 ± 2.83, and ft 1.83 ± 2.95. Most of the children (79.7 percent) were Hispanic, 53.1 percent were female and the median age of the sample was 48 months.

Conclusions

Results of the present study suggest that preschool children with food insecurity have higher levels of dental caries.
Positive and Negative Affects Facilitate Insight Problem‐Solving in Different Ways: A Study with Implicit Hints
Authors: Orita Ryo , Hattori Masasi
Published: November 2018

This study investigates the influence of affective states on the use of implicit hints when solving insight problems. To examine this, two experiments were conducted, both with Duncker's (1945) radiation problem as an insight problem. When primed with a hint, positive affect inhibited the number of incorrect solutions generated in Experiment 1 and increased the number of correct solutions in Experiment 2. In contrast, negative affect enhanced the participants’ performance regardless of the presence of hints across the two experiments. These results indicate that positive and negative affect facilitate insight problem‐solving in different ways. It seems that positive affect implicitly prompts the acceptance of cues and broadens people's search of a problem space, and negative affect encourages people to intensively focus on solving the insight task. The results suggest a resolution of a long‐standing debate on the effectiveness of positive versus negative affect in solving a problem.
Does Conventional Implicit Association Test of Shyness Measure “Self‐Shyness” or “Others‐Shyness”?
Authors: Sawaumi Takafumi , Inagaki Tsutomu , Aikawa Atsushi
Published: November 2018

The Implicit Association Test (IAT) measures implicit associations between attitude targets and attributes. Its structure and procedure facilitate investigation of the strength of associations between one target and attributes relative to that between the other target and the same attributes when two targets are contradictory (e.g., black/white and comfortable/uncomfortable). This structure can cause conceptual complexity about what the IAT measures, particularly when a counter category is not needed. Thus, using the Single‐Target Implicit Association Test (ST‐IAT), which allowed only one target category for pairing with attributes, this paper delineated the association measured in the conventional IAT for shyness: “self‐shy” or “others‐shy.” Seventy‐seven Japanese university students completed the self‐report shyness scale, the conventional IAT, and two ST‐IATs (i.e., self/others as target). Results showed that implicit shyness produced in the conventional IAT significantly and positively correlated with that in the self‐targeted ST‐IAT. Moreover, implicit shyness in the conventional IAT was significantly accounted for by those produced by the ST‐IAT with self as target and those calculated in the ST‐IAT with others as target in opposite directions.