bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
‘Teabacco’: Smoking of nicotine‐infused tea as an unintended consequence of prison smoking bans
Authors: Puljević Cheneal , Coomber Ross , Kinner Stuart A. , de Andrade Dominique , Mitchell Courtney , White Alan , Cresswell Sarah L. , Bowman Jasper
Published: July 2018

Introduction and Aims

Following the introduction of smoke‐free policies in prisons in several countries, there have been anecdotal reports of prisoners creating cigarettes by mixing nicotine patches or lozenges with tea leaves (‘teabacco’). Among a sample of people recently released from smoke‐free prisons in Queensland, Australia, the aims of this study were to explore the perceived popularity of teabacco use, motivations for its use and describe the process of creating teabacco to identify potential associated health risks.

Design and Methods

This study used a mixed‐methods design. Eighty‐two people recently released from prison in Queensland, Australia completed surveys at parole offices measuring teabacco use while incarcerated. Twenty‐one teabacco smokers took part in follow‐up, qualitative interviews to explore survey responses in greater depth.

Results

The majority of survey participants (57%) reported smoking teabacco while incarcerated, with 37% smoking teabacco frequently (> once per week). Teabacco use was primarily motivated by cigarette cravings. Participants described the perceived inevitability of prisoners finding substitutes for tobacco. Multivariate analyses found that self‐rated poor physical health, having been incarcerated five or more times, experiencing cigarette cravings while incarcerated, and use of illicit drugs while incarcerated were positively associated with frequent teabacco use in prison.

Discussion and Conclusions

Our findings suggest that teabacco use has become common practice in Queensland's smoke‐free prisons. Correctional smoking bans are an important public health initiative but should be complemented with demand and harm reduction measures cognisant of the risk environment.
Merleau‐Ponty and metaphysical realism
Authors: James Simon P.
Published: July 2018

Global metaphysical antirealism (or “antirealism”) is often thought to entail that the identity of each and every concrete entity in our world ultimately depends on us—on our adoption of certain social and linguistic conventions, for instance, or on our use of certain conceptual schemes. Drawing on the middle‐period works of Maurice Merleau‐Ponty, I contend that metaphysical antirealism entails nothing of the sort. For Merleau‐Ponty, I argue, entities do not ultimately owe their identities to us, even though—as he puts it—their “articulations are the very ones of our existence.” Once this is recognised, I maintain, certain interpretations of phenomenology are revealed to be caricatures and certain general objections to antirealism lose their force.
Survival patterns and cancer determinants in families with myotonic dystrophy type 1
Authors: Best A. F. , Hilbert J. E. , Wood L. , Martens W. B. , Nikolenko N. , Marini‐Bettolo C. , Lochmüller H. , Rosenberg P. S. , Moxley R. T. , Greene M. H. , Gadalla S. M.
Published: July 2018

Background and purpose

Research indicates that patients with myotonic dystrophy type 1 (DM1) are at increased risk of cancer and early death. Family data may provide insights givenDM1 phenotypic heterogeneity, the broad range of non‐muscular manifestations and the usual delays in the diagnosis ofDM1.

Method

Family history data were collected from 397 genetically and/or clinically confirmedDM1 patients (respondents) enrolled in theUSorUKmyotonic dystrophy registries. Standardized mortality ratios were calculated forDM1 first‐degree relatives (parents, siblings and offspring) by their reportedDM1 status (affected, unaffected or unknown). For cancer‐related analyses, mixed effects logistic regression models were used to evaluate factors associated with cancer development inDM1 families, including familial clustering.

Results

A total of 467 deaths and 337 cancers were reported amongst 1737 first‐degreeDM1 relatives. Mortality risk amongst relatives reported asDM1‐unaffected was comparable to that of the general population [standardized mortality ratio (SMR) 0.82,P = 0.06], whilst significantly higher mortality risks were noted inDM1‐affected relatives (SMR = 2.47,P < 0.0001) and in those whoseDM1 status was unknown (SMR = 1.60,P < 0.0001). In cancer risk analyses, risk was higher amongst families in which theDM1 respondent had cancer (odds ratio 1.95,P = 0.0001). UnknownDM1 status in the siblings (odds ratio 2.59,P = 0.004) was associated with higher cancer risk.

Conclusion

There is an increased risk of death, and probably cancer, in relatives withDM1 and in those whoseDM1 status is unknown. This suggests a need to perform a careful history and physical examination, supplemented by genetic testing, to identify family members at risk forDM1 and who might benefit from disease‐specific clinical care and surveillance.
Melting of clean and debris‐rich ice differentially affect nutrients, dissolved organic matter and bacteria respiration in the early ontogeny of the newly formed proglacial Ventisquero Negro Lake (Patagonia Argentina)
Authors: Modenutti Beatriz , Bastidas Navarro Marcela , Martyniuk Nicolás , Balseiro Esteban
Published: July 2018

Climate change affects glaciers all over the world causing glacial recession with the formation of new lakes. Glaciers of Mount Tronador (41° S, Patagonia, Argentina) underwent an increase of more than 200 m in the equilibrium‐line altitude (ELA), from 1994 to 2016. The proglacial Lake Ventisquero Negro showed a continuous increase in lake surface area since 2009, when a glacial outburst flood (GLOF) occurred. The Ventisquero Negro glacier is a debris‐covered glacier located below the timberline; thus, the lake receives meltwater from both clean and debris‐rich ice.

This study analyses the proglacial lake after the GLOF event, particularly the nutrient content, dissolved organic matter and bacterial respiration. Our main hypothesis was that the melting of debris‐rich and clean ice would differentially affect nutrient inputs and bacterial respiration in the early ontogeny of the lake.

Sampling was conducted in austral spring–summer seasons (2012 to 2016) following the GLOF event. We carried out bacterial respiration experiments with lake water and two treatments enriched with clean or debris‐rich ice from the glacier. Additionally, we carried out an another enrichment experiment with phosphate‐P and glucose‐C alone or in combination.

The lake exhibited high turbidity levels due to a high concentration of suspended solids. Vertical light profiles showed that almost the entire water column was aphotic. Phosphorus (P) concentration was high and was positively related to total suspended solids. Accordingly, P concentration was higher in debris‐rich than in clean ice. However, the dissolved organic carbon concentrations in the lake were found to remain relatively constant through time (less than 50 μmol/L).

Analysing fluorescent excitation–emission matrices, we determined that the dissolved organic matter is very simple with only two peaks, one corresponding to protein‐like compounds (C1) and the other to humic‐like compounds (C2), coming from clean ice and debris‐rich ice, respectively. C1 was present in all samples, while C2 was comparatively more important during summer, coinciding with higher temperatures and melting.

This study supports the hypothesis that melting of clean and debris‐rich ice would affect DOM and P input at early stages of a proglacial lake formed by the recession of a debris‐covered glacier. Bacterial respiration was observed to be positively affected by debris‐rich ice melting and to be P limited. Thus, P is a major controlling factor for carbon dynamics in a newly formed proglacial lake.
Quantifying the drivers of HIV transmission and prevention in men who have sex with men: a population model‐based analysis in Switzerland
Authors: Kusejko K , Marzel A , Hampel B , Bachmann N , Nguyen H , Fehr J , Braun DL , Battegay M , Bernasconi E , Calmy A , Cavassini M , Hoffmann M , Böni J , Yerly S , Klimkait T , Perreau M , Rauch A , Günthard HF , Kouyos RD ,   The Swiss HIV Cohort Study
Published: July 2018

Objectives

Despite the huge success of antiretroviral therapy (ART), there is an ongoing HIV epidemic among men who have sex with men (MSM) in resource‐rich countries. Understanding the driving factors underlying this process is important for curbing the epidemic.

Methods

We simulated the HIV epidemic in MSM in Switzerland by stratifying a mathematical model by CD4 count, the care cascade and condom use. The model was parametrised with clinical, epidemiological and behavioural data from the Swiss HIV Cohort Study and surveys in the HIV‐negative population.

Results

According to our model, 3.4% of the cases that would otherwise have occurred in 2008–2015 were prevented by early initiation of ART. Only 0.6% of the cases were attributable to a change in condom use in the HIV‐positive population, as less usage is mainly seen in virally suppressed MSM. Most new infections were attributable to transmission from recently infected undiagnosed individuals. It was estimated that doubling the diagnosis rate would have resulted in 11.8% fewer cases in 2001–2015. Moreover, it was estimated that introducing pre‐exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) for 50% of those MSM not using condoms with occasional partners would have resulted in 22.6% fewer cases in 2012–2015.

Conclusions

By combining observational data on the relevant epidemiological and clinical processes with a mathematical model, we showed that the ‘test and treat’ approach is most effective in reducing the number of new cases. Only a moderate population‐level effect was estimated for early initiation of ART and a weak effect for the change in condom use of diagnosed MSM. Protecting HIV‐negative individuals who are not using condoms with PrEP was shown to have a major impact.
Paleoenvironmental reconstruction for termination stage of Superanoxia in Middle Triassic (Anisian) sedimentary sequence of the Mino belt, central Japan
Authors: Soda Katsuhito , Onoue Tetsuji
Published: July 2018

Superanoxia across the Permian/Triassic boundary, which is a long period of oceanic anoxia from the late Middle Permian to the early Middle Triassic, has been recognized and debated well in the context of the end Permian mass extinction. However, few studies have focused on the Middle Triassic anoxia because of limited application of geochemical proxies. To reconstruct paleoenvironmental changes during the termination stage of Superanoxia, various geochemical proxies were applied to chemical compositions of the Middle Triassic (Anisian) bedded chert sequence in the Mino belt, Japan, which accumulated in a deep seafloor environment in a low‐ to mid‐latitude zone of the Panthalassa Ocean. Three anoxic events were identified by statistically robust geochemical proxies during the middle Anisian. Degrees of calibrated‐chemical weathering intensity show higher values during these anoxic events, suggesting that the intensified continental weathering was a trigger mechanism for the oceanic anoxic events in the middle Anisian. Furthermore, our data indicate that the termination of Superanoxia in the Panthalassa Ocean was associated with a gradual decrease in continental weathering rates during the middle to late Anisian.
Lead‐reduced Bi(Ni2/3Ta1/3)O3‐PbTiO3 perovskite ceramics with high Curie temperature and performance
Authors: Pang Dongfang , Liu Xitao , Zheng Jing , Long Peiqing , Lin He , Yi Zhiguo
Published: July 2018

With increasing demand of high‐temperature piezoelectric devices and growing concern over environment protection, a feasible reduction in lead from lead‐based high Curie temperature piezoelectric materials are desperately needed. Herein, a new system of lead‐reduced Bi(Ni2/3Ta1/3)O3‐PbTiO3 (BNT‐PT) ferroelectric ceramics is fabricated by a conventional solid‐state sintering process. The phase transition behaviors as a function of composition and temperature, electrical properties, as well as the domain configurations from a microscopic level have been investigated in detail. The results indicate that crystal structures, phase transition behaviors, and electric properties of BNT‐PT ceramics can be affected significantly by the content of BNT counterpart. Dielectric measurements show that xBNT‐(1−x)PT ceramics transfer from the normal ferroelectrics to the relaxor ferroelectrics at compositions of x = 0.3‐0.35. The BNT‐PT ceramics exhibit high Curie temperature TC ranging from 474 to 185°C with the variation in BNT content. The relative dielectric tunability nr also rises from only 0.65% for 0.10BNT‐0.90PT to 50.23% for 0.40BNT‐0.60PT with increasing BNT content. The tetragonal‐rich composition 0.30BNT‐0.70PT ceramic possesses the maximum remnant polarization of Pr ~ 34.9 μC/cm2. Meanwhile, a highest piezoelectric coefficient of d33 ~ 271 pC/N and a high field piezoelectric strain coefficient of  ~ 560 pm/V are achieved at morphotropic phase boundary (MPB) composition of 0.38BNT‐0.62PT. The maximum value of strain ~0.31% is obtained in the 0.36BNT‐0.64PT ceramic. The largest electromechanical coupling coefficient kp is 44.5% for 0.37BNT‐0.63PT ceramic. These findings demonstrate that BNT‐PT ceramics are a system of high‐performance Pb‐reduced ferro/piezoelectrics, which will be very promising materials for piezoelectric devices. This study offers an approach to developing and exploring new lead‐reduced ferroelectric ceramics with high performances.
Isolation of salmonid alphavirus subtype 6 from wild‐caught ballan wrasse, Labrus bergylta (Ascanius)
Authors: Ruane Neil M. , Swords David , Morrissey Teresa , Geary Michelle , Hickey Cathy , Collins Evelyn M. , Geoghegan Fiona , Swords Fiona
Published: July 2018

The use of cleaner fish as a biological control for sea lice in Atlantic salmon aquaculture has increased in recent years. Wild‐caught wrasse are commonly used as cleaner fish in Europe. In Ireland, samples of wrasse from each fishing area are screened for potential pathogens prior to their deployment into sea cages. Salmonid alphavirus was isolated from a pooled sample of ballan wrasse, showing no signs of disease, caught from the NW of Ireland. Partial sequencing of the E2 and nsP3 genes showed that it was closely related to the previously reported SAV subtype 6. This represents only the second isolation of this subtype and the first from a wild fish species, namely ballan wrasse.
Ultrasonic‐assisted extraction of betalains from red beet (Beta vulgaris L.)
Authors: Righi Pessoa da Silva Heloísa , da Silva Camila , Bolanho Beatriz Cervejeira
Published: July 2018

In this work, ultrasonic‐assisted extraction was evaluated for obtaining red beet extracts rich in betalains. Experiments evaluated the effects of operating variables (temperature, time, and ratio of ethanol to water) using a Box–Behnken experimental design, allowing the determination of conditions that maximize the removal of betacyanins and betaxanthins. The results indicate that the extracts obtained had higher betacyanins’ levels (0.11–4.24 mg/g) than betaxanthins (0.02–2.89 mg/g) for all experimental conditions evaluated. The concentration of ethanol in the extraction solvent had the greatest influence on extraction efficiency, and higher ethanol availability did not favor target compounds removal. Use of higher temperatures impaired betaxanthin extraction but did not affect the removal of betacyanins. The optimum conditions were then evaluated for betalain content, total phenolic compounds, and antioxidant activity, and results were compared with conventional extraction methods. The optimum conditions for the extraction of betacyanins and betaxanthins were determined to be at temperatures 52 and 37 °C, with an extraction time of 90 min, using 25% of ethanol in water as the solvent. Under these conditions, betacyanin (4.2 mg/g) and betaxanthin (2.80 mg/g) concentrations were higher than found in conventional extractions, as were phenolic compound concentrations and antioxidant activity.

Practical applications

An ultrasonic‐assisted extraction method for obtaining red beet extracts rich in betalains is demonstrated to be more efficient than the extraction of these compounds by conventional methods. Extracts obtained by this technique had higher betalains and total phenolic contents and greater antioxidant activity.
Effect of grape seed extract on storage stability of buffalo veal slices at refrigeration temperature (4 ± 1°C)
Authors: Singh Pradeep Kumar , Ahlawat Satyavir Singh , Sharma Diwakar Prasad , Jairath Gauri , Pathera Ashok
Published: July 2018

Products prepared from buffalo veal being low in fat content, needs to be incorporated with additional fat to improve the quality, which challenges the oxidative stability. The grape seed extract (GSE) has been observed to have an antioxidant activity but its overall effect on product features is not well established. The results indicated that GSE incorporated in a product significantly (p ≤ .05) reduced the thiobarbituric acid reactive substances and free fatty acids values on the 12th and 16th day of storage. The subjective sensory features like color and appearance, flavor, and overall acceptability revealed that the treated samples have better scores with the progress of storage and the color values (L*, a*, and b*) too indicated the effect of GSE on objective scale. The microbial counts like total plate count, psychrotrophic count, and yeast & mold count decreased significantly (p ≤ 0.05) in GSE (0.2%) treated samples.

Practical applications

Quality meat is being explored worldwide for better products especially in ready to eat category and buffalo veal could be a potential alternative. Slices from the veal may become a product of choice in trending consumers. However, limitation in such products is the storage stability as they need to be stored for a period before reaching to consumption point. The meat products available over the counter in ready to eat category are susceptible for the deteriorative changes involving physico‐chemical and microbiological parameters. There is a long list of agents that can be used to check these spoilage changes but majority of them are of synthetic nature having ill‐health effect, hence there is a need to explore the natural/herbal agent having potential to check the deterioration and enhance the storage stability of meat products. In this context, GSE have been explored here for its potential application.
Monetary Policy and Financial Stability: Cross‐Country Evidence
Authors: FRIEDRICH CHRISTIAN , HESS KRISTINA , CUNNINGHAM ROSE
Published: July 2018

We explain the heterogeneous response of central banks to financial stability risks based on a financial stability orientation (FSO) index, which reflects statutory, regulatory, and discretionary components of central banks' monetary policy frameworks. Our baseline results from a cross‐country panel of modified Taylor rules suggest that central banks with a high FSO increase their policy rates in response to elevated financial stability risks by 0.27 percentage points more than central banks with a low orientation. Back‐of‐the‐envelope calculations suggest that this policy rate differential translates into a reduced crisis probability but also into considerably lower inflation and output growth rates.
The Relationships Between the Geriatric Practice Environment, Nursing Practice, and the Quality of Hospitalized Older Adults’ Care
Authors: Fox Mary T. , McCague Hugh , Sidani Souraya , Butler Jeffrey I.
Published: July 2018

Purpose

To test the relationships between the geriatric practice environment, geriatric nursing practice, and overall quality of care for older adults and their families as reported by nurses working in hospitals, while controlling for nurse and hospital characteristics.

Design

A cross‐sectional tailored survey design was employed. A questionnaire was mailed to a randomly selected sample of nurses whose primary practice area was medicine, surgery, geriatrics, emergency, or critical care in acute care hospitals in Ontario, Canada.

Methods

Participants (N= 2,005) working in 148 hospitals responded to validated measures of the geriatric practice environment, geriatric nursing practice, overall quality of care for older adults and their families, and nurse and hospital characteristics. The relationships were tested using structural equation modeling.

Findings

Controlling for nurse and hospital characteristics, the geriatric practice environment had a statistically significant positive relationship of large magnitude with both geriatric nursing practice (β = 0.52) and overall quality of care (β = 0.92); however, the indirect relationship between the geriatric practice environment and overall quality of care, mediated by geriatric nursing practice, was not significant (β = ‐0.02). Final model fit was acceptable, with the root mean square error of approximation = 0.07, comparative fit index = 0.93, and Tucker‐Lewis Index = 0.87.

Conclusions

A strong geriatric practice environment positively and directly influences geriatric nursing practice and overall quality of care for older adults and their families but does not appear to influence overall quality of care indirectly through geriatric nursing practice.

Clinical Relevance

The results can be used as the basis for promoting practice environments that support overall quality of care and geriatric nursing practice in acute care hospitals.
Architecture of structures in the urogenital triangle of young adult males; comparison with females
Authors: Wu Yi , Dabhoiwala Noshir F. , Hagoort Jaco , Hikspoors Jill P. J. M. , Tan Li‐Wen , Mommen Greet , Hu Xin , Zhang Shao‐Xiang , Lamers Wouter H.
Published: July 2018

The fibro‐muscular architecture of the urogenital triangle remains contentious. Reasons are small size of the constituting structures and poor visibility with most imaging methods. We reinvestigated the area in serial sections of three males (21–38 years old) of the American and Chinese Visible Human Projects and two 26‐week‐old male fetuses, and compared the findings with earlier observations in females. The mass of the levator ani muscle was approximately twofold smaller and its funnel shape steeper in males than females. In the levator hiatus, a strand of the smooth longitudinal muscle layer of the rectum, the ‘rectourethral (RU) muscle’, extended anteriorly from the anorectal bend to the penile bulb. Fibrous tissue that formed in the inferior reach of the fetal RU muscle identified the location of the developing perineal body (PB) and divided the muscle into posterior ‘rectoperineal’ and anterior ‘deep perineal’ portions. In males, the PB remained small and bipartite, so that the RU muscle presented as an undivided midline structure. The well‐developed female PB, instead, intertwined with the deep perineal muscle and both structures passed the vagina bilaterally to form the perineal membrane in the posterior portion of the urogenital triangle. The urethral rhabdosphincter extended in the anterior portion of the urogenital triangle between the penile bulb inferiorly and the bladder neck superiorly, and consisted of a well‐developed circular ‘membranous’ portion with bilateral posteroinferior ‘wings’ and a thinner ‘prostatic’ portion on the prostate anterior side. In men, muscles occupy the urogenital triangle, but additional tightening of the locally fibrous adipose tissue by the superficial transverse perineal muscle appears necessary to generate functional support in women. An interactive 3D pdf file with these anatomical details (available online) should allow more accurate interpretation of ultrasound, computed tomography and magnetic resonance images.
The relationship of dietary diversity score with depression and anxiety among prenatal and post‐partum women
Authors: Jiang Wen , Mo Minjia , Li Minchao , Wang Shuojia , Muyiduli Xiamusiye , Shao Bule , Jiang Shuying , Yu Yunxian
Published: July 2018

Aim

The objective of the study is to explore the relationship between the dietary diversity score (DDS) and anxiety and depression of perinatal women.

Methods

The Self‐Rating Anxiety Scale (SAS), Self‐Rating Depression Scale (SDS) and the dietary recall questionnaire were used to measure the status of depression, anxiety and dietary diversity at T1 (first trimester), T2 (second trimester), T3 (third trimester) and T4 (post‐partum). The association of dietary diversity and food groups with depression and anxiety status were estimated by linear and logistic regression models.

Results

The prevalence of depression and anxiety status were the highest at T1, which were 35.58% and 22.57%, respectively. Cross‐sectional and longitudinal association of DDS with SDS and SAS was estimated by ordinary or multilevel linear or logistic model. In the cross‐sectional analysis, high dietary status (>6) was negatively associated with depression status [T1: OR (95% CI) = 0.56 (0.46, 0.69); T2: 0.55 (0.36, 0.84); T3: 0.45 (0.31, 0.65); T4: 0.58 (0.34, 0.99)] and anxiety status [T1: OR (95% CI) = 0.70 (0.56, 0.88); T2: 0.42 (0.27, 0.65)]. In the longitudinal analysis, it was demonstrated that the DDS level was negatively associated with SDS [β(se) = −0.99 (0.09), P = <0.0001] and SAS scores [β(se) = −0.37 (0.08), P = <0.0001] throughout pregnancy. There was a negative relationship between some food groups and SDS or SAS scores at different periods.

Conclusion

A negative relationship between DDS and depression as well as anxiety was found among prenatal and post‐partum women.
Adjuvant chemotherapy for a primitive neuroectodermal tumor of the uterine corpus: A case report and literature review
Authors: Akazawa Munetoshi , Saito Toshiaki , Ariyoshi Kazuya , Okadome Masao , Yokoyama Ryohei , Taguchi Kenichi
Published: July 2018

A primitive neuroectodermal tumor (PENT) belongs to the category of a Ewing sarcoma. A PENT of the uterus is rare and has been known to be very aggressive by nature. Owing to the rarity of the tumor, there is no optimal treatment at present. In many cases, after hysterectomy, chemotherapy or radiation therapy has been performed. However, an effective chemotherapy regimen was unclear. In the soft tissue sarcoma area, the chemotherapy approach has recently greatly improved. Vincristine, doxorubicin, cyclophosphamide, ifosfamide and etoposide (VDC‐IE) therapy has improved the survival rate of patients with Ewing sarcoma/PENT. Thus, VDC‐IE therapy may be used for a uterine PENT. Here, we report a case of a uterine PENT in a premenopausal woman successfully treated with multimodality treatment including VDC‐IE therapy and discuss the optimal chemotherapy for a uterine PENT through a literature review.
Left atrial appendage closure with the Ultraseal device: Initial experience and mid‐term follow‐up
Authors: Pagnotta Paolo A. , Chiarito Mauro , Pllaha Elton , Zavalloni Parenti Dennis , Rossi Marco L. , Mantovani Riccardo , Pisano Francesco , Stefanini Giulio G. , Reimers Bernhard
Published: July 2018

Aims

Left atrial appendage (LAA) closure is considered an effective option in patients with non‐valvular atrial fibrillation (NVAF) and contraindications to long‐term oral anticoagulant (OAC) therapy. However, there are some concerns about safety of currently available devices. Our aim is to provide an initial assessment on feasibility and safety of the novel LAA closure Ultraseal device in patients with NVAF and contraindications to long‐term OAC therapy.

Methods

Twenty‐three consecutive patients with NVAF undergoing Ultraseal device implantation between July 2016 and February 2018 at two institutions were included. All patients performed transesophageal echocardiography and computed tomography angiography prior to LAA closure.

Results

Procedural success was achieved in all patients except two who experienced incorrect device deployment with incomplete LAA closure. Procedure duration halved from first to last procedure performed. The only periprocedural adverse events observed were a myocardial infarction and an in‐hospital death due pneumonia. At mean follow‐up (166 ± 80 days) all other patients were alive and free from major bleedings and ischaemic strokes.

Conclusions

Our results suggest that the Ultraseal device is a feasible option for LAA occlusion. Notably, the learning curve in this registry was fast, paralleled by extremely low complication rates. These results should be considered hypothesis generating and larger studies are mandatory.
Influence of the color and size of the plate on the subjective ratings of, taste expectations concerning, and willingness‐to‐pay for, Asian noodles
Authors: Zhao Hui , An Jun , Spence Charles , Wan Xiaoang
Published: July 2018

Two experiments were designed to investigate the effect of plate color and plate size on taste expectations, subjective ratings of, and willingness‐to‐pay for, Asian noodles and Italian pastas. Chinese participants viewed photographs of these foods served on plates of different colors and sizes, rated their liking, familiarity, taste expectations for the foods, and indicated how much they would be willing to pay for them. The foods were presented against the backdrop of store‐bought or computer‐edited colored plates. Presenting the food on white plates resulted in the highest familiarity scores. Interestingly, the participants were willing to pay approximately 16% more for the same quantity of Asian noodles when served on smaller (rather than larger) plates. Different patterns of results were observed with two types of Italian pasta that the Chinese participants were less familiar with, suggesting a moderating role of the familiarity people have with the foods.

Practical applications

The present study provides novel findings concerning the influence of plateware on Asian noodles, a commonly eaten food in many Asian countries. The findings suggest a fundamental difference between the role of plateware in the subjective ratings of, and taste expectations concerning, regularly consumed familiar and unfamiliar foods as in the present study and the snack food in previous studies. These findings are therefore relevant to those researchers and practitioners interested in how the receptacle, as an important contextual factor, influences consumers' perception and consumption of foods. These findings also have direct implications for those serving food in restaurants.
Children and adolescents with type 1 diabetes in Australasia: An online survey of model of care, workforce and outcomes
Authors: de Bock Martin , Jones Timothy W , Fairchild Jan , Mouat Fran , Jefferies Craig
Published: July 2018

Aim

To survey the model of care and workforce that manages children and adolescents with type 1 diabetes (T1D) in Australasia along with glycaemic outcomes.

Methods

Tertiary and regional paediatric clinics in Australia and New Zealand (NZ) caring for children and adolescents with diabetes were invited to complete an online survey assessing health‐care professional (HCP) workforce numbers and available clinical data for the 2016 calendar year.

Results

A total of 38 sites responded – 25 Australian (10 tertiary, 15 regional), 13 NZ (4 tertiary, 8 regional) – representing 9715 children with T1D. HCP resourcing varied across sites, with overall HCP/100 patient ratios of: doctors: 0.36 (0.08–1.07), nurses: 0.72 (0–1.8), dieticians: 0.19 (0–0.49) and psychologist/social workers: 0.13 (0–0.36). Overall, 39% of patients used insulin pump therapy (CSII) (29.5% NZ, 40.8% Australia). Databases were being used locally by 26 sites. Thirty‐two sites reported the mean clinic HbA1c, mean HbA1c 66 mmol/mol (8.2%) (NZ = 69 mmol/mol (8.5%), Australia = 66 mmol/mol (8.2%)), with 29% of patients attaining the recommended HbA1c target of <58 mmol/mol (7.5%) (NZ = 28%, Australia = 29%).

Conclusions

This is the largest Australasian paediatric T1D workforce survey to date. HCP to patient ratios remain well below international recommendations and have not changed over the last 5–7 years. Glycaemic outcomes in this population were below recommended levels in the majority of patients. There is an urgent need to reform models of care and workforce and to institute systematic benchmarking in both countries in order to prevent acute and chronic complications of T1D.
Maternal intelligence quotient and motor development in early childhood: The mediating role of mother's education
Authors: Ye Aoxing , Yan Shuangqin , Huang Kun , Mao Leijing , Ge Xing , Weng Tingting , Zuo Azhu , Tao Xingyong , Tao Fangbiao
Published: July 2018

Aim

To examine the association between maternal intelligence quotient (IQ) and early childhood motor development and whether maternal education mediates this relationship.

Methods

Data were collected prospectively in the Ma'anshan Birth Cohort study. Maternal IQ was assessed using the Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale‐Revised by China (WAIS‐RC). Information on baseline characteristics and maternal education was obtained from questionnaires and medical records. The study outcome was motor development evaluated at 18 months by the Third Edition of Ages and Stages Questionnaire. Logistic regression analyses and mediation analyses were used.

Results

Of 2739 valid subjects (84% follow‐up), the rate of developmental delay was 3.1% in the gross motor domain and 6.2% in the fine motor domain. The mean value for maternal IQ was 96.2 (standard deviation 10.6). About 40.3% of the mothers had secondary education or less, while 59.7% had a college education. Mothers with higher IQ had a significantly higher educational level and had children with better motor development. Maternal education significantly mediated the association between maternal IQ and fine motor development. There was a direct effect of maternal IQ on gross motor development, but the mediation effect of maternal education was not found.

Conclusions

Maternal IQ was associated with motor development. Maternal education played an important role in reducing the disparities in fine motor development among children of different maternal IQs.
Probiotics supplementation in children with asthma: A systematic review and meta‐analysis
Authors: Lin Jilei , Zhang Yin , He Chunyan , Dai Jihong
Published: July 2018

Aim

To systematically review the effects of probiotics supplementation in children with asthma.

Methods

An electronic search was conducted on PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, China National Knowledge Infrastructure Database, CQ VIP Database and Wanfang Data until November 2017. The reference lists of included studies and pertinent reviews were checked for supplementing our search. Randomised control trials that compared probiotics versus placebo were included.

Results

Eleven studies with a total of 910 children met eligibility criteria. The pooled data revealed that the proportion of children with fewer episodes of asthma was significantly higher in the probiotics group than in the control group (risk ratio 1.3, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.06–1.59); the reduction of IL‐4 (mean differences −2.34, 95% CI −3.38, −1.29) and the increasing of interferon‐γ (mean differences 2.5, 95% CI 1.23–3.76) was also significant after the treatment of probiotics. Nevertheless, no statistical significance was observed in childhood asthma control test, asthmatic symptom in the day and night, the number of symptom‐free days, forced expiratory volume in the first second predicted and peak expiratory flow.

Conclusions

This systematic review does not confirm or rule out the beneficial effects of probiotics supplementation in children with asthma. More well‐designed randomised control trials with larger sample sizes need to be conducted to evaluate the effects of probiotics in children with asthma in the future.
Do Social Resources Matter? Social Capital, Personality Traits, and the Ability to Plan Ahead
Authors: Anand Paul , Poggi Ambra
Published: July 2018

This paper is motivated by growing interest in noncognitive skills and the fact that many, if not most, economic and social actions require agents to plan ahead. More specifically, we use unique data from the US, UK, and Italy to show that two major classes of social resource—personality and social capital—are significant predictors of planning capacity. We use the data to estimate frontier models that help establish three empirical facts about the ability to plan. First, planning ability depends on a rich array of social resources including networks, the freedom to participate, neighbourhood co‐operation, and trust (social capital) and personality traits such as extroversion, conscientiousness, and emotional stability. Secondly, we provide evidence that some personalities are more efficient than others in using resources to help them plan. Thirdly, we develop evidence of three personality profiles, referred to as ‘over‐controlled’, ‘resilient’ and ‘under‐controlled,’ and highlight the fact that these three profiles benefit differently from various aspects of social resources capital. We discuss these findings and conclude that a wide range of economic policies designed to facilitate individual planning may need to allow for heterogeneities in social resources if they are to be successful.
The Politics of a New Legal Regime: Governing International Crime through Domestic Immigration Law
Authors: Rowen Jamie , Hamlin Rebecca
Published: July 2018

Through an analysis of a unique and understudied unit within the US Department of Homeland Security (DHS), the Human Rights Violators and War Crimes Unit (HRVWCU, or “the Unit”), this article addresses the following theoretical and policy question: once someone has been admitted to the United States and granted permanent residency, or even citizenship, how does the law facilitate the reversal of that decision based on acts committed long ago and far away? We argue that the HRVWCU has created a significant new way to govern immigration through crime—specifically international crime—while simultaneously trying to ensure justice for mass atrocities through immigration law. In offering an overview of the Unit's origins and approach in blending international criminal law, domestic criminal law, and immigration law, we show how this Unit reflects an expansion of crimmigration in the United States and abroad. In order to illustrate the dilemma of internationalized crimmigration, the article focuses on the Unit's cases related to war crimes in Liberia and Bosnia, which have two very different (at least from the perspective of international criminal law) types of alleged perpetrators: those who allegedly gave orders and those who allegedly followed orders.
Puzz‐Ling: A hands‐on model of syntax to popularize linguistics as a science
Authors: Ducceschi Luca , Zamparelli Roberto
Published: July 2018

Modern theoretical linguistics is arguably a science with a well‐defined methodology, relatively simple and inexpensive data‐collection strategies and clear objectives, yet the study of human language is not widely recognized by the general public as a scientific endeavor. Formal syntax and semantics, for instance, have not been popularized, like physics, chemistry, or other hard sciences, and have very rarely found a space in science museums. In this paper, we discuss some aspects of this problem, focusing on syntax and its potential in education and arguing that the lack of popularization derives from the need for different methods of dissemination. To overcome this problem, we present a completely novel approach to syntax education, based on a physical, hands‐on multilingual model, which we have designed and built. The model, called Puzz‐Ling, consists of a set of tiles that can be combined only to form grammatical sentences, in three languages (English, German, and Italian). A simple set of rules and symbols and a string–reordering system based on constituent swapping derive the correct word order in all three languages. The model introduces in a simple and entertaining form some key concepts of (generative) syntax (e.g., tree structures, binary branching, and movement) and displays in an intuitive way the structural difference among languages. The system can be turned into a game with the addition of points and turns, resulting in a hands‐on, “edutainment” approach to language. The mechanics of the game are briefly described, and various trade‐offs encountered in the design phase are discussed.
Visible and Invisible: George Tyrrell and Christ's Bodies
Authors: Loughlin Gerard
Published: July 2018

Starting with the laying to rest of George Tyrrell's body in an Anglican grave, outside the bounds of the Catholic Church, this article considers how Tyrrell could yet understand himself to be within the Church, within the body of Christ. Tyrrell developed a distinction between the visible and invisible Church in such a way that a person like himself could be included within the latter. In this, Tyrrell's theology anticipated later ideas of the anonymous Christian and the Church as sacrament, his thinking incorporated within the body of more orthodox, conciliar theology.
Effects of meaningful weight loss beyond symptomatic relief in adults with knee osteoarthritis and obesity: a systematic review and meta‐analysis
Authors: Chu I. J. H. , Lim A. Y. T. , Ng C. L. W.
Published: July 2018

Existing clinical guidelines recommend weight loss for adults with knee osteoarthritis and obesity, but the supporting evidence to date remains inadequate. There is also no pooled data on physical function and quality of life. This study aims to examine the efficacy of weight loss on pain, self‐reported disability, physical function and quality of life in adults with knee osteoarthritis and obesity. A systematic database search (from 1990 to June 2017) was conducted, and seven studies were eligible for inclusion. The meta‐analyses demonstrated that a 5% to 10% weight loss significantly improved pain (effect size 0.33, 95% confidence intervals 0.17 to 0.48), self‐reported disability (effect size 0.42, 95% confidence intervals 0.25 to 0.59) and quality of life (physical) (effect size 0.39, 95% confidence intervals 0.24 to 0.54). The results were based on adults with mean body mass index 33.6 to 36.4 kg m−2 and mild to moderate knee osteoarthritis. Results for physical function were inconclusive due to the lack of eligible studies and incomprehensive outcome measures used.
QTL mapping of three ear traits using a doubled haploid population of maize
Authors: Shi Zi , Zhang Ruyang , Xing Jinfeng , Duan Minxiao , Wang Yuandong , Su Aiguo , Wang Fengge , Xu Liwen , Tian Hongli , Wang Jidong , Song Wei , Zhao Jiuran
Published: July 2018

Ear shape substantially correlates to grain yield, so understanding their genetic architecture is of great significance in maize breeding. Ear length (EL), ear diameter (ED), length of barren tip (LBT) and cob diameter (CD) were determined for 240 doubled haploid maize lines, and all four traits showed a relatively high broad sense heritability around 77%. Using this DH population consisting of 240 lines and a genetic map constructed from 964 SNPs, a total of five, four and three QTLs were identified for EL, ED and CD, respectively, in three various growing conditions. Among these, qEL1‐1, qED1 and qCD1 were consistently mapped at an overlapping location on Chr1, which contributed 15.7, 28.3 and 22.6% of the phenotypic variation in EL, ED and CD, respectively. All other QTLs exhibited minor effect with the phenotypic variation explained ranging from 4.7% to 7.8%. Because most of the QTLs were detected in at least two different planting environments, they appear to be potential loci for gene isolation and marker development in maize molecular breeding.
A construal level approach to understanding interpersonal processes
Authors: Hess Yanine D. , Carnevale Jessica J. , Rosario Melissa
Published: July 2018

Construal level theory proposes that viewing events and objects from a distance (whether physical or psychological) leads individuals to construe them in more abstract, higher‐level ways. At high‐level construal, individuals focus on the overall gist or bigger picture, rather than on situationally‐dependent, concrete details. What patterns then emerge in how construal level relates to interpersonal processes? We find that an individual's construal level has implications for both (a) perceptions of others and (b) social influence. Specifically, our review suggests that high‐level (relative to low‐level) construal is related to greater holistic processing of the self and others by discussing literature linking construal level to person‐perception biases such as the fundamental attribution error and correspondence bias, as well as research on how construal level relates to stereotyping and prejudice. We further review a broad array of research examining social influence relating to self‐relevant feedback, the influence of aggregate versus anecdotal information, and the impact of abstract versus concrete language. We propose future avenues for CLT research relating to person‐perception biases, romantic relationships, stereotyping and prejudice, and the strategic use of construal level in the pursuit of specific interpersonal goals.
Can tropical grasses grown as cover crops improve soil phosphorus availability?
Authors: Almeida D. S. , Menezes‐Blackburn D. , Rocha K. F. , de Souza M. , Zhang H. , Haygarth P. M. , Rosolem C. A.
Published: July 2018

Tropical grasses grown as cover crops can mobilize phosphorus (P) in soil and have been suggested as a tool to increase soil P cycling and bioavailability. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of tropical grasses on soil P dynamics, lability, desorption kinetics and bioavailability to soya bean, specifically to test the hypothesis that introducing grass species in the cropping system may affect soil P availability and soya bean development according to soil P concentration. Three grass species, ruzi grass (Urochloa ruziziensis), palisade grass (Urochloa brizantha) and Guinea grass (Megathyrsus maximus), were grown in soils with contrasting P status. Soya bean was grown after grasses to assess soil P bioavailability. Hedley P fractionation, microbial biomass P, phytase‐labile P and the diffusive gradient in thin films were determined, before and after cultivation. It was found that grasses remobilized soil P, reducing the concentration of recalcitrant P forms. The effect of grasses on changing the P desorption kinetics parameters did not directly explain the observed variation on P bioavailability to soya bean. Grasses and microorganisms solubilize recalcitrant organic P (Po) forms and tropical grasses grown as cover crops increased P bioavailability to soya bean mainly due to the supply of P by decomposition of grass residues in low‐P soil. However, no clear advantages in soya bean P nutrition were observed when in rotation with these grasses in high‐P soil. This study indicates that further advantages in soya bean P nutrition after tropical grasses may be impeded by phytate, which is not readily available to plants.
Performance Audits Focused on the Principle of Effectiveness: An Overview of Public Audit Agencies
Authors: Mury Luiz G M
Published: July 2018

According to international standards, performance audit is an independent and objective process for reviewing the economy, efficiency and effectiveness of a government’s program, organization, and/or activity in order to evaluate public management’s performance. The relevance of the matter prompted the present study, which aims to inquire if, when conducting performance audits, Supreme Audit Institutions analyze a procedure’s effectiveness, that is to say, the impact that determined government spending had on the program’s target population. In order to do so, a questionnaire was applied to auditors of Public Audit Institutions from several countries. As a preliminary result, our research concluded that the majority of auditors conduct economy, efficiency and efficacy analyses, but rarely assess the effectiveness of government spending.