bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Left atrial size and strain in elite athletes: A cross‐sectional study at the NBA Draft Combine
Authors: Cheema Baljash , Kinno Menhel , Gu David , Ryan Juliet , Mitter Sumeet , Rigolin Vera , Thomas James , Puthumana Jyothy
Published: July 2020

Introduction

Atrial dilatation is common but of unclear physiologic significance in high‐performance athletes. Myocardial deformation analysis utilizing speckle‐tracking echocardiography has emerged as a promising tool to evaluate atrial function. In a cohort of elite basketball players attending the National Basketball Association (NBA) Draft Combine, we investigate changes in left atrial (LA) size as well as function as measured by strain.

Methods and Results

From 2013 to 2018, all male athletes who attended the NBA Draft Combine in Chicago, IL, received a cardiac evaluation including a comprehensive transthoracic echocardiogram. Using the P‐wave as the reference point, speckle‐tracking was utilized to measure LA booster, conduit, and reservoir strain over one cardiac cycle. Left atrial volume index (LAVI) of ≥34 mL/m2 was considered enlarged. 307 athletes received cardiac evaluation including a transthoracic echocardiogram, with 272 studies amenable for atrial strain analysis. Mean age was 21.0 years. Mean LAVI was 34.5 mL/m2 and LAVI was enlarged in 131 (48.2%) athletes. Comparing LA strain in those with enlarged vs normal sized atria, reservoir strain was significantly reduced (32.1% [SD 6.0%] vs 35.2% [SD 8.2%], P < .001), as was conduit strain (22.9% [SD 5.2%] vs 25.7% [SD 7.4%], P < .001), with no difference seen in booster strain (9.2% [SD 2.1%] vs 9.4% [SD 2.7%], P = .45).

Conclusion

In this group of elite basketball players, LA enlargement was common and associated with reduced LA reservoir and conduit strain, with no difference in LA booster strain.
Elevated plasma high‐sensitivity C‐reactive protein at admission predicts the occurrence of post‐stroke fatigue at 6 months after ischaemic stroke
Authors: Liu X. , Wang B. , Wang X. , Tian M. , Wang X. , Zhang Y.
Published: July 2020

Background and purpose

Post‐stroke fatigue (PSF) is a common neuropsychiatric affective symptom occurring after stroke. Evidence indicates activated inflammatory pathways are involved in modulating the stroke and fatigue. High‐sensitivity C‐reactive protein (hs‐CRP) is one of the most sensitive indicators of inflammation. Our aim was to estimate the association between plasma hs‐CRP and PSF after acute ischaemic stroke.

Methods

In all, 212 acute ischaemic stroke patients were consecutively recruited within the first 14 days after stroke onset and followed up for 6 months. Plasma hs‐CRP levels were assayed by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay. Fatigue severity was assessed using the Fatigue Scale for Motor and Cognitive Functions. A score ≥ 43 is defined as PSF.

Results

Sixty‐eight stroke patients (32.1%) were diagnosed with PSF at 6 months’ follow‐up. In the patients with PSF, plasma hs‐CRP levels were significantly higher compared with those in non‐PSF patients (t = −8.524, P ≤ 0.001). In multivariate analyses, plasma levels of hs‐CRP were independently associated with PSF at 6 months (odds ratio 3.435, 95% confidence interval 2.222–5.309; P ≤ 0.001) after adjusting other recorded variables. Based on the receiver operating characteristic curve, the optimal cut‐off value of plasma hs‐CRP levels as an indicator for the prediction of PSF was projected to be 0.52 mg/dl, which yielded a sensitivity of 77.9% and a specificity of 74.3%, with the area under the curve 0.794 (95% confidence interval 0.725–0.864; P ≤ 0.001).

Conclusion

Elevated plasma hs‐CRP levels at admission were associated with PSF 6 months after stroke, suggesting that these alterations might predict the development of PSF in stroke patients.
Validity and reliability of the Indonesian version of the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index in adolescents
Authors: Setyowati Anggi , Chung Min‐Huey
Published: July 2020

Aim

The study aims to examine the psychometric properties of the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index‐Indonesian version.

Background

The Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index has never been translated into Bahasa.

Design

This study employs a cross‐sectional and correlational study.

Methods

Data were collected from 528 adolescents of junior high school age (13–16 years) during August to September 2014. All participants agreed on the Indonesian version of Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index and Beck Depression Inventory‐II. Psychometric properties were examined including internal consistency, construct validity and known group validity, and the receiver operating characteristic curve was used to measure the cut‐off point.

Results

The Cronbach's alpha for the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index‐Indonesian version was adequate. There were positive correlations between the total score and seven component scores. Construct validity revealed that the total score of the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index‐Indonesian version was correlated with the total score of the Indonesian version of the Beck Depression Inventory‐II. Known group validity indicated that adolescents without depression risk had better sleep quality. According to receiver operating characteristic curve analysis, the cut‐off point at a score of 6.5 indicated the best possible relationship of sensitivity and specificity.

Conclusion

The Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index‐Indonesian version has high reliability and validity for screening sleep quality among adolescents.
Depressive symptoms, professional quality of life and turnover intention in Korean nurses
Authors: Pang Y. , Dan H. , Jung H. , Bae N. , Kim O.
Published: July 2020

Aim

The purpose of this study was to identify the effects of depressive symptoms and professional quality of life on turnover intention.

Background

The high turnover rate of nurses is a critical healthcare issue globally.

Introduction

Nurses often experience depressive symptoms and compassion fatigue due to the efforts of patient care. The impact of such psychological health issues on turnover intention needs to be confirmed.

Methods

Participants were 10 163 female nurses who completed an online or mobile survey using the Korea Nurses’ Health Study. To identify the influencing factors on the turnover intention of nurses, descriptive statistics, spearman’s correlation coefficients and multivariable ordinal logistic regression were performed.

Results

The turnover intention increased by about 2.81–4.60 times when depressive symptom was moderate or more, 1.14 times when secondary traumatic stress disorder was moderate or more, and 1.54 times when burnout was moderate or more. When compassion satisfaction was moderate or high, the turnover intention decreased by 0.72 and 0.52 times.

Discussion

Korean nurses demonstrated high levels of depressive symptoms, secondary traumatic stress and burnout, while demonstrating lower levels of compassion satisfaction. The results of this study demonstrate that depressive symptoms, secondary traumatic stress, burnout and compassion satisfaction affect turnover intention.

Conclusions

To reduce nurses’ turnover intention, it is necessary to reduce depressive symptoms and enhance the quality of professional life.

Implications for nursing and health policy

Hospital managers need to maintain adequate nurse‐to‐patient ratios and provide nurses with a supportive work environment. Also, health policymakers need to identify factors affecting hospital nurses’ turnover intention and provide strategies to address them. These conditions may reduce the excessive workload placed on nurses, thereby preventing depression and burnout and improving nurses’ quality of work–life.
The application of platelet‐rich plasma for skin graft enrichment: A meta‐analysis
Authors: Chen Jianguo , Wan Yingying , Lin Yan , Jiang Haiyue
Published: July 2020

Existing evidence demonstrated that the role of platelet‐rich plasma (PRP) in skin graft enrichment is uncertain. The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of PRP for skin graft. PubMed, EMBASE, Web of Science, and Cochrane Library databases were searched for randomised controlled trials that compared outcomes of skin graft treated with PRP versus those treated with blank controls. The outcomes mainly included the rate of skin graft take, number of skin graft loss and haematoma formation, and complications. There were 11 studies involving a total of 910 cases of skin grafts. Compared with the control group, PRP group had a significantly higher rate of skin graft take (mean difference = 5.47%; 95% confidence interval [CI], 2.80%‐8.14%; P < .0001), fewer number of skin graft loss (risk ratio [RR] = 0.26; 95% CI, 0.13‐0.55; P = .0004) and fewer cases of haematoma formation (RR = 0.24; 95% CI, 0.11‐0.54; P = .0006). There was no significant difference in the incidence of complications between two groups. This meta‐analysis summarises current evidence and indicates that PRP is a safe and effective adjuvant for skin graft enrichment.
Highly dense 0.3CaCeNbWO8‐0.7LaMnO3 composite ceramics fabricated by cold sintering process
Authors: Fu Zhilong , Liu Yafei , Zhang Bo , Chang Aimin
Published: July 2020

The cold sintering process (CSP) has been used for fabricating functional ceramics at a low sintering temperature. In this study, highly dense 0.3CaCeNbWO8‐0.7LaMnO3 composite ceramics have been successfully fabricated by CSP. The phase structure, microstructure, and electrical properties of composite ceramics have been investigated. The composite ceramic is mainly composed of a tetragonal CaCeNbWO8 phase with scheelite structure and an orthorhombic LaMnO3 phase with perovskite structure. The relative density of composite ceramic is 94.5%, and is higher than that of single phase ceramic. The resistivity of composite ceramic exhibits negative temperature coefficient characteristics, with an aging coefficient less than 2%. Such a sintering methodology is of great significance, since it provides a feasible idea for preparing composite ceramics.
Regression to the mean in home blood pressure: Analyses of the BP GUIDE study
Authors: Wang Nelson , Atkins Emily R. , Salam Abdul , Moore Myles N. , Sharman James E. , Rodgers Anthony
Published: July 2020

The aim of our study was to estimate the size of regression to the mean with home blood pressure (BP) monitoring and compare with that for office BP. Office and home BP measures were obtained from the BP GUIDE (value of central Blood Pressure for GUIDing managEment for hypertension) study, in which 286 patients had BP measured every 3 months for 12 months. Patients were categorized by 10 mm Hg strata of baseline BP, and regression to the mean measures was calculated for home and office BP. High baseline home BP readings tended to be lower on long‐term follow‐up, and low baseline readings tended to be higher. For example, patients in the group with mean baseline home systolic BP ≥ 150 mm Hg had a mean baseline systolic BP of 156 mm Hg, which fell to 143 mm Hg at 12 months; and patients in the group with mean baseline home systolic BP < 120 mm Hg had a mean baseline systolic BP of 113 mm Hg which rose to 120 mm Hg at 12 months. Similar patterns were seen in intervention and control groups, and for diastolic BP. The regression dilution ratio for home systolic BP and diastolic BP was 0.52 and 0.64, respectively, compared to 0.40 and 0.55 for office systolic BP and diastolic BP, respectively. Home BP is subject to regression to the mean to a similar degree as office BP. These findings have implications for the diagnosis and management of hypertension using home BP.
Retracted: Ectopic expression of ROR1 prevents cochlear hair cell loss in guinea pigs with noise‐induced hearing loss
Authors: Zhang Jun , Zhang Wei , Zhang Qinliang
Published: July 2020

Noise‐induced hearing loss (NIHL) is one of the most frequent disabilities in industrialized countries. Evidence shows that hair cell loss in the auditory end organ is responsible for the majority of various ear pathological conditions. The functional roles of the receptor tyrosine kinase ROR1 have been underscored in various tumours. In this study, we evaluated the ability of ROR1 to influence cochlear hair cell loss of guinea pigs with NIHL. The NIHL model was developed in guinea pigs, with subsequent measurement of the auditory brainstem response (ABR). Gain‐of‐function experiments were employed to explore the role of ROR1 in NIHL. The interaction between ROR1 and Wnt5a and their functions in the cochlear hair cell loss were further analysed in response to alteration of ROR1 and Wnt5a. Guinea pigs with NIHL demonstrated elevated ABR threshold and down‐regulated ROR1, Wnt5a and NF‐κB p65. The up‐regulation of ROR1 was shown to decrease the cochlear hair cell loss and the expression of pro‐apoptotic gene (Bax, p53) in guinea pig cochlea, but promoted the expression of anti‐apoptotic gene (Bcl‐2) and the fluorescence intensity of cleaved‐caspase‐3. ROR1 interacted with Wnt5a to activate the NF‐κB signalling pathway through inducing phosphorylation and translocation of p65. Furthermore, Wnt5a overexpression decreased the cochlear hair cell loss. Collectively, this study suggested the protection of overexpression of ROR1 against cochlear hair cell loss in guinea pigs with NIHL via the Wnt5a‐dependent NF‐κB signalling pathway.
Fecal microbial DNA markers serve for screening colorectal neoplasm in asymptomatic subjects
Authors: Liang Jessie Qiaoyi , Wong Sunny H , Szeto Chun Ho , Chu Eagle SH , Lau Harry C , Chen Yingxuan , Fang Jingyuan , Yu Jun , Sung Joseph JY
Published: July 2020

Background and Aim

We have previously shown that fecal microbial markers might be useful for non‐invasive diagnosis of colorectal cancer (CRC) and adenoma. Here, we assessed the application of microbial DNA markers, as compared with and in combination with fecal immunochemical test (FIT), in detecting CRC and adenoma in symptomatic patients and asymptomatic subjects.

Methods

We recruited 676 subjects [210 CRC, 115 advanced adenoma (AA), 86 non‐advanced adenoma, and 265 non‐neoplastic controls], including 241 symptomatic and 435 asymptomatic subjects. Fecal abundances of Fusobacterium nucleatum, a Lachnoclostridium sp. m3, Bacteroides clarus, and Clostridium hathewayi were quantified by quantitative PCR. Combining score of the four microbial markers (4Bac) and diagnostic prediction were determined using our previously established scoring model and cutoff values and FIT with a cutoff of 100 ng Hb/mL.

Results

4Bac detected similar percentages of CRC [85.3% (95%CI: 79.2–90.2%) vs 84.9% (68.1–94.9%)] and AA [35.7% (12.8–64.9%) vs 38.6% (29.1–48.8%)], while FIT detected more CRC [72.1% (63.7–79.4%) vs 66.7% (48.2–82.0%)] and AA [28.6% (8.4–58.1%) vs 16.8% (10.1–25.6%)], in symptomatic vs asymptomatic subjects, respectively. Focusing on the asymptomatic cohort, 4Bac was more sensitive for diagnosing CRC and AA than FIT (P < 0.001), with lower specificity [83.3% (77.6–88.0%) vs 98.6% (96.0–99.7%)]. FIT failed to detect any non‐advanced adenoma [0% (0.0–4.2%)] compared with 4Bac [41.9% (31.3–53.0%), P < 0.0001]. Combining 4Bac with FIT improved sensitivities for CRC [90.9% (75.7–98.1%)] and AA [48.5% (38.4–58.7%)] detection.

Conclusion

Quantitation of fecal microbial DNA markers may serve as a new test, stand alone, or in combination with FIT for screening colorectal neoplasm in asymptomatic subjects.
Role of Sarcopenia Definition and Diagnosis in Clinical Care: Moving from Risk Assessment to Mechanism‐Guided Interventions
Authors: Cesari Matteo , Kuchel George A.
Published: July 2020

This editorial comments on the articles by Bhasin et al, Manini et al, Cawthon et al, Patel et al, and Grosicki et al. in this issue.
Safety in immediate reconstitution of poly‐l‐lactic acid for facial biostimulation treatment
Authors: Bravo Bruna Souza Felix , Carvalho Raquel de Melo
Published: July 2020

Poly‐L‐lactic acid is presented as freeze‐dried preparation of 150 mg per vial and, according to consensus, the recommendation on your preparation is hydrate in sterile water for injection (SWFI) or bacteriostatic water at room temperature for ≥24 hours. (J Drugs Dermatol; 2014;13:s44) However, in these long periods of hydration, it is time‐consuming and costly for the physicians. To demonstrate the safeness of immediate reconstitution of facial biostimulation treatment with PLLA. A clinical prospective study with 26 Latin American female patients, aged between 27 and 80 years, complaining of facial laxity of treated with immediate PLLA reconstitution. One PLLA vial was injected per session in 12 mL total dilution. All patients had their pictures taken before and after the treatment in Photo Analysis Program Vectra 3D (Canfield®). A follow‐up 90 days was performed. The total of 58 facial applications of PLLA was reported in female patients with a mean age 52.62 (±13.46) years. Pain was reported in 17 injections (29.31%) and ecchymosis in 6 (10.34%). Also, 2 patients (3.44%) developed a nodule. None of the patients presented significant bruising, edema, or papules formation. Despite the literature declare that a longer hydration times (up to 48 hours) have been shown to reduce the risk of nodule formation (Aesthet Surg J; 2011;31:95), our study demonstrated the safeness of injection with immediate reconstitution and a very low adverse events rate. Immediate PLLA reconstitution is a great asset for physicians, injections in account of being less laborious, less time‐consuming, and reducing product loss for the injector.
The influence of tongue mobility on children's performance in computer games that depend on lingual movements
Authors: Amaral Mariana S. , Furlan Renata M. M. M. , de Las Casas Estevam B. , Motta Andréa R.
Published: July 2020

Background

Alteration in tongue mobility requires rehabilitation work through oral motor exercises. These exercises can be integrated with computer games to increase the patient’s motivation during treatment.

Objective

To investigate the influence of tongue mobility on children’s motor performance in a computer game reliant on lingual movements.

Methods

A cross‐sectional descriptive observational study was carried out with 16 children with altered tongue mobility and 16 children with normal tongue mobility. The subjects were between 8 and 12 years of age. They underwent a clinical evaluation of the tongue and performed an activity using an intra‐oral joystick controlled by the tongue to play a simple computer game. The game consisted of targets appearing on the screen that the participants had to reach by moving the joystick control rod. Afterward, the participants answered a feedback questionnaire. Motor performance in the game, measured by the number of reached targets and by the time to reach the targets, was compared between groups and across directions of tongue movement and order of appearance of the targets.

Results

The group with altered tongue mobility presented a higher time to reach the target in the downward direction and in the first and last 12 targets and a lower number of targets reached in the left direction, upward direction, and in the first 12 targets than the control group. The direction of the movement influenced tongue performance in both groups.

Conclusion

Children with altered tongue mobility exhibited a worse performance than those with normal tongue mobility.
Motor control strategies during unpredictable force control tasks in humans
Authors: Almotairy Nabeel , Kumar Abhishek , Grigoriadis Anastasios
Published: July 2020

Background

There are fundamental similarities and differences between the jaw and hand motor systems. However, it is unclear how the two systems respond to unpredictable task demands.

Objective

To investigate and compare the force control of the jaw motor system (OMS) and the hand motor system (HMS) during unpredictable load changes.

Methods

Seventeen healthy adults (24.0 ± 4.3 years) performed two standardised force control tasks (OMS and HMS). During the OMS, the participants asked to bite and pull a force transducer with the front teeth. While during HMS they pinched and pulled the same force transducer with their index and thumb fingers. Series of loads were added to a string attached to the transducer in an unpredictable (sequential and non‐sequential) manner. The entire force profile during the task was divided into “initial” and “latter” segments. The force control was analysed and compared between the OMS and HMS in terms of peak force during the initial segment and holding force and force variability during the latter segment.

Results

The peak force, holding force and force variability were higher for the OMS than the HMS (P < .001). However, there were no differences in the peak force, holding force or force variability between the sequential and non‐sequential load changes (P > .05).

Conclusions

The results showed that unpredictable load changes did not affect the force control during the motor control task. This study suggests that both the motor systems are optimised in performing simple motor control tasks and are rather resilient to motor unpredictability.
What do divided cities have in common? An international comparison of income segregation
Authors: Veneri Paolo , Comandon Andre , Garcia‐López Miquel‐Àngel , Daams Michiel N.
Published: July 2020

This paper provides a comparative assessment of income segregation in cities of 12 countries. We use spatial entropy indexes based on small‐scale gridded income data and consistent definition of city boundaries to ensure international comparability of our segregation measures. Results show considerable variation in the levels of income segregation across cities, even within countries, reflecting the diversity within urban systems. Larger, more affluent, productive, and more unequal cities tend to be more segregated. Urban form, demographic, and economic factors explain additional variation in segregation levels through the influence of high‐income households, who tend to be the most segregated. The positive association between productivity and segregation is mitigated in polycentric cities.
Knowledge and attitudes of pediatric clinicians regarding pediatric pain management
Authors: Peng Niang‐Huei , Lao Amy Hsuan‐Chih , Chen Chao‐Huei , Lee Min‐Chun , Chiang Li‐Wen , Chang Yue‐Cune , Liu Hsiu‐Feng
Published: July 2020

Background

The professional knowledge and personal attitudes of pediatric clinicians regarding pediatric pain are the most important factors impacting pediatric pain relief care. Few studies have investigated the knowledge and attitudes regarding pediatric pain management of clinicians in Taiwan.

Purpose

Research purposes were to evaluate the knowledge and attitudes of pediatric clinicians regarding pain management and to describe the barriers of applying pain management across pediatric and neonatal settings.

Design and Methods

A cross‐sectional descriptive comparative design was used. Pediatric clinicians from two medical centers and three general hospitals in Taiwan were recruited to complete a questionnaire.

Results

A total of 264 clinicians participated. On 33 questions measuring knowledge of pain management, the average correct response rate was 23.67. A significantly positive relationship was identified between clinicians' knowledge and prior training experience. Professional degree attainment significantly impacted clinicians' attitudes about pediatric pain management. Clinicians at pediatric wards showed more positive attitudes than did clinicians at either pediatric intensive care units or neonatal intensive care units. Five barriers to pediatric pain management were found.

Conclusion

The findings of this study suggest that pediatric clinicians in Taiwan need further education regarding pediatric pain management. This study will also helpful in implementing multidisciplinary pediatric pain management programs to improve the quality of pediatric practice in pediatric care settings of hospitals.
Training of hepatology providers improves the screening and resultant interventions for alcohol use disorder
Authors: Saraireh Hamzeh , Redman Joseph , Abdelfattah Thaer , Mangray Sasha , Wade James B. , Gilles HoChong S. , Fuchs Michael , Morris April , Malpaya Zenaida , Puri Puneet , Davis Brian C. , Patel Samarth S. , Bajaj Jasmohan S.
Published: July 2020

Alcohol use disorder (AUD) screening is important but focused training with using AUDIT‐10 with counselling/mental health (MH) referral may be needed. We aimed to compare the effect of training on AUD screening/intervention in hepatology clinics in pre vs post‐training phases of a quality‐improvement initiative. Pre‐training encounters were evaluated for inquiry into AUD, AUDIT‐10 and MH referrals. Dedicated AUD‐related training was provided to hepatology providers and analyses repeated post‐training. Pre‐training (n = 378) and post‐training patients(n = 318) had similar demographics and disease characteristics. Post‐training there was higher inquiry about alcohol(92% vs 80%, P < .0001), counselling (82% vs 68%, P < .0001). This led to higher diagnosis of drinkers (49% vs 31%, P < .0001) of whom higher proportion had AUDIT‐10 administered(91% vs 34%, P < .0001) and referred to MH(29% vs 8%, P < .0001). On regression presumed alcohol‐related aetiology, younger age and post‐training period were associated with AUDIT‐10 administration. AUD‐focused training significantly improves rates of screening and MH referral for problem drinking in a hepatology clinic population.
Molecular adaptation and convergent evolution of frugivory in Old World and neotropical fruit bats
Authors: Wang Kai , Tian Shilin , Galindo‐González Jorge , Dávalos Liliana M. , Zhang Yuzhi , Zhao Huabin
Published: July 2020

Although cases of independent adaptation to the same dietary niche have been documented in mammalian ecology, the molecular correlates of such shifts are seldom known. Here, we used genomewide analyses of molecular evolution to examine two lineages of bats that, from an insectivorous ancestor, have both independently evolved obligate frugivory: the Old World family Pteropodidae and the neotropical subfamily Stenodermatinae. New genome assemblies from two neotropical fruit bats (Artibeus jamaicensisandSturnira hondurensis) provide a framework for comparisons with Old World fruit bats. Comparative genomics of 10 bat species encompassing dietary diversity across the phylogeny revealed convergent molecular signatures of frugivory in both multigene family evolution and single‐copy genes. Evidence for convergent molecular adaptations associated with frugivorous diets includes the composition of three subfamilies of olfactory receptor genes, losses of three bitter taste receptor genes, losses of two digestive enzyme genes and convergent amino acid substitutions in several metabolic genes. By identifying suites of adaptations associated with the convergent evolution of frugivory, our analyses both reveal the extent of molecular mechanisms under selection in dietary shifts and will facilitate future studies of molecular ecology in mammals.
N‐glycosylation in Archaea—New roles for an ancient posttranslational modification
Authors: Eichler Jerry
Published: July 2020

Genome analysis points to N‐glycosylation as being an almost universal posttranslational modification in Archaea. Although such predictions have been confirmed in only a limited number of species, such studies are making it increasingly clear that the N‐linked glycans which decorate archaeal glycoproteins present diversity in terms of both glycan composition and architecture far beyond what is seen in the other two domains of life. In addition to continuing to decipher pathways of N‐glycosylation, recent efforts have revealed how Archaea exploit this variability in novel roles. As well as encouraging glycoprotein synthesis, folding and assembly into properly functioning higher ordered complexes, N‐glycosylation also provides Archaea with a strategy to cope with changing environments. Archaea can, moreover, exploit the apparent species‐specific nature of N‐glycosylation for selectivity in mating, and hence, to maintain species boundaries, and in other events where cell‐selective interactions are required. At the same time, addressing components of N‐glycosylation pathways across archaeal phylogeny offers support for the concept of an archaeal origin for eukaryotes. In this MicroReview, these and other recent discoveries related to N‐glycosylation in Archaea are considered.
Pressure unit inconsistency in the Medical Measurement Systems ASCII‐file
Authors: Omari Taher
Published: July 2020

Background

To apply novel analysis methods for processing high‐resolution pressure‐impedance motility parameters, raw data acquired by commercial motility systems are exported and analyzed externally using purposed‐designed software.

Methods

Data acquired by the Medical Measurement Systems (MMS) motility equipment are exported from MMS in different file formats.

Key Results

MMS studies that are exported to ASCII‐file format will be in cmH2O units even though acquired and displayed by the MMS system in mmHg units (1 mmHg would be exported as 1.36 cmH2O).

Conclusions & Inferences

Due to this issue, investigators may unknowingly generate pressure data in incorrect units, data exported from MMS in ASCII‐file format need to be divided by a factor 1.36 to convert cmH2O to mmHg.
The Impact of the 2008 Crisis on UK Prices: What We Can Learn from the CPI Microdata1
Authors: Dixon Huw , Luintel Kul , Tian Kun
Published: July 2020

This paper takes the locally collected price quotes used to construct the CPI index in the UK for the period 1996–2013 and explores the impact of the Great Recession (2008‐9) on the pricing behaviour of firms. We develop a time series framework which captures the link between macroeconomic variables and the behaviour of prices in terms of the frequency of price change, the dispersion of price levels and the size, dispersion and kurtosis of price‐growth. We find strong evidence for inflation having an effect, but not output. The change in the behaviour of prices during the Great Recession is largely explained by the changes in inflation and VAT. Nevertheless, the magnitude of the inflation effect is sufficiently small that it need not influence monetary policy.
Fifty years of European ungulate dietary studies: a synthesis
Authors: Spitzer Robert , Felton Annika , Landman Marietjie , Singh Navinder J. , Widemo Fredrik , Cromsigt Joris P. G. M.
Published: July 2020

Over recent decades, ungulate populations across Europe have undergone a rapid recovery. While this constitutes a conservation success, there is increasing concern about their impacts on shared resources with humans. Understanding ungulate food choices is crucial for predicting such impacts. Numerous studies have focused on single species or communities at narrow spatial scales. Here, we used 265 published diets from 87 European studies to investigate patterns of resource use by four common deer species (moose Alces alces, red deer Cervus elaphus, roe deer Capreolus capreolus and fallow deer Dama dama), and wild boar Sus scrofa at the continental scale. On average, deer diets separated mostly along a gradient from grass to browse. Fallow deer diets contained the most and moose diets the least amount of grass, but we also found large intraspecific variation among all deer species. Diets of roe deer, a presumed browser, frequently contained ≥ 25% grass. Wild boar diet contained grass in amounts similar to red deer but otherwise differed strongly from deer diets. All five ungulate species shifted to eating higher proportions of woody browse during winter. Habitat influenced variation in intraspecific diets, but the proportions of key forage types related to feeding type (i.e. grass for intermediate feeders red and fallow deer, and shrubs for the browsers moose and roe deer) remained fairly consisted across habitat types. In northern and central Europe, diet similarity between roe deer and red deer was highest during winter and spring and lowest during summer and autumn but remained constant across the seasons in southern Europe. We foresee that, as interspecific interactions driven by land‐use and climatic changes increase across Europe, further monitoring and testing will be needed to understand the dynamics of dietary niche partitioning among ungulates.
Multiculturalism and vulnerability in the 21st century: Reviewing recent debates and a way forward
Authors: Armstrong Frédérick
Published: July 2020

The death of multiculturalism has been pronounced many times. In spite of this, this political program has proven resilient and the fact of cultural diversity remains inescapable in most liberal democracies. Still, with the rise of the far right, the migrant crises in the United States and Europe and with social movements pushing the boundaries of multicultural theory, it is high time to review multiculturalism, a movement of the late 20th century, and see where it is headed in the 21st century. This article has two objectives. First, after reviewing three debates—anti‐essentialists versus multiculturalism, interculturalism versus multiculturalism and multiculturalism versus the welfare state—I argue that the normative core of multiculturalism is still viable. Second, I argue that multiculturalism remains unable to contribute to some of the most pressing issues of the 21st century and point to a novel approach to the justification of multicultural policies. This justification relies on the concept of vulnerability, a concept that plays an important but undertheorized role in current multicultural theories.
Universal public mask wear during COVID‐19 pandemic: Rationale, design and acceptability
Authors: Liu Christopher , Diab Rawya , Naveed Hasan , Leung Victor
Published: July 2020

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Spatial inequalities in skilled attendance at birth in Ghana: a multilevel analysis integrating health facility databases with household survey data
Authors: Dotse‐Gborgbortsi Winfred , Tatem Andrew J. , Alegana Victor , Utazi C. Edson , Ruktanonchai Corrine Warren , Wright Jim
Published: July 2020

Objective

This study aimed at using survey data to predict skilled attendance at birth (SBA) across Ghana from healthcare quality and health facility accessibility.

Methods

Through a cross‐sectional, observational study, we used a random intercept mixed effects multilevel logistic modelling approach to estimate the odds of having SBA and then applied model estimates to spatial layers to assess the probability of SBA at high‐spatial resolution across Ghana. We combined data from the Demographic and Health Survey (DHS), routine birth registers, a service provision assessment of emergency obstetric care services, gridded population estimates and modelled travel time to health facilities.

Results

Within an hour's travel, 97.1% of women sampled in the DHS could access any health facility, 96.6% could reach a facility providing birthing services, and 86.2% could reach a secondary hospital. After controlling for characteristics of individual women, living in an urban area and close proximity to a health facility with high‐quality services were significant positive determinants of SBA uptake. The estimated variance suggests significant effects of cluster and region on SBA as 7.1% of the residual variation in the propensity to use SBA is attributed to unobserved regional characteristics and 16.5% between clusters within regions.

Conclusion

Given the expansion of primary care facilities in Ghana, this study suggests that higher quality healthcare services, as opposed to closer proximity of facilities to women, is needed to widen SBA uptake and improve maternal health.
RAGE interacts with the necroptotic protein RIPK3 and mediates transfusion‐induced danger signal release
Authors: Faust Hilary , Lam LK Metthew , Hotz Meghan J. , Qing Danielle , Mangalmurti Nilam S.
Published: July 2020

RBC transfusion is associated with increased morbidity and mortality in critically ill patients. Endothelial cell necroptosis and subsequent damage‐associated molecular pattern (DAMP) release has been identified as a mechanism of injury following RBC transfusion. Mounting evidence implicates the pro‐inflammatory pattern recognition receptor, Receptor for Advanced Glycation End Products (RAGE), in initiating cell death programmes such as necroptosis. Here, we demonstrate the role of RAGE in endothelial necroptosis, as deletion of RAGE attenuates necroptotic cell death in response to TNFα, LPS or CpG‐DNA. We show direct interaction of RAGE with the critical mediator of necroptosis, Receptor Interacting Protein Kinase 3 (RIPK3), during necroptosis. Furthermore, we observe decreased plasma High Mobility Group Box 1 (HMGB1) and RIPK3 levels in RAGE deficient mice compared to WT mice post‐transfusion, substantiating the role for RAGE in transfusion‐induced DAMP release in vivo. Collectively, these findings underscore RAGE as an essential mediator of regulated necrosis and post‐transfusion DAMP release. Further studies to understand the role of RAGE and the necroptotic pathway in transfusion‐induced organ injury may offer key targets to mitigate transfusion‐related risks, including the risk of ARDS, in susceptible hosts.
How hospital-based health care providers perceive clinical librarian services: a qualitative review protocol
Authors: Lieggi Michelle , Olson Laura , Kleiman Ari , Jang Hannah
Published: July 2020

Objective:

The objective of the review is to evaluate how health care providers working in hospitals perceive clinical librarian services.

Introduction:

Clinical librarianship programs existed as early as 1971; however, there is a lack of evidence on their effectiveness in impacting health care outcomes. Studies report primarily on programs supporting medicine, although these programs also support other health care providers. In order to affect outcomes, particularly those focused on patient-centered, evidence-based care, clinical librarians need insight into how hospital health care providers perceive clinical librarian services.

Inclusion criteria:

The review will consider studies that include any health care provider who works within a hospital, including surgical, clinical, and inpatient units. Studies that focus on qualitative data about clinical librarian services, published from 1971 onward, will be eligible for inclusion.

Methods:

The primary databases to be searched are PubMed, CINAHL, Embase, PsycINFO, Library Literature & Information Science, LISTA (Library, Information Science & Technology Abstracts), and Web of Science. Studies will be selected based on their assessment against the inclusion criteria by two independent reviewers. Eligible studies will be critically appraised for methodological quality. Data will be extracted using a standardized tool, and findings pooled and synthesized using a meta-aggregation approach.
The Studies on Multiaxial Creep Behavior of Inconel 718 Notched Bar at 700 °C
Authors: Bao Shiyi , Xiao Zhongyang , Li Xiangyang , Zhong Fengping , Mao Jianfeng
Published: July 2020

This paper studies the multi-axial creep behavior of Inconel 718 alloy at 700 °C. The stress triaxiality was introduced into the sample by adding U-shaped notches of various sizes and shapes. Furthermore, the multi-axial creep test of notched round bar was completed, and the sample slice after the creep test was subjected to scanning electron microscopy (SEM) microscopic examination. The influence of notch radius on its creep behavior and damage evolution was studied through experimental and numerical investigation. The finite element method (FEM) implemented by Gurson–Tvergaard–Needleman (GTN) model is used to simulate the evolution of damage in multi-axial stress state. With the comparison between experimental and numerical data, the multi-axial creep behaviors are clearly revealed in terms of stress triaxiality, creep strain (stress), void volume fraction (VVF), and so on. It was found that the great agreement is achieved between FEM and test data, and multi-axial creep behavior is well predicted.
The Intersection of Advancing Technology and Human Performance
Authors: Corrado Jonathan K.
Published: July 2020

Today's sensory and processing technologies are perceptive and precise. They can discern the environment, solve complicated problems, make assessments, and learn from experience. Although they do not think the way humans do, they can replicate many human intellectual aptitudes. Throughout the last several decades, companies have implemented advanced technology and increasingly removed the human from many aspects of nuclear operation. There are many advantages to this transition, but, like any system modification, failures inevitably manifest. In the instance of this article, human errors have resulted and have accounted for several accidents at nuclear facilities in the United States due to this transition. The accidents at these facilities due to human error often result in plant shutdowns, unnecessary expenses, and have the capacity to be problematic for people, the facilities, and environments. This article explores the context surrounding the complexity of changing technologies at the nuclear facilities and the potential exacerbation of problems caused by human error when technology advancements concerning operator interaction with control systems are implemented. To understand the complexity surrounding the human interaction with advancing technologies, the concepts of human performance and human factors are examined and then the impact of these concepts within the framework of advancing technology are applied to the operation of nuclear facilities. This review draws attention to the vulnerabilities due to human error at nuclear facilities within the context of continually advancing technology and sheds insight on the role human performance and human factors have on system design and the resulting outcome.
Assessing Patient-Specific Mechanical Properties of Aortic Wall and Peri-Aortic Structures From In Vivo DENSE Magnetic Resonance Imaging Using an Inverse Finite Element Method and Elastic Foundation Boundary Conditions
Authors: Bracamonte Johane H. , Wilson John S. , Soares Joao S.
Published: July 2020

The establishment of in vivo, noninvasive patient-specific, and regionally resolved techniques to quantify aortic properties is key to improving clinical risk assessment and scientific understanding of vascular growth and remodeling. A promising and novel technique to reach this goal is an inverse finite element method (FEM) approach that utilizes magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)-derived displacement fields from displacement encoding with stimulated echoes (DENSE). Previous studies using DENSE MRI suggested that the infrarenal abdominal aorta (IAA) deforms heterogeneously during the cardiac cycle. We hypothesize that this heterogeneity is driven in healthy aortas by regional adventitial tethering and interaction with perivascular tissues, which can be modeled with elastic foundation boundary conditions (EFBCs) using a collection of radially oriented springs with varying stiffness with circumferential distribution. Nine healthy IAAs were modeled using previously acquired patient-specific imaging and displacement fields from steady-state free procession (SSFP) and DENSE MRI, followed by assessment of aortic wall properties and heterogeneous EFBC parameters using inverse FEM. In contrast to traction-free boundary condition, prescription of EFBC reduced the nodal displacement error by 60% and reproduced the DENSE-derived heterogeneous strain distribution. Estimated aortic wall properties were in reasonable agreement with previously reported experimental biaxial testing data. The distribution of normalized EFBC stiffness was consistent among all patients and spatially correlated to standard peri-aortic anatomical features, suggesting that EFBC could be generalized for human adults with normal anatomy. This approach is computationally inexpensive, making it ideal for clinical research and future incorporation into cardiovascular fluid–structure analyses.
Unilateral crosstalk cancellation in normal hearing participants using bilateral bone transducers
Authors: Mcleod Robert W. J. , Culling John F.
Published: July 2020

It is possible to psychophysically measure the phase and level of bone conducted sound at the cochleae using two bone transducers (BTs) [Mcleod and Culling (2019). J. Acoust Soc. Am. 146, 3295 − 3301]. The present work uses such measurements to improve masked thresholds by using the phase and level values to create a unilateral crosstalk cancellation system. To avoid changes in the coupling of the BT to the head, testing of tone and speech reception thresholds with and without crosstalk cancellation had to be performed immediately following the measurements without adjustment of the BT. To achieve this, a faster measurement method was created. Previously measured phase and level results were interpolated to predict likely results for new test frequencies. Testing time to collect the necessary phase and level values was reduced to approximately 15 min by exploiting listeners' previous measurements. The inter-cochlear phase difference and inter-cochlear level difference were consistent between experimental sittings in the same participant but different between participants. Addition of a crosstalk cancellation signal improved tone and speech reception thresholds for tones/speech presented with one BT and noise presented on the other by an average of 12.1 dB for tones and 13.67 dB for speech.
Aurora A regulation by reversible cysteine oxidation reveals evolutionarily conserved redox control of Ser/Thr protein kinase activity
Authors: Byrne Dominic P. , Shrestha Safal , Galler Martin , Cao Min , Daly Leonard A. , Campbell Amy E. , Eyers Claire E. , Veal Elizabeth A. , Kannan Natarajan , Eyers Patrick A.
Published: July 2020

The catalytic activity of multiple Ser/Thr kinases is regulated through a conserved Cys-based redox mechanism.
Fat cells help wounds heal
Authors: VanHook Annalisa M.
Published: July 2020

Dermal adipocytes promote wound healing by recruiting macrophages and transdifferentiating into myofibroblasts.
Fast and Facile Biodegradation of Polystyrene by the Gut Microbial Flora of
Plesiophthalmus davidis
Larvae
Authors: Woo Seongwook , Song Intek , Cha Hyung Joon
Published: July 2020

PS is widely produced in the modern world, but it is robust against biodegradation. A few studies reported the biodegradation of PS, but most of them merely observed its weight loss; fewer were able to find its chemical modifications, which are rather direct evidence of biodegradation, by using limited organisms. Therefore, it is required to find an effective way to decompose PS using various kinds of organisms. Herein, we discovered a new PS-degrading insect species and bacterial strain, and we found that the genus that includes the PS-degrading bacterial strain occurs in significant amounts in the larval gut flora, and the proportion of this genus increased as the larvae were fed Styrofoam. Our research offers a wider selection of PS-degrading insects and the possibility of using a certain mixture of bacteria that resemble the gut flora of a PS-degrading insect to biodegrade PS, and thus could contribute to solving the global plastic crisis.
Daily Vaginal Microbiota Fluctuations Associated with Natural Hormonal Cycle, Contraceptives, Diet, and Exercise
Authors: Song Stephanie D. , Acharya Kalpana D. , Zhu Jade E. , Deveney Christen M. , Walther-Antonio Marina R. S. , Tetel Marc J. , Chia Nicholas
Published: July 2020

The vaginal microbiome is a critical component of women’s sexual and reproductive health, with variations in microbial composition, particularly the loss of
Lactobacillus
species, being implicated in gynecologic and obstetric diseases. Given that the vaginal microbiome is so crucial, why do vaginal microbial profiles vary strikingly from person to person and even change over time within the same person? In the present study, which tracked the daily vaginal microbiomes of young healthy women through different lifestyles, we found that use of a locally released progestin contraceptive, a vegetarian diet, and intense exercise appear to lead to vaginal microbiome alterations and loss of
Lactobacillus
species. The impact of these vaginal microbiome changes on immediate and long-term health remain to be investigated.