bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Associations between Health Behaviors and Factors on Markers of Healthy Psychological and Physiological Functioning: a Daily Diary Study
Authors: Strahler Jana , Nater Urs M , Skoluda Nadine
Published: May 2019

Background

Cross-sectional and experimental knowledge highlight the contribution of various health-promoting behaviors, such as physical activity, regular sleep, and healthy nutrition to mental and physical health. Beyond these well-studied lifestyle behaviors, music listening and perceived respect in social interactions are just recently proposed everyday life experiences, which may act as health-promoting factors.

Purpose

This study tested the simultaneous contribution of several health-promoting behaviors and factors and examined listening to music and positive social interaction by means of perceived respect as new potentially preventive and health-promoting behaviors and factors using an ambulatory assessment design.

Methods

Seventy-seven young healthy adults (38 women, 23.9 ± 4.5 years) completed surveys on their psychological state (i.e., mood, stress, and fatigue) five times a day for four consecutive days. A saliva sample was collected with each data entry to explore the physiological stress markers salivary cortisol, alpha-amylase, and flow rate as further outcome variables. As predictors, perceived respect, self-reported physical activity, the sleep’s restfulness, daily coffee, alcohol, vegetable/fruit consumption, and music listening behavior were recorded.

Results

Overall, restful sleep, mean daily perceived respect, and listening to music were most clearly associated with more positive psychological states, that is, better mood and lower fatigue and perceived stress. Associations with daily alcohol, coffee, and vegetable/fruit consumption appeared rather minor. While perceived respect scores were associated with lower daily cortisol output, coffee consumption was positively related to daily cortisol and alpha-amylase. Self-reported physical activity was unrelated to either outcome measure.

Conclusions

These findings provide important insights regarding potential resources of health (i.e., music and respect), their covariation, and which psycho-physiological mechanisms may underlie the links between health factors and well-being. Findings also have implications for the development of interventions aiming to increase resilience and foster health. Here, strategies for improving sleep quality, the use of music, and approaches that emphasize mutual respect and appreciation appear useful additions.
A Multidimensional Approach to Assessing Infectious Disease Risk: Identifying Risk Classes Based on Psychological Characteristics
Authors: van Wees Daphne A , Heijne Janneke C M , Heijman Titia , Kampman Karlijn C J G , Westra Karin , de Vries Anne , de Wit John , Kretzschmar Mirjam E E , den Daas Chantal
Published: May 2019

Prevention of infectious diseases depends on health-related behavior, which is often influenced by psychological characteristics. However, few studies assessing health-related behavior have examined psychological characteristics to identify risk groups, and this multidimensional approach might improve disease risk assessment. We aimed to characterize subgroups based on psychological characteristics and examine their influence on behavior and disease risk, using chlamydia as a case study. Selected participants (heterosexuals aged 18–24 years and females aged 18–24 years who had sex with both men and women) in a Dutch longitudinal cohort study (the Mathematical Models Incorporating Psychological Determinants: Control of Chlamydia Transmission (iMPaCT) Study) filled out a questionnaire and were tested for chlamydia (2016–2017). Latent class analysis was performed to identify risk classes using psychological predictors of chlamydia diagnosis. Two classes were identified: class 1 (n = 488; 9% chlamydia diagnosis) and class 2 (n = 325; 13% chlamydia diagnosis). The proportion of participants with high shame, high impulsiveness, and lower perceived importance of health was higher in class 2 than in class 1. Furthermore, persons in class 2 were more likely to be male and to report condomless sex compared with class 1, but the number of recent partners was comparable. Thus, risk classes might be distinguished from each other by psychological characteristics beyond sexual behavior. Therefore, the impact of the same intervention could differ, and tailoring interventions based on psychological characteristics might be necessary to reduce chlamydia prevalence most effectively.
Smart computational exploration of stochastic gene regulatory network models using human-in-the-loop semi-supervised learning
Authors: Wrede Fredrik , Hellander Andreas
Published: May 2019

Motivation

Discrete stochastic models of gene regulatory network models are indispensable tools for biological inquiry since they allow the modeler to predict how molecular interactions give rise to nonlinear system output. Model exploration with the objective of generating qualitative hypotheses about the workings of a pathway is usually the first step in the modeling process. It involves simulating the gene network model under a very large range of conditions, due to the large uncertainty in interactions and kinetic parameters. This makes model exploration highly computational demanding. Furthermore, with no prior information about the model behavior, labor-intensive manual inspection of very large amounts of simulation results becomes necessary. This limits systematic computational exploration to simplistic models.

Results

We have developed an interactive, smart workflow for model exploration based on semi-supervised learning and human-in-the-loop labeling of data. The workflow lets a modeler rapidly discover ranges of interesting behaviors predicted by the model. Utilizing that similar simulation output is in proximity of each other in a feature space, the modeler can focus on informing the system about what behaviors are more interesting than others by labeling, rather than analyzing simulation results with custom scripts and workflows. This results in a large reduction in time-consuming manual work by the modeler early in a modeling project, which can substantially reduce the time needed to go from an initial model to testable predictions and downstream analysis.

Availability and implementation

A python-package is available at https://github.com/Wrede/mio.git.

Supplementary information

Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online.
Not Yet a Woman: The Influence of Socio-Political Constructions of Motherhood on Experiences of Female Infertility
Authors: Wells Hannah , Heinsch Milena
Published: May 2019

In contemporary pronatalist societies, motherhood and childbearing are constructed as inevitable fulfilments of the female identity, resulting in the stigmatisation of women who do not conform to these feminine ‘ideals’. This article reports on the findings of a scoping review, which explored constructions of women and motherhood in Western societies, and how they influence women’s experiences of infertility. Three key themes were identified: (i) the ‘women as mothers’ discourse; (ii) medicalisation and the ‘female biological fault’; and (iii) ‘deviant’ mothers and infertility. While these themes facilitate a deeper understanding of the ways social ideologies can influence the identity and life-course of infertile women, the current literature was found to be overwhelmingly medical in focus, centred on the concept of Assisted Reproductive Technologies. This article aims to expand narrow discourses on female infertility by exploring women’s support needs and the socio-political impacts on their experience. It extends the interdisciplinary knowledge base in this area by considering the contributions social work can make in addressing these systemic factors.
Research on the potential-induced degradation (PID) of PV modules running in two typical climate regions
Authors: Sun Gang , Tu Xiaohe , Wang Rui
Published: May 2019

In order to accurately select photovoltaic modules under different climatic conditions, three kinds of polycrystalline silicon photovoltaic modules were prepared for this study using different properties of packaging materials and two typical climatic zones of China were selected for installation and operation of these photovoltaic (PV) modules. The photoelectric parameters (maximum power, open-circuit voltage, short-circuit current, etc.) and electroluminescence images of these modules were analysed before and after their operation for 6 months. The study found that the performance of PV modules in different climatic regions shows different decay tendency and degradation mechanism. There was a significant difference in the degradation of the three different types of PV modules in the sub-humid-hot region (Suzhou, Jiangsu); two kinds of photovoltaic modules using relatively poorly performing package materials showed significant potential-induced degradation effects. However, the degradation trend of the three different types of PV modules in the warm-temperate region (Kenli, Shandong) was consistent and no significant potential-induced degradation effect was observed.
Chlamydia trachomatis and the Risk of Pelvic Inflammatory Disease, Ectopic Pregnancy, and Female Infertility: A Retrospective Cohort Study Among Primary Care Patients
Authors: den Heijer Casper D J , Hoebe Christian J P A , Driessen Johanna H M , Wolffs Petra , van den Broek Ingrid V F , Hoenderboom Bernice M , Williams Rachael , de Vries Frank , Dukers-Muijrers Nicole H T M
Published: May 2019

Background

We evaluated the risk of pelvic inflammatory disease (PID), ectopic pregnancy, and infertility in women with a previous Chlamydia trachomatis (CT) diagnosis compared with women who tested negative for CT and CT untested women, considering both targeted and incidental (ie, prescribed for another indication) use of CT-effective antibiotics.

Methods

This was a retrospective study of women aged 12–25 years at start of follow-up within the Clinical Practice Research Datalink GOLD database linked to index of multiple deprivation quintiles, 2000–2013. CT test status and antibiotic use were determined in a time-dependent manner. Risk of PID, ectopic pregnancy, or female infertility were evaluated using of Cox proportional hazard models.

Results

We studied 857 324 women, contributing 6 457 060 person-years. Compared with women who tested CT-negative, women who tested CT-positive had an increased risk of PID (adjusted hazard ratio [aHR], 2.36; 95% confidence interval [CI], 2.01–2.79), ectopic pregnancy (aHR, 1.87; 95% CI, 1.38–2.54), and infertility (aHR, 1.85; 95% CI, 1.27–2.68). The PID risk was higher for women with 2 or more positive CT tests than those with 1 positive test. PID risk increased with the number of previous antibiotic prescriptions, regardless of CT test status.

Conclusions

We showed an association between CT-positive tests and 3 adverse reproductive health outcomes. Moreover, this risk increased with repeat CT infections. CT-effective antibiotic use showed no decreased risks of subsequent PID regardless of CT history. Our results confirm the reproductive health burden of CT, which requires adequate public health interventions.
MolMeDB: Molecules on Membranes Database
Authors: Juračka Jakub , Šrejber Martin , Melíková Michaela , Bazgier Václav , Berka Karel
Published: May 2019

Biological membranes act as barriers or reservoirs for many compounds within the human body. As such, they play an important role in pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of drugs and other molecular species. Until now, most membrane/drug interactions have been inferred from simple partitioning between octanol and water phases. However, the observed variability in membrane composition and among compounds themselves stretches beyond such simplification as there are multiple drug–membrane interactions. Numerous experimental and theoretical approaches are used to determine the molecule–membrane interactions with variable accuracy, but there is no open resource for their critical comparison. For this reason, we have built Molecules on Membranes Database (MolMeDB), which gathers data about over 3600 compound–membrane interactions including partitioning, penetration and positioning. The data have been collected from scientific articles published in peer-reviewed journals and complemented by in-house calculations from high-throughput COSMOmic approach to set up a baseline for further comparison. The data in MolMeDB are fully searchable and browsable by means of name, SMILES, membrane, method or dataset and we offer the collected data openly for further reuse and we are open to further additions. MolMeDB can be a powerful tool that could help researchers better understand the role of membranes and to compare individual approaches used for the study of molecule/membrane interactions.
Bending of DNA duplexes with mutation motifs
Authors: Růžička Michal , Souček Přemysl , Kulhánek Petr , Radová Lenka , Fajkusová Lenka , Réblová Kamila
Published: May 2019

Mutations can be induced by environmental factors but also arise spontaneously during DNA replication or due to deamination of methylated cytosines at CpG dinucleotides. Sites where mutations occur with higher frequency than would be expected by chance are termed hotspots while sites that contain mutations rarely are termed coldspots. Mutations are permanently scanned and repaired by repair systems. Among them, the mismatch repair targets base pair mismatches, which are discriminated from canonical base pairs by probing altered elasticity of DNA. Using biased molecular dynamics simulations, we investigated the elasticity of coldspots and hotspots motifs detected in human genes associated with inherited disorders, and also of motifs with Czech population hotspots and de novo mutations. Main attention was paid to mutations leading to G/T and A+/C pairs. We observed that hotspots without CpG/CpHpG sequences are less flexible than coldspots, which indicates that flexible sequences are more effectively repaired. In contrary, hotspots with CpG/CpHpG sequences exhibited increased flexibility as coldspots. Their mutability is more likely related to spontaneous deamination of methylated cytosines leading to C > T mutations, which are primarily targeted by base excision repair. We corroborated conclusions based on computer simulations by measuring melting curves of hotspots and coldspots containing G/T mismatch.
Ultra-processed Food Consumption and Incident Frailty: A Prospective Cohort Study of Older Adults
Authors: Sandoval-Insausti Helena , Blanco-Rojo Ruth , Graciani Auxiliadora , López-García Esther , Moreno-Franco Belén , Laclaustra Martín , Donat-Vargas Carolina , Ordovás José M , Rodríguez-Artalejo Fernando , Guallar-Castillón Pilar
Published: May 2019

Background

Ultra-processed food intake has been associated with chronic conditions and mortality. The aim of this study was to assess the relationship between ultra-processed food intake and incident frailty in community-dwelling older adults.

Methods

Prospective cohort study with 1,822 individuals aged at least 60 years who were recruited during 2008–2010 in Spain. At baseline, food consumption was obtained using a validated computerized face-to-face dietary history. Ultra-processed foods were identified according to the nature and extent of their industrial processing (NOVA classification). In 2012, incident frailty was ascertained based on Fried’s criteria. Statistical analyses were performed with logistic regression and adjusted for the main potential confounders.

Results

After a mean follow-up of 3.5 years, 132 cases of frailty were identified. The fully adjusted risks of frailty across increasing quartiles of the percentage of total energy intake from ultra-processed foods were the following: 0.04 (0.02–0.05), 0.05 (0.03–0.07), 0.09 (0.07–0.12), and 0.11 (0.08–0.14). Results were similar when food consumption was expressed as gram per day/body weight. Regarding ultra-processed food groups, the highest versus the lowest tertiles of consumption of yogurts and fermented milks, cakes and pastries, as well as nonalcoholic beverages (instant coffee and cocoa, packaged juices, and other nonalcoholic drinks, excluding soft drinks) were also significantly related to incident frailty.

Conclusions

Consumption of ultra-processed foods is strongly associated with frailty risk in older adults. Substituting unprocessed or minimally processed foods for ultra-processed foods would play an important role in the prevention of age-related frailty.

Trial registration

NCT02804672.
Trade-off of resolution and variance computed from ensembles of solutions, with application to Markov Chain Monte Carlo methods
Authors: Menke William , Blatter Daniel
Published: May 2019

We consider the case where the ‘solution’ to an inverse problem is an ensemble (e.g. drawn from the conditional probability density function $p( {{{\bf m}}|{{{\bf d}}^{obs}}} )$ of M model parameters ${{\bf m}}$ given observed data ${{{\bf d}}^{obs}}$). Here we presume that the ${{\bf m}}$s have a natural ordering, say in position x, so that ‘resolution’ means the ability of the inverse problem to distinguish physically adjacent model parameters. The trade-off curve for resolution and variance is constructed using the following steps: (1) the single solution ${{{\bf m}}^{est}}$ and its covariance ${{{\bf C}}_m}$ are estimated as the ensemble mean and covariance; (2) the eigenvalue decomposition ${{{\bf C}}_m} = {\rm{\ }}{{{\bf V} {\boldsymbol \Lambda} }}{{{\bf V}}^{\rm{T}}}$ is computed and the submatrix ${{{\boldsymbol \Lambda }}^{( N )}}$ of the N smallest eigenvalues, and submatrix ${{{\bf V}}^{( N )}}$of the N corresponding eigenvectors, are formed; (3) the equation ${{{\boldsymbol \mu }}^{( N )}} = {{{\boldsymbol \Phi }}^{( N )}}\ {{\bf m}}$ with ${{{\boldsymbol \mu }}^{( N )}} = [ {{{{\bf V}}^{( N )}}} ]{\boldsymbol{\ }}{{{\bf m}}^{est}}$and${{{\boldsymbol \Phi }}^{( N )}} = {[ {{{{\bf V}}^{( N )}}} ]^{\rm{T}}}$ is formed, as is its covariance ${{\bf C}}_\mu ^{( N )} = {{{\boldsymbol \Lambda }}^{( N )}}{\boldsymbol{\ }}$; (4) the equation is solved to yield a localized average ${\langle {{\bf m}} \rangle ^{( N )}} = \ {{{\boldsymbol \Phi }}^{ - g}}{{{\boldsymbol \mu }}^{( N )}}$, where ${{{\boldsymbol \Phi }}^{ - g}}$ is either the minimum length or Backus–Gilbert generalized inverse of ${{\boldsymbol \Phi }}$; (5) the resolution and covariance are computed as ${{{\bf R}}^{( N )}} = {{{\boldsymbol \Phi }}^{ - g}}{\boldsymbol{\ }}{{{\boldsymbol \Phi }}^{( N )}}$ and ${{\bf C}}_m^{( N )} = {{{\boldsymbol \Phi }}^{ - g}}{\boldsymbol{\ }}{{\bf C}}_\mu ^{( N )}{( {{{{\boldsymbol \Phi }}^{ - g}}} )^{\rm{T}}}$; (6) the spread ${K^{( N )}}$ of resolution and size ${J^{( N )}}\ $of covariance are computed using either the Dirichlet or Backus–Gilbert measures and (7) the process is repeated for $1 \le N \le M$ to build up the trade-off curve $K( J )$. We show that, in the Dirichlet case, ${K^{( N )}} = \ M - N$ and ${J^{( N )}} = \ {\rm{tr}}( {{{{\boldsymbol \Lambda }}^{( N )}}} )$. We also consider the case where the model parameters correspond to spline coefficients and a sequence ${y_i}( {{{\bf m}},{x_i}} )$ derived from these coefficients possesses natural ordering. Layered models are an example of such a parametrization. We construct the trade-off curve for ${{\bf y}}$ by converting each member of the ensemble from ${{\bf m}}$ to ${{\bf y}}$ and applying the above procedure to them. We demonstrate the method by applying it to several simple examples.
Enhancing national prevention and treatment services for sex workers in Zimbabwe: a process evaluation of the SAPPH-IRe trial
Authors: Busza Joanna , Chiyaka Tarisai , Musemburi Sithembile , Fearon Elizabeth , Davey Calum , Chabata Sungai , Mushati Phillis , Dirawo Jeffrey , Napierala Sue , Phillips Andrew N , Cowan Frances M , Hargreaves James R
Published: May 2019

Targeted HIV interventions for female sex workers (FSW) combine biomedical technologies, behavioural change and community mobilization with the aim of empowering FSW and improving prevention and treatment. Understanding how to deliver combined interventions most effectively in sub-Saharan Africa is critical to the HIV response. The Sisters’ Antiretroviral Programme for Prevention of HIV: an Integrated Response (SAPPH-Ire) randomized controlled trial in Zimbabwe tested an intervention to improve FSW engagement with HIV services. After 2 years, results of the trial showed no significant difference between study arms in proportion of FSW with HIV viral load ≥1000 copies/ml as steep declines occurred in both. We present the results of a process evaluation aiming to track the intervention’s implementation, assess its feasibility and accessibility, and situate trial results within the national HIV policy context. We conducted a mixed methods study using data from routine programme statistics, qualitative interviews with participants and respondent driven surveys. The intervention proved feasible to deliver and was acceptable to FSW and providers. Intervention clinics saw more new FSW (4082 vs 2754), performed over twice as many HIV tests (2606 vs 1151) and nearly double the number of women were diagnosed with HIV (1042 vs 546). Community mobilization meetings in intervention sites also attracted higher numbers. We identified some gaps in programme fidelity: offering pre-exposure prophylaxis took time to engage FSW, viral load monitoring was not performed, and ratio of peer educators to FSW was lower than intended. During the trial, reaching FSW with HIV testing and treatment became a national priority, leading to increasing attendance at both intervention and control clinics. Throughout Zimbabwe, antiretroviral therapy coverage improved and HIV-stigma declined. Zimbabwe’s changing HIV policy context appeared to contribute to positive improvements across the HIV care continuum for all FSW over the course of the trial. More intense community-based interventions for FSW may be needed to make further gains.
Assimilating electronic tagging, oceanographic modelling, and fisheries data to estimate movements and connectivity of swordfish in the North Atlantic
Authors: Braun Camrin D , Gaube Peter , Afonso Pedro , Fontes Jorge , Skomal Gregory B , Thorrold Simon R
Published: May 2019

Broadbill swordfish (Xiphias gladius) is a key species in commercial fisheries, but management efforts continue to be hindered by data gaps in their basic biology, including ongoing debate over stock boundaries and movement between management zones. We deployed 20 pop-up satellite archival transmitting (PSAT) tags on juvenile swordfish in the Azores and adults in the northwest Atlantic (NWA). We applied a recently developed geolocation approach that synthesizes tag data with a global observation-assimilating ocean model to improve geolocation accuracy. Resulting tracks from 16 individuals averaged 3751 km (range 345–7247 km) over 93 days (range 17–181 days). Juveniles tagged in the Azores made regional movements while adults tagged in the NWA moved between summer foraging grounds near the Grand Banks to winter habitats near the Antillean Arc. All individuals spent considerable time in the mesopelagic zone during the day, and this behaviour increased with fish size. We integrate results from our PSAT-based movements with conventional tag and catch-per-unit effort data, which indicates complex stock structure within the North Atlantic that largely supports current stock boundaries. Our work demonstrates the utility in synthesizing fishery-independent electronic tag data and fisheries datasets to improve our understanding of large pelagic fish ecology.
Nutrient digestibility of multi-enzyme supplemented low-energy and AA diets for grower pigs1
Authors: Lee Jung Wook , Patterson Robert , Rogiewicz Anna , Woyengo Tofuko A
Published: May 2019

A study was conducted to determine effects of supplementing multi-enzyme on apparent ileal digestibility (AID) of energy and AA; and apparent total tract digestibility (ATTD) of energy for pigs fed low-energy and AA diets. Eight ileal-cannulated barrows (initial BW: 38.7 ± 2.75 kg) were fed four diets in a replicated 4 × 4 Latin square design to give 8 replicates per diet. Diets were positive control (PC) diet, negative control (NC) diet without or with multi-enzyme at 0.5 or 1.0 g/kg. The PC diet was formulated to meet or exceed NRC (2012) nutrient recommendations for grower pigs (25 to 50 kg), except for Ca and digestible P, which were lower than NRC (2012) recommendations by 0.13 and 0.17 percentage points, respectively, due to phytase supplementation at 1,000 FTU/kg. The NC diet was formulated to be lower in NE by 75 kcal/kg and standardized ileal digestible AA content by a mean of 3%. These reductions were achieved by partial replacement of corn and soybean meal (SBM) and complete replacement of soybean oil and monocalcium phosphate in PC diet with 25% corn distillers dried grains with solubles (DDGS) and 3.6% soybean hulls. Multi-enzyme at 1.0 g/kg supplied 1,900 U of xylanase, 300 U of β-glucanase, 1,300 U of cellulase, 11,500 U of amylase, 120 U of mannanase, 850 U of pectinase, 6,000 U of protease, and 700 U of invertase per kilogram of diet. The AID of GE, N, most AA, most component sugars of nonstarch polysaccharides (NSP) and P; ATTD of GE for PC diet was greater (P < 0.05) than those for NC diets. An increase in dietary level of multi-enzyme from 0 to 1.0 g/kg resulted in a linear increase (P < 0.05) in AID of Ile by 4.3%, and tended to linearly increase (P < 0.10) AID of Leu, Met, Phe, and Val by a mean of 3.4%. Increasing dietary multi-enzyme from 0 to 1.0 g/kg linearly increased (P < 0.05) AID of total NSP and P by 53.7% and 19.2%, respectively; ATTD of GE by 8.4% and DE and NE values by 8.8% and 8.2%, respectively; tended to linearly increase (P < 0.10) AID of GE by 8.1%. The NE values for NC diet with multi-enzyme at 1.0 g/kg tended to be greater (P < 0.10) than that for PC diet (2,337 vs. 2,222 kcal/kg of DM). In conclusion, multi-enzyme supplementation improved energy and nutrient digestibilities of a corn–SBM–corn DDGS-based diet, implying that the multi-enzyme fed in the current study can be used to enhance energy and nutrient utilization of low-energy AA diets for grower pigs.
Age at arrival, parents and neighborhoods: understanding the educational attainment of immigrants’ children
Authors: Ansala Laura , Hämäläinen Ulla , Sarvimäki Matti
Published: May 2019

This article documents how children of immigrants cope in early adulthood in Finland. We first show that, on average, they have dramatically lower educational attainment than children of natives do. This difference can be attributed to age at arrival, parental income and neighborhood quality. In fact, Finnish-born children of immigrants obtain more education than children of natives growing up in the same zip codes and in families with similar parental income and family structure. Sibling comparisons suggest that age at arrival has a causal impact on educational attainment. The results are very similar for the likelihood of being idle and having been convicted of a crime, but are starkly different for the likelihood of having been reimbursed for psychotropic medication.
Global production networks: mapping recent conceptual developments
Authors: Coe Neil M , Yeung Henry Wai-chung
Published: May 2019

In this framing paper for the special issue, we map significant research on global production networks during the past decade in economic geography and adjacent fields. In line with the core aim of the special issue to push for new conceptual advances, the paper focuses on the central elements of GPN theory to showcase recent rethinking related to the delimiting of global production networks, underlying political-economic drivers, actor-specific strategies and regional/national development outcomes. We suggest that the analytical purchase of this recent work is greater in research that has continued to keep a tight focus on the causal links between the organizational configurations of global production networks and uneven development. Concomitantly, considerable effort in the literature has gone into expanding the remit of GPN research in different directions, and we thus engage with five domains or ‘constituent outsides’ that relate to the state, finance, labour, environment and development. We believe such cross-domain fertilisation can help realize GPN 2.0’s potential for explaining uneven development in an interconnected world economy.
Who is in charge? Jurisdictional contests and organizational outcomes
Authors: Feyereisen Scott , Goodrick Elizabeth
Published: May 2019

We explored how professional jurisdiction contests influence organizational outcomes by examining how Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA) schools in the USA were impacted by a policy pursuing educational upskilling. While others have focused on boundary work at the field and work levels, we argue that contests between professions also influence important organizational outcomes. We detail how the profession’s accreditation decision requiring schools to provide Master’s degrees within a 17 year window took place in the context of physicians historically battling CRNAs. We provide an analytic narrative illustrating the history of this jurisdictional dispute, and empirically examine how CRNA schools with cultures differentially supportive of physicians’ field-level dominance responded to the requirement of educational upskilling. Our analysis indicates that the timing of a school adopting a graduate program was influenced by whether the organizational culture, represented by organizational ownership, supported physician dominance. We also highlight the importance of access to resources as another conduit for boundary work impacting organizational outcomes.
Long-term soft and hard X-ray investigation of the colliding wind WN+O binary WR 25
Authors: Arora Bharti , Pandey J C , De Becker M
Published: May 2019

We investigated the long-term behaviour in X-rays of the colliding wind binary WR 25, using archival data obtained with Suzaku, Swift, XMM–Newton, and NuSTAR spanning over ∼16 yr. Our analysis reveals phase-locked variations repeating consistently over many consecutive orbits, in agreement with an X-ray emission fully explained by thermal emission from the colliding winds in the 208-d orbit. We report on a significant deviation of the X-ray flux with respect to the 1/D trend (expected for adiabatic shocked winds) close to periastron passage. The absence of a drop in post-shock plasma temperature close to periastron suggests this break in trend cannot be explained in terms of reduced pre-shock velocities in this part of the orbit. Finally, NuSTAR data reveal a lack of hard X-ray emission (above 10.0 keV) above the background level. Upper limits on a putative non-thermal emission strongly suggest that the sensitivity of present hard X-ray observatories is not sufficient to detect non-thermal emission from massive binaries above 10 keV, unless the wind kinetic power is large enough to significantly feed particle acceleration in the wind–wind interaction.
Whole Sella vs Targeted Stereotactic Radiosurgery for Acromegaly: A Multicenter Matched Cohort Study
Authors: Taylor Davis G , Janssen Andrew , Ding Dale , Xu Zhiyuan , Mehta Gautam U , Liscak Roman , Kano Hideyuki , Kosak Mikulas , Martinez-Moreno Nuria , Hobbs Landon , Chen Ching-Jen , Grills Inga S , Mathieu David , Lunsford L Dade , Vance Mary Lee , Sheehan Jason P
Published: May 2019

BACKGROUND

Targeted stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS) with sparing of the residual pituitary is the traditional radiosurgical method for pituitary adenomas. Whole-sella SRS is an alternative choice for radiologically indeterminate or large adenomas, the safety and efficacy of which has yet to be determined.

OBJECTIVE

To determine if whole-sella SRS in acromegaly would have comparable radiographic and biochemical control to targeted SRS. We performed a multicenter, retrospective matched cohort study to compare outcomes between groups.

METHODS

We conducted a retrospective review of acromegalic patients who underwent SRS from 1990 to 2016 at 10 centers participating in the International Radiosurgery Research Foundation. Whole-sella and targeted SRS patients were then matched in a 1:1 ratio.

RESULTS

A total of 128 patients were eligible for inclusion. Whole-sella patients had a higher pre-SRS random serum growth hormone, larger treatment volume, and higher maximum point dose to the optic apparatus. The rates of initial/durable endocrine remission, new loss of pituitary function, and new cranial neuropathy were similar between groups. Mortality and new visual deficit were higher in the whole-sella cohort, though not statistically significant.

CONCLUSION

There was no difference in biochemical remission or recurrence between treatment groups. Although not statistically significant, the higher rates of tumor regression and lower rates of mortality and new visual deficit may suggest consideration of targeted SRS over whole-sella SRS in acromegaly treatment. Further research is needed to determine the association between visual deficits and mortality with whole-sella SRS.
Kinematics Following 3-Screw Integrated Interbody Spacers in the Lumbar Spine
Authors: Heary Robert F , Agarwal Nitin , Parvathreddy Naresh K , Hansberry David R , Ferrara Lisa A
Published: May 2019

BACKGROUND

“Stand-alone” fusion implants attempt to alleviate the need for supplemental posterior instrumentation.

OBJECTIVE

A biomechanical study was conducted to assess the stability of an integrated 3- screw interbody cage with, and without, supplemental posterior fixation.

METHODS

Nondestructive biomechanical testing was performed on 19 healthy cadaver spine segments. Specimens were tested in 6 degrees of motion and a maximum pure bending moment of 10 Nm was applied. Specimens were evaluated in the following sequence: Intact, cage, cage ± facet bolts, and cage ± pedicle screws. Nonconstrained motion was measured at both the index and adjacent levels.

RESULTS

The index levels were L2-L3 and L5-S1. The cage alone provided a significant decrease in motion at the L2-L3 level but not at L5-S1. At L2-L3, cage + pedicle screws decreased motion more effectively than cage + facet bolts, however, both the supplemented constructs outperformed intact (P < .05). At L5-S1, both posterior fixation systems appeared to have smaller degree of displacement compared to intact; however, no significant differences were observed at L5-S1 among the various constructs. Furthermore, the adjacent segments for each level (L1-L2 and L4-L5) had no significantly increased motion, compared to intact, for all 6 degrees of motion tested.

CONCLUSION

The stand-alone cage was more effective at L2-L3, than at L5-S1, in limiting motion. At L5-S1, supplemental fixation may need to be considered. No abnormal motion was identified at the adjacent, normal segments, for the stand-alone, or the circumferential constructs at either level tested.
The Control of Zealactone Biosynthesis and Exudation is Involved in the Response to Nitrogen in Maize Root
Authors: Ravazzolo Laura , Trevisan Sara , Manoli Alessandro , Boutet-Mercey St�phanie , Perreau Fran�ois , Quaggiotti Silvia
Published: May 2019

Nitrate acts as a signal in regulating plant development in response to environment. In particular nitric oxide, auxin and strigolactones (SLs) were supposed to cooperate to regulate the maize root response to this anion. In this study, a combined approach based on liquid chromatography-quadrupole/time-of-flight tandem mass spectrometry and on physiological and molecular analyses was adopted to specify the involvement of SLs in the maize response to N. Our results showed that N deficiency strongly induces SL exudation, likely through stimulating their biosynthesis. Nitrate provision early counteracts and also ammonium lowers SL exudation, but less markedly. Exudates obtained from N-starved and ammonium-provided seedlings stimulated Phelipanche germination, whereas when seeds were treated with exudates harvested from nitrate-provided plants no germination was observed. Furthermore, our findings support the idea that the inhibition of SL production observed in response to nitrate and ammonium would contribute to the regulation of lateral root development. Moreover, the transcriptional regulation of a gene encoding a putative maize WBC transporter, in response to various nitrogen supplies, together with its mRNA tissue localization, supported its role in SL allocation. Our results highlight the dual role of SLs as molecules able to signal outwards a nutritional need and as endogenous regulators of root architecture adjustments to N, thus synchronizing plant growth with nitrogen acquisition.
Orbital angular momentum of Liénard–Wiechert fields
Authors: Kawaguchi H , Katoh M
Published: May 2019

We derive a general expression for the electromagnetic field radiated by a relativistic charged particle with arbitrary periodic orbit, in the form of multi-pole expansion of the Liénard–Wiechert potential, which explicitly includes the charged particle motion. Using this expression, we discuss the orbital angular momentum radiated from a relativistic charged particle. It has recently been indicated that the radiation emitted by circularly orbiting charged particles carries well-defined orbital angular momentum. We show that, even for the general cases of arbitrary periodic orbits, the radiation field possesses well-defined orbital angular momentum.
Distinctive association of peripheral immune cell phenotypes with capillaroscopic microvascular patterns in systemic sclerosis
Authors: Kubo Satoshi , Nakayamada Shingo , Miyazaki Yusuke , Yoshikawa Maiko , Yoshinari Hiroko , Satoh Yurie , Todoroki Yasuyuki , Nakano Kazuhisa , Satoh Minoru , Smith Vanessa , Cutolo Maurizio , Tanaka Yoshiya
Published: May 2019

Objective

The pathological changes in SSc include immune system dysregulation and microvascular damage. However, the association of immune cell phenotype heterogeneity and microvascular abnormalities is unclear. The aim of this study is to elucidate this association in SSc.

Methods

Peripheral blood mononuclear cells obtained from 150 SSc patients were used for comprehensive flow cytometric analysis based on the Human Immunology Project. Hierarchical cluster analysis was used to classify SSc patients into subgroups and their association with microvascular abnormalities, as assessed by nailfold videocapillaroscopy (i.e. ‘early’, ‘active’ and ‘late’ patterns), was analysed.

Results

The proportions of activated CD4+ T cells, T cells re-expressing CD45RA, activated Th1 and Th17 cells and IgD−CD27− B cells were higher in SSc patients than in healthy individuals. Hierarchical cluster analysis stratified SSc patients into three groups: patients with few immune abnormalities (fewer abnormalities group), patients with high proportions of activated T and Treg cells (Treg-dominant group) and patients with high proportions of Tfh and plasmablasts (Tfh-dominant group). Age and disease duration were comparable among the groups. On the other hand, microvascular abnormalities, especially the ‘late’ nailfold videocapillaroscopy pattern, correlated with internal organ involvement. Among the groups stratified according to immune cell phenotype, the progression to the ‘late’ nailfold videocapillaroscopy pattern was more frequent in the Tfh-dominant group.

Conclusion

Our study confirmed the presence of immunophenotypic abnormalities in SSc. Immunological abnormalities were not uniform but rather limited to subpopulations, particularly the Tfh-dominant group, where they were highly associated with microvascular abnormalities and organ involvement.
Technology-assisted cognitive-behavioral therapy intervention for end-stage renal disease
Authors: Jakubowski Karen P , Jhamb Manisha , Yabes Jonathan , Gujral Swathi , Oberlin Lauren E , Bender Filitsa H , Steel Jennifer L
Published: May 2019

Technology-assisted cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) interventions have been conducted for symptoms including depression, pain, and fatigue in patients with chronic illnesses but not in end-stage renal disease (ESRD). The purpose of this study was to pilot the feasibility and acceptability of a technology-assisted CBT intervention in ESRD patients on hemodialysis (HD), share design and implementation lessons learned, and provide preliminary results on changes in select patient-reported symptoms. This was a single-center pilot feasibility study of adult ESRD patients on HD. Study eligibility required clinically elevated levels of at least one symptom (depression, pain, or fatigue). Patients met weekly with a CBT therapist for eight sessions, each 45–60 min, during HD sessions via a video-conferencing platform. Symptom questionnaires were completed at baseline and 3 months follow-up. Of 10 patients screened, 100% screened positive for at least one symptom, 100% of eligible patients consented, and eight (of 10) completed the intervention (mean age 59 years, 50% male, 50% African American). Patient adherence and satisfaction was high, and seven of the eight patients completed all eight prescribed sessions. Minimal interference with HD was reported. Preliminary results indicate no statistically significant changes in depression, fatigue, or pain at follow-up. However, there was small improvement in SF-36 Physical Component score [t(7) = −2.60, p = .035], and four of the six patients (67%) with clinically elevated pain at baseline reported improvement at follow-up. A technology-assisted CBT intervention for ESRD patients was feasible, well-accepted, and required minimal additional resources in the HD setting. Larger, adequately powered clinical trials are needed to evaluate the effect on ESRD patient-reported outcomes.
Juvenile Osteochondritis Dissecans (JOCD) Retroarticular Drilling: Position Assessment Technique
Authors: Masquijo J. Javier
Published: May 2019

Juvenile osteochondritis dissecans (JOCD) is an acquired condition of the joint that affects the articular surface and the subchondral bone in skeletally immature patients. Retroarticular drilling is an accepted option for stable knee JOCD when conservative treatment fails. The primary limitation of this technique is the requirement for fluoroscopy and its associated radiation. Intraoperative fluoroscopy can be a challenge because of the superimposed radiographic density of the musculoskeletal structures that may obscure visualization of the lesion in the lateral view. Consequently, most surgeries require multiple shots for the identification of the lesion and Kirschner-wire placement. We describe a new location assessment system that can, therefore, allow surgeons to more accurately identify the JOCD lesion during retroarticular drilling using radiographic landmarks. This technique may help avoid excessive intraoperative radiation and expedite intervention during the retroarticular drilling of osteochondritis dissecans lesions.
Distribution of Psychotropic Drugs Into Lipoproteins
Authors: Serkland Trond T. , Schjøtt Jan , Berg Jon A. , Herfindal Lars , Riedel Bettina , Skrede Silje
Published: May 2019

Aim:

The aim of this pilot study was to investigate whether psychotropic drugs frequently analyzed in a routine therapeutic drug monitoring laboratory bind to low-density lipoproteins/very-low-density lipoproteins (LDL/VLDL) in human serum.

Methods:

Drug concentrations in 20 serum sample pools containing one psychotropic drug each, and in the LDL/VLDL fractions extracted from the same samples, were measured by triple quadrupole liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry. The membrane permeability of the drugs was measured using a Parallel Artificial Membrane Permeability Assay.

Results:

Of the 20 antidepressants, antipsychotics, and antiepileptics examined, 7 drugs were detected in both the pooled serum samples and in the LDL/VLDL fraction. Binding of drugs to LDL/VLDL significantly correlated with high octanol: water partition coefficient (logP), high degree of protein binding, and a low polar surface area. The drugs found in LDL/VLDL, with the exception of aripiprazole, were also characterized by high or intermediate membrane permeability.

Conclusions:

The present results indicate that psychotropic drugs with certain characteristics bind to LDL/VLDL in blood. This further implies that lipoproteins could play an important role in drug transport.
The Influence of Magnetic Fields (0.05 T ≤ B ≤ 7 T) on the Response of Personal Thermoluminescent Dosimeters to Ionizing Radiation
Authors: Copty Atallah , Rabineg Günter , Berg Andreas
Published: May 2019

We investigated the main question of whether thermoluminescent dosimeters indicate the correct dose when exposed to magnetic fields from low stray fields up to high magnetic resonance imaging fields inside human magnetic resonance imaging scanners (0.05 T ≤ B ≤ 7 T) during and after irradiation. Medical personnel working in radiology, oncology, or nuclear medicine are regularly monitored with thermoluminescent dosimeters. They might also enter the magnetic field of a magnetic resonance imaging scanner while supervising patients as well as during positron emission tomography-magnetic resonance imaging and magnetic resonance imaging-linac integrated imaging systems and will therefore be exposed to the magnetic fields of magnetic resonance imaging scanners and low stray fields of several millitesla outside of the magnetic resonance imaging scanner, not only before and after, but also during irradiation. Panasonic thermoluminescent dosimetry badges and ring dosimeters for personal monitoring were exposed to magnetic fields originating from a 7 T and a 3 T magnetic resonance imaging scanner as well as neodymium permanent magnets. Four different sealed 137Cs sources were used in two sets of experiments: (1) magnetically induced fading: irradiated thermoluminescent dosimeters (D ≈ 100 mSv) were exposed to a strong magnetic field (B = 7 T) of a human high-field magnetic resonance imaging scanner after irradiation; no magnetically induced fading (magnetoluminescence) for LiBO:Cu or CaSO:Tm was observed; (2) magnetically induced attenuation: thermoluminescent dosimeters were placed during irradiation in a magnetic field for about 60 h; a significantly reduced dose response was observed for LiBO:Cu—interestingly not at maximum B ≈ 7 T but at B ≈ 0.2 T. This experimental observation is possibly relevant especially for medical and technical personnel in nuclear medicine before and during a magnetic resonance imaging scanning procedure. Follow-up studies need to be made to clarify the kinetics of this effect.
Developing Detection DecisioNS on the Absence or Presence of a Radiological Source using a Bayesian Interaction Model
Authors: Brogan John , Brandl Alexander
Published: May 2019

Bayesian statistics have been used in various health physics applications, but only limited material exists on the development of a decision threshold for simple gross count measurements using Bayesian statistics. Bayesian modeling specifies a logical procedure for processing information and provides the means to obtain abstract statistical knowledge about the data in question. A Bayesian interaction model was developed to analyze gross count measurements. This linear regression model studies the relationship between a gross count measurement and the standard deviation of the gross counts obtained in the current and the previous four measurements, and conditions the analysis on whether the data originate from background measurements or from measurements with a source present. The measure of that relationship is expressed statistically by the constructed parameter ζ, which in the Bayesian framework possesses a probability distribution that can be used to achieve detection decisions. The model was validated statistically and under operationally equivalent conditions. Specifically, it was applied to analyze sequential data obtained from continuous gross count measurements at fixed time intervals. The Bayesian analysis used five sequential measurements per detection decision. The model performs optimally for weaker source detections, and presents promising operational application. Its usefulness derives from the facts that an established training data set is not necessary, long-run background measurements are not required to establish parameter estimates, and ζ and the model are universally applicable such that their use is not limited to the predictor variable presented here.