bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Antioxidant activity and stability of α‐tocopherol, resveratrol and epigallocatechin‐3‐gallate in mixture and complexation with bovine serum albumin
Authors: Dong Huanhuan , Yin Xin , Wusigale  , Cheng Hao , Choijilsuren Narangerel , Chen Xing , Liang Li
Published: September 2020

Ligand‐binding proteins were proposed as ideal carriers for the co‐encapsulation of bioactive compounds. Multiple compounds co‐encapsulated in food formulation may give rise to different effects on bioactivity and stability. The protein effect on the interplay between bioactive compounds was investigated for selecting suitable co‐encapsulation strategy. α‐Tocopherol, resveratrol and epigallocatechin‐3‐gallate (EGCG), as model compounds, interacted with bovine serum albumin (BSA) to form tri‐ligand complexes when added in the sequence. For ferric‐reducing antioxidant power, the mixtures of α‐tocopherol and resveratrol,α‐tocopherol and EGCG, resveratrol and EGCG were respectively additive, antagonistic and synergistic, while their ternary mixture were antagonistic. For ABTS+ scavenging capacity, all pairs were antagonistic. BSA improved FRAP of α‐tocopherol, resveratrol and EGCG mixture but decreased their ABTS inhibition. Although structural stability and antioxidant activity of resveratrol decreased when alone interacted with BSA, they were improved when α‐tocopherol and EGCG were co‐presented. Mixing the antioxidants improved their stability and the complexation with BSA can further stabilise them. BSA could thus be a suitable carrier for co‐encapsulation/protection of α‐tocopherol, resveratrol and EGCG in functional foods.
Characterisation, storage viabilit, and application of microspheres with Lactobacillus paracasei obtained by the extrusion technique
Authors: Castro‐Rosas Javier , Gómez‐Aldapa Carlos Alberto , Chávez‐Urbiola Edgar Arturo , Hernández‐Bautista Monserrat , Rodríguez‐Marín María Luisa , Cabrera‐Canales Zaira Esmeralda , Falfán‐Cortés Reyna Nallely
Published: September 2020

The objective of this study was to evaluate the influence of pH, bile salts and different storage conditions at two different temperatures (30 and 4 °C) on the viability of free and microencapsulated Lactobacillus paracasei. Microspheres encapsulating L. paracasei were obtained using an extrusion method. The efficiency was 87.6%, the diameter 70 µm and the zeta potential 7.22 ± 0.05 mV. Encapsulated L. paracasei showed higher resistance to stomach pH and bile salts compared to free cells. Microspheres were evaluated under four different storage conditions: fresh, suspended in a solution with a pH of 4, suspended in saline solution and lyophilised. The lyophilised microspheres presented the highest stability with 89.2% survival rate after six weeks of storage; however, free bacteria in saline solution (0.145 N) presented a 65.3% survival rate. Finally, a new product (a strawberry ice popsicle) with possible functional characteristics was obtained using microencapsulated L. paracasei.
How protestant work ethic impacts employees' counterproductive work behaviors: The moderating effects of gender and party affiliation
Authors: Zhang Suchuan , Chen Lixin , Yan Jun
Published: September 2020

This study examined the relationships between the four dimensions of the protestant work ethic (internal locus of control, asceticism, hard work, anti‐leisure) and organizational counterproductive work behaviors (CWBs). Based on a sample of Chinese employees, the results from two‐wave lagged data (N = 691) indicated that the asceticism dimension and the anti‐leisure dimension were negatively associated with CWBs. These associations were moderated by party affiliation, indicating that party members had a stronger negative relationship between these constructs than non‐party members did.
Failure to Protect: How Tracking Refugees into Temporary Work Violates Economic Rights
Authors: Warren Kamryn
Published: September 2020

Refugees often imagine resettlement to the USA to be a solution to their problems, but the process of resettlement is full of social, cultural and economic hurdles. Through an ethnographic analysis of a resettlement agency, this research shows that refugee employment specialists consistently track refugees into low‐wage and contingent work even when refugees have strong language skills, experience in professional work, and advanced degrees. Bureaucratic reporting structures and quota requirements create pressures on refugee employment specialists to place refugees in jobs quickly which hinders them from working towards meaningful economic self‐sufficiency. The denial of refugee autonomy in pursuit of work and economic freedoms is a human rights violation facilitated by a government failure to protect them from third‐party exploitation. This article argues that the chronic underemployment of refugees exemplifies a common, but understudied type of economic rights violation.
In situ doping of BaTiO3 and visualization of pressure solution in flux‐assisted cold sintering
Authors: Sada Takao , Fan Zhongming , Ndayishimiye Arnaud , Tsuji Kosuke , Bang Sun Hwi , Fujioka Yoshihiro , Randall Clive A.
Published: September 2020

Cold sintering process (CSP) has attracted great interest due to its extremely low processing temperatures, fast processing times, and simplicity to allow for the densification of ceramics and composites. Understanding the detailed mechanisms underlying low temperature densification is crucial to develop advanced materials and facilitate sustainable and cost‐effective industrial implementation to come. Here, by taking BaTiO3 powder and Sr(OH)2·8H2O transient chemical flux as a model system, chemical transformation at solid/flux interfaces driving the dissolution‐precipitation creep mechanism were investigated. We demonstrate that Sr(OH)2·8H2O acts both as a sintering flux and a solid solution doping additive, resulting in the formation of BaTiO3 ‐ Ba1‐xSrxTiO3 with lower Curie temperatures. Using strontium (Sr) as a tracer chemistry, transmission electron microscopy chemical mapping with energy‐dispersive X‐ray analysis indicates that there is a precipitation of a Ba1‐xSrxTiO3 mainly at grain/grain interfaces, while grain cores remain undoped. In addition, the difference in the interfacial Sr concentration, which is influenced by the applied uniaxial pressure direction, was clearly observed. This successful visualization of compositional distribution after CSP underlines the significant role of the pressure solution creep in densification process.
Maternal effect on body measurement and meat production traits in purebred Duroc pigs
Authors: Ogawa Shinichiro , Yazaki Natsumi , Ohnishi Chika , Ishii Kazuo , Uemoto Yoshinobu , Satoh Masahiro
Published: September 2020

We investigated maternal effect on nine body measurement traits (body height, body length, front width (FW), chest width (CW), hind width (HW), chest depth, chest girth (CHG), front cannon circumference (FCC) and rear cannon circumference (RCC)) measured at the end of performance testing and five meat production traits (ages at the start and end of performance testing (D30 and D105), average daily gain (ADG), backfat thickness and loin muscle area) in purebred Duroc pigs. Genetic parameters for each trait were estimated by using six single‐trait models with and without common litter environmental effect, maternal genetic effect and direct‐maternal genetic correlation. The value of Akaike's information criterion was lowest with the model including direct additive genetic and common litter environmental effects for 10 traits. The estimated proportion of common litter environmental variance to phenotypic variance was approximately ≥0.1 for D30, D105, ADG, FW, CW, HW, CHG, FCC and RCC. Using a model without common litter environmental effect would overestimate the direct heritability of most traits. Standard errors of estimated genetic parameters tended to be larger in models including maternal genetic effect. The results indicate that a compromise could be made for accurate genetic parameter estimation for body measurement traits, as well as meat production traits, in pigs by considering common litter environmental effect.
Dominance of endemics in the reef fish assemblages of the Hawaiian Archipelago
Authors: Friedlander Alan M. , Donovan Mary K. , DeMartini Edward E. , Bowen Brian W.
Published: September 2020

Aim

Species ranges provide a valuable foundation for resolving biogeographical regions, evolutionary processes and extinction risks. To inform conservation priorities, here we develop the first bioregionalization based on reef fish abundance of the Hawaiian Archipelago, which spans nearly 10° of latitude across 2,400 km, including 8 high volcanic islands in the populated main Hawaiian Islands (MHI), and 10 low islands (atolls, shoals and islets) in the remote northwestern Hawaiian Islands (NWHI).

Location

The Hawaiian Archipelago.

Taxon

Fishes (276 taxa).

Methods

We compiled 5,316 visual fish surveys at depths of 1–30 m from throughout the Hawaiian Archipelago. Geographical range (km2) for each species was measured as extent of occurrence (EOO) and area of occurrence (AOO). PERMANOVA and PCO were used to investigate drivers of fish assemblage structure. Distance‐based multivariate analyses were used to evaluate the relationship between fish assemblage structure and predictor variables including latitude, reef area, temperature, chlorophyll‐a, wave energy and human population density.

Results

Distinct fish assemblages exist in the MHI and NWHI, with two additional faunal breaks driven primarily by endemic species abundance. Latitude explained 37% of the variability in fish assemblages, with reef area accounting for an additional 9%. EOO showed a significant correlation with latitude. Endemics comprised 52%–55% of the numerical abundance at the northern end of the archipelago but only 17% on Hawai‘i Island in the extreme south. Maximum size and activity regime (day vs. night) explained the most variation in the abundance of endemics.

Main conclusions

The Hawaiian fish assemblages are strongly influenced by endemic species, affirming the archipelago as a biodiversity hotspot of high conservation value. The higher abundance of endemics in the NWHI may represent preadaptation to oceanic (oligotrophic) conditions. Resolution of distinct bioregions across the archipelago provides a better understanding of reef fish macroecology, with implications for management at the archipelago scale.
Comparison among research, home, and office blood pressure measurements for pregnant women: The TMM BirThree Cohort Study
Authors: Usuzaki Takuma , Ishikuro Mami , Metoki Hirohito , Murakami Keiko , Noda Aoi , Ueno Fumihiko , Kikuya Masahiro , Obara Taku , Kuriyama Shinichi
Published: September 2020

Blood pressure (BP) measurements of pregnant women have been collected in offices and at home for previous research. However, it remains uncertain whether there is difference between research BP, defined as BP measured for the purpose of epidemiological research and BP measured at home or in an office. Therefore, the present study aimed to compare research BP with home and unstandardized office BP. Research, home, and office BP were measured among pregnant women who participated in the Tohoku Medical Megabank Project Birth and Three‐Generation Cohort Study (TMM BirThree Cohort Study). Research BP was measured twice at our research center while the participant was seated and after resting for 1‐2 minutes. Research, home, and office BP were compared and agreement among the values was assessed. Differences among research, home, and office BP values and possible factors affecting differences were analyzed. Among 656 pregnant women, the mean (± standard deviations) research systolic (S), diastolic (D) BP, home SBP, home DBP office SBP, and office DBP were 103.8 ± 8.5, 61.8 ± 7.3, 104.4 ± 9.2, 61.2 ± 6.8, 110.5 ± 10.8, and 63.8 ± 8.7mmHg, respectively. Research SBP value was lower than home value (P = .0072; difference between mean research and home BP: −0.61 ± 7.8 mmHg). Research SBP and DBP values were lower than office values (P < .0001 for both SBP and DBP; means ± standard deviations of differences between research and office BP: 6.7 ± 10.1 and 2.0 ± 8.5 mmHg for SBP and DBP, respectively). In conclusion, when research BP is measured under conditions controlled, research BP can give close values to home BP for pregnant women.
Differences in monocyte subsets are associated with short‐term survival in patients with septic shock
Authors: Hortová‐Kohoutková Marcela , Lázničková Petra , Bendíčková Kamila , De Zuani Marco , Andrejčinová Ivana , Tomášková Veronika , Suk Pavel , Šrámek Vladimír , Helán Martin , Frič Jan
Published: September 2020

Sepsis is characterized by dynamic changes of the immune system resulting in deregulated inflammation and failure of homoeostasis and can escalate to septic shock. Circulating monocytes and other innate immune cells are among the first ones to recognize and clear pathogens. Monocytes have an important role in sepsis and septic shock and have been studied as potential diagnostic markers. In total, forty‐two patients with septic shock were recruited and blood samples obtained within first 12 hours of ICU admission. We showed that frequency of classical and intermediate monocytes assessed at the time of admission to the intensive care unit are significantly distinct in patients with septic shock who survived longer that five days from those who died. These parameters correlate significantly with differences in serum levels of inflammatory cytokines MCP‐1, IL‐6, IL‐8, IL‐10, and IL‐18, and with the proportion of helper and cytotoxic T cells. The described changes in frequency of monocyte subsets and their activation status may predict short‐term septic shock survival and help with fast identification of the group of vulnerable patients, who may profit from tailored therapy.
Short‐term homeostatic regulation of blood/interstitial fluid Ca2+ concentration by the scales of anadromous sea trout Salmo trutta L. during smoltification and migration
Authors: Jamieson Leanna , Waters Angel , Ho Kaitlyn E. , Chan Harvey Y. S. , Hung Jacky T. , Webb Sarah E. , Chan Ching Man , Shipley Alan M. , Williamson John G. , Beer Jon , Angus Chevonne , Miller Andrew L.
Published: September 2020

The elasmoid scales of anadromous sea trout Salmo trutta L. represent a significant internal reservoir of Ca2+. Although more is known about long‐term remodelling of scales in response to calciotropic challenges encountered during smoltification and migration, very little is known about the contribution made by scales to the short‐term, minute‐to‐minute regulation of Ca2+ homeostasis in the extracellular fluid (ECF) during these phases of the life cycle. This gap in the knowledge is partly due to the technical challenges involved in measuring small Ca2+ fluxes around the scales of live fish in real time. Here, this study describes exfoliating, mounting and culturing scales and their resident cells from parr, smolt and adult sea trout from a freshwater environment, as well as from adult sea trout caught in sea or brackish water. All the scales were then examined using an extracellular, non‐invasive, surface‐scanning Ca2+‐sensitive microelectrode. The authors quantified the Ca2+ fluxes, in the absence of any systemic or local regulators, into and out of scales on both the episquamal and hyposquamal sides under different extracellular calcemic challenges set to mimic a variety of ECF‐Ca2+ concentrations. Scales from the life‐cycle stages as well as from adult fish taken from sea, brackish or fresh water all showed a consistent efflux or influx of Ca2+ under hypo‐ or hypercalcemic conditions, respectively. What were considered to be isocalcemic conditions resulted in minimal flux of Ca2+ in either direction, or in the case of adult scales, a consistent but small influx. Indeed, adult scales appeared to display the largest flux densities in either direction. These new data extend the current understanding of the role played by fish scales in the short‐term, minute‐to‐minute homeostatic regulation of ECF‐Ca2+ concentration, and are similar to those recently reported from zebrafish Danio rerio scales. This suggests that this short‐term regulatory response might be a common feature of teleost scales.
Discovering the antibacterial mode of action of 3‐p‐trans‐coumaroyl‐2‐hydroxyquinic acid, a natural phenolic compound, against Staphylococcus aureus through an integrated transcriptomic and proteomic approach
Authors: Liu Xiaoyan , Yue Yuxi , Wu Yanping , Zhong Kai , Bu Qian , Gao Hong
Published: September 2020

A plant‐derived phenolic compound, namely 3‐p‐trans‐coumaroyl‐2‐hydroxyquinic acid (CHQA), has recently been reported to exhibit antibacterial and antibiofilm activities against Staphylococcus aureus. In this study, the combined transcriptomic and proteomic analyses was used to elucidate the molecular mechanism of CHQA against S. aureus. The results showed that subinhibitory concentration of CHQA induced wide and significant changes in S. aureus at both transcriptional and translational levels with 935 differentially expressed genes and 438 differentially expressed proteins. Bioinformatic analysis indicated that the changed genes and proteins were mainly involved in cell membrane, ribosome and translation, DNA repair, fatty acid biosynthesis and metabolism, amino acid biosynthesis, peptidoglycan synthesis, and bacterial infection. Moreover, downregulation of various surface proteins associated with cell adhesion was observed, which probably further inhibited the biofilm formation of S. aureus. These results revealed that CHQA exerted antibacterial activity through multifarious mechanisms, which especially targeted bacterial cell membrane and then triggered diverse cellular dysfunctions.
“Crippling and unfamiliar”: Analysing the concept of perinatal anxiety; definition, recognition and implications for psychological care provision for women during pregnancy and early motherhood
Authors: Folliard Kelda J. , Crozier Kenda , Wadnerkar Kamble Meghana M.
Published: September 2020

Aim

To clarify how perinatal anxiety is characterised within the current evidence base and discuss how a clearer definition and understanding of this condition may contribute to improving care provision by midwives and other healthcare professionals.

Background

Perinatal anxiety is common, occurs more frequently than depression and carries significant morbidity for mother and infant. The concept of perinatal anxiety is ill‐defined; this can pose a barrier to understanding, identification and appropriate treatment of the condition.

Design

Concept Analysis paper.

Method

Rodgers’ Evolutionary Model of Concept Analysis, with review based on PRISMA principles (see Supplementary File‐1).

Findings

While somatic presentation of perinatal anxiety shares characteristics with general anxiety, anxiety is a unique condition within the context of the perinatal period. The precursors to perinatal anxiety are grounded in biopsychosocial factors and the sequelae can be significant for mother, foetus, newborn and older child. Due to the unique nature of perinatal anxiety, questions arise about presentation and diagnosis within the context of adjustment to motherhood, whether services meet women's needs and how midwives and other health professionals contribute to this. Most current evidence explores screening tools with little examination of the lived experience of perinatal anxiety.

Conclusion

Examination of the lived experience of perinatal anxiety is needed to address the gap in evidence and further understand this condition. Service provision should account for the unique nature of the perinatal period and be adapted to meet women's psychological needs at this time, even in cases of mild or moderate distress.
Peer Information and Substance Use Decision Making in Street‐Involved Youth
Authors: Macdonald Erin P. , Howard Andrea L.
Published: September 2020

In the context of adolescent substance use, peers are a primary source of both influence and information. Substance‐related peer information sharing is a relatively understudied phenomenon, particularly in street‐involved youth. We recruited 84 youth from a community drop‐in center to complete a survey assessing substance use and peer influence on drug use. A subset of youth completed a semi‐structured interview assessing factors related to peer information sharing around drug use. Results showed that peer influence was highly relevant to drug use patterns in street‐involved youth. Trust in the person supplying information, personal and peer experience, and salience of information played important roles in youths’ assessments of drug‐related information exchanged with peers. Implications for improving community information dissemination strategies are discussed.
Acute and cumulative benefits of Photobiomodulation for xerostomia: A systematic review and meta‐analysis
Authors: Galiano‐Castillo Noelia , Liu Lizhou , Lozano‐Lozano Mario , Tumilty Steve , Cantarero‐Villanueva Irene , Baxter George David
Published: September 2020

The objective was to explore the effectiveness of photobiomodulation therapy for treating patients who suffer xerostomia and/or hyposalivation due to the most prevalent clinical diagnoses. We searched PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, CINAHL and Cochrane Library for randomized or clinical controlled trials published until 31 October 2019. Risk of bias assessment and meta‐analysis were conducted using the Cochrane tools. A total of 274 records were retrieved, and 11 met the inclusion criteria. Interventions whose parameters ranged between wavelengths of 790–830 nm (infrared), 30–120 mW of power and an energy density below 30 J/cm‐2 were associated with improvements in xerostomia/hyposalivation. As for the assessment of methodological quality, 10 of the 11 articles included had a high risk of overall bias. Only 3 articles provided sufficient information to conduct a meta‐analysis for quality of life, compared with placebo in patients with burning mouth syndrome, showing a standardized mean difference between groups from baseline of −0.90 (−1.48; −0.32). The present review and meta‐analysis suggest that photobiomodulation therapy is an effective, non‐invasive and safe approach in patients with xerostomia. However, despite the potential, it is not possible to reach a reliable consensus on the parameters to be used, and future studies should be conducted by standardizing intervention protocols.
An approach to using pharmacokinetics and electroencephalography for propofol anesthesia for surgery in infants
Authors: Xu Ting , Kurth Charles Dean , Yuan Ian , Vutskits Laszlo , Zhu Tao
Published: September 2020

Safe and effective techniques for propofol total intravenous anesthesia (TIVA) in infants are not well imbedded into clinical practice, resulting in practitioner unfamiliarity and potential for over‐ and under‐dosing. In this education article, we describe our approach to TIVA dosing in infants and toddlers (birth to 36 months) which combines the use of pharmacokinetic models with EEG multi‐parameter analysis. Pharmacokinetic models describe propofol and remifentanil effect site concentrations (Ce) over time in different age groups for a given dosing regimen. These models display substantial biological variability between individuals within age groups, impeding their application to clinical practice. Nevertheless, they reveal that younger infants require a higher propofol loading dose, a lower propofol maintenance dose, and a higher remifentanil dose compared with older infants. Proprietary EEG indices (eg, Bispectral Index) can serve as a biomarker of propofol Ce in adults and children to guide dosing to the individual patient; however, they are not recommended for infants as their validity remains uncertain this population. In our experience, EEG waveforms and processed parameters can reflect propofol Ce in infants, reflected by spectral edge frequency (SEF), density spectral array (DSA), and waveform patterns. In our practice, we use a “lookup table” of age‐based dosing regimens or target‐controlled infusion (TCI) based on the pharmacokinetic models to deliver a target propofol Ce and co‐administer remifentanil and/or regional technique for analgesia. We analyze Electroencephalogram (EEG) waveforms, SEF, and DSA to adjust the propofol dose or TCI target concentration to the individual infant. EEG analysis mitigates against biological variability inherent in the pharmacokinetic models and has improved our experience with TIVA for infants.
A priori perceptual entitlement, knowledge‐first
Authors: Simion Mona
Published: September 2020

Tyler Burge notably offers a truth‐first account of perceptual entitlement in terms of a priori necessary representational functions and norms: on his account, epistemic normativity turns on natural norms, which turn on representational functions. This paper has two aims: first, it criticises Tyler Burge's truth‐first a priori derivation on functionalist and value‐theoretic grounds. Second, it develops a novel, knowledge‐first a priori derivation of perceptual entitlement. According to the view developed here, it is a priori that we are entitled to believe the deliverances of our perceptual belief formation system, in virtue of the latter's constitutive function of generating knowledge.
Power transition and the regulatory state in large emerging markets: Norm‐breaking after the global financial crisis
Authors: Evenett Simon J.
Published: September 2020

I examine the ways in which the global financial crisis that began in 2007, and whose effects arguably condition policymaking to the present day, affected the ongoing global power transition as manifested by the unilateral decisions undertaken by official agencies comprising national regulatory states. The theory of that power transition articulated in the overview paper of this Special Issue is reinterpreted to take into account the circumstances of that crisis. Empirical evidence on the propensity to discriminate against foreign commercial interests by the BRICS, Turkey, the European Union, and the United States during the years 2008 to 2017 at, and behind, the border is employed to identify a group of six potential rule‐shapers and two possible sham rule‐takers.
Bystander Intervention Training: Does it Increase Perceptions of Blame for Non‐Intervention?
Authors: Holtzman Mellisa
Published: September 2020

This study explores if bystanders to sexual violence are assigned blame when they fail to intervene. During 2017, 31 female and 20 male U.S. college students were asked to read three of six randomly assigned sexual assault vignettes and participate in an interview about their perceptions of bystander inaction. Qualitative analyses reveal that college students do hold bystanders accountable for inaction, but the assignment of blame depends upon the bystander’s knowledge of the perpetrator’s intentions, the degree of similarity between respondents and the bystanders in the vignettes, and the degree to which the bystanders could have behaved differently. Bystanders do face moderate blame for their inaction, this is true in a variety of assault situations, and it suggests bystander training increases perceptions of culpability for non‐intervention. This information can help campus administrators improve the efficacy of their bystander education programs.
Charismatic Catholic Renewal in Bougainville: Revisiting the power of Marian devotion as a cultural and socio‐political force
Authors: Hermkens Anna‐Karina
Published: September 2020

This article explores the interplay between culture and Christianity by detailing the history, experience, and impact of the Charismatic Catholic Renewal in the Autonomous Region of Bougainville in Papua New Guinea (PNG). In 1985, the PNG Catholic Bishops' Conference approved the charismatic movement as one of the authentic movements for spiritual renewal of the Catholic Church in PNG. However, the conference stressed this renewal not to be made independent or outside of the Church. In this article I discuss how in Bougainville the Catholic Charismatic Renewal (CCR) has been predominantly operating ‘outside’ the institutional Catholic Church, drawing upon both Catholic and cultural logics to mobilise devotees across Bougainville towards renewal and political change. In particular, I will focus on various local Marian movements, elucidating the power and force of the CCR in contexts of Bougainville's civil war (1988–1998). In doing so, this paper will explore what Catholicism and CCR may contribute to discussions about the positioning of culture within Christianity, at the same time showing how charismatic Marian devotion invites reassessment of recent prevailing discussions on cultural ‘continuity’ versus ‘rupture’, as well as doctrinal boundaries held so dearly by the CCR and the Roman Catholic Church in general.
Effectiveness of the post‐donation instruction sheet in conveying information to repeat blood donors
Authors: Crowder Lauren A. , Eder Anne F. , Steele Whitney R.
Published: September 2020

Background and objectives

Written materials are commonly used for blood donor education. While pre‐donation materials are largely standardized across US blood collectors, the post‐donation instruction sheet (PDIS) is variable and few have been evaluated to assess their effectiveness in conveying information as reflected by donors’ attention, understanding and recall.

Methods

An online survey was sent to two independent randomly selected samples of repeat donors, before and after implementation of the enhanced PDIS.

Results

A total of 12 935 blood donors responded (33·4% response rate). Most donors did not read the entire PDIS ‐ 34·3% less than half and 18·1% none. Of the 10 593 donors who reported reading any of the PDIS, 97·8% recalled instructions about immediate post‐donation care (e.g. extra fluids/no exercise) and 88·0% to call with questions/problems. However, only 50·1% remembered reading about what to do if you felt dizzy/faint and 32·4% about care for bruises. Recall rates in every area were similar before and after revision; except after revision, more donors remembered seeing information about maintaining iron and fewer that you should call the centre back with additional health information (P < 0·0001).

Discussion

Blood collectors rely heavily on written materials to convey instructions to donors. Most repeat donors do not read the entire PDIS, and many do not recall important information. More donors recalled seeing how to maintain iron with the enhanced PDIS, but recall deficits remained on how to care for adverse reactions. Written materials alone appear to be insufficient to educate some donors about new or updated topics.
Computed tomographic comparison of esophageal hiatal size in brachycephalic and non‐brachycephalic breed dogs
Authors: Conte Alessandro , Morabito Simona , Dennis Ruth , Murgia Daniela
Published: September 2020

Objective

To determine whether an anatomical difference in esophageal hiatus (EH) size exists between brachycephalic and nonbrachycephalic dogs.

Study design

Retrospective clinical study.

Animals

Client‐owned dogs (n = 87).

Methods

Clinical records and images of dogs that underwent computed tomography between June 2015 and September 2018 were reviewed. For the first part of the study, EH and aortic (Ao) cross‐sectional surface areas were measured in brachycephalic (group 1) and nonbrachycephalic dogs of similar body size (<15 kg) without respiratory or gastroesophageal (GE) signs (group 2) by using multiplanar reconstruction. Esophageal hiatus:aortic ratio was calculated. In the second part of the study, absolute EH measurements were also compared in weight‐matched (WM) dogs (8‐10 kg) from groups 1 and 2.

Results

Mean (±SD) of EH:Ao values for group 1 (8.1 ± 2.8) were higher (P < .0001) than those for group 2 (3.7 ± 1.1). In addition, EH measurements of 20 WM dogs in group 1 were higher than those of 20 dogs in group 2 (P < .05).

Conclusion

Esophageal hiatus cross‐sectional surface area (directly and indirectly measured) in brachycephalic dogs was considerably larger than that in nonbrachycephalic dogs of generally similar body size.

Clinical significance

Results of this study provide evidence to support the existence of a specific anatomical factor that could likely correlate to functional GE alterations (eg, regurgitation, gastroesophageal reflux, and sliding hiatal hernia) commonly seen in brachycephalic dogs.
Risk of hospitalization and death within 2 years after methicillin‐resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) diagnosis in persons colonized or infected with livestock and non–livestock‐associated MRSA—A nationwide register‐based cohort study
Authors: Holten Møller Camilla , Andersson Mikael , Rhod Larsen Anders , Petersen Andreas , Mølbak Kåre , Koch Anders
Published: September 2020

Livestock‐associated methicillin‐resistant Staphylococcus aureus (LA‐MRSA) CC398 has emerged in humans throughout Europe and the USA during the last decade and is associated with the spread of LA‐MRSA CC398 in production animals. In this study, we investigated the risk of subsequent hospitalization with an S. aureus‐related diagnosis and death within the first 2 years after MRSA diagnosis. The study included 7,521 carriers of MRSA, an age‐matched reference population of 376,041 individuals and 7,607 patients infected with MRSA. Hazard ratios (HR) for hospitalization with an S. aureus‐related diagnosis were 4.09 (95% CI: 2.78–6.00) and for death 1.21 (95% CI: 0.80–1.83) in LA‐MRSA CC398 carriers compared with the reference population. Comparing carriers of LA‐MRSA CC398 and non‐CC398 MRSA, HR for hospitalization was 0.61 (95% CI: 0.37–0.99) and death 0.25 (95% CI: 0.16–0.40), respectively. Patients initially diagnosed with LA‐MRSA CC398 or non‐CC398 MRSA infection differed from MRSA carriers in terms of older age, higher Charlson comorbidity index score and longer hospital stays. HR for subsequent hospitalization and death was similar regardless having infection with LA‐MRSA CC398 or non‐CC398 MRSA at the time of MRSA diagnosis. We established that MRSA CC398 carriers have a lower risk of hospitalization and death up to 2 years after MRSA diagnosis than non‐CC398 MRSA carriers do. In contrast, MRSA carriage, regardless the MRSA strain is a burden in terms of hospitalization and death when compared to the background reference population. Further, we established that there are no differences in risk of subsequent hospitalization and death in patients initially diagnosed with MRSA CC398 or non‐CC398 MRSA infection. We suggest that public health surveillance of MRSA clearly needs to distinguish between carriage and infection as well as strain type before any inference from number of cases to disease burden is made.
Hierarchical Robust Energy Management of Hybrid Electric Vehicles
Authors: Sotoudeh Seyedeh Mahsa , Vellamattathil Baby Tinu , Shahri Pouria Karimi , Ghasemi Amir H. , HomChaudhuri Baisravan
Published: September 2020

This article proposes a hierarchical energy management strategy for power-split hybrid electric vehicles (HEVs) in presence of driving cycle uncertainty. The proposed hierarchical controller exploits long-term and short-term decision making via a high-level pseudospectral optimal controller and a low-level robust tube-based model predictive controller. This way, the proposed controller aims at robust charge balance constraint satisfaction and improvement in energy efficiency of the HEVs in presence of uncertainty in the future driving cycle. This article further focuses on the human-driven HEV energy management and exploits a data-driven future velocity prediction method that uses the data obtained from a drive simulator. Simulation results show an improvement in fuel economy for the proposed controller that is real time applicable and robust to the driving cycle’s uncertainty.
Friction Forces in a Linear-Guideway Type Recirculating Ball Bearing Under Grease Lubrication
Authors: Ohta Hiroyuki , Oguma Kazunori , Takane Koji , Kato Soichiro
Published: September 2020

This paper deals with friction forces in a linear-guideway type recirculating ball bearing (linear bearing) under grease lubrication. During the experiments, the friction force, temperature, and electric contact voltage of a grease lubricated linear bearing (test bearing) without seals were measured. Experimental results showed that the measured friction forces of the test bearing were fluctuated with the ball passage period. The measured time-average friction force FAVG (measured FAVG) was nearly constant when the grease filling rate x (=grease filling volume/internal space of the bearing) ≥0.13, while the measured FAVG decreased as x decreased when x < 0.13. In addition, the measured temperatures were almost constant, and the measured contact voltages indicated that the contacts of the balls and raceways were electrically insulated by the grease film. Next, the expressions of friction forces due to differential slip (FD), elastic hysteresis loss (FE), and rolling traction (FRT) were shown. The calculated FD + FE + FRT for the test bearing was almost equal to the measured FAVG around the grease filling rate of x = 0, while in cases where x > 0, the measured FAVG was greater than the calculated FD + FE + FRT. This means that when x > 0, an agitating resistance (FA) from the grease might cause the measured FAVG to be greater than the calculated FD + FE + FRT. Finally, an expression for the friction force of a linear bearing, FAVG = FD + FE + FRT + FA (which can estimate the measured ones) is proposed.
Quantitative Assessment of Potassium Hydroxide Concentration in Oxyhydrogen Cell for Optimal Gasoline Fuel Engine Performance and Emissions
Authors: Musmar Sa’ed A. , Al-Rousan Ammar A. , AlAjlouni Musa , Alzoubi Khalid
Published: September 2020

Oxyhydrogen gas (Brown gas (HHO)) can be an innovative venue for cleaner energy in the auto industry. The effect of potassium hydroxide (KOH) concentration in an electrolyte solution of HHO fuel cell on GK200 Honda single-cylinder engine performance parameters and emissions has been investigated. A 1 L/min blend of HHO is fed to the engine as a secondary fuel and a constant electrical load, and variable engine speed (1300–2300) tests were carried out to quantify the foremost concentration of KOH in the fuel cell electrolyte that has a constructive impact on both engine performance parameters and emissions. Several concentrations of KOH were considered (1 g/l, 1.5 g/l, 2 g/l, 5 g/l, and 6.5 g/l). Results reveal that all KOH concentrations considered have a positive impact on engine performance parameters and the best concentration range for KOH in distilled water is within the range 1–2 g/l. The average percentage enhancement in engine brake power was 22.3% and 20.5% reduction in specific fuel consumption whereas the average reduction in carbon oxide (CO) and carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions were almost 80% and 50% reduction in NOx and HC emissions. Most of the literature concerned with HHO as a fuel blend set 5 g/l KOH concentration for fuel cell electrolyte whereas the results of this research reveal that lower concentrations within the range of 1–2 g/l reduce the energy consumed by the fuel cell in addition to higher impact on the engine performance parameters and enhance the overall system efficiency.
A Semi-Analytical Model Based on the Volumetric Source Method to Predict Acid Injection Profiles of Horizontal Wells in Carbonate Reservoirs
Authors: Tan Yongsheng , Li Qi , Li Haitao , Zhou Xiang , Jiang Beibei
Published: September 2020

Acid treatment is an important measure to improve production for horizontal wells of carbonate reservoirs. Acid injection profile of horizontal wells (AIPHWs) is the most critical indicator of the success of the acidification. Currently, most previous works studied AIPHW based on the point source method. However, an inherent singularity exists in the point source solution, and hence, the calculation speed is too slow or the solution does not converge. To solve this problem, a semi-analytical model (coupling the wellbore flow model and reservoir seepage model) by the volumetric source method is presented to determine AIPHW in carbonate reservoirs. In this new coupled model, the permeability heterogeneity, formation contamination, acid-induced wormhole formation, and wellbore pressure drop are all considered. The results of the validations show that the results from the proposed method match well with the model results from the literature. Then, the effects of the acid injection flowrate, acid injection time, and permeability heterogeneity on the AIPHW are studied. According to the sensitivity analysis, we find that the disequilibrium degree of AIPHW becomes stronger as acid injection flowrate increases, acid injection time increases, and permeability heterogeneity coefficient increases. This study provides a guide for the design of horizontal well acidification and the evaluation of acid treatments of horizontal wells in carbonate reservoirs.
Integrated Similarity Criteria of Particle Erosion in Elbows Under Gas and Gas-Mist Flow Conditions
Authors: Liu Mingyang , Hu Liming
Published: September 2020

Solid particle erosion has been a long-standing concern in oil-and-gas production and transportation systems, particularly in elbows of pipelines. Since it is difficult to exactly reproduce field conditions in the laboratory to study erosion, it is necessary to develop similarity criteria which ensure that lab results are representative of field conditions. Building on a previous work by the authors on similarity criteria that cover flow-field properties and particle-following behavior in gas and gas-mist flows, this work adds a similarity criterion for particle-rebounding and target material hardness. This new expanded set of criteria is validated using computational fluid dynamics by mapping five classic model tests to field cases—at different pipe diameters and pressures, with duplex stainless steel as the target material—and then comparing dimensionless maximum penetration rates and their angular locations. The analysis of errors demonstrates that the proposed criteria perform well in mapping laboratory data to field conditions.
Genome Sequence of Oenococcus oeni OE37, an Autochthonous Strain Isolated from an Italian White Wine
Authors: Costantini Antonella , Blazquez Ana B. , Cerutti Francesco , Vaudano Enrico , Peletto Simone , Saiz Juan-Carlos , Garcia-Moruno Emilia
Published: September 2020

Oenococcus oeni
OE37 is an autochthonous strain that was isolated from a Chardonnay wine from Piedmont (Italy) during spontaneous malolactic fermentation. Here, the OE37 genome sequence is presented, and a brief description of the main genes is reported.
Draft Genome Sequence of a New Delhi Metallo-β-Lactamase (NDM-1)-Producing Providencia stuartii Strain Isolated in Lima, Peru
Authors: Lezameta Lizet , Cuicapuza Diego , Dávila-Barclay Alejandra , Torres Susan , Salvatierra Guillermo , Tsukayama Pablo , Tamariz Jesús
Published: September 2020

Providencia stuartii
is an opportunistic pathogen of the
Enterobacteriales
order. Here, we report the 4,594,658-bp draft genome sequence of a New Delhi metallo-β-lactamase (NDM-1)-producing
Providencia stuartii
strain that was isolated from an emergency patient in a private clinic in Lima, Peru.
Temporary late Holocene barrier-chain deterioration due to insufficient sediment availability, Wadden Sea, Denmark
Authors: Fruergaard Mikkel , Sander Lasse , Goslin Jérôme , Andersen Thorbjørn J.
Published: September 2020

Understanding the coupling between sediment availability and sea-level change is important for forecasting coastal-barrier (barrier islands and barrier spits) response to future sea-level rise (SLR). An extensive data set of sediment cores, seismic profiles, and a high-resolution chronology from the Wadden Sea (southeastern North Sea) documents that long-term barrier-chain progradation was interrupted by a period of widespread barrier deterioration between ca. 3.5 and 2.0 ka. The decay of the barrier islands resulted from a decrease in littoral drift triggered by regional-scale coastal reconfiguration. The formation of a large cuspate foreland updrift caused the depositional locus to shift away from the barrier coast. Our results demonstrate that the resulting reduction in marine sediment availability substantially decreased the stability of the barrier chain, causing the regional SLR thresholds to fall from between 2 and 9 mm yr−1 to ∼0.9 mm yr−1, and thus below contemporary rates of SLR. Hence, we argue that predicting the response of barrier coasts to ongoing SLR requires consideration of possible changes in sediment availability and the role of large-scale geomorphological feedbacks due to human and natural causes.
Discrete time measures versus trajectories of drinking frequency across adolescence as predictors of binge drinking in young adulthood: a longitudinal investigation
Authors: Sylvestre Marie-Pierre , Wellman Robert J , Ahun Marilyn N , Datta Geetanjali , Jutras-Aswad Didier , O Loughlin Jennifer
Published: September 2020

Objectives

We compared discrete time measures with trajectories of adolescent drinking frequency as predictors of sustained binge drinking in young adulthood.

Design

Prospective longitudinal study.

Setting

10 high schools in Montréal, Canada.

Participants

1293 high-school students followed from mean (SD) age 12 (0.6) to 24 (0.7) years.

Primary outcome measures

Patterns of drinking frequency (self-reports every 3 months from ages 12 to 17) identified using group-based trajectory modelling. Sustained binge drinking was defined as binging monthly or more often at both ages 20 and 24.

Analyses

Using logistic regression, sustained binge drinking was regressed on trajectory group membership and on four discrete time measures (frequency of drinking at age 12; frequency of drinking at age 17; age at drinking onset; age at onset of drinking monthly or more often).

Results

We identified seven drinking trajectories: late triers (15.2%), decreasers (9.5%), late escalators (10.4%), early slow escalators (16.5%), steady drinkers (14.4%), early rapid escalators (15.8%) and early frequent drinkers (18.2%). Sustained binge drinking was reported by 260 of 787 participants (33.0%) with complete data at both ages 20 and 24. Decreasers did not differ from late triers; all other patterns were associated with higher odds of sustained binge drinking (adjusted ORs: AORs=1.4–17.0). All discrete time measures were associated with sustained binge drinking, notably frequency at age 12 (a bit to try and drinking monthly: (AORs=2.6 (1.7; 3.9) and 2.8 (1.3; 6.1), respectively), age of drinking onset <13 years (AOR=7.6 (3.0; 24.1)), and any age of onset of drinking monthly or more often (AORs=5.1–8.2).

Conclusion

Youth at risk of sustained binge drinking as young adults can be identified with indicators of early drinking as early as 7th grade (aged 12–13 years). Identification of easy-to-obtain indicators can facilitate screening and intervention efforts.