bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Introducing social protection in the Middle East and North Africa: Prospects for a new social contract?
Authors: Loewe Markus , Jawad Rana
Published: May 2018

The introductory article of this special issue looks at the genesis, characteristics and challenges of social protection schemes in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA). It argues that social protection policies in the MENA should be seen as a key ingredient of the social contract that governments offered to their citizens after independence. To compensate for the lack of political participation and accountability, free public health and education systems, generous food, energy and water subsidies, social insurance and assistance schemes and mass public‐sector employment were established. This was possible because MENA countries benefitted from substantial windfall profits (from the export of oil, gas and minerals; Suez Canal user fees), as well as from income from remittances from migrant workers and income from politically motivated aid. The decline of income from some of these sources and population growth has led MENA governments to focus more closely their social protection spending on strategically important social groups: typically, the urban upper middle class. As a result, social protection systems in MENA countries currently suffer from severe weaknesses in terms of social fairness, efficiency and sustainability. Although MENA countries still spend a very considerable share of gross domestic product on their social protection schemes, these have only very limited effects on the reduction of poverty, vulnerability and inequality – and some even exhibit perverse “bottom‐up” redistributive outcomes. The articles that comprise this special issue selectively spotlight a number of opportunities and challenges for the development of sustainable social protection in the MENA countries.
A retrospective medical records review of risk factors for the development of respiratory tract secretions (death rattle) in the dying patient
Authors: Kolb Hildegard , Snowden Austyn , Stevens Elaine , Atherton Iain
Published: May 2018

Aim

Identification of risk factors predicting the development of death rattle.

Background

Respiratory tract secretions, often called death rattle, are among the most common symptoms in dying patients around the world. It is unknown whether death rattle causes distress in patients, but it has been globally reported that distress levels can be high in family members. Although there is a poor evidence base, treatment with antimuscarinic medication is standard practice worldwide and prompt intervention is recognized as crucial for effectiveness. The identification of risk factors for the development of death rattle would allow for targeted interventions.

Design

A case–control study was designed to retrospectively review two hundred consecutive medical records of mainly cancer patients who died in a hospice inpatient setting between 2009–2011. Fifteen potential risk factors including the original factors weight, smoking, final opioid dose and final midazolam dose were investigated.

Methods

Binary logistic regression to identify risk factors for death rattle development.

Results

Univariate analysis showed death rattle was significantly associated with final Midazolam doses and final opioid doses, length of dying phase and anticholinergic drug load in the pre‐terminal phase. In the final logistic regression model only Midazolam was statistically significant and only at final doses of 20 mg/24 hrs or over (OR 3.81 CI 1.41–10.34).

Conclusions

Dying patients with a requirement for a high dose of Midazolam have an increased likelihood of developing death rattle.
Using commercial video games in flipped classrooms to support physical concept construction
Authors: Ye S.‐H. , Hsiao T.‐Y. , Sun C.‐T.
Published: May 2018

Based on the flipped‐classroom model and the potential motivational and instructional benefits of digital games, we describe a flipped game‐based learning (FGBL) strategy focused on preclass and overall learning outcomes. A secondary goal is to determine the effects, if any, of the classroom aspects of the FGBL strategy on learning efficiency. Our experiments involved 2 commercial games featuring physical motion concepts: Ballance (Newton's law of motion) and Angry Birds (mechanical energy conservation). We randomly assigned 87 8th‐grade students to game instruction (digital game before class and lecture‐based instruction in class), FGBL strategy (digital game before class and cooperative learning in the form of group discussion and practice in class), or lecture‐based instruction groups (no gameplay). Results indicate that the digital games exerted a positive effect on preclass learning outcomes and that FGBL‐strategy students achieved better overall learning outcomes than their lecture‐based peers. Our observation of similar overall outcomes between the cooperative learning and lecture‐based groups suggests a need to provide additional teaching materials or technical support when introducing video games to cooperative classroom learning activities.
Developmental changes in longitudinal associations between academic achievement and psychopathological symptoms from late childhood to middle adolescence
Authors: Zhang Wenxin , Zhang Liang , Chen Liang , Ji Linqin , Deater‐Deckard Kirby
Published: May 2018

Background

Research reveals longitudinal bidirectional associations between changes in academic achievement and psychopathological symptoms. However, little is known about developmental changes in the magnitude of these associations, from childhood to adolescence.

Methods

Participants were 648 Chinese children (347 males) who were followed from Grade 5 (mean age: 11.18 years) to Grade 9. Academic achievement and two types of symptoms (externalizing, depressive) were assessed annually. Structural equation modeling was used to examine longitudinal bidirectional associations between achievement and psychopathological symptoms, and developmental changes in effect sizes. Models were estimated using cross‐lagged panel modeling (CLPM), as well as random intercepts cross‐lagged panel modeling (RI‐CLPM).

Results

The data supported the hypothesized academic incompetence and adjustment erosion effects, as well as the hypothesized developmental change in the academic incompetence effect whereby prior achievement's effects on subsequent externalizing increased with age. Results were similar for both genders and unaffected by inclusion of common risk factors as covariates.

Conclusions

There are bidirectional associations between symptoms and achievement that change markedly across the transition into adolescence. Interpreting the effects using a developmental perspective, changes in reciprocal effects may be dynamic. The findings suggest that targeting both psychopathology and low academic achievement is worthwhile, but that distinct treatment effects will be found in childhood versus adolescence.
The Consumer Costs of Food Certification: A Pilot Study and Research Opportunities
Authors: Carter David P. , Cachelin Adrienne
Published: May 2018

Certification labels have become a ubiquitous feature on food products across grocery store shelves. Although it is widely acknowledged that certified products often garner higher prices than their noncertified competition, less is known regarding what those price differences are based on, and what the personal, political, or ethical implications are for consumers. This research note argues for greater attention to the implications of certified food prices—which we conceptualize as the “consumer costs” of food certification. The paper discusses the theoretical linkages between food certifications and prices, and outlines the resulting consumer costs of which we are concerned. Through a pilot study in Salt Lake City, Utah, we investigate prices found on certified grocery store rice, and consider the causes and implications of the consumer costs of food certification.
Financial Literacy and Self‐Employment
Authors: Ćumurović Aida , Hyll Walter
Published: May 2018

In this paper, we study the relationship between financial literacy and self‐employment. We use established financial literacy questions to measure literacy levels. The analysis shows a highly significant and positive correlation between the index and self‐employment. We address the direction of causality by applying instrumental variable techniques based on information about maternal education. We also exploit information on financial support and family background to account for concerns about the exclusion restriction. The results provide support for a positive effect of financial literacy on the probability of being self‐employed. As financial literacy is acquirable, the findings suggest that entrepreneurial activities might be increased by enhancing financial literacy.
The Dynamics of Financially Constrained Arbitrage
Authors: GROMB DENIS , VAYANOS DIMITRI
Published: May 2018

We develop a model in which financially constrained arbitrageurs exploit price discrepancies across segmented markets. We show that the dynamics of arbitrage capital are self‐correcting: following a shock that depletes capital, returns increase, which allows capital to be gradually replenished. Spreads increase more for trades with volatile fundamentals or more time to convergence. Arbitrageurs cut their positions more in those trades, except when volatility concerns the hedgeable component. Financial constraints yield a positive cross‐sectional relationship between spreads/returns and betas with respect to arbitrage capital. Diversification of arbitrageurs across markets induces contagion, but generally lowers arbitrageurs' risk and price volatility.
Food texture and sweetener type modify sweetness perception in whey protein‐based model foods
Authors: Wagoner T. B. , McCain H. R. , Foegeding E. A. , Drake M. A.
Published: May 2018

In an effort to formulate healthier food products, sugar is often reduced or replaced with artificial or natural non‐nutritive sweeteners. However, the removal of sucrose often changes food texture, and non‐nutritive sweeteners inherently exhibit differences in sweetness quality, onset, and overall intensity. Therefore, the objectives of this study were to evaluate the effects of texture on sweetness dose‐response profiles of whey protein solutions sweetened with sucrose, sucralose, stevia, or monk fruit extracts, and to assess temporal progression of dominant attributes. Whey protein‐based model foods with different textural properties were generated without modifying composition by varying heating time. Dose‐response power functions and iso‐sweet equivalencies were determined using magnitude estimation scaling. Temporal profiles of dominant texture, taste, and flavor attributes were evaluated using temporal dominance of sensations (TDS). A significant texture‐sweetener interaction effect was observed (p < .05), where more viscous or semisolid textures required greater amounts of sweetener for iso‐sweetness. Moreover, the dose‐response slope decreased with increasing thickness for sucralose, stevia, and monk fruit‐sweetened textures. Results of TDS indicated that increased thickness prolonged the dominance of several attributes. This study shows that sugar reduction strategies are not universal; food matrix, sweetener type, and usage level need to be considered when attempting to modify texture or reduce sucrose.

Practical applications

Sucrose reduction, use of nonnutritive sweeteners, and texture modification are all ways in which food manufacturers can increase the healthful quality of the food supply. However, these types of modifications can alter the overall sensory properties of a food. Texture‐taste interactions are not currently well understood, and knowledge in this area is important for designing ways to modify texture or reduce sucrose for health and enjoyment. The results of this study provide insight into texture‐taste interactions, indicating that sugar reduction or replacement strategies are not one size fits all and are likely product and sweetener‐specific.
Systematic review and meta‐analysis: Development of hepatocellular carcinoma in chronic hepatitis B patients with hepatitis e antigen seroconversion
Authors: Zhou T.‐C. , Lai X. , Feng M.‐H. , Tang Y. , Zhang L. , Wei J.
Published: May 2018

Hepatitis B e antigen (HBeAg) seroconversion is considered to have significantly favourable clinical outcomes for patients with chronic hepatitis B (CHB). However, inconsistent study results suggest that hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) still occurs in patients with HBeAg seroconversion. We performed a systematic review and meta‐analysis to determine the incidence of HCC in patients with CHB after HBeAg seroconversion. Web of Science, PubMed and Embase databases were searched through January 2017. The incidence of HCC in CHB patients after HBeAg seroconversion was pooled using a random‐effects model or fix‐effects model. Sixteen studies were finally included, involving 4910 patients with HBeAg seroconversion. The overall pooled proportion suggested that 3.33% (95% confidence interval (CI): 2.28%‐4.58%) of patients with CHB develop HCC despite HBeAg seroconversion. In patients with HBeAg seroconversion without cirrhosis, the pooled proportion of HCC development was 0.94% (95% CI: 0.15%‐2.4%). Moreover, patients with cirrhosis, active hepatitis, or aged greater than 40 years at the time of HBeAg seroconversion were at significantly higher risk for HCC development. HBeAg seroconversion was significantly associated with a reduced risk of HCC compared with persistently positive HBeAg (RR = 0.58, 95% CI: 0.35‐0.97, P = .04). Despite the reduced risk with HBeAg seroconversion, HCC can still occur in a proportion of patients with CHB after HBeAg seroconversion. Long‐term monitoring is needed for patients with established cirrhosis, active hepatitis or those older than 40 years at the time of HBeAg seroconversion.
The removal of information from working memory
Authors: Lewis‐Peacock Jarrod A. , Kessler Yoav , Oberauer Klaus
Published: May 2018

What happens to goal‐relevant information in working memory after it is no longer needed? Here, we review evidence for a selective removal process that operates on outdated information to limit working memory load and hence facilitates the maintenance of goal‐relevant information. Removal alters the representations of irrelevant content so as to reduce access to it, thereby improving access to the remaining relevant content and also facilitating the encoding of new information. Both behavioral and neural evidence support the existence of a removal process that is separate from forgetting due to decay or interference. We discuss the potential mechanisms involved in removal and characterize the time course and duration of the process. In doing so, we propose the existence of two forms of removal: one is temporary, and reversible, which modifies working memory content without impacting content‐to‐context bindings, and another is permanent, which unbinds the content from its context in working memory (without necessarily impacting long‐term forgetting). Finally, we discuss limitations on removal and prescribe conditions for evaluating evidence for or against this process.
“Walking” through the sensory, cognitive, and temporal degradations of healthy aging
Authors: Paraskevoudi Nadia , Balcı Fuat , Vatakis Argiro
Published: May 2018

As we age, there is a wide range of changes in motor, sensory, cognitive, and temporal processing due to alterations in the functioning of the central nervous and musculoskeletal systems. Specifically, aging is associated with degradations in gait; altered processing of the individual sensory systems; modifications in executive control, memory, and attention; and changes in temporal processing. These age‐related alterations are often inter‐related and have been suggested to result from shared neural substrates. Additionally, the overlap between these brain areas and those controlling walking raises the possibility of facilitating performance in several tasks by introducing protocols that can efficiently target all four domains. Attempts to counteract these negative effects of normal aging have been focusing on research to prevent falls and/or enhance cognitive processes, while ignoring the potential multisensory benefits accompanying old age. Research shows that the aging brain tends to increasingly rely on multisensory integration to compensate for degradations in individual sensory systems and for altered neural functioning. This review covers the age‐related changes in the above‐mentioned domains and the potential to exploit the benefits associated with multisensory integration in aging so as to improve one's mobility and enhance sensory, cognitive, and temporal processing.
Description of public health nursing nutrition assessment and interventions for home‐visited women
Authors: Horning Melissa L. , Olsen Jeanette M. , Lell Shay , Thorson Diane R. , Monsen Karen A.
Published: May 2018

Objective(s)

The purpose of this manuscript was to describe: Public Health Nurse (PHN) home‐visited, female client Nutrition Knowledge (K), Behavior (B), and Status (S); the number and types of nutrition interventions PHNs used with these clients; and the types of clients receiving nutrition interventions.

Design and Sample

This descriptive study used PHN‐generated Omaha System, electronic health record data from January 2012 to July 2015. The analytic sample contains 558 women who received home visits in a rural Midwestern U.S. county that employed universal nutrition assessment for clients.

Measurements

Omaha System data included nutrition KBS scores (from 1 = low to 5 = high) and nutrition interventions delivered. Analyses included descriptive, bivariate, and multivariate analyses (means, frequencies, chi‐squares, general linear models).

Results

PHNs assessed nutrition KBS scores for 84.1% of clients; average Nutrition Knowledge was 3.4 (SD = 0.7), Behavior 3.7 (SD = 0.8), and Status 4.3 (SD = 1.0). PHNs provided 0‐36 nutrition interventions per client. Nutrition intervention patterns were detected by the type of visit clients received.

Conclusions

Results suggest home‐visited women have room to improve Nutrition KBS and PHNs utilize myriad nutrition interventions. Results also point to opportunities to improve home‐visited client care by providing more nutrition interventions, especially to those not receiving interventions, and revising standard care plans to reflect important Case Management nutrition interventions.
A tripartite model for recruiting African‐Americans into fatherhood intervention research
Authors: Julion Wrenetha A. , Sumo Jen'nea , Bounds Dawn T.
Published: May 2018

Many studies have examined factors influencing African‐American (AA) participation in research studies. But none inform the recruitment of AA men into fatherhood intervention research. Our purpose is to describe the recruitment and enrollment framework of the Dedicated African American Dad (DAAD) Study, a randomized controlled trial (RCT) designed to test a fatherhood intervention against a financial literacy comparison condition. AA nonresident (AANR) fathers are fathers who do not reside with their child on a full‐time basis. Fathers attended 10 group‐based sessions; and father and mother informants completed research interviews at baseline, postintervention, and 12 weeks postintervention. The DAAD Study tripartite model is a system of strategies that address three factors that individually and cooperatively affect recruitment of AANR fathers into research: community partnerships; study infrastructure; and recruitment personnel. The intersection of these three components forms a recruitment nexus that can be used to guide community‐based research. The DAAD study serves as an exemplar of recruitment challenges, strategies, and lessons learned.
Differential gene expression of Eph‐ephrin A1 and LEPR‐LEP with high or low number of embryos in pigs during implantation
Authors: Fu Y , Knox RV , Li L , Ren S
Published: May 2018

Contents

The objective of this study was to ascertain whether mRNA and protein expressions of implantation‐related genes (erythropoietin‐producing hepatocellular receptor–ligand A1, Eph‐ephrin A1 and leptin receptor–leptin, LEPR‐LEP) differed between pigs with high and low number of embryos, and whether these differences in gene expression might affect embryo implantation. Experimental pig groups (n = 24) for high and low number of embryos were prepared by altering the number of eggs ovulated in pre‐pubertal gilts treated with 1.5 × (High) or 1.0 × (Low) PG600 ([400 IU PMSG + 200 IU hCG]/dose, AKZO‐NOBEL). Gilts expressing oestrus were artificially inseminated twice and maintained in breeding and gestation until the reproductive tract was collected on day 22 of pregnancy. At slaughter, the reproductive tracts from each pregnant gilt from each treatment were immediately processed to collect samples for RNA and protein analysis. Within each gilt, three conceptus points were sampled, one from each horn and then a random conceptus within the tract. At each conceptus point, endometrial attachment site, chorion–allantois and embryo were collected and immediately frozen in liquid nitrogen. Number of corpus luteum (CL) (35.4 vs. 12.6) and total embryo number (18.8 vs. 10.2) were greater in the high‐embryo compared to the low‐embryo group, respectively (p < .05). Real‐time qPCR results showed that Eph‐ephrin A1 mRNA expression was less in the high‐embryo (p < .05) compared to the low‐embryo group. In addition, Western blotting analysis indicated that Eph‐ephrin A1 and LEP protein expression at endometrial attachment site in high‐embryo was less (p < .05) compared to low‐embryo group. It was also noted that mRNA expression of Eph‐ephrin A1 and LEPR‐LEP was greater in pregnant than non‐pregnant gilts (p < .05). Moreover, mRNA expression of Eph‐ephrin A1 (p < .05) and LEPR‐LEP was greatest at endometrial attachment site among all three tissues. There was a positive correlation between expressions of Eph‐ephrin A1, LEPR‐LEP and embryo length with the correlation coefficient 0.31–0.59. For Eph‐ephrin A1, the highest correlation coefficient appeared between Eph A1 expression and normal embryo number, between ephrin A1 expression and embryo length. For LEPR‐LEP, the highest correlation coefficient appeared between LEPR‐LEP expression and ovary weight (0.79 for both, p < .05), followed by embryo length and weight. The results of this study suggest that low expression of Eph‐ephrin A1 and LEPR‐LEP is somehow related to increased embryo number during implantation and that endometrial attachment site might be the main target tissue of these gene products. Yet, the increased expression of Eph‐ephrin A1 and LEPR‐LEP appeared associated with increased embryo growth (length and weight) and ovary weight, Eph‐ephrin A1 and LEPR‐LEP might play roles in the regulation of embryo implantation in pigs.
Obligations of conduct in the international law on climate change: A defence
Authors: Mayer Benoit
Published: May 2018

An obligation of conduct is an obligation to make an honest endeavour, notwithstanding the outcome. From the no‐harm principle to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change and the Paris Agreement, obligations of conduct play a central role in the international law on climate change mitigation. They are not simply the result of political tradeoffs with reluctant States, but they address real concerns with the unpredictable costs of implementing specific mitigation targets over a decade or more. This article retraces the origins of obligations of conduct in the French law of obligations and its reception in international law. It then highlights the prominence of such obligations in the international law on climate change mitigation. Based on this analysis, it contends that obligations of conduct are an effective tool to promote ambition and participation to international efforts on climate change mitigation.
Early increase of VEGF‐A is associated with resolution of ventilator‐associated pneumonia: Clinical and experimental evidence
Authors: Strouvalis Ioannis , Routsi Christina , Adamopoulou Maria , Raftogiannis Maria , Renieris George , Orfanos Stylianos E. , Kotanidou Anastasia , Sabracos Labros , Giamarellos‐Bourboulis Evangelos J.
Published: May 2018

Background and objective

The role of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF)‐A in the resolution of ventilator‐associated pneumonia (VAP) was investigated in clinical and mouse pneumonia models.

Methods

VEGF‐A was measured for seven consecutive days by an immunosorbent assay in sera of 82 patients with VAP and changes from baseline were correlated with the resolution of VAP. Experimental animals were challenged intratracheally with Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Mouse bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) samples and segments of lung tissue were obtained at 24, 48 and 124 h after bacterial challenge. Levels of VEGF‐A, tumour Necrosis Factor alpha (TNF‐α), interleukin (IL)‐1β, interferon‐gamma (IFNγ) and myeloperoxidase (MPO) activity were measured in these samples.

Results

VAP resolved in 36.1% of patients with a less than 45% increase of VEGF‐A on day 5 compared to 65.2% of patients with a more than 45% increase (P = 0.014). This was also accompanied by an earlier resolution of VAP (log‐rank: 7.99; P = 0.005) and it was not pathogen‐specific. The increase of VEGF‐A was an independent variable associated with VAP resolution in forward logistic regression analysis where Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation (APACHE) II and Sequential Organ Failure Assessment (SOFA) scores were included as independent variables. VEGF‐A in mouse BAL and lung tissue increased significantly at 124 h but not with the other mediators. In mice pre‐treated with bevacizumab, VEGF‐A concentrations decreased while TNF‐α and MPO significantly increased.

Conclusion

In patients, an association between increased levels of circulating VEGF‐A and VAP resolution was observed. The mouse study suggests that elevated VEGF‐A levels may be associated with lung inflammation resolution.

Clinical trial registration: NCT00297674 at www.clinicaltrials.gov
Elastic labor supply, variable markups, and spatial inequalities
Authors: Takatsuka Hajime , Zeng Dao‐Zhi
Published: May 2018

Assuming an inelastic labor supply, existing studies show that a larger country has a higher wage rate and a higher individual income. We reexamine these results using a model with an endogenous labor supply and variable markups. We find that these results can be reversed. Specifically, in the larger country, the wage rate is lower but the individual income is higher if the love for variety is strong and trade costs are high. In contrast, the wage rate is higher but the individual income may be lower if the love for variety is weak and trade costs are low.
Innovation, FDI, and the long‐run effects of monetary policy
Authors: Chen Hung‐Ju
Published: May 2018

This paper studies the long‐run effects of monetary policy on innovation and pattern of production in a North–South product‐cycle model with foreign direct investment (FDI) and separate cash‐in‐advance (CIA) constraints on innovative and adaptive R&D. If innovative R&D is subject to the CIA constraint, then a decrease in the Northern nominal interest rate raises the rate of Northern innovation, the rate of FDI, and the North–South wage gap. Regarding the production pattern, the extent of Northern production decreases as the extent of FDI increases. If adaptive R&D is subject to the CIA constraint, then a decrease in the Southern nominal interest rate causes the same effects on the rates of innovation and FDI as well as the extents of Northern production and FDI as those in the case of a decrease in the Northern nominal interest rate. However, such a monetary policy change reduces the North–South wage gap. This study also analyzes the stability of the long‐run equilibrium and examines the responses of social welfare for Northern and Southern consumers to monetary policy.
Anterior tooth wear and quality of life in a nursing home population
Authors: al‐Allaq Tumouh , Feng Changyong , Saunders Ralph H.
Published: May 2018

Aims

The aim of the study was to assess the extent to which a relationship may exist between the wear of the anterior teeth and quality of life in a population of nursing home residents.

Methods and Results

A population (n = 100) of nursing home residents (mean age 75.7 years) was recruited all members of which had at least 4 upper and 4 lower anterior teeth and were assessed as cognitively intact by nursing personnel who were familiar with their behavior. The investigator evaluated the level of tooth wear of each subject according to the Tooth Wear Index of Donachie and Walls (Adapted) and then verbally administered the Geriatric Oral Health Assessment Index (GOHAI) of Atchison and Dolan. Analyses did not reveal significant differences in tooth wear between males and females nor between age and GOHAI score; however, tooth wear was positively related to age and inversely related to quality of life.

Conclusions

Results suggest that tooth wear is negatively related to quality of life.
Twitter and climate change
Authors: Fownes Jennifer R. , Yu Chao , Margolin Drew B.
Published: May 2018

Twitter provides a useful tool for studying public conversations about climate change, an issue that crosses international boundaries and stirs political and scientific debate. This review presents what is currently known about the way climate change is discussed on Twitter, acknowledging advantages and limitations and suggesting future areas for study. As an accessible platform, Twitter allows public expression of opinions on climate change and provides data on how these fluctuate over different times and places. Moving forward, studies assessing climate views can be improved by better linking them to demographic and other data indicating the population that Twitter users represent. The open‐ended content of tweets provides additional information, such as which topics are associated with climate change and which terms are used to discuss it. Future studies can build on these results to capture a wider range of climate‐related discussion. Finally, researchers are using Twitter to understand who initiates and participates in climate change dialog and how, by categorizing users as different actors—such as politicians, celebrities, NGOs, or the general public. Future research could consider how effective these efforts are, and how Twitter activity translates to offline outcomes.
Fundamental supply of skin blood flow in the Chinese Han population: Measurements by a full‐field laser perfusion imager
Authors: Fei W. , Xu S. , Ma J. , Zhai W. , Cheng S. , Chang Y. , Wang X. , Gao J. , Tang H. , Yang S. , Zhang X.
Published: May 2018

Background

Skin blood flow is believed to link with many diseases, and shows a significant heterogeneity. There are several papers on basal cutaneous microcirculation perfusion in different races, while the data in Chinese is vacant.

Objective

The aim was to establish the database of absolute fundamental supply of skin blood flow in the Chinese Han population.

Methods

With a full‐field laser perfusion imager (FLPI), the skin blood flow can be quantified. Cutaneous perfusion values were determined in 17 selected skin areas in 406 healthy participants aged between 20 and 80 years (mean 35.05 ± 11.33). Essential parameters such as weight, height were also measured and values of BMI were calculated. The perfusion values were reported in Arbitrary Perfusion Units (APU).

Results

The highest cutaneous perfusion value fell on eyelid (931.20 ± 242.59 in male and 967.83 ± 225.49 in female), and pretibial had the lowest value (89.09 ± 30.28 in male and 85.08 ± 33.59 in female). The values were higher in men than women on the bank of fingertips, nose, forehead, cheek, neck and earlobe (P < .05). Perfusion values on stretch and flexion side of forearm had negative correlation with age (P = .01 and P = 4.88 × 10−3, respectively) in male. Abdomen was negatively correlated with BMI in both gender (P = .02, respectively).

Conclusions

Skin blood flow values vary with skin regions. There is a tendency to measure higher perfusion values in men than in women. And the values are irrelevant with age or BMI.
No such thing as a free lunch?
Authors: McKechnie Douglas G J , Shashidhara Anush , Houston Pam , Gill Deborah , Dilworth Paul
Published: May 2018

Background

High‐quality, out‐of‐classroom interactions between students and teachers help to develop communities of learning. In medicine, they contribute to the professionalisation of students.

Methods

We designed a novel student–faculty member lunch scheme for first‐year medical students at our institution. Students received a free lunch in groups of six with a faculty member ‘hosting’ and paying for lunch, with the cost reimbursed by the medical school. Focus groups with students were used to evaluate the impact of the intervention.

Results

Approximately half of all Year‐1 students signed up for the scheme (n = 153). Twenty faculty members hosted one or more lunches. Focus group analysis revealed that attendees felt more positively about individual faculty members and the institution as a result of participation, and that it helped the process of induction and transition into medical school, but that it suffered from a lack of continuing contact.

Out‐of‐classroom interactions between students and teachers help to develop communities of learning

Conclusions

This intervention encouraged positive student–faculty member interactions, albeit with a relatively small group of students. It did not seem to encourage longitudinal staff–student relationships, however, which is a key limitation.
Semi‐quantitative methods yield greater inter‐ and intraobserver agreement than subjective methods for interpreting99mtechnetium‐hydroxymethylene‐diphosphonate uptake in equine thoracic processi spinosi
Authors: van Zadelhoff Claudia , Ehrle Anna , Merle Roswitha , Jahn Werner , Lischer Christoph
Published: May 2018

Scintigraphy is a standard diagnostic method for evaluating horses with back pain due to suspected thoracic processus spinosus pathology. Lesion detection is based on subjective or semi‐quantitative assessments of increased uptake. This retrospective, analytical study is aimed to compare semi‐quantitative and subjective methods in the evaluation of scintigraphic images of the processi spinosi in the equine thoracic spine. Scintigraphic images of 20 Warmblood horses, presented for assessment of orthopedic conditions between 2014 and 2016, were included in the study. Randomized, blinded image evaluation was performed by 11 veterinarians using subjective and semi‐quantitative methods. Subjective grading was performed for the analysis of red‐green‐blue and grayscale scintigraphic images, which were presented in full‐size or as masked images. For the semi‐quantitative assessment, observers placed regions of interest over each processus spinosus. The uptake ratio of each processus spinosus in comparison to a reference region of interest was determined. Subsequently, a modified semi‐quantitative calculation was developed whereby only the highest counts‐per‐pixel for a specified number of pixels was processed. Inter‐ and intraobserver agreement was calculated using intraclass correlation coefficients. Inter‐ and intraobserver intraclass correlation coefficients were 41.65% and 71.39%, respectively, for the subjective image assessment. Additionally, a correlation between intraobserver agreement, experience, and grayscale images was identified. The inter‐ and intraobserver agreement was significantly increased when using semi‐quantitative analysis (97.35% and 98.36%, respectively) or the modified semi‐quantitative calculation (98.61% and 98.82%, respectively). The proposed modified semi‐quantitative technique showed a higher inter‐ and intraobserver agreement when compared to other methods, which makes it a useful tool for the analysis of scintigraphic images. The association of the findings from this study with clinical and radiological examinations requires further investigation.
An approximate inverse scattering technique for reconstructing blockage profiles in water pipelines using acoustic transients
Authors: Jing Liwen , Li Zhao , Wang Wenjie , Dubey Amartansh , Lee Pedro , Meniconi Silvia , Brunone Bruno , Murch Ross D.
Published: May 2018

An approximate inverse scattering technique is proposed for reconstructing cross-sectional area variation along water pipelines to deduce the size and position of blockages. The technique allows the reconstructed blockage profile to be written explicitly in terms of the measured acoustic reflectivity. It is based upon the Born approximation and provides good accuracy, low computational complexity, and insight into the reconstruction process. Numerical simulations and experimental results are provided for long pipelines with mild and severe blockages of different lengths. Good agreement is found between the inverse result and the actual pipe condition for mild blockages.
Health Effects of Wrist-Loading Sports During Youth: A Systematic Literature Review
Authors: Kox Laura S. , Kuijer P. Paul F.M. , Thijssen Dagmar A.J. , Kerkhoffs Gino M.M.J. , van Rijn Rick R. , Frings-Dresen Monique H.W. , Maas Mario
Published: May 2018

Background: The benefits and risks of performing popular wrist-loading sports at a young age have not been investigated systematically. We aimed to evaluate positive and negative long-term wrist-related health effects of sports performance requiring repetitive wrist loading during youth. Methods: Six databases were searched for cohort and cross-sectional studies. Three investigators selected studies evaluating quantitatively measured health effects of upper extremities in athletes practicing wrist-loading sports (gymnastics, tennis, volleyball, field hockey, rowing, and judo) for minimally 4 months before the age of 18. Results: A total of 23 studies with 5 outcome measures, nearly all of moderate to good quality, were eligible for inclusion. Bone mineral density and bone mineral content were higher in athletes compared with controls and in tennis players’ dominant arm. Mixed results were found for ulnar variance in gymnasts. Handgrip strength was greater in tennis players’ dominant arm and in experienced gymnasts. Conclusions: Wrist-loading sports performance during youth can promote bone strength in wrists and dominant handgrip strength, but evidence on the lasting of these effects and on prevalence of wrist joint degeneration in former young athletes is limited. For better counseling of young athletes and their parents, future studies with increased comparability are essential, for which recommendations are provided.
Improving the Physical Activity and Outdoor Play Environment of Family Child Care Homes in Nebraska Through Go Nutrition and Physical Activity Self-Assessment for Child Care
Authors: Dinkel Danae , Dev Dipti , Guo Yage , Hulse Emily , Rida Zainab , Sedani Ami , Coyle Brian
Published: May 2018

Background: The purpose of this study was to determine if the Go Nutrition and Physical Activity Self-Assessment in Child Care (Go NAP SACC) intervention was effective in improving best practices in the areas of infant and child physical activity and outdoor play and learning in family child care homes (FCCHs) in Nebraska.Methods: FCCHs (n = 201) participated in a pre–post evaluation using the Infant and Child Physical Activity and Outdoor Play and Learning assessments from the Go NAP SACC validated measure to assess compliance with best practices.Results: At post, FCCHs demonstrated significant differences in 85% of the Infant and Child Physical Activity items (17 of 20) and 80% of the Outdoor Play and Learning items (12 of 15). Significant differences in best practices between urban and rural FCCH providers were also found.Conclusion: Go NAP SACC appears to be an effective intervention in Nebraska as, after participation in the initiative, providers were improving child care physical activity best practices. Additional research is needed to objectively determine if these changes resulted in objective improvements in children’s physical activity levels. Further, efforts are needed to develop and/or identify geographic-specific resources for continued improvement.
When Infamy Becomes Fame: The Positive Side of Negative Athlete Publicity
Authors: Chang Yonghwan
Published: May 2018

This study attempted to uncover the paradoxical effects of an athlete’s negative publicity based on the theories of negativity bias, fuzzy trace, and processing fluency. The researcher tested a boundary condition in which repeated claims about an athlete’s negative publicity interacted with the temporal delay of consumers’ evaluation, which, in turn, led to a decrease in the adverse effects of negative publicity. The results of two online experiments demonstrated that dividing attention and cognitive resources in order to encode and retrieve various types of information caused the detailed contextual memory of each account of the athlete’s negative publicity to fade over time, leaving behind merely a gist memory of the celebrities. In the current study, infamy turned into fame, and the consumer’s judgment of the athletes became more positive. The current study may help expand existing research paradigms by further developing our theoretical understanding of the negative publicity effects.
Attenuating effects of ecosystem management on coral reefs
Authors: Steneck Robert S. , Mumby Peter J. , MacDonald Chancey , Rasher Douglas B. , Stoyle George
Published: May 2018

Local management improves coral reef’s capacity to recover from disturbances, but the signal attenuates unless properly measured.
Thirdhand smoke uptake to aerosol particles in the indoor environment
Authors: DeCarlo Peter F. , Avery Anita M. , Waring Michael S.
Published: May 2018

We report a new thirdhand smoke exposure route indoors from semivolatile organic compounds partitioning to aerosols.
DNA from lake sediments reveals long-term ecosystem changes after a biological invasion
Authors: Ficetola Gentile Francesco , Poulenard Jérôme , Sabatier Pierre , Messager Erwan , Gielly Ludovic , Leloup Anouk , Etienne David , Bakke Jostein , Malet Emmanuel , Fanget Bernard , Støren Eivind , Reyss Jean-Louis , Taberlet Pierre , Arnaud Fabien
Published: May 2018

Rabbits have had a stronger impact on the landscape and plant communities of a remote island than one century of climate change.
An early Cambrian greenhouse climate
Authors: Hearing Thomas W. , Harvey Thomas H. P. , Williams Mark , Leng Melanie J. , Lamb Angela L. , Wilby Philip R. , Gabbott Sarah E. , Pohl Alexandre , Donnadieu Yannick
Published: May 2018

An early Cambrian greenhouse climate constrained by combining oxygen isotope and climate modeling data approaches.
Humidity-regulated CLCA2 protects the epidermis from hyperosmotic stress
Authors: Seltmann Kristin , Meyer Michael , Sulcova Jitka , Kockmann Tobias , Wehkamp Ulrike , Weidinger Stephan , auf dem Keller Ulrich , Werner Sabine
Published: May 2018

High environmental humidity rescues atopic dermatitis-like signs in mice, and CLCA2 protects the epidermis from hyperosmotic stress.
Complete Genome Sequences of Bacillus Phages Janet and OTooleKemple52
Authors: Kent Brenna , Raymond Thomas , Mosier Philip D. , Johnson Allison A.
Published: May 2018

We report here the genome sequences of two novel
Bacillus cereus
group-infecting bacteriophages, Janet and OTooleKemple52. These bacteriophages are double-stranded DNA-containing
Myoviridae
isolated from soil samples. While their genomes share a high degree of sequence identity with one another, their host preferences are unique.
Draft Genome Sequences of Plant-Associated Bacillus Strains Isolated from the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau
Authors: Wu Huijun , Borriss Rainer , Xue Pengqi , Liu Fang , Qiao Junqing , Schneider Andy , Lasch Peter , Gao Xuewen
Published: May 2018

Here, we report the draft genome sequences of 45 plant-associated
Bacillus
strains isolated from the Qinghai-Tibetan plateau. According to their genome sequences, 28 isolates were assigned to 10
Bacillus
species. Seventeen strains could not be assigned and are subjects of further research.
Draft Genome Sequence of a “
Candidatus
Brocadia” Bacterium Enriched from Activated Sludge Collected in a Tropical Climate
Authors: Liu Xianghui , Arumugam Krithika , Natarajan Gayathri , Seviour Thomas W. , Drautz-Moses Daniela I. , Wuertz Stefan , Law Yingyu , Williams Rohan B. H.
Published: May 2018

Here, we present the draft genome sequence of an anaerobic ammonium-oxidizing bacterium (AnAOB), “
Candidatus
Brocadia,” which was enriched in an anammox reactor. A 3.2-Mb genome sequence comprising 168 contigs was assembled, in which 2,765 protein-coding genes, 47 tRNAs, and one each of 5S, 16S, and 23S rRNAs were annotated. No evidence for the presence of a nitric oxide-forming nitrite reductase was found.
Draft Genome Sequence of Staphylococcus aureus Strain HD1410, Isolated from a Persistent Nasal Carrier
Authors: Nurjadi Dennis , Boutin Sébastien , Dalpke Alexander , Heeg Klaus , Zanger Philipp
Published: May 2018

We report here the draft genome sequence of a
Staphylococcus aureus
strain isolated from the nares of an 18-year-old female healthy persistent-carrier individual, and it was used to investigate
S. aureus
-specific immune responses in colonized and noncolonized individuals.
Protocol for a randomised controlled trial to evaluate the effectiveness of the ‘Care for Stroke’ intervention in India: a smartphone-enabled, carer-supported, educational intervention for management of disabilities following stroke
Authors: Sureshkumar K , Murthy G V S , Kuper Hannah
Published: May 2018

Introduction

The rising prevalence of stroke and stroke-related disability witnessed globally over the past decades may cause an overwhelming demand for rehabilitation services. This situation is of concern for low-income and middle-income countries like India where the resources for rehabilitation are often limited. Recently, a smartphone-enabled carer-supported educational intervention for management of physical disabilities following stroke was developed in India. It was found to be feasible and acceptable, but evidence of effectiveness is lacking. Hence, as a step forward, this study intends to evaluate clinical effectiveness of the intervention through a randomised controlled trial.

Methods

The objective of the study is to evaluate whether the ‘Care for Stroke’ intervention is clinically and cost-effective for the reduction of dependency in activities of daily living among stroke survivors in an Indian setting. This study is designed as a randomised controlled trial comparing people who received the intervention to those receiving standard care. The trial will be pragmatic and outcome assessor-blinded. The primary outcome for the study is dependency in daily living measured by the Modified Rankin Scale (MRS). A total of 266 adult stroke survivors who fulfil the eligibility criteria will be randomised to receive either ‘Care for Stroke’ intervention or standard treatment and will be followed up for 6 weeks. The main analyses will compare participants allocated to the ‘Care for Stroke’ intervention versus those allocated to the standard treatment group on an ‘intention-to-treat’ basis, irrespective of whether the participants received the treatment allocated or not. The dichotomised MRS scores (0–3 and 4–6) in both the groups will be used to calculate the effect estimates with a measure of precision (95% CI) and presented in the results of the trial.

Ethics and dissemination

The Indian Institute of Public Health-Hyderabad/Public Health Foundation of India – Independent Institutional Ethics Committee and the Ethics Committee of the London School of HygieneandTropical Medicine. Dissemination will be through peer-reviewed publications.

Trial registration number

Clinical Trial Registry of India CTRI/2017/07/009014.