bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Pulmonary function decreases moderately after accelerated high‐dose irradiation for stage III non‐small cell lung cancer
Authors: Grambozov Brane , Wolf Frank , Kaiser Julia , Wass Romana , Fastner Gerd , Gaisberger Christoph , Rettenbacher Lukas , Studnicka Michael , Pirich Christian , Sedlmayer Felix , Zehentmayr Franz
Published: December 2019

Background

Chemoradiotherapy (CRT) is the standard treatment for patients with inoperable stage III non‐small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) stage III. With a median OS beyond 30 months, adequate pulmonary function (PF) is essential to ensure acceptable quality of life after treatment. Forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV1) and diffusing capacity of the lung for carbon monoxide (DLCO) are the most widely used parameters to assess lung function. The aim of the current study was to evaluate dose‐volume effects of accelerated high‐dose radiation on PF.

Methods

A total of 72 patients were eligible for the current analysis. After induction chemotherapy, all patients received dose‐differentiated accelerated radiotherapy with intensity‐modulated radiotherapy (IMRT‐DART). PF tests were performed six weeks, three and six months after the end of radiotherapy.

Results

The median total dose to the tumor was 73.8 Gy (1.8 Gy bid) with a size dependent range between 61.2 and 90 Gy. In the whole cohort, 321 pulmonary function tests were performed. At six months, the median FEV1 relative to baseline was 0.95 (range: 0.56–1.36), and the relative median DLCO decreased to 0.98 (range: 0.64–1.50). The correlation between V20total lung and FEV1 decline was statistically significant (P = 0.023). A total of 13 of 34 (38%) COPD patients had a 4%–21% FEV1 decrease.

Conclusion

Patients with a V20total lung < 21% are at a low risk for PF decrease after high dose irradiation treatment. Although overall short term FEV1 and DLCO differ only moderately from baseline these changes may be clinically important, especially in patients with COPD.

Key points

Significant findings:

Pulmonary function after high dose irradiation decreases only moderately.

FEV1 and DLCO decrease depend on V20total lung.

Small differences in lung function may be clinically important for COPD patients.

KPS predicts minimal clinically important differences (MCID).

What this study adds:

This study shows that high‐dose irradiation delivered with intensity‐modulated techniques does not impair short‐term lung function even in patients with compromised respiratory capacity before treatment. This is a pre‐requisite for adequate quality of life after thoraco‐oncological therapy.
Evolution of male antennal size in moths (Lepidoptera): a comparative test of potential trade‐offs and correlated growth in Australian species
Authors: Weedon Sam , Porch Nicholas , Symonds Matthew R E
Published: December 2019

One of the most conspicuous features of many moth species is their antennae, which can be strikingly elaborate. However, the factors that have influenced the evolution of these impressive receptor organs remain poorly known. Antennae are potentially costly structures, and previous research has indicated that investment in these structures may be traded‐off against investment in other organs, depending on the mating strategy in which individuals engage. Using a phylogenetic comparative analysis of data from dissected wild‐caught individuals from 44 Australian moth species, we examined potential trade‐offs and correlations between antennal size (measured as antenna length and antenna area) and the size of a range of other morphological features related to paternity (testis area), and vision (eye diameter). Antenna area did not show any evidence of a trade‐off with testis size (area) after controlling for body size and phylogeny. Further, relative antenna length waspositivelycorrelated with relative eye size, suggesting that investment in both sensory structures is linked. Analysis of the allometric scaling of antennal size and eye diameter found that larger moth species invested relatively more in the size of their male antennae (both area and length) than in the size of their eyes. These results indicate different patterns of investment in sensory structures in relation to body size, with larger moth species favouring the evolution of more elaborate antennae in males.
Platelet deposition estimation: A novel method for emulating the pump thrombosis potential of blood pumps
Authors: Liu Guang‐mao , Zhang Yan , Chen Hai‐bo , Hou Jian‐feng , Jin Dong‐hai , Gui Xing‐min , Hu Sheng‐shou
Published: December 2019

Pump thrombosis potential exists in most blood pumps and limits their clinical use. To improve the pump thrombosis performance of blood pumps, a method for emulating the platelet deposition on the flow passage component surfaces inside blood pumps was presented and tested. The method emulates the blood platelet deposition, employing laser‐induced fluorescence tracing technology. The blood pump was rotated in a mock circulation loop with deionized water filled with fluorescent particles. The component surfaces were then explored via laser. The fluorescent particles were induced by laser and imaged in a charge‐coupled device (CCD) camera to show the distribution of fluorescent particles gathering on the blood pump component surfaces. The activated platelet deposition was emulated by fluorescent particle gathering. The experiment showed obvious particle gathering on the interface surfaces and cross‐sectional surface (perpendicular to the flow). This platelet deposition estimation (PDE) method can be easily incorporated in the in vitro testing phase to analyze and decrease a pump’s thrombosis potential before animal experimentation, thereby reducing the cost of blood pump development. This methodology of emulating blood platelet deposition indicates its potential for improving flow passage component structure and reducing device thrombosis of blood pumps.
Paediatric patients with myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome value understanding and help to move on with their lives
Authors: Rowe Katherine
Published: December 2019

Aim

The aim of this study was to document qualitative questionnaire feedback regarding management from a cohort observational study of young people with myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS).

Methods

Between 1991 and 2009, 784 paediatric patients, age 6‐18 years, were diagnosed with ME/CFS following referral to a specialised clinic at the Royal Children's Hospital, Melbourne. Over a 14‐year period, feedback was requested on up to seven occasions.

Management included the following: symptom management and a self‐management lifestyle plan that included social, educational, physical and a pleasurable activity outside of home. They adjusted it by severity of illness, stage of education, family circumstances and life interests.

Results

Questionnaires were returned from 626 (80%) with 44% providing feedback more than once. They reported that their management plan allowed them to regain control over their lives. They cited early diagnosis, empathetic, informed physicians, self‐management strategies and educational liaison as helping them to function and remain socially engaged. Ongoing support, particularly assistance to navigate the education system, was essential for general well‐being and ability to cope.

Conclusion

Young people valued regaining the control over their lives that was lost through illness, support to maintain social contacts and assistance to achieve educational and/or life goals.
Assessing the acceptability of an adapted preschool obesity prevention programme: ToyBox‐Scotland
Authors: Malden Stephen , Reilly John J. , Hughes Adrienne , Bardid Farid , Summerbell Carolyn , De Craemer Marieke , Cardon Greet , Androutsos Odysseas , Manios Yannis , Gibson Ann‐Marie
Published: December 2019

Background

Childhood obesity is a global public health issue. Interventions to prevent the onset of obesity in the early years are often implemented in preschool settings. The ToyBox intervention was delivered across Europe and targeted energy balance‐related behaviours in preschools and children's homes through teacher‐led activities and parental education materials and was adapted for use in Scotland. This study assessed the acceptability of the 18‐week adapted intervention to both parents and teachers.

Methods

Mixed methods were employed to collect both qualitative and quantitative data. Preschool staff and children's parents/caregivers completed post‐intervention feedback surveys, from which acceptability scores were calculated and presented as proportions. Focus groups were conducted with preschool staff, whereas parents/caregivers participated in semi‐structured interviews. A thematic analysis was applied to qualitative data following the development of a coding framework. Quantitative and qualitative data were analysed using SPSS and NVivo 10, respectively.

Results

Preschool staff rated the intervention as highly acceptable based on post‐intervention feedback surveys (80%; mean score 8.8/11). Lower acceptability scores were observed for parents/caregivers (49%; 3.9/8). Nine preschool practitioners participated in focus groups (n = 3). User‐friendliness of the intervention materials, integration of the intervention with the curriculum, and flexibility of the intervention were identified as facilitators to delivery. Barriers to delivery were time, insufficient space, and conflicting policies within preschools with regard to changing classroom layouts. Parental interviews (n = 4) revealed a lack of time to be a major barrier, which prevented parents from participating in home‐based activities. Parents perceived the materials to be simple to understand and visually appealing.

Conclusions

This study identified a number of barriers and facilitators to the delivery and evaluation of the ToyBox Scotland preschool obesity prevention programme, which should be considered before any further scale‐up of the intervention.
Carbamylation reduces the capacity of IgG for hexamerization and complement activation
Authors: Lubbers R , Oostindie S C , Dijkstra D J , Parren P W H I , Verheul M K , Abendstein L , Sharp T H , de Ru A , Janssen G M C , van Veelen P A , van den Bremer E T J , Bleijlevens B , de Kreuk B-J , Beurskens F J , Trouw L A
Published: December 2019

Carbamylation is a post-translational modification that can be detected on a range of proteins, including immunoglobulin (Ig)G, in several clinical conditions. Carbamylated IgG (ca-IgG) was reported to lose its capacity to trigger complement activation, but the mechanism remains unclear. Because C1q binds with high affinity to hexameric IgG, we analyzed whether carbamylation of IgG affects binding of C1q, hexamerization and complement-dependent cytotoxicity (CDC). Synovial tissues of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients were analyzed for the presence of ca-IgG in vivo. Synovial tissues from RA patients were analyzed for the presence of ca-IgG using mass spectrometry (MS). Monomeric or hexameric antibodies were carbamylated in vitro and quality in solution was controlled. The capacity of ca-IgG to activate complement was analyzed in enzyme-linked immunosorbent (ELISAs) and cellular CDC assays. Using MS, we identified ca-IgG to be present in the joints of RA patients. Using in vitro carbamylated antibodies, we observed that ca-IgG lost its capacity to activate complement in both solid-phase and CDC assays. Mixing ca-IgG with non-modified IgG did not result in effective inhibition of complement activation by ca-IgG. Carbamylation of both monomeric IgG and preformed hexameric IgG greatly impaired the capacity to trigger complement activation. Furthermore, upon carbamylation, the preformed hexameric IgG dissociated into monomeric IgG in solution, indicating that carbamylation influences both hexamerization and C1q binding. In conclusion, ca-IgG can be detected in vivo and has a strongly reduced capacity to activate complement which is, in part, mediated through a reduced ability to form hexamers.
Variation in the life cycle of monogonont rotifers: Commitment to sex and emergence from diapause
Authors: Gilbert John J.
Published: December 2019

A review of research on life‐cycle events in field and laboratory populations of monogonont rotifers shows that there is great variation at multiple levels: (1) degree of sexual dimorphism; (2) occurrence and timing of sex; (3) propensity for sex during sexual periods; (4) factors controlling initiation of sex; and (5) timing and extent of emergence from diapause. There is no regular pattern where: (1) fertilised resting eggs hatch to start the growing season; (2) populations develop via female parthenogenesis during favourable conditions; and then (3) bisexual reproduction with resting‐egg production occurs during later, unfavourable conditions.

Sexual reproduction in natural populations can occur throughout much of the growing season, be restricted to some period(s) during the growing season, or be completely absent. During sexual reproduction in both natural and laboratory populations, only some fraction of females produces males or resting eggs. This bet‐hedging strategy can prevent a population crash and permits future population growth via female parthenogenesis. Selection against sexual reproduction, and rapid loss of sex, can occur.

Laboratory experiments with pond‐dwelling species have identified specific environmental factors that induce sex in different species: (1) increasing population density; (2) dietary tocopherol (vitamin E) and (3) long photoperiods. These factors generally are associated with favourable conditions for population growth and production of energy‐rich resting eggs: (1) large population size; (2) high probability of contacts between males and fertilisable females; and (3) nutritious diets. Endogenous factors can inhibit responses to these environmental inducers, and thus favour female parthenogenesis.

The timing of resting‐egg hatching depends on: (1) occurrence of specific environmental conditions; (2) the minimum duration of obligate diapause; and (3) the genotype and physiology of females producing resting eggs. Hatching may occur shortly after oviposition, after a long diapause before or at the start of a new growing season, or throughout the growing season. Hatching can be massive and contribute substantially to population growth and genetic diversity.

Areas for future research include: (1) determining the timing and extent of sex and resting‐egg hatching in more natural populations, especially those that are marine, benthic, sessile, and interstitial; and (2) identifying environmental and physiological factors controlling these events.
Managing the invasive crayfish Procambarus clarkii: Is manual sterilisation the solution?
Authors: Johović Iva , Verrucchi Camilla , Inghilesi Alberto F. , Scapini Felicita , Tricarico Elena
Published: December 2019

Management of invasive alien crayfish is challenging, as once established their eradication or control is difficult, even impossible in some areas. Sterile male release technique has been previously assessed in crayfish with encouraging results, however, the methods have not demonstrated the complete sterility of released competitive males. The present study explores whether manual removal of male gonopods, i.e. the appendages responsible for sperm transfer, as a sterilisation technique, might affect male competitiveness and sexual behaviour as well as reproductive potential in the red swamp crayfish Procambarus clarkii.

Under controlled laboratory conditions, we analysed the agonistic and sexual behaviour of 64 treated and 64 control males both coupled with a female in single pairs, and 40 treated and 40 control males together with 80 females in a natural‐like social context.

Removal of gonopods partly altered sexual behaviour, affecting duration of copulation and competitiveness in treated males. However, male readiness to initiate sexual interaction with females was not affected by the treatment. Treated males needed to invest more in agonistic interactions with females to successfully dominate a female for the copulation to take place. Females coupled with treated males did not produce any offspring, compared to females coupled with control males. Treated males were able to regenerate removed gonopods, even if sometimes only partially or malformed. Females that mated with 11 treated males with regenerated gonopods did not produce any juveniles.

Although treated males managed to mate with females and impair their reproductive capability under the laboratory conditions, shorter copulation and elevated number of abdominal extensions were observed in treated couples. This indicates that males and/or females are able to sense the lack of gonopods and/or lack of the contact. We believe that female receptivity after an initial mating requires further investigation. Assessment of receptivity in an experimental setting where females are provided with refuges (e.g. burrows) would help us to elucidate whether there is a compensation for unsuccessful copulation. More research is needed on underlying biological mechanisms to better assess male competitiveness, technique effectiveness and limits of technique application.
Distinct spread of DNA and RNA viruses among mammals amid prominent role of domestic species
Authors: Wells Konstans , Morand Serge , Wardeh Maya , Baylis Matthew
Published: December 2019

Aim

Emerging infectious diseases arising from pathogen spillover from mammals to humans constitute a substantial health threat. Tracing virus origin and predicting the most likely host species for future spillover events are major objectives in One Health disciplines.

We assessed patterns of virus sharing among a large diversity of mammals, including humans and domestic species.

Location

Global.

Time period

Current.

Major taxa studied

Mammals and associated viruses.

Methods

We used network centrality analysis and trait‐based Bayesian hierarchical models to explore patterns of virus sharing among mammals. We analysed a global database that compiled the associations between 1,785 virus species and 725 mammalian host species as sourced from automatic screening of meta‐data accompanying published nucleotide sequences between 1950 and 2019.

Results

We show that based on current evidence, domesticated mammals hold the most central positions in networks of known mammal–virus associations. Among entire host–virus networks, Carnivora and Chiroptera hold central positions for mainly sharing RNA viruses, whereas ungulates hold central positions for sharing both RNA and DNA viruses with other host species. We revealed strong evidence that DNA viruses were phylogenetically more host specific than RNA viruses. RNA viruses exhibited low functional host specificity despite an overall tendency to infect phylogenetically related species, signifying high potential to shift across hosts with different ecological niches. The frequencies of sharing viruses among hosts and the proportion of zoonotic viruses in hosts were larger for RNA than for DNA viruses.

Main conclusions

Acknowledging the role of domestic species in addition to host and virus traits in patterns of virus sharing is necessary to improve our understanding of virus spread and spillover in times of global change. Understanding multi‐host virus‐sharing pathways adds focus to curtail disease spread.
Retracted: A transcriptomic study of native, expanded, and engineered human corneal endothelial cells
Authors: Shahdadfar Aboulghassem , Yazdani Mazyar
Published: December 2019

Purpose

Human corneal endothelial cells (HCECs) fail to proliferate sufficiently following pathological injuries presumably due to their cell cycle arrest in the G1 phase (Joyce, 2012; Joyce et al, 1996). The current treatment for corneal endothelial disease includes partial (endothelial keratoplasty) or completes (penetrating keratoplasty) transplantation of the cornea. The shortage of available donor corneas worldwide continues to limit transplantation and thus necessitates alternative compensatory approaches. Stimulating of HCECs in vivo to promote cell proliferation or bioengineering of corneal endothelium for transplantation may offer practical solutions. Several methods for in vitro expansion and maintenance of HCECs have been developed until date but it is difficult to judge their reproducibility. Additionally, the cellular and molecular biology of these cells are not fully understood. Therefore, a comprehensive gene expression study on requisite cell‐cycle processes and associated signaling cascades may help to establish an important step for engineering of a functional corneal endothelium.

Methods

We attempted to develop a three step culture system to understand the gene expression profiles as well as the associated signaling pathways of native, proliferated and bioengineered HCECs corneal endothelium at different steps by RNA sequencing (RNA seq), quantitative real time PCR (qRT‐PCR) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM).

Results

Our results characterized 80 genes as markers of HCECs throughout the cell‐cycle stages, primarily focused on the associated cell cycle signaling cascades. Engaged genes were mostly related to entire cell‐cycle stages including the regulators of cell cycle and the cell cycle related signaling pathways suggesting their association with cell proliferation.

Conclusion

This study adds valuable information to the literature on biology of HCECs and forms a potential for prospective clinical applications of the data for advancing the field of corneal regenerative medicine.
Optimization of microwave vacuum drying of okra and the study of the product quality
Authors: Xu Guobin , Yin Hao , He Xin , Wang Danfeng , Zhao Yanyun , Yue Jin
Published: December 2019

Microwave vacuum drying (MVD) was reported to be an efficient method to dehydrate vegetables. In this study, fresh okra was dehydrated by this technique. Orthogonal design was used to optimize the drying parameters (microwave power, vacuum level, and loading density) to achieve high drying rate and product quality. Microwave power (500, 700, and 900 W), vacuum level (45, 60, and 75 kPa) and loading density (3, 4, and 5 kg/m2) were set up as the treatment factors. Drying rate, energy consumption, rehydration rate, color change, total phenol, and flavonoid contents were evaluated as the responding quality parameters. The optimal drying parameters of okra were identified as 900 W of microwave power, 60 kPa of vacuum level and 5 kg/m2 of loading density. Fresh okra was then dehydrated under MVD, hot air drying, and vacuum freezing drying. Results showed that microwave vacuum drying method was most efficient, with the drying rate as high as 2.36 ± 0.05 g/min. The contents of total phenol and flavonoid in the products of microwave vacuum drying had no significant difference from that of vacuum freeze drying and were significantly higher than that of hot air drying.

Practical applications

MVD is an efficient and energy‐saving technology, compared with the conventional hot air drying or vacuum freeze drying. Meanwhile, it could retain the color, flavor, nutrients, and bioactive compounds in the product, thus it is a promising method to dehydrate vegetables and fruits. Okra is rich in nutrients and is of increasing demand worldwide. Whereas it tends to spoil even at refrigerated temperature, so that a practical drying art is essential to be developed. This study proved the feasibility and efficiency of dying okra by MVD, and worked out an optimized drying condition under MVD, which could be a guide in okra processing industry.
Changes in the nutritional and activity status of elderly patients within 6 months of transcatheter aortic valve replacement: A mixed methods approach
Authors: Okugawa Saki , Shimizu Hideyuki , Hayashida Kentaro , Kawamoto Yuko , Tanaka Makoto
Published: December 2019

Aim

Our aim was to explore changes in nutritional and activity status of patients within 6 months after transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) and factors affecting malnutrition post‐TAVR in this cohort, and to gain understanding of their lifestyle considerations.

Methods

Using a mixed methods approach, we conducted a prospective, longitudinal survey, consisting of interviews and a questionnaire, of 50 participants aged ≥70 years (mean age, 83 years; 58.0% female) undergoing TAVR. Mini Nutritional Assessment (MNA) and albumin level (to measure nutritional status) and Physical Component Summary (PCS) scores from the 36‐item Short Form Health Survey (to measure activity status) were collected at pre‐TAVR and 1 month and 6 months post‐TAVR. Laboratory data and some index scores (e.g., the Clinical Frailty Scale [CFS] and the Mini‐Mental State Examination [MMSE]) assessed before TAVR were collected from medical records as related factors.

Results

Significant change was observed only in the MNA scores of participants who were assessed as malnourished at pre‐TAVR, which improved, but did not reach normal nutritional status. Low‐flow low‐gradient aortic stenosis (odds ratio [OR]: 166.39, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 5.43–5094.43), higher CFS scores (OR: 2.58, 95% CI: 1.01–6.54), and lower MMSE scores (OR: 0.65, 95% CI: 0.43–0.99) were related to malnutrition post‐TAVR. From interviews, three themes emerged: “balancing heart‐healthy lifestyle and longstanding habits,” “living with aging and disease” and “prospects for the rest of life.”

Conclusions

Our results could be utilized to identify patients at risk of malnutrition post‐TAVR, and to provide support with consideration of their lifestyle concerns.
Topical combination of meldonium and N‐acetyl cysteine relieves allodynia in rat models of CRPS‐1 and peripheral neuropathic pain by enhancing NO‐mediated tissue oxygenation
Authors: Fulas Oli A. , Laferriere Andre , Stein Robin S. , Bohle D. Scott , Coderre Terence J.
Published: December 2019

Local microvascular dysfunction and consequent tissue ischemia/hypoxia contribute to the symptoms of complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS) and peripheral neuropathic pain. As nitric oxide (NO) is a key regulator of microvascular blood flow, compounds that increase it are potentially therapeutic for these pain conditions. This led us to hypothesize that the topical administration of drugs that modulate local tissue NO levels can alleviate the pain of CRPS and peripheral neuropathic pain. We investigated the anti‐allodynic effect of a combination of two NO‐modulating drugs: meldonium and N‐acetylcysteine (NAC). An equimolar topical formulation of the two drugs was tested on chronic post‐ischemic pain (CPIP), a rat model of CRPS, as well as chronic constriction injury (CCI) of the sciatic nerve and chemotherapy‐induced painful neuropathy (CIPN), rat models of peripheral neuropathic pain. Topical meldonium‐NAC produced significant anti‐allodynia in CPIP, CCI, and CIPN rats. Moreover repeated application of topical meldonium‐NAC produced an increase in the duration of anti‐allodynia in the CPIP and CCI rats. While pre‐treatment with an NO synthase inhibitor attenuated the anti‐allodynic effects of meldonium‐NAC, 30‐min hyperbaric oxygen treatment combined with a non‐effective dose of meldonium‐NAC produced significant anti‐allodynic effects in CPIP rats. Both experiments implicated NO in the drug combination's anti‐allodynic effects. To ascertain the role played by changes in local tissue NO, we performed a quantification of plantar muscle NO in CPIP rats after hind paw topical treatment with meldonium‐NAC and revealed significantly increased plantar muscle NO levels in drug‐treated rats. The drug combination also reversed the reduction in tissue oxygenation normally observed in CPIP hind paws. In addition to introducing a novel topical treatment for mechanical allodynia in CRPS and peripheral neuropathic pain, this work showcases the analgesic potential of locally targeting microvascular dysfunction and tissue ischemia/hypoxia in these conditions, with emphasis on the role of NO.

image
Influence of Shea (Butyrospermum parkii) butter, TiO2 and ethylhexyl methoxycinnamate on physical parameters and in vitro photoprotective efficacy
Authors: Sarruf Fernanda D. , Cândido Thalita M. , de Oliveira Camila A. , Bou‐Chacra Nádia A. , Robles Velasco Maria V. , Baby André R.
Published: December 2019

Background

The development of photoprotective lipsticks containing natural bioactive compounds is a relevant current strategy to increase sun protection factor (SPF) value and lower the concentration of chemical UV filters, known for promoting sensitivity reactions.

Aims

Twelve photoprotective lipsticks were developed by Design of Experiment (DOE) and characterized to verify the influence of Shea butter (Butyrospermum parkii), titanium dioxide (TiO2), and ethylhexyl methoxycinnamate (EHM) on physical parameters and in vitro photoprotective efficacy.

Methods

The influence of Shea butter, TiO2, and EHM was evaluated by several parameters, such as melting point, colorimetry, thermal analysis by DSC, texture analysis, and sunscreen activity estimated in vitro.

Results

The construction of prediction models was possible for the following responses: maximum force by the cantilever test at 25 and 45°C; maximum distance by hardness test at 25°C; slope value at 25 and 45°C by the cantilever test; and UVA/UVB ratio and in vitro SPF. TiO2 and EHM contributed to changes on the in vitro SPF value; however, unexpectedly, Shea butter had no influence on this efficacy parameter.

Conclusion

The assay allowed us to observe the influence of the variables in the analysis and to develop a response prediction model for some of the parameters assessed.
Dietary supplementation of plant essential oil improves growth performance, intestinal morphology and health in weaned pigs
Authors: Su Guoqi , Zhou Xuanwu , Wang Yu , Chen Daiwen , Chen Guang , Li Yan , He Jun
Published: December 2019

The present study was conducted to explore the effect of plant essential oil (PEO) on growth performance, intestinal morphology and health in weaned pigs. Twenty‐four weaned pigs were assigned into four groups fed with a basal diet (CON) or basal diet containing PEO at a concentration of 50 (PEO50), 100 (PEO100) or 200 ppm (PEO200). After 21 days, pigs were slaughtered and blood and tissue samples were collected. Result showed that PEO200 group significantly increased the average daily gain (ADG) compared with CON group (p < .05). Moreover, PEO supplementation significantly improved the digestibility of DM (p < .05). However, it significantly decreased the serum triglyceride and cholesterol concentration (p < .05). Interestingly, PEO supplementation significantly increased the activity of sucrase in the duodenal and the activity of lactase in the jejunal mucosa (p < .05). Moreover, PEO supplementation improved the growth of intestinal mucosa. As compared to the CON group, the jejunum and ileum villus height were significantly elevated in the PEO200 group (p < .05). Importantly, the expression levels of critical genes associated with nutrient transportation (i.e., GLUT2 and SGLT1) and barrier function (occludin) were significantly elevated in the PEO200 group (p < .05). Moreover, the PEO100 and PEO200 group had higher propionic acid concentration and higher total bacterial gene copies in colon digesta than the CON group (p < .05) respectively. These results not only suggest that PEO has a positive role in the regulation of growth and intestinal health in weaned pigs, but also offer a potential candidate substituting the conventionally used antibiotics in the livestock industry.
The Conflicted Role of Purchasing in New Product Development Costing
Authors: Ellram Lisa M. , Tate Wendy L. , Choi Thomas Y.
Published: December 2019

As organizations are increasingly challenged to find new sources of profit improvement, cost reduction becomes a top priority on the business agenda. Expectations for cost reductions are ongoing and influence both new and existing products and services. The costs for new product and service introductions are managed differently than ongoing cost reductions. Purchasing plays a central role, with different goals, in cost control for new products and services versus ongoing cost savings. This research uses a case study methodology to understand the conflict purchasing faces in managing both new product costs and ongoing cost reductions. Due to goal incongruence between new product development and ongoing savings initiatives, purchasing may act in its own best interest, rather than in the best interest of the organization or team. This is both a contracting and an information uncertainty problem, creating an opening for passive opportunism by purchasing. Thus, agency theory and information processing theory (IPT) are combined to examine how information uncertainty can be reduced and contractual goal alignment improved in these situations. The outcome of this research is to expose potential goal misalignment between new product development cost processes and ongoing cost savings, and suggest theoretically grounded methods for reducing the potential conflict.
Prevalence and impact of hepatitis B virus infection in ovarian cancer patients in an endemic area—A retrospective cohort study
Authors: Wong Lo , Cheung Tak Hong , Yim So Fan , Lao Terence T.
Published: December 2019

Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection is associated with many extrahepatic malignancies, but its association with and impact on ovarian cancer has not been examined. We therefore examined the prevalence of HBV infection among women with primary ovarian carcinoma in an endemic area, and whether this impacts the presentation and survival of these patients. In a retrospective study, we reviewed 523 patients presenting with primary ovarian cancer and known HBV status between 1 January 2006 and 31 December 2017. Patients were divided into HBV‐positive and negative groups for the comparison of the patient characteristics and presentation, including staging and histological types, and short term (2 years) mortality from ovarian cancer. Among the 10.1% (53/523) patients screened positive for HBV, more of them presented with advanced staging at FIGO stage 3 or above (OR 1.378, 95% CI 1.063‐1.787), although there were no significant differences in patient characteristics. Within 24 months from presentation, there were more deaths due to malignancy in the HBV‐positive group (73.3% vs 44.2%, OR 1.659, 95% CI 1.135‐2.425). On multivariate analysis after adjusting for nulliparity status, previous use of oestrogens, presence of metastases, histological type (epithelial or others) and grading (high grade or not), whether optimal debulking was performed, and chemotherapy, HBV infection was independently associated with increased death within 24 months of presentation (aOR 2.683, 95% CI 1.015‐7.091). In conclusion, the findings of this study suggested an adverse effect of chronic HBV infection on survival within two years of presentation in patients with primary ovarian cancer.
Radionuclide activities in recent chondrite falls determined by gamma‐ray spectrometry: Implications for terrestrial age estimates
Authors: Rosén Åke V. , Hofmann Beda A. , von Sivers Moritz , Schumann Marc
Published: December 2019

Radionuclide activities were measured in the low‐background gamma‐ray spectrometry facility GeMSE in eight meteorite falls (Lost City, Tamdakht, Huaxi, Boumdeid, Xining, Kamargaon, Degtevo, and Ouidiyat Sbaa) and two finds (SaU 606 and Mürtschenstock) to evaluate the use of radionuclides for terrestrial age estimates. Results indicate that these meteorites were all derived from small‐ (r < 25 cm) to medium‐sized (r < 65 cm) meteoroids. Short‐lived 48V (t1/2 = 16.0 d) and 51Cr (t1/2 = 27.7 d) were only detected in Oudiyat Sbaa (EH), while 7Be (t1/2 = 53.1 d) was also detected in Degtevo (H) and Kamargaon (L), in agreement with reported fall dates. The 22Na/26Al activity ratio in Huaxi agrees with the previously reported short cosmic‐ray exposure age of this meteorite while 22Na/26Al in Kamargaon likely records a complex exposure history. Bayesian statistical analysis verifies the detection of very low activities of 44Ti (t1/2 = 60 a) in the relatively large H chondrites (>100 g) Degtevo, Huaxi, Tamdakht, Lost City, and SaU 606. Additionally, large samples from Oudiyat Sbaa (EH) and Kamargaon (L) gave positive detections. For H chondrite target compositions, detected 44Ti(Fe+Ni)/26Al averaged 0.055 ± 0.013. Activities of 22Na and 54Mn in SaU 606 show that this meteorite fell between July and September 2012, making SaU 606 the second recent fall from Oman identified using gamma‐ray spectrometry. The upper activity limit of 22Na in the Mürtschenstock meteorite shows that it fell prior to 1999 and is not related to a bolide observation in 2015. Mürtschenstock shows 137Cs ~10× higher than previously determined in Oman meteorites, likely due to Chernobyl fallout.
Insights into the formation of silica‐rich achondrites from impact melts in Rumuruti‐type chondrites
Authors: Lunning N. G. , Bischoff A. , Gross J. , Patzek M. , Corrigan C. M. , McCoy T. J.
Published: December 2019

Ancient, SiO2‐rich achondrites have previously been proposed to have formed by disequilibrium partial melting of chondrites. Here, we test the alternative hypothesis that these achondrites formed by fractional crystallization of impact melts of Rumuruti (R) chondrites. We identified two new melt clasts in R chondrites, one in Pecora Escarpment (PCA) 91241 and one in LaPaz Icefield (LAP) 031275. We analyzed major, minor, and trace element concentrations, as well as oxygen isotopes, of these two clasts and a third one that had been previously recognized (Bischoff et al. 2011) as an impact melt in Dar al Gani (DaG) 013. The melt clast in PCA 91241 is an R chondrite impact melt closely resembling the one previously recognized in DaG 013. The melt clast in LAP 031275 has an L chondrite provenance. We show that SiO2‐rich melts could form from the mesostases of R chondrite impact melts. However, their CI‐normalized rare earth element patterns are flat, whereas those of ancient SiO2‐rich achondrites (Day et al. 2012; Srinivasan et al. 2018) and those of disequilibrium partial melts of chondrites (Feldstein et al. 2001) have positive Eu anomalies from preferential melting of plagioclase. Thus, we conclude that ancient SiO2‐rich achondrites were probably formed by disequilibrium partial melting (due to an internal heat source on their parent bodies), rather than from impact melts.
Collaborative duty cycling strategies in energy harvesting sensor networks
Authors: Long James , Büyüköztürk Oral
Published: December 2019

Energy harvesting wireless sensor networks are a promising solution for low cost, long lasting civil monitoring applications. But management of energy consumption is a critical concern to ensure these systems provide maximal utility. Many common civil applications of these networks are fundamentally concerned with detecting and analyzing infrequently occurring events. To conserve energy in these situations, a subset of nodes in the network can assume active duty, listening for events of interest, while the remaining nodes enter low power sleep mode to conserve battery. However, judicious planning of the sequence of active node assignments is needed to ensure that as many nodes as possible can be reached upon the detection of an event, and that the system maintains capability in times of low energy harvesting capabilities. In this article, we propose a novel reinforcement learning (RL) agent, which acts as a centralized power manager for this system. We develop a comprehensive simulation environment to emulate the behavior of an energy harvesting sensor network, with consideration of spatially varying energy harvesting capabilities, and wireless connectivity. We then train the proposed RL agent to learn optimal node selection strategies through interaction with the simulation environment. The behavior and performance of these strategies are tested on real unseen solar energy data, to demonstrate the efficacy of the method. The deep RL agent is shown to outperform baseline approaches on both seen and unseen data.
Vibration‐based semantic damage segmentation for large‐scale structural health monitoring
Authors: Sajedi Seyed Omid , Liang Xiao
Published: December 2019

Toward reduced recovery time after extreme events, near real‐time damage diagnosis of structures is critical to provide reliable information. For this task, a fully convolutional encoder–decoder neural network is developed, which considers the spatial correlation of sensors in the automatic feature extraction process through a grid environment. A cost‐sensitive score function is designed to include the consequences of misclassification in the framework while considering the ground motion uncertainty in training. A 10‐story‐10‐bay reinforced concrete (RC) moment frame is modeled to present the design process of the deep learning architecture. The proposed models achieve global testing accuracies of 96.3% to locate damage and 93.2% to classify 16 damage mechanisms. Moreover, to handle class imbalance, three strategies are investigated enabling an increase of 16.2% regarding the mean damage class accuracy. To evaluate the generalization capacities of the framework, the classifiers are tested on 1,080 different RC frames by varying model properties. With less than a 2% reduction in global accuracy, the data‐driven model is shown to be reliable for the damage diagnosis of different frames. Given the robustness and capabilities of the grid environment, the proposed framework is applicable to different domains of structural health monitoring research and practice to obtain reliable information.
What makes a good health ‘app’? Identifying the strengths and limitations of existing mobile application evaluation tools
Authors: Dawson Robin M. , Felder Tisha M. , Donevant Sara B. , McDonnell Karen Kane , Card Edward B. , King Callie Campbell , Heiney Sue P.
Published: December 2019

Research using mHealth apps has the potential to positively impact health care management and outcomes. However, choosing an appropriate mHealth app may be challenging for the health researcher. The author team used existing evaluation tools, checklists, and guidelines to assess selected mHealth apps to identify strengths, challenges, and potential gaps within existing evaluation tools. They identified specific evaluation tool components, questions, and items most effective in examining app content, usability, and features, including literacy demand and cultural appropriateness; technical information; practical aspects of app functionality; and evolving capabilities of mobile medical apps. Challenges included the subjective nature of the results, time required to complete the evaluation, lack of emphasis on evidence‐based content, and inadequate tool flexibility. Health researchers considering the integration of mobile apps into research will benefit from evaluation tools that assess both evidence‐based content and the ability of the mobile app to securely integrate with other digital technologies involved in patient care. Next steps will include the involvement of health care providers and professionals, including nurses a wide range of expertise, to develop an mHealth evaluation tool that focuses on identifying quality, evidence‐based mobile apps into patient outcomes research.
Wage Differentials and Workers’ Effort: Experimental Evidence from Uganda
Authors: Sseruyange John , Bulte Erwin
Published: December 2019

We organize a real‐effort field experiment with varying piece rates to assess the impact of wages and social comparisons on productivity. In addition to analyzing how piece rates and social comparisons affect productivity during the ‘paid stage’ of the experiment, we also consider how they affect effort supply during a voluntary and unpaid follow‐up task. Our main results are that effort supply is relatively unresponsive to variation in own earnings, but responds strongly to pay inequality. While we obtain weak support for the hypothesis that positive social comparisons invite extra effort during paid stages of the experiment, our most important finding is that social comparisons matter for voluntary tasks when shirking is cheap. Specifically, positive social comparisons positively affect productivity during unpaid tasks, and negative comparisons have the opposite impact.
Drivers for Sun Protection in Black South Africans
Authors: Diffey Brian , Wallace Melissa , Mistri Preethi , Wernecke Bianca , Wright Caradee Y.
Published: December 2019

Sun protection behavior studies are almost exclusively carried out in populations with fair skin for the obvious reason that people with unpigmented skin are more susceptible to the health impacts of excess solar ultraviolet radiation exposure. In a dataset of 1271 Black South Africans, we analyzed factors related to sun protection applied when spending time outdoors including awareness of skin cancer, gender, age and Living Standards Measure (LSM) where 1–4 equate to the lowest, 5–7 intermediate and 8–10 the highest LSM status. The most important driver for Black South Africans to use sun protection was whether they were aware of skin cancer (OR: 2.6 for those who were aware versus those who were not, P < 0.0001). Sunscreen was preferred by respondents in LSM 8‐10 whereas people in the lowest group (LSM 1‐4) favored shade, umbrellas and hats. One in two respondents claimed to use some form of sun protection, which appears to be higher than deeply pigmented populations in other countries.
When Biopolitics Turn Digital: Transparency, Corruption, and Erasures from the Infrastructure of Rationing in Delhi
Authors: Dandurand Guillaume
Published: December 2019

Following the ratification of the National Food Security Act (NFSA) in 2013, the Indian state digitized its food rationing infrastructure, replacing paper‐based ration cards with digital rationing documents and other technologies of authentication. The shift from analog to digital documentary practices has rematerialized documents and devices to enable closer monitoring of the exchange of food entitlements in ration shops. Making biopolitics digital has enabled the state to exert greater control over rationing practices by rendering them more transparent. However, the state's obsession with preventing practices of corruption has hindered, rather than facilitated, access to entitlements for some rightful beneficiaries of the NFSA.
Ethnography of Witnessing and Ethnography as Witnessing: Topographies of Two Court Hearings
Authors: Talebi Shahla
Published: December 2019

In this article, I attend to two forms of hearings (or nonhearings) in two distinctive courts of law, both involving the persecution of Iranian dissidents in the 1980s. Drawing on my ethnographic and archival research, inside and outside of Iran, I ponder the conditions of possibility of confessions/testimonies and their affects and after‐lives. The first case involves the Islamic Republic's televised trials of a group of leftist prisoners. The second one is a symbolic court in The Hague, known as the Iran Tribunal, organized by some dissidents in diaspora, where witnesses testified against the Iranian regime. I meditate on the relationship between these two different spaces of the “law” in their differing milieus, and the divergent modes of speaking and hearing they render possible or impossible. I contemplate the kinds of ethical subjectivities they produce or shatter and reflect on the conditions and modes of speaking and hearing in relation to these topographies of coercive and sympathetic courts.
Health Consequences of Laws and Public Policies That Target, or Protect, Marginalized Populations
Authors: Taylor Catherine J.
Published: December 2019

Laws and public policies that are seemingly unrelated to health, nevertheless, can have health consequences in populations that are targeted, or protected, by that legislation. In this paper, I first review research showing that systems of oppression, such as racism and sexism, can cause negative health outcomes. I next discuss mechanisms underlying the relationship between such systems of oppression and negative health effects. Last, I review research showing that laws and public policies can be seen as components of systems of oppression and, as such, are linked to health outcomes. Some policies and laws I include in my review are anti‐same‐sex marriage bills, punitive immigration laws, stop and frisk policies, and state‐level voter disenfranchisement policies. The link between health outcomes and laws and public policies has implications for the current political climate.