bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Livestreaming vs pre-recorded
Authors: Ang Tyson , Wei Shuqin , Anaza Nwamaka A.
Published: September 2018

Purpose

Marketing researchers currently lack a systematic and empirical understanding of digital social viewing strategies. Drawing on social impact theory, this study aims to investigate if and how firm-initiated digital social viewing strategies (livestreaming vs pre-recorded) influence consumer viewing experiences and consequential behavioral intentions.

Design/methodology/approach

A scenario-based experiment was conducted with 462 participants. The study involved social viewing strategies in a new product launch context. Data were analyzed using structural equation modeling.

Findings

This study demonstrates that social influence cues (social presence and synchronicity) inherent in a livestreaming strategy induce a more authentic consumer viewing experience than a pre-recorded strategy, which in turn increases consumers’ searching and subscribing intention. However, a company’s social viewing strategy does not moderate the effect of search and subscribe intention on purchase intention.

Research limitations/implications

This study extends the application of social impact theory by showing that social presence and synchronicity impact authentic consumer viewing experiences, which influence consumers’ searching, subscribing and purchasing intention.

Practical implications

This study validates the importance of using social viewing as a viable digital marketing strategy for practitioners. The paper provides marketers ways to increase consumer purchase intention via livestreaming marketing content, particularly for new products.

Originality/value

This study extends the traditional research on social viewing into the realm of digital social viewing. It is among the first to delineate the advantages of both livestreaming and pre-recorded social viewing approaches.
The influence of thermal radiation on unsteady free convection in inclined enclosures filled by a nanofluid with sinusoidal boundary conditions
Authors: Sheremet Mikhail A. , Pop Ioan , Rosca Alin V.
Published: September 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this study is a numerical analysis of transient natural convection in an inclined square cavity filled with an alumina-water nanofluid under the effects of sinusoidal wall temperature and thermal radiation by using a single-phase nanofluid model with empirical correlations for effective viscosity and thermal conductivity.

Design/methodology/approach

The domain of interest includes the nanofluid-filled cavity with a sinusoidal temperature distribution along the left vertical wall. Horizontal walls are supposed to be adiabatic, while right vertical wall is kept at constant low temperature. Temperature of left wall varies sinusoidally along y-coordinate. It is assumed in the analysis that the thermophysical properties of the fluid are independent of temperature and the flow is laminar. The governing equations have been discretized using the finite difference method with the uniform grid. Simulations have been carried out for different values of the Rayleigh number, cavity inclination angle, nanoparticles volume fraction and radiation parameter.

Findings

It has been found that a growth of radiation parameter leads to the heat transfer enhancement and convective flow intensification. At the same time, an inclusion of nanoparticles illustrates a reduction in the average Nusselt number and fluid flow rate.

Originality/value

The originality of this work is to analyze unsteady natural convection in a square cavity filled with a water-based nanofluid in the presence of a sinusoidal temperature distribution along one wall. The results would benefit scientists and engineers to become familiar with the analysis of convective heat and mass transfer in nanofluids and the way to predict the properties of nanofluid convective flow in advanced technical systems, in industrial sectors including transportation, power generation, chemical sectors, electronics, etc.
Disability and social cohesion among older adults: a multi-country study
Authors: Rahman Mohammad Hifz Ur , Singh Ashish
Published: September 2018

Purpose

Disabled are often vulnerable to social exclusion due to the lack of social protection schemes. Therefore, in the absence of adequate social welfare systems, social cohesion is of enormous importance for the disabled older adults. That said, the purpose of this paper is to explore the link between disability and social cohesion among the older adults in China, Ghana, India, Mexico, Russia and South Africa.

Design/methodology/approach

Data from the Study on Global Ageing and Adult Health (SAGE) conducted in China, Ghana, India, Mexico, Russia and South Africa during 2007–2010 have been used for the analysis. Disability scores and social cohesion scores have been constructed using the Item Response Theory Partial Credit Model. Also, bivariate, multivariate and path analyses have been used for the examination.

Findings

Results show that disability substantially and significantly restricts social cohesion of the older adults in the selected countries. Moreover, path analysis indicates that, among others, disability affects physical activity which, in turn, leads to a lower socially active life. In addition, social cohesion is significantly lower among the older adults who are females, residing in urban areas, in poorer classes, widowed, not working and not having formal education.

Originality/value

To the best of the authors’ search, this study is perhaps the first attempt to look into the association between disability and social cohesion in a comprehensive and holistic manner in a multi-country context. A socially cohesive society provides a sense of belonging, participation, inclusion, and recognition to all. So, it is high time to create a socially as well as economically sensitive environment which can provide due recognition and inclusion to the disabled older adults.
Free or paid: the uses of Roses Citadel (Catalonia)
Authors: Burch Josep , Fluvià Modest , Rigall Ricard , Saló Albert , Alcalde Gabriel
Published: September 2018

Purpose

The Roses Citadel is a bastioned fortification that has archaeological remains from the Greek, Roman and medieval periods in its interior. Currently, the area inside the Citadel is used for a wide range of activities; some directly related with the heritage item, others associated with its use as a public space for the town. The purpose of this paper is to analyse the economic interest of charging an entrance fee vs the alternative of free access and offers a framework to address this issue.

Design/methodology/approach

The proposal is to consider the marginal cost of increasing the number of users and to carry out a travel cost analysis. It is vital to take into account the results of specifically economic analyses, but the evaluations of social policies should also be considered, and should have a considerable weight in decision making.

Findings

It is proposed that free entry would bring about an increase in the number of visitors and users of Roses Citadel. In turn, this increase would lead to a greater social use of this heritage asset, and a chance for the least privileged sectors of society to use the site more. Financial resources for the maintenance of the asset would not be raised through entry fees, but through contributions relating to the increase in the social consideration of the site.

Originality/value

In the context of a discussion on the advantages and disadvantages of paying an entry fee for heritage assets, the example of Roses Citadel provides several factors for consideration. It shows that payment of an entry fee affects use of the site by society, and particularly by the local community, whereas free access leads to a wide range of opportunities for use.
A GIS-based interval type-2 fuzzy set for public bread factory site selection
Authors: Deveci Muhammet , Akyurt Ibrahim Zeki , Yavuz Selahattin
Published: September 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to present a new public bread factory location selection for Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality (IMM).

Design/methodology/approach

A two-stage methodology is proposed to determine the location for the public bread factory facility. This framework is based on both geographic information systems (GIS) and multi-criteria decision-making (MCDM) techniques. The first stage of the methodology aims to decrease the number of possible alternative locations to simplify the selection activity by applying GIS; the second stage utilises interval type-2 fuzzy MCDM approach to exactly determine the public bread factory site location.

Findings

In this study, the authors present weighted normalised-based interval type-2 hesitant fuzzy and interval type-2 hesitant fuzzy sets (IT2HFSs)-based compressed proportional assessment (COPRAS) methods to overcome facility location selection problem for a fourth public bread factory in Istanbul.

Practical implications

The results show that the proposed approach is practical and can be employed by the bakery industry.

Originality/value

In this study, the authors present a two-stage methodology for public bread factory site selection. In the first stage, the number of alternatives is reduced by the GIS. In the second stage, an interval type-2 fuzzy set is implemented for the evaluation of public bakery factory site alternatives. A new integrated approach based on COPRAS method and weighted normalised with IT2HFSs is proposed.
Analytical approach of membrane-type acoustic metamaterial with ring masses
Authors: Tian Hongyan , Tong Ding , Tao Yourui
Published: September 2018

Purpose

Membrane-type acoustic metamaterials (MAMs) recently have been emerged to display useful sound attenuation properties in a low-frequency regime. The purpose of this paper is to present an analytical approach to investigate the transmission loss (TL) of a square membrane-ring structure of MAM. The geometrical effects of ring mass on the TL peak and dip frequencies of the MAM are obtained and discussed.

Design/methodology/approach

In this paper, based on the wave propagation and vibration theory, considering the effects of ring mass and acoustic pressure on the membrane, an analytical model is presented to analyze acoustic response of MAM.

Findings

Multiple peak frequencies and wide bandwidth appear in the membrane-ring structure, and they can be tuned by changing the location or numbers of the ring mass on the membrane. It is a useful method for designing such type of metamaterial.

Originality/value

In this paper, an analytical method is presented to evaluate the effects of ring geometric on the TL performance of square membrane-type locally resonant metamaterial. It is proved that achieving broadband and multi-peak TL profile in a single cell can indeed happen by increasing additional ring mass. The TL and frequency bandwidth can be tuned by changing the location, adding numbers and varying mass distribution of the ring masses on the membrane.
Doing good does not preclude doing well: corporate responsibility and financial performance
Authors: Lee Jegoo , Graves Samuel B. , Waddock Sandra
Published: September 2018

Purpose

This paper aims to propose and test a modified interpretation of long-standing issues on the corporate responsibility (CR)–corporate financial performance (CFP) relationship: companies involved in CR are in general no better and no worse in their level of financial performance than companies without such engagement because of the trade-off between benefit and cost at firm level and imbalance between supply and demand at industry (market) level.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors apply this frame to a data set with more than 12,000 observations over a 14-year period, using confidence intervals, as a useful and statistically valid approach for testing the null hypothesis.

Findings

The present study’s findings support neutrality between CR and CFP at the firm and industry levels, implying that a firm’s CR involvement neither penalizes nor improves its CFP.

Research limitations/implications

CR activities may provide windows of opportunity for companies but do not systematically improve financial performance.

Practical implications

“Doing good” is not a panacea for corporate achievement with respect to market-facing activities. For firms to succeed, instead, they need to create and implement their business cases and models by converting their involvement in CR activities into drivers for better outcomes because investments in CR practices do alone not guarantee improved financial performance.

Originality/value

The innovations in this study are twofold. Conceptually, this paper proposes a comprehensive approach for a neutral CR–CFP linkage. Empirically, it introduces a novel and appropriate method for testing neutrality. These will mark an important advance in the theoretical and empirical debates over CR and CFP.
Well‐being loss in informal care for the elderly people: Empirical study from China national baseline CHARLS
Authors: Ouyang Peng , Sun Wenjun , Wang Chunlan
Published: September 2018

Introduction

Well‐being is an important component of health, while informal care plays a vital role in daily care of the elderly. However, the effects of informal care on the well‐being of the elderly remain unclear. This study was aimed to estimate such effects, in which well‐being was measured by 2 subjective indicators: happiness and life satisfaction.

Methods

Potential endogeneity was purified using instrumental variables. Data were collected from national baseline China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study (CHARLS).

Results

Receiving informal care would decrease the elderly's happiness score and life satisfaction score significantly. The health produced from informal care cannot offset the health depreciation caused by aging.

Discussion

To improve the well‐being of the elderly, caregivers have more to do and policymakers can design designated care policies based on our results.
Early worsening of diabetic retinopathy due to intensive glycaemic control
Authors: Lim Shueh Wen , van Wijngaarden Peter , Harper Colin A. , Al‐Qureshi Salmaan H.
Published: September 2018

The prevalence of diabetes and diabetic retinopathy is increasing around the world. Glycaemic control is important in reducing the long‐term risk of complications of diabetes, however intensive glycaemic control, particularly in patients with longstanding and poorly controlled diabetes, is associated with the risk of early worsening of diabetic retinopathy and vision loss. We present two clinical cases to illustrate the presentation of early worsening and to highlight a role for intravitreal anti‐vascular endothelial growth factor therapies in ameliorating this phenomenon, as well as a review of the current understanding of this phenomenon. We emphasise the importance of identifying individuals at risk of early worsening of diabetic retinopathy and recommend regular ophthalmological review during the period of intensive glycaemic control to ensure optimal visual outcomes.
Neurodevelopmental phenotype caused by a de novo PTPN4 single nucleotide variant disrupting protein localization in neuronal dendritic spines
Authors: Szczałuba Krzysztof , Chmielewska Joanna J. , Sokolowska Olga , Rydzanicz Małgorzata , Szymańska Krystyna , Feleszko Wojciech , Włodarski Paweł , Biernacka Anna , Murcia Pienkowski Victor , Walczak Anna , Bargeł Elżbieta , Królewczyk Katarzyna , Nowacka Agata , Stawiński Piotr , Nowis Dominika , Dziembowska Magdalena , Płoski Rafał
Published: September 2018

Protein tyrosine phosphatase non‐receptor type 4 (PTPN4) encodes non‐receptor protein tyrosine phosphatase implicated in synaptic plasticity and innate immune response. The only report of PTPN4‐associated disease described a neurodevelopmental disorder associated with a whole gene deletion. We describe a child with developmental delay, autistic features, hypotonia, increased immunoglobulin E and dental problems with a novel mosaic de novo variant in PTPN4 (hg19 chr2:g.120620188 T > C, NM_002830.3:p.[Leu72Ser]/c.215T>C) located in domain that controls protein subcellular distribution. Studies in mouse hippocampal neurons transfected with non‐mutated or mutated human PTPN4 showed that despite their similar expression in neurons the mutated protein was absent from dendritic spines. Next, we studied patient's primary blood mononuclear cells' response to lipopolysaccharide stimulation and found no difference from control in phosphorylation of TBK1 and IRF3 (involved in Toll‐like receptor 4 signaling) and induction of cytokines' messenger RNA. We conclude that the PTPN4 p.(Leu72Ser) variant is a likely cause of neurodevelopmental symptoms of our proband whereas its role in immune dysfunction requires further studies.
Computational fracture mechanics: An overview from early efforts to recent achievements
Authors: Sedmak Aleksandar
Published: September 2018

An overview of the state of the art of computational fracture mechanics is presented, starting from early efforts and going all the way up to recent achievements. Some specific aspects of linear elastic and elastic plastic fracture mechanics problems have been discussed, including the fact that even for a static loading, numerical simulation is not a simple task because of complex geometries, material nonlinearity, and heterogeneity, and especially if crack growth is considered. Therefore, micromechanical modelling of elastic‐plastic crack growth is presented as new and promising approach to overcome some of the shortages of traditional approach. Besides static loading, couple of other important practical problems are tackled, like fatigue crack growth, with remaining life in the focus of investigation, using the empirical laws for crack growth rates. Numerical simulation of fatigue crack growth is inherently complex both because of complex material damage processes and lack of sound theoretical basis to define them. Therefore, combination of theoretical, experimental, and numerical approach is presented here to get reliable and efficient estimation of life under fatigue loading.
Economic and environmental performance of miscanthus cultivated on marginal land for biogas production
Authors: Wagner Moritz , Mangold Anja , Lask Jan , Petig Eckart , Kiesel Andreas , Lewandowski Iris
Published: September 2018

Environmental issues surrounding conventional annual biogas crops have led to growing interest in alternative crops, such as miscanthus. In addition to the better environmental performance, miscanthus can be grown on marginal land where no competition with feed and food crops is anticipated. On marginal land however, biomass yields are significantly lower than on good agricultural land. This raises the question of the economic and environmental sustainability of miscanthus cultivated on marginal land for biogas production. This study assessed the environmental and economic performance of miscanthus cultivated on marginal land for biogas production by conducting a Life‐Cycle Assessment and complementary Life‐Cycle Cost analysis. The functional unit chosen was 1 GJ of electricity (GJel.). The substitution of a fossil reference was included using a system expansion approach. Electricity generated by the combustion of miscanthus‐based biogas in a combined heat and power has considerably lower impacts on the environment than the fossil reference in most of the categories assessed. In the impact category “climate change”, the substitution of the marginal German electricity mix leads to a carbon mitigation potential of 256 kg CO2e/GJel.. At 45.12 €/GJel., the costs of miscanthus‐based biogas generation and utilization are considerably lower than those of maize (61.30 €/GJel.). The results of this study clearly show that it can make economic and environmental sense to cultivate miscanthus on marginal land as a substrate for biogas production. The economic sustainability is however limited by the biomass yield. By contrast, there are no clear thresholds limiting the environmental performance. The decision needs to be made on a case‐by‐case basis depending on site‐specific conditions such as local biodiversity.
Epigenetic dysregulation in hepatocellular carcinoma: an up‐to‐date review
Authors: Nakamura Masato , Chiba Tetsuhiro , Kanayama Kengo , Kanzaki Hiroaki , Saito Tomoko , Kusakabe Yuko , Kato Naoya
Published: September 2018

Due to the advances made in research based on next generation sequencers, it is now possible to detect and analyze epigenetic abnormalities associated with cancer. DNA methylation, various histone modifications, chromatin remodeling, and non‐coding RNA‐associated gene silencing are considered to be transcriptional regulatory mechanisms associated with gene expression changes. The breakdown of this precise regulatory system is involved in the transition to cancer. The important role of epigenetic regulation can be observed from the high rate of genetic mutations and abnormal gene expression leading to a breakdown in epigenetic gene expression regulation seen in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Based on an understanding of epigenomic abnormalities associated with pathological conditions, these findings will lead the way to diagnosis and treatment. In particular, in addition to the fact that there are few choices in terms of extant drug therapies aimed at HCC, there are limits to their antitumor effects. The clinical application of epigenetic therapeutic agents for HCC has only just begun, and future developments are expected.
Patients’ experiences of coping with multiple chronic conditions: A meta‐ethnography of qualitative work
Authors: Cheng Cheng , Inder Kerry , Chan Sally Wai‐Chi
Published: September 2018

Multiple chronic conditions (MCCs) pose a major and growing burden on the individuals’ health. The ways in which people cope with their stresses related to their chronic conditions are significant to their health outcomes. This review sought to understand lived experiences of coping with MCCs by a meta‐ethnography of qualitative studies. Twenty‐six studies were identified in four electronic databases including PubMed, PsycINFO, EMBASE, and CINAHL that were searched from 1966 to 2017. A seven‐step analytic method was used after a quality evaluation based on Joanna Briggs Institute Qualitative Assessment and Review Instrument (JBI‐QARI). The findings illustrated that experiences of coping with MCCs were interacted with (i) appraisals of MCCs, (ii) strategies to maintain a normal life, (iii) strategies to keep the spirits up, and (iv) coping in the social context. To sum up, this review provided a collection of narratives on coping with MCCs. The findings would help to recognize the high complexity experienced by these patients, also potentially offered a foundation for the design of a feasible intervention to more optimally highlight the demands of managing MCCs.
How does the smartphone usage of college students affect academic performance?
Authors: Han Sunyoung , Yi Yong Jeong
Published: September 2018

The present study aims to investigate the effects of smartphone use by college students on their perceived academic performance. Using five hypotheses derived from the literature related to smartphone use, the initial model was set up for path analysis to reveal the relationships among variables regarding college students' smartphone use in the academic setting. Moreover, multiple group analyses were additionally conducted to verify whether students exhibited different relationships in the hypothesized model depending on their majors. The results from path analyses showed that all path coefficients were positive and statistically significant, which indicated that all five hypothesized paths were supported. Above all, the results from multiple group analysis showed that one path (from Behavioural Intention to Use Smartphone to Academic Performance) differed significantly across groups. The findings from the current study provide educational policymakers and educators with information on how smartphone utilization in learning activities influences students' academic performance.
Clinical and genetic characteristics of abnormal glucose tolerance in Japanese women in the first year after gestational diabetes mellitus
Authors: Kasuga Yoshifumi , Miyakoshi Kei , Tajima Atsushi , Saisho Yoshifumi , Ikenoue Satoru , Ochiai Daigo , Matsumoto Tadashi , Arata Naoko , Hata Kenichiro , Tanaka Mamoru
Published: September 2018

Aims/Introduction

Risk factors of type 2 diabetes mellitus in Japanese women with recent gestational diabetes mellitus are unknown. The objective of the present study was to investigate the clinical and genetic characteristics associated with postpartum abnormal glucose tolerance in Japanese women with gestational diabetes mellitus.

Materials and Methods

A total of 213 Japanese women with recent gestational diabetes mellitus who underwent a postpartum 2‐h oral glucose tolerance test were investigated. The association between antepartum clinical characteristics and postpartum abnormal glucose tolerance (diabetes or prediabetes based on the Japan Diabetes Society criteria) was examined. Frequencies of 45 known type 2 diabetes mellitus‐associated genetic variants were also compared between women with and without postpartum abnormal glucose tolerance.

Results

A total of 59 women showed postpartum abnormal glucose tolerance (prediabetes, n = 51; diabetes, n = 8). Plasma glucose levels at 1 or 2 h, the insulinogenic index and the insulin secretion‐sensitivity index‐2 of the antepartum oral glucose tolerance test were independent of postpartum abnormal glucose tolerance risk factors (P = 0.006, P = 0.00002, P = 0.01 and P = 0.006, respectively). Four genetic variants (rs266729 [ADIPOQ], rs6017317 [HNF4A], rs5215 [KCNJ11] and rs7177055 [HMG20A]) showed a nominally significant association with postpartum abnormal glucose tolerance (P < 0.05, respectively). Among these, three were related to insulin secretion. Postpartum abnormal glucose tolerance risk significantly increased with increasing risk‐allele number (P = 0.0005; odds ratio 1.91).

Conclusions

Clinical features and genetic variants related to impaired insulin secretion are risk factors of postpartum abnormal glucose tolerance in Japanese women with recent gestational diabetes mellitus.
Effect of pH and heating conditions on the properties of Alaska pollock (Theragra chalcogramma) surimi gel fortified with fish oil
Authors: Gao Yuanpei , Fukushima Hideto , Deng Shanggui , Jia Ru , Osako Kazufumi , Okazaki Emiko
Published: September 2018

To improve the quality and functionality of emulsified surimi gels, the effect of pH and heating conditions on the properties of surimi gel fortified with fish oil was investigated. Results showed that pH conditions influenced the solubility and emulsifying properties of surimi proteins and that the gel properties were associated with the protein properties. Under direct heating, the highest gel strength was achieved at pH 8.0, in which condition the solubility was significantly higher than others. Higher emulsifying stability resulted in enhanced gel strength relative to that of the control group. However, the changes in the gel strength were not consistent under two‐step heating. In addition, the expressible moisture and oil content were found to vary depending on the pH values under both heating conditions. The corresponding changes in expressible moisture and oil content could be attributed to the high protein solubility and emulsifying properties of surimi proteins. Analysis of the dynamic rheological properties of the resulting surimi paste revealed that the gelation properties varied depending on the pH conditions during the heating process. In addition, the temperatures of myosin cross‐linking changed according to the structure of surimi proteins, which in turn varied depending on the pH conditions.

Practical applications

To improve the functionality of surimi‐based product, the fish oil was added to prepare surimi gel. pH and heating conditions play important roles in the gelation of fish proteins. Therefore, this study investigated the effect of combined pH and heating condition on the property of surimi gel fortified with fish oil. The emulsified surimi gel with fine texture was obtained at pH of 8–8.5; moreover, heating conditions (direct heating and two‐step heating) also influenced texture of emulsified surimi gel. These results provide the evidence to produce the emulsified surimi‐based product with the high gel strength, water‐ and oil‐holding capacity.
Associations of maternal and fetal vitamin D status with childhood body composition and cardiovascular risk factors
Authors: Miliku Kozeta , Felix Janine F. , Voortman Trudy , Tiemeier Henning , Eyles Darryl W. , Burne Thomas H. , McGrath John J. , Jaddoe Vincent W.V.
Published: September 2018

Maternal vitamin D deficiency during pregnancy may have persistent adverse effects on childhood growth and development. We examined whether 25‐hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D) concentrations during pregnancy and at cord blood were associated with childhood body composition and cardiovascular outcomes. This study was embedded in a population‐based prospective cohort in Rotterdam, The Netherlands, among 4,903 mothers and their offspring. We measured 25(OH)D concentrations at a median gestational age of 20.4 weeks (95% range 18.5–23.4 weeks) and at birth (40.1 weeks [95% range 35.8–42.3 weeks]). 25(OH)D concentrations were categorized into severely deficient (<25.0 nmol/L); deficient (25.0 to 49.9 nmol/L); sufficient (50.0 to 74.9 nmol/L) and optimal (≥75.0 nmol/L). At 6 years, we measured childhood body mass index; fat and lean mass by Dual‐energy X‐ray Absorptiometry; blood pressure; and serum cholesterol, triglycerides, and insulin concentrations. Compared with children from mothers with optimal 25(OH)D concentrations (≥75.0 nmol/L), those of severely deficient vitamin D (<25.0 nmol/L) mothers had a 0.12 standard deviation score (SDS); (95% Confidence Interval (CI) [0.03, 0.21]) higher fat mass percentage and a 0.13 SDS (95% CI [−0.22, −0.04]) lower lean mass percentage. These associations remained after adjustment for current child vitamin D status. Maternal and cord blood 25(OH)D concentrations were not associated with cardiovascular risk factors in childhood. In conclusion, severe maternal 25(OH)D deficiency (<25.0 nmol/L) during pregnancy is associated with an adverse childhood body composition profile, but we did not observe evidence for an association with childhood cardiovascular risk factors. Further studies are needed to replicate our findings, to examine the underlying mechanisms, the causality of the associations, and the potential for public health interventions.
Self‐management intervention using teach‐back for people with heart failure in Vietnam: A cluster randomized controlled trial protocol
Authors: Dinh Ha , Bonner Ann , Ramsbotham Joanne , Clark Robyn
Published: September 2018

Globally, the increasing prevalence of heart failure is a burden on health‐care systems, especially in under‐resourced countries, such as Vietnam. We describe a prospective single‐site, cluster randomized controlled trial of an intervention designed to teach adult patients about heart failure and how to undertake self‐care activities. The intervention, delivered by a nurse, comprises of an individual teaching session using teach‐back, a heart failure booklet, weighing scales, a diary to document daily weight, and a follow‐up phone call 2 weeks after hospital discharge. Teach‐back is a process of asking patients to repeat information and for the nurse to fill any gaps or misunderstanding until adequate understanding is demonstrated. The control group will receive usual education plus the heart failure (HF) booklet. A total of 140 participants will be allocated into two study groups.

The level of randomization is at the ward level. The primary outcome (HF knowledge) and secondary outcomes (self‐care behaviors and all‐cause hospitalizations) will be measured at 1 and 3 months. This study will make an important contribution regarding a protocol of teach‐back and chronic disease self‐management.
Vitrification in straws conserves motility features better than spheres in donkey sperm
Authors: Diaz‐Jimenez M. , Dorado J. , Pereira B. , Ortiz I. , Consuegra C. , Bottrel M. , Ortiz E. , Hidalgo M.
Published: September 2018

Contents

Sperm vitrification as alternative to conventional freezing is increasing in popularity in many species. It has been achieved by direct exposure of diluted semen to liquid nitrogen in spheres or straws. Both techniques have been successfully developed, but they had not been compared yet in donkeys. The aim of this study was to compare these two methods of vitrification for donkey semen. Ejaculates from six Andalusian donkeys were collected and extended in Gent without glycerol supplemented with sucrose 0.1 M (Molar). Samples were slowly cooled at 5°C. For vitrification, 30 μl suspensions (spheres) were dropped directly into liquid nitrogen (LN2) or filled in covered 0.25 ml straws and then plunged into the LN2 (straws). For warming, straws and spheres were directly immersed in 3 ml of INRA‐96 at 43°C. Total (TM, %) and progressive motility (PM, %) were objectively evaluated by computer‐assisted sperm analysis and plasma membrane integrity (PMI, %) by epifluorescence microscopy. Results showed the straw method resulted in significantly higher values than spheres for: TM (54.7% ± 10.1 vs. 28.6% ± 6.5) and PM (44.2% ± 9.4 vs. 17.7% ± 6.4), but no significant differences were found between straws or spheres for PMI (31.5 ± 10.7 vs. 41.6 ± 14.3) respectively. In conclusion, donkey sperm could be vitrified in straws obtaining better sperm motility parameters after warming in comparison to the sphere method.
Gene expression analysis and in vitro production procedures for bovine preimplantation embryos: Past highlights, present concepts and future prospects
Authors: Wrenzycki Christine
Published: September 2018

Contents

Over the past decades in vitro production (IVP) of bovine embryos has been significantly improved and in particular bovine IVP is now widely applied under field conditions. This in vitro technique provides new opportunities for cattle producers, particularly in the dairy industry, to overcome infertility and to increase dissemination of animals with high genetic merit. Improvements in OPU/IVP resulted in large‐scale international commercialization. More than half a million IVP embryos are generated on the yearly basis demonstrating the enormous potential of this technology. These advances and the fact that bovine and human early development is remarkably similar have also prompted the use of bovine embryos as a model system to study early mammalian embryogenesis including humans. Despite all the improvements, embryos generated in vitro still differ from their in vivo derived counterparts. Embryos must adjust to multiple microenvironments at preimplantation stages. Consequently, maintaining or mimicking the in vivo situation in vitro will aid to improve the quality and developmental competence of the resulting embryo. The successful clinical application of the techniques in reproductive biotechnology requires both species‐specific clinical skills and extensive laboratory experience. The recent advances in transcriptome profiling have also provided deeper insight into RNA expression and regulation at an unprecedented resolution. The development of these high‐throughput DNA sequencing methods has resulted in new approaches for both mapping and quantifying transcriptomes. The aim of this review is therefore to summarize the available data related to gene expression analyses as well as in vitro embryo production procedures and to provide ideas about future concepts.
Risk‐based decision making in transfusion medicine
Authors: Leach Bennett Judie , Devine Dana V.
Published: September 2018

Formal processes to assess risk are well established in numerous areas of society including the environment, transportation, energy and food production sectors as well as some areas of health care such as new drugs or other therapeutic goods. However, these processes and their associated frameworks have only recently come to be used to make decisions in blood transfusion practice or in blood system policy development. This review describes the evolution of the use of risk‐based decision making and discusses the elements that should be considered in its application to blood system issues. Following the identification and characterization of the risk, a structured process is undertaken to assess the magnitude of the risk and the level of risk reduction that can reasonably be achieved in the context of the complexity of the risk management action proposed and its cost. Inputs must be sought from appropriate subject matter experts, but also from those who can consider issues of ethics and social values. Engagement of the public is an essential step. Proposed interventions should be assessed for their likelihood of mitigating the risk and the proportional resource allocation in comparison with similar risks to the blood system or health system. Examples are provided of how a risk‐based decision‐making framework is used to address identified risks in the blood system.
Structural Modification of Pristine Graphene Network Towards Nanoporous Graphene Membrane: A Review
Authors: Mukri Mohd ‘Azizir-Rahim , Elias Mohd Syafiq , Aziz Madzlan , Tanemura Masaki , Mohd Yusop Mohd Zamri
Published: September 2018

A single graphene layer is superior many ways preferably in electronic devices application. However, mild modification of the graphene network could open a new potential to the ultrathin graphene membrane. Moreover, recent studies demonstrated that a few simple techniques could generate and control the nanopores size on single layer graphene sheet simultaneously. This review paper will discuss all potential techniques that are capable to generate nanopores structure on the pristine single layer graphene network.
A Reproduction Lissajous Figure Machine
Authors: Daffron John A. , Greenslade Thomas B.
Published: September 2018

Lissajous figures, and other harmonic curves, straddle the line between physics and art. The sight of a harmonograph tracing out its curves in the Amherst College physics library in 1957 was certainly one of the things that drew young Tom Greenslade into physics and inspired a career-long appreciation of them.
A modified spectrogram with possible application as a visual hearing aid for the deaf
Authors: Hillier Adeline F. , Hillier Claire E. , Hillier David A.
Published: September 2018

A modified spectrogram was developed, substantially improving visual word recognition over that of traditional spectrograms from 23% to 80%. Traditional spectrograms are difficult to interpret quickly due partly to poor contrast, subtle cues, and extraneous detail. Improvements developed here include increased frequency resolution, enhancement of inconspicuous but relevant information, and elimination of extraneous detail. Log-frequency and especially, sone-amplitude scaling were subjectively easier to interpret visually than linear-frequency, dB-amplitude, and linear-amplitude scaling. The spectrogram was made sufficiently small to fit into the center of vision, emulating written language in which individual words are recognized as discrete patterns.
Cellular checkpoint control using programmable sequential logic
Authors: Andrews Lauren B. , Nielsen Alec A. K. , Voigt Christopher A.
Published: September 2018

Building smarter synthetic biological circuits

Synthetic genetic and biological regulatory circuits can enable logic functions to form the basis of biological computing; synthetic biology can also be used to control cell behaviors (see the Perspective by Glass and Alon). Andrews
et al.
used mathematical models and computer algorithms to combine standardized components and build programmable genetic sequential logic circuits. Such circuits can perform regulatory functions much like the biological checkpoint circuits of living cells. Circuits composed of interacting proteins could be used to bypass gene regulation, interfacing directly with cellular pathways without genome modification. Gao
et al.
engineered proteases that regulate one another, respond to diverse inputs that include oncogene activation, process signals, and conditionally activate responses such as those leading to cell death. This platform should facilitate development of “smart” therapeutic circuits for future biomedical applications.

Science
, this issue p.
eaap8987
, p.
1252
; see also p.
1199
Generation of human oogonia from induced pluripotent stem cells in vitro
Authors: Yamashiro Chika , Sasaki Kotaro , Yabuta Yukihiro , Kojima Yoji , Nakamura Tomonori , Okamoto Ikuhiro , Yokobayashi Shihori , Murase Yusuke , Ishikura Yukiko , Shirane Kenjiro , Sasaki Hiroyuki , Yamamoto Takuya , Saitou Mitinori
Published: September 2018

Reconstituting a human ovary

Human pluripotent stem cells (hPSCs) have been induced into human primordial germ cell–like cells (hPGCLCs) in vitro, the first step toward human in vitro gametogenesis. Yamashiro
et al.
went a step closer to generating mature gametes by culturing hPSCs with mouse embryonic ovarian somatic cells in xenogeneic reconstituted ovaries (see the Perspective by Gill and Peters). Over a period of 4 months, hPGCLCs underwent hallmark epigenetic reprogramming and differentiated progressively into cells closely resembling human oogonia, an immediate embryonic precursor for human oocytes. This study creates opportunities for human germ cell research and provides a foundation for human in vitro gametogenesis.

Science
, this issue p.
356
; see also p.
291
Enantiodivergent Pd-catalyzed C–C bond formation enabled through ligand parameterization
Authors: Zhao Shibin , Gensch Tobias , Murray Benjamin , Niemeyer Zachary L. , Sigman Matthew S. , Biscoe Mark R.
Published: September 2018

The staying power of electron-poor ligands

The venerable Suzuki coupling reaction originally used palladium to pair up unsaturated carbon centers. The protocol has been widely extended to chiral saturated alkyl carbons, but control over product stereochemistry is a pressing challenge. Zhao
et al.
systematically studied how the properties of the phosphine ligands that are coordinated to the catalyst influence the stereochemical outcome. Certain electron-withdrawing phosphines favored retention of the initial configuration in chiral alkyltrifluoroborate reactants. Conversely, bulky electron-rich phosphines lead to inverted configurations in the products.

Science
, this issue p.
670
Measurement of a superconducting qubit with a microwave photon counter
Authors: Opremcak A. , Pechenezhskiy I. V. , Howington C. , Christensen B. G. , Beck M. A. , Leonard E. , Suttle J. , Wilen C. , Nesterov K. N. , Ribeill G. J. , Thorbeck T. , Schlenker F. , Vavilov M. G. , Plourde B. L. T. , McDermott R.
Published: September 2018

Counting the state of a qubit

Operation of a quantum computer will be reliant on the ability to correct errors. This will typically require the fast, high-fidelity quantum nondemolition measurement of a large number of qubits. Opremcak
et al.
describe a method that uses a photon counter to determine the state of a superconducting qubit. Being able to simply read out the qubit state as a photon number removes the need for bulky components and large experimental overhead that characterizes present approaches.

Science
, this issue p.
1239
Changing dynamics of the drug overdose epidemic in the United States from 1979 through 2016
Authors: Jalal Hawre , Buchanich Jeanine M. , Roberts Mark S. , Balmert Lauren C. , Zhang Kun , Burke Donald S.
Published: September 2018

Analyzing the drug abuse epidemic

There is a developing drug epidemic in the United States. Jalal
et al.
analyzed nearly 600,000 unintentional drug overdoses over a 38-year period. Although the overall mortality rate closely followed an exponential growth curve, the pattern itself is a composite of several underlying subepidemics of different drugs. Geographic hotspots have developed over time, as well as drug-specific demographic differences.

Science
, this issue p.
eaau1184
Toward a more scientific science
Authors: Azoulay Pierre , Graff-Zivin Joshua , Uzzi Brian , Wang Dashun , Williams Heidi , Evans James A. , Jin Ginger Zhe , Lu Susan Feng , Jones Benjamin F. , Börner Katy , Lakhani Karim R. , Boudreau Kevin J. , Guinan Eva C.
Published: September 2018

Climb atop shoulders and wait for funerals. That, suggested Newton and then Planck, is how science advances (more or less). We've come far since then, but many notions about how people and practices, policies, and resources influence the course of science are still more rooted in traditions and intuitions than in evidence. We can and must do better, lest we resign ourselves to “intuition-based policy” when making decisions and investments aimed at driving scientific progress.
Science
invited experts to highlight key aspects of the scientific enterprise that are steadily yielding to empirical investigation—and to explain how Newton and Planck got it right (and Einstein got it wrong). —
Brad Wible
Analysis of Fitness Trade-Offs in the Host Range Expansion of an RNA Virus, Tobacco Mild Green Mosaic Virus
Authors: Bera Sayanta , Fraile Aurora , García-Arenal Fernando
Published: September 2018

The acquisition of new hosts conditions virus epidemiology and emergence; hence it is important to understand the mechanisms behind host range expansion. Experimental evolution studies have identified antagonistic pleiotropy and epistasis as genetic mechanisms that limit host range expansion, but studies from virus field populations are few. Here, we compare the performance of isolates of tobacco mild green mosaic virus from its reservoir host,
Nicotiana glauca,
and its new host, pepper, showing that acquisition of a new host was not followed by adaptation to it but was associated with a fitness loss in the original host. Analysis of mutations determining host-specific virus multiplication identified antagonistic pleiotropy, epistasis, and host-specific epistasis as mechanisms generating across-host fitness trade-offs that may prevent adaptation to pepper and cause a loss of fitness in
N. glauca
. Thus, mechanisms determining trade-offs, identified under experimental evolution, could also operate in the heterogeneous environment in which natural plant virus populations occur.
Update on corneal neurotisation
Authors: Malhotra Raman , Elalfy Mohamed Shafik , Kannan Ruben , Nduka Charles , Hamada Samer
Published: September 2018

Corneal neurotisation describes surgical restoration of nerve growth into the cornea to restore corneal sensation and trophic function. It represents an exciting and effective emerging treatment for neurotrophic keratopathy. Techniques described to date involve either direct nerve transfer or an interpositional nerve graft coapted to a healthy donor nerve. We review the experience to date with particular emphasis on a detailed review of techniques, outcomes and current thoughts.