bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
IS A SOCIAL EMPOWERMENT OF PPP FOR INFRASTRUCTURE DELIVERY POSSIBLE? LESSONS FROM SOCIAL IMPACT BONDS
Authors: VECCHI Veronica , CASALINI Francesca
Published: November 2018

Social Impact Bonds (SIBs) have emerged in recent years as outcome‐based public‐private partnerships (PPP) for the delivery of welfare services, where the payment to the private operator is linked to the achievement of superior social impact. Since the traditional infrastructure‐based PPP approach seems to have failed to achieve higher level of efficiency and, above all, effectiveness, this paper discusses the extent to which the SIB model can represent a reference point to innovate the PPP model by introducing more focus on outcome achievement and social value generation.
Benefit finding in renal transplantation and its association with psychological and clinical correlates: A prospective study
Authors: de Vries Alicia M. , Helgeson Vicki S. , Schulz Torben , Almansa Josué , Westerhuis Ralf , Niesing Jan , Navis Gerjan J. , Schroevers Maya J. , Ranchor Adelita V.
Published: November 2018

Objectives

The identification of positive psychological changes, including benefit finding (BF), in chronic illness has gained substantial interest. However, less is known about BF in the context of a positive medical intervention. End‐stage renal disease (ESRD) can be regarded as a burdensome condition, but transplantation is expected to restore physical and psychological functioning to a large extent after a period of illness. The aim of this study was to examine (1) changes in BF from pre‐ to 12 months post‐transplantation, (2) the concurrent association of disease‐related characteristics and optimism to BF, and (3) the potential causal relations between BF and distress.

Methods

In this longitudinal study, 319 patients completed questionnaires before, 3 months, 6 months, and/or 12 months post‐transplantation. Multilevel models were used for the analyses. Measures included the Illness Cognitions Questionnaire to measure BF, the Life Orientation Test to measure optimism, and the General Health Questionnaire to measure distress.

Results

Benefit finding increased from pre‐ to post‐transplantation. Fewer symptoms and comorbidities, and more optimism, were related to more BF over all time‐points. The direction of the relation between BF and distress changed over time. Before transplantation, distress predicted an increase in BF, whereas post‐transplantation, distress predicted a decrease in BF. The causal relation between BF and distress post‐transplantation appeared to be reciprocal.

Conclusions

A positive medical intervention such as renal transplantation might facilitate the development of BF. This study indicates the need for longitudinal research on the relation between BF and psychological health in the face of positive events.

Statement of contribution

What is already known on this subject?

Benefit finding refers to the identification of positive psychological changes following a negative life event.

Individuals can experience benefit finding following chronic illness.

The positive event of kidney transplantation is associated with improvements in patients’ physical and psychological functioning.

What does this study add?

Benefit finding increases from pre‐ to post‐kidney transplantation.

Fewer symptoms and comorbidities, and higher optimism are related to more benefit finding.

Before transplantation, distress predicts an increase in benefit finding.

After transplantation, there appears to be a reciprocal relation between distress and benefit finding such that distress predicts a decrease in benefit finding and benefit finding predicts a decrease in distress.
Extravascular fibrinogen in the white matter of Alzheimer’s disease and normal aged brains: implications for fibrinogen as a biomarker for Alzheimer’s disease
Authors: McAleese Kirsty E. , Graham Sophie , Dey Madhurima , Walker Lauren , Erskine Daniel , Johnson Mary , Johnston Eleanor , Thomas Alan J. , McKeith Ian G. , DeCarli Charles , Attems Johannes
Published: November 2018

The blood–brain barrier (BBB) regulates cerebrovascular permeability and leakage of blood‐derived fibrinogen. Dysfunction of the BBB has been associated with cerebral arteriolosclerosis small vessel disease (SVD) and white matter lesions (WML). Furthermore, BBB dysfunction is associated with the pathogenesis of Alzheimer’s disease (AD) with the presence of CSF plasma proteins suggested to be a potential biomarker of AD. We aimed to determine if extravascular fibrinogen in the white matter was associated with the development of AD hallmark pathologies, i.e., hyperphosphorylated tau (HPτ) and amyloid‐β (Aβ), as well as SVD, cerebral amyloid angiopathy (CAA) and measures of white matter damage. Using human post‐mortem brains, parietal tissue from 20 AD and 22 non‐demented controls was quantitatively assessed for HPτ, Aβ, white matter damage severity, axonal density, demyelination and the burden of extravascular fibrinogen in both WML and normal appearing white matter (NAWM). SVD severity was determined by calculating sclerotic indices. WML‐ and NAWM fibrinogen burden was not significantly different between AD and controls nor was it associated with the burden of HPτ or Aβ pathology, or any measures of white matter damage. Increasing severity of SVD was associated with and a predictor of both higher WML‐ and NAWM fibrinogen burden (all P < 0.05) in controls only. In cases with minimal SVD NAWM fibrinogen burden was significantly higher in the AD cases (P < 0.05). BBB dysfunction was present in both non‐demented and AD brains and was not associated with the burden of AD‐associated cortical pathologies. BBB dysfunction was strongly associated with SVD but only in the non‐demented controls. In cases with minimal SVD, BBB dysfunction was significantly worse in AD cases possibly indicating the influence of CAA. In conclusion, extravascular fibrinogen is not associated with AD hallmark pathologies but indicates SVD, suggesting that the presence of fibrinogen in the CSF is not a surrogate marker for AD pathology.
Chromium(III), chromium(VI) and cobalt release from leathers produced in Nicaragua
Authors: Hedberg Yolanda S. , Wei Zheng , Moncada Chévez Federico
Published: November 2018

Background

Leather exposure has been associated with chromium (Cr) and cobalt (Co) contact dermatitis. Cr(VI) in leather is now restricted to <3 mg/kg in the EU. Cr(III) is not restricted.

Objectives

To analyse 29 differently coloured Cr‐tanned leather samples from two Nicaraguan tanneries, and to compare their release of Cr, Cr(VI) and Co with that of leathers produced in Europe.

Methods

Cr, Cr(VI) and Co were extracted in phosphate buffer for 3 hours at 25°C according to EN ISO 17075. Atomic absorption spectroscopy and spectrophotometry were used for detection of the metals in phosphate buffer.

Results

There was no difference in total Cr or Cr(VI) release between European and Nicaraguan leathers. There was no association between Cr(VI) and total Cr release. Co was released primarily from leathers of one tannery. Cr(III) was released in significantly higher amounts than Cr(VI).

Conclusions

Future investigations and regulations should focus on Cr(III) and Co as well as on Cr(VI).
Liquid biopsy: A new avenue in pathology
Authors: Ghosh Ratan Kumar , Pandey Tushar , Dey Pranab
Published: November 2018

Liquid biopsy is a relatively new entity. This non‐invasive technique provides real‐time information about a tumour. The liquid biopsy contains circulating tumour cells, cell‐free DNA and exosomes. The main indications for liquid biopsy include early diagnosis, screening, detection of minimal residual disease, designing personalised treatment and predicting biological behaviour of the tumour. In this review, we discuss various aspects of liquid biopsy and compare it with conventional biopsy.
PCSK9 inhibitor therapy: A systematic review and meta‐analysis of metabolic and cardiovascular outcomes in patients with diabetes
Authors: Monami Matteo , Sesti Giorgio , Mannucci Edoardo
Published: November 2018

Aims

Pro‐protein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 (PCSK9) inhibitors bring about a wide reduction in low‐density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol, greater than that of other lipid‐lowering agents. The aim of this metanalysis was assessment of the effects of PCSK9 inhibitors on glucose metabolism, LDL cholesterol, cardiovascular morbidity and mortality in individuals with and without diabetes.

Materials and methods

A Medline and Clinicaltrials.gov search for eligible studies published before 1 December 2017 was performed. All randomized trials comparing PCSK‐9 inhibitors with placebo or active drugs were included. Primary endpoints included (a) incident diabetes, fasting glucose and HbA1c, (b) LDL cholesterol at endpoint in patients with diabetes and in the total sample, and (c) major cardiovascular events (MACE) and mortality in individuals with and without diabetes.

Results

A total of 38 trials was identified. The risk of incident diabetes was not increased by PCSK‐9 inhibitors, vs placebo or any comparator. The reduction in LDL cholesterol vs placebo in patients with diabetes was 52.6 [41.3;63.8] mg/dL; the corresponding figure for all patients was 66.9 [62.4;71.3] mg/dL. Meta‐regression analysis showed an inverse correlation between proportion of patients with diabetes and drug effect on LDL cholesterol in trials vs ezetimibe, but not in those vs placebo. In studies reporting data on MACE and mortality separately for individuals with and without diabetes, the effect of PCSK‐9 did not appear to be affected by diabetes.

Conclusion

PCSK‐9 inhibitors do not affect glucose metabolism. Their efficacy on LDL cholesterol and MACE in patients with diabetes does not seem to be very dissimilar to that observed in non‐diabetic participants.
Can youth at high risk of illness progression be identified by measures of rumination and sleep‐wake disturbance
Authors: Grierson Ashlee B. , Scott Jan , Glozier Nick , Hickie Ian B. , Amminger Paul G. , Killackey Eoin , McGorry Patrick D. , Pantelis Christos , Phillips Lisa , Scott Elizabeth , Yung Alison R. , Purcell Rosemary
Published: November 2018

Aim

Clinical staging models offer a useful framework for understanding illness trajectories, where individuals are located on a continuum of illness progression from stage 0 (at‐risk but asymptomatic) to stage 4 (end‐stage disease). Importantly, clinical staging allows investigation of risk factors for illness progression with the potential to target trans‐diagnostic mechanisms at an early stage, especially in help‐seeking youth who often present with sub‐threshold syndromes. While depressive symptoms, rumination and sleep‐wake disturbances may worsen syndrome outcomes, the role of these related phenomena has yet to be examined as risk factors for trans‐diagnostic illness progression in at‐risk youth.

Methods

This study is a prospective follow‐up of 248 individuals aged 12 to 25 years presenting to headspace services with sub‐threshold syndromes (stage 1) classified under the clinical staging model to determine transition to threshold syndromes (stage 2). Factor analysis of depression, rumination and sleep‐wake patterns was used to identify key dimensions and any associations between factors and transition to stage 2 at follow‐up.

Results

At 1 year, 9% of cases met criteria for stage 2 (n = 22). One of three identified factors, namely the factor reflecting the commonalities shared between rumination and sleep‐wake disturbance, significantly differentiated cases that transitioned to stage 2 vs those that did not demonstrate transition. Items loading onto this factor, labelled Anergia, included depression severity and aspects of rumination and sleep‐wake disturbance that were characterized as introceptive.

Conclusions

Common dimensions between rumination and sleep‐wake disturbance present a detectable trans‐diagnostic marker of illness progression in youth, and may represent a target for early intervention.
Seascape genomics of eastern oyster (Crassostrea virginica) along the Atlantic coast of Canada
Authors: Bernatchez Simon , Xuereb Amanda , Laporte Martin , Benestan Laura , Steeves Royce , Laflamme Mark , Bernatchez Louis , Mallet Martin A.
Published: November 2018

Interactions between environmental factors and complex life‐history characteristics of marine organisms produce the genetic diversity and structure observed within species. Our main goal was to test for genetic differentiation among eastern oyster populations from the coastal region of Canadian Maritimes against expected genetic homogeneity caused by historical events, taking into account spatial and environmental (temperature, salinity, turbidity) variation. This was achieved by genotyping 486 individuals originating from 13 locations using RADSeq. A total of 11,321 filtered SNPs were used in a combination of population genomics and environmental association analyses. We revealed significant neutral genetic differentiation (mean FST = 0.009) between sampling locations, and the occurrence of six major genetic clusters within the studied system. Redundancy analyses (RDAs) revealed that spatial and environmental variables explained 3.1% and 4.9% of the neutral genetic variation and 38.6% and 12.2% of the putatively adaptive genetic variation, respectively. These results indicate that these environmental factors play a role in the distribution of both neutral and putatively adaptive genetic diversity in the system. Moreover, polygenic selection was suggested by genotype–environment association analysis and significant correlations between additive polygenic scores and temperature and salinity. We discuss our results in the context of their conservation and management implications for the eastern oyster.
Managing for soil carbon sequestration: Let’s get realistic
Authors: Schlesinger William H. , Amundson Ronald
Published: November 2018

Improved soil management is increasingly pursued to ensure food security for the world's rising global population, with the ancillary benefit of storing carbon in soils to lower the threat of climate change. While all increments to soil organic matter are laudable, we suggest caution in ascribing large, potential climate change mitigation to enhanced soil management. We find that the most promising techniques, including applications of biochar and enhanced silicate weathering, collectively are not likely to balance more than 5% of annual emissions of CO2 from fossil fuel combustion.
A proposal for unpacking the politics of knowledge production in disaster reduction education
Authors: Trumble Ruth
Published: November 2018

The Sendai Framework for disaster risk reduction (2015–2030) states that education is an important way to build resilience of people and communities. Further, reducing inequality should be a goal of disaster risk reduction (DRR) politics. Disaster reduction education (DRE), like the ideas resilience and DRR from which it stems, is not an innocent notion. The production of knowledge and its implementation via DRE are inherently political. With this in mind, I discuss recent work in DRE and suggest that science and technology studies (STS) is a helpful ally in examining the significance of DRE for communities. I first discuss the relationship between resilience, DRR, and DRE. I then review recent case studies from the growing field of scholarship in DRE; each of which brings into question (a) the politics of knowledge production and (b) uneven relationships across scales that shape the ways in which education for disaster risk is implemented. Next, I explore how scholarship from STS is useful to think through ways to further unpack the politics of expertise woven into DRE. I conclude by stating that if we are to consider possibilities for DRE practices that increase equality, we must first explore the power relations that shape DRE. STS engagements with expertise will help in the process.
Efficacy and safety of ombitasvir/paritaprevir/ritonavir and ribavirin for chronic hepatitis patients infected with genotype 2a in Japan
Authors: Atsukawa Masanori , Tsubota Akihito , Toyoda Hidenori , Takaguchi Koichi , Nakamuta Makoto , Watanabe Tsunamasa , Tada Toshifumi , Tsutsui Akemi , Ikeda Hiroki , Abe Hiroshi , Kato Keizo , Uojima Haruki , Ikegami Tadashi , Asano Toru , Kondo Chisa , Koeda Mai , Okubo Tomomi , Arai Taeang , Iwashita‐Nakagawa Ai , Itokawa Norio , Kumada Takashi , Iwakiri Katsuhiko
Published: November 2018

Aim

The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of community‐based ombitasvir/paritaprevir/ritonavir plus ribavirin therapy for non‐cirrhotic patients with hepatitis C virus (HCV) genotype 2a infection in a real‐world setting.

Methods

Patients with HCV genotype 2a infection were enrolled in this study and received the therapy for 16 weeks at 11 specialized centers in Japan between October 2016 and July 2017. Among the 98 patients participating in the study, four patients were excluded because of the presence of cirrhosis and/or genotype 2b infection. The remaining 94 patients were subjected to the analysis.

Results

The patients consisted of 38 women and 56 men, with a median age of 63 years. The rate of sustained virologic response (SVR) was 97.9%. The SVR rates were similar between patients with and without ribavirin dose reduction (96.0% vs. 98.6%, respectively). Of the two patients in whom treatment failed, one patient completed the treatment but relapsed at 4 weeks post‐treatment, whereas the other did not show virologic response and therefore discontinued treatment at week 9. At baseline, both patients had non‐structural protein (NS)5A resistance‐associated substitution (RAS) L31M but no NS3 RAS. At the time of relapse, the patient had NS5A RAS F28S. At the premature treatment discontinuation, the non‐responder had NS3 RAS D168V and NS5A RAS T24S. Ribavirin‐induced anemia was the most frequent adverse event.

Conclusion

Community‐based, 16‐week, ombitasvir/paritaprevir/ritonavir plus ribavirin therapy was highly efficacious and safe in non‐cirrhotic patients with HCV genotype 2a infection in a real‐world setting.
Differences in plantar pressure by REBA scores in dental hygienists
Authors: Kim Jiyen , Park Bo‐young , Mun So‐Jung , Shim Jemyung , Choi Eun‐Sil , Noh Hiejin
Published: November 2018

Objectives

The purpose of the present study was to analyse the effects of working posture, physical balance and work accumulation on shifts in plantar pressure in dental hygienists, by measuring REBA, which evaluates working posture, and plantar pressure, which evaluates physical balance.

Methods

This study was conducted on 24 dental hygienists currently working in dental clinics. The ergonomic assessment method of the Rapid Entire Body Assessment was used to evaluate working posture in the dental hygienists, and a Gait Analyzer was used to measure plantar pressure.

Results

The subjects’ mean REBA score was 4.96 ± 1.04 points, and 87.5% of the subjects showed poor working posture, with a REBA score of at least four points. Among subjects with a REBA score of four points or more, seven of the eight parts of the sole of the foot showed significant differences in plantar pressure between the right and left feet (P < 0.05). When we examined changes in plantar pressure over a week, pressure increased on the left side, and in particular, for subjects with a REBA score of four points or higher, pressure increased in the left foot and in the anterior right foot.

Conclusions

Most of the dental hygienists in this study showed poor posture during working. Subjects with poor posture at a level requiring intervention showed differences in plantar pressure between the right and left feet. Inappropriate posture can cause musculoskeletal disorders. Therefore, it will be necessary to prepare internal and external measures to maintain proper working posture in dental hygienists, including education, exercise, improvement of the working environment and improvement of ergonomic equipment and devices.
Australian migrants’ social cultural adaptation and consumption behaviour towards food and alcohol
Authors: Arli Denni , Kim Jeawon , Rundle‐Thiele Sharyn , Tkaczynski Aaron
Published: November 2018

Australia is one of the most successful multicultural countries in the world due to successive waves of migration from Europe and recently Asia. Nonetheless, new migrants coming to Australia are not always able to adapt to Australian culture due to language and cultural barriers. Hence, the purpose of this study is to segment migrants based on their cultural adaptation and subsequently to examine similarities and differences between those segments in regards to their health‐related behaviour (i.e., alcohol and food consumption). A cross‐sectional study of migrants in Australia (N = 408) suggests that migrants from Asia have the greatest difficulty in adapting to the local culture due to language barriers. This study will assist public policy makers and social marketers in creating effective campaigns and interventions to reduce excessive alcohol consumption and obesity among migrants.
Religiosity and Environmentally Concerned Consumer Behaviour: ‘becoming one with God (nature)’ through Surrendering Environmental Identities
Authors: Roshani Perera Chamila , Rathnasiri Hewege Chandana
Published: November 2018

This study explores how transcendence of identity, a common doctrinal ethical tenet of religiosity, relates to nature concerns amongst consumers. It employs an interpretive research approach to gain an in‐depth understanding of subjective experiences and nature concerns shared amongst environmentally concerned consumers with a view to investigating how they are informed by transcendence of identity. With the aid of projective technique, in‐depth interviews were conducted involving 22 environmentally concerned consumers located in a major Australian city. Two themes emerged from the data: (1) complete surrender (diminishing distinction between humans and nature); (2) deconstructing environmentally concerned consumer identity (transforming from end‐user identity projects into contributor‐to‐nature identity projects). It is therefore postulated that nature concerns of consumers can be understood through the common doctrinal ethical tenet of theistic and nontheistic beliefs, transcendence of identity. The findings show several implications for environmentally concerned consumer behaviour and market practices.
Buying behaviour and symbolic consumption of food and alcoholic beverages among people with religious affiliations in Bogota, Colombia
Authors: Garay‐Quintero Leonardo , Robayo‐Pinzon Oscar , Rojas‐Berrio Sandra
Published: November 2018

This paper aims to describe the buying behaviour of people with religious affiliations from the perspective of the symbolic consumption of food products and alcoholic beverages in Bogota. A qualitative methodology, with a non‐experimental and cross‐sectional design was applied. The technique used is an in‐depth interview with a “snowball” sampling technique. Participants, ranging from 20 to 30 years of age, were identified by the criteria from youth groups with a defined and internalized religious affiliation in their everyday lives. The findings include the description of a buying behaviour with significant restrictions, conditioned by the individuals’ religious affiliation or beliefs. Some habits, such as fasting and the importance of health and image regarding both food and alcoholic beverages, are listed as well as the type of symbolic consumption with religious community leaders teaching and recommending customs that are consistent with their doctrine.
Perioperative outcomes and risk assessment in dialysis patients: current knowledge and future directions
Authors: Palamuthusingam Dharmenaan , Johnson David W. , Hawley Carmel M. , Pascoe Elaine , Sivalingam Pal , Fahim Magid
Published: November 2018

Perioperative medicine is rapidly emerging as a key discipline to address the specific needs of high‐risk surgical groups, such as those on chronic dialysis. Crude hospital separation rates for chronic dialysis patients are considerably higher than patients with normal renal function, with up to 15% of admission being related to surgical intervention. Dialysis dependency carries substantial mortality and morbidity risk compared to patients with normal renal function. This group of patients has a high comorbid burden and complex medical need, making accurate perioperative planning essential. Existing perioperative risk assessment tools are unvalidated in chronic dialysis patients. Furthermore, they fail to incorporate important dialysis treatment‐related characteristics that could potentially influence perioperative outcomes. There is a dearth of information on perioperative outcomes of Australasian dialysis patients. Current perioperative outcome estimates stem predominantly from North American literature; however, the generalisability of these findings is limited, as the survival of North American dialysis patients is significantly inferior to their Australasian counterparts and potentially confounds reported perioperative outcomes; let alone regional variation in surgical indication and technique. We propose that data linkage between high‐quality national registries will provide more complete data with more detailed patient and procedural information to allow for more informative analyses to develop and validate dialysis‐specific risk assessment tools.
Tanzania's Stats Law Amendments ‘Threaten Fact-Checking’
Authors: Tarran Brian
Published: November 2018

IMF and World Bank raise concerns as revised legislation makes criticism of official data a crime
Playing with Risk
Authors: Tarran Brian
Published: November 2018

Borel is a new board game – co-designed by a statistician – in which players bet on the outcomes of simple experiments. Brian Tarran plays the game, and puts his intuition about chance and randomness to the test
Death Rates and Modern Life Expectancy
Authors: Bland Martin
Published: November 2018

Jacqueline Speel writes: Many years ago, I read an article about an unexpected dip in deaths in New Zealand, which was worked out to be the effect of deaths having already occurred in World War I. Would the recently stated change in death rates in the UK have some similar relationship to World War II?

Death rates and modern life expectancy.
How Times have Changed for Teenagers
Authors: Ralph Jeff
Published: November 2018

Young people growing up today experience a society that is in many ways different from that of their parents and grandparents. Jeff Ralph, RSS William Guy schools' lecturer for the 2017–18 academic year, explains those changes through official statistics
Is Poker a Game of Luck or Skill?
Authors: Schoenberg Frederic Paik
Published: November 2018

Winning a hand in poker takes luck and skill – but which contributes most to victory? Frederic Paik Schoenberg sets out to quantify these two elements of the game using real-life examples
CalculateandCommunicate
Authors: Grant Robert
Published: November 2018

Robert Grant says statisticians have plenty to learn from designers when it comes to data visualisation, but the opposite also applies. Both sets of skills are needed
Research Review: Internalising symptoms in developmental coordination disorder: a systematic review and meta‐analysis
Authors: Omer Serif , Jijon Ana M. , Leonard Hayley C.
Published: November 2018

Background

Developmental coordination disorder (DCD) affects 5%–6% of children. There is growing evidence that DCD is associated with greater levels of internalising symptoms (i.e. depression and anxiety). This is the first systematic review and meta‐analysis to explore the magnitude of this effect, the quality of the evidence and potential moderators.

Methods

A systematic search was conducted to identify studies reporting a comparison between individuals with DCD/probable DCD and typically developing (TD) individuals on measures of internalising symptoms. A pooled effect size (Hedges g) was calculated using random‐effects meta‐analysis. Study quality, publication bias and potential moderators of the effect were explored.

Results

Twenty studies, including a total of 23 subsamples, met the inclusion criteria, of which 22 subsamples were included in the meta‐analysis (DCD: n = 1123; TD: n = 7346). A significant, moderate effect of DCD on internalising symptoms was found (g = 0.61). This effect remained robust after accounting for publication bias and excluding lower quality studies. The effect was significantly larger in studies utilising a cross‐sectional design (vs. longitudinal), convenience sampling (vs. population screening) and a majority male sample.

Conclusions

The findings demonstrate that individuals with DCD experience greater levels of internalising symptoms than their peers. This highlights the importance of routine screening for emotional difficulties in DCD, raising awareness of the condition in mental health services and developing psychosocial interventions that extend beyond a focus on motor impairments. However, there is a need for higher quality, longitudinal studies to better understand the causal relationship between DCD and internalising symptoms.
Identification of a novel sperm class and its role in fertilization in Drosophila
Authors: Alpern Joshua H. M. , Asselin Michelle M. , Moehring Amanda J.
Published: November 2018

In many species, males have evolved to produce a sterile sperm (parasperm) in conjunction with fertilizing sperm (eusperm). Here, we document evidence of males depositing two morphologically distinct types of parasperm (1 and 2) into the female reproductive tract in Drosophila pseudoobscura. These parasperm differ in length, shape, amount produced, amount in long‐term storage and may have separate roles in ensuring male fertilization success. Although both parasperm types protect eusperm from female spermicides, only parasperm 2, which has a corkscrew shape, is associated with sperm competition. Increased production of parasperm 2 is also negatively correlated with the eusperm and parasperm 1 production. Thus, selection may be acting on parasperm production in the presence of sperm competition. Our findings show how both sperm competition and cryptic female choice may be acting in conjunction to influence the evolution of ejaculate composition. Our identification and characterization of two distinct parasperm morphs will enhance the ability for further evaluation of parasperm's role in fertilization.
Thermal analysis of a low‐tech passive sensor for the assessment of food cooling rate in refrigerators and freezers
Authors: Fleischman Gregory J.
Published: November 2018

Slow cooling of cooked foods for storage has been linked to many foodborne illness outbreaks over the past 40 years. The Food Code of the United States Food and Drug Administration gives a target cooling rate, but no quantitative means of achieving it. In this article, a thermal analysis is used to show how cooling of a consistently defined mass in an in‐use cooler leads to improved cooling in pans, a common means of food storage. The mass acts as a low‐tech sensor from which temperatures are obtained from simple in‐cooler tests. The analysis converts those temperatures to a pan food height that achieves adequate cooling. This sensor, composed of a standard coffee cup filled with ketchup with 5% added salt and covered with plastic wrap, is aimed at food service facilities, where budget and work time considerations limit options such as new equipment or extensive monitoring to improve cooling.

Practical applications

The sensor suggested and analyzed in this work can potentially provide both an assessment of cooling rate and a quantitative means of improving it in food service coolers. Operating on fixed budgets and strict schedules, food service facilities have no inexpensive options and limited available time for assessing cooling rates, the adequacy of which is an important food safety safeguard.
Microbial community analysis of different qualities of pickled radishes by Illumina MiSeq sequencing
Authors: Tang Yanyan , Zhou Xianrong , Huang Shenglan , Li Yuzhu , Long Mou , Zhao Xin , Suo Huayi , Zalán Zsolt , Hegyi Ferenc , Du Muying
Published: November 2018

Pickles are a kind of traditional Chinese fermented vegetable product. To detect microorganism differences, we investigated bacterial and fungal communities in pickled radishes with different qualities and from different regions (Chongqing, Sichuan) using an Illumina MiSeq sequencing method. The results showed that bacterial communities in good‐quality Chongqing pickled radishes (sample A1) contained Pediococcus (40.77%), Lactobacillus (38.46%), Marinospirillum (5.46%), Idiomarina (3.10%), Bacillus (2.17%), Halanaerobium (2.05%), and Halomonas (1.25%), and the fungal communities contained Kazachstania (86.9%), Pichia (6.99%), Candida (3.97%), and Millerozyma (1.23%). In the Sichuan pickled radish (sample A2), the bacterial communities included Bacillus (55.35%), Lactococcus (12.10%), Pediococcus (9.02%), Lactobacillus (3.93%), Streptococcus (2.01%), Pseudomonas (1.98%), Bifidobacterium (1.92%), Arcobacter (1.62%), and Geobacillus (1.05%); Kazachstania (98.64%) was the dominant fungal genus. A microbial community analysis established that Marinobacter and Marinilabilia were associated with texture‐softening of the pickled radishes. The discolored pickled radishes that contained the Suttonella genus was not fit to be eaten.

Practical applications

To meet the large demand of the market, industrialized pickle companies use large fermentation tank to ferment vegetables. During the fermentation process, the pickles will be deteriorated if the fermentation conditions are not managed well. It will cause food safety problems and great economic losses. The microbial communities of different qualities of pickled radishes were investigated to determine differences among communities using an Illumina MiSeq sequencing method. This study will help improve the quality of pickled radishes and reduce economic losses in pickle manufacturing.
Multimorbidity and lifestyle factors among adults with intellectual disabilities: a cross‐sectional analysis of a UK cohort
Authors: Tyrer F. , Dunkley A. J. , Singh J. , Kristunas C. , Khunti K. , Bhaumik S. , Davies M. J. , Yates T. E. , Gray L. J.
Published: November 2018

Background

Multimorbidity [two or more conditions in addition to intellectual disability (ID)] is known to be more common among people with ID. However, the relationship between multimorbidity and lifestyle factors is currently unknown. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of multimorbidity in a population of adults with ID. We also aimed to identify risk factors, including lifestyle factors, for multimorbidity in this population.

Methods

This was a cross‐sectional analysis using data from a diabetes screening study of 920 adults aged 18–74 years with ID living in Leicestershire, UK. We described comorbidities and the prevalence of multimorbidity in this population. We explored the relationship between multimorbidity and age, gender, ethnicity, severity of ID, socio‐economic status, physical activity, sedentary behaviour, fruit and vegetable consumption and smoking status using multiple logistic regression.

Results

The prevalence of multimorbidity was 61.2% (95% CI 57.7–64.7). Multimorbidity was independently associated with being female (P < 0.001) and severe/profound ID (P = 0.004). Increasing age was of borderline significance (P = 0.06). Individuals who were physically inactive or sedentary were more likely to be multimorbid, independent of ability to walk, age, gender, severity of ID, ethnicity and socio‐economic status (adjusted OR = 1.91; 95% CI 1.23–2.97; P = 0.004 and OR = 1.98; 95% CI 1.42–2.77; P < 0.001). After excluding probable life‐long conditions (autism spectrum conditions, attention deficit hyperactivity disorders, epilepsy, cerebral palsy and other paralytic syndromes) as contributing comorbidities, the effect of sedentary behaviour, but not physical activity, remained (P = 0.004). We did not observe a relationship between multimorbidity, fruit and vegetable consumption and smoking status.

Conclusions

Multimorbidity presents a significant burden to people with ID. Individuals who were physically inactive or sedentary were more likely to be multimorbid, but further work is recommended to explore the relationship between multimorbidity and lifestyle factors using standardised objective measures.
Diagnosis and Treatment of Asthma in Nonpregnant Women
Authors: Esden Jana , Pesta‐Walsh Nancy
Published: November 2018

Asthma is a common condition affecting 8.3% of the adult population in the United States. The disease is characterized by chronic airway inflammation that leads to airway hyperresponsiveness and obstruction that results in coughing, wheezing, shortness of breath, and a feeling of chest tightness. The diagnosis and classification of asthma is based on reported symptoms, physical examination findings, and spirometry. Pharmacologic therapy is prescribed using a stepwise approach that begins with inhaled short‐acting beta2‐agonists for intermittent asthma with the addition of daily inhaled corticosteroids for more persistent cases. Individuals with asthma are reevaluated on a regular basis to monitor symptoms, and pharmacologic treatments are adjusted as needed. Familiarity with the stepwise approach for asthma management and confidence in the efficacy and safety profiles of inhaled medications will assist clinicians in successful management of asthma in the primary care setting.
One village, one product: Agro‐industrial village corporatism in contemporary China
Authors: Smith Nick R.
Published: November 2018

This paper investigates the implementation of “one village, one product” (OVOP) in four peri‐urban villages in China's Yangtze River Delta. China's agricultural transformation, including the introduction of new corporate actors and the growing pressure of market discipline, has challenged the relevance of villages in the organization of agricultural production. In response, village cadres in thousands of Chinese villages have used OVOP to transform their villages into agro‐industrial firms and re‐exert their control over the agricultural surplus, echoing earlier examples of village corporatism. Rooted in agricultural specialization, OVOP encompasses a diversity of strategies for the production of locality‐based value. I disaggregate these strategies into four sociospatial dimensions that comprise locality—place, network, territory, and scale. Place‐based branding is the dominant strategy, but village cadres also pursue complementary sociospatial strategies to ensure their control over the realization of the brand's value and reconstitute their redistributive and administrative powers.
Development and validation of an instrument to measure stress among older adult nursing students: The Student Nurse Stressor‐15 (SNS‐15) Scale
Authors: Sheridan Patricia , Carragher Lucia , Carragher Natacha , Treacy Joe
Published: November 2018

Aims and objectives

To report the development, testing and validation of an instrument to assess the stressors experienced by student nurses during their older adult clinical placements.

Background

The world's population of older adults is accelerating rapidly, with associated increased healthcare demands and a growing need for skilled nursing staff. However, this sector fails to attract adequate numbers of nursing graduates which is leading to a significant gap between nursing supply and demand. Older adult care is considered to be less attractive than other specialties and accompanied by more sources of stress.

Design

A quantitative design was used.

Methods

Data were collected from a cohort of Irish student nurses (n = 242) completing older adult clinical placements as part of their undergraduate degree. Exploratory and confirmatory factor analysis examined the instrument's underlying latent structure. Discriminant validity was investigated using a confirmatory factor analysis model with covariates. STROBE guidelines for cross‐sectional studies informed reporting of this paper's research.

Results

Factor analyses identified two factors relating to “Knowledge and Workload” and “Resources,” which were assessed by nine and six items, respectively. Discriminant validity analyses found a significant relationship between age and the workload and knowledge factor, and between year of programme and the resources factor. The new instrument was labelled the Student Nurse Stressor‐15 (SNS‐15) Scale.

Conclusions

The SNS‐15 contained some overlap with stressors from extant general student nurse stress instruments and a number of unique stressors encountered in older adult care. Future research directions are discussed.

Relevance to clinical practice

The SNS‐15 may assist stakeholders in nurse education and practice with the development of undergraduate degree programmes and clinical placements, and ultimately, in improving patient care and student retention.
What is the protective effect of krill oil on rat ovary against ischemia–reperfusion injury?
Authors: Yeral Ilkin , Sayan Cemile D. , Karaca Gökhan , Simsek Yavuz , Sagsoz Nevin , Ozkan Zehra S. , Atasoy Pınar , Sahin Yasar , Neselioglu Salim , Erel Ozcan
Published: November 2018

Aim

In this study, we aimed to investigate the protective effect of krill oil (KO) against ischemia–reperfusion (I/R) injury on rat ovary.

Methods

This study was conducted with 32 Wistar Albino rats. Rats were divided into four groups, with eight rats in each group‐as follows: Sham group, I/R group, I/R + low dose KO group (50 mg) and I/R + high dose KO group (500 mg). The histopathological and follicle counts were performed on the right ovary. The total antioxidant status, total oxidant status and oxidative stress index were evaluated on the left ovary. And also serum N‐thiol level, serum T‐thiol level, serum disulfide (SDS) level, serum disulfide/N‐thiol and serum disulfide/T‐thiol ratios were evaluated too.

Results

A statistically significant difference was determined between the I/R group and all the other groups for all parameters. There was significant difference between KO groups and the Sham group for the parameters of serum N‐thiol, serum T‐thiol, SDS, serum disulfide/N‐thiol and serum disulfide/T‐thiol. SDS, total oxidant status and oxidative stress index were determined to be the highest in the I/R group and the lowest in the low dose KO group. The total antioxidant status values were found to be the highest in the high dose KO group and the lowest in the I/R group. Follicle counts and histological injury scores showed no significant difference between Sham and KO groups.

Conclusion

This study demonstrated that KO has beneficial effects on decreasing the injury after I/R on rat ovary.
Is there a need for an emergency card in hypoparathyroidism?
Authors: Astor M. C. , Zhu W. , Björnsdottir S. , Bollerslev J. , Kämpe O. , Husebye E. S.
Published: November 2018

Background

Patients with hypoparathyroidism are at risk of both hypocalcemic and hypercalcemic crisis. Patients report that health professionals do not always respond adequately in an acute situation. The extent and handling of severe hypo‐ and hypercalcemia in hypoparathyroidism is unknown.

Aims

To outline the need for a medical emergency card for primary hypoparathyroidism.

Method

Postal survey amongst Norwegian and Swedish patients with chronic hypoparathyroidism of all causes. Altogether 455 invitations were sent (333 from Norway and 122 from Sweden).

Results

Three hundred and thirty‐six of 455 (74%) patients responded (253 from Norway and 83 from Sweden). The majority were women (79%), and the main cause was postsurgical hypoparathyroidism (66%). Overall 44% and 16% had been hospitalized at least once for hypo‐ or hypercalcemia, respectively. Eighty‐seven per cent felt that an emergency card would be highly needed or useful. Amongst those hospitalized for hypocalcemia, 95% felt a card was needed compared to 90% amongst those hospitalized for hypercalcemia. Five per cent believed that a card would not be useful.

Conclusions

The majority answered that an acute card is highly needed or useful. Hospitalization for acute hypocalcemia was more common (44%) than for acute hypercalcemia (16%). As a result of this survey, an emergency card will be distributed in three European countries to test its utility.
Non‐indicated acid‐suppression prescribing in a tertiary paediatric hospital: An audit and costing study
Authors: Riess Suzi , Lei Shaoke , Huang Li , O'Loughlin Rachel , Hiscock Harriet
Published: November 2018

Aim

To quantify (i) indicated versus non‐indicated prescribing of acid‐suppression therapies (AST) in a tertiary paediatric hospital; (ii) patient, provider and hospital factors associated with non‐indicated prescribing; and (iii) medication costs.

Methods

This was a prospective, electronic medical audit conducted at The Royal Children's Hospital (RCH) Melbourne in August–September 2016. Proton pump inhibitor (PPI) and histamine‐2 receptor antagonist (H2RA) prescriptions were extracted, with relevant patient, provider and hospital data. Logistic regression analysis of variables associated with indicated and non‐indicated prescribing was undertaken. Costs of indicated and non‐indicated prescriptions were estimated, with annual costs projected.

Results

There was more non‐indicated than indicated prescribing across inpatient, outpatient and emergency department settings. Of the total 303 prescriptions analysed, 238 (78.5%) were non‐indicated. Gastrostomy presence (odds ratio (OR) 5.51 (1.96–15.46), P = 0.001), consultant providers (OR 2.69 (1.23–5.87), P = 0.01) and inpatient setting (OR 2.35 (1.16–4.77), P = 0.02) were all associated with a higher likelihood of non‐indicated prescribing. The child having a predisposing diagnosis was significantly associated with indicated prescribing (OR 0.41 (0.21–0.80), P = 0.009). A total of 75% of hospital and patient spending was for non‐indicated prescriptions. Annual costs of non‐indicated AST for Melbourne's RCH were projected to be $15 493.

Conclusions

Non‐indicated acid‐suppression prescribing is common in a tertiary paediatric hospital and associated with gastrostomy presence, consultant providers and inpatient status. Future research should use qualitative methods to understand clinician and patient drivers of prescribing and use this information to develop and test targeted solutions to reduce non‐indicated AST prescribing.
Persistence Heterogeneity Testing in Panels with Interactive Fixed Effects
Authors: Ergemen Yunus Emre , Velasco Carlos
Published: November 2018

We consider large N,T panel data models with fixed effects, a common factor allowing for cross‐section dependence, and persistent data and shocks, which are assumed fractionally integrated. In a basic setup, the main interest is on the fractional parameter of the idiosyncratic component, which is estimated in first differences after factor removal by projection on the cross‐section average. The pooled conditional‐sum‐of‐squares estimate is consistent but the normal asymptotic distribution might not be centred, requiring the time series dimension to grow faster than the cross‐section size for correction. We develop tests of homogeneity of dynamics, including the degree of integration, that have no trivial power under local departures from the null hypothesis of a non‐negligible fraction of cross‐section units. A simulation study shows that our estimates and tests have good performance even in moderately small panels.