bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Connecting Eastern and Western Perspectives on Management: Translation of Practices Across Organizations, Institution and Geographies
Authors: Filatotchev Igor , Wei Li‐Qun , Sarala Riikka M. , Dick Penny , Prescott John E.
Published: July 2019

The exchange of academic knowledge increasingly flows in both directions, from West to East and East to West. The result is a rich and ever increasing development of theory and understanding of practice, which is expected only to gain further momentum in the future. This paper seeks to help establish a foundation for further development of this fertile exchange of ideas between East and West. We reflect on the research focus of the main theories in management studies in East and West. We discuss the topics of East and West in selected areas of management studies, including competitive strategy, strategic leadership, and the human resource management to offer avenues for future research. Translating practices between the two contexts creates institutional, leadership, strategy and organizational challenges while providing new promising research avenues and opportunities to integrate East and West perspectives. We also offer a more critical view on the relationship between West and East, focusing specifically on the role of power and power relations in making sense of how management and organization studies treat issues of cultural, institutional and philosophical divergence.
The “Mikidney” smartphone app pilot study: Empowering patients with Chronic Kidney Disease
Authors: Doyle Nuala , Murphy Mairead , Brennan Laura , Waugh Alice , McCann Margaret , Mellotte George
Published: July 2019

Background

Successful management of chronic kidney disease (CKD) depends on patients′ self‐management efforts. Mobile health applications can empower patients with CKD to manage their own condition. We developed, with patient involvement, the MiKidney smartphone application.

Aim

Evaluate the MiKidney app as an aid to empowering patients with CKD to become more engaged in the management of their condition.

Design

Pilot single group pre‐ and post‐test intervention study.

Setting

Renal clinic of an urban University Hospital in Ireland.

Patients

Aged over 18 years with CKD and able to use a smartphone. Sample size based on expression of interest and availability of free smartphones (n = 23); three patients withdrew prior to T3 data collection (n = 20).

Measurements

Data were collected at T1 (baseline), T2 (week 6) and when exiting the study (T3, 12 weeks) on physical activity, body measurements and blood parameters. Information on app usage and patient satisfaction collected at T2 and T3.

Results

There was significant improvement in the six‐minute walking test (p = 0.02), total cholesterol (p = 0.023) and LDL cholesterol (p = 0.005) serum levels and a significant decrease in waist circumstance (p = 0.00) and body fat (p = 0.01) measurements. Eighteen participants found the MiKidney app easy to navigate.

Conclusion

The MiKidney study highlights the viability and usability of the MiKidney app. It has the potential to empower and motivate patients to understand and self‐manage their condition by providing them with the necessary information on renal diet and symptom management. Additionally, tools such as exercise tracker and reminder alerts are available on a readily accessible user‐friendly platform.
When shared decision‐making and evidence based practice clash: Infant sleep practices
Authors: Gray Ben , Coker Tumaini R
Published: July 2019

In complex decisions, there are times when there may be a conflict between the recommendations from clinical practice guidelines and the outcome of a shared decision‐making process between the clinician and the patient. Sticking rigidly to practice guidelines can be seen as paternalistic and even dismissive of a patient's specific circumstances and preferences; however, failing to adhere to such guidelines can be troubling for many doctors. In this article, we present and discuss this conflict using the common problem of how to provide family‐centred, yet evidence‐based guidance on infant sleep practices. Infant sleep practices are a common discussion topic at well‐baby visits, and family preferences for infant sleep practices are often at odds with national recommendations. With three cases as a backdrop, we discuss how cultural humility, complexity and trust can be key factors in how the clinician‐parent discussion on infant sleep can incorporate safe sleep guidelines into a family‐centred, culturally relevant discussion.
Stochastic exits from dormancy give rise to heavy‐tailed distributions of descendants in bacterial populations
Authors: Wright Erik S. , Vetsigian Kalin H.
Published: July 2019

Variance in reproductive success is a major determinant of the degree of genetic drift in a population. While many plants and animals exhibit high variance in their number of progeny, far less is known about these distributions for microorganisms. Here, we used a strain barcoding approach to quantify variability in offspring number among replicate bacterial populations and developed a Bayesian method to infer the distribution of descendants from this variability. We applied our approach to measure the offspring distributions for five strains of bacteria from the genus Streptomyces after germination and growth in a homogenous laboratory environment. The distributions of descendants were heavy‐tailed, with a few cells effectively ‘winning the jackpot’ to become a disproportionately large fraction of the population. This extreme variability in reproductive success largely traced back to initial populations of spores stochastically exiting dormancy, which provided early‐germinating spores with an exponential advantage. In simulations with multiple dormancy cycles, heavy‐tailed distributions of descendants decreased the effective population size by many orders of magnitude and led to allele dynamics differing substantially from classical population genetics models with matching effective population size. Collectively, these results demonstrate that extreme variability in reproductive success can occur even in growth conditions that are far more homogeneous than the natural environment. Thus, extreme variability in reproductive success might be an important factor shaping microbial population dynamics with implications for predicting the fate of beneficial mutations, interpreting sequence variability within populations and explaining variability in infection outcomes across patients.
Apoplastic invasion patterns triggering plant immunity: plasma membrane sensing at the frontline
Authors: Schellenberger Romain , Touchard Matthieu , Clément Christophe , Baillieul Fabienne , Cordelier Sylvain , Crouzet Jérôme , Dorey Stéphan
Published: July 2019

Plants are able to effectively cope with invading pathogens by activating an immune response based on the detection of invasion patterns (IPs) originating from the pathogen or released by the plant after infection. At a first level, this perception takes place at the plasma membrane through cell surface immune receptors and although the involvement of proteinaceous pattern recognition receptors (PRRs) is well established, increasing data are also pointing out the role of membrane lipids in the sensing of IPs. In this review, we discuss the evolution of various conceptual models describing plant immunity and present an overview of well‐characterized IPs from different natures and origins. We summarize the current knowledge on how they are perceived by plants at the plasma membrane, highlighting the increasingly apparent diversity of sentinel‐related systems in plants.
The relative importance of ecological drivers of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungal distribution varies with taxon phylogenetic resolution
Authors: Roy Julien , Mazel Florent , Sosa‐Hernández Moisés A. , Dueñas Juan F. , Hempel Stefan , Zinger Lucie , Rillig Matthias C.
Published: July 2019

The phylogenetic depth at which arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi harbor a coherent ecological niche is unknown, which has consequences for operational taxonomic unit (OTU) delineation from sequence data and the study of their biogeography.

We tested how changes inAMfungi community composition across habitats (beta diversity) vary withOTUphylogenetic resolution. We inferred exact sequence variants (ESVs) to resolve phylotypes at resolutions finer than provided by traditional sequence clustering and analyzed beta diversity profiles up to order‐level sequence clusters.

At theESVlevel, we detected the environmental predictors revealed with traditionalOTUs or at higher genetic distances. However, the correlation between environmental predictors and community turnover steeply increased at a genetic distance ofc. 0.03 substitutions per site. Furthermore, we observed a turnover of either closely or distantly related taxa (respectively at or above 0.03 substitutions per site) along different environmental gradients.

This study suggests that different axes ofAMfungal ecological niche are conserved at different phylogenetic depths. DelineatingAMfungal phylotypes usingDNAsequences should screen different phylogenetic resolutions to better elucidate the factors that shape communities and predict the fate ofAMsymbioses in a changing environment.
Early growth response 1 reduction in peripheral blood involving condylar subchondral bone loss
Authors: Zhang Hong‐Yun , Liu Qian , Yang Hong‐Xu , Shi Li‐Qiang , Wang Pei , Xie Mian‐Jiao , Liu Jin‐Qiang , Xu Xiao‐Jie , Liu Xiao‐Dong , Yu Shi‐Bin , Jiao Kai , Zhang Mian , Xuan Shi‐Jie , Xu Yi‐Fei , Zhang Xuan , Liu Yi‐Fan , Zhang Jing , Wang Mei‐Qing
Published: July 2019

Objectives

To detect whether early growth response 1 (EGR1) in peripheral blood leucocytes (PBLs) indicates temporomandibular joint (TMJ) osteoarthritis (OA) lesions.

Materials and Methods

Egr1 mRNA expression levels in PBLs were detected in eight malocclusion patients without temporomandibular disorder (TMD) signs and 16 malocclusion patients with clinical TMD signs with (eight) or without (eight) imaging signs of TMJ OA. Twelve 6‐week‐old rats were randomized to a control group and a unilateral anterior crossbite (UAC) group and were sampled at 4 weeks. The Egr1 mRNA expression levels in PBLs and protein expression levels in different orofacial tissues were measured.

Results

Patients with TMD signs with/without TMJ OA diagnosis showed lower Egr1 mRNA expression levels in PBLs than patients without TMD signs. The lower Egr1 mRNA expression was also found in the PBLs of UAC rats, which were induced to exhibit early histo‐morphological signs of TMJ OA lesions. In subchondral bone of UAC rats, EGR1 protein expression was decreased, co‐localization of EGR1 with osterix or dentin matrix protein‐1 was identified, and the number of EGR1 and osterix double‐positive cells was reduced (all p < .05).

Conclusion

Egr1 reduction in PBLs potentially indicates subchondral bone OA lesions at an early stage.
Non‐vitamin K oral anticoagulants versus warfarin for left atrial appendage thrombus resolution in nonvalvular atrial fibrillation or flutter
Authors: Hussain Aliza , Katz William E. , Genuardi Michael V. , Bhonsale Aditya , Jain Sandeep K. , Kancharla Krishna , Saba Samir , Shalaby Alaa A. , Voigt Andrew H. , Wang Norman C.
Published: July 2019

Background

Non‐vitamin K oral anticoagulants (NOACs) have emerged as alternatives to vitamin K antagonists in select situations. For left atrial (LA) appendage thrombus in nonvalvular atrial fibrillation (AF) or flutter, guidelines recommend oral anticoagulation (OAC) for at least 3 weeks prior to reassessment. Data comparing NOACs to warfarin in this scenario are scarce.

Methods

A retrospective study identified subjects with nonvalvular AF or flutter who were: a) noted to have LA thrombus detected on transesophageal echocardiography (TEE), b) previously not receiving long‐term OAC; and c) evaluated for resolution of LA thrombus by follow‐up TEE between 3 weeks to less than 1 year of the initial TEE.

Results

The study included 45 subjects with mean age 63.2 years, 69% male, 78% white race/ethnicity, 42% paroxysmal, and mean CHA2DS2‐VASc score 3.4 ± 1.7. All LA thrombi were confined to the appendage. OAC received included apixaban (3), dabigatran (13), rivaroxaban (6), and warfarin (23), The median follow‐up time to repeat TEE was 67 (interquartile range, 49‐96) days. LA appendage thrombus resolution rates were 76% for the entire cohort, 77% for NOACs, and 74% for warfarin. In univariable logistic regression analysis, LA appendage thrombus resolution was similar for NOACs when compared to warfarin (odds ratio, 1.20; 95% confidence interval, 0.31‐4.69; P = .79).

Conclusions

In patients nonvalvular AF or flutter who were OAC naïve at the time of diagnosis with LA appendage thrombus, complete resolution was similar between NOACs and warfarin.
Complex Regional Pain Syndrome Management: An Evaluation of the Risks and Benefits of Spinal Cord Stimulator Use in Pregnancy
Authors: Jozwiak Meagan J. , Wu Hong
Published: July 2019

Objective

We present a case of a young woman diagnosed with complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS) who underwent spinal cord stimulator (SCS) implantation. She had 2 successful pregnancies following implantation.

Design

We evaluated the electronic medical records of the patient following SCS implantation and while pregnant with her second and third children. A phone interview was conducted after her third pregnancy to discuss her experience with SCS use during and after pregnancy.

Setting

Physical medicine and rehabilitation pain management clinic and obstetrician clinic, affiliated with the Medical College of Wisconsin in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

Subject

A 26‐year‐old woman with history of CRPS type I.

Results

This 26‐year‐old woman was diagnosed with CRPS type I after left knee surgery. All conservative treatments had failed prior to her undergoing SCS implantation after the birth of her first child. SCS implantation brought near complete resolution of her symptoms. When she became pregnant with her second child, she turned off her SCS. Her CRPS symptoms intensified, but she had a normal pregnancy. She turned the SCS back on postpartum and elected to continue its use throughout her third pregnancy. She had a normal pregnancy, and her CRPS symptoms were well controlled. The patient and her children are currently healthy. Her SCS remains functional and effective.

Conclusion

Both an SCS and many medications used for pain management in CRPS could cause harm to both mother and fetus in pregnancy. Further research must be done to determine the safety and efficacy of SCS use in pregnancy.
Identification of soybean genes related to fatty acid content based on a soybean genome collinearity analysis
Authors: Wang Xinyu , Li Qingying , Zhang Qi , Huang Shiyu , Yu Jingyao , Qin Hongtao , Qi Huidong , Li Yilin , Li Yingying , Yin Zhengong , Han Xue , Wu Xiaoxia , Xin Dawei , Chen Qingshan , Qi Zhaoming
Published: July 2019

Seed fatty acid content is an important consideration for soybean produced for food, feed, and industrial applications. In this study, MCScanX was used to analyze the entire soybean genome to generate a collinearity block, which was then used to assess the collinearity among the soybean fatty acid quantitative trait loci (QTL) in the SoyBase database. The hub‐QTLs located in the Gm06, Gm07, and Gm10 segments were identified. The Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes and gene ontology databases were used to analyze the genes in hub‐QTL regions, resulting in the identification of 17 candidate genes related to soybean fatty acid content. Two lines with different fatty acid contents and a recurrent parent were selected from a chromosome segment substitution line library for a subsequent quantitative real‐time polymerase chain reaction (qRT‐PCR) assay to verify the candidate gene expression patterns. Four genes were related to the total soybean fatty acid content, while three genes were related to the content of specific fatty acid types. The results of this study may be relevant for the fine mapping of soybean fatty acid QTLs/genes.
Erosive pustular dermatosis of the scalp in an adolescent with near‐total hair regrowth: Case report and review of the literature
Authors: Teng Christopher , Yu JiaDe , Taylor Jesse , Rubin Adam I. , Treat James R.
Published: July 2019

Erosive pustular dermatosis of the scalp (EPDS) is an uncommon chronic inflammatory response to scalp trauma that usually resolves with cicatricial alopecia. It most commonly affects elderly patients with a history of actinic damage. Herein, we describe a 16‐year‐old girl with acrofacial dysostosis type 1 presenting after surgery with crusting purulent scalp lesions, whose clinical presentation and histopathologic findings were consistent with EPDS. A review of the literature on EPDS in children is also detailed.
Neonatal vesiculopustular eruption in Down syndrome and transient myeloproliferative disorder: A case report and review of the literature
Authors: Brazzelli Valeria , Segal Aviad , Bernacca Carlotta , Tchich Adi , Bolcato Vittorio , Croci Giorgio , Mina Tommaso , Zecca Marco , Zanette Simona , Stronati Mauro
Published: July 2019

Transient myeloproliferative disorder (TMD) is a spontaneously resolving clonal myeloid proliferation characterized by circulating megakaryoblasts in the peripheral blood that is restricted to neonates with Down syndrome (DS) or those with trisomy 21 mosaicism. Cutaneous manifestations of TMD are observed in only 5% of affected neonates and present as a diffuse eruption of erythematous, crusted papules, papulovesicles, and pustules, often with prominent and initial facial involvement. We describe the case of a male infant with DS and TMD, associated with a vesiculopustular eruption, which appeared on day 36 of life, and review previous cases.
A cut above the rest: Trimming as a painless depilatory
Authors: Galligan Eloise R. , Shayegan Leila H. , Lauren Christine T. , Morel Kimberly D.
Published: July 2019

Shaving and other modes of epilation can cause undue anxiety, pain, or skin irritation in children. Here, we present hair trimming as a safe, painless, and cost‐effective alternative for patients with unwanted hair which may be performed indefinitely or until the child is old enough to direct management. In select cases, removing unwanted hair using this technique may facilitate dermatologic surveillance.
Management of congenital midline nasofrontal dermoid cysts in two identical twins: Case report
Authors: Cajozzo Marta , Berenguer Beatriz , Lorca‐García Concepción , Darriba Alles Juan Vicente , García Leal Roberto , de Tomás Elena
Published: July 2019

Midline dermoid cysts are uncommon lesions that can lead to severe complications when an intracranial extension exists. We report the cases of two twin sisters referred to surgery for removal of the masses and the intracranial extension. They represent an additional example of familial nasal dermoid cysts, providing further support for a genetic basis for the disorder.
Intergroup Leadership: How Leaders Can Enhance Performance of Humanitarian Operations
Authors: Salem Mojtaba , Van Quaquebeke Niels , Besiou Maria , Meyer Louisa
Published: July 2019

International humanitarian organizations (IHOs) always strive to improve their operational performance in the field. While anecdotes from practice suggest that IHO field office leadership plays a crucial role in this regard, these claims have not been deeply substantiated by primary data. In response, we collected survey data from 125 humanitarian workers, concentrated in disaster response and development programs, on the issues of field office leadership and operational performance. Building on the operations management and organizational behavior literature, we find that leaders who adopt an intergroup leadership style can significantly improve operational performance via enhancing cooperation between local and expatriate subgroups inside a field office. Notably, we find that the intergroup leadership style becomes more effective as humanitarian workers become more entrenched within cohesive subgroups. These results should help IHOs to better select and train their field office leaders and achieve higher operational performance.
Moral Obstinacy in Political Negotiations
Authors: Delton Andrew W. , DeScioli Peter , Ryan Timothy J.
Published: July 2019

Research in behavioral economics finds that moral considerations bear on the offers that people make and accept in negotiations. This finding is relevant forpoliticalnegotiations, wherein moral concerns are manifold. However, behavioral economics has yet to incorporate a major theme from moral psychology: People differ, sometimes immensely, in which issues they perceive to be a matter of morality. We review research about the measurement and characteristics of moral convictions. We hypothesize that moral conviction leads to uncompromising bargaining strategies and failed negotiations. We test this theory in three incentivized experiments in which participants bargain over political policies with real payoffs at stake. We find that participants' moral convictions are linked with aggressive bargaining strategies, which helps explain why it is harder to forge bargains on some political issues than others. We also find substantial asymmetries between liberals and conservatives in the intensity of their moral convictions about different issues.
Budgetary Punctuations: A Fiscal Management Perspective
Authors: Xiao Hanyu , Wang XiaoHu , Liu Cheol
Published: July 2019

Although the development of punctuated equilibrium theory makes broad reference to the bureaucratic procedures that regulate budgetary decision making and makes reasonable assumptions about the influence of those procedures on the dynamic of resource allocation, little is known about how the specific mechanisms work. This has led to a call to understand the processes that cause friction in greater detail. This study examines how budgetary output patterns may be influenced by governments' strategic fiscal choices. Using an approach that highlights the roles of various fiscal policy‐making processes, we found significant deviations of budgetary output patterns in capital projects, restricted funds, and entitlement spending, thus signifying the influence of fiscal practices on resource allocation decisions. We further examined how fiscal influences may be realized in the political process of democratization in Hong Kong. By examining legislative filibuster cases related to capital projects, we found evidence associating democratization with greater institutional friction and consequently with larger budgetary output punctuations.
Polymorphisms of the melatonin receptor 1A gene that affects the reproductive seasonality and litter size in Small Tail Han sheep
Authors: He Xiaoyun , Zhang Zhuangbiao , Liu Qiuyue , Chu Mingxing
Published: July 2019

Previous researches have shown that MTNR1A plays an essential role in sheep reproduction. However, most researches focused more on the reproductive seasonality of sheep, and few scientists had studied the association of polymorphisms of the MTNR1A gene with ovine litter size and reproductive seasonality. Therefore, we chose MTNR1A gene to detect its novel sequence polymorphisms and population genetics and analyse their association with seasonal reproduction and litter size in ewes. The mRNA expression level in hypothalamus, pituitary and ovary was also detected. In this study, five polymorphisms (g.15118664G > T, g.15118683C > T, g.15118756C > T, g.15118774C > T and g.15118951G > A) were identified in exon 2. Most importantly, the g.15118683C > T and g.15118951G > A were significant difference between year‐round oestrous sheep and seasonal oestrous sheep (p < .01), and g.15118756C > T had a great effect on litter size of Small Tail Han sheep (p < .05). In addition, the mRNA expression level of MTNR1A in the hypothalamus of polytocous Small Tail Han sheep was significantly higher than that in monotocous Small Tail Han sheep (p < .01) and the expression of MTNR1A in the hypothalamus of year‐round oestrous sheep was significantly higher than that in seasonal oestrous sheep (p < .01). Polymorphisms in exon 2 may regulate the reproductive seasonality and litter size of ewes by influencing gene expression to regulate the reproductive seasonality and litter size of ewes. Our studies provided useful guidance in marker‐assisted selection of the litter size in Small Tail Han sheep.
Short‐term response of fish communities and water chemistry to breaching of a causeway in the Sarita River Estuary, British Columbia, Canada
Authors: Gerwing Travis G. , Plate Elmar , Sinclair Jesse , Burns Christopher , McCulloch Cameron , Bocking Robert C.
Published: July 2019

On the west coast of Vancouver Island, Canada, in the Treaty Settlement Lands of the Huu‐ay‐aht First Nation, a causeway isolating the southern portion of the Sarita River estuary was breached in 2018 to enhance juvenile salmon and tidal water access into the southern portion of the estuary. Short‐term goals of breaching were to: (1) enhance juvenile salmon access through the causeway; (2) promote colonization of Chinook and Chum Salmon in pools, while retaining Coho Salmon; (3) monitor the entire estuary fish community, including non‐salmonids, to assess breaching success; and (4) homogenize water chemistry in pool and channel ecosystems currently fragmented by the causeway. Immediately following the breach, both fish community and water chemistry measurements indicate that these goals were achieved. Chinook and Chum Salmon utilization increased inside and outside of the causeway following breaching. Similarly, Chinook and Chum salmon were observed in pool ecosystems, and Coho Salmon were also retained in pools following breaching. Water chemistry was homogenized post‐breach, primarily due to increased saltwater penetration. While continued monitoring is required, short‐term indicators suggest that breaching was effective in increasing connectivity of the Sarita Estuary, allowing access to 1.4 km2 of habitat that had previously been inaccessible to juvenile salmon.
Influence of between‐limb asymmetry in muscle mass, strength, and power on functional capacity in healthy older adults
Authors: Mertz Kenneth H. , Reitelseder Søren , Jensen Mikkel , Lindberg Jonas , Hjulmand Morten , Schucany Aide , Binder Andersen Søren , Bechshoeft Rasmus L. , Jakobsen Markus D. , Bieler Theresa , Beyer Nina , Lindberg Nielsen Jakob , Aagaard Per , Holm Lars
Published: July 2019

Purpose

Numerous daily tasks such as walking and rising from a chair involve bilateral lower limb movements. During such tasks, lower extremity function (LEF) may be compromised among older adults. LEF may be further impaired due to high degrees of between‐limb asymmetry. The present study investigated the prevalence of between‐limb asymmetry in muscle mass, strength, and power in a cohort of healthy older adults and examined the influence of between‐limb asymmetry on LEF.

Methods

Two hundred and eight healthy older adults (mean age 70.2 ± 3.9 years) were tested for LEF (400 m walking and 30‐seconds chair stand). Furthermore, maximal isometric and dynamic knee extensor strength, leg extensor power, and lower limb lean tissue mass (LTM) were obtained unilaterally.

Results

Mean between‐limb asymmetry in maximal muscle strength and power ranged between 10% and 13%, whereas LTM asymmetry was 3 ± 2.3%. Asymmetry in dynamic knee extensor strength was larger for women compared with men (15.0 ± 11.8% vs 11.1 ± 9.5%; P = .005) Leg strength and power were positively correlated with LEF (r2 = .43‐.46, P < .001). The weakest leg was not a stronger predictor of LEF than the strongest leg. Between‐limb asymmetry in LTM and isometric strength was negatively associated with LEF (LTM; r2 = .12, P = .005, isometric peak torque; r2 = 0.40, P = .03.) but dynamic strength and power were not.

Conclusion

The present study supports the notion that in order to improve or maintain LEF, healthy older adults should participate in training interventions that increase muscle strength and power, whereas the effects of reducing between‐limb asymmetry in these parameters might be of less importance.
Investigating the construct of motor competence in middle childhood using the BOT‐2 Short Form: An item response theory perspective
Authors: Bardid Farid , Utesch Till , Lenoir Matthieu
Published: July 2019

Purpose

Motor assessments generally produce a single motor competence score based on the general motor ability hypothesis, which states that motor competence is a one‐dimensional trait underlying a wide range of motor skills. Yet, it is unclear whether the general motor ability hypothesis holds true in middle childhood, which is marked by an increased participation in sports and other types of physical activity. Therefore, the aim of the study was to evaluate the structure of motor competence in middle childhood using a test battery with a large item set.

Method

A cross‐sectional design was used to collect motor competence data of 2538 children aged 6‐11 years. Participants completed the Bruininks‐Oseretsky Test of Motor Proficiency—2nd Edition Short Form (BOT‐2 SF), which consists of 14 skill items and covers different motor domains. In accordance with the BOT‐2 SF manual, point scores were computed for each item. Polytomous Rasch analyses (ie, general partial credit model) were carried out to investigate the construct of motor competence.

Results

Rasch analyses revealed different items with unordered threshold parameters, due to ceiling effects. However, after empirically rescaling the category width for each item, follow‐up analyses revealed a one‐dimensional structure with 12 items.

Conclusion

The study provides some evidence of a one‐dimensional construct (ie, motor competence) underlying motor assessment in middle childhood. Continued efforts should be made to ensure that valid composite scores are used in motor assessment and to better understand the development of motor competence across childhood and into adolescence and adulthood.
Resistance training reduces depressive symptoms in elderly people with Parkinson disease: A controlled randomized study
Authors: de Lima Tiago Alencar , Ferreira-Moraes Renilson , Alves Wilson Mateus Gomes da Costa , Alves Thiago Gonçalves Gibson , Pimentel Clebson Pantoja , Sousa Evitom Corrêa , Abrahin Odilon , Cortinhas‐Alves Erik Artur
Published: July 2019

Background

Depression affects up to 40% of individuals with Parkinson's disease (PD).

Purpose

To assess resistance training effects on the depressive symptoms of elderly PD patients.

Study design

A randomized control study.

Methods

Thirty‐three patients (aged ≥ 60 years) were randomly divided into two groups: (a) control group: n = 16 and (b) resistance training group (RTG): n = 17. All patients with Parkinson's disease (stage 1‐3 on the Hoehn and Yahr scale). The RTG, in addition to maintaining their pharmacological treatments, performed 20 weeks of resistance training. The control group maintained their pharmacological treatments. Depressive symptoms, quality of life, unified Parkinson's Disease scale, and functional capacity were evaluated in both groups.

Results

The RTG presented a significant reduction (P < .05) of depressive symptoms (pre = 17.9 ± 8 score; post = 10.3 ± 6 score; effect size: −0.48), improved quality of life (pre = 40.3 ± 21.1 score; post = 30.2 ± 16.8 score; effect size: −0.26), and improved UPDRS (pre = 64 ± 34.6 score; post = 49.1 ± 24.1 score; effect size: −0.24). No significant changes in the control group regarding depressive symptoms (pre = 18.7 ± 5.4 score; post = 19.4 ± 5.2 score; effect size: 0.07), quality of life (pre = 39 ± 16.1 score; post = 40.6 ± 15.6 score; effect size: 0.05), and UPDRS (pre = 61.1 ± 24.3 score; post = 64.9 ± 23.4 score; effect size: 0.08) after 20 weeks.

Conclusion

Resistance training reduces depressive symptoms and improves the quality of life and functionality of elderly with PD.
Integration and differentiation of self through reminiscing and narrative
Authors: Fivush Robyn
Published: July 2019

Humans construct coherence and meaning in their lives through reminiscing with and about others. The four articles in this Social Development Quartet focus on how reminiscing about emotionally and morally challenging personal experiences is a critical mechanism for integration and differentiation across development, both within the individual and within sociocultural interactions. Examining linguistic forms, emotional disclosure, expressions of perspective, and personal growth, these studies demonstrate that the ways in which we reminisce about our personal past with others matter for developmental outcome. Both the ways in which individuals differentiate between self and other, and between different types of events, and the ways in which individuals integrate perspectives across different types of events is related to emotional well‐being.
Does Predisposition Toward Disgust Affect Emotional Response to Political Leaders? Evidence from the 2012 U.S. Presidential Election
Authors: Stewart Patrick A. , George Jamilah R. , Adams Thomas
Published: July 2019

Objective

We explore the effects of trait disgust sensitivity and induced disgust on emotional response to political leaders. We assert that disgust sensitivity, especially in response to pathogen‐based stimuli (e.g., insects, feces, and vomit), will affect an individual's interaction with his or her political environment, including political leaders.

Methods

We analyze the effect of individual predispositions in response to stimuli indicating the presence of pathogens on emotional response to President Barack Obama, as well as his Republican challenger during the 2012 election, Mitt Romney. Study 1 utilizes cross‐sectional data to determine how disgust sensitivity relates to how President Obama made respondents feel. Study 2 analyzes experimental data considering the effect of a disgusting odorant (butyric acid) on emotional response to Obama and Romney.

Results

Findings suggest disgust plays an important role in emotional response to political leaders both through trait sensitivity and when induced and it is particularly relevant to emotional responses to President Obama.

Conclusions

Disgust, both as a trait sensitivity and as experimentally induced by an odorant, influences emotional response to the political environment, including high‐profile political leaders.
Ultrasonographic size of the canine parathyroid gland may not correlate with histopathology
Authors: Secrest Scott , Grimes Janet
Published: July 2019

Accurate ultrasonographic differentiation of normal versus abnormal parathyroid glands is important for clinical workup and presurgical screening in dogs with hypercalcemia. In previous published studies, size has been the only ultrasonographic criterion correlated with histologic diagnoses of abnormal parathyroid glands. In this retrospective, cross‐sectional study, the medical records of dogs with ultrasonographic examinations of the parathyroid glands and histologic diagnoses of parathyroid gland hyperplasia, adenoma, and adenocarcinoma were evaluated. Ultrasonographic characteristics were recorded for each gland and compared among histologic diagnosis groups. A total of 49 dogs and 59 parathyroid glands were sampled and assigned to the following groups for analyses: adenoma (n = 24), hyperplastic (n = 20), and adenocarcinoma (n = 15). There were no associations with dog age, sex, weight, breed; or gland laterality, location, ultrasonographic shape, or echogenicity among histologic diagnosis groups (P > .05). Parathyroid gland adenocarcinomas were found to be less likely to have a homogeneous echotexture on ultrasonographic evaluation, with hyperplastic glands being smaller (P = .022) and adenocarcinomas being larger (P = .042). While 3 mm was the optimum cutoff for differentiating hyperplastic and neoplastic parathyroid glands in this sample of dogs, values varied widely within groups and there were overlapping values between groups. Therefore, authors caution against using ultrasonographic size as a sole criterion for differentiating hyperplasia from neoplasia and normal versus abnormal parathyroid glands.
Equine cervical intervertebral disc degeneration is associated with location and MRI features
Authors: Veraa Stefanie , Bergmann Wilhelmina , Wijnberg Inge D. , Back Willem , Vernooij Hans , Nielen Mirjam , van den Belt Antoon‐Jan M.
Published: July 2019

Morphology of the equine cervical intervertebral disc is different from that in humans and small companion animals and published imaging data are scarcely available. The objectives of this exploratory, methods comparison study were (a) to describe MRI features of macroscopically nondegenerated and degenerated intervertebral discs (b) to test associations between spinal location and macroscopic degeneration or MRI‐detected annular protrusion and between MRI‐detected annular protrusion and macroscopic degeneration, and (c) to define MRI sequences for characterizing equine cervical intervertebral disc degeneration. Ex vivo MRI of intervertebral discs was performed in 11 horses with clinical signs related to the cervical region prior to macroscopic assessment. Mixed‐effect logistic regression modeling included spinal location, MRI‐detected annular protrusion, and presence of macroscopic degeneration with “horse” as random effect. Odds ratio and 95% confidence interval were determined. Reduced signal intensity in proton density turbo SE represented intervertebral disc degeneration. Signal voids due to presence of gas and/or hemorrhage were seen in gradient echo sequences. Presence of macroscopic intervertebral disc degeneration was significantly associated with spinal location with odds being higher in the caudal (C5 to T1) versus cranial (C2 to C5) part of the cervical vertebral column. Intervertebral discs with MRI‐detected annular protrusion grades 2‐4 did have higher odds than with grade 1 to have macroscopic degeneration. It was concluded that MRI findings corresponded well with gross macroscopic data. Magnetic resonance imaging of the equine cervical intervertebral disc seems to be a promising technique, but its potential clinical value for live horses needs to be explored further in a larger and more diverse population of horses.
Cluster structures in Schubert varieties in the Grassmannian
Authors: Serhiyenko K. , Sherman‐Bennett M. , Williams L.
Published: July 2019

In this article we explain how the coordinate ring of each (open) Schubert variety in the Grassmannian can be identified with a cluster algebra, whose combinatorial structure is encoded using (target labelings of) Postnikov's plabic graphs. This result generalizes a theorem of Scott [Proc. Lond. Math. Soc. (3) 92 (2006) 345–380] for the Grassmannian, and proves a folklore conjecture for Schubert varieties that has been believed by experts since Scott's result [Proc. Lond. Math. Soc. (3) 92 (2006) 345–380], though the statement was not formally written down until Muller–Speyer explicitly conjectured it [Proc. Lond. Math. Soc. (3) 115 (2017) 1014–1071]. To prove this conjecture we use a result of Leclerc [Adv. Math. 300 (2016) 190–228] who used the module category of the preprojective algebra to prove that coordinate rings of many Richardson varieties in the complete flag variety can be identified with cluster algebras. Our proof also uses a construction of Karpman [J. Combin. Theory Ser. A 142 (2016) 113–146] to build plabic graphs associated to reduced expressions. We additionally generalize our result to the setting of skew‐Schubert varieties; the latter result uses generalized plabic graphs, that is, plabic graphs whose boundary vertices need not be labeled in cyclic order.
Quality of life in patients with advanced heart failure and an implanted left ventricular assist device: an umbrella review protocol
Authors: Abrams Dorothy , McNair Mary
Published: July 2019

Objective:

This review aims to evaluate the effectiveness of implanted left ventricular assist devices on quality of life in patients with advanced heart failure.

Introduction:

Approximately 500,000 patients worldwide are diagnosed with advanced heart failure. The preferred treatment for patients who remain symptomatic after standard medical treatment is heart transplantation. However, due to the shortage of donor organs, left ventricular assist devices are increasingly used as an alternative. This umbrella review is necessary to advise clinicians so they may provide patients and families with clear information on standard medical treatment, implanted left ventricular assist devices and heart transplantation.

Inclusion criteria:

This umbrella review will consider research syntheses that include patients 16 years or over with advanced heart failure and an implanted left ventricular assist device. The primary outcome is quality of life, and secondary outcomes include patient survival rates and the New York Heart Association functional classification changes.

Methods:

An initial search of PubMed and CINAHL has been undertaken to identify articles and create a search strategy. Retrieved articles will be screened against the inclusion criteria. Included studies will be critically appraised for methodological quality according to JBI umbrella review methodology, and data will be extracted using the standardized JBI data extraction tool. The results will be presented in a Summary of Evidence, and a GRADE Summary of Findings will be produced for grading the quality of the evidence.
Dynamic Modeling and Fuel Consumption Potential of an Intercooled Regenerative Reheat Gas Turbine Auxiliary Power Unit on Series Hybrid Electric Vehicle
Authors: Bou Nader Wissam , Breque Florent , Mazloum Youssef , Dumand Clément , Nemer Maroun
Published: July 2019

Gas turbine systems are among potential energy converters to substitute the internal combustion engine in future series hybrid electric vehicle. Fuel consumption of these powertrains strongly relies on the energy converter efficiency, the energy management strategy deployed on-board as well as on the transient operation during start-up phase. This paper presents a dynamic modeling and the fuel consumption calculation of an intercooled regenerative reheat gas turbine system used as an auxiliary power unit on a series hybrid electric vehicle. A vehicle model is developed and an optimization method is proposed to optimize the powertrain operation. It consists of using the dynamic programing as an energy management strategy in order to minimize the fuel consumption and the number of switching On/Off of the power unit. Fuel consumption simulations are performed on the worldwide-harmonized light vehicles test cycle while considering the electric and the thermal comfort vehicle energetic needs. Then, a gas turbine dynamic model is developed, where turbomachinery and heat exchanger components are modeled by taking into account their dynamic inertias. The efficiency, the power, and the fuel consumption are calculated during transient operations. Based on the optimization results of switching ON and OFF the system, the fuel consumption dynamic simulation results are considered instead of the dynamic programming results. A constant power start-up strategy and a constant fuel strategy were investigated. Results show an increase in fuel consumption between 2.4% and 3.8% with the first start-up scenario and between 5.7% and 6.4% with the second scenario, compared with static model.
Robust Adaptive Tracking Control of Uncertain Rehabilitation Exoskeleton Robot
Authors: Brahmi Brahim , Brahmi Abdelkrim , Saad Maarouf , Gauthier Guy , Habibur Rahman Mohammad
Published: July 2019

Rehabilitation robots have become an influential tool in physiotherapy treatment because they are able to provide intensive rehabilitation treatment over a long period of time. However, this technology still suffers from various problems such as dynamic uncertainties, external disturbances, and human–robot interaction. In this paper, we propose a robust adaptive control approach of an exoskeleton robot with an unknown dynamic model and external disturbances. First, the dynamics of the exoskeleton's arm is presented. Then, we design a robust adaptive sliding mode control in which the parameter uncertainties and the disturbances are estimated by the adaptive update methods. The proposed control ensures a good tracking of the system with a finite time convergence of sliding surface to zero. Throughout this paper, the designed control law and the global stability analysis are formulated and demonstrated based on the appropriate choice of the candidate Lyapunov function. The experimental and comparative results, performed for seven degrees-of-freedom (DOFs) exoskeleton arm with three healthy subjects to track a passive rehabilitation motion, confirm the effectiveness and robustness of the proposed control law compared with conventional adaptive approach.
Predominant surface property of an anodized titanium that enhances the cell response
Authors: Ohtsu Naofumi , Kuji Taisuke , Hirano Mitsuhiro , Yamasaki Kako
Published: July 2019

The aim of this study is to evaluate the predominant material property that enhances the biocompatibility of an anodized titanium (Ti) implant. A Ti surface was anodized in an H3PO4 electrolyte with various voltages. Then, the cell responses involving attachment, proliferation, and differentiation were evaluated. Anodization using various voltages formed TiO2 layers with various surface morphologies. All the anodized surfaces showed enhanced cell responses; however, the performance differences depending on the surface morphologies were minimal. In addition, enhanced cell responses were not observed on the thermally oxidized Ti surface, although a TiO2 layer was formed; therefore, the beneficial effect was derived from the TiO2 layer fabricated via anodization. Based on these findings, the topmost surface structure of the TiO2 layer predominantly influenced the cell behaviors because this property governed the important surface functions, such as hydrophilicity.
A New Perspective on HIV Diagnostics: Reinterpretation in the Age of Early Treatment
Authors: Keating Sheila M.
Published: July 2019

Early treatment of HIV infection with antiretroviral therapy in recently identified HIV-infected individuals reduces viral replication and decreases the risk of transmission. The screening and supplemental, confirmatory assays used to identify infection are influenced by early treatment and may obscure a clear diagnosis of HIV infection.
Cellular Dynamics and Genomic Identity of Centromeres in Cereal Blast Fungus
Authors: Yadav Vikas , Yang Fan , Reza Md. Hashim , Liu Sanzhen , Valent Barbara , Sanyal Kaustuv , Naqvi Naweed I.
Published: July 2019

Magnaporthe oryzaeis an important fungal pathogen that causes a loss of 10% to 30% of the annual rice crop due to the devastating blast disease. In most organisms, kinetochores are clustered together or arranged at the metaphase plate to facilitate synchronized anaphase separation of sister chromatids in mitosis. In this study, we showed that the initially clustered kinetochores separate and position randomly prior to anaphase inM. oryzae. Centromeres inM. oryzaeoccupy large genomic regions and form on AT-rich DNA without any common sequence motifs. Overall, this study identified atypical kinetochore dynamics and mapped functional centromeres inM. oryzaeto define the roles of centromeric and pericentric boundaries in kinetochore assembly on epigenetically specified centromere loci. This study should pave the way for further understanding of the contribution of heterochromatin in genome stability and virulence of the blast fungus and its related species of high economic importance.