bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
On fairness, efficiency and social structure
Authors: Chavas Jean‐Paul
Published: January 2020

This paper presents an evaluation of economic efficiency and fairness, with a focus on the role of social relations in fairness evaluation. Defining fairness as the absence of envy, we introduce “switching costs” among individuals in the assessment of envy. When such costs depend on social relations, our analysis stresses the importance of social structure. When fairness is inconsistent with efficiency, we propose a measure of the cost of fairness. In a market economy, we show that fairness does not affect the validity of profit maximization. But it may require non‐linear pricing. Implications of the analysis for policy are discussed.
Empirical Feasibility of the Desirable Difficulty Framework: Toward More Systematic Research on L2 Practice for Broader Pedagogical Implications
Authors: SUZUKI YUICHI , NAKATA TATSUYA , DEKEYSER ROBERT
Published: January 2020

In the coda chapter of the special issue on second language (L2) practice and cognitive psychology, we proposed a theoretical framework for optimizing and researching L2 practice (Suzuki, Nakata, & DeKeyser, 2019). Rogers and Leow's commentary (2020) raised three potential issues regarding this framework, and the present response article aims at addressing them. First, we introduce two recent studies to illustrate the importance of expounding on learning processes during L2 practice. Second, we argue that our framework can guide researchers to systematically investigate multiple key factors toward a more comprehensive picture of L2 learning. Last, we expect that L2 practice research can potentially lead to broader pedagogical implications beyond classroom teaching (material development and technology‐mediated learning).
A theory of plant function helps to explain leaf‐trait and productivity responses to elevation
Authors: Peng Yunke , Bloomfield Keith J. , Prentice Iain Colin
Published: January 2020

Several publications have examined leaf‐trait and carbon‐cycling shifts along an Amazon–Andes transect spanning 3.5 km in elevation and 16°C in mean annual temperature. Photosynthetic capacity was previously shown to increase as temperature declines with increasing elevation, counteracting enzyme‐kinetic effects. Primary production declines, nonetheless, due to decreasing light availability. We aimed to predict leaf‐trait and production gradients from first principles, using published data to test an emerging theory whereby photosynthetic traits and primary production depend on optimal acclimation and/or adaptation to environment.

We re‐analysed published data for 210 species at 25 sites, fitting linear relationships to elevation for both predicted and observed photosynthetic traits and primary production.

Declining leaf‐internal/ambient CO2 ratio (χ) and increasing carboxylation (Vcmax) and electron‐transport (Jmax) capacities with increasing elevation were predicted. Increases in leaf nitrogen content with elevation were explained by increasing Vcmax and leaf mass‐per‐area. Leaf and soil phosphorus covaried, but after controlling for elevation, no nutrient metric accounted for any additional variance in photosynthetic traits. Primary production was predicted to decline with elevation.

This analysis unifies leaf and ecosystem observations in a common theoretical framework. The insensitivity of primary production to temperature is shown to emerge as a consequence of the optimisation of photosynthetic traits.
Online mentoring for academic practice: strategies, implications, and innovations
Authors: Dorner Helga , Misic Gorana , Rymarenko Margaryta
Published: January 2020

Our study explores online international mentoring that supports novice faculty at geographically distant universities. Interview data with 30 mentees were analyzed using an inductive analysis method to describe how online mentoring supports young academics in their development as novice teachers, and to identify how they perceive this transformative experience in their own professional contexts and how an online setting may provide a context for the mentoring experience. Analyses showed that mentees have qualitatively different conceptualizations of the mentoring process, the role of the mentor, and the transformative potential of these professional relationships. A model of transformative experiences was thus created to describe the various cycles through which professional development in an online faculty mentoring program may evolve. Beyond generic implications, the particular dimension of how physical distance impedes mentors’ authenticity in mentoring has been identified.
Preoperative and post‐operative psychosocial interventions for bariatric surgery patients: A systematic review
Authors: David Lauren A. , Sijercic Iris , Cassin Stephanie E.
Published: January 2020

Psychosocial interventions are increasingly being utilized to help patients prepare for, and adjust to changes following, bariatric surgery in order to optimize psychosocial adjustment and weight loss. The current systematic review examined the impact of preoperative and post‐operative psychosocial interventions with a behavioural and/or cognitive focus on weight, dietary behaviours, eating pathology, lifestyle behaviours, and psychological functioning. A PsycINFO and Medline search of publications was conducted in March 2019. Two authors assessed retrieved titles and abstracts to determine topic relevance and rated the quality of included studies using a validated checklist. Forty‐four articles (representing 36 studies) met the study inclusion criteria. The current evidence is strongest for the impact of psychosocial interventions, particularly cognitive behavioural therapy, on eating behaviours (eg, binge eating and emotional eating) and psychological functioning (eg, quality of life, depression, and anxiety). The evidence for the impact of psychosocial interventions on weight loss, dietary behaviours (eg, dietary intake), and lifestyle behaviours (eg, physical activity) is relatively weak and mixed. Psychosocial interventions can improve eating pathology and psychosocial functioning among bariatric patients, and the optimal time to initiate treatment appears to be early in the post‐operative period before significant problematic eating behaviours and weight regain occur.
An exploratory assessment of pediatric patient and parent needs after implantable cardioverter defibrillator implant
Authors: Schneider Lauren M. , Wong Jessie J. , Trela Anthony , Hanisch Debra , Shaw Richard J. , Sears Samuel F. , Motonaga Kara S. , Ceresnak Scott R. , Hood Korey K. , Dubin Anne M.
Published: January 2020

Background

Placement of an implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) is often accompanied by psychological adjustment issues in pediatric patients and their parents. Although anxiety, depression, and lowered quality of life have been seen in these patients, no studies have investigated patient or parent reported needs. This exploratory study describes the needs of pediatric ICD patients and parents and assesses whether patient factors of age, gender, depression, and anxiety are associated with specific needs.

Methods

ICD patients ages 8‐21 years and their parents completed a needs analysis survey assessing various domains of functioning. Patients also completed self‐reported measures of depression and anxiety.

Results

Thirty‐two patients (28% female) and their parents (72% mothers) completed the survey. Patients’ most frequently endorsed needs involved educational issues: understanding their cardiac event/diagnosis (34%), medications (34%), and how the ICD would change their lifestyle (31%). Parents’ most frequently endorsed needs involved family issues; almost half of parents (47%) were concerned about their children's frustration with their overprotectiveness and 28% were concerned with their child feeling depressed or anxious. Patients who reported feeling overprotected (12.1 ± 3.4 vs 17.4 ± 3.5 years; P = .001) were significantly younger than those who did not. Experiencing peer issues was more frequently endorsed by females than males (33% of females vs 4% of males; P = .026).

Conclusions

ICD patients and parents endorsed markedly different needs. Patients focused on understanding their ICD, whereas parents were more focused on their children's emotional needs. Novel ways of educating patients about their device and clinic‐based screenings of emotional functioning may serve to meet these needs.
Identifying cardiovascular severe maternal morbidity in epidemiologic studies
Authors: Malhamé Isabelle , Mehta Niharika , Raker Christina A. , Hardy Erica J. , Spalding Hannah , Bouvier Benjamin A. , Savitz David A. , Danilack Valery A.
Published: January 2020

Background

Cardiovascular severe maternal morbidity (CSMM) is rising and has become the leading cause of maternal mortality. Research using administrative data sets may allow for better understanding of this critical group of diseases.

Objective

To validate a composite variable of CSMM for use in epidemiologic studies.

Methods

We analysed delivery hospitalisations at an obstetric teaching hospital from 2007 to 2017. We utilised a subset of indicators developed by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention based on ICD codes to form the composite variable for CSMM. Two expert clinicians manually reviewed all qualifying events using a standardised tool to determine whether these represented true CSMM events. Additionally, we estimated the number of CSMM cases among delivery hospitalisations without qualifying ICD codes by manually reviewing all hospitalisations with severe preeclampsia, a population at high risk of CSMM, and a random sample of 1000 hospitalisations without severe preeclampsia. We estimated validity of the composite variable.

Results

Among 91 355 admissions for delivery, we captured 113 potential CSMM cases using qualifying ICD codes. Of these, 65 (57.5%) were true CSMM cases. Indicators for acute myocardial infarction, cardiac arrest, and cardioversion had the highest true‐positive rates (100% for all). We found an additional 70 CSMM cases in the 2102 admissions with severe preeclampsia and a single CSMM case in the random sample. Assuming a rate of 1 CSMM case per 1000 deliveries in the remaining cohort, the composite variable had a positive predictive value of 57.5% (95% CI 47,9, 66.8), a negative predictive value of 99.8% (95% CI 99.8, 99.9), a sensitivity of 29.0% (95% CI 23.2, 35.4), and a specificity of 100% (95% CI 99.9, 100.0).

Conclusion

A novel composite variable for CSMM had reasonable PPV but limited sensitivity. This composite variable may enable epidemiologic studies geared towards reducing maternal morbidity and mortality.
Health Effects of Power Plant Emissions Through Ambient Air Quality
Authors: Kim Chanmin , Henneman Lucas R. F. , Choirat Christine , Zigler Corwin M.
Published: January 2020

Coal burning power plants are a frequent target of regulatory programmes because of their emission of chemicals that are known precursors to the formation of ambient particulate air pollution. Health impact assessments of emissions from coal power plants typically rely on assumed causal relationships between emissions, ambient pollution and health, many of which have never been empirically verified. We offer a novel statistical evaluation of some of these presumed causal relationships, integrating the formality of causal inference methods with repurposed tools from atmospheric science to accommodate the central challenge of long-range pollution transport of emissions from power plants to exposed populations. The statistical approach follows recent work on Bayesian methods for deploying principal stratification and causal mediation analysis in tandem to characterize the extent to which decreased sulphur dioxide emissions from 410 power plants across the USA impact mortality and hospitalization outcomes across Medicare beneficiaries residing across 12370 locations in a manner that is mediated through reductions of ambient fine particulate pollution. The result is the first epidemiological investigation integrating causal inference methodology with direct measurements of coal emissions, pollution transport, ambient pollution and human health in a single analysis, indicating the potential for data science at the intersection of statistics, epidemiology and atmospheric science.
Postgraduate Diploma in Emergency Medicine in India
Authors: Davey Kevin , Jena Narendra Nath , Blanchard Janice , Gidwani Shweta , Smith Jeff , Douglass Kate
Published: January 2020

Background

In India, and other low‐ and middle‐income countries (LMICs), the majority of emergency care is provided by frontline providers without specialty training in emergency medicine. In order to fill this need, we developed the Indian Postgraduate Diploma in Emergency Medicine (PGDEM), a 1‐year skills‐focused course for practicing doctors. This article describes the curriculum development and implementation as well as the follow‐up survey conducted to gauge the impact of the course.

Methods

Programme graduates were surveyed via e‐mail. All participation was voluntary and survey data remained anonymous.

Results

A total of 98.1% of graduates reported that the skills and knowledge they gained during the programme were important to their current job; 94.7% reported using their training from the course on a regular basis. Graduates reported an improvement in confidence performing all procedures taught during the course. Respondents work in a variety of medical specialties, including emergency medicine (50.0%), cardiology (5.8%), internal medicine (11.5%) and family medicine (23.1%).

Discussion

PGDEM graduates overwhelmingly view the knowledge and skills they learned as essential training that they use on a regular basis and practice in a variety of medical specialties after completing the course. The PGDEM represents a unique model to provide training in emergency medicine and acute care to the frontline doctors who are frequently responsible for providing emergency care in LMICs. The PGDEM training model can be scaled up rapidly, with the potential to increase capacity in developing emergency care systems.
Weekly defoliation controls, but does not kill broad‐leaved dock (Rumex obtusifolius)
Authors: van Evert F K , Cockburn M , Beniers J E , Latsch R
Published: January 2020

Broad‐leaved dock (Rumex obtusifolius L.) is a troublesome weed that predominantly grows in pastures and grassland. We hypothesised that frequent defoliation of Rumex will, over time, result in a reduction in root weight and leaf area, to the point where the impact on grass production is negligible. In order to investigate this hypothesis, we conducted three experiments. The objective of the first experiment was to perform a preliminary test of the hypothesis, using potted plants growing in the controlled conditions of a glasshouse. This experiment showed a rapid decline in leaf growth in plants that were defoliated weekly. The objective of the second experiment was to test the hypothesis in realistic outdoor conditions while still being able to collect detailed plant growth information. This experiment confirmed the findings of the glasshouse experiment and provided evidence that leaf growth ceased as a result of a dwindling supply of carbohydrate reserves in the root. Defoliated plants did not exhibit increased mortality. Finally, the objective of the third experiment was to test the hypothesis in a commercial pasture where normal field operations, specifically grass harvesting (three times) and slurry injection (twice), were performed. The results of this experiment were consistent with the results of the other two experiments. We conclude that weekly defoliation, maintained for three or more months, is an effective method to control (reduce the impact on grass production), but not kill, R. obtusifolius in pasture.
Cartesian Diver Plus
Authors: Ackerson Bruce J.
Published: January 2020

The Cartesian diver is an old and useful demonstration of fluid-related phenomena, including Archimedes’ and Pascal’s principles. While the diver gets its name from the scientist and philosopher René Descartes, the first written description of the device was given by Raffaello Magiotti. The modified diver presented here is related to Feynman’s sprinkler. This phenomenon requires a careful analysis of angular momentum conservation.
A Hidden Circle in a Family of Projectile Paths
Authors: Padyala Radhakrishnamurty
Published: January 2020

The family of paths of ideal projectiles shot from a point with a common value of speed and at different angles to the horizontal has several interesting properties associated with it. For example, Chapou et al. have shown that an ellipse passes through the apexes of these parabolic paths. This observation encouraged us to further explore this family of the parabolic paths. In this note we show the presence of a hidden circle in the family of these paths. We highlight all the known interesting properties of this family of projectiles. For our purpose here, we consider projectiles shot from points on the third quadrant of a circle in the vertical plane. In this method, we don’t use vectors or calculus or Newton’s laws of motion.
Animal simulations facilitate smart drug design through prediction of nanomaterial transport to individual tissue cells
Authors: Price Edward , Gesquiere Andre J.
Published: January 2020

A state-of-the-art in vitro to in silico animal body simulation successfully predicts biodistribution with cellular resolution.
Multi-isotope evidence for the emergence of cultural alterity in Late Neolithic Europe
Authors: Fernández-Crespo T. , Snoeck C. , Ordoño J. , de Winter N. J. , Czermak A. , Mattielli N. , Lee-Thorp J. A. , Schulting R. J.
Published: January 2020

Multi-isotope analyses suggest cultural differentiation as the primary reason for Late Neolithic variability in burial location.
Poly(vinyl alcohol) boosting therapeutic potential of
p
-boronophenylalanine in neutron capture therapy by modulating metabolism
Authors: Nomoto Takahiro , Inoue Yukiya , Yao Ying , Suzuki Minoru , Kanamori Kaito , Takemoto Hiroyasu , Matsui Makoto , Tomoda Keishiro , Nishiyama Nobuhiro
Published: January 2020

Extremely simple poly(vinyl alcohol) enhances therapeutic potential of
p
-boronophenylalanine by modulating its metabolism.
Human adipose–derived mesenchymal stem cell–based medical microrobot system for knee cartilage regeneration in vivo
Authors: Go Gwangjun , Jeong Sin-Gu , Yoo Ami , Han Jiwon , Kang Byungjeon , Kim Seokjae , Nguyen Kim Tien , Jin Zhen , Kim Chang-Sei , Seo Yu Ri , Kang Ju Yeon , Na Ju Yong , Song Eun Kyoo , Jeong Yongyeon , Seon Jong Keun , Park Jong-Oh , Choi Eunpyo
Published: January 2020

A human stem cell–based microrobot system for knee cartilage regeneration was designed with consideration of clinical trials.
Hitting a double to treat cancer
Authors: El-Kenawi Asmaa
Published: January 2020

Simultaneous targeting of polyamine and methionine pathways may be a promising strategy to treat prostate cancer.
Angling for a bug-inspired method of coating therapeutics onto microneedles
Authors: O’Cearbhaill Eoin
Published: January 2020

Mimicking the microstructures on the surface of European true bugs may help optimize loading of therapeutics onto transdermal microneedle patches.
Wilson disease in children and adolescents
Authors: Fernando Meranthi , van Mourik Indra , Wassmer Evangeline , Kelly Deirdre
Published: January 2020

Wilson disease (WD) is a rare, recessively inherited disorder of copper metabolism mainly affecting liver and brain. In childhood, it is known to have a predominant hepatic phenotype. It is likely that the low awareness for WD-associated neuropsychiatric signs and symptoms in this age group means that neurological Wilson’s disease is underdiagnosed in children and young people. Practitioners should be alert for this complication in children with or without liver disease. Management of children with WD requires a dedicated multidisciplinary approach involving hepatologists, geneticists, neurologists and psychiatrists to ensure subtle neuropsychiatric symptoms are identified early and addressed appropriately. This review highlights recent advances in hepatic and neuropsychiatric symptoms of WD in childhood, specific diagnostic tools and pitfalls and summarises existing and potential future treatment options.
Childhood and adolescent mental health of NICU graduates: an observational study
Authors: Chiorean Andreea , Savoy Calan , Beattie Karen , el Helou Salhab , Silmi Maysoon , Van Lieshout Ryan J
Published: January 2020

Objective

To investigate the mental health of children and adolescents admitted to neonatal intensive/special care units (NICUs) in infancy.

Methods

This cross-sectional study used a provincially representative cohort from the 2014 Ontario Child Health Study. Parents provided data on psychiatric disorders using the MINI International Neuropsychiatric Interview for Children and Adolescents in 3141 children aged 4–11 years (NICU n=389; control n=2752) and in 2379 children aged 12–17 years (NICU n=298; control n=2081). Additionally, 2235 adolescents aged 12–17 years completed the interview themselves (NICU n=285; control n=1950). Odds of psychiatric disorder were compared in those admitted and controls.

Results

Based on parent reports, NICU graduates aged 4–11 years had increased adjusted ORs (95% CI) of 1.78 (1.39 to 2.28) for any psychiatric disorder, with a marginal prevalence of 32.4% in NICU participants and 27.6% in controls. At this age, NICU graduates also had increased ORs of 1.74 (1.25 to 2.40) for psychiatric comorbidity, 1.48 (1.04 to 2.11) for oppositional defiant disorder, 1.61 (1.19 to 2.19) for attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder, 4.11 (2.33 to 7.25) for separation anxiety disorder and 2.13 (1.37 to 3.31) for specific phobia. At 12–17 years, 40.5% and 30.5% of NICU graduates and 30.6% and 17.9% of controls had any psychiatric disorder as reported by parents and self-report, respectively. Parents and adolescents, respectively, reported increased adjusted ORs (95% CI) of 1.63 (1.18 to 2.26) and 1.55 (1.13 to 2.11) for any disorder, 1.64 (1.06 to 2.54) and 1.74 (1.11 to 2.73) for psychiatric comorbidity, and 1.89 (1.22 to 2.93) and 3.17 (2.03 to 4.95) for oppositional defiant disorder.

Conclusions

NICU graduates are at increased risk for psychiatric disorders during childhood and adolescence.
Evaluation of contrast sensitivity in patients with advanced glaucoma: comparison of two tests
Authors: Jammal Alessandro A , Ferreira Bruna G , Zangalli Camila S , Vianna Jayme R , Thompson Atalie C , Artes Paul H , Costa Vital P , Reis Alexandre S C
Published: January 2020

Aims

To evaluate contrast sensitivity (CS) in patients with advanced glaucomatous visual field damage, and to compare two clinical CS tests.

Methods

This was a cross-sectional test–retest study. Twenty-eight patients with open-angle glaucoma, visual acuity (VA) better than 20/40 and visual field mean deviation (MD) worse than −15 dB were enrolled. Patients underwent VA, visual field and CS testing with the Pelli-Robson (PR) chart and the Freiburg Visual Acuity and Contrast Test (FrACT). Retest measurements were obtained within 1 week to 1 month.

Results

Median (IQR) age and MD were 61.5 (55.5 to 69.2) years and −27.7 (−29.7 to −22.7) dB, respectively. Median (IQR) VA was 0.08 logarithm minimum angle of resolution (0.02 to 0.16), corresponding to 20/25 (20/20 to 20/30). Median (IQR) CS was 1.35 (1.11 to 1.51) log units with the PR chart and 1.39 (1.24 to 1.64) log units with FrACT. VA explained less than 40% of the variance in CS (adjusted R2=0.36). CS estimates of both tests were closely related (rho=0.88, p=0.001), but CS was 0.09 log units higher with FrACT compared with the PR chart, and the 95% repeatability intervals (Bland-Altman) were 46% tighter with the PR chart.

Conclusions

Despite near-normal VA, almost all patients showed moderate to profound deficits in CS. CS measurement provides additional information on central visual function in patients with advanced glaucoma.
Modelling the annual NHS costs and outcomes attributable to healthcare-associated infections in England
Authors: Guest Julian F , Keating Tomas , Gould Dinah , Wigglesworth Neil
Published: January 2020

Objectives

To estimate the annual health economic impact of healthcare-associated infections (HCAIs) to the National Health Service (NHS) in England.

Design

A modelling study based on a combination of published data and clinical practice.

Setting

NHS hospitals in England.

Primary and secondary outcome measures

Annual number of HCAIs, additional NHS cost, number of occupied hospital bed days and number of days front-line healthcare professionals (HCPs) are absent from work.

Results

In 2016/2017, there were an estimated 653 000 HCAIs among the 13.8 million adult inpatients in NHS general and teaching hospitals in England, of which 22 800 patients died as a result of their infection. Additionally, there were an estimated 13 900 HCAIs among 810 000 front-line HCPs in the year. These infections were estimated to account for a total of 5.6 million occupied hospital bed days and 62 500 days of absenteeism among front-line HCPs. In 2016/2017, HCAIs were estimated to have cost the NHS an estimated £2.1 billion, of which 99.8% was attributable to patient management and 0.2% was the additional cost of replacing absent front-line HCPs with bank or agency staff for a period of time. When the framework of the model was expanded to include all NHS hospitals in England (by adding specialist hospitals), there were an estimated 834 000 HCAIs in 2016/2017 costing the NHS £2.7 billion, and accounting for 28 500 patient deaths, 7.1 million occupied hospital bed days (equivalent to 21% of the annual number of all bed days across all NHS hospitals in England) and 79 700 days of absenteeism among front-line HCPs.

Conclusion

This study should provide updated estimates with which to inform policy and budgetary decisions pertaining to preventing and managing these infections. Clinical and economic benefits could accrue from an increased awareness of the impact that HCAIs impose on patients, the NHS and society as a whole.
Patient satisfaction and associated factors among psychiatry outpatients of St Paulo’s Hospital, Ethiopia
Authors: Goben Kebebew Wogi , Abegaz Endalamaw Salelew , Abdi Samuel Tolesa
Published: January 2020

Background

Patient satisfaction with mental healthcare service is recognised as an important integral part of measuring the outcomes and performance of clinical service delivery. It is not well studied in Ethiopia. Therefore, it is essential to improve service in the future.

Aims

To assess patient satisfaction and associated factors among psychiatry outpatients at St. Paulo’s Hospital Millennium Medical College, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

Methods

An institutional-based cross-sectional study was conducted with consecutive sampling technique from May to June 2018. Data were collected using a Client Satisfaction Questionnaire (CSQ-8). Both bivariate and multivariate ordinal logistic regression analyses were used. Variables with p value <0.05 at multivariate analysis were considered statistically significant.

Results

A total of 589 participants were enrolled with a response rate of 98.2%. In regard to the magnitude of patient satisfaction, 50.3% (95% CI 46.0 to 54.2) were highly satisfied, 31.0% (95% CI 27.2 to 34.8) were satisfied, and 18.7% (95% CI 15.4 to 22.1) were dissatisfied. Male sex (adjusted OR (AOR) 2.30, 95% CI 1.57 to 3.36), inability to read and write (AOR 2.23, 95% CI 1.10 to 4.66), being unemployed (AOR 1.69, 95% CI 1.15 to 2.47), obtaining services for free (AOR 1.57, 95% CI 1.11 to 2.22), and availability of medication (AOR 1.62, 95% CI 1.13 to 2.23) were significantly associated with patient satisfaction.

Conclusions

The study showed that further improvements in patient satisfaction are required. Male sex, inability to read and write, being unemployed, obtaining services free of charge, and availability of medication were significantly associated with patient satisfaction. More than half of the participants were dissatisfied with the waiting time to receive services. The provision of services within a reasonable timeframe and meeting patient expectations are helpful for good health outcomes.
Gastric microbes associated with gastric inflammation, atrophy and intestinal metaplasia 1 year afterHelicobacter pylorieradication
Authors: Sung Joseph J Y , Coker Olabisi Oluwabukola , Chu Eagle , Szeto Chun Ho , Luk Simson Tsz Yat , Lau Harry Cheuk Hay , Yu Jun
Published: January 2020

Objective

Helicobacter pyloriis associated with gastric inflammation, precancerous gastric atrophy (GA) and intestinal metaplasia (IM). We aimed to identify microbes that are associated with progressive inflammation, GA and IM 1 year afterH. pylorieradication.

Design

A total of 587 H. pylori–positive patients were randomised to receiveH. pylorieradication therapy (295 patients) or placebo (292 patients). Bacterial taxonomy was analysed on 404 gastric biopsy samples comprising 102 pairs before and after 1 yearH. pylorieradication and 100 pairs before and after 1 year placebo by 16S rRNA sequencing.

Results

Analysis of microbial sequences confirmed the eradication ofH. pyloriin treated group after 1 year. Principal component analysis revealed distinct microbial clusters reflected by increase in bacterial diversity (p<0.00001) afterH. pylorieradication. While microbial interactions remained largely unchanged after placebo treatment, microbial co-occurrence was less in treated group.Acinetobacter lwoffii,Streptococcus anginosusandRalstoniawere enriched whileRoseburiaandSphingomonaswere depleted in patients with persistent inflammation 1 year afterH. pylorieradication. A distinct cluster of oral bacteria comprisingPeptostreptococcus,Streptococcus,Parvimonas,Prevotella, RothiaandGranulicatellawere associated with emergence and persistence of GA and IM. ProbioticFaecalibacterium praustzniiwas depleted in subjects who developed GA followingH. pylorieradication. Functional pathways including amino acid metabolism and inositol phosphate metabolism were enriched while folate biosynthesis and NOD-like receptor signalling decreased in atrophy/IM-associated gastric microbiota.

Conclusion

This study identified that gastric microbes contribute to the progression of gastric carcinogenesis afterH. pylorieradication.
Change in device-measured physical activity assessed in childhood and adolescence in relation to depressive symptoms: a general population-based cohort study
Authors: Hamer Mark , Patalay Praveetha , Bell Steven , Batty G David
Published: January 2020

Aim

Evidence for a link between physical activity and mental health in young people is hampered by methodological shortcomings. Using repeat assessments of device-measured physical activity, we examined the association of within-individual variation in free-living activity over 7 years with depressive symptoms.

Methods

This was a prospective cohort study of a nationally representative sample of children born in the UK (n=4898). Physical activity was quantified using accelerometry at ages 7 and 14. The main outcome was depressive symptoms, based on the Short Mood and Feelings Questionnaire, assessed at age 14.

Results

After adjustment for socioeconomic status, body mass index and psychological problems at baseline, a higher level of light-intensity activity at age 7 in girls was associated with a lower likelihood of having depressive symptoms at follow-up (OR, 0.79; 95% CI 0.61 to 1.00), although no associations were observed for moderate to vigorous activity or sedentary behaviour. Girls who transitioned from low baseline activity to higher levels at follow-up experienced a lower risk of depressive symptoms (OR, 0.60; 95% CI 0.39 to 0.92) compared with the inactive reference category. Null associations were observed in boys. Participants who consistently met the current recommendation of 60 min/day of moderate to vigorous activity both at 7 and 14 years of age experienced the lowest risk of depressive symptoms (OR, 0.55; 95% CI 0.34 to 0.88).

Conclusion

To prevent depressive symptoms in adolescence, policies to increase physical activity from mid-childhood may have utility.
Lifetime cumulative exposure to rubber dust, fumes and N-nitrosamines and non-cancer mortality: a 49-year follow-up of UK rubber factory workers
Authors: Hidajat Mira , McElvenny Damien Martin , Ritchie Peter , Darnton Andrew , Mueller William , Agius Raymond M , Cherrie John W , de Vocht Frank
Published: January 2020

Objectives

To examine associations between occupational exposures to rubber dust, rubber fumes and N-nitrosamines and non-cancer mortality.

Methods

A cohort of 36 441 males aged 35+ years employed in British rubber factories was followed-up to 2015 (94% deceased). Competing risk survival analysis was used to assess risks of dying from non-cancer diseases (respiratory, urinary, cerebrovascular, circulatory and digestive diseases). Occupational exposures to rubber dust, rubber fumes, N-nitrosamines were derived based on a population-specific quantitative job-exposure matrix which in-turn was based on measurements in the EU-EXASRUB database.

Results

Exposure–response associations of increased risk with increasing exposure were found for N-nitrosomorpholine with mortality from circulatory diseases (subdistribution hazard ratio (SHR) 1.17; 95% CI 1.12 to 1.23), ischaemic heart disease (IHD) (SHR 1.19; 95% CI 1.13 to 1.26), cerebrovascular disease (SHR 1.19; 95% CI 1.07 to 1.32) and exposures to N-nitrosodimethylamine with respiratory disease mortality (SHR 1.41; 95% CI 1.30 to 1.53). Increased risks for mortality from circulatory disease, IHD and digestive diseases were found with higher levels of exposures to rubber dust, rubber fumes and N-nitrosamines sum, without an exposure-dependent manner. No associations were observed between rubber dust, rubber fumes and N-nitrosamines exposures with mortality from asthma, urinary disease, bronchitis, emphysema, liver disease and some digestive diseases.

Conclusions

In a cohort of rubber factory workers with 49 years of follow-up, increased risk for mortality from circulatory, cerebrovascular, respiratory and digestive diseases were found to be associated with cumulative occupational exposures to specific agents.
Serum melatonin in dogs with congenital portosystemic shunting, with and without hepatic encephalopathy
Authors: Ferreira Marisa da Fonseca , Mellanby Richard John , Gow Adam George
Published: January 2020

Background

Melatonin is a hormone produced and secreted primarily by the pineal gland and mainly metabolised in the liver. Increased melatonin concentrations have been reported in human cirrhosis and hepatic encephalopathy (HE), a syndrome of neurological dysfunction. The pathogenesis of canine HE is incompletely understood. Melatonin has been hypothesised as a contributor to the development of HE. The aim of this study was to investigate whether serum melatonin concentrations are increased in canine congenital portosystemic shunting (cPSS), with and without HE.

Methods

Medical records were retrospectively reviewed, for which archived (−80°C) serum samples were available. A canine competitive ELISA was used to measure melatonin in two cohorts: dogs with a final diagnosis of cPSS (n=23) with and without clinical signs of HE, and healthy dogs (n=15).

Results

Melatonin concentrations were not significantly different (P=0.81) between healthy controls (median 27.2 pg/mL, range 19.8–161.5 pg/mL) and dogs with cPSS (median 25.7 pg/mL, range 18.5–244.9 pg/mL). Serum melatonin did not differ between cPSS patients with and without clinical signs of HE (P>0.99). No correlation was found between serum melatonin and blood ammonia (Spearman rank correlation coefficient,rs=−0.41, P=0.08).

Conclusion

Serum melatonin is not increased in canine cPSS with and without HE. We found no evidence that altered melatonin metabolism plays a role in the pathogenesis of cPSS‐associated HE.
Randomised clinical non‐inferiority trial comparing two formulations of desoxycortone pivalate for the treatment of canine primary hypoadrenocorticism
Authors: Farr Hayley , Mason Beasley L , Longhofer Susan L
Published: January 2020

Background

This clinical trial compared two formulations of desoxycortone pivalate (DOCP) for treating the mineralocorticoid deficit in dogs with primary hypoadrenocorticism (PH).

Methods

At veterinary clinics in the USA and France, dogs with PH (n=152) were randomised (3:1) to receive approximately monthly treatments with either the test product, Zycortal (Dechra), administered subcutaneously (n=113), or the control product, Percorten‐V (Novartis Animal Health), administered intramuscularly (n=39), both at an initial dose of 2.2 mg/kg DOCP. Treatment administrators were unblinded; veterinarians assessing clinical signs were blinded; owners were blinded until at least day 90, the primary end point. Veterinarians assessed treatment outcome based on all of the following: clinical signs; sodium concentrations; potassium concentrations. Dogs received concurrent glucocorticoid therapy throughout the trial. Non‐inferiority was assessed using a generalised linear mixed model to compare success rates between groups.

Results

Success rates at day 90 were similar between groups (per‐protocol population at day 90: Zycortal 87/101, 86.2 per cent, Percorten‐V 29/34, 85.1 per cent). Zycortal was non‐inferior to Percorten‐V as the upper limit of the 95 per cent CI for the difference between groups was 13.6 per cent. Polydipsia and polyuria were the most common clinical observations.

Conclusion

Both products, in combination with glucocorticoid therapy, were safe and effective in treating PH.
Neutrophilia is associated with a poorer clinical outcome in dogs with chronic hepatitis
Authors: Breheny Craig R , Handel Ian , Banner Stephanie , Milne Elspeth M , Morrison Linda R , Smith Sionagh H , Kilpatrick Scott , Gow Adam , Mellanby Richard J
Published: January 2020

Background

Liver disease is a common cause of morbidity and mortality in dogs. Currently, it is challenging to prognosticate in these cases. The aim of this study was to evaluate the utility of the haematological variables in dogs with chronic hepatitis.

Methods

Dogs with chronic hepatitis confirmed on histopathology had presenting haematological values retrospectively obtained and evaluated against survival time. Eighty‐two dogs met the inclusion criteria and their data analysed.

Results

Neutrophilic patients, with a count greater than 12×109 /l, controlled for sex and age, had a shorter survival time (P≤0.01). In dogs, neutrophilia at presentation predicted a poor outcome, whereas the other haematological parameters were not prognostically informative. When the dogs were split into even quarters on the basis of their neutrophil count, those within the higher quartiles had poorer survival times. Neutrophilia was associated with a poorer survival time in comparison to those patients with a lower count.

Conclusion

The relationship between neutrophils, inflammation and clinical outcome is deserving of future study in dogs with chronic hepatitis.
Hair nicotine concentration of cats with gastrointestinal lymphoma and unaffected control cases
Authors: Smith Victoria , Knottenbelt Clare , Watson David , Mellor Dominic J , Guillen Martinez Alexandra , Philp Helen , Keegan Sarah , Marrington Mary , Giannasi Chiara , Cave Tom , McBrearty Alix Rebecca
Published: January 2020

Background

A previous study showed an association between owner‐reported exposure to environmental tobacco smoke (ETS) and lymphoma in cats. This study aimed to investigate the association between ETS exposure and gastrointestinal lymphoma in cats, using hair nicotine concentration (HNC) as a biomarker.

Methods

This was a prospective, multi‐centre, case–control study. Gastrointestinal lymphoma was diagnosed on cytology or histopathology. Hair samples were obtained from 35 cats with gastrointestinal lymphoma and 32 controls. Nicotine was extracted from hair by sonification in methanol followed by hydrophilic interaction chromatography with mass spectrometry. Non‐parametric tests were used.

Results

The median HNC of the gastrointestinal lymphoma and control groups was not significantly different (0.030 ng/mg and 0.029 ng/mg, respectively, p=0.46). When the HNC of all 67 cats was rank ordered and divided into quartiles, there was no significant difference in the proportion of lymphoma cases or controls within these groups (p=0.63). The percentage of cats with an HNC≥0.1 ng/mg was higher for the lymphoma group (22.9%) than the control group (15.6%) but failed to reach significance (p=0.45).

Conclusion

A significant association was not identified between HNC (a biomarker for ETS) and gastrointestinal lymphoma in cats; however, an association may exist and further studies are therefore required.
Multi-response optimization of CNC turning parameters of austenitic stainless steel 303 using Taguchi-based grey relational analysis
Authors: Sundara Bharathi S.R. , Ravindran D. , Moshi A. Arul Marcel
Published: January 2020

Extensive research has been carried out to optimize the process parameters of several machining processes. Optimizing the influencing parameters of the turning operation is a precise action that determines the desired level of quality. This study focuses on the multi-criteria optimization of the CNC turning process parameters of stainless steel 303 (SS 303) material to achieve minimum surface roughness (Ra) with maximum material removal rate (MRR) by means of Taguchi-based grey relational analysis. A CNC machine was tested following Taguchi’s L9 orthogonal array design. Grey relational analysis was used as the multi-criteria optimization tool. The significance of each individual process parameter on the overall characteristics of the turned specimen was estimated using analysis of variance (ANOVA). Regression equations were generated using the input factors with the selected output parameters. In addition, a morphological study of the chips produced by the turning process was carried out using SEM images in order to relate the chip geometry with the output responses.
Molecular $$\Xi _{bc}$$ states from meson–baryon interaction
Authors: Yu Qi-Xin , Dias J. M. , Liang Wei-Hong , Oset E.
Published: January 2020

We have studied the meson–baryon interaction in coupled channels with the same quantum numbers of $$\Xi _{bc}$$Ξbc. The interaction is attractive in some channels and of sufficient intensity to lead to bound states or resonances. We use a model describing the meson–baryon interaction based on an extrapolation of the local hidden gauge approach to the heavy sector, which has been successfully used in predicting $$\Omega _c$$Ωc and hidden charm states. We obtain many states, some of them narrow or with zero width, as a consequence of the interaction, which qualify as molecular states in those channels. The success in related sectors of the picture used should encourage the experimental search for such states.
“Old” conformal bootstrap on AdS: O(N) symmetric scalar model
Authors: Altshuler Boris L.
Published: January 2020

Bootstrap equations for conformal correlators that mimic the early theory of conformal bootstrap are written down in frames of the AdS/CFT approach. The simplified version of these equations, that may be justified if Schwinger–Keldysh formalism is used in AdS/CFT instead of conventional Feynman–Witten diagrams technique, permits to calculate values of conformal dimensions in the [Formula: see text] symmetric model with conformal or composite Habbard–Stratonovich field.
Effect of forge pressure on the microstructure and mechanical properties of high nitrogen austenitic stainless steel joints by continuous drive friction welding
Authors: Wen G. D. , Li J. L. , Wang S. Q. , Tian D. Z. , Dong M. M.
Published: January 2020

The high nitrogen austenitic stainless steel joint was fabricated by continuous drive friction welding (CDFW). The aim of this work is to study the effect of forge pressure on the microstructure and mechanical properties of austenitic stainless steel joints. The microstructure, the hardness, and the tensile properties of joint were analyzed using optical microcopy, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), a computerized Buehler hardness tester and universal testing machine. The results showed that the welding process resulted in a remarkable microstructure change across the joint. The band [Formula: see text]-ferrites were found in the weld zone (WZ), and it decreased with increasing the forging pressures. The precipitated phase ([Formula: see text]) was observed in the WZ and thermomechanical affected zone in the joint, and it increased with increasing the forging pressure. The lowest hardness was found in the WZ, and it didn’t change significantly at various forging pressure. But the width from the WZ to the heat affected zone (HAZ) increased slightly. With the increase of the forging pressure, the strength increased, the hardening capacity and strain hardening exponent decreased. In addition, all the joints exhibited stage III and IV, unlike the base metal, only stage III appeared. All the tensile specimens failed in the weld center and the fracture surfaces was characterized by a typical dimple at different forge pressure.
Semilinear fractional stochastic differential equations driven by a γ-Hölder continuous signal with γ > 2/3
Authors: León Jorge A. , Márquez-Carreras David
Published: January 2020

In this paper, we use the techniques of fractional calculus to study the existence of a unique solution to semilinear fractional differential equation driven by a [Formula: see text]-Hölder continuous function [Formula: see text] with [Formula: see text]. Here, the initial condition is a function that may not be defined at zero and the involved integral with respect to [Formula: see text] is the extension of the Young integral [An inequality of the Hölder type, connected with Stieltjes integration, Acta Math. 67 (1936) 251–282] given by Zähle [Integration with respect to fractal functions and stochastic calculus I, Probab. Theory Related Fields 111 (1998) 333–374].
Stability and Failure Study of Suddenly Loaded Laminated Composite Cylindrical Panel
Authors: Keshav Vasanth , Patel Shuvendu Narayan , Kumar Rajesh
Published: January 2020

In this paper, nonlinear dynamic buckling of laminated composite cylindrical panels subjected to in-plane impulsive compressive load is studied along with the failure analysis. Balanced and symmetric angle-ply laminated composite curved panels are considered. Convergence study is performed, and results are validated with the results from the existing literature, and then the dynamic buckling loads are calculated. The failure index of laminated composite curved panel is also calculated to check the precedence of first ply failure load over nonlinear dynamic buckling load. The effect of aspect ratio, loading function, and radius of curvature is studied. The analysis is carried out using finite element method. It is observed that the first ply failure for balanced and symmetric angle-ply laminated composite curved panels occurs after the panel has buckled due to dynamic impulse loads.
ACM SIGSOFT International Workshop on Software-Intensive Business
Authors: Smolander Kari , Grünbacher Paul , Hyrynsalmi Sami , Jansen Slinger
Published: January 2020

ACM SIGSOFT International Workshop on Software-intensive Business: Start-ups, Platforms and Ecosystems (IWSiB 2019) was hosted by ESEC/FSE 2019 and it was held in Tallinn in August 2019. The workshop was motivated by a preceding Dagstuhl Seminar 18182 in which the participants agreed on founding of a workshop series for promoting and advancing the research of software-intensive business.

This workshop paid special attention on the four modern themes of software- intensive business: engineering for software business, software ecosystems, education and software business, and software as a service. This report briefly presents the insights from discussions, presented studies and keynotes.