bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Implementing pelvic floor muscle training in women's childbearing years: A critical interpretive synthesis of individual, professional, and service issues
Authors: Salmon Victoria E. , Hay‐Smith E. J. C , Jarvie Rachel , Dean Sarah , Terry Rohini , Frawley Helena , Oborn Eivor , Bayliss Susan E. , Bick Debra , Davenport Clare , MacArthur Christine , Pearson Mark
Published: December 2019

Aims

Antenatal pelvic floor muscle training (PFMT) may be effective for the prevention and treatment of urinary and fecal incontinence both in pregnancy and postnatally, but it is not routinely implemented in practice despite guideline recommendations. This review synthesizes evidence that exposes challenges, opportunities, and concerns regarding the implementation of PFMT during the childbearing years, from the perspective of individuals, healthcare professionals (HCPs), and organizations.

Methods

Critical interpretive synthesis of systematically identified primary quantitative or qualitative studies or research syntheses of women's and HCPs attitudes, beliefs, or experiences of implementing PFMT.

Results

Fifty sources were included. These focused on experiences of postnatal urinary incontinence (UI) and perspectives of individual postnatal women, with limited evidence exploring the views of antenatal women and HCP or wider organizational and environmental issues. The concept of agency (people's ability to effect change through their interaction with other people, processes, and systems) provides an over‐arching explanation of how PFMT can be implemented during childbearing years. This requires both individual and collective action of women, HCPs, maternity services and organizations, funders and policymakers.

Conclusion

Numerous factors constrain women's and HCPs capacity to implement PFMT. It is unrealistic to expect women and HCPs to implement PFMT without reforming policy and service delivery. The implementation of PFMT during pregnancy, as recommended by antenatal care and UI management guidelines, requires policymakers, organizations, HCPs, and women to value the prevention of incontinence throughout women's lives by using low‐risk, low‐cost, and proven strategies as part of women's reproductive health.
Cooperation and conflict in intra‐hospital transfers: A qualitative analysis
Authors: Germack Hayley D. , Fekieta Renee , Campbell Britton Meredith , Feder Shelli L. , Rosenberg Alana , Chaudhry Sarwat I.
Published: December 2019

Aim

The purpose of this study was to explore the latent conditions of cooperation and conflict in intra‐hospital patient transfers (i.e. transfers of patients between units in a hospital).

Design

Secondary qualitative analysis of 28 interviews conducted with 29 hospital staff, including physicians (N = 13), nurses (N = 10) and support staff (N = 6) from a single, large academic tertiary hospital in the Northeastern United States.

Methods

A two‐member multidisciplinary team applied a directed content analysis approach to data collected from semi‐structured interviews.

Results

Three recurrent themes were generated: (a) patient flow policies created imbalances of power; (b) relationships were helpful to facilitate safe transfers; and (c) method of admission order communication was a source of disagreement. Hospital quality improvement efforts could benefit from a teaming approach to minimize unintentional power imbalances and optimize communicative relationships between units.
Tart cherry (Prunus cerasus L.) fractions inhibit biofilm formation and adherence properties of oral pathogens and enhance oral epithelial barrier function
Authors: Ben Lagha Amel , LeBel Geneviève , Grenier Daniel
Published: December 2019

Dental caries, candidiasis, and periodontal disease are the most common oral infections affecting a wide range of the population worldwide. The present study investigated the effects of two tart cherry (Prunus cerasus L.) fractions on important oral pathogens, including Candida albicans, Streptococcus mutans, and Fusobacterium nucleatum, as well as on the barrier function of oral epithelial cells. Procyanidins and quercetin and its derivatives were the most important constituents found in the tart cherry fractions. Although the fractions showed poor antimicrobial activity, they inhibited biofilm formation by the three oral pathogens in a dose‐dependent manner. The tart cherry fractions also attenuated the adherence of C. albicans and S. mutans to a hydroxylapatite surface as well as the adherence of F. nucleatum to oral epithelial cells. Treating oral epithelial cells with the tart cherry fractions significantly enhanced the barrier function as determined by monitoring the transepithelial electrical resistance. In conclusion, this study showed that the tart cherry fractions and their bioactive constituents could be promising antiplaque compounds by targeting biofilm formation and adherence properties of oral pathogens. Furthermore, its property of increasing the epithelial barrier function may protect against microbial invasion of the underlying connective tissue.
A Topological Data Analysis perspective on noncovalent interactions in relativistic calculations
Authors: Olejniczak Małgorzata , Severo Pereira Gomes André , Tierny Julien
Published: December 2019

Topological Data Analysis (TDA) is a powerful mathematical theory, largely unexplored in theoretical chemistry. In this work we demonstrate how TDA provides new insights into topological features of electron densities and reduced density gradients, by investigating the effects of relativity on the bonding of the Au4‐S‐C6H4‐S′‐Au′4 molecule. Whereas recent analyses of this species carried out with the Quantum Theory of Atoms‐In‐Molecules (a previous study) concluded, from the emergence of new topological features in the electron density, that relativistic effects yielded noncovalent interactions between gold and hydrogen atoms, we show from their low persistence values (which decrease with increased basis set size) these features are not significant. Further analysis of the reduced density gradient confirms no relativity‐induced noncovalent interactions in Au4‐S‐C6H4‐S′‐Au′4. We argue TDA should be integrated into electronic structure analysis methods, and be considered as a basis for the development of new topology‐based approaches.
Chain Compaction and Synergistic Destabilization of Globular Proteins by Mixture of Denaturants
Authors: Anumalla Bramhini , Prabhu N. Prakash
Published: December 2019

Characterization of unfolded states is essential to understand the mechanism of protein folding. This study examines the unfolded states of RNase A and α‐LA in the mixture of ′′structurally‐similar′′ chemical denaturants, arginine (Arg) and guanidinium chloride (Gdm). Thermal‐ and chemical‐unfolding experiments show that the mixture of denaturants synergistically destabilizes the proteins. Volumetric analysis shows that partial molar volume (V°) and adiabatic compressibility (Ks) of the proteins decreases with increasing [Gdm]. This suggests that the proteins might be gradually losing their intra‐molecular interactions resulting in decreased internal cavity. The addition of Arg to the Gdm‐unfolded states decreases both V° and Ks values indicating compaction of the protein chains. This could be attributed to reduction in the hydration of surface‐exposed residues of the proteins upon direct interaction with Arg and increased non‐native contacts. The results provide a direct experimental evidence for the compaction of unfolded protein chain upon addition of another denaturant.
Synthesis of 2‐Alkynyl‐ and2‐Amino‐12H‐benzothiazolo[2,3‐b]quinazolin‐12‐ones and Their Inhibitory Potential against Monoamine Oxidase A and B
Authors: Jafari Behzad , Jalil Saquib , Zaib Sumera , Safarov Sayfidin , Khalikova Muattar , Khalikov Djurabay , Ospanov Meirambek , Yelibayeva Nazym , Zhumagalieva Shynar , Abilov Zharylkasyn A. , Turmukhanova Mirgul Z. , Kalugin Sergey N. , Salman Ghazwan Ali , Ehlers Peter , Hameed Abdul , Iqbal Jamshed , Langer Peter
Published: December 2019

2‐Alkynyl‐ and 2‐aminobenzothiazolo[2,3‐b]quinazolin‐12‐ones have been synthesized by Palladium catalysed Buchwald‐Hartwig and Sonogashira reactions. Synthesized derivatives were further evaluated for their role as potential inhibitors of monoamine oxidase A and B (MAO−A and B) isozymes. Most compounds possess moderate to excellent inhibitory potential against MAO−A and MAO−B. The 2‐amino‐substituted derivatives show a significantly higher activity as compared to 2‐alkynyl‐ and previously reported 2‐aryl derivatives. Studied compounds might be employed as novel monoamine oxidase inhibitors and may provide insights for the development of new drug candidates against neurological diseases.
Environmentally Friendly Treatment of Coal‐Bearing Kaolin by Polyhydroxy‐Iron for Anionic Dye Removal
Authors: Muschin Tegshi , Duo Xi , Bao Urenhu , Zulchin Hairihan , Agula Bao
Published: December 2019

Clay material such as kaolin is considered great candidate in industrial water treatment due to its structural properties and abundancy. However, material treatment procedures aimed for adsorption efficiency improvement are generally energy consuming and causes secondary environment contaminations. In the present study, a cost‐effective kaolin modification technique based on polyhydroxy‐iron (PHFe(III)) treatment is applied to coal‐bearing kaolin clay (KC). The modified adsorbent (PHFe(III)/KC) shows a two fold increase in specific surface area and renders a 75 mg/g Congo Red (CR) dye uptake amount which significantly outperforms that of the raw KC (∼12 mg/g). Importantly, the modification process involves mild heating and gentle chemical reaction which is environmental benign, especially under large scale adsorbent treatment. The effect of the PHFe(III)/KC preparation conditions, adsorption time, the initial solution pH and the initial concentration of CR on the adsorption capacity of the adsorbents was investigated. Adsorbent characterization shows successful grafting of PHFe(III) which likely changes the surface property and increases the affinity between the adsorbent and organic dyes. The comparatively high dye adsorption capability and good regeneration shows promising application of PHFe(III)/KC in industrial waste water treatment.
Total Synthesis of Dabigatran Revisited; Synthesis of Amidine‐Tosylated Dabigatran
Authors: Jopp Stefan , Molenda Ricardo , Seiler Elisabeth R. D. , Maitz Manfred F. , Villinger Alexander , Ehlers Peter , Langer Peter
Published: December 2019

The total synthesis of a new dabigatran derivative featuring a tosyl protecting group at the amidine group of dabigatran was explored. During the course of this work, different new synthetic pathways towards dabigatran intermediates are investigated and known concepts revisited. In this context, it was found that, in our hands, a published synthesis did not work as reported. Part of the synthetic strategy presented herein is an amidine‐selective tosylation of 4‐aminobenzamidine. Furthermore, two new dabigatran derivatives exhibit thrombin inhibition activity.
Anticancer, Antioxidant and Antiangiogenic Activities of Nanoparticles of Bioactive Dietary Nutraceuticals
Authors: Bansode Prakash A. , Patil Pradnya V. , Birajdar Apurva R. , Somasundaram Indumathi , Bachute Madhusudan T. , Rashinkar Gajanan S.
Published: December 2019

Many nutraceuticals are highly potent, nontoxic, bioactive agents present in dietary vegetables, fruits and spices. They exhibit immune‐modulatory, antioxidant and anticancer activity. The major disadvantage of nutraceuticals is their low aqueous solubility and hence poor bioavailability hindering their therapeutic applications. In the present work, we herein report preparation of nanoparticles of bioactive nutraceuticals such as curcumin (1), quercetin (2), anthraquinone (3), xanthone (4), flavone (5) and vanillin (6) with a view to improve their aqueous‐phase solubility and evaluate their anticancer, antiangiogenic and antioxidant activities. The nanoparticles were prepared by controlled flow rate reprecipitation technique and characterized by spectral and microscopic techniques. Most of the nanoparticles displayed higher in‐vitro anticancer, antioxidant and in‐ovo antiangiogenic activities as compared to the corresponding bulk compounds. The biological activities of nutraceuticals are marked increased by particle size reduction to the nanoscale.
Removal of Cr(VI) from Wastewater by a Novel Adsorbent of Magnetic Goethite: Adsorption Performance and Adsorbent Characterisation
Authors: Liu Zhanmeng , Chen Gang , Xu Lichun , Hu Fengping , Duan XianYue
Published: December 2019

A novel adsorbent of magnetic goethite was prepared by neutralisation hydrolysis and employed for Cr(VI) adsorption from aqueous solution. The magnetic goethite adsorbent was characterised by using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X‐ray diffractometer (XRD), vibrating sample magnetometer (VSM), fourier transform infrared (FTIR), brunauer‐Emmett‐Teller (BET) and X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) method. VSM showed that the prepared adsorbents are super‐paramagnetic iron hydroxide. FTIR spectra revealed that magnetic goethite have ‐OH and other functional groups. The effects of various factors, including pH, adsorbent dosage, initial concentration, and ion concentration, were evaluated. Under the conditions of pH 3, 4 g/L magnetic goethite, 20 mg/L Cr(VI) concentration, and 0.01 mol/L NaNO3, the removal efficiency of Cr (VI) reached 88.2% and the adsorption capacity of the adsorbent reached 4.32 mg/g. The adsorption kinetic tests showed that the adsorption of Cr(VI) on the adsorbent matched well with pseudo‐second‐order kinetics, indicating the occurrence of chemisorption. The fitting of the Langmuir isotherm model showed that the adsorption of Cr(VI) on magnetic goethite was monolayer adsorption. On the other hand, thermodynamic studies conjectured that the adsorption processes of magnetic goethite for Cr(VI) was endothermic and spontaneous. These results suggest that magnetic goethite has great potential for the removal of heavy metals from wastewater.
Improved Antioxidant and Antifungal Activity of Chitosan Derivatives Bearing Urea Groups
Authors: Zhang Jingjing , Mi Yingqi , Sun Xueqi , Chen Yuan , Miao Qin , Tan Wenqiang , Li Qing , Dong Fang , Guo Zhanyong
Published: December 2019

Eight novel chitosan derivatives bearing urea groups are designed and synthesized. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, 1H nuclear magnetic resonance spectrometer, and elemental analysis are performed to confirm the structural characteristics of chitosan derivatives. The antioxidant activities, including superoxide radicals’ scavenging activity, 1,1‐diphenyl‐2‐picrylhydrazyl radicals’ scavenging activity, and hydroxyl radical’ scavenging activity, of the derivatives are explored within different concentrations in the reaction system. In vitro fungicidal activity of these compounds is further tested against Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. niveum, Phomopsis asparagus, F. oxysporum f. sp. cucumebrium Owen, and Botrytis cinerea, respectively, particularly compounds exhibit significant control effect at 1.0 mg mL−1. The experimental results indicate that the products bearing urea groups show enhanced antifungal property and antioxidant activity compared with pristine chitosan. Meanwhile, their bioactivities follow some regularity on the whole, that is, they are related to the electron‐withdrawing property of the different substituted groups of urea. Derivatives with stronger electron‐withdrawing property will have higher biological activities. L929 cells are used to carry out cytotoxicity test of chitosan and chitosan derivatives by Cell Counting Kit‐8 assay. The results indicate that some of the samples show low cytotoxicity. This research will be helpful to broaden the application of chitosan in materials.
An introduction to the human right to water: Law, politics, and beyond
Authors: Fantini Emanuele
Published: December 2019

In spite of its official recognition by the United Nations in 2010, the human right to water remains a contested notion as illustrated by three main debates: (a) the definition of its scope, content, and indicators to monitor its implementation; (b) the conceptual appropriateness and effectiveness of the human rights approach in countering water services privatization; (c) the call for decolonizing or decentering the western, liberal, individualistic, and anthropocentric approach of the human right to water. The article introduces the main themes and insights within these debates and concludes by pointing at potential future research at their intersection, in relation to (a) other species' rights, (b) culture and religion, and (c) technology and infrastructure.

This article is categorized under:

Human Water > Rights to Water

Water and Life > Conservation, Management, and Awareness

Human Water > Water Governance
A Unique Five‐Fold Interpenetrating Framework with the dmc Topology that is Supported by Extensive O–H···O Hydrogen Bonds
Authors: Wang Jun‐Feng , Deng Fan‐Zheng , He Jie
Published: December 2019

A unique supramolecular framework, [Zn4(H2O)2(2,5‐tdc)4(3,3'‐bpe)3]n (1), was prepared by the self‐assembly of Zn(NO3)2·6H2O, 2,5‐thiophenedicarboxylic acid (2,5‐H2tdc), and 1,2‐bis(3‐pyridyl)‐ethene (3,3'‐bpe) under hydrothermal conditions. The coordination network of 1 can be simplified as a (3,4)‐connected dmc framework with a point symbol (4·82)(4·85). The void space of a single network of 1 is filled by mutual interpenetration of four crystallographically equivalent nets, generating a fivefold interpenetrating architecture. Interestingly, the strong hydrogen bonds between the adjoining coordination networks further connect the interpenetrating architecture into a three‐dimensional supramolecular framework. Take the hydrogen bonds into consideration, the supramolecular structure of the title compound can be further regarded as an unprecedented 5‐nodal framework. The thermal stability, photoluminescent and photocatalytic properties of the title compound have also been investigated.
Recursion relation for general 3d blocks
Authors: Erramilli Rajeev S. , Iliesiu Luca V. , Kravchuk Petr
Published: December 2019

Abstract

We derive closed-form expressions for all ingredients of the Zamolodchikov-like recursion relation for general spinning conformal blocks in 3-dimensional conformal field theory. This result opens a path to efficient automatic generation of conformal block tables, which has immediate applications in numerical conformal bootstrap program. Our derivation is based on an understanding of null states and conformally-invariant differential operators in momentum space, combined with a careful choice of the relevant tensor structures bases. This derivation generalizes straightforwardly to higher spacetime dimensions d, provided the relevant Clebsch-Gordan coefficients of Spin (d) are known.
The urethral hanging theory and how it relates to Enhörning’s theory and the integral theory
Authors: Bergström Bo S.
Published: December 2019

Introduction and hypothesis

The article discusses three theories of stress urinary incontinence, the urethral hanging theory, Enhörning’s theory, and the integral theory.

Methods

The abdominal pressure transmission theory proposed by Enhörning is often misunderstood. It is regularly interpreted to mean that, in cases of stress urinary incontinence, the bladder neck descends outside the abdominal cavity, and treatment must involve elevating or repositioning the bladder neck.

Results

However, this actually contradicts the information provided in Enhörning’s original paper. The urethral hanging theory accepts the core of Enhörning’s theory and the integral theory rejects it. The three theories have different views on closure and opening of the bladder neck and on the pathophysiology of urethral funneling.

Conclusion

These differences are described and discussed.
B7H4 expression in tumor cells impairs CD8 T cell responses and tumor immunity
Authors: Zhou Linlin , Ruan Mei , Liu Ying , Zhu Yanyang , Fu Deqiang , Wu Kunlin , Zhang Qiuyu
Published: December 2019

B7 homolog 4 (B7H4) is considered a negative regulator of immune responses, but the immunoregulatory role of B7H4 in the tumor microenvironment is not clear. Here, we assessed B7H4 expression cell types in human breast cancer tissues and addressed its potential mechanisms in the CD8 T cell immune response. The results from flow cytometry and immunohistochemistry demonstrated that B7H4 was highly expressed in 26 out of 30 (86.7%) breast invasive ductal carcinomas, and B7H4 surface expression on tumor cells was inversely correlated with CD8 T lymphocytes infiltration (p < 0.0001). In vivo, B7H4-overexpressing tumor cells showed enhanced tumor growth in immunocompetent mice with impaired CD8 T cell infiltration of the tumor. Further investigation showed that activation and expansion of CD8 T cells within the lymph nodes were suppressed in B7H4-overexpessing tumor-bearing mice. An in vitro killing assay showed that the cytotoxicity of CD8 T cells was inhibited in B7H4-overexpressing tumor cells. These findings suggest that B7H4 in tumor cells is a negative regulator of CD8 T cell activation, expansion and cytotoxicity, indicating that tumor cell-associated B7H4 might be a target for T cell-based cancer immunotherapy.
Climate shift of the South China Sea summer monsoon onset in 1993/1994 and its physical causes
Authors: Lin Ailan , Zhang Renhe
Published: December 2019

The characteristics of anomalous circulations during spring associated with the climate shift of the South China Sea summer monsoon (SCSSM) onset in 1993/1994 and its physical causes are investigated. It is found that the interdecadal shift of SCSSM onset happened in 1993/1994 is related closely to the 850 hPa zonal wind anomalies over the area around Kalimantan Island. Easterly (westerly) anomalies over Kalimantan Island enhance (weaken) subtropical high over the western North Pacific, leading to the late (early) onset of SCSSM in 1979–1993 (1994–2013). The sea surface temperature anomalies (SSTAs) in the key region 140°–150° E, 5° S–2.5° N influence the interdecadal change of zonal winds over Kalimantan Island. The positive SSTAs over this key region in 1994–2013 force convergence toward the region at low-level and form significant westerly anomalies near Kalimantan Island located to the west of the key region. The negative anomalies of meridional gradient of zonal winds over the South China Sea region increase the atmospheric vorticity over there significantly and result in the weakening and retreating eastward of the subtropical high over the western North Pacific, which is conducive to the early onset of SCSSM.
Elderly-onset Crohn’s disease remarkably responsive to ustekinumab: a case report
Authors: Iwamoto Maho , Kato Kimitoshi , Moriyama Mitsuhiko
Published: December 2019

Background

Crohn’s disease is intractable and is frequently diagnosed in younger people. No clear policies exist regarding medical treatment for seniors with this disease, and its diagnosis and treatment are often hindered by difficulties attributable to comorbidities, complex differential diagnoses, and polypharmacy. We describe an elderly-onset Crohn’s disease patient showing a marked remission-maintaining effect with no adverse events after administration of ustekinumab.

Methods and results

A 75-year-old patient with Crohn’s disease and a history of pulmonary tuberculosis had first presented to our hospital at age 64 years and was hospitalized. Based on physical examinations, colonoscopy, and blood test results, Crohn’s disease was diagnosed. The patient experienced secondary losses of responsiveness to two tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha inhibitors, and after repeated hospital admissions, she was administered ustekinumab. The patient’s symptoms, endoscopic findings, Crohn’s Disease Activity Index, serum albumin, and physical activity levels improved markedly, and disease remission has been maintained for 2 years to date.

Conclusion

Ustekinumab is an effective treatment option for elderly patients with intractable Crohn’s disease when TNF-alpha inhibitors are ineffective.
End-tidal carbon dioxide levels during resuscitation and carbon dioxide levels in the immediate neonatal period and intraventricular haemorrhage
Authors: Tamura Kentaro , Williams Emma E , Dassios Theodore , Pahuja Anoop , Hunt Katie A , Murthy Vadivelam , Bhat Prashanth , Bhat Ravindra , Milner Anthony , Greenough Anne
Published: December 2019

Abnormal levels of end-tidal carbon dioxide (EtCO2) during resuscitation in the delivery suite are associated with intraventricular haemorrhage (IVH) development. Our aim was to determine whether carbon dioxide (CO2) levels in the first 3 days after birth reflected abnormal EtCO2 levels in the delivery suite, and hence, a prolonged rather than an early insult resulted in IVH. In addition, we determined if greater EtCO2level fluctuations during resuscitation occurred in infants who developed IVH. EtCO2 levels during delivery suite resuscitation and CO2 levels on the neonatal unit were evaluated in 58 infants (median gestational age 27.3 weeks). Delta EtCO2 was the difference between the highest and lowest level of EtCO2. Thirteen infants developed a grade 3–4 IVH (severe group). There were no significant differences in CO2 levels between those who did and did not develop an IVH (or severe IVH) on the NICU. The delta EtCO2 during resuscitation differed between infants with any IVH (6.2 (5.4–7.5) kPa) or no IVH (3.8 (2.7–4.3) kPA) (p < 0.001) after adjusting for differences in gestational age. Delta EtCO2 levels gave an area under the ROC curve of 0.940 for prediction of IVH.

Conclusion: The results emphasize the importance of monitoring EtCO2 levels in the delivery suite.

What is Known:• Abnormal levels of carbon dioxide (CO2) in the first few days after birth and abnormal end-tidal CO2levels (EtCO2) levels during resuscitation are associated in preterm infants with the risk of developing intraventricular haemorrhage (IVH).

What is New:• There were no significant differences in NICU CO2levels between those who developed an IVH or no IVH.• There was a poor correlation between delivery suite ETCO2levels and NICU CO2levels.• Large fluctuations in EtCO2during resuscitation in the delivery suite were highly predictive of IVH development in preterm infants.
In vitro compressive strength and edge stability testing of directly repaired glass-ionomer cements
Authors: Zhang Jing , Braun Peter , Banerjee Avijit
Published: December 2019

Objective

To study the repair potential of seven commercial glass-ionomer cements (GICs) using an in vitro edge compression test model.

Materials and methods

A total of 448 normal and 192 repaired cylindrical specimens (6 × 4 mm) were produced from 6 GICs and one resin-modified GIC. Repaired samples consisted of a base aged for 1 month before repaired by an overlying layer. All samples were matured for 1 day, 1 week, 1 month or 3 months before compression, and edge tests were performed respectively on the whole surface (compressive strength, CS) or on the edge (edge stability, ES) using a universal testing machine.

Results

For normal specimens, Ketac Universal (KU) illustrated a significantly higher CS than other groups at all time points (p < 0.001). ES of KU was weaker than EQUIA Forte (EQF), FIX (Fuji IX) and RSC (Riva Self Cure) after 1 day, increasing after 1 week. Repaired specimens showed CS comparable to normal specimens (p > 0.05). Repaired KU significantly improved CS compared to repaired EQF and Fuji II (FII) after 1 day. No statistical difference was found in ES among these groups (p > 0.05).

Conclusions

KU provided the fastest maturation and greatest CS and ES in both normal and repair models after short-term ageing. Repair of GICs could potentially be achieved directly onto the fractured substrate and the subsequent improved mechanical performance could be maintained for at least 3 months.

Clinical relevance

This study provides a potential alternative in-vitro method to assess GIC restoration failure as well as provide insight into the mechanisms of GIC restoration repair.
Route reassessment by transporter ants improves speed and directional accuracy of cooperative transport in Formica japonica
Authors: Hisamoto Shumpei , Hosaka Natsumi , Matsunami Yuka , Iwasaki Hideo
Published: December 2019

Encircling cooperative transport in ants is categorized into coordinated and uncoordinated types. Coordinated cooperative transport is considered to be advantageous for ants because it transports food quickly without creating a deadlock. Contrarily, uncoordinated transport is slow and frequently becomes deadlocked. This study assessed the characteristics of uncoordinated cooperative transport, which has scarcely been studied before, through experiments performed on Formica japonica. Based on our experiment and analysis, we report that the transport speed remains unchanged with the number of transporters. We also found that pulling transporter ants often left the food item transiently as the transport speed decreased, and then went back to the item. Upon rejoining transport, the transport speed increased. This is presumably because the ants gain navigation information during the period that they leave the food. We propose that this ‘route reassessment’ behavior is important for transport coordination and navigation in F. japonica.
Recovery of Vitis vinifera L. cv. ‘Kékfrankos’ from ‘bois noir’ disease
Authors: Mátai Anikó , Teszlák Péter , Jakab Gábor
Published: December 2019

Investigation of diseases caused by phytoplasmas, a group of cell-wall-less gram-positive bacteria has received significant attention in plant pathology. Grapevine is a host of two, genetically distinct phytoplasmas: Line Flavescence dorée (FD) phytoplasma associated to ‘flavescence dorée’ and ‘Candidatus Phytoplasma solani’ responsible for ‘bois noir’ (BN) disease. In the current study, we focused on BN diseased grapevines (Vitis vinifera L. cv. ‘Kékfrankos’), measured their photosynthetic performance and leaf hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) concentration. The latter is generally considered as a key molecule in the process of ‘recovery’ which is a spontaneous and unpredictable long-term remission of disease symptoms. This phenomenon also occurred during the time of our experiment. Infection resulted in reduced gas exchange performance and maximum quantum efficiency of PSII with an increased regulated non-photochemical quenching of PSII and H2O2 concentration. Changes in gas exchange seem to be a systemic response, while reduced photochemistry is a local response to ‘Ca. P. solani’ infection. H2O2 accumulation in BN phytoplasma infected plants, unlike in FD disease, was found to be a typical response to the appearance of a biotic stressor.
Solitary fibrous tumor of the trachea: a case report
Authors: Kitada Masahiro , Yasuda Shunsuke , Abe Masahiro , Yoshida Nana , Okazaki Satoshi , Ishibashi Kei
Published: December 2019

We experienced a surgical case of a rare primary tracheal tumor. A 77-year-old woman visited a local clinic with chief complaints of coughing, wheezing, and discomfort in the throat. Computed tomography revealed a mass measuring approximately 1.5 cm in the mediastinal trachea, extending from the membranous portion of the trachea to the esophagus. Bronchofibroscopy showed a flat, smooth-surfaced, round mass arising from the membranous portion. Surgery was performed because of the possibility of airway obstruction and suffocation. Sleeve resection of five tracheal rings was performed via median sternotomy and interrupted suture was performed using 3-0 absorbable suture material. The postoperative course was favorable and there has been no evidence of recurrence. The pathological diagnosis was solitary fibrous tumor. A primary solitary fibrous tumor of the trachea is extremely rare. Here, we report this disease with a literature review.
The nature of management frameworks
Authors: Budler Marko , Trkman Peter
Published: December 2019

A management framework (like the Business Model Canvas or SWOT) is a combination of interlinked items that support a particular approach to a specific objective. Various management frameworks are widely used even though their origins, adoption, and value remain vague. Previous research tried to decipher the adoption of these management frameworks, whereas considerably less attention was devoted to the theoretical explanation of the development and value of the frameworks. This paper investigates the nature of management frameworks in particular realms using analogical reasoning between biological and social systems, and mostly draws on memetics, intersubjective reality, and the network effect. By using memetics, the explanations on the origins of well-known frameworks are complemented. Second, the paper shows the role of the network effect in the growing value of a framework until it becomes an intersubjective reality. Finally, such a framework is explained as autopoietic within a particular realm.
Posterior semicircular canal paroxysmal positional vertigo triggers a new type of windmill nystagmus
Authors: Comacchio F , Cutrì N , Mion M
Published: December 2019

Background

Periodic alternating nystagmus is a rare condition characterised by spontaneous horizontal nystagmus that periodically reverses direction, indicating an alteration of the velocity storage mechanism. Windmill nystagmus is a peculiar and rare variant of periodic alternating horizontal nystagmus with a superimposed periodic alternating vertical nystagmus. It is generally observed in blind patients.

Case report

This paper presents the unique case of a normally sighted patient with a windmill nystagmus triggered by an episode of benign paroxysmal positional vertigo due to bilateral posterior canalolithiasis. Videonystagmography revealed an anticlockwise up-beating nystagmus followed by a clockwise down-beating nystagmus with a cycle lasting 2 minutes, followed by a brief burst of horizontal left-beating nystagmus.

Conclusion

This case report represents the first observation of a new type of windmill nystagmus, probably provoked by a malfunction of the velocity storage mechanism, gaze-stabilisation and short-adaptation networks, with a loss of cerebellar inhibition.
Small RNAs in parasitic nematodes – forms and functions
Authors: Britton Collette , Laing Roz , Devaney Eileen
Published: December 2019

Small RNAs are important regulators of gene expression. They were first identified in Caenorhabditis elegans, but it is now apparent that the main small RNA silencing pathways are functionally conserved across diverse organisms. Availability of genome data for an increasing number of parasitic nematodes has enabled bioinformatic identification of small RNA sequences. Expression of these in different lifecycle stages is revealed by small RNA sequencing and microarray analysis. In this review we describe what is known of the three main small RNA classes in parasitic nematodes – microRNAs (miRNAs), Piwi-interacting RNAs (piRNAs) and small interfering RNAs (siRNAs) – and their proposed functions. miRNAs regulate development in C. elegans and the temporal expression of parasitic nematode miRNAs suggest modulation of target gene levels as parasites develop within the host. miRNAs are also present in extracellular vesicles released by nematodes in vitro, and in plasma from infected hosts, suggesting potential regulation of host gene expression. Roles of piRNAs and siRNAs in suppressing target genes, including transposable elements, are also reviewed. Recent successes in RNAi-mediated gene silencing, and application of small RNA inhibitors and mimics will continue to advance understanding of small RNA functions within the parasite and at the host–parasite interface.
Care-as-usual control groups across different settings in randomized trials on psychotherapy for adult depression: a meta-analysis
Authors: Cuijpers Pim , Quero Soledad , Papola Davide , Cristea Ioana A. , Karyotaki Eirini
Published: December 2019

Background

Care-as-usual (CAU) is often used as a control condition in psychotherapy research, but it may vary considerably what that entails, ranging from no treatment, to routine treatment in primary care, general medical care, perinatal care, and specialized mental health care.

Methods

We conducted a meta-analysis of trials comparing psychotherapy for depression to CAU, with a focus on the different categories of CAU and countries where the studies were conducted. We used an existing database of randomized trials on psychotherapy for depression that is updated every year.

Results

A total of 140 studies with 15 419 patients were included. We found no significant differences in effects between categories of CAU (effect sizes ranging from g = 0.43 for CAU in primary care to g = 0.73 for no treatment), but heterogeneity was high in all CAU categories. After stratifying effects across specific countries (within CAU categories) we found that heterogeneity was considerably lower and there were several significant differences between countries. Overall, effects were larger in non-Western countries (g = 0.84 to 1.28) compared to those in Western countries (g = 0.52; p for difference = 0.002). Effects were smaller in studies with risk of bias (p = 0.01).

Conclusions

There are no significant differences between major categories of CAU when compared to psychotherapy conditions in randomized trials. However, effects of psychotherapy differ considerably across CAU conditions in specific countries. CAU therefore is a heterogeneous control condition in psychotherapy research.
Multi-Agent Tracking of Non-Holonomic Mobile Robots via Non-Singular Terminal Sliding Mode Control
Authors: Yousuf Bilal M. , Khan Abdul Saboor , Noor Aqib
Published: December 2019

This paper deals with the problem of the formation control of nonholonomic mobile robots in the leader–follower scenario without considering the leader information, as a result of its velocity and position. The kinematic model is reformulated as a formation model by incorporating the model uncertainties and external disturbance. The controller is presented in the two-step process. Firstly, the tracking problem is taken into consideration, which can be used as a platform to design a controller for the multi-agents. The proposed controller is designed based on a non-singular fast terminal sliding mode controller (FTSMC), which drives the tracking error to zero in finite time. It not only ensures the tracking but also handles the problem related to non-singularities. Moreover, the design control scheme is modified using high-gain observer to resolve the undefined fluctuations due to man-made errors in sensors. Secondly, the multi-agent tracking problem is considered; hence, a novel formation control is designed using FTSMC, which ensures the formation pattern as well as tracking. Furthermore, the obstacle avoidance algorithm is incorporated to avoid the collision, inside the region of interest. With the Lyapunov analysis, the stability of the proposed algorithm is verified. As a result, simulated graphs are shown to prove the efficacy of the proposed control scheme.
ENTROPY FLOW AND DE BRUIJN'S IDENTITY FOR A CLASS OF STOCHASTIC DIFFERENTIAL EQUATIONS DRIVEN BY FRACTIONAL BROWNIAN MOTION
Authors: Choi Michael C.H. , Lee Chihoon , Song Jian
Published: December 2019

Motivated by the classical De Bruijn's identity for the additive Gaussian noise channel, in this paper we consider a generalized setting where the channel is modelled via stochastic differential equations driven by fractional Brownian motion with Hurst parameter H ∈ (0, 1). We derive generalized De Bruijn's identity for Shannon entropy and Kullback–Leibler divergence by means of Itô's formula, and present two applications. In the first application we demonstrate its equivalence with Stein's identity for Gaussian distributions, while in the second application, we show that for H ∈ (0, 1/2], the entropy power is concave in time while for H ∈ (1/2, 1) it is convex in time when the initial distribution is Gaussian. Compared with the classical case of H = 1/2, the time parameter plays an interesting and significant role in the analysis of these quantities.
Myocardial function in late preterm infants during the transitional period: comprehensive appraisal with deformation mechanics and non-invasive cardiac output monitoring
Authors: Cappelleri Alessia , Bussmann Neidin , Harvey Susan , Levy Phillip T. , Franklin Orla , EL-Khuffash Afif
Published: December 2019

Background:

There is a paucity of functional data on mid-to-late preterm infants between 30+0 and 34+6 weeks gestation. We aimed to characterise transitional cardiopulmonary and haemodynamic changes during the first 48 hours in asymptomatic mid-to-late preterm infants.

Methods:

Forty-five healthy preterm newborns (mean ± standard deviation) gestation of 32.7 ± 1.2 weeks) underwent echocardiography on Days 1 and 2. Ventricular mechanics were assessed by speckle tracking-derived deformation, rotational mechanics, tissue Doppler imaging, and right ventricle-focused measures (tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion, fractional area change). Continuous haemodynamics were assessed using the NICOM™ system to obtain left ventricular output, stroke volume, heart rate, and total peripheral resistance by non-invasive cardiac output monitoring.

Results:

Right ventricular function increased (all measures p < 0.005) with mostly stable left ventricular performance between Day 1 and Day 2. NICOM-derived left ventricular output [mean 34%, 95% confidence interval 21–47%] and stroke volume [29%, 16–42%] increased with no change in heart rate [5%, −2 to 12%]. There was a rise in mean blood pressure [11%, 1–21%], but a decline in total peripheral resistance [−14%, −25 to −3%].

Conclusion:

Left ventricular mechanics remained persevered in mid-to-late premature infants, but right ventricular function increased. Non-invasive cardiac output monitoring is feasible in preterm infants with an increase in left ventricular output driven by an improvement in stroke volume during the transitional period.
Best Practices for Normalizing Parents in the Academy: Higher- and Lower-Order Processes and Women and Parents’ Success
Authors: Windsor Leah C. , Crawford Kerry F.
Published: December 2019

Our research on bias in family formation is rooted in the extant literature of gender and academia but moves beyond discussion of the “leaky-pipeline” metaphor to explore less frequently addressed issues including pregnancy loss, illness, lactation, and challenges faced by academic parents who are the partners of those who have given birth. We explore the lower-order processes that inform the gap in professional achievement between men and women in political science specifically and in academia more broadly. In turn, these lower-order processes manifest as more observable higher-order outcomes such as the disparate rates of tenure and promotion. We conducted a 100-question survey from November 2017 through July 2019 involving more than 300 respondents. Through analysis of open-ended survey responses, we identified a common theme uniting faculty experiences at a range of universities: family formation and parenting can be isolating processes for academics, and there often is a gross lack of both formal and informal support within universities, which creates the potential for setbacks in both personal and professional life. We highlight the challenges confronting academic parents—especially women—and suggest potential avenues to a more inclusive and balanced approach to academia.
HOW DOES INTERRACIAL CONTACT AMONG THE U.S.-BORN SHAPE WHITE AND BLACK RECEPTIVITY TOWARD IMMIGRANTS?
Authors: Marrow Helen B. , Tropp Linda R. , van der Linden Meta , Okamoto Dina G. , Jones-Correa Michael
Published: December 2019

A notable increase in immigration into the United States over the past half century, coupled with its recent geographic dispersion into new communities nationwide, has fueled contact among a wider set of individuals and groups than ever before. Past research has helped us understand Whites’ and Blacks’ attitudes toward immigrants and immigration, and even how contact between Blacks and Whites have shaped their attitudes toward one another. Nevertheless, how contact between Blacks and Whites may correspond with attitudes toward immigrants is not as well understood. Drawing on an original representative survey, we examine U.S.-born Whites’ and Blacks’ attitudes toward Mexican and South Asian Indian immigrants within the context of ongoing relations between the former two U.S.-born communities. Informed by research on the secondary transfer effect (STE), we model how the frequency of contact between U.S.-born Whites and Blacks predicts each group’s receptivity toward two differentially positioned immigrant groups, first-generation Mexicans and South Asian Indians. Multivariate analysis indicates that, among Whites, more frequent contact with Blacks is positively associated with greater receptivity toward both immigrant outgroups, even after controlling for Whites’ individual perceptions of threat, their direct contact with the two immigrant groups, and the perceived quality of such contact. Among Blacks, however, we find less consistent evidence that frequent contact with Whites is associated with attitudes toward either immigrant group. While varied literatures across multiple disciplines have suggested that interracial relations among the U.S.-born may be associated with receptivity toward immigrant newcomers, our results uniquely highlight the importance of considering how U.S.-born groups are positioned in relation to immigrants and to each other when examining such effects.
Political finance regimes and party system size: evidence from new and established European democracies
Authors: Rashkova Ekaterina R. , Su Yen-Pin
Published: December 2019

Studies of party system size have looked at institutional and sociological factors in their attempt to explain what determines the number of parties. While some recent studies contend that party laws, beyond the district magnitude, have a significant impact on, among others, new party entry, we know very little about whether certain rules matter more in some societies than they do in others. In this paper, we study the extent to which various party finance rules affect party system size and differentiate the effect between new and established democracies. Specifically, we focus on direct and indirect public subsidization and limits on private donation and campaign expenditure. We hypothesize that compared to established countries, new democracies tend to have a larger party system size when the political finance rules create more equal conditions for electoral competition. Using data from 43 Europe democracies, the empirical analyses support our hypothesis.
Periphere Wahrnehmung im Sport
Authors: Vater Christian
Published: December 2019

Zusammenfassung. Die periphere Wahrnehmung im Sport ist eine theoretische wie methodische Herausforderung. Während die bisher in der Literatur diskutierten Funktionalitäten des gleichzeitigen peripheren Monitorings mehrerer Objekte, der Detektion von peripheren Bewegungsveränderungen und der peripheren Preview-Funktion zur Planung von Blicksprüngen gut begründet scheinen, fehlte bislang deren eindeutiger empirischer Nachweis. Mit Hilfe des Multiple-Objekt-Tracking-Paradigmas konnten die beiden erstgenannten Funktionalitäten empirisch untermauert und in diesem Zuge zu berücksichtigende visuelle und aufmerksamkeitsbedingte Randbedingungen bestimmt werden. In einem weiteren Schritt wurden die neu eingeführten Begriffe Anker, Pivot und Spot mit den gefundenen Funktionalitäten in Beziehung gesetzt. Abschließend wurden konkrete Vorhersagen für sportspezifische Untersuchungen formuliert, um die so umschriebenen Funktionalitäten empirisch zu überprüfen. Die Ergebnisse solcher Untersuchungen werden zeigen, inwieweit sich die grundlagenwissenschaftlichen Befunde auf Belange des Sports transferieren lassen. Für die Sportpraxis könnte es dabei ein wichtiges Ziel sein, ein funktional begründetes Blick- und Aufmerksamkeitstraining zu integrieren, um das volle Potenzial der peripheren Wahrnehmung auszuschöpfen.