bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Revisiting the pathobiology of scurvy: a review of the literature in the context of a challenging case
Authors: Deirawan Hany , Fakhoury Joseph W. , Zarka Mohamad , Bluth Martin H. , Moossavi Meena
Published: March 2020

Scurvy is a nutritional disorder resulting from vitamin C deficiency. Although rare in developing countries, scurvy continues to develop in settings of limited dietary intake such as post‐gastrointestinal surgery and restrictive dietary habits. The disease primarily affects the skin and soft tissue. As the state of deficiency persists, hematological and immunological sequelae may develop. The classic signs of scurvy are not always present and can be altered by the presence of other comorbidities. In this article, we present a challenging case of scurvy in an older male from an urban tertiary healthcare setting. We review the atypical and uncommon clinical and pathological findings of scurvy including those seen in the skin, blood, and bone marrow. We also review contemporary research findings that provide a better understanding of the pathogenicity and clinical manifestations of vitamin C deficiency.
Chinese herbal medicine reduces the risk of urinary incontinence in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: A population‐based retrospective cohort study
Authors: Lin Yu‐Chun , Huang Chao‐Chun , Lin Mei‐Chen , Huang Sheng‐Teng
Published: March 2020

Objectives

To investigate the effectiveness of Chinese herbal medicine for the treatment of urinary incontinence in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

Methods

We carried out a retrospective cohort study using the National Health Insurance Research Database. From a cohort of 1 million records between 1996 and 2013, a total of 202 279 patients with newly onset chronic obstructive pulmonary disease were initially recruited. We matched with propensity score 3967 patients who received Chinese herbal medicine by age, sex, year of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease diagnosis, urbanization, comorbidities and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease medications. All participants received follow‐up visits until the end of 2013 to record the incidence rate of urinary incontinence. The Cox proportional hazards model was applied to assess the association between Chinese herbal medicine use and the risk of urinary incontinence among chronic obstructive pulmonary disease patients.

Results

The incidence rates of urinary incontinence were 57.33 and 108.15 (per 10 000 person‐years) in the Chinese herbal medicine and non‐Chinese herbal medicine cohorts, respectively, showing a significantly lower risk of urinary incontinence in Chinese herbal medicine users (aHR = 0.56, 95% CI = 0.45–0.69, P < 0.001). The Chinese herbal medicine prescription pattern analysis showed that Fritillariae thunbergii bulbus (Zhebeimu), Semen armeniacae amarum (Kuxingren), Platycodonis radix (Jiegeng), Xiao Qing Long Tang and Ding Chuan Tang constituted the core of Chinese herbal medicine prescriptions applied to treat chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

Conclusion

The use of Chinese herbal medicine in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease patients can reduce their risk of urinary incontinence.
Goal programming to evaluate the profile of the most profitable insurers: an application to the Spanish insurance industry
Authors: González‐Fernández Ana Isabel , Rubio‐Misas María , Ruiz Francisco
Published: March 2020

This paper applies a multiobjective goal programming (GP) model to define the profile of the most profitable insurers by focusing on 14 firm‐decision variables and considering different scenarios resulting from the exogenous change in interest rate and GDP per capita growth variables. We consider a detailed database of Spanish non‐life insurers over the period 2003–2012 taking into account two dimensions of insurers’ results: underwriting results and investment results. A prior econometric analysis is used to find out relevant relations among the variables. Next, a GP model is formulated on the basis of the relationships obtained. The model is tested in a robust environment, allowing changes in the coefficients of the objective functions, and for several scenarios regarding crisis/noncrisis situations and changes in interest rates. We find that having the stock organizational form, being an unaffiliated single company and maintaining low levels of investment risk, leverage, and regulatory solvency are recommended for result optimization. Growth and reinsurance utilization are not advisable for optimizing the results, whereas size should be positively emphasized even more in instability periods and when interest rates increase. The results also show that the optimal level of the diversification/specialization strategy depends on economic conditions. More specialization is advisable as negative changes in interest rates increase. However, we find that the optimal values of the diversification variable are higher for the crisis scenarios compared to the corresponding noncrisis scenarios, suggesting that diversification creates value in crisis. Further sensitivity analyses show the soundness of the conclusions obtained.
High‐density ZnSnO3 nanowire arrays fabricated using single‐step hydrothermal synthesis
Authors: Chou Chen‐Hui , Lee Siang‐Yun , Chang Kao‐Shuo
Published: March 2020

This study examined the fabrication of high‐density rhombohedral ZnSnO3 nanowire arrays on fluorine‐doped SnO2 (FTO) substrates through single‐step hydrothermal synthesis and their synergistic piezo‐related performance. The band gap (approximately 3.7 eV) and valence band (Ev) position (approximately 2.7 eV below the Fermi energy of Au [approximately −4.9 eV]) of the arrays were obtained using ultraviolet‐visible (UV‐Vis) spectrometry and UV photoelectron spectroscopy, respectively. An energy band diagram was obtained, revealing the favorable band positions of the samples for photodegradation and water splitting. Reliable and superior piezophotodegradation capability with a degradation rate constant of approximately 17.6 × 10−3 min−1 was also observed. Holes and •OH were predominant for the degradation mechanism, as determined by scavenger studies. Moreover, the samples exhibited favorable piezophotoelectrochemical (PPEC) performance, which was validated by the obtained applied bias photon‐to‐current efficiency. The stress‐induced photocurrent density observed in a PPEC reaction was more than twice that observed in a photoelectrochemical reaction. Both piezophotodegradation and PPEC reactions were attributable to the inhibition of electron‐hole pair recombination because of the excellent alignment of the nanowires, piezopotential buildup, and band bending of the ZnSnO3 nanowires. Our results indicate a positive effect of piezoelectricity on the piezo‐related applications of the sample.
Resilience in the face of adversity in adults with an intellectual disability: A literature review
Authors: Scheffers Femke , van Vugt Eveline , Moonen Xavier
Published: March 2020

Background

Persons with an intellectual disability are at a higher risk of experiencing adversities. The concept of resilience offers promising insights into facilitating personal growth after adversity. The current study aims at providing an overview of the current research on resilience and the way this can contribute to quality of life in people with intellectual disability.

Method

A literature review was conducted in the databases PsycINFO and Web of Science. To evaluate the quality of the studies, the Mixed Method Appraisal Tool (MMAT) was used.

Results

The themes, autonomy, self‐acceptance and physical health, were identified as internal sources of resilience. External sources of resilience can be found within the social network and daily activities.

Conclusion

The current overview shows promising results to address resilience in adults with intellectual disability. More research is needed to identify the full range of resiliency factors.
Latitudinal limit not a cold limit: Cold temperatures do not constrain an endangered tree species at its northern edge
Authors: Clason Alana J. , McIntire Eliot J. B. , Burton Philip J.
Published: March 2020

Aim

A strong influence of climate on species’ range is often assumed, and forms the basis for projecting many future range shifts with changing climate. Particularly at poleward latitudinal or elevational edges, abiotic conditions are thought to play a major role in limiting distributions. We estimated the roles of climate and landscape features in shaping habitat at the northern distributional edge of a critically threatened mountain tree species.

Location

British Columbia and Alberta, Canada.

Taxon

Pinus albicaulis (Engelm.)

Methods

We used a hierarchical Bayesian model (HBM) to combine multiple scales, sources, qualities and types of species data. We jointly examined the climate influence on occupancy across scales, and on juvenile and adult abundance to quantify habitat quality at two life history stages.

Results

We found that cold temperature was the strongest predictor of whitebark pine occurrence at regional scales, with colder areas being better (i.e. the sign was negative). Occupancy at local scales was best predicted by low growing degree‐days and declining precipitation as snow. These relationships with occupancy across scales indicate that suitable climatic and topographic habitats currently exist beyond the northern edge of whitebark pine's current range. We found high adult abundance was predicted in sunny, cool habitats with little climatic drought, whereas high juvenile densities were associated with higher precipitation as snow and more climatic drought.

Main conclusions

The negative relationship to temperature and the ample suitable habitats predicted to exist poleward of the current species’ range limit indicates whitebark pine is not limited by cold temperatures. We suggest that not all species’ ranges are cold limited at high latitudes or elevations. For whitebark pine this means warming temperatures may not directly result in a northern range expansion as a result of warming habitat.
Mitochondrial and mitochondrial‐independent pathways of myocardial cell death during ischaemia and reperfusion injury
Authors: Davidson Sean M. , Adameová Adriana , Barile Lucio , Cabrera‐Fuentes Hector Alejandro , Lazou Antigone , Pagliaro Pasquale , Stensløkken Kåre‐Olav , Garcia‐Dorado David ,   the EU‐CARDIOPROTECTION COST Action (CA16225)
Published: March 2020

Acute myocardial infarction causes lethal injury to cardiomyocytes during both ischaemia and reperfusion (IR). It is important to define the precise mechanisms by which they die in order to develop strategies to protect the heart from IR injury. Necrosis is known to play a major role in myocardial IR injury. There is also evidence for significant myocardial death by other pathways such as apoptosis, although this has been challenged. Mitochondria play a central role in both of these pathways of cell death, as either a causal mechanism is the case of mitochondrial permeability transition leading to necrosis, or as part of the signalling pathway in mitochondrial cytochrome c release and apoptosis. Autophagy may impact this process by removing dysfunctional proteins or even entire mitochondria through a process called mitophagy. More recently, roles for other programmed mechanisms of cell death such as necroptosis and pyroptosis have been described, and inhibitors of these pathways have been shown to be cardioprotective. In this review, we discuss both mitochondrial and mitochondrial‐independent pathways of the major modes of cell death, their role in IR injury and their potential to be targeted as part of a cardioprotective strategy. This article is part of a special Issue entitled ‘Mitochondria as targets of acute cardioprotection’ and emerged as part of the discussions of the European Union (EU)‐CARDIOPROTECTION Cooperation in Science and Technology (COST) Action, CA16225.
Measuring maximum oxygen uptake with an incremental swimming test and by chasing rainbow trout to exhaustion inside a respirometry chamber yields the same results
Authors: Zhang Yangfan , Gilbert Matthew J. H. , Farrell Anthony P.
Published: March 2020

This study hypothesized that oxygen uptake (ṀO2) measured with a novel protocol of chasing rainbow trout Oncorhynchus mykiss to exhaustion inside a static respirometer while simultaneously monitoring ṀO2 (ṀO2chase) would generate the same and repeatable peak value as when peak active ṀO2 (ṀO2active) is measured in a critical swimming speed protocol. To reliably determine peak ṀO2chase, and compare to the peak during recovery of ṀO2 after a conventional chase protocol outside the respirometer (ṀO2rec), this study applied an iterative algorithm and a minimum sampling window duration (i.e., 1 min based on an analysis of the variance in background and exercise ṀO2) to account for ṀO2 dynamics. In support of this hypothesis, peak ṀO2active (707 ± 33 mg O2 h−1 kg−1) and peak ṀO2chase (663 ± 43 mg O2 h−1 kg−1) were similar (P = 0.49) and repeatable (Pearson's and Spearman's correlation test; r ≥ 0.77; P < 0.05) when measured in the same fish. Therefore, estimates of ṀO2max can be independent of whether a fish is exhaustively chased inside a respirometer or swum to fatigue in a swim tunnel, provided ṀO2 is analysed with an iterative algorithm and a minimum but reliable sampling window. The importance of using this analytical approach was illustrated by peak ṀO2chase being 23% higher (P < 0.05) when compared with a conventional sequential interval regression analysis, whereas using the conventional chase protocol (1‐min window) outside the respirometer increased this difference to 31% (P < 0.01). Moreover, because peak ṀO2chase was 18% higher (P < 0.05) than peak ṀO2rec, chasing a fish inside a static respirometer may be a better protocol for obtaining maximum ṀO2.
The quality evaluation method of tilapia fillets stored at 3 and −2°C based on fractal dimension changes
Authors: Chen Zheng , Feng Aiguo
Published: March 2020

In this work, a correlation model of tilapia fillets quality evaluation was established by principal component analysis (PCA) based on fractal dimension change. The tilapia fillets were stored at 3 and −2°C, respectively, and the pH, color, electrical conductivity (EC), total volatile base nitrogen (TVB‐N), texture, and fractal dimension were periodically measured. A major component was extracted and it explained 82.726% of the total variance. Then the comprehensive quality score was calculated during the storage of the fillets. Three function correlation models including linear function, logarithmic function, and quadratic function were obtained by establishing the relationship between the comprehensive quality score of fillets and the fractal dimension. The determination coefficient R2 of quadratic function correlation model reached 0.841 and 0.962 under 3 and −2°C, respectively. This result indicated that the quality evaluation was accurate under low‐temperature storage conditions by quadratic function correlation model based on the change of fractal dimension.

Practical applications

The conventional quality evaluation methods of tilapia fillets are time‐consuming and cumbersome. This work used PCA to integrate many tilapia fillets quality indicators into a comprehensive quality indicator. Then a correlation function model was established between comprehensive quality indicator and fractal dimension. The quality of tilapia fillets would be evaluated by the change of fractal dimension in profile. The result showed that this method was simple and fast, and laid a foundation for the application of fractal dimension in tilapia processing and transportation.
Effect of weight loss induced by laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy on liver histology and serum adipokine levels
Authors: Salman Ahmed Abdallah , Sultan Ahmed Abd El Aal , Abdallah Ahmed , Abdelsalam Ahmed , Mikhail Hani Maurice Sabri , Tourky Mohamed , Omar Mahmoud Gouda , Youssef Ahmed , Ahmed Reham Abdelghany , Elkassar Hesham , Seif El Nasr Sayed M , Shaaban Hossam El‐Din , Atallah Mohamed , GabAllah Ghada M K , Salman Mohamed Abdalla
Published: March 2020

Background & Aim

Bariatric surgery is a valid treatment option for persons with non‐alcoholic fatty liver disease. This study prospectively examined the impact of laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (LSG) on liver histopathology, and blood levels of adiponectin, leptin, resistin, and pre‐B cell enhancing factor/Nampt/visfatin.

Patients & Methods

In 81 patients with non‐alcoholic fatty liver disease who underwent LSG, paired liver biopsies and blood specimens were obtained before and 18 months after LSG. Differences between preoperative and 18 months postoperative data were tested by paired Student's t‐test or Wilcoxon rank test as appropriate.

Results

At follow up, there was a significant improvement in biochemical markers for glucose homeostasis, including fasting glucose, HbA1c, insulin levels, and homeostatic model assessment index. Postoperative liver function tests, namely serum alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, and gamma‐glutamyl transpeptidase level, showed a significant improvement compared to before weight loss. The number of patients who had definite, borderline, or no non‐alcoholic steatohepatitis was 43 (53%), 27 (33%), and 11 (14%), respectively, at baseline, and 9 (11%), 32 (40%), and 40 (49%) at 18‐month post‐surgery follow up. A significant reduction in steatosis, liver fibrosis, lobular inflammation, and hepatocyte ballooning was observed in the postoperative biopsies (P < 0.001 each). In addition, at the follow‐up assessment, there was a significant increase in serum adiponectin levels and significant decline in serum levels of leptin, resisitin, and pre‐B cell enhancing factor/Nampt/visfatin.

Conclusion

Weight loss after sleeve gastrectomy was associated with a significant improvement in several metabolic parameters, liver enzyme levels, liver histopathology, and changes in serum adipokine levels towards antidiabetic and anti‐inflammatory profiles.
Taste masking of water-soluble drug by solid lipid microspheres: a child-friendly system established by reversed lipid-based nanoparticle technique
Authors: Zhang Yadan , Shen Liao , Wang Tao , Li Haiyan , Huang Ri , Zhang Zhen , Wang Yongan , Quan Dongqin
Published: March 2020

Objectives

A child-friendly taste-masking strategy using solid lipid microsphere (SLM) has been proposed to obscure the undesirable taste of some water-soluble drugs. In this study, the reversed lipid-based nanoparticle (RLBN) technique was used to encapsulate a water-soluble drug to facilitate the preparation of SLM.

Methods

The model drug used was atomoxetine hydrochloride (ATX), and a three-step method was used to prepare ATX-RLBN. Taste-masking microsphere (ATX-RLBN-SLM) was prepared by the spray chilling method. The drug release mechanism was studied by high-performance liquid chromatography and scanning electron microscopy. Moreover, in vitro taste evaluation method was established and ATX bioavailability was investigated employing pharmacokinetic studies.

Key findings

The obtained ATX-RLBN-SLM had smooth spherical particles with a size of about 80 μm. The drug encapsulation and loading efficiencies were 98.28% ± 0.59% and 0.89% ± 0.04%, respectively. In vitro drug release studies showed that nearly 96% drug was retained in the microspheres within 10 min at pH 6.8 and a complete release was triggered by lipase, accompanied by variation in the morphology. Taste assessment revealed that ATX-RLBN-SLM could efficiently mask the bitter taste and improved the bioavailability of ATX.

Conclusions

Atomoxetine hydrochloride-reversed lipid-based nanoparticle-solid lipid microsphere exhibited excellent taste-masking effect with negligible leakage in the oral cavity environment and thorough collapse upon lipase stimulation, simultaneously enhancing the bioavailability of ATX. The study paves a new way to efficiently mask the undesirable taste of some water-soluble drugs.
Theorizing Supply Chains with Qualitative Big Data and Topic Modeling
Authors: Bansal Pratima (Tima) , Gualandris Jury , Kim Nahyun
Published: March 2020

The availability of Big Data has opened up opportunities to study supply chains. Whereas most scholars look to quantitative Big Data to build theoretical insights, in this paper we illustrate the value of qualitative Big Data. We begin by describing the nature and properties of qualitative Big Data. Then, we explain how one specific method, topic modeling, is particularly useful in theorizing supply chains. Topic modeling identifies co‐occurring words in qualitative Big Data, which can reveal new constructs that are difficult to see in such volume of data. Analyzing the relationships among constructs or their descriptive content can help to understand and explain how supply chains emerge, function, and adapt over time. As topic modeling has not yet been used to theorize supply chains, we illustrate the use of this method and its relevance for future research by unpacking two papers published in organizational theory journals.
Soil water availability shapes species richness in mid‐latitude shrub steppe plant communities
Authors: Jordan Samuel E. , Palmquist Kyle A. , Bradford John B. , Lauenroth William K.
Published: March 2020

Questions

Ecological communities are controlled by multiple, interacting abiotic and biotic factors that influence the distribution, abundance, and diversity of species. These processes jointly determine resource availability, resource competition, and ultimately species richness. For many terrestrial ecosystems in dryland climates, soil water availability is the most frequent limiting resource for plant species. We used field sampling coupled with process‐based soil water balance modeling to explore the relative importance of multiple macroclimatic, ecohydrological, and biotic variables on plant species and functional type richness at the landscape scale in dryland plant communities.

Location

Dryland plant communities dominated by big sagebrush (Artemisia tridentata) that span climatic and elevational gradients in Wyoming, USA.

Methods

We quantified species richness at 1,000 m2 and used multiple regression to determine whether mean climatic conditions, multiple metrics of soil moisture from a soil water balance model (SOILWAT2), soil physical and chemical properties, and shrub stand structure (biotic) variables were related to species and functional type richness.

Results

Species richness varied between 16 and 54 across sites. We found that species and functional type richness were related to both macroclimate and ecohydrology, but ecohydrology explained slightly more variation than climate. Biotic variables were always secondary to macroclimate and ecohydrology in our models. Variance partitioning revealed that large portions of variability in species (~54%), forb (~47%), and grass (~40%) richness were explained by ecohydrological variables.

Conclusions

Our results highlight the importance of the spatial and temporal distribution of soil water for dryland plant species richness and suggest that documenting the ways in which climate, vegetation, and soil properties interact to determine soil water availability is critical for understanding biodiversity patterns in dryland plant communities. This work has relevance for other mid‐latitude, shrub‐dominated dryland plant communities where soil water availability strongly influences ecosystem structure and function.
Feeling the right way: Normative influences on people's use of emotion concepts
Authors: Díaz Rodrigo , Reuter Kevin
Published: March 2020

It is generally assumed that emotion concepts are purely descriptive. However, recent investigations suggest that the concept of happiness includes information about the morality of the agent's life. In this study, we argue that normative influences on emotion concepts are not restricted to happiness and are not about moral norms. In a series of studies, we show that emotion attribution is influenced by whether the agent's psychological and bodily states fit the situation in which they are experienced. People consider that emotions are not just about feeling in certain ways, but also about feeling therightway.
Functional analyses of small secreted cysteine‐rich proteins identified candidate effectors in Verticillium dahliae
Authors: Wang Dan , Tian Li , Zhang Dan‐Dan , Song Jian , Song Shuang‐Shuang , Yin Chun‐Mei , Zhou Lei , Liu Yan , Wang Bao‐Li , Kong Zhi‐Qiang , Klosterman Steven J. , Li Jun‐Jiao , Wang Jie , Li Ting‐Gang , Adamu Sabiu , Subbarao Krishna V. , Chen Jie‐Yin , Dai Xiao‐Feng
Published: March 2020

Secreted small cysteine‐rich proteins (SCPs) play a critical role in modulating host immunity in plant–pathogen interactions. Bioinformatic analyses showed that the fungal pathogen Verticillium dahliae encodes more than 100 VdSCPs, but their roles in host–pathogen interactions have not been fully characterized. Transient expression of 123 VdSCP‐encoding genes in Nicotiana benthamiana identified three candidate genes involved in host–pathogen interactions. The expression of these three proteins, VdSCP27, VdSCP113, and VdSCP126, in N. benthamiana resulted in cell death accompanied by a reactive oxygen species burst, callose deposition, and induction of defence genes. The three VdSCPs mainly localized to the periphery of the cell. BAK1 and SOBIR1 (associated with receptor‐like protein) were required for the immunity triggered by these three VdSCPs in N. benthamiana. Site‐directed mutagenesis showed that cysteine residues that form disulphide bonds are essential for the functioning of VdSCP126, but not VdSCP27 and VdSCP113. VdSCP27, VdSCP113, and VdSCP126 individually are not essential for V. dahliae infection of N. benthamiana and Gossypium hirsutum, although there was a significant reduction of virulence on N. benthamiana and G. hirsutum when inoculated with the VdSCP27/VdSCP126 double deletion strain. These results illustrate that the SCPs play a critical role in the V. dahliae–plant interaction via an intrinsic virulence function and suppress immunity following infection.
Factors influencing eHealth literacy among Korean nursing students: A cross‐sectional study
Authors: Kim Sisook , Jeon Jaehee
Published: March 2020

Successful online learning depends on the supported learner's attitude, motivation, and self‐efficacy, along with their ability to use the flexibility and convenience of digital technology. As information and communications technology is introduced in healthcare, eHealth literacy (eHL) is becoming increasingly essential in nursing education. This study aimed to identify the eHL levels and the factors affecting eHL among nursing students. A survey was conducted among 205 nursing students from two colleges in Korea. The collected data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, and the factors associated with the eHL of nursing students were examined using multiple regression analysis. The eHL of nursing students, measured using the eHealth literacy scale, was found to be higher than in previous studies. Factors affecting eHL of nursing students were academic level, digital literacy toward information and communications technology for learning, and self‐efficacy for online education. These factors accounted for 38.8% of the variability in eHL among nursing students. In order to improve the eHL of nursing students, nursing education should consider a multidimensional approach toward developing digital literacy and self‐efficacy among them.
‘The Problem of the Color Line’: Faculty approaches to teaching Social Justice in Baccalaureate Nursing Programs
Authors: Valderama‐Wallace Claire Paulino , Apesoa‐Varano Ester Carolina
Published: March 2020

Social justice is put forth as a core professional nursing value, although conceptualizations within foundational documents and among nurse educators remain inconsistent and contradictory. The purpose of this study was to explore how faculty teach social justice in theory courses in Baccalaureate programs. This qualitative study utilized constructivist grounded theory methods to examine processes informing participants' teaching. Participants utilize four overarching approaches: fostering engaging classroom climates, utilizing various naming strategies, framing diversity and culture as social justice, and role modeling a critical stance. They deploy specific strategies, varying largely by race, educational background, and nursing specialty. A background in social sciences supports pedagogy that interrogates health inequities rather than merely raising awareness about disparities. Findings also reveal that faculty of color navigate institutional structures predicated upon colorblind racism and problematic views of culture, which many white faculty teaching non‐Community Health Nursing courses described doing. To enact social justice and be answerable to our communities, concerted anti‐oppression efforts are needed across education, research, practice, and policy. This includes sustained commitment to address colonialism and whiteness in every institution that defines, promotes, and claims to advance nursing so that we can fulfill our responsibility to address unjust systems and structures to serve our communities.
Normative values for gastric motility assessed with the 3D‐transit electromagnetic tracking system
Authors: Sutter Nanna , Klinge Mette Winther , Mark Esben Bolvig , Nandhra Gursharan , Haase Anne‐Mette , Poulsen Jakob , Knudsen Karoline , Borghammer Per , Schlageter Vincent , Birch Malcolm , Scott S. Mark , Drewes Asbjørn Mohr , Krogh Klaus
Published: March 2020

Background

The Motilis 3D‐Transit system allows ambulatory description of transit patterns throughout the gastrointestinal tract and offers an alternative method for studying gastric motility. We aimed to establish normative values for gastric motility assessed with the method.

Method

A total of 132 healthy volunteers ingested the 3D‐Transit capsule for assessment of gastrointestinal transit times. Recordings from 125 subjects were used for definition of normative values. Forty‐six subjects were studied on two consecutive days. Recordings were reanalyzed using newly developed software providing information on gastric emptying (GE) as well as contraction frequency and movement during gastric contractions.

Results

The median GE time was 2.7 hours (range 0.1‐21.2). In 89% of subjects, the capsule passed the pylorus within a postingestion period of 6 hours. The median frequency of gastric contractions was 3.1 per minute (range 2.6‐3.8). The frequency was higher in women (3.2, range 2.7‐3.8) than in men (3.0, range 2.6‐3.5) and increased with age (0.004 per year) (P < .05). The median amplitudes were 35° (range 4‐85) when based on rotation of the capsule and 11 mm (range 6‐31) when based on capsule change in position. The rotation amplitude was higher in women and decreased with increasing BMI (P < .05). The position amplitude was also higher in women and increased with the amount of calories in the test meal, but decreased with increasing BMI and age (P < .05). Day‐to‐day variation (P > .05) was considerable while inter‐rater variability was small.

Conclusion and Inferences

We have established normative values for gastric motility assessed with the 3D‐Transit system.
Intentions, Intending, and Belief: Noninferential Weak Cognitivism
Authors: Clark Philip
Published: March 2020

Cognitivists about intention hold that intending to do something entails believing you will do it. Noncognitivists hold that intentions are conative states with no cognitive component. I argue that both of these claims are true. Intending entails the presence of a belief, even though the intention is not even partly the belief. The result is a form of what Sarah Paul calls noninferential weak cognitivism, a view that, as she notes, has no prominent defenders.
Reconceptualizing Measurement of Emergency Contraceptive Use: Comparison of Approaches to Estimate the Use of Emergency Contraception
Authors: Larson Elizabeth , Morzenti Antonia , Guiella Georges , Gichangi Peter , Makumbi Fredrick , Choi Yoonjoung
Published: March 2020

Estimated use of emergency contraception (EC) remains low, and one reason is measurement challenges. The study aims to compare EC use estimates using five approaches. Data come from Performance Monitoring and Accountability 2020 surveys from 10 countries, representative sample surveys of women aged 15 to 49 years. We explore EC use employing the five definitions and calculate absolute differences between a reference definition (percentage of women currently using EC as the most effective method) and each of the subsequent four, including the most inclusive (percentage of women having used EC in the past year). Across the 17 geographies, estimated use varies greatly by definition and EC use employing the most inclusive definition is statistically significantly higher than the reference estimate. Impact of using various definitions is most pronounced among unmarried sexually active women. The conventional definition of EC use likely underestimates the magnitude of EC use, which has unique programmatic implications.
Lung function and oxygen saturation after participation in Norseman Xtreme Triathlon
Authors: Stensrud Trine , Rossvoll Øyvind , Mathiassen Maria , Melau Jørgen , Illidi Camilla , Østgaard Hege N. , Hisdal Jonny , Stang Julie
Published: March 2020

Objectives

To examine evidence of exercise‐induced bronchoconstriction (EIB) defined as ≥10% reduction in forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1) and exercise‐induced arterial hypoxemia (EIAH) defined as ≥4% reduction in oxygen saturation (SpO2) from before to after participation in the Norseman Xtreme Triathlon. Secondarily, to assess whether changes in FEV1 and SpO2 are related to respiratory symptoms, training volume, and race time.

Methods

In this quasi‐experimental non‐controlled study, we included 63 triathletes (50♂/13♀) aged 40.3 (±9.0) years (mean ± SD). Fifty‐seven (46♂/11♀) measured lung function and 54 (44♂/10♀) measured SpO2 before the race, 8‐10 minutes after the race (post‐test 1) and the day after the race (post‐test 2). Respiratory symptoms and training volume were recorded with modified AQUA questionnaire. ANOVA for repeated measures was used to detect differences in lung function and SpO2. Statistical significance was accepted at 0.05 level.

Results

Twenty‐six participants (46%) presented with EIB at post‐test 1 and 16 (28%) at post‐test 2. Lung function variables were significantly reduced from baseline to post‐test 1 and 2. Thirty‐five participants (65%) showed evidence of mild to moderate EIAH. No significant correlations were observed except a weak correlation between maximal reduction in FEV1 and respiratory symptoms (r = 0.35, P = .016).

Conclusion

Our results demonstrated that 46% of the participants presented with EIB and 65% showed evidence of EIAH after the Norseman Xtreme Triathlon. Changes in FEV1 and SpO2 were not correlated to weekly training hours or race time. We observed a weak correlation between maximal reduction in FEV1 and respiratory symptoms.
“Not Your Average Nerd”: Masculinities, Privilege, and Academic Effort at an Elite University
Authors: Gruys Kjerstin , Munsch Christin L.
Published: March 2020

Research on hybrid masculinity shows that privileged men incorporate aspects of subordinated and/or marginalized masculinities into their gender performances, contributing to the persistence of hegemonic masculinity. This scholarship has centered on white, straight, cisgender, class‐privileged men. Yet, it is reasonable to imagine that not all privileged men enact hybrid masculinities and that at least some less‐privileged men engage in hybrid identity work. Here, we draw on 24 interviews with a diverse group of men attending an elite university, examining their beliefs about contemporary masculinity in relation to academic pursuits. Generally, race‐ and class‐privileged respondents rejected academic effort as unmanly while less‐privileged men unapologetically committed themselves to their academic endeavors. Exceptions to these patterns—privileged men who embraced academic effort and less‐privileged men who rejected it—revealed hybrid identity work attempted by both groups. However, only privileged men were able to successfully hybridize their masculine identities, while less‐privileged men were left straddling competing cultural imperatives without clearly accomplishing either. We discuss the implications of these findings for both individual men and for larger patterns of inequality and offer new theoretical insights regarding how race‐ and class privilege shape men's performances of hegemonic, complicit subordinated, marginalized, and hybrid masculinities.
Prehospital blunt traumatic arrest resuscitation augmented by whole blood: a case report
Authors: Mapp Julian G. , Manifold Craig A. , Garcia Alberto M. , Aguilar Jason L. , Stringfellow Michael L. , Winckler Christopher J.
Published: March 2020

BACKGROUND

Prehospital hemorrhagic shock accounts for approximately 25,000 civilian deaths annually in the United States. A balanced, blood‐based resuscitation strategy is hypothesized to be the optimal treatment for these patients. Due to logistical constraints, delivering a balanced, blood‐based resuscitation is difficult in the prehospital setting. A low titer O+ whole blood (LTO+WB) ground ambulance initiative, may help alleviate this capability gap.

CASE REPORT

A 37‐year‐old female was involved in a motor vehicle collision at approximately 16:30. While she was trapped inside the vehicle, her mental status deteriorated. The patient was successfully extricated at 17:04 and found to be in cardiac arrest. The paramedics and firefighters quickly secured her airway and applied a mechanical CPR device. The first responder team obtained return of spontaneous circulation, but the patientʼs blood pressure was 43/27 mmHg. The paramedics transfused one unit of LTO+WB. Twenty‐one minutes after the initial LTO+WB transfusion, the air ambulance team transfused a second unit of LTO+WB. Upon hospital arrival, the transfusion was completed, and the patientʼs shock index improved to 1.0. The trauma team identified a grade 5 splenic injury with active extravasation. Interventional radiology performed an angiogram and successfully embolized the tertiary branches of the inferior splenic pole. She was extubated on postinjury Day one and discharged to her home neurologically intact on postinjury Day 12.

CONCLUSION

The prehospital availability of LTO+WB may enhance the resuscitation of critically ill trauma patients.
Setup error with and without image guidance using two canine intracranial positioning systems for radiation therapy
Authors: Morimoto Celina Y. , Mayer Monique N. , Sidhu Narinder , Bloomfield Rachel , Waldner Cheryl L.
Published: March 2020

Daily image guidance reduces inter‐fractional variation in patient position for intracranial radiation therapy. However, the ability to detect and correct positioning errors is limited below a certain level. Because of these limitations, the accuracy achieved with a positioning system prior to image guidance may affect the error remaining after image guidance (the residual setup error). The objective of this study was to compare the setup accuracy achieved before and after megavoltage (MV) and cone‐beam computed tomography (CBCT) guidance between two intracranial positioning systems. Equipment included a four degrees‐of‐freedom couch capable of 1 mm translational moves. Six dog cadavers were positioned 24 times as for clinical treatment in a head re‐positioner (HPS), and the coordinates of five fiducial markers were measured before and after image‐guided correction. The values obtained for the HPS were compared with those previously reported for the standard positioning system (SPS) used at this facility. The mean three‐dimensional distance vector (3DDV) was lower for the HPS than for the SPS when no image guidance was used (P = .019). The mean 3DDV after MV guidance was lower for the HPS than for the SPS (P = .027), but not different after CBCT guidance (P = .231). The 95th percentiles of the 3DDV after MV and CBCT guidance were 2.1 and 2.9 mm, respectively, for the HPS, and 2.8 and 3.6 mm for the SPS. The setup error after MV guidance was lower for the positioning system that achieved a more accurate patient position before image guidance.
Tn and Sialyl‐Tn antigens in canine gastric tissues
Authors: Flores Ana R. , Lemos Isabel , Rema Alexandra , Taulescu Marian , Seixas Fernanda , Reis Celso A. , Gärtner Fátima. , Amorim Irina
Published: March 2020

Malignant transformation is often associated with abnormal protein glycosylation expressed, amongst others, by the accumulation of simple mucin‐type carbohydrates namely Tn and Sialyl‐Tn (STn) antigens. These are usually limited in normal tissues and their increased expression has been associated with cancer progression and poor prognosis. This study aims to evaluate the role of Tn and STn antigens in the neoplastic transformation of the canine gastric mucosa and to correlate their putative immunoexpression alterations with some pathological features. Tn and STn antigens expression were immunohistochemically evaluated in canine normal gastric mucosa (n = 3), gastric polyps (n = 9) and gastric carcinomas (n = 25), neoplastic emboli (n = 12) and metastases (n = 8). In normal gastric mucosa, Tn antigen was detected in the gastric epithelial cells, while STn antigen was absent. Similarly, all gastric polyps expressed Tn antigen, but none displayed STn antigen immunostaining. In carcinomas, Tn antigen was expressed in 96% of the cases and STn antigen in 68% of the neoplasms. STn antigen was significantly higher in carcinomas compared with normal mucosa (P < .05). No correlation was found between each antigen and the different subtypes of tumours according to WHO classification, tumour differentiation, lymph vascular invasion or metastasis. All neoplastic emboli expressed both antigens, and the expression score was similar or higher than that displayed by the neoplastic cells of the primary tumour. The high prevalence of STn antigen in gastric carcinomas compared with normal mucosa highlights the cancer‐associated nature of this antigen. Our results link STn antigen expression to neoplastic transformation and suggest that it may be a useful marker of gastric cancer progression in dogs.
Foliar lifespan, phenology and seasonal dynamics of the invasive shrub Schinus terebinthifolia
Authors: Hogg Brian N. , Stokes Keith , Rayamajhi Min B. , Geiger John , Pratt Paul D.
Published: March 2020

Schinus terebinthifolia is a dioecious tree native to South America that has become an invasive weed in Florida, southern California, southern Arizona, Texas and Hawaii and has been naturalised in over 20 countries. Biological control is considered a viable long‐term control option for S. terebinthifolia because release from natural enemies appears to be at least partly responsible for its success in Florida. We examined leaf phenology of S. terebinthifolia over a period of 15 months at five sites in central and southern Florida to provide information that may help in predicting the impacts of potential biocontrol agents for this weed. We documented leaf lifespan, the seasonality of leaf development and abscission and the survivorship of leaves that emerged during either spring, summer or autumn. Average leaf lifespan was >4.5 months at all sites, and leaf phenology followed the seasons closely. Although S. terebinthifolia possesses leaves throughout the year, leaf production was greatest from April to September, and most leaves were abscised in February and March. Spring‐ and summer‐emerging leaves were also longer‐lived than leaves produced during autumn. These results suggest that leaves of S. terebinthifolia would be most vulnerable to herbivory during the spring and summer months when newly growing leaf tissue is most plentiful. Biocontrol agents capable of damaging these tissues during spring/summer might be an effective means of controlling this invasive weed.
The Permanent Magnet Synchronous Motor Sensorless Control of Electric Power Steering Based on Iterative Fifth-Order Cubature Kalman Filter
Authors: Rongyun Zhang , Changfu Gong , Peicheng Shi , Linfeng Zhao , Changsheng Zheng , Chen Wang
Published: March 2020

A discrete mathematical model of a permanent magnet synchronous motor (PMSM) is established, then the fifth-order cubature Kalman filter (CKF) algorithm is introduced. A Gauss–Newton iterative method is introduced into the iterative process of the fifth-order CKF algorithm to generate the innovation variance and covariance. Therefore, an iterative fifth-order CKF algorithm is proposed as the basis of a PMSM sensorless control is implemented. Then, a PMSM sensorless control based on the iterative fifth-order CKF algorithm is applied to an electric power steering (EPS) system, whose control system is constructed by adopting the typical assist and return control strategy. Finally, to verify the performance of the proposed PMSM sensorless control method, the EPS system model of the PMSM sensorless control is built by using the common phase-locked loop (PLL), the CKF algorithm, the fifth-order CKF algorithm, and the proposed iterative fifth-order CKF algorithm. The simulation analyses and the experimental tests show that the proposed iterative fifth-order CKF algorithm can estimate the PMSM speed with good accuracy and has a strong resistance to disturbances in the load and speed. The assist and return performances of the EPS system are also improved.
A Pilot Study to Detect Balance Impairment in Older Adults Using an Instrumented One-Leg Stance Test
Authors: Bassement Jennifer N. C. , Shukla Brajesh K. , Yadav Sandeep K. , Vijay Vivek , Mathur Arvind , Hewson David J.
Published: March 2020

The aim of this study was to investigate whether parameters from an instrumented one-leg stance (OLS) on a force plate could provide relevant information related to fall risk in older people. Forty-two community dwelling older people including 17 fallers and 25 nonfallers, and 25 young subjects performed a OLS while standing on a force plate, with parameters related to transferring weight onto one leg and postural sway in singe-leg stance evaluated. No differences were observed between older fallers and nonfallers and the younger participants for any of the weight transfer parameters. The younger participants were able to reduce their postural sway during the OLS test after the first 0–2 s period, unlike older participants who swayed the same amount throughout the test. The older fallers swayed significantly more than both nonfallers and younger participants throughout the 10-s of OLS evaluated. When the tests were used to classify older participants as fallers, the instrumented OLS achieved 100% accuracy, compared to 69.0% classification accuracy for the five times sit-to-stand test, 61.9% for the standard OLS, and 47.6% for the timed-up-and-go test. These findings suggest that the standard OLS test might not be suitable to detect fall risk. In contrast, an instrumented version of the OLS could provide valuable additional information that could identify older fallers. Future work will include a prospective study of the instrumented OLS in a larger population of older people.