bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Effects of levosimendan in heart failure: The role of echocardiography
Authors: Cameli Matteo , Incampo Eufemia , Navarri Romina , Mandoli Giulia Elena , Sciaccaluga Carlotta , Righini Francesca Maria , Palmerini Elisabetta , Sisti Nicolò , Mondillo Sergio , Lunghetti Stefano
Published: July 2019

Heart failure (HF) represents a deadly epidemic that nowadays affects more than 2% of the general population, representing a major public health concern that implies a high economic burden for the health system. Levosimendan in HF patients is usually used for its inotropic and vasodilator effects that act without myocardial oxygen consumption, differently from other inotropic drugs. The symptoms and hemodynamic profile improve together with the myocardial function, and this can be demonstrated by an echocardiographic examination. Currently, the available data about the effects of levosimendan assessed by echocardiography are still lacking. This review discusses the role of echocardiography in the evaluation of therapeutic effects of levosimendan in HF.
Left atrial dissection: A rare entity
Authors: Suraci Nicholas , Mihos Christos G. , Volsky Alexander , Santana Orlando
Published: July 2019

Left atrial wall dissection is uncommon. We present this rarity with transesophageal echocardiography in a 71‐year‐old female diagnosed with infective endocarditis three months following mitral valve repair, which along with the surgical intervention, may have contributed to the dissection.
Perch selection in Sympetrum species (Odonata: Libellulidae): importance of vegetation structure and composition
Authors: Hykel Michal , Růžičková Jana , Dolný Aleš
Published: July 2019

1. Perching dragonflies are closely associated with the physical structure of vegetation because adults utilise plants when foraging, thermoregulating, and mate‐seeking. However, little attention has been given to which structural attribute of vegetation is playing a key role within foraging habitat use.

2. This study focused on the influence of different features of perches on their selection by adult dragonflies. As a model group, a typical percher behavioural guild of Sympetrum was used and experimental plots with artificial perches and different structural properties were established.

3. It was found that adults preferred perch sticks with a wider diameter and larger spacing. It is assumed that these perching sites are advantageous because their base is more stable, they provide the best view for successful foraging, and there is no interference among individuals.

4. This study also revealed significant differences between male and female preferences. Females used less structured vegetation formed by thin perches in high densities. It is suggested that female discrimination is influenced by the higher competitiveness of males, which is related to their agonistic behaviour.

5. These results suggest that the availability of perches in the foraging habitat might be an essential requirement for adults. However, within the terrestrial surroundings of breeding sites, the structure of vegetation providing conditions for perching may be associated only with certain habitats. In intensive landscapes, physically structured vegetation can be limited or completely absent.
Flowers respond to pollinator sound within minutes by increasing nectar sugar concentration
Authors: Veits Marine , Khait Itzhak , Obolski Uri , Zinger Eyal , Boonman Arjan , Goldshtein Aya , Saban Kfir , Seltzer Rya , Ben‐Dor Udi , Estlein Paz , Kabat Areej , Peretz Dor , Ratzersdorfer Ittai , Krylov Slava , Chamovitz Daniel , Sapir Yuval , Yovel Yossi , Hadany Lilach
Published: July 2019

Can plants sense natural airborne sounds and respond to them rapidly? We show that Oenothera drummondii flowers, exposed to playback sound of a flying bee or to synthetic sound signals at similar frequencies, produce sweeter nectar within 3 min, potentially increasing the chances of cross pollination. We found that the flowers vibrated mechanically in response to these sounds, suggesting a plausible mechanism where the flower serves as an auditory sensory organ. Both the vibration and the nectar response were frequency‐specific: the flowers responded and vibrated to pollinator sounds, but not to higher frequency sound. Our results document for the first time that plants can rapidly respond to pollinator sounds in an ecologically relevant way. Potential implications include plant resource allocation, the evolution of flower shape and the evolution of pollinators sound. Finally, our results suggest that plants may be affected by other sounds as well, including anthropogenic ones.
Bone and connective tissue disorders caused by defects in glycosaminoglycan biosynthesis: a panoramic view
Authors: Paganini Chiara , Costantini Rossella , Superti‐Furga Andrea , Rossi Antonio
Published: July 2019

Glycosaminoglycans (GAGs) are a heterogeneous family of linear polysaccharides that constitute the carbohydrate moiety covalently attached to the protein core of proteoglycans, macromolecules present on the cell surface and in the extracellular matrix. Several genetic disorders of bone and connective tissue are caused by mutations in genes encoding for glycosyltransferases, sulfotransferases and transporters that are responsible for the synthesis of sulfatedGAGs. Phenotypically, these disorders all reflect alterations in crucial biological functions ofGAGs in the development, growth and homoeostasis of cartilage and bone. To date, up to 27 different skeletal phenotypes have been linked to mutations in 23 genes encoding for proteins involved inGAGbiosynthesis. This review focuses on recent genetic, molecular and biochemical studies of bone and connective tissue disorders caused byGAGsynthesis defects. These insights and future research in the field will provide a deeper understanding of the molecular pathogenesis of these disorders and will pave the way for developing common therapeutic strategies that might be targeted to a range of individual phenotypes.
Largemouth bass use prior experience, but not information from experienced conspecifics, to avoid capture by anglers
Authors: Louison Michael J. , Suski Cory D. , Stein Jeffrey A.
Published: July 2019

Angler satisfaction is based on the presence of catchable fish, and therefore, understanding the mechanisms driving catchability is important for fisheries biologists and managers. Lure avoidance learning (including via social learning) may be a driver of catchability, but these mechanisms have not been explored in depth. To address this, largemouth bass, Micropterus salmoides (Lacépède), were stocked into four ponds, and two were angled using a green plastic worm. Naïve bass were then introduced into all ponds, and angling commenced using a sequence of three lures (green plastic worm, white plastic worm and in‐line spinnerbait). Naive bass stocked alongside experienced conspecifics were not less catchable, indicating socially learned lure avoidance did not take place. Catch rates declined across sessions until the switch to the spinnerbait, when rates temporarily spiked. This suggests that the similarity of a novel lure to previously experienced lures may determine if a fish avoids angling capture.
Social behavior and aging: A fly model
Authors: Brenman‐Suttner Dova B. , Yost Ryley T. , Frame Ariel K. , Robinson J. Wesley , Moehring Amanda J. , Simon Anne F.
Published: July 2019

The field of behavioral genetics has recently begun to explore the effect of age on social behaviors. Such studies are particularly important, as certain neuropsychiatric disorders with abnormal social interactions, like autism and schizophrenia, have been linked to older parents. Appropriate social interaction can also have a positive impact on longevity, and is associated with successful aging in humans. Currently, there are few genetic models for understanding the effect of aging on social behavior and its potential transgenerational inheritance. The fly is emerging as a powerful model for identifying the basic molecular mechanisms underlying neurological and neuropsychiatric disorders. In this review, we discuss these recent advancements, with a focus on how studies in Drosophila melanogaster have provided insight into the effect of aging on aspects of social behavior, including across generations.
Problematising social mobility in relation to Higher Education policy
Authors: Elwick Alex
Published: July 2019

This paper problematises the concept of social mobility through an exploration of it in relation to Higher Education policy in England. Based upon a content analysis of a number of key policy documents from distinct eras, it identifies definitions and understandings of social mobility within them, exploring how such references have changed over time, and critiquing the differences between the imagined ideals of what policy rhetoric seeks to do and the reality of policy implementation. In particular, it considers the characterisation of social mobility as an individualised concern; it positions aspirations of improving social mobility within the market of Higher Education; and it ultimately asks whether Higher Education can solve the government's social mobility problem.
Organizational commitment and job performance: Examining the moderating roles of occupational commitment and transformational leadership
Authors: Sungu Lincoln Jisuvei , Weng Qingxiong (Derek) , Xu Xiaohong
Published: July 2019

To address why the relationship between affective organizational commitment and job performance varies, we draw on the theorization of Meyer, Becker, and Vandenberghe to propose moderation of affective occupational commitment and transformational leadership, separately and interactively. Data collected from 398 employees and their supervisors supported our hypotheses. Specifically, affective organizational commitment was more strongly associated with job performance for employees with high occupational commitment, or when a supervisor's transformational leadership was high. Importantly, in a moderated mediation relationship, we found the effect of transformational leadership on the relationship between affective organizational commitment and job performance for employees with high occupational commitment was contrary to its effect on employees with low occupational commitment. Given the significant roles of both commitments as discussed in the present study, we offer suggestions on how to consider these factors during the assessment and selection of personnel and role assignment.
Development and validation of a paternalism and autonomist care assessment
Authors: Fernández‐Ballesteros Rocío , Sánchez‐Izquierdo Macarena , Olmos Ricardo , Huici Carmen , Caprara María Giovanna , Santacreu Marta , Ribera Casado José Manuel , Cruz‐Jentoft Alfonso
Published: July 2019

Aim

There is a need for a validated instrument to measure the type of care (paternalism or person‐centred) provided for older adults. Since paternalism and person‐centred care are the most important caregiving styles in the field of care and as they are usually opposed, the study aims to develop and establish psychometrics data of an instrument to identify paternalistic and autonomist behaviours in older adults care contexts, which can help to enhance care practice.

Design

Instrument development.

Methods

After observing and standardizing behaviours in formal care contexts in 2016, an instrument was developed and proceeding to a first validation using standard validation techniques among caregivers in two care settings during 2016–2017: senior citizen centres and older adult day care centres.

Results

The Paternalist/Autonomist Care Assessment (PACA) is a 30‐item, behaviour‐based instrument which measures both the appraisal of caregivers on elements of care (Care Appraisal Scale‐ PACA‐Appraisal) and the occurrence of behaviours (Occurrence of Care in Context‐ PACA‐Occurrence). The Paternalist/Autonomist Care Assessment (PACA) was validated in 160 professional caregivers and was able to discriminate two factors: paternalistic or overprotective behaviours and autonomist behaviours. However, these factors were not fully dichotomous and were shown to coexist to some degree.

Conclusion

The instrument displayed good psychometric properties to measure paternalism and autonomy in older adult care. Moreover, it showed that the two types of care are not antagonistic and can coexist, with overprotective behaviours being more frequent in contexts of care for more dependent persons.

Impact

There are no validated instruments to measure paternalism and person‐centred behaviour in care contexts. The two measures yielded by the PACA show good construct and concurrent empirical validity, internal consistency, and convergent and discriminant validity. Family caregiver, professional caregivers, nurses, older adults.
M‐PRESS‐CreditRisk: Microprudential and Macroprudential Capital Requirements for Credit Risk under Systemic Stress
Authors: TENTE NATALIA , WESTERNHAGEN NATALJA VON , SLOPEK ULF
Published: July 2019

M‐PRESS‐CreditRisk is a novel stress testing approach that can help authorities gauge banks' capital adequacy related to credit risk. For the first time, it combines the assessment of microprudential capital requirements under Pillars 1 and 2 and macroprudential buffers in a unified, coherent framework. Its core element is an advanced credit portfolio model—SystemicCreditRisk—built upon a rich, nonlinear dependence structure for correlated bank portfolios. The model is applied to a sample of 12 systemically important German banking groups and delivers measures for systemic credit risk and the banks' contributions to it in both baseline and stress scenarios.
Pharmacologic Management of Common Ailments in Women Who Are Breastfeeding
Authors: Dogruluk Armel A.
Published: July 2019

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the rate of breastfeeding in the United States has increased 34% between 2005 and 2015. Women who breastfeed can require treatment of various common illnesses. When caring for women who are breastfeeding, health care providers may unnecessarily discourage them from breastfeeding during treatment. Choosing the appropriate medications for these individuals is critical to ensure the woman is effectively treated, infant exposure to medication is minimized, and the breastfeeding relationship is preserved. This article provides an overview of essential principles for prescribing medications for women who are lactating. Recommendations for the management of common illnesses seen in the outpatient setting are suggested and resources that can help guide therapeutic decision making are offered.
Multiobjective optimization of modular structures: Weight versus geometric versatility in a Truss‐Z system
Authors: Zawidzki Machi , Jankowski Łukasz
Published: July 2019

This paper proposes an approach for multicriterial optimization of modular structures with respect to their structural and geometrical properties. The approach is tested using the quickly deployable and reconfigurable modular ramp system Truss‐Z intended for pedestrian traffic. The focus is on modular structures composed of a moderate number of relatively complex modules, which feature an irregular, noncuboidal geometry. Such modules can be assembled into a variety of geometrically different configurations which do not adhere to any predefined spatial grid; their global geometry can be treated as free‐form and determined in situ during construction. The optimization variables represent local‐level geometrical and structural properties of a single module. The Pareto front is used to balance between two kinds of objectives. The geometrical objective quantifies the ability of the modules to generate geometrically versatile global structures that are well‐suited to comply with spatial constraints of real construction sites. The structural objective is formalized in analogy to the minimum weight problem with upper bound constraints imposed on the von Mises stress and the Euler buckling load ratio. A two‐level optimization scheme is employed with NSGA‐II at the top level and a simulated annealing with adaptive neighborhood at the lower level.
Management of overweight and obesity in primary care—A systematic overview of international evidence‐based guidelines
Authors: Semlitsch Thomas , Stigler Florian L. , Jeitler Klaus , Horvath Karl , Siebenhofer Andrea
Published: July 2019

Overweight and obesity are increasing worldwide. In general practice, different approaches exist to treat people with weight problems. To provide the foundation for the development of a structured clinical pathway for overweight and obesity management in primary care, we performed a systematic overview of international evidence‐based guidelines. We searched in PubMed and major guideline databases for all guidelines published in World Health Organization (WHO) “Stratum A” nations that dealt with adults with overweight or obesity. Nineteen guidelines including 711 relevant recommendations were identified. Most of them concluded that a multidisciplinary team should treat overweight and obesity as a chronic disease. Body mass index (BMI) should be used as a routine measure for diagnosis, and weight‐related complications should be taken into account. A multifactorial, comprehensive lifestyle programme that includes reduced calorie intake, increased physical activity, and measures to support behavioural change for at least 6 to 12 months is recommended. After weight reduction, long‐term measures for weight maintenance are necessary. Bariatric surgery can be offered to people with a BMI greater than or equal to 35 kg/m2 when all non‐surgical interventions have failed. In conclusion, there was considerable agreement in international, evidence‐based guidelines on how multidisciplinary management of overweight and obesity in primary care should be performed.
Soil fauna responses to invasive alien plants are determined by trophic groups and habitat structure: a global meta‐analysis
Authors: Abgrall Corentin , Forey Estelle , Chauvat Matthieu
Published: July 2019

Despite increasing frequency of invasions by alien plant species with widespread ecological and economic consequences, it remains unclear how belowground compartments of ecosystems are impacted. In order to synthetize current knowledge and provide future directions for research we performed a meta‐analysis assessing the impact of invasive alien plant species on soil fauna abundance. Compared to previous synthesis on this topic, we included together in our model the trophic group of each soil faunal taxa (from herbivores to predators) and habitat structure, namely open and closed habitats (i.e. grass and shrub dominated areas versus forested areas). In doing so, we highlighted that both moderators strongly interact to determine the response of soil fauna to the presence of invasive alien plants. Soil fauna abundance increase in the presence of invasive species only in closed habitats (+18.2%). This pattern of habitat‐dependent response (positive effect in closed habitats) was only found for primary consumers (i.e. herbivores +29.1% and detritivores +66.7%) within both detritus‐based and live root‐based trophic pathways. Abundances of predators and microbivores did not respond to the presence of IAS irrespective of habitat structure. For several groups, the habitat structure (open or closed) significantly drove their responses to the presence of invasive alien species. In addition, we carefully considered potential sources of bias (e.g. geographic, taxonomic and functional) within the collected data in an attempt to highlight gaps in available knowledge on the subject. Our findings support the conclusions of previous studies on the subject by demonstrating 1) that soil fauna abundance is impacted by biological invasions, 2) that initial habitat structure has a strong influence on the outcome and 3) that responses within the soil fauna differ between trophic levels with a stronger response of primary consumers.
Small mammal controls on the climate‐driven range shift of woody plant species
Authors: Mortelliti Alessio , Grentzmann Ilona P. , Fraver Shawn , Brehm Allison M. , Calkins Samantha , Fisichelli Nicholas
Published: July 2019

Climate change is resulting in shifts in species’ ranges as species inhabit new climatically suitable areas. A key factor affecting range‐shifts is the interaction with predators. Small mammals, being primary seed predators and dispersers in forest ecosystems, may play a major role in determining which plant species will successfully expand and the rate at which range‐shifts will occur. Plants dispersing seeds beyond the species’ current range limits will encounter seed predators to which these seeds are novel; however, empirical studies of seed predator–novel seed interactions are lacking. The aims of our study were to: 1) quantify seed selection by small mammals presented with ‘novel’ seeds; 2) quantify the post‐selection fate of ‘novel’ seeds; and 3) identify seed traits that affect seed selection and post‐selection seed fate.

We designed a field experiment exposing small mammal communities to novel seeds produced by plants expected to shift their ranges in response to climate change. We matched novel seeds with reference ‘familiar’ seeds and studied key steps defining interactions between small mammals and novel seeds.

We found that the probability of selection of a novel seed varied among species and was, at times, higher than the selection probability of familiar seeds. Key traits that affected seed selection and the distance a seed was dispersed for caching were shell hardness and seed mass. We also found that 33% of dispersed seeds were cached in optimal germination sites (e.g. within fallen logs and buried under the leaf litter mat). Through seed emergence trials we found that emergence was higher for larger seeds, suggesting that the role of small mammals may be modulated by emergence rates.

Our results suggest that the interaction between small mammals and novel seeds may have cascading effects on climate‐induced plant range shifts and community composition.
Harnessing the new emerging imaging technologies to uncover the role of Ca2+ signalling in plant nutrient homeostasis
Authors: Vigani Gianpiero , Costa Alex
Published: July 2019

Increasing crop yields by using ecofriendly practices is of high priority to tackle problems regarding food security and malnutrition worldwide. A sustainable crop production requires a limited use of fertilizer and the employment of plant varieties with improved ability to acquire nutrients from soil. To reach these goals, the scientific community aims to understand plant nutrients homeostasis by deciphering the nutrient sensing and signalling mechanisms of plants. Several lines of evidence about the involvement of Ca2+ as the signal of an impaired nutrient availability have been reported. Ca2+ signalling is a tightly regulated process that requires specific protein toolkits to perceive external stimuli and to induce the specific responses in the plant needed to survive. Here, we summarize both older and recent findings concerning the involvement of Ca2+ signalling in the homeostasis of nutrients. In this review, we present new emerging technologies, based on the use of genetically encoded Ca2+ sensors and advanced microscopy, which offer the chance to perform in planta analyses of Ca2+ dynamics at cellular resolution. The harnessing of these technologies with different genetic backgrounds and subjected to different nutritional stresses will provide important insights to the still little‐known mechanisms of nutrient sensing in plants.
Encoding and compressing hexagonal raster data by the Gosper curve
Authors: Xin Rui , Ai Tinghua , Ai Bo
Published: July 2019

This article mainly introduces a class of encoding and compression methods for hexagonal raster data. A new encoding mode is established with the introduction of the Gosper curve, which has good spatial aggregation. On this basis, straightforward encoding, lossless coding compression, and lossy coding compression can be carried out. First, the bidirectional correlation between the Gosper curve and the hexagonal grid data is established, and the Gosper coding value of each raster unit is determined. Then, the lossless compression of the data is completed by performing run‐length encoding on the coding set. Following the Gosper curve trend, partial grid units are semantically changed via adjacent fusion under certain threshold constraints. The run‐length encoding is carried out again to complete the lossy compression and further reduce the amount of encoding required. A break‐detection step is added during the process to avoid regional breaks. The experimental results show that the proposed method can efficiently compress data. Additionally, data compression of multi‐resolution and varying fusion thresholds is explored to summarize general patterns. Finally, the method proposed is compared with traditional row‐coding compression in hexagonal and quadrilateral grids to highlight its advantages for hexagonal raster data.
Re‐Englishing ‘flat‐world’ fiction
Authors: Pandey Anjali
Published: July 2019

Utilizing evidence from literary stylistics, and in keeping with the Kachruvian tradition, this paper makes the case for WE scholars to remain vigilant of the move away from the revolutionary heteroglossia and de‐Englishing strategies hallmarking literary creation and analyses of postcolonial writings from the margin – so apparent in Braj B. Kachru's works – to a current era of monoglossic inspired re‐Englishing strategies underpinning the post‐globalist enterprise of so‐called ‘flat‐world’ fiction in which under the guise of linguistic deterritorialization, center and periphery stratificational and spatialized arrangements emerge somewhat mitigated – even obfuscated. In the current post‐structuralist‐turn where contextual‐oriented rather than form‐focused analyses and the ‘spatial turn’ prevail, it is contested, Kachruvian‐spotlighted linguistic asymmetriesstillmatter. Evidence is provided from emerging frameworks in the sociolinguistics of mobility, pedagogical linguistics, and political economy to demonstrate the intellectual staying power, and relevancy of Kachruvian frameworks for current sociolinguists.
Bilinguals’ creativity and an argument for paradigm shift
Authors: Pandharipande Rajeshwari V.
Published: July 2019

This paper examines the centrality of the notion of bi/multilinguals’ creativity in Kachru's work and its significant role in the paradigm shift in research on world Englishes. Here, it is suggested that bilingual creativity became the catalyst for treating non‐native varieties of English not as ‘deviant,’ but rather as different from so‐called native Englishes. The world Englishes (WE) paradigm has moved from treating ‘native’ English as the exclusive center/norm of the language to accepting many centers of English (the pluricentricity of English), which has had a number of implications for both bilingual creativity and the study of the intelligibility of non‐native varieties of English.
The intellectual trajectory of Braj B. Kachru
Authors: Sridhar S.N. , Sridhar Kamal K.
Published: July 2019

Braj Kachru is a major figure in linguistics and English studies, and he has left us an intellectual legacy that speaks to a wide range of fields in language studies, including sociolinguistics, variation studies, bilingualism and multilingualism, applied linguistics, second language acquisition, and teaching English as a second or foreign language. This article sets out to provide a detailed and nuanced study of the intellectual trajectory of one of the most influential figures in contemporary sociolinguistics and English studies.
Evaluation of the Immunochromatographic NG-Test Carba 5 for Rapid Identification of Carbapenemase in Nonfermenters
Authors: Potron Anaïs , Fournier Damien , Emeraud Cécile , Triponney Pauline , Plésiat Patrick , Naas Thierry , Dortet Laurent
Published: July 2019

The immunochromatographic assay NG-Test Carba 5 (NG-Biotech) was evaluated with a collection of 107 carbapenemase-producing nonfermenters (CP-NF) (55
Pseudomonas
spp., 51
Acinetobacter
spp., and 1
Achromobacter xylosoxidans
isolate) and 61 carbapenemase-negative isolates. All KPC, VIM, and NDM carbapenemase producers tested were accurately detected. Of the 16 IMP variants tested, 6 (37.5%) variants were not detected.
An Experiential-Learning Lesson to Encourage Teamwork and Healthy Practices
Authors: Brusa Jamie L.
Published: July 2019

Many careers require individuals to work together as a team. However, group work or teamwork is often met with resistance in an academic setting, and students can struggle to learn the skills associated with collaboration. I present a lesson that has the overarching goal of helping students practice and learn to make healthy lifestyle choices in the context of experiential learning. Additional learning objectives are to help students understand the physiological processes related to heart disease, practice effective prevention of this medical ailment, and encourage teamwork. Students received a risk score calculated from a randomized combination of hypothetical lifestyle characteristics that affect heart disease risk. Students then spent time outside of class gaining points against their assigned risk score by engaging in specific healthy lifestyle choices outlined on their score sheet. In unannounced pretests and posttests, students showed significant learning gains related to the physiological mechanisms and preventative agents of heart disease. Practicing proper diet, physical activity, and teamwork during adolescence and early adulthood contributes to the integration of these essential healthy habits throughout adulthood. Many students reported that collaboration among the group was a key component in overcoming the challenges associated with completing heart disease prevention actions on their score sheets. The lesson promotes creativity and the building of a support network to lower their risk scores, and it provides them with the opportunity to synthesize information and evaluate their performance in the activity.
mSphere of Influence: Clearing a Path for High-Resolution Visualization of Host-Pathogen Interactions
In Vivo
Authors: Tan Shumin
Published: July 2019

Shumin Tan works in the field of
Mycobacterium tuberculosis
-host interactions. In this mSphere of Influence article, she reflects on how the paper “Single-cell phenotyping within transparent intact tissue through whole-body clearing” by B. Yang et al. (Cell 158:945–958, 2014,
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cell.2014.07.017
) impacted her ideas on approaches to visualize and understand heterogeneous host-pathogen interactions
in vivo
in 3-dimensional space at the single-cell level, through the tractable and broadly compatible tissue optical clearing methods developed.
mSphere of Influence: Systematically Decoding Microbial Chemical Communication
Authors: Mike Laura A.
Published: July 2019

Laura A. Mike works in the field of bacterial pathogenesis. In this mSphere of Influence article, she reflects on how “Insights into Secondary Metabolism from a Global Analysis of Prokaryotic Biosynthetic Gene Clusters” by P. Cimermancic et al. (Cell 158:412–421, 2014,
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cell.2014.06.034
) and “A Systematic Analysis of Biosynthetic Gene Clusters in the Human Microbiome Reveals a Common Family of Antibiotics” by M. S. Donia et al. (Cell 158:1402–1414, 2014,
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cell.2014.08.032
) made an impact on her by systematically identifying microbiome-associated biosynthetic gene clusters predicted to synthesize secondary metabolites, which may facilitate interspecies interactions.
Experimental Evidence for Adaptation to Species-Specific Gut Microbiota in House Mice
Authors: Moeller Andrew H. , Gomes-Neto João C. , Mantz Sara , Kittana Hatem , Segura Munoz Rafael R. , Schmaltz Robert J. , Ramer-Tait Amanda E. , Nachman Michael W.
Published: July 2019

The communities of bacteria that reside within mammalian guts are deeply integrated with their hosts, but the impact of this gut microbiota on mammalian evolution remains poorly understood. Experimental transplantation of the gut microbiota between mouse species revealed that foreign gut microbiotas lowered the host growth rate and upregulated the expression of an immunomodulating cytokine. In addition, foreign gut microbiotas increased host liver sizes and attenuated sex-specific differences in host muscle and fat content. These results suggest that the house mouse has adapted to its species-specific gut microbiota.
Разностная схема с анализатором симметрии для уравнений газовой динамики
Authors: Колдоба Александр Васильевич , Koldoba Aleksandr Vasil'evich , Устюгова Галина Валентиновна , Ustyugova Galina Valentinovna
Published: July 2019

Предлагается анализатор симметрии как элемент вычислительного алгоритма для численного интегрирования двумерных уравнений идеальной газовой динамики. Анализатор симметрии - алгоритм, позволяющий по сеточным данным отдать предпочтение тем или иным (в настоящей работе декартовым или полярным) компонентам векторного поля для его реконструкции на грани расчетной сетки и последующего расчета потоков консервативных переменных. Построен вычислительный алгоритм, использующий расчетную сетку полярного типа и включающий анализатор симметрии. Алгоритм легко переносится на трехмерные расчетные сетки цилиндрического типа.
Моделирование политических взглядов российских пользователей социальной сети ВКонтакте
Authors: Козицин Иван Владимирович , Kozitsin Ivan Vladimirovich , Чхартишвили Александр Гедеванович , Chkhartishvili Aleksandr Gedevanovich , Марченко Артемий Максимович , Marchenko Artemii Maksimovich , Норкин Дмитрий Олегович , Norkin Dmitrii Olegovich , Осипов С Д , Osipov S D , Утешев Иван Александрович , Uteshev Ivan Aleksandrovich , Гойко В Л , Goiko V L , Палкин Роман Владимирович , Palkin Roman Vladimirovich , Мягков Михаил Георгиевич , Myagkov Mikhail Georgievich
Published: July 2019

Предложены две модели машинного обучения для автоматического определения политических взглядов российских пользователей ВКонтакте, в основе которых лежит микроподход к анализу данных ВКонтакте. Результаты приложены к различным научным и прикладным сферам. Одна из них - мониторинг общественного мнения: в результате апробации на выборке, состоящей из 22 миллионов цифровых отпечатков аккаунтов совершеннолетних пользователей, были построены две оценки распределения симпатий соответствующих пользователей в преддверии выборов Президента РФ 2018 года. При использовании этих оценок для построения ретроспективного прогноза результатов выборов средние абсолютные ошибки составили 12 и 19.4 процентов соответственно, причем в первом случае были верно расставлены три первых места. Кроме того, представлен подход к калибровке параметров математических моделей динамики мнений, а именно, величин, отвечающих за сами мнения пользователей. В основе данного подхода лежат оценки, генерируемые построенными алгоритмами.
Стохастическая магнитогидродинамическая иерархия в сильном внешнем магнитном поле
Authors: Богомолов Сергей Владимирович , Bogomolov Sergei Vladimirovich , Есикова Наталия Борисовна , Esikova Natalia Borisovna
Published: July 2019

На основании стохастической микроскопической столкновительной модели движения заряженных частиц в сильном внешнем магнитном поле строится иерархия уравнений магнитной гидродинамики. Переход к всe более грубым приближениям происходит в соответствии с уменьшением параметра обезразмеривания, аналогичного числу Кнудсена в газовой динамике. В результате получаются стохастические и неслучайные макроскопические уравнения, отличающиеся от магнитного аналога системы уравнений Навье-Стокса, а также от систем магнитной квазигидродинамики. Главной особенностью этого вывода является более точное осреднение по скорости благодаря аналитическому решению стохастических дифференциальных уравнений по винеровской мере, в виде которых представлена промежуточная мезо--модель в фазовом пространстве. Такой подход существенно отличается от традиционного, использующего не сам случайный процесс, а его функцию распределения. Акцент ставится на ясности допущений при переходе от одного уровня детализации к другому, а не на численных экспериментах, в которых содержатся дополнительные погрешности аппроксимации.
Validity and reliability of anti-diabetic medication adherence scale among patients with diabetes in Baghdad, Iraq: a pilot study
Authors: Mikhael Ehab Mudher , Hussain Saad A , Shawky Nizar , Hassali Mohamed Azmi
Published: July 2019

Background

Medication non-adherence is a common problem among patients with diabetes. Patient-reported medication adherence scales are the most commonly used method to assess patient medication adherence, but up to today there is no specific tool for assessing medication adherence among patients with diabetes in Arab countries. This study aimed to develop and validate a new tool for assessment of adherence to antidiabetic medications among Iraqi patients with diabetes.

Methods

The Iraqi Anti-Diabetic Medication Adherence Scale (IADMAS) consists of eight items. The face and content validity of the IADMAS were established via an expert panel. For convergent validity, the IADMAS was compared with the Medication Adherence Questionnaire (MAQ). For concurrent validity, the IADMAS was compared with glycosylated hemoglobin. A total of 84 patients with types 2 diabetes were recruited from a diabetes center in Baghdad, Iraq. Test–retest reliability was measured by readministering the IADMAS to the same patients 4 weeks later.

Results

Only 80 patients completed the study (response rate: 95%). Reliability analysis of the IADMAS showed a Cronbach’s alpha value of 0.712, whereas that of the MAQ was 0.649. All items in the IADMAS showed no significant difference in the test–retest analysis, indicating that the IADMAS has stable reliability. There was no difference in the psychometric properties of the IADMAS and the MAQ. The sensitivity and specificity of the IADMAS were higher than that of the MAQ (100% vs 87.5% and 33.9% vs 29.7%, respectively).

Conclusion

The IADMAS developed in this study is a reliable and valid instrument for assessing antidiabetic medication adherence among Iraqi patients.
How do contextual factors influence quality and safety work in the Norwegian home care and nursing home settings? A qualitative study about managers’ experiences
Authors: Ree Eline , Johannessen Terese , Wiig Siri
Published: July 2019

Objective

Although many contextual factors can facilitate or impede primary care managers’ work with quality and safety, research on how these factors influences the managers’ continuous improvement efforts is scarce. This study explored how primary care managers experience the impact of a variety of contextual factors on their daily quality and safety work.

Design

The study has a qualitative design. Nine semistructured qualitative interviews were conducted at the participants’ workplaces. Systematic text condensation was used for analysis.

Setting

Five nursing homes and three home care services in Norway.

Participants

Female primary care managers at different levels, working in different units and municipalities varying in size and location.

Results

The participants cited the lack of time and money as a significant impediment to quality and safety, and these resources had to be carefully allocated. They emphasised the importance of networks and competence for their quality and safety work. Delegation of responsibility among employees helped create engagement, improved competence and ensured that new knowledge reached all employees. External guidelines and demands helped them to systematise their work and explain the necessity of quality and safety work to their employees, if they were compliant with daily clinical practice in the organisation.

Conclusions

Numerous contextual factors influence the managers by determining the leeway that they have in quality and safety work, by setting the budgetary constraints and defining available competence, networks and regulation. At first glance, these factors appear fixed, but our findings underscore the importance of primary care managers acting on and negotiating the environment in which they conduct their daily quality and safety work. More research is needed to understand how these managers strategise to overcome the impediments to quality and safety.
Exploring the ripple effects of an Australian hospital redevelopment: a protocol for a longitudinal, mixed-methods study
Authors: Pomare Chiara , Churruca Kate , Long Janet C , Ellis Louise A , Gardiner Brett , Braithwaite Jeffrey
Published: July 2019

Introduction

Hospital redevelopment projects typically intend to improve hospital functioning and modernise the delivery of care. There is research support for the proposition that redevelopment along evidence-based design principles can lead to improved quality and safety. However, it is not clear how redevelopment influences the wider context of the hospital and its functioning. That is, beyond a limited examination of intended outcomes (eg, improved patient satisfaction), are there additional consequences (positive, negative or unintended) occurring within the hospital after the physical environment is changed? Is new always better? The primary purpose of this study is to explore the ripple effects of how hospital redevelopment may influence the organisation, staff and patients in both intended and unintended ways.

Methods and analysis

We propose to conduct a longitudinal, mixed-methods, case study of a large metropolitan hospital in Australia. The study design consists of a series of measurements over time that are interrupted by the natural intervention of a hospital redevelopment. How hospital redevelopment influences the wider context of the hospital will be assessed in six domains: expectations and reflections of hospital redevelopment, organisational culture, staff interactions, staff well-being, efficiency of care delivery and patient experience. Methods of data collection include a hospital-wide staff survey, semistructured interviews, a network survey, a patient experience survey, analysis of routinely collected hospital data and observations. In addition to a hospital-level analysis, a total of four wards will be examined in-depth, with two acting as controls. Data will be analysed using thematic, statistical and network analyses, respectively, for the qualitative, quantitative and relational data.

Ethics and dissemination

The study has been reviewed and approved by the relevant Ethics Committee in New South Wales, Australia. The results will be actively disseminated through peer-reviewed journals, conference presentations and in report format to the stakeholders.
Does religious involvement affect mortality in low-income Americans? A prospective cohort study
Authors: Wen Wanqing , Schlundt David , Andersen Shaneda Warren , Blot William J , Zheng Wei
Published: July 2019

Objective

This study aimed to evaluate the impacts of various forms of religious involvement, beyond individual socioeconomic status, lifestyle factors, emotional well-being and social support, on all-cause and cause-specific mortality in socioeconomic disadvantaged neighbourhoods.

Design

This is a prospective cohort study conducted from 2002 through 2015.

Settings

This study included underserved populations in the Southeastern USA.

Participants

A total of nearly 85 000 participants, primarily low-income American adults, were enrolled. Eligible participants were aged 40–79 years at enrolment, spoke English and were not under treatment for cancer within the prior year.

Results

We found that those who attended religious service attendance >1/week had 8% reduction in all-cause death and 15% reduction in cancer death relative to those who never attended. This association was substantially attenuated by depression score, social support, and socioeconomic and lifestyle covariates, and further attenuated by other forms of religious involvement. This association with all-cause mortality was found being stronger among those with higher socioeconomic status or healthier lifestyle behaviours.

Conclusion

Our results indicate that the association between religious services attendance >1/week and lower mortality was moderate but robust, and could be attenuated and modified by socioeconomic or lifestyle factors in this large prospective cohort study of underserved populations in the Southeastern USA.
‘I don’t think anybody explained to me how it works’: qualitative study exploring vaccination and primary health service access and uptake amongst Polish and Romanian communities in England
Authors: Bell Sadie , Edelstein Michael , Zatoński Mateusz , Ramsay Mary , Mounier-Jack Sandra
Published: July 2019

Objectives

This study explored vaccination attitudes and behaviours among Polish and Romanian communities, and related access to primary healthcare services.

Design

A qualitative study using in-depth semistructured interviews with Polish and Romanian community members (CMs) and healthcare workers (HCWs) involved in vaccination in areas with large Polish and Romanian communities. CMs discussed their vaccination attitudes and their experiences of accessing vaccinations in England. HCWs shared their experiences in vaccinating Polish and Romanian communities.

Setting

Recruitment focused on three geographical areas in England with large Polish and Romanian populations (in London, Lincolnshire and Berkshire).

Participants

20 Polish and 10 Romanian CMs, and 20 HCWs. Most CMs were mothers or pregnant women and were recruited from London or Lincolnshire. HCWs included practice nurses, health visitors and school nurses recruited from the targeted geographical areas.

Results

Although most CMs reported vaccinating according to the UK schedule, obstacles to vaccination were highlighted. CMs experienced difficulties navigating and trusting the English primary healthcare system, and challenges in accessing credible vaccination information in Polish and Romanian. CM vaccination expectations, largely built on knowledge and experiences from Poland and Romania, were often unmet. This was driven by differences in vaccination scheduling and service provision in England, such as nurses delivering vaccines instead of doctors. CMs reported lower acceptance of the influenza vaccine, largely due to perceptions around the importance and efficacy of this vaccine. HCWs reported challenges translating and understanding vaccination histories, overcoming verbal communication barriers and ensuring vaccination schedule completeness among families travelling between England and Poland or Romania.

Conclusions

This study identified vaccination uptake and delivery issues and recommendations for improvement. HCWs should discuss health service expectations, highlight differences in vaccination scheduling and delivery between countries, and promote greater understanding of the English primary healthcare system in order to encourage vaccination in these communities.