bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Assessment of magnesium intake according to requirement in dairy cows
Authors: Martens Holger , Stumpff Friederike
Published: April 2019

To date, no specific hormonal regulation system has been identified for homoeostatic control of the essential mineral Mg. In cattle, the maintenance of physiological plasma Mg concentration depends on gastrointestinal absorption, primarily from the rumen, which serves as a pool for covering the requirement. Whereas a possible surplus (absorption greater than requirement) is rapidly excreted by the kidneys, a shortage (absorption lower than requirement) cannot be compensated for by mobilization from the large Mg pool in bones or soft tissue, so that the maintenance of the necessary physiological Mg concentration in plasma relies on continuous and sufficient absorption. Our knowledge concerning the site and mechanisms of Mg absorption has improved during the last few decades, and meta‐analyses of the absorption of Mg in dairy cows have shown that the K content has a pronounced negative effect on Mg digestibility. The current recommendations of Mg intake propose a constant percentage of Mg and emphasize the depressive effect of high potassium (K) intake on Mg absorption. The current knowledge about the antagonism between K intake and Mg absorption allows a more flexible solution which includes the K content of the diet. An assessment of Mg intake is proposed that incorporates the improved knowledge of Mg absorption, metabolism and requirement. Within this framework, an equation is derived that allows a prediction of the amount of Mg required to compensate for dietary K content, the goal being to avoid both possible undernutrition or an unnecessary surplus of dietary Mg.
Rapid in‐house method of CSF analysis utilising sedimentation direct from the spinal needle
Authors: Hare C. , Sanchini L. , Worrall C. , Van Poucke S. , Alves L. , Restif O. , Freeman P.
Published: April 2019

Objectives

To establish the utility of a novel in‐house method of CSF analysis using sedimentation cytology direct from the spinal needle for the detection of laboratory‐defined pleocytosis.

Materials and Methods

In dogs and cats undergoing routine CSF analysis for investigation of neurological signs, an additional preparation was made at the patient's side by inverting the spinal needle on a slide and sedimenting for at least 1 hour. Nucleated cellularity and differential counts were assessed and compared with “gold‐standard” analysis. Variability of cell counts between observers and within slides using the new method was evaluated to optimise the procedure.

Results

Using a ×50 objective, at least 10 fields and an average of more than five cellsperfield were considered appropriate guidelines to achieve correct classification of samples (normal or pleocytosis). The new method had high sensitivity (89%) and specificity (100%) for the detection of laboratory‐defined pleocytosis. Agreement on the type of pleocytosis was good.

Clinical Significance

Clinically useful information can be obtained from CSF samples in a patient‐side setting without additional equipment. This technique may be of benefit if little fluid is available or if logistical constraints limit the availability of rapid specialist results.
Performance of 1,3‐beta‐D‐glucan in the diagnosis and monitoring of invasive fusariosis
Authors: Nucci Marcio , Barreiros Gloria , Reis Henrique , Paixão Marilene , Akiti Tiyomi , Nouér Simone A.
Published: April 2019

Invasive fusariosis (IF) usually presents with high fungal burden at diagnosis, and this may contribute to its high mortality rate. The use 1,3‐beta‐D‐glucan (BDG) may help to establish the diagnosis at an earlier disease stage and to monitor treatment. To evaluate the performance of BDG in the diagnosis of IF and its kinetics in relation to the outcome, we retrospectively tested serum samples of 13 cases of IF, analysed the temporal relationship between the first positive BDG test and the date of the diagnosis of IF, and the kinetics of BDG in relation to patients’ outcome. We selected 13 controls with similar underlying diseases as cases, at least two serum samples stored, and no invasive fungal disease. Twelve patients with IF had at least one positive BDG (median 4, range 1‐16). The test was positive before the diagnosis of IF in 11 of the 12 patients (91.6%), at a median of 10 days (range 1‐32). The median BDG value increased (from 109 to 316 pg/mL, P = 0.04) in patients who died by day 30, and did not change significantly (99‐101 pg/mL, P = 0.60) in survivors. Using two consecutive BDG tests, sensitivity, specificity, and positive and negative predictive values were 85%, 69%, 7% and 99%, respectively. BDG is positive in the majority of patients with IF, usually before the diagnosis, but the low positive predictive value limits its use to diagnose IF earlier. Once therapy is started, decreasing BDG values suggests treatment response.
Why is development of new treatments necessary for myasthenia gravis? Recent advances in clinical trials
Authors: Imai Tomihiro
Published: April 2019

Despite the availability of an increasing variety of disease‐modifying therapies, the proportion of patients with generalized myasthenia gravis (MG) who achieved the practical treatment goal remained low at approximately 50%‐60% in our latest survey. Therefore, there is a need for further development of new treatment options based on novel mechanisms of action for MG treatment. Eculizumab and ravulizumab are monoclonal antibodies used to prevent complement‐mediated damage at the endplate of neuromuscular junction in MG with acetylcholine receptor (AChR) antibody. Neonatal Fc receptor (FcRn) antibodies including efgartigimod and rozanolixizumab are currently in different stages of clinical trial. The FcRn antibodies would be rational therapeutic agents for decreasing the levels of pathogenic autoantibodies with IgG isotypes, resulting in reduction in muscle‐specific kinase (MuSK) antibody as well as AChR antibody. Rituximab, a CD20+ B‐cell depleting monoclonal antibody, also results in a significant decrease in autoantibody titers in serum. Several studies indicate that rituximab may have the potential to treat MuSK‐MG. Monarsen, an antisense oligonucleotide, may reduce the production of acetylcholinesterase. A phase 2 study showed improvement in quantitative MG scores while on the drug. Several case reports showed the efficacy of autologous hemopoietic stem cell transplantation in patients with severe MG refractory to conventional therapies. This article introduces the new drugs and their latest development and discusses the evidence for thymectomy in relation to the Japanese clinical guidelines for MG.
Rapid improvement in brain and swallowing behavior induced by cerebellar repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation in poststroke dysphagia: A single patient case‐controlled study
Authors: Vasant Dipesh H. , Sasegbon Ayodele , Michou Emilia , Smith Craig , Hamdy Shaheen
Published: April 2019

Introduction

The cerebellum has been showed by numerous studies to be active during the process of swallowing. Cortically targeted repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) is a technique which has been shown to result in beneficial electrophysiological and behavioral changes in healthy participants and patients with post stroke dysphagia. Cerebellar rTMS is a relatively unstudied area of this emerging field. Here we apply cerebellar targeted rTMS to a patient with post stroke dysphagia in an attempt to improve their swallowing.

Methods

A 67‐year‐old woman with post stroke dysphagia was recruited to undergo a crossover active rTMS vs sham rTMS study. Outcome measures were pharyngeal motor evoked potential (PMEP) amplitude and cumulative penetration‐aspiration score (cPAS). The patient attended the laboratory on two occasions. During each attendance, baseline PMEP and cPAS measurements were acquired followed by either active or sham rTMS. Following this, PMEP and cPAS measurements were repeated at 30 minutes.

Results

Active cerebellar rTMS was able to increase both PMEP amplitude (55% over baseline) and improve swallowing safety (17% below baseline). Sham rTMS did not result in any beneficial PMEP or cPAS changes.

Conclusion

Our results suggest that cerebellar rTMS has plausible therapeutic potential for post stroke dysphagia.
Effects of climate change on alpine plants and their pollinators
Authors: Inouye David W.
Published: April 2019

Alpine environments are among the habitats most strongly affected by climate change, and consequently their unique plants and pollinators are faced with the challenge of adapting or going extinct. Changes in temperature and precipitation affect snowpack and snowmelt, resulting in changes in the growing season in this environment where plant growth and pollinator activity are constrained to the snow‐free season, which can vary significantly across the landscape if there is significant topographic complexity. As in other ecosystems, the resulting changes in phenology are not uniform among species, creating the potential for altered and new interspecific interactions. New plant and animal species are arriving as lower altitude species move up with warming temperatures, introducing new competitors and generating changes in plant–pollinator interactions. Repeating historical surveys, taking advantage of museum collections, and using new technology will facilitate our understanding of how plants and pollinators are responding to the changing alpine environment.
The context of care matters: Older people's existential loneliness from the perspective of healthcare professionals—A multiple case study
Authors: Sundström Malin , Blomqvist Kerstin , Edberg Anna‐Karin , Rämgård Margareta
Published: April 2019

Aim

To explore existential loneliness among older people in different healthcare contexts from the perspective of healthcare professionals.

Background

Professionals meet and care for older people in most care contexts and need to be prepared to address physical, psychological, social and existential needs. Addressing existential loneliness can be both challenging and meaningful for professionals and is often not prioritised in times of austerity.

Design

A multiple case study design was used.

Methods

Focus group interviews were conducted with healthcare professionals (n = 52) in home, residential, hospital and palliative care settings. The analysis was performed in two steps: firstly, a within‐case analysis of each context was conducted, followed by a cross‐case analysis.

Findings

Differences and similarities were observed among the care contexts, including for the origin of existential loneliness. In home care and residential care, the focus was on life, the present and the past, compared to hospital and palliative care, in which existential loneliness mainly related to the forthcoming death. The older person's home, as the place where home care or palliative care was received, helped preserve the older person's identity. In hospital and palliative care, as in institutional care, the place offered security, while in residential care, the place could make older people feel like strangers. Creating relationships was considered an important part of the professionals’ role in all four care contexts, although this had different meanings, purposes and conditions.

Conclusions

The context of care matters and influences how professionals view existential loneliness among older people and the opportunities they have to address existential loneliness.

Implications for practice

Support for professionals must be tailored to their needs, their education levels and the context of care. Professionals need training and appropriate qualifications to address existential loneliness related to existential aspects of ageing and care.
Guideline for Posterior Atlantoaxial Internal Fixation Assisted by Orthopaedic Surgical Robot
Authors: Tian Wei , Liu Ya‐jun , Liu Bo , He Da , Wu Jing‐ye , Han Xiao‐guang , Zhao Jing‐wei , Fan Ming‐xing ,   Technical Committee on Medical Robot Engineering of Chinese Society of Biomedical Engineering,   Technical Consulting Committee of National Robotic Orthopaedic Surgery Application Center
Published: April 2019

Atlantoaxial transarticular facet screw fixation (Magerl technique) and C1 lateral mass screws combined with C2 pedicle screws fixation (Harms technique) are the most commonly used techniques for posterior internal fixation in the upper cervical spine. Upper cervical spinal surgery is a technically demanding and challenging procedure because of complicated anatomical structures and frequent occurrence of anomalies. Accurate insertion of screws allows for stable and secure internal fixation, which is necessary for both techniques. Traditional methods under fluoroscopic assistance in this region cannot meet the requirements of high levels of accuracy and security during the procedure. Robot‐assisted spinal surgery can provide accurate and reliable guidance during the screw insertion, which is evidenced in the literature. As a recently developed technique, robot‐assisted surgery is supposed to be performed by skilled surgeons who have received standard training for robotic surgery. The standardized upper cervical spinal surgery assisted by the robot system needs to be introduced to these surgeons. Based on the consensus of consultant specialists, the literature review, and our local experience, this guideline included the introduction of the robotic system, the workflow of robot‐assisted procedures, and the precautions to take during procedures. This guideline aims to provide a standardization of the robotic surgery for posterior atlantoaxial internal fixation.
Hydrologic alterations impact plant litter decay rate and ecosystem resilience in Mojave wetlands
Authors: Castle Stephanie , Rejmánková Eliška , Foley Janet , Parmenter Steve
Published: April 2019

Understanding ecosystem processes is vital for effective restoration of degraded ecosystems, especially wetlands. Restoration has become a necessity for management and conservation of the federally endangered Amargosa vole (Microtus californicus scirpensis) endemic to small, bulrush (Schoenoplectus americanus) dominated wetlands in the Mojave Desert. Recent data indicate catastrophic decrease of the vole population and its habitat from local alterations to hydrology, combined with diminished decomposition rates of bulrush, persistence of plant litter, and minimal plant growth except along narrow margins along stream edges. We conducted a series of three field and one greenhouse experiment(s) testing the effect of (1) moisture level on plant decay rate, (2) litter removal on plant regeneration, (3) the interactive effect of litter removal and moisture level increase on plant regeneration, and (4) potential germination rate of bulrush seeds under multiple hydrologic regimes to understand how hydrologic alteration and litter decay ultimately influences marsh regeneration. Results revealed decrease in water level caused a 20‐fold reduction in decomposition rates of a degraded marsh. Litter removal alone and in combination with water table restoration significantly and positively affected bulrush resprouting (p < 0.0001 for both). Seed bank experiments showed high rates of germination in saturated and flooded soil conditions, emphasizing the potential role of seedlings in ecosystem recovery. This study shows how the interaction of hydrologic change and decreased decomposition can shift an ecosystem toward limits of resilience. These results inform restoration strategies in arid‐region wetlands dominated by plants with slow litter decay where strategic litter removal may beneficially increase plant growth.
Interpreting States’ general obligations on climate change mitigation: A methodological review
Authors: Mayer Benoit
Published: April 2019

A variety of norms in international and domestic law imply that States have a general obligation to mitigate climate change (e.g. no‐harm principle, obligation to protection of human rights, public trust doctrine). Yet a major methodological difficulty is faced when interpreting this general mitigation obligation: how to determine the requisite level of mitigation action? This article identifies and discusses various methods for the interpretation of States’ general mitigation obligations in light of domestic cases. On the one hand, a top‐down approach seeks to determine a State's requisite mitigation action in the light of a global objective on climate change mitigation and of effort‐sharing criteria. On the other hand, bottom‐up methods put emphasis on the demand for internal consistency, on the obligation for a State not to downplay its contribution to environmental impacts unfolding beyond its territory, and on various emerging transnational standards. The article argues that the top‐down and bottom‐up approaches enable a sound interpretation of States’ general mitigation obligations especially when these approaches are used in combination.
Trapped in the Past? The Reproduction of Poverty and Marginality in a Hungarian Manorial Village
Authors: Németh Krisztina
Published: April 2019

This article is an examination of the (re)‐production of poverty and marginality among former manorial servants and their descendants in a Hungarian manorial village. Manorial servants were a large subgroup of the agrarian proletariat in interwar Hungary; their long‐term, rural poverty – sometimes conceptualised as ‘traditional’ – has been aggravated by territorial stigmatisation and represents a specific case even within the context of rural poverty. However, the manorial settlement examined here (now the village of ‘Longfield’) is an extreme case given that a highly successful large‐scale farm has remained in the locality despite a long series of social, political, and economic changes. The presence of this farm influenced both this locality’s developmental path and its room for economic manoeuvring, as well as local people’s living strategies and life chances. The empirical basis for this analysis is a collection of 34 family‐history interviews conducted in ‘Longfield’. This article encompasses the continuities and discontinuities both in people’s narratives and in social and economic structures, and is thus an investigation of the dynamic relationships between and among lived poverty, perceptions of territorial stigmatisation which shape local living strategies, and intra‐ and intergenerational patterns of social and spatial (im)mobility.
Afterword: Tough Questions; Hard Problems; Incremental Progress
Authors: Sterelny Kim
Published: April 2019

The papers in this issue have specific and focused targets that are essential for making incremental progress on the very difficult problem of identifying the coevolutionary interactions of cognition and culture. The purpose of this paper is to discern the shape of a few of the large problems that loom over these more narrowly focussed papers, and to explain and assess the ways these papers contribute to their solution. The background problems described are (a) the character of the selective interactions between the evolution of culture and of cognition; (b) the special features of cumulative cultural evolution; and (c) the place of language in an account of cognition–culture coevolution. The paper ends with some reflections on the extraordinarily difficult challenge of testing scenarios in this field.
Potency and Prospect of Halal Market in Global Industry: An Empirical Analysis of Indonesia and United Kingdom
Authors: Hamid Abdul , Said Muhammad , Meiria Endah
Published: April 2019

This research aim to describe and prove the correlation and influence between market potency and market prospect to determine the appropriate strategy and policy for halal product market development in Indonesia compared with United Kingdom. The object of this research are total of potential consumer, percentage of buying consumer, average selling price, total of annual average consumption rate, profit estimation, and sales estimation of halal product market in each countries base on halal products and services into fiqh platform. This research use quantitative and qualitative method, which is in quantitative method using estimation of Fixed Effect Methods and the validity examined by AR and Jarque-Bera test. The result of this research find that sales in UK and RI are heavily dependent on changes in time and period in each Country indicated by PER_EFFECT, even though this analysis has used white heterocedasticity approach to eliminate that impact. Potentials and Prospects in the United Kingdom and the Republic of Indonesia have a positive and significant influence on Halal market and both countries have the same potential and prospective behaviour toward the Halal Market, although differing individual country and time or period.
Los alimentos y el imaginario dela comunidad perdida en la poesía chilena del siglo XX
Authors: Nómez Naín
Published: April 2019

El presente artículo incursiona en la poesía chilena del siglo XX, a partir de la revisión del imaginario de los alimentos en su relación con las comunidades rurales de la zona central del país, que se representan como comunidades desaparecidas o perdidas, lo que implica así mismo la paulatina desaparición de las costumbres, las tradiciones y las identidades locales. Por otro lado, en los textos poéticos, el sistema alimentario del mundo urbano se representa como un espacio enajenado y extranjerizante, ligado a identidades fragmentadas y marginadas.
Un análisis de columnas de opinión desde la metáfora conceptual
Authors: Alarcón Hernández Paola , Díaz Larenas Claudio , Vásquez Bustos Víctor
Published: April 2019

Se presenta una aproximación desde la Lingüística Cognitiva al análisis del discurso en los medios de comunicación. El objetivo de esta investigación de tipo cualitativa es analizar las metáforas conceptuales referentes a la educación pública en columnas de opinión. Se aplicó un análisis de contenido para la metáfora a dos columnas de opinión de 2017 de dos cibermedios chilenos. Los resultados muestran que las metáforas permiten conceptualizar y caracterizar de forma precisa los puntos de vista expuestos en las columnas. En particular, las metáforas conceptuales analizadas evidencian el carácter complejo del concepto de educación pública mediante su asociación principalmente con dos dominios fuente: botín y edificio, con lo cual se destacan determinadas características y valoraciones. Asimismo, ambas columnas coinciden en que la situación actual se debe a las políticas adoptadas por el estado chileno, caracterizado de manera negativa a través de la atribución metafórica de rasgos humanos como la cobardía.
Desafíos en la publicación de encuestas electorales. La relación entre empresas demoscópicas y medios de comunicación
Authors: Rosa Raúl Magallón , Duarte José Manuel Sánchez
Published: April 2019

Este artículo aborda los retos asociados a la publicación de encuestas electorales en medios de comunicación desde la óptica de las empresas demoscópicas que las elaboran. Metodología: a partir de siete entrevistas en profundidad con los responsables de los principales estudios de opinión en España se identifican características de la realización de los sondeos y su publicación. Resultados y conclusiones: como conclusión, se señalan tres desafíos relacionados con la estructura legislativa que rige la publicación de las encuestas y sus limitaciones, la verificación de los datos publicados y la divulgación de los mismos a partir de tres patrones de relación establecidos entre las empresas demoscópicas y los medios comunicación: modelos distanciado, empotrado e integrado.
La interculturalidad y la enseñanza de lenguas en Colombia: Caso de tres programas de formación docente
Authors: Moya Chaves Deyanira S. , Moreno García Nohora Patricia , Núñez Camacho Vladimir
Published: April 2019

Research on interculturality and initial foreign language (FL) teacher education has focused mainly on the development of intercultural communicative competence (ICC) and few studies address said topic from a critical standpoint that might allow us to think about other ways of teaching and learning (T&L) a language. This article describes a research that sought to understand what intercultural perspective is included in three initial FL teacher education programs in the city of Bogotá, Colombia. The study is framed within a qualitative research logic, with a mixed focus and a multilevel concurrent nested design, which is characterized by the simultaneous gathering and analysis of qualitative and quantitative information. From the study, it is evident that the three undergraduate programs promote a reflexive and functional model, which establishes teacher education objectives, knowledge, and specific strategies, but also challenges to be undertaken.
Experimental Investigation of Oscillating Heat Pipe With Hybrid Fluids of Liquid Metal and Water
Authors: Hao Tingting , Ma Hongbin , Ma Xuehu
Published: April 2019

A new oscillating heat pipe (OHP) charged with hybrid fluids can improve thermal performance. The key difference in this OHP is that it uses room temperature liquid metal (Galinstan consisting of gallium, indium, and tin) and water as the working fluid. The OHP was fabricated on a copper plate with six turns and a 3 × 3 mm2 cross section. The OHP with hybrid fluids as the working fluid was investigated through visual observation and thermal measurement. Liquid metal was successfully driven to flow through the OHP by the pressure difference between the evaporator and the condenser without external force. Experimental results show that while added liquid metal can increase the heat transport capability, liquid metal oscillation amplitude decreases as the filling ratio of liquid metal increases. Visualization of experimental results show that liquid metal oscillation position and velocity increase as the heat input increases. Oscillating motion of liquid metal in the OHP significantly increases the heat transfer performance at high heat input. The lowest thermal resistance of 0.076 °C/W was achieved in the hybrid fluids-filled OHP with a heat input of 420 W. We experimentally demonstrated a 13% higher heat transfer performance using liquid metal as the working fluid compared to an OHP charged with pure water.
Development of an automatic classifier for the prediction of hearing impairment from industrial noise exposure
Authors: Zhao Yanxia , Tian Yu , Zhang Meibian , Li Jingsong , Qiu Wei
Published: April 2019

The ISO-1999 [(2013). International Organization for Standardization, Geneva, Switzerland] standard is the most commonly used approach for estimating noise-induced hearing trauma. However, its insensitivity to noise characteristics limits its practical application. In this study, an automatic classification method using the support vector machine (SVM) was developed to predict hearing impairment in workers exposed to both Gaussian (G) and non-Gaussian (non-G) industrial noises. A recently collected human database (N = 2,110) from industrial workers in China was used in the present study. A statistical metric, kurtosis, was used to characterize the industrial noise. In addition to using all the data as one group, the data were also broken down into the following four subgroups based on the level of kurtosis: G/quasi-G, low-kurtosis, middle-kurtosis, and high-kurtosis groups. The performance of the ISO-1999 and the SVM models was compared over these five groups. The results showed that: (1) The performance of the SVM model significantly outperformed the ISO-1999 model in all five groups. (2) The ISO-1999 model could not properly predict hearing impairment for the high-kurtosis group. Moreover, the ISO-1999 model is likely to underestimate hearing impairment caused by both G and non-G noise exposures. (3) The SVM model is a potential tool to predict hearing impairment caused by diverse noise exposures.
Low grazing-angle sea surface reverberation patchiness and statistics observed with a high-frequency multibeam sonar
Authors: Trevorrow Mark V.
Published: April 2019

Sea-surface reverberation, and in particular backscatter from near-surface bubbles, can significantly limit high-frequency (>10 kHz) active sonar performance. While accepted models for near-surface bubble backscatter exist, these have generally assumed horizontally uniform bubble layers. This study presents measurements using a horizontally-oriented 90 kHz multibeam sonar from a moving ship that show significant spatial variability in low grazing angle sea-surface reverberation. The surface scattering strength and scattering amplitude statistics under sea states 3 to 4 conditions are investigated. The time- and spatially-averaged background reverberation levels were in moderate agreement with well-known bubble layer models. However, the instantaneous backscatter amplitudes exhibited localized patchiness and non-Rayleigh statistical distributions, in agreement with either a K-distribution or a Rayleigh-K mixture model. This variability was attributed to scattering patchiness, bubble-induced extinction and refraction, and near-surface processes such as Langmuir circulation. K-distribution shape parameters from 4 to 15 were estimated from the sonar data, increasing with range as predicted by an effective scatter density model. These low shape factors lead to a larger probability of false alarm than might be predicted using Rayleigh models.
Effect of Strength Training on Lipid and Inflammatory Outcomes: Systematic Review With Meta-Analysis and Meta-Regression
Authors: Costa Rochelle Rocha , Buttelli Adriana Cristine Koch , Vieira Alexandra Ferreira , Coconcelli Leandro , Magalhães Rafael de Lima , Delevatti Rodrigo Sudatti , Kruel Luiz Fernando Martins
Published: April 2019

Background: The aim of this study was to perform a systematic review with meta-analysis and meta-regressions evaluating the effects of isolated strength training (ST), compared with a control group, on total cholesterol (TC), triglycerides (TG), low-density (LDL), high-density lipoprotein (HDL), C-reactive protein (CRP), and adiponectin of adults.Methods: Embase, PubMed, Cochrane, and Scopus data sources were searched up to May 2017. Clinical trials that compared ST with a control group of adults older than 18 years, which evaluated blood TC, TG, LDL, HDL, CRP, or adiponectin as an outcome were included. Random effect was used and the effect size (ES) was calculated by using the standardized mean difference with a 95% confidence interval.Results: ST promotes a reduction in TC (ES: −0.399;P < .001), TG (ES: −0.204;P = .002), LDL (ES: −0.451;P < .001), and CRP (ES: −0.542;P = .01) levels. In addition, ST is associated to an increase in HDL (ES: 0.363;P < .001) and adiponectin concentrations (ES: 1.105;P = .01).Conclusion: ST promotes decreases in TC, TG, LDL, and CRP levels and increases HDL and adiponectin concentrations. Thus, progressive ST could be a potential therapeutic option for improving abnormalities in lipid and inflammatory outcomes in adults.
A brain-plausible neuromorphic on-the-fly learning system implemented with magnetic domain wall analog memristors
Authors: Yue Kun , Liu Yizhou , Lake Roger K. , Parker Alice C.
Published: April 2019

Magnetic analog memristor boosts new circuit design for a neuromorphic on-the-fly learning system.
BK Polyomavirus Activates the DNA Damage Response To Prolong S Phase
Authors: Justice Joshua L. , Needham Jason M. , Thompson Sunnie R.
Published: April 2019

BK polyomavirus (BKPyV) is an emerging pathogen that reactivates in immunosuppressed organ transplant patients. We wanted to understand why BKPyV-induced activation of the DNA damage response (DDR) enhances viral titers and prevents host DNA damage. Here, we show that the virus activates the DNA damage response in order to keep the infected cells in S phase to replicate the viral DNA. The source of DNA damage was due to actively replicating cells with uncondensed chromosomes entering directly into mitosis when the DDR was inhibited in BKPyV-infected cells. This study clarifies the previously enigmatic role of the DDR during BKPyV infection by demonstrating that the virus activates the DDR to maintain the cells in S phase in order to promote viral replication and that disruption of this cell cycle arrest can lead to catastrophic DNA damage for the host.
Calvarial tuberculosis: an unusual presentation of disseminated tuberculosis
Authors: Santos Pinheiro da Silva Martins Alfredo Manuel , Fanjul Francisco , Campins Rosselló Antoni Abdon , Riera Jaume Melchor
Published: April 2019

A 30-year-old man, without previous medical record, was admitted to our centre due to persistent hacking cough for the previous 2 months, accompanied by nocturnal sweating, unquantified weight loss and low-grade fever. The patient was finally diagnosed of pulmonary tuberculosis (TB). During admission, a right forehead swelling was detected, painful to palpation, fluctuating and not attached to the skin, without cutaneous alterations or neurological impairment. Surgical debridement was performed and intraoperative cultures were positive for mycobacteria TB. The patient completed 9 months of antituberculous therapy and fully recovered.
Complex presentation of adult-onset Still’s disease
Authors: Zafran Muhammad , Wassef Nancy
Published: April 2019

A 61-year-old woman was admitted with feeling generally unwell with influenza-like symptoms, for almost a month. This was followed by dyspnoea, productive cough and fever of >40°C. She was started on oral antibiotics in community, but due to rising inflammatory markers, she was referred for admission to our hospital. Chest X-ray showed left basal pneumonia and SE was started on intravenous antibiotics according to microbiologist’s advice. During admission she developed deranged liver functions with right upper quadrant tenderness, pleural and pericardial effusions. This was followed by multiple joint aches, mouth ulcers and a rash on her chest. Finally, after several days and clinical dilemma, she was diagnosed with adult-onset Still’s disease by the rheumatologist and was started on prednisolone, to which she showed marked improvement, and was later maintained on methotrexate and hydrotherapy. She was in remission during her follow-up in the rheumatology clinic.
Study protocol for a randomised controlled trial of carvedilol versus variceal band ligation in primary prevention of variceal bleeding in liver cirrhosis (CALIBRE trial)
Authors: Tripathi Dhiraj , Hayes Peter Clive , Richardson Paul , Rowe Ian , Ferguson James , Devine Peter , Mathers Jonathan , Poyner Christopher , Jowett Sue , Handley Kelly , Grant Margaret , Slinn Gemma , Ahmed Khaled , Brocklehurst Peter
Published: April 2019

Introduction

Liver cirrhosis is the fifth largest cause of adult deaths, and a major complication, variceal bleeding is associated with a 1-year mortality of 40%. There is uncertainty on the first-line therapy for prevention of variceal bleeding owing to a lack of adequately powered trials comparing non-selective beta blockers, in particular carvedilol, with variceal band ligation.

Methods and analysis

CALIBRE is a multicentre, pragmatic, randomised controlled, open-label trial with an internal pilot. The two interventions are carvedilol 12.5 mg od or variceal band ligation (VBL). Patients with liver cirrhosis and medium to large oesophageal varices that have never bled are eligible for inclusion. The primary outcome is any variceal bleeding within 1 year of randomisation. Secondary endpoints include time to variceal bleed, mortality, transplant-free survival, adverse events, complications of cirrhosis, health-related quality of life, use of healthcare resources, patient preference and use of alternative or crossover therapies. The sample size is 2630 patients over a 4-year recruitment period, across 66 hospitals in the UK.

Ethics and dissemination

The study has been approved by a National Health Service (NHS) Research Ethics Committee (REC) (reference number 18/NE/0296). The results of this trial will be submitted for publication in a peer reviewed journal. Participants will be informed via a link to a preview of the publication. A lay summary will also be provided via email or posted to participants prior to publication (ISRCTN reference number: 73887615).
Acceptance, adherence and dropout rates of individuals with COPD approached in telehealth interventions: a protocol for systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Alghamdi Saeed Mardy , Janaudis-Ferreira Tania , Alhasani Rehab , Ahmed Sara
Published: April 2019

Introduction

Telehealth interventions have the potential of improving exacerbation and health outcomes for individuals with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), by delivering care in between clinical visits. However, the precise impact on avoiding exacerbation and reducing the incidence of hospital readmissions remains inconclusive. This lack of knowledge on the effectiveness of telehealth for COPD care might be due to non-adherence or partial adherence to intervention programmes and/or the withdrawal of participants over the course of previous studies.

Objectives

To conduct a systematic review of trials of telehealth interventions (including randomised control trials (RCT), crossover and pre-post studies) to: (1) estimate the acceptance, adherence and dropout rates; (2) identify the reasons for dropout from telehealth interventions among individuals with COPD; (3) evaluate the impact of trial-related, sociodemographic and intervention-related factors on the acceptance, adherence and dropout rates and (4) estimate the extent to which the acceptance, adherence and dropout rates impact outcomes in comparison with usual monitoring.

Methods and analysis

A systematic literature review of four databases from earliest records to November 2018 will be carried out using CINAHL, Medline (Ovid), Cochrane Library and Embase. Randomised and non-randomised control studies will be included, in addition to crossover and pre-studies post-studies comparing telehealth with standard monitoring among individuals with COPD only. Two independent reviewers will screen all relevant abstracts and full-text studies to determine eligibility, assess the risk of bias and extract the data using structured forms. If the included studies are sufficiently homogenous in terms of interventions, populations and objectives, a meta-analysis will be performed.

Ethics and dissemination

Ethical considerations are not required for this research.

Trial registration number

CRD42017078541.
Interdisciplinary handover between obstetric nursing and neonatal physician teams: an observational study
Authors: Arora Anshul , Kannampallil Thomas , Abraham Joanna
Published: April 2019

Objective

We investigated the content and quality of communication of interservice interprofessional handover between obstetric nurses and neonatal physicians for high-risk deliveries.

Design

Observational study.

Setting

Labour and delivery unit at a tertiary care hospital.

Method

We audio-recorded handovers between obstetric and neonatal teams (n=50) and conducted clinician interviews (n=29). A handover content framework was developed and used to qualitatively code missing core and ancillary content and their potential for adverse events.

Results

26 (52%) handovers missed one or more clinical content elements; a third of the handovers missed at least one core clinical content element. Increase in the number of missed clinical content elements increased the odds of potential adverse events by 2.39 (95% CI1.18 to 5.37). Both residents and nurses perceived handovers to be of low quality and inconsistent and attributed it to the lack of a structured handover process.

Conclusion

Streamlining handover processes by instituting standardisation approaches for both information organisation and communication can improve the quality of neonatal handovers.
Berberine hydrochloride protects against cytokine-induced inflammation through multiple pathways in undifferentiated C2C12 myoblast cells
Authors: Poudel Anil , Zhou Joseph Yi , Mekala Naveen , Welchko Ryan , Rosca Mariana Georgeta , Li Lixin
Published: April 2019

Obesity is associated with skeletal muscle insulin resistance and the development of metabolic syndrome. Undifferentiated skeletal muscle cells are sensitive to oxidative stress. Berberine hydrochloride (BBR) improves insulin resistance and exhibits anti-inflammatory properties. However, the underlying mechanism and the cell signaling pathways involved remain largely elusive. We therefore investigated the anti-inflammatory effects of BBR and the signaling pathways using skeletal C2C12 myoblast cells. Undifferentiated C2C12 myoblast cells were treated with interleukin-1β alone or in combination with tumor necrosis factor-α in the presence or absence of BBR. We found that BBR reduced the cytokine-induced expression of inducible nitric oxide synthase and stress-related kinases including p-38 mitogen-activated protein kinase, nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB), and stress-activated protein kinases/Jun amino-terminal kinases (SAPK/JNK) in C2C12 myoblast cells. Furthermore, BBR reversed cytokine-mediated suppression of AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPKα), sirtuin-1 (SIRT-1), and PPAR-γ coactivator-1α (PGC-1α). In addition, cytokine-induced reduction of mitochondrial marker proteins and function were rescued after BBR treatment. Catalase, an antioxidant enzyme, was elevated after BBR treatment. Our results demonstrate that BBR ameliorates cytokine-induced inflammation. The anti-inflammatory effect of BBR in skeletal progenitor cells is mediated through pathways including activation of the AMPKα-SIRT-1-PGC-1α, inhibition of the mitogen-activated protein kinase 4 (MKK4)-SAPK/JNK-C-JUN, as well as protection of mitochondrial bioenergetics. BBR may be a potential medication for metabolic syndrome.
Influence of fiber laminated thickness on the hygrothermal property of HNT-GFRP nanocomposites for the RFI process-based structures
Authors: Park Soo-Jeong , Kim Yun-Hae
Published: April 2019

Glass fiber–halloysite nanotube (GF/HNT) nanocomposites were fabricated with different numbers of fiber layers and were exposed to a high-temperature water environment to analyze the role of the HNTs regarding the relationship of interface between the fibers and the moisture absorption behavior. The sections of the GF/HNT nanocomposite plates were divided, and the change in the moisture absorption rate was measured. As a result, the ratio of the HNT to epoxy resin was not related to the water deterioration phenomenon according to the fiber-laminated thickness. However, in the curing process after the vacuum bag molding, the external pressure that was applied to each interface influences the flow characteristics and promotes the occurrence of HNT agglomeration, which interferes with interfacial crosslinking.
An Improved Group Similarity-Based Association Rule Mining Algorithm in Complex Scenes
Authors: Duan Guiduo , Wang Xiaotong , Huang Tianxi , Kurths Jürgen
Published: April 2019

Association rule (AR) mining in complex scene has attracted extensive attention of researchers in recent years. Typically, many researchers focused on an algorithm itself and ignored a generalization method to improve the performance of AR mining. Tuna et al., presented a general data structure Speeding-Up AR Structure with Inverted Index Compression (SAII) which could be utilized in most of the existing algorithms to improve their performance IEEE Trans. Cybern. 46(12) (2016) 3059–3072. However, we found that this algorithm consumes a lot of time in re-ordering data because a one-to-one comparison method is used in this process, which is the main reason that the speeding-up structure is difficult to establish when coping with much more large amount of data. To overcome these problems, this paper aims to propose an improved speeding-up AR algorithm based on group similarity and Apache Spark framework to further reduce the memory requirements and runtime. Our simulation results on the police business big dataset make clear that our improved approach performs well and is more suitable for a big data environment.
Optimal Control of a Multifactor Uncertain System
Authors: Sun Yun , Zhu Yuanguo
Published: April 2019

Along with the development of the modern science and technology, people face a lot of data in different areas of production and life. In dealing with these data which include many indeterminant factors, we can use the multifactor uncertain system to describe a dynamical system with uncertain noises. Optimal control problem is an important research topic which aims at finding the optimal strategy in a dynamical system. In this paper, we consider the optimal control problem for the multifactor uncertain system with two evaluation criterions. Then a two person zero sum differential game model in a multifactor uncertain system is discussed. Finally, as an application, our result is used to solve an uncertain portfolio game model.
Crowdfunding research agenda: Semantic analysis of the media and geography of investments
Authors: dos Santos Felipe Israel José , Mendes-Da-Silva Wesley , Gattaz Cristiane Chaves
Published: April 2019

This paper proposes a current research agenda on crowdfunding from two different perspectives, mass media and geography. It is believed that these two elements must exert some kind of influence on the dynamics of the investments made in that market. Semantic analysis of mass news can be a useful tool for investors to assess their exposure to risk as well as help predict financial returns. Geography, on the other hand, can be used on the origin of the capital contributions and, therefore, present information on the location and regional characteristics of the investors.
Electrical resistivity tomography array comparisons to detect cleared-wall foundations in brownfield sites
Authors: Eissa Raad , Cassidy Nigel , Pringle Jamie , Stimpson Ian
Published: April 2019

Electrical resistivity surveys are commonly used to detect and characterize near-surface buried objects in commercial developments of brownfield sites. Two-dimensional electrical resistivity tomography (ERT) profile arrays predominate in such surveys owing to their relatively rapid deployment, good penetration depths and fast data collection rates. However, there is a need to test the optimum array types in such surveys. A scaled model was used to simulate a large cleared-building wall foundation in gravel-fill at a test facility, before multiple 2D ERT profiles were acquired using different array configurations. Results were used to generate 2D resistivity models using both least-squares smoothness-constraint and robust inversion. Two-dimensional profile array comparisons showed that the Wenner and dipole–dipole arrays were the best in detecting the cleared-wall foundation, although dipole–dipole arrays better delineated the top of the wall foundation. This study suggests that both Wenner and dipole–dipole array configurations should be utilized to detect buried wall foundations for 2D resistivity surveys.