bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Interaction motifs variability in a Mediterranean palm under environmental disturbances: the mutualism–antagonism continuum
Authors: Jácome‐Flores Miguel E. , Jordano Pedro , Delibes Miguel , Fedriani Jose M.
Published: November 2019

The nature and the strength of plant–frugivore interactions often vary along an antagonism–mutualism continuum and are highly influenced by the local ecological context (e.g. level of environmental disturbances). However, little is known concerning how the local ecological setting where plant–frugivore interactions take place affects the seed dispersal effectiveness (SDE) and, eventually, plant recruitment. This knowledge gap relates to the scarcity of empirical investigations on individual‐based plant–frugivore networks. We assessed whether the assembly of interaction modes (antagonist and mutualist) of the dwarf palm Chamaerops humilis (Arecaeae) affect the individual and the population level SDE in two Mediterranean sites differing in perturbation levels. We analysed the frequency distribution of interaction typologies and test its relationship with variation among individual palms in SDE. Additionally, we document how variation in interaction motif frequency (e.g. overrepresented interaction typologies) relates to changes in the SDE landscape of both disturbed study sites. We found that the interaction typologies of individual palms and its frugivores did not occur randomly. In a more complex landscape, interactions were more diverse and less dominated by simpler typologies, which may increase the stability of the plant–disperser interaction over the long term. We demonstrate that plants that interact with a more complex assemblage of frugivores, including both mutualistic and antagonistic partners, had the highest probability of recruitment. We found that the highly variable SDE among individual palms resulted from a few interaction modes occurring at higher than expected frequencies. We suggest this may be a reasonably frequent situation in diversified frugivore assemblages with a high heterogeneity of functional effects among mutualistic and antagonistic partners.
Writing humanimals: Critical animal studies and Jewish studies
Authors: Cooper Andrea Dara
Published: November 2019

Recently, there has been a proliferation of scholarship intersecting the fields of critical animal studies and Jewish studies. These publications span many time periods and areas of study, including the Hebrew Bible, the Babylonian Talmud, and modernist literature, and all demonstrate the significance of literary analysis to studying animals and religion. Scholars have persuasively argued that the study of animals in literature should include reflection on real animal others. Research on animals and animality in Jewish studies takes this concern as a point of focus, using literary approaches to show how human and non‐human animals are co‐implicated in systems of ethical and political exclusion. The works I discuss illustrate how encounters with actual animals can animate concerns with figural animalities, and vice versa. Following Donna Haraway, I argue that such literary approaches can point to new and urgent methods of multispecies engagement, allowing us to imagine ourselves out of damaging anthropocentric narratives.
Dignifying and undignifying aspects of care for people with dementia: a narrative review
Authors: van der Geugten Wendy , Goossensen Anne
Published: November 2019

Background

The progressive disease trajectory makes people with dementia increasingly vulnerable and gradually more dependent on others which can lead to admission to a nursing home. Special interest in dignity in people with dementia has led to a growing body of knowledge towards promoting or hindering their dignity.

Aim

The aim of this narrative review was to synthesise dignifying and undignifying aspects of formal and informal care for people with dementia within nursing homes.

Method

The electronic databases CINAHL, SCOPUS, PSycInfo and PubMed were systematically searched with the terms ‘dementia’ and ‘dignity’, complemented with the use of snowballing and reference check. A total of 789 unique items were found. The search and selection process was structured by the PRISMA framework, and both authors formulated the criteria of eligibility. A methodological check was performed using the critical appraisal tool of Hawker. This process led to inclusion of 29 articles which were reviewed with the help of the guidelines for narrative synthesis by Popay et al.

Findings

The emerged dignifying and undignifying aspects of formal and informal care are characterised by either a successful or unsuccessful process of adjustment towards changing abilities, preferences and care needs of people with dementia. Three themes appeared as undignifying aspects of care: ‘Stigmatisation and objectivation’, ‘Scarcity and hastiness’ and ‘Impending estrangement and misunderstanding’. Four themes were identified as dignifying aspect of care: ‘Personalisation’, ‘Respect, attentiveness and encouragement’, ‘Attention for physical care and bodily gestures’, and ‘Foster belonging’. Literature synthesis showed mostly relational aspects of care concerning dignity in people with dementia. Formal and informal caregivers are important in maintaining and promoting their dignity.
Relationships between caregiving stress, mental health and physical health in family caregivers of adult patients with cancer: implications for nursing practice
Authors: Saimaldaher Zahra'a H. , Wazqar Dhuha Y.
Published: November 2019

Aim

This study was conducted to investigate the relationships between caregiving stress, mental health and physical health in family caregivers of adult patients with cancer at a University Teaching Hospital in Jeddah city, Saudi Arabia.

Methods

A cross‐sectional correlational study was carried out with a convenience sample of 160 family caregivers of adult patients with cancer. Data were collected using a self‐administered questionnaire including the Modified Caregiver Strain Index, the DUKE Health Profile and sociodemographic items. The data were analysed using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS). Descriptive and inferential statistics and correlations were performed.

Results

Participants experienced a certain level of caregiving stress (M = 9.01, SD = 5.645). Many factors were found to be correlated to higher caregiving stress in this study. Caregiving stress showed significant moderate negative correlations with mental and physical health (p < 0.01). Statistically significant differences were found between age, gender, nationality, education, monthly income, and caregiving stress or DUKE Health Profile scores (p < 0.05).

Conclusions

Caregiving stress affects family caregivers' mental and physical health. Such stress can disrupt the caregiving performance of family caregivers. Discovering the causes of caregiving stress among the family caregivers of adult patients with cancer may help to determine the main elements affecting patient care and can assist oncology nurses in providing support and services to caregivers. Educational strategies/intervention programs in the hospitals may be required to reduce caregiving stress levels and improve the health and well‐being of family caregivers of adult patients with cancer.
Nurse managers’ work content: development of the questionnaire and results of the pilot study
Authors: Nurmeksela Anu , Kinnunen Juha , Kvist Tarja
Published: November 2019

Aim

To develop the Nurse Managers’ Work Content Questionnaire (NMWCQ) and to describe nurse managers’ work content.

Background

Restructuring within health care has expanded the nurse manager’s role to include organisational, patient and staff demands.

Methods

The pilot study employed a cross‐sectional study design. Based on a literature review, the NMWCQ with 102 items was developed and pretested for this study. Data were collected in 2017 from three Finnish acute care central hospitals that provide specialised health care. A total of 61 nurse managers participated, which represents a response rate of 59%. Principal component analysis was used to test the construct validity of the instrument. Cronbach’s alpha values were used to analyse the internal consistency of the instrument. In addition, descriptive and nonparametric analysis was used.

Results

Ultimately, 13 components with 87 items were identified in the questionnaire. The construct validity and internal consistency of the questionnaire were at acceptable levels. Cronbach’s alpha rates of the components were 0.554 ‐ 0.890. The most frequently performed daily work of nurse managers was in the component of organising, and the most infrequently performed daily work was in the component of clinical nursing.

Conclusions

The study shows that the Nurse Managers’ Work Content Questionnaire (NMWCQ) is suitable for measuring the current content of nurse managers’ work. However, the questionnaire is new and needs additional testing such as confirmatory factor analysis with larger amounts of data.
Bayesian smooth‐and‐match inference for ordinary differential equations models linear in the parameters
Authors: Ranciati Saverio , Wit Ernst C. , Viroli Cinzia
Published: November 2019

Dynamic processes are crucial in many empirical fields, such as in oceanography, climate science, and engineering. Processes that evolve through time are often well described by systems of ordinary differential equations (ODEs). Fitting ODEs to data has long been a bottleneck because the analytical solution of general systems of ODEs is often not explicitly available. We focus on a class of inference techniques that uses smoothing to avoid direct integration. In particular, we develop a Bayesian smooth‐and‐match strategy that approximates the ODE solution while performing Bayesian inference on the model parameters. We incorporate in the strategy two main sources of uncertainty: the noise level of the measured observations and the model approximation error. We assess the performance of the proposed approach in an extensive simulation study and on a canonical data set of neuronal electrical activity.
Identification of the novel HLA‐A*30:162 allele in a Brazilian candidate donor for bone marrow donation
Authors: Vianna Romulo , Secco Danielle , Santos Angela , Porto Luís Cristóvão
Published: November 2019

Identification of the novel HLA‐A*30:162 allele that differs from HLA‐A*30:02:01:01 in exon 3.
Home range and habitat: Using platial characteristics to define urban areas from the bottom up
Authors: Acedo Albert , Johnson Peter A.
Published: November 2019

The spatial representation of a city is typically formed by top‐down jurisdictional boundaries. A parallel approach would be to consider representing a city based on platial characteristics, that is, a bottom‐up landscape created through individual and collectively derived representations. This study contributes to this discourse through the exploratory examination of the ecology notions of home range and habitat applied to humans in an urban context. Using spatial data collected through a WebGIS platform, we employ a spatial definition of sense of place and social capital to understand the platial nature of the city and, simultaneously, defining home range and habitat as platial notions. We found spatial variability among individual home range and habitat and the difficulty of traditional administrative boundaries to represent these areas. This research defines and presents home range and habitat to partially describe the emergent nature of platial theory and explores their operationalization at the urban level.
Mimicking exercise: what matters most and where to next?
Authors: Hawley John A. , Joyner Michael J. , Green Daniel J.
Published: November 2019

The past decade has witnessed growing scientific and commercial interest in the identification of bioactive oral compounds that mimic or potentiate the effects of exercise, so‐called ‘exercise pills’ or ‘exercise mimetics.’ These compounds have, to date, typically targeted skeletal muscle in an attempt to stimulate some of the adaptations to exercise induced by endurance training. Accordingly, they fail to impart many of the broad health protecting effects of exercise that are seen in tissues and organs other than skeletal muscle. In the context that multiple integrative regulatory and often redundant pathways have evolved to detect and respond to human movement, here we consider the complex challenges of designing a pill that might mimic the extensive range of exercise benefits. In particular, we consider the limits of the current ‘myocentric’ paradigm given the wide‐ranging array of impacts that exercise exerts on atherosclerosis and the cardiovascular system. We discuss the validity and limitations of the concept that low dose cardiovascular polypills, already in large scale trials, may represent one form of cardiovascular exercise mimetic. Finally, given that some calls for an exercise pill stem from a response to the perceived failure of expert advice, evidence‐based guidelines and current public health approaches, we explore possible strategies that might address the global rise in inactivity. In the event that a broad spectrum exercise mimetic might ever be developed, we discuss some generic issues related to adoption and adherence of therapeutic interventions.

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A Brain Phantom Study of a Noncontact Single Inductive Coil Device and the Attendant Algorithm for First Stage Diagnosis of Internal Bleeding in the Head
Authors: Oziel Moshe , Korenstein Rafi , Rubinsky Boris
Published: November 2019

Hemorrhagic stroke is one of the leading causes of premature death among economically disadvantaged populations. Treatments of these conditions require an early diagnosis. While computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging are the medical gold standard for early diagnosis, these imaging modalities are rarely available in low- and middle-income countries. We present an unsophisticated noncontact single coil inductive device and a simple algorithm for detection of changes in fluid/tissue ratio in the head which simulates blood vessel bursting in the brain. Experiments were performed on a typical phantom model of the head and internal bleeding was simulated by injection of physiological saline at two locations in the head phantom. The primary motivation for this work is the need for a simple and robust detection device and algorithm for diagnosis of hemorrhagic stroke in low- and middle-income countries. This phantom-based study shows that the technology and in particular the algorithm introduced here are robust and could replace conventional imaging for first stage diagnosis of internal bleeding in the head, and thereby save millions of lives every year. Clinical studies are required to further examine the technology and the algorithm.
Experimental Investigation of a U-Tube Performance Using Nanoferrofluids Under the Effect of Magnetic Fields
Authors: Kelidari Milad , Jabari Moghadam Ali , Moradi Dalvand Houman
Published: November 2019

The effects of nanoferrofluids on the overall performance of curved tubes (with various radii of curvature) are experimentally investigated under the influence of constant and alternating magnetic fields. The working fluids are distilled water and a ferrofluid (Fe3O4/water) with 0.2% and 0.4% volume concentrations. The experiments are performed under a constant wall heat flux (≈12,700 W/m2) using a chrome–nickel electric heater element insulated by refractory fabrics. The mass flowrate is varied from 0.2 to 0.7 kg/min. There are three key parameters, namely, type of the magnetic field, volume of concentration of nanoparticles, and radius of curvature of the pipes that affect the hydrodynamic and thermal characteristics of the system, but the latter is comparatively the dominant factor. If the Reynolds number is 930 in the pipe of 0.2-m diameter of curvature, and also a 50-Hz alternating magnetic field is applied to the curved pipe, the results reveal that using a 0.4% ferrofluid, Nusselt number is improved by 32% compared to that of the distilled water. Nevertheless, due to the undesirable influence of pressure gradient, the best overall effectiveness of 1.12 is attained in the circumstances but in the pipe of 0.4-m diameter of curvature.
Enhancing Magnetic Resonance Imaging With Computational Fluid Dynamics
Authors: Annio Giacomo , Torii Ryo , Ariff Ben , O'Regan Declan P. , Muthurangu Vivek , Ducci Andrea , Tsang Victor , Burriesci Gaetano
Published: November 2019

The analysis of the blood flow in the great thoracic arteries does provide valuable information about the cardiac function and can diagnose the potential development of vascular diseases. Flow-sensitive four-dimensional flow cardiovascular magnetic resonance imaging (4D flow CMR) is often used to characterize patients' blood flow in the clinical environment. Nevertheless, limited spatial and temporal resolution hinders a detailed assessment of the hemodynamics. Computational fluid dynamics (CFD) could expand this information and, integrated with experimental velocity field, enable to derive the pressure maps. However, the limited resolution of the 4D flow CMR and the simplifications of CFD modeling compromise the accuracy of the computed flow parameters. In this article, a novel approach is proposed, where 4D flow CMR and CFD velocity fields are integrated synergistically to obtain an enhanced MR imaging (EMRI). The approach was first tested on a two-dimensional (2D) portion of a pipe, to understand the behavior of the parameters of the model in this novel framework, and afterwards in vivo, to apply it to the analysis of blood flow in a patient-specific human aorta. The outcomes of EMRI are assessed by comparing the computed velocities with the experimental one. The results demonstrate that EMRI preserves flow structures while correcting for experimental noise. Therefore, it can provide better insights into the hemodynamics of cardiovascular problems, overcoming the limitations of MRI and CFD, even when considering a small region of interest. EMRI confirmed its potential to provide more accurate noninvasive estimation of major cardiovascular risk predictors (e.g., flow patterns, endothelial shear stress) and become a novel diagnostic tool.
A Development in the Extended Ritz Method for Solving a General Class of Fractional Variational Problems
Authors: Lotfi Ali
Published: November 2019

In this paper, based on the idea of the extended Ritz method, we introduce an efficient approximate technique for solving a general class of fractional variational problems. In the discussed problem, the fractional derivatives are considered in the Caputo sense. First, we introduce a family of fractional polynomial functions with a free parameter in the exponent. With the aid of the presented fractional polynomials, we construct a family of functions with free parameters, which provides the extended Ritz method with a great flexibility in searching for the approximate solution of the problem. The approximate solutions satisfy all the initial and the boundary conditions of the problem. The convergence of the method is analytically studied and some test examples are included to demonstrate the superiority of the new technique over the ordinary Ritz method.
Backward Differentiation Formula and Newmark-Type Index-2 and Index-1 Integration Schemes for Constrained Mechanical Systems
Authors: Meyer T. , Li P. , Schweizer B.
Published: November 2019

Various methods for solving systems of differential-algebraic equations (DAE systems) are known from literature. Here, an alternative approach is suggested, which is based on a collocated constraints approach (CCA). The basic idea of the method is to introduce intermediate time points. The approach is rather general and may basically be applied for solving arbitrary DAE systems. Here, the approach is discussed for constrained mechanical systems of index-3. Application of the presented formulations for nonmechanical higher index DAE systems is also possible. We discuss index-2 formulations with one intermediate time point and index-1 implementations with two intermediate time points. The presented technique is principally independent of the time discretization method and may be applied in connection with different time integration schemes. Here, implementations are investigated for backward differentiation formula (BDF) and Newmark-type integrator schemes. A direct application of the presented approach yields a system of discretized equations with larger dimensions. The increased dimension of the discretized system of equations may be considered as the main drawback of the presented technique. The main advantage is that the approach may be used in a very straightforward manner for solving rather arbitrary multiphysical DAE systems with arbitrary index. Hence, the method might, for instance, be attractive for general purpose DAE integrators, since the approach is not tailored for special DAE systems (e.g., constrained mechanical systems). Numerical examples will demonstrate the straightforward application of the approach.
Exogenous Ketone Salts Do Not Improve Cognitive Performance During a Dual-Stress Challenge
Authors: Waldman Hunter S. , Shepherd Brandon D. , Egan Brendan , McAllister Matthew J.
Published: November 2019

In the present study, our team aimed to investigate the effects of acute ingestion of a ketone salt (KS) supplement on the cognitive performance in healthy college-aged males during a dual-stress challenge (DSC). Following a peak oxygen uptake test and DSC familiarization, 16 males completed a DSC while cycling at 60% of their respective peak oxygen uptake after ingesting either a commercially available racemic (D- and L-)β-hydroxybutyrate (β-OHB) KS (0.38 g/kg body mass) or a placebo, using a triple-blinded, crossover, and counterbalanced design. The participants consumed the KS or placebo at −60 and −15 min prior to the start of the DSC. Heart rate, rating of perceived exertion, and blood β-OHB and glucose were sampled throughout. The DSC consisted of a mental arithmetic challenge and a modified Stroop Color Word, which alternated every 2 min for 20 min. Upon completion of the DSC, responses for correct, incorrect, and no responses were recorded for the mental arithmetic challenge and Stroop Color Word. Blood β-OHB was elevated with KS by −15 min and remained so throughout (p < .001), peaking at 0.76 ± 0.32 mM. Blood glucose was lower with KS compared with the placebo at −15 and 10 min by 9% and 5%, respectively (both ps < .05). There were no differences between the treatments for heart rate, rating of perceived exertion, mental arithmetic challenge, or Stroop Color Word. Overall, this study suggests that KSs are not effective aids for enhancing cognitive performance during a DSC, which might partially be explained by the inability of currently available commercial KS supplements to elevate β-OHB blood concentrations above ∼1.0 mM.
Combining Unassisted and Robot-Guided Practice Benefits Motor Learning for a Golf Putting Task
Authors: Bested Stephen R. , Manson Gerome A. , Tremblay Luc
Published: November 2019

Robotic guidance has been employed with limited effectiveness in neurologically intact and patient populations. For example, our lab has effectively used robotic guidance to acutely improve movement smoothness of a discrete trajectory without influencing movement endpoint distributions. The purpose of the current study was to investigate the efficacy of combining robotic guidance and unassisted trials in the learning of a golf putting task. Participants completed a pre-test, an acquisition phase, and an immediate and delayed (24-hour) post-test. During the pre-test, kinematic data from the putter was converted into highly accurate, consistent, and smooth trajectories delivered by a robot arm. During acquisition, three groups performed putts towards three different targets with robotic guidance on either 0%, 50%, or 100% of acquisition trials. Only the 50% guidance group statistically reduced both the ball endpoint distance and variability between the pre-test and the immediate or 24-hr post-test. The results of the 50% guidance group yielded seminal evidence that combining both unassisted and robotic guidance trials (i.e., mixed practice) could facilitate at least short-term motor learning for a golf putting task. Such work is relevant to incorporating robotic guidance in sport skills and other practical areas (e.g., rehabilitation).
Impaired ATM activation in B cells is associated with bone resorption in rheumatoid arthritis
Authors: Mensah Kofi A. , Chen Jeff W. , Schickel Jean-Nicolas , Isnardi Isabelle , Yamakawa Natsuko , Vega-Loza Andrea , Anolik Jennifer H. , Gatti Richard A. , Gelfand Erwin W. , Montgomery Ruth R. , Horowitz Mark C. , Craft Joe E. , Meffre Eric
Published: November 2019

Defective ATM activation skews the B cell repertoire and increases RANKL production, promoting joint erosion in patients with rheumatoid arthritis.
Cytoplasmic Parvovirus Capsids Recruit Importin Beta for Nuclear Delivery
Authors: Mäntylä Elina , Aho Vesa , Kann Michael , Vihinen-Ranta Maija
Published: November 2019

Parvoviruses are small DNA viruses that deliver their DNA into the postmitotic nuclei, which is an important step for parvoviral gene and cancer therapies. Limitations in virus-receptor interactions or endocytic entry do not fully explain the low transduction/infection efficiency, indicating a bottleneck after virus entry into the cytoplasm. We thus investigated the transfer of parvovirus capsids from the cytoplasm to the nucleus, showing that the nuclear import of the parvovirus capsid follows a unique strategy, which differs from classical nuclear import and those of other viruses.
Two phases of post-onset collision adakitic magmatism in the southern Lhasa subterrane, Tibet, and their tectonic implications
Authors: Lu Tian-Yu , He Zhen-Yu , Klemd Reiner
Published: November 2019

Abundant Neogene adakitic magmatism occurred in the southern Lhasa subterrane after the onset of the India–Asia collision while convergence continued. However, the tectonic setting and magmatic evolution of the adakitic rocks are still under discussion. This study includes new mineral chemical and whole-rock geochemical data as well as zircon U-Pb and Lu-Hf isotopes of adakitic intrusive rocks from the Gyaca and Nyemo locations in the southern Lhasa subterrane. Laser ablation–inductively coupled plasma–mass spectrometry (LA–ICP–MS) zircon U-Pb dating yielded crystallization ages of ca. 30 Ma for the Gyaca and Nyemo monzogranite and ca. 15 Ma for the Nyemo granodiorite. Both have common chemical signatures such as low MgO and heavy rare earth element contents as well as low compatible element abundances, indicating that these rocks result from partial melting of thickened lower crust with residual eclogite and garnet amphibolite. Furthermore, these rocks are characterized by variable positive zircon εHf(t) values, suggesting a juvenile magma source with variable ancient crustal contributions. Taking previous data into account, the adakitic magmatism concurs with an early late Eocene to Oligocene (ca. 38–25 Ma) and a late Miocene (ca. 20–10 Ma) phase. The adakitic rocks of the two phases are characterized by different fractionation evolutions of light and medium rare earth elements. We propose that the early-phase adakitic rocks were generated by the anatexis of Lhasa terrane lower crust owing to crustal shortening and thickening subsequent to the onset of the India–Asia collision and the upwelling of hot asthenosphere beneath the Lhasa terrane caused by the break-off of the Neo-Tethyan oceanic slab. The latest phase of adakitic rocks, however, relates to upwelling asthenosphere following the delamination and/or break-off of the subducting Indian continental slab.
Induction of labour at 41 weeks versus expectant management and induction of labour at 42 weeks (SWEdish Post-term Induction Study, SWEPIS): multicentre, open label, randomised, superiority trial
Authors: Wennerholm Ulla-Britt , Saltvedt Sissel , Wessberg Anna , Alkmark Mårten , Bergh Christina , Wendel Sophia Brismar , Fadl Helena , Jonsson Maria , Ladfors Lars , Sengpiel Verena , Wesström Jan , Wennergren Göran , Wikström Anna-Karin , Elden Helen , Stephansson Olof , Hagberg Henrik
Published: November 2019

Objective

To evaluate if induction of labour at 41 weeks improves perinatal and maternal outcomes in women with a low risk pregnancy compared with expectant management and induction of labour at 42 weeks.

Design

Multicentre, open label, randomised controlled superiority trial.

Setting

14 hospitals in Sweden, 2016-18.

Participants

2760 women with a low risk uncomplicated singleton pregnancy randomised (1:1) by the Swedish Pregnancy Register. 1381 women were assigned to the induction group and 1379 were assigned to the expectant management group.

Interventions

Induction of labour at 41 weeks and expectant management and induction of labour at 42 weeks.

Main outcome measures

The primary outcome was a composite perinatal outcome including one or more of stillbirth, neonatal mortality, Apgar score less than 7 at five minutes, pH less than 7.00 or metabolic acidosis (pH <7.05 and base deficit >12 mmol/L) in the umbilical artery, hypoxic ischaemic encephalopathy, intracranial haemorrhage, convulsions, meconium aspiration syndrome, mechanical ventilation within 72 hours, or obstetric brachial plexus injury. Primary analysis was by intention to treat.

Results

The study was stopped early owing to a significantly higher rate of perinatal mortality in the expectant management group. The composite primary perinatal outcome did not differ between the groups: 2.4% (33/1381) in the induction group and 2.2% (31/1379) in the expectant management group (relative risk 1.06, 95% confidence interval 0.65 to 1.73; P=0.90). No perinatal deaths occurred in the induction group but six (five stillbirths and one early neonatal death) occurred in the expectant management group (P=0.03). The proportion of caesarean delivery, instrumental vaginal delivery, or any major maternal morbidity did not differ between the groups.

Conclusions

This study comparing induction of labour at 41 weeks with expectant management and induction at 42 weeks does not show any significant difference in the primary composite adverse perinatal outcome. However, a reduction of the secondary outcome perinatal mortality is observed without increasing adverse maternal outcomes. Although these results should be interpreted cautiously, induction of labour ought to be offered to women no later than at 41 weeks and could be one (of few) interventions that reduces the rate of stillbirths.

Trial registration

Current Controlled Trials
ISRCTN26113652
.
Weight loss efficacy of alternate day fasting versus daily calorie restriction in subjects with subclinical hypothyroidism: a secondary analysis
Authors: Akasheh Rand T. , Kroeger Cynthia M. , Trepanowski John F. , Gabel Kelsey , Hoddy Kristin K. , Kalam Faiza , Cienfuegos Sofia , Varady Krista A.
Published: November 2019

This study compared the weight loss efficacy of alternate-day fasting (ADF) versus daily calorie restriction (CR) in adults with subclinical hypothyroidism. After 6 months, body weight decreased (P < 0.001) similarly by ADF (–7% ± 1%) and CR (–8% ± 2%). Insulin resistance decreased (P < 0.05) more by ADF versus CR. Free thyroxin and thyroid-stimulating hormone remained unchanged. Thus, ADF and CR produce similar weight loss in this population, without affecting thyroid hormone levels.

Novelty Intermittent fasting and daily restriction produce similar reductions in body weight in subjects with subclinical hypothyroidism.
Reduced inflammatory and phagocytotic responses following normobaric hypoxia exercise despite evidence supporting greater immune challenge
Authors: Hill Garrett W. , Gillum Trevor L. , Lee Ben J. , Romano Phebe A. , Schall Zach J. , Kuennen Matthew R.
Published: November 2019

This study examined changes in immune markers following sustained treadmill exercise in normobaric hypoxia. Ten subjects performed 1 h of treadmill exercise (65% maximal oxygen uptake) under normoxic (NORM: fraction of inspired oxygen (FIO2) = 20.9%) and normobaric hypoxic (HYP: FIO2= 13.5%) conditions. Blood samples, collected before, after (Post), 1 h after (1-Post), and 4 h after (4-Post) exercise, were assayed for plasma cytokines (interleukin (IL)-1RA/IL-1β/IL-8/tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α)) and markers of leukocyte activation (macrophage inflammatory protein-1β (MIP-1β)/myeloperoxidase (MPO)/soluble intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (sICAM-1)) using ELISA. Pro- to anti-inflammatory cytokine ratios (TNF-α/IL-1RA; IL-1β/IL-1RA) were calculated. Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) were analyzed for changes in inflammatory status (phosphorylated nuclear factor kappa B/nuclear factor kappa B) using Western Blot. Data were analyzed with 2-way (condition × time) repeated-measure ANOVAs with Newman–Keuls post hoc tests. MIP-1β was elevated at 1-Post HYP exercise (+11%; p < 0.01) but did not increase following exercise in NORM. TNF-α/IL-1RA and IL-1β/IL-1RA ratios were both reduced (p < 0.05) following HYP exercise (−16% and −52%, respectively, at 1-Post and −7% and −32%, respectively, at 4-Post). IL-8 increased (p < 0.05) at Post and 1-Post NORM (+33% and +57%, respectively) and HYP (+60% and +83%, respectively) exercise, but was not different between conditions (p > 0.05). Interestingly, plasma sICAM-1 did not increase (p > 0.05) following NORM exercise but was increased (p < 0.05) at Post (+17%), 1-Post (+16%), and 4-Post (+14%) HYP exercise. There was also a delayed peak in plasma MPO concentrations following HYP exercise and PBMC exhibited a reduced (p < 0.05) inflammatory capacity at Post (−38%) and 1-Post (−49%).

Novelty Following HYP exercise, participants exhibited (i) circulatory bias towards anti-inflammation; (ii) elevated sICAM; (iii) delayed peak in plasma MPO; and (iv) diminished inflammatory response in PBMC. Collectively, these data suggest immunosuppression. This is undesirable, given that elevated MIP-1β (reported here) and elevated intestinal fatty acid binding protein (reported previously) both suggest higher lipopolysaccharide concentrations following HYP exercise.
The first record of protoporphyrinogen oxidase and four-way herbicide resistance in eastern Canada
Authors: Benoit Lauren , Hedges Brittany , Schryver Mike G. , Soltani Nader , Hooker David C. , Robinson Darren E. , Laforest Martin , Soufiane Brahim , Tranel Patrick J. , Giacomini Darci , Sikkema Peter H.
Published: November 2019

This is the first record of protoporphyrinogen oxidase (PPO) inhibitor resistance in eastern Canada, and the second record of a glyphosate-resistant weed in Quebec. In 2016 and 2017, waterhemp seed was collected from 25 locations across Ontario and Quebec. All populations tested positive for imazethapyr resistance. Three-way resistance to imazethapyr, atrazine, and glyphosate was confirmed in 80% of the samples. Additionally, between 2015 and 2017, waterhemp seed was collected from 74 locations in Ontario or Quebec and resistance to lactofen was confirmed in 28% of the seed lots screened.
Universal character, phase model and topological strings on $$\pmb {\mathbb {C}^3}$$
Authors: Wang Na , Li Chuanzhong
Published: November 2019

In this paper, we consider two different subjects: the algebra of universal characters$$S_{[\lambda ,\mu ]}(\mathbf{x},\mathbf{y})$$S[λ,μ](x,y)(a generalization of Schur functions) and the phase model of strongly correlated bosons. We find that the two-site generalized phase model can be realized in the algebra of universal characters, and the entries in the monodromy matrix of the phase model can be represented by the vertex operators$$\Gamma _i^\pm (z) (i=1,2)$$Γi±(z)(i=1,2)which generate universal characters. Meanwhile, we find that these vertex operators can also be used to obtain the A-model topological string partition function on$$\mathbb {C}^3$$C3.
Automated program repair
Authors: Le Goues Claire , Pradel Michael , Roychoudhury Abhik
Published: November 2019

Automated program repair can relieve programmers from the burden of manually fixing the ever-increasing number of programming mistakes.
Behavioural Equivalence via Modalities for Algebraic Effects
Authors: Simpson Alex , Voorneveld Niels
Published: November 2019

The article investigates behavioural equivalence between programs in a call-by-value functional language extended with a signature of (algebraic) effect-triggering operations. Two programs are considered as being behaviourally equivalent if they enjoy the same behavioural properties. To formulate this, we define a logic whose formulas specify behavioural properties. A crucial ingredient is a collection of
modalities
expressing effect-specific aspects of behaviour. We give a general theory of such modalities. If two conditions,
openness
and
decomposability
, are satisfied by the modalities, then the logically specified behavioural equivalence coincides with a modality-defined notion of applicative bisimilarity, which can be proven to be a congruence by a generalisation of Howe’s method. We show that the openness and decomposability conditions hold for several examples of algebraic effects: nondeterminism, probabilistic choice, global store, and input/output.
Effects of aging and lifelong aerobic exercise on basal and exercise-induced inflammation
Authors: Lavin Kaleen M. , Perkins Ryan K. , Jemiolo Bozena , Raue Ulrika , Trappe Scott W. , Trappe Todd A.
Published: November 2019

Age-associated chronic basal inflammation compromises muscle mass and adaptability, but exercise training may exert an anti-inflammatory effect. This investigation assessed basal and exercise-induced inflammation in three cohorts of men: young exercisers [YE; n = 10 men; 25 ± 1 yr; maximal oxygen consumption (V̇o2max), 53 ± 3 mL·kg−1·min−1; quadriceps area, 78 ± 3 cm2; means ± SE], old healthy nonexercisers (OH; n = 10; 75 ± 1 yr; V̇o2max, 22 ± 1 mL·kg−1·min−1; quadriceps area, 56 ± 3 cm2), and lifelong exercisers with an aerobic training history of 53 ± 1 yr (LLE; n = 21; 74 ± 1 yr; V̇o2max, 34 ± 1 mL·kg−1·min−1; quadriceps area, 67 ± 2 cm2). Resting serum IL-6, TNF-α, C-reactive protein, and IGF-1 levels were measured. Vastus lateralis muscle biopsies were obtained at rest (basal) and 4 h after an acute exercise challenge (3 × 10 repetitions, 70% 1-repetition maximum) to assess gene expression of cytokines [IL-6, TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-10, IL-4, interleukin-1 receptor antagonist (IL-1Ra), and transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β)], chemokines [IL-8 and monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1)], cyclooxygenase enzymes [cyclooxygenase-1 and -2 (COX-1 and COX-2, respectively), prostaglandin E2synthases [microsomal prostaglandin E synthase 1 (mPGES-1) and cytosolic prostaglandin E2synthase (cPGES)] and receptors [prostaglandin E2receptor EP3 and EP4 subtypes (EP3 and EP4, respectively), and macrophage markers [cluster of differentiation 16b (CD16b) and CD163], as well as basal macrophage abundance (CD68+cells). Aging led to higher ( P ≤ 0.05) circulating IL-6 and skeletal muscle COX-1, mPGES-1, and CD163 expression. However, LLE had significantly lower serum IL-6 levels ( P ≤ 0.05 vs. OH) and a predominantly anti-inflammatory muscle profile [higher IL-10 ( P ≤ 0.05 vs. YE), TNF-α, TGF-β, and EP4 levels ( P ≤ 0.05 vs. OH)]. In OH only, acute exercise increased expression of proinflammatory factors TNF-α, TGF-β, and IL-8 ( P ≤ 0.05). LLE had postexercise gene expression similar to YE, except lower IL-10 ( P ≤ 0.10), mPGES-1, and EP3 expression ( P ≤ 0.05). Thus, although aging led to a proinflammatory profile within blood and muscle, lifelong exercise partially prevented this and generally preserved the acute inflammatory response to exercise seen in young exercising men. Lifelong exercise may positively impact muscle health throughout aging by promoting anti-inflammation in skeletal muscle.

NEW & NOTEWORTHY This study assessed a unique population of lifelong aerobic exercising men and demonstrated that their activity status exerts an anti-inflammatory effect in skeletal muscle and circulation. Furthermore, we provide evidence that the inflammatory response to acute exercise is dysregulated by aging but preserved with lifelong exercise, which might improve skeletal muscle resilience to unaccustomed loading and adaptability into late life.
Salivary antimicrobial proteins and stress biomarkers are elevated during a 6-month mission to the International Space Station
Authors: Agha Nadia H. , Baker Forrest L. , Kunz Hawley E. , Spielmann Guillaume , Mylabathula Preteesh L. , Rooney Bridgette V. , Mehta Satish K. , Pierson Duane L. , Laughlin Mitzi S. , Markofski Melissa M. , Crucian Brian E. , Simpson Richard J.
Published: November 2019

As the international space community plans for manned missions to Mars, spaceflight-associated immune dysregulation has been identified as a potential risk to the health and safety of the flight crew. There is a need to determine whether salivary antimicrobial proteins, which act as a first line of innate immune defense against multiple pathogens, are altered in response to long-duration (>6 mo) missions. We collected 7 consecutive days of whole and sublingual saliva samples from eight International Space Station (ISS) crewmembers and seven ground-based control subjects at nine mission time points, ~180 and ~60 days before launch (L−180/L−60), on orbit at flight days ~10 and ~90 (FD10/FD90) and ~1 day before return (R−1), and at R+0, R+18, R+33, and R+66 days after returning to Earth. We found that salivary secretory (s)IgA, lysozyme, LL-37, and the cortisol-to-dehydroepiandrosterone ratio were elevated in the ISS crew before (L−180) and during (FD10/FD90) the mission. “Rookie” crewmembers embarking on their first spaceflight mission had lower levels of salivary sIgA but increased levels of α-amylase, lysozyme, and LL-37 during and after the mission compared with the “veteran” crew who had previously flown. Latent herpesvirus reactivation was distinct to the ~6-mo mission crewmembers who performed extravehicular activity (“spacewalks”). Crewmembers who shed at least one latent virus had higher cortisol levels than those who did not shed. We conclude that long-duration spaceflight alters the concentration and/or secretion of several antimicrobial proteins in saliva, some of which are related to crewmember flight experience, biomarkers of stress, and latent viral reactivation.

NEW & NOTEWORTHY Spaceflight-associated immune dysregulation may jeopardize future exploration-class missions. Salivary antimicrobial proteins act as a first line of innate immune defense. We report here that several of these proteins are elevated in astronauts during an International Space Station mission, particularly in those embarking on their first space voyage. Astronauts who shed a latent herpesvirus also had higher concentrations of salivary cortisol compared with those who did not shed. Stress-relieving countermeasures are needed to preserve immunity and prevent viral reactivation during prolonged voyages into deep space.
mRNA Metabolism in Cardiac Development and Disease: Life After Transcription
Authors: Gao Chen , Wang Yibin
Published: November 2019

The central dogma of molecular biology illustrates the importance of mRNAs as critical mediators between genetic information encoded at the DNA level and proteomes/metabolomes that determine the diverse functional outcome at the cellular and organ levels. Although the total number of protein-producing (coding) genes in the mammalian genome is ~20,000, it is evident that the intricate processes of cardiac development and the highly regulated physiological regulation in the normal heart, as well as the complex manifestation of pathological remodeling in a diseased heart, would require a much higher degree of complexity at the transcriptome level and beyond. Indeed, in addition to an extensive regulatory scheme implemented at the level of transcription, the complexity of transcript processing following transcription is dramatically increased. RNA processing includes post-transcriptional modification, alternative splicing, editing and transportation, ribosomal loading, and degradation. While transcriptional control of cardiac genes has been a major focus of investigation in recent decades, a great deal of progress has recently been made in our understanding of how post-transcriptional regulation of mRNA contributes to transcriptome complexity. In this review, we highlight some of the key molecular processes and major players in RNA maturation and post-transcriptional regulation. In addition, we provide an update to the recent progress made in the discovery of RNA processing regulators implicated in cardiac development and disease. While post-transcriptional modulation is a complex and challenging problem to study, recent technological advancements are paving the way for a new era of exciting discoveries and potential clinical translation in the context of cardiac biology and heart disease.
Probability of Exceeding Damage States in Plates Using BEM
Authors: Pineda-León Ernesto , Rosales-Juárez José Manuel , Tolentino Dante , Susarrey-Huerta Orlando
Published: November 2019

An approach to obtain fragility curves taking into account the formulation for shear deformable plate theory with combined geometric and material nonlinearities and the boundary element method is proposed. It is assumed that the material undergoes large deflection with small strains. The von Mises yield criterion is used to evaluate the plastic zone and is supposed to have elastic-perfectly plastic material behaviour. An initial stress formulation is used to formulate the boundary integral equations. The domain integrals are evaluated using a cell discretization technique. A total incremental method is applied to solve the nonlinear boundary integral equations. The approach is illustrated in a plate subjected to incremental load. The uncertainties in both geometric and mechanical properties are considered in order to obtain the structural response. Results show that there are high probabilities of exceeding the damage state,d, equal to 0.05 while for the rest of the values ofd, these probabilities are low.
The Choice of Local Treatment Modalities for Patients with Brain Metastases from Digestive Cancers
Authors: Dong Jun , Wu Liyan , Wang Fang , Huang Jinsheng , Hu Pili , Zhang Bei , Xia Liang-ping
Published: November 2019

Background. Brain metastases (BMs) from digestive cancers are rare; therefore, no optimal treatment modality has been defined.Methods. We retrospectively reviewed the clinical data of 68257 patients with digestive cancers. Propensity score matching (PSM) was used to balance patient backgrounds between groups. Survival differences between different treatment modalities were compared. Univariate and multivariate Cox proportional hazards models were performed to identify prognostic factors on overall survival (OS).Results. 270 patients with BM entered the study. In the entire group, the median survival time after diagnosis of brain metastases was 10.25 months (95% CI: 8.41–12.09 months); local treatment could significantly prolong OS (respectively,P<0.01; even after PSM,P<0.01); combination treatment was more effective than single treatment modality (respectively,P<0.01; even after PSM,P<0.01). However, each combination modality was identically effective (P>0.05). When patients were divided into three groups based on 1, 2-3, or more than 3 metastatic lesion(s), same results were identified between local treatment and without local treatment (1 lesion,P<0.01; 2-3 lesions,P<0.01; more than 3 lesions,P<0.01, respectively) and combination and single treatment (P<0.01,P=0.02,P=0.03, respectively). However, there was no difference between different combined treatments (P>0.05). Multivariate analysis revealed that performance status (P<0.01), presence of extracranial metastasis (P=0.04), number of BM (P<0.01), and local treatment for BM (P<0.01) were independent prognostic factors.Conclusions. Regardless of the number of brain lesions, local treatment achieved higher overall survival times than no local treatment, and combination therapy could offer survival benefit to patients as compared with single therapy.