bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Rise to the occasion: The trajectory of a novice Japanese teacher’s first online teaching through action research
Authors: Sato Eriko , Chen Julian ChengChiang
Published: June 2019

Foreign language teaching in distance education is administratively and pedagogically challenging; research on the perspectives of novice practitioners’ online teaching is also relatively scarce. This study explores how a novice Japanese teacher navigated and negotiated her professional development in a two-way virtual practitionership during her first online teaching. Data were collected from ongoing dialogue journals between the novice and her mentor followed by a semi-structured interview. Qualitative results indicate that pedagogically-sound and personalized digital tools can not only reduce the psychological distance between the teachers and students, but facilitate online teaching and learning via a performance-driven, standard-based curriculum. Informed by Action Research, the study reveals how both practitioners de/reconstructed their teacher identities and achieved professional empowerment through robust supervision and reciprocal teacher evaluation in a virtual environment. It further demonstrates the extent to which this evidence-driven and research-oriented approach can better address the genuine concerns of a foreign language program in distance education. Specifically, this context-responsive study indicates the improvement of online course delivery, teacher training and program sustainability in its own right.
An assessment of the impacts of low-pressure exhaust gas recirculation on the air path of a diesel engine equipped with electrically assisted turbochargers
Authors: Song Kang , Upadhyay Devesh , Xie Hui
Published: June 2019

The impact of assisted boosting technologies on the ability to maintain desired exhaust gas recirculation is investigated. Regenerative electrically assisted turbocharging is a promising technique for significantly reducing turbo lag. In addition to mitigating turbo lag, assisted boosting systems also allow fuel economy benefits through reduced pumping losses. Pumping loss reduction is achieved through optimally managing the exhaust pressure via vane position (for a variable geometry turbocharger) or waste gate position (for a waste-gated fixed geometry turbocharger). The consequent loss in exhaust turbine power, from reduced exhaust pressure, is supplemented by electrical assist power. Reduced exhaust pressure and a rapid increase in intake pressure results in a pressure differential across the high-pressure exhaust gas recirculation valve that may not support exhaust gas recirculation flow demands. Hence, a natural trade-off exists between the reduction of pumping loss and the ability to meet exhaust gas recirculation demand, as dictated by prescribed constraints on engine-out emissions. Low-pressure exhaust gas recirculation offers a potential solution that may allow the desired fuel economy improvements without sacrificing the desired exhaust gas recirculation fractions in the intake charge. In this article, we consider this problem and investigate the potential benefits of using low-pressure exhaust gas recirculation for assisted boosted systems.
Metabolite Profiling of Justicia gendarussa Herbal Drug Preparations
Authors: Ratih Gusti Ayu Made , Imawati Maria Fatmadewi , Purwanti Diah Intan , Nugroho Rendra Rizki , Wongso Suwidji , Prajogo Bambang , Indrayanto Gunawan
Published: June 2019

Metabolite profiling can be applied as a reliable quality control (QC) tool for herbal drug preparations, especially if the specifications of the quality markers have not yet been determined. Some herbal drug preparations of Justicia gendarussa (JG), ie acidified dried crude drugs, ethanol extracts, laboratory-made granule preparations, and industrial-scale produced granules, could be clearly differentiated by using a combination of ultra-performance liquid chromatography ultra-high-resolution quadrupole-time-of-flight-mass spectrometry and multivariate analysis; unfortunately, attenuated total reflection-Fourier transform-infra-red spectroscopy could not be applied. The differences in the metabolite profiles were caused mostly by the variations in the concentrations of some fatty acid components. This work showed that classification analysis can be applied for reliable QC purposes of the J. gendarussa herbal drug preparations; the industrial-made granules of JG were located in the correct cluster of the score plot of the training set.
Human-induced pluripotent stem cell-derived cardiomyocytes have limited IKs for repolarization reserve as revealed by specific KCNQ1/KCNE1 blocker
Authors: Zeng Haoyu , Wang Jixin , Clouse Holly , Lagrutta Armando , Sannajust Frederick
Published: June 2019

Objective

We investigated if there is IKs, and if there is repolarization reserve by IKs in human-induced pluripotent stem cell-derived cardiomyocytes (hiPSC-CMs).

Design

We used a specific KCNQ1/KCNE1 channel blocker, L-000768673, with an IC50 of 9 nM, and four hERG-specific blockers, astemizole, cisapride, dofetilide, and E-4031 to investigate the issue.

Results

L-000768673 concentration-dependently prolonged feature point duration (FPD)―a surrogate signal of action potential duration―from 1 to 30 nM without pacing or paced at 1.2 Hz, resulting from IKs blockade in hiPSC-CMs. At higher concentrations, the effect of L-000768673 on IKs was mitigated by its effect on ICa-L, resulting in shortened FPD, reduced impedance amplitude, and increased beating rate at 1 µM and above, recapitulating the self-limiting properties of L-000768673 on action potentials. All four hERG-specific blockers prolonged FPD as expected. Co-application of L-000768673 at sub-threshold (0.1 and 0.3 nM) and threshold (1 nM) concentrations failed to synergistically enhance the effects of hERG blockers on FPD prolongation, rather it showed additive effects, inconsistent with the repolarization reserve role of IKs in mature human myocytes that enhanced IKr response, implying a difference between hiPSC-CMs used in this study and mature human cardiomyocytes.

Conclusion

There was IKs current in hiPSC-CMs, and blockade of IKs current caused prolongation of action potential of hiPSC-CMs. However, we could not demonstrate any synergistic effects on action potential duration prolongation of hiPSC-CMs by blocking hERG current and IKs current simultaneously, implying little or no repolarization reserve by IKs current in hiPSC-CMs used in this study.
Long-term Patient-reported Quality of Life and Pain After a Multidisciplinary Clinical Pathway for Elderly Patients With Hip Fracture: A Retrospective Comparative Cohort Study
Authors: Kalmet Pishtiwan H. S. , de Joode Stijn G. C. J. , Fiddelers Audrey A. A. , ten Broeke Rene H. M. , Poeze Martijn , Blokhuis Taco
Published: June 2019

Introduction:

There is an increase in incidence of hip fractures in the ageing population. The implementation of multidisciplinary clinical pathways (MCP) has proven to be effective in improving the care for these frail patients, and MCP tends to be more effective than usual care (UC). The aim of this study was to analyze potential differences in patient-reported outcome among elderly patients with hip fractures who followed MCP versus those who followed UC.

Materials and Methods:

This retrospective cohort study included patients aged 65 years or older with a low-energy hip fracture, who underwent surgery in the Maastricht University Medical Center, Maastricht, the Netherlands. Two cohorts were analyzed; the first one had patients who underwent UC in 2012 and the second one contained patients who followed MCP in 2015. Collected data regarded demographics, patient-reported outcomes (Short Form 12 [SF-12] and the Numeric Rating Scale [NRS] to measure pain), and patient outcome.

Results:

This cohort study included 398 patients, 182 of them were included in the MCP group and 216 were in the UC group. No differences in gender, age, or American Society of Anesthesiologists classification were found between the groups. No significant differences were found in SF-12 and the NRS data between the MCP group and UC group. In the MCP group, significantly lower rates of postoperative complications were found than in the UC group, but mortality within 30 days and one year after the hip fracture was similar in both groups.

Discussion:

Although the effects of hip fractures in the elderly on patient-reported outcome, pain and quality of life have been addressed in several recent studies, the effects of MCP on long-term outcome was unclear.

Conclusion:

A multidisciplinary clinical pathway approach for elderly patients with a hip fracture is associated with a reduced time to surgery and reduced postoperative complications, while no differences were found in quality of life, pain, or mortality.
Research Needs for Bipolar Disorder From Clinicians’ Perspectives: Narrowing the Research–Practice Gap
Authors: Maassen Eva F. , Regeer Eline J. , Bunders Joske F.G. , Kupka Ralph W. , Regeer Barbara J.
Published: June 2019

Research evidence is incompletely translated into clinical practice. This study aimed to explore research needs from clinicians’ perspectives in the field of bipolar disorder and their reflections on patients’ research needs as well as to unravel the potential role of researcher-clinicians, to narrow the research practice gap. Using focus group discussions (FGDs) and interviews, research needs according to psychiatrists, psychologists, and nurses working with bipolar disorder were explored. Subsequently, we interviewed researcher-clinicians to gain insights into their views on patients’ research needs. The clinicians’ research needs were clustered as: causes, diagnosis, pharmacotherapy, nonpharmacological treatment, recovery, and care system, and overlapped with the research needs formulated by patients. Researcher-clinicians were able to translate patients’ needs into feasible research questions. Researcher-clinicians can serve as intermediaries between research and practice and can both integrate their practical experience into research and their research experience into practice.
Scarcity as a means of governing: Challenging neoliberal hydromentality in the context of the South African drought
Authors: Hellberg Sofie
Published: June 2019

This article investigates the role of scarcity in water governance with a particular focus on South Africa. It applies a (green) governmentality perspective and argues that in neoliberal hydromentality scarcity is used as a regulatory device that governs people's water access. In South Africa, water governance and water scarcity have for a long time been central to the construction of a particular state with particular social purposes. While scarcity in the post-apartheid period has mainly been used as a means of governing the poor, the role of scarcity has in the recent water crisis been transformed; scarcity has increasingly become a material concern for all of society. Notwithstanding that the crisis is due not only to the lack of rain but also to political and institutional factors, it has, in media and policy circles, involved a preoccupation with scarcity as a physical phenomenon. Such a preoccupation risks obscuring the reasons why poorer populations have long suffered from the lack of water. At the same time, the article contends, the current crisis presents South Africa with an opportunity for revisiting water scarcity as a technology of governing in creating a more sustainable and equitable water allocation.
Successful treatment of late onset post-phacoemulsification Descemet’s membrane detachment
Authors: Kocak Altintas Ayse Gul , Ilhan Cagri
Published: June 2019

Purpose:

To present a case with the late-onset post-phacoemulsification Descemet’s membrane detachment that has been treated successfully.

Methods:

Case report.

Results:

A 68-year-old female patient presented with the complaint of decreased vision in her pseudophakic left eye after a 4-week silent post-phacoemulsification period. In the biomicroscopy, corneal oedema was seen to be prominent on the nasal incision side. Anterior segment optical coherence tomography objectively revealed the presence of Descemet’s membrane detachment. Treatment of descemetopexy was applied by injecting 0.3-mL perfluoropropane gas into the anterior chamber. No complication associated with descemetopexy was noticed during recovery. Total Descemet’s membrane detachment reattachment was achieved and perfluoropropane gas resorption from the anterior chamber was completed by the end of 1-month post-injection. The cornea was transparent and best corrected visual acuity increased to 20/20.

Discussion:

DMD is a rare complication following phacoemulsification and this patient had not any preoperative, intraoperative, or postoperative risk factors for DMD.It generally occurs in early-postoperative period and late-onset DMDs have been reported less frequently.The success rates with intracameral gas injections in similar cases have been reported to be 90% - 95%.

Conclusion:

To the best of our knowledge, this is one of the latest onset post-phacoemulsification Descemet’s membrane detachment cases in literature that has been treated successfully. The results of this case showed that descemetopexy is a safe and effective treatment method for late-onset post-phacoemulsification DMD.
Efficacy of Mentalization-based group therapy for adolescents: the results of a pilot randomised controlled trial
Authors: Griffiths Helen , Duffy Fiona , Duffy Louise , Brown Sarah , Hockaday Harriet , Eliasson Emma , Graham Jessica , Smith Julie , Thomson Alice , Schwannauer Matthias
Published: June 2019

Background

Mentalization Based Therapy (MBT) has yielded promising outcomes for reducing self-harm, although to date only one study has reported MBT’s effectiveness for adolescents (Rossouw and Fonagy, J Am Acad Child Adolesc Psychiatry 51:1304–1313, 2012) wherein the treatment protocol consisted of an intensive programme of individual and family therapy. We sought to investigate an adaptation of the adult MBT introductory manual in a group format for adolescents.

Methods

The present study is a randomised controlled single blind feasibility trial that aims to (1) adapt the original explicit MBT introductory group manual for an adolescent population (MBT-Ai) and to (2) assess the feasibility of a trial of MBT-Ai through examination of consent rates, attendance, attrition and self-harm. Repeated measures ANOVAs were conducted to examine change over time in independent and dependent variables between groups, and multi level models (MLM) were conducted to examine key predictors in relation to change over time with self-report self-harm and emergency department presentation for harm as the primary outcome variables.

Results

Fifty-three young people consented to participate and were randomised to MBT-Ai + TAU or TAU alone. Five participants withdrew from the trial. Trial procedures seemed appropriate and safe, with acceptable group attendance. Self-reported self-harm and emergency department presentation for self-harm significantly decreased over time in both groups, though there were no between group differences. Social anxiety, emotion regulation, and borderline traits also significantly decreased over time in both groups. Mentalization emerged as a significant predictor of change over time in self reported self harm and hospital presentation for self-harm.

Conclusions

It was feasible to carry out an RCT of MBT-Ai for adolescents already attending NHS CAMHS who have recently self-harmed. Our data gave signals that suggested a relatively brief group-based MBT-Ai intervention may be a promising intervention with potential for service implementation. Future research should consider the appropriate format, dosage and intensity of MBT for the adolescent population.

Trial registration

NCT02771691; Trial Registration Date: 25/04/2016.
RETRACTED ARTICLE: Overexpression of microRNA-195-5p reduces cisplatin resistance and angiogenesis in ovarian cancer by inhibiting the PSAT1-dependent GSK3β/β-catenin signaling pathway
Authors: Dai Jun , Wei Rujia , Zhang Peihai , Kong Beihua
Published: June 2019

Background

Ovarian cancer (OC) is one of the leading causes for cancer-related deaths among women. MicroRNAs (miRs) have been proved to be vital to the development and progression of OC. Hence, the study aims to evaluate the ability of miR-195-5p affecting cisplatin (DDP) resistance and angiogenesis in OC and the underlying mechanism.

Methods

MiRs that could target phosphoserine aminotransferase 1 (PSAT1), a differentially expressed gene in OC, were predicted by miRNA-mRNA prediction websites. The expression patterns of miR-195-5p in the OC tissues and cells were determined using RNA quantification assay. The role of miR-195-5p in OC was evaluated by determining DDP resistance, apoptosis and angiogenesis of OC cells after up-regulating or down-regulating miR-195-5p or PSAT1, or blocking the glycogen synthase kinase-3β (GSK3β)/β-catenin signaling pathway. Animal experiment was conducted to explore the effect of miR-195-5p on resistance to DDP and angiogenesis.

Result

MiR-195-5p directly targeted PSAT1 and down-regulated its expression. The expression of miR-195-5p was lower while that of PSAT1 was higher in OC tissues than in adjacent normal tissues. When miR-195-5p was over-expressed or PSAT1 was silenced, the expression of HIF-1α, VEGF, PSAT1, β-catenin as well as the extent of GSK3β phosphorylation was reduced, the angiogenesis and resistance to DDP was diminished and apoptosis was promoted both in vitro and in vivo. The inhibition of GSK3β/β-catenin signaling pathway was involved in the regulation process.

Conclusion

Over-expression of miR-195-5p reduced angiogenesis and DDP resistance in OC, which provides a potential therapeutic target for the treatment of OC.
Tenofovir-associated kidney disease in Africans: a systematic review
Authors: Mtisi Takudzwa J. , Ndhlovu Chiratidzo E. , Maponga Chiedza C. , Morse Gene D.
Published: June 2019

Background

Data on chronic kidney disease development in HIV infection is important towards building a comprehensive knowledge of HIV, ageing and polypharmacy in Africa. Several previous studies on tenofovir-associated kidney disease in Africa have shown conflicting results. This review summarises what is known about the development of kidney disease in HIV-positive African patients on tenofovir disoproxil fumarate (TDF)-containing ART. We set out to document the occurrence of kidney disease in HIV-positive Africans on TDF-containing ART in population-based studies and to evaluate the renal safety of TDF in Africans.

Methods

We conducted a systemic review using published studies which were identified through a computerized search of original research using the Medline/PubMed database, EMBASE, EBM Reviews, Proquest Google Scholar and Global Health reported from inception until 5 October 2017. Two reviewers independently abstracted the data and performed quality assessment of the included studies. We screened 595 articles and included 31 in the qualitative analysis performed.

Results

A total of 106 406 patients (of whom 66,681 were on Tenofovir) were involved in these 31 studies with sample sizes ranging from 30 to 62,230. Duration on tenofovir-containing ART ranged from those initiating ART at baseline to those who received TDF for up to 9 years. All but one of the studies involved only patients 16 years and older. The studies had differing definitions of kidney dysfunction and were of variable study design quality. The documented outcomes had substantial discrepancies across the studies, most likely due to methodological differences, study size and disparate outcome definitions.

Conclusions

Our review identified studies in Africans reporting statistically significant renal function decline associated with TDF use but the clinical significance of this effect was not enough to contraindicate its continued use in ART regimens. Consistent with studies in other populations, patients are at greater risk if they have pre-existing renal disease and are more advanced in age. More research is needed on paediatric populations under 16 years of age.

Trial registration This review was registered on Prospero (registration number CRD42018078717).
Is Colorectal Cancer Screening Appropriate in Nigeria?
Authors: Knapp Gregory C. , Alatise Olusegun I. , Olasehinde Olalekan O. , Adeyeye Ademola , Ayandipo Omobolaji O. , Weiser Martin R. , Kingham T. Peter
Published: June 2019

PURPOSE

The global burden of colorectal cancer (CRC) will continue to increase for the foreseeable future, largely driven by increasing incidence and mortality in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) such as Nigeria.

METHODS

We used the Wilson-Jungner framework (1968) to review the literature relevant to CRC screening in Nigeria and propose areas for future research and investment.

RESULTS

Screening is effective when the condition sought is both important and treatable within the system under evaluation. The incidence of CRC is likely increasing, although the exact burden of disease in Nigeria remains poorly understood and access to definitive diagnosis and treatment has not been systematically quantified. In high-income countries (HICs), CRC screening builds on a well-known natural history. In Nigeria, a higher proportion of CRC seems to demonstrate microsatellite instability, which is dissimilar to the molecular profile in HICs. Prospective trials, tissue banking, and next-generation sequencing should be leveraged to better understand these potential differences and the implications for screening. Fecal immunochemical test for hemoglobin (FIT) is recommended for LMICs that are considering CRC screening. However, FIT has not been validated in Nigeria, and questions about the impact of high ambient temperature, endemic parasitic infection, and feasibility remain unanswered. Prospective trials are needed to validate the efficacy of stool-based screening, and these trials should consider concomitant ova and parasite testing.

CONCLUSION

Using the Wilson-Jungner framework, additional work is needed before organized CRC screening will be effective in Nigeria. These deficits can be addressed without missing the window to mitigate the increasing burden of CRC in the medium to long term.
Evidence of dietary protein restriction regulating pupation height, development time and lifespan in Drosophila melanogaster
Authors: Krittika Sudhakar , Lenka Alisha , Yadav Pankaj
Published: June 2019

Fitness and behavioral traits are optimized according to the rearing environment to ensure survival of most organisms including fruit flies Drosophila melanogaster. Fruit flies are known to uphold various trade-offs in their lifespan, development time, fecundity, etc., to confer better survival in the particular exposed environment. The diet of D. melanogaster plays a major role between larval and adult fitness or fitness related traits; its role in the regulation of correlations between pupation height, pre-adult development and adult fitness has not been studied empirically. In our study, we assayed the effect of restricting dietary protein alone from the larval stage to adult stage in fruit flies and studied development time, pre-adult survivorship, pupation height, larval feeding rate and their corresponding lifespan under a light/dark cycle (LD12:12 h). We found that under very low protein concentration in diet, development time and lifespan of the flies increased significantly, along with decreased pupation height and vice versa, while pre-adult survivorship remained unchanged across diets. The results from our study can be taken to suggest that development time is negatively and positively correlated with pupation height and adult lifespan respectively. Thus, a higher protein restriction decreases pupation height and increases development time and vice versa, thereby emphasizing differential alterations taken up by various fitness traits, probably to enhance the overall organismal fitness.

This article has an associated First Person interview with the first author of the paper.
Cellular stress due to impairment of collagen prolyl hydroxylation complex is rescued by the chaperone 4-phenylbutyrate
Authors: Besio Roberta , Garibaldi Nadia , Leoni Laura , Cipolla Lina , Sabbioneda Simone , Biggiogera Marco , Mottes Monica , Aglan Mona , Otaify Ghada A. , Temtamy Samia A. , Rossi Antonio , Forlino Antonella
Published: June 2019

Osteogenesis imperfecta (OI) types VII, VIII and IX, caused by recessive mutations in cartilage-associated protein (CRTAP), prolyl-3-hydroxylase 1 (P3H1) and cyclophilin B (PPIB), respectively, are characterized by the synthesis of overmodified collagen. The genes encode for the components of the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) complex responsible for the 3-hydroxylation of specific proline residues in type I collagen. Our study dissects the effects of mutations in the proteins of the complex on cellular homeostasis, using primary fibroblasts from seven recessive OI patients. In all cell lines, the intracellular retention of overmodified type I collagen molecules causes ER enlargement associated with the presence of protein aggregates, activation of the PERK branch of the unfolded protein response and apoptotic death. The administration of 4-phenylbutyrate (4-PBA) alleviates cellular stress by restoring ER cisternae size, and normalizing the phosphorylated PERK (p-PERK):PERK ratio and the expression of apoptotic marker. The drug also has a stimulatory effect on autophagy. We proved that the rescue of cellular homeostasis following 4-PBA treatment is associated with its chaperone activity, since it increases protein secretion, restoring ER proteostasis and reducing PERK activation and cell survival also in the presence of pharmacological inhibition of autophagy. Our results provide a novel insight into the mechanism of 4-PBA action and demonstrate that intracellular stress in recessive OI can be alleviated by 4-PBA therapy, similarly to what we recently reported for dominant OI, thus allowing a common target for OI forms characterized by overmodified collagen.

This article has an associated First Person interview with the first author of the paper.
Chemically-induced plasticity in early life history ofPalaemon argentinus: are chemical alarm cues conserved within palaemonid shrimps?
Authors: Ituarte Romina B. , Vázquez María G. , Bas Claudia C.
Published: June 2019

Most aquatic animals use infochemicals from both conspecifics and heterospecifics to assess local predation risks and enhance predator detection. Released substances from injured conspecifics and other species (chemical alarm cues) are reliable cues to indicate an imminent danger in a specific habitat and, often mediate the development of inducible defences. Amphibian and fish embryos have shown to acquire this information while at the embryonic stage of development, in relation to the developing nervous system and sensory development. Except for Daphnia, so far there is no information on chemically-mediated responses to alarm cues in embryos of other crustacean groups. We tested whether embryo exposure to chemical cues simulating predation on conspecifics, or heterospecifics (a closely related, non-coexisting species) or a mixture of both cues alters embryonic developmental time, size and morphology of the first larval instar in Palaemon argentinus (Crustacea: Decapoda). Embryonic exposure to chemical alarm cues from conspecifics shortened the embryonic developmental time and elicited larger larvae with longer rostrum. Rostrum length of the first larval instar changed independently of their size, thus elongated rostra can be considered a defensive feature. Embryonic developmental time was not altered by chemical alarm cues from either heterospecifics or the mixed cues treatments; however, embryonic exposure to those cues caused larger larvae compared to distilled water control. Chemically-induced morphological plasticity in larvae in response to con- and heterospecifics suggests that alarm cues are conserved in palaemonids shrimps, providing embryos with an innate recognition of heterospecific alarm cues as predicted by the phylogenetic relatedness hypothesis.
Seasonal muscle ultrastructure plasticity and resistance of muscle structural changes during temperature increases in resident black-capped chickadees (Poecile atricapillus) and rock pigeons (Columba livia)
Authors: Jimenez Ana Gabriela , O'Connor Erin S. , Brown Karl J. , Briggs Christopher W.
Published: June 2019

Resident birds in temperate zones respond to seasonally fluctuating temperatures by adjusting their physiology, such as changes in basal metabolic rate (BMR) or peak metabolic rate during cold exposure (Msum), or altering their organ sizes, so as to match the thermogenic requirements of their current environment. Climate change is predicted to show increases in the frequency of heat and cold wave events, which could increase the likelihood that birds will face environmental mismatch. Here, we examined seasonality and the effects of acute and chronic heat shock to 33 °C and subsequent recovery from heat shock on the ultrastructure of the superficial pectoralis muscle fiber diameter, myonuclear domain (MND), and capillary density in two temperate bird species of differing body masses, the black-capped chickadee (Poecile atricapillus) and the rock pigeon (Columba livia). We found that muscle fiber ultrastructure did not change with heat treatment. However, in black-capped chickadees, there was a significant increase in fiber diameter in spring phenotype birds compared with summer phenotype birds. In rock pigeons, we saw no differences in fiber diameter across seasons. Capillary density did not change as a function of fiber diameter in black-capped chickadees, but did change seasonally, as did MND. Across seasons, as fiber diameter decreased, capillary density increased in the pectoralis muscle of the rock pigeons. For both species in this study, we found that as fiber diameter increases so does MND. Our findings imply that these two temperate birds employ different muscular growth strategies that may be metabolically beneficial to each.
Influence of stretch magnitude on the stretch-shortening cycle in skinned fibres
Authors: Fukutani Atsuki , Herzog Walter
Published: June 2019

The mechanical work attained during shortening is increased by prior stretching. Recently, we suggested that the residual force enhancement (RFE) may contribute to this enhanced work. RFE can be changed reliably by changing the stretch magnitude. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to examine the effect of stretch magnitude, and by association of RFE, on the mechanics of the stretch-shortening cycle in skinned skeletal muscle fibres. Three tests were performed using skinned rabbit soleus fibres (N=18). The first test was a pure shortening contraction in which fibers were activated and then shortened from an average sarcomere length of 3.3 to 3.0 µm. The second test was a SSC in which fibers were activated and stretched from 3.0 µm to 3.3 µm, and then shortened to 3.0 µm. The third test was a SSC in which fibers were activated and stretched from 2.4 to 3.3, and then shortened to 3.0 µm. The mechanical work during shortening and the force maintained 15 s after the end of shortening were determined. The relative increase in mechanical work with respect to the pure shortening condition, was greater for the large than the small stretch condition (p<0.001). Similarly, the relative increase in force 15 s after the end of shortening was greater for the large than the small stretch condition (p=0.043). We conclude that increasing the magnitude of stretch results in an increase in mechanical work and increased force at steady-state following the stretch, likely because of the greater RFE.
Age-associated Performance Decline and Sex Differences in Olympic Weightlifting
Authors: HUEBNER MARIANNE , MELTZER DAVID E. , PERPEROGLOU ARIS
Published: June 2019

Introduction

The rate of decline in physical performance for women is thought to be faster than that for men at any age in the Masters age classes in weightlifting and other sports. We quantified the age-associated decline in Olympic weightlifting separately for women and men and investigated possible impact of perimenopausal years on the performance decline.

Methods

Results from Masters Weightlifting competitions from 1993 to 2018 were compiled from original score sheets and meet results made available by International Weightlifting Federation. Quantile curves were estimated for the age-related performance decline, and confidence intervals (CI) for the fractional performance with reference age 35 yr were calculated. Age-related decline curves were estimated for different periods to examine changes in performance levels.

Results

A total of 10,225 performance results for male and female weightlifters age 35 to 90 yr from 71 countries were included in the analysis. At age 40 yr compared with age 35 yr, the fractional performance is 0.947 (95% CI, 0.926–0.975), for men and 0.952 (95% CI. 0.898–0.986) for women while this is reduced to 0.723 (95% CI: 0.651–0.800) at age 60 yr for men and 0.604 (95% CI. 0.543–0.706) for women. Female performance levels before 2000 were worse; however, they have stabilized since 2013.

Conclusions

The performances of women weightlifters have improved over the last 25 yr. Thus, previous publications do not reflect current physical capabilities of women. The age-associated performance decline for female weightlifters mirrors the decline for men except for an accelerated decline during a 10-yr period across the age range from late 40s to late 50s thus coinciding with a transition into menopause.
Operational research: did health systems in Sierra Leone recover after the 2014-15 Ebola outbreak?
Authors: Decroo Tom , Delamou Alexandre , Reeder John C.
Published: June 2019

Findings from participants who attended the second post-Ebola SORT-IT course are reported in five short papers on the “legacy of Ebola on health Systems in Sierra-Leone”. After a decline of health service provision and utilisation during the Ebola outbreak, present findings show recovery over time in the post-Ebola period. However, important challenges remain, including an important health workforce gap.
Uniforms in dentistry – do they define us?
Authors: Wake Charlotte
Published: June 2019

Charlotte Wake considers the pros and cons of what you wear to work
When a patient complains
Authors: Croser David
Published: June 2019

In the first of a two-part CPD paper, David Croser considers why patients complain and how the dental team should respond

Aim

Part 2 will be published in the next issue of Dental Nursing. It provides a checklist to help deal with patient complaints in-house. When read together, these two articles will: Update an understanding of a CPD topic recommended by the General Dental Council

Objectives

To describe communication skills that support best practice complaints management To understand the risk management strategies behind the steps involved in handling a complaint To understand the benefits of an informal in-house practice complaints procedure so patients can raise issues at an early opportunity This article relates to GDC development outcomes A and D
A career development essential
Authors: Macleavy Christine
Published: June 2019

Mentoring is a hot topic at the moment. Christine Macleavy looks at why it is a key component in shaping a dental nurse's path
UK Government introduces patient Safety Campaign (an opinion piece)
Authors: Collier Helena
Published: June 2019

For those who want to see medical aesthetics respected and regulated like other sectors of medicine, the change that has been hoped for is often too slow in coming. In this article, Helena Collier discusses the government's new patient safety campaign
Hanging by a thread: legislation and protecting the public
Authors: King Sharon
Published: June 2019

The aesthetics sector is marred by a lack of legislation and regulation which puts patients and practices at risk. The BACN is calling for greater regulation by the government, but so far this has been slow in coming. In this article, Sharon King discusses some recent developments
How to proceed when your business faces succession issues
Authors: Bernstein Adam
Published: June 2019

In a family-run business, it is likely that the issue of succession will eventually come to the fore. The question for businesses is how to proceed in these situations. Adam Bernstein discusses
Tackling the stigma around periods in general practice
Authors: Gilroy Rebecca
Published: June 2019

A recent report found that many young women and girls have experienced bullying about their periods. Rebecca Gilroy explores the implications of this stigma around periods on women's health and wellbeing, and what practice nurses can do to improve attitudes
De-europeanisation After Brexit: Narrowing and Shallowing
Authors: Outhwaite William
Published: June 2019

Europeanisation, for obvious reasons, has often been discussed in tandem with transnationalisation. It is therefore relevant to ask whether de-Europeanisation entails detransnationalisation, or what elements of the transnational might persist outside the EU framework. I address this
issue in relation to the UK and also to Switzerland, whose links with the EU are also under pressure.
Opportunistic legitimisation and de-Europeanisation as a reverse effect of Europeanisation
Authors: Domaradzki Spasimir
Published: June 2019

This paper will look at the concept of de-Europeanisation through the prism of the official relations between the EU representatives and the political elites in two countries – Bulgaria and Serbia. Here de-Europeanisation is defined as a process of deterioration of the quality
of integration or more simply as 'it is worse than it was'. The article begins with a critical overview of the dominant theoretical approaches to enlargement Europeanisation. Then, from a theoretical perspective, the article explores the role of EU legitimisation for national political elites.
While distinguishing between revolutionary and opportunistic legitimisation, the paper highlights the former, based on Bulgaria and Serbia. Going beyond the liberal political narrative of democratic backsliding in Central Europe, the article will approach critically the dominant Europeanisation
assumption of the unequivocally positive effect of European integration on national political elites. Particularly, it will examine the relevance of the argument that in the case of rule of law and human rights, the existing formal Europeanisation not only does not lead to informal Europeanisation
of the states, but it can also have a reverse effect through the preservation of pathological political practices and their infusion into the process of European integration. The research will use a qualitative method of analysis to juxtapose the official EU/nation state political elites'
rhetoric with political practices at the national level in the context of rule of law and human rights. Based on the findings, the paper argues that the EU oriented institutionalised perspective of Europeanisation omits important interactions on a micro-level that lead to the accommodation
of political practices contradictory to EU's fundamental political values. While these practices survive in the peripheries of the integration process, they have the potential to multiply and eviscerate the fundamental political practices and thus the EU's political system.
European Biological Variation Study (EuBIVAS): Within- and Between-Subject Biological Variation Data for 15 Frequently Measured Proteins
Authors: Carobene Anna , Aarsand Aasne K , Guerra Elena , Bartlett William A , Coşkun Abdurrahman , Díaz-Garzón Jorge , Fernandez-Calle Pilar , Jonker Niels , Locatelli Massimo , Sandberg Sverre , Ceriotti Ferruccio
Published: June 2019

BACKGROUND

The European Biological Variation Study (EuBIVAS) was established to deliver rigorously determined data for biological variation (BV). Here, EuBIVAS-based BV estimates are provided for α1-acid glycoprotein, α1-antitrypsin, albumin, β2-microglobulin, ceruloplasmin, complement component 3, complement component 4, C-reactive protein (CRP), cystatin C, haptoglobin, IgA, IgG, IgM, soluble transferrin receptor (sTfR), and transferrin (Trf), together with their associated analytical performance specifications (APSs) and reference change values (RCVs).

METHOD

Serum samples from weekly blood samplings of 91 healthy study participants (38 males and 53 females, ages 21–69 years old) over 10 consecutive weeks in 6 European laboratories were stored at −80 °C before duplicate analysis on a Roche Cobas c702. Outlier and variance homogeneity analyses were performed followed by CV-ANOVA on trend-corrected data if relevant, to determine BV and analytical variation estimates with CI and the associated RCV.

RESULTS

For the acute phase proteins, several participants experienced mild inflammatory episodes during the study, requiring exclusion of 7% of the 25290 results. Within-subject BV (CVI) estimates for specific proteins obtained in our study were lower than those available in the online 2014 BV database, except for Trf, whereas between-subject BV (CVG) estimates were similar. CVI and CVG estimates for sTfR, which have not previously been published, were 6.0% and 19.1%, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

In addition to new BV estimates for sTfR, this EuBIVAS substudy generated more demanding APS for frequently requested plasma specific proteins. APS for CRP should not be calculated from BV data except when CRP is used as a risk factor for cardiovascular disease.
GOBERNABILIDAD, SISTEMA PARLAMENTARIO Y FÓRMULA ELECTORAL LA CRISIS DEL SISTEMA CONSTITUCIONAL ESPAÑOL
Authors: Miguel Carlos Ruiz
Published: June 2019

La gobernabilidad es el objetivo de todo sistema político y en ocasiones el sistema parlamentario es criticado por obstaculizarla. La fórmula electoral constituye el elemento esencial que explica algunas disfunciones en la gobernabilidad de ciertos sistemas parlamentarios. El caso de España es una buena ilustración de ello.
A NECESSIDADE DE IMPLEMENTAÇÃO DE UM PROCESSO DECISÓRIO DELIBERATIVO ACERCA DA DESVINCULAÇÃO DE RECEITAS DA UNIÃO
Authors: Neto Antonio Bazilio Floriani , Gonçalves Oksandro Osdival
Published: June 2019

O presente artigo procura demonstrar que questões complexas,tais como o financiamento da Seguridade Social e o impacto gerado peladesvinculação de receitas da União (DRU), exigem uma deliberação entreas partes envolvidas, demandando respostas institucionais elaboradas demodo dialógico. Busca-se, neste estudo, demonstrar a importância de umintercâmbio entre as partes, a fim de estabelecer um raciocínio público e,assim, deliberar sobre a possibilidade de desafetar parcela do arrecadadopela Seguridade Social. Utiliza-se essa perspectiva para enaltecer não sóa deliberação, mas o sentimento de justiça em matéria previdenciária.Adota-se uma abordagem descritiva fundada em técnicas da pesquisabibliográfica.
O RECURSO POR INCUMPRIMENTO PERANTE O TRIBUNAL EUROPEU DE DIREITOS HUMANOS: UM REFORÇO JURÍDICO AO MECANISMO POLÍTICO DE SUPERVISÃO DE SENTENÇAS
Authors: Leite Rodrigo de Almeida , Gama Neto Ricardo Borges
Published: June 2019

O presente trabalho pretende discutir os impactos do Recurso por Incumprimento no âmbito do mecanismo de supervisão do cumprimento de sentenças do Tribunal Europeu dos Direitos Humanos (TEDH). Para este objetivo, parte de uma metodologia bibliográfica-documental, analisando o desenho institucional da supervisão antes e depois da entrada em vigor do Protocolo n. 14 (norma esta que instituiu o recurso). Como o processo de supervisão de sentenças do Sistema Europeu de Direitos Humanos era eminentemente político, realizado pelo Comitê de Ministros, o recurso se mostra como um reforço jurídico para persuadir os Estados. No entanto, a análise demonstrou que embora este recurso ainda não tenha sido utilizado, a doutrina ressalta uma série de críticas ao novo procedimento, tendo em vista questões práticas e as graves consequências políticas que ele pode causar, como por exemplo, a expulsão do Sistema de um país que insiste em não executar uma sentença do TEDH.
Classifying soil stoniness based on the excavator boom vibration data in mounding operations
Authors: Melander Lari , Ritala Risto , Strandström Markus
Published: June 2019

The stoniness index of forest soil describes the stone content in the upper soil layer at depths of 20â30 centimeters. This index is not available in any existing map databases, and traditional measurements for the stoniness of the soil have always necessitated laborious soil-penetration methods. Knowledge of the stone content of a forest site could be of use in a variety of forestry operations. This paper presents a novel approach to obtaining automatic measurements of soil stoniness during an excavator-based mounding operation. The excavator was equipped with only a low-cost inertial measurement unit and a satellite navigation receiver. Using the data from these sensors and manually conducted soil stoniness measurements, supervised machine learning methods were utilized to build a model that is capable of predicting the stoniness class of a given mounding location. This study compares different classifiers and feature selection methods to find the most promising solution for this learning problem. The discussion includes a proposition for a meaningful measurement resolution of the soilâs stoniness, and a practical method for evaluating the variability of the stone content of the soil. The results indicate that it is possible to predict the soil stoniness class with 70% accuracy using only the inertial and location measurements.
Increasing Precision and Confidence Level in Fracture Energy Measurement by Optimizing the Number of Test Replicates for Disk-Shaped Compact Tension Fracture Test (ASTM D7313)
Authors: Oshone Mirkat , Dave Eshan V. , Sias Jo E. , Voels Joseph M. , Ghosh Debaroti , Dai Shongtao
Published: June 2019

Different fracture-based tests and parameters have been developed in recent years to assess thermal cracking performance of asphalt mixtures. Agencies have adopted some of these tests, established threshold values, and incorporated them into their specifications to evaluate mixes during design and production. Because of the heterogeneous nature of asphalt mixtures, there can be a substantial amount of variability associated with mechanical test results obtained from fracture-based tests. To obtain unbiased properties with variabilities only inherent to the material itself and not caused by mixture production, specimen fabrication, or testing related factors, an appropriate number of replicate specimens need to be tested. This article provides the results of a study to establish a practical number of replicate tests that are required to obtain accurate and representative asphalt mixture fracture energy from the disk-shaped compact tension (DCT) fracture test for routine use by producers and agencies. Statistical analyses were performed to determine the precision and accuracy associated with the use of 4, 8, and 12 replicates. A total of 368 fracture energy measurements (16 replicates for 23 mixtures) were used for the analysis. The statistical analysis consistently indicated that 12 replicates results in higher confidence in the estimate of the mean. The maximum difference between measurements when 4 replicates are used ranges from 3 to 25 % but reduces to 1 to 9 % for 12 replicates. For 4 replicates, the data set used in this study indicated that 41 % of the time, it was not possible to confidently distinguish whether mixtures met a minimum threshold value or not. However, this error margin drops to 12 % when using 12 replicates. Based on these results, 12-replicate specimens are recommended to ensure necessary accuracy and repeatability for performance-based specifications using DCT fracture energy.