bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Atom interferometry with top-hat laser beams
Authors: Mielec N. , Altorio M. , Sapam R. , Horville D. , Holleville D. , Sidorenkov L. A. , Landragin A. , Geiger R.
Published: October 2018

The uniformity of the intensity and the phase of laser beams is crucial to high-performance atom interferometers. Inhomogeneities in the laser intensity profile cause contrast reductions and systematic effects in interferometers operated with atom sources at micro-Kelvin temperatures and detrimental diffraction phase shifts in interferometers using large momentum transfer beam splitters. We report on the implementation of a so-called top-hat laser beam in a long-interrogation-time cold-atom interferometer to overcome the issue of inhomogeneous laser intensity encountered when using Gaussian laser beams. We characterize the intensity and relative phase profiles of the top-hat beam and demonstrate its gain in atom-optic efficiency over a Gaussian beam, in agreement with numerical simulations. We discuss the application of top-hat beams to improve the performance of different architectures of atom interferometers.
Tuning magnetic anisotropy of epitaxial Ag/Fe/Fe0.5Co0.5/MgO(001) films
Authors: Gao N. , Ge C. , Li Q. , Yang M. , Hwang C. , Qiu Z. Q.
Published: October 2018

Single crystalline Ag/Fe/Fe0.5Co0.5/MgO(001) films were grown by Molecular Beam Epitaxy and investigated by Magneto-Optic Kerr Effect (MOKE). We find that even though the 4-fold magnetic anisotropies of Ag/Fe/MgO(001) and Ag/Fe0.5Co0.5/MgO(001) films are different from the corresponding bulk values, their opposite signs allow a fine tuning of the 4-fold magnetic anisotropy in Ag/Fe/Fe0.5Co0.5/MgO(001) films by varying the Fe and Fe0.5Co0.5 film thicknesses. In particular, the critical point of zero anisotropy can be achieved in a wide range of film thicknesses. Using Rotational MOKE, we determined and constructed the anisotropy phase diagram in the Fe and Fe0.5Co0.5 thickness plane from which the zero anisotropy exhibits a linear relation between the Fe and Fe0.5Co0.5 thickness.
Qualitative stability and synchronicity analysis of power network models in port-Hamiltonian form
Authors: Mehrmann Volker , Morandin Riccardo , Olmi Simona , Schöll Eckehard
Published: October 2018

In view of highly decentralized and diversified power generation concepts, in particular with renewable energies, the analysis and control of the stability and the synchronization of power networks is an important topic that requires different levels of modeling detail for different tasks. A frequently used qualitative approach relies on simplified nonlinear network models like the Kuramoto model with inertia. The usual formulation in the form of a system of coupled ordinary differential equations is not always adequate. We present a new energy-based formulation of the Kuramoto model with inertia as a polynomial port-Hamiltonian system of differential-algebraic equations, with a quadratic Hamiltonian function including a generalized order parameter. This leads to a robust representation of the system with respect to disturbances: it encodes the underlying physics, such as the dissipation inequality or the deviation from synchronicity, directly in the structure of the equations, and it explicitly displays all possible constraints and allows for robust simulation methods. The model is immersed into a system of model hierarchies that will be helpful for applying adaptive simulations in future works. We illustrate the advantages of the modified modeling approach with analytics and numerical results.
Comparative effects of ‘solid’-fat sources as a substitute for yellow grease on digestion of diets for feedlot cattle
Authors: Plascencia A. , Zinn R. A.
Published: October 2018

Five cannulated Holstein steers fed a steam-flaked corn-based growing diet containing 40% of alfalfa hay were used in a 5 × 5 Latin square design to examine the effect of ‘solid’ supplemental fats as a substitute for yellow grease (YG) on the extent and site of digestion. Treatments were (% of diet DM) as follows: (1) no supplemental fat; (2) 5% YG; (3) 5.88% calcium soaps (ML); (4) 5% flaked palmitic acid (RP10); and (5) 5% hydrogenated palm fatty acid distillate (HPFAD). Supplemental fats replaced the corn in the control diet. Supplemental fat decreased (P < 0.01) ruminal and total-tract digestion of organic matter and tended to decrease (P = 0.06) ruminal digestion of neutral detergent fibre, with no effects on ruminal digestion of feed N, microbial N efficiency, or total-tract digestion of N and neutral detergent fibre. With the exception of RP10, fat supplementation decreased (P < 0.03) postruminal digestion of C18:0. Compared with the original C16:0:C18:0 ratio of solid fats, the C16:0:C18:0 ratio of fatty acids (FAs) entering the small intestine markedly decreased for all solid-fat treatments. Ruminal biohydrogenation of YG and ML were 73% and 49% respectively. On the basis of FA intake, postruminal FA digestion of YG, ML, RP10 and HPFAD was 0.97, 0.94, 0.92 and 0.80 of expected respectively. This experiment confirmed that postruminal digestion of total FAs of conventional supplemental yellow grease is a predictable function of total FA intake per unit of bodyweight. However, in the case sources of the solids fats, this relationship (FA intake and postruminal digestion of FAs) was less consistent. This may be due to their physical and chemical nature (saturatedFA:unsaturated FA ratio). On the basis of the nutrient digestion and postruminal FA digestibility observed in the present experiment, solid supplemental fats do not afford appreciable advantages over conventional YG when supplemented in growing diets (forage level ~400 g/kg diet DM) for feedlot steers.
The potential impact of mining on population genetic variation in the Banded Ironstone Formation endemic Tetratheca erubescens (Elaeocarpaceae)
Authors: Krauss Siegfried L. , Anthony Janet M.
Published: October 2018

Tetratheca erubescens is a narrowly endemic species including ~6300 plants restricted to a 2-km2 distribution on the south Koolyanobbing Range Banded Ironstone Formation (BIF) in Western Australia. A key objective of the present study was to characterise population genetic variation, and its spatial structuring across the entire distribution of T. erubescens, to enable a quantification of genetic variation that may be affected by proposed mining of the BIF. In total, 436 plants (~30 at each of 14 sites) from across the entire distribution were sampled, genotyped and scored for allelic variation at 11 polymorphic microsatellite loci. Fifty-nine alleles were detected (mean alleles per locus=5.36, range 2–10), and observed heterozygosity was low to moderate and typically lower than expected heterozygosity across all loci (mean observed heterozygosity (Ho)=0.41, mean expected heterozygosity (He)=0.48). Given the restricted distribution of T. erubescens, overall genetic structuring was surprisingly strong (overall FST=0.098). A range-wide spatial autocorrelation analysis indicated a significant positive genetic correlation at distances up to 450m, largely corresponding to the scale of more-or-less continuous distribution within each of two geographic clusters. In support, a STRUCTURE analysis identified an optimal number of genetic clusters as K=2, with assignment of individuals to one of two genetic clusters corresponding with the main geographic clusters. The genetic impact of proposed mining on T. erubescens was assessed on the basis of identifying plants within the proposed mine footprint (all plants from 4 of 14 sites). Repeating analyses of genetic variation after removal of these samples, and comparing to the complete dataset adjusted for sample size, resulted in the loss of one (very rare: overall frequency=0.001) allele (i.e. 58 of 59 alleles (98.3%) were recovered). All other parameters of genetic variation (mean Na, Ne, I, Ho, He, F) were unaffected. Consequently, although up to 22% of all plants fall within the mine footprint and, therefore, may be lost, <2% of alleles detected will be lost, and other genetic parameters remained unaffected. Although these results suggest that the proposed mining will result in a negligible impact on the assessed genetic variation and its spatial structuring in T. erubescens, further research on impacts to, and management of, quantitative genetic variation and key population genetic processes is required.
Exogenous application of methyl jasmonate induces defense response and develops tolerance against mungbean yellow mosaic India virus in Vigna mungo
Authors: Chakraborty Nibedita , Basak Jolly
Published: October 2018

Vigna mungo (L.)Hepper is an economically important leguminous crop in south-east Asia. However, its production is severely affected by Mungbean yellow mosaic India virus (MYMIV). It is well established that methyl jasmonate (MeJA) is effective in inducing resistance against pathogens in several plants. To assess the role of MeJA in developing MYMIV tolerance in V. mungo, we analysed time-dependent biochemical and molecular responses of MYMIV susceptible V. mungo after exogenous application of different MeJA concentrations, followed by MYMIV infection. Our analysis revealed that exogenous application of different concentrations of MeJA resulted in decreased levels of malondialdehyde with higher membrane stability index values in MYMIV susceptible V. mungo, suggesting the protective role of MeJA through restoring the membrane stability. Moreover, the level of expression of different antioxidative enzymes revealed that exogenous MeJA is also very effective in ROS homeostasis maintenance. Enhanced expressions of the defence marker genes lipoxygenase and phenylalanine ammonia-lyase and the reduced expression of the MYMIV coat-protein encoding gene in all MeJA treated plants post MYMIV infection revealed that exogenous application of MeJA is effective for MYMIV tolerance in V. mungo. Our findings provide new insights into the physiological and molecular mechanisms of MYMIV tolerance in Vigna induced by MeJA.
Unraveling the role of B cells in the pathogenesis of an oncogenic avian herpesvirus
Authors: Bertzbach Luca D. , Laparidou Maria , Härtle Sonja , Etches Robert J. , Kaspers Bernd , Schusser Benjamin , Kaufer Benedikt B.
Published: October 2018

Significance

Marek’s disease virus (MDV) infects chickens and causes the most frequent clinically diagnosed cancer in the animal kingdom, and it is used as a small-animal model for virus-induced tumor formation. Until now, B cells were thought to play a central role in MDV pathogenesis. We disproved this dogma using knockout (KO) chickens that lack mature and peripheral B cells. We demonstrated that B cells are dispensable for virus replication, virus spread, and tumor formation. In the absence of B cells, T cells facilitate efficient virus replication and are subsequently transformed, resulting in deadly lymphomas. Our data pioneer the use of KO chickens in infectious disease research and expand the knowledge on the life cycle of this highly oncogenic virus.
An Endangered Species Act for Literacy Education
Authors: Pearson P. David
Published: October 2018

In our quest to move every child ahead, we have fallen behind, lost our way as a profession. In our all-out national effort to improve the quality of teaching and learning literacy, we have compromised some of our most enduring principles and practices. The time has come to reverse this trend and to restore the ecology of literacy instruction to a healthier state.
The Contribution of Graphophonological-Semantic Flexibility to Reading Comprehension in College Students: Implications for a Less Simple View of Reading
Authors: Cartwright Kelly B.
Published: October 2018

Reading is complex and requires that individuals process many types of information concurrently. Contemporary perspectives on cognitive development focus on the ability to process cognitively complex stimuli, indicate cognitive development is domain-specific, and suggest cognitive development occurs across the lifespan. Yet little work has examined reading-specific cognitive developmental variation and its contribution to skilled reading. This study investigated the contribution of a measure of reading-specific cognitive development, graphophonological-semantic flexibility (the ability to process concurrently phonological and semantic information associated with print), to reading comprehension in college students. Graphophonological-semantic flexibility made a unique contribution to adults' reading comprehension over phonological and semantic processing assessed independently, even when general cognitive ability was controlled. Implications for the simple view of reading are discussed.
Navigating a Literacy Landscape: Teaching Conceptual Understanding with Multiple Text Types
Authors: Boyd Fenice B. , Ikpeze Chinwe H.
Published: October 2018

The authors draw on Cognitive Flexibility Theory (Spiro, Coulson, Feltovich, & Anderson, 2004) as a lens to examine one seventh-grade English language arts teacher's pedagogical approach to using multiple text types to develop students' conceptual understandings about the 1957 integration of Little Rock's Central High School. Multiple text types included but were not limited to memoir, expository texts, photographs, documentaries, docudrama, and Web documents. Findings suggest the teacher's use of multiple text types required a systematic and strategic juxtaposition of texts along with questioning, resulting in a teacher-centered approach.
Acquisition of Information Online: Knowledge, Navigation and Learning Outcomes
Authors: Lawless Kimberly A. , Schrader P. G. , Mayall Hayley J.
Published: October 2018

Research suggests that the World Wide Web (WWW) represents the intersection of at least two domains: content and technology. This investigation was designed to examine the relationship between prior knowledge and WWW browsing outcomes (i.e., navigation behavior and knowledge gain) within the context of a genetics Web site. Students randomly assigned to a treatment group were given a prereading activity designed to increase their prior knowledge within the domain of genetics. This group demonstrated significantly higher learning outcome scores than students in the control group. The treatment group also spent more time browsing, viewed more multimedia resources, and utilized more in-text embedded links. These results and others are interpreted in terms of instructional decisions and recommendations for future research.
Gain-of-function IKBKB mutation causes human combined immune deficiency
Authors: Cardinez Chelisa , Miraghazadeh Bahar , Tanita Kay , da Silva Elizabeth , Hoshino Akihiro , Okada Satoshi , Chand Rochna , Asano Takaki , Tsumura Miyuki , Yoshida Kenichi , Ohnishi Hidenori , Kato Zenichiro , Yamazaki Masahide , Okuno Yusuke , Miyano Satoru , Kojima Seiji , Ogawa Seishi , Andrews T. Daniel , Field Matthew A. , Burgio Gaetan , Morio Tomohiro , Vinuesa Carola G. , Kanegane Hirokazu , Cook Matthew C.
Published: October 2018

Genetic mutations account for many devastating early onset immune deficiencies. In contrast, less severe and later onset immune diseases, including in patients with no prior family history, remain poorly understood. Whole exome sequencing in two cohorts of such patients identified a novel heterozygous de novo IKBKB missense mutation (c.607G>A) in two separate kindreds in whom probands presented with immune dysregulation, combined T and B cell deficiency, inflammation, and epithelial defects. IKBKB encodes IKK2, which activates NF-κB signaling. IKK2V203I results in enhanced NF-κB signaling, as well as T and B cell functional defects. IKK2V203 is a highly conserved residue, and to prove causation, we generated an accurate mouse model by introducing the precise orthologous codon change in Ikbkb using CRISPR/Cas9. Mice and humans carrying this missense mutation exhibit remarkably similar cellular and biochemical phenotypes. Accurate mouse models engineered by CRISPR/Cas9 can help characterize novel syndromes arising from de novo germline mutations and yield insight into pathogenesis.
Shakespearean Seriality: The ‘Hollow Crown’, the ‘Wooden O’, and the ‘Circle in the Water’ of History
Authors: Elliott Tomas
Published: October 2018

The recent adaptation of Shakespeare’s tetralogies into a two-season television mini-series by the BBC gives new impetus to an age-old question: how do seriality and Shakespeare relate? In The Hollow Crown (2012) and The Wars of the Roses (2016), Richard II’s ‘scepter’d isle’ transforms into 2 Henry VI’s ‘fertile England’ before becoming ‘mad and scarred’ in Richard III. In this ‘swelling scene’ of Shakespearean seriality, ‘time jumps o’er’ from one episode to the next, inviting us to reconsider the spatio-temporal flows of serialized history in the theatre and on screen. Whereas both Shakespeare’s history plays, and television series in general, have often been thought to dramatize little more than the relentless progress of time as it marches forwards into history, this paper argues that The Hollow Crown and The Wars of the Roses systematically disrupt that process. Rather than moving along a simply linear trajectory, these connected series throw up fragile permutations of history that are contested over time. In tracking this process, this paper explores new methods for understanding the narrative processes that govern both the complex patterns of serialized television as well as the shifting flows of history in Shakespeare’s plays.
Neuropsychological And Psychopathological Profile Of Anti-Nmdar Encephalitis: A Possible Pathophysiological Model For Pediatric Neuropsychiatric Disorders
Authors: Cainelli Elisa , Nosadini Margherita , Sartori Stefano , Suppiej Agnese
Published: October 2018

Objective

Anti-N-methyl-d-aspartate receptor (NMDAR) encephalitis is a severe, but treatable, autoimmune disorder, characterized by autoantibodies causing hypofunction of blocking NMDA receptors leading to a unique constellation of cognitive, motor, and psychiatric symptoms. Neuropsychological and psychopathological outcome has not been fully explored, particularly in children. Aim of this study was to investigate pediatric anti-NMDAR encephalitis as a model of impairment of the complex frontal-subcortical circuits who are implicated in several of the childhood neuropsychiatric disorders.

Method

Seven children diagnosed with anti-NMDAR encephalitis at our department underwent an evaluation of the global mental functioning before discharge, a neuropsychological and psychological/behavioral standardized examination within one month after discharge and subsequently were followed up longitudinally for mean 35 months (range 24–48 months). Collected neuropsychological data were evaluated retrospectively.

Results

Deficits in attention, executive functions and/or visual motor functions involving executive functions were seen in all children within one month after discharge. These deficits were long lasting in about a half of the patients. In addition, four patients developed persistent psychopathological dysfunctions: difficulties to regulate their own behavior, impulsivity, hyperactivity, irritability, apathy, and obsessive-compulsive symptoms.

Conclusions

Our data are in line with research suggesting a crucial role of the executive functions impairments in cognitive outcome disturbance of anti-NMDAR encephalitis. We found also behavioral and psychological deficits pointing to a more comprehensive framework of frontal-subcortical dysfunction, in which the NMDA mediated transmission appear to have a role, as suggested by neurobiological, pharmacological, and neuroimaging studies.
Assessing the incremental value of new biomarkers based on OR rules
Authors: Wang Lu , Luedtke Alexander R , Huang Ying
Published: October 2018

In early detection of disease, a single biomarker often has inadequate classification performance, making it important to identify new biomarkers to combine with the existing marker for improved performance. A biologically natural method for combining biomarkers is to use logic rules, e.g., the OR/AND rules. In our motivating example of early detection of pancreatic cancer, the established biomarker CA19-9 is only present in a subclass of cancers; it is of interest to identify new biomarkers present in the other subclasses and declare disease when either marker is positive. While there has been research on developing biomarker combinations using the OR/AND rules, inference regarding the incremental value of the new marker within this framework is lacking and challenging due to statistical non-regularity. In this article, we aim to answer the inferential question of whether combining the new biomarker achieves better classification performance than using the existing biomarker alone, based on a nonparametrically estimated OR rule that maximizes the weighted average of sensitivity and specificity. We propose and compare various procedures for testing the incremental value of the new biomarker and constructing its confidence interval, using bootstrap, cross-validation, and a novel fuzzy p-value-based technique. We compare the performance of different methods via extensive simulation studies and apply them to the pancreatic cancer example.
Voluntary Wheel Running Exercise Evoked by Food-Restriction Stress Exacerbates Weight Loss of Adolescent Female Rats But Also Promotes Resilience by Enhancing GABAergic Inhibition of Pyramidal Neurons in the Dorsal Hippocampus
Authors: Chowdhury Tara G , Wable Gauri S , Chen Yi-Wen , Tateyama Kei , Yu Irene , Wang Jia-Yi , Reyes Alex D , Aoki Chiye
Published: October 2018

Adolescence is marked by increased vulnerability to mental disorders and maladaptive behaviors, including anorexia nervosa. Food-restriction (FR) stress evokes foraging, which translates to increased wheel running exercise (EX) for caged rodents, a maladaptive behavior, since it does not improve food access and exacerbates weight loss. While almost all adolescent rodents increase EX following FR, some then become resilient by suppressing EX by the second–fourth FR day, which minimizes weight loss. We asked whether GABAergic plasticity in the hippocampus may underlie this gain in resilience. In vitro slice physiology revealed doubling of pyramidal neurons’ GABA response in the dorsal hippocampus of food-restricted animals with wheel access (FR + EX for 4 days), but without increase of mIPSC amplitudes. mIPSC frequency increased by 46%, but electron microscopy revealed no increase in axosomatic GABAergic synapse number onto pyramidal cells and only a modest increase (26%) of GABAergic synapse lengths. These changes suggest increase of vesicular release probability and extrasynaptic GABAA receptors and unsilencing of GABAergic synapses. GABAergic synapse lengths correlated with individual’s suppression of wheel running and weight loss. These analyses indicate that EX can have dual roles—exacerbate weight loss but also promote resilience to some by dampening hippocampal excitability.
Non-steroids anti-inflammatory drugs and risk of peritonsillar abscess in pharyngitis: a French longitudinal study in primary care†
Authors: Piroulas Cedric , Devillers Louise , Souty Cecile , Sicsic Jonathan , Boisnault Philippe , François Mathilde
Published: October 2018

Background

The safety of non-steroids anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) in the context of pharyngitis is doubtful with contradictory results in the literature.

Objective

To evaluate the risk of peritonsillar abscess (PTA) associated to NSAIDs consumption during a pharyngitis episode observed in primary care.

Method

A retrospective cohort study using Observatory of General Medicine Datalink from 1995 to 2010. All patients consulting a GP from the Datalink network for pharyngitis have been included. The occurrence of a PTA in the 15 days following the consultation for pharyngitis was matched. The association between PTA and prescriptions of NSAIDs was studied via an adjusted logistic regression model.

Results

During the study period, 105 802 cases of pharyngitis and 48 cases of PTA following a pharyngitis were reported, concerning respectively 67 765 and 47 patients. In the multivariate analysis, the risk of PTA was associated positively with a NSAIDs prescription (OR = 2.9, 95% CI = 1.6–5.2). Other factors associated with PTA occurrence were the prescription of corticosteroids (OR = 3.1, 95% CI = 1.3–7.6) and an age between 20 and 40 years (OR = 5.7, 95% CI = 2.5–13.0). The prescription of antibiotics was not significantly associated with PTA (P = 0.7).

Conclusion

Prescription of NSAIDs in pharyngitis may increase the risk of PTA. This study encourages considering cautiously the balance between benefits and harms before prescription of NSAIDs for pharyngitis.
Local cod (Gadus morhua) revealed by egg surveys and population genetic analysis after longstanding depletion on the Swedish Skagerrak coast
Authors: Svedäng Henrik , Barth Julia M I , Svenson Anders , Jonsson Patrik , Jentoft Sissel , Knutsen Halvor , André Carl
Published: October 2018

Dramatic and persistent reductions in Atlantic cod (Gadus morhua) are common in many coastal areas. While offshore cod stocks still were abundant and productive, the Swedish west coast showed signs of diminishing adult cod abundance at the beginning of the 1980s, where the local cod component was considered to be extirpated. To survey the present cod spawning activity and stock composition, we initiated egg trawling over two consecutive years (203 hauls in total) in combination with population genetic analyses (425 individually genotyped eggs). Here, we provide evidence of cod spawning at the Swedish Skagerrak coast, suggesting recolonization or that local cod has recovered from a nearly depleted state. Early stage eggs were found inside fjords too far to have been transported by oceanic drift from offshore spawning areas. The cod eggs were genetically similar in early to late life-stages and cluster mainly with the local adult cod, indicating that eggs and adults belong to the same genetic unit. The cod eggs were genetically differentiated from adult North Sea cod, and, to a lesser degree, also from the Kattegat and Öresund cod, i.e. indicating a possible recovery of local coastal stock. The patterns of the genetic structure in the inshore areas are, however, difficult to fully disentangle, as Atlantic cod in the North Sea-Skagerrak area seem to be a mixture of co-existing forms: local cod completing their entire life cycle in fjords and sheltered areas, and oceanic populations showing homing behaviours. The egg abundances are considerably lower compared with what is found in similar studies along the Norwegian Skagerrak coast. Nevertheless, the discovery of locally spawning cod along the Swedish west coast—although at low biomasses—is an encouraging finding that highlights the needs for endurance in protective measures and of detailed surveys to secure intraspecific biodiversity and ecosystem services.
An Application of Collapsing Levels to the Representation Theory of Affine Vertex Algebras
Authors: Adamović Dražen , Kac Victor G , Möseneder Frajria Pierluigi , Papi Paolo , Perše Ozren
Published: October 2018

We discover a large class of simple affine vertex algebras $V_{k} ({\mathfrak{g}})$, associated to basic Lie superalgebras ${\mathfrak{g}}$ at non-admissible collapsing levels $k$, having exactly one irreducible ${\mathfrak{g}}$-locally finite module in the category ${\mathcal O}$. In the case when ${\mathfrak{g}}$ is a Lie algebra, we prove a complete reducibility result for $V_k({\mathfrak{g}})$-modules at an arbitrary collapsing level. We also determine the generators of the maximal ideal in the universal affine vertex algebra $V^k ({\mathfrak{g}})$ at certain negative integer levels. Considering some conformal embeddings in the simple affine vertex algebras $V_{-1/2} (C_n)$ and $V_{-4}(E_7)$, we surprisingly obtain the realization of non-simple affine vertex algebras of types $B$ and $D$ having exactly one nontrivial ideal.
Designing a medication timeline for patients and physicians
Authors: Belden Jeffery L , Wegier Pete , Patel Jennifer , Hutson Andrew , Plaisant Catherine , Moore Joi L , Lowrance Nathan J , Boren Suzanne A , Koopman Richelle J
Published: October 2018

Objective

Most electronic health records display historical medication information only in a data table or clinician notes. We designed a medication timeline visualization intended to improve ease of use, speed, and accuracy in the ambulatory care of chronic disease.

Materials and Methods

We identified information needs for understanding a patient medication history, then applied human factors and interaction design principles to support that process. After research and analysis of existing medication lists and timelines to guide initial requirements, we hosted design workshops with multidisciplinary stakeholders to expand on our initial concepts. Subsequent core team meetings used an iterative user-centered design approach to refine our prototype. Finally, a small pilot evaluation of the design was conducted with practicing physicians.

Results

We propose an open-source online prototype that incorporates user feedback from initial design workshops, and broad multidisciplinary audience feedback. We describe the applicable design principles associated with each of the prototype’s key features. A pilot evaluation of the design showed improved physician performance in 5 common medication-related tasks, compared to tabular presentation of the same information.

Discussion

There is industry interest in developing medication timelines based on the example prototype concepts. An open, standards-based technology platform could enable developers to create a medication timeline that could be deployable across any compatible health IT application.

Conclusion

The design goal was to improve physician understanding of a patient’s complex medication history, using a medication timeline visualization. Such a design could reduce temporal and cognitive load on physicians for improved and safer care.
From Refugees to Trans-local Entrepreneurs: Crossing the Borders between Formal Institutions and Informal Practices in Bosnia and Herzegovina
Authors: Halilovich Hariz , Efendić Nirha
Published: October 2018

This article focuses on the former war refugees, who (partly) returned to their homeland Bosnia and Herzegovina and became significant investors in their local communities. We are particularly interested in their experiences with manoeuvring between different countries and institutional environments, as these refugee entrepreneurs are running their businesses simultaneously in developed European economies (Switzerland and Sweden) and in their home country. Although the two companies run by the former refugees described in the article are located in the areas that remain divided along the ethnic lines caused by the war (Srebrenica and Banja Luka), we find that the post-war returnees’ businesses are ethnically tolerant and inclusive, sending a powerful message to the formal institutions, which often act in the opposite way.
Low magnesium diet aggravates phosphate-induced kidney injury
Authors: Sakaguchi Yusuke , Hamano Takayuki , Matsui Isao , Oka Tatsufumi , Yamaguchi Satoshi , Kubota Keiichi , Shimada Karin , Matsumoto Ayumi , Hashimoto Nobuhiro , Isaka Yoshitaka
Published: October 2018

Background

Magnesium is known to protect against phosphate-induced tubular cell injuries in vitro. We investigated in vivo effects of magnesium on kidney injuries and phosphate metabolism in mice exposed to a high phosphate diet.

Methods

Heminephrectomized mice were maintained on a high phosphate/normal magnesium diet or a high phosphate/low magnesium diet for 6 weeks. We compared renal histology, phosphaturic hormones and renal α-Klotho expression between the two diet groups.

Results

High phosphate diet–induced tubular injuries and interstitial fibrosis were remarkably aggravated by the low-magnesium diet. At 1 week after high phosphate feeding when serum creatinine levels were similar between the two groups, the low magnesium diet suppressed not only fecal phosphate excretion but also urinary phosphate excretion, resulting in increased serum phosphate levels. Parathyroid hormone (PTH) levels were not appropriately elevated in the low magnesium diet group despite lower 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D and serum calcium levels compared with the normal magnesium diet group. Although fibroblast growth factor 23 (FGF23) levels were lower in the low magnesium diet group, calcitriol-induced upregulation of FGF23 could not restore the impaired urinary phosphate excretion. The low magnesium diet markedly downregulated α-Klotho expression in the kidney. This downregulation of α-Klotho occurred even when mice were fed the low phosphate diet.

Conclusions

A low magnesium diet aggravated high phosphate diet–induced kidney injuries. Impaired PTH secretion and downregulation of renal α-Klotho were likely to be involved in the blunted urinary phosphate excretion by the low magnesium diet. Increasing dietary magnesium may be useful to attenuate phosphate-induced kidney injury.
Genetics and epigenetics in primary Sjögren’s syndrome
Authors: Imgenberg-Kreuz Juliana , Rasmussen Astrid , Sivils Kathy , Nordmark Gunnel
Published: October 2018

Primary Sjögren’s syndrome (pSS) is considered to be a multifactorial disease, where underlying genetic predisposition, epigenetic mechanisms and environmental factors contribute to disease development. In the last 5 years, the first genome-wide association studies in pSS have been completed. The strongest signal of association lies within the HLA genes, whereas the non-HLA genes IRF5 and STAT4 show consistent associations in multiple ethnicities but with a smaller effect size. The majority of the genetic risk variants are found at intergenic regions and their functional impact has in most cases not been elucidated. Epigenetic mechanisms such as DNA methylation, histone modifications and non-coding RNAs play a role in the pathogenesis of pSS by their modulating effects on gene expression and may constitute a dynamic link between the genome and phenotypic manifestations. This article reviews the hitherto published genetic studies and our current understanding of epigenetic mechanisms in pSS.
Individualized Metacognitive Training (MCT+) Reduces Delusional Symptoms in Psychosis: A Randomized Clinical Trial
Authors: Balzan Ryan P , Mattiske Julie K , Delfabbro Paul , Liu Dennis , Galletly Cherrie
Published: October 2018

Individualized metacognitive training (MCT+) is a novel psychotherapy that has been designed to specifically target delusional beliefs in people with psychosis. It works by developing an awareness of the implausible content of delusional beliefs, while also targeting the cognitive biases that contribute to their formation and maintenance. It was expected that MCT+ would lead to significantly greater reductions in delusional severity compared to a cognitive remediation (CR) active control condition. A total of 54 patients with a schizophrenia spectrum disorder and active delusions were randomized into four 2-hourly sessions of MCT+ (n = 27) or CR (n = 27). All participants completed posttreatment assessment, and only 2 participants did not complete 6-month follow-up assessment, resulting in MCT+ (n = 26) and CR (n = 26) for final analysis. The primary outcome measures of delusional and positive symptom severity were assessed rater-blind; secondary outcome assessment was non-blinded and included clinical and cognitive insight, the jumping to conclusions (JTC) bias, and cognitive functioning. Participants in the MCT+ condition showed significant reductions in delusional and overall positive symptom severity (large effect) and improved clinical insight (moderate effect) relative to CR controls. In contrast, CR controls showed moderate improvement in problem-solving ability relative to MCT+, but no other cognitive domain. Importantly, these findings were maintained at 6-month follow-up. The study adds further efficacy to the MCT program, and suggests that even brief psychotherapy can help to ameliorate the symptoms of psychosis.
A Framework to Assist Providers in the Management of Patients with Chronic, Nonhealing Wounds
Authors: Howell Raelina S. , Gorenstein Scott , Gillette Brian M. , DiGregorio Julie , Criscitelli Theresa , Davitz Matthew Sontag , Woods Jon S. , Acerra Michael , Brem Harold
Published: October 2018

The care of patients with nonhealing wounds involves a host of treatment modalities. The authors developed a wound-specific framework to enhance provider management of these wounds and a summary sheet to involve patients and caregivers in their own healthcare to improve treatment adherence and outcomes. Implementing evidence-based practice for chronic wounds enables corrective actions to optimize care.

GENERAL PURPOSE:

To describe the development of an evidence-based wound electronic medical record (WEMR) framework for providers to execute timely, protocol-based, best-practice care for patients with chronic, nonhealing wounds.

TARGET AUDIENCE:

This continuing education activity is intended for physicians, physician assistants, nurse practitioners, and nurses with an interest in skin and wound care.

LEARNING OBJECTIVES/OUTCOMES:

After completing this continuing education activity, you should be better able to:
Student Self-Efficacy of Learning Using Illness Scripts
Authors: Lee Jamie D. , Bagnardi Margaret
Published: October 2018

Student self-efficacy of learning after using illness scripts is described as an innovative strategy to teach clinical reasoning in an online pathophysiology and pharmacology course for RN to BSN students. Using illness scripts, students cluster relevant clinical features together to develop a plan of care while developing pattern recognition and expertise. A demographic survey, the student self-efficacy scale, and open-ended questions were administered to a convenience sample of students enrolled in the course. A high self-efficacy of learning was found over all student self-efficacy scale items (M = 8.94, SD = 0.24).
Creating a Global Community of Learners in Nursing and Beyond: Caring Science, Mindful Practice MOOC
Authors: Sitzman Kathleen L. , Jensen Andrea , Chan Sang
Published: October 2018

AIM

The aim was to examine the usefulness of a massive open online course (MOOC) on caring and mindfulness to a broad international audience that included nurses, allied health professionals, and others.

BACKGROUND

MOOCs in higher education have been evident since 2008. Very few MOOCs on nursing topics have appeared since that time. Exploration was needed regarding how MOOCs could be employed to share nursing knowledge with national and international communities.

METHOD

Two “Caring Science, Mindful Practice” MOOC sessions were examined. Demographics, learner satisfaction, course flow, and perceived usefulness of content were analyzed.

RESULTS

Learners from varied backgrounds participated. Higher than expected course activity levels and completion rates suggested effective learner engagement. Excellent course ratings demonstrated that content and delivery methods were effective. Active learners communicated specific plans to apply new knowledge in the future.

CONCLUSION

MOOCs facilitate learning where participants learn about topics of interest in nursing and beyond.
The Lived Experience in the Clinical Setting of Nursing Students With Disabilities
Authors: Luckowski Amy
Published: October 2018

AIM

This qualitative study utilizes Moustakas’s psychological phenomenology to explore the lived experiences in the clinical setting of nursing students with disabilities.

BACKGROUND

Overall, the numbers of college students with disabilities are increasing, and more students with disabilities are being admitted into nursing programs.

METHOD

A purposive sample of 13 junior and senior baccalaureate nursing students with self-declared disabilities from two Northeastern baccalaureate nursing programs were interviewed.

FINDINGS

Five main themes and 12 subthemes emerged from the data. The main themes are: masking a disability, revealing a disability, affecting clinical experiences, overcoming challenges in clinical, and sharing experiences with others. The findings include: missing out on clinical experiences, limiting clinical performance, and developing strategies to adapt to a disability. Discrimination was found to exist for nursing students with disabilities who realized that they were now responsible for managing their disabilities

CONCLUSION

Recommendations are offered for faculty orientation programs and disability services offices.
The Effect of Human Patient Simulators on Knowledge and Self-Competence in Graduating Prelicensure Nursing Students
Authors: Centrella-Nigro Andrea M. , Blackwell Barbara , Coughlin Arlene , Voorhees Karen Ann
Published: October 2018

This research studied the effects of using human patient simulation (HPS) on knowledge and perceived self-competence in prelicensure students in a two-year nursing program. MED-SURG BKAT scores and a self-competence visual analog scale from two cohorts (one without HPS and one with HPS over two years) were compared. A significant difference was found in self-competence scores for the HPS cohort compared to the non-HPS cohort. Knowledge scores did not differ significantly. Limitations of this study include a relatively small sample size and using one school of nursing.
Using the NLN/Jeffries Simulation Framework
Authors: Irwin Ruth E.
Published: October 2018

Literature reporting the evaluation of simulations for design characteristics is practically nonexistent. The Simulation Design Scale was used to evaluate the effect of time in simulation with 81 associate degree nursing students. Students completed the scale after participation in either a two-hour or four-hour nursing process simulation. As time in simulation increased, independent t-test results for the importance of elements were significant (p = .03): Objectives and Information (p = .002) and Fidelity (p = .017). Scenarios written by nurse educators need to be evaluated for design characteristics, and results need to be reported.
Revisiting the “Nurse Educator Self-Evaluation”
Authors: Kalb Kathleen A. , Skay Carol L.
Published: October 2018

Using standards of practice to prepare nurse educator students is essential to promote faculty role competence and excellence in nursing education. The purpose of this study was to determine the self-reported knowledge and skills of nurse educator students using the Nurse Educator Self-Evaluation (NESE), a researcher-developed instrument based on the National League for Nursing Core Competencies of Nurse Educators. The NESE was administered to all nurse educator students at the beginning and end of the program. Data analysis using descriptive statistics showed significantly higher scores at the end of the program compared for student knowledge and skills ratings for all task statements.
Flipped Classroom Versus Traditional Lecture
Authors: Holman Rieneke , Hanson Alexandra D.
Published: October 2018

Exam scores, final grade averages, and course evaluations were compared for traditional lecture and flipped classroom models in two undergraduate nursing courses. Half of the exam score averages were higher for the flipped model. Although most course evaluations indicated an insignificant preference for the traditional lecture model, students perceived several advantages of the flipped model, including enhanced instructor-student interactions, improved preparation, and increased learning. Perceived disadvantages were minor and usually included technical problems and preparation time.
Using National Measures of Patients’ Perceptions of Health Care to Design and Debrief Clinical Simulations
Authors: Eisert Shelly L. , Bartlett Ellis Rebecca J. , Geers Jennifer W. , Werskey Karen L.
Published: October 2018

This article describes an innovative approach to using national measures of patients' perspectives of quality health care. Nurses from a regional simulation consortium designed and executed a simulation using the Hospital Consumer Assessment of Healthcare Providers and Systems (HCAHPS) survey to prepare nurses to improve care and, in turn, enhance patients' perceptions of care. The consortium is currently revising the reporting mechanism to collect data about specific learning objectives based on national quality indicator benchmarks, specifically HCAHPS. This revision reflects the changing needs of health care to include quality metrics in simulation.
Benefits of Simulation and Role-Playing to Teach Performance of Functional Assessments
Authors: Trail Ross Mary Ellen , Otto Dorothy A. , Stewart Helton Anne
Published: October 2018

The use of simulation is an innovative teaching strategy that has proven to be valuable in nursing education. This article describes the benefits of a simulation lab involving faculty role-play to teach baccalaureate nursing students how to properly assess the functional status of older adults. Details about the simulation lab, which involved functional assessments of two elderly community-dwelling residents, are presented, along with student and faculty evaluations of this teaching modality.
Nursing Student Perceptions of Structural Empowerment
Authors: Moore Shelley C. , Ward Karen S.
Published: October 2018

To meet role expectations for nurses, nurses must feel empowered. Faculty contributions to the learning environment for nursing students are critical. A descriptive analysis of student perceptions of empowerment within the learning environment was conducted using a form of Kanter’s Conditions of Work Effectiveness Questionnaire; 203 participants from schools in 17 different states completed surveys. Subjects demonstrated moderate degrees of structural empowerment in their learning environment. This positive finding can be further investigated and used to fully prepare future nurses.
A Literature Review of Research on What Has Become of Accelerated Second-Degree Baccalaureate Nursing Graduates
Authors: Schwartz Joanne , Gambescia Stephen F.
Published: October 2018

BACKGROUND

Accelerated second-degree baccalaureate nursing (ASDBN) programs have become popular in the United States as a solution to meet the demand for BSN nurses. The research conducted on ASDBN graduates is limited and focuses on educational experience or early career outcomes, such as NCLEX-RN pass rates or first-year job performance.

AIM

This research is designed to provide a better understanding of the status of ASDBN graduates two years after completion of the BSN program.

METHOD

A literature review was conducted focusing on research into ASDBN graduates beyond their student experiences or early significant career events or outcomes.

RESULTS

Surprisingly, only two articles met the interest criteria used in this literature review.

CONCLUSION

There are clear and significant gaps in areas that examine ASDBN graduates beyond the immediate postgraduation period.
Traditional and Accelerated Baccalaureate Nursing Students’ Self-Efficacy for Interprofessional Learning
Authors: Durkin Anne E. , Feinn Richard S.
Published: October 2018

AIM

The aim of the study was to examine self-efficacy among traditional and accelerated nursing students with regard to interprofessional learning.

BACKGROUND

The World Health Organization and other organizations recognize the need for interprofessional education to prepare health care providers for collaborative practice. Graduates of baccalaureate nursing programs require competence in interprofessional collaboration and communication.

METHOD

Traditional (n = 239) and accelerated (n = 114) nursing students' self-efficacy was measured utilizing Mann et al.’s Self-Efficacy for Interprofessional Experiential Learning Scale.

RESULTS

Accelerated students averaged significantly higher than traditional students on the interprofessional team evaluation and feedback subscale (p = .006) and overall self-efficacy (p = .041).

CONCLUSION

Awareness of possible differences between traditional and accelerated nursing students with regard to self-efficacy may help faculty develop effective interprofessional learning experiences for students in each cohort. Although results cannot be generalized, findings from this study provide evidence to guide the selection of learning strategies.