bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Relationship Between Trunk Muscle Thickness and Static Postural Balance in Older Adults
Authors: Acar Ece , Çankaya Tamer , Öner Serkan
Published: November 2019

Trunk muscles are required for safety of movement in aging. The authors aimed to investigate the relationship between trunk muscle thickness and the static postural balance in older adults. A total of 31 females and 23 males with a mean age of 73.39 ± 6.09 completed the study. The thickness of the trunk muscles was determined with ultrasound imaging. Postural balance was assessed with force plate. There was a positive weak correlation between right and left upper rectus abdominis muscle thickness and anterior stability area (p < .05, r > .3). The negative and moderate correlation was determined between the left lower rectus abdominis and the perturbated stability sway value (p < .01, r > .5). The increase in trunk muscle thickness in older adults increases the postural stability area and decreases the postural sway especially in the mediolateral direction.
The Exploration of Occupational Therapy Interventions to Address Sedentary Behavior and Pain Among Older Adults
Authors: Naber Allison , Molitor Whitney Lucas , Farriell Andy , Honius Kara , Poppe Brooke
Published: November 2019

This study aimed to determine the feasibility of an occupational therapy intervention to address sedentary behavior and pain among older adults residing in assisted living facilities. A single group pretest and posttest design was implemented using the Sedentary Behavior Questionnaire, actigraphy technology, and daily activity logs to measure sedentary behavior. The Short-Form McGill Pain Questionnaire was used to assess pain. Occupational therapy intervention focused on individualized goals related to participation in meaningful physical activities, which were established in collaboration with the participant and were tracked for 3 weeks. A total of 12 participants were recruited for this study. The mean number of steps and daily calories burned over the course of a week increased by 3,058.3 steps (30.82%) and 57.64 calories (19.96%), respectively. Individualized goal setting may have a positive impact on the reduction of pain and increasing activity levels among older adults residing in assisted living facilities.
Fungal Seed Pathogens of Wild Chili Peppers Possess Multiple Mechanisms To Tolerate Capsaicinoids
Authors: Adams Catharine A. , Zimmerman Kolea , Fenstermacher Kristi , Thompson Mitchell G. , Skyrud Will , Behie Scott , Pringle Anne
Published: November 2019

Plants make chemical compounds to protect themselves. For example, chili peppers produce the spicy compound capsaicin to inhibit pathogen damage and animal feeding. In humans, capsaicin binds to a membrane channel protein, creating the sensation of heat, while in microbes, capsaicin limits energy production by binding respiratory enzymes. However, some data suggest that capsaicin also disrupts membranes. Here, we studied fungal pathogens (
Alternaria
,
Colletotrichum
,
Fusarium
, and
Phomopsis
) isolated from a wild chili pepper,
Capsicum chacoense
. By measuring growth rates in the presence of antibiotics with known respiratory targets, we inferred that wild-plant pathogens might be rich in alternative respiratory enzymes. A zone of clearance around the colonies, as well as liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry data, further indicated that these fungi can break down capsaicin. Finally, the total inhibitory effect of capsaicin was not fully explained by its effect on respiratory enzymes. Our findings lend credence to studies proposing that capsaicin may disrupt cell membranes, with implications for microbiology, as well as human health.
The ESCRT-II Subunit EAP20/VPS25 and the Bro1 Domain Proteins HD-PTP and BROX Are Individually Dispensable for Herpes Simplex Virus 1 Replication
Authors: Barnes Jenna , Wilson Duncan W.
Published: November 2019

HSV-1 is a pathogen of the human nervous system that uses its own virus-encoded proteins and the normal cellular ESCRT machinery to drive the construction of its envelope. How HSV-1 structural proteins interact with ESCRT components and which subsets of cellular ESCRT proteins are utilized by the virus remain largely unknown. Here, we demonstrate that an essential component of the ESCRT-II complex and two ESCRT-associated Bro1 proteins are dispensable for HSV-1 replication.
Six Nearly Complete Genome Segments of a Novel Reovirus Identified in Laotian Batflies
Authors: Temmam Sarah , Vongphayloth Khamsing , Hertz Jeffrey C. , Sutherland Ian , Douangboubpha Bounsavane , Grandadam Marc , Bigot Thomas , Brey Paul T. , Eloit Marc
Published: November 2019

As part of the characterization of viral communities of Laotian batflies, we report here the sequencing of six nearly complete genome segments of a novel reovirus identified in Laotian batflies that is distantly related to reoviruses recently reported in various Diptera species.
Draft Genome Sequences of 12 Histophilus somni Strains Isolated from Feedlot Cattle in Alberta, Canada
Authors: Mostafa Nazari Mohammad , Bhatt Krishna , Rawlyk Neil , Potter Andrew A. , Liljebjelke Karen
Published: November 2019

Histophilus somni
is a Gram-negative opportunistic pathogen associated with respiratory disease in cattle. Here, we report the draft genome sequences of 12
Histophilus somni
strains isolated from feedlot cattle in Alberta, Canada, which were diagnosed with respiratory disease.
Nearly Complete Genome Sequences of Two Bovine Viral Diarrhea Virus Isolates, Subtype 1f Strain SLO/1170/2000 and Subtype 1d Strain SLO/2416/2002
Authors: Toplak Ivan , Rihtarič Danijela , Grom Jože , Toplak Nataša , Kuhar Urška
Published: November 2019

Bovine viral diarrhea virus (BVDV) subtypes 1f and 1d were isolated for the first time in Slovenia in 1999 and detected later in a majority of BVDV-infected cattle herds. Here, we report the first nearly complete genome sequences of noncytopathogenic BVDV-1f strain SLO/1170/2000 and cytopathogenic BVDV-1d strain SLO/2416/2002, isolated in Slovenia.
Draft Genome Sequence of Vibrio parahaemolyticus Strain PH1339, Which Causes Acute Hepatopancreatic Necrosis Disease in Shrimp in the Philippines
Authors: Penir Sarah Mae U. , dela Pena Leobert D. , Cabillon Nikko Alvin R. , Bilbao Angela Denise P. , Amar Edgar C. , Saloma Cynthia P.
Published: November 2019

We report the first draft genome sequence of an acute hepatopancreatic necrosis disease (AHPND)-causing
Vibrio parahaemolyticus
strain isolated from a
Penaeus vannamei
sample from the Philippines. The strain carries the genes encoding the Pir-like toxin pair PirA
vp
and PirB
vp
.
Draft Genome Sequence of Cronobacter sakazakii Cr268, Isolated from Infant Powder Formula
Authors: Zizelski Valenci Gal , Rubinstein Mor , Afriat Reuven , Rosencwaig Shira , Dveyrin Zeev , Rorman Efrat , Nissan Israel
Published: November 2019

Cronobacter sakazakii
is an emerging pathogen that causes meningitis, bacteremia, sepsis, and necrotizing enterocolitis in premature infants. Strain Cr268 was isolated from imported powdered infant formula in 2009 during routine microbial examination according to ISO-22964 (“Microbiology of the food chain—horizontal method for the detection of
Cronobacter
spp.”).
Complete Genome Sequence of Escherichia coli O157:H7 Strain Al Ain, Isolated from Camel Feces in the United Arab Emirates
Authors: Al-Ajmi Dawood , Rahman Shafeeq , Banu Sharmila
Published: November 2019

Escherichia coli
O157:H7 is a common food pathogen which has a serious effect on human health. We report here the complete genome sequence of
Escherichia coli
O157:H7 strain Al Ain, isolated from camel feces in the United Arab Emirates.
Complete Genome Sequence and Methylome Analysis of Sphaerotilus natans subsp.
sulfidivorans
D-507
Authors: Fomenkov Alexey , Grabovich Margarita , Belousova Elena , Smolyakov Dmitry , Dubinina Galina , Roberts Richard J.
Published: November 2019

Sphaerotilus natans
subsp.
sulfidivorans
D-507 is an environmental isolate from a sulfate spring in the northern Caucasus region of Russia. This heterotrophic bacterium is involved in the oxidation of reduced sulfur derivatives. This report includes the finished genome of this strain. In addition, we provide methylation data and the associated enzymes predicted to be responsible for each modified motif.
Draft Genome Sequences of Longimonas halophila KCTC 42399 and Longibacter salinarum KCTC 52045
Authors: Liew Kok Jun , Teo Seng Chong , Shamsir Mohd Shahir , Goh Kian Mau
Published: November 2019

Longimonas halophila
and
Longibacter salinarum
are type strains of underexplored genera affiliated with
Salisaetaceae
. Herein, we report the draft genome sequences of two strains of these bacteria,
L. halophila
KCTC 42399 and
L. salinarum
KCTC 52045, with the intent of broadening knowledge of this family. Genome annotation and gene mining revealed that both bacteria exhibit amylolytic abilities.
Injury frequency and characteristics (location, type, cause and severity) differed significantly among athletics (‘track and field’) disciplines during 14 international championships (2007–2018): implications for medical service planning
Authors: Edouard Pascal , Navarro Laurent , Branco Pedro , Gremeaux Vincent , Timpka Toomas , Junge Astrid
Published: November 2019

Objective

To analyse differences between athletic disciplines in the frequency and characteristics of injuries during international athletics championships.

Methods

Study design, injury definition and data collection procedures were similar during the 14 international championships (2007–2018). National medical teams and local organising committee physicians reported all newly incurred injuries daily on a standardised injury report form. Results were presented as number of injuries and number of injuries per 1000 registered athletes, separately for male and female athletes, and for each discipline.

Results

From a total of 8925 male and 7614 female registered athletes, 928 injuries were reported in male and 597 in female athletes. The discipline accounting for the highest proportion of injuries was sprints, for both men (24%) and women (26%). The number of injuries per 1000 registered athletes varied between disciplines for men and women: highest in combined events for male athletes (235 (95% CI 189 to 281)) and female athletes (212 (95% CI 166 to 257)), and lowest for male throwers (47 (95% CI 35 to 59)) and female throwers (32 (95% CI 21 to 43)) and for female race walkers (42 (95% CI 19 to 66)). Injury characteristics varied significantly between disciplines for location, type, cause and severity in male and female athletes. Thigh muscle injuries were the main diagnoses in the disciplines sprints, hurdles, jumps, combined events and race walking, lower leg muscle injuries in marathon running, lower leg skin injury in middle and long distance running, and trunk muscle and lower leg muscle injuries in throws.

Conclusions

Injury characteristics differed substantially between disciplines during international athletics championships. Strategies for medical service provision (eg, staff, facilities) during athletics championships should be discipline specific and be prepared for targeting the main injuries in each discipline.
The effect of old-age pensions on health care utilization patterns and insurance uptake in Mexico
Authors: Riumallo-Herl Carlos , Aguila Emma
Published: November 2019

Introduction

As old-age pensions continue to expand around the world in response to population ageing, policymakers increasingly wish to understand their impact on healthcare demand. In this paper, we examine the effects of supplemental income to older adults on healthcare use patterns, expenditures and insurance uptake in Yucatan, Mexico.

Method

We use a longitudinal survey for individuals aged 70 or older and an individual fixed-effects difference-in-difference approach to understand the effect of an income supplement on healthcare use patterns, out-of-pocket expenditures and health insurance uptake patterns.

Results

The implementation of the old-age pension was associated with increased use of healthcare with nuanced effects on the type of care. Old-age pensions increase the use of formal healthcare by 15 percentage points (95% CI 6.1 to 23.9) for those with healthcare use at baseline and by 7.5 percentage points (95% CI 3.7 to 11.3) for those without healthcare use at baseline. We find no evidence of greater out-of-pocket expenditures, likely because old-age pensions were associated with a 4.2 percentage point (95% CI 1.5 to 6.9) increase in use of public health insurance.

Conclusion

Old-age pensions can shift healthcare demand towards formal services and eliminate financial barriers to basic care. Pension benefits can also increase the uptake of insurance programmes. These results demonstrate how social programmes can complement each other This highlights the potential role of old-age pensions in achieving universal health coverage for individuals at older ages.
Factors of non-responsive or lost-to-follow-up Japanese mothers during the first year post partum following the Japan Environment and Children’s Study: a longitudinal cohort study
Authors: Kigawa Mika , Tsuchida Akiko , Matsumura Kenta , Takamori Ayako , Ito Mika , Tanaka Tomomi , Hamazaki Kei , Adachi Yuichi , Saito Shigeru , Origasa Hideki , Inadera Hidekuni
Published: November 2019

Objectives

We examined the factors related to lost-to-follow-up of a birth cohort study during the first year after delivery.

Design

Longitudinal cohort study.

Setting

Questionnaires were provided by mail. Mothers answered the questionnaires about the children twice: at 6 months and 1 year.

Participants

Of 103 062 pregnancies who consented to participate in the Japan Environment and Children’s Study (JECS), 93 417 mothers were included in the study after excluding those with multiple births, miscarriages or stillbirths and those who withdrew from the study within 1 year after providing informed consent.

Primary and secondary outcome measures

Participants’ socioeconomic status, medical history, health status, health-related behaviours, their children’s health conditions and living situations were collected by self-administered questionnaires during pregnancy or 1 month after delivery as the baseline survey. In addition, two self-administered questionnaires were distributed 6 months and 1 year after delivery. Using the response status of the two questionnaires after delivery, participants’ follow-up status was divided into four groups. The related factors were examined using logistic regression analysis.

Results

Factors positively correlated with lost-to-follow-up to the questionnaires were postpartum physical conditions, psychological distress during pregnancy, the child’s health status at birth, the child’s primary caregiver and the number of siblings of the child. Partners’ active participation in JECS was associated with a lower lost-to-follow-up rate to the two questionnaires, whereas inactive participation was positively associated with a higher lost-to-follow-up rate.

Conclusion

The response rate to the questionnaires seems to be related to the interest and understanding of participants’ partners. In addition, the response rates are related to participants’ physical conditions and living conditions. To decrease lost-to-follow-up rates in consecutive questionnaire surveys within a cohort study, it may be important for investigators to recognise that participants and their motivation in research can be influenced by perceptions they may have regarding the objectives of the research.
Predictors of pain reduction following manual therapy in patients with temporomandibular disorders: a protocol for a prospective observational study
Authors: Asquini Giacomo , Bianchi Andrea Edoardo , Heneghan Nicola R , Rushton Alison B , Borromeo Giulia , Locatelli Matteo , Falla Deborah
Published: November 2019

Introduction

Temporomandibular disorders (TMDs) are principally characterised by pain in the craniomandibular area and probable limitations of jaw opening. Manual therapy, like other recommended conservative treatments included in clinical guidelines, is commonly used to treat patients with TMD to reduce pain and improve function. However, outcomes may be variable. The aim of this study is to identify predictors associated with pain reduction in patients with TMD following manual therapy by analysing a combination of patient-reported outcome measures and clinical tests. Such knowledge will support a more personalised management approach by facilitating clinical decision-making.

Methods/analysis

An observational prospective design will recruit a cohort of 100 adults with a diagnosis of TMD (according to Axis I of the Diagnostic Criteria for TMD) at a Dental Hospital in Italy. Patients will be treated with four weekly sessions of manual therapy applied to craniomandibular structures. An array of predictors has been chosen based on previous research on prognostic factors for TMD and altered pain modulation in musculoskeletal disorders. Candidate predictors including demographic variables, general health variables, psychosocial features, TMD characteristics and clinical tests of the temporomandibular joint and masticatory muscles will be collected at baseline. Definition of good outcome is a clinically significant reduction of pain intensity over the last week (≥30% reduction Visual Analogue Scale) immediately following the four week intervention. Exploratory factor analysis will be applied to analyse factor loading of candidate predictors for good outcome at four weeks. Subsequently, a logistic multivariable regression model will be performed to calculate low and high risk of good outcome.

Ethics and dissemination

Ethical approval has been obtained from the ‘Fondazione IRCCS Ca’ Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico’ and University of Birmingham Ethics Committee. The results will be submitted for publication in a peer-reviewed journal and presented at conferences.

Trial registration number

NCT03990662; Pre-results.
Barriers and enablers to monitoring and deprescribing opioid analgesics for chronic non-cancer pain: protocol for a qualitative evidence synthesis using the Theoretical Domains Framework
Authors: Cross Amanda J , Buchbinder Rachelle , Bourne Allison , Maher Christopher , Mathieson Stephanie , Lin Chung-Wei C , O’Connor Denise A
Published: November 2019

Introduction

The over-prescription and overuse of opioid analgesics for chronic non-cancer pain (CNCP) is a growing issue. Synthesis of evidence about the barriers and enablers to reducing long-term opioid prescribing and use will enable the development of tailored interventions to address both problems.

Objective

To synthesise the barriers and enablers to monitoring the ongoing appropriateness of opioid treatment and deprescribing opioids for CNCP from the clinician, patient and general public point of view, and to map the findings to the Theoretical Domains Framework (TDF).

Methods and analysis

We will perform a qualitative evidence synthesis using the TDF. We will include qualitative research that has explored clinician, patient and the general public’s perceptions regarding barriers and enablers to monitoring and deprescribing opioids for CNCP. Studies will be identified via searches in MEDLINE, EMBASE, CINAHL, AMED and PsycINFO. Databases will be searched from inception to July 2019, and the studies must be published in English. Article selection and data extraction will be completed independently by two review authors. Methodological quality of included studies will be independently assessed by two review authors using the Critical Appraisal Skills Programme quality assessment tool. We will conduct thematic synthesis and then map identified themes and sub-themes to TDF domains. Confidence in synthesis findings will be evaluated using the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development, and Evaluation Confidence in the Evidence from Reviews of Qualitative Research tool.

Ethics and dissemination

Ethical approval is not required to conduct this review. We will publish the results in a peer-reviewed journal.

PROSPERO registration number

CRD42019140784
Work systems analysis of sterile processing: decontamination
Authors: Alfred Myrtede , Catchpole Ken , Huffer Emily , Fredendall Larry , Taaffe Kevin M
Published: November 2019

Background

Few studies have explored the work of sterile processing departments (SPD) from a systems perspective. Effective decontamination is critical for removing organic matter and reducing microbial levels from used surgical instruments prior to disinfection or sterilisation and is delivered through a combination of human work and supporting technologies and processes.

Objective

In this paper we report the results of a work systems analysis that sought to identify the complex multilevel interdependencies that create performance variation in decontamination and identify potential improvement interventions.

Methods

The research was conducted at a 700-bed academic hospital with two reprocessing facilities decontaminating approximately 23 000 units each month. Mixed methods, including 56 hours of observations of work as done, formal and informal interviews with relevant stakeholders and analysis of data collected about the system, were used to iteratively develop a process map, task analysis, abstraction hierarchy and a variance matrix.

Results

We identified 21 different performance shaping factors, 30 potential failures, 16 types of process variance, and 10 outcome variances in decontamination. Approximately 2% of trays were returned to decontamination from assembly, while decontamination problems were found in about 1% of surgical cases. Staff knowledge, production pressures, instrument design, tray composition and workstation design contributed to outcomes such as reduced throughput, tray defects, staff injuries, increased inventory and equipment costs, and patient injuries.

Conclusions

Ensuring patients and technicians’ safety and efficient SPD operation requires improved design of instruments and the decontamination area, skilled staff, proper equipment maintenance and effective coordination of reprocessing tasks.
Communicating with patients about breakdowns in care: a national randomised vignette-based survey
Authors: Fisher Kimberly A , Gallagher Thomas H , Smith Kelly M , Zhou Yanhua , Crawford Sybil , Amroze Azraa , Mazor Kathleen M
Published: November 2019

Background

Many patients are reluctant to speak up about breakdowns in care, resulting in missed opportunities to respond to individual patients and improve the system. Effective approaches to encouraging patients to speak up and responding when they do are needed.

Objective

To identify factors which influence speaking up, and to examine the impact of apology when problems occur.

Design

Randomised experiment using a vignette-based questionnaire describing 3 care breakdowns (slow response to call bell, rude aide, unanswered questions). The role of the person inquiring about concerns (doctor, nurse, patient care specialist), extent of the prompt (invitation to patient to share concerns) and level of apology were varied.

Setting

National online survey.

Participants

1188 adults aged ≥35 years were sampled from an online panel representative of the entire US population, created and maintained by GfK, an international survey research organisation; 65.5% response rate.

Main outcomes and measures

Affective responses to care breakdowns, intent to speak up, willingness to recommend the hospital.

Results

Twice as many participants receiving an in-depth prompt about care breakdowns would (probably/definitely) recommend the hospital compared with those receiving no prompt (18.4% vs 8.8% respectively (p=0.0067)). Almost three times as many participants receiving a full apology would (probably/definitely) recommend the hospital compared with those receiving no apology (34.1% vs 13.6% respectively ((p<0.0001)). Feeling upset was a strong determinant of greater intent to speak up, but a substantial number of upset participants would not ‘definitely’ speak up. A more extensive prompt did not result in greater likelihood of speaking up. The inquirer’s role influenced speaking up for two of the three breakdowns (rudeness and slow response).

Conclusions

Asking about possible care breakdowns in detail, and offering a full apology when breakdowns are reported substantially increases patients’ willingness to recommend the hospital.
Hospice at Home services in England: a national survey
Authors: Rees-Roberts Melanie , Williams Peter , Hashem Ferhana , Brigden Charlotte , Greene Kay , Gage Heather , Goodwin Mary , Silsbury Graham , Wee Bee , Barclay Stephen , Wilson Patricia M , Butler Claire
Published: November 2019

Objective

Hospice at Home (HAH) services aim to enable patients to be cared for and die at home, if that is their choice and achieve a ‘good death’. A national survey, in 2017, aimed to describe and compare the features of HAH services and understand key enablers to service provision.

Methods

Service managers of adult HAH services in the ‘Hospice UK’ and National Association for Hospice at Home directories within England were invited to participate. Information on service configuration, referral, staffing, finance, care provision and enablers to service provision were collected by telephone interview.

Results

Of 128 services invited, 70 (54.7%) provided data. Great diversity was found. Most services operated in mixed urban/rural (74.3%) and mixed deprivation (77.1%) areas and provided hands-on care (97.1%), symptom assessment and management (91.4%), psychosocial support (94.3%) and respite care (74.3%). Rapid response (within 4 hours) was available in 65.7%; hands-on care 24 hours a day in 52.2%. Charity donations were the main source of funding for 71.2%. Key enablers for service provision included working with local services (eg, district nursing, general practitioner services), integrated health records, funding and anticipatory care planning. Access to timely medication and equipment was critical.

Conclusion

There is considerable variation in HAH services in England. Due to this variation it was not possible to categorise services into delivery types. Services work to supplement local care using a flexible approach benefitting from integration and funding. Further work defining service features related to patient and/or carer outcomes would support future service development.
A response to critics: weakening the ethical distinction between euthanasia, palliative opioid use and palliative sedation
Authors: Riisfeldt Thomas D
Published: November 2019

My essay ‘Weakening the ethical distinction between euthanasia, palliative opioid use and palliative sedation’ has recently generated some critique which I will attempt to address in this response. Regarding the empirical question of whether palliative opioid and sedative use shorten survival time, Schofieldet alraise the three concerns that my literature review contains a cherry-picking bias through focusing solely on the palliative care population, that continuous deep palliative sedation falls beyond the scope of routine palliative care, and that my research may contribute to opiophobia and be harmful to palliative care provision globally. Materstvedt argues that euthanasia ‘ends’ rather than ‘relieves’ suffering and is not a treatment, and that the arguments in my essay are therefore predicated on a ‘category mistake’ and are a non-starter. Symons and Giebel both raise the concern that my Kantian and Millian interpretation of the Doctrine of Double Effect is anachronistic, and that when interpreted from the contemporaneous perspective of Aquinas it is a sound ethical principle. Giebel also argues that palliative opioid and sedative use do meet the Doctrine of Double Effect’s four criteria on this Thomistic account, and that it does not contradict the Doctrine of the Sanctity of Human Life. In this response I will explore and defend against most of these claims, in doing so clarifying my original argument that the empirical and ethical differences between palliative opioid/sedative use and euthanasia may not be as significant as often believed, thereby advancing the case for euthanasia.
Early winter foraging success, swimming performance, and morphology of juvenile landlocked Atlantic salmon reared under semi-wild and hatchery conditions
Authors: Hatanpää Aurora , Huuskonen Hannu , Kekäläinen Jukka , Kortet Raine , Hyvärinen Pekka , Vitelletti Maria Letizia , Piironen Jorma
Published: November 2019

Several Finnish populations of salmonids have been maintained exclusively by stocking hatchery-reared fish for several generations, and it is crucial to know whether domestication has affected fitness-related traits and to assess how the developmental environment influences fish phenotypes. Here, we focused on Lake Saimaa landlocked salmon (Salmo salar m. sebago) and studied the role of the early rearing environment in trait formation by comparing juveniles (fingerlings) from three backgrounds: (i) semi-wild (stocked as alevins), (ii) standard hatchery, and (iii) enriched hatchery conditions We compared juvenile morphology, swimming performance, and capability of feeding on natural prey in early winter. We found no differences between standard and enriched hatchery conditions. Semi-wild fish consumed more prey items, but wet mass of stomach contents did not differ among backgrounds. Swimming endurance was comparable among backgrounds. Semi-wild fish had slenderer body shape and longer fins than hatchery-reared fish. The lack of performance differences between hatchery juveniles and their semi-wild conspecifics is possibly due to reduced phenotypic plasticity caused by extremely low levels of genetic diversity in this population.
Linear perturbations of an anisotropic Bianchi I model with a uniform magnetic field
Authors: Di Gioia Federico , Montani Giovanni
Published: November 2019

In this work, we study the effect of a magnetic field on the growth of cosmological perturbations. We develop a mathematical consistent treatment in which a perfect fluid and a uniform magnetic field evolve together in a Bianchi I universe. We then study the energy density perturbations on this background with particular emphasis on the effect of the background magnetic field. We develop a full relativistic solution which refines previous analysis in the relativistic limit, recovers the known ones in the Newtonian treatment with adiabatic sound speed, and it adds anisotropic effects to the relativistic ones for perturbations with wavelength within the Hubble horizon. This represents a refined approach on the perturbation theory of an isotropic universe in GR, since most of the present studies deal with fully isotropic systems.
Inflation with derivative self-interaction and coupling to gravity
Authors: Tumurtushaa Gansukh
Published: November 2019

We consider a subclass of Horndeski theories for studying cosmic inflation. In particular, we investigate models of inflation in which the derivative self-interaction of the scalar field and the non-minimal derivative coupling to gravity are present in the action and equally important during inflation. In order to control contributions of each term as well as to approach the single-term limit, we introduce a special relation between the derivative interaction and the coupling to gravity. By calculating observable quantities including the power spectra and spectral tilts of scalar and tensor perturbation modes, and the tensor-to-scalar ratio, we found that the tensor-to-scalar ratio is suppressed by a factor of $$(1+1/\gamma )$$(1+1/γ), where $$\gamma $$γ reflects the strength of the derivative self-interaction of the inflaton field with respect to the derivative coupling gravity. We placed observational constraints on the chaotic and natural inflation models and showed that the models are consistent with the current observational data mainly due to the suppressed tensor-to-scalar ratio.
NAND/AND/NOT logic gates response in series of mesoscopic quantum rings
Authors: Dehghan E. , Khoshnoud D. Sanavi , Naeimi A. S.
Published: November 2019

There is a special class of logic gates, called universal gates, any one of which is sufficient to express any desired computation. The NAND gate is truly global, given that it is already known, each Boolean function can be represented in a circuit that contains only NOT and AND gates, it is sufficient to show that these gates can be defined from the NAND gate. The effect of Rashba spin-orbit interaction (SOI) on the gate response and spin current density in a series of non-interacting one-dimensional rings connected to some leads is studied theoretically within the waveguide theory. The gates response and spin current density are computed in geometry of the system containing two terminal double quantum rings. Also, the presence and absence of Rashba SOI are treated as the two inputs of the AND/NAND/NOT gates. Furthermore, simulation of the device performance demonstrates that vital improvement toward spintronic applications can be achieved by optimizing device parameters such as magnetic flux and Rashba coefficient.
Kernel Optimized-Support Vector Machine and MapReduce Framework for Sentiment Classification of Train Reviews
Authors: Thakur Rashmi K. , Deshpande Manojkumar V.
Published: November 2019

Sentiment analysis is one of the popular techniques gaining attention in recent times. Nowadays, people gain information on reviews of users regarding public transportation, movies, hotel reservation, etc., by utilizing the resources available, as they meet their needs. Hence, sentiment classification is an essential process employed to determine the positive and negative responses. This paper presents an approach for sentiment classification of train reviews using MapReduce model with the proposed Kernel Optimized-Support Vector Machine (KO-SVM) classifier. The MapReduce framework handles big data using a mapper, which performs feature extraction and reducer that classifies the review based on KO-SVM classification. The feature extraction process utilizes features that are classification-specific and SentiWordNet-based. KO-SVM adopts SVM for the classification, where the exponential kernel is replaced by an optimized kernel, finding the weights using a novel optimizer, Self-adaptive Lion Algorithm (SLA). In a comparative analysis, the performance of KO-SVM classifier is compared with SentiWordNet, NB, NN, and LSVM, using the evaluation metrics, specificity, sensitivity, and accuracy, with train review and movie review database. The proposed KO-SVM classifier could attain maximum sensitivity of 93.46% and 91.249% specificity of 74.485% and 70.018%; and accuracy of 84.341% and 79.611% respectively, for train review and movie review databases.
Unlimited FDIC Insurance and the Implications for Corporate Cash
Authors: Stone Anna-Leigh
Published: November 2019

This paper examines the cash management practices of firms during the period of increased FDIC insurance on noninterest-bearing accounts. While the Transaction Account Guarantee Program and Dodd–Frank Act were intended to help banks by preventing deposit withdrawals, they also seem to have contributed to a change in cash management practices given that cash increased at public firms during this time as well. In addition, the increase seems to be driven by financially unconstrained firms, firms not at risk of default, firms with an investment grade bond rating, and firms with low cash flow variation. An analysis of aggregate data shows that a similar increase was not observed for private firms.
Short halt in vaping modifies cardiorespiratory parameters and urine metabolome: a randomized trial
Authors: Chaumont Martin , Tagliatti Vanessa , Channan El Mehdi , Colet Jean-Marie , Bernard Alfred , Morra Sofia , Deprez Guillaume , Van Muylem Alain , Debbas Nadia , Schaefer Thomas , Faoro Vitalie , van de Borne Philippe
Published: November 2019

Propylene glycol and glycerol are e-cigarette constituents that facilitate liquid vaporization and nicotine transport. As these small hydrophilic molecules quickly cross the lung epithelium, we hypothesized that short-term cessation of vaping in regular users would completely clear aerosol deposit from the lungs and reverse vaping-induced cardiorespiratory toxicity. We aimed to assess the acute effects of vaping and their reversibility on biological/clinical cardiorespiratory parameters [serum/urine pneumoproteins, hemodynamic parameters, lung-function test and diffusing capacities, transcutaneous gas tensions (primary outcome), and skin microcirculatory blood flow]. Regular e-cigarette users were enrolled in this randomized, investigator-blinded, three-period crossover study. The periods consisted of nicotine-vaping (nicotine-session), nicotine-free vaping (nicotine-free-session), and complete cessation of vaping (stop-session), all maintained for 5 days before the session began. Multiparametric metabolomic analyses were used to verify subjects’ protocol compliance. Biological/clinical cardiorespiratory parameters were assessed at the beginning of each session (baseline) and after acute vaping exposure. Compared with the nicotine- and nicotine-free-sessions, a specific metabolomic signature characterized the stop-session. Baseline serum club cell protein-16 was higher during the stop-session than the other sessions ( P < 0.01), and heart rate was higher in the nicotine-session ( P < 0.001). Compared with acute sham-vaping in the stop-session, acute nicotine-vaping (nicotine-session) and acute nicotine-free vaping (nicotine-free-session) slightly decreased skin oxygen tension ( P < 0.05). In regular e-cigarette-users, short-term vaping cessation seemed to shift baseline urine metabolome and increased serum club cell protein-16 concentration, suggesting a decrease in lung inflammation. Additionally, acute vaping with and without nicotine decreased slightly transcutaneous oxygen tension, likely as a result of lung gas exchanges disturbances.
Sequential activation of multiple persistent inward currents induces staircase currents in serotonergic neurons of medulla in ePet-EYFP mice
Authors: Cheng Yi , Zhang Qiang , Dai Yue
Published: November 2019

Persistent inward currents (PICs) are widely reported in rodent spinal neurons. A distinctive pattern observed recently is staircase-like PICs induced by voltage ramp in serotonergic neurons of mouse medulla. The mechanism underlying this pattern of PICs is unclear. Combining electrophysiological, pharmacological, and computational approaches, we investigated the staircase PICs in serotonergic neurons of medulla in ePet-EYFP transgenic mice (postnatal days 1–7). Staircase PICs induced by 10-s voltage biramps were observed in 70% of serotonergic neurons ( n = 73). Staircase PICs activated at −48.8 ± 5 mV and consisted of two components, with the first PIC of 45.8 ± 51 pA and the second PIC of 197.3 ± 126 pA ( n = 51). Staircase PICs were also composed of low-voltage-activated sodium PIC (Na-PIC; onset −46.2 ± 5 mV, n = 34), high-voltage-activated calcium PIC (Ca-PIC; onset −29.3 ± 6 mV, n = 23), and high-voltage-activated tetrodotoxin (TTX)- and dihydropyridine-resistant sodium PIC (TDR-PIC; onset −16.8 ± 4 mV, n = 28). Serotonergic neurons expressing Na-PIC, Ca-PIC, and TDR-PIC were evenly distributed in medulla. Bath application of 1–2 μM TTX blocked the first PIC and decreased the second PIC by 36% ( n = 23, P < 0.05). Nimodipine (25 μM) reduced the second PIC by 38% ( n = 34, P < 0.001) without altering the first PIC. TTX and nimodipine removed the first PIC and reduced the second PIC by 59% ( n = 28, P < 0.01). A modeling study mimicked the staircase PICs and verified experimental conclusions that sequential activation of Na-PIC, Ca-PIC, and TDR-PIC in order of voltage thresholds induced staircase PICs in serotonergic neurons. Further experimental results suggested that the multiple components of staircase PICs play functional roles in regulating excitability of serotonergic neurons in medulla.

NEW & NOTEWORTHY Staircase persistent inward currents (PICs) are mediated by activation of L-type calcium channels in dendrites of mouse spinal motoneurons. A novel mechanism is explored in this study. Here we report that the staircase PICs are mediated by sequentially activating sodium and calcium PICs in serotonergic neurons of mouse medulla.
Less Experienced Telestroke Consultants Are More Likely to Go On-Camera, but Less Likely to Give tPA
Authors: de Havenon Adam , Chung Lee S. , Smith Jaleen , Taylor Kirby , Majersik Jennifer J. , Chauhan Nabeel
Published: November 2019

Background. Stroke telemedicine (telestroke) increases tPA availability and administration. However, the effective use of telestroke requires training, which is not a standard component of vascular neurology training. As a result, many providers learn telestroke skills “on the job” after finishing their training. Aims. We sought to explore if providers with more telestroke experience would be more efficient in the utilization of telemedicine, compared to providers with less experience. Methods. We prospectively collected data on telestrokes between July 2014 and July 2017 at a Comprehensive Stroke Center. Telestrokes are initiated on the telephone and typically, but not always, followed by an on-camera consult. Decision to do a phone-only versus on-camera consult is at the provider’s discretion. Results. There were 1,029 telestrokes, of which 807 were on-camera (74%). Of the 8 telestroke providers, 4 had less experience, having just finished stroke fellowship, and 4 had more experience (mean = 7.8 years of telestroke experience at the beginning of the study). Providers with less experience were more likely to go on camera than providers with more experience (79% vs. 67% of consults, p=0.021), but were less likely to give tPA when on-camera (25% vs. 33%, p=0.023). The absolute rate of tPA administration, combining phone and camera administration, or the frequency of technical difficulties were not different. Conclusions. Telestroke consultants with less experience do not triage as many cases by phone and are less likely to administer tPA on-camera, suggesting their use of telemedicine is not optimized. This supports the introduction of telestroke didactics during vascular neurology training.
Cardiac Arrhythmia in a Patient with Sickle Cell Anemia and Falciparum Malaria Treated with Intravenous Artesunate
Authors: Hummadi Abdulrahman , Mubarki Sultan , Ayel yahay  , Al-Qahtani Awad Mohammed
Published: November 2019

Treatment of severe malaria with artemisinin derivatives in patients with comorbid conditions such as sickle cell anemia must be considered with precaution. We report here a case of possibly undocumented ventricular arrhythmia in a sickle cell anemia patient diagnosed with Plasmodium falciparum malaria and treated with intravenous artesunate. The patient suffered from wide complex tachycardia after treatment with artesunate 170 mg (2.4 mg/kg) i.v. bolus, tachycardia was managed with amiodarone (150 mg i.v. for 10 minutes). Electrocardiographic abnormalities, including QT prolongation, are common in patients with sickle cell anemia. The mortality rate in sickle cell anemia patients due to cardiovascular and pulmonary complications remains high. The probability of precipitation of ventricular arrhythmias may increase in patients with sickle cell anemia, diagnosed with malaria and treated with artemisinin derivatives.
Alveolar Hemorrhage, a Rare and Life-Threatening Complication of Catastrophic Antiphospholipid Syndrome
Authors: Loza Grace , Hallo Carlos , Chiliquinga Byron , Hallo Alejandro
Published: November 2019

Alveolar hemorrhage is the rarest pulmonary complication of catastrophic antiphospholipid syndrome and is associated with high mortality risk. This life-threatening complication results from autoimmune damage to the alveolar blood vessels. Given the limited literature addressing the association of these two pathologies, we report a series of three cases with this complication and then compare our findings with 6 cases reported in the literature.
Urinary Metabolomic Markers of Protein Glycation, Oxidation, and Nitration in Early-Stage Decline in Metabolic, Vascular, and Renal Health
Authors: Masania Jinit , Faustmann Gernot , Anwar Attia , Hafner-Giessauf Hildegard , Rajpoot Nasir , Grabher Johanna , Rajpoot Kashif , Tiran Beate , Obermayer-Pietsch Barbara , Winklhofer-Roob Brigitte M. , Roob Johannes M. , Rabbani Naila , Thornalley Paul J.
Published: November 2019

Glycation, oxidation, nitration, and crosslinking of proteins are implicated in the pathogenic mechanisms of type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and chronic kidney disease. Related modified amino acids formed by proteolysis are excreted in urine. We quantified urinary levels of these metabolites and branched-chain amino acids (BCAAs) in healthy subjects and assessed changes in early-stage decline in metabolic, vascular, and renal health and explored their diagnostic utility for a noninvasive health screen. We recruited 200 human subjects with early-stage health decline and healthy controls. Urinary amino acid metabolites were determined by stable isotopic dilution analysis liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry. Machine learning was applied to optimise and validate algorithms to discriminate between study groups for potential diagnostic utility. Urinary analyte changes were as follows: impaired metabolic health—increased Nε-carboxymethyl-lysine, glucosepane, glutamic semialdehyde, and pyrraline; impaired vascular health—increased glucosepane; and impaired renal health—increased BCAAs and decreased Nε-(γ-glutamyl)lysine. Algorithms combining subject age, BMI, and BCAAs discriminated between healthy controls and impaired metabolic, vascular, and renal health study groups with accuracy of 84%, 72%, and 90%, respectively. In 2-step analysis, algorithms combining subject age, BMI, and urinary Nε-fructosyl-lysine and valine discriminated between healthy controls and impaired health (any type), accuracy of 78%, and then between types of health impairment with accuracy of 69%-78% (cf. random selection 33%). From likelihood ratios, this provided small, moderate, and conclusive evidence of early-stage cardiovascular, metabolic, and renal disease with diagnostic odds ratios of 6 – 7, 26 – 28, and 34 – 79, respectively. We conclude that measurement of urinary glycated, oxidized, crosslinked, and branched-chain amino acids provides the basis for a noninvasive health screen for early-stage health decline in metabolic, vascular, and renal health.
Dynamics of a Stochastic Three‐Species Food Web Model with Omnivory and Ratio‐Dependent Functional Response
Authors: Liu Guirong , Liu Rong
Published: November 2019

This paper is concerned with a stochastic three‐species food web model with omnivory which is defined as feeding on more than one trophic level. The model involves a prey, an intermediate predator, and an omnivorous top predator. First, by the stochastic comparison theorem, we show that there is a unique global positive solution to the model. Next, we investigate the asymptotic pathwise behavior of the model. Then, we conclude that the model is persistent in mean and extinct and discuss the stochastic persistence of the model. Further, by constructing a suitable Lyapunov function, we establish sufficient conditions for the existence of an ergodic stationary distribution to the model. Then, we present the application of the main results in some special models. Finally, we introduce some numerical simulations to support the main results obtained. The results in this paper generalize and improve the previous related results.