bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Changes in the prevalence of overweight, obesity, and severe obesity between 2010 and 2017 in preschoolers: A population‐based study
Authors: Ball Geoff D.C. , Savu Anamaria , Kaul Padma
Published: July 2019

We evaluated changes in overweight, obesity, and severe obesity in a population of 4‐ to 6‐year‐olds from 2010 to 2017. Anthropometric data were collected during children's preschool immunization visits in Edmonton and Calgary, Alberta, Canada. Body mass index (BMI), BMI z scores, and weight status categories were based on the World Health Organization criteria. Across 8 years, we examined population‐level data from 161 114 children in which the prevalence of overweight (17.8%‐15.7%; P < .001) and obesity (4.7%‐4.2%; .004) decreased, while severe obesity (2.4%‐2.2%; .3) remained unchanged. Overweight decreased in both boys (19.2%‐16.8%; P < .0001) and girls (16.4%‐14.6%; .003); obesity decreased in boys (5.3%‐4.4%; .005), but not girls (4.1%‐3.9%; .2). Severe obesity was stable in both sexes. Annual household income and breast feeding had positive, but variable moderating effects on overweight and obesity exclusively. Overall, reductions in overweight and obesity were positive findings, but targeted strategies are needed to reduce severe obesity in preschoolers.
Functionally significant metabolic differences between B and T lymphocyte lineages
Authors: Khalsa Jasneet Kaur , Chawla Amanpreet Singh , Prabhu Savit B. , Vats Mukti , Dhar Atika , Dev Gagan , Das Nabanita , Mukherjee Sandip , Tanwar Shalini , Banerjee Hridesh , Durdik Jeannine Marie , Bal Vineeta , George Anna , Rath Satyajit , Arimbasseri Gopalakrishnan Aneeshkumar
Published: July 2019

Activation of B and T lymphocytes leads to major remodelling of the metabolic landscape of the cells enabling their post‐activation functions. However, naive B and T lymphocytes also show metabolic differences, and the genesis, nature and functional significance of these differences are not yet well understood. Here we show that resting B‐cells appeared to have lower energy demands than resting T‐cells as they consumed lower levels of glucose and fatty acids and produced less ATP. Resting B‐cells are more dependent on OXPHOS, while T‐cells show more dependence on aerobic glycolysis. However, despite an apparently higher energy demand, T lineage cells showed lower rates of protein synthesis than equivalent B lineage stages. These metabolic differences between the two lineages were established early during lineage differentiation, and were functionally significant. Higher levels of protein synthesis in B‐cells were associated with increased synthesis of MHC class II molecules and other proteins associated with antigen internalization, transport and presentation. The combination of higher energy demand and lower protein synthesis in T‐cells was consistent with their higher ATP‐dependent motility. Our data provide an integrated perspective of the metabolic differences and their functional implications between the B and T lymphocyte lineages.
Nurses' attitudes and emotions toward caring for adults with intellectual disabilities: Results of a cross‐sectional, correlational‐predictive research study
Authors: Desroches Melissa L. , Sethares Kristen A. , Curtin Carol , Chung Joohyun
Published: July 2019

Background

Negative healthcare provider attitudes may contribute to healthcare disparities in adults with intellectual disabilities. This study identified predictors of nurses' attitudes and emotions toward caring for adults with intellectual disabilities in the United States.

Method

A convenience sample of 248 nurses was used to collect nurses' attitudes and emotions toward caring for adults with intellectual disabilities (Adapted Caring for Adults with Disabilities Questionnaire) and quality of life beliefs (Prognostic Beliefs Scale).

Results

Overall, nurses held less positive attitudes toward caring for an adult with intellectual disability versus a physical disability. Intellectual disability nurses held more positive attitudes and emotions and less negative emotions than non‐intellectual disability nurses. Quality of life beliefs predicted nurse attitude, positive emotions and negative emotions. The number of adults with intellectual disabilities cared for during the nurse's career predicted negative emotions.

Conclusions

Future interventions should focus on improving nurses' understanding of the quality of life of adults with intellectual disabilities.
The double‐edged sword of vulnerability: Explaining the persistent challenges for practitioners in supporting parents with intellectual disabilities
Authors: MacIntyre Gillian , Stewart Ailsa , McGregor Sharon
Published: July 2019

Background

Evidence suggests that parents with intellectual disabilities can be “good enough” parents with appropriate support that focuses on the whole family. This paper brings together theories of vulnerability with an ethics of care approach to reflect on challenges for practitioners in supporting parents, drawing upon data from a study carried out in Scotland.

Method

An online survey was administered to practitioners in three settings, and follow‐up interviews were carried out with key informants.

Results

Pockets of good practice existed but a number of barriers to supporting families remained. These related to a lack of accessible information, difficulties in identifying and engaging with families at an early stage and poor joint working across agencies.

Conclusion

The study concludes by arguing that practitioners' constructions of families as “vulnerable” reflects negatively on their perceived capacity to parent, creating further barriers in accessing appropriate support and reducing expectations of success.
Lizards in the mist: Thermal niches constrained by habitat and microclimates in the Andes of southern Bolivia
Authors: Jiménez‐Robles Octavio , De la Riva Ignacio
Published: July 2019

Aim

To understand how the activity budgets of ectotherms vary in mountain areas with high microclimatic and habitat heterogeneity, and how these factors together with habitat modulate the assemblage of ectotherm communities.

Location

Tajzara Basin, Cordillera de Sama (3,600–4,300 m a.s.l.), Department of Tarija, Bolivia.

Taxon

Four lizard species of the genus Liolaemus.

Methods

After parameterizing the thermal physiology of each species and recording operative temperature time series with dataloggers, we calculated activity budgets for every species across 30 sampling sites. By multimodel inference we evaluated how activity budgets varied across the topography. We also assessed how abundances of each species were predicted by activity budgets, restriction time, temperature deviation, habitat covers and exposure to cold microclimate.

Results

Activity budgets were not only influenced by elevation but also by the exposure to cold air that comes through saddles from the eastern side of the mountain divide. Although thermal physiological parameters were relatively similar among the species, their abundances were conditioned to different extents by activity budgets, habitat and microclimates.

Main conclusions

The abundance and distribution of each species across these lizard communities reflect the microclimatic heterogeneity originated by complex topography, which uncouples activity budgets from elevation. Only one species was confined to cold microclimate refugia with higher exposure to Föhn effect. Despite having a relatively similar thermal aspect of fundamental niches, lizards may differ in their realized niches by habitat selection. Habitat specialization could compromise the persistence of some species under global warming by reducing the dispersal possibilities to certain areas where population sustainability might be impaired in the long term. Understanding the heterogeneity of microclimates and habitats and the physiology of the species partially explains their distribution at local scale, and provides insights on how to best confront upcoming climate change effects.
Prediction of incident hypertension and arterial stiffness using the non–insulin‐based metabolic score for insulin resistance (METS‐IR) index
Authors: Bello‐Chavolla Omar Yaxmehen , Antonio‐Villa Neftali E. , Vargas‐Vázquez Arsenio , Martagón Alexandro J. , Mehta Roopa , Arellano‐Campos Olimpia , Gómez‐Velasco Donaji V. , Almeda‐Valdés Paloma , Cruz‐Bautista Ivette , Melgarejo‐Hernandez Marco A. , Muñoz‐Hernandez Liliana , Guillén Luz E. , Garduño‐García José de Jesús , Alvirde Ulices , Ono‐Yoshikawa Yukiko , Choza‐Romero Ricardo , Sauque‐Reyna Leobardo , Garay‐Sevilla Ma. Eugenia , Malacara‐Hernandez Juan M. , Tusié‐Luna María T. , Gutierrez‐Robledo Luis M. , Gómez‐Pérez Francisco J. , Rojas Rosalba , Aguilar‐Salinas Carlos A.
Published: July 2019

Hypertension is associated with insulin resistance (IR), metabolic syndrome (MS), and arterial stiffness. Non–insulin‐based IR indexes were developed as tools for metabolic screening. Here, we aimed to evaluate the novel non–insulin‐based Metabolic Score for IR (METS‐IR) index for the prediction of incident hypertension and arterial stiffness evaluated using pulse wave velocity (PWV) analysis, compared with other non–insulin‐based IR indexes. We evaluated two populations, a cross‐sectional evaluation of high‐risk individuals (n = 305) with a wide range of metabolic comorbidities and dyslipidemia in whom PWV measurement was performed and a 3‐year prospective cohort of normotensive individuals (N = 6850). We observed a positive correlation between METS‐IR and PWV in the cross‐sectional cohort, which was higher compared with other non–insulin‐based fasting IR indexes; furthermore, PWV values >75th percentile were associated with the upper tercile of METS‐IR values. In the prospective cohort, we observed an increased risk for incident hypertension for the upper METS‐IR tercile (METS‐IR ≥ 46.42; HR: 1.81, 95% CI: 1.41‐2.34), adjusted for known cardiovascular risk factors, and observed that METS‐IR had greater increases in the predictive capacity for hypertension along with SBP and the Framingham Hypertension Risk Prediction Model compared with other non–insulin‐based IR indexes. Therefore, METS‐IR is a novel non–insulin‐based IR index which correlates with arterial stiffness and is a predictor of incident hypertension, complementary to previously validated risk prediction models.
Protein kinase C is involved in the neuroprotective effect of berberine against intrastriatal injection of quinolinic acid‐induced biochemical alteration in mice
Authors: Liu Peng , Li Yinjie , Qi Xiaoxiao , Xu Jia , Liu Danyang , Ji Xuefei , Chi Tianyan , Liu Han , Zou Libo
Published: July 2019

Protein kinase C (PKC) shows a neuronal protection effect in neurodegenerative diseases. In this study, we test whether berberine has a positive effect on the activity of PKC in quinolinic acid (QA)‐induced neuronal cell death. We used intrastriatal injections of QA mice model to test the effect of berberine on motor and cognitive deficits, and the PKC signalling pathway. Treatment with 50 mg/kg b.w of berberine for 2 weeks significantly prevented QA‐induced motor and cognitive impairment and related pathologic changes in the brain. QA inhibited the phosphorylation of PKC and its downstream molecules, GSK‐3β, ERK and CREB, enhanced the glutamate level and release of neuroinflammatory cytokines; these effects were attenuated by berberine. We used in vivo infusion of Go6983, a PKC inhibitor to disturb PKC activity in mice brain, and found that the effect of berberine to reverse motor and cognitive deficits was significantly reduced. Moreover, inhibition of PKC also blocked the anti‐excitotoxicity effect of berberine, which is induced by glutamate in PC12 cells and BV2 cells, as well as anti‐neuroinflammatory effect in LPS‐stimulated BV2 cells. Above all, berberine showed neuroprotective effect against QA‐induced acute neurotoxicity by activating PKC and its downstream molecules.
Intra‐nodal nevi in sentinel node‐negative patients with cutaneous melanoma does not influence survival
Authors: de Beer F.S.A. , van Diest P.J. , Sigurdsson V. , El Sharouni M.
Published: July 2019

Background

Melanoma patients with intra‐nodal nevi (INN) and without melanoma metastasis in the sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB) are generally treated as patients with negative SLNB. However, diagnosis of INN may be difficult and nodal melanoma metastases may falsely be regarded as INN.

Objectives

Our aim was to evaluate the clinical significance of INN in the SLNB in patients with primary cutaneous melanoma on a nationwide level in The Netherlands by comparing survival between three groups: patients with INN and without nodal melanoma metastasis (INN group), patients without INN and without nodal melanoma metastasis (negative SLNB group) and patients with nodal melanoma metastasis irrespective of INN (positive SLNB group).

Methods

Data were obtained from ‘PALGA’, the Dutch Nationwide Network and Registry of Histopathology and Cytopathology, yielding a cohort of adults with histologically proven, primary, invasive cutaneous melanoma patients in The Netherlands diagnosed between 2000 and 2014 who underwent SLNB. Clinical and pathological variables were extracted from the pathology text files. Differences between patients with INN, negative SLNB and positive SLNB were analysed using Kaplan–Meier analysis.

Results

A total of 11 274 patients were eligible for inclusion. The prevalence of INN in the SLNB was 5.0%. Melanomas with INN had similar median Breslow thickness compared to melanomas with negative SLNB and were more frequently located on trunk and upper limbs and observed in younger patients compared to melanomas with negative and positive SLNB. Overall survival of patients with INN showed no significant difference compared with negative SLNB (median follow‐up of 5.7 years of all patients).

Conclusions

As there seems to be no difference in overall survival between patients with INN and negative SLNB, the diagnosis of INN seems to be reliable. Current practice to treat patients with INN as patients with negative SLNB appears to be appropriate.
Optimization of de‐bittering process of mosambi (Citrus limetta) peel: Artificial neural network, Gaussian process regression and support vector machine modeling approach
Authors: Younis Kaiser , Ahmad Saghir , Osama Khwaja , Malik Mudasir A.
Published: July 2019

The process of di‐bittering of mosambi peel powder (MPP) using sodium chloride solution (0, 5, and 10%) was optimized. The optimization was based on the acceptable taste, maximum total polyphenol content, and maximum antioxidant properties of peel powder. Support vector machine (SVM)‐based classification model was developed for sensory evaluation. Artificial neural network (ANN) and Gaussian process regression (GPR) was used for development of regression models to predict total polyphenol and total antioxidant properties. The two combinatorial models of SVM–ANN and SVM–GPR were developed for optimization using genetic algorithm. The optimized powder had total polyphenol content and antioxidant properties of 0.65 ± 0.10% and 57.05 ± 0.08%, respectively, while taste was in acceptable limits and showed good, swelling power, water binding capacity, oil binding capacity, emulsion stability, and emulsion activity. The optimized dibittered powder also showed good results for in vitro glucose retardation index and showed antimicrobial activity against some pathogenic microorganisms.

Practical Applications

Mosambi peel powder is rich in dietary fiber and other bioactive compounds. However, its utilization is limited due to the presence of some bitter compounds. The present study deals with the optimization of di‐bittering process of mosambi peel. The optimized powder had convincing functional properties and hence opens the doors for its commercial application in food industry. Mosambi peel powder being rich in dietary finder can enhance the fiber content of same fiber deficient foods.
Effects of Optic Neuritis, T2 Lesions, and Microstructural Diffusion Integrity in the Visual Pathway on Cortical Thickness in Pediatric‐Onset Multiple Sclerosis
Authors: Datta Ritobrato , Sollee John R. , Lavery Amy M. , Ficerai‐Garland Gabriella , Karoscik Krystle , Liu Geraldine , Banwell Brenda L. , Waldman Amy T.
Published: July 2019

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Pediatric‐onset multiple sclerosis (POMS) is associated with focal inflammatory lesions and the loss of cortical and deep gray matter. Optic neuritis (ON) and white matter (WM) lesions in the visual pathway can directly contribute to visual cortical mantle thinning. We determine the relative contributions of MS insult on anterior and posterior visual pathway integrity.

METHODS

High‐ and low‐contrast visual acuity, optical coherence tomography (OCT), and 3T MRI scans were obtained from 20 POMS patients (10 with remote ON) and 22 age‐ and sex‐matched healthy controls. Cortical mantle thickness was measured using FreeSurfer. Fractional anisotropy (FA) and mean diffusivity were calculated for postchiasmal optic radiations (with and without WM lesions). Groups were compared using Student's t‐test (adjusted for multiple comparisons), and simple linear regression was used to investigate interrelationships between measures.

RESULTS

Mean cortical thickness of the whole brain was reduced in patients (2.49 mm) versus controls (2.58 mm, P = .0432) and in the visual cortex (2.07 mm vs. 2.17 mm, P = .0059), although the foveal confluence was spared. Mean FA of the optic radiations was reduced in POMS (.40) versus controls (.43, P = .0042) and correlated with visual cortical mantle thickness in POMS (P = .017). Visual acuity, OCT measures, and lesion volumes in the optic radiations were not associated with cortical mantle thickness.

CONCLUSIONS

POMS negatively impacts the integrity of the anterior visual pathway, but it is the loss of WM integrity that drives anterograde loss of the cortical mantle. Preserved visual acuity and foveal sparing imply some degree of functional and structural resilience.
Pathways through organizational socialization: A longitudinal qualitative study based on the psychological contract
Authors: Woodrow Chris , Guest David E.
Published: July 2019

In this study, we explore different pathways during organizational socialization through the lens of the psychological contract using in‐depth longitudinal qualitative methods. Analysis of 112 critical incident interviews with 27 newcomers across their first year of work reveals five distinct psychological contract pathways through socialization, within which fulfilment and breach influence adjustment by facilitating or restricting opportunities to learn and integrate, as well as influencing attitudes and behaviour. The analysis reveals that whilst perceived psychological contract fulfilment facilitates newcomer adjustment, perceived breach can disrupt the process. We provide a detailed account of the way socialization and the psychological contract unfold for newcomers over time, and show that psychological contract events can significantly alter the course of adjustment.

Practitioner points

Delivery of perceived promises that are of particular importance to newcomers during early tenure can accelerate adjustment. Managers should therefore attempt to find out which promised contributions are important to employees and prioritize their delivery.

The negative effects of perceptions of broken promises on newcomer adjustment may be reversed by later delivery. Managers should explain the reasons for any broken promises and seek to fulfil them in the future.

Ongoing support from managers can help newcomers to negotiate the difficult period after organizational entry, even where promises are perceived to have been broken.

Direct managers should be made aware of information provided and promises made to newcomers by those responsible for recruitment.
Patients' experiences of initiating unplanned haemodialysis
Authors: Nilsson Eva‐Lena
Published: July 2019

Background

Many patients with end stage kidney disease initiate dialysis in an unplanned fashion and as a result experience increased morbidity, mortality and make greater demands on health care resources. To deliver care appropriate to the needs of these patients it is imperative to gain insight into the perspective of each individual.

Aim

To describe the meaning of the phenomenon “initiating haemodialysis in an unplanned fashion” experienced by the participants.

Design

The study used a lifeworld perspective with a descriptive phenomenological approach.

Participants

Five patients (M 4, F 1), with experiences of the phenomenon were recruited from two dialysis units in southern Sweden.

Approach

Individual in‐depth interviews were undertaken, recorded and transcribed. The texts were analysed according to Giorgi's (2009) method.

Findings

The essence of the phenomenon was described as a life situation characterised by a rapid decline in health and kidney function leading to unplanned initiation of haemodialysis, which resulted in not really being able to understand what had happened. The sudden initiation of haemodialysis affected each patient in various ways and gave rise to thoughts of life's meaning. Support from others, acceptance and inner strength were helpful. Patients wished for more in‐depth conversations with health care professionals.

Conclusion

Psychological support is critical. Health care professionals need to have the time and the necessary skills in communication and empathetic listening to understand the psychological trauma each patient goes through in the unplanned setting.
“Sassy Queens”: Stylistic orthographic variation in Twitter and the enregisterment ofAAVE
Authors: Ilbury Christian
Published: July 2019

Recent computational sociolinguistic analyses of social media have emphasized the potential of using orthographic variation as a proxy for speech, thereby permitting macro‐level quantitative studies of regional and social variation (e.g. Eisenstein, 2015). However, the extent to which stylistic variation may affect these analyses remains largely unexplored. In this paper, I explore how authors use variant spellings stylistically to deploy personae and characterological figures (Agha, 2003), by examining the presence of African American Vernacular English (AAVE) features in a corpus of 15,804 tweets extracted from the timelines of 10 gay British men. I argue that the stylization ofAAVEsignals the development of a very specific persona—the “Sassy Queen”—which relies on an essentialized imagining of Black women as “fierce” and “sassy.” Concluding, I emphasize the value of micro‐level analyses in complementing quantitative analyses of linguistic variation in social media.
Assessing the appropriateness of the management of otitis media in Australia: A population‐based sample survey
Authors: Clay‐Williams Robyn , Stephens Jacqueline H , Williams Helena , Hallahan Andrew , Dalton Chris , Hibbert Peter , Ting Hsuen P , Arnolda Gaston , Wiles Louise , Braithwaite Jeffrey ,   on behalf of the CareTrack Kids Investigative Team
Published: July 2019

Aim

Acute otitis media (AOM) is the most common infectious disease for which antibiotics are prescribed; its management is costly and has the potential to increase the antimicrobial resistance of this infection. This study measured the levels of adherence to the clinical practice guidelines (CPGs) of AOM and otitis media with effusion (OME) management in Australian children.

Methods

We searched for national and international CPGs relating to AOM and OME in children and created 37 indicators for assessment. We reviewed medical records for adherence to these indicators in 120 locations, across one inpatient and three ambulatory health‐care settings. Our review sample was obtained from three Australian states that contain 60% of the nation's children.

Results

We reviewed the records of 1063 children with one or more assessments of CPG adherence for otitis media. Of 22 indicators with sufficient data, estimated adherence ranged from 7.4 to 99.1%. Overuse of treatment, particularly overprescribing of antibiotics, was more common than underuse. A frequent lack of adherence with recommended care was observed for children aged between 1 and 2 years with AOM. Adherence varied by health‐care setting, with emergency departments and inpatient settings more adherent to CPGs than general practices.

Conclusions

Our assessment of a number of indicators in the common settings in which otitis media is treated found that guideline adherence varied widely between individual indicators. Internationally agreed standards for diagnosis and treatment, coupled with clinician education on the existence and content of CPGs and clinical decision support, are needed to improve the management of children presenting with AOM and OME.
The use of focused cardiac ultrasound to screen for occult heart disease in asymptomatic cats
Authors: Loughran Kerry A. , Rush John E. , Rozanski Elizabeth A. , Oyama Mark A. , Larouche‐Lebel Éva , Kraus Marc S.
Published: July 2019

Background

Focused cardiac ultrasound (FCU) helps detect occult heart disease in human patients.

Hypothesis

Focused cardiac ultrasound by a nonspecialist practitioner (NSP) will increase the detection of occult heart disease in asymptomatic cats compared with physical examination and ECG.

Animals

Three hundred forty‐three client‐owned cats: 54 excluded and 289 analyzed.

Methods

Multicenter prospective cohort study. Twenty‐two NSPs were trained to perform FCU. Cats without clinical signs of heart disease were recruited, and NSPs performed the following in sequential order: physical examination, ECG, FCU, and point‐of‐care N‐terminal pro‐B‐type natriuretic peptide assay (POC‐BNP). After each step, NSPs indicated yes, no, or equivocal as to whether they believed heart disease was present. The level of agreement between the NSP diagnosis and a blinded cardiologist's diagnosis after echocardiogram was evaluated using Cohen's kappa test.

Results

Cardiologist diagnoses included 148 normal cats, 102 with heart disease, and 39 equivocal ones. Agreement between NSP and cardiologist was slight after physical examination (kappa 0.253 [95% CI, 0.172‐0.340]), did not increase after ECG (0.256 [0.161‐0.345];P= .96), increased after FCU (0.468 [0.376‐0.558];P= .002), and the level of agreement was similar after POC‐BNP (0.498 [0.419‐0.580];P= .67). In cats with mild, moderate, and marked occult heart disease, the proportion of cats having a NSP diagnosis of heart disease after FCU was 45.6%, 93.1%, and 100%, respectively.

Conclusions and Clinical Importance

Focused cardiac ultrasound performed by NSPs increased the detection of occult heart disease, especially in cats with moderate to marked disease. Focused cardiac ultrasound appears to be a feasible and useful tool to assist NSPs in the detection of heart disease in cats.
Heritability and complex segregation analysis of diabetes mellitus in American Eskimo Dogs
Authors: Cai Stephen V. , Famula Thomas R. , Oberbauer Anita M. , Hess Rebecka S.
Published: July 2019

Background

Heritability and mode of inheritance of spontaneous diabetes mellitus (DM) in American Eskimo Dogs (AED) are unknown.

Objective

Investigate the heritability and mode of inheritance of DM in AED.

Animals

An extended family of AED including 71 AED without DM, 47 AED with an unknown phenotype, and 38 AED with spontaneous DM.

Methods

Retrospective evaluation of inheritance. A logistic regression model was formulated to evaluate the heritability of DM, including effects of sex and neuter status. Subsequently, complex segregation analysis was employed to investigate the inheritance pattern of DM in AED. Six plausible models were considered, and the Akaike Information Criterion was used to determine the best of the biologically feasible models of inheritance of DM in AED.

Results

Heritability of DM in AED is estimated at 0.62 (95% posterior interval 0.01‐0.99). Predicted DM probabilities for neutered females (NF), intact females (IF), neutered males (NM), and intact males (IM) were 0.76, 0.11, 0.63, and 0.12, respectively. There was no overlap between the 95% posterior intervals of disease probabilities in NF and IF or in NF and IM. Complex segregation analysis suggested that the mode of inheritance of DM in AED is polygenic, with no evidence for a single gene of large effect.

Conclusions and Clinical Importance

The estimated heritability of DM in AED is high but has low precision. Diabetes mellitus transmission in AED appears to follow a polygenic inheritance. Breeders could successfully implement a breeding program to decrease the incidence of DM in AED.
Psychometric evaluation of the Nurse Competence Scale: A cross‐sectional study
Authors: Juntasopeepun Phanida , Turale Sue , Kawabata Haruka , Thientong Hunsa , Uesugi Yuko , Matsuo Hiroya
Published: July 2019

Measuring nurses' competence for practice is critical for quality and safety improvement in nursing care and patient outcomes. While the Nurse Competence Scale is a widely used international measure of the generic nursing competence of nurses in various career stages, it has not been used in Thailand. This study involved the forward–backward translation of the scale into Thai and evaluation of its psychometric properties with 571 nurses at one public and one private hospital in Chiang Mai, Thailand. Participants also completed a demographic form. The content validity analysis revealed that the item‐level content validity index (I‐CVI) was .90, and the scale‐level content validity index (S‐CVI/Average) was .91. The principal component analysis with varimax rotation demonstrated that the six factor structure accounted for 58.45% of the total variance. The Mann–Whitney U‐test showed a significant difference between low and high work experience groups for all six factors, providing further support for the scale's construct validity. The reliability analysis showed an acceptable level of Cronbach's alphas in six factors ranging from .82 to .88. In conclusion, the Thai version demonstrated promising psychometric properties, but requires further testing with nurses in different settings before use in practice.
Panniculitis in a 3‐year‐old child with Fanconi anemia‐associated bone marrow hypoplasia heralds transformation to acute myeloid leukemia
Authors: Webber Lucy , Cummins Michelle , Mann Rebecca , Shaw Lindsay , Ghinai Rosanna , Mahon Caroline
Published: July 2019

Fanconi anemia is a rare, autosomal recessive genomic instability disorder characterized by congenital limb anomalies, panmyelopathy and a high risk of malignancy, principally acute myeloid leukemia. Hematologic malignancy presenting with acute febrile neutrophilic dermatosis (Sweet syndrome), both deep and superficial forms, is well described in Fanconi anemia patients but is a rare phenomenon in otherwise healthy children. We present a case of panniculitis (presumptive subcutaneous Sweet syndrome) heralding transformation to acute myeloid leukemia in a 3‐year‐old boy with a severe Fanconi anemia phenotype.
Vampirovibrio chlorellavorus draft genome sequence, annotation, and preliminary characterization of pathogenicity determinants
Authors: Hovde Blake T. , Steichen Seth A. , Starkenburg Shawn R. , Brown Judith K.
Published: July 2019

Vampirovibrio chlorellavorus is recognized as a pathogen of commercially‐relevant Chlorella species. Algal infection and total loss of productivity (biomass) often occurs when susceptible algal hosts are cultivated in outdoor open pond systems. The pathogenic life cycle of this bacterium has been inferred from laboratory and field observations, and corroborated in part by the genomic analyses for two Arizona isolates recovered from an open algal reactor. V. chlorellavorus predation has been reported to occur in geographically‐ and environmentally‐diverse conditions. Genomic analyses of these and additional field isolates is expected to reveal new information about the extent of ecological diversity and genes involved in host‐pathogen interactions. The draft genome sequences for two isolates of the predatory V. chlorellavorus (Cyanobacteria; Ca. Melainabacteria) from an outdoor cultivation system located in the Arizona Sonoran Desert were assembled and annotated. The genomes were sequenced and analyzed to identify genes (proteins) with predicted involvement in predation, infection, and cell death of Chlorella host species prioritized for biofuel production at sites identified as highly suitable for algal production in the southwestern USA. Genomic analyses identified several predicted genes encoding secreted proteins that are potentially involved in pathogenicity, and at least three apparently complete sets of virulence (Vir) genes, characteristic of the VirB‐VirD type system encoding the canonical VirB1‐11 and VirD4 proteins, respectively. Additional protein functions were predicted suggesting their involvement in quorum sensing and motility. The genomes of two previously uncharacterized V. chlorellavorus isolates reveal nucleotide and protein level divergence between each other, and a previously sequenced V. chlorellavorus genome. This new knowledge will enhance the fundamental understanding of trans‐kingdom interactions between a unique cosmopolitan cyanobacterial pathogen and its green microalgal host, of broad interest as a source of harvestable biomass for biofuels or bioproducts.
The Clinton Effect? The (Non)Impact of a High‐Profile Candidate on Gender Stereotypes
Authors: Kromer Mileah , Parry Janine A.
Published: July 2019

Objectives

Does the presence of a particular high‐profile female politician influence how citizens think about women in politics generally?

Methods

We randomly assigned respondents in four statewide polls either to receive a cue about Hillary Clinton followed by a battery of questions about women in politics generally, or to hear only the women in politics battery.

Results

Drawing on scholarship from social psychology about the role of exemplars in auto evaluation, our results indicate that most individuals still hold gendered perceptions toward women in public office, but also that pushing the Clinton button first neither diminishes nor aggravates gendered expectations broadly. This is true even among males and Republicans, whom past scholarship suggests would be most susceptible to exemplar effects, and regardless of whether respondents were primed to think about Clinton as a diplomat or a candidate.

Conclusions

Our findings challenge the view that specific high‐profile female politicians will influence public perception of women's leadership qualifications generally.
Effects of conservation tillage drills on soil quality indicators in a wheat–oilseed rape rotation: organic carbon, earthworms and water‐stable aggregates
Authors: Giannitsopoulos Michail L. , Burgess Paul J. , Rickson R. Jane
Published: July 2019

The effects of five conservation tillage drills with crop residue levels covering between 17% and 79% of the soil, and tillage depths ranging from 25 to 200 mm, were examined over 3 years. The tillage systems ranged from a relatively disruptive Farm System to a Low Disruption system, with three intermediate treatments labelled Sumo DTS, Claydon and Mzuri. The study involved field sites on a clay or clay loam soil, where winter wheat and oilseed rape were grown in rotation. In the clay field, the Mzuri and Low Disruption treatments, which produced the highest residue coverage, showed the greatest increase in surface total soil organic carbon (1.1 and 0.48 Mg C ha−1, respectively) between years 1 and 3. The least disruptive tillage system also resulted in the highest density of earthworms (181–228 m−2), and the most disruptive system produced the lowest densities (75–98 m−2). In the third year, the least disruptive system also showed a higher proportion of water‐stable aggregates (29.8%) than the other treatments (22.7%–25.3%). Linear regressions showed positive relationships of both soil organic carbon and earthworm density with surface residue cover, and of the proportion of water‐stable aggregates with soil organic carbon.
Caplacizumab treatment for acquired thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (HERCULES trial)
Authors: Estcourt L. J.
Published: July 2019

Clinical question

In people with acquired thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP), does caplacizumab decrease the time to normalisation of the platelet count and the risk of death and complications caused by thrombotic events and organ damage?

Evidence from trial

In adults with acquired TTP, caplacizumab decreased the time to normalisation of the platelet count and decreased the risk of TTP‐related death and recurrence of TTP.
The obstetrician's role in preventing cardiometabolic disease
Authors: Hirst Jane Elizabeth , Nagraj Shobhana , Henry Amanda , Mackillop Lucy , Norton Robyn , Kennedy Stephen
Published: July 2019

Key content

Cardiovascular diseases are the leading causes of death in women and account for the majority of deaths in women living in the UK.

Pregnancy is a ‘stress test’ for cardiometabolic conditions, identifying women at increased risk during and after pregnancy. Antenatal and postnatal care may therefore be key times for primary and secondary prevention.

Given the growing burden of cardiometabolic diseases, pressure is mounting to integrate screening, management and preventive programmes into maternity services.

Learning objectives

To be familiar with the long‐term consequences that can follow gestational diabetes and hypertensive diseases of pregnancy.

To understand the evidence for interventions before and after birth to prevent future morbidity and mortality.

To recognise the important role of obstetricians in linking secondary care with primary and preventive care services to prevent cardiovascular and metabolic diseases.

Ethical issues

What is the role of the obstetrician in contributing to women's lifelong wellbeing?
Determination of protein‐only RNase P interactome in Arabidopsis mitochondria and chloroplasts identifies a complex between PRORP1 and another NYN domain nuclease
Authors: Bouchoucha Ayoub , Waltz Florent , Bonnard Géraldine , Arrivé Mathilde , Hammann Philippe , Kuhn Lauriane , Schelcher Cédric , Zuber Hélène , Gobert Anthony , Giegé Philippe
Published: July 2019

The essential type of endonuclease that removes 5′ leader sequences from transfer RNA precursors is called RNase P. While ribonucleoprotein RNase P enzymes containing a ribozyme are found in all domains of life, another type of RNase P called ‘PRORP’, for ‘PROtein‐only RNase P’, is composed of protein that occurs only in a wide variety of eukaryotes, in organelles and in the nucleus. Here, to find how PRORP functions integrate with other cell processes, we explored the protein interaction network of PRORP1 in Arabidopsis mitochondria and chloroplasts. Although PRORP proteins function as single subunit enzymes in vitro, we found that PRORP1 occurs in protein complexes and is present in high‐molecular‐weight fractions that contain mitochondrial ribosomes. The analysis of immunoprecipitated protein complexes identified proteins involved in organellar gene expression processes. In particular, direct interaction was established between PRORP1 and MNU2 a mitochondrial nuclease. A specific domain of MNU2 and a conserved signature of PRORP1 were found to be directly accountable for this protein interaction. Altogether, results revealed the existence of an RNA maturation complex in Arabidopsis mitochondria and suggested that PRORP proteins cooperated with other gene expression factors for RNA maturation in vivo.
Smart Rail: Rail Integrity and Occupancy Monitoring Using Fiber Optic Technology
Authors: Smith Frank J.
Published: July 2019

This paper provides an introduction to a Rail Break Detection and Train Location Detection using fiber optic technology called Smart Rail. The technology concept detailed in this paper not only detects the location of a broken rail, it also provides advanced warning of rail damage that may evolve into a dangerous condition. The same technology allows for the detection of trains and vehicles in the detection zone and provides location, speed and direction information.

The Smart Rail continuously monitors rails for changes in their ability support the train in a safe manner. Smart Rail technology is based on direct observations of the structural quality of the rail by means of rail strain detection. Smart Rail technology detects the location, speed and direction of vehicles on the rails without the need for onboard equipment. It reports the location of vehicles whether moving or not.

Smart Rail technology is also capable of detecting and providing a warning of: rail gauge separation, lose or missing track hardware, missing tie plates and flat wheels. Taken together this technology can assist in the prevention of derailments. The technology can be applied to existing rails with no need to modify any existing equipment or track circuits. The train detection range can be up to 50 miles per direction from one wayside location.
Design and Strength Evaluation of Laser-Welded Carbody for Railway Vehicles
Authors: Luo Qi , Zhang Chunyu , Fang Ziwen , Wang Kefei , Wang Jianran , Hong Haifeng , Wang Hongxiao , Kirkpatrick Steven
Published: July 2019

Laser welding has received increased interest in the rail industry due to its outstanding performance in aesthetics, strength, heat affected area, precise control and sealing. This paper introduces the laser-welded stainless steel carbody used in subway cars. The carbody structure, welding methods, strength and fatigue analysis methods, and test verification and validation results are discussed. Firstly, the shear strength of laser welding on stainless steel with different thickness combinations were obtained through tests. The preliminary carbody structure was designed based on the material and welding properties. Then the finite element analysis (FEA) was conducted on the preliminary design to evaluate the strength and optimize the structure. After the optimization was completed, a full-size car was manufactured, and the strength test was performed. In the process of FEA and strength evaluation, the simulation accuracy of different element types and the influence of loading force directions have been considered. Based on the design, simulation and test data, a complete laser welding carbody strength evaluation system was established, which can provide valuable reference for researchers and engineers in the rail vehicle industry. The entire design, analysis and testing process complies with ASME-RT2-2014 and this is also one of the first to implement this standard.
Development of a Reduced Scale Fire Resistance Test for a Rail Car Floor Assembly
Authors: Kapahi Anil , Rippe Christian , Lattimer Brian
Published: July 2019

As specified in NFPA 130, rail car floor assemblies are currently required to undergo a large-scale furnace test to demonstrate their fire resistance, including structural integrity and limited heat transmission. This results in an expensive fire resistance compliance process mostly due to the physical size requirement of test article and the size of the furnace required to test it. Although there is an interest from railcar manufacturers to reduce the physical size of the rail car floor assembly test article, there is no demonstrated approach to justify the use of a smaller test article. This work used finite element modelling to develop an approach which can be used to reduce the size of test article for fire resistance tests. The results of the analysis indicate that the support boundary conditions of the test article should be modified so the test article better represents the floor end-use response. In addition, the test article size can be reduced to a one-third of the current size.
An Analysis of the Grounding Strategy for Mixed AC/DC Areas
Authors: Loiero Roberto , Jorreto Federico , Garzón Jorge , Minayo Pablo
Published: July 2019

The aim of this paper is to analyze mixed electrified areas where there is a mix of AC/DC electrification. The grounding strategy is different. DC electrification is designed to have the rail isolated from ground and AC usually has the rail and other metallic parts such as structures and OCS poles connected to ground. This approach in mixed areas provokes the corrosion of the elements directly connected to ground, namely structure foundations or metallic rods or even the rail. This mixed environment presents challenges both for safety and corrosion management. On one side it would be a good anticorrosion practice to limit the number of elements that are directly grounded and connect them all by an aerial ground wire. On the safety side it has to be ensured that the voltages in fault condition are compliant with the standards (namely EN 50122). The authors have developed a parametric analysis to understand the impact of different grounding scenarios such as variations of the grounding impedance, impact of the reduction of the grounding impedance of a single element (i.e. the impact of a connection to the grounding mesh of a station or substation), an analysis of the maximum distance between grounding elements along the alignment ensuring that the rail to ground voltages are compliant to EN 50122-1. The methodology proposed is based on the modelling of the line considering electrical elements such as the rail impedance, grounding impedance for different elements (substations, stations, OCS poles) rail to ground impedance and OCS wires characteristics. Once the electrical model is obtained, a parametric analysis for each of the scenarios is performed to determine the impact of a particular variation into the general model obtaining the results of the short circuit analysis along the line. Results of these analyses will be presented as well as the proposed next steps and conclusions.
Finite Element Analysis of Spike Failure in Elastic Fastening Systems for Wood Ties
Authors: Yu Hailing , Liu Shushu
Published: July 2019

Finite element analyses (FEA) were conducted in this paper to understand the underlying mechanisms contributing to a commonly observed failure mode of cut spikes used with the elastic fastening systems for wood ties. This failure mode features fatigue cracking development in the internal cross-sectional spike surfaces located approximately 1.5 inches below the top surface of a tie. Previous computational studies applied elastic material properties with “perfect” material behaviors. The study presented in this paper adopted post-elastic failure models for both the steel spike and wood tie materials, which proved key to reconstructing the observed failure mode in modeling.

The commercial FE software Abaqus was employed in this study. Continuum FE models were developed for a single cut spike embedded in a wood tie. The steel spike was modeled to yield plastically upon reaching a yield strength limit. A user material subroutine documented by Abaqus was adopted to simulate the 3D orthotropic failure of the wood tie. Both the elastic properties and strength limits of the wood material were orthotropic, with the properties in the transverse direction significantly lower than those in the fiber direction. Different combinations of vertical, lateral and longitudinal forces were applied in the analyses, deforming the spike in various bending modes. The forces were increased in magnitude until the steel reached its yield strength (i.e., developed permanent plastic deformations), and the yielding locations were recorded and compared with the observed failure mode.

The FEA showed that damage initiated in the wood tie being pressed by the spike with sufficiently large forces and that wood damage preceded steel yielding. The farther the wood material deteriorated from the top down, the lower the steel yielding location was in the spike shaft. Longitudinal forces were reacted to in the weaker transverse direction of the wood tie and therefore resulted in lower damage initiation forces and lower steel yielding locations than lateral forces did. It was concluded that the orthotropic wood tie failure condition and a substantial presence of the longitudinal force were necessary conditions for the spike to initiate failure at about 1.5 inches below the top surface of a tie. This corroborated the findings in a derailment investigation involving the spike failure. The lateral force alone unlikely caused this failure mode, but the presence of a lateral force on the spike appeared to decrease the magnitude of the longitudinal force needed to initiate damage in the spike.