bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Starchy shells: Residue analysis of precolonial northern Caribbean culinary practices
Authors: Ciofalo A. J. , Sinelli P. T. , Hofman C. L.
Published: November 2019

Determining culinary practices is critical for understanding phytocultural complexes, transported landscapes and human niche constructions. Starch analysis is an exemplary method for reconstructing human–plant dependencies. However, certain types of artefacts from the Greater Caribbean region, such as flaked lithics, lithic griddles, coral artefacts and shells, have not been extensively analysed for starch remains. Moreover, there has been no comparison of culinary practices between The Bahama archipelago and the Greater Antilles (the presumed origin of foodways transported to The Bahama archipelago). The paper investigates 60 bivalve shell artefacts for starch remains, which were recovered from three archaeological sites: El Flaco and La Luperona (Dominican Republic), and Palmetto Junction (Turks & Caicos Islands). In contrast to ethnohistorical narratives that characterize shell tools exclusively as manioc peelers, the starch remains recovered in this study suggest a broader suite of plants and functions. The results provide evidence that a diversity of plants (Dioscorea spp., Dioscorea trifida L., Fabaceae, Ipomoea batatas L., Manihot esculenta Crantz, cf. Zea mays L., cf. Acrocomia media O. F. Cook, and Zingiberales) were prepared with these shells. This new evidence contributes to ongoing discussions about culinary practices in the Caribbean and other related late precolonial (c.800–1500 ce) foodways.
Prevalence of allergic sensitization to storage mites in Northern Europe
Authors: Jõgi Nils Oskar , Kleppe Olsen Robin , Svanes Cecilie , Gislason David , Gislason Thorarinn , Schlünssen Vivi , Sigsgaard Torben , Sundbom Fredrik , Storaas Torgeir , Bertelsen Randi Jacobsen
Published: November 2019

Background

Allergic sensitization to storage mites has mostly been related to occupational exposures like farming, grain/cattle handling, whereas for non‐occupational settings, storage mite sensitization has been attributed to cross‐reactivity with house dust mite (HDM) allergens.

Objective

We aimed to describe the prevalence of allergic sensitization to storage mites, co‐sensitization to HDM allergens and respiratory symptoms in Denmark, Iceland, Norway and Sweden.

Methods

The population comprised of 1180 participants born 1945‐1972 of the third follow‐up of the population‐based cohort European Community Respiratory Health Survey (ECRHS) in Aarhus, Bergen, Reykjavik and Uppsala. A clinical examination included skin prick tests (SPT) to Lepidoglyphus destructor, Tyrophagus putrescentiae, Acarus siro and common inhalant allergens, as well as standardized interviews.

Results

8% were sensitized to HDM and 10% to storage mite, with some variation by study centre: Reykjavik 13%, Bergen 8% and Aarhus 7%. In Uppsala, only L destructor (3%) was measured. Storage mite sensitization was higher among men (11%) than women (8%). Among storage mite sensitized, 44% were also sensitized to HDM. Storage mite sensitization was associated with asthma and nasal allergies, but not with age, education, pet keeping or place of upbringing.

Conclusions and Clinical Relevance

In this Northern European population‐based study, allergic sensitization to storage mite was as common as HDM sensitization. Storage mite sensitization was, independently of HDM sensitization, associated with respiratory symptoms and asthma. Our findings suggest that storage mite sensitization should be evaluated with regard to inclusion into the common inhalant allergen panel in Northern Europe.
Parameterization, Feature Extraction and Binary Encoding for the Visualization of Tree‐Like Structures
Authors: Lichtenberg N. , Lawonn K.
Published: November 2019

The study of vascular structures, using medical 3D models, is an active field of research. Illustrative visualizations have been applied to this domain in multiple ways. Researchers made the geometric properties of vasculature more comprehensive and augmented the surface with representations of multivariate clinical data. Techniques that head beyond the application of colour‐maps or simple shading approaches require a surface parameterization, that is, texture coordinates, in order to overcome locality. When extracting 3D models, the computation of texture coordinates on the mesh is not always part of the data processing pipeline. We combine existing techniques to a simple parameterization approach that is suitable for tree‐like structures. The parameterization is done w.r.t. to a pre‐defined source vertex. For this, we present an automatic algorithm, that detects the tree root. The parameterization is partly done in screen‐space and recomputed per frame. However, the screen‐space computation comes with positive features that are not present in object‐space approaches. We show how the resulting texture coordinates can be used for varying hatching, contour parameterization, display of decals, as additional depth cues and feature extraction. A further post‐processing step based on parameterization allows for a segmentation of the structure and visualization of its tree topology.
CSBF: A static ensemble fusion method based on the centrality score of complex networks
Authors: Silva Ronan Assumpção , Britto Jr Alceu de Souza , Enembreck Fabricio , Sabourin Robert , de Oliveira Luiz E. S.
Published: November 2019

Ensemble of classifiers can improve classification accuracy by combining several models. The fusion method plays an important role in the ensemble performance. Usually, a criterion for weighting the decision of each ensemble member is adopted. Frequently, this can be done using some heuristic based on accuracy or confidence. Then, the used fusion rule must consider the established criterion for providing a most reliable ensemble output through a kind of competition among the ensemble members. This article presents a new ensemble fusion method, named centrality score‐based fusion, which uses the centrality concept in the context of social network analysis (SNA) as a criterion for the ensemble decision. Centrality measures have been applied in the SNA to measure the importance of each person inside of a social network, taking into account the relationship of each person with all others. Thus, the idea is to derive the classifier weight considering the overall classifier prominence inside the ensemble network, which reflects the relationships among pairs of classifiers. We hypothesized that the prominent position of a classifier based on its pairwise relationship with the other ensemble members could be its weight in the fusion process. A robust experimental protocol has confirmed that centrality measures represent a promising strategy to weight the classifiers of an ensemble, showing that the proposed fusion method performed well against the literature.
Risk of cardiovascular events in patients with hypertriglyceridaemia: A review of real‐world evidence
Authors: Toth Peter P. , Fazio Sergio , Wong Nathan D. , Hull Michael , Nichols Gregory A.
Published: November 2019

Aims

To describe the real‐world prevalence and consequences of hypertriglyceridaemia.

Materials and methods

We searched two large patient databases, the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) database (2007–2014) and the Optum Research Database, as well as electronic medical records from two Kaiser Permanente regions.

Results

The NHANES data showed that ~26% of US adults, including nearly one‐third of statin users, had at least borderline hypertriglyceridaemia (triglycerides [TGs] ≥1.69 mmol/L), and ~40% of adults with diabetes had levels of ≥150 mg/dL despite statin use. The Optum analyses demonstrated that those with TG levels ≥1.69 mmol/L who were on statins had a significantly increased risk of composite initial major cardiovascular (CV) events (hazard ratio [HR] 1.26, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.19–1.34; P < 0.001 vs. patients with TGs <150 mg/dL). This was accompanied by increased healthcare utilization and direct healthcare costs (HR 1.12, 95% CI 1.08–1.16; P < 0.001). In the analyses of the Kaiser Permanente records, patients with diabetes and TG levels 2.26–5.64 mmol/L had significantly higher adjusted incidence rates of non‐fatal myocardial infarction (rate ratio 1.30, 95% CI 1.08–1.58; P = 0.006), non‐fatal stroke (rate ratio 1.23; 95% CI 1.01–1.49; P = 0.037) and coronary revascularization (rate ratio 1.21; 95% CI 1.02–1.43; P = 0.027), but not unstable angina (rate ratio 1.33; 95% CI 0.87–2.03; P = 0.185) compared with patients with TG levels <1.69 mmol/L.

Conclusions

Real‐world analyses suggest that elevated TGs are prevalent and commonly associated with increased CV risk. CV outcomes trials in patients with established hypertriglyceridaemia will clarify whether strategies to reduce TG levels can ameliorate residual CV risk in patients taking statins.
A MONETARY BUSINESS CYCLE MODEL FOR INDIA
Authors: Banerjee Shesadri , Basu Parantap , Ghate Chetan
Published: November 2019

A New Keynesian monetary business cycle model is constructed to study why monetary transmission in India is weak. Our models feature banking and financial sector frictions as well as an informal sector. The predominant channel of monetary transmission is a credit channel. Our main finding is that base money shocks have a larger and more persistent effect on output than an interest rate shock, as in the data. The presence of an informal sector hinders monetary transmission. Contrary to the consensus view, financial repression in the form of a statutory liquidity ratio and administered interest rates, does not weaken monetary transmission. (JEL E31, E32, E44, E52, E63)
Shifts in the community composition of caddisflies (Insecta: Trichoptera) in a subtropical river over three decades
Authors: Murray‐Stoker Kelly M. , Batzer Darold P. , Murray‐Stoker David , McHugh Joseph V.
Published: November 2019

1. Trichoptera is an ecologically and taxonomically diverse order, and caddisfly species are under increasing pressure from anthropogenic threats to larval habitats, rivers, and streams.

2. This study evaluated long‐term changes in caddisfly communities of the Ogeechee River, a subtropical blackwater river in the south‐eastern U.S. Coastal Plain, to understand how changes manifest as a result of ongoing human impacts. Two datasets separated by more than 30 years were used, each representing a 2‐year monthly quantitative sampling effort (1981–1983; 2015–2017).

3. Community structure of the Ogeechee River caddisflies significantly changed, though not in ways that were predicted. The average sensitivity values of the caddisfly community declined, contrary to the expectation that increasing human impacts on a river ecosystem would promote the survival of more pollution‐tolerant taxa.

4. Generic richness increased in the 2010s from the 1980s, perhaps as a result of relaxed competition following declines of large, dominant taxa. The increases in various taxa have resulted in similar overall abundance metrics between time periods, although other studies of Ogeechee River invertebrates indicate that the biomass of the new taxa is far lower than that produced by the assemblages of the 1980s. Functional richness, evenness, and dispersion were higher in the 2010s, but divergence was not.

5. This suggests that more nuanced monitoring efforts, focused on the threats to ecological function and the role of caddisflies (and other sensitive freshwater organisms), will be required to evaluate the changes in community structure and determine which taxa are most adversely affected.
Distance‐based intuitionistic multiplicative multiple criteria decision‐making methods for healthcare management in West China Hospital
Authors: Liao Huchang , Zhang Cheng , Luo Li , Xu Zeshui , Yang Jian‐Bo , Xu Dong‐Ling
Published: November 2019

Intuitionistic multiplicative sets use an asymmetric, unbalanced scale to express information from positive, negative, and indeterminate information. They have been found capable of comprehensively and objectively representing a person's intuitive understanding and hence have attracted much attention. Distance techniques are widely used to measure the degree to which arguments deviate from one another. Several fuzzy set extensions have been developed, but little research has been conducted on measures of distance between intuitionistic multiplicative sets. In this paper, we start by presenting a variety of measures of the distance between intuitionistic multiplicative sets, including Hausdorff distance measures, weighted distance measures, ordered weighted distance measures, and continuous weighted distance measures. We then develop a distance‐based intuitionistic multiplicative‐technique for order preference by similarity to ideal solution method and a distance‐based intuitionistic multiplicative‐Vlsekriterijumska Optimizacija I Kompromisno Resenje method for handling multiple criteria decision‐making problems with intuitionistic multiplicative evaluation information. To demonstrate the practical application of these distance measures and the proposed methods, we provide a case study of hospital management of inpatient admission. The paper ends with comparative analyses of the two methods and some concluding remarks.
Young Adult Women's Perceptions of Their Maritally Violent Fathers
Authors: Haselschwerdt Megan L. , Maddox Lauren , Hlavaty Kathleen
Published: November 2019

Objective

To qualitatively examine fathering and father–child relationships from the perspective of young adult women who grew up with maritally violent fathers.

Background

Maritally violent men are consistently described as volatile, unresponsive, self‐centered, and often abusive. Yet domestic violence (DV) perpetrators are not homogenous, suggesting that maritally violent fathers may not be homogenous either. The revised tripartite model of father involvement and Johnson's typology of DV were applied to better understand how maritally violent men father.

Method

A theoretical thematic analysis was conducted based on interview data from a volunteer sample of 23 young adult women who were exposed to father‐perpetrated marital violence during childhood and adolescence.

Results

Findings were consistent with the small body of literature on fathering by maritally violent men, suggesting that these men as fathers are generally volatile, lack warmth and responsiveness, are disengaged, and sometimes are controlling and abusive. Nevertheless, dissimilarities in fathering and father–child relationships over time were identified such that participants categorized into coercive controlling violence exposure reported uniformly negative fathering experiences, whereas greater variability existed within the situational couple violence groups' recollections of their fathers over time.

Implications

Findings suggest that practitioners should take into consideration the context in which DV occurs when working with maritally violent men as fathers, while erring on the side of caution and safety for victimized women and their children.
Awareness‐raising activities for community residents about decision‐making regarding end‐of‐life care: A nationwide survey in Japan municipalities
Authors: Kashiwagi Masayo , Tamiya Nanako
Published: November 2019

Aim

The purpose of the present study was to clarify the current state of awareness‐raising activities to educate residents about decision‐making regarding end‐of‐life care using a nationwide survey of municipalities in Japan.

Methods

A cross‐sectional questionnaire‐based survey of all municipalities in Japan (n = 1741) was carried out. We asked one representative from each municipality whether or not there were ongoing municipality‐led activities to raise awareness and educate the community about end‐of‐life care decisions. A logistic regression analysis was carried out to examine the regional characteristics associated with running municipality‐led awareness‐raising activities. Additionally, we investigated the creation and contents of awareness‐raising materials targeting residents.

Results

The questionnaire was completed by 1145 municipalities (valid response rate 65.8%). We found that 39.4% of the municipalities surveyed were currently running or planning activities about end‐of‐life care. Municipalities with active public awareness campaigns had a significantly higher financial capability index than inactive municipalities. Awareness‐raising materials targeting residents were created in 134 of the municipalities. The most frequently mentioned components of the materials were the importance of articulating one's intentions with regard to end‐of‐life care services in advance, sharing those feelings with the family and revisiting them repeatedly (73.9%), and the explanation of home healthcare and long‐term care services (47.7%).

Conclusions

The present findings suggest that cities with tight budgets are unable to carry out activities to raise awareness and educate residents about end‐of‐life care. Thus, it is important to pursue the implementation of further national‐level initiatives and funding support for municipalities. Geriatr Gerontol Int 2020; 20: 72–77.
Processing of CaLa2S4 infrared transparent ceramics: A comparative study of HP and FAST/SPS techniques
Authors: Durand Guillaume R. , Bizot Quentin , Herbert Nathalie , Quéméré Samuel , Pasturel Mathieu , Zhang Xiang‐Hua , Merdrignac‐Conanec Odile
Published: November 2019

The densification of CaLa2S4 (CLS) powders prepared by combustion method was investigated by the use of Field‐Assisted Sintering Technique (FAST) and Hot Pressing (HP). CLS powders were sintered using FAST at 1000°C at different pressures and heating rates and sintered by HP under 120 MPa from 800°C to 1100°C for 6 hours with a heating rate of 10°C/min. Comparison of both techniques was further realized by use of the same conditions of pressure, dwell time, and heating rate. Complementary techniques (XRD, SEM‐EDS, density measurements, FTIR spectroscopy) were employed to correlate the sintering processes/parameters to the microstructural/compositional developments and optical transmission of the ceramics. Both sintering techniques produce ceramics with submicrometer grain size and relative density of about 99%. Nevertheless, HP is more suitable to densify CLS ceramics without fragmentation and also reach higher transmission than FAST. Transmission of 40%–45% was measured out of a possible maximum of 69% based on the Fresnel losses in the 8‐14 μm window when HP is applied at 1000°C for 6 hours under 120 MPa. In both techniques, ceramics undergo reduction issues that originate from graphitic sintering atmosphere.
Enhancement of electrical properties in the ternary PMN–PT–PZ through compositional variation, crystallographic texture, and quenching
Authors: Dursun Sinan , Mensur‐Alkoy Ebru , Unver Mustafa Unsal , Alkoy Sedat
Published: November 2019

Ternary compositions of Pb(Mg1/3Nb2/3)O3–PbZrO3–PbTiO3 (PMN–PZT) piezoelectric ceramic have been investigated with an aim to optimize the electrical properties for piezoelectric applications. Quenching from temperatures above the Curie point was proved to enhance the properties up to two folds in the 0.40PMN–0.25PZ–0.35PT composition. This enhancement is believed to have arisen as a result of the freezing of defect dipoles in their random distribution, and thus prevention of their domain pinning effect. Texturing the optimum composition using BaTiO3 template particles through templated grain growth process and quenching the textured ceramic led to further enhancement with piezoelectric charge coefficient increasing from 190 to 750 pC/N, relative permittivity increasing from 860 to 1815 and remanent polarization increasing from 16 to 30 μC/cm2.
Spatial patterns, availability and cultural preferences for edible plants in southern Africa
Authors: Welcome Ashton K. , Van Wyk Ben‐Erik
Published: November 2019

Aim

We investigated whether cross‐cultural food plant selection in southern Africa is best explained by language ancestry, floristic environment or subsistence strategy.

Location

The flora of southern Africa region.

Taxa

All 1,740 edible plant taxa of southern Africa, representing 711 genera in 156 families.

Methods

Distribution data of plants were overlapped in ArcMap with 19 language maps, eight biomes and all taxa with nutritional data. Six correlations were estimated between five pairwise distance matrices (language ancestry, geographical proximity, floristic and edible environments and utilized species) with Mantel tests using the ‘vegan’ package in R. Regression analyses were used to identify floristic and cultural preferences in food plant selection.

Results

Spatial autocorrelation did not influence the selection of edible plants by the 19 language groups of southern Africa (r = −.078). The floristic and edible environments had a strong correlation (r = .9743) while the distance matrices of the edible and actually utilized plants had a low correlation for 13 of the language groups (r = .2174). Regression analyses between the floristic and edible environments for the FSA region and three languages, representing hunter‐gatherers (Ju│’hoan), pastoralists (Khoekhoe) and agrarians (Venda) were all significant (p < .001) with high R2 values (respectively .6181, .7702, .6654 and .7900), as were the relationship (p < .001) between what is edible and what was actually utilized. Surprisingly, the Apocynaceae had a much higher residual value than globally important food plant families. Vitamin C of fruits seems to have higher levels along the coastal regions, and carbohydrates in underground storage organs have higher levels in the summer‐arid western region.

Main conclusions

There is an apparent preference for certain food plant families in southern Africa. This selection appears to be driven by subsistence strategy, based on the categories of plants preferred by the three representative language groups.
Association of normal systolic blood pressure in the emergency department with higher in‐hospital mortality among hypertensive patients
Authors: Klang Eyal , Soffer Shelly , Shimon Shahar Moni , Barash Yiftach , Apter Sara , Konen Eli , Zimlichman Eyal , Grossman Ehud
Published: November 2019

Blood pressure is commonly elevated at the hospital emergency department (ED), especially among hypertensive patients. The aim of the study was to determine the association between ED systolic blood pressure (SBP) and in‐hospital mortality among hypertensive patients. The authors retrospectively retrieved records of hypertensive patients who were hospitalized during a seven‐year period. The authors examined the association between SBP and in‐hospital mortality rate, adjusted for demographics, heart rate, comorbidities, laboratory results, and hospital ward. Overall, 96 423 patients were included. Compared to patients with SBP 110‐139 mm Hg, the adjusted odds ratios were 4.1 (95% CI, 3.7‐4.6) with SBP <90, 1.6 (95% CI, 1.4‐1.7) with SBP 90‐109, 0.7 (95% CI, 0.6‐0.7) with SBP 140‐159, 0.7 (95% CI, 0.6‐0.7) with SBP 160‐179, 0.7 (95% CI, 0.6‐0.8) with SBP 180‐199, 0.9 (95% CI, 0.7‐1.1) with SBP 200‐219, and 1.1 (95% CI, 0.7‐1.7) with SBP ≥220 mm Hg. Thus, SBP levels of 110‐139 mm Hg were associated with higher in‐hospital mortality in comparison with elevated SBP up to 200 mm Hg.
Comparison of child adiposity indices in prediction of hypertension in early adulthood
Authors: Fan Hui , Zhu Qi , Medrano‐Gracia Pau , Zhang Xingyu
Published: November 2019

We aimed to compare child body mass index (BMI) in prediction of hypertension in early adulthood with 4 other adiposity indices (waist circumference [WC], waist circumference‐to‐height ratio [WHtR], waist‐to‐hip ratio [WHR], and triceps skinfold [TSF]). The cohort from the China Health and Nutrition Survey 1993‐2011 consisted of 1444 adults aged 18‐36 years who were examined in childhood and early adulthood. Child adiposity indices and adult blood pressure (BP) were transformed into age‐, sex‐, and survey year‐specific Z‐scores. Adult hypertension was defined as BP ≥130/80 mm Hg as per the 2017 American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association guidelines. Adult hypertension prevalence was 32.9% during a mean follow‐up of 10.1 years. Childhood BMI showed stronger correlation with adult BP than WHR and TSF (PS for difference <.05). Child BMI showed the better prediction of adult hypertension compared with WHtR, WHR, and TSF using area under the receiver operating characteristic curves (PS for difference <.05). Per SD change in the predictor, child BMI (relative risk [95% confidence interval], 1.11 [1.04‐1.18]) and WC (1.12 [1.05‐1.20]) were significantly associated with adult hypertension using covariate‐adjusted Poisson models with robust standard errors. Child BMI performed equally or better compared with 4 other adiposity indices in predicting adult hypertension.
Formononetin, J1 and J2 have different effects on endothelial cells via EWSAT1‐TRAF6 and its downstream pathway
Authors: Li Xin , Huang Chen , Sui Cheng Liang , Liang Chun Mei , Qi Guang Ying , Ren Qian Yao , Chen Jian , Huang Zhao Quan
Published: November 2019

Formononetin is a natural isoflavone compound found mainly in Chinese herbal medicines such as astragalus and red clover. It is considered to be a typical phytooestrogen. In our previous experiments, it was found that formononetin has a two‐way regulatory effect on endothelial cells (ECs): low concentrations promote the proliferation of ECs and high concentrations have an inhibitory effect. To find a specific mechanism of action and provide a better clinical effect, we performed a structural transformation of formononetin and selected better medicinal properties for formononetin modifier J1 and J2 from a variety of modified constructs. The MTT assay measured the effects of drugs on human umbilical vein endothelial cell (HUVEC) activity. Scratch and transwell experiments validated the effects of the drugs on HUVEC migration and invasion. An in vivo assessment effect of the drugs on ovariectomized rats. Long‐chain non‐coding RNA for EWSAT1, which is abnormally highly expressed in HUVEC, was screened by gene chip, and the effect of the drug on its expression was detected by PCR after the drug was applied. The downstream factors and their pathways were analysed, and the changes in the protein levels after drug treatment were evaluated by Western blot. In conclusion, the mechanism of action of formononetin, J1 and J2 on ECs may be through EWSAT1‐TRAF6 and its downstream pathways.
A systematic review of psychometric assessment of the Jefferson Scale of Empathy using the COSMIN Risk of Bias checklist
Authors: Williams Brett , Beovich Bronwyn
Published: November 2019

Introduction

Empathic communication in health care may enhance positive patient and health care professional relationships, patient satisfaction and can buffer professional burnout. The Jefferson Scale of Empathy (JSE) was developed based on the need to quantitatively measure levels of empathy, particularly in health care settings. Evaluating the utility of empathy is underpinned by the psychometric rigour of the instruments used to measure it. The aim of this study was to critically evaluate the current evidence on the measurement properties of the JSE.

Methods

Two reviewers independently searched six databases for papers describing psychometric assessment of the JSE from January 2000 to July 2018 inclusive. The studies were independently assessed for methodological quality using the COnsensus‐based Standards for the selection of health Measurement INstruments (COSMIN) Risk of Bias checklist.

Results

The search strategy resulted in the retrieval of 985 papers, of which 59 were included in this study. The majority of papers reported on measures of structural validity and internal consistency, and it was in these areas which the highest quality of reporting was demonstrated. Additionally, there was a generally very good quality in reporting of convergent validity. Reliability, measurement error, cross‐cultural validity were reported with less than optimum quality.

Conclusion

The JSE demonstrates robust structural validity, internal consistency, and convergent validity. These measurement properties are generally well reported in the literature in studies of good methodological quality, and thus may be interpreted with relative confidence when used in empathy research. However, current evidence is limited for the properties of reliability, measurement error, and cross‐cultural validity. Thus, a degree of caution should be considered in drawing conclusions when using the JSE with regard to these properties. It is recommended that future examinations of the JSE refer to the COSMIN guidelines to ensure complete and well‐reported psychometric data are included.
Resin infiltration of enamel white spot lesions: An ultramorphological analysis
Authors: Perdigão Jorge
Published: November 2019

Objective

There is not a clear understanding of the ultramorphology of enamel white spot lesions (WSLs). The purpose of this study is to characterize resin infiltration of enamel WSLs using electron microscopy.

Materials and methods

Enamel sections with sound enamel and WSLs were sectioned from extracted teeth and assigned to three groups: (a) left untreated; (b) etched with 15% hydrochloric acid (Icon‐Etch); (c) restored with the resin infiltration sequence (Icon‐Etch, Icon‐Dry, and Icon‐Infiltrant). Restored specimens were demineralized to obtain replicas. Observations were carried out under a field‐emission scanning electron microscope.

Results

Icon‐Etch resulted in an array of pits and funneled holes on the WSL. Replicas of WSLs depicted 0.5‐6.0‐μm‐thick shaggy resin tags up to a depth of 465 μm. Enamel crystallites were enveloped with resin at the bottom of the WSL forming a hybrid layer.

Conclusions

The resin infiltrant filled the spaces between the crystallites and resulted in an enamel hybrid layer.

Clinical significance

In addition to masking enamel WSLs, resin infiltration is able envelop residual enamel crystallites forming an enamel hybrid layer. This hybridization makes resin‐embedded enamel more resistant to acid attack than sound enamel.
Expanding Our Focus From Father Involvement to Father–Child Relationship Quality
Authors: Palkovitz Rob
Published: November 2019

Most of the many existing ways to conceive and measure paternal relationships incorporate ways to gauge father involvement. Although father involvement is a well‐established, important component of studying fathering relationships, it offers a circumscribed understanding of key characteristics of father–child relationships and their quality. Synthesizing theoretical and empirical literature across broader indicators of father–child relationship quality (FCRQ) affords fuller consideration of developmental trajectories of father–child relationships and outcomes for both fathers and their children. A theoretical focus on FCRQ affords enhanced understanding of the meaning and processes of father–child relationships. Implications are discussed for conceptualization, operationalization, and practical steps to enhance future FCRQ scholarship.
Pulmonary amniotic fluid embolism in a rhesus macaque (Macaca mulatta)
Authors: Johnson Amanda L. , Reader J. Rachel
Published: November 2019

A pregnant female rhesus macaque died spontaneously during stage two labor. Gross and histopathologic findings included severe pulmonary edema, with low numbers of blood vessels containing pale basophilic mucinous material (Alcian Blue positive and PTAH negative), consistent with intravascular amniotic fluid‐derived mucin resulting in pulmonary amniotic fluid embolism.
Expressions of Preference and Other Morally Problematic Instances of Prayer
Authors: Manninen Bertha Alvarez
Published: November 2019

When considering the role of prayer in the lives of believers, most theists agree that one important effect is the psychological impact on the person who is praying. Nevertheless, the way many of us pray, by primarily or solely focusing on our welfare and the welfare of our loved ones, agitates the human tendency towards exclusion. If we take seriously God’s commandment to love the neighbor as the self, we should use prayer, instead, as a prime opportunity to help cultivate a moral character that embraces more inclusion. In this paper, I use Søren Kierkegaard’s Works of Love as a framework for working towards this more inclusive view of prayer—one that widens our moral circle and awareness to include all human beings, and not just the select ones we have chosen to prefer above all others. It does not follow that we are prohibited from praying for our own welfare or the welfare of our loved ones, but it does mean that using prayer in a way that only (or primarily) shows concern for those whom we prefer is morally problematic.
Introduction
Authors: Lee Jung H.
Published: November 2019

The contributors to this reflection on the field consider the legacy of Christian ethics in comparative religious ethics (CRE), particularly in regard to whether the latter has escaped the parochialism and hegemony of the former, whether the legacy is simply vicious or whether it can be virtuous, and the specific ways in which the former has influenced the discipline of CRE in regard to methods and themes. Beyond these methodological questions, the contributors also speak to the historical development of Christian ethics and CRE in the cultural and institutional contexts of late twentieth century America and provide reflections on the politics of CRE as it is now practiced and debated in the field and in the academy.
Comparative Religious Ethics and the Politics of Christian Identity
Authors: Lee Jung H.
Published: November 2019

I present a brief historical narrative of the legacy of Christian ethics in comparative religious ethics (CRE) that attempts to make sense of the tensions within the field from the perspective of the politics of identity with reference to its changing content and practices—its internal history—and what might be called the background conditions—its external history—that shaped not only the content and methods of CRE but also its self‐understanding. Given the politics of Christian identity and the historical development of religious ethics within the American academy, I recommend that scholars of CRE adopt a more confessional mode of inquiry that makes explicit their ultimate commitments.
The third dimension of flavor: A chemesthetic approach to healthier eating (a review)
Authors: Spencer Molly , Dalton Pamela
Published: November 2019

Obesity and obesity‐related illness are an increasingly prevalent problem globally, especially in Western society. One of the largest contributing factors to the obesity pandemic is the modern food environment and food culture. It is necessary to identify and develop strategies to increase the sensory appeal of healthy food and beverage options in order to provide healthy options to consumers without sacrificing the fundamental sensory enjoyment of eating. Since flavor is the largest driver of food intake and choice, it follows that flavor ought to be part of the solution. This paper reviews the potential of chili pepper or capsaicin (the pungent component of chili pepper) as a healthy eating strategy, by increasing energy expenditure, decreasing intake, decreasing eating rate, and enhancing flavor and satisfaction. Furthermore, we suggest a holistic chemesthetic approach to weight management, by using the sensory impact of trigeminal stimulation (spiciness or heat) in foods, rather than medicinally, in order to cross‐modally enhance tastes and odors, increase perceived complexity and overall flavor, increase sensory satisfaction, and decrease salt and caloric intake. Future research directions are discussed.

Practical Application

It is necessary to provide strategies, such as trigeminal stimulation, global culinary practices, and flavor complexity, to consumers to maintain sensory satisfaction derived from healthier foods and beverages. Healthy does not have to equate to flavorless or unappealing, although it is commonly believed that unhealthy = tasty in the United States. Food can be both healthy and flavorful if we harness our collective sensory and culinary knowledge to generate a satisfying sensory experience. Incorporation of trigeminal stimulation, the third dimension of flavor in addition to taste and aroma, such as capsaicin or hot pepper, is an excellent example of drawing from global cuisines, increasing flavor complexity, and increasing overall flavor impression, in order to boost the sensory appeal, nutrition content, and nutrient absorption of healthy foods and to promote healthier eating.
Vibration‐controlled transient elastography for the detection of cirrhosis in chronic hepatitis D infection
Authors: Da Ben L. , Surana Pallavi , Takyar Varun , Kleiner David E. , Heller Theo , Koh Christopher
Published: November 2019

Noninvasive detection of cirrhosis via vibration‐controlled transient elastography (VCTE) has revolutionized the management of chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) and hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection. However, VCTE has not been studied in chronic hepatitis D virus (HDV) infection and accuracy remains in question due to the significant hepatic inflammation associated with this infection. Consecutive HBV, HCV and HDV patients who underwent VCTE (2006‐2019) were evaluated. Diagnosis of cirrhosis was made via liver biopsy or clinical findings. VCTE was compared with other noninvasive serum fibrosis tests using AUROC curves. The performance of VCTE in HBV/HCV/HDV was also compared. We evaluated 319 patients (HBV‐112; HCV‐132; HDV‐75), 278(87%) patients had histology for evaluation. HDV patients had evidence of higher hepatic inflammation as evidence by aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase and histology activity index. Cirrhotic HDV patients had higher mean liver stiffness measurements compared with noncirrhotic patients (29.0 vs 8.3 kPa, P < .0001). VCTE demonstrated excellent diagnostic accuracy for the detection of cirrhosis with an AUROC of 0.90 compared with APRI (0.83), FIB‐4 (0.88), AAR (0.73) and RPR (0.85). Performance of VCTE in HDV was comparable with HBV (0.93) and HCV (0.94). At the optimized cut‐off value of ≥14.0 kPa for determining cirrhosis in HDV, VCTE had a sensitivity of 0.78, specificity of 0.86, NPV of 0.93 and PPV of 0.64. Hence, VCTE is a useful noninvasive test in HDV for determining cirrhosis despite the presence of significant hepatic inflammation.
Organics preserved in anhydrous interplanetary dust particles: Pristine or not?
Authors: Chan Queenie H. S. , Franchi Ian A. , Zhao Xuchao , Stephant Alice , Wright Ian P. , Alexander Conel M. O'D.
Published: November 2019

The chondritic‐porous subset of interplanetary dust particles (CP‐IDPs) are thought to have a cometary origin. Since the CP‐IDPs are anhydrous and unaltered by aqueous processes that are common to chondritic organic matter (OM), they represent the most pristine material of the solar system. However, the study of IDP OM might be hindered by their further alteration by flash heating during atmospheric entry, and we have limited understanding on how short‐term heating influences their organic content. In order to investigate this problem, five CP‐IDPs were studied for their OM contents, distributions, and isotopic compositions at the submicro‐ to nanoscale levels. The OM contained in the IDPs in this study spans the spectrum from primitive OM to that which has been significantly processed by heat. Similarities in the Raman D bands of the meteoritic and IDP OMs indicate that the overall gain in the sizes of crystalline domains in response to heating is similar. However, the Raman ΓG values of the OM in all of the five IDPs clearly deviate from those of chondritic OM that had been processed during a prolonged episode of parent body heating. Such disparity suggests that the nonaromatic contents of the OM are different. Short duration heating further increases the H/C ratio and reduces the δ13C and δD values of the IDP OM. Our findings suggest that IDP OM contains a significant proportion of disordered C with low H content, such as sp2 olefinic C=C, sp3 C–C, and/or carbonyl contents as bridging material.
No Difference in the Neural Underpinnings of Number and Letter Copying in Children: Bayesian Analysis of Functional Near‐Infrared Spectroscopy Data
Authors: Soltanlou Mojtaba , Coldea Andra , Artemenko Christina , Ehlis Ann‐Christine , Fallgatter Andreas J. , Nuerk Hans‐Christoph , Dresler Thomas
Published: November 2019

It is under debate whether the neural representation of numbers and letters might rely on distinct neural correlates, or on a mostly shared neural network. In the present study, a total of 47 children in fifth grade (Experiment 1) and sixth grade (Experiment 2) simply copied numbers and letters on a touch screen while brain activation changes were recorded by means of functional near‐infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS). fNIRS data of both experiments and a joint analysis revealed that a shared neural network, particularly in the left hemisphere, was activated in response to both number and letter copying. Interestingly, no difference was observed in brain activation patterns between these two stimuli, as revealed by Bayesian analysis. Our findings indicate that both number and letter copying lead to similar brain activation in children. We further suggest methodological and applied applications of these findings in the frame of educational neuroscience.
Characterization of 6S RNA in the Lyme disease spirochete
Authors: Drecktrah Dan , Hall Laura S. , Brinkworth Amanda J. , Comstock Jeanette R. , Wassarman Karen M. , Samuels D. Scott
Published: November 2019

6S RNA binds to RNA polymerase and regulates gene expression, contributing to bacterial adaptation to environmental stresses. In this study, we examined the role of 6S RNA in murine infectivity and tick persistence of the Lyme disease spirochete Borrelia (Borreliella) burgdorferi. B. burgdorferi 6S RNA (Bb6S RNA) binds to RNA polymerase, is expressed independent of growth phase or nutrient stress in culture, and is processed by RNase Y. We found that rny (bb0504), the gene encoding RNase Y, is essential for B. burgdorferi growth, while ssrS, the gene encoding 6S RNA, is not essential, indicating a broader role for RNase Y activity in the spirochete. Bb6S RNA regulates expression of the ospC and dbpA genes encoding outer surface protein C and decorin binding protein A, respectively, which are lipoproteins important for host infection. The highest levels of Bb6S RNA are found when the spirochete resides in unfed nymphs. ssrS mutants lacking Bb6S RNA were compromised for infectivity by needle inoculation, but injected mice seroconverted, indicating an ability to activate the adaptive immune response. ssrS mutants were successfully acquired by larval ticks and persisted through fed nymphs. Bb6S RNA is one of the first regulatory RNAs identified in B. burgdorferi that controls the expression of lipoproteins involved in host infectivity.
Prevalence and characterization of dysphagia in hospitalized patients
Authors: Spronk Peter E. , Spronk Laura E. J. , Lut Jonneke , Gnacke Eva , Mijnes Dionne , van Munster Barbara , Kröner Anke
Published: November 2019

Background

Information on the prevalence of dysphagia in a generalized hospitalized population is lacking. We aimed to gain information on the recognition of dysphagia by nursing staff and the swallow characteristics of patients with and without dysphagia.

Methods

The Eating Assessment Tool (EAT‐10) and the volume‐viscosity water swallow test (VVST) were utilized to assess the prevalence of dysphagia in a generalized hospitalized population in 2 centers (N = 205). Presence of dysphagia was defined as having either an EAT‐10 score of 2 or higher or having a positive VVST. Nursing staff recognition of dysphagia was assessed. In addition, the swallow characteristics were assessed both clinically and using submandibular surface electromyographic (SEMG) values of the participants.

Key Results

The prevalence of dysphagia in the hospitalized patients was 30.7%. Nursing staff did hardly ever recognize the presence of dysphagia. Concerning the swallow characteristics, patients with dysphagia demonstrated an increase in the SEMG peak levels of the swallowing actions over the course of an exercise from 103 to 110 μV (P = .05), whereas patients without dysphagia did not demonstrate this effect.

Conclusions & Inferences

Training should be conducted for nursing staff to improve awareness and recognition of dysphagia and thus prevent dysphagia complications. Dysphagia is a large burden on the hospitalized population, and further research should be conducted into the specifics.
I See Not Only a Madonna, but Also a Hole, in the Picture
Authors: Voltolini Alberto
Published: November 2019

According to an intuitive claim, in saying that one sees a picture'ssubject, i.e., what a picture presents, in the picture'svehicle, i.e., the picture's physical basis, by ‘in’ one does not mean the spatial relation ofbeing in, as holding between such items in the real space. For the picture's subject is knowingly not in the real space where one veridically sees the picture's vehicle. Some theories of pictorial experience have actually agreed with this intuition by claiming that the picture's subject lies in a pictorial space of its own, disconnected from the real space that includes the picture's vehicle. Yet, not only linguistic evidence suggests that when used as above, ‘in’ means precisely that very relation, but an appropriate theory of pictorial experience can justify the above claim.
Pathogenic functions and diagnostic utility of cytokines/chemokines in EHEC‐HUS
Authors: Shimizu Masaki
Published: November 2019

Hemolytic − uremic syndrome (HUS) is a severe complication of infection by Shiga toxin (STx)‐producing enterohemorrhagic Escherichia coli. Hemolytic − uremic syndrome is defined clinically as a triad of non‐immune microangiopathic hemolytic anemia, thrombocytopenia, and acute kidney injuries. Neurologic complications such as acute encephalopathy are also observed. In humans, endothelial cells, proximal tubular epithelial cells, mesangial cells, podocytes, intestinal epithelial cells, and monocytes / macrophages are susceptible to STx‐mediated injury. Shiga toxin induces the secretion of inflammatory cytokines and chemokines from susceptible cells, including tumor necrosis factor‐α interleukin (IL)‐1, IL‐6, and IL‐8. These cytokines and chemokines contribute to the pathogenesis of HUS and encephalopathy by enhancing STx‐induced cytotoxicity and inducing inflammatory cell infiltration. Serum cytokine/chemokine levels are therefore useful as indicators of disease activity and predictors of progression from acute kidney injury to chronic kidney disease. Anti‐inflammation therapy combined with apheresis to remove excessive cytokines / chemokines and methylprednisolone pulse therapy to suppress cytokine/chemokine production may be an effective treatment regimen for severe E. coli‐associated HUS. However, this regimen requires careful monitoring of potential side effects, such as infections, thrombus formation, and hypertension.