bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Pregnancy after valproate withdrawal—Fetal malformations and seizure control
Authors: Vajda Frank J. E. , O’Brien Terence J. , Graham Janet E. , Hitchcock Alison A. , Lander Cecilie M. , Eadie Mervyn J.
Published: April 2020

Objective

To assess the outcomes in women with epilepsy in relation to fetal malformation and epileptic seizure control during pregnancy when valproate (VPA) intake was ceased, or the drug's dose was reduced before pregnancy.

Methods

Statistical analysis of data collected in the Australian Pregnancy Register between 1999 and 2018 concerning 580 pregnancies previously treated with VPA, with the VPA dose reduced or the drug withdrawn prior to pregnancy in 158 cases.

Results

Although the available data have limitations, fetal malformation rates in the pregnancies studied were lower in the VPA changed pregnancies (4.5%) than in the VPA unchanged comparator pregnancies (10.9%, hazard ratio [HR] 0.412, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.190‐0.892), and were only 2.7% where VPA intake was ceased before pregnancy (HR 0.262, 95% CI 0.083‐0.826). Seizure‐affected pregnancies were more frequent in the VPA changed pregnancies than in the VPA unchanged ones (46.2% vs 30.8%, HR 1.500, 95% CI 1.203‐1.870). Convulsive seizure‐affected pregnancies also were increased, but the difference was not statistically significant.

Significance

Prepregnancy reduction in VPA dosage reduced the hazard of fetal malformations, whereas ceasing intake of the drug decreased the hazard to one similar to that which applies in the general population, but at a cost of decreased control of epileptic seizures during the pregnancies studied. Further investigations are needed to see whether such findings apply more widely in women with epilepsy.
Increased yield and CO2 sequestration potential with the C4 cereal Sorghum bicolor cultivated in basaltic rock dust‐amended agricultural soil
Authors: Kelland Mike E. , Wade Peter W. , Lewis Amy L. , Taylor Lyla L. , Sarkar Binoy , Andrews M. Grace , Lomas Mark R. , Cotton T. E. Anne , Kemp Simon J. , James Rachael H. , Pearce Christopher R. , Hartley Sue E. , Hodson Mark E. , Leake Jonathan R. , Banwart Steven A. , Beerling David J.
Published: April 2020

Land‐based enhanced rock weathering (ERW) is a biogeochemical carbon dioxide removal (CDR) strategy aiming to accelerate natural geological processes of carbon sequestration through application of crushed silicate rocks, such as basalt, to croplands and forested landscapes. However, the efficacy of the approach when undertaken with basalt, and its potential co‐benefits for agriculture, require experimental and field evaluation. Here we report that amending a UK clay‐loam agricultural soil with a high loading (10 kg/m2) of relatively coarse‐grained crushed basalt significantly increased the yield (21 ± 9.4%, SE) of the important C4 cereal Sorghum bicolor under controlled environmental conditions, without accumulation of potentially toxic trace elements in the seeds. Yield increases resulted from the basalt treatment after 120 days without P‐ and K‐fertilizer addition. Shoot silicon concentrations also increased significantly (26 ± 5.4%, SE), with potential benefits for crop resistance to biotic and abiotic stress. Elemental budgets indicate substantial release of base cations important for inorganic carbon removal and their accumulation mainly in the soil exchangeable pools. Geochemical reactive transport modelling, constrained by elemental budgets, indicated CO2 sequestration rates of 2–4 t CO2/ha, 1–5 years after a single application of basaltic rock dust, including via newly formed soil carbonate minerals whose long‐term fate requires assessment through field trials. This represents an approximately fourfold increase in carbon capture compared to control plant–soil systems without basalt. Our results build support for ERW deployment as a CDR technique compatible with spreading basalt powder on acidic loamy soils common across millions of hectares of western European and North American agriculture.
Information behaviour of the millennial generation: a scoping review of medical residents and their use of social media
Authors: González‐Teruel Aurora , Campos‐Peláez María‐Isabel , Fortea‐Cabo Gerardo
Published: April 2020

Background

Medical residents can offer ideas for new information services, as most of them are ‘digital natives’, although reviews of the use of social media in health care settings do not provide data on their information behaviour.

Objective

A scoping review aimed at providing a research map for the information behaviour of medical residents and their use of social media, listing the aspects of the information behaviour studied and the theories and methods used.

Methods

A search was carried out in pubmed, embase, cinahl and lisa in April of 2018, with the results limited to the period from 2010 onwards.

Results

Thirty‐nine relevant articles from 38 different studies were identified. The presence and use of social media was the most researched aspect, followed by information sharing, the relationships established and, finally, the search for and use of information. These aspects are researched mainly from the point of view of doctor–patient interactions. Only one study incorporated a theory of its design. Surveys were the most frequently used method.

Conclusion

Research does not delve into medical residents’ information behaviour on social media, despite the residents themselves using these media (in the context of everyday life, at least). More research is required.
We Don’t Belong Here: Adolescents of North Korean Refugee Families and Their Suicidal Behaviors
Authors: Choi Sungjoo , Kim Keuntae
Published: April 2020

Despite the increasing number of studies that examine the link between immigration and suicide in Korean youths, most have focused on self‐harming behaviours among adolescents in multicultural families, while much less attention has been directed towards those in North Korean (NK) refugee families. This paper addresses this gap by comparing three determinants of suicidal behaviours across three groups of Korean adolescents. Data are drawn from the KYRBS, a nationally representative sample of students in middle and high schools, and the results indicate that NK youths were 87.2 per cent more likely to have suicidal ideation than their South Korean peers, that they are 3.7 times more likely to experience suicidal plans and 4.1 times more likely to attempt suicide. These results clearly suggest that immigrant youths, including NK refugees, are confronting significant difficulties with assimilation, and those disadvantages lead to a higher propensity of self‐threatening behaviours.
Neurosurgical Post‐Operative Wound Infections: A retrospective study on surgical site infections for quality improvement
Authors: Fiani Brian , Cathel Alessandra , Sarhadi Kasra J. , Cohen Jordan , Siddiqi Javed
Published: April 2020

Despite efforts to maintain a meticulous aseptic environment, wound infection is one of the most common complications following surgery and may be related to dehiscence, haemorrhage, infection, and/or poor surgical technique. With the appearance of new wound closure techniques and suture materials, we felt compelled to perform a retrospective study on our institution's neurosurgical population to determine how our institution compared to others in terms of incidence of surgical site infection (SSI). A retrospective analysis was performed at our single institution for all patients that had cranial or spine surgery by a neurosurgeon for the past 15 years. The data were extracted via Crimson Continuum of Care software program and analysed using χ2 and relative risk. The data retrieval software program collected a total of 1184 cranial and spinal surgeries. Of these 1184 cases, 12 resulted in post‐operative wound infections. Using these collected values, we compared the results with published values in the literature. Prior studies have shown that up to 33% of surgical cases have post‐operative infections. Using this reported value in comparison with our data, χ2 testing equals 547.893 with 1 df, P = .0001 (confidence interval = 0.05), which demonstrated statistical significance when compared with surgical literature. The results from this retrospective analysis demonstrated that the rate of neurosurgical post‐operative SSI falls within the range consistent with the literature, which has shown rates of infection from <1% up to 15% depending on the type of surgery, surgical technique, and patient characteristics. SSIs can be an unfortunate and costly post‐operative complication. Risks factors in the past have been studied, but introspection by each institution is an important metric to ensure accountability and provide optimal patient care in comparison with established data and guidelines. No deviation from current techniques is deemed necessary at our institution based on the results.
Patient‐reported experience measures are essential to improving quality of care for chronic wounds: An international qualitative study
Authors: Squitieri Lee , Tsangaris Elena , Klassen Anne F. , van Haren Emiel L. W. G. , Poulsen Lotte , Longmire Natasha M. , van Alphen Tert C. , Hoogbergen Maarten M. , Sorensen Jens Ahm , Cross Karen , Pusic Andrea L.
Published: April 2020

Traditional quality measures for chronic wounds have focused on objective outcomes that are challenging to risk adjust, lack patient input, and have limited ability to inform quality improvement interventions. Patient‐reported experience measures (PREMs) provide information from the patient perspective regarding health care quality and have potential to improve patient‐centredness, increase care efficiency, and generate actionable data for quality improvement. The purpose of this study was to understand patient experiences and health care processes that impact quality of care among patients with chronic wounds. Sixty patients at least 18 years of age with various wound aetiologies were recruited from Canada, Denmark, The Netherlands, and the United States as part of a larger phase 1 qualitative study to develop a patient‐reported outcome measure for chronic wounds (WOUND‐Q). All patients had a chronic wound for at least 3 months, were fluent in their native speaking language, and able to participate in a one‐on‐one semi‐structured interview. Interviews were digitally recorded and transcribed verbatim. Interpretive description was used to identify recurrent themes relating to patient experience and quality of care. We identified five domains (care coordination, establishing/obtaining care, information delivery, patient‐provider interaction, and treatment delivery) and 21 sub‐domains (access to patient information, interdisciplinary communication, encounter efficiency, provider availability, specialist referral, staff professionalism, travel/convenience, modality, reciprocity, understandability/consistency, accountability, continuity, credentials, rapport, appropriateness, complication management, continuity, environment/setting, equipment and supply needs, expectation, and patient‐centred) as potential opportunities to measure and improve quality of care in the chronic wound population. PREMs for chronic wounds represent an important opportunity to engage patients and longitudinally assess quality across clinical settings and providers. Future research should focus on developing PREMs to complement traditional objective and patient‐reported outcome measures for chronic wounds.
Multi‐trait stability index: A tool for simultaneous selection of soya bean genotypes in drought and saline stress
Authors: Zuffo Alan Mario , Steiner Fábio , Aguilera Jorge González , Teodoro Paulo Eduardo , Teodoro Larissa Pereira Ribeiro , Busch Aécio
Published: April 2020

Drought and salinity are the main limiting environmental factors that restrict the establishment of soya bean plants. In order to recommend genotypes for cultivation under adverse drought and saline stress conditions, multi‐environment trials (MET) are needed. However, MET analysis is usually performed considering a single trait, which provides lower reliability in recommending genotypes when compared to multi‐trait analysis. Thus, this study was carried out to investigate the stability of multi‐trait stability index (MTSI) in 46 soya bean cultivars under the effects of drought and saline stress on seed germination and initial seedling growth. Drought and saline stresses were imposed by seed exposure to −0.20 MPa iso‐osmotic solutions with polyethylene glycol—PEG 6000 (119.6 g/L) or NaCl (2.36 g/L) for 12 days at 25°C. The germination rate, seedling length and seedling dry matter were measured. We showed here how genotypic stability can be quantified by MTSI when comparing drought and salinity conditions in relation to non‐stressful environment (control) and how this index can be employed under different conditions. When considering the index for multiple environments, we can select as the most stable genotypes TMG 716 RR, FPS Antares RR, AS 3610 IPRO, NS 7300 IPRO and FPS Solar IPRO among the 46 tested genotypes. Owing to high stability and gains with selection verified for these genotypes under salinity and drought conditions, they can be used as genitors in breeding programs aimed at obtaining offspring with higher resistance to antibiotic stresses.
Adjunctive effect of mouthrinse on treatment of peri‐implant mucositis using mechanical debridement: A randomized clinical trial
Authors: Philip Juliana , Laine Marja L. , Wismeijer Daniël
Published: April 2020

Aim

To study effect of delmopinol hydrochloride (DEL) in comparison with chlorhexidine digluconate (CHX) and a placebo (PLA) in addition to non‐surgical mechanical debridement in patients with peri‐implant mucositis.

Materials and methods

Eighty‐nine patients with at least one implant diagnosed with peri‐implant mucositis were randomly assigned to one of three study groups (DEL, CHX and PLA). Professional non‐surgical mechanical debridement was performed at baseline. Mouth rinsing was carried out by the patients twice a day in addition to their regular oral hygiene practices. Assessments of efficacy were performed for the primary outcome ‐ Implant bleeding on probing (IBOP%) and secondary outcomes ‐ modified Bleeding Index (mBI) and modified Plaque Index (mPI) at 1 and 3 months.

Results

At 3 months, there was statistically significant reduction in IBOP% and mBI within the study groups compared to baseline. However, there was no statistically significant difference between the study groups at 3 months follow‐up. Moreover, there was a statistically significant difference according to mPI at 1 month between the chlorhexidine and placebo group (p = .004).

Conclusions

This study confirms that mechanical debridement combined with oral hygiene instruction is effective in treatment of peri‐implant mucositis. The clinical effects between groups were comparable.
Nanoemulsions with oleoresin of Copaifera reticulata (Leguminosae) improve anthelmintic efficacy in the control of monogenean parasites when compared to oleoresin without nanoformulation
Authors: Malheiros Dayna Filocreão , Sarquis Icaro Rodrigues , Ferreira Irlon Maciel , Mathews Patrick Delgado , Mertins Omar , Tavares‐Dias Marcos
Published: April 2020

This study compared the in vitro anthelmintic activity of Copaifera reticulata oleoresin (200, 400, 600, 800 and 1,000 mg/L) and of nanoemulsions prepared with this oleoresin (50, 100, 150, 200 and 250 mg/L) against monogeneans on the gills of Colossoma macropomum. The major compounds present in the oleoresin of C. reticulata were γ‐macrocarpene (14.2%), α‐bergamotene (13.6%), β‐selinene (13.4%) and β‐caryophyllene (11.7%). All concentrations of the nanoemulsion and the oleoresin without nanoformulation showed anthelmintic efficacy against monogeneans, and higher concentrations led to more rapid parasite mortality. Structural damages to the tegument of the parasites exposed to C. reticulata oleoresin were observed with scanning electron microscopy. At two hours of exposure, fish showed 100% tolerance to all nanoemulsion concentrations used in the in vitro assays, whereas 100% mortality was shown in the fish exposed to the oleoresin without nanoformulation after one hour. The results of this study suggest that nanoemulsions with oleoresin of C. reticulata have advantages in the control and treatment of monogenean infections in C. macropomum when compared to the oleoresin without nanoformulation. In addition, since nanoemulsions with the C. reticulata oleoresin are safe to control monogeneans, the efficacy of these nanoformulations may be assayed in therapeutic baths to treat C. macropomum infected by monogeneans.
Expectations, disappointments, and individual responses: Imbalances in multilevel flood risk governance revealed by public survey
Authors: Raška Pavel , Warachowska Weronika , Slavíková Lenka , Aubrechtová Tereza
Published: April 2020

The recent paradigm shift towards multilevel flood risk governance has raised discussions about the potential of different entities to undertake specific flood risk management (FRM) measures and about the effects of their efforts on other governance levels. Among the key questions being addressed are those related to the balance and possible inverse proportions between governmental efforts and motivation for individual action. In this paper, we use the results of a flood perception survey among individuals in two flood‐prone Czech municipalities to reveal the discrepancies between the expectations of responsibility‐sharing and the actual willingness for individual flood risk reduction. While the results indicate strong expectations of the responsibilities of the governmental bodies for initiating FRM, the respondents also expressed low confidence in completed FRM measures and strong self‐reliance during floods and recovery. Our results partly contradict the crowding‐out thesis, which denotes the negative effects of governmental actions on willingness to undertake individual mitigation measures. Furthermore, the results indicate that differences in the confidence in government‐driven FRM measures between the two study areas are caused by the differential perception of scales of FRM measures and catchment complexity, thus diverging expectations of responsibility‐sharing within a country‐scale FRM institutional setting.
Variation of antibiotic resistance in Salmonella Enteritidis, Escherichia coliO157:H7, and Listeria monocytogenes after exposure to acid, salt, and cold stress
Authors: Kang Il‐Byeong , Seo Kun‐Ho
Published: April 2020

Bacteria with antibiotic‐resistant could seriously threaten to human health, increasing the treatment cost for infections and negatively affecting treatment outcomes. Stress adaptation is one possible mechanism for the acquisition or enhancement of antibiotic resistance in bacteria as a result of cross‐protection. In this study, the effects of acid, salt, and cold stress on the antibiotic resistance of Salmonella Enteritidis, Listeria monocytogenes, and Escherichia coli O157:H7 were investigated using the disc diffusion method. For S. Enteritidis, acidic growth conditions increased resistance to ciprofloxacin and erythromycin (p < .05), and addition of 4% NaCl to growth media decreased resistance to chloramphenicol (p < .05). Irrespective of pH and the NaCl concentration of the growth medium, refrigerated E. coli O157:H7 showed increased resistance to amoxycillin, ciprofloxacin, gentamicin, streptomycin, and erythromycin (p < .05). Acid‐adapted L. monocytogenes showed decreased the resistance to amoxycillin, ampicillin, chloramphenicol, ciprofloxacin, erythromycin, gentamicin, streptomycin, and tetracycline (p < .05). In conclusion, prolonged exposure of foodborne pathogens to acid, salt, and cold stress alters their antibiotic resistance. However, the effect of acid, salt, and cold stress on bacterial antibiotic resistance depend on both the bacterial species and the specific antibiotic. Therefore, multiple factors need to be considered for a foodborne antimicrobial resistant risk assessment.
Impact of STEADI‐Rx: A Community Pharmacy‐Based Fall Prevention Intervention
Authors: Blalock Susan J. , Ferreri Stefanie P. , Renfro Chelsea P. , Robinson Jessica M. , Farley Joel F. , Ray Neepa , Busby‐Whitehead Jan
Published: April 2020

OBJECTIVES

To evaluate the effects of a community pharmacy‐based fall prevention intervention (STEADI‐Rx) on the risk of falling and use of medications associated with an increased risk of falling.

DESIGN

Randomized controlled trial.

SETTING

A total of 65 community pharmacies in North Carolina (NC).

PARTICIPANTS

Adults (age ≥65 years) using either four or more chronic medications or one or more medications associated with an increased risk of falling (n = 10,565).

INTERVENTION

Pharmacy staff screened patients for fall risk using questions from the Stopping Elderly Accidents, Deaths, and Injuries (STEADI) algorithm. Patients who screened positive were eligible to receive a pharmacist‐conducted medication review, with recommendations sent to patients' healthcare providers following the review.

MEASUREMENTS

At intervention pharmacies, pharmacy staff used standardized forms to record participant responses to screening questions and information concerning the medication reviews. For participants with continuous Medicare Part D/NC Medicaid coverage (n = 3,212), the Drug Burden Index (DBI) was used to assess exposure to high‐risk medications, and insurance claims records for emergency department visits and hospitalizations were used to assess falls.

RESULTS

Among intervention group participants (n = 4,719), 73% (n = 3,437) were screened for fall risk. Among those who screened positive (n = 1,901), 72% (n = 1,373) received a medication review; and 27% (n = 521) had at least one medication‐related recommendation communicated to their healthcare provider(s) following the review. A total of 716 specific medication recommendations were made. DBI scores decreased from the pre‐ to postintervention period in both the control and the intervention group. However, the amount of change over time did not differ between these two groups (P = .66). Risk of falling did not change between the pre‐ to postintervention period or differ between groups (P = .58).

CONCLUSION

We successfully implemented STEADI‐Rx in the community pharmacy setting. However, we found no differences in fall risk or the use of medications associated with increased risk of falling between the intervention and control groups. J Am Geriatr Soc 68:1778‐1786, 2020.
Religion and Armed Conflict: Evidence from the Kurdish Conflict in Turkey
Authors: Gurses Mehmet , Ozturk Ahmet Erdi
Published: April 2020

This article examines the effectiveness of religion as a solution to ethno‐nationalist conflicts, drawing on the case of the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (Partiya Karkerên Kurdistan[PKK]) in Turkey. We utilize an original data set that contains data on Turkey's state‐sponsored mosques between 1980 and 2016 to test for the purported peacemaking potential of religion. Results from this data set, coupled with an alternative measure of the state's involvement in religion, show that increased Islamization has no discernible impact on lowering support for the ethno‐nationalist Kurdish political parties or insurgency.
Role of security guards in Code Black events in medical and surgical settings: A retrospective chart audit
Authors: Muir‐Cochrane Eimear , Muller Amanda , Fu Yanfen , Oster Candice
Published: April 2020

The prevalence of security guards in health care settings is growing worldwide. There is a need to explore and understand their role and actions to inform policy and training and support least restrictive practices in health care. The aim of this study was to conduct a retrospective chart audit of security guard logs to investigate security guard involvement in Code Blacks, called in emergency situations of personal threats including patient and/or visitor violence, in medical and surgical wards in a large metropolitan health network in South Australia. Security guards attended 1664 Code Blacks (0.63% of admissions) over the 2.5‐year study period. Events were more frequently reported in medical than surgical wards. The most common reasons for security guard attendance were patients threatening/harming staff and patients threatening/harming themselves. The most frequent security guard actions were “Attend only/standby,” “Physical restraint,” and “Patient located and returned to the ward.” The most frequent outcomes were physical restraint, chemical restraint, and de‐escalation respectively. Results highlight the imperative that health services maintain and increase efforts to support least restrictive practice through policy directives and staff training.
Impatiens zhuxiensis (Balsaminaceae), a new species of Hubei, China
Authors: Gan Qiliang , Li Xinwei
Published: April 2020

A new species of Impatiens L. from Hubei, China, Impatiens zhuxiensis Q.L. Gan & X.W. Li, is described and illustrated. Impatiens zhuxiensis resembles I. nasuta Hook. f. and I. compta Hook. f. and these are the only species in I. sect. Impatiens with a long abaxial rostrum on the midvein of the dorsal petal. However, the flowers of I. zhuxiensis are yellow while those of I. nasuta and I. compta are deep purple‐red and pale purple‐blue, respectively; I. zhuxiensis has the midvein of the dorsal petal abaxially elongated into a pointed rostrum near the apex, whilst the rostrum of I. nasuta is elephant‐trunk‐shaped near the middle, and that of I. compta is recurved near the apex. A molecular phylogenetic analysis of Impatiens based on ITS, atpB‐rbcL and trnL‐F supported these three species as closely allied and that they belong to I. sect. Impatiens.
Long‐term trends and genetic architecture of seed characteristics, grain yield and correlated agronomic traits in triticale (×Triticosecale Wittmack)
Authors: Neuweiler Jan E. , Maurer Hans Peter , Würschum Tobias
Published: April 2020

The aim of this study was to investigate long‐term genetic trends and the genetic architecture of grain yield, seed characteristics and correlated agronomic traits in triticale. Therefore, a panel of 846 diverse triticale genotypes was assessed for three agronomic and three seed shape‐ and size‐related traits. We observed a high genotypic variation and a high heritability for all traits. Analysing the development of these traits during the last decades revealed a continuous increase for grain yield and thousand‐kernel weight, and a slight increase in seed width. The seed characteristics and thousand‐kernel weight formed a complex of highly positive correlated traits. Genome‐wide association mapping revealed many small‐effect QTL and a few moderate‐effect QTL. The allele frequencies of the moderate‐effect QTL followed the same temporal trends as observed for the phenotype. In line with the phenotypic correlations, we identified several pleiotropic QTL for grain yield, thousand‐kernel weight, seed width and seed area. Our results illustrate the continuous progress achieved in triticale breeding and suggest that triticale seeds have been selected to be more spherical in modern cultivars.
Varicella‐like exanthem associated with COVID‐19 in an 8‐year‐old girl: A diagnostic clue?
Authors: Genovese Giovanni , Colonna Cristiana , Marzano Angelo V.
Published: April 2020

It has been reported that the novel coronavirus disease (COVID‐19) may be associated with a papulovesicular skin eruption predominantly involving the trunk. We hereby present a case of COVID‐19–associated varicella‐like exanthem in an 8‐year‐old girl with mild systemic symptoms.
Quantifying Human Health Risks from Virginiamycin Use in Food Animals in China
Authors: Cox Louis Anthony , Popken Douglas A. , Sun Jian , Liao Xiao‐ping , Fang Liang‐Xing
Published: April 2020

Virginiamycin (VM), a streptogramin antibiotic, has been used to promote healthy growth and treat illnesses in farm animals in the United States and other countries. The combination streptogramin Quinupristin‐Dalfopristin (QD) was approved in the United States in 1999 for treating patients with vancomycin‐resistant Enterococcus faecium (VREF) infections. Many chickens and swine test positive for QD‐resistant E. faecium, raising concerns that using VM in food animals might select for streptogramin‐resistant strains of E. faecium that could compromise QD effectiveness in treating human VREF infections. Such concerns have prompted bans and phase‐outs of VM as growth promoters in the United States and Europe. This study quantitatively estimates potential human health risks from QD‐resistant VREF infections due to VM use in food animals in China. Plausible conservative (risk‐maximizing) quantitative risk estimates are derived for future uses, assuming 100% resistance to linezolid and daptomycin and 100% prescription rate of QD to high‐level (VanA) VREF‐infected patients. Up to one shortened life every few decades to every few thousand years might occur in China from VM use in animals, although the most likely risk is zero (e.g., if resistance is not transferred from bacteria in food animals to bacteria infecting human patients). Sensitivity and probabilistic uncertainty analyses suggest that this conclusion is robust to several data gaps and uncertainties. Potential future human health risks from VM use in animals in China appear to be small or zero, even if QD is eventually approved for use in human patients.
Dimensions of social support in the experience of work engagement in middle age: A Northern Finland Birth Cohort 1966 Study
Authors: Kiema‐Junes Heli , Saarinen Aino , Muukkonen Hanni , Väyrynen Seppo , Ala‐Mursula Leena , Hintsanen Mirka
Published: April 2020

So far, the relationship between the various dimensions of social support and work engagement has not been widely examined in the literature. In this study, we examined the relationship of social support at work (from a colleague or supervisor) and social support in one’s private life (from a spouse, relative or friend) with various dimensions of work engagement (vigor, dedication and absorption). The participants (N = 5,259–5,376, 46 years‐old, 52.7% women) came from the Northern Finland Birth Cohort 1966 study. Social support was evaluated with the Social Support Questionnaire (SSQ), and work engagement was assessed with a short version of the Utrecht Work Engagement Scale (UWES‐9). The data were analyzed using linear regression analyses. The results showed that high social support at work (p < 0.001) and in one’s private life (p < 0.001) were associated with higher total work engagement, higher vigor, higher dedication, and higher absorption. These findings were adjusted for gender, marital status, education and occupational status. The results were essentially unchanged when they were additionally adjusted for job strain and effort‐reward imbalance. To conclude, our findings indicate that the experience of overall social support may play a role in the experience of work engagement.
Arabidopsis RING E3 ubiquitin ligase JUL1 participates in ABA‐mediated microtubule depolymerization, stomatal closure, and tolerance response to drought stress
Authors: Yu Seong Gwan , Kim Jong Hum , Cho Na Hyun , Oh Tae Rin , Kim Woo Taek
Published: April 2020

Ubiquitination is a critical post‐translational protein modification that has been implicated in diverse cellular processes, including abiotic stress responses, in plants. In the present study, we identified and characterized a T‐DNA insertion mutant in the At5g10650 locus. Compared to wild‐type Arabidopsis plants, at5g10650 progeny were hyposensitive to ABA at the germination stage. At5g10650 possessed a single C‐terminal C3HC4‐type Really Interesting New Gene (RING) motif, which was essential for ABA‐mediated germination and E3 ligase activity in vitro. At5g10650 was closely associated with microtubules and microtubule‐associated proteins in Arabidopsis and tobacco leaf cells. Localization of At5g10650 to the nucleus was frequently observed. Unexpectedly, At5g10650 was identified as JAV1‐ASSOCIATED UBIQUITIN LIGASE1 (JUL1), which was recently reported to participate in the jasmonate signaling pathway. The jul1 knockout plants exhibited impaired ABA‐promoted stomatal closure. In addition, stomatal closure could not be induced by hydrogen peroxide and calcium in jul1 plants. jul1 guard cells accumulated wild‐type levels of H2O2 after ABA treatment. These findings indicated that JUL1 acts downstream of H2O2 and calcium in the ABA‐mediated stomatal closure pathway. Typical radial arrays of microtubules were maintained in jul1 guard cells after exposure to ABA, H2O2, and calcium, which in turn resulted in ABA‐hyposensitive stomatal movements. Finally, jul1 plants were markedly more susceptible to drought stress than wild‐type plants. Overall, our results suggest that the Arabidopsis RING E3 ligase JUL1 plays a critical role in ABA‐mediated microtubule disorganization, stomatal closure, and tolerance to drought stress.
Is placental blood a reliable source for the evaluation of neonatal hemostasis at birth?
Authors: Raffaeli Genny , Tripodi Armando , Manzoni Francesca , Scalambrino Erica , Pesenti Nicola , Amodeo Ilaria , Cavallaro Giacomo , Villamor Eduardo , Peyvandi Flora , Mosca Fabio , Ghirardello Stefano
Published: April 2020

BACKGROUND

Phlebotomy is among the main determinants of anemia of prematurity. Blood sparing policies endorsed umbilical cord blood (here called placental) as an alternative source for laboratory testing. Little is known on the suitability of placental blood to evaluate neonatal hemostasis of newborn infants. We aimed to compare the hemostatic profile of paired placental and infant venous blood, by means of prothrombin time (PT), activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT), fibrinogen, antithrombin, protein C, thromboelastography (TEG) and thrombin generation assay (TGA).

STUDY DESIGN

This was an observational single‐center study.

METHODS

We collected at birth venous citrated blood from both placental and infant venous source and performed PT, APTT, fibrinogen, antithrombin, protein C, TEG (reaction time‐R; kinetics‐K alpha angle‐α, maximum amplitude‐MA and lysis at 30 minutes‐LY30), and TGA (endogenous thrombin potential‐ETP).

RESULTS

We enrolled 60 neonates with a median gestational age (range) of 37 weeks (28+1‐41) and birth‐weight 2417 g (950‐4170). Based on TEG and TGA, placental blood showed a procoagulant imbalance as indicated by lower median R (4.0 vs. 6.1 min; p < 0.001) and K (1.3 vs. 2.2 min; p < 0.001); higher α‐angle (69.7 vs. 57.4°; p < 0.001) and ETP (1260 vs. 1078; p = 0.002) than those observed for infant venous blood. PT and APTT did not differ significantly between the two groups.

CONCLUSIONS

While placental and neonatal blood samples are equally suitable to measure the standard coagulation tests PT and APTT, placental blood leads to a procoagulant imbalance when testing is performed with TEG or TGA. These effects should be considered when interpreting results stemming from investigation of neonatal hemostasis.
Venous sample is superior to repeated skin‐prick testing in blood donor haemoglobin second‐line screening
Authors: Bäckman Sari , Valkeajärvi Anne , Korkalainen Piia , Arvas Mikko , Castrén Johanna
Published: April 2020

Background

Blood donor haemoglobin concentration (Hb) is commonly measured from a skin‐prick sample. However, the skin‐prick sample is prone to preanalytical error and variation, which may lead to false deferrals due to low Hb.

Study Design and Methods

We assessed the efficacy of two second‐line screening models for the evaluation of blood donors failing the initial skin‐prick test. In the venous model (n = 305), Hb was measured from a venous sample at the donation site. In the skin‐prick model (n = 331), two additional skin‐prick samples were measured. All on‐site Hb measurements were performed with HemoCue Hb201+ (HemoCue AB) point‐of‐care (POC) device. Hb in the venous samples was later also determined with a hematology analyzer (Sysmex XN, Sysmex Co.) to obtain the donor’s correct Hb. A questionnaire evaluated Blood Service nurses’ preferences regarding Hb assessment.

Results

Significantly less donors were deferred from donation with venous model (40%) than with skin‐prick model (51%; chi‐square test P = 0·004). Only two donors (0·7%) were incorrectly accepted in the venous model. Further, Blood Service nurses preferred venous model over skin‐prick model. After the study, the venous model was implemented nationwide, and in the first two months after implementation, the deferral rate due to low Hb decreased from 2·7% to 1·9%.

Conclusion

A venous sample for blood donor Hb second‐line screening significantly decreased low Hb deferrals compared to repeated skin‐prick testing without compromising donor safety. Valuable donations can be recovered by implementing a practical second‐line screening model based on venous sampling.
Are national barrier inventories fit for stream connectivity restoration needs? A test of two catchments
Authors: Sun Jingrui , Galib Shams M. , Lucas Martyn C.
Published: April 2020

Catchment‐scale river reconnection programmes require barrier inventories for restoration planning, yet barrier inventories are variable in extent and quality internationally. To test the degree to which barrier databases, in this case for England, are fit for purpose, we made a comparison of the national database (mostly originating from desk‐study) for two catchments, the Wear and the Tees, against detailed walkover surveys. We surveyed 701 km (32.8%) of stream length, stratified by stream order, altitude and subcatchment and recorded natural and artificial barriers. Only 22.7% of barriers identified in the walkover survey were present in the national database, including low‐head (<5 m) artificial structures (32.3% representation), artificial barriers ≥5 m (14.3% representation) and culverts (0% representation). About 18.9% of artificial barriers in the national database were found, during a field survey, to have been breached naturally. Mean densities of artificial barriers were 0.68 barriers km−1 and 0.45 barriers km−1 in the Wear and Tees, respectively, significantly higher than in the national database. Stream connectivity restoration in England may be hampered by the incomplete national barrier inventory; we recommend careful checks of barrier inventories as they are developed internationally.
A Functional Failure Analysis Method of Identifying and Mitigating Spurious System Emissions From a System of Interest in a System of Systems
Authors: Van Bossuyt Douglas L. , Arlitt Ryan M.
Published: April 2020

Increasingly tight coupling and heavy connectedness in system of systems (SoS) present new problems for systems’ designers and engineers. While the failure of one system within a loosely coupled SoS may produce little collateral damage beyond a loss in SoS capability, a highly interconnected SoS can experience significant damage when one member system fails in an unanticipated way. It is therefore important to develop systems that are “good neighbors” with the other systems in an SoS by failing in ways that do not further degrade an SoS’s ability to complete its mission. This paper presents a method to (1) analyze a system of interest (SoI) for potentially harmful spurious system emissions (failure flows that exit the SoI’s system boundary and may cause failure initiating events in other systems within the SoS) and (2) choose mitigation strategies that provide the best return on investment for the SoS. The method is intended for use during the system architecture phase of the system design process when functional architectures are being developed, and analysis of alternatives and trade-off studies are being conducted2.
Efficient Singularity-Free Workspace Approximations Using Sum-of-Squares Programming
Authors: Sirichotiyakul Wankun , Patoglu Volkan , Satici Aykut C.
Published: April 2020

In this paper, we provide a general framework to determine inner and outer approximations to the singularity-free workspace of fully actuated robotic manipulators, subject to Type-I and Type-II singularities. This framework utilizes the sum-of-squares optimization technique, which is numerically implemented by semidefinite programming. In order to apply the sum-of-squares optimization technique, we convert the trigonometric functions in the kinematics of the manipulator to polynomial functions with an additional constraint. We define two quadratic forms, describing two ellipsoids, whose volumes are optimized to yield inner and outer approximations of the singularity-free workspace.
Function Modeling: A Modeling Behavior Analysis of Pause Patterns
Authors: Patel Apurva , Kramer William S. , Flynn Michelle , Summers Joshua D. , Shuffler Marissa L.
Published: April 2020

This paper presents a behavior-based protocol study conducted with mechanical engineering students, where the participants developed function–structure models for a novel design problem. A modeling activity video was recorded for each participant and coded using a protocol analysis that captured the modeling sequence, actions, and elements. Pauses in the modeling process were analyzed to identify patterns based on pause time and frequency, the distribution of pauses over the modeling activity, and events preceding and following the pauses. In this study, a pause is characterized as an interruption in the modeling process lasting at least 2 s. Participants were found to spend an average of 38% of the modeling time in pauses, with more of it being allotted to the middle of the modeling activity and less toward the start and end. Three pause types are defined (short, intermediate, and long pauses) based on an analysis of pause lengths, which are then used to analyze events before and after pauses. Participants added elements to the model more frequently, compared to editing and deleting elements. Longer pauses were observed before participants before elements are removed from the model, whereas editing was done more frequently after shorter pauses. Several modeling element pairs are identified that are infrequently separated by pauses, such as the “edge” and “edge text” pair, suggesting that the designer thinks about these as paired elements rather than distinct elements. Limitations of the research methods are discussed, and finally, new research questions are identified as continuing work for this research.
Investigation of Viability to Replace Draft Animals With All-Wheel-Drive Motorcycles on Small Farms
Authors: Diaz Lankenau Guillermo F. , Winter V Amos G.
Published: April 2020

This paper describes the design, functional testing, and user feedback for a tractor specialized for small farms in low-resource settings, particularly India. The presented tractor is unique in its ability to compete with draft animals’ physical dimensions, pulling performance, and sale price, while retaining key tractor advantages such as compatibility with modern tools, low maintenance costs, and reduced drudgery. This tractor features motorcycle-like controls and seating, inline drive wheels, stabilization via an outrigger arm or a specially developed, novel balance board attachment, and the ability to attach implements ahead or behind the rear axle. The design was created to address unmet farmer requirements identified during interviews with Indian farming stakeholders. A prototype of the tractor demonstrated the completion of key farming operations in a Massachusetts farm where expert user feedback was obtained. In-person interviews on the tractor’s usefulness were then conducted with 24 small and marginal Indian farmers in Karnataka, Gujarat, and Tamil Nadu. The tractor was described to the farmers with help of pictures, videos, and local experts. Farmers generally reported that the prototype tractor would meet their needs and suggested being willing to purchase the vehicle for 123,000 INR, about 22% higher than the price target for which the tractor was designed. The interviewed farmers reported an average likelihood of 4.8/5 that they would use the vehicle for planting, inter-cultivation, and spraying, and an average likelihood of 3.8/5 that they would use the tractor for primary or secondary tillage.
Effects of Weirs on the Resin Transfer Molding Process
Authors: D’Silva Kiran M. , Pang Su-Seng , Schulz Kurt C.
Published: April 2020

Low mold filling time and improper fiber wetting are the main problems faced by the manufacturers applying the Resin Transfer Molding (RTM) process. The objective of this work was to minimize these problems and to study the effect of weirs on the RTM process. A mold was designed such that the lower mold plate contains two weirs, one at the resin inlet port and the other at the outlet port. The purpose of adding the weirs is to provide a continuous inlet stream near the resin inlet port and to cause backpressure near the outlet port to induce complete mold filling. Laminated plates were prepared using glass fibers and epoxy resin (combination of EPON resin-862 and curing agent W). The test parameters investigated, such as void contents, dry spots and mold filling time, were compared with those of samples that were prepared without the use of weirs. It was found that the presence of weirs resulted in significant elimination of dry spots, minimization of void contents and a reduction in mold filling time. As a result, the cost required to manufacture composite parts can be reduced by the use of weirs.

In addition to the experimental investigation, a computer simulation (using LCMFLOT software) of resin flow inside the mold cavity was conducted. Many simulations were run in order to optimize the height and shape of the weir. Rectangular weirs of height 2.54 mm showed minimum mold fill time. It was found that the results obtained from the experimental work and flow simulations are in good agreement. Based on this work, it is evident that complex parts can be produced in less cycle time if weirs are positioned at appropriate locations.
Influence of Temperature Variation on the Post Impact Strength of Glass Fiber Composite Materials
Authors: Ibekwe Samuel I. , Mensah Patrick F. , Li Guoqiang , Pang Su-Seng
Published: April 2020

Glass Fiber Composite laminates were subjected to low velocity impact at 2 m/s using a semi-hemispherical drop tower tup. Impact damage were observed and recorded over a wide range of temperatures. Of particular interest is the post impact strength at these test temperatures. The effect of temperature variation on the impact damages and on the residual compressive buckling strength and elastic modulus is evaluated based on the test results.
Computing CHEMKIN Sensitivities Using Complex Variables
Authors: Butuk Nelson , Pemba JeanPaul
Published: April 2020

This paper discusses an accurate numerical approach of computing the Jacobian Matrix for the calculation of low dimensional manifolds for kinetic chemical mechanism reduction. The approach is suitable for numerical computations of large scale problems and is more accurate than the finite difference approach of computing Jacobians. The method is demonstrated via a highly stiff reaction mechanism for the synthesis of Bromide acid and a H2/Air mechanism using a modified CHEMKIN package. The Bromide mechanism consisted of five species participating in six elementary chemical reactions and the H2/Air mechanism consisted of 11 species and 23 reactions. In both cases it is shown that the method is superior to the finite difference approach of computing derivatives with an arbitrary computational step size, h.
A Numerical and Experimental Study of a Microthruster Performance
Authors: Choudhuri Ahsan R. , Baird Benjamin , Gollahalli S. R.
Published: April 2020

Performance and flow characteristics of a conical microthruster operated in cold thruster mode are presented. Nitrogen, Argon and Carbon dioxide were used as the medium. The performance parameters (specific impulse, impulse efficiency, thrust coefficient and characteristic velocity) are measured. The chamber pressure was varied from 2.8 bar to 12 bar. It is found that the high viscous loss severely degrades the performance of the thruster at a pressure below 5 bar. However, the mass flow remains unaffected even at a low pressure. The computed Mach number shows that at low pressures flow separates earlier. The schlieren photographs show the flow development inside the thruster at different pressures. Interestingly, a highly asymmetric flow field exists in the nozzle expansion section. Row perturbation effects cause the flow to separate from the upper wall and to remain attached with lower wall.