bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A scoping review presenting a wide variety of research on paediatric and adolescent patients with Marfan syndrome
Authors: Lidal Ingeborg Beate , Bathen Trine , Johansen Heidi , Velvin Gry
Published: January 2020

Aim

The present study aimed to map and summarise the research on children, aged 0‐18 years, with Marfan syndrome, identify research gaps and point to research agendas.

Methods

A scoping review was systematically performed by searching multiple databases from January 1996 to April 2019. Primary studies presenting results on at least six individuals aged 0‐18 years with Marfan syndrome, diagnosed according to the Ghent nosology, were selected.

Results

From 2341 de‐duplicated records, 92 papers were included, mapped and described. Their topics were diagnostics (12%), cardiovascular matters (50%), skeletal matters (22%), ocular matters (9%), other medical aspects (5%) and psychosocial perspectives (2%). Most studies were from Europe and North America and published between 1999 and 2019 in subject‐specific or paediatric journals, while a few were published in genetics journals. All studies had quantitative designs, and very few were multicentre studies. Each study had six to 608 subjects for a total of approximately 5809.

Conclusion

A wide range of research topics on adolescent and paediatric Marfan syndrome was found, but qualitative studies and a focus on psychosocial matters were lacking. Future investigations addressing noncardiovascular consequences and patient experiences are needed, as well as studies reaffirming or replicating existing intervention study results.
Unmet rehabilitation needs in 86% of Norwegian paediatric embryonal brain tumour survivors
Authors: Stensvold Einar , Stadskleiv Kristine , Myklebust Tor Åge , Wesenberg Finn , Helseth Eirik , Bechensteen Anne Grete , Brandal Petter
Published: January 2020

Aim

To study incidence, types and degrees of late effects in a geographical cohort of paediatric medulloblastoma and central nervous system primitive neuroectodermal tumour (CNS‐PNET) survivors, and identify the need for rehabilitation.

Methods

Between 1974 and 2013, 63 patients survived treatment for paediatric medulloblastoma and CNS‐PNET at Oslo University Hospital, Norway. Of these, 50 accepted invitation and were included in this study.

Results

Median follow‐up was 20 years (range 3.2‐41), and 96% of participants had developed late effects. Cognitive impairment was found in 72%, reduced hearing in 68%, endocrine deficits in 66%, epilepsy in 32% and another 30% had been diagnosed with one or more second primary neoplasms. Radiotherapy significantly increased risk of secondary primary neoplasms and endocrinological deficits, chemotherapy risk of ototoxicity and endocrinological deficits, and epilepsy was found significantly more often in CNS‐PNET than medulloblastoma patients. Epilepsy was the main cause of cognitive impairments (full‐scale IQ) in our study. 86% of participants had an unmet rehabilitation need.

Conclusion

Significant late effects and unmet rehabilitation needs were documented in the large majority of survivors after treatment for paediatric medulloblastoma and CNS‐PNET.
Sedentary Behaviour and Diabetes Information as a Source of Motivation to Reduce Daily Sitting Time in Office Workers: A Pilot Randomised Controlled Trial
Authors: Rollo Scott , Prapavessis Harry
Published: January 2020

Background

Using the motivational phase of the Health Action Process Approach (HAPA), this study examined whether sedentary behaviour and diabetes information is a meaningful source of motivation to reduce daily sitting time among preintending office workers.

Methods

Participants (N = 218) were randomised into HAPA‐intervention (sedentary behaviour), HAPA‐attention control (physical activity), or control (no treatment) conditions. Following treatment, purpose‐built sedentary‐related HAPA motivational constructs (risk perception, outcome expectancies, self‐efficacy) and goal intentions were assessed. Only participants who had given little thought to how much time they spent sitting (preintenders) were used in subsequent analyses (n = 96).

Results

Significant main effects favouring the intervention group were reported for goal intentions: to increase number and length of daily breaks from sitting at work; to reduce daily sitting time outside of work; to increase daily time spent standing outside of work, as well as for outcome expectancies (p values ≤ .05; ɳp2 values ≥.08). Only self‐efficacy (β range = 0.39–0.50) made significant and unique contributions to work and leisure‐time‐related goal intentions, explaining 11–21 per cent of the response variance.

Conclusions

A brief, HAPA‐based online intervention providing information regarding sedentary behaviour and diabetes risk may be an effective source of motivation.
Protein kinase A facilitates relaxation of mouse ileum via phosphorylation of neuronal nitric oxide synthase
Authors: Guerra Damian D. , Bok Rachael , Lorca Ramón A. , Hurt K. Joseph
Published: January 2020

Background and Purpose

The enteric neurotransmitter nitric oxide (NO) regulates gastrointestinal motility by relaxing smooth muscle. Pharmacological cAMP induction also relaxes gastrointestinal smooth muscle, but it is uncertain whether cAMP augments or suppresses enteric NO signalling. In other organ systems, cAMP can increase neuronal NO production by stimulating protein kinase A (PKA) to phosphorylate neuronal NOS (nNOS) Serine‐1412 (S1412). We hypothesized that cAMP also increases nNOS S1412 phosphorylation by PKA in enteric neurons to augment nitrergic relaxation of mouse ileum.

Experimental Approach

We measured contractile force and nNOS S1412 phosphorylation in ileal rings suspended in an organ bath. We used forskolin to induce cAMP‐dependent relaxation of wild type, nNOSS1412A knock‐in and nNOSα‐null ileal rings in the presence or absence of PKA, protein kinase B (Akt) and NOS inhibitors.

Key Results

Forskolin stimulated phosphorylation of nNOS S1412 in mouse ileum. Forskolin relaxed nNOSα‐null and nNOSS1412A ileal rings less than wild‐type ileal rings. PKA inhibition blocked forskolin‐induced nNOS phosphorylation and attenuated relaxation of wild type but not nNOSS1412A ileum. Akt inhibition did not alter nNOS phosphorylation with forskolin but did attenuate relaxation of wild type and nNOSS1412A. NOS inhibition with L‐NAME eliminated the effects of PKA and Akt inhibitors on relaxation.

Conclusion and Implications

PKA phosphorylation of nNOS S1412 augments forskolin‐induced nitrergic ileal relaxation. The relationship between cAMP/PKA and NO is therefore synergistic in enteric nitrergic neurons. Because NO regulates gut motility, selective modulation of enteric neuronal cAMP synthesis may be useful for the treatment of gastrointestinal motility disorders.
The Drug and Alcohol Clinical Advisory Service: A model of telephone‐delivered addiction specialist support
Authors: Grigg Jasmin , Arunogiri Shalini , Manning Victoria , Phan Vicky , Campbell Samuel , Frei Matthew , Lubman Dan I.
Published: January 2020

Introduction and Aims

People with substance use problems frequently present to mainstream health services with a variety of health issues. However, many medical and allied health‐care providers feel under‐equipped to respond to this population. We describe the Drug and Alcohol Clinical Advisory Service (DACAS), an established 24/7 telephone‐delivered model of addiction specialist consultation, and examine recent call data to identify drug use issues for which health practitioners seek support.

Design and Methods

Methods of DACAS service provision and call data collection are provided. A retrospective review of routinely collected call data between July 2013 and June 2018 was performed, extracting information on call and caller characteristics, and consultation details.

Results

During 2013–2018, DACAS responded to 6565 calls, providing access to specialist alcohol and other drug support for more than 1200 practitioners across Victoria, Tasmania and the Northern Territory annually. Higher rates of service use were found among practitioners located in regional and remote areas, relative to those in metropolitan areas. Opioid agonist treatment was the most common drug class for which practitioners sought consultation (39.5%), followed by other opioids (19.4%). Advice‐seeking patterns differed according to caller profession, service setting and location.

Discussion and Conclusions

DACAS is providing a multistate‐level response to the challenges of accessing specialist addiction treatment, particularly for opioid agonist treatment and other opioid issues, with demonstrated uptake in regional and remote areas. This telephone‐delivered service provides an opportunity to expand access to treatment for opioid use disorder and other substance use problems, particularly in areas with less equitable access to specialist addiction care.
Numerosity discrimination in deep neural networks: Initial competence, developmental refinement and experience statistics
Authors: Testolin Alberto , Zou Will Y. , McClelland James L.
Published: January 2020

Both humans and non‐human animals exhibit sensitivity to the approximate number of items in a visual array, as indexed by their performance in numerosity discrimination tasks, and even neonates can detect changes in numerosity. These findings are often interpreted as evidence for an innate ‘number sense’. However, recent simulation work has challenged this view by showing that human‐like sensitivity to numerosity can emerge in deep neural networks that build an internal model of the sensory data. This emergentist perspective posits a central role for experience in shaping our number sense and might explain why numerical acuity progressively increases over the course of development. Here we substantiate this hypothesis by introducing a progressive unsupervised deep learning algorithm, which allows us to model the development of numerical acuity through experience. We also investigate how the statistical distribution of numerical and non‐numerical features in natural environments affects the emergence of numerosity representations in the computational model. Our simulations show that deep networks can exhibit numerosity sensitivity prior to any training, as well as a progressive developmental refinement that is modulated by the statistical structure of the learning environment. To validate our simulations, we offer a refinement to the quantitative characterization of the developmental patterns observed in human children. Overall, our findings suggest that it may not be necessary to assume that animals are endowed with a dedicated system for processing numerosity, since domain‐general learning mechanisms can capture key characteristics others have attributed to an evolutionarily specialized number system.
Dental implant maintenance teaching in Australia—A survey of education providers
Authors: Cheung Monique C. , Hopcraft Matthew S. , Darby Ivan B.
Published: January 2020

Introduction

Implant treatments and peri‐implant maintenance continue apace, while the evidence for implant maintenance and home hygiene continues to be developed. Information sources for dental practitioners and patients in peri‐implant health maintenance and disease management are generally not known. This study investigated the implant maintenance topics taught, the discipline backgrounds of convenors and presenters and information delivery methods within implant dentistry teaching in Australia.

Materials and methods

An online survey was distributed to 56 convenors of implant dentistry and maintenance education programmes in Australia, garnering responses from 24 individuals which outlined 43 different education programmes.

Results

Lectures were the main delivery method for implant maintenance information across the different course types. Peri‐implant diagnostics were generally taught according to current literature recommendations, but coverage varied in topics where the evidence is yet to be established (eg home hygiene, professional maintenance and implant review). Some educators reported awareness of limitations in their programmes.

Conclusion

Implant dentistry education programmes in Australia vary widely in teaching implant maintenance, coverage of which should be current and evidence‐based at all education levels. The structure of implant dentistry teaching at the continuing professional development level requires further development.
StarTroper, a film trope rating optimizer using machine learning and evolutionary algorithms
Authors: García‐Ortega Rubén Héctor , García‐Sánchez Pablo , Merelo‐Guervós Juan Julián
Published: January 2020

Designing a story is widely considered a crafty yet critical task that requires deep specific human knowledge in order to reach a minimum quality and originality. This includes designing at a high level different elements of the film; these high‐level elements are called tropes when they become patterns. The present paper proposes and evaluates a methodology to automatically synthesize sets of tropes in a way that they maximize the potential rating of a film that conforms to them. We use machine learning to create a surrogate model that maps film ratings from tropes, trained with the data extracted and processed from huge film databases in Internet, and then we use a genetic algorithm that uses that surrogate model as evaluator to optimize the combination of tropes in a film. In order to evaluate the methodology, we analyse the nature of the tropes and their distributions in existing films, the performance of the models and the quality of the sets of tropes synthesized. The results of this proof of concept show that the methodology works and is able to build sets of tropes that maximize the rating and that these sets are genuine. The work has revealed that the methodology and tools developed are directly suitable for assisting in the plots generation as an authoring tool and, ultimately, for supporting the automatic generation of stories, for example, in massively populated videogames.
Roles of microstructure, inclusion, and surface roughness on rolling contact fatigue of a wind turbine gear
Authors: Zhou Hao , Wei Peitang , Liu Huaiju , Zhu Caichao , Lu Cheng , Deng Guanyu
Published: January 2020

Contact fatigue is a key feature limiting the service lives and reliabilities of gears. The gear contact fatigue failure mechanism has not been understood fundamentally due to the complexities of structural factors, material properties, and operating conditions. In this work, an integrated finite element model of a megawatt level wind turbine gear is established considering the real gear geometry, material microstructure heterogeneity, existence of nonmetallic inclusion, and the tooth surface roughness. The gear steel material properties are defined based on the crystal elasticity anisotropy framework. The modified Dang Van multiaxial criterion is utilized to estimate the material fatigue failure probability during gear engagement. With the developed model, the roles of microstructure, inclusion, and surface roughness on the gear contact fatigue behaviour are comparatively investigated. Additionally, the influences of different inclusion size and surface roughness profile on gear failure risk are investigated and discussed in detail.
Broad‐scale patterns of the Afro‐Palaearctic landbird migration
Authors: Briedis Martins , Bauer Silke , Adamík Peter , Alves José A. , Costa Joana S. , Emmenegger Tamara , Gustafsson Lars , Koleček Jaroslav , Krist Miloš , Liechti Felix , Lisovski Simeon , Meier Christoph M. , Procházka Petr , Hahn Steffen
Published: January 2020

Aim

Knowledge of broad‐scale biogeographical patterns of animal migration is important for understanding ecological drivers of migratory behaviours. Here, we present a flyway‐scale assessment of the spatial structure and seasonal dynamics of the Afro‐Palaearctic bird migration system and explore how phenology of the environment guides long‐distance migration.

Location

Europe and Africa.

Time period

2009–2017.

Major taxa studied

Birds.

Methods

We compiled an individual‐based dataset comprising 23 passerine and near‐passerine species of 55 European breeding populations, in which a total of 564 individuals were tracked during migration between Europe and sub‐Saharan Africa. In addition, we used remotely sensed primary productivity data (the normalized difference vegetation index) to estimate the timing of vegetation green‐up in spring and senescence in autumn across Europe. First, we described how individual breeding and non‐breeding sites and the migratory flyways link geographically. Second, we examined how the timing of migration along the two major Afro‐Palaearctic flyways is tuned with vegetation phenology at the breeding sites.

Results

We found the longitudes of individual breeding and non‐breeding sites to be related in a strongly positive manner, whereas the latitudes of breeding and non‐breeding sites were related negatively. In autumn, migration commenced ahead of vegetation senescence, and the timing of migration was 5–7 days earlier along the Western flyway compared with the Eastern flyway. In spring, the time of arrival at breeding sites was c. 1.5 days later for each degree northwards and 6–7 days later along the Eastern compared with the Western flyway, reflecting the later spring green‐up at higher latitudes and more eastern longitudes.

Main conclusions

Migration of the Afro‐Palaearctic landbirds follows a longitudinally parallel leapfrog migration pattern, whereby migrants track vegetation green‐up in spring but depart before vegetation senescence in autumn. The degree of continentality along migration routes and at the breeding sites of the birds influences the timing of migration on a broad scale.
Effect of nurse crops and seeding rate on the persistence, productivity and nutritive value of sainfoin in a cereal‐based production system
Authors: Cicek Harun , Ates Serkan , Ozcan Gazi , Tezel Mehmet , Kling Jennifer G. , Louhaichi Mounir , Keles Gurhan
Published: January 2020

Sainfoin (Onobrychis viciifolia Scop.) is one of the most drought‐tolerant perennial legumes that can thrive in dry, alkaline soils. A 3‐year study in the Central Anatolian Region of Turkey compared the persistence, productivity and nutritive value of sainfoin planted with nurse crops, namely Hungarian vetch (Vicia pannonica Crantz.) or triticale (× Triticosecale Wittm, ex A. Camus), at three seeding rates. Sainfoin and nurse crop emergence were significantly affected by the companion nurse crop, sowing rate and establishment year. The number of sainfoin plants at emergence was lower during a drier “bad” year (110 plant/m2) than in a “good” precipitation year (236 plant/m2). Triticale had a more negative impact on sainfoin growth than vetch. Planting nurse crops at high seeding rates (90 kg/ha) reduced the number of sainfoin seedlings as compared to the control, while the low seeding rate had little impact on sainfoin emergence. Planting sainfoin with triticale resulted in much greater yield exceeding 10 t/ha, but reduced the forage nutritive value compared to sainfoin monocultures and sainfoin–vetch mixtures. The seeding rate of the nurse crops during a dry year did not affect DM yield in the year of establishment nor in the following year. The findings of this study indicate that planting sainfoin with a nurse crop can substantially increase the DM yield in the year of establishment without yield penalties in the subsequent years, despite fewer established plants, as compared to sainfoin monocultures.
Characterization of Al18B4O33 ceramic synthesized by the sol‐gel, precipitation, and combustion methods
Authors: Maghsoodi Farzaneh , Naghizadeh Rahim
Published: January 2020

In this study, Al18B4O33 aluminum borate is synthesized by the sol‐gel, precipitation, and combustion methods, which use similar starting materials. Simultaneous thermal analyzer and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy are employed to determine the thermal behavior and the chemical bonding structures. In addition, the crystal structure and microstructure are identified by X‐ray diffraction and scanning electron microscope. The results reveal that Al18B4O33 nanorods are produced by sol‐gel method and citric acid controls the morphology of powders. Additionally, Al18B4O33 phase is obtained by decomposing Al4B2O9 unstable phase at 1000°C by sol‐gel method. However, Al18B4O33 phase is immediately obtained from calcination of an amorphous phase at 1000°C by precipitation and combustion methods.
End‐of‐life care needs for noncancer patients who want to die at home in South Korea
Authors: Lee Jong‐Eun , Lee Jiwon , Lee Hanul , Park Jin‐Kyoung , Park Younghye , Choi Whan Seok
Published: January 2020

Aim

The awareness for the need for end‐of‐life care has increased among noncancer patients. However, studies on the topic have rarely targeted the needs of noncancer patients who want to die at home. This study assessed the end‐of‐life care needs of noncancer patients who were receiving care and wanted to die at home.

Methods

A cross‐sectional study design was used and involved 200 participants who were diagnosed as noncancer patients and receiving home care nursing. Data were collected on demographics, disease, Palliative Performance Scale (PPS) scores, and end‐of‐life care needs, in April and May, 2016.

Results

Among the six areas of care, “supporting fundamental needs” of patients required the most care, followed by “coordination among family or relatives.” Multivariate analysis revealed that the duration of home care nursing held a significant association with end‐of‐life care needs.

Conclusion

By reflecting on the comprehensive care needs of patients with chronic illnesses and including them in the care process, it will be possible to provide better quality palliative care to patients at home in the end‐of‐life stages.
Validation of hepatocellular carcinoma risk scores in Japanese chronic hepatitis B cohort receiving nucleot(s)ide analog
Authors: Kirino Sakura , Tamaki Nobuharu , Kaneko Shun , Kurosaki Masayuki , Inada Kento , Yamashita Koji , Osawa Leona , Hayakawa Yuka , Sekiguchi Shuhei , Watakabe Keiya , Okada Mao , Wang Wan , Shimizu Takao , Higuchi Mayu , Takaura Kenta , Maeyashiki Chiaki , Yasui Yutaka , Nakanishi Hiroyuki , Tsuchiya Kaoru , Itakura Jun , Takahashi Yuka , Izumi Namiki
Published: January 2020

Background and Aim

The prediction of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) development during nucleotide/nucleoside analog (NA) therapy is clinically important in patients with chronic hepatitis B. Although several useful models for HCC prediction have been previously reported, their usefulness in the Japanese population is unclear. Therefore, this study examines the applicability of these models in Japanese patients.

Methods

Four hundred forty‐three patients with no history of HCC who were treated with entecavir, tenofovir alafenamide, or tenofovir disoproxil fumarate were enrolled. PAGE‐B, modified‐PAGE‐B, and REACH‐B scores were calculated, and subsequent HCC development was investigated.

Results

The mean follow‐up duration was 5.1 years, and a total of 33 patients (7.4%) developed HCC during the follow‐up period. Multivariate analysis revealed that old age (hazard ratio [HR] 1.05, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.01–1.09, P = 0.011), male gender (HR 2.62, 95% CI 1.06–6.49, P = 0.037), and low platelet count (HR 0.83, 95% CI 0.77–0.91, P < 0.001) were independent predictors of HCC development. These factors are the same as the factors identified in the PAGE‐B model. Time‐dependent area under the receiver operating characteristic (AUROC) curve revealed that the AUROCs for 3 and 7 years of PAGE‐B (AUROC: 0.786 and 0.744 at 3 and 7 years, respectively) were continuously higher than those of REACH‐B (0.658 and 0.543) and modified PAGE‐B AUROC (0.772 and 0.731).

Conclusions

PAGE‐B, which can easily identify high‐risk cases, can be useful for predicting HCC development in Japanese patients treated with NA therapy.
Psychologists' perspectives on supported decision making in Ireland
Authors: Rogers E. , Pilch M. , McGuire B. E. , Flynn E. , Egan J.
Published: January 2020

Background

A new legal capacity act was introduced in Ireland in 2015. This study aimed to identify and critically examine key issues in the area of decision‐making capacity from the perspective of psychologists working with adults with an intellectual disability.

Methods

A qualitative exploratory approach was employed, and the study was positioned in a social constructionist framework. Purposive and snowballing sampling methods were used to recruit 15 clinical psychologists working with adults with an intellectual disability. Data were collected with the use of individual semistructured interviews. Interview transcripts were analysed using a model of thematic analysis.

Results

Six themes were identified: (1) a presumption of capacity but a culture of incapacity, (2) supporting decision making as a process, (3) authenticity of decision making, (4) need for support and training, (5) contributions of psychology and (6) the way forward.

Conclusions

Participants described that people with intellectual disabilities were often excluded from decision‐making processes. They welcomed the functional approach to decision making, considered substituted decision making to be necessary within a support framework and described supporting decision making as a process. Systemic, resource and attitudinal challenges were identified.
Diabetes in adults with intellectual disability: prevalence and associated demographic, lifestyle, independence and health factors
Authors: Tyrer F. , Ling S. , Bhaumik S. , Gangadharan S. K. , Khunti K. , Gray L. J. , Dunkley A. J.
Published: January 2020

Background

As people with intellectual disabilities (ID) are now living longer, they are more at risk of developing non‐communicable diseases, including type 2 diabetes mellitus. However, understanding of factors associated with diabetes for targeted management and prevention strategies is limited. This study aimed to investigate prevalence of diabetes in adults (aged ≥18 years) with ID and its relationship with demographic, lifestyle, independence and health factors.

Method

This was a cross‐sectional analysis of interview data from 1091 adults with ID from the Leicestershire Learning Disability Register from 1 January 2010 to 31 December 2016. Logistic regression models were used to identify factors associated with diabetes in the study population.

Results

The study population did not have healthy lifestyles: just under half reported having lower physical activity levels than people without ID of a similar age; one‐quarter consumed fizzy drinks daily; and 20% consumed five or more fruit and/or vegetables per day. Prevalence of carer/self‐reported diabetes was 7.3% (95% confidence interval 5.9–9.0). After adjustment, diabetes was positively associated with South Asian ethnicity (P = 0.03) and older age groups (P < 0.001). Diabetes was less common in people living with family members (P = 0.02). We did not find a relationship between any of the lifestyle, independence and health factors investigated.

Conclusions

A significant proportion of people with ID are living with diabetes. Diabetes management and prevention strategies should be tailored to individuals' complex needs and include consideration of lifestyle choices. Such strategies may want to focus on adults of South Asian ethnicity and people living in residential homes where prevalence appears to be higher.
ASIC1a channels regulate mitochondrial ion signaling and energy homeostasis in neurons
Authors: Savic Azoulay Ivana , Liu Fan , Hu Qin , Rozenfeld Maya , Ben Kasus Nissim Tsipi , Zhu Michael X. , Sekler Israel , Xu Tian‐Le
Published: January 2020

Acid‐sensing ion channel 1a (ASIC1a) is well‐known to play a major pathophysiological role during brain ischemia linked to acute acidosis of ~pH 6, whereas its function during physiological brain activity, linked to much milder pH changes, is still poorly understood. Here, by performing live cell imaging utilizing Na+ and Ca2+ sensitive and spatially specific fluorescent dyes, we investigated the role of ASIC1a in cytosolic Na+ and Ca2+ signals elicited by a mild extracellular drop from pH 7.4 to 7.0 and how these affect mitochondrial Na+ and Ca2+ signaling or metabolic activity. We show that in mouse primary cortical neurons, this small extracellular pH change triggers cytosolic Na+ and Ca2+ waves that propagate to mitochondria. Inhibiting ASIC1a with Psalmotoxin 1 or ASIC1a gene knockout blocked not only the cytosolic but also the mitochondrial Na+ and Ca2+ signals. Moreover, physiological activation of ASIC1a by this pH shift enhances mitochondrial respiration and evokes mitochondrial Na+ signaling even in digitonin‐permeabilized neurons. Altogether our results indicate that ASIC1a is critical in linking physiological extracellular pH stimuli to mitochondrial ion signaling and metabolic activity and thus is an important metabolic sensor.

image
Sustainability and Consumption: What's Gender Got to Do with It?
Authors: Bloodhart Brittany , Swim Janet K.
Published: January 2020

Gender plays an important role in considerations of sustainable consumption. Not only are there gender differences in the amount and type of sustainable consumption among women and men, but gender stereotypes and norms shape the way women and men think about the topic, respond to its necessity, and choose to act. Further, differences are embedded in larger lifestyle practices and intersect with other social identities, which can alter the occurrence or manifestations of gender differences in environmentally relevant actions. Finally, efforts to make consumption more sustainable are both influenced by and influence people differently based on gender as well as other marginalized group statuses. We highlight major psychological and social science research on the gendered aspects of sustainable consumption. Our goal is to illuminate social influences on gender differences in behaviors, motivations, and solutions and to emphasize the need for future policies and practices related to sustainable consumption to address and improve issues of gender equality.
Crafting Mosaics: Person‐Centered Religious Influence and Selection in Adolescent Friendships
Authors: adams jimi , Schaefer David R. , Ettekal Andrea Vest
Published: January 2020

This research addresses the intersection of two key domains of adolescents’ lives: religion and peer networks. Religion scholars argue that religion is multi‐faceted and better understood by focusing on combinations of indicators (i.e., mosaics), versus a variable‐centered approach. We adopt this framework and investigate the interplay between religion and peer networks, both in how religious mosaics are shaped by friends and how religious profiles affect friend selection dynamics. With data from two schools in the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent Health, we estimate religious mosaics using latent class analysis (LCA) to identify profiles consisting of combinations of commonly available survey‐based measures of religious attitudes, behaviors, and identities. Finding evidence of theoretically expected profiles, we then use stochastic actor–based models (SABMs) to investigate network dynamics for these LCA‐based religious profiles. We demonstrate how the profile data can be integrated within the SABM framework to evaluate processes of friend selection and influence. Results show evidence of adolescents influencing one another's religious mosaics, but not selecting friends on that basis.
Value and Obligation Once More
Authors: González Ana Marta
Published: January 2020

InUnderstanding Moral Obligation(2012), Robert Stern sets out to provide a fresh interpretation of the role of autonomy in Kant's moral philosophy and attempts to rectify J. B. Schneewind's standard account inThe Invention of Autonomy(1998). While Stern agrees that Kant's resort to autonomy is at the basis of a constructivist account of moral obligation, he claims that autonomy plays no role in Kant's theory of value, such that, in this respect, Kant remains a realist. Accordingly, Stern characterizes Kant's moral philosophy as a “hybrid” view because he sees it as involving a compromise between realism with regard to value and constructivism with regard to obligation. Stern's interpretation relies on a sharp distinction between value and obligation. The purpose of the present article is to question Stern's reliance on that rigid distinction, which involves intermixing theoretical and practical reason and assumes a distorted view of human agency.
Doing Ethics or Changing for the Better?
Authors: Cojocaru Mara‐Daria
Published: January 2020

In this paper, classical pragmatism is used as a method, not as a substantial ethical theory, to develop “moral pragmatics.” Moral pragmatics offers a constructive approach for making progress where traditional ethical theories converge, and it innovates ethical deliberation. Assuming widespread agreement that real moral problems need practical solutions, the paper addresses two related problems: the missing link between ethical theories and moral practice, and the question of who is in charge of finding such solutions. It argues that “conscience” can create a link between ethical knowledge and moral practice, and that this partly discharges “the ethicist” from the task of solving problems that are not really, or not only, hers. Two specific methodological innovations are suggested that go beyond admonitions to render ethics sensitive to context. Instead, a reevaluation of “casuistry” and a sensitivity for “finding the right words” give an idea of how to achieve this goal.
The Dizzying Turn of Epistemic Contextualism
Authors: Grindrod Jumbly
Published: January 2020

The debate concerning epistemic contextualism represents a kind of linguistic turn in epistemology, where the focus has shifted from theorising about knowledge to theorising about knowledge attributions. Such a shift may well prove valuable, but only if we are clear on what the relationship is between a semantic analysis of knowledge attributions and a philosophical analysis of knowledge. One plausible approach is to claim that the semantic analysis entails and is entailed by the philosophical analysis. Yet this view—referred to here as the default view—has been explicitly adopted by few in the contextualism debate. This paper considers a form of argument in favour of the default view, and then considers the challenges that arise from either accepting or rejecting the default view.
One or two membranes? Diderm Firmicutes challenge the Gram‐positive/Gram‐negative divide
Authors: Megrian Daniela , Taib Najwa , Witwinowski Jerzy , Beloin Christophe , Gribaldo Simonetta
Published: January 2020

How, when and why the transition between cell envelopes with one membrane (Gram‐positives or monoderms) and two (Gram‐negative or diderms) occurred in Bacteria is a key unanswered question in evolutionary biology. Different hypotheses have been put forward, suggesting that either the monoderm or the diderm phenotype is ancestral. The existence of diderm members in the classically monoderm Firmicutes challenges the Gram‐positive/Gram‐negative divide and provides a great opportunity to tackle the issue. In this review, we present current knowledge on the diversity of bacterial cell envelopes, including these atypical Firmicutes. We discuss how phylogenomic analysis supports the hypothesis that the diderm cell envelope architecture is an ancestral character in the Firmicutes, and that the monoderm phenotype in this phylum arose multiple times independently by loss of the outer membrane. Given the overwhelming distribution of diderm phenotypes with respect to monoderm ones, this scenario likely extends to the ancestor of all bacteria. Finally, we discuss the recent development of genetic tools for Veillonella parvula, a diderm Firmicute member of the human microbiome, which indicates it as an emerging new experimental model to investigate fundamental aspects of the diderm/monoderm transition.
Prevalence and impact of self‐reported painful and non‐painful constipation in the general population
Authors: Pannemans Jasper , Van den Houte Karen , Fischler Benjamin , Piessevaux Hubert , Carbone Florencia , Tack Jan
Published: January 2020

Introduction

Chronic constipation, defined by the Rome IV criteria, is a highly prevalent functional bowel disorder with major overlap with other bowel disorders. Therefore, a pooled‐analysis to evaluate the presence of self‐reported constipation in the general population was conducted. Further, its association with other bowel symptoms and its health‐economic impact was analyzed.

Methods

Collection of information on bowel symptoms’ prevalence and their impact was done through an Internet survey (Medistrat Internet panel). The analysis focused on patients who reported constipation symptoms over the last 12 months. Firstly, participants who with or without constipation were compared. Secondly, subjects reporting constipation with (PC) or without abdominal pain (NPC) were studied.

Key Results

A total of 1012 subjects (45.2 ± 0.5 years old, 62% females), of whom 217 (21%) reported constipation, completed the survey. Women were significantly more represented in the group reporting constipation compared to those with other bowel symptoms (81.57% vs 56.60%, P < .0001). Subjects reporting constipation experienced more additional bowel symptoms than those who did not report constipation [3(2‐6) vs 2(1‐4), P < .0001]. Of those with constipation, 134 patients reported NPC compared to 83 patients with PC. The presence of PC was associated with higher prevalence of diarrhea symptoms, alternating bowel movements, bloating, cramps, gas, and altered stool frequency and consistency (all P < .01). Out of 83 PC patients, 38 (45.24%) fulfilled the Rome IV IBS criteria.

Conclusion

Self‐reported constipation, often associated with other bowel symptoms, is a highly prevalent condition in the Belgian general population. Especially when abdominal pain is present, this generates major healthcare costs.
Estimating the obstetric co‐morbidity burden using administrative data: The impact of the pregnancy‐related assessment window
Authors: Salemi Jason L. , Hansen Michael A. , Modak Sanjukta , Matas Jennifer L. , Germanos George J. , Raza Syed Ahsan , Agana Denny Fe G. , Louis Judette M.
Published: January 2020

Background

Despite increased research using large administrative databases to identify determinants of maternal morbidity and mortality, the extent to which these databases capture obstetric co‐morbidities is unknown.

Objective

To evaluate the impact that the time window used to assess obstetric co‐morbidities has on the completeness of ascertainment of those co‐morbidities.

Methods

We conducted a five‐year analysis of inpatient hospitalisations of pregnant women from 2010‐2014 using the Nationwide Readmissions Database. For each woman, using discharge diagnoses, we identified 24 conditions used to create the Obstetric Comorbidity Index. Using various assessment windows for capturing obstetric co‐morbidities, including the delivery hospitalisation only and all weekly windows from 7 to 280 days, we calculated the frequency and rate of each co‐morbidity and the degree of underascertainment of the co‐morbidity. Under each scenario, and for each co‐morbidity, we also calculated the all‐cause, 30‐day readmission rate.

Results

There were over 3 million delivery hospitalisations from 2010 to 2014 included in this analysis. Compared with a full 280‐day window, assessment of obstetric co‐morbidities using only diagnoses made during the delivery hospitalisation would result in failing to identify over 35% of cases of chronic renal disease, 28.5% cases in which alcohol abuse was documented during pregnancy, and 23.1% of women with pulmonary hypertension. For seven other co‐morbidities, at least 1 in 20 women with that condition would have been missed with exclusive reliance on the delivery hospitalisation for co‐morbidity diagnoses. Not only would reliance on delivery hospitalisations have resulted in missed cases of co‐morbidities, but for many conditions, estimates of readmission rates for women with obstetric co‐morbidities would have been underestimated.

Conclusions

An increasing proportion of maternal and child health research is based on large administrative databases. This study provides data that facilitate the assessment of the degree to which important obstetric co‐morbidities may be underascertained when using these databases.
Association between sleep, care burden, and related factors among family caregivers at home
Authors: Ryuno Hirochika , Greiner Chieko , Yamaguchi Yuko , Fujimoto Hirokazu , Hirota Misato , Uemura Hisayo , Iguchi Hitoshi , Kabayama Mai , Kamide Kei
Published: January 2020

Aim

Several studies have reported a negative correlation between depressive symptoms and family caregivers' (FCs) subjective sleep status. However, there is a paucity of information on the association between objective/subjective sleep status, care burden, and related factors.

Methods

Participants were 23 pairs of care receivers (CRs; Mage = 82.7 ± 8.5 years; 69.6% women) receiving long‐term care at home and their FCs (Mage = 66.9 ± 11.0 years; 69.6% women). At baseline, demographic data, subjective sleep status (Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index; PSQI), WHO‐5 well‐being, depressive mood, and frequency of going outdoors were collected. FCs wore a small, wrist‐worn device with an accelerometer to assess objective sleep status for a consecutive 24‐h 2‐week period, and they answered the Zarit Burden Interview short version (ZBI) every night before sleep. After 3 months, CR status was collected and analysed retrospectively.

Results

The mean total sleep time over 2 weeks was 349.5 ± 69.6 min. The mean ZBI score over 2 weeks was 8.8 ± 6.8, which was significantly correlated with total sleep time (r = −0.42; P < 0.05), total time in bed (r = −0.44; P < 0.05), PSQI (r = 0.62; P < 0.01), frequency of going outdoors by CRs (r = −0.42; P < 0.05), and WHO‐5 well‐being among CRs (r = −0.50; P < 0.05). Multiple regression analyses revealed that total sleep time (β = −0.51; P < 0.05) was significantly associated with care burden (adjusted R2 = 0.45). At the 3‐month follow‐up, four CRs had been hospitalised or died, and their FCs displayed significantly severe care burden and slept less than at baseline.

Conclusions

Reduced objective total sleep time is significantly associated with the severity of care burden among FCs. Home‐based care is critical in Japan; therefore, it is meaningful to determine how to reduce care burden.
Atonement and the Knowledge of God: Alvin Plantinga and Eleanore StumpAtonement, EleonoreStump, Oxford University Press, 2018 (ISBN 978‐0‐19‐881386‐6), xviii + 510 pp., hb £60Two Dozen (or so) Arguments for God: The Plantinga Project, Jerry L.Walls and TrentDougherty (eds), Oxford University Press, 2018 (ISBN 978‐0‐19‐084221‐5), xiv + 486 pp., hb £64
Authors: Anderson Owen
Published: January 2020

Alvin Plantinga and Eleonore Stump represent the best of the analytic philosophical and theological school for the past four decades. Is God real and is God knowledge? The collection of essays from the Plantinga Project looks at just these questions. What is sin and how can it be atoned for? Eleonore Stump's book gives her new unique answer to those questions. Behind both is a method and an approach to knowing that has become formative in Christian philosophy. Has this method helped in explaining what Christians mean when they affirm that the eternal power and divine nature of God are clearly seen from the things that are made so that unbelief is without excuse?
The Centrality of Hope to Christian Ethics: Two Recent ReflectionsEthics of Hope, JürgenMoltmann, Fortress, 2012 (ISBN 978‐0‐8006‐9858‐4), xv + 271 pp., pb $29Hope and Christian Ethics, DavidElliot, Cambridge University Press, 2017 (ISBN 978‐1‐107‐15617‐3), xvi + 270 pp., hb £80
Authors: Coombe Cameron
Published: January 2020

Two recent works address the role of hope in Christian ethics, though with quite different results. The first, by seasoned theologian Jürgen Moltmann, takes a lifetime's worth of reflection on the transformative nature of hope and draws out its ethical implications. The second appears as the first major work from David Elliot, meeting avoidance or explicit rejection of hope in contemporary ethics with a robustly Thomistic response. After an exposition of each book, key differences emerge. Moltmann advances concrete ethical proposals, whereas Elliot engages important theoretical questions. Moltmann develops an ethics for today, whereas Elliot takes a more general approach. Some criticisms that Elliot makes of Moltmann's theology provide a point of departure for discussion of these and other differences between the two works.
Improvisations in Thomistic Methaphysics: Reading Ferdinand UlrichHomo Abyssus: The Drama of the Question of Being, FerdinandUlrich, Humanum Academic, 2018 (ISBN 978‐1‐948195‐01‐0), lviii + 526 pp., hb $70A Companion to Ferdinand Ulrich's Homo Abyssus, D. C.Schindler, Humanum Academic, 2019 (ISBN 978‐1‐948195‐03‐4), x + 238 pp., pb $30
Authors: Platter Jonathan M.
Published: January 2020

The recent translation of the philosophical work of Ferdinand Ulrich has the potential to make a significant contribution to the ongoing debates about the role of metaphysics in theology. Together with D. C. Schindler's Companion, this difficult book is made more accessible. While Ulrich's Homo Abyssus generates sophisticated and nuanced responses to various forms of post‐ or anti‐metaphysical theology (especially those in the wake of Heidegger), perhaps its greatest contribution is an altogether more humane way of pursuing metaphysics.
A novel method for the laboratory workup of anaphylactic transfusion reactions in haptoglobin‐deficient patients
Authors: Thoren Katie L. , Avecilla Scott T. , Klimek Virginia , Goss Cheryl
Published: January 2020

BACKGROUND

Patients with congenital haptoglobin deficiency can develop anti‐haptoglobin antibodies after exposure to blood products, and they can suffer from life‐threatening anaphylactic transfusion reactions. Here, we present a case of a 57‐year‐old Chinese male with myelodysplastic syndrome who manifested an anaphylactic transfusion reaction during the transfusion of platelets. The only abnormality detected during his reaction laboratory workup was an undetectable haptoglobin level in the absence of evidence of hemolysis.

STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS

Surface plasmon resonance (SPR) was explored as a method to be able to detect the presence of anti‐haptoglobin antibodies in serum. First, haptoglobin was immobilized to the surface of an SPR sensor chip. The patient's serum sample was injected, and the binding response was monitored in real time. Serum samples from five healthy volunteers were used as negative controls. Binding specificity was assessed in competition experiments using soluble haptoglobin. Anti‐IgG, ‐IgA, ‐IgM, ‐IgD and ‐IgE antibodies were used to identify the antibody isotype.

RESULTS

An IgG anti‐haptoglobin antibody was detected in the patient's serum with SPR.

CONCLUSION

SPR provided a rapid, readily available method for the detection of an IgG anti‐haptoglobin antibody in an anhaptoglobinemic individual. This confirmed the underlying etiology of the anaphylactic nonhemolytic transfusion reaction and justified the necessity of stringently washed cellular products for all future transfusions and strong caution for future use of plasma‐containing products.
The Sacropolitics of Military Conscription
Authors: Nugent David
Published: January 2020

This chapter analyzes the increasingly futile efforts of government officials to conscript the regional population into the armed forces—a mundane activity they had undertaken with ease during the reign of the castas. The chapter shows the delusional nature of government plans, and how delusion was (mis)-represented as rationality and routine. The chapter also explores the authorities’ growing confusion about their inability to conscript, and their sense that what had formerly seemed ordinary was anything but that. Chapter Seven also examines the explanations that government officials generated to explain their inability to carry out activities that had formerly been routine—in which their attribute their difficulties to a series of phantom figures that are said to haunt government efforts to rule.