bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Digastric muscle mass and intensity in older patients with sarcopenic dysphagia by ultrasonography
Authors: Ogawa Nami , Wakabayashi Hidetaka , Mori Takashi , Fujishima Ichiro , Oshima Fumiko , Itoda Masataka , Kunieda Kenjiro , Shigematsu Takashi , Nishioka Shinta , Tohara Haruka , Ohno Tomohisa , Nomoto Akiko , Shimizu Akio , Yamada Minoru , Ogawa Sumito
Published: November 2020

Aim

The aim of this study was to investigate digastric muscle mass and intensity between no sarcopenic dysphagia and sarcopenic dysphagia.

Methods

Patients aged ≥65 years were enrolled. According to the diagnostic algorithm for sarcopenic dysphagia, the patients were divided into two groups, no sarcopenic dysphagia and sarcopenic dysphagia. Handgrip strength, gait speed, skeletal muscle mass, tongue pressure, Mini Nutritional Assessment‐Short Form and Food Intake LEVEL Scale were investigated. Digastric muscle mass and intensity were examined by ultrasonography. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed to analyze two groups. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was performed to determine independent factors for the presence of sarcopenic dysphagia. To estimate the accuracy of diagnosing sarcopenic dysphagia, a receiver operating characteristic curve analysis was performed for digastric muscle mass and intensity.

Results

Forty‐five patients (mean ± SD, 84.3 ± 7.8 years, 22 men, 23 women) including 19 no sarcopenic dysphagia and 26 sarcopenic dysphagia were examined. In sarcopenic dysphagia, lower BMI, Food Intake LEVEL Scale, Mini Nutritional Assessment‐Short Form and smaller muscle mass and greater muscle intensity were found compared with no sarcopenic dysphagia. In multivariate logistic regression analysis, digastric muscle mass and intensity were identified as independent factors for sarcopenic dysphagia. The cut‐off value of muscle mass was 75.1 mm2 (area under curve: 0.731, sensitivity: 0.692, specificity: 0.737) and muscle intensity was 27.8 (area under curve: 0.823, sensitivity: 0.923, specificity: 0.632).

Conclusions

Digastric muscle mass was smaller and muscle intensity was greater in sarcopenic dysphagia than no sarcopenic dysphagia. Ultrasonography of digastric muscle, as well as the tongue and geniohyoid muscle, is useful. Geriatr Gerontol Int 2021; 21: 14–19.
What are the underlying reasons behind socioeconomic differences in doctor‐patient communication in head and neck oncology review clinics?
Authors: Allen Sarah , Rogers Simon N. , Brown Steven , Harris Rebecca V.
Published: November 2020

Objective

To explore socioeconomic status (SES) differences in patterns of doctor‐patient communication within head and neck cancer clinics and why such differences exist.

Methods

Thirty‐six head and neck cancer review appointments with five Physicians were observed and audio‐taped, along with follow‐up interviews involving 32 patients. Data were analysed using Thematic Analysis, and compared by patient SES (education, occupation and Indices of Multiple Deprivation).

Results

Three main themes were identified: (a) Physicians used more humour and small talk in their consultations with high SES patients; (b) Low SES patients were more passive in their participation, engaged in less agenda setting and information‐seeking, and framed their clinical experience differently; (c) Low SES patients had different preferences for involvement, defining involvement differently to high SES patients and were seen to take a more stoical approach.

Conclusion

Low SES patients take a more passive role in medical consultations, engage in less relational talk and are less likely to raise concerns, but were satisfied with this. Physicians may adapt their communication behaviour in response to low SES patients’ expectations and preferences.

Practice Implications

A question prompt list may help low SES patients to raise concerns during their consultations. This may reduce inequalities in communication and health.
Reintegrating agency, regulation and the economy into histories of child emigration from North West England to Canada, 1860–1930
Authors: Moss Eloise , Wildman Charlotte , Lamont Ruth
Published: November 2020

In this article we bring the records of Liverpool‐based child emigration agencies into conversation with the archives of ‘Home’ children held at Libraries and Archives Canada, the Archives of Ontario (Toronto) and the Catholic Archdiocese of Toronto Archives. Our aim is to provide the first study to consider why the North West emerged as the British centre of child emigration during the period 1860–1930, and examine the shared emigration infrastructure between its institutions and agents with those in Canada, through which we hope to advance comparative transnational research into child separation as a feature of welfare systems since the late‐nineteenth century. Our key claims are the following: (1) that children and their families DID challenge, resist and question the system, though not always expressed through their limited ability to give consent to emigration; (2) that the purported welfarist impulses of child emigration schemes were frequently in tension with the everyday administrative and financial concerns that characterised exchanges over child migrants between state and institution, bespeaking a broader economy of child emigration schemes that has thus far been under‐examined in the scholarship.
The role of dermoscopy in diagnostics of dermatological conditions of the eyelid, eyelashes, and conjunctiva – a literature review
Authors: Kozubowska Karolina , Sławińska Martyna , Sobjanek Michał
Published: November 2020

The role of dermoscopy in dermatology is constantly evolving. Relatively little is known about its application in diagnosis of dermatological conditions of the eyelid, eyelashes, and conjunctiva. The aim of the study is to summarize the existing knowledge in this field.
How inclusive leadership paves way for psychological well‐being of employees during trauma and crisis: A three‐wave longitudinal mediation study
Authors: Ahmed Fawad , Zhao Fuqiang , Faraz Naveed Ahmad , Qin Yuan Jian
Published: November 2020

Aims

Nurses are at the forefront of public health emergencies facing psychological pressures ensuing from the loss of patients and potential risk of infection while treating the infected. This study examines whether inclusive leadership has a causal relationship with psychological distress and to assess the mediation effect of psychological safety on this relationship in the long run. The hypotheses are developed and interpreted with the help of theoretical underpinnings from job demands resources theory and the theory of shattered assumptions.

Design

Three‐wave longitudinal study.

Methods

Questionnaire was used to carry out three waves of data collection from 405 nurses employed at five hospitals in Wuhan during the COVID‐19 outbreak between the months of January–April 2020. Partial least square structural equation modelling (PLS‐SEM) was used to analyze data while controlling for age, gender, education, experience, and working hours.

Results

Results supported the hypothesized relationships where inclusive leadership indicated significant inverse causal relationship with psychological distress and a positive causal relationship with psychological safety. Mediation effect of psychological safety was found significant, while the model explained 73.9% variance in psychological distress.

Conclusion

Inclusive leadership, through its positive and supportive characteristics, can pave way for such mechanisms that improve the psychological safety of employees in the long run and curbs psychological distress.

Impact

This is the first longitudinal study to examine the relationship between inclusive leadership and psychological distress in health care and also examines the mediating mechanism of psychology safety. There is scarcity of empirical research on factors that determine and affect behavioural mechanism of healthcare workers during traumatic events and crisis. Clinical leaders and healthcare policy makers must invest in and promote inclusive and supportive environment characterized with open and accessible leaders at workplace to improve psychological safety; it helps reduce levels of psychological distress.
Quality of life in patients with comorbid serious mental illness and chronic diseases: A structural equation model
Authors: Chiang Yu‐Shuang , Chang Yue‐Cune , Liu Yia‐Ping , Tzeng Wen‐Chii
Published: November 2020

Aims

To investigate the factors affecting the quality of life among adults with comorbid serious mental illness and chronic diseases.

Design

Descriptive, cross‐sectional study design.

Methods

In total, 204 patients with serious mental illness were recruited from two hospitals. Self‐reported data were collected using the Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale, Internalised Stigma of Mental Illness, Patient Activation Measure and brief version of the World Health Organization Quality of Life Instrument. Data were collected between July 2018 – January 2019. The structural equation model was applied to examine the associations among the study variables.

Results

Internalized stigma (β = −0.479, p = .002) had the greatest direct effect on quality of life, followed by patient activation (β = 0.238, p = .002), severity of comorbidities (β = −0.207, p = .002) and psychiatric symptoms (β = −0.186, p = .006). In addition, psychiatric symptoms directly influenced the severity of comorbidities, which in turn directly influenced internalized stigma and then in turn directly influenced patient activation and ultimately influenced quality of life.

Conclusion

The relationship between internalized stigma and quality of life is significantly mediated by patient activation. This finding provides a theoretical basis for developing patient activation interventions for patients with comorbid mental and chronic diseases, which potentially improve the quality of life of this population.

Impact

Multiple comorbidities cause impaired quality of life in patients with serious mental illnesses. We found that patient activation plays an important role in the management of chronic diseases for achieving more favourable quality of life, but this is negatively affected by internalized stigma. These findings can help mental health professionals develop tailored intervention strategies to enhance quality of life by promoting patient activation and reducing internalized stigma, psychiatric symptoms, and comorbidity severity in patients with comorbid serious mental illnesses and chronic diseases.
Best practices toolkit for family participation in ICU rounds
Authors: Au Selena S. , Roze des Ordons Amanda L. , Blades Kenneth G. , Stelfox Henry T.
Published: November 2020

Rationale, Aims and Objectives

Guidelines recommend inviting family members of intensive care unit (ICU) patients to rounds. We aimed to create a toolkit to support family participation in ICU bedside rounds, based upon evidence from research and in collaboration with ICU family member representatives and healthcare providers.

Methods

Ethnographic observations of rounds and interviews and focus groups with family members and ICU healthcare providers were analyzed for key themes, barriers and facilitators of participation, and suggestions. A full day workshop with family representatives and providers (physicians, nurses, social workers, and unit managers) from a diverse range of adult ICUs in Western Canada, including several community ICUs and a majority of large, urban ICUs enabled the collaborative development of key toolkit elements.

Results

We have developed an evidence‐informed approach to patient‐and‐family‐centered rounds that highlights the importance of six key elements foundational to patient and family centered rounds: Invitation, Orientation, Engagement, Summary, Questions, and Communication Follow‐Up. We describe strategies, techniques, and templates to optimize these elements and interactions so that communication is more meaningful, and to facilitate the ability of family members to adopt a meaningful role as contributing members of the care team.

Conclusion

There is consensus on general strategies for facilitating family participation in rounds and meaningful communication between family and the healthcare team during rounds as an important element of the continuum of communication in the ICU. The incorporation of these elements should be standardized, though tailored to user needs.
Review of recent advances in improved lateral flow immunoassay for the detection of pathogenic Escherichia coli O157:H7 in foods
Authors: Sun Yu‐Ling , Kuo Chiu‐Mei , Lu Chung‐Lun , Lin Chih‐Sheng
Published: November 2020

The incidence of foodborne diseases has continuingly increased over the years and resulted in public health problem globally. EnterohemorrhagicEscherichia coliO157:H7 (E. coliO157:H7) is a human pathogen that causes diarrhea and hemorrhagic colitis.E. coliO157:H7 can be found in various foods. It is important to detect this foodborne pathogen to provide safe food supply. A lot of methods, for example, culture and PCR‐based test, used to detect foodborne pathogens are laborious and time consuming. Hence, a variety of methods have been developed for rapid, simple and reliable detection ofE. coliO157:H7 as it is required in many food analyses. Lateral flow immunoassay (LFIA) are advantageous over conventional detection methods in terms of their rapidity and simplicity for end user, especially the LFIA can be developed as the strip test for on‐site point‐of‐care test (POCT) products. Gold nanoparticles (AuNPs; colloid gold) are the most commonly used labels in the LFIA for the visual analysis, however, there are still several limitations that restrict their applications of traditional LFIA. Therefore, recent reports on improved LFIA forE. coliO157:H7 detection in foods are continuously reported. This review intends to provide these recent advances in improved LFIA methods for the detection ofE. coliO157:H7 in foods.
Elucidating memory in the brain via single‐cell transcriptomics
Authors: Sullivan Kaitlin E. , Kendrick Rennie M. , Cembrowski Mark S.
Published: November 2020

Elucidating the neural mechanisms of memory in the brain is a central goal of neuroscience. Here, we discuss modern‐day transcriptomics methodologies, and how they are well‐poised to revolutionize our insight into memory mechanisms at unprecedented resolution and throughput. Focusing on the hippocampus and amygdala, two regions extensively examined in memory research, we show how single‐cell transcriptomics technologies have been leveraged to understand the naïve state of these brain regions. Building upon this foundation, we show that these technologies can be applied to single‐trial learning paradigms to comprehensively identify molecules and cells that participate in the encoding and retrieval of memory. Transcriptomics also provides an opportunity to understand the cell‐type organization of the human hippocampus and amygdala, and due to conservation of these brain regions between humans and rodents, to infer behavioral and causal contributions in the human brain by leveraging rodent cell‐type homologies and interventions. Ultimately, such transcriptomic technologies are poised to usher in a qualitatively novel understanding of memory in the brain.

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Neuropsychological assessment could distinguish among different clinical phenotypes of progressive supranuclear palsy: A Machine Learning approach
Authors: Vaccaro Maria Grazia , Sarica Alessia , Quattrone Andrea , Chiriaco Carmelina , Salsone Maria , Morelli Maurizio , Quattrone Aldo
Published: November 2020

Progressive supranuclear palsy (PSP) is a rare, rapidly progressive neurodegenerative disease. Richardson’s syndrome (PSP‐RS) and predominant parkinsonism (PSP‐P) are characterized by wide range of cognitive and behavioural disturbances, but these variants show similar cognitive pattern of alterations, leading difficult differential diagnosis. For this reason, we explored with an Artificial Intelligence approach, whether cognitive impairment could differentiate the phenotypes. Forty Parkinson's disease (PD) patients, 25 PSP‐P, 40 PSP‐RS, and 34 controls were enrolled following the consensus criteria diagnosis. Participants were evaluated with neuropsychological battery for cognitive domains. Random Forest models were used for exploring the discriminant power of the cognitive tests in distinguishing among the four groups. The classifiers for distinguishing diseases from controls reached high accuracies (86% for PD, 95% for PSP‐P, 99% for PSP‐RS). Regarding the differential diagnosis, PD was discriminated from PSP‐P with 91% (important variables: HAMA, MMSE, JLO, RAVLT_I, BDI‐II) and from PSP‐RS with 92% (important variables: COWAT, JLO, FAB). PSP‐P was distinguished from PSP‐RS with 84% (important variables: JLO, WCFST, RAVLT_I, Digit span_F). This study revealed that PSP‐P, PSP‐RS and PD had peculiar cognitive deficits compared with healthy subjects, from which they were discriminated with optimal accuracies. Moreover, high accuracies were reached also in differential diagnosis. Most importantly, Machine Learning resulted to be useful to the clinical neuropsychologist in choosing the most appropriate neuropsychological tests for the cognitive evaluation of PSP patients.
The Future of the Corporation
Authors: Patriotta Gerardo
Published: November 2020

The articles featured in this Point‐Counterpoint develop provocative and yet contrasting views on the role of corporations in contemporary society: the point by Colin Mayer advocates a view of the corporation as a purpose‐driven institution that can become a vehicle for economic and social prosperity. The counterpoint by Jerry Davis emphasizes the declining role of contemporary corporations, and argues for the need to develop both internal and external corporate democracy. Building on the dialogue between purpose and democracy, this article reflects on the future of the corporation within a society characterized by the pervasive presence of global risks. Four major challenges for corporate purpose and democracy are highlighted: changes in corporate business models, inequality and safety, institutional partnerships, and new forms of corporate social engagement.
A preliminary investigation into participants' reactions to a sensory trial investigating a cannabis edible
Authors: Faraone Nicoletta , Hillier Neil Kirk , McSweeney Matthew B.
Published: November 2020

For the food industry to successfully develop foods and beverages enriched with cannabis or cannabinoids, sensory analysis trials must be conducted. This study used open‐ended comments to evaluate a consumer acceptability trial of a cannabis edible. The participants (n = 64) were presented with an outline of a proposed consumer acceptability trial evaluating a cannabis edible and then answered questions about the sensory trial. Results suggest that conventional methodology used in sensory analyses may need to be reframed when evaluating edible cannabis products. The use of take‐home sample kits needs to be considered, and consumer acceptability trials may want to include questions about the psychoactive effects induced after consumption. As more edible cannabis products are developed, they present a unique opportunity for researchers to explore other levels of sensory characterization of these novel food products.

Practical applications

Sensory analysis is a key component of the food product development process, and as such, it is essential to determine how sensory methods can be best utilized to evaluate edible cannabis products. This study investigated what participants thought about a proposed consumer acceptability trial being applied to an edible cannabis product. The participants identified that (a) they wished to evaluate the full product (not a sample), (b) thought they should have been asked about the psychoactive effects, (c) wished to try the product at home and lastly, (d) did not enjoy testing the products within sensory booths. As such, researchers within the food industry working on edible cannabis products should investigate the employment of home‐use tests and questions about psychoactive effects. More studies are needed to identify which sensory methods can be best applied to evaluate edible cannabis products.
Feasibility and efficacy of 8 week Glecaprevir/Pibrentasvir to treat incarcerated viraemic HCV patients: A case‐control study
Authors: Fiore Vito , Ranieri Roberto , Dell’Isola Serena , Pontali Emanuele , Barbarini Giorgio , Prestileo Tullio , Marri Daniele , Starnini Giulio , Sotgiu Giovanni , Madeddu Giordano , Babudieri Sergio ,   SIMSPe Group
Published: November 2020

Inmates have higher HCV prevalence than general population, representing a fundamental step towards HCV eradication. Our aim was to compare 8‐week glecaprevir/pibrentasvir treatment in a case‐control study between incarcerated and free patients. Eleven Italian prisons and six outpatient clinics were involved. Patients were matched for sex, risk factors, METAVIR grade, HIV and HBV co‐infections. About 131 incarcerated (Group A) and 131 free patients (Group B) were included. Mean age was 43.0 ± 9.6 years and 42.8 ± 9.9 in Group A and B, respectively (P = .74). SVR rates were 96.2% and 99.2% in Group A and Group B respectively (P = .21). Five drop‐outs occurred in Group A, one in Group B. Incarceration, being PWIDs and OST were not associated with SVR reductions (CI 95%). In conclusion, imprisonment does not influence unplanned interruptions or SVR rates when receiving short‐term therapies. Short schedules with pangenotypic regimens could be a good approach to hard‐to‐reach populations, such as incarcerated patients.
Biconical reflectance, micro‐Raman, and nano‐FTIR spectroscopy of the Didim (H3‐5) meteorite: Chemical content and molecular variations
Authors: Yesiltas M. , Kaya M. , Glotch T. D. , Brunetto R. , Maturilli A. , Helbert J. , Ozel M. E.
Published: November 2020

The Didim meteorite contains multiple lithologies and clasts of different petrologic types in a single stone. A mixture of H5 clasts in an unequilibrated H3 host was previously observed in Didim, according to the initial characterization reported in the Meteoritical Bulletin Database, providing an opportunity to investigate molecular composition that contains varying degree of equilibrium with varying mineralogy. We have taken a “from large scale to small scale” approach to spectroscopically investigate the chemical content of Didim. Centimeter‐scale biconical reflectance spectra show that Didim contains abundant olivine, pyroxene, and other optically active minerals, evident from a strong Band I near 0.93 µm and a weak Band II near 1.75 µm. Micrometer‐scale Raman spectroscopic investigations reveal the presence of carbonaceous material in addition to forsteritic olivine, pyroxene (augite and enstatite), feldspars, and opaque phases such as chromite and hematite. 3‐D Raman tomographic imaging shows that the carbonaceous material near chondrules extends underneath a large olivine grain, going further down toward the interior, indicating that the observed carbonaceous matter is likely indigenous. Nano‐scale infrared measurements reveal that the observed chemical materials in Didim contain spectral, and therefore, molecular, variations at the ~20 nm spatial scale. These chemical variations are normally not accessible via conventional infrared techniques, and indicate the presence of different cations in the molecular composition of observed minerals. By taking the “large scale to small scale” approach, we show that these compositional variations can be captured and investigated nondestructively in meteorites to understand formation/evolution of chemical components in the parent body.
Quartz and cristobalite ballen in impact melt rocks from the Ries impact structure, Germany, formed by dehydration of shock‐generated amorphous phases
Authors: Trepmann Claudia A. , Dellefant Fabian , Kaliwoda Melanie , Hess Kai‐Uwe , Schmahl Wolfgang W. , Hölzl Stefan
Published: November 2020

Quartz and cristobalite ballen aggregates surrounded by dendritic cristobalite in gneiss clasts of impact melt rocks from the Ries impact structure are analyzed by Raman spectroscopy, microscopy, and electron backscattered diffraction to elucidate the development of the characteristic polycrystalline ballen that are defined by curved interfaces between each other. We suggest that the investigated ballen aggregates represent former fluid inclusion‐rich quartz grains from the granitic gneiss protolith. Upon shock loading, they transformed into an amorphous phase that partly retained information on the precursor structure. Volatiles from inclusions dissolved into the amorphous phase. During decompression and cooling, dehydration takes place and causes fracturing of the amorphous phase and disintegration into small globular ballen, with the fluid being expelled along the fractures. A similar formation of small globules due to dehydration of silica‐rich glass is known for perlitic structures of volcanic rocks. Remnants of the precursor structure are present in the amorphous phase and enabled topotactic crystallization of quartz, leading to a crystallographic preferred orientation. Crystallization of more distorted parts of the amorphous phase led to random orientations of the quartz crystals. Ballen comprised of cristobalite formed from a dehydrated amorphous phase with no structural memory of the precursor. Dendritic cristobalite exclusively occurring at the rim of quartz ballen aggregate is interpreted to have crystallized directly from a melt enriched in fluids that were expelled during dehydration of the amorphous phase.
Metatranscriptomic analyses of the oral microbiome
Authors: Duran‐Pinedo Ana E.
Published: November 2020

Although the composition of the oral human microbiome is now well studied, regulation of genes within oral microbial communities remains mostly uncharacterized. Current concepts of periodontal disease and caries highlight the importance of oral biofilms and their role as etiological agents of those diseases. Currently, there is increased interest in exploring and characterizing changes in the composition and gene‐expression profiles of oral microbial communities. These efforts aim to identify changes in functional activities that could explain the transition from health to disease and the reason for the chronicity of those infections. It is now clear that the functions of distinct species within the subgingival microbiota are intimately intertwined with the rest of the microbial community. This point highlights the relevance of examining the expression profile of specific species within the subgingival microbiota in the case of periodontal disease or caries lesions, in the context of the other members of the biofilm in vivo. Metatranscriptomic analysis of the oral community is the starting point for identifying environmental signals that modulate the shift in metabolism of the community from commensal to dysbiotic. These studies give a snapshot of the expression patterns of microbial communities and also allow us to determine triggers to diseases. For example, in the case of caries, studies have unveiled a potential new pathway of sugar metabolism, namely the use of sorbitol as an additional source of carbon by Streptococcus mutans; and in the case of periodontal disease, high levels of extracellular potassium could be a signal of disease. Longitudinal studies are needed to identify the real markers of the initial stages of caries and periodontal disease. More information on the gene‐expression profiles of the host, along with the patterns from the microbiome, will lead to a clearer understanding of the modulation of health and disease. This review presents a summary of these initial studies, which have opened the door to a new understanding of the dynamics of the oral community during the dysbiotic process in the oral cavity.
The evolutionary history of the human oral microbiota and its implications for modern health
Authors: Weyrich Laura S.
Published: November 2020

Numerous biological and cultural factors influence the microbial communities (microbiota) that inhabit the human mouth, including diet, environment, hygiene, physiology, health status, genetics, and lifestyle. As oral microbiota can underpin oral and systemic diseases, tracing the evolutionary history of oral microbiota and the factors that shape its origins will unlock information to mitigate disease today. Despite this, the origins of many oral microbes remain unknown, and the key factors in the past that shaped our oral microbiota are only now emerging. High throughput DNA sequencing of oral microbiota using ancient DNA and comparative anthropological methodologies has been employed to investigate oral microbiota origins, revealing a complex, rich history. Here, I review the current literature on the factors that shaped and guided oral microbiota evolution, both in Europe and globally. In Europe, oral microbiota evolution was shaped by interactions with Neandertals, the adaptation of farming, widespread integration of industrialization, and postindustrial lifestyles that emerged after World War II. Globally, evidence for a multitude of different oral microbiota histories is emerging, likely supporting dissimilarities in modern oral health across discrete human populations. I highlight how these evolutionary changes are linked to the development of modern oral diseases and discuss the remaining factors that need to be addressed to improve this embryonic field of research. I argue that understanding the evolutionary history of our oral microbiota is necessary to identify new treatment and prevention options to improve oral and systemic health in the future.
Environmental factors and periodontal microbiome
Authors: Buduneli Nurcan
Published: November 2020

Periodontal diseases are chronic inflammatory, multifactorial diseases where the major triggering factors for disease onset are bacteria and their toxins, but the major part of tissue destruction occurs as a result of host response towards the periodontal microbiome. Periodontal microbiome consists of a wide range of microorganisms including obligate and facultative anaerobes. In health, there is a dynamic balance between the host, environment, and the microbiome. Environmental factors, mainly tobacco smoking and psychological stress, disrupt the symbiotic relationship. Tobacco smoke and its components alter the bacterial surface and functions such as growth. Psychological stressors and stress hormones may affect the outcome of an infection by changing the virulence factors and/or host response. This review aims to provide currently available data on the effects of the major environmental factors on the periodontal microbiome.
Impact of systemic factors in shaping the periodontal microbiome
Authors: Teles Flavia , Wang Yu , Hajishengallis George , Hasturk Hatice , Marchesan Julie T.
Published: November 2020

Since 2010, next‐generation sequencing platforms have laid the foundation to an exciting phase of discovery in oral microbiology as it relates to oral and systemic health and disease. Next‐generation sequencing has allowed large‐scale oral microbial surveys, based on informative marker genes, such as 16S ribosomal RNA, community gene inventories (metagenomics), and functional analyses (metatranscriptomics), to be undertaken. More specifically, the availability of next‐generation sequencing has also paved the way for studying, in greater depth and breadth, the effect of systemic factors on the periodontal microbiome. It was natural to investigate systemic diseases, such as diabetes, in such studies, along with systemic conditions or states, , pregnancy, menopause, stress, rheumatoid arthritis, and systemic lupus erythematosus. In addition, in recent years, the relevance of systemic “variables” (ie, factors that are not necessarily diseases or conditions, but may modulate the periodontal microbiome) has been explored in detail. These include ethnicity and genetics. In the present manuscript, we describe and elaborate on the new and confirmatory findings unveiled by next‐generation sequencing as it pertains to systemic factors that may shape the periodontal microbiome. We also explore the systemic and mechanistic basis for such modulation and highlight the importance of those relationships in the management and treatment of patients.
Periodontal health and disease: The contribution of genetics
Authors: Shaddox Luciana Macchion , Morford Lorri Ann , Nibali Luigi
Published: November 2020

Periodontitis is an infectious, inflammatory disease that is associated with a complex interplay between specific bacteria, host response, and environmental factors. Because of its high degree of familial aggregation, specifically for the more aggressive forms of the disease, genetics factors have been implicated in disease pathogenesis for several decades. This review provides an overview of what we currently know regarding the genetic and epigenetic contributions to periodontal disease and discusses future opportunities in the field.
Emergy synthesis for aquaculture: A review on its constraints and potentials
Authors: David Luiz H. , Pinho Sara M. , Agostinho Feni , Kimpara Janaina Mitsue , Keesman Karel J. , Garcia Fabiana
Published: November 2020

The search for healthier protein sources and the growing demand for food by an increasing world population require aquaculture systems to not only be economically and technologically viable, but also sustainable. Among other methods, emergy synthesis is a powerful tool to assess the sustainability of production systems in a biophysical perspective. However, applications of emergy synthesis on aquaculture systems are seldomly found in the scientific literature. This work provides a literature review on emergy synthesis applied to aquaculture systems and discusses its constraints and potentials. The sixteen papers published between 2000‐2020 support the adoption of polycultures more than monocultures and highlight the importance of feed (4–70%) in the total emergy required by aquaculture systems, which require efforts for natural food. Methodological aspects of emergy synthesis applied in aquaculture systems that deserve attention by developers and analysts to avoid mistakes and erroneous conclusions were identified and discussed, and we propose some ways to solve them. These aspects are mainly related to inaccurate unit emergy values for water and feed, dubious procedures in quantifying and classifying water as renewable or non‐renewable resources, and the need to recognize the importance in accounting for ecosystem services and disservices. After overcoming these methodological inconsistencies, we foresee that emergy synthesis has potential political implications in supporting most sustainable aquaculture systems through economic (tax reduction and loans with reduced interests) and political (green labels) incentives. All these policies are important to achieve the ultimate goals of the United Nations’ Agenda 2030.
Between Islam and the New Age: The Jerrahi Order and categorical ambiguity in the study of Sufism in North America
Authors: Xavier Merin Shobhana , Dickson William Rory
Published: November 2020

Drawing upon our ethnographic research of the Jerrahi Sufi Order, in this paper we consider an analytical problem in the study of Sufism in North America. In engaging two distinct branches of the Jerrahi Order, we draw attention to the ways in which identities and practices shaped by classical Islamic law and theology cannot be easily parsed from those associated with the New Age movement in North America. We begin by offering a brief overview of Sufism in North America, highlighting reconfigurations of authority, organization, and practice. Following this, we consider the two major North American branches of the Jerrahi Sufi order: The Jerrahi Order of America, and the Nur Ashki Jerrahi Order, drawing out the conceptual problems of categorizing these branches by distinguishing between the “Islamic” and the “New Age” within these movements. We conclude with a summary of the utility and drawbacks these categories offer the study of Sufism, while considering some directions for future scholarship on the subject.
Statistical Inferences of Linear Forms for Noisy Matrix Completion
Authors: Xia Dong , Yuan Ming
Published: November 2020

We introduce a flexible framework for making inferences about general linear forms of a large matrix based on noisy observations of a subset of its entries. In particular, under mild regularity conditions, we develop a universal procedure to construct asymptotically normal estimators of its linear forms through double-sample debiasing and low-rank projection whenever an entry-wise consistent estimator of the matrix is available. These estimators allow us to subsequently construct confidence intervals for and test hypotheses about the linear forms. Our proposal was motivated by a careful perturbation analysis of the empirical singular spaces under the noisy matrix completion model which might be of independent interest. The practical merits of our proposed inference procedure are demonstrated on both simulated and real-world data examples.
Multi‐wavelength, handheld laser speckle imaging for skin evaluation
Authors: Zieger Michael , Kaatz Martin , Springer Steffen , Riesenberg Rainer , Wuttig Andreas , Kanka Mario , Stanca Sarmiza , Reble Carina , Khazaka Georg , Sieg Robin , De Gregorio Marco , Sattler Martin , Fischer Frank
Published: November 2020

Objective

A handheld device was developed and qualified for in vivo human skin evaluation using laser speckle imaging technology.

Methods

Each laser speckle device prototype allows the choice of up to three different laser wavelengths in the range of 400 nm to 800 nm in total. Speckle pattern analysis gives various speckle parameters, for example, speckle contrast, speckle size, speckle modulation or fractal dimension. The developed laser speckle device prototypes were evaluated investigating three skin issues.

Results

We receive reproducible results from the speckle imaging device. For skin ageing, we found significant changes within three age groups. The effect of a methyl nicotinate treatment was clearly visible and quantifiable using a moorFLPI device as well as our speckle imaging device. In terms of basal cell carcinoma diagnosis, we found significant differences between normal and diseased skin, even though the number of samples was limited.

Conclusion

As shown with first application examples, it was possible to demonstrate the potential of the method for skin evaluation in vivo.
Impacts of rainstorms on soil erosion and organic matter for different cover crop systems in the western coast agricultural region of Syria
Authors: Mohammed Safwan , Hassan Ebaa , Abdo Hazem Ghassan , Szabo Szilard , Mokhtar Ali , Alsafadi Karam , Al‐Khouri Issam , Rodrigo‐Comino Jesus
Published: November 2020

More and more cultivated coastal territories of Syria are being affected by increasing land degradation processes, specifically, by soil erosion due to non‐sustainable soil management. The use of cover crops can be considered an ideal solution to reduce the negative impacts of extreme rainfall events on soil erosion. However, there is no enough information about the main cultivated areas of Syria due to the current conflicts and the very few types of research conducted there. Therefore, the main aim of this research was to assess soil erosion (soil loss and sediment concentration) and hydrological response (run‐off and infiltration) considering the impact of different types of cropping systems on soil organic matter. To achieve this goal, using erosion plots, five grouped natural rainfall events and soil samples were collected, and infiltration measurements were performed between November 2012 and April 2013 (rainy season) on three different cropping systems (wheat, vetch, bean and control) with different sloping gradients (8% and 20%) in Tartous governorate (W Syria). Our results showed a cumulative rainfall amount from 68.8 to 201 mm during the study period. The highest sediment yield was generated in the control and wheat plots, registering 0.468 and 0.368 kg m−2, respectively, with an inclination of 8%. For an inclination of 20%, the control and wheat plots registered 1.145 and 0.967 kg m−2, respectively. In comparison with the control plots, there was a decrease in the total eroded organic matter, which ranged from 0.0579 (control) to 0.0289 (bean) kg m−2 year−1 in the plots with 20% inclination, and from 0.0233 (control) to 0.0069 (bean) kg m−2 year−1 with 8% inclination. To sum up, bean and vetch play an effective role to mitigate soil erosion, delay run‐off and reduce sediment yield. The output of this research provides first insights into the impact of different land uses on soil loss. Also, it could help rural inhabitants and farmers to correctly manage their soils against soil erosion processes.
Low incidence of IgA isotype of HLA antibodies in alloantigen exposed individuals
Authors: Car Helena , Karahan Gonca E. , Dreyer Geertje J. , Brand‐Schaaf Simone H. , de Vries Aiko P. J. , van Kooten Cees , Kramer Cynthia S. M. , Roelen Dave L. , Claas Frans H. J. , Heidt Sebastiaan
Published: November 2020

Human leukocyte antigen (HLA) antibodies are induced by pregnancy, transfusion, or transplantation. Serum from transplant recipients is regularly screened for IgG HLA antibodies because of their clinical relevance for transplant outcome. While other isotypes of HLA antibodies, such as IgA may also contribute to the alloimmune response, validated detection assays for IgA HLA antibody detection are lacking. Therefore, we modified the commonly used luminex screening assay for IgG HLA antibody detection (IgG‐LMX) into an IgA HLA antibody screening assay (IgA‐LMX). Optimization and validation was performed with IgG, IgA1, and IgA2 isotype variants of HLA‐specific human recombinant monoclonal antibodies (mAbs). Reactivity patterns of IgA1 and IgA2 isotype HLA‐specific mAbs in IgA‐LMX were identical to those of the IgG isotype. Cross‐reactivity with IgG and IgM antibodies and nonspecific binding to the beads were excluded. Further assay validation showed the absence of IgA HLA antibodies in serum from individuals without alloantigen exposure (n = 18). When the IgA‐LMX assay was applied to sera from 289 individuals with known alloantigen exposure through pregnancy (n = 91) or kidney transplantation (n = 198), IgA HLA antibodies were detected in 3.5% of individuals; eight patients on the kidney retransplant waitlist and two women immunized through pregnancy. The majority (90%) of IgA HLA antibodies were directed against HLA class II and were always present in conjunction with IgG HLA antibodies. Results of this study show that this validated IgA‐LMX method can serve as a screening assay for IgA HLA antibodies and that the incidence of IgA HLA antibodies in alloantigen exposed individuals is low.
Novel Borrelia genotypes in bats from the Macaregua Cave, Colombia
Authors: Muñoz‐Leal Sebastián , Faccini‐Martínez Álvaro A. , Pérez‐Torres Jairo , Chala‐Quintero Sandra M. , Herrera‐Sepúlveda Maria T. , Cuervo Claudia , Labruna Marcelo B.
Published: November 2020

Bats have been implicated as reservoirs of relapsing fever group spirochaetes since the beginning of the last century. Recently, bat‐associated spirochaetes have been reported as human pathogens. In 1968, a spirochaete was detected in blood of the bat Natalus tumidirostris captured inside the Macaregua cave, Colombia. Data on this microorganism were never published again. The aim of this study was to evaluate the presence of Borrelia DNA in blood from bats of Macaregua cave. We performed molecular analyses using a genus‐specific real‐time PCR targeting the 16S rRNA to detect DNA of Borrelia in blood samples from 46 bats captured in the Macaregua cave. Positive samples were submitted to a battery of PCRs aiming to amply Borrelia 16S rRNA, flaB, glpQ, p66, ospC, clpA, clpX, nifS, pepX, pyrG, recG, rplB and uvrA genes. Seventeen samples were positive for Borrelia after real‐time PCR. With the exception of flaB gene, attempts to amplify further loci were unsuccessful. Nucleotide and amino acid divergences of four flaB haplotypes characterized from blood of Carollia perspicillata showed Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato (Bbsl) as the most closely related group. A phylogenetic tree including 74 sequences of the genus confirmed this trend, since Borrelia genotypes detected in bats from Macaregua formed a monophyletic group basally positioned to Bbsl. Our results suggest that Borrelia genotypes characterized from bats roosting in the Macaregua cave might constitute a new taxon within the genus. This is the first molecular characterization of a Borrelia sp. in Colombia.
EMBODIED GREENHOUSE GAS EMISSIONS FOR TWO DIFFERENT TYPES OF TIRE TREAD MOLDS
Authors: Suksuntornsiri Pawinee , Kulamart Monsit , Limpitipanich Paiboon
Published: November 2020

In an assessment of the carbon footprint (CFP) of a tire product, embodied greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions of its tread mold are usually disregarded due to the absence of available information. This study presents embodied GHG emissions of a winter tire tread mold and evaluates its significance. We also provide a comparative study between two types of mold, namely the sector and the element mold, which are not different in terms of the tread forming in the production process, but subject to the customer’s utilization. The assessment was performed according to the international ISO/DIS 14067 standard, requirements, and guidelines for the quantification of the CFP of products. Required input data of the processes were collected and allocated based on a tread mold production plant located in Thailand. Direct GHG emissions and indirect emissions were calculated according to the 2006 IPCC guidelines. In other indirect processes, secondary data from process-based and input-output-based data were assigned to match the best site specificity, and closer fuel mix in upstream inputs. The results obtained in this study show that the embodied GHG emissions were 5,033.36 kg CO2e for the sector mold, whereas 53.73% additional emissions were found in the dataset using the element mold. The embodied emissions estimated for the aluminum input were found to significantly influence the mold CFP. Disregarding the embodied GHG emissions during the production of a single conventional tire could result in an underestimation of 0.03% for the sector type and 0.05% for the element type. Furthermore, appropriate lifetime utilization of the tread mold could increase the contribution of the tread mold CFP.
Using a Simple Pendulum Investigation to Develop Students’ History and Nature of Science Knowledge
Authors: Kent-Schneider Isaiah , Kruse Jerrid
Published: November 2020

Within physics education research (PER), inductive teaching strategies (e.g., inquiry-based teaching) have long been a goal. Yet others do not seem to be convinced that consensus exists with respect to the goals of physics education and identify three possible goals as: (1) to teach practical, factual knowledge, (2) to develop deep understandings of fundamental principles, and (3) to promote appreciation and use of scientific methods. Of course these three goals are not mutually exclusive, and many in the science education research community argue that developing an understanding of the nature of science (NOS) to be a worthy goal as well.
A Ballistic Pendulum with Varied Launch Speed
Authors: Sanders James C.
Published: November 2020

The ballistic pendulum apparatus is a fairly ubiquitous element of the introductory physics laboratory, as the pendulum and launcher gun can be used together or independently to demonstrate a variety of concepts from conservation laws to projectile motion to the motion of a physical pendulum. In this work, we control the launch speed of the gun to determine the moment of inertia of the pendulum’s arm.