bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Effectiveness of dry heat application on ease of venepuncture in children with difficult intravenous access: A randomized controlled trial
Authors: Suchitra Eva , Srinivasan Ranjini 
Published: October 2019

AbstractPurposeTo assess the efficacy of dry heat application in children with difficult intravenous (IV) access.Design and MethodsA randomized controlled trial was conducted in the pediatric wards of a tertiary care hospital in a Metropolitan city in South India. Based on inclusion and exclusion criteria, children in the age group of 5–18 years were randomized into intervention and control groups of 42 children each. The intervention was an electric heating pad (40°C) applied at the site of the identified IV access for 10 min before IV insertion. Outcomes included the number of IV attempts, the time required to access the IV line, and the discomfort level of the child expressed in terms of the Oucher scale.ResultsWith respect to the number of attempts taken to achieve an IV access, all children in the intervention group only required one attempt, whereas only 29% of those in the control group required a single attempt (p < .001),X2(1, 84) = 43.67,p < .001. The mean time (in seconds) to insert an IV line was lower in the intervention group (M = 64.56, standard deviation [SD] = 28.32) than in the control group (M = 110.70,SD = 51.54),t(82) = 5.09,p < .001. Children in the intervention group were 45.2 percentage points more likely to experience a discomfort level of “little hurt” as compared to their counterparts in the control group,X2(1, 84) = 18.02,p < .001. Results from regression analyses supported the unadjusted outcomes comparisons between the two groups.Practice ImplicationsDry heat application before IV line insertion significantly improves the ease of venepuncture and reduces the pain perceived by the patient. This method of IV cannulation can be adopted in children with problematic IV access.
Gut microbiota dysbiosis in patients with hepatitis B virus–induced chronic liver disease covering chronic hepatitis, liver cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma
Authors: Zeng Yongbin , Chen Shanjian , Fu Ya , Wu Wennan , Chen Tianbin , Chen Jing , Yang Bin , Ou Qishui 
Published: October 2019

AbstractThe information regarding the effect of hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection on gut microbiota and the relationship between gut microbiota dysbiosis and hepatitis B virus–induced chronic liver disease (HBVCLD) is limited. In this study, we aimed at characterizing the gut microbiota composition in the three different stages of hepatitis B virus–induced chronic liver disease patients and healthy individuals. Faecal samples and clinical data were collected from HBVCLD patients and healthy individuals. The 16S rDNA gene amplification products were sequenced. Bioinformatic analysis including alpha diversity and PICRUSt was performed. A total of 19 phyla, 43 classes, 72 orders, 126 families and 225 genera were detected. The beta‐diversity showed a separate clustering of healthy controls and HBVCLD patients covering chronic hepatitis (CHB), liver cirrhosis (LC) and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC); and gut microbiota of healthy controls was more consistent, whereas those of CHB, LC and HCC varied substantially. The abundance of Firmicutes was lower, and Bacteroidetes was higher in patients with CHB, LC and HCC than in healthy controls. Predicted metagenomics of microbial communities showed an increase in glycan biosynthesis and metabolism‐related genes and lipid metabolism–related genes in HBVCLD than in healthy individuals. Our study suggested that HBVCLD is associated with gut dysbiosis, with characteristics including, a gain in potential bacteria and a loss in potential beneficial bacteria or genes. Further study of CHB, LC and HCC based on microbiota may provide a novel insight into the pathogenesis of HBVCLD as well as a novel treatment strategy.
The Myb‐like transcription factor phosphorus starvation response (PtPSR) controls conditional P acquisition and remodelling in marine microalgae
Authors: Kumar Sharma Amit , Mühlroth Alice , Jouhet Juliette , Maréchal Eric , Alipanah Leila , Kissen Ralph , Brembu Tore , Bones Atle M. , Winge Per 
Published: October 2019

Summary

Phosphorus (P) is one of the limiting macronutrients for algal growth in marine environments. Microalgae have developed adaptation mechanisms to P limitation that involve remodelling of internal phosphate resources and accumulation of lipids.

Here, we used in silico analyses to identify the P‐stress regulator PtPSR (Phaeodactylum tricornutum phosphorus starvation response) in the diatom P. tricornutum. ptpsr mutant lines were generated using gene editing and characterised by various molecular, genetics and biochemical tools.

PtPSR belongs to a clade of Myb transcription factors that are conserved in stramenopiles and distantly related to plant P‐stress regulators. PtPSR bound specifically to a conserved cis‐regulatory element found in the regulatory region of P‐stress‐induced genes. ptpsr knockout mutants showed reduction in cell growth under P limitation. P‐stress responses were impaired in ptpsr mutants compared with wild‐type, including reduced induction of P‐stress response genes, near to complete loss of alkaline phosphatase activity and reduced phospholipid degradation.

We conclude that PtPSR is a key transcription factor influencing P scavenging, phospholipid remodelling and cell growth in adaptation to P stress in diatoms.
Musical sonification improves motor control in Parkinson's disease: a proof of concept with handwriting
Authors: Véron‐Delor Lauriane , Pinto Serge , Eusebio Alexandre , Azulay Jean‐Philippe , Witjas Tatiana , Velay Jean‐Luc , Danna Jérémy 
Published: October 2019

AbstractA growing number of studies postulate the use of music to improve motor control in patients with Parkinson's disease (PD). The effects of music are greatly variable from one individual to the other and do not always reach the expected benefits. This study aimed to optimize the use of music in the management of movement disorders inherent to PD in a handwriting task. We developed and tested musical sonification (MS), a method that transforms in real‐time kinematic variables into music. Twelve patients with PD, on medication, and 12 healthy controls were recruited in a pretest/training/posttest design experiment. Three training sessions were compared, for which participants were asked to produce graphomotor exercises: one session with music (unrelated to handwriting), one with MS (controlled by handwriting), and one in silence. Results showed that the performance in training was better under MS than under silence or background music, for both groups. After training, the benefits of MS were still present for both groups, with a higher effect for PD patients than for control group. Our results provide a proof of concept to consider MS as a relevant auditory guidance strategy for movement rehabilitation in patients with PD.
Testing Basic Assumptions of the Interpersonal Needs Questionnaire‐15 in a Sample of Clinically Depressed and Suicidal Youth
Authors: Hunt Quintin A. , Weiler Lindsey M. , McGuire Jenifer , Mendenhall Tai , Kobak Roger , Diamond Guy S. 
Published: October 2019

ObjectiveSuicide is a leading cause of death in adolescence. The mechanisms of adolescent suicidality, however, are not fully understood. Although the Interpersonal‐Psychological Theory of Suicide, as assessed by the Interpersonal Needs Questionnaire‐15 (INQ), may be a promising framework, systematic study of its utility during adolescence is lacking.MethodTo this end, we utilized factor analyses and hierarchical regression analyses to test the factor structure, correlates, and predictive validity of the INQ in a sample of clinically depressed and suicidal adolescents (N = 120, aged 12–18). The sample was mostly female (81.9%), ethnically diverse (68.2% non‐White) and with nearly a third identifying as a sexual minority (31.8%).ResultsContrary to studies including adult samples in which a two‐factor solution is identified, results within this sample indicated three factors: perceived burdensomeness, thwarted belongingness, and perceived isolation. Perceived burdensomeness and the interaction between perceived burdensomeness and perceived isolation predicted suicide ideation above and beyond depression, but thwarted belongingness and perceived isolation did not.ConclusionPerceived burdensomeness appears to play a role in adolescent suicidality and may be a point of intervention, yet the notable deviation from previous findings and the relative weakness of two of the factors warrant further study.
Urban Politics On Ethnic Entrepreneurship
Authors: Schmiz Antonie , Hernandez Tony 
Published: October 2019

AbstractThis paper introduces the special issue on “Urban Politics on Ethnic Entrepreneurship” based on research insights and focused discussion that bridges disciplinary discourses. It challenges ethnic entrepreneurship theory by presenting new perspectives and empirical case studies from North America and Europe. As ethnic diversity is widely regarded as a special asset for entrepreneurial cities in the competitive global city environment, there is a need to better understand how ethnic entrepreneurship is used as a resource in city branding and how it is enabled through certain policies. Starting from the historical development of ethnic entrepreneurship research, the introduction leads over to the theoretical embedding of the special issue with its relational focus on space. The contribution proceeds with linking ethnic entrepreneurship to urban politics and outlines three major fields of research that are covered in the special issue: symbolic value to urban development, placemaking and social inclusion, and urban planning.
Faultless and Genuine Disagreement over Vague Predicates
Authors: Odrowąż‐Sypniewska Joanna 
Published: October 2019

AbstractIn this article I propose a view which explains how it is possible that the disagreement concerning clear cases of a given vague predicate is genuine, whereas that concerning borderline cases is faultless. I take the possibility of faultless disagreement concerning borderline cases to be an important characteristic of vague predicates and in my view any adequate theory of vagueness should account for it. My proposal might be called “contextual supervaluationism” and it is inspired by Kölbel's relativist view from his paper “Vagueness as Semantic”. Following Kölbel I claim that the range of admissible sharpenings assumed by supervaluationism is context‐dependent, but contrary to him I maintain that we need supertruth as well as truth at a sharpening. Moreover – again unlike Kölbel – I argue that utterances concerning borderline cases are permissible. I claim, however, that such utterances should be assertives rather than assertions, since they express only a weak belief of the speaker. It is the different illocutionary forces of utterances concerning clear cases and borderline cases that make it possible to explain the distinct nature of disagreements over such cases.
Xenon modulates synaptic transmission to rat hippocampal CA3 neurons at both pre‐ and postsynaptic sites
Authors: Nonaka Kiku , Kotani Naoki , Akaike Hironari , Shin Min‐Chul , Yamaga Toshitaka , Nagami Hideaki , Akaike Norio 
Published: October 2019

Key pointsXenon (Xe) non‐competitively inhibited whole‐cell excitatory glutamatergic current (IGlu) and whole‐cell currents gated by ionotropic glutamate receptors (IAMPA,IKA,INMDA), but had no effect on inhibitory GABAergic whole‐cell current (IGABA).Xe decreased only the frequency of glutamatergic spontaneous and miniature excitatory postsynaptic currents and GABAergic spontaneous inhibitory postsynaptic currents without changing the amplitude or decay times of these synaptic responses.Xe decreased the amplitude of both the action potential‐evoked excitatory and the action potential‐evoked inhibitory postsynaptic currents (eEPSCs and eIPSCs, respectively) via a presynaptic inhibition in transmitter release.We conclude that the main site of action of Xe is presynaptic in both excitatory and inhibitory synapses, and that the Xe inhibition is much greater for eEPSCs than for eIPSCs.AbstractTo clarify how xenon (Xe) modulates excitatory and inhibitory whole‐cell and synaptic responses, we conducted an electrophysiological experiment using the ‘synapse bouton preparation’ dissociated mechanically from the rat hippocampal CA3 region. This technique can evaluate pure single‐ or multi‐synapse responses and enabled us to accurately quantify how Xe influences pre‐ and postsynaptic aspects of synaptic transmission. Xe inhibited whole‐cell glutamatergic current (IGlu) and whole‐cell currents gated by the three subtypes of glutamate receptor (IAMPA,IKAandINMDA). Inhibition of these ionotropic currents occurred in a concentration‐dependent, non‐competitive and voltage‐independent manner. Xe markedly depressed the slow steady current component ofIAMPAalmost without altering the fast phasicIAMPAcomponent non‐desensitized by cyclothiazide. It decreased current frequency without affecting the amplitude and current kinetics of glutamatergic spontaneous excitatory postsynaptic currents and miniature excitatory postsynaptic currents. It decreased the amplitude, increasing the failure rate (Rf) and paired‐pulse rate (PPR) without altering the current kinetics of glutamatergic action potential‐evoked excitatory postsynaptic currents. Thus, Xe has a clear presynaptic effect on excitatory synaptic transmission. Xe did not alter the GABA‐induced whole‐cell current (IGABA). It decreased the frequency of GABAergic spontaneous inhibitory postsynaptic currents without changing the amplitude and current kinetics. It decreased the amplitude and increased the PPR and Rf of the GABAergic action potential‐evoked inhibitory postsynaptic currents without altering the current kinetics. Thus, Xe acts exclusively at presynaptic sites at the GABAergic synapse. In conclusion, our data indicate that a presynaptic decrease of excitatory transmission is likely to be the major mechanism by which Xe induces anaesthesia, with little contribution of effects on GABAergic synapses.
Prevention of respiratory outbreaks in the rehabilitation setting
Authors: Corpus Carla , Williams Victoria , Salt Natasha , Agnihotri Tanya , Morgan Wendy , Robinson Lawrence , Maze Dit Mieusement Lorraine , Cobbam Sonja , Leis Jerome A 
Published: October 2019

BackgroundRespiratory viral (RV) outbreaks in rehabilitation facilities can jeopardise patient safety, interfere with patient rehabilitation goals and cause unit closures that impede patient flow in referring facilities.ProblemDespite education about infection prevention practices, frequent RV outbreaks were declared each year at our rehabilitation facility.MethodsBefore and after study design. The primary outcome was the number of bed closure days due to outbreak per overall bed days. Process measures included delays in initiation of transmission-based precautions, RV testing and reporting of staff to occupational health and safety (OHS). Balancing measures included the number of isolation days and staff missed work hours.InterventionsBased on comprehensive analysis of prior outbreaks, the following changes were implemented: (1) clear criteria for initiation of transmission-based precautions, (2) communication to visitors to avoid visitation if infectious symptoms were present, (3) exemption of staff absences if documented due to infectious illness, (4) development of an electronic programme providing guidance to staff about whether they should be excluded from work due to infectious illness.ResultsThe number of bed closure days due to outbreak per overall bed days dropped from 2.8% to 0.5% during the intervention season and sustained at 0.6% during the postintervention season (p<0.001). There were fewer delays in initiation of droplet and contact precautions (28.8% to 15.5%, p=0.005) and collection of RV testing (42.9% to 20.3%, p<0.001), better reporting to OHS (9 vs 28.8 reports per 100 employees; p<0.001) and fewer isolation days (7.8% vs 7.3%; p=0.02) without a significant increase in missed work hours per 100 hours worked (4.0 vs 3.9; p=0.12).ConclusionThis Quality Improvement study highlights the process changes that can prevent respiratory outbreaks in the rehabilitation setting.
No distinct microbiome signature of irritable bowel syndrome found in a Swedish random population
Authors: Hugerth Luisa W , Andreasson Anna , Talley Nicholas J , Forsberg Anna M , Kjellström Lars , Schmidt Peter Thelin , Agreus Lars , Engstrand Lars 
Published: October 2019

ObjectiveThe ethiopathogenesis of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is unknown. While a link to the gut microbiome is postulated, the heterogeneity of the healthy gut makes it difficult to draw definitive conclusions. We aimed to describe the faecal and mucosa-associated microbiome (MAM) and health correlates on a community cohort of healthy and IBS individuals with no colonoscopic findings.DesignThe PopCol study recruited a random sample of 3556 adults; 745 underwent colonoscopy. IBS was defined by Rome IV criteria and organic disease excluded. 16S rRNA gene sequencing was conducted on sigmoid biopsy samples from 376 representative individuals (63 IBS cases) and faecal samples from 185 individuals (32 IBS cases).ResultsWhile sigmoid MAM was dominated by Lachnospiraceae, faeces presented a higher relative abundance of Ruminococcaceae. Microbial richness in MAM was linearly correlated to that in faeces from the same individual (R²=0.255, p<3E-11) as was diversity (R²=0.06, p=0.0022). MAM diversity decreased with increasing body mass index (BMI; Pearson’s r=−0.1, p=0.08) and poorer self-rated health (r=−0.15, p=0.007), but no other health correlates. Faecal microbiome diversity was correlated to stool consistency (r=−0.16, p=0.043). Several taxonomic groups were correlated to age, BMI, depression and self-reported health, includingCoprococcus catusassociated with lower levels of depression (r=−0.003, p=0.00017). The degree of heterogeneity observed between IBS patients is higher than that observed between healthy individuals.ConclusionsNo distinct microbial signature was observed in IBS. Individuals presenting with low self-rated health or high BMI have lower gut microbiome richness.
Risk and protective factors associated with BV chronicity among women in Rakai, Uganda
Authors: Thoma Marie E , Brotman Rebecca M , Gray Ronald H , Sewankambo Nelson K , Wawer Maria J 
Published: October 2019

ObjectivesTo assess risk and protective factors associated with bacterial vaginosis (BV) chronicity ascertained by Nugent score criteria.MethodsA longitudinal cohort study included 255 sexually experienced, postmenarcheal women who provided weekly self-collected vaginal swabs for up to 2 years. Vaginal swabs were scored using Nugent criteria and classified as normal (≤3), intermediate (4–6) and Nugent-BV (≥7). Detailed behavioural/health information were assessed every 6 months. A per-woman longitudinal summary measure of BV chronicity was defined as the percentage of each woman’s weekly vaginal assessments scored as Nugent-BV over a 6-month interval. Risk and protective factors associated with BV chronicity were assessed using multiple linear regression with generalised estimating equations.ResultsAverage BV chronicity was 39% across all follow-up periods. After adjustment, factors associated with BV chronicity included baseline Nugent-BV (β=35.3, 95% CI 28.6 to 42.0) compared with normal baseline Nugent scores and use of unprotected water for bathing (ie, rainwater, pond, lake/stream) (β=12.0, 95% CI 3.4 to 20.5) compared with protected water sources (ie, well, tap, borehole). Women had fewer BV occurrences if they were currently pregnant (β=−6.6, 95% CI −12.1 to 1.1), reported consistent condom use (β=−7.7, 95% CI −14.2 to 1.3) or their partner was circumcised (β=−5.8, 95% CI −11.3 to 0.3).ConclusionsFactors associated with higher and lower values of BV chronicity were multifactorial. Notably, higher values of BV chronicity were associated with potentially contaminated bathing water. Future studies should examine the role of waterborne microbial agents in the pathogenesis of BV.
An Ultra-Low Energy Human Activity Recognition Accelerator for Wearable Health Applications
Authors: Bhat Ganapati , Tuncel Yigit , An Sizhe , Lee Hyung Gyu , Ogras Umit Y. 
Published: October 2019

Human activity recognition (HAR) has recently received significant attention due to its wide range of applications in health and activity monitoring. The nature of these applications requires mobile or wearable devices with limited battery capacity. User surveys show that charging requirement is one of the leading reasons for abandoning these devices. Hence, practical solutions must offer ultra-low power capabilities that enable operation on harvested energy. To address this need, we present
the first fully integrated custom hardware accelerator
(HAR engine) that consumes 22.4 μJ per operation using a commercial 65 nm technology. We present a complete solution that integrates
all steps of HAR
, i.e., reading the raw sensor data, generating features, and activity classification using a deep neural network (DNN). It achieves 95% accuracy in recognizing 8 common human activities while providing three orders of magnitude higher energy efficiency compared to existing solutions.
Techniques and Analysis for Mixed-criticality Scheduling with Mode-dependent Server Execution Budgets
Authors: Awan Muhammad Ali , Bletsas Konstantinos , Souto Pedro F. , Akesson Benny , Tovar Eduardo 
Published: October 2019

In mixed-criticality systems, tasks of different criticality share system resources, mainly to reduce cost. Cost is further reduced by using adaptive mode-based scheduling arrangements, such as Vestal’s model, to improve resource efficiency, while guaranteeing schedulability of critical functionality. To simplify safety certification, servers are often used to provide temporal isolation between tasks. In its simplest form, a server is a periodically recurring time window, in which some tasks are scheduled. A server’s computational requirements may greatly vary in different modes, although state-of-the-art techniques and schedulability tests do not allow different budgets to be used by a server in different modes. This results in a single conservative execution budget for all modes, increasing system cost.
The goal of this paper is to reduce the cost of mixed-criticality systems through three main contributions: (i) a scheduling arrangement for uniprocessor systems employing fixed-priority scheduling within periodic servers, whose budgets are dynamically adjusted at run-time in the event of a mode change, (ii) a new schedulability analysis for such systems, and (iii) heuristic algorithms for assigning budgets to servers in different modes and ordering the execution of the servers. Experiments with synthetic task sets demonstrate considerable improvements (up to 52.8%) in scheduling success ratio when using dynamic server budgets vs. static “one-size-fits-all-modes” budgets.