bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The impact of phytoestrogen source supplementation on reproductive performance, plasma profile, yolk fatty acids and antioxidative status in aged laying hens
Authors: Saleh Ahmed A. , Ahmed Enas A. M. , Ebeid Tarek A. 
Published: March 2019

ContentsThe objectives of this study were to investigate the effects of flaxseeds and/or fenugreek seeds as a source of phytoestrogens in laying feed on productive performance, egg quality, yolk fatty acids, plasma profile and antioxidative status in aged laying hens. A total of 120 Bovans Brown hens at 65 weeks of age were housed individually in laying cages in an open‐sided building under a 16‐hr light: 8‐hr dark lighting schedule. Hens were randomly divided into four experimental treatments (n = 30 each): (a) control (basal diet without any supplementation); (b) 1 g/kg of flaxseeds; (c) 1 g/kg of fenugreek seeds; and (d) combination of 1 g/kg flaxseeds and 1 g/kg fenugreek seeds from 65 to 71 weeks of age. Hen‐day egg production and egg mass were significantly increased by dietary supplementation of flaxseeds and/or fenugreek seeds, while feed intake was not affected; thus, feed conversion ratio was improved (p < 0.05). Weights of egg, albumen, yolk and shell were increased by the dietary treatments. Shell thickness and yolk colour were improved by supplementation of flaxseeds and/or fenugreek seeds. Yolk crude protein was not significantly affected by treatments; however, crude fat and calcium contents in yolk were increased and egg yolk cholesterol content was decreased. Interestingly, dietary supplementation of flaxseeds, fenugreek seeds and their combination had a significant positive effect on plasma luteinizing hormone, follicle‐stimulating hormone, oestradiol‐17β and triglycerides. Inclusion of flaxseeds and/or fenugreek seeds in the diets enhanced the serum glutathione peroxidase and superoxide dismutase activities and reduced the malondialdehyde and total cholesterol concentrations in plasma. Dietary supplementation of flaxseeds and/or fenugreek seeds increased α‐linolenic and linoleic acids in egg yolk. It could be concluded that inclusion of mixed sources of phytoestrogens in diets improved laying performance, egg quality, the antioxidative status, hormonal profile and steroidogenesis in aged laying hens.
Scalable Importance Tempering and Bayesian Variable Selection
Authors: Zanella Giacomo , Roberts Gareth 
Published: March 2019

SummaryWe propose a Monte Carlo algorithm to sample from high dimensional probability distributions that combines Markov chain Monte Carlo and importance sampling. We provide a careful theoretical analysis, including guarantees on robustness to high dimensionality, explicit comparison with standard Markov chain Monte Carlo methods and illustrations of the potential improvements in efficiency. Simple and concrete intuition is provided for when the novel scheme is expected to outperform standard schemes. When applied to Bayesian variable-selection problems, the novel algorithm is orders of magnitude more efficient than available alternative sampling schemes and enables fast and reliable fully Bayesian inferences with tens of thousand regressors.
Intradialytic virtual reality exercise: Increasing physical activity through technology
Authors: Segura‐Ortí Eva , García‐Testal Alicia 
Published: March 2019

AbstractIntradialytic exercise can improve physical function and health‐related quality of life (HRQoL) in hemodialysis (HD) patients, but is not implemented in routine clinical practice. Virtual reality (VR) exercise has resulted in benefits in non‐dialysis contexts, but implementation in HD patients has been limited. The aim of this review was to provide an overview of VR, present the results of a 12‐week intradialytic VR exercise intervention, and compare VR to conventional exercise. The secondary aim was to review the effect of VR exercise during the last 30 minutes of the HD session on hemodynamic stability. We conclude that VR exercise during HD is safe and can improve physical function and HRQoL, and can be performed safely toward the end of the HD session.
Trends in IVIG use at a tertiary care Canadian center and impact of provincial use mitigation strategies: 10‐year retrospective study with interrupted time series analysis
Authors: Murphy Malia S.Q. , Tinmouth Alan , Goldman Mindy , Chassé Michaël , Colas Jo Ann , Saidenberg Elianna , Shehata Nadine , Fergusson Dean , Forster Alan J. , Wilson Kumanan 
Published: March 2019

BACKGROUNDIntravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) is a fractionated plasma product used to treat a range of autoimmune or inflammatory conditions, as well as immunodeficiency. Demand for this high‐cost product is increasing worldwide. Understanding historical changes in IVIG use is important for inventory management and demand forecasting as well as for the development of initiatives aimed at optimizing blood product use.STUDY DESIGN AND METHODSThis was a 10‐year retrospective cohort study of all patient encounters involving an IVIG transfusion from 2007 to 2016 at a four‐site tertiary care hospital in Ontario, Canada. IVIG use was reported, including number of hospital encounters and amounts of IVIG prescribed. An interrupted time series analysis was performed to evaluate temporal changes in product use coinciding with the release of 2009–2010 provincial initiatives to optimize IVIG.RESULTSA total of 1,658,159.50 g of IVIG was administered from 2007 to 2016. Total annual volume administered initially decreased after implementation of new policies (−2032 g/quarter). The number of IVIG patient encounters also decreased (−49.8 encounters/quarter) but was mirrored by an increase in the total volume administered per patient encounter (+0.88 g/quarter). Use increased 820 g/quarter from 2013 to 2016 but was 21% lower than projected before implementation of provincial policies.CONCLUSIONTrends in IVIG use show ongoing increases in the number of patients treated with the product. Development and implementation of provincial initiatives to optimize IVIG use coincided with significant short‐term changes at a large tertiary care hospital. Novel initiatives aimed at dose minimization and prescription rationalization for this therapy are needed on local as well as larger scales.
The Acquisition of Grammatical Gender in Arabic Demonstratives by English Native Speakers
Authors: Aljadani Anwar Saad 
Published: March 2019

Recently, an increase interest in the acquisition of grammatical gender by second language (L2) learners has been revealed. This paper investigated the acquisition of Arabic, a language that has a rich grammatical gender system, by speakers of a first language (L1) that does not have gender (English). Arabic demonstrative pronouns selected as the linguistic feature to be investigated. Due to the gender differentiations, Arabic has nearly ten demonstrative pronouns whereas English has four demonstrative pronouns. Consequently, learnability considerations, the Full Transfer/Full Access (FT/FA) hypothesis presumes that English learners of Arabic will have the ability to acquire L2 grammatical gender despite the absence of these systems in their L1. However, the Failed Functional Features (FFF) hypothesis predicts that English learners of Arabic cannot acquire these systems since they are not available in their L1. This paper investigated the ability of English learners of Arabic in acquiring the Arabic demonstrative pronouns with their gender as accurate as native speakers of Arabic do. Moreover, does the proficiency level play a role in the acquisition of demonstratives? Finally, which hypothesis will be supported by the findings? It was found that L2 learners did not acquire the phenomenon as accurate as the native speakers did. Furthermore, proficiency level played a role in the acquisition of demonstratives as a significant disparity between L2 learners’ levels was appeared. Finally, the current outcomes could be attributed to FT/FA hypothesis.
Embryogenesis of the peristaltic reflex
Authors: Chevalier Nicolas R. , Dacher Nicolas , Jacques Cécile , Langlois Lucas , Guedj Chloé , Faklaris Orestis 
Published: March 2019

Key points
Neurogenic gut movements start after longitudinal smooth muscle differentiation in three species (mouse, zebrafish, chicken), and at E16 in the chicken embryo.
The first activity of the chicken enteric nervous system is dominated by inhibitory neurons.
The embryonic enteric nervous system electromechanically couples circular and longitudinal spontaneous myogenic contractions, thereby producing a new, rostro‐caudally directed bolus transport pattern: the migrating motor complex.
The response of the embryonic gut to mechanical stimulation evolves from a symmetric, myogenic response at E12, to a neurally mediated, polarized, descending inhibitory, ‘law of the intestine’‐like response at E16.
High resolution, whole‐mount 3D reconstructions are presented of the enteric nervous system of the chicken embryo at the neural‐control stage E16 with the iDISCO+ tissue clarification technique.
AbstractGut motility is a complex transport phenomenon involving smooth muscle, enteric neurons, glia and interstitial cells of Cajal. Because these different cells differentiate and become active at different times during embryo development, studying the ontogenesis of motility offers a unique opportunity to ‘time‐reverse‐engineer’ the peristaltic reflex. Working on chicken embryo intestinal explants in vitro, we found by spatio‐temporal mapping and signal processing of diameter and position changes that motility follows a characteristic sequence of increasing complexity: (1) myogenic circular smooth muscle contractions from E6 to E12 that propagate as waves along the intestine, (2) overlapping and independent, myogenic, low‐frequency, bulk longitudinal smooth muscle contractions around E14, and (3) tetrodotoxin‐sensitive coupling of longitudinal and circular contractions by the enteric nervous system as from E16. Inhibition of nitric oxide synthase neurons shows that the coupling consists in nitric oxide‐mediated relaxation of circular smooth muscle when the longitudinal muscle layer is contracted. This mechanosensitive coupling gives rise to a directional, cyclical, propagating bolus transport pattern: the migrating motor complex. We further reveal a transition to a polarized, descending, inhibitory reflex response to mechanical stimulation after neuronal activity sets in at E16. This asymmetric response is the elementary mechanism responsible for peristaltic transport. We finally present unique high‐resolution 3D reconstructions of the chicken enteric nervous system at the neural‐control stage based on confocal imaging of iDISCO+ clarified tissues. Our study shows that the enteric nervous system gives rise to new peristaltic transport patterns during development by coupling spontaneous circular and longitudinal smooth muscle contraction waves.
A Problem Class With Combined Architecture, Plant, and Control Design Applied to Vehicle Suspensions
Authors: Herber Daniel R. , Allison James T. 
Published: March 2019

Abstract
Here we describe a problem class with combined architecture, plant, and control design for dynamic engineering systems. The design problem class is characterized by architectures comprised of linear physical elements and nested co-design optimization problems employing linear-quadratic dynamic optimization. The select problem class leverages a number of existing theory and tools and is particularly effective due to the symbiosis between labeled graph representations of architectures, dynamic models constructed from linear physical elements, linear-quadratic dynamic optimization, and the nested co-design solution strategy. A vehicle suspension case study is investigated and a specifically constructed architecture, plant, and control design problem is described. The result was the automated generation and co-design problem evaluation of 4374 unique suspension architectures. The results demonstrate that changes to the vehicle suspension architecture can result in improved performance, but at the cost of increased mechanical complexity. Furthermore, the case study highlights a number of challenges associated with finding solutions to the considered class of design problems. One such challenge is the requirement to use simplified design problem elements/models; thus, the goal of these early-stage studies are to identify new architectures that are worth investigating more deeply. The results of higher-fidelity studies on a subset of high-performance architectures can then be used to select a final system architecture. In many aspects, the described problem class is the simplest case applicable to graph-representable, dynamic engineering systems.
Study protocol: quantitative fibronectin to help decision-making in women with symptoms of preterm labour (QUIDS) part 2, UK Prospective Cohort Study
Authors: Stock Sarah Jane , Wotherspoon Lisa M , Boyd Kathleen Anne , Morris Rachel K , Dorling Jon , Jackson Lesley , Chandiramani Manju , David Anna L , Khalil Asma , Shennan Andrew , Hodgetts Morton Victoria , Lavender Tina , Khan Khalid , Harper-Clarke Susan , Mol Ben , Riley Richard D , Norrie John , Norman Jane 
Published: March 2019

IntroductionThe aim of the QUIDS study is to develop a decision support tool for the management of women with symptoms and signs of preterm labour, based on a validated prognostic model using quantitative fetal fibronectin (fFN) concentration, in combination with clinical risk factors.Methods and analysisThe study will evaluate the Rapid fFN 10Q System (Hologic, Marlborough, Massachusetts, USA) which quantifies fFN in a vaginal swab. In QUIDS part 2, we will perform a prospective cohort study in at least eight UK consultant-led maternity units, in women with symptoms of preterm labour at 22+0 to 34+6weeks gestation to externally validate a prognostic model developed in QUIDS part 1. The effects of quantitative fFN on anxiety will be assessed, and acceptability of the test and prognostic model will be evaluated in a subgroup of women and clinicians (n=30). The sample size is 1600 women (with estimated 96–192 events of preterm delivery within 7 days of testing). Clinicians will be informed of the qualitative fFN result (positive/negative) but be blinded to quantitative fFN result. Research midwives will collect outcome data from the maternal and neonatal clinical records. The final validated prognostic model will be presented as a mobile or web-based application.Ethics and disseminationThe study is funded by the National Institute of Healthcare Research Health Technology Assessment (HTA 14/32/01). It has been approved by the West of Scotland Research Ethics Committee (16/WS/0068).VersionProtocol V.2, Date 1 November 2016.Trial registration numberISRCTN41598423and CPMS: 31277.
European Qualitative research project on Patient-preferred outcomes in Early Rheumatoid Arthritis (EQPERA): rationale, design and methods of a multinational, multicentre, multilingual, longitudinal qualitative study
Authors: Van der Elst Kristien , Bremander Ann , De Groef An , Larsson Ingrid , Mathijssen Elke G E , Vriezekolk Johanna E , Westhovens Rene , van Eijk-Hustings Yvonne J L 
Published: March 2019

IntroductionIncluding the patient perspective is important to achieve optimal outcomes in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Ample qualitative studies exist on patient outcomes in RA. A Belgian study recently unravelled what matters most to patients throughout the overwhelming and rapidly evolving early stage of RA. The present study, European Qualitative research project on Patient-preferred outcomes in Early Rheumatoid Arthritis (EQPERA) was created to contribute to a more universal understanding of patient-preferred health and treatment outcomes by integrating the perspectives of patients with early RA from three European countries.Methods and analysisIn EQPERA, a qualitative, explorative, longitudinal study will be implemented in The Netherlands and Sweden, parallel to the methods applied in the previously conducted Belgian study. In each country, a purposive sample of patients with early RA will be individually interviewed 3–6 months after start of the initial RA treatment and subsequently, the same participants will be invited to take part in a focus group 12–18 months after RA treatment initiation. Data collection and analysis will be independently conducted by the local research teams in their native language. A meta-analysis of the local findings will be performed to explore and describe similarities, differences and patterns across countries.Ethics and disseminationEthics approval was granted by the responsible local ethics committees. EQPERA follows the recommendations of the Declaration of Helsinki. Two main papers are foreseen (apart from the data reporting on the local findings) for peer-reviewed publication.
Results of a feasibility randomised clinical trial on pain education for low back pain in Nepal: the Pain Education in Nepal-Low Back Pain (PEN-LBP) feasibility trial
Authors: Sharma Saurab , Jensen Mark P , Moseley G Lorimer , Abbott J Haxby 
Published: March 2019

ObjectivesThe aims of this study were to: (1) develop pain education materials in Nepali and (2) determine the feasibility of conducting a randomised clinical trial (RCT) of a pain education intervention using these materials in Nepal.DesignA two-arm, parallel, assessor-blinded, feasibility RCT.SettingA rehabilitation hospital in Kathmandu, Nepal.ParticipantsForty Nepalese with non-specific low back pain (mean [SD] age 41 [14] years; 12 [30%] women).InterventionsEligible participants were randomised, by concealed, 1:1 allocation, to one of two groups: (1) a pain education intervention and (2) a guideline-based physiotherapy active control group intervention. Each intervention was delivered by a physiotherapist in a single, 1-hour, individualised treatment session.Primary outcome measuresThe primary outcomes were related to feasibility: recruitment, retention and treatment adherence of participants, feasibility and blinding of outcome assessments, fidelity of treatment delivery, credibility of, and satisfaction with, treatment. Assessments were performed at baseline and at 1 week post-treatment.Secondary outcome measuresPain intensity, pain interference, pain catastrophising, sleep disturbance, resilience, global rating of change, depression and quality of life. Statistical analyses were conducted blind to group allocation.ResultsForty participants were recruited. Thirty-eight participants (95%) completed the 1-week post-treatment assessment. Most primary outcomes surpassed the a priori thresholds for feasibility. Several findings have important implications for designing a full trial. Secondary analyses suggest clinical benefit of pain education over the control intervention, with larger decrease in pain intensity (mean difference=3.56 [95% CI 0.21 to 6.91]) and pain catastrophising (mean difference=6.16 [95% CI 0.59 to 11.72]) in the pain education group. Pain intensity would seem an appropriate outcome for a full clinical trial. One minor adverse event was reported.ConclusionWe conclude that a full RCT of pain education for back pain in Nepal is feasible and warranted.Trial registration numberNCT03387228; Results.
Two-Component Analysis of Photoluminescence Bands for Semiconductor Quantum Dots in Solutions
Authors: Zenkevich E. , Stupak A. , von Borczyskowski C. 
Published: March 2019

We present the quantitative analysis of the photoluminescence (PL) obtained for semiconductor TOPO-capped CdSe/ZnS QDs in solutions at 77–293[Formula: see text]K. The PL bands are approximated more accurately when assuming the superposition of at least two Gaussian components differing considerably in the linewidth (FWHM) and having different nature.
Why Are China and the U.S. Not Destined to Fall into the “Thucydides’ Trap”?
Authors: Shengli Ling , Huiyi Lv 
Published: March 2019

With the rise of China and relative decline of the United States, the question of whether both countries will fall into the so-called “Thucydides’ Trap” — an analogy to the Peloponnesian War in ancient Greece — has triggered heated debate within international academia. By discussing the misunderstanding about the concept and conducting a three-level analysis of modern Sino-U.S. relations, this article identifies a few major flaws in making a simple analogy between the Athens-Sparta confrontation in ancient Greece and the Sino-U.S. relationship today. It concludes that a war between China and the United States is unlikely to take place thanks to the confines of the international system, the different nature of alliance networks from the ancient Greek period, the economic interdependence among countries, and the changing public attitude toward war. It also suggests both countries expand their economic, political, security and cultural cooperation, so as to ultimately overcome the “Thucydides’ Trap.”
Upper and lower limb motor axons demonstrate differential excitability and accommodation to strong hyperpolarizing currents during induced hyperthermia
Authors: Marmoy Oliver R. , Furlong Paul L. , Moore Christopher E. G. 
Published: March 2019

Length-dependent peripheral neuropathy typically involves the insidious onset of sensory loss in the lower limbs before later progressing proximally. Recent evidence proposes hyperpolarization-activated cyclic nucleotide-gated (HCN) channels as dysfunctional in rodent models of peripheral neuropathy, and therefore differential expression of HCN channels in the lower limbs was hypothesized as a pathophysiological mechanism accounting for the pattern of symptomatology within this study. We studied six healthy participants, using motor axon excitability including strong and long [−70% and −100% hyperpolarizing threshold electrotonus (TEh)] hyperpolarizing currents to preferably study HCN channel function from the median and tibial nerves from high (40%) and low (20%) threshold. This was recorded at normothermia (~32°C) and then repeated during hyperthermia (~40°C) as an artificial hyperpolarizing axon stress. Significant differences between recovery cycle, superexcitability, accommodation to small depolarizing currents, and alterations in late stages of the inward-rectifying currents of strongest (−70% and −100% TEh) currents were observed in the lower limbs during hyperthermia. We demonstrate differences in late IH current flow, which implies higher expression of HCN channel isoforms. The findings also indicate their potential inference in the symptomatology of length-dependent peripheral neuropathies and may be a unique target for minimizing symptomatology and pathogenesis in acquired disease. NEW & NOTEWORTHY This study demonstrates nerve excitability differences between the upper and lower limbs during hyperthermia, an experimentally induced axonal stress. The findings indicate that there is differential expression of slow hyperpolarization-activated cyclic nucleotide-gated (HCN) channel isoforms between the upper and lower limbs, which was demonstrated through strong, long hyperpolarizing currents during hyperthermia. Such mechanisms may underlie postural control but render the lower limbs susceptible to dysfunction in disease states.