bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Sex differences in depressive effects of experiencing spousal bereavement
Authors: Lee Hyo Jung , Lee Sang Gyu , Chun Sung‐Youn , Park Eun‐Cheol 
Published: January 2016

AimSpousal death is a significant event that becomes a turning point in an individual's life. Widowed persons experience new circumstances, which might induce depression. However, the effects of spousal death on depression can differ by sex and culture. Thus, the present study examined the association between depressive levels and experience of spousal death in Korean adults aged older than 45 years.MethodsThe data were from the Korean Longitudinal Study of Aging from 2010 to 2012. The analysis used frequency analysis to compare the distribution of demographic variables between men and women, and anova to compare 10‐item short‐form Center for Epidemiological Studies Depression Scale scores as the dependent variable among comparison groups. We also carried out linear mixed model analysis on the association between the 10‐item short‐form Center for Epidemiological Studies Depression Scale and experience of spousal death.ResultsAmong 5481 respondents, 2735 were men and 2741 were women. The number of men and women who experienced spousal death were 43 (1.6%) and 181 (6.6%), respectively. Men had lower depressive levels than women when they had been married (men 2.99, women 3.64). Both men and women experiencing spousal death had significantly higher 10‐item short‐form Center for Epidemiological Studies Depression Scale scores than married men and women (men β = 0.911, P = 0.003; women β = 0.512, P = 0.001; ref: no experience of spousal death).ConclusionsThere was a significant association between experience of spousal death and depressive level for both men and women. We suggest that policy practitioners promote community programs that provide bereaved adults with easy access to meaningful social participation and support the minimum cost of living of the widowed. Geriatr Gerontol Int 2017; 17: 322–329.
Effects of aging and sarcopenia on tongue pressure and jaw‐opening force
Authors: Machida Nami , Tohara Haruka , Hara Koji , Kumakura Ayano , Wakasugi Yoko , Nakane Ayako , Minakuchi Shunsuke 
Published: January 2016

AimAging and sarcopenia reduce not only body strength, but also the strength of swallowing muscles. We examined how aging and sarcopenia affect tongue pressure and jaw‐opening force.MethodsA total of 97 older adults (97 men, mean age 78.5 ± 6.6 years; 100 women, mean age 77.8 ± 6.2 years) were enrolled. Classification of sarcopenia was based on the Criteria of Asian Working Group for Sarcopenia. To investigate which variable between aging and sarcopenia was a significant independent variable on tongue pressure and jaw‐opening force, multivariate linear regression analysis was carried out.ResultsThe mean tongue pressure was 26.3 ± 7.8 kPa in men and 24.6 ± 7.2 kPa in women. The mean jaw‐opening force was 6.3 ± 1.6 kg in men and 5.2 ± 1.3 kg in women. Tongue pressure in men, aging and sarcopenia were significant independent variables, whereas only sarcopenia was a significant independent variable in women. Jaw‐opening force in men and sarcopenia were significant independent variables, whereas neither aging nor sarcopenia were significant independent variables in women.ConclusionsWe found different characteristics in the effects of aging and sarcopenia based on site and sex. We suggested that aging decreased tongue pressure more than jaw‐opening force, and affected men more than women. Sarcopenia affected tongue pressure and jaw‐opening force, with the exception of jaw‐opening force in women. Considering these characteristics is useful to predict the decline of swallowing function, and provide appropriate interventions preventing dysphagia. Geriatr Gerontol Int 2017; 17: 295–301.
Development and validation of a new quality of life scale for patients receiving home‐based medical care: The Observational Study of Nagoya Elderly with Home Medical Care
Authors: Kamitani Hiroko , Umegaki Hiroyuki , Okamoto Kazushi , Kanda Shigeru , Asai Atsushi , Maeda Keiko , Nomura Hideki , Shimojima Takuya , Suzuki Yusuke , Ohshima Hiroko , Kuzuya Masafumi 
Published: January 2016

AimTo develop and validate a scale that assesses quality of life in patients receiving home‐based medical care.MethodsA new quality of life scale was developed and evaluated in four phases: (i) item generation; (ii) first field study with a 14‐item questionnaire; (iii) preliminary validation study, to reduce the number of items to four; and (iv) second field study comprising 40 patients, to evaluate the validity of the final version. Participants were requested to answer both the final version of the scale and the Short Form‐8, to enable identification of any relationship between the two.ResultsItems were generated after discussions with doctors and care managers, and 14 items were selected for the draft version. In the preliminary validation study, 10 items were deleted, based on the results of statistical analysis of the data from the first field study. A psychometric analysis showed that the final four‐item questionnaire had internal consistency (Cronbach's α = 0.7), and a significant association with the Short Form‐8.ConclusionsWe created the first quality of life scale for patients receiving home‐based medical care. The scale's internal consistency was confirmed, as well as its external validity. This scale can be used independently of factors such as a patient's age, sex, level of independence in the presence of dementia or disability, swallowing function, hearing ability and communication ability, and can be used with ease in routine clinical practice. Geriatr Gerontol Int 2017; 17: 440–448.
Neonatal exposure to monosodium glutamate induces morphological alterations in suprachiasmatic nucleus of adult rat
Authors: Rojas‐Castañeda Julio César , Vigueras‐Villaseñor Rosa María , Chávez‐Saldaña Margarita , Rojas Patricia , Gutiérrez‐Pérez Oscar , Rojas Carolina , Arteaga‐Silva Marcela 
Published: January 2016

SummaryNeonatal exposure to monosodium glutamate (MSG) induces circadian disorders in several physiological and behavioural processes regulated by the suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN). The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of neonatal exposure to MSG on locomotor activity, and on morphology, cellular density and expression of proteins, as evaluated by optical density (OD), of vasopressin (VP)‐, vasoactive intestinal polypeptide (VIP)‐ and glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP)‐immunoreactive cells in the SCN. Male Wistar rats were used: the MSG group was subcutaneously treated from 3 to 10 days of age with 3.5 mg/g/day. Locomotor activity was evaluated at 90 days of age using ‘open‐field’ test, and the brains were processed for immunohistochemical studies. MSG exposure induced a significant decrease in locomotor activity. VP‐ and VIP‐immunoreactive neuronal densities showed a significant decrease, while the somatic OD showed an increase. Major axes and somatic area were significantly increased in VIP neurons. The cellular and optical densities of GFAP‐immunoreactive sections of SCN were significantly increased. These results demonstrated that newborn exposure to MSG induced morphological alterations in SCN cells, an alteration that could be the basis for behavioural disorders observed in the animals.
Customer satisfaction incentives with budget constraints
Authors: Deng Shiming , Wang Tian , Chang Xingjian 
Published: January 2016

AbstractWe study the design of incentive contracts based on customer satisfaction (CS) surveys with reward budget limits. We extend principal‐agent models to consider budget constraints, survey response rates, and correlation between CS measure and demand. We derive the optimal incentive contract and study the impacts of these factors on contract performance. In contrast to the common belief that customer future values are the drivers of CS incentives, we show that CS incentives can benefit principals even in a single‐period setting where customers bring no future value. Improvements can be achieved without increasing total reward, because the CS incentive program reveals additional information about agents' service effort and diversifies their risk. Such effects are overlooked in existing CS research. With consideration of correlation between sales and CS measures, we provide a metrics selection rule regarding which reward(s)—CS, sales commission, or both—should be included in an incentive plan. We also study cumulative incentive schemes based on commonly used average CS measures and show that such incentive schemes may fail to motivate agents to increase service effort. Therefore, designing proper reward schemes is a critical issue for effective CS management and deserves future research.
New formulation and branch‐and‐cut algorithm for the pickup and delivery traveling salesman problem with multiple stacks
Authors: Sampaio Afonso H. , Urrutia Sebastián 
Published: January 2016

AbstractIn this paper, we consider the pickup and delivery traveling salesman problem with multiple stacks in which a single vehicle must serve a set of customer requests defined by a pair of pickup and delivery destinations of an item. The vehicle contains a fixed number of stacks, where each item is loaded at a pickup location and unloaded at the corresponding delivery location. Each stack has finite capacity, and its loading and unloading sequence must follow the last‐in‐first‐out (LIFO) policy, that is, for each stack, just the last item loaded can be unloaded at its corresponding delivery location. We propose a new integer programming formulation for this problem with a polyhedral representation described by exponentially many inequalities and a branch‐and‐cut algorithm for solving the proposed formulation. Computational results show that our approach is competitive with the best algorithm in the literature. Also, three new certificates of optimality are provided and several optimality gaps are reduced.
Cardiac rehabilitation patients' perspectives on the recovery following heart valve surgery: a narrative analysis
Authors: Hansen Tina Birgitte , Zwisler Ann Dorthe , Berg Selina Kikkenborg , Sibilitz Kirstine Lærum , Buus Niels , Lee Anne 
Published: January 2016

AbstractAimsTo explore the structure and content of narratives about the recovery process among patients undergoing heart valve surgery participating in cardiac rehabilitation.BackgroundSeveral studies with short‐term follow‐up have shown that recovering from cardiac surgery can be challenging, but evidence on the long‐term recovery process is very limited, especially following heart valve surgery. Furthermore, few studies have explored the recovery process among cardiac rehabilitation participants.DesignA qualitative study with serial interviews analysed using narrative methods.MethodsWe collected data over 18 months (April 2013–October 2014). We recruited nine patients undergoing heart valve surgery from a randomized trial, CopenHeartVR and conducted 27 individual narrative interviews at 2‐3 weeks, 3‐4 months and 8‐9 months after surgery.FindingsFollowing heart valve surgery, the participants expected to return to normality. The analysis identified four courses of recovery, with three non‐linear complex pathways deviating from the classic restitution narrative: the frustrated struggle to resume normality, the challenged expectation of normality – being in a limbo and becoming a heart patient. These deviating pathways were characterized by physical, existential and mental challenges even up to 9 months after surgery.ConclusionThe recovery processes of participants' in cardiac rehabilitation were often more complicated than anticipated. Patients undergoing heart valve surgery may benefit from more extensive medical follow‐up immediately after discharge, individual psychological assessment and individualized, realistic information about the recovery trajectory.
The male of the species: a profile of men in nursing
Authors: Stanley David , Beament Tania , Falconer Darren , Haigh Margaret , Saunders Rosemary , Stanley Karen , Wall Peter , Nielson Sharon 
Published: January 2016

AbstractAimTo establish a profile of men in nursing in Western Australia and explore the perception of men in nursing from the perspective of male and female nurses.BackgroundA project team, including some of the current authors, produced a YouTube video and DVD about men in nursing which led to further enquiry on this topic.DesignThe study employed a non‐experimental, comparative, descriptive research design focused on a quantitative methodology, using an online survey in early 2014.MethodA convenience sample incorporated registered and enrolled nurses and midwives in Western Australia.FindingsThe range of data included demographic information and the respondents' perceptions of men in nursing were collected. Findings indicated that the main reasons for choosing a career in nursing or midwifery were similar for both genders. Common mis‐perceptions of men in nursing included: most male nurses are gay; men are not suited to nursing and men are less caring and compassionate than women. Suggestions to promote nursing to men included: nurses are highly skilled professionals; there is the potential to make a difference for patients; nursing offers stable employment, professional diversity and opportunities for team work. There is a diminished awareness of opportunities for men in nursing and negative stereotypes related to men in nursing persist.ConclusionThe study produced recommendations which included: using the right message to target the recruitment for men and promoting a more realistic understanding of the profile and perception of men in nursing.
The Volatility of Return Revisions and Financial Statement Literacy in Emerging Markets: The Case of Cross‐listed Chinese Firms
Authors: Callen Jeffrey L. , Lai Karen M.Y. , Wei Steven X. 
Published: January 2016

AbstractAre foreign investors in emerging markets more financial statement literate than domestic investors? If so, this conjecture implies that foreign (domestic) investors are more likely to revise their return expectations to cash flow (discount rate) news. It also implies that cash flow news and discount rate news are likely to be uncorrelated when evaluating return revisions by domestic investors, whereas cash flow news and discount rate news are likely to be negatively correlated when evaluating return revisions by foreign investors. The Chinese equity markets yield robust empirical results that are consistent with both hypotheses.
Spatiotemporal Characteristics of QRS Complexes Enable the Diagnosis of Brugada Syndrome Regardless of the Appearance of a Type 1 ECG
Authors: GUILLEM MARIA S. , CLIMENT ANDREU M. , MILLET JOSÉ , BERNE PAOLA , RAMOS RAFAEL , BRUGADA JOSEP , BRUGADA RAMON 
Published: January 2016

QRS Spatiotemporal Characteristics in Brugada SyndromeIntroductionThe diagnosis of Brugada syndrome based on the ECG is hampered by the dynamic nature of its ECG manifestations. Brugada syndrome patients are only 25% likely to present a type 1 ECG. The objective of this study is to provide an ECG diagnostic criterion for Brugada syndrome patients that can be applied consistently even in the absence of a type 1 ECG.Methods and ResultsWe recorded 67‐lead body surface potential maps from 94 Brugada syndrome patients and 82 controls (including right bundle branch block patients and healthy individuals). The spatial propagation direction during the last r’ wave and the slope at the end of the QRS complex were measured and compared between patients groups. Receiver‐operating characteristic curves were constructed for half of the database to identify optimal cutoff values; sensitivity and specificity for these cutoff values were measured in the other half of the database. A spontaneous type 1 ECG was present in only 30% of BrS patients. An orientation in the sagittal plane < 101º during the last r’ wave and a descending slope < 9.65 mV/s enables the diagnosis of the syndrome with a sensitivity of 69% and a specificity of 97% in non‐type 1 Brugada syndrome patients.ConclusionSpatiotemporal characteristics of surface ECG recordings can enable a robust identification of BrS even without the presence of a type 1 ECG.
PAC1R agonist maxadilan enhances hADSC viability and neural differentiation potential
Authors: Guo Xiaoling , Yu Rongjie , Xu Ying , Lian Ruiling , Yu Yankun , Cui Zekai , Ji Qingshan , Chen Junhe , Li Zhijie , Liu Hongwei , Chen Jiansu 
Published: January 2016

AbstractPituitary adenylate cyclase‐activating polypeptide (PACAP) is a structurally endogenous peptide with many biological roles. However, little is known about its presence or effects in human adipose‐derived stem cells (hADSCs). In this study, the expression of PACAP type I receptor (PAC1R) was first confirmed in hADSCs. Maxadilan, a specific agonist of PAC1R, could increase hADSC proliferation as determined by Cell Counting Kit‐8 and cell cycle analysis and promote migration as shown in wound‐healing assays. Maxadilan also showed anti‐apoptotic activity in hADSCs against serum withdrawal‐induced apoptosis based on Annexin V/propidium iodide analysis and mitochondrial membrane potential assays. The anti‐apoptotic effects of maxadilan correlated with the down‐regulation of Cleaved Caspase 3 and Caspase 9 as well as up‐regulation of Bcl‐2. The chemical neural differentiation potential could be enhanced by maxadilan as indicated through quantitative PCR, Western blot and cell morphology analysis. Moreover, cytokine neural redifferentiation of hADSCs treated with maxadilan acquired stronger neuron‐like functions with higher voltage‐dependent tetrodotoxin‐sensitive sodium currents, higher outward potassium currents and partial electrical impulses as determined using whole‐cell patch clamp recordings. Maxadilan up‐regulated the Wnt/β‐catenin signalling pathway associated with dimer‐dependent activity of PAC1R, promoting cell viability that was inhibited by XAV939, and it also activated the protein kinase A (PKA) signalling pathway associated with ligand‐dependent activity of PAC1R, enhancing cell viability and neural differentiation potential that was inhibited by H‐89. In summary, these results demonstrated that PAC1R is present in hADSCs, and maxadilan could enhance hADSC viability and neural differentiation potential in neural differentiation medium.
Discoloration and Adsorption of Acaricides from Beeswax
Authors: Bonvehi Josep Serra , Orantes‐Bermejo Fco. Jose 
Published: January 2016

AbstractThe bleaching effect of solid adsorbent material was evaluated on acaricides residues during the recycling of old wax combs process. The effect of parameters such as initial concentration, moisture level, clay dosing, temperature, particle size, agitation time, Freundlich isotherm and kinetic adsorption were investigated and simulated in pilot plant following industry guidelines. The efficiency capacity of sorbent was assayed in optimal conditions on different levels of chlorfenvinphos, tau‐fluvalinate and coumaphos residues from 0.015 to 88.6 mg/kg, identified in 66 samples of commercial beeswaxes analyzed before and after the process of refination. Experimental results indicated that the use of a dough formed by active carbon (Norit SA4 PAH) and bleaching earth (Tonsil Supreme 114 FF) in the proportion (0.04/4.0 wt % beeswax) under bleaching conditions [agitation (250 rpm) for 45 min working at 90°C under atmospheric pression] was very efficient to reduce color (>80%) and amount of chlorfenvinphos (93.4 ± 7.40%) and coumaphos (93.1 ± 3.90%). But, lower affinity was identified in tau‐fluvalinate pyrethroid (average, 35%) with large variations (13.7–73.9%). The Lagergen pseudo‐first‐order kinetic model was appropriate to organophosphorus acaricides sorption with coefficients of correlation R2 = 0.95 for all initial concentrations studied.Practical ApplicationsBeeswax is a complex mixture of paraffinic hydrocarbons, esters of fatty acids and alcohols, diesters, free fatty acids and alcohols produced by the worker bee. An important aspect is the recycling of beeswax after the extraction of honey. At first, its color is white, but after the bees’ manipulation, it changes from yellow to brownish originated from propolis and pollen pigments. If beeswax is dark its value is much lower. Thus, bleaching is one the most important steps in recycled beeswax. Furthermore, in the last ten years, the accumulated acaricides residues used in the fight against Varroa destructor are clearly detected in commercial beeswaxes limiting its use as an authorised food additive in the EU (code E901). The idea of simultaneous bleaching and decontamination process was introduced in this work to recycle beeswax. The results indicated that the adsorption was very effective in a beeswax melting solution with a simple and economical application.
Influence of the Thermal Processing on the Physico‐Chemical Properties and the Antioxidant Activity of A Solanaceae Vegetable: Eggplant
Authors: Arkoub‐Djermoune Lynda , Boulekbache‐Makhlouf Lila , Zeghichi‐Hamri Sabrina , Bellili Salima , Boukhalfa Farid , Madani Khodir 
Published: January 2016

AbstractPhysico‐chemical parameters, antioxidants and antioxidant activity were evaluated in eggplant fruit (Solanum melongena) before and after domestic cooking methods (frying, griddling and baking). The results showed large differences among the three treatments. After the cooking process, total phenolics and flavonols increased significantly, whereas vitamin C, carotenoid, lycopene and anthocynin contents decreased significantly. The thermal treated samples showed significant increase in their chemical composition (pH, total soluble solids, ash and non enzymatic browning) along with a significant loss in their water and total sugar contents. Results showed that eggplant improved its antioxidant capacity in all cooking methods. Taken together, our results suggest that the various thermal treatments can increase some phytonutrients and antioxidant activity of eggplant.Practical ApplicationsEggplant (Solanum melongena L.) is an important source of phytochemicals in the Algerian diet, which can be consumed after three cooking processes: frying, griddling and baking. However, few data are available on the effect of these domestic cooking methods on its nutritional quality. The purpose of this study is to offer to the consumers the best cooking way that enhances phytonutrients and antioxidant activity of eggplant fruit.
Mitochondrial GPX1 silencing triggers differential photosynthesis impairment in response to salinity in rice plants
Authors: Lima‐Melo Yugo , Carvalho Fabricio E. L. , Martins Márcio O. , Passaia Gisele , Sousa Rachel H. V. , Neto Milton C. Lima , Margis‐Pinheiro Márcia , Silveira Joaquim A. G. 
Published: January 2016

AbstractThe physiological role of plant mitochondrial glutathione peroxidases is scarcely known. This study attempted to elucidate the role of a rice mitochondrial isoform (GPX1) in photosynthesis under normal growth and salinity conditions. GPX1 knockdown rice lines (GPX1s) were tested in absence and presence of 100 mM NaCl for 6 d. Growth reduction of GPX1s line under non‐stressful conditions, compared with non‐transformed (NT) plants occurred in parallel to increased H2O2 and decreased GSH contents. These changes occurred concurrently with photosynthesis impairment, particularly in Calvin cycle's reactions, since photochemical efficiency did not change. Thus, GPX1 silencing and downstream molecular/metabolic changes modulated photosynthesis differentially. In contrast, salinity induced reduction in both phases of photosynthesis, which were more impaired in silenced plants. These changes were associated with root morphology alterations but not shoot growth. Both studied lines displayed increased GPX activity but H2O2 content did not change in response to salinity. Transformed plants exhibited lower photorespiration, water use efficiency and root growth, indicating that GPX1 could be important to salt tolerance. Growth reduction of GPX1s line might be related to photosynthesis impairment, which in turn could have involved a cross talk mechanism between mitochondria and chloroplast originated from redox changes due to GPX1 deficiency.