bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Randomized controlled trial comparing the effects of usual gas release, active aspiration, and passive‐valve release on abdominal distension in patients who have undergone laparoscopic cholecystectomy
Authors: Tuvayanon Warisara , Silchai Potchanee , Sirivatanauksorn Yongyut , Visavajarn Porntita , Pungdok Jaruwan , Tonklai Sununtha , Akaraviputh Thawatchai 
Published: December 2017

AbstractIntroductionResidual, intra‐abdominal CO2 contributes to abdominal distension and pain after laparoscopic surgery. The study was designed to assess recovery after gas release in patients who have undergone laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC).MethodsA total of 142 patients undergoing laparoscopic cholecystectomy were randomly divided into three groups: (i) group 1 (control group), gas release from the surgical wound without port release (n = 47); (ii) group 2, active gas aspiration via a subdiaphragmatic port (n = 48); and (iii) group 3, passive‐valve release via a subdiaphragmatic port valve opening (n = 47). Abdominal distension and shoulder pain levels were assessed postoperatively.ResultsThe active aspiration group had significantly reduced postoperative abdominal distensions at 30 min, 4, and 24 h compared with the control group (50.0% vs 80.9%, 43.8% vs 76.6%, 33.3% vs 57.4%, respectively; P < 0.05). Similarly, the passive‐valve release group had significantly reduced postoperative abdominal distensions at 4 and 24 h compared with the control group (51.1% vs 76.6%, 57.4% vs 36.2%; P < 0.05). Both intervention groups had significantly reduced postoperative shoulder pain at 4 and 24 h compared with the control group (P < 0.001). In addition, the postoperative ambulation times for the active aspiration group were significantly shorter than those for the control and passive‐valve release groups (P < 0.001).ConclusionReleasing residual CO2 from the intra‐abdominal cavity at the end of laparoscopic cholecystectomy by either the active aspiration or passive‐valve release technique is an effective way to reduce postoperative abdominal distension and shoulder pain.
Using the response–effect trait framework to quantify the value of fallow patches in agricultural landscapes to pollinators
Authors: Robleño Irene , Storkey Jonathan , Solé‐Senan Xavier O. , Recasens Jordi 
Published: December 2017

AbstractQuestionsWhat is the role of managed fallow habitats in providing resources for pollination services in agricultural landscapes? How is resource provision affected by fallow management and landscape structure? Can the resulting variation in the value of fallows to pollinators be explained using the response‐and‐effect trait framework?LocationFour semi‐arid Mediterranean agricultural regions (NE Iberian Peninsula).MethodsLandscape complexity, fallow field age and management practices were identified as the explanatory factors that interact which each other and affect the provision of resource for pollination communities. A trait‐based approach was taken to model the system. Plant traits were selected on the basis of their response to abiotic factors (response traits) and those that influence the interaction with pollinators (effect traits). Plant community characterization was calculated based on both taxonomic and functional indices. The linkages between the selected plant traits on contrasting fallows were analysed using community‐weighted mean redundancy analysis (CWM‐RDA).ResultsThe presence of semi‐natural areas in the landscape was shown to enhance the value of fallows for pollinators, providing a source of diverse flower forms. In contrast, we found that field edges act as a relatively poor reservoir for flowering plant species in these areas. Land‐use practices promoting mid‐successional plant communities that support the coexistence of diverse life forms with overlapping flowering periods and a range of flower morphologies had the greatest potential to support a diverse pollinator community.ConclusionsEarly herbicide application (Feb) combined with shredding were identified as the best fallow practices for enhancing resources for pollinators. The construction of our framework will help policy makers to identify management recommendations that will result in the most beneficial plant communities for pollinators in fallows.
Applications of corneal topography and tomography: a review
Authors: Fan Rachel , Chan Tommy CY , Prakash Gaurav , Jhanji Vishal 
Published: December 2017

AbstractCorneal imaging is essential for diagnosing and management of a wide variety of ocular diseases. Corneal topography is used to characterize the shape of the cornea, specifically, the anterior surface of the cornea. Most corneal topographical systems are based on Placido disc that analyse rings that are reflected off the corneal surface. The posterior corneal surface cannot be characterized using Placido disc technology. Imaging of the posterior corneal surface is useful for diagnosis of corneal ectasia. Unlike corneal topographers, tomographers generate a three‐dimensional recreation of the anterior segment and provide information about the corneal thickness. Scheimpflug imaging is one of the most commonly used techniques for corneal tomography. The cross‐sectional images generated by a rotating Scheimpflug camera are used to locate the anterior and posterior corneal surfaces. The clinical uses of corneal topography include, diagnosis of corneal ectasia, assessment of corneal astigmatism, and refractive surgery planning. This review will discuss the applications of corneal topography and tomography in clinical practice.
The neurobiological mechanisms of physical exercise in methamphetamine addiction
Authors: Morais António Pedro Delgado , Pita Inês Roque , Fontes‐Ribeiro Carlos Alberto , Pereira Frederico Costa 
Published: December 2017

AbstractMethamphetamine (METH) is the primary drug within amphetamine‐type stimulants which are the second most abused group of drugs worldwide. There is no pharmacological treatment addressed specifically to METH addiction, and behavioral therapy is shadowed by poor long‐term recovery and relapse. Therefore, novel approaches to manage METH addiction are an urgent need. This review aims to describe the current state of physical exercise use on methamphetamine addiction management. The following searching terms in PubMed were used: (“physical exercise” OR “exercise”) AND “methamphetamine.” Relevant references from key publications and gray literature were also reviewed to identify additional citations for inclusion. Original investigation regarding physical exercise and methamphetamine addiction (clinical data) or neurobiological mechanisms of physical exercise in animal models of methamphetamine administration (preclinical data) was included. Overall, METH users demonstrated improvements, including better fitness and emotional measures, lower relapse rates, and sustained abstinence when compared to nonexercised individuals. The neurobiological mechanisms of physical exercise in METH users seem to reflect an interplay of several agents, including neurochemicals, oxidative stress, neurogenesis, gliogenesis, and blood‐brain barrier as disclosed by preclinical data. Exercise‐based interventions alone or as a conjoint therapy may be a useful tool for managing METH addiction.
Everyday discrimination in a racially diverse sample of patients with obesity
Authors: Pearl R. L. , Wadden T. A. , Tronieri J. Shaw , Chao A. M. , Alamuddin N. , Berkowitz R. I. 
Published: December 2017

SummaryWeight discrimination affects a significant proportion of individuals with obesity and contributes to poor mental and physical health. Prior research on weight discrimination has been limited by a lack of racial diversity in samples and has not considered other potential forms of discrimination that individuals with obesity may experience. The current study assessed different reasons for discrimination in a racially diverse sample of treatment‐seeking individuals with obesity (N = 122, 66.4% black, mean body mass index = 38.5 ± 6.2 kg/m2). Results showed that over half of participants reported experiencing at least one form of repeated discrimination, and 30% reported two or more reasons for discrimination. Race and weight were the most commonly reported reasons for repeated, everyday instances of discrimination. Among participants who reported experiencing weight discrimination (28.7%), over 80% reported experiencing at least one other form of discrimination, with 60% reporting discrimination due to race. These findings indicate that individuals with obesity may face multiple forms of discrimination in their daily lives. Further research is needed to understand how all forms of discrimination contribute to obesity‐related health problems.
Physiological and methodological aspects of rate of force development assessment in human skeletal muscle
Authors: Rodríguez‐Rosell David , Pareja‐Blanco Fernando , Aagaard Per , González‐Badillo Juan José 
Published: December 2017

SummaryRate of force development (RFD) refers to the ability of the neuromuscular system to increase contractile force from a low or resting level when muscle activation is performed as quickly as possible, and it is considered an important muscle strength parameter, especially for athletes in sports requiring high‐speed actions. The assessment of RFD has been used for strength diagnosis, to monitor the effects of training interventions in both healthy populations and patients, discriminate high‐level athletes from those of lower levels, evaluate the impairment in mechanical muscle function after acute bouts of eccentric muscle actions and estimate the degree of fatigue and recovery after acute exhausting exercise. Notably, the evaluation of RFD in human skeletal muscle is a complex task as influenced by numerous distinct methodological factors including mode of contraction, type of instruction, method used to quantify RFD, devices used for force/torque recording and ambient temperature. Another important aspect is our limited understanding of the mechanisms underpinning rapid muscle force production. Therefore, this review is primarily focused on (i) describing the main mechanical characteristics of RFD; (ii) analysing various physiological factors that influence RFD; and (iii) presenting and discussing central biomechanical and methodological factors affecting the measurement of RFD. The intention of this review is to provide more methodological and analytical coherency on the RFD concept, which may aid to clarify the thinking of coaches and sports scientists in this area.
First report of Lasiodiplodia theobromae and Pseudofusicoccum stromaticum causing dieback in Syzygium malaccense tree in Brazil
Authors: Silveira G. F. , Melo M. P. , Teixeira J. W. M. , Viana D. C. , Silva J. D. C. , Beserra J. E. A. 
Published: December 2017

SummarySyzygium malaccense is a woody species, known as Malay apple, which is grown as an ornamental or for fruit production in Brazil, mainly in the northern and north‐eastern regions. A high incidence of dieback has been observed in Malay apple in ornamental situations, including streets and gardens. Morphological identification, sequencing analysis of TEF+ITS gene regions and a pathogenicity test confirmed that fungi in the Botryosphaeriaceae cause the disease. This is the first report of Lasiodiplodia theobromae and Pseudofusicoccum stromaticum causing dieback on S. malaccense trees in Brazil.
Faculty calibration and students’ self‐assessments using an instructional rubric in preparation for a practical examination
Authors: Oh S.‐L. , Liberman L. , Mishler O. 
Published: December 2017

AbstractPurposeThe purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of faculty calibration and students’ self‐assessments on students’ performances in a periodontal practical examination.MethodsBefore a new instructional rubric was implemented in the second‐year periodontics course, faculty calibration was conducted with a pilot group of 32 third‐year dental students. Afterwards, the new rubric was implemented in the second‐year periodontics course. Second‐year students used the rubric for their self‐assessments before the practical examination. An intraclass correlation coefficient was used to test the reliability of the faculty members. A paired t test was used to compare scores between self‐assessments of the pilot group (third‐year students) and faculty evaluation. A two‐way analysis of variance was performed to compare scores between self‐assessments of second‐year students and faculty evaluations. Chi‐square tests were used to compare overall failure rates amongst four different classes.ResultsThe reliability amongst the faculty members was strong (the ICC = 0.75 at the first and 0.97 at the second calibration). The mean self‐assessment score from the pilot group was significantly higher than the faculty evaluation. However, the mean self‐assessment score of second‐year students was significantly lower than the faculty evaluation. The class that practiced self‐assessments with the validated instructional rubric exhibited the lowest overall failure rate compared to three past classes.ConclusionsUsing an instructional rubric and conducting faculty calibration improved the process of the periodontal practical examination. Improving the examination process and practicing self‐assessments with feedback from faculty may have a positive impact on students’ performances in the examination.
Contact networks structured by sex underpin sex‐specific epidemiology of infection
Authors: Silk Matthew J. , Weber Nicola L. , Steward Lucy C. , Hodgson David J. , Boots Mike , Croft Darren P. , Delahay Richard J. , McDonald Robbie A. 
Published: December 2017

AbstractContact networks are fundamental to the transmission of infection and host sex often affects the acquisition and progression of infection. However, the epidemiological impacts of sex‐related variation in animal contact networks have rarely been investigated. We test the hypothesis that sex‐biases in infection are related to variation in multilayer contact networks structured by sex in a population of European badgersMeles melesnaturally infected withMycobacterium bovis. Our key results are that male‐male and between‐sex networks are structured at broader spatial scales than female‐female networks and that in male‐male and between‐sex contact networks, but not female‐female networks, there is a significant relationship between infection and contacts with individuals in other groups. These sex differences in social behaviour may underpin male‐biased acquisition of infection and may result in males being responsible for more between‐group transmission. This highlights the importance of sex‐related variation in host behaviour when managing animal diseases.
Recovery potential of microwetlands from agricultural land uses
Authors: Nolan Rachael H. , Vesk Peter A. , Robinson Doug 
Published: December 2017

SummaryMany ecosystems located within agricultural landscapes are in decline, particularly woodlands, grasslands and wetlands. Surviving remnants are generally fragmented and unrepresentative of pre‐disturbance states. Here, we investigate the potential for recovery of ecosystem function in a grassy woodland–wetland mosaic in south‐eastern Australia. We focus on the Plains Woodland/Herb‐rich Gilgai Wetland Mosaics which have declined in extent by 85%. The gilgai soils form a distinctive microrelief of mounds and depressions which become seasonally waterlogged, providing important habitat for a large range of aquatic and dryland species. We surveyed 10 remnants subject to agricultural intensification and seven remnants subject to passive restoration (four with cessation of cultivation and three with livestock removal). Gilgai microrelief was homogenized by cultivation, showed some recovery after release from cultivation, and was insensitive to grazing pressure. Floristic diversity, assessed through indicator species, was vulnerable to grazing. Indicator species were more prevalent in previously grazed sites, but further study is required to determine whether this reflects recovery or differing overall management history. We conclude that passive restoration is possible for recovery of wetland function and some biodiversity values. These conservation actions should be encouraged given the important role these microwetlands play in landscape connectivity and as drought refugia.
High‐temperature testing in a Charpy impact pendulum using in‐situ Joule heating of the specimen
Authors: Ferreirós P.A. , Alonso P.R. , Gargano P.H. , Rubiolo G.H. 
Published: December 2017

AbstractIn this paper, an innovative approach to high‐temperature testing of subsize Charpy V notched specimens is introduced. The design concept is to heat the specimen on the specimen piece supports up to the moment of impact by flowing AC electric current through it. This approach allows a very accurate centring of the specimen with respect to the anvils and the control of their temperature up to the moment of impact. The temperature profile measured by using the in‐situ heating device on ferritic steel specimen over the notch temperature range of 400°C < T < 750°C is presented. The impact energy was measured at different temperatures going through the eutectoid phase transformation of the ferritic steel specimens, with different carbon composition, to investigate the validity of the instrumented in‐situ heating method. The method is particularly appropriate to estimate the ductile brittle transition that occurs at high temperature in some metallic alloy systems. Also, its wide range of specimen heating rate provides new research tools for studying, for example, the intermediate temperature embrittlement of metals and alloys.
Human dissemination of genes and microorganisms in Earth's Critical Zone
Authors: Zhu Yong‐Guan , Gillings Michael , Simonet Pascal , Stekel Dov , Banwart Steven , Penuelas Josep 
Published: December 2017

AbstractEarth's Critical Zone sustains terrestrial life and consists of the thin planetary surface layer between unaltered rock and the atmospheric boundary. Within this zone, flows of energy and materials are mediated by physical processes and by the actions of diverse organisms. Human activities significantly influence these physical and biological processes, affecting the atmosphere, shallow lithosphere, hydrosphere, and biosphere. The role of organisms includes an additional class of biogeochemical cycling, this being the flow and transformation of genetic information. This is particularly the case for the microorganisms that govern carbon and nitrogen cycling. These biological processes are mediated by the expression of functional genes and their translation into enzymes that catalyze geochemical reactions. Understanding human effects on microbial activity, fitness and distribution is an important component of Critical Zone science, but is highly challenging to investigate across the enormous physical scales of impact ranging from individual organisms to the planet. One arena where this might be tractable is by studying the dynamics and dissemination of genes for antibiotic resistance and the organisms that carry such genes. Here we explore the transport and transformation of microbial genes and cells through Earth's Critical Zone. We do so by examining the origins and rise of antibiotic resistance genes, their subsequent dissemination, and the ongoing colonization of diverse ecosystems by resistant organisms.
Health literacy skills for informed decision making in colorectal cancer screening: Perceptions of screening invitees and experts
Authors: Woudstra Anke J. , Timmermans Daniëlle R. M. , Uiters Ellen , Dekker Evelien , Smets Ellen M. A. , Fransen Mirjam P. 
Published: December 2017

AbstractBackgroundThe process of informed decision making (IDM) requires an adequate level of health literacy. To ensure that all individuals have equal opportunity to make an informed decision in colorectal cancer (CRC) screening, it is essential to gain more insight into which health literacy skills are needed for IDM. Our aims were (i) to explore how individuals make a decision about CRC screening and (ii) to explore which skills are needed for IDM in CRC screening and (iii) to integrate these findings within a conceptual framework.MethodsWe conducted 3 focus groups with individuals eligible for CRC screening (n = 22) and 2 focus groups with experts in the field of health literacy, oncology and decision making, including scientific researchers and health‐care professionals (n = 17). We used framework analysis to analyse our data.ResultsWe identified and specified ten health literacy skills, which varied from the ability to read and understand CRC screening information to the ability to weigh up pros and cons of screening for personal relevance. The skills were linked to 8 decision‐making stages in CRC screening within a conceptual framework. We found differences in perceptions between screening invitees and experts, especially in the perceived importance of CRC screening information for IDM.ConclusionsThis study provides insight into the decision‐making stages and health literacy skills that are essential for IDM in CRC screening. The proposed conceptual framework can be used to inform the development of context‐based measurement of health literacy and interventions to support IDM in cancer screening.
Using immunocompromised mice to identify mechanisms of Zika virus transmission and pathogenesis
Authors: Winkler Clayton W. , Peterson Karin E. 
Published: December 2017

SummaryZika virus (ZIKV) is responsible for a recent global epidemic that has been associated with congenital brain malformations in fetuses and with Guillain–Barré syndrome in adults. Within the last 2 years, a major effort has been made to develop murine models to study the mechanism of viral transmission, pathogenesis and the host immune response. Here, we discuss the findings from these models regarding the role that the innate and adaptive immune responses have in controlling ZIKV infection and pathogenesis. Additionally, we examine how innate and adaptive immune responses influence sexual and vertical transmission of ZIKV infection as well as how these responses can influence the ability of ZIKV to cross the placenta and to induce damage in the developing brain.
Bayesian Model Averaging: A Systematic Review and Conceptual Classification
Authors: Fragoso Tiago M. , Bertoli Wesley , Louzada Francisco 
Published: December 2017

SummaryBayesian model averaging (BMA) provides a coherent and systematic mechanism for accounting for model uncertainty. It can be regarded as an direct application of Bayesian inference to the problem of model selection, combined estimation and prediction. BMA produces a straightforward model choice criterion and less risky predictions. However, the application of BMA is not always straightforward, leading to diverse assumptions and situational choices on its different aspects. Despite the widespread application of BMA in the literature, there were not many accounts of these differences and trends besides a few landmark revisions in the late 1990s and early 2000s, therefore not accounting for advancements made in the last decades. In this work, we present an account of these developments through a careful content analysis of 820 articles in BMA published between 1996 and 2016. We also develop a conceptual classification scheme to better describe this vast literature, understand its trends and future directions and provide guidance for the researcher interested in both the application and development of the methodology. The results of the classification scheme and content review are then used to discuss the present and future of the BMA literature.