bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Effects of additional ablation of low‐voltage areas after Box isolation for persistent atrial fibrillation
Authors: Kumagai Koichiro , Toyama Hideko , Zhang Bo
Published: February 2019

Background

Previous studies reported that ablation of low‐voltage areas (LVAs) after pulmonary vein isolation (PVI) improves the success rate in persistent atrial fibrillation (PerAF) patients with LVAs. However, the need for LVA ablation in addition to the posterior left atrial isolation, Box isolation (BOXI), for PerAF is unclear. We evaluated the effects of LVA ablation after BOXI for PerAF with LVAs.

Methods

In 115 patients with PerAF (75 longstanding PerAF), LA voltage maps were created during sinus rhythm after PVI. Subsequently, BOXI was performed. In 61 patients without LVAs (<0.5 mV), BOXI alone was performed. Fifty‐four patients with LVAs were randomly assigned to BOXI plus LVA ablation (33 patients) or BOXI alone (21 patients).

Results

The rate of AF termination or cardioversion after BOXI was significantly higher than that after PVI (100% vs 88%, P < 0.001). The inducibility of atrial tachyarrhythmia after BOXI was significantly lower than that after PVI (27% vs 100%, P < 0.001). During 24 ± 9 months of follow‐up after a single procedure, atrial tachyarrhythmia‐free rate in the patients with LVAs, was significantly lower than that without LVAs (65% vs 82%, P = 0.043). However, the success rate was not significantly different between the BOXI plus LVA ablation group and the BOXI alone group of patients with LVAs (67% vs 62%, P = 0.722).

Conclusion

BOXI facilitates AF termination and its non‐inducibility. Among patients with PerAF, BOXI alone may be adequate in cases without LVAs. Although cases with LVAs have higher risk of AF recurrence, additional LVA ablation does not improve the outcomes much.
Development of a Stimuli‐Responsive Gemini Zwitterionic Viscoelastic Surfactant for Self‐Diverting Acid
Authors: Zhang Wenlong , Mao Jincheng , Yang Xiaojiang , Zhang Heng , Yang Bo , Zhang Zhaoyang , Zhang Yang , Zhao Jinzhou
Published: February 2019

A Gemini zwitterionic viscoelastic surfactant named self diverting acid ‐ gemini sulfonated surfactant (SDA‐GS), which has double quaternary ammonium groups, double sulfonate groups, and two hydrophobic tails, was synthesized from oleylamidopropyl dimethylamine, 1,3‐propanesultone, and 2, 2‐bis(bromomethyl)propane‐1, 3‐diol. The viscosity of an SDA‐GS aqueous solution varies with acid and calcium chloride concentrations. With a decrease in the HCl concentration, the viscosity of the acid solution prepared with SDA‐GS increases to a maximum value, followed by a decrease, which results from the aggregation of the surfactant into wormlike micelles and the following disaggregation. Calcium ions generated by the reaction of acid and calcium carbonate can enhance the aggregation of the surfactant to increase the peak viscosity of the acid solution. The peak viscosity of the acid solution prepared by 5 wt.% SDA‐GS without calcium ions could only reach 73.2 mPa.s when the HCl concentration was 4 wt.%, but that of the acid solution with calcium carbonate powder added could reach over 200 mPa.s when the HCl concentration was consumed to 4 wt.% and the calcium chloride concentration 21.6 wt.%. The viscoelastic measurements proved that calcium ions can drive the growth of the wormlike micelle. The acid and Ca2+ response of SDA‐GS can be applied in self‐diverting acid to improve the acid displacement in the heterogeneous reservoir. Experimental evaluation showed that the acid solution prepared by SDA‐GS and the selected corrosion inhibitor showed a good corrosion inhibition performance and a viscosity variation that makes it an efficient self‐diverting acid. The spent acid (21.6 wt.%) with 4 wt.% HCl retained high viscosity over 80 mPa.s at a 170 s−1 shearing rate and at 120°C after 90 min. The parallel core flood tests to simulate in situ application of SDA‐GS acid showed that the permeability improvement ratios (K1/K0) of the cores could reach 182.3 and 278.4 at 60 and 90°C, respectively.
Identification and characterization of forced degradation products and stability‐indicating assay for notoginsenosidefc by using UHPLC‐Q‐TOF‐MS and UHPLC‐MS/MS: Insights into stability profile and degradation pathways
Authors: Ma Chao , Guan Huida , Ju Zhengcai , Li Shuping , Deng Gang , Zhang Yunpeng , Lin Qiyan , Cheng Xuemei , Yang Li , Wang Zhengtao , Wang Changhong
Published: February 2019

Notoginsenoside Fc, a protopanaxadiol‐type saponin, shows multi‐pharmacological activities. Chemical stability evaluation plays a crucial role in drug development. In this study, the forced degradation behavior of Notoginsenoside Fc was investigated under hydrolytic and oxidative conditions. A specific ultra high performance liquid chromatography with quadrupole time‐of‐flight mass spectrometry was developed for the separation, identification, and characterization of the degradation products of Notoginsenoside Fc. Fifty potential degradation products were formed via deglycosylation, dehydration, hydration, isomerization, side‐chain cleaving, oxidation, and superoxidation. Notoginsenoside Fc was subjected to different pH solutions, temperatures, and time periods to assess its stability. A sensitive ultra high performance liquid chromatography‐tandem mass spectrometry was developed for the quantification of Notoginsenoside Fc, notoginsenoside ST‐4, notoginsenoside Ft1, and relative quantification of notoginsenoside Ft2, 20(R)‐notoginsenoside Ft2, notoginsenoside SFt3, and notoginsenoside SFt4. The assay was linear over the concentration range (R2 > 0.997) with the lowest limit of quantification of 0.02 μg/mL for Notoginsenoside Fc, Notoginsenoside ST‐4, and Notoginsenoside Ft1. The intra‐day precision, inter‐day precision, and accuracy of the three analytes were within accepted levels. The degradation kinetics of Notoginsenoside Fc in pH 1 and 3 solutions fits to first‐ and second‐order kinetics, respectively. The degradation of Notoginsenoside Fc is pH‐, temperature‐, and time‐dependent.
Exploring the role of atmospheric cues and authentic pride on perceived authenticity assessment of museum visitors
Authors: Loureiro Sandra Maria Correia
Published: February 2019

The current study aims to investigate the relationships between authenticity and related constructs, such as atmospheric cues, place attachment, authentic pride, and word of mouth. We tested the proposed model using a sample of 387 visitors who experienced the National Museum of Ancient Art in Lisbon, Portugal. Atmospheric cues revealed to be a more important driver to perceived authenticity than place attachment. Perceived authenticity seems to be a better predictor of authentic pride than word of mouth. The results allow to highlight several implications and suggestions for further research.
Family leadership succession and firm performance: The moderating effect of tacit idiosyncratic firm knowledge
Authors: Williams Ralph I. , Mullane John
Published: February 2019

The expression “clogs to clogs in three generations” illustrates the widely held perception that family business performance wanes with each generation of intrafamily leadership succession. Hence, family businesses would benefit from a better understanding of practices that help prepare potential heirs for leadership succession and, thus, improve postsuccession firm performance. Specifically, this paper proposes that the transfer of tacit idiosyncratic firm knowledge moderates the relationship between family leadership succession and firm performance. The resource‐based view of the firm and transaction cost economics is utilized to theoretically explain the nature of this relationship. Processes that potentially enhance the transfer of tacit idiosyncratic firm knowledge, particularly in family firms, are presented from extant literature.
Surgery versus radiation for T1 glottic carcinoma: Second primary considerations
Authors: Puram Sidharth V. , Bhattacharyya Neil
Published: February 2019

Although early glottic carcinoma is managed with radiation therapy (RT) or surgery, there is limited data on differences in second primary cancers of the larynx. We utilized the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) database to query T1 glottic carcinomas and assess the incidence of second primary laryngeal malignancies. Cumulative hazard for second primary laryngeal malignancies was compared with the log‐rank method. Among 844 surgical and 2,272 RT cases, observed‐to‐expected incidence ratios of laryngeal second primaries were 10.19 (5.89–16.55) and 6.87 (4.64–9.81) per 10 thousand person‐years, respectively. Mean person‐years at risk were comparable at 8.16 years (surgery) and 8.01 years (RT), and relative increased risk of laryngeal second primary was 20.95 (surgery) versus 14.09 (RT) per 10 thousand person‐years. Mean times to development of a second primary were also comparable (304 vs. 305 months, P = 0.898). Thus, second laryngeal primary development is analogous between cases treated with surgery alone versus RT. Continued discussion and investigation of surgery versus RT for early glottic squamous cell carcinoma will need to leverage these findings, along with ongoing investigation of voice and survival outcomes, to develop more well‐informed treatment algorithms. Laryngoscope, 129:2713–2715, 2019
Influence of Morphology and Rheological Properties on the Mechanical and Dielectric Behavior of Block Copolymer Gels
Authors: de Sousa Rogério Ramos , Carastan Danilo Justino
Published: February 2019

Dielectric elastomers are materials of increasing interest in applications as electroactive polymers. In this field, materials with high dielectric constant and low elastic modulus are essential for high actuation performance, and block copolymer gels are among the best candidates for these applications. In this study SEBS block copolymer gels containing mineral oil were obtained in order to evaluate their morphological structure and rheological properties, as well as the impact of these properties on their mechanical and dielectric behavior. The variation of the dielectric constant was verified as a function of the viscosity of the SEBS gel and its morphological structure.
Implementation of the Current Dystonia Classification from 2013 to 2018
Authors: Sasikumar Sanskriti , Albanese Alberto , Krauss Joachim K. , Fasano Alfonso
Published: February 2019

Background

There is a discrepancy in the way dystonia is classified in the literature, as articles continue to reference the old criteria or fail to use the 2013 criteria correctly.

Methods

We performed a systematic review of the dystonia literature and distinguished between studies that use the new classification correctly, made errors in implementing the new classification, or continued to use the old classification methods.

Results

Of the 990 articles included in the study, 59.8% used the classification correctly, 31.3% used mixed terminology, and 8.9% continued to use the old classification. Articles relating to surgery were significantly less likely to use the new classification correctly. There is an upward trend in the annual rate of articles properly referencing the new classification.

Conclusions

The 2013 classification has been well received in scientific literature, and more studies are adapting to its use.
Topical tacrolimus and steroids modulate T cells in acute rejection of hand allotransplantation: Two case reports
Authors: Chen Yi‐Ting , Huang Shun‐Chen , Chen Chien‐Chang , Lim Lee‐Moay , Lu Po‐Liang , Hou Ya‐Ping , Fu Yin‐Chih , Chen Chia‐Hsin , Kuo Yur‐Ren
Published: February 2019

Acute rejection is not uncommon after vascularized composite allotransplantation. We reported the effects of adjunctive topical immunosuppressant with topical tacrolimus (Protopic®) and steroid cream (Clobetasol®) in the management of acute rejection in two hand transplantation patients. Case 1 is a 45‐year‐old male with distal forearm deficit 4 years ago and Case 2 is a 30‐year‐old male with a proximal forearm deficiency 2 years ago, respectively. Both of them suffered from occupational accident and received hand allotransplantation. Induction was performed with antithymocyte globulins and methylprednisolone. Maintenance therapy consisted of tacrolimus (FK506), mycophenolate mofetil, and prednisone. Both cases experienced acute rejection, which we treated with topical tacrolimus and Clobetasol for 2 weeks, combined with systemic immunosuppressant maintenance therapy without adding pulse‐steroid therapy. Clinically, both cases recovered after adjunctive treatments. The skin biopsies showed significantly decreased perivascular lymphocyte infiltration after topical treatment. Immunohistochemical staining showed that CD3+ T‐cells and CD20+ B‐cells were suppressed in the recovery phase. FoxP3‐positive regulatory T cells were increased after treatment. Topical tacrolimus and Clobetasol as an adjunctive treatment with maintenance systemic immunosuppressives may be useful to control acute rejection, which correlated with modulation of lymphocyte activation, especially T cells. The treatment needs further investigation with gaining more comparable data.
Home Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition During Natural Disasters: A Guide for Clinicians and Consumers
Authors: Ireton‐Jones Carol , Nishikawa Kari , Nishikawa Reid
Published: February 2019

Natural disasters are most often weather related but can also be unrelated to weather. Either way, these disrupt “normal” life for a short or extended period of time. When someone depends on electricity, clean water, and transportation services for life‐sustaining therapies such as home nutrition support, it is important to have a plan in place—even if it is never used. Understanding supply needs, access to home utilities, and when to change location should be discussed, determined, and defined. In this article, the authors strive to provide this information for home parenteral and enteral nutrition support patients (consumers), caregivers, and clinicians.
Which among twin deficits hypothesis, twin divergence, and Ricardian's equivalence hold in a developing country?
Authors: Ncanywa Thobeka , Letsoalo Thamaga Edwin
Published: February 2019

South Africa witnesses the perpetual increase in budget deficit that hampers its ability for inclusive economic growth while on the other hand facing trade balance instability. To realise stability in the economy and sustainable yet inclusive economic growth, the two deficits, namely, budget and trade deficits, should be closely monitored. The study examined the empirical relationship between budget deficit and trade deficit in South Africa in the postapartheid era, employing time series data from 1994 to 2016. The autoregressive distribution lag approach was employed to examine the existence of a cointegration between the set of variables, both in the short‐ and the long‐run relationships and together with the error correction model. It was found that there is a significant and positive relationship between budget deficit and trade deficit in the short run. However, in the long run, the Ricardian's equivalence holds in South Africa. The study recommends that policies aimed at reducing budget and trade deficits should take into account inflation and aim to increase some macroeconomic variables such as fixed investment to ultimately achieve sustainable economic growth.
Fundamental problems with pediatric adaptive dosing of carboplatin using nuclear‐medicine‐based estimates of renal function
Authors: Adamson Peter C. , Veal Gareth J. , Womer Richard B. , Meany Holly J. , Bernhardt M. Brooke , Frazier A. Lindsay , Balis Frank M.
Published: February 2019

Background

Carboplatin is often adaptively dosed based on glomerular filtration rate (GFR), usually estimated by nuclear medicine tests. At least five pediatric adaptive dosing formulas have been developed. In an effort to standardize dosing in Children's Oncology Group protocols, we explored methodologic variation in GFR estimation and adaptive‐dosing formula performance.

Procedure

Nuclear medicine GFR data from published series of ≥100 children with cancer were compared. Data from patients for whom body surface area, weight, GFR, and tracer half‐life were available were used to compare formulas.

Results

Differences in methods used to estimate GFR in children with cancer resulted in highly variable population results, with median GFRs ranging from 96 to 150 mL/min/1.73m2. The choice of adaptive formula had a major impact on calculated dose. When targeting an area under the curve of 7.9 mg/mL • min, the median difference between the formula yielding the lowest and highest carboplatin dose for individual subjects was 289 (range 96‐1 737) mg/m2.

Conclusions

Wide variation in GFR obtained with nuclear‐medicine‐based tests in children with cancer primarily results from systematic methodologic errors. Formulas for calculating carboplatin dose produce additional and substantial variation that may place children with cancer at unnecessary risk for excessive toxicity or underdosing. These findings indicate a need for the development of a uniform, validated method for GFR determination in children that should be utilized in all centers. Currently, adaptive dosing of carboplatin based on GFR has serious limitations and in most clinical settings should arguably not be used in place of body‐surface‐area‐based dosing.
Improved mechanical properties of graphene oxide/short carbon fiber–polyphenylene sulfide composites
Authors: Wu Yue , Liu Qi , Heng Zhengguang , Zou Huawei , Chen Yang , Liang Mei
Published: February 2019

Polyphenylene sulfide (PPS) is an important special engineering plastic. In order to broaden its applications, graphene oxide (GO) coated short carbon fiber (SCF) was added to reinforce the mechanical properties of PPS composites. Firstly, the surface sizing agent GO was employed to treat SCF using the physical absorption method. Afterward, the GO‐coated SCF/PPS composites were obtained by adopting the conventional extrusion compounding and injection molding techniques. Results indicated that the presence of GO could significantly enhance both the surface area and wettability of SCF, thereby leading to an increase of the interfacial adhesion between SCF and PPS resin. As a result, both the tensile and flexural strengths of PPS composites are efficiently enhanced by using the GO coated SCF when compared with those modified with the unsized SCF. Both the tensile and flexural modulus are also increased thanks to the remarkable elastic modulus of GO. It was found that the optimum GO content was 1 wt% which could render effective enhancement of all mechanical performance. POLYM. COMPOS., 40:3866–3876, 2019. © 2019 Society of Plastics Engineers
Rapid thermal processing of cost‐effective contacts for silicon solar cells
Authors: Unsur Veysel , Klein Talysa , van Hest Maikel F.A.M. , Al Jassim Mowafak , Ebong Aba
Published: February 2019

This paper reports on the investigation of rapid thermal processing (RTP) of contacting the Al‐BSF solar cell with Ag, Cu, and Ni in conjunction with aerosol printing technique. The study showed a liftoff and delamination, respectively, for the bi and tri stack layers of Ag frit/Ni and Ag frit/Ni/Cu fired above 790°C peak firing temperature. The 770°C peak firing temperature gave excellent electrical performance for both bi and tri stack layer contacts, which is not favorable to forming thick back surface field (BSF) required for high open circuit voltage (VOC). This suggests that the bilayer and trilayer contacts involving Ag frit are limited to low peak firing temperature, but Ni frit, on the other hand, showed a wider firing temperature range. This is supported by low reverse saturation current density (J02) of 1.1 × 10−11 A/cm2 and high shunt resistance (RSH) of 5750 Ω·cm2 for the Ni frit fired at 800°C peak firing temperature. More so, the adhesion of Ni Frit to silicon is better than Ag counterpart as evidenced in the SEM micrograph. Thus, by adopting RTP Ni/Cu contacts, the cost of metallization of solar cell can be dropped from 35% of total processing cost to only 5% to 6%, which is approximately 30% drop in the total cost of processing.
Plasma‐mediated inactivation of E. coli: Influence of protein on wet surface and in liquid medium
Authors: Hahn Veronika , Dikyol Caner , Altrock Beke , Schmidt Michael , Wende Kristian , Ercan Utku K. , Weltmann Klaus‐Dieter , von Woedtke Thomas
Published: February 2019

Application of cold atmospheric‐pressure plasma (CAP) for wound treatment but also for decontamination of food or water often includes the presence of proteins. These proteins contain amino acids with functional groups such as thiol (SH) groups. Plasma‐mediated effects in biological systems involve reactive oxygen and nitrogen species (RONS). In this regard, the redox signaling is often mediated via thiol groups. The aim of this study was to investigate the influence of protein and SH group containing amino acid on the antimicrobial properties of plasma‐treated saline solution (0.85% NaCl, w/v) and on the direct CAP efficacy on solid wet agar plates. Plasma treatment of saline solution was realized using an AC‐driven pin‐to‐liquid discharge. After 10 min plasma treatment time, the amino acids L‐cysteine (contains SH group) or L‐alanine (no SH group) or bovine serum albumin (BSA; with approximately 6% cysteine content) was added together with the test microorganism Escherichia coli K‐12 (DSM 11250/NCTC 10538) for an exposure time of up to 60 min. The total viable cell count was determined in appropriate time intervals. A concentration‐dependent repeal of the antimicrobial efficacy was determined. Thus, 0.0025% of BSA did not have any influence whereas 0.25% of BSA (w/v) as well as the tested amino acids resulted in no inactivation of E. coli. The difference between L‐alanine and L‐cysteine was negligible, suggesting only a minor effect of the presence of SH groups. Dimerization of L‐cysteine was shown by LC/MS analyses whereas no derivatization of L‐alanine was detected. To test the influence of proteins in direct plasma treatment on wet surfaces, E. coli was plated together with BSA on soybean casein digest agar surface. Another setup based on agar plates which contained different concentrations of peptone (mixture of peptides and amino acids). The agar plates were punctually treated by the argon‐driven CAP jet kINPen® Med (neoplas tools GmbH, Greifswald, Germany). After overnight incubation, inhibition zones were analyzed. The bacterial growth was independent of protein or peptone content for this direct plasma treatment. Summarizing all, the antibacterial effect of plasma‐treated solution is strictly limited in the presence of proteins. This inhibiting effect is not dependent on chemical structures containing SH groups. In direct plasma application, none of the tested protein or peptide/amino acid content resulted in a diminished antimicrobial effect of the kINPen Med® when applied in a protein‐containing environment.
Completing the Immunological Fingerprint by Refractory Proteins: Autoantibody Screening via an Improved Immunoblotting Technique
Authors: Moritz Christian P. , Tholance Yannick , Rosier Carole , Reynaud‐Federspiel Evelyne , Svahn Juliette , Camdessanché Jean‐Philippe , Antoine Jean‐Christophe
Published: February 2019

Purpose

Identifying autoantigens of serological autoantibodies requires expensive methods, such as protein microarrays or IP+MS. Thus, sera are commonly pre‐screened for interesting immunopatterns via immunocytochemistry/immunohistochemistry. However, distinguishing immunopatterns can be difficult and intracellular antigens are less accessible. Therefore, a simple and cheap immunoblot screening able to distinguish immunopatterns and to detect refractory proteins is presented.

Experimental Design

Five steps of immunoblotting‐based autoantigen screening are revised: (1) choice of protein source, (2) protein extraction, (3) protein separation, (4) protein transfer, (5) antigen detection. Thereafter, 52 patients' sera with chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy (CIDP) and 45 controls were screened.

Results

The protein source impacts the detected antigen set. Steps 2‐4 can be adapted for refractory proteins. Furthermore, longitudinal cutting of protein lanes saves ≥75% of time and material and allows for exact comparison of band patterns. As the latter are individually specific and temporarily constant, we call them “immunological fingerprints”. In a proof‐of‐principle, a 155 kDa immunoband was detected with two anti‐neurofascin‐155‐positive CIDP sera and two further immunobands (120/220 kDa) specific to a subgroup of 3‐6 of 52 CIDP patients.

Conclusions and Clinical Relevance

Adapted immunoblotting is a cheap and simple method for accurate serum screening including refractory and intracellular antigens.
The Dissection Algorithm for the Second‐Born Self‐Energy
Authors: Perfetto Enrico , Stefanucci Gianluca
Published: February 2019

Here, an algorithm to efficiently compute the second‐Born self‐energy of many‐body perturbation theory is described. The core idea consists in dissecting the set of all four‐index Coulomb integrals into properly chosen subsets, thus avoiding to loop over those indices for which the Coulomb integrals are zero or negligible. The scaling properties of the algorithm with the number of basis functions is discussed. The computational gain is demonstrated in the case of one‐particle Kohn–Sham basis for organic molecules.
Corporate social responsibility and the role of rural women in sustainable agricultural development in sub‐Saharan Africa: Evidence from the Niger Delta in Nigeria
Authors: Uduji Joseph Ikechukwu , Okolo‐Obasi Elda N. , Asongu Simplice A.
Published: February 2019

Low productivity among female farmers when compared with their male counterparts is considered an outcome of limited access to agricultural land and inputs. The objective of this investigation was to assess the impact of multinational oil companies' (MOCs') corporate social responsibility (CSR) on rural women's access to modern agricultural inputs in the Niger Delta, Nigeria. A total of 700 rural female farmers were sampled across the region. Results from the use of a logit model indicated that CSR recorded significant success in agricultural development generally, but has undermined equality. This implies that if a woman's agricultural productivity is continuously hindered by unequal access to agricultural resources (or opportunities) and widespread inequality will limit poverty reduction efforts in Nigeria. The results also showed that women depended on CSR of MOCs for policy dialogue and advocacy for women's access to agricultural land and inputs. Supporting agricultural initiatives that focus on empowering women would boost food security in sub‐Saharan Africa.
Lycopsid megaspores from the Upper Triassic of Svalbard and their relationship to the floras and palaeoenvironments of northern Pangaea
Authors: Paterson Niall W. , Morris Peter H. , Mangerud Gunn
Published: February 2019

Triassic megaspore assemblages from Svalbard, Arctic Norway, are described for the first time based on the analysis of the Upper Triassic (Carnian–Norian/Rhaetian) Kapp Toscana Group on the island of Hopen. Two megaspore zones are described: the late Carnian ‘Dijkstraisporites beutleriZone’ (undifferentiated De Geerdalen Formation), and the Norian/Rhaetian ‘D. beutleri–Verrutriletes preutilisZone’ (Svenskøya Formation). Megaspores are attributed to heterosporous lycopsids, and probably correspond to the microsporeAratrisporites, which was observed in palynological preparations. Megaspore occurrence was highest in delta‐plain and associated with lake‐mire deposits. However, their close association with marine microfossils suggests episodic marine influence and is consistent with previous interpretations that some Triassic lycopsids occupied marginal marine habitats. The absence of megaspores in the overlying Hopen Member and Flatsalen Formation is probably related to a marine transgression during the early Norian, as indicated by the recovery of low diversity assemblages of agglutinated foraminifera. The transition to ostracod‐dominated microfaunas in the middle part of the formation is consistent with a regionally extensive maximum flooding surface, prior to a return to megaspore‐dominated assemblages in the fluvio‐deltaic deposits of the Svenskøya Formation. Despite the abundance of their mega and microspores, lycopsid fossils are almost entirely absent within palaeobotanical collections from the island, which we ascribe to their herbaceous habit and consequent low preservation potential. The results of this study show lycopsids to be an important component of the local ecosystem and thus contribute to a more complete understanding of the Late Triassic floras of northern‐most Pangaea.
Equivariant U(N) Verlinde algebra from Bethe/gauge correspondence
Authors: Kanno Hiroaki , Sugiyama Katsuyuki , Yoshida Yutaka
Published: February 2019

Abstract

We compute the topological partition function (twisted index) of$$ \mathcal{N} $$N= 2 U(N) Chern-Simons theory with an adjoint chiral multiplet on Σg×S1. The localization technique shows that the underlying Frobenius algebra is the equivariant Verlinde algebra which is obtained from the canonical quantization of the complex Chern-Simons theory regularized by U(1) equivariant parametert. Our computation relies on a Bethe/Gauge correspondence which allows us to represent the equivariant Verlinde algebra in terms of the Hall-Littlewood polynomialsPλ(xB,t) with a specialization by Bethe rootsxBof theq-boson model. We confirm a proposed duality to the Coulomb branch limit of the lens space superconformal index of four dimensional$$ \mathcal{N} $$N= 2 theories for SU(2) and SU(3) with lower levels. In SU(2) case we also present more direct computation based on Jeffrey-Kirwan residue operation.
Information elaboration and epistemic effects of diversity
Authors: Steel Daniel , Fazelpour Sina , Crewe Bianca , Gillette Kinley
Published: February 2019

We suggest that philosophical accounts of epistemic effects of diversity have given insufficient attention to the relationship between demographic diversity and information elaboration (IE), the process whereby knowledge dispersed in a group is elicited and examined. We propose an analysis of IE that clarifies hypotheses proposed in the empirical literature and their relationship to philosophical accounts of diversity effects. Philosophical accounts have largely overlooked the possibility that demographic diversity may improve group performance by enhancing IE, and sometimes fail to explore the relationship between diversity and IE altogether. We claim these omissions are significant from both a practical and theoretical perspective. Moreover, we explain how the overlooked explanations suggest that epistemic benefits of diversity can depend on epistemically unjust social dynamics.
Hospitalization, surgery, and incident dementia
Authors: Eriksson Lars I. , Lundholm Cecilia , Narasimhalu Kaavya , Sandin Rolf , Jin Ya‐Ping , Gatz Margaret , Pedersen Nancy L.
Published: February 2019

Introduction

We evaluated whether hospitalization with or without surgery increases risk for dementia or Alzheimer's disease.

Methods

A clinical sample (843 clinically diagnosed dementia cases; 1686 matched nondemented individuals) was identified from Swedish Twin Registry studies. A register‐based sample (4293 cases; 21,465 matched controls) was identified by linkage of Swedish Twin Registry to Swedish Patient Registry records. Apolipoprotein E (APOE) status and within‐pair comparisons of dementia discordant twins indicated genetic susceptibility.

Results

Nonsurgical hospitalization is associated with greater dementia risk than hospitalization with surgical intervention. In the register sample, thoracic, abdominal, and major orthopedic procedures entailed dementia risk; in the clinical sample, orthopedic alone. Within‐pair analyses indicate that associations in part reflect genetic susceptibility in common to hospitalization and dementia. Potential gene‐environment interactions were indicated by greater risk due to hospitalization among APOE ε4 noncarriers.

Discussion

We confirm hospitalization as a risk factor for dementia, with repeated hospitalizations a more important risk factor than surgery.
Are Role and Gender Related to Sexual Function and Satisfaction in Men and Women Practicing BDSM?
Authors: Botta Daniela , Nimbi Filippo Maria , Tripodi Francesca , Silvaggi Marco , Simonelli Chiara
Published: February 2019

Background

Published studies show good psychological health of people involved in bondage-discipline, dominance-submission, and sadism-masochism (BDSM) activities; nevertheless, there are few studies on characteristics related to gender, role in the BDSM scene, sexual functioning, and satisfaction among BDSM practitioners.

Aim

The aim of this study was to explore gender and role differences, prevalence of sexual complaints, related distress, and sexual satisfaction in BDSM participants compared with the general population.

Methods

A group of 266 Italian consensual BDSM participants (141 men and 125 women) were recruited with a snowball sampling technique. An anonymous protocol, including self-reported ad hoc and validated questionnaires, was used. The control group was composed of 100 men and 100 women who were not significantly different from the BDSM group for the sociodemographic data and were randomly extracted from an Italian database on sexual functioning of the general population.

Main Outcome Measures

Self-reported demographic factors, including favorite and most frequent BDSM practices, the Sexual Complaint Screener, and the Sexual Satisfaction Scale, were completed by the participants.

Results

The mean age of the BDSM group was 41.42 ± 9.61 years old (range 18–74). Data showed a varied outlook of practices, fantasies, rules, and roles. With regard to concerns about BDSM activities (fantasies and behaviors), participants reported a very low self-declared degree of distress. The dominant and switch groups appear to be more satisfied and less concerned about sexuality than the general population and the submissive group. Role in the BDSM scene was the only significant predictor of sexual satisfaction, showing a medium effect size.

Clinical Implications

Results from this study could be helpful to inform sexual health care professionals and to reduce the stigma related to the BDSM population.

Strengths & Limitations

In general, this study may help to describe better some characteristics related to gender, role, sexual preferences, function, and satisfaction. The main limitation regards the sampling method, which does not allow us to consider the group as representative of BDSM participants in general.

Conclusion

Data showed a varied outlook of practices, fantasies, rules, and roles in both BDSM men and women. BDSM participants (especially dominant and switch groups) appear to be more satisfied and less concerned about sexuality than the general population. This is an attempt to increase the attention of researchers and health care professionals to this important topic and to improve the care provided to people with specific preferences and behaviors.
The Penile Sensitivity Ratio: A Novel Application of Biothesiometry to Assess Changes in Penile Sensitivity
Authors: Wiggins Adam , Farrell M. Ryan , Tsambarlis Peter , Levine Laurence A.
Published: February 2019

Introduction

Biothesiometry allows for evaluation of penile vibratory sensitivity and can be used as a non-invasive and rapid surrogate test of penile sexual sensitivity. However, no standardized measurement methodology currently exists.

Aim

To describe and optimize a novel, standardized biothesiometry parameter—the penile sensitivity ratio (PSR).

Methods

We reviewed all biothesiometry data from men presenting to our institution from July 2013–May 2017. 3 iterations of the PSR were evaluated using the threshold for vibratory detection from a combination of different input variables including the penile glans, penile shaft, index finger, and thigh. Numerator values for the PSR included the penile glans and penile shaft, whereas denominator inputs included the index finger and thigh. PSR is inversely correlated with penile sensitivity.

Main Outcome Measure

The primary outcome measure was the association between reported diminished penile sensitivity and PSR value. Secondary outcome measures were the association between PSR and age, diabetes, ejaculatory dysfunction, and Peyronie’s disease (PD).

Results

Biothesiometry data were evaluated from 1,239 men. Mean age was 53.2 years (SD 14.0 years). Diabetes was present in 7.4% (n = 92); 52.0% (n = 644) had PD. Ejaculatory dysfunction was identified in 15.8% (n = 196), with 12.2% (n = 151) having premature ejaculation and 3.6% (n = 45) reporting delayed ejaculation. Decreased penile sensitivity was reported in 20.3% (n = 252). 3 PSR iterations were analyzed to identify associations with decreased penile sensation. On univariate and multivariate analysis controlling for age, diabetes, ejaculatory dysfunction, and PD, only the PSR iteration, which included data from the penile glans and finger (PSRG/F), was significantly different between patients reporting diminished penile sensitivity and those without reported diminished sensitivity (univariate P < .01, multivariate P = .03). On univariate analysis, a higher PSRG/F was associated with older age (P < .01) and diabetes (P < .01), whereas men with PD had a lower PSRG/F (P < .01). On multivariate analysis, PSRG/F remained increased for age (P < .01) and decreased for PD (P = .01); however, there was no association with diabetes (P = .12). No association existed between ejaculatory function and PSRG/F on univariate (P = .25) or multivariate analysis (P = .35).

Clinical Implications

The PSR may be used as a standardized biothesiometry parameter to evaluate penile sensitivity.

Strength & Limitations

This study included a large cohort of men undergoing biothesiometry (n = 1,239); however, it is limited by the multifactorial nature of perceived diminished penile sensitivity.

Conclusion

The PSR using penile glans and index finger input variables is a non-invasive, painless, office-based, standardized biothesiometry parameter that is a clinically useful tool for measuring penile sexual sensitivity.
Changes in outpatient antibiotic utilization, 2000–2016: More people are receiving fewer antibiotics
Authors: Cocoros Noelle M. , Ochoa Aileen , Klompas Michael
Published: February 2019

We examined annual outpatient antibiotic dispensings within a health insurance plan covering ∼970,000 members per year during 2000–2016. The proportion of members with antibiotic dispensings decreased from 33.3% in 2000 to 25.9% in 2016. This trend was consistent in all stratifications of age, race/ethnicity, sex, and comorbidities.
Healthcare provider diagnostic testing practices for identification of Clostridioides (Clostridium) difficile in children: an Emerging Infections Network survey
Authors: Kociolek Larry K. , Kutty Preeta K. , Polgreen Philip M. , Beekmann Susan E.
Published: February 2019

Objective:

To characterize healthcare provider diagnostic testing practices for identifying Clostridioides (Clostridium) difficile infection (CDI) and asymptomatic carriage in children.

Design:

Electronic survey.

Methods:

An 11-question survey was sent by e-mail or facsimile to all pediatric infectious diseases (PID) members of the Infectious Diseases Society of America’s Emerging Infections Network (EIN).

Results:

Among 345 eligible respondents who had ever responded to an EIN survey, 196 (57%) responded; 162 of these (83%) were aware of their institutional policies for CDI testing and management. Also, 159 (98%) respondents knew their institution’s C. difficile testing method: 99 (62%) utilize NAAT without toxin testing and 60 (38%) utilize toxin testing, either as a single test or a multistep algorithm. Of 153 respondents, 10 (7%) reported that formed stools were tested for C. difficile at their institution, and 76 of 151 (50%) reported that their institution does not restrict C. difficile testing in infants and young children. The frequency of symptom- and age-based testing restrictions did not vary between institutions utilizing NAAT alone compared to those utilizing toxin testing for C. difficile diagnosis. Of 143 respondents, 26 (16%) permit testing of neonatal intensive care unit patients and 12 of 26 (46%) treat CDI with antibiotics in this patient population.

Conclusions:

These data suggest that there are opportunities to improve CDI diagnostic stewardship practices in children, including among hospitals using NAATs alone for CDI diagnosis in children.
Psychopathology and early life stress in migrant youths: an analysis of the ‘Growing up in Ireland’ study
Authors: Cotter S. , Healy C. , Ni Cathain D. , Williams P. , Clarke M. , Cannon M.
Published: February 2019

Objectives

Migrant youths endure many challenges. Such challenges can be stressful and lead to psychological difficulties. We investigated the relationship between migration, psychopathology and stressful events in children and adolescents. We hypothesised that migrant youths would show higher levels of psychopathology and more stressful life events than non-migrant youths.

Method

Using the Child cohort (Cohort ‘98) of the ‘Growing up in Ireland’ study we investigated psychopathology, as measured by the Strengths and Difficulties questionnaire (SDQ) at age 9 and 13 and stressful life events in migrant and non-migrant youths.

Results

There was no significant difference between the proportion of migrant and non-migrant youths reporting psychopathology in childhood (p>0.05) or adolescence (p>0.05). Analysis of the SDQ subscales revealed that a significantly greater proportion of migrant youths had hyperactivity problems in childhood (p = 0.04) but a greater proportion of non-migrant youths had emotional problems in early adolescence (p = 0.04). We found that migrant youths experienced significantly more stressful life events than their non-migrant counterparts (p<0.01), however, once ‘Moving house/country‘ was removed as a stressor, there was no difference between the groups (p>0.27).

Conclusions

Contrary to our hypothesis, we observed that there were few differences between migrant and non-migrant youths in the levels of psychopathology. Migrant youths experienced a greater number of stressful life events, however, this was attributable to stressors relating to moving. An increased understanding of the factors promoting resilience, as demonstrated by the migrant youths, could aid health professionals and policy makers to effectively tailor interventions for mental health promotion.
Spectra of a class of non-symmetric operators in Hilbert spaces with applications to singular differential operators
Authors: Sun Huaqing , Xie Bing
Published: February 2019

This paper is concerned with a class of non-symmetric operators, that is, 𝒥-symmetric operators, in Hilbert spaces. A sufficient condition for λ ∈ C being an element of the essential spectrum of a 𝒥-symmetric operator is given in terms of the number of linearly independent solutions of a certain homogeneous equation, and a characterization for points of the essential spectrum plus the set of all eigenvalues of a 𝒥-symmetric operator is obtained in terms of the numbers of linearly independent solutions of certain inhomogeneous equations. As direct applications, the corresponding results are obtained for singular 𝒥-symmetric Hamiltonian systems and their special forms of singular Sturm-Liouville equations with complex-valued coefficients, which enable us to study the spectra of singular 𝒥-symmetric differential expressions using numerous tools available in the fundamental theory of differential equations.
Positive solutions of semilinear elliptic problems with a Hardy potential
Authors: Bandle Catherine , Pozio Maria Assunta
Published: February 2019

Let Ω ⊂ ℝNbe a bounded domain and δ(x) be the distance of a pointx∈ Ω to the boundary. We study the positive solutions of the problem Δu+ (μ/(δ(x)2))u=upinΩ, wherep> 0,p≠ 1 and μ ∈ ℝ, μ ≠ 0 is smaller than the Hardy constant. The interplay between the singular potential and the nonlinearity leads to interesting structures of the solution sets. In this paper, we first give the complete picture of the radial solutions in balls. In particular, we establish forp> 1 the existence of a unique large solution behaving like δ−(2/(p−1))at the boundary. In general domains, we extend the results of Bandle and Pozio and show that there exists a unique singular solutionsusuch that$u/\delta ^{\beta _-}\to c$on the boundary for an arbitrary positive function$c \in C^{2+\gamma }(\partial \Omega ) \, (\gamma \in (0,1)), c \ges 0$. Here β−is the smaller root of β(β − 1) + μ = 0.
Apathy Associated With Impaired Recognition of Happy Facial Expressions in Huntington’s Disease
Authors: Osborne-Crowley Katherine , Andrews Sophie C. , Labuschagne Izelle , Nair Akshay , Scahill Rachael , Craufurd David , Tabrizi Sarah J. , Stout Julie C. ,   the TRACK-HD Investigators
Published: February 2019

Objectives: Previous research has demonstrated an association between emotion recognition and apathy in several neurological conditions involving fronto-striatal pathology, including Parkinson’s disease and brain injury. In line with these findings, we aimed to determine whether apathetic participants with early Huntington’s disease (HD) were more impaired on an emotion recognition task compared to non-apathetic participants and healthy controls. Methods: We included 43 participants from the TRACK-HD study who reported apathy on the Problem Behaviours Assessment – short version (PBA-S), 67 participants who reported no apathy, and 107 controls matched for age, sex, and level of education. During their baseline TRACK-HD visit, participants completed a battery of cognitive and psychological tests including an emotion recognition task, the Hospital Depression and Anxiety Scale (HADS) and were assessed on the PBA-S. Results: Compared to the non-apathetic group and the control group, the apathetic group were impaired on the recognition of happy facial expressions, after controlling for depression symptomology on the HADS and general disease progression (Unified Huntington’s Disease Rating Scale total motor score). This was despite no difference between the apathetic and non-apathetic group on overall cognitive functioning assessed by a cognitive composite score. Conclusions: Impairment of the recognition of happy expressions may be part of the clinical picture of apathy in HD. While shared reliance on frontostriatal pathways may broadly explain associations between emotion recognition and apathy found across several patient groups, further work is needed to determine what relationships exist between recognition of specific emotions, distinct subtypes of apathy and underlying neuropathology. (JINS, 2019, 25, 453–461)