bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Establishment of baseline sensitivity ofRhizoctonia solanito thifluzamide in corn and its field application
Authors: Shang Dianlong , Yao Chentao , He Falin , Sun Xiao , Sun Shiang , Tan Haili , Li Xiangdong , Zhang Jiwang , Jiang Xingyin
Published: August 2018

In recent years, banded leaf sheath blight in corn has become an important disease in corn that seriously affects quality and yield. This paper aims to evaluate the sensitivity ofRhizoctonia solanito thifluzamide in corn, to clarify the effect of seed coating using a thifluzamide suspension agent on safety and physiological indicators and to determine banded leaf sheath blight in corn control effectiveness in the field, thereby providing a basis for the application of thifluzamide suspension agent as a seed coating. In this study, the thifluzamide sensitivity of 102 strains ofR. solaniin corn in different regions of Shandong was determined using the mycelial growth rate method, and the average half-maximal effective concentration value (EC50) was 0.086±0.004 μg/mL. The sensitivity was consistent with a continuous and skewed normal distribution, and the sensitivity distribution frequency exhibited a continuous, unimodal curve, indicating that thifluzamide had strong inhibitory activity on the mycelial growth ofR. solaniin corn. The impacts of using a thifluzamide suspension agent for seed coating on safety and physiological indicators as well as the control effect in corn were evaluated by combining seed coating, an indoor pot test, and a field trial. The root activities under 24 g a.i. 100 kg-1seed and 12 g a.i. 100 kg-1seed were found to increase by 78.01% and 77.40%, respectively, compared with that under the blank control; the chlorophyll content of corn increased most significantly at a dosage of 24 g a.i. 100 kg-1, which was a 32.32% increase compared to the blank control. Thifluzamide (FS) could significantly increase the hundred-grain weight of corn and the per-plot yield. Among the examined dosages, 24 g a.i. 100 kg-1seed had the most significant treatment effect, with the hundred-grain weight increasing by 12.47% and the yield rate increasing by 15.72% compared to the control in 2016, Simultaneously, the hundred-grain weight increasing by 13.44% and the yield rate increasing by 14.11% compared to the control in 2017. Three dosages of 24% thifluzamide (FS) increased the emergence rate and seedling growth of corn to varying extents. The field control effectiveness against banded leaf sheath blight in corn was best at the dosage of 24 g a.i. 100 kg-1seed for seed dressing with thifluzamide (FS); in 2016 and 2017, the control effects in the small bell stage, large bell stage, tasseling and pollen-shedding stage, silking stage, milk-ripening stage, and wax-ripening stage were 100%, 66.73%, 52.8%, 67.81%, 68.48%, and 62.68% (2016), respectively, and 74.97%, 63.17%, 50.90%, 53.60%, 61.42%, and 55.88% (2017). These results indicated that thifluzamide had enormous potential for controlling banded leaf sheath blight in corn.
Small Data Challenge: Structural Analysis and Optimization of Convolutional Neural Networks with a Small Sample Size
Authors: D’souza Rhett N. , Huang Po-Yao , Yeh Fang-Cheng
Published: August 2018

Deep neural networks have gained immense popularity in the Big Data problem; however, the availability of training samples can be relatively limited in certain application domains, particularly medical imaging, and consequently leading to overfitting problems. This “Small Data” challenge may need a mindset that is entirely different from the existing Big Data paradigm. Here, under the small data setting, we examined whether the network structure has a substantial influence on the performance and whether the optimal structure is predominantly determined by sample size or data nature. To this end, we listed all possible combinations of layers given an upper bound of the VC-dimension to study how structural hyperparameters affected the performance. Our results showed that structural optimization improved accuracy by 27.99%, 16.44%, and 13.11% over random selection for a sample size of 100, 500, and 1,000 in the MNIST dataset, respectively, suggesting that the importance of the network structure increases as the sample size becomes smaller. Furthermore, the optimal network structure was mostly determined by the data nature (photographic, calligraphic, or medical images), and less affected by the sample size, suggesting that the optimal network structure is data-driven, not sample size driven. After network structure optimization, the conventional convolutional neural network could achieve 91.13% in accuracy with only 500 samples, 93.66% in accuracy with only 1000 samples for the MNIST dataset and 94.10% in accuracy with only 3300 samples for the Mitosis (microscopic) dataset. These results indicate the primary importance of the network structure and the nature of the data in facing the Small Data challenge.
Resting shear elastic modulus as a marker of peripheral fatigue during maximal isometric contractions in humans
Authors: Siracusa Julien , Charlot Keyne , Malgoyre Alexandra , Conort Sébastien , Tardo-Dino Pierre-Emmanuel , Bourrilhon Cyprien , Garcia-Vicencio Sebastian
Published: August 2018

The aim of this study was to investigate whether the resting Vastus Lateralis (VL) muscle shear elastic modulus (µ), evaluated by shear wave elastography, represents peripheral fatigue during repetition of isometric maximal voluntary contractions (MVCs) of the knee extensor (KE) muscles.

Eight healthy well-trained males repeated 60 isometric MVCs of the KE muscles (6 × 10 MVCs; 5 s on/5 s off). Single and double electrical stimulations were delivered to the femoral nerve every ten MVCs during contraction and at rest. The amplitude and properties of the potentiated torque following single (Twpot) double electrostimulation and the amplitude of the concomitant VL compound action potential were considered to be indicators of peripheral fatigue. The resting VLµ was measured during a 5-s rest period after each MVC and electrical stimulation series.

The resting VLµ significantly decreased (-21.8 ± 3.9%; P < 0.001) by the end of the fatigue protocol, decreasing from the 10th MVC to the end of the exercise (60th MVC) for all participants, with the loss ranging from 18 to 29%. The potentiated doublet and single twitch torque (Twpot) decreased by 42.5 ± 10.8% and 55.7 ± 8.8%, respectively, by the end of exercise (P < 0.001 for both). The relative mechanical properties of Twpot, i.e. electromechanical delay (P <0 .001), contraction time (P = 0.004), and maximal rate of torque development/relaxation (P < 0.001) also changed significantly during exercise.

This study shows that the kinetics of the resting VLµ is associated with changes in both voluntary and electrostimulated torque amplitudes and electromechanical properties of the single twitch during the repetition of maximal voluntary fatiguing exercise. Changes in the resting VLµ may reflect a decline in muscle function, e.g. impairment of excitation-contraction coupling, contractile processes, and/or elastic properties, throughout the increase in muscle compliance, directly affecting force transmission.
Stable changing fluid shear stress promotes osteogenesis
Authors: Wang Linyuan , Xiao Fang , Yu Lei , Su Hang , Yang Yueqin , Wang Song
Published: August 2018

Objective

Bone marrow cells encounter various chemical and mechanical stimuli from the internal environment. In vivo, fluid shear stress (FSS) is one of the primary mechanical stimuli that affect bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells (BMCs) activity. Since various cases of FSS influence BMCs activity differently, the purpose of this study is to determine how BMC activity in osteogenesis and osteoclastgenesis is affected by stable and unstable changing FSS.

Method

BMCs samples from the femur of the mouse, divided in to three groups: stimulate by stable changing FSS, unstable changing FSS, and no FSS. RT-PCR would be applied to detect OPG, RANKL, ALP, OCN, RUNX2, and RANK of all the samples at the 3rdday. Alizarin red staining and TRAP staining would be applied to test all the samples at the 6thday.

Results

The S group samples showed the lowest level in RANKL mRNA and showed the highest level in OPG mRNA. RANKL/OPG mRNA in the S group was the smallest during three groups. Comparing with the C group samples, RUNX2 mRNA in the S group was increased significantly. RANK mRNA in the C group was three times more than S group. S group had the largest area of mineralized nodules, and largest number of area ≥100µm, ≥500µm2or ≥1000µm2. The area of positive TRAP stain in S group was the smallest among three groups.

Conclusion

Stable changing FSS significantly increases osteogenesis relating to OPG-RANKL-RANK pathway. Compared with unstable changing FSS, stable changing FSS afford a more appropriate stimulation to osteogenesis.

Abbreviations

ALP

Alkaline phosphatase

BMCs

Bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells

Cx43

Connexin 43

C3a

Complement Component 3a

JNK

c-Jun N-terminal kinase

ERK

Extracellular regulated protein kinases

ERK5

Extracellular-signal-regulated kinase

FSS

Fluid shear stress

FasL

First apoptosis signal Ligand

GSK3β

Glycogen synthase kinase 3β

LPA

Lysophosphatidic acid

MSCs

Mesenchymal stem cells

M-CSF

Macrophage colony-stimulating factor

MCP-1

Monocyte chemoattractant protein-1

RANK

Receptor Activator of Nuclear Factor κ B

RANKL

Receptor activator of nuclear factor κ B ligand

RUNX2

Runt-related transcription factor 2

P2Y2R

Receptor of P2Y2

LGR4

Repeat-containing G-protein-coupled receptor 4

Sema

Semaphorins

TRAP

Tartrate-Resistant Acid Ahosphatase

TRPM7

Transient receptor potential cation channel subfamily M member 7

TRAFs

Tumornecrosisfactorreceptor associatedfactors

OPG

Osteoprotegerin

OCN

Osteocalcin

OPN

Osteopontin
Extracellular Adenine Nucleotide and Adenosine Metabolism in Calcific Aortic Valve Disease
Authors: Kutryb-Zajac Barbara , Jablonska Patrycja , Serocki Marcin , Bulinska Alicja , Mierzejewska Paulina , Friebe Daniela , Alter Christina , Jasztal Agnieszka , Lango Romuald , Rogowski Jan , Bartoszewski Rafal , Slominska Ewa M. , Chlopicki Stefan , Schrader Jürgen , Yacoub Magdi H. , Smolenski Ryszard T.
Published: August 2018

Extracellular nucleotide catabolism contributes to immunomodulation, cell differentiation and tissue mineralization by controlling nucleotide and adenosine concentrations and its purinergic effects. Disturbances of purinergic signaling in valves may lead to its calcification. This study aimed to investigate the side-specific changes in extracellular nucleotide and adenosine metabolism in the aortic valve during calcific aortic valve disease (CAVD) and to identify the individual enzymes that are involved in these pathways as well as their cellular origin.

Stenotic aortic valves were characterized by reduced levels of extracellular ATP removal and impaired production of adenosine. Respectively, already reduced levels of extracellular adenosine were immediately degraded further due to the elevated rate of adenosine deamination. For the first time, we revealed that this metabolic pattern was observed only on the fibrosa surface of stenotic valve that is consistent with the mineral deposition on the aortic side of the valve. Furthermore, we demonstrated that non-stenotic valves expressed mostly ecto-nucleoside triphosphate diphosphohydrolase 1 (eNTPD1) and ecto-5’nucleotidase (e5NT), while stenotic valves ecto-nucleotide pyrophosphatase/ phosphodiesterase 1, alkaline phosphatase and ecto-adenosine deaminase (eADA). On the surface of endothelial cells, isolated from non-stenotic valves, high activities of eNTPD1 and e5NT were found. Whereas, in valvular interstitial cells, eNPP1 activity was also detected. Stenotic valve immune infiltrate was an additional source of eADA. We demonstrated the presence of A1, A2a and A2b adenosine receptors in both, non-stenotic and stenotic valves with diminished expression of A2a and A2b in the former.

Extracellular nucleotide and adenosine metabolism that involves complex ecto-enzyme pathways and adenosine receptor signaling were adversely modified in CAVD. In particular, diminished activities of eNTPD1 and e5NT with the increase in eADA that originated from valvular endothelial and interstitial cells as well as from immune inflitrate may affect aortic valve extracellular nucleotide concentrations to favor a proinflammatory milieu, highlighting a potential mechanism and target for CAVD therapy.
Finite element computation of the effective thermal conductivity of two-dimensional multi-scale heterogeneous media
Authors: Mattos Lucas Prado , Cruz Manuel Ernani , Bravo-Castillero Julián
Published: August 2018

Purpose

The simulation of heat conduction inside a heterogeneous material with multiple spatial scales would require extremely fine and ill-conditioned meshes and, therefore, the success of such a numerical implementation would be very unlikely. This is the main reason why this paper aims to calculate an effective thermal conductivity for a multi-scale heterogeneous medium.

Design/methodology/approach

The methodology integrates the theory of reiterated homogenization with the finite element method, leading to a renewed calculation algorithm.

Findings

The effective thermal conductivity gain of the considered three-scale array relative to the two-scale array has been evaluated for several different values of the global volume fraction. For gains strictly above unity, the results indicate that there is an optimal local volume fraction for a maximum heat conduction gain.

Research limitations/implications

The present approach is formally applicable within the asymptotic limits required by the theory of reiterated homogenization.

Practical implications

It is expected that the present analytical-numerical methodology will be a useful tool to aid interpretation of the gain in effective thermal conductivity experimentally observed with some classes of heterogeneous multi-scale media.

Originality/value

The novel aspect of this paper is the application of the integrated algorithm to calculate numerical bulk effective thermal conductivity values for multi-scale heterogeneous media.
Reimagining leadership – and its relationship with management – for the public sector
Authors: Dunoon Don
Published: August 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to review and critique three conventional assumptions about leadership and put forward an alternative framing, with leadership presented as a distinct form of intervention in particular moments to management. The paper also presents a structure for supporting leadership action by individuals and groups as an alternate to management action, which is seen as the dominant form.

Design/methodology/approach

Reflects an elaboration and distillation of concepts developed by the author since an earlier paper on essentially the same topic, drawing on his 20-plus years’ experience as a leadership developer.

Findings

Although not an empirical account, the paper seeks to demonstrate how, when conventional but infrequently challenged assumptions about leadership are “peeled back”, a new way of understanding leadership, especially in connection with management, is revealed.

Research limitations/implications

Suggestions are offered as to how the concepts and tools presented here could be evaluated, including in comparison with established leadership frameworks.

Practical implications

Outlines three practices for supporting leadership action in public sector organisations. These practices are working from observation, attributing reasonableness (allowing that others are reasonable) and speaking with authenticity. Collectively, these are known as the OBREAU Tripod (with “OBREAU” comprised of the first two letters in each of the pivotal words, observation, reasonableness and authenticity).

Originality/value

Conceiving of leadership as a different form of in-the-moment action to management in a public sector context is a distinctive contribution to the literature.
Unethical 20th century business leaders
Authors: Boddy Clive R.
Published: August 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to present evidence to examine the possible psychopathy of Robert Maxwell, a notorious figure in UK business history.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper presents research which retrospectively applied a tool to measure whether leading figures in twentieth century business history could be classified as being corporate psychopaths. As background to this idea, psychopaths and corporate psychopaths are defined. A measure of corporate psychopathy is explored as an aid to identifying corporate psychopaths in business history. This measure is then used in relation to senior corporate executives who have been nominated as potential corporate psychopaths and to Robert Maxwell in particular.

Findings

The paper concludes that at least some ethical scandals and failures such as those atThe Daily Mirrorhave been characterized by the presence of CEOs who scored highly on a measure of corporate psychopathy. Maxwell’s fraudulent raiding of corporate pension funds crossed ethical and legal borders. Furthermore, Maxwell’s fraudulent looting of those pension funds crossed generational boundaries; stealing from older people’s pension funds and thereby leaving younger people/investors with less to inherit. Maxwell also had an international business empire and so his fraud had effects which crossed geographic borders. The paper concludes that using an historical approach to the study of potential corporate psychopaths illuminates what types of organizational outcomes corporate psychopaths may eventuate.

Originality/value

The paper is the first to use an historical approach to the study of potential corporate psychopaths.
The social media adoption of public sector in the Kingdom of Bahrain
Authors: Hidayat Sutan Emir , Rafiki Ahmad , Al Khalifa Maryam Humood
Published: August 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to identify the contemporary implementation of social media within the public sector in the Kingdom of Bahrain by reviewing each of the ministry’s presence in the social media especially on specific social media websites (Twitter, Facebook and YouTube). This study also attempts to identify the types of information that the public is interested to receive from various government social media accounts.

Design/methodology/approach

A descriptive analysis with frequency distribution and weighted mean was used to analyze the demographic profile of the respondents, internet preferences and government information sources. The study has employed two types of survey methods in collecting data, namely, checklist and questionnaire surveys. A snowball sampling technique was employed for the sampling selection. Among the selected respondents of 500, 384 (76.8 percent) respondents completely responded to the questionnaires.

Findings

The study has confirmed the fact that most of the Bahrain Government’s ministries have social media platforms with a minimum of at least one official account to reach out to the various segments of the society. It also reveals that the respondents are active internet users who are looking for information in different platforms, i.e. search engines, social media, and have interests in different media forms like blogs, forums, official websites as well as multimedia images and videos. Meanwhile, the respondents are found to be interested in various types of information from the government that ranges from serious topics like emergency alerts, citizens’ rights and healthcare, to lighter topics like ways to protect the environment, science and technology and job seeking advice.

Originality/value

This clearly declares the inevitability of an increase in the dissemination of information by the Government of Bahrain through social media. The recommendations in this research could be highly beneficial for the Government of Bahrain if implemented as it could improve the cyber relationship between the government and the public.
Abundance of an economically important nematode parasite increased in Puget Sound between 1930 and 2016: Evidence from museum specimens confirms historical data
Authors: Howard Ingrid , Davis Ellie , Lippert Gregory , Quinn Thomas P. , Wood Chelsea L.
Published: August 2018

Does disturbance increase or decrease parasite transmission among wildlife hosts? Ecologists cannot answer this controversial question, in part because few historical datasets rigorously document parasite abundance. Without such a baseline, it is difficult to determine whether contemporary ecosystems are experiencing elevated parasite burdens.

Here, we investigate change over time in the abundance of a parasite that affects the economic value of a fish species. Clavinema mariae is a nematode parasite of benthic fishes that is common in English sole (Parophrys vetulus) of Puget Sound, WA. We obtained historical records of its abundance from the literature and from unpublished government agency data, and resampled the same locations using the same methods in 2017. We also used a new approach by estimating the C. mariae burden for museum specimens of English sole collected between 1930 and 2016.

Both the historical data and museum specimen data suggested increases over time in C. mariae abundance, with robust agreement between the two approaches.

In addition to documenting a previously unrecognised ~eightfold increase in the burden of an economically important parasite, our work demonstrates—for the first time—that parasitological examination of liquid‐preserved museum specimens can produce reliable data on long‐term trends in parasite abundance, at a much greater temporal resolution than is possible to obtain from historical records.

Synthesis and applications. Defining a baseline state of infection is vital for natural resource management and policy, which must respond to the threat of disease; without such a baseline, managers attempting to maintain or recover the health of ecosystems under their stewardship are shooting in the dark. The method we present here—using museum specimens to reconstruct detailed chronologies of parasite abundance change—offers a solution. Our approach would allow managers to accurately characterise past disease states, informing the development of appropriate disease management targets. Given the broad representation and availability of liquid‐preserved specimens across ecosystems, geographic regions and host taxa, this solution may be feasible for the management of biological resources not only in marine ecosystems, but in freshwater and terrestrial ecosystems as well.
Mycorrhizal feedbacks generate positive frequency dependence accelerating grassland succession
Authors: Koziol Liz , Bever James D.
Published: August 2018

Plant mutualists including arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi have been postulated as being important drivers of plant community diversity and succession. Late successional plants have been shown to be more responsive to AM fungi and more sensitive to AM fungal species identity, which could generate positive feedback and potentially accelerate succession.

We test the effect of AM fungi on plant diversity and on frequency dependence predicted by positive plant–AM fungi feedback across a successional gradient. We created prairie mesocosms comprised of a majority of early successional, equal abundance, and a majority of late successional plant species. We inoculated these mesocosms and a field restoration experiment with 14 different communities of AM fungi from late successional prairies that varied in levels of species richness.

Overall, we found that AM fungi increased plant diversity and this was driven by the response of late successional plant species to mycorrhizae. Our results indicate that AM fungal composition is more important than AM fungal diversity per se. We found that the effect of inoculation with a single species or groups of AM fungi depended on whether those fungi benefited late successional plant species. Early successional plants consistently exhibited negative frequency‐dependent growth regardless of fungal composition, while late successional plants demonstrated positive frequency‐dependent growth in our mesocosms—but only in the presence of beneficial AM fungal species. These results are consistent with positive plant–mycorrhizal feedbacks accelerating plant community successional trajectories once late successional plants establish. Mesocosm results were mirrored with field inoculation assays where we found that beneficial AM fungi facilitated late successional plant establishment.

Synthesis. Our results provide support for beneficial arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi being a primary mechanism for positive plant–soil feedback driving plant community succession, as late successional seedlings grew faster and larger when their neighbours were also late successional plant species when they were associated with beneficial arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi. We found that this positive feedback thereby accelerated succession in mesocosms and in the field.
Equality, efficiency and effectiveness: going beyond RCTs in A. L. Cochrane's vision of health care
Authors: Trnka Susanna , Stöckelová Tereza
Published: August 2018

A. L. Cochrane's Effectiveness and Efficiency frequently appears as a key reference in debates over, and a justification for, contemporary evidence‐based medicine. Cochrane's concern in this text with the equality of care as the ultimate rationale for why effectiveness and efficiency of cure are needed has, however, largely disappeared from debate. In this article, we reconsider Cochrane's approach through the use of case studies of plural forms of medicine in the Czech Republic, namely traditional Chinese medicine, homeopathy and spa care. In addition to bringing equality back into the picture, we also identify four expansions to Cochrane's original vision arising from the difficulties of separating cure from care; the overlap between prevention and cure; the complex actions of some multi‐faceted therapies; and recent reconceptualisations of the placebo effect. In conclusion, we suggest that instead of the widely used strictly vertical “evidence pyramid”, a descriptor of the horizontal and additive ordering of evidence might be more appropriate. We also argue that in healthcare systems characterised by a multiplicity of approaches, if we want to truly benefit from this heterogeneity, we must take seriously each medical tradition's approaches to prevention, cure, care, as well as efficiency, efficacy and equality.
Identification of unique proteins in vitreous fluid of patients with noninfectious uveitis
Authors: Kasudhan Kripa Shanker , Sarkar Subendu , Gupta Vishali , Gupta Amod , Chakraborti Anuradha
Published: August 2018

Purpose

Uveitis is a cause for concern in the developing countries like India. Its poor diagnosis and lack of proper therapeutics often cause blindness in children and young adults. Moreover, the exact mechanism of pathogenesis of different types of uveitis is still elusive. Modern proteomic techniques are found to be advantageous for an in‐depth understanding of the ocular physiology using proteomic diversity. Our aim was to identify unique proteins involved in the pathogenesis of autoimmune or noninfectious uveitis.

Methods

Vitreous fluid samples (n = 90) were obtained from infectious (N = 34) and noninfectious (N = 56) uveitis patients, and their protein profiles were compared by analysing sodium dodecyl sulphate–polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS‐PAGE) and 2D electrophoresis. Unique proteins were identified through matrix‐assisted laser desorption ionization–time‐of‐flight mass spectrometry (MALDI‐TOF MS) and further studied for pathway analysis.

Results

Protein spots having different molecular weights were observed in noninfectious vitreous fluid samples. Enzymatic digestion of these spots after MALDI‐TOF MS analysis revealed different proteins. We identified 25 different proteins through SDS‐PAGE and 22 through 2D electrophoresis. 50% of the proteins from SDS‐PAGE were associated with heterotrimeric G‐protein signalling pathway–rod outer segment phototransduction. 50% proteins from SDS‐PAGE and 20% from 2D electrophoresis revealed association with de novo purine biosynthesis. Carbonic anhydrase 1 and serpin B3 were found to be common in both analyses.

Conclusion

High‐throughput proteomic and pathway analyses have exposed the potential association of these proteins with autoimmune pathogenesis in uveitis. The exact role of most of the proteins in autoimmune uveitis is yet to be unfurled.
Parental self‐esteem, parent–child relationships, and authoritative parenting of Chinese migrant parents of left‐behind children: Implications for social policy and services
Authors: To Siu‐ming
Published: August 2018

In this study, we aimed to examine whether and how parental self‐esteem and parent–child relationships interact and associate with the authoritative parenting of Chinese rural‐to‐urban migrant mothers and fathers of left‐behind children. Results from a cross‐sectional survey of 295 Chinese migrant parents living in Shenzhen revealed no statistically significant differences between migrant mothers and fathers in parental self‐esteem, parent–child relationships, and authoritative parenting. Both parental self‐esteem and parent‐child relationships had positive associations with authoritative parenting among two groups of respondents; however, the perceived parent–child relationship quality was a more important predictor than parental self‐esteem. There was also an interaction effect between parental self‐esteem and parent–child relationships on migrant mothers’ authoritative parenting. The findings indicate that migrant parents’ perception of their encounters with their children has a profound influence on their parenting behaviors. Social services should, thus, be provided to strengthen both virtual and face‐to‐face parent–child interactions via mobile phone parenting and periodic visits. New policies should be developed to provide migrant parents with more options regarding family reunion.
Pregnant intravenous drug user tricuspid valve infective endocarditis treated with a successful simultaneous valve replacement and Cesarean section
Authors: Ahres Abdelkrim , Rubóczky Gábor , Somogyi Péter , Kapin Tibor , Apor Astrid , Ludwig Endre , Székely László , Andrássy Péter
Published: August 2018

A 30‐year‐old female patient known to be an intravenous drug user (IVDU) was admitted to Bajcsy‐Zsilinszky Hospital Cardiology Intensive Care Unit at 29‐week gestation with severe sepsis and right heart failure. She had methicillin‐sensitive Staphylococcus aureus on blood culture. Echocardiography confirmed the diagnosis of tricuspid valve infective endocarditis (IE). She had acute deterioration and hemodynamic instability for which an emergency tricuspid valve replacement (TVR) with a simultaneous Cesarean section (CS) was performed simultaneously. Medical management is the standard treatment in IE of IVDU pregnant patients, but in case of life‐threatening complications, emergency TVR and CS are to be considered. This is the first reported case of IVDU IE treated with simultaneous TVR and CS.
Suppression of somatosensory stimuli during motor planning may explain levels of balance and mobility after stroke
Authors: Peters Sue , Brown Katlyn E. , Garland S. Jayne , Staines W. Richard , Handy Todd C. , Boyd Lara A.
Published: August 2018

The ability to actively suppress, or gate, irrelevant sensory information is required for safe and efficient walking in sensory‐rich environments. Both motor attention and motor planning alter somatosensory evoked potentials (SEPs) in healthy adults. This study's aim was to examine the effect of motor attention on processing of irrelevant somatosensory information during plantar flexion motor planning after stroke. Thirteen healthy older adults and 11 individuals with stroke participated. Irrelevant tibial nerve stimulation was delivered while SEPs were recorded over Cz, overlaying the leg portion of the sensorimotor cortex at the vertex of the head. Three conditions were tested in both legs: (1) Rest, (2) Attend To, and (3) Attend Away from the stimulated limb. In conditions 2 and 3, relevant vibration cued voluntary plantar flexion movements of the stimulated (Attend To) or non‐stimulated (Attend Away) leg. SEP amplitudes were averaged during motor planning per condition. Individuals with stroke did not show attention‐mediated gating of the N40 component associated with irrelevant somatosensory information during motor planning. It may be that dysfunction in pathways connecting to area 3b explains the lack of attention‐mediated gating of the N40. Also, attention‐mediated gating during motor planning explained significant and unique variance in a measure of community balance and mobility combined with response time. Thus, the ability to gate irrelevant somatosensory information appears important for stepping in both older adults and after stroke. Our data suggest that therapies that direct motor attention could positively impact walking after stroke.
Dead in the water: Epilepsy‐related drowning or sudden unexpected death in epilepsy?
Authors: Cihan Esma , Hesdorffer Dale C. , Brandsoy Michael , Li Ling , Fowler David R. , Graham Jason K. , Donner Elizabeth J. , Devinsky Orrin , Friedman Daniel
Published: August 2018

Objective

Both drowning and sudden unexpected death in epilepsy (SUDEP) are diagnoses of exclusion with predominantly nonspecific autopsy findings. We hypothesized that people with epilepsy found dead in water with no clear sign of submersion could be misdiagnosed as SUDEP.

Methods

All reported seizure‐related deaths undergoing medicolegal investigation in three medical examiner's offices (New York City, Maryland, San Diego County) over different time periods were reviewed to identify epilepsy‐related drownings and SUDEPs. Drowning cases that fulfilled inclusion criteria were divided into two groups according to the circumstances of death: definite drowning and possible drowning. The SUDEP group included two sex‐ and age (±2 years)‐matched definite SUDEP/definite SUDEP plus cases for each drowning case.

Results

Of 1346 deaths reviewed, we identified 36 definite (76.6%) and 11 possible drowning deaths (23.4%), most of which occurred in a bathtub (72.3%). There were drowning‐related findings, including fluid within the sphenoid sinuses, foam in the airways, clear fluid in the stomach content, and lung hyperinflation in 58.3% (21/36) of the definite drowning group, 45.5% (5/11) of the possible drowning group, and 4.3% of the SUDEP group (4/92). There was no difference in the presence of pulmonary edema/congestion between the definite drowning group, possible drowning group, and SUDEP group. The definite drowning group had a higher mean combined lung weight than the SUDEP group, but there was no difference in mean lung weights between the possible drowning and SUDEP groups or between the possible drowning and definite drowning groups.

Significance

No distinguishable autopsy finding could be found between SUDEPs and epilepsy‐related drownings when there were no drowning‐related signs and no clear evidence of submersion. SUDEP could be the cause of death in such possible drowning cases. As most drowning cases occurred in the bathtub, supervision and specific bathing precautions could be effective prevention strategies.
Spaces of concern: Parliamentary discourse on Britain's overseas territories
Authors: Harmer Nichola
Published: August 2018

This article explores discussion of Britain's overseas territories in the UK Parliament. It provides quantitative and qualitative analyses of Hansard from the start of the Coalition Government in 2010 until the prorogation of Parliament in 2017, identifying dominant concerns regarding financial transparency, sovereignty disputes, and whether Parliament should legislate for the territories. The character of debate on the overseas territories suggests first that they occupy a particular and equivocal “space of concern” within the national legislature, and second that this attention often intersects and overlaps with a focus on other places and spatial scales in which concern for the overseas territories is sometimes secondary or subsumed. This discourse highlights uncertainty and questioning over the nature of the overseas territories’ relationship with the UK. The inclusion of the affairs of distant territories within national political discourse provides a rich and unique example of the disjunction between sovereignty, state and territory, and highlights the ongoing complexity and ambiguity of the UK's political geography.
Heat transfer from glass melt to cold cap: Melting rate correlation equation
Authors: Hrma Pavel , Pokorny Richard , Lee SeungMin , Kruger Albert A.
Published: August 2018

The efficiency of all‐electric melters is a hot topic not only in the waste glass melting industry, but also in the commercial melting industry, where stringent environmental regulations and rapid development of renewable energy ask for transformation of current technologies. The heat transfer for the batch conversion into molten glass is controlled by convection and conduction in the thermal boundary layer on the melt side, and by the properties of the foam layer at the batch/melt boundary. An overview of factors affecting heat transfer is presented and assessed using data from laboratory‐ and pilot‐scale experiments. Aside from increasing the melter operating temperature, the heat flux can be enhanced by (a) lowering glass melt viscosity, (b) decreasing the temperature at which the foam collapses at the cold cap bottom, and (c) increasing the melt convection. Although the melt viscosity depends on glass composition, limited by the desired product properties, the understanding of foaming behavior can guide the selection of batch materials that foam less and melt easily. Since a rigorous formulation of the complex region at the cold cap bottom has not been developed yet, the boundary layer approach was adopted to obtain a semiempirical relationship between the melting rate and experimentally accessible feed properties.
Racial disparities in lymph node dissection at radical prostatectomy: A Surveillance, Epidemiology and End Results database analysis
Authors: Preisser Felix , Nazzani Sebastiano , Bandini Marco , Marchioni Michele , Tian Zhe , Saad Fred , Chun Felix KH , Shariat Shahrokh F , Montorsi Francesco , Huland Hartwig , Graefen Markus , Tilki Derya , Karakiewicz Pierre I
Published: August 2018

Objectives

To test for racial disparities in lymph node dissection rates, lymph node dissection extent, lymph node invasion rates and cancer‐specific mortality in North American African Americans versus non‐Hispanic whites, at radical prostatectomy for clinically localized prostate cancer.

Methods

Within the Surveillance, Epidemiology and End Results database (2010–2014), we identified 58 974 African Americans or non‐Hispanic whites with prostate cancer, who underwent radical prostatectomy with available clinical stage, prostate‐specific antigen and biopsy Gleason score. Annual trends were examined. Logistic regression models focused on lymph node dissection rates, lymph node dissection extent (number of removed lymph nodes) and lymph node invasion. Cox regression models tested for differences in cancer‐specific mortality. Multivariable models were adjusted for D'Amico risk groups, age and year. Models predicting lymph node invasion and cancer‐specific mortality were additionally adjusted for lymph node dissection extent.

Results

Among all patients, 14.5% were African Americans. Lymph node dissection was carried out in 60.0% of African Americans versus 59.5% of non‐Hispanic whites (P = 0.4). The median number of removed lymph nodes was five in African Americans versus six in non‐Hispanic whites (P < 0.001). Furthermore, 3.1% versus 3.3% of African Americans and non‐Hispanic whites, respectively, harbored lymph node invasion (P = 0.3). In multivariable logistic regression models African American race did not affect lymph node dissection or lymph node invasion rates, but lymph node dissection extent was lower in African Americans (hazard ratio 0.9; P < 0.001). No statistical differences in cancer‐specific mortality were identified according to race.

Conclusions

Contemporary North American African American patients treated with radical prostatectomy have equal access to lymph node dissection, the same lymph node invasion rates and the same cancer‐specific mortality rates as non‐Hispanic whites. However, the extent of lymph node dissection is lower in African Americans. The results regarding lymph node dissection rates are encouraging. However, improvements are required regarding lymph node dissection extent in African Americans.
Early pancreatic stent placement in wire‐guided biliary cannulation: A multicenter retrospective study
Authors: Hakuta Ryunosuke , Hamada Tsuyoshi , Nakai Yousuke , Isayama Hiroyuki , Kogure Hirofumi , Takahara Naminatsu , Mizuno Suguru , Yagioka Hiroshi , Togawa Osamu , Matsubara Saburo , Ito Yukiko , Yamamoto Natsuyo , Tada Minoru , Koike Kazuhiko
Published: August 2018

Background and Aim

Guidewire insertion to a pancreatic duct under wire‐guided cannulation (WGC) during endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) is associated with a high incidence of post‐ERCP pancreatitis (PEP). Pancreatic stent placement followed by WGC (PS‐WGC) is considered for these cases to reduce PEP. This study was aimed to examine the effectiveness of PS‐WGC compared with repeated WGC.

Methods

The consecutive data of patients without history of ERCP who underwent ERCP for biliary intervention were retrospectively collected from five centers. Patients without guidewire insertion to the pancreatic duct were excluded. Pancreatic stent was immediately placed after guidewire insertion to the pancreatic duct in the PS‐WGC group. The association between the method of biliary cannulation (PS‐WGC or repeated WGC) and PEP was analyzed using multivariable logistic regression model.

Results

A total of 590 patients (183 in the PS‐WGC and 407 in the repeated WGC group) were included. PS‐WGC decreased PEP (8.7% vs 19%, P = 0.001) and improved its severity (moderate and severe PEP; 2.2% vs 6.4%, P = 0.04) compared with repeated WGC. PS‐WGC was associated with reduction of PEP in the multivariable model (Odds ratio 0.31, P < 0.001). The rates of difficult cannulation and overall successful biliary cannulation were not different between the two groups (66% vs 70%, P = 0.39 and 98% vs 96%, P = 0.21 in the PS‐WGC and repeated WGC group, respectively).

Conclusions

Pancreatic stent placement followed by WGC reduced PEP in patients with guidewire insertion to the pancreatic duct during WGC for native papilla compared with repeated WGC.
Aiming for the elimination of viral hepatitis in Australia, New Zealand, and the Pacific Islands and Territories: Where are we now and barriers to meeting World Health Organization targets by 2030
Authors: Howell Jess , Pedrana Alisa , Cowie Benjamin C , Doyle Joseph , Getahun Aneley , Ward James , Gane Ed , Cunningham Chris , Wallace Jack , Lee Alice , Malani Jioji , Thompson Alex , Hellard Margaret E
Published: August 2018

Viral hepatitis affects more than 320 million people globally, leading to significant morbidity and mortality due to liver failure and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). More than 248 million people (3.2% globally) are chronically infected with hepatitis B virus (HBV), and an estimated 80 million people (1.1% globally) are chronically infected with hepatitis C virus (HCV). In 2015, more than 700 000 deaths were directly attributable to HBV, and nearly 500 000 deaths were attributable to HCV infection; 2–5% of HBV‐infected people develop HCC per annum irrespective of the presence of cirrhosis, whereas 1–5% HCV‐infected people with advanced fibrosis develop HCC per annum. The rapidly escalating global mortality related to HBV and HCV related viral hepatitis to be the 7th leading cause of death worldwide in 2013, from 10th leading cause in 1990. Australia, New Zealand, and Pacific Island Countries and Territories fall within the World Health Organization Western Pacific Region, which has a high prevalence of viral hepatitis and related morbidity, particularly HBV. Remarkably, in this region, HBV‐related mortality is greater than for tuberculosis, HIV infection, and malaria combined. The region provides a unique contrast in viral hepatitis prevalence, health system resources, and approaches taken to achieve World Health Organization global elimination targets for HBV and HCV infection. This review highlights the latest evidence in viral hepatitis epidemiology and explores the health resources available to combat viral hepatitis, focusing on the major challenges and critical needs to achieve elimination in Australia, New Zealand, and Pacific Island Countries and Territories.
Competing Meanings: Negotiating Prior Consultation in Brazil
Authors: Schumann Charlotte
Published: August 2018

Esse artigo analisa a regulamentação da Convenção 169 da Organização Internacional do Trabalho (OIT) no Brasil. Material de campo coletado em pesquisa de campo de 2012 a 2015 no Brasil esclarece o processo de estabelecer “frames of meaning” (Merry 2006) para consulta prévia no contexto nacional de Brasil. O artigo discute como membros da administração pública, lideranças de movimentos sociais, representantes da sociedade civil e expertos jurídicos nacionais e internacionais usam os três discursos de diferença cultural, cidadania e crescimento económico para argumentar diferentes interpretações de atores, relações e linhas de argumentação adequada para implementar consulta prévia. O artigo argumenta que o primeiro passo para a implementação local de direitos humanos sempre implica o processo de estabelecer significados disputados e concorrentes das conceitos chaves ao nível nacional. [Brasil, direitos humanos, povos indigenas, lei, consulta prévia, Convenção 169, Organização Internacional de Trabalho]
Second IVIg course in Guillain‐Barré syndrome patients with poor prognosis (SID‐GBS trial): Protocol for a double‐blind randomized, placebo‐controlled clinical trial
Authors: Walgaard Christa , Jacobs Bart C. , Lingsma Hester F. , Steyerberg Ewout W. , Cornblath David R. , van Doorn Pieter A. ,   the Dutch GBS Study Group
Published: August 2018

One course of intravenous immunoglobulins (IVIg) of 2 g/kg is standard treatment in Guillain‐Barré syndrome (GBS) patients unable to walk independently. Despite treatment some patients recover poorly, in part related to rapid consumption of IVIg, indicating that they may benefit from a second course of IVIg. The aim of the study is to determine whether a second course of IVIg, administered 1 week after start of the first course in patients with GBS and predicted poor outcome improves functional outcome on the GBS disability scale after 4 weeks. Secondary outcome measures include adverse events (AEs), Medical Research Council sumscore and GBS disability score after 8, 12, and 26 weeks, length of hospital and ICU admission, mortality, and changes in serum IgG levels. GBS patients of 12 years and older with a poor prognosis, based on the modified Erasmus GBS outcome score (mEGOS) at 1 week after start of the first IVIg course are eligible for randomization in this double‐blind, placebo‐controlled (IVIg or albumin) clinical trial. This study will determine if a second course of IVIg administered in the acute phase of the disease is safe, feasible, and effective in patients with GBS and a poor prognosis. This Dutch trial is registered prospectively as NTR 2224 in the Netherlands National Trial Register (NTR) which is the Primary Registry in the WHO Registry Network for the Netherlands.